Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Species difference in the expression of Fas and Fas ligand in mature mammalian spermatozoa

Li Y. , Sun M. , Zhu J., Jiao G. , Lin J., Dong H. , Tan J., Zhou J. (2017): Species difference in the expression of Fas and Fas ligand in mature mammalian spermatozoa. Czech J. Anim. Sci., 62, 519–526. Although it has been proposed that the Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) may protect ejaculated spermatozoa against apoptosis induced by lipoperoxidative damage and against lymphocytes present in the female genital tract, studies reported conflicting results on the presence of Fas receptors in ejaculated human spermatozoa. Furthermore, the expression of Fas/FasL on mature spermatozoa has not been observed in several important mammals. Using seven species, we observed the possibility for species difference in Fas/FasL expression on mature spermatozoa by both immunofluorescence microscopy and western blot analysis. Whereas intensive signals of Fas immunolabelling were detected in sperm head and middle piece and weak signals observed in the tail in 86–100% of the mouse, rat, bull, ram, and buck spermatozoa, only weak signals were detected on the whole body of 27% boar spermatozoa and in the head of 21% human spermatozoa. The pattern of FasL localization was identical to that of Fas in spermatozoa from human, mouse, rat, ram, and buck, but boar and bull spermatozoa showed weak and intensive FasL signals, respectively, only in the head. Western blotting further confirmed the Fas and FasL expression in mouse, rat, bull, ram, and buck, but not in human and boar spermatozoa. Taken together, the results revealed a marked species difference in Fas/FasL expression and an extensive co-expression of Fas and FasL among mature mammalian spermatozoa, suggesting that whereas spermatozoa from most species may be protected by Fas/FasL, those from human and boar may not use the Fas system for protection.
Beyond Equilibrium: Revisiting Two-Sided Markets from an Agent-Based Modeling Perspective

Two-sided markets are an important aspect of today's economies. Yet, the attention they have received in economic theory is limited, mainly due to methodological constraints of conventional approaches: two-sided markets quickly lead to non-trivial dynamics that would require a computational approach, as analytical models quickly become intractable. One approach to this problem is to opt for models that operate on an aggregated level, abstracting from most of the (micro-level) causes of these non-trivial dynamics. Here we revisit a well known equilibrium model by Rochet and Tirole of two-sided markets that has taken this approach. Analyzing the model from an agent-based perspective, however, reveals several inconsistencies and implicit assumptions of the original model. This, together with the highly implausible assumptions that are required to make the model analytically tractable, limits its explanatory power significantly and motivates an alternative approach. The agent-based model we propose allows us to study the phenomenon of two-sided markets in a more realistic and adequate manner: Not only are we able to compare different decision making rules for the providers, we are also able to study situations with more than two providers. %We find that Thus, our model represents a first step towards a more realistic and policy-relevant study of two-sided markets.
On the strong solution of a class of partial differential equations that arise in the pricing of mortgage backed securities

We consider a reduced form pricing model for mortgage backed securities, formulated as a non-linear partial differential equation. We prove that the model possesses a weak solution. We then show that under additional regularity assumptions on the initial data, we also have a mild solution. This mild solution is shown to be a strong solution via further regularity arguments. We also numerically solve the reduced model via a Fourier spectral method. Lastly, we compare our numerical solution to real market data. We observe interestingly that the reduced model captures a number of recent market trends in this data, that have escaped previous models.
An Adaptive Buffer Tuning Mechanism for striped transport layer connection on multi-homed mobile host

Recent advancements in wireless networks have enabled support for mobile applications to transfer data over heterogeneous wireless paths in parallel using data striping technique [2]. Traditionally, high performance data transfer requires tuning of multiple TCP sockets, at sender's end, based on bandwidth delay product (BDP). Moreover, traditional techniques like Automatic TCP Buffer Tuning (ATBT), which balance memory and fulfill network demand, is designed for wired infrastructure assuming single flow on a single socket. Hence, in this paper we propose a buffer tuning technique at senders end designed to ensure high performance data transfer by striping data at transport layer across heterogeneous wireless paths. Our mechanism has the capability to become a resource management system for transport layer connections running on multi-homed mobile host supporting features for wireless link i.e. mobility, bandwidth fluctuations, link level losses. We show that our proposed mechanism performs better than ATBT, in efficiently utilizing memory and achieving aggregate throughput.
DEVELOPMENT OF PRIMARY CELL CULTURE FROM TAIL EPIDERMAL TISSUE OF KOI CARP (Cyprinus carpio koi)

Primary cell culture from tail epidermal tissue of koi carp ( Cyprinus carpio koi ) was developed. Cells were grown in Leibovits-15 medium supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum and antibiotics (Penicillin/Streptomycin and Kanamycin). Cell growth was observed in a range of incubation temperature (17oC±2oC, 22oC±2oC, 27oC±2oC, and 32oC±2oC) in order to determine the optimum temperature. The cells were able to grow at a range of temperature between 17oC to 32oC with optimal growth at 22oC. Primary cells infected with koi herpes virus produced typical cytopathic effects characterized by severe vacuolation and deformation of nuclei, which is consistent with those of previous reports. Artificial injection experiment by using supernatant koi herpes virus SKBM-1 isolate revealed that it could cause 90% mortality in infected fish within two weeks. PCR test with Sph I-5 specific primers carried out with DNA template from supernatant virus, pellet cell, and gills of infected fish showed positive results in all samples (molecular weight of DNA target 290 bp). The cells were found to be susceptible to koi herpes virus and can be used for virus propagation.
Targeted random sampling for time-invariant reliability analysis

The Targeted Random Sampling (TRS) method is extended to moderate-to-high dimensional time invariant reliability analysis. TRS is an adaptive sampling method rooted in stratified sampling variance reduction technique and represents a specific algorithm for Refined Stratified Sampling. In this work, a Markov Chain is used to sample the space densely in the vicinity of the limit stat and multi-dimensional stratum division is proposed along with a neural network based approximation of the performance function. The method is shown to perform efficiently and accurately for estimation of probability of failure for a 20 dimensional problem. In a probabilistic reliability analysis, the uncertainties associated with the external loading, structural and material properties are quantified in terms of a n−dimensional random vector X with joint probability density function (pdf) pX(x). In general, the components of the random vector are taken to be mutually correlated and non-Gaussian.When random fields or random process models are used, it is typically assumed that these can be adequately represented in terms of random variables through a suitable discretization scheme (Ghanem and Spanos (1991); Shinozuka and Deodatis (1991); Sudret and Der Kiureghian (2000)). Defining a function g(X) that serves as a metric for structural performance such that g(X) < 0 represents unsatisfactory performance of the structure under consideration and g(X) = 0 is referred to as the limit surface separating the “safe" and “failure" domains, the probability of failure of the structural system with respect to g(X) is defined as
Theoretical and experimental studies of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) egg buoyancy within a metapopulation framework

5 INTRODUCTION 7 Motivation and study objectives 9 Summary of papers 10 GENERAL DISCUSSION 13 Egg buoyancy 13 Definition, determinant, and variability 13 Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) 15 Buoyancy-related egg vertical distribution 15 Maternal effects on egg viability 17 Spatial population structure in a metapopulation context 19 FUTURE PERSPECTIVES 22 CITED LITERATURE 23
HOW DO TURKISH BANKS CONSTRUCT THEIR IDENTITIES: A THEMATIC ANALYSIS

Based on institutional theory, this research studies the role of corporate social responsibility in organizational identity construction and online communication. The textual data analysis software Diction 7.0 and Concordance 3.3 is utilized to understand organizational identity construction by examining corporate websites of Turkey’s eight largest banks. Study results revealed that banks construct their identities by utilizing a similar set of themes. Interestingly, the themes mainly communicated on the websites of the eight banks studies do not necessarily include economic outputs such as core banking functions or superiority, but the banks tend to heavily communicate their non-economic agendas such as sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
Dissemination of Word of Mouth Based on SNA Centrality Modeling and Power of Actors - An Empirical Analysis of Internet Word of Mouth

Combined with social network analysis (SNA), the actors’ dissemination net of word of mouth is analyzed, and the network of "concern" and "being concerned" is described. With index of centrality measure, three aspects of the actors in the word-of-mouth network are discussed in terms of the degree centrality, betweenness centrality, closeness centrality. The dimensions of the power of actors are divided, and the sample data of word-of-mouth spreading is analyzed with hierarchical clustering. Finally some conclusions and marketing implications are put forward.
STATUS OF SERUM FREE FATTY ACID (FFA) LEVEL IN OBESE PERSON AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH DM TYPE -II

Obesity is associated with DM Type-II. The major basis for the association between these two is the ability of obesity to engender insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a fundamental aspect of etiology of DM Type -II. Insulin resistance is increased by different factors but FFA is the most common factor to increase insulin res istance. The hallmarks are abdominal obesity, increased insulin resistance and decreased glucose tolerance. Most of the obese people (80%) are DM Type-II but all obese are not diabetic, why? Aim of this study was to studied the FFA level in obese without DM Type-II verses obese with DM Type-II subjects. Subjects were taken from OPD & IPD, Department of Medicine, SRMS, IMS Bareilly (U.P.) India, of both sexes, coming from reasonable distances around Bareilly city. They were from lower and middle class of rural area having moderate physical activities, with vegetarian as well as non -vegetarian dietary habits and were obese as per new Asian BMI guide lines and have symptoms of diabetes. Subjects were not on any drug treatment before taken blood sample. Serum FFA level estimated by ELISA method and Blood sugar was estimated by GOD-POD method. FFA level in obese without DM Type-II verses Obese with DM Type-II were either normal or below normal so we concluded that FFA level was not so much related with insulin r esistance in this study group.
On a generalization of condition (PWP)

There is a flatness property of acts over monoids called Condition (PWP ) which, so far, has received much attention. In this paper, we introduce Condition GP-(P ), which is a generalization of Condition (PWP ). Firstly, some characterizations of monoids by Condition GP(P ) of their (cyclic, Rees factor) acts are given, and many known results are generalized. Moreover, some possible conditions on monoids that describe when their diagonal acts satisfy Condition GP-(P ) are found. Finally, using some new types of epimorphisms, an alternative description of Condition GP-(P ) (resp., Condition (PWP )) is obtained, and directed colimits of these new epimorphisms are investigated.
Improving provision of effective psychological care for LGB persons: client perceptions of diversity competences of clinical psychologists and psychotherapists

While clinicians are becoming increasingly aware of the need to be competent in terms of cultural and individual diversity, European professional associations have made little progress in establishing guidelines and standards of care, practice and training - contrary to their North American counterparts. The purpose of the present paper is to contribute to the recognition of clinician diver- sity competences as viewed by LGB clients. It further aims to describe the percep- tions that these clients have of these competences, in terms of their dimensions, illustrations, and their presence/absence in actual clinical practice. The present study utilizes a qualitative methodological approach, involving the use of 3 focus groups with 15 LGB persons. A focus group plan was developed and focus groups were conducted in a non-clinical setting, after recruitment through LGBT associa- tions. Content analysis was conducted on the transcripts of the focus groups. Re- sults included similar proportions of units of analysis in the dimensions of aware- ness (31%), knowledge (37%) and skills (32%). Clinician LGB awareness, however, was evaluated as more central in relation to the other two dimensions; and, overall, perceptions of competences actually present in clinical practice only made up 6% of units of analysis. The results argue for the foundational role of clinicians' LGB di- versity competences when working with sexually diverse individuals.
A Perspective on Conflict and Performance of International Construction Projects

Conflict is unavoidable in any construction project and may influence its performance. International construction projects involve people from different backgrounds, professions, and ethnic groups. This milieu may become a trigger for sever conflict. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the influence of conflict on the performance of international construction projects. Conflict and project performance were measured using several variables synthesized from the relevant literature. Conflict variables were categorized into two types: internal and external conflicts. Subsequently, a questionnaire survey was developed and sent to individuals working in Malaysian contractor companies, who have experience in overseas projects. All together, 161 questionnaires were collected. Data analysis using linear regression indicated the influence of four variables of the internal conflict on project performance. It is evident that the external conflict may not be significant in the context of international construction project. Thus, it is important to pay greater attention to the internal-related variables of conflict to enhance project performance.
Line of Sight(LoS) Probability Prediction for Satellite and HAPs Communication in Trabzon, Turkey

The knowledge of Line of Sight (LoS) probability is curicial to estimate signal attenuation correctly in mobile wireless communication. Especially in built-up areas, more accurate LoS probability determination helps to obtain more realistic propagation models or path loss models. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and City Information Systems (CIS) are used to provide a necessary data to calculate the LoS probability. In this study, LoS analyzes are made via Arcgis software for the most well-known streets in Trabzon, Turkey. For these analyzes, the Earth''s surface is accepted as flat and a simple geometrical approach is used for calculations in this paper. A Matlab algorithm was created to calculate LoS probability depending on the elevation angle which is an important parameter for satellite services. LoS probability vs. elevation angle is presented for interested streets. As a result, LoS probability for Trabzon dependent elevation angle is estimated and presented.
THE RELATION BETWEEN CLINICAL, EPILEPTIFORM DISCHARGES, AND NEUROMETABOLIC DYSFUNCTION IN TEMPORAL LOBE EPILEPSY

Background: Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most frequent cause of focal and refractory seizures. Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) is a potentially useful tool in the investigation of brain metabolites in TLE. Objective: to clarify the role of MRS in the TLE epilepsy and to evaluate the relationship between the results of MRS, Electroencephalography (EEG), and the clinical data of TLE patients with negative Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI). Patients & Methods: Thirty patients with TLE and negative MRI were investigated by EEG, MRS and neuropsychological tests that assessed memory function of temporal lobe. By using temporal metabolite identified on MRS, we could detect metabolic disturbance that occur in TLE and tried to lateralize epileptic focus. We correlated MRS results with, EEG results, and the patient's scores on memory function tests. Twenty age-matched volunteers were used as control subjects. Result(s): Ipsilateral temporal N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA)/ Creatine+Choline (Cr+Cho) and NAA/Cr ratios of the patients were significantly reduced compared with the mean ratios of contralateral hippocampus (p <0.001) and control subjects (p <0.001). EEG could detect epileptic focus in 17 (56.7%) patients, while MRS could detect epileptic focus in 27 (90%) patients and could lateralize about 76.9% of patients with bitemporal interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs). Significant negative correlation between ipsilateral temporal NAA/Cr+Cho, NAA/Cr ratios and ipsilateral IEDs ratio (p < 0.05). Left temporal NAA/Cr ratio correlated significantly with patient's scores on Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) (p< 0.05) and right temporal NAA/Cr ratio correlated significantly with patient's scores on Rey Complex Figure Test (RCFT) (p < 0.05). Conclusion(s): These findings suggested that the temporal metabolite ratios identified on MRS could lateralize epileptic focus in TLE patients and they are closely related to the temporal IEDs and the cognitive function of temporal lobe. Key Words: temporal lobe epilepsy, Magnetic resonance spectroscopy, EEG, memory.
Work Participation and Income Generation from Sericulture: A Case Study of Alomtola Village of Kaliachak-II Block in Malda District, West Bengal

Livelihood generation is one of the major potentials of sericulture and silk industry. Sericulture with its high employment potentiality and more income generation in the households itself has been identified as one of the major sources of rural development by empowering women through the financial self-dependent. Men and women have been contributing in all the stages starting from on-farm activities such as Mulberry plantation, indoor rearing of silk worm, feeding the silk worm, processing the cocoons etc. to off-farm activities. This takes one to inspect the proportion of labour in the total labour absorption in the process of sericulture operation to maintain the balance between input and output. Present study has investigated the rate of work participation between men and women in different age groups and earning from sericulture as a livelihood in the Alomtola village of Kaliachak-II Block of Malda District. A structured schedule was designed based on existing literature and used as an instrument for data collection. Collected data had been analysed using standard statistical methods and final conclusion was drawn based on it. Over all work participation rate in sericulture by male workers is 76.15% while the female workers is 84.51%. Exceptionally the difference between male and female participation in the age group bellow 14 years is higher (26.22%) than the any other age groups. But the difference in participation rate between male and female is below 20 in all the age group of 14-19, 19-30 and above 30 years. In case of income generation from sericulture production, most of the households earn 5,000- 15,000 in a particular season leading to an annual income of 20,000 to 60,000.
APPLICATION OF DISCRIMINANT SCORE I~ LOG R METHOD FOR PREDICTION OF ORGANIC RICHNESS AT NEGELAH WELL, COASTAL MEDITERRANEAN ZONE, WESTERN DESERT EGYPT

استخدمت التسجيلات الجيوفيزيائية للآبار ممثلة بالقياسات الصوتية - المقاومة الكهربائية ودرجات الحرارة وذلك في إطار تكاملي لتحديد مستوى المحتوى العضوي لسماكات الطين المنتشرة في كل ‏من عصرى الآلبيان / الآتبيان في بئر النجيلة الواقع على الساحل الشمالي الغربي للصحراء الغربية - مصر . وقد استخدمت أولا معادلات تحديد معامل التمييز (D) وكذا قيم الفرق اللوغارتمي للمقاومة (logR ∆‏) وذلك لتحديا مدى التطابق والاختلاف بينهما كطريقتين مستحدثين في عدم وجود نتائج تحليل معملية للعينات البئرية . وقد أعطت هذه الدراسة توافق في النتائج تتمثل في أن جيع قيم معامل التمييز (D) تقع في النطاق السالب مما يعنى عدم تمتع نوعيات الصخور الطينية بمواصفات صخور الأم من حيث المحتوى العضوي وقد أيدت هذه النتائج كلية بما تم الحصول عليه باستخدام طريقة الفرق اللوغارتمي للمقاومة الكهربائية . وبنا، على ذلك فإنه يمكن استخدام هاتين الطريقتين بشكل تكاملي لاعطا، أفضل النتائج في حالة غياب العينات البئرية .
Sensitivity of the BFAST algorithm to MODIS satellite and vegetation index

The Breaks for Additive Seasonal and Trend (BFAST) algorithm combines the additive decomposition of time series with abrupt change detection. It potentially allows for the effective use of the temporal detail available in satellite image time series for examining vegetation response patterns across regional extents, accounting for variation at the seasonal scale while detecting changes in the long term trends. While BFAST has been validated using NDVI time series (Verbesselt et al. 2010a), its sensitivity to different parameters and input data has not yet been assessed. Understanding the effects of the data source and type and the variation of the algorithm's user-defined parameters on the timing and number of abrupt changes it detects will allow it to be used more effectively. This study aims to assess the effects of the satellite used for data collection, the vegetation index (EVI or NDVI) and varying the value of a BFAST argument called the h parameter, which controls the potential number of trend breaks detected, on abrupt change detection for a study area in the Paroo region of north-western New South Wales, Australia. Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) EVI and NDVI time series were decomposed for 165 sample points chosen to include a range of land cover types in the study region. The effect of the MODIS satellite (Aqua or Terra) used to collect data was assessed by comparing the number of breaks detected and their timing between time series derived from each satellite. The effect of changing the h parameter was assessed by comparing the similarity in the length of time periods with a significant trend component slope between different values of h (1/3, 1/5 and 1/7). The timing of detected breaks was affected by the satellite used to collect data, despite the visual similarity of Aqua and Terra time series. Greater certainty in the timing of breaks was achieved when using smaller values for the h parameter. Of the three factors tested, the vegetation index had the greatest impact on the timing and number of breaks in the long term trend detected by BFAST. The effect of the vegetation index was dependent upon the h parameter used, and the effects of both the h parameter and the satellite varied between EVI and NDVI. These results suggest a moderate sensitivity of the BFAST algorithm to all three of these factors, and also an interaction between them. This should be taken into consideration when using BFAST for long term vegetation change detection.