Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measuring usability: are effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction really correlated?

Usability comprises the aspects effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction. The correlations between these aspects are not well understood for complex tasks. We present data from an experiment where 87 subjects solved 20 information retrieval tasks concerning programming problems. The correlation between efficiency, as indicated by task completion time, and effectiveness, as indicated by quality of solution, was negligible. Generally, the correlations among the usability aspects depend in a complex way on the application domain, the user's experience, and the use context. Going through three years of CHI Proceedings, we find that 11 out of 19 experimental studies involving complex tasks account for only one or two aspects of usability. When these studies make claims concerning overall usability, they rely on risky assumptions about correlations between usability aspects. Unless domain specific studies suggest otherwise, effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction should be considered independent aspect of usability and all be included in usability testing.
Hyperammonemia and Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome Predicts Presence of Hepatic Encephalopathy in Dogs with Congenital Portosystemic Shunts

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with liver disease. The pathogenesis of he is incompletely understood although ammonia and inflammatory cytokines have been implicated as key mediators. To facilitate further mechanistic understanding of the pathogenesis of HE, a large number of animal models have been developed which often involve the surgical creation of an anastomosis between the hepatic portal vein and the caudal vena cava. One of the most common congenital abnormalities in dogs is a congenital portosystemic shunt (cpss), which closely mimics these surgical experimental models of HE. Dogs with a cPSS often have clinical signs which mimic clinical signs observed in humans with HE. Our hypothesis is that the pathogenesis of HE in dogs with a cPSS is similar to humans with HE. The aim of the study was to measure a range of clinical, haematological and biochemical parameters, which have been linked to the development of HE in humans, in dogs with a cPSS and a known HE grade. One hundred and twenty dogs with a cPSS were included in the study and multiple regression analysis of clinical, haematological and biochemical variables revealed that plasma ammonia concentrations and systemic inflammatory response syndrome scores predicted the presence of HE. Our findings further support the notion that the pathogenesis of canine and human HE share many similarities and indicate that dogs with cPSS may be an informative spontaneous model of human HE. Further investigations on dogs with cPSS may allow studies on HE to be undertaken without creating surgical models of HE thereby allowing the number of large animals used in animal experimentation to be reduced.
Efficient FFT network testing and diagnosis schemes

We consider offline testing, design-for-testability, and diagnosis for fast Fourier transform (FFT) networks. A practical FFT chip can contain millions of gates, so effective testing and fault-tolerance techniques usually are required in order to guarantee high-quality products. We propose M-testability conditions for FFT butterfly, omega, and flip networks at the double-multiply-subtract-add (DMSA) module level. A novel design-for-testability technique based on the functional bijectivity property of the specified modules to detect faults other than the cell faults is presented. It guarantees 100% combinational fault coverage with negligible hardware overhead-about 0.17% for an FFT network with 16-bit operand words, independent of the network size. Our design requires fewer test vectors compared with previous ones-a factor of up to 1/(6 /spl times/ 2/sup 5n/), where n is the word length. We also propose C-diagnosability conditions and a C-diagnosable FFT network design. By property exchanging and blocking certain fault propagation paths, a faulty DMSA module can be located using a two-phase deterministic algorithm. The blocking mechanism can be implemented with no additional hardware. Compared with previous schemes, our design reduces the diagnosis complexity from O(N) to O(1). For both testing and diagnosis, the hardware overhead for our approach is only about 0.43% for 16-bit numbers regardless of the FFT network size.
Occurrence and Risk Assessment of Targeted Pharmaceuticals Active Compounds in Drinking Water Treatment Plants at Shanghai, China

The Occurrence of nine selected pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs), namely Paracetamol, Carbamazepine, Sulfamethoxazole, Pentoxifylline, Gemfibrozil, Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Tetracycline and Naproxen were investigated in influents and effluents of two drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) across Shanghai, China. In addition, the removal of these compounds in both DWTPs with differentexisting technologies (DWTP-A: biofiltration process, activated carbon and ozonation; DWTP-B: sand filtration and coagulation, flocculation and sedimentation) was investigated.The concentrations of these compounds in the influents from the two DWTPs showed substantial variations with average concentrations ranging from 3.24ng Lfor Tetracycline to 62.3ng Lfor Gemfibrozil, while Naproxen and Carbamazepine were found in effluents with average concentration of 0.26 ng Land 1.53 ng L, respectively. The risk assessment based on the „„worstcase scenario‟‟ of the monitoring data from the influents of the present study suggested that Diclofenac and Sulfamethoxazole could pose a medium risk to the aquatic organisms while other compounds showed no potential toxic risks to aquatic organisms. A screening level risk assessment implied that the concentrations of the detected PhACs are well below levels that would pose a risk to the health of consumers of drinking water at Shanghai, China. Biodegradation using ozone was found to be the most effective mechanism for removing concentrations of PhACs, while filtration appeared to be a minor process for removing all PhACs. doi: 10.5829/idosi.ijee. 2015.06. 03.11
Induced pluripotent stem cell intervention rescues ventricular wall motion disparity, achieving biological cardiac resynchronization post-infarction

• The pumping function of the heart depends on ordered initiation and propagation of myocardial excitation. Cardiac output is compromised by inconsistent timing and direction of wall motion, leading to dyssynchrony and organ failure. • Myocardial infarction induces irreversible heart damage. Extensive damage hampers effective pacemaker‐based cardiac resynchronization therapy, the current standard‐of‐care. Establishment of alternative approaches is thus warranted. • High‐resolution imaging was here utilized to non‐invasively map suitable therapeutic targets within a dyssynchronous heart. Speckle‐tracking echocardiography unmasked the source of progressive cardiac dyssynchrony within the primary infarcted region. • Bioengineered stem cells with a capacity to induce a regenerative response were implanted into infarcted areas. Speckle‐tracking echocardiography and histology assessment revealed that cell therapy achieved cardiac resynchronization and long‐term repair. • This proof‐of‐concept study thus introduces a stem cell‐based regenerative solution to address cardiac dyssynchrony post‐infarction.
Escherichia coli Isolated from Urinary Tract Infections of Lebanese Patients between 2005 and 2012: Epidemiology and Profiles of Resistance

The early treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs) is directly related to decrease in morbidity, which makes the empirical treatment of great importance. Recently, beta lactamases of several types have emerged as significant mechanisms of resistance in Gram-negative bacilli, especially Escherichia coli. Our aim was to study the urinary E. coli isolated from Lebanese patients and to characterize their mechanisms of resistance. The study analyzed data between 2005 and 2012 of UTIs caused by E. coli. The mechanisms of resistance were characterized by phenotypic and genotypic methods and the pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used to determine the different bacterial clusters. As expected, the highest incidence was observed with E. coli (60.53–73.98%) followed by K. pneumoniae (5.32–8.33%). ICU isolates were constantly associated with the lowest rates of susceptibility to extended-spectrum cephalosporins, ciprofloxacin, as well as most of the tested antibiotics. A 100% occurrence of CTX-M in extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing isolates was recorded, followed by TEM, SHV, and OXA. In addition, 15.9% harbored 4 different ESBL enzymes and only 13 isolates (14.8%) harbored only one enzyme (CTX-M). Over the years, the simultaneous susceptibility of E. coli to ceftazidime and ciprofloxacin decreased from 62.5% in 2006 to 48.7% in 2012. PFGE results demonstrated that 10 clusters were 32 generated, denoting diversity among detected isolates. Understanding the epidemiology of resistance is 33 instrumental for the implementation of recommendations for the management of antimicrobials, infection 34 control measures, as well as active surveillance and antimicrobial stewardship.
Are B Lymphocytes of Importance in Severe Staphylococcus aureus Infections?

ABSTRACT To investigate the role of B cells in experimental, superantigen-mediated Staphylococcus aureus arthritis and sepsis, we used gene-targeted B-cell-deficient mice. The mice were inoculated intravenously with a toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1)-producing S. aureus strain. The B-cell-deficient and thus agamma-globulinemic mice showed striking similarities to the wild-type control animals with respect to the development of arthritis, the mortality rate, and the rate of bacterial clearance. Surprisingly, we found that the levels of gamma interferon in serum were significantly lower (P < 0.0001) in B-cell-deficient mice than in the controls, possibly due to impaired superantigen presentation and a diminished expression of costimulatory molecules. In contrast, the levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-6, and IL-10 in serum were equal in both groups. Our findings demonstrate that neither mature B cells nor their products significantly contribute to the course ofS. aureus-induced septic arthritis.
Comparative Mapping Suggests Repeated Selection of the Same Quantitative Trait Locus for High Leaf Photosynthesis Rate in Rice High-Yield Breeding Programs

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) yield is determined by the relationship between sink, source, and plant architecture. ‘Takanari’, a high-yielding rice variety descended from ‘IR8’ and ‘Tongil’, shows a semidwarf plant stature and has a large sink size and high photosynthesis rate. Previous studies have revealed that alleles of semidwarf1 (sd1) and GRAIN NUMBER1A (GN1A), which confer a semidwarf plant type and large panicles, respectively, have been selected repeatedly in breeding programs during the process of breeding for high yield. Until now, however, no genetic factors related to photosynthesis have been identifi ed as having been selected in breeding programs. In this study, we conducted comparative mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for photosynthesis-related traits using three F2 populations: ‘Koshihikari’ × Takanari, Koshihikari × Tongil, and Koshihikari × IR8. Comparison of QTL locations in the three populations revealed a QTL in the same location on the long arm of chromosome 4 in each one, with the allele for higher photosynthesisrelated traits coming from the higher-yielding parent of each population. Further genotypic analysis of the Takanari pedigree revealed the same genotype on the long arm of chromosome 4 in varieties related to IR8 and Takanari. These results suggest that breeders have selected the favorable allele of the QTL for photosynthesis on chromosome 4 in several breeding programs for high yield. T. Takai, Y. Arai-Sanoh, N. Iwasawa, S. Yoshinaga, and M. Kondo, National Institute of Crop Science, 2-1-18, Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8518, Japan; T. Hayashi, National Agricultural Research Center, 3-1-1 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8666, Japan. Received 15 Mar. 2012. *Corresponding author (toshi336@aff rc.go.jp). Abbreviations: DTH, days to heading; LNC, leaf N content; LOD, logarithm of odds; NIL, near-isogenic line; QTL, quantitative trait locus; Rubisco, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase oxygenase; SPAD, Soil and Plant Analyzer Development. Published in Crop Sci. 52:2649–2658 (2012). doi: 10.2135/cropsci2012.03. 0179 © Crop Science Society of America | 5585 Guilford Rd., Madison, WI 53711 USA All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Permission for printing and for reprinting the material contained herein has been obtained by the publisher.
IN-SITU MEASUREMENT OF DIFFUSE ATTENUATION COEFFICIENT AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH WATER CONSTITUENT AND DEPTH ESTIMATION OF SHALLOW WATERS BY REMOTE SENSING TECHNIQUE

Diffuse attenuation coefficient, K d (λ), has an empirical relationship with water depth, thus potentially to be used to estimate the depth of the water based on the light penetration in the water column. The aim of this research is to assess the relationship of diffuse attenuation coefficient with the water constituent and its relationship to estimate the depth of shallow waters of Air Island, Panggang Island and Karang Lebar lagoons and to compare the result of depth estimation from K d model and derived from Landsat 8 imagery. The measurement of K d (λ) was carried out using hyperspectral spectroradiometer TriOS-RAMSES with range 320 – 950 nm. The relationship between measurement K d (λ) on study site with the water constituent was the occurrence of absorption by chlorophyll-a concentration at the blue and green spectral wavelength. Depth estimation using band ratio from K d (λ) occurred at 442,96 nm and 654,59 nm, which had better relationship with the depth from in-situ measurement compared to the estimation based on Landsat 8 band ratio. Depth estimated based on Kd(λ) ratio and in-situ measurement are not significantly different statistically. Depth estimated based on K d (λ) ratio and in-situ measurement are not significantly different statistically. However, depth estimation based on K d (λ) ratio was inconsistent due to the bottom albedo reflection because the K d (λ) measurement was carried out in shallow waters. Estimation of water depth based on K d (λ) ratio had better results compared to the Landsat 8 band ratio.
A Digital Ecosystem For Optimizing Service Reliability In Public Transport

Automatic vehicle location (AVL) and automatic passenger counting (APC) systems can generate a huge quantity and variety of operational, spatial, and temporal data. This potentially allows the discovery of new ways to enhance service quality and transport efficiency by utilizing AVL-APC inputs. There is currently no framework for implementing full service quality improvement cycles from automated data (Boyle 2008) and this motivates our case study. The objective of this research is to apply a digital ecosystem metaphor that extends the use of AVL and APC data for the benefit of transit agencies. It is intended that this framework will capture relevant data for stakeholders and enable the discovery of otherwise hidden trends that help explain irregularities in operations and suggest new avenues for service improvement. The framework is divided into two components: proactive adaptation and reactive adaptation.
Mathematical modelling of the human cervical spine

Injuries to the cervical spine are quite commonly found in traffic accidents. The mechanisms of injury to the cervical spine are not fully understood, because the human cervical spine is an anatomically complex structure, subjected to a variety of loading conditions in an accident. A mathematical model of the cervical spine will be a valuable tool in the study and understanding of the mechanical behaviour of this complex biological structure. This report gives the results of a literature survey conducted as the first part of a project concerning the development of a mathematical model of the human cervical spine. The model must describe, in detail, the biomechanical response of the human head and neck t o various impact situations, and it must incorporate injury mechanisms. The survey concerned the aspects relevant for mathematical modell ing of the human cervical spine. Included is the literature relevant to the functional anatomy and biomechanics, injury mechanisms, and mathematical models of the cervical spine, as well as experimental results usable for model validation.
Ictal magnetoencephalographic discharges from elementary visual hallucinations of status epilepticus

Purpose: To report the rare opportunity to study ictal magnetoencephalography (MEG) in a 26 year old man with simple partial status epilepticus that presented as elementary visual hallucinations (EVHs) in the right upper visual field. Methods: The patient described his EVHs as “snowing on TV,” “flickering lights,” and “rotating coloured balls” that continued for several days. MEG and simultaneous EEG were recorded twice: during an episode of EVHs (ictal recordings) and after EVHs were controlled by medications (interictal recordings). Results: During EVHs, MEG showed continuous periodic epileptiform discharges over the left posterior superior temporal region, while simultaneous EEG showed rhythmic theta waves and sporadic spikes over the left temporal region. The MEG discharge consisted of a three phase spike complex. Equivalent current dipoles (ECDs), modelled from spike complexes, localised in the left superior temporal area. After drug treatment controlled the EVHs, interictal MEG and EEG showed rare spikes over the same left temporal region. The average ictal ECD moment (mean (SD)) (128.7 (32.8 nAm)) was significantly weaker than the average interictal ECD moment (233.0 (63.9) nAm) (p<0.05). Conclusions: The continuous, periodic, and clustered discharges seen on ictal MEG were the sources of EVH. The weaker ictal ECD sources were frequently not detected by scalp EEG, while the stronger interictal sources, presumably originating from an extensive interictal zone, were sufficiently large to be seen as EEG spikes.
Where’s the Variation? Variance Components in Tooth Sizes of the Permanent Dentition

Studies have shown that there are only a few canonical axes of tooth size variation in the permanent dentition. Despite the numerous measurements that might be taken (e.g., crown length and breadth of 32 teeth = 64 variables), most of the canonical structure is explained by 3 or 4 overarching axes of variation. This study used maximum likelihood components of variance analysis to determine where the major sources of statistical variation are among the crown dimensions in the permanent dentition. Mesiodistal and buccolingual crown dimensions were measured on all permanent teeth (excluding M3s and averaging sides) in 100 American whites and 100 American blacks, evenly divided by sex. The SAS program varcomp estimated the sources of variation across 7 aspects of the dentition, namely race, sex, arcade, tooth (incisor, canine, premolar, molar), position (mesial, distal), dimension (MD, BL), and a residual term. Most variation is shared; residual variance was just 21.8% of the total. Considering the six components of shared variance, the greatest (82.8%) was due to tooth type (I, C, P, M). In contrast, only 4.9% was attributable to the black-white race difference, which confirms results of other biological data that the preponderance of variation is within groups, not among them. More striking is the lack of variation between males and females (1.2%)—confirming the insensitivity of tooth crown dimensions for forensic purposes. Very little shared variance (0.6%) was due to tooth position, indicating that the mesial “pole” tooth that is metrically and morphologically more stable does not possess much more informational content statistically. Whether the tooth was maxillary or mandibular accounted for 6.9%. In a practical sense, the large variance due to tooth type implies that dental anthropologists commonly will want to include variables from all tooth types (I, C, P, M) rather than multiple measurements within a tooth type, since tooth type is the canonical axis of variation.
The Changing Role of the Enterprise Architect

Enterprise architecture is practiced in different ways, and there are different types of enterprise architects with quite different roles. This paper looks closer at the role of enterprise architects and the importance of the enterprise architects' understanding of boundary issues in their practice. The paper suggests that enterprise architects must focus on problem-finding more than problem-solving, and should develop not just more dialectic skills, but also dialogic skills. The paper also argues that the enterprise architects must gain a deeper understanding of the enterprise, and need to start working with other enterprise disciplines.
Gut Microbiota Analysis in Rats with Methamphetamine-Induced Conditioned Place Preference

Methamphetamine abuse is a major public health crisis. Because accumulating evidence supports the hypothesis that the gut microbiota plays an important role in central nervous system (CNS) function, and research on the roles of the microbiome in CNS disorders holds conceivable promise for developing novel therapeutic avenues for treating CNS disorders, we sought to determine whether administration of methamphetamine leads to alterations in the intestinal microbiota. In this study, the gut microbiota profiles of rats with methamphetamine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) were analysed through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The faecal microbial diversity was slightly higher in the METH CPP group. The propionate-producing genus Phascolarctobacterium was attenuated in the METH CPP group, and the family Ruminococcaceae was elevated in the METH CPP group. Short chain fatty acid analysis revealed that the concentrations of propionate were decreased in the faecal matter of METH-administered rats. These findings provide direct evidence that administration of METH causes gut dysbiosis, enable a better understanding of the function of gut microbiota in the process of drug abuse, and provide a new paradigm for addiction treatment.