Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Home video communication: mediating 'closeness'

Video-mediated communication (VMC) technologies are becoming rapidly adopted by home users. Little research has previously been conducted into why home users would choose to use VMC or their practices surrounding its use. We present the results of an interview and diary-based study of 17 people about their uses of, and attitudes towards, VMC. We highlight the artful ways in which users appropriate VMC to reconcile a desire for closeness with those with whom they communicate, and we explore the rich ways in which VMC supports different expressions of this desire. We conclude with discussions of how next-generation VMC technologies might be designed to take advantage of this understanding of human values in communicative practice.
The novel POSEIDON stratification of ‘Low prognosis patients in Assisted Reproductive Technology’ and its proposed marker of successful outcome

In reproductive medicine little progress has been achieved regarding the clinical management of patients with a reduced ovarian reserve or poor ovarian response (POR) to stimulation with exogenous gonadotropins -a frustrating experience for clinicians as well as patients. Despite the efforts to optimize the definition of this subgroup of patients, the existing POR criteria unfortunately comprise a heterogeneous population and, importantly, do not offer any recommendations for clinical handling. Recently, the POSEIDON group ( Patient- Oriented Strategies Encompassing Individualize D Oocyte Number) proposed a new stratification of assisted reproductive technology (ART) in patients with a reduced ovarian reserve or unexpected inappropriate ovarian response to exogenous gonadotropins. In brief, four subgroups have been suggested based on quantitative and qualitative parameters, namely, i. Age and the expected aneuploidy rate; ii. Ovarian biomarkers (i.e. antral follicle count [AFC] and anti-Müllerian hormone [AMH]), and iii. Ovarian response - provided a previous stimulation cycle was performed. The new classification introduces a more nuanced picture of the “low prognosis patient” in ART, using clinically relevant criteria to guide the physician to most optimally manage this group of patients. The POSEIDON group also introduced a new measure for successful ART treatment, namely, the ability to retrieve the number of oocytes needed for the specific patient to obtain at least one euploid embryo for transfer. This feature represents a pragmatic endpoint to clinicians and enables the development of prediction models aiming to reduce the time-to-pregnancy (TTP). Consequently, the POSEIDON stratification should not be applied for retrospective analyses having live birth rate (LBR) as endpoint. Such an approach would fail as the attribution of patients to each Poseidon group is related to specific requirements and could only be made prospectively. On the other hand, any prospective approach (i.e. RCT) should be performed separately in each specific group.
NeuroFAST : On-Line Neuro-Fuzzy ART-Based Structure and Parameter Learning TSK Model

NeuroFAST is an on-line fuzzy modeling learning algorithm, featuring high function approximation accuracy and fast convergence. It is based on a first-order Takagi–Sugeno–Kang (TSK) model, where the consequence part of each fuzzy rule is a linear equation. Structure identification is performed by a fuzzy adaptive resonance theory (ART)-like mechanism, assisted by fuzzy rule splitting and adding procedures. The well known rule continuously performs parameter identification on both premise and consequence parameters. Simulation results indicate the potential of the algorithm. It is worth noting that NeuroFAST achieves a remarkable performance in the Box and Jenkins gas furnace process, outperforming all previous approaches compared.
A National Dietary Assessment Reference Database (NDARD) for the Dutch Population: Rationale behind the Design

The development of reliable Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQs) requires detailed information about the level and variation of dietary intake of the target population. However, these data are often limited. To facilitate the development of new high quality FFQs and validation of existing FFQs, we developed a comprehensive National Dietary Assessment Reference Database (NDARD) detailing information about the level and variation in dietary intake of people 20–70 years old in the general Dutch population. This paper describes the methods and characteristics of the population included in the NDARD database. A total of 1063 men and 985 women agreed to participate in this study. Dietary intake data were collected using different FFQs, web-based and telephone-based 24-h recalls, as well as blood and urine-based biomarkers. The baseline FFQ was completed by 1647 participants with a mean age of 51 ± 12 years, BMI of 26 ± 4 kg/m2, and energy intake of 2051 ± 605 kcal/day. The percentage of total energy intake from proteins, carbohydrates, and fats were 15 ± 2, 43 ± 6, and 36 ± 5 En%, respectively. A total of 1113 participants completed telephone-based recalls and 1783 participants completed web-based recalls. This database will enable researchers to validate existing national FFQs and to develop new high quality dietary assessment methods.
Geographical Disparities in the Health of Iranian Women: Health Outcomes, Behaviors, and Health-care Access Indicators

Background: Women's health is a key factor affecting the health of the whole population. Tackling inequality in determinants of health is recognized as the main path toward reducing the inequality in health outcomes. This study aimed to analyze the provincial inequality in determinants of women's health and health care in Iran. Methods: Using the Moss's model (2002) as a comprehensive framework of determinants of women's health, including “geopolitical environment,” “culture, norms, sanctions,” “women's roles in reproduction and production,” “health-related mediators,” and “health outcome” categories, we chose 13 indicators. Afterward, using data sources including the Iranian Multiple Indicators of Demographics and Health Survey, the National Organization for Civil Registration, and Statistics Centre of Iran, we analyzed provincial inequality in these indicators in Iran (2011). Gini coefficient and Lorenz curve were used for measuring inequality. Results: Gini coefficients calculated as follows; life satisfaction level (0.027), literate women (0.398), women with proper knowledge about HIV/AIDS prevention (0.483), unemployed women (0.380), women without an income (0.384), women who use at least one type of mass media (0.389), women who used computer or internet (0.467), women who had received pregnancy care from a skill birth attendant (SBA) (0.420), women who had delivered with the help of an SBA (0.426), women who currently smoke cigarettes (0.603), women who currently consume hookah (0.561), women with at least one chronic disease (0.438), and women's deaths in 2010 and 2011 (0.393 and 0.359, respectively). Conclusions: We found large provincial disparities in determinants of women's health in Iran. Determinants such as lifestyle, health behavior, health knowledge, and health-care services availability should be considered by health policymakers in addressing the inequality in women's health at a provincial level.
Cytomegalovirus sero positivity dramatically alters the maternal CD8+ T cell repertoire and leads to the accumulation of highly differentiated memory cells during human pregnancy.

BACKGROUND Human pregnancy offers an immunological challenge for the immunocompetent women accommodating an allogenic fetus, while continuing to combat potentially infectious disease. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infects the majority of the human population and establishes lifelong persistence, which can lead to the oligoclonal expansion of differentiated T cells. Primary CMV infection and, less commonly, secondary infection during pregnancy can cause fetal disease and morbidity. The balance between maternal immune competence and viral pathogenicity is thus delicately poised. Our objective was to investigate the influence of CMV serostatus on maternal CD8+ T-cell phenotype and cytokine profile in an apparently healthy cohort of pregnant women. Furthermore, we assessed if CMV serostatus modulated changes in CD8 T cells during gestation. METHODS CD8+ T-cell phenotype was investigated in 87 pregnant women with samples obtained both during pregnancy [CMV immunoglobulin G (IgG) + n = 39, CMV IgG- n = 21] and in the early post-natal period (IgG+ n = 16, IgG- n = 11). Multiparameter flow cytometry was used to study T-cell phenotype and HLA-peptide tetramers identified CD8 T cells specific for CMV. Levels of 26 plasma cytokines, chemokines and chemokine receptors were assessed in a separate cohort of 20 women (IgG+ n = 10, IgG- n = 10) followed longitudinally during and after pregnancy. RESULTS CMV seropositivity profoundly influenced the T cell repertoire and its dynamics during pregnancy. Naïve CD8+ T-cells (CCR7+CD45RA+) were reduced by 50% in CMV-seropositive women. The proportion of CD45RA effector cells was not increased in CMV-seropositive donors, although this population was more highly differentiated with reduced CD27 and CD28. However, there was a doubling in the proportion of CD45RA+ revertant memory cells (CCR7-CD45RA+) in seropositive donors. Moreover, seropositive women during late pregnancy demonstrated an accumulation of highly differentiated CMV-specific T-cells. T-cell activation independent of CMV was also seen in late pregnancy. No CMV-related changes in plasma cytokines, chemokines or their receptors were observed. CONCLUSIONS Thus, CMV serostatus is a crucial consideration in studies of T cell memory and differentiation during pregnancy. The reduction in maternal naïve T cells in CMV-seropositive donors could have implications for the maternal response to infections during pregnancy. These findings shed light on the delicate balance between host, fetus and chronic infection during healthy pregnancy and will inform studies in relation to the importance of CMV on maternal and fetal health.
Ellagic Acid Reduces Adipogenesis through Inhibition of Differentiation-Prevention of the Induction of Rb Phosphorylation in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

Ellagic acid (EA) present in many fruits and nuts serves as antiproliferation, anti-inflammatory, and antitumorigenic properties. However, the effect of EA on preadipocytes adipogenesis and its mechanism(s) have not been elucidated. The present study was designed to examine the effect of EA on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and underlying mechanism(s) of action involved. Data show that EA administration decreased the accumulation of lipid droplets. The inhibition was diminished when the addition of EA was delayed to days 2–4 of differentiation. Clonal expansion was reduced in the presence of EA. FACS analysis showed that EA blocked the cell cycle at the G1/S transition. EdU incorporation also confirmed that EA refrained cell from entering S phase. Our data also revealed that the differentiation-induced protein expression of Cyclin A and phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein (Rb) were impaired by EA. Differentiation-dependent expression and DNA-binding ability of C/EBPα were also inhibited by EA. Alterations in cell cycle-associated proteins may be important with respect to the antiadipogenic action of EA. In conclusion, EA is capable of inhibiting adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes possibly through reduction of Cyclin A protein expression and Rb phosphorylation. With the blocking of G1/S phase transition, EA suppresses terminal differentiation and lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.
The disease and gene annotations (DGA): an annotation resource for human disease

Disease and Gene Annotations database (DGA, http://dga.nubic.northwestern.edu) is a collaborative effort aiming to provide a comprehensive and integrative annotation of the human genes in disease network context by integrating computable controlled vocabulary of the Disease Ontology (DO version 3 revision 2510, which has 8043 inherited, developmental and acquired human diseases), NCBI Gene Reference Into Function (GeneRIF) and molecular interaction network (MIN). DGA integrates these resources together using semantic mappings to build an integrative set of disease-to-gene and gene-to-gene relationships with excellent coverage based on current knowledge. DGA is kept current by periodically reparsing DO, GeneRIF, and MINs. DGA provides a user-friendly and interactive web interface system enabling users to efficiently query, download and visualize the DO tree structure and annotations as a tree, a network graph or a tabular list. To facilitate integrative analysis, DGA provides a web service Application Programming Interface for integration with external analytic tools.
Instant Messenger in Offshore Outsourced Software Development Projects: Experiences from a Case Study

IT offshoring has become an accepted strategy for many companies, although the inherent risks-such as language and cultural differences-make the communication, coordination, and collaboration processes between clients and vendors more challenging. In this exploratory work, we analyze the usage of instant messenger (IM) to bridge culturally based power distance in offshore-outsourced software development (OOSD) projects. We employed the case study method with a German-Indian partnership in order to collect qualitative data so as to analyze the prevalent usage of IM in OOSD projects. The empirical data was further analyzed through the lens of theoretical concepts in IS, which provided a sound explanation regarding the usage of IM in OOSD projects. These concepts include virtual teams, communication and media selection, cultural distance, and early warning signs. Even though the project itself was considered a failure, we were able to obtain valuable research data.
Recombinant Plasma Gelsolin Diminishes the Acute Inflammatory Response to Hyperoxia in Mice

Background The acute respiratory distress syndrome remains a common and poorly understood complication of a variety of insults. Ventilation with high concentrations of inspired oxygen may further damage already compromised lungs. By scavenging extracellular actin and modulating the effects of lysophosphatidic acid, plasma gelsolin could serve a critical protective role against oxidant injury. Methods Mice exposed to >95% O2 for a total of 72 hours were treated with gelsolin or albumin after 24 and 48 hours. Results Neutrophil counts in bronchoalveolar fluid rose (P=0.0002) and gelsolin levels dropped (P<0.00001) in mice with acute hyperoxic lung injury. The acute inflammatory response to hyperoxia was significantly reduced in the gelsolin-compared with the bovine serum albumin-treated mice (P=0.03). Conclusions These data imply that i) gelsolin depletion contributes to the pathogenesis of oxygen toxicity and ii) repletion of gelsolin can partially abrogate the resultant exudative response.
From implementation to appropriation: understanding knowledge management system development and introduction as a process of translation

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the complexities emerging in the attempts to develop a sophisticated IT-based knowledge management system (KMS) for sharing knowledge. Using actor-network theory, the authors conceptualise this as continuous processes of translation, whereby heterogeneous human and non-human (e.g. technologies, methods and plans) elements are drawn together and mobilised to produce stable networks through associations between them. Design/methodology/approach – The case study method was adopted using a narrative approach that studies the ways of organising work in organisations. Shadowing, field notes, diary studies and participant observation were the main data collection methods used. Findings – The development and introduction of a KMS is a contingent and local process shaped by messy translations whereby the original idea, human and other non-human elements are reconfigured. By considering humans and non-humans symmetrically, the intended and unintended actions, and the role of une.
Prenatal effects of transplacental exposure to ifosfamide in rats

Ifosfamide is an alkylating chemotherapeutic agent that exhibits activity against a wide range of tumors. Exposure to such agent just prior to mating (preconception period) may have adverse effects on developing embryos. I investigated the rate of apoptosis and the histological changes in both placenta and developing fetal tissues after exposure to ifosfamide of young female rats before mating. I clarified the roles of the drug and the placenta in causing fetal developmental toxicity. Rats were divided into four groups: (1) untreated controls, (2) rats administered saline, (3 and 4) rats administered 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg ifosfamide, respectively. After treatment of females with ifosfamide, the treated females were allowed to mate with normal untreated males. All pregnant animals were sacrificed on day 18 of gestation. Treatment with high doses of ifosfamide caused small placentas, fewer viable fetuses, greater post-implantation losses and more resorbed fetuses. Reduced progesterone and increased prolactin levels also were found. Immunohistochemical staining, the TUNEL technique and histological studies showed increased apoptotic cells and many histological changes in the placenta, and in fetal brain, liver and kidney tissues. Ifosfamide treatment increased apoptosis and caused hypoplasia of placental basal and labyrinth zones, which resulted in pathological changes in developing fetal tissue.
Magnesium intake, bone mineral density, and fractures: results from the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study.

BACKGROUND Magnesium is a necessary component of bone, but its relation to osteoporotic fractures is unclear. OBJECTIVE We examined magnesium intake as a risk factor for osteoporotic fractures and altered bone mineral density (BMD). DESIGN This prospective cohort study included 73,684 postmenopausal women enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study. Total daily magnesium intake was estimated from baseline food-frequency questionnaires plus supplements. Hip fractures were confirmed by a medical record review; other fractures were identified by self-report. A baseline BMD analysis was performed in 4778 participants. RESULTS Baseline hip BMD was 3% higher (P < 0.001), and whole-body BMD was 2% higher (P < 0.001), in women who consumed >422.5 compared with <206.5 mg Mg/d. However, the incidence and RR of hip and total fractures did not differ across quintiles of magnesium. In contrast, risk of lower-arm or wrist fractures increased with higher magnesium intake [multivariate-adjusted HRs of 1.15 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.32) and 1.23 (95% CI: 1.07, 1.42) for quintiles 4 and 5, respectively, compared with quintile 1; P-trend = 0.002]. In addition, women with the highest magnesium intakes were more physically active and at increased risk of falls [HR for quintile 4: 1.11 (95% CI: 1.06, 1.16); HR for quintile 5: 1.15 (95% CI: 1.10, 1.20); P-trend < 0.001]. CONCLUSIONS Lower magnesium intake is associated with lower BMD of the hip and whole body, but this result does not translate into increased risk of fractures. A magnesium consumption slightly greater than the Recommended Dietary Allowance is associated with increased lower-arm and wrist fractures that are possibly related to more physical activity and falls.
An LDPC Decoder Architecture for Wireless Sensor Network Applications

The pervasive use of wireless sensors in a growing spectrum of human activities reinforces the need for devices with low energy dissipation. In this work, coded communication between a couple of wireless sensor devices is considered as a method to reduce the dissipated energy per transmitted bit with respect to uncoded communication. Different Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) codes are considered to this purpose and post layout results are shown for a low-area low-energy decoder, which offers percentage energy savings with respect to the uncoded solution in the range of 40%–80%, depending on considered environment, distance and bit error rate.
Association of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR-677 and MTHFR-1298) genetic polymorphisms with occlusive artery disease and deep venous thrombosis in Macedonians.

AIM To analyze the association of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphisms (MTHFR-677 and MTHFR-1298) with occlusive artery disease and deep venous thrombosis in Macedonians. METHODS We examined 83 healthy respondents, 76 patients with occlusive artery disease, and 67 patients with deep venous thrombosis. Blood samples were collected and DNA was isolated from peripheral blood leukocytes. Identification of MTHFR mutations was done with CVD StripAssay (ViennaLab, Labordiagnostika GmbH, Vienna, Austria) and the population genetics analysis package, PyPop, was used for the analysis. Pearson P values, crude odds ratio, and Wald's 95% confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS The frequency of C alleles of MTHFR-677 was 0.575 in patients with deep venous thrombosis, 0.612 in patients with occlusive artery disease, and 0.645 in healthy participants. The frequency of T allele of MTHFR-677 was lower in healthy participants (0.355) than in patients with occlusive artery disease (0.388) and deep venous thrombosis (0.425). The frequency of A allele for MTHFR-1298 was 0.729 in healthy participants, 0.770 in patients with occlusive artery disease, and 0.746 in patients with deep venous thrombosis. The frequency of C allele of MTHFR-1298 was 0.271 in healthy participants, 0.230 in patients with occlusive artery disease, and 0.425 in patients with deep venous thrombosis. No association of MTHFR-677 and MTHFR-1289 polymorphisms with occlusive artery disease and deep venous thrombosis was found, except for the protective effect of MTHFR/CA:CC diplotype for occlusive artery disease. CONCLUSION We could not confirm a significant association of MTHFR-677 and MTHFR-1289 polymorphisms with occlusive artery disease or deep venous thrombosis in Macedonians, except for the protective effect of MTHFR/CA:CC diplotype against occlusive artery disease.
Fusion of Algorithms for Compressed Sensing

For compressed sensing (CS), we develop a new scheme inspired by data fusion principles. In the proposed fusion based scheme, several CS reconstruction algorithms participate and they are executed in parallel, independently. The final estimate of the underlying sparse signal is derived by fusing the estimates obtained from the participating algorithms. We theoretically analyze this fusion based scheme and derive sufficient conditions for achieving a better reconstruction performance than any participating algorithm. Through simulations, we show that the proposed scheme has two specific advantages: 1) it provides good performance in a low dimensional measurement regime, and 2) it can deal with different statistical natures of the underlying sparse signals. The experimental results on real ECG signals shows that the proposed scheme demands fewer CS measurements for an approximate sparse signal reconstruction.
Verifying authentication protocols with CSP

The paper presents a general approach for analysis and verification of authentication properties in the language of communicating sequential processes (CSP). It is illustrated by an examination of the Needham-Schroeder public key protocol (R. Needham and M. Schroeder, 1978). The contribution of the article is to develop a specific theory appropriate to the analysis of authentication protocols, built on top of the general CSP semantic framework. This approach aims to combine the ability to express such protocols in a natural and precise way with the facility to reason formally about the properties they exhibit.