Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Job Analysis on Personnel Innovation Anas

The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which Syrian Organizations incorporate job analysis in its Human Resource Management scheme, and the extent to which the incorporation of job analysis influences personnel utilization, and finding out barriers of major gaps in HR practices in Syrian organizations. Interviews conducted with HR managers of the top companies of Syria. The results summarizing that job analysis, a vital human resource management practice has a direct impact on employee job performance and its outcomes.Most HR managers agree that applying JA would increase the ROI on employees. Furthermore, proper training for each position based on deep analysis will increase the employee'sproductivity
Evaluation of Machine Learning Fameworks on Finis Terrae II

Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) are two technologies used to extract representations of the data for a specific purpose. ML algorithms take a set of data as input to generate one or several predictions. To define the final version of one model, usually there is an initial step devoted to train the algorithm (get the right final values of the parameters of the model). There are several techniques, from supervised learning to reinforcement learning, which have different requirements. On the market, there are some frameworks or APIs that reduce the effort for designing a new ML model. In this report, using the benchmark DLBENCH, we will analyse the performance and the execution modes of some well-known ML frameworks on the Finis Terrae II supercomputer when supervised learning is used. The report will show that placement of data and allocated hardware can have a large influence on the final timeto-solution.
High-quality spatial climate data sets for the United States and beyond

A number of peer-reviewed, spatial climate data sets of excellent quality and detail for the United States are now available. The data sets are suitable for a variety of modeling, analysis, and decision-making activities. These products are the result of collaboration between Oregon State University's Spatial Climate Analysis Service and USDA NRCS, NOAA Office of Global Programs, NOAA National Climatic Data Center, NASA, Environment Canada, and other agencies. The development of these high-quality maps was made possible through the development and use of PRISM, a knowledge-based climate analysis system that uses point climate data, a digital elevation model, and other spatial data sets to generate gridded, GIS-compatible estimates of annual, monthly and event-based climatic elements. Mapped elements currently available for the United States include 1961-1990 mean monthly and annual precipitation, maximum and minimum temperature, dew point temperature, relative humidity, snowfall, heating and cooling degree days, growing degree days, median last spring and first fall frost dates, median freeze-free season length, and others. In addition, century-long gridded time series of monthly precipitation and minimum and maximum temperature for the lower 48 states will be available in 2001. Map products for other countries, including China and Canada, are nearing completion.
Variation of Postprandial Plasma Glucose, Palatability, and Symptoms Associated With a Standardized Mixed Test Meal Versus 75 g Oral Glucose

OBJECTIVE To compare within-subject variability of plasma glucose measured 2 h after a glucose tolerance test (GTT) with that of plasma glucose measured 2 h after administration of a standardized test meal (diabetes screening product [DSP], Ceapro, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) and to determine the relationship between the two sets of plasma glucose measurements. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Plasma glucose and insulin responses of 36 overnight-fasted subjects (10 lean normal, 9 obese normal, 9 with impaired glucose tolerance [IGT], and 8 with mild diabetes) were studied on eight different mornings after they consumed 75 g oral glucose or 50 g carbohydrate from the DSP. Each test meal was repeated four times by each subject. Within-subject coefficients of variation (CVs) (CV = 100 × SD/mean) of plasma glucose concentrations 2 h after administration of the GTT and DSP were compared by repeated measures ANOVA and linear regression analysis. RESULTS Mean plasma glucose 2 h after administration of the DSP (D) was linearly related to that 2 h after the GTT (G): G = 1.5 × D − 1.6 (r = 0.97, P < 0.0001). The CV of 2-h plasma glucose was significantly lower after administration of the DSP, 10.5 ± 1.0%, than after the GTT, 12.7 ± 1.18% (P = 0.025). The effect of test meal on CV differed in different groups of subjects (P = 0.018), with the largest difference found in IGT subjects, in whom the CV after DSP administration was 47% < after the GTT (P = 0.0005). The DSP was significantly more palatable and produced fewer adverse symptoms than the GTT. CONCLUSIONS Plasma glucose concentrations measured 2 h after DSP administration are closely related to those measured 2 h after the GTT but are more consistent than the 2-h post-GTT concentrations within the critical IGT range. This finding suggests that measurement of plasma glucose 2 h after administration of the DSP may allow more precise discrimination among normal glucose levels, IGT, and diabetes than measurement of plasma glucose 2 h after the GTT.
Molecular engineering of Surfaces Using Self-Assembled Monolayers

The self-assembly of molecules into structurally organized monolayers (SAMs) uses the flexibility of organic chemistry and coordination chemistry to generate well-defined, synthetic surfaces with known molecular and macroscopic properties. The process of designing monolayers with a specified structure gives a high level of control over the molecular-level composition in the direction perpendicular to a surface; soft lithographic technique gives useful (if lower) resolution in the plane of the surface. Alkanethiolates adsorbed on gold, silver, mercury, palladium and platinum are currently the best-defined systems of SAMs. They provide substrates for a number of applications-from studies of wetting and electron transport to patterns for growing mammalian cells. SAMs have made organic surfaces a central part of surface science. Understanding the principles by which they form, and connecting molecular-level structure with macroscopic properties, opens a wide range of areas to study and exploitation.
Recent innovations in protein separation on microchips by electrophoretic methods: An update

Lab‐on‐a‐chip electrophoresis is becoming increasingly useful for protein analysis, thanks to recent developments in this field. This review is an update of the review we published at the start of 2008 [Peng, Y. , Pallandre, A. , Tran, N. T. , Taverna, M. , Electrophoresis 2008, 29, 156–177]. The superiority of polymers for the manufacture of analytical microchips has been confirmed. This trend implies several modifications to the processes previously used with glass/silicon chips and requires a better understanding of the interfacial phenomena of these materials. Significant progress in chip‐based techniques for protein analysis has been made in the last 2 years. In addition to advances in traditional electrokinetic modes, counter‐flow gradient focusing techniques have emerged as useful methods not only for separation, but also for the online preconcentration of samples. This review, with more than 175 references, presents recent advances and novel strategies for EOF measurement, surface treatment, sample pretreatment, detection and innovations relating to the different modes of separation.
Plant BiP gene family: differential expression, stress induction and protective role against physiological stresses

Enquanto, em mamiferos e leveduras, a proteina Binding Protein (BiP) e representada por um unico gene, em diversas plantas, tais como milho, Arabidopsis, tabaco e soja, a BiP e codificada por uma familia multigenica. A analise e a caracterizacao sistematicas da expressao de BiP de soja tem revelado a existencia de multiplos mecanismos complexos de regulacao que controlam a expressao dos genes BiP de plantas. Consistente com essa observacao, tem-se demonstrado que a familia de BiP de soja exibe expressao orgao-especifica e regulacao diferencial em resposta a estresses fisiologicos mediante vias distintas de sinalizacao intracelular. Como um membro da familia Hsp70 de proteinas relacionadas com estresses, a elucidacao da funcao e regulacao de BiP de plantas, provavelmente, resultara no desenvolvimento de novas estrategias moleculares para obtencao de plantas tolerantes a condicoes de estresses do meio ambiente. Coerente com essa observacao, tem-se provado que a hiperexpressao de um gene BiP da soja em plantas transgenicas promove aumento de tolerância a agentes que causam estresses tipicos do reticulo endoplasmatico durante germinacao da semente e confere tolerância a estresse hidrico durante o crescimento da planta.
Validation of transrectal ultrasonographic volumetry for orthotopic prostate tumours in mice

Orthotopic human prostate tumour models in athymic nude mice are regarded as being most suitable for fundamental and pre-clinical research on prostate cancer. The anatomic localization of the tumour in the pelvis, however, provides little possibility for monitoring tumour growth or regression. To assess time-related changes in orthotopic tumour volume, we applied transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) to the murine prostate. This technique has the advantages of allowing accurate monitoring of tumours during therapeutic manipulations and a reduction of animal use due to a reduction of sacrificing endpoints. To validate the TRUS method, the mouse prostate reconstitution model, RM-9, and the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) producing human prostate cancer xenograft PC-346 were used. Volumetric calliper measurements were performed with a 30 MHz ultrasound probe designed for intra-arterial use in humans. Tumour weight, determined at various time-points, was found to be closely related to actual tumour weight (R = 0.99) and, in the PC-346 model, to the level of PSA in the plasma. Furthermore, the interobserver variation for TRUS was low for tumours above 50 mg. Thus, TRUS for murine prostate tumours proves to be an accurate, reproducible and sensitive method.
Learning-based interactive segmentation using the maximum mean cycle weight formalism

The maximum mean cycle weight (MMCW) segmentation framework is a graph-based alternative to approaches such as GraphCut or Markov Random Fields. It offers time- and space-efficient computation and guaranteed optimality. However, unlike GraphCut or Markov Random Fields, MMCW does not seek to segment the entire image, but rather to find the single best object within the image, according to an objective function encoded by edge weights. Its focus on a single, best object makes MMCW attractive to interactive segmentation settings, where the user indicates which objects are to be segmented. However, a provably correct way of performing interactive segmentation using the MMCW framework has never been established. Further, the question of how to develop a good objective function based on user-provided information has never been addressed. Here, we propose a three-component objective function specifically designed for use with interactive MMCW segmentation. Two of those components, representing object boundary and object interior information, can be learned from a modest amount of user-labelled data, but in a way unique to the MMCW framework. The third component allows us to extend the MMCW framework to the situation of interactive segmentation. Specifically, we show that an appropriate weighted combination of the three components guarantees that the object produced by MMCW segmentation will enclose user-specified pixels that can be chosen interactively. The component weights can either be computed a priori based on image characteristics, or online via an adaptive reweighting scheme. We demonstrate the success of the approach on several microscope image segmentation problems.
Reappraisal of the comparative cost of human locomotion using gait-specific allometric analyses

SUMMARY The alleged high net energy cost of running and low net energy cost of walking in humans have played an important role in the interpretation of the evolution of human bipedalism and the biomechanical determinants of the metabolic cost of locomotion. This study re-explores how the net metabolic energy cost of running and walking (J kg–1 m–1) in humans compares to that of animals of similar mass using new allometric analyses of previously published data. Firstly, this study shows that the use of the slope of the regression between the rate of energy expenditure and speed to calculate the net energy cost of locomotion overestimates the net cost of human running. Also, the net energy cost of human running is only 17% higher than that predicted based on their mass. This value is not exceptional given that over a quarter of the previously examined mammals and birds have a net energy cost of running that is 17% or more above their allometrically predicted value. Using a new allometric equation for the net energy cost of walking, this study also shows that human walking is 20% less expensive than predicted for their mass. Of the animals used to generate this equation, 25% have a relatively lower net cost of walking compared with their allometrically predicted value. This new walking allometric analysis also indicates that the scaling of the net energy cost of locomotion with body mass is gait dependent. In conclusion, the net costs of running and walking in humans are moderately different from those predicted from allometry and are not remarkable for an animal of its size.
Loss of permanent employment and its association with suicidal ideation: a cohort study in South Korea.

Objective Precarious employment is associated with worse mental health, but it is unclear whether changes in employment status are related to suicidal behaviors. This study examined the association between change in employment status and suicidal ideation among workers in South Korea. Methods To maximize power of the analysis, we combined data from the ongoing Korean Welfare Panel Study. We analyzed 3793 participants who were permanent workers at baseline (2011-2014) and who either: (i) maintained permanent employment; (ii) became a full-time precarious worker; (iii) became a part-time precarious worker; or (iv) became unemployed in the following year (2012-2015). Suicidal ideation was assessed annually by asking participants, "Have you ever seriously thought about dying by suicide in the past year? " Logistic regression was applied to examine associations between change in employment status and suicidal ideation, adjusting for potential confounders such as lifetime suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms at baseline. Results Participants who became part-time precarious workers were more likely to have suicidal ideation [odd ratio (OR) 2.37, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.07-5.25, P=0.033] compared to those who remained permanent workers. In analysis restricted to workers who never previously thought about dying by suicide, suicidal ideation was more common among those who became either full-time (OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.09-4.99, P=0.029) or part-time (OR 3.94, 95% CI 1.46-10.64, P=0.007) precarious workers. Conclusions Our findings suggest that change in employment status from permanent to precarious employment may increase suicidal ideation among workers in South Korea.
Adherence to respiratory epithelia by recombinant Escherichia coli expressing Klebsiella pneumoniae type 3 fimbrial gene products

We examined the role of Klebsiella fimbrial types 1 and 3 in mediating adherence to human buccal and tracheal cells and to lung tissue sections. We found that clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae producing type 3 fimbriae and Escherichia coli HB101 containing a recombinant plasmid encoding expression of Klebsiella type 3 fimbriae (pFK10) demonstrated increased adherence to tracheal cells, trypsinized buccal cells, and lung tissue sections, in contrast to nonfimbriate and to type 1 fimbriate bacteria. Adherence by type 3 fimbriate bacteria was inhibited by purified type 3 fimbriae and Fab fragments derived from type 3 fimbrial-specific polyclonal immunoglobulin G. Type 3 fimbriae mediated attachment to the basolateral surface of tracheal cells and to the basal epithelial cells and the basement membrane regions of bronchial epithelia. Using an E. coli transformant (pDC17/pFK52), which expresses nonadherent P fimbrial filaments, along with the type 3 fimbrial adhesin (MrkD), we demonstrated that type 3 fimbrial attachment to respiratory cells was attributable to the MrkD adhesin subunit. Subsequent experiments demonstrated that the epithelial target of the type 3 fimbrial adhesin was most likely a peptide molecule rather than a carbohydrate. The results of this study demonstrate that, in vitro, the Klebsiella type 3 fimbrial adhesin mediates adherence to human respiratory tissue.
Proteomic identification and characterization of secreted N‐glycosylated NPC2 following cross‐linking of the high‐affinity receptor for IgE on mast cells

Allergen‐mediated cross‐linking of the high‐affinity receptor for IgE on mast cells triggers the release of diverse preformed and de novo synthesized immunoregulatory mediators that further the allergic response. A proteomic screen applied to the detection of proteins secreted by the model rat mast cell line, RBL‐2H3 (rat basophilic leukaemia, subline 2H3.1), led to the identification of the cholesterol‐binding glycoprotein, NPC2/RE1 (Niemann–Pick Type C2/epididymal secretory protein 1). Glycosylated NPC2 is secreted early in response to an IgE‐mediated stimulus and co‐localizes with the lysosomal membrane marker, CD63. NPC2 belongs to the ML (MD‐2‐related lipid‐recognition) protein family (155 members), which includes the Toll‐like receptor co‐factors, MD‐1 and MD‐2, and perhaps most interestingly, seven major house dust mite allergens of unknown function (including Der p 2 and Der f 2). Possible role(s) for the protein in the allergic response and future applications of this approach are discussed.
Resilience Style Questionnaire: Development and Validation Among College Students and Cardiac Patients in Hong Kong

The present research aims to develop and validate a measure of resilience that reflects the influence of Confucian philosophies and Chinese cultural lay beliefs. Based on a representative sample of 1,419 college students from universities and a clinical sample of 214 cardiac patients in Hong Kong, reliability, construct validity, and criterion validity of the Resilience Style Questionnaire (RSQ) were examined. A two-factor structure of the RSQ was explored and validated in both samples. Results showed that the two factors of the RSQ (i.e., perseverance and optimistic approach to life) were significantly associated with a variety of mental health indicators in both samples. Furthermore, the RSQ explained additional variances above and beyond those explained by the Ego-Resiliency Scale, the Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC), and the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale in multiple mental health indicators among college students and cardiac patients. These findings showed that the RSQ is a reliable and valid tool in assessing resilience among Chinese and other groups influenced by Confucianism.
On the Optimization of Improved Apriori Algorithm via Linked-list Trie

In recent years there has been explosive growth of data and its utilization triggered by technological advancements. Consequently, several business enterprises have accumulated enormous data from client purchases gathered at all times. Data mining involve processes used to turn raw data into beneficial information through the use of suitable software and hardware. This area has attracted significant attention and several different approaches exist such as association rules (AR). In particular, AR constitutes an important data mining approach but is faced with several challenges in terms of efficiency. Therefore, this paper investigates the major challenges based on AR in data mining stemming from the improvement of the apriori algorithm. We aim towards reducing the major shortcomings of the current apriori algorithm. This paper also proposes the usage of an optimized linked-list trie data structure for storage and to make support counting more efficient. To achieve this, an effective candidate generation method was employed to reduce the cost of matching candidate itemsets. The improved and the optimized apriori algorithm and its benefits are presented and discussed in this paper.
A practical vision system for the detection of moving objects

The main goal of this thesis is to review and offer robust and efficient algorithms for the detection (or the segmentation) of foreground objects in indoor and outdoor scenes using colour image sequences captured by a stationary camera. For this purpose, the block diagram of a simple vision system is offered in Chapter 2. First this block diagram gives the idea of a precise order of blocks and their tasks, which should be performed to detect moving foreground objects. Second, a check mark () on the top right corner of a block indicates that this thesis contains a review of the most recent algorithms and/or some relevant research about it. In many computer vision applications, segmenting and extraction of moving objects in video sequences is an essential task. Background subtraction has been widely used for this purpose as the first step. In this work, a review of the efficiency of a number of important background subtraction and modelling algorithms, along with their major features, are presented. In addition, two background approaches are offered. The first approach is a Pixel-based technique whereas the second one works at object level. For each approach, three algorithms are presented. They are called Selective Update Using Non-Foreground Pixels of the Input Image , Selective Update Using Temporal Averaging and Selective Update Using Temporal Median , respectively in this thesis. The first approach has some deficiencies, which makes it incapable to produce a correct dynamic background. Three methods of the second approach use an invariant colour filter and a suitable motion tracking technique, which selectively exclude foreground objects (or blobs) from the background frames. The difference between the three algorithms of the second approach is in updating process of the background pixels. It is shown that the Selective Update Using Temporal Median method produces the correct background image for each input frame. Representing foreground regions using their boundaries is also an important task. Thus, an appropriate RLE contour tracing algorithm has been implemented for this purpose. However, after the thresholding process, the boundaries of foreground regions often have jagged appearances. Thus, foreground regions may not correctly be recognised reliably due to their corrupted boundaries. A very efficient boundary smoothing method based on the RLE data is proposed in Chapter 7. It just smoothes the external and internal boundaries of foreground objects and does not distort the silhouettes of foreground objects. As a result, it is very fast and does not blur the image. Finally, the goal of this thesis has been presenting simple, practical and efficient algorithms with little constraints which can run in real time.