Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antibody response to glycoprotein I in maternally immune pigs exposed to a mildly virulent strain of pseudorabies virus.

To study the antibody response to glycoprotein I (gI) of pseudorabies virus (PRV) in maternally immune pigs, 3 groups of 6 pigs were given low doses of the mildly virulent Sterksel strain of PRV at 3 and 11 weeks of age. Group A consisted of seronegative pigs; groups B and C consisted of pigs with maternal antibodies deficient of antibodies to gI. At 3 weeks of age, 3 pigs of each group were inoculated intranasally with 10(2.5) plaque-forming units (groups A and B), or with 10(3.5) plaque-forming units (group C) of PRV. The 3 other pigs in each group were contact-exposed to the inoculated pigs. In group A, 4 of 6 pigs shed virus and all developed antibodies to gI of PRV and produced PRV-specific IgM and virus-neutralizing antibodies. In groups B and C, 10 pigs shed virus and all developed low and inconsistent titers of gI antibodies, whereas only 3 pigs produced PRV-IgM antibodies with low titers. Thus, after PRV infection of pigs with high concentrations of maternal antibodies deficient of gI antibodies, the antibody responses to PRV were severely inhibited. The pigs were reinoculated with 10(3) plaque-forming units of the same virus 8 weeks after the first inoculation. The pigs in group A did not respond at all, as they were immune. The pigs in groups B and C shed considerable amounts of virus. Three pigs had a clear secondary antibody response to gI, whereas the others developed an early to normal antibody response to gI. None of the pigs mounted a secondary neutralizing antibody response to PRV. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Single Image Depth Estimation Trained via Depth From Defocus Cues

Estimating depth from a single RGB images is a fundamental task in computer vision, which is most directly solved using supervised deep learning. In the field of unsupervised learning of depth from a single RGB image, depth is not given explicitly. Existing work in the field receives either a stereo pair, a monocular video, or multiple views, and, using losses that are based on structure-from-motion, trains a depth estimation network. In this work, we rely, instead of different views, on depth from focus cues. Learning is based on a novel Point Spread Function convolutional layer, which applies location specific kernels that arise from the Circle-Of-Confusion in each image location. We evaluate our method on data derived from five common datasets for depth estimation and lightfield images, and present results that are on par with supervised methods on KITTI and Make3D datasets and outperform unsupervised learning approaches. Since the phenomenon of depth from defocus is not dataset specific, we hypothesize that learning based on it would overfit less to the specific content in each dataset. Our experiments show that this is indeed the case, and an estimator learned on one dataset using our method provides better results on other datasets, than the directly supervised methods.
Impact of Length of Stay on Functional Outcomes of TBI Patients

The purpose of this study was to compare the functional outcomes of two groups of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) with attention to the impact of reduced length of stay (LOS) in the trauma center (TC) and rehabilitation hospital (RH). From 1991 to 1994, 55 patients, Group 1, with serious TBI (Abbreviated Injury Scale score ≥3) were admitted to a level 1 TC and subsequently transferred to a comprehensive inpatient RH. These results have been previously published. From 1996 to 2002, 64 similarly injured patients, Group 2, received inpatient care at the same TC and RH. These patients had a marked decrease in length of stay. Functional Independence Measures (FIM) were obtained at admission (Adm), discharge (D/C), and at 1 year follow-up for both groups. The average length of stay at the TC dropped from 36 days in Group 1 to 26 days in Group 2. In addition, the average length of stay at the RH dropped from 46 days (Group 1) to 25 days (Group 2); overall, an average reduction of 31 days of inpatient care. Group 2 had significantly lower FIM scores at the time of RH discharge for self-care, locomotion, and mobility compared to Group 1. At the 1 year follow-up, however, there were no significant differences between Groups 1 and 2 in these FIM scores. FIM scores at 1 year were higher in Group 2 for communication (90% vs 71%) and social cognition (77% vs 49%) compared to Group 1. Over one-fourth of each group returned to work by the 1 year follow-up. Socially disruptive behavior occurred at least weekly in 28 per cent (Group 1) and 23 per cent (Group 2) of patients. The outcome for serious TBI is better than generally perceived. Reduction of inpatient LOS did not adversely affect the ultimate functional outcome. The decreased LOS placed a greater demand on outpatient rehabilitative services as well as a greater burden on the family of the brain-injured patient
Performance evaluation of the dairy farmers regarding adoption of precise dairy farming practices in the Punjab, Pakistan

Livestock is the dominant cog of economy of Pakistan and also livelihood supporter fulfiller for the subsistent farmers of country. The country has a great potential and prosperous with dairy animals’ breeds. Unfortunately, farmers are so far away to cash in the actual potential of animals. Non-adoption of improved practices is the major productivity retarding factor. In this regard, present study was conducted in the different areas of Punjab, Pakistan. Data were collected from the 107 livestock farmers. The sample was a blend of landless, illiterate and young, middle aged and small farmers who were immensely dependent on livestock. Data analysis indicated that cattle were the more likely animal among farmers. Farmers were interested in different management practices regarding feeding, breeding and disease management. However, farmers were adopting the only practice which needs no investment and technicality. Farmers were lacking in technical knowledge -
Evaluation of a Focused Short-term Preventive Counselling Project for Families with a Parent with Cancer

Twenty-four families participated in counselling for families with a parent with cancer (24 mothers, 17 fathers, and 34 children). Parents who received counselling were significantly more depressed before the counselling than a nonrandomized control group who did not receive counselling, but participated in another part of the project. For the parents, there was a significant decrease in depression and increase in family functioning scores from before to after the intervention. For the children, a significant pre-to post-decrease in depression scores was found. Changes in depression and family functioning were significantly correlated with the degree of counselling contentment. Reasons for seeking counselling were insecurity in relation to the children, problems with communication, high level of conflict, and change of roles. A number of themes appeared when parents and children described what they gained from the counselling: Confirmation in being a ‘good-enough’ parent, more understanding of emotions and reactions of other family members, more sense of intimacy and cohesion within the family, and normalization of own feelings.
Nation Branding: Toward an Agenda for Critical Research

This article discusses the growing body of research on nation branding, arguing for an expanded critical research agenda on this topic. It begins with an extensive overview of scholarly writing on nation branding, based on 186 sources across disciplines. The discussion organizes the sources in three categories, teasing out key themes within and across them. Second, the article proposes a reflexive conceptual map which identifies four types of research orientations across disciplines. Finally, some directions for future critical research on nation branding and its implications are outlined. The ultimate goal of this mapping exercise is to stimulate more work informed by critical theories on the global phenomenon of nation branding.
Leverage, Debt Maturity and Corporate Performance: Evidence from Chinese Listed Companies

This paper examines the relationship between leverage, debt maturity and firm performance, employing a large panel of Chinese non-financial listed firms. The corporate finance literature widely recognizes that the debt and maturity structures are important mechanisms for addressing agency problems in modern corporations. We applied the system GMM estimator to control for endogeneity concerns in the study. We found positive associations between leverage and the proportion of long term debt, and between leverage and firm performance. Our results indicate that leverage and its maturity structure are important determinants of the profitability of Chinese listed firms. Our research has significant policy implications as it suggests that, since China? s financial system is dominated by a large banking system, lenders (mainly banks) may extend more long term credit to the more productive private sector, which helps to improve performance of these firms. The findings of this study imply that the Chinese government? s efforts to improve the governance of its banking system have been successful in enhancing efficiency and prudence in banks? lending and monitoring behavior.
Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 4 Replication in the Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Line HepG2/C3A

Background/Aims: The lack of a reliable cell culture system allowing persistent in vitro hepatitis C virus (HCV) propagation is still restraining the search for novel antiviral strategies. HepG2 cells transfection with HCV allows for viral replication. However, the replication is weak presumably because of HepG2 lack of miRNA-122, which is essential for viral replication. Other agents such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) have been shown to increase the efficiency of infection with other viruses. This study included comparison of HCV genotype 4 5′UTR and core RNA levels and HCV core protein expression at different time intervals in the absence or presence of PEG and/or DMSO postinfection. Materials and Methods: We used serum with native HCV particles in infecting HepG2 cells in vitro. HCV replication was assessed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for detection of HCV RNA and immunofluorescence and flow cytometry for detection of HCV core protein. Results: HCV 5′UTR and core RNA expression was evident at different time intervals after viral infection, especially after cells were treated with PEG. HCV core protein was also evident at different time intervals using both immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. PEG, not DMSO, has increased the HCV core protein expression in the treated cells, similar to its effect on viral RNA expression. Conclusions: These expression profiles suggest that the current model of cultured HepG2 cells allows the study of HCV genotype 4 replication and different stages of the viral life cycle.
Optimization of Multimedia Progressive Transmission Over MIMO Channels

This paper studies the optimal transmission of multimedia progressive sources, which require unequal target error rates in their bitstream, over multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) channels. First, we derive the information outage probability expression of a space-time code for an arbitrarily given piecewise-linear diversity-multiplexing tradeoff (DMT) function and the conditions for the existence of a crossover point of the information outage probability curves of the space-time codes. We prove that as long as the crossover point of the outage probabilities exists, as spectral efficiency increases, the crossover point in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) monotonically increases, whereas that of the outage probability monotonically decreases. This analysis can be applied to any space-time code, receiver, and propagation channel with a given DMT function. As a specific example, we analyze the two-layer diagonal Bell Labs space-time architecture (D-BLAST) with a group zero-forcing receiver, the vertical BLAST (V-BLAST) with a minimum mean-square error receiver, and orthogonal space-time block codes (OSTBCs), and prove the monotonic behavior of the crossover point for those codes. Based on that, with respect to D-BLAST, V-BLAST, and OSTBC, we derive a method for the optimal space-time coding of a sequence that contains numerous progressive packets. We show that by employing the optimization method rather than exhaustive search, the computational complexity involved with optimal space-time coding can be exponentially reduced without losing any peak SNR performance.
The impact of family ownership on firm value and earning quality: Evidence from Korea

Korean listed firms exhibit some of the highest levels of family ownership in the world. This paper investigates how family ownership affects earnings quality and firm value of firms listed on the Korean Stock Exchange (KSE) in the post crisis period 2000 to 2005. Existing studies show that family ownership may either reduce or aggravate agency problems, suggesting that family ownership overlaps between Type I and Type II agency problems. These unique characteristics of family ownership may affect firm value and quality of earnings. We classify family ownership into three categories: family ownership, pure family ownership, and ownership-control disparity. We find family ownership and pure family ownership is positively associated with firm value and earnings quality. This result supports that family ownership mitigates agency problems, thereby improving firm value and earnings quality. We find there is a non-linear relation (reverse U-shape) between family ownership and firm value measured by Tobin's Q. We do not find that high ownership-control disparity reduces firm value and earnings quality, despite consistency with expected sign.
Fostering Preservice Reflection through Response Journals

Introduction Research on teachers’ knowledge, beliefs, and thoughts has shown that teacher candidates approach teaching with a plethora of initial beliefs and ideas about teaching. Their knowledge, however, tends to be based on simplistic views of teaching and learning in the classroom, and hence may not be “well adapted to teaching” (Calderhead, 1991, p.532). It is only when they reflect upon their knowledge critically that they can transfer what they have learned in initial teacher preparation programs as students to the real classroom situations as teachers. Reflection enables teacher candidates to construct knowledge through asking questions, critiquing, evaluating, etc., helping them bridge the gap between imagined views and the realities of teaching. It is important, therefore, to prepare teacher candidates for teaching by fostering professional learning that focuses on critical thinking and reflection, so that their knowledge and beliefs interact with the teacher education program,
Determination of Prevalence and Etiology of Headache in Children in a Tertiary Care Centre in Rural Areas of Indore

DOI: 10.21276/sjams.2018. 6.2. 5 Abstract: Headache is the most common disorder encountered in general clinical practice. Headache is a heterogenous condition that varies wildly with respect to global severity and severity of individual attacks. The present study “The Prevalence rate and various causes of headache in children in tertiary care center in rural population, near Indore” is an observational study which was carried out in department of Paediatrics, Index Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Indore during the period of 18 months from January 2016 to June 2017. Total 150 cases were recruited in this study. In our study Amongst 150 patients, the most common age group affected was 10-12 years, 71 out of 150 cases (47.33%) were in this group, followed by 7-9 years with 38 out of 150 cases (25.33%) and 33 out of 150 cases (22%) between 13-15 years of age, which shows that cases of headache were more in the age group of 10-12 years. Out of 150 patients, 89 (58.9%) were females and 61 (40.10%) were males indicating clear female preponderance in comparison to males, which is also seen worldwide. In our study, 91 patients (60.66%) were from rural population since hospital is located in the rural setup and influx of patients from urban area is less, while studying it was found that, 22 (14.66%) Out of 150 patients had history of head injury as an etiology of headache, it is also a significant cause of headache in children as they have history of fall while playing. “Chi-Square Test” show significant difference for gender wise distribution in these cases with trauma as a cause of headache. (P<0.05) which is significant. In our study we also found that ENT related problems were also the cause of headache in children in which sinusitis is most common cause and statistically significant, with other causes being otitis, rhinitis and wax etc. Study also revealed that refractive error was most common cause of headache in children on ophthalmic evaluations, other causes being glaucoma and conjunctivitis.
Effective IntrusionDetection with aNeural Network Ensemble Using Fuzzy Clustering and Stacking CombinationMethod

Data mining techniques are widely used for intrusion detection since they have the capability of automation and improving the performance. However, using a single classification technique for intrusion detection might involve some difficulties and limitations such as high complexity, instability, and low detection precision for less frequent attacks. Ensemble classifiers can address these issues as they combine different classifiers and obtain better results for predictions. In this paper, a novel ensemble method with neural networks is proposed for intrusion detection based on fuzzy clustering and stacking combination method. We use fuzzy clustering in order to divide the dataset into more homogeneous portions. The stacking combination method is used to aggregate the predictions of the base models and reduce their errors in order to enhance detection accuracy. The experimental results on NSL-KDD dataset demonstrate that the performance of our proposed ensemble method is higher compared to other well-known classification techniques, particularly when the classes of attacks are small. c © 2014 JComSec. All rights reserved.
PERCEPTION OF PRINCIPALS ON PARENTS ’ INVOLVEMENT IN SCHOOL-BASED MANAGEMENT IN CROSS RIVER STATE , NIGERIA

The aim of the study was to find out the perception of principals on parents’ involvement in the management of public secondary schools and the challenges of involving them in school management practices. The study area was Cross River State of Nigeria. Two research questions and two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The survey research design was adopted for the study. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select 200 principals (120 males and 80 females) from a population of 232 principals. The instrument for data collection was a questionnaire designed by the researcher and titled “Parents’ Involvement in School-Based Management Questionnaire (PISBMQ)” for principals to assess the extent of parents’ involvement in school management practices. It was a 4-point Likert scale which comprised 27 items. The reliability coefficient of the instrument was 0.75, using Cronbach method of reliability estimate.The data for the research questions were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while data for the hypotheses were analyzed using independent t-test statistics. The results of the study revealed that parents, to some extent, were involved in school-based management practices. The findings showed that parents were mostly involved in partnering with school to improve students’ discipline, followed by involvement in policy/decision making, and the school development projects, with involvement in financial supports to school being the least. Generally, principals identified parental apathy, lack of time and expertise in school administration, working parents, and poor socioeconomic background of parents as major challenges in involving parents in school management practices. The study further showed that male and female principals did not differ significantly in their assessment of parents’ involvement in school-based management practices. Rural school principals assessed parents as being more actively involved in school management than urban school principals. Premised on the findings of this study, it was recommended among others that school principals should create invitational school environments for parents. They should communicate regularly with parents and utilized educated community leaders as resource persons to the school to encourage parents to participate actively in school management.
Impact of inducible co‐stimulatory molecule (ICOS) on T‐cell responses and protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection

Even though Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) remains one of the top microbial killers, more than 90% of the 2 billion infected individuals never develop active tuberculosis (TB), indicating efficient immune control of infection in these individuals. Immune mechanisms promoting either control or reactivation of TB are incompletely understood. Kinetic analyses of T‐cell responses against Mtb in C57BL/6 mice revealed surface expression of inducible co‐stimulatory molecule (ICOS) on >30% of all CD4+ T cells, suggesting a pivotal role of this costimulatory molecule of the CD28 family in TB control. Surprisingly, Mtb‐infected ICOS−/− mice showed lower bacterial burden during the late chronic stage of infection as compared to WT controls. ICOS deficiency resulted in a reduced Mtb‐specific CD8+ T‐cell response during late‐stage infection. In contrast, the polyclonal CD4+ Th1 response against Mtb was increased, most likely caused by diminished numbers and frequencies of Tregs. Thus, by altering effector T‐cell populations differentially, ICOS signaling modulates TB control in the late stage of infection.
Multidimensional model to measure quality in e-commerce websites using item response theory

The goal of this article is to propose a multidimensional modeling to measure the quality of commercial websites with the use of Item Response Theory (IRT). The quality of a website encompasses technical characteristics (usability-navigability, presentation of information and interactivity) and non-technical characteristics (design, aesthetics, visual appeal, reliability, hedonism, image), theoretically configuring a multidimensional context. The initial hypothesis of the dimensions and the elaboration of the items were based on a bibliographic analysis about the theme of e-commerce website quality. A set of 75 items was prepared and submitted to a sample of 441 e-commerce websites from a wide variety of sectors. The treatment and analysis of data was conducted using IRT. In this step, questions related to dimensionality and the choice of the most suitable model was discussed. Finally, a multidimensional model with four dimensions was adjusted.
Sorting Effects of Performance Pay

Compensation not only provides incentives to an existing manager but also affects the type of manager attracted to the firm. This paper examines the dual incentive and sorting effects of performance pay in a simple contracting model of endogenous participation. Unless the manager is highly risk averse, sorting dampens optimal pay-performance sensitivity PPS because PPS beyond a nominal amount transfers unnecessary information rent to the manager. This helps explain why empirical estimates of PPS are much lower than predictions from models of moral hazard alone. The model also predicts that sorting under asymmetric information causes the firm to turn away more candidates than would be efficient; PPS increases in the cost of hiring the manager and in the manager's outside option, but decreases in output risk, information risk, and managerial risk aversion; and the firm becomes more selective in hiring as either the manager's outside option, the cost of hiring, risk aversion, output risk, or information risk increases. This paper was accepted by Mary Barth, accounting.