Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Survey on Chinese College English Teachers＇ Conceptions of Research and Research Engagement

This paper investigated 70 Chinese college English teachers’ conceptions of research and research engagement. Questionnaire and interview were used to collect data. The findings of this study show that college English teachers have an understanding of research and can realize the importance of scientificity and understand characteristics of good quality research. In addition, although some college English teachers can realize the importance of research on their own learning and professional development, their current situations of research engagement in general is not satisfactory.
Two-level Ant Algorithm for the Furnace Batch Scheduling in Semiconductor Furnace Operation

The problem of batch scheduling that arises in the furnace stage of semiconductor manufacturing is a new kind of optimization problem that minimizes make-spans on multi-server batch operations with dynamic multi-job arrivals.Based on the strong capability of searching for optimum and the characteristics of parallelism of ant system,this paper proposes a two-level ant algorithm to solve the batch-scheduling problem.Series of simulation experiments show that the results of the algorithm are better than that of some other heuristics and that it has good adaptability to the high work-load environment.
Impact of oceanic circulation changes on atmospheric δ13CO2

δ13CO2 measured in Antarctic ice cores provides constraints on oceanic and terrestrial carbon cycle processes linked with millennial‐scale changes in atmospheric CO2. However, the interpretation of δ13CO2 is not straightforward. Using carbon isotope‐enabled versions of the LOVECLIM and Bern3D models, we perform a set of sensitivity experiments in which the formation rates of North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW), North Pacific Deep Water (NPDW), Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW), and Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW) are varied. We study the impact of these circulation changes on atmospheric δ13CO2 as well as on the oceanic δ13C distribution. In general, we find that the formation rates of AABW, NADW, NPDW, and AAIW are negatively correlated with changes in δ13CO2: namely, strong oceanic ventilation decreases atmospheric δ13CO2. However, since large‐scale oceanic circulation reorganizations also impact nutrient utilization and the Earth's climate, the relationship between atmospheric δ13CO2 levels and ocean ventilation rate is not unequivocal. In both models atmospheric δ13CO2 is very sensitive to changes in AABW formation rates: increased AABW formation enhances the transport of low δ13C waters to the surface and decreases atmospheric δ13CO2. By contrast, the impact of NADW changes on atmospheric δ13CO2 is less robust and might be model dependent. This results from complex interplay between global climate, carbon cycle, and the formation rate of NADW, a water body characterized by relatively high δ13C.
Self-adapting Particle Swarm Optimization for signal detection in LTE system

This paper proposed a novel algorithm based on self-adapting Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) for signal detection in Long Term Evolution (LTE) system. LTE system is equipped with Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) and Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) technology, which have been widely applied in advanced communication systems for reducing fading and increasing channel capacity. Earlier, efficient signal detection based on Swarm-Intelligence is performed. PSO is a heuristic algorithm simulating social behavior of animals. Its relatively low computational complexity and fast convergence make it suitable for signal detection. However, PSO is vulnerable to local optimum. This paper solved such problem by changing parameters simultaneously with Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR). Simulation result demonstrated new self-adapting PSO based detector achieves better performance than traditional detector in LTE system's signal detection.
Analysis of elbow muscle strength parameters in Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners

ABSTRACT Upper-body dynamic and isometric maximum strength are essential components for success in Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ). This study was aimed at analysing strength parameters in the elbow flexor and extensor muscles of BJJ practitioners. Participants (n = 28) performed maximum isometric contractions of elbow flexors and extensors to determine peak torque (PT), rate of force development (RFD), and the torque–angle (T–A) relationship at elbow angles of 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°, 105°, and 120°. Additionally, concentric and eccentric PTs were measured at 1.04 rad·s-1. Student t-test and ANOVA were performed using α = 0.05. Elbow flexors were stronger isometrically (P < 0.001, ES = 1.23) but weaker concentrically (P < 0.05, ES = 0.54) than extensor muscles, possibly because of the extensive grip disputes and pushing of opponents in BJJ. The T–A relationship had an inverted “U”-shape. Torque differences across elbow angles were moderate (ES = 0.62) for the extensor and large (ES = 0.92) for the flexor muscles. Isometric torque was greatest for elbow angles of 105° and 75° and smallest for 45° and 120° for extensor and flexor muscles, respectively. Elbow flexors had a greater RFD than extensors, regardless of elbow angle. The present study provides comprehensive results for elbow muscle strength in BJJ practitioners.
Analysis of elastin cross-linking and the connective tissue matrix of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

BACKGROUND Studies of the connective tissue matrix of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) have yielded conflicting results, and the glycosaminoglycan content has not been previously reported. The present work was done to evaluate the matrix components of AAAs, including the cross-link content of the residual elastin. METHODS Aortic specimens from AAAs and controls were sequentially extracted with salt, Brij, and urea; and the residual pellets were the subject of further studies. Elastin was purified by hot alkali treatment; other matrix components were determined by conventional methods. RESULTS Elastin content of the purified material was reduced in AAA. The cross-link content, desmosine+isodesmosine, was also reduced in AAA as a ratio to insoluble matrix dry weight. However, the cross-link content as a ratio to valine in the purified elastin was normal. The amino acid profiles of representative AAA and controls elastin preparations were similar to that of reference elastin. The amino acid content of the insoluble matrix of AAA revealed a significant reduction of protein (controls = 820 +/- 40 micrograms/mg versus AAA = 700 +/- 20 micrograms/mg, p < 0.05); the collagen content was unaltered. The content of glycosaminoglycan in AAA was noted to be significantly reduced (controls = 33.5 +/- 3.4 micrograms/mg versus AAA = 17.1 +/- 2.0 micrograms/mg, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The data do not support the hypothesis of a primary cross-link deficiency in elastin of AAA; but the reduced contents of protein and glycosaminoglycans in AAA suggests basic biochemical alterations in the diseased aorta that warrant further investigation.
Public Health Investigation of Two Outbreaks of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O157 Associated with Consumption of Watercress

ABSTRACT An increase in the number of cases of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157 phage type 2 (PT2) in England in September 2013 was epidemiologically linked to watercress consumption. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) identified a phylogenetically related cluster of 22 cases (outbreak 1). The isolates comprising this cluster were not closely related to any other United Kingdom strain in the Public Health England WGS database, suggesting a possible imported source. A second outbreak of STEC O157 PT2 (outbreak 2) was identified epidemiologically following the detection of outbreak 1. Isolates associated with outbreak 2 were phylogenetically distinct from those in outbreak 1. Epidemiologically unrelated isolates on the same branch as the outbreak 2 cluster included those from human cases in England with domestically acquired infection and United Kingdom domestic cattle. Environmental sampling using PCR resulted in the isolation of STEC O157 PT2 from irrigation water at one implicated watercress farm, and WGS showed this isolate belonged to the same phylogenetic cluster as outbreak 2 isolates. Cattle were in close proximity to the watercress bed and were potentially the source of the second outbreak. Transfer of STEC from the field to the watercress bed may have occurred through wildlife entering the watercress farm or via runoff water. During this complex outbreak investigation, epidemiological studies, comprehensive testing of environmental samples, and the use of novel molecular methods proved invaluable in demonstrating that two simultaneous outbreaks of STEC O157 PT2 were both linked to the consumption of watercress but were associated with different sources of contamination.
Assessing the need for reintubation: a prospective evaluation of unplanned endotracheal extubation.

OBJECTIVE Unplanned endotracheal extubation (UEE) is a common complication in medical intensive care units but very little data about UEE in surgical populations are available. Our hypothesis is that the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) population requires reintubation less frequently compared with the medical intensive care unit population. We prospectively gathered data on patients in a SICU in an attempt to identify the incidence of UEE and to study the need for reintubation after UEE. METHODS During an 18-month period, we prospectively identified SICU patients from a quality improvement database who required ventilatory support. All patients who self-extubated were included in the study. RESULTS Fifty-eight of 1,178 intubated patients experienced unplanned extubation 61 times during the 18-month period. A total of 22 patients (36%) required reintubation, whereas 39 patients (64%) did not. Thirty-three patients self-extubated while being actively weaned from ventilatory support. Of these, only 5 patients (15%) required reintubation and 28 patients (85%) did not (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION A total of 85% of patients who self-extubate during the weaning process did not require reintubation in our study. Those who have an FiO2 >50%, a lower PaO2/FiO2 ratio, had UEE occur by accident, or were not being weaned when UEE occurred required reintubation more frequently. These data suggest that some of our SICU patients are intubated longer than necessary, which may translate into more ventilator related complications, longer ICU stays and increased cost.
Differential effects of invasion by and phagocytosis of Salmonella typhimurium on apoptosis in human macrophages: potential role of Rho–GTPases and Akt

In addition to direct activation of caspase‐1 and induction of apoptosis by SipB, invasive Salmonella stimulates multiple signaling pathways that are key regulators of host cell survival. Nevertheless, little is known about the relative contributions of these pathways to Salmonella‐mediated death of macrophages. We studied human monocytic U937 cells and found that apoptosis was induced by invading wild‐type Salmonella typhimurium but not by phagocytosed, serum‐opsonized, noninvasive Salmonella mutants. Pretreating U937 cells with inhibitors of tyrosine kinases or phosphatidylinositol‐3 kinase (PI‐3K) completely blocked phagocytosis of opsonized Salmonella mutants but did not affect invasion by wild‐type Salmonella or the apoptosis caused by invasion. However, pretreatment with GGTI‐298, a geranylgeranyltransferase‐1 inhibitor that prevents prenylation of Cdc42 and Rac1, suppressed Salmonella‐induced apoptosis by ∼70%. Transduction of Tat fusion constructs containing dominant‐negative Cdc42 or Rac1 significantly inhibited Salmonella‐induced cell death, indicating that the cytotoxicity of Salmonella requires activation of Cdc42 and Rac. In contrast to phagocytosis of opsonized bacteria, invasion by S. typhimurium stimulated Cdc42 and Rac1, regardless of the activities of tyrosine‐ or PI‐3K. Moreover, Salmonella infection activated Akt protein in a tyrosine‐kinase or PI‐3K‐dependent manner, and a reduced expression of Akt by antisense transfection rendered the cells more sensitive to apoptosis induced by opsonized Salmonella. These results indicate that direct activation of Cdc42 and Rac1 by invasive Salmonella is a prerequisite of Salmonella‐mediated death of U937 cells, whereas the simultaneous activation of Akt by tyrosine kinase and PI‐3K during receptor‐mediated phagocytosis protects cells from apoptosis.
CVis — Towards a novel visualization tool to explore the relationship between input and output partitions in multi-objective clustering ensembles

Ensemble methods for clustering take a collection of input partitions, produced for the same data set, and generate an ensemble partition that tries to preserve the information carried in this collective. Acceptance of the resulting partition(s) by decision makers can be a problem, due to the inherent complexity of ensemble techniques, and the associated lack of intuition on how a consensus has been derived from the original set of input partitions. This problem is exacerbated in multi-objective ensemble techniques, which generate a set of non-dominated consensus partitions. In this context, the selection of a final candidate clustering may require additional insight into the relationships between non-dominated output partitions. In this manuscript, we describe the first prototype of a novel visualization tool, CVis, which has been developed as a general tool to provide insight into the relationship between any set of partitions of a given data set. We proceed to demonstrate the specific use of this tool in understanding the relationship between the sets of input, the sets of outputs, and the input-output relationships for the multi-objective ensemble technique MOCLE. We discuss how the interlinked analysis of such sets of partitions can shed light onto the functioning, and the strengths and limitations of a particular ensemble technique. In particular, the tool facilitates the visual analysis of the level of support identified for individual consensus clusters, which is helpful in explaining final solutions to a decision maker.
The significance of carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) and osteocalcin (OC) in assessment of bone disease in patients with multiple myeloma

Bone disease occurring in multiple myeloma is usually evaluated using radiological methods. These methods, however, provide not much information about the dynamic process of bone resorption and formation. This study analysed levels of serum markers of bone turnover (ICTP and OC), reflecting function of osteoclasts and osteoblasts. It demonstrates increased level of ICTP in 75 patients with MM compared to control group (8 persons) and patients with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (10 persons). The level of ICTP was also higher in patients with more advanced bone disease and probably in higher stage of disease according to Salmon and Durie classification. This tendency was not observed in relation to OC. Result of the research confirms that ICTP may incur sensitive and specific markers of bone lesions in multiple myeloma.
Effects of temperature shift on acid and heat tolerance in Salmonella enteritidis phage type 4

The transfer of cells of Salmonella enteritidis phage type 4 from 20 to 37-46 degrees C resulted in marked increases in acid and heat tolerance. The former was maximized within 5 to 15 min of the shift and was largely independent of protein synthesis. In contrast, induction of increased heat tolerance was slower, requiring more than 60 min to be completed, and was prevented by inhibition of protein synthesis. When cells were transferred to medium at temperatures between 47 and 50 degrees C, the kinetics of induction of heat tolerance were essentially the same as at the lower temperatures. In contrast, the cells became more acid sensitive. The results of these studies clearly show that although both acid and heat resistance can be enhanced by preexposure to high incubation temperatures, the mechanisms involved are different.
Innovation in Model of System of Social Management in China:A case study based on four models

As a grand social engineering,"social management innovation"(SMI)constitutes an important part of China's social development strategy of the new era.Currently,various practical difficulties of local governance show that the status and role of local government in China's overall social governance system still does not receive enough attention and adequate research.The central concern of this study is that,under the background of the downward pressure on China's economy continuing to increase,the social conflicts and issues that have frequently happened,and with how the social construction and social management at local government level enters into the institutionalized stage,which is so-called social management"new normal"problems.By selecting cities to be replaced as Z,W,B and G,the article explores four types of system models of the local governments'social management innovation:Politics and Law Committee System,Civil Affairs System,Social Work Committee System and Mass Work Committee System.Each System model may be defined by four dimensions:leading sector,organization structure,functional system and the logic of governance.It also represents the different ways,boundary conditions and values the Party and Government intervenes and manages the society.As for the leading sector,the subjects of social management include the party and the government,which are combined by two types of"integration"and"separation". The objectives of social management include social order and social vigor.This facilitates establishing an ideal typology of social management systems.There are four main factors that influence the local government to choose the different models of social management system:the level of economic development and social development stage,the differences of geographical and environmental conditions,the policy support and attention of the central,and the attention of the local party and government leaders.The proposed conceptual model of social management systems contribute to a better understanding of the theoretical schema and the target path of social institution reform,the complex interaction between state and society,and the modernization of state governance systems.
Exploring the role of leadership style on the service quality-customer satisfaction link

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the influence of the leadership style on the service quality–customer satisfaction link. Design/methodology/approach – A special survey instrument was developed and tested with the use of exploratory factor and regression analyses. Findings – Data from 118 small enterprises were collected through personal interviews, and results supported that the level of leadership style moderates the relationship between service quality and customer satisfaction despite what is commonly believed that leadership actually is a prerequisite of service quality. Practical/implications – Based on the fact that there is no literature connecting quality and satisfaction with leadership style, practitioners may be interested in finding out that executives’ behavior can influence the service provided to customers. Originality/value – Leadership style is a concept which has been associated with many variables such as service quality, performance and job satisfaction. In the market.
Strategic role of selected noble metal nanoparticles in medicine

Abstract Noble metals and their compounds have been used as therapeutic agents from the ancient time in medicine for the treatment of various infections. Recently, much progress has been made in the field of nanobiotechnology towards the development of different kinds of nanomaterials with a wide range of applications. Among the metal nanoparticles, noble metal nanoparticles have demonstrated potential biomedical applications. Due to the small size, nanoparticles can easily interact with biomolecules both at surface and inside cells, yielding better signals and target specificity for diagnostics and therapeutics. Noble metal nanoparticles inspired the researchers due to their remarkable role in detection and treatment of dreadful diseases. In this review, we have attempted to focus on the biomedical applications of noble metal nanoparticles particularly, silver, gold, and platinum in diagnosis and treatment of dreaded diseases such as cancer, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), tuberculosis (TB), and Parkinson disease. In addition, the role of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) such as novel antimicrobials, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) such as efficient drug carrier, uses of platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) in bone allograft, dentistry, etc. have been critically reviewed. Moreover, the toxicity due to the use of metal nanoparticles and some unsolved challenges in the field have been discussed with their possible solutions.
Entrepreneurial Transformation in the Middle East: Experiences from Tehran Universities

Universities are an important catalyst for regional, economic and social development. Many countries have reformed legislation on academic entrepreneurship, but several research opportunities at the systems, university, and individual levels still exist. The existing literature on entrepreneurial universities provides insights about the entrepreneurial transformation process of universities in developed countries. Our study aims to contribute to a better understanding of the entrepreneurial transformation process of Middle Eastern universities. Adopting the entrepreneurial university framework proposed by Urbano and Guerrero, we explore two universities located in Tehran. This study provides insights about exploring the entrepreneurial transformation process, as well as policies that can stimulate the entrepreneurial activity of universities in developing countries and thus foster regional competitiveness.
Vorinostat induced cellular stress disrupts the p38 mitogen activated protein kinase and extracellular signal regulated kinase pathways leading to apoptosis in Waldenström macroglobulinemia cells

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are aberrantly expressed, and inhibitors of HDACs induce apoptosis in lymphoplasmacytic cells (LPCs) in Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM). The molecular profile by which these agents induce apoptosis in WM LPCs remains to be delineated. We examined the activity of the histone deacetylase inhibitor, vorinostat, and dissected its pro-apoptotic pathways in WM LPCs. Vorinostat induced apoptosis in WM cells through activating specific caspases at varying times. Inhibitors of apoptosis (IAPs) were down-regulated after vorinostat treatment. Cellular stress induced in vorinostat-treated WM cells was reflected by changes in the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Activated phospho-p38 MAPK was up-regulated at 12 h, while phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) abruptly decreased at 24 h. Bortezomib did not augment vorinostat induced primary WM cell killing as reported in other B-cell disorders. These studies support that stress induced apoptosis in vorinostat-treated WM LPCs is mediated through disrupting the activity of the Erk and p38 MAPK pathways.