Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of various methods of point-of-care testing of haemoglobin concentration in blood donors.

BACKGROUND Point-of-care testing (POCT) devices for determining pre-donation haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations mark the advent of advanced technology for blood banks. POCT devices have undergone several improvements including changes in testing methodology and size of device, befitting the needs of blood donors and blood banks in terms of safety and quality of blood components. This study was planned to evaluate the suitability of non-invasive and invasive POCT devices for blood donor Hb screening. MATERIAL AND METHODS Pre-donation Hb in apparently healthy blood donors was measured by a non-invasive spectrophotometric based method (NBM-200, OrSense) and an invasive method utilizing reagent free cuvettes (DiaSpect) along with a device using sodium azide-coated cuvettes (HemoControl, EKF diagnostic GmbH). The performance of the devices was evaluated by comparison with the reference method, i.e. an automated cell counter (KX-21). RESULTS Hb was measured in 485 prospective blood donors. DiaSpect hemoglobin T system was found to be the most sensitive method of POCT for Hb (sensitivity 98.1%) followed by HemoControl (sensitivity 86.8%). NBM-200 was the least sensitive method (sensitivity 71.7%). The intraclass correlation coefficient was highest for DiaSpect (0.78), followed by HemoControl (0.77) and NBM-200 (0.43). The variation of results on repeat testing was high for NBM-200 with a coefficient of variation of 4.28%, compared to 2.19% for DiaSpect. On comparing the mean testing time, DiaSpect (1.9 seconds) was found to be significantly quicker than the other two POCT devices (p<0.001). DISCUSSION NBM-200 has the apparent advantage of eliminating pain but also a substantial possibility of causing ineligible donors to be accepted. DiaSpect was fast and accurate, with its results showing perfect agreement with those of the standard method. It is, therefore, aptly suited for screening donors in blood banks.
HapX-Mediated Adaption to Iron Starvation Is Crucial for Virulence of Aspergillus fumigatus

Iron is essential for a wide range of cellular processes. Here we show that the bZIP-type regulator HapX is indispensable for the transcriptional remodeling required for adaption to iron starvation in the opportunistic fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. HapX represses iron-dependent and mitochondrial-localized activities including respiration, TCA cycle, amino acid metabolism, iron-sulfur-cluster and heme biosynthesis. In agreement with the impact on mitochondrial metabolism, HapX-deficiency decreases resistance to tetracycline and increases mitochondrial DNA content. Pathways positively affected by HapX include production of the ribotoxin AspF1 and siderophores, which are known virulence determinants. Iron starvation causes a massive remodeling of the amino acid pool and HapX is essential for the coordination of the production of siderophores and their precursor ornithine. Consistent with HapX-function being limited to iron depleted conditions and A. fumigatus facing iron starvation in the host, HapX-deficiency causes significant attenuation of virulence in a murine model of aspergillosis. Taken together, this study demonstrates that HapX-dependent adaption to conditions of iron starvation is crucial for virulence of A. fumigatus.
Designing for and with People with Parkinson's: A Focus on Exergaming

Parkinson's is a complex and multifaceted condition with a myriad of symptoms, thus, designing for and with this user group requires careful consideration. We reflect upon two studies, employing different design methodologies, relating to the design of rehabilitative exergames in Parkinson's. The first explored the concept of designing 'for' People with Parkinson's (PwP) and focused on specifications outlined by clinical stakeholders. The second used a designing 'with' approach and modified a pre-established participatory design method for use with PwP. We call attention to the importance of carrying out design work with PwP and contribute; an empathic understanding of living with Parkinson's, a set of recommendations for how to design with PwP and a set of wider considerations for developing rehabilitative exergames for PwP.
Head-pose invariant facial expression recognition using convolutional neural networks

Automatic face analysis has to cope with pose and lighting variations. Pose variations are particularly difficult to tackle and many face analysis methods require the use of sophisticated normalization and initialization procedures. We propose a data-driven face analysis approach that is not only capable of extracting features relevant to a given face analysis task, but is also more robust with regard to face location changes and scale variations when compared to classical methods such as MLPs. Our approach is based on convolutional neural networks that use multi-scale feature extractors, which allow for improved facial expression recognition results with faces subject to in-plane pose variations.
AMPA Receptor-Induced Local Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Signaling Mediates Motor Recovery after Stroke

Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability. Recovery after stroke shares similar molecular and cellular properties with learning and memory. A main component of learning-induced plasticity involves signaling through AMPA receptors (AMPARs). We systematically tested the role of AMPAR function in motor recovery in a mouse model of focal stroke. AMPAR function controls functional recovery beginning 5 d after the stroke. Positive allosteric modulators of AMPARs enhance recovery of limb control when administered after a delay from the stroke. Conversely, AMPAR antagonists impair motor recovery. The contributions of AMPARs to recovery are mediated by release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in periinfarct cortex, as blocking local BDNF function in periinfarct cortex blocks AMPAR-mediated recovery and prevents the normal pattern of motor recovery. In contrast to a delayed AMPAR role in motor recovery, early administration of AMPAR agonists after stroke increases stroke damage. These findings indicate that the role of glutamate signaling through the AMPAR changes over time in stroke: early potentiation of AMPAR signaling worsens stroke damage, whereas later potentiation of the same signaling system improves functional recovery.
Morphological ability among monolingual and bilingual speakers in early childhood: The case of two Semitic languages

This study examines the possible effects of bilingualism, mother tongue and type of morphology on morphological awareness of Arabic- and Hebrew-speaking preschoolers (mean age – 5:4). Four groups of children participated in the study: (1) 50 Arabic-speaking monolingual speakers; (2) 50 Hebrew-speaking monolingual speakers; (3) 50 Arabic/Hebrew bilingual speakers; and (4) 50 Hebrew/Arabic bilingual speakers. Participants from the bilingual groups were sequential non-balanced bilingual speakers who started learning a second language at ages 3–4 in a bilingual Arabic/Hebrew kindergarten. All children performed two tasks on inflectional morphology and three tasks on derivational morphology in one or both languages. To examine inflectional morphology, domain plural nouns were chosen because of their linear nature in both Hebrew and Arabic and because inflectional plural-noun morphology is acquired very early. In derivational morphology, the focus was on the verbs because of their high token frequency, early acquisition compared to nominal morphology, and its importance for Semitic languages. The results demonstrate significant effects of mother tongue, bilingualism and type of morphology on the children’s performance. The better results were obtained in Hebrew-speaking monolinguals and in Arabic-speaking bilinguals. Monolingual Hebrew speakers performed better in Hebrew than Arabic-speakers did in Arabic. At the same time, Arabic-speaking bilingual children demonstrated significantly better results in Hebrew (second language) than Hebrew speakers did in Arabic (second language). Analysis of the findings also shows that differences in performance among the bilingual and monolingual groups seem to relate not only to psycholinguistic factors such as linguistic complexity but also to sociolinguistic factors (e.g. diglossia in Arabic).
Indexical Representations for Context-Aware Mobile Devices

Wireless mobile devices present a present a huge design and representational challenge for the discipline of human-computer interaction. Past approaches have focused on user, task and artifact. This paper argues that in addition to these factors an understanding of context can assist with meeting design challenges for mobile applications. It proposes a matrix of eight dimensions of context drawn from existent taxonomies in ethnography, socio-linguistics and human-computer interaction. The dimensions are described as time, absolute location, relative location, physical objects, activity, social setting, environment and culture. These are used to drive the design of interface representations for a route planning tool for use on the Melbourne public transport system. Central to the representations of information on the interfaces is the concept of index borrowed from semiotics and the idea of indexicality as an interface property. This paper illustrates how this concept can be used to develop interfaces for mobile devices and considers further applications and limitations of this approach.
Loss-resilient on-demand media streaming using priority encoding

A novel solution to the reliable multicast problem is the "digital fountain" approach, in which data is encoded with an erasure protection code before transmission, and receivers can recover the original data after receiving enough distinct encoded data. This solution, however, is not desirable for streaming media schemes in which it is preferable for parts of a movie to be available for consumption before the entire movie is received. Earlier work has proposed the use of Unequal Error Protection (UEP) codes, which permit some parts of the movie to be recovered before others. Unfortunately, a straightforward implementation of this solution can incur prohibitive coding complexity. We outline an on-demand media streaming scheme involving a combination of segmentation and rateless encoding. Our solution reduces the coding complexity to feasible levels, while guaranteeing the least bandwidth consumption for a given playout delay and number of segments. We propose an efficient algorithm to find the optimal segmentation for single-layered and multi-layered transmissions, and analyze its performance under network packet loss. Through analysis, numerical examples, and simulations, we demonstrate the feasibility and performance of the proposed scheme.
Care and the Influence of Student-Adult Stakeholder Interactions on Young Black Men's College Aspirations

Students' college aspirations precede any decision they may make to apply and enroll in college. College aspirations broadly refer to the formal development of specific plans made by a young person to position themselves to enroll in a four-year college or university after high school. Regular, ongoing interaction with college-educated adults is one important approach for transmitting messages that positively influence young people's college aspirations. This article is an examination of young Black men's descriptions of their interactions with adult stakeholders (e.g., administrators, teachers, professional support staff, etc.), and the influence of those interactions on shaping these young men's ambitions to attend college. Data sources for this phenomenological study include one semi-structured in-depth interview with ten college-aged young Black men from a large midwestern city. Findings reveal the significance of care in adult stakeholder-student interactions, and specific messages about college, for sparking these young Black men's aspirations to attend a four-year college or university. The implications of interactions with youth of color that translate culturally responsive versions of care are discussed.
Renin, a secretory glycoprotein, acquires phosphomannosyl residues

Renin is an aspartyl protease which is highly homologous to the lysosomal aspartyl protease cathepsin D. During its biosynthesis, cathepsin D acquires phosphomannosyl residues that enable it to bind to the mannose 6-phosphate (Man-6-P) receptor and to be targeted to lysosomes. The phosphorylation of lysosomal enzymes by UDP- GlcNAc:lysosomal enzyme N-acetylglucosaminylphosphotransferase (phosphotransferase) occurs by recognition of a protein domain that is thought to be present only on lysosomal enzymes. In order to determine whether renin, being structurally similar to cathepsin D, also acquires phosphomannosyl residues, human renin was expressed from cloned DNA in Xenopus oocytes and a mouse L cell line and its biosynthesis and posttranslational modifications were characterized. In Xenopus oocytes, the majority of the renin remained intracellular and underwent a proteolytic cleavage which removed the propiece. Most of the renin synthesized by oocytes was able to bind to a Man-6-P receptor affinity column (53%, 57%, and 90%, in different experiments), indicating the presence of phosphomannosyl residues. In the L cells, the majority of the renin was secreted but 5-6% of the renin molecules contained phosphomannosyl residues as demonstrated by binding of [35S]methionine- labeled renin to the Man-6-P receptor as well as direct analysis of [2- 3H]mannose-labeled oligosaccharides. Although the level of renin phosphorylation differed greatly between the two cell types examined, these results demonstrate that renin is recognized by the phosphotransferase and suggest that renin contains at least part of the lysosomal protein recognition domain.
Cooperative event detection in wireless sensor networks

Event detection in wireless sensor networks is a sophisticated method for processing sampled data directly on the sensor nodes, thereby reducing the need for multihop communication with the base station of the network. In contrast to application-agnostic compression or aggregation techniques, event detection pushes application-level knowledge into the network. In-network event detection - especially the distributed form involving multiple sensor nodes - has thus an exceptional potential to increase energy efficiency, thus prolonging the lifetime of the network. In this article, we summarize recently proposed system architectures and algorithms employed for event detection in wireless sensor networks. On the example of the AVS-Extrem platform, we illustrate how energy-efficient event detection can be implemented through a combination of custom hardware design and distributed event detection algorithms. We then continue to present a brief evaluation of the detection accuracy and the energy consumption that is achievable by current systems.
Telepresence, time delay and adaptation

Displays are now being used extensively throughout the society. More and more time is spent watching television, movies, computer screens, etc. Furthermore, in an increasing number of cases, the observer interacts with the display and plays the role of operator as well as observer. To a large extent, the normal behavior in the normal environment can also be thought of in these same terms. Taking liberties with Shakespeare, it might be said, all the world's a display and all the individuals in it are operators in and on the display. Within this general context of interactive display systems, a discussion is began with a conceptual overview of a particular class of such systems, namely, teleoperator systems. The notion is considered of telepresence and the factors that limit telepresence, including decorrelation between the: (1) motor output of the teleoperator as sensed directly via the kinesthetic/tactual system, and (2) the motor output of the teleoperator as sensed indirectly via feedback from the slave robot, i.e., via a visual display of the motor actions of the slave robot. Finally, the deleterious effect of time delay (a particular decorrelation) on sensory-motor adaptation (an important phenomenon related to telepresence) is examined.
Erythropoietin Protects against Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiomyopathy via a Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase-Dependent Pathway

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an effective antineoplastic agent whose use has been limited by its cardiotoxic side effects. Recent studies have established that erythropoietin (EPO), a cytokine essential for red blood cell production, protects against ischemic injury in the heart and other organs. The purpose of this study was to assess whether EPO protects the heart against cardiotoxicity induced by DOX. We found that DOX-induced apoptosis and impaired heart function in mice were largely prevented by EPO administration. To investigate the mechanism of protection by EPO, cultured neonatal mouse ventricular myocytes were treated with EPO at therapeutic levels (i.e., 1 U/ml), before application of DOX (0.1–1.0 μM). EPO protected against DOX-induced cardiomyocyte death (by ≈50%) and apoptosis assessed by annexin-V labeling, DNA fragmentation, and caspase-3 activity. DOX-mediated increases in reactive oxygen species, which trigger cardiotoxicity, were also reversed by preconditioning with EPO. These functional effects of EPO correlated with increased Akt/protein kinase B (∼2-fold) and glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3; ∼1.3-fold) phosphorylations, suggesting protection by EPO was mediated by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activation. Indeed, preventing Akt and GSK-3β phosphorylations by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibition abolished protection by EPO against cardiomyocyte loss, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. Thus, pretreatment with therapeutic levels of EPO can protect the myocardium against DOX-induced impaired heart function and cardiomyocyte apoptosis by activating PI3K-Akt cell survival pathways.
Exploring College Readiness for Hispanic Middle School Students: Relationship Between Cognitive and Non-Cognitive Facets.

of a dissertation at the University of Miami. Dissertation supervised by Drs. Soyeon Ahn and Carol-Anne Phekoo. No. of pages in text. (120) The purpose of this study was to seek the potential factors affecting Hispanic middle school students’ college readiness. Although it is important that students begin preparing for college as early as middle school, Hispanic students often fall behind in their readiness for college. The current study examined whether Hispanic middle school students’ college readiness is related to students’ perceived family engagement and college awareness. Research questions examined in the study were: (1) How does college awareness relate to college readiness of middle school Hispanic students? and (2) How do students’ perceptions of family engagement relate to college readiness of middle school Hispanic students? To make statistical inferences on the target population of sixththrough eighthgrade Hispanic students, the convenience sample of 63 Hispanic students in grades six through eight was obtained from a middle school in a K-8 school in Homestead, Florida. The characteristics of the sample school district are described as low middle class, less educated, and consisting of 64% Hispanic students, 99% of them receiving free or reduced lunch (i.e., startclass.com). The main findings were that students with higher college awareness were more likely to be ready for college before high school, and that the effect of college awareness on college readiness is much larger for students in ESOL
The Determination of The Leisure Orientation of University Students And The Investigation of The Purpose of Social Network Uses By Various Variables

The aim of this study is to determine the purpose of using social networking sites for university students . The universe of our search; Seljuk University and the research is composed of 309 students studying in Seljuk University at the different faculties during 2017-2018 education periods. Demographic information form including the questions determined by the researchers and Social Network Sites Usage Scale (8) were used as the data collection tool in the research. In the analysis of the datas, the relevance of normal distribution was tested according to the variables independent t test for binary comparisons and and the non-parametric tests for multiple comparisons without normal distribution relevance Kruskall Wallis test was used. Significance level in the study was taken as 0.05. In conclusion, while there was no difference according to gender, age SASKA variable scale according to the "recognition and for self-promotion" in the lower size 18-20 age group is in favor. According to the class variable, there was a difference between all the other classes in the sub-dimension for “recognition and self-promotion in favor of the 2nd grade. According to the monthly income variable, in the sub-dimension "recognition and self-promotion", significant results were found in favor of 1501 and above income group (p <0.05).
RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITY AND PHYTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION OF ANTIOXIDATIVE COMPOUNDS FROM STEM AND LEAVES OF LEEA INDICA SPECIES

In this paper, the potency of stem and leave extracts of Leea indica locally known as Memali from Tasik Chini, Pahang as a potent antioxidant agent had been studied. The antioxidant properties of three types of extracts was quantitatively assessed by 2,2 diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl ( DPPH) radical scavenging activity. The isolation of antioxidative compounds was conducted through preparative thin layer chromatography with the use of certain binary solvents. The structure determination was carried out using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometer (GCMS). The methanol extracts from both stem and leaves exhibited highest antioxidant activity with lowest IC50 of 24 ug/ml and 81 ug/ml respectively compared to other extracts. The stem showed stronger antioxidant activity compared to leaves part. Based on GCMS analysis, the antioxidative compounds isolated from leaves part were proposed as 6-Hyroxy-4,4, 7a-trimethyl-5,6,7,7a-tetrahydrobenzofuran-2(4H)-one (1), 3,8,8-Trimethoxy-3-piperidyl-2,2-binaphthalene-1,1,4,4-tetrone (2), Methyl stearate (3), 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (4), Palmitic acid (5) and 9-Oxononanoic acid (6). The antioxidative compounds isolated from stem part were determined as 1- (hydroxymethyl)-1,2-ethanediyl ester (7), 9-octadecene (8) and oleic acid (9). This finding can be used as scientific baseline information for the future treatment of diseases caused by harmful free radicals.
Motivations for Participation in Socially Networked Collective Intelligence Systems

This paper presents an overview of automatic methods for building domain knowledge structures (domain models) from text collections. Applications of domain models have a long history within knowledge engineering and artificial intelligence. In the last couple of decades they have surfaced noticeably as a useful tool within natural language processing, information retrieval and semantic web technology. Inspired by the ubiquitous propagation of domain model structures that are emerging in several research disciplines, we give an overview of the current research landscape and some techniques and approaches. We will also discuss trade-offs between different approaches and point to some recent trends.