Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intensifying Emotional Reactions via Tactile Gestures in Immersive Films

The film industry continuously strives to make visitors’ movie experience more immersive and thus, more captivating. This is realized through larger screens, sophisticated speaker systems, and high quality 2D and 3D content. Moreover, a recent trend in the film industry is to incorporate multiple interaction modalities, such as 4D film, to simulate rain, wind, vibration, and heat, in order to intensify viewers’ emotional reactions. In this context, humans’ sense of touch possesses significant potential for intensifying emotional reactions for the film experience beyond audio-visual sensory modalities. This article presents a framework for authoring tactile cues (tactile gestures as used in this article) and enabling automatic rendering of said gestures to intensify emotional reactions in an immersive film experience. To validate the proposed framework, we conducted an experimental study where tactile gestures are designed and evaluated for the ability to intensify four emotional reactions: high valence-high arousal, high valence-low arousal, low valence-high arousal, and low valence-low arousal. Using a haptic jacket, participants felt tactile gestures that are synchronized with the audio-visual contents of a film. Results demonstrated that (1) any tactile feedback generated a positive user experience; (2) the tactile feedback intensifies emotional reactions when the audio-visual stimuli elicit clear emotional responses, except for low arousal emotional response since tactile gestures seem to always generate excitement; (3) purposed tactile gestures do not seem to significantly outperform randomized tactile gesture for intensifying specific emotional reactions; and (4) using a haptic jacket is not distracting for the users.
NEONATAL POLYCYSTIC KIDNEY WITH BRAIN DEFECT.

This report concerns the occurrence of polycystic kidney and abnormalities of the brain in three siblings. Two had the Dandy-Walker syndrome (cystic dilatation of the fourth ventricle with incomplete development of the vermis). One of the infants was stillborn, and the other two survived only a few hours. The infants did not show signs of cystic disease in the other organs, as did the group of patients reported by Lundin and Olow1and the Dalgaard2series. The detailed neuropathology found in these infants is included in a report on the Dandy-Walker syndrome by D'Agostino, Kernohan, and Brown.3 Bilateral polycystic renal disease without cerebral malformations occurs in adults as well as infants and children. This disorder has two peaks in age distribution: the neonatal, between birth and three months4-6; and the adult, between 30 and 60 years. The adult and congenital infantile forms of the disease are
From Sago to Rice, from Forest to Town: The Consequences of Sedentarization for the Nutritional Ecology of Punan Former Hunter-Gatherers of Borneo

Background The last nomadic peoples of the world are facing strong governmental incentives to renounce their foraging lifestyle. Nevertheless, the shift to a sedentary way of life and the adoption of agriculture do not always result in the promised improvement in diet and health conditions. Objective We compared the dietary regime and nutritional status of three groups of former hunter-gatherers, the Punan of Borneo. All three groups adopted extensive upland rice cultivation almost 6 decades ago, but each has some degree of dependence on agriculture versus forest resources, which varies along a gradient of accessibility of urban facilities. Methods The diet of three distinct Punan groups living in the dipterocarp forest of East Kalimantan was assessed both qualitatively and quantitatively and analyzed in relation to the seasonality of resources and human activities. The physical fitness of the Punan was also estimated from repeated anthropometric measurements. Results The more remote the Punan community was from urban facilities, the more diversified was the diet and the better were its nutritional status and physical fitness. The contribution of forest resources to the dietary regime also decreased with urban proximity. However, the higher dependency on agriculture is not the proximate cause of the deterioration in diet and physical fitness, which is rather due to the transition from the nomadic to the settled way of life. Conclusions The brutal shift in lifestyle among the Punan of Borneo has profoundly affected the integrity of these societies and impacted their social, cultural, symbolic, and political features. In the long run, this may compromise their health status and ecological success.
Early Gene Expression of NK Cell-Activating Chemokines in Mice Resistant to Leishmania major

ABSTRACT Susceptibility of mice to Leishmania major is associated with an insufficient NK cell-mediated innate immune response. We analyzed the expression of NK cell-activating chemokines in vivo during the first days of infection in resistant and susceptible mice. The mRNA expression of gamma interferon-inducible protein 10 (IP-10), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), and lymphotactin was upregulated 1 day after infection in the draining lymph nodes of resistant C57BL/6 mice but not in those of susceptible BALB/c mice. In vivo local treatment of BALB/c mice with recombinant IP-10 shortly after infection resulted in an enhanced NK cell activity in the draining lymph node. The data suggest that although the recruitment of NK cells is normal in susceptible mice, the lack of NK cell-activating chemokines is a factor resulting in a suboptimal NK cell-mediated defense.
The effects of turbulent eddies on the stability and critical swimming speed of creek chub (Semotilus atromaculatus)

SUMMARY The effect of turbulent eddy diameter, vorticity and orientation on the 2 min critical swimming speed and stability of creek chub (Semotilus atromaculatus) is reported. Turbulent eddies were visualized and their properties were quantified using particle image velocimetry (PIV). Flow fields with an increasing range in eddy diameter were created by inserting cylinder arrays upstream from the swimming test section. Eddy vorticity increased with increasing velocity. Two orientations of eddies, eddies spinning about a vertical axis and eddies spinning about a horizontal (wall-to-wall) axis, were investigated. Stability challenges were not observed until the largest (95th percentile) eddy diameters reached 76% of the fish body total length. Under these conditions fish were observed to spin in an orientation consistent with the rotational axis of the large eddies and translate downstream. These losses in postural control were termed ‘spills’. Spills were 230% more frequent and lasted 24% longer in turbulent flow fields dominated by horizontal eddies than by vertical eddies of the same diameter. The onset of spills coincided with a 10% and 22% reduction in critical swimming speed in turbulent flows dominated by large vertical and horizontal eddies, respectively. These observations confirm predictions by Pavlov et al., Cada and Odeh, Lupandin, and Liao that the eddy diameter, vorticity and orientation play an important role in the swimming capacity of fishes.
Acquired immune‐related and inflammatory conditions and subsequent chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

Immune‐mediated pathways have been recognized to be of importance in the pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). We assessed a broad variety of immune‐related and inflammatory conditions and subsequent CLL development among 4 million adult male veterans admitted to VA hospitals. We identified 3,680 CLL cases with up to 27 years of follow‐up. Using Poisson regression analyses restricted to immune‐related or inflammatory conditions that occurred more than one year before CLL, we estimated relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals for CLL risk. Elevated CLL risk was found among individuals with prior chronic sinusitis (RR = 1·27, 1·01–1·61). Pneumonia had a borderline (RR = 1·13, 1·00–1·27) association with CLL; the risk was further elevated (RR = 1·35, 1·07–1·72) for latency <5 years. Conversely, chronic non‐rheumatic valvular heart disease was associated with 0·76‐fold (0·58–0·99) decreased risk. Herpes zoster and simplex were associated with increased (RR = 1·98, 1·40–2·79) and borderline increased (RR = 1·69, 0·96–2·98) CLL risk. There was no general association between autoimmunity and CLL; however, autoimmune haemolytic anaemia was associated with 3·86‐fold (1·93–7·74) elevated CLL risk. Individuals with chronic osteoarthritis and prostatitis had 1·14‐fold (1·03–1·25) and 1·64‐fold (1·14–2·37) elevated CLL risk. These association patterns suggest primary focus on infectious agents rather than autoantigens for future aetiologic CLL studies.
Conservation law constrained optimization based upon front-tracking

We consider models based on conservation laws. For the optimization of such systems, a sensitivity analysis is essential to determine how changes in the decision variables influence the objective function. Here we study the sensitivity with respect to the initial data of objective functions that depend upon the solution of Riemann problems with piecewise linear flux functions. We present representations for the one–sided directional derivatives of the objective functions. The results can be used in the numerical method called Front-Tracking.
Antimicrobial susceptibility of clinical isolates of Serratia marcescens

The in vitro susceptibilities of 242 isolates of Serratia marcescens to 17 antibacterial drugs have been determined. Oxolinic acid, nalidixic acid, cefoxitin, and amikacin were the most active drugs. Ampicillin, kanamycin, and cephalothin were among the least active. A 4-year study showed that resistance of S. marcescens to dibekacin, tobramycin, sisomycin, and gentamicin has increased at least one order of magnitude in that period, whereas resistance to amikacin showed but a twofold increase.
Tumor Necrosis Factor Induces Bcl-2 and Bcl-x Expression through NFκB Activation in Primary Hippocampal Neurons*

Emerging data indicate that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) exerts a neuroprotective effect in response to brain injury. Here we examined the mechanism of TNF in preventing neuronal death in primary hippocampal neurons. TNF protected neurons against hypoxia- or nitric oxide-induced injury, with an increase in the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-x as determined by Western blot and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis. Treatment of neurons with an antisense oligonucleotide to bcl-2 mRNA or that to bcl-x mRNA blocked the up-regulation of Bcl-2 or Bcl-x expression, respectively, and partially inhibited the neuroprotective effect induced by TNF. Moreover, adenovirus-mediated overexpression of Bcl-2 significantly inhibited hypoxia- or nitric oxide-induced neuronal death. To examine the possible involvement of a transcription factor, NFκB, in the regulation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-x expression in TNF-treated neurons, an adenoviral vector capable of expressing a mutated form of IκB was used to infect neurons prior to TNF treatment. Expression of the mutant NFκB completely inhibited NFκB DNA binding activity and inhibited both TNF-induced up-regulation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-x expression and neuroprotective effect. These findings indicate that induction of Bcl-2 and Bcl-x expression through NFκB activation is involved in the neuroprotective action of TNF against hypoxia- or nitric oxide-induced injury.
Prehospital procedures before emergency department thoracotomy: "scoop and run" saves lives.

BACKGROUND The role of prehospital healthcare personnel in the management of acutely injured patients is rapidly evolving. However, the performance of prehospital procedures on unstable, penetrating trauma patients remains controversial. The objective of this study is to test the hypothesis that survival of most critically injured penetrating trauma patients requiring emergency department thoracotomy (EDT) would be improved if procedures were restricted until arrival to the trauma bay. METHODS A retrospective chart review on 180 consecutive penetrating trauma patients (2000-2005) who underwent EDT was performed. Patients were divided into two groups by mode of transportation and compared on the basis of demographics, clinical and physiologic parameters, prehospital procedures, and survival. RESULTS Eighty-eight patients arrived by emergency medical services (EMS), and 92 were brought by police or private vehicle. Groups were similar with respect to demographics. Seven of 88 (8.0%) EMS-transported patients survived until hospital discharge, and 16 of 92 (17.4%) survived after police or private transportation. Overall, 137 prehospital procedures were performed in 78 of 88 (88.6%) EMS-transported patients, but no police- or private-transported patient underwent field procedures. Multivariate logistic regression analyses identified prehospital procedures as the sole independent predictor of mortality. For each procedure, patients were 2.63 times more likely to die before hospital discharge (OR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.18-0.79, p = 0.0096). CONCLUSIONS The performance of prehospital procedures in critical, penetrating trauma victims had a negative impact on survival after EDT in our study population. Paramedics should adhere to a minimal or "scoop and run" approach to prehospital transportation in this setting.
MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF ECHINOCOCCUS GRANULOSUS ISOLATED FROM SHEEP AND CAMEL IN IRAN

Forty-eight isolates of hydatid cyst collected from sheep and camels slaughtered in different areas of Iran were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism techniques. The results indicated that the isolates could be categorized into two distinct and uniform genotype grouping, the camel/dog strain group (Genotype 6) and cosmopolitan common sheep strain group (Genotype 1) of E.granulosus. These isolates can potentially act as a risk factor for human health in the country.
Neuronal expression of catechol O-methyltransferase mRNA in neonatal rat suprachiasmatic nucleus

We examined the expression profile of catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) mRNA and its protein in the neonatal rat hypothalamus by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry to clarify the sites of dopamine degradation. Strong COMT mRNA expression was observed in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) throughout its rostrocaudal extent at postnatal day 1 (P1) and P2, and the mRNA levels decreased gradually until P16. COMT mRNA was predominantly localized to the ventral and medial parts of the SCN. Intense COMT immunoreactivity was demonstrated in the ventral SCN and was detected in neuronal perikarya and processes at P1. Ependymal and microglial cells also exhibited strong COMT immunoreactivity. These results indicate that COMT may directly be involved in dopaminergic signaling in the neonatal SCN.
Prevelance of Brucellosis among Febrile Negative Malaria Patients by PCR in Northern Kordofan State, Sudan

Background: Diagnosis of Brucellosis is still facing some obstacles; to date it depends on conventional diagnosis based on blood culture and serological methods. PCR method now days offers the hope of rapid diagnosis. Aim: To determine the prevalence of brucellosis among malaria negative febrile patients in Northern kordofan State, Sudan. Methods: In this cross sectional study, one hundred blood samples were collected from febrile malaria negative patients of different ages form North kordofan State during the period from April to May 2016, and examined by Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT), ELISA and nested PCR methods. Results: The results showed 40 samples were positive by RBPT method 52 samples were positive by ELISA and 81 sample positive by nested PCR. Conclusion: There was high prevalence of brucellosis among the study population as detected by the three tests. Further studies using various diagnostic methods should be considered to determine the prevalence of human brucellosis at the national level.
Title : The relationship between cancer progression and social environment in Drosophila Authors / Affiliation

2Institut for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, CEA, UMR 9198, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France Département Ecologie, Physiologie et Ethologie, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 67037 Strasbourg, France Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien, Université de Strasbourg, 67037 Strasbourg, France Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
Models of substance use in adolescents with and without psychosis.

INTRODUCTION The use of substances is a major concern with adolescents with psychotic disorders, as it can have detrimental effects on psychotic symptoms and other aspects of functioning. The purpose of this study is to increase our understanding of the association between substance use and psychosis in adolescents by testing three models of substance use: the normative development model, the deviance-prone model, and the affect regulation model. METHODS Participants were 35 adolescents with a psychotic disorder, and 35 typically developing adolescents. Measures used: Personal Experience Screening Questionnaire, Youth Self-Report, Beck Depression Inventory, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory. RESULTS The normative development model, hypothesizing that mild substance use leads to better socio-emotional adjustment, was not supported for either group. The deviance-prone model was supported for both groups, indicating that rule-breaking behaviour and aggression significantly predicted substance use. The affect-regulation model was supported for adolescents with psychosis only, indicating that negative affect significantly predicted substance use. CONCLUSIONS The treatment of substance misuse in adolescents with psychosis may be complicated by a number of factors including deviant behaviour and negative affective symptoms. Thus, the current results point to the importance of integrated treatments to help reduce substance misuse and associated problems.
Comparison of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Stress Radiographs in the Evaluation of Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability

Background: In patients who develop chronic ankle instability, clinicians often obtain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as part of the evaluation prior to operative referral. The purpose of this study was to analyze the diagnostic efficacy of MRI in the diagnosis of chronic lateral ankle instability. Our hypothesis was that magnetic resonance imaging would not be a specific diagnostic tool in the evaluation of chronic lateral ankle instability. Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review of 187 consecutive patients (190 ankles) was performed. Inclusion criteria for the study group required a primary complaint of instability that required operative repair or reconstruction, a documented clinical evaluation consistent with instability, stress radiographs, and MRI. Stress radiographs and clinical examinations for the study group and a control group were reviewed independently by both a musculoskeletal radiologist and a board-certified orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeon. Predictive values in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and prevalence were performed. In total, 112 patients (115 ankles) were identified who underwent an operative reconstruction of their lateral ligaments with a history, physical examination, and stress radiographs consistent with lateral ankle instability. A control group was selected consisting of 75 patients seen in the foot and ankle clinic with a diagnosis other than lateral ankle instability. Thirty-seven of the patients in the control group had stress radiographs performed in the clinic to rule out instability as part of their evaluation, and this allowed for an evaluation of the efficacy of stress radiographs in addition to MRI. Statistical analysis was performed using predictive values from sensitivity, specificity, and prevalence. Results: The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) in regards to MRI in the evaluation of patients found to have clinical lateral ankle instability and those who did not had statistical significance. Sensitivity of MRI was 82.6%, specificity was 53.3%, NPV was 66.7%, and PPV was 73%. Since 37 patients in the control group also had stress radiographs, a subanalysis was performed to identify the same values with stress radiographs. Sensitivity, specificity, NPV, and PPV were 66%, 97%, 48%, and 98.7%, respectively. The overall accuracy within this study was 71% for MRI and 74% for stress radiographs. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that MRI has high sensitivity but low specificity in the evaluation of clinical ankle instability. While MRI has value as a screening tool for concomitant ankle pathology, it should not be considered diagnostic in terms of lateral ankle instability. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort, comparative series.
A Novel Vacuum Interrupter Contact Design for Improved High Current Interruption Performance Based on a Double-TMF Arc Control System

A new two-contact system with double-transversal magnetic field (TMF) structure is investigated regarding its potential for high current interruption. It consists of two concentric TMF contacts, in which the inner contact has a disk-shaped structure (spiral contact) and the outer contact a cup-shaped structure. This contact assembly gives several advantages over the use of single-TMF contacts, as the constricted high-current arc might either split between both inner and outer contacts or commute from the inner to the outer contact and continue its rotation. In both scenarios, we expect a better distribution of the arc energy over a larger contact surface. B-field simulation and Lorentz force calculation are carried out to investigate whether two constricted arcs, with one burning on the inner contact and the other on the outer contact, can coexist given their mutual attraction. Single-phase high current interruption tests were carried out to compare the performance of this new double-TMF contact system with that of a standard spiral-type single-TMF one. These tests have revealed superior performance of the new double-TMF contact system, which could interrupt current amplitude at least 20% higher than the one interrupted by the single-TMF contact system.
Progression of tremor and ataxia in male carriers of the FMR1 premutation

Premutation alleles of the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene give rise to a late‐onset movement disorder, fragile X‐associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), characterized by progressive intention tremor and gait ataxia, with associated dementia and global brain atrophy. The natural history of FXTAS is largely unknown. To address this issue, a family‐based, retrospective, longitudinal study was conducted with a cohort of 55 male premutation carriers. Analysis of the progression of the major motor signs of FXTAS, tremor and ataxia, shows that tremor usually occurs first, with median onset at ∼60 years of age. From the onset of the initial motor sign, median delay of onset of ataxia was 2 years; onset of falls, 6 years; dependence on a walking aid, 15 years; and death, 21 years. Preliminary data on life expectancy are variable, with a range from 5 to 25 years. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society