Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Combining Collaborative Filtering and Semantic Content-Based Approaches to Recommend Web Services

As the abundance of web services on the World Wide Web increase, designing effective approaches for web service selection and recommendation has become more and more important. In this paper we focus on an approach dynamically offering services that fit the end-users’ interests. To this end, we present a hybrid approach, coupling pure and classic collaborative-filtering methods and a semantic content-based method. On the one hand the former methods are used to automatically recommend services depending on other similar users, based on profiles, preferences and historical experience. On the other hand our semantic content-based approach performs Description Logic based reasoning on semantic descriptions of services, in order to analysis semantic similarity of services. This approach further restricts the potential results and then ensuring a semantic recommendation of services. Finally we discuss its advantages and weaknesses.
Traditional Chinese medicine Yisui Tongjing relieved neural severity in experimental autoimmune neuritis rat model

Objective To study the effect of Yisui Tongjing (YSTJ) prescription on motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) and microstructure of the sciatic nerve in experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN) rats, the Guillain–Barré syndrome classic animal models. Materials and methods In this study, we established an EAN model in Lewis rats by immunization. We evaluated the potential clinical application of a traditional Chinese medicine YSTJ by intragastric administration and compared its effect with immunoglobulin. The sciatic MNCV was measured by electrophysiology experiment. Hematoxylin–eosin staining and transmission electron microscope analysis were used to determine the pathologically morphological changes before and after YSTJ application. Results We found that application of YSTJ could significantly alleviate the clinical signs in EAN rats. The treatment also increased MNCV in the sciatic nerve compared to that in the untreated nerve. Demyelination in the sciatic nerve in EAN rats was significantly ameliorated, and newly generated myelinated nerve fibers were observed with treatment of high dose of YSTJ. Conclusion This study showed that the traditional Chinese medicine YSTJ was likely to serve as a therapeutic medicine in autoimmune neuropathies, providing an effective and economic means to the treatment of Guillain–Barré syndrome.
Contribution to statistical acoustic-to-EMA mapping

The availability of large corpora of parallel acoustic and articulatory data has enabled the use of statistical, data-driven, methods in the context of the speech inversion problem. This paper explores the use of Support Vector Regression for the mapping from acoustic parameters to electromagnetic articulograph trajectories and compares the outcoming results against those presented in other studies on the same problem and dataset.
Beliefs, Reasoning and Decision-making: Psycho-logic in Honor of Bob Abelson

Contents: Preface. R.C. Schank, Goal-Based Scenarios. E. Langer, The Illusion of Calculated Decisions. J.L. Kolodner, From Natural Language Understanding to Case-Based Reasoning and Beyond: A Perspective on the Cognitive Model That Ties It All Together. K. Hammond, C.M. Seifert, Opportunistic Memory: "Be Prepared. " W.G. Lehnert, Cognition, Computers, and Car Bombs: How Yale Prepared Me for the 1990s. I.J. Roseman, The Psychology of Strongly Held Beliefs: Theories of Ideological Structure and Individual Attachment. S.J. Read, L.C. Miller, Dissonance and Balance in Belief Systems: The Promise of Parallel Constraint Satisfaction Processes and Connectionist Modeling Approaches. M.R. Lepper, "Hot" Versus "Cold" Cognition: An Abelsonian Voyage. D.R. Kinder, Reason and Emotion in American Political Life. L.A. Zebrowitz, Facial Maturity and Political Prospects: Persuasive, Culpable, and Powerful Faces. M.P. Zanna, R.H. Fazio, M. Ross, The Persistence of Persuasion. R. Wilensky, Discourse, Probability and Inference. J.M. Jones, An Exploration of Temporality in Human Behavior.
COS1: An Arabidopsis coronatine insensitive1 Suppressor Essential for Regulation of Jasmonate-Mediated Plant Defense and Senescence

The Arabidopsis thaliana CORONATINE INSENSITIVE1 (COI1) gene encodes an F-box protein to assemble SCFCOI1 complexes essential for response to jasmonates (JAs), which are a family of plant signaling molecules required for many essential functions, including plant defense and reproduction. To better understand the molecular basis of JA action, we screened for suppressors of coi1 and isolated a coi1 suppressor1 (cos1) mutant. The cos1 mutation restores the coi1-related phenotypes, including defects in JA sensitivity, senescence, and plant defense responses. The COS1 gene was cloned through a map-based approach and found to encode lumazine synthase, a key component in the riboflavin pathway that is essential for diverse yet critical cellular processes. We demonstrated a novel function for the riboflavin pathway that acts downstream of COI1 in the JA signaling pathway and is required for suppression of the COI1-mediated root growth, senescence, and plant defense.
Isolation of BHV-1 from bovine semen and application of real time PCR for diagnosis of IBR/IPV from clinical samples.

Five hundred and twenty three semen samples were collected from fi fteen different semen collection centres located across four states of South India. These samples were screened for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus by virus isolation studies at the Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals, Bangalore, India. Bovine turbinate (BT) and Madin Darby Bovine Kidney (MDBK) cell lines were used for virus isolation. Out of the total samples, four semen samples showed cytopathic changes in cells and were further confi rmed by regular PCR targeting amplifi cation of the gC region of bovine herpesvirus-1. Real time PCR was applied for these virus isolates using primers and probes amplifying the gB region of bovine herpesvirus-1. Further, this real time PCR protocol was adapted for diagnosis of IBR/IPV directly on the clinical samples.
Social loafing and free riding in online learning groups

IX CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION . 1 PROBLEM STATEMENT . 1 IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH . 2 SOCIAL LOAFING: THEORY ANALYSIS AND FUTURE EXPECTATIONS . 3 What Contexts Remain to be Explored? 3 RESEARCH GOALS AND OBJECTIVES . 5 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW . 7 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL LOAFING . 7 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND . 8 Ringelmann’s Theory . 8 SOCIAL LOAFING PROPOSITIONS . 10 First Things First . 10 SOCIAL LOAFING ANTECEDENTS AND THEIR PROPOSITIONS . 11 Procedural and distributive justice . 12 Task interdependence. 13 Group size . 13 Group cohesiveness . 15 Task visibility. 15 INDIVIDUAL PERCEPTIONS . 16 Learner Perceptions and Social Behaviors . 16 Dominance and aggression . 17 SOCIAL FACILITATION THEORY . 18 RESEARCH BETWEEN 1900 AND 1910 . 19 RESEARCH BETWEEN 1920 AND 1940 . 19 RESEARCH POST 1960 . 21 Drive theory . 22 Mere presence . 22 Evaluation apprehension . 23 Monitoring . 23 Distraction . 24 Self-Theories . 24 Self-attention . 24 Self-efficacy . 25 Diffusion of Social Facilitation Theories . 25 RELATED RESEARCH OUTSIDE THE SOCIAL SCIENCES . 25 Library and Information Studies . 26 Human information behavior . 26 Online Learning, CMC, and Humanities Research . 30 Game Theory . 32
Sexual Arousal in Sexually Sluggish Old Male Rats after Oral Administration of Eurycoma longifolia Jack

Eurycoma longifolia Jack commonly known as Tongkat Ali in Malaysia, has been used in Malaysia to increase male virility and sexual prowess. The objective of this study is to evaluate sexual arousal in sexually sluggish old male rats, 24 months old and retired breeders, receiving 200, 400, or 800 mg/kg of various fractions of E. longifolia Jack, twice daily, for 10 days. Control rats received 3 ml/kg of normal saline. The aphrodisiac effect was monitored by the act of yawning and stretching because yawning, either alone or associated with stretching, is considered an ancestral vestige surviving throughout evolution that promotes sexual arousal. The results showed that 800 mg/kg of E. longifolia Jack increased yawning by 50% and stretching by 16.7% in sexually sluggish old male rats, by 676-719% and 31-336%, respectively, in sexually active male rats, and by 22-44% and 75-100%, respectively, in middle aged, 9 months old and retired breeders. We conclude that the results of this study support the folk use of this plant as an aphrodisiac.
Transcriptome and Expression Profile Analysis of Highly Resistant and Susceptible Banana Roots Challenged with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical Race 4

Banana wilt disease, caused by the fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense 4 (Foc4), is regarded as one of the most devastating diseases worldwide. Cavendish cultivar ‘Yueyoukang 1’ was shown to have significantly lower disease severity and incidence compared with susceptible cultivar ‘Brazilian’ in greenhouse and field trials. De novo sequencing technology was previously performed to investigate defense mechanism in middle resistant ‘Nongke No 1’ banana, but not in highly resistant cultivar ‘Yueyoukang 1’. To gain more insights into the resistance mechanism in banana against Foc4, Illumina Solexa sequencing technology was utilized to perform transcriptome sequencing of ‘Yueyoukang 1’ and ‘Brazilian’ and characterize gene expression profile changes in the both two cultivars at days 0.5, 1, 3, 5 and 10 after infection with Foc4. The results showed that more massive transcriptional reprogramming occurs due to Foc4 treatment in ‘Yueyoukang 1’ than ‘Brazilian’, especially at the first three time points, which suggested that ‘Yueyoukang 1’ had much faster defense response against Foc4 infection than ‘Brazilian’. Expression patterns of genes involved in ‘Plant-pathogen interaction’ and ‘Plant hormone signal transduction’ pathways were analyzed and compared between the two cultivars. Defense genes associated with CEBiP, BAK1, NB-LRR proteins, PR proteins, transcription factor and cell wall lignification were expressed stronger in ‘Yueyoukang 1’ than ‘Brazilian’, indicating that these genes play important roles in banana against Foc4 infection. However, genes related to hypersensitive reaction (HR) and senescence were up-regulated in ‘Brazilian’ but down-regulated in ‘Yueyoukang 1’, which suggested that HR and senescence may contribute to Foc4 infection. In addition, the resistance mechanism in highly resistant ‘Yueyoukang 1’ was found to differ from that in middle resistant ‘Nongke No 1’ banana. These results explain the resistance in the highly resistant cultivar and provide more insights in understanding the compatible and incompatible interactions between banana and Foc4.
Sickness presenteeism in Norway and Sweden

Introduction: Sickness presenteeism (SP) refers to the practice of going to work despite illness. This article describes the distribution of SP in Norway and Sweden. It also discusses relations between SP and various work characteristics and personal factors in the two countries. Methods: More than 2500 Norwegian and Swedish workers between 20 and 60 years of age answered a postal questionnaire. The Norwegian and Swedish samples are weighed and representative with regard to both variables of regional background and demography, but the response rate was low. The distribution of SP is measured by frequency (episodes in the previous year) and by length (total days of SP in the previous year). This study employed binary and multinomial logistic regression to detect which factors influence the frequency of SP. Results: Fifty-five per cent of the respondents in Norway and Sweden practised SP in the previous year. The frequency of SP episodes is similar in the two countries. Further, respondents with low/medium income, physical work, and managerial responsibilities report SP more often in both countries. Non-western immigrants, the less educated, and those employed by others are overrepresented with SP in Norway. Neither gender nor age had any particular influence. Discussion: In accordance with previous studies, this study among Norwegian and Swedish workers suggests that some SP during a working year may be more common than no SP. Our analyses of determinants of SP present some previously undocumented differences. Divisions between sedentary versus physical work and management versus non-management were important for SP in Norway and Sweden. Moreover, non-western immigrants are overrepresented with SP in Norway, but this pattern does not prevail in Sweden. Some possible causes for non-western immigrants to report more SP are suggested in the article, but we need more research to follow up on the missing correlation between ethnic background and SP in Sweden.
Knowledge creation: absorptive capacity, organizational mechanisms, and knowledge storage/retrieval capabilities

Drawing on a knowledge-based perspective of the firm (KBV), this study develops a framework that delineates the interrelationships among 'the roles of individuals as well as organizations,' 'the IT capabilities of knowledge storage/ retrieval,' and 'knowledge creation. ' In order to test the feasibility of this framework, we conducted an empirical study. This study employed a survey instrument, which collected data from 1000 respondents from organizations in manufacturing, trade, transportation, service industries, and academic institutions. A total of 271 useable responses were analyzed. The major contributions of this research are to: (a) develop a knowledge management framework based on individual and organizational perspectives; (b) identify the impact of individuals' absorptive capacity, and organizational mechanisms, on knowledge creation; and (c) specify the moderating effect of organizational memory. The implications of the study are provided, and further research directions are proposed.
The linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex regulates TRAIL‐induced gene activation and cell death

The linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex (LUBAC) is the only known E3 ubiquitin ligase which catalyses the generation of linear ubiquitin linkages de novo. LUBAC is a crucial component of various immune receptor signalling pathways. Here, we show that LUBAC forms part of the TRAIL‐R‐associated complex I as well as of the cytoplasmic TRAIL‐induced complex II. In both of these complexes, HOIP limits caspase‐8 activity and, consequently, apoptosis whilst being itself cleaved in a caspase‐8‐dependent manner. Yet, by limiting the formation of a RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL‐containing complex, LUBAC also restricts TRAIL‐induced necroptosis. We identify RIPK1 and caspase‐8 as linearly ubiquitinated targets of LUBAC following TRAIL stimulation. Contrary to its role in preventing TRAIL‐induced RIPK1‐independent apoptosis, HOIP presence, but not its activity, is required for preventing necroptosis. By promoting recruitment of the IKK complex to complex I, LUBAC also promotes TRAIL‐induced activation of NF‐κB and, consequently, the production of cytokines, downstream of FADD, caspase‐8 and cIAP1/2. Hence, LUBAC controls the TRAIL signalling outcome from complex I and II, two platforms which both trigger cell death and gene activation.
Öğretmenlerin Örgütsel Sinizm Düzeylerinin İncelenmesi

Bu arastirmanin amaci; ogretmenlerin cinsiyetleri, medeni durumlari, branslari, yaslari, mesleki kidemleri, egitim durumlari, calistiklari okul turleri, ogretmenligi secme nedenleri gibi demografik ozellikler acisindan orgutsel sinizm duzeylerinin degisip degismedigini belirlemektir. Arastirma 2007-2008 egitim-ogretim yilinda Antalya il merkezinde ilkogretim ve ortaogretim kurumlarinda gorev yapan 325 ogretmen uzerinden gerceklestirilmistir. Arastirmada, Guzeller ve Kalagan (2008) tarafindan gelistirilmis olan orgutsel sinizm olcegi kullanilmistir. Verileriniz analizinde, T testi, Tek yonlu varyans analizi, Kruskal Wallis testi, Mann Whitney U-testi kullanilmistir. Arastirmanin bulgularina gore; ogretmenlerin orgutsel sinizm duzeyi ile branslari, mesleki kidemleri, egitim durumlari, calistiklari okul turu, ogretmenligi secme nedenleri arasindaki anlamli bir iliski bulunmustur.
Relative validity and reproducibility of a food frequency questionnaire used in pregnant women from a rural area of China

Food frequency questionnaires are relatively inexpensive, easy and quick to administer, but the construction of a food frequency questionnaire that can capture Chinese food habits is challenging given the diverse lifestyle and eating habits in different parts of the country. The aim of this study was to assess the validity and reproducibility of a self‐administered food frequency questionnaire against a 3‐day dietary recall in a rural region of western China.
The FTF gene family regulates virulence and expression of SIX effectors in Fusarium oxysporum

Summary The FTF (Fusarium transcription factor) gene family comprises a single copy gene, FTF2, which is present in all the filamentous ascomycetes analysed, and several copies of a close relative, FTF1, which is exclusive to Fusarium oxysporum. An RNA‐mediated gene silencing system was developed to target mRNA produced by all the FTF genes, and tested in two formae speciales: F. oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli (whose host is common bean) and F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (whose host is tomato). Quantification of the mRNA levels showed knockdown of FTF1 and FTF2 in randomly isolated transformants of both formae speciales. The attenuation of FTF expression resulted in a marked reduction in virulence, a reduced expression of several SIX (Secreted In Xylem) genes, the best studied family of effectors in F. oxysporum, and lower levels of SGE1 (Six Gene Expression 1) mRNA, the presumptive regulator of SIX expression. Moreover, the knockdown mutants showed a pattern of colonization of the host plant similar to that displayed by strains devoid of FTF1 copies (weakly virulent strains). Gene knockout of FTF2 also resulted in a reduction in virulence, but to a lesser extent. These results demonstrate the role of the FTF gene expansion, mostly the FTF1 paralogues, as a regulator of virulence in F. oxysporum and suggest that the control of effector expression is the mechanism involved.
Alteration of p53 and p21 during hepatocarcinogenesis in tree shrews.

AIM To investigate p53 mutation and p21 expression in hepatocarcinogenesis induced by hepatitis B virus (HBV) and aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)) in tree shrews, and to reveal the role of these genes in hepatocarcinogenesis. METHODS Tree shrews were divided into four groups: group A, those infected with HBV and fed with AFB(1) (n = 39); group B, those infected with HBV alone (n = 28); group C, those fed with AFB(1) alone (n = 29); and group D, normal controls (n = 20). The tree shrews underwent liver biopsies once every 15 wk. Expression of p53 and p21 proteins and genes in the biopsies and tumor tissues of the experimental tree shrews was detected, respectively, by immunohistochemistry, and by Southern blotting and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. RESULTS The incidence of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) was higher in group A (66.7%) than that in group B (3.57%) and C (30%). The time of HCC occurrence was also earlier in group A than that in group C (120.0+/-16.6 wk vs 153.3+/-5.8 wk, respectively, P<0.01). p53 protein was not detected by immunohistochemistry in all groups before the 75(th) wk of the experiment. At the 105(th) wk, the positive rates fo p53 were 78.6%, 60% and 71.4% in groups A, B and C, respectively, which were significantly higher than that in group D (10%) (all P<0.05). An abnormal band of p53 gene was observed in groups A and C. The mutation points of p53 gene in tree shrews with HCC were at codons 275, 78 and 13. The nucleotide sequence and amino acid sequence of tree shrew's wild-type p53 showed 91.7% and 93.4% homologies with those of human p53, respectively. The immunopositivity for p21 was found before HCC development. The incidence of HCC was significantly higher in tree shrews that were positive for p21 than those negative for p21 (80.0% vs 11.0%, P<0.001). The incidence of HCC in p21 positive animals in group A was significantly higher than those positive for p21 in group C (P<0.05). CONCLUSION A remarkable synergistic effect on HCC development exists between HBV and AFB(1). p53 mutation promotes the development of HCC. HBV and AFB(1) may synergistically induce p53 gene mutation, and stimulate ras gene expression. ras gene is activated at the earlier stage during hepatocarcinogenesis. p21 protein may be an early marker, and the alterations of p53 may be a late event in the development of HCC.
The Psychology of Ultimate Concerns: Motivation and Spirituality in Personality

Part I: Personal Goals: An Approach to Personality and Subjective Well-Being. Introduction: Motivation and Spirituality in Personality. Personal Goals as Units of Analysis. Personal Goals and Subjective Well-Being. Goal Conflict and Personality Fragmentation. Part II: Spirituality, Goals, and Intelligence. Spiritual Strivings as Ultimate Concerns. From Goal to Whole: Spiritual Strivings and Personality Integration. Personal Goals and Life Meaning. Spiritual Intelligence: Toward a Theory of Personality and Spirituality. Appendix A: Personal Striving Assessment Packet. Appendix B: Personal Striving Coding Manual.
Research Methodology in the Social, Behavioural and Life Sciences

This is an ideal text for advanced courses in research methods and experimental design. It argues that the methodology of quantitative research is a unified discipline with basic notions, procedures and ways of reasoning which can be applied across the social, behavioural and life sciences. Key designs, models and methods in research are covered by leading contributors in their field who seek to explain the fundamentals of the research process to enable the student to understand the broader implications and unifying themes.
Chronic dietary creatine enhances hippocampal-dependent spatial memory, bioenergetics, and levels of plasticity-related proteins associated with NF-κB

The brain has a high demand for energy, of which creatine (Cr) is an important regulator. Studies document neurocognitive benefits of oral Cr in mammals, yet little is known regarding their physiological basis. This study investigated the effects of Cr supplementation (3%, w/w) on hippocampal function in male C57BL/6 mice, including spatial learning and memory in the Morris water maze and oxygen consumption rates from isolated mitochondria in real time. Levels of transcription factors and related proteins (CREB, Egr1, and IκB to indicate NF-κB activity), proteins implicated in cognition (CaMKII, PSD-95, and Egr2), and mitochondrial proteins (electron transport chain Complex I, mitochondrial fission protein Drp1) were probed with Western blotting. Dietary Cr decreased escape latency/time to locate the platform (P < 0.05) and increased the time spent in the target quadrant (P < 0.01) in the Morris water maze. This was accompanied by increased coupled respiration (P < 0.05) in isolated hippocampal mitochondria. Protein levels of CaMKII, PSD-95, and Complex 1 were increased in Cr-fed mice, whereas IκB was decreased. These data demonstrate that dietary supplementation with Cr can improve learning, memory, and mitochondrial function and have important implications for the treatment of diseases affecting memory and energy homeostasis.