Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mutations in Sabin 2 strain of poliovirus and stability of attenuation phenotype.

In this study, we attempted to identify the molecular determinants in the genome of the attenuated Sabin 2 vaccine strain of poliovirus that may change during vaccine production and result in an increase in monkey neurovirulence. An extensive search for suitable vaccine lots identified six batches that had failed the monkey neurovirulence test (MNVT). On repeated tests, these batches were found to have acceptable levels of monkey neurovirulence. One of the batches was additionally passaged six times under conditions used in vaccine production, and the resulting high-passage sample was screened for the presence of mutations and tested in monkeys. In addition to the previously described A --> G reversion at nucleotide 481, high-passage stock also contained a mutation in the VP1-coding region (3364 = G --> A) that consistently accumulated in the course of passaging. However, despite the presence of substantial amounts of these mutations, high-passage stock passed the MNVT. Replication of Sabin 2 poliovirus in the central nervous system of transgenic mice susceptible to poliovirus or in cultures of mouse cells, resulted in another mutation (3363 = A --> G). Even though its presence correlated with paralysis in mice, the introduction of 3363-G into the Sabin 2 genome did not increase neurovirulence of the virus. Previous studies identified the 481-G mutation as an important determinant of monkey neurovirulence. We prepared virus samples with varying amounts of genetically defined single mutants at this nucleotide and tested them in monkeys. The results demonstrated that even a 100% substitution at this site introduced into Sabin 2 strain did not increase monkey neurovirulence. The determination of the nucleotide sequence of an alternative strain used for the production of type 2 OPV (Chung 2) showed that it contained 100% of the wild-type 481-G but possessed an extremely low level of neurovirulence. These results demonstrate the remarkable stability of the attenuated phenotype of the Sabin 2 strain and show that (1) no batch of OPV 2 has ever repeatedly failed the MNVT, (2) growing the virus beyond the passage level allowed in vaccine production did not result in increased neurovirulence in monkeys, (3) a test for neurovirulence in transgenic mice may be more sensitive than the MNVT, and (4) determination of the mutational profile of vaccine batches detects inconsistencies in vaccine manufacturing processing that would not be detected by the MNVT.
Application of Fenton process to remove organic matter and PCBs from waste (fuller’s earth) contaminated with insulating oil

ABSTRACT Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are carcinogenic to humans and can be found in fuller’s earth used for the treatment of used transformer oil. This work describes an optimization of the Fenton process for the removal of contaminants from fuller’s earth. The effects of pH (2.5 and 4.0), [H2O2] (1.47 and 2.07 mol L−1), and [Fe2+] (1.7 and 40 mmol L−1) were studied. The Fenton process efficiency was monitored using the decreases in the chemical oxygen demand (COD) and the concentrations of oil and grease, total carbon (TC), PCBs, and H2O2. The fuller’s earth contaminated with insulating oil presented 35% (w/w) of TC, 34% (w/w) of oil and grease, 297.0 g L−1 COD, and 64 mg of PCBs per kg. The material could therefore be considered a dangerous waste. After Fenton treatment, using a slurry mode, there was a removal of 55% of COD, 20% of oil and grease, and 20% of TC, achieved at pH 2.5 using 2.07 mol L−1 of H2O2 and 40.0 mmol L−1 of Fe2+. No PCBs were detected in the samples after the Fenton treatment, even using smaller amounts of Fenton reagents (1.47 mol L−1 of H2O2, 1.7 mmol L−1 of Fe2+, pH 2.5). The results indicated that the treated fuller’s earth was free from PCB residues and could be disposed of in a simple landfill, in accordance with Brazilian PCB regulations.
The first step in using a robot in brain injury rehabilitation: patients’ and health-care professionals’ perspective

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the usability of a mobile telepresence robot (MTR) in a hospital training apartment (HTA). The MTR was manoeuvred remotely and was used for communication when assessing independent living skills, and for security monitoring of cognitively impaired patients. Method: Occupational therapists (OTs) and nurses received training in how to use the MTR. The nurses completed a questionnaire regarding their expectations of using the MTR. OTs and patients staying in the HTA were interviewed about their experiences of the MTR. Interviews and questionnaires were analysed qualitatively. Results: The HTA patients were very satisfied with the MTR. The OTs and nurses reported generally positive experiences. The OT’s found that assessment via the MTR was more neutral than being physically present. However, the use of the MTR implied considerable difficulties for health-care professionals. The main obstacle for the nurses was the need for fast and easy access in emergency situations while protecting the patients’ integrity. Conclusions: The results indicate that the MTR could be a useful tool to support daily living skills and safety monitoring of HTA patients. However, when designing technology for multiple users, such as health-care professionals, the needs of all users, their routines and support services involved, should also be considered. Implications for Rehabilitation A mobile telepresence robot (MTR) can be a useful tool for assessments and communication in rehabilitation. The design of the robot has to allow easy use by remote users, particularly in emergency situations. When designing MTRs the needs of ALL users have to be taken into consideration.
When Western HRM constructs meet Chinese contexts: validating the pluralistic structures of human resource management systems in China

This study takes a contextualized approach to examine the structures, measures and predictive value of four human resource management (HRM) systems in China. Synthesizing the established concepts in the Western literature with the indigenous practices in the Chinese workplace, we contextually adapt the conceptual components of commitment-based, collaboration-based, controlled-based and contract-based HRM systems. Using data from 224 organizations, we found a pluralistic structure of the HRM systems, consisting of two discriminant dimensions within each HRM system, and a high-order model encompassing all HRM systems. In addition, we found different predictive value of the HRM systems firm innovation, cost reduction and bottom-line performance. Ideas for future research and practical implications are also discussed.
Purification of Streptomyces chromofuscus phospholipase D by hydrophobic affinity chromatography on palmitoyl cellulose.

Phospholipase D [phosphatidylcholine cholinehydrolase, EC 3.1. 4.4] excreted from Streptomyces chromofuscus was purified from the culture supernatant by precipitation with acetone and column chromatographies on palmitoylated gauze (Pal-G), DEAE-cellulose, and Sephadex G-150 with an overall recovery of 46% and 1000-fold increase in specific activity. The purified enzyme preparation showed a single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis. The enzyme had a molecular weight of about 50,000 by gel filtration on Sephadex G-150 or about 57,000 by SDS-polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis and an isoelectric point (pI) of pH 5.1 on isoelectric focusing. The enzyme hydrolyses lecithin, lysolecithin, sphingomyelin, and cephalin; the relative reaction velocities and Km's for choline-phospholipids were 87% and 1.43 mM for lecithin, 100% and 1.67 mM for lysolecithin, and 22% and 0.56 mM for sphingomyelin. The enzymatic reaction was optimal at pH 8, and its velocity was appreciably increased by either detergent (Triton X-100, deoxycholate), Ca2+ or both detergent and Ca2+. Diethyl ether stimulated the enzymatic activity by 30%; SDS and EDTA inhibited the activity. Bovine serum albumin, Triton X-100, and lipids (lecithin, lysolecithin, phosphatidic acid, lysophosphatidic acid, palmitic acid, and oleic acid) inhibited adsorption of the purified enzyme onto palmitoyl cellulose (Pal-C) and affected both the enzyme activity and stability: albumin and Triton X-100 increased the activity and enhanced the heat-stability; lysophospholipids decreased the activity but other lipids increased the activity; all the lipids lowered the heat-stability. The enzyme adsorbed on Pal-C was active, although its activity was about one-ninth of that of free enzyme, and was protected from heat-inactivation. Thus this enzyme appears to possess a hydrophobic site distinct from its catalytic site and to be adsorbed onto Pal-C through the hydrophobic site. Albumin, Triton X-100, and lipids seem to bind to the hydrophobic site and to have an appreciable effect on the enzyme activity and stability.
A Framework for Teaching the Rational Voter Model in Public Choice Courses

This study provides a simple interpretation and extension of the Rational Voter Model (RVM), one which enables students in Public Choice classes to easily understand its application in a real-world context. In doing so, the presentation identifies key aggregate-level economic and non-economic determinants of the expected benefits from voting. This study also provides empirical findings for the period 1960-2000. These findings indicate that the voter participation rate has been positively related to strong public approval or strong public disapproval of the incumbent President. This study also finds that the voter participation rate has been positively impacted by the opportunity to vote in Presidential elections, the Vietnam War, a "too slowly" growing real GDP, and "excessive" inflation. In addition, it is shown that the voter participation rate has been negatively impacted by the public's general dissatisfaction with government.
Spatial filter with multilayered FSS for wideband orthogonal polarization conversion

This paper proposes the spatial filter with multilayered FSS(Frequency Selective Surface) for wideband orthogonal polarization conversion such as converting vertical polarization to horizontal polarization. It is indicated that FSS with LPF(Low-Pass Filter) and HPF(High-Pass Filter) in orthogonal direction realizes wideband orthogonal polarization conversion. Furthermore, it is shown that the optimal number of layers of the FSS is four, and maximum value of relative bandwidth is 40.2%.
Tw-StAR at SemEval-2017 Task 4: Sentiment Classification of Arabic Tweets

In this paper, we present our contribution in SemEval 2017 international workshop. We have tackled task 4 entitled “Sentiment analysis in Twitter”, specifically subtask 4A-Arabic. We propose two Arabic sentiment classification models implemented using supervised and unsupervised learning strategies. In both models, Arabic tweets were preprocessed first then various schemes of bag-of-N-grams were extracted to be used as features. The final submission was selected upon the best performance achieved by the supervised learning-based model. However, the results obtained by the unsupervised learning-based model are considered promising and evolvable if more rich lexica are adopted in further work.
Infarct Localization From Myocardial Deformation: Prediction and Uncertainty Quantification by Regression From a Low-Dimensional Space

Diagnosing and localizing myocardial infarct is crucial for early patient management and therapy planning. We propose a new method for predicting the location of myocardial infarct from local wall deformation, which has value for risk stratification from routine examinations such as (3D) echocardiography. The pipeline combines non-linear dimensionality reduction of deformation patterns and two multi-scale kernel regressions. Confidence in the diagnosis is assessed by a map of local uncertainties, which integrates plausible infarct locations generated from the space of reduced dimensionality. These concepts were tested on 500 synthetic cases generated from a realistic cardiac electromechanical model, and 108 pairs of 3D echocardiographic sequences and delayed-enhancement magnetic resonance images from real cases. Infarct prediction is made at a spatial resolution around 4 mm, more than 10 times smaller than the current diagnosis, made regionally. Our method is accurate, and significantly outperforms the clinically-used thresholding of the deformation patterns (on real data: sensitivity/specificity of 0.828/0.804, area under the curve: 0.909 versus 0.742 for the most predictive strain component). Uncertainty adds value to refine the diagnosis and eventually re-examine suspicious cases.
Deeply Curious Computational Design

This paper describes ongoing work into a model of computational design that is based on curiosity. The model uses goal reformulation to pursue specific unexpected stimuli in order to generate new designs that are creative (i.e. novel and valuable). The model combines a number of techniques from AI, including goal reasoning, heuristic search, genetic algorithms and case-based reasoning, with a deep unsupervised neural network model of expectation. The deep learning model is used by the system to develop a representation of the space of possible designs that respects its latent structure, and can be used as the basis for goal-driven curious search. From this hidden-layer representation similarity functions are derived as well as evaluations of the surprisingness of particular combinations of features. In this position paper we summarize our previous contributions and outline our planned future research in the area of deep learning for AI in design.
Total Quality Management and Performance

Total quality management (TQM) continues to be promoted by governments across the world and forms part of the improvement strategies for many public organizations. However, there are no empirical studies of the relationship between TQM and performance in the public sector. A critical review of the 19 private sector studies is undertaken to identify the impact of TQM on performance. These studies do not offer comprehensive support for the TQM-performance hypothesis, and there are many unresolved issues in the evidence. A program of research on public organizations should be undertaken that would test theoretical models of the link between TQM and performance. The research should be conducted longitudinally, in different types of public services and different organizational contexts; to test the “one-size-fits-all” assumption in the TQM model. Such studies would allow prescriptions for the adoption and implementation of TQM in public organizations to be made with more confidence.
A New Low-Cost Electronic System to Manage Resistive Sensors for Gas Detection

In this paper, a new electronic system for gas detection is presented. Particular attention is focused on electronic noses that employ several resistive sensors. New resistive sensors may have high value due to new substances (TiO2) or to low-cost fabrication process and, supposing to use these sensors together with traditional ones (SnO2), a novel instrument to manage high-value resistive sensors varying over a wide range, from kilohms to gigohms is required. The proposed hardware approach is a modular architecture which takes advantage from an improved resistance-to-period converter, where sensors are DC powered. Experimental results show a relative standard deviation below 0.01% and a relative displacement to the reference line less than 1% over six decades if commercial resistors are considered. A prototype has been realized to manage up to eight sensors, detect and estimate substance concentrations, and communicate results to the Internet.
Face recognition algorithm based on improved facial model

Face recognition is one of typical biometric identification method, which has a great prospect in secure authentication system, file management, human-computer interaction and social security. This paper proposes gray-scale characteristics and creates facial templates to recognize faces method based on a given number of samples. Firstly, it selects the method of building template according to the number of samples to create the facial template image; then, it will compare the difference of first-order edge entropy between recognition image and the template image and find the best match result; finally, the recognition result is output. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm has good recognition effect on face recognition under non-constraint conditions.
Signal sensing by multiple compressive projection measurement

Compressive sensing (CS) is a new approach to simultaneous sensing and compression that enables a potentially large reduction in the sampling of signals having a sparse representation in some basis. However, the most recent recovery algorithms are successful only under condition of an acceptable signal to noise ratio (SNR). In this paper we will analyze and discuss sparse signal recovery for the low-SNR case by introducing the multiple compressive projection measurement approach (MCPM). First results show that MCPM is a very promising method to enhance the recovery stability with presence of strong background noise.
Investment evaluation of cloud computing in the European business sector

The importance of cloud computing is acknowledged both at national and entrepreneurial level. Its potential in business has been already described in many studies (Dillon et al., 2010; Bayrak et al., 2011; Nuseibeh, 2011; Repschlaeger et al., 2013). However, many European countries do not exploit it much in spite of many positive responses made by respected consulting companies. The reasons for this are a very low level of changes in companies, ignorance of opportunities of the given technology and, consequently, an inability to count the return of investment. Therefore, the aim of this article is to introduce a tool for the investment evaluation of cloud computing, which corresponds to the needs of the European business environment and to the properties of this technology. Furthermore, the cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) method is explored. This method is adjusted for cloud computing on the basis of companies’ requirements, which were collected from quantitative and qualitative surveys and from the interviews with experts in cloud computing from academic and business environments. In addition, individual stages of the CBA method used in cloud computing are described.
Cell Cycle-regulated Phosphorylation of the Human SIX1 Homeodomain Protein*

Human SIX1 (HSIX1) is a member of the Six class of homeodomain proteins implicated in muscle, eye, head, and brain development. To further understand the role of HSIX1 in the cell cycle and cancer, we developed an HSIX1-specific antibody to study protein expression at various stages of the cell cycle. Our previous work demonstrated that HSIX1 mRNA expression increases as cells exit S phase and that overexpression of HSIX1 can attenuate a DNA damage-induced G2 cell cycle checkpoint. Overexpression of HSIX1 mRNA was observed in 44% of primary breast cancers and 90% of metastatic lesions. Now we demonstrate that HSIX1 is a nuclear phosphoprotein that becomes hyperphosphorylated at mitosis in both MCF7 cells and in Xenopus extracts. The pattern of phosphorylation observed in mitosis is similar to that seen by treating recombinant HSIX1 with casein kinase II (CK2) in vitro. Apigenin, a selective CK2 inhibitor, diminishes interphase and mitotic phosphorylation of HSIX1. Treatment of MCF7 cells with apigenin leads to a dose-dependent arrest at the G2/M boundary, implicating CK2, like HSIX1, in the G2/M transition. HSIX1 hyperphosphorylated in vitro by CK2 loses its ability to bind the MEF3 sites of the aldolase A promoter (pM), and decreased binding to pM is observed during mitosis. Because CK2 and HSIX1 have both been implicated in cancer and in cell cycle control, we propose that HSIX1, whose activity is regulated by CK2, is a relevant target of CK2 in G2/M checkpoint control and that both molecules participate in the same pathway whose dysregulation leads to cancer.
Twinning and Its Correlates: Community-Based Study in a Rural Area of India

Abstract A retrospective study was carried out to investigate the twinning rate and its correlates from January 1991 to December 2005 in 10 villages of the Rural Health Centre, Pohir, a field practice area of the Department of Community Medicine, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India. During this study period, 5,070 deliveries took place. A total of 5,017 singleton births and 53 sets of twins were recorded, giving a twinning rate of 10.45 per 1,000 total deliveries. Monozygotic and dizygotic twinning rates were estimated as 2.96 and 7.49 per 1,000 deliveries, respectively. The twinning rate was strongly associated with maternal age; the twinning rate for mothers between 30 and 34 years of age was about 10 times higher than the rate for mothers younger than 20 years. This variation was due to variation in dizygotic twinning; the rate of monozygotic twinning was almost constant for all ages. The twinning rate was highest at gestational order 4 or higher. The perinatal mortality rate among the twins was 173.1 per 1,000 total twin births and was significantly higher among the group in which diagnosis of twins was not done during the prenatal period. We should expect 1 twin birth per 100 births, and because perinatal mortality is alarmingly high in undiagnosed twin pregnancies, early recognition of twin pregnancy during prenatal visits and delivering in a health facility with adequately trained personnel should be encouraged.
A Cardinal Concept of Welfare

I. Introduction, 366. — II. Basic ethical postulates, 369. — III. Mutual measurement of welfare and well-beings, 375. — IV. Fundamental measurement of welfare, 379. — V. Other ways of measuring welfare, 380. — VI. The relation of cardinal welfare to cardinal utility, 380. —VII. Uses of a cardinal welfare, 382.
Anatomical knowledge and clinical evaluation of the muscles of mastication

In this survey, we identify the positive role that an instructional anatomy course has prior to a workshop on temporomandibular dysfunction. Not only did it result in enhanced clinical evaluation of the muscles of mastication acquired by the participants, but it also approximated the skills of dental and medical practitioners. Clin. Anat. 13:94–96, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Multiple Degree of Freedom Lower Extremity Isometric Device to Simultaneously Quantify Hip, Knee, and Ankle Torques

Characterization of the joint torque coupling strategies used in the lower extremity to generate maximal and submaximal levels of torque at either the hip, knee, or ankle is lacking. Currently, there are no available isometric devices that quantify all concurrent joint torques in the hip, knee, and ankle of a single leg during maximum voluntary torque generation. Thus, joint-torque coupling strategies in the hip, knee, and concurrent torques at ankle and/or coupling patterns at the hip and knee driven by the ankle have yet to be quantified. This manuscript describes the design, implementation, and validation of a multiple degree of freedom, lower extremity isometric device (the MultiLEIT) that accurately quantifies simultaneous torques at the hip, knee, and ankle. The system was mechanically validated and then implemented with two healthy control individuals and two post-stroke individuals to test usability and patient acceptance. Data indicated different joint torque coupling strategies used by both healthy individuals. In contrast, data showed the same torque coupling patterns in both post-stroke individuals, comparable to those described in the clinic. Successful implementation of the MultiLEIT can contribute to the understanding of the underlying mechanisms responsible for abnormal movement patterns and aid in the design of therapeutic interventions.