Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Survey of Usability Evaluation in Virtual Environments: Classification and Comparison of Methods

Virtual environments (VEs) are a relatively new type of humancomputer interface in which users perceive and act in a three-dimensional world. The designers of such systems cannot rely solely on design guidelines for traditional two-dimensional interfaces, so usability evaluation is crucial for VEs. This paper presents an overview of VE usability evaluation to organize and critically analyze diverse work from this field. First, we discuss some of the issues that differentiate VE usability evaluation from evaluation of traditional user interfaces such as GUIs. We also present a review of some VE evaluation methods currently in use, and discuss a simple classification space for VE usability evaluation methods. This classification space provides a structured means for comparing evaluation methods according to three key characteristics: involvement of representative users, context of evaluation, and types of results produced. Finally, to illustrate these concepts, we compare two existing evaluation approaches: testbed evaluation (Bowman, Johnson, & Hodges, 1999) and sequential evaluation (Gabbard, Hix, & Swan, 1999).
Understanding Vegas: a duality model

We view congestion control as a distributed primal-dual algorithm carried out by sources and links over a network to solve a global optimization problem. We describe a multi-link multi-source model of the TCP Vegas congestion control mechanism. The model provides a fundamental understanding of delay, fairness and loss properties of TCP Vegas. It implies that Vegas stabilizes around a weighted proportionally fair allocation of network capacity when there is sucien t buering in the network. It claries the mechanism through which persistent congestion may arise and its consequences, and suggests how we might use REM active queue management to prevent it. We present simulation results that validate our conclusions.
Optimal Scoring for Unsupervised Learning

We are often interested in casting classification and clustering problems as a regression framework, because it is feasible to achieve some statistical properties in this framework by imposing some penalty criteria. In this paper we illustrate optimal scoring, which was originally proposed for performing the Fisher linear discriminant analysis by regression, in the application of unsupervised learning. In particular, we devise a novel clustering algorithm that we call optimal discriminant clustering. We associate our algorithm with the existing unsupervised learning algorithms such as spectral clustering, discriminative clustering and sparse principal component analysis. Experimental results on a collection of benchmark datasets validate the effectiveness of the optimal discriminant clustering algorithm.
Two Questions about Data-Oriented Parsing

In this paper I present ongoing work on the data-oriented parsing (DOP) model. In previous work, DOP was tested on a cleaned-up set of analyzed part-of-speech strings from the Penn Treebank, achieving excellent test results. This left, however, two important questions unanswered: (1) how does DOP perform if tested on unedited data, and (2) how can DOP be used for parsing word strings that contain unknown words? This paper addresses these questions. We show that parse results on unedited data are worse than on cleaned-up data, although still very competitive if compared to other models. As to the parsing of word strings, we show that the hardness of the problem does not so much depend on unknown words, but on previously unseen lexical categories of known words. We give a novel method for parsing these words by estimating the probabilities of unknown subtrees. The method is of general interest since it shows that good performance can be obtained without the use of a part-ofspeech tagger. To the best of our knowledge, our method outperforms other statistical parsers tested on Penn Treebank word strings.
Evaluation of Viable β-Cell Mass is Useful for Selecting Collagenase for Human Islet Isolation: Comparison of Collagenase NB1 and Liberase HI

The selection of enzyme blend is critical for the success of human islet isolations. Liberase HI collagenase (Roche) was introduced in the 1990s and had been widely used for clinical islet transplantation. More recently, a blend collagenase NB1 has been rendered available. The aim of this study was to evaluate the isolation outcomes and islet quality comparing human islet cells processed using NB1 and Liberase HI. A total of 90 isolations processed using NB1 (n = 40) or Liberase HI (n = 50) was retrospectively analyzed. Islet yield, function in vitro and in vivo, cellular (including β-cell-specific) viability and content, as well as isolation-related factors were compared. No significant differences in donor-related factors were found between the groups. There were also no significant differences in islet yields (NB1 vs. Liberase: 263,389 ± 21,550 vs. 324,256 ± 27,192 IEQ; p = n.s., respectively). The pancreata processed with NB1 showed a significantly longer digestion time (18.6 ± 0.7 vs. 14.5 ± 0.5 min, p < 0.01), lower β-cell viability (54.3 ± 3.4% vs. 72.0 ± 2.1%, p < 0.01), β-cell mass (93,671 ± 11,150 vs. 148,961 ± 12,812 IEQ, p < 0.01), and viable β-cell mass (47,317 ± 6,486 vs. 106,631 ± 10,228 VβIEQ, p < 0.01) than Liberase HI. In addition, islets obtained with Liberase showed significantly better graft function in in vivo assessment of islet potency. The utilization of collagenase NB1 in human islet isolation was associated with significantly lower β-cell viability, mass, and islet potency in vivo in our series when compared to Liberase HI, even though there was no significant difference in islet yields between the groups. Evaluation of viable β-cell mass contained in human islet preparations will be useful for selecting enzyme blends.
Effects of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy on Spasticity in Patients after Brain Injury: A Meta-analysis

[Purpose] The purpose of this meta-analysis was to assess the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on reducing spasticity immediately and 4 weeks after application of ESWT. [Subjects and Methods] We searched PubMed, TCL, Embase, and Scopus from their inception dates through June 2013. The key words “muscle hypertonia OR spasticity” were used for spasticity, and the key words “shock wave OR ESWT” were used for ESWT. Five studies were ultimately included in the meta-analysis. [Results] The Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) grade was significantly improved immediately after ESWT compared with the baseline values (standardized mean difference [SMD], −0.792; 95% confidence interval [CI], −1.001 to −0.583). The MAS grade at four weeks after ESWT was also significantly improved compared with the baseline values (SMD, −0.735; 95% CI, −0.951 to −0.519). [Conclusion] ESWT has a significant effect on improving spasticity. Further standardization of treatment protocols including treatment intervals and intensities needs to be established and long-term follow up studies are needed.
The Immunodominant Influenza A Virus M158–66 Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Epitope Exhibits Degenerate Class I Major Histocompatibility Complex Restriction in Humans

ABSTRACT Cytotoxic T lymphocytes recognizing conserved peptide epitopes are crucial for protection against influenza A virus (IAV) infection. The CD8 T cell response against the M158–66 (GILGFVFTL) matrix protein epitope is immunodominant when restricted by HLA-A*02, a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule expressed by approximately half of the human population. Here we report that the GILGFVFTL peptide is restricted by multiple HLA-C*08 alleles as well. We observed that M158–66 was able to elicit cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses in both HLA-A*02- and HLA-C*08-positive individuals and that GILGFVFTL-specific CTLs in individuals expressing both restriction elements were distinct and not cross-reactive. The crystal structure of GILGFVFTL–HLA-C*08:01 was solved at 1.84 Å, and comparison with the known GILGFVFTL–HLA-A*02:01 structure revealed that the antigen bound both complexes in near-identical conformations, accommodated by binding pockets shaped from shared as well as unique residues. This discovery of degenerate peptide presentation by both HLA-A and HLA-C allelic variants eliciting unique CTL responses to IAV infection contributes fundamental knowledge with important implications for vaccine development strategies. IMPORTANCE The presentation of influenza A virus peptides to elicit immunity is thought to be narrowly restricted, with a single peptide presented by a specific HLA molecule. In this study, we show that the same influenza A virus peptide can be more broadly presented by both HLA-A and HLA-C molecules. This discovery may help to explain the differences in immunity to influenza A virus between individuals and populations and may also aid in the design of vaccines.
Individual differences in gaze patterns for web search

We investigate how people interact with Web search engine result pages using eye-tracking, to provide a detailed understanding of the patterns of user attention. Previous research has examined the visual attention devoted to the 10 organic search results, and we extend this by also examining how gaze is distributed across other components of contemporary search engines, such as ads and related searches. This provides insights about searcher's interactions with the "whole page", and not just individual components. In addition, we used clustering techniques to identify groups of individuals, with distinct gaze patterns. The groups varied in how exhaustively they examined the search results and in what regions of the search result page they paid most attention to (organic results vs. ads). These results further our understanding of how attention is distributed across increasingly complex search result pages, and how individuals exhibit distinct patterns of attention and interaction.
Lipid, Detergent, and Coomassie Blue G-250 Affect the Migration of Small Membrane Proteins in Blue Native Gels

Background: Mitochondrial carriers were thought to be dimeric based on their migration in blue native gels. Results: The high molecular mass species observed in blue native gels are composed of protein monomers, detergent, lipid, and Coomassie stain. Conclusion: The mitochondrial carriers are monomeric not dimeric. Significance: The apparent mass of small membrane proteins in blue native gels requires significant correction. Blue native gel electrophoresis is a popular method for the determination of the oligomeric state of membrane proteins. Studies using this technique have reported that mitochondrial carriers are dimeric (composed of two ∼32-kDa monomers) and, in some cases, can form physiologically relevant associations with other proteins. Here, we have scrutinized the behavior of the yeast mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier AAC3 in blue native gels. We find that the apparent mass of AAC3 varies in a detergent- and lipid-dependent manner (from ∼60 to ∼130 kDa) that is not related to changes in the oligomeric state of the protein, but reflects differences in the associated detergent-lipid micelle and Coomassie Blue G-250 used in this technique. Higher oligomeric state species are only observed under less favorable solubilization conditions, consistent with aggregation of the protein. Calibration with an artificial covalent AAC3 dimer indicates that the mass observed for solubilized AAC3 and other mitochondrial carriers corresponds to a monomer. Size exclusion chromatography of purified AAC3 in dodecyl maltoside under blue native gel-like conditions shows that the mass of the monomer is ∼120 kDa, but appears smaller on gels (∼60 kDa) due to the unusually high amount of bound negatively charged dye, which increases the electrophoretic mobility of the protein-detergent-dye micelle complex. Our results show that bound lipid, detergent, and Coomassie stain alter the behavior of mitochondrial carriers on gels, which is likely to be true for other small membrane proteins where the associated lipid-detergent micelle is large when compared with the mass of the protein.
The local cohomology of the Jacobian ring

We study the 0-th local cohomology module of the jacobian ring of a singular reduced complex projective hypersurface X, by relating it to the sheaf of logarithmic vector field along X. We investigate the analogies between the local cohomology and the well known properties of the jacobian ring of a nonsingular hypersurface. In particular we study self-duality, Hodge theoretic and Torelli type questions.
Ge(001) surface cleaning methods for device integration

In recent years, research on Ge nanodevices has experienced a renaissance, as Ge is being considered a possible high mobility channel material replacement for Si MOSFET devices. However, for reliable high performance devices, an atomically flat and perfectly clean Ge surface is of utmost importance. In this review, the existing methods for cleaning the Ge(001) surface are reviewed and compared for the first time. The review discusses three broad categories of cleaning techniques that have been successfully demonstrated to obtain a clean Ge surface. First, the use of ultraviolet light and/or oxygen plasma is discussed. Both techniques remove carbon contamination from the Ge surface and simultaneously form an oxide passivation layer. Second, in situ ion sputtering in combination with germanium regrowth, which can lead to extremely clean and well-ordered Ge surfaces, is discussed. Finally, various wet-etching recipes are summarized, with focus on hydrofluoric acid (HF), NH4OH, and HCl. Despite the success of.
Anomaly management in grid environments

Recent experience in deploying Grid middleware has demonstrated the challenges one faces in delivering robust service in distributed and shared environments. In particular, unexpected ("anomalous") variations in resource availability and performance can cause significant difficulties for applications that need to deliver reliable performance to their users. Preventing, detecting, and diagnosing such unexpected anomalous behaviors---what is known as anomaly management---is not a new concept, and has been studied in many areas. However, the autonomy, heterogeneity and dynamicity of Grid environments introduce particular difficulties, as do the complexities of the often tightly coupled applications executed in such environments. In this context, I hypothesize that: by incorporating anomaly management mechanisms into Grid systems, we can allow end users to prevent, detect, and diagnose application-level anomalies in complex Grid environments. To evaluate this thesis, we study new challenges in the three aspects of the application anomaly management in the Grid environments: (1) avoiding anomalies before they occur, (2) detecting application anomalies when they occur, and (3) diagnosing why anomalies occur, once they are detected. We present novel techniques to solve these challenges and also evaluate each technique using real applications. We conduct experiments that show that our new techniques can help users detect and diagnose the cause of performance anomalies. This information provides the data needed to achieve reliable application-level performance, even when resource performance or availability may change during application execution.
Identification and characterization of tropomodulin and tropomyosin in the adult rat lens.

The lens fiber cells express all the major components of the erythrocyte membrane skeleton including spectrin, protein 4.1 and ankyrin. We have used immunoblot and immunoprecipitation analyses, as well as immunofluorescence localization to identify and characterize two additional components of the membrane skeleton in the rat lens: tropomyosin and the tropomyosin-binding protein tropomodulin. In the erythrocyte, tropomyosin and tropomodulin are proposed to stabilize and limit the lengths of the short actin filaments of the spectrin-actin network, thus influencing the organization and mechanical properties of the erythrocyte membrane skeleton. Antibodies directed against erythrocyte tropomodulin specifically recognize a M(r) 43,000 polypeptide from rat lens that comigrates with erythrocyte tropomodulin on SDS-gels. A non-muscle isoform of tropomyosin is also present in the lens. This tropomyosin isoform migrates on SDS-gels with a M(r) of approximately 28,000 and is distinct from the two erythrocyte isoforms of tropomyosin (M(r) 27,000 and 29,000). Indirect immunofluorescence staining of 5 microns cryosections of adult rat lens reveals that both tropomodulin and tropomyosin colocalize with rhodamine phalloidin staining for actin filaments on fiber cell plasma membranes. Lens tropomodulin exhibits many characteristics that are similar to its erythrocyte counterpart. For example, lens tropomodulin binds tropomyosin in a solid-phase blot binding assay, and extraction experiments with Triton X-100, urea and NaOH show that the membrane-bound tropomodulin in the lens is a tightly associated peripheral membrane protein that is a component of the Triton-insoluble cytoskeleton. However, unlike the erythrocyte, there are approximately 2000 actin monomers per tropomodulin in the lens. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The Impact of Ex Vivo Clinical Grade Activation Protocols on Human T-cell Phenotype and Function for the Generation of Genetically Modified Cells for Adoptive Cell Transfer Therapy

Optimized conditions for the ex vivo activation, genetic manipulation, and expansion of human lymphocytes for adoptive cell therapy may lead to protocols that maximize their in vivo function. We analyzed the effects of 4 clinical grade activation and expansion protocols over 3 weeks on cell proliferative rate, immunophenotype, cell metabolism, and transduction efficiency of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Peak lentiviral transduction efficiency was early (days 2 to 4), at a time when cells showed a larger size, maximal uptake of metabolic substrates, and the highest level of proximal T-cell receptor signaling engagement. Anti-CD2/3/28 activation beads induced greater proliferation rate and skewed PBMCs early on to a CD4 phenotype when compared with the cells cultured in OKT3. Multicolor surface phenotyping demonstrated that changes in T-cell surface markers that define T-cell functional phenotypes were dependent on the time spent in culture as opposed to the particular activation protocol. In conclusion, ex vivo activation of human PBMCs for adoptive cell therapy demonstrate defined immunophenotypic and functional signatures over time, with cells early on showing larger sizes, higher transduction efficiency, maximal metabolic activity, and zeta-chain-associated protein-70 activation.
Alirocumab Treatment and Achievement of Non‐High‐Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Apolipoprotein B Goals in Patients With Hypercholesterolemia: Pooled Results From 10 Phase 3 ODYSSEY Trials

BACKGROUND Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) and apolipoprotein (apo) B are better predictors of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk than low-density lipoprotein cholesterol alone. US and European lipid management guidelines support non-HDL-C and apoB as targets for lipid-lowering therapy. METHODS AND RESULTS This analysis evaluated the efficacy of alirocumab, a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor, on non-HDL-C and apoB. Data were derived from 4983 patients enrolled in 10 randomized, placebo- or ezetimibe-controlled Phase 3 ODYSSEY trials. Primary end point for this pooled analysis was percent reduction in non-HDL-C and apoB at Week 24; secondary end points included the percentage of patients achieving guideline-directed treatment goals (National Lipid Association guidelines: non-HDL-C <100 or <130 mg/dL for patients at very high and high cardiovascular risk, respectively; European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society guidelines: apoB <80 mg/dL for patients at very-high cardiovascular risk). Data were grouped according to comparator, alirocumab starting dose, and concomitant statin use. Compared with controls, alirocumab produced significantly greater reductions in non-HDL-C and apoB at Week 24 (P<0.0001), an effect extending up to 78 weeks. More alirocumab-treated patients achieved levels of non-HDL-C <100 mg/dL and apoB <80 mg/dL (P≤0.0001 versus control). By Week 24, >70% of alirocumab-treated patients on background statin achieved non-HDL-C <100 or <130 mg/dL, and apoB <80 mg/dL. Safety was comparable across pooled groups and in line with previous reports. CONCLUSIONS Alirocumab produced significant, sustained reductions in non-HDL-C and apoB, allowing more patients to achieve lipid goals compared with placebo or ezetimibe and irrespective of maximally tolerated statin use.
Results of Florida's Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Surveillance Project, 2009–2011

Objective Studies to determine the incidence and prevalence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in defined geographic areas in the USA are needed. The Florida Department of Health received funding from the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to implement a state-wide ALS Surveillance Project. The objectives of the project were to describe the demographic characteristics of ALS cases and to calculate the incidence and prevalence of ALS in Florida. Setting/participants All neurologists were asked to submit case reports for persons with ALS diagnosed and/or under their care during 1 January 2009 through 31 December 2011. A medical record verification form and an electromyogram (EMG) report were requested for a sample of cases and reviewed by an independent consulting neurologist to confirm ALS diagnosis. Death data were used to aid with case report collection. Primary and secondary outcome measures Demographics, relevant history and clinical characteristics, El Escorial classifications, time from symptom onset to diagnosis, crude annual incidence rates and 2009 period prevalence are presented. Results The 1450 reported ALS cases were more likely to be older, male, white and non-Hispanic. Slightly more than 4% of cases were reported as also having dementia, and 4.8% were reported to have an immediate family member diagnosed with ALS. Incidence rates ranged from 1.7 to 1.9 per 100 000 person-years during the project period and the 2009 period prevalence was 4.0 per 100 000 persons. Conclusions Project findings are generally consistent with findings of population-based studies in Europe, as well as geographically limited studies in the USA. Our findings add to the growing body of epidemiological literature about ALS in the USA. Future epidemiological studies in the USA should focus on identifying cases from minority groups and those that may have limited access to healthcare, and should consider conducting capture–recapture analysis to assess case ascertainment.
Supplementary motor cortex involvement in reading epilepsy revealed by magnetic source imaging

Reading epilepsy (RE) is an idiopathic reflex epilepsy syndrome characterized by perioral myoclonic jerks (PMJs) during reading associated with left‐dominant frontotemporal spike‐wave discharges (SWDs). To better understand the pathophysiology of this syndrome, we studied a 45‐year‐old patient using magnetic source imaging (MSI). The patient underwent two whole‐head magnetoencephalography (MEG) recordings (Elekta Neuromag Oy) within 2 months while reading aloud. Forty‐two SWDs associated with PMJs were recorded and averaged with respect to SWDs peak power. Epileptic discharges were then reconstructed using conventional equivalent current dipoles (ECDs) modeling, distributed sources sLORETA modeling, and beamformer approach. These methods identified two brain sources located in the left supplementary motor cortex (SMC) and the left primary sensorimotor face area (PSMFA). The spatiotemporal pattern of the sources was characterized by a cross‐talk between these two brain regions, with an initial source in the left SMC. This MSI investigation suggests that RE‐PMJs are associated with reading‐induced activation of hyperexcitable neurons in the left SMC, followed by secondary propagation to the left PSMFA producing the myoclonus.