Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Revenue collection in South Africa : a comparative analysis of South African Revenue Services and the South African municipalities

This paper makes a comparative analysis of the strategies used by the South African Revenue Services (SARS) in South Africa in comparison to revenue collection strategies used by South African municipalities in the same country. Revenue collection is the chock of any country's economic stability. SARS is a good model for revenue collection in South Africa and enables the government to meet citizens' needs through collected revenues. This paper is conceptual in nature and it uses qualitative research means from literature to argue that South African municipalities can learn lessons from SARS in order to increase their revenue base to serve their clients. In comparison, SARS' strategies are effective and have, over the years, exceeded the set revenue collection targets, while those of the municipality are ineffective, as they struggle to collect revenue, which results in a large debtors' book. The paper does, however, acknowledge that the two institutions operate on different legislative levels and frameworks, and, therefore, concludes that only selected applicable strategies used by SARS can be applicable for revenue collection in municipalities.
Targeted Disruption of the Artemis Murine Counterpart Results in SCID and Defective V(D)J Recombination That Is Partially Corrected with Bone Marrow Transplantation1

Artemis is a mammalian protein, the absence of which results in SCID in Athabascan-speaking Native Americans (SCIDA). This novel protein has been implicated in DNA double-strand break repair and V(D)J recombination. We have cloned the Artemis murine counterpart, mArt, and generated a mouse with a targeted disruption of mArt. Artemis-deficient mice show a similar T−B− NK+ immunodeficiency phenotype, and carry a profound impairment in coding joint rearrangement, while retaining intact signal ends and close to normal signal joint formation. mArt−/− embryonic fibroblasts show increased sensitivity to ionizing radiation. Hemopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation using 500-5000 enriched congenic, but not allogeneic mismatched HSC corrected the T cell and partially corrected the B cell defect. Large numbers (40,000) of allogeneic mismatched HSC or pretreatment with 300 cGy of radiation overcame graft resistance, resulting in limited B cell engraftment. Our results suggest that the V(D)J and DNA repair defects seen in this mArt−/− mouse model are comparable to those in humans with Artemis deficiency, and that the recovery of immunity following HSC transplantation favors T rather than B cell reconstitution, consistent with what is seen in children with this form of SCID.
EFFECT OF BRANDING AS A COMPETITIVE STRATEGY IN SALES PERFORMANCE OF AIRTEL KENYA

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to establish the effect of branding as a competitive strategy in sales performance of Airtel Kenya. Methodology : This study employed descriptive survey design. The population of this study was drawn from 600 employees of Airtel Kenya. The sampling design of this study was random sampling. A random sample of 10% of the employees was taken. The sample size of the study was 60 employees. The particular random sampling technique was lottery method. The sampling frame was all the employees of the Airtel. This study utilized a questionnaire. Qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis were used. The Data was analyzed using Descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics used the mean and standard deviation while inferential analysis used of correlation and regression. Analysis was made with use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Ms Excel spreadsheets. Results: The study findings indicated that recognition & identity, customer loyalty, differentiation and quality image building affected sales performance. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy : The study recommends all companies to view strategy of differentiation as a more important and distinct means to achieve competitive advantage than a low cost strategy.
blunts oral squamous cancer development and dampens the functional expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells

To cite this article: Caroline W. Fugle, Yongliang Zhang, Feng Hong, Shaoli Sun, Caroline Westwater, Saleh Rachidi, Hong Yu, Elizabeth Garret-Mayer, Keith Kirkwood, Bei Liu & Zihai Li (2016) CD24 blunts oral squamous cancer development and dampens the functional expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, OncoImmunology, 5:10, e1226719, DOI: 10.1080/2162402X.2016. 1226719 To link to this article: http://dx.doi. org/10.1080/2162402X.2016. 1226719
Low cost X4 platform to study control algorithms

In this paper, we present the design of an autopilot embedded system applied to control a four rotor mini helicopter, called X4-flyer. The main goal is to achieve a stable flight, controlling the vehicle attitude; this is done using two control strategies: a linear PD control and nonlinear nested saturations control. The onboard system uses a simplified architecture and the main processor has a structured program to handle the data acquisition, and calculates the control to send actuators correction to get a desired set point. Real time experiments, in a pivoted platform, show that the autopilot is a reliable low cost platform.
A theoretical comparison of two optimization methods for radiofrequency drive schemes in high frequency MRI resonators

In this paper, numerical simulations are used in an attempt to find optimal source profiles for high frequency radiofrequency (RF) volume coils. Biologically loaded, shielded/unshielded circular and elliptical birdcage coils operating at 170 MHz, 300 MHz and 470 MHz are modelled using the FDTD method for both 2D and 3D cases. Taking advantage of the fact that some aspects of the electromagnetic system are linear, two approaches have been proposed for the determination of the drives for individual elements in the RF resonator. The first method is an iterative optimization technique with a kernel for the evaluation of RF fields inside an imaging plane of a human head model using pre-characterized sensitivity profiles of the individual rungs of a resonator; the second method is a regularization-based technique. In the second approach, a sensitivity matrix is explicitly constructed and a regularization procedure is employed to solve the ill-posed problem. Test simulations show that both methods can improve the B1-field homogeneity in both focused and non-focused scenarios. While the regularization-based method is more efficient, the first optimization method is more flexible as it can take into account other issues such as controlling SAR or reshaping the resonator structures. It is hoped that these schemes and their extensions will be useful for the determination of multi-element RF drives in a variety of applications.
The Role of Pragmatics in Solving the Winograd Schema Challenge

Different aspects and approaches to commonsense reasoning have been investigated in order to provide solutions for the Winograd Schema Challenge (WSC). The vast complexities of natural language processing (parsing, assigning word sense, integrating context, pragmatics and world-knowledge, .) give broad appeal to systems based on statistical analysis of corpora. However, solutions based purely on learning from corpora are not currently able to capture the semantics underlying the WSC - which was intended to provide problems whose solution requires knowledge and reasoning, rather than statistical analysis of superficial lexical features. In this paper we consider the WSC as a means for highlighting challenges in the field of commonsense reasoning more generally. We begin by discussing issues with current approaches to the WSC. Following this we outline some key challenges faced, in particular highlighting the importance of dealing with pragmatics. We then argue for an alternative approach which favours the use of knowledge bases where the deep semantics of the different interpretations of commonsense terms are formalised. Furthermore, we suggest using heuristic approaches based on pragmatics to determine appropriate configurations of both reasonable interpretations of terms and necessary assumptions about the world.
Enterprises’ Innovativeness With The Special Attention To Food Industry

Innovativeness’ problematic aspects are discussed in the elaboration with the special attention to food industry. Important theories of innovativeness are referred to. Key concepts concerning European Union innovativeness’ policy are discussed. A comparison of food industry enterprises’ innovativeness with other economic sectors are made. Areas of innovativeness in the most innovative food industry enterprises in USA are presented.
The Secure Role Based Mission System (SRBMS)

Given the current and future development of computerization and information communications infrastructures, the organizations are facing more and more challenges how to secure their information asset and information flow within the organization and globally via Internet. The ubiquitous access to Internet introduces new challenges for secure access control systems providing access authorization at any-time, from-anywhere and by anyone. This paper discusses the development of Role Based Access Control (RBAC) used for a secure web system. The proposed system authenticates the authorized users according to their level of trust, while providing them with proper access to a specific task(s) or assignments(s) within the organization. The SRBMS is an extended RBAC model facilitating an alternative ways to distinguish between the user authentication and access hierarchies. It keeps track of logging, while back-tracking the recent activities performed by the authorized personnel accessing on-site or remotely the online resources via web interface. The paper present an enhanced RBAC model which provides the user authentication and authorisation based on their position and function within the organization. While being consistent with the ANSI RBAC standard, the SRBMS model provides secure access to online resources based on user’s specific roles within the organisation via secure web-interface facilitating a restricting account access to authorized users only. The main contribution of the paper is to provide solution to protect any government, military or business organization, which utilizes Web-URL Security with Database Level Security.
The enzyme responsible for the respiratory burst in elicited guinea pig peritoneal macrophages

The enzymatic basis of the respiratory burst induced by phorbol myristate acetate in elicited peritoneal macrophages of the guinea‐pig has been studied. The following evidence suggests that a membrane‐bound oxidase that preferentially uses NADPH as substrate is the main enzyme responsible for activation of the oxidative metabolism: (1) The supernatant of postnuclear fractions of resting macrophages oxidises NADH and NADPH with formation of O 2− . The activity with both substrates is very low and does not change in the supernatant obtained from activated cells. (2) The cell‐free particles of resting macrophages also oxidise both NADH and NADPH with formation of O 2− . The activity of the cell‐free particles from activated macrophages does not change when NADH is the substrate. By contrast, the activity of the cell‐free particles from activated cells is markedly increased when NADPH is the substrate. (3) In cell‐free particles from activated macrophages the Km for NADPH is about one order of magnitude lower than that for NADH and the Vmax with NADPH is double that with NADH. (4) The NADPH oxidase of cell‐free particles is insensitive to azide, cyanide, antimycin A and rotenone and is sensitive to the sulphydryl reagent PCMB. All these drugs have the same effect on the respiratory response of intact macrophages. (5) A direct correlation is found between the degree of activation of the respiratory metabolism of intact macrophages and the extent of activation of the NADPH oxidase. A new approach designed to measure the activity of the oxidase soon after the activation of the enzyme has taken place, shows that the NADPH oxidase can account for the respiratory burst of intact macrophages.
Increasing rates of myopia: the long view

Purpose of review This review examines the trend toward greater rates of myopia, as well as possible reasons for this increased rate. It broaches some questions about how these increased rates will affect our society, as well as our practice of ophthalmology. Recent findings Multiple studies, as well as national and international government statistics, have found an increase in the prevalence of myopia. Other authors have been looking into causes and influences of myopia in clinical, observational, and molecular studies. Summary The rate of myopia is increasing in our society. There are various plausible theories as to the cause of the increase in myopia. This trend will likely affect our practice as ophthalmologists, and will probably increase the number of patients seeking refractive surgery.
The U2 snDNA Is a Useful Marker for B Chromosome Detection and Frequency Estimation in the Grasshopper Abracris flavolineata

In this study, we describe a strategy to determine the presence of B chromosomes in the living grasshopper Abracris flavolineata by FISH using U2 snDNA as a probe in interphase hemolymph nuclei. In individuals without B chromosomes, (0B) 2 dot signals were noticed, corresponding to A complement U2 snDNA clusters. In +1B and +2B individuals, 4 or 8 additional signals were noticed, respectively. In all cases, the absence or presence of 1 or 2 B chromosomes correlated in hemolymph and in somatic or germline tissues, validating the efficiency of the marker. Our data suggest that the B chromosome of A. flavolineata is present in all somatic tissues. B-carrying individuals showed the same number of B chromosomes in germ and somatic cells, suggesting that the B is mitotically stable. The marker was used to compare B chromosome frequency in the analyzed population with a sample collected previously, in order to test for B frequency changes and differences of B chromosome prevalence among sexes, but no statistically significant differences were noticed. The identification of living animals harboring B chromosomes will be very useful in future studies of B chromosome transmission, as well as in functional studies involving RNA analysis, thus contributing to the understanding of evolutionary history and the possible role of the B chromosome in A. flavolineata.
Coping and Negative Appraisal as Mediators Between Control Beliefs and Psychological Symptoms in Children of Divorce

Examined control beliefs of children of divorce as predictors of their coping, negative appraisals for stressful events, and mental health problems. We tested whether coping and negative appraisal for stressful events mediated the relations between multiple dimensions of control beliefs and mental health problems. Different dimensions of control beliefs were related to different aspects of coping and negative stress appraisal. Internal control beliefs for positive events were related to both active and avoidant coping. Unknown control beliefs for positive events were related to higher active coping and higher negative appraisal. Unknown control beliefs for negative events were related to higher avoidant coping. In addition, evidence for mediation was found such that the effect of unknown control beliefs for positive events on mental health problems was mediated by negative appraisal. Implications and directions for further research are discussed.
A twin study of genetic and environmental influences on tobacco initiation, regular tobacco use and nicotine dependence

Background. Numerous twin studies have reported significant genetic contributions to the variability of tobacco initiation (TI), while fewer studies have shown similar results for the persistence of smoking behavior, or nicotine dependence (ND). As the development of ND requires regular tobacco use (RTU) which in turn requires TI, a conditional approach is necessary. Method. We used structural equation modeling of multi-step conditional processes to examine the relationship between genetic and environmental risk factors for TI, RTU and ND. The tobacco variables were assessed by personal interview in female, male and opposite-sex twin pairs from the population-based Virginia Twin Registry. Results. The results suggested that the liabilities to TI, RTU and ND were correlated. Over 80% of the variance in liability to TI and RTU were shared, and a smaller proportion was shared between RTU and ND. The heritabilities were estimated at 75%, 80% and 60% respectively for TI, RTU and ND. The variance specific to liability to RTU was entirely accounted for by additive genetic factors. Only a modest part of the heritability in liability of ND was due to genetic factors specific to ND. Shared environmental factors were not significant. No sex differences were found for the sources of variation or causal paths, but prevalences were significantly greater in males versus females. Conclusions. This study showed significant overlap in the contribution of genetic factors to individual differences in TI, RTU and ND. Furthermore, there was evidence for significant additional genetic factors specific to RTU and ND.
Face recognition with Neighboring Discriminant Analysis

The paper presents a dimensionality reduction method called neighboring discriminant analysis (NDA) and its kernel extension to improve face recognition performance. We take into account both the data distribution and class label information. We describe the connection of two data as neighboring or non-neighboring, together with whether the pair are from the same class or belong to different classes by utilizing the Graph Embedding framework as a tool. The compactness graph is constructed by connecting each data vertex with its neighboring data of the same class, while the penalty graph connects the rest data pairs, i.e. the data pairs which are not from the same class or are non-neighboring. NDA algorithm can map the original high dimensional space to a reduced low dimensional space, which compact the neighboring data from the same class and simultaneously separate the data far away from each other or belong to different classes. Real face recognition experiment shows NDA and its kernel extension outperforms LDA etc.
Makespan minimization of Time-Triggered traffic on a TTEthernet network

The reliability of the increasing number of modern applications and systems strongly depends on interconnecting technology. Complex systems which usually need to exchange, among other things, multimedia data together with safety-related information, as in the automotive or avionic industry, for example, make demands on both the high bandwidth and the deterministic behavior of the communication. TTEthernet is a protocol that has been developed to face these requirements while providing the generous bandwidth of Ethernet up to 1 Gbit/s and enhancing its determinism by the Time-Triggered message transmission which follows the predetermined schedule. Therefore, synthesizing a good schedule which meets all the realtime requirements is essential for the performance of the whole system. In this paper, we study the concept of creating the communication schedules for the Time-Triggered traffic while minimizing its makespan. The aim is to maximize the uninterrupted gap for remaining traffic classes in each integration cycle. The provided scheduling algorithm, based on the Resource-Constrained Project Scheduling Problem formulation and the load balancing heuristic, obtains near-optimal (within 15% of non-tight lower bound) solutions in 5 minutes even for industrial sized instances. The universality of the provided method allows easily modify or extend the problem statement according to particular industrial demands. Finally, the studied concept of makespan minimization is justified through the concept of scheduling with porosity according to the worst-case delay analysis of Event-Triggered traffic.
Learning about Modes of Speciation by Computational Approaches

How often do the early stages of speciation occur in the presence of gene flow? To address this enduring question, a number of recent papers have used computational approaches, estimating parameters of simple divergence models from multilocus polymorphism data collected in closely related species. Applications to a variety of species have yielded extensive evidence for migration, with the results interpreted as supporting the widespread occurrence of parapatric speciation. Here, we conduct a simulation study to assess the reliability of such inferences, using a program that we recently developed MCMC estimation of the isolation-migration model allowing for recombination (MIMAR) as well as the program isolation-migration (IM) of Hey and Nielsen (2004). We find that when one of many assumptions of the isolation—migration model is violated, the methods tend to yield biased estimates of the parameters, potentially lending spurious support for allopatric or parapatric divergence. More generally, our results highlight the difficulty in drawing inferences about modes of speciation from the existing computational approaches alone.
Health related quality of life in Parkinson's disease: a systematic review of disease specific instruments

Objective: To compare and contrast disease-specific quality of life instruments in Parkinson's disease and assess their clinimetric properties. Methods: Two reviewers independently evaluated both thoroughness and results of studies regarding clinimetric characteristics of identified scales. Results: Twenty studies were found reporting on the clinimetric properties of four scales. The content validity of the Parkinson's disease questionnaire-39 item version (PDQ-39), the Parkinson's disease quality of life questionnaire (PDQL), and the “Fragebogen Parkinson LebensQualität” (Parkinson Quality of Life questionnaire; PLQ) was adequate to good, but for the Parkinson's impact scale (PIMS) it was insufficient. Construct validity of both the PDQ-39 and the PDQL was good, but for the PLQ and the PIMS this was insufficiently evaluated. Internal consistency of all scale totals and of subscale totals of the PDQL were good, whereas for the social support subscale of the PDQ-39 and four subscales of the PLQ this was inadequate. Test-retest reliability was not evaluated for the PDQL and was adequate in the other scales. Responsiveness was partially established for the PDQ-39, and not assessed for the other scales. The number of available translations, as well as the number of studies in which these instruments were used, differed considerably. Conclusions: The selection of an instrument partially depends on the goal of the study. In many situations however, the PDQ-39 will probably be the most appropriate HRQoL instrument. The PDQL may be considered as an alternative, whereas the PLQ may be considered in studies involving German speaking patients with Parkinson's disease. Use of the PIMS should be considered only as a means of identifying areas of potential problems.