Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oxidative stress-induced inhibition of adrenal steroidogenesis requires participation of p 38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway

Previous studies from this laboratory identified excessive oxidative stress as an important mediator of age-related decline in steroid hormone production. Here, we investigated whether oxidative stress exerts its antisteroidogenic action through modulation of oxidant-sensitive mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. To accomplish these studies, we employed a highly responsive mouse adrenocortical cell line, Y1-BS1 cells that secrete large quantities of steroids when stimulated with lipoprotein plus hormone. Treatment of these cells with superoxide, H2O2 or 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) significantly inhibited steroid production and increased phosphorylation and activation of p38 MAPK. None of the treatments altered the phosphorylation of either extracellular signal-regulated kinases or c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs). Pretreatment of Y1-BS1 cells with MnTMPyP, a cell-permeable superoxide-dismutase/ catalase mimetic reactive oxygen species (ROS scavenger), completely prevented the superoxideand H2O2-mediated inhibition of steroid production. Likewise, antioxidant N-acetylcysteine completely blocked the HNE-induced loss of steroidogenic response. Incubation of Y1-BS1 cells with either MnTMPyP or NAC also upregulated Bt2cAMP and Journal of Endocrinology (2008) 198, 193–207 0022–0795/08/0198–193 q 2008 Society for Endocrinology Printed in Great Bt2cAMPChHDL3-stimulated steroid synthesis, indicating that endogenously produced ROS can inhibit steroidogenesis. Inhibition of p38 MAPK with SB203580 or SB202190 upregulated the basal steroid production and also prevented the oxidant-mediated inhibition of steroid production. mRNA measurements by qPCR indicated that Y1-BS1 adrenal cells predominantly express p38 MAPKa isoform, along with relatively low-level expression of p38 MAPKg. By contrast, little or no expression was detected for p38 MAPKb and p38 MAPKd isoforms in these cells. Transfection of Y1BS1 cells with either caMKK3 or caMMK6 construct, the upstream p38 MAPK activators, decreased steroidogenesis, whereas transfection with dnMKK3 or dnMKK6 plasmid DNA increased steroidogenesis. Similarly, transfection of cells with a dnp38 MAPKa or dnp38 MAPKb construct also increased steroid hormone production; however, the effect was less pronounced after expression of either dnp38 MAPKg or dnp38 MAPKd construct. These results indicate that activated p38 MAPK mediates oxidant (excessive oxidative stress)-induced inhibition of adrenal steroidogenesis. Journal of Endocrinology (2008) 198, 193–207
SHARP INEQUALITIES FOR THE HAAR SYSTEM AND MARTINGALE TRANSFORMS

A classical result of Paley and Marcinkiewicz asserts that the Haar system on [0, 1] forms an unconditional basis in L provided 1 < p <∞. The purpose of the paper is to study related weak-type inequalities, which can be regarded as a version of this property for p = 1. Probabilistic counterparts, leading to some sharp estimates for martingale transforms, are presented. 2010 AMS Mathematics Subject Classification: Primary: 60G42; Secondary: 60G46.
Reassessment of Chromite Concentration in Serpentinite Bodies of Tunga-Kudaku , North-Western Nigeria

Chromium is an alloying metal which improves the property of steel. For this reason it is needed in the steel industries for its metallurgical and refractory properties. This research aim at evaluating the concentration of chromite mineralization within the serpentinites rock settings of Tunga-Kudaku area within Anka, North western Nigeria. A total of more than twenty (20) surface samples were collected. Thirty five (35) of subsurface samples were collected from drill core channels. The samples were used for thin-section and geochemical analysis using a standard laboratory techniques. The result of Ore microscopy shows zoning of the chromite with an inner Cr rich core with low reflectance, an intermediate zone richer in iron and a magnetic margin with the highest reflectance sowing accessory disseminated Cr grains and zoned with the cores having 56% Cr2O3 which decrease to 32% at the margin. The result of geochemical analysis revealed that the chromite found in podiform mode crystallization have chemical composition in range of 3.29 – 48.24% Cr2O3which can be used in steel industries for both refractory and metallurgical purposes. Keynote: Exploration, Ore Microscopy, Geochemistry, Serpentinite and Ore Geology -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Date of Submission: 06-10-2018 Date of acceptance:206-10-2018 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flexural Behaviour of Reinforced Lightweight Concrete Beams Made with Oil Palm Shell ( OPS )

This paper presents the findings of an experimental study to investigate the structural behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) beams externally strengthened with various types of kenaf fiber reinforced polymer composite laminates with 50% fiber volume content. The experimental parameters including flexural strength, stress-strain relationship, deflection, tensile stress and young modulus of beams strengthened by different kenaf fiber reinforced polymer composites are discussed. In order to test the flexural strength of the RC beams, a total of eight beams divided into two series were used. In each series, every two of the beams were strengthened with kenaf/epoxy, kenaf/polyester, and kenaf/vinyl ester composite laminates respectively. The remaining two were kept as control specimens. The experimental moment capacity of each beam was calculated using tensile strength and young modulus of the composites. Comparisons were made on the load-deflection, strain behavior and failure mode. Moreover, theoretical moment capacity of each beam was calculated using conventional formulation to verify experimental results. The research findings indicated that all strengthened beams improved structural performance where the maximum flexural strength increase by 40% and maximum deflection reduced by 24%.
Study of Effective Factors on Job Satisfaction of Omid Hospital Staff in Isfahan City

This study investigated factors affecting the job satisfaction of Omid hospital staff is performed. This research is correlational and cross-sectional study was conducted in 2013 the sample population included all Omid hospital staff. It is also stratified random sampling; 183 people were selected according to Cochran's sampling formula. Methodology: Data also were collected using a standard questionnaire with good validity and reliability, and then to analyze the statistical methods included analysis of variance (ANOVA), T-test and Pearson's correlation coefficient was used. According to these findings, with an average satisfaction rate of pay received (M=9.40) has the lowest levels of satisfaction among employee job satisfaction. Satisfaction with job promotion with a mean (M=10.17) is the next category. On the other hand, with the average job satisfaction (M=22.52) the highest levels of satisfaction among job satisfaction, dedicated to the satisfaction with the supervisor, with a mean (M=21.56) is the next category. Results: These data indicate that job satisfaction and supervisor satisfaction among employees better salary of satisfaction, and satisfaction with the job promotion. Conclusion: In the bivariate analysis also showed that there is a significant difference between job satisfaction and gender, the inverse relationship between job satisfaction and lower-income workers and there, While the relationship between age and job satisfaction, and the other between education level and work experience personnel, and there is no significant relationship between job satisfaction and so on, depending on the type of employment between job satisfaction, and there is no significant difference in terms of marital status.
Cooper-Harper pilot rating variability

Flying qualities experiments rely on CooperHarper Ratings as well as pilot comments to determine desirable aircraft dynamics. Such flying qualities experiments are vital for the continuing development of flying qualities specifications for future aircraft designs. Unfortunately, several sources of experimental variation affect Cooper-Harper Rating data. The lack of pilot repeatability, pilot preference, interpretation of the Cooper-Harper Rating scale, or poor experimental setup can reduce confidence in the results. Experimental methods were developed to reduce or minimize the effects of Such variations, thereby increasing confidence in experimental findings.
E-Commerce Pricing Strategies under Costs Structures Different with Traditional Retailers

With the rapid development of internet, e-commerce has experienced great progress during the last decades. It has been proved that e-commerce is different with traditional retailers in both its sale channels and cost structure. Faced with the same demand, there exists competition between e-commerce and traditional commerce. The main concern of this thesis is to show how the completion influences the price strategies. It is found by a two-stage game model that the share of the population with internet access has influence on the competition behavior, which conforms to the reality.
Predicting the Diffusion Pattern of Internet-Based Communication Applications Using Bass Model Parameter Estimates for Email

The continuing evolution of the Internet as a major tool of communication has provided new sender/receiver applications such as email, blogs, forums and Voice over Internet Protocol. Many of these Internet-based communication applications have proven to be very popular amongst consumer groups. But when can we expect the diffusion of these new innovations to reach critical mass? The authors seek to determine when peak adoption will be reached for such Internet-based communication applications by examining the diffusion pattern of a mature application – that of email. The authors propose that Bass model parameter estimates for email can serve as an approximation of parameter estimates for other products within the domain of similar Internet-based communication applications. This study drew upon 10 years of diffusion data, and the Bass Model approach was utilised to classify individuals into adopter categories. The results revealed a q/p ratio of 50.7 for the adoption of email; indicating that the imitation effect is greater than the innovation effect in the diffusion of similar Internet-based communication technologies. It was also found that for such technologies, the peak of the noncumulative adoption curve can be expected in 5.4 years after launch. In the case of Twitter, for example, which was launched in September 2006, critical mass is predicted to occur in early- 2012.
Work Family Preferences , Behavior , and Marital Satisfaction in an Age of Egalitarianism

In this paper I argue that although trends point to increasing egalitarianism in marriage, dualearner spouses are heterogeneous in their family role preferences. Dual-earners who prefer traditional family roles may experience a marital satisfaction penalty because their ideals are incongruent with their family reality. I use data from the 1997 and 2002 waves of National Study of the Changing Workforce to test this hypothesis. Because the survey contains a variety of family and workplace measures, I am able to test competing explanations for the marital satisfaction penalty experienced by traditionally-minded dual-earners. I find that after accounting for time spent with one’s spouse, economic dependency, and the interaction between workplace characteristics and traditionalism, the penalty for holding traditional family preferences on marital satisfaction remains. I conclude that in an era where preferences increasingly determine one’s lifestyle, the mismatch between traditional family preferences and a dual-earner reality may lower marital wellbeing.
Authenticating the Typing Biometrics and Identity of Computer Users the Fuzzy Min-Max Neural Network

nals, the FMMnetwork is emplqyed to ciasstS? the computer users into two catagories, i.e., genuine usens or inrpostors. 7b assess the qfi2ictiveness oftheproposed c4zproach, two sets ofexlperiments are conducted and the results are compared veith those.fi'om statistical methods and neural network models. 77ie erperimental outcomespositively demonstrate thepotentiais ofusing mping biome・trics and the FAd/Mnetwork to provide an aclditional seeurity layerfor the currentpassword-based
Not Information Systems is ^ a Reference Discipline (And What We Can Do About It) 1

A number of recent papers have proclaimed that the IS field has approached the status of a reference discipline. The paper draws on citation data from 33 IS and non-IS journals over 12 years to test this assertion. Analysis of this data suggests that the IS field has left a modest imprint on other sub-fields of management. Based on this evidence, the paper concludes that IS is not yet a reference discipline, but has the potential to become one. We propose number of measures to enhance the external influence of the field that may, in time, lead to it becoming a true reference discipline.
Fabrication and Analysis of a Ti6Al4V Implant for Cranial Restoration

A custom made implant is critical in cranioplasty to cushion and restore intracranial anatomy, as well as to recover the appearance and attain cognitive stability in the patient. The utilization of customized titanium alloy implants using three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction technique and fabricated using Electron Beam Melting (EBM) has gained significant recognition in recent years, owing to their convenience and effectiveness. Besides, the conventional technique or the extant practice of transforming the standard plates is unreliable, arduous and tedious. As a result, this work aims to produce a customized cranial implant using 3D reconstruction that is reliable in terms of fitting accuracy, appearance, mechanical strength, and consistent material composition. A well-defined methodology initiating from EBM fabrication to final validation has been outlined in this work. The custom design of the implant was carried out by mirror reconstruction of the skull’s defective region, acquired through computer tomography. The design of the customized implant was then analyzed for mechanical stresses by applying finite element analysis. Consequently, the 3D model of the implant was fabricated from Ti6Al4V ELI powder with a thickness of ≃1.76–2 mm. Different tests were employed to evaluate the bio-mechanical stability and strength of the fabricated customized implant design. A 3D comparison study was performed to ensure there was anatomical accuracy, as well as to maintain gratifying aesthetics. The bio-mechanical analysis results revealed that the maximum Von Mises stress (2.5 MPa), strain distribution (1.49 × 10−4) and deformation (3.26 × 10−6 mm) were significantly low in magnitude, thus proving the implant load resistance ability. The average yield and tensile strengths for the fabricated Ti6Al4V ELI EBM specimen were found to be 825 MPa and 880 MPa, respectively, which were well over the prescribed strength for Ti6Al4V ELI implant material. The hardness study also resulted in an acceptable outcome within the acceptable range of 30–35 HRC. Certainly, the chemical composition of the fabricated EBM specimen was intact as established in EDX analysis. The weight of the cranial implant (128 grams) was also in agreement with substituted defected bone portion, ruling out any stress shielding effect. With the proposed approach, the anatomy of the cranium deformities can be retrieved effectively and efficiently. The implementation of 3D reconstruction techniques can conveniently reduce tedious alterations in the implant design and subsequent errors. It can be a valuable and reliable approach to enhance implant fitting, stability, and strength.
Static and Dynamic Transportation Network Equilibrium Reformulations of Electric Power Supply Chain Networks with Known Demands

In this paper, we consider critical infrastructure networks in the form of electric power supply chains, consisting of power generators, power suppliers, transmission providers, as well as consumers at the demand markets in which the demands are known. We model the behavior of the various decision-makers and derive the optimality conditions, along with the equilibrium conditions of the electric power supply chain network. We then establish the equivalence between electric power supply chain network equilibrium problems with known demands and transportation network equilibrium problems with fixed demands. We exploit this equivalence to construct a dynamic electric power supply chain network model in which the demand varies over time by utilizing an evolutionary variational inequality formulation. Finally, we demonstrate how numerical dynamic electric power supply chain network problems can be solved with the corresponding evolutionary variational inequality computed as a series of projected dynamical systems by utilizing recent theoretical results obtained by Cojocaru, Daniele, and Nagurney (2005a, b, c) in the unification of evolutionary variational inequalities and projected dynamical systems. This is the first time that evolutionary variational inequalities are applied to dynamic electric power supply chain network problems.
The use of CALL in Irish language teaching: The way forward?

The intention of this paper is to explore the issue of the availability and suitability of language learning materials for third level Irish language degree programs. A general outline of resources currently available is given and some tentative ideas are put forward on how the resource gap may begin to be bridged using CALL. Two trialled methods that explore lexical acquisition and conversational output, both with and without computer assistance, are detailed and an analysis of their relative success from both the teacher's and the students' point of view is presented.
Effect of Loan Terms and Conditions on Loan Volume Granted By Selected Deposit Taking Saccos in Nyeri County , Kenya

Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies (SACCOs) in Kenya have been investing over the years with the objective of maximizing their wealth. Sound lending procedures in financial institutions involve identifying high-risk loan applicants, modifying lending conditions such as security requirements and monitoring repayments. This research was designed to investigate the effects of loan terms and conditions on loan volume granted by SACCOs. The study was guided by the following objectives; how loan terms and conditions. The target population of the study was selected from all SACCO employees of the five licensed deposit taking SACCOs in Nyeri County. The total target population is 135. The researcher used stratified random sampling technique resulting to a sample size of 100 respondents. Data from the respondents was done by use of questionnaires which contained both open and closed ended questions. Data analysis involved the use of inferential statistics especially the correlation coefficient ( r ) and coefficient of determination (r ) which is a simple descriptive statistics. Data analysis was carried out with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS 22.0). The p values obtained from the data analysis using SPSS were used to test the hypothesis and determine the statistical significance of each hypothesized factor The data is presented in the form of frequency distributions, percentages, bar graphs and pie charts. The study was carried out to establish effects of loan terms and conditions on loan volume granted by SACCOs in Nyeri County. The study revealed that, loan terms and conditions have significant influence on the loan volume granted by deposit taking SACCOs in Nyeri County according to the evidence gathered, the  p values were less than the acceptable significance level ( ); hence the null hypothesis is rejected. The study recommends that SACCOs should review their credit policy regularly in order for them to remain competitive against the changing lending environment and that the credit policy should be flexible and responsive enough to the lending environment in order to suit various categories of the customers and situations. This will boost the volumes of loans granted by SACCOs. The researchers also suggested on areas of further study since this research dealt with only one effect that is credit policy on the loan volume advanced by deposit taking SACCOs in Nyeri County.
Performing Binary Fuzzing using Concolic Execution

In this thesis, I designed and implemented Confuzzer, a system that fuzzes certain classes of closed source binaries using Concolic Execution techniques in order to find vulnerable inputs into programs that could be leveraged by attackers to compromise systems that the binary might be running on. The design of this system allows improved performance on fuzzing programs that have a large branching factor or are heavily based on complex conditionals determining control flow. The system is designed around a Taint/Crash Analysis tool combined with a Path Exploration system to generate symbolic representations of the paths, generating a new set of inputs to be tested. These are implemented using a combination of Intel PIN for the Taint Analysis and Python/z3 for the Path Exploration. Results show that while this system is very slow in instrumenting each run of the binary, we are able to reduce the search space to a manageable level compared to other existing tools. Thesis Supervisor: Nickolai Zeldovich Title: Associate Professor
A characteristic analysis of longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis in South Indian population : A cohort study

This study described the clinical and paraclinical features of south Indian patients with longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) and contrasted the findings betweenaquaporin-4 positive versus negative patients. The subjects were recruited between2010 and 2013.The distinctive features among71 LETM patients were compared and it was observed that 56% of the total subjects were found to be AQP4-Ab positive. The ratio of female tomale was found to be higher in the AQP4-Ab positive group. Magnetic resonance imaging showed holocord involvement more commonly in AQP4Abnegative than positive group. The presence of hypointense lesions did not correlate with severity. The main distinctive features between AQP4-Abpositive and negative cases include older onset age, higher proportion of female, low frequency of conus involvement and higher prevalence of coexisting autoimmune disorders in AQP4-Ab positive cases. Therewas no difference in attack severity, onset of optic neuritis, and spasms between the two groups. Our results suggest that the clinical and spinal cord neuro-imaging information can aid in distinguishing between the positive and negative group of patients with LETM. The early detection of AQP4-Ab positive status predicts the recurrence of LETM or occurrence of optic neuritis duringthe study period.
A Clinical Study of Multi Nodular Goitre in a Tertiary Care Unit

The aim of study is to study the clinical presentations, surgical management and its outcome and complications associated with Multi nodular goitre patients.This randomized prospective study includes 50 patients with multi nodular goitre admitted in surgical units of SiddharthaMedicalcollege/ Govt. general hospital, VijayawadafromOctober 2015 toSeptember 2017.Results:In the study, it was noted that the multi nodular goiter more commonly affects the female and middle age population (20-60yrs). Patients most commonly present with complaint of swelling in neck.Patients present with toxic features and are usually treated surgically by subtotal thyroidectomy. Conclusion:FNAC is minimally invasive, highly accurate, cost effective, pre-operative assessment of patients with thyroid lesions. Main indication of surgery is cosmetic problem. Subtotal thyroidectomy is ideal treatment of MNG.