Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human galectins as sensors for apoptosis/necrosis‐associated surface changes of granulocytes and lymphocytes

Changes in the glycomic profile can significantly affect the cells' communication with the environment. Plant lectins have so far been used to address the issue as to whether the courses of apoptosis or necrosis are associated with such alterations. We, here, initiate the study of members of the family of functionally pleiotropic human galectins in this respect. Established protocols for the induction of apoptosis/necrosis of blood cells and for flow cytometry using annexin V/propidium iodide were combined with cell surface staining using biotinylated galectins at a nontoxic concentration. The galectin panel covered members from all three subfamilies. Flow cytometry revealed specific binding of galectins to viable control cells and conspicuous staining differences when testing apoptotic or necrotic cells. Onset and especially progression of cell death led to pronounced reactivity with the proto‐type galectins‐1, ‐2, and ‐7 and tandem‐repeat‐type galectin‐4. Extent of staining depended on the nature and stage of cell death, type of dying cell, and type of galectin. Galectins act as sensors for cell‐death‐associated surface changes. Staining of late‐apoptotic polymorphonuclear cells was particularly strong. Examining the functional significance of this result may reveal a new aspect within the surveillance system to protect against autoinflammation. © 2008 International Society for Analytical Cytology
A microgripper using smart piezoelectric actuators

The manipulation of very small objects is one of the most important tasks in microrobotics. Micromanipulators are required in all fields where precise manipulation of very small objects must be performed like microsurgery or assembly of MEMS. It is well known that downsizing the tools used in the macroworld is not appropriate to achieve tasks in the microworld. In this paper we present a prototype of a microgripper made up of piezoelectric bending unimorphs. A dynamic model of the piezoelectric unimorphs is developed. Various identification methods have been applied in order to verify the validity of the model. An observer has been built in order to estimate the forces applied at the tip of the fingers. Knowing these forces is very important to avoid destruction of objects during manipulation. The microgripper is able to handle microobjects in a wide range of size by changing the initial distance between the fingers. The resolution of positioning obtained is better than 10 nm for each finger. Every finger can be actuated individually so that dexterous handling can be achieved. This system allows us to perform precise micromanipulation tasks.
Composite Three‐Dimensional Woven Scaffolds with Interpenetrating Network Hydrogels to Create Functional Synthetic Articular Cartilage

The development of synthetic biomaterials that possess mechanical properties mimicking those of native tissues remains an important challenge to the field of materials. In particular, articular cartilage is a complex nonlinear, viscoelastic, and anisotropic material that exhibits a very low coefficient of friction, allowing it to withstand millions of cycles of joint loading over decades of wear. Here, a three‐dimensionally woven fiber scaffold that is infiltrated with an interpenetrating network hydrogel can build a functional biomaterial that provides the load‐bearing and tribological properties of native cartilage. An interpenetrating dual‐network “tough‐gel” consisting of alginate and polyacrylamide was infused into a porous three‐dimensionally woven poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) fiber scaffold, providing a versatile fiber‐reinforced composite structure as a potential acellular or cell‐based replacement for cartilage repair.
Alpscarf: Augmenting Scarf Plots for Exploring Temporal Gaze Patterns

Scarf plots visualize gaze transitions among areas of interest (AOIs) on timelines. Nevertheless, scarf plots are ineffective when there are many AOIs. To help analysts explore long temporal patterns, we present Alpscarf, an extension of scarf plots with mountains and valleys to visualize order-conformity and revisits. Alpscarfs are rendered in two complementary modes in aid of insight discovery. An R package of Alpscarf is available at github.com/chia-kaiyang/alpscarf.
A laser probe coupled with ICP-double focusing sector-field mass spectrometer for in situ analysis of geological samples and U-Pb dating of zircon

Quadrupole ICP–MS is currently the method of choice for laser-ablation applications, since sector-field instruments are generally considered too slow for the acquisition of rapidly varying signals. However, the new generation of double-focusing sector-field mass spectrometers is capable of rapidly scanning the mass spectrum both magnetically and electrostatically, and the combination of these two scan modes approaches the performance of quadrupoles for most practical applications. We present the instrumental configuration and operating conditions of a LA–ICP–MS system, assembled by coupling a 266 nm laser source to a double-focusing magnetic-sector mass spectrometer (“Element”, Finnigan MAT). The capability of the adopted configuration to furnish high-quality in situ trace-element analysis of minerals and U–Pb geochronological data is described. Concentrations of thirty geochemically relevant elements ( LILE , HFSE , REE , actinides) were determined on geological samples with good precision and accuracy (<10%), evaluated using two USGS basaltic glass reference materials, BCR–2 and BIR–1. The high sensitivity and low background allowed extremely low limits of detection (down to the ppb level) for the heaviest elements, and between 10 and 100 ppb for the lighter masses. The first results on U:Pb ratio determinations are also very positive. By adopting an external matrix-matched standard for corrections of mass bias and laser-induced fractionation of elements, precision and accuracy in age determinations to better than ~2% are attained on the zircon standard 91500.
Observer Variability in CT Perfusion Parameters in Primary and Metastatic Tumors in the Lung

Purpose: Evaluate observer variability in computed tomography perfusion measurements in lung tumors and assess the relative contributions of individual factors to overall variability. Materials and Methods: Four observers independently delineated tumor and defined arterial input function region of interests (tumor region of interest and arterial input function region of interest) on each of 4 contiguous slice levels of computed tomography perfusion images (arterial input function level), in 12 computed tomography perfusion data sets containing lung tumors (>2.5 cm size), on 2 separate occasions. Computed tomography perfusion parameters (blood flow, blood volume, mean transit time, and permeability surface area product) for tumor volumes of interest were computed for all combinations of these factors, totaling up to 1024 combinations per patient. Overall, inter- and intraobserver variability were assessed by within-patient coefficient of variation, variance components analyses, and intraclass correlation. Results: Overall observer within-patient coefficient of variations for tumor blood flow, blood volume, mean transit time, and permeability surface area product were 20.3%, 11.9%, 6.3%, and 31.7%, and intraclass correlations were 0.94, 0.91, 0.82, and 0.72, respectively. Interobserver tumor volume of interest and arterial input function level were the highest contributors to overall variance for blood flow, blood volume, and mean transit time. Overall intraobserver wCVs for blood flow, blood volume, mean transit time, and permeability surface area product (4.3%, 2.4%, 0.9%, and 3.1%) were smaller than interobserver within-patient coefficient of variations (9.5%, 5.6%, 1.6%, and 7.0%), respectively. Conclusion: The largest contributors to observer variability were interobserver tumor volume of interest and arterial input function level. Overall variability in computed tomography perfusion studies can potentially be minimized by using a single observer and a consistent level for arterial input function, which would be important considerations in longitudinal and multicenter studies. Methods to reliably define arterial input function and delineate tumor volumes would help to reduce variability in estimations of computed tomography perfusion parameter values.
Aberrant signature methylome by DNMT1 hot spot mutation in hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy 1E

DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) is essential for DNA methylation, gene regulation and chromatin stability. We previously discovered DNMT1 mutations cause hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type 1 with dementia and hearing loss (HSAN1E; OMIM 614116). HSAN1E is the first adult-onset neurodegenerative disorder caused by a defect in a methyltransferase gene. HSAN1E patients appear clinically normal until young adulthood, then begin developing the characteristic symptoms involving central and peripheral nervous systems. Some HSAN1E patients also develop narcolepsy and it has recently been suggested that HSAN1E is allelic to autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia, deafness, with narcolepsy (ADCA-DN; OMIM 604121), which is also caused by mutations in DNMT1. A hotspot mutation Y495C within the targeting sequence domain of DNMT1 has been identified among HSAN1E patients. The mutant DNMT1 protein shows premature degradation and reduced DNA methyltransferase activity. Herein, we investigate genome-wide DNA methylation at single-base resolution through whole-genome bisulfite sequencing of germline DNA in 3 pairs of HSAN1E patients and their gender- and age-matched siblings. Over 1 billion 75-bp single-end reads were generated for each sample. In the 3 affected siblings, overall methylation loss was consistently found in all chromosomes with X and 18 being most affected. Paired sample analysis identified 564,218 differentially methylated CpG sites (DMCs; P < 0.05), of which 300 134 were intergenic and 264 084 genic CpGs. Hypomethylation was predominant in both genic and intergenic regions, including promoters, exons, most CpG islands, L1, L2, Alu, and satellite repeats and simple repeat sequences. In some CpG islands, hypermethylated CpGs outnumbered hypomethylated CpGs. In 201 imprinted genes, there were more DMCs than in non-imprinted genes and most were hypomethylated. Differentially methylated region (DMR) analysis identified 5649 hypomethylated and 1872 hypermethylated regions. Importantly, pathway analysis revealed 1693 genes associated with the identified DMRs were highly associated in diverse neurological disorders and NAD+/NADH metabolism pathways is implicated in the pathogenesis. Our results provide novel insights into the epigenetic mechanism of neurodegeneration arising from a hotspot DNMT1 mutation and reveal pathways potentially important in a broad category of neurological and psychological disorders.
Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies Determinants of audit report lag: evidence from Palestine

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to employ agency theory to identify the determinants of the audit delay among Palestinian companies listed on Palestine Stock Exchange (PSE). Design/methodology/approach – Drawing on the agency theory, eight hypotheses are tested using data collected from the year 2011 annual reports for all the 46 listed companies on PSE. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify the influence of a set of company characteristics, ownership structure variables, and corporate governance mechanisms. Findings – The result of the analysis demonstrated that the audit reporting delay is influenced by the board size, corporate size, status of audit firm, company complexity, existence of audit committee, and ownership dispersion. Research limitations/implications – The main shortcoming of the current study is that the analysis covered the Palestinian companies ’ annual reports for only one year. A time series analysis might give fuller and understandable picture about the audit report lag (ARL) determinants. The outcome of the study can be used by companies ’ managements and policy makers in Palestine to improve future disclosure. Originality/value – This paper adds to the limited audit delay literature in Middle East countries in general and Arab World in particular. This paper not only examines the determinants of the audit delay but also attempts to theorize such delay.
Innovating with Cloud Computing: Insights from Two Entrepreneurship Models

This paper analyzes how cloud computing - a technology allowing on-demand, "pay as you go" access to shared and configurable computing resources, can support entrepreneurship. By presenting insights from two theoretical models - causal logic entrepreneurship and effectual logic entrepreneurship, we discuss how entrepreneurs can take better advantage of the cloud - an area not yet covered by existing research. The analysis also informs future cloud technology development by suggesting new features to support specific entrepreneurial activities identified in this work.
Fermented Dough Characteristics of Wheat-barley-hemp Composites. Comparison of Two Dosages of Barley and Hemp Wholemeal/Flour

HRUSKOVA MARIE, SVEC IVAN. 2016. Fermented Dough Characteristics of Wheat-barley-hemp Composites. Comparison of Two Dosages of Barley and Hemp Wholemeal/Flour. Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, 64(3): 803–812. Wheat fl our substitution by barley one led to shortening of fermentation and leavening times (about 14–57% and 35–83%, respectively) as well as to lessening of dough volumes (about 25–75%), based on lowered protein quality (Zeleny value). Addition of barley fl our aff ected specifi c bread volume; diminishing for wheat-barley blends 70:30 and 50:50 reached 30% and 43%, respectively. Volume of bread prepared from wheat-barley blend 70:30 enhanced by dehulled hemp wholemeal was the highest within the tested tri-composites set, achieving 130% of wheat-barley control; other hemp products caused the parameter decrease (from 8 to 33%). Within a group of bakery products containing 50% of barley fl our, hulled hemp wholemeal partially supressed negative eff ect of barley fl our – specifi c bread volumes increased about ca 15%. Commercial fi ne hemp fl our samples demonstrated a reversal infl uence – its addition resulted into lower buns size than wheat-barley control (about 3–34%). Between wheat fl our and both groups of fl our tri-composites, PCA confi rmed diff erences in dough and bread technological quality. Specifi c bread volume could be predicted according to maturograph dough elasticity, dough or bread OTG volumes.
Assembling self-supporting structures

Self-supporting structures are prominent in historical and contemporary architecture due to advantageous structural properties and efficient use of material. Computer graphics research has recently contributed new design tools that allow creating and interactively exploring self-supporting freeform designs. However, the physical construction of such freeform structures remains challenging, even on small scales. Current construction processes require extensive formwork during assembly, which quickly leads to prohibitively high construction costs for realizations on a building scale. This greatly limits the practical impact of the existing freeform design tools. We propose to replace the commonly used dense formwork with a sparse set of temporary chains. Our method enables gradual construction of the masonry model in stable sections and drastically reduces the material requirements and construction costs. We analyze the input using a variational method to find stable sections, and devise a computationally tractable divide-and-conquer strategy for the combinatorial problem of finding an optimal construction sequence. We validate our method on 3D printed models, demonstrate an application to the restoration of historical models, and create designs of recreational, collaborative self-supporting puzzles.
Evidence-based approach to glaucoma management

Evidence-based medicine is an evolving new paradigm. With the advent of numerous new diagnostic techniques and therapeutic interventions, one needs to critically evaluate and validate them by appropriate methods before adopting them into day-to-day patient care. The concepts involved in the evaluation of diagnostic tests and therapy are discussed. For delivering the highest level of clinical care, evidence alone is not sufficient. Integrating individual clinical experience and patients’ perspectives with the best available external evidence is essential.
Heavy Episodic Drinking Among University Students: Drinking Status and Perceived Normative Comparisons

The present study tests the perceived norms hypothesis in relation to different levels of heavy episodic drinking (HED) among university students. In 2007, 303 students from residence halls and the School of Psychology at the University of Wollongong, Australia, completed a questionnaire about their alcohol consumption and associated attitudes and behaviors. Between-groups analyses of variance (ANOVAs) revealed significantly higher AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) scores among students in higher-frequency HED groups. Students who engaged in HED tended to underestimate their own drinking when comparing themselves with others. Improving the accuracy of perceptions about one's own drinking in relation to others (normative information) may help reduce levels of HED among students.
Effective learning among elite football players: The development of a football-specific self-regulated learning questionnaire

Abstract The present study aimed to develop a football-specific self-report instrument measuring self-regulated learning in the context of daily practice, which can be used to monitor the extent to which players take responsibility for their own learning. Development of the instrument involved six steps: 1. Literature review based on Zimmerman's (2006) theory of self-regulated learning, 2. Item generation, 3. Item validation, 4. Pilot studies, 5. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and 6. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The instrument was tested for reliability and validity among 204 elite youth football players aged 13–16 years (Mage = 14.6; s = 0.60; 123 boys, 81 girls). The EFA indicated that a five-factor model fitted the observed data best (reflection, evaluation, planning, speaking up, and coaching). However, the CFA showed that a three-factor structure including 22 items produced a satisfactory model fit (reflection, evaluation, and planning; non-normed fit index [NNFI] = 0.96, comparative fit index [CFI] = 0.95, root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.067). While the self-regulation processes of reflection, evaluation, and planning are strongly related and fit well into one model, other self-regulated learning processes seem to be more individually determined. In conclusion, the questionnaire developed in this study is considered a reliable and valid instrument to measure self-regulated learning among elite football players.
Player-Centred Game Design : Player Modelling and Adaptive Digital Games

We describe an approach to player-centred game design through adaptive game technologies [9]. The work presented is the result of on-going collaborative research between Media and Computing groups at the University of Ulster, and so we begin with a review of related literature from both areas before presenting our new ideas. In particular we focus on three areas of related research: understanding players, modelling players, and adaptive game technology. We argue that player modelling and adaptive technologies may be used alongside existing approaches to facilitate improved player-centred game design in order to provide a more appropriate level of challenge, smooth the learning curve, and enhance the gameplay experience for individual players regardless of gender, age and experience. However, adaptive game behaviour is a controversial topic within game research and development and so while we outline the potential of such technologies, we also address the most significant concerns.
Power quality improvement using dual voltage source inverter

In this paper two voltage source inverter connected grid system can be seen, in which inverters are used to exchange power and to provide load compensation. Non-linear and unbalanced load compensation are effectively done. The control algorithm used is symmetrical component theory, it helps to operate the voltage source inverter in grid sharing and grid injecting modes. The main advantage of the system is low cost because of small filters, having best micro grid utilization. There's no need to connect battery with the system, as batteries reduce reliability of the system.
Generation and Propagation of Tsunami by a Moving Realistic Curvilinear Slide Shape with Variable Velocities in Linearized Shallow-Water Wave Theory

The process of tsunami evolution during its generation under the effect of the variable velocities of realistic submarine landslides based on a two-dimensional curvilinear slide model is investigated. Tsunami generation from submarine gravity mass flows is described in three stages. The first stage represented by a rapid curvilinear down and uplift faulting with rise time. The second stage represented by a unilaterally propagation in the positive x direction to a significant length to produce curvilinear two-dimensional models represented by a depression slump, and a displaced accumulation slide model. The last stage represented by the time variation in the velocity of the accumulation slide (block slide). By using transforms method, Laplace in time and Fourier in space, tsunami waveforms within the frame of the linearized shallow water theory for constant water depth are analyzed analytically for the movable source model. Effect of the water depths on the amplification factor of the tsunami generation by the submarine slump and slide for different propagation lengths and widths has been studied and the results are plotted. Comparison of tsunami peak amplitudes is discussed for different propagation lengths, widths and water depths. In addition, we demonstrated the tsunami propagation waveforms after the slide stops moving at different propagation times.
Wyner’s Common Information Under Rényi Divergence Measures

We study a generalized version of Wyner’s common information problem (also coined the distributed source simulation problem). The original common information problem consists in understanding the minimum rate of the common input to independent processors to generate an approximation of a joint distribution when the distance measure used to quantify the discrepancy between the synthesized and target distributions is the normalized relative entropy. Our generalization involves changing the distance measure to the unnormalized and normalized Rényi divergences of order <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\alpha =1+s\in [{0,2}]$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. We show that the minimum rate needed to ensure the Rényi divergences between the distribution induced by a code and the target distribution vanishes remains the same as the one in Wyner’s setting, except when the order <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\alpha =1+s=0$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. This implies that Wyner’s common information is rather robust to the choice of distance measure employed. As a byproduct of the proofs used to the establish the above results, the exponential strong converse for the common information problem under the total variation distance measure is established.