Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Buffering Against the Detrimental Effects of Demographic Faultlines: The Curious Case of Intragroup Conflict in Small Work Groups

Group faultline literature suggests that subgroups impede group functioning. We propose that team conflict may buffer the detrimental effects of faultlines on group performance. We draw on social categorization and group process theories suggesting that the negative effects of fault-lines are due to increased competition and decreased communication across subgroups and can be diminished with cross-subgroup information exchange and elaboration. We propose that intragroup conflict in small groups will decrease negative effects of demographic faultlines because detecting conflict and engaging in conflict management require cross-subgroup communication and information elaboration. In Study 1, using student groups we found that relationship, task, and process conflict buffered the negative effect of demographic faultline strength on group performance. In Study 2, we manipulated conflict and group faultlines (ethnic faultlines vs. no faultlines) and found that group conflict buffered the negative effect of faultlines on group performance. Theoretical contributions and practical implications are discussed.
A Graph-Based Approach to Model Privacy and Security Issues of Online Social Networks

With millions of users, Online Social Networks (OSNs) are a huge cultural phenomenon. Put briefly, they are characterized by: i) an intrinsic sharing of personal information, ii) a rich set of features to publish, organize and retrieve contents, especially for emphasizing their social organization, iii) the interaction with a heterogeneous set of devices, e.g., ranging from desktops to mobile appliances, and iv) the mix of Web-based paradigms and sophisticated methodologies for processing data. However, if not properly implemented, or without effective security policies, i) – iv) could lead to severe risks in terms both of privacy and security. In this perspective, this chapter analyzes the major peculiarities of OSN platforms, the preferred development methodologies, and usage patterns, also by taking into account how personal information can be exploited to conduct malicious actions. Then, we introduce a graph-based modeling approach to reveal possible attacks, as well as to elaborate the needed countermeasures or (automated) checking procedures.
The relative release of alkaline phosphatase and beta-galactosidase of E . coli C 29 , in exponential and stationary phases , through different lysis methods

Alkaline phosphatase (AP) in Escherichia coli C29 is constitutively expressed, unlike wild type E. coli in which AP expression has to be induced. However, it has been observed that AP activities drop upon entry into stationary phase. In contrast, another study demonstrated an increase in AP levels in stationary phase. It is speculated that ineffective bead bashing lysis of stationary cells resulted in an underestimation of total protein and thus overestimation of AP specific activity. The aim of this study was to confirm this hypothesis by investigating the lysis efficiency of bead-bashing and chemical whole cell lysis on the release of AP and β-galactosidase (β-gal), a cytoplasmic protein. AP levels were also investigated throughout exponential and stationary phase. The AP/β-gal ratio confirmed the incomplete lysis of the bead bashing method, and that AP levels decreased upon transition into stationary phase, but a subsequent substantial increase in the ratio needs further investigation. ________________________________________________________________
Detection of CD4/CD8 ratio in mice immunized with a bicistronic plasmid construct encoding a ppe gene of Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis and a cytokine gene of murine gamma interferon*

In the present study a gene encoding PPE protein of M.a.paratuberculosis (FJ032182) was cloned with murine IFN-³ in a mammalian bicistronic vector pIRES 6.1 to elucidate the role of gamma interferon on the PPE gene for determination of CD4/CD8 ratio in post immunized mice. Flow cytometric analysis with mononuclear mice splenocytes on 42nd day post immunization revealed significant reduction of the CD4/CD8 ratio in the mice group immunized with pIR PPE/IFN (1.65±0.0001) compared to the pIR PPE group (2.92±0.0003). These result suggested that co-expression of murine IFNg in conjunction with PPE protein significantly enhanced the CMI response.
New Stochastic Algorithms for Placing Ads in Sponsored Search

We introduce a family of algorithms for the selection of ads in sponsored search that intends to increase ad diversity while not significantly reducing revenue and maintaining an incentive for advertisers to keep their bids as high as possible. Diversification of ads may be useful for many different reasons. Our al- gorithms try to distribute the available slots among all ads, using some kind of proportional mechanism based on the bids and the expected CTRs of the ads. Although in our experiments we used a sim- ple first-price auction, our algorithms are compati- ble with strictly incentive-compatible auctions and pricing mechanisms. We have analyzed the perfor- mance of our algorithms both assuming a static in- trinsic CTR associated to each ad and in the more general case in which ads' CTR varies dynamically with time. The main result is that the best among our algorithms perform well compared to the tradi- tionally used (in some cases even better), while in- creasing notably the diversification of the published ads.
Path Planning Amidst Moving Obstacles

In this project, we explore how to deal with the path planning problem in the presence of moving obstacles using deep reinforcement learning. We use Deep Q-Network to train our turtlebot in a ROS simulation environment. The state space is continuous and the action space is discrete. The reward is positive for all the state action pairs except when the turtlebot collides with an obstacle where it gets a negative reward. To incorporate moving obstacles in our environment, we use a ROS package called pedsim ros which introduces randomly moving humans in our simulation environment. The results from our experiments show that the turtlebot learns to avoid moving obstacles
Lithium Extraction from Wairakei Geothermal Fluid using Electrodialysis

Fluid sourced from the Wairakei geothermal power station was treated at small laboratory scale by electrodialysis. The fluid was first desilicated using electrocoagulation with aluminium electrodes. The influence that the voltage, current, fluid temperature, and acidification had on lithium extraction was explored. It was determined that the power supplied to the system determined the extraction rate while also severely degrading the membranes. Acid dosing was found to be essential to the electrodialysis process due to the alkalinity of geothermal desilicated brine. The greatest extraction rates were obtained at a pH of about 2-4, and the highest extraction rate achieved was 0.28 mg/hour.cm 2 of active membrane using a three membrane stack in the laboratory electrodialysis unit. It was determined that the process had sufficient potential to be taken into the pilot plant stage which would produce an understanding of the economic viability.
Two related narratives: learning from an evaluation of a short coaching workshop and a pilot coaching project

Background and context: A key role of the district’s Nursing Midwifery Practice and Workforce Unit is to build capability in the nursing and midwifery workforce. In this paper I reflect on the experience of my team following attendance at a two-day Coaching for Performance workshop and the impact this had on developing coaching skills for nurse managers and nurse unit managers in South Eastern Sydney Local Health District. Aims: To highlight how engaging in critical reflection enabled the unit team to identify gaps in the transfer of coaching skills learned from the two-day workshop to everyday management practices. The pilot project to embed coaching into management practices is the result of the team’s reflection. The method, findings and implications for coaching practices for nurse managers and nurse unit managers are described in detail. Findings: Using Gibbs’ model of reflection, the unit team reflected on its collective experiences following attendance at the workshop. This led to the development of a pilot coaching project called Embedding Coaching into Practice for nurse managers and nurse unit managers, which enabled the transfer of coaching skills learned to everyday management practices. The pilot project used a ‘coaching the coach’ approach, with structured follow-up at the managers’ places of work. This had a positive impact on the development of coaching skills and managers were able to use these skills with confidence to enable their staff to develop problem-solving skills. Conclusions: This paper highlights how using a validated tool for reflection can lead to positive change. ‘Coaching the coach’ can support transfer of coaching skills learned into everyday practices, which has a positive impact on work performance for nurse managers, nurse unit managers and their staff. It supports the practice development principle that lifelong learning can influence effective workplace cultures and have a positive impact on patient care. Implications for practice: • Development of coaching skills for managers enables them to build better relationships with staff and facilitate conversations about work performance and how this can influence patient care • Coaching programmes that have a practical component should include planning for ongoing support from an experienced coach to practise the skills learned • Collaboration, inclusiveness and participation are key to building effective workplace cultures
2 1 N ov 2 01 8 Truly noiseless probabilistic amplification

Most of the schemes for “noiseless” amplification of coherent states, which have recently been attracting theoretical and experimental interest, share a common trait: the amplification is not truly noiseless, or perfect, for non-zero success probability. While this must hold true for all phaseindependent amplification schemes, in this work we point out that truly noiseless amplification is indeed possible, provided that the states which we wish to amplify come from a finite set. Perfect amplification with unlimited average gain is then possible with finite success probability, for example using techniques for unambiguously distinguishing between quantum states. Such realizations require only linear optics, no single-photon sources, nor any photon counting. We also investigate the optimal success probability of perfect amplification of a symmetric set of coherent states. There are two regimes: low-amplitude amplification, where the target amplitude is below one, and general amplification. For the low-amplitude regime, analytic results for the optimal amplification success probabilities can be obtained. In this case a natural bound imposed by the ratio of success probabilities of optimal unambiguous discrimination of the source and amplified states can always be reached. We also show that for general amplification this bound cannot always be satisfied.
Numerical Modeling Approach of an Air-launched AUV Initially Impacting on Water

Water-entry impact of air-launched AUV (AL-AUV) is considered as a time-depended strongly nonlinear fluidstructure Interaction phenomenon. Numerical modeling technique of AL-AUV on its initial water-entry impact is given by using the Multi-Material ALE-Lagrange coupling algorithm. The key aim is focused on the numerical modeling approach taken in detail to dealing with water-entry impact. Based upon this, water-entry impact loads and effect of fluid on the impact responses are also specially discussed. Numerical results show that the exact dynamic characteristics can be obtained in effect by modeling the appropriate waterentry numerical model and the right resolve method. It is helpful to the structure design and to analyze the later hydroballistics. KeywordsAL-AUV; Water-entry impact; ANSYS/LS-DYNA; Coupling algorithm; Numerical modeling
Eects of geomagnetic storms on the ionosphere and atmosphere

A geomagnetic storm is a complex process: its various features act at dierent heights. In the F2 layer the midlatitude eect is basically an ionospheric response to storm-induced changes in the neutral atmosphere, which are primarily a consequence of a strong Joule heating in the auroral thermosphere. At lower heights the role of ionization and photochemical processes increases due to shorter electron lifetimes. At the base of the F1 layer (160-170 km) the storm eect is almost absent. At
Continuity in weak topology and extremal problems of eigenvalues of the $p$-Laplacian

We will study the dependence of eigenvalues of the one-dimensional p-Laplacian on potentials or weights. Two results are obtained. One is the continuity of eigenvalues in potentials with respect to the weak topologies of L γ spaces, 1 < γ < ∞, and the other is the continuous differentiability of eigenvalues in potentials with respect to L γ norms. As applications, we will study some extremal problems of eigenvalues by developing some analytical methods.
A simple and rapid nucleic acid preparation method for reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT- PCR) in dormant potato tubers

In order to shorten and facilitate the preparation of nucleic acid (without using tuber slicer, santurugation, vacuum devices and nanocalorimeter (NCM)) for reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), pieces of tuber were placed directly into eppendorf tubes containing 30 µl of detergent (0.5% Triton XL-80 N) buffers, vortexed for 3 min and then 2.5 µl of this aliquots was used in RT-PCR. Alternatively, evaluation of the efficiency of different buffers (sodium sulphite buffer, 0.1 M HCl, 0.1 M NaOH, 0.1 M Tris, 0.1 M EDTA, 0.1 M phosphate buffer, 0.1 M LiCl, 0.1 M KCl, 1 M NaCl and water (H2O)) was carried out. The strongest band was obtained from sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium chloride (KCl), sodium sulphite buffer (SSB), phosphate buffer and lithium chloride (LiCl), respectively. To determine the minimum concentration and delectability of potato leafroll virus (PLRV) and potato virus S (PVS) that can be assessed by RT-PCR, the sap obtained from tubers known to be infected with PLRV and PVS were diluted (1:1, 1:2, 1: 4, 1:8, 1:16 1:32 and 1:64) and tested in RT-PCR. PLRV and PVS bands were observed up to 1:8 in NaCl and phosphate buffer, 1:4 in KCl, SSB and LiCl. However, except NaCl, no difference between the intensity of band obtained from other buffers was observed. On the other hand, increasing the cut surfaces of tuber pieces increased the dilution rate of nucleic acid. To determine the efficiency of the NaCl buffer, when a total of 60 dormant tubers (60 days after the harvest) were tested, PLRV and PVS were detected at the rate of 57/60 and 54/60, respectively.
Context-Dependent Mating Success in Murgantia histrionica (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

ABSTRACT Animals must find and select mates in environments that naturally vary in both space and time. Of particular importance for many species are the availability and phenology of host plants for feeding and oviposition sites. Here, we used Murgantia histrionica (Hahn) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), a herbivorous insect, to determine mating preferences and success using mating assays and preferences based on odor cues.Wemanipulated the natal and encounter contexts using two different host plants, mustard and broccoli. We found that both the natal host plant and the host plant where insects encountered potential mates significantly affected mating success in this insect. Broccolireared individuals were more likely to mate in general; however, all individuals were more likely to mate when placed in an encounter context of mustard. Using a separate assay, we also found that the natal host plant affected female preference based on odor cues; females preferred the odors of males from the same natal environment that the females experienced as nymphs. In addition, we examined color and body size for host plant effects as both size and color are important factors for many species during mate choice. We found that individuals reared on mustard were larger than those reared on broccoli. However, the proportion of orange color on the dorsum of insects was not significantly affected by the natal host plant. In summary, these results suggest that changes in host plants, as commonly occurs seasonally, may have implications for sexual selection via mate choice.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Mesangial Repair in a Model of Immunoglobulin Light Chain-Mediated Mesangial Injury

Mesangial injury produced by glomerulopathic monoclonal immunoglobulin light chains leads to two diametrically opposed results: matrix loss from mesangiolysis / replacement of mesangial matrix with amyloid (AL-amyloidosis) and increased matrix (light chain deposition disease), depending on the physicochemically abnormal light chains involved. In both situations; however, there is loss of mesangial cells resulting from apoptosis induced by the glomerulopathic light chains. This unique experimental model of mesangial injury resulting in divergent manifestations allows examining the role of mesenchymal stem cells in mesangial glomerular repair in the two typical prototypes of alterations that occur in the mesangium when injured by a variety of injurious agents. In vitro and ex vivo platforms are used to translate information from the in-vitro to the in-vivo arenas. Both platforms highlight the same sequence of events that take place: mesenchymal stem cells identify the site of damage, clear the damaged mesangium by eliminating debris from apoptotic cellular elements and deposited “foreign” (not belonging in the normal mesangium) material and eventually differentiate into mature mesangial cells laying down new matrix. Each of the platforms employed exhibited certain advantages and limitations in visualizing and understanding the processes that occur. When the information generated was combined, a clear view of mechanisms involved and how mesenchymal stem cells participated in mesangial repair emerged.
Advanced tariff aggregation in global trade models: dismantling tariffs on the Swiss beef market

Two tariff aggregation extensions to global trade models are proposed, taking advantage of international trade data at the tariff line level. The proposed methods correct for typical biases in tariff aggregation. Firstly, they take into account the substitution effects in an optimal consumption bundle at the tariff line level. Secondly, they also deal with the “water” in tariffs, i.e. the imperfect transmission of tariff cuts to domestic prices. Finally, they model Tariff Rate Quotas explicitly. The aggregators are tested for Swiss tariff dismantling scenarios towards imported EU beef products, after implementing them in a partial equilibrium model of the agricultural sector.
Microglobule formation and a microscopic order parameter monitoring the phase transition of aqueous poly(
N
-isopropylacrylamide) solution

The coil-to-globule transition of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAm) in water is generally believed to be driven by hydrophobic interaction between the isopropyl groups of its side chains. However, it is still unclear how dehydration and critical fluctuations of the polymer chains are correlated. Here, we use small- and wide-angle x-ray scattering and dielectric relaxation spectroscopy to cover a wide range of the relevant length and time scales, enabling us to grasp an overall picture of this phase transition. We find that the hydration number of pNIPAm decreases only moderately with temperature up to about 6 K below its spinodal temperature TS, but then drops steeply on approaching TS. This rapid dehydration is coupled to a mean-field-like power-law divergence of the correlation length ξ, representing fluctuations of the density order parameter. Real-space decoding of an observed interference peak reveals partial-globule formation even far below TS and demonstrates that the polymer-rich phase above TS can be understood as a high-density assembly of the microglobules. Strikingly, condensation of the microglobules and the divergence of ξ do not run parallel. Instead, the condensation occurs only above TS and is completed about 6 K above TS. The local number density of the microglobules, exhibiting a steplike increase just above TS, should be identified as an additional microscopic order parameter governing the phase transition of pNIPAm.
Toughening of polymers by graphene

Graphene has been regarded as the next-generation carbon nanofiller for polymer nanocomposites. Owing to its superior physical properties, it produces a dramatic improvement in properties of polymers at very low filler loadings. In the past few years, toughening of polymers by graphene has been studied intensively. This article reviews the typical preparation methods of graphene and graphene/polymer nanocomposites. The authors summarize the enhancement effect, optimal filler loading and toughening mechanism for the polymer composites. Effects of some important factors including graphene content, thickness, sheet size, state and interfacial bonding with polymer chains have been addressed. Accordingly, the current challenges and future perspectives for the toughening of polymers by graphene are indicated.
Leadership resources in the World Wide Web

Ranking the search results is an important research problem in WWW. HITS, PageRank and variations of these algorithms are widely used approaches for ranking. In this paper we proposed a new ranking algorithm to rank the search results by introducing the concept of “leader-page”. The notion of “leader-page” is defined by extending the concept of “leader” from leadership theory. In leadership theory, a leader is defined as a person, who has more contacts with the other members of the group, both initiates and receives communication, and whose characteristics are the most similar to the group’s own characteristics. Similarly, in WWW, the proposed approach identifies leader-pages and assigns “leadership score” to them based on several kinds of cyclic and similarity relationships it establishes with other web pages. Given a set of key words (search query), the proposed approach ranks the related pages based on the corresponding “leadership score”. The experiment results show that the proposed approach gives high leadership score to resourceful pages as compared to the results of the HITS algorithm and the Google search engine.
CP-ABE : A Secure User Enforced Data Access Control Mechanism over Cloud C

Cloud computing, is an emerging computing paradigm, enabling users to remotely store their data in a server and provide services on-demand. In cloud computing cloud users and cloud service providers are almost certain to be from different trust domains. Data security and privacy are the critical issues for remote data storage. A secure user enforced data access control mechanism must be provided before cloud users have the liberty to outsource sensitive data to the cloud for storage. Attribute-Based access to the media in the cloud where it uses cipher-text policy Attribute-Based Encryption (CP-ABE) technique to create an access control structure. By using the algorithms in the access policy the attributes are used to generate a public key in order to encrypt the data and a secret key consisting of user attributes to decrypt the data and is used as an access policy in order to restrict the access of the user. By using ABE technique the encrypted data is trustworthy even on the untrusted server. This requires flexible and accessible cryptographic key management to support difficult access policies. The policy is to assign a key to each user attribute and encrypts the data based on the appropriately distributed keys to corresponding user.