Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Replication-Competent Viruses for Cancer Therapy

Replication-competent herpes simplex virus vectors for cancer therapy dl1520 (ONYX-015) as an antitumour agent attenuated replication-competent adenoviruses (ARCA) for prostate cancer - CV706 to CV787 reovirus as a potential anticancer therapeutic autonomous parvoviruses vaccinia virus replication-competent, oncolytic Newcastle disease virus for cancer therapy.
APPLIED 11 , 064048 ( 2019 ) High-Gain and Narrow-Bandwidth Optical Amplifier via Optomechanical Four-Wave Mixing

1 State Key Laboratory of Quantum Optics and Quantum Optics Devices, Institute of Opto-Electronics, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, P. R. China 2 Collaborative Innovation Center of Extreme Optics, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, P. R. China 3 State Key Laboratory of Low-Dimensional Quantum Physics and Department of Physics, Tsinghua University, Collaborative Innovation Center of Quantum Matter, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
A Unifying Review of Efficient Variational Inference and Learning in Deep Directed Latent Variable Models

Deep generative latent variable models have recently gained significant interest due to development of efficient and scalable variational inference methods. Variational methods invole maximization of the lower bound on the log-likelihood. However, until recently, directed latent variable model were difficult to train on large datasets. In this work, we provide an overview of several recent methods that have been developed for performing stochastic variational inference on large datasets. We provide an overview of theoretical and experimental results for providing a benchmark comparison of the variational inference methods based on feedforward neural networks. All of the approaches in comparison considers maximizing the variational lower bound by jointly training the model and the inference network. The methods in comparison are all applied on the MNIST dataset as a benchmark comparison. We implemented our own approach to the Auto-Encoding Variational Bayes algorithm (Kingma & Welling, 2013), and compared it with other approaches. Our experimental results show the significance of the different variance reduction techniques for the gradient estimator of the lower bound of the log likelihood. Submitted as part of the Advanced Machine Learning coursework 2015/16, MPhil Machine Learning, Speech and Language Technology
Employee Relations Emerald Article : What has the internet ever done for employees ? A review , map and research agenda

Purpose – The main purpose of this paper is to assess the extent to which employees have benefitted in the internet age and to identify research gaps that surround such activities. Design/methodology/approach – The approach is a combination of a systematic literature review and an empirical analysis of secondary data drawn from press reports of emergent employee internet activities. Findings – The internet continues to provide fresh and exciting opportunities for the employee to explore in relation to furthering employment-related interests. However, the internet very much represents a “double-edged sword” in that the many advantages of the internet can be quickly cancelled out by employer attempts to monitor, control, and exploit for themselves such activities, for their own ends. It is also evident that a full assessment of some activities cannot be made without further research. Research limitations/implications – The paper is reliant on extant literature and resources that are known to have limited scholarly application. Practical implications – A broad and eclectic discussion of employee internet activities is likely to be of interest to academics and human resource practitioners whose interests are based on a blend of employee relations practices and new internet-based technological developments. Social implications – The study addresses how a distinct actor in employee relations has faired in an age denoted by shrinking opportunities for collective action, yet also denoted by rapid developments in empowering user-generated and social networking forms of information communication technology. Originality/value – This paper synthesises literature and data from a wide range of largely incongruous academic and non-academic sub-disciplines to provide a fresh and authoritative account of emergent employee behaviour.
Clinical Study Pancreatic Resections for AdvancedM 1-Pancreatic Carcinoma : The Value of SynchronousMetastasectomy

1 Department of Gynecology, North-West-Hospital Frankfurt, Academic Teaching Hospital, University of Frankfurt, Steinbacher Hohl 2-26, 60488 Frankfurt, Germany 2 Department of General Surgery, St. Joseph Hospital, Ruhr-University, Gudrunstraβe 56, 44791 Bochum, Germany 3 Institute for Pathology, BG Kliniken Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University, Buerkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany 4 Department of Surgery, Clinics of the Main Taunus County, Academic Teaching Hospital, University of Frankfurt, Kronberger Straβe 36, 65812 Bad Soden, Germany
SATELLITE-BASED ESTIMATION OF PRECIPITATION USING PASSIVE OPAQUE MICROWAVE RADIOMETRY ∗

This paper will provide an overview of the progress in satellite-based precipitation estimation using passive opaque microwave radiometry. Precipitation estimation has traditionally involved transparent microwave frequency bands near frequencies such as 6, 10, 18, 23, 37, and 89 GHz on instruments such as the Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) on the DMSP (Defense Meteorological Satellite Program) satellites, the TRMM (Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission) Microwave Imager (TMI), and the Advanced Microwave Sounding Radiometer for the Earth Observing System (AMSR-E) on the NASA Aqua satellite. Since 1990, there have been several instruments with opaque microwave channels in the 54-GHz oxygen or the 183-GHz water vapor resonance bands such as the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU-A/B) on NOAA-15, NOAA-16, and NOAA-17. Chen and Staelin have developed a precipitation estimation algorithm for AMSU-A/B and AMSU/HSB (Humidity Sounder for Brazil) on Aqua that relies primarily on these frequency bands. Improvements are anticipated with the launch of more instruments similar to AMSU and the launch of the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) with improved resolution and sampling aboard the National Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) Preparatory Project (NPP) and the NPOESS satellites. Studies with the NAST-M (NPOESS Aircraft Sounder Testbed-Microwave) aircraft-based instrument which is equipped with 54-, 118-, 183-, and 425-GHz radiometers also suggest that future satellitebased precipitation estimation efforts could benefit from additional opaque bands. This paper will describe results from studies with NAST-M, the method of Chen and Staelin (2003), and the simulation system for developing a precipitation retrieval algorithm for ATMS.
Human Cognition and Artificial Intelligence : The Artificial Prefrontal Cortex Revisited

Many researchers have postulated that human cognition is implemented by a multitude of relatively small, special purpose processes, almost always unconscious Communication between them is rare and over a narrow bandwidth. Coalitions of such processes find their way into consciousness. This limited capacity workspace available for our cognition serves to broadcast the message of the coalition to all the unconscious processors within the human brain, to recruit other processors to join in handling the current novel situation, or in solving the current problem. Therefore, consciousness in this theory allows us to deal with novelty or problematic situations that can’t be dealt with efficiently, or at all, by habituated unconscious processes. It provides access to appropriately useful resources, thereby solving the relevance problem. Here we present the design and testing of and Artificial Prefrontal Cortex (APC) model for use cognitive state transition and management in artificial cognition systems. Keywords—Prefrontal Cortex, Artificial Intelligence, Autonomous Systems, Artificial Cognition
The Diagnostic Utility of the “ Attended Alone ” Sign for Dementia in Patients Presenting for Neuropsychological Evaluation

The diagnostic utility of the “attended alone” sign, defined here as attending a neuropsychological evaluation unaccompanied, was investigated in a sample of patients presenting for neuropsychological evaluation. Data was gathered through a retrospective review of 275 consecutive patients seen by a neuropsychologist in a general psychology clinic setting over a 4-year period in the Northwest United States (December 2014–July 2018). Participants were said to have “attended alone” if they drove themselves to the appointment, coordinated a bus or taxi ride to the appointment alone, or walked to the appointment alone. Participants were said to have “attended with an informant” if they were accompanied to the clinic by a family, friend, or caretaker. The attended alone sign was considered as a measure of dementia and compared with the final diagnosis. Analysis included calculations of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, diagnostic odds ratio, and positive and negative likelihood ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Of the 275 patients, 119 attended with an informant and 156 attended alone. A total of 47 patients were diagnosed with dementia, while 228 were not. In the dementia group, 44 patients attended with an informant and only 3 attended alone. In the non-dementia group, 153 attended alone and 75 attended with an informant. In this sample, the use of the attended alone sign as a diagnostic tool for dementia had an accuracy of 0.72, sensitivity of 0.94 and specificity of 0.67. The positive predictive value was 0.37, though the negative predictive value was very high at 0.98. Positive and negative likelihood ratios were 2.85 and 0.10, respectively. The attended alone sign demonstrated very high sensitivity, which translated to both a very large negative predictive value and a small negative likelihood ratio, indicating that patient’s who attended a neuropsychological evaluation alone were extremely unlikely to have dementia. Therefore, the attended alone sign is an underappreciated, yet very sensitive marker for the absence of dementia with very few false negatives. These findings replicate those of a small number of studies specifically investigating this phenomenon in the United Kingdom.
Nanosecond Pulsed Laser Irradiation of Titanium Alloy Substrate: Effects of Periodic Patterned Topography on the Optical Properties of Colorizing Surfaces

Most of the current works based on surface treatments of metals by laser marking technology are focused on the modification of the color tonality of flat surfaces, or the development of specific topography features, but the combination of both processes is not usually evaluated, mainly due to the complexity of controlling the optical properties on rough surfaces. This research presents an analysis of the influence of the micro-geometrical characteristics of periodic patterned laser tracks on the chromaticity and reflectance of Ti6Al4V substrates. The samples were irradiated with an infrared nanosecond pulsed laser in air atmosphere, taking as the control parameter the scan speed of the beam. A roughness evaluation, microscopic inspection, and absorption and chromaticity examination were conducted. Although micro-crack growth was detected in an isolated case (10 mm/s), the possibility of adjusting the result color was demonstrated by controlling the heat-affected zone thickness of the textures. The results of rough/colored combined textures allow new perspectives in industrial design to open, particularly in aesthetic applications with special properties.
Africa Network ( RAN ) RAN Working Paper WP / 18 / 031 Doing Business and Inclusive Human Development in Sub-Saharan Africa

PurposeThis study examines how doing business affects inclusive human development in 48 sub-Saharan Africa for the period 2000-2012. Design/methodology/approachThe measurement of inclusive human development encompasses both absolute pro-poor and relative pro-poor concepts of inclusive development. Three doing business variables are used, namely: the number of start-up procedures required to register a business; time required to start a business; and time to prepare and pay taxes. The empirical evidence is based on Fixed Effects and Generalised Method of Moments regressions. FindingsThe findings show that increasing constraints to the doing of business have a negative effect on inclusive human development. Originality/valueThe study is timely and very relevant to the post-2015 Sustainable Development agenda for two fundamental reasons: (i) Exclusive development is a critical policy syndrome in Africa because about 50% of countries in the continent did not attain the MDG extreme poverty target despite enjoying more than two decades of growth resurgence. (ii) Growth in Africa is primarily driven by large extractive industries and with the population of the continent expected to double in about 30 years, scholarship on entrepreneurship for inclusive development is very welcome. This is essentially because studies have shown that the increase in unemployment (resulting from the underlying demographic change) would be accommodated by the private sector, not the public sector. JEL Classification: M20; I30; O10; O30; O55
THE EFECTS OF SETTLEMENT ON THE PREVALENCE OF Ascaris INFECTION IN TWO AMERINDIAN POPULATIONS OF THE BRAZILIAN AMAZON

Studies were made of the intestinal parasites of Amerindian populations of the Uaupes River basin of Brazil. Three groups were sampled: 1) Tukano fisher-agriculturalists who live in permanent riverine villages; 2) Maku hunter-horticulturalists who live in close contact with the Tukano fishing villages; and 3) Maku who inhabit the forest interior and have little contact with permanent settlements. Fecal samples were collected from 498 individuals of which 220 were from the first group, 135 from de second and 143 from the third. The samples were analyzed by means of microflotation and centrifugal sedimentation. A total of 18 protozoan and helminth species were recorded based on the presence of cysts or eggs. These included five nematode species that could not be identified. The three common pathogenic nematodes were found to be prevalent: the hookworm, Necator americanus (96%); the whipworm, Trichuris trichiura (77%) and the large roundworm, Ascaris lumbricoides (75%). The prevalence of Ascaris among the villages was found to vary from 56 to 100%. Individuals living in, or associated with, permanent settlements had higher prevalence and intensity rates than those living in the nomadic hunter-gatherer way. This is shown to be directly related to fecal contamination of the environment in and around permanent settlements. The prevalence of Ascaris in a population can be used as an indicator of such environmental contamination.
The structure of strategic capabilities , implications for organisational agility and superior performance : a conceptual framework

Over the last decade new theories of superior business performance have emerged from the work of marketing, strategy, organisational theory and economics. This new perspective, more prominently known under the labels of resource-based view (RBT) of the firm, has formed the basis of many conceptual research studies. Capabilities are conceptualised and operationalised as activities that enable the utilisation and co-ordination of resources. Investments in the development of capabilities to optimize the efficiency of capacity in utilizing and the coordination of resources have profound implications on the degree of agility of an organization, and have direct and indirect effect on the creation and sustenance of superior performance. Based upon this work and developments in the marketing strategy literature, in this study we develop a conceptual model which links these different explanations of superior performance and renews original ideas in terms of the drivers of success and superior performance. As we know, competition is approached as a dynamic phenomenon and, therefore, firm success is not permanent. Therefore, it is hypothesized that developing high levels of agility permits organizations not only to adapt but also to precipitate change in the market and achieve superior performance.
Deployable Aerial Inspection using Tactile Sensors

For structural monitoring applications, the use of remotely deployable Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) inspection platforms offer many advantages, including improved accessibility, greater safety and reduced cost, when compared to traditional manual inspection techniques. The use of such platforms, previously reported by researchers at the University Strathclyde facilitates the potential for rapid scanning of large areas and volumes in hazardous locations. A common problem for both manual and remote deployment approaches lies in the intrinsic stand-off and surface coupling issues of typical NDE probes. The associated complications of these requirements are obviously significantly exacerbated when considering aerial based remote inspection and deployment, resulting in simple visual techniques being the preferred sensor payload. Researchers at Bristol Robotics Laboratory have developed biomimetic tactile sensors modelled on the facial whiskers (vibrissae) of animals such as rats and mice, with the latest sensors actively sweeping their tips across the surface in a back and forth motion. The current work reports on the design and performance of an aerial inspection platform and the suitability of tactile whisking sensors to aerial based surface monitoring applications.
Chapter 6 The Challenge of Iron Stress in Cyanobacteria

Iron is an essential nutrient for most living organisms. Due to the low solubility of ferric iron at physiological pH, the transition from an anaerobic atmosphere to the actual oxidant environment caused a dramatical decrease of iron bioavailability. Therefore, most organisms had to adapt their lifestyle to survive under an iron-depleted environment. In cyanobacteria, the electron transport chains involved in photosynthesis and respiration, as well as the enzymes involved in nitrogen metabolism have a high content of iron. Hence, cyanobacterial iron requirements are much higher than those of heterotrophic organisms. In this chapter, we revise different strategies developed by this important group of microorganisms to cope with iron deficiency, as well as the regulatory networks involved in the homeostasis of this indispensable element.
STUDIES OF QUASI-STATIONARY CONVECTION DURING THE 1993 GREAT MIDWEST FLOOD

Two examples of quasi-stationary convective systems responsible for extreme rainfall events were examined to determine the atmospheric processes favorable to their formation and to test an experimental method of predicting their subsequent movement. The study was peiformed using gridded analyses from the NWS National Centers for Environmental Prediction Regional Data Assimilation System (RDAS) (DiMego et al. 1992), Rapid Update Cycle Suiface (RUCS) analyses and gridded ETA model forecasts (Black 1994). One of the quasi-stationary convective systems investigated led to heavy rains across the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers that left much of the Des Moines, 10wa area without potable water, the other produced serious flooding just south of Kansas City, Missouri. During each case, the strongest potential buoyant ene rgy (instability) and low-level moisture convergence were located on the western side of the initial convection that eventually developed into the mesoscale convective system (MCS). The strongest lowlevel winds and moisture transport were also located on the western side of the convective systems. As a result, theformation of new cells on the western flank of the storm apparently offset the movement of the individual cells within the MCS, leading to a period of quasi-stationary convection. During the Des Moines event, rapid changes in the mass and wind fields led to a dramatic increase in the low-level moisture convergence over western 10wa and eastern Nebraska, leading to the generation of new convective cells on the back edge of the MCS resulting in the period of quasi-stationary convection. A method for predicting the motion of mesoscale convective complexes (MCCs), based on concepts documented in Corfidi et al. (1996), was adapted and testedfor use with gridded model output data. The results suggest that the technique can be used effectively in an operational setting and might help forecasters anticipate times when quasi-stationary convection is likely.
PROPERTY TESTING OF BIODIESEL DERIVED FROM COCONUT TESTA OIL AND ITS PROPERTY COMPARISON WITH STANDARD VALUES 1

The fuel obtained from biological sources are termed as biofuel. Biofuel satisfies the physical and chemical standards of the diesel. Hence it can be used as an alternative for diesel in compression ignition engines. As compared to normal diesel, biodiesels are non-exhaustible, causing less pollution and widely available. Biodiesel is being prepared from various feed stocks such as coconut oil, sunflower oil, karanja oil, jetropha oil etc. The use of edible oils for the production of biodiesel may lead to food crisis and there is a need to find out non edible feed stocks for bio diesel production. The primary motive of this experiment is find out the fuel related properties and engine related properties of Coconut Testa biodiesel. Compare the results with standard values and make sure that it can use as an alternate fuel for compression ignition engine.