Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Risk Identification and Risk Mitigation Instruments for Global Software Development: Systematic Review and Survey Results

In this research we conducted a systematic reviewon Global Software Development (GSD) literature andperformed a survey to gather challenges associated with GSDprojects as well as their mitigation strategies. We reviewedstudies with empirical evidence in GSD. In total there are 86papers included as the primary studies. From the systematicreview we collected 48 challenges and 42 mitigation strategies.These challenges and strategies were also identified by our survey respondents. In addition, 4 additional mitigation strategies were uncovered from the survey. The collected challenges and mitigation strategies are later compiled into checklists which can be employed as risk identification and risk mitigation instruments.
Empirical Research on Accounting Choice

We review research from the 1990s that examines the determinants and consequences of accounting choice, structuring our analysis around the three types of market imperfections that influence managers? choices: agency costs, information asymmetries, and externalities affecting noncontracting parties. We conclude that research in the 1990s made limited progress in expanding our understanding of accounting choice because of limitations in research design and a focus on replication rather than extension of current knowledge. We discuss opportunities for future research, recommending the exploration of the economic implications of accounting choice by addressing the three different reasons why accounting matters.
HIV-1 Genetic Variation Resulting in the Development of New Quasispecies Continues to Be Encountered in the Peripheral Blood of Well-Suppressed Patients

As a result of antiretroviral therapeutic strategies, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection has become a long-term clinically manageable chronic disease for many infected individuals. However, despite this progress in therapeutic control, including undetectable viral loads and CD4+ T-cell counts in the normal range, viral mutations continue to accumulate in the peripheral blood compartment over time, indicating either low level reactivation and/or replication. Using patients from the Drexel Medicine CNS AIDS Research and Eradication Study (CARES) Cohort, whom have been sampled longitudinally for more than 7 years, genetic change was modeled against to the dominant integrated proviral quasispecies with respect to selection pressures such as therapeutic interventions, AIDS defining illnesses, and other factors. Phylogenetic methods based on the sequences of the LTR and tat exon 1 of the HIV-1 proviral DNA quasispecies were used to obtain an estimate of an average mutation rate of 5.3 nucleotides (nt)/kilobasepair (kb)/year (yr) prior to initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Following ART the baseline mutation rate was reduced to an average of 1.02 nt/kb/yr. The post-ART baseline rate of genetic change, however, appears to be unique for each patient. These studies represent our initial steps in quantifying rates of genetic change among HIV-1 quasispecies using longitudinally sampled sequences from patients at different stages of disease both before and after initiation of combination ART. Notably, while long-term ART reduced the estimated mutation rates in the vast majority of patients studied, there was still measurable HIV-1 mutation even in patients with no detectable virus by standard quantitative assays. Determining the factors that affect HIV-1 mutation rates in the peripheral blood may lead to elucidation of the mechanisms associated with changes in HIV-1 disease severity.
Cloning, Expression, and Purification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Flagellin, and Characterization of the Elicited Anti-Flagellin Antibody

Background Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important opportunistic human pathogen that causes serious infections in immunocompromised hosts. The single polar flagellum is an important factor in both virulence and colonization. Objectives As flagellin is the major component of the flagellar ﬁlament, the main aims of the present study are to identify, clone, express, and purify the recombinant type B flagellin (r-B-flagellin) of P. aeruginosa, as well as to evaluate the functional activity of the rabbit polyclonal antibody raised against this r-B-flagellin. Materials and Methods In the current experimental study, the r-B-flagellin gene was isolated from the P. aeruginosa PAO1 strain by PCR. It was cloned into the pET-28a vector and then transformed into the E. coli BL21 strain. Next, r-B-flagellin was overexpressed and affinity purified by Ni-NTA agarose-affinity chromatography, followed by on-column resolubilization. Polyclonal antisera against the recombinant flagellin were raised in rabbits, and the functional activity of the anti-r-B-flagellin antibody was determined by in vitro assays. Results The polyclonal antibodies raised against this r-B-flagellin inhibited the motility of the homologous PAO1 strain of P. aeruginosa, which significantly decreased the invasion of the PAO1 strain into the A549 cells and also enhanced the opsonophagocytosis of this strain. However, our polyclonal antibody showed little effect on the heterologous PAK strain. Conclusions The r-B-flagellin carried antigenic epitopes just like the native flagellin, while the polyclonal antibody raised against it exhibited functional activity.
Guidelines for topical photodynamic therapy: update

Multicentre randomized controlled studies now demonstrate high efficacy of topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) for actinic keratoses, Bowen’s disease (BD) and superficial basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and efficacy in thin nodular BCC, while confirming the superiority of cosmetic outcome over standard therapies. Long‐term follow‐up studies are also now available, indicating that PDT has recurrence rates equivalent to other standard therapies in BD and superficial BCC, but with lower sustained efficacy than surgery in nodular BCC. In contrast, current evidence does not support the use of topical PDT for squamous cell carcinoma. PDT can reduce the number of new lesions developing in patients at high risk of skin cancer and may have a role as a preventive therapy. Case reports and small series attest to the potential of PDT in a wide range of inflammatory/infective dermatoses, although recent studies indicate insufficient evidence to support its use in psoriasis. There is an accumulating evidence base for the use of PDT in acne, while detailed study of an optimized protocol is still required. In addition to high‐quality treatment site cosmesis, several studies observe improvements in aspects of photoageing. Management of treatment‐related pain/discomfort is a challenge in a minority of patients, and the modality is otherwise well tolerated. Long‐term studies provide reassurance over the safety of repeated use of PDT.
Linear vs. hierarchical: Two accounts of premodification in the of-binominal noun phrase

Abstract Premodification patterns play a central role in the categorization of of-binominals in general, and particularly in the grammaticalization of the evaluative binominal noun phrase (a beast of a man) into an evaluative modifier (a beast of a Hollywood year), where the first noun functions as an extreme modifier. This paper compares a linear, construction-based account of the premodification patterns of the evaluative binominal noun phrase, evaluative modifier, and other historically related of-binominals to a hierarchical account in Functional Discourse Grammar in order to investigate in what way each theory captures and accounts for these patterns. The paper comprises two parts: First, based on a zone-based premodification model, an empirical study of the synchronic premodification distributional patterns of these of-binominals is presented. Second, the paper discusses a Functional Discourse Grammar explanation of the findings. In the conclusion, the theoretical implications of the explanations of these patterns in the two approaches are discussed.
Systematic review of peer support for breastfeeding continuation: metaregression analysis of the effect of setting, intensity, and timing

Objective To examine the effect of setting, intensity, and timing of peer support on breast feeding. Design Systematic review and metaregression analysis of randomised controlled trials. Data sources Cochrane Library, Medline, CINAHL, the National Research Register, and British Nursing Index were searched from inception or from 1980 to 2011. Review methods Study selection, data abstraction, and quality assessment were carried out independently and in duplicate. Risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for individual studies and pooled. Effects were estimated for studies grouped according to setting (high income countries, low or middle income countries, and the United Kingdom), intensity (<5 and ≥5 planned contacts), and timing of peer support (postnatal period with or without antenatal care), and analysed using metaregression for any and exclusive breast feeding at last study follow-up. Results Peer support interventions had a significantly greater effect on any breast feeding in low or middle income countries (P<0.001), reducing the risk of not breast feeding at all by 30% (relative risk 0.70, 95% confidence interval 0.60 to 0.82) compared with a reduction of 7% (0.93, 0.87 to 1.00) in high income countries. Similarly, the risk of non-exclusive breast feeding decreased significantly more in low or middle income countries than in high income countries: 37% (0.63, 0.52 to 0.78) compared with 10% (0.90, 0.85 to 0.97); P=0.01. No significant effect on breast feeding was observed in UK based studies. Peer support had a greater effect on any breastfeeding rates when given at higher intensity (P=0.02) and only delivered in the postnatal period (P<0.001), although no differences were observed of its effect on exclusive breastfeeding rates by intensity or timing. Conclusion Although peer support interventions increase breastfeeding continuation in low or middle income countries, especially exclusive breast feeding, this does not seem to apply in high income countries, particularly the United Kingdom, where breastfeeding support is part of routine postnatal healthcare. Peer support of low intensity does not seem to be effective. Policy relating to provision of peer support should be based on more specific evidence on setting and any new peer services in high income countries need to undergo concurrent evaluation.
Treatment of dermatologic connective tissue disease and autoimmune blistering disorders in pregnancy

Autoimmune skin disease occurs in pregnancy, and treatment is often required to control both maternal disease and fetal outcomes. Here we present the available safety data in pregnancy and lactation for medications used to treat autoimmune skin diseases, including cutaneous lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, morphea and systemic sclerosis, pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus foliaceus, and pemphigoid gestationis. A PubMed search of the English‐language literature using keywords, “pregnancy” “rheumatic disease,” and “connective tissue disease” was performed. Relevant articles found in the search and references were included. Reasonable evidence supports the careful and cautious use of topical steroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors, systemic corticosteroids, hydroxychloroquine, and azathioprine in pregnancy. Case reports or clinical experience suggest intravenous immunoglobulin, dapsone, phototherapy, rituximab, and plasmapheresis may be safe. Several treatment options exist for autoimmune skin disease in pregnancy and lactation, and should be considered when treating these patients.
Metal-Insulator-Semiconductor Photodetectors

The major radiation of the Sun can be roughly divided into three regions: ultraviolet, visible, and infrared light. Detection in these three regions is important to human beings. The metal-insulator-semiconductor photodetector, with a simpler process than the pn-junction photodetector and a lower dark current than the MSM photodetector, has been developed for light detection in these three regions. Ideal UV photodetectors with high UV-to-visible rejection ratio could be demonstrated with III–V metal-insulator-semiconductor UV photodetectors. The visible-light detection and near-infrared optical communications have been implemented with Si and Ge metal-insulator-semiconductor photodetectors. For mid- and long-wavelength infrared detection, metal-insulator-semiconductor SiGe/Si quantum dot infrared photodetectors have been developed, and the detection spectrum covers atmospheric transmission windows.
Pragmatic language production deficits in Parkinson's disease

This study examines pragmatic language production deficits in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Participants (PD and non-PD) were interviewed and their responses coded for degree of informativeness. PD participants weremore under-informative than non-PD participants. Response underinformativeness was associated with decreased executive control, mental status, and speech act comprehension measures. However, both speech act priming and utterance informativeness were strongly related to a measure of executive control, and when this variable (i.e., Stroop performance) was controlled, the correlation between speech act priming and utterance underinformativeness was no longer significant. It appears, then, that executive control deficits are related to the ability to comprehend and produce conversational utterances.
nMOS reversible energy recovery logic for ultra-low-energy applications

We propose a new fully reversible adiabatic logic, nMOS reversible energy recovery logic (nRERL), which uses nMOS transistors only and a simpler 6-phase clocked power. Its area overhead and energy consumption are smaller, compared with the other fully adiabatic logics. We employed bootstrapped nMOS switches to simplify the nRERL circuits. With the simulation results for a full adder, we confirmed that the nRERL circuit consumed substantially less energy than the other adiabatic logic circuits at low-speed operation. We evaluated a test chip implemented with 0.8-/spl mu/m CMOS technology, which included a chain of nRERL inverters integrated with a clocked power generator. The nRERL inverter chain of 2400 stages consumed the minimum energy at V/sub dd/=3.5 V at 55 kHz, where the adiabatic and leakage losses are about equal, which is only 4.50% of the dissipated energy of its corresponding CMOS circuit at V/sub dd/=0.9 V. In conclusion, nRERL is more suitable than the other adiabatic logic circuits for the applications that do not require high performance but low energy consumption.
Optimized Zero False Positives Perceptron Training for Malware Detection

The increasing number of malware in the past 4 years has determined researchers to test different machine learning techniques to automate the detection system. But because of the large size of the dataset and the need of having a high detection rate, the resulted models have often produced many false positives. This paper proposes a modified version of the perceptron algorithm able to detect malware samples while training at a low rate (even zero) of false positives. A very low number of false positives is crucial because in a real life situation detecting a clean file as malware can destroy the operating system or render other programs unusable. We also provide a method of optimizing the training speed for the algorithm while maintaining the same accuracy. The resulted algorithm can be used in an ensemble or voting system to increase detection and eliminate false positives.
Liposome encapsulated Disulfiram inhibits NFκB pathway and targets breast cancer stem cells in vitro and in vivo

Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are pan-resistant to different anticancer agents and responsible for cancer relapse. Disulfiram (DS), an antialcoholism drug, targets CSCs and reverses pan-chemoresistance. The anticancer application of DS is limited by its very short half-life in the bloodstream. This prompted us to develop a liposome-encapsulated DS (Lipo-DS) and examine its anticancer effect and mechanisms in vitro and in vivo. The relationship between hypoxia and CSCs was examined by in vitro comparison of BC cells cultured in spheroid and hypoxic conditions. To determine the importance of NFκB activation in bridging hypoxia and CSC-related pan-resistance, the CSC characters and drug sensitivity in BC cell lines were observed in NFκB p65 transfected cell lines. The effect of Lipo-DS on the NFκB pathway, CSCs and chemosensitivity was investigated in vitro and in vivo. The spheroid cultured BC cells manifested CSC characteristics and pan-resistance to anticancer drugs. This was related to the hypoxic condition in the spheres. Hypoxia induced activation of NFκB and chemoresistance. Transfection of BC cells with NFκB p65 also induced CSC characters and pan-resistance. Lipo-DS blocked NFκB activation and specifically targeted CSCs in vitro. Lipo-DS also targeted the CSC population in vivo and showed very strong anticancer efficacy. Mice tolerated the treatment very well and no significant in vivo nonspecific toxicity was observed. Hypoxia induced NFκB activation is responsible for stemness and chemoresistance in BCSCs. Lipo-DS targets NFκB pathway and CSCs. Further study may translate DS into cancer therapeutics.
Smoking Enhances the Proinflammatory Effects of Nucleotides on Cytokine Release from Human Lung

Nucleotides have effects on immune cells which are complex but generally proinflammatory, and have been suggested to play a role in smoking-related lung diseases. However, there have been no studies directly measuring functional responses to nucleotides in human lungs taken from smokers. We used fragments of post mortem human lung from smokers and non-smokers, incubated them with a range of nucleotides (4–1000 µM) in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 10 µg/ml) for 24 hours and measured cytokines (IL-1β, IFNγ, IL-17, TNFα, IL-6, IL-8, IL-2 and IL-10) in the supernatants using multiplex immunoassays. Although the basal cytokine levels in the smokers were generally higher in the smokers than the non-smokers, there were no significant differences in either the basal release or the LPS-stimulated release of any of the cytokines when lungs from smokers and non-smokers were compared. There were no significant effects of ATP, ADP, AMP, UTP, α,β-methylene-ATP, P1, P4-diATP, 2-methylthio-ATP or Bz-ATP on the release of cytokines from the lungs. However, the stable ATP analogue ATPγS increased the release of IL-1β and IFNγ, and the effect was greatly increased in lungs from smokers. In non-smokers but not in smokers ATPγS increased the release of IL-17. Overall these results clearly demonstrate for the first time that in normal human lung a stable ATP analogue can enhance LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine release, and that these effects are greatly altered by a prior history of smoking. This provides strong support for the suggestion that nucleotides are involved in the pathogenesis of smoking-related diseases.
The W3C PROV family of specifications for modelling provenance metadata

Provenance, a form of structured metadata designed to record the origin or source of information, can be instrumental in deciding whether information is to be trusted, how it can be integrated with other diverse information sources, and how to establish attribution of information to authors throughout its history. The PROV set of specifications, produced by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), is designed to promote the publication of provenance information on the Web, and offers a basis for interoperability across diverse provenance management systems. The PROV provenance model is deliberately generic and domain-agnostic, but extension mechanisms are available and can be exploited for modelling specific domains. This tutorial provides an account of these specifications. Starting from intuitive and informal examples that present idiomatic provenance patterns, it progressively introduces the relational model of provenance along with the constraints model for validation of provenance documents, and concludes with example applications that show the extension points in use.
Production of Fungal Glucoamylase for Glucose Production from Food Waste

The feasibility of using pastry waste as resource for glucoamylase (GA) production via solid state fermentation (SSF) was studied. The crude GA extract obtained was used for glucose production from mixed food waste. Our results showed that pastry waste could be used as a sole substrate for GA production. A maximal GA activity of 76.1 ± 6.1 U/mL was obtained at Day 10. The optimal pH and reaction temperature for the crude GA extract for hydrolysis were pH 5.5 and 55 °C, respectively. Under this condition, the half-life of the GA extract was 315.0 minutes with a deactivation constant (kd) 2.20 × 10−3 minutes−1. The application of the crude GA extract for mixed food waste hydrolysis and glucose production was successfully demonstrated. Approximately 53 g glucose was recovered from 100 g of mixed food waste in 1 h under the optimal digestion conditions, highlighting the potential of this approach as an alternative strategy for waste management and sustainable production of glucose applicable as carbon source in many biotechnological processes.
Strategic teaching and equilibrium models of repeated trust and entry games

This paper tests a model of strategic teaching in repeated trust and entry games with incomplete information. The model assumes 'short-run' players follow a one-parameter learning model (functional experience-weighted attraction). 'Long-run' players either realize how others are learning and ‘teach’ by maximizing their long-run payoff, or always behave honestly or aggressively. For precision, the fraction of honest/aggressive types was first measured in an experiment with one-shot games. Using data from 28 experimental sessions of eight-period trust and entry supergames (25,000 observations), the model fits modestly better than a quantal-response equilibrium benchmark, and both models predict much more accurately than chance. Estimates show most players are sophisticated, and become more sophisticated with experience. Direct measures of subjects' beliefs are weakly correlated with implicit model beliefs, but are extremely accurate and do not show the overconfidence found in many psychological studies.
Using Project Financing for Mitigating Asymmetric Information Problems

Brennan and Kraus (1987) show that an efficient separating equilibrium in a financing game where the firms have private information about their cash flows does not exist if the cash flows are ordered by the first-order dominance condition. In the present note we relax their assumption about cash flow indivisibility. We show that when the cash flow is divided in parts (projects) and the firms are allowed to issue securities with projects’ cash flows contingent on payoffs, a separating equilibrium may exist even if the firms total cash flows are ordered by the first-order dominance condition.