Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
International tourists’ perceptions of crime-risk and their future travel intentions during the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa

The 2010 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup™ tournament provided an opportunity for South Africa to showcase its unique beauty and attractiveness as an international tourist destination. However, the trepidation over crime emerged as a key concern in relation to South Africa's ability to host a successful 2010 FIFA World Cup™. This study investigates 398 foreign tourists’ perceptions of South Africa during the soccer tournament, especially regarding crime and safety concerns. A questionnaire was distributed among tourists in Cape Town and Johannesburg, two of the major host cities and semi-final and final venues, respectively. Findings reveal that most respondents had positive perceptions of South Africa as a holiday destination. Two-thirds of those interviewed agreed that South Africa was a safe place to visit. Over half of respondents were not concerned about their safety while in South Africa. Several individual factors were found to affect their crime-risk perceptions of which the most significant was nationality. Most notably, soccer tourists from the Middle East and Asia felt the safest, whereas those from South America and Western Europe felt the least safe. Crime-safety issues did not appear to affect respondents’ future travel intentions, as a majority of study respondents said crime-safety concerns would not deter them from returning to South Africa. The findings of the study are useful to practitioners and contribute to the development of staging major sporting events in Africa specifically, and globally more generally, in the future.
Energetics of Leucyl-Leucine Hydrolysis in Streptococcus cremoris Wg2

The hydrolysis of the dipeptide leucyl-leucine by whole cells of Streptococcus cremoris Wg2 was dependent on the presence of the energy source lactose. Incubation of cells with uncouplers or ATPase inhibitors prevented the increase of peptidase activity upon the addition of lactose. Incubation with the ionophore nigericin resulted in decreased peptide hydrolysis activity, while incubation with valinomycin led to increased hydrolysis activity. In the presence of nigericin the ΔpH component of the proton motive force was decreased, while the electrical potential was increased. With valinomycin, the electrical potential was collapsed and the ΔpH was increased. When the external pH was decreased from 8 to 5, the rate of peptide hydrolyzing activity by whole cells increased with increasing ΔpH component. In contrast, the peptide hydrolyzing activity in the cell extract decreased with decreasing external pH. These results indicate that the ΔpH component of the proton motive force determines the leucyl-leucine hydrolyzing activity in S. cremoris Wg2.
Targeting Cancer Information to African Americans: The Trouble With Talking About Disparities

Cancer messages that are designed for African Americans often include information on Black–White cancer disparities to raise Black adults' perceived cancer risk and increase cancer screening. Whether disparities messages achieve this, and how Blacks feel about hearing that they are worse off than are Whites, largely remain unknown. This study examined Blacks' responses to two mock newspaper articles on colorectal cancer: a disparities article and a nondisparities article. A random sample of 400 Black adults read the articles and answered questions on their reactions to both. Results revealed that readers of the disparities article felt significantly more insulted, discouraged, and angry about it than did readers of the nondisparities article. Article type played no role in desires or intentions to have colon cancer screening among participants of screening age, and no role in perceived cancer risk or intentions to suggest colon cancer screening to family among participants of any age. These findings suggest that disparities messages might not increase perceived cancer risk or increase interest in cancer screening as widely theorized and intended; instead, they simply may elicit anger and discouragement among African Americans.
On the two-dimensional coverage area in broadcast ad hoc networks

First, we observe that several analyses of two-dimensional (2-D) broadcast ad hoc networks, such as hidden (exposed) terminal analysis and multi-hop broadcast coverage etc., require computation of an extended coverge area. The coverage area computation is not straightforward or trivial given nodes distributed in a 2-D area. In this paper, we define and formulate a geometric two-dimensional coverage area computation problem that is critical to three types of network analyses. Then, an effective algorithm is proposed to solve the problem. Given positions of the nodes, the defined coverage area can be derived through addressing intersection points of any two contour functions, finding the outmost intersection points, determining the outmost contour, and calculating the coverage area. Effectiveness and complexity of this proposed algorithm are verified and analyzed.
The Escherichia coli polB Locus Is Identical to dinA, the Structural Gene for DNA Polymerase II

Escherichia coli DNA polymerase II (Pol II) is a member of the group B, “α-like” family of DNA polymerases. Pol II is encoded by the damage-inducible dinA gene and exhibits SOS induction under the control of Lex A repressor. The polB gene was originally designated as the structural gene for Pol II based on the absence of detectable Pol II activity in cell lysates prepared from a strain containing the mutant polB100 allele. Because polB and dinA mapped at different chromosomal locations, it remained an open question whether polB, in addition to lexA, might be involved in regulating the expression of Pol II. We have cloned and sequenced the polB100 mutant allele, including adjacent surrounding sequences, and have expressed the mutant dinA gene from Pol B100 on a high copy number plasmid. Our sequence data reveal that polB and dinA represent the same gene and that the original transduction mapping of polB was inaccurate. We purified the mutant Pol B100 polymerase and show that it retains 5 to 10% of the wild-type level of polymerase activity. The Pol B100 mutation, Gly401 → Asp401, is not located within any of the five conserved domains that define group B polymerases. Pol B100 retains a wild-type level of 3′ → 5′ exonuclease activity. We suggest that the normal level of exonucleolytic proofreading associated with the mutant Pol B100 enzyme may explain the repeated failures, over the past two decades, to detect phenotypes in polB mutant strains.
A Framework of Risk Analyzing in Service Innovation

Service innovation has garnered great attention around the world nowadays, and researchers and professionals did lots of relevant studies. However, the understanding of risk as an imperative for service innovation is underdeveloped. Based on the reviews of the approaches in technological innovation risk, this article puts forward the concept of service innovation risk and establishes a analyzing framework in both innovation activities and process manner.
A retrospective study comparing hypofractionated radiotherapy and conventional radiotherapy in postmastectomy breast cancer.

BACKGROUND The conventional radiotherapy (CRT) in postmastectomy breast cancer is 1.8-2.0 Gy daily for 25 fractions, while hypofractionated radiotherapy (HFRT) delivered dose in fewer fractions with larger radiation intensity. The present study compares the efficacy of HFRT and CRT. MATERIAL AND METHOD From 2004 to 2006, 215 patients were retrospectively reviewed. Sixty seven patients received CRT and 148 patients received HFRT (2.65 Gy in 16-18 fractions). Five-year locoregional control (LRC), disease free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS) and toxicities were analyzed. RESULTS Median follow-up was 39 months. Five-year LRC was 86.6% in CRT and 85.8% in HFRT (p = 0.852). Five-year DFS was 62.7% and 69.6% (p = 0.136) in CRTand HFRT respectively. Patients who received HFRT had significant increase in 5-year OS (62.7% and 73.0% (p = 0.048). No difference of toxicities including changes in chest wall appearance, skin fibrosis, brachial plexopathy, arm edema, pulmonary fibrosis, rib fractures and cardiovascular events was found between two groups. CONCLUSION HFRT is as effective as CRT in postmastectomy breast cancer.
EMERSE: The Electronic Medical Record Search Engine

EMERSE (The Electronic Medical Record Search Engine) is an intuitive, powerful search engine for free-text documents in the electronic medical record. It offers multiple options for creating complex search queries yet has an interface that is easy enough to be used by those with minimal computer experience. EMERSE is ideal for retrospective chart reviews and data abstraction and may have potential for clinical care as well.
Bio-inspired Solutions for Optimal Management in Wireless Sensor Networks. (Intégration des Solutions Bio-inspirées pour une Gestion optimale dans les Réseaux de Capteur sans Fils)

During the past few years, wireless sensor networks witnessed an increased interest in both the industrial and the scientiﬁc community due to the potential wide area of applications. However, sensors’ components are designed with extreme resource constraints, especially the power supply limitation. It is therefore necessary to design low power, scalable and energy eﬃcient protocols in order to extend the lifetime of such networks. Cluster-based sensor networks are the most popular approach for optimizing the energy consumption of sensor nodes, in order to strongly inﬂuence the overall performance of the network. In addition, routing involves non negligible operations that considerably aﬀect the network lifetime and the throughput. In this thesis, we addressed the clustering and routing problems by hiring intelligent optimization methods through biologically inspired computing, which provides the most powerful models that enabled a global intelligence through local and simple behaviors. We proposed a distributed clustering approach based on the nest-sites selection process of a honeybee swarm. We formulated the distributed clustering problem as a social decision-making process in which sensors act in a collective manner to choose their cluster heads. To achieve this choice, we proposed a multi- objective cost-based ﬁtness function. In the design of our proposed algorithm, we focused on the distribution of load balancing among each cluster member in order to extend network lifetime by making a tradeoﬀ between the energy consumption and the quality of the communication link among sensors. Then, we proposed a centralized cluster-based routing protocol for wireless sensor networks by using the fast and eﬃcient searching features of the artiﬁcial bee colony algorithm. We formulated the clustering as a linear programming problem and the routing problem is solved by proposing a cost-based function. We designed a multi-objective ﬁtness function that uses the weighted sum approach, in the assignment of sensors to a cluster. The clustering algorithm allows the eﬃcient building of clusters by making a tradeoﬀ between the energy consumption and the quality of the communication link within clusters while the routing is realized in a distributed manner. The proposed protocols have been intensively experimented with a number of topologies in various network scenarios and the results are compared with the well-known cluster-based routing protocols. The results demonstrated the eﬀectiveness of the proposed protocols.
BEOL embedded RF-MEMS switch for mm-wave applications

We demonstrate for the first time the embedded integration of a Radio Frequency Microelectromechanical Systems (RF-MEMS) capacitive switch for mm-wave integrated circuits in a BiCMOS Back-end-of-line (BEOL). The switch shows state-of-the-art performance parameters. The ¿off¿ to ¿on¿ capacitance ratio is 1:10 providing excellent isolation in the mm-wave frequency range. Insertion loss and isolation are found to fall below 1.65 dB and to exceed 15 dB, respectively, in the frequency range of 60 GHz to 110 GHz. Feasibility of switch integration into single chip RF designs is demonstrated for a dual-band voltage controlled oscillator (VCO). No performance degradation was observed after ten billion hot-switching cycles.
The Asymptotic Distribution of Estimators with Overlapping Simulation Draws

In this paper we study the asymptotic distribution of simulation estimators where the same set of simulation draws are used for all observations under general conditions that do not require the function used in the simulation to be smooth. We consider two cases: estimators that solve a system of simulated moments and estimators that maximize a simulated likelihood. Many simulation estimators used in empirical work involve both overlapping simulation draws and nondierentiable moment functions. Developing sampling theorems under these two conditions provides an important compliment to the existing results in the literature on the asymptotics of simulation estimators.
Crystal Structures of Matriptase in Complex with Its Inhibitor Hepatocyte Growth Factor Activator Inhibitor-1*

Background: Matriptase requires very strict regulation by its inhibitor, hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor-1. Results: Crystal structures of matriptase serine protease domain and its complex with HAI-1 were determined. Conclusion: These structures elucidate the structural basis of inhibition of matriptase by HAI-1 KD1. Significance: This work provides important structural insights for the future design of small molecular inhibitors. Matriptase, a type II trans-membrane serine protease of the S1 trypsin-like family, is expressed on the surface of nearly all normal human epithelium and found in biological fluid-like human milk. Matriptase overexpression has been implicated in tumor progression in certain epithelium-derived cancer cells. Matriptase is tightly regulated by its cognate inhibitor hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor-1 (HAI-1). It has been demonstrated that the Kunitz domain I (KD1) but not Kunitz domain II (KD2) of HAI-1 is responsible for the inhibitory activity of HAI-1 against matriptase. To investigate the molecular basis of inhibition of matriptase by HAI-1, we solved several crystal structures of matriptase serine protease domain in complex with the fragments of HAI-1. Based on these structures, we found that the binding of KD1 was different from previously predicted binding mode. The P3 arginine residue occupies the S3 specificity pocket of matriptase, but not the S4 pocket as in the cases of hepatocyte growth factor activator·HAI-1 KD1 and matriptase·sunflower trypsin inhibitor-1 complexes. The long 60-loop of matriptase makes direct contact with HAI-1 but remains flexible even in the complexes, and its apex does not bind with KD1 tightly. The interactions between this unique 60-loop and KD1 may provide an opportunity to increase the specificity and inhibitory activity of KD1 for matriptase. Furthermore, comparison between KD1 and a homology model of HAI-1 KD2 rationalizes the structural basis of why KD1 but not KD2 is responsible for the inhibitory activity of HAI-1 against matriptase.
A multidisciplinary framework to derive global river reach classifications at high spatial resolution

Projected climate and environmental change are expected to increase the pressure on global freshwater resources. To prepare for and cope with the related risks, stakeholders need to devise plans for sustainable management of river systems, which in turn requires the identification of management-appropriate operational units, such as groups of rivers that share similar environmental and biological characteristics. Ideally, these units are of a manageable size, and are biotically or abiotically distinguishable across a variety of river types. Here, we aim to address this need by presenting a new global river classification framework (GloRiC) to establish a common vocabulary and standardized approach to the development of globally comprehensive and integrated river classifications that can be tailored to different goals and requirements. We define the GloRiC conceptual framework based on five categories of variables: (1) hydrology; (2) physiography and climate; (3) fluvial geomorphology; (4) water chemistry; and (5) aquatic biology. We then apply the framework using hydro-environmental attributes provided by a seamless high-resolution river reach database to create initial instances of three sub-classifications (hydrologic, physio-climatic, and geomorphic) which we ultimately combine into 127 river reach types at the global scale. These supervised classifications utilize a mix of statistical analyses and expert interpretation to identify the classifier variables, the number of classes, and their thresholds. In addition, we also present an unsupervised, multivariable k-means statistical clustering of all river reaches into 30 groups. These first-of-their-kind global river reach classifications at high spatial resolution provide baseline information for a total of 35.9 million kilometers of rivers that have been assessed in this study, and are expected to be particularly useful in remote or data-poor river basins. The GloRiC framework and associated data are primarily designed for broad and rapid applicability in assessments that require stratified analyses of river ecosystem conditions at global and regional scales; smaller-scale applications could follow the same conceptual framework yet use more detailed data sources.
Oxygen Saturation in Optic Nerve Head Structures by Hyperspectral Image Analysis

Purpose: A method is presented for the calculation and visualization of percent blood oxygen saturation from specific tissue structures in hyperspectral images of the optic nerve head (ONH). Methods: Trans-pupillary images of the primate optic nerve head and overlying retinal blood vessels were obtained with a hyperspectral imaging (HSI) system attached to a fundus camera. Images were recorded during normal blood flow and after partially interrupting flow to the ONH and retinal circulation by elevation of the intraocular pressure (IOP) from 10 mmHg to 55 mmHg in steps. Percent oxygen saturation was calculated from groups of pixels associated with separate tissue structures, using a linear least-squares curve fit of the recorded hemoglobin spectrum to reference spectra obtained from fully oxygenated and deoxygenated red cell suspensions. Color maps of saturation were obtained from a new algorithm that enables comparison of oxygen saturation from large vessels and tissue areas in hyperspectral images. Results: Percent saturation in retinal vessels and from the average over ONH structures (IOP = 10 mmHg) was (mean ± SE): artery 81.8 ± 0.4%, vein 42.6 ± 0.9%, average ONH 68.3 ± 0.4%. Raising IOP from 10 mmHg to 55 mmHg for 5 min caused blood oxygen saturation to decrease (mean ± SE): artery 46.1 ± 6.2%, vein 36.1 ± 1.6%, average ONH 41.9 ± 1.6%. The temporal cup showed the highest saturation at low and high IOP (77.3 ± 1.0% and 60.1 ± 4.0%) and the least reduction in saturation at high IOP (22.3%) compared with that of the average ONH (38.6%). A linear relationship was found between saturation indices obtained from the algorithm and percent saturation values obtained by spectral curve fits to calibrated red cell samples. Conclusions: Percent oxygen saturation was determined from hyperspectral images of the ONH tissue and retinal vessels overlying the ONH at normal and elevated IOP. Pressure elevation was shown to reduce blood oxygen saturation in vessels and ONH structures, with the smallest reduction in the ONH observed in the temporal cup. IOP-induced saturation changes were visualized in color maps using an algorithm that follows saturation-dependent changes in the blood spectrum and blood volume differences across tissue. Reduced arterial saturation at high IOP may have resulted from a flow-dependent mechanism.
Immunotherapy of cancer: from monoclonal to oligoclonal cocktails of anti‐cancer antibodies: IUPHAR Review 18

Antibody‐based therapy of cancer employs monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific to soluble ligands, membrane antigens of T‐lymphocytes or proteins located at the surface of cancer cells. The latter mAbs are often combined with cytotoxic regimens, because they block survival of residual fractions of tumours that evade therapy‐induced cell death. Antibodies, along with kinase inhibitors, have become in the last decade the mainstay of oncological pharmacology. However, partial and transient responses, as well as emergence of tumour resistance, currently limit clinical application of mAbs. To overcome these hurdles, oligoclonal antibody mixtures are being tested in animal models and in clinical trials. The first homo‐combination of two mAbs, each engaging a distinct site of HER2, an oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK), has been approved for treatment of breast cancer. Likewise, a hetero‐combination of antibodies to two distinct T‐cell antigens, PD1 and CTLA4, has been approved for treatment of melanoma. In a similar vein, additive or synergistic anti‐tumour effects observed in animal models have prompted clinical testing of hetero‐combinations of antibodies simultaneously engaging distinct RTKs. We discuss the promise of antibody cocktails reminiscent of currently used mixtures of chemotherapeutics and highlight mechanisms potentially underlying their enhanced clinical efficacy.
Enabling high performance deep learning networks on embedded systems

Deep learning is nowadays one of the most popular research topics in computer science. In recent years, the extensive application of convolutional neural network has made it become a new direction for the computer architecture research that is developing rapidly. Currently, there is a growing demand on off-line deploying deep learning network on top of embedded mobile systems. However, how to balance the limited computing and storage resources on embedded platforms, and the huge storage requirements with the increase of network complexity, has become the core problem of current research. In this paper, we explore the optimization technology to enable high-performance deep learning network for embedded systems from two aspects: the neural network design and the acceleration on embedded platforms. We focus on convolutional neural networks. First, we combine several technologies and propose a set of pruning mechanisms to save storage resources. We also explore the concept of block-wise sparsity. Second, from the perspective of mobile deployment, we propose a method to automatically select the optimal convolution/matrix multiplication approach based on the sparsity of the matrix and its sparse structure. Our experiments on NVIDIA TX1 show that our approach can be used together to promote each other and achieve the goal of improving the performance of computation while reducing the storage consumption.