Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A body-conforming tactile jacket to enrich movie viewing

Adding haptic stimulation to movies is a promising step in creating more emotionally immersive experiences. To explore the potential of this concept, we have created a wearable tactile jacket that is used to deliver movie-specific tactile stimuli to the viewer's body that are specifically targeted to influence the viewer's emotions. Immersion was evaluated in a user test using questionnaires and physiological measurements. The findings show promising effects of the haptic stimuli that need to be substantiated in further more refined user tests.
Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty for Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: Results of a Multicenter Registry

Background— Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) is an alternative therapy for patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension who are ineligible for pulmonary endarterectomy—the standard therapy. Currently, most reported results of BPA are from relatively small cohorts treated at single centers. The present study evaluated the safety and efficacy of BPA for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension based on a multicenter registry. Methods and Results— A total of 308 patients (62 men and 246 women; mean age, 61 years) underwent 1408 procedures at 7 institutions in Japan. Data were retrospectively reviewed to evaluate clinical outcome and complications. Hemodynamics were significantly improved in 249 patients in whom BPA was terminated, most often because of improvement in mean pulmonary arterial pressure or symptomatic improvement after 1154 procedures. In 196 patients who underwent follow-up right heart catheterization, improvement of hemodynamic parameters was maintained. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure decreased from 43.2±11.0 to 24.3±6.4 mm Hg after final BPA and 22.5±5.4 mm Hg at follow-up, with significant reduction of concomitant use of pulmonary hypertension-targeted therapy and oxygen supplementation. Complications occurred in 511 (36.3%), including pulmonary injury (17.8%), hemoptysis (14.0%), and pulmonary artery perforation (2.9%). Twelve patients (3.9%) died during follow-up, including 8 patients who died within 30 days after BPA. The leading causes of death were right heart failure, multiorgan failure, and sepsis. Overall survival was 96.8% (95% confidence interval, 93.7%–98.4%) at 1 and 2 years and 94.5% (95% confidence interval, 89.3%–97.3%) at 3 years, respectively, after the initial BPA procedure for all 308 patients. Conclusions— This multicenter registry suggested improved hemodynamic results after BPA. Complication rates were high, but overall survival was comparable with pulmonary endarterectomy. BPA may be an important therapeutic option in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.
Emotional Intelligence Mediates the Relationship between Age and Subjective Well-Being

Individuals’ Subjective Well-being (SWB) increases as they grow older. Past literature suggests that emotional intelligence may increase with age and lead to higher levels of SWB in older adults. The primary purpose of the present study was to test whether emotional intelligence would mediate the relationship between age and SWB. A total of 360 Chinese adults (age range: 20 to 79 years old) participated in this study. They filled out questionnaires that assessed their age, life satisfaction (The Satisfaction with Life Scale), affective well-being (The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule), and emotional intelligence (The Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale). Using Structural Equation Modeling, the mediation model was supported, χ2 (75) = 194.21, p < . 01; RMSEA = . 07; CFI = . 91. Emotional intelligence partially mediated the relationship between age and life satisfaction, and fully mediated the relationship between age and affective well-being. The findings suggest that older adults may use their increased emotional intelligence to enhance their SWB.
Hepatitis E

Hepatitis E is a self-limited, enterically transmitted acute viral hepatitis that occurs most frequently in epidemic outbreaks and is etiologically associated with a newly identified and molecularly characterized virus, the hepatitis E virus (HEV). This disease, frequently spread by fecally contaminated drinking water, has also been called enterically transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis (ET-NANB or ENANB hepatitis). Outbreaks of hepatitis E involving several thousand cases have been observed in the developing countries of the Indian subcontinent, Asia and Africa. Hepatitis E also accounts for a significant number of sporadic cases in endemic regions. The large number of cases involved, frequency of epidemics and high mortality rate among infected pregnant women are strong indicators that hepatitis E is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in human beings.
Sympathetic Nerve Stimulation, Not Circulating Norepinephrine, Modulates T-Peak to T-End Interval by Increasing Global Dispersion of Repolarization

Background—T-peak to T-end interval (Tp-e) is an independent marker of sudden cardiac death. Modulation of Tp-e by sympathetic nerve activation and circulating norepinephrine is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to characterize endocardial and epicardial dispersion of repolarization (DOR) and its effects on Tp-e with sympathetic activation. Methods and Results—In Yorkshire pigs (n=13), a sternotomy was performed and the heart and bilateral stellate ganglia were exposed. A 56-electrode sock and 64-electrode basket catheter were placed around the epicardium and in the left ventricle (LV), respectively. Activation recovery interval, DOR, defined as variance in repolarization time, and Tp-e were assessed before and after left, right, and bilateral stellate ganglia stimulation and norepinephrine infusion. LV endocardial and epicardial activation recovery intervals significantly decreased, and LV endocardial and epicardial DOR increased during sympathetic nerve stimulation. There were no LV epicardial versus endocardial differences in activation recovery interval during sympathetic stimulation, and regional endocardial activation recovery interval patterns were similar to the epicardium. Tp-e prolonged during left (from 40.4±2.2 ms to 92.4±12.4 ms; P<0.01), right (from 47.7±2.6 ms to 80.7±11.5 ms; P<0.01), and bilateral (from 47.5±2.8 ms to 78.1±9.8 ms; P<0.01) stellate stimulation and strongly correlated with whole heart DOR during stimulation (P<0.001, R=0.86). Of note, norepinephrine infusion did not increase DOR or Tp-e. Conclusions—Regional patterns of LV endocardial sympathetic innervation are similar to that of LV epicardium. Tp-e correlated with whole heart DOR during sympathetic nerve activation. Circulating norepinephrine did not affect DOR or Tp-e.
“HIV Is Still Real”: Perceptions of HIV Testing and HIV Prevention Among Black Men Who Have Sex With Men in New York City

Rising HIV infection rates have been recently occurring among Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) in the United States. As a result, promoting HIV testing among members of this population is now considered a priority among local and federal health officials. A study was conducted to explore concerns about HIV testing among BMSM in New York City. In early 2006, data were gathered from focus groups with 29 BMSM. Discussions revealed factors affecting HIV testing, including stigma, sexuality, religion, race, and class, emphasizing responsibility, testing concerns, and media influences, among others. Recommendations were submitted to New York City health officials to inform HIV testing and prevention efforts.
Respiratory Metabolism in Buckwheat Seedlings

Young seedlings of buckwheat (Fagopyrum escidentium) respire in air with an RQ of unity. Analysis of respiratory substrates coupled with a study of the utilization of acetate-14C and glucose-_4C suggest that both the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas, tricarboxylic acid and pentose phosphate sequences participate in the total respiratory catabolism. decreased and there were initial increases in pyruvate and a-ketoglutarate. The observed changes are consistent with residual tricarboxylic acid and pentose phosphate cycle activity in anoxia and may account for the excess CO2 production over ethanol accumulation.
Coordination of Price Promotions in Complementary Categories November 17 , 2009

In this paper, I investigate the outcome of a price competition between two firms, each producing two complementary products. Specifically, I study each firm’s decision to coordinate price promotions of its products. Consumers are divided into loyals, who purchase both products from their preferred firm, and heterogeneous switchers, who can mix and match between four possible bundles. The switchers are willing to pay some price premium in order to purchase two complementary products produced by the same firm as they believe that these products are a better match than two products produced by different firms. I find that each firm predominantly promotes its complementary products together. This finding is supported by data in the shampoo/conditioner and cake mix/cake frosting categories.
Effect of Lepidium meyenii (maca) roots on spermatogenesis of male rats.

AIM To determine the effect of oral administration of an aqueous extract from the roots of Lepidium meyenii (maca) on spermatogenesis in adult male rats. METHODS Male rats received an aqueous extract of the root (66.7 mg in one mL) twice a day for 14 consecutive days. RESULTS Treatment with Lepidium meyenii resulted in an increase in the weights of testis and epididymis but not the seminal vesicle weight. The length and frequency of stages IX-XIV seminiferous tubules, where mitosis occurred, were increased and stages I-VI were reduced in rats treated with Lepidium meyenii. CONCLUSION The Lepidium meyenii root invigorates spermatogenesis in male rats by acting on its initial stages (IX-XIV).
Effect of strain, sex and age on carcass parameters of broilers

A total of 1,080 one-day-old broiler chicks were used, distributed into a completely randomized design in a 6 x 2 x 4 factorial scheme, with six replications of 30 birds each (15 males and 15 females). Chicks were classified into six breeds (Cobb 500 Slow, Cobb Fast, Ross 308, Ross 508, Hybro Plus and Avian 48), male or female and four slaughter ages (43, 45, 46 and 49 days). Ten birds from each experimental unit (5 males and 5 females) were slaughtered to evaluate carcass yield and commercial cuts. Cobb 500 Slow males showed the maximum potential for weight gain at 47 days old, while the other breeds, between 33 and 35 days old, regardless of sex. Carcass and breast fillet yield showed significant differences, independent of breed, sex and slaughter age, highlighting Cobb breeds. Significant interactions were observed for breast yield, boned and deboned legs among breeds, sex and slaughter age; sex was the determining factor. Wing yield has not been affected by any of the studied factors.
Altered T-Cell Balance in Lymphoid Organs of a Mouse Model of Colorectal Cancer

The adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene is a known tumor suppressor gene, and mice with mutations in Apc (ApcMin/+) spontaneously form multiple intestinal neoplasms. In this model of human colorectal cancer (CRC), it has been reported that CD4+ T-cell-derived interleukin 17 (IL-17) promotes intestinal tumor development, but it is not known if the Apc mutation actually directly alters T-cell function and subsequently tumor immunosurveillance. To investigate the ApcMin/+ mutation on T-cell function, flow cytometric, histochemical, and immunofluorescent studies on both wild-type (Apc+/+) and ApcMin/+ mice were performed. We identified decreased levels of interferon gamma (IFN-γ+)IL-17+ double-positive CD4+ cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes and Peyer’s patches of ApcMin/+ mice. In addition, altered levels of CD8+ cells, and changes in CD8+ production of IFN-γ and granzyme B were observed. These T-cell alterations did modify tumor immunosurveillance, as the adoptive transfer of splenocytes from ApcMin/+ animals into a chemically induced CRC model resulted in the inability to prevent epithelial dysplasia. These results suggest an altered T-cell balance in ApcMin/+ mice may disrupt intestinal homeostasis, consequently limiting intestinal tumor immunosurveillance.
Antecedents of user satisfaction in the context of mobile data services: the moderating role of variety and rate of usage

Given the rapid growth and large investment in Mobile Data Services (MDS), it is important to examine how to enhance satisfaction with MDS (M-satisfaction). This paper develops an integrated model to understand the antecedents of M-satisfaction through constructs prescribed by two established research streams on Information System (IS) success, namely user satisfaction and Information Technology (IT) motivation. This study also investigates some significant differences in the level of determinants and their influence on M-satisfaction in terms of variety and rate of MDS use. The research model was tested using survey data collected from 747 users who have experience with MDS. The analysis results show that the proposed model provides a significant explanation of the variance of M-satisfaction, indicating that the unified perspective that it provides helps enhance our knowledge of how to enhance M-satisfaction. Moreover, the results clarify the moderating roles played by variety and rate of MDS use in M-satisfaction. This study should help MDS researchers and practitioners to understand user behaviour in MDS better.
Increased platelet-derived microparticles in the coronary circulation of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty patients

Platelet-derived microparticles that are produced during platelet activation are capable of adhesion and aggregation. Endothelial trauma that occurs during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) may support platelet-derived microparticle adhesion and contribute to development of restenosis. We have previously reported an increase in platelet-derived microparticles in peripheral arterial blood with angioplasty. This finding raised concerns regarding the role of platelet-derived microparticles in restenosis, and therefore the aim of this study was to monitor levels in the coronary circulation. The study population consisted of 19 angioplasty patients. Paired coronary artery and sinus samples were obtained following heparinization, following contrast administration, and subsequent to all vessel manipulation. Platelet-derived microparticles were identified with an anti-CD61 (glycoprotein IIIa) fluorescence-conjugated antibody using flow cytometry. There was a significant decrease in arterial platelet-derived microparticles from heparinization to contrast administration (P = 0.001), followed by a significant increase to the end of angioplasty (P = 0.004). However, there was no significant change throughout the venous samples. These results indicate that the higher level of platelet-derived microparticles after angioplasty in arterial blood remained in the coronary circulation. Interestingly, levels of thrombin–antithrombin complexes did not rise during PTCA. This may have implications for the development of coronary restenosis post-PTCA, although this remains to be determined.
Sancton I Anglo-Saxon Cemetery Excavations Carried Out Between 1976 and 1980

This report outlines the results of excavations carried out at Sancton I (Humberside, formerly East Riding, Yorkshire), the most northerly of a group of large, well-known Anglo-Saxon cremation cemeteries in eastern England. The excavations, undertaken by N. M. Reynolds1 for the then Department of Environment (now English Heritage), between 1976–80, were designed to assess damage to the site by ploughing and to try to determine the extent and limits of the cemetery. The former objective was achieved all too clearly in that the area of the cemetery investigated had been severely affected by soil disturbances. Many of the cremations had either been totally destroyed or badly damaged. In all, c. 90–95 in situ cremations were recorded and one inhumation. Despite the drawbacks the analysis of the material recovered, particularly the human and animal bone, has provided valuable information about the site which shows some remarkable similarities to the roughly contemporary cremation cemetery at Spong Hill, Norfolk.
Catalase, superoxide dismutase, and virulence of Staphylococcus aureus. In vitro and in vivo studies with emphasis on staphylococcal--leukocyte interaction.

Since oxygen-free polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) cannot kill Staphylococcus aureus normally, the usual mechanisms for PMN bactericidal activity probably involve hydrogen peroxide or superoxide. Catalase can destroy hydrogen peroxide, and superoxide dismutase breaks down superoxide. Experiments were performed to study the influence of these enzymes (which are found in staphylococci) on virulence for mice or on leukocyte-bacterial interaction. 15 staphylococcal strains were injected i.p. into mice to quantitate virulence. There was good correlation between staphylococcal catalase activity and mouse lethality (r equals 0.88) but no correlation between staphylococcal superoxide dismutase activity and mouse lethality (r equals 0.14). Exogenous catalase (10,000 U/ml) increased the virulence of low-catalase staphylococci, but exogenous superoxide dismutase (200 mug/ml) did not alter the virulence of staphyloccal strains. C14=labeled high-catalase or low-catalase staphylococci were ingested equally well by PMN, with or without the addition of exogenous catalase. A high-catalase staphylococcal strain was killed relatively poorly by PMN, and addition of exogenous catalase (but not superoxide dismutase) decreased the ability of PMN to kill a low-catalase strain. Iodination of bacterial proteins by PMN is related to hydrogen peroxide, and a high-catalase staphylococcal strain was iodinated only 63% as much as a low-catalase strain. Addition of exogenous catalase decreased iodination of the low-catalase strain by 23%. These findings suggest that staphylococcal catalase protects intraphagocytic microbes by destroying hydrogen peroxide produced by the phagocyte. Thus, catalase may be a significant staphylococcal virulence factor.
Lack of association of Helicobacter pylori infection with gastric hypersensitivity or delayed gastric emptying in functional dyspepsia

Objective:We evaluated the relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and gastric sensitivity to distention or gastric emptying rate to define the role of H. pylori in the pathogenesis of functional dyspepsia.Methods:Gastric barostat, gastric emptying scintigraphy, and 13C urea breath test were performed in 34 consecutive patients with functional dyspepsia.Results:Between H. pylori-positive and -negative patients with functional dyspepsia, there were no significant differences in basal tone (57.2 ± 15.0 ml vs 66.8 ± 18.3 ml), compliance (41.0 ± 11.2 ml/mm Hg vs 38.2 ± 11.8 ml/mm Hg), threshold of first sense (3.6 ± 2.7 mm Hg vs 2.3 ± 1.5 mm Hg), threshold of abdominal discomfort (9.4 ± 4.0 mm Hg vs 7.3 ± 1.9 mm Hg), and postprandial receptive relaxation (115.4 ± 89.7 ml vs 99.0 ± 88.7 ml), measured by gastric barostat. Half gastric emptying time (88.6 ± 24.5 min vs 91.4 ± 21.6 min) and retention rate at 120 min (32.8 ± 17.8%vs 41.9 ± 20.1%) were also similar between the two groups.Conclusion:H. pylori infection was not associated with gastric hypersensitivity to distention or delayed gastric emptying.
Distributed constrained optimization protocol via an exact penalty method

The purpose of this paper is to propose a protocol for distributed multi-agent optimization problem to minimize the average of objective functions of the agents in the network with satisfying constraints of each agent. The exact penalty method is applied to distributed optimization via a linear protocol, with employing two step-size parameters for the objective function and the constraint function of each agent. The proposed protocol works only with the decision variables and does not need additional variables such as dual variables. A proof of the convergence of the proposed protocol is provided as well as the boundedness under mild assumptions. The protocol is also illustrated by a numerical example.
Differential infectivity of two Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus mutants on three permissive cell lines is the result of lef-7 deletion.

We isolated two Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) mutants that have infectivity similar to that of wild-type (wt) AcMNPV in TN368 cells, but reduced budded virus and polyhedral inclusion body production in IPLB-SF-21 and SE1c cells. Restriction endonuclease analysis and sequence analysis indicated that 3.2-kb (77.0-79.4 m.u.) and 4.4-kb (76.7-80.1 m.u.) regions, the location of four major open reading frames (ORFs), pk2, ORF-247, lef-7, and chitinase, were deleted in mutant T295 and T297, respectively. Phenotypes of recombinant viruses vdel-AG, in which all four ORFs were deleted, and vlef7-AG, in which only lef-7 was deleted, were identical to the mutants. The phenotypes of recombinant viruses with deletions of the other ORFs were indistinguishable from wt AcMNPV. This demonstrated that the deletion of lef-7 was responsible for the mutant phenotypes. Viral DNA synthesis in both mutant- and vlef7-AG-infected SF-21 and SE1c cells was reduced to less than 10% of that of wt AcMNPV-infected cells. In TN368 cells, DNA synthesis in mutant- and vlef7-AG-infected cells was delayed relative to wt-infected cells. Although lef-7 is not essential for AcMNPV infection in TN368 cells, it is expressed in TN368, SF-21, and SE1c cells in a similar manner.
Binding of circulating SLE autoantibodies to oxygen free radical damaged chromatin

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease characterized by various immunologic disorders, including production of autoantibodies, formation of immune complexes, decreased serum complement levels, and lymphocytopenia. One of the hallmarks of this disease is the loss of tolerance to nuclear antigens. The dominant presence of antibodies against the exposed conformational epitopes on chromatin strongly suggests that the pathogenic immune response in lupus is driven by chromatin. In the present study, the binding of SLE autoantibodies with native chromatin and oxygen free radical damaged chromatin was studied. As assessed by direct binding and inhibition ELISA, circulating SLE autoantibodies exhibited a high degree of specificity towards the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-modified chromatin in comparison to native chromatin and this binding specificity was reiterated visually by gel retardation assay. The data suggested possible role of modified chromatin in the induction of SLE autoantibodies and higher recognition of oxidatively damaged chromatin by antibodies in sera of SLE patients. It is indicated that free radical modified chromatin or nucleosomes might be the antigen for the production of circulating autoantibodies in SLE.