Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative measurements of anterior tibial translation using the KT-1000 knee arthrometer with the leg in neutral, internal rotation, and external rotation.

Position of the leg while using the KT-1000 knee arthrometer may be an important variable in attaining accurate and reliable measurements. The purpose of this study was to compare the anterior translation of the tibia on the femur with the tibia in neutral, internal rotation (IR), and external rotation (ER). Additionally, data were analyzed to determine the intratester and intertester reliability of the KT-1000 knee arthrometer with the leg in neutral. Data were collected from 50 subjects by two testers and one recorder, according to MEDmetric protocol. Tester 1 performed three pulls or one sequence in neutral, IR, and ER. A second sequence was performed in neutral. Tester 2 performed two sequences in the neutral position. Data in each sequence were averaged and evaluated. Intertester reliability was calculated at r = . 64 (poor), while intratester reliability for tester 1 was r = . 90 (high) and for tester 2 was r = . 86 (good). A repeated measure, one-way ANOVA was used, and results demonstrated a statistical difference of p < . 0001, with the difference found between IR when compared with ER and neutral. In conclusion, differences in tibial translation occurred between neutral, IR, and ER of the lower extremity. This may prove valuable for clinicians using the KT-1000.
Can Facebook popularity help albums to remain in the sales charts?

ABSTRACT We empirically investigate the impact of Facebook popularity on the survival of mainstream albums in the sales charts, with our results indicating that running an official Facebook page can improve such survival. Nevertheless, for artists running pages, even in Taiwan, where more than 75% people use Facebook, a blind pursuit of the popularity of all posts will not ensure better survival in the charts.
Business Strategy, Compensation Policy and Innovation Performance: A Behavioral Perspective

This article applies new insights into business strategies and compensation to examine why organizations adopt pay polices based on the performance of the entire organization (i.e., organization-level incentives such as profit sharing and gain sharing). Results based on a longitudinal national sample of 1,974 Canadian workplaces show that organizations with product leadership business strategies are more likely to adopt organization-level incentives, which in turn have a positive impact on innovation performance. Implications of the findings for theory, future research and management practice are also discussed.
Trade–offs between sexual advertisement and immune function in the pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca)

Good genes models of sexual selection assume that sexual advertisement is costly and thus the level of advertisement honestly reveals heritable viability. Recently it has been suggested that an important cost of sexual advertisement might be impairment of the functioning of the immune system. In this field experiment we investigated the possible trade–offs between immune function and sexual advertisement by manipulating both mating effort and activity of immune defence in male pied flycatchers. Mating effort was increased in a non–arbitrary manner by removing females from mated males during nest building. Widowed males sustained higher haematocrit levels than control males and showed higher expression of forehead patch height, suggesting that manipulation succeeded in increasing mating effort. Males that were experimentally forced to increase mating effort had reduced humoral immune responsiveness compared with control males. In addition, experimental activation of immune defence by vaccination with novel antigens reduced the expression of male ornament dimensions. To conclude, our results indicate that causality behind the trade–off between immune function and sexual advertisement may work in both directions: sexual activity suppresses immune function but immune challenge also reduces sexual advertisement.
Morphine withdrawal‐induced morphological changes in the nucleus accumbens

Morphine withdrawal produces a hypofunction of mesencephalic dopamine neurons that impinge upon medium spiny neurons (MSN) of the forebrain. After chronic treatment (from 20 to 140 mg/kg of morphine twice a day over 14 days at escalating doses) rats were withdrawn from chronic morphine spontaneously and pharmacologically. In these two distinct conditions we studied the effects of withdrawal on the morphology of MSN of the core and shell of the nucleus accumbens (Nacc). MSN were stained with the Golgi–Cox procedure and analysed by a confocal laser‐scanning microscope (CLSM). Our analysis shows that, shell and core MSN differed significantly for perikarya size and spine density, and the various morphine treatments did not affect the perikarya morphometry. Both spontaneous and naloxone‐induced withdrawal produced a similar reduction in spine density in MS shell neurons, as compared with MS core neurons. This effect is selectively localized at the level of second order dendritic trunks where afferents converge. By contrast, spine density counts of accumbens MSN from rats chronically treated with morphine, did not reveal any change. Collectively, the results of the present study are twofold: (i) spontaneous and pharmacologically precipitated withdrawal, but not chronic morphine per se, affects spine density of target structures of a reduced mesolimbic dopamine transmission, and (ii) the reduction of spine density in second order dendritic trunks is selectively segregated in the MSN of the shell of the Nacc. In conclusion, morphine withdrawal dramatically alters spine density, selectively in second order dendritic trunks of Nacc shell MSN, thereby further impoverishing the already abated dopamine (DA) transmission. This is in line with recent views suggesting the hypodopaminergic state as a cardinal feature of opioid dependence.
Design of Brushless Doubly-Fed Machines Based on Magnetic Circuit Modeling

This paper proposes a magnetic circuit model (MCM) for the design of a brushless doubly-fed machine (BDFM). The BDFM possesses advantages in terms of high reliability and reduced gearbox stages, and it requires a fractionally-rated power converter. This makes it suitable for utilization in offshore wind turbines. It is difficult for conventional design methods to calculate the flux in the stator because the two sets of stator windings, which have different pole number, form a complex flux pattern which is not easily determined using common analytical approaches. However, it is advantageous to predict the flux density in the teeth and air-gap at the initial design stage for sizing purposes without recourse finite element analysis. Therefore a magnetic circuit model is developed in this paper to calculate the flux density. A BDFM is used as a case study with FEA validation.
Circumscription of the anthracnose pathogens Colletotrichum lindemuthianum and C. nigrum

The anthracnose pathogen of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) is usually identified as Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, while anthracnose of potato (Solanum tuberosum), peppers (Capsicum annuum), tomato (S. lycopersicum) and several other crop plants is often attributed to C. coccodes. In order to study the phylogenetic relationships of these important pathogens, we conducted a multigene analysis (ITS, ACT, TUB2, CHS-1, GAPDH) of strains previously identified as C. lindemuthianum, C. coccodes and other related species, as well as representative species of the major Colletotrichum species complexes. Strains of C. lindemuthianum belonged to a single clade; we selected an authentic specimen as lectotype, and an appropriate specimen and culture from the CBS collection to serve as epitype. Two clades were resolved within C. coccodes s. lat. One clade included the ex-neotype strain of C. coccodes on Solanum, while an epitype was selected for C. nigrum, which represents the oldest name of the second clade, which occurs on Capsicum, Solanum, as well as several other host plants. Furthermore, we recognized C. lycopersici as a synonym of C. nigrum, and C. biologicum as a synonym of C. coccodes.
Immunogenicity and safety of a DNA prime/adenovirus boost vaccine against rhesus CEA in nonhuman primates

Scaling up experimental protocols from rodents to humans is often not a straightforward procedure, and this particularly applies to cancer vaccines, where vaccination technology must be especially effective to overcome a variety of immune suppressive mechanisms. DNA electroporation (DNA‐EP) and adenoviral vectors (Ad) have shown high potency and therapeutic efficacy for different antigens in several pre‐clinical models. To evaluate the ability of DNA‐EP and Ad to break tolerance to a self‐antigen in large animals, we have cloned the CEA homologue (rhCEA) from rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) colon tissue samples. rhCEA is a 705 aa protein and shares 78.9% homology to human CEA protein. Immunogenicity of rhCEA expressing vectors was tested in mice and subsequently in rhesus monkeys. To further increase the immunogenic potency of these vectors, a synthetic codon optimized rhCEA cDNA (rhCEAopt) was constructed. Genetic vaccination of rhesus monkeys was effective in breaking immune tolerance to rhCEA in all immunized animals, maintaining over time the elicited immune response, and most importantly, neither autoimmunity nor other side‐effects were observed upon treatment. Our data confirm the efficacy of genetic cancer vaccines in large animals such as nonhuman primates and show that development of modified expression cassettes that result in increased potency of plasmid DNA and adenovirus may have a significant impact on vaccine development against malignancies expressing tumor associated antigens in patients. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Human Membrane Cofactor CD46 Is a Receptor for Species B Adenovirus Serotype 3

ABSTRACT Many human adenovirus (Ad) serotypes use the coxsackie B virus-Ad receptor (CAR). Recently, CD46 was suggested to be a receptor of species B Ad serotype 11 (Ad11), Ad14, Ad16, Ad21, Ad35, and Ad50. Using Sindbis virus-mediated cDNA library expression, we identify here the membrane cofactor protein CD46 as a surface receptor of species B Ad3. All four major CD46 transcripts and one minor CD46 transcript expressed in nucleated human cells were isolated. Rodent BHK cells stably expressing the BC1 form of CD46 bound radiolabeled Ad3 with a dissociation constant of 0.3 nM, identical to that of CD46-positive HeLa cells expressing twice as many Ad3 binding sites. Pull-down experiments with recombinant Ad3 fibers and a soluble form of the CD46 extracellular domain linked to the Fc portion of human immunoglobulin G (CD46ex-Fc) indicated direct interactions of the Ad3 fiber knob with CD46ex-Fc but not CARex-Fc (Fc-linked extracellular domain of CAR). Ad3 colocalized with cell surface CD46 in both rodent and human cells at the light and electron microscopy levels. Anti-CD46 antibodies and CD46ex-Fc inhibited Ad3 binding to CD46-expressing BHK cells more than 10-fold and to human cells 2-fold. In CD46-expressing BHK cells, wild-type Ad3 and a chimeric Ad consisting of the Ad5 capsid and the Ad3 fiber elicited dose-dependent cytopathic effects and transgene expression, albeit less efficiently than in human cells. Together, our results show that all of the major splice forms of CD46 are predominant and functional binding sites of Ad3 on CD46-expressing rodent and human cells but may not be the sole receptor of species B Ads on human cells. These results have implications for understanding viral pathogenesis and therapeutic gene delivery.
Expanding Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) Applications: A Review on Modifications and Effects

The high price of petroleum, overconsumption of plastic products, recent climate change regulations, the lack of landfill spaces in addition to the ever-growing population are considered the driving forces for introducing sustainable biodegradable solutions for greener environment. Due to the harmful impact of petroleum waste plastics on human health, environment and ecosystems, societies have been moving towards the adoption of biodegradable natural based polymers whose conversion and consumption are environmentally friendly. Therefore, biodegradable biobased polymers such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) have gained a significant amount of attention in recent years. Nonetheless, some of the vital limitations to the broader use of these biopolymers are that they are less flexible and have less impact resistance when compared to petroleum-based plastics (e.g., polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polystyrene (PS)). Recent advances have shown that with appropriate modification methods—plasticizers and fillers, polymer blends and nanocomposites, such limitations of both polymers can be overcome. This work is meant to widen the applicability of both polymers by reviewing the available materials on these methods and their impacts with a focus on the mechanical properties. This literature investigation leads to the conclusion that both PLA and PHAs show strong candidacy in expanding their utilizations to potentially substitute petroleum-based plastics in various applications, including but not limited to, food, active packaging, surgical implants, dental, drug delivery, biomedical as well as antistatic and flame retardants applications.
Zhihengliuella somnathii sp. nov., a halotolerant actinobacterium from the rhizosphere of a halophyte Salicornia brachiata.

Two novel, Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped, halotolerent bacteria, strains JG 03(T) and JG 05 were isolated from the rhizosphere of Salicornia brachiata, an extreme halophyte. Comparative analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that they were closely related to members of the genus Zhihengliuella, with sequence similarities of 96.9-99.1%. The sequence similarity of strains JG 03(T )and JG 05 with each other was 99.4%. DNA-DNA hybridization of JG 03(T) and JG 05 with other species of the genus Zhihengliuella with validly published names showed reassociation values of 19.8%-53.4% and a value of 91.4% between each other. The peptidoglycan type of both strains was A4α and MK-9 and MK-10 were the predominant menaquinones. The predominant fatty acid in JG 03(T) was anteiso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. However, iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0 were the major fatty acids in strain JG 05. The DNA G+C content of strains JG 03(T) and JG 05 was 70.0 and 70.1 mol%, respectively. In nutrient broth medium both strains grew at NaCl concentrations of up to 15% (w/v). On the basis of chemotaxonomic characteristics and phylogenetic analyses, strains JG 03(T) and JG 05 should be affiliated to the genus Zhihengliuella. Strains JG 03(T) and JG 05 represent a novel species of the genus Zhihengliuella for which the name Zhihengliuella somnathii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JG 03(T) ( = DSM 23187(T) = IMCC 253(T)).
Regional vs. National Approach in Shaping an Optimal FDI-Policy - Case of Croatia

Taking into consideration the advantages of FDI and their impact in case of transition countries’ successful integration with the EU, this paper focuses on FDI-policy in Croatia. The aim is to analyze institutional conditions for investment with special reference to government support schemes and their effectiveness in case of existing inter-regional disparities. Through evaluating differences in the business and investment climate as well as in FDI-inflow on regional level, national FDI-policy is evaluated with reference to its compatibility with regional development goals. FDI policy so far has not been effective in attracting FDI and achieving development goals what is seen in regional characteristics of FDI-inflow according to which the greatest part of investment went to just a few (most developed) locations. However, significant improvements in legislation show that actual FDI-policy is more development oriented and creates conditions for attracting foreign capital in underdeveloped regions and target sectors. Success of some Croatian regions in attracting FDI proves that central government measures should be complemented by a strong pro-investment attitude of local government administration in order to achieve full potential of FDI-policy.
Developing strategies for detection of gene doping

It is feared that the use of gene transfer technology to enhance athletic performance, the practice that has received the term ‘gene doping’, may soon become a real threat to the world of sport. As recognised by the anti‐doping community, gene doping, like doping in any form, undermines principles of fair play in sport and most importantly, involves major health risks to athletes who partake in gene doping. One attraction of gene doping for such athletes and their entourage lies in the apparent difficulty of detecting its use. Since the realisation of the threat of gene doping to sport in 2001, the anti‐doping community and scientists from different disciplines concerned with potential misuse of gene therapy technologies for performance enhancement have focused extensive efforts on developing robust methods for gene doping detection which could be used by the World Anti‐Doping Agency to monitor athletes and would meet the requirements of a legally defensible test. Here we review the approaches and technologies which are being evaluated for the detection of gene doping, as well as for monitoring the efficacy of legitimate gene therapy, in relation to the detection target, the type of sample required for analysis and detection methods. We examine the accumulated knowledge on responses of the body, at both cellular and systemic levels, to gene transfer and evaluate strategies for gene doping detection based on current knowledge of gene technology, immunology, transcriptomics, proteomics, biochemistry and physiology. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fragmented architecture of IoT services to edge relationship between dimensions of electronic commerce

Recent advancement of Internet of Things (IoT) service architecture has been analyzed in Electronic Commerce (ecommerce). Typically, the traditional problems of ecommerce such as inventory, logistics, and payments are considered when implying IoT services. IoT and ecommerce are now embarking on a common expedition where every connected object becomes a potential ecommerce asset. However, ecommerce is one of the most important applications on the Internet. It is impacted by the evolution in digital technologies (DTs) and new dimensions are introduced to execute ecommerce marketplace. The emphasis of current research is to attune ecommerce offerings based on the IoT services. Instead, the innovation of IoT and respective services needs to be driven by the impact of digital technologies in the businesses that are dependent on the ecommerce competitiveness. In this paper, we introduced the concept of fragmented architecture (FA) of IoT services. Essentially, it is envision as ubiquitous structural characteristic of IoT services. Different types of fragmentation are identified when correlating ecommerce dimensions (EDs) with IoT service architecture. We have conceptualized the degrees of fragmentation, subsequently, we have illustrated the concepts in an empirical case study. Potential consequences of different degrees of fragmentation when establishing correlations between IoT services and EDs are quantified.
Understanding the Perceptions and Indications of the Goals and Unique Aspects of the Foundations for Success (FFS) Curriculum Model: A Case Study in a North Texas Private Preschool

This quantitative and qualitative case study examined the educators' perceptions of both the goals and unique aspects of the foundations for success (FFS) curriculum model. Specifically, this study was designed to explain the experiences of 55 early childhood educators and administrators who all had similar exposure to the FFS curriculum model. This study sought to understand the educators' perceptions of the specific goals of using pertinent curriculum and instruction terminology and the parallel process of content language, connecting the importance of developmentally appropriate practices (DAP) and learning standards and readiness for kindergarten. In the same way, the perceptions of the unique aspects of the value based curriculum, the use of reflective supervision and the use of design thinking were gathered and interpreted. This study looked closely into program successes, challenges and future implications of the FFS curriculum model. This study also considered the extent to which future implementations of the model could change the current interdependent relationship between early childhood education and the primary grades. The researcher analyzed the perceptions, utilizing the Likert-value survey instrument responses, the open-ended survey responses, along with the focus group responses to triangulate the findings. Common themes shared across all data collection were evaluated and described. The most apparent themes derived from the findings included the following: the importance of relationships; the importance of accountability and the role language plays; the necessity of the consideration of children's interest for optimal development; and the recognition of intentional planning, revisiting and reflection to the process of the FFS curriculum model. Overall, the FFS curriculum model was determined to be a curriculum model that takes educators on a continuous journey of thinking and learning. Evidence was gathered for the FFS curriculum model that implicated the possibility for replication of the model in other schools, as well as further research using the model to measure student success.
Utility of Peptide Nucleic Acid Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization for Rapid Detection of Acinetobacter spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The utility of peptide nucleic acid fluorescence in situ hybridization (PNA FISH) for the detection of Acinetobacter spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was evaluated on broth suspensions and spiked blood cultures of ATCC strains and clinical isolates with select gram-negative rods. After testing 60 clinical isolates, PNA FISH had a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 100%, respectively, for Acinetobacter spp. and 100% and 95%, respectively, for P. aeruginosa. PNA FISH was able to detect both pathogens simultaneously and directly from spiked blood cultures.
Biosynthesis of Rhizobium trifolii capsular polysaccharide: enzymatic transfer of pyruvate substitutions into lipid-bound saccharide intermediates

The activity of capsular polysaccharide pyruvyltransferase catalyzing the pyruvylation of acidic heteropolysaccharide was measured in Rhizobium trifolii 843 and 0403 rif. This enzyme activity was determined with EDTA-treated cells, uridine diphosphate-sugar precursors, and phosphoenol [1-14C]pyruvate. Activity was measured by the incorporation of radioactivity into organic solvent-soluble glycoconjugates. Enzymatic pyruvylation of capsular polysaccharide occurred from phosphoenolpyruvate at the lipid-bound saccharide stage.