Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microbiological quality of open ready-to-eat salad vegetables: effectiveness of food hygiene training of management.

During September and October 2001, a microbiological study of open, ready-to-eat, prepared salad vegetables from catering or retail premises was undertaken to determine their microbiological quality. The study focused on those salad vegetables that were unwrapped and handled either by staff or customers in the premises where the sample was taken. Examination of salad vegetables from food service areas and customer self-service bars revealed that most (97%; 2,862 of 2,950) were of satisfactory or acceptable microbiological quality, 3% (87) were of unsatisfactory microbiological quality because of Escherichia coli levels in the range of 10(2) to 10(5) colony-forming units per gram. One (<1%) sample was of unacceptable microbiological quality because of the presence of Listeria monocytogenes at 840 colony-forming units per gram. The pathogens E. coli O157, Campylobacter spp. , and salmonellas were not detected in any of the samples examined. The display area for most food service and preparation areas (95%) and self-service salad bars (98%) that were visited was judged to be visibly clean by the sampling officer. Most self-service bars (87%) were regularly supervised or inspected by staff during opening hours, and designated serving utensils were used in most salad bars (92%) but in only a minority of food service areas (35%). A hazard analysis system was in place in most (80%) premises, and in 61%, it was documented. Most (90%) managers had received food hygiene training. A direct relationship was shown between increased confidence in the food business management and the presence of food safety procedures and the training of management in food hygiene.
Spatial Scattering Modulation for Uplink Millimeter-Wave Systems

In this letter, a new spatial scattering modulation (SSM) is proposed for uplink millimeter-wave (mmWave) systems that support a single user terminal (UT). By utilizing the analog and hybrid beamforming with a large antenna array and phase shifters for mmWave communications systems, an architecture, where the UT has a single radio-frequency (RF) chain, whereas the base station has more than one RF chain, is adopted. In this architecture, the proposed SSM modulates some information bits on the spatial directions of scattering clusters in the angular domain, so that a higher spectral efficiency can be achieved with the use of a lower order modulation. For a particular number of scattering clusters and a number of RF chains, a closed-form expression for the upper bound on the bit-error rate (BER) is derived for the proposed SSM. Monte Carlo simulations are also conducted to verify the achievable BER performance.
Transcription Start Regions in the Human Genome Are Favored Targets for MLV Integration

Factors contributing to retroviral integration have been intractable because past studies have not precisely located genomic sites of proviruses in sufficient numbers for significant analysis. In this study, 903 murine leukemia virus (MLV) and 379 human immunodeficiency virus–1 (HIV-1) integrations in the human genome were mapped. The data showed that MLV preferred integration near the start of transcriptional units (either upstream or downstream) whereas HIV-1 preferred integration anywhere in the transcriptional unit but not upstream of the transcriptional start. Defining different integration site preferences for retroviruses will have important ramifications for gene therapy and may aid in our understanding of the factors directing the integration process.
Fuzzy logic approach to identify transformer criticality using dissolved gas analysis

Dissolved gas analysis (DGA) of transformer oil is one of the most effective power transformer condition monitoring tools. There are many interpretation techniques for DGA results. However, all of these techniques rely on personnel experience more than standard mathematical formulation. DGA interpretation is yet a challenge in the power transformer condition monitoring research area. This paper introduces a novel fuzzy logic approach to help in standardizing DGA interpretation techniques and to identify transformer critical ranking using DGA. DGA has been performed on several oil samples that have been collected from different transformers. Traditional DGA interpretation techniques are used to analyze the results and then compared with the results of the fuzzy logic model. Results show that the fuzzy logic model is very effective in interpreting DGA results identifying the critical ranking of the power transformer based on DGA.
Fast Multidimensional Performance Parameter Estimation with Multiple One-Dimensional d-Spline Parameter Search

One approach of software automatic tuning is the incremental performance parameter estimation (IPPE) method, which is based on discrete spline function (d-Spline). We have applied IPPE to multidimensional performance parameter estimation. IPPE starts with the minimum number of the sampling points. It adds other sampling points by updating d-Spline at every iteration. For multidimensional performance parameter estimation, IPPE method using multidimensional d-Spline was studied in our previous work. However, the parameter estimation cost increases significantly as the number of performance parameters increases, because the calculation cost of multidimensional d-Spline is much higher than one-dimensional d-Spline. Computational cost for one-dimensional d-Spline is negligible. In this study, we propose a method for estimating the optimum value of multidimensional performance parameters by repeating one-dimensional d-Spline parameter search. We demonstrated that our method is able to identify optimal parameters with little cost. In case of three dimensional performance parameter estimation, our proposed method required only 104.8 combinations out of 1440 possible parameter combinations. We experimentally showed that multiple one-dimensional d-Spline parameter search is efficient for multidimensional performance parameter estimation.
Exploring the Diversity of Gender and Sexual Orientation Identities in an Online Sample of Transgender Individuals

Although the term transgender is increasingly used to refer to those whose gender identity or expression diverges from culturally defined categories of sex and gender, less is known about the self-identities of those who fall within this category. Historically, recruitment of transgender populations has also been limited to specialized clinics and support groups. This study was conducted online, with the aim of exploring the gender identities, sexual orientation identities, and surgery and hormonal statuses of those who identify with a gender identity other than, or in addition to, that associated with their birth sex (n = 292). Genderqueer was the most commonly endorsed gender identity, and pansexual and queer were the most commonly endorsed sexual orientation identities. Participants indentified with a mean of 2.5 current gender identities, 1.4 past gender identities, and 2 past sexual orientation identities. The majority of participants either did not desire or were unsure of their desire to take hormones or undergo sexual reassignment surgery. However, birth sex and age were significant predictors of “bottom” surgery and hormone status/desire, along with several identities and orientations. This study explores explanations and implications for these patterns of identification, along with the potential distinctiveness of this sample.
Neuropsychological performance in HIV‐1‐infected homosexual men

We administered a battery of standardized neuropsychological measures to assess cognitive functions in a group of 769 HIV-1 seronagative, 727 asymptomatic HIV-1 seropositive (CDC Groups 2 and 3), and 84 symptomatic HIV-1 seropositive (CDC Group 4) homosexual/bisexual men enrolled in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS). Measures included tests of attention, memory, and psychomotor speed. Comparison of group means revealed significant differences in performance between HIV-1 seropositive and symptomatic HIV-1 seropositive subjects on measures of memory and on measures with strong motor and psychomotor timed components. These findings support the sensitivity of these neuropsychological instruments for detecting cognitive changes that may be related to HIV-1, and are consistent with other reports of neuropsychological abnormalities in symptomatic HIV-1-infected individuals. Asymptomatic seroropositive men, on the other hand, did not differ significantly from seronegative subjects on any of the neuropsychological measures. Only 5.5% of the asymptomatic HIV-1 seropositive men showed abnormal performance on individual tests. This proportion did not differ significantly from that of seronegative controls. Further, among asymptomatic seropositive subjects, we found no statistically significant differences as a function of duration of HIV infection or level of immune system functioning. Thus, results from this study support the hypothesis that the frequency of neuropsychological abnormalities in asymptomatic HIV-1-infected homosexual men is low, and not statistically different from that of seronegative controls.
Modulation by dopamine and estradiol of the central effects of angiotensin II on anterior pituitary hormone release.

The effects of iv or intraventricular (ivt) angiotensin II (All) administration on plasma levels of PRL, LH, GH, and TSH were studied in conscious ovariectomized (OVX) female rats with (and in some cases without) estradiol benzoate (Eb) priming. Both iv and ivt administration of AII increased LH levels in OVX, Eb-primed rats, but not in OVX, unprimed animals. Central All injection in OVX, Eb-primed rats induced sustained decreases in PRL and GH levels, which were reversed by pretreatment with saralasin, a specific AII receptor blocker. Systemic administration of AII in OVX, Eb-primed rats produced rapid and transient changes in PRL and GH levels. Peripheral dopaminergic receptor blockade with domperidone prevented the ivt AII-induced decline in PRL levels. Plasma levels of GH and LH were depressed after domperidone treatment, but ivt AII still induced a modest but significant decrement in GH levels. Plasma levels of TSH were not affected by either ivt or iv injection of AII Similarly, AII treatment in dom.
An Impact of the U.S. and the U.K. Return Volatility for the Hong Kong and the Japan's Stock Market Returns: A DCC and Bivariate AGARCH Model

The empirical results show that the dynamic conditional correlation (DCC) and the bivariate AGARCH (1, 2) model is appropriate in evaluating the relationship of the Hong Kong and the Japan’s stock markets. The empirical result also indicates that the Hong Kong and the Japan’s stock markets is a positive relation. The average estimation value of correlation coefficient equals to 0.477, which implies that the two stock markets is synchronized influence. Besides, the empirical result also shows that the Hong Kong stock market has an asymmetrical effect and the Japan’s stock market has not the asymmetrical effect. The return volatility of the Hong Kong stock market receives the influence of the positive and negative values of the U.S. and the U.K. return volatility rates, and the return volatility of the Japan’s stock market also receives the influence of the U.S. and the U.K. return volatility rates. Keywords-stock market returns; asymmetric effect; IGARCH; AGARCH
Characterization of a Novel Thermostable Carboxylesterase from Geobacillus kaustophilus HTA426 Shows the Existence of a New Carboxylesterase Family

ABSTRACT The gene GK3045 (741 bp) from Geobacillus kaustophilus HTA426 was cloned, sequenced, and overexpressed into Escherichia coli Rosetta (DE3). The deduced protein was a 30-kDa monomeric esterase with high homology to carboxylesterases from Geobacillus thermoleovorans NY (99% identity) and Geobacillus stearothermophilus (97% identity). This protein suffered a proteolytic cut in E. coli, and the problem was overcome by introducing a mutation in the gene (K212R) without affecting the activity. The resulting Est30 showed remarkable thermostability at 65°C, above the optimum growth temperature of G. kaustophilus HTA426. The optimum pH of the enzyme was 8.0. In addition, the purified enzyme exhibited stability against denaturing agents, like organic solvents, detergents, and urea. The protein catalyzed the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl esters of different acyl chain lengths, confirming the esterase activity. The sequence analysis showed that the protein contains a catalytic triad formed by Ser93, Asp192, and His222, and the Ser of the active site is located in the conserved motif Gly91-X-Ser93-X-Gly95 included in most esterases and lipases. However, this carboxylesterase showed no more than 17% sequence identity with the closest members in the eight families of microbial carboxylesterases. The three-dimensional structure was modeled by sequence alignment and compared with others carboxylesterases. The topological differences suggested the classification of this enzyme and other Geobacillus-related carboxylesterases in a new α/β hydrolase family different from IV and VI.
Molecular Evaluation of Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Children Undergoing Hemodialysis and After Kidney Transplantation

Increased risk of cardiovascular disease in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) has been explained by accelerated atherosclerosis and impaired angiogenesis, in which endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) may play key roles. Circulating cells with endothelial progenitor phenotype have not been evaluated in children with ESRD. Using a quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) approach, we measured endothelial-specific and progenitor-associated genes VE-cadherin (VE-C), CD146, CD31, tyrosine-protein kinase receptor (Tie-2), Flk1, CD133, and growth factors promoting EPC function, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), erythropoietin (EPO), and stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) in the blood of pediatric patients undergoing hemodialysis and after transplantation. Patients' metabolic parameters were correlated with EPC marker gene levels. Compared with controls, circulating VE-cadherin, CD146, Flk1, VEGF, and EPO RNA levels were decreased in ESRD and normalized in transplanted patients. Levels of VE-cadherin, which were the most significantly reduced in ESRD (p = 0.001) inversely correlated in all of the patient population with serum urea and creatinine concentration, whereas among the ESRD group showed an inverse correlation with diastolic blood pressure (BP), interventricular septum thickness (IVST), and left ventricular mass index. Pediatric ESRD patients may have lower angiogenic potential and increased cardiovascular morbidity, because of decreased expression of circulating endothelial cell specific transcripts. Prospective studies are required to link this expression pattern and its restoration in transplanted patients to cardiovascular outcome.
Using the system-model-operator metaphor for knowledge acquisition

The system-model-operator framework, which provides a unifying perspective for the ways that expert systems represent, organize, and apply knowledge, is discussed. With this framework, it is possible to reuse domain-general knowledge and chart the knowledge-acquisition effort needed to extend task-specific shells to other domains. The concept is illustrated in the medical-diagnosis context of Heracles-DX, the diagnosis shell developed from Neomycin. In particular, Topo, an expert system for configuration that was developed using the Heracles shell, is described. <<ETX>>
Characterization of the asialoglycoprotein receptor under hypoxic conditions in primary cultured rat hepatocytes.

UNLABELLED Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury occurs in numerous clinical situations including liver transplantation and hepatic resection. Therefore, accurate functional assessment of hepatocytes and prevention of ischemia/reperfusion injury to hepatocytes would be important. (99m)Tc-Galactosyl-human serum albumin is a liver scintigraphic agent that binds to asialoglycoprotein receptors (ASGP-R) on hepatocytes. We determined the number of ASGP-R during hypoxic conditions in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. METHODS We used 3 durations of hypoxia (1, 2, and 3 h) for the cultured rat hepatocytes. The control incubation was performed under normoxic conditions (humidified 5% CO(2) in air) for the entire experiment. The maximal binding of (99m)Tc-galactosyl-human serum albumin (Bmax) to the hepatocytes (plasma membrane and endocytosis) and ketone body ratio (KBR) in the medium were estimated. RESULTS The Bmax to hepatocytes and the KBR significantly decreased with time under the 3 different hypoxic conditions, whereas the cell counts of the hepatocytes did not decrease. Three hours after reoxygenation, the Bmax and KBR values that were decreased in the first 2 h of hypoxia reversed to control levels, but those Bmax and KBR values that were decreased after 3 h of hypoxia were irreversible. CONCLUSION We conclude that the decrease in the number of ASGP-R per hepatocyte appears to be more significant than the decrease in the number of hepatocytes. Therefore, measurement of ASGP-R may provide an accurate assessment of hepatic function in the clinical setting of hepatic injury and recovery.
Advances in cell-free protein array methods

ABSTRACT Introduction: Cell-free protein microarrays represent a special form of protein microarray which display proteins made fresh at the time of the experiment, avoiding storage and denaturation. They have been used increasingly in basic and translational research over the past decade to study protein-protein interactions, the pathogen-host relationship, post-translational modifications, and antibody biomarkers of different human diseases. Their role in the first blood-based diagnostic test for early stage breast cancer highlights their value in managing human health. Cell-free protein microarrays will continue to evolve to become widespread tools for research and clinical management. Areas covered: We review the advantages and disadvantages of different cell-free protein arrays, with an emphasis on the methods that have been studied in the last five years. We also discuss the applications of each microarray method. Expert commentary: Given the growing roles and impact of cell-free protein microarrays in research and medicine, we discuss: 1) the current technical and practical limitations of cell-free protein microarrays; 2) the biomarker discovery and verification pipeline using protein microarrays; and 3) how cell-free protein microarrays will advance over the next five years, both in their technology and applications.
Community-acquired MRSA infections in North Carolina children: prevalence, antibiotic sensitivities, and risk factors.

BACKGROUND The incidence of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections in children has increased dramatically over the past decade. CA-MRSA infections are often resistant to standard outpatient antibiotics and present a large burden to the health care system and to afflicted families. OBJECTIVES Our aims were to characterize the patterns of CA-MRSA resistance to common antibiotics and to identify significant risk factors for CA-MRSA infection in healthy children at a large urban hospital. Additional goals were to discover the prevalence of CA-MRSA in the institution and to observe any notable trends surrounding CA-MRSA infection in the facility. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients under 18 years of age in the WakeMed Health and Hospitals system with cultures positive for Staphylococcus aureus over a period of seven and a half months in 2006. Cases were classified as community-acquired, and we then analyzed risk factors and examined trends surrounding CA-MRSA infection. RESULTS A total of 229 cases of Staphylococcus aureus infection were identified over the study period, of which 142 were CA-MRSA, a prevalence of 75.9% (95% CI, 69.5-82.3). Our CA-MRSA isolates were 98.6% sensitive to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxasole, 94.4% sensitive to tetracycline, 90.8% sensitive to clindamycin, and 59.9% sensitive to levofloxacin. Risk factors for CA-MRSA infection included parental employment in a school or daycare, family history of boils or MRSA, and antibiotic use by children in the past six months. LIMITATIONS Our definition of CA-MRSA is based on retrospective data from patient and family verbal histories in the medical record. We did not perform molecular genotyping of MRSA samples to confirm community-associated strains. DISCUSSION CA-MRSA is now the predominant strain of Staphylococcus aureus causing childhood infections in this central North Carolina hospital. Thus, standard antibiotic therapy with penicillins or first generation cephalosporins is no longer adequate for most pediatric skin and soft tissue infections in this population. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxasole and clindamycin both appear as reasonable alternatives for empiric therapy.
The Cross-Section of Expected Returns on Penny Stocks: Are Low-Hanging Fruits Not-So Sweet?

In this paper, we study the determinants of expected returns on the listed penny stocks from two perspectives. Traditionally financial economics literature has been devoted to study the macro and micro determinants of expected returns on stocks (Subrahmanyam, 2010). Very few research has been carried out on penny stocks (Liu, Rhee, & Zhang, 2011; Nofsinger & Verma, 2014). Our study is an effort to contribute more empirical evidence on penny stocks in the emerging market context. We see the return dynamics of penny stocks from corporate governance perspective. Issues such as shareholding patters are considered to be of much significance when it comes to understand the price movements. Using cross-sectional data on 167 penny stocks listed in the National Stock Exchange of India, we show that (i) Returns of portfolio of lower market-cap penny stocks are significantly different(higher) than that of higher market-cap penny stocks. (ii)Returns of portfolio lower P/E stocks are significantly different (higher) than that of higher P/E stocks. Similarly, returns of portfolio of lower P/B stocks are significantly different (higher) than that of higher P/B stocks, and returns of portfolio of lower priced penny stocks are significantly different(higher) than that of higher priced penny stocks. (iii) Trading volume differences due to alphabetism are insignificant. (iv)Differences in returns of portfolios based on beta and shareholding patterns are insignificant.