Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cigarette smoking and the influencing factors among adolescents in a secondary school in Malaysia.

BACKGROUND Smoking has always been a huge problem in Malaysia and its surrounding nations. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of cigarette smoking and to identify the influencing factors associated with smoking habits among adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS This cross-sectional study was carried out on 226 respondents, using a questionnaire which had 4 sections: socio-demographic data, personal information, family information and social information. Data was analyzed using SPSS® version 16. For categorical variables, comparisons were made using Chi-square and for numerical variables a t-test was performed. RESULTS The current smoker prevalence rate was 20.8% which showed a significant association between smoking and individual factors: level of knowledge on the effects of smoking (p < 0.05), significant association was seen between smoking and marital status of parents, smoking status of male siblings and various other aspects of the individuals themselves. CONCLUSIONS Concerted efforts involving various parties should be taken to curb or prevent this problem or the number of teenage smokers in the country will increase. This in the long run will invite problems to the well being of the adolescents themselves, their families, community and the nation as a whole.
ToMaTe : A Toolbox for Managing Telemeetings

Conducting meetings is one of the most important and frequent activities in a business environment. This paper presents a prototype software environment for managing the complete life-time of telemeetings/teleconferences: modeling telemeetings, conducting telemeetings, archiving telemeetings in a telemeeting database, annotating telemeetings and querying the telemeeting database.
New Material for Si-Based Light Source Application for CMOS Technology

In this chapter, an approach to enhance the radiative recombination of the Ge film grown on the Si substrate is presented. The Ge band gap structure could be modified by applying a tensile strain and high n-doping in the Ge epilayers. It thus becomes a direct band gap material with high photoluminescence efficiency which is compatible with mainstream silicon technology. The interdiffusion effect between Ge film and Si substrate is also mentioned in this section. We proposed a new method to suppress the Si/Ge interdiffusion to reduce the effect of Si atoms on the optical property of Ge film due to Si presence.
Experiences of Older Adults in Transition from Hospital to Community*

RÉSUMÉ Cette étude a examiné comment les patients éprouvent des transitions à la communauté des hôpitaux, y compris les problèmes de la vie quotidienne et les préoccupations médicales. Grâce à l'analyse de données qualitatives à partir d'entretiens avec 36 personnes, y compris 17 adultes âgées à haut risque avec des problèmes multiples de santé chroniques, récemment sortis de l'hôpital, et 19 membres de la famille qui ont fourni les patients avec des soins continus, nous avons demandé (1) quels sont les défis que les patients éprouvent dans la transition de l'hôpital, et (2) quelles sont les solutions de systèmes et politiques qui peuvent répondre aux défis que ces patients éprouvent? Nos résultats révèlent des défis à court et a long terme associés aux transitions à la maison. Les défis à court terme comprennent la préparation de l'habitation pour le patient et la compréhension de l'organisation des soins à la maison. Les défis à long terme sont associés à des problèmes pratiques et émotionnels. Réfléchissant sur nos résultats, nous suggérons que les besoins sociaux des patients peuvent être d'une importance égale à leurs besoins médicaux lors de la récupération post-décharge, et nous discutons les implications pour la politique. ABSTRACT This study examined how patients experience transitions to community from hospitals, inclusive of daily living problems and medical concerns. Analysing qualitative data from interviews with 36 individuals including 17 high-risk older adults with multiple chronic health conditions recently discharged from hospital, and 19 family members who provided the patients with ongoing care, we asked (1) What are the challenges that patients experience in transitioning home from the hospital, and (2) What are the system and policy solutions that can address the challenges these patients experience? Our findings reveal both short- and long-term challenges associated with transitions back home. Short-term challenges include preparing the dwelling for the patient and understanding the organization of care at home. Long-term challenges are associated with practical and emotional concerns. Reflecting on our findings, we suggest that patients’ social needs may be equally important to their medical needs during post-discharge recovery, and we discuss implications for policy.
Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, Transcranial Pulsed Current Stimulation, and Their Combination on Brain Oscillations in Patients with Chronic Visceral Pain: A Pilot Crossover Randomized Controlled Study

Objective Chronic visceral pain (CVP) syndromes are persistently painful disorders with a remarkable lack of effective treatment options. This study aimed at evaluating the effects of different neuromodulation techniques in patients with CVP on cortical activity, through electreocephalography (EEG) and on pain perception, through clinical tests. Design A pilot crossover randomized controlled study. Settings Out-patient. Subjects Adults with CVP (>3 months). Methods Participants received four interventions in a randomized order: (1) transcranial pulsed current stimulation (tPCS) and active transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined, (2) tPCS alone, (3) tDCS alone, and (4) sham condition. Resting state quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) and pain assessments were performed before and after each intervention. Results were compared with a cohort of 47 healthy controls. Results We enrolled six patients with CVP for a total of 21 visits completed. Compared with healthy participants, patients with CVP showed altered cortical activity characterized by increased power in theta, alpha and beta bands, and a significant reduction in the alpha/beta ratio. Regarding tES, the combination of tDCS with tPCS had no effect on power in any of the bandwidths, nor brain regions. Comparing tPCS with tDCS alone, we found that tPCS induced higher increase in power within the theta and alpha bandwidths. Conclusion This study confirms that patients with CVP present abnormal EEG-indexed cortical activity compared with healthy controls. Moreover, we showed that combining two types of neurostimulation techniques had no effect, whereas the two interventions, when applied individually, have different neural signatures.
Classification and de-noising of communication signals using kernel Principal Component Analysis (KPCA)

This paper is concerned with the classification and de-noising problem for non-linear signals. It is known that using kernel functions, a non-linear signal can be transformed into a linear signal in a higher dimensional space. In that feature space, a linear algorithm can be applied to a non-linear problem. It is proposed that using the principal components extracted from the feature space, the signal can be classified correctly in its input space. Additionally, it is shown how this classification process' can be used to de-noise DQPSK communication signals.
Author ' s personal copy Short Communication Interleukin 4 ( IL-4 ) gene promoter polymorphisms in Rhombomys opimus , the main reservoir of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis

Great gerbils (Rhombomys opimus) are the most common gerbils in center to northeast of Iran as well as central Asia and serve as reservoirs for the zoonotic agents, including Leishmania major, the principal etiologic agent of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL). The outcome of L. major infection in gerbils is not uniform. Among several immune-related factors including cytokine genes, the polymorphism in interleukin 4 (IL-4) promoter gene showed a great impact on outcome and pathological symptoms of L. major infection at least in mouse model. In this study gerbils’ IL-4 promoter gene polymorphism is assessed. Specific primers were designed to develop a PCR-based assay to amplify IL-4 promoter gene to possibly define IL-4 promoter gene polymorphism in great gerbil populations with a range of Leishmania infection and symptoms collected from different foci of the central, north and northeast regions of Iran. The results showed that the designed primers amplify 689 bp of the promoter gene. Sequence analysis of the promoter gene revealed five polymorphic sites assembly six haplotypes among the gerbil populations. Further studies are needed to assess whether or not the five polymorphisms cause different outcome phenotypes following infection with L. major in great gerbils. The data might be used to characterize the immune responses of R. opimus against L. major infection. 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Characterization of Four Bifunctional Plant IAM/PAM-Amidohydrolases Capable of Contributing to Auxin Biosynthesis

Amidases [EC 3.5. 1.4] capable of converting indole-3-acetamide (IAM) into the major plant growth hormone indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) are assumed to be involved in auxin de novo biosynthesis. With the emerging amount of genomics data, it was possible to identify over forty proteins with substantial homology to the already characterized amidases from Arabidopsis and tobacco. The observed high conservation of amidase-like proteins throughout the plant kingdom may suggest an important role of theses enzymes in plant development. Here, we report cloning and functional analysis of four, thus far, uncharacterized plant amidases from Oryza sativa, Sorghum bicolor, Medicago truncatula, and Populus trichocarpa. Intriguingly, we were able to demonstrate that the examined amidases are also capable of converting phenyl-2-acetamide (PAM) into phenyl-2-acetic acid (PAA), an auxin endogenous to several plant species including Arabidopsis. Furthermore, we compared the subcellular localization of the enzymes to that of Arabidopsis AMI1, providing further evidence for similar enzymatic functions. Our results point to the presence of a presumably conserved pathway of auxin biosynthesis via IAM, as amidases, both of monocot, and dicot origins, were analyzed.
Bot-based collective blocklists in Twitter: the counterpublic moderation of harassment in a networked public space

ABSTRACT This article introduces and discusses bot-based collective blocklists (or blockbots) in Twitter, which have been developed by volunteers to combat harassment in the social networking site. Blockbots support the curation of a shared blocklist of accounts, where subscribers to a blockbot will not receive any notifications or messages from accounts on the blocklist. Blockbots support counterpublic communities, helping people moderate their own experiences of a site. This article provides an introduction and overview of blockbots and the issues that they raise about networked publics and platform governance, extending an intersecting literature on online harassment, platform governance, and the politics of algorithms. Such projects involve a more reflective, intentional, transparent, collaborative, and decentralized way of using algorithmic systems to respond to issues of platform governance like harassment. I argue that blockbots are not just technical solutions but social ones as well, a notable exception to common technologically determinist solutions that often push responsibility for issues like harassment to the individual user. Beyond the case of Twitter, blockbots call our attention to collective, bottom-up modes of computationally assisted moderation that can be deployed by counterpublic groups who want to participate in networked publics where hegemonic and exclusionary practices are increasingly prevalent.
Implementing functional languages in the Categorical Abstract Machine

Michel Mctuny Asc/~nde~" ~u~ 'ez INRIA D o m a i n e de V o l u c e a u R o c q u e n c o u r t B.P. 105 F-781S3 Le C h e s n a y Cedex F r a n c e
Texture Particles: Interactive Visualization of Volumetric Vector Fields

This paper introduces a new approach to the visualization of volumetric vector fields with an adaptive distribution of animated particles that show properties of the underlying steady flow. The shape of the particles illustrates the direction of the vector field in a natural way. The particles are transported along streamlines and their velocity reflects the local magnitude of the vector field. Further physical quantities of the underlying flow can be mapped to the emissive color, the transparency and the length of the particles. A major effort has been made to achieve interactive frame rates for the animation of a large number of particles while minimizing the error of the computed streamlines. There are three main advantages of the new method. Firstly, the animation of the particles diminishes the inherent occlusion problem of volumetric vector field visualization, as the human eye can trace an animated particle even if it is highly occluded. The second advantage is the variable resolution of the visualization method. More particles are distributed in regions of interest. We present a method to automatically adjust the resolution to features of the vector field. Finally, our method is scalable to the computational and rasterization power of the visualization system by simply adjusting the number of visualized particles.
From a momentary experience to a lasting one : the concept of and research on expanded user experience of mobile devices

In order to respond to the challenges posed by technological development, new interdisciplinary concepts and methods in the fields of research and design of information and communication technology are required. The researchers in this fields have been trying to solve design problems by, for example, concentrating on designing for the user experience (UX). Nevertheless, the concept of UX has been widely disseminated and rapidly adapted in many areas of design without it being clearly defined or deeply understood. Not only theoretical study of the phenomenon is needed but also analytical tools to more comprehensively analyse and understand UX. Such an important tool would be a concept that can be used to study practical phenomena in a comprehensive manner. The theoretical objective of this thesis was to formulate a new, “expanded” concept of UX that can be used to describe human experience with technology so that both short-term and longer-term aspects of this experience can be taken into account. Based on the review of the literature, it seemed that Dewey’s concept of aesthetic experience could provide a theoretical frame of reference for an approach aiming at understanding UX in a more comprehensive manner. A broad theoretical concept, such as Dewey’s concept of aesthetic experience, is not directly applicable to empirical research, however. The practical objective of the thesis was to outline a method or a set of methods how the concept can be operationalised. A comprehensive and operational concept of UX is generated based on Dewey’s concept of aesthetic experience that is divided into two levels utilising Leontjev’s activity theory. As a result of the research, the concept of expanded user experience (eUX) and the reflective research method for studying it has been created. This research has shown that by studying longerterm UX in addition to temporal UX and by focusing on analysing the user’s activity it is possible to see a larger and more meaningful view on UX. The reflective research method is particularly beneficial as a long-term research method focusing on the everyday environments of users.
Finding symmetric orthogonal Gough-Stewart platforms

This paper develops new, analytical methods to find a large class of orthogonal Gough-Stewart platforms (OGSPs) having desired properties at their home position. In contrast, prior methods have been computationally intensive, relying on numerical search techniques. By exploiting symmetry, 27 equations are reduced to only two. The new techniques are directly applicable to clean-sheet design of micro-manipulators, vibration isolators, and Cartesian stiffness matrices. In addition, straightforward methods for retro-fitting existing OGSPs are illustrated. Because the new theory greatly simplifies OGSP formulas about a single point, it is expected that these results will also prove to be very useful when numerically designing gross motion platforms
Pathogenic Roles of the Carotid Body Inflammation in Sleep Apnea

Breathing difficulties in sleep are a hallmark of sleep-disordered breathing commonly observed in patients with sleep disorders. The pathophysiology of sleep apnea is in part due to an augmented activity of the carotid body chemoreflex. Arterial chemoreceptors in the carotid body are sensitive to inflammatory cytokines and immunogenic molecules in the circulation, because cytokine receptors are expressed in the carotid body in experimental animals and human. Intriguingly, proinflammatory cytokines are also locally produced and released in the carotid body. Also, there are significant increases in the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, cytokine receptors, and inflammatory mediators in the carotid body under hypoxic conditions, suggesting an inflammatory response of the carotid body. These upregulated cytokine signaling pathways could enhance the carotid chemoreceptor activity, leading to an overactivity of the chemoreflex adversely effecting breathing instability and autonomic imbalance. This review aims to summarize findings of the literature relevant to inflammation in the carotid body, with highlights on the pathophysiological impact in sleep apnea. It is concluded that local inflammation in the carotid body plays a pathogenic role in sleep apnea, which could potentially be a therapeutic target for the treatment of the pathophysiological consequence of sleep apnea.
Outbreak of H3N2 Influenza at a US Military Base in Djibouti during the H1N1 Pandemic of 2009

Background Influenza pandemics have significant operational impact on deployed military personnel working in areas throughout the world. The US Department of Defense global influenza-like illness (ILI) surveillance network serves an important role in establishing baseline trends and can be leveraged to respond to outbreaks of respiratory illness. Objective We identified and characterized an operationally unique outbreak of H3N2 influenza at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti occurring simultaneously with the H1N1 pandemic of 2009 [A(H1N1)pdm09]. Methods Enhanced surveillance for ILI was conducted at Camp Lemonnier in response to local reports of a possible outbreak during the A(H1N1)pdm09 pandemic. Samples were collected from consenting patients presenting with ILI (utilizing a modified case definition) and who completed a case report form. Samples were cultured and analyzed using standard real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (rt-RT-PCR) methodology and sequenced genetic material was phylogenetically compared to other published strains. Results rt-RT-PCR and DNA sequencing revealed that 25 (78%) of the 32 clinical samples collected were seasonal H3N2 and only 2 (6%) were A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza. The highest incidence of H3N2 occurred during the month of May and 80% of these were active duty military personnel. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that sequenced H3N2 strains were genetically similar to 2009 strains from the United States of America, Australia, and South east Asia. Conclusions This outbreak highlights challenges in the investigation of influenza among deployed military populations and corroborates the public health importance of maintaining surveillance systems for ILI that can be enhanced locally when needed.
Capacities S-LCA and Participative Score Matrix (P.S.M.)

However, such a perspective, the question of the identification of local priorities as multi impact indicators remains. The participative collection of priorities (into categories and sub-categories) and their relative weights, allowing the characteriation of the value of results obtained from local development program, is already possible due to the existence of a method developed by the “Centre d’Etudes de Projets” (CEP) : the Participative Score Matrix.
Analysis of spread spectrum time domain reflectometry for wire fault location

Spread spectrum time domain reflectometry (SSTDR) and sequence time domain reflectometry have been demonstrated to be effective technologies for locating intermittent faults on aircraft wires carrying typical signals in flight. This paper examines the parameters that control the accuracy, latency, and signal to noise ratio for these methods. Both test methods are shown to be effective for wires carrying ACpower signals, and SSTDR is shown to be particularly effective at testing wires carrying digital signals such as Mil-Std 1553 data. Results are demonstrated for both controlled and uncontrolled impedance cables. The low test signal levels and high noise immunity of these test methods make them well suited to test for intermittent wiring failures such as open circuits, short circuits, and arcs on cables in aircraft in flight.
Stabilization of nonlinear discrete-time dynamics in strict-feedforward form

The paper deals with stabilization of nonlinear discrete-time dynamics in strict-feedforward form. The proposed design procedure is based on the concept of average passivity: a concept recently introduced by the authors to overcome a well known pathology which occurs in defining passivity in discrete time. For such dynamics it is possible to set an iterative procedure which mimics the continuous-time design approach alternating, at each step, coordinates change and average passivity based control design. The complete controller is derived at the last step and a Lyapunov function for the whole control system is described. An example concludes the paper.
Oligomerization is required for normal endocytosis/transcytosis of a GPI-anchored protein in polarized hepatic cells

Summary Targeting of glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins (GPI-APs) in polarized epithelial cells depends on their association with detergent-resistant membrane microdomains called rafts. In MDCK cells, GPI-APs associate with rafts in the trans-Golgi network and are directly delivered to the apical membrane. It has been shown that oligomerization is required for their stabilization in rafts and their apical targeting. In hepatocytes, GPI-APs are first delivered to the basolateral membrane and secondarily reach the apical membrane by transcytosis. We investigated whether oligomerization is required for raft association and apical sorting of GPI-APs in polarized HepG2 cells, and at which step of the pathway oligomerization occurs. Model proteins were wild-type GFP-GPI and a double cysteine GFP-GPI mutant, in which GFP dimerization was impaired. Unlike wild-type GFP-GPI, which was efficiently endocytosed and transcytosed to the apical surface, the double cysteine mutant was basolaterally internalized, but massively accumulated in early endosomes, and reached the bile canaliculi with delayed kinetics. The double cysteine mutant was less resistant to Triton X-100 extraction, and formed fewer high molecular weight complexes. We conclude from these results that, in hepatocytes, oligomerization plays a key role in targeting GPI-APs to the apical membrane, by increasing their affinity for rafts and allowing their transcytosis.
RNA virus evolution via a fitness-space model.

We present a mean-field theory for the evolution of RNA virus populations. The theory operates with a distribution of the population in a one-dimensional fitness space, and is valid for sufficiently smooth fitness landscapes. Our approach explains naturally the recent experimental observation [I. S. Novella {ital et} {ital al}. , Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. {bold 92}, 5841{endash}5844 (1995)] of two distinct stages in the growth of virus fitness. {copyright} {ital 1995 The American Physical Society. }