Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
TIMP-1 Induces an EMT-Like Phenotypic Conversion in MDCK Cells Independent of Its MMP-Inhibitory Domain

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their endogenous inhibitors (TIMPs) regulate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) critical for the development of epithelial organs as well as cancer cell invasion. TIMP-1 is frequently overexpressed in several types of human cancers and serves as a prognostic marker. The present study investigates the roles of TIMP-1 on the EMT process and formation of the lumen-like structure in a 3D Matrigel culture of MDCK cells. We show that TIMP-1 overexpression effectively prevents cell polarization and acinar-like structure formation. TIMP-1 induces expression of the developmental EMT transcription factors such as SLUG, TWIST, ZEB1 and ZEB2, leading to downregulation of epithelial marker and upregulation of mesenchymal markers. Importantly, TIMP-1′s ability to induce the EMT-like process is independent of its MMP-inhibitory domain. To our surprise, TIMP-1 induces migratory and invasive properties in MDCK cells. Here, we present a novel finding that TIMP-1 signaling upregulates MT1-MMP and MMP-2 expression, and potentiates MT1-MMP activation of pro-MMP-2, contributing to tumor cell invasion. In spite of the fact that TIMP-1, as opposed to TIMP-2, does not interact with and inhibit MT1-MMP, TIMP-1 may act as a key regulator of MT1-MMP/MMP-2 axis. Collectively, our findings suggest a model in which TIMP-1 functions as a signaling molecule and also as an endogenous inhibitor of MMPs. This concept represents a paradigm shift in the current view of TIMP-1/MT1-MMP interactions and functions during cancer development/progression.
The Cape Technikon: A Study of its Human Resource Management Training and Development Policy and Practices

I ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.III DECLARATION. IV TABLE OF CONTENTS.V CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1 Statement of the research problem.2 1.2 Hypothesis.5 1.3 Objectives of the study.5 1.4 Research methodology.5 1.5 Significance of the study.8 1.6 Definition of terms . 8 1.6. 1 Mentoring programmes . 8 1.6. 2 Management development.9 1.6. 3 Training . 9 1.7 Structure of the study . 9 1.7. 1 Chapter 1: Introduction.9 1.7. 2 Chapter 2: Theoretical Perspectives . 10 1.7. 3 Chapter 3: Case Study: History of the Cape Technikon, process, Policy and practice of training and development . 10 1.7. 4 Chapter 4: Data Analysis and observations.10 1.7. 5 Chapter 5: Summary, Recommendations and Conclusion . 10 CHAPTER 2: THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES . 11 2.1 Human Resource Management (HRM) . 11
A P300-speller based on event-related spectral perturbation (ERSP)

A brain-computer interface (BCI) P300 speller is a novel technique that helps people spell words using the electroencephalography (EEG) without the involvement of muscle activities. However, only time domain ERP features (P300) are used for controlling of the BCI speller. In this paper, we investigated the time-frequency EEG features for the P300-based brain-computer interface speller. A signal preprocessing method integrated ensemble average, principal component analysis, and independent component analysis to remove noise and artifacts in the EEG data. A time-frequency analysis based on wavelet transform was carried out to extract event-related spectral perturbation (ERSP) and inter-trial coherence (ITC) features. Results showed that the proposed signal processing method can effectively extract EEG time-frequency features in the P300 speller, suggesting that ERSP and ITC may be useful for improving the performance of BCI P300 speller.
Schooling, Capital Constraints and Entrepreneurial Performance

To what extent is the performance of a small business venture, once started, affected by capital constraints at the time of inception and by the business founder's investment in human capital? We attempt to answer this question taking into account the potential endogeneity of human and financial capital, and also possible interdependence between these variables. A theoretical model is developed which generates predictions about the nature and directions of the interdependencies. Using a rich data set on Dutch entrepreneurs in 1995, we obtain findings that are broadly consistent with the theoretical model. Instrumental variable estimates indicate that a 1 percentage point relaxation of capital constraints increases entrepreneurs' gross business incomes by 3.9 percent on average. Also, education enhances entrepreneurs' performance both directly - with a rate of return of 13.7 percent - and indirectly, because each extra year of schooling decreases capital constraints by 1.18 percentage points. The indirect effect of education on entrepreneurs' performance is estimated to be between 3.0 and 4.6 percent.
Asymmetrical half-bridge converter with input current ripple reduction

Employing an L-C-L filter cell to modify the asymmetrical half-bridge converter (AHBC), an AHBC with input current ripple reduction (AHBC-CRR) is proposed. In addition to having zero-voltage switching operation, low voltage stress, lossless snubbing, and voltage clamping features preserved from its predecessor, the proposed converter can shape input current waveform of AHBC to a non-pulsating fashion. Consequently, the ripple and undesired harmonic components of the input current can be significantly reduced without adding a large input filter. These characteristics make it suitable for high-input voltage high-frequency high-efficiency and low electromagnetic interference (EMI) power conversion applications. Besides the circuit analysis and design consideration, two 100-kHz converters, AHBC and AHBC-CRR, with the same specification, 300-400-V input, 24-V/10-A output, are built and tested. Several performance comparisons are made to demonstrate the superiority of the proposed converter over AHBC.
GAD1 Gene Expression in Blood of Patients with First-Episode Psychosis

γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, has often been studied in relation to its role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. GABA is synthesized from glutamate by glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), derived from two genes, GAD1 and GAD2. GAD1 is expressed as both GAD67 and GAD25 mRNA transcripts with the former reported to have a lower expression level in schizophrenia compared to healthy controls and latter was reported to be predominantly expressed fetally, suggesting a role in developmental process. In this study, GAD67 and GAD25 mRNA levels were measured by quantitative PCR (qPCR) in peripheral blood of subjects with first-episode psychosis (FEP) and from healthy controls. We observed low GAD25 and GAD67 gene expression levels in human peripheral blood. There was no difference in GAD25 and GAD67 gene expression level, and GAD25/GAD67 ratio between patients with FEP and healthy controls. PANSS negative symptoms were associated with levels of GAD25 mRNA transcripts in patients with FEP. While the current study provides information on GAD25 and GAD67 mRNA transcript levels in whole blood of FEP patients, further correlation and validation work between brain regions, cerebrospinal fluid and peripheral blood expression profiling are required to provide a better understanding of GAD25 and GAD67.
Long‐term trends in eutrophication and nutrients in the coastal zone

We used high‐resolution paleoecological records of environmental change to study the rate and magnitude of eutrophication over the last century in two contrasting coastal ecosystems. A multiproxy approach using geochemical and biological indicators and diatom‐based transfer functions provides a long‐term perspective on changes in nutrient concentrations and the corresponding biological and sedimentary responses. In Roskilde Fjord, Denmark, total nitrogen (TN) increased 85% during the last century, with the most rapid increase occurring after the 1950s, corresponding to the postwar increase in N fertilizer use. In Laajalahti Bay, an urban embayment near Helsinki, Finland, total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) increased with growing wastewater inputs and decreased with the remedial actions taken to reduce these discharges. These changes are small relative to the order of magnitude increases in nutrient loading that have occurred in northwestern Europe, where the dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) load has increased more than threefold in certain areas.
Elite Influence on Public Opinion in an Informed Electorate

An enduring concern about democracies is that citizens conform too readily to the policy views of elites in their own parties, even to the point of ignoring other information about the policies in question. This article presents two experiments that undermine this concern, at least under one important condition. People rarely possess even a modicum of information about policies; but when they do, their attitudes seem to be affected at least as much by that information as by cues from party elites. The experiments also measure the extent to which people think about policy. Contrary to many accounts, they suggest that party cues do not inhibit such thinking. This is not cause for unbridled optimism about citizens' ability to make good decisions, but it is reason to be more sanguine about their ability to use information about policy when they have it.
Flowing with eight supersymmetries in M-theory and F-theory

We consider holographic RG flow solutions with eight supersymmetries and study the geometry transverse to the brane. For both M2-branes and for D3-branes in F-theory this leads to an eight-manifold with only a four-form flux. In both settings there is a natural four-dimensional hyper-K? hler slice that appears on the Coulomb branch. In the IIB theory this hyper-K? hler manifold encodes the Seiberg-Witten coupling over the Coulomb branch of a U(1) probe theory. We focus primarily upon a new flow solution in M-theory. This solution is first obtained using gauged supergravity and then lifted to eleven dimensions. In this new solution, the brane probes have an Eguchi-Hanson moduli space with the M2-branes spread over the non-trivial 2-sphere. It is also shown that the new solution is valid for a class of orbifold theories. We discuss how the hyper-K? hler structure on the slice extends to some form of G-structure in the eight-manifold, and describe how this can be computed.
Accelerated ageing experiment for induction motor insulation due to humidity effect

In this paper, accelerated aging process on induction motor insulation caused by high humidity environtment is investigated. Induction motor is operated inside experiment chamber with high humidity to accelerate the insulation deterioraton. Insulation resistance (IR) and polarization index (PI) values are used to evaluate insulation condition. Moreover Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray analyzer (SEM-EDAX) test is performed to understand the microscopic insulation surface condition. The result shows that the moisture caused by high humidity environtment is decreasing PI index significantly eventhough the IR is high. In the certain condition, white powder is visible on end winding of motor. Based on SEM-EDAX analysis, this powder is mineral sedimentation that attached on insulation surface.
Wavelet packets for multi- and hyper-spectral imagery

State of the art dimension reduction and classification schemes in multi- and hyper-spectral imaging rely primarily on the information contained in the spectral component. To better capture the joint spatial and spectral data distribution we combine the Wavelet Packet Transform with the linear dimension reduction method of Principal Component Analysis. Each spectral band is decomposed by means of the Wavelet Packet Transform and we consider a joint entropy across all the spectral bands as a tool to exploit the spatial information. Dimension reduction is then applied to the Wavelet Packets coefficients. We present examples of this technique for hyper-spectral satellite imaging. We also investigate the role of various shrinkage techniques to model non-linearity in our approach.
A DESIGN OF PARITY CHECK MATRIX FOR SHORT IRREGULAR LDPC CODES VIA MAGIC SQUARE BASED ALGORITHM

This paper presents a construction algorithm for the short block irregular low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes. By applying a magic square theorem as a part of the matrix construction, a newly developed algorithm, the so-called Magic Square Based Algorithm (MSBA), is obtained. The modified array codes are focused on in this study since the reduction of 1s can lead to simple encoding and decoding schemes. Simulation results based on AWGN channels show that with the code rate of 0.8 and SNR 5 dB, the BER of �� �� can
Flexible TXOP assignments for efficient QoS scheduling in IEEE 802.11e WLANs

A basic concept in 802.11e is Transmission Opportunities (TXOPs). The draft amendment of IEEE 802.11e includes a Simple Scheduler, in which a fixed length of TXOPs is assigned according to mean data rates. Since some traffic present bursts of variable size, several enhancements have been proposed previously; e.g., TXOPs are allocated according to the actual buffered data which is indicated through transmissions performed in the previous TXOP. Though the allocations are efficient in channel utilization, a delay could inevitably be incurred by packets, due to that new arrivals cannot be transmitted in the current TXOP, but have to wait until next. In this paper, an efficient scheduling scheme is proposed that aims at improving packet delay while maintaining high channel utilization. In the proposed scheme, maximal residual bandwidth is assigned to a station taking into account demands from all the other stations, and the unused portion is reclaimed. From extensive simulation results, it is shown that packet delay is effectively improved, compared to two previous enhancements of the Simple Scheduler, while achieving high throughput performance.
Retroviral RNA identified in the cerebrospinal fluids and brains of individuals with schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a serious brain disease of uncertain etiology. A role for retroviruses in the etiopathogenesis of some cases of schizophrenia has been postulated on the basis of clinical and epidemiological observations. We found sequences homologous to retroviral pol genes in the cell-free cerebrospinal fluids (CSFs) of 10 of 35 (29%) individuals with recent-onset schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Retroviral sequences also were identified in the CSFs of 1 of 20 individuals with chronic schizophrenia. However, retroviral sequences were not identified in any of the CSFs obtained from 22 individuals with noninflammatory neurological diseases or from 30 individuals without evidence of neurological or psychiatric diseases (χ2 = 19.25, P < 0.001). The nucleotide sequences identified in the CSFs of the individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were related to those of the human endogenous retroviral (HERV)-W family of endogenous retroviruses and to other retroviruses in the murine leukemia virus genus. Transcription of RNA homologous to members of the HERV-W family of retroviruses also was found to be up-regulated differentially in the frontal cortex regions of brains obtained postmortem from individuals with schizophrenia, as compared with corresponding tissue from individuals without psychiatric diseases. The transcriptional activation of certain retroviral elements within the central nervous system may be associated with the development of schizophrenia in at least some individuals. The further characterization of retroviral elements within the central nervous system of individuals with schizophrenia might lead to improved methods for the diagnosis and management of this disorder.
Vertical Amplitude Panning for Various Types of Sound Sources

It is widely known that the vertical localisation of a real source relies on spectral cues. In order to examine the influence of source spectrum on the accuracy of vertical amplitude panning, the present study conducted subjective localisation tests using six sound sources with different spectral characteristics: broadband, low-passed and high-passed pink noises as well as speech, bird and tank shot recordings. Results generally indicated that the localisation accuracy of vertical amplitude panning was poor regardless of the source type. However, lower or upper response biases observed in the results were found to be significantly dependent on the target panning angle and the type of sound source. The bird and tank shot sources tended to have upper biases regardless of the target angle. The so-called ‘pitch-height’ effect was observed for low-passed and high-passed noise sources, but this was not consistent with the target angle. Overall, the results suggest that the localisation of elevated phantom source is significantly frequency-dependant.
Active Noise Control Systems with the TMS 320 Family

Active noise control (ANC) is achieved by introducing a secondary “antinoise” through an appropriate array of secondary sources. ANC has application to a wide variety of problems in manufacturing, industrial operations, and consumer products. In this paper, DSP algorithms for broadband feedforward, narrowband feedforward, and adaptive feedback control are implemented on TMS320C25, TMS320C3x, and TMS320C5x for real-time applications.
High Performance Fair Bandwidth Allocation for Resilient Packet Rings

The Resilient Packet Ring (RPR) IEEE 802.17 standard is under development as a new high-speed backbone technology for metropolitan area networks. A key performance objective of RPR is to simultaneously achieve high utilization, spatial reuse, and fairness, an objective not achieved by current technologies such as SONET and Gigabit Ethernet nor by legacy ring technologies such as FDDI. The core technical challenge for RPR is the design of a bandwidth allocation algorithm that dynamically achieves these properties. The difficulty is in the distributed nature of the problem, that upstream ring nodes must inject traffic at a rate according to congestion and fairness criteria downstream. Unfortunately, the proposed algorithms in the current draft standards have a number of critical limitations. For example, we show that in a two-flow two-link scenario with unbalanced and constant-rate traffic demand, a draft RPR algorithm will suffer from dramatic bandwidth oscillations within nearly the entire range of the link capacity. Moreover, such oscillations hinder spatial reuse and decrease throughput significantly. In this paper, we introduce a new dynamic bandwidth allocation algorithm called Distributed Virtual-time Scheduling in Rings (DVSR). The key idea is for nodes to compute a simple lower bound of temporally and spatially aggregated virtual time using per-ingress counters of packet (byte) arrivals. We show that with this information propagated along the ring, each node can remotely approximate the ideal fair rate for its own traffic at each downstream link. Hence, DVSR flows rapidly converge to their ring-wide fair rates while maximizing spatial reuse. To evaluate DVSR, we bound the deviation in service between DVSR and an idealized reference model, thereby bounding the unfairness. With simulations, we find that compared to current techniques, DVSR’s convergence times are an order of magnitude faster (e.g., 2 vs. 50 msec), oscillations are mitigated (e.g., ranges of 1% vs. up to 100%), and nearly complete spatial reuse is achieved (e.g., 0.1% throughput loss vs. 14%).
Identifying Vulnerability problem(s) on Target Machine

The Vulnerability problem is discovered by presenting an attack injection methodology in software components. The Attack injection methodology, implemented follows an approach similar to hackers and security analysts to discover vulnerabilities in network-connected servers. AJECT uses a specification of the server’s communication protocol and predefined test case generation algorithms to automatically create a large number of attacks. The attack injection methodology is used for vulnerability detection and removal. It mimics the behavior of an adversary by injecting attacks against a target system while inspecting its execution to determine if any of the attacks has caused a failure. The observation of some abnormal behavior indicates that an attack was successful in triggering an existing flaw. After the identification of the problem, traditional debugging techniques can be employed, for instance, by examining the application’s control flow while processing the offending attacks, to locate the origin of the vulnerability and to proceed with its elimination. The methodology was implemented in a tool called AJECT. The tool was designed to look for vulnerabilities in network server applications, although it can also be utilized with local daemons. We chose servers because, from a security perspective, they are probably the most relevant components that need protection because they constitute the primary contact points of a network facility. AJECT does not need the source code of the server to perform the attacks, i.e., it treats the server as a black box. However, in order to be able to generate intelligent attacks, AJECT has to obtain a specification of the protocol utilized in the communication with the server.
Research Handbook on Insider Trading

In most capital markets, insider trading is the most common violation of securities law. It is also the most well known, inspiring countless movie plots and attracting scholars with a broad range of backgrounds and interests, from pure legal doctrine to empirical analysis to complex economic theory. This volume brings together original cutting-edge research in these and other areas written by leading experts in insider trading law and economics.
Enhanced document clustering using fusion of multiscale wavelet decomposition

Most term weighting schemes for text document clustering depend on the term frequency based analysis of the text contents. A shortcoming of these indexing schemes, which consider only the occurrences of the terms in a document, is that they have some limitations in filtering out noise in most cases. In this paper, we propose a novel weighting approach using fusion technique that can be combined with wavelet-based estimation to achieve consistent improvements in the clustering. Our approach involves three steps: (1) term frequency (TF) weighting scheme, (2) multiple wavelets estimating, and (3) data fusion. Specifically, we apply the wavelet with different scales to produce different estimation values of the original TF, and use the fusion of these different values as new features for clustering the documents. The conducted experiments of clustering the documents from RETURES corpus verify that our weighting schemes using wavelet and fusion techniques reduces effectively the noise and improves clustering performance evaluated using the entropy and F_measure.