Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[The treatment with levamisole of frequently recurring steroid-sensitive idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in children].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The treatment of frequently relapsing steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome in children with established immunosuppressive drugs (steroids, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporin A) sometimes presents problems because of the expected incidence of side effects. Stimulation of the immune system with the anthelminthic drug levamisole in this disease has been documented. Aim of this study was to assess in a prospective but uncontrolled series of observations its value and side effects. PATIENTS AND METHODS 25 patients (15 boys, ten girls; median age 10 [3.5-22] years) were given levamisole, 2 mg/kg/48 h. Before this treatment was started eight of the children/adolescents (32%) had frequent relapses and 17 (68%) had become steroid-dependent. Treatment was started during steroid-induced remission and continued for 3-24 (median 6) month, while steroids were discontinued after four weeks. RESULTS Relapse frequency per patient month was reduced from a mean of 0.5 (0.33-0.83) before to 0.31 (0-0.67) during levamisole administration (P < 0.001). In 12 patients (48%) no or considerably fewer relapses were observed. Patients with exclusively frequent relapses responded to levamisole better than those with steroid dependence (7/8 [87.5%] vs. 5/18 [27.7%], P = 0.01). Side effects were reversible leukopenia in two patients and nonspecific skin rash as well as epigastric pain in one patient. CONCLUSION Levamisole is an efficacious addition or alternative, with a low incidence of side effects, in the treatment of frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome, particularly so in yet steroid-dependent patients.
Continuous measurement by radio-telemetry of vaginal pH during human coitus.

The use of the pH-pill has allowed continuous monitoring of vaginal pH during human coitus. In the case of a couple of normal fertility, there was an immediate buffering by seminal plasma so that the vaginal pH changed in 8 sec from pH 4\m=. \3to pH 7\m=. \2.In the case of a couple of low (male) fertility, the immediate effect of the arrival of semen in the vagina was a change from pH 3\m=. \5to pH 5\m=. \5.A similarly small change in pH occurred when the seminal volume of a fertile male subject had been depleted, by repeated ejaculation, to 1 \m=. \5ml. At this pH (5\m=.\5),spermatozoa are generally immobilized. It has been possible to alter normal fertility, as judged by postcoital tests for sperm motility, by the introduction of a pH 3\m=. \6buffer solution into the vagina before coitus. In this latter experiment, the vaginal pH immediately after ejaculation was 5\m=. \0and, after 2 hr, had reached pH 5\m=. \4. These results in vivo suggest that the vagina is not the hostile environment hitherto imagined, since the normal ejaculate readily overcomes the vaginal acidity by its powerful buffering action. Low seminal volume, with or without a concomitantly low sperm count, and artificial changes in vaginal environment by buffer solutions may affect fertility.
Growth and reproduction performances of earthworm (Perionyx excavatus) fed with different organic waste materials

Objective: The purpose of the experiment was to examine the effect of different food sources on the growth and reproduction performances of an epigeic earthworm Perionyx excavatus. Materials and Methods: The experiment was carried out in 18 cylindrical plastic containers for 10 weeks. The study was designed with six treatments, each having three replicates. In control treatment (T1), cow dung was used as the only food source for the earthworm. In another five treatments, water hyacinth (T2), chopped banana plant trunk (T3), vegetable scrap (T4), paddy straw (T5), and sugarcane bagasse (T6) were used as food sources with cow dung as bedding material. Results: The maximum weight gain of earthworm P. excavatus was 3,294.7 ± 4.5 mg for the food staff of vegetable scrap (T4). Earthworm P. excavatus fed with chopped banana plant trunk (T3) showed a very similar weight gain of 3,243.7 ± 3.8 mg. On the contrary, the minimum weight gain was 1,799.7 ± 3.5 mg for the food staff of paddy straw (T5). The maximum cocoon number of 137.33 ± 6.46 mg was observed in T3, whereas a minimum number of 36.67 ± 4.16 mg in T1. The highest number of hatchlings (12.33 ± 0.88 mg) was recorded in treatment T3, whereas the least number of hatchling (5.00 ± 0.58 mg) was observed in T1. Conclusion: It was concluded that, among the six different food sources, chopped banana plant trunk was preferable food source to the earthworm for growth and reproduction.
Electricity demand and management capabilities of an industrial enterprise and technical and economic preconditions for their implementation

The paper considers the possibilities of involving electricity intensive enterprises in the projects for demand side management in a market environment. The example of the copper smelting plant is used to describe the procedure for determining the maximum parameters of electricity demand limitation in terms of technological capabilities caused by the necessity for an enterprise to perform its main production functions. The economic estimation of conditions under which the enterprise can be interested in the load management of the electric power system is presented.
Improved method for epoch extraction in high pass filtered speech

The objective of present work is to improve the epoch estimation performance in high pass filtered (HPF) speech using conventional zero frequency filtering (ZFF) approach. The strength of impulse at zero frequency is significantly attenuated in case of HPF speech and hence shows significant degradation in epoch estimation performance by ZFF approach. Since linear prediction (LP) residual of speech is characterized by sharper impulse discontinuities at epochs location compared to speech waveform, the present work uses LP residual of HPF speech for epoch estimation using ZFF method. The Gabor filtering on LP residual is carried out for further increasing strength of impulses at epochs location of LP residual. The epochs location are estimated by ZFF of Gabor filtered LP residual. The performance of proposed method is better compared to that of existing Hilbert envelope based ZFF approach with improved epoch identification accuracy.
Monitoring-based coordinated defense through the lens of the coordination theory

Coordinated defense in the cyber warfare has emerged to protect information assets through the use of technologies, policy and the best management practices to defend against coordinated attacks. However, combining massive security technologies, policies, procedures and security staff does not guarantee effectiveness of defense. Without a well-defined and structured element of coordination, an organization or a nation can not stand firm during coordinated attacks. This paper conceptualizes implicit coordination elements in the realm of monitor-ing-based coordinated defense, which is built upon the Coordination Theory. The framework is designed to collect and correlate distributed events from the components specified in the Coordination Theory for centralized monitoring mechanism that would result in better group decision-making and maximize chances of success in defending coordinated attacks. This paper contributes to the IT security and defense society by providing a systematic way of approaching coordinated defense; it also benefits the IT security and defense research by introducing the concept of coordinated defense, about which there is little research. Future studies in this area may include empirical analysis of the existing coordinated defense, such as incident response reporting systems against attacks, from the coordination theory perspective.
Examining the integration of sport and health promotion: partnership or paradox?

ABSTRACT Cross-sector partnerships between public health agencies and non-profit sport organisations may offer an effective approach to health promotion given their mutual interest in facilitating opportunities for individual and community well-being. The study draws on conceptual framing from the public non-profit partnership literature to understand the potential role of sport organisations in health promotion partnerships and the factors associated with engaging these cross-sector partners. The research involves a case study of a local, cross-sector partnership for health promotion aimed at increasing physical activity through strategic marketing campaigns. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with representatives from partner organisations in the sport sector and members of the partnership executive committee, as well as active-member participant observation. The results suggest that despite congruent organisational priorities and policy imperatives that link sport and health-based organisations, there was evidence of misalignment in the partners’ capacity to collaborate. There was also notable incongruence in the discourses related to sport and health and the norms and values underpinning the partnership of public health and non-profit community sport. The implications of the research suggest that despite higher-order policy agendas emphasising partnerships as a means to advance health outcomes, there are significant constraints in local capacity for collaboration to meet these policy goals.
Start-up and SME dynamics in the Danish food sector

Publication date: 2015 Document Version Publisher's PDF, also known as Version of record Citation for published version (APA): Pötz, K. A. , Beukel, K. , & Hansen, H. O. (2015). Start-up and SME dynamics in the Danish food sector: an analysis of innovation and growth dynamics in food industries by enterprise size group. Frederiksberg: Department of Food and Resource Economics, University of Copenhagen. IFRO Report, No. 241
Versatile selection technology for intracellular protein–protein interactions mediated by a unique bacterial hitchhiker transport mechanism

We have developed a reliable genetic selection strategy for isolating interacting proteins based on the “hitchhiker” mechanism of the Escherichia coli twin-arginine translocation (Tat) pathway. This method, designated FLI-TRAP (functional ligand-binding identification by Tat-based recognition of associating proteins), is based on the unique ability of the Tat system to efficiently cotranslocate noncovalent complexes of 2 folded polypeptides. In the FLI-TRAP assay, the protein to be screened for interactions is engineered with an N-terminal Tat signal peptide, whereas the known or putative partner protein is fused to mature TEM-1 β-lactamase (Bla). Using a series of c-Jun and c-Fos leucine zipper (JunLZ and FosLZ) variants of known affinities, we observed that only those chimeras that expressed well and interacted strongly in the cytoplasm were able to colocalize Bla into the periplasm and confer β-lactam antibiotic resistance to cells. Likewise, the assay was able to efficiently detect interactions between intracellular single-chain Fv (scFv) antibodies and their cognate antigens. The utility of FLI-TRAP was then demonstrated through random library selections of amino acid substitutions that restored (i) heterodimerization to a noninteracting FosLZ variant, and (ii) antigen binding to a low-affinity scFv antibody. Because Tat substrates must be correctly folded before transport, FLI-TRAP favors the identification of soluble, nonaggregating, protease-resistant protein pairs and, thus, provides a powerful tool for routine selection of interacting partners (e.g., antibody-antigen), without the need for purification or immobilization of the binding target.
40-Gb/s/ch operation of 1.3-μm four-wavelength lens-integrated surface-emitting DFB laser array

40-Gb/s/ch direct modulation of multi-wavelength 1.3-μm surface-emitting laser array is demonstrated. Fabricated laser array consisting of four-channel DFB stripes with modified gratings, 45° mirror, and integrated lens, exhibited clear 40-Gb/s eye openings over all four channels.
Label-Free Molecular Imaging of Biological Cells and Tissues by Linear and Nonlinear Raman Spectroscopic Approaches.

Raman spectroscopy is an emerging technique in bioanalysis and imaging of biomaterials owing to its unique capability of generating spectroscopic fingerprints. Imaging cells and tissues by Raman microspectroscopy represents a nondestructive and label-free approach. All components of cells or tissues contribute to the Raman signals, giving rise to complex spectral signatures. Resonance Raman scattering and surface-enhanced Raman scattering can be used to enhance the signals and reduce the spectral complexity. Raman-active labels can be introduced to increase specificity and multimodality. In addition, nonlinear coherent Raman scattering methods offer higher sensitivities, which enable the rapid imaging of larger sampling areas. Finally, fiber-based imaging techniques pave the way towards in vivo applications of Raman spectroscopy. This Review summarizes the basic principles behind medical Raman imaging and its progress since 2012.
Anatomical variations of the internal jugular vein in relation to carotid artery : an ultrasound study -

Background: In developing country like India, central venous catheter is still inserted using anatomical landmark guidance with success rate up to 97.6% and complications up to 15%. Aims & Objective: This study was aimed to determine the anatomical variations of the internal jugular vein (IJV) in relation with carotid artery (CA) with the help of 2-D ultrasound. Material and Methods: This prospective randomized study was conducted in a teaching and tertiary care hospital on 100 young healthy volunteers of either sex, aged 20 years to 40 years. Each volunteer was placed supine with 15˚ down trendlenberg position with 45˚ neck rotation on contra-lateral side. Linear array probe with 7.5 M Hz of “Sonosite Micromaxx” ultrasound machine was placed perpendicular to the apex of the triangle formed by two heads of sternocleidomastoid muscle and clavicle. Vessels were visualized in transverse section in 2-D ultrasound. Exact location of IJV was identified in relation to the CA on ultrasound and recorded as lateral, antero-lateral, anterior, medial, and posterior. The diameter of IJV and CA, distance from skin to IJV were recorded on both sides of neck for each volunteer. Anterior position of IJV in relation to CA was defined as dangerous position. Small sized IJV was defined as diameter ≤7 mm. Data were analyzed using Graphpad prism software version 5.1. P value < 0.05 was taken as significant. Results: The mean diameter of IJV was 13.23 (2.52) mm in right and 10.25(2.29) mm in left side of neck (p=0.0001). Small sized IJV was in 1% in right and 8% in left side (p=0.0349). 15% and 28% of volunteers had dangerous position of IJV in relation to CA on right and left side of neck respectively (p=0.0381). Conclusion: Significant number of healthy young volunteers had anatomical variations in terms of size and position of IJV (left side > right side) in relation of CA by ultrasound screening. Thus, anatomical landmarks are not sufficient, alternative measures like ultrasound scanning should be implemented prior to catheterization to identify the individual with potentially difficult catheterization.
An electromagnetic inerter-based vibration suppression device

This paper describes how an inerter-based device for structural vibration suppression can be realized using an electromagnetic transducer such as a linear motor. When the motor shaft moves, a difference of voltage is generated across the transducer coil. The voltage difference is proportional to the relative velocity between its two terminals. The electromagnetic transducer will exert a force proportional to current following the Lorentz principle if the circuit is closed around the transducer coil. If an electronic circuit consisting of a capacitor, an inductance and a resistance with the appropriate configuration is connected, the resulting force reflected back into the mechanical domain is equivalent to that achieved by a mechanical inerter-based device. The proposed configuration is easy to implement and very versatile, provided a high quality conversion system with negligible losses. With the use of electromagnetic devices, a new generation of vibration absorbers can be realized, for example in the electrical domain it would be relatively uncomplicated to synthesize multi-frequency or real time tunable vibration absorbers by adding electrical components in parallel. In addition by using resistance emulators in the electrical circuits, part of the absorbed vibration energy can be converted into usable power. Here an electromagnetic tuned inerter damper (E-TID) is tested experimentally using real time dynamic substructuring. A voltage compensation unit was developed in order to compensate for coil losses. This voltage compensation unit requires power, which is acquired through harvesting from the vibration energy using a resistance emulator. A power balance analysis was developed in order to ensure the device can be self sufficient. Promising experimental results, using this approach, have been obtained and are presented in this paper. The ultimate goal of this research is the development of autonomous electromagnetic vibration absorbers, able to harvest energy, convert it into usable power, and use it for vibration control and health monitoring.
Memory, an elusive abstraction

Multiprocessors are now ubiquitous. They provide an abstraction of shared memory, accessible by concurrently executing threads, which supports a wide range of software. However, exactly what this key abstraction is -- what the hardware designers implement, and what programmers can depend on -- is surprisingly elusive. In 1979, when articulating the notion of sequential consistency (SC), Lamport wrote "For some applications, achieving sequential consistency may not be worth the price of slowing down the processors. " [7], and indeed most major multiprocessor families, including Alpha, ARM, Itanium, Power, Sparc, and x86, do not provide the abstraction of SC memory. Internally, they incorporate a range of sophisticated optimisations which have various programmer-visible effects. For some (such as Sparc) these effects are captured in a well-defined relaxed memory model, making it possible (if challenging) to reason with confidence about the behaviour of concurrent programs. For others, however, it has been very unclear what a reasonable model is, despite extensive research over the last three decades. In this talk, I will reflect on the experience of my colleagues and I in trying to establish usable models for x86 multiprocessors, where it appears that our x86-TSO model suffices for common-case code [1-4], and for Power and ARM multiprocessors, where we have models that capture some but not all aspects of their behaviour [5,6]. The underlying causes of these difficulties are complex, including: The programmer-observable relaxed-memory behaviour of a multiprocessor is a whole-system property that arises from the interaction between many complex aspects of the processor implementation: speculative execution, store buffering, cache protocol, and so forth. Programs are executed (and tested) on specific multiprocessor implementations, but processor vendors attempt to document loose specifications to cover a range of possible (past and future) implementations Multiprocessor implementation details are typically confidential and may change radically from one implementation to another Vendor specifications suffer from the tension between the need for loose specification, to preserve freedom for such changes, and the need for tight specification, to give strong properties to properties All too often, loose specification has been achieved by vague specification, using informal prose. When it comes to subtle concurrent properties this is almost inevitably ambiguous; it also makes it impossible (even in principle) to test conformance between a processor implementation and such a specification, let alone to verify such a correspondence or to reason about concurrent programs.
[Characterization of clinical and environmental isolates of Legionella associated with outbreaks and study of the infection sources].

BACKGROUND The study of isolates of Legionella related with six outbreaks of community-acquired legionellosis and seven nosocomial outbreaks is presented. METHODS The isolates were serogrouped by indirect immunofluorescence testing and those belonging to serogroup (SG) 1 L. pneumophila strains were subtyped using the international panel of monoclonal antibodies. RESULTS SG 1 L. pneumophila appeared to be the etiologic agent of all the community outbreaks analyzed and the main one of the nosocomial cases. However, in the latter situation, cases produced by SG3, SG4, SG6, SG8, SG8, 10 y SG4,8,10 were also found. Among subgroup 1 Legionella, the Pontiac, Philadelphia 1 or Allentown 1 subtypes were responsible for four out of the six community and three of the seven nosocomial outbreaks. The Pontiac, Knoxville 1 subtype was the cause of a community-outbreak and of another nosocomial outbreak, and the Pontiac, Benidorm 030E caused a community and another hospital outbreak, also being the main agent found in another hospital. The remaining subtypes appeared in small numbers in some hospitals, where cases due to different isolates coexisted. Likewise, nosocomial cases produced by SGs other than SG1 (Sg 4, 6 and 8) were found in one hospital (with SG 8 also being found in environmental samples) and Sg 4, 8, 10 together with Sg 3 in another (both SGs were also found in different hospital facilities). The sources of infection found were air conditioning systems in two cases and the lavatory water system in the remaining cases, with no colonization being found in a series of natural sources (spring water, wells, water tanks, watering systems) also studied in several of the outbreaks. CONCLUSIONS These results with suggest that although building installations are colonized by a large variety of species, SGs and subtypes of Legionella, only some (mainly SG 1 L. pneumophila, Pontiac subtype) actually produces outbreaks. This is specially relevant in community outbreaks, while in hospital outbreaks other species or SGs may produce infection in isolated cases or outbreaks due to the presence of highly susceptible hosts.
HRM in private and public organizations in Serbia

Human resource management (HRM) is a management concept which obtains many practices and activities. Although there is a substantial literature on HRM in the private sector, the practice of HRM in the public sector is still scarce. In the private sector, HRM is found as a factor for gaining competitive advantage, especially if HR practices are implemented in the way of highperforming working practice (HPWP). In the public sector, HRM is seen as paternalistic management, with the standardization of employment practices, collective bargaining and working practices that emphasize equal opportunities for employees. The goal of this research is to explore the characteristics and differences between HRM practice in organizations from the private and public sector. The subject of the research is HRM practice (staffing, training and development, compensation and benefits, and industrial relation and communication) in the private and public organizations in the Republic of Serbia. The methodology of the paper includes exploration of the available literature on the theme and statistical analysis of the differences between HR practices in organizations from the private and public sector. The research is based on the HR data gathered in the second CRANET research round in Serbia, performed in 2015.