Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
El Niño Southern Oscillation and vegetation dynamics as predictors of dengue fever cases in Costa Rica

Dengue fever (DF) and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) are growing health concerns throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. This study focuses on Costa Rica, which experienced over 100 000 cases of DF/DHF from 2003 to 2007. We utilized data on sea-surface temperature anomalies related to the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and two vegetation indices derived from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) from the Terra satellite to model the influence of climate and vegetation dynamics on DF/DHF cases in Costa Rica. Cross-correlations were calculated to evaluate both positive and negative lag effects on the relationships between independent variables and DF/DHF cases. The model, which utilizes a sinusoid and non-linear least squares to fit case data, was able to explain 83% of the variance in weekly DF/DHF cases when independent variables were shifted backwards in time. When the independent variables were shifted forward in time, consistently with a forecasting approach, the model explained 64% of the variance. Importantly, when five ENSO and two vegetation indices were included, the model reproduced a major DF/DHF epidemic of 2005. The unexplained variance in the model may be due to herd immunity and vector control measures, although information regarding these aspects of the disease system are generally lacking. Our analysis suggests that the model may be used to predict DF/DHF outbreaks as early as 40 weeks in advance and may also provide valuable information on the magnitude of future epidemics. In its current form it may be used to inform national vector control programs and policies regarding control measures; it is the first climate-based dengue model developed for this country and is potentially scalable to the broader region of Latin America and the Caribbean where dramatic increases in DF/DHF incidence and spread have been observed.
An exploratory study of dietary intake patterns among adults diagnosed with cardiovascular risk factors

Abstract The objective of the present exploratory study was to assess compliance with the nutrient recommendations among a convenience sample of adults diagnosed with cardiovascular risk factors in northern Greece and evaluate their dietary intake patterns. Ninety-two people participated in this cross-sectional study. Dietary assessment was carried out using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Principal components analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were adopted to obtain dietary patterns and classify individuals with similar dietary behaviour. HCA, performed on the factorial scores obtained from PCA, revealed a 4-group interpretable and statistically significant clustering of participants. For all clusters, the mean daily intake for saturated fatty acids was more than 10% of total calories, while the mean sodium intake was above 1500 mg; additionally, a relatively low mean Mediterranean diet score was recorded. Dietary interventions should be considered to raise awareness and expand knowledge on the nutritional and functional benefits of heart-healthy foods.
RegulonDB (version 3.2): transcriptional regulation and operon organization in Escherichia coli K-12

RegulonDB is a database on mechanisms of transcription regulation and operon organization in Escherichia coli K-12. The current version has considerably increased numbers of regulatory elements such as promoters, binding sites and terminators. The complete repertoire of known and predicted DNA-binding transcriptional regulators can be considered to be included in this version. The database now distinguishes different allosteric conformations of regulatory proteins indicating the one active in binding and regulating the different promoters. A new set of operon predictions has been incorporated. The relational design has been modified accordingly. Furthermore, a major improvement is a graphic display enabling browsing of the database with a Java-based graphic user interface with three zoom-levels connected to properties of each chromosomal element. The purpose of these modifications is to make RegulonDB a useful tool and control set for transcriptome experiments. RegulonDB can be accessed on the web at the URL: http://www.cifn. unam.mx/Computational_Biology/++ +regulondb/
Expression of gremlin, a bone morphogenetic protein antagonist, in glomerular crescents of pauci-immune glomerulonephritis.

BACKGROUND Recent evidence in vitro and in vivo suggests that gremlin, a bone morphogenetic protein antagonist, is participating in tubular epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) in diabetic nephropathy as a downstream mediator of TGF-beta. Since EMT also occurs in parietal epithelial glomerular cells (PECs) leading to crescent formation, we hypothesized that gremlin could participate in this process. With this aim we studied its expression in 30 renal biopsies of patients with pauci-immune crescentic nephritis. METHODS Gremlin was detected by in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunohistochemistry (IMH) and TGF-beta by ISH and Smads by southwestern histochemistry (SWH). Phosphorylated Smad2, CTGF, BMP-7, PCNA, alpha-SMA, synaptopodin, CD-68, and phenotypic markers of PECs (cytokeratin, E-cadherin), were detected by IMH. In cultured human monocytes, gremlin and CTGF induction by TGF-beta was studied by western blot. RESULTS We observed strong expression of gremlin mRNA and protein in cellular and fibrocellular crescents corresponding to proliferating PECs and monocytes, in co-localization with TGF-beta. A marked over-expression of gremlin was also observed in tubular and infiltrating interstitial cells, correlating with tubulointerstitial fibrosis (r=0.59; P<0.01). A nuclear Smad activation in the same tubular cells, that are expressing TGF-beta and gremlin, was detected. In human cultured monocytes, TGF-beta induced gremlin production while CTGF expression was not detected. CONCLUSION We postulate that gremlin may play a role in the fibrous process in crescentic nephritis, both in glomerular crescentic and tubular epithelial cells. The co-localization of gremlin and TGF-beta expression found in glomeruli and tubular cells suggest that gremlin may be important in mediating some of the pathological effects of TGF-beta.
Influence of pH on bile sensitivity amongst various strains of Listeria monocytogenes under aerobic and anaerobic conditions

Listeria monocytogenes is a dangerous bacterium that causes the food-borne disease listeriosis and accounts for nearly 20 % of food-borne deaths. This organism can survive the body's natural defences within the digestive tract, including acidic conditions and bile. Although the bile response has been analysed, limited information is available concerning the ability of L. monocytogenes to resist bile under anaerobic conditions, especially at acidic pH, which mimics conditions within the duodenum. Additionally, it is not known how the bile response varies between serotypes. In this study, the survival of strains representing six serotypes was analysed under aerobic and anaerobic conditions following exposure to bile. Exposure to bile salts at acidic pH increased toxicity of bile, resulting in a significant reduction in survival for all strains tested. However, following this initial reduction, no significant reduction was observed for an additional 2 h except for strain 10403S (P = 0.002). Anaerobic cultivation increased bile resistance, but a significant increase was only observed in virulent strains when exposed to bile at pH 5.5. Exposure to pH 3.0 prior to bile decreased viability amongst avirulent strains in bile in acidic conditions; oxygen availability did not influence viability. Together, the data suggested that being able to sense and respond to oxygen availability may influence the expression of stress response mechanisms, and this response may correspond to disease outcome. Further research is needed on additional strains to determine how L. monocytogenes senses and responds to oxygen and how this varies between invasive and non-invasive strains.
Wet-Chemical Preparation of TiO2-Based Composites with Different Morphologies and Photocatalytic Properties

TiO2-based composites have been paid significant attention in the photocatalysis field. The size, crystallinity and nanomorphology of TiO2 materials have an important effect on the photocatalytic efficiency. The synthesis and photocatalytic activity of TiO2-based materials have been widely investigated in past decades. Based on our group’s research works on TiO2 materials, this review introduces several methods for the fabrication of TiO2, rare-earth-doped TiO2 and noble-metal-decorated TiO2 particles with different morphologies. We focused on the preparation and the formation mechanism of TiO2-based materials with unique structures including spheres, hollow spheres, porous spheres, hollow porous spheres and urchin-like spheres. The photocatalytical activity of urchin-like TiO2, noble metal nanoparticle-decorated 3D (three-dimensional) urchin-like TiO2 and bimetallic core/shell nanoparticle-decorated urchin-like hierarchical TiO2 are briefly discussed.
So you're thinking of buying an ERP? Ten critical factors for successful acquisitions

Purpose – This paper aims to present a discussion of the critical success factors (CSF) that affect the acquisition process for enterprise resource planning (ERP) software.Design/methodology/approach – The research strategy was a multiple‐case design with three organizations that had recently completed the acquisition of an ERP solution. The rationale for the multiple‐case design was that, as a research strategy, the focus could be directed to understanding the dynamics and complexities present within each case, these being critical success factors of the ERP software acquisition process within the organization.Findings – This study identified ten factors critical to the successful outcome of acquiring an ERP solution. Their omission would have resulted in a less than optimal outcome for the organization. For each of the three cases, the elements that stand out the most are as follows: clear and unambiguous authority, a structured, rigorous and user‐driven process, its planning, the establishment of crite.
Identification of Orbital Lymphatics: Enzyme Histochemical Light Microscopic and Electron Microscopic Studies

The presence of orbital lymphatics in the primate model is demonstrated using light and electron microscopic enzyme histochemistry. In addition, strictly morphological definitions of lymphatics, such as discontinuous basal lamina, thin and irregular walls, anchoring filaments, and attenuated endothelial cell cytoplasm, were applied. This study confirmed the presence of conjunctival lymphatics reported by others. It also clearly demonstrated the presence of orbital arachnoid and lacrimal gland lymphatics that have not been previously described. A few areas of the extraocular muscles and connective tissue at the orbital apex also showed evidence of the presence of lymphatic vessels. Additional work is needed to define the nature and extent of orbital lymphatics as well as their connection to the extraorbital lymphatic system.
Traitement non destructif des signaux optiques

L'exploitation d'une interaction non lineaire du second ordre: l'amplification parametrique dependante de la phase, a permis de surpasser la limite quantique standard lors du traitement et de la detection des signaux optiques. Le rendement quantique de detection est ainsi considerablement ameliore lorsque le signal est preamplifie par un amplificateur parametrique dependant de la phase, qui ne degrade pas le rapport signal sur bruit. L'ensemble, amplificateur sans bruit et detecteur, peut etre considere comme un nouveau dispositif dont le rendement quantique de detection est ideal lorsque le gain de l'amplificateur est eleve. Par ailleurs, la realisation de deux mesures quantiques non destructives (qnd) successives d'une quadrature d'un signal, nous a permis d'apporter la premiere demonstration complete du principe de la mesure qnd. Chaque mesure introduit une perturbation qui est rejetee sur la quadrature conjuguee, preservant de la contamination la quadrature mesuree. A l'aide des criteres qnd nous avons demontre le caractere non destructif de notre double mesure ainsi que l'existence de correlations quantiques (en dessous de la limite quantique standard) entre les mesures et avec le signal. Du point de vue des communications optiques, nous avons realise deux prises optiques en ligne, ayant des performances quantiques. L'etude theorique a neanmoins revele la sensibilite de telles prises vis a vis des pertes optiques lorsque leur nombre augmente. Nous avons contourne ce probleme en developpant deux prises optiques quantiques amplificatrices basees sur l'amplification optique sans bruit et la separation des photons jumeaux generes par l'amplificateur parametrique dependant de la phase. L'un des photons est considere comme le signal, l'autre constitue la mesure. Les performances de cette double prise sont non classiques et montrent une grande robustesse a l'encontre de pertes optiques. L'etude theorique a revele que les performances non classiques se conservent lorsque le nombre de prises optiques augmente
Protective monoclonal antibodies recognize epitopes located on the major outer membrane protein of Chlamydia trachomatis.

A panel of monoclonal antibodies (MAb) was generated against Chlamydia trachomatis serovar B, an etiologic agent of blinding trachoma. The specificities of MAb were determined by dot blot assay by using viable elementary bodies of 13 C. trachomatis serovars and two C. psittaci strains. The dot blot assay was used to identify those antigens that were unique and immunoaccessible on the chlamydial surface. MAb were identified that recognized bi-specific (serovars B and Ba) or subspecies-specific (various B complex serovars) surface-exposed antigenic determinants that were either resistant or sensitive to heat denaturation (56 degrees C, 30 min). All of the MAb recognized the major outer membrane protein as determined by either immunoblotting or radioimmunoprecipitation. MAb specific for immunoaccessible major outer membrane protein epitopes protected mice from toxic death after i.v. injection of B serovar elementary bodies and neutralized the infectivity of the organism for monkey eyes. In contrast, MAb reactive against non-immunoaccessible subspecies- or species-specific major outer membrane protein epitopes or against an immunoaccessible genus-specific epitope located on chlamydial lipopolysaccharide did not protect mice from toxic death or neutralize infectivity of the parasite for monkey eyes. These data suggest that those major outer membrane protein antigenic determinants that are serovar or serogroup specific and are accessible to antibody on the chlamydial cell surface may be useful as a recombinant subunit vaccine for trachoma.
Strategies for Creating Successful Soundless Video Advertisements

ABSTRACT Video advertising is increasingly prevalent, appearing in more and more places across the web and on social media. These advertisements often are viewed without sound, which possibly affects their effectiveness and meaning. This article draws on advertising and screen-media research and analyzes advertisements drawn from both articles and an agency dataset. It also includes interviews with advertising professionals experienced with soundless video to build novel understanding of the phenomenon of soundless advertising. The authors' analysis reveals four strategies and associated operational tactics that advertisers can employ to develop more successful advertisements for soundless environments.
Investigation Into Stakeholders’ Influence on The Environmental Strategies of Oil Companies - A Case Study of Petrobras

In the oil industry, reputations of companies have been increasingly challenged as the combustion of fossil fuels has been perceived to be changing the climate and threatening society. Scholars have developed important literature on the topic to better understand motivations behind the environmental strategies employed by organizations from wealthy nations, but little attention is given to companies from developing countries. This article aims to explore environmental strategies adopted by Petrobras, a Brazilian oil company. The end of its oil production and exploration monopoly, its internationalization and major environmental accidents have contributed to shifting the company towards a more active environmental role. Brazil’s government, investors, NGOs, internal scientists and regulatory institutions are among the most influential stakeholders in relation to Petrobras’ climate change positioning. This research has also found evidence that NGOs, in particular, not only exercise direct pressure, but also use the media and regulatory institutions to influence the company
ANALISIS NILAI PELANGGAN, KUALITAS LAYANAN DAN KEBIJAKAN TARIF LISTRIK PRABAYAR TERHADAP KEPERCAYAAN PELANGGAN DAN DAMPAKNYA PADA CITRA PLN BRIGHT BATAM

Innovative service quality, basically take form reputable technology information which the activity is create the “recharge electricity program” that have objection to effectivity and make it easier to operate. But its positivelly response by batam citizen , the aim of this research is to measures the customer value how far the relationship mediated with image corporate. This research is evaluated to measuring how much level of public trust rendered against his visit for program conducted by pln bright batam as indicated by variable the value of customers and its implications on the image of state-owned electricity company pln was bright batam as a public company. How ever the variable is implicate for further study to increasing the image position PT PLN bright Batam as a public service corporation. The population research is the customer electricity prepaid households across seven district in Batam which ones with samples from 200 respondents and engineering the sample collection using proportional. sampling techniquesThe research is explanatory survey to analyze how big the influence and the relations among a variable whose, customers confidence in image of companies . This object of study is a customer of the recharge electricity take from 200 household responden in 7 district in Batam. This research used Structure Equation Model (SEM) as model analysis which for operate data mining used Lisrel 8.3 for windows. The result showed that service quality and price have effect on trust but not on corporate image. And trust has effects on corporate image.
Defect Core Structures in Twisted Nematic and Twisted Chiral Liquid Crystals

The defect structures of s = ±1/2 twist disclinations in twisted nematic and twisted chiral liquid crystals have been investigated within the Landau-de Gennes theory numerically. Our results show that there exists eigenvalue exchange across the defect core of both the two models. The defect core is essentially biaxial and never isotropic. The defect centre is uniaxial and is surrounded by a strong biaxial region.
Simulation of Polarization Curves for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in 0.5 M H2SO4 at a Rotating Ring Disk Electrode

A cylindrical two-dimensional model based on the Nernst–Planck equations, the Navier–Stokes equation, and the continuity equation is used to simulate the oxygen reduction reaction in 0.5 M H2SO4 at a rotating ring disk electrode. Concentration distributions and a potential profile are obtained as a function of the axial and radial distances from the center of the electrode surface. Polarization curves are simulated to interpret experimental results by studying various reaction mechanisms, i.e., the four-electron-transfer reduction of oxygen, the two-electron-transfer reduction of oxygen, a combination of the above two reactions, mechanisms with reduction of peroxide to water, and/or the heterogeneous chemical decomposition of peroxide. Special attention is devoted to the effect of peroxide.
Why Controls Are Used in Platform Ecosystems?: An Analytic Hierarchy Process Approach to Rank Roles of Control Mechanisms in Platform Ecosystems

Existing literature on control in software development context considers only the principal-agency relationship between controller and controlee. However, the principal-agency relationship cannot be assumed between ecosystems leader and partners, which are independent organizations. This paper aims to study the critical role played by inter-organizational control mechanisms in a mobile platform ecosystems. Based on an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach with 38 experts with diverse backgrounds, this research aims to identify and prioritise the most important roles of control portfolio in the platform ecosystems. Though traditionally controls are primarily used to coordinate between partners with divergent objectives, ecosystems leaders use control primarily to capture a higher share of value of the service. The findings provide further insights on two other roles of control in platform ecosystems: (i) accessing complementary resources and (ii) managing interdependency between partners. This research extends organizational control theory to the context of emerging platform-based ecosystem.
Application of AHP-GCP Model in Evaluation of Venture Capital Projects

As a new type of investment tool, venture capital is different from traditional financial investment. It is more complicated, more professional, and with strong subjectivity. The various kinds of assessment methods at present are difficult to reflect the characteristics of venture capital, which to some extent reduce the rationality and objectivity of the assessment result. The paper constructs an AHP-GCP model by the valid connection of AHP (analytic hierarchy process) and GCP (gray clustering process) of the gray theory, and applies it in evaluation of venture capital projects. Through the examination of the model, the result indicates that this method can evaluate the risk of venture capital projects effectively, and can remedy the defects of the traditional venture capital evaluation to some extent
Cold-Start Heterogeneous-Device Wireless Localization

In this paper, we study a cold-start heterogeneous-devicelocalization problem. This problem is challenging, becauseit results in an extreme inductive transfer learning setting,where there is only source domain data but no target do-main data. This problem is also underexplored. As there is notarget domain data for calibration, we aim to learn a robustfeature representation only from the source domain. There islittle previous work on such a robust feature learning task; besides, the existing robust feature representation propos-als are both heuristic and inexpressive. As our contribution,we for the first time provide a principled and expressive robust feature representation to solve the challenging cold-startheterogeneous-device localization problem. We evaluate ourmodel on two public real-world data sets, and show that itsignificantly outperforms the best baseline by 23.1%–91.3%across four pairs of heterogeneous devices.
Explaining the Internationalization of Emerging Economy Multinationals: The Relative Resource Specialization of Firm and Environment Mechanism

We study how the country of origin of a firm influences its internationalization, analyzing emerging economy multinational companies (EMNCs) as a laboratory for extending theory. EMNCs have been observed to vary from advanced economy MNCs (AMNCs), suggesting that the home context is the critical explanation. We propose “resource specialization�? as the mechanism explaining differences and argue that firms in emerging economies develop a lower degree of resource specialization and wider sets of resources in response to underdevelopment at home. These more varied sets of resources lead EMNCs to have lower levels of internationalization and different patterns of foreign expansion than AMNCs.