Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A systematic review on the effectiveness of web usability evaluation methods

Usability evaluation methods have become critical in the Web domain to ensure the success of Web applications. Aim: Since a large number of proposals have been presented during the last few years, a question arises: Which usability evaluation methods have proven to be the most effective in the Web domain? Method: This paper presents a systematic review that was motivated by previous results obtained from a systematic mapping study in the Web usability evaluation field. Results: A total of 18 studies were selected from an initial set of 206 in order to extract, code, and synthesize empirical data concerning the effectiveness of usability evaluation methods for the Web. Conclusions: We detected a need of more empirical studies and more standardized effectiveness measures for comparing usability evaluation methods. Our results suggest several evaluation methods which may be useful in allowing researchers and practitioners to perform effective Web usability evaluations.
Theatre: a software tool for detailed comparative analysis and visualization of genomic sequence

Theatre is a web-based computing system designed for the comparative analysis of genomic sequences, especially with respect to motifs likely to be involved in the regulation of gene expression. Theatre is an interface to commonly used sequence analysis tools and biological sequence databases to determine or predict the positions of coding regions, repetitive sequences and transcription factor binding sites in families of DNA sequences. The information is displayed in a manner that can be easily understood and can reveal patterns that might not otherwise have been noticed. In addition to web-based output, Theatre can produce publication quality colour hardcopies showing predicted features in aligned genomic sequences. A case study using the p53 promoter region of four mammalian species and two fish species is described. Unlike the mammalian sequences the promoter regions in fish have not been previously predicted or characterized and we report the differences in the p53 promoter region of four mammals and that predicted for two fish species. Theatre can be accessed at http://www.hgmp. mrc.ac. uk/Registered/Webapp/theatre/.
Ripple current reduction using interleaving technique for three-level ZVZCS DC-DC converter

This paper presents an output current ripple reduction technique for a three-level ZVZCS DC-DC converter which the output power is controlled by phase-shifted pulse width modulation (PSPWM). By means of 2 circuits of half bridge three-level DC-DC converter which operated by 90° phase difference or interleaving technique, as the results, the ripple of output current waveform is reduced significantly. The prototype of proposed circuit was designed and tested at 470 W of rated power, 310 V of input voltage, 0–48 V of output voltage and 50 kHz of switching frequency in order to compare the experimental results between interleaving and non-interleaving technique. It is found that the interleaving technique can reduce the ripple current on output current waveform for all phase-shifted angles. Finally, all switches in circuit can achieve soft-switching conditions and the maximum efficiency of converter is 93.7 %.
Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or left ventricular non-compaction? A difficult differential diagnosis.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a familial cardiac disease caused by mutations in one or more of 12 genes encoding protein components of the cardiac sarcomere.1,2 The disease is transmitted with an autosomal dominant trait and a variable penetrance. The phenotypic features of HCM may develop at any age from infancy to adulthood, and are characterized by a great heterogeneity in the extent, magnitude, and distribution of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy.1 Apical HCM is a relatively rare morphological expression of the disease (<5% of patients), in which LV wall thickening is confined to the most distal portion of the ventricle, below the papillary muscle level.3,4 This form of HCM is more frequently sporadic, but may also be encountered in the context of clinical screening of HCM families with more common patterns of distribution of LV hypertrophy.3,4 A few families have also been reported with autosomal dominant inheritance of an apical form of HCM.5 The clinical course of apical HCM appears to be generally benign, without severe symptoms or major cardiac events. Indeed, a particularly low annual cardiovascular mortality rate (0.1%) was reported during a mean follow-up of 9 years in a survey of the largest available cohort of patients with apical HCM (a total of 105 patients). 3 Non-compaction of LV myocardium is an increasingly recognized but apparently uncommon cardiomyopathy, characterized by a hypertrophied left ventricle with multiple trabeculations and deep intertrabecular recesses communicating with … *Corresponding author. Tel: +39-010-5634170; fax: +39-010-5634180. E-mail address : paolo.spirito{at}galliera.it
Impact of airborne cloud radar reflectivity data assimilation on kilometre-scale numerical weather prediction analyses and forecasts of heavy precipitation events

Abstract. This article investigates the potential of W-band radar reflectivity to improve the quality of analyses and forecasts of heavy precipitation events in the Mediterranean area. The “1D+3DVar” assimilation method, operationally employed to assimilate ground-based precipitation radar data in the Météo-France kilometre-scale numerical weather prediction (NWP) model AROME, has been adapted to assimilate the W-band reflectivity measured by the airborne cloud radar RASTA (Radar Airborne System Tool for Atmosphere) during a 2-month period over the Mediterranean area. After applying a bias correction, vertical profiles of relative humidity are first derived via a 1-D Bayesian retrieval, and then used as relative humidity pseudo-observations in the 3DVar assimilation system of AROME. The efficiency of the 1-D Bayesian method in retrieving humidity fields is assessed using independent in-flight humidity measurements. To complement this study, the benefit brought by consistent thermodynamic and dynamic cloud conditions has been investigated by separately and jointly assimilating the W-band reflectivity and horizontal wind measurements collected by RASTA in the 3 h 3DVar assimilation system of AROME. The data assimilation experiments are conducted for a single heavy precipitation event and then also for 32 cases. Results indicate that the W-band reflectivity has a larger impact on the humidity, temperature and pressure fields in the analyses compared to the assimilation of RASTA wind data alone. Besides, the analyses get closer to independent humidity observations if the W-band reflectivity is assimilated alone or jointly with RASTA wind data. Nonetheless, the impact of the W-band reflectivity decreases more rapidly as the forecast range increases when compared to the assimilation of RASTA wind data alone. Generally, the joint assimilation of the W-band reflectivity with wind data results in the best improvement in the rainfall precipitation forecasts. Consequently, results of this study indicate that consistent thermodynamic and dynamic cloud conditions in the analysis leads to an improvement of both model initial conditions and forecasts. Even though to a lesser extent, the assimilation of the W-band reflectivity alone also results in a slight improvement of the rainfall precipitation forecasts.
An Administrator's Guide to Internet Password Research

The research literature on passwords is rich but little of it directly aids those charged with securing web-facing services or setting policies. With a view to improving this situation we examine questions of implementation choices, policy and administration using a combination of literature survey and first-principles reasoning to identify what works, what does not work, and what remains unknown. Some of our results are surprising. We find that offline attacks, the justification for great demands of user effort, occur in much more limited circumstances than is generally believed (and in only a minority of recently-reported breaches). We find that an enormous gap exists between the effort needed to withstand online and offline attacks, with probable safety occurring when a password can survive 106 and 1014 guesses respectively. In this gap, eight orders of magnitude wide, there is little return on user effort: exceeding the online threshold but falling short of the offline one represents wasted effort. We find that guessing resistance above the online threshold is also wasted at sites that store passwords in plaintext or reversibly encrypted: there is no attack scenario where the extra effort protects the account.
Coded Modulations for Fading Channels: An Overview

It is by now well known that combined channel coding and digital modulation (in short coded modulation) yield power and bandwidth efficient digital transmission schemes for the Gaussian channel. These schemes perform closer to channel capacity than those where coding and modulation are treated separately. More recently, coded modulation methods have been investigated for transmission over Rayleigh fading channels. It has been discovered that systems optimized for the Gaussian channel are not optimum for fading channels. This is primarily due to the importance of built-in time diversity of the coded modulation scheme for fading channels. In this paper we give a brief overview of recent developments in signal design for Rayleigh fading channels. Mainly schemes based on phase shift keying are presented. Theoretical guidance for design and identification of the most important system parameters are given. A couple of detailed examples of code designs and their error probability performance are also given. Optimum and suboptimum receivers are discussed. An overview of analytical performance analysis tools, as well as code designs for both trellis coded modulation and block coded modulation is included in the paper. Methods for unequal error protection are given. Potential application areas are identified. An extensive reference list is supplied.
Distribution of NGF and NT‐3‐like protein immunoreactivity in the teleost kidney

By means of immunochemistry and immunohistochemistry, we investigated in the kidney of freshwater and marine teleostean species for the presence and localization of three neurotrophins: nerve growth factor (NGF), brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and neurotrophin (NT)‐3. In both species studied, NGF‐like and NT‐3‐like immunoreactivity were present in the kidney with different distribution patterns, while BDNF‐like immunoreactivity was never detected. In goldfish, NGF‐like and NT‐3‐like immunoreactivity were identified extensively in cells along part of the arterial branches adjacent to the afferent arterioles. In scorpion fish, NGF‐like and NT‐3‐like immunoreactive cells were observed both on afferent arterioles and on adjacent secondary branches derived from renal arteries. No immunoreactivity was detected in other renal structures. A staining pattern of immunoreactivity similar to that obtained for NGF and NT‐3 was detected utilizing S100 antibody as a juxtaglomerular (JG) cell marker. Double immunolabellings NGF/S100 and NT‐3/S100 evidenced the coexistence of neurotrophin‐like proteins and S100‐like protein in the same immunoreactive cells, thus identifying them as juxtaglomerular cells. Western blot analysis revealed the presence of molecules immunoreactive to NGF and NT‐3, whose molecular weights were very similar to those of the corresponding mammalian neurotrophins. These findings extend the presence and distribution of NGF‐like and NT‐3‐like IR in the kidney to teleost species, suggesting a probable participation of these proteins in the renal functions of freshwater and marine teleosts. Microsc. Res. Tech. 66:17–24, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Induction of apoptosis by TNF receptor 2 in a T-cell hybridoma is FADD dependent and blocked by caspase-8 inhibitors

Previously we reported that both human TNFR1 and TNFR2 mediate TNF-induced apoptosis in the transfected rat/mouse T cell hybridoma PC60. We show here that TNFR2-mediated apoptosis in PVC60 cells can be blocked by the broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor zVAD-fmk, the caspase-8 inhibitor zIETD-fmk and by CrmA, a viral inhibitor of caspase-1 and caspase-8. This suggests an involvement of caspase-8 in TNFR2-mediated apoptosis. The upstream adaptor of caspase-8, FADD, is also involved in TNFR2-induced cell death, since transient overexpression of a dominant negative deletion mutant of FADD inhibited apoptosis induced by this receptor. TNFR2-induced apoptosis is independent of endogenous TNF or other death-inducing ligand production and subsequent activation of TNFR1 or other death receptors. Furthermore, TNFR2 stimulation does not enhance sensitivity for a subsequent TNFR1-induced apoptotic signal, as has been reported for Jurkat cells. TRAF2 downregulation, which has been proposed as the mechanism by which TNFR2 enhances TNFR1 signaling, was observed in PC60 cells, but the TNRF1 signal was not modulated. These data confirm the capacity of TNFR2 to generate an apoptotic cell death signal independent of TNFR1.
Comparative Genome Analysis and Gene Finding in Candida Species Using CGOB

The Candida Gene Order Browser (CGOB) was developed as a tool to visualize and analyze synteny relationships in multiple Candida species, and to provide an accurate, manually curated set of orthologous Candida genes for evolutionary analyses. Here, we describe major improvements to CGOB. The underlying structure of the database has been changed significantly. Genomic features are now based directly on genome annotations rather than on protein sequences, which allows non-protein features such as centromere locations in Candida albicans and tRNA genes in all species to be included. The data set has been expanded to 13 species, including genomes of pathogens (C. albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, and C. orthopsilosis), and those of xylose-degrading species with important biotechnological applications (C. tenuis, Scheffersomyces stipitis, and Spathaspora passalidarum). Updated annotations of C. parapsilosis, C. dubliniensis, and Debaryomyces hansenii have been incorporated. We discovered more than 1,500 previously unannotated genes among the 13 genomes, ranging in size from 29 to 3,850 amino acids. Poorly conserved and rapidly evolving genes were also identified. Re-analysis of the mating type loci of the xylose degraders suggests that C. tenuis is heterothallic, whereas both Spa. passalidarum and S. stipitis are homothallic. As well as hosting the browser, the CGOB website (http://cgob.ucd.ie) gives direct access to all the underlying genome annotations, sequences, and curated orthology data.
Multiscale Angiogenesis Modeling Using Mixed Finite Element Methods

In this paper, we present a deterministic two-scale tissue-cellular approach for modeling growth factor-induced angiogenesis. The bioreaction-diffusion of chemotactic growth factors (CGF) is modeled at a tissue scale, whereas cell proliferation, capillary extension, branching, and anastomosis are modeled at a cellular scale. The capillary indicator function is used to bridge these two scales. The complete system of equations consists of parabolic PDEs coupled nonlinearly with a varying number of ODEs and algebraic equations. Our proposed schemes involve applying mixed finite element methods to approximate concentrations of CGF and a point-to-point tracking method to simulate sprout branching and anastomosis. Capillary extensions are computed by a system of ODEs. Here, both the continuous and discrete-in-time algorithms are analyzed using some new techniques for treating the nonlinear coupling terms. Error bounds for each of the processes---CGF reaction-diffusion, capillary extension, sprout branching, and.
Successful Induction of CD8 T Cell-Dependent Protection Against Malaria by Sequential Immunization with DNA and Recombinant Poxvirus of Neonatal Mice Born to Immune Mothers 1

In some parts of Africa, 50% of deaths attributed to malaria occur in infants less than 8 mo. Thus, immunization against malaria may have to begin in the neonatal period, when neonates have maternally acquired Abs against malaria parasite proteins. Many malaria vaccines in development rely upon CD8 cells as immune effectors. Some studies indicate that neonates do not mount optimal CD8 cell responses. We report that BALB/c mice first immunized as neonates (7 days) with a Plasmodium yoelii circumsporozoite protein (PyCSP) DNA vaccine mixed with a plasmid expressing murine GM-CSF (DG) and boosted at 28 days with poxvirus expressing PyCSP were protected (93%) as well as mice immunized entirely as adults (70%). Protection was dependent on CD8 cells, and mice had excellent anti-PyCSP IFN-γ and cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses. Mice born of mothers previously exposed to P. yoelii parasites or immunized with the vaccine were protected and had excellent T cell responses. These data support assessment of this immunization strategy in neonates/young infants in areas in which malaria exacts its greatest toll.
Supporting Families, Saving Funds: A Fiscal Analysis of New Jersey's Family Equality Act

This study, co-authored by the Institute of Gay and Lesbian Strategic Studies (IGLSS) and UCLA’s Williams Project on Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy, estimates the impact of the “Family Equality Act” (FEA) (Assembly Bill No. 3743) on New Jersey’s budget. If enacted, the FEA would create a new registered domestic partner status for couples in New Jersey and would give registering couples a number of legal rights and responsibilities. Registration would be open to samesex and different-sex couples who live together and meet other qualifications based on mutual support, caring, and commitment.
Administrative Man: Origin or Pawn in Decision Making?

In this article the author points out that existing empirical and theoretical work concerned with administrative decision making either ignores or scantly treats how subordinates' goals intrude into and influence administrative decisions. The author elaborates a three-fold typology to show several ways in which the administrator's decisions can be guided, shaped, and even controlled by subordinates.
Site‒specific IR spectroscopy and molecular modelling combined towards solving transmembrane protein structure

Membrane protein structures are underrepresented in structural databases despite their abundance and biomedical importance. This review focuses on the novel method of site-specific infrared dichroism (SSID) combined with constraint molecular dynamics simulation, which has recently emerged as a powerful method to obtain structures of transmembrane α-helical bundles. The theory of SSID including its latest developments is reviewed with the aim to encourage widespread application of this method. This is followed by an outline of the conformational search using experimentally constraint molecular dynamics simulations. Finally a critical evaluation of recent applications, namely the Influenza M2 proton channel, the vpu ion channel of HIV-1 and the MHC-class II associated invariant chain, is conducted.
Cardiac Sodium Channel Dysfunction in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Background— Mutations in genes responsible for the congenital long-QT syndrome, especially SCN5A, have been identified in some cases of sudden infant death syndrome. In a large-scale collaborative genetic screen, several SCN5A variants were identified in a Norwegian sudden infant death syndrome cohort (n=201). We present functional characterization of 7 missense variants (S216L, R680H, T1304M, F1486L, V1951L, F2004L, and P2006A) and 1 in-frame deletion allele (delAL586-587) identified by these efforts. Methods and Results— Whole-cell sodium currents were measured in tsA201 cells transiently transfected with recombinant wild-type or mutant SCN5A cDNA (hH1) coexpressed with the human &bgr;1 subunit. All variants exhibited defects in the kinetics and voltage dependence of inactivation. Five variants (S216L, T1304M, F1486L, F2004L, and P2006A) exhibited significantly increased persistent sodium currents (range, 0.5% to 1.7% of peak current) typical of SCN5A mutations associated with long-QT syndrome. These same 5 variants also displayed significant depolarizing shifts in voltage dependence of inactivation (range, 5 to 14 mV) and faster recovery from inactivation, but F1486L uniquely exhibits a depolarizing shift in the conductance-voltage relationship. Three alleles (delAL586-587, R680H, and V1951L) exhibited increased persistent current only under conditions of internal acidosis (R680H) or when expressed in the context of a common splice variant (delQ1077), indicating that they have a latent dysfunctional phenotype. Conclusions— Our present results greatly expand the spectrum of functionally characterized SCN5A variants associated with sudden infant death syndrome and provide further biophysical correlates of arrhythmia susceptibility in this syndrome.
Sociological Approaches to the European Union in Times of Turmoil

This contribution aims at questioning the explanatory capacity of sociological approaches to European integration in times of crisis. Its main argument is that in times of turmoil – perceived or real – analysis of actors’ strategies and cognitive frames is crucial for understanding the emergence of solutions proposed to remedy the problem. Starting from a sociological definition of crisis, the article illustrates through empirical examples how the cognitive frames in which actors evolve determine their analysis of problems as well as solutions. Sociological approaches to public policy, which reject the basic assumption of actors behaving solely according to a presumed material cost–benefit analysis, help us to better grasp the complexity of decision-making. The main reason for this is that they allow for linking the domestic and European levels when analysing cognitive and decision-making processes, instead of concentrating on either European citizens or European elites separately.
Exploring the Role of Trust in Entrepreneurial Activity

Trust is a phenomenon which, over the past decade, has gained attention across many disciplines and fields of study, e.g., psychology, organizational theory, sociology, economic theory, and business management. There is no single comprehensive definition of trust, and even within disciplines several definitions often exist. However, in terms of business behavior, trust is based on a perception of the probability that other agents will behave in a way that is expected (Gambetta, 1988). In addition, there is a danger that academics concerned with different aspects of human behavior may sometimes be guilty of exaggerating the role of trust, which emphasizes the importance of developing robust methodologies to identify and assess it. As Endres (2004, p. 15) stated, “we are confronted with an inflationary use of the concept of trust in several scientific disciplines, while its use in everyday life is much rarer. ” Compared with their contemporaries in fields such as management studies, entrepreneurship scholars have only recently started to pay attention to trust-related issues, which may or may not be justified. This special issue aims to contribute to a discussion of the role of trust in the field of entrepreneurship, both conceptually (Goel & Karri, 2006; Zahra, Yavuz, & Ucbasaran, 2006) and empirically (Howorth & Moro, 2006; Neergard & Ulhoi, 2006).