Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Access to medical records for research purposes: varying perceptions across research ethics boards

Introduction: Variation across research ethics boards (REBs) in conditions placed on access to medical records for research purposes raises concerns around negative impacts on research quality and on human subject protection, including privacy. Aim: To study variation in REB consent requirements for retrospective chart review and who may have access to the medical record for data abstraction. Methods: Thirty 90-min face-to-face interviews were conducted with REB chairs and administrators affiliated with faculties of medicine in Canadian universities, using structured questions around a case study with open-ended responses. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and coded manually. Results: Fourteen sites (47%) required individual patient consent for the study to proceed as proposed. Three (10%) indicated that their response would depend on how potentially identifying variables would be managed. Eleven sites (38%) did not require consent. Two (7%) suggested a notification and opt-out process. Most stated that consent would be required if identifiable information was being abstracted from the record. Among those not requiring consent, there was substantial variation in recognising that the abstracted information could potentially indirectly re-identify individuals. Concern over access to medical records by an outside individual was also associated with requirement for consent. Eighteen sites (60%) required full committee review. Sixteen (53%) allowed an external research assistant to abstract information from the health record. Conclusions: Large variation was found across sites in the requirement for consent for research involving access to medical records. REBs need training in best practices for protecting privacy and confidentiality in health research. A forum for REB chairs to confidentially share concerns and decisions about specific studies could also reduce variation in decisions.
Changes in the chemical form of selenium observed during the manufacture of a selenium-enriched sourdough bread for use in a human nutrition study

High-performance liquid chromatography interfaced with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and hydride generation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry were used, respectively, to investigate changes in both the chemical form and the concentration of selenium during its bio-incorporation and bio-accumulation into rye seedlings. A 60-fold increase in the total level of selenium in the seedlings (‘control’ biomass = 0.99 mg kg−1, ‘enriched’ biomass = 55.27 mg kg−1) was accompanied by a change from selenite to several organo-selenium forms, with more than 40% being present as selenomethionine. The seedling biomass was dried, ground and used as an ingredient in the production of a fermented sourdough bread (popular in Poland and many Eastern European countries). The selenium in the resulting bread was also characterized in terms of its speciation, as well as its total selenium content (‘control’ bread = 0.06 mg kg−1, ‘enriched’ bread = 3.56 mg kg−1). The breads were then fed to 24 volunteers as part of a human intervention study designed to establish the efficacy of this mode of selenium supplementation. The human study data subsequently showed the bread was a good source of dietary selenium.
Fast a* with Iterative Resolution for Navigation

We argue that A*, the popular technique for path-finding for NPCs in games, suffers from three limitations that are pertinent to game worlds: (a) the grid maps often restrict the optimality of the paths, (b) A* paths exhibit wall-hugging behavior, and (c) optimal paths are more predictable. We present a new algorithm, VRA*, that varies map-resolution as needed, and repeatedly calls A*. We also present an extension of an existing post-smoothing technique, and show that these two techniques together produce more realistic looking paths than A*, that overcome the above limitations, while using significantly less memory and time than A*.
ISOLATION OF ENTEROVIRUSES FROM THE "NORMAL" BABOON (PAPIO DOGUERA).

Fuentes-Marins, R. (Southwest Foundation for Research and Education, San Antonio, Texas), A. R. Rodriguez, S. S. Kalter, A. Hellman, and R. A. Crandell. Isolation of enteroviruses from the "normal" baboon (Papio doguera). J. Bacteriol. 85: 1045-1050. 1963. -In a study designed to determine whether the baboon (Papio doguera) would be suitable for use as a model of human virus infections, the normal enterovirus flora was determined. Five agents were isolated from 101 stool samples: four from the African group and one from the African-African group. None of the stool samples from the Domestic group of animals was found to contain any agents. On the basis of their biological characterizations (animal source, cytopathic effect, plaque formation, and antigenic relationships), the isolates were separated into two groups. Accordingly, prototype strains AA153 and A13 were designated for the African-African and African groups, respectively. These viruses have not been found to be related to any known human viruses. Their relationship to organisms isolated from other animals, especially primates, awaits study. The failure to detect latent viruses in preparations of baboon kidney cell cultures suggests a relatively "clean" animal which may be used with safety in preparation of vaccine for human administration.
Allogeneic versus Xenogeneic Immune Reaction to Bioengineered Skin Grafts

There are conflicting reports on the survival and immune reaction to allografts and xenografts of cultured skin substitutes (CSS). In this study, we investigated the allogeneic and xenogeneic responses to CSS of human keratinocytes and genetically engineered CSS expressing keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) that forms a hyperproliferative epidermis. CSS (control and KGF modified) and neonatal human foreskins were evaluated by immunohistochemistry for the expression of MHC class I and II. To study allograft rejection, grafts were transplanted to human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (huPBMC)-reconstituted SCID mice. To study xenograft rejection, grafts were transplanted to immunocompetent mice. Graft survival and immune reaction were assessed visually and microscopically. After transplantation, control CSS formed a normal differentiated epidermis, whereas KGF CSS formed a hyperproliferative epidermis. Control and KGF CSS expressed class I similar to neonatal foreskin, but did not express class II. In the allograft model, rejection of neonatal foreskins was between 5 and 9 days. In contrast, neither control nor KGF CSS was rejected by huPBMC-SCID mice. Histology showed dense mononuclear cell infiltration in human foreskins, with few, if any, mononuclear cells in control or KGF CSS. In contrast to the allogeneic reaction, CSS (control and KGF) were rejected in the xenograft model, but rejection was delayed (9–21 days) compared with neonatal skin (5–8 days). Humanized SCID mice rejected allografts of human neonatal foreskins, but did not reject control CSS or KGF CSS, even though the KGF CSS formed a hyperproliferative epidermis. Rejection of control and KGF CSS by immunocompetent mice in a xenograft model was comparable and their survival was significantly prolonged compared with neonatal skin. These results demonstrate that control CSS and hyperproliferative KGF CSS are less immunogenic than normal human skin and that sustained hyperproliferation of the epidermis does not accelerate rejection.
Distributed Bounds on the Algebraic Connectivity of Graphs With Application to Agent Networks

This paper establishes several bounds on the algebraic connectivity and spectral radius of graphs. Before deriving these bounds, a directed graph with a leader node is first investigated, for which some bounds on the spectral radius and the smallest real part of all the eigenvalues of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$ {M=L+D}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> are obtained using the properties of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${M}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-matrix and non-negative matrix under a mild assumption, where <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$L$ </tex-math></inline-formula> is the Laplacian matrix of the graph and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$ {D={\mathrm{ diag}}\{d_{1},d_{2},\ldots ,d_{N}\}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> with <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$ {d_{i}>0}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> if node <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$ {i}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> can access the information of the leader node and 0 otherwise. Subsequently, by virtue of the results on directed graphs, the bounds on the algebraic connectivity and spectral radius of an undirected connected graph are provided. Besides establishing these bounds, another important feature is that all these bounds are distributed in the sense of only knowing the information of edge weights’ bounds and the number of nodes in a graph, without using any information of inherent structures of the graph. Therefore, these bounds can be in some sense applied to agent networks for reducing the conservatism where control gains in control protocols depend on the eigenvalues of matrices <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$ {M}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> or <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$ {L}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, which are global information. Also some examples are provided for corroborating the feasibility of the theoretical results.
Assessing and segmenting entertainment quality variables and satisfaction of live event attendees: A cluster analysis examination

ABSTRACT In order to better understand and effectively market to patrons who attend live entertainment performances, event venue managers need to have better information regarding these distinctive customers. This study explores the profiles and entertainment quality variables (e.g., performance quality, staff, and event facility) of 13,428 respondents at two venues in order to determine their overall satisfaction, revisit intentions and recommendations to attend an event at each of the respective venues. A principle component analysis revealed two entertainment quality factors, and four distinct patron segments were identified using K-means cluster analysis. These segments significantly differed and the findings may help event venue managers better understand how these patrons differ for future strategic marketing.
Determining position of the inferior alveolar nerve via anatomical dissection and micro-computed tomography in preparation for dental implants.

BACKGROUND The inferior alveolar nerve courses anteriorly within the mandibular canal, providing sensory nerve supply to the mandibular teeth, the buccal mucosa, the gingiva, and the soft tissues of the lower lip and chin. To avoid damage to this nerve and resulting sensory disturbances, its exact location must be known before placement of a dental implant. Imaging modalities currently used to visualize the position of the inferior alveolar nerve may be inaccurate. This study was undertaken to determine the accuracy of micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) for determining the position of this nerve. METHODS Micro-CT images of 16 cadaveric hemimandibles were acquired at a slice thickness of 154 µm. Each hemimandible was then sectioned at 6 predetermined locations between the ramus and the mental foramen, to yield 5 corticocancellous bone specimens. The superior, inferior, buccal and lingual distances for bone surrounding the mandibular canal were measured by direct digital caliper and compared with corresponding micro-CT measurements obtained by 3-dimensional visualization and modelling software. RESULTS There was substantial variability in the vertical position of the inferior alveolar nerve, depending on the length of time since tooth loss and the movement of the nerve from the lingual to buccal position as it courses from the posterior to the anterior aspect of the mandible. However, digital caliper and corresponding micro-CT measurements of the thickness of bone surrounding the inferior alveolar nerve were highly consistent, and no significant differences were detected between the two methods of measurement. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The findings reported here confirm the accuracy of micro-CT in determining the location of the inferior alveolar nerve during planning for placement of dental implants in the human mandible.
How People Multitask While Watching TV

We often think of TV watching as the activity where people are fully engaged and immersed in the TV program. However, research has shown that there is a continuum of levels of attention while watching TV. We set out to understand multitasking behaviors as well as users' motivation and intention behind simultaneous tasks performed in front of the television. We conducted an in-home qualitative research methods study inside ten households across the San Francisco Bay Area and used a quantitative method for analysis of the large amount of behavioral data we gathered. We recorded participants' television watching behaviors using cameras that were placed in their homes and used retrospective interviews to gather purpose behind events that were observed in the video recordings. We defined eye gaze elsewhere than on the TV as accounting for a multitasking event. It was found that multitasking occurred almost 40% of the time when people were seated in front of the television. Most multitasking occurred during TV programs -- not during the interval between TV programs. Of the time people spent multitasking, 36% was spent on a device, mostly a smartphone. However, only 10% of device-related multitasking was related to the content being played on the TV. With our study, we contribute to the greater body of foundational knowledge around common multitasking behaviors that are conducted in front of the television.
Crucial role of marginal zone macrophages and marginal zone metallophils in the clearance of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection

Macrophages play a key role in the immune defense against pathogens. They control early invasion by antigen‐unspecific phagocytosis of pathogens and act as professional antigen‐presenting cells to induce antigen‐specific T cell responses. To investigate the involvement of particular subsets of the splenic macrophages in an antiviral immune response, we selectively depleted mice of splenic marginal zone macrophages (MZM) and marginal zone metallophils (MM) using the clodronate liposome depletion technique. MZM‐ and MM‐depleted mice were not able to control an infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). In these mice, LCMV spread from the spleen to peripheral organs at an early phase of infection. The virus‐specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response was induced initially, yet was exhausted in parallel with the overwhelming virus replication. These findings suggest that MZM and MM play a crucial role in the early control of a LCMV infection by preventing immediate virus spread to peripheral organs, but are not essential for the induction of the LCMV‐specific CTL response.
Cell cycle regulation of human WEE1.

WEE1 kinase negatively regulates entry into mitosis by catalyzing the inhibitory tyrosine phosphorylation of CDC2/cyclin B kinase. We report here an investigation of human WEE1. Endogenous WEE1 migrates as an approximately 94 kDa protein in SDS‐PAGE, substantially larger than the 49 kDa protein encoded by the original human WEE1 cDNA clone that was truncated at the 5′‐end. Antibody depletion experiments demonstrate that WEE1 accounts for most of the activity that phosphorylates CDC2 on Tyr15 in an in vitro assay of HeLa cell lysates, hence it is likely to have an important role in the mitotic control of human cells. WEE1 activity was not found to be elevated in HeLa cells arrested in S phase, suggesting that unreplicated DNA does not delay M phase by hyperactivating WEE1. WEE1 activity is strongly suppressed during M phase, suggesting that negative regulation of WEE1 could be part of the mechanism by which activation of CDC2/cyclin B kinase is promoted during the G2/M transition. M phase WEE1 is re‐activated in samples prepared in the absence of protein phosphatase inhibitors, demonstrating that WEE1 is inhibited by a mechanism that requires protein phosphorylation.
Mechanism of the protective effects of sumac gall extract and gallic acid on the progression of CCl4-induced acute liver injury in rats.

To examine the mechanism of the preventive effect of tannins on the progression of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute liver injury in rats, sumac gall (SG) extract and gallic acid (GA) were used as substitutes for crude tannins, because SG is a kind of Chinese traditional medicinal herb containing large amounts of various tannins, and GA is one of the major constituents of SG. The protective effect of oral (p.o.) and intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of each substance on progression of CCl4-induced hepatitis was investigated in rats. Speculating that the superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activities (O2 radical-scavenging activities) and/or protective effects of these substances on cell membranes might play a key role in the mechanism opposing the progression of CCl4-induced hepatitis, the O2 radical-scavenging activities in liver cells and serum in rats were monitored. Both substances significantly prevented the progression of acute liver injury with both p.o. and i.p. administration. These findings suggest that the mechanism for this prevention might be due mainly to the protective effect of these substances on cell membranes rather than O2 radical-scavenging activities.
Synergic antimicrobial activity of lysozyme, nisin, and EDTA against Listeria monocytogenes in ostrich meat patties.

UNLABELLED Synergic antimicrobial activity of lysozyme (250 ppm), nisin (250 ppm), and disodium ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) (20 mM) against Listeria monocytogenes and meat-borne spoilage bacteria in ostrich patties packaged in air and vacuum was studied. The antimicrobial treatment decreased the L. monocytogenes population in ostrich patties below the official limit of the European Union (<2 log CFU/g). The total viable counts for the treated samples (air and vacuum) showed a reduction of 1 log cycle until to 2 d of storage; after this period the cell load increased. Moreover, the reduction of 2 log cycle for the lactic acid bacteria was observed. Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas spp. were not affected by the antimicrobial treatment in both packaging atmospheres. Sensory evaluation did not differ between treated and untreated samples as regard to the color. The ostrich patties packaged in vacuum had a desirable odor during the storage time and were not affected by antimicrobial treatment. The off-odors for the patties packaged in air developed faster in the control while the odor scores for the treated samples remained above the rejection point up to the end of storage. PRACTICAL APPLICATION Great interest is developing in food bio-preservation, because of the ever-increasing needs to protect consumers' health and to valorize the naturalness and safety of food products.
Range queries in spatial index research based on the Spark

Big data processing system has a good ability of data storage and data processing, can satisfy the demand of the processing of large amounts of data, efficient and high performance processing large data sets, the value of the data. In order to perform more efficient high-performance data retrieval, proposed to Spark system optimization, based on the Spark system, extend Spark SQL components and absorbing the thought of SIMBA, introduced two new global filtering and local spatial index optimization strategy, can make the system with high throughput and low delay to execute the temporal query operation. Evaluation experiments showed that the optimized system has the ability of high performance index of process data effectively and efficiently.
A two-time-scale dynamic average consensus estimator

We consider a dynamic average consensus problem where a group of agents is required to track the average of their time-varying inputs. We assume that the inputs are sinusoidal with a single unknown frequency. We develop a distributed two-time-scale estimator that estimates the unknown frequency and achieves average consensus of the inputs. We establish input-to-state (ISS) properties of the estimator using two-time-scale averaging theory. We also explore benefits of fusing the agents' individual frequency estimates. Using a simulation example, we demonstrate that the average consensus performance is significantly improved by incorporating the fused frequency estimates into the estimator.
International university students’ travel risk perceptions: an exploratory study

Tourism researchers have identified the impact of perceived risk on destination choice and travel behaviour, and differences in general traveller risk perceptions based on both traveller and trip characteristics. However, such research has neglected the travel of international university students, despite the expansion and economic importance of this market. This paper outlines an exploratory study conducted on international university students studying at an Australian university. A total of 407 valid responses from the sample were achieved. Factor analysis identified four main risk factors which were labelled ‘human-induced risk’, ‘social–psychological risk’, ‘financial risk’, and ‘health risk’. Student origins were found to influence risk perceptions. In particular, Asian students perceived higher levels of human-induced and social–psychological risks compared with students primarily from America and Europe. Travel experience and repeat visitation significantly reduced risk factors apart from health risks. Financial risks were higher for students planning to travel in Australia compared with Asia and America. The implications for destination marketing are considered, and future research avenues based on the results are outlined.
Membrane organization of the human serotonin1A receptor monitored by detergent insolubility using GFP fluorescence

Insolubility in non-ionic detergents such as Triton X-100 at low temperature is a widely used biochemical criterion for characterization of membrane domains. In view of the emerging role of membrane organization in the function of G-protein coupled receptors, we have examined detergent insolubility of the 5-HT1A receptor in CHO cells using a novel GFP fluorescence approach developed by us. Using this approach, we have explored the membrane organization of the serotonin1A receptor tagged to enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (5-HT1AR-EYFP) stably expressed in CHO-K1 cells under conditions of varying detergent concentration, reduced membrane cholesterol and agonist stimulation. Our results show that a small yet significant fraction of the 5-HT1A receptor exhibits detergent insolubility, which increases upon depletion of membrane cholesterol. Stimulation of 5-HT1AR-EYFP by its endogenous ligand, serotonin, did not cause a significant change in the detergent insolubility of the receptor. Taken together, our results on detergent insolubility of 5-HT1AR-EYFP provide new insights into the membrane organization of the 5-HT1A receptor and could be relevant in the analysis of membrane organization of other G-protein coupled receptors.