Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using the "HotWire" to Study Interruptions in Wearable Computing Primary Tasks

As users of wearable computers are often involved in real-world tasks of critical nature, the management and handling of interruptions is crucial for efficient interaction and task performance. We present a study about the impact that different methods for interruption have on those users, to determine how interruptions should be handled. The study is performed using an apparatus called "HotWire" for simulating primary tasks in a laboratory experiment, while retaining the properties of wearable computers being used in mobile, physical, and practical tasks.
Design of adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system for predicting surface roughness in turning operation

This paper proposes an Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) for predicting the surface roughness in turning operation for set of given cutting parameters, namely cutting speed, feed rate and depth of cut. Two different membership functions, triangular and bell shaped, were adopted during the training process of ANFIS in order to compare the prediction accuracy of surface roughness by the two membership functions. The comparison of ANFIS values with experimental data indicates that the adoption of both triangular and bell shaped membership functions in proposed system achieved satisfactory accuracy. The bell-shaped membership function in ANFIS achieves slightly higher prediction accuracy than triangular membership function.
Nature of the light stimulus producing Aschoff's intensity effect and anovulation.

Using feedback circuits, light exposure was linked to wheel-running activity in female albino rats. Because the photosensitive portions of the circadian cycle are known to coincide with wheel-running activity, the feedback circuits concentrated light on the photosensitive portions of the cycle. In this type of lighting, the free-running period of locomotor activity was directly proportional to the light intensity (i.e., the Aschoff effect), and at an intensity of 100 1x, cyclic ovulation caused. Both these effects, which were previously thought to result only from exposure to continuous light (LL), occurred even though these rats were exposed to only 4 h of light per circadian cycle. These results indicate that the consequences of LL are not due to the continuity of the light per se but represent the effects of light falling on discrete photosensitive portions of the circadian cycle.
Association of plastin 3 expression with disease severity in spinal muscular atrophy only in postpubertal females.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the potential association of plastin 3 (PLS3) expression levels in the blood with disease severity in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). DESIGN Measurement of PLS3 messenger RNA levels in the blood of patients with types I, II, and III SMA. SETTING Pediatric Neuromuscular Clinical Research Network SMA Natural History study. PARTICIPANTS A cohort of 88 patients of both sexes who had SMA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Levels of PLS3 messenger RNA in relation to SMA type and SMN2 copy number. RESULTS Prepubertal female and younger male (<11 years) patients had approximately 2-fold-higher levels of PLS3 expression than did postpubertal female and older male (≥11 years) patients, respectively (P ≤ .001). Expression of PLS3 in male patients did not correlate with SMA clinical type or SMN2 copy number in either age group (P > .10). In postpubertal female patients, PLS3 expression was greatest in patients with type III SMA, was intermediate in patients with type II SMA, and was lowest in patients with type I SMA. Expression of PLS3 correlated with SMA type, SMN2 copy number, and the gross motor function measure only in postpubertal female patients. CONCLUSION The PLS3 gene may be an age- and/or puberty-specific and sex-specific modifier of SMA.
Test Case Generation using KBS Strategy

The system we have developed, SYCOJET, automatically builds test cases making use of specific expert knowledge. In our first version, it uses the internal structure of the knowledge base to be tested, and implicitly assumes that the inference engine derives all that can be derived from the knowledge base and the problem data. Here we are concerned with how to take into account, in a second version of SYCOJET, the actual inference engine control strategy. This control strategy, included in the inference engine, is not in general explicited in a form accessible to the computer. In this paper, we investigate to what extent the knowledge of the control strategy of the system being tested can be used to improve the "quality" of the test cases generated by SYCOJET.
The role of performance anxiety in the development and maintenance of sexual dysfunction in men and women

The current study evaluated the association between attitudes toward sex, stress, relationship quality, performance anxiety, and sexual dysfunction among 157 men (114 dysfunctional, 43 functional) and 186 women (84 dysfunctional, 102 functional). The results demonstrate that the main factors related to all types of sexual dysfunction among men were attitudes toward sex, conflict in their relationship, and performance anxiety. For women, the main factors related to all types of sexual dysfunction were attitudes toward sex, relationship quality, and performance anxiety. These results demonstrate the central role of performance anxiety in either the development or maintenance of sexual dysfunction among both men and women. Clearly, this is an area that has to be considered in any treatment program for sexual dysfunction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserve
Papillary carcinoma thyroid with anastomosing channels: An unusual morphology

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common thyroid malignancy, accounting for 70%–80% of all thyroid malignancies. It is biologically indolent and has an excellent prognosis. Variations in histopathologic patterns are known to influence prognosis and often result in a diagnostic dilemma. We report an unusual case of a 35-year-old female with papillary carcinoma of a thyroid isthmus showing anastomosing channels on histopathology, a distinctive pattern that has not been described in PTC. Similar to tumor cells, the lining cells of these channels were also positive for thyroid transcription factor 1, thyroglobulin, and cytokeratin-19 and negative for CD34 and CD31. The diagnosis of PTC should rely on nuclear morphology rather than architecture. Pathologists should be aware of different variants because some of these variants show aggressive behavior and poor outcome. The present report highlights the distinctive pattern of PTC, recognition of which is important to avoid any diagnostic pitfall.
Mapping social practices through collaborative exercises and visualizations

In this paper, we explore the use of collaborative exercises and mental map visualizations as tools for understanding social practices and exploring co-design opportunities for product and service development. The research is based on material gathered through a case study of a web-based data storage service in its beta stage. We use these tools to study the interconnections of the designed system to an array of other applications, tools and services, which form what we refer to as people's digital ecosystem. Our experiences suggest that taking practices as the unit of analysis is a relevant strategy to bring forward users' own knowledge of their everyday life, and link it to the professional knowledge of developers and designers; and that visualizations and collaborative exercises are relevant design thinking strategies.
Cognitive Functioning in Aging and Dementia: The Kungsholmen Project

The Kungsholmen Project (KP) is a community-based longitudinal study of aging and dementia targeting the 75+ population. In this article, we review empirical studies with a cognitive focus from the KP. The main findings indicate that (a) there is an age-related decline for some cognitive domains (e.g., episodic memory, verbal fluency, visuoconstructive skill, psychomotor speed), but not for others (e.g., primary memory, visuoperceptive skill, motor-hand coordination), (b) multiple individual-difference variables within demographic (e.g., sex, education) life-style (e.g., activity levels), genetic (e.g., apolipoprotein E genotype), and health-related (e.g., vitamin B deficiency, depression, diabetes) domains are related to late-life cognitive functioning, (c) a potential for improving cognitive performance – a reserve capacity – is present also among very old adults, (d) the 2 most common dementia diseases, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD), affect cognition in a strikingly similar manner, (e) the role of individual-difference variables in cognitive functioning is markedly reduced in dementia – the pathogenesis itself may overshadow the influence of other variables, and (f) there is a long preclinical period in dementia during which cognitive deficits are detectable. As is true with the other projects represented in this issue, the KP portrays a rather diversified picture of cognitive aging, although systematic patterns are evident with regard to the variability of late-life cognitive functioning.
Global State Synchronization in Networks of Cyclic Feedback Systems

This technical note studies global asymptotic state synchronization in networks of identical systems. Conditions on the coupling strength required for the synchronization of nodes having a cyclic feedback structure are deduced using incremental dissipativity theory. The method takes advantage of the incremental passivity properties of the constituent subsystems of the network nodes to reformulate the synchronization problem as one of achieving incremental passivity by coupling. The method can be used in the framework of contraction theory to constructively build a contracting metric for the incremental system. The result is illustrated for a network of biochemical oscillators.
The Psychometric Properties of the Italian Translation of the Francis Scale of Attitude toward Christianity: A Study among Catholic Adolescents

The Italian translation of the Francis Scale of Attitude toward Christianity was developed and tested among a sample of 575 young people between 16 and 17 years of age attending secular secondary schools in Rome, Italy. The data supported the unidimensionality, internal consistency reliability and construct validity of this instrument and commend it for further use in contributing to comparative empirical research within the psychology of religion.
Does Distance Still Matter? Revisiting the CSCW Fundamentals on Distributed Collaboration

Does distance still matter? Reporting on a comparative analysis of four ethnographic studies of global software development, this article analyzes the fundamental aspects of distance as depicted in the famous paper “Distance Matters. ” The results suggest that, although while common ground, collaboration readiness, and organizational management are still important aspects for distributed collaboration, the arguments concerning coupling of work and collaboration technology readiness need to be refined. We argue that in working remotely, closely coupled work tasks encourage remote workers to spend the extra effort required in articulation of work to make the collaboration function. Also we find that people in distributed software development have already made collaborative technologies part of their work, and individuals are comfortable with them; thus, collaboration technology readiness takes a different shape in this setting.
Objectively measured habitual physical activity in 1997/1998 vs 2003/2004 in Danish children: The European Youth Heart Study

Based on two cross‐sectional studies conducted in 8–10‐year‐old third‐grade children living in the municipality of Odense, potential differences were examined in the level of habitual physical activity (HPA) in Danish children between 1997/1998 and 2003/2004. HPA was assessed objectively by accelerometry. Primarily, overall differences were analyzed as gender and day type specific (i.e. Mon–Thu vs Fri–Sun) levels in HPA. Secondarily, differences were analyzed across socioeconomic gradients defined according to parents' occupation. Data were expressed as total counts per registered time. During the period 1997/1998–2003/2004, no significant differences were observed in the level of HPA during Mon–Thu or Fri–Sun or across socioeconomic gradients. Post hoc analyses indicated a slightly more favorable ratio between the percentages of time spent in light and moderate intensity levels during Mon–Thu in 2003/2004 when compared with 1997/1998. Gender differences in the level of HPA were found to be more distinct during Mon–Thu than during Fri–Sun. This study does not support the idea that Danish children are becoming less physically active. However, a limited statistical power should be considered when interpreting differences across socioeconomic gradients. Boys were found to be more physically active than girls, especially during the weekdays (Friday not included).
‘The confidence I needed’: elementary education majors' perceptions of teaching physical education

Many US states do not require that elementary schools provide a physical education specialist, making the classroom teacher the only provider of physical education instruction. Their attitudes toward physical education and perceptions of their ability to teach it will affect their efforts to do so. Elementary education majors (n = 183) were questioned at the end of a practicum to gain insight into their perceptions of their skill in teaching physical education; of the changes that had occurred in their skill and of how and why those changes occurred; their understanding of physical education; and their comparisons of teaching classroom and physical education. The most striking finding was the confidence they expressed about their ability. Perceptions of their strengths as teachers related more to affect and management than to instructional skills and content knowledge. Students identified practice, instructor feedback and a supportive class environment as contributing to developing their ability to teach physical education. They understood management to include managing themselves and not just controlling children. Responses did not support that a mature understanding of physical education content had been achieved, but that students had positive attitudes toward physical education.
Convergence of Nanotechnology and Cancer Prevention: Are We There Yet?

Nanotechnology is emerging as a promising modality for cancer treatment; however, in the realm of cancer prevention, its full utility has yet to be determined. Here, we discuss the potential of integrating nanotechnology in cancer prevention to augment early diagnosis, precision targeting, and controlled release of chemopreventive agents, reduced toxicity, risk/response assessment, and personalized point-of-care monitoring. Cancer is a multistep, progressive disease; the functional and acquired characteristics of the early precancer phenotype are intrinsically different from those of a more advanced anaplastic or invasive malignancy. Therefore, applying nanotechnology to precancers is likely to be far more challenging than applying it to established disease. Frank cancers are more readily identifiable through imaging and biomarker and histopathologic assessment than their precancerous precursors. In addition, prevention subjects routinely have more rigorous intervention criteria than therapy subjects. Any nanopreventive agent developed to prevent sporadic cancers found in the general population must exhibit a very low risk of serious side effects. In contrast, a greater risk of side effects might be more acceptable in subjects at high risk for cancer. Using nanotechnology to prevent cancer is an aspirational goal, but clearly identifying the intermediate objectives and potential barriers is an essential first step in this exciting journey. Cancer Prev Res; 7(10); 973–92. ©2014 AACR.
Patient satisfaction surveys as a market research tool for general practices.

BACKGROUND Recent policy developments, embracing the notions of consumer choice, quality of care, and increased general practitioner control over practice budgets have resulted in a new competitive environment in primary care. General practitioners must now be more aware of how their patients feel about the services they receive, and patient satisfaction surveys can be an effective tool for general practices. AIM A survey was undertaken to investigate the use of a patient satisfaction survey and whether aspects of patient satisfaction varied according to sociodemographic characteristics such as age, sex, social class, housing tenure and length of time in education. METHOD A sample of 2173 adults living in Medway District Health Authority were surveyed by postal questionnaire in September 1991 in order to elicit their views on general practice services. RESULTS Levels of satisfaction varied with age, with younger people being consistently less satisfied with general practice services than older people. Women, those in social classes 1-3N, home owners and those who left school aged 17 years or older were more critical of primary care services than men, those in social classes 3M-5, tenants and those who left school before the age of 17 years. CONCLUSION Surveys and analyses of this kind, if conducted for a single practice, can form the basis of a marketing strategy aimed at optimizing list size, list composition, and service quality. Satisfaction surveys can be readily incorporated into medical audit and financial management.
The many faces of lifelong learning: recent education policy trends in Europe

This article examines the rise of the discourse on lifelong learning across Europe and the variety of national policy trends which its rhetoric occludes. The ubiquitous presence of this meta-discourse in education and training policy-in-theory is seen as a singular event, which can be ascribed to the impact of the variety of global forces on the education arena. It serves specific political functions in addition to signalling real changes in education and training systems. The duality of convergent rhetoric and divergent policy-in-practise is seen as a challenge to education policy analysis which requires multi-layered interpretation.
Stage Models of Gentrification

Some researchers have contended that stage models are useful to help explain the dynamics of gentrification. Neighborhood change in the Hyde Park section of Tampa, Florida, is analyzed in this article to evaluate empirically the validity of certain components of the stage models and to present some conclusions concerning the general usefulness of the stage models in examining neighborhood change. The models provide a helpful framework within which to examine gentrification, but they must be refined to reflect that gentrification is a more chaotic concept than the models have thus far explicitly acknowledged.
A20, a regulator of NFκB, maps to an atherosclerosis locus and differs between parental sensitive C57BL/6J and resistant FVB/N strains

An intercross between atherosclerosis susceptible (C57BL/6J ApoE0) and resistant (FVB/N ApoE0) mice revealed a susceptibility locus on chromosome 10 (11 cM, logarithm of odds 7.8). Surprisingly, the genotypic means for this locus revealed that heterozygosity or homozygosity for the C57BL/6J allele was associated with decreased atherosclerosis. A candidate gene in this region is A20, which is involved in the feedback suppression of NFκB activation induced by tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα). We sequenced the A20 gene coding region from the parental strains and found a single-nucleotide polymorphism resulting in a single amino acid exchange, Glu627Ala (C57BL/6J vs. FVB/N). This mutation introduces a putative casein kinase 2 phosphorylation site in C57BL/6J-A20 not present in FVB/N-A20. NFκB reporter gene assays showed that this amino acid change results in less effective termination of TNFα-stimulated NFκB activation by C57BL/6J-A20. In accordance, the TNFα-induced expression of NFκB target genes (A20, IκBα) in vascular smooth muscle cells was prolonged in cells isolated from C57BL/6J compared with FVB/N mice. In light of the genotypic means for atherosclerosis at the chromosome 10 locus in F2 mice from this intercross, the observations now reported suggest that prolonged expression of genes induced by NFκB might be antirather than proatherogenic.
A neuro fuzzy logic approach to material processing

A new application of fuzzy systems to the processing of materials is presented. The relationships between temperature, time, and the impact strength of an austempered ductile iron (ADI) part are adaptively modeled. Four fuzzy and neuro fuzzy approaches have been used to build predictive models. These are: a fuzzy based model, a backpropagation based neuro fuzzy model, a clustering based model, and a clustering backpropagation based neuro fuzzy model. The clustering approach, using the subclustering method, yielded the best predictive results when all models had been given the same input-output training data. The backpropagation based neuro fuzzy approach suffers from the lack of a higher number of input-output data training sets. All preliminary results obtained suggest the adequacy of the fuzzy based and neuro fuzzy based modeling techniques to tackle those types of problems in the material processing areas.
Cognitive linguistic correlates of "theory of mind" ability in autistic children.

A specific deficit in theory of mind has been proposed to explain the distinct pattern of social/cognitive deficits in autistic individuals (Frith, 1989). However, it is clear that a number of children are able to demonstrate knowledge of mental states in others (Prior, Dahlstrom & Squires, 1990), hence an important question is what particularly characterizes those autistic children who do show theory of mind. Baron-Cohen (1988) has argued that pragmatic language skills and theory of mind ability ought to be intimately related since they draw on similar representational abilities. We examined the cognitive linguistic correlates of this ability in 29 high functioning autistic children. The 11 children who could reliably show this ability were compared with those who could not, on CA, verbal MA, pragmatic language skills, WISC Vocabulary, Comprehension and Similarities, and were superior on all measures except Vocab and CA. A stepwise discriminant function analysis showed an 86 per cent correct classification of the two groups with pragmatic skills and abstract thinking as the best discriminators. Procedural and instructional variables were also assessed in this study, as was reliability of theory of mind ability from one year to the next. Most children were stable in their demonstrated knowledge. The addition of the word ‘first’ to the false belief question (Where will Sally first look for the marble? ) allowed 50 per cent of the originally failing group to answer the question correctly, suggesting the need for extreme care in the details of replication experiments of this kind. Our results support the likelihood of a developmental delay in theory of mind in autism rather than endorsing the notion that this is a specific deficit with pervasive explanatory power. However, the findings might also support the ‘continuum’ conceptualization of autism with more mildly autistic children able to demonstrate knowledge of mental states and to develop adequate pragmatic language competence.