Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Scenario analysis of corporate e-learning

AALTO UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING ABSTRACT OF THE MASTER’S THESIS Author: Tapio Haikonen Title: Scenario analysis of corporate e-learning Date: August 3, 2016 Language: English Number of pages: 10+69 Department of Communications and Networking Professorship: Network Economics Supervisor: Prof. Heikki Hämmäinen Advisor: M.Sc. Ari Kallio E-learning has advanced to the frontier of future learning as a broad spectrum of technologies that are used to create, deliver, manage and assist learning. Corporations have adopted e-learning in an effort to addresses the challenges of modern corporate learning and development in the digital age. A complex multifaceted e-learning industry has emerged to cater to these versatile learning approaches and technologies. As the elearning industry evolves, it is important to understand what the underlying factors are that drive change. This thesis uses the most significant trends and uncertainties influencing the industry to examine scenarios for corporate e-learning over a time frame spanning the next 10 years. The literature review establishes an understanding of past changes and of the current state of the e-learning industry. Expert interviews helped in establishing a deeper knowledge and gaining further information. Key trends and uncertainties are identified with the help of the PEST framework, so that a broad range of macro-environmental factors are considered. Four alternative scenarios for corporate e-learning are developed from the key trends and uncertainties by using Shoemaker’s scenario planning method. Lastly, the corporate e-learning scenarios are analyzed and further evaluated from the perspective of the key stakeholder of the thesis. The scenarios reveal a common factor. E-learning niches, built on distinct competencies or specialization in certain technology, are less prone to the effects of the key uncertainties. The key uncertainties in the thesis are concerned with corporate elearning in-house sourcing and the emergence of supplier power positions. Overall, the results of the thesis establish a basis for further internal strategic thinking for the key stakeholder.
Extracellular DNA metabolism in Haloferax volcanii

Extracellular DNA is found in all environments and is a dynamic component of the microbial ecosystem. Microbial cells produce and interact with extracellular DNA through many endogenous mechanisms. Extracellular DNA is processed and internalized for use as genetic information and as a major source of macronutrients, and plays several key roles within prokaryotic biofilms. Hypersaline sites contain some of the highest extracellular DNA concentrations measured in nature–a potential rich source of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus for halophilic microorganisms. We conducted DNA growth studies for the halophilic archaeon Haloferax volcanii DS2 and show that this model Halobacteriales strain is capable of using exogenous double-stranded DNA as a nutrient. Further experiments with varying medium composition, DNA concentration, and DNA types revealed that DNA is utilized primarily as a phosphorus source, that growth on DNA is concentration-dependent, and that DNA isolated from different sources is metabolized selectively, with a bias against highly divergent methylated DNA. Additionally, fluorescence microscopy showed that labeled DNA co-localized with H. volcanii cells. The gene Hvo_1477 was also identified using a comparative genomic approach as a factor likely to be involved in DNA processing at the cell surface, and deletion of Hvo_1477 created a strain deficient in the ability to grow on extracellular DNA. Widespread distribution of Hvo_1477 homologs in archaea suggests metabolism of extracellular DNA may be of broad ecological and physiological relevance in this domain of life.
Kinematic modeling and control design of a multifingered robot hand

The paper addresses the problem of kinematic modeling and control design of a multifingered robot hand. The fingers are modeled as independent serial manipulators and the kinematic constraints are derived from empirical observations due to the complex structure of the mechanism. The pose control problem for the fingertips is solved by using the kinematic control approach, which ensures the asymptotic stability of the output tracking error. The kinematic control algorithm is extended to include the contact model and the hand Jacobian to allow for the positioning control of grasped objects. Experimental results obtained with a three-fingered robot hand illustrate the applicability of the proposed methodology.
Complete Genome Sequence of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus from Lanzhou, China

ABSTRACT A complete genome of human respiratory syncytial virus was sequenced and analyzed. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the full-length human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) genome sequence belongs to gene type NA1. We sequenced the genome in order to create the full-length cDNA infectious clone and develop vaccines against HRSV.
Feasibility of the custom-made titanium cranioplasty CRANIOTOP®

Background: With decompressive craniectomy for ischemic stroke, traumatic brain injury, and skull-infiltrating tumors, the need for cranioplasty has increased. Different materials for custom-made cranioplasties have been evaluated, but a gold standard could not yet be established. We report our experience with the new custom-made titanium CRANIOTOP®cranioplasty (CL Instruments, Germany). Methods: A total of 50 consecutive patients received a CRANIOTOP cranioplasty within a 2 year interval. We reviewed the charts for time between initial surgery and cranioplasty, indication, complications, operative time, and cosmetic outcome. Postoperative imaging (computed tomography [CT] scan n = 48, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) n = 5) was screened for fitting accuracy and for hemorrhages. Results: The most common indication for craniectomy were diffuse edema due to traumatic brain injury (n = 17, 34%) and ischemic stroke (n = 12, 24%). All patients were satisfied with the cosmetic result. In the postoperative CT scan accurate fitting was confirmed in all patients, the postoperative MRI was free of artifacts. Surgical revision was necessary in five patients because of empyema (n = 2), wound exposure (n = 2), and one cerebrospinal fluid fistula. Thus, the surgical morbidity was 10%. Conclusion: With due consideration of the limitations of this retrospective study, we feel the present data allow concluding that the custom-made titanium cranioplasty CRANIOTOP®is safe and feasible.
Women's Autonomy in Decision Making for Health Care in South Asia

This article aims to discuss women's autonomy in decision making on health care, and its determinants in 3 South Asian countries, using nationally representative surveys. Women's participation either alone or jointly in household decisions on their own health care was considered as an indicator of women's autonomy in decision making. The results revealed that decisions of women's health care were made without their participation in the majority of Nepal (72.7%) and approximately half of Bangladesh (54.3%) and Indian (48.5%) households. In Sri Lanka, decision making for contraceptive use was a collective responsibility in the majority (79.7%). Women's participation in decision making significantly increased with age, education, and number of children. Women who were employed and earned cash had a stronger say in household decision making than women who did not work or worked not for cash. Rural and poor women were less likely to be involved in decision making than urban or rich women.
bZIPs and WRKYs: two large transcription factor families executing two different functional strategies

bZIPs and WRKYs are two important plant transcription factor (TF) families regulating diverse developmental and stress-related processes. Since a partial overlap in these biological processes is obvious, it can be speculated that they fulfill non-redundant functions in a complex regulatory network. Here, we focus on the regulatory mechanisms that are so far described for bZIPs and WRKYs. bZIP factors need to heterodimerize for DNA-binding and regulation of transcription, and based on a bioinformatics approach, bZIPs can build up more than the double of protein interactions than WRKYs. In contrast, an enrichment of the WRKY DNA-binding motifs can be found in WRKY promoters, a phenomenon which is not observed for the bZIP family. Thus, the two TF families follow two different functional strategies in which WRKYs regulate each other’s transcription in a transcriptional network whereas bZIP action relies on intensive heterodimerization.
Recent Advancement in Biosensors Technology for Animal and Livestock Health Management

The term biosensors encompasses devices that have the potential to quantify physiological, immunological and behavioural responses of livestock and multiple animal species. Novel biosensing methodologies offer highly specialised monitoring devices for the specific measurement of individual and multiple parameters covering an animal’s physiology as well as monitoring of an animal’s environment. These devices are not only highly specific and sensitive for the parameters being analysed, but they are also reliable and easy to use, and can accelerate the monitoring process. Novel biosensors in livestock management provide significant benefits and applications in disease detection and isolation, health monitoring and detection of reproductive cycles, as well as monitoring physiological wellbeing of the animal via analysis of the animal’s environment. With the development of integrated systems and the Internet of Things, the continuously monitoring devices are expected to become affordable. The data generated from integrated livestock monitoring is anticipated to assist farmers and the agricultural industry to improve animal productivity in the future. The data is expected to reduce the impact of the livestock industry on the environment, while at the same time driving the new wave towards the improvements of viable farming techniques. This review focusses on the emerging technological advancements in monitoring of livestock health for detailed, precise information on productivity, as well as physiology and well-being. Biosensors will contribute to the 4th revolution in agriculture by incorporating innovative technologies into cost-effective diagnostic methods that can mitigate the potentially catastrophic effects of infectious outbreaks in farmed animals
Molecular and Cellular Pathobiology Integration of High-Resolution Methylome and Transcriptome Analyses to Dissect Epigenomic Changes in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (pre-B ALL) is the most common pediatric cancer. Although the genetic determinants underlying disease onset remain unclear, epigenetic modifications including DNA methylation are suggested to contribute significantly to leukemogenesis. Using the Illumina 450K array, we assessed DNA methylation in matched tumor-normal samples of 46 childhood patients with pre-B ALL, extending single CpG-site resolution analysis of the pre-B ALL methylome beyond CpG-islands (CGI). Unsupervised hierarchical clustering of CpG-site neighborhood, gene, or microRNA (miRNA) gene-associated methylation levels separated the tumor cohort according to major pre-B ALL subtypes, and methylation in CGIs, CGI shores, and in regions around the transcription start site was found to significantly correlate with transcript expression. Focusing on samples carrying the t(12;21) ETV6–RUNX1 fusion, we identified 119 subtype-specific high-confidence marker CpG-loci. Pathway analyses linked the CpG-loci–associated genes with hematopoiesis and cancer. Further integration with whole-transcriptome data showed the effects of methylation on expression of 17 potential drivers of leukemogenesis. Independent validation of array methylation and sequencing-derived transcript expression with Sequenom Epityper technology and realtime quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR, respectively, indicates more than 80% empirical accuracy of our genome-wide findings. In summary, genome-wide DNAmethylation profiling enabled us to separate pre-B ALL according to major subtypes, to map epigenetic biomarkers specific for the t(12;21) subtype, and through a combined methylome and transcriptome approach to identify downstream effects on candidate drivers of leukemogenesis. Cancer Res; 73(14); 4323–36. 2013 AACR.
A Molecular Link between Malaria and Epstein–Barr Virus Reactivation

Although malaria and Epstein–Barr (EBV) infection are recognized cofactors in the genesis of endemic Burkitt lymphoma (BL), their relative contribution is not understood. BL, the most common paediatric cancer in equatorial Africa, is a high-grade B cell lymphoma characterized by c-myc translocation. EBV is a ubiquitous B lymphotropic virus that persists in a latent state after primary infection, and in Africa, most children have sero-converted by 3 y of age. Malaria infection profoundly affects the B cell compartment, inducing polyclonal activation and hyper-gammaglobulinemia. We recently identified the cystein-rich inter-domain region 1α (CIDR1α) of the Plasmodium falciparum membrane protein 1 as a polyclonal B cell activator that preferentially activates the memory compartment, where EBV is known to persist. Here, we have addressed the mechanisms of interaction between CIDR1α and EBV in the context of B cells. We show that CIDR1α binds to the EBV-positive B cell line Akata and increases the number of cells switching to the viral lytic cycle as measured by green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression driven by a lytic promoter. The virus production in CIDR1α-exposed cultures was directly proportional to the number of GFP-positive Akata cells (lytic EBV) and to the increased expression of the EBV lytic promoter BZLF1. Furthermore, CIDR1α stimulated the production of EBV in peripheral blood mononuclear cells derived from healthy donors and children with BL. Our results suggest that P. falciparum antigens such as CIDR1α can directly induce EBV reactivation during malaria infection that may increase the risk of BL development for children living in malaria-endemic areas. To our knowledge, this is the first report to show that a microbial protein can drive a latently infected B cell into EBV replication.
Translational utility of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis: recent developments

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex autoimmune condition with firmly established genetic and environmental components. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have revealed a large number of genetic polymorphisms in the vicinity of, and within, genes that associate to disease. However, the significance of these single-nucleotide polymorphisms in disease and possible mechanisms of action remain, with a few exceptions, to be established. While the animal model for MS, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), has been instrumental in understanding immunity in general and mechanisms of MS disease in particular, much of the translational information gathered from the model in terms of treatment development (glatiramer acetate and natalizumab) has been extensively summarized. In this review, we would thus like to cover the work done in EAE from a GWAS perspective, highlighting the research that has addressed the role of different GWAS genes and their pathways in EAE pathogenesis. Understanding the contribution of these pathways to disease might allow for the stratification of disease subphenotypes in patients and in turn open the possibility for new and individualized treatment approaches in the future.
Long‐term follow‐up after cerebral hemispherectomy

Eight patients were studied 3 to 16 years (mean, 10 years) after cerebral hemispherectomy. Seven had infantile hemiplegia, and one had Sturge-Weber disease. Preoperative assessment included EEG responses to intracarotid drug injections. Postoperative complications occurred in seven patients. The operation was followed by a marked reduction in seizure frequency and improvement in behavior, with little change in intellect or hemiplegia. Neuropsychological assessment performed in four patients showed that they were not aphasic, but nonverbal spatial abilities were poor. CT showed marked shift of the remaining hemisphere in five of six patients scanned.
Automatic Phoneme Segmentation with Relaxed Textual Constraints

Speech synthesis by unit selection requires the segmentation of a large single speaker high quality recording. Automatic speech recognition techniques, e.g. Hidden Markov Models (HMM), can be optimised for maximum segmentation accuracy. This paper presents the results of tuning such a phoneme segmentation system. Firstly, using no text transcription, the design of an HMM phoneme recogniser is optimised subject to a phoneme bigram language model. Optimal performance is obtained with triphone models, 7 states per phoneme and 5 Gaussians per state, reaching 94.4% phoneme recognition accuracy with 95.2% of phoneme boundaries within 70 ms of hand labelled boundaries. Secondly, using the textual information modeled by a multi-pronunciation phonetic graph built according to errors found in the first step, the reported phoneme recognition accuracy increases to 96.8% with 96.1% of phoneme boundaries within 70 ms of hand labelled boundaries. Finally, the results from these two segmentation methods based on different phonetic graphs, the evaluation set, the hand labelling and the test procedures are discussed and possible improvements are proposed.
Stratospheric Chlorine Injection by Volcanic Eruptions: HCI Scavenging and Implications for Ozone

Because the output of volatile chlorine during a major volcanic event can greatly exceed the annual anthropogenic emissions of chlorine to the atmosphere, the fate of volcanic chlorine must be known. Although numerous observations have shown that volcanoes do not significantly contribute to the stratospheric chlorine burden, no quantitative explanation has been published. Hydrogen chloride (HCI) scavenging processes during the early phases of a volcanic eruption are discussed. A plume dynamics and thermodynamics model is used to show that HCI removal in condensed supercooled water can reduce HCI vapor concentrations by up to four orders of magnitude, preventing substantial stratospheric chlorine injection.
Cardiovascular risk and thiazolidinediones—what do meta‐analyses really tell us?

Meta‐analyses of clinical trials suggest that the use of the thiazolidinedione (TZD), rosiglitazone, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus may increase the risk of myocardial ischaemic events by 30–40%. Although these controversial data must be interpreted with caution, in the absence of definitive prospective cardiovascular (CV) outcomes data, they represent a prominent source of evidence concerning the CV safety of rosiglitazone. The results of meta‐analyses and a large randomized‐controlled CV outcomes trial provide strong evidence that pioglitazone does not increase the risk of coronary events. This article clarifies the clinical significance of these meta‐analytical findings alongside other sources of evidence and assesses their impact on evolving treatment guidelines and recommendations for the use of TZDs in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Phytochemical Analysis , Purification and Identification of Hibiscus Anthocyanins

Hibiscus sabdariffa is a medicinal and food plant rich in phytochemical compounds which are the source of its biological properties. The present work aim to study the phytochemical screening of H. sabdariffa for various medicinally important compounds and their quantification. The results showed that alkaloids, anthocyanins, flavonoids, saponins and tannins are present in calyces of the Hibiscus sabdariffa. Anthocyanin content was highest while the contents of other flavonoids and phenolic acids were lowest. Two Hibiscus anthocyanins such as cyanidin 3-O-glucoside and delphinidin 3-Oglucoside were purified and identified by CPC and HPLC in calyces of Hibiscus sabdariffa. The presence of phytochemical compounds constituting mainly calyces of H. sabdariffa, such as anthocyanins, flavonoids and phenolic acids justify its uses in folkloric medicines. Keyword: Hibiscus sabdariffa; Phytochemical; Anthocyanins; Cyanidin 3-O-glucoside; Delphinidin 3-Oglucoside
Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography findings in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy suggest a type 1 neovascular growth pattern

Purpose To report spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) findings in polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). Patients and methods Seventeen eyes of 15 consecutive patients diagnosed with PCV based on typical clinical and angiographic findings were imaged with macular SD-OCT including line scans passing through the polyps. Results SD-OCT findings included typical and atypical retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) detachments and subretinal and intraretinal fluid in all eyes. In the areas corresponding to the polypoidal lesions, well-delineated round-oval, sub-RPE cavities were present and were adherent to the posterior surface of the detached RPE above Bruch membrane. No retinal or choroidal connections to the cavities were noted. Conclusion These SD-OCT findings document that the vascular lesions in PCV are not located in the inner choroid, but in the sub-RPE space, suggesting that PCV is a variant of type 1 choroidal neovascularization rather than a distinct clinical entity as initially thought.
Vitamin D reduces the inflammatory response and restores glucose uptake in adipocytes.

SCOPE Obesity is strongly associated with low-grade inflammation, notably due to an overproduction of proinflammatory markers by adipose tissue and adipocytes as well as a vitamin D deficiency. Whether these problems are interrelated has not been clearly established. METHODS AND RESULTS In the present report, decreases in the levels of inflammatory markers such as IL-6, MCP-1, and IL-1β (mRNA and protein level) in human adipocytes and in 3T3-L1 adipocytes were observed after 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)(2) D(3) ) treatment. Such treatment also decreased the expression of the TNF-α-mediated proinflammatory marker in 3T3-L1 and human adipocytes. A similar effect was observed in adipocyte-macrophage co-culture systems in which 1,25-(OH)(2) D(3) decreased proinflammatory marker expression under basal and TNF-α-stimulated conditions. The involvement of VDR and NF-κB was confirmed in these regulations. Incubation with 1,25-(OH)(2) D(3) also resulted in the dephosphorylation of p38, which is linked to the transcriptional induction of several Dusp family members. Functional consequences of the 1,25-(OH)(2) D(3) treatment on glucose uptake and AKT phosphorylation were observed. CONCLUSION The improvement of both proinflammatory status and glucose uptake in adipocytes under 1,25-(OH)(2) D(3) effect suggests that low-grade inflammation could be linked to vitamin D deficiency. This observation offers new perspectives in the context of obesity and associated physiopathological disorders.
Needle steering and motion planning in soft tissues

In this work, needle insertion into deformable tissue is formulated as a trajectory planning and control problem. A new concept of needle steering has been developed and a needle manipulation Jacobian defined using numerical needle insertion models that include needle deflection and soft tissue deformation. This concept is used in conjunction with a potential-field-based path planning technique to demonstrate needle tip placement and obstacle avoidance. Results from open loop insertion experiments are provided.