Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Developing and Evaluating Digital Interventions to Promote Behavior Change in Health and Health Care: Recommendations Resulting From an International Workshop

Devices and programs using digital technology to foster or support behavior change (digital interventions) are increasingly ubiquitous, being adopted for use in patient diagnosis and treatment, self-management of chronic diseases, and in primary prevention. They have been heralded as potentially revolutionizing the ways in which individuals can monitor and improve their health behaviors and health care by improving outcomes, reducing costs, and improving the patient experience. However, we are still mainly in the age of promise rather than delivery. Developing and evaluating these digital interventions presents new challenges and new versions of old challenges that require use of improved and perhaps entirely new methods for research and evaluation. This article discusses these challenges and provides recommendations aimed at accelerating the rate of progress in digital behavior intervention research and practice. Areas addressed include intervention development in a rapidly changing technological landscape, promoting user engagement, advancing the underpinning science and theory, evaluating effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, and addressing issues of regulatory, ethical, and information governance. This article is the result of a two-day international workshop on how to create, evaluate, and implement effective digital interventions in relation to health behaviors. It was held in London in September 2015 and was supported by the United Kingdom’s Medical Research Council (MRC), the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), the Methodology Research Programme (PI Susan Michie), and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation of the United States (PI Kevin Patrick). Important recommendations to manage the rapid pace of change include considering using emerging techniques from data science, machine learning, and Bayesian approaches and learning from other disciplines including computer science and engineering. With regard to assessing and promoting engagement, a key conclusion was that sustained engagement is not always required and that for each intervention it is useful to establish what constitutes “effective engagement,” that is, sufficient engagement to achieve the intended outcomes. The potential of digital interventions for testing and advancing theories of behavior change by generating ecologically valid, real-time objective data was recognized. Evaluations should include all phases of the development cycle, designed for generalizability, and consider new experimental designs to make the best use of rich data streams. Future health economics analyses need to recognize and model the complex and potentially far-reaching costs and benefits of digital interventions. In terms of governance, developers of digital behavior interventions should comply with existing regulatory frameworks, but with consideration for emerging standards around information governance, ethics, and interoperability.
Phase-Coherent Transport in Graphene Quantum Billiards

As an emergent electronic material and model system for condensed-matter physics, graphene and its electrical transport properties have become a subject of intense focus. By performing low-temperature transport spectroscopy on single-layer and bilayer graphene, we observe ballistic propagation and quantum interference of multiply reflected waves of charges from normal electrodes and multiple Andreev reflections from superconducting electrodes, thereby realizing quantum billiards in which scattering only occurs at the boundaries. In contrast to the conductivity of conventional two-dimensional materials, graphene's conductivity at the Dirac point is geometry-dependent because of conduction via evanescent modes, approaching the theoretical value 4e2/πh (where e is the electron charge and h is Planck's constant) only for short and wide devices. These distinctive transport properties have important implications for understanding chaotic quantum systems and implementing nanoelectronic devices, such as ballistic transistors.
Epigenetic mechanisms of gene regulation during mammalian spermatogenesis

The process of spermatogenesis is a unique form of cellular differentiation and is regulated by genetic and epigenetic factors. Recent studies have shown that some epigenetic factors (histone variants and histone modifying enzymes) are exclusively expressed during spermatogenesis; the disruption of these factors leads to spermatogenic defects. Also, during spermatogenesis a key epigenetic process termed meiotic sex chromosomes inactivation (MSCI) occurs; MSCI leads to the inactivation of most genes on the X and Y chromosomes; however, the mechanism of MSCI is distinct from X inactivation in female somatic cells. Furthermore, a new class of non-coding RNAs (i.e., piRNAs) has recently been identified which is exclusively expressed during spermatogenesis. This review discusses recent advances in our understanding of epigenetic mechanisms that operate during spermatogenesis with specific emphasis on histone modifications, MSCI and non-coding RNAs. Finally, we propose that spermatogenesis can be a powerful experimental system to dissect epigenetic mechanisms of gene regulation.
A comparison between standard triple therapy and sequential therapy on eradication of Helicobacter pylori in uremic patients: A randomized clinical trial

Background: The prevalence of peptic ulcer disease in hemodialysis dependent patients is higher than the general population. These patients are also more prone to upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a standard triple therapy with a sequential therapy on Helicobacter pylori eradication in azotemic and hemodialysis patients. Materials and Methods: Forty nine hemodialysis and azotemic patients, naïve to H. pylori treatment, were randomized into two groups to receive either standard triple therapy (pantoprazole 40 mg, amoxicillin 500 mg and clarithromycin 250 mg twice a day for 14 days) or a sequential therapy (pantoprazole 40 mg for 10 days, amoxicillin 500 mg twice a day for the first 5 days and clarithromycin 250 mg + tinidazole 500 mg twice a day just during the second 5 days). H. pylori eradication was evaluated by fecal H. pylori antigen assessment 8 weeks after the treatment. Results: Of 49 patients, 45 patients (21 in triple therapy group and 24 in the sequential group) completed the study. Based on intention to treat analysis, H. pylori eradication rates were 66.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 47.8-85.5%) in standard triple therapy group and 84% (95% CI: 69.6-98.3%) in sequential therapy group (P = 0.34). Per-protocol (PP) eradication rates were (95% CI: 76.2%. 6-89.3%) 54 and 87.5% (95% CI: 68.8-95.5%), respectively (P = 0.32). Conclusion: According to Maastricht III consensus report, the results of our study showed that sequential therapy might be a better choice compared with the standard triple therapy in azotemic and hemodialysis patients Iran. We propose to assess the effects of shorter-duration sequential therapy (less than 10 days) for H. pylori eradication.
Recomendaciones para la confección de un corpus oral válido para el análisis fonético

A menudo se cometen errores en la recogida y tratamiento de datos para la confeccion de un corpus oral, que en ocasiones pueden llegar hasta imposibilitar un posible analisis fonetico posterior. Para evitar esto se proponen en estas paginas una serie de consejos previos relativos a los participantes, a las grabaciones y a las herramientas de construccion del corpus; todo ello con la idea de aconsejar al investigador a la hora de construir un corpus oral. Estos consejos le ayudaran a construir un corpus que permita el analisis fonetico adecuado con los estandares de calidad cientifica actuales.
Age-related increase in xanthine oxidase activity in human plasma and rat tissues

This study assessed the role of xanthine oxidase in vascular ageing. A positive correlation between xanthine oxidase activity and age was found in human plasma. Similar results were found in rat plasma. Xanthine oxidase expression and activity in homogenates from the aortic wall were significantly higher in samples from old rats than in their young counterparts (p<0.01). In rat skeletal muscle homogenates both xanthine oxidase expression and activity showed a similar age-related profile. Superoxide production by xanthine oxidase in aortic rings was higher in aged rats. Uric acid, the final product of xanthine oxidase has been proposed as a risk factor for coronary heart disease and an independent marker of worse prognosis in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic heart failure. These results give a possible explanation for this correlation and underscore the role of xanthine oxidase in ageing.
Do nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs decrease the risk for Alzheimer's disease?

Based on reports that the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may reduce the risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD), we studied the cross-sectional relation between NSAID use and the risk for AD in a population-based study of disease and disability in older people. After controlling for age, education, gender, and use of benzodiazepines, we found a relative risk (RR) for AD of 0.38 (0.15 to 0.95) when comparing NSAID users (n equals 365) to NSAID non-users (n equals 5,893). To address confounding by indication or contraindication, we compared NSAID users with a subset of NSAID non-users who were using topical medication for ear, eye, or dermatologic conditions (n equals 365). In this comparison, the adjusted RR for AD was 0.54 (0.16 to 1.78). These findings are compatible with a possible protective effect of NSAIDs on the risk for AD.
Vom gymnasialen Schwerpunktfach zum Studienfach : bringt ein fachverwandtes Studium mehr Studienerfolg als ein fachfremdes?

Das wissenschaftspropadeutische Lernen in den gymnasialen Schwerpunktfachern soll zu einer vertieften Vorbereitung auf verwandte Studienrichtungen in den Hochschulen fuhren. Inwiefern eine Verwandtschaft von Schwerpunkt- und Studienfach auch Effekte auf Studienerfolg hat, wird im Beitrag anhand einer Stichprobe von ca. 1100 Deutschschweizer Studierenden untersucht. Es zeigt sich, dass Personen, die Facher studieren, welche inhaltlich ihren Schwerpunktfachern ahneln, im Durchschnitt keine besseren Studienleistungen erbringen als Studierende, die ein dem Schwerpunktfach fremdes Studium absolvieren. Die Ergebnisse werden vor dem Hintergrund des gymnasialen Ziels der allgemeinen Studierfahigkeit diskutiert.
Clinical and molecular research of neuroacanthocytosis★

Neuroacanthocytosis is an autosomal recessive or dominant inherited disease characterized by widespread, non-specific nervous system symptoms, or spiculated “acanthocytic” red blood cells. The clinical manifestations typically involve chorea and dystonia, or a range of other movement disorders. Psychiatric and cognitive symptoms may also be present. The two core neuroacanthocytosis syndromes, in which acanthocytosis is atypical, are autosomal recessive chorea-acanthocytosis and X-linked McLeod syndrome. Acanthocytes are found in a smaller proportion of patients with Huntington's disease-like 2 and pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration. Because the clinical manifestations are diverse and complicated, in this review we present features of inheritance, age of onset, neuroimaging and laboratory findings, as well as the spectrum of central and peripheral neurological abnormalities and extraneuronal involvement to help distinguish the four specific syndromes.
Characteristics of Sub-100 nm High-k Gate Dielectrics MOSFETs With Different Source / Drain Structure

The characteristics of a typical 70nm high K gate dielectrics MOSFET with different source/drain structure including S/D lift-up structure are simulated by two dimensional device simulator. The impact of FIBL effect the gate dielectric permikttivity increasing to the characteristics of MOSFET is investigated. The simulation results shows that the degradation of MOSFET characteristics can be suppress by change the structure of source/drain such as gate offset and S/D lift-up.
A Non-AUG Translational Initiation Event Generates Novel WT1 Isoforms (*)

The Wilms' tumor (WT) suppressor gene, WT1, is mutated in a small set of WTs and is essential for proper development of the urogenital system. The gene has three sites of transcriptional initiation and produces mRNA transcripts containing 5′-untranslated regions of more than 350 nucleotides. The mRNA, through two alternative splicing events, is predicted to direct the synthesis of four protein isoforms with molecular masses of 47-49 kDa. In this report, we identify and characterize novel WT1 protein isoforms having predicted molecular masses of 54-56 kDa. Mutational analysis of the murine wt1 mRNA demonstrates that the novel isoforms are the result of translation initiation at a CUG codon 204 bases upstream of and in frame with the initiator AUG. We show that these isoforms are present in both normal murine tissue and in WTs. Like WT1, the larger isoforms localize to the cell nucleus and are capable of mediating transcriptional repression. Our results indicate that regulation of WT1 gene expression is more complex than previously suspected and have important implications for normal and abnormal urogenital system development.
Tourism Market Heterogeneity in Romanian Urban Destinations: The Case of Brasov

This paper is set on the context of tourism marketing and it investigates the concept of segmentation as an important tool in the management of urban tourism destinations. Segmentation presumes the existence of heterogeneity among customers in the market, and has received considerable support within the tourism literature while urban tourism has been the object of intensive research for several years. Based on a quantitative research, the present study, aims to provide a deeper insight into the typology of tourists visiting Romanian urban tourism destinations, with a focus on the city of Brasov. The survey reveals that the studied sample can be grouped into different clusters according to their socio-demographic and travel characteristics. As the results demonstrate that each of the identified tourists segments has different profiles, the implications for destination management are discussed. Recommendations are also highlighted in order to assist destination managers to formulate marketing strategies adapted to the different market segments, aiming to better position Brasov as an urban destination on the competitive national and international market.
Novel Methods in the Study of the Breast Cancer Genome: Towards a Better Understanding of the Disease of Breast Cancer

Rapidly developing sequencing technologies and bioinformatic approacheshave provided us with an unprecedented instrument allowing for an unbiased and exhaustive characterization of the cancer genome in genetic, epigenetic and transcriptomic dimensions. This review introduces recent excitingfindings and new methodologies in genomic breast cancer research. With this development, cancer genome research will illuminate new delicate interactionsbetween molecular networks and thereby unravelthe underlying biological mechanisms for cancer initiation and progression. It also holds promise for providing a molecular clock for the estimation of the temporal processes of tumorigenesis. These methods in combination with single cell sequencing will make it possible to construct a family tree elucidating the evolutionary lineage relationships between cell populations at single-cell resolution. The anticipatedrapid progress in genomic breast cancer research should lead to anenhanced understanding of breast cancer biology andguide us towardsnovel ways to ultimatelyprevent and cure breast cancer.
Analyzing time-course gene expression data using profile-state hidden Markov model

More and more gene expression data are available due to the rapid development of high-throughput experimental techniques such as microarray and next generation sequencing (NGS). The gene expression data analysis is still one of the fundamental tasks in bioinformatics. In this paper, we propose a new profile-state hidden Markov model (HMM) for analyzing time-course gene expression data, which gives a new point of view to explain the variation of gene expression and regulation in different time. This model addresses the bicluster problem in time-course data efficiently and can identify the irregular shape and overlapping biclusters. The comprehensive computational experiments on simulated and real data show that the new method is effective and useful.
Design and testing of full-scale 10 kV prototype of inductive fault current limiter with a common core and trifilar windings

Fault Current Limiters (FCLs) are expected to play an important role in protection of future power systems against excessive fault currents. Inductive saturated-core FCLs have supreme performance in comparison to other FCLs types: inherent reaction on a fault, inherent post-fault recovery and unrestricted duration of a fault limiting period. However, they are not commercialized due to too large amount of magnetic material. The new three-phase FCL topology with a common core and trifilar windings is recently introduced [1]. It considerably reduces the amount of FCL magnetic material and the associated FCL cost. To prove the concept and to demonstrate the FCL ability to protect the power system, the full-scale 10 kV/6.8 MVA FCL prototype is designed and built. The testing is divided in two stages: low-voltage 400 V and full-voltage 10 kV testing. This paper presents the obtained results from the low-voltage testing. The experimental results verified that the FCL can successfully limit a fault current. The comparison with the Finite Element (FE) simulation results is provided. The matching of the results is very good.
Contribution of PDZD8 to Stabilization of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Capsid

ABSTRACT Following human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) entry into the host cell, the viral capsid gradually disassembles in a process called uncoating. A proper rate of uncoating is important for reverse transcription of the HIV-1 genome. Host restriction factors such as TRIM5α and TRIMCyp bind retroviral capsids and cause premature disassembly, leading to blocks in reverse transcription. Other host factors, such as cyclophilin A, stabilize the HIV-1 capsid and are required for efficient infection in some cell types. Here, we show that a heat-labile factor greater than 100 kDa in the cytoplasm of cells from multiple vertebrate species slows the spontaneous disassembly of HIV-1 capsid-nucleocapsid (CA-NC) complexes in vitro. We identified the PDZ domain-containing protein 8 (PDZD8) as a critical component of the capsid-stabilizing activity in the cytoplasmic extracts. PDZD8 has been previously reported to bind the HIV-1 Gag polyprotein and to make a positive contribution to the efficiency of HIV-1 infection (M. S. Henning, S. G. Morham, S. P. Goff, and M. H. Naghavi, J. Virol. 84:8990–8995, 2010, doi:10.1128/JVI.00843–10). PDZD8 knockdown accelerated the disassembly of HIV-1 capsids in infected cells, resulting in decreased reverse transcription. The PDZD8 coiled-coil domain is sufficient for HIV-1 capsid binding, but other parts of the protein, including the PDZ domain, are apparently required for stabilizing the capsid and supporting HIV-1 infection. In summary, PDZD8 interacts with and stabilizes the HIV-1 capsid and thus represents a potentially targetable host cofactor for HIV-1 infection. IMPORTANCE After human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gains access to the interior of the target cell, host cell factors can influence virus infection in either a positive or negative way. HIV-1 depends upon certain host cell factors to assist processes that are required for virus replication. One example of such a host factor is PDZD8. This work shows that PDZD8 helps to stabilize the HIV-1 capsid, a huge complex of the viral RNA, enzymes, and protein. When PDZD8 is prevented from interacting with the HIV-1 capsid, the capsid becomes unstable and HIV-1 infection is inhibited. These results show that PDZD8 regulates the uncoating of the HIV-1 capsid. Interfering with the interaction of PDZD8 and capsid could prove to be a useful strategy for intervening in HIV-1 infection and transmission.
Surface Species Formed by the Adsorption and Dissociation of Water Molecules on a Ru(0001) Surface Containing a Small Coverage of Carbon Atoms Studied by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

The adsorption and dissociation of water on a Ru(0001) surface containing a small amount ({le} 3 %) of carbon impurities was studied by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Various surface species are formed depending on the temperature. These include molecular H{sub 2}O, H{sub 2}O-C complexes, H, O, OH and CH. Clusters of either pure H{sub 2}O or mixed H{sub 2}O-OH species are also formed. Each of these species produces a characteristic contrast in the STM images and can be identified by experiment and by ab initio total energy calculations coupled with STM image simulations. Manipulation of individual species via excitation of vibrational modes with the tunneling electrons has been used as supporting evidence.
Co-Production of Speech and Pointing Gestures in Clear and Perturbed Interactive Tasks: Multimodal Designation Strategies

Designation consists in attracting an interlocutor's attention on a specific object and/or location. It is most often achieved using both speech (e.g., demonstratives) and gestures (e.g., manual pointing). This study aims at analyzing how speech and pointing gestures are co-produced in a semi-directed interactive task involving designation. 20 native speakers of French were involved in a cooperative task in which they provided instructions to a partner for her to reproduce a model she could not see on a grid both of them saw. They had to use only sentences of the form 'The [target word] goes there. '. They did this in two conditions: silence and noise. Their speech and articulatory/hand movements (motion capture) were recorded. The analyses show that the participants' speech features were modified in noise (Lombard effect). They also spoke slower and made more pauses and errors. Their pointing gestures lasted longer and started later showing an adaptation of gesture production to speech. The condition did not influence speech/gesture coordination. The apex (part of the gesture that shows) mainly occurred at the same time as the target word and not as the demonstrative showing that speakers group speech and gesture carrying complementary rather than redundant information.
What Loanwords Tell Us about Spanish (and Spain)

Using one lexicographical tool, the Diccionario Critico Etimologico Castellano e Hispanico (DECH), and two corpora, the HathiTrust’s digital library and the Google Books Ngrams, we tracked the occurrence of thousands of loanwords in Spanish to describe their use, origin, and historical context. In doing so, we used computational methodologies to parse, lemmatize, group, count, and extract the information of all these tools. Results from parsing the etymologies of the DECH dictionary reveal a strong influence of Greek and French on the Spanish lexicon. The results from tracking the occurrence of loanwords in Spanish reveal a clear trend in the use of loanwords over time and support the hypothesis that the lexicon of a language reflects the sociopolitical and sociocultural change that their speakers undergo.