Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reconstruction of Biological Networks by Incorporating Prior Knowledge into Bayesian Network Models

Bayesian network model is widely used for reverse engineering of biological network structures. An advantage of this model is its capability to integrate prior knowledge into the model learning process, which can lead to improving the quality of the network reconstruction outcome. Some previous works have explored this area with focus on using prior knowledge of the direct molecular links, except for a few recent ones proposing to examine the effects of molecular orderings. In this study, we propose a Bayesian network model that can integrate both direct links and orderings into the model. Random weights are assigned to these two types of prior knowledge to alleviate bias toward certain types of information. We evaluate our model performance using both synthetic data and biological data for the RAF signaling network, and illustrate the significant improvement on network structure reconstruction of the proposing models over the existing methods. We also examine the correlation between the improvement and the abundance of ordering prior knowledge. To address the issue of generating prior knowledge, we propose an approach to automatically extract potential molecular orderings from knowledge resources such as Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database and Gene Ontology (GO) annotation.
Models and strategies of family businesses internationalization: A conceptual framework and future research directions

Purpose This paper aims to emphasize the importance of crafting and selecting business models and strategies of family business in the process of internationalization. Design/methodology/approach Based on literature review about international entrepreneurship, strategic management, models and strategies of internationalization, a new conceptual framework on family businesses internationalization is provided. Findings Family businesses, depending on their size, use different models and strategies to internationalize their activities. Originality/value This paper provides a new conceptual framework about internationalization of family businesses, which is based in three main phases: operating in a domestic market and get prepared for a foreign market, selecting the right model of internationalization and selecting the right strategy of internationalization. Beside the new conceptual model, the authors provide the implications of this model toward internationalization of family businesses, and the authors propose some useful recommendation for further research in this field.
A single complete refinement rule for Z

Data refinement is a well established technique for transforming specifications of abstract data types into ones which are closer to an eventual implementation. The conditions under which a transformation is a correct refinement can be encapsulated into two simulation rules: downward and upward simulations. These simulations are known to be sound and jointly complete for boundedly-nondeterministic specifications. In this note we derive a single complete refinement method and show how it may be formulated in Z, this is achieved by using possibility mappings. The use of possibility mappings themselves is not new, our aim here is to reformulate them for use within the Z specification language.
Video special effects editing in MPEG-2 compressed video

With the increase of digital technology in video production, several types of complex video special effects editing have begun to appear in video clips. In this paper we consider fade-out and fade-in special effects editing in MPEG-2 compressed video without full frame decompression and motion estimation. We estimated the DCT coefficients and use these coefficients together with the existing motion vectors to produce these special effects editing in compressed domain. Results show that both objective and subjective quality of the edited video in compressed domain closely follows the quality of the edited video in uncompressed video at the same bit rate.
Feed additives for control of lesser mealworm (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) in poultry broiler houses.

In laboratory tests, lesser meal worm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer), larvae were fed chicken rations containing one of six benzoylphenylurea compounds, thuringiensin, cyromazine, or ivermectin. The more active compounds were incorporated into the feed of broiler chicks housed in small pens to which adult lesser meal worms had been introduced. After 8 wk, essentially no lesser mealworm larvae could be found in the pens to which penfluron; 2,6-difluoro- N -[[[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]amino]carbonyl]benzamide; N-[[[3,5- dichloro-4-[[3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinyl] oxy]phenyl]amino]carbonyl]-2,6-difluorobenzamide; N -[[[3,5-dichlor-4-(1,1,2,2-tetra fluoroethoxy) phenyl]amino]car bonyl]-2,6-difluorobenzamide; or ivermectin had been added to the feed at a level of ≤2.5 ppm.
Firm migration to informality and trade openness in developing countries

Our main question is why a formal firm becomes informal. We hypothesize that sales behavior and trade openness and are related to this behavior. We present empirical evidence to argue that firm informalization is a strategy conducted to face a downturn in sales. However, the country level of trade openness as a proxy for the average level of managerial abilities of firms reduces the impact of a drop in sales on firm informalization. For this purpose, we draw upon data from 636 firms in 12 developing countries from World Bank surveys and apply a simultaneous equation framework with a dichotomous dependent variable.
The masquerades of female pelvic tuberculosis: Case reports and review of literature on clinical presentations and diagnosis

In this review, tuberculosis of the genital tract was diagnosed retrospectively in 11 females over 15 years. The presentations of nine cases are described. Seven of the nine cases presented with ascites, vague abdominal distension, weight loss and were misdiagnosed as ovarian carcinoma. Eight women had no relevant past history. A review on clinical presentations and diagnosis of pelvic tuberculosis is presented.
Design and Demonstration of High-Throughput Protocol Oblivious Packet Forwarding to Support Software-Defined Vehicular Networks

Software-defined networking (SDN) is a promising technology that can resolve the challenges faced by vehicular networks. However, the OpenFlow-based SDN implementations can only provide a protocol-dependent data plane. This can restrict the effectiveness of software-defined vehicular networks, since special-purpose protocols that have not been standardized in OpenFlow specifications are used frequently in vehicular networks. To address this issue, this paper studies how to realize a protocol-independent data plane by leveraging the protocol oblivious forwarding (POF). Specifically, we present the design of a software-based POF switch (PVS) that supports runtime protocol customization in principle. We implement PVS in a switch box, and propose a flow table management scheme to ensure high-throughput packet forwarding. The experimental results verify that PVS can achieve line-rate packet forwarding at 10 Gbps when the packets’ size is 512 B, and the proposed flow table management scheme is effective.
M1 polarization of human monocyte-derived macrophages restricts pre and postintegration steps of HIV-1 replication

Objective:Functional polarization of human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) into M1 cells leads to inhibition of R5 HIV-1 replication and viral DNA synthesis in comparison to control, unpolarized cells together with CD4 downregulation from the cell surface and upregulation of CCR5-binding chemokine secretion. We here investigated whether a postentry restriction of virus replication is also induced by M1 polarization of MDM. Design:MDM were first polarized to M1 cells by 18 h stimulation with interferon-&ggr; and tumor necrosis factor-&agr;; the cytokines were then removed and the cells were infected with vesicular stomatitis virus G-protein pseudotyped enhanced green fluorescence protein HIV-1 (HIV-GFP) generating a single-round infection cycle. Methods:HIV-1 expression was monitored in terms of eGFP expression by fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis and real-time PCR analysis of total HIV-1 gag DNA, 2-long terminal repeat DNA, proviral DNA, and multiply spliced RNA transcripts. Expression of apolipopoprotein B mRNA-editing, enzyme-catalytic, polypeptide-like 3G (APOBEC3G), and APOBEC3A was tested by western blotting and FACS analysis. Results:Inhibition of HIV-GFP expression was observed in M1-MDM along with impaired viral DNA synthesis, delayed proviral integration, and reduced proviral transcription. Although APOBEC3G levels were similar in M1 and unpolarized MDM, APOBEC 3A was selectively expressed only by M1 cells. Conclusion:M1 polarization of in-vitro differentiated primary MDM determines a transient, but profound restriction of HIV-1 replication affecting multiple (entry and postentry) steps in the virus life cycle likely involving the upregulated expression of APOBEC3A.
Sequence impedances of insulated cables: Measurements versus computations

The computation of the sequence impedances is a very important topic for insulated cable systems chiefly in HV and EHV levels. This highlights the importance of using reliable procedures in order to compute these impedances since, up to now, their computations are based on simplified formulae. In this paper, results of some measurement campaigns have been compared with both simplified IEC formulae and advanced matrix procedures based on Multiconductor Cell Analysis (MCA) [1, 2, 3, 4]. MCA considers the cable system in its real asymmetry without simplified and approximated hypotheses. One of the advantages of the MCA is the possibility of supplying the cable system with three sequence voltage phasors and of computing the ratios between voltage and current phasors for each phase.
Autophagy is increased in postmortem brains of persons with HIV-1-associated encephalitis.

BACKGROUND Autophagy is critical to maintaining cell homeostasis and is implicated in neurodegenerative diseases. This research examined the role of autophagy in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-associated encephalitis, the pathologic hallmark of neuroAIDS. METHODS The frontal cortex from 32 HIV-infected persons (12 without evidence HIV-1 encephalitis or clinical signs of central nervous system impairment and 20 with histopathological findings of HIV-1 encephalitis) and 8 persons without HIV infection and any neuropathology were examined postmortem. Green fluorescent protein-labeled (GFP) light chain 3 (LC3)-expressing neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells treated with gp120 from CXCR4 and CCR5 viruses were also examined. Autophagic markers were assessed by means of Western blot analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and confocal microscopy. RESULTS Autophagic proteins Beclin 1, Autophagy-related gene (Atg)-5, Atg-7, and LC3-II were significantly increased in brains with HIV-1 encephalitis (P < .05). These findings were confirmed by TEM and immunostaining of brain tissue. Additionally, levels of autophagic proteins and autophagosomes were increased in neuronal cells treated with both CXCR4- or CCR5-tropic HIV-1 gp120. No increase in the level of autophagy was observed in the brains of HIV-infected persons without HIV-1 encephalitis compared with the level in brains of HIV-uninfected persons. CONCLUSIONS Postmortem brains with HIV-1 encephalitis exhibit increased markers of autophagy compared with brains from HIV-infected persons without HIV-1 encephalitis or HIV-uninfected control brains, which suggests that dysregulation of autophagy may be important in the pathogenesis of neuroAIDS.
Unmasking the Potential of Web 2.0 in Academic Libraries in Malawi: Empirical Findings

It is now a common knowledge that the Internet has effectively turned the world into a ‘global village’. The metamorphosis of the Internet over the years has led to the emergence of Web 2.0 technologies that have attracted an appeal from the field of Library and Information Science. Noting that many questions remain unanswered about how academic libraries in Malawi are using Web 2.0 technologies in their service delivery to their clients, this study investigated the status on the adoption of Web 2.0 technologies in three academic libraries in Malawi. By administering a questionnaire, the study found that the library staff are aware of a plethora of Web 2.0 technologies; some of which they have adopted and are using them to share work related ideas with colleagues, to keep track with professional current trends and to collaborate with colleagues in other libraries, and to interact with users. The study found further that poor Internet bandwidths, perpetual electricity outages and restrictive organisational policies remain the key stumbling blocks against the adoption of Web 2.0 technologies by academic library staff in Malawi.
Investigation of Barriers to SMEs Innovation Capacity in Tanzania: Can Technology and R&D Mitigate Their Effects?

Small and medium-sized firms have gained increasing attention in the innovation literature. Exactly how innovation occurs in these firms is still rather unknown. This study was conducted on a large number (N=384) of small and medium manufacturing furniture firms in Tanzania. With increasing competition and quickly spreading of knowledge, the future of many businesses depend upon their ability to innovate. However, empirical and environmental scan evidence shows that low technological innovativeness of small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Tanzania. In these firms barriers that cause the SMEs to Innovate was investigated and its effects was tested. The results clearly support that Technology and R&D mitigate the effect. The lack of financial resources was found to be one of the major barriers to innovation for SMEs. More than half of the responding firms reported problems in financing innovation projects. However, when extending the basic model with contextual variables, type of industry and firm size, we did find some support for the relationship between barriers of innovation and financial crisis in SMEs. Despite the fact that innovation is a perfect aspect in SMEs sector globally particularly in Tanzania, there is a little understanding of how these innovations affect their business performance. In addition, little integration of innovation and business performance research is found in the country literature. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to investigate the barriers that cause the SMEs to innovate in Tanzania.
Pediatric hyponatremic hypertensive syndrome

Hyponatremic hypertensive syndrome is an important complication of severe arterial hypertension with the potential for significant morbidity and mortality. It is recognized by the association of the clinical signs and symptoms of hyponatremia and hypertension accompanied by inappropriately high urinary output and electrolyte losses. According to the available literature there are data for only 20 children with the syndrome; 15 of which had underlying renovascular disease, most commonly due to fibromuscular dysplasia of renal arteries. Stimulation of the renin–angiotensin system from the ischemic kidney seems to play an essential role in the pathogenesis of hyponatremic hypertensive syndrome. The outcome if untreated is poor. However, if recognized in time and appropriately treated, it can sometimes be cured. The aim of this paper is to raise awareness of this hypertensive complication in children to insure that it is appropriately investigated and treated.
Dual Electrode Thalamic Deep Brain Stimulation for the Treatment of Posttraumatic and Multiple Sclerosis Tremor

OBJECTIVE: To report the results of ventralis intermedius nucleus/ventralis oralis posterior nucleus (VIM) plus ventralis oralis anterior (VOA)/ventralis oralis posterior (VOP) thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) for the treatment of posttraumatic and multiple sclerosis tremor. OBJECTIVE: The treatment of posttraumatic tremor and multiple sclerosis tremor, by either medication or surgery, has proven difficult. Lesions and DBS have had mixed and somewhat disappointing results. Previously, we reported the use of two DBS electrodes (one at the VIM/VOP border and one at the VOA/VOP border) as effective for the treatment of posttraumatic tremor in a single patient. In this study, we report the results of this technique on four patients. METHODS: Four patients with either posttraumatic tremor (n = 3) or multiple sclerosis tremor (n = 1) underwent placement of two DBS electrodes (one at the VIM/VOP border and one at the VOA/VOP border). Patients underwent preoperative testing and testing at a minimum of 6 months after implantation in four conditions: On VIM DBS/On VOA/VOP DBS; On VIM DBS/Off VOA VOP DBS (5 h DBS washout); Off VIM DBS/Off VOA/VOP DBS (12 h overnight washout); and Off VIM DBS/On VOA/VOP DBS (5 h DBS washout). RESULTS: Each of the patients showed improvements in all four conditions when compared with the baseline. All of the improvements were maintained with chronic DBS, without tremor rebound. An analysis was performed to determine whether each condition was associated with symptom reduction (percentage change). The percentage reduction was significant for each condition and measure, despite the small number of participants. For the total tremor rating scale score, the Off VIM/Off VOA/VOP condition yielded less symptom reduction than the On VIM condition or the On VOA/VOP condition. The On VIM and On VOA/VOP conditions did not differ significantly from each other in terms of contralateral upper extremity symptoms or total clinical score. Activation of both the VIM and VOA/VOP electrodes was associated with the greatest symptom reduction. CONCLUSION: Tremors, such as those examined in this study, that are refractory to medications and have a poor response to VIM DBS monotherapy, may respond favorably to VIM plus VOA/VOP DBS. Two electrodes may be better than one for the treatment of certain disorders; however, more study will be required to confirm this hypothesis.
“Serious” Mental Retardation in Developing Countries: An Epidemiologic Approach

In this paper we first present methods and preliminary results of pilot surveys of "serious" mental retardation (IQ less than or equal to 55); the surveys included screening and diagnostic components and were carried out in the less-developed world. Next we discuss two problems raised by these surveys: one is the diagnosis of a case and its clinical dimensions, and the other is the interpretation of prevalence. In the next section we illustrate epidemiological approaches to the analysis of such data, in particular their relevance to prevention. Lastly, we propose that the two-stage survey approach developed in the course of the pilot work can provide a valuable basis for planning and prevention, if certain key conditions can be met.
No case of COX‐1‐related aspirin resistance found in 289 patients with symptoms of stable CHD remitted for coronary angiography

Objective. To assess the prevalence of a lacking aspirin effect on cyclooxygenase‐1 (COX‐1) (“aspirin resistance”) in patients with symptomatic, stable coronary heart disease (CHD) using test methods directly reflecting inhibition of COX‐1. Material and methods. Arachidonic acid (AA)‐induced platelet aggregation and plasma thromboxane B2 (TXB2) were determined twice 3 weeks apart – prior to elective coronary angiography – in 289 patients on 75 or 160 mg aspirin daily, all prompted to take aspirin before testing. Subjects who demonstrated lacking any effect of aspirin (⩾20 % AA‐induced aggregation) on one or both occasions were later given a third test. Forty‐two patients not taking aspirin were used as TXB2 controls. Results. Eleven (3.8 %) had aggregation ⩾20 % in at least one of the two initial tests, but only two on both occasions. During the third test, all 11 patients had aggregation <20 %. The TXB2 distributions in controls and study patients differed markedly (mean 173 versus 19 pg/mL). Taking 45 pg/mL as the TXB2 cut‐off level, sensitivity and specificity for detecting subjects taking aspirin were 90 % and 89 %, respectively. The area under the ROC curve was 0.96. Conclusion. Repeated AA‐induced platelet aggregometry showed that COX‐1 could be blocked by low‐dose aspirin in all 289 tested patients, suggesting that aspirin resistance is rare in patients with stable CHD.
Intrauterine hormonal environment and risk of developing anorexia nervosa.

CONTEXT Anorexia nervosa (AN) is approximately 10 times more common in females than in males. The reasons for this difference are not yet understood. Several mechanisms have been hypothesized as possible causes. OBJECTIVE To determine whether the different hormonal environments to which male and female fetuses are exposed in utero might contribute to the increased risk of developing AN in females. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS The study is based on a large population-based cohort of Swedish twins. The strategy used is to compare the prevalence for AN between same-sex and opposite-sex twins. RESULTS The study shows that the risk of developing AN in female twins is higher than in male twins, as expected. The only exception is male members of opposite-sex pairs, who have a higher risk of developing the illness when compared with other males (P = .62 for narrow diagnostic criteria and P = .60 for broad diagnostic criteria). In fact, their risk is at a level that is not statistically significantly different from that of females from such a pair. A plausible explanation for this phenomenon is that in pregnancies bearing a female fetus, a substance is produced, probably hormonal, that increases the risk of having AN in adulthood. Because the male half of an opposite-sex twin pair would also be exposed to this substance, it could account for the observed elevated risk in males with female twins. The most likely candidates are sex steroid hormones. CONCLUSIONS The results of our study are compatible with the hypothesis that intrauterine exposure to sex hormones might influence neurodevelopment, affecting the risk of developing AN in adult life. This might be a factor contributing to the higher risk of developing AN in females.
Earthquakes as Precursors of Ductile Shear Zones in the Dry and Strong Lower Crust

The rheology and the conditions for viscous flow of the dry granulite facies lower crust are still poorly understood. Viscous shearing in the dry and strong lower crust commonly localizes in pseudotachylyte veins, but the deformation mechanisms responsible for the weakening and viscous shear localization in pseudotachylytes are yet to be explored. We investigated examples of pristine and mylonitized pseudotachylytes in anorthosites from Nusfjord (Lofoten, Norway). Mutual overprinting relationships indicate that pristine and mylonitized pseudotachylytes are coeval and resulted from the cyclical interplay between brittle and viscous deformation. The stable mineral assemblage in the mylonitized pseudotachylytes consists of plagioclase, amphibole, clinopyroxene, quartz, biotite, ± garnet ± K‐feldspar. Amphibole‐plagioclase geothermobarometry and thermodynamic modeling indicate that pristine and mylonitized pseudotachylytes formed at 650–750°C and 0.7–0.8 GPa. Thermodynamic modeling indicates that a limited amount of H2O infiltration (0.20–0.40 wt. %) was necessary to stabilize the mineral assemblage in the mylonite. Diffusion creep is identified as the main deformation mechanisms in the mylonitized pseudotachylytes based on the lack of crystallographic preferred orientation in plagioclase, the high degree of phase mixing, and the synkinematic nucleation of amphiboles in dilatant sites. Extrapolation of flow laws to natural conditions indicates that mylonitized pseudotachylytes are up to 3 orders of magnitude weaker than anorthosites deforming by dislocation creep, thus highlighting the fundamental role of lower crustal earthquakes as agents of weakening in strong granulites.