Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Visualizing online activity

Look and learn which page of perhaps thousands Web site visitors linger on before clicking yes and no, which drove them to the exit button, and many more actionable patterns, trends, and insights. T he dot-com revolution established the e-channel as a critical component of corpo-ration/customer interaction. A characteristic aspect of this channel is its rich instrumen-tation, whereby every visit, click, page view, purchasing decision, repeat visit, and other fine-grain detail describing online visitor activity can be captured automatically on the fly and stored for later analysis. The problem for business managers and site operators , as well as for Web site designers, is that the huge volume of relevant data overwhelms conventional analysis tools (such as spreadsheets and reports). To overcome this problem, I describe how my company, Visual Insights, and other organizations have developed information visualization tools for displaying Web site structure, navigation, paths, flows, and activity. Information visualization is a research area in computer science that focuses on creating rich visual interfaces to help users understand and navigate through complex information spaces. Data sets are frequently large and time-varying and usually involve multi-dimensional structure. Unlike scientific visualization, where the research focus is creating 3D representations of physical phenomena, the fundamental problem for developers of information visualizations is that, because the data is nonspatial, it lacks natural physical representation. Thus, the information visual-ization research challenge is how to invent new visual metaphors for presenting information and developing ways to manipulate these metaphors to make sense of the information. Applied to e-business data, information visualiza-tion designers face three significant issues: Scale. There are a vast number of Web sites, each of which may be arbitrarily complex. The largest of them in terms of numbers of page views accommodate millions of visitors per day. The combination of complexity and volume overwhelms traditional approaches to calculating and analyzing Web site activity. For effective analysis, information visualiza-tion systems have to manipulate and process exceedingly large, real-time data sets. Dimensional complexity. It is now technically feasible and cost-effective for any organization operating a Web site to collect rich, fine-grain, online data sets. Integrating online and offline activity further increases the dimensionality of the problem. Moreover , many of the most interesting and important analysis problems involve correlating site activity with enterprise data.
Reliability and validity of the Italian versions of the Children's Fear Survey Schedule - Dental Subscale and the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale.

AIM Children's dental fear and anxiety (DFA) causes significant problems in clinical practice. The 15-item Children's Fear Survey Schedule - Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS) and the 8-item Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale (MCDAS) are the most widely used measures of dental fear in children. The aim of this study is to examine the reliability and validity of the Italian versions of the CFSS-DS and MCDAS, also in comparison with a simple visual analogue scale (VAS). MATERIALS AND METHODS The CFSS-DS and MCDAS were translated into Italian by a consensus panel of experts and administered to 210 dental patients aged 4-11 years from three Italian Institutions. Internal reliability was assessed using the Cronbach's alpha correlation. A sub-sample of 60 children was selected for test-retest analysis. CFSS-DS and MCDAS, plus a VAS scale, rated both by children and parents, were validated using as gold standard the 4-item Frankl scale for behaviours assessed by dentists. RESULTS Mean CFSS-DS score was 30.8 (SD: 11.1) and mean MCDAS score was 17.9 (SD: 7.2), significantly higher among children aged 4-7 years and among children at their first dental visit. The alpha value for internal reliability was 0.90 (95%, CI= 0.88-0.92) for CFSS-DS and 0.87 (95% CI=0.85-0.90) for MCDAS. Both CFSS-DS and MCDAS showed good test-retest reliability (rsp= 0.80; p<0.001 for both scales). CFSS-DS and MCDAS predicted a Frankl score ≤2 (i.e., indicating children with an uncooperative behaviour) with a fair accuracy (AUC=0.69 and AUC=0.68, respectively). The VAS scale was more effective in predicting a negative behaviour (AUC=0.78). The scales self-reported by children were only slightly more accurate than those reported by parents. CONCLUSION The Italian versions of the CFSS-DS and MCDAS are valid and reliable tools for the assessment of dental fear in Italian children aged 4-11 years. A simple, one-item VAS, and dental fear and anxiety evaluation by parents may be valid and quick alternatives to multi-item indices to predict an uncooperative children behaviour.
An Eye-Tracking Assistive Device Improves the Quality of Life for ALS Patients and Reduces the Caregivers’ Burden

ABSTRACT. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease. In some cases, patients with ALS retain a normal level of consciousness but disease progression eventually results in generalized paralysis, which first impedes and then prevents oral communication. This communication obstacle can generate a great deal of stress for the patient, family, and caregiver. Here the authors ask whether the use of an eye-tracking assistive device can improve quality of life for ALS patients and relieves burden of their primary caregivers. Subjects were divided into two groups depending on whether they used (n = 10) or did not use (n = 10) an eye-tracking assistive device. The authors assessed patients’ quality of life and severity of depression using the ALS Specific Quality of Life Instrument–Revised and the Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire, respectively. The Caregiver Burden Scale was used to assess the burden on caregivers. Our study shows that the eye-tracking assistive device significantly improved patients’ quality of life, as compared with patients in the nonuser group (p <.01). The assistive device also reduced the burden on caregivers (p <.05). This is likely a result of the improvement of patient's autonomy and more effective communication between patient and caregiver.
Adherence to treatment guidelines for primary sarcomas affects patient survival: a side study of the European CONnective TIssue CAncer NETwork (CONTICANET).

BACKGROUND The impact of adherence to clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for loco-regional treatment (i.e. surgery and radiotherapy) and chemotherapy on local disease control and survival in sarcoma patients was investigated in a European study conducted in an Italian region (Veneto). PATIENTS AND METHODS The completeness of the adherence to the Italian CPGs for sarcomas treatment was assessed by comparing the patient's charts and the CPGs. Propensity score-adjusted multivariate survival analysis was used to assess the impact of CPGs adherence on patient clinical outcomes. RESULTS A total of 151 patients were included. Adherence to CPGs for loco-regional therapy and chemotherapy was observed in 106 out of 147 (70.2%) and 129 out of 139 (85.4%) patients, respectively. Non-adherence to CPGs for loco-regional treatment was independently associated with AJCC stage III disease [odds ratio (OR) 1.77, P = 0.011] and tumor-positive excision margin (OR 3.55, P = 0.003). Patients not treated according to the CPGs were at a higher risk of local recurrence [hazard ratio (HR) 5.4, P < 0.001] and had a shorter sarcoma-specific survival (HR 4.05, P < 0.001), independently of tumor stage. CONCLUSIONS Incomplete adherence to CPGs for loco-regional treatment of sarcomas was associated with worse prognosis in patients with non-metastatic tumors.
Distortion Product Emissions in Humans

The realization that otoacoustic emissions are sensitive to cochlear disorders has resulted in the speculation that they may have considerable clinical potential as objective measures of hearing. To assess the clinical utility of one type of emission, the distortion product emission (DPE), a study was undertaken in individuals with hearing impairments representing a number of common otologic disorders. The results of this investigation provided evidence that tests of DPEs promise to satisfy a number of requirements important to clinical testing, including objectivity of measurement procedures, test-retest reliability, simple subject preparation, readily available instrumentation, and relatively brief examination periods. The fine resolution of DPEs within the stimulus frequency and level domains also permits an accurate confirmation of the pattern of hearing loss. For example, tests of DPEs detected a 20-dB hearing level impairment at a single frequency in an ear exhibiting early signs of noise-induced hearing loss, and a 10-dB improvement in sensitivity following ingestion of the hyperosmotic agent glycerol in an ear displaying a mild to moderate hearing loss due to Meniere's disease. Finally, the application of DPEs to the objective testing of otologic disorders suggests that the ability of these responses to assess the sensory component of a sensorineural disorder may contribute to the eventual understanding of the complicated pathogenesis of many cochlear diseases. When all the positive features of DPE testing are realized, the potential contribution that these measures can make in a clinical setting becomes apparent.
Risk of significant gynaecological pathology in women with ?glandular neoplasia on cervical cytology

A. Talaat, D. Brinkmann, J. Dhundee, Y. Hana, J. Bevan, R. Irvine, S. Bailey and R. Woolas Risk of significant gynaecological pathology in women with ? glandular neoplasia on cervical cytology
Basic fibroblast growth factor increases junctional communication and connexin 43 expression in microvascular endothelial cells

We have analyzed the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on junctional communication (coupling) and connexin 43 (Cx43) expression in bovine microvascular endothelial (BME) cells. In control confluent culturers, the incidence of coupling, as assessed by the intercellular transfer of microinjected Lucifer Yellow, was limited to 13% of injected cells, and decreased to 0% with time in culture. After exposure to bFGF (3ng/ml), the incidence of coupling was increased in a time‐dependent manner, reaching a maximum of 38% of microinjected cells after 10–12 hours. The extent of coupling, as assessed by scrape loading, was maximally increased 2.1‐fold 8–9 hours after addition of bFGF. bFGF also induced a 2‐fold increase in Cx43 as assessed by Western blotting and increased Cx43 immunolabelling at contacting interfaces of adjacent BME cells. Cx43 mRNA was likewise increased after exposure to bFGF in a time‐and dose‐dependent manner, with a maximal 6–7 fold increase after a 4 hour exposure to 3–10ng/ml. Finally, the increase in coupling and Cx43 mRNA expression observed after mechanically wounding a confluent monolayer of BME cells was markedly reduced by antibodies to bFGF, which have previously been shown to inhibit migration. Taken together, these results indicate that exogenous and endogenous bFGF increase intercellular communication and Cx43 expression in microvascular endothelial cells. We propose that the bFGF‐mediated increase in coupling is necessary for the coordination of endothelial cells during angiogenesis and other vessel wall functions. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Tat Protein Enhances Cryptosporidium parvum-Induced Apoptosis in Cholangiocytes via a Fas Ligand-Dependent Mechanism

ABSTRACT While Cryptosporidium parvum infection of the intestine has been reported in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals, biliary infection is seen primarily in adult AIDS patients and is associated with development of AIDS cholangiopathy. However, the mechanisms of pathogen-induced AIDS cholangiopathy remain unclear. Since we previously demonstrated that the Fas/Fas ligand (FasL) system is involved in paracrine-mediated C. parvum cytopathicity in cholangiocytes, we also tested the potential synergistic effects of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) transactivator of transcription (Tat)-mediated FasL regulation on C. parvum-induced apoptosis in cholangiocytes by semiquantitative reverse transcription-PCR, immunoblotting, immunofluorescence analysis, and immunogold electron microscopy. H69 cells do not express CXCR4 and CCR5, which are receptors required for direct HIV-1 viral infection. However, recombinant biologically active HIV-1-associated Tat protein increased FasL expression in the cytoplasm of cholangiocytes without a significant increase in apoptosis. We found that C. parvum-induced apoptosis was associated with translocation of intracellular FasL to the cell membrane surface and release of full-length FasL from infected H69 cells. Tat significantly (P < 0.05) increased C. parvum-induced apoptosis in bystander cells in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, Tat enhanced both C. parvum-induced FasL membrane translocation and release of full-length FasL. In addition, the FasL neutralizing antibody NOK-1 and the caspase-8 inhibitor Z-IETD-fmk both blocked C. parvum-induced apoptosis in cholangiocytes. The data demonstrated that HIV-1 Tat enhances C. parvum-induced cholangiocyte apoptosis via a paracrine-mediated, FasL-dependent mechanism. Our results suggest that concurrent active HIV replication, with associated production of Tat protein, and C. parvum infection synergistically increase cholangiocyte apoptosis and thus jointly contribute to AIDS-related cholangiopathies.
Flow Cytometric Monitoring of Antibiotic-Induced Injury in Escherichia coli Using Cell-Impermeant Fluorescent Probes

ABSTRACT Three fluorescent nucleic acid binding dyes—propidium iodide, TO-PRO-1, and SYTOX green—were evaluated, and their abilities to distinguish between bacterial cells with and without an intact cytoplasmic membrane were compared. Each dye was readily able to discriminate between healthy and permeabilized cells ofEscherichia coli, although SYTOX green showed a greater enhancement in fluorescence intensity on staining-compromised, as opposed to healthy, cells in log-phase growth, than either PI or TO-PRO-1. Flow cytometric analysis of E. coli stained with these dyes after exposing them to several antimicrobial agents showed that all three dyes were able to detect antimicrobial action. Notably, however, the intensity of the cell-associated fluorescence was related to the mechanism of action of the antimicrobial agent. Large changes in fluorescence intensity were observed for all the dyes subsequent to β-lactam antibiotic action, but smaller changes (or no change) were seen subsequent to exposure to antimicrobials acting directly or indirectly on nucleic acid synthesis. Furthermore, cell-associated fluorescence did not relate to loss of viability as determined by plate counts. Despite offering much insight into antimicrobial mechanisms of action, these fundamental problems become relevant to the development of rapid antimicrobial susceptibility tests if colony formation is used as the standard.
Trajectory tracking for actuator arrays

Actuator arrays are planar arrangements of two degree-of-freedom actuators that cooperatively translate and orient objects for efficient manipulation. This paper describes a trajectory tracking control law for macroscopic actuator arrays and its convergence properties. The control law is designed based on the kinematics of an object on the array. Its convergence properties are found using a direct solution of the Kalman-Yakubovich-Popov equations. Simulations show the control law's effectiveness and that the bounds are very conservative for objects under stick-slip contact
People, Technologies, and Organizations Interactions in a Social Commerce Era

Social commerce, a powerful combination of customer-oriented social computing technologies and new commercial features, is having an increasing impact on e-commerce, potentially generating substantial economic benefits. Drawing on socio-technical theory, this study establishes a research framework to help understand the social and technical factors affecting consumers’ intention to purchase on social commerce sites. Our results demonstrate that familiarity, user experience, learning and training, and social commerce constructs all have a positive effect on consumers’ perceptions of ease of use and usefulness, thereby enhancing their trust and intention to purchase. For systems designers and engineers, our results highlight the importance of social commerce features for building consumers’ trust of social commerce sites and supporting their intention to purchase.
Aberrant Hepatic Expression of PPARγ2 Stimulates Hepatic Lipogenesis in a Mouse Model of Obesity, Insulin Resistance, Dyslipidemia, and Hepatic Steatosis*

Insulin-resistant apoB/BATless mice have hypertriglyceridemia because of increased assembly and secretion of very low density apolipoprotein B (apoB) and triglycerides compared with mice expressing only apoB (Siri, P., Candela, N., Ko, C., Zhang, Y., Eusufzai, S., Ginsberg, H. N., and Huang, L. S. (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 46064-46072). Despite increased very low density lipoprotein secretion, apoB/BATless mice have fatty livers. We found that hepatic mRNA levels of key lipogenic enzymes, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty-acid synthase, and stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 were increased in apoB/BATless mice compared with levels in apoB mice, suggesting increased lipogenesis in apoB/BATless mice. This was confirmed by determining incorporation of tritiated water into fatty acids. Neither the hepatic mRNA of the lipogenic transcription factor, SREBP-1c (sterol-response element-binding protein 1c), nor the nuclear levels of the mature form of SREBP-1 protein were elevated in apoB/BATless mice. By contrast, hepatic levels of peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor 2 (PPARγ2) mRNA and protein were specifically increased in apoB/BATless mice, as were hepatic mRNA levels of two targets of PPARγ, CD36 and aP2. Treatment of apoB/BATless mice for 4 weeks with intraperitoneal injections of a PPARγ antisense oligonucleotide resulted in dramatic reductions of both PPARγ1 and PPARγ2 mRNA, PPARγ2 protein, and mRNA levels of fatty-acid synthase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase. These changes were associated with decreased hepatic de novo lipogenesis and hepatic triglyceride concentrations. We conclude that hepatic steatosis in apoB/BATless mice is associated with elevated rates of hepatic lipogenesis that are linked directly to increased hepatic expression of PPARγ2. The mechanism whereby hepatic Pparγ2 gene expression is increased and how PPARγ2 stimulates lipogenesis is under investigation.
Molecular Basis of Scrapie Strain Glycoform Variation*

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) are characterized by the conversion of a protease-sensitive host glycoprotein, prion protein or PrP-sen, to a protease-resistant form (PrP-res). PrP-res molecules that accumulate in the brain and lymphoreticular system of the host consist of three differentially glycosylated forms. Analysis of the relative amounts of the PrP-res glycoforms has been used to discriminate TSE strains and has become increasingly important in the differential diagnosis of human TSEs. However, the molecular basis of PrP-res glycoform variation between different TSE agents is unknown. Here we report that PrP-res itself can dictate strain-specific PrP-res glycoforms. The final PrP-res glycoform pattern, however, can be influenced by the cell and significantly altered by subtle changes in the glycosylation state of PrP-sen. Thus, strain-specific PrP-res glycosylation profiles are likely the consequence of a complex interaction between PrP-res, PrP-sen, and the cell and may indicate the cellular compartment in which the strain-specific formation of PrP-res occurs.
Controlled-release interferon alpha 2b, a new member of the interferon family for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C

Introduction: Combination therapy with pegylated interferon alpha (Peg-interferon) and ribavirin is currently the cornerstone of antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C. Monotherapy with Peg-interferon still is important for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. With the advent of new therapies, protease inhibitors for chronic hepatitis C and nucleotide inhibitors for chronic hepatitis B, there remains a need for interferon-based therapies. The side effects of Peg-interferon are a main disadvantage and represent a stumbling block for many patients to enter and continue therapy. Areas covered: In this review, the authors will discuss controlled-release interferon alpha 2b (CR2b) (Locteron®, Biolex Therapeutics, Pittsboro, NC, USA), a new slow-release interferon alpha 2b preparation for the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis. Other alternative interferons will also be discussed. Expert opinion: CR2b is a slow-release microsphere preparation for the administration of plant-derived recombinant human interferon alpha 2b. Compared with Peg-interferon, treatment with CR2b shows less flu-like reactions and less depression, and is at least as effective as conventional Peg-interferon-based therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C. CR2b has the added advantage of biweekly instead of once weekly administration. CR2b appears to cause more neutropenia than Peg-interferon alpha 2b. This may be due to higher trough serum levels of CR2b at the end of a dosing interval. The bone marrow effects of CR2b closely resemble those published for the registered Peg-interferon alpha 2a. CR2b appears to have at least comparable efficacy with fewer side effects than current registered Peg-interferons.
Prenatal counselling for congenital anomalies: a systematic review

Prenatal diagnosis of fetal anomalies may arouse fear, anxiety and distress in parents, and counselling may assist parents to cope with the diagnosis. This systematic review aimed to (1) synthesise the evidence on the impact of non‐genetic, prenatal counselling after fetal diagnosis of a congenital anomaly on parental knowledge and psychological adjustment and (2) identify parents' preferences for the timing and format of counselling.
Study of clinical course of organ dysfunction in intensive care

ObjectiveMultiple organ dysfunction is a common cause of death in intensive care units. We describe the daily course of multiple organ dysfunction measured by the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score in a population-based cohort of critically ill patients. DesignProspective cohort study. SettingAdult multisystem intensive care units in the Calgary Health Region. PatientsA total of 1,436 patients admitted from May 1, 2000 to April 30, 2001. MeasurementsTemporal change in Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score. InterventionsNone; observational study. Main ResultsThe mean age was 58 yrs (range, 14–100). The mean ± sd intensive care unit admission Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score was 25 ± 9. The median intensive care unit length of stay was 4 days (interquartile range, 2–8), and the median hospital length of stay was 15 days (interquartile range, 7–32). A total of 20.5% of patients were infected at admission, and 26.0% were immediately postoperative. Intensive care unit mortality was 27.0%, and hospital mortality was 35.1%. The daily Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score was significantly higher in nonsurvivors than survivors. A population-averaged model determined a mean rate of change of Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score to be −0.29 per day (95% confidence interval, −0.32 to −0.25) for survivors and −0.03 per day (95% confidence interval, −0.08 to 0.03) for nonsurvivors (overall regression, p < .0001). Patients with infection had higher admission Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores compared with patients without infection (difference, 1.8; p < .001), but a similar rate of daily change. ConclusionsMultiple organ dysfunction, does not follow a course of progressive and sequential failure. Evidence of differential daily change should further inform the use of organ failure scores as surrogate outcomes in clinical trials.