Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Elucidating the enzymatic function of resuscitation promoting factor B, RpfB, from Mycobacterium tuberculosis

ELUCIDATING THE ENZYMATIC FUNCTION OF RESUSCITATION PROMOTING FACTOR B, RPFB, FROM MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS Jonathan Joseph Samson Advisor: University of Guelph, 2015 Professor A. J. Clarke The nature of the muralytic activity of resuscitation promoting factor B (RpfB) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis has been the subject of much debate. Whether this enzyme acts similarly to a lytic transglycosylase or glycoside hydrolase (GH) remained unknown until now. In order to investigate the activity of RpfB, a stable and active form of RpfB, containing only the catalytic domain (RpfBC), was obtained. The reaction products of RpfBC were analyzed by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry on an ion-trap mass spectrometer. Additionally, reactions in [O]H2O were performed and the products were analyzed using RP-HPLC and ESI-quadrupole time of flight MS. These assays show that RpfBC from M. tuberculosis functions like an endo-acting GH. Although GHs do not make good drug targets, RpfB’s distinction from the paralogs of M. tuberculosis does not exclude the possibility that they might be good targets and warrants further investigation.
A decentralized predictive maintenance system based on data mining concepts

In the last years we have assisted to several and deep changes in industrial manufacturing. Induced by the need of increasing efficiency, bigger flexibility, better quality and lower costs, it became more complex [1]. Enterprises had had the need to cope with market expectations, incorporating in their production philosophies new paradigms such as JITJust in time, MTOMake to order, Mass Customization, agile manufacturing or Lean Manufacturing, that allow them to satisfy markets with a big diversity of products and also big quantities, becoming therefore more competitive. All this complexity has caused big pressure under enterprises maintenance systems. Maintenance mission is to make equipment and facilities available when requested. Maintenance function, seen as a non value aggregator one, became more and more requested to contribute to cost reduction, based on bigger and consistent equipment reliability. This perspective is stressed when enterprises existing equipment has an advanced service life. It is expected a profusion of breakdowns at those scenarios and consequently a smaller usability of equipment driving to less productivity.
Nanostructured Thermoelectric Chalcogenides

Thermoelectric materials are outstanding to transform temperature differences directly and reversibly into electrical voltage. Exploiting waste heat recovery as a source of power generation could help towards energy sustainability. Recently, the SnSe semiconductor was identified, in single-crystal form, as a mid-temperature thermoelectric material with record high figure of merit, high power factor and surprisingly low thermal conductiv- ity. We describe the preparation of polycrystals of alloys of SnSe obtained by arc-melt-ing; a rapid synthesis that results in strongly nanostructured samples with low thermal conductivity, advantageous for thermoelectricity, approaching the amorphous limit, around 0.3–0.5 W/mK. An initial screening of novel samples Sn 1−x M x Se, by alloying with 3d and 4d transition metals such as M = Mn, Y, Ag, Mo, Cd or Au, provides for a means to optimize the power factor. M=Mo, Ag, with excellent values, are described in detail with characterization by x-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electronic and thermal transport measurements. Rietveld analysis of XRD data demonstrates near-perfect stoichiometries of the above-mentioned alloys. SEM analysis shows stacking of nanosized sheets, with large surfaces parallel to layered slabs. An apparatus was developed for the simultaneous measurement of the Seebeck coefficient and electric conductivity at elevated temperatures.
Photovoltaic performance of ZnO nanosheets solar cell sensitized with beta-substituted porphyrin

Publisher Statement: This article has been retracted at the request of the author as it is identical in the title and the technical content with another article submitted to Solar Energy with the following information, S. Suresh, A. Pandikumar, S. Murugesan, R. Ramaraj and Samuel Paul Raj Photovoltaic, performance of solid-state solar cells based on ZnO nanosheets sensitized with lowcost metal free organic dye, Solar Energy, Vol. 85 (2011), doi:10.1016/j.solener. 2011.04. 016.
Hepatic CYP Isoforms and Drug-Metabolizing Enzyme Activities in Broiler Chicks

Day-old chicks were raised for four - six weeks in pens using different bedding materials (wire, paper, corn cobs, hardwood, rice hulls, cedar, and pine) to determine if these beddings have any effect on hepatic drug metabolizing enzyme activities, cytochrome P450 isoforms, and the disposition of enrofloxacin, a drug previously approved for use in chickens. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms from the major P450 isoform families (1A, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 3A, and 4A) and their corresponding hepatic drug metabolizing enzyme activities were measured in subcellular fractions obtained from 4-and 5-week-old birds. Five week- old birds were treated with medicated water containing Baytril at 50 ppm enrofloxacin for five consecutive days and then withdrawn for two days prior to sacrifice. There were no significant differences in P450 - mediated reactions or levels of CYP isoforms between any of the different test groups. The marker residue for enrofloxacin was barely detectable in the marker tissue (breast muscle) of the treated birds. The major metabolites of enrofloxacin, namely, ciprofloxacin, desethylenyl-enrofloxacin, and desethylenyl ciprofloxacin, were detectable in extracts of liver homogenates of the treated birds. However, the levels were below the level of quantification.
Intrathecal Magnesium Sulfate as Analgesic and Anaesthetic Adjunct to Bupivacaine in Patients Undergoing Lower Extremity Orthopaedic Surgery

Background: Subarachnoid block is a popular mode of anesthesia for lower limb surgeries. Studies of Magnesium Sulfate (MgS04 ) as an adjuvant to intrathecal local anaesthetic are limited. The objective was to find out the analgesic and anaesthetic effect of intrathecal MgS04 added to bupivacaine for spinal anaesthesia in patients undergoing lower extremity orthopaedic surgery.Methods: Sixty ASA I or II adult patients undergoing lower extremity orthopaedic surgery were randomly allocated in a double blinded fashion into two groups of thirty each. Group A received 3.0 ml of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine with 0.15 ml of 50% MgSO4. Group B received 3.0 ml of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine with 0.15 ml of NS. Onset of sensory and motor block as well as time to attain highest level of sensory block were recorded. Duration of sensory and motor block along with duration of spinal anaesthesia were also assessed. Any adverse effects were noted and treated.Results: Duration of sensory and motor block along with duration of spinal anaesthesia were prolonged in patients of MgSO4 but were not statistically significant with p-value of 0.33, 0.23 and 0.68 respectively. Onset of anaesthesia, requirement of rescue analgesics, haemodynamic parameters and adverse effects were comparable between two groups.Conclusion: In patients undergoing lower extremity orthopaedic surgery the addition of 75mg of MgSO4 to intrathecal bupivacaine did not prolong the duration of sensory block, spinal anaesthesia nor decreased postoperative analgesic consumption without any additional side effects. Journal of Society of Anesthesiologists of NepalVol. 4, No. 2, 2017, Page: 74-80
Controlling Chaos in Dynamical Systems Described by Maps

The problem of suppressing chaotic behavior in dynamical systems is treated using a feedback control method with limited control effort. The proposed method is validated on archetypal systems described by maps, i.e. discrete-time difference equations. The method is also applicable to dynamical systems described by flows, i.e. by systems of ordinary differential equations. Results are presented for the one-dimensional logistic map and for a two-dimensional Lotka-Volterra map describing predator-prey population dynamics. It is shown that chaos can be suppressed and the system stabilized about a period-1 fixed point of the maps.
Building Assurance of Regulatory Compliance in Dynamic Service Oriented Systems

A system or a particular service is considered to be reliable and credible if we are able to prove its compliance with the defined requirements in a trusted way. In the beginning of this paper the concept and the methodology of continual compliance management in SOA systems introduced by MASTER FP7 research project are described. Then the author introduces her work on compliance assurance verification based on the case study in Hospital San Raffaele in Milan, Italy (HSR). The methodology and its technical realization are explained by examples of Key Assurance Indicator (KAI) and Key Security Indicators (KSIs) designed for two case studies based on the pilot implementation in the HSR. Author’s original contribution is the definition of compliance patterns in the form of assessment policies for the selected use cases.
Identification of Variations in the Climatic Conditions of the Lerma-Chapala-Santiago Watershed by Comparative Analysis of Time Series

The current study presents a method for automating the Koppen–Garcia climate classification using a GIS module. This method was then applied in a case study of the Lerma-Chapala-Santiago watershed to compare time series data on climate from 1960 to 1989, 1981 to 2010, and 1960 to 2010. The kappa statistic indicated that the climate classifications of the generated model had a perfect degree of agreement with those of a prior nonautomated study. The climate data from the period 1960 to 2010 were used to create a climate map for the watershed. Overall, the dominant climates were dry, semiarid, temperate, and semiwarm temperate with a summer rainfall pattern. A comparative analysis of climate behavior between 1960 and 1989 and between 1981 and 2010 showed changes in temperature and extreme temperatures over 13.6% and 9.9%, respectively, of the watershed; the presence or absence of mid-summer drought also changed over 0.8% of the watershed. The module developed herein can be used to classify climates across all of Mexico, and data of varying spatial resolution and coverage can be inputted to the module. Finally, this module can be used to automate the creation of climate maps or to update climate maps at diverse spatial-temporal scales.
Engineering students’ self-confidence in mathematics mapped onto Bandura’s self-efficacy

Abstract In the UK since the early 1990s, there has been widespread concern and extensive reporting about the difficulties encountered by engineering students with the mathematical elements of their university courses. Students’ lack of previously expected mathematical skills is of particular concern and has prompted the provision of mathematics support in many UK institutions. A related problem is students’ lack of self-confidence (or self-efficacy) in their mathematical capability, and this paper seeks to explore how this has arisen and how it affects students’ learning, and proposes suggestions for improvement. Interviews were conducted with final year engineering students at Harper Adams University College in 2009. These explored students’ experiences of and self-confidence in learning and using mathematics before and during university and what they anticipate in the future. The seven students interviewed exhibited a range of self-confidence and achievement and their responses about self-confidence and mathematics support were analysed. Despite their wide ranging backgrounds, all of the students achieved well in their first year university engineering mathematics modules, which naturally increased their self-confidence. Several students described how using the mathematics support provision had helped them with mathematics and improved their confidence. In addition to analysing the interview scripts thematically, Bandura’s model of self-efficacy (Bandura, 1997) was used as a conceptual framework with which the students’ accounts were cross-matched. Bandura’s model proposes four sources of self-efficacy (past achievement; comparison with others; what others tell you; feelings or physical states) and four mediating processes (cognitive; motivational; affective; selective processes). Additional sources of self-confidence outside of Bandura’s model were also described by the students, in particular working with peers, appropriate speed of teaching and small group sizes. The most important source of self-efficacy was found to be students’ past experience of success or failure, and all four of Bandura’s mediating processes were referred to by the students. There was no mention, however, of verbal persuasion, and it is argued that lecturers and support tutors might do more to develop students’ confidence through this means. Most importantly, students’ opportunities for success should be maximised, including careful provision of challenging tasks at the right level, in order to build students’ self-confidence in mathematics.
EXTENDED TIMOSHENKO BEAM FORMULA FOR CELLULAR CON- TRACTION FORCE CALCULATION

The inherent viscoelastic properties and low aspect ratio of micro-fabricated PDMS micropillars compromise the accuracy of these devices to measure the cellular contraction forces. In our previous work, these issues have been studied by finite element analysis. However, a more in-depth analytical formula is still lacking. In this paper, an extended viscoelastic Timoshenko beam formula was developed and validated by micro-beam bending tests. In addition a case study of the contraction force of cardiac myocytes was performed, and the formula showed excellent accuracy comparing to the traditional elastic Euler beam formula.
Information asymmetry around S&P 500 index changes

Purpose - – This study aims to explore information asymmetry (IA) (as measured by the adverse selection component of the bid-ask spread) around S&P 500 revisions. Design/methodology/approach - – The authors use adverse selection cost of trading measures to examine the effects of S&P 500 index composition changes on the trading environment from 2001 to 2010. Findings - – The authors find that the adverse selection cost of trading significantly decreases post-addition and increases post-deletion. However, the intraday price dynamics of additions to the index seem to be distinct from those of deletions from the index. The event period cumulative abnormal returns (CARs) for additions are significantly associated with the change in the adverse selection cost of trading. However, this association is non-significant for deletions. The CARs for deletion events are found to be significantly associated with the change in realized spreads. Realized spreads are a measure of revenue earned by liquidity providers in the market. Originality/value - – This study helps better understand the dynamics of two types of IA – one from a firm to investor and the other between investors – and presents evidence of the role of adverse selection in index changes. By doing so, it helps better understand the mechanism driving price formation post-addition to and deletion from an index.
Performance Evaluation for a Balanced Scorecard System by Group Decision Making with Fuzzy Assessments

This paper presents a performance evaluation process for Balanced Scorecard (BSC) systems by employing Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and multiple attribute decision making (MADM) approaches. The AHP under a group decision-making setting is used to determine the weights of performance measures in the evaluation, and then an MADM problem is solved to rank the evaluated subjects. The performance evaluation in the BSC system includes both quantitative and qualitative measures. The assessments of quantitative measures are the achievement degree of their targets, while the assessments of qualitative measures are to assign fuzzy numbers on a rating scale with descriptive labels. A performance balance factor is also suggested to adjust the scores obtained from the MADM approach to avoid paying bonus to unbalanced performance. The proposed approach is applied to evaluating the performance of sixteen business units within a company.
Toxicity and chemistry of the sea-surface microlayer in the North Sea using a cryopreserved larval bioassay

Samples of sea-surface microlayer (SMIC) and subsurface bulkwater were collected along a pollution gradient in the German Bight region of the North Sea in March 1990. Toxicity was assessed using cryopreserved veliger larvae of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas L. and the Manila clam Tapes philippinarurn Adams & Reeve. Water samples were analysed for copper, lead and organotins. The results indicate that toxicity and chemical concentrations are greater in the microlayer than in the subsurface waters and decline with increased distance offshore.
A New Eocene Free-Living Cheyletid Mite from Baltic Amber

A new species of predaceous mite, Cheletomimus (Hemicheyletia) crinitus sp. nov. (Acariformes: Cheyletidae), is described from Eocene Baltic amber based on a fossil female. Among species of the genus, it belongs to the C. (H.) wellsi species group (16 extant species) and differs from the closely morphologically related species, C. greenwoodi by the following features. In C. crinitus sp. nov., setae d2 are situated on the hysteronotal shield (vs. off this shield in C. greenwoodi), the propodonotal and hysteronotal shields each bear five pairs of median setae (vs. 3 and 1 pairs of median setae, respectively), setae h1 and h2 are subequal in width to other lateral hysteronotal setae (vs. half the width of other hysteronotal setae).
Venezuela's Social-Based Democratic Model: Innovations and Limitations

Abstract Under the Chávez government, the incorporation and participation of popular sectors, which is the essence of ‘social-based democracy’, has been quantitatively and qualitatively different from socialist government and welfare-state strategies of the past. Venezuela's social-based democracy focuses on education, job skills, ideology, transformation of values and empowerment, achievements which Chavista leaders consider to be imperatives for socialist development. However, Chavista social programmes have been undermined by institutional weakness, are sometimes not cost-effective, and are politicised. Conflicting views among the Chavistas on the role of the state hinge on the issue of whether initiatives from above in favour of social-based democracy represent a viable strategy for far-reaching change. The Venezuelan government's changing priorities after 2007 have detracted from the primacy of social programmes. Spanish abstract Bajo el gobierno de Chávez, la incorporación y participación de los sectores populares, que es la esencia de la social-based democracy (la democracia que prioriza lo social), ha sido cuantitativa y cualitativamente diferente a las estrategias de los gobiernos socialistas o estados de bienestar social del pasado. La social-based democracy de Venezuela se centra en la educación, las habilidades en el trabajo, la ideología, la transformación de valores y el empoderamiento, logros que los dirigentes chavistas consideran como imperativos para un desarrollo socialista. Sin embargo, los programas sociales chavistas se han ido erosionando por debilidades institucionales, altos costos en comparación con sus logros, y politización. Los puntos de vista opuestos que se encuentran entre chavistas sobre el papel del estado tienen que ver con que si las iniciativas desde arriba a favor de la democracia social representan una estrategia viable para transformaciones de largo aliento. El cambio de prioridades del gobierno venezolano desde 2007 lo ha ido distanciando de la primacía de los programas sociales. Portuguese abstract Sob o governo Chávez, a incorporação e participação de setores populares, o que é a essência da social-based democracy (a democracia que prioriza a dimensão social) tem sido diferente das estratégias dos governos socialistas e dos estados de bem-estar social do passado em termos quantitativos e qualitativos. A social-based democracy venezuelana concentra-se em educação, capacitação profissional, ideologia, transformação de valores e empodeiramento, realizações que os líderes chavistas consideram imperativas para o desenvolvimento socialista. Entretanto, programas chavistas tem sido debilitados por fraquezas institucionais, e podem ter um custo-benefício duvidoso e são politizados. Visões conflitantes entre chavistas acerca do papel do estado estão relacionadas à questão de iniciativas partidas ‘de cima’ para favorecer a democracia social, se essas podem representar uma estratégia viável para alcançar mudanças profundas. A alteração de prioridades do governo venezuelano após 2007 diminuiu a primazia dos programas sociais.
Parental mediation, cyber victimization, adjustment difficulties, and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder

Parental mediation of technology use is proposed to protect against the risk of cyber victimization and the associated negative consequences. Although the buffering effects of parental mediation of technology use are currently being investigated, little attention has focused on whether parental mediation protects against the depression, anxiety, and loneliness associated with cyber victimization among adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. The present study focused on this gap in the literature by investigating the buffering effect of parental mediation on the associations between cyber victimization and depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Participants were 128 6 th through 8 th graders from the Midwestern United States (ages range from 11-16 years old; 89% male), and they completed questionnaires on their perceptions of parental mediation of technology use, cyber victimization, face-to-face victimization, depression, loneliness, and anxiety. After controlling for face-to-face victimization, the findings revealed that high levels of perceived parental technology mediation made the relationship between cyber victimization and depression more negative, while lower levels of perceived parental technology mediation made the association more positive. These patterns were not found for anxiety or loneliness.