Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Proline related genes expression and physiological changes in indica rice response to water- deficit stress

Water deficit stress is a major abiotic stress causing to reduce crop productivity especially rice. Rice has been reported as drought susceptible, which decline plant growth and development in both seedling and reproductive developmental stages. Induced mutant in rice crop against water deficit stress is a fruitful topic. Proline osmolyte is a candidate metabolite to maintain the osmotic pressure in cellular level of water deficit stressed plants. The key enzymes i.e. P5CS, P5CR and ProDH in proline biosynthesis and degradation are well established. In present study, P5CS, P5CR and ProDH and the final product, proline in rice genotypes at booting stage was investigated when subjected to water-deficit and recovery processes. The expression levels of the P5CS gene in PT1 rice (drought susceptible) and the EE12 mutant line were up-regulated when rice genotypes were exposed to severe water-deficit (7% SWC), whereas P5CR genes in NSG19, IR20 and PT1 were up-regulated by the recovery process to a significant degree (p<=0.01). A positive relationship between P5CS expression level and proline content in rice genotypes subjected to water-deficit stress was evidently stated (R2 = 0.60). In addition, the expression level of ProDH in rice genotypes was exhibited in the recovery process. Moreover, physiological changes, including maximum quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm), water use efficiency (WUE) and net photosynthetic rate (Pn) were significantly reduced when plants were subjected to severe water-deficit stress (7% SWC), leading to retard plant height.
Direction finding in IEEE802.11 wireless networks

A novel direction-finding method for stations of IEEE802.11 wireless local area networks is presented in this paper. The method uses a switched beam array for determining the direction of arrival of the incident electromagnetic field in a time efficient way and associates certain medium access control (MAC) layer functions with different radiation patterns of the switched antenna array, in order to determine the proper orientation of directional beams on both entities of a communication link. The application of the proposed method to an IEEE802.11 wireless network is presented and it is depicted how the method improves the network performance without requiring any modifications to the existing MAC protocol.
Activity recognition using correlated pattern mining for people with dementia

Due to the rapidly aging population around the world, senile dementia is growing into a prominent problem in many societies. To monitor the elderly dementia patients so as to assist them in carrying out their basic Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) independently, sensors are deployed in their homes. The sensors generate a stream of context information, i.e., snippets of the patient's current happenings, and pattern mining techniques can be applied to recognize the patient's activities based on these micro contexts. Most mining techniques aim to discover frequent patterns that correspond to certain activities. However, frequent patterns can be poor representations of activities. In this paper, instead of using frequent patterns, we propose using correlated patterns to represent activities. Using simulation data collected in a smart home testbed, our experimental results show that using correlated patterns rather than frequent ones improves the recognition performance by 35.5% on average.
Multi-omics analysis of thermal stress response in a zooxanthellate cnidarian reveals the importance of associating with thermotolerant symbionts

Corals and their endosymbiotic dinoflagellates of the genus Symbiodinium have a fragile relationship that breaks down under heat stress, an event known as bleaching. However, many coral species have adapted to high temperature environments such as the Red Sea (RS). To investigate mechanisms underlying temperature adaptation in zooxanthellate cnidarians we compared transcriptome- and proteome-wide heat stress response (24 h at 32°C) of three strains of the model organism Aiptasia pallida from regions with differing temperature profiles; North Carolina (CC7), Hawaii (H2) and the RS. Correlations between transcript and protein levels were generally low but inter-strain comparisons highlighted a common core cnidarian response to heat stress, including protein folding and oxidative stress pathways. RS anemones showed the strongest increase in antioxidant gene expression and exhibited significantly lower reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in hospite. However, comparisons of antioxidant gene and protein expression between strains did not show strong differences, indicating similar antioxidant capacity across the strains. Subsequent analysis of ROS production in isolated symbionts confirmed that the observed differences of ROS levels in hospite were symbiont-driven. Our findings indicate that RS anemones do not show increased antioxidant capacity but may have adapted to higher temperatures through association with more thermally tolerant symbionts.
Demystifying continuous participation in game applications at social networking sites: A social playfulness design perspective

Purpose Drawn from the social playfulness literature and the elaboration likelihood model, this study proposes and tests a research model to examine users’ continuous participation in SNS game applications. Design/methodology/approach A field survey with 133 subjects was conducted to test the research model. Findings Two identified design features, symbolic physicality and inherent sociability, are found to influence users’ perceived curiosity and perceived enjoyment toward playing SNS game applications. Perceived enjoyment is significantly associated with perceived curiosity and predicts users’ continuous participation of SNS game applications. We also observed a gender difference of social playfulness design on perceived curiosity. Research limitations/implications Use intention was used as a proxy for actual use behavior, since objective data on continuance behavior was not available. Additionally, the contributions of this study may be constrained by one single sample. Practical implications The findi.
Contralateral radiculopathy after transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion in the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases

Rationale: Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is an effective treatment for patients with degenerative lumbar disc disorder. Contralateral radiculopathy, as a complication of TLIF, has been recognized in this institution, but is rarely reported in the literature. Patient concerns: In this article, we report 2 cases of contralateral radiculopathy after TLIF in our institution and its associated complications. Diagnoses: In the 2 cases, the postoperative computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance image (MRI) showed obvious upward movement of the superior articular process, leading to contralateral foraminal stenosis. Interventions: Revision surgery was done at once to partially resect the opposite superior facet and to relieve nerve root compression. Outcomes: After revision surgery, the contralateral radiculopathy disappeared. Lessons: Contralateral radiculopathy is an avoidable potential complication. It is very important to create careful preoperative plans and to conscientiously plan the use of intraoperative techniques. In case of postoperative contralateral leg pain, the patients should be examined by CT and MRI. If CT and MRI show that the superior articular process significantly migrated upwards, which leads to contralateral foraminal stenosis, revision surgery should be done at once to partially resect the contralateral superior facet so as to relieve nerve root compression and avoid possible long-term impairment.
Doping in sport: effects, harm and misconceptions

Doping in sport is a widespread problem not just among elite athletes, but even more so in recreational sports. In scientific literature, major emphasis is placed on doping detection, whereas detrimental effects of doping agents on athletes' health are seldom discussed. Androgenic anabolic steroids are well known for their positive effects on muscle mass and strength. Human growth hormone also increases muscle mass, although the majority of that is an increase in extracellular fluid and not the functional muscle mass. In recreational athletes, growth hormone does not have major effect on muscle strength, power or aerobic capacity, but stimulates anaerobic exercise capacity. Erythropoietin administration increases oxygen‐carrying capacity of blood improving endurance measures, whereas systemic administration of beta‐adrenergic agonists may have positive effect on sprint capacity, and beta‐adrenergic antagonists reduce muscle tremor. Thus, there are certain drugs that can improve selective aspects of physical performance. However, most of the doping agents exert serious side‐effects, especially when used in combination, at high doses and for a long duration. The extent of long‐term health consequences is difficult to predict, but likely to be substantial, especially when gene doping is considered. This review summarises the main groups of doping agents used by athletes, with the main focus on their effects on athletic performance and adverse effects.
Limitation Methods for Protecting the Con ® dentiality of Statistical Data

The protection of con®dentiality is both a private and a public issue. Corporations collect extensive information on customers, some of which is highly sensitive and often protected by law. Similarly government agencies collect both administrative and statistical data subject to pledges of con®dentiality and as more and more administrative data are used for statistical purposes there are increased dangers of disclosure of con®dential data. At the same time, the public demand for data from statistical of®ces about diverse aspects of modern society seems insatiable. Other government agencies use statistical data for the allocation of funds and the monitoring of social programs, policy analysts use statistical data to do calculations. The potential effects of new legislation have to be investigated, and academic researchers are constantly looking for data to validate and extend theoretical social science models. Even Saskia Groenwald, Otto Normalverbraucher, Jan Modaal, John Smith ± or whatever their names in countries around the world: they are all showered with statistical data on crime, money, employment, and health, via the news-media to which they are exposed. And their lives are to a large extent governed by policies that are fueled by the analysis of data collected by statistical agencies of the countries in which they live. In a way, statistical agencies provide mirrors for society, and society itself is a keen user of its own images, just to gaze at in satisfaction, amazement, embarrassment or in order to improve its looks. The images are the data that a statistical of®ce releases, after having collected and processed them. Of course, the metaphor of mirror image is simply that, a metaphor, and while it is evocative, statistical data do not quite provide an accurate picture of reality. First, forming an image of an aspect of society is not as easy as re ̄ecting light in a mirror. Second, the statistical image lacks detail. This lack of detail is in part a ®scal necessity, since it is more costly to employ sophisticated methodologies (or models), which produce better images
Polymorphisms in the estrogen receptor alpha gene and mammographic density result study in Brazilian women

The estrogen receptor (ER) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that mediates the actions of the estrogen in target tissues. Several ERα gene polymorphisms are associated with changes in the receptor expression and function. The aim of this study is to verify the hypothesis that the ERα gene polymorphisms could be associated with high mammographic density(HMD), a well known independent risk factor for breast cancer ( BC ) in a casecontrol study carried out in the city of Sao Paulo (SP, Brazil) from 2010 to 2013 . Two ERα gene polymorphisms named PvuII and XbaI was examined in 308 cases and 155 controls. The PvuII polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of having high mammographic density (HMD) post menopause, after adjustment for other risk factors, the odds ratio for pp genotypes was 1.75 (confidence interval of 95% CI 95%=1.10-2.79 ) compared with the genotypes PP and Pp. The XbaI polymorphism was also associated with a high risk of HMD, but not statistically significant, odds ratio for xx genotype was 1.31 (95% CI=0.7 to 1.9). No apparent synergistic effects of these two polymorphisms were identified. It was concluded that the Pvull polymorphism in the gene ERα was associated with an increasing chance of have HMD, a strong risk factor for BC. Thus recognizing these risk factors will be of great importance in the analyses of individual susceptibility to BC, in both the study of the response to various drugs and the prognosis.
A Novel Nanowire Assembly Process for the Fabrication of CO Sensor

Nanowires have been widely studied due to their outstanding mechanical and electrical properties; however, their practical applications are limited to the lack of an effective technique for controlled assembly. In the present work, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowire arrays were assembled via a combing process using a makeup brush and the nanodevice was fabricated. The current–voltage (I–V) and ultraviolet (UV) characteristics of the device indicate stable and repeatable electrical properties. The carbon monoxide (CO) sensing properties were tested at operating temperatures of 200, 300 and 400 °C. It was found that ZnO based sensor exhibited the highest sensitivity to CO at 300 °C due to the change of dominant oxygen species. Comparing with others result, the sensitivity of the fabricated sensor exhibits higher sensing performance. The sensing mechanism of the CO sensor is also discussed.
DOMAIN DECOMPOSER: A Software Tool for Mapping PDE Computations to Parallel Architectures

Domain decomposition methods have proved to be an efficient approach for parallel processing of partial differential equations (PDEs) on parallel architectures. Their built in course grain parallelism makes them suitable for MIMD computing as a methodology to assure that the algebraic data are generated and distributed in different processors so that the processor workload is balanced and their synchronization/communication cost is kept minimum. These requirements can introduce serious computation costs since many times optimum workload balance and minimum synchronization/communication cost involve the solution of NP-hard problems. In this paper we outline a software infrastructure consisting of "fast" heuristics for determining "optimal" mapping of PDE data suitable for domain decomposition methods. Furthermore we describe a software system which assists the . user to visualize and manipulate such mappings in the environment of parallel-ELLPACK system. ·University of Thessaloniki, Polytec:hnic School, Thessaloniki, GREECE rThis re! learch was supported in parl by AFOSR 88-0234, ARO graI1t DAAG29-83-K0026, NSF grant CCF·8619817 and ESPRIT projed GENESIS.
Quantifying changes in lenticular stiffness with optical coherence elastography

Maintaining a normal intraocular pressure (IOP) is important to visual health. Elevated IOPs have been implicated in many diseases, such as glaucoma and uveitis. The effects of an elevated IOP on the delicate tissues of the optic nervehead and retina are well-studied, but there is a lack of information about the effects of high IOPs on the stiffness of the crystalline lens. Changes in lenticular biomechanical properties have been implicated in diseases such as presbyopia and cataract, therefore, measuring lenticular biomechanical properties is crucial to understanding the etiology and progression of the leading causes of vision impairment. Additionally, there has been even less research focused on the effects of storage media on lenticular stiffness. Previous studies have been focused on the “gold standard” of mechanical testing on excised lenses. However, mechanical testing is invasive and destructive, and removal of the lens from the eyeglobe does not allow for properly replicating the lens environment in the eye-globe. Thus, there is a need for noninvasive measurement techniques capable of performing in situ and in vivo elastographic measurements of the lens. Here, we artificially controlled the IOP of whole porcine eye-globes (N=3). Acoustic radiation force induced low amplitude displacements (<10 μm) at the apex of the lenses, which then propagated as an elastic wave. The elastic wave propagation was detected by a phase-sensitive optical coherence elastography (PhS-OCE) system. The results show that the stiffness of the lenses increased when IOP increased from 10 mmHg IOP to 40 mmHg. Additional OCE measurements were made on excised lenses stored in various media (PBS, DMEM, and M-199) at different pHs (4-7) and at different temperatures (4°C, 22°C, and 37°C). The results show that the stiffness of the lenses increased slightly when incubated at 4°C or 22°C, but decreased when the lenses were incubated at 37°C, while lenses incubated in M-199 showed more stability in their stiffness than lenses incubated in PBS and DMEM. Moreover, the lenses stored in M-199 at a pH of 7 showed a decrease in stiffness over 24 hours, while the more acidic M-199 media caused an increase in lenticular stiffness.
BMPR 1 A is a candidate gene for congenital heart defects associated with the recurrent 10 q 22 q 23 deletion syndrome

Congenital heart defects (CHD) are associated with the recurrent 10q22q23 deletion syndrome and with partially overlapping distal 10q23.2. q23.31 microdeletions. We report on a de novo intragenic deletion of the BMPR1A gene in a normally developing adolescent boy with short stature, delayed puberty, facial dysmorphism and an atrioventricular septal defect. Based on this finding, complemented with computational prioritization data and molecular evidence in literature, the critical region for CHD on 10q23 can be downsized to a single gene, BMPR1A. Although loss-of-function mutations in BMPR1A typically result in juvenile polyposis syndrome, none of the patients with the typical 10q22q23 microdeletion syndrome, comprising this gene, were reported to have juvenile polyposis thus far. We reason that, even in the absence of juvenile polyposis syndrome, sequencing and copy number analysis of BMPR1A should be considered in patients with (atrioventricular) septal defects, especially when associated with facial dysmorphism and anomalous growth. 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.
1 Optimization-based control approaches to humanoid balancing

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. Optimization-Based Control Approaches to Humanoid Balancing Aurélien Ibanez, Philippe Bidaud, Vincent Padois
Title Feasibility and Acute Care Utilization Outcomes of a Post-Acute Transitional Telemonitoring Program for Underserved Chronic Disease Patients Permalink

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure (HF) are chronic diseases that impart significant health and care costs to the patient and health system. Limited access to health services affects disease severity and functional status. Telemonitoring has shown promise in reducing acute care utilization for chronic disease patients, but the benefit for the underserved has not been determined. We evaluated acute care utilization outcomes following an acute event of a 90-day transitional care program integrating telemonitoring technology and home visits for underserved COPD and HF patients. Materials and Methods: Patients were enrolled into the program between October 2010 and August 2012. Primary outcomes included rates of emergency department (ED) visits and all-cause re-admission at 30, 90, and 180 days postdischarge. Program and functional status at enrollment and discharge and satisfaction with telemonitoring at discharge were measured. Telemonitoring included daily symptomatology recording and was removed at 90 days. A control cohort was identified through electronic health records and propensity-matched via 15 variables to achieve a sample size with balanced baseline characteristics. Results: Program patients showed 50% reduction in 30-day re-admission and 13–19% reduction in 180-day re-admission compared with control patients. There was no significant difference in ED utilization. Patients were satisfied with telemonitoring services, and functional status improved by program end. Conclusions: This feasibility study suggests telemonitoring in the context of a transitional care model following an acute event may reduce all-cause 30-day re-admissions by up to 50% and has the potential to reduce longterm acute care utilization and thus care costs. More rigorous and long-term investigation is warranted.
Reducing Blindness from Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) in Argentina Through Collaboration, Advocacy and Policy Implementation

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a largely avoidable cause of blindness in children worldwide, requiring high-quality neonatal care, early detection and treatment. In middle-income countries throughout Latin America, Eastern Europe and South Asia, there has been a rise in ROP blindness due to a combination of increased survival of preterm infants, resource-scarce medical environments and lack of policies, training and human resources. However, Argentina is an example of country where rates of ROP blindness have declined and ROP programmes have been successfully and effectively embedded within the health and legal system. The purpose of this study is to describe the activities and stakeholders, including Ministry of Health (MoH) and UNICEF, involved in the process, from recognition of an epidemic of ROP blindness to the development of national guidelines, policies and legislation for control. Using a retrospective mixed methods case study design, data on rates of severe ROP was collected from 13 neonatal intensive care units from 1999 to 2012, and on the proportion of children blind from ROP in nine blind schools in seven provinces. Legislative document review, focus group discussions and key informant interviews were conducted with neonatologists, ophthalmologists, neonatal nurses, parents, MoH officials, clinical societies, legislators and UNICEF officials in seven provinces. Results are presented combining the stages heuristic policy framework and Shiffman including: agenda setting, policy formulation, implementation and evaluation. By 2012, ROP had declined as a cause of blindness in children in schools for the blind as had rates of severe ROP needing treatment in the NICUs visited. Multiple factors played a role in reducing blindness from ROP in Argentina and successfully coordinating its control including national advocacy, leadership, legislation and international collaboration. Lessons learned in Argentina can potentially be scaled to other LMICs in Latin America and beyond with further context-specific research.