Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Current Knowledge on the Use of Computational Toxicology in Hazard Assessment of Metallic Engineered Nanomaterials

As listed by the European Chemicals Agency, the three elements in evaluating the hazards of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) include the integration and evaluation of toxicity data, categorization and labeling of ENMs, and derivation of hazard threshold levels for human health and the environment. Assessing the hazards of ENMs solely based on laboratory tests is time-consuming, resource intensive, and constrained by ethical considerations. The adoption of computational toxicology into this task has recently become a priority. Alternative approaches such as (quantitative) structure–activity relationships ((Q)SAR) and read-across are of significant help in predicting nanotoxicity and filling data gaps, and in classifying the hazards of ENMs to individual species. Thereupon, the species sensitivity distribution (SSD) approach is able to serve the establishment of ENM hazard thresholds sufficiently protecting the ecosystem. This article critically reviews the current knowledge on the development of in silico models in predicting and classifying the hazard of metallic ENMs, and the development of SSDs for metallic ENMs. Further discussion includes the significance of well-curated experimental datasets and the interpretation of toxicity mechanisms of metallic ENMs based on reported models. An outlook is also given on future directions of research in this frontier.
Human cytomegalovirus microRNAs are carried by virions and dense bodies and are delivered to target cells

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection results in the production of virions, dense bodies (DBs) and non-infectious enveloped particles, all of which incorporate proteins and RNAs that can be transferred to host cells. Here, we investigated whether virions and DBs also carry microRNAs (miRNAs) and assessed their delivery and functionality in cells. Human lung fibroblasts (MRC-5) were infected with the HCMV strain AD169, and conditioned cell culture medium was collected and centrifuged. The pellets were treated with RNase-ONE, and the virions and DBs were purified with a potassium tartrate–glycerol gradient and dialysed. The virions and DBs were incubated with micrococcal nuclease, DNA and RNA were extracted and then analysed with TaqMan PCR assays, while the proteins were examined with Western blots. To assess the delivery of miRNAs to cells and their functionality, virions and DBs were irradiated with UV light. The purity of the virions and DBs was confirmed by typical morphology, the presence of the structural protein pp65 and the HCMV genome, the ability to infect MRC-5 cells and the absence of the host genome. RNA analysis revealed the presence of 14 HCMV-encoded miRNAs (UL22A-5p, US25-1-5p, UL22A-3p, US5-2-3p, UL112-3p, US25-2-3p, US25-2-5p, US33-3p, US5-1, UL36-5p, US4-5p, UL36-3p, UL70-5p and US25-1-3p), HCMV immediate-early mRNA and long non-coding RNA2.7, moreover, two host-encoded miRNAs (hsa-miR-218-5p and hsa-miR-21-5p) and beta-2-microglobulin RNA. UV-irradiated virions and DBs delivered viral miRNAs (US25-1-5p and UL112-3p) to the host cells, and miR-US25-1-5p was functional in a luciferase reporter assay. We conclude that virions and DBs carry miRNAs that are biologically functional and can be delivered to cells, which may affect cellular processes.
The Mechanism of Explosive Spalling and Measures to Resistant Spalling of Concrete Exposed to High Temperature by Incorporating Fibers: A Review

Many experimental researches have been conducted on explosive spalling performance of concrete of high-strength / high performance concrete (HSC/HPC). This paper summarizes two main explosive spalling mechanisms (Vapor pressure build-up mechanism and Thermal stress mechanism) of concrete at elevated temperature, and also presents the measures to resistant the explosive spalling, i.e. by incorporating fibers (polypropylene fiber(PPF), steel fiber(SF) and hybrid fiber of the first two). Finally, the further studies of both the mechanism and the measures are proposed. Also, the preliminary study of ultra high-strength concrete (UHSC) on fire-resistance are mentioned.
Computerized adaptive testing in industrial and organizational psychology

The overarching goal of this dissertation is to increase the precision and efficiency of the measurement tools that are used to make selection decisions in industrial/organizational psychology, by introducing psychometric innovations in the framework of computerized adaptive testing (CAT). Chapter 1 presents a general introduction to CAT and item response theory (IRT). Chapter 2 illustrates an automatic online calibration design that can be used in adaptive testing. The method makes it more attractive for respondents to participate during calibration, and increases the speed with which a CAT item bank can be calibrated. Chapter 3 demonstrates a straightforward method for conducting a test of measurement invariance and illustrates a method for modeling differential item functioning by assigning group-specific item parameters in the framework of IRT. Chapter 4 illustrates a method for verifying the results of an unproctored Internet test by using an extension of the stochastic curtailed truncated sequential probability ratio test (SCTSPRT). Simulation studies indicated that the SCTSPRT was almost four times shorter than a linear testing method while maintaining the same power of detection. Chapters 5 and 6 investigate the possibility of increasing the precision and shortening the test length of typical employment tests by efficiently administering and scoring items with multidimensional computerized adaptive testing (MCAT). Chapter 5 explores the possibility of using MCAT for administering and scoring the Adjustable Competence Evaluation; a computer adaptive cognitive ability test used in organizational selection. Chapter 6 explores the potential of administering and scoring items with MCAT for the NEO PI-R; a widely used personality test.
Who is Responsible for E-Learning Success in Higher Education? A Stakeholders' Analysis

Successful implementation of e-learning is dependent on the extent to which the needs and concerns of the stakeholder groups involved are addressed. This paper discusses e-learning, describes the needs and concerns of the various stakeholder groups, and derives a Stakeholders' Responsiblity Matrix to summarize the responsibilities of each stakeholder group. Fulfilling the responsibilities described in the Stakeholders' Responsibility Matrix will address the needs and concerns of each stakeholder groups, thereby encouraging the success of e-learning in higher education.
Open problems on exponential and character sums

This is a collection of mostly unrelated open questions, at various levels of difficulty, related to exponential and multiplicative character sums. One may certainly notice a large proportion of self-references in the bibliography. By no means should this be considered as an indication of anything else than the fact that the choice of problems reflects the taste and interests of the author. Thus it is not surprising that many (but not all) of the problems are related to some previous results of the author. One can find the necessary background and a wealth of information about exponential and character sums in [90] (mainly in the context of finite fields) and in [80] (in a more general contexts), see also [86, 88, 112, 131]. Some of the problems below are likely to be very difficult, some may constitute a feasible long term project (such as doctoral thesis), some are not so hard and may be used by the beginners in this area as an entry point to gain some immediate “hands-on” experience with exponential and character sums. In particular, part of the motivation for writing this list of problems has been the frequent requests to the author to suggest a research problem on exponential sums. One can also notice that most of the problems fall into two major categories. In one category we talk about obtaining new bounds of exponential
Mistaken Matchings: Imperfect Compatibility Information in Kidney Exchanges A thesis presented

The preferred treatment for patients with kidney disease is live-donor kidney transplantation. The prospective donors offering a kidney to a sick patient may not be compatible with the patient however; this creates an opportunity for kidney exchange, where incompatible pairs “swap” donors. Kidney exchanges benefit from scale but conducting real compatibility tests between all members of a large exchange pool is not feasible, so operating exchanges make swap allocations using virtual compatibility information and conduct real compatibility tests only at the time of transplantation. Unfortunately, virtual compatibility tests often result in false positives so allocated swaps cannot always be completed. This paper examines the effects of erroneous virtual compatibilities on exchange efficiency, incentives, and policy regarding nondirected altruistic donation. It concludes by considering a feasible and equitable method of erroneous-compatibility mitigation. Acknowledgements: This paper benefited from the help and advice of many people. Particular thanks go to Alvin Roth and Itai Ashlagi, who introduced me to kidney exchange and whose ideas and criticism were crucial to the development of my analytical methodology. My simulations would not have been possible without the help of Michael Rees and Jonathan Kopke of the Alliance for Paired Donation, who provided an anonymized dataset as well as a first-hand understanding of the mechanics and problems of kidney exchange. Finally, thanks to Susan Saidman for explaining the immunology relevant to kidney exchange, and to M. Utku Ünver for our discussion regarding the importance of the problem I examine and the feasibility of implementing partial solutions.
Learning the Distribution of Object Trajectories for Event Recognition

The advent in recent years of robust, real-time, model-based tracking techniques for rigid and non-rigid moving objects has made automated surveillance and event recognition a possibility. A statistically based model of object trajectories is presented which is learnt from the observation of long image sequences. Trajectory data is supplied by a tracker using Active Shape Models, from which a model of the distribution of typical trajectories is learnt. Experimental results are included to show the generation of the model for trajectories within a pedestrian scene. We indicate how the resulting model can be used for the identification of atypical events.
Inductorless oscillator design for personal communications devices-a 1.2 /spl mu/m CMOS process case study

Three different 1.2 /spl mu/m CMOS ring oscillator type VCO architectures have been presented. The VCO's are intended for the use as building blocks of digital radio frequency synthesizer. It is demonstrated that linear control and improved phase-noise performance can be obtained by employing circuit design techniques and time domain based circuit optimization. The measurements results indicate that the maximum oscillating frequency range from 460 MHz to 900 MHz, power dissipation (at 5 Volts) from 6.5 to 11.5 mW and phase-noise at a 100 kHz carrier offset in a range of -83 to -95 dBc.
ScII: an abundant chromosome scaffold protein is a member of a family of putative ATPases with an unusual predicted tertiary structure

Here, we describe the cloning and characterization of ScII, the second most abundant protein after topoisomerase II, of the chromosome scaffold fraction to be identified. ScII is structurally related to a protein, Smc1p, previously found to be required for accurate chromosome segregation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. ScII and the other members of the emerging family of SMC1-like proteins are likely to be novel ATPases, with NTP-binding A and B sites separated by two lengthy regions predicted to form an alpha-helical coiled-coil. Analysis of the ScII B site predicted that ScII might use ATP by a mechanism similar to the bacterial recN DNA repair and recombination enzyme. ScII is a mitosis-specific scaffold protein that colocalizes with topoisomerase II in mitotic chromosomes. However, ScII appears not to be associated with the interphase nuclear matrix. ScII might thus play a role in mitotic processes such as chromosome condensation or sister chromatid disjunction, both of which have been previously shown to involve topoisomerase II.
Use of Biosolids to Enhance Rangeland Forage Quality

Biosolids land application was demonstrated to be a potentially cost‐effective means for restoring forage productivity and enhancing soil‐moisture‐holding capacity on disturbed rangelands. By land‐applying aerobically digested, anaerobically digested, composted, and lime‐stabilized biosolids on rangeland test plots at rates of up to 20 times (20X) the estimated nitrogen‐based agronomic rate, forage yields were found to increase from 132.8 kg/ha (118.2 lb/ac) (control plots) to 1182.3 kg/ha (1052.8 lb/ac). Despite the environmental benefits associated with increased forage yield (e.g., reduced soil erosion, improved drainage, and enhanced terrestrial carbon sequestration), the type of forage generated both before and after biosolids land application was found to be dominated by invasive weeds, all of which were characterized as having fair to poor nutritional value. Opportunistic and shallow rooting invasive weeds not only have marginal nutritional value, they also limit the establishment of native perennial grasses and thus biodiversity. Many of the identified invasive species (e.g., Cheatgrass) mature early, a characteristic that significantly increases the fuel loads that support the increased frequency and extent of western wildfires.
Effectiveness of online word of mouth on exposure to an Internet-delivered intervention

The use of online word of mouth (WOM) seems a promising strategy to motivate young people to visit Internet-delivered interventions. An Internet-delivered intervention aimed at changing implicit attitudes related to alcohol was used in two experiments to test effectiveness of e-mail invitations on a first visit to the intervention. The results of the first experiment (N = 196) showed that an invitation by e-mail from a friend was more effective to attract young adults (aged 18–24 years) to the intervention website than an invitation from an institution. A 2 × 2 design was used in the second experiment (N = 236) to test manipulations of argument strength and the use of peripheral cues in invitations. Results showed that weak arguments were more effective to attract young adults to the intervention website when an incentive was withheld. These results need to be taken into account when using online WOM as a strategy to improve exposure to Internet-delivered interventions.
Smad4 Deficiency in Smooth Muscle Cells Initiates the Formation of Aortic Aneurysm.

RATIONALE Aortic aneurysm is a life-threatening cardiovascular disorder caused by the predisposition for dissection and rupture. Genetic studies have proved the involvement of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) pathway in aortic aneurysm. Smad4 is the central mediator of the canonical TGF-β signaling pathway. However, the exact role of Smad4 in smooth muscle cells (SMCs) leading to the pathogenesis of aortic aneurysms is largely unknown. OBJECTIVE To determine the role of smooth muscle Smad4 in the pathogenesis of aortic aneurysms. METHODS AND RESULTS Conditional gene knockout strategy combined with histology and expression analysis showed that Smad4 or TGF-β receptor type II deficiency in SMCs led to the occurrence of aortic aneurysms along with an upregulation of cathepsin S and matrix metallopeptidase-12, which are proteases essential for elastin degradation. We further demonstrated a previously unknown downregulation of matrix metallopeptidase-12 by TGF-β in the aortic SMCs, which is largely abrogated in the absence of Smad4. Chemotactic assay and pharmacologic treatment demonstrated that Smad4-deficient SMCs directly triggered aortic wall inflammation via the excessive production of chemokines to recruit macrophages. Monocyte/macrophage depletion or blocking selective chemokine axis largely abrogated the progression of aortic aneurysm caused by Smad4 deficiency in SMCs. CONCLUSIONS The findings reveal that Smad4-dependent TGF-β signaling in SMCs protects against aortic aneurysm formation and dissection. The data also suggest important implications for novel therapeutic strategies to limit the progression of the aneurysm resulting from TGF-β signaling loss-of-function mutations.
Epidemiology of Prostatic Cancer

The worldwide incidence of prostatic cancer derived from data published by the Union Internationale contre Ie Cancer and the International Red Cross Committee has been estimated to be 200 000 new cases each year. Cases occur predominantly in the USA (75 per 100 000) and in northern Europe (40 per 100 000), whereas the incidence is low in Asia. Comparison of clinical series and autopsies confirms the high incidence of cancer in older age groups, although not all cases are seen clinically. Mortality increases more slowly than the incidence of the disease, indicating that diagnosis and treatment are increasingly effective. Aetiological factors remain the subject of much discussion, without any criteria appearing to be dominant. L'incidence du cancer prostatique dans le monde, selon les publications de l'Union Internationale contre le Cancer et le Comité International de la Croix-Rouge (International Red Cross Committee) a été estiméeà 200 000 nouveaux cas par an avec une prédominance aux Etats-Unis (75 par 100 000) et en Europe du nord (40 par 100 000), les pays asiatiques se voyant épargnés. La comparaison de séries cliniques et d'autopsies confirme la haute incidence de ce cancer chez les personnes plus âgées, bien que tous les cas n'aient pas été vérifiés en pratique clinique. La mortalité croît moins vite que l'incidence de la maladie, ce qui traduit une meilleure performance du diagnostic et du traitement. Les données étiologiques restent très controversées sans critère dominant. L'incidenza del cancro prostatico su scala mondiale, sulla base dei dati pubblicati dalla Union Internationale contre le Cancer e dal Comitate della Croce Rossa Internazionale, è stata stimata in circa 200.000 nuovi casi all'anno. La maggiore incidenza di casi si riscontra negli USA (75 su 100.000) e nell'Europa Settentrionale (40 su 100.000), mentre si registra un'incidenza minore in Asia. Il confronto delle cartelle cliniche e dei risultati delle autopsie conferma l'elevata incidenza del cancro nei gruppi di soggetti di et à più avanzata, sebbene non tutti i casi siano stati considerati clinicamente. Il tasso di mortalité registra un incremento più lento rispetto all'incidenza délia malattia, il che indica che le metodologie diagnostiche e terapeutiche divengono sempre più efficaci. I fattori eziologici rimangono l'oggetto di notevoli discussioni, senza che sia stato ancora individuato alcun criterio prédominante.
WPBOUND: Enforcing Spatial Memory Safety Efficiently at Runtime with Weakest Preconditions

Spatial errors (e.g., Buffer overflows) continue to be one of the dominant threats to software reliability and security in C/C++ programs. Presently, the software industry typically enforces spatial memory safety by instrumentation. Due to high overheads incurred in bounds checking at runtime, many program inputs cannot be exercised, causing some input-specific spatial errors to go undetected in today's commercial software. This paper introduces a new compile-time optimisation for reducing bounds checking overheads based on the notion of Weakest Precondition (WP). The basic idea is to guard a bounds check at a pointer dereference inside a loop, where the WP-based guard is hoisted outside the loop, so that its falsehood implies the absence of out-of-bounds errors at the dereference, thereby avoiding the corresponding bounds check inside the loop. This WP-based optimisation is applicable to any spatial-error detection approach (in software or hardware or both). To evaluate the effectiveness of our optimisation, we take SOFTBOUND, a compile-time tool with an open-source implementation in LLVM, as our baseline. SOFTBOUND adopts a pointer-based checking approach with disjoint metadata, making it a state-of-the-art tool in providing compatible and complete spatial safety for C. Our new tool, called WPBOUND, is a refined version of SOFTBOUND, also implemented in LLVM, by incorporating our WP-based optimisation. For a set of 12 SPEC C benchmarks evaluated, WPBOUND reduces the average (geometric mean) slowdown of SOFTBOUND from 71% to 45% (by a reduction of 37%), with small code size increases.
PROFILE DISTRIBUTION OF SESQUIOXIDES IN THE INLAND VALLEY SOILS OF CENTRAL CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA.

The morphological properties (colour, structure, texture, consistence, miscellaneous features and horizon boundary conditions) of inland valley soils in central Cross River State were described. The soils were sampled from pedogenic horizons and analyzed for physico-chemical properties. They were specially analyzed for pedogenic forms of iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn), namely, acid (pH 3) oxalate extractible and citrate-bicarbonate-dithionite (CBD) extractable forms The soils were deep, gleyed/mottled acid loams and clays, with low ( 3%) orgaic matter contents. The contents of CBD extractible Fe (FeD) in the surface horizons of soils range from 6255.00 mg kg-1 to 8131 mg kg-1 with a mean of 7100.0 mg kg-1 while the subsoil horizon values range from 5421.0 mg kg-1 to 8131 mg kg-1 with a mean of 6500 mg kg-1. Amorphous iron (Feox) in the surface soil ranged between 959.0 mg kg-1 and 5838 mg kg-1 with a mean of 4000.00 mg kg-1; and the subsoil horizon values ranged from 1084 mg kg-1 to 5838.0 mg kg-1 with a mean of 3500 mg kg-1. Active iron ratio of the surface horizons was in the range of 0.15 and 0.85 with a mean of 0.55. The extractable manganese oxides for the surface horizons ranged between 83.3 mg kg-1 and 550.0 mg kg-1 with a mean of 250.0 mg kg-1 while the subsoil values ranged from 25.0 mg kg-1 to 3392.7 mg kg-1 with a mean of 570.0 mg kg-1. The surface amorphous manganese oxide values ranged from 41.70 mg kg-1 to 325.0 mg kg-1 with a mean of 261.0 mg kg-1. The subsoil results ranged between 20.8 mg kg-1 and 1583.3 mg kg-1 to give a mean of 378.0 mg kg-1. With these concentrations of manganese and iron oxides in these soils, supplemental phosphorus especially after liming during cultivation is recommended for optimum crop yield. Nigerian Journal of Soil Science Vol.4 2003: 41-49
How to Transform and Filter Images Using Iterated Function Systems

We generalize the mathematics of fractal transformations and illustrate how it leads to a new approach to the representation and processing of digital images, and consequent novel methods for filtering, watermarking, and encryption. This work substantially generalizes earlier work on fractal tops. The approach involves fractal geometry, chaotic dynamics, and an interplay between discrete and continuous representations. The underlying mathematics is established and some applications to digital imaging are described and exemplified.