Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Are 5 buttons enough: destination input on touchscreen keyboards

Although alternative means of text input in vehicles have already been developed, touchscreen keyboards still pose a standard solution for this input in modern vehicles. Until alternative means of text input will be widely available in vehicles, it is important to further investigate potential improvements in button text input on touch screens. This paper presents a study in which we compared three means of text input for navigation destination entry on a touchscreen in the central console: two keyboards using a QWERTY and an ABC layout, respectively, and a novel 5Button input approach using only 5 buttons to type in city names. The study focused on performance, distraction, and user experience caused by the different keyboards. Results show that the QWERTY and ABC keyboards performed better in terms of perceived workload than the 5Button approach. Performance and perceived usability were best with the QWERTY keyboard, even compared to the ABC keyboard. No significant differences between the systems were found in lane keeping behavior. The main downside of the 5Button approach was the increase of mental workload compared to the other keyboards.
Cost-Effectiveness of a Hypertension Control Intervention in Three Community Health Centers in China

Background: Hypertension and associated chronic diseases impose enormous and growing health and economic burdens worldwide. The objective of this study was to investigate the cost-effectiveness (CE) of a hypertension control program in China. Methods: We collected information on program costs and health outcomes in three community health centers over a 1-year period. The participants were 4902 people with hypertension (systolic blood pressure [SBP] ≥140 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure [DBP] ≥90 mm Hg, or on hypertension medication) aged 18 years and older. The SBP and DBP changes in the populations were estimated from a random sample of 818 participants by conducting face-to-face interviews and physical examinations. We derived CE measures based on the costs and effects on health outcomes. Findings: The total cost of implementing the intervention was Renminbi (RMB) 240 772 yuan (US$35 252), or 49 yuan (US$7.17) per participant in 2009. On average, SBP decreased from 143 to 131 mm Hg (P < .001) and DBP decreased from 84 to 78 mm Hg (P < .001), the SBP decreases ranged from 7.6 to 17.8 mm Hg and DBP decreases ranged from 3.9 to 8.3 mm Hg. CE ratios ranged from RMB 3.6 to 5.0 yuan (US$0.53-US$0.73) per person per mm Hg SBP decrease, and from RMB 6.3 to 9.7 yuan (US$0.92-US$1.42) per person per mm Hg DBP decrease. Interpretation: Per capita costs varied widely across the communities, as did changes in SBP and DBP, but CE was similar. The findings suggest (a) a positive correlation between per capita costs and program effectiveness, (b) differences in intervention levels, and (c) differences in health status. CE results could be helpful to policy makers in making resource allocation decisions.
Calcium: a crucial consideration in serum‐free keratinocyte culture

Abstract This investigation was conducted when previously rcpealable experimental data became impossible to reproduce when using keratino‐cytes cultured in serum‐free medium. Differences in calcium molarity between batches of medium were identified as a source of variation in cultured keratinocyte populations. The susceptibility of cultured keralinocytes to even small alterations in calcium molarily has been demonstrated. 2 regular medium batches were compared with a special preparation of medium, devoid of calcium chloride then supplemented with a known concentration of calcium ions. Culture progress in each medium was assessed by: morphological observation, % cells expressing involucrin and proliferating cell nuclear antigen, cell attachment, growth rate and colony forming efficiency. In order to control the phenotype of cultured kera‐tinocytes, in a rcpoducible system, it is recommended that serum‐free keratinocyte medium is purchased with the omission of calcium chloride. Supplementation of this medium may then be made by the investigator to suit individual culture requirements.
Mechanism and cellular kinetic studies of the enhancement of antioxidant activity by using surface-functionalized gold nanoparticles.

The enhanced antioxidant activity of surface-functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) synthesized by self-assembly has attracted great attention, but little is known about the mechanism behind the enhanced activity. To address this challenge, the antioxidant activity of Au@PEG3SA (i.e., surface-functionalization of spherical AuNPs with the antioxidant salvianic acid A) was used as an example to illustrate the mechanism of the enhanced activity. Evaluation of the antioxidant activity was performed in a radical-scavenging reaction between Au@PEG3SA and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. As expected, the rate constant for the reaction of Au@PEG3SA with DPPH was about nine times greater than that for the salvianic acid A monomer. A comparative analysis of the spectral characteristics of Au@PEG3SA and the salvianic acid A monomer further imply that the enhancement of the antioxidative reaction kinetics may be ascribed to the variation in the transition state for the DPPH-radical scavenging reaction through π-π stacking interactions between and among adjacent groups on the surface of Au@PEG3SA. On the other hand, the kinetic enhancement of Au@PEG3SA on reactive-oxygen-species (ROS) scavenging can be observed in living cells and in vivo, which possibly provides new insight for the bioapplication of self-assembly of surface-functionalized AuNPs.
Early maternal separation, nightmares, and bad dreams: Results from the Hungarostudy Epidemiological Panel

Early maternal separation is a particularly stressful experience. Current models of nightmare production emphasize negative emotionality as having a central role in determining dream affect. Our aim is to test the hypothesis that persons who experienced early maternal separation (before one year of age and lasting at least one month) report more frequent nightmare experiences and bad dreams as adults. In the frame of the Hungarostudy Epidemiological Panel, 5020 subjects were interviewed. Significant associations were found between early maternal separation and both frequent nightmare experience in adulthood and increased frequency of oppressive and bad dreams. Current depression scores fully mediated the association between early separation and nightmares, but not the association between early separation and negative dream affect. We interpret these findings as a trait-like enhancement of negative emotionality in adults who experienced early maternal separation. This enhancement influences the content of dreams and, when it takes the form of depression, also influences the frequency of nightmares.
Influence of agonist concentration on AMPA and kainate channels in CA1 pyramidal cells in rat hippocampal slices

We have determined the functional properties of single AMPA receptor (AMPAR) and kainate receptor channels present in CA1 cells in hippocampal slices, to shed light on the relationship between single‐channel behaviour and synaptic currents in these cells. To derive basic properties of AMPA and kainate channels activated by their excitatory transmitter, we examined outside‐out patches exposed to glutamate. The kainate agonist SYM 2081, was used to confirm the presence of kainate receptors. Channels activated by glutamate or SYM 2081 exhibited conductance levels of 2–20 pS. Properties of single channels depended on the glutamate or AMPA concentration used. We observed a marked increase in mean channel conductance (γ) from γ= 6.9, to 11.2 pS, when glutamate was increased from 10 μm to 10 mm. The kinetic behaviour of AMPAR channels was also influenced by agonist concentration, with an increase in ‘bursty’ events at higher concentrations. In contrast, kainate channels were characterized by brief openings without bursts. Consistent with the view that ‘bursty’ events arose from AMPARs, these openings decreased in the presence of the AMPAR blocker GYKI 53655. Furthermore, our experiments revealed a concentration‐dependent increase in the number of conductance states during an individual AMPAR opening; AMPAR channels displayed up to four distinct levels. Our results are consistent with the view that the AMPAR channel conductance depends on the number of transmitter molecules bound in CA1 cells. We consider the implications of these findings for the change in EPSC properties during long‐term potentiation (LTP).
Roles of Rho-associated Kinase and Myosin Light Chain Kinase in Morphological and Migratory Defects of Focal Adhesion Kinase-null Cells*

Fibroblasts derived from focal adhesion kinase (FAK)-null mouse embryos have a reduced migration rate and an increase in the number and size of peripherally localized adhesions (Ilic, D., Furuta, Y., Kanazawa, S., Takeda, N., Sobue, K., Nakatsuji, N., Nomura, S., Fujimoto, J., Okada, M., and Yamamoto, T. (1995)Nature 377, 539–544). In this study, we have found that Y27632, a specific inhibitor for Rho-associated kinase (Rho-kinase), dramatically reversed the round cell morphology of FAK−/−cells to a spread fibroblast-like shape in 30 min and significantly enhanced their motility. The effects of Y27632 on the FAK−/− cell morphology and motility were concomitant with reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton and redistribution of focal adhesions. Conversely, the expression of the constitutively active Rho-kinase in FAK+/+ cells led to round cell shape and inhibition of cell motility. Furthermore, coincident with the formation of cortical actin filaments, myosin light chain (MLC), Ser-19-phosphorylated MLC, and MLC kinase mainly accumulated at the FAK−/− cell periphery. We found that the disruption of actin filaments by cytochalasin D prevented the peripheral accumulation of MLC kinase and that inhibition of myosin-mediated contractility by 2,3-butanedione monoxime induced FAK−/−cells to spread. Taken together, our results suggest that Rho-kinase may mediate the formation of cortical actomyosin filaments at the FAK−/− cell periphery, which further recruits MLC kinase to the cell periphery and generates a non-polar contractile force surrounding the cell, leading to cell rounding and decreased motility.
LPS induces pulmonary intravascular macrophages producing inflammatory mediators via activating NF‐κB

Pulmonary intravascular macrophages (PIMs) are often responsible for the clearance of blood‐borne pathogens, including endotoxin, lipopolysaccharide of Gram‐negative bacteria. It is well accepted that PIMs play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of endotoxin‐induced acute lung injury. However, the mechanisms by which PIMs are involved in the lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammatory responses remain unclear. Through the present study the following results were found: (1) When challenged with lipopolysaccharide (10 μg/ml), PIMs underwent marked cellular enlargement, intercellular adhesion plaques became longer, and some particulates were enwrapped in the pseudopods. (2) Lipopolysaccharide could up‐regulate the expression of some inflammatory mediators in PIMs, including TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, and COX‐2, and these up‐regulated expression of inflammatory mediators correlated with NF‐κB activation. (3) Dexamethasone as well as acetylsalicylic acid reduced the expression of TNF‐α in lipopolysaccharide‐challenged PIMs, and the decreased expression of TNF‐α was also consistent with decreased NF‐κB activation. Our results suggest that NF‐κB activation in PIMs followed by phagocytizing lipopolysaccharide resulted in the up‐regulation of TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, and COX‐2, which could be alleviated by dexamethasone. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Probability of Fixation in a Heterogeneous Environment

We investigate the probability of fixation of a new mutation arising in a metapopulation that ranges over a heterogeneous selective environment. Using simulations, we test the performance of several approximations of this probability, including a new analytical approximation based on separation of the timescales of selection and migration. We extend all approximations to multideme metapopulations with arbitrary population structure. Our simulations show that no single approximation produces accurate predictions of fixation probabilities for all cases of potential interest. At the limits of low and high migration, previously published approximations are found to be highly accurate. The new separation-of-timescales approach provides the best approximations for intermediate rates of migration among habitats, provided selection is not too intense. For nonzero migration and relatively strong selection, all approximations perform poorly. However, the probability of fixation is bounded above and below by the approximations based on low and high migration limits. Surprisingly, in our simulations with symmetric migration, heterogeneous selection in a metapopulation never decreased—and sometimes substantially increased—the probability of fixation of a new allele compared to metapopulations experiencing homogeneous selection with the same mean selection intensity.
Comparison of Two Alternate Methods to Establish an Interrupted Energy Assessment Rate

Quantitative reliability evaluation is an important aspect of power system planning and operation. The indices produced in these applications are utilized in a wide range of management decisions throughout a utility. One issue which is often debated is the cost associated with a particular level of reliability. In order to make this argument complete, it is necessary to also thoroughly examine the worth or benefit associated with a particular level of reliability. Estimates of the impact of interruptions in service can be obtained by assessing the losses incurred by different customer types and classes. These data can then be used to generate a composite customer damage function for a given utility service area. In order to create a practical tool for assessing reliability worth, interruption costs must be related to the calculated indices used in system planning and operation. This paper uses two different approaches and a customer damage function to evaluate a factor designated as the Interrupted Energy Assessment Rate (IEAR) which can be used in conjunction with the calculated expected energy not supplied in the assessment of reliability worth.
Measure of covertness based on the imperfect synchronization of an eavesdropper in Random Communication Systems

Random Communication Systems (RCSs) given in the literature have assumed perfectly synchronized transmitter and receiver. However in this paper, instead of assuming perfect synchronization approach in RCSs, the effects of imperfect synchronization (IS) on Skewed Alpha-Stable Noise Shift Keying (SkaS-NSK) based RCS have been observed through simulations. The Bit Error Rate (BER) performance of the eavesdropper with respect to his synchronization error in SkaS-NSK based RCS, has been analyzed. An expression for the probability of an eavesdropper to decode the binary information (i.e., Eavesdropping Probability) in SkaS-NSK based RCS, has been derived. The criterion (i.e., Covertness Value) to measure the covertness level of RCSs has also been proposed. The BER performance of an eavesdropper provides an approximate margin of synchronization error if it can be overcome by an eavesdropper then he can achieve the decoding (i.e., eavesdropping) process.
Comparison of Silicone and Polypropylene Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Implants

PurposeTo compare the efficacy and safety of silicone and polypropylene Ahmed Glaucoma Valves (AGVs) in patients with refractory glaucoma. MethodsA retrospective chart review of 180 eyes of 166 patients who underwent AGV implantation with a minimum follow-up period of 3 months was performed. All patients who underwent implantation of either the AGV model S-2 (polypropylene) or model FP-7 (silicone) were included, unless previous laser cyclophotocoagulation had been performed. The primary outcome measures were the change in intraocular pressure (IOP) and visual acuity after surgery and the rate of postoperative complications. ResultsNo significant differences were seen in the baseline characteristics of patients in each group. Baseline IOP was statistically equivalent in the 2 groups (silicone =33.8±11.9 mm Hg, polypropylene=33.0±10.3 mm Hg, P=0.6). A significant reduction in IOP from baseline was achieved after both silicone and polypropylene AGV implantation (silicone =−17.7±11.8 mm Hg, polypropylene =−17.7±11.3 mm Hg, both P<0.00005). However, there was no statistically significant difference in IOP decrease between the 2 groups at any follow-up visit (all P>0.09). The mean number of postoperative antiglaucoma medications was also similar in the silicone and the polypropylene AGV groups at each time point (all P>0.2). The rate of complications and the change in visual acuity did not differ between the 2 groups (P>0.6 and P>0.3, respectively). ConclusionsSilicone and polypropylene AGVs have similar results with respect to both safety and efficacy in the treatment of patients with refractory glaucoma.
Inhibitory action of dopamine on cat carotid chemoreceptors.

1. The influence of some drugs which affect the dopaminergic system was studied on chemosensory responses to dopamine (DA), acetylcholine (ACh), sodium cyanide NaCN) and hypoxia during experiments on pentobarbitone anaesthetized cats in which chemoreceptor activity was recorded from the peripheral end of a sectioned sinus nerve. 2. Spontaneous chemosensory activity was inhibited in a dose‐dependent manner by DA (0.5‐5 microgram, I.A.). Higher doses (10‐50 microgram) caused a delayed increase in discharge and were associated with inconsistent inhibitory responses. 3. The DA antagonist alpha‐flupenthixol (0.2 mg/kg, I.A.) blocked the inhibitory response to DA without affecting either the spontaneous discharge frequency or the response to ACh. The effect of NaCN was potentiated, and during hypoxia chemoreceptor activity increased more rapidly, although the maximum frequency attained was not appreciably different from control values. Similar results were obtained with haloperidol (0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg, I.V.). 4. Higher doses of alpha‐flupenthixol (0.5‐1.0 mg/kg, I.A.) increased spontaneous chemoreceptor activity, but this was regarded as a non‐specific effect of the drug since at these doses the inhibitory effect of 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) was also abolished. 5. The animals were exposed to alternate periods of hypoxia and hyperoxia following administration of the tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitor alpha‐methyl p‐tyrosine (AMPT, 0.2‐10 mg/kg, I.A.). The inhibitory response previously evoked by amphetamine was abolished, and electron microscopic studies showed a great reduction in the number of dense‐cored granules, both of which suggested that DA levels in the carotid body had been substantially reduced. Responses to NaCN and hypoxia were slightly potentiated following AMPT, but neither spontaneous activity nor the response to ACh was affected. 6. Apomorphine (0.05‐0.2 mg/kg, I.A.) inhibited the chemoreceptor discharge for up to 45 min, an effect which was antagonized by alpha‐flupenthixol (0.2 mg/kg, I.A.), implying it resulted from DA receptor stimulation. Although responses to NaCN, hypoxia and higher doses of ACh were reduced following administration of apomorphine, the reduction was not very marked. 7. These results are not compatible with the theory of Osborne & Butler (1975), that in normoxia DA is tonically released in the carotid body and suppresses spontaneous chemosensory activity. 8. It is concluded that DA modulates chemosensory activity by influencing the rate of increase in discharge, without affecting maximum discharge frequency. The mechanism whereby DA is released in response to increased chemosensory activity remains to be established.
Helminth fauna of Talpa spp. in the Palaearctic Realm

Abstract The helminth fauna of the genus Talpa in the Palaearctic Realm is reviewed. Several helminth species reported in Talpa spp. by a number of authors are discussed, with reference to host specificity, parasite biology, and host ethology, ecology and phylogeny. Twelve species of cestodes were found, two of which exhibit stenoxenous specificity (Staphylocystis bacillaris and Multitesticulata filamentosa). Only three species of trematodes, Ityogonimus lorum, Ityogonimus ocreatus and Combesia macrobursata, are exclusive parasites of Talpa spp. The largest group are nematodes, with 37 species. Species of Tricholinstowia are parasites of holarctic talpids and several species of distinct genera, such as Capillaria, Soboliphyme and Trichuris, are found only in Talpa spp. Only acanthocephalans of the genus Moniliformis have been reported in moles of the genus Talpa. On the basis of these helminthological findings, the close phylogenetic relationship between moles (Talpidae) and shrews (Soricidae) supports the separation of the ordinal levels Soricomorpha and Erinaceomorpha.
Transgenic Mouse Models Provide New Insights into the Role of p63 in Epidermal Development

The epidermis is a stratified epithelium which provides a barrier between the organism and the environment protecting it from dehydration and pathogenic insult. A gene essential for development of the epidermis and other stratified epithelia is the transcription factor p63. The p63 gene is transcribed into isoforms that contain (TA) or lack (DN) a transactivation domain. Of these isoforms, only TAp63 isoforms are expressed in the uncommitted surface ectoderm, while DNp63 isoforms are expressed after the surface ectoderm has committed to a stratification program. Consistent with these embryonic expression profiles, we found that TAp63a functions as the master switch for initiation of epithelial stratification. Furthermore, TAp63a induces proliferation and inhibits terminal differentiation. This inhibition is overcome by the subsequent expression of DNp63a which, in this context, acts as a dominant-negative molecule and allows basal keratinocytes to withdraw from the cell cycle and commit to terminal differentiation. These data demonstrate that TA- and DNp63 isoforms have fundamentally different roles during epidermal development and provide new insight into the molecular events required for normal epidermal morphogenesis.
Regulation of neuronal survival and death by extracellular signals during development

Cell death is a prominent feature of the developing vertebrate nervous system, affecting neurons, glial cells and their progenitors. The most extensively studied and best understood phase of cell death occurs in populations of neurons shortly after they begin establishing connections with other neurons and/or non‐neural tissues. This phase of cell death makes appropriate adjustments to the relative sizes of interconnected groups of neurons and matches the size of neuronal populations that innervate non‐neural tissues to the optimal requirements of these tissues. The fate of neurons during this period of development is regulated by a variety of secreted proteins that either promote survival or bring about cell death after binding to receptors expressed on the neurons. These proteins may be derived from the targets the neurons innervate, the afferents they receive or from associated glial cells, or they may be secreted by the neurons themselves. In this review, I will outline the established and emerging principles that modulate neuronal number in the developing nervous system.