Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Redundancy of Class III POU Proteins in the Oligodendrocyte Lineage*

Class III POU proteins are prominent regulators of neural development. Tst-1/Oct6/SCIP, for instance, is essential for terminal differentiation of myelinating Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system. Although Tst-1/Oct6/SCIP is also expressed in the myelin forming oligodendrocytes of the central nervous system, targeted deletion of Tst-1/Oct6/SCIP failed to reveal a gross alteration of myelination in the central nervous system. To better understand this apparent discrepancy, we examined the expression of POU proteins in both cultured primary oligodendrocytes and in the oligodendrocyte-like CG-4 cell line. These cells expressed Tst-1/Oct6/SCIP, Brn-1, and Brn-2 in significant amounts, indicating that Brn-1 and Brn-2 might have the capacity to compensate loss of Tst-1/Oct6/SCIP. We show that Tst-1/Oct6/SCIP, Brn-1, and Brn-2 were all down-regulated during the early phases of oligodendrocyte development both on RNA and protein level. All three POU proteins exhibited similar DNA binding characteristics. When promoters consisting of a single POU protein-binding site adjacent to a TATA box were used as reporters in transient transfections, Brn-1 proved to be a weaker transcriptional activator than Tst-1/Oct6/SCIP. In agreement with this, we found the transactivation domain of Brn-1, which we mapped between amino acids 119 and 237, significantly weaker than the transactivation domain of Tst-1/Oct6/SCIP. Taken together, our data imply a partial, but not complete redundancy between POU proteins in oligodendrocytes.
Some computer science issues in ubiquitous computing

Ubiquitous computing is the method of enhancing computer use by making many computers available throughout the physical environment, but making them effectively invisible to the user. Since we started this work at Xerox PARC in 1988, a number of researchers around the world have begun to work in the ubiquitous computing framework. This paper explains what is new and different about the computer science in ubiquitous computing. It starts with a brief overview of ubiquitous computing, and then elaborates through a series of examples drawn from various subdisciplines of computer science: hardware components (e.g. chips), network protocols, interaction substrates (e.g. software for screens and pens), applications, privacy, and computational methods. Ubiquitous computing offers a framework for new and exciting research across the spectrum of computer science.
Fluidic Assembly of Optical Components

A self-assembly technique is used to match microscopic components in a desired configuration with a high degree of precision. The basis of this self-assembly technique is capillary forces that are used to assemble the micro components. A liquid solder provides the capillary forces by wetting a 3-D cavity in each of the parts to be assembled. An advantage of the proposed design is that the high degree of precision of the mating feature relative to the optical guides ensures a high degree of concentricity of the optical path in the device. The application presented is the self-assembly of arrays of single-mode optical fibers onto an optical chip for use in optical switches or tunable filters. Optical measurements revealed an insertion loss of less than 0.85 dB, which demonstrates misalignment in the order of 1 mum
Incidence of post endodontic pain after single visit root canal treatment with manual , rotary and rotary instruments with ultrasonic cleaning : a comparative study

Amongst the various complications reported for single visit endodontics, incidence of post endodontic pain (PEP) is the most common. To evaluate and compare the incidence, duration, intensity and nature of post endodontic pain (PEP) in single visit endodontic treatment, following biomechanical preparation (BMP), using K files with Step Back Technique, Protaper Next with Crown down Technique and Passive Ultrasonic Instrumentation (PUI) along with Protaper Next. 75 patients, with asymptomatic irreversible pulpitis in Maxillary anterior teeth were selected and treated with single sitting root canal treatment, by a single operator. Patients were randomly divided into 3 groups, Control (K files using step back technique), Experimental 1 (Protaper Next using crown down technique) and Experimental 2 (Protaper Next along with PUI). Patients were recalled, examined and asked to fill up questionnaire after 3hrs, 24 hrs, 48 hrs and 7 days of wearing-off of anaesthesia. On the basis of response given in the feedback forms, PEP was evaluated for incidence, duration, intensity and nature. Statistical analysis of the data was carried out using Chi square test and level of significance (p < 0.05) was evaluated. Incidence of PEP was identical in the two experimental groups, which was lower than the control group. Statistically, difference in the incidence of pain, amongst the three groups was found to be non-significant. The duration of pain was longest in Control group, with more patients, experiencing pain, whereas it was least in Experimental group 2. Across the groups, maximum patients experienced mild, continuous pain. Majority of patients experience PEP that is mild, continuous, localised and precipitated by trigger factors. It lasts longer, with hand instruments.
Bioavailability of Quercetin From Berries and the Diet

Abstract: Berries are a rich source of various polyphenols, including the flavonoid quercetin. In this article, the results of three intervention studies investigating the bioavailability of quercetin from berries are reviewed. In the first study, we investigated the short-term kinetics of quercetin after consumption of black currant juice and showed that quercetin is rapidly absorbed from it. In the second study, we showed that plasma quercetin levels increase up to 50% in subjects consuming 100 g/day of bilberries, black currants, and lingonberries as a part of their normal diets for 2 mo. In the third study, healthy subjects consumed a diet high or low in vegetables, berries, and other fruit for 6 wk. Quercetin concentrations nearly doubled in the high-vegetable, -berry, and -other fruit group and decreased by 30% in subjects consuming less of these foods than normally. The results showed that plasma quercetin is bioavailable from a diet containing berries and indicate that it may be a good biomarker of fruit and vegetable intake in general.
Traffic Decorrelation Techniques for Countering Colluding Eavesdroppers in WSNs

Proof: Consider a source v with a hop-count η = |p(v, u)| to the destination u. Nodes in p(v, u) randomly select their transmission times within an interval T . Let the randomly selected transmission times be denoted by t1, t2, . , tη. We compute the average number of hops (H) traversed over T by a packet m originating at v1, using a combinatorial approach. The value of H depends on the arrangement order of t1, t2, . , tη. All possible arrangements nη! occur with equal probability, as the transmission times of each sensor are randomly and independently selected within T. A packet traverses η hops during T , only if t1 < t2 < . < tη . This events occurs with probability,
Editing Spatial Layouts through Tactile Templates for People with Visual Impairments

Spatial layout is a key component in graphic design. While people who are blind or visually impaired (BVI) can use screen readers or magnifiers to access digital content, these tools fail to fully communicate the content's graphic design information. Through semi-structured interviews and contextual inquiries, we identify the lack of this information and feedback as major challenges in understanding and editing layouts. Guided by these insights and a co-design process with a blind hobbyist web developer, we developed an interactive, multimodal authoring tool that lets blind people understand spatial relationships between elements and modify layout templates. Our tool automatically generates tactile print-outs of a web page's layout, which users overlay on top of a tablet that runs our self-voicing digital design tool. We conclude with design considerations grounded in user feedback for improving the accessibility of spatially encoded information and developing tools for BVI authors.
Avoiding Speedup from Bandwidth Overhead in a Practical Output-Queued Packet Switch

This paper adopts a time-slotted and synchronous output-queued (SS-OQ) switch, which avoids memory speedup through the use of dedicated lines connecting inputs to outputs, to show that the performance of an S-OQ switch approaches that of an ideal OQ switch, or asynchronous OQ (A-OQ) switch. An A-OQ switch forwards packets to their destined outputs at arrival but it is costly to implement as immediate packet forwarding requires very high-speed hardware to identify the destination output and memory synchronization at the outputs. The dedicated lines of the SS-OQ switch induce the use of virtual input queues (VIQs) at the outputs, and time slotting requires the use of segmentation queues at the inputs. The segmentation of variable-length IP packets into fixed length cells causes transmission overhead that can be compensated with additional but undesirable speedup. However, segmentation queues can also be used for packet concatenation to reduce transmission overhead. This paper evaluates the improvement of bandwidth utilization in the concatenating SS-OQ (CS-OQ) switch through packet concatenation and segment length selection to decrease additional speedup needed to overcome the transmission overhead. The presented results show that a suitable segmentation length can be combined with packet concatenation to pair up the performance of the CS-OQ switch to that of an A-OQ switch.
An extrasynaptic GABAergic signal modulates a pattern of forward movement in Caenorhabditis elegans

As a common neurotransmitter in the nervous system, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) modulates locomotory patterns in both vertebrates and invertebrates. However, the signaling mechanisms underlying the behavioral effects of GABAergic modulation are not completely understood. Here, we demonstrate that a GABAergic signal in C. elegans modulates the amplitude of undulatory head bending through extrasynaptic neurotransmission and conserved metabotropic receptors. We show that the GABAergic RME head motor neurons generate undulatory activity patterns that correlate with head bending and the activity of RME causally links with head bending amplitude. The undulatory activity of RME is regulated by a pair of cholinergic head motor neurons SMD, which facilitate head bending, and inhibits SMD to limit head bending. The extrasynaptic neurotransmission between SMD and RME provides a gain control system to set head bending amplitude to a value correlated with optimal efficiency of forward movement. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.14197. 001
Feature Selection Method Based on Neighborhood Relationships: Applications in EEG Signal Identification and Chinese Character Recognition

In this study, a new feature selection algorithm, the neighborhood-relationship feature selection (NRFS) algorithm, is proposed for identifying rat electroencephalogram signals and recognizing Chinese characters. In these two applications, dependent relationships exist among the feature vectors and their neighboring feature vectors. Therefore, the proposed NRFS algorithm was designed for solving this problem. By applying the NRFS algorithm, unselected feature vectors have a high priority of being added into the feature subset if the neighboring feature vectors have been selected. In addition, selected feature vectors have a high priority of being eliminated if the neighboring feature vectors are not selected. In the experiments conducted in this study, the NRFS algorithm was compared with two feature algorithms. The experimental results indicated that the NRFS algorithm can extract the crucial frequency bands for identifying rat vigilance states and identifying crucial character regions for recognizing Chinese characters.
Redox modulation of L-type calcium channels in ferret ventricular myocytes. Dual mechanism regulation by nitric oxide and S-nitrosothiols

The effects of NO-related activity and cellular thiol redox state on basal L-type calcium current, ICa,L, in ferret right ventricular myocytes were studied using the patch clamp technique. SIN-1, which generates both NO. and O2-, either inhibited or stimulated ICa,L. In the presence of superoxide dismutase only inhibition was seen. 8-Br- cGMP also inhibited ICa,L, suggesting that the NO inhibition is cGMP- dependent. On the other hand, S-nitrosothiols (RSNOs), which donate NO+, stimulated ICa,L. RSNO effects were not dependent upon cell permeability, modulation of SR Ca2+ release, activation of kinases, inhibition of phosphatases, or alterations in cGMP levels. Similar activation of ICa,L by thiol oxidants, and reversal by thiol reductants, identifies an allosteric thiol-containing "redox switch" on the L-type calcium channel subunit complex by which NO/O2- and NO+ transfer can exert effects opposite to those produced by NO. In sum, our results suggest that: (a) both indirect (cGMP-dependent) and direct (S-nitrosylation/oxidation) regulation of ventricular ICa,L, and (b) sarcolemma thiol redox state may be an important determinant of ICa,L activity.
Multipurpose supernumerary robotic limbs for industrial and domestic applications

Robotic exoskeleton arms have been around for a long time and they have successfully evolved from research prototypes to commercial products. Multipurpose supernumerary robotic limbs (MSRLs) have been recently introduced as new types of aids which do not directly replace missing limbs, but they are additional mechanical arms with changeable end-effectors which can be worn by the user to provide needed functionalities. This paper presents the mechanical design and kinematics modelling and control of a MSRL system. The MSRL presented could have good application in industrial and domestic situations.
A novel architecture for message exchange in Pervasive Healthcare based on the use of Intelligent Agents

In Pervasive Healthcare, novel information and communication technologies are applied to support the provision of health services anywhere, at anytime, and to anyone. Ubiquitous Computing technologies allow efficient and safe information exchange amongst caregivers and their patients in communities, homes and hospitals. Since health systems may offer their health records in various electronic formats, the openEHR foundation has proposed a dual model to achieve semantic interoperability between such systems. Intelligent Agents is a technology that has been applied to simulate human skills in healthcare procedures. In this paper, we propose an architecture for the exchange of context-aware messages in Pervasive Healthcare environments. This architecture is based on technologies from Ubiquitous Computing and Intelligent Agents, and complies with the openEHR dual model.
THE DESIGN OF A NEW LETTER CHART FOR MEASURING CONTRAST SENSITIVITY

Summary-I. A consideration of methods for assessing contrast sensitivity leads to the conclusion that, for a clinical test, letters are more suitable than gratings. 2. A letter chart isdescribed in which letters decrease in contrast but not in size. The letters are arranged in groups of three; successive groups decrease in contrast by a factor of IfJ2 from a very high contrast down to a contrast below the threshold of normal observers. A subject's threshold is taken to be the lowest contrast for which at least two letters in a group are correctly reported. 3. A mathematical model of the observer and the chart-testing procedure has been used to predict how the accuracy and repeatability of the test score depend on the parameters of the chart and observer. This reveals that even a low probability of misreporting suprathreshold letters will seriously bias the test score if the passing criterion is strict, requiring correct report of all letters in each group, but will have little effect if the passing criterion is less strict. This effect of the passing criterion may explain Rubin's [Clin. Vision Sci. 2, No. I (1987)]finding that the new test, which uses a lenient criterion, has excellent test-retest reliability, much higher than the Ginsburg [Am. J. Optom. Physiol. Opt. 61,403-407 (1984)] chart with its strict criterion.
CAMP: A New Bitmap Index for Data Retrieval in Traffic Archival

Traffic archival, an indispensable task for network analysis, has suffered from a huge amount of data. These rapid growing data can exceed storage capacity and thwart real-time analysis. In order to take insight from Internet traffic, bitmap indexing is applied in this field. However, raw bitmap indexes can consume more space and longer delay for loading larger indexes into memory. This leads to the invention of various bitmap index compression algorithms to save storage and ensure query efficiency. This paper proposes a new algorithm called common affix merging with partition. By merging common affixes in a bit sequence, it saves more storage and conducts at least one order of magnitude faster bitwise operations when compared with ROARING, WAH, CONCISE, and COMPAX. In practice, besides bitwise operations, a query should also contain the operations of loading index files into memory. The experimental results demonstrate that the speedup is still considerable even taking loading time into consideration.
An Approach to Analyzing the Need for Meta-Level Communication

This paper presents an analysis of static and dynamic organizational structures for naturally distributed, homogeneous, cooperative problem solving environments, exemplified by distributed sensor networks. We first show how the performance of any static organization can be statistically described, and then show under what conditions dynamic organizations do better and worse than static ones. Finally, we show how the variance in the agents' performance leads to uncertainty about whether a dynamic organization will perform better than a static one given only agent a priori expectations. In these cases, we show when meta-level communication about the actual state of problem solving will be useful to agents in constructing a dynamic organizational structure that outperforms a static one. Viewed in its entirety, this paper also presents a methodology for answering questions about the design of distributed problem solving systems by analysis and simulation of the characteristics of a complex environment rather than by relying on single-instance examples.
Nonlinear control of aircraft on ground runway keeping

This paper addresses the aircraft on ground runway keeping problem. A nonlinear model of the aircraft on ground is derived which explicitly combines the kinematic constraints and dynamic model. The proposed model considers the kinematic constraints of nose wheel cornering and the tyre side-slip effects, as well as the aerodynamic forces and moments. We focus on the task that the aircraft is required to follow the runway and avoid runway departure by nose wheel steering. Nonlinear control is designed to keep the aircraft approach the runway centerline while lateral deviation is detected. Simulation results clearly demonstrate the advantages and effectiveness of the proposed method.
Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and Ethnic Differences in Arterial Stiffness and Endothelial Function

Background Vitamin D reportedly influences vascular function, which is worse in African Americans (AAs) relative to European Americans (EAs). It is not clear if ethnic differences in 25(OH)D mediate differences in vascular function. This study examined the relationships of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) with indicators of vascular function among healthy, young AA and EA adults. Methods This is a cross sectional study involving 23 AAs and 22 EAs. The main outcomes were augmentation index (AIx75), central aortic pressure, pulse wave velocity (PWV), flow-mediated dilation (FMD), and seated and supine blood pressures. Results Results indicated that 25(OH)D was inversely associated with AIx75, supine systolic blood pressure (SBP), central aortic SBP and central aortic diastolic blood pressure (DBP), independent of age, sex, and percent body fat (standardized β= -0.29 to -0.43, P < 0.05 for all). AAs had greater AIx75 (P = 0.04) and PWV (P = 0.07) and lower FMD (P = 0.02) compared to EA after adjusting for age and percent body fat; further adjustment for 25(OH)D reduced the ethnic differences (P = 0.44, 0.53, and 0.20, respectively). Conclusion The 25(OH)D was associated with vascular function in healthy adults, and lower 25(OH)D among AAs may contribute to their greater arterial stiffness and reduced endothelial function (Clinical trials.gov NCT01041365, NCT01041547).
VelociWatch: Designing and Evaluating a Virtual Keyboard for the Input of Challenging Text

Virtual keyboard typing is typically aided by an auto-correct method that decodes a user's noisy taps into their intended text. This decoding process can reduce error rates and possibly increase entry rates by allowing users to type faster but less precisely. However, virtual keyboard decoders sometimes make mistakes that change a user's desired word into another. This is particularly problematic for challenging text such as proper names. We investigate whether users can guess words that are likely to cause auto-correct problems and whether users can adjust their behavior to assist the decoder. We conduct computational experiments to decide what predictions to offer in a virtual keyboard and design a smartwatch keyboard named VelociWatch. Novice users were able to use the features of VelociWatch to enter challenging text at 17 words-per-minute with a corrected error rate of 3%. Interestingly, they wrote slightly faster and just as accurately on a simpler keyboard with limited correction options. Our finding suggest users may be able to type difficult words on a smartwatch simply by tapping precisely without the use of auto-correct.
Co-Created Personas: Engaging and Empowering Users with Diverse Needs Within the Design Process

Personas are powerful tools for designing technology and envisioning its usage. They are widely used to imagine archetypal users around whom to orient design work. We have been exploring co-created personas as a technique to use in co-design with users who have diverse needs. Our vision was that this would broaden the demographic and liberate co-designers of their personal relationship with a health condition. This paper reports three studies where we investigated using co-created personas with people who had Parkinson's disease, dementia or aphasia. Observational data of co-design sessions were collected and analysed. Findings revealed that the co-created personas encouraged users with diverse needs to engage with co-designing. Importantly, they also afforded additional benefits including empowering users within a more accessible design process. Reflecting on the outcomes from the different user groups, we conclude with a discussion of the potential for co-created personas to be applied more broadly.
Pseudowire Emulation Edge-to-Edge (PWE3) Control Word for Use over an MPLS PSN

This document describes the preferred design of a Pseudowire Emulation Edge-to-Edge (PWE3) Control Word to be used over an MPLS packet switched network, and the Pseudowire Associated Channel Header. The design of these fields is chosen so that an MPLS Label Switching Router performing MPLS payload inspection will not confuse a PWE3 payload with an IP payload. [STANDARDS-TRACK]