Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Occurrence and risk factors assessment associated with Mycoplasma gallisepticum ( MG ) infection in chickens in the semiarid region of Pernambuco , Brazil 1

De Sá S.G. , Pinheiro Junior J.W. , Vilela S.M. O. , Moraes E.P.B.X. , Albuquerque P.P.F. , Porto W.J.N. , Ferreira D.R.A. & Mota R.A. 2015. Occurrence and risk factors assessment associated with Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) infection in chickens in the semiarid region of Pernambuco, Brazil. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 35(6):531535. Laboratório de Doenças Infecto-Contagiosas dos Animais Domésticos, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros s/n, Dois Irmãos, Recife, PE 52171-900, Brazil. E-mail: ericaxmoraes@globo.com The aim of the present study was to assess the occurrence of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) infection and risk factors of this disease in three hundred serum samples from on 23 familiar agricultural properties in the semiarid region of the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. ELISA was used to study antibodies anti-Mycoplasma gallisepticum. The univariate analysis (chi-squared test or Fischer’s exact test) followed by multivariate analysis (logistic regression) were used to assess the risk factors with two variables: management and sanity of the poultry. It was detected a frequence of 53.33% (157/300) of the birds were positive for MG, with 100% foci. The risk factors confirmed by multivariate analysis, in the present study, were the presence of other poultry species on the property, including Numida meleagris (OR=2.22; p=0.005), parrots (OR=1.72; p=0.027), and of passerines (OR=1.88; p=0.007). These results showed that Mycoplasma gallisepticum infection is endemic among backyard poultry in the semiarid region of the state of Pernambuco. These birds could be a source of infection for other wild or domestic poultry. This is the first report of the occurrence of avian mycoplasmosis in backyard poultry in the state of Pernambuco in northeastern Brazil. The risk factors identified should serve as a parameter for the health authorities to seek solutions related to controlling the disease.
Algebraic methods for interactive proof systems

An algebraic technique for the construction of interactive proof systems is proposed. The technique is used to prove that every language in the polynomial-time hierarchy has an interactive proof system. For the proof, a method is developed for reducing the problem of verifying the value of a low-degree polynomial at two points to verifying the value at one new point. The results have implications for program checking, verification, and self-correction. <<ETX>>
Identification of the Structural and Functional Domains of MutY, an Escherichia coli DNA Mismatch Repair Enzyme*

The linear amino acid sequences of the Escherichia coli DNA repair proteins, MutY and endonuclease III, show significant homology, even though these enzymes recognize entirely different substrates. In this study, proteolysis and molecular modeling of MutY were used to elucidate its domain organization. Proteolysis by trypsin cleaved the enzyme into 26- and 13-kDa fragments. NH2-terminal sequencing showed that the p13 domain begins at Gln226, indicating that the COOH-terminal portion of MutY, absent in endonuclease III, is organized as a separate domain. The large p26 domain is almost equivalent to the size of endonuclease III. Binding activity of the p26 domain to a DNA substrate containing an A·G mismatch was comparable with that of the intact enzyme. In vitro studies show that the p26 domain retains adenine glycosylase and AP lyase activity on DNA containing undamaged adenine opposite guanine or 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanine. Although the activity was somewhat reduced, the above results show that the critical amino acid residues involved in substrate binding and catalysis are present in this domain. The structure predicted by molecular modeling indicates that the region of MutY (Met1-Trp216), which is homologous to endonuclease III exhibits a two domain structure, even though this portion is resistant to proteolysis by trypsin.
Cultural values and personal selling: A comparison of Australian and Hong Kong retailers’ promotion preferences

This paper compares the promotional practices and perceptions between two countries of disparate cultural backgrounds, namely Australia and Hong Kong. The paper argues that the preference for a particular promotional tool is influenced by the degree of cultural orientation as measured by Hofstede’s collectivism index. The central hypothesis is that countries with a higher score on the collectivism index are likely to favour personal selling promotion tools than will countries with a lower score. This hypothesis is tested with two separate samples of clothing and shoe retailers from Australia and Hong Kong. The hypothesis is supported from the statistical results.
An automated voxelized dosimetry tool for radionuclide therapy based on serial quantitative SPECT/CT imaging.

PURPOSE To create an accurate map of the distribution of radiation dose deposition in healthy and target tissues during radionuclide therapy. METHODS Serial quantitative SPECT∕CT images were acquired at 4, 24, and 72 h for 28 (177)Lu-octreotate peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) administrations in 17 patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumors. Deformable image registration was combined with an in-house programming algorithm to interpolate pharmacokinetic uptake and clearance at a voxel level. The resultant cumulated activity image series are comprised of values representing the total number of decays within each voxel's volume. For PRRT, cumulated activity was translated to absorbed dose based on Monte Carlo-determined voxel S-values at a combination of long and short ranges. These dosimetric image sets were compared for mean radiation absorbed dose to at-risk organs using a conventional MIRD protocol (OLINDA 1.1). RESULTS Absorbed dose values to solid organs (liver, kidneys, and spleen) were within 10% using both techniques. Dose estimates to marrow were greater using the voxelized protocol, attributed to the software incorporating crossfire effect from nearby tumor volumes. CONCLUSIONS The technique presented offers an efficient, automated tool for PRRT dosimetry based on serial post-therapy imaging. Following retrospective analysis, this method of high-resolution dosimetry may allow physicians to prescribe activity based on required dose to tumor volume or radiation limits to healthy tissue in individual patients.
A Bayesian Approach to Database Query Optimization

The focus of this paper is the application of Bayesian concepts to database query optimization. In relational database systems users retrieve data by describing the desired data. The description of the desired data takes the form of statements which specify operations on “relations” (as defined by set theory). In a relational database system a “query optimizer” determines how the desired data is to be found. The optimizer may have access to several potential algorithms for each step in the query. Each algorithm has a unique effect on the cost of evaluating the query. No single algorithm is best in all cases. To choose among the possible alternatives, the optimizer uses summary statistics of the data stored in the database to estimate the cost associated with the use of each alternative algorithm. Given the summary nature of the statistics typically collected, the true cost of the use of a given algorithm can be only estimated. As such, the query optimizer must choose algorithms in the presence of uncertai.
Artefacts, biology and bias in museum collection research

Museum collections are increasingly subjected to scientific scrutiny, including molecular, isotopic and trace‐element analyses. Recent advances have extended analyses from natural history specimens to historical artefacts. We highlight three areas of concern that can influence interpretation of data derived from museum collections: sampling issues associated with museum collection use, methods of analysis, and the value of cross‐referencing data with historical documents and data sets. We use a case study that focuses on kiwi (Apteryx spp.) feather samples from valuable 19th century Māori cloaks in New Zealand to show how sampling and analysis challenges need to be minimized by careful design. We argue that aligning historical records with scientific data generated from museum collections significantly improves data interpretation.
Dietary pectin and calcium inhibit colonic proliferation in vivo by differing mechanisms

Abstract. Diet plays an important role in promoting and/or preventing colon cancer; however, the effects of specific nutrients remain uncertain because of the difficulties in correlating epidemiological and basic observations. Transmissible murine colonic hyperplasia (TMCH) induced by Citrobacter rodentium, causes significant hyperproliferation and hyperplasia in the mouse distal colon and increases the risk of subsequent neoplasia. We have recently shown that TMCH is associated with an increased abundance of cellular β‐catenin and its nuclear translocation coupled with up‐regulation of its downstream targets, c‐myc and cyclin D1. In this study, we examined the effects of two putatively protective nutrients, calcium and soluble fibre pectin, on molecular events linked to proliferation in the colonic epithelium during TMCH. Dietary intervention incorporating changes in calcium [high (1.0%) and low (0.1%)] and alterations in fibre content (6% pectin and fibre‐free) were compared with the standard AIN‐93 diet (0.5% calcium, 5% cellulose), followed by histomorphometry and immunochemical assessment of potential oncogenes. Dietary interventions did not alter the time course of Citrobacter infection. Both 1.0% calcium and 6% pectin diet inhibited increases in proliferation and crypt length typically seen in TMCH. Neither the low calcium nor fibre‐free diets had significant effect. Pectin diet blocked increases in cellular β‐catenin, cyclin D1 and c‐myc levels associated with TMCH by 70%, whereas neither high nor low calcium diet had significant effect on these molecules. Diets supplemented with either calcium or pectin therefore, exert anti‐proliferative effects in mouse distal colon involving different molecular pathways. TMCH is thus a diet‐sensitive model for examining the effect of specific nutrients on molecular characteristics of the pre‐neoplastic colonic epithelium.
VOTING BEHAVIOR, NEWSPAPERS, AND LANGUAGE

This paper investigates how newspaper consumption a ects political engagement. To circumvent potential endogeneity issues, I use variation in European languages as an instrument for newspaper consumption. Speci cally, I consider variation in how much physical space languages require to express some given information content. I rst estimate such language e ciency from large bilingual text compilations. Using a European-wide survey that spans 18 di erent languages, I nd that respondents who speak e cient languages are more likely to read newspapers, as is consistent with this mechanism. This nding is robust to a large variety of alternative speci cations. Using language e ciency as an instrument for newspaper consumption, I nd that newspaper consumption increases turnout and political interest of immigrants. (JEL Codes: D22, L82)
Impacts of Marine Protected Areas on Fishing Communities

Abstract: Marine protected areas (MPAs) are a popular conservation strategy, but their impacts on human welfare are poorly understood. To inform future research and policy decisions, we reviewed the scientific literature to assess MPA impacts on five indicators of human welfare: food security, resource rights, employment, community organization, and income. Following MPA establishment, food security generally remained stable or increased in older and smaller MPAs. The ability of most fishing groups to govern MPA resources changed. Increased resource rights were positively correlated with MPA zoning and compliance with MPA regulations. Small sample sizes precluded statistical tests of the impacts of MPAs on employment, community organization, and income. Our results demonstrate that MPAs shape the social well‐being and political power of fishing communities; impacts (positive and negative) vary within and among social groups; and social impacts are correlated with some—but not all—commonly hypothesized explanatory factors. Accordingly, MPAs may represent a viable strategy for enhancing food security and empowering local communities, but current practices negatively affect at least a minority of fishers. To inform policy making, further research must better document and explain variation in the positive and negative social impacts of MPAs.
Hyperspectral image classification using KNWFE with conformal transformation for kernel selection

Kernel nonparametric feature extraction (KNWFE) is a power tool for hyperspectral image classification in feature space. However, the performances of KNWFE largely depend on the choices of kernels. In this paper, a method is proposed for optimizing kernel function using the weighted means of KNWFE and the Fisher scalar with respect to KNWFE. The idea is to obtain a feature space with the largest nonparametric separability of training samples between classes by employing the parameters of a conformal transformation of a basic kernel. Experimental results show that the proposed method has a remarkable improvement of KNWFE for real data for two-classe problem.
Product market threat and stock price informativeness

There are two opposing hypotheses regarding the informative role of stock prices. The first hypothesis argues that the stock market is merely a sideshow where security prices reflect the consequences of managers’ decisions for firms’ cash flows but do not influence them. In other words, trading in secondary markets has no direct impact on firms’ decisions. The second, known as the “active informant hypothesis”, states that security prices influence managers’ real decisions because some investors trade on private information not available to managers, who therefore rely on stock prices as a source of information. There is recent evidence supporting the latter hypothesis. In order to help elucidate this current debate, this dissertation examines the stock price informativeness of firms facing a product market threat and competition from their peers. I reason that when facing a threat, managers of firms tend to be more inquisitive about their price stock movements and also about the stock price movements of their peers. Indeed, my empirical analyses show that managers of firms facing higher product market threat and competition are more sensitive to the information contained in their stock prices. I also find that firms learn more from their peers’ stock price movements as the level threat is greater except when the threat is at its highest level.
Construction automatique d’un lexique de modifieurs de polarité (Automatic Construction of a Contextual Valence Shifters Lexicon) [in French]

La recherche presentee s’inscrit dans le domaine de la fouille d’opinion, domaine qui consiste principalement a determiner la polarite d’un texte ou d’une phrase. Dans cette optique, le contexte autour d’un mot polarise joue un role essentiel, car il peut modifier la polarite initiale de ce terme. Nous avons choisi d’approfondir cette question et de detecter precisement ces modifieurs de polarite. Une etude exploratoire, decrite dans des travaux anterieurs, nous a permis d’extraire automatiquement des adverbes qui jouent un role sur la polarite des adjectifs auxquels ils sont associes et de preciser leur impact. Nous avons ensuite ameliore le systeme d’extraction afin de construire automatiquement un lexique de structures lexico-syntaxiques modifiantes associees au type d’impact qu’elles ont sur un terme polarise. Nous presentons ici le fonctionnement du systeme actuel ainsi que l’evaluation du lexique obtenu.
Enhanced power generation in annular single‐chamber microbial fuel cell via optimization of electrode spacing using chocolate industry wastewater

Development and practical application of microbial fuel cell (MFC) is restricted because of the limitations such as low power output. To overcome low power limitation, the optimization of specific parameters including electrode materials and surface area, electrode spacing, and MFC's cell shape was investigated. To the best of our knowledge, no investigation has been reported in the literature to implement an annular single‐chamber microbial fuel cell (ASCMFC) using chocolate industry wastewater. ASCMFC was fabricated via optimization of the stated parameters. The aspects of ASCMFC were comprehensively examined. In this study, the optimization of electrode spacing and its impact on performance of the ASCMFC were conducted. Reduction of electrode spacing by 46.15% (1.3–0.7 cm) resulted in a decrease in internal resistance from 100 to 50 Ω, which enhanced the power density and current output to 22.898 W/m3 and 6.42 mA, respectively. An optimum electrode spacing of 0.7 cm was determined. Through this paper, the effects of these parameters and the performance of ASCMFC are also evaluated.
The Identification of Critical Success Factors for Quality Internal IT Services in Public Sector Organisations in Hong Kong

Customer satisfaction and cost saving are the benefits of quality service, whether in private sector firms or public sector organisations. Since customer-facing employees are supported by a chain of internal work units, quality improvement in internal services has a positive influence on external customers. Better management of critical success factors is believed to yield direct improvements in service quality. The identification of critical success factors for quality internal IT services would, therefore, be an important step towards public sector improvements in Hong Kong. The methodology used in this research was an exploratory case study with three Delphi cycles. A list of 13 critical success factors identified in prior private sector research was presented to participants to rank according to these factors’ criticality and relevance in the public sector. Participants were interviewed to ensure that their views were understood. The results were then presented to a smaller group of participants in the first Delphi cycle to explore the meaning of the displayed patterns and for possible classification according to criticality. The proposed criticality was presented in the second Delphi cycle to form coherent views. The results suggest that some of the 13 critical success factors are transferable from private sector firms to public sector organisations, namely Management Commitment, Customer Management and Corporate Culture. The results also reveal that the two factors of Organisational Structure and Employee Empowerment are incompatible with public sector culture and therefore non-critical. The criticality of the other eight factors was found to be inconclusive as participants generally agreed that the number of critical success factors should be kept low to be manageable. In addition, participants agreed that whether internal quality service was required by the management of public sector organisations should also be considered as a critical success factor. This is in contrast with the private sector where quality would normally be considered as a key objective by default. The question of finding an alternative to the traditional cost model of internal service, where those who receive the services are not those who pay for them, was debated extensively between participants. This controversial issue was found to warrant further study. Finally a model for how to apply critical success factors is proposed for further investigation. The results of this research are significant because there was no prior research into the identification of critical success factors in internal services of the public sector. The results provide first-time insights and will help administrators to better understand critical success factors and quality internal services for improving and delivering public services.
Basal release of nitric oxide augments the Frank-Starling response in the isolated heart.

BACKGROUND The Frank-Starling response contributes to the regulation of cardiac output. The major underlying subcellular mechanism is a length-dependent change in myofilament responsiveness to Ca2+. Recent studies indicate that nitric oxide decreases myofilament responsiveness to Ca2+ and modulates myocardial relaxation and left ventricular (LV) diastolic function. We therefore investigated the interaction between nitric oxide and the Frank-Starling response. METHODS AND RESULTS Isolated ejecting guinea pig hearts (constant afterload and heart rate) were studied before and after interventions. Elevation of filling pressure from 10 to 20 cm H2O increased cardiac output, LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), and peak LV pressure (LVPmax). In the presence of N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA, 10 micromol/L; n=10) or free hemoglobin (1 micromol/L; n=8), preload-induced increases in cardiac output were significantly attenuated but baseline cardiac output was unaffected. The effects of L-NMMA were inhibited in the presence of excess L-arginine (100 micromol/L; n=6). These changes were not attributable to alterations in coronary flow. Prostaglandin F2alpha (0.01 micromol/L; n=6), which reduced coronary flow, failed to alter the cardiac output response to preload elevation. The exogenous nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside (1 micromol/L; n=6) reduced cardiac output at the lowest preload but not at higher preloads. LVEDP was elevated after L-NMMA and hemoglobin but reduced after sodium nitroprusside. CONCLUSIONS Basal intracardiac production of nitric oxide significantly augments preload-induced rises in cardiac output in the isolated ejecting guinea pig heart. The mechanism appears to be unrelated to changes in coronary flow and may involve direct effects of nitric oxide on myocardial diastolic and/or systolic function.
Changes in the Concentrations of Guanosine 5′-Diphosphate 3′-Diphosphate and the Initiating Nucleoside Triphosphate Account for Inhibition of rRNA Transcription in Fructose-1,6-Diphosphate Aldolase (fda) Mutants

ABSTRACT Early screens for conditional lethal mutations that affected rRNA expression in Escherichia coli identified temperature-sensitive fda mutants (fda encodes the glycolytic enzyme fructose-1,6-diphosphate aldolase). It was shown that these fda(Ts) mutants were severely impaired in rRNA synthesis upon shift to the restrictive temperature, although the mechanism of inhibition was never determined. Here, we bring resolution to this long-standing question by showing that changes in the concentrations of guanosine 5′-diphosphate 3′-diphosphate and initiating nucleoside triphosphates can account for the previously observed effects of fda mutations on rRNA transcription.
Business Intelligence in Telecoms Industry: A Service Oriented Approach

Mobile market is becoming saturated and competitive in telecoms industry. As a result, these organizations are becoming more and more conscious about the advantages of data and information kept in their organization, the need to integrate these large volumes of data and to utilize these information to support the quality of their decision-making, in order to stay at a competitive advantage and to increase profit (Wu et al, 2007; Pareek, 2006). The profitability of these industry is clearly linked to its subscriber base which again depends on number of active customers, duration of calls made by customers, quality of service, price as compare to others, and ability to satisfy customers (Pareek, 2006). To properly utilize the relationships between all the profitability attributes, there is a clear demand for quality Business Intelligence (BI) (Wu et al, 2007; Pareek, 2006). BI is the combination of business processes with the use of IT Systems such as DWs, Data Marts, Metadata Data Mining, ETL, Query and Reporting Software, OLAP, and Visualization (Kudyba and Hoptroff, 2001; Pareek,2006) to support decision-making in an organization.