Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Social capital, the miniaturization of community and cannabis smoking among young adults.

OBJECTIVES The impact of social participation, trust and the miniaturization of community, i.e. the combination of high social participation and low trust, on cannabis smoking was investigated. METHODS The 2000 public health survey in Scania is a cross-sectional study. A total of 13,715 persons aged 18-80 years, of which 3,978 persons aged 18-34 years were included in this study, answered a postal questionnaire, which represents 59% of the random sample. A logistic regression model was used to investigate the association between the social capital variables and ever having experienced cannabis smoking. The multivariate analysis was performed to investigate the importance of possible confounders (age, country of origin and education) on the differences in having experienced cannabis smoking according to social participation, trust and their four combination categories. RESULTS Cannabis smoking is not associated with social participation, but positively associated with low trust among both men and women, and the miniaturization of community, i.e. the combination of high social participation and low trust, among men. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that the miniaturization of community, i.e. the combination of high social participation and low levels of generalized trust of other people, may enhance the experience of cannabis smoking.
Contextual Sub-network Extraction in Contextual Social Networks

Predicting the trust between a source participant and a target participant in a social network is important in many applications, e.g., assessing the recommendation from a target participant from the perspective of a source participant. In general, social networks contain participants, the links and trust relations between them and the contextual information for their interactions. All such information has important influence on trust prediction. However, predicting the trust between two participants based on the whole network is ineffective and inefficient. Thus, prior to trust prediction, it is necessary to extract a small-scale contextual network that contains most of the important participants as well as trust and contextual information. However, extracting such a sub-network has been proved to be an NP-Complete problem. To solve this challenging problem, we propose a social context-aware trust sub-network extraction model to search near-optimal solutions effectively and efficiently. In our proposed model, we first present the important factors that affect the trust between participants in OSNs. Then, we define a utility function to measure the trust factors of each node in a social network. At last, we design an ant colony algorithm with a newly designed mutation process for sub-network extraction. The experiments, conducted on two popular datasets of Epinions and Slashdot, demonstrate that our approach can extract those sub-networks covering important participants and contextual information while keeping a high density rate. Our approach is superior to the state-of-the-art approaches in terms of the quality of extracted sub-networks within the same execution time.
Web Map Context Service for Adaptive Geospatial Data Visualization

Since the emergence of GIS tools, there has been an increase of spatial data usage throughout the world. The increase of spatial data dissemination is facilitated by the development of communication technology, e.g. the development of the Internet. Nowadays, a majority of data transfer is accomplished through the Internet. Spatial data can be accessed through standardized Web Services which sometimes offer large quantities of spatial data. Since the transfer of large quantities of data can be time consuming, spatial data sets need to be efficiently and appropriately reduced. Inappropriate spatial data set reduction can lead to inappropriate presentation of the transferred data. From the perspective of geovisualization tool user, this can affect the usability of any geovisualization tool that uses gathered spatial data. When considering these tools, the representation of geographic features and maps is essential for easier understanding of depicted data and processes. Therefore, appropriate spatial data presentation should be preserved on a user level.
Ray phase space approach for 3-D imaging and 3-D optical data representation

We propose a framework to model, analyze and design three-dimensional (3-D) imaging systems. A system engineering approach is adopted which relates 3-D images (real or synthesized) to 3-D objects (real or synthesized) using a novel representation of the optical data which we call "ray phase space". The framework provides a powerful tool for determining the performance of 3-D imaging systems, for generating computational reconstruction of 3-D images and for optimizing 3-D imaging systems.
Localization of the Origin of Arrhythmias for Ablation: From Electrocardiography to Advanced Endocardial Mapping Systems

Localization of Arrhythmias. Radiofrequency catheter ablation techniques have had a dramatic impact on the treatment of a variety of cardiac arrhythmias. However, catheter ablation of complex arrhythmias, such as intra‐atrial reentry, ventricular tachycardias, and atrial fibrillation, continues to pose a major challenge. This stems from limitations of fluoroscopy and conventional catheter‐based mapping techniques that limit the accurate anatomic localization of complex arrhythmogenic substrates. In this article, ECG features of complex arrhythmias are reviewed, which may facilitate the planning of an ablation procedure. The physical principles of the newly available catheter‐based endocardial mapping techniques and their clinical applicability for treatment of complex arrhythmias are discussed. The role of intracardiac echocardiography to facilitate mapping and ablation is reviewed.
A Proposed Model for Malicious Spam Detection in Email Systems of Educational Institutes

The cheapest form of communication in the world today is email, and its simplicity makes it vulnerable to many threats. One of the most important threats to email is spam, unsolicited email, normally with an advertising content sent out as a mass mailing. Malicious spam is spam with malicious content in forms of harmful attachments or links to phishing websites. In the case of educational institutes, malicious spam threatens the privacy and security of large amount of sensitive data relating to staff and students. Hence, a system that can automatically learn how to classify malicious spam in educational institutes is highly desirable. In this paper, we aim to improve detection of malicious spam through feature selection, with focus on the educational field. We propose a model that employs a novel dataset for the process of feature selection, a step for improving classification in later stage. This dataset is unprecedented as no research in the literature was intended to serve malicious spam detection in a specific domain or field such as the educational field. Feature selection is expected to improve training time and accuracy of malicious spam detection.
Structural and Functional Comparisons of Retroviral Envelope Protein C-Terminal Domains: Still Much to Learn

Retroviruses are a family of viruses that cause a broad range of pathologies in animals and humans, from the apparently harmless, long-term genomic insertion of endogenous retroviruses, to tumors induced by the oncogenic retroviruses and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) resulting from human immunodeficiency virus infection. Disease can be the result of diverse mechanisms, including tumorigenesis induced by viral oncogenes or immune destruction, leading to the gradual loss of CD4 T-cells. Of the virally encoded proteins common to all retroviruses, the envelope (Env) displays perhaps the most diverse functionality. Env is primarily responsible for binding the cellular receptor and for effecting the fusion process, with these functions mediated by protein domains localized to the exterior of the virus. The remaining C-terminal domain may have the most variable functionality of all retroviral proteins. The C-terminal domains from three prototypical retroviruses are discussed, focusing on the different structures and functions, which include fusion activation, tumorigenesis and viral assembly and lifecycle influences. Despite these genetic and functional differences, however, the C-terminal domains of these viruses share a common feature in the modulation of Env ectodomain conformation. Despite their differences, perhaps each system still has information to share with the others.
Excessive Cellular S-nitrosothiol Impairs Endocytosis of Auxin Efflux Transporter PIN2

S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR1) is the key enzyme that regulates cellular levels of S-nitrosylation across kingdoms. We have previously reported that loss of GSNOR1 resulted in impaired auxin signaling and compromised auxin transport in Arabidopsis, leading to the auxin-related morphological phenotypes. However, the molecular mechanism underpinning the compromised auxin transport in gsnor1-3 mutant is still unknown. Endocytosis of plasma-membrane (PM)-localized efflux PIN proteins play critical roles in auxin transport. Therefore, we investigate whether loss of GSNOR1 function has any effects on the endocytosis of PIN-FORMED (PIN) proteins. It was found that the endocytosis of either the endogenous PIN2 or the transgenically expressed PIN2-GFP was compromised in the root cells of gsnor1-3 seedlings relative to Col-0. The internalization of PM-associated PIN2 or PIN2-GFP into Brefeldin A (BFA) bodies was significantly reduced in gsnor1-3 upon BFA treatment in a manner independent of de novo protein synthesis. In addition, the exogenously applied GSNO not only compromised the endocytosis of PIN2-GFP but also inhibited the root elongation in a concentration-dependent manner. Taken together, our results indicate that, besides the reduced PIN2 level, one or more compromised components in the endocytosis pathway could account for the reduced endocytosis of PIN2 in gsnor1-3.
Regulation of Salmonella‐induced membrane ruffling by SipA differs in strains lacking other effectors

The Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI‐1) type three secretion system (TTSS) is essential for Salmonella invasion of host cells through its triggering of actin‐dependent membrane ruffles. The SPI‐1 effectors SipA, SopE, SopE2 and SopB all have actin regulating activities and contribute to invasion. The precise role of actin regulation by SipA in Salmonella invasion remains controversial since divergent data have been presented regarding the relationship between SipA and membrane ruffling. We hypothesized that the contribution of SipA to membrane ruffling and invasion might vary between Salmonella strains. We compared the effects of SipA deletion on Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) strains that possess or lack SopE. Loss of SipA reduced invasion in the early stages of infection by SopE+ and SopE‐ strains but the number of membrane ruffles elicited was unaffected. Salmonella strains lacking both SipA and SopE induced ruffles with very different morphology from those induced by wild‐type strains or ones lacking single effectors, including the presence of highly dynamic finger‐like protrusions and numerous filopodia. A similar phenotype was found for sipA‐sopE‐, sipA‐sopE2‐ and sipA‐sopB‐ mutants. Thus, SipA plays a more prominent role in induction of invasion‐competent membrane ruffles by Salmonella lacking a full complement of SPI‐1 effectors.
ProMisE: a framework for process models customization to the operative context

Process diversity has recently become a target for the attention of a large part of the software engineering community. It implies that in order for a process model to be effective it must be specialized with respect to the context in which the process is executed. The authors face this problem by proposing ProMisE, a process pattern based framework able to capitalize the experiences gained in using a process model in diverse environments. It is an experience base focused on process models. By using ProMisE, two major advantages can be observed: it improves context comprehension; it improves the comprehension of the relationship between context characterization and process tailoring.
Factors associated with female genital mutilation in Burkina Faso

While the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) has been abandoned in western countries, it remains common in many African countries from Senegal to Somalia, in the Middle East, in some parts of South-East Asia and even among immigrant communities in Europe, North America and Australia. Previous studies in Burkina Faso reported a high prevalence (77%) of FGM among 15 to 49 years old women and described the commitment of the government of Burkina Faso to end this practice. Little is known about the effect of this effort on the trend of FGM in the country. This study examined whether the prevalence of FGM changed overtime and identified the factors associated with this practice. Data from the 2010 multistage household survey of 15 to 49 years old Burkinabe women were analyzed. Simple frequency and logistic regression were used to meet the study objectives. Of the 3,289 women who participated in the survey, 68.1% had undergone FGM. Among those who had a daughter (n = 2258), 18.7% had a circumcised daughter. Young age [15 to 24 years (odd ratio (OR): 0.26. 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.21 to 0.31) or 25 to 34 years (OR 0.59, 95%CI 0.48 to 0.72)], ethnicity [Gourmatche ethnic group (OR: 0.48, 95%CI 0.31 to 0.73)], religion [Muslim (OR: 1.53, 95%CI 1.09 to 2.14)], and social support from community leaders (OR: 1.37, 95%CI 1.07 to 1.75) were significantly associated with the FGM among women in Burkina Faso. Although, FGM is associated with serious health risks, its prevalence remains unacceptably high in Burkina Faso. Social marketing interventions targeting community social norms, raising the community awareness about FGM, and empowering women to make informed decisions for their daughters are needed in order to end this deeply rooted tradition. Key words: Female genital mutilation, prevalence, predictors, social norms, Burkina Faso.
The Inductive Power Transfer Story at the University of Auckland

Inductive power transfer (IPT) is now recognised as one of the "hottest" research areas in Electrical Engineering combining the EE foundation studies of electricity and magnetism with power electronics and microprocessor control. But this acceptance is very recent - as recently as 20 years ago IPT was widely supposed to be completely impractical and papers on it were in very short supply. This paper describes how one research group at the University of Auckland went from power electronics and motor control to international recognition in IPT over these past 20 years. It is a simple story combining technology and people and especially people with the vision to see what can be done and how systems can be built on those principles to offer solutions to engineering problems that hitherto had no possibility of a solution. The paper covers the story in a people oriented foreword that describes the original development from serendipity to a Daifuku prototype, and then as a more conventional paper from that prototype to a wide variety of IPT systems up to the possibility of roadway at power levels of 10-30 kW or more, with high efficiency and wide tolerance to misalignment.
A Role for Fragment-Based Drug Design in Developing Novel Lead Compounds for Central Nervous System Targets

Hundreds of millions of U.S. dollars are invested in the research and development of a single drug. Lead compound development is an area ripe for new design strategies. Therapeutic lead candidates have been traditionally found using high-throughput in vitro pharmacological screening, a costly method for assaying thousands of compounds. This approach has recently been augmented by virtual screening (VS), which employs computer models of the target protein to narrow the search for possible leads. A variant of VS is fragment-based drug design (FBDD), an emerging in silico lead discovery method that introduces low-molecular weight fragments, rather than intact compounds, into the binding pocket of the receptor model. These fragments serve as starting points for “growing” the lead candidate. Current efforts in virtual FBDD within central nervous system (CNS) targets are reviewed, as is a recent rule-based optimization strategy in which new molecules are generated within a 3D receptor-binding pocket using the fragment as a scaffold. This process not only places special emphasis on creating synthesizable molecules but also exposes computational questions worth addressing. Fragment-based methods provide a viable, relatively low-cost alternative for therapeutic lead discovery and optimization that can be applied to CNS targets to augment current design strategies.
The Role of 5-HT3 Receptors in Signaling from Taste Buds to Nerves

Activation of taste buds triggers the release of several neurotransmitters, including ATP and serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT). Type III taste cells release 5-HT directly in response to acidic (sour) stimuli and indirectly in response to bitter and sweet tasting stimuli. Although ATP is necessary for activation of nerve fibers for all taste stimuli, the role of 5-HT is unclear. We investigated whether gustatory afferents express functional 5-HT3 receptors and, if so, whether these receptors play a role in transmission of taste information from taste buds to nerves. In mice expressing GFP under the control of the 5-HT3A promoter, a subset of cells in the geniculate ganglion and nerve fibers in taste buds are GFP-positive. RT-PCR and in situ hybridization confirmed the presence of 5-HT3A mRNA in the geniculate ganglion. Functional studies show that only those geniculate ganglion cells expressing 5-HT3A-driven GFP respond to 10 μm 5-HT and this response is blocked by 1 μm ondansetron, a 5-HT3 antagonist, and mimicked by application of 10 μm m-chlorophenylbiguanide, a 5-HT3 agonist. Pharmacological blockade of 5-HT3 receptors in vivo or genetic deletion of the 5-HT3 receptors reduces taste nerve responses to acids and other taste stimuli compared with controls, but only when urethane was used as the anesthetic. We find that anesthetic levels of pentobarbital reduce taste nerve responses apparently by blocking the 5-HT3 receptors. Our results suggest that 5-HT released from type III cells activates gustatory nerve fibers via 5-HT3 receptors, accounting for a significant proportion of the neural taste response. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Historically, serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) has been described as a candidate neurotransmitter in the gustatory system and recent studies show that type III taste receptor cells release 5-HT in response to various taste stimuli. In the present study, we demonstrate that a subset of gustatory sensory neurons express functional 5-HT3 receptors that play a significant role in the neurotransmission of taste information from taste buds to nerves. In addition, we show that the anesthetic pentobarbital, widely used in taste nerve recordings, blocks 5-HT3 signaling. Therefore, many conclusions drawn from those data need to be reexamined in light of this anesthetic effect.
Robinson in space

Robinson in Space is a visual, satirical record of a journey made by a fictional character called Robinson, narrated by his traveling companion and researcher, through the increasingly unknown space of present-day England. Robinson quotes Oscar Wilde: "It is only shallow people who do not judge by appearances. The true mystery of the world is the visible not the invisible. " His assumptions about economic failure, especially in manufacturing industry, are gradually challenged by the discovery of an industrial economy that employs few people but still generates most of the wealth of the fifth-largest economy in the world. Robinson in Space incorporates material from the award-winning film of the same name that was released just before the British 1997 General Election. The book juxtaposes the narrative and over 200 intriguing, strange-yet-familiar images from the film to take the reader on a fascinating journey through the landscapes of present-day England.
Reconfigurable group robots adaptively transforming a mechanical structure - Crawl motion and adaptive transformation with new algorithms

This paper describes group robots adaptively construct a mechanical structure. The feature of the robots is high rigidity by adopting sliding mechanisms. This study discusses algorithms of crawl motion and adaptive construction considering mechanical constraints of the robots. The proposed algorithm is based on local communication of the robots. We introduce a scheme of a temporary leader which is autonomously specified by form of the structure. The scheme decreases amount of information in communication between the robots. The experimental demonstrations are also shown in this paper
Recovery of Sensors in Wireless Sensor Networks

The failure in cluster at a high level can bring up great damages to the system in wireless sensor networks where clustering techniques are used. Certain methods have been reported in the literature in recovering the sensors from a failure cluster. One of the most important methods is to recover the sensors in run-time and without clustering. But it is so much ideal to suppose that all the sensors will be recovered. In this paper, we proposed a method that can operate on the remained sensors that are not recovered.
Transgenic pig carrying green fluorescent proteasomes

Among its many functions, the ubiquitin–proteasome system regulates substrate-specific proteolysis during the cell cycle, apoptosis, and fertilization and in pathologies such as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and liver cirrhosis. Proteasomes are present in human and boar spermatozoa, but little is known about the interactions of proteasomal subunits with other sperm proteins or structures. We have created a transgenic boar with green fluorescent protein (GFP) tagged 20S proteasomal core subunit α-type 1 (PSMA1-GFP), hypothesizing that the PSMA1-GFP fusion protein will be incorporated into functional sperm proteasomes. Using direct epifluorescence imaging and indirect immunofluorescence detection, we have confirmed the presence of PSMA1-GFP in the sperm acrosome. Western blotting revealed a protein band corresponding to the predicted mass of PSMA1-GFP fusion protein (57 kDa) in transgenic spermatozoa. Transgenic boar fertility was confirmed by in vitro fertilization, resulting in transgenic blastocysts, and by mating, resulting in healthy transgenic offspring. Immunoprecipitation and proteomic analysis revealed that PSMA1-GFP copurifies with several acrosomal membrane-associated proteins (e.g., lactadherin/milk fat globule E8 and spermadhesin alanine-tryptophan-asparagine). The interaction of MFGE8 with PSMA1-GFP was confirmed through cross-immunoprecipitation. The identified proteasome-interacting proteins may regulate sperm proteasomal activity during fertilization or may be the substrates of proteasomal proteolysis during fertilization. Proteomic analysis also confirmed the interaction/coimmunoprecipitation of PSMA1-GFP with 13/14 proteasomal core subunits. These results demonstrate that the PSMA1-GFP was incorporated in the assembled sperm proteasomes. This mammal carrying green fluorescent proteasomes will be useful for studies of fertilization and wherever the ubiquitin–proteasome system plays a role in cellular function or pathology.