Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Flexible and Stretchable Resistive Epidermal Pressure Sensor for Health Monitoring

Epidermal pressure sensor that directly contacts with human skin can be used to monitor physiological signals, such as pulse, blood pressure, and heartbeat etc. Although promising stretchable substrates and electrodes were developed in the past, there is a need for a technology to produce inexpensive epidermal pressure sensor that is sensitive to a low-pressure regime and is flexible and stretchable. In the present study, a simple, cost-effective flexible and stretchable epidermal pressure sensor that employs compressible conductive elastomer microstructure arrays was designed and fabricated. The sensing of pressure in this device is via a thin resistive layer of conductive compatible elastomer into which microstructures have been molded. Using this arrangement, changes in the conductive electrode and bulk resistance incurred by pressure-sensitive geometric deformation can be measured. Based on our technology, a new method for healthcare monitoring with inexpensive epidermal pressure sensor can be realized.
Vasotocin and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide modulate aggression in a territorial songbird, the violet-eared waxbill (Estrildidae: Uraeginthus granatina).

Previous research demonstrates that intraseptal administrations of arginine vasotocin (AVT) inhibit male aggression in the territorial field sparrow (Emberizidae: Spizella pusilla) but facilitate aggression in the colonial zebra finch (Estrildidae: Taeniopygia guttata). In order to determine whether this difference may be related to the territorial and colonial social organizations of these two species, the effect of AVT infusions was examined in a territorial Estrildid species, the violet-eared waxbill (Uraeginthus granatina). This species is more closely related to the zebra finch than to the field sparrow and shares most critical features of breeding ecology in common with zebra finches, but differs in social organization. AVT infusions administered via chronic guide cannulae directed at the septum significantly inhibited aggressive behavior, consistent with results in the territorial field sparrow, supporting the hypothesis that social organization is correlated with AVT function. Similar experiments with mesotocin and substance P produced no effects on any of the behaviors measured, but infusions of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) significantly facilitated aggression. This result contrasts with the inhibitory effect of septal VIP obtained in the colonial zebra finch, suggesting that VIP function may be correlated with social organization as well.
Trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder among transition-age youth with serious mental health conditions.

There is little information on trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and associated risk factors in transition-age youth with mental health conditions. This study aimed at understanding the correlates and predictors of PTSD in 84 transition-age youth, between 16 and 21 years old, residing in supported community housing. Chi-square analyses and t tests were used to compare youth with a diagnosis of PTSD to those without a PTSD diagnosis. Stepwise logistic regression analyses were performed to identify unique predictors of PTSD. Of the 84 individuals, 79 (94%) reported a history of trauma, of whom 30 (36%) had PTSD. Sexual abuse was significantly associated with a PTSD diagnosis (r = .47) and the only unique predictor of PTSD (Cox r(2) = . 20). Transition-age youth in supported community housing had higher rates of trauma exposure and PTSD than the general adolescent population, suggesting the need for routine assessment and treatment of PTSD in this population.
Novel mutation in the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase gene that encodes cross-resistance to 2',3'-dideoxyinosine and 2',3'-dideoxycytidine

We have used the technique of in vitro selection to generate variants of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) that are resistant to 2',3'-dideoxyinosine (ddI) and cross-resistant to 2',3'-dideoxycytidine (ddC). The complete reverse transcriptase (RT)-coding regions, plus portions of flanking sequences, of viruses possessing a ddI-resistant phenotype were cloned and sequenced by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods. We observed that several of these viruses possessed mutations at amino acid sites 184 (Met-->Val; ATG-->GTG) and 294 (Pro-->Ser; CCA-->TCA). These mutations were introduced in the pol gene of infectious, cloned HXB2-D DNA by site-directed mutagenesis. Viral replication assays confirmed the importance of site 184 with regard to resistance to ddI. The recombinant viruses thus generated displayed more than fivefold-greater resistance to ddI than parental HXB2-D did. Moreover, more than fivefold-greater resistance to ddC was also documented; however, the recombinant viruses continued to be inhibited by zidovudine (AZT). No resistance to ddI, ddC, or AZT was introduced by inclusion of mutation site 294 in the pol gene of HXB2-D. PCR analysis performed on viral samples obtained from patients receiving long-term ddI therapy confirmed the presence of mutation site 184 in five of seven cases tested. In three of these five positive cases, the wild-type codon was also detected, indicating that mixtures of viral quasispecies were apparently present. Viruses possessing a ddI resistance phenotype were isolated from both subjects whose viruses contained only the mutated rather than wild-type codon at position 184 as well as from a third individual, whose viruses appeared to be mostly of the mutated variety.
Performance analysis of cluster head selection routing protocol in underwater acoustic wireless sensor network

Underwater communication has become a popular research area because of many applications such as oceanography data collection, ocean exploration, undersea navigation, and control of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). Since electromagnetic wave communication does not propagate well in underwater, long communication ranges are only possible through the use of acoustic waves. Acoustic communication is the most versatile and widely used technique in underwater environments due to the low attenuation (signal reduction) of sound in water. Underwater acoustic communication is a technique of sending and receiving message below water. The implementation of underwater acoustic communication (UWAC) system is rendered challenging by factors such as limited available bandwidth, throughput, long propagation delay, large Doppler spread, and time-varying channel conditions. From this limitation in underwater wireless networks, throughput is one of the main parameter will be affected. Based on network structure, routing protocols in Underwater Communication Networks can be divided into two categories: flat routing and hierarchical or clustering routing. Due to a variety of advantages, clustering is suitable an active branch of routing technology in underwater communication Networks. Based on these findings, to developing cluster based routing protocol is designed to improve the throughput of the network by considering connectivity and coverage.
Ultrasonography of capsular morphology in normal and traumatic ankle joints

Ultrasonography was used to inspect the ankle anatomy of 20 healthy volunteers. The images produced were correlated with anatomical structures by examining three dissected cadaver ankles. The anterolateral pouch of the articular capsule was identified by ultrasonography in 91% of the normal ankle joints as a hypoechoic area. The posterolateral pouch of the articular capsule also could be identified by ultrasonography as a hypoechoic area in 84% of the normal ankles examined. The lateral aspect of 105 traumatized ankles was examined subsequently. The ultrasound results agreed in 100% of the cases with the operative findings for the anterior talofibular ligament and in 92% for the calcaneofibular ligament. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Turbulence generation by mountain wave breaking in flows with directional wind shear

Mountain wave breaking, and the resulting potential for the generation of turbulence in the atmosphere, are investigated using numerical simulations of idealized, nearly hydrostatic, atmospheric flows with directional wind shear over an axisymmetric isolated mountain. These simulations, which use the WRF‐ARW model, differ in degree of flow nonlinearity and shear intensity, quantified through the dimensionless mountain height and the Richardson number of the incoming flow, respectively. The aim is to diagnose wave breaking based on large‐scale flow variables.
Present-Day Impact Cratering Rate and Contemporary Gully Activity on Mars

The Mars Global Surveyor Mars Orbiter Camera has acquired data that establish the present-day impact cratering rate and document new deposits formed by downslope movement of material in mid-latitude gullies on Mars. Twenty impacts created craters 2 to 150 meters in diameter within an area of 21.5 × 106 square kilometers between May 1999 and March 2006. The values predicted by models that scale the lunar cratering rate to Mars are close to the observed rate, implying that surfaces devoid of craters are truly young and that as yet unrecognized processes of denudation must be operating. The new gully deposits, formed since August 1999, are light toned and exhibit attributes expected from emplacement aided by a fluid with the properties of liquid water: relatively long, extended, digitate distal and marginal branches, diversion around obstacles, and low relief. The observations suggest that liquid water flowed on the surface of Mars during the past decade.
Responses to climate change in avian migration time - microevolution versus phenotypic plasticity

While the evidence for advancement of spring phenology of animals and plants in response to recent climate change is overwhelming and undisputed, formal meta-analyses of avian migratory phenologies in response to climate change have not been conducted. Likewise, attempts to evaluate the relative roles of phenotypic plasticity versus evolutionary responses of observed advances in arrival times have been few. We conducted a meta-analysis of published data on timing of avian spring migration, with particular emphasis on evaluating whether the observed patterns are consistent with evolutionary explanations. In addition, we compared the observed rates of advance- ment with the theoretically expected rates of 'sustainable evolution'. The meta-analysis confirmed a general advancement of avian migration time and that this advancement is correlated with climatic parameters. However, large-scale geographical patterns and relationships with age at first reproduc- tion—a proxy of generation time—were less clear. The average rate of advancement expressed in haldanes (h = 0.07) was within theoretically predicted limits of 'sustainable evolution'. All in all, while the results are in clear agreement with the assertion that birds are advancing their migratory schedules, they do not unambiguously support or refute the possibility that the observed responses would be genetic, rather than examples of phenotypic plasticity.
A Point Mutation in the Amino Terminus of TLR7 Abolishes Signaling without Affecting Ligand Binding

TLR7 is the mammalian receptor for ssRNA and some nucleotide-like small molecules. We have generated a mouse by N-nitrose-N′-ethyl urea mutagenesis in which threonine 68 of TLR7 was substituted with isoleucine. Cells bearing this mutant TLR7 lost the sensitivity to the small-molecule TLR7 agonist resiquimod, hence the name TLR7rsq1. In this work, we report the characterization of this mutant protein. Similar to the wild-type counterpart, TLR7rsq1 localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum and is expressed at normal levels in both primary cells and reconstituted 293T cells. In addition to small-molecule TLR7 agonists, TLR7rsq1 fails to be activated by ssRNA. Whole-transcriptome analysis demonstrates that TLR7 is the exclusive and indispensable receptor for both classes of ligands, consistent with the fact that both ligands induce highly similar transcriptional signatures in TLR7wt/wt splenocytes. Thus, TLR7rsq1 is a bona fide phenocopy of the TLR7 null mouse. Because TLR7rsq1 binds to ssRNA, our studies imply that the N-terminal portion of TLR7 triggers a yet to be identified event on TLR7. TLR7rsq1 mice might represent a valuable tool to help elucidate novel aspects of TLR7 biology.
Endogenous γ-H2AX-ATM-Chk2 Checkpoint Activation in Bloom's Syndrome Helicase–Deficient Cells Is Related to DNA Replication Arrested Forks

The Bloom syndrome helicase (BLM) is critical for genomic stability. A defect in BLM activity results in the cancer-predisposing Bloom syndrome (BS). Here, we report that BLM-deficient cell lines and primary fibroblasts display an endogenously activated DNA double-strand break checkpoint response with prominent levels of phosphorylated histone H2AX (γ-H2AX), Chk2 (pT68Chk2), and ATM (pS1981ATM) colocalizing in nuclear foci. Interestingly, the mitotic fraction of γ-H2AX foci did not seem to be higher in BLM-deficient cells, indicating that these lesions form transiently during interphase. Pulse labeling with iododeoxyuridine and immunofluorescence microscopy showed the colocalization of γ-H2AX, ATM, and Chk2 together with replication foci. Those foci costained for Rad51, indicating homologous recombination at these replication sites. We therefore analyzed replication in BS cells using a single molecule approach on combed DNA fibers. In addition to a higher frequency of replication fork barriers, BS cells displayed a reduced average fork velocity and global reduction of interorigin distances indicative of an elevated frequency of origin firing. Because BS is one of the most penetrant cancer-predisposing hereditary diseases, it is likely that the lack of BLM engages the cells in a situation similar to precancerous tissues with replication stress. To our knowledge, this is the first report of high ATM-Chk2 kinase activation and its linkage to replication defects in a BS model. (Mol Cancer Res 2007;5(7):713–24)
Lipid-DNA complexes induce potent activation of innate immune responses and antitumor activity when administered intravenously.

Cationic lipid-DNA complexes (CLDC) are reported to be safe and effective for systemic gene delivery, particularly to the lungs. However, we observed that i.v. injection of CLDC induced immunologic effects not previously reported. We found that even very low doses of CLDC administered i.v. induced marked systemic immune activation. This response included strong up-regulation of CD69 expression on multiple cell types and systemic release of high levels of Th1 cytokines, from both lung and spleen mononuclear cells. CLDC were much more potent immune activators on a per weight basis than either LPS or poly(I:C). The remarkable potency of CLDC appeared to result from enhancement of the immune stimulatory properties of DNA, since cationic lipids alone were without immune stimulatory activity. Systemic treatment with CLDC controlled tumor growth and significantly prolonged survival times in mice with metastatic pulmonary tumors. NK cells accumulated to high levels in the lungs of CLDC-treated mice, were functionally activated, and released high levels of IFN-gamma. The antitumor activity induced by CLDC injection was dependent on both NK cells and IFN-gamma. Thus, DNA complexed to cationic liposomes becomes highly immunostimulatory and capable of inducing strong antitumor activity when administered systemically.
Testing Hypotheses: Prediction and Prejudice

Observations that fit a hypothesis may be made before or after the hypothesis is formulated. Can that difference be relevant to the amount of support that the observations provide for the hypothesis? Philosophers of science and statisticians are both divided on this question, but there is an argument that predictions ought to count more than accommodations, because of the risk of “fudging” that accommodations run and predictions avoid.
Sexual transmission of spotted fever group rickettsiae by infected male ticks: detection of rickettsiae in immature spermatozoa of Ixodes ricinus

Electron microscopic evidence is provided showing that the newly described "Swiss agent," a spotted fever group rickettsia, is incorporated into the reproductive cells of its male tick vector, Ixodes ricinus. Rickettsiae were found in spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and maturing spermatids. The potential significance of these observations is briefly discussed in relation to published data on sexual transmission of rickettsiae by ticks.
Engineered Rhizosphere: the Trophic Bias Generated by Opine-Producing Plants Is Independent of the Opine Type, the Soil Origin, and the Plant Species

ABSTRACT In a previous study, we demonstrated that transgenic Lotus plants producing opines (which are small amino acid and sugar conjugates) specifically favor growth of opine-degrading rhizobacteria. The opine-induced bias was repeated and demonstrated with another soil type and another plant species (Solanum nigrum). This phenomenon is therefore independent of both soil type and plant species.
Referent control and motor equivalence of reaching from standing.

Motor actions may result from central changes in the referent body configuration, defined as the body posture at which muscles begin to be activated or deactivated. The actual body configuration deviates from the referent configuration, particularly because of body inertia and environmental forces. Within these constraints, the system tends to minimize the difference between these configurations. For pointing movement, this strategy can be expressed as the tendency to minimize the difference between the referent trajectory (RT) and actual trajectory (QT) of the effector (hand). This process may underlie motor equivalent behavior that maintains the pointing trajectory regardless of the number of body segments involved. We tested the hypothesis that the minimization process is used to produce pointing in standing subjects. With eyes closed, 10 subjects reached from a standing position to a remembered target located beyond arm length. In randomly chosen trials, hip flexion was unexpectedly prevented, forcing subjects to take a step during pointing to prevent falling. The task was repeated when subjects were instructed to intentionally take a step during pointing. In most cases, reaching accuracy and trajectory curvature were preserved due to adaptive condition-specific changes in interjoint coordination. Results suggest that referent control and the minimization process associated with it may underlie motor equivalence in pointing. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Motor actions may result from minimization of the deflection of the actual body configuration from the centrally specified referent body configuration, in the limits of neuromuscular and environmental constraints. The minimization process may maintain reaching trajectory and accuracy regardless of the number of body segments involved (motor equivalence), as confirmed in this study of reaching from standing in young healthy individuals. Results suggest that the referent control process may underlie motor equivalence in reaching.
Anything goes on the path to universal health coverage? No.

In its 2010 world health report,1 the World Health Organization noted that there is no single, best path for reforming health financing arrangements to move systems closer to universal health coverage, i.e. to improve access to needed, effective services while protecting users from financial ruin. However, this lack of a blueprint for health financing reforms was not meant to convey the message that “anything goes” on the path to universal health coverage. Indeed, concerns have been raised that some reforms, often implemented in the name of expanding coverage, may actually compromise equity.2 Theory and country experience yield important lessons on both promising directions and pitfalls to avoid. Interpretation of health financing reform experience requires getting beneath commonly used labels such as “tax-funded systems” or “social health insurance”, or simply even “health insurance”, which was used as the basis for a systematic review published in the September issue of the Bulletin.3 Such labels hide more than they illuminate, as shown by emerging evidence on reforms that increase access and financial protection but are funded predominantly from general tax revenues (e.g. Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Rwanda, Thailand). Deriving meaningful lessons from innovative reform experiences requires a deeper understanding of how countries have altered their funding sources, pooling arrangements, purchasing methods, and policies on benefits and patient cost-sharing. All systems, regardless of what they are called, have to address these functions and policy choices.
Oculopalatal tremor and severe late-onset cerebellar ataxia

Following four recurrent bleedings of a mesencephalic cavernoma within 10 years (figure 1A), a 62-year-old woman demonstrated left kinetic cerebellar syndrome. She then developed oculopalatal tremor (OPT) associated with bilateral inferior olive hyperintensity (figure 1B). Gamma knife radiation was performed, but she developed severe cerebellar ataxia. OPT secondary to brainstem strokes and …
ENDEMIC INFANTILE HYPOTHYROIDISM IN A SEVERE ENDEMIC GOITRE AREA OF CENTRAL AFRICA

Thyroid function and exposure to dietary goitrogenic factors (iodine deficiency and thiocyanate overload) were studied at birth and from birth to 7 years in 200 neonates and 347 children living in the severe endemic goitre area of Ubangi, Northern Zaire. Serum T4 was at the lower limit of normal at birth (104 ± 4 nmol/1) and stayed at that level during the first year of life (123 ± 9) (NS), but decreased to 75 ± 8 (P < 0·001) at 2–4 years and to 62 ± 6 (P < 0·001) at 5–7 years of age. Mean serum FT4 decreased from 10·4 ± 0·9 pmol/1 during the first year to 8·2 ± 1·0 (NS) at 2–4 years (NS) and to 7·7 ± 0·9 (P < 0·05) at 5–7 years. Mean serum TSH was 10·4 (8·4‐12·9) m U/1 (geometric mean ± 1 SEM) during the first year, 10·1 (7·5‐13·7) (NS) at 2–4 years and 24·3 (18·5–31·9) (P < 0·05) at 5–7 years. Mean serum T3 was 3·23 ± 0·12 nmol/1 during the first year and remained stable thereafter. The frequencies of low T4 (T4 < 77 nmol/1), high TSH TSH (TSH > 50 mU/1), and low T4 and T3 (T3 < 1·69 nmol/l) were twice as high at 5–7 years as in the first year (respectively 65%, 42% and 15%). The urinary iodide concentration of the children was stable and low throughout the study period. By contrast, serum thiocyanate concentration which was high at birth (129 ± 5 ųmol/1) decreased to normal values between 3 and 12 months of age and increased again during and after weaning (1 to 3 years of age) to reach a value of 138 ųmol/l which was comparable to that observed in adults in the same area. Thiocyanate concentration was high (133 ± 7 ųmol/l) in the mothers' serum but low in the mothers' milk (57 ± 3 ųmol/1) (P < 0·01). Multivariate analysis
An empirical study of service quality and tourist loyalty in the tourism mobile commerce

While the importance of tourist loyalty has been recognized by academic researchers for at least four decades, adequate tourist loyalty models have not been developed or validated. This study presents a tourist loyalty model of tourism mobile commerce and explores the relationship of service quality, tourist satisfaction, tourist trust and tourist loyalty. The structural model was tested on a sample of 291 tourists at Guilin in China. The empirical validation of the conceptual model supports the research hypotheses. Technology quality and function quality affect the tourist satisfaction, which positively relates to tourists' attitude loyalty as well as tourists' behavior loyalty. The link between tourist satisfaction and tourist trust was also confirmed. These research findings contribute to a better understanding of how tourist satisfaction affect tourist loyalty, and this study offered an approach to help improve service quality toward tourist loyalty.