Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Visual interfaces as an approach for providing mobile services and mobile content to low literate users in South Africa

Mobile services and mobile content is available to diverse users in possession of the necessary mobile phones. However, some of the mobile services and mobile content is text intensive and this discounts low literate users in participation in the related mobile applications. Exploring typical challenges experienced by low literate users and adapting these mobile applications using visual interfaces can provide low literate users with usable access to mobile services and mobile content.
Catalytic activation of histone acetyltransferase Rtt109 by a histone chaperone

Most histone acetyltransferases (HATs) function as multisubunit complexes in which accessory proteins regulate substrate specificity and catalytic efficiency. Rtt109 is a particularly interesting example of a HAT whose specificity and catalytic activity require association with either of two histone chaperones, Vps75 or Asf1. Here, we utilize biochemical, structural, and genetic analyses to provide the detailed molecular mechanism for activation of a HAT (Rtt109) by its activating subunit Vps75. The rate-determining step of the activated complex is the transfer of the acetyl group from acetyl CoA to the acceptor lysine residue. Vps75 stimulates catalysis (> 250-fold), not by contributing a catalytic base, but by stabilizing the catalytically active conformation of Rtt109. To provide structural insight into the functional complex, we produced a molecular model of Rtt109-Vps75 based on X-ray diffraction of crystals of the complex. This model reveals distinct negative electrostatic surfaces on an Rtt109 molecule that interface with complementary electropositive ends of a symmetrical Vps75 dimer. Rtt109 variants with interface point substitutions lack the ability to be fully activated by Vps75, and one such variant displayed impaired Vps75-dependent histone acetylation functions in yeast, yet these variants showed no adverse effect on Asf1-dependent Rtt109 activities in vitro and in vivo. Finally, we provide evidence for a molecular model in which a 1∶2 complex of Rtt109-Vps75 acetylates a heterodimer of H3-H4. The activation mechanism of Rtt109-Vps75 provides a valuable framework for understanding the molecular regulation of HATs within multisubunit complexes.
Diagnosis and management of takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is an acute cardiac syndrome that mimics acute myocardial infarction (AMI) (1-3). The initial presentation of both diseases is similar, usually including chest symptoms, electrocardiographic (ECG) changes and left ventricular apical wall motion abnormalities. AMI occurs predominantly in men, whereas Takotsubo cardiomyopathy occurs predominantly in elderly women. It is important to note that the ECG changes and apical wall motion abnormalities observed in patients with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy are not related to acute plaque rupture or myocardial ischemia associated with coronary atherosclerosis. In the clinical setting, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is an important disease that must be differentiated from AMI for appropriate management. For example, thrombolytic therapy is useful for treating AMI; however, it is of no benefit in patients with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. In this issue of the Journal (4), Kamada et al. described a case of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy triggered by statininduced rhabdomyolysis. The patient was a man with atherosclerotic risk factors, including dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus and peripheral artery disease. In that case, it was challenging to differentiate between AMI and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy noninvasively based on the patient’s initial presentation. Kamada et al. pointed out that the detection of STsegment depression in lead aVR without ST-segment elevation in lead V1 was useful for making the diagnosis. The ECG findings were suggestive of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, and coronary angiography was deferred at the time of admission to prevent the occurrence of any contrast-induced acute kidney injury. Coronary angiography was thereafter performed on the third hospital day to confirm the diagnosis. As shown in this report, the diagnostic value of ECG for detecting Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is well established (5, 6). Recently, the predictive value of this modality has also been investigated. For example, cardiac rupture is a rare but life-threatening complication of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (7, 8), and Kumar et al. showed that patients with cardiac rupture exhibit an older age, higher double product, increased frequency of persistent ST-segment elevation and reduced frequency of use of beta-blockers (7). In the current case, the patient’s heart rate was approximately 140 bpm, and the level of ST-segment elevation on the initial ECG was unusual. Furthermore, the ST-segment elevation persisted until the third hospital day. It is noteworthy that these ECG findings are suggestive of a possible case of cardiac rupture. There remains no consensus regarding the optimal management of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. However, the use of beta-blockers should be considered empirically in the setting of tachycardia and persistent ST-segment elevation. In addition, anticoagulant therapy should be administered to prevent apical thrombus formation in the early period.
Multimorbidity and the process of living with ongoing illness

Objectives Living with two or more health conditions, or multimorbidity, is associated with higher rates of disability and lower quality of life. To overcome the challenges associated with multimorbidity, person-centred health care is essential. However, to provide person-centred health care, health professionals first need to understand how people with multiple health conditions experience their illness. Methods Sixteen adult participants, with one or more health conditions, were recruited from hospital outpatient and community health services and interviewed twice. Qualitative data from interview transcripts and field notes were inductively analysed using constructivist grounded theory and life chart methods. Findings ‘Living with ongoing illness’ describes a process involving four interrelated experiences. Participants described, ‘recognising something is not right,’ ‘working out what is wrong,’ ‘getting things under control’ and ‘getting on with life. ’ A case example is used to illustrate and compare the process across a participant’s first and subsequent health conditions. Discussion Participants with different health conditions shared similar illness experiences. Yet, the process of living with ongoing illness was unique and differed according to participants’ health conditions and life context. By understanding the experiences, needs, and priorities of people with multimorbidity, health professionals can provide timely and relevant health care.
Learning from imperfect data in theory and practice

This thesis explores several problems of learning with noisy or incomplete data. Most machine learning applications need to infer correct conclusions from available information, although some data may be incorrect and other important data may be missing. In this thesis, we describe algorithms for handling imperfect data in several projects that range from the theoretical to the practical. In Chapter 2 we present new formal models of learning with a teacher who makes mistakes or fails to answer some questions, and we show that learning can succeed in these models. We first consider learning with a "randomly fallible teacher" who is unable to answer a random subset of the learner's questions, and we present a probabilistic algorithm for learning monotone DNF formulas in this model. We then introduce a learning model in which queries on "borderline" examples may receive incorrect answers. We describe efficient algorithms for learning intersections of halfspaces and subclasses of DNF formulas in this new model. Our results in Chapter 3 show how teams of learners can work together to learn graphs in the absence of key information that distinguishes nodes. On a graph with indistinguishable nodes, a robot cannot tell if it is placed on a node that it has previously seen. We describe a probabilistic polynomial-time algorithm for two cooperating robots to learn any strongly-connected directed graph, even graphs that would most likely require exponential time to explore by walking randomly. We also present a random-walk algorithm that is faster for a special class of graphs. In Chapter 4 we examine the application of machine learning techniques and algorithm design to a real problem in molecular biology: building large-scale human gene maps using the new technique of radiation hybrid mapping. We represent uncertainty about noise in the data with a hidden Markov model. We introduce new search methods for finding good maps, and we use these methods to build the first radiation hybrid map of the entire human genome. Our work demonstrates that an approach combining theoretical models and practical search heuristics can yield excellent results in a real application of learning from imperfect data. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)
Nitric oxide release from a single cell affects filopodial motility on growth cones of neighboring neurons

Nitric oxide (NO), a gaseous messenger, has been reported to be involved in a variety of functions in the nervous system, ranging from neuronal pathfinding to learning and memory. We have shown previously that the application of NO via NO donors to growth cones of identified Helisoma buccal neurons B5 in vitro induces an increase in filopodial length, a decrease in filopodial number, and a slowing in neurite advance. It is unclear, however, whether NO released from a physiological source would affect growth cone dynamics. Here we used cell bodies of identified neurons known to express the NO synthesizing enzyme nitric oxide synthase (NOS) as a source of constitutive NO production and tested their effect on growth cones of other cells in a sender‐receiver paradigm. We showed that B5 cell bodies induced a rapid increase in filopodial length in NO‐responsive growth cones, and that this effect was blocked by the NOS inhibitor 7‐NI, suggesting that the effect was mediated by NO. Inhibition of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) with ODQ blocked filopodial elongation induced by B5 somata, confirming that NO acted via sGC. We also demonstrate that the effect of NO was reversible and that a cell releasing NO can affect growth cones over a distance of at least 100 μm. Our results suggest that NO released from a physiological source can affect the motility of nearby growth cones and thus should be considered a signaling molecule with the potential to affect the outcome of neuronal pathfinding in vivo. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2007
Fatigue among short- and long-term thyroid cancer survivors: results from the population-based PROFILES registry.

BACKGROUND The aims of this study were (i) to obtain insight into the prevalence of fatigue among short- and long-term thyroid cancer (TC) survivors, by comparing a sample of TC survivors with an age- and sex-matched normative population, and (ii) to investigate which demographic, clinical, and TC-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) characteristics were associated with fatigue. METHODS All patients found to have TC between 1990 and 2008, as registered in the Eindhoven Cancer Registry, received a cross-sectional survey on fatigue (Fatigue Assessment Scale), TC-specific HRQoL (THYCA-QoL), and psychological distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). The fatigue scores were compared with those of an age- and sex-matched normative population (n=530). Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate the independent associations between clinical and demographic characteristics, TC-specific HRQoL, and psychological distress with fatigue. RESULTS Eighty-six percent (n=306) responded. TC survivors were more often classified as fatigued or very fatigued (short-term <5 years: 43%; long-term 5-10 years: 44%; long-term 10-15 years: 47%; long-term >15 years: 39%) compared to the normative population (25%; p<0.001). Anxiety (odds ratio (OR) 1.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-1.28) and depression (OR 1.43 [CI 1.22-1.68]) were associated with fatigue, as was also the case for TC-specific neuromuscular (OR 1.03 [CI 1.01-1.06]), concentration (OR 1.03 [CI 1.01-1.06]), and psychological TC-specific HRQoL (OR 1.06 [CI 1.02-1.10]). CONCLUSION Short- and long-term TC survivors report higher levels of fatigue than an age- and sex-matched normative population do. Both TC-specific HRQoL and psychological distress were associated with fatigue.
How does personality affect wiki-mediated learning?

The influence of students' non-cognitive characteristics on their learning performance constitutes a rather unexplored topic. The goal of the research presented in this paper, is to examine the relation between the students' personality characteristics (as measured using the Big Five Personality Test) and their learning outcome in the context of a framed wiki-based learning activity. 85 university students participated in the study using wikis to learn basic aspects and implications of Google search engine. Analyses of results indicate that learning gain was significant positively correlated with one of the five basic personality dimensions, namely Conscientiousness. It is argued that results from such studies can lead to useful conclusions and learning activity design recommendations.
A Comparison of Frequency-Domain Block MIMO Transmission Systems

Block transmission techniques, with appropriate cyclic prefix and frequency-domain processing schemes, have been shown to be excellent candidates for digital transmission over severely time-dispersive channels, allowing good performance with implementation complexity that is much lower than traditional time-domain processing schemes. Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation is the most popular block transmission technique. Single-carrier (SC) modulation using frequency-domain equalization (FDE) is an attractive alternative approach based on this principle. In this paper, we propose two new receiver structures for multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) channels employing SC (MIMO-SC) modulation and FDE schemes. These receivers have a hybrid structure with frequency-domain feedforward and time-domain feedback filters for intersymbol interference (ISI) and interference cancellation. The proposed schemes are compared with different MIMO systems employing OFDM modulation (MIMO-OFDM) receivers in terms of performance [bit error rate (BER) and throughput] and complexity. Our performance results show the superiority of MIMO-SC approaches relative to MIMO-OFDM in terms of the BER performance for the simulated scenarios. Also, the simulation results show that the proposed hybrid MIMO-SC receivers yield a higher throughput than a MIMO-OFDM system.
Intestinal permeability in liver cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVE To determine the changes in intestinal permeability in liver cirrhosis and to investigate whether intestinal permeability relates to the stage and aetiology of cirrhosis or existence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). DESIGN A prospective study of intestinal permeability in patients with cirrhosis. SETTING Gastroenterology and Nuclear Medicine Departments of Ege University Hospital. PARTICIPANTS Intestinal permeability was assessed in 44 consecutive patients with cirrhosis and 10 healthy volunteers by measuring 24 h urine excretion of (99m)technetium diethyl triamine penta-acetic acid (99mTc DTPA). Cases with an associated disease, impaired renal function, continuing alcohol consumption and drug intake which is known to have an effect on intestinal permeability were excluded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Comparisons of 24 h urine excretion of 99mTc DTPA were made between the groups of cirrhotics and controls, different grades of cirrhosis (according to Child-Pugh criteria), alcoholic and non-alcoholic cirrhotics and cirrhotic patients with and without SBP. RESULTS Patients with cirrhosis excreted 99mTc DTPA significantly more than controls (11.56 +/- 8.96% in cirrhotics and 4.30 +/- 1.49% in controls, P < 0.0001). There was no relationship of 24 h urine excretion of the tracer with the grade and aetiology of cirrhosis (12.20 +/- 9.47%, 11.41 +/- 9.84%, and 11.09 +/- 8.42%, in Child A, B, and C groups and 8.45 +/- 6.57% and 12.05 +/- 9.25% in alcoholic and non-alcoholic cirrhotics, respectively). No significant difference was found between cirrhotic patients with and without SBP in terms of excretion of the administered dose of 99mTc DTPA (9.98 +/- 9.47% and 12.20 +/- 8.82%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS This study shows that intestinal permeability increased in cirrhotic patients regardless of the grade and aetiology of disease. The presence of SBP does not seem to be due to increased intestinal permeability.
The Dbp 5 cycle at the nuclear pore complex during mRNA export I : dbp 5 mutants with defects in RNA binding and ATP hydrolysis define key steps for Nup 159 and Gle 1

Christine A. Hodge, Elizabeth J. Tran, Kristen N. Noble, Abel R. Alcazar-Roman, Rakefet Ben-Yishay, John J. Scarcelli, Andrew W. Folkmann, Yaron Shav-Tal, Susan R. Wente, and Charles N. Cole Department of Biochemistry, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USA; The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900, Israel; Institute of Nanotechnology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900, Israel; Department of Genetics, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immumology, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee 27208, USA
Effects of structural anisotropy of cancellous bone on speed of ultrasonic fast waves in the bovine femur

Ultrasonic waves in cancellous bone change dramatically depending on its structural complexity. One good example is the separation of an ultrasonic longitudinal wave into fast and slow waves during propagation. In this study, we examined fast wave propagation in cancellous bone obtained from the head of the bovine femur, taking the bone structure into consideration. We investigated the wave propagation perpendicular to the bone axis and found the two-wave phenomenon. By rotating the cylindrical cancellous bone specimen, changes in the fast wave speed due to the rotation angle then were observed. In addition to the ultrasonic evaluation, the structural anisotropy of each specimen was measured by X-ray micro-computed tomography (CT). From the CT images, we obtained the mean intercept length (MIL), degree of anisotropy (DA), and angle of insonification relative to the trabecular orientation. The ultrasonic and CT results showed that the fast wave speed was dependent on the structural anisotropy, especially on the trabecular orientation and length. The fast wave speeds always were higher for propagation parallel to the trabecular orientation. In addition, there was a strong correlation between the DA and the ratio between maximum and minimum speeds (Vmax/Vmin) (R2 = 0.63).
Interaction of dietary protein and energy-protein ratio on growth performance of snakehead Channa striata

ABSTRACTThe study proposed to discover the optimum protein content and energy-protein ratio in practical diet for snakehead, Channa striata. The experiment applied complete randomized design, consisted of six treatments with four replications on each treatment. The treatments were: A (32.5%; 11.82 kcal GE/g), B (32.5%; 13.32 kcal GE/g), C (37.17%; 10.64 kcal GE/g), D (37.33%; 12.07 kcal GE/g), E (43.08%; 10.02 kcal GE/g), and F (42.88%; 10.66 kcal GE/g). Snakehead with average weight of 6.21 ± 0.03 g were reared for 8 weeks. The treatments showed significant results. Increased protein dietary level had increased the growth rate and treatment with high energy-protein ratio at the same protein dietary level provided better growth performance. However, increased energy-protein ratio at E and F treatments caused a decline in growth performance. The improvement of energy-protein dietary ratio had positive correlation with the level of lipid and protein content in fish body. Similar finding was found in liver and muscle glycogen. The results also showed that the increament of energy-protein dietary ratio was significantly and positively correlated with cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, glucose, and albumin, yet it had no significant effect on LDL. It can be concluded that excellent growth performance was achieved by protein dietary level of 37.33% and energy-protein ratio of 12.07 kcal GE/g.Keywords: energy-protein ratio, growth, snakehead ABSTRAKPenelitian ini bertujuan untuk memperoleh kadar protein dan rasio energi-protein pakan buatan yang optimum bagi performa pertumbuhan ikan gabus. Penelitian ini mengaplikasikan rancangan acak lengkap dengan 6 perlakuan, yaitu: A (32,78%;11,82 kkal GE/g), B (32,56%;13,32 kkal GE/g), C (37,17%:10,64 kkal GE/g), D (37,33%:12,07 kkal GE/g), E (43,08%:10,02 kkal GE/g), dan F (42,88%:10,66 kkal GE/g) dan masing-masing terdiri 4 ulangan. Bobot rata-rata ikan gabus yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini yaitu 6,21 ± 0,03 g dan dipelihara selama 8 minggu. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa peningkatan kadar protein pakan meningkatkan laju pertumbuhan, dan perlakuan dengan rasio energi-protein tinggi pada level protein pakan yang sama memberikan kinerja pertumbuhan yang lebih baik. Namun demikian, pada perlakuan E dan F, peningkatan rasio energi-protein menyebabkan penurunan kinerja pertumbuhan. Peningkatan rasio energi-protein pakan berkorelasi positif terhadap kadar lemak dan protein tubuh ikan. Hal yang sama juga terjadi pada glikogen hati dan otot. Hasil penelitian juga menunjukkan bahwa peningkatan rasio energi-protein pakan berpengaruh nyata (P<0,05) dan berkorelasi positif terhadap kolesterol, trigliserida, HDL, dan albumin, tetapi tidak berpengaruh nyata terhadap LDL (P>0.05). Kesimpulan yang didapat adalah kinerja pertumbuhan optimal dihasilkan oleh kadar protein pakan 37,33% dan rasio energi protein pakan 12,07 kkal GE/g.Kata kunci: albumin, energi, ikan gabus, pertumbuhan, protein