Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biosynthesis of silver and selenium nanoparticles by Bacillus sp. JAPSK2 and evaluation of antimicrobial activity

The main aim of the present work was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of selenium and silver biogenic nanoparticles and further characterize them. The bacterial colony isolated from coal mine sample was found to reduce selenium and silver ions to their elemental forms respectively. Under experimental conditions, the isolated bacterium was capable of synthesising these nanoparticles which was indicated by the change in the colour of the medium to red for selenium and brown for silver. The effectiveness of these nanoparticles were tested against four clinical pathogens Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp. , Pseudomonas sp. and Staphylococcus aureus. The nanoparticles synthesised were then characterized by X-Ray diffraction analysis, Atomic Force Microscopy, UV-Vis analysis and Transmission Electron Microscopy. The sizes of these nanoparticles were also calibrated.
Percutaneous Ethanol Injection Versus Surgical Resection for the Treatment of Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Prospective Study

Objective:To compare disease recurrence and survival among patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma after surgical resection or percutaneous ethanol injection therapy, 2 treatments that have not been evaluated with a prospective study. Methods:A total of 76 patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups based on treatment; all had one or 2 tumors with diameter ≤3 cm, with hepatitis without cirrhosis or Child class A or B cirrhosis without evident ascites or bleeding tendency. Results:Follow-up ranged from 12 to 59 months. Among percutaneous injection patients, 18 had recurrence 1 to 37 months after treatment (true recurrence, 11; original safety margin inadequate, 3; limitation of imaging technology to detect tiny tumors, 4). Three injection therapy patients died of cancer 25, 37, and 57 months after treatment. For the surgical resection group, 15 had recurrence 2 to 54 months after treatment (true recurrence, 12; limitation of imaging, 2; neck metastasis, 1). Five resection patients died of cancer at 11, 20, 23, 26, and 52 months, respectively. By Cox regression model and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, there is no statistical significance for recurrence and survival between treatment groups. However, tumor size larger than 2 cm and alpha-fetoprotein over 200 ng/mL correlated with higher recurrence rate, and Child class B liver cirrhosis correlated with shorter survival. Conclusions:Percutaneous ethanol injection therapy appears to be as safe and effective as resection, and both treatments can be considered first-line options for small hepatocellular carcinoma.
The Role of Patents in Venture Capital

In this master thesis we examine the role of patents in early stage venture capitalist investing. While several studies have quantitatively found correlations between venture capital and patents (i.e Kortum & Lerner, 2000; Mann and Sager 2007; Graham et al. 2009; Haeussler et al. 2009; Audretsch et al., 2012; Hsu & Ziedonis 2013; Munari and Toschi 2014; Kalaitzandonakes et al. 2014; Smith & Cordina, 2014) little research has examined the process regarding how venture capitalists actually use patents. From interviews with 13 representatives for venture capital firms we have found a great heterogeneity in how venture capitalists view and use patents in their evaluations. Patents are rarely considered by investors to have a key role in the investment decision and patent documents are generally not used to reduce information asymmetries since few investors read patents. However, patents are usually discussed with the founders and are almost always regarded as something which adds value to the startup. Other than evaluating the patents through discussions with the founders, the evaluation of patents mostly takes place in the extensive due diligence after the term sheet has been signed. It is then done by external parties, such as lawyers, to confirm what is said in the discussion. Our findings thus contrasts previous research which has hypothesized that patents have an important signaling function and greatly reduce information asymmetries between investors and startups seeking finance.
Relationship between interleukin 4 gene promoter polymorphisms and cutaneous Leishmaniasis cases in North Eastern Iran

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a worldwide public health and a social problem in many developing countries. The main objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between interleukin 4 (IL-4) gene promoter polymorphisms and leishmanial infected people in endemic focus of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL), in north east of Iran. In order to determine of polymorphism of interleukin 4 (IL-4) among patients with different clinical symptoms, fi fty human blood samples were prepared. All cases were classifi ed into fi ve groups including: cases with sever and ≤ 2 lesions, cases with ≥ 2 lesions, cases with treatment duration of less than two months, cases with treatment duration of more than two months and healthy samples with no signs. All 50 human samples were tested by PCR and followed using restriction enzyme of Eco47I. Our study revealed that Eco47I RE could cut the PCR product to an 18 bp and 177 bp if the SNP was C. Among the 50 PCR products we found 4 samples (8%) with CT allele and also 1 sample(2%) with TT allele. The rest of samples (90%) were CC. In conclusion, there was a signifi cant difference on frequencies of three alleles (CC, CT, TT) in studied group (2=56.4; df=2 ; p=0.000).
Gamma Gaussian Inverse Wishart Probability Hypothesis Density for Extended Target Tracking Using X-Band Marine Radar Data

X-band marine radar systems represent a flexible and low-cost tool for the tracking of multiple targets in a given region of interest. Although suffering several sources of interference, e.g., the sea clutter, these systems can provide high-resolution measurements, both in space and time. Such features offer the opportunity to get accurate information not only about the target position/motion but also about the targets size. Accordingly, in this paper, we exploit emergent extended target tracking (ETT) methodologies in which the target state, typically position/velocity/acceleration, is augmented with the target length and width. In this paper, we propose an ETT procedure based on the popular probability hypothesis density filter, and in particular, we describe the extended target state through the gamma Gaussian inverse Wishart model. The comparative simplicity of the used models allows us to meet the real-time processing constraint required for the practical surveillance purposes. Real-world data from an experimental and operational campaign, collected during the recovery operations of the Costa Concordia wreckage in October 2013, are used to assess the performance of the proposed target tracking methodology. The full signal processing chain is implemented, and considerations of the experimental results are provided. Important nonideal effects, common to every marine radar, are observed and discussed in relation to the assumptions made for the tracking procedure.
Analysis and design of a Linear Switched Reluctance Motor with force improvement

Linear Switched Reluctance Motor (LSRM) is a potential candidate of traditional rotary-linear motors on many industrial applications. In this paper, a LSRM design procedure is presented to obtain the main dimensions of a LSRM. By adjusting some dimensions detailed, performance of a LSRM can be improved based on the main dimensions from the design procedure. The generated force is improved by using different pole-arc of mover and stator in this paper. Some simulations of a LSRM are performed in the platform of Maxwell. The results demonstrate that design procedure is effective for LSRM.
Maternal obesity induces sustained inflammation in both fetal and offspring large intestine of sheep

Background: Both maternal obesity and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are increasing. It was hypothesized that maternal obesity induces an inflammatory response in the fetal large intestine, predisposing offspring to IBDs. Methods: Nonpregnant ewes were assigned to a control (Con, 100% of National Research Council [NRC] recommendations) or obesogenic (OB, 150% of NRC) diet from 60 days before conception. The large intestine was sampled from fetuses at 135 days (term 150 days) after conception and from offspring lambs at 22.5 ± 0.5 months of age. Results: Maternal obesity enhanced mRNA expression tumor necrosis factor (TNF)&agr;, interleukin (IL)1&agr;, IL1&bgr;, IL6, IL8, and monocyte/macrophage chemotactic protein‐1 (MCP1), as well as macrophage markers, CD11b, CD14, and CD68 in fetal gut. mRNA expression of Toll‐like receptor (TLR) 2 and TLR4 was increased in OB versus Con fetuses; correspondingly, inflammatory NF‐&kgr;B and JNK signaling pathways were also upregulated. Both mRNA expression and protein content of transforming growth factor (TGF) &bgr; was increased. The IL‐17A mRNA expression and protein content was higher in OB compared to Con samples, which was associated with fibrosis in the large intestine of OB fetuses. Similar inflammatory responses and enhanced fibrosis were detected in OB compared to Con offspring. Conclusions: Maternal obesity induced inflammation and enhanced expression of proinflammatory cytokines in fetal and offspring large intestine, which correlated with increased TGF&bgr; and IL17 expression. These data show that maternal obesity may predispose offspring gut to IBDs. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2010)
Illustrating The Process Of Ontology Concept Formulation In A Multi-Perspective Social Setting

The object of this grounded theory study was a three year long, public sector inter-organizational information system (IOIS) project which spanned four user organizations, two suppliers, one national organization, a research organization and a Government Ministry. The data were elicited by means of narrative stories, observations of project meetings, diaries, project memoranda and emails sent by project members to each other during these years. Glaserian grounded theory method was used as the technique for theory building. Three core categories were identified: governance, power and emotions. The study offers two key contributions: first, it builds a substantive theory of Emotions of Control in an IOIS project, presented in the form of propositions. The theory offers an approach to understanding the meaning of emotions in project work and the consequences of emotions in collaboration. Second, we offer a window into the theory building process using Glaserian grounded theory. We argue that the findings of this study have some implications of value to researchers studying emotional issues in IOIS projects or information system (IS) projects in general, because the role of emotions in project work can be pivotal in determining project success.
Decentralized security-constrained economic dispatch for global energy internet and practice in Northeast Asia

The development of global energy internet is becoming more and more vital to this world, in which multi-area economic dispatch (MAED) is a fundamental and essential problem. Decentralized MAED can reduce the dimensions of large-scaled problem and protect the privacy of each sub-area, which is widely studied in recent years. In this paper, a fully decentralized algorithm based on Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers (ADMM) and Power Transfer Distribution Factor (PTDF) matrix is proposed, which can cancel the multipliers updating coordinator and the variables of voltage angles. Numerical example of Northeast Asia energy internet is given to test the proposed algorithm.
Open3D: A Modern Library for 3D Data Processing

Open3D is an open-source library that supports rapid development of software that deals with 3D data. The Open3D frontend exposes a set of carefully selected data structures and algorithms in both C++ and Python. The backend is highly optimized and is set up for parallelization. Open3D was developed from a clean slate with a small and carefully considered set of dependencies. It can be set up on different platforms and compiled from source with minimal effort. The code is clean, consistently styled, and maintained via a clear code review mechanism. Open3D has been used in a number of published research projects and is actively deployed in the cloud. We welcome contributions from the open-source community.
The Many Sides of Human Resource Information Systems

The history of human resource information systems stretches to the 1960s, when human resource data were separated from payroll systems. In the 1980s, researchers and practitioners became more interested in human resource information systems, and in the 1990s several studies, articles, user experiences, opinions and descriptions were published in journals, magazines and on the internet. Still, despite the number of literature, no survey or framework exists that constructs a synthesis of the fragmented issues of human resource information systems from both of these viewpoints, that is, information systems and human resource management. In this paper, an initial framework for human resource information systems is introduced to underline the importance and the need for consolidating the knowledge on the phenomenon.
Distribution and association of mTOR with its cofactors, raptor and rictor, in cumulus cells and oocytes during meiotic maturation in mice

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a Ser/Thr protein kinase, is the catalytic component of two distinct signaling complexes, mTOR‐raptor complex (mTORC1) and mTOR‐rictor complex (mTORC2). Recently, studies have demonstrated mitosis‐specific roles for mTORC1, but the functions and expression dynamics of mTOR complexes during meiotic maturation remain unclear. In the present study, to evaluate the roles of respective mTOR complexes in maternal meiosis and compare them with those in mitosis, we sought to elucidate the spatiotemporal immunolocalization of mTOR, the kinase‐active Ser2448‐ and Ser2481‐phosphorylated mTOR, and raptor and rictor during cumulus‐cell mitosis and oocyte meiotic maturation in mice. mTOR principally accumulated around the chromosomes and on the spindle. Phosphorylated mTOR (Ser2448 and Ser2481) exhibited elevated fluorescence intensities in the cytoplasm and punctate localization adjacent to the chromosomes, on the spindle poles, and on the midbody during mitotic and meiotic maturation, suggesting functional homology of mTOR between the two cell division systems, despite their mechanistically distinctive spindles. Raptor colocalized with mTOR during both types of cell division, indicating that mTORC1 is predominantly associated with these events. Mitotic rictor uniformly distributed through the cytoplasm, and meiotic rictor localized around the spindle poles of metaphase‐I oocytes, suggesting functional divergence of mTORC2 between mitosis and female meiosis. Based on the general function of mTORC2 in the organization of the actin cytoskeleton, we propose that mTORC1 controls spindle function during mitosis and meiosis, while mTORC2 contributes to actin‐dependent asymmetric division during meiotic maturation in mice. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 80: 334–348, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Is Corporate Reputation Associated with Quality of CSR Reporting? Evidence from Spain

Disclosure of social, environmental, and governance (ESG) information is inherent to the implementation of a corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy. Furthermore, the level of quality in sustainability reports that are developed by the company may enhance its credibility and in turn, influence the perception of stakeholders improving corporate reputation. The aim of this work is to test whether the quality of sustainability reports influences subsequent corporate reputation. This contribution responds to a latent need in the literature as the study of the assurance on sustainability reporting is relatively new and its focus is novel since few studies examine the level of quality information as a precedent of reputation instead of a result of certain corporate variables. Using a logistic regression applied to Ibex35 companies for the period 2006–2011, we find that the quality of sustainability reporting increases the likelihood of having higher corporate reputation. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
A novel approach of partial discharges detection in a real environment

The presence of partial discharges (PD) in medium voltage overhead lines with covered conductors (CC) may indicate insulation fault, rupture or downfall of the line. In a real environment (e.g. forested terrain), presence of PD usually means that branch or tree have direct contact with CC. The detection of the PD in a real environment is an important task because it helps technicians to accurately identify fault and therefore it has economical benefits. However, the automatic detection of PD in a real environment has to deal with high interference of background noise. A novel approach of PD detection based on Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) and Particle Swarm Intelligence (PSO) is proposed in this paper. Its performance is compared to Support Vector Machines (SVM), Back Propagation (BP) and Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) methods. These methods use standard features like number of peaks, fractal dimension, etc. The quality of the detection was successfully increased by the proposed approach. So the faults in a real environment can be more accurately detected and thus more economically repaired.
Distant Mimivirus relative with a larger genome highlights the fundamental features of Megaviridae

Mimivirus, a DNA virus infecting acanthamoeba, was for a long time the largest known virus both in terms of particle size and gene content. Its genome encodes 979 proteins, including the first four aminoacyl tRNA synthetases (ArgRS, CysRS, MetRS, and TyrRS) ever found outside of cellular organisms. The discovery that Mimivirus encoded trademark cellular functions prompted a wealth of theoretical studies revisiting the concept of virus and associated large DNA viruses with the emergence of early eukaryotes. However, the evolutionary significance of these unique features remained impossible to assess in absence of a Mimivirus relative exhibiting a suitable evolutionary divergence. Here, we present Megavirus chilensis, a giant virus isolated off the coast of Chile, but capable of replicating in fresh water acanthamoeba. Its 1,259,197-bp genome is the largest viral genome fully sequenced so far. It encodes 1,120 putative proteins, of which 258 (23%) have no Mimivirus homologs. The 594 Megavirus/Mimivirus orthologs share an average of 50% of identical residues. Despite this divergence, Megavirus retained all of the genomic features characteristic of Mimivirus, including its cellular-like genes. Moreover, Megavirus exhibits three additional aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase genes (IleRS, TrpRS, and AsnRS) adding strong support to the previous suggestion that the Mimivirus/Megavirus lineage evolved from an ancestral cellular genome by reductive evolution. The main differences in gene content between Mimivirus and Megavirus genomes are due to (i) lineages specific gains or losses of genes, (ii) lineage specific gene family expansion or deletion, and (iii) the insertion/migration of mobile elements (intron, intein).
A universal nanoparticle cell secretion capture assay

Secreted proteins play an important role in intercellular interactions, especially between cells of the immune system. Currently, there is no universal assay that allows a simple noninvasive identification and isolation of cells based on their secretion of various products. We have developed such a method. Our method is based on the targeting, to the cell surface, of heterofunctional nanoparticles coupled to a cell surface‐specific antibody and to a secreted protein‐specific antibody, which captures the secreted protein on the surface of the producing cell. Importantly, this method does not compromise cellviability and is compatible with further culture and expansion of the secreting cells. Published 2012 Wiley‐Periodicals, Inc.
Social Media in Large Sales Forces: An Empirical Study of the Impact of Sales Process Capability and Relationship Performance

Using a resource-based view of the firm as a foundation, the research investigates antecedents and outcomes of social media used in organizations with large sales forces (500 or more). This study specifically investigates sales process capability as a moderator and relationship performance as a mediator. The results, based on 184 sales professionals, indicate upper management support and sales personnel capabilities having positive effects on social media usage. Using partial least squares path modeling, the study reveals that sales process capability moderates the relationship between social media and sales performance. Moreover, relationship-based performance mediated the connection between social media use and sales-based performance. Research and managerial implications of the findings are then discussed.
Finite element analysis of the stress concentration in pronation-abduction ankle joint injuries

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the stress concentration features of pronation-abduction injuries in the Lauge-Hansen classification scheme. Method: A finite element model of the ankle joint was constructed that included ligaments and skeletal structures. Ansys (Version 14.0, ANSYS Inc, PA, USA) was used to model a full constraint on the distal end of the tibiofibula while applying a vertical 300-N force on three points along the lateral side of the foot, simulating the pronation position of the ankle joint, a common type of injury. Results: During the simulated loading process, the maximum value of equivalent stress occurred in sequence at the fibular attachment point of the anterior lower tibiofibular ligament, the anterior lower tibiofibular ligament, and the posterior lower tibiofibular ligament. The maximum value of normal contact stress was first located at the articular facet of the medial malleolus between the astragalus and the malleolus medialis contact surface, and then at the posterior margin of the fibula at the contact surface between the astragalus and the lateral malleolus. Conclusions: Based on the validation of the injury mechanism, the existence of a IV degree injury was revealed.
NPY immunoreactivity in endocrine cells of duck pancreas: An ontogenetic study

In the literature, neuropeptide Y (NPY) has been described in the brain and peripheral nerves. More recently, it has also been detected in endocrine cells of hamster, embryonic mouse, and rat pancreas. However, the presence of NPY in avian embryos and the possible colocalization of this peptide with the other pancreatic hormones have not been reported previously. In this study, NPY presence was studied by immunocytochemical methods in the endocrine pancreas of domestic duck during pre‐ and postnatal development. NPY immunoreactivity (IR) was detected in embryos and adult animals. Around hatching the intensity of IR in endocrine cells decreased. Double immunohistochemical staining revealed that: 1) NPY‐IR is extensively colocalized in small and mixed islets with insulin‐IR both in embryos and in adults; and 2) in early embryos NPY‐IR occasionally colocalized with glucagon and somatostatin. In early embryos, the colocalization of NPY‐IR with several pancreatic hormones could be related to the presence of multi‐hormonal progenitor cells. The close relation between insulin and NPY, both in embryos and adults, led us to hypothesize a key role for NPY on insulin cells of duck pancreas. Anat Rec 259:35–40, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diagnostic Utility of Candidate Definitions for Demonstrating Axial Spondyloarthritis on Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Spine

A recent consensus statement has suggested ≥3 corner inflammatory lesions (CILs) or several corner fatty lesions (CFLs) as candidate criteria indicative of axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of these cutoffs in nonradiographic axial SpA and ankylosing spondylitis (AS).