Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
as a New Infrastructure for Improved Management of Plant Viruses and their Insect Vectors in Agroecosystems

Epidemiology is a branch of medical science that deals with the incidence, distribution, and control of disease in a population according to the MerriamWebster Dictionary. This definition is important because it helps to define how GIS may be applicable to the study of disease. GIS can easily be used to map occurrences of disease, which leads to an understanding of the distribution of disease as the data set expands. These are key concepts to starting a control program to manage the disease. However, when starting to build a GIS for epidemiology the key elements needed are not quite as simple as stated above. This is why epidemiologists are starting to take a landscape ecology approach that will account for the multiple populations of hosts, vectors and pathogens, as well as the interaction of all of these populations and the environment (Kitron, 1998). It is this matrix of elements that makes GIS an attractive tool for spatial analysis of diseases. From the articles reviewed, it was clear that GIS can be used in many ways to assist in epidemiological research. The uses range from putting break out locations on a map from GPS points to advanced modeling of population dynamics of a specific animal. There were several data models used. For example, a logistic regression model was used to determine risk factors for Lyme disease (Vine et al., 1997), while a model named Geographic Resource Analysis Support System (GRASS) was used to examine the population dynamics of red and grey squirrels (Rushton et. al., 2000). In another study by Guerra et al. to determine habitat suitability of a tick species, Ixodes scapularis, all of the data used was coded and then a positive or negative analysis was used, followed by a logistic regression analysis using the environmental factors as independent variables and the positive and negative sites as outcome variables. Once this was done, the area of interest in Wisconsin and Illinois was turned into a grid with 2.5 km cells and values were assigned to each cell using the Summarize Zones feature of ArcView. In the final step, the logistic equation was used to generate the probability of the presence of Ixodes Scapularis, which was used to create a habitat suitability map that will benefit Lyme disease management in the North Central United States (2002). It is important to note that the predictive value of models is improved when the data used are accurate, the conditions for using the data are simple, and the area in question is close to the source of exposure (Vine et al., 1997). It was also emphasized several times in the articles reviewed (Vine et al., 1997; Mott et al., 1995; Barnes et al., 1999; and Hendrickx et al., 2001) that the use of GIS reaches beyond the technical capabilities for which it is known. GIS based projects also function as a reason to start communications with other agencies and ultimately enrich the management of a disease and ecosystem, simply by opening the gates of communication. The raw data will in the end
Social Work Processes

Part I The context for deciding what to do: 1. Key Themes for Social Work Practice. Chapter Preview. Social Work, Social Welfare, and Social Sciences Ecological Perspective. Problem Solving. Worker and Client as Partners. Readiness for Practice. Chapter Summary. A Look Forward. Reading. Learning Exercises. References. 2. Use of Knowledge and the Ecological Perspective. Chapter Preview. Systems Theory. Ecosystems. Borrowed Knowledge. Knowledge Developed by Social Work. Chapter Summary. A Look Forward. Reading. Learning Exercises. References. 3. Problem Solving: A Process for Social Work Practice. Chapter preview. Problem Solving as a Life Process. Problem Solving in Social Work. Defining Client. Chapter Summary. A Look Forward. Reading. Learning Exercises. References. 4. Client-Worker Partnership. Chapter Preview. Nature of Worker-Client Partnership. Partnership as Respect for individual Dignity and Uniqueness. Partnership and Self Determination. Worker Self-determination? Chapter Summary. A Look Forward. Reading. Learning Exercises. References. 5. Sources of Authority for Social Work Practice. Chapter Preview. Authority from the Client. Authority from the Profession. Authority from the Agency. Managing Conflicts Among the Sources of Authority. Chapter Summary. A Look Forward. Reading. Learning Exercises. References. 6. Ethical Practice. Chapter Preview. Values and Ethics. Primary Ethical Duty is to Clients. Duty of Competent Practice. Advocacy for Social Justice as an Ethical Duty. Maintaining a Professional Relationship and Dual Relations. Rethinking Confidentiality. Ethical Dilemmas. Chapter Summary. A Look Forward. Reading. Learning Exercises. References. 7. Relationship in Social Work Practice. Chapter Preview. Development of Relationship. Elements of Relationship. The Helping Person. Chapter Summary. A Look Forward. Reading. Learning Exercises. References. Part II Tools for deciding what to do: 8. Engaging Potential Clients. Chapter Preview. Communication and Social Work. Getting Started. The Tasks of Engagement. Chapter Summary. A Look Forward. Reading. Learning Exercises. References. 9. Communicating Across Cultures. Different Communicating Styles. Cultural Competence. Pitfalls to Avoid. Reading. Learning Exercises. References. 10. Data Collection and Assessment. Chapter Preview. What is Assessment? What Data is Needed? Data Collection. Interviewing and Social Work. Processing Data and Decision Making. Assessment as a Continuous Process. Chapter Summary. A Look Forward. Reading. Learning Exercises. References. 11. The Service Agreement. Chapter Preview. Service Agreement. Interventive Roles. Chapter Summary. A Look Forward. Reading. Learning Exercises. References. Part III Tools for doing the decided: 12. Interventive Methods to Mobilize Power. Chapter Preview. Securing Resources for Clients. Increasing Client Awareness of Self. Strengthening Client Communication Skills. Providing Information for Clients.
Study of Methylation Levels of Parkin Gene Promoter in Parkinson's Disease Patients

ABSTRACT Mutations in the parkin gene have been significantly linked to autosomal recessive juvenile parkinsonism (ARJP). In addition to its association with ARJP, loss of heterozygosity of parkin has been found in several types of malignant tumors, including ovarian, breast, and hepatocellular tumors. Abnormal methylation of parkin promoter was observed in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and chronic myelogenous leukemia in lymphoid blast crisis. We hypothesized that hypermethylation of the parkin promoter might reduce the expression of parkin, which would contribute to the pathogenesis of parkinson's disease (PD) in idiopathic patients and parkin heterozygotes. In this study, we analyzed samples from 17 PD patients with heterozygous parkin mutations, 17 PD patients without parkin mutations, and 10 normal controls. We determined the levels of methylation of the parkin gene promoter in each group using bisulfite genomic sequencing of a region containing 33 CpG sites in the CpG island of the parkin promoter. The methylation levels indicated hypomethylation, and there were no significant differences in the incidence of CpG site methylation among three groups (P > 0.05). These results suggest that the methylation mechanism is unlikely to play a role in the pathogenesis and development of PD.
Dynamic Simulation of Brushless DC Motor Drives Considering Phase Commutation for Automotive Applications

This paper proposes the advanced model of brushless dc motor drives considered behaviour of commutation and waveform of for dynamic simulation of automotive application under Matlab/Simulink environment. We need a model of BLDC motor drives that control algorithm and BLDC motor drive system can be designed and simulated as a point of system level. The model has to consider commutation phenomenon. A waveform of back-EMF of BLDC motor can be modified to depend on BLDC motor type. To satisfy above factors need a co-simulation technique with other circuit level simulation tools. However, there are severe constraints, i.e. simulation speed and interface with tools. The advanced model proposed in this paper considers behaviour of commutation and waveform of back-EMF for comprehensive analysis and prediction of dynamic characteristics of BLDC motor drives. The commutation phenomenon is implemented by functional behaviour description and back-EMF is modelled by pattern of waveform. The developed model is split into few parts with object-oriented manner for reusability and scalability. It is easily integrated with other models of automotive application.
Blinded and Seeing the Light, (John Noseworthy, Lou Gehrig and Other Tales of Enlightenment)

Patients having serious neurological diseases often wonder why clinical trials must use controls and double blinding in order to prove efficacy. Studies on the effect of examiner blinding in multiple sclerosis trials, as well as the published results of an unblinded uncontrolled clinical trial of Vitamin E therapy in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (including Lou Gehrig) provide clear illustrations of the impact of blinding and controls on outcome. These reports serve as a resource for physicians, patients and their families in discussing the rationale for controls and double blinding, and instill caution that should be used when judging results of studies which are unblinded or uncontrolled.
The Relationship between Supervisors' Power Bases and Supervisory Styles

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Impact of career plateau and supervisory support on career satisfaction: A study in offshore outsourced IT firms in Sri Lanka

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of career plateau (hierarchical plateau and job content plateau) and supervisory career support on career satisfaction.Design/methodology/approach – A random sample of 119 IT professionals employed full‐time in offshore outsourced IT firms in Sri Lanka responded. Multiple regression was used for the data analysis.Findings – Supervisory career support significantly predicts career satisfaction. However, hierarchical plateau and job content plateau do not significantly predict career satisfaction.Originality/value – Although IT employees attached to the offshore IT firms may be identified as a unique population worthy of empirical investigation, details on how they actually manage their careers remain obscure. The findings of the study provide interesting implications for individuals' career satisfaction and will be a source of general guidance in stimulating future research in this area.
Self-Regulated Learning Activities: Supporting Success in Online Courses

Although most higher education institutions offer some form of distance education (Parsad & Lewis, 2008), learners may struggle with this mode of learning due to insufficient independence and discipline. Success in these contexts requires learner self-regulation, or the ability to control the factors and conditions that affect learning (Dembo, Junge, & Lynch, 2006). The Model of Self-Regulated Distance Learning (Andrade & Bunker, 2009, 2011b) has been successfully applied to online distance English language courses to increase learners’ self-regulation, capacity for autonomy, course persistence, and language proficiency (Andrade & Bunker, 2011a). The model, based on the theories of transactional distance (Moore, 1972, 2007) and self-regulated learning (Schunk & Zimmerman, 1994; Zimmerman, 1994; Zimmerman & Risemberg, 1997), provides a framework to guide course designers and teachers in helping learners develop self-regulated learning behaviours as they master course content. The model is applicable to any course or content area. This chapter briefly reviews the theoretical underpinnings of the model and research that demonstrates its effectiveness. It then shares approaches and activities that can be embedded into distance courses to meet learners’ diverse needs and educational backgrounds. These activities are illustrated with examples of distance English language courses and learners.
Ten Years of Research: A Systematic Review of Three Refereed LD Journals

Content analyses of journals in the field of LD provide a means of surveying research and publication trends, the knowledge of which may inform policy and practice related to future research agendas. As the first decade of the current millennium was particularly contentious for the field of LD, we felt that a content review would be timely. In this paper, the content of three refereed LD journals—Journal of Learning Disabilities, Learning Disabilities Research & Practice, and Learning Disabilities Quarterly—was analyzed. Articles from 2001–2010 (n = 841) were systematically coded to capture article type, area of interest, population of interest, sample characteristics, and inclusion of students with LD. Results indicate that across the decade, (a) 68% of articles reported empirical research; (b) empirical research trended up; (c) publication of intervention research remained steady; (d) the most common foci were literacy and the non–academic characteristics of individuals with LD; and (e) inclusion of participants labeled as having a LD declined. We discuss trends, possible explanations, and implications, highlighting areas for future research.
Characterization of a bi‐directional promoter for divergent transcription of a PHD‐zinc finger protein gene and a ran gene in the protozoan pathogen Giardia lamblia

We showed previously that transcription of the ran gene in Giardia lamblia is regulated by an AT‐rich initiator. In the present study, the ran initiator was found to regulate transcription of a neighbouring PHD zinc‐finger protein gene. Deletion and scanning mutagenesis of the phd promoter in a firefly luciferase reporter system showed that the promoter activity is determined by multiple single‐stranded T‐tract DNA elements distributed into a distal domain spanning the ran initiator (–134/–103) and a proximal domain (–88/–48) spanning phd messenger RNA (mRNA) start sites (–74, –55 and –53 relative to the first ATG). The promoter activity is repressed by the single T‐tract element on a non‐template strand of the ran initiator, and is activated by closely spaced T‐tract elements on the opposite strand. The T‐tract elements in the phd and ran initiators compete for similar ssDNA binding proteins. Mutation of –47/–42 resulted in dramatic reduction of luciferase activity without changing luciferase mRNA levels, indicating the potential involvement of a regulatory mechanism in PHD protein translation. These findings suggest that G. lamblia uses multiple copies of a T‐tract element as both core and distal elements in regulating transcription initiation, and that expression of the phd gene is regulated at multiple levels.
A Protective Vaccine against Chlamydia Genital Infection Using Vault Nanoparticles without an Added Adjuvant

Chlamydia trachomatis genital infection is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial disease, causing a significant burden to females due to reproductive dysfunction. Intensive screening and antibiotic treatment are unable to completely prevent female reproductive dysfunction, thus, efforts have become focused on developing a vaccine. A major impediment is identifying a safe and effective adjuvant which induces cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) cells with attributes capable of halting genital infection and inflammation. Previously, we described a natural nanocapsule called the vault which was engineered to contain major outer membrane protein (MOMP) and was an effective vaccine which significantly reduced early infection and favored development of a cellular immune response in a mouse model. In the current study, we used another chlamydial antigen, a polymorphic membrane protein G-1 (PmpG) peptide, to track antigen-specific cells and evaluate, in depth, the vault vaccine for its protective capacity in the absence of an added adjuvant. We found PmpG-vault immunized mice significantly reduced the genital bacterial burden and histopathologic parameters of inflammation following a C. muridarum challenge. Immunization boosted antigen-specific CD4 cells with a multiple cytokine secretion pattern and reduced the number of inflammatory cells in the genital tract making the vault vaccine platform safe and effective for chlamydial genital infection. We conclude that vaccination with a Chlamydia-vault vaccine boosts antigen-specific immunities that are effective at eradicating infection and preventing reproductive tract inflammation.
Assessment of activities of daily living with an ambulatory monitoring system: a comparative study in patients with chronic low back pain and nonsymptomatic controls

Objective: The aim of this study was twofold: (1) to investigate whether differences in activities of daily living exist between patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) and nonsymptomatic controls; (2) to investigate the day-today variability in daily activities. Design: Physical activities were measured over a 24-hour period with an ambulant monitoring system. Setting: Measurements were carried out in the subject's own environment. Subjects: Forty-seven CLBP patients and 10 nonsymptomatic controls participated in this study. Results: On group level, CLBP patients show a lower activity pattern compared with controls, especially during the evening. This is re‘ected in a lower walking step frequency during the day and evening, more lying time during the day and a lower physical activity level, less standing time and more lying time during the evening. The day-to-day variability in activity pattern is high and similar for both the patient and control group. Conclusion: The lower activity level especially found during the evening might indicate that patients need all their capacity to perform the tasks imposed during the day and as a consequence have less capacity left for their leisure time, in general the evening. This suggests the existence of an imbalance between the patient's physical capacity and the imposed environmental load. The large but similar day-to-day variability in activity pattern, which does not support the clinical findings of ‘bad days’ in CLBP patients, suggests the need for repeated measures.
Flux interactions on D-branes and instantons

We provide a direct world-sheet derivation of the couplings of NS-NS and R-R fluxes to various types of D-branes (including instantonic ones) by evaluating disk amplitudes among two open string vertex operators at a generic brane intersection and one closed string vertex representing the background fluxes. This world-sheet approach is in full agreement with the derivation of the flux couplings in the brane effective actions based on supergravity methods, but it is applicable also to more general brane configurations involving fields with twisted boundary conditions. As an application, we consider an orbifold compactification of Type IIB string theory with fractional D-branes preserving = 1 supersymmetry and study the flux-induced fermionic mass terms both on space-filling branes and on instantonic ones. Our results show the existence of a relation between the soft supersymmetry breaking and the lifting of some instanton fermionic zero-modes, which may lead to new types of non-perturbative couplings in brane-world models.
Relationship between viable bacteria and air pollutants in an urban atmosphere.

Significant correlations were found between the concentration of viable airborne bacteria and the concentration of CO (−0.61) and hydrocarbons (+0.51) in measurements made in Cincinnati during the summer of 1969. No statistically significant correlations were found between bacteria concentration and temperature, relative humidity, or the concentration of total suspended particulate matter, NO, NO2, SO2) and oxidants. Partial correlation analysis where temperature and humidity were held constant, however, revealed significant correlations between bacteria concentration and the concentrations of NO (+0.45), NO2 (+0.62), SO2 (−0.76), hydrocarbons (+0.57), and CO (−0.54). Bacterial size expressed as the mass median diameter (7.6 μm average) was significantly correlated with relative humidity (−0.71)) and CO concentration (−0.60).
The Production Processes and Biological Effects of Intravenous Immunoglobulin

Immunoglobulin is a highly diverse autologous molecule able to influence immunity in different physiological and diseased situations. Its effect may be visible both in terms of development and function of B and T lymphocytes. Polyclonal immunoglobulin may be used as therapy in many diseases in different circumstances such as primary and secondary hypogammaglobulinemia, recurrent infections, polyneuropathies, cancer, after allogeneic transplantation in the presence of infections and/or GVHD. However, recent studies have broadened the possible uses of polyclonal immunoglobulin showing that it can stimulate certain sub-populations of T cells with effects on T cell proliferation, survival and function in situations of lymphopenia. These results present a novel and considerable impact of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatment in situations of severe lymphopenia, a situation that can occur in cancer patients after chemo and radiotherapy treatments. In this review paper the established and experimental role of polyclonal immunoglobulin will be presented and discussed as well as the manufacturing processes involved in their production.
TristouNet: Triplet loss for speaker turn embedding

TristouNet is a neural network architecture based on Long Short-Term Memory recurrent networks, meant to project speech sequences into a fixed-dimensional euclidean space. Thanks to the triplet loss paradigm used for training, the resulting sequence embeddings can be compared directly with the euclidean distance, for speaker comparison purposes. Experiments on short (between 500ms and 5s) speech turn comparison and speaker change detection show that TristouNet brings significant improvements over the current state-of-the-art techniques for both tasks.