Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How are epidermal Langerhans cells activated in the initiation phase of allergic contact dermatitis

In the allergic contact hypersensitivity, the chemical penetrates into the viable layers of the epidermis and into the various cells therein. At these sites, the chemical must react with carrier protein or peptide to form a T cell epitope as well as activate Langerhans cells (LC). The reaction of haptens with proteins is either covalent or non-covalent, such as by forming a coordination complex. Meanwhile, haptens activate LC. Although the mechanism by which hapten activates LC is still controversial, it is accepted that LC must be activated in the initiation phase of allergic contact hypersensitivity reaction. The activated LC with augmented expression of various co-stimulatory molecules and increased production of proinflammatory cytokines start to migrate via the afferent lymphatics to the draining lymph nodes where they present hapten to naive T cells. To migrate to the lymph nodes, LC down-regulate E-cadherin which functions in anchoring LC in the epidermis, produce MMP-9 that is required for passing through the basement membrane, and increase their expression of chemokine receptor CCR7 that induces the migration toward CCL-19 (MIP-3) and CCL-21 (SLC). Our current and ultimate challenge is developing non-animal test methods which can predict a chemical's skin sensitization potential in vitro. For that purpose, it is crucial to understand the mechanism of allergic contact hypersensitivity, especially, its initiation phase. In this review, I have focused on the current understanding regarding the mechanism of activation of LC in the initiation phase.
The effect of ultrastructure and moisture content on mechanical parameters of pine wood (Pinus sylvestris L.) upon tensile stress along the grains

Selected mechanical parameters of earlywood and latewood from Pinus sylvestris subjected to tensile stress were measured as a function of moisture content. Microfibril angles (MFAs) to the longitudinal axis of the cell in the S2 layer of tangent cell walls in the same wood samples were also measured. The tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of earlywood were practically independent of its moisture content, while the same parameters of latewood significantly decreased as its moisture content increased in the hygroscopic range. For earlywood, the strain at break was greater the higher its moisture content. For latewood, no notable effect of moisture content on the strain at break was observed. The influence of moisture content on mechanical parameters measured upon tensile stress was proven to be determined by mean MFA values. This influence was the most pronounced for low MFA values, up to about 13°, while for mean MFAs from 13° to 22° the tensile strength and modulus of elasticity were practically constant and independent of moisture content.
Importance of Backyard Habitat in a Comprehensive Biodiversity Conservation Strategy: A Connectivity Analysis of Urban Green Spaces

Connectivity has been an accepted goal in ecological restoration of wilderness areas for some time, but it is a relatively new approach in urban areas. The connectivity analysis presented here explores the numbers and patterns of corridors required to connect urban green spaces as part of an overall biodiversity conservation strategy. Green spaces in this study were weighted based on size and a habitat requirement of 0.5 ha for a hypothetical indicator species. Thirteen potential networks were evaluated using Gamma, Beta, and Cost Ratio indices. The study zone contained 54 green spaces (habitat nodes) with a combined area of 636.5 ha in a total urban area of approximately 2,600 ha. Several models (Travelling Salesman, Paul Revere, and Least Cost to User) were used to evaluate possible connections. These results indicated that at least 325 linkages are necessary to connect half of the nodes. Such large numbers of linkages are only feasible by enhancing the matrix of backyard habitat, planted boulevards, and utility rights‐of way found in a city. Strengthening such networks should work well to support the biota protected in urban parks and wildlife refuges and the seasonal migrants that sometimes depend on urban habitats for their survival.
Faecal micro-RNAs in inflammatory bowel diseases.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Faecal biomarkers are used as indicators of disease activity in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), which include Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Micro-RNA (miRNA) are small non-coding RNAs detectable in extracellular fluids that can be used as clinical biomarkers. The aim of this study was to determine if the faecal miRNAs composition is altered in IBD. METHODS More than 800 different human faecal miRNAs were measured in stool samples from control individuals and patients with active CD using the Nanostring technology. Selected miRNAs were quantified by RT-qPCR in faeces, serum and intestinal tissue of controls (n = 23) and patients with inactive or active CD (n = 22, n = 22) or UC (n = 11, n = 24) as well as patients with Clostridium difficile infection (CDI, n = 8). RESULTS 150 miRNAs were significantly detected in faeces from controls and patients, and multivariate analyses showed that CD patients with high disease activities had a distinct miRNA profile and that miR-223 and miR-1246 were distinct from other faecal miRNAs. In a larger cohort, active UC patients displayed significantly higher levels of miR-223 and miR-1246 than controls while patients with CDI had higher levels of faecal miR-1246 but not miR-223. No differences were noted in serum samples. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first faecal miRNA comprehensive screen performed in IBD. Further investigation will aim at confirming these findings in a bigger cohort and at understanding the biological function and cellular sources of faecal miRNAs.
LACK OF HARD-SEEDED SPECIES IN PRE-FIRE AND POST-FIRE SEED BANKS IN THE REGION OF MURCIA (SOUTH-EASTERN SPAIN)

Permanent seed banks are thought to be of essential importance for the reproductive success of many obligate seeder species during early post-fire succession. To evaluate the role of seed banks for post-fire regeneration in SE Spain, seed bank analyses were carried out on recently burnt sites and in long-unburnt areas in two climatically different regions of the province of Murcia, using the seedling emergence method as well as the physical separation technique. We found great variability in the number of seeds between sites and expositions. Lowest seed numbers were found in the mountains while locally very dense seed banks of > 3500 seeds/m 2 in the upper two cm of soil were present at the coast. Species of Poaceae, Asteraceae as well as annual species such as Asterolinum linum-stellatum prevailed whereas hard-seeded species known to occur frequently in post-fire Mediterranean vegetation (e.g. Cistaceae, Fabaceae or Convolvulaceae) were sparse or absent in the seed bank. We conclude that the hard-seeded species are not a self-evident compound of the species composition during post-fire succession of long-unburnt sites in south-eastern Spain.
The Effect of Isokinetic Training on Maximum Torque Output of Swimmers , Using the Akron Isokinetic Dynamometer

The important aspect of isokinetic "xercise is that it allows the muscles to move at a constant predeten, . _. J angular velocity. This mode of exercise is based upon electromechanical devices with feedback systems which maintain the preset angular velocity of the limbs around the joint to be tested. The importance of isokinetic strength training for swimming perfor­ mance is well supported by a number of studies (3, 7, 13). The purpose of this study was to determine if isokinetic training using a new isokinetic dynamometer, (AKRON, Ipswich, England), would increase the isokinetic strength of swimmers,
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Friction Stir Welded Similar and Dissimilar Joints of Al and Mg Alloys

Similar joints of 2024-T3 Al alloys and dissimilar joints of 2024 Al alloy to 7075 Al alloy and AZ31 Mg alloy were produced by friction stir welding (FSW). Effects of FSW parameters such as welding speed, rotation speed and backing materials on microstructure and mechanical properties of similar 2024-T3 Al alloy joints and dissimilar joints of 2024-T3 Al alloy to 7075-T6 Al alloy and AZ31 Mg alloy aluminum alloy. Scanning electron microscopy, with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) was carried to analyze the homogeneity of constituents in the stir zone (SZ) of dissimilar joints. An increase of equiaxed grain size in the SZ with increasing rotation speed was observed for all similar and dissimilar joints. Reduction of grain size in the SZ was obtained for similar 2024 Al alloy joints when using type 2 of backing material at the same welding conditions. For dissimilar joints between 2024 and 7075 Al alloys, at a rotation speed of 400min -1 there was no mixing of two alloys in the SZ and a border between them was observed. Increase of rotation speed more to than 400min -1 brought about a mixed structure resembling onion rings with periodic change of equiaxed grain size and heterogeneous distribution of alloying elements in the SZ. In the case of dissimilar joints between 2024 Al alloy and AZ31 Mg alloy a laminated structure was formed in the SZ near the boundary between SZ and TMAZ on the advancing side of 2024 Al alloy regardless of the welding speed. Hardness values increased with increasing rotation speed and fluctuated in the SZ of dissimilar joints due to formation of onion rings and intermetallic compounds. In the case of defect-free joints, tensile strength increased with increasing rotation speed and backing plate of type 3 brought about the best tensile properties for similar 2024 Al alloy joints.
Adherence Pheno-genotypic of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Isolated from Beef, Feces of Cattle, Chicken and Human

Generally, adherence of micro-organisms to host cells is the frst step of the colonization to host surfaces. Escherichia coli O157:H7 can colonize to the intestine and induce attaching-effacing (AE) lessions. The capacity of inducing AE lesions is encoded by a pahtogenicity island, the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE) that contains genes involved in generation of attaching and effaching (A/E) lesions. Among which that, the eae gene is encoding intimin, an outer membrane protein that is responsible to intimate attachment to the intestinal epithelial cells. A total of 20 local isolates obtained from human clinically, beef, cattle, chicken, and human non-clinically were tested to adherence pheno-genotypic of E. coli O157:H7. The eae gene was identifed using polymerase chain reaction with a specifc primer i.e AE19 forward and AE20 reverse. To confrm phenotypic of gene, further study was performed by culturing the bacteria in vero cell, followed by Giemsa staining and Acridine Orange Fluorescent staining 3 h and 6 h after incubation, respectivelly. Result of study showed that there were 19 out of 20 (95%) isolates identifed positive eae gene. Giemsa staining appeared that the bacteria with positive eae gene performed a cluster arroud of cell (localized adherence). On the other hand, the negative eae gene appeared as a diffuse adherence (DA). The study indicated that almost all of E. coli O157:H7 local isolates which was positive eae gene had potency to colonize to the intestine and induce attching-effaching lessions, and also cause cytopahatic effects in intestinal epithelial cell
Internationalization of Higher Education: Potential Benefits and Costs

Abstract Internationalization of higher education is the top stage of international relations among universities and it is no longer regarded as a goal in itself, but as a means to improve the quality of education. The knowledge translation and acquisition, mobilization of talent in support of global research and enchantment of the curriculum with international content are considered to be the benefits of internationalization of higher education. Though, internationalization holds many positives to higher education, there are grave risks associated with this multifaceted and growing phenomenon. Negative aspects include commercial profit, academic colonization and difficulty in ensuring quality education. The current review has implications for educational policy makers to ensure positive and reciprocal benefits to the higher education institutions and the countries concerned.
The effect of FDI on economic growth and the importance of host country characteristics

In spite of a large increase in FDI inflows to developing countries, the effect of FDI flows on economic growth remains confusing. The recent contribution of modern economic growth theories in general predicts that FDI can be the main catalyst of economic growth in the receiving countries. Empirical studies, however, produce ambiguous results, and suggest that the growth effects of FDI are conditional on the host country characteristics. The main purpose of this paper is to examine the growth-effect of FDI in a selected sample from developing countries from 1970 to 2005. Particularly, the paper examines the following specific research question: Does FDI contribute to economic growth in developing countries alone or does it depend on its initial conditions? By applying GMM panel data technique, the paper finds that that FDI has in general a positive impact on economic growth, but its magnitude depends on the host country conditions to achieve a economic growth and sustainable development. The results of this paper clearly show that domestic investment, human capital, infrastructure development, financial market development, trade openness and institution quality positively related to economic growth. The results also show that the technology gap is negatively related to economic growth Key words: Foreign direct investment, absorptive capacity, economic growth, GMM panel data framework, developing countries.
Non-Linear Predictability of Stock Market Returns: Comparative Evidence from Japan and the US

Using smooth transition regression model analysis, we examine the non-linear predictability of Japanese and US stock market returns by a set of macroeconomic variables between 1981 and 2012. The theoretical basis for investigating non-linear behavior in stock returns can be based on the interaction between noise traders and arbitrageurs or behavioral finance theories of non-linear risk aversion. As heterogeneity in investors’ beliefs gives reason to suspect a smooth transition between extremes, rather than abrupt, a smooth transition regression model is estimated. Our findings support differences in non-linearity of stock returns in Japan and the US that might be linked to different shareownership of the Japanese stock market compared to the US. In addition, differences in the legal system might have some influence over our findings as well. The US results also suggest greater heterogeneity in the relationship between stock returns and macro variables in the US data relative to the Japanese data. The reasons behind the differences in our results, both between countries and between regimes are probably due to the different economic conditions faced by Japan and the US over our sample, to the possible existence of bubbles in the data and to investor behavior consistent with ‘behavioral finance’ theories of investor behaviour.
Contribution of tropical cyclones to the air‐sea CO2 flux: A global view

Previous case studies have illustrated the strong local influence of tropical cyclones (TCs) on CO2 air‐sea flux suggesting that they can significantly contribute to the global In this study, we use a state‐of‐the art global ocean biochemical model driven by TCs wind forcing derived from a historical TCs database, allowing to sample the response under 1663 TCs. Our results evidence a very weak contribution of TCs to global one or two order of magnitude smaller than previous estimates extrapolated from case studies. This result arises from several competing effects involved in the response to TCs, not accounted for in previous studies. While previous estimates have hypothesized the ocean to be systematically oversaturated in CO2 under TCs, our results reveal that a similar proportion of TCs occur over oversaturated regions (i.e. the North Atlantic, Northeast Pacific and the Arabian Sea) and undersaturated regions (i.e. Westernmost North Pacific, South Indian and Pacific Ocean). Consequently, by increasing the gas exchange coefficient, TCs can generate either instantaneous CO2 flux directed from the ocean to the atmosphere (efflux) or the opposite (influx), depending on the CO2 conditions at the time of the TC passage. A large portion of TCs also occurs over regions where the ocean and the atmosphere are in near equilibrium, resulting in very weak instantaneous fluxes. Previous estimates also did not account for any asynchronous effect of TCs on during several weeks after the storm, oceanic pCO2 is reduced in response to vertical mixing, which systematically causes an influx anomaly. This implies that, contrary to previous estimates, TCs weakly affect the CO2 efflux when they blow over supersaturated areas because the instantaneous storm wind effect and post‐storm mixing effect oppose with each other. In contrast, TCs increase the CO2 influx in undersaturated conditions because the two effects add up. These compensating effects result in a very weak contribution to global and a very modest contribution to regional interannual variations (up to 10%).
Piobaireachd in New Zealand: Culture, Authenticity and Localisation

This is an ethnomusicological study of piobaireachd in New Zealand, undertaken from 2010 to 2013. Piobaireachd is accepted as the classical music for the Highland bagpipe, arising out of ancient Scottish history. Current literature on piobaireachd presents the past as objective, historically accurate and sacrosanct, expressed in performance. However, this research argues that the past may also be a social construction arranged in, and influenced by, the present. It builds on the work of others in ethnomusicology, anthropology, and social sciences, theorising that piobaireachd should be explored within a contemporary and global cultural framework. The methodology for this paper is informed by an ethnographic research design that employs in-depth interviews with culture bearers and participant observation, while also relying on insider understanding and extant literature. Thematic analysis of data induced an interpretive theoretical framework, which allowed for triangulation of findings, and the ensuing discussion. Central to this theory were three key themes, music as culture, authenticity, and localisation, which were explored in an accepted music-culture research model. Chapters 1, 2 and 3 respectively offer introductory information and scene setting, a review of the relevant literature, and the research methodology employed. Chapters 4, 5 and 6, respectively provide discussion and results of data relative to an exploration of sound, material and visual culture, and social and cultural transmission. Piobaireachd in New Zealand was found to have some unique characteristics reflected in ‘authentic’ sounds and concepts that drive performance. Material and visual culture presented a number of distinct localised interpretations of authenticity in piobaireachd, ranging from the materials that produce sound, to attire and choreographed behaviour, to cultural symbols within performance contexts. The social and cultural transmission of piobaireachd offered clear indications of local influences on definitions of cultural authenticity, including authorities, transcultural interaction, and local history. Chapter 7 brings these findings together and offers conclusive interpretations of these outcomes.
A study on newer technique for reconstruction of pre auricular soft tissue defect with temporo-parietal fascia flap (Khabeer’s flap)

Background: A pre auricular sinus is a congenital abnormality, which occurs due to failure of fusion of primitive tubercles from which pinna develops. Pre auricular sinuses are usually asymptomatic and when symptomatic present usually as discharging sinus, associated with abscess formation anterior to root of helix. Symptomatic pre auricular sinus requires surgical excision to prevent recurrence and reinfection. Treatment of pre auricular sinus by conventional methods usually presents a dead space due to removal of sinus tract. The present study is to overcome this defect by a superficial temporalartery based temporo-parietal fascia flap or Khabeer’s flap. The objective of this study is to describe a novel technique for excision of pre auricular sinus using supra auricular approach and using a temporo-parietal fascia flap for covering the defect created after excision of pre auricular sinus.Methods: A prospective study was carried out in Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Gandhi Medical College/Gandhi Hospital Secunderabad from 2014 to 2017. All the patients admitted with symptomatic pre auricular sinus underwent surgical excision by supra auricular approach and at the end superficial temporal artery based flap was placed to fill the dead space. Results: A total of 20 pre auricular sinuses were operated during the study period. There were no recurrences, no collection of serous fluid and no cosmetic defect post operatively in any of the study subject.Conclusions: The newer approach was found to be safe as it does not confer any complications post operatively and can be used for management of pre auricular sinus.
Phase diagram for the onset of circulating waves and flow reversal in inclined falling films

Abstract The onset of circulating waves, i.e. waves with a circulating eddy in the main wave hump, and the onset of flow reversal, i.e. a vortex in the first capillary minimum, in inclined falling films is investigated as a function of the Reynolds number and inclination number using the weighted integral boundary layer (WIBL) model and direct numerical simulations (DNS). Analytical criteria for the onset of circulating waves and flow reversal based on the wave celerity, the average film thickness and the maximum and minimum film thickness have been approximated using self-similar parabolic velocity profiles. This approximation has been validated by second-order WIBL and DNS simulations. It is shown that the onset of circulating waves in the phase diagram for homoclinic solutions (waves of infinite wavelength) is strongly dependent on the inclination, but independent of the streamwise viscous dissipation effect. On the contrary, the onset of flow reversal shows a clear dependence on the viscous dissipation. Furthermore, simulation results for limit cycles (finite wavelength) reveal a strong increase of the corresponding critical Reynolds number with the excitation frequency. Additionally, a critical ratio between the maximum and substrate film thickness (value of approximately 2.5) was found for the onset of circulating waves, which is independent of wavelength, inclination, viscous dissipation and Reynolds number.