Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
STK 4 regulates TLR pathways and protects against chronic inflammation – related hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is frequently associated with pathogen infection–induced chronic inflammation. Large numbers of innate immune cells are present in HCCs and can influence disease outcome. Here, we demonstrated that the tumor suppressor serine/threonine-protein kinase 4 (STK4) differentially regulates TLR3/4/9-mediated inflammatory responses in macrophages and thereby is protective against chronic inflammation–associated HCC. STK4 dampened TLR4/9-induced proinflammatory cytokine secretion but enhanced TLR3/4-triggered IFN-b production via binding to and phosphorylating IL-1 receptor–associated kinase 1 (IRAK1), leading to IRAK1 degradation. Notably, macrophage-specific Stk4 deletion resulted in chronic inflammation, liver fibrosis, and HCC in mice treated with a combination of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and CCl4, along with either LPS or E. coli infection. STK4 expression was markedly reduced in macrophages isolated from human HCC patients and was inversely associated with the levels of IRAK1, IL-6, and phospho-p65 or phospho-STAT3. Moreover, serum STK4 levels were specifically decreased in HCC patients with high levels of IL-6. In STK4-deficient mice, treatment with an IRAK1/4 inhibitor after DEN administration reduced serum IL-6 levels and liver tumor numbers to levels similar to those observed in the control mice. Together, our results suggest that STK4 has potential as a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for inflammation-induced HCC. Research Article Oncology
Systematic Differences in Beliefs about Others in Strategic Interactions Yesim Orhun

Individuals’ preferences for outcomes and their expectations about other players’ choices that influence the outcome govern strategic interactions. The common assumption that expectations about others are mutually consistent across players allows researchers to infer preferences from observed strategic decisions. In this paper, I show how players beliefs about other players choices systematically depart from this assumption and explain the consequences for the inference of preferences based on strategic choices. In the context of altruistic preferences, I document a relationship between an individual’s preferences and his (implicit or explicit) expectations of others’ actions in modified dictator games. This relationship is beyond what false consensus or a simple correlation between beliefs and preferences can account for and is consistent with a more fundamental account of projection of preferences. I study the impact of systematic belief differences on players strategic actions in a trust-dictator game. I show that preference incongruencies across different roles in a trust-dictator game are in line with preference projection. Finally, I demonstrate biases in the estimation of preferences from decisions in this strategic game under the assumption of mutually consistent beliefs.
Sport Exergames for Physical Education

Sports active video games (exergames) are accessible forms of physical activity which might also be used in physical education (PE) curriculum. The purpose of this chapter is to review some of the relevant applications of sports exergames for inclusion in PE and to characterize one of these games (swimming) from different aspects of biomechanics, physiology, and psychology. The authors compared movement patterns, muscle activation, energy expenditure, enjoyment, usability, and game experience in participants with different performing levels (real-swimmers vs. non-swimmers, experienced vs. novice) and gender. Understanding these parameters may help in the development of more realistic sports exergames and meaningful gameplay and may give PE teachers a better idea of the inclusion of such games in their practice.
Effects of environmental variables on phytoplankton distribution in Kusalla reservoir, Nigeria.

The effects of physico-chemical factors on the composition, distribution and abundance of phytoplankton of Kusalla reservoir were studied. Water and phytoplankton samples were collected and analysed using standard methods for a period of one year. Data collected was subjected to analysis of variance, which shows that the phytoplankton has significant seasonal and spatial variation. Correlation analysis show that phytoplankton has significant positive correlation with temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen and the nutrients. The phytoplankton was dominated by the Chlorophyta followed by the Cyanophyta. Baccillariophyta and Dinophyta. The lake is adjudged to be tending towards deterioration of water quality. The abundance, composition and distribution of the phytoplankton in Kusalla reservoir is affected by the environmental variables. The physicochemical parameters to a large extent determine the seasonal and spatial patterns of the phytoplankton. The numerical dominance of the Cyanophyta in the reservoir is an indication that autochtonous and allochtonous inputs into the reservoir are decreasing the water quality.
Revised constraints on absolute age limits for Mercury's Kuiperian and Mansurian stratigraphic systems

Following an approach similar to that used for the Moon, Mercury's surface units were subdivided into five time‐stratigraphic systems based on geologic mapping using Mariner 10 images. The absolute time scale originally suggested for the time periods associated with these systems was based on the assumption that the lunar impact flux history applied to Mercury. However, we find that the duration and onset of corresponding periods in the stratigraphic sequences on Mercury and the Moon are not the same. Using high‐resolution and multiband image data obtained by the MErcury Surface, Space ENviroment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) spacecraft, we identify and catalog fresh impact craters interpreted to have formed during Mercury's two most recent periods, the Mansurian and Kuiperian. We use the densities of the inferred Kuiperian‐ and Mansurian‐aged crater populations to estimate new limits for the age boundaries of these time intervals. Results suggest that both the Mansurian and Kuiperian periods began more recently and extended for significantly shorter durations of time than previously suggested. The Kuiperian is estimated to have initiated as recently as ~280 ± 60 Ma and the Mansurian as recently as ~1.7 ± 0.2 Ga.
On late time tails in an extreme Reissner–Nordström black hole: frequency domain analysis

In this paper, we revisit the study of the leading order late time decay tails of massless scalar perturbations outside an extreme Reissner–Nordström black hole. Previous authors have analysed this problem in the time domain; we analyse the problem in the frequency domain. We first consider initial perturbations with generic regular behaviour across the horizon on characteristic surfaces. For this set-up, we reproduce some of the previous results of Sela (2016 Phys. Rev. D 93 024054) using Fourier methods. Next we consider related initial data on hypersurfaces, and present decay results at timelike infinity, near future null infinity, and near the future horizon. Along the way, using the inversion symmetry of the extreme Reissner–Nordström spacetime, we relate the higher multipole Aretakis and Newman–Penrose constants for a massless scalar in this background.
Alteration of belowground carbon dynamics by nitrogen addition in southern California mixed conifer forests

Nitrogen deposition rates in southern California are the highest in North America and have had substantial effects on ecosystem functioning. We document changes in the belowground C cycle near ponderosa pine trees experiencing experimental nitrogen (N) addition (50 and 150 kg N ha−1 a−1 as slow release urea since 1997) at two end-member sites along a pollution gradient in the San Bernardino Mountains, California. Despite considerable differences in N deposition between the two sites, we observed parallel changes in microbial substrate use and soil enzyme activity with N addition. Δ14C measurements indicate that the mean age of C respired by the Oa horizon declined 10–15 years with N addition at both sites. N addition caused an increase in cellulolytic enzyme activity at the polluted site and a decrease in ligninolytic enzyme activity at the unpolluted site. Given the likely differences in lignin and cellulose ages, this could explain the difference in the age of microbial respiration with N addition. Measurements of fractionated soil organic matter did not show the same magnitude of changes in response to N addition as were observed for respired C. This lesser response was likely because the soils are mostly composed of C having turnover times of decades to centuries, and 9 years of N amendment were not enough to affect this material. Consequently, Δ14C of respired CO2 provided a more sensitive indicator of the effects of N addition than other methods. Results suggest that enhanced N deposition alone may not result in increased soil C storage in xeric ecosystems.
Adsorption Performance Of Fly Ash For The Removal Of Lead

Adsorption process takes place by lead ions getting adsorbed on fly ash. Forces of attraction exist between lead and fly ash due to these forces of attraction, heat energy is released. Every year, industry produces about 2.5 million tons of lead throughout the world. Most of this lead is used for batteries. When the body is exposed to lead by being inhaled, swallowed, or in a small number of cases, absorbed through the skin, it can act as a poison. In this study, the removal of lead (II) ions from aqueous solution by using fly ash was investigated. For this purpose, various factors affecting the removal of heavy metal ions, such as treatment time with the solution, initial pH with the solution and adsorbent size were investigated. The metal ion removal capacities of fly ash increased with increasing pH, and pH 6 was found to be the optimal pH value for maximum metal removal capacity. Lead ion adsorption and equilibrium could be achieved within one hour of time is 90.37. Maximum capacity of lead removal could be achieved at 52μm. Adsorption data of the fly ash were modeled by the first order kinetics in order to investigate the lead adsorption mechanism.
Managerial Ability and Income Smoothing

In this study, we investigate whether managerial ability is related to income smoothing and, if so, whether smoothing associated with managerial ability improves the informativeness of earnings and stock prices about future performance. Using a large sample of firms, we find that managerial ability is positively related to smoothing. More importantly, we show that high-ability managers incorporate more forward-looking information about cash flows into current earnings through smoothing, thereby enhancing earnings informativeness. We also find that smoothing associated with high-ability managers improves stock price informativeness about future cash flows. Our study should be of interest to researchers, practitioners, and others concerned with understanding the determinants and usefulness of smoothing.
A Quasi-Bayesian Perspective to Online Clustering

When faced with high frequency streams of data, clustering raises theoretical and algorithmic pitfalls. We introduce a new and adaptive online clustering algorithm relying on a quasi-Bayesian approach, with a dynamic (i.e., time-dependent) estimation of the (unknown and changing) number of clusters. We prove that our approach is supported by minimax regret bounds. We also provide an RJMCMC-flavored implementation (called PACBO, see https://cran.rproject.org/web/packages/PACBO/index.html) for which we give a convergence guarantee. Finally, numerical experiments illustrate the potential of our procedure. MSC 2010 subject classifications: Primary 62L12; secondary 62C10, 62C20, 62L20.
How Does the Stock Market Absorb Shocks?

Using a comprehensive set of news stories, we find a stark difference in market responses to positive and negative price shocks accompanied by new information. When there is a news story about a firm, positive price shocks are followed by reversal, while negative ones result in drift. This is interpreted as the stock market overreaction to good news and underreaction to bad news. These seemingly contradictory results can be explained in a single framework, considering the interaction of retail investors with attention bias, and arbitrageurs with short-run capital constraints. Consistent with this hypothesis, we find that both patterns are stronger when the attention bias is stronger, and when the arbitrage capital is scarce.
Geochemical investigation of Neogene volcaniclastic rocks from the south-eastern part of the Zărand Basin (Apuseni Mts., Romania) – implications for locating the source area

A geochemical study of the Neogene volcaniclastic deposits from the south-eastern part of the Zărand Basin (Apuseni Mts., Romania) was performed. The investigated rocks are represented by medium-K calc-alkaline andesites. Their geochemical features are similar with those of other Neogene volcanic rocks from the Apuseni Mts. However, the investigated rocks also display a few particularities: limited variation of some major oxides and trace elements content, much lower content of Nb or of light REE. As for the other Neogene volcanic rocks from Apuseni area, the geochemical evidence supports a magma source located close to the boundary between crust and garnetfree lithospheric mantle, minor fractional crystallization processes affecting the magma. A subduction signature was identified for the investigated samples, and, similar to other Neogene volcanic rocks from Apuseni Mts. , was interpreted as being related to some enrichment in fluids of the magma source. Based on the location and geochemical similarities with those of other Neogene volcanic rocks from the Apuseni Mts, the assumed age range of volcanic activity generating the volcaniclastic rocks of the study area is 13.8-10 Ma, while the source of the volcaniclastic material is most probably the Bontău volcanic structure.
Unit cell structure of the wurtzite phase of GaP nanowires: X-ray diffraction studies and density functional theory calculations

We present structural characterization of the wurtzite crystal structure of GaP nanowires, which were recently shown to have a direct electronic band gap. The structural parameters of the wurtzite phase do consist of two lattice parameters and one internal degree of freedom, determining the Ga-P bond length along the c direction. Using density functional theory calculations, we study the influence of the internal degree of freedom on the band structure. By synchrotron x-ray diffraction studies near the Ga-K edge we determine the lattice parameters a = 3.8419 ° A and c = 6.3353 °A as well as the internal degree of freedom u = 0.37385 with high accuracy. We find that different Ga-P bond lengths are not equal, in contrast to the case in the zinc blende bulk phase. As a result, a spontaneous polarization is predicted for wurtzite GaP.
Simulation on Fuel Metering Unit Used for TurboShaft Engine Model

: Fuel Metering Unit (FMU) in fuel system of an aeroengine sometimes has direct influence on the engine performance, which is neglected for the sake of easy access to mathematical model of the engine in most cases. In order to verify the influence of FMU on an engine model, this paper presents a co-simulation of a stepping motor driven FMU (digital FMU) in a turboshaft aeroengine, using AMESim and MATLAB to obtain the steady and dynamic characteristics of the FMU. For this method, mechanical and hydraulic section of the unit is modeled through AMESim, while the stepping motor is mathematically modeled through MATLAB/Simulink. Combining these two sub-models yields an AMESim/MATLAB co-model of the FMU. A simplified component level model for the turboshaft engine is established and connected with the FMU model. Simulation results on the full model show that the engine model considering FMU characteristics describes the engine more precisely especially in its transition state. An FMU dynamics will cut down the rotation speed of the high pressure shaft and the inlet pressure of the combustor during the step response. The work in this paper reveals the impact of FMU on engine operation characteristics and provides a reference to an engine model for ground tests.
Polymer Materials for Structural Retrofit

One of the greatest threats from a terrorist bomb attack comes from fragmentation – pieces of walls, windows, fixtures, and equipment flying at high speeds can result in extensive injury and death. A key tactic to defeating this threat is to ensure the exterior wall of a building can survive the bomb blast without breaking apart and contributing to the fragment problem. To address this need, the Air Force Research Laboratory at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida began a series of tests to investigate the use of an elastomeric polymer coating to prevent fragmentation from lightweight structural elements such as concrete block walls and temporary lightweight buildings. The elastomer material is a highly ductile polymer that can be sprayed onto building surfaces. Recent tests indicate the coating applied to the interior surfaces of a lightweight portable building can offer protection for occupants against an explosive charge at a relatively close distance. The polymer bonds to the wall forming a tough elastic skin. Although structural failure of the supporting walls does occur, the elastomer material remains intact and contains the debris. During full-scale explosive tests, the retrofitted building experienced significant deflections but no wall fragments were observed entering the room. Post-test observations indicate the ductile response of the polymer membrane can effectively contain the splintered wall components and can prevent serious injury to persons inside a room. The polymer retrofit technique can reduce the standoffs required to limit damage and casualties by approximately 50%, and is an effective tool in providing military commanders in the field with an expedient method to protect deployed forces from terrorist and enemy bomb attacks.
THE FACTOR INFLUENCING CUSTOMER PREFERENCE TOWARDS INTERNATIONAL FOOD AND BEVERAGE FRANCHISE IN MALAYSIA

The Malaysia Government developed four main strategies based on National Franchise Development Blueprint (NFDB) for 2012 to 2016. Indeed, approximately 400 local franchise companies almost contributed RM 25.6 billion in 2015. Besides, food and beverage (F&B) conquer one of third market share in Malaysia. Therefore, this study is to identify the relationship of brand influence, product quality, and service quality towards customer preference for local food and beverage franchise in Malaysia. Therefore, this study was carried out in a quantitative way and 384 target respondents been selected. Based on the finding, three independent variables which are a brand influence, product quality, and service quality are positively related to customer preference towards international F&B franchise in Malaysia.
The Effect of Quercetin on Induction of Apoptosis and Cell Proliferation in Experimental Rat Colon Carcinoma

Colon cancer is the fourth cause of mortality in the world and the second most common cancer in Europe (1). About 8% of overall mortality rate caused by cancer is caused by colon carcinoma and the highest spread of colon cancer is reported in Asia and Eastern Europe (2). Among cancer preventive factors by chemical mechanisms reducing risk of cancer, Phytochemicals can be the most effective factors. Among the Phytochemicals, one can refer to quercetin. Quercetin is the second flavonoid in plant species, which is available in fruits and the majority of vegetables (36) and can be considered as an important cancer prevention compound. The cancer preventive effects of the compound can be attributed to antioxidant activity of quercetin, inhibition of carcinogen activating enzymes, regulation of intercellular signal transfer paths and interaction of quercetin with receptors and other proteins (37). According to studies, quercetin can inhibit sulfate and hence, it can increase biofeedback and treatment competency through inhibition of sulfate.
Status of CLARA, a New FEL Test Facility

CLARA is a new FEL test facility being developed at STFC Daresbury Laboratory in the UK. The main motivation for CLARA is to test new FEL schemes that can later be implemented on existing and future short wavelength FELs. Particular focus will be on ultra-short pulse generation, pulse stability, and synchronisation with external sources. The project is now underway and the Front End section (photoinjector and first linac) installation will begin later this year. This paper will discuss the progress with the Front End assembly and also highlighting other topics which are currently receiving significant attention.
Cooperative Learning about Nature of Science with a Case from the History of Science.

This paper reports a predominantly qualitative classroom study on cooperative learning about nature of science (NOS) using a case from the history of science. The purpose of the research was to gain insight into how students worked with the historical case study during cooperative group work, how students and teachers assessed the teaching unit, and in what ways students’ ideas about selected aspects of NOS changed as a result of the teaching unit. In cooperation with two biology teachers, a four-lesson teaching unit about NOS and the early research on Archaeopteryx was developed, field-tested, modified, and tested again. Altogether, five classes of 10th and 11th grade students from two Swiss schools participated. Data were collected by videotaping group work, interviews with student groups and teachers, questionnaires, and pre- and post-tests about NOS conceptions. Results show that group work was mostly of good quality, both with regard to students’ cooperation and understanding of the case study. Second, both the topic and the instructional design of the unit were judged very positively. Third, students showed more informed views on the selected target NOS aspects after the teaching unit. The paper ends with conclusions regarding teaching and learning about NOS, cooperative learning and questions for future research.
Introducing galactic structure finder: The multiple stellar kinematic structures of a simulated Milky Way mass galaxy

We present the first results of applying Gaussian Mixture Models in the stellar kinematic space of normalized angular momentum and binding energy on NIHAO high-resolution galaxies to separate the stars into multiple components. We exemplify this method, using a simulated Milky Way analogue, whose stellar component hosts thin and thick discs, classical and pseudo bulges, and a stellar halo. The properties of these stellar structures are in good agreement with observational expectations in terms of sizes, shapes, and rotational support. Interestingly, the two kinematic discs show surface mass density profiles more centrally concentrated than exponentials, while the bulges and the stellar halo are purely exponential. We trace back in time the Lagrangian mass of each component separately to study their formation history. Between z similar to 3 and the end of halo virialization, z similar to 1.3, all components lose a fraction of their angular momentum. The classical bulge loses the most (similar to 95 per cent) and the thin disc the least (similar to 60 per cent). Both bulges formed their stars in situ at high redshift, while the thin disc formed similar to 98 per cent in situ, but with a constant SFR similar to 1.5M(circle dot) yr(-1) over the last similar to 11 Gyr. Accreted stars (6 per cent of total stellar mass) are mainly incorporated to the thick disc or the stellar halo, which formed ex situ 8 per cent and 45 per cent of their respective masses. Our analysis pipeline is freely available at https://github. com/aobr/gsf.