Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring Academic Use of Online Social Networking Sites (SNS) for Language Learning: Japanese Students Perceptions and Attitudes Towards Facebook

Social networking sites (SNS) have become an integral part of modern society. Among online social networks, Facebook is considered as one of the most popular platforms for online social networking among millions of users including students of all ages. This paper attempts to evaluate whether Japanese students consider Social networking site Facebook as effective online language-learning platform and whether this social learning approach provide students with the opportunity to voluntarily learn English as a second language and gain experiences that help them to better communicate with foreigners using English. A survey was carried out with 88 undergraduates, postgraduate and research students at University of Toyama, Japan to observe learners' perceptions and attitudes towards the usefulness of Facebook for online language learning. Data collected with the use of structured questionnaire from randomly selected students. Most of candidates agreed that Facebook offer great promises to facilitate them learn English and to improve their motivation as well as confidence level in peer- to- peer communication using English. The result of the survey demonstrated that students believed that Facebook could be used as an effective online platform for English learning and related online educational discussions. In conclusion, Facebook may serve as a meaningful and promising teaching tool which can be used not only by English language instructors but also by other educators for fostering quality in online education.
Mining the Human Proteome: Biomarker Discovery for Human Cancer and Metastases

AbstractAs our knowledge of the mechanisms underlying cancer development and progression has increased, so too have more effective, less toxic, and targeted therapies begun to reach the clinic. However, the full impact of these clinical advances and the practical success of the emerging field of precision medicine are dependent on the discovery and validation of sensitive and accurate biomarkers that can enable appropriate and rigorous sample type and patient selection, reliable longitudinal monitoring of therapeutic efficacy, and even risk assessment and early detection. Within the context of this review, we examine state-of-the-art approaches to the discovery and validation of noninvasive cancer biomarkers, with a specific emphasis on those that are protein or protein-associated ones. We also review sample selection strategies, currently utilized proteomic approaches for both discovery and validation requirements, and data analysis standards. Finally, we provide examples of these elements of biomarker discovery and validation from our own biomarker research.
Small signal analysis and controller design of a half-bridge single-stage power converter

In this paper, a half-bridge single-stage power converter is used as a fundamental study object. The half-bridge single-stage power converter proposed in this thesis has inherent gift of high power factor correction (PFC) even when the PFC inductor operates in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). It is revealed that if the proposed converter is operating in DCM, it not only inherently has high power factor but also avoids the bulk capacitor from high voltage stress at light loads. Having decided the operating mode of the converter, the statespace averaged model is used to drive the DC operating point and the small signal model. Then each component of the proposed converter is designed to satisfy the specifications. The output voltage is ensured by Simulink simulations. Finally, experimental results are used to verify the accuracy of small-signal model wherein the voltage feedback controller is designed to regulate output voltage. The experimental results show good confirm with the analysis and designs.
Study of erosion resistance and mechanical properties of unsaturated polyester based nano-composites

The addition of spherical and platelet shaped nano-particles in polymer composites has been shown to increase the electrical erosion resistance of insulation systems. Previous studies have mainly focused on the performance of epoxy based nano-composites and there are currently no studies evaluating the performance of ambient cured unsaturated polyester (UPR) nano-composites for their electrical erosion resistance. The present study focuses on the performance of UPR nano-composites with respect to their electrical erosion resistance as well as other mechanical and thermal properties. It was shown that the use of spherical particles showed the greatest increase in the erosion resistance of the resultant composites, however, the platelets showed the greatest increase in mechanical properties. Further, the optimum concentration of nano-particles, irrespective of particle morphology, was found to be between 0.5 and 1.5 pph with respect to erosion resistance and mechanical properties. Addition of a silane coupling agent was found to increase the properties of the resultant composites further, with respect to electrical erosion resistance and mechanical properties upto an optimum concentration. Further increase in coupling agent concentration resulted in a decrease in performance due to a decrease in the crosslinking density of the composites.
Lack of Correlation Between Clinical Characteristics and Serum Soluble Fas Ligand Levels in Patients with Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma is characterized by the accumulation of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow and rarely cured by chemotherapy. Villunger et al. showed that the neoplastic plasma cells express Fas ligand (FasL), which transmits a signal of apoptosis upon ligation to Fas, and suggested that the FasL suppresses the T-cells activated against malignant cells, resulting in escape from tumour immunity. We examined serum soluble FasL (sFasL) levels in 35 multiple myeloma patients to evaluate the correlation between sFasL levels and clinical characteristics. The serum sFasL levels were not affected by the disease status, serum monoclonal protein levels, or other prognostic factors. We could not determine whether the expression of FasL is involved in the poor clinical course of the disease.
Life Below the Gum Line: Pathogenic Mechanisms ofPorphyromonas gingivalis

SUMMARY Porphyromonas gingivalis, a gram-negative anaerobe, is a major etiological agent in the initiation and progression of severe forms of periodontal disease. An opportunistic pathogen, P. gingivalis can also exist in commensal harmony with the host, with disease episodes ensuing from a shift in the ecological balance within the complex periodontal microenvironment. Colonization of the subgingival region is facilitated by the ability to adhere to available substrates such as adsorbed salivary molecules, matrix proteins, epithelial cells, and bacteria that are already established as a biofilm on tooth and epithelial surfaces. Binding to all of these substrates may be mediated by various regions of P. gingivalis fimbrillin, the structural subunit of the major fimbriae. P. gingivalis is an asaccharolytic organism, with a requirement for hemin (as a source of iron) and peptides for growth. At least three hemagglutinins and five proteinases are produced to satisfy these requirements. The hemagglutinin and proteinase genes contain extensive regions of highly conserved sequences, with posttranslational processing of proteinase gene products contributing to the formation of multimeric surface protein-adhesin complexes. Many of the virulence properties of P. gingivalis appear to be consequent to its adaptations to obtain hemin and peptides. Thus, hemagglutinins participate in adherence interactions with host cells, while proteinases contribute to inactivation of the effector molecules of the immune response and to tissue destruction. In addition to direct assault on the periodontal tissues, P. gingivalis can modulate eucaryotic cell signal transduction pathways, directing its uptake by gingival epithelial cells. Within this privileged site, P. gingivalis can replicate and impinge upon components of the innate host defense. Although a variety of surface molecules stimulate production of cytokines and other participants in the immune response, P. gingivalis may also undertake a stealth role whereby pivotal immune mediators are selectively inactivated. In keeping with its strict metabolic requirements, regulation of gene expression in P. gingivalis can be controlled at the transcriptional level. Finally, although periodontal disease is localized to the tissues surrounding the tooth, evidence is accumulating that infection with P. gingivalis may predispose to more serious systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and to delivery of preterm infants.
A Potent Hypotensive Factor in Chicken Left Ventricle

Abstract Chicken artria and ventricles both have membrane-bound granules which resemble those containing atriopeptin. (ANP) in mammals. However, nothing is known about the contents of the avian granules. A previous study in chickens showed that although extracts of whole chicken heart or synthetic rat ANP both caused profound hypotension, ANP caused both natriuresis and diuresis, while chicken heart extract did not. The present study sought to locate the region(s) of chicken heart containing the hypotensive activity, and to observe the effect on sodium and water excretion and blood pressure in rats. Acid extracts of either atrium, either ventricle, ventricular septum, skeletal muscle, and liver were identically prepared from chickens and rats. Extracts were adjusted to the same protein concentration and injected (0.15 ml/kg) into anesthetized Single Comb White Leghorn roosters. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and the time for recovery were measured. The most potent extract from chicken hearts was from the left ventricle (-38 ± 1 mm Hg, 149 ± 9 sec to recover). All other extracts (including right ventricle) produced only small (10-20 mm Hg), short-lived (20-30 sec) decreases in MAP. In contrast, only rat atrial extracts evoked long-lasting hypotension (>40 mm Hg, recovery time >200 sec). A 30-min infusion of the most potent chicken extract (left ventricle, CLV) into rats produced a small but significant natriuresis and diuresis compared to the vehicle time control (P < 0.05) and the hypotensive response to bolus injection was about one-third that seen in the chicken. The location of potent spasmolytic activity primarily in chicken left ventricle, the different avian renal responses to chicken heart extract and synthetic rat ANP (5), and the weak diuretic, natriuretic, and hypotensive effects of CLV extract in rats all suggest that the chicken heart substance may be different from mammalian ANP.
Mechanism of the inhibitory action of linoleic acid on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus.

Linoleic acid, but not stearic acid, inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus NCTC 8325. Growth inhibition was associated with an increase in the permeability of the bacterial membrane. The presence of a plasmid conferring resistance to penicillin (PC plasmid, e.g. pI258blaI-) increased the growth inhibitory and membrane permeability effects of linoleic acid. Under growth inhibitory conditions, linoleic acid was incorporated into the lipid of both PC plasmid-containing and PC plasmid-negative bacteria and there was little difference between these cultures in the uptake or fate of linoleic acid. Experiments using a glycerol auxotroph of S. aureus suggested that free linoleic acid, rather than lipid containing this acid, inhibits growth. Linoleic acid probably inhibits growth by increasing the permeability of the bacterial membrane as a result of its surfactant action, and the presence of the PC plasmid increases these effects.
Double-Layer Metallic Holes Lens Based on Continuous Modulation of Phase and Amplitude

We have demonstrated numerically a lens design based on continuous modulation of both phase and amplitude utilizing array of double-layer metallic aluminum holes filled with silicon dioxide. The tuning range is 0-π and 0-0.3 for phase and amplitude, respectively, at wavelength 365 nm, allowing flexible lens design. Two lenses are designed and compared. At wavelength 365 nm, the lens based on pure phase modulation generates a 600-nm hot spot at a distance of 6.5 μm, while the phase-amplitude-modulation-based lens leads to an improved focusing spot size of 450 nm, which is beyond the diffraction limit 608 nm and the superoscillation criterion 462 nm. An example of subwavelength superoscillation focusing (0.32λ) is also demonstrated with a continuous amplitude modulated lens, which shows small sidelobe and broad view field. Our approach shows great potential in superoscillation lens design and can be applied to other optical spectrum ranges as well.
Security market regulation: antecedents for capital market confidence in frontier markets

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the capital market effects of corporate governance (CG) practices of a “comply or explain” environment on stock market liquidity in a frontier market.Design/methodology/approachUsing secondary data from Nairobi Securities Exchange, the liquidity position is analyzed using panel data random effects regression against CG guidelines.FindingsThe results show a negative and significant relationship between CG compliance and stock market liquidity, suggesting that regulated CG practices improve market liquidity in Kenya. The results are remarkably robust to different measures of liquidity and supports agency and signaling theory.Practical implicationsThe authors provide evidence to show that security regulation improves stock market liquidity in a frontier market whose characteristics are thought not to favor regulation. Therefore, regulators and stakeholders could be motivated by the benefits of regulation, and this could lead to renewed effort to improve CG compliance.Originality valueThe findings show that security market regulation through CG guidelines can improve stock market liquidity in frontier markets. This offers regulators and policymakers a strong motivation to enhance security regulation to improve capital market confidence.
Stimulant effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) 75 mg and methylphenidate 20 mg on actual driving during intoxication and withdrawal.

BACKGROUND 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is currently one of the most popular drugs of abuse in Europe. Its increasing use over the last decade has led to concern regarding possible adverse effects on driving. The aims of the present study were to investigate the acute effects of MDMA on actual driving performance during the intoxication and withdrawal phase. METHODS Eighteen recreational MDMA-users (nine males, nine females) aged 21-39 years participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, three-way cross-over study. MDMA 75 mg, methylphenidate 20 mg and placebo were administered on day 1 of treatment (intoxication phase). Driving tests were conducted between 3 and 5 hours post-drug. Subjects returned the following day for a repetition of the driving tests between 27 and 29 hours post-drug (withdrawal phase). On-the-road driving tests consisted of a road-tracking test and a car-following test. Its main parameters were standard deviation of lateral position (SDLP), time to speed adaptation (TSA), brake reaction time (BRT) and gain. FINDINGS MDMA and methylphenidate significantly decreased SDLP in the road-tracking tests by about 2 cm relative to placebo on day 1 (intoxication phase). In addition, MDMA intoxication decreased performance in the car-following test as indicated by a significant rise in the 'overshoot' of the subjects' response to speed decelerations of the leading vehicle. Driving performance was not affected by treatments during withdrawal on day 2. CONCLUSION Collectively, these data indicate that MDMA is a stimulant drug that may improve certain aspects of the driving task, such as road-tracking performance, but may reduce performance in other aspects of the driving task, such as accuracy of speed adaptation during car-following performance.
Spectral Subtraction Speech Enhancement with RASTA Filtering

Spectral subtraction based speech enhancement methods are known to be effective for the suppression of additive stationary, broadband noise. Tonal noises such as car horn sounds are found to cause serious degradation of the output speech quality. A method is proposed in this work that incorporates RASTA processing within the framework of spectral subtraction in order to achieve better suppression of tonal noises. It is shown that the proposed method significantly outperforms both, spectral subtraction and RASTA speech enhancement methods, in the presence of simultaneous broadband and tonal noises.
Three-dimensional visualization and a deep-learning model reveal complex fungal parasite networks in behaviorally manipulated ants

Significance Microbial parasites may behave collectively to manipulate their host’s behavior. We examine adaptations of a microbial parasite in its natural environment: the body of its coevolved and manipulated host. Electron microscopy and 3D reconstructions of host and parasite tissues reveal that this fungus invades muscle fibers throughout the ant’s body but leaves the brain intact, and that the fungal cells connect to form extensive networks. The connections are likened to structures that aid in transporting nutrients and organelles in several plant-associated fungi. These findings alter the current view of parasite-extended phenotypes by demonstrating that behavior control does not require the parasite to physically invade the host brain and that parasite cells may coordinate to change host behavior. Some microbes possess the ability to adaptively manipulate host behavior. To better understand how such microbial parasites control animal behavior, we examine the cell-level interactions between the species-specific fungal parasite Ophiocordyceps unilateralis sensu lato and its carpenter ant host (Camponotus castaneus) at a crucial moment in the parasite’s lifecycle: when the manipulated host fixes itself permanently to a substrate by its mandibles. The fungus is known to secrete tissue-specific metabolites and cause changes in host gene expression as well as atrophy in the mandible muscles of its ant host, but it is unknown how the fungus coordinates these effects to manipulate its host’s behavior. In this study, we combine techniques in serial block-face scanning-electron microscopy and deep-learning–based image segmentation algorithms to visualize the distribution, abundance, and interactions of this fungus inside the body of its manipulated host. Fungal cells were found throughout the host body but not in the brain, implying that behavioral control of the animal body by this microbe occurs peripherally. Additionally, fungal cells invaded host muscle fibers and joined together to form networks that encircled the muscles. These networks may represent a collective foraging behavior of this parasite, which may in turn facilitate host manipulation.
Reflections on the Research Methods Used in an Investigation of Cross-modal Collaborative Information Seeking

Evaluating collaborative information seeking can be challenging, often more than individual information seeking. This can be attributed to the complexity of the interaction as the study involves a number of users using the systems. While this is particularly important, but rather hard when the users employ different modalities accessing the systems. In this paper, we describe a semi-structured combination of qualitative and quantitative methods used to investigate visually impaired and sighted web users’ collaborative information seeking behavior. We critically reflect on the benefits and limitations of the methods used, and discuss practical considerations in application of such methods in a cross-modal setting. Keywords-research methods; evaluation; collaborative information seeking; cross-modal interaction
Combinatorial determinants of tissue-specific transcription in B cells and macrophages

A tripartite domain of the immunoglobulin mu heavy-chain gene enhancer that activates transcription in B cells contains binding sites for PU.1, Ets-1, and a leucine zipper-containing basic helix-loop-helix factor. Because PU.1 is expressed only in B cells and macrophages, we tested the activity of a minimal mu enhancer fragment in macrophages by transient transfections. The minimal mu enhancer activated transcription in macrophages, and the activity was dependent on all three sites. Analysis of mutated enhancers, in which spacing and orientation of the ETS protein binding sites had been changed, suggested that the mechanisms of enhancer activation were different in B cells and macrophages. Thus, ETS protein binding sites may be combined in different ways to generate tissue-specific transcription activators. Despite the activity of the minimal enhancer in macrophages, a larger mu enhancer fragment was inactive in these cells. We propose that formation of the nucleoprotein complex that is formed on the minimal enhancer in macrophages cannot be helped by the neighboring muE elements that are essential for activity of the monomeric enhancer.
Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Protect Against Acute Kidney Injury Through Anti-Oxidation by Enhancing Nrf2/ARE Activation in Rats

Background/Aims: Anti-oxidation is an effective strategy for curing acute kidney injury (AKI). Herein, we suggest that extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) might play an anti-oxidative role by enhancing Nrf2/ARE activation in AKI. Methods: EVs isolated from the conditioned medium of human Wharton's Jelly mesenchymal stromal cells and human foreskin fibroblast were intravenously injected in rats immediately after 45 min of unilateral kidney ischemia. Animals were sacrificed 24 h after injury. Results: Results showed that renal tubular injury was alleviated and renal function was improved by MSC-EVs. Cell apoptosis and sNGAL levels, which reflect kidney cell injury, were reduced. Moreover, MSC-EVs decreased oxidative stress in injured kidney tissues and NRK-52E cells under hypoxia injury. Nrf2/antioxidant response element (ARE) enhancement and HO-1 up-regulation were further observed after MSC-EV treatment both in vivo and in vitro. Conclusions: MSC-EVs may protect against AKI possibly through anti-oxidation by enhancing Nrf2/ARE activation.
Acute neutropenia associated with initiation of febuxostat therapy for hyperuricaemia in patients with chronic kidney disease

Febuxostat is a new non‐purine selective inhibitor of xanthine oxidase for the treatment of hyperuricaemia in patients with gout. Febuxostat is recommended as the first‐line pharmacologic urate‐lowering therapy for gout in the American College of Rheumatology guidelines. Febuxostat has not been reported to cause severe complications, especially haematological abnormalities. Our objective is to report two cases of neutropenia associated with initiation of febuxostat therapy for hyperuricaemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).