Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Probiotics Lactobacillus strains: A promising alternative therapy against to biofilm-forming enteropathogenic bacteria?

Biofilms formation stands out in context of persistent intestinal infections caused by Enterobacteriaceae, which are associated with a high resistance to antimicrobial agents’ and phagocytosis by host defense cells. Hence, understanding the mechanisms involved in this process becomes major for the development of new preventive and therapeutic strategies. Lactic acid bacteria, including species of the genus Lactobacillus, have been associated with the prevention or dispersion of biofilms formed by pathogenic microorganisms. This effect is often associated with the antimicrobial substances production, among them organic acids, bacteriocins, hydrogen peroxide and biorsurfactants. However, the antibiofilm action of Lactobacillus seems to be strain-specific and may not be demonstrated by strains of the same genus. Thus, diet supplementation with beneficial microorganisms represents a possible strategy for prevention and treatment of intestinal infectious diseases, such as persistent or acute diarrhea caused by enteropathogenic bacteria. However, in vitro and in vivo further studies are needed to clarify the efficacy of different probiotic candidates, including commercially available products. Keyword: Enterobacteria, biofilm, lactobacillus, antimicrobials.
Does Gender Equality Base Selection, Pose Serious Challenge for Researchers? A Review Based on Earlier Studies

The basic purpose of this study is to analyze the various researches conducted by different researchers with multiple perspectives to identify their contribution in analyzing gender equality from the recruitment and selection perspective of the new employees. This study has classified these researchers under the various categories to understand them with proper objectivity, so that some valuable suggestion can be drawn, that may be helpful for further studies to reach the best possible solution of this most serious aspect of the gender equality. It has been concluded that a comprehensive study is needed to address the broader area of recruitment and selection, preferably in the government controlled institutions, because of its impact on macro level across the decision making levels in the country. This study is significant as it summarizes the studies under the various categories that not only are helpful for further analysis but also serve as guidelines to understand the new aspects which enable us to design a comprehensive study for finding an effective solution to this global concerning phenomenon.
STDeepGraph: Spatial-Temporal Deep Learning on Communication Graphs for Long-Term Network Attack Detection

Network communication data are high-dimensional and spatiotemporal, and their information content is often degraded by common traffic analysis methods. For long-term network attack detection based on network flows, it is important to extract a discriminative, high-dimensional intrinsic representation of such flows. This work focuses on a hybrid deep neural network design using a combination of a convolutional neural network (CNN) and long short-term memory (LSTM) with graph similarity measures to learn high-dimensional representations from the network traffic. In particular, examining a set of network flows, we commence by constructing a temporal communication graph and then computing graph kernel matrices. Having obtained the kernel matrices, for each graph, we use the kernel value between graphs and calculate graph characterization vectors by graph signal processing. This vector can be regarded as a kernel-based similarity embedding vector of the graph that integrates structural similarity information and leverages efficient graph kernel using the graph Laplacian matrix. Our approach exploits graph structures as the additional prior information, the graph Laplacian matrix for feature extraction and hybrid deep learning models for long-term information learning on communication graphs. Experiments on two real-world network attack datasets show that our approach can extract more discriminative representations, leading to an improved accuracy in a supervised classification task. The experimental results show that our method increases the overall accuracy by approximately 10%-15%.
Memory effects in individual submicrometer ferromagnets

We have used ballistic Hall micromagnetometry to study the magnetization of individual submicrometer nickel disks (80 nm high, 0.1-1.0 mu m diameter). At low temperatures, hysteresis loops of the disks no longer show inversion symmetry in a magnetic field, as if the time reversal symmetry were broken. Furthermore, the magnetization of the smallest disks can be "frozen" in two possible states that are characterized by hysteresis loops which are each other's inverse. At temperatures below 19.5 K a magnetic field as high as 2 T cannot switch between the states, proving that it is extremely difficult to fully polarize a small ferromagnetic particle. On the other hand, at slightly higher temperatures (only T>19.8 K), a field as low as 0.1 T appears to be enough to fully polarize the disks. We attribute this extraordinary behavior to the glass-liquid transition experienced by spins at the particle surface. [S0163-1829(98)06542-4].
PHYSIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISATION OF A POPULATION OF PHYTOPHTHORA CAPSICI LEON. FROM NORTHERN ITALY

Among 26 isolates of Phytophthora capsici from pepper and zucchini plants collected mainly in Piedmont (northern Italy) 19 belonged to A1, 3 to A2 mating type and 4 were homothallic. All the isolates grew between 10 and 38°C showing significant differences in mycelial growth and optimal growth temperature in the range of 25-32°C. 65.4% of the isolates were sensitive to metalaxyl and the others moderately sensitive; nevertheless 50% of them had MIC values ³ 500 µg ml-1. All the isolates were highly sensitive to dimethomorph, showing mean EC50, EC90 and MIC values of 0.48, 0.90, and 1.02 µg ml-1. A differential set of 9 plant species (pepper, tomato, eggplant, Solanum nigrum, melon, squash, pea, French bean and Lima bean) allowed the isolates to be grouped in 13 pathogenicity classes depending on their ability to infect different plant species; all were pathogenic on pepper, 79% on tomato, 58% on S. nigrum, 38% on eggplant; 95% were pathogenic on squash and 20% on melon; 33% caused a root rot on pea and 8% on French bean, but none on Lima bean. Moreover, the isolates belonging to the same pathogenicity group differed in virulence on two differential sets of pepper.
Mediterranean Diet and Its Protective Mechanisms against Cardiovascular Disease: An Insight into Platelet Activating Factor (PAF) and Diet Interplay

Several prospective studies and clinical trials have shown a protective effect of the Mediterranean Diet (MD) against cardiovascular disease, even after assessing for hard clinical end-points. However, the exact mechanisms through which MD exerts its actions have not been fully elucidated. The aim of the present review is to clarify the potential bio-protective mechanisms of MD against cardiovascular disease, i.e. the role of macro- and micro- nutrients, antioxidants, polyphenols, the effects of MD on postprandial metabolism and endothelial function and nutrient- gene interactions. A special emphasis is given on Platelet Activating Factor (PAF), which plays a key role in atherosclerosis. Its inhibitors are abundant in Mediterranean foods and have an anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic action.
Investing to Curb Climate Change

Environmental concerns have come to increased investors’ attention and have raised the number of investment opportunities in green mutual funds. We advance an emerging debate on the link between financial and environmental performance by measuring the effects of green in a regional, sectoral and fossil fuel setting. We hypothesize that green funds are able to compete with conventional funds and that an increasingly favorable regulatory environment and a growing awareness in the society have led to performance improvements over time. Analyzing an equally weighted sample of 202 green and non-green funds for the period from 2002-2015, we find that in fact environmental funds do not perform significantly different from their conventional peers and that performance has improved over time. If we focus on more recent years (2013-2015) and the US market, green funds were even able to outperform conventional funds. While limited diversification possibilities borne by screening for environmental stocks let us to expect higher idiosyncratic risk of green funds, we do not find significant differences in risk exposure either. Indeed, we find a positive trend of green funds becoming significantly less volatile in later years (2013 and 2014), likely due to an increased investment horizon as more and more firms are ‘going green’.
The Determinants of Firm’s Competitiveness in the Textile and Apparel Industry in Tanzania

This study explores the determinants of firm’s competitiveness in the Textile and Apparel Industry in Tanzania. Data were collected from 204 respondents through cross-section survey design and non-probability sampling method from three regions; namely, Dar es salaam, Mwanza and Arusha. The Maximum Likelihood technique was used to estimate the Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) in order to compute the fit indices of both measurement and structural models. In doing so, Factor Analysis was used in the preliminary step before estimating SEM in order to filter out key variables that need to be embedded in gauging competitiveness of the textiles and apparel industry. Thereafter, the principle component analysis (PCA) was used to extract the relevant constructs in the SEM. The estimated results show that value chain management, core competencies, competition, availability of alternative products and barriers to entry are statistically significant constructs in explaining the competitiveness of firms operating in the textile and apparel industry in Tanzania. Keywords: Firms, Competitiveness, Textile and Apparel Industry, Maximum Likelihood, Structural Equation modeling, Factor Analysis, Tanzania
MEASURING AND MONITORING AMPHIBIAN DIVERSITY IN TROPICAL FORESTS. II. ESTIMATING SPECIES RICHNESS FROM STANDARDIZED TRANSECT CENSING

In the face of accelerating declines in amphibian populations, it is crucial to be able to effectively identify conservation priorities, both in terms of species and localities. Rapid assessment of amphibian community structure is therefore essential. Visual encounter survey (VES) and standardized visual transect sampling (SVTS) are becoming increasingly important in the measurement and monitoring of tropical anuran communities. In the present paper we compare the performance of SVTS along seven tropical forest transects where frog communities are currently being monitored: Lalut Birai (Borneo, Indonesia), Kakamega Forest National Reserve (Kenya, Africa), Tai National Park (Ivory Coast, Africa; two transects) and Ambolokopatrika-Betaolana Rainforest (Madagascar, three transects). We compared species lists generated from the transects with those from the entire study areas. Species richness was estimated using different incidence- and abundance-based richness estimators: ACE, ICE, Chao1, Chao2, First-order jackknife, Michaelis Menton Estimators (MMMeans and MMRuns). Only a few transect characteristics had a significant effect on species richness estimate accuracy. Species saturation was significantly enhanced by the number of transect walks (ncounts). The relative standard deviation of the First-order jackknife estimator significantly decreased with an increasing daily species richness and a combined effect of daily species richness and the overall abundance of frogs. Comparison of transect and forest species lists show that terrestrial species are best represented by VES/SVTS. We recommend that a transect census should be performed on at least 20 independent walks. Different species richness estimators should be applied simultaneously since their behavior/effectiveness under a wide array of transect parameters is still unknown. Accepted 25 June 2004.
Layout Optimization of Sensor-based Reconstruction of Explosion Overpressure Field Based on the Genetic Algorithm

In underwater blasting experiment, the layout of the sensor has always been highly concerned. From the perspective of reconstruction with explosion overpressure field, the paper presents four indicators, which can obtain the optimal sensor layout scheme and guide sensor layout in practical experiment, combining with the genetic algorithm with global search. Then, a multi-scale model in every subregion of underwater blasting field was established to be used simulation experiments. By Matlab, the variation of these four indicators with different sensor layout, and reconstruction accuracy are analyzed and discussed. Finally, a conclusion has been raised through the analysis and comparison of simulation results, that the program can get a better sensor layout. It requires fewer number of sensors to be able to get good results with high accuracy. In the actual test explosions, we can refer to this scheme laid sensors.
PROPERTIES OF P-TYPE SnS THIN FILMS PREPARED BY CHEMICAL BATH DEPOSITION

Thin film of tin monosulfide (SnS) is deposited onto glass substrates using chemical bath deposition (CBD) at room temperature for 24 h. The structural, electrical, and optical properties of the film are determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive Xray (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Hall Effect measurement and spectrophometry. Obtained films were polycrystalline of an orthorhombic structure. The crystallite size, lattice parameters, defective location density, and texture coefficient of the film are calculated from the XRD data. EDX analysis revealed that thin film has a nearly stoichiometric composition (Sn/S, 54.13/45.8). From the Hall Effect measurement, it was found that SnS thin film exhibits p-type conduction. Its resistivity and mobility were calculated to be 2.53×10 Ω. cm and 8.99×10 cm/V.s respectively. The activation energy is calculated to be 0.527 eV in temperature range from 353-573 K by Arrhenius equation. Optical band gap values of direct and indirect transitions are estimated to be 1.37 eV and 1.05 eV, respectively.
THERMAL PERFORMANCE OF A PORUS RADIAL FIN WITH NATURAL CONVECTION AND RADIATIVE HEAT LOSSES

An analytic (series) solution is developed to describe the thermal performance of a porous radial fin with natural convection in the fluid saturating the fin and radiation heat loss from the top and bottom surfaces of the fin. The HAM results for the temperature distribution and base heat flux are compared with the direct numerical results and found to be very accurate.
Brain signal acquisition methods in BCIs to estimate human motion intention – a survey

Brain Computer Interfaces (BCIs) play an important role in current technological era to replace the disrupted neuromuscular pathways of humans caused by disorders or amputation. Especially, in restoring the motor functions of disabled or amputated body parts using wearable robotic devices, BCIs contribute to estimate the user’s motion in terms of next motion onset, intended motion, and its velocity to control them. Brain signal acquisition is one of the important steps of a BCI. Over the time, both invasive and non-invasive techniques for signal acquisition are in use. This paper reviews available brain signal acquisition techniques in terms of mutual drawbacks and benefits, current status, challenges, future developments, etc…
Corporate Cash Holdings: An Empirical Investigation in Listed Publishing Companies in China

This paper investigates the empirical determinants of cash holdings in selected 13 listed publishing companies during 2012 to 2017 year in China. It finds that financial leverage, cash substitutes have a significant negative relation with the level of cash reserves, and ownership concentration exerts a significant positive impact on cash holdings for all sample companies. For the high-growth listed publishing companies, the result reveals that the cash flow and the debt maturity have a significant influence on cash holdings; for the low-growth listed publishing companies, the capital expenditures have a weak impact on cash holdings. Finally, it points out that listed publishing companies should adjust capital structure, increase investment in short-term securities, perfect the corporate governance structure, and correctly handle the relationship between the growth and cash holdings, etc.
Digital Image Mosaic Technology Based on Improved Genetic Algorithm

Image mosaic technology is an important technology in the field of image processing. Based on the general adaptability and clustering of genetic algorithm, we improve it, and apply it to the mosaic algorithm in image processing. In this paper, we test the validity and reliability of the designed algorithm in the process of image mosaic algorithm. Based on the image illumination mosaic and painting texture mosaic image we achieve certain artistic effect. From the convergence results of general algorithm, the results of numerical show substantially concussion, oscillation amplitude reaches a maximum of 5 10 . The calculation results of the genetic algorithm still have certain degree of concussion, oscillation amplitude reaches a maximum of 6 10 , convergence results are slightly better than the general algorithm. The improved genetic algorithm results have no concussion, the stability is very good, and the results have better astringency.
Determinants of SMEs Performance of the Gem and Jewelry Industry in Thailand: A Pilot Study

The main purpose of this pilot study is to examine and quantitatively explore a small sample of data on the determinants of strategic orientations and access to finance towards SMEs performance of the Gem and Jewelry Industry in Thailand. The proposed model consists of four elements that are used as a determinant of SMEs performance. A personally administered questionnaire approach was employed to collecting data from firms located in the Jewelry Trade Center, one of the most important premises for trading diamonds, gems, and jewelry in Thailand. The validity and reliability of the instruments were evaluated through panel of experts and data was analyzed using the SmartPLS 2.0. M3 software. The questionnaire revision was made based on the feedback of experts and the results confirmed that the remained items and constructs have good internal consistency reliability. A pilot test shows that there is no issue of validity and reliability of the instrument. The results of pilot test also will be beneficial to the further actual research on a larger scale by helping to avoid the potential research problems.
Good dog! Using livestock guardian dogs to protect livestock from predators in Australia’s extensive grazing systems

Abstract Context. Wild predators are a serious threat to livestock in Australia. Livestock guardian dogs (LGDs) may be able to reduce or eliminate predation, but their effectiveness in Australian grazing systems has not been systematically evaluated. In particular, little is known about the effectiveness of LGDs in situations where they range freely over large areas in company with large numbers of livestock. Aims. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of LGDs as currently used in Australia and determine the factors influencing effectiveness, in particular in relation to scale of management. We also documented how LGDs are managed in Australia, evaluated their cost effectiveness, and identified factors that influence the number of dogs required in different property situations. Methods. We conducted a telephone survey of 150 livestock producers with LGDs in Australia, including all livestock types and property situations, in all States. Ten producers were visited, of which one is detailed as a case study. Key results. Effectiveness was apparently high: 65.7% of respondents reported that predation ceased after obtaining LGDs, and a further 30.2% reported a decrease of predation. When the number of stock per dog exceeds 100, LGDs might not be able to eliminate all predation. Dogs are often kept free-ranging on large properties where wild dogs are the main predator, but are usually restricted in their movements on smaller properties or with smaller predators. The cost of obtaining a LGD is returned within 1–3 years after the dog starts working. The number of dogs required for a property mainly depends on the number of livestock needing protection, and the main type of predator in the area. Conclusions. Provided a sufficient number of LGDs are used, they can be as effective in protecting livestock from predators in Australia when ranging freely on large properties with large numbers of livestock as they are in small-scale farming systems. Implications. LGDs can provide a cost-effective alternative to conventional predator control methods in Australia’s extensive grazing enterprises, potentially reducing or eliminating the need for other forms of control. LGDs could play a major role in securing the viability of livestock businesses and reconciling people–predator conflict in Australia.
Dimensions of classroom behavior

The objectives of this study were 1) to determine the relationship among categories on each of four classroom observation instruments, and 2) to determine the relationship's among dimensions of classroom behavior across systems. Four observation systems were used: Fuller Affective Interaction Records (FAIR); Observation Schedule and Record, Form 5 (OScAR); Cognitive Components System (CCS) and Coping Analysis Schedule for Educational Settings (CASES). Observations were made a total of 140 occasions in 28 fifth and eighth grade classrooms. Factor analyses were done on the intercorrelations among category scores. Results include factors for each observation system and relationships between factors on the different systems.
Effects of aluminum toxicity on the growth and antioxidant status in Jatropha curcas seedlings

In the present study, the effects of aluminium (Al) concentrations on growth, superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), EC 4.3. 1.5) activities in Jatropha curcas L. seedlings were investigated. To carry out such investigations, J. curcas embryos were germinated and grown in vitro under Al concentrations of 0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 mM over a 7-day period. Biomass and the activities of antioxidant defense enzymes, such as SOD, POD, CAT and PAL in Jatropha curcas seedlings were observed. Results indicated that with the increasing Al concentrations, the biomass of cotyledons increased initially and then decreased but the biomass of hypocotyls and radicles decreased gradually. The SOD, POD, CAT and PAL activities in the cotyledons, hypocotyls and radicles were mainly increased, but the change trends were different. Key words: Aluminium (Al) toxicity, Jatropha curcas, antioxidative, plant defense system.
Uplift modeling for location-based online advertising

As consumers spend substantial hours on their mobile phones, brick-and-mortar businesses need to reach out to customers online and transfer them to offline stores (O2O, online-to-offline). Widely-used location-based advertising is considered as effective in O2O advertising since the chance that a consumer visits stores crucially depends on the geographical attributes (e.g. distance). However, it is still unclear how effective the location-based targeting is due to the difficulty in measuring the net effect of advertising interventions on consumers. In this paper, we apply uplift modeling to a unique dataset extracted from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted on location-based advertising campaigns to find important geo-features and to predict user segments with high net effect of advertisement.