Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development and testing of an explorative BPM acceptance model: Insights from the COVID-19 pandemic

When emerging technologies transform an organization’s way of working, explorative business process management (BPM) becomes a new challenge. Although digital innovations can boost process efficacy and business productivity, employees do not necessarily accept the implied work changes. We therefore looked at the increased digitalization efforts during the COVID-19 lockdowns, during which employees were forced to drastically rethink work by heavily depending on technology for communication and almost all business tasks. This global setting allowed us to scrutinize disruptive work changes and how employees can cope with disruptive work adaptations. We also looked into the explorative skillset needed to adapt to these changes. To theorize about an explorative BPM acceptance model, eleven hypotheses were supported based on a solid theoretical foundation. We followed a quantitative research design using partial least squares for structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) at the university administration settings in two regions, including purposive sampling. Data analysis covered both a measurement model assessment and structural model assessment. Our findings reveal that employees’ perceived work modalities, feeling creative and feeling flexible are more promising features than perceived influence and attitude related to explorative work and skill development. We also offer novel insights into explorative business process management (BPM) skills, and which skills are more productive in uncertain or dynamic working conditions. This research is a learning path for managers struggling with flexible or competitive business environments, and more specifically to facilitate employee willingness.
A digital sensor to measure real-time leaf movements and detect abiotic stress in plants

Abstract Plant and plant organ movements are the result of a complex integration of endogenous growth and developmental responses, partially controlled by the circadian clock, and external environmental cues. Monitoring of plant motion is typically done by image-based phenotyping techniques with the aid of computer vision algorithms. Here we present a method to measure leaf movements using a digital inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor. The lightweight sensor is easily attachable to a leaf or plant organ and records angular traits in real-time for two dimensions (pitch and roll) with high resolution (measured sensor oscillations of 0.36 ± 0.53° for pitch and 0.50 ± 0.65° for roll). We were able to record simple movements such as petiole bending, as well as complex lamina motions, in several crops, ranging from tomato to banana. We also assessed growth responses in terms of lettuce rosette expansion and maize seedling stem movements. The IMU sensors are capable of detecting small changes of nutations (i.e. bending movements) in leaves of different ages and in different plant species. In addition, the sensor system can also monitor stress-induced leaf movements. We observed that unfavorable environmental conditions evoke certain leaf movements, such as drastic epinastic responses, as well as subtle fading of the amplitude of nutations. In summary, the presented digital sensor system enables continuous detection of a variety of leaf motions with high precision, and is a low-cost tool in the field of plant phenotyping, with potential applications in early stress detection.
Unraveling the probiotic efficiency of bacterium Pediococcus pentosaceus OBK05 isolated from buttermilk: An in vitro study for cholesterol assimilation potential and antibiotic resistance status

The present study describes the probiotic potential and functional properties of the lactic acid bacterium Pediococcus pentosaceus OBK05 isolated from buttermilk. The isolate OBK05 was assessed for its probiotic properties. The isolate showed notable tolerance to pH 2.0 and 3.0 (8.44, 8.35 log CFU/mL), oxbile of 0.5% at 2 and 4 h of incubation (6.97, 6.35 log CFU/mL) and higher aggregation (auto-aggregation, adhesion to hydrocarbons) than the referral strain, Lactobacillus acidophilus MTCC 10307. The adhesion efficiency to HT-29 cells was found to be maximum, corresponding to 93.5% and 97% at 1 and 2 h incubation, respectively. In addition, the isolate OBK05 showed antagonistic solid activity against bacterial pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 424 and Bacillus subtilis MTCC 1133. The phenotypic antibiotic resistance of the isolate was examined before and after curing plasmids. Among the known five structural genes responsible for different antibiotic resistance, four genes indicating antibiotic resistance to kanamycin-Aph (3´´)-III, streptomycin-strA, vancomycin-vanA and ciprofloxacin-gyrA were detected by PCR amplification of genomic DNA. Further, the horizontal gene transfer from OBK05 isolate to pathogens was not found for these antibiotic resistance markers when filter and food mating were carried out as no transconjugants developed on media plates containing respective antibiotics. This indicates that the intrinsic resistance is harbored on chromosomal genes, and hence it is nontransferable to other microbes. In addition, strain OBK05 exhibited good DPPH scavenging activity of 56 to 77% and liberated free amino acid from conjugated bile acid. The strain OBK05 demonstrated a strong ability to reduce cholesterol at 12 h (17%), 24 h (27%) and 48 h (67%) of incubation.
Plasma circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA in depressive disorders

Background Plasma circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA (ccf-mtDNA) is an immunogenic molecule and a novel biomarker of psychiatric disorders. Some previous studies reported increased levels of ccf-mtDNA in unmedicated depression and recent suicide attempters, while other studies found unchanged or decreased ccf-mtDNA levels in depression. Inconsistent findings across studies may be explained by small sample sizes and between-study variations in somatic and psychiatric co-morbidity or medication status. Methods We measured plasma ccf-mtDNA in a cohort of 281 patients with depressive disorders and 49 healthy controls. Ninety-three percent of all patients were treated with one or several psychotropic medications. Thirty-six percent had a personality disorder, 13% bipolar disorder. All analyses involving ccf-mtDNA were a priori adjusted for age and sex. Results Mean levels in ccf-mtDNA were significantly different between patients with a current depressive episode (n = 236), remitted depressive episode (n = 45) and healthy controls (n = 49) (f = 8.3, p<0.001). Post-hoc tests revealed that both patients with current (p<0.001) and remitted (p = 0.002) depression had lower ccf-mtDNA compared to controls. Within the depressed group there was a positive correlation between ccf-mtDNA and “inflammatory depression symptoms” (r = 0.15, p = 0.02). We also found that treatment with mood stabilizers lamotrigine, valproic acid or lithium was associated with lower ccf-mtDNA (f = 8.1, p = 0.005). Discussion Decreased plasma ccf-mtDNA in difficult-to-treat depression may be partly explained by concurrent psychotropic medications and co-morbidity. Our findings suggest that ccf-mtDNA may be differentially regulated in different subtypes of depression, and this hypothesis should be pursued in future studies.
Development of at-home sample collection logistics for large-scale seroprevalence studies

Background Serological studies rely on the recruitment of representative cohorts; however, such efforts are specially complicated by the conditions surrounding the COVID19 pandemic. Methods We aimed to design and implement a fully remote methodology for conducting safe serological surveys that also allow for the engagement of representative study populations. Results This design was well-received and effective. 2,066 participants ≥18 years old were enrolled, reflecting the ethnic and racial composition of Massachusetts. >70% of them reported being satisfied/extremely satisfied with the online enrollment and at-home self-collection of blood samples. While 18.6% reported some discomfort experienced with the collection process, 72.2% stated that they would be willing to test weekly if enrolled in a long-term study. Conclusions High engagement and positive feedback from participants, as well as the quality of self-collected specimens, point to the usefulness of this fully remote, self-collection-based study design for future safer and efficient population-level serological surveys.
Innovation in Israel 1968-97: a Comparative Analysis Using Patent Data

The Israeli high tech sector is widely regarded as a hotbed of cutting-edge technologies, and as the growth engine of the Israeli economy in the nineties and beyond. In this paper we present a close-up portrait of innovation in Israel for the past 30 years, with the aid of highly detailed patent data. We use for that purpose all Israeli patents taken in the US (over 7,000), as well as US patents and patents from other countries for comparative purposes.
EFFICACY OF CYCLOCRYOTHERAPY AND TRANSSCLERAL DIODE LASER CYCLOPHOTOCOAGULATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF REFRACTORY GLAUCOMA

SUMMARY Treating advanced glaucoma often requires numerous therapeutic modalities in order to achieve the desired intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the IOP lowering efficacy of both cyclocryotherapy (CCT) and transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation (TS-DCPC) in the management of refractory primary open-angle glaucoma. This prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial included 40 patients (40 eyes) with refractory glaucoma treated at the Eye Department, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia, between January 2016 and June 2019. Twenty patients underwent CCT (group 1), while another twenty patients were treated with TS-DCPC (group 2). Each patient underwent complete eye examination on the treatment day, as well as follow-up eye examinations 7 days and 1, 6 and 12 months after the intervention, when IOP and number of anti-glaucoma drugs used were recorded. The median baseline IOP was 36.50 mm Hg (IQR, 28.75-42.00) in group 1 and 27.00 mm Hg (IQR, 22.00-35.00) in group 2. Follow-up measurements of IOP in group 1 showed the following results: 16.50 mm Hg (IQR, 7.75-20.00) (60% decrease from the baseline value), 12.00 mm Hg (IQR, 9.25-18.00) (67% decrease from the baseline value), 9.00 mm Hg (IQR, 2.00-13.75) (73% decrease from the baseline value), and 9.50 (IQR, 2.50-12.00) (75% decrease from the baseline value) after 7 days, 1, 6 and 12 months, respectively. Follow-up measurements of IOP in group 2 showed the following results: 16.00 mm Hg (IQR, 10.00-17.00) (48% decrease from the baseline value), 14.00 mm Hg (IQR, 10.00-16.00) (56% decrease from the baseline value), 14.00 mm Hg (IQR, 12.25-16.50) (43% decrease from the baseline value) and 14.00 mm Hg (IQR, 11.25-15.75) (53% decrease from the baseline value) after 7 days, 1, 6 and 12 months, respectively. The mean number of antiglaucoma drugs used decreased from 4 to 0.65±0.81 and 2.25±1.07 in groups 1 and 2, respectively. In conclusion, study results confirmed the CCT and TS-DCPC to have a rapid and statistically significant ocular hypotensive effect in eyes with refractory glaucoma at one-year follow-up.
An Atypical Presentation of Rheumatoid Arthritis as an Asymmetrical Arthropathy

We report a rare entity of distinctly asymmetrical rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a 71-year-old Chinese lady with a history of cervical radiculopathy secondary to trauma sustained during childhood. The joints on the side of the paresis were spared from severe clinical and radiological manifestations of RA. We review the plausible mechanisms that could explain the link between neurological impairment and rheumatoid joint involvement.
Profiling of Bacillus cereus on Canadian grain

Microorganisms that cause foodborne illnesses challenge the food industry; however, environmental studies of these microorganisms on raw grain, prior to food processing, are uncommon. Bacillus cereus sensu lato is a diverse group of bacteria that is common in our everyday environment and occupy a wide array of niches. While some of these bacteria are beneficial to agriculture due to their entomopathogenic properties, others can cause foodborne illness; therefore, characterization of these bacteria is important from both agricultural and food safety standpoints. We performed a survey of wheat and flax grain samples in 2018 (n = 508) and 2017 (n = 636) and discovered that B. cereus was present in the majority of grain samples, as 56.3% and 85.2%, in two years respectively. Whole genome sequencing and comparative genomics of 109 presumptive B. cereus isolates indicates that most of the isolates were closely related and formed two genetically distinct groups. Comparisons to the available genomes of reference strains suggested that the members of these two groups are not closely related to strains previously reported to cause foodborne illness. From the same data set, another, genetically more diverse group of B. cereus was inferred, which had varying levels of similarity to previously reported strains that caused disease. Genomic analysis and PCR amplification of genes linked to toxin production indicated that most of the isolates carry the genes nheA and hbID, while other toxin genes and gene clusters, such as ces, were infrequent. This report of B. cereus on grain from Canada is the first of its kind and demonstrates the value of surveillance of bacteria naturally associated with raw agricultural commodities such as cereal grain and oilseeds.
Safe reopening of college campuses during COVID-19: The University of California experience in Fall 2020

Background Epidemics of COVID-19 in student populations at universities were a key concern for the 2020–2021 school year. The University of California (UC) System developed a set of recommendations to reduce campus infection rates. SARS-CoV-2 test results are summarized for the ten UC campuses during the Fall 2020 term. Methods UC mitigation efforts included protocols for the arrival of students living on-campus students, non-pharmaceutical interventions, daily symptom monitoring, symptomatic testing, asymptomatic surveillance testing, isolation and quarantine protocols, student ambassador programs for health education, campus health and safety pledges, and lowered density of on-campus student housing. We used data from UC campuses, the UC Health–California Department of Public Health Data Modeling Consortium, and the U.S. Census to estimate the proportion of each campus’ student populations that tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and compared it to the fraction individuals aged 20–29 years who tested positive in their respective counties. Results SARS-CoV-2 cases in campus populations were generally low in September and October 2020, but increased in November and especially December, and were highest in early to mid-January 2021, mirroring case trajectories in their respective counties. Many students were infected during the Thanksgiving and winter holiday recesses and were detected as cases upon returning to campus. The proportion of students who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 during Fall 2020 ranged from 1.2% to 5.2% for students living on campus and was similar to students living off campus. For most UC campuses the proportion of students testing positive was lower than that for the 20–29-year-old population in which campuses were located. Conclusions The layered mitigation approach used on UC campuses, informed by public health science and augmented perhaps by a more compliant population, likely minimized campus transmission and outbreaks and limited transmission to surrounding communities. University policies that include these mitigation efforts in Fall 2020 along with SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, may alleviate some local concerns about college students returning to communities and facilitate resumption of normal campus operations and in-person instruction.
A novel dominant selection system for plant transgenics based on phosphite metabolism catalyzed by bacterial alkaline phosphatase

Selective markers are generally indispensable in plant genetic transformation, of which the frequently used are of antibiotic or herbicide resistance. However, the increasing concerns on transgenic biosafety have encouraged many new and safe selective markers emerging, with an eminent representative as phosphite (Phi) in combination to its dehydrogenase (PTDH, e.g. PtxD). As bacterial alkaline phosphatase (BAP) can resemble PtxD to oxidatively convert toxic Phi into metabolizable phosphate (Pi), herein we harnessed it as the substitute of PtxD to develop an alternative Phi-based selection system. We first validated the Escherichia coli BAP (EcBAP) did own an extra enzymatic activity of oxidizing Phi to Pi. We further revealed EcBAP could be used as a dominant selective marker for Agrobacterium-mediated tobacco transformation. Although the involved Phi selection for transformed tobacco cells surprisingly required the presence of Pi, it showed a considerable transformation efficiency and dramatically accelerated transformation procedure, as compared to the routine kanamycin selection and the well-known PtxD/Phi system. Moreover, the EcBAP transgenic tobaccos could metabolize toxic Phi as a phosphorus (P) fertilizer thus underlying Phi-resistance, and competitively possess a dominant growth over wild-type tobacco and weeds under Phi stress. Therefore, this novel BAP/Phi-coupled system, integrating multiple advantages covering biosafe dominant selective marker, plant P utilization and weed management, can provide a PTDH-bypass technological choice to engineer transgenic plant species, especially those of great importance for sustainable agriculture.
‘We dry contaminated meat to make it safe’: An assessment of knowledge, attitude and practices on anthrax during an outbreak, Kisumu, Kenya, 2019

Introduction Anthrax is the highest-ranked priority zoonotic disease in Kenya with about ten human cases annually. Anthrax outbreak was reported in Kisumu East Sub County after some villagers slaughtered and ate beef from a cow suspected to have died of anthrax. We aimed at establishing the magnitude of the outbreak, described associated factors, and assessed community knowledge, attitude, and practices on anthrax. Methods We reviewed human and animal records, conducted case search and contact tracing using standard case definitions in the period from July 1through to July 28, 2019. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess community knowledge, attitude, and practices towards anthrax. The household selection was done using multistage sampling. We cleaned and analyzed data in Ms. Excel and Epi Info. Descriptive statistics were carried out for continuous and categorical variables while analytical statistics for the association between dependent and independent variables were calculated. Results Out of 53 persons exposed through consumption or contact with suspicious beef, 23 cases (confirmed: 1, probable: 4, suspected: 18) were reviewed. The proportion of females was 52.17% (12/23), median age 13.5 years and range 45 years. The attack rate was 43.4% (23/53) and the case fatality rate was 4.35% (1/23). Knowledge level, determined by dividing those considered to be ‘having good knowledge’ on anthrax (numerator) by the total number of respondents (denominator) in the population regarding cause, transmission, symptoms and prevention was 51% for human anthrax and 52% for animal anthrax. Having good knowledge on anthrax was associated with rural residence [OR = 5.5 (95% CI 2.1–14.4; p<0.001)], having seen a case of anthrax [OR = 6.2 (95% CI 2.8–14.2; p<0.001)] and among those who present cattle for vaccination [OR = 2.6 (95% CI 1.2–5.6; p = 0.02)]. About 23.2% (26/112) would slaughter and sell beef to neighbors while 63.4% (71/112) would bury or burn the carcass. Nearly 93.8% (105/112) believed vaccination prevents anthrax. However, 5.4% (62/112) present livestock for vaccination. Conclusion Most anthrax exposures were through meat consumption. Poor knowledge of the disease might hamper prevention and control efforts.
Comments on A new model for calculating the input impedance of coax-fed circular microstrip antenna

For original paper by Abboud et al. see IEEE Trans. Antennas Propagat. , vol.38, p.1882-5 (1990). In the original paper, the resonance frequency of coax-fed circular microstrip antennas with and without air gaps has been modeled (in its Section III) by incorporating and rearranging some results previously reported by others. The present author, while working with the formulas of that Section III noticed a discrepancy in (8) and (9). This has been investigated thoroughly and the observations are presented. A brief reply is given by Damiano et al.
Evolving role of cardiac TLR2 as therapeutic target post-ischemic injury

An inherent inflammatory response of cardiovascular system by activation of toll-like receptors (TLRs) localized in the myocardium can be set off by an increasing amount of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) in response to ischemic myocardial injury. TLR2, one of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) interacts with an endogenous molecule initiating non-infectious cardiac inflammation cascade. Remarkably, numerous studies have demonstrated role of TLR2 as an emerging target for cardiac anti-inflammatory therapies. Given the significance of TLR2, this short review will concentrate on DAMP-initiated TLR2 signaling and will discuss role of TLR2 absence on cardiomyocyte’s cell membrane on downstream cytokine production and cell death in p38 MAPK and Akt-dependent manner. In this short review, potential of TLR2 inhibitors, which contribute to preservation of cardiac function, will be introduced in addition to recent experimental research progress and the involvement of TLR2 in myocardial inflammation to increase the potential of TLR2 as a therapeutic target.
Improving Australian Residential Aged Care Facilities: A Review of Minor Refurbishment Elements

Abstract The objective of this study is to identify elements pertaining to minor refurbishments of residential aged care facilities. A narrative review of relevant publications was conducted. Inductive content analysis was used to categorize coded data into major or minor refurbishment or staff practices. Further analysis identified minor refurbishment domains. There were 14 major refurbishment, seven minor refurbishment and two staff practices domains established. The minor refurbishment elements (n = 7) identified were lighting, furniture, color and contrast, wayfinding, noise, signage, and flooring. Assessing these elements would assist residential aged care providers to prioritize the provision of minor improvements to the environment for residents.
Lessening of the pervasiveness of interpersonal patterns in borderline personality disorder explains symptom decrease after treatment: A process analysis

Abstract Background Problematic interpersonal patterns, as defined by the core conflictual relationship theme (CCRT) method, are part of the clinical presentation of clients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). So far, we do not know whether the pervasiveness of interpersonal patterns changes and if this change explains therapy outcome. Methods In a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial on a brief version of psychiatric treatment for BPD, a treatment with a psychodynamic focus, the present study included N = 39 clients. One early session and one late session of the treatment were transcribed and analyzed using the CCRT method. Results It appeared that pervasiveness of the predominant CCRT decreased over the course of the brief treatment; this effect was robust across treatment conditions. Change in pervasiveness in any CCRT component explained a small portion of variance of the decrease in borderline symptoms observed at the end of treatment. Discussion Lessening of pervasiveness of problematic in‐session interpersonal patterns may be hypothesized as potential mechanism of effective treatment for BPD which should be tested in controlled designs.