Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Shape Shifting Across Social Media

Individuals change and adapt their behavior according to their social situation (e.g., transitioning from work to home). However, how does this shape shifting of self-presentations and identity translate into various online platforms? This exploratory study utilizes a novel and mixed methodological approach to better understand user behavior across social media platforms. We interviewed 22 participants and employed a repertory grid technique to reveal deeper similarities and differences in behavior across various online platforms. We found that users had a variety of strategies for managing multiple audiences across multiple platforms. Almost all participants actively separated their professional (e.g., LinkedIn) and social (e.g., Facebook or Instagram) oriented platforms typically by self-censorship of posts rather than utilizing audience management tools. Via the repertory grid technique, we revealed a number of more subtle nuances of how participants reflect on how and why they maintain a number of social media identities.
Preventing Piracy Content Propagation in Peer-to-Peer Networks

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) networks have been widely used in various Internet applications. However, P2P networks also cause serious concerns of copyrighted contents piracy: P2P helps to pirate copyrighted contents, which impedes wide application of P2P networks. In this paper, we investigate several important issues on the ways to prevent pirated content propagation in P2P networks. We propose a system to stop pirated content propagation by utilizing several attacks to BitTorrent (BT). First, we design a system that can handle a large number of concurrent connections to reduce bandwidth consumption. Second, we build two mathematical models for BT attacks, including leechers behavior model and fake-block behavior model, and we analyze the performance of the system using these models. Third, we optimize BT clients by taking into account different implementations and counter-measure designs. We conducted several experiments in real networks, the results of which verified that our system is suitable for most current BT clients, and BT clients' download duration is extended at least three times longer, which is much better than the results reported in the literature.
Development of levofloxacin inhalation solution to treat Pseudomonas aeruginosa in patients with cystic fibrosis

Inhaled therapies allow for the targeted delivery of antimicrobials directly into the lungs and have been widely used in the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) acute pulmonary exacerbations. Nebulized levofloxacin solution (MP-376) is a novel therapy that is currently being evaluated in phase I, II, and III clinical trials among patients with stable CF and recent isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from sputum. Phase I studies have investigated the single and multiple-dose pharmacokinetics of MP-376 and shown that it is rapidly absorbed from the lungs and results in low systemic concentrations. A subsequent phase IB study found that MP-376 pharmacokinetics were comparable among adults and children 6–16 years of age. Further phase II studies reported that sputum P. aeruginosa density decreased in a dose-dependent manner among patients who were randomized to MP-376 when compared with patients who received placebo. Improvements in pulmonary function and a decrease in the need for other antipseudomonal antibiotics were also reported for patients who received inhaled levofloxacin. The most common adverse event was dysgeusia (abnormal taste sensation), which was reported by nearly half of the participants who received MP-376. No serious drug-related adverse events were reported. These findings are encouraging; however, data from the two ongoing phase III trials are needed to determine whether MP-376 demonstrates substantial evidence of safety and efficacy as a chronic CF maintenance therapy and therefore may be useful in routine clinical practice.
Plasma adiponectin concentrations in patients with chronic renal failure: relationship with metabolic risk factors and ischemic heart disease.

AIMS To compare plasma adiponectin levels between healthy controls and patients with chronic renal failure and to examine for a relationship between plasma adiponectin levels and ischemic heart disease as well as aortic distensibility which is an early marker of atherosclerosis. METHODS We included 89 patients with CRF (45 on and 44 not on hemodialysis) and 70 controls in a cross-sectional study. Plasma adiponectin levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Aortic distensibility was assessed by high-resolution ultrasonography. RESULTS Plasma adiponectin levels were significantly almost twice as high in patients with renal failure compared to controls (9.7 +/- 1.1 vs. 5.4 +/- 0.6 microg/ml, p < 0.0001). No significant differences were found between renal patients on hemodialysis and not on hemodialysis (p = 0.71). Multivariate linear regression analysis in the renal patient group demonstrated a significant negative relationship between plasma adiponectin levels and ischemic heart disease (p = 0.02). The same analysis in the control subjects group showed a significant, negative relationship between plasma adiponectin levels and body mass index (p = 0.02) and a highly significant positive relationship with the high density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.0001). In the total study population, glomerular filtration rate was the only independent predictor of plasma adiponectin concentrations. Aortic distensibility was lower in renal patients than in controls at a high level of significance (p < 0.0001). However, no significant relationship could be found between plasma adiponectin and aortic distensibility in either the controls or the renal patients. CONCLUSIONS Plasma adiponectin levels are almost twice as high in patients with chronic renal failure in comparison with healthy controls, but not different between renal patients on and those not on hemodialysis. In addition, low plasma adiponectin levels are strongly associated with ischemic heart disease, but not with aortic distensibility in chronic renal failure.
Preliminary results on energy efficient 3D prosthetic walking with a powered compliant transfemoral prosthesis

This work presents the preliminary experimental validation of a systematic prosthetic control strategy on a custom compliant transfemoral prosthesis with the end result being energy efficient 3-dimension (3D) multi-contact prosthetic walking. In particular, with the goal of capturing essential components of realistic amputee-prosthesis system, a 3D asymmetric hybrid system model is presented — this forms the foundation for formal gait design and control construction. Based on this model, a two-step direct collocation optimization method is utilized to design an energy efficient multi-contact prosthetic gait in 3D. The designed gaits are also subject to various practical constraints such as human-likeness constraints and comfortability constraints. For experimental validation, a 3D capable powered transfemoral prosthetic device is custom built so as to be amendable to realizing the designed 3D prosthetic gaits. Differentiating this device from existing powered prosthesis, compliant components are added to the three joints (two pitch joints and one roll joint) for the purpose of energy saving and human-like behaviors. Combining the presented control methodology and the novel hardware design, the end result is experimentally realized 3D multi-contact prosthetic walking with improved energy efficiency compared to other devices and control methods.
Measuring and Comparing Functional Business Skills and Knowledge among Asnaf Community in Malaysia

This study aims (1) to determine the distribution of the components of functional business skills and knowledge among low-income households living across different geographical districts; (2) to assess the reliability of each dimension of entrepreneurial skills, and (3) to assess the validity and overall reliability of the entrepreneurial skills instrument. The study employed a cross-sectional approach. The sample of 800 low-income households in Kelantan, Malaysia, and the total of 200 respondents from each location were administered for the business skills and knowledge questionnaire for a period of one month, testing five dimensions of Financial Skills, Technical Skills, Communication Skills, Market Orientation, and Networking Skills. The study demonstrated that five dimensions were developed in the entrepreneurial skills construct. The validity of the formation of the five dimensions were proved through factor analysis. Based on the reliability and validity testing, this study ended with 34 items that fell into five dimension of Financial Skills, Technical Skills, Communication Skills, Market Orientation, and Networking Skills. Furthermore, it was found that the distribution of ‘financial skills’, ‘technical skills’ ‘communication skills’, ‘marketing skills’, and ‘networking skills’ are significantly different across the districts of Kelantan. Policy makers and other developmental organizations should therefore focus on interactive programs that could encourage participants towards increasing the level of knowledge and skills among the Asnaf particularly in the district of Jeli. Observing the positive business skills and knowledge which stimulates business success, this study recognizes the level of business knowledge among the Asnaf as moderately low.
Effects of fluoxetine on disease activity in relapsing multiple sclerosis: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, exploratory study

Background: Suppressing the antigen-presenting capacity of glial cells could represent a novel way of reducing inflammatory activity in multiple sclerosis (MS). Aims: To evaluate the effects of fluoxetine on new lesion formation in patients with relapsing MS. Methods: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled exploratory study, 40 non-depressed patients with relapsing remitting or relapsing secondary progressive MS were randomised to oral fluoxetine 20 mg or placebo daily for 24 weeks. New lesion formation was studied by assessing the cumulative number of gadolinium-enhancing lesions on brain MRI performed on weeks 4, 8, 16 and 24. Results: Nineteen patients in both groups completed the study. The mean (SD) cumulative number of new enhancing lesions during the 24 weeks of treatment was 1.84 (2.9) in the fluoxetine group and 5.16 (8.6) in the placebo group (p = 0.15). The number of scans showing new enhancing lesions was 25% in the fluoxetine group versus 41% in the placebo group (p = 0.04). Restricting the analysis to the past 16 weeks of treatment showed that the cumulative number of new enhancing lesions was 1.21 (2.6) in the fluoxetine group and 3.16 (5.3) in the placebo group (p = 0.05). The number of patients without enhancing lesions was 63% in the fluoxetine group versus 26% in the placebo group (p = 0.02). Conclusions: This proof-of-concept study shows that fluoxetine tends to reduce the formation of new enhancing lesions in patients with MS. Further studies with this compound are warranted. Trial registration: Number: ISRCTN65586975
Sequential imaging analysis using MIBG scintigraphy revealed progressive degeneration of cardiac sympathetic nerve in Parkinson’s disease

Background: Metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) cardiac scintigraphy was used to differentiate Parkinson’s disease (PD) with Lewy body pathology from other degenerative parkinsonisms. MIBG cardiac scintigraphy demonstrates the extent of degeneration of myocardial post‐ganglionic sympathetic nerves in patients with PD. Because of its specificity for Lewy body (LB) pathology, MIBG scan might also be useful biomarker for the neurodegeneration attributed to PD. To estimate the utility of the imaging technique as a biomarker, we conducted sequential imaging analysis and power analysis.
Isolation of Sabin-Like Polioviruses from Wastewater in a Country Using Inactivated Polio Vaccine

ABSTRACT From 2001 to 2004, Switzerland switched from routine vaccination with oral polio vaccine (OPV) to inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), using both vaccines in the intervening period. Since IPV is less effective at inducing mucosal immunity than OPV, this change might allow imported poliovirus to circulate undetected more easily in an increasingly IPV-immunized population. Environmental monitoring is a recognized tool for identifying polioviruses in a community. To look for evidence of poliovirus circulation following cessation of OPV use, two sewage treatment plants located in the Zurich area were sampled from 2004 to 2006. Following virus isolation using either RD or L20B cells, enteroviruses and polioviruses were identified by reverse transcription-PCR. A total of 20 out of 174 wastewater samples were positive for 62 Sabin-like isolates. One isolate from each poliovirus-positive sample was analyzed in more detail. Sequencing the complete viral protein 1 (VP1) capsid coding region, as well as intratypic differentiation (ITD), identified 3 Sabin type 1, 13 Sabin type 2, and 4 Sabin type 3 strains. One serotype 1 strain showed a discordant result in the ITD. Three-quarters of the strains showed mutations within the 5′ untranslated region and VP1, known to be associated with reversion to virulence. Moreover, three strains showed heterotypic recombination (S2/S1 and S3/S2/S3). The low number of synonymous mutations and the partial temperature sensitivity are not consistent with extended circulation of these Sabin virus strains. Nevertheless, the continuous introduction of polioviruses into the community emphasizes the necessity for uninterrupted child vaccination to maintain high herd immunity.
Pharmacokinetics of Inhaled Anesthetics in Humans: Measurements during and after the Simultaneous Administration of Enflurane, Halothane, Isoflurane, Methoxyflurane, and Nitrous Oxide

To determine the relative washin and washout characteristics of isoflurane, enflurane, halothane, and methoxyflurane, we administered all four anesthetics simultaneously (total = 1.1 MAC) to nine healthy patients for 2 hr. Concentrations of anesthetics in end-tidal gases were measured during washin and for 5–9 days during washout. Multiex-ponential (multicompartment) models were fit to the washin and washout curves using least-squares analysis. Slowly equilibrating compartments could only be identified during washout. For 27 of the 36 data sets, five-compartment models fit the washout curves significantly better than four-compartment models. The time constant for our first compartment is consistent with that predicted for washout of the lungs. Time constants for the second, third, and fifth compartments were consistent with current data for blood flows and solubilities of vessel-rich, muscle, and fat tissue groups, respectively. The fourth compartment has a time constant that lies between the time constants predicted for muscle and fat.
Correlation between fluorescence in-situ hybridization analyses and in-vitro development to blastocyst stage of embryos from Robertsonian translocation (13;14) carriers.

BACKGROUND Little is known about the extent and timing of selection against the embryos that are carriers of unbalanced translocations. METHODS Fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) with probes for chromosomes 13, 14 and 18 was performed, mostly on day 3, on 69 human embryos which were then allowed to develop further in culture to day 5, from five carriers of Robertsonian translocation (RT) t(13;14). RESULTS Twelve normal/balanced blastocysts were replaced in seven consecutive cycles (day 5). Three cycles resulted in clinical pregnancies. The proportion of blastocysts displaying a normal/balanced karyotype was 56%, while only the 20% of blocked embryos were normal/balanced (chi(2): P < 0.05). All the embryos analysed on day 5, except one, displayed mosaicism. The percentages of diploid cells for chromosomes 13 and 14 were significantly lower than for chromosome 18 (chromosome 13: 49.0 +/- 28.0; chromosome 14: 53.0 +/- 31.8; chromosome 18: 75.7 +/- 20.4; Mann-Whitney test: P < 0.01). The embryos displaying vertical line 62% of diploid cells for at least two of the three chromosomes analysed, more frequently reached the blastocyst stage (blocked embryos: blastocysts chromosome 13: 43.1 +/- 30.3, 64.9 +/- 29.0; chromosome 18: 64.9 +/- 29.0, 83.0 +/- 12.9; Mann-Whitney test: P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Normal/balanced embryos developed better but the proportion of abnormal blastocysts was still high. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis is recommended to select normal/balanced embryos from RT t(13;14) carriers.
Proteinuria in membranous lupus nephritis: the pathology is in the podocyte

Background Patients with membranous lupus glomerulonephritis (MLN) can present with a broad range of urine protein excretion. The glomerular lesion underlying this functional abnormality has been presumed to be immune complexes which aggregate in the subepithelial area. However, the amount of proteinuria often fails to correlate with the quantity of immune deposits demonstrable on fluorescent and electron microscopy. The purpose of this study is to determine the correlation of alterations of the morphologic components of the glomerular capillary wall with the amount of proteinuria in MLN. Design We conducted a retrospective clinicopathologic study of patients with lupus nephritis (n = 236). In those with pure MLN and proteinuria (n = 20), the degree of immune aggregates in the capillary walls and mesangium was detailed using fluorescent and electron microscopy. The degree of foot process effacement (FPE) was detailed using electron microscopy. Result Eleven patients had nephrotic range proteinuria (≥3 g proteinuria/g creatinine (g/g)) and nine demonstrated subnephrotic range proteinuria (<3 g/g) (nephrotic, 8.3 ± 5.1 g/g vs. subnephrotic, 1.63 ± 0.83 g/g, p = 0.001). All patients demonstrated peripheral capillary wall granular deposits by immunofluorescence microscopy, and the degree of moderate (2 +) to severe (3 +) deposition was not different (nephrotic, 8/11, 73% vs. subnephrotic, 5/9, 55%, p = 0.64). By electron microscopy, FPE (88.6 ± 11% vs. 48.3 ± 36.1%, p = 0.002) and foot process width (1798 ± 736 nm vs. 1000 ± 333 nm, p = 0.008) was greater in the nephrotic group compared with subnephrotic. There were no other histopathologic differences between the groups. Conclusions In patients with MLN, a distinguishing morphologic feature of those with nephrotic range proteinuria is diffuse visceral epithelial cell FPE. We conclude that nephrotic range proteinuria in patients with MLN may be a manifestation of concomitant glomerular visceral epithelial cell dysfunction.
Towards the development of a frequency agile MEMS acoustic sensor system

Designing acoustic sensors with adaptable frequency responses is of great interest in order to deal with diverse application requirements. A bio-inspired acoustic concept exploiting frequency agility using a MEMS microphone front-end is presented. Simulations and experimental results show adaptations of the microphone's acoustic frequency response according to applied DC voltage potentials. Finally, the microphone is demonstrated as part of an integrated adaptive frequency sensor feedback loop. Such acoustic sensor systems can be used in many applications requiring high frequency discrimination and agile tuning.
Gastroesophageal junction: structure and function as assessed by using MR imaging.

PURPOSE To develop and validate magnetic resonance (MR) imaging protocols for quantitative assessment of the structural and functional properties of the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) and to compare MR imaging detection of reflux events against concurrent manometry as a reference method. MATERIALS AND METHODS The local ethics committee approved this study, and written informed consent was obtained. Twelve healthy volunteers were examined. Three-dimensional models of the GEJ and proximal portion of the stomach were reconstructed from high-spatial-resolution anatomic MR images to assess the insertion angle of the esophagus into the stomach and proximal stomach distention before and after ingestion of a large test meal. A linear mixed-effects model was used to detect differences in the insertion angle and proximal stomach distention with respect to the respiratory cycle and gastric filling. Additionally, dynamic MR imaging at high temporal resolution was used to detect reflux events. RESULTS The esophageal insertion angle, given in units of plane angle (radians), was more acute in expiration than in inspiration (0.57 vs 0.73 radian, P = .004) but was not affected by feeding. Progressive distention of the proximal stomach was observed from baseline compared with the postprandial period (0.95 vs 0.65 radian(-1), P < . 05). Eighteen reflux events detected by using MR imaging were also detected by using manometry. CONCLUSION MR imaging methods were developed and validated for the assessment of GEJ structure and function (a) to describe the effects of respiration and feeding on the reflux barrier and (b) to detect reflux events in real time. Anatomic and dynamic MR imaging may be useful techniques in the assessment of GEJ physiology and reflux.
Spoilage of vacuum-packaged dark, firm, dry meat at chill temperatures

The flora of vacuum-packaged dark, firm, dry meat included thred organisms not usually found on vacuum-packaged meat, Yersinia enterocolitica, Enterobacter liquefaciens, and Alteromonas putrefaciens. Y. enterocolitica did not affect the meat quality. Production of spoilage odors by E. liquefaciens could be prevented by addition of glucose or citrate to the meat. Greening of meat could be prevented by addition of glucose or citrate to the meat. Greening of meat by A. putrefaciens was not prevented by addition of glucose, as the organism degraded cysteine with the release of H2S even when glucose was present. To prevent greening, growth of A. putrefaciens must be inhibited by reducing the meat pH to less than 6.0.
Regulation of plant growth by cytokinin

Cytokinins are a class of plant-specific hormones that play a central role during the cell cycle and influence numerous developmental programs. Because of the lack of biosynthetic and signaling mutants, the regulatory roles of cytokinins are not well understood. We genetically engineered cytokinin oxidase expression in transgenic tobacco plants to reduce their endogenous cytokinin content. Cytokinin-deficient plants developed stunted shoots with smaller apical meristems. The plastochrone was prolonged, and leaf cell production was only 3–4% that of wild type, indicating an absolute requirement of cytokinins for leaf growth. In contrast, root meristems of transgenic plants were enlarged and gave rise to faster growing and more branched roots. These results suggest that cytokinins are an important regulatory factor of plant meristem activity and morphogenesis, with opposing roles in shoots and roots.