Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Learning of Joint Attention from Detecting Causality Based on Transfer Entropy

Joint attention, i.e., the behavior of looking at the same object that another person is looking at, plays an important role in human and human-robot communication. Previous synthetic studies focusing on modeling the early developmental process of joint attention have proposed learning methods without explicit instructions for joint attention. In these studies, the causal structure between a perception variable (a caregiver’s face direction or an individual object) and an action variable (gaze shift to a caregiver’s face or to an object location) was given in advance to learn joint attention. However, such a structure is expected to be found by the robot through interaction experiences. In this paper, we investigates how transfer entropy, an information theory measure, is used to quantify the causality inherent in face-to-face interaction. In computer simulations of human-robot interaction, we examine which pair of perceptions and actions is selected as the causal pair and show that the selected pairs can be used for learning a sensorimotor map for joint attention.
Constituents of Pygeum africanum Bark

Extraction and separation Dried powdered bark (300 g) of Pygeum africanum was Sohxlet extracted with CHCI3 and the vacuum evaporated extract shaken with hexane; the soluble fraction was column chromatographed on Si gel (Merk) with hexane-C6H6 in increasing amounts; the residue was similarly treated with CHCI3-MeOH. Further purification and subsequent isolation of the individual substances was performed on Si gel with cyclohexane-EtOAc (85:15). Identification of isolated substances 3-f3-sitosterol (stigmasten-3-13-ol): m.p. 136_137c (Lit. [5] 136.5°), TLC on Si gel: R1 0.69 in CHC13-Me2CO (90:10); 0.45 in C6H6-EtOAc (60:30); 0.12 in cyclohexaneEtOAc (85:15), and so on, agree with the Stahl series [6]. Mixed m.p., TLC and CoTLC with commercial specimen and NMR spectra confirmed the identity of the substance.
Intratracheal aerosolization of endotoxin in the rat: a model of the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)

A technique is described for the intratracheal aerosolization of endotoxin into the rat. Using a miniaturized nozzle within the tracheal lumen to optimize uniform distribution 0·5 ml of an endotoxin solution (7 mg/kg) was aerosolized and dispersed throughout the lung. Time course studies of pulmonary function and histological changes revealed marked functional and morphological changes by 24 h. Histopathologic changes consisted of widespread pulmonary oedema and a diffuse neutrophilic alveolitis. At the same time, there were significant decreases in tidal volume, minute ventilation and lung compliance. Haematologic changes were also seen, including profound chrombocytopaenia and leukopaenia together with an increased haematocrit, indicating systemic effects in this model. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) at 24 h revealed significant increases in BAL protein, erythrocytes and neutrophils. The functional, cytological and histological changes observed after endotoxin challenge mimic those seen in the Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome in humans and can thus be used as a model to compare the efficacy of a variety of therapeutic interventions for this syndrome.
A tumour necrosis factor alpha polymorphism is not associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE--To determine whether a polymorphism within the tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) gene is associated with susceptibility to, or severity of, rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS--Consecutive patients with recent onset RA were enrolled in a prospective trial. DNA was collected, disease activity was measured at presentation, and radiographic progression at three years was assessed. Typing of TNF alpha was by polymerase chain reaction and single stranded conformation polymorphism analysis. RESULTS--No association of TNF alpha alleles and susceptibility to, or severity of, RA was demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS--These results indicate that this TNF alpha polymorphism does not play a part in the genetic background of RA.
A Variable Residue in the Pore of Kv1 Channels Is Critical for the High Affinity of Blockers from Sea Anemones and Scorpions*

Animal toxins are associated with well defined selectivity profiles; however the molecular basis for this property is not understood. To address this issue we refined our previous three-dimensional models of the complex between the sea anemone toxin BgK and the S5-S6 region of Kv1.1 (Gilquin, B., Racape, J., Wrisch, A., Visan, V., Lecoq, A., Grissmer, S., Ménez, A., and Gasparini, S. (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277, 37406-37413) using a docking procedure that scores and ranks the structures by comparing experimental and back-calculated values of coupling free energies ΔΔGint obtained from double-mutant cycles. These models further highlight the interaction between residue 379 of Kv1.1 and the conserved dyad tyrosine residue of BgK. Because the nature of the residue at position 379 varies from one channel subtype to another, we explored how these natural mutations influence the sensitivity of Kv1 channel subtypes to BgK using binding and electrophysiology experiments. We demonstrated that mutations at this single position indeed suffice to abolish or enhance the sensitivity of Kv1 channels for BgK and other sea anemone and scorpion toxins. Altogether, our data suggest that the residue at position 379 of Kv1 channels controls the affinity of a number of blocking toxins.
Sound level of environmental music and drinking behavior: a field experiment with beer drinkers.

OBJECTIVE It had been found that environmental music was associated with an increase in alcohol consumption. The presence versus absence of music, high versus slow tempo and the different styles of environmental music is associated with different level of alcohol consumption. However, the effect of the level of the environmental music played in a bar still remained in question. METHODS Forty male beer drinkers were observed in a bar. According to a random distribution, patrons were exposed to the usual level of environmental music played in 2 bars where the experiment was carried out or were exposed to a high level. RESULTS The results show that high level volume led to increase alcohol consumption and reduced the average amount of time spent by the patrons to drink their glass. CONCLUSIONS The impact of environmental music on consumption was discussed and the "arousal" hypothesis and the negative effect of loud music on social interaction were used to explain our results.
Modeling Reach For Use in User Interface Design

The area on a horizontal working plane usable for direct manipulation or direct touch user interfaces is constrained within the space reachable by the users. This paper shows that existing models of reach in the literature are suitable for use in user interface design. While existing data was gathered for stationary individuals this paper examines the impact of freedom of motion on the maximum reported comfortable reach envelope (i.e. the surface of maximum reach). A user study was conducted to gauge the impact at several table heights of user motion on available working space. Throughout, the paper discuses several ways in which these reach models can be immediately applied to user interface design.
Novel Genospecies of Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato from Rodents and Ticks in Southwestern China

ABSTRACT By using multilocus sequence analysis, five Borrelia valaisiana-related strains isolated from rodents and ticks in southwestern China were eventually classified as a new genospecies of B. burgdorferi sensu lato rather than B. valaisiana. The finding explained the differences in transmission cycle and phenotype between B. valaisiana strains from Europe and B. valaisiana-related strains from eastern Asia.
A New Gun in Town: The U Box Is a Ubiquitin Ligase Domain

Ubiquitin ligases determine protein stability in a highly regulated manner by coordinating the addition of polyubiquitin chains to proteins that are then targeted to the proteasome for degradation. Ubiquitin ligases have generally been separated into two groups--those containing HECT domains and those with RING finger domains. Recently, a third group of ubiquitin ligases has emerged: those containing a U-box domain. Patterson discusses what is known about the few U-box-containing proteins that have been characterized, although the general properties of U-box proteins that distinguish them from other ubiquitin ligases are still a matter of speculation.
Analysis of Reed-Solomon Coding Combined with Cyclic Redundancy Check in DVB-H link layer

DVB-H, which is an amendment of DVB-T, offers reliable high data rate reception for mobile handheld and battery-powered devices. A link layer with error correction was defined to work on top of the DVB-T physical layer. The DVB-H standard suggests to use Reed-Solomon coding combined with CRC-32 error detection as the link layer FEC. This paper investigates the performance of the proposed error correction scheme, which is first analyzed theoretically and then by computer simulations. Results are compared to conventional Reed-Solomon decoding without utilizing CRC-32 error detection to illustrate drawbacks of the decoding solution in DVB-H standard
Magnitude of radiation-induced DNA damage in peripheral blood leukocytes and its correlation with aggressiveness of thymic lymphoma in Swiss mice

Abstract Purpose: The present study is aimed to investigate the magnitude and kinetics of DNA damage in peripheral blood leukocytes of mice exposed to whole body gamma irradiation (WBI; 3 Gy) and its correlation with aggressiveness of thymic lymphoma (TL). Materials and methods: DNA damage was monitored in peripheral blood cells of individual mice by comet assay at different intervals of post-irradiation, which were correlated with weight of TL in respective mice at 120th day. To further study genomic radiosensitivity in TL development, peripheral blood samples collected at the 15th and 90th day of post-irradiation from control and WBI animals were irradiated (0.5 Gy) ex vivo followed by assessment of DNA damage by comet assay. Results: The maximum DNA damage (tail moment) was observed at 5 min after WBI, which decreased at longer period, and was minimum at the 7th day after WBI. However, residual damage was observed in comparison to control and it persisted up to 90 days of irradiation. Tail moment values observed at an early time (5 min) of post-irradiation was better correlated (correlation coefficient, r = 0.84) with weight of TL than at longer time period (60 days; r = 0.21). Our results showed that in ex vivo irradiated (0.5 Gy) peripheral blood, the magnitude of DNA damage was higher in samples obtained from WBI mice than sham-irradiated controls suggesting enhanced genomic radiosensitivity in WBI mice. Genomic susceptibility to radiation observed in peripheral blood from WBI animals showed better correlation with weight of TL at the 15th day (r = 0.9) post-irradiation period than at the 90th day (r = 0.44). Conclusion: These results suggest that the magnitude of radiation-induced initial DNA damage in peripheral blood leukocytes and genomic radiosensitivity could be an indicator of TL aggressiveness in mice.
Kalman Randomized Joint UKF Algorithm for Dual Estimation of States and Parameters in a Nonlinear System

This article presents a new nonlinear joint (state and parameter) estimation algorithm based on fusion of Kalman filter and randomized unscented Kalman filter (UKF), called Kalman randomized joint UKF (KR-JUKF). It is assumed that the measurement equation is linear. The KRJUKF is suitable for time varying and severe nonlinear dynamics and does not have any systematic error. Finally, joint-EKF, dual-EKF, joint-UKF and KR-JUKF are applied to a CSTR with cooling jacket, in which production of propylene glycol happens and performance of KR-JUKF is evaluated.
The Contributions Of Antioxidant Activity Of Lipoic Acid In Reducing Neurogenerative Progression Of Parkinson’s Disease: A Review

ABSTRACT This work reviews the evidence of the mechanism of neuronal degeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD) and the neuroprotective effect of lipoic acid and its use in the treatment of PD. PD is characterized by slow and progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta, leading to reduction of the striatal dopaminergic terminals. It is known that several factors influence neuronal damage. Among these factors, oxidative stress, immune system activity, microglial cells, and apoptotic mechanisms are of major importance. Currently, several antioxidants have been studied with the aim of reducing/slowing the progression of neurodegenerative processes. Lipoic acid is considered a universal antioxidant because it is an amphipathic substance. Lipoic acid and its reduced form, dihidrolipoic acid, act against reactive oxygen species, reducing oxidative stress. Therefore, this antioxidant has been used in the treatment of many diseases, including a new perspective for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
Effect of Delayed Input on Wide Area Optimal Control and Design of Compensation

The recent advances in wide-area measurement system (WAMS) is driving power systems to the trend of wide-area monitoring and control. In this trend, the impact of time delays introduced by remote signal transmission and processing in WAMS has to be considered. This paper will thoroughly analyze the effect of wide area linear optimal control (WALOC) with delayed remote input on inter-area oscillation damping. Eigenvalue analysis demonstrates that delay in time will cause lag in phase with respect to frequency of oscillatory mode and amplification in gain with respect to damping of oscillatory mode. The effect might drive eigenvalues of system matrix to undesirable places on complex plane, and even make power system unstable. Compensation block consisted of lead/lag module and gain module is designed to diminish the effect of time delay. Simulations on 2-machine test system are performed to substantiate obtained results and demonstrate the advantage of designed delay compensator when the time delays are within a certain range.
Object and human tracking, and robot control through a load sensing floor. (Localisation et suivi d'humains et d'objets, et contrôle de robots au travers d'un sol sensible)

This thesis explores the capabilities of an ambient intelligence equipped with a load-sensing floor. It deals with the problem of perceiving the environment through a network of low-resolution sensors. Challenges include the interpretation of spread loads for objects wit multiple points of support, weight ambiguities between objects, variation of persons’ weight during dynamic activities, etc. We introduce new techniques, partly inspired from the field of computer vision, for detecting, tracking and recognising the entities located on the floor. We also introduce new modes of interaction between environments equipped with such floor sensors and robots evolving inside them. This enables non-intrusive interpretation of events happening inside environments with embedded ambient intelligence, with applications in assisted living, senile care, continuous health diagnosis, home security, and robotic navigation.
Light scattering study of tissues

Tissue optics is a rapidly expanding field of great interest to those involved in the development of optical medical technologies. In the present review both strongly (multiple) scattering tissues, such as skin, brain tissues, and vessel walls, and weakly scattering high-transparent tissues, such as eye tissues (cornea and lens), are discussed. For the former, radiation transport theory or Monte Carlo simulation are used to describe the propagation of light (laser beams). For weakly scattering ordered tissues, ensembles of close-packed Rayleigh or Mie scatterers are employed. Methods for solving the inverse problem of finding biotissue optical parameters are discussed. The propagation of photon-density diffusion waves in scattering and absorbing media is analyzed and the prospects of these waves for optical tomography are discussed. Polarization phenomena in both strongly and weakly scattering biotissues are discussed.
Motor unit behaviour and contractile changes during fatigue in the human first dorsal interosseus

1 In 67 single motor units, the mechanical properties, the recruitment and derecruitment thresholds, and the discharge rates were recorded concurrently in the first dorsal interosseus (FDI) of human subjects during intermittent fatiguing contractions. The task consisted of isometric ramp‐and‐hold contractions performed at 50% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of fatigue on the behaviour of motor units with a wide range of activation thresholds. 2 For low‐threshold (< 25% MVC) motor units, the mean twitch force increased with fatigue and the recruitment threshold either did not change or increased. In contrast, the twitch force and the activation threshold decreased for the high‐threshold (> 25% MVC) units. The observation that in low‐threshold motor units a quick stretch of the muscle at the end of the test reset the unit force and recruitment threshold to the prefatigue value suggests a significant role for fatigue‐related changes in muscle stiffness but not twitch potentiation or motor unit synchronization. 3 Although the central drive intensified during the fatigue test, as indicated by an increase in surface electromyogram (EMG), the discharge rate of the motor units during the hold phase of each contraction decreased progressively over the course of the task for motor units that were recruited at the beginning of the test, especially the low‐threshold units. In contrast, the discharge rates of newly activated units first increased and then decreased. 4 Such divergent behaviour of low‐ and high‐threshold motor units could not be individually controlled by the central drive to the motoneurone pool. Rather, the different behaviours must be the consequence of variable contributions from motoneurone adaptation and afferent feedback from the muscle during the fatiguing contraction.
Blue light reduces organ injury from ischemia and reperfusion

Significance It is well established that light regulates mammalian biology. And yet, we have been unable to define and thus harness the underlying mechanisms so as to apply them to alter the course of human disease. In this study we determine that the spectrum of light is a critical determinant of its effect on critical illness. We show that an acute and short (24 h) exposure to high-illuminance (1,400 lx) blue spectrum (peak 442 nm) light prior to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) significantly attenuates the degree of organ injury. Our characterization of the biological mechanisms through which blue light beneficially alters the cellular response to I/R provides an opportunity to develop novel therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of many diseases. Evidence suggests that light and circadian rhythms profoundly influence the physiologic capacity with which an organism responds to stress. However, the ramifications of light spectrum on the course of critical illness remain to be determined. Here, we show that acute exposure to bright blue spectrum light reduces organ injury by comparison with bright red spectrum or ambient white fluorescent light in two murine models of sterile insult: warm liver ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) and unilateral renal I/R. Exposure to bright blue light before I/R reduced hepatocellular injury and necrosis and reduced acute kidney injury and necrosis. In both models, blue light reduced neutrophil influx, as evidenced by reduced myeloperoxidase (MPO) within each organ, and reduced the release of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a neutrophil chemotactant and key mediator in the pathogenesis of I/R injury. The protective mechanism appeared to involve an optic pathway and was mediated, in part, by a sympathetic (β3 adrenergic) pathway that functioned independent of significant alterations in melatonin or corticosterone concentrations to regulate neutrophil recruitment. These data suggest that modifying the spectrum of light may offer therapeutic utility in sterile forms of cellular injury.
The association between submarine service and multimorbidity: a cross-sectional study of Korean naval personnel

Objective We aimed to estimate the prevalence of multimorbidity (≥2 chronic health problems) among Korean submariners and to evaluate the association between submarine service and multimorbidity and disease burden. Study design and setting This cross-sectional study included 590 naval personnel who visited a Korean primary care clinic during 2014–2015. Data regarding general characteristics and morbidities were collected from medical records, and disease burden was assessed using the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS). Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between submarine service and multimorbidity and disease burden. Results The prevalence of multimorbidity was 11.7% among 180 non-submariners and 32.2% among 410 submariners. The prevalence of multimorbidity and the CIRS scores gradually increased with age. Submarine service was associated with higher risk of multimorbidity and disease burden compared with non-submarine service even after adjusting for age, alcohol consumption, smoking status and naval rank. However, a dose–response relationship was not evident between the duration of submarine service and the risk of multimorbidity as well as high disease burden. Conclusions Submarine service was significantly associated with a higher risk of multimorbidity and greater disease burden than non-submarine service. This finding suggests that multidimensional and holistic healthcare approaches are needed for submariners.
Mitochondrial permeability transition in the switch from necrotic to apoptotic cell death in ischemic rat hepatocytes.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Ischemia/reperfusion can initiate both necrotic and apoptotic death of hepatocytes. Previous work showed that onset of the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) can initiate necrotic cell death after reperfusion, but the MPT is also implicated in apoptosis. Here, we investigated factors regulating how cell death switches from necrosis to apoptosis after ischemia/reperfusion injury. METHODS Overnight cultured rat hepatocytes were incubated in anoxia at pH 6.2 for 4 hours and reoxygenated at pH 7.4 to simulate ischemia/reperfusion. Some cells were incubated with fructose plus glycine just before and then continuously after reperfusion. Development of apoptosis was evaluated by examining chromatin condensation, nuclear DNA fragmentation, and caspase 3 activity. RESULTS Reperfusion with the glycolytic substrate fructose plus the cytoprotective amino acid glycine prevented necrotic cell killing. Instead, apoptosis developed within 12 hours as shown by nuclear chromatin changes, TUNEL staining, and caspase 3 activation. This apoptotic cell killing was prevented by cyclosporin A, an MPT blocker, and by pancaspase and caspase 3 inhibition, but not by caspase 8 inhibition. Cyclosporin A also blocked caspase-3 activation. Reperfusion with glycine alone prevented necrotic cell death but did not induce apoptosis and only poorly promoted recovery of ATP, whereas fructose alone during reperfusion promoted both ATP recovery and apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS Glycolytic ATP generation after reperfusion prevents necrotic killing of hepatocytes after simulated ischemia/reperfusion despite onset of the MPT. Instead, the MPT promotes caspase-and ATP-dependent apoptosis. Thus, the MPT is a common mechanism responsible for both necrosis and apoptosis after ischemia/reperfusion.