Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gender Moderation in Gamification: Does One Size Fit All?

Organizations actively seek methods for increasing employee engagement by incorporating game elements in core systems and processes, in an effort to increase their perceived playfulness. However, little is known about the actual impact of these elements on perceived playfulness. This study includes results from three repeated experiments performed during a gamified academic course. The relationships between enjoyment of specific game elements, the way they increase perceived playfulness, and gender moderations of these relations were examined. All three experiments show that badges had a positive relation with perceived playfulness and were more enjoyable to women. Surprisingly, the results showed that when men were the majority of subjects in the group, the relations between the game elements and perceived playfulness were different from when men were a minority. These results provide important insight into what possibly influences perceived playfulness in gamified solutions.
Recovering model consistence for force and velocity measures in robot hybrid control

Some issues on the problem of filtering force and velocity measures, in hybrid control, for recovering their consistence with an available environment model are discussed. Since measured forces and velocities in practice do not agree exactly with the model, some filtering procedure is required for recovering consistence, before the control phase. The filtering process is addressed as the resolution of an algebraic overdetermined linear system, solvable approximately by means of weighted pseudoinversion. A basic issue is shown to be the choice of the weight matrix that, if properly defined, allows the solution of the theoretical difficulties. Examples clarify the theory. <<ETX>>
Activation of NADP-Malate Dehydrogenase, Pyruvate,Pi Dikinase, and Fructose 1,6-Bisphosphatase in Relation to Photosynthetic Rate in Maize.

The activity and extent of light activation of three photosynthetic enzymes, pyruvate,Pi dikinase, NADP-malate dehydrogenase (NADP-MDH), and fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase), were examined in maize (Zea mays var Royal Crest) leaves relative to the rate of photosynthesis during induction and under varying light intensities. There was a strong light activation of NADP-MDH and pyruvate,Pi dikinase, and light also activated FBPase 2- to 4-fold. During the induction period for whole leaf photosynthesis at 30 degrees C under high light, the time required to reach half-maximum activation for all three enzymes was only 1 minute or less. After 2.5 minutes of illumination the enzymes were fully activated, while the photosynthetic rate was only at half-maximum activity, indicating that factors other than enzyme activation limit photosynthesis during the induction period in C(4) plants.Under steady state conditions, the light intensity required to reach half-maximum activation of the three enzymes was similar (300-400 microEinsteins per square meter per second), while the light intensity required for half-maximum rates of photosynthesis was about 550 microEinsteins per square meter per second. The light activated levels of NADP-MDH and FBPase were well in excess of the in vivo activities which would be required during photosynthesis, while maximum activities of pyruvate,Pi dikinase were generally just sufficient to accommodate photosynthesis, suggesting the latter may be a rate limiting enzyme.There was a large (5-fold) light activation of FBPase in isolated bundle sheath strands of maize, whereas there was little light activation of the enzyme in isolated mesophyll protoplasts. In mesophyll protoplasts the enzyme was largely located in the cytoplasm, although there was a low amount of light-activated enzyme in the mesophyll chloroplasts. The results suggest the chloroplastic FBPase in maize is primarily located in the bundle sheath cells.
Physical Modeling of Amorphous InGaZnO Thin-Film Transistors: The Role of Degenerate Conduction

In amorphous indium-gallium-zinc oxide thin-film transistors (a-IGZO TFTs), the electron mobility easily exceeds 10 cm2/Vs and degenerate band conduction is observed. On the other hand, the field-effect mobility is gate voltage-dependent. Here, we propose a physical model for a-IGZO TFTs accounting for both the non-degenerate and degenerate conductions of trapped and free charges. The comparison between the model and the measurements shows that: 1) the shape of the drain current is almost completely defined by the localized density of states and 2) a transition from non-degenerate-to-degenerate conductions is always observed. This explains the measured gate voltage-dependent field-effect mobility and provides a simple and unified physical picture of the charge transport in a-IGZO TFTs.
Title: Retinoic acid formation from retinol in the human gastric mucosa: role of Class IV alcohol dehydrogenase and its relevance to morphological changes Running head: Retinoic acid formation in the human stomach

Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) participates in the formation of retinoic acid from retinol in various organs including the gastric mucosa. However, its clinical significance still remains to be clarified. In this study, we identified the ADH isoforms responsible for the retinoic acid formation among various ADH isoforms, and examined associations among the ADH activities, the retinoic acid formation level, and morphological changes in the human gastric mucosa. Human gastric samples were endoscopically obtained from 67 male subjects. Morphological changes were assessed by the Sydney system and activities of Class I, III, and IV ADH isoforms were determined in each specimen. In 26 cases, levels of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) formation from all-trans retinol were examined. Among activities of the three ADH isoforms, Class IV ADH activity was solely associated with the ATRA formation level. This association was found even when subjects’ age and Helicobacter pylori infection status were adjusted. As the degrees of inflammation, atrophy, and intestinal metaplasia increased, the Class IV ADH activity as well as the potential for the ATRA formation decreased. Class IV ADH is a major enzyme in the retinoic acid supply in the human
Quantitative Estimation of Hydrogen Cyanide in Fresh and Cooked Tuber Parenchyma (Pulp) of Three Cultivars of Sweet Cassava Cultivars Grown in Some Parts of Benue State, Nigeria

The amount of cyanide in fresh and cooked tuber parenchyma (pulp) of three cultivars of sweet cassava from two local government areas (LGA) of Benue state was studied. Cassava tubers were collected and carefully peeled to obtain the pulp. The fresh and boiled samples were adequately processed and treated with ninhydrin, Na2CO3 and NaOH and the absorbance of the reaction product measured using UV-Visible spectrometer after construction of a calibration graph using standard cyanide solutions. The amount of cyanide in the fresh pulp varied with differences in cultivars ranging from White Dan-Warri Cultivar: (19.87 to 28.81) mg/kg; Obasanjo cultivar: (17.23 to 28.81) mg/kg and Red Dan-Warri Cultivar (8.23 to 19.31) mg/kg. Also, the cyanide content of cultivars from Oju LGA was generally higher than that of the cultivars from Gwer-east LGA. Cyanide content varied with the period of the day harvested in the order: Afternoon > Evening > Morning for all cultivars. Furthermore, cooking greatly reduced the cyanide content of all the sweet cassava cultivars but boiling was more effective than roasting with the cyanide removal increasing with increase in cooking time. The cyanide content of the tuber parenchyma of the sweet cassava cultivars was very low (<30 mg/kg) which is in agreement with reported values for sweet cassava. However, cooking at a reasonable time interval will further reduce their cyanide levels to further safe limits.
Results of deep brain stimulation for dystonia: A critical reappraisal

Deep brain stimulation for severe dystonia is still in the very first stage of development. Only single case reports or small case series have been reported to date. Best results have been obtained with pallidal stimulation in patients with primary generalised dystonia, especially in DYT1 mutation carriers. In secondary dystonia, conflicting results were reported. However, there is today enough promising evidence for a striking efficacy of pallidal stimulation in dystonia, supporting the need for further investigations in the field, with collaborative projects (regarding to the limited number of eligible patients); double‐blind studies, including a consensus about surgical method; and a precise anatomic analysis of the position of the electrode. A careful assessment of the efficacy by using improved clinical scale is also warranted. © 2002 Movement Disorder Society
Experience with Growth Hormone Therapy in Turner Syndrome in a Single Centre: Low Total Height Gain, No Further Gains after Puberty Onset and Unchanged Body Proportions

The experience gained since 1987, through observation of 85 girls with Turner syndrome under growth hormone (GH) treatment, has enabled the analysis of one of the largest cohorts. Our results show that age, karyotype and height reflect the heterogeneity of the patients examined at our growth centre. In 47 girls, followed over 4 years on GH (median dose 0.72 IU/kg/week), the median age was 9.4 years and mean height SDS was –3.55 (Prader) and –0.14 (Turner-specific), while height and other anthropometrical parameters [weight, body mass index, sitting height (SH), leg length (LL) SH/LL, head circumference, arm span] were documented and compared to normative data as well as to Turner-specific references established on the basis of a larger (n = 165) untreated cohort from Tübingen. The latter data are also documented in this article. Although there was a trend towards normalization of these parameters during the observation period, no inherent alterations in the Turner-specific anthropometric pattern occurred. In 42 girls who started GH treatment at a median age of 11.8 years, final height (bone age >15 years) was achieved at 16.7 years. The overall gain in height SDS (Turner) from start to end of GH therapy was 0.7 (± 0.8) SD, but 0.9 (± 0.6) SD from GH start to onset of puberty (spontaneous 12.2 years, induced 13.9 years) and –0.2 (± 0.8) from onset of puberty to end of growth. Height gain did not occur in 12 patients (29%) and a gain of > 5 cm was only observed in 16 patients (38%). Height gain correlated positively with age at puberty onset, duration, and dose of GH, and negatively with height and bone age at the time GH treatment started. Final height correlated positively with height SDS at GH start and negatively with the ratio of SH/LL (SDS). We conclude that, in the future, GH should be given at higher doses, but oestrogen substitution should be done cautiously, owing to its potentially harmful effect on growth. LL appears to determine height variation in Turner syndrome and the potential to treat short stature successfully with GH.
Forensic psychiatric perspective on criminality associated with intellectual disability: a nationwide register-based study.

BACKGROUND Contrasting views exist over the association of intellectual disability (ID) and criminal offending. This nationwide study attempts to shed further light to expand understanding to substantiate the relation between socio-demographic characteristics, psychiatric co-morbidity and criminal behaviour among the Finnish forensic population with ID. METHOD We reviewed all forensic psychiatric examination reports of individuals with ID who underwent a pre-trial forensic psychiatric evaluation in Finland during an 11-year period (1996-2006). RESULTS One-third of the offenders had been regularly and sufficiently treated as outpatients. Half of the offenders had previous criminality, and the single most common crime was arson. Almost half of the offenders were diagnosed with alcohol abuse/dependence and two-thirds with any substance abuse/dependence. Furthermore, almost half were intoxicated during the index crime. Antisocial personality disorder was diagnosed in 25% of the offenders. Almost half of the offenders were placed in involuntary special care for the ID, which lasted ca 2 years. Among the last-mentioned, two-thirds of the nursing care plans lacked recommended structure. CONCLUSIONS The offenders with so-called triple diagnosis - substance abuse, mental illness and ID - form a small subgroup of criminal offenders with complex needs. The results of the present study underline the importance of close, long-term cooperation among specialists in the field of ID, addiction service, mental health services and forensic psychiatry.
Effects of prepartum energy intake and calcium to phosphorus ratios on lactation response and parturient paresis.

Abstract Estimated digestible energy values of 115 and 170% of maintenance were offered 60 days prepartum to 188 mature (one or more lactations) Holstein cows in Experiment I and 170 cows in Experiment II. Forages and concentrates were group fed in controlled amounts with a mineral supplement provided ad libitum. Calcium to phosphorus ratios of 2.3:l and 1.8:l were calculated from feed intakes in the 115% digestible energy (L1) and 170% digestible energy (H1) treatments, respectively, in Experiment I. In Experiment II ratios were 1.5:l (L2) and 1.7:l (H2) in the 115% and 170% digestible energy groups. Cows were offered 12.3 kilograms concentrates, 15.0 kilograms corn silage, and 6.4 kilograms alfalfa hay daily during early lactation in Experiment I and 11.4 kilograms concentrates, 13.6 kilograms corn silage, and 9.1 kilograms alfalfa hay in Experiment II. Unadjusted 305-day yields of milk, fat, and solids-not-fat were 6,916, 219, and 590 kilograms (L1); 6,980, 229, and 603 kilograms (H1); 7,315, 242, and 602 kilograms (L2); and 6,769, 240, and 576 kilograms (H2). Incidences of parturient paresis with associated calcium to phosphorus ratios were 2/97 (2.3:1), 18/94 (1.8:1), 7/88 (1.5:1), and 11/82 (1.7:1).
Development of Passive Immunotherapies for Synucleinopathies

Immunotherapy using antibodies targeting alpha‐synuclein has proven to be an effective strategy for ameliorating pathological and behavioral deficits induced by excess pathogenic alpha‐synuclein in various animal and/or cellular models. However, the process of selecting the anti‐alpha‐synuclein antibody with the best potential to treat synucleinopathies in humans is not trivial. Critical to this process is a better understanding of the pathological processes involved in the synucleinopathies and how antibodies are able to influence these. We will give an overview of the first proof‐of‐concept studies in rodent disease models and discuss challenges associated with developing antibodies against alpha‐synuclein resulting from the distribution and structural characteristics of the protein. We will also provide a status on the passive immunization approaches targeting alpha‐synuclein that have entered, or are expected to enter, clinical evaluation. © 2015 Movement Disorder Society
Peri-implantation glucocorticoid administration for assisted reproductive technology cycles.

BACKGROUND In order to improve embryo implantation in in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles, the use of glucocorticoids has been advocated. It has been proposed that glucocorticoids may improve the intra-uterine environment by acting as immuno modulators to reduce the uterine NK cell count, normalise the cytokine expression profile in the endometrium and by suppression of endometrial inflammation. OBJECTIVES To investigate whether the administration of glucocorticoids around the time of implantation improves clinical outcomes in subfertile women undergoing IVF or ICSI, compared to no glucocorticoid administration. SEARCH STRATEGY The Cochrane Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group's trials register (February 2006), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Cochrane Library Issue 2, 2006), MEDLINE (1966 to June 2006), EMBASE (1976 to June 2006), CINAHL (1982 to June 2006) and Science Direct (1966 to June 2006) were searched. Reference lists of relevant articles and relevant conference proceedings were also hand searched. SELECTION CRITERIA All randomised controlled trials (RCTs) addressing the research question were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two reviewers independently assessed eligibility and quality of trials and extracted relevant data. MAIN RESULTS Thirteen studies (1759 couples) were included. Three studies reported live birth rate and these did not identify a significant difference after pooling the (preliminary) results (OR 1.21, 95% CI 0.67 to 2.19). With regard to pregnancy rates, there was also no evidence that glucocorticoids improved clinical outcome (13 RCTs; OR 1.16, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.44). However, a subgroup analysis of 650 women undergoing IVF (6 RCTs) revealed a significantly higher pregnancy rate for women using glucocorticoids (OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.13). There were no significant differences in adverse events, but these were poorly and inconsistently reported. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Overall, there is no clear evidence that administration of peri-implantation glucocorticoids in ART cycles significantly improves clinical outcome. The use of glucocorticoids in women undergoing IVF (rather than ICSI) was associated with an improvement in pregnancy rates of borderline statistical significance. These findings are limited to the routine use of glucocorticoids and cannot be extrapolated to women with auto-antibodies, unexplained infertility or recurrent implantation failure. Further well designed randomised studies are required to elucidate the possible role of this therapy in well defined patient groups.
A SysML based design pattern for the high-level development of mechatronic systems to enhance re-usability

Model driven engineering approaches can be used to handle the complexity in the development of modern mechatronic systems, containing a multitude of mechanical, electrical/electronic and software components. However, up to now SysML, as standard systems engineering language, is not wide spread in industry yet. Reasons therefore are missing adequate guidelines for the modeling process as well as an unclear benefit of the created SysML-models. A well-created system model however poses enormous time advantages during the analysis of change influences in later lifecycle phases of the system and makes an interdisciplinary reuse of modules in the development of new systems possible. A prerequisite therefore is the efficient traceability of all information within the system model. Thus, in this paper a SysML based process for the high-level development of mechatronic systems is applied, reaching from requirements specification to the detailed modeling of the element-connections (discipline specific as well as interdisciplinary). Our approach shows how the information from the different levels of abstraction and the different development phases can be connected, including a functional modularization of the mechatronic system. In this way, developers can trace change influences more easily. The functional modules can be used during the development of new systems, resulting in significant shortened development cycles. The proposed design pattern is shown at the example of a bench-scale model of a production plant.
Large coalescent parenchymal nodules in pulmonary sarcoidosis: "sarcoid galaxy" sign.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the large parenchymal nodules in pulmonary sarcoidosis and to describe a new CT sign termed the "sarcoid galaxy. " CONCLUSION The CT appearance of pulmonary sarcoidosis suggests that the large nodules arise from a coalescence of small nodules. The large nodules are surrounded by many tiny satellite nodules. These findings were considered to simulate the appearance of a galaxy. This observation was supported by radiologic-pathologic correlation. The sarcoid galaxy sign may be a useful adjunct in the diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis.
Motivations to Participate in International Trade Fairs: The Portuguese Experience

Aims: This study explores the prime motives and barriers that drive or inhibit the Portuguese exporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to exhibit at an international trade fair. Study design: Survey, based on a questionnaire sent by email. Place and Duration of Study: 68 Portuguese exporting SMEs, between January and July 2012. Methodology: The present study was conducted in Portugal and sought to examine the firm’s behavior regarding international trade fairs. In the preliminary stage of the research process an informal exploratory study was undertaken. Then, a survey based on a questionnaire sent by email collected the primary data used in the study. Results: The results indicate that a strong motive to exhibit at a trade fair is to reinforce the market presence of the firm, the possibility of finding new ideas and test new products, establish relationships with present and future customers, and enhance the brand image and reputation of the firm. The main barriers to non exhibitors firms were costs, bad previous experiences and lack of resources (financial, personnel and time). Conclusion: A strong motive to exhibit at a trade fair is the reinforcement of the exporter’s market presence, particularly in international markets where the comparative
Comparison of Bioimpedance Techniques to Detect Changes in Fluid Status in Hemodialysis Patients

Background: Bioimpedance (BI) is maturing as a clinical technique for assessing fluid volume status. The aim of this study was to compare the sensitivity of four BI methods to detect changes in fluid status in hemodialysis patients. Methods: Forty-five patients were studied twice in the same week, i.e. once after the long and short interdialytic intervals, respectively. The four BI methods used were: (a) calf normalized resistivity (CNR) at a 5-kHz frequency, (b) whole-body multifrequency BI spectroscopy (MF-BIS) to estimate the normal hydration weight (NHWWBM), (c) whole-body MF-BIS to estimate the ratio of extracellular volume to total body water (wECV/wTBW), and (d) whole-body single-frequency (50 kHz) BI analysis to compute the ratio of ECV (sfECV) to TBW (sfTBW). Results: The relationship (slope of the regressive line) between relative changes (%) in the above mentioned four BI parameters and differences in weight (kg) was most pronounced with CNR (5.2 ± 1.6%/kg), followed by wECV/wTBW (1.7 ± 0.7%/kg) and NHWWBM (0.73 ± 0.2%/kg). Changes in sfECV/sfTBW and differences in weight were not correlated. Conclusions: CNR is more sensitive than whole-body BIS for detecting differences in fluid status.
(–)‐Deprenyl alters the survival of adult murine facial motoneurons after axotomy: Increases in vulnerable C57BL strain but decreases in motor neuron degeneration mutants

The effect of (–)‐deprenyl on the survival of axotomized adult murine facial motoneurons was investigated. Previously, (—)‐deprenyl was shown to increase the number of rat facial motoneurons (FMns) surviving after axotomy at postnatal day 14, apparently by compensating for the loss of muscle‐derived trophic factor. In the present study, three different strains of adult mice—A/J, C57BL/6J, and a congenic substrain of the C57BL/6J mice, the C57BL/Mnd mutants—underwent unilateral facial nerve transection. FMns were counted from serial sections taken through the entire length of the facial nuclei ipsilateral and contralateral to the facial nerve transections in animals sacrificed 21 days after axotomy. Subgroups of C57BL/6J and Mnd mutants were treated with either saline or 1.0 mg/kg (—)‐deprenyl for 21 days. Another subgroup of Mnd mutants were treated with the metabolites of (—)‐deprenyl, a mixture of (—)‐amphetamine and (—)‐methamphetamine, at a dosage equimolar to 1.0 mg/kg (—)‐deprenyl.