Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analyzing the benefits of integrative multi-dimensional assessments of usability features in interaction-centered user studies

Today, usability measures for the evaluation of systems and interfaces are mostly assessed in an isolated way. This paper addresses the question whether an integrative multi-dimensional feature evaluation can lead to different and more holistic results. We combined traditional measures (e.g., time to task completion) with advanced measures, like eye tracking, biosignal data logging and assessment of user emotions. For the evaluation of emotions, we used verbal methods (PAD Semantic Scale and a questionnaire) and a nonverbal method with EmoCards. The overall goal was to document and analyze the interaction as completely as possible (including effectiveness, efficiency and user satisfaction), focusing especially on objective measurements. Furthermore, the recording and assessment of emotions, which are part of the user experience, should give insights into user satisfaction.
Occult infection of peripheral B cells by hepatitis C variants which have low translational efficiency in cultured hepatocytes

Background Plasma hepatitis C virus (HCV) originates from hepatocytes. However, in certain subjects, B cells may harbour both plasma strains and occult HCV strains tha t are not detected in the plasma. The internal ribosome entry site (IRES) of these latter strains is mutated, suggesting that the efficiency of viral translation could drive the cellular tropism of HCV. Aims To determine if the translational efficiency of IRES variants in cultured hepatocytes or B cells is correlated with their cellular tropism in vivo. Methods The efficiency of IRES of 10 B cell-specific variants and nine plasma variants, isolated from six patients with compartmentalised variants in B cells, was estimated by bicistronic dual luciferase expression in hepatocyte cell types (Huh7), in primary cultured human hepatocytes (PCHs) and in two B cell lines (Raji and Daudi). Results For each of the six subjects, the plasma IRESes were significantly and repeatedly more efficient than B cell IRESes in Huh7 (1.7±0.3 vs 0.7±0.2; p<0.01) and PCH cells. In B cell lines, B cell and plasma IRES had similar low efficiencies (0.8±0.1 vs 0.9±0.1; NS). For three subjects, two IRES variants from the same compartment could be analysed, and had the same efficiency in each cell type. Silencing the lupus antigen, a known IRES trans-acting factor, inhibited plasma IRES variants to a greater extent than B cell-specific IRESes. Conclusions B cells can harbour occult variants that have a poor translational efficiency in hepatocytes, strongly suggesting their extra-hepatic origin and raising the hypothesis that competition between HCV variants with different IRESes is driven at a translational level in hepatic, as well as in extra-hepatic, sites.
Genetic profiling of the Azores Islands (Portugal): Data from 10 X‐chromosome STRs

The populations from the Azores islands have been the target of several genetic studies, using data derived from monoparental and recombining genetic systems. These studies have provided a complex picture of the genetic landscape of the three groups of Azorean islands, and further data are required to assess its genetic profile. We present a study of the polymorphism in 10 X‐chromosome STR loci (DSXS8378, DXS9898, DXS7133, GATA31E08, GATA172D05, DXS7423, DXS6809, DXS7132, DXS9902, DXS6789) conducted on a total of 304 chromosomes (97 females and 110 males) of unrelated individuals with Azorean ancestry. Average gene diversity was 74.47%, ranging from 66.21% (DXS7133) to 81.19% (GATA172D05). No shared haplotypes were found. Genotype frequencies among females displayed conformity with Hardy‐Weinberg expectations for all loci. Pairwise linkage disequilibrium tests did not reveal evidences of association between the studied markers. Significant differences in allelic frequencies between the Western and the Eastern group of islands are in agreement with previous results from mitochondrial DNA and Y chromosome studies, providing further evidence that the Azores cannot be considered an homogeneous population. Moreover, differences between the Western group and the North of Portugal are also reported, supporting the pertinence of a specific database for the Azores populations, on what concerns the genetic markers analyzed. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Social Media at SocioSystems Inc.: A Socio-technical Systems Analysis of Strategic Action

In this study, we present preliminary results from case research at a global IT firm with demonstrable success in the strategic use of social media. From the theoretical underpinnings of interest-based homophily, action theory, and social movement theory, we propose a conceptual framework and analytics to consider the question "how can organizations motivate strategic directed action from participants within social media to accomplish organizational goals? " We discuss the theories of interest-based homophilies to identify and explain how organizations can develop information based analytics appropriate to motivate strategic action in social media using similar approaches to those utilized by social movement and social movement framing. There has been little theorizing on the nature and structuration of social media from which appropriate directed action can be strategically conceptualized. This paper presents novel theoretical foundations from which to understand social media and develop effective strategies to advance organizational interests.
A reliable aerosol-spray-assisted approach to produce and optimize amorphous metal oxide catalysts for electrochemical water splitting.

An aerosol-spray-assisted approach (ASAA) is proposed and confirmed as a precisely controllable and continuous method to fabricate amorphous mixed metal oxides for electrochemical water splitting. The proportion of metal elements can be accurately controlled to within (5±5) %. The products can be sustainably obtained, which is highly suitable for industrial applications. ASAA was used to show that Fe6Ni10O(x) is the best catalyst among the investigated Fe-Ni-O(x) series with an overpotential of as low as 0.286 V (10 mA cm(-2)) and a Tafel slope of 48 mV/decade for the electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction. Therefore, this work contributes a versatile, continuous, and reliable way to produce and optimize amorphous metal oxide catalysts.
User Pairing and Power Allocation for Downlink Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access

Abstract-Non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) technology has been widely studied due to its principle to superpose multiple users in the power domain at the transmitter and apply successive interference cancellation (SIC) at receivers. Taking advantage of NOMA, more than one user are served simultaneously by a base station (BS) with the same radio resource. In this paper, we study the NOMA in downlink of the multi-user system where the sort-based user paring and power allocation are deployed in order to reduce the interference and maximize the system capacity. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed sort-based user pairing schemes greatly improve the performances of both error probability and spectral efficiency.
Towards Pen-based Annotation Techniques for Tangible Magic Lenses Above a Tabletop

Previous Work. We previously investigated the use of tangible magic lenses to explore complex spatial information spaces by moving a mobile lens through the space above a tabletop environment. Our system was implemented as a lightweight piece of pressboard (PaperLens) whose position and orientation was tracked via infrared (IR) cameras. A ceiling-mounted projector was used to project visual content onto the lens’ display. In our approach, we explicitly mapped the height of the mobile lens onto distinct tasks of interaction in order to support the exploration of different types of data, e.g. the exploration of volumetric CT scans.
Evolution of strategies in the three-person iterated prisoner's dilemma game.

A three-person iterated prisoner's dilemma (3p-IPD) game is studied. The present simulation uses a lattice model of finite state automata. In particular, the similarity between a noisy 2p- and a noiseless 3p-IPD game is discussed. It is known that, due to the noise, Tit for Tat loses its robustness and is taken over by more complex strategies in a noiseless IPD game. But in the 3p-IPD game, even without noise, Tit for Tat loses its robustness and is also taken over by more complex strategies. It is found that similar strategies take over Tit for Tat in both situations. We thus remark that the role of noise in the two person game is replaced by the third player in the three-person game. As a result, the strategies diversify in both the noisy 2p- and the quiet 3p- IPD game. It is also found that game strategies in an automaton form can be understood as a combination of defensive and offensive substructures. A recognition of these substructures enables us to study the mechanism of robustness in the strategies of the 3p-IPD game.
Feature extraction and disease stage classification for Glioma histopathology images

This paper discusses the performance of feature descriptors for disease stage evaluation of Glioma images. In the field of histopathology, many evaluation methods for tissue images have been reported. However, pathologists have to analyze and evaluate many tissue images manually. In addition, the criteria of evaluation heavily depend on each pathologist's experience and feelings. From this background, studies on computational pathology using computer vision have been reported. The proposed feature descriptors were, however, applied to specified diseases only, and we do not know whether these descriptors will be effective to other tissues or not. This paper applied the feature descriptors defined by previous studies to the Glioma images and investigated the effectiveness of them by using a statistical method. We also discussed a method to distinguish low-grade from high-grade Glioma images by using the significant descriptors. After the experiments, more than 98% of Glioma images were classified correctly.
Deficiency of UDP-galactose:N-acetylglucosamine beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase I causes the congenital disorder of glycosylation type IId.

Deficiency of the Golgi enzyme UDP-Gal:N-acetylglucosamine beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase I (beta4GalT I) (E.C.2.4.1.38) causes a new congenital disorder of glycosylation (CDG), designated type IId (CDG-IId), a severe neurologic disease characterized by a hydrocephalus, myopathy, and blood-clotting defects. Analysis of oligosaccharides from serum transferrin by HPLC, mass spectrometry, and lectin binding revealed the loss of sialic acid and galactose residues. In skin fibroblasts and leukocytes, galactosyltransferase activity was reduced to 5% that of controls. In fibroblasts, a truncated polypeptide was detected that was about 12 kDa smaller in size than wild-type beta4GalT I and that failed to localize to the Golgi apparatus. Sequencing of the beta4GalT I cDNA and gene revealed an insertion of a single nucleotide (1031-1032insC) leading to premature translation stop and loss of the C-terminal 50 amino acids of the enzyme. The patient was homozygous and his parents heterozygous for this mutation. Expression of a corresponding mutant cDNA in COS-7 cells led to the synthesis of a truncated, inactive polypeptide, which localized to the endoplasmic reticulum.
Multiplex analyses of antibodies against citrullinated peptides in individuals prior to development of rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE The presence of antibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptides has been demonstrated to precede the onset of symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by several years. The aim of this study was to analyze antibodies against 10 citrullinated autoantigen-derived peptides for reactivity before the onset of RA symptoms. METHODS A case-control study was conducted within the Medical Biobank of Northern Sweden. The study was performed in 409 individuals, 386 of whom donated 717 blood samples before the onset of symptoms of RA (pre-patients). The median period of time predating the onset of RA was 7.4 years. A total of 1,305 population-based control subjects were also studied. Antibodies to 10 citrullinated peptides, fibrinogen α573 (Fibα573), Fibα591, Fibβ36-52, Fibβ72, Fibβ74, α-enolase (citrullinated α-enolase peptide 1 [CEP-1]), triple-helical type II collagen peptide C1 (citC1III), filaggrin, vimentin 2-17 (Vim2-17), and Vim60-75, were analyzed using a microarray system. RESULTS The fluorescence intensity of antibodies against Fibβ36-52, Fibβ74, CEP-1, citC1III, and filaggrin was significantly increased in pre-patients compared with controls (P<0.001). The levels of the earliest-detectable antibodies (Fibα591 and Vim60-75) fluctuated over time, with only a slight increase after the onset of disease. The frequency of antibodies against Fibβ36-52, CEP-1, and filaggrin increased gradually, reaching the highest levels before symptom onset. The frequency of a cluster of antibodies, citC1III, Fibα573, and Fibβ74, increased only slightly before the onset of symptoms but increased prominently after disease onset. The odds ratio for the development of RA in individuals expressing both CEP-1 and Fibβ36-52 antibodies (using data from samples obtained <3.35 years predating symptom onset) was 40.4 (95% confidence interval 19.8-82.3) compared with having either antibody alone. CONCLUSION Development of an immune response toward citrullinated peptides is initially restricted but expands with time to induce a more specific response, with levels, particularly those of antibodies against CEP-1, Fibβ36-52, and filaggrin, increasing during the predating time period closer to the onset of symptoms.
Biochemical and Genetic Studies of the VPg Uridylylation Reaction Catalyzed by the RNA Polymerase of Poliovirus

ABSTRACT The first step in poliovirus (PV) RNA synthesis is the covalent linkage of UMP to the terminal protein VPg. This reaction can be studied in vitro with two different assays. The simpler assay is based on a poly(A) template and requires synthetic VPg, purified RNA polymerase 3Dpol, UTP, and a divalent cation. The other assay uses specific viral sequences [cre(2C)] as a template for VPg uridylylation and requires the addition of proteinase 3CDpro. Using one or both of these assays, we analyzed the VPg specificities and metal requirements of the uridylylation reactions. We determined the effects of single and double amino acid substitutions in VPg on the abilities of the peptides to serve as substrates for 3Dpol. Mutations in VPg, which interfered with uridylylation in vitro, were found to abolish viral growth. A chimeric PV containing the VPg of human rhinovirus 14 (HRV14) was viable, but substitutions of HRV2 and HRV89 VPgs for PV VPg were lethal. Of the three rhinoviral VPgs tested, only the HRV14 peptide was found to function as a substrate for PV1(M) 3Dpol in vitro. We also examined the metal specificity of the VPg uridylylation reaction on a poly(A) template. Our results show a strong preference of the RNA polymerase for Mn2+ as a cofactor compared to Mg2+ or other divalent cations.
Self-report traffic pricing model based on incentive stackelberg strategy

This paper deal with a kind of routing control problems of networks. The incentive Stackelberg strategy concept in the game theory was introduced to the network traffic model that comprises subsidiary systems of consumers (users) and network. Moreover, to unify the benefits of operators and consumers, a novel self-report network traffic pricing model is constructed. The main idea of the model is that users themselves reporting network traffic according to own practical demand. In the model, the part of excess or leavings will be appropriate punished by a new establishing linear incentive strategy. The results of the theoretical analysis and simulation demonstrate that the proposed strategy provides incentive by means of appropriate resource allocation, and improves the utilization of network resources.
From T-antigen to plasmalogen-derived aldehydes: The identification of a marker of colorectal cancer in human rectal mucous

Recently, a simple noninvasive screening test for colorectal cancer was proposed, based on a hypothesis involving galactose-containing carbohydrate moieties such as the ThomsenFriedenreich antigen. According to the hypothesis, such carbohydrate moieties, present in the human rectal mucous of patients with colorectal cancer, can be specifically oxidized with galactose oxidase to form substances that, upon reaction with Schiff reagent, yield purple (magenta) coloured compounds. While evaluating this proposed test, we discovered that the colour formation is not due to the proposed reaction between oxidized galactose moieties present in rectal mucous and Schiff reagent. We found instead that the mucous from colorectal cancer patients contains compounds that form purple (magenta) adducts with the Schiff reagent directly, i.e., they do not require oxidation by galactose oxidase. We have identified these compounds as long-chain aliphatic aldehydes, mainly palmitic aldehyde C15H31CH=O and stearic aldehyde C17H35.
DNA Damage Processing by Human 8-Oxoguanine-DNA Glycosylase Mutants with the Occluded Active Site*

Background: Oxoguanine-DNA glycosylase (OGG1) removes highly mutagenic 8-oxoguanine from DNA. Results: OGG1 mutations C253I and C253L occlude the active site and distort the OGG1-DNA precatalytic complex but retain some activity. Conclusion: Active site of OGG1 possesses flexibility that partially compensates for distortions. Significance: Active site plasticity may be important for dynamic recognition of multiple DNA lesions by DNA glycosylases. 8-Oxoguanine-DNA glycosylase (OGG1) removes premutagenic lesion 8-oxoguanine (8-oxo-G) from DNA and then nicks the nascent abasic (apurinic/apyrimidinic) site by β-elimination. Although the structure of OGG1 bound to damaged DNA is known, the dynamic aspects of 8-oxo-G recognition are not well understood. To comprehend the mechanisms of substrate recognition and processing, we have constructed OGG1 mutants with the active site occluded by replacement of Cys-253, which forms a wall of the base-binding pocket, with bulky leucine or isoleucine. The conformational dynamics of OGG1 mutants were characterized by single-turnover kinetics and stopped-flow kinetics with fluorescent detection. Additionally, the conformational mobility of wild type and the mutant OGG1 substrate complex was assessed using molecular dynamics simulations. Although pocket occlusion distorted the active site and greatly decreased the catalytic activity of OGG1, it did not fully prevent processing of 8-oxo-G and apurinic/apyrimidinic sites. Both mutants were notably stimulated in the presence of free 8-bromoguanine, indicating that this base can bind to the distorted OGG1 and facilitate β-elimination. The results agree with the concept of enzyme plasticity, suggesting that the active site of OGG1 is flexible enough to compensate partially for distortions caused by mutation.
Phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase activity is increased in rat intestinal brush-border membrane by chronic ethanol ingestion.

AIMS Phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) catalyses the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine from phosphatidylethanolamine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chronic ethanol ingestion on PEMT activity in the jejunal brush-border membrane (BBM) of adequately nourished rats. METHODS For this purpose, rats were fed a liquid diet containing ethanol [ethanol-fed group (EFG)] or an isocaloric liquid diet without ethanol [pair-fed group (PFG)] for 4 weeks. Diet ingestion, body weight, nitrogen balance and urinary creatinine excretion were monitored during the experimental period, and serum transferrin levels were determined at the end. BBM was isolated for the determination of PEMT activity. RESULTS PEMT activity was significantly increased in the jejunal BBM of the EFG. Nutritional parameters, however, did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS The increase in PEMT activity may be attributed exclusively to chronic ethanol ingestion, since a major nutritional deficit was excluded.
Biliary reconstruction, its complications and management of biliary complications after adult liver transplantation: a systematic review of the incidence, risk factors and outcome

Biliary reconstruction remains common in postoperative complications after liver transplantation. A systematic search was conducted on the PubMed database and 61 studies of retrospective or prospective institutional data were eligible for this review. The study comprised a total of 14 359 liver transplantations. The overall incidence of biliary stricture was 13%; 12% among deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) patients and 19% among living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) recipients. The overall incidence of biliary leakage was 8.2%, 7.8% among DDLT patients and 9.5% among LDLT recipients. An endoscopic strategy is the first choice for biliary complications; 83% of patients with biliary stricture were treated by endoscopic modalities with a success rate of 57% and 38% of patients with leakage were indicated for endoscopic biliary drainage. T‐tube placement was not performed in 82% of duct‐to‐duct reconstruction. The incidence of biliary stricture was 10% with a T‐tube and 13% without a T‐tube and the incidence of leakage was 5% with a T‐tube and 6% without a T‐tube. A preceding bile leak and LDLT procedure are accepted risk factors for anastomotic stricture. Biliary complications remain common, which requires further investigation and the refinement of reconstruction techniques and management strategies.
Physical Self-Presentation and Competitive Anxiety in Male Master Divers

This study investigated the link between physical self-presentation and competitive anxiety in male, master-level, high-board divers (N = 84, M age = 29.3 yr., SD=14.3). Competitive trait anxiety, social physique anxiety, and physical self-presentation confidence were assessed using the Sport Anxiety Scale, Social Physique Anxiety Scale, and the Physical Self-presentation inventory. Stepwise regression analyses indicated that variance in competitive anxiety was accounted for by the physical self-presentation variables and that these variables were more strongly associated with the cognitive anxiety subscale Worry, and to a lesser extent, Somatic Anxiety. The results of this study provide support for the argument that physical self-presentation is associated with competitive anxiety in male athletes.
Should we interpret the results of ‘two-step’ glucose screening again according to the obstetric outcomes?

We aimed to re-evaluate the ‘two-step’ antenatal glucose screening programme in relation to maternal and foetal outcomes in pregnant women screened for gestational diabetes mellitus and to compare maternal and foetal outcomes between different groups divided according to glucose tolerance test results. Two-thousand four-hundred and two pregnant women attending for antenatal care were recruited retrospectively for the study. Mean birthweight for pregnancies with single-value abnormality (SVA) in 100-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was significantly higher than the control group [3420 ± 378 vs. 3294 ± 444]. We found a significantly higher rate of macrosomia in the subgroup of 50-g glucose challenge test (GCT) between 130 and 140 mg/dl [9.7% vs. 4.8%]. Pregnant women whose 50-g GCT results are between 130 and 140 mg/dl or who have SVA in 100-g OGTT not only have gestational diabetes, but are also at increased risk for diabetic complications.