Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trigger Walking: A low-fatigue travel technique for immersive virtual reality

We present Trigger Walking, a low-fatigue travel technique for immersive virtual reality which uses hand-held controllers to move about more naturally within a limited physical space. Most commercial applications use some form of teleportation or physical walking for moving around in a virtual space. However, teleportation can be disorienting, due to the sudden change in the environment when teleported to another location. Physical walking techniques are more physically demanding, leading to fatigue. Hence, we explore the use of two spatial controllers that accompany commercial headsets to walk by taking a virtual step each time a controller trigger is pulled. The user has the choice of using the orientation of a single-controller, the average of both controllers, or that of the head to determine the direction of walking, and speed can be controlled by changing the angle of the controller to the Frontal plane.
Histamine, tyramine, tryptamine and electrolytes during glucose induced lactic acidosis.

Two trials were conducted to study ruminal lactic acid, histamine, tyramine and tryptamine concentrations following glucose engorgement in vitro and in vivo. Also, electrolyte changes in rumen fluid, blood plasma and urine during lactic acidosis were examined. Experiment 1 involved the addition of glucose to rumen fluid in vitro. After 30 hr of incubation, decreases in pH and increases in lactic acid were consistent with the expected development o f acidosis. Tyramine levels increased dramatically. When graded levels of L-histidine were added with glucose, histamine concentrations increased accordingly. In the second experiment, four ewes were dosed with a mixture of 90% glucose and 10% casein. Ruminal pH values decreased while the ruminal lactic acid concentrations increased. Ruminal tyramine and tryptamine concentrations increased. The ruminal histamine concentration did not change significantly. Significant changes were observed in ruminal concentrations of calcium, magnesium and sodium in plasma, and concentrations of magnesium, sodium, potassium, and inorganic phosphate in urine. (
Comparison of the SF6 D and the EQ-5 D in patients with coronary heart disease

Background: The SF-6D was derived from the SF-36. A single summary score is obtained allegedly preserving the descriptive richness and sensitivity to change of the SF-36 into utility measurement. We compared the SF-6D and EQ-5D on domain content, scoring distribution, pre-treatment and change scores. Methods: The SF-6D and the EQ-5D were completed prior to intervention and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months post-intervention in a study enrolling 561 patients with symptomatic coronary stenosis. Patients were randomized to off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), standard on-pump CABG, or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Baseline and change over time scores were compared using parametric and non-parametric tests. Results: The relative contribution of similar domains measuring daily functioning to the utility scores differed substantially. SF-6D focused more on social functioning, while EQ-5D gave more weight to physical functioning. Pain and mental health had similar contributions. The scoring range of the EQ-5D was twice the range of the SF-6D. Before treatment, EQ-5D and SF-6D mean scores appeared similar (0.64 versus 0.63, p = 0.09). Median scores, however, differed substantially (0.69 versus 0.60), a difference exceeding the minimal important difference of both instruments. Agreement was low, with an intra-class correlation of 0.45. Finally, we found large differences in measuring change over time. The SF-6D recorded greater intra-subject change in the PTCA-group. Only the EQ-5D recorded significant change in the CABG-groups. In the latter groups changes in SF-6D domains cancelled each other out. Conclusion: Although both instruments appear to measure similar constructs, the EQ-5D and SF6D are quite different. The low agreement and the differences in median values, scoring range and sensitivity to change after intervention show that the EQ-5D and SF-6D yield incomparable scores in patients with coronary heart disease. Background Measurement of health utility is an important part of costeffectiveness analysis in health care. Health utility can be measured by several preference-based utility measures, of which the EuroQol (EQ-5D) [1,2] and the Health Utility Index [3] are the most widely used. Recently, a new index Published: 25 March 2006 Health and Quality of Life Outcomes 2006, 4:20 doi:10.1186/1477-7525-4-20 Received: 24 August 2004 Accepted: 25 March 2006 This article is available from: http://www.hqlo. com/content/4/1/20 © 2006 van Stel and Buskens; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
The frequency of tuberculosis chemoprophylaxis prior to TNF-α inhibitor treatment, and the incidence tuberculosis infection using a two-step screening algorithm for latent tuberculosis infection: data from the BioRx.si registry

Due to the well-established risk of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) reactivation, and its potentially devastating consequences in patients treated with tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitors (anti-TNF), a low threshold for TB chemoprophylaxis is usually recommended.1 ,2 Conversely, TB chemoprophylaxis is time consuming, delays the initiation of required treatment, adds to the overall cost of treatment, and carries risk of adverse events in its own right.3 A screening algorithm able to safely reduce the frequency of TB chemoprophylaxis would be of great value. Recently, Mariette et al 4 showed that replacing the tuberculin skin test (TST) with interferon-γ release assays in their LTBI screening algorithm reduced the requirement for TB chemoprophylaxis from 45.2% to 27.3%, while there were no new cases of TB during the 1-year observation period. In Slovenia, since 2002, a two-step LTBI screening algorithm is being used for all rheumatological patients who are candidates for anti-TNF. The LTBI screening is not repeated on a regular …
Intentions of Older Homebound Women With Regard to Reaching Help Quickly

The purposes of this longitudinal phenomenological study were to describe intentions of older women relative to reaching help quickly (RHQ), to place those intentions in personal–social context, and to compare intentions of subscribers to a personal emergency response system (PERS) and nonsubscribers. The 40 participants were aged 85 or older, resided alone, and needed help to leave home. Two contextual features (“recognizing my risk of being unable to RHQ” and “recognizing my need for a RHQ device to sustain myself”) were basic to two phenomena (“negotiating reliance on people to reach quickly if I need help” and “reducing my risk of being unable to RHQ”). There was greater variation in intentions and context within each of the two naturally occurring groups (subscribers and nonsubscribers) than between them. Practitioners cannot assume that women intend to use available RHQ devices in specific situations; preventive nursing involves proactive exploration of intentions relative to RHQ.
Biogaserträge verschiedener nachwachsender Rohstoffe

Neben Wirtschaftsdungern werden zur Biogaserzeugung zunehmend nachwachsende Rohstoffe als Co-Substrate eingesetzt, um die Gasbildung zu erhohen. Allerdings stehen derzeit nur unzureichende Daten uber die Eignung der verschiedenen nachwachsenden Rohstoffe zur Verfugung. Es wird deshalb untersucht, ob deren Eignung als Futterpflanzen (Futterwerttabelle) auch Ruckschlusse auf die Eignung zur Biogaserzeugung zulasst.
Risk of malignancy in scleroderma: a population-based cohort study.

OBJECTIVE To determine the incidence of cancer in patients with scleroderma (systemic sclerosis) and to compare those rates with cancer rates in the local population. METHODS Cancer risk in scleroderma patients in the Detroit metropolitan area was assessed by linking patient identification codes of the Michigan Scleroderma Registry to the Metropolitan Detroit Cancer Surveillance System database. Patients were screened between the years 1973 and 2002, with additional followup to 2004. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated for selected malignancies (lung, liver, colon, breast, cervical, and prostate cancers, and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas), with stratification by sex and race. RESULTS Of 934 patients in the Scleroderma Registry, 538 were included in the study based on tri-county residency (436 females and 102 males). Of these, 45 first malignancies were noted (37 females and 8 males). Lung cancer (10 cases) was found to be the most common cancer in scleroderma patients. However, its incidence was not significantly different from that in the general population of metropolitan Detroit (SIR 1.23). Other types of cancer were examined, and no significant differences were found as compared with the rates in the local population, with 1 exception: black females with scleroderma had significantly higher rates of liver cancer (SIR 45.8). CONCLUSION Contrary to previous studies, this study did not find statistical evidence of an increased incidence of cancer in scleroderma patients, except for liver cancer. One possible reason is the high background rates of certain cancers in the metropolitan Detroit area. It may be necessary to consider local cancer rates when comparing different scleroderma cohorts.
Decomposing recruitment limitation for an avian‐dispersed rain forest tree in an anciently fragmented landscape

Forest fragmentation may intensify recruitment limitation through impacts on seed production, dissemination and seedling establishment processes. In an ancient mosaic of fog‐dependent rain forest patches on coastal hilltops of semi‐arid Chile (30 °S), we investigated how aridity‐driven habitat fragmentation affected the recruitment of the fleshy‐fruited, dioecious tree Aextoxicon punctatum (Aextoxicaceae) and the role of birds in seed dispersal across patches. We hypothesized that reduced fragment size enhanced recruitment limitation due to constraints on tree fecundity, avian disperser activity and seedling recruitment, caused primarily by strong edge effects in small fragments. We mapped adult Aextoxicon trees and placed 686 seed traps distributed in 3 small (<0.3 ha) and 3 large patches ( > 0.9 ha) in the forest patch mosaic. To identify seed sources, endocarps of 282 dispersed seeds from seed traps were genotyped and compared with 155 genotyped females using nine microsatellite markers. Seed dispersal curves for different forest patches were constructed using maximum likelihood methods. Further, seed addition experiments were conducted in the six fragments to assess recruitment probabilities. Lower density and basal areas of reproductive female trees, in addition to shorter fruiting periods and lower seed yields, led to strong source limitation in small patches. Three bird species accounted for the bulk of visits to fruiting trees, but were less active in smaller patches. Dispersal curves were strongly leptokurtic with maximum dispersal distances related to the shape of patches. Important proportions (5–40%) of genotyped seeds in all patches were immigrants. However, seeds arrived mainly at patch edges or below reproductive trees where germination and survival are reduced. Fewer seedlings originated from experimentally added seeds in small patches subjected to greater edge effects. Synthesis. In summary, we provide evidence for source, dispersal and establishment limitation of this dioecious tree in an aridity‐driven fragmented landscape. Small fragment size and edge effects had negative impacts on fecundity and seedling establishment. Although bird‐mediated seed dispersal favoured immigration between patches, recruitment from such seeds will be unlikely because of low quality of deposition sites.
The role of androgens in rheumatic diseases.

Knowledge of the physiological effects of sex hormones has advanced considerably since the second century BCE. In China, sex hormones were actually extracted from human urine by the process of sublimation, and estrogens and androgens were purified and used in the treatment of a variety of ailments, including hypogonadism and dysmenorrhea. During the last 50 years, the involvement of estrogens/androgens in the pathophysiology and therapy of rheumatic diseases has been proposed on the basis of new findings regarding their interference in molecular mechanisms of the immune/inflammatory reaction [1,2]. Generally, androgens exert suppressive effects on both humoral and cellular immune responses and seem to function as natural anti-inflammatory hormones [1]. This review discusses current knowledge on androgens and rheumatic diseases.
Importance of women and women entrepreneurs education for new technologies: an analisys of policy documents

A great number of texts and papers on women entrepreneurship, women education and entrepreneurial learning as well as various policy documents could be found on the internet. However, majority of public papers deals with information on gap in women entrepreneurship statistics. As an expert and practitioner in the field of information systems development (IS/IT), women entrepreneurship and SME financing author could allege that further efforts should be invested as well to progress in gender statistics in terms of economic valuation and impact of women entrepreneurship on social welfare, added value in the economies, structured business indicators or other gender economic analysis. As far as certain sub statistics on women in creative industries, innovations or business activities based on ICT and new technologies are in question, it could be stated that information are at early stage of development. In this paper very simple approach is used through analysis of policy documents to show importance of women and business women education for new technologies. Elected policy documents are (1) the Strategy of Women Entrepreneurship Development in the Republic of Croatia for the period of 2014-2020 (hereinafter: the Strategy) and (2) EU report “Women Active in the ICT Sector” (hereinafter: the EU Report). Intension of this paper is to accentuate importance of technical knowledge for which evidenced gap in education and skills of women is identified. A systemic overview referring to education in the content of the Strategy is used. Author through elected topics wants to accentuate importance of systemic approach toward entrepreneurial education of women, especially in the field of technical sciences and fields for which there is market demand pending for business success, competitiveness and starting their own innovative businesses. Paper also emphasise a few evidence on women entrepreneurship in Croatia, judgement and opinions of women entrepreneurs participated in focus groups in the period of development of the Strategy 2014-2020 and general information on the Strategy objectives. Abovementioned EU Report is presented by comparative presentation of priorities for action and policy recommendation for member states taking into consideration that Report stated “women participation in the ICT sector is essential for Europe’s long-term growth and economic sustainability”. Therefore in conclusion is cited paper in which authors (one is lecturer of Management, Organizational Behaviour and Personal Management in HAN University Arnhem, Netherlands) observes the perspective of education related to differences between male and female entrepreneurs in characteristics and competences.
Routine Ultrasound Surveillance of the Pregnant Uterus

As a result of numerous conflicting reports, we designed a prospective controlled study to determine the inherent risk of aneuploidy with second‐trimester fetal choroid plexus cysts. Our controls were patients who had ultrasonography and genetic amniocentesis, between 15 weeks and 22 weeks, menstrual age, by the same sonologist on the same day as a study subject with a choroid plexus cyst. Sixty‐three cases of fetal choroid plexus cysts were detected in 3247 second‐trimester examinations (1.9%). Six chromosomally abnormal fetuses [Trisomy 18 (3), Down syndrome (2), Klinefelter syndrome] were found in the cyst group (9.5%) with only one Trisomy 21 among the controls (0.5%) (p <.002). Of note, 5 of 21 (23.8%) fetuses with cysts greater than 5 mm in diameter had aneuploidy, as compared with only 1 of 42 (2.4%) chromosomal anomalies with smaller cysts (p <.02). We conclude that fetal choroid plexus cysts are an independent risk factor for chromosomal anomalies; genetic counseling and prenatal chromosomal analysis are indicated. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A Simple Clinico‐Histopathological Composite Scoring System Is Highly Predictive of Graft Outcomes in Marginal Donors

The predictive value of pre‐implantation biopsies versus clinical scores has not been studied extensively in marginal donors. Pre‐implantation biopsies were performed in 313 kidneys from donors that were ≥ 50 years of age (training set, n = 191; validation set, n = 122). The value of the donor clinical parameters and histological results in predicting 1‐year estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <25 mL/min/1.73 m2 was retrospectively evaluated. In multivariate analysis, the only clinical parameters associated with low eGFR were donor hypertension and a serum creatinine level ≥150 μmol/L before organ recovery. Clinical scores (Nyberg and Pessione) were not significantly associated with graft function. Regarding histological parameters, univariate analysis showed that glomerulosclerosis (GS) (p = 0.02), arteriolar hyalinosis (p = 0.03) and the Pirani (p = 0.02) and chronic allograft damage index (CADI) (p = 0.04) histological scores were associated with low eGFR. The highest performance in predicting low eGFR was achieved using a composite score that included donor serum creatinine (≥150 μmol/L or <150 μmol/L), donor hypertension and GS (≥10% or <10%). The validation set confirmed the critical importance of taking into account biopsy and clinical parameters during marginal donor evaluation. In conclusion, clinical scores are weak predictors of graft outcomes with marginal donors. Instead, a simple and convenient composite score strongly predicts graft function and survival and may facilitate optimal allocation of marginal donors.
Recurrent urothelial tumors following surgery for transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract

A retrospective analysis of 74 cases of transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter treated at this institution over the past 30 years is presented. When nephrectomy alone or incomplete nephroureterectomy was performed, subsequent transitional cell carcinoma developed in 30% of the ureteral stumps. Subsequent bladder carcinoma occurred in 25% of the patients with primary upper urinary tract carcinoma. The type of initial surgery performed did not appear to influence this incidence of subsequent bladder tumors. Contralateral upper urinary tract carcinoma developed in only one patient. When nephroureterectomy is performed for carcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter, a cuff of bladder that includes the ureteral orifice should be removed to obviate recurrent disease in the ureteral stump. Since single‐incision nephroureterectomy did not include the intramural ureter in 50% of the cases in which it was performed, a second incision may be required for adequate exposure.
Ultrastructure of the ovarian follicles in the placentotrophic Andean lizard of the genus Mabuya (Squamata: Scincidae)

We studied the ultrastructural organization of the ovarian follicles in a placentotrophic Andean lizard of the genus Mabuya. The oocyte of the primary follicle is surrounded by a single layer of follicle cells. During the previtellogenic stages, these cells become stratified and differentiated in three cell types: small, intermediate, and large globoid, non pyriform cells. Fluid‐filled spaces arise among follicular cells in late previtellogenic follicles and provide evidence of cell lysis. In vitellogenic follicles, the follicular cells constitute a monolayered granulosa with large lacunar spaces; the content of their cytoplasm is released to the perivitelline space where the zona pellucida is formed. The oolemma of younger oocytes presents incipient short projections; as the oocyte grows, these projections become organized in a microvillar surface. During vitellogenesis, cannaliculi develop from the base of the microvilli and internalize materials by endocytosis. In the juxtanuclear ooplasm of early previtellogenic follicles, the Balbiani's vitelline body is found as an aggregate of organelles and lipid droplets; this complex of organelles disperses in the ooplasm during oocyte growth. In late previtellogenesis, membranous organelles are especially abundant in the peripheral ooplasm, whereas abundant vesicles and granular material occur in the medullar ooplasm. The ooplasm of vitellogenic follicles shows a peripheral band constituted by abundant membranous organelles and numerous vesicular bodies, some of them with a small lipoprotein core. No organized yolk platelets, like in lecithotrophic reptiles, were observed. Toward the medullary ooplasm, electron‐lucent vesicles become larger in size containing remains of cytoplasmic material in dissolution. The results of this study demonstrate structural similarities between the follicles of this species and other Squamata; however, the ooplasm of the mature oocyte of Mabuya is morphologically similar to the ooplasm of mature oocytes of marsupials, suggesting an interesting evolutionary convergence related to the evolution of placentotrophy and of microlecithal eggs. J. Morphol. , 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Antimicrobial activity of Terminalia chebula.

Terminalia chebulais a popular medicinal plant according to Ayurveda for its broad spectrum medicinal value including in the treatment of enteric disorders. Leaf extracts in water as well as in various organic solvents (namely m e- thanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate and chloroform) were analyzed to testify its antibacterial activ ities against four different bacteria causing enteric disorders, viz. Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp, Shigella sp and Vibrio cholerae in vitro along with Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The analysis was carried out by taking the extracts at a concentration of 1 0 mg/ml and their activities were recorded by estimating zones of inhibition as produced by disc -diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar media. While all the organisms were resistant to chloroform extract and some of them to that of ethyl acetate, the methanol as well as the aqueous extracts of the plant showed the potential bactericidal activity, however nothing was evident against the yeast candidate. When compared with the traditional antibiotics, this activity was especially comp e- tent against Escherichia coli and Shigella sp, followed by Vibrio sp. and Salmonella spp. The broth dilution assay r e- vealed that the bactericidal values fall in the range of 5000 to 8000 µg/ml.