Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does Cognitive Ability Buffer the Link Between Childhood Disadvantage and Adult Health?

Objective: Individual differences in childhood cognitive ability have been neglected in the study of how early life psychosocial factors may buffer the long-term health consequences of social disadvantage. In this study, we drew on rich data from two large British cohorts to test whether high levels of cognitive ability may protect children from experiencing the physical and mental health consequences of early life socioeconomic disadvantage. Method: Participants from the 1970 British Cohort Study (BCS; N = 11,522) were followed from birth to age 42, and those from the 1958 National Child Development Study (NCDS; N = 13,213) were followed from birth to age 50. Childhood social disadvantage was indexed using 6 indicators gauging parental education, occupational prestige, and housing characteristics (i.e., housing tenure and home crowding). Standardized assessments of cognitive ability were completed at ages 10 (BCS) and 11 (NCDS) years. Psychological distress, self-rated health, and all-cause mortality were examined from early adulthood to midlife in both cohorts. Results: Early social disadvantage predicted elevated levels of psychological distress and lower levels of self-rated health in both cohorts and higher mortality risk in the NCDS. Childhood cognitive ability moderated each of these relationships such that the link between early life social disadvantage and poor health in adulthood was markedly stronger at low (−1 SD) compared to high (+1 SD) levels of childhood cognitive ability. Conclusions: This study provides evidence that high childhood cognitive ability is associated with a decrease in the strength of socioeconomic status–driven health inequalities.
Elite-adapted wheelchair sports performance: a systematic review

Abstract Purpose: Elite-adapted sports performance has considerably improved over the last decades and winning or losing races at Paralympic Games is often a matter of a split second. In other words, every single detail counts, which underlines the necessity of optimizing training interventions and equipment for athletes in order to achieve top-class performance. However, to date, studies which include Paralympic elite athletes are scarce. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed to identify potential strategies and interventions in order to optimize elite-adapted wheelchair sports performance, whereas the focus lay on respiratory muscle training (RMT), cooling (CI) and nutritional interventions (NI) as well as on individual equipment adaptations (IEA). Results: The total number of studies identified for the final analysis was six for RMT, two for CI, three for NI and seven for IEA, respectively. Results point predominantly towards performance enhancing benefits for CI and IEA, whereas NI and RMT provided inhomogenous findings. Conclusions: In comparison to the able-bodied population, research in the field of Paralympic elite sport is scarce. CI and IEA seem to have significant performance enhancing benefits, whereas NI and RMT revealed controversial findings. However, due to the limited number of elite athletes with a spinal cord injury available to participate in scientific studies, general conclusions are difficult to make at this stage and in daily practice recommendations are still given mainly on an individual basis or based on personal experiences of coaches, athletes and scientists. Implications for Rehabilitaton Based on the knowledge gained in elite sports, wheelchair equipment could be optimized also for daily use. Elite sports performance could inspire wheelchair users to achieve their personal fitness goals.
Very high-energy gamma-ray astronomy

We present a review of the current status of very high energy γ‐ray astronomy. The development of the atmospheric Cerenkov imaging technique for ground‐based γ‐ray astronomy has led to a rapid growth in the number of observatories. The detection of TeV γ‐rays from active galactic nuclei was unexpected and is providing new insights into the emission mechanisms in the jets. Next‐generation telescopes are under construction and will increase dramatically the knowledge available at this extreme end of the cosmic electromagnetic spectrum.
Conditioned media from hypoxic‐cultured human dental pulp cells promotes bone healing during distraction osteogenesis

Distraction osteogenesis (DO) is a surgical procedure used to correct various skeletal disorders. Improving the technique by reducing the healing time would be of clinical relevance. The aim of this study was to determine the angiogenic and regenerative potential of conditioned media (CMs) collected from human dental pulp cells (hDPCs) grown under different culture conditions. CM collected from cells under hypoxia was used to improve bone healing and the DO procedure in vivo. The angiogenic potentials of CMs collected from hDPCs grown under normoxic (−Nor) and hypoxic (−Hyp) conditions were evaluated by quantitative PCR (VEGF‐A, angiopoietin‐1, angiopoietin‐2, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and CXCL12), ELISA assays (VEGF‐A, Ang‐2), tube‐formation and wound‐healing assays, using human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The results demonstrated that hypoxic CM had significantly higher angiogenic potential than normoxic CM. Human fetal osteoblasts (hFOBs) were exposed to CM, followed by alizarin red staining, to assess the osteogenic potential. It was found that CM did not enhance the mineralization capacity of hFOBs. DO was performed in the tibiae of 30 mice, followed by a local injection of 20 µl CM (CM–Nor and CM–Hyp groups) or serum‐free DMEM (control group) into the distraction zone every second day. The mice were sacrificed at days 13 and 27. The CM–Hyp treatment revealed a higher X‐ray density than the control group (p < 0.05). Our study suggests that the angiogenic effect promoted by hypoxic culture conditions is dependent on VEGF‐A and Ang‐2 released from hDPCs. Furthermore, CM–Hyp treatment may thus improve the DO procedure, accelerating bone healing. © 2015 The Authors. Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular Genetic Characterization of Local Buffalo Population of Jammu and Kashmir Region using Microsatellite Markers

In the present study, genetic characterization of local buffalo population, a native to north temperate region of India in Jammu and Kashmir, was carried out for the purpose of breed characterization and assessing existing intra-population genetic diversity. A total 50 blood samples procured at random from genetically unrelated animals of two sexes and different age groups were collected from different locations in the breeding tract of these buffaloes. The multi-locus genotype data were generated using 15 FAO recommended buffalo specific microsatellite markers, which gave amplification and various parameters were estimated through PopGene software (1.3.1). A total of 103 distinct alleles were observed with mean observed and effective number of alleles as 6.8667±0.29 and 5.5683±0.2 respectively across all 15 studied loci. The maximum (9) alleles were contributed by loci (CSM013 and CSM061) and the least (5) by (ILSTS030). The mean Observed and Expected Heterozygosities across all loci were 0.6840±0.01 and 0.8250±0.007 respectively. The polymorphism information content (PIC) value ranged from 0.7227 (CSM038) to 0.8357 (CSM013) with mean PIC of 0.7913±0.008. The Nei’s genetic distance measures varied from 0.7606 (CSM038) to 0.8528 (CSM013 and BRN) with mean genetic distance of 0.8167±0.007. The mean Shannon’s index value ranged from 1.5220 (ILSTS030) to 2.0320 (CSM013) with mean of (1.7894±0.03). Microsatellite analysis thus revealed high level of polymorphism across studied microsatellite markers and informativeness of the markers for genetic diversity analysis studies which can be utilized to plan future association studies to exploit the uniqueness and adaptability of indigenous buffalo population.
Analysis simulation and comparison different types of the Sigma Delta ADC modulators based on ideal model system level and behavioral model using MATLAB

In this paper, different types of the Delta Sigma ADC Modulators are analyzed and simulated using the MATLAB. The simulations of the proposed paper are applied in different cases such as ideal model utilizing M-file, system levels as a Simulink, and behavioral model by Simsides, reliably. It is noteworthy that, since in the behavioral model, the parasitic resistors and capacitors, the effect of the noise and temperatures, and other parasitic parameters are considered, due to that these type simulation results are near to actual way, mostly. Meanwhile, as simulation results prove that, in the Simsides model, the Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) and Effective Number of Bits (ENOB) of the modulators are worse compared to the ideal or system level model with the same parameters and orders, noticeably. As a result, in order to present reliable resolution, speed and other effective parameters in the sigma-delta ADC modulators, it should be simulations achieve in worst case condition such as Simsides type. Also, simulation results of the different orders of the DSM are compared in the comparison table, too. Simulation results of the proposed paper are simulated using the MATLAB model of M-file, Simulink, and Simsides as well.
Effect of Travel Speed on the Visual Control of Steering Toward a Goal

Previous studies have proposed that people can use visual cues such as the instantaneous direction (i.e., heading) or future path trajectory of travel specified by optic flow or target visual direction in egocentric space to steer or walk toward a goal. In the current study, we examined what visual cues people use to guide their goal-oriented locomotion and whether their reliance on such visual cues changes as travel speed increases. We presented participants with optic flow displays that simulated their self-motion toward a target at various travel speeds under two viewing conditions in which we made target egocentric direction available or unavailable for steering. We found that for both viewing conditions, participants did not steer along a curved path toward the target such that the actual and the required path curvature to reach the target would converge when approaching the target. At higher travel speeds, participants showed a faster and larger reduction in target-heading angle and more accurate and precise steady-state control of aligning their heading specified by optic flow with the target. These findings support the claim that people use heading and target egocentric direction but not path for goal-oriented locomotion control, and their reliance on heading increases at higher travel speeds. The increased reliance on heading for goal-oriented locomotion control could be due to an increased reliability in perceiving heading from optic flow as the magnitude of flow increases with travel speed.
DEVELOPMENT AND PHYSICO-CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF APRICOT-DATE BARS

Considering the nutritional qualities of fruits, apricot-date bars were developed at the Institute of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan during the year 2009-10. For this purpose date paste, dried apricot paste, skim milk powder, roasted gram flour, peanuts and sodium chloride were used in different four propotions. The results indicated that water activity, colour and texture of bars were affected significantly with the addition of dried apricots. Moisture was also significantly affected which ranged from 17.14 to 19.21 percent and 71.49 to 72.81 percent whereas crude fat, crude protein, crude fibre, nitrogen free extract and ash were not significantly affected with the addition of apricot paste. The quantities of sodium, calcium, iron, manganese and zinc remained unchanged, whereas potassium increased significantly in these treatments. In-vitro protein and starch digestibilities ranged from 85.90 to 86.88 percent and 0.238 to 0.244 mg/g, respectively. There was no change observed in the quantities of free fatty acids. The total phenolic contents ranged from 225.20 to 263.84mg/100g. Microbiological analysis revealed that these bars were in the safe limits in bacterial and mold loads and might be stored for longer time. The studies further revealed that potential exists to produce economical fruit bars with commercial value.
Novel therapeutic strategies for degenerative disc disease: Review of cell biology and intervertebral disc cell therapy

Intervertebral disc degeneration is a disease of the discs connecting adjoining vertebrae in which structural damage leads to loss of disc integrity. Degeneration of the disc can be a normal process of ageing, but can also be precipitated by other factors. Literature has made substantial progress in understanding the biological basis of intervertebral disc, which is reviewed here. Current medical and surgical management strategies have shortcomings that do not lend promise to be effective solutions in the coming years. With advances in understanding the cell biology and characteristics of the intervertebral disc at the molecular and cellular level that have been made, alternative strategies for addressing disc pathology can be discovered. A brief overview of the anatomic, cellular, and molecular structure of the intervertebral disc is provided as well as cellular and molecular pathophysiology surrounding intervertebral disc degeneration. Potential therapeutic strategies involving stem cell, protein, and genetic therapy for intervertebral disc degeneration are further discussed.
Thermodynamic Hydricities of Biomimetic Organic Hydride Donors.

Thermodynamic hydricities (Δ GH-) in acetonitrile and dimethyl sulfoxide have been calculated and experimentally measured for several metal-free hydride donors: NADH analogs (BNAH, CN-BNAH, Me-MNAH, HEH), methylene tetrahydromethanopterin analogs (BIMH, CAFH), acridine derivatives (Ph-AcrH, Me2N-AcrH, T-AcrH, 4OH, 2OH, 3NH), and a triarylmethane derivative (6OH). The calculated hydricity values, obtained using density functional theory, showed a reasonably good match (within 3 kcal/mol) with the experimental values, obtained using "potential p Ka" and "hydride-transfer" methods. The hydride donor abilities of model compounds were in the 48.7-85.8 kcal/mol (acetonitrile) and 46.9-84.1 kcal/mol (DMSO) range, making them comparable to previously studied first-row transition metal hydride complexes. To evaluate the relevance of entropic contribution to the overall hydricity, Gibbs free energy differences (Δ GH-) obtained in this work were compared with the enthalpy (Δ HH-) values obtained by others. The results indicate that, even though Δ HH- values exhibit the same trends as Δ GH-, the differences between room-temperature Δ GH- and Δ HH- values range from 3 to 9 kcal/mol. This study also reports a new metal-free hydride donor, namely, an acridine-based compound 3NH, whose hydricity exceeds that of NaBH4. Collectively, this work gives a perspective of use metal-free hydride catalysts in fuel-forming and other reduction processes.
MultiVisA: Visual Analysis of Multi-run Physical Simulation Data using Interactive Aggregated Plots

Physical simulations aim at modeling and computing spatio-temporal phenomena. As the simulations depend on initial conditions and/or parameter settings whose impact is to be investigated, a larger number of simulation runs is commonly executed. Analyzing all facets of such multi-run multi-field spatio-temporal simulation data poses a challenge for visualization. It requires the design of different visual encodings that aggregate information in multiple ways and at multiple abstraction levels. MultiVisA is a tool for the interactive visual analysis of multi-run data from physical simulations based on a number of aggregated plots and coordinated interactions. A histogram-based plot allows for the investigation of the distribution of function values within all simulation runs. A density-based time-series plot allows for the detection of temporal patterns and outliers within the ensemble of multiple runs for single and multiple fields. A similarity-based plot allows for the comparison of multiple or individual runs and their behavior over time. Coordinated views allow for linking the plots to spatial visualizations in physical space. We apply MultiVisA to physical simulations from the field of climate research and astrophysics. We document the analysis process, demonstrate its effectiveness, and provide evaluations involving domain experts.
Work–family spillover and metabolic syndrome indicators: Findings from a national sample

This study examines the link between negative work–family spillover and metabolic risk factors over a 9-year period. Data from two waves of the Midlife in the United States Survey were used to explore relationships between negative work–family spillover and four indicators of metabolic syndrome—blood pressure, triglycerides, body mass index, and glucose levels. In a sample of full-time working men and women (N = 630), increased negative spillover at baseline significantly predicted higher body mass index nearly a decade later, with a marginally significant effect for triglyceride levels. Increases in spillover also body mass index and glucose levels at follow-up. This study extends research tying work–life spillover to health and suggests that further investigation is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of work stress.
Pareto-front analysis of a monotonie PI control law for slip suppression in a robotic manipulator

This paper presents a novel slip-suppression controller for a two-fingered robotic manipulator, where the goal is to minimize the slip distance without using excessive force. To do this, we consider monotonic PI (MPI) control, which is a nonlinear extension of linear proportional-integral (PI) control. The advantage of MPI control is the fact that the normal force of the gripper is prohibited from decreasing during the transition from predominantly proportional control to predominantly integral control as occurs in the case of linear PI control. The performance of the MPI control is compared to linear PI control for a range of controller parameters, and the tradeoff between the maximum normal force and the total slip distance is efficiently captured by Pareto-front analysis. The robustness of MPI is assessed by considering uncertainty in the body mass and friction parameters, as well as the effect of measurement noise and actuator dynamics.
Mobile Travel Apps' Adoption: Integrating Perceived Characteristics of Innovation and Software Quality

The growing popularity of smartphone has changed the way of service operations and delivery in the travel and tourism industry. Mobile applications for travel information and activities in recent years proliferate rapidly and now have actually become a necessary travel kit for almost everyone. Thus, understanding the contributing factor of users' adoption intention of mobile travel apps is critically important for researchers and practitioners. However, there is little empirical research on what factors may drive customers' mobile travel apps adoption. The purpose of this study is to propose a research model based on perceived characteristics of innovation framework (PCI) and software quality model to identify the antecedents of mobile travel app adoption. This study uses survey data from 804 tourists and structural equation modeling (SEM) to empirically assess the research model. The results show that relative advantage, compatibility, ease of use, time convenience, social interaction, UI aesthetic and portability can positively influence uses' adoption intention through attitude and involvement. Our findings provide important theoretical contributions and implications for travel-related companies operations and travel app software design.
Using regulatory genomics data to interpret the function of disease variants and prioritise genes from expression studies

The identification of therapeutic targets is a critical step in the research and developement of new drugs, with several drug discovery programmes failing because of a weak linkage between target and disease. Genome-wide association studies and large-scale gene expression experiments are providing insights into the biology of several common diseases, but the complexity of transcriptional regulation mechanisms often limits our understanding of how genetic variation can influence changes in gene expression. Several initiatives in the field of regulatory genomics are aiming to close this gap by systematically identifying and cataloguing regulatory elements such as promoters and enhacers across different tissues and cell types. In this Bioconductor workflow, we will explore how different types of regulatory genomic data can be used for the functional interpretation of disease-associated variants and for the prioritisation of gene lists from gene expression experiments.
A shortest path algorithm for 2D seismic horizon tracking

Seismic horizon mapping is an important step in seismic interpretation. Automatic tracking algorithms are valuable tools since manual mapping can be an extremely tiring and time consuming task. In the present work, we propose a new tracking algorithm for 2D seismic horizons based on shortest paths in Directed Acyclic Graphs. Our approach was designed to balance global and local information of seismic data in order to correctly track horizons at complicated geological scenarios. The main contributions of this work include: a new tracking algorithm for 2D horizons; the definition of a graph dynamically built which models the structure of the seismic horizon; an energy function that balances between local and global properties of the seismic data; and, a new method for building subtraces to improve correlation measurements. The proposed method yielded very satisfactory results when compared to a ground truth horizon provided by an interpreter. Additionally, we compared our results with a similar greedy algorithm, which uses only local information to map horizons. The results illustrated the strength of our design.
RUNX1 and RUNX3 protect against YAP-mediated EMT, stem-ness and shorter survival outcomes in breast cancer

Hippo pathway target, YAP has emerged as an important player in solid tumor progression. Here, we identify RUNX1 and RUNX3 as novel negative regulators of oncogenic function of YAP in the context of breast cancer. RUNX proteins are one of the first transcription factors identified to interact with YAP. RUNX1 or RUNX3 expression abrogates YAP-mediated pro-tumorigenic properties of mammary epithelial cell lines in an interaction dependent manner. RUNX1 and RUNX3 inhibit YAP-mediated migration and stem-ness properties of mammary epithelial cell lines by co-regulating YAP-mediated gene expression. Analysis of whole genome expression profiles of breast cancer samples revealed significant co-relation between YAP–RUNX1/RUNX3 expression levels and survival outcomes of breast cancer patients. High RUNX1/RUNX3 expression proved protective towards YAP-dependent patient survival outcomes. High YAP in breast cancer patients’ expression profiles co-related with EMT and stem-ness gene signature enrichment. High RUNX1/RUNX3 expression along with high YAP reflected lower enrichment of EMT and stem-ness signatures. This antagonistic activity of RUNX1 and RUNX3 towards oncogenic function of YAP identified in mammary epithelial cells as well as in breast cancer expression profiles gives a novel mechanistic insight into oncogene–tumor suppressor interplay in the context of breast cancer progression. The novel interplay between YAP, RUNX1 and RUNX3 and its significance in breast cancer progression can serve as a prognostic tool to predict cancer recurrence.