Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The IL-4, IL-13 and IL-31 pathways in atopic dermatitis

ABSTRACT Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common inflammatory skin disease. It has a complex pathophysiology, with a combination of immune dysregulation and intrinsic barrier defects driving cutaneous inflammation and allergic symptomatology. The IL-4, IL-13 and IL-31 inflammatory pathways have been identified as hallmark features in the pathogenesis of the disease, contributing uniquely and synergistically to immune and barrier abnormalities as well as the key symptoms, such as pruritis. Novel therapeutics that target these pathways have been under development to find treatments for AD. Areas covered: This review discusses the IL-4, IL-13 and IL-31 pathways in AD. We will also detail novel targeted therapeutics that have recently been or are currently in clinical trials for AD. A literature search was conducted by querying Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Clinicaltrials.gov up to January 2021 using combinations of the search terms ‘IL-4’ ‘IL-13’ ‘IL-31’ ‘atopic dermatitis’ ‘immune pathway’ ‘biologics’ ‘novel therapeutics’ ‘JAK/STAT inhibitors. ’ Expert opinion: The complex pathophysiology of AD advocates for innovation. Novel minimally invasive sampling modalities such as tape stripping will allow for a broader characterization of the immunomechanisms behind AD pathophysiology. This will allow for the continued development of a personalized medicine approach to treat AD.
Equine parvovirus hepatitis

Abstract Equine parvovirus hepatitis (EqPV‐H) was first described in 2018 in a fatal case of Theiler's disease which followed the administration of an equine‐origin biological product. The virus has since been frequently identified in serum and liver tissue of horses affected by Theiler's disease—an acute, severe hepatitis characterised by fulminant hepatic necrosis with a fatal outcome in most cases. EqPV‐H is hepatotropic, appears to be associated with subclinical to severe hepatitis in horses, and is a likely cause of Theiler's disease. Although this disease is most frequently reported following the administration of equine‐origin biological products, it can also occur among in‐contact horses. Horizontal transmission may be iatrogenic, via contaminated equine‐origin biological products such as equine serum, botulism or tetanus antitoxin, and mesenchymal stem cells or by means of the oral route of infection. Other horizontal transmission routes, for example, arthropod vectors, warrant further investigation. A worldwide prevalence of EqPV‐H antibodies and DNA has been reported in asymptomatic horses. EqPV‐H‐positive horses suffering from acute, severe hepatitis have reportedly developed clinical signs including icterus, lethargy, inappetence, and neurological abnormalities and have had increased liver‐associated biochemistry parameters recorded. The most common histopathological abnormalities of the liver have been hepatocellular necrosis, collapse of the lobular architecture, and lymphocytic infiltration. Most horses infected experimentally with EqPV‐H have developed subclinical hepatitis, and close temporal associations between peak viraemia, seroconversion, and the onset of hepatitis have been observed. Based on strong evidence indicating that EqPV‐H causes hepatitis in horses, veterinarians should consider this virus an important differential diagnosis in such cases. Potential risks associated with the administration of equine‐origin biological products must be emphasised.
Big bees spread disease: body size mediates transmission of a bumble bee pathogen.

Trait variation can have important consequences for the outcomes of species interactions. Even though some traits vary as much within species as across related species, models and empirical studies typically do not consider the role of intraspecific trait variation for processes such as disease transmission. For example, many pollinator species are in decline due to a variety of stressors including pathogens, but the role of intraspecific trait variation in mediating disease dynamics is rarely considered. For example, pollinator body size could affect pathogen transmission via differences in resistance, foraging behavior and physiology. We tested effects of body size on pollinator pathogen transmission using the common eastern bumble bee Bombus impatiens in field tents, introducing an infected 'donor' microcolony of large or small workers with an uninfected average-sized 'recipient' microcolony and allowing bees to forage for 9-16 days. Small donor bees had nearly 50% higher infection intensity (cells/0.02 µL) than large donor bees, but large donor bees were twice as likely to transmit Crithidia bombi to recipient bees. Both behavioral and physiological mechanisms may underlie this apparent paradox. Compared to small bees, large bees foraged more and produced more feces; simulations showed that foraging and defecation rates together had stronger effects on transmission than did donor infection intensity. Thus, effects of bee size on contact rates and pathogen supply may play significant roles in disease transmission, demonstrating the multifaceted impacts of traits on transmission dynamics.
FOXA1 overexpression suppresses interferon signaling and immune response in cancer.

Androgen receptor (AR)-positive prostate cancers (PCa) and estrogen receptor (ER)-positive luminal breast cancers (BCa) are generally less responsive to immunotherapy compared to certain tumor types such as melanoma. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully elucidated. Here we found that FOXA1 overexpression inversely correlated with interferon (IFN) signature and antigen presentation gene expression in PCa and BCa patients. FOXA1 bound STAT2 DNA binding domain and suppressed STAT2 DNA binding activity, IFN signaling gene expression and cancer immune response independently of the transactivation activity of FOXA1 and its mutations detected in prostate and breast cancers. Increased FOXA1 expression promoted cancer immuno- and chemotherapy resistance in mice and PCa and BCa patients. These findings were also validated in bladder cancer expressing high level FOXA1. FOXA1 overexpression could be a prognostic factor to predict therapy resistance and a viable target to sensitize luminal prostate, breast and bladder cancer to immuno- and chemotherapy.
Psychometric Evaluation of the Chinese Version of the Modified Online Compulsive Buying Scale among Chinese Young Consumers

ABSTRACT This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Chinese translation of the modified online compulsive buying scale. A convenience sample of 539 Chinese university students were recruited in four major cities in China. The scale was translated from English to Chinese using forward-backward method. Performing a maximum likelihood exploratory factor analysis revealed one factor consisting of 10 items, which was confirmed by conducting a confirmatory factor analysis. Reliability, face validity, content validity, and construct validity of the scale were assessed. The Chinese version of the modified online compulsive buying scale showed good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = .909), and good construct reliability (composite reliability = .911, maximal reliability = .919, McDonald’s omega = .910). Moreover, convergent validity of the scale was established (average variance extracted = .510). The validated instrument can be used in future studies to measure young consumers’ online compulsive buying behavior in China.
The Political Economy of Nationality-Based Labor Inclusion Strategies: A Case Study of the Jordan Compact

Abstract: In a setting of protracted refugee crises, donor responses increasingly have taken on experimental development approaches. One such aid experiment is that of the Jordan Compact, drafted in February 2016. This aimed to turn the Syrian refugee crisis in Jordan into a development opportunity, by fostering job creation and harvesting skills of displaced populations. This brought with it attention from donors in the form of political interest and, more importantly, funding, to stimulate the local economy and labor markets. However, the implementation of this plan was problematic: It focused only on stimulating jobs for Syrians and Jordanians, with little attention given to existing labor market dynamics and other employed nationality groups. Using a qualitative approach informed by both desk research and key informant interviews, this article shows that the policies undertaken have formed a nationality-based prioritization strategy that sought to improve Syrian labor market access over that of other non-Jordanians. The Compact did little to address genuine job creation or social protection, focusing on boosting permit numbers while worsening non-Syrian migrant and refugee access to protection in formal work.
Exploring Individual Antecedents of Performance Error: False Starts in Collegiate Football

ABSTRACT We explored antecedents of performance errors, where such errors are defined as unintended deviations from specified standards. The context of our examination was collegiate football, with participants that were position players on the offensive line. Performance errors were operationalized as false starts. Using data from archival sources and primary data collection, we explored the potential effects of several individual attributes that have been previously theorized as antecedents of performance errors. These attributes included perceptual-cognitive skill, general mental ability, personality traits, self-regulatory foci, and regulation of emotion. Significant effects were revealed across the various individual attributes leading to incidents of performance error. Implications for future research and practice on performance errors are discussed.
A single-shot Lassa vaccine induces long-term immunity and protects cynomolgus monkeys against heterologous strains

A single-dose vaccine confers cross-protection and long-term efficacy against Lassa virus in cynomolgus monkeys. One Shot for Lassa Virus Up to 180 million people are at risk for infection with Lassa virus (LASV), and the endemic region for LASV is expanding. Thus, there is a critical need to develop a vaccine against LASV, preferably one that protects against multiple lineages of LASV, generates durable immune responses, and can be administered in a single dose. To that end, Mateo et al. investigated the ability of a recombinant measles virus vaccine expressing LASV proteins (MeV-NP) to protect nonhuman primates against multiple strains of LASV and to provide protection over a year after vaccination, showing that the vaccine was effective at both. MeV-NP, which is now in clinical trials, represents an advance in the field of LASV vaccine development. A safe and protective Lassa virus vaccine is crucially needed in Western Africa to stem the recurrent outbreaks of Lassa virus infections in Nigeria and the emergence of Lassa virus in previously unaffected countries, such as Benin and Togo. Major challenges in developing a Lassa virus vaccine include the high diversity of circulating strains and their reemergence from 1 year to another. To address each of these challenges, we immunized cynomolgus monkeys with a measles virus vector expressing the Lassa virus glycoprotein and nucleoprotein of the prototypic Lassa virus strain Josiah (MeV-NP). To evaluate vaccine efficacy against heterologous strains of Lassa virus, we challenged the monkeys a month later with heterologous strains from lineage II or lineage VII, finding that the vaccine was protective against these strains. A second cohort of monkeys was challenged 1 year later with the homologous Josiah strain, finding that a single dose of MeV-NP was sufficient to protect all vaccinated monkeys. These studies demonstrate that MeV-NP can generate both long-lasting immune responses and responses that are able to protect against diverse strains of Lassa virus.
Identification and validation of an extended Stewart-Cazacu micromechanics damage model applied to Ti–6Al–4V specimens exhibiting positive stress triaxialities

In this research, the Stewart-Cazacu micromechanics coupled damage model is extended and validated adding nucleation and coalescence models as new damage mechanisms. The Ti–6Al–4V titanium alloy is chosen as a suitable hcp ductile material to be modeled using this extended damage law. The characterization of the damage evolution in this alloy is addressed throughout a quasi-static experimental campaign. Damage characterization relies on in situ X-ray tomography data and scanning electron microscopy imaging technique. The validation procedure consists in the implementation into the finite element research software Lagamine of ULiège and in the comparison of numerical predictions and experimental results. Load–displacement curves and damage-related state variables at fracture configuration from smooth and notched bar specimens submitted to tensile tests are analyzed. The nucleation and coalescence model extensions as well as an accurate elastoplastic and damage material parameter identification for Ti–6Al–4V samples are essential features to reach a validated model. The prediction capabilities exhibited for large strains are in good agreement with experimental results, while the near-fracture strains can still be improved.
Consanguinity: A Form of Social Capital Among the Muslims of Char Areas in Barpeta District, Assam

Information on the dynamics of consanguinity is always important for public health strategy. It provides a direct roadmap for healthcare providers and health policymakers to make people aware of the consequences of consanguinity. The present study aims to investigate the attitude of the Muslim people practising consanguinity in the char (river island) areas of Barpeta district in Assam. It intends to seek a cultural explanation behind the practice of consanguinity. The study was conducted cross-sectionally among the Muslims living in different villages of the temporary, semi-permanent and permanent river islands of Barpeta district in Assam. A total of 556 married couples were included in the study. Of these, 103 couples are consanguineous and the rest 453 are non-consanguineous. To study the prevalence of congenital disorders, a sample of 153 males and 121 female inbred children of the consanguineous couples and 701 male and 571 female children of the non-consanguineous parents have been included in the study. The prevalence of consanguineous marriage in the chars was found to be 18.53% and the average coefficient of inbreeding was 0.05996796. Of the consanguineous marriages, the most favoured type was between the first cousins (63.11%), followed by half first-cousin marriages (12.62%). Altogether 14.60% of inbred were found to have some type of congenital disorder against 0.31% non-inbred. In the chars of Barpeta, it is not only ignorance but poor economic condition is also a reason behind the practise of consanguinity. Consanguineous marriage provides means of escaping the expenditure incurred in dowry or bridewealth payment. With seasonal floods, river erodes their village and crops completely every year. Family remains the sole source of stability and security. Consanguineous marriage therefore forms a sort of social capital as they are a source of secured and stable married life in the most hostile ecological settings where these people are living. Social security is of utmost priority behind these marriages in the char.
Capture the feeling: Memory practices in between the emotional affordances of heritage sites and digital media

This article develops the concept of emotional affordances, which is first used to describe the capacities of heritage sites to enable, prompt and restrict particular emotional experiences of their visitors. Secondly, the article asks how the emotional affordances of digital media, particularly those taking effect in digital photography and social media practices, allow visitors to mediate the emotional affordances of a particular heritage site. The argument builds on an ethnographic study of visitors’ digital image practices at the ‘Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe’ in Berlin and it demonstrates how visitors ‘capture the feeling’ of the memorial through such practices while also reshaping the experiences the place affords.
Mobile Government in States: Exploratory research on the development of mobile apps by the Brazilian subnational government

This paper aims to identify and analyze the status of the development of mobile apps offered by Brazilian state governments and the Federal District. For this purpose, we have developed an exploratory research with a quantitative approach in order to describe the current scenario and the general characteristics of the mobile apps published by the executive agencies at the state level on Google Play. In addition, the study analyzes the functionalities and the maturity level of the SuperApp. We analyzed 97 mobile apps distributed on 32 pages of state agencies on Google Play. This research is justified as a preliminary study that can help government decision-making about the types of distribution chosen to offer this initiative when considering mobile apps as potential tools for communication, information exchange, and the relationship between citizens and the public sector.
Teleworking in Times of COVID-19. Some Lessons for the Public Sector from the Emergent Implementation During the Pandemic Period: Teleworking in times of COVID-19

Abstract: The COVID-19 crisis has forced public sector organizations to implement teleworking as the only option to continue their daily activities and stop the spread of the virus. However, it is still too early to know in a full context how public servants are reacting to the demands of teleworking. This paper aims to fill this gap and examine the effects of timely implementation of teleworking on employees in the public sector. This study analyzed in a transversal manner the perception of 971 public servants in Mexico. Descriptive, correlation, and multiple linear regression analyses were performed. The results indicated the influence of teleworking on aspects such as job satisfaction, organizational commitment, burnout, and productivity. Besides, the findings suggest the relationship between the variables, as well as their importance in light of the current situation.
Digital Government and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals: Towards an analytical framework

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are shaping the global agenda by extending the notion of sustainability beyond the realm of environmental impact, to include economic divides, social inclusion, and institutional impacts in a coherent whole. Digital technology in general, and digital government initiatives in particular, can play a key role in supporting the achievement of these goals. In this paper, we focus on the relevance of the SDG agenda for digital government research. Based on our analysis of 291 studies in the area of digital government and sustainable development, we map examples of empirical studies against each of the 17 SDGs, highlighting foci and gaps in the existing body of research. Drawing on the findings, we provide inputs for a research agenda in digital government that systematically tackles the way digital government can help achieving the United Nations’ Agenda 2030.
Digital Learning Objects Support Grade-Aligned Physics Instruction For High School Students With Mild Intellectual Disability: DLOs in Physics instruction for students with MID

The purpose of the study was to examine the impact of digital learning objects (DLOs) on Physics knowledge improvement for three students with mild intellectual disability in a high school setting. A multiple probe across participants design was used to examine the effectiveness of the intervention. The results indicated a functional relation between the intervention and the correct answers in Physics probes. The study highlighted the positive effects of the use of the DLOs instruction to teach Physics content to students with mild intellectual disability. Implications for practice and suggestions for future research are also discussed.
Student's Online Learning Readiness In Times Of Covid-19: Self-Report Of Undergraduate Psychology Students In Portugal: Student's Online Learning Readiness in times of Covid-19

In times such as these of world pandemic where the spread of COVID-19 has resulted in the shutdown of schools and universities for face-to-face learning activities, the use of digital technology was intensified. The online learning environment is different to the regular classroom environment. Technology may offer multiple opportunities for learning and diverse means for teaching. The use of technological solutions to enable the continuity of learning from home raised challenges to continue effective teaching-learning processes. Considering online learning, some dimensions have been identified as relevant for learning to occur and be effective. Students’ readiness for online learning is one of these dimensions. This brief study aimed to measure undergraduate Psychology students’ online learning readiness at a Portuguese university. Participants exhibited above-medium levels of readiness toward online learning and presented highest readiness in the subscale of technical skills, followed by communication competencies, and the lowest readiness in the subscales related to social competencies both with classmates and the instructor/teacher. From these results, we can derive implications for teaching practice.
Assessment of wizards for eliciting users’ accessibility preferences

Tailoring of the user experience to each individual´s needs and preferences can lead to more accessible solutions. Adaptation has a key role on matching the systems characteristics with the user needs. This can be achieved with personalization (system-driven adaptation) or customization (user-driven adaptation). Personalization have good results on matching the user needs but raises concerns about privacy and how the information is retrieved. Customizations require that the user manually choose the preferences configuration. This article proposed two versions of a web wizard to elicit the accessibility preferences. One version was based on a quiz and the other one presented small interactive activities. The activities version was proposed to help reduce the burden of configuration by implicitly eliciting the user preferences through interactive small activities. The preliminary results with healthy participants suggest that both versions obtained a positive evaluation. However, there was no major difference between each wizard. The causes of these findings are discussed.
Motion Driven Temporal Adaptive Enhanced Graph Convolutional Networks for Skeleton-Based Action Recognition

In this work, we propose a novel motion driven temporal adaptive enhanced graph convolutional network (MTA-EGCN) for skeleton-based action recognition. Firstly, we use skeleton motion to adaptively strengthen the features of key frames in action recognition. This is motivated by an intuition that the frames in a moment with drastic motion are rather informative. Secondly, to capture spatiotemporal information, we propose a cross-spatiotemporal graph convolution that extends the receptive field from a frame to three adjacent frames. Moreover, by coupling these proposals with other GCN methods, our method aids in further performance improvements. Extensive experiments on the two large-scale datasets, i.e., NTU-RGBD and Kinetics-Skeleton, demonstrate that our method is effective.