Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Social Influence on User Acceptance of Online Social Networks

With the proliferation of online social networks, understanding how and why individuals adopt and use these networks can help managers and marketers to design better methods and approaches toward engaging their users. The purpose of this study is to investigate the determinants of user acceptance of online social networks, with particular attention given to the effects of social influence. A research model was developed by incorporating two variables of social influence, subjective norm and critical mass, into an enhanced version of the Technology Acceptance Model, specifically to address issues related to online social networks. The model was empirically evaluated using survey data collected from 269 subjects about their perceptions of online social networks. The results reveal that both subjective norm and critical mass significantly affect perceived usefulness, which further affects users' usage intention, and perceived ease of use affects the usage intention indirectly through perceived usefulness. The implications of this study on theory and practice are discussed.
3D Printable Filaments Made of Biobased Polyethylene Biocomposites

Two different series of biobased polyethylene (BioPE) were used for the manufacturing of biocomposites, complemented with thermomechanical pulp (TMP) fibers. The intrinsic hydrophilic character of the TMP fibers was previously modified by grafting hydrophobic compounds (octyl gallate and lauryl gallate) by means of an enzymatic-assisted treatment. BioPE with low melt flow index (MFI) yielded filaments with low void fraction and relatively low thickness variation. The water absorption of the biocomposites was remarkably improved when the enzymatically-hydrophobized TMP fibers were used. Importantly, the 3D printing of BioPE was improved by adding 10% and 20% TMP fibers to the composition. Thus, 3D printable biocomposites with low water uptake can be manufactured by using fully biobased materials and environmentally-friendly processes.
Seizure Suppression by top1 Mutations in Drosophila

DNA topoisomerase I is an essential nuclear enzyme involved in resolving the torsional stress associated with DNA replication, transcription, and chromatin condensation. Here we report the discovery of a seizure-suppressor mutant, top1JS, which suppresses seizures in a Drosophila model of human epilepsy. A P-element mutagenesis screen using easily shocked seizure-sensitive mutant as a genetic background identified top1JS, which plays a novel role in regulating nervous system excitability. Plasmid rescue, excision, complementation, and sequencing analyses verified that top1JS results from a P-element insertion in the 5′ untranslated region. Quantitative reverse transcription analysis on wild-type and mutant fly heads showed that the top1JS mutation causes reduced transcription level in the CNS, suggesting a partial loss-of-function mutation. Electrophysiological experiments revealed normal seizure thresholds in top1JS mutants, which are different from other seizure suppressors identified previously, suggesting a novel mechanism underlying seizure suppression by top1JS. The pharmacological camptothecin feeding experiment and cell death analysis suggested that the seizure suppression by top1JS may occur via increased neuronal apoptosis. Furthermore, overexpression of the DIAP1 (Drosophila inhibitor of apoptosis 1) gene rescues top1JS suppression, providing additional support for a neural apoptosis suppression mechanism. The top1JS mutation is the first viable partial loss-of-function mutation identified in higher eukaryotes, and the results presented here point to a novel function for topo I in construction and/or maintenance of circuits required for seizure propagation in vivo.
An Opinion Predictor Using Recurrent Neural Networks

DOI: 10.9734/BJMCS/2015/16121 Editor(s): (1) Qiankun Song, Department of Mathematics, Chongqing Jiaotong University, China. (2) Xiaodi Li, School of Mathematical Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Ji'nan, 250014, Shandong, P.R. China. (3) Tian-Xiao He, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Illinois Wesleyan University, USA. Reviewers: (1) Grienggrai Rajchakit, Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Maejo University, Thailand. (2) Anonymous, Italy. (3) Anonymous, Malaysia. Complete Peer review History: http://www.sciencedomain. org/review-history.php? iid=1030&id=6&aid=8452
Polymorphic microsatellite loci from Sprague's pipit (Anthus spragueii), a grassland endemic passerine bird

We developed 11 novel microsatellite loci for Sprague's pipit (Anthus spragueii), a songbird endemic to the Northern Great Plains of central North America. These loci were screened in 21 individuals from southern Saskatchewan, Canada. All 11 loci were polymorphic, with the number of alleles per locus ranging from five to 23, polymorphic information content from 0.312 to 0.947, and observed heterozygosity from 0.476 to 0.900. These loci will be suitable for a wide variety of studies on pipit natural history, ecology, and conservation.
Learning from E-Government: A Framework and an Agenda for Social Media Research in IS

As the body of Information Systems (IS) research on social media grows, it faces increasing challenges of staying relevant to real world contexts. We analyze and contrast research on social media in the e-government field and in IS research, by reviewing and categorizing 63 studies published in key journal outlets, in order to identify and complement research foci and gaps. We find that, in comparison with egovernment social media research, IS studies tend to adopt an abstract view of the individual user, focus on a monetary view of value added by social media, and overlook the role of contextual factors. We thus propose an extended framework for mapping social media research, by including a focus on the role of context and environment, and identify a research agenda for future studies on social media-related phenomena relevant to real world contexts.
Denervation Induces Cytosolic Phospholipase A2-mediated Fatty Acid Hydroperoxide Generation by Muscle Mitochondria*

Previously, we demonstrated that mitochondria from denervated muscle exhibited dramatically higher Amplex Red dependent fluorescence (thought to be highly specific for hydrogen peroxide) compared with control muscle mitochondria. We now demonstrate that catalase only partially inhibits the Amplex Red signal in mitochondria from denervated muscle. In contrast, ebselen (a glutathione peroxidase mimetic and inhibitor of fatty acid hydroperoxides) significantly inhibits the Amplex Red signal. This suggests that the majority of the Amplex Red signal in mitochondria from denervated muscle is not derived from hydrogen peroxide. Because Amplex Red cannot react with substrates in the lipid environment, we hypothesize that lipid hydroperoxides formed within the mitochondrial lipid bilayer are released as fatty acid hydroperoxides and react with the Amplex Red probe. We also suggest that the release of fatty acid hydroperoxides from denervated muscle mitochondria may be an important determinant of muscle atrophy. In support of this, muscle atrophy and the Amplex Red signal are inhibited in caloric restricted mice and in transgenic mice that overexpress the lipid hydroperoxide-detoxifying enzyme glutathione peroxidase 4. Finally, we propose that cytosolic phospholipase A2 may be a potential source of these hydroperoxides.
A Comparison of Survival Rates for Treatment of Melanoma Metastatic to the Brain

Introduction: A retrospective review of 91 patients with brain metastases from malignant melanoma treated at New York University Medical Center between 1989–1999. Overall survival was the outcome evaluated. Methods: Charts of 91 patients having malignant melanoma with brain metastases were reviewed. Cases were stratified according to therapy: surgical excision, surgical excision plus whole brain radiation therapy, gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery, gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery plus whole brain radiation therapy, and whole brain radiation therapy alone. Patients treated with gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery plus radiation therapy were combined with patients treated with surgical excision plus radiation therapy and compared to those treated with radiation therapy alone. Prognostic characteristics of the two groups were compared and survival curves were generated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to control for prognostic factors that differed between the groups. Results: Patients treated with gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery or surgical excision plus radiation therapy were younger, less likely to present with symptoms, and presented with fewer metastases to the brain than patients treated with radiation therapy alone. A survival benefit of 7.3 months (p = 0.05) was found to be associated with gamma knife radiosurgery or surgical excision plus radiation therapy over radiation therapy alone after controlling for differences in age, number of brain lesions, and presence of symptoms. Discussion: This retrospective study of 91 patients treated for melanoma metastases to the brain attempts to examine the effectiveness of different treatments in prolonging survival. Our results suggest that surgical excision or stereotactic radiosurgery with gamma knife in addition to radiation therapy may be more effective than radiation alone at prolonging survival for patients with a limited number of brain lesions. Conclusion: Survival of patients with melanoma metastases to the brain may be prolonged by treatment with gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery or surgical excision plus whole brain radiation therapy.
PID Parameter Selection Based on Iterative Learning Control

In this paper, a novel method for designing PID controller is proposed. It uses Iterative Learning Control (ILC) for producing an optimum control signal for the plant and then by using a regression method (Least Squared Error), adjusts PID coefficients so that it acts like the ILC. Then PID is implemented on the plant. This method is simulated on automatic voltage regulating system and results are compared by a PID controller. The results show the effectiveness of this method.
Confronting the performances of a switched Ethernet network with industrial constraints by using the network calculus

The Ethernet network is more and more used to interconnect industrial devices. The objective of this paper is to study the performances of such a network to support real‐time communications. For this, first we propose a general representation to model a switched Ethernet network by using a sequence of elementary components such as buffers, multiplexers, etc. Second, we aggregate the individual temporal properties of each component given in the Cruz' survey to obtain a global formula enabling one to calculate the maximum end‐to‐end delay for any industrial communication scenarios. Finally, we deduce the limits of the switched Ethernet network regarding the number of input/output cards connected to the network and to the sizes of periodic and aperiodic messages. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The IFN‐γ‐induced transcriptional program of the CIITA gene is inhibited by statins

Statins are 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐coenzyme A (HMG‐CoA) reductase inhibitors that exert anti‐inflammatory effects. IFN‐γ induction of class II MHC expression, which requires the class II transactivator (CIITA), is inhibited by statins; however, the molecular basis for suppression is undetermined. We describe that statins inhibit IFN‐γ‐induced class II MHC expression by suppressing CIITA gene expression, which is dependent on the HMG‐CoA reductase pathway. In addition, CIITA expression is inhibited by GGTI‐298 or Clostridium difficile Toxin A, specific inhibitors of Rho family protein prenylation, indicating the involvement of small GTPases. Rac1 is involved in IFN‐γ inducible expression of CIITA, and statins inhibit IFN‐γ‐induced Rac1 activation, contributing to the inhibitory effect of statins. IFN‐γ induction of the CIITA gene is regulated by the transcription factors STAT‐1α, interferon regulatory factor (IRF)‐1 and upstream stimulatory factor (USF)‐1. We previously reported that statins inhibit constitutive STAT‐1α expression. IRF‐1, a STAT‐1 dependent gene, is also inhibited by statins. Therefore, statin treatment results in decreased recruitment of STAT‐1α and IRF‐1 to the endogenous CIITA promoter IV (pIV). The recruitment of USF‐1 to CIITA pIV is also reduced by statins, as is the recruitment of RNA polymerase II (Pol II), p300 and Brg‐1. These data indicate that statins inhibit the transcriptional program of the CIITA gene.
Incremental and Enhanced Scanline-Based Segmentation Method for Surface Reconstruction of Sparse LiDAR Data

The segmentation of point clouds is an important aspect of automated processing tasks such as semantic extraction. However, the sparsity and non-uniformity of the point clouds gathered by the popular 3D mobile LiDAR devices pose many challenges for existing segmentation methods. To improve the segmentation results of point clouds from mobile LiDAR devices, we propose an optimized segmentation method based on Scanline Continuity Constraint (SLCC) in this work. Unlike conventional scanline-based segmentation methods, SLCC clusters scanlines using the continuity constraints in terms of the distance as well as the direction of two consecutive points. In addition, scanline clusters are agglomerated not only into primitive geometrical shapes but also irregular shapes. Another downside to existing segmentation methods is that they are not capable of incremental processing. This causes unnecessary memory and time consumption for applications that require frame-wise segmentation or when new point clouds are added. In order to address this, we propose an incremental scheme—the Incremental Recursive Segmentation (IRIS), that can be easily applied to any segmentation method. IRIS is achieved by combining the segments of newly added point clouds and the previously segmented results. Furthermore, as an example application, we construct a processing pipeline consisting of plane fitting and surface reconstruction using the segmentation results. Finally, we evaluate the proposed methods on three datasets acquired from a handheld Velodyne HDL-32E LiDAR device. The experimental results verify the efficiency of IRIS for any segmentation method and the advantages of SLCC for processing mobile LiDAR data.
Liquid Chromatography-Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Limonoids and Flavonoids in Seeds of Grapefruits, Other Citrus Species, and Dietary Supplements

Abstract A selective UHPLC-DAD-QToF-MS method was developed to screen grapefruit seeds, and the seeds of other Citrus species for limonoid aglycones, acids, glucosides, and flavonoids. These classes of compounds were identified in positive and negative ion modes over a mass-to-charge range from 100–1500. Accurate mass values, elution times, and fragmentation patterns obtained by QToF-mass spectrometry were used to identify or tentatively characterize the compounds detected in the sample of this study. Limonin was the major limonoid in most of the seeds of Citrus species, followed by nomilin. This analytical method was successfully applied for the analysis of commercial extracts and dietary supplements claiming to contain grapefruit seed extract, or extracts made from the seed and other fruit parts such as the peel or pulp. Many commercial products contained large numbers of flavonoids, indicating the use of peel, pulp, or seed coat. This method also permitted detection of synthetic preservatives such as benzethonium chloride, methylparaben, and triclosan in commercial grapefruit seed extract products. Out of the 17 commercial products analyzed, two contained the synthetic antimicrobial agent benzethonium chloride.
Management of a Fractured, Nonremovable Implant: A Clinical Report With a 12-Month Follow-Up

Implant failures could be due to biological or mechanical factors, which also include fracture of the fixture. The present report presents a case of a single fractured implant placed in the left mandibular molar region. Since the residual portion of the fixture was perfectly osseointegrated with no signs of peri-implantitis, and in direct contact with the roof of the inferior alveolar nerve canal, it was decided to treat the patient with a short implant positioned on top of the fractured, and not removing the fractured implant. Clinical and radiographical follow-up was performed for 12 months after loading. Periimplant soft tissues healing and implant osseointegration were achieved 6 months after implant placement; at the end of the follow-up a periimplant bone remodeling of 0.3 mm was observed. In conclusion, short implants could be taken into consideration as a treatment option in cases of nonremovable implants and sufficient residual bone height.
Interaction of lipopolysaccharides and lipid A with complement.

A number of lipopolysaccharides derived from Salmonella and Escherichia coli S and R mutant strains were tested for toxicity and anticomplementary activity in the absence of added antiserum. Although all preparations were toxic, only a few exhibited high anticomplementary activity, while others proved to be of low or negligible activity. It was found that isolated lipid A from both active and inactive lipopolysaccharides was strongly anticomplementary as well as toxic, when made water-soluble with the aid of suitable carriers. Treatment of R form lipopoly-saccharide with Mg2+ or Ca2+ led to complete precipitation of the lipopolysaccharide with consequent loss of toxicity and anticomplementary activity. This treatment had practically no effect on the anticomplementary activity and toxicity of S form lipopolysaccharides. When lipopolysaccharide, after reaction with complement, was reisolated and purified, the resulting preparation was found to be non-toxic and of negligible anticomplementary activity. No detectable alterations in either the sugar or the fatty acid composition could be detected. The only significant change was the loss of solubility in water. Treatment of the reisolated lipopolysaccharide with EDTA completely restored solubility in water, toxicity, and anti-complementary activity.
Total and Partial Ossicular Replacement Prostheses in Children

Although ossicular reconstruction in children may carry a risk of failure because of recurrent middle ear disease, the procedure offers the potential for restoring binaural hearing during the school years when it is so critical. Of a series of 45 reconstructions with total and partial ossicular replacement prostheses, 6 were extruded for a surgical success rate of 87%. Of the successful cases, 74% had air-bone gaps of 30 dB or better, and 74% had speech reception thresholds of 30 dB or better on initial postoperative audiogram. Outcomes for these children were comparable with those reported for adults, supporting the value of early reconstruction.
Improving the performance of all-digital transmitter based on parallel delta-sigma modulators through propagation of state registers

In this paper it will be shown that propagating specific state registers in a fully parallel Delta-Sigma Architecture can have a profound impact in enhancing the performance of these type of modulators without stringent requirements in terms of latency and resources usage. An FPGA-based transmitter was implemented and designed to validate the proposed architecture, and to demonstrate that flexible, high-speed and wideband modulators can be implemented with low-complexity and with a low resources usage.
Storage of lipid droplets in and production of extracellular matrix by hepatic stellate cells (vitamin A‐storing cells) in Long‐Evans cinnamon‐like colored (LEC) rats

LEC rats spontaneously develop hepatocellular carcinoma with cholangiofibrosis after chronic hepatitis, but the mechanism of development of the hepatic injury is not clear. To investigate the role of hepatic stellate cells in induction or suppression of hepatic fibrosis, we morphologically examined the liver of LEC rats. Accumulation of copper was analyzed by the Danscher‐Timm's sulfide‐silver method. Histopathological changes were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining, and by Masson's trichrome method. Activated stellate cells were identified by immunostaining method for α‐smooth muscle actin. Cytological alterations of the stellate cells were investigated by transmission electron microscopy. To evaluate the lipid content in the stellate cells, we analyzed the area of lipid droplets of the cells by morphometric analysis. Also for evaluation of the changes in the number of stellate cells, the numbers of nucleated stellate cells and parenchymal cells were counted and statistically analyzed. Hepatic parenchymal cells showed excessive accumulation of copper at 5 weeks of age. Submassive necrosis was observed at 19 weeks of age. The liver of LEC rats 1.5 years of age showed cholangiofibrosis and subcellular injury of hepatic parenchymal cells. However, no diffuse hepatic fibrosis was observed in the liver, and hepatic stellate cells around the regions of cholangiofibrosis were negative for α‐smooth muscle actin. The area of lipid droplets of a stellate cell in the liver of LEC rats was 1.6 to 1.8 times as large as that of normal Wistar rats. The hepatic stellate cells did not participate in the accumulation of collagen fibers around themselves when the cells contained a large amount of vitamin A‐lipid droplets, even though the development of hepatic lesions was in progress. Our present data are consistent with our previous hypothesis that there is an antagonistic relationship between the storage of vitamin A and the production of collagen in stellate cells. Anat Rec 258:338–348, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Uptake, release, and binding of taurine in degenerated rat retinas

High‐affinity uptake, potassium‐stimulated release and receptor binding of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) and taurine were studied in retinas of rats treated with monosodium glutamate (MSG) or iodoacetate‐malate (IAM). Such treatments produce a selective damage of the inner retinal layers (MSG) or of the photoreceptor layer (IAM).
Design of E-shaped patch antennas by using the multi-conductor transmission line mode theory

This paper proposes a new circuit model for E-shaped patch antennas using the multi-conductor transmission line mode theory. First, the current modes generated on the E-shaped patch antenna are shown, and an equivalent circuit is derived from the transmission line mode theory. The equivalent circuit is analyzed in detail to obtain wideband characteristics. Then, the theoretical maximum bandwidth is derived under VSWR criterion. Finally, impedance characteristics obtained by the circuit are compared with full-wave electromagnetic simulations.