Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Revisiting the Phenomenon of Cellulase Action: Not All Endo- and Exo-Cellulase Interactions Are Synergistic

The conventional endo–exo synergism model has extensively been supported in literature, which is based on the perception that endoglucanases (EGs) expose or create accessible sites on the cellulose chain to facilitate the action of processive cellobiohydrolases (CBHs). However, there is a lack of information on why some bacterial and fungal CBHs and EGs do not exhibit synergism. Therefore, the present study evaluated and compared the synergistic relationships between cellulases from different microbial sources and provided insights into how different GH families govern synergism. The results showed that CmixA2 (a mixture of TlCel7A and CtCel5A) displayed the highest effect with BaCel5A (degree of synergy for reducing sugars and glucose of 1.47 and 1.41, respectively) in a protein mass ratio of 75–25%. No synergism was detected between CmixB1/B2 (as well as CmixC1/C2) and any of the EGs, and the combinations did not improve the overall cellulose hydrolysis. These findings further support the hypothesis that “not all endo-to exo-cellulase interactions are synergistic”, and that the extent of synergism is dependent on the composition of cellulase systems from various sources and their compatibility in the cellulase cocktail. This method of screening for maximal compatibility between exo- and endo-cellulases constitutes a critical step towards the design of improved synergistic cellulose-degrading cocktails for industrial-scale biomass degradation.
Posttraumatic stress and depression among women in Kenya’s informal settlements: risk and protective factors

ABSTRACT Background: Approximately 56% of Kenya´s population resides in informal settlements (UN-Habitat, 2016). Female residents experience a range of psychosocial stressors including chronic poverty and high rates of interpersonal violence. Despite evidence that this population has some of the worst physical health outcomes in the country (APHRC, 2014), few studies have evaluated their mental health status and its correlates. Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify risk and protective factors associated with mental health problems (posttraumatic stress & depression) among women living in informal settlements in Kenya. Hypothesized risk factors included economic stress, a history of experiencing childhood abuse and sexual violence, as well as partner-perpetrated psychological and physical abuse. Hypothesized protective factors were supportive relationships with family members and friends and having a sense community connection. Method: Local community health workers were trained to collect data via individual interviews using validated measures. Participants were recruited using systematic random sampling in two informal settlements in Nakuru County. We used path analysis to test the hypothesized model among a sample of 301 women. Results: The model had an excellent fit (χ2 = 13.391, df = 8, p =.099; GFI =.99; CFI =.99; RMSEA =.05) and explained 25% of the variance in PTSS and 28% of the variance in depression. All predictor variables except support from friends were statistically significant in the expected direction. Specifically, economic stress, childhood abuse, sexual violence, as well as physical and psychological abuse from one´s partner had significant positive associations with PTSS and depression. Having supportive family members and a sense of being part of the community had significant negative associations with symptoms. Conclusions: Results highlight the importance of addressing intimate partner and other forms of interpersonal violence in these settings and hold implications for tailoring interventions for this marginalized population. HIGHLIGHTS • More than 2/3 of women in Kenya’s informal settlements report intimate partner violence and elevated psychological distress. • Economic stress adds an additional risk, whereas support from family and community connection appear to be protective.
Capturing killers: the construction of CCTV evidence during homicide investigations

ABSTRACT Drawing upon quantitative and qualitative data gathered during a four-year ethnographic study of 44 British homicide investigations, this paper advances the sparse literature on how closed-circuit television (CCTV) contributes to criminal investigations and the risks associated with its use. Based on insights gleaned from interviews with homicide detectives, analysis of case files and observations of live homicide investigations, we examine how CCTV is used during homicide investigations focusing principally on two key investigative moments – identifying and charging suspects. Our quantitative data indicate that CCTV is used more frequently than any other kind of forensic science or technology to both identify and charge suspects. Nevertheless, our qualitative data reveal numerous challenges associated with how CCTV footage is recovered, viewed, shared, interpreted and packaged for court. We reveal the individual and organisational processes and workarounds that have emerged in a socio-technical landscape that lacks clear standards and principles. We discuss the implications of these findings for practice and policy and their relevance to questions about the socially constructed nature of forensic scientific knowledge.
National Picture of the Self-Determination Characteristics of Secondary School English Learners With Disabilities

We examined the self-determination of English learners with disabilities in secondary school, based on a secondary analysis of the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2012 (NLTS 2012). Self-determination characteristics of English learners with disabilities differed significantly from those of other students with disabilities, and of English learner students and students who are not English learners in the general population, including their being less likely to act autonomously or report empowerment-related or self-realization-related behaviors. Multivariate analyses identified several student and family characteristics associated with variations in aspects of self-determination, including age, gender, and postsecondary expectations. Implications for practice and research are discussed, including the importance of considering these factors when selecting, implementing, and evaluating self-determination interventions for English learners with disabilities.
Ore Extension Rings Satisfy the Weak PS-Rings

The main result of this paper is that: If R is a weak right PS-ring, then A = R[x; α, δ], the Ore extension ring, is a weak right PS-ring whenever the following conditions hold on R is an (α, δ)-compatible NI-ring with nil(R) nilpotent, α(e) = e and δ(e) = 0 for every idempotent e ∈ R.
Covalently Connected Carbon Nanotubes as Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction through Band Engineering

Controlled assembly of mesoscopic structures can bring interesting phenomena because of their interfaces. Here, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are cross-coupled via a C–C bonding through Suzuki reaction resulting in three-dimensional (3D) CNT sponges, and these 3D CNTs are studied for their efficacy toward the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acidic medium—one of the promising methods for the production of a renewable energy source, hydrogen. Both single and multiwall CNTs (SWCNTs and MWCNTs) are studied for the development of 3DSWCNTs and 3DMWCNTs, and these 3D CNTs are found to be HER active with small reaction onset potentials and low charge-transfer resistances unlike their uncoupled counterparts. First-principle density functional calculations show that the combination of electron acceptor and donor bonded to the CNT network can provide a unique band structure modulation in the system facilitating the HER reaction. This study can provide possibilities for band engineering of CNTs via fu.
Vertical Vibrations of Footbridges Due to Group Loading: Effect of Pedestrian–Structure Interaction

The vibration serviceability of footbridges has evolved from the adoption of a single pedestrian crossing in the resonance condition to load cases in which several pedestrians cross the structure simultaneously. However, in spite of this improvement, pedestrians continue to be considered as applied loads in codes of practice. Recent research has pointed out that modeling pedestrians as dynamic systems is a step further in the search for a more realistic design approach. This is explored in this paper, focusing on the case of vertical vibration. A two-span cable-stayed test structure was selected, and accelerations were measured from single and group crossings, both at the structure and at a pedestrian’s waist. Numerical simulations considering the pedestrians modeled as loads only and also as dynamic systems were implemented, and numerical and experimental time response vibration signatures were compared. Reductions of up to 25% and 20% in peak and RMS acceleration, respectively, were obtained when pedestrians were modeled as dynamic systems, in comparison with the less realistic model of pedestrians as loads only. Such reductions were shown to depend on the number of pedestrians involved in the group. The results, thus, highlight that pedestrian–structure interaction is an asset for the vibration serviceability design of footbridges.
Effect of Lepidium meyenii (maca) on spatial memory and brain oxidative damage of ovariectomized-rats exposed to mobile phone

Background: Oxidative stress, genetic expression changes, and decomposition of the blood-brain barrier have been shown to be caused by exposure to radiofrequency radiation (RFR); therefore, the search for drugs or food products that offer some protection from these effects has attracted interest. Lepidium meyenii (maca) is a native Andean plant known for its effects on the female reproductive system as well as its immunomodulating, energizing, antioxidant, and nutritive properties due to its high concentration of alkaloids, amino acids, glucosinolates, fatty acids, and macamides. Objectives: We aim to determine the effect of dietary maca supplementation on spatial memory and cerebral oxidative damage in rats with induced menopause and/or with exposure to mobile phone radiation. Method: Female rats divided into 6 groups (six rats in each group): control or not ovariectomized (O-), ovariectomized (O+), ovariectomized + estrogen (O+E+), ovariectomized + estrogen + irradiated (O+E+I+), ovariectomized + maca (O+M+), and ovariectomized + maca + irradiated (O+M+I). Rat spatial memory was tested using the Morris water navigation task. Rats were sacrificed, and cerebral malondialdehyde was measured. Results: After exposure to mobile phone radiation, the group supplemented with maca showed improved spatial memory and lower levels of malondialdehyde than the estrogenized group. Conclusions: Our results suggest that consumption of maca has a positive effect on the maintenance of memory and decreases oxidative stress caused by mobile phone radiation. However, it is necessary to extend this work using a larger sample size.
Screen Mirroring is not as Easy as it Seems: A Closer Look at Older Adults’ Cross-Device Experience Through Touch Gestures

ABSTRACT Screen mirroring might be a way to improve older adults’ user experience of smart televisions (STVs) through smartphones. To examine this possibility, two experiments were conducted. Experiment I examined older adults’ difficulties of screen mirroring (mirroring smartphone screens to STVs) through five common touch gestures (“Drag,” “Slide,” “Zoom,” “Draw,” and “Handwrite”), in comparison to younger adults. The results indicated that a major problem for older adults is the frequent attention switching between the STV and smartphone screens. Therefore, experiment II explored how to reduce the need of attention switching through the touch gestures (“Tap,” “Slide + Tap,” and “Slide + Release”) and the button sizes (8, 14, and 20 mm) for different input postures. Thirty older adults participated in this experiment and their eye movements were tracked. Four major findings were derived. First, the “Zoom,” “Draw,” and “Handwrite” gestures in screen mirroring were difficult for older adults with a task completion rate lower than 68%. Second, the problem of frequent attention switching between the STV and smartphone was predominant for tapping tasks. Third, the “Slide + Tap” and “Slide + Release” touch gestures helped to reduce attention switching in tapping tasks more than the “Tap” for older adults, while the “Slide + Release” received the worst subjective feedback. Fourth, increasing the button size from 8 mm to 14 mm on smartphones can improve the task completion rate and the task efficiency in screen mirroring when older adults used the one-handed posture to tap.
The role of tensins in malignant neoplasms

Tensins belong to the family of adhesion proteins which form focal adhesions serving as a bridge between the extracellular matrix and intracellular actin skeleton. The tensin family consists of four members (tensin-1 to -4) which are widely expressed in normal and cancerous tissues. The presence of Src homology 2 and phosphotyrosine binding domains is a unique feature of tensins which enables them to interact with tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins in PI3K/Akt and β-integrin/FAK signaling pathways. The tensin-mediated signaling pathway regulates physiological processes including cell motility and cytoskeleton integrity. The expression of tensins varies among cancers. Several papers report tensins as tumor suppressive proteins, whereas tensins may promote epithelial to mesenchymal transition and cancer cell metastasis. Recent findings and further research on tensins as therapeutic targets in cancers may contribute to identifying effective anti-cancer therapy. In this review we focus on the role of tensins in normal and cancer cells. We discuss potential mechanism(s) involved in carcinogenesis.
Acroeimeria cf. cicaki n. comb. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from Stump-Tailed Gecko, Gehyra mutilata (Sauria: Gekkonidae), from Peninsular Malaysia

ABSTRACT: During August 2019, 2 stump-tailed geckos, Gehyra mutilata were collected by hand from 2 sites within Peninsular Malaysia and examined for coccidia. Both were found to be passing oocysts of Eimeria cf. cicaki Else and Colley, 1975. Oocysts are subspheroidal to ellipsoidal, with a smooth bilayered wall, measure 19.4 ×16.1 µm, and have a length/width (L/W) ratio of 1.2; a micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent, but a single polar granule is present. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal and measure 7.3 × 6.7 µm, L/W 1.1; Stieda, sub-Stieda, and para-Stieda bodies are absent. The sporocyst residuum is composed of large dispersed granules lying between the sporozoites. The current isolate appears to be morphologically divergent from the specimens as originally described. Previously reported endogenous development shows this coccidian should be transferred to the genus Acroeimeria Paperna and Landsberg, 1989. Here, we provide additional morphological information on the coccidian, as well as the first photomicrographs of the sporulated oocysts of the species.
P53-Mdm2 Loop Stability and Oscillatory Dynamics with Mdm2-Induced Delay Effect in P53

In this paper, we consider P53-Mdm2 negative feedback loop supposed to be the core circuit of genome. We study stability and the oscillatory dynamics of the loop. Many of the studies modeled this loop by delay-differential equations with P53-induced transcrip- tional delay in the production of Mdm2. We, however, highlight the importance of Mdm2- induced delay in the degradation of P53 protein. We consider two forms of P53 protein i.e., plain P53 and active P53 along with its principal antagonist protein Mdm2 to formulate a minimal model. Active P53 finds its inclusion in the loop in the presence of DNA damage represented by a Boolean variable ‘s’. The analysis of the model provides thresholds on delays using Nyquist criterion such that delays in the degradation of P53 lower than these thresholds guarantee stability of the loop in that all proteins plain P53, active P53 and Mdm2 approach to stable equilibrium state. The oscillatory dynamics in proteins, if any, would exist beyond these thresholds.
Optimal capital adequacy ratio: An investigation of Vietnamese commercial banks using two-stage DEA

Abstract Over the last years the Vietnamese banking system has been struggling to restructure, reform governance, consolidate financial statements and build up merge and acquisition, in line with international standards. The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) proposed BASEL III in 2010, whereby banks must increase their minimum Capital Adequacy Ratios (CAR) year by year with a goal of 10.5% by 2019. The objective of this paper is to address the questions: (1) what are the optimal CAR levels for Vietnamese Commercial Banks (2) whether the minimum required CARs stipulated in the Basel II and III are reasonable for Vietnam banking system? The data set consists of a sample of Vietnamese commercial banks over the six-year period from 2010 to 2015. The optimal CARs of banks are calculated using the nonparametric two-stage Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model, with two inputs: fixed assets, employee expense and two outputs: interest income, non-interest income. The findings indicate that 92.4% of the banks have the optimal CAR higher than the minimum ratio 10.5% defined in BASEL III. Moreover, 57.98% of the banks should raise their current level of CAR to reach their optimal ones. To conclude, this paper will provide a guideline for Vietnamese banks to decide their optimal CAR to reach the efficiency frontier.
Transformational Leadership, Psychological Empowerment, and Innovative Work Behavior of Frontline Employees in the Public Sectors: Empirical Evidence from North Sumatera, Indonesia

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of transformational leadership (TL) and psychological empowerment (PE) on innovative work behavior (IWB) of frontline employees at public sector in North Sumatera. This study examines the effects of PE as a moderator on the relationship between transformational leadership and innovative work behavior (IWB). The data were collected from 786 frontline employees through an online survey. Partial least square structural equation modeling analysis by the bootstrap method were used for the data analysis. Results indicated that TL and PE have positive influence on innovative work behavior, however specifically, the result showed that PE does not moderates on the relationship between TL and IWB of frontline employees in North Sumatera.
An improved privacy preserving remote user authentication scheme for agricultural wireless sensor network

Agriculture is a fundamental pillar of society, bearing a crucial role in shaping the economy of the country and provides huge financial prospects and the possibility of employment to the large mass of the country. Thus, the incorporation of modern technology would lead to amplification in productivity and economic escalation. In this perspective, Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) can provide a greater service by sensing, monitoring and supplying continuous information about climatic conditions like temperature, light, soil moisture, humidity, and so on. These parameters help in increment of productivity in terms of quantity and quality growth in agriculture. However, WSN brings security threats like masquerading, alteration, interference, interception, and so on, that harmfully affect crop production and other agricultural practices. Thus, privacy preservation and security enhancement for agricultural WSN are the major challenges to be conquered. To meet this purpose, a privacy‐preserving efficient and secure remote user authentication scheme is introduced in this research work for the application of agricultural WSN. The proposed scheme is formally evaluated using probabilistic Random‐Oracle‐Model (ROR) for proving the robustness of the scheme. Further, the scheme is simulated using a well‐accepted AVISPA tool to show the security strength of it. The performance analysis of our scheme shows that along with its robustness in terms of security, the proposed scheme is more efficient in terms of computation and communication overheads in contrast to other existing schemes. These aforesaid features make the proposed scheme implementable in a practical environment.
Las competencias de los gestores de proyectos de traducción: un estudio basado en encuesta

Este artículo recoge los resultados de una encuesta realizada a más de ochenta gestores de proyectos de traducción. El objetivo es acotar las competencias que precisa este profesional para su trabajo. Se encuadra dentro de una investigación más amplia que pretende elaborar un marco de competencias para los gestores de proyectos de traducción. Tras el análisis de un corpus de anuncios de trabajo para gestores de proyectos y un estudio de las guías docentes de universidades españolas donde se imparte esta materia, este trabajo toma como punto de partida la información proporcionada por los mismos profesionales con el fin completar las competencias delimitadas en trabajos previos y triangular las fuentes de datos.
Water vapour sorption characteristics and surface chemical composition of thermally modified spruce (Picea abies karst).

The objective of this work was to study the hygroscopicity and surface chemical composition of thermally modified (TM) spruce. An effort was also made to study if those features were influenced by a previous exposure to a significant increase in relative humidity (RH). TM and unmodified Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst) samples, both in solid and ground form, were prepared. Water vapour sorption characteristics of the ground samples were obtained by measuring sorption isotherms using a dynamic vapour sorption (DVS). The surface chemical composition of the solid samples, both acetone extracted and non-extracted, were analysed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The DVS analysis indicated that the TM wood exposed to the 75% RH revealed a decrease in isotherm hysteresis. The XPS analysis indicated a decrease of acetone extractable or volatile organic components and a relative increase of non-extractable components for the samples exposed to the increased RH condition.
New Inventory of Dust Emission Sources in Central Asia and Northwestern China Derived From MODIS Imagery Using Dust Enhancement Technique

The first inventory of dust emission sources in Central Asia and northwestern China (35–50°N, 50–100°E) derived from the twice daily MODIS imagery from 2003 to 2012 is presented. A high‐resolution (1 km) dust enhancement product was generated to produce maps of dust point sources (DPS), indicating geographical locations of the observed dust emissions, and gridded data sets of dust emission frequencies. About 13,500 DPS were detected over an area of ∼5 × 106 km2, however, their distribution was uneven. The highest frequency of DPS occurred in the northern and eastern Taklimakan, in the Aralkum, and in the regions, which were not widely reported in literature before, the Balkh delta in northern Afghanistan and the pre‐Aral, from the northern Caspian coast to the Betpak‐Dala desert in Kazakhstan. South of the Aral, DPS were mainly associated with fluvial features: drying lakes, dry river beds, alluvial deposits and agricultural activity which is closely linked to water availability in this arid region. In the pre‐Aral and Balkhash‐Junggar regions, land damaged by wildfire was the main source of dust. In China and eastern Kazakhstan dust emissions peaked in spring; in Central Asia and western Kazakhstan—in summer. The Aralkum was active throughout the year with a positive trend in emission frequency over the study period. Locations of DPS did not always correlate with high atmospheric optical depth (AOD) particularly west of the Aral and in the southern Taklimakan where few DPS were detected despite the high AOD values. This was attributed to dust transport from the upwind sources.