Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Monoallelic Variant in REST Is Associated with Non-Syndromic Autosomal Dominant Hearing Impairment in a South African Family

Hearing impairment (HI) is a sensory disorder with a prevalence of 0.0055 live births in South Africa. DNA samples from a South African family presenting with progressive, autosomal dominant non-syndromic HI were subjected to whole-exome sequencing, and a novel monoallelic variant in REST [c.1244GC; p.(C415S)], was identified as the putative causative variant. The co-segregation of the variant was confirmed with Sanger Sequencing. The variant is absent from databases, 103 healthy South African controls, and 52 South African probands with isolated HI. In silico analysis indicates that the p.C415S variant in REST substitutes a conserved cysteine and results in changes to the surrounding secondary structure and the disulphide bonds, culminating in alteration of the tertiary structure of REST. Localization studies using ectopically expressed GFP-tagged Wild type (WT) and mutant REST in HEK-293 cells show that WT REST localizes exclusively to the nucleus; however, the mutant protein localizes throughout the cell. Additionally, mutant REST has an impaired ability to repress its known target AF1q. The data demonstrates that the identified mutation compromises the function of REST and support its implication in HI. This study is the second report, worldwide, to implicate REST in HI and suggests that it should be included in diagnostic HI panels.
Exploring sport and fitness : work-based practice

Exploring Sport and Fitness is a comprehensive guide to the development of essential professional and interpersonal skills in the sport, leisure and fitness sector. Designed to bridge the gap between the classroom and the workplace, the book introduces the fundamental principles of reflective practice in sport and fitness, and explains how students and professionals can develop their personal effectiveness and workplace performance. The book draws together important material from a wide range of academic and professional sources, including articles from leading experts in sport management, psychology and coaching, and explores key topics such as: •reflective practice •the importance of effective communication •motivation and Leadership •working in teams •working with customers •learning and instructional frameworks for coaches and instructors •organizational cultures in sport and fitness
Potential of Inulin-Fructooligosaccharides Extract Produced from Red Onion (Allium cepa var. viviparum (Metz) Mansf.) as an Alternative Prebiotic Product

Red onion is a popular ingredient in many Thai dishes and has recently been promoted for commercial cultivation. In this study, inulin-fructooligosaccharides (inulin-FOSs) were extracted from red onions in a simplified extraction method. The extract contained 24.00 ± 0.38 g/L free glucose, fructose and sucrose, while the level of FOSs was recorded at 74.0 ± 2.80 g/L with a degree of polymerization of 4.1. The extract was resistant to simulated gastrointestinal conditions, while selectively promoting probiotic lactobacilli. These outcomes resulted in inhibitory effects against various pathogenic bacteria. The in vitro batch culture fermentation of the extract by natural mixed culture indicated that an unknown sugar identified as neokestose was more rapidly fermented than 1-kestose and other longer-chain inulin-FOSs. Notably, neokestose selectively encouraged a bifidogenic effect, specifically in terms of the growth of Bifidobacteirum breve, which is an infant-type probiotic bacterium. This is the first report to state that neokestose could selectively enhance the bifidogenic effect. In summary, inulin-FOSs extract should be recognized as a multifunctional ingredient that can offer benefits in food and pharmaceutical applications.
The potential of green roofs to manage Urban Stormwater

Green roofs have considerable potential for stormwater source control, both for new developments and as a retrofit option. In the United Kingdom the lack of local quantitative performance data and modelling tools, together with more general barriers to sustainable drainage systems (SUDS) implementation, may explain their limited uptake to date. This paper presents preliminary findings from a small‐scale instrumented green roof test plot located in Sheffield, UK. During spring 2006 the average volume retention was 34% and the average peak reduction was 57%. The key hydrological determinants were the antecedent dry weather period (ADWP), mean rainfall intensity and rainfall depth. Detailed examination of rainfall–runoff relationships in summer 2007 demonstrates the dependency of performance on antecedent moisture conditions. Structural appraisal of a range of flat roof types suggests that retrofitting a green roof will be a feasible option in many cases, particularly for concrete slab roofs.
Predictive Beam Tracking with Cooperative Sensing for Vehicle-to-Infrastructure Communications

Beam alignment is a critical issue for millimeter wave (mmWave) communication in high-mobility vehicular scenarios. In order to enhance the beam alignment performance, in this article, we investigate a dual-functional radar-communication system where the intelligent vehicle can actively cooperate with the roadside stations by sharing its sensing results. Based on the state evolution model of the vehicle, an Extended Kalman filter for beam tracking is employed. It is shown that, with the radar reflections as well as the sensing results from the vehicle, the proposed scheme can track the mobility of the vehicle and predict the beam directions more accurately, which can benefit the communication. The cooperative sensing between the vehicle and the roadside stations can be used to predict beam directions with low overhead for vehicles in complex scenarios, such as curves or crossovers. Simulations demonstrate that the proposed scheme achieves better beam tracking performance compared to the conventional pilot-based ones.
Association between blood urea nitrogen and 30-day mortality in patients with sepsis: a retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND Patients with sepsis have a high mortality rate. Rapid and effective risk stratification indicators for sepsis-related death are urgently needed to explored. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level can reflect the protein catabolism in the human body and the degree of renal impairment. So it has particular value for the management of septic patients. In this study, we explored the relationship between BUN level and 30-day mortality in patients with sepsis. METHODS In this retrospective cohort study, a total of 12,713 patients with sepsis from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III (MIMIC-III) database were included. BUN level at admission was retrieved, and the outcome indicator was the 30-day mortality. Multivariate Cox regression analysis and smoothed curve fitting were used to assess the relationship between BUN and 30-day mortality. RESULTS A total of 12,713 patients with sepsis were screened. The overall 30-day mortality rate was 20.6%. The multivariate Cox regression model and smoothed curve fitting revealed a nonlinear association between BUN and 30-day mortality. The inflection point occurred at 41.1 mg/dL. The effect size was 1.298 on the left side of the inflection point [hazard ratio (HR) =1.298; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.224-1.376; P<0.001] and 1.045 on the right side of the inflection point (HR =1.045; 95% CI: 1.016-1.075; P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS There is a nonlinear correlation between BUN and 30-day mortality in patients with sepsis. With 41.1 mg/dL as a cutoff level for BUN, patients have a remarkably different risk of death and should be managed differently.
Complete mitochondrial genome of the coconut black-headed caterpillar Opisina arenosella (Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea: Xyloryctidae)

Abstract In the present study, we determined the complete mitogenome of Opisina arenosella, the first for the family Xyloryctidae. This mitochondrial genome contains 15,389 bp, with an A + T content of 80.5% and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and a control region (GenBank accession no. MK467611). The genome size, gene arrangement, A + T content, codon usage, and secondary structures of 22 transfer RNA genes of the O. arenosella mitogenome were similar to those of other sequenced Gelechioids. Bayesian analyses performed using the mitogenomes of O. arenosella and other 13 species of Gelechioidea.
Temporal saliency for motion direction may arise from visual stimulus-specific adaptation in avian midbrain inhibitory nucleus

Food and predators are the most noteworthy objects for the basic survival of wild animals. In nature, both of these are often rare or deviant in both spatial and temporal domains and would soon attract an animal’s attention. Although stimulus-specific adaptation (SSA) is considered to be one neural basis of salient sound detection in the temporal domain, related research on visual SSA is lacking. The avian nucleus isthmi pars magnocellularis (Imc), which plays an extremely important role in the selective attention network, is one of the best models for investigating the neural correlate of visual stimulus-specific adaptation (SSA) and detection of salient stimulus in the temporal domain. Here, we used a constant order paradigm to test the existence of SSA in the pigeon’s Imc. We found that the strength of response of Imc neurons significantly decreased after repetitive motion stimuli, but recovered when the motion was switched to a novel direction, leading to the saliency detection of the novel motion direction. These results suggest that the inhibitory nucleus Imc shows visual SSA to motion direction, allowing the Imc to implement temporal saliency mapping and to determine the spatial-temporal saliency of the current stimulus. This also implies that pigeons may detect novel spatial-temporal stimuli during the early stage of sensory processing.
A new evaluation model of ERP system success

This article presents a literature review about the success evaluation in the information system, and proposes a new evaluation success model suited to the ERP software. In the first part we present approaches, frameworks and models of the evaluation success previously used and empirically validated by researchers in the IS field. Then, we present our Evaluation Success Model, highlighting its three main theoretical foundations: Mathematical theory of communication, diffusion of innovation theory and adaptive structuration theory in the one hand, and we expose the main construct of this model named the ESF (Evaluation Success Factors) on the other hand. These factors are classified in three categories: technological, environmental and organizational evaluation factors. This work analyses articles published in the last decade about the success evaluation and delineates ten ESF’s widely used to evaluate the success of the ERP system project.
On-line gain tuning using RFNN for linear synchronous motor

In this study an integral-proportional (IP) controller with on-line gain tuning using a recurrent fuzzy-neural-network (RFNN) is proposed to control a permanent magnet linear synchronous motor (PMLSM) drive system. First, the structure and operating principle of the PMLSM are described in detail. Second, an IP controller with gain-tuning using a RFNN is proposed to control the position of the moving table of the PMLSM achieve high-precision position control with robustness. The backpropagation algorithm is used to train the RFNN online. Then, an IP controller with gain tuning using a RFNN is implemented in a PC-based computer control system. Finally, the effectiveness of an IP controller with gain tuning using a RFNN controlled PMLSM drive system is demonstrated by some experimental results. Accurate tracking response and superior dynamic performance can be obtained due to the powerful online learning capability of the RFNN. Furthermore, an IP controller with gain tuning using a RFNN is robust with regard to parametric variations.
Embracing panda—assessing the leisure pursuits of subscribers to China’s iPanda live streaming platform

ABSTRACT This study systematically explores and assesses why the nascent leisure pursuit of following giant pandas on live streaming platforms, which is credited as the dullest yet most mesmerising pastime in the internet age, is being embraced by a fast growing niche fan base. In particular, the concepts of cuteness, relating to the likeability of the pandas, and generativity, epitomised by one’s concern and care for future generations, are introduced to respectively account for the co-effects of recreational and serious facets of this unique leisure genre. Research results from structural modelling conclude that the platform subscribers’ perceptions of cuteness, being mediated by their generative inclinations, affected positively their perceived values of the platform, which, in turn, exerted a positive effect on their behavioural intentions. This study contributes to research on multispecies leisure and serves as practical reference for better realising the ecological and social values of giant panda live streaming in the post pandemic era.
Associated Factors to Prevalence of Childhood under Nutrition in Malaysia: Findings from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS 2016)

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of underweight, wasting and stunting in children less than five years and to determine its associations with socioeconomic factors using nationally representative data. Study Design: Stratified random sampling was used in the study. Structured questionnaire with face-to-face interview was used for data collection. Method: A total of 11,845 living quarters were selected with eligibility of the mothers aged 15-49 years with last childbirth less than two years prior and their children aged below five years. The WHO growth standards were applied to classify malnutrition (World Health Organization, 2006), as follows: Underweight (weight-forage <- 2SD); Stunting (height-for-age <- 2SD); Wasting (weight-for-height <2SD). Results: Based on the results obtained, the prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting for infants aged 6 months and below were 9.4%, 13.9% and 10.9%, respectively, while for children aged 12-23 months, they were 13.0%, 17.0% and 11.6%, respectively. Under nutrition was more prevalent in rural areas and it was higher among boys, children whose mother was unemployed, as well as those in low household income. Conclusion: This study indicates wasting, stunting and underweight are still a problem in this country which requires urgent action. Poor socio-economic status was regarded as significant predictor for malnourished children under the age of five years old. Improving socioeconomic status should be the main aspect to consider improving children nutritional status.
Commercial applications of inertial confinement fusion

This report describes the fundamentals of inertial-confinement fusion, some laser-fusion reactor (LFR) concepts, and attendant means of utilizing the thermonuclear energy for commercial electric power generation. In addition, other commercial energy-related applications, such as the production of fissionable fuels, of synthetic hydrocarbon-based fuels, and of process heat for a variety of uses, as well as the environmental and safety aspects of fusion energy, are discussed. Finally, the requirements for commercialization of laser fusion technologies are described.
Swarm intelligence in autonomous collective robotics

These Ecole polytechnique federale de Lausanne EPFL, n° 2069 (1999)Faculte informatique et communicationsJury: Jean-Louis Deneubourg, Dario Floreano, Luca Gambardella, Rodney Goodman, Claude Petitpierre, Roland Siegwart Public defense: 1999-10-28 Reference doi:10.5075/epfl-thesis-2069Print copy in library catalog Record created on 2005-03-16, modified on 2016-08-08
BANAID: a sensor network test-bed for wormhole attacks

The development of wireless sensor devices in terms of low power and inexpensive data-relaying has been partially achieved because of the rapid progress in integrated circuits and radio transceiver designs and device technology. Due to these achievements, the wireless sensor devices are able to gather information, process them if required, and send them to the next sensor device. In some applications, these wireless sensor devices must be secured, especially when the captured information is valuable, sensitive or for military usage. Wormhole attacks are a significant type of security attacks which can damage the wireless sensor networks if they go undetected. Unfortunately, these attacks are still possible, even if the communication is secured. The wormhole attack records packets at one point of the network, passes them into another node and this last node injects the packet into the wireless sensor network again. This type of attacks can not be avoided by using cryptographic techniques because attackers neither generate new nor alter existing packets. They only forward legitimate packets from part of the network to another part. This attack can cause damage to the route discovery mechanism used in many routing schemes. In this paper we build an actual test bed, which is called BANAID, to simulate the wormhole attack on a wireless sensor network and then implement one of the current solutions against this attack. BANAID consists of a combination of Mica2 motes and Stargate sensor devices.
Binomial Distribution Based Reputation for WSNs: A Comprehensive Survey

Most secure solutions like cryptography are software based and they are designed to mainly deal with the outside attacks for traditional networks, but such soft security is hard to be implemented in wireless sensor networks to counter the inside attacks from internal malicious nodes. To address this issue, reputation has been introduced to tackle the inside malicious nodes. Reputation is essentially a stimulating mechanism for nodes’ cooperation and is employed to detect node misbehaviors and improve the trust-worthiness between individual nodes. Among the reputation models, binomial distribution based reputation has many advantages such as light weight and ease of implementation in resource-constraint sensor nodes, and accordingly researchers have proposed many insightful related methods. However, some of them either directly use the modelling results, apply the models through simple modifications, or only use the required components while ignoring the others as an integral part of the whole model, this topic still lacks a comprehensive and systematical review. Thus the motivation of this study is to provide a thorough survey concerning each detailed functional components of binomial distribution based reputation for wireless sensor networks. In addition, based on the survey results, we also argue some open research problems and suggest the directions that are worth future efforts. We believe that this study is helpful to better understanding the reputation modeling mechanism and its components for wireless sensor networks, and can further attract more related future studies.
Interactive research for production and work development

Interactive research performed as a collaborative approach in conjunction with organizations is considered a new and promising alternative to other research approaches. The purpose of this paper is to describe how interactive research could be used in the interaction between researchers and organizations when running projects to develop production systems and work performed in these systems. It also aims to identify advantages and disadvantages when applying interactive research. Two long term interactive research projects, organised in collaboration with the partnership of Helix Vinn Excellence Centre at Linkoping University were performed and data were collected from documentation of interactive seminars, from notes and from interviews with key actors. Interactive research offers several advantages in comparison with traditional research approaches, foremost higher practitioner involvement and validation opportunities of the results. There are also several difficulties, foremost the need of extensive resources and competencies for the research. The overall experiences from participating practitioners were that they considered that the discussions had been useful, stimulating and interesting, and that the fast feedback from data collection was appreciated. One crucial issue is to what extent this interactive research approach may contribute to high quality research, or to what extent the pressure from the practitioners for actionable practical results will take over.
THE OPAL (OPEN POOL AUSTRALIAN LIGHT-WATER) REACTOR IN AUSTRALIA

The OPAL (Open Pool Australian Light-water) reactor is currently being constructed to replace HIFAR (HI-Flux Australian Reactor, commissioned in 1958) in mid-2006. HIFAR will be shutdown for decommissioning after several months of simultaneous operation with OPAL for smooth transition of operating systems and business. OPAL is a 20 MW multipurpose research reactor for radioisotope production, irradiation services and neutron beam research. The OPAL reactor uses low enriched uranium fuel in a compact core, cooled by light water and moderated by heavy water, yielding maximum thermal flux not less than . The reactor containment building is constructed of reinforced concrete and has been designed to protect the reactor from all external events such as seismic occurrences and impact from a hypothetical light aircraft crash. This paper describes the main elements of the reactor design and its applications.
Deep imaging with 1.3 µm dual-axis optical coherence tomography and an enhanced depth of focus.

For many clinical applications, such as dermatology, optical coherence tomography (OCT) suffers from limited penetration depth due primarily to the highly scattering nature of biological tissues. Here, we present a novel implementation of dual-axis optical coherence tomography (DA-OCT) that offers improved depth penetration in skin imaging at 1.3 µm compared to conventional OCT. Several unique aspects of DA-OCT are examined here, including the requirements for scattering properties to realize the improvement and the limited depth of focus (DOF) inherent to the technique. To overcome this limitation, our approach uses a tunable lens to coordinate focal plane selection with image acquisition to create an enhanced DOF for DA-OCT. This improvement in penetration depth is quantified experimentally against conventional on-axis OCT using tissue phantoms and mouse skin. The results presented here suggest the potential use of DA-OCT in situations where a high degree of scattering limits depth penetration in OCT imaging.