Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
GENERATION OF CHIMAERIC ROTAVIRUS VIRUS-LIKE PARTICLES DERIVED FROM THE CONSENSUS SEQUENCE OF AFRICAN ROTAVIRUS STRAINS CHARACTERIZED DIRECTLY FROM STOOL SAMPLES 6.1. Introduction

To date, developing countries are still faced with a high rotavirus burden of disease as reflected by high childhood morbidity and mortality (Parashar et al., 2009), whereas in developed countries rotavirus disease causes high health care cost (LeBaron et al., 1990). In view of the lack of antiviral therapy against rotavirus diarrhoea, the use of rotavirus vaccines at an early age is currently the only first line of defence against rotavirus disease. In addition to the Lanzhou lamb rotavirus vaccine licensed only in China (World Health Organization., 2001), RotaTeq and Rotarix were licensed by the WHO for routine use in children across the globe (World Health Organization, 2009). However, the use of these vaccines has revealed several short comings. Their high cost is beyond reach of most developing nations. Their safety still requires careful investigations (see section 1.1) and the lower efficacy of these vaccines in developing countries (Madhi et al., 2010) compared to their efficacy in developed countries (Vesikari et al., 2004) is another cause for concern (see section 2.8.1). Amongst several reasons, the difference in rotavirus strains circulating in developed and developing countries is thought to be one of the attributes to the lower efficacy of the vaccines in developing countries (Patel et al., 2009). However, this hypothesis has not been proven. Maternal antibodies could also interfere with the effectiveness of both Rotarix and RotaTeq as both vaccines are administered orally to infants in whom they need to replicate to elicit immunity (Glass et al., 2006b). Furthermore, there are currently only three commercial producers of rotavirus vaccines in the world and they cannot meet the global demand if all countries were to introduce mandatory vaccination of all infants. It is estimated that they can only produce around 20% of the anticipated global need (see section 2.8.1).
Optimizing Operation of Water Supply Reservoir: The Role of Constraints

This paper presents a mathematical analysis of water supply reservoir operation. The analysis illustrates one-stage, two-stage, and three-stage formulations of multiple-period reservoir operation depending on the effects of operational constraints. There is a one-stage model when storage capacity constraints are nonbinding. Release decisions depend on total water availability and exhibit equal marginal utilities. Binding upper (lower) storage capacity constraint blocks the effect of decreased (increased) water availability in the subsequent stages on release decisions in the preceding stages. When one storage capacity constraint is binding, multiple periods become two stages and a gap occurs between marginal utilities of water. When there are one upper and one lower binding storage capacity constraints, reservoir operation is characterized as a three-stage model. Effects of forecast uncertainty and ending storage on reservoir operation are affected by reservoir storage capacity. When the storage capacity constraints are nonbinding, the reservoir can regulate streamflow in an extended timeframe, and current release decision is affected by forecast uncertainty of total streamflow and ending storage. When the storage capacity constraints are binding, the reservoir can regulate streamflow only in a short timeframe, and current release decision is primarily affected by forecast uncertainty of streamflow in the current stage.
Relatedness, Coherence, and Coherence Dynamics Empirical Evidence from Italian Manufacturing

This paper investigates the determinants of coherence and coherence change using a sample of Italian leading firms in the period 1993-1996. Following a methodology developed by Teece et al (1994), the observed diversification patterns of our sample firms provide the information required to construct an index of relatedness between pair of sectors, which is in turn used to obtain a measure of firm’s coherence. The econometric analysis highlights that relatedness is higher when sectors share similar technological and marketing characteristics, and when they are positioned at different stages of the productive chain. Analogously, coherence is higher for firms active in industries characterised by similar R&D intensities and exploiting vertical integration links. Firms which enter the group of top 5 leaders are more coherent than the average. From a dynamic perspective, we find that coherence increases for firms with main activities in sectors which are expected to be more affected from EU integration. Finally, the results show that a deepening of vertical integration strategies is good for coherence change, while an increase of diversification brings a reduction in coherence.
ASTER and Worldview-2 satellite data comparison for identification of groundwater salinization effects on the Classe pine forest vegetation (Ravenna, Italy)

The availability of a large number of data acquired by satellite sensors with different spatial and spectral resolutions has always required an evaluation of their synergistic use. The integration of dataset of images coming from different sources can be an optimal solution for the study of various environmental problems which need a continuous monitoring (coastal development, forest evolution, land use changes etc.). The Classe pinewood, an important safeguarded biodiversity hot spot near Ravenna city (Italy), is historically affected by the groundwater salinization. Since changes in the water concentration are able to induce variations of the leaf properties and vegetation cover, recognizable by surveys carried out with different spectral bands, the comparison between ASTER and Worldview-2 data was performed using the (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) NDVI. For each satellite data, the same Areas of Interest (AOIs) were selected within the most widespread cover, Thermophilic Deciduous Forest (TDF). The NDVI was calculated, statistically evaluated and the AOI rankings were built. In order to evaluate the difference between the results provided by the two images, statistical tests were applied on the average NDVI values. Finally the calculated NDVI were compared with groundwater salinity data collected during a contemporary field monitoring campaign. Based on groundwater salinity the same AOIs ranking was reached for both satellite sensors. This study suggests the opportunity to employ the medium resolution Aster images in continuity with high resolution WarldView-2 dataset.
A Review of Sensing Strategies for Microwave Sensors Based on Metamaterial-Inspired Resonators: Dielectric Characterization, Displacement, and Angular Velocity Measurements for Health Diagnosis, Telecommunication, and Space Applications

Four sensing approaches for the implementation of microwave sensors based on transmission lines loaded with metamaterial-inspired resonators are considered in this review paper, and examples of applications are pointed out. In all the cases, sensing is based on the effects that the magnitude under measurement causes in the transmission properties of the resonator-loaded line. Such four strategies are (i) resonance frequency variation, (ii) coupling modulation through symmetry disruption (causing variation of the notch depth), (iii) frequency splitting (also exploiting symmetry properties), and (iv) amplitude modulation of a harmonic signal. Such sensors are useful in various scenarios, of interest in fields as diverse as characterization of dielectric materials for communication circuits, medical diagnosis and treatment with microwave technologies, and sensors for space applications, among others.
Genome-wide mapping of dominance component of heterosis for percentage of live sperm in admixed Swiss Fleckvieh bulls

N. Khayatzadeh, G. Mészáros, M. Ferenčaković, Y. T. Utsunomiya, U. Schnyder, F. Seefried, I. Curik& J. Sölkner 1 University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Department of Sustainable Agricultural Systems, Division of Livestock Sciences, Gregor-Mendel-Strasse, 1180 Vienna, Austria Negar.khayatzadeh@students.boku. ac.at 2 University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Animal Science, Svetošimunska cesta 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia 3 UNESP – Univ Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária de Araçatuba, Departamento de Apoio, Saúde e Produção Animal, Araçatuba, São Paulo, Brazil 4 Qualitas AG, Chamerstrasse 56, Ch-6300, Zug, Switzerland
Knowledge and Attitudes of Primary School Teachers Toward First Aid in Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf City

The current descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to assess participants' knowledge and their attitudes toward first aid, as well as, to find any significant relation for teachers socio-demographic characteristic with their knowledge and attitudes regarding first aid. Therefore, by using SPSS a simple random sample of thirty governmental primary schools were selected, and then 302 primary school teachers were selected randomly. The result showed that 287 (95%) of participants had total fair knowledge and only 15 (5%) of participant teachers had poor knowledge, besides no one of them had good knowledge. With regard to teachers' attitudes towards first aid, the results showed that 282 (93.4%) of the teachers commonly had a positive attitude toward first aid. With respect to the relation of participants’ sociodemographic data with their knowledge levels no significant association was determined but for monthly income. The final conclusion and summary of the study showed unsatisfactory knowledge about first aid in spite of teacher retaining a good general knowledge about the goals and benefits of first aid, thus the establishment of mandatory training sessions for teachers at the beginning of each academic year is intensely recommended. It is worth mentioning, that despite the teachers' positive attitudes towards first aid, an observed weakness in their responses about attitude for medical conditions that obligates providing first aid noted, which seems due to lack of knowledge and awareness about these situations where it can be improved through first aid programs and educational sessions or at least through health bulletins. KEYWORDS
The Impact of Inflation Uncertainty on Economic Growth: A MRS-IV Approach

In this paper, we propose an analytical framework to explore the level and volatility effects of inflation on the output gap. Using quarterly US data over 1977:q2-2009:q4, we then examine the empirical implications of the model by implementing an instrumental variables Markov regime switching approach. We show that inflation uncertainty has a negative and regime dependent impact on the output gap but the level of inflation does not have any such e ect. Our empirical investigation also provides evidence that the US economy is moving towards a period of turmoil before the recent financial crisis was imminent. The results are robust to the use of alternative measures of inflation uncertainty.
Effects of action observation on learning non-weight-bearing gait with crutches

Abstract Action observation (AO) has been used to improve rehabilitation outcomes. We examined the effects of AO gait training on the acquisition of a non-weight-bearing (NWB) gait with crutches. Eighteen healthy young male participants were assigned to control (n = 9) and AO groups (n = 9). All subjects were instructed to walk with crutches at a comfortable speed on a 10-m walkway (10 trials). Participants received a verbal explanation of the experimental task (NWB gait with crutches), after which, those in the AO group watched a video of another person performing the task. An accelerometer was positioned on the third lumbar vertebra and used to measure the trunk acceleration during the experimental task. Gait speed and acceleration root mean squares (RMS) were calculated during the 1st, 5th, and 10th trials for each group. The two-way ANOVA for acceleration RMS revealed significant main effects of trial and group, as well as a significant trial by group interaction. During the first trial, fewer trunk fluctuations were observed in the AO group compared to that in the control group. Thus, AO is effective in improving NWB gait training with crutches during the early phase of acquisition.
The priming effect of point-light display (PLD) animations on the ratings of valence in neutral faces

The study of human emotions is a wide topic involving different fields of study and from which countless disciplines might benefit, among them human computer interaction (HCI) and affective computing. Understanding the processes behind production, mediation and consumption of emotions via technology might increase the affective bandwidth of HCI and, as a result, improve various products and services in information and communication technologies (ICT) and in computer-mediated communication (CMC). This thesis investigates face perception and mediation of emotional information to the users via abstract and compact graphical visualizations designed in a form of point-light display (PLD) animations. Two PLD animations consisting of a number of moving dots with different location and direction of movement were utilized in the study. One of the animations represented a face smiling while the other represented a face frowning. Earlier studies have demonstrated a potential of such PLD design in affecting emotional ratings of the users. Further investigation is needed to examine whether PLD animations have an effect and can influence the response to another stimulus. Therefore, in this work priming paradigm is used as a research method to study the implicit memory effect that PLD animations might have on the valence ratings of neutral faces (photographs). 29 participants were asked to rate the valence of neutral faces shortly presented (100 ms) after PLD aminations using a 0-6 rating scale. Moreover, participants were asked whether they perceived faces and facial expressions from the PLD animations. Results showed that participants perceived faces and facial expressions (smile and frown) from the PLD animations. On the other hand, paired sample t-test found no significant effect from the PLD animations on the valence ratings of neutral faces. The results obtained might be explained by the limitations of the experimental tasks, the rating scale implemented and the length of the PLD animations. The thesis discusses the results and suggests possible improvements to the weaknesses observed in the current design.
Description of tadpoles of five frog species in the subgenus Brygoomantis from Madagascar (Mantellidae: Mantidactylus)

We describe the larval stages of five frog species classified in the Madagascan subgenus Brygoomantis of the genus Mantidactylus, which were identified by DNA barcoding: Mantidactylus alutus, Mantidactylus curtus, and three taxonomically undescribed species here named Mantidactylus sp. aff. biporus "Ranomafana", M. sp. aff. biporus "Marojejy", and M. sp. aff. curtus "Ankaratra". The larvae of M. alutus, and of M. sp. aff. curtus "Ankaratra", had been described before, and we confirm and complement the previous studies. Our data confirm that Brygoomantis tadpoles are benthic, of a rather generalized body shape and oral disc morphology. All species for which tadpoles are known so far have a large dorsal gap of marginal papillae, a labial tooth row formula of 3-5 rows on the anterior labium of which only the first is continuous and the others have distinct medial gaps, and three rows of labial teeth on the posterior labium of which the first usually has a very small medial gap which however can sometimes be undetectable. Total number of marginal and submarginal papillae ranges from 50 to 103 and density of labial teeth (on the second upper row) from 19 to 76 per mm.
Disentangling the holism of intentional systems from the interactionism of mechanistic systems in person-oriented research

A key assumption in the person-oriented approach is that a person must be understood as a complex, integrated system, represented by patterns of within-person variation rather than scores on separate variables. The term ‘system’ does, however, have multiple meanings, which are not clearly distinguished in the person-oriented literature. I try to disentangle causal interactionism, which describes the psychological consequences and functions of each component of the system as dependent upon its causal interaction with other system components, from content holism, which describes the system components as in part constituted by their relations to each other and the system as a whole. Although the terms ‘interactionism’ and ‘holism’ are often treated as combinable and interchangeable, causal interactionism and content holism pertain to distinct kinds of research problems. Causal interactionism construes the person in terms of the hierarchically structured mechanistic systems that underpin his or her attributes and shape them over time, and can be exemplified in terms of Magnusson’s developmental approach, whereas content holism is integral to our understanding of the person as an intentional system, whose mental states and actions are interweaved through principles or logic and rationality rather than material causality, and can be exemplified in terms of Stephenson’s Q-methodological approach. (Less)
Toward time resolved 4D cardiac CT imaging with patient dose reduction: estimating the global heart motion

Coronary artery imaging with multi-slice helical computed tomography is a promising noninvasive imaging technique. The current major issues include the insufficient temporal resolution and large patient dose. We propose an image reconstruction method which provides a solution to both of the problems. The method uses an iterative approach repeating the following four steps until the difference between the two projection data sets falls below a certain criteria in step-4: 1) estimating or updating the cardiac motion vectors, 2) reconstructing the time-resolved 4D dynamic volume images using the motion vectors, 3) calculating the projection data from the current 4D images, 4) comparing them with the measured ones. In this study, we obtain the first estimate of the motion vector. We use the 4D NCAT phantom, a realistic computer model for the human anatomy and cardiac motions, to generate the dynamic fan-beam projection data sets as well to provide a known truth for the motion. Then, the halfscan reconstruction with the sliding time-window technique is used to generate cine images: f(t, r r). Here, we use one heart beat for each position r so that the time information is retained. Next, the magnitude of the first derivative of f(t, r r) with respect to time, i.e., |df/dt|, is calculated and summed over a region-of-interest (ROI), which is called the mean-absolute difference (MAD). The initial estimation of the vector field are obtained using MAD for each ROI. Results of the preliminary study are presented.
Epigenetic mapping of the Arabidopsis metabolome reveals mediators of the epigenotype-phenotype map

Identifying the sources of natural variation underlying metabolic differences between plants will enable a better understanding of plant metabolism and provide insights into the regulatory networks that govern plant growth and morphology. So far, however, the contribution of epigenetic variation to metabolic diversity has been largely ignored. In the present study, we utilized a panel of Arabidopsis thaliana epigenetic recombinant inbred lines (epiRILs) to assess the impact of epigenetic variation on the metabolic composition. Thirty epigenetic QTL (QTLepi) were detected, which partly overlap with QTLepi linked to growth and morphology. In an effort to identify causal candidate genes in the QTLepi regions and their putative trans-targets, we performed in silico small RNA and qPCR analyses. Differentially expressed genes were further studied by phenotypic and metabolic analyses of knockout mutants. Three genes were detected that recapitulated the detected QTLepi effects, providing evidence for epigenetic regulation in cis and in trans. These results indicate that epigenetic mechanisms impact metabolic diversity, possibly via small RNAs, and thus aid in further disentangling the complex epigenotype-phenotype map.
Upper critical field and superconducting anisotropy of BaFe2-xRuxAs2 (x=0.48 and 0.75) single crystals

Abstract The upper critical field (H c2 ) was determined by applying a magnetic field along the ab plane and c axis for two single crystals of BaFe 2-x Ru x As 2 (x=0.48 and 0.75). The anisotropy of the H c2 (0), γ(0)=H c2ab (0)/H c2c (0), was ~1.6 for x=0.48and ~2.3 for x=0.75. The angle-depen dent resistance measured below T c allowed perfect scaling features based on anisotropic Ginzburg -Landau theory, leading to consistent anisotropy values. Because only one fitting parameter γ is used in the scaling for each temperature, the validity of the abγvalue was compared with that determined from =H c2 /H c2c γ. The γ obtained at a temperature close to T c was 3.0 and decreased to 2.0 at low temperatures. Comparing to the anis otropy determined for electron- or hole -doped BaFe 2 As 2 using the same method, the present results point to consistent anisotropy in Ru-doped BaFe 2 As 2 with other electron- or hole-doped BaFe 2 As 2 . Keywords : Fe based superconductor, superconducting anisotropy, upper critical field
The dynamics of laterally variable subductions: laboratory models applied to the Hellenides

Abstract. We designed three-dimensional dynamically self-consistent laboratory models of subduction to analyse the relationships between overriding plate deformation and subduction dynamics in the upper mantle. We investigated the effects of the subduction of a lithosphere of laterally variable buoyancy on the temporal evolution of trench kinematics and shape, horizontal flow at the top of the asthenosphere, dynamic topography and deformation of the overriding plate. Two subducting units, which correspond to a negatively buoyant oceanic plate and positively buoyant continental one, are juxtaposed via a trench-perpendicular interface (analogue to a tear fault) that is either fully-coupled or shear-stress free. Differential rates of trench retreat, in excess of 6 cm yr−1 between the two units, trigger a more vigorous mantle flow above the oceanic slab unit than above the continental slab unit. The resulting asymmetrical sublithospheric flow shears the overriding plate in front of the tear fault, and deformation gradually switches from extension to transtension through time. The consistency between our models results and geological observations suggests that the Late Cenozoic deformation of the Aegean domain, including the formation of the North Aegean Trough and Central Hellenic Shear zone, results from the spatial variations in the buoyancy of the subducting lithosphere. In particular, the lateral changes of the subduction regime caused by the Early Pliocene subduction of the old oceanic Ionian plate redesigned mantle flow and excited an increasingly vigorous dextral shear underneath the overriding plate. The models suggest that it is the inception of the Kefalonia Fault that caused the transition between an extension dominated tectonic regime to transtension, in the North Aegean, Mainland Greece and Peloponnese. The subduction of the tear fault may also have helped the propagation of the North Anatolian Fault into the Aegean domain.