Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Augmented Reality Interaction Techniques - Design and Evaluation of the Flip-Flop Menu

We present the evaluation of a bimanual augmented reality (AR) interaction technique, and focus on the effect on viewpoint and image reversal on human performance The interaction technique (called flip-flop) allows the user to interact with a 3D object model by using a V-shaped AR menu placed on a desk in front of her/him. The menu is made of two complementary submenus. Both submenus (master and slave) are made of four Artag fiducial markers. The functionalities of the slave submenu are the following : (1) increase/decrease the size or rotate/stop the 3D object, (2) apply a color (one over four) or (3) a 2D texture (one over four) on the 3D object and (4) apply predefined material parameters. Each event is triggered by a masking of a Artag marker by the the user’s right or left hand. 40 participants were instructed to perform actions such as rotate the object, apply a texture or a color on it, etc. The results revealed some difficulties due to the inversion of the image on the screen. Finally, although the proposed interaction technique is currently used for product design, it may also be applied to other fields such as edutainment, cognitive/motor rehabilitation, etc. Moreover, other tasks than the ones tested in the experiment may be archived using the menu.
Cytokine signalling by gp130 regulates gastric mucosal healing after ulceration and, indirectly, antral tumour progression

The cytokines IL‐6 and IL‐11, which signal via the receptor gp130, have been implicated in various gut pathologies, including inflammation and wound healing. We used mouse cytokine signalling mutants to evaluate the role of gp130 pathways in gastric ulceration and healing and the effect of spatially remote fundic ulceration on antral tumour progression, since compromised wound healing may impact tumourigenesis. Glacial acetic acid applied to the serosal surface of stomachs from wild‐type, gp130757FF, IL‐6−/− and IL‐11 receptor (R)α−/− mice was used to induce discrete haemostasis/necrosis and resultant mucosal ulceration. Wound pathology and mRNA expression of key cytokine target genes were examined 2 and 14 weeks after ulcer induction. The outcome of fundic ulceration on antral tumour development in gp130757FF mice was also examined. Chemical haemostasis in gp1307575FF mice produces more severe gastric ulcers than in wild‐type mice. Lack of IL‐6 produces more severe ulceration, while loss of IL‐11Rα less severe ulcers, suggesting a role for IL‐11 in ulcer induction. Increased expression of ulcer‐associated IL‐11 and its established mitogenic target genes RegI, IIIβ and IIIγ paralleled severe ulceration in gp130757FF mice. In this model, coincident with fundic ulceration, antral tumour development was inhibited and correlated with decreased RegI, IIIβ and IIIγ and reduced MMP9 and 13 expression. IL‐11‐driven transcription via gp130 contributes to the gastric mucosal response to ulceration. Fundic mucosal ulceration modulates antral growth factor and metalloproteinase gene expression, thereby contributing to restricted tumour growth. Copyright © 2008 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Critical Appraisal of the First-year Experience of 5 Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgeons

Background: The transition into practice following a fellowship in pediatric orthopaedics is challenging. This study seeks to describe the first-year experiences of 5 pediatric orthopaedists. Methods: An Institutional Review Board-approved retrospective review was conducted of 5 pediatric orthopaedic surgeons’ first year in practice. All were fellowship trained and practiced at private or academic subspecialty groups. Clinical volume, payor mix, surgical cases, as well as complications were evaluated. Results: A total of 1172 surgical procedures were available for review. Surgeons performed an average of 234 cases with a mean case load of 19.5 procedures per month. Fracture care and surgical management of infection represented the largest number of procedures. 42.3% of patients were covered by government insurance or were uninsured. Surgeons saw an average of 30.5 new patients per week in clinic. Of these, 10.7% of patients were scheduled for an elective surgical case. A sample of clinical practice revealed that 41.3% of patients were covered by government or no insurance. 17.8% of surgical patients sustained a complication with the majority being minor or expected. 18.8% of complications were major and required repeat operation. Complications peaked in the fourth month of practice. Conclusions: Although clinical and surgical volumes can vary during the first year of practice, fracture care and surgical management of infection represent the majority of operative cases. A large portion of surgical volume results from emergent care, whereas elective cases are more elusive with only 1 in 10 elective patients resulting in surgical treatment. Despite a significant number of untoward events related to surgery, major surgical complications are uncommon in the first year of practice. Clinical Relevance: The majority of surgical cases in the first year of practice are due to trauma and infection. A high volume of patients must be seen to establish a practice, particularly given the high rate of Medicaid patients. These figures provide benchmarks to guide training programs and to establish realistic expectations for new pediatric orthopaedic surgeons and their partners.
Polarization-induced distortions in optical fiber networks with polarization-mode dispersion and polarization-dependent losses

We review the formalism required to investigate the combined effects of polarization-mode dispersion (PMD) and polarization dependent losses (PDL) in optical fiber networks. The combination of PMD and PDL may lead to anomalous dispersion, which is not correctly described by a direct application of the Jones matrix eigenanalysis (JME) method. This calls for a careful assessment of PMD measurement methods in the presence of PDL. We also present a theoretical analysis of distortions in analog transmissions, and computer simulations of digital transmissions. These show that distributed PDL increases the power penalty of the transmission more than lumped PDL at the end of the channel.
Activation of Platelet Function Through G Protein–Coupled Receptors

Because of their ability to become rapidly activated at places of vascular injury, platelets are important players in primary hemostasis as well as in arterial thrombosis. In addition, they are also involved in chronic pathological processes including the atherosclerotic remodeling of the vascular system. Although primary adhesion of platelets to the vessel wall is largely independent of G protein–mediated signaling, the subsequent recruitment of additional platelets into a growing platelet thrombus requires mediators such as ADP, thromboxane A2, or thrombin, which act through G protein–coupled receptors. Platelet activation via G protein–coupled receptors involves 3 major G protein–mediated signaling pathways that are initiated by the activation of the G proteins Gq, G13, and Gi. This review summarizes recent progress in understanding the mechanisms underlying platelet activation and thrombus extension via G protein–mediated signaling pathways.
University of Amsterdam, faculty of Computer Science Prototyping a Distance Learning environment on the Internet: Rationale and Implementation

Disclaimer/Complaints regulations If you believe that digital publication of certain material infringes any of your rights or (privacy) interests, please let the Library know, stating your reasons. In case of a legitimate complaint, the Library will make the material inaccessible and/or remove it from the website. Please Ask the Library: https://uba.uva. nl/en/contact, or a letter to: Library of the University of Amsterdam, Secretariat, Singel 425, 1012 WP Amsterdam, The Netherlands. You will be contacted as soon as possible.
Lighting regimens and plasma LH and FSH in broiler breeders

1. Egg production by meat-type fowl is markedly inferior to that from commercial laying hens, and so, to assess the degree to which photorefractoriness might be a contributing factor, male- and female-line broiler breeders were maintained on 8-, 11- or 16-h photoperiods. In addition, to determine the age-related rate of change in response to an increment in photoperiod, other birds were transferred from 8- to 16-h photoperiods at 67 or 124 d. 2. Blood samples were taken from all groups, except those on constant 11-h photoperiods, in both genotypes at 67, 69, 124 and 126 d, and from all lighting groups in the female line at 58 weeks (end of trial), and the plasma was assayed for plasma luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration to investigate possible correlations with rate of sexual maturity, total egg numbers and terminal rates of lay. 3. Prepubertal LH was consistently higher for the female line than for the male line, and higher for 16-h birds than for 8-h birds. At 69 and 126 d, LH values were not significantly different from those 2 d earlier for 8-h birds, but significantly reduced for 16-h birds. There was an increase in LH following photostimulation at 67 d, but no significant change after the 124-d light increase. 4. There were no significant differences in FSH between the two genetic lines, nor any effect of photostimulation at 67 or 124 d. There was a tendency for FSH in 8-h birds to be higher than for 16-h birds, and this difference became significant for male-line birds at 67 d. 5. At 58 weeks, LH was higher for constant 11- and 16-h birds and for birds photostimulated at 67 d than for constant 8-h controls or birds transferred from 8 to 16 h at 124 d. 6. Neither baseline nor photoinduced prepubertal changes in plasma LH nor FSH were found to be of value for predicting age at sexual maturity or subsequent rates of egg production. At 58 weeks, LH was not generally correlated with sexual maturity, total eggs or terminal rates of lay, however, there was a negative correlation with age at first egg in birds photostimulated at 124 d. 7. It must be concluded that plasma LH and FSH concentrations are of minimal value to the broiler breeder industry for predicting the degree of photorefractoriness, the age at sexual maturity, or subsequent egg production.
The frequency of injury, mechanism of injury, and epidemiology of ankle sprains*

Few injuries in sports are more ubiquitous than those involving the ankle. Athletes in some endeavors, notably football and basketball, routinely have their ankles prophylacticly taped at a cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars and, probably, millions of man hours. Other sports, such as skiing, involve encasement of the foot, ankle, and lower leg in plastic and foam to the extent of almost complete exclusion of motion. In spite of these rather heroic measures, ankle injuries continue to constitute a significant threat to athletes in these and most other activities.
Nonenhanced free-breathing ECG-gated steady-state free precession 3D MR angiography of the renal arteries: comparison between 1.5 T and 3 T.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of our study was to compare the image quality of free-breathing ECG-gated nonenhanced steady-state free precession (SSFP) MR angiography of renal arteries at 1.5 T and 3 T. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Twenty volunteers (11 men, nine women; mean age, 23.2 +/- 2.3 years) without a history of renovascular disease participated in the study. Nonenhanced SSFP MR angiography was performed on all subjects at both 1.5 T and 3 T with a maximum interval of 2 weeks between the imaging sessions. The subjective image quality of axial and coronal maximum-intensity-projection reconstructions of four segments (1, abdominal aorta and ostium of renal artery; 2, main renal artery; 3, segmental branches outside renal parenchyma; 4, segmental branches inside renal parenchyma) was evaluated independently by two radiologists using a 4-point scale (4, excellent; 1, nondiagnostic). Relative signal-to-noise ratio, contrast-to-noise ratio, and maximum visible vessel length of the right and left renal arteries also were determined. RESULTS No significant difference in image quality at 1.5 T and 3 T was found for segments 1 and 2. The mean image quality for segments 3 and 4 was significantly greater at 3 T (3.88 +/- 0.32, 3.17 +/- 0.70) than at 1.5 T (3.32 +/- 0.73, 2.09 +/- 0.81) (p < 0.001). At 3 T, the maximal vessel length of the right (9.85 +/- 0.82 cm) and left (8.3 +/- 0.79 cm) renal arteries was significantly greater than at 1.5 T (8.94 +/- 1.38 cm and 7.58 +/- 1.18 cm, respectively). CONCLUSION Performing nonenhanced SSFP MR angiography at 3 T significantly improves visualization of peripheral renal arterial segments in healthy subjects as compared to 1.5 T.
Feeding Ecology of Sidewinder Rattlesnakes, Crotalus cerastes (Viperidae)

Abstract: Dietary studies are important for understanding predator–prey relationships and species interactions because they provide information on the trophic resources available to predators and their potential impact on prey populations. We relied on stomach contents of museum specimens and literature records to examine ontogenetic (size-related), sexual, seasonal, and geographic variation in the feeding habits of Sidewinders, Crotalus cerastes. Sidewinders fed primarily on lizards and slightly less frequently on mammals; birds and snakes were rarely consumed. The vast majority of C. cerastes consumed single prey items ingested head-first. Juvenile and adult female Sidewinders consumed lizards and mammals with similar frequency. We observed an ontogenetic shift in feeding patterns of adult male C. cerastes because they included more mammals in their diets, compared with juvenile males. Sidewinders are classic ambush (sit-and-wait) predators and, as predicted by theory, actively foraging lizards and mammals comprise a considerable fraction of their prey. We documented seasonal shifts in the feeding patterns of Sidewinders, with snakes consuming a greater proportion of lizards during early spring and autumn, and a greater percentage of mammals during late spring and summer. This dietary shift likely results from seasonal changes in the activity patterns of C. cerastes, because individuals can be diurnally active during early spring and autumn but are predominantly nocturnal during late spring and summer. Adult male and female Sidewinders from the Mojave and the Sonoran deserts consumed similar proportions of lizards and mammals. Our findings regarding the trophic habits of C. cerastes contribute to our understanding of the ecology of terrestrial, venomous predators.
Modelling production system architectures in the early phases of product development

This article suggests a framework for modelling a production system architecture in the early phases of product development. The challenge in these phases is that the products to be produced are not completely defined and yet decisions need to be made early in the process on what investments are needed and appropriate to enable determination of obtainable product quality. In order to meet this challenge, it is suggested that a visual modelling framework be adopted that clarifies which product and production features are known at a specific time of the project and which features will be worked on – leading to an improved basis for prioritizing activities in the project. Requirements for the contents of the framework are presented, and literature on production and system models is reviewed. The production system architecture modelling framework is founded on methods and approaches in literature and adjusted to fit the modelling requirements of a production system architecture at an early phase of development. The production system architecture models capture and describe the structure, capabilities and expansions of the production system architecture under development. The production system architecture modelling framework is tested in a case study, and the results indicate that the modelling process facilitates identification of critical factors of the production system architecture, that the production system architecture models capture and describe the structure, capabilities and expansions of a production system architecture under development, and that the production system architecture models can facilitate dialogue on the production system architecture between heterogeneous stakeholder groups.
Influence of some factors on milk flow and udder health status in two different cattle breeds.

In this study were analyzed average daily milk flow and udder health status (by somatic cell score) in dairy cows. A total of 100 Holstein (H) and 48 Slovak Simmental (SS) cows were investigated. The Holstein cows had average daily milk flow significantly higher by 1.24 kg/min and somatic cell score (SCS) by 0.5 higher than Simmental cows. The factors like breed, parity, rear teat canal length and front teat canal diameter had a significant effect on milk flow but no significant effect on SCS. Thus, these results indicate differences between breeds and parity in milk traits and health status.
Joint development in Xenopus laevis and induction of segmentations in regenerating froglet limb (spike)

In Xenopus laevis, amputation of the adult limb results in the formation of a simple (hypomorphic) spike‐like structure without joints, although tadpole limb bud regenerates complete limb pattern. The expression of some joint marker genes was examined in limb development and regeneration. Bmp‐4 and gdf‐5 were expressed and sox‐9 expression was decreased in the joint region. Although developing cartilages were well‐organized and had bmp‐4 expressing perichondrocytes, the spike cartilage did not have such a structure, but only showed sparse bmp‐4 expression. Application of BMP4‐soaked beads to the spike led to the induction of a joint‐like structure. These results suggest that the lack of joints in the spike is due to the deficiency of the accumulation of the cells that express bmp‐4. Improvement of regeneration in the Xenopus adult limb that we report here for the first time will give us important insights into epimorphic regeneration. Developmental Dynamics 233:1444–1453, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of bone morphogenetic protein‐7 stimulation on osteoblasts cultured on different biomaterials

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of an in vitro stimulation of human osteoblasts by recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐7 (rhBMP‐7) on the collagen types and the quantity of the collagen cross‐links synthesized in a three‐dimensional culture on various biomaterials for bone replacement. Trabecular bone chips were harvested from human iliac crests, and cell cultures were established at standard conditions. One hundred and fifty nanograms per milliliter of rhBMP‐7 was added. For the second passage a cell scraper was used to bring the cells into suspension, and 100 μl osteoblasts (at a density of 3.3 × 105) were transferred onto nine blocks of either Bio‐Oss®, Tutoplast®, or PepGen p‐15™. Blocks incubated with cells that were not treated with rhBMP‐7 served as controls. Cell colonization of the biomaterials was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) after a period of 2, 4, and 6 weeks. Throughout the experiment medium, supernatants were collected and collagen was characterized by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE). Finally, the collagen cross‐link residues hydroxylysylpyridinoline (HP) and lysylpyridinoline (LP) were quantified by HPLC. Within 4 weeks the cells became confluent on all of the studied biomaterials. All samples synthesized bone specific LP and collagen type I. However, in rhBMP‐7‐stimulated samples, the amount of HP and LP found was increased by 45% compared to non‐stimulated samples. Cell proliferation and collagen synthesis was similar on the different biomaterials, but was consistently reduced in specimen not stimulated with rhBMP‐7. In vitro stimulation of osteoblasts on Bio‐Oss, Tutoplast, or PepGen p‐15 with rhBMP‐7 and subsequent transplantation of the constructs might lead to an enhanced osseointegration of the biomaterials in vivo. J. Cell. Biochem. 86: 90–98, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development of a National Agreement on Human Papillomavirus Vaccination in Japan: An Infodemiology Study

Background A national agreement on human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination was achieved relatively quickly in Japan as compared to the United States and India. Objective The objective was to identify the role of print and online media references, including references to celebrities or other informants, as factors potentially responsible for the relatively rapid national acceptance of HPV vaccination in Japan. Methods A method of text mining was performed to select keywords, representing the context of the target documents, from articles relevant to the promotion of HPV vaccination appearing in major Japanese newspapers and Web pages between January 2009 and July 2010. The selected keywords were classified as positive, negative, or neutral, and the transition of the frequency of their appearance was analyzed. Results The number of positive and neutral keywords appearing in newspaper articles increased sharply in early 2010 while the number of negative keywords remained low. The numbers of positive, neutral, and negative keywords appearing in Web pages increased gradually and did not significantly differ by category. Neutral keywords, such as “vaccine” and “prevention,” appeared more frequently in newspaper articles, whereas negative keywords, such as “infertility” and “side effect,” appeared more frequently in Web pages. The extraction of the positive keyword “signature campaign” suggests that vaccine beneficiaries cooperated with providers in promoting HPV vaccination. Conclusions The rapid development of a national agreement regarding HPV vaccination in Japan may be primarily attributed to the advocacy of vaccine beneficiaries, supported by advocacy by celebrities and positive reporting by print and online media.
A new PAPR reduction in OFDM-WLAN systems by hybrid algorithm of PTS and APPR methods

In this paper, we propose a new PAPR reduction technique by a hybrid algorithm based on a partial transmit sequence (PTS) and adaptive peak power reduction (APPR) methods. This technique is used in a system based on orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). OFDM has many orthogonally modulated subcarriers which unexpectedly give a large peak to average power ratio (PAPR) and tends to reduce the power efficiency of a RF amplifier. A sequence of input data is rearranged by PTS for the reduction of PAPR and then fed to APPR process in the proposed system. The APPR method controls the peak level of the modulation signal by an adaptive algorithm. It reduces modulation signals over a predefined range. A proposed reduction method consists of these two methods and realizes both advantages at the same time. In simulation results, the proposed method shows the improvement on PAPR and also the high performance on bit error rate performance of an OFDM system.
Updated listing of haplotypes at the human phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) locus.

Analysis of mutant PAH chromosomes has identified approximately 60 different single-base substitutions and deletions within the PAH locus. Nearly all of these molecular lesions are in strong linkage disequilibrium with specific RFLP haplotypes in different ethnic populations. Thus, haplotype analysis is not only useful for diagnostic purposes but is proving to be a valuable tool in population genetic studies of the origin and spread of phenylketonuria alleles in human populations. PCR-based methods have been developed to detect six of the eight polymorphic restriction sites used for determination of RFLP haplotypes at the PAH locus. A table of the proposed expanded haplotypes is given.