Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Adaptive Buffer Control using Moving Average Smoothing Technique for Haptic Media Synchronization

This paper proposes an adaptive buffering control method for haptic media synchronization in networked virtual environments based telehaptics. The adaptive mechanism employs a moving average smoothing technique to calculate an average delay for buffering adjustment under a specified threshold. The mechanism of haptic media synchronization using a fixed buffering approach from our previous work is carried out in the paper. Then, the proposed adaptive buffering control scheme is described, including the methods to select the number of spans and the specified threshold. Performance of the synchronization is verified by measuring a loss rate of haptic sequences at the remote process of both buffering approaches for comparison. The performance results express that, in the local and regional link networks with moderate and high traffic conditions, the adaptive buffer can preserve the loss better than the fixed buffer
Balance and falls in Parkinson's disease: A meta‐analysis of the effect of exercise and motor training

This systematic review with meta‐analysis aimed to determine the effects of exercise and motor training on the performance of balance‐related activities and falls in people with Parkinson's disease. Sixteen randomized and quasi‐randomized controlled trials that assessed the efficacy of exercise and/or motor training against no intervention or placebo intervention were included. The primary outcome measures were balance‐related activity performance (15 trials) and falls (2 trials). The pooled estimate of the effect of exercise and motor training indicated significantly improved balance‐related activity performance (Hedges' g, 0.33; 95% confidence interval, 0.11–0.55; P = .003), but there was no evidence of an effect on the proportion of fallers (risk ratio, 1.02; 95% confidence interval, 0.66–1.58, P = .94). Balance‐related activity performance improved to a greater extent in the trials of programs involving highly challenging balance training, but the difference in effect sizes was not statistically significant (P = .166). Exercise and motor training can improve the performance of balance‐related activities in people with Parkinson's disease. However, further research is required to determine if falls can be prevented in this population. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Marrying kin in small‐scale societies

Marriages among kin have the dual effect of both increasing average group relatedness as well as reducing the total number of kin by eliminating more genealogically and geographically distant individuals from kinship networks. Marriage decisions therefore face a tradeoff between density of kin, or formation of intensive kinship systems, and the diversity of kin, or extensive kinship systems. This article tests the hypothesis that extensive kinship systems best characterize hunter‐gatherer societies, whereas more intensive forms of subsistence, like horticultural, agricultural, and pastoral economies, are more likely to have intensive kinship systems.
In vivo evidence that constitutive activity of serotonin2C receptors in the medial prefrontal cortex participates in the control of dopamine release in the rat nucleus accumbens: differential effects of inverse agonist versus antagonist

Control of the mesoaccumbens dopamine (DA) pathway by central serotonin2C receptors (5‐HT2CRs) involves different 5‐HT2CR populations located within multiple brain areas. Here, using in vivo microdialysis in halothane‐anesthetized rats, we assessed the role of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) 5‐HT2CRs in the control of basal and activated accumbal DA outflow, to identify the modalities of their recruitment and the role of 5‐HT2CR constitutive activity. Intra‐mPFC injection of the 5‐HT2CR inverse agonist SB 206553 (0.5 μg/0.2 μL), without effect by itself, decreased accumbal DA outflow induced by morphine (2.5–10 mg/kg, s.c.), haloperidol (0.01 mg/kg, s.c.) or GBR 12909 (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.). Conversely, intra‐mPFC injection of the 5‐HT2CR antagonist SB 242084 (0.5 μg/0.2 μL), without effect by itself, decreased the effect of 10 mg/kg morphine, the only drug enhancing basal 5‐HT outflow in the mPFC. The inhibitory effect of SB 206553 on 2.5 mg/kg morphine‐stimulated DA outflow was suppressed by the concomitant intra‐mPFC injection of SB 242084. Finally, changes of basal DA outflow induced by the 5‐HT2CR agonist Ro 60‐0175 (3 mg/kg, i.p.) or SB 206553 (5 mg/kg, i.p.) were unaffected by intra‐mPFC injection of SB 242084. These results, showing that 5‐HT2CR antagonist and inverse agonist behave differently in vivo, demonstrate that mPFC 5‐HT2CRs facilitate activated accumbal DA outflow and that 5‐HT2CR constitutive activity participates in this interaction.
De rol van executieve functies in het niveau van rekenvaardigheid van kinderen in groep 3

Recent research has observed a positive relation between the executive functions inhibition, shifting and updating and math ability. The aim of this study was to determine what role inhibition, shifting and updating play in the math ability of children in third grade. The executive functioning of 69 children was assessed in grade 1 and grade 3. Math ability was assessed in grade 3. A Pearson’s correlation and a multiple regression analysis were used to determine the influence of the executive functions on the math ability of the children. The results showed that inhibition, verbal updating and visual updating relate significantly to and are significant predictors of math ability. Shifting was not significantly related to and is not a significant predictor of math ability. Inhibition and verbal updating in grade 1 are the strongest predictors of math ability. It can be concluded that the executive functions inhibition, verbal updating and visual updating play a role in math ability of children in third grade.
Management of low-velocity, non-gunshot-wound penetrating abdominal injury: have we moved with the times?

BACKGROUND The incidence of penetrating abdominal injuries in Australia and New Zealand is low. Traditionally, low-velocity, non-gunshot-wound (GSW) penetrating abdominal injuries have been surgically explored. With advances in imaging modalities and laparoscopic techniques, more options now exist to determine the presence or absence of serious intra-abdominal injury. Surgical intervention can often be avoided. We undertook this study to determine whether these options had been reflected in surgical practice and management changed in this population of patients. METHODS Retrospective review of trauma patients over the 10-year duration 1996-2005 admitted to Auckland City Hospital Trauma Services. The population of patients were subdivided into two cohorts, an earlier group (1996-2000) and a later group (2001-2005) for comparison purposes. RESULTS No statistical significance existed between the two groups in their demographics and treatment approaches. CONCLUSIONS Despite the availability of laparoscopic procedures and advanced imaging techniques, surgical practice in a major metropolitan New Zealand hospital had not changed. This may reflect both the success of the earlier treatment guidelines and failure of educational strategies to effect change of practice.
Calmodulin-binding proteins that interact with actin filaments in a Ca2+-dependent flip-flop manner: survey in brain and secretory tissues.

Regulatory actions of calmodulin on the contractile apparatus and cytoskeleton of smooth muscle and nonmuscle tissue are mediated by a number of specific calmodulin-binding proteins that bind to F-actin in a flip-flop manner--i.e., they bind to calmodulin or F-actin depending on the presence or absence, respectively, of Ca2+. A survey for such proteins in brain, adrenal gland, and pituitary gland identified six polypeptides on polyacrylamide gels--Mr 340,000 (band 1), Mr 240,000/235,000 doublet (band 2), Mr 150,000 (band 3), Mr 129,000 (band 4), Mr 105,000 (band 5), and Mr 94,000 (band 6)--as flip-flop-regulated calmodulin- and F-actin-binding polypeptides. In addition to these polypeptides, a Mr 58,000 non-flip-flop calmodulin-binding actin-binding polypeptide (band 7) was found in all tissues examined. Band 2 was identified as calspectin (spectrin-related protein; fodrin). The flip-flop regulation of calspectin required the presence of a heat-labile nondialyzable factor contained in a supernatant fraction of brain homogenates. Band 1 was distinct from microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) 1 and 2. However, when band 1 polypeptide was kept on ice 3 days, it converted to a lower molecular weight doublet that migrated with MAP2 on NaDodSO4 gel electrophoresis. Bands 1 and 2 were found in all tissues examined.
Association between air pollution and cardiovascular mortality in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Air pollutant levels in many Chinese cities remained significantly higher than the upper limits stated in World Health Organization guidelines. In light of limited evidence in China, we conducted a meta-analysis summarizing the association between acute exposure of air pollution and cardiovascular mortality. We searched PubMed, and CNKI databases etc. for literature published in English or Chinese up to January 2017. Outcomes were pooled and compared using random-effects model. Excess risks (ERs) per 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2 and O3 were evaluated. Subgroup analysis was conducted according to lag patterns (lags 0, 1, 2, 0–1, 0–2 days), gender (male vs. female), temperature (cool vs. warm) and age (< 65 vs. ≥ 65). Study bias was detected using Begg’s and Egger’s test. Of 299 articles identified, 30 met inclusion criteria. Each 10 μg/m3 increase in the concentration was associated with a higher incidence of cardiovascular mortality for PM2.5 (0.68%, 95% CI: 0.39–0.97%), PM10 (0.39%, 95% CI: 0.26–0.53%), NO2 (1.12%, 95% CI: 0.76–1.48%), SO2 (0.75%, 95% CI: 0.42–1.09%), and O3 (0.62%, 95% CI: 0.33–0.92%), respectively. Air pollution conferred greater adverse impacts on cardiovascular mortality for longer duration of exposures. Strongest associations were seen for lag 0–1 day of exposure among all pollutants. Female, lower temperature, and age > 65 years were associated with greater risks of cardiovascular mortality for all pollutants. Higher concentrations of air pollutants correlated with a greater short-term increase in cardiovascular mortality. Further high-quality studies in China are urgently warranted to determine the susceptible population, which would offer reference for policy-making to minimize adverse health effects.
Wnt Induces LRP6 Signalosomes and Promotes Dishevelled-Dependent LRP6 Phosphorylation

Multiple signaling pathways, including Wnt signaling, participate in animal development, stem cell biology, and human cancer. Although many components of the Wnt pathway have been identified, unresolved questions remain as to the mechanism by which Wnt binding to its receptors Frizzled and Low-density lipoprotein receptor–related protein 6 (LRP6) triggers downstream signaling events. With live imaging of vertebrate cells, we show that Wnt treatment quickly induces plasma membrane–associated LRP6 aggregates. LRP6 aggregates are phosphorylated and can be detergent-solubilized as ribosome-sized multiprotein complexes. Phospho-LRP6 aggregates contain Wnt-pathway components but no common vesicular traffic markers except caveolin. The scaffold protein Dishevelled (Dvl) is required for LRP6 phosphorylation and aggregation. We propose that Wnts induce coclustering of receptors and Dvl in LRP6-signalosomes, which in turn triggers LRP6 phosphorylation to promote Axin recruitment and β-catenin stabilization.
The structure of herpes simplex virus type 1 DNA as probed by micrococcal nuclease digestion.

Micrococcal nuclease digestion was used to probe the structures in which herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-I) DNA is found during virus replication. Parental DNA, progeny DNA and DNA in nucleocapsids were analysed. Parental DNA was examined after infection of Vero cells with 32P- or 3H-thymidine-labelled HSV-I. Progeny DNA was examined after HSV-I-infected Vero cells were pulse-labelled with 3H-thymidine during HSV-I DNA synthesis. In both cases, nuclei were isolated and digested with micrococcal nuclease. Digestion products were analysed by agarose or polacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Most parental DNA remained as intact molecules. However, a small amount was degraded into fragments which were heterogeneous in size or the size of nucleosomal cell DNA. These two classes of fragments were also produced upon digestion of progeny DNA. The heterogeneous fragments and nucleosomal fragments comprised major and minor fractions, respectively, of digested progeny DNA. When digested DNA from HSV-I-infected cells was transferred from composite polyacrylamide-agarose gels to diazobenzyloxymethyl paper, nucleosomal fragments hybridized to 32P-labelled HSV-I DNA as well as to 32P-labelled Vero cell DNA. Therefore, nucleosomal fragments contained HSV-I DNA sequences. HSV-I DNA in nucleocapsids was analysed by micrococcal nuclease digestion after nucleocapsids were disrupted with PH 9.3 buffer, pyridine, Sarkosyl or NcCl/urea. Only fragments of heterogeneous size were produced. Thus, HSV-I DNA is found predominantly in structures other than nucleosomes during virus replication.
'It makes a difference, coming here': A qualitative exploration of clinic attendance among young adults with type 1 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE Young adulthood is a time of significant challenges and risks for people with type 1 diabetes. Poor outpatient clinic attendance is common among young adults with type 1 diabetes. The aim of this qualitative study was to develop a theory explaining attendance at a hospital-based diabetes clinic. DESIGN Using a grounded theory methodology, data were collected through semi-structured qualitative interviews. METHOD Twenty-nine people (21 young adults with type 1 diabetes and eight service providers) from one hospital-based diabetes clinic were interviewed. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed according to grounded theory methodology. RESULTS Relationships between young adults and service providers is the core category of this theory. Collaborative relationships between young adults and service providers increased the perceived value of attendance and reduced the vulnerability of young adults to the barriers within the existing service, such as meeting unfamiliar service providers. Relationships between young adults and service providers were developed following opportunities for contact (e.g., structured education programme or crisis of diabetes), and facilitated engagement with the service and further attendance. Barriers to clinic attendance included young adults' negative perceptions of their diabetes self-management and a lack of value associated with attending. CONCLUSION The diabetes clinic was described as an important and valued resource by young adults and service providers. Collaborative relationships between young adults and service providers enhanced service provision in this study. According to the results of this study, clinic attendance may be improved by increasing opportunities for relationship development between service providers and young adults. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Attendance by young adults at hospital-based diabetes clinics is important to support self-management. Young adults with type 1 diabetes are at risk of clinic non-attendance. What does this study add? This study presents an explanatory theory of clinic attendance among young adults with type 1 diabetes. According to this theory: Barriers within existing models of service delivery prevent collaboration and may contribute to non-attendance. Relationships between service users and providers can establish or maintain regular clinic attendance by fostering the engagement of young adults with diabetes clinics.
PELI1 functions as a dual modulator of necroptosis and apoptosis by regulating ubiquitination of RIPK1 and mRNA levels of c-FLIP

Significance This study demonstrates Pellino 1 (PELI1) as an important modulator that exerts opposite regulatory functions on apoptosis and necroptosis, two distinct forms of regulated cell death mechanisms. K63 ubiquitination of RIPK1 mediated by PELI1 depends on the kinase activity of RIPK1, which provides a mechanism to explain why inhibition of RIPK1 kinase activity by Nec-1s can also reduce its ubiquitination during necroptosis. Apoptosis and necroptosis are two distinct cell death mechanisms that may be activated in cells on stimulation by TNFα. It is still unclear, however, how apoptosis and necroptosis may be differentially regulated. Here we screened for E3 ubiquitin ligases that could mediate necroptosis. We found that deficiency of Pellino 1 (PELI1), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, blocked necroptosis. We show that PELI1 mediates K63 ubiquitination on K115 of RIPK1 in a kinase-dependent manner during necroptosis. Ubiquitination of RIPK1 by PELI1 promotes the formation of necrosome and execution of necroptosis. Although PELI1 is not directly involved in mediating the activation of RIPK1, it is indispensable for promoting the binding of activated RIPK1 with its downstream mediator RIPK3 to promote the activation of RIPK3 and MLKL. Inhibition of RIPK1 kinase activity blocks PELI1-mediated ubiquitination of RIPK1 in necroptosis. However, we show that PELI1 deficiency sensitizes cells to both RIPK1-dependent and RIPK1-independent apoptosis as a result of down-regulated expression of c-FLIP, an inhibitor of caspase-8. Finally, we show that Peli1−/− mice are sensitized to TNFα-induced apoptosis. Thus, PELI1 is a key modulator of RIPK1 that differentially controls the activation of necroptosis and apoptosis.
Sequence and Structural Characterization of Great Salt Lake Bacteriophage CW02, a Member of the T7-Like Supergroup

ABSTRACT Halophage CW02 infects a Salinivibrio costicola-like bacterium, SA50, isolated from the Great Salt Lake. Following isolation, cultivation, and purification, CW02 was characterized by DNA sequencing, mass spectrometry, and electron microscopy. A conserved module of structural genes places CW02 in the T7 supergroup, members of which are found in diverse aquatic environments, including marine and freshwater ecosystems. CW02 has morphological similarities to viruses of the Podoviridae family. The structure of CW02, solved by cryogenic electron microscopy and three-dimensional reconstruction, enabled the fitting of a portion of the bacteriophage HK97 capsid protein into CW02 capsid density, thereby providing additional evidence that capsid proteins of tailed double-stranded DNA phages have a conserved fold. The CW02 capsid consists of bacteriophage lambda gpD-like densities that likely contribute to particle stability. Turret-like densities were found on icosahedral vertices and may represent a unique adaptation similar to what has been seen in other extremophilic viruses that infect archaea, such as Sulfolobus turreted icosahedral virus and halophage SH1.
Reliability and Failure Analysis of UHF RFID Passive Tags Under Thermal Storage

This paper proposes studying the effects of thermal storage on the reliability of passive ultra-high frequency radio-frequency identification tags. Two types of tags M1 and M2 from two different manufacturers are aged under two high temperatures equal to 408 K and 433 K. Tested tags are put into thermal storage oven hang fixed terms. The performances of these tags are measured after each aging phase to determine the power loss caused by high-temperature storage. Then, a mathematical approach is used to estimate for both tags from the two manufacturers the law of reliability under nominal conditions. Statistical and physical analyses of the results allow us to study and analyze the mechanisms of aging. It is observed that the failure mechanisms depend on the type of passive tags and the values of selected storage temperatures for the tests. The scale parameters of M1 tags aged at 408 K are around 280 h, whereas the scale parameters of the M2 tags aged at the same temperature are around 360 h. Cracks on the antenna are observed with the higher temperature equal to 433 K for M1 tags. However, the changes of the performance of others tags are probably caused by changes in the matching of the impedance between the antenna and the radio-frequency integrated circuit. From this study, various failure mechanisms demonstrate the necessity of determining the type of passive tags and the used temperature.
Electromagnetic fields, such as those from mobile phones, alter regional cerebral blood flow and sleep and waking EEG

Usage of mobile phones is rapidly increasing, but there is limited data on the possible effects of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure on brain physiology. We investigated the effect of EMF vs. sham control exposure on waking regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and on waking and sleep electroencephalogram (EEG) in humans. In Experiment 1, positron emission tomography (PET) scans were taken after unilateral head exposure to 30‐min pulse‐modulated 900 MHz electromagnetic field (pm‐EMF). In Experiment 2, night‐time sleep was polysomnographically recorded after EMF exposure. Pulse‐modulated EMF exposure increased relative rCBF in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex ipsilateral to exposure. Also, pm‐EMF exposure enhanced EEG power in the alpha frequency range prior to sleep onset and in the spindle frequency range during stage 2 sleep. Exposure to EMF without pulse modulation did not enhance power in the waking or sleep EEG. We previously observed EMF effects on the sleep EEG (A. A. Borbély, R. Huber, T. Graf, B. Fuchs, E. Gallmann and P. Achermann. Neurosci. Lett., 1999, 275: 207–210; R. Huber, T. Graf, K. A. Cote, L. Wittmann, E. Gallmann, D. Matter, J. Schuderer, N. Kuster, A. A. Borbély, and P. Achermann. Neuroreport, 2000, 11: 3321–3325), but the basis for these effects was unknown. The present results show for the first time that (1) pm‐EMF alters waking rCBF and (2) pulse modulation of EMF is necessary to induce waking and sleep EEG changes. Pulse‐modulated EMF exposure may provide a new, non‐invasive method for modifying brain function for experimental, diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
IoT Lab Crowdsourced Experimental Platform Architecture

This paper presents the architecture of the crowdsourced experimental platform called IoT Lab. The platform will provide a new approach for experimentation by extending existing IoT FIRE testbeds, traditionally built from static sensor mote platforms, with crowd sourced resources and thus will enable richer and more distributed multidisciplinary experiments with more end-user interactions, flexibility, scalability, cost efficiency and societal added value.
Umbilical artery pulsatility index: reliability at different sampling sites

Abstract Objectives: To analyse the inter-observer and inter-artery reliability of the umbilical artery (UA) pulsatility index (PI) at different sampling sites. Methods: One hundred consecutive singleton pregnancies between 24 and 40 weeks were included. The PI was calculated by two independent operators from both umbilical arteries at the placental end, at a free-floating loop and at the perivesical segment. Reliability analyses were performed between observers and between arteries at each sampling site. Results: The mean percentage of PI difference between arteries was 15.2, 14.5 and 22% at the placental end, free-loop and perivesical site, respectively. The Intraclass correlation coefficients at each site were 0.51, 0.59 and 0.67, respectively. Whereas about 20% of cases showed a percentage of PI difference between arteries greater than 20% at free-loop and placental end sites, and at the perivesical site this figure was 45%. Conclusions: The perivesical sampling site for UA PI calculation is more reliable than at a free-floating loop, albeit without significance, and is significantly more reliable than at the placental end of the umbilical cord. Since discordances in PI between both arteries are more pronounced at the perivesical site, it seems mandatory to evaluate both arteries in this segment.