Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Developing Absorptive Capacity Theory for Public Service Organizations: Emerging UK Empirical Evidence

A strong public policy focus on high performance means that utilizing management knowledge effectively is at a premium for UK public service organizations. This study empirically examined two English public agencies to explore the inter-sectoral transfer of a strategic management model originally developed in the private sector – absorptive capacity – which is one way of conceptualizing an organizational competence in such knowledge mobilization. Two theoretical contributions are made. First, a new absorptive capacity framework for public service organizations is developed which recognizes the participation of public agency project teams during an innovation process proceeding over time with phases of co-creation, testing, metamorphosis and diffusion. Second, our novel framework modifies an early influential model of absorptive capacity. Counter to this model, we argue that realized absorptive capacity requires agency from skilled and embedded actors to turn ‘curbing routines’ into ‘enabling routines’ in all four stages. Project (middle) managers have flexibility in their roles to seize episodic moments of opportunity to innovate and achieve service delivery goals, and to build absorptive capacity capability. Absorptive capacity capability develops organically over time. Future research directions are discussed.
Canopy Height Model (CHM) Derived From a TanDEM-X InSAR DSM and an Airborne Lidar DTM in Boreal Forest

The first global X-band spaceborne single-pass interferometer mission, TanDEM-X, provides a spatially continuous map of global canopy elevations. In this paper, we assess the use of TanDEM-X data, in combination with an external digital terrain model (DTM), to map boreal canopy heights. A comparison of the TanDEM-X canopy height model (CHM) to a validated reference lidar CHM was performed based on two definitions of canopy height: canopy surface height (CSH) and dominant height (DH) at spatial resolutions ranging from 5 to 25 m, and at stand level. We found the TanDEM-X CHM to have a coarser resolution than the corresponding lidar CHM. This was apparent in the height validation of the TanDEM-X CHM, which had a RMSE of 2.7 m at the 5-m resolution, 1.9 m at the 25-m resolution, and 1.5 m at stand level. The height differences between the InSAR and lidar surfaces varied between 1.3 and 1.5 m, but InSAR heights were below the height of dominant trees by 4.6-7.5 m. Similar discrepancies were observed for the lidar CSH relatively to DH (6.04, 8.98, and 8.05 m, respectively). The results show that the TanDEM-X interferometric heights are very close to the lidar reference height and that penetration below the DH is caused by propagation of the microwave signal between the tree apices and the main foliage surface in boreal forest. Finally, the accuracy of InSAR height estimates was not sensitive to tree density effects, but was moderately affected by local incidence angles (LIAs), gap volume, and canopy height.
Room-Temperature Wide Measurement-Range Optical Fiber Fabry–Perot Tilt Sensor With Liquid Marble

We proposed a novel miniature liquid marble-based room-temperature optical fiber tilt sensor by using Fabry–Perot (F–P) interferometric detection, with the advantages of simple fabrication, wide range, good linearity, and low cost, aside from the immunity to electromagnetic interference. A mercury marble with a diameter of 1.3 mm and a length of 10 mm, acting as a light reflector, was dispensed into a capillary tube preprocessed by hydrophobic agent, therefore forming F–P interference with one end of a single-mode fiber. The developed sensor exhibited tilt-induced sensitivities of 6.62 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>/ms<sup>−2</sup> and 4.28 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>/ms<sup>−2</sup> with corresponding linearities of 3.44% and 4.28% within the ranges of 0°–90° and −90°–0°, respectively, due to asymmetric cavity lengths. The measured results were in agreement well with the governing model incorporating with contact angle hysteresis between mercury marble and capillary substrate.
Reliability and relative validity of a food frequency questionnaire for Italian adults living in Sicily, Southern Italy

Abstract The aim of this study was to develop and test the reliability and relative validity of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) specifically developed for individuals living in Sicily, southern Italy. This study was conducted on a convenient sample of 178 adult volunteers aged 18–80 years recruited in the urban population of Catania. Dietary intake estimated by 2 FFQs was compared with six 24-h recalls covering a period of 10 months. A total of 110 food items were included in the FFQ. Person’s coefficients between the first FFQ and mean of the six 24-h recalls showed high correlations for coffee, tea, pasta and dairy products, alcohol, total fats and carbohydrates (in women). The test–retest analysis showed high reproducibility of the FFQ. We showed that our FFQ provided a useful estimate of both food and nutrient intake in a healthy adult population.
Interaction of complement with serum-sensitive and serum-resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The interaction of complement with the following two strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was examined: 144M, a mucoid, serum-sensitive strain bearing short lipopolysaccharide O chains, and 144M-SR, a mucoid, serum-resistant strain bearing long lipopolysaccharide O chains isolated by repeated passage of 144M in increasing concentrations of pooled normal human serum (PNHS). While significant killing of 144M occurred in 5 to 40% PNHS, no killing of 144M-SR was observed. Both strains activated complement, especially 144M-SR which consumed 88.7, 96.4, and 100% of the available complement 3 (C3), C5, and C9, respectively, in 10% PNHS during a 60-min incubation at 37 degrees C. Although it activated more C3 than did 144M (54.9% consumption), 144M-SR bound only half as much C3 as 144M. Similarly, although 144M-SR activated more C9 than did 144M (50.0% consumption in 60 min), there was considerably less C9 attached to 144M-SR (2,990 molecules of C9 per bacterium) than to 144M (13,700 molecules per bacterium) after 60 min of incubation. Furthermore, only 162 molecules of the C9 bound to 144M-SR remained bound after treatment with 0.1% trypsin, while 5,692 molecules of the C9 bound to 144M remained bound under similar conditions. These results show that the serum resistance of 144M-SR does not represent a failure to activate complement efficiently, but instead reflects failure of the assembled terminal complement complex C5b-9 to insert stably into the outer membrane of this strain.
Design of a class of nonlinear controllers via state dependent Riccati equations

In this brief, infinite-horizon nonlinear regulation of second-order systems using the State Dependent Riccati Equation (SDRE) method is considered. By a convenient parametrization of the A(x) matrix, the state-dependent algebraic Riccati equation is solved analytically. As a result, the closed-loop system equations are obtained in analytical form. Global stability analysis is performed by a combination of Lyapunov analysis and LaSalle's Principle. Accordingly, a relatively straightforward condition for global asymptotic stability of the closed-loop system is derived. This is one of the first global results available for this class of systems controlled by SDRE methods. The stability results are demonstrated on an experimental magnetic levitation setup and are found to provide a great deal of flexibility in the control system design.
Psychopathy and Victim Selection

Previous research has shown that victims display characteristic body language, specifically in their walking style (Grayson & Stein, 1981). Individuals scoring higher on the interpersonal/affective aspects of psychopathy (Factor 1) are more accurate at judging victim vulnerability simply from viewing targets walking (Wheeler, Book, & Costello, 2009). The present study examines the relation between psychopathy and accuracy in assessing victim vulnerability in a sample of inmates from a maximum security penitentiary in Ontario, Canada. Forty-seven inmates viewed short video clips of targets walking and judged how vulnerable each target was to victimization. Higher Factor 1 psychopathy scores (as measured by the PCL-R; Hare 2003) were positively related to accuracy in judging victim vulnerability. Contrary to research with noninstitutional participants (Wheeler et al., 2009), inmates higher on Factor 1 of psychopathy were more likely to rationalize their vulnerability judgments by mentioning the victim’s gait. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Metal Determines Efficiency and Substrate Specificity of the Nuclear NUDIX Decapping Proteins X29 and H29K (Nudt16)*

The Xenopus X29 protein was identified by its high affinity binding to U8 small nucleolar RNA, a small nucleolar RNA required for ribosome biogenesis. X29 and its human homologue H29K (Nudt16) are nuclear nucleoside diphosphatase proteins localized within foci in the nucleolus and nucleoplasm. These proteins can remove m7G and m227G caps from RNAs, rendering them substrates for 5′-3′ exonucleases for degradation in vivo. Here, a more complete characterization of these metal-dependent decapping proteins demonstrates that the metal identity determines both the efficiency of decapping and the RNA substrate specificity. In Mg+2 the proteins hydrolyze the 5′ cap from only one RNA substrate: U8 small nucleolar RNA. However, in the presence of Mn+2 or Co+2 all RNAs are substrates and the decapping efficiency is higher. The x-ray crystal structure of X29 facilitated structure-based mutagenesis. Mutation of single amino acids coordinating metal in the active site yielded mutant proteins confirming essential residues. In vitro assays with purified components are consistent with a lack of protein turnover, apparently due to an inability of the protein to release the decapped RNA, implicating critical in vivo interacting factors. Collectively, these studies indicate that the metal that binds the X29/H29K proteins in vivo may determine whether these decapping proteins function solely as a negative regulator of ribosome biogenesis or can decap a wider variety of nuclear-limited RNAs. With the potential broader RNA substrate specificity, X29/H29K may be the nuclear counterparts of the cytoplasmic decapping machinery, localized in specialized bodies involved in RNA decay.
Promoter of the Mycoplasma pneumoniae rRNA operon

RNA transcripts starting from the 5' end of the single Mycoplasma pneumoniae rRNA operon were analyzed by several methods. By primer extension analysis a start site was found 62 nucleotides upstream from the start site of the 16S rRNA. This site was preceded by a putative Pribnow box; however, a defined -35 recognition region was absent. The cloned rRNA operon was transcribed in vitro by using purified RNA polymerase of Escherichia coli. A single start site could be demonstrated within a few nucleotides of the start site found by primer extension analysis of M. pneumoniae transcripts. When fragments from the cloned operon were used as hybridization probes, S1 nuclease mapping yielded a single transcript extending approximately 193 nucleotides upstream from the 16S rRNA start site. The region surrounding this endpoint did not resemble any known promoter sequence. Dot blot hybridization of M. pneumoniae RNA to three oligonucleotides consisting of nucleotides -5 to -21, -38 to -54, and -112 to -132 (from the start of the 16S rRNA gene) indicated that most rRNA transcripts were processed at the stem site preceding the 16S rRNA gene. The majority of the longer precursor transcripts, extending beyond this point, did not extend further upstream to an oligonucleotide consisting of nucleotides -112 to -132. It was concluded that transcription of the rRNA operon of M. pneumoniae is initiated by a single promoter. The nucleotide sequence of the region is presented.
Alternate promoters direct stress‐induced transcription of the Bacillus subtilis clpC operon

clpC ofBacillus subtilis is part of an operon containing six genes. Northern blot analysis suggested that all genes are co‐transcribed and encode stress‐inducible proteins. Two promoters (PA and PB) were mapped upstream of the first gene. PA resembles promoters recognized by the vegetative RNA polymerase EσA. The other promoter (PB) was shown to be dependent on σB, the general stress σ factor in B. subtilis, suggesting that clpC, a potential chaperone, is expressed in a σB‐dependent manner. This is the first evidence that σB in B, subtilis is involved in controlling the expression of a gene whose counterpart, clpB, is subject to regulation by σ32 in Escherichia coli, indicating a new function of σB‐dependent general stress proteins. PB deviated from the consensus sequence of σB promoters and was only slightly induced by starvation conditions. Nevertheless, strong induction by heat, ethanol, and salt stress occurred at the σB‐dependent promoter, whereas the vegetative promoter was only weakly induced under these conditions. However, in a sigB mutant, the σA‐like promoter became inducible by heat and ethanol stress, completely compensating for sigB deficiency. Only the downstream σA‐like promoter was induced by certain stress conditions such as hydrogen peroxide or puromycin. These results suggest that novel stress‐induction mechanisms are acting at a vegetative promoter. Involvement of additional elements in this mode of induction are discussed.
Subepithelial connective tissue graft for root coverage in smokers and non-smokers: a clinical and histologic controlled study in humans.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate root coverage of gingival recessions and to compare graft vascularization in smokers and non-smokers. METHODS Thirty subjects, 15 smokers and 15 non-smokers, were selected. Each subject had one Miller Class I or II recession in a non-molar tooth. Clinical measurements of probing depth (PD), relative clinical attachment level (CAL), gingival recession (GR), and width of keratinized tissue (KT) were determined at baseline and 3 and 6 months after surgery. The recessions were treated surgically with a coronally positioned flap associated with a subepithelial connective tissue graft. A small portion of this graft was prepared for immunohistochemistry. Blood vessels were identified and counted by expression of factor VIII-related antigen-stained endothelial cells. RESULTS Intragroup analysis showed that after 6 months there a was gain in CAL, a decrease in GR, and an increase in KT for both groups (P <0.05), whereas changes in PD were not statistically significant. Smokers had less root coverage than non-smokers (58.02% +/- 19.75% versus 83.35% +/- 18.53%; P <0.05). Furthermore, the smokers had more GR (1.48 +/- 0.79 mm versus 0.52 +/- 0.60 mm) than the non-smokers (P <0.05). Histomorphometry of the donor tissue revealed a blood vessel density of 49.01 +/- 11.91 vessels/200x field for non-smokers and 36.53 +/- 10.23 vessels/200x field for smokers (P <0.05). CONCLUSION Root coverage with subepithelial connective tissue graft was negatively affected by smoking, which limited and jeopardized treatment results.
Mobile ECG monitoring device using wearable non contact armband

Inorder to monitor the heart activities, ECG signals are mainly used. Various information can be obtained by analyzing the ECG signals such as heart diseases, heart rate etc. In this paper, development of a light weighted portable ECG monitoring device based on an armband and an android phone are presented. The developed device can detect electrocardiograph potential through clothes by using capacitive coupled electrodes embedded in an armband. The obtained signals were then transferred to a ECG sensor for the amplification and filtering purpose and further the signals were processed by the microprocessor and sent to mobile phones via Bluetooth where the data has received and displayed in real time. The device was also tested and revealed that the system can be used for long term measurements, portable and simple to operate.
[Determinants of weight and linear growth deficits in children under two years of age].

OBJECTIVE To identify determinants of protein-energy malnutrition resulting in weight and linear growth deficits in children. METHODS A cross-sectional study was carried out among 1,041 children (under two years of age) from 10 municipalities in Bahia, Northeastern Brazil, during 1999-2000. Both logistic regression and a hierarchical approach were used to identify factors associated with the anthropometric measures. RESULTS The basic determinant found in the final model for linear growth retardation was having up to two household appliances (OR=2.9; 95% CI: 1.74-4.90); as an underlying determinant, not attending prenatal visits (OR=2.7; 95% CI: 1.47-4.97); and, among immediate determinants were low birth weight (OR=3.6; 95% CI: 1.72-7.70) and reported hospitalization within 12 months before the interview (OR=2.4; 95% CI: 1.42-4.10). Determinants of weight deficit at the basic, underlying and immediate levels were: per capita monthly income of less than one-fourth of the minimum wage (OR=3.4; 95% CI: 1.41-8.16), not attending prenatal visits (OR=2.1; 95% CI: 1.03-4.35) and low birth weight (OR=4.8; 95% CI: 2.00-11.48) respectively. CONCLUSIONS Children's weight and linear deficits were accounted for the overlapping of poor material living conditions, limited access to health care and disease burden. Interventions aimed at improving living conditions and better access to health care programs are strategies towards equity in children's health and nutrition.
Justifying mega-projects: An analysis of the Swedish high-speed rail project

Mega-projects are a growing phenomenon worldwide. More and more projects are started and they grow ever bigger in size. At the same time, there is overwhelming evidence that mega-projects tend to run late, overrun in terms of costs and fail to deliver the expected benefits. Paradoxically, more and more money is invested in projects that fail to deliver on their promises.This dissertation analyses how mega-projects are justified through a case study of the Swedish highspeed rail project and the National Negotiation on Housing and Infrastructure (Sverigeforhandlingen). The Swedish high-speed rail project is arguably the biggest project ever initiated in the country and fits the definition of a mega-project. It is planned to connect the three largest cities Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmo with high-speed rail tracks at an estimated investment cost of 230 billion SEK (€23.1 billion). The project is highly controversial in the public debate. It impacts a large number of people and involves substantial financial commitment. Interestingly, it is also heavily unprofitable in cost-benefit analysis calculations. Based on these calculations, the project is unprofitable and should be cancelled. Still, the project has been allowed to continue by two consecutive governments. Analysing how this project isjustified makes it possible to address the wider issue of why mega-projects continue to hold such appeal among decision makers despite their track record.The dissertation finds that the Swedish high-speed rail project is being justified based on a combination of strategies: widening the scope, producing encouraging numbers, creating and mobilising stakeholders, and arguing using a policy narrative. It shows how the project leadership skilfully bypasses criticism from cost-benefit analysis and succeeds to gather support for the project despite the numbers.The research has been done at Lund University School of Economics and Management and K2 – the Swedish Knowledge Centre for Public Transport. (Less)
Pose Robust Human Detection in Depth Image Using Four Directional 2D Elliptical Filters

This paper proposes a pose robust human detection method for sequences of stereo images using four directional2D elliptical filters (4D2DEFs), which can detect humans regardless of scale and pose. Four 2D elliptical filters with specific orientations are applied to a 2D spatial depth histogram, and threshold values are used to detect human candidates. These candidates are verified by either detecting the face or matching head-shoulder shapes. Experimental results show that human detection using the proposed method outperforms that of using the existing Object Oriented Scale Adaptive Filter (OOSAF) by 15∼20%, especially in the case of posed humans.
“Being a butt while on the internet”: Perceptions of what is and isn't internet trolling

The term “internet trolling” has come to encompass a wide range of behaviours, ranging from abusive speech and hacking to sarcastic humour and friendly teasing. While some of these behaviours are clearly antisocial and, in extreme cases, criminal, others are harmless and may even have potential prosocial functions. This study is an attempt to disambiguate some of the competing and contrary interpretations of internet trolling by examining the perspectives of avid internet users for whom trolling is a familiar part of their online lives. Through data collected from in‐depth, semi‐structured interviews, a multifaceted picture of trolling emerges that is at odds with previous media characterizations of internet trolls as merely hateful bullies. On the contrary, most participants in this study did not consider trolling to be a serious problem and many did not consider harmful interactions to be trolling at all. This paper describes some of the defining characteristics of internet trolling in order to differentiate the harmful behaviours from the harmless. This work aims to contribute to the growing body of literature on internet trolling in the hopes of informing regulatory policy and educational initiatives concerning internet use and safety.
Machine health monitoring with LSTM networks

Effective machine health monitoring systems are critical to modern manufacturing systems and industries. Among various machine health monitoring approaches, data-driven methods are gaining in popularity due to the development of advanced sensing and data analytic techniques. However, sensory data that is a kind of sequential data can not serve as direct meaningful representations for machine conditions due to its noise, varying length and irregular sampling. A majority of previous models focus on feature extraction/fusion methods that involve expensive human labor and high quality expert knowledge. With the development of deep learning methods in the last few years, representation learning from raw data has been redefined. Among deep learning models, Long Short-Term Memory networks (LSTMs) are able to capture long-term dependencies and model sequential data. Therefore, LSTMs is able to work on the sensory data of machine condition. Here, the first study about a empirical evaluation of LSTMs-based machine health monitoring systems is presented. A real life tool wear test is introduced. Basic and deep LSTMs are designed to predict the actual tool wear based on raw sensory data. The experimental results have shown that our models, especially deep LSTMs, are able to outperform several state-of-arts baseline methods.