Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Empirically Derived Taxonomy of Information Technology Structure and Its Relationship to Organizational Structure

This study empirically develops a taxonomy that has implications for matching information technology (IT) and organizational structures. The taxonomy of IT structure is based on the degree of centralization of computer processing, capability to support communications, and the ability to share resources. By using a multistep cluster analysis, both the membership and number of groups are derived from the responses of 313 firms. Four IT structures are identified: centralized (centralized processing, low communication, low sharing), decentralized (decentralized processing, low communication, low sharing), centralized cooperative (centralized processing, high communication, high sharing), and distributed cooperative computing (decentralized processing, high communication, high sharing). Centralized computing is related to functional organizational forms with low integration and centralized decision making. Decentralized computing is related to product organizational forms with decentralized decision making. Centralized cooperative computing is related to functional organizational forms with high integration. Distributed cooperative computing is related to both matrix and product organizational forms with high integration. The ability to identify and understand the implications of IT structure is of critical importance to both academic and management practitioners.
Drug safety evaluation of apremilast for treating psoriatic arthritis

Introduction: Apremilast is an orally available small molecule that targets PDE4. PDE4 modulates intracellular signaling and thereby can impact various proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators. Apremilast has been approved by the USA FDA for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and moderate-to-severe psoriasis (PsO). Although there are several therapies approved and used for the treatment of PsA, there is still an unmet need for additional effective and well-tolerated therapeutic options. In PsA clinical trials, apremilast has been shown to be efficacious and to have an acceptable safety profile. Areas covered: This review article covers the mechanism of action of apremilast, its efficacy in clinical trials and a detailed focus on its safety profile, mainly from Phase III clinical trials. Expert opinion: Based on the available literature, apremilast has proven to be an efficacious therapy for PsA and PsO. It may offer some advantage as compared to other therapeutic options given its favorable safety profile, including a lack of need for routine laboratory monitoring.
Comparative gastrointestinal morphology of three small mammalian insectivores: Acomys spinosissimus (Rodentia), Crocidura cyanea (Eulipotyphla), and Amblysomus hottentotus (Afrosoricida)

The gastrointestinal morphology was investigated in three mammalian insectivorous species, namely Acomys spinosissimus, Crocidura cyanea, and Amblysomus hottentotus. The aim of the study was to provide a comprehensive morphological comparison between the different species and to explore whether anatomical gastrointestinal adaptations are associated with the insectivorous diet of these species. The shape, proportional length, and proportional surface areas of the different gastrointestinal regions were recorded and compared in the three insectivores. Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and Alcian Blue/Periodic Acid Schiff (AB/PAS) were used for morphological assessment. In all three species, the stomach was simple and uncompartmentalized. The internal aspect of the stomach in A. spinosissimus was hemi‐glandular, containing stratified squamous epithelium in the fundus, with glandular epithelium in the body and pyloric region. However, C. cyanea and A. hottentotus had wholly glandular stomachs. Paneth cells were not observed in the intestinal tracts of C. cyanea and A. hottentotus. Acomys spinosissimus was the only species studied that had a cecum. The proximal colonic region of A. spinosissimus had V‐shaped mucosal folds. Histologically, C. cyanea had villi throughout the entire gastrointestinal tract (GIT), whereas for A. hottentotus villi were not present in the most distal gastrointestinal regions. In both C. cyanea and A. hottentotus, longitudinal mucosal folds were present in the distal part of the colon. The GITs of C. cyanea and A. hottentotus showed little morphological differentiation namely, a simple, glandular stomach and the lack of a cecum. J. Morphol. , 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inferring Plane Orientation from a Single Motion Blurred Image

We present a scheme for recovering the orientation of a planar scene from a single translation ally-motion blurred image. By leveraging the homography relationship among image coordinates of 3D points lying on a plane, and by exploiting natural correspondences among the extremities of the blur kernels derived from the motion blurred observation, the proposed method can accurately infer the normal of the planar surface. We validate our approach on synthetic as well as real planar scenes.
Use and evaluation of simulation for software process education: a case study

Software Engineering is an applied discipline and concepts are difficult to grasp only at a theoretical level alone. In the context of a project management course, we introduced and evaluated the use of software process simulation (SPS) based games for improving students’ understanding of software development processes. The effects of the intervention were measured by evaluating the students’ arguments for choosing a particular development process. The arguments were assessed with the Evidence-Based Reasoning framework, which was extended to assess the strength of an argument. The results indicate that students generally have difficulty providing strong arguments for their choice of process models. Nevertheless, the assessment indicates that the intervention of the SPS game had a positive impact on the students’ arguments. Even though the illustrated argument assessment approach can be used to provide formative feedback to students, its use is rather costly and cannot be considered a replacement for traditional assessments. (Less)
Rituximab in the treatment of three coexistent neurological autoimmune diseases: chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, Morvan syndrome and myasthenia gravis

A 76-year-old man with a pre-existing diagnosis of myasthenia gravis was admitted to an intensive care unit with pneumonia and type II respiratory failure. In addition, muscle weakness, widespread myokymia, neuropsychiatric disturbance and autonomic disturbance were present. Antivoltage gated potassium channel antibodies, antistriated muscle antibodies and antiacetylcholine receptor antibodies were positive. Nerve-conduction studies demonstrated findings consistent with patchy demyelination. Electromyography confirmed widespread myokymia, and there was evidence of diffuse encephalopathy on electroencephalography. Diagnoses of Morvan syndrome and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculopathy (CIDP) were made. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin, plasma exchange and high-dose steroids were ineffective, and the patient remained dependent on mechanical ventilation. The coexistence of possibly three humorally mediated autoimmune diseases led to treatment with rituximab. Rituximab treatment was followed by an improvement in muscle strength, allowing successful weaning from mechanical ventilation, diminution in myokymia and improved cognition. At follow-up, there was reversal of the neuropsychiatric manifestations and normal muscle strength. This case suggests that rituximab may be useful in the treatment of autoimmune neurological disease refractory to other immunosuppressant therapies. Specifically, it adds further evidence for the use of rituximab in CIDP. As indications for rituximab in humorally mediated disease continue to expand, international multicentre randomised controlled trials are required to prove the effectiveness of this important emerging biological agent.
Exploring major determinants of mobile learning adoption

From notebook computers to mobile phones, wireless devices become popular in society and affordable for the majority of the society. With rapidly improving Internet capabilities, the demand of mobility is spread to learning purposes. Mobile learning combines individualized learning with anytime and anywhere learning. It is possible for mobile learners to find and learn what they want to at a pace and place that suit them. M-learning applications provide benefits for mobile learners such as utilizing their spare time while traveling in a train or bus to finish their homework or study. The cost-effectiveness of m-learning is also important. Traditional classroom-based learning has a higher cost comparatively.
Simulação de controle adaptativo de tráfego urbano por meio de sistema multiagentes e com base em dados reais

A populacao urbana cresce rapidamente e a quantidade de veiculos, mais rapido ainda. Esse crescimento satura a infraestrutura de transportes, gerando lentidao, congestionamentos e aumentando o tempo das viagens. Os engarrafamentos tem causado transtornos economicos, sociais e ambientais. Com o aumento do tempo das viagens e da quantidade de veiculos nas ruas, aumentam tambem a poluicao sonora e do ar. Alem disso, diariamente os condutores enfrentam situacoes de estresse no trânsito. Melhorias nos sistemas de controle de trafego tem sido propostas, mesmo assim ainda ha muito a ser feito. Neste trabalho foi verificada a eficacia do emprego de agentes inteligentes para o controle do trafego urbano, em ambiente de simulacao multiagentes, a fim de reduzir os efeitos negativos dos congestionamentos. Foi utilizado o simulador de trafego urbano SUMO para realizar a simulacao do trafego de veiculos em uma regiao de Porto Alegre, RS. Dados reais a respeito da programacao dos semaforos e do volume de trafego foram utilizados. Apos, foi desenvolvido um semaforo inteligente, que utiliza uma heuristica para tomar suas decisoes e a simulacao foi realizada novamente. O resultado das duas simulacoes foi, entao, comparado e os resultados encontrados foram considerados de grande relevância.
Satisfaction levels in orthopaedic out-patients.

INTRODUCTION It is important that patients are satisfied with an out-patient consultation. This ensures compliance with treatment and attendance for follow-up. The aim of this study was to identify factors regarding out-patient consultation associated with patient satisfaction. METHODS A two-part questionnaire identifying expectations of, and subsequent satisfaction with, a new out-patient consultation was completed by 106 out-patients. RESULTS There was no correlation between not seeing the clinician anticipated and reduced satisfaction (P = 0.17). Using more information sources was associated with less satisfaction (P = 0.02). Patients were less satisfied if their expectations of either treatment or outcome were changed. CONCLUSIONS Meeting patients' expectations is an essential part of effective communication. The use of specialist physiotherapists and general practitioners with a special interest is an effective way of seeing more new patients.
Evaluation of potential losartan‐phenytoin drug interactions in healthy volunteers *

Phenytoin, a cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C9 substrate, has a narrow therapeutic index and nonlinear pharmacokinetics. Therefore there is the potential for significant concentration‐related adverse effects when phenytoin is coadministered with other CYP2C9 substrates. Losartan, an antihypertensive agent, is also a substrate for CYP2C9.
Combined Transcriptomic–1H NMR Metabonomic Study Reveals That Monoethylhexyl Phthalate Stimulates Adipogenesis and Glyceroneogenesis in Human Adipocytes

Adipose tissue is a major storage site for lipophilic environmental contaminants. The environmental metabolic disruptor hypothesis postulates that some pollutants can promote obesity or metabolic disorders by activating nuclear receptors involved in the control of energetic homeostasis. In this context, monoethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP) is of particular concern since it was shown to activate the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in 3T3-L1 murine preadipocytes. In the present work, we used an untargeted, combined transcriptomic-1H NMR-based metabonomic approach to describe the overall effect of MEHP on primary cultures of human subcutaneous adipocytes differentiated in vitro. MEHP stimulated rapidly and selectively the expression of genes involved in glyceroneogenesis, enhanced the expression of the cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, and reduced fatty acid release. These results demonstrate that MEHP increased glyceroneogenesis and fatty acid reesterification in human adipocytes. A longer treatment with MEHP induced the expression of genes involved in triglycerides uptake, synthesis, and storage; decreased intracellular lactate, glutamine, and other amino acids; increased aspartate and NAD, and resulted in a global increase in triglycerides. Altogether, these results indicate that MEHP promoted the differentiation of human preadipocytes to adipocytes. These mechanisms might contribute to the suspected obesogenic effect of MEHP.
Parenting Practices and Quality of Life in Dutch and Portuguese Adolescents: A Cross-Cultural Study // Prácticas parentales y calidad de vida en adolescentes holandeses y portugueses: Un estudio transcultural

The aim of this study was to examine differences in Quality of life (QoL) and parenting practices, as well as the impact of parenting practices on QoL in Dutch and Portuguese adolescents. A total of 168 Portuguese and 155 Dutch adolescents aged 12-17 years old completed questionnaires about QoL (Kidscreen-27), several dimensions of maternal and paternal parenting practices, and socio-demographic information. No significant differences were found between countries on general QoL. On the subscale for school environment, scores were higher for Dutch adolescents. Portuguese adolescents reported that their mothers showed more positive parenting, psychological control and behavioral control than did Dutch adolescents. Dutch fathers showed more responsiveness and harsh discipline, whereas Portuguese fathers showed more psychological control. Parenting practices seem to be culturally dependant. Parenting practices, especially positive parenting and behavioral control, influenced adolescents' QoL regardless of nationality.
A Novel G to A Substitution at Nucleotide 1734 of the FBN1 Gene Predicting a C534Y Mutation Responsible for Marfan Syndrome

The mutation was detected in a 30-year-old Caucasian male who met the diagnostic criteria for Marfan syndrome (MFS) [1]. In addition to dolichostenomelia, arachnodactyly, decreased upper to lower segment ratio, highly arched and narrow palate, pectus deformity and pes planus, he also manifested dilation of the aorta, which was surgically repaired, and bilateral ectopia lentis. There was no family history of MFS. A skin biopsy was used to establish a dermal fibroblast culture as a source of FBN1 mRNA.
Electrophysiological Characterization of the Arabidopsis avrRpt2-Specific Hypersensitive Response in the Absence of Other Bacterial Signals1

The hypersensitive response (HR) is defined as rapid cell collapse at the infection site and often accompanies plant resistance. The physiological processes leading to HR are not well understood. Here, we report an electrophysiological characterization of bacterial HR caused by a single avirulence gene in the absence of other bacterial signals. We used dexamethasone (dex)-inducible transgenic Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) plants containing the avrRpt2 gene from Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato. Membrane depolarization in these plants began 1 to 1.5 h after dex application, hours before electrolyte leakage. Progressive depolarization was a sensitive early indicator of HR that occurred only in Arabidopsis leaf cells expressing both avrRpt2 and a functional RPS2 gene. Hyperpolarization of fully depolarized membranes by fusicoccin, a fungal toxin that activates the H+-ATPase, indicates that depolarization did not result from a nonfunctional pump or leaky membranes. Depolarization and electrolyte leakage were inhibited in RPS2 plants by the calcium channel blocker LaCl3, highly correlating these events and suggesting that Ca2+ entry into cells is required for both. Also correlated were inhibition of depolarization, electrolyte leakage, and HR following salicylic acid pretreatment. In salicylic acid-pretreated RPS2 seedlings, avrRpt2 transcript was produced after dex treatment. However, AvrRpt2 protein accumulation was greatly reduced, suggesting a possible mechanism for inhibition of HR in plants with induced resistance. This experimental system is a very sensitive assay that lends itself to the dissection of physiological processes leading to HR in plants, and provides a baseline for future research within a genetic framework.
Influence of the luminance level on visual performance with a disposable soft cosmetic tinted contact lens

The purpose of the present work was to study the effect on visual performance of wearing disposable soft tinted contact lenses for cosmetic purposes. Parameters such as contrast sensitivity (Vistech 6000), colour vision (Farnsworth‐Munsell 100‐Hue colour test), visual fields (static Goldmann perimetry) and subjective vision (what the wearer feels while wearing the lenses) were studied under different illumination levels in order to check for possible vision losses while wearing these contact lenses at low illumination levels. Sixteen emmetropic subjects were fitted consecutively with seven pairs of different colour lenses (Optima Colors® lenses by Bausch & Lomb), and the experimental parameters were measured under four different illumination levels (60, 6, 1, and 0.1 cd/m2; but 15 and 0.3 cd/m2 for the static perimetry) The results obtained showed no statistically significant differences in visual performance between wearing the lenses and not wearing them (p>0.01), except for the static perimetry, in which statistically significant differences (p<0.01) occur at eccentricities greater than 30°.
Role of oxidative stress and apoptosis in the cellular response of murine macrophages upon Leishmania infection

SUMMARY Leishmania parasites are able to survive in the macrophage, one of the most hostile environments of the vertebrate host. The present study investigated how Leishmania infection influences these host cell defence mechanisms. Macrophages were infected with antimony-susceptible and -resistant Leishmania strains. Free radical production in Leishmania-infected macrophages was measured by electron paramagnetic resonance. Apoptosis was detected with fluorescence microscopy using Annexin-V FITC labelling and with Western blotting to detect caspase-3 cleavage. Independent of their drug susceptibility profile or species background, all studied Leishmania strains induced a similar increase in free radical production in macrophages. O2●− production was significantly elevated during phagocytosis of the stationary phase promastigotes. Conversely, NO levels increased later in the infection and none of the strains induced capsase-3 cleavage. Leishmania donovani infection led to phosphatidylserine externalization only in RAW 264.7 cells. After an initial burst of O2●− during phagocytosis of promastigotes, amastigotes protect themselves by decreasing the O2●− production to the basal level. An increased NO production was observed 6 h after infection. Finally, induction of cell death is probably not essential in the survival of the parasite within the macrophage.
Laterality of a second player position affects lateral deviation of basketball shooting

Abstract Asymmetrically placed visual distractors are known to cause a lateral bias in the execution of a movement directed toward a target. The aim of the present experiment was to verify if the trajectory of the ball and the trajectory of the jump for a basket-shot can be affected by the sole position of a second player, who stays in front of the shooting player in one of three possible positions (centre, left or right) but too far to physically interfere with the shot. Young basketball players were asked to perform 60 shots at 6.25 m from a regular basket, with or without a second player staying in front of them in, alternately, a centre, left or right position. A computerised system measured the angular deviation of the jump direction from the vertical direction and the lateral deviation of the ball trajectory from the midline. The results showed that both the jump direction and the entry position of the ball deviated toward the opposite side from the second player’s side; however, these effects were too small to significantly affect the mean goal percentage. This result confirms that some placements of the players can have an effect as visual distractors. Further studies are necessary to find what game conditions can make such distractors harmful for the athletic performance.
Isotopic Carbon

biometry are laborious and inefficient. " In their place he describes methods, admittedly crude, which serve well for exploratory investigations. These include standardized photographs, pictorialized scatter diagrams, ideographs, hybrid indices, and "radiate indicators. " Properly used, these seem not to be laborious or inefficient; more important perhaps is their appeal to many non-mathematical biologists. Anderson shows interesting examples of their use in deducing the characteristics of an unknown species which had introgressively hybridized with another. The most disappointing feature of the book is its strict limitation to plants; probably the author was wise in recognizing his limitations, but the possibilities in zoology and anthropology are most intriguing. On the other hand, Anderson's enthusiasm and preoccupation with multiple factor inheritance may have somewhat distorted his perspective. No doubt Burbank would have chortled. At any rate, here seems to be a handbook for the new hybridist.
Organizing for ontological change: The kernel of an AIDS research infrastructure

Is it possible to prepare and plan for emergent and changing objects of research? Members of the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study have been investigating AIDS for over 30 years, and in that time, the disease has been repeatedly transformed. Over the years and across many changes, members have continued to study HIV disease while in the process regenerating an adaptable research organization. The key to sustaining this technoscientific flexibility has been what we call the kernel of a research infrastructure: ongoing efforts to maintain the availability of resources and services that may be brought to bear in the investigation of new objects. In the case of the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study, these resources are as follows: specimens and data, calibrated instruments, heterogeneous experts, and participating cohorts of gay and bisexual men. We track three ontological transformations, examining how members prepared for and responded to changes: the discovery of a novel retroviral agent (HIV), the ability to test for that agent, and the transition of the disease from fatal to chronic through pharmaceutical intervention. Respectively, we call the work, ‘technologies’, and techniques of adapting to these changes, ‘repurposing’, ‘elaborating’, and ‘extending the kernel’.