Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Online Customer Trust in the Context of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Background: A recent global survey found that almost half of Internet users who never buy online indicated lack of trust as the main reason. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is new legislation expected to provide the opportunity for organizations to improve their customer trust through personal data governance. Few studies explore online customer trust from the GDPR perspective. This study aims to fill this gap by drawing on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Self-Determination Theory (SDT), examining the antecedents of online customer trust from the GDPR perspective. The study also attempts to derive insights about the GDPR that may affect online customer trust, but which to date have little presence in frameworks of the antecedents of online trust. The main research questions are as follows. First, what are the impacts of perceived technology, perceived risks and perceived trustworthiness on online customer trust in the GDPR context? Second, what are the GDPR-specific factors that may affect online customer trust? Method: This positivist study used a survey strategy with a deductive approach to investigate the research questions. A questionnaire was designed for primary data collection as the basis for quantitative data analysis. Results: Data analysis confirmed that several GDPR-related trust antecedents – perceived security, perceived third-party assurance and perceived openness – are positively associated with online customer trust. This study offers new insights into the SDT adaptation that suggest the value of motivation theory for trust research in the GDPR context. This study also generates insights about the GDPR that may affect online customer trust. Conclusions: This study suggests that the GDPR plays a significant role in online customer trust by bringing about stronger rights and more transparency for online customers. Both the confirmation and insights are a contribution that can lead seemingly old-fashioned trust antecedents into a new application.
A MapReduce Algorithm for Metric Anonymity Problems

We focus on two metric clusterings namely r-gather and (r, )-gather. The objective of r-gather is to minimize the radius of clustering, such that each cluster has at least r points. (r, )-gather is a version of r-gather clustering with the extra condition that at most n points can be left unclustered (outliers). MapReduce is a model used for processing big data. In each round, it distributes data to multiple servers, then simultaneously processes each server’s data. We prove a lower bound 2 on the approximation factor of metric r-gather in MapReduce model, even if an optimal algorithm for r-gather exists. Then, we give a (3+ )-approximation algorithm for r-gather in MapReduce which runs in O( 1 ) rounds. Also, for (r, )-gather, we give a (7 + )-approximation algorithm which runs in O( 1 ) MapReduce rounds.
Computing Feasible Trajectories for an Articulated Probe in Three Dimensions

Consider an input consisting of a set of $n$ disjoint triangular obstacles in $\mathbb{R}^3$ and a target point $t$ in the free space, all enclosed by a large sphere $S$ of radius $R$ centered at $t$. An articulated probe is modeled as two line segments $ab$ and $bc$ connected at point $b$. The length of $ab$ can be equal to or greater than $R$, while $bc$ is of a given length $r \leq R$. The probe is initially located outside $S$, assuming an unarticulated configuration, in which $ab$ and $bc$ are collinear and $b \in ac$. The goal is to find a feasible (obstacle-avoiding) probe trajectory to reach $t$, with the condition that the probe is constrained by the following sequence of moves -- a straight-line insertion of the unarticulated probe into $S$, possibly followed by a rotation of $bc$ at $b$ for at most $\pi/2$ radians, so that $c$ coincides with $t$. We prove that if there exists a feasible probe trajectory, then a set of extremal feasible trajectories must be present. Through careful case analysis, we show that these extremal trajectories can be represented by $O(n^4)$ combinatorial events. We present a solution approach that enumerates and verifies these combinatorial events for feasibility in overall $O(n^{4+\epsilon})$ time using $O(n^{4+\epsilon})$ space, for any constant $\epsilon > 0$. The enumeration algorithm is highly parallel, considering that each combinatorial event can be generated and verified for feasibility independently of the others. In the process of deriving our solution, we design the first data structure for addressing a special instance of circular sector emptiness queries among polyhedral obstacles in three dimensional space, and provide a simplified data structure for the corresponding emptiness query problem in two dimensions.
Ethnobotanical studies on medicinal plant: Gokhru (Tribulus terrestris)

Tribulus terrestris is a straggling spreading shrub found throughout India. Different parts of Gokhru are used to cure various diseases. The seeds are considered as tonic and aphrodisiac in How Peh and Ho-Nan provinces. The plant is used as remedy for rheumatism in South Africa. The fruit is used for cough, liver and urinary complaints in Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Monitoring global changes in chromatin compaction states upon localized DNA damage with tools of fluorescence anisotropy

In the eukaryotic nucleus, DNA, packaged in the form of chromatin, is subject to continuous damage. Chromatin has to be remodeled in order to repair such damage efficiently. But compact chromatin may also be more refractory to damage. Chromatin responses during DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair have been studied with biochemistry or as indirect readouts for the physical state of the chromatin at the site of damage. Direct measures of global chromatin compaction upon damage are lacking. We used fluorescence anisotropy imaging of histone H2B-EGFP to interrogate global chromatin compaction changes in response to localized DSBs directly. Anisotropy maps were preserved in fixation and reported on underlying chromatin compaction states. Laser-induced clustered DSBs led to global compaction of even the undamaged chromatin. Live-cell dynamics could be coupled with fixed-cell assays. Repair factors, PARP1 and PCNA, were immediately recruited to the site of damage, though the local enrichment of PCNA persisted longer than that of PARP1. Subsequently, nodes of PCNA that incorporated deoxynucleotide analogs were observed in regions of low-anisotropy open chromatin, even away from the site of damage. Such fluorescence anisotropy–based readout of chromatin compaction may be used in the investigation of different forms of DNA damage.
Changes of Visual Symptoms and Functions in Patients with and without Dry Eye after Lacrimal Passage Obstruction Treatment

ABSTRACT Purpose: To determine the quality of life (QOL) and quality of vision (QOV) of patients who developed and did not develop dry eye disease (DED) after nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) treatment. Methods: This was a retrospective nonrandomized observational study of 91 patients diagnosed with unilateral NLDO. The subjects underwent lacrimal stent insertion, and the stent was removed after 10–12 weeks. The QOL and QOV of the patients were examined preoperatively and at 6 months after the stent was removed. The postoperative outcomes were assessed subjectively with the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) questionnaire and an ocular specific questionnaire of 6 symptoms. The best-corrected visual acuity, functional visual acuity, and dry eye scores were also determined. Results: Of the 91 eyes, 19 eyes (20.9%) were diagnosed with DED (D group) and 72 were not (N group). Five of the 6 symptoms improved in the N group, while only 3 symptoms improved in the D group without blurred vision. For the GBI questionnaire, the social support and physical health scores were significantly higher in the N group than in the D group. The functional visual acuity improved significantly in the N group but not significantly in the D group. Conclusions: Patients who develop DED after treatments for NLDO may not have an improvement of their QOL or QOV. Therefore, careful dry eye assessments are important before treatments for NLDO.
Impact of dietary intake of resistant starch on obesity and associated metabolic profiles in human: a systematic review of the literature

Abstract As a global public health issue with an increasing prevalence, obesity is related to several metabolic disorders, but is largely preventable. Resistant starch (RS), the indigestible portion of starch, has been studied for its potential effects on reducing obesity. This systematic review aimed to investigate the effect of dietary intake of RS on obesity development and related metabolic profiles in human, including body weight and composition, energy intake and satiety, lipid profiles, blood glucose and insulin, and other blood biomarkers. Eleven peer-reviewed articles published in English between 2000 and 2019 were identified after screening using CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and CINAHL Plus. Based on the results, RS intake had no direct effect on body weight and body composition. Evidence for its effect on reducing energy intake and increasing satiety, as well as improving lipid profiles was inconsistent. Beneficial effects of RS intake on several blood biomarkers were supported, indicating its regulatory roles in blood glucose homeostasis, insulin sensitivity, and gut hormone concentrations. Specifically, five out of the eight articles measuring blood glucose reported a decrease in either fasting or postprandial glucose levels; two out of the three articles measuring insulin sensitivity indicated a significant improvement after RS supplementation; studies measuring gut hormone concentrations including glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), and peptide YY (PYY) also showed significant improvements after RS interventions. In conclusion, the effect of dietary intake of RS on obesity and its related metabolic complications was not conclusive. Further research with larger sample sizes and longer duration is warranted.
Domains and dimensions of community participation following traumatic brain injury

ABSTRACT Primary Objective To examine patterns of community participation, as well as the relationship among community participation outcomes and time since injury, impairments, environmental factors, and enfranchisement in adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Research Design Cross-sectional study of a sample of 61 adults with TBI. Methods and Procedures We administered the Participation Measure- 3 Domains 4 Dimensions to examine community participation in the three domains (productivity, community activities, and social participation) using four dimensions (diversity of activities, frequency, difficulty, and desire for change). Main Results and Outcomes All dimensions of community participation seem to be impaired following TBI, as evidenced by scores in the lower half of the available range. Most impaired was social participation (frequency: M = 10.0, SD = 3.4, possible range 0–24; difficulty: M= 11.3, SD = 3.2, possible range 4–16). Correlational analyses revealed that depression (r = 0.51), environmental factors (r = 0.51), and enfranchisement (r = 0.42), seem to play an important role in community participation outcomes, and may be potential targets for intervention. Results did not vary based on time since injury. Conclusion Our results suggest that depression, environmental factors, and enfranchisement may be important considerations for future interventions aiming to promote management of identified barriers.
Nearwork-induced transient myopia in myopic and non-myopic Indian subjects

This research project investigated the characteristics of near-work induced transient myopia (NITM) in asymptomatic myopes and non-myopes among Indian subjects and its variation with target size and contrast. NITM was defined as the post-task distance refraction minus the pre-task distance refraction. In the first two studies NITM magnitude was greater and the decay was faster among myopes for 5 minutes and 60 minutes of near task respectively. There was no influence of target size and contrast on NITM parameters. In the third study Zernike wave-front co-efficient values were measured using COAS (complete ophthalmic analysis system) before and immediately after 5 minutes of near task to investigate the effect of near task on higher order aberrations among myopes and non myopes. Aberration values did not show significant differences for pre and post 5 minutes of near task. In the fourth study axial length, corneal thickness, AC depth and lens thickness were measured with the Bio-graph (Allegro, wave light) instrument before and immediately after 5 minutes of near task to investigate the influence of near task on biometry readings among myopes and non-myopes. Axial length, corneal thickness, AC depth, lens thickness did not show significant differences following 5 minutes of near task. In the fifth study 31 myopes were recruited to assess the NITM parameters in pre and post Lasik refractive surgery. NITM magnitude was higher in pre-Lasik myopic subjects compared to post-Lasik myopic subjects. Most of the accommodative parameters especially the lag of accommodation and facility of accommodation improved following the surgery.
High prevalence of human papillomavirus and European variants of HPV 16 infecting concomitantly to cervix and oral cavity in HIV positive women

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide, with a high prevalence and high transmissibility. High-risk HPV (hrHPV) infection is the primary cause of cervical cancer. The HPV variants present in the uterine cervix and oral cavity of HIV+ women have not been described. Objective Identify the prevalence of HPV infections in the uterine cervix and oral cavity and HPV16 variants in HIV+ women. Methods A total of 174 HIV+ women attended an HIV+ specialized clinic in Mexico City. Cells were obtained from the oral cavity and cervix to extract DNA. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify the HPV sequence with generic primers. We detected specific HPV types using the INNO-LiPA HPV Genotyping Extra II Kit (INNOGENETICS). The identification of variants was studied by sequencing the E6 gene with a Big Dye Terminator Kit and an Applied Biosystems 3500/3500xL genetic analyzer. Results HPV infection was very high in the uterine cervix (168/174, 96.6%) and oral cavity (161/174, 92.5%). The prevalence of HPV concurrent infections in the cervix and oral cavity was 155/174 (89.1%). We found hrHPVs to be more prevalent than low-risk HPVs (lrHPVs) in the oral cavity (90.2% versus 45.4%) and that infections simultaneously affected the cervix (94.3% versus 36.2%) and oral cavity (85.1% versus 20.1%). Surprisingly, only European variants of HPV type 16 were found in the uterine cervix of women and the oral cavity of all tested samples (52 oral cavity samples and 52 uterine cervix samples). Conclusions The high prevalence of HPV, multiple infections and presence of the EP350G intravariant in both anatomical regions are strongly related to the persistence of the virus, which is fundamental for the development of cancer. Therefore, it is very important to control and monitor this high-risk population as well as implement programs for the early detection of HPV and vaccination.
Metagenomics Reveals a Core Macrolide Resistome Related to Microbiota in Chronic Respiratory Disease

Rationale: Long-term antibiotic use for managing chronic respiratory disease is increasing; however, the role of the airway resistome and its relationship to host microbiomes remains unknown. Objectives: To evaluate airway resistomes and relate them to host and environmental microbiomes using ultradeep metagenomic shotgun sequencing. Methods: Airway specimens from 85 individuals with and without chronic respiratory disease (severe asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and bronchiectasis) were subjected to metagenomic sequencing to an average depth exceeding 20 million reads. Respiratory and device-associated microbiomes were evaluated on the basis of taxonomical classification and functional annotation including the Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database to determine airway resistomes. Co-occurrence networks of gene–microbe association were constructed to determine potential microbial sources of the airway resistome. Paired patient-inhaler metagenomes were compared (n = 31) to assess for the presence of airway–environment overlap in microbiomes and/or resistomes. Measurements and Main Results: Airway metagenomes exhibit taxonomic and metabolic diversity and distinct antimicrobial resistance patterns. A “core” airway resistome dominated by macrolide but with high prevalence of β-lactam, fluoroquinolone, and tetracycline resistance genes exists and is independent of disease status or antibiotic exposure. Streptococcus and Actinomyces are key potential microbial reservoirs of macrolide resistance including the ermX, ermF, and msrD genes. Significant patient-inhaler overlap in airway microbiomes and their resistomes is identified where the latter may be a proxy for airway microbiome assessment in chronic respiratory disease. Conclusions: Metagenomic analysis of the airway reveals a core macrolide resistome harbored by the host microbiome.
Tissue‐selective regulation of protein homeostasis and unfolded protein response signalling in sporadic ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a disorder that affects motor neurons in motor cortex and spinal cord, and the degeneration of both neuronal populations is a critical feature of the disease. Abnormalities in protein homeostasis (proteostasis) are well established in ALS. However, they have been investigated mostly in spinal cord but less so in motor cortex. Herein, we monitored the unfolded protein (UPR) and heat shock response (HSR), two major proteostasis regulatory pathways, in human post‐mortem tissue derived from the motor cortex of sporadic ALS (SALS) and compared them to those occurring in spinal cord. Although the UPR was activated in both tissues, specific expression of select UPR target genes, such as PDIs, was observed in motor cortex of SALS cases strongly correlating with oligodendrocyte markers. Moreover, we found that endoplasmic reticulum‐associated degradation (ERAD) and HSR genes, which were activated predominately in spinal cord, correlated with the expression of neuronal markers. Our results indicate that proteostasis is strongly and selectively activated in SALS motor cortex and spinal cord where subsets of these genes are associated with specific cell type. This study expands our understanding of convergent molecular mechanisms occurring in motor cortex and spinal cord and highlights cell type–specific contributions.
Adverse employment histories, later health functioning and national labor market policies: European findings based on life history data from SHARE and ELSA.

OBJECTIVES We investigate associations between adverse employment histories over an extended time period and health functioning in later life, and explore whether national labor market policies moderate the association. METHODS We use harmonized life history data from the Gateway to Global Aging Data on two European studies (SHARE and ELSA) linked to health beyond age 50 (men= 11,621; women= 10,999). Adverse employment histories consist of precarious, discontinued and disadvantaged careers between age 25 and 50, and we use depressive symptoms, grip strength and verbal memory as outcomes. RESULTS Adverse employment histories between age 25 and 50 are associated with poor health functioning later in life, particularly repeated periods of unemployment, involuntary job losses, weak labor market ties and disadvantaged occupational positions. Associations remain consistent after adjusting for age, partnership history, education and employment situation, and after excluding those with poor health prior to or during working life. We find no variations of the associations by national labor market policies.
ADAMTS19‐associated heart valve defects: Novel genetic variants consolidating a recognizable cardiac phenotype

Recently, ADAMTS19 was identified as a novel causative gene for autosomal recessive heart valve disease (HVD), affecting mainly the aortic and pulmonary valves. Exome sequencing and data repository (CentoMD) analyses were performed to identify patients with ADAMTS19 variants (two families). A third family was recognized based on cardiac phenotypic similarities and SNP array homozygosity. Three novel loss of function (LoF) variants were identified in six patients from three families. Clinically, all patients presented anomalies of the aortic/pulmonary valves, which included thickening of valve leaflets, stenosis and insufficiency. Three patients had (recurrent) subaortic membrane, suggesting that ADAMTS19 is the first gene identified related to discrete subaortic stenosis. One case presented a bi‐commissural pulmonary valve. All patients displayed some degree of atrioventricular valve insufficiency. Other cardiac anomalies included atrial/ventricular septal defects, persistent ductus arteriosus, and mild dilated ascending aorta. Our findings confirm that biallelic LoF variants in ADAMTS19 are causative of a specific and recognizable cardiac phenotype. We recommend considering ADAMTS19 genetic testing in all patients with multiple semilunar valve abnormalities, particularly in the presence of subaortic membrane. ADAMTS19 screening in patients with semilunar valve abnormalities is needed to estimate the frequency of the HVD related phenotype, which might be not so rare.
Performance of a Modified Two-Tiered Testing Enzyme Immunoassay Algorithm for Serologic Diagnosis of Lyme Disease in Nova Scotia

Compared to the standard two-tiered testing (STTT) algorithm for Lyme disease serology using an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) followed by Western blotting, data from the United States suggest that a modified two-tiered testing (MTTT) algorithm employing two EIAs has improved sensitivity to detect early localized Borrelia burgdorferi infections without compromising specificity. From 2011 to 2014, in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, where Lyme disease is hyperendemic, sera submitted for Lyme disease testing were subjected to a whole-cell EIA, followed by C6 EIA and subsequently IgM and/or IgG immunoblots on sera with EIA-positive or equivocal results. ABSTRACT Compared to the standard two-tiered testing (STTT) algorithm for Lyme disease serology using an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) followed by Western blotting, data from the United States suggest that a modified two-tiered testing (MTTT) algorithm employing two EIAs has improved sensitivity to detect early localized Borrelia burgdorferi infections without compromising specificity. From 2011 to 2014, in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, where Lyme disease is hyperendemic, sera submitted for Lyme disease testing were subjected to a whole-cell EIA, followed by C6 EIA and subsequently IgM and/or IgG immunoblots on sera with EIA-positive or equivocal results. Here, we evaluate the effectiveness of the MTTT algorithm compared to the STTT approach in a Nova Scotian population. Retrospective chart reviews were performed on patients testing positive with the whole-cell and C6 EIAs (i.e., the MTTT algorithm). Patients were classified as having Lyme disease if they had a positive STTT result, a negative STTT result but symptoms consistent with Lyme disease, or evidence of seroconversion on paired specimens. Of the 10,253 specimens tested for Lyme disease serology, 9,806 (95.6%) were negative. Of 447 patients who tested positive, 271 charts were available for review, and 227 were classified as patients with Lyme disease. The MTTT algorithm detected 25% more early infections with a specificity of 99.56% (99.41 to 99.68%) compared to the STTT. These are the first Canadian data to show that serology using a whole-cell sonicate EIA followed by a C6 EIA (MTTT) had improved sensitivity for detecting early B. burgdorferi infection with specificity similar to that of two-tiered testing using Western blots.