Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Making the law accessible to non-lawyers: effects of different kinds of expertise on perceived usability of online legal information services

To help design an environment in which professionals without legal training can make effective use of public sector legal information on planning and the environment – for Add-Wijzer, a European e-government project – we evaluated their perceptions of usefulness and usability. In concurrent think-aloud usability tests, lawyers and non-lawyers carried out information retrieval tasks on a range of online legal databases. We found that non-lawyers reported twice as many difficulties as those with legal training (p = 0.001), that the number of difficulties and the choice of database affected successful completion, and that the non-lawyers had surprisingly few problems understanding legal terminology. Instead, they had more problems understanding the syntactical structure of legal documents and collections. The results support the constraint attunement hypothesis (CAH) of the effects of expertise on information retrieval, with implications for the design of systems to support the effective understanding and use of information.
Efficient SOR-based detection and architecture for large-scale MIMO uplink

Affected by relaxation factor ω, for large-scale MIMO uplink, successive over relaxation (SOR) detection involves low-complexity matrix inversion but unstable performance as ω changes. In this paper, a more stable and efficient SOR-based detection, which is nearly unaffected by ω, is proposed. First, the convergence of the proposed method is proved. Both analytic and numerical results have shown that, with lower computational complexity, its performance 1) stays almost the same when ω varies, and 2) is very close to that of linear minimum mean square error (MMSE) algorithm. Finally, the corresponding VLSI architecture is proposed in detail.
Musculotendon and Fascicle Strains in Anterior and Posterior Neck Muscles During Whiplash Injury

Study Design. A biomechanical neck model combined with subject-specific kinematic and electromyographic data were used to calculate neck muscle strains during whiplash. Objectives. To calculate the musculotendon and fascicle strains during whiplash and to compare these strains to published muscle injury thresholds. Summary of Background Data. Previous work has shown potentially injurious musculotendon strains in sternocleidomastoid (SCM) during whiplash, but neither the musculotendon strains in posterior cervical muscles nor the fascicle strains in either muscle group have been examined. Methods. Experimental human subject data from rear-end automobile impacts were integrated with a biomechanical model of the neck musculoskeletal system. Subject-specific head kinematic data were imposed on the model, and neck musculotendon and fascicle strains and strain rates were computed. Electromyographic data from the sternocleidomastoid and the posterior cervical muscles were compared with strain data to determine which muscles were being eccentrically contracted. Results. SCM experienced lengthening during the retraction phase of head/neck kinematics, whereas the posterior muscles (splenius capitis [SPL], semispinalis capitis [SEMI], and trapezius [TRAP]) lengthened during the rebound phase. Peak SCM fascicle lengthening strains averaged (±SD) 4% (±3%) for the subvolumes attached to the mastoid process and 7% (±5%) for the subvolume attached to the occiput. Posteriorly, peak fascicle strains were 21% (±14%) for SPL, 18% (±16%) for SEMI, and 5% (±4%) for TRAP, with SPL strains significantly greater than calculated in SCM or TRAP. Fascicle strains were, on average, 1.2 to 2.3 times greater than musculotendon strains. SCM and posterior muscle activity occurred during intervals of muscle fascicle lengthening. Conclusions. The cervical muscle strains induced during a rear-end impact exceed the previously-reported injury threshold for a single stretch of active muscle. Further, the larger strains experienced by extensor muscles are consistent with clinical reports of pain primarily in the posterior cervical region following rear-end impacts.
Connexin 43 expression in the mouse embryo: Localization of transcripts within developmentally significant domains

The expression of the gap junction gene, Cx43, during mouse embryogenesis was characterized by an in situ hybridization analysis of mouse embryos from gestation days 4.5 to 12.5. This analysis revealed that Cx43 transcripts are differentially expressed as a function of development beginning at the blastocyst stage. In many regions of the embryo, Cx43 transcripts were found in discrete spatially restricted domains. This was observed in conjunction with the development of the brain, neural tube, prevertebra, limb, and various aspects of organogenesis. In some cases, the differential localization of Cx43 transcripts is associated with developmental processes mediated by inductive interactions, such as that of the eye, otic vesicle, kidney, and the branchial arches. In addition, in the 10.5 day embryo, Cx43 transcripts appear to be distributed as a gradient in regions spanning the midbrain/hindbrain junction, in the telencephalon, and in the limb mesenchyme. Surprisingly, our results also suggest that neural crest and sclerotomal cells, i.e., cells that are presumably migratory, express high levels of Cx43 transcripts. Overall, these results suggest that gap junctions encoded by Cx43 may play a role in various aspects of mouse development, possibly including relaying second messengers emanating from signal transduction pathways that mediate inductive interactions. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Extended multidrug resistance in haemopoietic cells

The development of drug resistance was studied in a series of haemopoietic cells to determine its relationship to cell lineage. Treatment of the U937 monocytic cell line with epirubicin (15 ng/ml) or vinblastine (8 ng/ml) induced drug‐resistant sublines with cross‐resistance to epirubicin (8‐ and 16‐fold respectively), vinblastine (5‐ and 20‐fold), paclitaxel (15‐and 42‐fold) and etoposide (19‐ and 13‐fold). However, sublines were also 3–5‐fold resistant to the alkylating agent chlorambucil, cis‐platinum and methotrexate, demonstrating an extended multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype. These cells over‐expressed P‐glycoprotein, but decreased drug accumulation was not restored in the presence of verapamil, suggesting that the P‐glycoprotein was not functional. Similar drug treatment of the HL60 promyelocytic cell line also produced sublines exhibiting an extended MDR phenotype. The KG1a and the HEL cell lines expressed functional P‐glycoprotein and were resistant to the drug concentrations used for treatment. Multidrug resistance as mediated by P‐glycoprotein cannot explain the resistance of CML patients to chemotherapy, especially in blast crisis. The induction of an extended MDR phenotype specifically in myeloid cells in response to drug treatment may explain the resistance observed in the treatment of CML.
Modeling scattering from tree canopies for UAV scenarios

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can generally operate under very different conditions from a radiowave propagation point of view. This also includes scenarios where the presence of vegetation can be in a close vicinity of the UAV or its ground control station. Treating the interaction of electromagnetic waves and vegetation has always been of great interest and thus, so far, different approaches have been developed. Here we provide a basic background and a comparison with experimental data for the case of the multiple scattering theory approach (recently adopted in the latest version of Recommendation ITU-R P.833) and the physical optics approach. In addition, based on the model currently being developed, the possibilities to overcome the great computation demands of the multiple scattering theory are outlined as well.
Corporate Governance and Earnings Management: A Model and Empirical Investigation from Karachi Stock Exchange

This study seeks to probe into the relationship between Corporate Governance (CG) and Earnings Management (EM). To fulfill the objective of the study, a panel data approach by considering the data of seventy four (74) non-financial firms listed at Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) for the time period of nine years from 2005 to 2013 have been taken. Earnings management is calculated through discretionary accruals as a proxy by using Modified Jones Model. Panel data is analyzed for correlation analysis, assumptions of regression and Random-effects GLS regression by using STATA 13. In general results are in favor of the propositions that effective corporate governance polices restrict EM practices. The empirical findings of the present paper contain some relevant policy implications.
Public Governance, Corporate Governance, and Firm Innovation: An Examination of State-Owned Enterprises

Innovation activities create substantial firm value, but they are difficult to manage owing to agency risk which is commonly thought to result in shirking, hence underinvestment in innovation. However, agency risk can also create inefficient allocation of resources among innovation activities, on which the literature provided limited understanding. We examine an important outcome created by agency risk—that agents pursue the quantity of innovation at the expense of the novelty, and investigate how it is influenced by corporate and public governance. We theorize that improved corporate governance tools, including better alignment of agents’ private incentives and stronger monitoring, and high-quality public governance reduce such agency risk in state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Furthermore, higher-quality public governance enhances the functioning of corporate governance tools in further reducing such agency risk in innovation. We test our theory in the context of Chinese SOEs that responded to state’s pro-i.
Defining, Designing, Implementing, and Evaluating Phase 4 HIV Prevention Effectiveness Trials for Vulnerable Populations

The efficacy of behavioral HIV prevention interventions has been convincingly demonstrated in a large number of randomized controlled phase 3 research outcome trials. Little research attention has been directed toward studying the effectiveness of the same interventions when delivered by providers to their own clients or community members, however. This article argues for the need to conduct phase 4 effectiveness trials of HIV prevention interventions that have been found efficacious in the research arena. Such trials can provide important information concerning the impact of interventions when applied in heterogeneous “real-world” circumstances. This article raises design issues and methodologic questions that need to be addressed in the conduct of phase 4 trials of behavioral interventions. These issues include the selection and training of service providers engaged in such trials, maintenance of fidelity to intervention protocol in provider-delivered interventions, determination of intervention core elements versus aspects that require tailoring, selection of relevant phase 4 study outcomes, interpretation of findings indicative of field effectiveness, sustainability, and other aspects of phase 4 trial design.
Differential distribution of α‐tubulin isotypes in Euplotes eurystomus determined by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy **

Detergent permeabilized Euplotes eurystomus (a fresh water hypotrichous ciliate) was reacted with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies specific for either detyrosinated or tyrosinated α‐tubulin (Glu‐ or Tyr‐tubulin). The isolated cytoskeleton‐nuclear complex was examined by Western immunoblotting and by immunofluorescent and electron microscopic methods. Both Glu‐ and Tyr‐tubulins were detected by immunoblot analysis. Immunofluorescent microscopy indicated that the α‐tubulin isotypes are concentrated in different regions of permeabilized cells: Glu‐tubulin is located primarily in cirri, membranelles, and surrounding the macro‐ and micronuclei. Tyr‐tubulin is principally at the bases of cirri and membranelles. This differential distribution of α‐tubulin isotypes is discussed in terms of current concepts concerning the correlation of tubulin post‐translational modifications to microtubule stability. Confocal immunofluorescent imaging was of critical importance in clearly differentiating the Glu‐tubulin isotype surrounding the macro‐ and micronuclei from a brilliantly fluorescent environment originating from cytoskeletal structures. In conjunction with conventional and stereo‐electron microscopy, confocal optical microscopy provided convincing evidence for a “basket” of microtubules surrounding both nuclei.
Fission Yeast HMT 1 Lowers Seed Cadmium through Phytochelatin-Dependent Vacuolar Sequestration in Arabidopsis 1 [ C ] [ W ]

National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics and National Center for Plant Gene Research (Shanghai), Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology (J.H., Y.Z., J.-S.P., C.Z., H.-Y.Y., J.-M.G.), Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences-University of California (Berkeley) Center for Molecular Life Sciences (J.H., D.W.O., J.-M.G.), Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, People’s Republic of China; and South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, People’s Republic of China (D.W.O.)
Dual-band bandpass filter type Wilkinson power divider with microstrip composite resonators

A dual-band bandpass filter type Wilkinson power divider is newly introduced in this paper. 2-degree bandpass filter topology with J-inverters and composite series resonators is designed to replace two λ/4 transmission lines in Wilkinson power divider application. Based on filter design theory, design equations are summarized by even- and odd-mode analysis. In experiment, one proposed Wilkinson power divider with central frequencies of 2.4 GHz and 5.2 GHz is designed and fabricated. There is good agreement between the simulated and measured results.
Diversifying rice-centric agriculture and diets: the Bangladesh experience.

AbstractThis chapter reviews recent policy developments in agriculture and nutrition in Bangladesh,and then draws upon household-level data to examine trends related to agricultural production, food consumption and nutrition, and women's empowerment. Using this evidence, the chapter presents a government-led experiment that is working towards filling critical knowledge and action gaps for promoting nutrition-sensitive agriculture. It is concluded that identifying, developing, and supporting synergies among the agriculture, nutrition, and health sectors is critical for Bangladesh to improve food and nutrition security.
Personality and inter-subject differences in performance and physiological cost during whole-body vibration.

When subjects are exposed to whole-body vibration, extra effort is required to maintain pre-vibration standards of performance. Therefore the willingness of subjects to expend this effort might influence both performance and physiological cost. Willingness may be related to a personality variable-score on the locus of control scale. This hypothesis was tested in 12 subjects who performed a simulated driving task during 10 min of vertical (±Gz) whole-body vibration at energy levels of 021,0-28 and 0-35 r.m.s.g using a sinusoidal and a random waveform. Accuracy at a foot-controlled, compensatory tracking task, reaction time, oxygen uptake and heart rate were measured. Subjects with an ‘internal’ locus of control had less tracking error(p<0.001)and higher heart rates (p<0.05) than did subjects with an ‘external’ locus of control. Furthermore, both variables were significantly correlated with the locus of control scores (r= +0.73 and —0.66) respectively. These findings suggest that the inter-subject differenc.
Averaging VMAT treatment plans for multi-criteria navigation

Purpose: To describe a method for combining multiple VMAT plans for use in treatment plan averaging, which is needed for multi-criteria navigation-based treatment planning. Methods: We consider sliding window VMAT treatment plans and show that by averaging leaf trajectories in a particular way, the underlying uence maps are averaged, which in turn yields approximately averaged dose distributions. Results: We demonstrate the method on three Pareto optimal plans created for a demanding paraspinal case, where the tumor surrounds the spinal cord. The results show that the leaf averaged plans yield a dose distribution which well-approximates the dosimetric average of the pre-computed Pareto optimal plans.
Different mechanisms of transmission of the microsporidium Octosporea bayeri: a cocktail of solutions for the problem of parasite permanence

Periods of low host density impose a constraint on parasites with direct transmission, challenging their permanence in the system. The microsporidium Octosporea bayeri faces such constraint in a metapopulation of its host, the cladoceran Daphnia magna, where ponds frequently lose their host population due to ponds drying out in summer and freezing in winter. We conducted experiments aimed to investigate the mechanisms of transmission of O. bayeri, and discuss how these mechanisms could contribute to the parasite's permanence in the system. Spores accumulate in the fat cells and the ovaries of the host, and vary in morphology, possibly corresponding to 3 different spore types. Horizontal transmission occurred through the release of spores from dead hosts, with the proportion of infected hosts depending on the spore dose. Further, spores are able to persist outside the host both in dry and wet conditions. Vertical transmission occurred to both parthenogenetic and sexual offspring. The former were invariably infected, while the sexually produced resting eggs (=ephippia) had a less efficient transmission. The parasite may be carried by the ephippia, and thus disperse to new ponds together with the host. Together, these mechanisms may allow the parasite to endure periods of harsh environmental conditions both outside and inside the host.
Phylogenetic Specificity and Reproducibility and New Method for Analysis of Terminal Restriction Fragment Profiles of 16S rRNA Genes from Bacterial Communities

ABSTRACT Terminal restriction fragment (TRF) analysis of 16S rRNA genes is an increasingly popular method for rapid comparison of microbial communities, but analysis of the data is still in a developmental stage. We assessed the phylogenetic resolution and reproducibility of TRF profiles in order to evaluate the limitations of the method, and we developed an essential analysis technique to improve the interpretation of TRF data. The theoretical phylogenetic resolution of TRF profiles was determined based on the specificity of TRFs predicted from 3,908 16S rRNA gene sequences. With sequences from theProteobacteria or gram-positive division, as much as 73% of the TRFs were phylogenetically specific (representing strains from at most two genera). However, the fraction decreased when sequences from the two divisions were combined. The data show that phylogenetic inference will be most effective if TRF profiles represent only a single bacterial division or smaller group. The analytical precision of the TRF method was assessed by comparing nine replicate profiles of a single soil DNA sample. Despite meticulous care in producing the replicates, numerous small, irreproducible peaks were observed. As many as 85% of the 169 distinct TRFs found among the profiles were irreproducible (i.e., not present in all nine replicates). Substantial variation also occurred in the height of synonymous peaks. To make comparisons of microbial communities more reliable, we developed an analytical procedure that reduces variation and extracts a reproducible subset of data from replicate TRF profiles. The procedure can also be used with other DNA fingerprinting techniques for microbial communities or microbial genomes.
Sequence variation of the Cytochrome b gene of various human infecting members of the genus Leishmania and their phylogeny

The Cytochrome b (Cyt b) gene has proved to be useful for identification and classification of many mammals and plants. In order to evaluate the utility of this gene for discrimination of Leishmania parasites as well as for exploring their phylogenetic relationships, we determined the nucleotide sequences of the Cyt b gene from 13 human-infecting Leishmania species (14 strains) from the New and Old Worlds. The Cyt b genes, approximately 1080 base pairs, were found to be A/T rich, and their 5′ terminal-editing regions were highly conserved. The nucleotide sequence variation among them was enough to discriminate parasite species; 245 nucleotide positions were polymorphic and 190 positions were parsimony informative. The phylogenetic relationships based on this gene, showed good agreement with the classification of Lainson & Shaw (1987) except for the inclusion of L. (L.) major in the L. (L.) tropica complex and the placement of L. tarentolae in another genus. These data show that the Cyt b gene is useful for phylogenetic study of Leishmania parasites.
Use of a Catalytic Model to Estimate Hepatitis A Incidence in a Low-Endemicity Country

Background. Evaluating the cost-effectiveness of vaccine programs with dynamic modeling requires accurate estimates of incidence over time. Because infectious diseases are often underreported, supplementary data and statistical analyses are required to estimate true incidence. This study estimates the true incidence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection in Canada using a catalytic model. Methods. A catalytic model was used to reconcile HAV seroprevalence data with the corresponding true cumulative risk of infection estimated from incidence data. Results. The average annual reported incidence was 6.2 cases per 100 000 from 1980 to 1989 and 7.7/100 000 from 1990 to 1999, indicating that Canada is a low-incidence country. The seroprevalence in Canadian-born individuals (n = 7 studies) was approximately 1%−8% in ages <20, 1%−11% in ages 20–29, 7%−29% in ages 30–39, and higher in older age groups. Between 1980 and 1995, the catalytic model estimated an average annual incidence of 60/100 000 (95% confidence interval, 33–524); approximately 7.73 (4.21–67.33) times the average annual reported incidence of 7.78/100 000. For a typical birth cohort of 403 434 Canadians born in 1990, the model predicted 32 750 HAV cases by age 39, with a corresponding seroprevalence of approximately 8.12% by the year 2029. Implications. Reliable estimates of true incidence of infectious disease are required for cost-effectiveness analysis of infectious disease programs. Catalytic models enable the synthesis of dispersed data, quantification of data limitations, and reconciliation of these limitations to estimate true incidence for economic evaluations.
Characterization of the fecal microbiome during neonatal and early pediatric development in puppies

Limited information is available describing the development of the neonatal fecal microbiome in dogs. Feces from puppies were collected at 2, 21, 42, and 56 days after birth. Feces were also collected from the puppies’ mothers at a single time point within 24 hours after parturition. DNA was extracted from fecal samples and 454-pyrosequencing was used to profile 16S rRNA genes. Species richness continued to increase significantly from 2 days of age until 42 days of age in puppies. Furthermore, microbial communities clustered separately from each other at 2, 21, and 42 days of age. The microbial communities belonging to dams clustered separately from that of puppies at any given time point. Major phylogenetic changes were noted at all taxonomic levels with the most profound changes being a shift from primarily Firmicutes in puppies at 2 days of age to a co-dominance of Bacteroidetes, Fusobacteria, and Firmicutes by 21 days of age. Further studies are needed to elucidate the relationship between puppy microbiota development, physiological growth, neonatal survival, and morbidity.