Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Visual behaviour in searching information: A preliminary eye tracking study

Human Computer Interaction (HCI) is a discipline that has progressed to establish a smooth understanding between humans and computers for effective visual searchability, accessibility and usability. With a lot of advances in search engine technology, only a few studies have examined how the results are viewed from the perspective of end users from different regions. The main aim of this research is to investigate and explore whether there are cultural variations in visual search behaviour and eye movements on Search Engine Results Page (SERP) between two different cultures (Arabic and English), using the eye-tracking method in order to provide insights for global implementations of search engines. This research also aims to explore to what extent users with a different language and cultural background differ in their visual search behaviour, performance and satisfaction when they are searching SERP with different layout and tasks. As a preliminary study, a controlled eye-tracking experiment was conducted to explore and evaluate the visual search behaviour of Arabs and English when searching through the Google result Pages. The preliminary results provide new insights into the differences in visual search behaviours and eye movements between participants from the Middle East and the United Kingdom.
Characterization of the binding of a potent, selective, radioiodinated antagonist to the human neurokinin-1 receptor.

We have synthesized a potent, selective, radioiodinated antagonist of the human neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor and have characterized its binding to the cloned receptor expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. (cis)-2-(Diphenylmethyl)-N-[(2-iodophenyl)-methyl]-1- azabicyclo[2.2. 2]octan-3-amine (L-703606) inhibits binding of 125I-Tyr8-substance P to the human NK1 receptor with an IC50 of 2 nM. This compound is a competitive antagonist of substance P-induced inositol phosphate generation, with a Kb of 29 nM. [125I]L-703606 binds to a single class of high affinity binding sites in human NK1/Chinese hamster ovary cell membranes (Kd = 0.3 nM). Substance P inhibits the binding of [125I]L-703606 to 65% of the NK1 receptor sites with a Kd of 0.04 +/- 0.03 nM and to the remaining 35% of the sites with a Kd of 1.5 +/- 0.7 nM. Addition of the nonhydrolyzable GTP analog guanylyl-5'-(beta, gamma-imido)diphosphate [Gpp(NH)p] shifts greater than 90% of the binding sites to the lower affinity state. In addition, Gpp(NH)p markedly alters the dissociation of substance P from the NK1 receptor by increasing the number of sites in the low affinity, rapidly dissociating state. However, Gpp(NH)p does not affect the rate of dissociation of [125I]L-703606. These data suggest that the pharmacological properties of [125I]L-703606 binding to the human NK1 receptor are similar to those of antagonists of nonpeptide guanine nucleotide-binding protein-coupled receptors and that this ligand will be useful for the biochemical and pharmacological characterization of the human NK1 receptor.
The production of macrophage inflammatory protein‐2 induced by soluble intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 in mouse astrocytes is mediated by src tyrosine kinases and p42/44 mitogen‐activated protein kinase

Severe traumatic brain injury stimulates the release of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (sICAM‐1) into CSF. Studies in cultured mouse astrocytes suggest that sICAM‐1 induces the production of macrophage inflammatory protein‐2 (MIP‐2). In the present study, we investigated the underlying mechanisms for MIP‐2 induction. sICAM‐1 induced MIP‐2 in astrocytes lacking membrane‐bound ICAM‐1, indicating that its action is due to heterophilic binding to an undescribed receptor rather than homophilic binding to surface ICAM‐1. Signal transduction may be mediated by src tyrosine kinases, as the src tyrosine kinase inhibitors herbimycin A and PP2 abolished MIP‐2 induction by sICAM‐1. Phosphorylation of p42/44 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK), but not of p38 MAPK, occurred further downstream, as evidenced by western blot analysis combined with the use of herbimycin A and specific MAPK inhibitors. By contrast, induction of MIP‐2 by tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) involved both p42/44 MAPK and p38 MAPK. Following stimulation with either sICAM‐1 or TNF‐α, astrocyte supernatants promoted chemotaxis of human neutrophils and incubation of these supernatants with anti‐MIP‐2 antibodies more efficiently suppressed the migration induced by sICAM‐1 than by TNF‐α. These results show that sICAM‐1 induces the production of biologically active MIP‐2 in astrocytes by heterophilic binding to an undefined receptor and activation of src tyrosine kinases and p42/44 MAPK.
A physiological role for oxalic acid biosynthesis in the wood-rotting basidiomycete Fomitopsis palustris

A metabolic mechanism for oxalic acid biosynthesis in the wood-rotting basidiomycete Fomitopsis palustris has been proposed on the basis of biochemical analyses of glucose metabolism. There was a strong correlation between glucose consumption and oxalate production. Oxalic acid was found to accumulate in the culture fluid in about 80% of the theoretical yield or about 5-fold, on the basis of the fungal biomass harvested. The results clearly indicate that glucose was not completely oxidized to CO2 by the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle but converted mainly to oxalate. The determination of the 12 enzymes concerned has revealed the occurrence of the unprecedented metabolic coupling of the TCA and glyoxylate cycles that support oxalate biosynthesis. In this metabolic system, isocitrate lyase (EC 4.1.3.1), together with oxaloacetase (EC 3.7.1.1), was found to play a pivotal role in yielding oxalate from oxaloacetate via the acetate-recycling routes. Moreover, malate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.37), with an extraordinarily high activity among the enzymes tested, was shown to play an important role in generating NADH by oxidation of malate to oxaloacetate. Thus, it is proposed that the wood-rotting basidiomycete acquires biochemical energy by oxidizing glucose to oxalate.
Sites of Action and Active Forms of Lidocaine and Some Derivatives on Cardiac Purkinje Fibers

We have compared the effects of lidocaine (L) to those of several derivatives in an attempt to determine the sites of action and active forms of the molecules. We studied cardiac Purkinje fibers with intracellular microelectrodes, and drugs were administered by supervision or by iontophoretic intracellular injection. We compared to L the effects of QX-314 and QX-572, two quaternary derivatives, and also compound 6603, a tertiary analogue with a pKa of 9.81. When administered by supervision in concentrations of 10∼5 and 10′4 M, all four agents exerted qualitatively similar effects on the transmembrane action potential. The rate of onset of action of the quaternary derivatives was considerably slower than that of L and their actions were not reversed by supervision for 1 hour with drug-free solution. Comparison of effects of L and QX-314 after intracellular injection showed that attenuation of Vmu, and thus of the fast inward current, results from interaction of the charged form acting from the inner surface of the sarcolemma. After intracellular injection, QX-314 diffused readily along the long axis of fiber bundles, and it was thus possible to expose the inner surface of a large number of contiguous cells to drug. Comparison of results of extracellular and intracellular application suggests that effects on the voltage during phase 2 result from the charged form acting from the inner surface, but effects on total action potential duration result only from drug acting from the outer surface of the sarcolemma. Unlike L, the three derivatives did not decrease the slope of normal phase 4 depolarization. The results may help relate antiarrhythmic action to specific effects on transmembrane potentials.
The Epstein-Barr Virus Oncoprotein Latent Membrane Protein 1 Engages the Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Proteins TRADD and Receptor-Interacting Protein (RIP) but Does Not Induce Apoptosis or Require RIP for NF-κB Activation

ABSTRACT A site in the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) transforming protein LMP1 that constitutively associates with the tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1)-associated death domain protein TRADD to mediate NF-κB and c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation is critical for long-term lymphoblastoid cell proliferation. We now find that LMP1 signaling through TRADD differs from TNFR1 signaling through TRADD. LMP1 needs only 11 amino acids to activate NF-κB or synergize with TRADD in NF-κB activation, while TNFR1 requires ∼70 residues. Further, LMP1 does not require TRADD residues 294 to 312 for NF-κB activation, while TNFR1 requires TRADD residues 296 to 302. LMP1 is partially blocked for NF-κB activation by a TRADD mutant consisting of residues 122 to 293. Unlike TNFR1, LMP1 can interact directly with receptor-interacting protein (RIP) and stably associates with RIP in EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines. Surprisingly, LMP1 does not require RIP for NF-κB activation. Despite constitutive association with TRADD or RIP, LMP1 does not induce apoptosis in EBV-negative Burkitt lymphoma or human embryonic kidney 293 cells. These results add a different perspective to the molecular interactions through which LMP1, TRADD, and RIP participate in B-lymphocyte activation and growth.
Improving cardiac reprogramming for heart regeneration

Purpose of reviewCardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the world today, and the death rate has remained virtually unchanged in the last 20 years (American Heart Association). This severe life-threatening disease underscores a critical need for developing novel therapeutic strategies to effectively treat this devastating disease. Cell-based therapy represents an extremely promising approach. Generation of induced cardiomyocytes (iCMs) directly from fibroblasts offers an attractive novel strategy for in-situ heart regeneration. Major challenges of iCM reprogramming include the low conversion rate and heterogeneity of the iCMs. This review will summarize the major advancements in improving the iCM reprogramming efficiency and iCM maturation. Recent findingsNumerous studies have been published in the past 18 months to describe various strategies for achieving more efficient iCM reprogramming. These strategies are based on our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of cardiogenesis, which include transcriptional networks, signaling pathways and epigenetic cell fate change. SummaryNovel strategies for highly efficient iCM reprogramming will be required for applying iCM reprogramming to patients. Creative and combined methods based on our understanding of cardiogenesis will continue to contribute heavily in the advancement of iCM reprogramming. We are highly optimistic that iCM reprogramming-based heart therapy will restore the pumping function of damaged patient hearts.
Global challenges and developmental lessons in the knowledge sharing economy

The untapped value of intangible assets is highlighted by both scholars and experts in the sharing economy (Botsman, 2014; Nielson, 2014). One of the most outstanding intangible assets of the sharing economy movement, that gathers “idle” knowledge, experiences, and skills, and redistributes through social network-based online services (Finley, 2013), is known as the knowledge sharing economy (KSE). Research shows that 26% of global participants are willing to take part in the enormous potential market of the KSE (Nielsen, 2014). And according to the State Information Center of China, the transaction volume of China’s KSE is growing at a speed of 205% (SIC, 2017), which indicates a fast-growing market that is hard to be ignored. The nascent KSE can be distinguished from the previous forms of knowledge sharing by its main feature of e-commerce (i.e., buying and selling). The untapped knowledge, which is owned by most people, used to be regarded as a public good only for nonprofit exchange. However, in the KSE, the commodity attribute of knowledge is emphasized. Individuals who provide their personal “idle” knowledge are expected to receive not only social returns (e.g., reputation) and access to rich public resources, but also monetary compensation. As the notion of “paying for knowledge” is gradually being accepted by consumers, large number of knowledge vendors are pouring into the KSE market. This is happening globally all over the world. The performance of companies, such as Quora Knowledge Prize (United States), Skillshare (United States.), Zhihu (China), and IGet (China), are redefining the way knowledge is shared in the global market. In the following sections, the challenges in the global KSE are described. Lessons and research opportunities are discussed next.
Effect of increasing dietary fiber on plasma levels of colon-derived solutes in hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Numerous uremic solutes are derived from the action of colon microbes. Two such solutes, indoxyl sulfate and p-cresol sulfate, have been associated with adverse outcomes in renal failure. This study tested whether increasing dietary fiber in the form of resistant starch would lower the plasma levels of these solutes in patients on hemodialysis. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS Fifty-six patients on maintenance hemodialysis were randomly assigned to receive supplements containing resistant starch (n=28) or control starch (n=28) daily for 6 weeks in a study conducted between October 2010 and May 2013. Of these, 40 patients (20 in each group) completed the study and were included in the final analysis. Plasma indoxyl sulfate and p-cresol sulfate levels were measured at baseline and week 6. RESULTS Increasing dietary fiber for 6 weeks significantly reduced the unbound, free plasma level of indoxyl sulfate (median -29% [25th percentile, 75th percentile, -56, -12] for fiber versus -0.4% [-20, 34] for control, P=0.02). The reduction in free plasma levels of indoxyl sulfate was accompanied by a reduction in free plasma levels of p-cresol sulfate (r=0.81, P<0.001). However, the reduction of p-cresol sulfate levels was of lesser magnitude and did not achieve significance (median -28% [-46, 5] for fiber versus 4% [-28, 36] for control, P=0.05). CONCLUSIONS Increasing dietary fiber in hemodialysis patients may reduce the plasma levels of the colon-derived solutes indoxyl sulfate and possibly p-cresol sulfate without the need to intensify dialysis treatments. Further studies are required to determine whether such reduction provides clinical benefits.
Robotic Low Anterior Resection for Rectal Cancer: A National Perspective on Short-term Oncologic Outcomes

Objective: This study examines short-term outcomes and pathologic surrogates of oncologic results among patients undergoing robotic versus laparoscopic low anterior resection for rectal cancer. A total of 6403 patients met inclusion criteria. Although the robotic approach required significantly fewer conversions to open, surrogates for proper oncologic surgery were nearly identical between the 2 approaches. Background: Although laparoscopic low anterior resection (LLAR) has gained popularity as an acceptable approach, the robotic low anterior resection (RLAR) remains largely unproven. We compared short-term oncologic outcomes between rectal cancer patients undergoing either RLAR or LLAR. Study Design: All patients with rectal cancer in the National Cancer Data Base undergoing RLAR or LLAR from 2010 to 2011 were included. Predictors of RLAR were modeled with multivariable logistic regression. Groups were matched on propensity to undergo RLAR. Primary endpoints included lymph node retrieval and margin status, whereas secondary 30-day outcomes were mortality, hospital length of stay (LOS), and unplanned readmission rates. Results: A total of 6403 patients met inclusion criteria, of which 956 (14.9%) underwent RLAR. RLAR patients were more likely to be treated at academic centers, receive neoadjuvant therapy, and have higher T-stage and longer time to surgery (all P < 0.001). Neoadjuvant therapy and treatment at an academic/research center remained the only significant predictors of robotic use after multivariable adjustment. After propensity matching, RLAR was associated with lower conversion (9.5 vs 16.4%, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in lymph node retrieval, margin status, 30-day mortality, readmission, or hospital LOS. Conclusions: In this largest series to date, we demonstrated equivalent perioperative safety and patient outcomes for robotic compared to LLAR in the setting of rectal cancer. Although the robotic approach required significantly fewer conversions to open, surrogates for proper oncologic surgery were nearly identical between the 2 approaches, suggesting that a robotic approach may be a suitable alternative. Further studies comparing long-term cancer recurrence and survival should be performed.
An improved exemplar-based image repairing algorithm

Image inpainting is a technique to repair the damaged part of images or to remove unwanted artificial post-production effects on them. The image after inpainting should be restored to a state which looks like it has never been altered before. In this paper, we proposed an image inpainting technique with a simple mechanism to divide patches of an image into different priority levels. While most literature works need to inpaint these levels in a restricted order, we implemented a scheduling mechanism which frees up the inpainting process from this rigid repair order, allowing for better performances.
Design of an ultra wideband bandpass filter by using microstrip spur-line and ring shaped DGS with improved out of band response

This paper presents an Ultra Wideband (UWB) microstrip Bandpass Filter (BPF) using spur-line and ring shaped Defected Ground Structure (DGS) with improved out of band rejection. This microstip UWB provides a 3 dB bandwidth from 3.1 GHz to 10.6 GHz, with centre frequency of 6.85 GHz. The attenuation band has been improved using cascaded step-impedance ladder type L-C Low pass filter (LPF) in addition to main ultra wideband filter structure. The final response provides an UWB with a negligible passband insertion loss around the midband. This structure also provides good sharpness factor in the rising edge and falling edge of 10.33 dB/GHz and 18.34 dB/GHz respectively, and attenuation greater than 20 dB up to 32.5 GHz outside the passband.
Skeletal maturation evaluation using mandibular second molar calcification stages.

OBJECTIVE To investigate (1) the relationships between the stages of mandibular second molar calcification and skeletal maturity; and (2) whether second molar calcification stages can be used as a reliable diagnostic tool to determine skeletal maturity. MATERIALS AND METHODS Samples were derived from panoramic radiographs and lateral cephalograms of 300 subjects (137 males and 163 females) with ages ranging from 9 to 18 years, and estimates of dental maturity (Demirjian Index [DI]) and skeletal maturity (cervical vertebrae maturation indicators [CVMI]) were made. RESULTS A highly significant association (C* = 0.854 for males and 0.866 for females) was found between DI and CVMI. DI stage E corresponded to stage 2 of CVMI (pre-peak of pubertal growth spurt) and DI stages F and G corresponded to stages 3 and 4 of CVMI (peak of pubertal growth spurt). DI stage H was associated with stages 5 and 6 of CVMI (end of pubertal growth spurt). CONCLUSION A highly significant association exists between DI and CVMI. Mandibular second molar DI stages are reliable indicators of skeletal maturity.
Relationship between development of intramuscular connective tissue and toughness of pork during growth of pigs.

We investigated changes in structures and properties of the endomysium and perimysium during development of semitendinosus muscle in relation to the increase in toughness of pork using samples from neonates to 55-mo-old pigs. The shear force value of pork increased linearly until 6 mo of age, and the rate of increase slowed down thereafter. The secondary perimysium thickened owing to an increase in the number and thickness of perimysial sheets consisting of collagen fibers, which became thicker and wavy with the growth of the pigs. This increase in thickness of the secondary perimysium was correlated significantly with the increase in the shear force value (r = .98). The endomysial sheaths became thicker and denser in the muscle of 6-mo-old pigs. Maturation of the endomysium was accompanied by hypertrophy of muscle fibers. The amount of heat-soluble collagen decreased almost linearly, indicating that nonreducible cross-links between collagen molecules were formed throughout chronological aging. We conclude that thickening of the perimysium is closely related to an increase in the toughness of pork during growth of pigs.
Distinct mechanisms are utilized to induce stress sensor gadd45b by different stress stimuli

The GADD45 family of proteins consists of three small proteins, GADD45A, GADD45B, and GADD45G, implicated in modulating the cellular response to genotoxic/physiological stressors. Despite similarities in sequence, structure and function, each gadd45 gene is induced differentially by different stress stimuli. Studies on stress‐mediated induction of the gadd45 genes have predominantly focused on gadd45a, with knowledge of gadd45b and gadd45g regulation lacking. To generate a more complete understanding of the regulation of gadd45 genes, a comprehensive analysis of stress‐mediated induction of human gadd45b has been carried out using human RKO colorectal carcinoma cells as a model system. Novel data indicate that gadd45b induction in RKO cells is regulated by distinct mechanisms in a stress‐specific manner. Methylmethane sulfonate (MMS), a DNA alkylating agent, induces gadd45b transcription through a cohort of both constitutive and inducible bound factors, including NFY, Sp1 and Egr1. In contrast, in a hyperosmotic environment generated with sorbitol, gadd45b mRNA is induced exclusively by mRNA stabilization. These findings indicate that the stress‐mediated induction of gadd45b is largely distinct from gadd45a. Furthermore, data obtained provide a novel paradigm for stress–response gene induction, indicating that gadd45b induction by distinct stressors, in the same cell type and under the same experimental settings, is differentially regulated at the level of mRNA transcription or mRNA stability. Importantly, this study also provides the groundwork to further examine the regulation of gadd45b expression in in vivo settings using animal models and tissues obtained from normal individuals and cancer patients prior to and after chemotherapeutic intervention. J. Cell. Biochem. 108: 1220–1231, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.