Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robot‐Mediated Communication

Since telepresence robots began entering the US commercial market over a decade ago, telepresence robot-mediated communication (RMC) has become increasingly prevalent and relevant. In this essay, I describe key technological properties of telepresence robots, summarize findings regarding communication and social interaction through such robots, and propose a framework to guide future study of telepresence robot-mediated discourse and language use. In concluding, I reimagine how telepresence robots could be reconceptualized and redesigned, for example, by moving beyond human metaphors to incorporate “superhuman” attributes, and raise questions about the intended and unintended consequences of RMC. WHAT IS ROBOT-MEDIATED COMMUNICATION AND WHY DOES IT MATTER? As robots become increasingly common human helpers and companions, the study of human–robot interaction has surged in fields such as ergonomics, healthcare, education, and human–computer interaction. This includes interest in how people communicate with and through robots that are teleoperated by humans, or what in this essay is referred to as robot-mediated communication (RMC). RMC is human–human communication in which at least one party is telepresent through voice, video, and motion in physical space via a remotely controlled robot (Herring, 2015). 1 Sometimes described as “videoconferencing onwheels” (Desai, Tsui, Yanco, Uhlik, 2011), RMCadds to real-time audio and video the ability of a person to navigate and move about in a remote physical location embodied as, or through the proxy of, a robot.2 Because of the embodiment and enhanced control that they offer, particularly in terms of 1. Some categories of remotely operated robots, such as teleoperated service robots, robotic toys, and androids, typically do not include video. These are not considered to be RMC platforms in this essay. 2. RMC is sometimes referred to as embodied video-mediated communication (eVMC; Tsui, Desai, &Yanco, 2012). Alternate names for telepresence robots that can be found in the literature include personal roving presence (ProP; Paulos & Canny, 1998), mobile remote presence (MRP; e.g., Takayama & Go, 2012), and mobile robotic telepresence (MRP; Kristoffersson, Coradeschi, & Loutfi, 2013). Emerging Trends in the Social and Behavioral Sciences. Robert Scott and Marlis Buchmann (General Editors) with Stephen Kosslyn (Consulting Editor). © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN 978-1-118-90077-2.
Associations among dehydration, testosterone and stress hormones in terms of body weight loss before competition.

BACKGROUND In weight class sports, such as judo, taekwondo and wrestling, reducing body weight before competitions is common. However, it is recommended that weight loss per week should not exceed 1.5% of total body weight otherwise, athletes' metabolism and endocrine parameters are negatively affected, which will deteriorate their physiology and psychology and thus decrease their performance. The aim of this study was to determine weight loss and hydration levels after weight loss before competitions among the elite wrestlers and to explore the association between hydration levels, and stress and testosterone. METHODS This was an observational study. The study was undertaken with 56 voluntary athletes who participated in wrestling championship. With blood samples taken from the wrestlers, glucose, blood urea nitrogen, sodium (Na), cortisol, prolactin and testosterone hormone analyses were evaluated by a specialist at a biochemical laboratory. RESULTS It was found out that according to plasma osmolarity levels, there were significant differences between those dehydrated and those who maintained euhydration in terms of cortisol and total testosterone levels (P < 0.001). It was detected that an association was present between plasma osmolarity, and cortisol (r = 0.667) and total testosterone levels (r = -0.627) among the elite wrestlers. CONCLUSIONS It was discovered that elite wrestlers were subjected to quick and high level of weight losses before competitions in a very short time (1-5 days). It was seen that their hydration levels differed due to the weight loss, which was explored to be causing acute dehydration among the wrestlers.
Transport mechanisms at the pulmonary mucosa: implications for drug delivery

ABSTRACT Introduction: Over the past years, a significant number of papers have substantiated earlier findings proposing a role for drug transporter proteins in pulmonary drug disposition. Whilst the majority of reports present data from in vitro models, a growing number of publications advance the field by introducing sophisticated ex vivo and in vivo techniques. In a few cases, evidence from clinical studies in human volunteers is complementing the picture. Areas covered: In this review, recent advances in pulmonary drug transporter research are critically evaluated. Transporter expression data in tissues and cell-based in vitro models is summarized and information on transport activity assessed. Novel techniques allowing for better quantification of transporter-related effects following pulmonary delivery are also described. Expert opinion: Different tissue and cell populations of the lung have distinct transporter expression patterns. Whether these patterns are affected by disease, gender and smoking habits requires further clarification. Transporters have been found to have an impact on drug absorption processes, at least in vitro. Recent ex vivo experiments using isolated, perfused lung models, however, suggest that mainly efflux pumps have significant effects on absorption into the pulmonary circulation. Whether these rodent-based ex vivo models predict the human situation is basis for further research.
Willingness to try novel food among Croatian students.

Potrosaci se razlikuju s obzirom na voljnost kusanja nove hrane, neki rado kusaju novu hranu dok su drugi manje voljni ili cak imaju strah od kusanja nove hrane sto zasigurno utjece na svakodnevni odabir hrane. Nespremnost kusanja nove hrane povezana je s konzumacijom jednolike hrane, sto je sa stajalista proizvođaca nove hrane, kao i citave prehrambene industrije nepovoljno. Cilj ovog istraživanja je bio spoznati cimbenike koji utjecu na voljnost kusanja nove hrane među hrvatskim studentima. Provedeno je anketno ispitivanje na uzorku od 709 hrvatskih studenata. Vecina ispitanika su djevojke, u dobi od 22-25 godina, studiraju u Zagrebu, stanuju i odrasli su u gradu te imaju do 1.000, 00 kn mjesecnog džeparca. Gotovo polovica njih voli cesto kusati novu hranu. Jela nacionalnih kuhinja, odnosno iz drugih zemalja ne konzumiraju se cesto među studentskom populacijom, no ispitani studenti koji cesce konzumiraju takva jela vole ucestalije kusati novu hranu. Studenti koji cesce putuju u inozemstvo, skloniji su kusanju nove hrane, kao i studenti na cije konzumiranje hrane snažno utjecu mediji i potrosacki trendovi u konzumiranju hrane. Ispitani studenti koji ne vjeruju novoj hrani ili su vrlo određeni oko toga koju ce hranu jesti rijetko vole kusati novu hranu. Pretpostavka za vecu voljnost kusanja nove hrane je povecanje ponude nove hrane po pristupacnim cijenama, ali i povecanje ponude jela iz drugih zemalja. Također potrebno je omoguciti degustaciju nove hrane na mjestima okupljanja studenata (fakulteti, studentski restorani, studentski centri, supermarketi, gradski trgovi).
Energy contributions of volatile fatty acids from the gastrointestinal tract in various species.

The VFA, also known as short-chain fatty acids, are produced in the gastrointestinal tract by microbial fermentation of carbohydrates and endogenous substrates, such as mucus. This can be of great advantage to the animal, since no digestive enzymes exist for breaking down cellulose or other complex carbohydrates. The VFA are produced in the largest amounts in herbivorous animal species and especially in the forestomach of ruminants. The VFA, however, also are produced in the lower digestive tract of humans and all animal species, and intestinal fermentation resembles that occurring in the rumen. The principal VFA in either the rumen or large intestine are acetate, propionate, and butyrate and are produced in a ratio varying from approximately 75:15:10 to 40:40:20. Absorption of VFA at their site of production is rapid, and large quantities are metabolized by the ruminal or large intestinal epithelium before reaching the portal blood. Most of the butyrate is converted to ketone bodies or CO2 by the epithelial cells, and nearly all of the remainder is removed by the liver. Propionate is similarly removed by the liver but is largely converted to glucose. Although species differences exist, acetate is used principally by peripheral tissues, especially fat and muscle. Considerable energy is obtained from VFA in herbivorous species, and far more research has been conducted on ruminants than on other species. Significant VFA, however, are now known to be produced in omnivorous species, such as pigs and humans. Current estimates are that VFA contribute approximately 70% to the caloric requirements of ruminants, such as sheep and cattle, approximately 10% for humans, and approximately 20-30% for several other omnivorous or herbivorous animals. The amount of fiber in the diet undoubtedly affects the amount of VFA produced, and thus the contribution of VFA to the energy needs of the body could become considerably greater as the dietary fiber increases. Pigs and some species of monkey most closely resemble humans, and current research should be directed toward examining the fermentation processes and VFA metabolism in those species. In addition to the energetic or nutritional contributions of VFA to the body, the VFA may indirectly influence cholesterol synthesis and even help regulate insulin or glucagon secretion. In addition, VFA production and absorption have a very significant effect on epithelial cell growth, blood flow, and the normal secretory and absorptive functions of the large intestine, cecum, and rumen. The absorption of VFA and sodium, for example, seem to be interdependent, and release of bicarbonate usually occurs during VFA absorption. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Resuscitation preferences among patients with severe congestive heart failure: results from the SUPPORT project. Study to Understand Prognoses and Preferences for Outcomes and Risks of Treatments.

BACKGROUND We sought to describe the resuscitation preferences of patients hospitalized with an exacerbation of severe congestive heart failure, perceptions of those preferences by their physicians, and the stability of the preferences. METHODS AND RESULTS Of 936 patients in this study, 215 (23%) explicitly stated that they did not want to be resuscitated. Significant correlates of not wanting to be resuscitated included older age, perception of a worse prognosis, poorer functional status, and higher income. The physician's perception of the patient's preference disagreed with the patient's actual preference in 24% of the cases overall. Only 25% of the patients reported discussing resuscitation preferences with their physician, but discussion of preferences was not significantly associated with higher agreement between the patient and physician. Of the 600 patients who responded to the resuscitation question again 2 months later, 19% had changed their preferences, including 14% of those who initially wanted resuscitation (69 of 480) and 40% of those who initially did not (48 of 120). The physician's perception of the patient's hospital resuscitation preference was correct for 84% of patients who had a stable preference and 68% of those who did not. CONCLUSIONS Almost one quarter of patients hospitalized with severe heart failure expressed a preference not to be resuscitated. The physician's perception of the patient's preference was not accurate in about one quarter of the cases. but communication was not associated with greater agreement between the patient and the physician. A substantial proportion of patients who did not want to be resuscitated changed their minds within 2 months of discharge.
Aligning Strategies, Processes, and it: A Case Study

Abstract Hewlett–Packard Co. developed a framework for aligning business and IT strategy. It has allowed the company to make process changes regardless of the limitations of existing technology and it makes visible the changes new technologies and processes have on each other. Most important, the framework enjoys a high level of commitment from people throughout the organization.
Order of patient entry influences outcome for metastatic renal cell cancer after non‐myeloablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation

Allogeneic transplantation for renal cell carcinoma has shown encouraging preliminary results. We reviewed the published literature to evaluate the impact of patient selection. Most studies did not include information on prognostic factors. We used patient entry rank within individual studies as a novel surrogate for patient selection, motivated by our own experience of an apparent impact of entry rank. One hundred patients were identified from nine studies. Twenty‐six per cent of patients demonstrated either a partial or complete response. Median overall survival was 12·3 months. Grade 2–4 acute graft‐versus‐host disease correlated with an increased likelihood of response (odds ratio: 5·4, 95% confidence interval: 1·6–18·1, P = 0·006) but not survival. Earlier patient entry rank on each trial was associated with a higher probability of response (P = 0·004) and superior survival (P = 0·004). Patient entry rank served as a powerful prognostic factor, suggesting bias in patient selection that evolved over the course of the study. Further studies are warranted to determine the influence of order of patient entry in other early clinical trial settings.
Inhibition of Generation of Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Activity by a CCL19/Macrophage Inflammatory Protein (MIP)-3β Antagonist*

Chemokines constitute a group of over 40 secreted peptides that are important for the control of leukocyte migration both during homeostasis and inflammation. Recent studies have implicated the ligands CCL19 and CCL21 and their receptor, CCR7, in the specific migration of naïve lymphocytes and mature dendritic cells to secondary lymphoid organs during immune homeostasis. However, the role that these molecules play during immune priming is not well understood. In this study, using CCL19(8–83), a novel N-terminal truncation mutant, we have investigated the role of CCL19 in a primary allogeneic immune response, a response of particular relevance to transplant rejection. This antagonist specifically inhibited wild type CCL19-induced chemotaxis and intracellular calcium mobilization without affecting that of CCL21. The treatment of mice with CCL19(8–83) did not globally inhibit the recruitment of cells into lymph nodes; however, it inhibited the generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes toward allogeneic dendritic cells. This is the first evidence that CCL19 plays a role in immune priming.
Contact Lens Case Contamination During Daily Wear of Silicone Hydrogels

Purpose. Contamination of contact lens cases has been associated with the production of adverse responses in the eye during contact lens wear. This study aimed to evaluate the contamination rate and types of microbes contaminating cases during use of contact lens disinfecting solutions and silicone hydrogel lenses. Methods. Two hundred thirty-two participants were allocated to one or more groups. The participants wore one or more of three silicone hydrogel lenses and used one or more of four contact lens disinfecting solutions. Cases were collected after use for 1 month and sent for routine microbial testing. The rate of contamination of cases and the types of microbes contaminating cases were evaluated. Results. Between 76 and 92% of all cases were contaminated. Use of different contact lenses did not affect contamination rate or the types of microbes isolated from cases. Use of AQuify (PHMB as disinfectant) was associated with the highest contamination rate (92%; p = 0.015) of cases for any microbe. Level and type of contamination with use of ClearCare (H2O2) was similar to use of PHMB (polyhexamethylene biguanide)- or Polyquat/Aldox-containing solutions. There was no difference in contamination rate of cases by fungi or Gram-positive bacteria, but for Gram-negative bacteria, use of Opti-Free Express (Polyquat and Aldox as disinfectants) resulted in a lower contamination rate (7% vs. 29 to 45%; p < 0.001). The average number of microbes contaminating a case was significantly less for Opti-Free Express (223 ± 1357 cfu/case) compared with Opti-Free RepleniSH (Polyquat and Aldox as disinfectants; 63,244 ± 140,630 cfu/case; p < 0.001), driven mostly by differences in numbers of Gram-negative bacteria, particularly contamination by Delftia acidovorans in cases exposed to Opti-Free RepleniSH. Conclusions. Different disinfecting solutions used during storage in cases result in different levels of contamination and contamination by different types of microbes. These differences are not simply because of the types of disinfectants used, suggesting that other excipients in, or formulation of, the solution affect contact lens storage case contamination.
A comparison of the inhibitory actions of glycine and GABA on acetylcholine release from the rabbit retina

The inhibition of [3H]acetylcholine (ACh) release from cholinergic amacrine cells by glycine and GABA was studied using an in vivo eyecup preparation in anesthetized rabbits. Glycine (1 mM) had no effect on basal ACh release, but completely blocked the light-evoked release of ACh. Glycine also blocked the strong potentiating effects of picrotoxin (20 μM) normally observed on basal and light-evoked release. Strychnine (20 μM) increased basal release, albeit less than picrotoxin, but partially inhibited and altered the shape of light-evoked responses. Co-perfusion of picrotoxin and strychnine after strychnine application resulted in a larger additional basal increase. However, light-evoked responses were not restored to a control shape and magnitude, or to potentiated levels as with picrotoxin alone, but remained altered and partially inhibited. These results support the concept of a sustained GABA-mediated inhibition of the cholinergic pathway in the intact retina. In contrast, glycine-mediated inhibition of the cholinergic pathway differs, with the present results indicating a significantly smaller sustained inhibition of basal release and a temporal inhibition of light-evoked release. The lack of effect of any of these compounds on kainate-evoked responses indicates that these effects are predominately indirect, possibly on the presynaptic bipolar cell.
Association between decreased pulmonary endothelial cell thrombomodulin and local fibrin deposition in pneumonia

Thrombomodulin (TM) plays an important role in anticoagulation by forming a complex with thrombin, which subsequently activates protein C. TM is inactivated and downregulated by inflammatory cell mediators. This study examined whether bronchopneumonia is associated with changes in TM immunoreactivity, and whether a decrease in TM is accompanied by evidence of hypercoagulability, i.e. local deposition of fibrin. Double antibody staining for TM and fibrin was performed on lung tissue sections from patients who had died of pneumonia and from patients who had died rapidly, secondary to trauma. Inflammatory changes were assessed histologically and immunohistochemically using antibodies against interleukin-1α, tumor necrosis factor-α, and myeloperoxidase. Areas with bronchopneumonia exhibited markedly decreased endothelial TM staining of alveolar walls and small vessels. These changes were associated with prominent fibrin immunoreactivity. Some areas exhibited mild to moderate inflammation with little fibrin deposition and variable amounts of TM in adjacent vessels. This study is the first to relate changes of TM immunoreactivity levels to fibrin deposition in a human disease process. These data may have implications for pulmonary pathophysiology in patients with bronchopneumonia.
Functional Distribution of Right and Left Stellate Innervation to the Ventricles: PRODUCTION OF NEUROGENIC ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHS CHANGES BY UNILATERAL ALTERATION OF SYMPATHETIC TONE

Changes of the electrocardiogram and of ventricular refractory period were measured following either unilateral stellate ganglion stimulation or ablation in the open chest dog preparation. Right stellate ganglionectomy or left stellate stimulation produces prolonged Q-T intervals and increased T-wave amplitude. Left stellate ganglionectomy or right stellate stimulation produces increased T-wave negativity without measurable change in the Q-T interval. The differing patterns of electrocardiographic wave form resulting from changes in sympathetic tone mediated by right and left stellate innervation could be correlated with changes in ventricular refractory period. Following right stellate ganglionectomy, refractory period prolongations were most marked over the anterior ventricular surface; left stellate ganglionectomy produced the greatest prolongation on the posterior surface. Although the right and left stellate innervations of the ventricles overlap, the left stellate influence is predominant over the posterior wall of the ventricles, while right stellate influence dominates the anterior ventricular walls. The electrocardiographic form changes observed following unilateral alteration of sympathetic tone paralleled those electrocardiographic abnormalities seen in patients with lesions of the central nervous system, suggesting a possible functional explanation for these clinical findings.