Non-personal Data Collection for Toy User Interfaces

Toy-user-interfaces (ToyUI) are computing devices or peripherals that leverage interactivity and connectivity with other devices to promote physical and social play. ToyUI products may collect both personal and non-personal data (NPD) on their users. We propose nine data patterns for NPD collection as part of ToyUI design based on the study of 297 ToyUI items from both the literature and industry. In addition, we introduce a printed circuit board (PCB) used for rapid prototyping that enabled NPD data collection concerning both objects and users by gathering non-personal identification, positioning system, and motion tracking. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our hardware architecture by embedding it into two design scenarios, namely, closed rules and open-ended rules solutions. The objectives here are to assist the ToyUI makers in creating more meaningful play experiences while ensuring the privacy of children’s and their parents’ data

Nitroheterocyclic drug resistance mechanisms in <i>Trypanosoma brucei</i>

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to identify the mechanisms of resistance to nifurtimox and fexinidazole in African trypanosomes. METHODS: Bloodstream-form Trypanosoma brucei were selected for resistance to nifurtimox and fexinidazole by stepwise exposure to increasing drug concentrations. Clones were subjected to WGS to identify putative resistance genes. Transgenic parasites modulating expression of genes of interest were generated and drug susceptibility phenotypes determined. RESULTS: Nifurtimox-resistant (NfxR) and fexinidazole-resistant (FxR) parasites shared reciprocal cross-resistance suggestive of a common mechanism of action. Previously, a type I nitroreductase (NTR) has been implicated in nitro drug activation. WGS of resistant clones revealed that NfxR parasites had lost >100 kb from one copy of chromosome 7, rendering them hemizygous for NTR as well as over 30 other genes. FxR parasites retained both copies of NTR, but lost >70 kb downstream of one NTR allele, decreasing NTR transcription by half. A single knockout line of NTR displayed 1.6- and 1.9-fold resistance to nifurtimox and fexinidazole, respectively. Since NfxR and FxR parasites are ∼6- and 20-fold resistant to nifurtimox and fexinidazole, respectively, additional factors must be involved. Overexpression and knockout studies ruled out a role for a putative oxidoreductase (Tb927.7.7410) and a hypothetical gene (Tb927.1.1050), previously identified in a genome-scale RNAi screen. CONCLUSIONS: NTR was confirmed as a key resistance determinant, either by loss of one gene copy or loss of gene expression. Further work is required to identify which of the many dozens of SNPs identified in the drug-resistant cell lines contribute to the overall resistance phenotype

IoT4Fun Rapid Prototyping Toolkit for Smart Toys

Rapid prototyping tools turn the design of smart toys faster and easier for creative teams. Appropriate tools for smart toys should meet a list of requirements, which include distributed data collection and adaptability for assorted toy shapes and size. The IoT4Fun toolkit innovates by mixing the embedded, modular, and plug-and-play approaches. It supports motion tracking data, wireless communication, and contactless identification. IoT4Fun demonstrates its effectiveness to design a variety of smart toy solutions by fitting into a hula-hoop toy until spherical, cubic, and wearable shapes. Solutions connect with either mobile applications or other toys and play rules range from open-ended to closed behaviors. End-users exhaustively tested developed solutions, and technical assessment evaluates their integrity after playtesting sessions. Results show comparative data on battery consumption and vulnerabilities threats for data security and privacy of each design. Future versions of IoT4Fun can benefit from miniaturization, robustness, and reliability improvements

A Literature Survey on Smart Toy-related Children\u27s Privacy Risks

Smart toys have become popular as technological solutions offer a better experience for children. However, the technology used increases the risks to children\u27s privacy, which does not seem to have become a real concern for toy makers. Most researchers in this domain are vague in defining their motivations due to lack of an expert survey to support them. We conducted a literature survey to find papers on smart toy-related children\u27s privacy risks and mitigation solutions. We analyzed 26 papers using a taxonomy for privacy principles and preserving techniques adapted from the IoT context. Our analysis shows that some types of risks received more attention, especially (a) confidentiality, (b) use, retention and disclosure limitation, (c) authorization, (d) consent and choice, (e) openness, transparency and notice and (f) authentication. As for solutions, few were effectively presented; the vast majority related to data restriction -- (a) access control and (b) cryptographic

The mRNA cap methyltransferase gene <i>TbCMT1 </i>is not essential <i>in vitro</i> but is a virulence factor <i>in vivo</i> for bloodstream form <i>Trypanosoma brucei</i>

<div><p>Messenger RNA is modified by the addition of a 5′ methylated cap structure, which protects the transcript and recruits protein complexes that mediate RNA processing and/or the initiation of translation. Two genes encoding mRNA cap methyltransferases have been identified in <i>T</i>. <i>brucei</i>: <i>TbCMT1</i> and <i>TbCGM1</i>. Here we analysed the impact of <i>TbCMT1</i> gene deletion on bloodstream form <i>T</i>. <i>brucei</i> cells. <i>TbCMT1</i> was dispensable for parasite proliferation in <i>in vitro</i> culture. However, significantly decreased parasitemia was observed in mice inoculated with <i>TbCMT1</i> null and conditional null cell lines. Using RNA-Seq, we observed that several cysteine peptidase mRNAs were downregulated in <i>TbCMT1</i> null cells lines. The cysteine peptidase Cathepsin-L was also shown to be reduced at the protein level in <i>TbCMT1</i> null cell lines. Our data suggest that <i>TbCMT1</i> is not essential to bloodstream form <i>T</i>. <i>brucei</i> growth <i>in vitro</i> or <i>in vivo</i> but that it contributes significantly to parasite virulence <i>in vivo</i>.</p></div

Viro Nobili Atque Clarissimo Dn. Davidi Kelnero, Doctori Medico, Sponso; Et Virgini Sui Sexus Virtutibus Ornatissimae Annae Marthae Seebachin; Viri Spectatissimi Dn. Johannis Seebach/ Illustri Aulae Saxo-Gothanae a Decretis ... Filiae Natur Maiori Sponsae, Nuptias celebrantibus Gothae, d. VI. Iunii, MSCLXXI. ... Non Thalassii cum Romanis ... piorum Grege apprecantur Fautores Et Amicis.

VIRO NOBILI ATQUE CLARISSIMO DN. DAVIDI KELNERO, DOCTORI MEDICO, SPONSO; ET VIRGINI SUI SEXUS VIRTUTIBUS ORNATISSIMAE ANNAE MARTHAE SEEBACHIN; VIRI SPECTATISSIMI DN. JOHANNIS SEEBACH/ ILLUSTRI AULAE SAXO-GOTHANAE A DECRETIS ... FILIAE NATUR MAIORI SPONSAE, NUPTIAS CELEBRANTIBUS GOTHAE, D. VI. IUNII, MSCLXXI. ... NON THALASSII CUM ROMANIS ... PIORUM GREGE APPRECANTUR FAUTORES ET AMICIS. Viro Nobili Atque Clarissimo Dn. Davidi Kelnero, Doctori Medico, Sponso; Et Virgini Sui Sexus Virtutibus Ornatissimae Annae Marthae Seebachin; Viri Spectatissimi Dn. Johannis Seebach/ Illustri Aulae Saxo-Gothanae a Decretis ... Filiae Natur Maiori Sponsae, Nuptias celebrantibus Gothae, d. VI. Iunii, MSCLXXI. ... Non Thalassii cum Romanis ... piorum Grege apprecantur Fautores Et Amicis. ([1]) Titelseite ([1]) Text ([1]