Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes of Serum Lipids and Proteins during Probiotics Feeding and Its Exposure

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of L. bulgaricus and S. thermophilus genera on serum cholesterol and triglyceride lowering potential of probiotic in guinea pigs and the changing pattern of above serum parameters after termination of the treatment. The effects of oral supplementation of probiotics to animals have been carried out in many occasions but their outcome after the termination of treatment is lacking. Twenty four eight weeks old guinea pigs were selected randomly divided into two groups (n=12) ) the test and the control, were reared in six cages (four per cage). Both groups received control mash diet (based on corn and soybean) during the experiment, to meet the nutrient requirements. A 5 ml of aqueous medium culture of L. bulgaricus and S. thermophilus with 1.76 x 109 and 1.5 x 108 colony forming units/ml, respectively were given to test animals for fourteen days and the control animals were given the same volume of distilled water. Blood samples were withdrawn by heart puncture at 14 and 21 days after the initiation of probiotic supplementation and serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol and total protein levels were assayed in both groups. The total cholesterol level of the test group was significantly lower (p<0.01) than the control group after 2 weeks and it increased slightly after the termination of probiotic supplementation. HDL cholesterol level was significantly higher in test animals after 3 weeks (p<0.05). There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in serum triglycerides, total protein, weight gain, body temperature, food and water intakes and body temperature between the control and treated groups. It was concluded that live probiotics significantly reduced the serum total cholesterol during the treatment period and increased the HDL cholesterol significantly following termination of the treatment. It is suggested that the feeding of probiotic does not affect food intake and bring up the metabolic changes during the treatment period and the changes reversibly return normal following termination of treatment but there is significant persisting effect for serum HDL cholesterol. However further studies are required to gain insights into the understanding the treatment of probiotics with time interval in order to economize the beneficial effects.
Feedback mechanisms as intermediaries for Web information market: an exploratory study

The Internet is sometimes said to be drowning in contents. Users of information therefore experience great difficulty in identifying the accuracy, relevancy and interpretability of information. Total data quality management and centralized information intermediaries are either too expensive for the vast amount of Internet contents or they force information consumers to face the problem of determining the trustworthiness of the intermediaries. We explore the possibility of using various feedback mechanisms to serve as intermediaries. The service quality of four types of feedback is compared in this study: click-through count, open-ended feedback, close-ended feedback and no feedback. The potential benefits of feedback are twofold. For information consumers, it serves to provide quality proofs and helps the user to become aware of the public's preferences toward specific content sites. For information producers, feedback could provide peer support and recognition. This exploratory study concludes that open-ended feedback and click-through counts result in users with a higher perceived service quality. For the information providers, feedback information awards them with peer support and a more satisfied attitude toward the system. These results, while not conclusive, suggest that it is possible to make feedback mechanisms play the role of infomediaries in order to manage the information market - a much more important role than for accounting purposes.
Kinematic Analysis of the Wrist and Forearm During Baseball Pitching

Previous researchers studying baseball pitching have compared kinematic and kinetic parameters among different types of pitches, focusing on the trunk, shoulder, and elbow. The lack of data on the wrist and forearm limits the understanding of clinicians, coaches, and researchers regarding the mechanics of baseball pitching and the differences among types of pitches. The purpose of this study was to expand existing knowledge of baseball pitching by quantifying and comparing kinematic data of the wrist and forearm for the fastball (FA), curveball (CU) and change-up (CH) pitches. Kinematic and temporal parameters were determined from 8 collegiate pitchers recorded with a four-camera system (200 Hz). Although significant differences were observed for all pitch comparisons, the least number of differences occurred between the FA and CH. During arm cocking, peak wrist extension for the FA and CH pitches was greater than for the CU, while forearm supination was greater for the CU. In contrast to the current stud.
Understanding cross cultural differences during interaction within immersive virtual environments

The result of a comparative study that investigates the cross-cultural differences between individuals interacting within immersive virtual environments is presented. The study has measured and compared levels of Presence obtained by Australian and Chinese participants during an immersive Virtual Reality session related to urban design evaluation. Presence was measured using the Immersive Tendency Questionnaire and Presence Questionnaire developed by Witmer and Singer (1998). The research objective was to identify the value of Immersive Virtual Reality for community consolation and design evaluation within varying cultural contexts. The results have highlighted that a statistical difference in Presence exists between the two groups, however no difference in Immersive Tendency was identified. Considering cultural differences in the design of both virtual environment content and appropriate human computer interaction hardware is suggested.
Location, degree, and direction of DNA bending associated with the Hin recombinational enhancer sequence and Fis-enhancer complex

The Fis protein of Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium stimulates several site-specific DNA recombination reactions, as well as transcription of a number of genes. Fis binds to a 15-bp core recognition sequence and induces DNA bending. Mutations in Fis which alter its ability to bend DNA have been shown to reduce the stimulatory activity of Fis in both site-specific recombination and transcription systems. To examine the role of DNA bending in the activity of the Fis-recombinational enhancer complex in Hin-mediated site-specific DNA inversion, we have determined the locations, degrees, and directions of DNA bends associated with the recombinational enhancer and the Fis-enhancer complex. Circular-permutation assays demonstrated that a sequence-directed DNA bend is associated with the Fis binding sites in the proximal and distal domains of the recombinational enhancer. Binding of Fis to its core recognition sequence significantly increases the degree of DNA bending associated with the proximal and distal domains. The degree of DNA bending induced by Fis binding depended on the DNA sequences flanking the core Fis binding site, with angles ranging from 42 to 69 degrees. Phasing analyses indicate that both the sequence-directed and the Fis-induced DNA bends associated with the proximal and distal domains face the minor groove of the DNA helix at the center of the Fis binding site. The positions and directions of DNA bends associated with the Fis-recombinational complex support a direct role for Fis-induced DNA bending in assembly of the active invertasome.
Differential Effect of Jasmonic Acid on the Defense of Faba Bean Against Fusarium Wilt : Modulation of other Phytohormones and Simple Phenols

Two concentrations (5 mM & 10 mM) of jasmonic acid (JA) were used as soaking treatments of faba bean seeds. The fungicide Rhizolex-T was also similarly applied at a recommended potent rate (500ppm). Sowing was then carried out in normal as well as infected soil with Fusarium (Fusarium oxysporium f.sp. fabae). Faba bean plants (30-day-old) showed a potential resistance against the pathogen as a result of treatment with 10 mM JA, which approximately mimicked that of the fungicide, whereby a partial efficiency was achieved by 5 mM JA. Differential effects were evident by the two used concentrations of JA with reversed patterns under the influence of infection and in its absence. Thus, in normal soil 5 mM JA induced an evidently stimulatory rate of growth, but in the infected plants, a reverse situation was shown where 10 mM JA was markedly more effective. Both cases were underlined by concomitant changes in the levels of abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellic acid (GA3), indoleacetic acid (IAA), and the cytokinins zeatin and bezyladenine. The modulations in ABA led to assume a cross talk with JA, where enhanced levels were evident in response to JA in the non-infected plants, particularly in root. This increase was directly proportional with the applied concentration of JA. Roots of the plants treated with 10 mM JA, which performed an efficient defense, showed a dramatic drop in ABA content with several folds increase in the GA3/ABA ratio. The changes in other phytohormones and in phenolic contents with different treatments were also interpreted.
Scattering analysis of Discrete Bodies of Revolution via an efficient numerical algorithm

Electromagnetic Scattering from Discrete Bodies of Revolution (DBOR's) is performed by invoking a recently developed, recursive linear system direct solver. The problem is initially formulated via a standard Moment Method (MoM) with point matching, however the DBOR symmetry is taken into account to simplify calculations. Specifically, the MoM matrix is cast in a form comprising circulant blocks, which is amenable to eigenvalue decomposition, and subsequent direct matrix inversion by an efficient recursive technique.
Population Synthesis of Neutron Stars, Strange (Quark) Stars, and Black Holes

We compute and present the distribution in mass of single and binary neutron stars, strange stars, and black holes. The calculations were performed using a stellar population synthesis code. We follow the evolution of massive single stars as well as binaries with high-mass primaries. The final product of the latter evolution can be either a binary composed of a white dwarf and a compact object (a neutron star, black hole, or strange star), two compact objects in a binary, or two single stars if the system was disrupted. We find in binaries a population of black holes that are more massive than single black holes that are a product of either binary or single evolution. We also find that if quark stars exist at all, their population can be as large as the population of black holes.
Implications of Quasar Black Hole Masses at High Redshifts

We investigated a sample of 15 luminous high-redshift quasars (3.3 ≲ z ≲ 5.1) to measure the mass of their supermassive black holes (SMBH) and compare, for the first time, results based on C IV, Mg II, and Hβ emission lines at high redshifts. Assuming gravitationally bound orbits as dominant broad-line region gas motion, we determine black hole masses in the range of Mbh ≃ 2 × 108 up to Mbh ≃ 4 × 1010 M☉. While the black hole mass estimates based on C IV and Hβ agree well, Mg II typically indicates a factor of ~5 times lower SMBH masses. A flatter slope of the Hβ radius-luminosity relation, a possibly steeper slope of the Mg II radius-luminosity relation, and a slightly larger radius of the Mg II broad-line region than for Hβ could relax the discrepancy. In spite of these uncertainties, the C IV, Mg II, and Hβ emission lines consistently indicate supermassive black hole masses of several times 109 M☉ at redshifts up to z = 5.1. Assuming logarithmic growth by spherical accretion with a mass-to-energy conversion efficiency of ϵ = 0.1 and an Eddington ratio Lbol/Ledd calculated for each quasar individually, we estimate black hole growth times of the order of several ~100 Myr which are smaller than the age of the universe at the corresponding redshift. Assuming high-mass seed black holes (M = 103-105 M☉) the SMBHs in the z ≃ 3.5 quasars began to grow at redshifts z ≳ 4, while for the quasars with z ≳ 4.5 they started at z ≃ 6 to 10. These estimated timescales for forming SMBHs at high redshifts, together with previous studies indicating high quasar metallicities, suggest that the main SMBH growth phase occurs roughly contemporaneously with a period of violent and extensive star formation in protogalactic nuclei.
Research Note - The Role of Organizational Controls and Boundary Spanning in Software Development Outsourcing: Implications for Project Performance

Past research has studied how the selection and use of control portfolios in software projects is based on environmental and task characteristics. However, little research has examined the consequences of control mode choices on project performance. This paper reports on a study that addresses this issue in the context of outsourced software projects. In addition, we propose that boundary-spanning activities between the vendor and the client enable knowledge sharing across organizational and knowledge domain boundaries. This is expected to lead to facilitation of control through specific incentives and performance norms that are suited to client needs as well as the vendor context. Therefore, we argue that boundary spanning between the vendor and client moderates the relationship between formal controls instituted by the vendor on the development team and project performance. We also hypothesize the effect of collaboration as a clan control on project performance. We examine project performance in terms of software quality and project efficiency. The research model is empirically tested in the Indian software industry setting on a sample of 96 projects. The results suggest that formal and informal control modes have a significant impact on software project outcomes, but need to be finely tuned and directed toward appropriate objectives. In addition, boundary-spanning activities significantly improve the effectiveness of formal controls. Finally, we find that collaborative culture has provided mixed benefits by enhancing quality but reducing efficiency.
Material and Processing Technology for Manufacturing of High Speed , High Reliability GaInP / GaAs HBT based

High quality material and processing technology is reported for high speed and high reliability GaInP/GaAs HBTs. GaInP/GaAs HBT materials grown by CBE with non-toxic precursors showed low defect densities and acceptable mobility characteristics for high speed device applications. To reduce the base-collector capacitance (CBC), all wet-based, simple Lateral Etching Undercut (LEU) technology was applied. The 20% reduction of CBC using LEU technology resulted in 25% improvement of maximum oscillation frequency (fmax=100GHz). Reliability tests of passivated GaInP/GaAs HBTs with PECVD SiO2 showed ~2% current gain degradation over a period of 800hrs under high current density (40KA/cm2) stress condition. Finally, a transimpedance amplifier having a S21 gain of 12dB with a bandwidth of 19GHz was fabricated using the reported technology.
Charm offensive: mediatized country image transformations in international relations

ABSTRACT This paper focuses on what has come to be known as a ‘charm offensive,’ a diplomatic technique countries may use to shift their international image through strategic public relations campaigns utilizing personal magnetism. The charm of the selected representative is meant to appeal to a broad international audience with the hope of improving the country's brand. The paper examines the concept and practice of a charm offensive through two case studies. The first is the Iranian charm offensive during the 2015 negotiations of the nuclear deal with the United States, when Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammad Javad Zarif aimed to improve his country's controversial international image through gentle, diplomatic communication and an aura of civility. The second case study is the charm offensive of North Korea from the 2018 Winter Olympics until the historic meeting of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald J. Trump in June 2018. Both case studies analyze the media representations of the particular charm offensive in two countries, the United States and a regionally more proximate, and therefore likely more directly affected country: Israel and South Korea, respectively. I argue that quick image-transformations often characterize contemporary, highly mediatized international diplomatic communication. Unlike classical cases of soft power, the temporary alliances forged through charm offensives are not built on shared values, but on momentary appearances, and sometimes on deception.
Molecular Evolution and Phylogeny of Actin Genes in Haliotis Species (Mollusca: Gastropoda)

(c)DNA and 3 partially sequenced cDNA of the actin gene family of the abalone, Haliotis iris Martyn (1784) (Mollusca: Gastropoda), 3 partially sequenced genomic DNAs of H. virginea Gmelin (1791), and actin gene sequences of H. rufescens Swainson (1822) and H. discus hannai Ino (1952) retrieved from GenBank to determine the possible evolutionary mechanism of this gene family in haliotids. There was no evidence to support either gene conversion or positive selection in the evolution of the actin gene family in haliotids. However, codon usage bias was evident in the actin gene family of these 4 haliotids. Phylogenetic analysis of the actin gene family revealed 2 distinct clades with H. iris actins A1, A1a, A1b, and A1c, H. virginea A1, A2, and A3, and H. rufescens actin in 1 clade and H. discus actin and H. iris actins A2 and A3 in the 2nd clade. In the expression analysis of actin genes, H. iris A1, A2, and A3 showed that these genes were expressed in all muscular structures (mantle musculature, foot, and retractor muscle) and non-muscular structures (gills and gonads) of adult H. iris, suggesting that they are all cytoplasmic-type actins. The lack of phylogenetic separation of actin genes into cytoplasmic and muscle actins and the absence of muscle-specific expression of actin genes may reflect the primitive taxonomic status of haliotids. The role of actin genes as genetic markers is discussed. http://zoolstud.sinica. edu.tw/Journals/46.6/734.pdf
Mapping the inner accretion disc of the Galactic black hole J1550–564 through its rise to outburst

ABSTRA C T We study the spectral properties of the first 14 observations of the rise to outburst phase of the X-ray transient J1550‐564. Using both the PCA and HEXTE instruments, we find that the 3‐200 keV spectra pass smoothly from a standard low/hard state to a very high state. The classic high state is never encountered, possibly indicating that it is not a phenomenon of the rise phase. We find that the individual PCA spectra can be fitted adequately by a disc blackbody and a thermal Comptonization model which includes reflection. Once the very high state is reached, there is clear spectral curvature of the continuum, which possibly indicates the presence of a composite thermal/non-thermal plasma. Our detailed modelling of the reflection parameters shows a sharp increase in mean ionization at the onset of the transition between the low state and very high state. There is a related variability in the reflected fraction, but its exact value depends on the continuum model used. The reflected fraction varies around values of V=2p , 0:1, and is never consistent with V=2pa 1. We can constrain the inner radius using relativistic smearing and, while there are large uncertainties, the data are incompatible with a disc extending to the last stable orbit (6 Rg) in either state. As the system is on the rise to outburst, the disc instability models (and observed increasing QPO frequency) strongly imply that there is no standard inner disc at the time the low-state spectrum is observed. This is compatible with a truncated disc, filled by an X-ray hot, advection-dominated accretion flow. However, magnetic flares above the outbursting disc can also match the observed spectra, once the effects of either outflow and/or strong photoionization of the surface of the disc are included. We clearly see strong ionization of the reflector in the very high state. This is probably from collisional ionization, as the disc surface temperature is ,0.7 keV. This can strongly suppress reflection from the inner disc.
A Sociolinguistic Analysis of the Perceptions of Students in a Ghanaian University, on the Use of First Person Pronouns in Academic Writing

This study presents the perceptions of students on the use of first person pronouns in academic writing as well as the gender group which makes use of it most in their academic writing. Questionnaires were therefore administered to forty students; twenty males and twenty female, in the faculty of Arts of the University of Cape Coast, Ghana for a case study. The data revealed that students are gradually moving away from the traditional of being objective and not being explicit about personal views in academic writing. They are rather adapting to the new way of being explicit in claiming their stance in academic writing through the use of FPPs. The data also showed that female students use first person pronouns in their academic writing more than male students. These findings thus have implications of orienting students towards the use of first person pronouns in their academic writings to help them represent themselves in their work and to show ownership as