Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exogenous salicylic acid alleviates salt stress-induced oxidative damage in Brassica napus by enhancing the antioxidant defense and glyoxalase systems

Regulatory roles of exogenous salicylic acid (SA) on the antioxidant defense and methylglyoxal (MG) detoxification systems were investigated in rapeseed seedlings (Brassica napus L. cv. BINA Sharisha 3) grown under salinity. Ten-day-old seedlings, grown in petri dishes, were supplemented with SA and salt (100 and 200 mM NaCl) separately and in combination for 48 h. After treatment, MDA and H2O2 content, non-enzymatic and enzymatic components of antioxidant and glyoxalase enzymes were measured. The ascorbate (AsA) content of the seedlings was decreased significantly with increased salt stress. Salt stress resulted marked raise in the levels of H2O2 and lipid peroxidation (MDA). The amount of glutathione (GSH) and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) were increased with an increase in the level of salt stress, while the GSH/GSSG ratio was decreased. Imposition of salt stress causes decrease in most of the antioxidant enzymes except for the ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione S-transferase (GST). However, compared to salt stressed seedlings alone, exogenous SA treatment in combination with salt stress enhanced AsA and GSH contents; GSH/GSSG ratio; and activities of antioxidant enzymes such as monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase (CAT), glyoxalase I (Gly I), and glyoxalase II (Gly II). This study indicates that exogenous application of SA is an effective protectant in improving the activities of both antioxidant defense and glyoxalase enzymes in coffering salt stress tolerance in B. napus.
Attachment Styles Among Young Adults

A new 4-group model of attachment styles in adulthood is proposed. Four prototypic attachment patterns are defined using combinations of a person's self-image (positive or negative) and image of others (positive or negative). In Study l, an interview was developed to yield continuous and categorical ratings of the 4 attachment styles. Intercorrelations the attachment ratings were consistent with the proposed model. Attachment ratings were validated by self-report measures of self-concept and interpersonal functioning. Each style was associated with a distinct profile of interpersonal problems, according to both self- and friend-reports. In Study 2, attachment styles within the family of origin and with peers were assessed independently. Results of Study I were replicated. The proposed model was shown to be applicable to representations of family relations; Ss' attachment styles with peers were correlated with family attachment ratings. This article describes a new model of attachment styles in adulthood. Drawing on the theory of Bowlby (1973, 1980, 1982a), two types of internal working models are postulatedan internal model of the self and an internal model of others. Each internal model can be dichotomized as positive or negative to yield four theoretical attachment styles. This article summarizes the relevant childhood attachment literature, reviews recent work on adult attachment, describes the new model, and then presents two empirical studies designed to validate the proposed model.
QPTAS for Geometric Set-Cover Problems via Optimal Separators

Weighted geometric set-cover problems arise naturally in several geometric and non-geometric settings (e.g. the breakthrough of Bansal-Pruhs (FOCS 2010) reduces a wide class of machine scheduling problems to weighted geometric set-cover). More than two decades of research has succeeded in settling the $(1+\epsilon)$-approximability status for most geometric set-cover problems, except for four basic scenarios which are still lacking. One is that of weighted disks in the plane for which, after a series of papers, Varadarajan (STOC 2010) presented a clever \emph{quasi-sampling} technique, which together with improvements by Chan \etal~(SODA 2012), yielded a $O(1)$-approximation algorithm. Even for the unweighted case, a PTAS for a fundamental class of objects called pseudodisks (which includes disks, unit-height rectangles, translates of convex sets etc.) is currently unknown. Another fundamental case is weighted halfspaces in $\Re^3$, for which a PTAS is currently lacking. In this paper, we present a QPTAS for all of these remaining problems. Our results are based on the separator framework of Adamaszek-Wiese (FOCS 2013, SODA 2014), who recently obtained a QPTAS for weighted independent set of polygonal regions. This rules out the possibility that these problems are APX-hard, assuming $\textbf{NP} \nsubseteq \textbf{DTIME}(2^{polylog(n)})$. Together with the recent work of Chan-Grant (CGTA 2014), this settles the APX-hardness status for all natural geometric set-cover problems.
Rhetorical history as a source of competitive advantage

This paper develops a framework for understanding history as a source of competitive advantage. Prior research suggests that some firms enjoy preferential access to resources as a result of their past. Historians, by contrast, understand past events as more than an objective account of reality. History also has an interpretive function. History is a social and rhetorical construction that can be shaped and manipulated to motivate, persuade, and frame action, both within and outside an organization. Viewed as a malleable construct, the capacity to manage history can, itself, be a rare and inimitable resource.
Robust 2D map building with motion-free ICP algorithm for mobile robot navigation

SUMMARY A new motion-free iterative closest point (ICP) algorithm is proposed for building a two-dimensional (2D) map for mobile robot navigation. A laser range finder (LRF) sensor is installed on a mobile robot to scan and measure the depth data of the environment to form a 2D map during mobile robot navigation. Because the scanning and navigation motions are performed independently, the scanned data contain distortions from the motions of the mobile robot. To compensate for the distortions, the proposed motion-free ICP algorithm estimates the effects of the dynamic motions of the robot on the scanning process. That is, the motion-free algorithm compensates for the distance measurement errors related to the dynamic changes in the mobile robot's velocity. Experiments were performed with actual velocity changes of a mobile robot to demonstrate and verify the effective performance of the proposed algorithm.
A SAT approach for solving the nurse scheduling problem

Nurse scheduling problem (NSP) represents a subclass of constraint satisfaction problems (CSP), involving a set of constraints. The problem is highly constrained and difficult to solve. The goal is to find high quality shift assignments to nurses satisfying constraints related to labor contract rules, requirements of nurses as well as the employers in health-care institutions. The constraints are classified as hard and soft, depending on their importance. In this paper, a real case of a cyclic nurse rostering problem is introduced. dasiaCyclicpsila means that the generated roster can be repeated indefinitely if no further constraint is introduced. In earlier investigation we saw that simulated annealing performed better than other local search techniques. In this paper we have converted NSP to a satisfiability problem(SAT) and applied GSAT to solve it. We show that GSAT incorporated with a tabu list has outperformed other methods, like, simulated annealing and genetic algorithm in almost all instances.
The Impact of BA Education over the Entrepreneurial Intentions of Jordanian Students: An Application of Theory of Planned Behavior.

The purpose of this paper was to assess the effect of BA education over the entrepreneurial intentions of students in one Jordanian university. Applying Ajzen’s (1991) theory of planned behavior (TPB), the paper proposed a framework linking BA education benefits (i.e. learning and resources utilization) to the antecedents of entrepreneurial intentions underlined in the TPB model (i.e. attitudes towards entrepreneurship, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control). To assess the proposed model and its associated hypotheses, several Statistical techniques were conducted on data collected from a sample of 564 students. Empirical results underlined a positive significant effect of learning over the three antecedents of entrepreneurial intentions. However, empirical results underlined the fact that resources utilization had a significant positive effect only over students’ perceived behavioral control. Furthermore, empirical results indicated that there were no significant differences in students’ entrepreneurial intentions according to their BA majors. Based on the paper’s empirical findings, several conclusions were drawn. Furthermore, several practical implications were suggested, while limitations of this paper and future research avenues were addressed.
Higher dimensional Kerr–Schild spacetimes

We investigate general properties of Kerr–Schild (KS) metrics in n > 4 spacetime dimensions. First, we show that the Weyl tensor is of type II or more special if the null KS vector k is geodetic (or, equivalently, if Tabkakb = 0). We subsequently specialize to vacuum KS solutions, which naturally split into two families of non-expanding and expanding metrics. After demonstrating that non-expanding solutions are equivalent to the known class of vacuum Kundt solutions of Weyl type N, we analyze expanding solutions in detail. We show that they can only be of the type II or D, and we characterize optical properties of the multiple Weyl aligned null direction (WAND) k. In general, k has caustics corresponding to curvature singularities. In addition, it is generically shearing. Nevertheless, we arrive at a possible ‘weak’ n > 4 extension of the Goldberg–Sachs theorem, limited to the KS class, which matches previous conclusions for general type III/N solutions. In passing, properties of Myers–Perry black holes and black rings related to our results are also briefly discussed.
Mining generalized association rules for sequential and path data

While association rules for set data use and describe relations between parts of set valued objects completely, association rules for sequential data are restricted by specific interpretations of the subsequence relation: contiguous subsequences describe local features of a sequence valued object, noncontiguous subsequences its global features. We model both types of features with generalized subsequences that describe local deviations by wild cards, and present a new algorithm of a priori type for mining all generalized subsequences with prescribed minimum support from a given database of sequences. Furthermore we show that the given algorithm automatically takes into account an eventually underlying graph structure, i.e., is applicable to path data also.
Factorization Bandits for Interactive Recommendation

We perform online interactive recommendation via a factorization-based bandit algorithm. Low-rank matrix completion is performed over an incrementally constructed user-item preference matrix, where an upper confidence bound based item selection strategy is developed to balance the exploit/explore trade-off during online learning. Observable contextual features and dependency among users (e.g., social influence) are leveraged to improve the algorithm's convergence rate and help conquer cold-start in recommendation. A high probability sublinear upper regret bound is proved for the developed algorithm, where considerable regret reduction is achieved on both user and item sides. Extensive experimentations on both simulations and large-scale real-world datasets confirmed the advantages of the proposed algorithm compared with several state-of-the-art factorization-based and bandit-based collaborative filtering methods.
Clinical Significance of Altered Expression of β-Catenin and E-Cadherin in Oral Dysplasia and Cancer: Potential Link with ALCAM Expression

Background Perturbations in cell adhesion molecules are linked to alterations in cadherin-catenin complexes and likely play major roles in invasion and metastasis; their impact on early precancerous stages remains yet unknown. We showed ALCAM overexpression in early oral lesions and its cytoplasmic accumulation in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) to be a predictor of disease progression and poor prognosis. This study tested the hypothesis that alterations in E-cadherin and β -catenin expressions are early events in oral tumorigenesis, associated with disease prognosis, and correlate with perturbations in ALCAM expression. Methods Expressions of E-cadherin and β-catenin were analyzed in the same cohort of 105 OSCCs, 76 oral lesions and 30 normal oral tissues by immunohistochemistry and correlated with clinicopathological parameters and prognosis. The effect of siRNA mediated ALCAM knockdown on E-cadherin and β -catenin was determined using western blot, confocal microscopy and RT-PCR analysis in oral cancer cells. Results Significant loss of membranous E-cadherin and β-catenin expression was observed from normal, hyperplasia, dysplasia to OSCCs (ptrend <0.001); and correlated with cytoplasmic ALCAM accumulation in OSCCs (p = 0.006). Multivariate analysis revealed β-catenin membrane loss and ALCAM/β-cateninnuclear/cytoplasmic accumulation to be significant predictors for late clinical stage (p<0.001, OR = 8.7; p = 0.006, OR = 9.9, respectively) and nodal metastasis (p = 0.003, OR = 3.8; p = 0.025, OR = 3.4 respectively). Cox’s regression showed E-cadherin membrane loss/ALCAM cytoplasmic expression [p<0.001; HR = 4.8] to be independent adverse prognosticators in OSCCs. siRNA mediated silencing of ALCAM resulted in concurrent increase in E-cadherin and β-catenin both at the transcript and protein levels. Conclusions Losses of E-cadherin and β-catenin expressions are early events in oral tumorigenesis; their associations with aggressive tumor behavior and disease recurrence underscore their potential as prognostic markers. Correlation of loss of E-cadherin and β-catenin with cytoplasmic ALCAM accumulation both in vitro and in in vivo suggests that these dynamic changes in cell adhesion system may play pivotal role in oral cancer.
Helping Cantonese ESL learners overcome their difficulties in the production and perception of English speech sounds

Keywords: speech production and perception second language learning pronunciation difficulties pronunciation teaching program 1 Abstract Cantonese ESL learners' speech production and speech perception abilities have great impact on their learning of English pronunciation. This article attempts to give a brief summary of documented speech production and perception difficulties encountered by Cantonese ESL learners in Hong Kong and provide some principles which underlie effective pronunciation teaching and learning. It is suggested that observable articulatory features should be highlighted, subtle differences between confusable sound pairs should be focused on, and mother-tongue interference should be tackled. It is also argued that perceptual training is one inevitable component of an L2 pronunciation program going hand in hand with production training.
Associations among self-reported balance problems, post-concussion symptoms and performance-based tests: a longitudinal follow-up study

Purpose: The main objectives of this study were to describe long-term self-reported balance problems and to explore their associations with post-concussion symptoms and performance-based tests. Method: Prospective study of patients with mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). Self-reported balance problems and post-concussion symptoms were measured with the Rivermead Post-concussion Symptoms Questionnaire at 1 and 4 years after injury. Performance-based tests were performed 4 years after injury and included posturography, the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), walking speed tests, and the six-minute walk test. Results: Self-reported balance problems were reported in 31% of patients 4 years after injury and correlated significantly with post-concussion symptoms. The correlations with performance-based tests varied from ρ = 0.18 to ρ = 0.70 and were strongest for the maximum walking speed test (ρ = 0.70) and a dual-task test (ρ = 0.43). The DGI had a considerable ceiling effect. Conclusions: Balance problems were long-term consequences of MTBI in one third of this study sample. Self-reported balance problems correlated with post-concussion symptoms and some of the performance-based tests. Future research needs to develop and evaluate appropriate rehabilitation strategies that also address the balance problems. Implications for Rehabilitation Balance problems may persist several years after a mild traumatic brain injury. We need to develop and evaluate appropriate rehabilitation strategies that also address the balance problems.
Hydrothermal Synthesis and Characterization of Ni-Al Montmorillonite-Like Phyllosilicates

This work describes the first hydrothermal synthesis in fluoride medium of Ni-Al montmorillonite-like phyllosilicates, in which the only metallic elements in the octahedral sheet are Ni and Al. X-ray diffraction , chemical analysis, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy confirm that the synthesized samples are montmorillonite-like phyllosilicates having the expected chemical composition. The specific surface areas of the samples are relatively large (>100 m2 g−1) compared to naturally occurring montmorillonites. 29Si and 27Al nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) indicate substitutions of Al for Si in the tetrahedral sheet. 19F NMR and Ni K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) local probes highlight a clustering of the metal elements and of the vacancies in the octahedral sheet of the samples. These Ni-Al phyllosilicates exhibit a higher local order than in previously synthesized Zn-Al phyllosilicates. Unlike natural montmorillonites, where the distribution of transition metal cations ensures a charge equilibrium allowing a stability of the framework, synthetic montmorillonites entail clustering and instability of the lattice when the content of divalent element in the octahedral sheet exceeds ca. 20%. Synthesis of Ni-Al montmorillonite-like phyllosilicates, was successfully achieved for the first time. These new synthetic materials may find potential applications as catalysts or as materials with magnetic, optical or staining properties.
PR ] 2 2 Ja n 20 14 CONVERGENCE OF BI-MEASURE R-TREES AND THE PRUNING

In [AP98b] a tree-valued Markov chain is derived by pruning off more and more subtrees along the edges of a Galton-Watson tree. More recently, in [AD12], a continuous analogue of the tree-valued pruning dynamics is constructed along Lévy trees. In the present paper, we provide a new topology which allows to link the discrete and the continuous dynamics by considering them as instances of the same strong Markov process with different initial conditions. We construct this pruning process on the space of so-called bi-measure trees, which are metric measure spaces with an additional pruning measure. The pruning measure is assumed to be finite on finite trees, but not necessarily locally finite. We also characterize the pruning process analytically via its Markovian generator and show that it is continuous in the initial bi-measure tree. A series of examples is given, which include the finite variance offspring case where the pruning measure is the length measure on the underlying tree. Résumé Dans [AP98b], les auteurs obtiennent une châıne de Markov à valeurs arbres en élaguant de plus en plus de sous-arbres le long des nœuds d’un arbre de GaltonWatson. Plus récemment dans [AD12], un analogue continu de la dynamique d’élagage à valeurs arbres est construit sur des arbres de Lévy. Dans cet article, nous présentons une nouvelle topologie qui permet de relier les dynamiques discrètes et continues en les considérant comme des exemples du même processus de Markov fort avec des conditions initiales différentes. Nous construisons ce processus d’élagage sur l’espace des arbres appelés bi-mesurés, qui sont des espaces métriques mesurés avec une mesure d’élagage additionnelle. La mesure d’élagage est supposée finie sur les arbres finis, mais pas nécessairement localement finie. De plus, nous caractérisons analytiquement le processus! d’élagage par son générateur infinitésimal et montrons qu’il est continu en son arbre bi-mesuré initial. Plusieurs exemples sont donnés, notamment le cas d’une loi de reproduction à variance finie où la mesure d’élagage est la mesure des longueurs sur l’arbre sous-jacent. This work was partially supported by the European Science Foundation under the RGLIS short visit grant 5429 Date: May 11, 2014. 2000 Mathematics Subject Classification. 60F05, 60B12, 60J25, 05C05, 05C10, 60G55.
The Effects of Remote Distractors on Saccade Programming

The time taken to initiate a saccade (latency) is increased under conditions in which a distractor is presented in the opposite visual field to the saccade target. We have termed this latency increase the ‘remote distractor effect’ (RDE). Conditions which produce the RDE are different from those used to demonstrate the ‘global effect’ amplitude modulation. In the global effect paradigm, distractors are presented in the same hemifield as the target and there is no effect on saccade latency. We report the results from a series of studies in which distractors were presented at various 2-D locations in both visual fields. Saccade latency was increased when distractors were presented in both visual fields, with the greatest increase for distractors at central fixation. Saccade latency was not affected by distractors presented on the horizontal axis in the same hemifield as the target, in which case the global effect was observed. For locations other than the horizontal axis, the critical location for modulating amplitude appeared to be within ±15 deg of the target location. Distractors presented outside this region increased latency but had no effect on amplitude. Furthermore, the latency increase observed was found to depend in a systematic way on the relationship between target and distractor eccentricities. Our data demonstrate that inhibitory processes similar to those thought to operate in the rostral pole of the superior colliculus may operate in other regions of the visual map.
Coding Causatives and Putatives in a Diachronic Perspective

The paper examines types of coding causatives and putatives in a diachronic perspective. Lexical and analytic coding of these two grammatical patterns are brought up for discussion. In general, Chinese witnesses a shift from lexical coding to analytic coding in its evolution from Old Chinese to Modern Chinese. Both labile causatives and putatives as ways of lexical coding prevalent in Old Chinese have the syntactic frame in common, and a verb or adjective in the frame may be construed as a labile causative or putative depending on the pragmatics-fed information. For analytic coding in modern Chinese in contrast to lexical coding in Old Chinese a survey of Li Jing Ji, a Southern Min script of a Ming play (1566 AD), turns up a range of verbs used as analytic causatives and putatives and types of grammatical constructions in which they occur. There is unmistakable evidence of interaction of lexico-semantic properties and syntactic patterns.