Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Definition of the Armed Conflict in the Conditions of Cyber Warfare

The paper is presenting the examination of the cyberwarfare phenomenon in its legal context. The cyberattacks are increasingly effective measures of modern combat and would probably become the most crucial dimension of forthcoming armed conflict. The role of the international humanitarian law is to determine whenever the cyberattack is reaching the threshold of an armed conflict. The aim of the article is to present the existing framework of ius in bello in terms of its temporal scope of applicability, especially in the light of the Tallinn Manual on the International Law Applicable to Cyber Warfare. It supported conclusion that the international law requires an revision of the armed conflict definition to sufficiently addressed the challenges arising from growing cyber activity.
Early Visual Language Exposure and Emergent Literacy in Preschool Deaf Children: Findings From a National Longitudinal Study

a brief review is provided of recent research on the impact of early visual language exposure on a variety of developmental outcomes, including literacy, cognition, and social adjustment. This body of work points to the great importance of giving young deaf children early exposure to a visual language as a critical precursor to the acquisition of literacy. Four analyses of data from the Visual Language and Visual Learning (VL2) Early Education Longitudinal Study are summarized. Each confirms findings from previously published laboratory findings and points to the positive effects of early sign language on, respectively, letter knowledge, social adaptability, sustained visual attention, and cognitive-behavioral milestones necessary for academic success. The article concludes with a consideration of the qualitative similarity hypothesis and a finding that the hypothesis is valid, but only if it can be presented as being modality independent.
Correlation on cine MR imaging of size of adenoid and palatine tonsils with degree of upper airway motion in asymptomatic sedated children.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to use MR fluoroscopy to evaluate variations in size of the adenoid and palatine tonsils and the relationship between tonsil enlargement and airway motion dynamics in asymptomatic children during sleep. SUBJECTS AND METHODS We performed sagittal midline cine MR imaging (fast gradient-echo series: TR/TE, 8.2/3.6 sec; flip angle, 80 degrees; slice thickness, 8 mm; 128 consecutive images; imaging time, 2 min; displayed in cine mode) in children referred for MR imaging of the brain who required sedation. The largest transverse diameter of the adenoids was recorded. A subjective impression was made as to whether the adenoids were enlarged or normal in size. Palatine tonsils were considered enlarged when a soft-tissue mass was identified on the midline cine images, and maximum diameter was recorded. Enlarged and nonenlarged adenoid and palatine tonsil groups were compared using motion parameters (chi-square or Fisher's exact test): mouth position (opened or closed); vertical motion (present, absent); nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, and hypopharyngeal motion (static patent, dynamic patent, intermittent collapsed, or static collapsed, and greatest change in size). RESULTS We studied 148 subjects who had a mean age of 3.4 years. The adenoid tonsils were considered enlarged in 64 patients (43%), and the palatine tonsils were considered enlarged in 29 patients (20%). The mean size of the enlarged adenoid tonsils was 11.6 mm and of the nonenlarged adenoid tonsils was 6.2 mm. Enlarged adenoids correlated with the open mouth position (p = 0.0242) and increased dynamic motion of the oropharynx (p = 0.0413). A trend was also seen for increased dynamic motion of the nasopharynx (p = 0.0723). Enlarged palatine tonsils correlated with an increased frequency of dynamic motion of the oropharynx (p = 0.0006) and the nasopharynx (p = 0.0033) and a trend for increased frequency of the open mouth position (p = 0.0692). CONCLUSION Large adenoid and palatine tonsil size affects breathing dynamics of the upper airway even in asymptomatic children.
Influence of a Putative Intermolecular Interaction between Core and the Pre-S1 Domain of the Large Envelope Protein on Hepatitis B Virus Secretion

ABSTRACT Virion release of hepatitis B virus (HBV) from hepatocytes is a tightly regulated event. It is a dogma that only the mature HBV genome is preferentially allowed to export from the intracellular compartment (J. Summers and W. S. Mason, Cell 29:403-415, 1982). Recently, an “immature secretion” phenotype of a highly frequent naturally occurring HBV variant containing a leucine residue at amino acid 97 of the core protein was identified. Unlike wild-type HBV, this variant secretes almost equal amounts of mature and immature genomes. This phenomenon is not caused by any instability of core particles or by any deficiency in viral reverse transcription (T. T. Yuan, P. C. Tai, and C. Shih, J. Virol. 73:10122-10128, 1999). In this study, our kinetic analysis of virion secretion of the mutant F97L (phenylalanine to leucine) indicates that the secretion of its immature genome does not occur earlier than that of its mature genome. In addition, the secretion kinetics of the mature genomes are comparable between the wild-type HBV and the mutant F97L. Therefore, the immature secretion phenomenon of mutant F97L is not caused by premature secretion or more efficient secretion. Previously, we hypothesized that the immature secretion phenotype is probably caused by the aberrant interaction between its mutant core and wild-type envelope proteins. Here, we further demonstrated that a pre-S1 envelope mutation at position 119, changing an alanine (A) to a phenylalanine (F), can offset the immature secretion phenotype of the mutant I97L (isoleucine to leucine) and successfully restore the wild-type-like selective export of the mature genome of the double mutant pre-S1-A119F/core-I97L.
Aspergillus, its sexual states and the new International Code of Nomenclature

The newly adopted International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi and plants (ICN) demands that dimorphic fungi, in particular those with both sexual and asexual names, now bear a single name. Although priority is no longer associated with the mode of reproduction, the ICN requires justification for choosing an asexual name over an existing sexual one. The phylogenetic approach that made dual nomenclature for fungi obsolete can be used to help choose names for large groups of fungi that are best known by asexual names. Here we apply this approach to one of the largest and most diverse asexual genera, the genus Aspergillus. We find that existing sexual names may be given to well supported clades of fungi with distinct phenotypes, which include sexual morphology as well as physiological attributes associated with xerophily, thermophily and mycotoxin production. One group of species important to food production and food safety, Aspergillus subgen. Circumdati, lacks a well supported clade; here we propose that the name Aspergillus be retained for this group. Recognizing that nomenclature has economic and social implications, particularly for old, important genera, we discuss the consequences of various scenarios to implement the new “one name for one fungus” article in the ICN, showing that our approach requires the fewest appeals to the ICN while retaining the name Aspergillus for many of the most economically and socially important species.
Removal of vestibular schwannoma and facial nerve preservation using small suboccipital retrosigmoid craniotomy.

BACKGROUND Vestibular schwannoma, the commonest form of intracranial schwannoma, arises from the Schwann cells investing the vestibular nerve. At present, the surgery for vestibular schwannoma remains one of the most complicated operations demanding for surgical skills in neurosurgery. And the trend of minimal invasion should also be the major influence on the management of patients with vestibular schwannomas. We summarized the microsurgical removal experience in a recent series of vestibular schwannomas and presented the operative technique and cranial nerve preservation in order to improve the rates of total tumor removal and facial nerve preservation. METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed in 145 patients over a 7-year period who suffered from vestibular schwannomas that had been microsurgically removed by suboccipital retrosigmoid transmeatus approach with small craniotomy. CT thinner scans revealed the tumor size in the internal auditory meatus and the relationship of the posterior wall of the internal acoustic meatus to the bone labyrinths preoperatively. Brain stem evoked potential was monitored intraoperatively. The posterior wall of the internal acoustic meatus was designedly drilled off. Patient records and operative reports, including data from the electrophysiological monitoring, follow-up audiometric examinations, and neuroradiological findings were analyzed. RESULTS Total tumor resection was achieved in 140 cases (96.6%) and subtotal resection in 5 cases. The anatomical integrity of the facial nerve was preserved in 91.0% (132/145) of the cases. Intracranial end-to-end anastomosis of the facial nerve was performed in 7 cases. Functional preservation of the facial nerve was achieved in 115 patients (Grade I and Grade II, 79.3%). No patient died in this series. Preservation of nerves and vessels were as important as tumor removal during the operation. CT thinner scan could show the relationship between the posterior wall of the internal acoustic meatus and bone labyrinths, that is helpful for a safe drilling of the posterior wall of the internal acoustic meatus. CONCLUSIONS The goal of every surgery should be the preservation of function of all cranial nerves. Using the retrosigmoid approach with small craniotomy is possible even for large schwannomas. Knowing the microanatomy of the cerebellopontine angle and internal auditory meatus, intraoperating neurophysiological monitoring of the facial nerve function, and the microsurgical techniques of the surgeons are all important factors for improving total tumor removal and preserving facial nerve function.
Corporate disclosure of human capital via LinkedIn and ownership structure: An empirical analysis of European companies

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between ownership concentration and human capital (HC) disclosure released via LinkedIn. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a quantitative methodology. The sample is composed of 150 European companies. Content analysis was used to examine HC disclosure via LinkedIn. Regression analysis was used to test the hypothesis. Findings The results indicate that ownership concentration negatively influences HC disclosure via LinkedIn, confirming that closely held firms have little motivation to voluntarily release information. Research limitations/implications The main limitation of this study relates to the sample size. Furthermore, this study investigates only the quantity of HC disclosure; it does not consider the quality of this information. Practical implications The typical ownership structure of European firms generates a force that opposes the growing pressure for internationalization and global transparency. This important issue needs to be considered in investor decisions, HC management and reporting and in setting accounting standards. Moreover, the study points out that, despite the potential opportunities provided by LinkedIn to build and enforce relationships with their stakeholders, companies mainly use LinkedIn for recruitment purposes. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature on HC disclosure because it is, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, the first study that exclusively examines HC disclosure by European companies via LinkedIn and because it develops a disclosure index that includes items concerning the stock of knowledge and capabilities of employees in addition to the practices in human resource management.
Epidemiology of Reemerging Scarlet Fever, Hong Kong, 2005–2015

Annual incidence of scarlet fever in Hong Kong remained elevated after an upsurge in 2011. Incidence increased from 3.3/10,000 children <5 years of age during 2005–2010 to 18.1/10,000 during 2012–2015. Incidence was higher among boys and was 32%–42% lower in the week following school holidays.
Contextualizing performance appraisal practices in Chinese public sector organizations: the importance of context and areas for future study

Abstract Public sector organizations (PSOs) continue to undergo pressures for change due to economic globalization and the changing role of the state, resulting in increased focus on performance management, particularly employee performance appraisal. New public management’s emphasis on transparency, accountability, efficiency and performance highlights the multiple and often conflicting roles and performance outcomes of PSOs, the social and economic contexts in which PSOs operate, and the multiple ways they measure and manage performance. Responding to this special issue and calls for a richer understanding of performance management in PSOs we examine the impact of context on performance appraisal in Chinese PSOs. As China continues its transitions to a market-driven economy, Chinese PSOs have engaged in managerial reforms to improve governance, efficiency and productivity, including the strategic implementation of western-based HRM practices to manage employee performance. Our analysis demonstrates the challenges context poses for analysing HRM practices in Chinese PSOs.
Improved Active Frequency Drift Anti-islanding Detection Method for Grid Connected Photovoltaic Systems

As more distributed generators join the utility grid, the concern of possible undetected islanding operation increases. This concern is due to the safety hazards this phenomenon imposes on the personnel and equipment. Passive anti-islanding detection methods monitor grid parameters to detect islanding, whereas active methods inject a perturbation into the current waveform to drive these parameters out of limit when islanding occurs. The performance of active methods, such as conventional active frequency drift (AFD), is limited by the amount of total harmonic distortion (THD) they inject into the grid, which defines its nondetection zone. In this paper, an improved AFD anti-islanding method is presented based on a different current distortion injection waveform. The proposed method generates 30% less THD compared to classic AFD, resulting in faster island detection and improved nondetection zone. The performance of the proposed method is derived analytically, simulated using Matlab and verified experimentally using a prototype setup. A single-phase grid-tied photovoltaic distributed generation system is used for the simulation and experimental setup, and considered as potential application.
Barriers to Building Trust when Communicating about Agricultural Biotechnology: The Role of Confirmation Bias

BARRIERS TO BUILDING TRUST WHEN COMMUNICATING ABOUT AGRICULUTRAL BIOTECHNOLOGY: THE ROLE OF CONFIRMATION BIAS Lana Pribic Advisor: Dr. Andreas Boecker University of Guelph, 2017 Co-Advisor: Dr. Alexandra Grygorczyk The current debate surrounding agricultural biotechnology (i.e. GM foods) is polarized and a more balance conversation is needed. This thesis investigates communication about agricultural biotechnology. A critical review of related literature indicates that trust can be built between agricultural organizations and consumers through public engagement that considers public concerns and addresses their outrage. In the literature, shared value based communication is deemed important for building trust. This thesis builds upon the literature by introducing confirmation bias as a potential barrier to building trust with shared values and investigates how it might be overcome. Two factors are presented as moderators of confirmation bias: exposure to shared values based communication and format of presentation. These two factors are implemented as treatments in an experimental design where participants (n=501) read various articles about a fictitious GM food product. A two-way 2x2 ANOVA analysis is applied to answer the research questions. Findings suggest that prior attitudes play a significant role in influencing people to view a more balanced selection of articles.
Effect of one-year growth hormone therapy on body composition and cardio-metabolic risk in Indian children with growth hormone deficiency

Abstract Growth hormone (GH) deficiency in children manifests as short stature but is also associated with metabolic disturbances. Paucity of GH is also likely to be associated with increased intima media thickness. Data on body composition (BC) and carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) in children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) from developing countries are very scarce. Therefore, objectives of present study were to assess effect of 1 year of rhGH therapy on (i) BC and lipid profile (LP) in a cohort of Indian GHD children and (ii) effect on atherosclerotic markers – cIMT in subsample. Anthropometry, BC [% body fat (BF), % lean body mass (LBM), bone mineral content (BMC)] (DXA) and LP were measured in 49 pre-pubertal GHD-children (9.3 ± 3.1 years) at baseline and after 1 year of rhGH therapy. On subset of 20 children, cIMT of right common carotid artery was also measured. Baseline BC parameters were compared with age-gender matched healthy controls (n = 49). At baseline % BF was 23 ± 9 %, LBM was 9 ± 3 kg and BMC was 0.306 ± 0.15 kg in GHD- children; BF was comparable, while lean and bone were less than controls (p < 0.05). Post therapy, significant reduction in fat (15%), and cIMT (7%) and increase in LBM and BMC by 40% and 44%, respectively (p < 0.05) was seen. Our cohort of untreated GHD children had abnormal BC and cIMT as compared to controls. rhGH therapy for 1 year had beneficial effect on BC and cardiovascular risk factors.
Risks of carbamate and organophosphate pesticide mixtures to salmon in the Pacific Northwest

Salmon populations in the Pacific Northwest are being affected by a variety of environmental stressors including intense fishing pressure, parasites and disease, climatic variability and change, land development, hatchery production, hydropower operations, stormwater runoff, and exposure to toxic contaminants. In recent years, there has been much concern that mixtures of pesticides are causing toxic effects to Pacific salmon. In this study, we compared measured stream water concentrations from 2 monitoring studies conducted in the Pacific Northwest with concentration‐response curves derived for inhibition of brain acetylcholinesterase activity in juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) for mixtures of organophosphate (OPs) and carbamate (CBs) pesticides. In the first monitoring study, samples were collected from 2003 to 2007 in salmonid‐bearing waters of 5 urban or agricultural watersheds in Washington State. This study was targeted to areas of high pesticide use and generally involved weekly sampling during the pesticide use season. The second monitoring study was the United States Geological Survey National Water Quality Assessment that included samples taken from 2003 to 2010 in California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. OPs and CBs were frequently detected in both studies. The available monitoring data collected since 2003, however, demonstrates that mixtures of OPs and CBs in surface waters rarely occur at levels capable of producing significant physiological and behavioral effects in Pacific salmon. The observed mixtures never reached concentrations capable of causing mortality. We conclude that mixtures of organophosphates and carbamates do not pose a significant direct risk to Pacific salmon. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2013; 9: 70–78. © 2012 SETAC
Deletions in the genomes of pseudorabies virus vaccine strains and existence of four isomers of the genomes

As part of a study designed to identify the genes responsible for the virulence of pseudorabies virus, we have mapped the genomes of two independently derived vaccine strains (Bartha and Norden) by restriction enzyme analysis. The structures of these genomes have been compared with that of the genome of a laboratory strain previously mapped, of restriction fragments which had been cloned. The genome of the Bartha strain was found to be very similar to that of other pseudorabies virus strains, except that a deletion of approximately 2.7 X 10(6) daltons was found in the unique short (US) region. This deletion was also observed in the genome of the Norden vaccine strain but was not observed in the genomes of any other pseudorabies virus strains that have been studied (more than 20). The genome of the Norden strain differs from that of other pseudorabies virus strains in several other respects as well. The most important difference is that in contrast to all other pseudorabies virus strains analyzed to date, which contain a type 2 herpesvirus DNA molecule (in which the US region only inverts itself relative to the unique long [UL] region), the genome of the Norden strain is a type 3 molecule in which both the US and the UL regions of the genome invert themselves, giving rise to four isomeric forms of the genome. The ability of the UL region to invert itself is probably related to the fact that a sequence normally present in all other pseudorabies virus strains at the end of the UL only is found also in inverted form at the junction of the UL and the internal inverted repeat in the Norden strain.
Changes in calcium‐dependent membrane permeability properties in mitochondria of livers from arthritic rats

The involvement of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (PTP) in the responses of mitochondria from adjuvant‐induced arthritic rats to Ca2+ addition was investigated. The respiratory activity, the Ca2+‐induced osmotic swelling and the electrophoretic 45Ca2+ uptake were evaluated in the absence and in the presence of cyclosporin A (CsA), a well‐known inhibitor of the mitochondrial PTP. The Ca2+‐induced mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) process occurred in mitochondria from arthritic rats even in the presence of a low Ca2+ concentration. Whereas in the normal condition, the Ca2+‐induced uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation and osmotic swelling was observed in the presence of 10 or 20 µM Ca2+ concentration, in the arthritic condition, these events occurred at 1.0 µM concentration. In addition, mitochondria from arthritic rats presented an impaired ability to accumulate 45Ca2+. All these effects were completely prevented by the administration of CsA. The results of the present study suggest that the higher sensitivity of mitochondria from arthritic rats to Ca2+‐induced MPT may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of the arthritis disease. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.