Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Minding the Time: A Critical Look at Longitudinal Design and Data Analysis in Quantitative Public Management Research

Public management scholars are looking to longitudinal research designs and data to help overcome the many limitations associated with cross-sectional research. However, far less attention has been given to time itself as a research lens for scholars to consider. This article seeks to integrate time as a construct of theoretical importance into a discussion of longitudinal design, data, and public management research. First, I discuss the relative advantages of longitudinal design and data, but also the challenges, limitations, and issues researchers need to consider. Second, I consider the importance of time as a theoretical construct of interest in the pursuit of longitudinal public management research. Third, I offer a brief look at the use of longitudinal design and panel data analyses in the current public management literature. The overview demonstrates a notable absence of public management research considering the attitudes, motives, perceptions, and experiences of individual public employees and managers. Finally, I consider why there are so few longitudinal studies of public employees and point out the issues public management researchers interested in individual employee-level phenomena need to consider when advancing their own longitudinal research designs.
Complementation of the radiosensitive phenotype in severe combined immunodeficient mice by human chromosome 8.

Severe combined immunodeficient (scid) C.B-17 mice are deficient in variable (diversity) joining region recombination, the process of assembling the immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor genes from gene segments, thereby creating much of the enormous diversity of antigen-binding capacity, scid mice are also sensitive to ionizing radiation, as a result of their deficiency in double-strand break repair. Here we report the complementation of the radiation-sensitive scid phenotype by transferring human chromosome 8 into scid cells. Somatic cell hybrids were generated by fusing scid cells with human HT-1080 cells, resulting in radioresistant hybrids with several human chromosomes. One of the identified human chromosomes in the radioresistant scid cell line 4.61, which retains only two human chromosomes, is a rearranged 8/21 translocation. Proof that chromosome 8 confers the complementation was achieved by transferring only human chromosome 8 into scid cells by microcell-mediated chromosome transfer (scid/hu8 cell line). The presence of chromosome 8 in our scid/hu8 cell line was monitored by fluorescence in situ hybridization and polymerase chain reaction. We demonstrated the radioresistance of this hybrid not only to high dose rate but also to low dose rate radiation. We also showed that transference of human chromosome 8 to scid cells fully complements the DNA double-strand break repair deficiency and the high sensitivity of scid cells to radiation-induced chromosome aberrations. Mapping the scid gene to human chromosome 8 is an important first step in cloning the scid gene, which will enhance our understanding of double-strand break repair pathways in humans.
Efficient Use of Space-Time Clustering for Underwater Acoustic Communications

Underwater acoustical communication channels are characterized by the spreading of received signals in space (direction of arrival) and in time (delay). The spread is often limited to a small number of space-time clusters. In this paper, the space-time clustering is exploited in a proposed receiver designed for guard-free orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing with superimposed data and pilot signals. For separation of space clusters, the receiver utilizes a vertical linear array (VLA) of hydrophones, whereas for combining delay-spread signals within a space cluster, a time-domain equalizer is used. We compare a number of space-time processing techniques, including a proposed reduced-complexity spatial filter, and show that techniques exploiting the space-time clustering demonstrate an improved detection performance. The comparison is done using signals transmitted by a moving transducer, and recorded on a 14-element nonuniform VLA in sea trials at distances of 46 and 105 km.
Association of a homozygous nonsense caveolin-1 mutation with Berardinelli-Seip congenital lipodystrophy.

CONTEXT Berardinelli-Seip congenital lipodystrophy (BSCL) is a rare recessive disease characterized by near absence of adipose tissue, resulting in severe dyslipidemia and insulin resistance. In most reported cases, BSCL is due to alterations in either seipin, of unknown function, or 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase-beta (AGPAT2), which catalyzes the formation of phosphatidic acid. OBJECTIVE We sought to determine the genetic origin of the unexplained cases of BSCL. We thus sequenced CAV1, encoding caveolin-1, as a candidate gene involved in insulin signaling and lipid homeostasis. CAV1 is a key structural component of plasma membrane caveolae, and Cav1-deficient mice display progressive loss of adipose tissue and insulin resistance. DESIGN We undertook phenotyping studies and molecular screening of CAV1 in four patients with BSCL with no mutation in the genes encoding either seipin or AGPAT2. RESULTS A homozygous nonsense mutation (p.Glu38X) was identified in CAV1 in a patient with BSCL born from a consanguineous union. This mutation affects both the alpha- and beta-CAV1 isoforms and ablates CAV1 expression in skin fibroblasts. Detailed magnetic resonance imaging of the proband confirmed near total absence of both sc and visceral adipose tissue, with only vestigial amounts in the dorsal sc regions. In keeping with the lack of adipose tissue, the proband was also severely insulin resistant and dyslipidemic. In addition, the proband had mild hypocalcemia likely due to vitamin D resistance. CONCLUSIONS These findings identify CAV1 as a new BSCL-related gene and support a critical role for caveolins in human adipocyte function.
Efficiency comparative analysis between two search algorithms using DT CWT for content-based image retrieval

The following paper presents a comparative analysis on the efficiency of two search algorithms for Content-Based Image Retrieval. Both algorithms are designed using the Dual-Tree Complex Wavelet Transform for image feature extraction and Hausdorff distance for similarity distance computation. The difference in the steps of the algorithms produces difference in the final result. To estimate the efficiency of the algorithms, we performed some experiments and compared their results. They clearly show that one of the algorithms provides much higher retrieval rate and system performance than the other.
Two crystal structures of Trichoderma reesei hydrophobin HFBI—The structure of a protein amphiphile with and without detergent interaction

Hydrophobins are small fungal proteins that are highly surface active and possess a unique ability to form amphiphilic membranes through spontaneous self‐assembly. The first crystal structure of a hydrophobin, Trichoderma reesei HFBII, revealed the structural basis for the function of this amphiphilic protein—a patch consisting of hydrophobic side chains on the protein surface. Here, the crystal structures of a native and a variant T. reesei hydrophobin HFBI are presented, revealing the same overall structure and functional hydrophobic patch as in the HFBII structure. However, some structural flexibility was found in the native HFBI structure: The asymmetric unit contained four molecules, and, in two of these, an area of seven residues was displaced as compared to the two other HFBI molecules and the previously determined HFBII structure. This structural change is most probably induced by multimer formation. Both the native and the N‐Cys‐variant of HFBI were crystallized in the presence of detergents, but an association between the protein and a detergent was only detected in the variant structure. There, the molecules were arranged into an extraordinary detergent‐associated octamer and the solvent content of the crystals was 75%. This study highlights the conservation of the fold of class II hydrophobins in spite of the low sequence identity and supports our previous suggestion that concealment of the hydrophobic surface areas of the protein is the driving force in the formation of multimers and monolayers in the self‐assembly process.
Regulatory factors and cell populations involved in skeletal muscle regeneration

Skeletal muscle regeneration is a complex process, which is not yet completely understood. Satellite cells, the skeletal muscle stem cells, become activated after trauma, proliferate, and migrate to the site of injury. Depending on the severity of the myotrauma, activated satellite cells form new multinucleated myofibers or fuse to damaged myofibers. The specific microenvironment of the satellite cells, the niche, controls their behavior. The niche contains several components that maintain satellite cells quiescence until they are activated. In addition, a great diversity of stimulatory and inhibitory growth factors such as IGF‐1 and TGF‐β1 regulate their activity. Donor‐derived satellite cells are able to improve muscle regeneration, but their migration through the muscle tissue and across endothelial layers is limited. Less than 1% of their progeny, the myoblasts, survive the first days upon intra‐muscular injection. However, a range of other multipotent muscle‐ and non‐muscle‐derived stem cells are involved in skeletal muscle regeneration. These stem cells can occupy the satellite cell niche and show great potential for the treatment of skeletal muscle injuries and diseases. The aim of this review is to discuss the niche factors, growth factors, and other stem cells, which are involved in skeletal muscle regeneration. Knowledge about the factors regulating satellite cell activity and skeletal muscle regeneration can be used to improve the treatment of muscle injuries and diseases. J. Cell. Physiol. 224:7–16, 2010 © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Estimation of track-soil interactions for autonomous tracked vehicles

Real time estimation of soil parameters is essential in achieving precise, robust autonomous guidance and control of a tracked vehicle. The paper shows that the slip of the tracks over the terrain can be identified from trajectory data using an extended Kalman filter. The use of a suitable soil model can then allow key soil parameters to be estimated as the vehicle passes over the soil. Knowledge of the soil parameters may in turn be used to allow reference trajectories and control algorithms to be adjusted to suit the soil conditions.
Determinants of the Export Demand of U.S. Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles

The production and utilization of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), a co-product of corn ethanol, have surged since the Energy Policy Act of 2005 in the United States. The exports of U.S. DDGS have also rapidly grown more than five folds over the last decade. The objective of this study was to identify the determinants of U.S. DDGS exports and project the growth of DDGS exports to major international buyers. A commodity-specific gravity model was applied to U.S. DDGS exports to 29 countries from 2000 through 2013. Results suggest that importing country meat production, technical barriers to trade, tariffs, and U.S. ethanol production influence U.S. DDGS export quantities.
Wetting characteristics for kraft paper immersed in mineral and biodegradable insulation oils

Moisture in power transformers are undesirable but yet unavoidable; hence necessitating its continuous study. The kraft paper of the oil filled transformer absorbs much of its moisture from the insulation oil in which it is immersed. The dielectric properties of the paper can be determined as a function of the wetting, penetration and saturation of the paper by the aqueous liquid in the oil. This paper compares the absorption characteristics of aqueous substances into kraft paper in two commercial insulation oils; palm based Palm Fatty Acid Ester (PFAE) biodegradable oil and petroleum based Hyrax Hypertrans mineral oil. Kraft paper thicknesses used in this study were varies from 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm. Test oil samples are taken directly from drum given by the suppliers. The study result shows that substances absorbed by kraft paper immersed in both insulation oils is dependent on paper thickness and chemical composition of the oils. The result shows that 0.2 mm thick paper absorbs the same aqueous percentage from both insulation oils irrespective of their constituent moisture content while the substance absorbed in both the 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm thick papers immersed in PFAE is higher that immersed in Hyrax Hypertrans by about 1%. It also shows that the rate of absorption reduces as the paper thickness increases. This concludes that irrespective of the high initial moisture content of PFAE being higher than that of Hyrax Hypertans, same aqueous substance is diffused into kraft paper.
Implementation of the Comprehensive Assessment Toolbox for Stroke in a Medical System

&NA; The need for outcome assessment in stroke management is a critical part of specialized stroke unit development. The Comprehensive Assessment Toolbox for Stroke was developed for this reason. This study describes the implementation of the Toolbox across a medical system as part of a stroke center of excellence. Toolbox data were collected from 2002 to 2004. Demographic data were analyzed. Patients were categorized by stroke severity. Outcome assessment tools were compared via paired sample t tests. Also, data were analyzed using multivariate methods followed by univariate analysis of variance. Patients improved in outcomes from admission through their hospital stays. Clinically significant improvements were made in the mild and moderately affected groups. The severe stroke group improved the least. Tracking patient outcomes in a consistent way helps with program assessment and comparison. Patients leave rehabilitation at a dependent level in many functional areas.
The Total Least Squares Problem in AX ≈ B: A New Classification with the Relationship to the Classical Works

This paper revisits the analysis of the total least squares (TLS) problem AX≈B with multiple right-hand sides given by Van Huffel and Vandewalle in the monograph, The Total Least Squares Problem: Computational Aspects and Analysis, SIAM, Philadelphia, 1991. The newly proposed classification is based on properties of the singular value decomposition of the extended matrix [B|A]. It aims at identifying the cases when a TLS solution does or does not exist and when the output computed by the classical TLS algorithm, given by Van Huffel and Vandewalle, is actually a TLS solution. The presented results on existence and uniqueness of the TLS solution reveal subtleties that were not captured in the known literature.
INVESTIGATION OF ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF VALUE ADDING AT TSHIVHASE-MUKUMBANI TEA ESTATE

ABSTRACT The study was carried out to analyse production of value added tea and economic viability of the value adding initiative adopted in 2009 to resuscitate Tshivhase-Mukumbani Tea Estate. Strategies were identified for achieving economic viability of the value adding initiative. Assessment of economic viability of the value adding initiative was based on Net Present Value (NPC) and the Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) calculated from time series data obtained for the period 2005-2012. The quantity of value added tea produced varied across years, geographical locations and seasons with production higher for wetter seasons. The NPV was consistently negative while the BCR was below unity throughout the study period, implying that the value adding initiative was economically not feasible. Major initiatives for achieving economic feasibility of the value adding initiatives were (1) increasing production of value added tea, (2) increasing the unit price of sold tea, and (3) reducing costs of production and value adding activities.
On the energy efficiency of massive MIMO with space-constrained 2D antenna arrays

We examine the deployment of a large multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system and the resulting Energy Efficiency (EE) considering a 2D rectangular array with increasing antenna elements within a fixed physical space. The resulting increasing mutual coupling and correlation among the base station (BS) antennas are incorporated by deriving a practical mutual coupling matrix which considers coupling among all antenna elements. We also provide a realistic analysis of the energy consumption using a new model, taking into account the circuit power consumption as a function of the number of BS antennas and then present a performance analysis of the system with respect to EE. Our analysis shows that while spectral efficiency increases with increasing number of BS antennas in a massive MIMO system, EE does not increase boundlessly when the increasing number of antennas are to be accommodated within a fixed physical space and the total power consumed is considered to be a function of the BS antennas. Accordingly, analytic expressions for the optimum number of antennas to attain maximum EE are obtained.
Effect of resveratrol treatment on graft revascularization after islet transplantation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

ABSTRACT We evaluated the effect of resveratrol (RSV) on graft survival after islet transplantation (ITx) in diabetic mice. Isolated islets from Balb/c mice (200 IEQ) were transplanted under the kidney capsule of diabetic Balb/c mice. Vehicle or RSV (200 mg/kg/day, orally) was given for 14 days after ITx. Two more control groups [STZ-treated (No-ITx-Control) and STZ+RSV-treated (No-ITx-RSV) mice without ITx] were added. Glucose tolerance tests (GTT) was performed at 14 days after ITx. In vitro, isolated islets pretreated with vehicle or RSV (1 μM) were incubated in a hypoxic chamber (O2 1%, 1hr). Some of the ITx was performed in mouse insulin 1 gene promoter-green fluorescent protein (MIP-GFP) transgenic mice and analyzed using an in vivo imaging system. After 14 days of ITx, 2-hr glucose levels on GTT in the RSV-treated group were significantly lower than those of other control groups. But the glucose status was not improved in No-ITx mice with RSV. At day 3, the percentage of Ki-67/insulin co-stained cells in islet graft was significantly increased in the RSV-ITx group. Immunostaining with anti-insulin and anti-BS-1 antibodies revealed significantly higher insulin-stained area and vascular density in RSV-treated islet grafts. The mean vessel volume per islet graft measured by in vivo imaging was significantly higher in the RSV-treated group at day 3. In isolated islets cultured in hypoxic conditions, the cell death rate and oxidative stress were significantly attenuated with RSV pretreatment. Hypoxic treatment for isolated islets decreased the expression of SIRT-1 mRNA, and this attenuation was recovered by RSV pretreatment. Our data suggest that RSV treatment improved glycemic control, beta-cell proliferation, reduced oxidative stress, and enhanced islet revascularization and the outcome of ITx in diabetic mice.
Detection of Salmonella in Foods Using a Reference PN-ISO Method and an Alternative Method Based on Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification Coupled with Bioluminescence.

BACKGROUND Salmonella, one of the primary indicators of food safety, is a common cause of food poisoning of an epidemic nature around the world. These microorganisms can colonize the gastrointestinal tract of both people and animals, and next contaminate not only eggs, milk, meat and dairy products, but also vegetables, fruit, grains and even spices. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to analyze the frequency of detection of Salmonella spp. in food samples using a reference PN-ISO method and an alternative method based on loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) coupled with bioluminescence. MATERIAL AND METHODS Food samples were obtained in cooperation with the State Sanitary-Epidemiological Station in Wrocław. Dairy products, meat, fish, pastry and confectionery, vegetables, herbs and spices were analyzed. The food samples were examined using a standard culturing method according to PN-ISO 6579:2003 for Salmonella spp. and an alternative method based on the isothermal amplification and bioluminescence phenomenon using the 3M MDS device. RESULTS In 399 tested food samples in 8 materials, using both the reference and the alternative LAMP-based method, the presence of salmonella was confirmed. The results obtained show the 100% sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the presented alternative, LAMP-based technique compared to the reference PN-ISO method. CONCLUSIONS The alternative method using isothermal amplification and bioluminescence makes it possible to detect Salmonella in foods in a much shorter time than the referential culturing method.
Complementary Cholesterol-Lowering Response of a Phytosterol/α-Lipoic Acid Combination in Obese Zucker Rats

ABSTRACT To investigate the cholesterol-lowering effectiveness of a phytosterol/α-lipoic acid (PS/αLA) therapy, thirty-two male Zucker rats were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 diets for 30 days: (i) high fat diet (HF, 40% energy from fat); (ii) HF diet supplemented with 3% phytosterols; (iii) HF diet supplemented with 0.25% αLA; or (iv) HF diet supplemented with PS (3%) and αLA (0.25%, PS/αLA). Compared with the HF diet, combination PS/αLA proved more effective in reducing non-HDL cholesterol (−55%) than either the PS (−24%) or the αLA (−25%) therapies alone. PS supplementation did not affect LDL particle number, however, αLA supplementation reduced LDL particle number when supplemented alone (−47%) or in combination with PS (−54%). Compared with the HF-fed animals, evidence of increased HDL-particle number was evident in all treatment groups to a similar extent (21–22%). PS-mediated interruption of intestinal cholesterol absorption was evident by increased fecal cholesterol loss (+52%) and compensatory increase in HMG-CoA reductase mRNA (1.6 fold of HF), however, αLA supplementation did not affect fecal cholesterol loss. Hepatic mRNA and protein expression patterns suggested that αLA modulated multiple aspects of cholesterol homeostasis including reduced synthesis (HMG-CoA reductase mRNA, 0.7 fold of HF), reduced bile acid synthesis (CYP7a1 expression, 0.17 of HF), and increased cholesterol clearance (reduced PCSK9 mRNA, 0.5 fold of HF; increased LDLr protein, 2 fold of HF). Taken together, this data suggests that PS and αLA work through unique and complementary mechanisms to provide a superior and more comprehensive cholesterol lowering response than either therapy alone.
A comparison of modelling and imagery in the acquisition and retention of motor skills

Abstract Although many researchers have examined the effects of imagery and/or modelling interventions, it is unclear which of the two interventions is more effective. In two experiments, novice learners assessed over multiple trials of a free weight squat lifting or a stabilometer balancing task were given modelling, imagery, a combination of modelling and imagery, or control interventions. Group differences indicated, in general, that groups receiving modelling (modelling, combination) evidenced a more appropriate form than groups that did not receive modelling (imagery, control). When apparent, these differences were already in place after the first of several interventions. Practical implications are that even a single bout of modelling can have immediate beneficial effects on movement form (Experiments 1 and 2) and outcome (Experiment 1).