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Knowledge about the experiences of flow by older adults through the engagement of digital games is scarce. This article describes an important element of an international, multicenter, randomized, controlled trial which utilized three purpose-built exergames to facilitate physical activity and to assist with fall prevention of adults aged 65+ years in their homes. Measurement of flow was assessed through the distribution of the Activity Flow State Scale in participants assigned to the intervention group after completion of the trial. Results were analyzed across three areas: study centers, age-groups (50–69 years, 70–78 years, 79–84 years, and 85+), and gender. A positive trend in results was shown by participants from Valencia and Cologne and by gender. Future work should consider qualitative data collection to complement the quantitative data and to provide an in-depth understanding of users’ experiences with exergames.

This chapter provides readers with an overview of digital gaming trends across Europe and Australia, using current and up-to-date statistics detailing gaming preferences, demographics and digital device usage and ownership. Providing a contemporary overview of the literature in the field of digital gaming and ageing the authors aim to demonstrate the work that has been covered by international academics. These domains include a series of reviews which have focused on health rehabilitation and gaming, eHealth, digital gaming, fall prevention and active ageing. Further discussion focuses on the use and deployment of mobile health apps and digital gaming and how they are used within the field of ageing, in regard to gamification, chronic health conditions and the nature of interaction and engagement by users. Results are presented from the iStoppFalls project, whereby an ICT survey was deployed to ascertain participants ICT usage, ownership and behaviours. The results in this chapter focus primarily on digital games, how participants learnt to play games, their preferred game genres and online gaming habits. Common challenges are explored and discussed by the authors in regards to gaming research with recommendations proposed for future use and engagement of digital gaming, mobile health apps and wearables.

[EN] Technology use is a common constituent of modern life. However, little is known about older adults' use of technology. This article presents a subset of data collected via the technology deployed in the iStoppFalls randomized control trial. The primary focus lies on questions about digital device/Internet use, ownership, length, and frequency as well as social networking. Data was collected from participants aged 65 years or older. Seventy-eight participants completed a specifically developed technology survey as part of the baseline assessment. Results showed that the majority of subjects owned a computer with men being its main user. Participants used technological devices on a daily basis for more than 1 year. The main reason for using technology was e-mail communication, search engines, text processing, and online shopping. Only a few participants used social network applications, with Google+ and Facebook being the most popular ones. Future work should consider an in-depth qualitative approach to further increase understanding of technology use in older adults., The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This project has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development, and demonstration under grant agreement no. 287361. The Australian arm is funded by an Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) EU collaboration grant (#1038210). The content of the manuscript does not represent the opinion of the European Community or NHMRC. The funding sources have no role in any aspects of this study. Yves J. Gschwind has been financially supported by a research grant from the Margarete and Walter Lichtenstein Foundation, Basel, Switzerland. All other authors are supported by the iStoppFalls project, European Community Grant Agreement 287361. On behalf of the iStoppFalls consortium, we would like to thank all the participants who take part in the study. Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry Trial ID: ACTRN12614000096651. International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number: ISRCTN15932647. Additional acknowledgement is noted to the Monetize Me project which has received funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), under grant agreement no [EP/L021285/1]. This has enabled Dr. Hannah R. Marston the time to undertake the lead on writing this publication.

Bathymodiolus mussels live in symbiosis with intracellular sulfur-oxidizing (SOX) bacteria that provide them with nutrition. We sequenced the SOX symbiont genomes from two Bathymodiolus species. Comparison of these symbiont genomes with those of their closest relatives revealed that the symbionts have undergone genome rearrangements, and up to 35% of their genes may have been acquired by horizontal gene transfer. Many of the genes specific to the symbionts were homologs of virulence genes. We discovered an abundant and diverse array of genes similar to insecticidal toxins of nematode and aphid symbionts, and toxins of pathogens such as Yersinia and Vibrio. Transcriptomics and proteomics revealed that the SOX symbionts express the toxin-related genes (TRGs) in their hosts. We hypothesize that the symbionts use these TRGs in beneficial interactions with their host, including protection against parasites. This would explain why a mutualistic symbiont would contain such a remarkable ‘arsenal’ of TRGs. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.07966.001, eLife digest Although bacteria are commonly associated with causing illness, many are actually beneficial to the organism they live in or on. The phenomenon of one species helping another to survive is known as symbiosis. Animals thrive at hydrothermal vents in the deep sea because of their partnerships with symbiotic bacteria. The bacteria use the geochemical energy found at hydrothermal vents to convert carbon into sugars, thus providing their animal hosts with essential nutrients. Unlike the symbiotic communities that associate with humans and other mammals, in which thousands of bacterial species co-exist, deep-sea mussels associate with just one or two species of symbiotic bacteria. This relative simplicity is ideal for investigating how the intimate associations between animals and bacteria work. Genes contain the instructions cells and organisms need to survive, and so one way that researchers investigate symbiosis is by studying the genes of the organisms involved. Such studies of beneficial bacteria are beginning to reveal that the molecular mechanisms involved in symbiosis are remarkably similar to those responsible for the harmful effects produced by some bacteria. By performing genetic sequencing on the symbiotic bacteria from deep-sea mussels, Sayavedra et al. have discovered that the bacteria have an unusually large number of toxin-like genes, and that all of these genes are active in the bacteria when they are inside host mussels. This was unexpected, as the bacteria are known to benefit their mussel hosts. The toxin-like genes from the symbiotic bacteria are similar to toxins found in the bacteria that cause diseases such as cholera and the plague in humans and other animals. Sayavedra et al. suggest that the symbiotic bacteria have ‘tamed’ these toxins to use them in beneficial interactions with their host. For example, some of the toxins could help the bacteria and mussels to recognize and interact with each other, and others could help to protect the mussel host from its natural enemies. The next step will be to test these ideas, which will be challenging as the mussels cannot be bred in the laboratory. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.07966.002

[EN] Background: Falls and fall-related injuries are a serious public health issue. Exercise programs can effectively reduce fall risk in older people. The iStoppFalls project developed an Information and Communication Technology-based system to deliver an unsupervised exercise program in older people's homes. The primary aims of the iStoppFalls randomized controlled trial were to assess the feasibility (exercise adherence, acceptability and safety) of the intervention program and its effectiveness on common fall risk factors. Methods: A total of 153 community-dwelling people aged 65+ years took part in this international, multicentre, randomized controlled trial. Intervention group participants conducted the exercise program for 16 weeks, with a recommended duration of 120 min/week for balance exergames and 60 min/week for strength exercises. All intervention and control participants received educational material including advice on a healthy lifestyle and fall prevention. Assessments included physical and cognitive tests, and questionnaires for health, fear of falling, number of falls, quality of life and psychosocial outcomes. Results: The median total exercise duration was 11.7 h (IQR = 22.0) over the 16-week intervention period. There were no adverse events. Physiological fall risk (Physiological Profile Assessment, PPA) reduced significantly more in the intervention group compared to the control group (F-1,(127)=4.54,p = 0.035). There was a significant three-way interaction for fall risk assessed by the PPA between the high-adherence (> 90 min/week; n = 18, 25.4 %), low-adherence (< 90 min/week; n = 53, 74.6 %) and control group (F-2,(125)=3.12, n = 75, p = 0.044). Post hoc analysis revealed a significantly larger effect in favour of the high-adherence group compared to the control group for fall risk (p = 0.031), postural sway (p = 0.046), stepping reaction time (p = 0.041), executive functioning (p = 0.044), and quality of life (p for trend = 0.052). Conclusions: The iStoppFalls exercise program reduced physiological fall risk in the study sample. Additional subgroup analyses revealed that intervention participants with better adherence also improved in postural sway, stepping reaction, and executive function., The iStoppFalls project has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no [287361]. The Australian arm was funded by an Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) EU collaboration grant (#1038210). The content of the manuscript does not represent the opinion of the European Community or NHMRC. The funding sources had no influence in any aspects of this study. Yves J. Gschwind was financially supported by a research grant from the Margarete and Walter Lichtenstein Foundation, Basel, Switzerland. Stephen R. Lord was supported by NHMRC as a Senior Principal Research Fellow. Kim Delbaere was supported by a NHMRC as a Career Development Fellow. The other authors were supported by the European Community Grant Agreement 287361. We would like to thank all the technical engineers, software developers and research staff who contributed to the iStoppFalls project as well as the participants who took part in the study

Pilomatricoma is a tumour derived from hair matrix cells, which shows progressive keratin expression. Tumorigenesis is frequently associated with activating mutations in β-catenin gene inducing nuclear expression of β-catenin protein. The present study analysed the role of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and four-and-a-half LIM domain protein 2 (FHL2) in pilomatricoma in synopsis with their expression patterns in human anagen hair. Human anagen hair showed TGF-β1 and nuclear FHL2 expression in the outer root sheath layer separated from nuclear β-catenin staining, which was observed in cells of matrix and inner root sheath layers. Correspondingly, 41 out of 50 pilomatricomas showed co-labelling of TGF-β1 and nuclear FHL2 in tumour cells, which mostly lacked nuclear β-catenin expression. Tumoural proliferation (ki67) was associated with nuclear β-catenin staining but not with expression of nuclear FHL2. In early pilomatricomas, TGF-β1 expression was observed in few peripheral tumour cells showing absent or faint nuclear FHL2 co-staining. TGF-β1 expression extended in growing tumours going along with strong nuclear FHL2 co-labelling as well as progressive keratin 14 and keratin 1 expression. In vitro, cultured human keratinocytes showed weak to marked autocrine TGF-β1 expression; in case of enhanced TGF-β1 expression associated with keratin 10 staining. TGF-β1-treatment of cultured human keratinocytes induced nuclear and cytoplasmatic FHL2 staining as well as keratin 14 staining. Accordingly, siRNA-mediated FHL2 knockdown of TGF-β1-stimulated keratinocytes reduced keratin 14 staining. In conclusion, tumoural TGF-β1 secretion seems to induce nuclear translocation of co-factor FHL2 mediating progressive keratin expression in pilomatricoma.

The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of the iStoppFalls exergames, in association with digital game genres and aesthetics. This paper aims to present the links between game theory and the developed exergames presented in this paper, resulting in a series of proposed recommendations. Although there is a growing body of work associated to exergames and health rehabilitation there is little work focusing and identifying game theory and exergames. For the future development of exergames a series of proposed recommendations have been suggested to facilitate researchers, practitioners and participants in gaining further understanding of the use of exergames for health rehabilitation in particular, fall prevention. To the knowledge of the authors, the iStoppFalls is the first ambient assisted exercise program (AAEP) which utilizes 21st Century digital game technology with a primary focus on fall prevention.

International audience; The discovery of deep-sea hydrothermal vents in 1977 revolutionized our understanding of the energy sources that fuel primary productivity on Earth. Hydrothermal vent ecosystems are dominated by animals that live in symbiosis with chemosynthetic bacteria. So far, only two energy sources have been shown to power chemosynthetic symbioses: reduced sulphur compounds and methane. Using metagenome sequencing, single-gene fluorescence in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, shipboard incubations and in situ mass spectrometry, we show here that the symbionts of the hydrothermal vent mussel Bathymodiolus from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge use hydrogen to power primary production. In addition, we show that the symbionts of Bathymodiolus mussels from Pacific vents have hupL, the key gene for hydrogen oxidation. Furthermore, the symbionts of other vent animals such as the tubeworm Riftia pachyptila and the shrimp Rimicaris exoculata also have hupL. We propose that the ability to use hydrogen as an energy source is widespread in hydrothermal vent symbioses, particularly at sites where hydrogen is abundant

Background Environmental sequence datasets are increasing at an exponential rate; however, the vast majority of them lack appropriate descriptors like sampling location, time and depth/altitude: generally referred to as metadata or contextual data. The consistent capture and structured submission of these data is crucial for integrated data analysis and ecosystems modeling. The application MetaBar has been developed, to support consistent contextual data acquisition. Results MetaBar is a spreadsheet and web-based software tool designed to assist users in the consistent acquisition, electronic storage, and submission of contextual data associated to their samples. A preconfigured Microsoft® Excel® spreadsheet is used to initiate structured contextual data storage in the field or laboratory. Each sample is given a unique identifier and at any stage the sheets can be uploaded to the MetaBar database server. To label samples, identifiers can be printed as barcodes. An intuitive web interface provides quick access to the contextual data in the MetaBar database as well as user and project management capabilities. Export functions facilitate contextual and sequence data submission to the International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration (INSDC), comprising of the DNA DataBase of Japan (DDBJ), the European Molecular Biology Laboratory database (EMBL) and GenBank. MetaBar requests and stores contextual data in compliance to the Genomic Standards Consortium specifications. The MetaBar open source code base for local installation is available under the GNU General Public License version 3 (GNU GPL3). Conclusion The MetaBar software supports the typical workflow from data acquisition and field-sampling to contextual data enriched sequence submission to an INSDC database. The integration with the megx.net marine Ecological Genomics database and portal facilitates georeferenced data integration and metadata-based comparisons of sampling sites as well as interactive data visualization. The ample export functionalities and the INSDC submission support enable exchange of data across disciplines and safeguarding contextual data.

This report reviews past and present applications of simulation to maintenance training. Emphasis is on describing issues, problems and areas for future research as identified by recent authors. A variety of issues and problems are discussed under five headings--Application of Simulation Technology to Technical Training, Determination of Simulation Requirements, Design and Specification of Simulation Requirements, User Acceptance of Maintenance Simulators, and the Cost Effectiveness of Maintenance Simulators. Requirements for future research are discussed under the following topics: Evaluating the Cost Effectiveness of Simulators; Comparing Simulators One With Another; Determining Training Requirements; Determining Simulation Requirements; Developing Exemplary Simualtors; Developing Exemplary Mixes of Maintenance Training Media; Obtaining User Acceptance; Developing Improved Regulations for Maintenance Simulators. (Author)

The objective of this study was to identify the present and potential need for maintenance training simulators in support of Air Force technical training and to assess the usefulness of instructor surveys in identifying the need for simulation. Data were collected through the use of survey questionnaires and instructor interviews. Results indicated a willingness on the part of most instructors to use low cost/fidelity simulators as supplementary training devices but not as replacements for actual equipment trainers. In addition, a simulative potential ranking formula was employed which resulted in the identification of 36 high priority candidates for simulation. Thirty-two of the 36 candidates represented electronic equipment, particularly test benches. The validity of the data collected using the questionnaire methodology is discussed along with the problems inherent in using instructors to identify solutions for training problems. It was concluded that the survey procedure was useful for identifying simulation candidates but that final decisions on simulator usage should be left to simulation experts. Recommendations are provided for modifying the questionnaire formats and further study of the simulation candidates identified in this study. (Author)

This study analyzed selected features of the Basic Army Administration Course (BAAC) which trains enlisted personnel for MOS 71B10/20 (Clerk-Typist). The objectives of the study were: to obtain information that could be used to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the course; to develop suggestions for improving the course; and to develop a model to describe the important features of a self-paced, variable-length course. Questionnaires and structured interviews were administered to a sample of course students, dropouts, and instructors, and to persons responsible for administering the course at Fort Ord, California, and Fort Jackson, South Carolina. In addition, training records were analyzed and the training environment was inspected. The findings are reported in two subtask reports plus a final report. This, the first subtask report, (a) describes instructor opinions and practices related to the 71B10/20 course, (b) describes course-related opinions and suggestions obtained from Training Company and Battalion/Brigade administrative personnel, and (c) compares disciplinary problems associated with the 71B10/20 and 76A10 courses at Forts Ord and Jackson. (Author)

The Basic Army Administrative Course (BAAC) trains enlisted personnel for the 71B10/20 MOS (Clerk-Typist). The BAAC Course is one of the largest self-paced, variable-length programs conducted by the Army. The students are taught primarily by the use of programmed instructional texts (PI), and, within limits, can progress through the course at their own rate. The 71B10/20 course is scheduled to revert to a fixed-length course lasting seven weeks. Before this change becomes effective, it was deemed desirable to examine the course to identify its good and poor pedagogical and administrative features. The objectives were to obtain information about an operationally effective, self-paced, variable-length course; to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the 71B10/20 course as they existed during the Summer and Fall of 1973; and to develop suggestions for increasing the effectiveness of the course. (Author)

This study presents an analysis of selected features of the Basic Army Administration Course (BAAC), which trains enlisted personnel for MOS 71B10/20 (Clerk-Typist). The objectives of the study were: to obtain information that could be used to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the course; to develop suggestions for improving the course; and to develop a model describing the important features of a self-paced, variable-length course. Questionnaires and structured interviews were administered to a sample of course students, dropouts, and instructors, and to persons responsible for administering the courses at Fort Ord, California, and Fort Jackson, South Carolina. In addition, training records were analyzed and the training environment was inspected. The findings are reported in two subtask reports plus a final report. This, the second subtask report, (a) compares student and instructor opinions about the course; (b) relates precourse academic potential and typing skill to course performance; (c) relates performance early in the course to overall course performance; and (d) develops an equation for predicting the time it will take a particular student to complete the course. (Author)

The methods of task and skill analysis are described in this procedural guide. FORECAST is directed toward developing means for accurate forecasting the training demands imposed by new electronic weapon systems. Methods for forecasting training needs for a guided missile system were constructed and experiments were performed. The system of analysis was modified and refined in FORECAST II, in which transfer of training, increased proficiency, and equipment-minimizing effects of the method were studied. A study of the application of the FORECAST concepts to equipment other than that on which the methods were developed was also conducted; and these procedures have now been incorporated in the IMPROVED NIKE HERCULES HIPAR course. It is believed that the procedures described herein can serve as a basis for further implementation or development of this type of analysis by personnel working in this technical field.