Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oxidative transformation of triclosan and chlorophene by manganese oxides.

The antibacterial agents triclosan (5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol) and chlorophene (4-chloro-2-(phenylmethyl)phenol) show similar susceptibility to rapid oxidation by manganese oxides (delta-MnO2 and MnOOH) yielding Mn(II) ions. Both the initial reaction rate and adsorption of triclosan to oxide surfaces increase as pH decreases. The reactions are first-order with respect to the antibacterial agent and MnO2. The apparent reaction orders to H+ were determined to be 0.46 +/- 0.03 and 0.50 +/- 0.03 for triclosan and chlorophene, respectively. Dissolved metal ions (Mn(II), Zn(II), and Ca(II)) and natural organic matter decrease the reaction rate by competitively adsorbing and reacting with MnO2. Product identification indicates that triclosan and chlorophene oxidation occurs at their phenol moieties and yields primarily coupling and p-(hydro)quinone products. A trace amount of 2,4-dichlorophenol is also produced in triclosan oxidation, suggesting bond-breaking of the ether linkage. The experimental results support the mechanism that after formation of a surface precursor complex of the antibacterial agent and the surface-bound Mn(IV), triclosan and chlorophene are oxidized to phenoxy radicals followed by radical coupling and further oxidation to form the end products. Compared to several structurally related substituted phenols (i.e., 2-methyl-4-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 3-chlorophenol, and phenol), triclosan and chlorophene exhibit comparable or higher reactivities toward oxidation by manganese oxides. The higher reactivities are likely affected by factors including electronic and steric effects of substituents and compound hydrophobicity. Once released into the environment, partitioning of triclosan and chlorophene to soils and sediments is expected because of their relatively hydrophobic nature. Results of this study indicate that manganese oxides in soils will facilitate transformation of these antibacterial agents.
GDL-III: A Description Language for Epistemic General Game Playing

We present an extension of the standard game description language for general game playing to include epistemic games, which are characterised by rules that depend on the knowledge of players. A single additional keyword suffices to define GDL-III, a game description language with imperfect information and introspection. We define syntax and semantics and present an execution model for this extended language. We develop a provably correct answer set program (ASP) for reasoning about GDL-III games. We also show how the extended language can be used to formalise general epistemic puzzles and how those can be solved using a mere game controller for GDL-III, that is, without requiring any game-playing intelligence beyond the ability to generate legal play sequences.
Distinct Kinetics of Gag-Specific CD4+ and CD8+ T Cell Responses during Acute HIV-1 Infection

HIV infection is characterized by a gradual deterioration of immune function, mainly in the CD4 compartment. To better understand the dynamics of HIV-specific T cells, we analyzed the kinetics and polyfunctional profiles of Gag-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses in 12 subtype C-infected individuals with different disease-progression profiles, ranging from acute to chronic HIV infection. The frequencies of Gag-responsive CD4+ and CD8+ T cells showed distinct temporal kinetics. The peak frequency of Gag-responsive IFN-γ+CD4+ T cells was observed at a median of 28 d (interquartile range: 21–81 d) post-Fiebig I/II staging, whereas Gag-specific IFN-γ+CD8+ T cell responses peaked at a median of 253 d (interquartile range: 136–401 d) and showed a significant biphasic expansion. The proportion of TNF-α–expressing cells within the IFN-γ+CD4+ T cell population increased (p = 0.001) over time, whereas TNF-α–expressing cells within IFN-γ+CD8+ T cells declined (p = 0.005). Both Gag-responsive CD4+ and CD8+ T cells showed decreased Ki67 expression within the first 120 d post-Fiebig I/II staging. Prior to the disappearance of Gag-responsive Ki67+CD4+ T cells, these cells positively correlated (p = 0.00038) with viremia, indicating that early Gag-responsive CD4 events are shaped by viral burden. No such associations were observed in the Gag-specific CD8+ T cell compartment. Overall, these observations indicated that circulating Gag-responsive CD4+ and CD8+ T cell frequencies and functions are not synchronous, and properties change rapidly at different tempos during early HIV infection.
Interobserver agreement on captopril renography for assessing renal vascular disease.

UNLABELLED Captopril-stimulated renography is widely used to screen selected groups of hypertensive patients for renal vascular disease. Evaluation of the test is a complex task. Lack of interobserver agreement on the assessment and interpretation of renographic parameters may contribute to differences in sensitivity and specificity between studies. METHODS Three experienced nuclear medicine physicians evaluated 658 renograms of 503 hypertensive patients suspected of having renal vascular disease from a large Dutch multicenter study (the Dutch Renal Artery Stenosis Intervention Cooperative [DRASTIC] study). Interobserver agreement on several renographic parameters was assessed by the kappa statistic and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS The interobserver agreement on the time to excretion was high: The pooled ICC was 0.90. The pooled kappa was > or = 0.65 for the pattern of the time--activity curves, the visual aspect of the scintigraphic images (visible uptake and kidney size), and the judgment on the presence of renal artery stenosis. However, the interobserver agreement on cortical retention and pelvic retention by visual inspection of the images was rather low (pooled kappa = 0.46 and 0.52, respectively). Pelvic retention was found to complicate the interpretation of renography. CONCLUSION Interobserver agreement on most of the renographic parameters was satisfactory, but the assessment of cortical retention was more difficult, in particular, in the presence of pelvic retention. Captopril renography should be interpreted with caution if pelvic retention is suspected. Interobserver variability offers one of several explanations for the differences in diagnostic test performance that are found between studies.
Slowing down light to 300  km/s in a deuterium-loaded fiber Bragg grating.

We report light propagation with a group velocity of only 300 km/s, a group index of 1010, and a group delay of 42 ns, in a strong apodized fiber Bragg grating 12.5 mm in length. The grating was fabricated in a deuterium-loaded fiber using a femtosecond laser and a phase mask, followed by annealing to reduce residual losses. Data analysis indicates a strong index modulation of 1.98×10(-3) and an ultra-low single-pass power loss of 0.010 dB.
Reflectance-based 3D shape refinement of surfaces with spatially varying BRDF properties

This paper proposes a novel algorithm to determine the spatially varying reflectance of an arbitrary object based on per-pixel estimates of the bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF). The proposed procedure is especially designed to work in environments that yield relatively sparse reflectance measurements, since the parameter estimation is initialized on regions of similar brightness to ensure sufficient data to rely on. We suppose a physically plausible version of the Blinn BRDF model to be sufficiently accurate in combination with pixelwise parameter maps. Thus, we consider isotropic reflectance only. The initial estimate of the depth data can either be supplied to the algorithm or, as proposed here, be obtained by solving the photometric stereo equations for the diffuse component of the surface reflectance. These data are probably affected by noise and errors due to the simplified diffuse estimate. We use an iterative approach to refine this depth information based on the surface gradient that is computed from BRDF parameter maps. A low-passed version of the initial depth is used as boundary condition when integrating the surface normal field. We apply the proposed method to real-world data sets and show that the gradient information is able to refine the initial depth data. Comparison to an industrial standard 3D scanner shows that accurate results are obtained at a lower noise level without removing high frequency details of the surface that are visible in the image data.
Tandem insertions of Alu elements

Alu elements are non-autonomous, non-LTR retroposons that represent the most abundant mobile elements in the human genome (1.1 × 106 copies/genome). They preferentially insert adjacent to existing Alu elements. It has been proposed that Alu elements utilize LINE-1 machinery for their retroposition. The LINE-1 endonuclease cleaves at a loose consensus sequence. We have utilized a bioinformatics approach to show the order of insertion of pairs of young (Y) and old (S or J) Alu subfamily members. Our data suggest that the consensus LINE-1 endonuclease cleavage site used for insertion of the old Alu elements can be reused for integration of the younger ones inserting adjacent to them. However, there is also a preference at the 3′ end of Alu into a non-ideal cleavage site that may represent unique properties of the A-tail for integration. Alu elements inserting adjacent to one another may suggest the saturation of the optimal integration sites with existing Alu elements, rather than any innate preference for Alu elements to integrate adjacent to other Alus.
Relationship between daily training load and psychometric status of professional soccer players

ABSTRACT We studied the relationship between daily training load (TL) experienced by professional soccer players and the Hooper questionnaire reflecting their perceived quality of sleep, fatigue, stress and delayed onset muscle soreness. During a 16-week training period, the rating of perceived exertion and duration were collected after each training session, and daily TL was calculated from 14 professional soccer players. The Hooper questionnaire was completed every day before the first training session and the Hooper’s score (HS) was then calculated. The daily TL and HS were 379.9 ± 198.3 AU and 16.2 ± 5.1, respectively. Pearson correlation showed significant relationships (p < 0.01) between TL and perceived fatigue, muscle soreness, sleep and stress. Our findings revealed that the perceived sleep, stress, fatigue and muscle soreness are moderately related to the daily TL in professional soccer players. The Hooper questionnaire is both a simple and useful tool for monitoring perceived wellness and psychometric players’ status of professional soccer players.
The Effect of Board Human Capital on the Performance of Technical Alliance Investments

Despite boards of directors&#8217; prominent involvement in strategic alliance (SA) decisions in practice and reports from news media, there is relatively little academic research exploring the board's value for a firm's technical SA investments involving a technical transfer or R&amp;D, which are characterized by a high level of uncertainty, information asymmetry, and extreme complexity. Anchored in the resource dependence theory, this study aims to address this important issue by examining how board of directors contribute their human capital, in the form of relevant strategic experience, may mitigate the core challenges managers face when pursuing technical SAs and thereby influencing their outcomes. Our empirical results show that when outside directors hold more extensive alliance experience, they can better execute their consulting function and improve the firm's technical alliance performance. In addition, directors with experience specifically related to technical alliances also have a positive effect on performance. Last, we find that the impact of alliance experience on technical alliance performance is positively moderated by the size of directors&#8217; prior affiliated companies and their share ownership in the focal firm.
Towards a Comparative Subnational Perspective on India

The article surveys the comparative subnational literature on India and suggests some promising paths forward. One, careful selection of sub-state regions can improve the legitimacy of inter-state comparisons and increase the validity of causal claims regarding state-specific governance and political economy. Two, there is greater scope for intra-state comparisons that control for state-specific factors and thereby identify more local, context-specific factors that drive political and other outcomes. Three, the roles and limitations of both causal and non-causal research designs need to be better understood in the subnational context. Four, for serious comparison, it is imperative to explore only a few carefully selected primary units of analysis. While this highlights the importance of the traditional comparative case study approach, the implied qualitative/quantitative dichotomy is false: methods based on inferential statistics can and should be usefully nested in a causal comparative case study framework. Five, greater emphasis on process tracing can improve insights from subnational comparisons.
Does Labour Migration Bring About Economic Advantage? A Case of Bangladeshi Migrants in Saudi Arabia

This paper revisits the assumed economic advantage of temporary labour migration. The widely shared sentiment that temporary migration brings about economic advantage for migrants and their families often is a function of income differentials between two countries. This study argues that opportunity for temporary employment in a high income country does not necessarily translate into economic advantage for every individual migrant and his or her family in a low income country. This study addresses the undercurrent of risks in the international labour migration process and its implications on family economics. This study draws from the experiences of Bangladeshis in Saudi Arabia. It reports that migrants often undertake international migration at great costs of their own, incurring large debts, risking personal savings and family assets, and accentuating income risks and capital constraints, while the remittances are meagre in the repair of such family economics.
The effects of foam surface properties on standing body movement

Conclusion. The properties of a foam surface significantly affect body movement variance. Therefore, studies where different kinds of foam have been used may not provide congruent results. Objectives. To investigate whether different properties of foam affect body movement variance (32 subjects, mean age 22.5 years) in terms of linear head, shoulder, hip and knee movements. Subjects repeated tests with eyes open and closed, to also determine the effect of vision on the different surfaces. Subjects and methods. Body movement was captured on three different foam surfaces and on a control solid surface over 2 min using a Zebris™ ultrasound measuring system. The foam surfaces were categorized by their firmness as firm foam, medium foam and soft foam. Results. Body movement variance increased significantly when standing on all foam surfaces compared with the solid surface. However, movement variance was larger when standing on the firm foam compared with the softer foams, except in the anteroposterior total and low frequency ranges. We also found that the body movement pattern differed when standing on foam and firm surfaces, with greater reliance on movements at the knee to give postural stability on foam than on the solid surface. Vision clearly reduced all body movement variances, but particularly within the high frequency range.
Power System Control and Stability

Preface.Part I: Introduction.Chapter 1: Power System Stability.Chapter 2: The Elementary Mathematical Model.Chapter 3: System Response to Small Disturbances.Part II: The Electromagnetic Torque.Chapter 4: The Synchronous Machine.Chapter 5: The Simulation of Synchronous Machines.Chapter 6: Linear Models of the Synchronous Machine.Chapter 7: Excitation Systems.Chapter 8: Effect of Excitation on Stability.Chapter 9: Multimachine Systems with Constant Impedance Loads.Part III: The Mechanical Torque Power System Control and Stability.Chapter 10: Speed Governing.Chapter 11: Steam Turbine Prime Movers.Chapter 12: Hydraulic Turbine Prime Movers.Chapter 13: Combustion Turbine and Combined-Cycle Power Plants.Appendix A: Trigonometric Identities for Three-Phase Systems.Appendix B: Some Computer Methods for Solving Differential Equations.Appendix C: Normalization.Appendix D: Typical System Data.Appendix E: Excitation Control System Definitions.Appendix F: Control System Components.Appendix G: Pressure Control Systems.Appendix H: The Governor Equations.Appendix I: Wave Equations for a Hydraulic Conduit.Appendix J: Hydraulic Servomotors.Index.
Serotyping Streptococcus pneumoniae by Multiplex PCR

ABSTRACT The capsule is a major virulence factor of pneumococci, and it was shown that some capsular variants are associated with antimicrobial resistance and certain types of disease. Moreover, pneumococcal capsular typing has received renewed interest since the availability of conjugate vaccines, which include serotypes frequently associated with pediatric disease. Our aim was to develop a simple, reliable, and economical method for detecting epidemiologically important serotypes present in the proposed 11-valent conjugate vaccine. We designed primers based on the sequences available for the capsular types 1, 3, 4, 6B, 14, 18C, 19F, 19A, and 23F and combined them into seven multiplex PCRs. The method involves streamlined DNA template preparation and agarose gel electrophoresis to analyze the amplification products. A total of 446 pneumococci selected from among isolates colonizing the nasopharynx of children attending day care centers in Lisbon, Portugal, were typed both by conventional immunological techniques and by multiplex PCR. Capsular types identified by the PCR method invariably produced results concordant with the conventional serotyping technique. Even when the method presented does not fully type an isolate, the PCR data can guide the experimenter when using immunological serotyping. Multiplex PCR for the analysis of pneumococci provides an accurate, expeditious, and cost-effective way of reducing the number of strains that have to be serotyped by conventional immunological techniques.
The Impacts of a CSR Cultural Event Measured Felt Far Beyond the Financial Results

With this work we aim to present a case of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the historic, disadvantaged part of the city of Funchal. The mission is based on the biennial organisation of a cultural event: “ON Fusion Art by Porto Bay”. Over three days a group of people from the Porto Bay Group puts together a cultural event with the voluntary participation of a group of local, mainland and international artists from different artistic areas and the resident community in the historic and disadvantaged part of the city, achieving an increase in the population's self-esteem and raising a significant sum of money which is donated to charitable causes. The study explains the genesis of the idea and the motivation behind it followed by the stages of publicity management for the event and concludes with the results of the impact the CSR initiative beyond its financial objectives.
Short-Selling and Floating Constraints and Cross-Listed Stock Prices

We investigate the joint effects of short-selling, floating constraints and heterogeneous beliefs on stock prices by using a unique data set of cross-listed Chinese stocks. Because domestic A-shares are subject to both short-selling and floating restrictions while foreign H-shares are not, H-share price discount represents a trading restriction induced price bubble. The H-share price discounts are significantly and positively correlated with short-sale transactions of H-shares, and negatively correlated with the non-tradable A-share reform variable, after controlling for market-specific sentiment and other factors. We also find that short-selling significantly widens the price discounts in bullish but not in bearish market period; and in market return up days but not in down days.
The optical rotator

The optical rotator is an unbiased, local stereological principle for estimation of cell volume and cell surface area in thick, transparent slabs. The underlying principle was first described in 1993 by Kiêu &38; Jensen ( J. Microsc170, 45–51) who also derived an estimator of length. In this study we further discuss the methods derived from this principle and present two new local volume estimators.
Entrepreneurship in Hungary in 2006-2010 based on the Global Entrepreneurship and Development Index (GEDI) methodology

Building on the Acs-Szerb Global Entrepreneurship and Development Index (GEDI) methodology this paper aims to show the public policy applicability of GEDI. GEDI is a complex measure of entrepreneurship involving three sub-indices, 14 pillars and 28 variables. By answering four research questions we present Hungary’s entrepreneurial profile, show the change of the entrepreneurship over the 2006-2010 time period, and identify the strengths and the weaknesses. Hungary is compared to three important country groups. GEDI is a useful tool for policy-oriented analysis. Unlike other research projects that provide rather general and uniform policy suggestions, GEDI offers individual country level, tailor-made policy recommendations. Based on the principle of the weakest link, we present an optimal policy mix for Hungary involving the eight weakest performing pillars to improve Hungary’s GEDI score.
Cytogenetic Analysis of Gnaphosa lugubris (C. L. Koch, 1839) (Araneae: Gnaphosidae)

ABSTRACT: Gnaphosa lugubris is a ground spider species found from Europe to Central Asia. The difficulties in interpretation of diploid chromosome numbers, sex chromosome systems and the need for modification of the applied method for different species has restricted the number of studies in spider genetics. Despite these difficulties in chromosomal studies, Giemsa staining is the most effective method for studying gnaphosids. This method is carried out in three steps: hypotonic application, fixation and squashing the tissues and air drying. In this study, the chromosomal characteristics of Gnaphosa lugubris were investigated in male specimens which were collected from the central part of Turkey. As a result, the diploid chromosome number and sex chromosome system were determined as ♂X1X2/♀X1X1X2X2 type. All chromosomes were telocentric and the gradual decrease in the lengths of autosome pairs was from 10±0.46% to 4±0.32%. X1 was medium-sized and X2 was the smallest element in the karyotype. The results which have been presented for the first time will contribute to increasing our knowledges about cytogenetic properties of the ground spiders.