Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Soft X-ray spectroscopy of Compton-thick Seyfert 2 galaxies with BeppoSAX

We present an X-ray spectroscopic study of the bright Compton-thick Seyfert 2 galaxies NGC 1068 and the Circinus Galaxy, performed with BeppoSAX. Matt et al. interpreted the spectrum above 4 keV as the superposition of Compton reflection and warm plasma scattering of the nuclear radiation. When this continuum is extrapolated downwards to 0.1 keV, further components arise. The NGC 1068 spectrum is rich in emission lines, mainly owing to K transitions of He-like elements from oxygen to iron, plus a K fluorescent line from neutral iron. If the ionized lines originate in the warm scatterer, its thermal and ionization structure must be complex. From the continuum and line properties, we estimate a column density, Nwarm, of the warm scatterer less than a few×1021 cm−2. In the Circinus Galaxy, the absence of highly ionized iron is consistent with a scattering medium with UX≲5 and Nwarm∼ a few×1022 cm−2. In both cases the neutral iron line is most naturally explained as fluorescence in the medium responsible for the Compton reflection continuum. In NGC 1068 an optically thin plasma emission with kT≃500 eV and strongly sub-solar metallicity is required, while such a component is only marginal in the Circinus Galaxy. We tentatively identify this component as emission of diffuse hot gas in the nuclear starbursts. Possible causes for the metal depletion are discussed.
Incremental Tube Construction for Human Action Detection

Current state-of-the-art action detection systems are tailored for offline batch-processing applications. However, for online applications like human-robot interaction, current systems fall short, either because they only detect one action per video, or because they assume that the entire video is available ahead of time. In this work, we introduce a real-time and online joint-labelling and association algorithm for action detection that can incrementally construct space-time action tubes on the most challenging action videos in which different action categories occur concurrently. In contrast to previous methods, we solve the detection-window association and action labelling problems jointly in a single pass. We demonstrate superior online association accuracy and speed (2.2ms per frame) as compared to the current state-of-the-art offline systems. We further demonstrate that the entire action detection pipeline can easily be made to work effectively in real-time using our action tube construction algorithm.
The Role of Organizational Commitment in Mediating The Effect of Self Efficacy on Employee Performance (a case study on PT Tujuh Impian Bersama Jember)

The aim of this research was to analyze the effect of self efficacy on employee performance and the role of organizational in mediating the impact of self efficacy on employee performance in PT Tujuh Impian Bersama Jember. The populations of this research were all employees in PT Tujuh Impian Bersama Jember, amounting to 67 people. The type of this research is explanatory research. The data analysis in this research was Path Analysis. The result of this research shows that self efficacy has a positive and significance effect toward organizational commitment and employees performance , organizational commitment has a positive and significance effect toward employees performance, ,self efficacy has a positive effect toward employees performance through the organizational commitment of the employees in PT Tujuh Impian Bersama Jember.
Power Spectrum Estimation from High-Resolution Maps by Gibbs Sampling

We revisit a recently introduced power spectrum estimation technique based on Gibbs sampling, with the goal of applying it to the high-resolution WMAP data. In order to facilitate this analysis, a number of sophistications have to be introduced, each of which is discussed in detail. We have implemented two independent versions of the algorithm to cross-check the computer codes and to verify that a particular solution to any given problem does not affect the scientific results. We then apply these programs to simulated data with known properties at intermediate (Nside = 128) and high (Nside = 512) resolutions, to study effects such as incomplete sky coverage and white versus correlated noise. From these simulations we also establish the Markov chain correlation length as a function of signal-to-noise ratio and give a few comments on the properties of the correlation matrices involved. Parallelization issues are also discussed, with emphasis on real-world limitations imposed by current supercomputer facilities. The scientific results from the analysis of the first-year WMAP data are presented in a companion letter.
Photoinactivation Using Visible Light Plus Water-Filtered Infrared-A (vis+wIRA) and Chlorine e6 (Ce6) Eradicates Planktonic Periodontal Pathogens and Subgingival Biofilms

Alternative treatment methods for pathogens and microbial biofilms are required due to the widespread rise in antibiotic resistance. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) has recently gained attention as a novel method to eradicate pathogens. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of a novel aPDT method using visible light (vis) and water infiltrated infrared A (wIRA) in combination with chlorine e6 (Ce6) against different periodontal pathogens in planktonic form and within in situ subgingival oral biofilms. Eight different periodontal pathogens were exposed to aPDT using vis+wIRA and 100 μg/ml Ce6 in planktonic culture. Additionally, pooled subgingival dental biofilm was also treated by aPDT and the number of viable cells determined as colony forming units (CFU). Live/dead staining was used in combination with confocal laser scanning microscopy to visualize and quantify antimicrobial effects within the biofilm samples. Untreated negative controls as well as 0.2% chlorhexidine-treated positive controls were used. All eight tested periodontal pathogens including Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Eikenella corrodens, Actinomyces odontolyticus, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Parvimonas micra, Slackia exigua, and Atopobium rimae and the aPDT-treated subgingival biofilm were eliminated over the ranges of 3.43–8.34 and 3.91–4.28 log10 CFU in the log10 scale, respectively. Thus, aPDT showed bactericidal effects on the representative pathogens as well as on the in situ subgingival biofilm. The live/dead staining also revealed a significant reduction (33.45%) of active cells within the aPDT-treated subgingival biofilm. Taking the favorable tissue healing effects of vis+wIRA into consideration, the significant antimicrobial effects revealed in this study highlight the potential of aPDT using this light source in combination with Ce6 as an adjunctive method to treat periodontitis as well as periimplantitis. The present results encourage also the evaluation of this method for the treatment of caries and apical periodontitis.
Construction of a Computable Network Model for DNA Damage, Autophagy, Cell Death, and Senescence

Towards the development of a systems biology-based risk assessment approach for environmental toxicants, including tobacco products in a systems toxicology setting such as the “21st Century Toxicology”, we are building a series of computable biological network models specific to non-diseased pulmonary and cardiovascular cells/tissues which capture the molecular events that can be activated following exposure to environmental toxicants. Here we extend on previous work and report on the construction and evaluation of a mechanistic network model focused on DNA damage response and the four main cellular fates induced by stress: autophagy, apoptosis, necroptosis, and senescence. In total, the network consists of 34 sub-models containing 1052 unique nodes and 1538 unique edges which are supported by 1231 PubMed-referenced literature citations. Causal node-edge relationships are described using the Biological Expression Language (BEL), which allows for the semantic representation of life science relationships in a computable format. The Network is provided in . XGMML format and can be viewed using freely available network visualization software, such as Cytoscape.
When 18 Days of Television Coverage Is Not Enough: A Six-Nation Composite of Motivations for Mobile Device Use in 2018 Winter Olympic Games

A survey of 2,296 people from 6 nations (Canada, China, Germany, Japan, Sweden, and the United States) deciphered uses and gratifications for consuming content on a variety of media platforms during the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games. Results indicate that media diets significantly differed by platform and device, all 16 uses and gratifications were significantly different by nation, and the 2 inverse predictors of Olympic media consumption relate to the desire to interact (companionship and relationship building), whereas none of the 4 direct predictors (entertainment, arousal, competition, and Schwabism) pertained to interpersonal aims. Findings bifurcated by media platform as well; for instance, the inverse predictor of smartphone use—passing time—was a direct predictor of television use. Moreover, relationship building and habitual use were direct predictors of tablet use for Olympic consumption yet were both inverse predictors within the television realm. Implications for uses and gratifications and cross-nation media research are advanced.
Immunopathogenesis of Severe Acute Respiratory Disease in Zaire ebolavirus-Infected Pigs

Ebola viruses (EBOV) are filamentous single-stranded RNA viruses of the family Filoviridae. Zaire ebolavirus (ZEBOV) causes severe haemorrhagic fever in humans, great apes and non-human primates (NHPs) with high fatality rates. In contrast, Reston ebolavirus (REBOV), the only species found outside Africa, is lethal to some NHPs but has never been linked to clinical disease in humans despite documented exposure. REBOV was isolated from pigs in the Philippines and subsequent experiments confirmed the susceptibility of pigs to both REBOV and ZEBOV with predilection for the lungs. However, only ZEBOV caused severe lung pathology in 5–6 weeks old pigs leading to respiratory distress. To further elucidate the mechanisms for lung pathology, microarray analysis of changes in gene expression was performed on lung tissue from ZEBOV-infected pigs. Furthermore, systemic effects were monitored by looking at changes in peripheral blood leukocyte subsets and systemic cytokine responses. Following oro-nasal challenge, ZEBOV replicated mainly in the respiratory tract, causing severe inflammation of the lungs and consequently rapid and difficult breathing. Neutrophils and macrophages infiltrated the lungs but only the latter were positive for ZEBOV antigen. Genes for proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines and acute phase proteins, known to attract immune cells to sites of infection, were upregulated in the lungs, causing the heavy influx of cells into this site. Systemic effects included a decline in the proportion of monocyte/dendritic and B cells and a mild proinflammatory cytokine response. Serum IgM was detected on day 5 and 6 post infection. In conclusion, a dysregulation/over-activation of the pulmonary proinflammatory response may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of ZEBOV infection in 5–6 weeks old pigs by attracting inflammatory cells to the lungs.
Work harassment in the UK and US nursing context

Abstract This paper examines one type of negative work behaviour, work harassment, using two theoretical frameworks: Social Exchange Theory (SET) and Similarity-Attraction (SA). SET explains work harassment as a product of poor management practices, whereas using SA theory explains it as a result of the growing normalisation of high workloads. The study undertakes latent mean and path model comparison analysis using structural equation modelling of data from 189 nurses in the UK and 401 nurses in the USA. The findings indicate a good model fit showing a significant path from Leader Member Exchange (LMX) to work harassment, wellbeing and subsequent turnover intentions, with LMX fully mediating the path from LMX to wellbeing for UK nurses, but only partially mediating the same path for nurses in the USA. The findings suggest SET provides a better explanation for work harassment for UK nurses, whereas SA theory better explains the US nurse experience.
An Examination of the Role of Gender in Understanding Faculty Perceptions of Student-Athletes at NCAA Division I Institutions

Previous research has indicated that faculty hold negative perceptions toward male student-athletes. Studies have shown that faculty perceptions are most negative when the student-athlete competed at an NCAA Division I institution, in a high-profile sport, and was non-White. What remained unknown was the role of gender in understanding faculty perceptions of student-athletes. The current study considered this gap in the literature and determined if the gender of the student-athlete, the gender of the faculty member, or other characteristics of the faculty member influenced perceptions of male or female student-athletes. The study utilized the Situational Attitudes Scale (SAS) to compare faculty reactions to ten different scenarios involving male student-athletes, female student-athletes, and students from the general student population. The responses from 282 faculty at one NCAA Division I institution were analyzed. Faculty were found to hold more negative perceptions of male student-athletes than either female studentathletes or students in the general population in nine of the ten scenarios posed, although the difference in perception was only found to be statistically significant in eight of the ten situations. Whereas faculty perceptions of male student-athletes were always the most negative of the three groups, faculty perceptions of female student-athletes differed depending on context. Faculty were found to hold more negative perceptions of female student-athletes than students in the general population in certain situations, primarily situations that involved preferential financial or admissions decisions by the institution which targeted female student-athletes. However, faculty were found to hold more
Gelsolin is a dorsalizing factor in zebrafish

The gene for gelsolin (an actin-binding, cytoskeletal regulatory protein) was shown earlier to be specialized for high corneal expression in adult zebrafish. We show here that zebrafish gelsolin is required for proper dorsalization during embryogenesis. Inhibition of gelsolin expression by injecting fertilized eggs with a specific morpholino oligonucleotide resulted in a range of concentration-dependent ventralized phenotypes, including those lacking a brain and eyes. These were rescued by coinjection of zebrafish gelsolin or chordin (a known dorsalizing agent) mRNAs, or human gelsolin protein. Moreover, injection of gelsolin mRNA or human gelsolin protein by itself dorsalized the developing embryos, often resulting in axis duplication. Injection of the gelsolin-specific morpholino oligonucleotide enhanced the expression of Vent mRNA, a ventral marker downstream of bone morphogenetic proteins, whereas injection of gelsolin mRNA enhanced the expression of chordin and goosecoid mRNAs, both dorsal markers. Our results indicate that gelsolin also modulates embryonic dorsal/ventral pattern formation in zebrafish.
How Many People Live in Political Bubbles on Social Media? Evidence From Linked Survey and Twitter Data

A major point of debate in the study of the Internet and politics is the extent to which social media platforms encourage citizens to inhabit online “bubbles” or “echo chambers,” exposed primarily to ideologically congenial political information. To investigate this question, we link a representative survey of Americans with data from respondents’ public Twitter accounts (N = 1,496). We then quantify the ideological distributions of users’ online political and media environments by merging validated estimates of user ideology with the full set of accounts followed by our survey respondents (N = 642,345) and the available tweets posted by those accounts (N ~ 1.2 billion). We study the extent to which liberals and conservatives encounter counter-attitudinal messages in two distinct ways: (a) by the accounts they follow and (b) by the tweets they receive from those accounts, either directly or indirectly (via retweets). More than a third of respondents do not follow any media sources, but among those who do, we find a substantial amount of overlap (51%) in the ideological distributions of accounts followed by users on opposite ends of the political spectrum. At the same time, however, we find asymmetries in individuals’ willingness to venture into cross-cutting spaces, with conservatives more likely to follow media and political accounts classified as left-leaning than the reverse. Finally, we argue that such choices are likely tempered by online news watching behavior.
The chemical abundances of the stellar populations in the Leo I and II dSph galaxies

We have obtained calcium abundances and radial velocities for 102 red giant branch (RGB) stars in the Leo I dwarf spheroidal galaxy (dSph) and 74 RGB stars in the Leo II dSph using the low-resolution spectrograph (LRIS) on the Keck I 10-m telescope. We report on the calcium abundances [Ca/H] derived from the strengths of the Can triplet absorption lines at 8498, 8542 and 8662 A in the stellar spectra using a new empirical Ca II triplet calibration to [Ca/H]. The two galaxies have different average [Ca/H] values of -1.34 ± 0.02 for Leo I and - 1.65 ± 0.02 for Leo II with intrinsic abundance dispersions of 1.2 and 1.0 dex, respectively. The typical random and total errors in derived abundances are 0.10 and 0.17 dex per star. For comparison to the existing literature, we also converted our Can measurements to [Fe/H] on the scale of Carretta and Gratton (1997) though we discuss why this may not be the best determinant of metallicity; Leo I has a mean [Fe/H] = -1.34 and Leo II has a mean [Fe/H] = -1.59. The metallicity distribution function of Leo I is approximately Gaussian in shape with an excess at the metal-rich end, while that of Leo II shows an abrupt cut-off at the metal-rich end. The lower mean metallicity of Leo II is consistent with the fact that it has a lower luminosity, hence lower the total mass than Leo I; thus, the evolution of Leo II may have been affected more by mass lost in galactic winds. Our direct and independent measurement of the metallicity distributions in these dSph will allow a more accurate star-formation histories to be derived from future analysis of their colour-magnitude diagrams(CMDs).
4D+SNN: A Spatio-Temporal Density-Based Clustering Approach with 4D Similarity

Spatio-temporal clustering is a sub field of data mining that is increasingly gaining more scientific attention due to the advances of location-based or environmental devices that register position, time and, in some cases, other semantic attributes. This process pretends to group objects based in their spatial and temporal similarity helping to discover interesting patterns and correlations in large data sets. One of the main challenges of this area is the ability to integrate several dimensions in a general-purpose approach. In this paper, such general approach is proposed, based on an extension of the SNN (Shared Nearest Neighbor) algorithm. The 4D+SNN algorithm allows the integration of space, time and one or more semantic attributes in the clustering process. This algorithm is able to deal with different data sets and different discovery purposes as the user has the ability to weight the importance of each dimension in the discovery process. The results obtained are very promising as show interesting findings on data and open the possibility of integration of several dimensions of analysis in the clustering process.
Effects of atmospheric conditions on ice nucleation activity of Pseudomonas

Abstract. Although ice nuclei from bacterial origin are known to be efficient at the highest temperatures known for ice catalysts, quantitative data are still needed to assess their role in cloud processes. Here we studied the effects of three typical cloud conditions (i) acidic pH (ii) NO2 and O3 exposure and (iii) UV-A exposure on the ice nucleation activity (INA) of four Pseudomonas strains. Three of the Pseudomonas syringae strains were isolated from cloud water and the phyllosphere and Pseudomonas fluorescens strain CGina-01 was isolated from Antarctic glacier ice melt. Among the three conditions tested, acidic pH caused the most significant effects on INA likely due to denaturation of the ice nucleation protein complex. Exposure to NO2 and O3 gases had no significant or only weak effects on the INA of two P. syringae strains whereas the INA of P. fluorescens CGina-01 was significantly affected. The INA of the third P. syringae strain showed variable responses to NO2 and O3 exposure. These differences in the INA of different Pseudomonas suggest that the response to atmospheric conditions could be strain-specific. After UV-A exposure, a substantial loss of viability of all four strains was observed whereas their INA decreased only slightly. This corroborates the notion that under certain conditions dead bacterial cells can maintain their INA. Overall, the negative effects of the three environmental factors on INA were more significant at the warmer temperatures. Our results suggest that in clouds where temperatures are near 0 °C, the importance of bacterial ice nucleation in precipitation processes could be reduced by some environmental factors.
Anonymous Authentication for Trustworthy Pervasive Social Networking

Pervasive social networking (PSN) supports instant social activities anywhere and at any time with the support of heterogeneous networks. In order to preserve privacy and achieve trustworthy PSN, anonymous authentication on node trust is expected in PSN. However, the literature still lacks serious studies on this issue. In this paper, we propose an anonymous authentication scheme for authenticating both pseudonyms and trust levels to support trustworthy PSN with privacy preservation. The scheme achieves secure anonymous authentication with anonymity and conditional traceability on the basis of a trusted authority (TA). By applying a back-up solution, it can guarantee communications among nodes for an extended time period even when the TA is not available. In addition, the use of batch-signature verification further reduces the cost of authenticity verification of a large number of messages. Performance analysis and evaluation further prove that the proposed scheme is effective with regard to privacy preservation, computation complexity, communication cost, flexibility, reliability, and scalability.
PHARMACOLOGY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS AND NATURAL PRODUCTS

time, probably by stimulation of the hepatic microsomal enzyme system3. Similar properties were exhibited by its roots. However, the petroleum ether extract (PEE) of the roots enhanced pentobarbitone sleeping time, probably due to CNS depression4. The PEE of the seed of Pongomia pinnata was further tested for nootropic activity in an experimental model of Alzheimer’s disease (created by ibotenic acid induced lesioning of nuclear basalis magnocellularis). It reversed both, the cognitive deficits and the reduction in cholinergic markers after 2 weeks of treatment. Reversal of perturbed cholinergic function appears to be the possible mechanism5.