Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring the design space of glanceable feedback for physical activity trackers

Recent research reveals over 70% of the usage of physical activity trackers to be driven by glances -- brief, 5-second sessions where individuals check ongoing activity levels with no further interaction. This raises a question as to how to best design glanceable behavioral feedback. We first set out to explore the design space of glanceable feedback in physical activity trackers, which resulted in 21 unique concepts and 6 design qualities: being abstract, integrating with existing activities, supporting comparisons to targets and norms, being actionable, having the capacity to lead to checking habits and to act as a proxy to further engagement. Second, we prototyped four of the concepts and deployed them in the wild to better understand how different types of glanceable behavioral feedback affect user engagement and physical activity. We found significant differences among the prototypes, all in all, highlighting the surprisingly strong effect glanceable feedback has on individuals' behaviors.
Robust Tracking Control of Wheeled Mobile Robots Not Satisfying Nonholonomic Constraints

This paper focuses on the trajectory tracking problem of wheeled mobile robots not satisfying the ideal "rolling without slipping" constraints. Robust control laws are proposed to deal with the slipping of the wheels. The design procedure consists of three main steps. A bounded transverse function is firstly constructed, by which a smooth embedded submanifold is defined, and the nominal kinematic model of the wheeled mobile robots is augmented. Then the left-invariance property of the nominal kinematic model is explored with respect to standard group operation of the Lie group SE(2) and the nominal error system is derived. Consequently, smooth exponential control laws are designed for the nominal error system, thus the nominal tracking error model is rendered practically stable. Finally, an additional control component is constructed to robustify the nominal tracking control laws. Simulations are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the robust control laws
A Robust Chaos-Based Image Cryptosystem with an Improved Key Generator and Plain Image Sensitivity Mechanism

In this paper, we propose an effective gray image cryptosystem containing Arnold cat map for pixel permutation and an improved Logistic map for the generation of encryption keys to be used for pixel modification. Firstly, a new chaotic map is designed to show better performance than the standard one in terms of key space range, complexity and uniformity. Generated secret key is not only sensitive to the control parameters and initial condition of the improved map but also strongly depend on the plain image characteristic which provides an effective resistance against statistical and differential attacks. Additionally, to get higher encryption strength of the cryptosystem, both confusion and diffusion processes are performed with different keys in every iterations. Theoretical analysis and simulation results confirm that the proposed algorithm has superior security and effectively encrypts and decrypts the gray images as well.
Rapid regulation of nuclear proteins by rapamycin‐induced translocation in fission yeast

Genetic analysis of protein function requires a rapid means of inactivating the gene under study. Typically, this exploits temperature‐sensitive mutations or promoter shut‐off techniques. We report the adaptation to Schizosaccharomyces pombe of the anchor‐away technique, originally designed in budding yeast by Laemmli lab. This method relies on a rapamycin‐mediated interaction between the FRB‐ and FKBP12‐binding domains to relocalize nuclear proteins of interest to the cytoplasm. We demonstrate a rapid nuclear depletion of abundant proteins as proof of principle. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hemoglobin concentration and the risk of hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke in patients undergoing hemodialysis: the Q-cohort study

Background The contribution of the hemoglobin concentration to the incidence of hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke in patients undergoing hemodialysis is unclear. Methods In total, 3436 patients undergoing prevalent hemodialysis were followed up for 4 years. The primary outcome was the first development of hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke. The baseline hemoglobin concentration was divided into quartiles [hemoglobin (g/dL): Q1, ≤9.7; Q2, 9.8-10.5; Q3, 10.6-11.1; Q4, ≥11.2]. The association between the hemoglobin concentration and each type of stroke was examined using the Kaplan-Meier method and a Cox proportional hazards model. Results During the follow-up period, 76 (2.2%) patients developed hemorrhagic stroke and 139 (4.0%) developed ischemic stroke. The 4-year incidence rate of hemorrhagic stroke was significantly higher in patients with lower hemoglobin concentrations. Compared with the quartile of patients with the highest hemoglobin concentrations (Q4), the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios for hemorrhagic stroke were 1.18 (95% confidence interval, 0.56-2.51), 1.59 (0.82-3.21) and 2.31 (1.16-4.73) in patients in Q3, Q2 and Q1, respectively. No association was identified between the 4-year incidence rate of ischemic stroke and the hemoglobin concentration. Compared with the quartile of patients with the lowest hemoglobin concentrations (Q1), the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios for ischemic stroke were 1.17 (95% confidence interval, 0.73-1.89), 0.88 (0.51-1.51) and 1.10 (0.66-1.83) in patients in Q2, Q3 and Q4, respectively. Conclusions Our results suggest that low hemoglobin concentrations are associated with a high risk of hemorrhagic stroke, but not of ischemic stroke, in patients undergoing hemodialysis.
Probiotics and Lactose Intolerance

In normal physiological conditions lactose is hydrolyzed by lactase also known as lactasephlorizin hydrolase and under its systemic name lactosegalactosehydrolase (EC 3.2.1.108), which is a brush-border membrane bound enzyme. Glucose and galactose are taken up by the intestinal cells and transported into the bloodstream (Fig. 1). A considerable part of glucose and most galactose is cleared by the liver after the first pass. Lactose which is not hydrolyzed in the small intestine is passing into the colon where it is fermented. Lactose itself and its metabolites are osmotic active products causing an osmotic pressure; excessive amounts present in the colon are related to the development of clinical symptoms as diarrhea.
Role of Cyclic Di-GMP and Exopolysaccharide in Type IV Pilus Dynamics

ABSTRACT For Pseudomonas aeruginosa, levels of cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) govern the transition from the planktonic state to biofilm formation. Type IV pili (T4P) are crucial determinants of biofilm structure and dynamics, but it is unknown how levels of c-di-GMP affect pilus dynamics. Here, we scrutinized how c-di-GMP affects molecular motor properties and adhesive behavior of T4P. By means of retraction, T4P generated forces of ∼30 pN. Deletion mutants in the proteins with known roles in biofilm formation, swarming motility, and exopolysaccharide (EPS) production (specifically, the diguanylate cyclases sadC and roeA or the c-di-GMP phosphodiesterase bifA) showed only modest effects on velocity or force of T4P retraction. At high levels of c-di-GMP, the production of exopolysaccharides, particularly of Pel, is upregulated. We found that Pel production strongly enhances T4P-mediated surface adhesion of P. aeruginosa, suggesting that T4P-matrix interactions may be involved in biofilm formation by P. aeruginosa. Finally, our data support the previously proposed model of slingshot-like “twitching” motility of P. aeruginosa. IMPORTANCE Type IV pili (T4P) play various important roles in the transition of bacteria from the planktonic state to the biofilm state, including surface attachment and surface sensing. Here, we investigate adhesion, dynamics, and force generation of T4P after bacteria engage a surface. Our studies showed that two critical components of biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, T4P and exopolysaccharides, contribute to enhanced T4P-mediated force generation by attached bacteria. These data indicate a crucial role for the coordinated impact of multiple biofilm-promoting factors during the early stages of attachment to a surface. Our data are also consistent with a previous model explaining why pilus-mediated motility in P. aeruginosa results in characteristic “twitching” behavior.
Prestructuring sparse matrices with dense rows and columns via null space methods

Several applied problems may produce large sparse matrices with a small number of dense rows and/or columns, which can adversely affect the performance of commonly used direct solvers. By posing the problem as a saddle point system, an unconventional application of a null space method can be employed to eliminate dense rows and columns. The choice of null space basis is critical in retaining the overall sparse structure of the matrix. A new one‐sided application of the null space method is also presented to eliminate either dense rows or columns. These methods can be considered techniques that modify the nonzero structure of the matrix before employing a direct solver and may result in improved direct solver performance.
Sharing and building digital group histories

Organizations, families, institutions evolve a shared culture and history. In this work, we describe a system to facilitate conversation and storytelling about this collective past. Users explore digital archives of shared materials such as photographs, video, and text documents on a tabletop interface. Both the software and the interface encourage natural conversation and reflection. This work is an application of our ongoing research on systems for multiple, co-present users to explore digital collections. In this paper, we present a case study of our own group history along with the software extensions developed for this scenario. These extensions include methods for easily branching off from and returning to previous threads of the exploration, incorporating background contexts that support a variety of view points and flexible story sharing, and supporting the active and passive discovery of relevant information.
Significance of a Posttranslational Modification of the PilA Protein of Geobacter sulfurreducens for Surface Attachment, Biofilm Formation, and Growth on Insoluble Extracellular Electron Acceptors

ABSTRACT Geobacter sulfurreducens, an anaerobic metal-reducing bacterium, possesses type IV pili. These pili are intrinsic structural elements in biofilm formation and, together with a number of c-type cytochromes, are thought to serve as conductive nanowires enabling long-range electron transfer (ET) to metal oxides and graphite anodes. Here, we report that a posttranslational modification of a nonconserved amino acid residue within the PilA protein, the structural subunit of the type IV pili, is crucial for growth on insoluble extracellular electron acceptors. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry of the secreted PilA protein revealed a posttranslational modification of tyrosine-32 with a moiety of a mass consistent with a glycerophosphate group. Mutating this tyrosine into a phenylalanine inhibited cell growth with Fe(III) oxides as the sole electron acceptor. In addition, this amino acid substitution severely diminished biofilm formation on graphite surfaces and impaired current output in microbial fuel cells. These results demonstrate that the capability to attach to insoluble electron acceptors plays a crucial role for the cells' ability to utilize them. The work suggests that glycerophosphate modification of Y32 is a key factor contributing to the surface charge of type IV pili, influencing the adhesion of Geobacter to specific surfaces. IMPORTANCE Type IV pili are bacterial appendages that function in cell adhesion, virulence, twitching motility, and long-range electron transfer (ET) from bacterial cells to insoluble extracellular electron acceptors. The mechanism and role of type IV pili for ET in Geobacter sulfurreducens is still a subject of research. In this study, we identified a posttranslational modification of the major G. sulfurreducens type IV pilin, suggested to be a glycerophosphate moiety. We show that a mutant in which the glycerophosphate-modified tyrosine-32 is replaced with a phenylalanine has reduced abilities for ET and biofilm formation compared with those of the wild type. The results show the importance of the glycerophosphate-modified tyrosine for surface attachment and electron transfer in electrode- or Fe(III)-respiring G. sulfurreducens cells.
The Rate of Change of a Character Correlated with Fitness

An extended form of Fisher's Fundamental Theorem of Natural Selection gives the rate of change of the mean value, \( \bar{C} \) , of a measured character. For a character determined by multiple alleles at two loci, this is \( \dot{\bar{C}} = {\mathrm{cov}_{g}} (m, \gamma) + \overline{\dot{C}} + \sum\limits^{2}_{n=1} \overline{\Delta^{(n)}\mathring{\theta}^{(n)}}+\overline{\varepsilon\mathring{\theta}} \) where the Newtonian superior dot means the time derivative and the circle is the time derivative of the logarithm. Covg (m, γ) is the genic (additive genetic) covariance of the character and fitness. Specifically, it is the covariance of the average excess of an allele for fitness and its average effect on the character. \( \overline{\dot{C}} \) is the average rate of change of the value of the character for individual genotypes, weighted by their frequencies. The value could be nonzero because of changing environments or change in the age distribution of the population. The third term on the right is the average over all pairs of alleles at both loci of the product of the dominance deviation and the rate of change of ln θ(n), where θ(n) is a measure of departure from random proportions. The last term is a similar expression for epistatic interactions. If selection is much weaker than recombination, after several generations, the last two terms are much smaller than the first. When the measured character is fitness, our result reduces to Kimura's generalization of Fisher's Fundamental Theorem of Natural Selection.
Fusion of one-class classifiers in the belief function framework

A method is proposed for converting a novelty measure such as produced by one-class SVMs or Kernel principal component analysis (KPCA) into a belief function on a well- defined frame of discernment. This makes it possible to combine one-class classification or novelty detection methods with other information expressed in the same framework such as expert opinions or multi-class classifiers.
Wilson loops in 2D noncommutative euclidean gauge theory 1. Perturbative expansion

We calculate quantum averages of Wilson loops (holonomies) in gauge theories on the euclidean noncommutative plane, using a path-integral representation of the star-product. We show how the perturbative expansion emerges from a concise general formula and demonstrate its anomalous behavior at large parameter of noncommutativity for the simplest nonplanar diagram of genus 1. We discuss various UV/IR regularizations of the two-dimensional noncommutative gauge theory in the axial gauge and, using the noncommutative loop equation, construct a consistent regularization.
COMMENTS ON THE BACKGROUND FIELD METHOD IN HARMONIC SUPERSPACE: NON-HOLOMORPHIC CORRECTIONS IN N=4 SYM

We analyze the one-loop effective action of N=4 SYM theory in the framework of the bakground field formalism in N=2 harmonic superspace. For the case of onshell background N=2 vector multiplet we prove that the effective action is free of harmonic singularities. When the lowest N=1 superspace component of the N=2 vector multiplet is switched off, the effective action of N=4 SYM theory is shown to coincide with obtained by Grisaru et al. on the base of the N=1 background field method. We compute the leading non-holomorphic corrections to the N=4SU(2) SYM effective action.
Assessment of adequate quality and collocation of reference measurements with space-borne hyperspectral infrared instruments to validate retrievals of temperature and water vapour

Abstract. A method is presented to assess whether a given reference ground-based point observation, typically a radiosonde measurement, is adequately collocated and sufficiently representative of space-borne hyperspectral infrared instrument measurements. Once this assessment is made, the ground-based data can be used to validate and potentially calibrate, with a high degree of accuracy, the hyperspectral retrievals of temperature and water vapour.
Increased Patient Satisfaction and a Reduction in Pre-Analytical Errors Following Implementation of an Electronic Specimen Collection Module in Outpatient Phlebotomy

Background Patient satisfaction in outpatient phlebotomy settings typically depends on wait time and venipuncture experience, and many patients equate their experiences with their overall satisfaction with the hospital. Methods We compared patient service times and preanalytical errors pre- and postimplementation of an integrated electronic health record (EHR)-laboratory information system (LIS) and electronic specimen collection module. We also measured patient wait time and assessed patient satisfaction using a 5-question survey. Results The percentage of patients waiting less than 10 minutes increased from 86% preimplementation to 93% postimplementation of the EHR-LIS (P ≤.001). The median total service time decreased significantly, from 6 minutes (IQR, 4-8 minutes), to 5 minutes (IQR, 3-6 minutes) (P = .005). The preanalytical errors decreased significantly, from 3.20 to 1.93 errors per 1000 specimens (P ≤.001). Overall patient satisfaction improved, with an increase in excellent responses for all 5 questions (P ≤.001). Conclusions We found several benefits of implementing an electronic specimen collection module, including decreased wait and service times, improved patient satisfaction, and a reduction in preanalytical errors.
Proteomic and Mutant Analysis of the CO2 Concentrating Mechanism of Hydrothermal Vent Chemolithoautotroph Thiomicrospira crunogena

ABSTRACT Many autotrophic microorganisms are likely to adapt to scarcity in dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC; CO2 + HCO3− + CO32−) with CO2 concentrating mechanisms (CCM) that actively transport DIC across the cell membrane to facilitate carbon fixation. Surprisingly, DIC transport has been well studied among cyanobacteria and microalgae only. The deep-sea vent gammaproteobacterial chemolithoautotroph Thiomicrospira crunogena has a low-DIC inducible CCM, though the mechanism for uptake is unclear, as homologs to cyanobacterial transporters are absent. To identify the components of this CCM, proteomes of T. crunogena cultivated under low- and high-DIC conditions were compared. Fourteen proteins, including those comprising carboxysomes, were at least 4-fold more abundant under low-DIC conditions. One of these proteins was encoded by Tcr_0854; strains carrying mutated copies of this gene, as well as the adjacent Tcr_0853, required elevated DIC for growth. Strains carrying mutated copies of Tcr_0853 and Tcr_0854 overexpressed carboxysomes and had diminished ability to accumulate intracellular DIC. Based on reverse transcription (RT)-PCR, Tcr_0853 and Tcr_0854 were cotranscribed and upregulated under low-DIC conditions. The Tcr_0853-encoded protein was predicted to have 13 transmembrane helices. Given the mutant phenotypes described above, Tcr_0853 and Tcr_0854 may encode a two-subunit DIC transporter that belongs to a previously undescribed transporter family, though it is widespread among autotrophs from multiple phyla. IMPORTANCE DIC uptake and fixation by autotrophs are the primary input of inorganic carbon into the biosphere. The mechanism for dissolved inorganic carbon uptake has been characterized only for cyanobacteria despite the importance of DIC uptake by autotrophic microorganisms from many phyla among the Bacteria and Archaea. In this work, proteins necessary for dissolved inorganic carbon utilization in the deep-sea vent chemolithoautotroph T. crunogena were identified, and two of these may be able to form a novel transporter. Homologs of these proteins are present in 14 phyla in Bacteria and also in one phylum of Archaea, the Euryarchaeota. Many organisms carrying these homologs are autotrophs, suggesting a role in facilitating dissolved inorganic carbon uptake and fixation well beyond the genus Thiomicrospira.
A prospective examination of circulating tumor cell profiles in non-small-cell lung cancer molecular subgroups

Background We report the first study examining the clinical, numerical and biological properties of circulating tumor cells according to molecular subtypes of non-small-cell lung cancer. Patients and methods 125 patients with treatment-naïve stage IIIb-IV NSCLC were prospectively recruited for CellSearch analysis. Anti-vimentin antibody was included for examination of CTCs to assess their mesenchymal character. Associations of total CTCs and vimentin-positive (vim +) CTCs with clinical characteristics, tumor genotype, and survival were assessed. Results 51/125 patients (40.8%) were total CTC+ and 26/125 (20.8%) were vim CTC+ at baseline. Multivariate analysis showed patients with ≥5 total CTCs had significantly reduced OS (HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.33-0.92, P = 0.022) but not PFS (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.42-1.1, P = 0.118) compared to patients with <5 total CTCs. No OS difference was evident between vim+ CTC and vim-negative CTC patients overall (HR 1.24, 95% CI 0.67-2.28, P = 0.494), but after subdivision according to NSCLC driver mutation, we found an increase of vim+ CTCs in the EGFR-mutated subgroup (N = 21/94 patients; mean 1.24 vs 1.22 vim+ CTCs, P = 0.013), a reduction of total CTCs in the ALK-rearranged subgroup (N = 13/90 patients; mean 1.69 vs 5.82 total CTCs, P = 0.029), and a total absence of vim+ CTCs in KRAS-mutated adenocarcinomas (N = 19/78 patients; mean 0 vs 1.4 vim+ CTCs, P = 0.006). Conclusions We validate that the baseline presence of ≥5 total CTCs in advanced NSCLC confers a poor prognosis. CTCs from EGFR-mutant NSCLC express epithelial-mesenchymal transition characteristics, not seen in CTCs from patients with KRAS-mutant adenocarcinoma.
Physiologically based pharmacokinetic model for ethyl tertiary‐butyl ether and tertiary‐butyl alcohol in rats: Contribution of binding to α2u–globulin in male rats and high‐exposure nonlinear kinetics to toxicity and cancer outcomes

In cancer bioassays, inhalation, but not drinking water exposure to ethyl tertiary‐butyl ether (ETBE), caused liver tumors in male rats, while tertiary‐butyl alcohol (TBA), an ETBE metabolite, caused kidney tumors in male rats following exposure via drinking water. To understand the contribution of ETBE and TBA kinetics under varying exposure scenarios to these tumor responses, a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model was developed based on a previously published model for methyl tertiary‐butyl ether, a structurally similar chemical, and verified against the literature and study report data. The model included ETBE and TBA binding to the male rat‐specific protein α2u–globulin, which plays a role in the ETBE and TBA kidney response observed in male rats. Metabolism of ETBE and TBA was described as a single, saturable pathway in the liver. The model predicted similar kidney AUC0–∞ for TBA for various exposure scenarios from ETBE and TBA cancer bioassays, supporting a male‐rat‐specific mode of action for TBA‐induced kidney tumors. The model also predicted nonlinear kinetics at ETBE inhalation exposure concentrations above ~2000 ppm, based on blood AUC0–∞ for ETBE and TBA. The shift from linear to nonlinear kinetics at exposure concentrations below the concentration associated with liver tumors in rats (5000 ppm) suggests the mode of action for liver tumors operates under nonlinear kinetics following chronic exposure and is not relevant for assessing human risk. Copyright © 2016 The Authors Journal of Applied Toxicology Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd