Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A 30-s chair-stand test as a measure of lower body strength in community-residing older adults.

Measuring lower body strength is critical in evaluating the functional performance of older adults. The purpose of this study was to assess the test-retest reliability and the criterion-related and construct validity of a 30-s chair stand as a measure of lower body strength in adults over the age of 60 years. Seventy-six community-dwelling older adults (M age = 70.5 years) volunteered to participate in the study, which involved performing two 30-s chair-stand tests and two maximum leg-press tests, each conducted on separate days 2-5 days apart. Test-retest intraclass correlations of . 84 for men and . 92 for women, utilizing one-way analysis of variance procedures appropriate for a single trial, together with a nonsignificant change in scores from Day 1 testing to Day 2, indicate that the 30-s chair stand has good stability reliability. A moderately high correlation between chair-stand performance and maximum weight-adjusted leg-press performance for both men and women (r = .78 and .71, respectively) supports the criterion-related validity of the chair stand as a measure of lower body strength. Construct (or discriminant) validity of the chair stand was demonstrated by the test's ability to detect differences between various age and physical activity level groups. As expected, chair-stand performance decreased significantly across age groups in decades--from the 60s to the 70s to the 80s (p < .01) and was significantly lower for low-active participants than for high-active participants (p < .0001). It was concluded that the 30-s chair stand provides a reasonably reliable and valid indicator of lower body strength in generally active, community-dwelling older adults.
Enhancing public involvement in assistive technology design research

Abstract Purpose: To appraise the application of accepted good practice guidance on public involvement in assistive technology research and to identify its impact on the research team, the public, device and trial design. Methods: Critical reflection and within-project evaluation were undertaken in a case study of the development of a functional electrical stimulation device. Individual and group interviews were undertaken with lay members of a 10 strong study user advisory group and also research team members. Results: Public involvement was seen positively by research team members, who reported a positive impact on device and study designs. The public identified positive impact on confidence, skills, self-esteem, enjoyment, contribution to improving the care of others and opportunities for further involvement in research. A negative impact concerned the challenge of engaging the public in dissemination after the study end. Conclusions: The public were able to impact significantly on the design of an assistive technology device which was made more fit for purpose. Research team attitudes to public involvement were more positive after having witnessed its potential first hand. Within-project evaluation underpins this case study which presents a much needed detailed account of public involvement in assistive technology design research to add to the existing weak evidence base. Implications for Rehabilitation The evidence base for impact of public involvement in rehabilitation technology design is in need of development. Public involvement in co-design of rehabilitation devices can lead to technologies that are fit for purpose. Rehabilitation researchers need to consider the merits of active public involvement in research.
Diversity and Plurality in the Study of Knowledge Sharing in Geographically Distributed Communities

The sharing of knowledge between geographically distributed communities is an activity that is routinely undertaken in almost all large organizations but one that poses several problems for the researcher. This paper examines some of the key issues that need to be taken into account when undertaking research in this area. Its focus is knowledge sharing in the type of geographically distributed communities found in large multi-site and multi-national organizations. It highlights some of the conceptual problems associated with this type of knowledge sharing and presents a case study of an on-line knowledge sharing community in a large multi-national organization. It reflects on the issues raised by the literature and the case study and concludes by arguing that the search for generic solutions for these issues risks underplaying the importance of the diversity and plurality of viewpoints that are found in such groups.
Systems genomics analysis centered on epigenetic inheritance supports development of a unified theory of biology

ABSTRACT New discoveries are increasingly demanding integration of epigenetics, molecular biology, genomic networks and physiology with evolution. This article provides a proof of concept for evolutionary transgenerational systems biology, proposed recently in the context of epigenetic inheritance in mammals. Gene set enrichment analysis of available genome-level mammalian data presented here seem consistent with the concept that: (1) heritable information about environmental effects in somatic cells is communicated to the germline by circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) or other RNAs released in physiological fluids; (2) epigenetic factors including miRNA-like small RNAs, DNA methylation and histone modifications are propagated across generations via gene networks; and (3) inherited epigenetic variations in the form of methylated cytosines are fixed in the population as thymines over the evolutionary time course. The analysis supports integration of physiology and epigenetics with inheritance and evolution. This may catalyze efforts to develop a unified theory of biology. Summary: A novel analysis of genomic, transcriptomic and epigenomic data supports integration of epigenetic inheritance with gene networks, molecular biology, physiology, and evolution, towards developing a unified theory of biology.
Robust Plan Execution Using Model-Based Reasoning

Autonomous mobile robots perform more tasks with increasing complexity, like exploring other planets. In order to be able to perform such tasks they have to have capabilities for planning and reasoning. For the calculation of a plan for a given goal there exist a number of suitable algorithms. However, if such a plan is executed on an autonomous mobile robot in a dynamic environment, a number of problems are likely to occur. Apart from the problems caused by the assumption used in the planning phase, problems arise though inaccurate sensing, acting and events that are not under the control of the robot. All these problems have in common that they cause an inconsistency between the intentions of the plan and the observed world. In this paper we propose model-based diagnosis as a method for the detection and categorization of such inconsistencies. The obtained knowledge about failures in plan execution and their root causes can be used to monitor plan execution. Such monitoring together with appropriate repair actions improves the robustness of the execution of plans in dynamic environments and, thus, improves the robustness of autonomous mobile robots.
Histone-Deacetylase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Cancer

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) are a promising new class of chemotherapeutic drug currently in early phase clinical trials. A large number of structurally diverse HDACi have been purified or synthesised that mostly inhibit the activity of all eleven class I and II HDACs. While these agents demonstrate many features required for anti-cancer activity such as low toxicity against normal cells and an ability to inhibit tumor cell growth and survival at nanomolar concentrations, their mechanisms of action are largely unknown. Initially, a model was proposed whereby HDACi-mediated transactivation of a specific gene or set of genes was responsible for the inhibition of cell cycle progression or induction of apoptosis. Given that HDACs can regulate the activity of a number of non-histone proteins and that histone acetylation is important for events such as DNA replication and mitosis that do not directly involve gene transcription, it appears that the initial mechanistic model for HDACi may have been too simple. Herein, we provide an update on the transcription-dependent and –independent events that may be important for the anti-tumor activities of HDACi and discuss the use of these compounds in combination with other chemotherapeutic drugs.
The Impact of Spartina alterniflora on the Soil Microbial Assemblages in Jiangsu Coast

The soil microbial assemblages in coastal region is strongly influenced by a wide variety of factors, such as vegetation types and tides. In order to examine the influence of Spartina alterniflora, an exotic species, on the soil microbial assemblages, comparative pairs of experiments were conducted of soil from S. alterniflora marshes and Suaeda salsa marshes for collecting data on soil characteristics, quantity of bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes and azotobacters per gram of dried soil and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) band profiles. The results revealed that S. alterniflora depressed not only the quantity of microorganisms but also the richness of bacterial community. And, it might suggest that the microbial assemblages were more influenced by vegetation types than tides. Thus, we proposed that the introduction of S. alterniflora into Chinese coastal region should be forbidden.
The Teacher as a Facilitator for Learning - Flipped Classroom in a Master s Course on Artificial Intelligence

In this paper, I present a flipped classroom approach for teaching a master’s course on artificial intelligence. Traditional lectures in the classroom are outsourced to an open online course to free up valuable time for active, in-class learning activities. In addition, students design and implement intelligent algorithms for solving a variety of relevant problems cherrypicked from online game-like code development platforms. Learning activities are carefully chosen to align with intended learning outcomes, course curriculum, and assessment to allow for learning to be constructed by the students themselves under guidance by the teacher, much in accord with the theory of constructive alignment. Thus, the teacher acts as a facilitator for learning, much similar to that of a personal trainer or a coach. I present an overview of relevant literature, the course content and teaching methods, and a recent course evaluation, before I discuss some limiting frame factors and challenges with the approach and point to future work.
Quininium tetrachloridozinc(II)

The asymmetric unit of the title compound {systematic name: 2-[hydroxy(6-methoxyquinolin-1-ium-4-yl)methyl]-8-vinylquinuclidin-1-ium tetrachloridozinc(II)}, (C20H26N2O2)[ZnCl4], consists of a double protonated quininium cation and a tetrachloridozinc(II) anion. The ZnII ion is in a slightly distorted tetrahedral coordination environment. The crystal structure is stabilized by intermolecular N—H⋯Cl and O—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds.
Receptor Heterodimerization: Essential Mechanism for Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-Induced Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Transactivation

ABSTRACT Previous studies showed that the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) can be transactivated by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulation and that EGFR transactivation is required for PDGF-stimulated cell migration. To investigate the mechanism for cross talk between the PDGF β receptor (PDGFβR) and the EGFR, we stimulated rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) with 20 ng of PDGF/ml. Transactivation of the EGFR, defined by receptor tyrosine phosphorylation, occurred with the same time course as PDGFβR activation. Basal formation of PDGFβR-EGFR heterodimers was shown by coimmunoprecipitation studies, and interestingly, disruption of this receptor heterodimer abolished EGFR transactivation. Breakdown of the heterodimer was observed when VSMC were pretreated with antioxidants or with a Src family kinase inhibitor. Disruption of heterodimers decreased ERK1 and ERK2 activation by PDGF. Although PDGF-induced PDGFβR activation was abolished after pretreatment with 1 μM AG1295 (a specific PDGF receptor kinase inhibitor), EGFR transactivation was still observed, indicating that PDGFβR kinase activity is not required. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that the PDGFβR and the EGFR form PDGFβR-EGFR heterodimers basally, and we suggest that heterodimers represent a novel signaling complex which plays an important role in PDGF signal transduction.
Influence of CVD diamond growth conditions and misorientation angle on nitrogen incorporation

CVD diamonds with NV-centers (nitrogen vacancy centers) are now considered as the most promising solidstate media for the realization of component base for quantum information processing due to the unique properties of NV-center electronic transitions, which allow initialization and read-out of it`s spin state [1]. The concentration and spin properties of NV-centers depend on nitrogen concentration and therefore it is important to understand the dependence of nitrogen incorporation in delta-layers on CVD growth conditions. In this work, delta-layers (1-5 nm thick) doped with nitrogen were obtained during CVD synthesis using the unique setup for delta doping created in IAP RAS [2]. It was shown that the subsequent CVD growth with and without nitrogen addition allows obtaining a two-dimensional structure of the NV centers with a given concentration and any required depth that may be determined with an accuracy of up to 1–2 nanometers. Also the influence of substrate temperature, nitrogen flow and methane content on nitrogen incorporation was investigated by the growth of nitrogen doped layers on (100) and (111)-oriented samples. The method of delta doping in contrast to the method of ion implantation does not produce lattice defects and allows controlling the depth of the NV-center to within a few nanometers. CVD growth allows producing singlecrystal diamond of high crystalline perfection with a low content of impurities that does not vary from sample to sample. Due to the absence of lattice damage, as in the case of ion implantation, NV-centers produced by deltadoping will have better properties (e.g. higher spin coherence times). CVD diamond growth of nitrogen-doped layers was performed in the novel CVD reactor. The main features of the reactor are: 1) rapid gas switching; 2) laminar gas flow; 3) axial symmetric resonant mode – symmetric discharge; 4) slow growth of diamond (40–100 nm/h without nitrogen addition). We achieve rapid gas switching from one input gas to another by a home-made electronic switch. The residence time of our reactor is approximately 5 s. The reactor is also capable for the growth of delta-layers doped with any other impurities, such as nitrogen. It is well-known, that incorporation of impurities during CVD diamond growth is highly dependent on the substrate orientation, and could also be affected by the misorientation angle. In order to eliminate the influence of substrate, each of the experiment was performed on one sample, varying growth conditions in a one growth process, resulting in the growth of multiple thin nitrogendoped layers (see Fig. 1). Moreover, in this work we investigated the dependence of nitrogen incorporation efficiency on the misorientation angle using the (100)oriented sample with multiple facets polished at different misorientation angles.
Increased unsaturated fatty acid production associated with a suppressor of the fabA6(Ts) mutation in Escherichia coli

Plasmids that corrected the temperature-sensitive unsaturated fatty acid auxotrophy of strain M6 [fabA6 (Ts)] were isolated from an Escherichia coli genomic library. Subcloning and physical mapping localized the new gene (called sfa for suppressor of fabA) at 1,070 kb on the E. coli chromosome. DNA sequencing revealed the presence of a 227-bp open reading frame which directed the synthesis of a peptide of approximately 8 kDa, which correlated with the correction of the fabA6(Ts) phenotype. However, the sfa gene was an allele-specific suppressor since plasmids harboring the sfa gene corrected the growth phenotype of fabA6(Ts) mutants but did not correct the growth of fabA2(Ts) or fabB15(Ts) unsaturated fatty acid auxotrophs. Overexpression of the sfa gene in fabA6(Ts) mutants restored unsaturated fatty acid content at 42 degrees C, and overexpression in wild-type cells resulted in a substantial increase in the unsaturated fatty acid content of the membrane. Thus, the suppression of the fabA6(Ts) mutation by sfa was attributed to its ability to increase the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids.
Loss of endocytic clathrin-coated pits upon acute depletion of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2], a phosphoinositide concentrated predominantly in the plasma membrane, binds endocytic clathrin adaptors, many of their accessory factors, and a variety of actin-regulatory proteins. Here we have used fluorescent fusion proteins and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy to investigate the effect of acute PI(4,5)P2 breakdown on the dynamics of endocytic clathrin-coated pit components and of the actin regulatory complex, Arp2/3. PI(4,5)P2 breakdown was achieved by the inducible recruitment to the plasma membrane of an inositol 5-phosphatase module through the rapamycin/FRB/FKBP system or by treatment with ionomycin. PI(4,5)P2 depletion resulted in a dramatic loss of clathrin puncta, which correlated with a massive dissociation of endocytic adaptors from the plasma membrane. Remaining clathrin spots at the cell surface had only weak fluorescence and were static over time. Dynamin and the p20 subunit of the Arp2/3 actin regulatory complex, which were concentrated at late-stage clathrin-coated pits and in lamellipodia, also dissociated from the plasma membrane, and these changes correlated with an arrest of motility at the cell edge. These findings demonstrate the critical importance of PI(4,5)P2 in clathrin coat dynamics and Arp2/3-dependent actin regulation.
Multi-Sensor Monitoring System for Forest Cover Change Assessment in Central Africa

Forest monitoring from earth observation is crucial over tropical regions to assess forest extent and provide up-to-date estimates of deforestation rates. Based on a systematic sample of 20x20 km size sites, a processing chain has been developed at the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) for producing deforestation estimates between years 1990, 2000 and 2005. Whereas this monitoring exercise was based on Landsat imagery, limitations in Landsat availability over Central Africa for year 2010 required alternative imagery such as the Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC). The classification module of the existing JRC processing chain is based on tasseled caps analysis (TCap-based). We adapted this module to DMC imagery by selecting the most suitable object-features through their assessments using a sub-sample of existing land-cover maps of years 1990 and 2000. The processing chain is adapted for the production of land-cover change maps between years 2000 and 2010. The accuracy of the land-cover maps produced for year 2010 with the two methods (original TCap-based and adapted Multi-Sensor) is assessed through a reference dataset. Overall accuracies are similar for both approaches (93% and 95% respectively), but the Multi-Sensor approach shows a significant improvement when considering only changed objects (83% overall accuracy versus 56% for TCap-based). Our results show that, even by using DMC imagery with lower radiometric quality (compared to Landsat) an automated classification can provide land-cover maps with similar accuracy thanks to an appropriate object-features selection. Similar adaptations need to be developed for other satellite imagery such as SPOT and RapidEye.
SAHER: Secure and Efficient Routing in Sensor Networks

As an increasing amount of research is being done on various applications of sensor networks in adversarial environments, ensuring secure routing becomes of critical importance for the success of such deployments. The problem of designing a secure routing protocol for ad hoc networks has been already addressed, yet, there exists no complete solution that meets the specific requirements of sensor networks, where nodes are extremely constrained in terms of both power and computational resources. Thus, we propose a new protocol that is not built solely around security but also has efficiency and simplicity among its main goals. We propose the Secure Ad Hoc Efficient Routing protocol (SAHER) which employs a two-tier architecture based on node clustering. Also, we combine mechanisms like localscale geographic routing, per-node reputation tables, credit based alternate route enforcement and cumulative authentication. Using these techniques we examine ways to efficiently defend against the two most common network layer attacks: selective packet dropping and message flooding. Further, we consider join/leave operations which have not yet been studied in sufficient depth for sensor networks from a security standpoint. We provide a description of the protocol along with comprehensive experimental evaluation under different node distributions, different proportions of non-malicious vs. malicious nodes and different types of activity that malicious nodes could exhibit.
Integration of level shifting in a TSPC flip-flop for low-power robust timing closure in dual-Vdd ULV circuits

Ultra-low-voltage (ULV) operation of logic circuits is an interesting solution to reduce power consumption in digital circuits. However the always-on blocks at nominal Vdd are necessary for functionality or I/O communications, which induces complex timing closure. In this paper, we propose a 5.4fJ/cycle 0.4V to 1.2V level-shifting flip-flop in 28nm FDSOI, which simplifies the clock tree constraints between the power domains.
Complementary Support from Facilitators and Peers for Promoting mHealth Engagement and Weight Loss

This study investigates the effects of mHealth interventions on sustainable behavior change and weight loss, drawing on in-app user activity data and online survey data. Specifically, we focus on the interactions within mobile support groups in Noom, an mHealth application for obesity intervention, to delve into how social support from facilitators and peers may play differential roles in promoting health outcomes. The results of structural equation modeling (N = 301) demonstrated that (a) perceived facilitator support was positively associated with group members’ health information acquisition such as fitness-themed article reading whereas perceived peer support was positively linked to group participation such as posting and responding; (b) perceived peer support was positively related to normative influence among group members, which subsequently increased group members’ responses to others’ posts; and (c) health information reading and in-group posting promoted weight loss; however, merely responding to others’ posts did not lead to weight-loss success. The findings suggest that the complementary influences of facilitators and peers must be considered to enhance the efficacy of support group interventions.