Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of picture browsing using a projector phone

It is expected that projector phones (mobile phones with an integrated pico projector) will hit the market in the next few years. So far no research exists regarding how mobile applications should be designed when using a projection and which applications will profit from such a large high-resolution display. This paper presents a comparative evaluation of picture browsing using projector phones. In a study we compared three different interaction techniques: phone display only, projection only and a combination of both. The results show that users prefer the projection-based interaction techniques and the large high-resolution projection leads to a reduced number of enlarge interactions. However, the task completion time results illustrate how familiar users are in using conventional phones with small screen size. The paper presents a comprehensive discussion of findings from our study and defines important guidelines which we consider as critical for the success of applications for projector phones in the future.
RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE, ATTITUDES TOWARDS DRINKING, AND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT DRINKING, AMONGST UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

University student members and non-members of the Christian Union were asked about their attitudes towards social drinking and lowards alcoholism using adaptations of previously published questionnaires. Certain aspects of their knowledge about alcohol and its use were also tested using a newly designed questionnaire. As predicted, Christian Union membership was much less often associated with frequent drinking and much more often associated with abstinence. Also as predicted, members were significantly more negative about alcoholism and alcoholics, and particularly about social drinking. An analysis of individual questionnaire items suggested a moralistic view of excessive drinking amongst Christian Union members. The latter were just significantly less knowledgeable about alcohol and its use, but there were a large number of incorrect answers amongst subjects in both groups, indicating scope for alcohol education even amongst university students.
Effect of optical zone ablation diameter on LASIK-induced higher order optical aberrations.

PURPOSE To compare the postoperative higher order aberrations among eyes that had received conventional laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) treatment at different optical zone diameters using the Alcon LADARVision 4000 platform (Alcon, Ft Worth, Tex). METHODS Monochromatic wavefront aberrations at 6.5-mm pupil size of 96 eyes of 96 Hong Kong Chinese patients with normal myopic astigmatism were objectively measured using the Alcon LADARWave aberrometer before and after (at least 6 months) conventional LASIK with the Autonomous LADARVision 4000 excimer laser. Patients were divided into three groups according to optical zone diameter--group 1 (n=32), optical zone diameter <6.5 mm; group 2 (n=32), optical zone diameter 6.5 mm; and group 3 (n=32), optical zone diameter >6.5 mm). RESULTS Mean optical zone diameters of groups 1, 2, and 3 were 6.2+/-0.1 mm, 6.5+/-0.0 mm, and 6.9+/-0.2 mm, respectively. Total higher order, coma, and spherical aberrations before LASIK were 0.67+/-0.27 microm, 0.27+/-0.17 microm, and 0.41+/-0.14 microm in group 1; 0.56+/-0.26 microm, 0.28+/-0.15 microm, and 0.32+/-0.11 microm in group 2; and 0.62+/-0.25 microm, 0.34+/-0.15 microm, and 0.37+/-0.09 microm in group 3. After surgery, the aberrations increased to 1.20+/-0.21 microm, 0.71+/-0.25 microm, and 0.70+/-0.19 microm in group 1; 0.97+/-0.18 microm, 0.47+/-0.22 microm, and 0.69+/-0.13 microm in group 2; and 0.91+/-0.20 microm, 0.41+/-0.22 microm, and 0.56+/-0.12 microm in group 3. Compared to group 1, groups 2 and 3 had significantly less coma aberrations after LASIK (P=.03); the total high order aberration in group 3 was also significantly lower than in group 1 (P=.04) after treatment. CONCLUSIONS In conventional LASIK treatment using the Alcon LADARVision 4000 platform, a larger surgical optical zone diameter significantly decreases higher order aberrations after LASIK.
Elemental Abundances of Blue Compact Dwarfs from Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy with Spitzer

We present a study of elemental abundances in a sample of 13 blue compact dwarf (BCD) galaxies, using the ~10-37 μm high-resolution spectra obtained with Spitzer IRS. We derive the abundances of neon and sulfur for our sample using the infrared fine-structure lines probing regions which may be obscured by dust in the optical and compare our results with similar infrared studies of starburst galaxies from ISO. We find a good correlation between the neon and sulfur abundances, although sulfur is underabundant relative to neon with respect to the solar value. A comparison of the elemental abundances (neon and sulfur) measured from the infrared data with those derived from the optical (neon, sulfur, and oxygen) studies reveals a good overall agreement for sulfur, while the infrared-derived neon abundances are slightly higher than the optical values. This indicates either that the metallicities of dust-enshrouded regions in BCDs are similar to the optically accessible regions, or that if they are different they do not contribute substantially to the total infrared emission of the host galaxy.
Clinical evaluation of an eccentric infrared photorefractor: the PowerRefractor.

PURPOSE To evaluate the viability of the PowerRefractor as a screening tool for examining refractive errors in large samples of children. METHODS The variability of the PowerRefractor was estimated using four patients. The refractive error was determined using cyclopentolate and tropicamide as cycloplegic agents and compared to that determined in a non-cycloplegic situation. In a second study, the data provided by the PowerRefractor were compared to results obtained by autorefractor or retinoscopy for 150 children aged from 6 months to 5 years. RESULTS Variability study. Statistical analysis showed a statistically significant difference between cycloplegic and non-cycloplegic refraction for spherical and cylindrical refractive errors (p<0.0001 in all cases). There was no significant difference between the measurements made using tropicamide and cyclopentolate (p=0.33 and p=0.18, respectively). Comparison study. In 142 of 150 patients the difference between data obtained by the PowerRefractor and an autorefractor was within 1 D (spherical equivalent). However, there was a considerable difference between the data generated by the two methods in the remaining eight patients (up to 16 D). CONCLUSIONS The PowerRefractor proved to be a reliable tool for estimating refractive errors in young children. The apparatus is easy to handle and the simultaneous examination of both eyes makes the PowerRefractor ideal for obtaining data on refractive errors in large samples.
Consumer Adoption of Net-Enabled Infomediaries: Theoretical Explanations and an Empirical Test

The emergence of infomediaries — which allow online consumers to search for, and provide comparisons among, many online retailers — is a prominent trend in ecommerce. However, little research has been done on consumer reactions to this new ecommerce tool. To explain why and how online shoppers adopt a new infomediary website, this study proposes a conceptual model with insights obtained from literatures on the technology acceptance model (TAM), the economics of intermediation, and transaction cost analysis (TCA). Infomediaries provide powerful search capabilities to online shoppers to provide them with a list of potential retailers (efficiency benefits), and then provide information to aid in selecting from this list of retailers (effectiveness benefits). Accordingly, the proposed model posits that infomediaries offer two major types of utilitarian benefits to online customers: namely, perceived efficiency and perceived effectiveness. In addition, the model predicts that one’s willingness to adopt an infomediary is a function of his/her evaluation of the two types of utilitarian benefits of using the infomediary, which are in turn determined by the subjective interpretation of his/her e-commerce transaction environment. The model was tested using data collected from an online questionnaire administered to 367 online shoppers. Online shoppers’ intention to use the infomediary was found to be a function of the two types of utilitarian benefits and perceived ease of use. In addition, our findings suggest that online shoppers who are low on asset specificity (e.g., consumers who have not made a high
Grading Practices in Music

In the September 1997 issue of Music Educators Journal, teachers who base their students' grades on progress toward achieving specific standards were invited to respond to several questions concerning grading practices.1 A remarkable diversity of practices was revealed in the 252 responses received. Although a voluntary sampling is not necessarily representative of all teachers, several observations can be noted:
Clinical Application of Genetics in Management of Colorectal Cancer

The extensive study of genetic alterations in colorectal cancer (CRC) has led to molecular diagnostics playing an increasingly important role in CRC diagnosis and treatment. Currently, it is believed that CRC is a consequence of the accumulation of both genetic and epigenetic genomic alterations. It is known that there are at least 3 major pathways that lead to colorectal carcinogenesis: (1) the chromosomal instability pathway, (2) the microsatellite instability pathway, and (3) the cytosine-phospho-guanine island methylator phenotype pathway. With recent advances in CRC genetics, the identification of specific molecular alterations responsible for CRC pathogenesis has directly influences clinical care. Patients at high risk for developing CRC can be identified by genetic testing for specific molecular alterations, and the use of molecular biomarkers for predictive and prognostic purposes is also increasing. This is clearly supported by the recent advances in genetic testing for CRC whereby specific molecular alterations are identified for the purpose of guiding treatment with targeting therapies such as anti-endothelial growth factor receptor monoclonal antibodies.
ON SEMILOCAL CONVERGENCE OF INEXACT NEWTON

Inexact Newton methods are constructed by combining Newton’s method with another iterative method that is used to solve the Newton equations inexactly. In this paper, we establish two semilocal convergence theorems for the inexact Newton methods. When these two theorems are specified to Newton’s method, we obtain a different Newton-Kantorovich theorem about Newton’s method. When the iterative method for solving the Newton equations is specified to be the splitting method, we get two estimates about the iteration steps for the special inexact Newton methods. Mathematics subject classification: 65H10.
Changes in lymphocyte and neutrophil function induced by a marathon race

The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in lymphocyte and neutrophil selected functions before and after a marathon race. Fifteen professional athletes were recruited, and the following parameters were measured: plasma concentrations of IL‐1ra, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, TNF‐α and C‐reactive protein (CRP); neutrophil phagocytic capacity; cytokine production by neutrophils and lymphocytes and signs of neutrophil and lymphocyte death. The marathon race had no effect on CRP levels, but plasma concentrations of IL‐6 and IL‐1ra were increased. Although no effect was observed on the production of IL‐6, IL1‐ra, TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IL‐8 by unstimulated or stimulated neutrophils, a decrease in neutrophil phagocytic activity was observed immediately following the marathon. A high percentage of neutrophils undergoing apoptosis was observed due to the intense training regimen, whereas the percentages of apoptotic neutrophils were reduced after the race. The production of IL‐2, TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IL‐10 by lymphocytes was decreased by 50%–80%, and the percentage of apoptotic and necrotic lymphocytes was increased by 42% and fourfold, respectively, as a result of the race. In conclusion, the increase in plasma levels of IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐1ra and IL‐10 after the race was not due to the production of the cytokines by neutrophils or lymphocytes. In fact, the marathon led to a decrease in lymphocyte and neutrophil function, and the diminished function was more pronounced in lymphocytes, indicating an impairment in acquired immunity. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of Image Filters and Observations Parameters in CBCT for Identification of Mandibular Osteolytic Lesions

The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of filters (algorithms) to improve the image of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) in diagnosis of osteolytic lesions of the mandible, in order to establish the protocols for viewing images more suitable for CBCT diagnostics. 15 dry mandibles in which perforations were performed, simulating lesions, were submitted to CBCT examination. Two examiners analyzed the images, using filters to improve image Hard, Normal, and Very Sharp, contained in the iCAT Vision software, and protocols for assessment: axial; sagittal and coronal; and axial, sagittal and coronal planes simultaneously (MPR), on two occasions. The sensitivity and specificity (validity) of the cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) have been demonstrated as the values achieved were above 75% for sensitivity and above 85% for specificity, reaching around 95.5% of sensitivity and 99% of specificity when we used the appropriate observation protocol. It was concluded that the use of filters (algorithms) to improve the CBCT image influences the diagnosis, due to the fact that all measured values were correspondingly higher when it was used the filter Very Sharp, which justifies its use for clinical activities, followed by Hard and Normal filters, in order of decreasing values.
Divergence of Transcription Factor Binding in Drosophila Embryos with Highly Conserved Gene Expression Permalink

To better characterize how variation in regulatory sequences drives divergence in gene expression, we undertook a systematic study of transcription factor binding and gene expression in blastoderm embryos of four species, which sample much of the diversity in the 40 million-year old genus Drosophila: D. melanogaster, D. yakuba, D. pseudoobscura and D. virilis. We compared gene expression, measured by mRNA-seq, to the genome-wide binding, measured by ChIP-seq, of four transcription factors involved in early anterior-posterior patterning. We found that mRNA levels are much better conserved than individual transcription factor binding events, and that changes in a gene’s expression were poorly explained by changes in adjacent transcription factor binding. However, highly bound sites, sites in regions bound by multiple factors and sites near genes are conserved more frequently than other binding, suggesting that a considerable amount of transcription factor binding is weakly or non-functional and not subject to purifying selection. Citation: Paris M, Kaplan T, Li XY, Villalta JE, Lott SE, et al. (2013) Extensive Divergence of Transcription Factor Binding in Drosophila Embryos with Highly Conserved Gene Expression. PLoS Genet 9(9): e1003748. doi:10.1371/journal.pgen. 1003748 Editor: Patricia Wittkopp, University of Michigan, United States of America Received March 4, 2013; Accepted July 10, 2013; Published September 12, 2013 Copyright: 2013 Paris et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Funding: This work was funded by a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator award to MBE and by NIH grant HG002779 to MBE. MP was funded by a longterm post-doctoral fellowship awarded by the Human Frontier Science Program organization (HFSP) and by a Genentech Foundation fellowship. TK was funded by a Long-Term Post-Doctoral Fellowship by the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO), and is a member of the Israeli Center of Excellence (I-CORE) for Gene Regulation in Complex Human Diseases (no. 41/11), and the Israeli Center of Excellence (I-CORE) for Chromatin and RNA in Gene Regulation (1796/12). SEL was funded by NIH/NIGMS grant K99/R00-GM098448. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Competing Interests: I have read the journal’s policy and have the following conflicts: MBE is co-founder and member of the Board of Directors of PLOS. * E-mail: thildeparis@gmail.com (MP); mbeisen@gmail.com (MBE)
Comparison of systemic and mucosal delivery of 2 canarypox virus vaccines expressing either HIV-1 genes or the gene for rabies virus G protein.

BACKGROUND Since the primary routes of human immunodeficiency type 1 (HIV-1) infection are across mucosal barriers, a randomized trial of canarypox virus-based vectors was conducted in 84 individuals, with delivery of vaccine by mucosal routes, and was accompanied by a detailed analysis of humoral, cellular, and mucosal immune responses. METHODS Over the course of 6 months, HIV-1-specific (vCP 205) and rabies (vCP 65) canarypox virus vectors were delivered systemically and/or mucosally into the nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum in a 4-dose schedule, followed by 2 doses of HIV-1 MN recombinant glycoprotein (rgp) 120 or subunit rabies vaccine administered by the intramuscular route. RESULTS Administration of vaccine and collection of samples were well tolerated. Serum IgG HIV-1-specific antibodies to rgp120 were rarely seen after either systemic or mucosal delivery of canarypox virus vaccine. In contrast, serum IgG rabies and canarypox antibodies were detected in all individuals after systemic, but rarely after mucosal, delivery of vaccine. Suggestions of mucosal recognition of HIV-1 antigen included a cytotoxic T lymphocyte response in 4 of 8 individuals after administration of vaccine by the intrarectal route and a limited immunoglobulin A response at the same site. CONCLUSIONS Each of the routes of vaccine administration was feasible in the context of a phase 1 study with motivated individuals. However, with the doses and routes of administration used, canarypox virus was not an effective mucosal immunogen.
Cancer Therapy : Preclinical Determinants of Successful CD 8 þ T-Cell Adoptive Immunotherapy for Large Established Tumors in Mice

Purpose: Adoptive cell transfer (ACT) of tumor infiltrating or genetically engineered T cells can cause durable responses in patients with metastatic cancer. Multiple clinically modifiable parameters can comprise this therapy, including cell dose and phenotype, in vivo antigen restimulation, and common gamma-chain (gc) cytokine support. However, the relative contributions of each these individual components to the magnitude of the antitumor response have yet to be quantified. Experimental Design: Tosystematically andquantitatively appraise eachof these variables,we employed the Pmel-1 mouse model treating large, established B16 melanoma tumors. In addition to cell dose and magnitude of in vivo antigen restimulation, we also evaluated the relative efficacy of central memory (TCM), effector memory (TEM), and stem cell memory (TSCM) subsets on the strength of tumor regression as well as the dose and type of clinically available gc cytokines, including IL-2, IL-7, IL-15, and IL-21. Results:We found that cell dose, T-cell differentiation status, and viral vaccine titer each were correlated strongly and significantly with the magnitude of tumor regression. Surprisingly, although the total number of IL-2 doses was correlated with tumor regression, no significant benefit to prolonged ( 6 doses) administration was observed. Moreover, the specific type and dose of gc cytokine only moderately correlated with response. Conclusion: Collectively, these findings elucidate some of the key determinants of successful ACT immunotherapy for the treatment of cancer inmice and further show that gc cytokines offer a similar ability to effectively drive antitumor T-cell function in vivo. Clin Cancer Res; 17(16); 5343–52. 2011 AACR.
Evaluation of Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Chloroform and Methanol Extracts of Centella asiatica Linn

A variety of active constituents with wide range of pharmacological actions have been reported with Centella asiatica. The present study was undertaken to assess analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of its leaf extracts. Dried leaves were defatted with petroleum ether and extracted with chloroform and methanol. Both chloroform and methanol extracts were evaluated for analgesic activity through tail clip, tail flick, tail immersion, and writhing assay tests at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg using Swiss albino mice. On the other hand, anti-inflammatory assay was performed by carrageenan induced paw edema of methanol extract at 100 and 200 mg doses in Wistar albino rat. Dextropropoxyphene and indomethacin were employed as a standard for analgesic and anti-inflammatory studies, respectively. Our present study demonstrated that Centella asiatica bears significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities in those models.
The colour degradation of anthocyanin-rich extract from butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea L.) petal in various solvents at pH 7

Abstract A spectroscopic study was conducted to evaluate the colour degradation mechanism of anthocyanin-rich extract from butterfly pea petal. The extract was diluted in four different solvent systems, which were buffer solution pH 7 (AQ7) and the mixture of organic solvent with buffer solution pH 7 (4:1 v/v). The organic cosolvent involved were methanol (ME7), ethanol (ET7) and acetone (AC7). The samples were stored in containers with 0% and 50% headspace, and their colour intensity, total anthocyanin and hypsochromic shift were evaluated periodically. The rank of colour and anthocyanin degradation from the biggest was AQ7 > ME7 > ET7 > AC7. The longest hypsochromic shift was AQ7 > ME7 > ET7, while in AC7 the shift was absent. There was evidence that the volume of package headspace provoked colour stability. The colour degradation in AC7 was proposed to occur through hydrophobic interaction unfolding, and in AQ7 was through the deacylation, while in ME7 and ET7 was due to both mechanisms.
Midkine and its clinical significance in endometrial carcinoma

Midkine (MK) is a secreted heparin‐binding growth factor. Several types of human cancer have increased MK expression with elevated serum levels. The purpose of this study was to determine whether MK was expressed in endometrial carcinoma and to evaluate the clinicopathological significance of serum MK in patients with endometrial carcinoma. Immunohistochemical expression of MK was evaluated in 85 endometrial carcinoma samples and 33 controls. MK expression was significantly higher in the carcinomas than in normal endometrium (P < 0.001). Interestingly, MK expression was highest at the margins of invasion and low in the superficial areas of the tumor samples. Using ELISA, we compared serum MK concentration in 120 endometrial carcinoma patients with the concentration in 46 patients with benign gynecologic tumors. Serum MK value in patients with cancer was significantly higher than that in the patients with benign diseases (P = 0.01). Patients with positive lymph node metastasis or recurrence, or cancer death, had a higher serum MK level (P = 0.008, P = 0.009, respectively). In conclusion, MK immunoreactivity in endometrial carcinoma is significantly higher than in normal endometrium. Additionally, preoperative serum MK levels are significantly correlated with prognosis and the presence of lymph node metastasis. Thus, MK may be a useful serum biomarker for identifying high risk patients of endometrial carcinoma. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 1125–1130)