Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Demands of Diversity Messages: Strategic Self-Stereotyping Among Racial Minorities

The Demands of Diversity Messages: Strategic Self-Stereotyping Among Racial Minorities Teri A. Kirby Chair of the Supervisory Committee: Dr. Cheryl R. Kaiser Psychology Although multicultural messages value and encourage the expression of group differences, this approach to diversity may ironically constrain racial minorities’ behavior and promote selfstereotyping. Self-stereotyping in multicultural workplaces may be particularly pronounced among weakly racially identified minorities who, compared to strongly identified minorities, are more willing to engage in identity-related self-presentational strategies to obtain desired outcomes. In four studies, online community samples of African American (Studies 1-4; N = 1,055) and White adults (Study 2; N = 1,586), who varied in their strength of racial identification, imagined interviewing at a company that either advocated managing diversity through multiculturalism or colorblindness or had no diversity message. When exposed to the multicultural company, African Americans presented themselves as more stereotypically African American (e.g., athletic and streetwise) than in the colorblind company, but only if they were weakly identified with their racial group. Weakly identified African Americans also felt more anxious and less like they could be themselves at the multicultural company compared to the colorblind company. White participants and strongly racially identified Black participants were unaffected by the company’s diversity message. These findings show that, despite their best intentions, organizations striving to be inclusive may paradoxically create pressure for some
NetGator: Malware Detection Through Program Interactive Proofs

Exfiltration of data using internet-borne attacks has become a credible threat for organization and enterprises. History has shown that crafted targeted attacks and zero-day malware are capable of penetrating even the most sophisticated defenses. To make matters worse, intrusion detection systems that perform analysis of network traffic are dependent on the timely information provided by blacklisting, signature schemes, or anomaly patterns. This is especially true for heavily used communication protocols where blocking decisions affect the everyday operations of the organization. Even when the intrusion is detected in a timely manner, valuable data might have already been stolen. In this paper, we propose a new approach to distinguish legitimate browser software from malware that generates identical network traffic signatures. Our system consists of two parts: a signature-based passive detection module, and a module that issues Program Interactive Challenges (PICs) to client applications. Initially, we perform passive detection utilizing content inspection techniques that analyze network header element order. Of course this is not enough: we demonstrate that passive detection can be easily subverted. To amend that, we introduce an interactive detection module in the form of inline network proxy that challenges the detected browser forcing it to exercise known specific internal functionality. For browsers, we can leverage HTML, Flash, Javascript and other common browser components to form challenges that malware will not be able to respond to due to lack of functionality. Contrary to interractive challenges, our challenges are transparent to the user allowing for a seamless browsing experience. We demonstrate the effectiveness of active challenges on thousands of real world malware samples. Our results show that, depending on the deployment scenario, PICs incure no or minimal (average of 0.35 seconds) latency per inspected objected.
Max-min fair transmit beamforming for multi-group multicasting

In this paper, we consider transmit beamforming to multiple multicasting groups. We assume that the different multicasting groups share the same frequency band and that the channel state information (CSI) in terms of either instantaneous channels or the second order channel statistics is available at the transmitter. For the problem of maximizing the minimum signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) of all the receivers under a total power constraint, a sequential convex programming algorithm is developed. Compared to the method proposed in the literature, the developed algorithm achieves a higher SINR at a significantly reduced computational complexity.
Role of Type IV Pili in Predation by Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus

Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus, as an obligate predator of Gram-negative bacteria, requires contact with the surface of a prey cell in order to initiate the life cycle. After attachment, the predator penetrates the prey cell outer membrane and enters the periplasmic space. Attack phase cells of B. bacteriovorus have polar Type IV pili that are required for predation. In other bacteria, these pili have the ability to extend and retract via the PilT protein. B. bacteriovorus has two pilT genes, pilT1 and pilT2, that have been implicated in the invasion process. Markerless in-frame deletion mutants were constructed in a prey-independent mutant to assess the role of PilT1 and PilT2 in the life cycle. When predation was assessed using liquid cocultures, all mutants produced bdelloplasts of Escherichia coli. These results demonstrated that PilT1 and PilT2 are not required for invasion of prey cells. Predation of the mutants on biofilms of E. coli was also assessed. Wild type B. bacteriovorus 109JA and the pilT1 mutant decreased the mass of the biofilm to 35.4% and 27.9% respectively. The pilT1pilT2 mutant was able to prey on the biofilm, albeit less efficiently with 50.2% of the biofilm remaining. The pilT2 mutant was unable to disrupt the biofilm, leaving 92.5% of the original biofilm after predation. The lack of PilT2 function may impede the ability of B. bacteriovorus to move in the extracellular polymeric matrix and find a prey cell. The role of Type IV pili in the life cycle of B. bacteriovorus is thus for initial recognition of and attachment to a prey cell in liquid cocultures, and possibly for movement within the matrix of a biofilm.
Calcium–Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II Contributes to Spinal Cord Central Sensitization

Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II) is found throughout the CNS. It regulates calcium signaling in synaptic transmission by phosphorylating various proteins, including neuronal membrane receptors and intracellular transcription factors. Inflammation or injuries to peripheral tissues cause long-lasting increases in the responses of central nociceptive neurons to innocuous and noxious stimuli. This change can occur independently of alterations in the responsiveness of primary afferent neurons and has been termed central sensitization. Central sensitization is a form of activity-dependent plasticity and results from interactions in a set of intracellular signaling pathways, which modulate nociceptive transmission. Here we demonstrate an increased expression and phosphorylation of CaMK II in rat spinal dorsal horn neurons after noxious stimulation by intradermal injection of capsaicin. Local administration of a CaMK II inhibitor in the spinal cord significantly inhibits the enhancement of responses of spinal nociceptive neurons and changes in exploratory behavior evoked by capsaicin injection. In addition, spinal CaMK II activity enhances phosphorylation of AMPA receptor GluR1 subunits during central sensitization produced by capsaicin injection. This study reveals that CaMK II contributes to central sensitization in a manner similar to its role in the processes underlying long-term potentiation.
A Multitapered Fiber-Optic SPR Sensor With Enhanced Sensitivity

A multitapered fiber-optic surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor for refractive index sensing has been fabricated and characterized. The sensor has been analyzed for different taper periods in a given sensing length. The sensing probe with the smallest taper period is found to be the most sensitive. In addition, the sensor is less fragile than previously studied tapered fiber-optic SPR sensors, as the core waist is not very thin in the present probe.
Tuberculosis contact investigation in low prevalence countries: a European consensus

Contact investigation to identify individuals with tuberculosis and latent infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an important component of tuberculosis control in low tuberculosis incidence countries. This document provides evidence-based and best-practice policy recommendations for contact tracing among high- and medium-priority contacts in a variety of settings. It provides a basis for national guidelines on contact investigation and tuberculosis outbreak management, and should support countries and tuberculosis control managers in evaluating and revising national policies. A review of existing guidelines, a literature search, several meetings and consultation with experts were used to formulate and grade recommendations for action during contact investigation. Available tests to identify individuals with latent infection with M. tuberculosis are designed to identify immune response against mycobacterial antigens and have variable predictive value for the likelihood to develop active tuberculosis in different populations. Contact investigation should therefore be limited to situations with a clear likelihood of transmission or to those with a higher probability of developing active tuberculosis, for instance, young children and immunocompromised persons. A risk assessment-based approach is recommended, where the need to screen contacts is prioritised on the basis of the infectiousness of the index case, intensity of exposure and susceptibility of contacts.
The role auditory feedback in stutter-like disfluencies in the speech of simultaneous interpreters under stress

Starting from the finding that simultaneous interpreters have an increased number of stutter-like disfluencies in their speech when working through noise, the thesis sets out to explore the relationship between the stutters of normal speakers under stress and pathological stuttering. Since the conditions under which pathological stuttering can be suppressed, and in particular the absence of auditory feedback, appear to involve distraction from auditory feedback, it is hypothesised that attention to auditory feedback is important in pathological stuttering. The thesis is designed to determine whether this is also true of the stutters of normal speakers under stress, particularly interpreters. The role of stress is discussed in terms of its effects on attention deployment. It is proposed that the known attention narrowing effect of stress or high arousal may be operating to direct attention intermittently to auditory feedback in all types of stuttering, including delayed auditory feedback stuttering. Experiment 1 investigates the effect of reducing, amplifying, and delaying auditory feedback, and of speech tasks requiring different patterns of attention deployment, on the occurrence of stutters. The known effects of delayed auditory feedback are found. Interpreting elicits more stutters than shadowing, and a significant relationship is found between stutters and failures to attend to simultaneous task input. Experiment 2 is designed to elicit stutters in normal speakers by inducing anxiety and fluctuations of attention, using electric shocks and a divided-attention speech task. Anxiety does not increase stutters, hut there is some evidence that it increases attention to auditory feedback. The divided-attention task succeeds in increasing stutters, and a control condition of masked auditory feedback reduces stutters. It is concluded that attention to auditory feedback plays a role in the stutters of normal speakers, but only when attention is divided or fluctuating, and that these findings are consistent with the view that pathological and normal stutters are related.
Parental conflict in birds: comparative analyses of offspring development, ecology and mating opportunities

Parents often conflict over how much care to provide to their offspring. This conflict is expected to produce a negative relationship between male and female parental care, the strength of which may be mediated by both ecological and life-history variables. Previous studies have observed such trade-offs, but it is not known how generally they occur. Traditional views of sexual conflict place great importance on ecological factors in determining levels of parental care, whereas alternative views propose that the key determinant is mating opportunity. We carried out a broad-scale comparative study of parental conflict using 193 species from 41 families of birds. Using phylogenetic comparative analysis, we establish the generality of intersexual parental care conflict. We also show that parental conflict, as indicated by the disparity in care between the male and the female, depends on offspring development and mating opportunities, since in precocial species both males and females responded to increased mating opportunities. Altricial birds, however, failed to show these relationships. We also found little influence of breeding climate on parental conflict. Taken together, our results suggest that sexual conflict is a key element in the evolution of parental care systems. They also support the view that the major correlates of the intersexual conflict are mating opportunities for both sexes, rather than the breeding environment.
A Bayesian Outbreak Detection Method for Influenza-Like Illness

Epidemic outbreak detection is an important problem in public health and the development of reliable methods for outbreak detection remains an active research area. In this paper we introduce a Bayesian method to detect outbreaks of influenza-like illness from surveillance data. The rationale is that, during the early phase of the outbreak, surveillance data changes from autoregressive dynamics to a regime of exponential growth. Our method uses Bayesian model selection and Bayesian regression to identify the breakpoint. No free parameters need to be tuned. However, historical information regarding influenza-like illnesses needs to be incorporated into the model. In order to show and discuss the performance of our method we analyze synthetic, seasonal, and pandemic outbreak data.
Good Clean Fun? A Content Analysis of Profanity in Video Games and Its Prevalence across Game Systems and Ratings

Although violent video game content and its effects have been examined extensively by empirical research, verbal aggression in the form of profanity has received less attention. Building on preliminary findings from previous studies, an extensive content analysis of profanity in video games was conducted using a sample of the 150 top-selling video games across all popular game platforms (including home consoles, portable consoles, and personal computers). The frequency of profanity, both in general and across three profanity categories, was measured and compared to games' ratings, sales, and platforms. Generally, profanity was found in about one in five games and appeared primarily in games rated for teenagers or above. Games containing profanity, however, tended to contain it frequently. Profanity was not found to be related to games' sales or platforms.
The relationship between methane production and concentrations of hydrogen in the aqueous and gaseous phases during rumen fermentation in vitro.

Summary: When rumen micro-organisms were incubated in vitro with a wide range of concentrations of hydrogen (H) in the gas phase, the amount of methane produced was linearly related to the amount of H taken up. The rate of utilization of dissolved H for methane synthesis was close to the rate of entry of H into solution from the gas phase. Hydrogen produced from formate accumulated in the aqueous phase, but methane production was not related to its concentration.
Totalitarian State Capitalism: on the Structure and Historical Function of Soviet-Type Societies

Societies patterned on the Soviet model have been described as “really existing socialism,” “transitional society,” “state socialism,” “integral statism,” “bureaucratic collectivism,” “monopoly socialism,” and “proto-socialism. ” All of these accounts are in some ways inadequate and in the following paper, the notion of “totalitarian state capitalism” will be developed to provide a more accurate account. The point of departure is a re-examination of the concept of “totalitarianism”. The unqualified rejection of the “bourgeois” theory of totalitarianism by the German Left in the 50's and 60's was a serious mistake, which still prevents an accurate understanding of contemporary realities. Originally developed by the Council Communists in their disputes with the Bolsheviks, the analysis of Soviet-type societies as totalitarian leads to an account of these societies as “state capitalist”.
Orientation of cohesive end site cos determines the active orientation of chi sequence in stimulating recA . recBC-mediated recombination in phage lambda lytic infections.

Sequence chi, 5'G-C-T-G-G-T-G-G, locally enhances homologous recombination by recA and recBC proteins of Escherichia coli. Previous work showed that, in phage lambda, chi is more active in one orientation (leftward) than in the other (rightward). Inverting cos, the sequence for the mature DNA ends of lambda, reverses this orientation dependence: the rightward chi becomes fully active, and the leftward chi becomes relatively inactive. We surmise that chi action in phage lambda is coupled with DNA packaging or injection.
Design of a wideband CMOS LNA for low frequency band SKA application

This paper presents the design of a wideband (50-350 MHz) low noise amplifier (LNA), employing a bandwidth constrained noise figure optimization technique targeted for a low frequency band Square Kilometer Array radio telescope. In this application, noise figure and power consumption optimization is crucial. In fact, the LNA optimization and analysis considers the effect of the induced gate noise in the MOS devices. The LNA is designed in a standard 0.18 μm CMOS process and provides a forward gain higher than 30 dB across the whole bandwidth, with a noise figure of less than 0.65 dB while consuming 72 mW from a 1.5 V supply.
Consistent accuracy of mid arm circumference and calf circumference as birth weight surrogates during first few days.

Measurement within 24 hours and then daily for 10 days after birth was made of mid arm, calf, and thigh circumference, and birth weight among infants delivered by the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital in Ludhiana, Punjab State, India. The results of the correlation procedures was that mid arm an calf circumference were highly correlated with birth weights: r = . 60 and r = . 76 respectively. Thigh circumference data was discarded, due to technical errors. Analysis of variance found that there were not significant differences between the values of arm and calf circumference and birth weight. This information was found useful for determining birth weight with colored strips during the first 10 days after birth. The criteria of health workers in field conditions to assess birth weight with surrogate measures were satisfied: high correlation, easy measurement, and consistently accuracy over the first few days of life. Health workers do not always see new borns in the first few days. The significance of measuring birth weight is in the determination of low birth weight and the need for special care or monitoring as a means of enhancing child survival.
Preservation of cardiac function and energy reserve by the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor quinapril during postmyocardial infarction remodeling in the rat.

PURPOSE Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors show beneficial long-term hemodynamic effects in chronically infarcted hearts. The purpose of this study was to test whether prevention of the deterioration of mechanical function by ACE inhibitors is related to beneficial effects on high-energy phosphate metabolism that is deranged in heart failure. METHODS Twelve-week old rats were randomly assigned to ligation of the left coronary artery [mycardial infarction (MI)] or sham operation (Sham) and to the ACE inhibitor quinapril (+Q) (6 mg/kg/day per gavage) or placebo treatment. Eight weeks later, cardiac function was measured in the isolated heart by a left ventricular balloon (pressure-volume curves), and energy metabolism of residual intact myocardium was analyzed in terms of total and isoenzyme creatine kinase activity (spectrophotometry), steady-state levels [adenosine triptosphate (ATP), phosphocreatine], and turnover rates (creatine kinase reaction velocity) of high-energy phosphates [31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)] and total creatine content [high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)]. RESULTS Quinapril prevented post-MI hypertrophy and partially prevented left ventricular contractile dysfunction [maximum left ventricular developed pressure 166+/-6, 83+/-16 (p < 0.05 MI vs. Sham), 139+/-13 mm Hg (p < 0.05 quinapril treated vs. untreated) in Sham, MI and MI+Q hearts]. Residual intact failing myocardium showed a 17% decrease of MM-CK and a 16% decrease of mito-CK activity. Total creatine was reduced by 23%, phosphocreatine by 26% and CK reaction velocity by 30%. Parallel to improved function, treatment with quinapril largely prevented the impairment of energy metabolism occuring post-MI. CONCLUSIONS quinapril treatment results in an improvement of high-energy phosphate metabolism, of energy reserve via the creatine kinase reaction, and of contractile performance post-MI.
The Effect of Retroviral Vector on Uptake of Human Lactoferrin DNA by Yak (Bos Grunniens) Spermatozoa and their Fertilizability In Vitro

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the transfection effectiveness of retroviral vector PLNCX2 in yak sperm-mediated gene transfer (SMGT) and the effect of SMGT on sperm motility and fertilizability. Human lactoferrin (hLF) DNA was ligated into PLNCX2 to construct recombinant plasmid PLNCX2-hLF, then, using PLNCX2-hLF+FuGene 6 to generate SMGT yak spermatozoa for fertilizing bovine oocytes. The result showed that DNA-binding rate increased with the extension of incubation period and DNA treatment did not decrease sperm motility. Oocytes inseminated with SMGT-spermatozoa had a lower (P < 0.05) cleavage rate (57.7%) than the control (73.4%), but development up to blastocyst stage was not different (26.8 vs. 31.7%). It appears that PLNCX2 is useful for generating transgenic yaks by SMGT.