Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sea Anemone (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Actiniaria) Toxins: An Overview

The Cnidaria phylum includes organisms that are among the most venomous animals. The Anthozoa class includes sea anemones, hard corals, soft corals and sea pens. The composition of cnidarian venoms is not known in detail, but they appear to contain a variety of compounds. Currently around 250 of those compounds have been identified (peptides, proteins, enzymes and proteinase inhibitors) and non-proteinaceous substances (purines, quaternary ammonium compounds, biogenic amines and betaines), but very few genes encoding toxins were described and only a few related protein three-dimensional structures are available. Toxins are used for prey acquisition, but also to deter potential predators (with neurotoxicity and cardiotoxicity effects) and even to fight territorial disputes. Cnidaria toxins have been identified on the nematocysts located on the tentacles, acrorhagi and acontia, and in the mucous coat that covers the animal body. Sea anemone toxins comprise mainly proteins and peptides that are cytolytic or neurotoxic with its potency varying with the structure and site of action and are efficient in targeting different animals, such as insects, crustaceans and vertebrates. Sea anemones toxins include voltage-gated Na+ and K+ channels toxins, acid-sensing ion channel toxins, Cytolysins, toxins with Kunitz-type protease inhibitors activity and toxins with Phospholipase A2 activity. In this review we assessed the phylogentic relationships of sea anemone toxins, characterized such toxins, the genes encoding them and the toxins three-dimensional structures, further providing a state-of-the-art description of the procedures involved in the isolation and purification of bioactive toxins.
A Role for Mac-1 (CDIIb/CD18) in Immune Complex–stimulated Neutrophil Function In Vivo: Mac-1 Deficiency Abrogates Sustained Fcγ Receptor–dependent Neutrophil Adhesion and Complement-dependent Proteinuria in Acute Glomerulonephritis

Mac-1 (αmβ2), a leukocyte adhesion receptor, has been shown in vitro to functionally interact with Fcγ receptors to facilitate immune complex (IC)–stimulated polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) functions. To investigate the relevance of Mac-1–FcγR interactions in IC-mediated injury in vivo, we induced a model of Fc-dependent anti–glomerular basement membrane (GBM) nephritis in wild-type and Mac-1–deficient mice by the intravenous injection of anti-GBM antibody. The initial glomerular PMN accumulation was equivalent in Mac-1 null and wild-type mice, but thereafter increased in wild-type and decreased in mutant mice. The absence of Mac-1 interactions with obvious ligands, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), and C3 complement, is not responsible for the decrease in neutrophil accumulation in Mac-1– deficient mice since glomerular PMN accumulation in mice deficient in these ligands was comparable to those in wild-type mice. In vitro studies showed that spreading of Mac-1–null PMNs to IC-coated dishes was equivalent to that of wild-type PMNs at 5–12 min but was markedly reduced thereafter, and was associated with an inability of mutant neutrophils to redistribute filamentous actin. This suggests that in vivo, Mac-1 is not required for the initiation of Fc-mediated PMN recruitment but that Mac-1–FcγR interactions are required for filamentous actin reorganization leading to sustained PMN adhesion, and this represents the first demonstration of the relevance of Mac-1–FcγR interactions in vivo. PMN-dependent proteinuria, maximal in wild-type mice at 8 h, was absent in Mac-1 mutant mice at all time points. Complement C3–deficient mice also had significantly decreased proteinuria compared to wild-type mice. Since Mac-1 on PMNs is the principal ligand for ic3b, an absence of Mac-1 interaction with C3 probably contributed to the abrogation of proteinuria in Mac-1–null mice.
A micro-level outcomes evaluation of a skills capacity intervention within the South African public service: Towards an impact evaluation

Orientation: Interest in measuring the impact of skills development interventions has increased in recent years. Research purpose: This article reports on an outcomes evaluation under the ambit of an impact assessment with reference to a research methodology workshop. Motivation of the study: A paucity of studies could be found measuring the workshop outcomes, especially within the public service as it pertains to training interventions. Research approach/design and method: A pretest–post-test research design was implemented. A paired-sample t-test was used to measure the knowledge increase while controlling for the influence of previous training by means of an analysis of variance and multiple regression analysis. Main findings: Results indicated that the increase in research methodology knowledge was statistically significant. Previous training influenced the model only by 0.8%, which was not statistically significant. Practical/managerial implications: It is recommended that the suggested framework and methodology be utilised in future research as well as in monitoring and evaluation endeavours covering various training interventions. Contribution/value add: The study provides evidence of the impact generated by a training intervention, within the South African Public Service. Thus, addressing a research gap in the corpus of knowledge.
Hybrid Feedback Linearization Slip Control for Anti-lock Braking System

The Anti-lock braking system (ABS) is an active safety device in road vehicles, which during hard braking maximizes the braking force between the tyre and the road irrespective of the road conditions. This is accomplished by regulating the wheel slip around its optimum value. Due to the high non-linearity of the tyre and road interaction, and uncertainties from vehicle dynamics, a standard PID controller will not suffice. This paper therefore proposes a non-linear control design using input-output feedback linearization approach. To enhance the robustness of the non-linear controller, an integral feedback method was employed. The stability of the controller is analysed in the Lyapunov sense. To demonstrate the robustness of the proposed controller, simulations were conducted on two different road conditions. The results from the proposed method exhibited a more superior performance and reduced the chattering effect on the braking torque compared to the performance of the standard feedback linearization method.
Women’s Participation in the Jordanian Military and Police: An Exploration of Perceptions and Aspirations

Cross-national research contends that women’s military participation has been associated with military function and organization, social structure, culture, and political factors. This exploratory study of Jordanian women suggests that these factors and their subcategories simultaneously help and hinder them. Using Segal’s updated model for women’s participation in the military, we explore how the meaning of Jordanian military women’s experiences compare in a cross-national theoretical framework. We review Segal’s updated model variables and compare it to interview data based on a grounded theory approach. Using semistructured interviews with a nonrandom sample of women who served in the Jordanian military or police, we place their experiences in a cross-national context and provide exploratory qualitative analysis of how these women navigated social and cultural norms. Our results showed that participants perceived their positive experiences and ability to achieve aspirations as enablers to their success, which they considered unlikely in the civilian workforce.
Relations of biomarkers of manganese exposure and neuropsychological effects among welders and ferroalloy smelters

The objective of present study was to assess relationship between biomarkers of Manganese (Mn) and neuropsychological effects. The study was carried out on 27 welders and 31 ferroalloy smelters as Mn-exposed groups and 30 office workers as unexposed controls. Air Mn concentrations were determined according to NIOSH method 7300. The biological samples were prepared using microwave assisted acid digestion and all samples were analyzed by graphite furnace- atomic absorption spectroscopy (GF-AAS) in order to determine manganese. Questionnaire 16 (Q16) and Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) were used to evaluate the neuropsychological effects. The mean concentrations of air Mn for the welder and ferroalloy smelter groups were 0.023 ± 0.012 mg/m3 and 0.008 ± 0.005 mg/m3, respectively. Manganese concentrations in blood, urine, and toenail samples of exposed workers ranged between 1.80–32.60 (µg/l), 1.00–42.50 (µg/l), and 0.10–6.08 (µg/g), respectively. Mean Mn concentrations in all biological samples of cases were significantly higher than unexposed controls (p<0.05). A moderate relationship was observed between biomarkers of Mn exposure, air Mn, Q16 as well as some neurocognitive outcome measures. The present study shows that blood Mn, urine Mn and toenail Mn could be used to distinguish Mn-exposed workers from unexposed population at the group level.
A Cognitive Map of Human Performance Technology: A Study of Domain Expertise.

Most representations of academic disciplines have been created when experts depict or report what they know; however, there are potential problems that can arise when practitioners rely on expert selfreport. One way to avoid potential problems associated with expert self -. report is to employ cognitive task analysis methods. The Pathfinder Scaling Algorithm is one such method. This software program transforms participants' pair-wise ratings of related concepts into a semantic network-a concept map comprised of nodes (the concepts) and links that depict the relationships among the concepts. Using the Pathfinder Scaling Algorithm (Pathfinder) (Interlink, 1994), the researchers conducted a cognitive task analysis expertise in Human Performance Technology (HPT). The study investigated: the extent to which Pathfinder-derived coherence scores were associated with other measures of HPT expertise; how HPT experts organize their knowledge of the discipline; and how experts organize their HPT knowledge differently than novices. Findings include: a significant correlation between coherence and the number ofHPT-related books participants had written; a Pathfinderderived concept map of HPT; and expected novice/expert differences in Pathfinder 'similarity'and relatedness scores. (Contains 26 references.) (Author/AEF) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY
Luminosity-dependent evolution of soft X-ray selected AGN : New Chandra and XMM-Newton surveys

We present new results on the cosmological evolution of unabsorbed (type-1) active galactic nuclei (AGN) selected in the soft (0.5-2 keV) X-ray band. From a variety of ROSAT , XMM-Newton and Chandra surveys we selected a total of ~1000 AGN with an unprecedented spectroscopic and photometric optical/NIR identification completeness. For the first time we are able to derive reliable space densities for low-luminosity (Seyfert-type) X-ray sources at cosmological redshifts. The evolutionary behaviour of AGN shows a strong dependence on X-ray luminosity: while the space density of high-luminosity AGN reaches a peak around $z\sim 2$, similar to that of optically selected QSO, the space density of low-luminosity AGNs peaks at redshifts below $z=1$. This confirms previous ROSAT findings of a luminosity-dependent density evolution. Using a rigorous treatment of the optical identification completeness we are able to show that the space density of AGN with X-ray luminosities $L_{\rm x} -1 declines significantly towards high redshifts.
Permutation inconsistency in blind speech separation: investigation and solutions

Acoustic reverberation severely limits the performance of multiple microphone blind speech separation (BSS) methods. We show that the limited performance is due to random permutations of the unmixing filters over frequency. This problem, which we refer to as permutation inconsistency, becomes worse as the length of the room impulse response increases. We explore interesting connections between BSS and ideal beamforming, which leads us to propose a permutation alignment scheme based on microphone array directivity patterns. Given that the permutations are properly aligned, we show that the blind speech separation method outperforms the nonblind beamformer in a highly reverberant environment. Furthermore, we discover the tradeoff where permutations can be aligned by affording a loss in spectral resolution of the unmixing filters. We then propose a multistage algorithm, which aligns the unmixing filter permutations without sacrificing the spectral resolution. For our study, we perform experiments in both real and simulated environments and compare the results to the ideal performance benchmarks that we derive using prior knowledge of the mixing filters.
The Term Structure of Credit Spreads and the Cross-Section of Stock Returns

We explore the link between credit and equity markets by considering the informational content of the term structure of credit spreads. A shallower credit term structure predicts decreases in default risk, increases in future profitability, as well as favorable earnings surprises. Further, the slope of the credit term structure negatively predicts future stock returns. While systematic slope risk is also priced, information diffusion from the credit market to equities, particularly in less visible stocks, plays an additional role in accounting for return predictability from credit slopes: Such predictability is less evident in stocks with high institutional ownership, analyst coverage, and liquidity, and vice versa.
Analisis Persepsi Harga, Promosi, Kualitas Layanan, Dan Kemudahan Penggunaan Terhadap Keputusan Pembelian Produk Secara Online

Penjualan produk online di Indonesia terus berkembang pesat dari tahun ke tahun dan mampu memberikan tambahan devisa yang tidak sedikit pada negara. Penelitian ini merupakan studi eksplanatori yang menitikberatkan pada penjualan produk barang dan jasa yang dilakukan secara online melalui dukungan internet, yang selanjutnya dikenal dengan istilah e-commerce . Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah mengetahui efektivitas faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi penjualan produk secara online yang meliputi persepsi harga, promosi, kualitas layanan dan kemudahan penggunaan. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode kuantitatif dengan analisis statistik parametrik, dimana sampel penelitian diperoleh dari para responden yang pernah melakukan pembelian produk secara online . Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan mendistribusikan kuisioner secara online kepada responden dengan bantuan google form . Hasil pengolahan data regresi linear berganda menunjukkan persamaan: Y = -1,893+ 0,088 X 1 + 0,269 X 2 + 0,205 X 3 + 0,271 X 4 , dimana persepsi harga konsumen tidak berpengaruh terhadap keputusan pembelian, sedangkan promosi, kualitas layanan dan kemudahan penggunaan berpengaruh signifikan terhadap keputusan pembelian produk online . Kemudahan penggunaan merupakan variabel paling dominan yang mempengaruhi keputusan pembelian secara online . Keterbatasan penelitian ini terdapat pada waktu penelitian yang relatif pendek dan jumlah sampel yang tidak banyak dibandingkan dengan populasi yang ada.
The Relationship between Type D Personality and Heart Rate Variability in Community Mental Health Center Users

Objective Type D personality can be regarded as a promising cardiovascular risk marker that has been repeatedly linked to relevant indicators of mental health, quality of life, morbidity, and mortality in cardiac patients. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a non-invasive technology that can provide information regarding a patient's sympathetic/parasympathetic balance and the control mechanisms of the autonomic systems in the cardiovascular system. As both type D personality and HRV are parameters related to the cardiovascular system, we assumed a relationship between type D personality and HRV. This study set out to identify the relationship between type D and HRV and the differences in HRV variables between type D and non-type D personalities. Methods Patients who visited Guro Community Mental Health Center from January 2011 to December 2012 were surveyed. They were evaluated using both the Korean version of the Type D Personality-14 for type D personality and HRV. During the survey, those who reported major cardiovascular disease that can affect heart rate variability were excluded from the study. Results Our analysis included 559 participants, 249 of whom were classified as type D personality. No significant differences were found in the HRV variables between the type D group and the non-type D group. There were also no clinically meaningful correlations between HRV variables and type D total/subscale scores when controlled for patient age. Conclusion A relationship between HRV and type D personality was not identified using short-term HRV measurements in non-clinical patients with no definitive cardiovascular disease. Further studies using long-term HRV measurements in patients with cardiovascular disease are necessary to conclude an association between HRV and type D personality.
Doctoral students’ professional identity: psychosocial antecedents of those who work in practice

The main goal for doctoral s tudent is to acquire the identi ty of a researcher. However, doctoral s tudent also performs other professional roles, such as a teacher or practi tioner. The purpose of this paper is to reveal the psychological and social factors that are important for the practi tioner’s role identi ty of doctoral s tudents. The sample consisted of 494 doctoral s tudents from 22 higher education insti tutions in Li thuania. Internet survey was conducted. The analysis of s tructural equation modelling revealed that perceived support of family and friends , conscientiousness and lower neuroticism are important for practi tioner’s role identity. In addition, if a docto ral s tudent has a tendency to experience negative emotions (sadness, anger, guilt, etc.), a greater perceived support from employer helps to internalise the professional role of a practi tioner. This s tudy has practical implications for doctoral students , o rganisers of doctoral programmes, career counsellors , employers and universities .
Bovine Colostrum Increases Pore-Forming Claudin-2 Protein Expression but Paradoxically Not Ion Permeability Possibly by a Change of the Intestinal Cytokine Milieu

An impaired intestinal barrier function is involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Several nutritional factors are supposed to be effective in IBD treatment but scientific data about the effects on the intestinal integrity remain scarce. Bovine colostrum was shown to exert beneficial effects in DSS-induced murine colitis, and the present study was undertaken to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. Western blot revealed increased claudin-2 expression in the distal ileum of healthy mice after feeding with colostrum for 14 days, whereas other tight junction proteins (claudin-3, 4, 10, 15) remained unchanged. The colostrum-induced claudin-2 induction was confirmed in differentiated Caco-2 cells after culture with colostrum for 48 h. Paradoxically, the elevation of claudin-2, which forms a cation-selective pore, was neither accompanied by increased ion permeability nor impaired barrier function. In an in situ perfusion model, 1 h exposure of the colonic mucosa to colostrum induced significantly increased mRNA levels of barrier-strengthening cytokine transforming growth factor-β, while interleukine-2, interleukine-6, interleukine-10, interleukine-13, and tumor-necrosis factor-α remained unchanged. Thus, modulation of the intestinal transforming growth factor-β expression might have compensated the claudin-2 increase and contributed to the observed barrier strengthening effects of colostrum in vivo and in vitro.
Some semi-Riemannian volume comparison theorems

Lorentzian versions of classical Riemannian volume comparison theorems by Gunther, Bishop and Bishop-Gromov, are stated for suitable natural subsets of general semi-Riemannian manifolds. The problem is more subtle in the Bishop-Gromov case, which is extensively discussed. For the general semi-Riemannian case, a local version of the Gunther and Bishop theorems is given and applied.
Thinking “Outside the Box”: Unconstrained Creative Generation in Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Creative generation is structured around existing knowledge and task examples, yet overreliance on specific examples may limit imagination (Ward, T. B., Finke, R. A., & Smith, S. M., 1995). The constraining influence of knowledge during creative generation may be offset by conceptual expansion, a process of thinking outside traditional conceptual boundaries, which may be heightened by distractibility and mild executive dysfunction (Abraham, A., Windmann, S., Daum, I., & G€ unt€ urk€ un, O., 2005). The present study explored the constraining effects of knowledge in adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a disorder characterized by impaired attention and inhibitory control (Barkley, R. A., 1997). College students with and without ADHD were compared on two creative generation measures: an alien fruit invention task that required participants to imagine fruit that might exist on another planet (Ward, T.B., 1994), and a product label invention task wherein the goal was to invent product names without using elements of task examples (Kray, L.J., Galinski, A.D. & Wong, E.M., 2006). ADHD participants created alien fruit that diverged more from Earth fruit and labels that conformed less to examples, relative to non-ADHD peers. Results suggest that adults with ADHD may be less constrained by knowledge during creative generation. Findings are discussed in terms of theoretical import and practical implications for individuals with ADHD.
PFC: Privacy Preserving FPGA Cloud - A Case Study of MapReduce

Privacy is one of the critical concerns that hinder the adoption of public cloud. For storage, encryption can be used to protect user's data. But for outsourced data processing, for example MapReduce, there is no satisfying solution. Users have to trust the cloud service providers totally. In this work, we propose PFC, a FPGA cloud for privacy preserving computation in the public cloud environment. PFC leverages the security feature of the existing FPGAs originally designed for bitstream IP protection and proxy re-encryption for preserving user data privacy. In PFC, cloud service providers are not necessarily trusted, and during outsourced computation, user's data is protected by a data encryption key only accessible by trusted FPGA devices. As an important application of cloud computing, we apply PFC to the popular MapReduce programming model and extend the FPGA based MapReduce pipeline with privacy protection capabilities. Proxy re-encryption is employed to support dynamic allocations of trusted FPGA devices as mappers and reducers. Finally, we conduct evaluation to demonstrate the effectiveness of PFC.