Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Externalizing Virtually Perceived Spatial Cognitive Maps

Cognitive maps are cartographic illustrations of a person's internal representation of the spatial environment in which they live. All of us do form and use cognitive maps, whether in real or virtual space, to deal with and process the information contained in the surrounding environment. Cognitive maps help in visualizing the positional and location details and also the route map for reaching the destination from the current location. Quality of such visualizations directly depends on the quality of the cognitive maps. Thus a human being's spatial behavior relies upon, and is determined by the individual's cognitive map of the surrounding environment. One major deprivation in the life of visually impaired and the blind people is the access to information and visualization, as a result of which navigation and orientation ability as well as the ability to perceive surrounding environment reduces. This paper describes a technique and related experiments for acquisition of spatial knowledge (and thereby development of cognitive maps) of a building or a locality by visually impaired and the blind people through training in computer-simulated (virtual) environments. These might be places such as a school, a university campus or a shopping center. Our system allows them to navigate virtually and is able to record navigation path of participants. An algorithm is also presented for finding optimal path between places using boundary relation heuristic. Special emphasis is placed on online assessment (using various statistical measures) of cognitive maps formed by participants after walking through virtual environments. Preliminary results indicate that (1) bi-dimensional regression analysis is more useful than other methods to assess the configural relations between cognitive and actual maps and (2) most of participants were able to create precise cognitive maps after getting trained in virtual environments.
ToxR proteins with substitutions in residues conserved with OmpR fail to activate transcription from the cholera toxin promoter

The ToxR protein of Vibrio cholerae is an integral membrane protein that coordinately regulates the expression of virulence genes required for successful infection. ToxR has been shown to bind directly to and activate transcription of the cholera toxin (ctx) promoter. Within the amino-terminal cytoplasmic region of ToxR, several amino acids are strictly conserved among ToxR, OmpR, and the other members of a family of bacterial regulatory proteins. To better understand the function of this region, two approaches were taken: conserved residues were changed by site-directed mutagenesis, and random mutations that eliminated ToxR-mediated transcriptional activation were isolated. Several classes of mutations were identified: those that abolish promoter DNA binding and transcriptional activation (toxR R96K, toxR R68K, and toxR R68L), those that abolish transcriptional activation but retain the ability to bind promoter DNA (toxR R96L), and those that have an intermediate phenotype (toxR R77L, toxR E51K, and toxR E51D). The toxR E51K allele had reduced activity in both Escherichia coli and V. cholerae but also exerted a dominant-negative effect over wild-type ToxR when assayed in V. cholerae. This result provides additional evidence that ToxR acts as an oligomer in the transcriptional activation process. From this mutational analysis of conserved amino acid residues within the OmpR-homologous region of ToxR, we conclude that this region is essential for transcriptional activation at the level of DNA binding and other steps that lead to activation of the ctx promoter.
Reliability Improvement of Power Converters by Means of Condition Monitoring of IGBT Modules

Power electronic systems have gradually gained an important status in a wide range of industrial applications such as renewable generation, motor drives, automotive, and railway transportation. Accordingly, recent research makes an effort to improve the reliability of power electronic systems to comply with more stringent constraints on safety, cost, and availability. The power devices are one of the most reliability-critical components in power electronic systems. Therefore, its condition monitoring plays an important role to improve the reliability of power electronic systems. This paper proposes a condition monitoring method of insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) modules. In the first section of this paper, a structure of a conventional IGBT module and a related parameter for the condition monitoring are explained. Then, a proposed real-time on-state collector–emitter voltage measurement circuit and condition monitoring strategies under different operating conditions are described. Finally, experimental results confirm the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method.
Septoria-like pathogens causing leaf and fruit spot of pistachio

Several species of Septoria are associated with leaf and fruit spot of pistachio (Pistacia vera), though their identity has always been confused, making identification problematic. The present study elucidates the taxonomy of the Septoria spp. associated with pistachio, and distinguishes four species associated with this host genus. Partial nucleotide sequence data for five gene loci, ITS, LSU, EF-1α, RPB2 and Btub were generated for a subset of isolates. Cylindroseptoria pistaciae, which is associated with leaf spots of Pistacia lentiscus in Spain, is characterised by pycnidial conidiomata that give rise to cylindrical, aseptate conidia. Two species of Septoria s. str. are also recognised on pistachio, S. pistaciarum, and S. pistaciae. The latter is part of the S. protearum species complex, and appears to be a wide host range pathogen occurring on hosts in several different plant families. Septoria pistacina, a major pathogen of pistachio in Turkey, is shown to belong to Pseudocercospora, and not Septoria as earlier suspected. Other than for its pycnidial conidiomata, it is a typical species of Pseudocercospora based on its smooth, pigmented conidiogenous cells and septate conidia. This phenomenon has also been observed in Pallidocercospora, and seriously questions the value of conidiomatal structure at generic level, which has traditionally been used to separate hyphomycetous from coelomycetous ascomycetes. Other than DNA barcodes to facilitate the molecular identification of these taxa occurring on pistachio, a key is also provided to distinguish species based on morphology.
Coupling of pollination services and coffee suitability under climate change

Significance Coffee production supports the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers around the world, and bees provide coffee farms with pollination. Climate change will modify coffee and bee distributions, and thus coffee production. We modeled impacts for the largest coffee-growing region, Latin America, under global warming scenarios. Although we found reduced coffee suitability and bee species diversity for more than one-third of the future coffee-suitable areas, all future coffee-suitable areas will potentially host at least five bee species, indicating continued pollination services. Bee diversity also can be expected to offset farmers’ losses from reduced coffee suitability. In other areas, bee diversity losses offset increased coffee suitability. Our results highlight the need for responsive management strategies tailored to bee pollination, coffee suitability, and potential coupled effects. Climate change will cause geographic range shifts for pollinators and major crops, with global implications for food security and rural livelihoods. However, little is known about the potential for coupled impacts of climate change on pollinators and crops. Coffee production exemplifies this issue, because large losses in areas suitable for coffee production have been projected due to climate change and because coffee production is dependent on bee pollination. We modeled the potential distributions of coffee and coffee pollinators under current and future climates in Latin America to understand whether future coffee-suitable areas will also be suitable for pollinators. Our results suggest that coffee-suitable areas will be reduced 73–88% by 2050 across warming scenarios, a decline 46–76% greater than estimated by global assessments. Mean bee richness will decline 8–18% within future coffee-suitable areas, but all are predicted to contain at least 5 bee species, and 46–59% of future coffee-suitable areas will contain 10 or more species. In our models, coffee suitability and bee richness each increase (i.e., positive coupling) in 10–22% of future coffee-suitable areas. Diminished coffee suitability and bee richness (i.e., negative coupling), however, occur in 34–51% of other areas. Finally, in 31–33% of the future coffee distribution areas, bee richness decreases and coffee suitability increases. Assessing coupled effects of climate change on crop suitability and pollination can help target appropriate management practices, including forest conservation, shade adjustment, crop rotation, or status quo, in different regions.
Association of different obesity indices with blood pressure and blood lipids in children and adolescents

The aim of the present study was to compare individual associations of BMI, triceps skinfold (TSF), waist circumference (WC) and percentage fat mass (%FM) with blood pressure (BP) and blood lipids in children and adolescents. Cross-sectional data on BMI, TSF, WC, %FM as well as on BP, TAG and HDL were analysed in 4220 (BP) and 729 (lipids) 9–11-year-old children and 3174 (BP) and 536 (lipids) 13–16-year-old adolescents as part of the Kiel Obesity Prevention Study. All obesity indices were similarly associated with BP and blood lipids. In girls, WC had closer correlations to BP than BMI (systolic BP: 0·27 and 0·24 for BMI, 0·34 and 0·28 for WC in 9–11- and 13–16-year-olds). Subjects with an obesity index ≥ 90th percentile had higher prevalences of elevated BP and blood lipids than subjects with a normal index. In children with normal BMI or WC, an additionally elevated second obesity index was associated with a 2·5–7·4-fold higher prevalence of high BP when compared with children with normal indices. In adolescents, an elevated WC plus an elevated second obesity index was associated with a 2·6–8·2-fold higher prevalence of high BP when compared with adolescents with an elevated WC plus a normal second index. We conclude that (i) both BMI and WC are appropriate to estimate CVD risk, (ii) the use of a second obesity index is recommended in children with normal BMI or normal WC as well as in adolescents with elevated WC and (iii) all obesity indices seemed to be appropriate for risk assessment.
Distributive Impacts of Social Protection Systems in OECD Countries: Public-Private Mix and Hidden Welfare States

Modern welfare states provide social protection benefits not only directly through the public sector but also through the private sector in conjunction with governmental engagement, e.g., by mandating employment-based provisions and giving tax breaks for voluntary transactions. Countries with sufficient social support provided largely via the private sector are called hidden welfare states. Integrating such private social expenditures, this paper estimates the overall distributive impacts of social protection systems in OECD countries, using the SOCX data base. Taking into account measurement biases in income inequality indices and reverse causality stemming from policy formation decisions, it found that the overall distributive impact decreases as the provision of social support relies more on the private sector and has no statistical difference from zero in some hidden welfare states.
Dehydroepiandrosterone Activation of G-protein-coupled Estrogen Receptor Rapidly Stimulates MicroRNA-21 Transcription in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells*

Background: MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) is an oncomiR in human hepatocellular carcinoma and is highly expressed in liver, but its regulation is uncharacterized. Results: Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) rapidly increases miR-21 transcription in HepG2 cells by activating G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER). Conclusion: miR-21 transcription is regulated by DHEA through GPER. Significance: GPER may be among the activators of miR-21 expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma. Little is known about the regulation of the oncomiR miR-21 in liver. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) regulates gene expression as a ligand for a G-protein-coupled receptor and as a precursor for steroids that activate nuclear receptor signaling. We report that 10 nm DHEA increases primary miR-21 (pri-miR-21) transcription and mature miR-21 expression in HepG2 cells in a biphasic manner with an initial peak at 1 h followed by a second, sustained response from 3–12 h. DHEA also increased miR-21 in primary human hepatocytes and Hep3B cells. siRNA, antibody, and inhibitor studies suggest that the rapid DHEA-mediated increase in miR-21 involves a G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER/GPR30), estrogen receptor α-36 (ERα36), epidermal growth factor receptor-dependent, pertussis toxin-sensitive pathway requiring activation of c-Src, ERK1/2, and PI3K. GPER antagonist G-15 attenuated DHEA- and BSA-conjugated DHEA-stimulated pri-miR-21 transcription. Like DHEA, GPER agonists G-1 and fulvestrant increased pri-miR-21 in a GPER- and ERα36-dependent manner. DHEA, like G-1, increased GPER and ERα36 mRNA and protein levels. DHEA increased ERK1/2 and c-Src phosphorylation in a GPER-responsive manner. DHEA increased c-Jun, but not c-Fos, protein expression after 2 h. DHEA increased androgen receptor, c-Fos, and c-Jun recruitment to the miR-21 promoter. These results suggest that physiological concentrations of DHEA activate a GPER intracellular signaling cascade that increases pri-miR-21 transcription mediated at least in part by AP-1 and androgen receptor miR-21 promoter interaction.
Preoperative education for total hip and knee replacement patients.

OBJECTIVE Psychoeducational preparation is known to improve postoperative outcome. We tested two common psychoeducational procedures in elderly orthopedic patients, examining how best to match interventions to patients by psychological type. METHODS Two hundred twenty-two elderly patients undergoing total hip or knee replacement were randomly assigned to 1) a slide-tape with information on the postoperative, in-hospital rehabilitation experience, or 2) training in Benson's Relaxation Response with a bedside audiotape, in a 2 x 2 factorial design. RESULTS The relaxation response did not influence postoperative outcomes. The educational intervention reduced length of stay and pain medication use for patients who exhibited most denial (tendency to avoid thinking about unpleasant events), and reduced postoperative anxiety and cognitive errors on the Mini-Mental State Exam for patients with most baseline anxiety. There was no effect on postoperative pain. CONCLUSIONS The importance of attending to the patient's psychological state and level of preparation before orthopedic surgery is reinforced. Patients who exhibit most denial and highest anxiety may benefit from educational interventions, but patients' directly expressing desire for information may be a poor guide in deciding which patients would benefit, compared with more formal psychological testing for denial and anxiety.
A novel systemically administered toll-like receptor 7 agonist potentiates the effect of ionizing radiation in murine solid tumor models

Although topical TLR7 therapies such as imiquimod have proved successful in the treatment of dermatological malignancy, systemic delivery may be required for optimal immunotherapy of nondermatological tumors. We report that intravenous delivery of the novel small molecule TLR7 agonist, DSR‐6434, leads to the induction of type 1 interferon and activation of T and B lymphocytes, NK and NKT cells. Our data demonstrate that systemic administration of DSR‐6434 enhances the efficacy of ionizing radiation (IR) and leads to improved survival in mice bearing either CT26 or KHT tumors. Of the CT26 tumor‐bearing mice that received combined therapy, 55% experienced complete tumor resolution. Our data reveal that these long‐term surviving mice have a significantly greater frequency of tumor antigen specific CD8+ T cells when compared to age‐matched tumor‐naïve cells. To evaluate therapeutic effects on spontaneous metastases, we showed that combination of DSR‐6434 with local IR of the primary tumor significantly reduced metastatic burden in the lung, when compared to time‐matched cohorts treated with IR alone. The data demonstrate that systemic administration of the novel TLR7 agonist DSR‐6434 in combination with IR primes an antitumor CD8+ T‐cell response leading to improved survival in syngeneic models of colorectal carcinoma and fibrosarcoma. Importantly, efficacy extends to sites outside of the field of irradiation, reducing metastatic load. Clinical evaluation of systemic TLR7 therapy in combination with IR for the treatment of solid malignancy is warranted.
Risk Factors for Failed Tracheal Intubation in Pediatric and Neonatal Critical Care Specialty Transport

Abstract Objective. Nearly 200,000 pediatric and neonatal transports occur in the United States each year with some patients requiring tracheal intubation. First-pass intubation rates in both pediatric and adult transport literature are variable as are the factors that influence intubation success. This study sought to determine risk factors for failed tracheal intubation in neonatal and pediatric transport. Methods. A retrospective chart review was performed over a 2.5-year period. Data were collected from a hospital-based neonatal/pediatric critical care transport team that transports 2,500 patients annually, serving 12,000 square miles. Patients were eligible if they were transported and tracheally intubated by the critical care transport team. Patients were categorized into two groups for data analysis: (1) no failed intubation attempts and (2) at least one failed intubation attempt. Data were tabulated using Epi Info Version 3.5. 1 and analyzed using SPSSv17.0. Results. A total of 167 patients were eligible for enrollment and were cohorted by age (48% pediatric versus 52% neonatal). Neonates were more likely to require multiple attempts at intubation when compared to the pediatric population (69.6% versus 30.4%, p = 0.001). Use of benzodiazepines and neuromuscular blockade was associated with increased successful first attempt intubation rates (p = 0.001 and 0.008, respectively). Use of opiate premedication was not associated with first-attempt intubation success. The presence of comorbid condition(s) was associated with at least one failed intubation attempt (p = 0.006). Factors identified with increasing odds of at least one intubation failure included, neonatal patients (OR 3.01), tracheal tube size ≤ 2.5 mm (OR 3.78), use of an uncuffed tracheal tube (OR 6.85), and the presence of a comorbid conditions (OR 2.64). Conclusions. There were higher rates of tracheal intubation failure in transported neonates when compared to pediatric patients. This risk may be related to the lack of benzodiazepine and neuromuscular blocking agents used to facilitate intubation. The presence of a comorbid condition is associated with a higher risk of tracheal intubation failure.
RhoA‐mediated signaling up‐regulates hepatocyte growth factor gene and protein expression in response to apoptotic cells

Clearance of apoptotic cells by macrophages induces HGF secretion. We examined the regulatory mechanisms of HGF mRNA and protein expression in macrophages upon exposure to apoptotic cells. The interaction of RAW 264.7 macrophages with apoptotic Jurkat cells, but not with viable cells, resulted in expression of HGF mRNA and protein. Exposure of RAW 264.7 cells to apoptotic cells induced activation of RhoA, the PI3K/Akt pathway, and MAPKs, including p38 MAPK, ERK, and JNK. Down‐regulation of the RhoA/Rho kinase pathway by pharmacological inhibitors or a RhoA‐specific siRNA suppressed HGF mRNA and protein expression by macrophages in response to apoptotic cells through the phosphorylation of Akt and the MAPKs. Inhibition of PI3K decreased phosphorylation of Akt and the MAPKs. Inhibition of JNK, but not p38 MAPK and ERK, reduced Akt phosphorylation. The pharmacological inhibitor of PI3K and the MAPKs blocked HGF mRNA and protein expression. Other types of apoptotic cells, such as HeLa cells and murine thymocytes, could also induce HGF mRNA through the RhoA‐dependent pathway. Likely, the RhoA‐dependent signaling pathway was required for HGF mRNA induction in primary cells of peritoneal macrophages in response to apoptotic cells. An HGFR‐blocking antibody did not alter apoptotic cell‐induced activation of RhoA, Akt, and the MAPKs, as well as HGF production. Overall, the data provide evidence that activation of the RhoA/Rho kinase pathway up‐regulates transcriptional HGF production in response to apoptotic cells.
Fat mass and obesity-associated obesity-risk genotype is associated with lower foetal growth: an effect that is reversed in the offspring of smoking mothers

Fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene variants are associated with childhood and adult obesity; however, the influence of FTO polymorphisms on foetal growth is unknown. Associations between the FTO variant rs9939609 and the foetal growth trajectories, maternal pregnancy weight gain, anthropometric measures at birth and body mass index (BMI) at age 14 years were assessed in 1079 singleton-birth Australian Caucasians. Analyses were repeated in 3512 singleton-birth Dutch Caucasians. The rs9939609 obesity-risk AA genotype was associated with symmetrical intrauterine growth restriction; an effect reversed in mothers who smoked during pregnancy. The effect increased over time and was modified by maternal smoking for head circumference (P = 0.007), abdominal circumference (P = 0.007), femur length (P = 0.02) and estimated foetal weight (P = 0.001). The modification of the association between the AA genotype and birth anthropometrics by maternal smoking was consistent across birth weight (P = 0.01) and birth length (P = 0.04) and neonatal day 2 anthropometry. Consistent associations were replicated in the Generation R cohort. Maternal pregnancy weight gain matched the pattern of birth weight and was independent of placental weight. In adolescents, the AA genotype was associated with increased BMI-adjusted-for-age in males (P = 0.00009), but no effect was detected in females. A variant in the FTO gene influences foetal growth trajectories in the third trimester, early postnatal growth and adiposity in adolescence. Maternal smoking during pregnancy reversed the direction of association of rs9939609 on foetal growth, which was probably mediated by maternal energy intake. The detection of genetic variants associated with foetal growth has the potential to identify novel molecular mechanisms underlying growth and targeted early life intervention.