Apolipoprotein E and A-IV polymorphisms in the Estonian population

A 41-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with chief complaints of painless tumor in the left scrotal contents and loss of body weight. As the tumor was suspected of being a neoplastic lesion, left radical inguinal orchiectomy was carried out. Histopathological examination showed metastatic adenocarcinoma of the bile duct. Metastatic carcinoma to the testicle, epididymis, and their tunics is unusual and testicular metastases from adenocarcinoma of the bile duct is extremely rare. A case of testicular metastases from carcinoma of the bile duct is reported and the literature reviewed.     

Design-inclusive UX research: design as a part of doing user experience research

Since the third wave in human–computer interaction (HCI), research on user experience (UX) has gained momentum within the HCI community. The focus has shifted from systematic usability requirements and measures towards guidance on designing for experiences. This is a big change, since design has traditionally not played a large role in HCI research. Yet, the literature addressing this shift in focus is very limited. We believe that the field of UX research can learn from a field where design and experiential aspects have always been important: design research. In this article, we discuss why design is needed in UX research and how research that includes design as a part of research can support and advance UX design practice. We do this by investigating types of design-inclusive UX research and by learning from real-life cases of UX-related design research. We report the results of an interview study with 41 researchers in three academic research units where design research meets UX research. Based on our interview findings, and building on existing literature, we describe the different roles design can play in research projects. We also report how design research results can inform designing for experience methodologically or by providing new knowledge on UX. The results are presented in a structured palette that can help UX researchers reflect and focus more on design in their research projects, thereby tackling experience design challenges in their own research.     

Polyphenols,carotenoids, and ascorbic acid in underutilized medicinal vegetables

The polyphenols, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, and protein were determined in 24 underutilized medicinal vegetables from Indonesia. Anacardium occidentale, Sauropus androgynus (L.) Merr., and Moringa pterygosperma Gaertn. leaves were rich sources of flavonoids, with 118–144 mg/100 g fresh weight. Quercetin, kaempferol, and chlorogenic acid were the predominant polyphenols among those measured in vegetables. Polyscias pinnata leaves and Solanum torvum Swartz fruits had the most phenolic acids, with 53 and 36 mg/100 g, respectively. Moringa pterygosperma had the most carotenoids among vegetables, with 14 mg β-carotene equivalents (βCE)/100 g. Ascorbic acid content of fresh vegetables was 12.03–494.43 mg/100 g. A. occidentale, S. androgynus, Ocimum americanum L., Cosmos caudatus H.B.K., and Carica papaya L. (papaya) leaves had more than 100 mg ascorbic acid/100 g. Thus, a number of underutilized vegetables from Indonesia may be rich sources of functional components including polyphenols and ascorbic acid.     

Complex changes in the framework of endohedrally Na-doped type II Si clathrates with respect to Na content

Crystal structures of endohedrally Na-doped type II silicon clathrates with variable Na content were refined by Rietveld analysis. Type II Si clathrates have two types of cages: small and large. The large cages were preferentially occupied by Na atoms. Upon occupation by Na in the large cages, the lattice constant of the clathrates decreased slightly. The attractive interaction of the Na atoms in the large cages with a framework that caused displacement of the Na atoms from the center might influence lattice shrinkage. Moreover, in the region where almost large cages contained Na atoms and the small cages were partially occupied by Na, the lattice constant increased with the Na content; however, the relationship between these features was complex. The lattice constant demonstrated a linear relationship with the size of the small cages; however, the enlargement of the small cages was not linear with respect to its Na occupancy, resulting in complex changes in the lattice constant with respect to the Na content. It was inferred that enlargement of the small cages by Na insertion may be dependent on the Na occupancy of neighboring small cages.     

Respiratory health of cigar factory workers

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether occupational exposure to raw tobacco causes respiratory or allergic diseases, an excess of respiratory symptoms, a decrease in lung function, or parenchymal changes in chest radiography among Finnish cigar workers. METHODS: This cross sectional study included all Finnish cigar workers (n = 106) exposed to raw tobacco and also a group of unexposed matched referents. Data were collected with a self administered questionnaire, flow volume spirometry, measurements of diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide, chest radiography and skin prick tests. A questionnaire was also sent to former workers of the factory. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups in the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and chest radiography findings. Nine of 102 tobacco workers had pulmonary fibrosis of at least 1/0 (according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) 1980 classification) and the corresponding figure was five for the referents. The tobacco workers tended to have a low forced vital capacity (FVC), and they had impaired forced expiratory volume in 1 second and lower means of the maximal expiratory flow at 25% of the FVC significantly more often than the referents. Diffusing capacity tended to be lower among the referents. The referents more often had atopy and earlier atopic diseases than the exposed workers. These results indicate the possibility of selection among the exposed workers. CONCLUSIONS: No excess of prevalence of respiratory symptoms in the tobacco workers was found. According to the questionnaire episodes of allergic alveolitis may have occurred in the cigar factory workers. However, in the absence of impairments in lung function and radiological changes it was not possible to distinguish humidifier fever and allergic alveolitis. In exposure conditions that include humidification of the air humidifier, fever and allergic alveolitis constitute a risk for tobacco workers. No effects were shown of exposure to tobacco dust on lung function.     

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of electrodes modified with thin films of MgMnCO3 layered double hydroxides

The electrochemical impedance spectra of MgMnCO₃ LDH films oxidized at different dc potentials were recorded. The results were fitted to a Randles type cell by replacing the Warburg impedance with a mass transfer resistance in parallel with a constant phase element. The films charge transfer resistances decreased dramatically at the onset of manganese oxidation. In thin films, R_ct decreased from 10⁴ Ω for an un-oxidized film to a minimum of 40 Ω in a film oxidized at 0.32 V, before increasing back to 10⁴ Ω in a film oxidized at 0.5 V. Iodometry measurements show these changes correspond to increases in the manganese average valence in the films from 3.09+ prior to oxidation, to 3.80+ at 0.32 V and 3.95+ at 0.5 V. In thicker films, however, a much higher dc potential, 1.0 V, was required to return R_ct to 10⁴ Ω. There was also less change in the manganese average valence in the thicker films. Oxidation at 1.0 V only increased the manganese valence to 3.33+. For the partially oxidized films, the Nyquist plots consisted of depressed semicircles at high frequency, followed by linear regions at lower frequency where the impedance was controlled by mass transport. The effective diffusion coefficient estimated from the low frequency impedance was 1 × 10⁻⁹ cm² s⁻¹, consistent with proton diffusion in solid electrodes. The impedance spectrum of a partially oxidized film reduced at −0.2 V was similar to that of the un-oxidized film.     

Defining user experience goals to guide the design of industrial systems

The key prerequisite for experience-driven design is to define what experience to design for. User experience (UX) goals concretise the intended experience. Based on our own case studies from industrial environments and a literature study, we propose five different approaches to acquiring insight and inspiration for UX goal setting: Brand, Theory, Empathy, Technology, and Vision. Each approach brings in a different viewpoint, thus supporting the multidisciplinary character of UX. The Brand approach ensures that the UX goals are in line with the company's brand promise. The Theory approach utilises the available scientific knowledge of human behaviour. The Empathy approach focuses on knowing the actual users and stepping into their shoes. The Technology approach considers the new technologies that are being introduced and their positive or negative influence on UX. Finally, the Vision approach focuses on renewal, introducing new kinds of UXs. In the design of industrial systems, several stakeholders are involved and they should share common design goals. Using the different UX goal-setting approaches together brings in the viewpoints of different stakeholders, thus committing them to UX goal setting and emphasising UX as a strategic design decision.