Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sensory Substitution for Force Feedback in Teleoperation

The objective of this research was to study the capabilities of sensory substitution for force feedback through the tactile and auditory senses for teleoperation tasks, with and without time delay. The motivation and potential benefits of sensory substitution for force feedback with vibrotactile and auditory displays are discussed. Teleoperator experiments that examined the presentation of basic force information through object contact tasks indicated that operator performance was improved by using the vibrotactile and auditory displays to present force information. Further, the vibrotactile and auditory displays compared favorably to traditional bilateral force feedback. Common manipulation experiments with peg-in-hole tasks of varying complexity were also conducted and showed that when the subjects' view was fully obstructed, the subjects were able to successfully complete the task by using either of the sensory substitution displays. Sensory substitution was also tested in the presence of a 3 sec time delay and significantly improved performance without instabilities.
Rolling tachyon in brane world cosmology from superstring field theory

The pressureless tachyonic matter recently found in superstring field theory has an over-abundance problem in cosmology. We argue that this problem is naturally solved in the brane inflationary scenario if almost all of the tachyon energy is drained (via its coupling to the inflaton and matter fields) to heating the universe, while the rest of the tachyon energy goes to a network of cosmic strings (lower-dimensional BPS D-branes) produced during the tachyon rolling at the end of inflation.
The Challenging Business of Long‐Term Public–Private Partnerships: Reflections on Local Experience

Many widely publicized arrangements bearing the popular “public–private partnership” label are complex, long-term contracts between municipalities and private companies. In theory, these innovative contracts offer substantial public benefits, including improved service quality, risk sharing with the private sector, and cost savings. In practice, however, the challenges that long-term contracts pose can undermine their successful implementation at the local level. Drawing on illustrative cases, this article explores some practical impediments to achieving market-driven competition, equitable risk sharing, effective performance guarantees, and appropriate transparency in innovative long-term contracts. It examines the inapplicability of the partnership model to most commercial transactions between government and business, the risks of uncontrollable circumstances, the impact of local resource constraints, and barriers to transparency in long-term contracts. It concludes that local governments embarking on long-term contracts must invest in specialized expertise, effective contract management, and strong governance structures.
COST OF GROWTH IN CELLS AND ORGANISMS: GENERAL RULES AND COMPARATIVE ASPECTS

In a crude fashion it can be said that metabolizable energy (M) is partitioned into metabolic work, paid for by 'oxidations' (R), and 'assimilation', i.e. production (P), so that M = R+P. However, a fraction of R is required to meet the expenses of production and if these expenses represent, Joule for Joule, a constant proportion of the amount produced, then Rt = Rm+cP, where Rt = total metabolic expenditures, Rm = metabolic expenditures for maintaining the non-producing organism, and cP = Rp = metabolic expenditures connected with the processes of production. The partitioning of metabolizable energy into R and P as well as into Rm and Rp may vary depending on the phylogeny and life-history of the species concerned and on ecological circumstances. Thus selection is expected to act on both ratios, R/P and Rm/Rp. By comparing the ratios P/(P+Rp) (the apparent efficiency of production) and Rp/P (the apparent metabolic cost of production) in different types of organisms, one finds that a value of P/(P+Rp) = 0.75, equal to 75% efficiency, 10 mgdbm/mmol ATP, and 16 mumolO2/mg dbm (when I mg identical to 22 J), can be used as a 'consensus value' for the average efficiency, or cost, of the transformation of metabolizable energy into production in a wide range of organisms, from bacteria to mammals. This value corresponds to about three times the theoretical cost of synthesizing the same amount of tissue on the basis of known biochemical principles. The reasons why the empirical costs of production are higher than the theoretical costs of synthesis by what appears to be a common factor may be quite different in bacteria, small ectothermic and large endothermic organisms. Deviations from the consensus value may be due to differences in energy density of the nutrients assimilated and the tissues synthesized. Further complications arise because of interactions between P, Rp, and Rm. In microorganisms the existence of a constant and a variable component of maintenance metabolism has been postulated, the latter decreasing with increasing rate of production. In small ectothermic metazoans, on the other hand, the nonlinear relationship between growth metabolism and growth rate has led to the speculation that above a critical value of Pg certain energy consuming functions of maintenance are suppressed and the energy thus gained used for fuelling growth processes. There is some evidence that, at least in ectothermic metazoans, the apparent cost of growth decreases with the rate of growth, reaching a low plateau of about 10 mumolO2/mgdbm at growth rates exceeding about 8 mgdbm/g/h. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
A monoclonal antibody which blocks infection with feline immunodeficiency virus identifies a possible non-CD4 receptor

Monoclonal antibody vpg15 detects a 24-kDa cell surface protein on feline cells permissive for infection with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). The antibody blocks infection of FIV-susceptible cells, and expression of the vpg15 marker is decreased in FIV-infected cells in vitro. These results suggest that the antibody may recognize an FIV receptor distinct from CD4.
INTER-REGIONAL TRADE FLOW ESTIMATION THROUGH NON-SURVEY MODELS: AN EMPIRICAL ASSESSMENT

Inter-regional trade estimation has been pointed out as a crucial problem when constructing a multiregional input–output system. Knowledge of inter-regional trade flows, at least of the pooled volume of exports and imports by commodity, is critical in accounting for important spillover and feedback effects deriving from inter-regional linkages. However, in most countries, there are no completely reliable survey-based statistics on inter-regional trade. Thus, this paper intends to evaluate the reasonability of using indirect inter-regional trade estimates, comparing different estimating methods and assessing the sensitivity of the model results. Based on our empirical comparisons we conclude that input–output models are not greatly affected by the insertion of different trade values. Thus, our results support the use of indirect estimates for inter-regional trade, whenever survey-based data are unavailable.
The impact of liquidity and solvency on cost efficiency

Purpose – This paper aims to develop and utilize a conceptual framework to examine the impact of liquidity and solvency on cost efficiency for a sample of Kansas farms. Design/methodology/approach – A standard cost-efficiency model is modified to incorporate liquidity and solvency ratios. Tobit regressions are used to determine the impact of farm characteristics on improvements in efficiency. Findings – Results confirm that liquidity and solvency measures have a significant impact on improving cost efficiency. Farms with larger expenditures on purchased inputs relative to capital were less likely to improve efficiency when liquidity and solvency were considered. Originality/value – To the authors' knowledge, the paper is the first to add liquidity and solvency ratios to the cost-efficiency model developed by Fare et al. for the analysis of farms.
The performance of alternative futures buy-write strategies

This study compares the performance of a conventional buy-write (or covered call writing) and a dynamic buy-write strategy. The conventional strategy generally enhances portfolio returns in low volatility conditions but underperforms the underlying cash asset in sharply rising markets. The dynamic strategy adjusts the moneyness of the option according to market conditions. The study extends Hill, J. M. , Balasubramanian, V. , Gregory, K. , and Tierens, I. (2006) and tests how and to what extent market volatility and market direction affect the performance of these two strategies. The study finds that both strategies offer significant positive α, higher returns and lower standard deviations than the market. Consistent with prior research, the abnormal returns of the buy-write strategies can be attributed to a volatility premium embedded in the options prices. The buy-write returns from the Hong Kong market appear to be lower than those found in the U.S. and U.K. markets. The conventional buy-write outperforms the dynamic strategy in both high and low volatility environments, and in sharply falling markets. However, by targeting exercise probability, the dynamic strategy provides a greater upside in sharply rising markets. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark
Union Dissolution, Unemployment and Moving Out of Homeownership

In most West-European countries, homeowners do not usually move out of owner-occupation unless there is an urgent need to do so. Union dissolution and unemployment are events urging a move out of homeownership, not only directly following the event, but also some time later. Moves immediately after the event are caused by a direct change in the household situation and later moves by a decline in resources. Using multinomial regression analysis on retrospective data for the Netherlands, it is shown that the effect of separation on the probability of dropping out of owner-occupation is particularly strong. This effect is strongly gendered: women have a consistently higher probability than men. The lower economic independence of women is the most likely cause of this finding.
Incomplete HIV type 1 antibody evolution and seroreversion in acutely infected individuals treated with early antiretroviral therapy.

BACKGROUND The diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection by standard tests relies on the formation of HIV-1-specific antibodies. Early treatment of acute HIV-1 infection may have unique immunologic effects on host cellular and humoral responses. Rare cases of HIV-1 seroreversion have been reported for patients with advanced or rapidly progressive disease. Here, we report seroreversion that occurred in subjects with acute HIV-1 infection who initiated early antiretroviral therapy. METHODS A total of 150 patients with symptomatic acute or early onset HIV-1 infection that was treated with antiretroviral therapy were observed prospectively by means of monthly clinical and laboratory evaluation, which included serial HIV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blots, until a fully evolved HIV-1 antibody response was documented. RESULTS Three patients who initiated antiretroviral therapy a mean interval of 8 days (range, 1-16 days) after presentation and were observed for a mean duration of 50.2 months (range, 40.2-55.7 months) did not develop a fully evolved HIV-1 antibody response or demonstrated complete or partial HIV-1 seroreversion, despite maintenance of cytomegalovirus-specific humoral responses. Virologic suppression and seroreversion (complete or partial) occurred a mean duration of 4.1 months (range, 2.3-5.7 months) and 15.5 months (range, 6.7-26.3 months), respectively, after the initiation of therapy. All patients maintained complete virologic suppression while receiving therapy and had an undetectable HIV-1 RNA load at the time of seroreversion. CONCLUSIONS Early antiretroviral therapy associated with durable virologic suppression in acute HIV-1 infection may abrogate the formation or detection of HIV-1-specific antibodies. Ongoing antigenic stimulation may be required to maintain HIV-1-specific humoral responses. Incomplete evolution of the HIV-1 antibody response and/or presence of seroreversion (although infrequently observed) underscore the potential unique immunologic effect of early antiretroviral therapy in patients with primary HIV-1 infection.
Chromothripsis and beyond: rapid genome evolution from complex chromosomal rearrangements

Recent genome sequencing studies have identified several classes of complex genomic rearrangements that appear to be derived from a single catastrophic event rather than numerous incremental steps. In this review, Zhang et al. discuss these phenomena, summarize current models, and consider the impact of massive chromosomal change on the development of diseases such as cancer.
A bifunctional protein from Pseudomonas denitrificans carries cobinamide kinase and cobinamide phosphate guanylyltransferase activities

The two consecutive activities of the cobalamin biosynthetic pathway that catalyze the conversion of cobinamide to cobinamide phosphate (cobinamide kinase) and of cobinamide phosphate to GDP-cobinamide (cobinamide phosphate guanylytransferase) were shown to be carried by the same protein in Pseudomonas denitrificans. This bifunctional protein was purified to homogeneity by high-performance liquid chromatography of extracts of a recombinant strain of this microorganism, and the sequence of the first 10 amino acid residues at the N terminus was determined. Both activities were specific to the coenzyme forms of the corrinoid substrates and exhibited an optimum pH at 8.8. Both ATP and GTP were shown to be in vitro gamma-phosphate donors for cobinamide kinase. However, competition experiments demonstrated that ATP was the preferred substrate, a result that can be explained in terms of the kinetic properties of the enzyme. Labeling experiments established that the phosphate group of cobinamide phosphate is quantitatively retained as the inner phosphate of GDP-cobinamide during the guanylyltransferase reaction. The native protein had an apparent molecular weight of 40,000, as estimated by gel filtration, and consisted of two identical subunits of Mr 20,000, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This protein had an isoelectric point of 5.35 and contained a high-affinity GTP-binding site (Kaff.(GTP) = 0.22 microM). Binding of GTP onto this site resulted in a marked increase of the affinity of cobinamide kinase for cobinamide. This property and other kinetic properties may regulate the enzyme and prevent the accumulation of cobinamide phosphate.
Extent of Antigenic Cross-Reactivity among Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Influenza Viruses

ABSTRACT Highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza viruses emerged in 1996 and have since evolved so extensively that a single strain can no longer be used as a prepandemic vaccine or diagnostic reagent. We therefore sought to identify the H5N1 strains that may best serve as cross-reactive diagnostic reagents. We compared the cross-reactivity of 27 viruses of clades 0, 1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, and 4 and of four computationally designed ancestral H5N1 strains by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and microneutralization (MN) assays. Antigenic cartography was used to analyze the large quantity of resulting data. Cartographs of HI titers with chicken red blood cells were similar to those of MN titers, but HI with horse red blood cells decreased antigenic distances among the H5N1 strains studied. Thus, HI with horse red blood cells seems to be the assay of choice for H5N1 diagnostics. Whereas clade 2.2 antigens were able to detect antibodies raised to most of the tested H5N1 viruses (and clade 2.2-specific antisera detected most of the H5N1 antigens), ancestral strain A exhibited the widest reactivity pattern and hence was the best candidate diagnostic reagent for broad detection of H5N1 strains.
Training the future entrepreneur

Can entrepreneurship be taught? How can we design and implement a training course in order to develop and support entrepreneurial attitudes and skills? What are the opportunities offered by an entrepreneurship course within a university programme of studies? What are the constraints in implementing it and how could we assess its effectiveness? These questions lead to an interesting ground of research, in pursuit of an empirical way for entrepreneurship development. This paper aims at presenting a field experience that is an entrepreneurship course designed and implemented at Carlo Cattaneo University (Italy).
Testing for Nonnormality in Farm Net Returns

Cash returns from farming are expected to be nonnormally distributed under a wide range of joint price-yield distributions. Adequate testing for such nonnormality requires use of proper whitening procedures as well as appropriate statistics. With tests and sample sizes commonly employed, a false imputation of normality often will be made. However, positive correlation between skewness and kurtosis reduces the likelihood of associated decision errors. These results are illustrated with data for irrigated alfalfa and dryland wheat.
Venture capitalists and the decision to invest overseas

An important strategic decision facing venture capitalists is whether to invest overseas. This paper identifies some of the reasons why some choose this route whilst others do not. The paper is based on data generated from a sample drawn from UK venture capitalists operating in 2000. A qualitative response model is employed to analyse the data. The results suggest that the willingness to invest overseas is directly related to the size of venture capital firms (measured by the funds they have available for investment), the number of offices they operate from, the stage of development of their investee ventures, and is inversely related to the length of time in which the venture capitalist had been in operation. The type of ownership of the venture capitalist does not appear to be an influence on the degree of internationalization.
MARKETING PREFERENCES AND BEHAVIOUR OF A GROUP OF SMALL-SCALE IRRIGATION VEGETABLE FARMERS IN EASTERN CAPE

Irrigation vegetable farmers in Seymour District, Eastern Cape, have had problems concerning market access. Initial action by the researcher showed that problems can be solved. A survey showed younger farmers to be better educated, more businesslike and more eager to solve problems than older farmers. The unavailability of transport, poor infrastructure, lack of market information and to a lesser extent, dishonesty of some traders are major problems for these farmers. The community involved should be regarded as progressive, and can be expected to prosper once their problems have been solved.
Medial Reefing Without Lateral Release for Recurrent Patellar Instability

Background: There is no consensus on the optimal surgical technique for recurrent patellofemoral instability. Despite many different surgical procedures discussed in the literature, there are few studies with long-term outcomes. Hypothesis/Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare subjective and objective preoperative data from patients with recurrent patellar instability and normal alignment to midterm and long-term outcomes after an arthroscopically assisted medial reefing technique. The hypothesis was that the previously reported successful outcomes at 60 months would be well maintained over time. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A total of 19 patients (20 knees) with recurrent patellar instability and normal bony anatomy underwent arthroscopically assisted medial reefing without lateral release. They were evaluated preoperatively and then at midterm (average, 63 months) and long-term (average, 142 months) follow-ups. Patients underwent a history assessment, physical examination, and radiographic evaluation. Outcomes evaluated included Lysholm and Tegner scores, subjective data, and examination and radiographic findings. Operative reports were reviewed for the presence of chondral lesions. Comparative statistics were utilized (P < .05). Results: All patients were satisfied with their surgery results and would undergo the procedure again. There was 1 recurrent subluxation and no recurrent dislocations. Subjective symptom scores demonstrated significant improvement from preoperative to midterm and long-term follow-ups for pain, instability, and swelling. Both Lysholm and Tegner scores improved significantly from preoperative to midterm and long-term follow-ups. At long-term follow-up, 70% of the patients reported excellent or good results, 5 patients reported fair results, and 1 patient reported a poor result. However, Tegner activity scores decreased significantly from midterm to long-term follow-ups. Significant improvement from preoperative to midterm and long-term follow-ups was demonstrated in physical examination findings including decreases in patellar apprehension and patellar quadrant glide; however, there was no significant difference in retropatellar pain or range of motion. For radiographic measurements, the lateral patellofemoral angle was significantly improved from preoperative to midterm and long-term follow-ups. At long-term radiographic analysis, 5 knees (25%) had narrowing of the patellofemoral joint space, 10 knees (50%) revealed patellofemoral osteophytes, and 7 knees (35%) demonstrated a medial ossicle. The presence of preoperative chondral lesions resulted in significantly lower Lysholm and Tegner scores and increased findings of osteoarthritis at long-term follow-up. Conclusion: Arthroscopically assisted medial reefing, without lateral release, is an effective long-term treatment for patients with recurrent patellar instability and normal bony anatomy.
Cholesterol in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s Diseases and Autism: Link to Synaptic Dysfunction

In our previous review, we described brain cholesterol metabolism in control conditions and in the case of some rare neurological pathologies linked to defects in the genes which are directly involved in the synthesis and/or traffic of cholesterol. Here, we have analyzed disruptions in cholesterol homeostasis in widespread neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases) and autism spectrum disorders. We particularly focused on the synaptic dysfunctions that could arise from changes in both membrane cholesterol availability and oxysterol production. Notably, alterations in the brain cholesterol metabolism and neurotransmission occur in the early stages of these pathologies and the polymorphism of the genes associated with cholesterol homeostasis and synaptic communication affects the risk of onset and severity of these diseases. In addition, pharmacological and genetic manipulations of brain cholesterol homeostasis in animal models frequently have marked effects on the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, the development of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and autism spectrum disorders may be partially associated with an imbalance of cholesterol homeostasis that leads to changes in the membrane cholesterol and oxysterol levels that, in turn, modulates key steps in the synaptic transmission.
Enhancing destination image through travel website information

Effects of a travel website on tourists' destination images were examined. The relationship between information search using websites and destination image was studied. In addition, the validity of experimental design as a method for examining destination image was explored. A static-group comparison design was conducted using two sets of students as experimental and control groups. A travel website search was the stimuli for the experimental group. Results revealed that exposure to a travel website significantly affected the majority of cognitive and overall destination images. Additionally, experimental design was shown to be an effective method in measuring changes in destination image. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.