Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transcripts of the multidrug resistance genes in chloroquine-sensitive and chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum

SUMMARY Homologues of the mammalian multidrug resistance gene have been identified in isolates and clones of Plasmodium falciparum and designated pfmdr1 and pfmdr2. Mutations in pfmdr1 have been associated with chloroquine resistance but confirmation could not be obtained in a genetic cross. We have examined the copy number and expression of pfmdr1 and pfmdr2 in chloroquine-sensitive and -resistant P. falciparum and have found no relationship between the copy number of either gene and chloroquine resistance. However, a marked correlation was seen between levels of mRNA transcribed for each gene and chloroquine resistance. Two transcripts of pfmdr1 were detected, and in the asexual blood cycle an 8 kb transcript appeared first, followed by the appearance of a 7 kb species.
Challenges to the successful implementation of social media in a South African municipality

Social Media has been embraced by government agencies around the world as a tool to transform interaction with citizens and enhance public participation. The selected municipality has adopted Social Media in such a capacity, however, it has been faced with challenges in their efforts. This paper explores the challenges in Social Media adoption in this municipality based on interviews with the Communications department who are responsible for both offline and online communications. Using thematic analysis, five categories of challenges were identified; Information, Administrative, Legal, Social and Economic, and Technological. The study reveals a lack of leadership support at the municipality being the biggest obstacle to change; other challenges are closely linked to this issue. This study contributes to the current discussion on Social Media adoption in South African government and is a positive step towards developing a solution to its successful and effective implementation.
Evaluation of antagonistic Pseudomonas against root lesion nematode of tea

The tea root lesion nematode, Pratylenchus loosi, has been shown internationally to be a serious nematode pest causing yield losses in tea plantations. It is one of the most important crop loss agents in Iran, which affect quantity and quality of tea leaves. Biological control agents represent an innovative alternative to agrochemicals and have potentials for control of plant parasitic nematodes. To evaluate these potentiality more than forty bacterial strains were collected from rhizosphere of tea plants and screened for their antagonistic activities towards adult and juvenile Pratylenchus loosi for population density reduction under in vitro condition. Eight selected isolates with nematicidal activity were characterized and identified. All belonged to the genus Pseudomonas. Seven strains were identified as Pseudomonas fluorescens and one as P. aeruginosa. Death percentage of juveniles ranged from 63.10% to 95.24% for P. fluorescens (Rh-36) and P. fluorescens (Rh-19), respectively.
Explaining the gap in the use of maternal healthcare services between social groups in India.

Background To further reduce the maternal mortality ratio, India needs to narrow down the social inequity in the use of maternal healthcare services. This study quantifies the contribution of factors explaining the average gap in the use of full antenatal care, medical assistance at delivery and postnatal check-ups between scheduled castes/scheduled tribes (SCs/STs) and the remaining population in India. Methods Using the most recent round of the National Family Health Survey conducted during 2005–06, this study quantifies the contribution of selected predictors explaining the gap in the use of maternal healthcare services between SCs/STs and the remaining population. Results Coverage of all three services is considerably lower among women of SCs/STs than the remaining population. Differences in household wealth contribute ∼37–55% of the gap in the use of the services between the social groups. A considerable part of the gap in coverage of medical assistance at delivery and postnatal check-ups is contributed by differences in the coverage of antenatal care. Conclusions The Indian constitution provides reservation for SCs/STs in enrolment in government educational institutions and jobs. There is a need for special policy in a similar way, to increase the coverage of maternal healthcare services among SC/ST women of the country.
Use of rRNA gene restriction patterns to evaluate lactic acid bacterium contamination of vacuum-packaged sliced cooked whole-meat product in a meat processing plant

Molecular typing was applied to an in-plant lactic acid bacterium (LAB) contamination analysis of a vacuum-packaged sliced cooked whole-meat product. A total of 982 LAB isolates from the raw mass, product, and the environment at different production stages were screened by restriction endonuclease (EcoRI and HindIII) analysis. rRNA gene restriction patterns were further determined for different strains obtained from each source. These patterns were used for recognizing the spoilage-causing LAB strains from the product on the sell-by day and tracing the sources and sites of spoilage LAB contamination during the manufacture. LAB typing resulted in 71 different ribotypes, of which 27 were associated with contamination routes. Raw material was distinguished as the source of the major spoilage strains. Contamination of the product surfaces after cooking was shown to be airborne. The removal of the product from the cooking forms was localized as a major site of airborne LAB contamination. Food handlers and some surfaces in contact with the product during the manufacture were also contaminated with the spoilage strains. Some LAB strains were also able to resist cooking in the core of the product bar. These strains may have an effect on the product shelf life by contaminating the slicing machine. The air in the slicing department and adjacent cold room contained very few LAB. Surface-mediated contamination was detected during the slicing and packaging stages. Food handlers also carried strains later found in the packaged product. Molecular typing provided useful information revealing the LAB contamination sources and sites of this product. The production line will be reorganized in accordance with these results to reduce spoilage LAB contamination.
The partition locus of plasmid pSC101 is a specific binding site for DNA gyrase.

A protein in extracts of Escherichia coli that specifically binds the stabilizing par sequence of pSC101 was identified as DNA gyrase. The purified enzyme protects par against digestion by DNase I and exonuclease III. Competition assays demonstrate that gyrase has a 40‐fold higher affinity for the 100‐bp par sequence than for nonspecific DNA and that par is the major gyrase‐binding site in pSC101 derivatives used in this and other studies. Within par, AT‐rich sequences occur with a pronounced 10‐bp periodicity that is shifted by 5 bp from a similar periodicity of GC‐rich sequences. As judged by DNase I digestion, the GC sequences are exposed on the outside of the DNA wrapped around gyrase. The data suggest that the site‐specificity of DNA gyrase may be partly determined by the bendability of the DNA. A 4‐bp deletion that interferes with Par function in vivo also reduces the affinity for gyrase in vitro. However, a deletion of par causes little reduction in superhelical density in vivo. We conclude that DNA gyrase, while involved in the Par function, may not affect plasmid stability through its supercoiling activity or by an influence on DNA replication.
An integrated system for interactive continuous learning of categorical knowledge

This article presents an integrated robot system capable of interactive learning in dialogue with a human. Such a system needs to have several competencies and must be able to process different types of representations. In this article, we describe a collection of mechanisms that enable integration of heterogeneous competencies in a principled way. Central to our design is the creation of beliefs from visual and linguistic information, and the use of these beliefs for planning system behaviour to satisfy internal drives. The system is able to detect gaps in its knowledge and to plan and execute actions that provide information needed to fill these gaps. We propose a hierarchy of mechanisms which are capable of engaging in different kinds of learning interactions, e.g. those initiated by a tutor or by the system itself. We present the theory these mechanisms are build upon and an instantiation of this theory in the form of an integrated robot system. We demonstrate the operation of the system in the case of learning conceptual models of objects and their visual properties.
Violencia y victimización en adolescentes escolares

OBJETIVO: Analizar la influencia conjunta de variables individuales, familiares, escolares y sociales en la victimizacion y violencia escolar, asumiendo un enfoque ecologico y considerando especialmente la interrelacion entre dichas variables. MATERIAL Y METODOS: Estudio prospectivo sobre una muestra de 565 alumnos de ambos sexos con edades comprendidas entre 11 y 17 anos, escolarizados en ensenanza de secundaria obligatoria. A todos los alumnos se aplicaron los siguientes instrumentos psicometricos: Percepcion del Alumno por el Profesor; Escala de Victimizacion; Escala de Conducta Violenta en la Escuela; Escala Multidimensional de Autoestima; Cuestionario Sociometrico; Escala de Percepcion de la Reputacion; Escala de Sentimiento de Soledad; Escala de Satisfaccion con la Vida; Escala de Actitud hacia la Autoridad Institucional; Escala de Comunicacion Padres-Hijos/as y Escala de Apoyo Social Comunitario. A una subpoblacion constituida por 7 alumnos violentos, 7 alumnos victimas y 14 alumnos que desempenan la funcion de delegados y/o mediadores, de ambos sexos, se estudiaron, ademas, con entrevistas en profundidad. El analisis estadistico se realizo mediante el analisis multivariable de la varianza, el analisis discriminante y el modelo de ecuaciones estructurales. RESULTADOS Y CONCLUSIONES: Se demuestra la relacion entre las variables participacion comunitaria y victimizacion a traves de la comunicacion con el padre y la madre, la satisfaccion con la vida, la autoestima social y el sentimiento de soledad. Igualmente se demuestra la relacion entre la comunicacion con el padre y la madre y el rendimiento y la satisfaccion con la vida a traves de la conducta violenta, la autoestima academica, la autoestima social y el estatus. Se discuten los resultados obtenidos.
A fly trap mechanism provides sequence-specific RNA recognition by CPEB proteins

How CPEB RNA-binding proteins regulate cytoplasmic polyadenylation and translation is poorly understood. Allain and colleagues report the structures of the tandem RNA recognition motifs (RRMs) of two human paralogs (CPEB1 and CPEB4) in their free and RNA-bound states. Structural and functional studies reveal how RNA binding by CPEB proteins leads to an optimal positioning of the N-terminal and zinc-binding domains at the 3′ UTR, which favors the nucleation of ribonucleoprotein complexes for translation regulation. This study provides the molecular basis for the translational regulatory circuit established by CPEB proteins.
Synopsis of Antitrogus Burmeister (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthini)

The genus Antitrogus Burmeister is widely distributed in eastern Australia and, because some species are significant pests of sugarcane, pastures and pineapples, it has attracted considerable research interest. This paper reviews the systematics, biology, ecology and management of the genus. The morphology of the 22 known species is described and a further species, A. gubbi sp. n. from south-eastern Queensland which was previously confused with A. robertsi Britton, is described. These species clearly divide into two species-groups: (i) those from south-eastern Queensland, eastern New South Wales and south-eastern Australia, which sometimes have closely related species pairs; and (ii) a more diverse group of species from central and northern Queensland. The latter is linked to A. villosus Allsopp from western Victoria, and this may indicate that further species await discovery in western New South Wales. Known life cycles are of 1 or 2 years. Adults fly for short periods following rain in spring or summer and do not feed. Adult females tend to disperse poorly, and this, coupled with ephemeral and localised rainfall, has probably contributed to speciation. Larvae feed on the roots of grasses and other similar plants. Insecticides are widely used to control them in sugarcane, but are too expensive for use on pastures. Integrating new controls with an emphasis on cultural controls is seen as the best way of managing these pest species.
External Validation and Predictive Accuracy Assessment of Guy's Stone Score as a Preoperative Tool for Estimating Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE To externally validate Guy's stone score system and estimate its predictive accuracy. PATIENTS AND METHODS An analysis of 282 consecutive patients, who underwent a percutaneous nephrolithotomy, was performed. The association between Guy's stone score and several pre-, intra-, and postoperative parameters was assessed. A univariate and multivariate analysis was conducted to identify the independent predictors for stone-free rates. Area under the curve was used for predictive accuracy estimation. RESULTS Stone burden, multiple stone locations, number of stones, number of implicated caliceal groups, and Guy's stone score were significantly associated with stone-free outcomes. The multivariate analysis showed that Guy's stone score, number of stones, and number of implicated caliceal groups are independent predictors of stone-free status. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed a significant predictive accuracy for the Guy's stone score. CONCLUSIONS The present study externally validated Guy's stone score. Significant predictive ability combined with great predictive accuracy was found.
The effects of Xalatan on the recovery of ocular herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in the induced reactivation and spontaneous shedding rabbit models.

PURPOSE Xalatan treatment has been reported both clinically and experimentally to promote recurrences of herpetic keratitis. Our goal was to determine the effects of topical Xalatan and its components on the recovery of ocular herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in the Induced Reactivation (IR) and Spontaneous Shedding (SS) HSV-1/NZW rabbit latency models using virological outcome measures. METHODS HSV-1 latently-infected rabbits in both the IR and SS studies were divided into different topical treatment groups to evaluate commercial Xalatan, its preservatives, and vehicle against appropriate negative and positive controls. In the IR Studies, 91 rabbits received intra-stromal injections of water in both eyes to promote ocular shedding of latent HSV-1. All eyes were then treated and cultured for 10 days. In the SS Studies, 65 rabbits were treated and cultured in both eyes for 30 days. RESULTS Dexamethasone, a positive control, promoted extensive ocular shedding of HSV-1 in both the IR and SS Models. In general, neither Xalatan nor its components demonstrated any adverse effects, but some experimental variation was noted. All groups demonstrated comparable recovery of latent HSV-1 from respective trigeminal ganglia. CONCLUSIONS Our experimental studies support the world wide clinical epidemiological experience that commercial Xalatan does not appear to promote HSV-1 ocular shedding.
Visualization and recommendation of large image collections toward effective sensemaking

In our daily lives, images are among the most commonly found data which we need to handle. We present iGraph, a graph-based approach for visual analytics of large image collections and their associated text information. Given such a collection, we compute the similarity between images, the distance between texts, and the connection between image and text to construct iGraph, a compound graph representation which encodes the underlying relationships among these images and texts. To enable effective visual navigation and comprehension of iGraph with tens of thousands of nodes and hundreds of millions of edges, we present a progressive solution that offers collection overview, node comparison, and visual recommendation. Our solution not only allows users to explore the entire collection with representative images and keywords but also supports detailed comparison for understanding and intuitive guidance for navigation. The visual exploration of iGraph is further enhanced with the implementation of bubble sets to highlight group memberships of nodes, suggestion of abnormal keywords or time periods based on text outlier detection, and comparison of four different recommendation solutions. For performance speedup, multiple graphics processing units and central processing units are utilized for processing and visualization in parallel. We experiment with two image collections and leverage a cluster driving a display wall of nearly 50 million pixels. We show the effectiveness of our approach by demonstrating experimental results and conducting a user study.
Automated Quantification of Clinically Significant Colors in Dermoscopy Images and Its Application to Skin Lesion Classification

Dermoscopy is a noninvasive skin imaging technique, which permits visualization of features of pigmented melanocytic neoplasms that are not discernable by examination with the naked eye. Color information is indispensable for the clinical diagnosis malignant melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer. For this reason, most of the currently accepted dermoscopic scoring systems either directly or indirectly incorporate color as a diagnostic criterion. For example, both the asymmetry, border, colors, and dermoscopic (ABCD) rule of dermoscopy and the more recent color, architecture, symmetry, and homogeneity (CASH) algorithm include the number of clinically significant colors in their calculation of malignancy scores. In this paper, we present a machine learning approach to the automated quantification of clinically significant colors in dermoscopy images. Given a true-color dermoscopy image with N colors, we first reduce the number of colors in this image to a small number K, i.e., K <; N, using the K-means clustering algorithm incorporating a spatial term. The optimal K value for the image is estimated separately using five commonly used cluster validity criteria. We then train a symbolic regression algorithm using the estimates given by these criteria, which are calculated on a set of 617 images. Finally, the mathematical equation given by the regression algorithm is used for two-class (benign versus malignant) classification. The proposed approach yields a sensitivity of 62% and a specificity of 76% on an independent test set of 297 images.
Monitoring the on-site contribution to the greenhouse effect by distributed measurement of carbon dioxide

Global warming is one of the most important issues of the last few decades. Among other gases with greenhouse effect, carbon dioxide has one of the largest contributions to global warming. To estimate its footprint upon the environment, usually it is measured in fixed stations, located near the industrial processes which are the source for this gas. The amount of carbon dioxide produced by natural phenomena or small daily activities is difficult to assess. The paper proposes a cooperative measurement of carbon dioxide along with other environment factors, made with low-power electronic sensors, ad-hoc connected via Bluetooth to mobile phones. The sensor devices are small, portable and can be detected by the mobile phone only at short distance. The devices broadcast the temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, light intensity and carbon dioxide concentration values in a non-connectable advertising mode, in order to lower the power consumption. The environmental values are continuously updated. The mobile phone is used as relays for the sensors, due to their almost global connectivity. On the phone an application can display the data read from the sensors and can send the values to a server after adding the GPS coordinates. On the server a web based application can display on maps all the information about the greenhouse effect gas concentration and can warn if high concentrations are detected.
Fast and high quality super-resolution combined learning-based with TV regularization method

Super-resolution image reconstruction is an important technology in many image processing areas such as image sensing, medical imaging, satellite imaging, and television signal conversion. It is also a key word of a recent consumer HDTV set that utilizes the CELL processor. Among various super-resolution methods, the learning-based method is one of the most promising solutions. The problem of the learning-based method is its enormous computational time for image searching from the large database of training images. We have proposed a new Total Variation (TV) regularization super-resolution method that utilizes a learning-based super-resolution method. We have obtained excellent results in image quality improvement. However, our proposed method needs long computational time because of the learning-based method. In this paper, we examine two methods that reduce the computational time of the learning-based method. The resulting algorithms reduce complexity significantly while maintaining comparable image quality. This enables the adoption of learning-based super-resolution to the motion pictures such as HDTV and internet movies.
Complete Genomic Sequence of an H5N1 Influenza Virus from a Parrot in Southern China

ABSTRACT An H5N1 avian influenza virus (AIV) designated A/Parrot/Guangdong/C99/2005 (H5N1) was first isolated from a sick parrot in Guangdong in southern China in 2005. The complete genome of this strain was analyzed. Genome sequence analysis showed that all 8 gene segments of the virus nucleotide had 99.0% homology to A/chicken/Henan/12/2004 (H5N1). Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that all 8 gene segments of the virus were derived from the Eurasian lineage. The availability of genome sequences is useful to investigate the host range and genetic evolution of the H5N1 avian influenza virus in Southern China.
Does process improvement lead to supplier performance? An empirical examination

This research develops a causal-predictive model for predicting the supplier performance due to buyer-initiated supplier process improvement (SPI). SPI is one type of supply chain collaboration that focuses on process improvement. It is a common practice in supply chains that are driven by a powerful buyer firm. Drawing upon the supply chain management and process improvement literature, we relate SPI to supplier performance via a supplier’s internal process improvement effort. SPI is operationalized as an index with formative indicators, which is appropriate for prediction studies. The model is then evaluated using the partial least squares structural equation modeling method, with empirical data collected from 53 supplier plants of a Fortune 500 firm. The results strongly supported the proposed causal-predictive model. Insights from this study can shed light on further theoretical development on supply chain process improvement, as well as can provide guidance for practicing managers.