Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Technical Basis Document: A Statistical Basis for Interpreting Urinary Excretion of Plutonium Based on Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) for Selected Atoll Populations in the Marshall Islands

We have developed refined statistical and modeling techniques to assess low-level uptake and urinary excretion of plutonium from different population group in the northern Marshall Islands. Urinary excretion rates of plutonium from the resident population on Enewetak Atoll and from resettlement workers living on Rongelap Atoll range from <1 to 8 {micro}Bq per day and are well below action levels established under the latest Department regulation 10 CFR 835 in the United States for in vitro bioassay monitoring of {sup 239}Pu. However, our statistical analyses show that urinary excretion of plutonium-239 ({sup 239}Pu) from both cohort groups is significantly positively associated with volunteer age, especially for the resident population living on Enewetak Atoll. Urinary excretion of {sup 239}Pu from the Enewetak cohort was also found to be positively associated with estimates of cumulative exposure to worldwide fallout. Consequently, the age-related trends in urinary excretion of plutonium from Marshallese populations can be described by either a long-term component from residual systemic burdens acquired from previous exposures to worldwide fallout or a prompt (and eventual long-term) component acquired from low-level systemic intakes of plutonium associated with resettlement of the northern Marshall Islands, or some combination of both.
Genetic and Antigenic Diversity in Avian Infectious Bronchitis Virus Isolates of the 1940s

SUMMARY. In order to verify a commonly held assumption that only Massachusetts (Mass) serotype of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) was prevalent in the United States between the 1930s (when IBV was first isolated) and the 1950s (when the use of commercial IBV vaccines began), we examined 40 IBV field isolates from the 1940s. Thirty-eight of those isolates were recognized as Mass serotype viruses based on their reactivity to Mass-specific monoclonal antibody (Mab) and neutralization by Mass-specific chicken serum. The remaining two isolates, N-M24 and N-M39, that did not react with Mass-specific Mab, resisted neutralization by Mass-specific chicken serum, and were neutralized only by homologous chicken antibody were identified as non-Mass IBV. When the first 900 nucleotides (nt) from the 5′-end of the spike (S1) glycoprotein gene and their deduced amino acid (aa) sequences were compared, the two non-Mass isolates differed from each other by 24% and 28%, respectively. In a similar comparison, the non-Mass viruses N-M24 and N-M39 differed from M28, a Mass-type isolate from the 1940s, by 21% and 22% (nt) and 28% and 27% (aa), respectively. These data indicate that antigenic and genetic diversity among IBV isolates existed even in the 1940s. Interestingly, when the N-terminal region of the S1 of M28 was compared to that of M41, a prototype Mass virus that has undergone countless number of in vivo and in vitro host passages, the two viruses differed by only 2% (nt) and 4% (aa). This finding suggests that frequent genetic changes are not inherent in all IBV genomes.
On Reputation and Data-centric Misbehavior Detection Mechanisms for VANET

Vehicular ad hoc networks (VANET) is a class of ad hoc networks build to ensure the safety of traffic. This is important because accidents claim many lives. Trust and security remain a major concern in VANET since a simple mistake can have catastrophic consequence. A crucial point in VANET is how to trust the information transmitted when the neighboring vehicles are rapidly changing and moving in and out of range. Current reputation systems for VANET try to establish trust between entities, which might not be required for practical scenarios. Due to the ephemeral nature of VANET, reputation schemes for mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) cannot be applied to VANET. In this thesis, we point out several limitations of reputation trust management schemes for VANET. In particular, we identify the problem of information cascading and oversampling, which commonly arise in social networks. Oversampling is a situation in which a node observing two or more nodes, takes into consideration both their opinions equally without knowing that they might have influenced each other in decision making. We show that simple voting for decision making, leads to oversampling. We propose a solution to overcome this problem in VANET. We also suggest new ways to merge reputation schemes with misbehavior detection schemes to establish a trustworthy VANET.
In-Depth Survey of Digital Advertising Technologies

Some of the world's most well-known IT companies are in fact advertising companies deriving their primary revenues through digital advertising. For this reason, these IT giants are able to continually drive the evolutions of information technology in ways that serve to enhance our everyday lives. The benefits of this relationship include free web browsers with powerful search engines and mobile applications. Still, it turns out that “free” comes at a cost that is paid through our interactions within a digital advertising ecosystem. Digital advertising is not without its challenges. Issues originate from the complex platforms utilized to support advertising over web and mobile application interfaces. This is especially true for advertising links. Additionally, as new methods for advertising develop so too does the potential for impacting its underlying ecosystem for good or ill. Accordingly, researchers are interested in understanding this ecosystem, the factors that impact it, and the strategies for improving it. The major contribution of this survey is that it is the first review of the digital advertising ecosystem as it applies to online websites and mobile applications. In doing so, we explain the digital advertising relationships within this ecosystem along with their technical, social, political, and physical implications. Furthermore, advertising principles along with a variation of other advertising approaches, both legitimate and malicious, are explored in order to compare and contrast competing digital advertising methods.
MTM at MediaEval 2013 Violent Scenes Detection: Through Acoustic-visual Transform

This paper describes the team MTM participation in the MediaEval 2013 campaign. We submitted one run at shot level that explores spatial correlation between acoustic-visual features. The motion features are computed to represent the video.The Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCC) of the acoustic signal, and their first and second order derivatives are exploited to represent audio. One main issue in designing movie shot classification is considered. This issue is "there is a correlation between velocity and acceleration and the acoustic features". Our approach relies in find canonical bases, using Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA), in order to represent video. We also add spatial information using frame regions. We evaluate the performance of our proposed method on MediaEval 2013 Violent Scenes Detection in film data.
Mobile digital calendars in knowledge work

This article investigates the usage of mobile digital-calendar solutions in a knowledge work setting through the means of an empirical survey (n = 220) among managers and experts in a global telecommunications company. It is indicated, that the mobile digital calendars are not only perceived especially value adding in a highly mobile work context and when using a central company calendar is mandated, but also in other user groups overall satisfaction with this type of calendar tool seems high. Mobile digital calendars seem to answer the needs of a highly mobile and temporally pressured user group.
Controlling Dangerous Financial Products through A Financial Pre-Cautionary Principle

High risk, opaque, and extremely complex financial products such as collateralized debt obligations and credit default swaps have been among the key causes of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Regulators, buyers, and even many issuers of these investor or capital market products (as distinct from consumer products) did not understand how they worked in calm times, much less in times of extreme market stress. Not only have these products helped cause the crisis but they have also made the crisis extremely difficult to resolve. In response, building on the analogy of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a number of analysts have proposed a requirement that financial products be approved by a government regulatory authority, the Financial Stability and Product Safety Administration (FSPSA), before they can be marketed.
Evaluation of the Impact of Telephone Initial Claims Filing. Information Technology Support Center and Mathematica Policy Research

Within the past decade, nearly all states have changed, or have made plans to change, the process for filing initial claims for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits. Formerly, to file a UI claim, workers who became unemployed had to appear in person at a local UI office. Under the new procedures, known as telephone initial claims (TIC) filing or remote claims filing, states allow or require workers to file their UI initial claims by telephone. States are making this change primarily to reduce administrative costs and/or improve customer service, but conversion to telephone filing may have other effects as well. For example, the number of initial claims may increase because filing is easier. Some policymakers have expressed concern that TIC filing could adversely affect the ability of states to monitor the integrity of the claims-taking process and that other aspects of the process of delivering UI- or reemployment-related services to claimants may be adversely affected. In addition, some policymakers have questioned the viability of telephone filing as use of the internet for filing continues to grow.
Oral fingolimod (FTY720) for relapsing multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND Fingolimod (FTY720) is a new oral immunomodulating agent under evaluation for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis. METHODS We randomly assigned 281 patients to receive oral fingolimod, at a dose of 1.25 mg or 5.0 mg, or a placebo once daily, and we followed these patients for 6 months with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical evaluations (core study, months 0 to 6). The primary end point was the total number of gadolinium-enhanced lesions recorded on T(1)-weighted MRI at monthly intervals for 6 months. In an extension study in which the investigators and patients remained unaware of the dose assignments (months 7 to 12), patients who received placebo underwent randomization again to one of the fingolimod doses. RESULTS A total of 255 patients completed the core study. The median total number of gadolinium-enhanced lesions on MRI was lower with 1.25 mg of fingolimod (1 lesion, P<0.001) and 5.0 mg of fingolimod (3 lesions, P=0.006) than with placebo (5 lesions). The annualized relapse rate was 0.77 in the placebo group, as compared with 0.35 in the group given 1.25 mg of fingolimod (P=0.009) and 0.36 in the group given 5.0 mg of fingolimod (P=0.01). For the 227 patients who completed the extension study, the number of gadolinium-enhanced lesions and relapse rates remained low in the groups that received continuous fingolimod, and both measures decreased in patients who switched from placebo to fingolimod. Adverse events included nasopharyngitis, dyspnea, headache, diarrhea, and nausea. Clinically asymptomatic elevations of alanine aminotransferase levels were more frequent with fingolimod (10 to 12%, vs. 1% in the placebo group). One case of the posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome occurred in the 5.0-mg group. Fingolimod was also associated with an initial reduction in the heart rate and a modest decrease in the forced expiratory volume in 1 second. CONCLUSIONS In this proof-of-concept study, fingolimod reduced the number of lesions detected on MRI and clinical disease activity in patients with multiple sclerosis. Evaluation in larger, longer-term studies is warranted. (Clinicaltrials.gov numbers, NCT00333138 [core study] and NCT00235430 [ClinicalTrials.gov] [extension].).
Urban mixed realities: technologies, theories and frontiers

This workshop will address the approaches, challenges, benefits and aspects of interaction within urban mixed reality environments. It will seek to draw upon existing research into place, presence and situated interaction while exploring areas of art, flow, ambience, urban design, performance and technology. In doing so, it will bridge the divide between art and science which exists in the growing research area of urban mixed realities. The anticipated outcome is a closer examination of the issues relevant to interacting within urban mixed realities and how to drive the research agenda forward.
Effect of Trustworthiness of Internet Merchants on Consumer Trust in Online Shopping with the Moderating Effect of Perceived Risk

Internet marketing has significantly changed the personality of store competition. More and more often, even normal customer not just the technical smart one is diving in over internet. The level to which the World Wide Web suppliers can build trust will considerably affect the desire to purchase over internet. Consequently it is important to understand the aspects that effect customer believe in e-retailers. Data was collected from five main universities of Islamabad i.e. Muhammad Ali Jinnah university, Islamic International, Comsats, Behria and Quaid.e. Azam university Islamabad. Snow ball sampling technique was used and 200 questionnaires were distributed of which 157 were returned. Result showed that trust of internet merchants does play a pivotal role in attracting customer to shop online. The finding of this research paper will help the internet marketers and merchants to device such strategies that can ensure consumer trust on e.retailers and hence lessen the risk being involved in online transaction.
Association analysis of PALB2 and BRCA2 in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia in a scandinavian case–control sample

A recent genome‐wide association study (GWAS) found significant association between the PALB2 SNP rs420259 and bipolar disorder (BD). The intracellular functions of the expressed proteins from the breast cancer risk genes PALB2 and BRCA2 are closely related. Therefore, we investigated the relation between genetic variants in PALB2 and BRCA2 and BD. Due to increasing evidence of genetic overlap between BD and schizophrenia (SCZ), we also investigated association with SCZ. In a Scandinavian case–control sample (n = 686/2,538) we found the BRCA2 SNP rs9567552 to be significantly associated with BD (Nominal P = 0.00043). Additionally, we replicated the association between PALB2 SNP rs420259 and BD (Nominal P = 0.025). We then combined our sample with another Nordic case–control sample (n = 435/11,491) from Iceland, and added results from the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium (WTCCC) (n = 1,868/2,938) and the STEP‐UCL/ED‐DUB‐STEP2 study (n = 2,558/3,274) in a meta‐analysis which revealed a P‐value of 1.2 × 10−5 for association between PALB2 SNP rs420259 and BD (n = 5,547/20,241). Neither the PALB2 SNP rs420259 nor the BRCA2 SNP rs9567552 were nominally significantly associated with the SCZ phenotype in our Scandinavian sample (n = 781/2,839). Our findings support PALB2 and BRCA2 as risk genes specifically for BD, and suggest that altered DNA repair related to neurogenesis may be involved in BD pathophysiology. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Seasonal cycle of near-surface freshwater budget in the western tropical Atlantic

[1] We investigate differences of the ocean response in the Amazon domain to the seasonal variability of the river discharge that are either introduced via assimilating climatological temperature and salinity or by specifying seasonally varying river runoff. The role of the seasonal cycle of the Amazon freshwater discharge for the evolution of the barrier layer (BL) in the western tropical Atlantic and on the freshwater budget is estimated. During the experiments, three different runoff fields are being applied, including a time-mean runoff, a seasonally varying runoff, and one that results from the GECCO assimilation approach. The simulation forced with a seasonal Amazon discharge appears to be closer to the constrained solution and moves away from the run with a constant runoff, demonstrating that the seasonal variability of the Amazon is an essential contributor in the freshwater forcing of the western tropical Atlantic. The modeled time-mean BL thickness seems to be overestimated by the model relative to the data. On the seasonal timescale, the simulated spatial mean BL is found to vary between 13 and 30 m, with a maximum occurring in July, following the Amazon high discharge period in May. Analyzing the freshwater content balance, we find integrated near-surface freshwater import from the western tropical Atlantic interior of around 0.20 Sv in October–November at 38°W and cumulative freshwater export out of the domain with a maximum of around 0.4 Sv in June as an effect of the Amazon flood in May.
Preparation and Evaluation of the Free Radical Scavenging Activities of Nanoscale Lignin Biomaterials

There is much research on nanomaterial from natural polymer because of its biocompatibility, abundance, and non-toxicity. This work is devoted to the study of free radical scavenging activities (FRSA) of nanoscale lignin biomaterials, which are recognized as promising natural antioxidants. The nanoscale lignin biomaterials were prepared from alkaline lignin by a solution-precipitation method with either ethylene glycol (NL1) or alkaline solution (NL2). Structural analysis of the nanoscale lignin biomaterials were conducted by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), laser particle size analyzer, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), potentiometric titration, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The results indicated that NL2 had a smaller average particle size (278±13 nm) than NL1 (375±18 nm) and contained more phenolic hydroxyl groups (2.35±0.11 mmol/g) and had a lower weight-average molecular weight (Mw=6510±320). The FRSA of the biomaterials towards hydroxyl free radicals were measured and compared with the alkaline lignin. Some structure-activity relationships were proposed based on the analysis of experiment data, which revealed NL2 (IC50=0.18±0.01 mg/mL) had a 3.33 fold higher activity than NL1 (IC50=0.60±0.05 mg/mL), which could be attributed to the smaller particle size, more phenolic hydroxyl group, and lower weight-average molecular weight.
Perception of Preparers and Users on Sustainability Reporting in Singapore

The trend of sustainability reports has increased inexorably as the clamor by various stakeholders including NGOs have been growing louder and louder. In Singapore only a small percentage of listed companies are voluntary providing sustainability reporting but this number is set to increase in line with the world trend. This study attempts to address the perceptions of the importance and usefulness of sustainability reporting, the reporting framework and the training needs of both users and preparers to provide such reports. The results from a survey suggest that the respondents (both undergraduates and managers) perceive sustainability reporting positively and there is a need to provide training especially in the area of integrating financial reporting with sustainability reporting.
An Exploratory Analysis of the Impact of Market Orientation on New Product Performance

For many firms, emphasizing the importance of market orientation has taken on a mantra-like quality. Mission statements and memos, policies, and procedures all highlight the importance of staying in touch with the customer. It is also widely assumed that the relationship between market orientation and new product performance depends on environmental conditions and product characteristics. To date, however, little empirical evidence has been presented to support the assumption that market orientation influences new product performance. Kwaku Atuahene-Gima addresses this research need in a study of 275 Australian firms. In addition to exploring the relationship between market orientation and new product development activities and performance, his study examines the effects of environmental conditions and product characteristics. Specifically, the study investigates whether the relationship between market orientation and new product performance depends on the degree of product newness to customers and the firm; the intensity of market competition and the hostility of the industry environment; and the stage of the product life cycle at which the new product was introduced. The survey results provide strong support for the basic proposition that market orientation influences new product performance and development activities. The results show a strong positive relationship between market orientation and a new product's market performance. Market orientation is also shown to have a strong positive effect on proficiency of predevelopment activity, proficiency of launch activity, service quality, product advantage, marketing synergy, and teamwork. Although market orientation is generally found to be an important factor in the success of new products, its influence varies depending on the type of new product—that is, radical versus incremental. Market orientation appears to have greater influence on new product performance when the product represents an incremental change to both the customers and the firm. However, this does not mean that a market-oriented approach is unnecessary in the development of radically hew products. Market orientation also has a greater effect when the perceived intensity of market competition and industry hostility are high, and during the early stage of the product life cycle. Because market competition and industry hostility typically intensify as the product life cycle progresses, these findings suggest that the effects of market orientation are pervasive. In other words, managers should not limit their expectations of market orientation to specific projects or specific stages of the development process and product life cycle.
Project, program and portfolio management in large Dutch organizations : determining the maturity of project, program, and portfolio processes and identifying bottlenecks in further professionalizing the project organization

The research objective of this study is determining the maturity of project, program, and portfolio management processes in large Dutch businesses and the main bottlenecks in further professionalizing the project organization. A suitable way to measure how well organizations are doing is to measure process maturity, where maturity refers to a state where the organization is in a perfect condition to achieve its objectives. Maturity can be measured by using a maturity model which aids in defining, understanding, and measuring an organization’s processes and their effectiveness. In this study 11 maturity models are tested on their suitability using 5 selection criteria. According these critieria the model should be a best practice model, able to assess maturity on project, program, and portfolio management level, method-independent, suitable to use in large Dutch organizations, and compliant with PRINCE2. Based on these selection criteria the Portfolio, Programme and Project Management Maturity Model (P3M3) was chosen as most suitable maturity model to adopt in this study.