Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phylogeny of γ-proteobacteria inferred from comparisons of 3’ end 16S rRNA gene and 5’ end 16S-23S ITS nucleotide sequences

The phylogeny of γ-proteobacteria was inferred from nucleotide sequence comparisons of a short 232 nucleotide sequence marker. A total of 64 γ-proteobacterial strains from 13 Orders, 22 families, 40 genera and 59 species were analyzed. The short 232 nucleotide sequence marker used here was a combination of a 157 nucleotide sequence at the 3’ end of the 16S rRNA gene and a 75 nucleotide sequence at the 5’ end of the 16S-23S Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) sequence. Comparative analyses of the 3’ end of the 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence showed that the last 157 bp were conserved among strains from same species and less conserved in more distantly related species. This 157 bp sequence was selected as the first part in the construction of our nucleotide sequence marker. A bootstrapped neighbor-joining tree based on the alignment of this 157 bp was constructed. This 157 bp could distinguish γ-proteobacterial species from different genera from same family. Closely related species could not be distinguished. Next, an alignment of the 16S-23S ITS nucleotide sequences of alleles from same bacterial strain was performed. The first 75 bp at the 5’ end of the 16S-23S ITS was highly conserved at the intra-strain level. It was selected as the second part in the construction of our nucleotide sequence marker. Finally, a bootstrapped neighbor-joining tree based on the alignment of this 232 bp sequence was constructed. Based on the topology of the neighbour-joining tree, four major Groups, Group I to IV, were revealed with several sub-groups and clusters. Our results, based on the 232 bp sequence were, in general, in agreement with the phylogeny of γ-proteobacteria based on the 16S rRNA gene. The use of this 232 bp sequence as a phylogenetic marker presents several advantages over the use of the entire 16S rRNA gene or the generation of extensive phenotypic and genotypic data in phylogenetic analyses. First, this marker is not allele-dependant. Second, this 232 bp marker contains 157 bp from the 3’ end of the 16S rRNA gene and 75 bp from the 5’ end of the 16S-23S ITS. The 157 bp allows discrimination among distantly related species. Owing to its higher rate of nucleotide substitutions, the 75 bp adds discriminating power among closely related species from same genus and closely related genera from same family. Because of its higher percentage of nucleotide sequence divergence than the 16S rRNA gene, the 232 bp marker can better discriminate among closely related γ-proteobacterial species. Third, the method is simple, rapid, suited to large screening programs and easily accessible to most laboratories. Fourth, this marker can also reveal γ-proteobacterial species which may appear misassigned and for which additional characterization appear warranted.
Forecasting international regional tourist arrivals to China

This study develops models to forecast international arrivals to regional China, using time series as well as causal explanatory methods. The nine quantitative forecast methods applied in this study are Holt, Exponential Smoothing, Naive, ARMA, Neural, and Basic Structural Model (BSM) with and without intervention, and the causal explanatory forecast models are the Time-Varying Parameter (TVP) with and without dummy variables. This research has demonstrated a pressing need for advancing and expanding, international tourism forecasting from the current national based approach, to include regional forecasting.
Kashin-Beck Disease in Sichuan, China: Report of a Pilot Open Therapeutic Trial

ObjectiveThe objective of the study was to identify adults with symptomatic Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) and observe the efficacy and safety of diclofenac sodium, naproxen, and glucosamine hydrochloride in these adult patients in Rang-tang (Sichuan Province), China. Subjects and MethodsOne hundred eighty-three adult patients with KBD were enrolled into this open study. Patients were randomized to receive diclofenac sodium 50 mg twice a day (BID), naproxen 300 mg BID, or glucosamine hydrochloride 750 mg BID for 6 weeks. The primary efficacy parameters evaluated were the visual analog pain scale, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, and physical function subscores. Assessment of daily self-care activities and physician and patient global overall efficacy were also recorded. ResultsDiclofenac sodium, naproxen, and glucosamine hydrochloride all reduced the joint pain and improved physical function and daily self-care activities in adult patients with KBD. Visual analog pain scale scores, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index pain scores, physical function scores, and daily self-care activities subscore differences were statistically significant compared with baselines (P < 0.05). Comparison studies among the 3 agents showed no statistically significant difference in efficacy. The incidences of gastrointestinal adverse reactions were 18% and 14% in the diclofenac sodium group and the glucosamine hydrochloride group, respectively, which tended to be lower than the naproxen group (29%). However, the differences were not statistically significant. ConclusionsThis report documents characteristic findings in these patients. Diclofenac sodium, naproxen, and glucosamine hydrochloride produced substantial improvements over baseline in pain relief, physical function, and daily self-care activities in these open observations of adult patients with KBD.
Social network restructuring after a node removal

Central nodes i.e., prominent actors in a social network are those that are linked to other nodes in an extensive or critical manner. Therefore, their removal may lead to points of failure. The objective of the present work is to exploit network topology to devise an approach towards: 1 finding a substitute to a deleted node if the latter is a central one; 2 adding appropriate links to maintain the network connected. The approach exploits the role played by nodes to predict the new structure of a social network once one entity disappears. The role of a node in the network is expressed in terms of its centrality in the network. Three important roles are considered: the leader, the mediator and the witness. An entity acts as a leader, a mediator or a witness if it has a high degree centrality, betweenness centrality and closeness centrality, respectively.
Face detection and geometric face normalization

Face detection is a prerequisite step for face recognition and face analysis related applications. Aim of the face detection system is to identify and locate all faces regardless of their positions, scale, orientation, lighting conditions, expressions, etc. The faces which get detected under such conditions will affect the face recognition rate. Various approaches have been employed to detect faces in images. But as the face detection task is quite complex, each method is build in a precise context. The two main face detection approaches are: image based methods and geometrical based methods. We will focus on a detector which processes images very quickly while achieving high detection rates. This detection is based on a boosting algorithm called AdaBoost and the response of simple Haar-based features used by Viola and Jones [1]. This paper presents a geometric normalization method based on eyes detection using Haar features and Adaboost algorithm. The proposed method effectively normalizes the in-plane oriented faces and improves the face recognition rate.
Notice of RetractionKnowledge Acquisition, Sharing Intention, and Sharing Behavior

This paper aims at reciprocity between knowledge acquisition and sharing within workgroups. In spite of mandate or volition, knowledge sharing is happened in workplace more or less. In light of favor change, employee will reciprocates knowledge in order to support future exchange. An instable causality between intention and behavior tossed by Fishbein and Ajzen (1980) is explored in the current study that knowledge sharing intention-behavior could be invalid in the case of low knowledge acquisition. Empirical data were collected from 100 three-person groups and valid samples were used to verify our research model statistically. Research results pointed out that reciprocity is critical to knowledge exchange. Particularly, knowledge acquisition not only relates to attitude and intention, but also intervenes in intention-behavior causality.
FINANCIAL RISK ASSESSMENT OF ALBANIAN SMEs WITH THE HELP OF FINANCIAL RATIOS ( A CASE STUDY– SME-S IN GJIROKASRA REGION)

The purpose of this work is to assess financial risk, facing Albanian SMEs. The study is focused on the analysis of financial ratios issued by the Balance Sheet, Statement of Income and Expenses, Cash Flow of SMEs operating in the region of Gjirokastra, for the period 2009 - 2013, through which is assessed the capital structure risk, the liquidity risk and the insolvency risk. For the assessment of financial risk financial data are processed with statistical software SPSS version 21, using a linear regression model. Through this analysis, is going to be identified which elements have the greatest impact of financial risk and which steps the bussinesses should follow to reduce negative risk or to improve a positive ones.
Both exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism and short-term overt hypothyroidism affect myocardial strain in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND The cardiovascular effects of transitions from exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism to short-term overt hypothyroidism in patients treated for differentiated thyroid carcinoma remain unclear. The present study aims at evaluating the changes in multidirectional myocardial strain using two-dimensional (2D) speckle tracking during this controlled transition from exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism to overt hypothyroidism. METHODS The study included 14 patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma on thyrotropin suppressive thyroxine substitution who were subsequently withdrawn from thyroxine for 4 weeks. Cardiac function was assessed by 2D speckle tracking echocardiography before and 1 and 4 weeks after withdrawal and compared with values obtained in a control group of 24 individuals. RESULTS At baseline, the left ventricular dimensions were significantly higher in patients as compared with controls. Using 2D speckle tracking imaging, the patients had significantly impaired baseline myocardial systolic function in the circumferential (-16.0% ± 2.1% vs. -19.2% ± 3.0%, p = 0.001) and longitudinal (-17.1% ± 2.5% vs. -19.7% ± 3.0%, p = 0.001) directions as compared with controls. Withdrawal of thyroid hormone did not induce significant changes in left ventricular dimensions or systolic function. During the transition from exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism to overt hypothyroidism, a significant improvement in circumferential and longitudinal systolic shortening was observed and returned to abnormal values when the patients were overt hypothyroid (circumferential strain: from -16.0% ± 2.1% to -18.6% ± 1.9% and -14.7% ± 2.8%, p < 0.005; longitudinal strain: from -17.1% ± 2.5% to -18.8% ± 1.4% and -16.3% ± 1.3%, p < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS A U-shaped relationship between a range of thyroid hormone levels (from hyper- to hypothyroid concentrations) and myocardial strains was observed. The clinical consequences of these findings remain to be determined but may point out an increased myocardial vulnerability even in states of moderate subclinical hyperthyroidism and short-term hypothyroidism.
Identification of Lmo1 as part of a Hox‐dependent regulatory network for hindbrain patterning

The embryonic functions of Hox proteins have been extensively investigated in several animal phyla. These transcription factors act as selectors of developmental programmes, to govern the morphogenesis of multiple structures and organs. However, despite the variety of morphogenetic processes Hox proteins are involved in, only a limited set of their target genes has been identified so far. To find additional targets, we used a strategy based upon the simultaneous overexpression of Hoxa2 and its cofactors Pbx1 and Prep in a cellular model. Among genes whose expression was upregulated, we identified LMO1, which codes for an intertwining LIM‐only factor involved in protein–DNA oligomeric complexes. By analysing its expression in Hox knockout mice, we show that Lmo1 is differentially regulated by Hoxa2 and Hoxb2, in specific columns of hindbrain neuronal progenitors. These results suggest that Lmo1 takes part in a Hox paralogue 2–dependent network regulating anteroposterior and dorsoventral hindbrain patterning. Developmental Dynamics 236:2675–2684, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A resource-based interpretation of technical efficiency indexes

During the last decades, the measurement of technical efficiency indexes has become a very popular field of research. Recent refinements in estimation tools and techniques have contributed to increase the reliability of efficiency analyses. On the other hand, the lack of theory behind the concept of technical inefficiency complicates the interpretation of the empirically estimated indexes. The objective of this article is to outline an interpretation of currently used efficiency indexes within the framework of the resource-based view of the firm. The problems inherent to the definition of technical efficiency as a relevant theoretical concept are examined and, then, the link between technical efficiency and the resource-based view of the firm is discussed. JEL Classification: D24, D23, L2.
The Study of Phase-Based Optical Flow Technique Using an Adaptive Bilateral Filter

The purpose of this study is to propose an advanced phase-based optical flow method with improved tracking accuracy for motion flow. The proposed method is mainly based on adaptive bilateral filtering (ABF) and Gabor based spatial filtering. ABF aims to preserve the maximum boundary information of the original image, while the spatial filtering aims to accurately compute the local variations. Our method tracks the optical flow in three stages. Firstly, the input images are filtered by using ABF and a spatial filter to remove noises and to preserve the maximum contour information. The component velocities are then computed based on the phase gradient of each pixel. Secondly, irregular pixels are eliminated, if the phase differences are not linear over the image frames. Lastly, the entire velocity is derived by integrating the component velocities of each pixel. In order to evaluate the tracking accuracy of the proposed method, we have examined its performance for synthetic and realistic images for which the ground truth data were known. As a result, it was observed that the proposed technique offers higher accuracy than the existing optical flow methods.
Virulence of Broad- and Narrow-Host-Range Salmonella enterica Serovars in the Streptomycin-PretreatedMouse Model

ABSTRACT Salmonella enterica subspecies I serovars are common bacterial pathogens causing diseases ranging from enterocolitis to systemic infections. Some serovars are adapted to specific hosts, whereas others have a broad host range. The molecular mechanisms defining the virulence characteristics and the host range of a given S. enterica serovar are unknown. Streptomycin pretreated mice provide a surrogate host model for studying molecular aspects of the intestinal inflammation (colitis) caused by serovar Typhimurium (S. Hapfelmeier and W. D. Hardt, Trends Microbiol. 13:497-503, 2005). Here, we studied whether this animal model is also useful for studying other S. enterica subspecies I serovars. All three tested strains of the broad-host-range serovar Enteritidis (125109, 5496/98, and 832/99) caused pronounced colitis and systemic infection in streptomycin pretreated mice. Different levels of virulence were observed among three tested strains of the host-adapted serovar Dublin (SARB13, SD2229, and SD3246). Several strains of host restricted serovars were also studied. Two serovar Pullorum strains (X3543 and 449/87) caused intermediate levels of colitis. No intestinal inflammation was observed upon infection with three different serovar Paratyphi A strains (SARB42, 2804/96, and 5314/98) and one serovar Gallinarum strain (X3796). A second serovar Gallinarum strain (287/91) was highly virulent and caused severe colitis. This strain awaits future analysis. In conclusion, the streptomycin pretreated mouse model can provide an additional tool to study virulence factors (i.e., those involved in enteropathogenesis) of various S. enterica subspecies I serovars. Five of these strains (125109, 2229, 287/91, 449/87, and SARB42) are subject of Salmonella genome sequencing projects. The streptomycin pretreated mouse model may be useful for testing hypotheses derived from this genomic data.
Chinese Stock Markets are Far from Efficient: Evidence from the Stock Dividend Effect

There are two types of stock dividend in the Chinese stock market. This paper examines them in the period of 1997-2008. Empirical findings indicate that the stock dividend effect appears twice. The average abnormal return is 0.88% on the stock dividend proposal date and 0.35% on the stock dividend declaration date. Both these findings are significant. There is an average 1.70% cumulative abnormal return over the period between two dates. Chinese stock market is far from semi-strong efficient. This paper also offers supportive evidence for the liquidity improvement hypothesis and signaling hypothesis, but is against the retained earnings hypothesis.
CuO-Nanowire Field Emitter Prepared on Glass Substrate

This study reports the growth of CuO nanowires (NWs) on glass substrate, and the fabrication of CuO-NW field emitter. Using CuO as the adhesion layer, we successfully grew CuO NWs of 2.5 μ m average length and 70 nm average diameter by thermal annealing at 450 °C for 5 h in air. It was found that turn-ON field of the fabricated field emitters was 4.5 V/μm. It was also found that the field enhancement factor β of the fabricated CuO-NW field emitter was 1610.
6-Isopropyl-3-phenyl-5-(p-tolyloxy)-3H-1,2,3-triazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidin-7(6H)-one: whole-molecule disorder

The title compound, C20H19N5O2, exhibits whole-molecule disorder the refined ratios of the two components being 0.57 (2):0.43 (2). In the major component, the essentially planar [maximum deviation 0.033 (17) Å] fused pyrimidine and triazole ring system forms a dihedral angle of 10.5 (3)° with the phenyl ring, while in the minor component of disorder this angle is 27.5 (5)°. The crystal structure is stabilized by π–π stacking interactions between symmetry-related triazole and pyrimidine rings, with centroid–centroid distances of 3.594 (10) Å.
Vaccines for prevention of meningococcal disease

Neisseria meningitidis is the second leading cause of bacterial meningitis in the United States and is the leading cause in many other countries. In the United States there are 3,000 to 4,000 cases of bacterial meningitis per year, for an incidence of about 1/100,000; N. meningitidis is responsible for a number of outbreaks each year. Control of these outbreaks and the severe epidemics that have occurred in many countries required the development of vaccines to prevent meningococcal meningitis. N. meningitidis is divided into 12 serogroups based on the immunological specificity of their capsular polysaccharides (PSs): A, B, C, H, I, K, L, X, Y, Z, 29E, and W135 (35). Approximately 90% of meningococcal disease worldwide is caused by serogroups A, B, and C. Group A is now rare in the United States, but it is the major meningococcal pathogen in the "meningitis belt" of Africa and a number of Asian countries. In the United States, groups B and C are currently responsible for about 50 and 35% of meningococcal disease, respectively, with groups Y and W135 accounting for the remainder. For epidemiological purposes, meningococcal strains are now identified by their serogroup, serotype, and subtype, e.g., B:15:P1.16. The disease-associated serogroups have been subdivided into over 20 different serotypes (12) based upon immunological differences in the class 2 and class 3 major outer membrane proteins (OMPs). These proteins are the meningococcal porins, having molecular weights, as estimated on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels, of between 34,000 and 40,000. The strains are further subtyped by the immunological specificity of the approximately 46kilodalton class 1 OMPs. Class 1 proteins are shared by a number of different serotypes, and approximately 10 class 1 subtypes have been identified to date. As will be shown below, both class 1 and class 2 proteins have importance as potential vaccine candidates. Protection against meningococcal disease has been correlated with the presence of bactericidal antibodies (8). The peak incidence of disease occurs in children under 1 year of age; as a group, they have few or no bactericidal antibodies. In addition, the high susceptibility of individuals with an inherited deficiency of one of the terminal complement components (C5, C6, C7, or C8) for invasive meningococcal disease strongly implicates the importance of bactericidal activity in host defense against these organisms (30). For these reasons, measurement of the bactericidal activity in serum provides an accurate indication of the resistance of an individual to meningococcal disease. The development and clinical evaluation of meningococcal PS vaccines have been reviewed previously (8, 13, 31), as have the initial studies of the use of protein vaccines for group B disease (8). The present review will therefore concentrate on recent studies, recommendations for use of the PS vaccines, and the current status of a group B vaccine.
Qualidade da Auditoria e Earnings Management: Risk Assessment através do Nível dos Accruals Discricionários

The objective of our paper is to build an analytical revision procedure for selection of companies for auditing, based on the level of discretionary accruals contained in financial statements. Alternative models were applied to investigate the occurrence of earnings management in Brazilian companies. We consider three competing approaches: Jones (1991), Modified Jones (DECHOW et al., 1995) and Adapted Jones (DECHOW et al., 2003). The sample data was obtained on Economatica database. The empirical tests had been developed in four steps: (i) evaluation of total accruals for the balance sheet approach; (II) statistic regressions; (III) decomposition of discretionary components; (IV) identification of the discrepancies in the control charts. Our findings suggest that all considered models produce well specified tests for a random sample of companies and the control graphs identify the same elements as candidates for auditing, independently of accrual model applied. We conclude that the levels of accruals serve as an elementary measure of earnings management that must be corroborated with other elements. Additionally, this measure is useful as a resource for potentials auditing.