Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biodegradation of Nitro-Substituted Explosives 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene, Hexahydro-1,3,5-Trinitro-1,3,5-Triazine, and Octahydro-1,3,5,7-Tetranitro-1,3,5-Tetrazocine by a Phytosymbiotic Methylobacterium sp. Associated with Poplar Tissues (Populus deltoides × nigra DN34)

ABSTRACT A pink-pigmented symbiotic bacterium was isolated from hybrid poplar tissues (Populus deltoides × nigra DN34). The bacterium was identified by 16S and 16S-23S intergenic spacer ribosomal DNA analysis as a Methylobacterium sp. (strain BJ001). The isolated bacterium was able to use methanol as the sole source of carbon and energy, which is a specific attribute of the genus Methylobacterium. The bacterium in pure culture was shown to degrade the toxic explosives 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazene (RDX), and octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5-tetrazocine (HMX). [U-ring-14C]TNT (25 mg liter−1) was fully transformed in less than 10 days. Metabolites included the reduction derivatives amino-dinitrotoluenes and diamino-nitrotoluenes. No significant release of 14CO2 was recorded from [14C]TNT. In addition, the isolated methylotroph was shown to transform [U-14C]RDX (20 mg liter−1) and [U-14C]HMX (2.5 mg liter−1) in less than 40 days. After 55 days of incubation, 58.0% of initial [14C]RDX and 61.4% of initial [14C]HMX were mineralized into 14CO2. The radioactivity remaining in solution accounted for 12.8 and 12.7% of initial [14C]RDX and [14C]HMX, respectively. Metabolites detected from RDX transformation included a mononitroso RDX derivative and a polar compound tentatively identified as methylenedinitramine. Since members of the genus Methylobacterium are distributed in a wide diversity of natural environments and are very often associated with plants, Methylobacterium sp. strain BJ001 may be involved in natural attenuation or in situ biodegradation (including phytoremediation) of explosive-contaminated sites.
What makes an event a mega-event? Definitions and sizes

There is considerable ambiguity about what makes an event a mega-event. Intervening in this debate, this paper develops a definition and classification scheme for mega-events. On the basis of a review of existing definitions, it proposes four constitutive dimensions of mega-events: visitor attractiveness, mediated reach, costs and transformative impact. The paper develops indicators for each dimension and maps onto these four dimensions a sample of the latest editions of nine large events (Expo, Summer and Winter Olympics, Football World Cup, European Football Championship, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Pan American Games, Universiade). From this, it develops a multi-dimensional, point-based classification scheme of large events according to size, distinguishing between major events, mega-events and the recently emerging class of giga-events. Concluding, it identifies the need for more systematic data on the size, costs and impacts of a broad range of large-scale events over time.
A RETROSPECTIVE INVESTIGATION OF GENDER INEQUALITY AND FEMALE HOMICIDE VICTIMIZATION

ABSTRACT For the period 1981 to 1993 women represented 21 to 26 percent of homicide victims in the United States annually (Smith and Kuchta 1993). During this same time period sex-specific homicide rates have been among the forms of disaggregation researchers have used to test the utility of traditional correlates of homicide in predicting rates across various population subgroups and units of analysis. Based upon earlier research of the effects of gender inequality upon rates of lethal violence against women, and by applying a feminist theoretical perspective, it is hypothesized that the effect of general social structural characteristics of cities upon women's risk of homicide is mediated by levels of gender inequality. Specifically, this study examines the effects of gender, socioeconomic, legislative, political and extra-legal inequality upon female homicide victimization among 217 U.S. central cities for the period of 1989–1991. Using structural equation modeling results indicate that, among traditional social structural factors, economic deprivation, population size, divorce rate, and the sex ratio all have significant, positive effects on female homicide rates. However, in subsequent models testing the mediating effects of measures of gender inequality on the association between social structural variables and female homicide rates the divorce rate is the only social structural factor that continues to have a significant, positive effect upon homicide rates. Among the four measures of gender inequality, and in support of an ameliorative feminist argument, socioeconomic inequality has a significant, positive influence on rates of female homicide victimizaton. There is also a significant, negative effect of gender legislative inequality upon these rates. That is, the more laws or acts favorable to women, the lower their rates of homicide victimization. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Dengue Incidence in Urban and Rural Cambodia: Results from Population-Based Active Fever Surveillance, 2006–2008

Background Dengue vaccines are now in late-stage development, and evaluation and robust estimates of dengue disease burden are needed to facilitate further development and introduction. In Cambodia, the national dengue case-definition only allows reporting of children less than 16 years of age, and little is known about dengue burden in rural areas and among older persons. To estimate the true burden of dengue in the largest province of Cambodia, Kampong Cham, we conducted community-based active dengue fever surveillance among the 0-to-19–year age group in rural villages and urban areas during 2006–2008. Methods and Findings Active surveillance for febrile illness was conducted in 32 villages and 10 urban areas by mothers trained to use digital thermometers combined with weekly home visits to identify persons with fever. An investigation team visited families with febrile persons to obtain informed consent for participation in the follow-up study, which included collection of personal data and blood specimens. Dengue-related febrile illness was defined using molecular and serological testing of paired acute and convalescent blood samples. Over the three years of surveillance, 6,121 fever episodes were identified with 736 laboratory-confirmed dengue virus (DENV) infections for incidences of 13.4–57.8/1,000 person-seasons. Average incidence was highest among children less than 7 years of age (41.1/1,000 person-seasons) and lowest among the 16-to-19–year age group (11.3/1,000 person-seasons). The distribution of dengue was highly focal, with incidence rates in villages and urban areas ranging from 1.5–211.5/1,000 person-seasons (median 36.5). During a DENV-3 outbreak in 2007, rural areas were affected more than urban areas (incidence 71 vs. 17/1,000 person-seasons, p<0.001). Conclusion The large-scale active surveillance study for dengue fever in Cambodia found a higher disease incidence than reported to the national surveillance system, particularly in preschool children and that disease incidence was high in both rural and urban areas. It also confirmed the previously observed focal nature of dengue virus transmission.
The Impact of AFT on Export Performance of Selected Asian Developing Countries

By liberalizing trade and capitalizing on areas of comparatives advantages, the developing countries can benefit economically. There are a lot of obstacles which constraints the ability of countries to engage in international trade. Aid-for-Trade (AFT) is a part of overall Official Development Assistance (ODA)-which helps developing countries to build their trade in global markets. This paper employs System-GMM technique to examine whether AFT helps Asian aid-receiving countries to improve their export performance over the period 2000-2015. The results show a positive and significant effect of AFT in multiple measures of export performance. However, the aids should be targeted and avoid any misusing.
High group B streptococcus carriage rates in pregnant women in a tertiary institution in Nigeria

Introduction In contrast to industrialized countries, until recently Group B Streptococcus (GBS) was infrequently reported in the developing world. This study was aimed at investigating the prevalence of GBS maternal colonization and to analyze the serotype distribution among the isolates. Methods Vagino-rectal swabs collected from pregnant women were cultured for GBS using conventional media. Swabs were also taken from the mouths, ears and umbilical stumps of the neonates born to colonized mothers. Multiplex PCR and a conventional PCR to discern the gbs2018-ST-17 gene (specific for sequence type(ST)-17 clone) was performed to characterize the Group B streptococcus isolates. Results A total of 300 pregnant women and 53 neonates were studied by culture but only 175 mothers by PCR. GBS was identified in four (6.8%) of 59 (19.7%) neonates of colonized mothers. Out of 175 mothers investigated by PCR, 112 (64%) were colonized. Serotype Ia (23.9%) was the most common among vagino-rectal isolates. Serotype II (71.4%) predominates among colonizing strain in newborns. A significant association between frequency of intercourse of > 2 per week and GBS carriage was found (t-test= 2.2; P value < 0.05). Conclusion GBS carriage is high with low transmission. Strains that have been associated with GBS neonatal disease were reported, though in very low rates. Though none of the babies studied had invasive GBS disease, a more expansive study in the future will be required to establish if invasive GBS neonatal disease is uncommon in Nigeria.
Behavioral Science for Elementary-School Pupils

Primary prevention of mental illness is like the weather. Everybody talks about it but nobody does anything about it. Waiting lists are getting longer, student unrest flares over the relevance of education, and the pigeons come home to roost (1). We know that we are not preventing emotional disturbance; we know that the clinic population is growing out of bounds and that our repair institutions cannot keep up with the demand.
Using the Klein Sexual Orientation Grid in Sociological Studies

The article draws on empirical research based on the Klein Sexual Orientation Grid to suggest that the Grid offers a robust method for self-identification of respondents’ sexualities. The author argues that self-identification should be the starting point for categorizing respondents in sociological studies, but that additional data from the Grid can offer valuable additional insights into emotional and social behavior. The article analyzes the data from more than 200 respondents to an online survey to suggest further use in future sociological studies.
Cellular senescence: ex vivo p53-dependent asymmetric cell kinetics

Although senescence is a defining property of euploid mammalian cells, its physiologic basis remains obscure. Previously, cell kinetics properties of normal tissue cells have not been considered in models for senescence. We now provide evidence that senescence is in fact the natural consequence of normal in vivo somatic stem cell kinetics extended in culture. This concept of senescence is based on our discovery that cells engineered to conditionally express the well-recognized tumor suppressor protein and senescence factor, p53, exhibit asymmetric cell kinetics. In vivo, asymmetric cell kinetics are essential for maintenance of somatic stem cells; ex vivo, the same cell kinetics yield senescence as a simple kinetic endpoint. This new “asymmetric cell kinetics model” for senescence suggests novel strategies for the isolation and propagation of somatic tissue stem cells in culture.
THE ROLE OF ADENOSINE 3',5'-CYCLIC MONOPHOSPHATE IN THE REGULATION OF MAMMALIAN CELL DIVISION

A number of investigations have implied in recent years that a relationship exists between adenosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) and the growth of cells . Numerous experimental systems have been used to examine several different cell types. The result has been some definitive information about how cells divide, what role cyclic AMP plays in cell replication, and which periods of the cell cycle are affected by cyclic AMP . This review article will primarily consider the role of cyclic AMP in mammalian cells in culture in both resting and dividing states . The examination of cultured cells has the advantage that the intracellular levels of cyclic AMP and the enzyme activities which may be influenced either directly or indirectly by this cyclic nucleotide can be examined as a function of a reasonably welldefined chemical medium. Furthermore, the role that cyclic AMP exerts in cells that have been shifted from the resting to the dividing state may be assessed. Because of the many different approaches that have been used, some of the information obtained appears to be contradictory (although it still suggests a role for cyclic AMP in cellular proliferation) . The purpose of this report is to discuss individually the results that support specific aspects of the action of cyclic AMP at the morphological and molecular levels .
Is work engagement related to healthy cardiac autonomic activity? Evidence from a field study among Finnish women workers

The present study investigated whether work engagement is related to and can explain healthy cardiac autonomic activity as indicated by decreased heart rate (HR; i.e., sympathetic and parasympathetic activity) and increased high-frequency power (HFP) of heart rate variability (i.e., parasympathetic activity). A total of 30 healthy Finnish female cleaning workers underwent an ambulatory monitoring period of two nights and two regular workdays, and mean values of work period HR and HFP were utilized as dependent variables. Correlations revealed that work engagement was, as hypothesized, negatively related to HR and positively to HFP. Furthermore, in hierarchical linear regression analysis, work engagement accounted for an additional 19% of the variance explained in HFP, independent of individual baseline, age, Body Mass Index, physical fitness, and medication. However, the explanation rate for HR did not reach statistical significance. The findings suggest that work engagement is associated with healthy, adaptable cardiac autonomic activity, particularly increased parasympathetic activity.
Evaluation of the Emergency Severity Index (version 3) triage algorithm in pediatric patients.

OBJECTIVES As demand for emergency services outpaces available allocated resources, emergency department (ED) triage systems face increasing scrutiny. Longer waits for care make the use of reliable, valid triage systems imperative to patient safety. Little is known about the reliability and validity of triage systems in children. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Emergency Severity Index version 3 (ESIv.3) triage algorithm in a pediatric population. METHODS This two-phase investigation used both retrospective chart review and prospective, observational designs. Interrater reliability was evaluated using ED triage scenarios, a prospective cohort of ED patients presenting to triage, and retrospective triage assignments using the original triage note. ED triage nurses, nurse investigators, and physician investigators performed retrospective blinded triages using only the original triage note to assess reproducibility. In the second phase, validity was assessed using a retrospective analysis of observed resource use, ED length of stay, and hospitalization compared with resource utilization estimated at triage by the ESI. RESULTS In the reliability phase, weighted kappa for ED nurse triage of standard scenarios ranged from 0.84 to 1.00, representing excellent agreement. Twenty ED pediatric patients were triaged simultaneously by an ED triage nurse and the nurse investigator. Weighted kappa was 0.82 (95% confidence interval = 0.66 to 0.98), also representing strong agreement between raters. When used for retrospective chart review, the weighted kappa statistics ranged from 0.42 to 0.84, representing poor to good agreement among the different categories of reviewers. During the validity phase, 510 patients were included in the final data analysis. Hospitalization, ED length of stay, and resource utilization were strongly associated with ESIv.3 category. CONCLUSIONS The ESI triage algorithm demonstrated reliability and validity between triage assignment and resource use in this group of ED pediatric patients.
Screening for Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Short-Term Correctional Institutions: Summary of Evidence Reviewed for the 2010 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines

Abstract Young persons entering US jails and youth detention facilities have high rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention added STD screening guidelines specific to correctional settings to the 2010 STD Treatment Guidelines. This article summarizes published evidence from 1990 to 2009 used to develop the recommendations. The literature supports routine screening of adolescents and young women (aged ⩽35 years, or on the basis of local institutional prevalence data) for chlamydia and gonorrhea because of high prevalence and the subsequent risk of adverse reproductive outcomes. Chlamydia positivity among young women (aged <20 years) in juvenile detention facilities and adult facilities is more than 14%. Men in correctional settings are also at high risk for chlamydia and gonorrhea. Among boys in juvenile detention facilities, chlamydia positivity is estimated at 6.6%; among young men in adult facilities, positivity is 16.6%. Screening men (to reduce sequelae among women) should be considered based on local epidemiology and resource availability. Syphilis screening is not strongly supported in published literature because of low prevalence and is not routinely recommended; however, some screening may be warranted based on local prevalence. Although there is a great diversity in the organization of correctional facilities, implementation of screening recommendations is possible owing to improvements in test technology (urine specimens) and through integration of a standard screening protocol. Based on the high burden of disease and substantial opportunities to reach a high-risk population, correctional facilities are important venues to target efforts to control STDs.
A house for a daughter? Constraints and opportunities in post-tsunami Eastern Sri Lanka

The tsunami of December 2004 caused massive human suffering and physical destruction. In its aftermath, images of helpless victims dominated public opinion and contributed to the generation of resources for the reconstruction of the affected areas. Critics soon pointed to another tsunami, this time in the form of global aid sweeping away local capacities. However valid these objections, they paid little attention to the ways in which the recipient women and men made use of the aid in both strategic and more subtle forms of self-positioning. This article aims at a contextualized description of post-tsunami processes and asks how external interventions interacted with local agendas. Gender relationships in particular are seen as informing both intervention models and local coping processes, and of being themselves in constant transformation within a wider frame of social change.
Explaining buyers' responses to sellers' violation of trust

Purpose – This study seeks to explain a buyer's response to a seller's violation of trust. Four negative responses (decline in trust, negative emotions, negative word‐of‐mouth (WOM) and reduction in repurchase intentions) and four explanatory variables (magnitude of violation, integrity versus capability‐based cause of failure, perceived likelihood of repeated violations and stage of trust prior to the violation) were identified. The study develops and tests hypotheses regarding the possible influence of the explanatory variables on each of the four negative responses.Design/methodology/approach – An experiment was conducted in which business professionals were given one of 16 scenarios, varied by levels of the four explanatory variables, describing a violation of trust in a business‐to‐business service situation. Respondents were asked questions regarding their probable response. Four‐way ANCOVA was used to analyze the results.Findings – The study finds that stage of trust and perceived likelihood of rep.
Improvement of voice quality and prevention of deafness by a bone-conduction device

In modern society, people are involuntarily being exposed to various noises in their everyday-life environments. The increasing use of mobile phones and other portable devices as a primary means of communication outside of homes makes the current noise condition even worse. During the exchange of information on these devices, the volume is usually set 15 dB higher than the surrounding noise in order for the sound to be perceived more clearly. Hence, the sum of noise on these devices is usually estimated to be around 110 dB. This level of noise can cause noise-induced hearing impairment or even hearing loss to users when continued for a long time. A bone-conduction system can be a possible solution to reducing the noise while enhancing the quality of voice signals in mobile phones. In this study, we suggest that the implementation of the bone-conduction feedback system in mobile phones will raise the ratio of signal to noise with about 17 dB, enhancing the quality of voice signals.
Evaluation of the “Illusion of Control”: Type of Feedback, Outcome Sequence, and Number of Trials Among Regular and Occasional Gamblers

Summary Within the framework of Langer's theory of the “illusion of control,” three experiments were conducted in order to clarify factors affecting the acquisition and maintenance of gambling behavior. The first (n = 150) evaluated the effect of partial and continuous feedback on the perception of control in different sequences of the outcomes. The second (n = 64) assessed the type of feedback and the number of trials as facilitating factors of the illusion of control. The third (n = 21) used regular gamblers in order to evaluate the effect of sequence of outcomes. The results indicate that Ss generally did not report an illusion of control towards the experimental task. These conclusions do not replicate Langer's findings which showed that under certain conditions S s attribute to their personal skills the outcomes of the risky task of gambling.
Meeting the development needs of owner managed small enterprise: a discussion of the centrality of action learning

This paper explores the role that action learning might play in micro and small enterprise development. It is divided into two parts. The first part focuses upon the distinctive characteristics of smallness and ownership and their implication for management development processes in the owner managed firm. In particular the impact of personal values, ways of doing things and distinctive forms of learning are explored. The argument points to the emotional underpinning of the ways in which the organisation is developed and run. The challenges to action learning are then reviewed. The second part focuses upon the ‘institutional’ factors that stand in the way of effective approaches to owner manager learning and in particular how they impact on the way that knowledge is delivered and pedagogies applied by business education organisations to the small firm. It is argued that the pervasive corporatism of the approach does much to explain why owner managers are reluctant to pay for existing training and education offers. The barriers that confront action learning approaches are examined. Overall it is concluded that action learning is central to effective owner manager learning, that there are distinctive skill challenges for action learning facilitators but that there need to be major changes in institutional norms.