Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interaction of TRAF6 with MAST205 Regulates NF-κB Activation and MAST205 Stability*

The binding of immune complexes to macrophage Fcγ receptor results in a subsequent inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated interleukin-12 synthesis without affecting the induction of tumor necrosis factor-α. RNA interference targeting MAST205, a 205-kDa serine/threonine kinase, and transfection of dominant negative MAST205 mutants also mimic this type II macrophage phenotype. Our previous epistasis experiments suggested that the position of MAST205 in the TLR4 signal pathway was proximal to the IκB kinase complex. We now report that MAST205 forms a complex with TRAF6, resulting in the inhibition of TRAF6 NF-κB activation. We have identified a peptide (residues 218–233) from the N terminus of MAST205 that, when coupled to a protein transduction domain, inhibits the lipopolysaccharide-stimulated activation of NF-κB, modulates the size of the MAST205·TRAF6 complex, and inhibits ubiquitination of TRAF6. A dominant negative N-terminal MAST205 deletion mutant also inhibits TRAF6 ubiquitination. The domain required for degradation of MAST205 after Fcγ receptor activation resides within the N-terminal 261 residues, and degradation is triggered by protein kinase C isoform phosphorylation of Ser/Thr residues. These results suggest that MAST205 functions as a scaffolding protein controlling TRAF6 activity and, therefore, plays an important role in regulating inflammatory responses.
Comparison between Test-Driven Development and Conventional Development: A Case Study

In Software Engineering, different techniques and approaches are being used nowadays to produce reliable software. The software quality relies heavily on the software testing. However, not all developers are concerned with the testing stage of a software. This has affected the software quality and has increased the cost as well. To avoid these issues, researchers paid a lot of effort on finding the best technique that guarantee the software quality. In this paper we aim to explore the effectiveness of building test cases using Test-Driven Development (TDD) technique compared with the conventional technique (Test-last). The comparison measures the effectiveness of test cases with regard to number of defects, code coverage and test cases development duration between TDD and Test-Last. The results has been analyzes and presented to support the best technique. On an average, the effectiveness of test cases with regards to the selected quality factors in Test-Driven Development (TDD) was better than the conventional technique (Test-last). TDD and conventional testing had nearly the same percentage as result in code coverage. Moreover, the number of defects found and the test cases development duration spent in TDD are high compared with Test-Last. The results led to suggest some contributions and achievement that could be gained from applying TDD technique in software industry. As using TDD as development technique in young companies can produce high quality software in less time.
What Affect Would Raising Customer Awareness of the Impacts of the All-Inclusive Holiday have on the Host Destination?

The concept of an All-Inclusive holiday has been attractive for tourists for decades. Travelling to a destination and knowing everything is paid for in advance, is perhaps what makes it most attractive. However, with raising concerns of the economic, social and environmental impacts these holidays have on the host destination, it is believed sustainability should be at the forefront of business operations. It is established that though tour operators are believed to have an awareness and tourists are believed to have an interest in sustainability, the way in which the tour operators portray these ideas across to the tourists is missing from the literature. As a result, the following study investigates tourist perception and their awareness of sustainability as well as how tour operators are communicating their sustainability methods to their target market. The study aim was to investigate tourist perception of the All-Inclusive holiday and sustainability and their accessibility to information on sustainability through UK tour operators. To satisfy this aim, the researcher created five objectives in which quantitative and qualitative data was conducted. The distribution of 100 surveys to tourists alongside a content analysis of tour operator’s media was used to answer the title and aim of the dissertation. The dissertation that follows entails six chapters in which the researcher introduces the need for the study, reviews the literature surrounding the topic and the methodology. Following this, the author analysed and discussed the results founded from the primary research and concluded the study with a best practice model which tour operators should use to ensure sustainability practices are reaching all tourists regularly. After completing all chapters mentioned above, the researcher concluded tourists have minimal awareness of the impacts of All-Inclusive holidays but do have an interest in sustainability. Additionally, tour operators are inconsistent in their approach to translating sustainability schemes across to the customer. This confirms raising customer awareness of sustainability would impact positively on the host destination. Word Count: 13, 842
The influences of psychological sense of brand community on mobile game loyalty: a case study research

This thesis contributes to Carlson et al.’s (2008) findings on a brand-based community and its psychological aspects. The research aimed to investigate the influences of psychological sense of brand community (PSBC) on mobile game loyalty. Particularly, it attempted to, first, look at sense of brand community from the social identity viewpoint, and second, explore the influence of PSBC on game loyalty as well as the role PSBC plays in the satisfaction–loyalty relationship. The relevant studies from journals, books and internet sources were reviewed to form the theoretical framework and develop the hypotheses. A web-survey for mobile game players was conducted during 1 week in October 2016 with 192 usable responses collected. Each participant was asked to answer 15 questions on the Likert-scales to measure PSBC, game satisfaction and game loyalty. The measurements were adapted from previous related studies. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to assess the hypothesized relationships. The analysis was conducted in R environment, using mainly package ‘lavaan’. The findings showed that PSBC directly contributes to players’ loyalty regardless of the presence of their social interaction with one another. Mobile game satisfaction is still a more critical factor influencing loyalty, although PSBC is found to positively mediate the effect of game satisfaction on loyalty. The results also revealed that mobile game players care about the services provided by the gaming vendor, the ability the vendor handles opportunistic gaming behavior, and the account administration. To conclude this thesis, several recommendations for future PSBC-interest studies were given.
Interpolating Multilevel Green ’ s Function with Radial Basis Function and Phase Compensation

As a kernel independent algorithm, multilevel Green’s function interpolation method (MLGFIM) [1] [2] has been developed for electromagnetic problems from low frequency to fullwave simulation. This method inherits the multilevel tree structure of multilevel fast multipole algorithm (MLFMA) and adopts the interpolation technique of pre-corrected fast Fourier transform (PFFT). Compare with other fast algorithms based on the method of moment (MoM), MLGFIM has advantages in flexibility for both multilayered and sparsely distributed multibody problems. Interpolation method as the key technique in MLGFIM affects the accuracy of this algorithm. In full-wave simulation, because of the oscillatory nature of the phase term of the Green’s function, it is not easy to approximate the Green’s function between two interaction cubes when the cube size is much larger than a wavelength. There are two kinds of interpolation schemes to be implemented in full-wave problem: one is to apply orthonormal radial basis function (RBF), and the other is to combine Lagrange interpolation with phase compensation (PC). The RBF of inverse multiquadric (IMQ) type in conjunction with staggered Tartan grid is used in [2]. However, due to the increasing condition number which follows with the increasing number of interpolation points, the cube length is restricted below two wavelengths. The comparison of different types of infinitely smooth RBFs [3] shows that the Gaussian (GA) RBF can obtain the best interpolation accuracy under the same condition [4]. From [4], although the interpolation of field points in a cube larger than two wavelengths is implemented, the number of interpolation points increases drastically to guarantee the error under the interpolation threshold. This will generate low interpolation efficiency when MLGFIM is applied. To remedy this problem, Lagrange interpolation with PC is adopted to make the phase terms of Green’s functions vary slowly with the distance between the source and field points [5], [6]. In this paper, we propose a method applying augmented RBF to interpolate Green’s function with PC. The results show that at the same interpolation threshold, interpolating Green’s function with PC requires fewer interpolation points than interpolating the original one. We also find that GA RBF can get the best convergence rate. But if the number of interpolation points is large, it is more appropriate to adopt RBF of compact support due to the fact that it will generate a sparse interpolation matrix.
Up-Regulation of Acid-Sensing Ion Channel 3 in Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons Following Application of Nucleus Pulposus on Nerve Root in Rats

Study Design. Immunocytochemistry for acid-sensing ion channel 3 (ASIC3) in neurons of rat dorsal root ganglions (DRGs) from animals exposed to a model of lumbar disc herniation. Objective. To examine expression of ASIC3 in DRGs and the effect of a sodium channel blocker applied to the nerve root in a rat model of lumbar disc herniation. Summary of Background Data. Radicular pain is a common symptom of lumbar disc herniation in human beings. A depolarizing sodium channel gated by protons during tissue acidosis, ASIC3, is specifically expressed in sensory neurons. It has been associated with cardiac ischemic and inflammatory pain. We often perform spinal nerve root block for radicular pain using a sodium channel blocker, such as lidocaine; however, it has been unclear whether the effective period of this treatment is usually longer than the expected duration of efficacy. Methods. For the lumbar disc herniation model, nucleus pulposus was harvested from the tail and applied to the L5 nerve root, and the nerve roots were pinched. We evaluated mechanical allodynia in sham-operated animals and a disc herniation model. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine ASIC3 expression in L5 DRGs. Finally, the effect of lidocaine on pain and ASIC3 expression in the disc herniation model was examined. Results. Animals exposed to the lumbar disc herniation model showed allodynia for 8 days, and ASIC3 immunoreactivity was up-regulated in DRG neurons. After administration of lidocaine to spinal nerve roots affected by disc herniation, ASIC3 immunoreactivity was down-regulated in DRG neurons, and the level of mechanical allodynia was significantly decreased for 8 days. Conclusions. Our results suggest that ASIC3 in DRG neurons may play an important role in nerve root pain caused by lumbar disc herniation. Lidocaine decreased ASIC3 expression in DRG neurons and pain associated with the disc herniation model.
Rheological characterization of sludge coming from a wastewater treatment plant.

Problem statement: The aim of this study was that of studying the rheology of sewage sludge using two different rheological test protocols taken from literature and comparing them in order to evaluate which useful information are given from every protocol. Approach: Two different protocols have been used taking particularly into account the problems connected to sludge heterogeneous composition and to the interaction between solid-solid and solid-water particles in order to completely understand the rheological behavior of this suspension; moreover, the consequences of particular effects connected to test geometry and conditions have been considered. Two fundamental parameters have been modified in the samples: The total solids content and the polyelectrolyte addition. Sludge with 3 and 5% of total solids have been investigated, with or without polyelectrolyte using also microscope analysis to understand the effect of polyelectrolyte on the sludge. Results: As expected, it was noticed that sludge viscosity grows up increasing the total solids content and with the presence of polyelectrolyte. The effect of polyelectrolyte is that of separating the liquid-phase from the solid-phase of the sludge giving a more space-heterogeneous suspension with higher viscosity and higher non-Newtonian behavior. Conclusion: This study proved that combining two different protocols of analysis can be useful to furnish important and complementary information on sludge rheology especially when some parameters change from sample to sample. Moreover, in order to have good and consistent results, it is necessary to use particular attention on samples pretreatments.
Creating Alignment in Employee Performance Management

The current study will identify actions for maximizing the effect of goal development and performance management system to enable enhanced employee performance and motivation. In addition, exceptional consideration is dedicated to the methodological challenges of employee performance management inherent and adopted throughout the years. Quantitative approach will be used to assess the external environment through a comprehensive literature and employee surveys review demonstrating employee evaluation methods. However, the unique characteristic of this research, in proportion to other research, is that data is gathered from primary source. The paper presents â€œReal Time Employee Evaluation and Bonus Systems. â€ This is a subject that has not been adequately explored within existing literature. It consists of a practical mechanism which demonstrates how a performance evaluation method is used by a leading Telecom Company in Kosovo (X Telecommunications). We will explore the possibilities and limitations of the performance employee evaluation.
The moderating effect of Islamic work ethics on the relationship between knowledge management capabilities and organizational performance at the private higher education institutions in Oman

Knowledge management capabilities are recognized as an important means for sustaining and improving organizational performance of the private higher education institutions. The evaluation of knowledge management infrastructure capabilities and knowledge management process capabilities has become important since it provides a reference for directing the private higher education institutions to enhance their organizational performance. The Islamic work ethics may have a moderating effect on the relationship between knowledge management infrastructure capabilities, knowledge management process capabilities and organizational performance. This paper provides an understanding of relationship between knowledge management infrastructure capabilities, knowledge management process capabilities, organizational performance and the Islamic work ethics. Additionally, it provides a new framework that helps the private higher education institutions to assess their knowledge management infrastructure capabilities, knowledge management process capabilities, organizational performance and the Islamic work ethics. The research findings showed that the level of knowledge management infrastructure and process capabilities at the private higher education institutions was high, and indicated that the knowledge management process capabilities had a positive significant causal effect relationship with organizational performance, however the research findings showed that the relationship between knowledge management infrastructure capabilities with organizational performance had a non-significant causal effect. Finally, the Islamic work ethics had a significant moderating effect on the relationship between knowledge management infrastructure and process capabilities and organizational performance.
Towards Rethinking Public–Private Partnership Implementation: Insights from the Nigerian Context

Abstract Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) continue to gain increased attention from the Nigerian government. However, since PPP adoption in the country not all have attained expected outcomes. The purpose of this chapter is to explore PPP implementation practices and implications on contractual expectations of partner organizations. A qualitative approach using data collected from 23 semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders involved in a Road Partnership and in a Transport Partnership in Nigeria was employed. Documentary evidence was also collected. The institutional nature of the PPP environment; bureaucratic practices in government institutions; disruptive actions of external actors and ineffective mitigation of project risks were main challenges faced in the implementation of the Road and Transport Partnerships. This study is based on the opinions and experiences of key stakeholders on PPP implementation practices in Nigeria, and this is most appropriate to elicit data richness. Partner organizations involved in infrastructure PPPs have the obligation to ensure that they are effectively implemented. If partnerships are poorly implemented, there is no reason to expect that the partnership objectives will be achieved, and this is likely to have a negative impact on the collaborative nature of partnership working in fulfilling the contractual obligations. This study is imperative to provide an understanding of challenges inherent in achieving partnership implementation goals in a developing economy. Findings will inform practices within the PPP policy area in the Nigerian context.
Crater Detection Using a New Circle Detection Method

A new circle detection algorithm based on the gradient of the intensity image is p roposed. The method relies on two conditions. The “gradient angle compatibility condition” constraints the gradient of a given percentage of the pixels belonging to some digital circles of radius in the range of radii to e ect to point towards the centre of the circle or in the opposite direction. The “curvature compatibility condition ” constrains the variation of the gradient angle of the same pixels in a range depending on the radius of the circle. These two conditions are sufficient to detect the core of circular shapes. The best fitting circ le is then identified. The method is applied to artificial and reference images and compared to two state-of-th -art methods. It is also applied to water-filled crater detection in Cambodia: these craters which might indica te the presence of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) dating from the US bombing produce dark circles on sa tellite panchromatic images.
Optimizing ODMRP for underwater networks

Underwater networks have attracted significant attention over the last few years. They can be used in scenarios like environmental monitoring and mine countermeasure but may also be part of modern marine warfare. A prominent example is Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) with multistatic sonars. These networks may be sparse with potentially long distances between single nodes such that direct communication is not always possible. Furthermore, long propagation delays and shadowzones have a negative impact on the communication channel. A solution to overcome these challenges is to realize a multi-hop network by using ad-hoc routing. A well known protocol from terrestrial networks is the On-Demand Multicast Routing-Protocol (ODMRP). In this paper, we present an optimization for ODMRP, named Route-Discovery-Suppression, to improve its performance for the deployment in underwater networks. We evaluate the performance through simulations in different scenarios and show its impact in comparison to other routing protocols.
Germination Phenological Response Identifies Flora Risk to Climate Change

Climate change is prevalent across the world and can have large influence on plant regeneration, recruitment, survival and diversity. Regeneration and recruitment are the key phases in the plant life cycle and these two aspects are related to survival, adaptation and distribution of species. This study thus aims to explore the effect of projected climate change on germination and establishment response of some timber tree species from the tropical/subtropical broad leaf forests of Nepal. Germination experiments were carried out under three different temperature regimes (20, 25 and 30 °C) and germination parameters identified from the experimental component were calibrated in the mechanistic model Tree and Climate Assessment—Germination and Establishment Module (TACA-GEM) that helped in identifying species vulnerability to climate change. The model outcome under varied climatic conditions helped in determining the species risk to projected climatic conditions. The model demonstrates that the studied species were able to increase germination under the projected climate change however, establishment consistently failed for most of the species across the hot tropical sites. This finding indicates that spatial vulnerability may limit recruitment in the future. The species-specific responses suggest that, in general, all three species (Alnus nepalensis, Adina cordifolia, and Bombax ceiba) exhibited enhanced germination and establishment in moderately warm and colder sites, indicating that these species may more likely shift their range towards the north in future. Thus, the general species response exhibited in this study may aid in regional climate change adaptation planning in the sector of forest conservation and management.
Quadrotor helicopter Attitude Control using cascade PID

A quadrotor helicopter control system using cascade PID is designed in this paper. Aim at dealing with the data drift and mutation caused by quadrotor badly vibration. Kalman filter combines with Moving-average is used to filter out these noise. The quaternion method is applied to calculate the attitude. The real time attitude adjustment is controlled by cascade PID control, which inner loop uses PID control of angular velocity and outer loop uses PI control of angle. Experiment results show that, the filter combination improved the reliability of the accelerometer data. The cascade PID algorithm is efficient for attitude control which meet the response for real-time control in the perturbations condition.
Special Purpose Ammonia Frequency Standard a Feasibility Study

We have investigated the feasibility of a special purpose frequency standard based on microwave absorption in ammonia gas (N15H3). Such a device would potentially fill a need in certain communications and navigation applications for an oscillator which has medium stability, greater accuracy (~10-9) than that provided by crystal oscillators, but a cost significantly smaller than that of more sophisticated atomic frequency standards. A device was constructed using a stripline oscillator near 0.5 GHz whose multiplied output was frequency-locked to the absorption of the 3-3 line in N15H3 (~22.8 GHz). Output between 5 and 10 MHz was provided by direct division from the 0.5-GHz oscillator. Observed stability was 2 x 10-10 from 10 to 6000 s, and reproducibility (accuracy) is estimated to be ±2 x 10-9. The unique features of this device, which include 1) high-performance stripline oscillator, 2) digital servo techniques, 3) unique oscillator-cavity servo, 4) pressure shift compensation scheme, and 5) acceleration insensitivity, are discussed. Areas for further study are noted.