Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Organizational politics and turnover: An empirical research from hospitality industry

Th e purpose of this study was to examine the eff ects of scarcity of resources, favoritism, and organizational support as antecedents on organizational politics perceptions of frontline staff and the eff ect of these perceptions on their turnover intention in Cypriot hotels as its setting. For this study, a total number of 140 usable questionnaires were collected from frontline staff who was defi ned as all frontline supervisors from the front offi ce, food&beverage, guest relations, and housekeeping departments working in three, four and fi ve star hotels in North Cyprus. Th e hypothesized relationships were tested using SPSS 18 version through path analysis. Th e model test results indicated that scarce resources and favoritism are signifi cant determinants of organizational politics perceptions. On the other hand, organizational support was found to be negatively related with organizational politics. Th e empirical result also demonstrated that frontline supervisors’ politics perceptions exerted a positive eff ect on their turnover intentions.Th is research makes useful contributions to the current knowledge base by exclusively investigating the direct eff ect of favoritism on perceptions of organizational politics and indirect infl uence on turnover intention. Because favoritism practices have potential to paralyze the organizational justice and create distrustful working environment which makes real performers to engage in political games or quit the job.
Solar wind and the motion of dust grains

In this paper, we investigate the action of solar wind on an arbitrarily shaped interplanetary dust particle. The final relativistically covariant equation of motion of the particle also contains the change of the particle’s mass. The non-radial solar wind velocity vector is also included. The covariant equation of motion reduces to the Poynting–Robertson effect in the limiting case when a spherical particle is treated, when the speed of the incident solar wind corpuscles tends to the speed of light and when the corpuscles spread radially from the Sun. The results of quantum mechanics have to be incorporated into the physical considerations, in order to obtain the limiting case. If the solar wind affects the motion of a spherical interplanetary dust particle, then . Here, p′in and p′out are the incoming and outgoing radiation momenta (per unit time), respectively, measured in the proper frame of reference of the particle, and and are the solar wind pressure and the total scattering cross-sections, respectively. An analytical solution of the derived equation of motion yields a qualitative behaviour consistent with numerical calculations. This also holds if we consider a decrease of the particle’s mass. Using numerical integration of the derived equation of motion, we confirm our analytical result that the non-radial solar wind (with a constant value of angle between the radial direction and the direction of the solar wind velocity) causes outspiralling of the dust particle from the Sun for large values of the particle’s semimajor axis. The non-radial solar wind also increases the time the particle spirals towards the Sun. If we consider the periodical variability of the solar wind with the solar cycle, then there are resonances between the particle’s orbital period and the period of the solar cycle.
Selective Activation of Human Dendritic Cells by OM-85 through a NF-kB and MAPK Dependent Pathway

OM-85 (Broncho-Vaxom®, Broncho-Munal®, Ommunal®, Paxoral®, Vaxoral®), a product made of the water soluble fractions of 21 inactivated bacterial strain patterns responsible for respiratory tract infections, is used for the prevention of recurrent upper respiratory tract infections and acute exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. OM-85 is able to potentiate both innate and adaptive immune responses. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for OM-85 activation are still largely unknown. Purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of OM-85 stimulation on human dendritic cell functions. We show that OM-85 selectively induced NF-kB and MAPK activation in human DC with no detectable action on the interferon regulatory factor (IRF) pathway. As a consequence, chemokines (i.e. CXCL8, CXCL6, CCL3, CCL20, CCL22) and B-cell activating cytokines (i.e. IL-6, BAFF and IL-10) were strongly upregulated. OM-85 also synergized with the action of classical pro-inflammatory stimuli used at suboptimal concentrations. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with COPD, a pathological condition often associated with altered PRR expression pattern, fully retained the capability to respond to OM-85. These results provide new insights on the molecular mechanisms of OM-85 activation of the immune response and strengthen the rational for its use in clinical settings.
Production of Clostridium difficile toxin in a medium totally free of both animal and dairy proteins or digests

In the hope of developing a vaccine against Clostridium difficile based on its toxin(s), we have developed a fermentation medium for the bacterium that results in the formation of Toxin A and contains no meat or dairy products, thus obviating the problem of possible prion diseases. Particular preparations of hydrolyzed soy proteins, especially Soy Peptone A3, have been found to replace both the meat/dairy product tryptone in the preparation of working cell banks and seed media, and NZ-Soy BL4 does the same in the fermentation medium. These replacements yield even higher toxin titers.
Modeling randomness in network traffic

A continuous challenge in the field of network traffic modeling is to map recorded traffic onto parameters of random processes, in order to enable simulations of the respective traffic. A key element thereof is a convenient model which is simple, yet, captures the most relevant statistics. This work aims to find such a model which, more precisely, enables the generation of multiple random processes with arbitrary but jointly characterized distributions, auto-correlation functions and cross-correlations. Hence, we present the definition of a novel class of models, the derivation of a respective closed-form analytical representation and its application on real network traffic. Our modeling approach comprises: (i) generating statistical dependent Gaussian random processes, (ii) introducing auto-correlation to each process with a linear filter and, (iii) transforming them sample-wise by real-valued polynomial functions in order to shape their distributions. This particular structure allows to split the parameter fitting problem into three independent parts, each of which solvable by standard methods. Therefore, it is simple and straightforward to fit the model to measurement data.
Negative selection algorithm for dengue outbreak detection

Dengue is a critical communicable and vector-borne disease and is becoming a serious concern in Malaysia. It is important to have an early detection system that could provide immediate action, such as the control of dengue transmission at a specific location. However, the available strategy and action may give long-term effects to the community since inaccurate decision making or prediction may lead to other circumstances. Moreover, the need to have a system that can detect the outbreak in a reasonable amount of time is critical. In this study, a nature-inspired computing technique, the artificial immune system (AIS), is used for dengue outbreak detection. One of the variants of the AIS algorithms, called the negative selection algorithm (NSA), has been widely applied in anomaly detection and fault detection. This study aims to employ the NSA for dengue outbreak detection.
Posthearing Developmental Refinement of Temporal Processing in Principal Neurons of the Medial Superior Olive

In mammals, principal neurons of the medial superior olive (MSO) exhibit biophysical specializations that enable them to detect sound localization cues with microsecond precision. In the present study, we used whole-cell patch recordings to examine the development of the intrinsic electrical properties of these neurons in brainstem slices from postnatal day 14 (P14) to P38 gerbils. In the week after hearing onset (P14–P21), we observed dramatic reductions in somatic EPSP duration, input resistance, and membrane time constant. Surprisingly, somatically recorded action potentials also dramatically declined in amplitude over a similar period (38 ± 3 to 17 ± 2 mV; τ = 5.2 d). Simultaneous somatic and dendritic patch recordings revealed that these action potentials were initiated in the axon, which primarily emerged from the soma. In older gerbils, the rapid speed of membrane voltage changes and the attenuation of action potential amplitudes were mediated extensively by low voltage-activated potassium channels containing the Kv1.1 subunit. In addition, whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings revealed that these potassium channels increase nearly fourfold from P14 to P23 and are thus a major component of developmental changes in excitability. Finally, the electrophysiological features of principal neurons of the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body did not change after P14, indicating that posthearing regulation of intrinsic membrane properties is not a general feature of all time-coding auditory neurons. We suggest that the striking electrical segregation of the axon from the soma and dendrites of MSO principal neurons minimizes spike-induced distortion of synaptic potentials and thus preserves the accuracy of binaural comparisons.
Availability, fairness, and performance optimization in storage virtualization systems

Storage consolidation arises due to the increasing demand for storage of massive capacity. Storage virtualization is an effective way of managing consolidated storage resources. This dissertation presents novel algorithms to resolve two critical issues in QoS guarantees in storage virtualization systems: availability guarantee and fairness guarantee. This dissertation also puts forward a unique network-centric buffer cache organization that can successfully eliminate several major overheads in data transmission within certain storage clients. The availability guarantee is supported by using replication and by translating availability requirement to conventional resource requirement. A measurement-based admission control (MBAC) algorithm is proposed that can effectively reduce the resource requirement of a virtual disk with availability guarantee to what it actually needs. The fairness guarantee is addressed in two aspects. First this dissertation proposes a new real-time disk scheduler that not only call provide normal QoS guarantees and achieve great disk utilization efficiency, but also can ensure both long-term and short term fairness among competing virtual disks. Further for the first time we address the fairness issues introduced by additional disk movement overhead for switching between virtual disks. This dissertation proposes a novel buffer cache organization to optimize the performance of storage clients, usually application servers. This cache organization call eliminate the data copying operations associated with data transportation in a special type of application servers, pass-through servers, whose main responsibility is to channel data between different external entities. Moreover, this cache organization is designed to be friendly to legacy application servers.
The Intermediate Phase in Ternary GexAsxSe1-2x Glasses

Melt-quenched AsxGexSe1-2x glasses over the composition range, 0 xc(2). Raman mode frequency of corner-sharing Ge(Se1/2)4 tetrahedra studied as a function of x, also shows three distinct regimes (or power-laws, p) that coincide with ∆Hnr(x) trends. These regimes are identified with mechanically floppy (x xc(2)) phases. The Raman elasticity power-law in the intermediate phase ,p 1 = 1.04(3), and in the stressed rigid phase, p2= 1.52(5), suggest effective dimensionalities of d = 2 and 3 respectively.
APPLICATION OF WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORKS IN PRECISION APICULTURE

Wireless sensor networks are used in different fields. One of the fields, where such sensors can be used is apiculture for honey bee (Apis Mellifera L.) monitoring (for example, temperature and humidity data acquisition). This paper introduces a wireless sensor network system for bee colonies online monitoring. The developed wireless system consists of several wireless measurement nodes which transfer colony data to one main unit, which then sends the received data to the cloud database server. Users can see and analyze data using the developed Web system. To this moment temperature and humidity are monitored using the SHT15 sensor. Real time temperature and humidity monitoring of the bee colonies can provide the beekeeper with actual and timely data and information to help identify various states of the bee colonies. Due to the fact, that these sensor data are transmitted wirelessly, it is also easier for the beekeeper to set up such a system (there is no wiring needed).
Synthesis of Nano Alumina Reinforced Magnesium-Alloy Composites

The main aim of this paper was to determine the amount of Al2O3 reinforcement that results into best combination of strength. Magnesium nano composites containing 3.5, 7.0 and 14 volume percentage of Al2O3 were synthesized through powder metallurgy route. Resistance of furnace sintering technique (heating rate: 49°C/min). Micro structural characterization revealed reasonably uniform distribution of Al2O3 particulates in the matrix and the presence of nanopores. Thermo mechanical analysis revealed significant reduction in CTE of magnesium as a result of presence of alumina nano particulates. Mechanical characterization studies revealed that hardness, work of flexural strength of pure Mg increased when 3.5, 7.0 and 14 vol. % of nano alumina reinforcements are added into Mg matrix. Where as 14 vol.% is revealed that decrease the strength of hardness. The studies revealed that the best combination of mechanical properties is realized from the composite containing 7 volume percentage of alumina . �
Trade, Growth, and Poverty: A Selective Survey

This survey of the recent literature asks: how important is trade policy for poverty reduction? We consider the effects of openness on poverty in two components: the effect of openness on average income growth, and the effect on distribution for a given growth rate. Evidence from a variety of sources (cross-country and panel growth regressions, industry and firm-level research, and case studies) supports the view that trade openness contributes greatly to growth. Moreover, trade openness does not have systematic effects on the poor beyond its effect on overall growth. Trade policy is only one of many determinants of growth and poverty reduction. Trade openness has important positive spillovers on other aspects of reform, however, so that the correlation of trade with other pro-reform policies speaks to the advantages of making openness a primary part of the reform package.
Performance Comparison of Stateful and Stateless Group Rekeying Algorithms

Summary Scalable group rekeying schemes proposed in the literature can be classified into two categories: stateful schemes, e.g., logical key hierarchy (LKH) based approaches, and stateless schemes, e.g., subset difference based member revocation (SDR) mechanism. They differ mainly on the interdependency of rekey messages and messaging overhead in rekeying. SDR messaging overhead in rekeying is dependent on the membership during an entire multicast session whereas LKH messaging overhead is dependent on membership of the group during a rekeying instance. In this paper, we study the advantages and applicability of stateful and stateless rekeying algorithms to different groups and multicast security applications. We analytically compare the storage cost and the rekeying cost (number of encrypted keys) of LKH and SDR in immediate and batch rekeying scenarios. Our simulation studies show that LKH performs better in immediate rekeying and small batch rekeying, whereas stateless rekeying performs better as we process membership changes in larger batches. In some cases, stateless rekeying is observed to be as inefficient as encrypting the group key separately for each member of the group. We also report on the effect of member adjacency on SDR rekeying cost that it seems to have more impact on rekeying cost than the number of membership changes. We further show that the analysis of SDR rekeying cost in [12] is incomplete and present a better result.
Ventromedial Prefrontal and Anterior Cingulate Cortex Adopt Choice and Default Reference Frames during Sequential Multi-Alternative Choice

Although damage to the medial frontal cortex causes profound decision-making impairments, it has been difficult to pinpoint the relative contributions of key anatomical subdivisions. Here we use function magnetic resonance imaging to examine the contributions of human ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) during sequential choices between multiple alternatives—two key features of choices made in ecological settings. By carefully constructing options whose current value at any given decision was dissociable from their longer term value, we were able to examine choices in current and long-term frames of reference. We present evidence showing that activity at choice and feedback in vmPFC and dACC was tied to the current choice and the best long-term option, respectively. vmPFC, mid-cingulate, and posterior cingulate cortex encoded the relative value between the chosen and next best option at each sequential decision, whereas dACC encoded the relative value of adapting choices from the option with the highest value in the longer term. Furthermore, at feedback we identify temporally dissociable effects that predict repetition of the current choice and adaptation away from the long-term best option in vmPFC and dACC, respectively. These functional dissociations at choice and feedback suggest that sequential choices are subject to competing cortical mechanisms.
Universal behavior of the spin-echo decay rate in La2CuO4.

We present a theoretical expression for the spin-echo decay rate, 1/T_2G, in the quantum-critical regime of square lattice quantum antiferromagnets. Our results are in good agreement with recent experimental data by Imai et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. v.71, 1254 (1993)] for La_2CuO_4.
Variations on Debris Disks: Icy Planet Formation at 30-150 AU for 1-3 M☉ Main-Sequence Stars

We describe calculations for the formation of icy planets and debris disks at 30-150 AU around 1-3 M☉ stars. Debris disk formation coincides with the formation of planetary systems. As protoplanets grow, they stir leftover planetesimals to large velocities. A cascade of collisions then grinds the leftovers to dust, forming an observable debris disk. Stellar lifetimes and the collisional cascade limit the growth of protoplanets. The maximum radius of icy planets, rmax ≈ 1750 km, is remarkably independent of initial disk mass, stellar mass, and stellar age. These objects contain ≲3%-4% of the initial mass in solid material. Collisional cascades produce debris disks with maximum luminosity ~2 × 10−3 times the stellar luminosity. The peak 24 μm excess varies from ~1% times the stellar photospheric flux for 1 M☉ stars to ~50 times the stellar photospheric flux for 3 M☉ stars. The peak 70-850 μm excesses are ~30-100 times the stellar photospheric flux. For all stars, the 24-160 μm excesses rise at stellar ages of 5-20 Myr, peak at 10-50 Myr, and then decline. The decline is roughly a power law, f ∝ t−n with n ≈ 0.6–1.0. This predicted evolution agrees with published observations of A-type and solar-type stars. The observed far-IR color evolution of A-type stars also matches model predictions.
Comparison of Cortical and White Matter Traumatic Brain Injury Models Reveals Differential Effects in the Subventricular Zone and Divergent Sonic Hedgehog Signaling Pathways in Neuroblasts and Oligodendrocyte Progenitors

The regenerative capacity of the central nervous system must be optimized to promote repair following traumatic brain injury (TBI) and may differ with the site and form of damage. Sonic hedgehog (Shh) maintains neural stem cells and promotes oligodendrogenesis. We examined whether Shh signaling contributes to neuroblast (doublecortin) or oligodendrocyte progenitor (neural/glial antigen 2 [NG2]) responses in two distinct TBI models. Shh-responsive cells were heritably labeled in vivo using Gli1-CreERT2;R26-YFP bitransgenic mice with tamoxifen administration on Days 2 and 3 post-TBI. Injury to the cerebral cortex was produced with mild controlled cortical impact. Yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) cells decreased in cortical lesions. Total YFP cells increased in the subventricular zone (SVZ), indicating Shh pathway activation in SVZ cells, including doublecortin-labeled neuroblasts. The alternate TBI model produced traumatic axonal injury in the corpus callosum. YFP cells decreased within the SVZ and were rarely double labeled as NG2 progenitors. NG2 progenitors increased in the cortex, with a similar pattern in the corpus callosum. To further test the potential of NG2 progenitors to respond through Shh signaling, Smoothened agonist was microinjected into the corpus callosum to activate Shh signaling. YFP cells and NG2 progenitors increased in the SVZ but were not double labeled. This result indicates that either direct Smoothened activation in NG2 progenitors does not signal through Gli1 or that Smoothened agonist acts indirectly to increase NG2 progenitors. Therefore, in all conditions, neuroblasts exhibited differential Shh pathway utilization compared with oligodendrocyte progenitors. Notably, cortical versus white matter damage from TBI produced opposite responses of Shh-activated cells within the SVZ.