Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quill: a narrative-based interface for personal document retrieval

The ways to manage and retrieve documents have changed little in recent years. Browsing is increasingly unpractical and search still is fairly simple, relying mostly on keywords. The wide range of autobiographic information that users remember about their documents cannot be used. We present a new interaction paradigm, narrative-based interfaces, especially well suited for document retrieval. Stories make remembering information easier since it appears contextualized in a coherent whole. We describe the Quill system, a narrative-based query-formulation interface for personal document retrieval, explaining the user studies and results that led to its design in a sound and effective way. Its evaluation confirms that stories can be told naturally, containing the desired information about documents.
Rifampicin reduces susceptibility to ofloxacin in rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis through efflux.

RATIONALE Central dogma suggests that rifampicin resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis develops solely through rpoB gene mutations. OBJECTIVE To determine whether rifampicin induces efflux pumps activation in rifampicin resistant M. tuberculosis strains thereby defining rifampicin resistance levels and reducing ofloxacin susceptibility. METHODS Rifampicin and/or ofloxacin minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined in rifampicin resistant strains by culture in BACTEC 12B medium. Verapamil and reserpine were included to determine their effect on rifampicin and ofloxacin susceptibility. RT-qPCR was applied to assess expression of efflux pump/transporter genes after rifampicin exposure. To determine whether verapamil could restore susceptibility to first-line drugs, BALB/c mice were infected with a MDR-TB strain and treated with first-line drugs with/without verapamil. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN FINDINGS Rifampicin MICs varied independently of rpoB mutation and genetic background. Addition reserpine and verapamil significantly restored rifampicin susceptibility (p = 0.0000). RT-qPCR demonstrated that rifampicin induced differential expression of efflux/transporter genes in MDR-TB isolates. Incubation of rifampicin mono-resistant strains in rifampicin (2 μg/ml) for 7 days induced ofloxacin resistance (MIC > 2 μg/ml) in strains with an rpoB531 mutation. Ofloxacin susceptibility was restored by exposure to efflux pump inhibitors. Studies in BALB/c mice showed that verapamil in combination with first-line drugs significantly reduced pulmonary CFUs after 1 and 2 months treatment (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Exposure of rifampicin resistant M. tuberculosis strains to rifampicin can potentially compromise the efficacy of the second-line treatment regimens containing ofloxacin, thereby emphasising the need for rapid diagnostics to guide treatment. Efflux pump inhibitors have the potential to improve the efficacy of anti-tuberculosis drug treatment.
A rapid learning and dynamic stepwise updating algorithm for flat neural networks and the application to time-series prediction

A fast learning algorithm is proposed to find an optimal weights of the flat neural networks (especially, the functional-link network). Although the flat networks are used for nonlinear function approximation, they can be formulated as linear systems. Thus, the weights of the networks can be solved easily using a linear least-square method. This formulation makes it easier to update the weights instantly for both a new added pattern and a new added enhancement node. A dynamic stepwise updating algorithm is proposed to update the weights of the system on-the-fly. The model is tested on several time-series data including an infrared laser data set, a chaotic time-series, a monthly flour price data set, and a nonlinear system identification problem. The simulation results are compared to existing models in which more complex architectures and more costly training are needed. The results indicate that the proposed model is very attractive to real-time processes.
Are Friendly Farmers Environmentally Friendly? Environmental Awareness as a Social Capital Outcome

This paper examines the hypothesis that social capital at the individual level affects environmentally friendly practices. Social capital represents the social connectedness of the individual. An individual with higher social capital is more likely to have better exposure and access to information about the importance of environmentally friendly practices. We study sustainable agricultural practices among Georgia farmers and examine whether their social capital levels have any effect on, (1) their adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, and (2) the extent to which they engage in these practices. Using the Georgia Social Capital Survey our measure of social capital is associational activities. We address a number of econometric issues: potential endogeneity of the social capital variable, peer-group effect in the form of social pressure, and a sorting issue.
Issues in financial accounting and reporting: a Pacific Rim focus

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide editorial insight into recent developments in financial accounting issues in the Pacific Rim area. The paper aims to focus on the impact of international financial reporting standards (IFRS) and provide a commentary, as well as context, for the papers that appear in this special issue.Design/methodology/approach – The paper reviews and comments on several relevant academic papers and regulatory releases.Findings – This paper outlines several key developments in the Pacific Rim region since the decision by Australia and New Zealand to adopt IFRS. The proposed adoption of IFRS in other countries is examined, and noted are the successes and tensions that one set of global accounting standards creates. The contributions of four papers are outlined in this special issue to this debate, and provide suggestions for future research.Practical implications – This review should be of relevance to academics, the profession, and regulators, by providing academic insigh.
The physical manifestations of shaken baby syndrome

Abstract Shaken baby syndrome (SBS) is a great concern for forensic nurses. Accurate diagnosis and treatment is essential. The purpose of this report is to review the history of SBS, as well as the physical symptoms of a patient suspected of suffering from this form of abuse. Implications of SBS for the forensic nurse will be presented; this will include the education of families and caregivers and methods of prevention.
A biased Gm haplotype and Gm paraprotein allotype in multiple myeloma suggests a role for the Gm system in myeloma development

The association between a particular Gm haplotype and susceptibility to multiple myeloma (MM) is not clear. The reason is probably because no investigations have so far been carried out on the relationship between the Gm haplotype, which represents the inherited combination of IgG Gm allotypes, and the Gm allotype expressed at the IgG paraprotein (M‐component), which reflects the enhanced gene expression within the haplotype in MM. We studied the incidence of Gm allotypic markers present in IgG subclasses in the serum from 52 patients with MM and in parallel with the isolated IgG paraproteins. The results showed that 84.6% of the patients were heterozygous for haplotypes Gm(a; z; n−; g;)/Gm(f; n+/n–; b1; b0; b5) and 15.3% were homozygous for Gm(f; n/n–; b1; b0; b5), while no homozygous Gm(a; z; n–; g) individuals were found among the studied patients. The incidence of these combinations in the healthy population in Serbia is 34%, 66% and < 1%, respectively. Subjects with Gm(a; z; n–; g)/Gm(f; n+/n–; b1; b0; b5) combination are over 10 times [odds ratio (OR) = 10.69; 95% confidence interval 1.67–68] as likely to be affected by the disease as the subjects with homozygous Gm(f; n+/n–; b1; b0; b5) combination (OR = 0.35, 95% confidence interval 0.06–2.23). However, despite the Gm heterozygosity, most of the Gm(a; z; n–; g;)/Gm(f; n+/n–; b1; b0; b5) positive patients with MM (86.3%) had IgG paraprotein with the allotypic marker from the Gm(f; n+/n–; b1; b0; b5) haplotype. Together with patients homozygous for this haplotype, the relative number of patients with serum IgG paraprotein carrying allotypic marker from the Gm(f; n/n–; b1; b0; b5) haplotype was 88.5%. These results suggest that the development of an M‐component could be related to a disturbance on chromosome 14q32 carrying the Gm (f; n+/n–; b1; b0; b5) set of genes.
HBPF: a Home Blood Pressure Framework with SLA guarantees to follow up hypertensive patients

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a condition on the rise. Not only does it affect the elderly but is also increasingly spreading to younger sectors of the population. Treating it involves exhaustive monitoring of patients. A tool adapted to the particular requirements of hypertension can greatly facilitate monitoring and diagnosis. This paper presents HBPF, an efficient cloud-based Home Blood Pressure Framework. This allows hypertensive patients to communicate with their health-care centers, thus facilitating monitoring for both patients and clinicians. HBPF provides a complete, efficient, and cross-platform framework to follow up hypertensive patients with an SLA guarantee. Response time below one second for 80,000 requests and 28% increase in peak throughput going from one to three virtual machines were obtained. In addition, a mobile app (BP) for Android and iOS with a user-friendly interface is also provided to facilitate following up hypertensive patients. Among them, between 54% and 87% favorably evaluated the tool. BP can be downloaded for free from the website Hesoft Group repository (http://www.hesoftgroup.eu).
Evaluation of a Road Sign Pre-detection System by Image Analysis

In this paper, we introduce a pre-detection algorithm dedicated to French danger-warning and prohibitory road signs. The proposed method combines color, shape, location and symmetry features to select among large image databases, a small subset of pictures that probably contain road signs. We report the results of a systematic experimental assessment that we performed on five image databases, comprised of more than 26,000 images, covering 176 km and containing 371 traffic signs, among which a non-negligible amount (about 5% in average) is damaged. The experiments show that about 10% images of the sequences are selected and more than 87% traffic signs are detected. The missed objects always correspond to dirty, worn-out or badly oriented signs that would be difficult to detect even for a human operator.
SSRBC 2016: Sclera Segmentation and Recognition Benchmarking Competition

This article reports and summarizes the results of a competition on sclera segmentation and recognition benchmarking, called Sclera Segmentation and Recognition Benchmarking Competition 2016 (SSRBC 2016). It was organized in the context of the 9th IAPR International Conference on Biometrics (ICB 2016). The goal of this competition was to record the recent developments in sclera segmentation and recognition, and also to gain the attention of researchers on this subject of biometrics. In this regard, we have used a multi-angle sclera dataset (MASD version 1). It is comprised of 2624 images taken from both the eyes of 82 identities. Therefore, it consists of images of 164 (82*2) different eyes. We have prepared a manual segmentation mask of these images to create the baseline for both tasks. We have, furthermore, adopted precision and recall based statistical measures to evaluate the effectiveness of the segmentation and the ranks of the competing algorithms. The recognition accuracy measure has been employed to measure the recognition task. To summarize, twelve participants registered for the competition, and among them, three participants submitted their algorithms/ systems for the segmentation task and two their recognition algorithm. The results produced by these algorithms reflect developments in the literature of sclera segmentation and recognition, employing cutting edge segmentation techniques. Along with the algorithms of three competing teams and their results, the MASD version 1 dataset will also be freely available for research purposes from the organizer's website. The competition also demonstrates the recent interests of researchers from academia as well as industry on this subject of biometrics.
Collaboration Between Business and Social Work: Findings from an Israeli Study

Recent years have seen a considerable increase in business and social organizations' relationships, resulting from the decline of the welfare state and reduction of resources in the public sector, particularly in the social services. This article examines the process by which social workers and businesses develop such relationships in public services and nonprofits. Exploratory qualitative research was conducted among 10 community social workers, the majority of the social workers serving in that area in Israel. The findings indicate the benefits, difficulties, and dilemmas involved in partnerships between social workers and businesses. The article contributes to a deeper understanding of the implications of the relations between business and social work.
Examining the volatility of exchange rate: Does monetary policy matter?

We conduct empirical analysis on examining the changes in exchange rate volatility under two monetary policy regimes, i.e. the pre- and post- inflation targeting (IT) regimes. In addition, we also investigate if the monetary decisions can have impacts on the volatility of exchange rate. The study is focused in four Asian countries that experienced drastic in the switch of monetary policy from the rigid exchange rate to flexible exchange rate and inflation targeting after the Asian financial crisis of 1997. The exponential generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity model is applied and our results show that exchange rate is more persistent and volatile in the pre-IT period as compared to post-IT period. The exchange rate persistency is higher in the long-run but the persistency is low in the short run. We fail to find evidence to show that the adoption of flexible exchange rate and inflation targeting lead to greater volatility in exchange rate. The monetary decisions can have impacts on the volatility of exchange rate but the impacts vary across countries.
PlaceMaker: Supporting sustainable urban planning

The contemporary city is characterized by complexity, simultaneity and instability, producing situations of transience and transformation (Graham, 1998; Nasar, 1998; Christensen, 1999). Rather than being an artificial construct, the city is a set of habits, customs and lifestyles. These elements are interrelated, not to be viewed individually, but subsumed in the identity of place and the identification of the city (Carter et al., 1993; Nijkamp & Perrels 1994; Castells, 1997). These transformations have contributed to an increasing urban identity crisis and turned cities into heterogeneous, multiethnic and multicultural societies (Rapoport, 1977; Dickens, 1990; Bauman, 2003). The new urban features are not easy to identify and cannot be easily represented using traditional cartography and tools of representation. To study the transitory nature and complexity of these urban features, new types of analysis and supporting tools are currently being designed and tested. There are three criteria governing the study of aspects that are not simply translatable into objective facts: scientificity, meaning the objectivity of the results and the repeatability of the method in different kind of contexts; updating capability, meaning the possibility to add new data, to modify the existing data or to obtain other results; and timing, meaning the possibility of using the results in a sustainable programming and town planning process into the future. The analysis of place involves the virtual, lateral, nomadic, multiscale and configurational approaches (Sepe, 2004a), which can be split into two categories. The first category, which includes the virtual, the lateral and the nomadic approaches, makes use of atlases, maps, schemes and video to represent the products of analysis; the second category, covering the multiscale and configurational approaches, is based on data processing tools and, in particular, software tools for the data collection and management. The study of these approaches has motivated the development of a new approach, which is sensitive to urban complexity, based on the PlaceMaker method. The complexity-sensitive approach can be included in the first group with respect to the adopted
Trade and GDP Growth in Morocco: Short-run or Long-run Causality?

This study utilizes cointegration and Granger-causality tests to examine the relationship between trade and economic growth in Morocco over the period 1960-2000 using the VEC model. The result indicate that both exports and imports enter with positive signs in the cointegration equation. The results show that imports and exports Granger caused GDP and imports Granger caused exports. These results can be interpreted as a causality from the foreign sector to the domestic growth of Morocco. Import expansion increases exports that affect the GDP growth.
Retroviral recombination can lead to linkage of reverse transcriptase mutations that confer increased zidovudine resistance

Genetic recombination between viral genomes has been shown to contribute to the generation of genetic diversity during retrovirus infections. The role of recombination in the development of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) zidovudine resistance was investigated as a possible cause of the formation of the linked Leu-41/Tyr-215 resistance genotype. Zidovudine resistance is conferred by the presence of subsets of four or five amino acid substitutions in the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. Zidovudine therapy of asymptomatic HIV-1-infected individuals results in the selection of drug-resistant variants that posses defined combinations of the five zidovudine resistance mutations. The linked Leu-41/Tyr-215 resistance genotype appears central to the continued development of high-level zidovudine resistance. By using genetically tagged mutant viruses, it was possible readily to select recombinant viruses from mixed infections of Leu-41 and Tyr-215 single mutants in the presence of zidovudine drup pressure. After three passages of a mixed infection in the presence of drug, 38% of clones screened were recombinant double mutants. In the absence of zidovudine selection, little change in the mixed virus populations was noted. No evidence of de novo generation of mutations at codons 41 and 215 was seen during any in vitro passage. This provides the first example of the role of retroviral recombination in the development of HIV-1 variants with increased drug resistance.
Engineering Protein Sequence Composition for Folding Robustness Renders Efficient Noncanonical Amino acid Incorporations

Although such experi-ments are usually performed with noncanonical isosteric ana-logues, such as monofluorinated amino acids, the introductionof more bulky moieties, for example, trifluorinated groups, canlead to drastic changes both in the surface properties of theprotein and the packing of its hydrophobic core, which in turnabolish the original biological activity.
How Market-Guanxi Ambidexterity Affects Adaptive Capability in China’s Transition Economy

Whether market- and guanxi-based strategies are complementary or substitutable in shaping adaptive capability is a critical yet controversial issue. This paper tackles this problem by adopting the ambidexterity perspective. Specifically, using a sample of 185 Chinese private firms, this study examines the independent and interactive effects of market orientation (MO) and guanxi orientation (GO, i.e., emphasizing on building business and political ties) on adaptive capability of firms in transition economies. Our results suggest that both direct impacts and complementary impacts of MO and GO strongly exist in shaping firms’ adaptive capability, indicating the importance of “strategic ambidexterity. ” These findings have several theoretical implications for studies on ambidexterity and adaptive capability, and practical implications for firm strategies in transition economies.
Effect of supplemental fish meal protein on site and extent of digestion in beef steers.

The effects of supplemental fish meal on site and extent of digestion were determined using four steers equipped with ruminal, duodenal, and ileal cannulas. Fish meal was included in diets to supply 0 (0FM), 25 (25FM), 50 (50FM), or 75 (75FM) g of N daily above the CP requirement of a 400-kg steer gaining 1.2 kg/d. Total tract starch digestibility tended to be greatest for 25FM (95%), lowest for 0FM (90%), and intermediate for 50FM (94%) and 75FM (92%). Total tract N digestibility was greatest for 25FM, lowest for 0FM, and intermediate for 50FM and 75FM (cubic, P < .05). Total tract starch digestibility increased . 46 percentage units for each unit increase in N digestibility (n = 16, P = .03). Ruminal starch digestibility was greatest for 25FM, intermediate for 50FM and 75FM, and lowest for 0FM (quadratic; P < .10). Starch flow to the duodenum was decreased for 25FM and 50FM vs 0FM and 75FM (quadratic, P < .10) and N flow to the duodenum was increased (linear, P < .01) by fish meal. Fish meal supplementation increased N digestibility (quadratic, P < .05) but had no effect (P > .10) on starch digestibility in the small intestine. Starch digestibility in the small intestine was not related to N flow to the duodenum; however, starch digestibility increased . 9 percentage units for each percentage unit increase in N digestibility (n = 16, P = .02). Fish meal supplementation tended to increase total tract starch digestibility by increasing ruminal, but not small intestinal, digestibility.
Onset of Type 1 diabetes mellitus in infancy after enterovirus infections

Enterovirus infections may initiate and accelerate the beta‐cell damaging process leading to Type 1 (insulin‐dependent) diabetes mellitus (Type 1 DM). Recent prospective studies have suggested that this can happen long before overt disease and even in utero. We describe an infant, followed regularly from birth, who progressed to clinical Type 1 DM at the age of 14 months. He had a strong enterovirus exposure exceptionally early in life; the first enterovirus infection occurred before the age of 3 months and the second between the age of 9 and 12 months. The first infection probably occurred at birth, when the child had symptoms of a respiratory infection. This infection was followed by the appearance of beta‐cell autoimmunity, and clinical Type 1 DM was diagnosed shortly after the second infection. The child had a low level of maternal enterovirus antibodies and short duration of breast‐feeding, both associated with increased risk for enterovirus infections during the fetal period and infancy. This case fits with the current hypothesis that enterovirus infections can induce the process resulting in Type 1 DM, especially when occuring early in life. Furthermore, this demonstrates the feasibility of the present study design, which is applicable also in large‐scale birth‐cohort studies. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.