Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An optical transmission spectrum of the giant planet WASP-36 b

We present broad-band photometry of five transits in the planetary system WASP-36, totalling 17 high-precision light curves. Four of the transits were simultaneously observed in four passbands (g', r', i', z'), using the telescope-defocusing technique, and achieving scatters of less than 1 mmag per observation. We used these data to improve the measured orbital and physical properties of the system, and obtain an optical transmission spectrum of the planet. We measured a decreasing radius from bluer to redder passbands with a confidence level of more than 5 sigma. The radius variation is roughly 11 pressure scale heights between the g' and the z' bands. This is too strong to be Rayleigh scattering in the planetary atmosphere, and implies the presence of a species which absorbs strongly at bluer wavelengths.
The evolutionary origin and possible functional roles of FNIII domains in two Microbacterium aurum B8.A granular starch degrading enzymes, and in other carbohydrate acting enzymes

Abstract Fibronectin type III (FNIII) domains were first identified in the eukaryotic plasma protein fibronectin, where they act as structural spacers or enable protein-protein interactions. Recently we characterized two large and multi-domain amylases in Microbacterium aurum B8.A that both carry multiple FNIII and carbohydrate binding modules (CBMs). The role of (multiple) FNIII domains in such carbohydrate acting enzymes is currently unclear. Four hypothetical functions are considered here: a substrate surface disruption domain, a carbohydrate binding module, as a stable linker, or enabling protein-protein interactions. We performed a phylogenetic analysis of all FNIII domains identified in proteins listed in the CAZy database. These data clearly show that the FNIII domains in eukaryotic and archaeal CAZy proteins are of bacterial origin and also provides examples of interkingdom gene transfer from Bacteria to Archaea and Eucarya. FNIII domains occur in a wide variety of CAZy enzymes acting on many different substrates, suggesting that they have a non-specific role in these proteins. While CBM domains are mostly found at protein termini, FNIII domains are commonly located between other protein domains. FNIII domains in carbohydrate acting enzymes thus may function mainly as stable linkers to allow optimal positioning and/or flexibility of the catalytic domain and other domains, such as CBM.
Physical resource coordination in manufacturing systems

This paper focuses on the physical resource coordination problem for reconfigurable manufacturing systems. It establishes requirements for physical resource coordination to support highly reconfigurable manufacturing systems, and uses two illustrative examples to illustrate critical issues that must be considered. Finally, an approach to part of the physical resource coordination mechanism for reconfigurable systems is presented. Copyright © 2006 IFAC
Selective carbohydrate-lectin interactions in covalent graphene- and SWCNT-based molecular recognition systems

Two new protein recognition systems have been prepared by covalent functionalization of few-layer graphene and SWCNTs with α-D-mannosyl dendrons. A glycodendron, bearing three mannose moieties on the periphery for effective interaction with the lectin, and an azido group at the focal position, has been connected, by means of a “click” chemistry reaction, to both few-layer graphene and SWCNTs endowed with terminal ethynyl groups. The specific affinity of these systems for concanavalin A was thoroughly investigated by AFM, fluorescence and UV-Vis studies. A very reliable approach was used during the AFM investigation of this kind of hybrids; namely, we were able to capture the same object before and after treatment with ConA, which allowed us to obtain reliable conclusions, in terms of selectivity of the carbohydrate–lectin interactions over the nanocarbon platforms.
A Highly Quantitative Multi-Well Format Assay for Studying the Effect of Extracellular Matrix Mechanics on the Bacterial Infection of Endothelial Cells

Bacterial pathogens can cause systemic infections by disseminating from the initial focus of infection to distant organs through the blood vasculature. To colonize tissues from the bloodstream, many bacteria need to adhere to endothelial cells (ECs) that line the vessels’ inner lumen, invade them and then spread from cell to cell. ECs are highly mechanosensitive and respond to mechanical cues, including the stiffness of the matrix on which they adhere, by dynamically re-arranging their cytoskeleton, cell-cell adhesions, and adhesions to the extracellular matrix. We hypothesize that bacterial infection of ECs might also be affected by the mechanics of the host ECs, the latter being influenced by the stiffness of the matrix on which ECs reside. To test this hypothesis, we developed a novel multi-well format assay that allows assessing in a highly quantitative manner the differential effect of matrix stiffness on EC bacterial infection. We demonstrate that, using our assay, we can quantify infection efficiency through flow cytometry and microscopy, and also measure the effects of infection on EC mechanics through traction force microscopy. Our method allows for the analysis of the effect of tissue-relevant mechanics on EC infection, which is a critical step towards understanding the biomechanical interactions between ECs, their extracellular matrix and pathogenic bacteria.
The Influence of Passion towards Critical Thinking Disposition among Athletes in University

Passion is a real strength enabling individuals go to action and achieve great things. Many glories of discoveries and achievements were only reached due to enthusiasm and the perseverance that characterize passionate behavior. Critical thinking disposition is essential affective component of critical thinking skills that really beneficial in growth of cognitive knowledge. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of passion towards critical thinking disposition among athletes in higher education. The study employs a correlational research design by using survey procedures. A questionnaire composes passion items and critical thinking disposition items were used to collect the data. T- Test was employed to compute the mean in order to identify the significant differences on passion and critical thinking disposition construct between technical and social science fields. Results showed that there was only significant difference on passion in sport but not in critical thinking disposition construct. The multiple regression analysis indicated that harmonious passion weakly influenced critical thinking disposition (Adj. R Square= .052) and most of its subscales. Based on the findings, researcher concludes that harmonious passion towards sport has an impact on critical thinking disposition. More research is needed to concern on critical thinking development underlying harmonious passion among national athletes. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015. v6n2p569
Work-related stress in primary health care physicians and hospital physicians in Riyadh Military Hospital -

Background: Stress levels among healthcare professionals including doctors are high compared with the general working population. General practice appears to be one of the most stressful workplaces for health service employees. Objective: To examine whether primary health care (PHC) physicians have a higher level of work stress than hospital physicians and identify the work characteristics leading to stress among physicians. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional survey of 184 general practitioners and hospital physicians at Riyadh Military Hospital in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire based on the Reeder scale to measure psychological stress level and the Health and Safety Executive’s Stress Indicator Tool to explore the sources of work stress among workers was used. Data were collected over the first two weeks of May 2009. Statistical analysis used multiple linear regressions to determine predictors of work stress and work stress factors. Results: Hospital physicians reported higher Reeder scores than PHC physicians (3.28 vs 2.94, P = 0.001) and specifically in the relationships domain (1.31 vs 1.16, P = 0.004). Reeder and demand domain scores decreased with the increase in age while control and role domain scores increased with the increase in age. Gender and marital status had no statistically significant effect on stress level or work stress factors. Consultants had higher control scores compared to specialists (3.28 vs 2.97, P = 0.012). Reeder and demand scores were higher among current smokers compared with non-smokers. Being a hospital physician, younger age, married, or a smoker was predictive of work stress among physicians. The Reeder Score was a positive predictor of demand and relationship domains, and a negative predictor for the other domains, except for the domain of change, where it had no influence. Conclusion: Work stress is higher among hospital physicians compared with PHC physicians in Riyadh. Hospital physicians are subjected to higher workloads, conflicts, and unacceptable behavior at work. Actions to reduce work stress among hospital physicians are indicated in this workplace.
Biogeosciences Soil-atmosphere exchange of nitrous oxide , methane and carbon dioxide in a gradient of elevation in the coastal Brazilian Atlantic forest

Soils of tropical forests are important to the global budgets of greenhouse gases. The Brazilian Atlantic Forest is the second largest tropical moist forest area of South America, after the vast Amazonian domain. This study aimed to investigate the emissions of nitrous oxide (N 2O), carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH 4) fluxes along an altitudinal transect and the relation between these fluxes and other climatic, edaphic and biological variables (temperature, fine roots, litterfall, and soil moisture). Annual means of N2O flux were 3.9 ( ± 0.4), 1.0 (± 0.1), and 0.9 ( ± 0.2) ng N cm−2 h−1 at altitudes 100, 400, and 1000 m, respectively. On an annual basis, soils consumed CH 4 at all altitudes with annual means of −1.0 (± 0.2),−1.8 (± 0.3), and −1.6 (± 0.1) mg m−2 d−1 at 100 m, 400 m and 1000 m, respectively. Estimated mean annual fluxes of CO 2 were 3.5, 3.6, and 3.4 μmol m−2 s−1 at altitudes 100, 400 and 1000 m, respectively. N2O fluxes were significantly influenced by soil moisture and temperature. Soil-atmosphere exchange of CH4 responded to changes in soil moisture. Carbon dioxide emissions were strongly influenced by soil temperature. While the temperature gradient observed at our sites is only an imperfect proxy for climatic warming, our results suggest that an increase in air and soil temperatures may result in increases in decomposition rates and gross inorganic nitrogen fluxes that could support consequent increases in soil N 2O and CO2 emissions and soil CH 4 consumption. Correspondence to: E. Sousa Neto (eraklito@gmail.com)
Evaluation of Hypolipidemic Activity of Ionidium Suffruticosum ( Ging . ) in Rats Fed with High Fat Diet

The present study was designed to investigate the hypolipidemic effect of different extracts from whole plant of Ionidium suffruticosum (Ging.) in rats fed with high fat diet. There was a noticed increase in the body weight in HFD fed group (p<0.001), which was reduced by the administration of methanolic extract of Ionidium suffruticosum (250mg/kg). The elevated levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C and VLDL-C were observed in rats fed with high fat diet (group II). After the treatment of methanolic extract of Ionidium suffruticosum (250mg/kg/day) showed a significant (p<0.001) decrement in body weight, plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, LDL-C and VLDL-C along with an increase in HDL-C when compared to HFD rats (group II). The similar result was not found in other two extract treatment groups. The methanolic extract of Ionidium suffruticosum could protect against atherosclerosis and decrease the atherogenic index than that of other extract treatment groups. Hypolipidemic activity of the methanolic extract of Ionidium suffruticosum in chronic hyperlipidemic rats validates it use traditionally as a part of folklore medicine in India, though there is no scientific evaluation to date. Keywords— high fat diet, hypolipidemia, rats, Ionidium suffruticosum.
Variational Bayesian Inference for Parametric and Nonparametric Regression With Missing Data

Bayesian hierarchical models are attractive structures for conducting regression analyses when the data are subject to missingness. However, the requisite probability calculus is challenging and Monte Carlo methods typically are employed. We develop an alternative approach based on deterministic variational Bayes approximations. Both parametric and nonparametric regression are considered. Attention is restricted to the more challenging case of missing predictor data. We demonstrate that variational Bayes can achieve good accuracy, but with considerably less computational overhead. The main ramification is fast approximate Bayesian inference in parametric and nonparametric regression models with missing data. Supplemental materials accompany the online version of this article.
Reliability analysis of flood defence structures and systems in Europe

In this paper the reliability analysis of flood defence systems and the probabilistic flood risk analysis approach are outlined. The application of probabilistic design methods offers the designer a way to unify the design of engineering structures, processes and management systems. For this reason there is a growing interest in the use of these methods in the design and safety analysis of flood defences and a separate task on this issue in the European FLOODsite project was defined. This paper describes the background of probabilistic analyses, uncertainties , and system analysis and how this has been dealt with under FLOODsite. Eventually, a case study at the German Bight has been used to illustrate the application of the tools and results are discussed here as well.
Cognitive Biases in Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders

In the scientific literature, a close relationship between cognitive biases and schizophre‐ nia disorder has been widely demonstrated. Cognitive biases would be a pattern of deviation in judgment, in which the inferences we make about other people and/or situations can be illogical. Throughout this chapter will be analyzed how some cognitive biases are greatly related and are involved in the onset, maintenance, relapse and recovery of this disorder. Specifically, we will discuss five biases [need for closure, overconfidence bias, bias against confirmatory evidence (BACE), bias against discon‐ firmatory evidence (BADE) and above all jumping to conclusions (JTC)] that have been extensively studied and shown in patients with schizophrenia, especially with delusions. In this chapter the importance of studying in depth these cognitive biases in schizophrenia in order to understand, reduce and avoid them will be seen. The reduction and avoidance of these biases will result in an improvement in symptoms of schizophrenia. Therefore, it will lead to a faster, effective recovery. Moreover, the patient with schizophrenia will have an active role in his recovery. As a result, nowadays we can find several behavioral cognitive therapies, which are working on the reduction and avoidance of these cognitive biases and are demonstrating their effectiveness.
UQLab: a framework for uncertainty quantification in MATLAB

Uncertainty quantification is a rapidly growing field in computer simulation-based scientific applications. The UQLAB project aims at the development of a MATLABbased software framework for uncertainty quantification. It is designed to encourage both academic researchers and field engineers to use and develop advanced and innovative algorithms for uncertainty quantification, possibly exploiting modern distributed computing facilities. Ease of use, extendibility and handling of non-intrusive stochastic methods are core elements of its development philosophy. The modular platform comprises a highly optimized core probabilistic modelling engine and a simple programming interface that provides unified access to heterogeneous high performance computing resources. Finally, it provides a content-management system that allows users to easily develop additional custom modules within the framework. In this contribution, we intend to demonstrate the features of the platform at its current development stage.
In some strange way , trouble is good for people . Posttraumatic growth following the Canterbury earthquake sequence

Posttraumatic growth has been documented after exposure to trauma in individuals with major depression, posttraumatic stress disorder and other anxiety disorders but has not been examined in individuals without these psychological conditions. The current study analysed interview data to explore whether posttraumatic growth was reported by psychologically healthy individuals affected by the Canterbury earthquakes. Transcripts from semi-structured interviews with 99 Canterbury residents with moderate-to-high earthquake exposure, without symptoms of psychological disorders, were examined using thematic and content analysis to identify reported aspects of posttraumatic growth. Three analysts coded emerging themes until theme saturation occurred. Differences in male and female participants’ endorsement of themes, including co-existing positive and negative outcomes, were included in subsequent content analysis. Posttraumatic growth was widely reported by both males and females. Relevant themes included improved relationships, feeling stronger in oneself, greater appreciation of life, and spiritual change. Another theme, a stronger sense of community, reflected a qualitatively novel aspect of posttraumatic growth, not reported in prior research. The prevalence of this theme may have been due to the shared nature of the earthquake sequence. Overall, participants reported positive appraisals of their circumstances, of others, and of themselves. Having a role to play appeared to contribute to important aspects of post-earthquake functioning, including taking action, coping, and making a contribution. Women, more than men, reported the positive strategies of self-care and connecting with others. The current study indicates that psychologically healthy individuals experience posttraumatic growth, suggesting that psychological dysfunction, or substantial or ongoing distress are not needed for posttraumatic growth to occur. This is contrary to existing theories of posttraumatic growth and suggests that current models of posttraumatic growth processes may be incomplete. Existing models may also be improved by considering the role played by psychological resilience by considering collective experiences such as a stronger
Summary of reviewed studies on self-concept and its components in deaf adolescents

Background and Aim: Adolescence is an extremely challenging and difficult age for individuals. Notably, adolescents with deafness face greater challenges as their communication skills and access to information, especially the information regarding their social world are limited. Moreover, stereotyped and biased attitudes lead them to focus more on their deafness than their own identities as teenagers. Therefore, in this article, we reviewed self-esteem and its components in the lives of adolescents with deafness. Recent Findings: According to our review of published articles, various factors might affect the development of self-esteem in adolescents with deafness, including parents’ choices about their children’s hearing device, choice of educational setting, mode of communication, the relationship of adolescents with deafness with their parents, having a supporting peer group, presence or absence of other disabilities, willingness to search for the etiology of their disease, and so on. Conclusion: Collecting information regarding self-identity, self-esteem, and psychosocial issues of adolescents with deafness should be included in their educational programs so that their mental health shaped appropriately and their transition from adolescence to adulthood facilitated and psychosocial issues prevented. The transition from adolescence to adulthood is more complex in deaf and hard of hearing people, and requires special attention.
Optimising extraction of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from benthic diatoms: comparison of the efficiency of six EPS extraction methods

There is no universal method that can be applied to extract bound extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from benthic diatoms of intertidal sediments without causing cell lysis. Six extraction methods were tested on a diatom culture of Navicula jeffreyi to establish the best compromise between high yields of carbohydrate extraction and minimum cell lysis. Extraction with distilled water provoked cell lysis (as already known). The five other extraction methods (dowex resin, artificial seawater of half salinity and extractions after pretreatment with gluteraldehyde by three methods: water, dowex water and dowex buffer) did not provoke cell lysis as shown by transmission electronic microscopy. This result was confirmed by the minimum release of internal compounds (protein, ATP) and by the low proportions of glucose in dowex-extracted EPS compared with the water-extracted EPS, from which the high glucose content must be inferred as contamination by the chrysolaminaran. The extraction with dowex resin resulted in the second-highest concentration of carbohydrate after the water extraction and the EPS were especially rich in deoxy sugars, hence increasing the hydrophobic feature of these substances. For these reasons, we recommend extraction with dowex, which is also the best method for extracting bound EPS from other biofilms such as in activated sludges.
Recognition of shared past sufferings, trust and improving intergroup attitudes in Belgium

This article examines the role of intergroup trust and recognition of past sufferings on intergroup attitudes. We conducted an experiment among Dutch-speaking students in which we manipulated the degree of importance that French-speakers gave to historical episodes of past victimizations in order to test its impact on the attitudes towards the French-speakers. Results show that intergroup attitudes were most favorable among the high-trusting Dutch-speaking participants when they were led to believe that the Frenchspeakers judged important the events where both communities were considered as victims, compared to the conditions where only French-speaking or only Dutch-speaking sufferings were considered important. This suggests some level of intergroup trust is a condition for
Evaluation of cuticular wax deposition, stomata and carbohydrate of wheat leaves for screening drought tolerance

Drought is a serious problem which affects physiological traits of cereal crops. This research was conducted to evaluate variation of morpho- physiological traits associated with drought tolerance in wheat genotypes to use in breeding program. Six wheat genotypes were planted in Completely Randomized Factorial Design arrangement with two irrigation levels; severe drought stress 20% Field capacity (FC) and control (80% FC). Results of morphological traits showed that tolerant genotype had significantly higher relative water content (RWC), epicuticular wax load (EWL), Leaf electrical conductivity (LEC), Total water soluble carbohydrate (WSC), Starch and stomata frequency in severe drought stress than sensitive genotype, but Leaf electrical conductivity (LEC) and stomata frequency in tolerant genotype were lower than sensitive genotype. In drought stress, starch content was lower than control condition. G4 had most sucrose and glucose content leaf, but its fructose content was lowest. Also breaks down sucrose into glucose and fructose, synthesis of WSC and starch and accumulation of EWL could be utilized as physiological markers for drought tolerance genotypes. Finally on the basis of morpho- physiological traits, G4 and G5 are drought tolerance and susceptible genotypes respectively.