Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Comprehensive Analysis of E-Government Adoption in the German Household

Much of the prior research on IS adoption recognizes that cultural characteristics of the nations influence their adoption behaviors significantly. In the context of e-government, more empirical research is necessary to under- stand the adoption behaviors of different nations. Our research focuses on un- derstanding the antecedents of e-government adoption in the German house- hold, which has not been adequately addressed to date. Based on the findings of two representative cross-sectional studies, we derived a comprehensive research model and tested it with 1,000 users in the German household on the specific example of e-filing. While the factors of data protection and security were men- tioned as crucial in the descriptive studies, the explanatory analysis with LISREL revealed that compatibility is the main antecedent of e-filing adoption in the German nation, followed by relative advantage and perceived risk. Impli- cations for practice and future research are discussed.
A polar representation of motion and implications for optical flow

We explore a polar representation of optical flow in which each element of the brightness motion field is represented by its magnitude and orientation instead of its Cartesian projections. This seemingly small change in representation provides more direct access to the intrinsic structure of a flow field, and when used with existing variational inference procedures it provides a framework in which regularizers can be intuitively tailored for very different classes of motion. Our evaluations reveal that a flow estimation algorithm that is based on a polar representation can perform as well or better than the state-of-the-art when applied to traditional optical flow problems concerning camera or rigid scene motion, and at the same time, it facilitates both qualitative and quantitative improvements for non-traditional cases such as fluid flows and specular flows, whose structure is very different.
Integrating the Public in Mosquito Management: Active Education by Community Peers Can Lead to Significant Reduction in Peridomestic Container Mosquito Habitats

Mosquito species that utilize peridomestic containers for immature development are commonly aggressive human biters, and because they often reach high abundance, create significant nuisance. One of these species, the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus, is an important vector of emerging infectious diseases, such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika fevers. Integrated mosquito management (IMM) of Ae. albopictus is particularly difficult because it requires access to private yards in urban and suburban residences. It has become apparent that in the event of a public health concern due to this species, homeowners will have to be active participants in the control process by reducing mosquito habitats in their properties, an activity known as source reduction. However, limited attempts at quantifying the effect of source reduction by homeowners have had mixed results. Of note, many mosquito control programs in the US have some form of education outreach, however the primary approach is often passive focusing on the distribution of education materials as flyers. In 2010, we evaluated the use of active community peer education in a source reduction program, using AmeriCorps volunteers. The volunteers were mobilized over a 4-week period, in two areas with approximately 1,000 residences each in urban Mercer and suburban Monmouth counties in New Jersey, USA. The volunteers were first provided training on peridomestic mosquitoes and on basic approaches to reducing the number of container habitats for mosquito larvae in backyards. Within the two treatment areas the volunteers successfully engaged 758 separate homes. Repeated measures analysis of variance showed a significant reduction in container habitats in the sites where the volunteers actively engaged the community compared to untreated control areas in both counties. Our results suggest that active education using community peer educators can be an effective means of source reduction, and a critical tool in the arsenal against peridomestic mosquitoes.
Molecular targets for diagnostics and therapeutics of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV).

PURPOSE The large number of deaths in a short period of time due to the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) infection led to the unparalleled collaborative efforts world wide to determine and characterize the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV). The full genome sequence was determined within weeks of the first outbreak by the Canadian group with international collaboration. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), the continual lack of a rapid laboratory test to aid the early diagnosis of suspected cases of SARS makes this area a priority for future research. To prevent deaths in the future, early diagnosis and therapy of this infectious disease is of paramount importance. METHODS This review describes the specific molecular targets for diagnostics and therapeutics of viral infection. RESULTS The three major diagnostic methods available for SARS includes viral RNA detection by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), virus induced antibodies by immunofluorescence assay (IFA) or by enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) of nucleocapsid protein (NP). The spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV is the major inducer of neutralizing antibodies. The receptor binding domain (RBD) in the S1 region of the spike glycoprotein contains multiple conformational epitopes that induces highly potent neutralizing antibodies. The genetically engineered attenuated form of the virus or viral vector vaccine encoding for the SARS-CoV spike glycoprotein has been shown to elicit protective immunity in vaccinated animals. CONCLUSION NP is the preferred target for routine detection of SARS-CoV infection by ELISA which is an economical method compared to other methods. The RBD of the spike glycoprotein is both a functional domain for cell receptor binding and also a major neutralizing determinant of SARS-CoV. The progress in evaluating a therapeutic or vaccine would depend on the avail ability of clinically relevant animal model.
Movement decoding using neural synchronization and inter-hemispheric connectivity from deep brain local field potentials

Objective. Correlating electrical activity within the human brain to movement is essential for developing and refining interventions (e.g. deep brain stimulation (DBS)) to treat central nervous system disorders. It also serves as a basis for next generation brain–machine interfaces (BMIs). This study highlights a new decoding strategy for capturing movement and its corresponding laterality from deep brain local field potentials (LFPs). Approach. LFPs were recorded with surgically implanted electrodes from the subthalamic nucleus or globus pallidus interna in twelve patients with Parkinson’s disease or dystonia during a visually cued finger-clicking task. We introduce a method to extract frequency dependent neural synchronization and inter-hemispheric connectivity features based upon wavelet packet transform (WPT) and Granger causality approaches. A novel weighted sequential feature selection algorithm has been developed to select optimal feature subsets through a feature contribution measure. This is particularly useful when faced with limited trials of high dimensionality data as it enables estimation of feature importance during the decoding process. Main results. This novel approach was able to accurately and informatively decode movement related behaviours from the recorded LFP activity. An average accuracy of 99.8% was achieved for movement identification, whilst subsequent laterality classification was 81.5%. Feature contribution analysis highlighted stronger contralateral causal driving between the basal ganglia hemispheres compared to ipsilateral driving, with causality measures considerably improving laterality discrimination. Significance. These findings demonstrate optimally selected neural synchronization alongside causality measures related to inter-hemispheric connectivity can provide an effective control signal for augmenting adaptive BMIs. In the case of DBS patients, acquiring such signals requires no additional surgery whilst providing a relatively stable and computationally inexpensive control signal. This has the potential to extend invasive BMI, based on recordings within the motor cortex, by providing additional information from subcortical regions.
Diagnostic validity of schizophreniform disorder.

OBJECTIVE The author examined the validity of schizophreniform disorder as defined in DSM-III and DSM-III-R by critically reviewing the current literature. METHOD Thirty publications that met specific inclusion criteria were identified and reviewed. To organize information relevant to the question of validity, the data were divided into three general classes of validators: antecedent, concurrent, and predictive. When possible, meta-analyses of specific validators were performed according to the summary odds ratio method of Mantel-Haenszel. RESULTS The findings of this review failed to provide support for the validity of schizophreniform disorder, as it is currently defined, as a distinct diagnostic entity. In addition, the review did not provide strong support for schizophreniform disorder as representing a subtype of schizophrenia or affective illness. Instead, the data suggest that the current diagnostic criteria for schizophreniform disorder identify a heterogeneous group of patients with new-onset schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and atypical affective disorder and a small subgroup with a remitting nonaffective psychosis. CONCLUSIONS This review suggests that the diagnosis of schizophreniform disorder has limited clinical utility. Patients meeting criteria for schizophreniform disorder should instead be diagnosed as having psychotic disorder not otherwise specified until additional clinical information (e.g., course of illness) becomes available. Future research will require prospective longitudinal follow-up of patients with new-onset affective and nonaffective psychoses to identify the subgroup with "true" schizophreniform disorder, i.e., a remitting nonaffective psychosis.
Overcoming Immunity to a Viral Vaccine by DNA Priming before Vector Boosting

ABSTRACT Replication-defective adenovirus (ADV) and poxvirus vectors have shown potential as vaccines for pathogens such as Ebola or human immunodeficiency virus in nonhuman primates, but prior immunity to the viral vector in humans may limit their clinical efficacy. To overcome this limitation, the effect of prior viral exposure on immune responses to Ebola virus glycoprotein (GP), shown previously to protect against lethal hemorrhagic fever in animals, was studied. Prior exposure to ADV substantially reduced the cellular and humoral immune responses to GP expressed by ADV, while exposure to vaccinia inhibited vaccine-induced cellular but not humoral responses to GP expressed by vaccinia. This inhibition was largely overcome by priming with a DNA expression vector before boosting with the viral vector. Though heterologous viral vectors for priming and boosting can also overcome this effect, the paucity of such clinical viral vectors may limit their use. In summary, it is possible to counteract prior viral immunity by priming with a nonviral, DNA vaccine.
TSH/TSHR Signaling Suppresses Fatty Acid Synthase (FASN) Expression in Adipocytes

TSH/TSHR signaling plays a role in the regulation of lipid metabolism in adipocytes. However, the precise mechanisms are not known. In the present study, we determined the effect of TSH on fatty acid synthase (FASN) expression, and explored the underlying mechanisms. In vitro, TSH reduced FASN expression in both mRNA and protein levels in mature adipocytes and was accompanied by protein kinase A (PKA) activation, cAMP‐response element binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation, as well as extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and c‐Jun NH2‐terminal kinase (JNK) activation. TSH‐induced downregulation of FASN was partially abolished by inhibition of PKA and ERK, but not JNK. TSHR and FASN expression in visceral tissue was significantly increased in C57BL/6 mice with diet‐induced obesity compared with control animals, whereas thyroid TSHR expression was normal. These findings suggest that activation of TSHR directly inhibits FASN expression in mature adipocytes, possibly mediated by PKA and ERK. In obese animals, this function of TSHR seems to be counteracted. The precise mechanisms need further investigation. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 2233–2239, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Use of Coercive Measures during Involuntary Psychiatric Admission and Treatment Outcomes: Data from a Prospective Study across 10 European Countries

To assess the association between different types of coercive measures (forced medication, seclusion, and restraint) used during involuntary psychiatric admission and two treatment outcomes: retrospective views of patients towards their admission and length of inpatient stay. A secondary analysis was conducted of data previously gathered by the EUNOMIA study (n = 2030 involuntarily detained inpatients across 10 European countries, of whom 770 were subject to one or more coercive measures). Associations between coercive measures and outcomes were tested through multivariable regression models adjusted for patients' socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. Use of forced medication was associated with patients being significantly less likely to justify their admission when interviewed after three months. All coercive measures were associated with patients staying longer in hospital. When the influence of other variables was considered in a multi-variate analysis, seclusion remained as a significant predictor of longer inpatient stay, adding about 25 days to the average admission. Of the three coercive measures, forced medication appears to be unique in its significant impact on patient disapproval of treatment. While all coercive measures are associated with patients staying longer in hospital, only use of seclusion is associated with longer inpatient stays independently of coerced patients’ having higher symptom scores at the time of admission.
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology Monograph Supplement

The hypothesis is offered that mere repeated exposure of the individual to a stimulus object enhances his attitude toward it. By "mere" exposure is meant a condition making the stimulus accessible to the individual's perception. Support for the hypothesis consists of 4 types of evidence, presented and reviewed: (a) the correlation between affective connotation of words and word frequency; (b) the effect of experimentally manipulated frequency of exposure upon the affective connotation of nonsense words and symbols; (c) the correlation between word frequency and the attitude to their referents j (d) the effects of experimentally manipulated frequency of exposure on attitude. The relevance for the exposure-attitude hypothesis of the exploration theory and of the semantic satiation findings were examined.
Developing Heuristic Evaluation Methods for Large Screen Information Exhibits Based on Critical Parameters

Evaluation is the key to effective interface design. It becomes even more important when the interfaces are for cutting edge technology, in application areas that are new and with little prior design knowledge. Knowing how to evaluate new interfaces can decrease development effort and increase the returns on resources spent on formative evaluation. The problem is that there are few, if any, readily available evaluation tools for these new interfaces. This work focuses on the creation and testing of a new set of heuristics that are tailored to the large screen information exhibit (LSIE) system class. This new set is created through a structured process that relies upon critical parameters associated with the notification systems design space. By inspecting example systems, performing claims analysis, categorizing claims, extracting design knowledge, and finally synthesizing heuristics; we have created a usable set of heuristics that is better equipped for supporting formative evaluation. Contributions of this work include: a structured heuristic creation process based on critical parameters, a new set of heuristics tailored to the LSIE system class, reusable design knowledge in the form of claims and high level design issues, and a new usability evaluation method comparison test. These contributions result from the creation of the heuristics and two studies that illustrate the usability and utility of the new heuristics.
Hippocampal Atrophy in Subcortical Vascular Dementia

Background and Purpose: New research criteria for subcortical vascular dementia (SVaD) have been suggested to define a more homogeneous subgroup of vascular dementia. Hippocampal (Hc) atrophy is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but it also occurs in other dementia disorders including vascular dementias. So far, it is unknown to which extent Hc atrophy is present in SVaD. Methods: From a larger consecutive referral population in a memory clinic, 11 patients fulfilling the research criteria for SVaD were carefully matched with comparison groups of healthy controls and patients with AD. To estimate the extent of Hc atrophy in SVaD, both Hc volumetry and visual rating of medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTA) were applied. Results: In SVaD, significant Hc atrophy occurred. The extent was intermediate between controls and patients with AD both on Hc volumetry and visual MTA ratings. At the same level of global cognition, Hc volumes were reduced by 11.6% in SVaD and 16.6% in AD, relative to controls. Conclusions: Patient groups with AD and SVaD as identified by current research criteria appear to overlap considerably with regard to the feature of Hc atrophy. While contamination with AD is a likely cause, other mechanisms of Hc atrophy in SVaD also deserve consideration. The findings have implications for the design of future clinical trials of SVaD.
Vacuolar-type proton pump in the basolateral plasma membrane energizes ion uptake in branchial mitochondria-rich cells of killifish Fundulus heteroclitus, adapted to a low ion environment

SUMMARY We examined the involvement of mitochondria-rich (MR) cells in ion uptake through gill epithelia in freshwater-adapted killifish Fundulus heteroclitus, by morphological observation of MR cells and molecular identification of the vacuolar-type proton pump (V-ATPase). MR cell morphology was compared in fish acclimated to defined freshwaters with different NaCl concentrations: low (0.1 mmol l-1)-, mid (1 mmol l-1)- and high (10 mmol l-1)-NaCl environments. MR cells, mostly located on the afferent-vascular side of the gill filaments, were larger in low- and mid-NaCl environments than in the high-NaCl environment. Electron-microscopic observation revealed that the apical membrane of well-developed MR cells in low- and mid-NaCl environments was flat or slightly projecting, and equipped with microvilli to expand the surface area exposed to these environments. On the other hand, in the high-NaCl environment, the apical membrane was invaginated to form a pit, and MR cells often formed multicellular complexes with accessory cells, although the NaCl concentration was much lower than that in plasma. We cloned and sequenced a cDNA encoding the A-subunit of killifish V-ATPase. The deduced amino acid sequence showed high identity with V-ATPase A-subunits from other vertebrate species. Light-microscopic immunocytochemistry, using a homologous antibody, revealed V-ATPase-immunoreactivity in Na+/K+-ATPase-immunoreactive MR cells in low-NaCl freshwater, whereas the immunoreactivity was much weaker in higher NaCl environments. Furthermore, immuno-electron microscopy revealed V-ATPase to be located in the basolateral membrane of MR cells. These findings indicate that MR cells are the site responsible for active ion uptake in freshwater-adapted killifish, and that basolaterally located V-ATPase is involved in the Na+ and/or Cl- absorbing mechanism of MR cells.
Anterior Septal Coronary Artery Infarction in the Canine: A Model of Ventricular Tachycardia With a Subendocardial Origin Ablation and Activation Sequence Mapping

BackgroundIn humans, chronic ventricular tachycardia (VT) is usually associated with myocardial infarcts that involve the interventricular septum. In an effort to more closely mimic the anatomic substrate that gives rise to chronic VT in humans, we developed a canine model of VT in which the anterior septal coronary artery was ligated. The site of earliest activation, the subsequent activation sequence, and the mechanism of VT associated with the resultant ventricular septal infarct was then evaluated to determine if this model accurately reflected the characteristics of human VT. Methods and ResultsSeventeen dogs underwent occlusion-reperfusion ventricular septal infarcts. Four to 7 days later, electrophysiological studies were performed. VT was initiated by programmed electrical stimulation and terminated by pacing at a cycle length of 50% to 75% of the VT cycle length. Electrophysiological studies were performed using a 256-channel mapping system. A total of 15 VT morphologies were mapped in 9 animals. Fourteen of 15 morphologies had septal subendocardial sites of earliest activation and 1 had a septal midwall site of earliest activation. VT ablation was performed using a nitrous oxide cryoprobe and confirmed the site of earliest activation by subsequently rendering VT noninducible. Electrophysiological studies demonstrated four distinct VT activation sequences: (1) circular reentrant (n = 7), (2) concentric spread (n = 5), (3) figure-of-eight (n = 2), and (4) septal midwall (n = 1). ConclusionsThis canine model of ventricular septal infarction produces VTs with sites of earliest activation and activation sequences similar to those in humans. A reentrant mechanism as the basis of these arrhythmias is supported by the following observations: (1) all VT was initiated and terminated with programmed electrical stimulation; (2) VT activation sequences were consistent with reentry; and (3) precise interruption of the sequence terminated the VT and rendered it noninducible.
Endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy in wegener granulomatosis.

Wegener granulomatosis (WG) is a life-threatening autoimmune disease of unknown etiology first described in 1936. The classic clinical triad consists of necrotizing granulomatous inflammation of the respiratory tract, necrotizing glomerulonephritis, and systemic vasculitis. Prior to the introduction of modern immunosuppressants, WG was usually fatal due to renal complications. Involvement of the eye and adnexal structures is common, occurring in 29% of patients. Nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) following necrosis of the nasal tissue is seen in 7% of patients, who may seek relief through lacrimal surgery. Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) has been shown to be a safe, effective intervention but failures and complications are more common in this patient group. While conventional teaching recommends an external approach, increasing use of the endonasal approach (EN-DCR), with or without an endoscope, raises the question of whether it can be used safely and successfully in WG. We present 4 cases treated endonasally (cases 1 and 2 using endoscopy by D.S., cases 3 and 4 using direct visualization by P.J.D., customary for each surgeon) and offer further advice on management of this patient group