Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Principles of Autoantibodies as Disease-specific Markers

The immune system is designed by nature to protect us from our environment. But activation of the immune response not only protects us from disease, as in infectious diseases, it can cause disease, as in autoimmunity. Indeed, about 20% of North American and European populations suffer from autoimmune or inflammatory diseases mediated by this immune response. The normal immune response involves activation of both innate and adaptive immune systems. Adaptive immunity is associated with activation of both T and B cells, the latter producing antibodies. Autoantibodies can be detected in the sera and, in recent years, have been valuable in both the diagnosis and the prediction of disease. It is our opinion that the practical value of autoantibodies has not been fully realised in the majority of diseases in which they can be detected. Realising the clinical potential of autoantibodies could be extremely valuable, and in this article we set out the principles for measuring autoantibodies both as diagnostic markers of disease activity and disease classification or as predictive markers of progression to clinical disease. Observations supporting this position are presented and whilst they are broadly based on the study of autoimmune diseases, it remains possible that the general principles they encompass can be applied to other disease processes, including cancer. Studies using autoantibodies in autoimmune diseases suggest several principles. First, autoantibodies can reflect the disease process and, when detected during a prolonged disease prodrome, autoantibodies can predict clinical disease. Second, when there is aetiological heterogeneity in clinical disease, autoantibodies can help classify the disease process. Both these points are particularly relevant when autoantibodies themselves have the capacity to damage tissue. Third, a number of distinct autoantibodies are associated with any one disease, and some are more predictive of progression to clinical symptoms than others. Fourth, the risk of progression to disease, the rate of progression, and the severity of the clinical disease can be predicted to a degree by the number of autoantibodies, the type of autoantibody and the titer of the autoantibody. – 8] In addition, associated features including genetic risk and evidence of target organ failure can enhance the predictive value of autoantibodies. These points will now be set out in more detail.
Lactose Malabsorption and Intolerance in Uruguayan Population by Breath Hydrogen Test (H2)

This study of 200 Uruguayans between 0 and 86 years old was designed to determine the prevalence of lactose malabsorption. Lactose intolerance is defined as a clinical syndrome of abdominal pain, diarrhea, flatulence, and bloating after the ingestion of a standard lactose tolerance test dose (2 g of lactose per kilogram of body weight or 50 g/m2 of body surface area, maximum 50 g in a 20% water solution). Lactose malabsorption refers to the state in which dietary lactose remains unhydrolyzed and subsequently unabsorbed from the gastrointestinal tract; symptoms may or may not result from lactose malabsorption. The technique of breath hydrogen (H2) was used after ingestion of 2 g/kg body weight to a maximum of 50 g in a 20% solution. There was no lactose malabsorption in children younger than 5 years old. The prevalence increases progressively after the age of 5, and in adolescence the percentage of malabsorption is similar to that in adults, who show 65% lactose malabsorption, with 25% asymptomatic and 40% intolerant. In 109 white adults, the prevalence of lactose malabsorption is 63%, with 24% asymptomatic and 39% intolerant. In 11 black adults, lactose malabsorption is 82%, with 27% asymptomatic and 55% intolerant. The difference between white and black adults is statistically significant (p < 0.05). The H2 test is simple, reliable, noninvasive, and appropriate to study large populations.
Cycling probe‐based real‐time PCR for the detection of Human herpesvirus 6A and B

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV‐6) is classified as two distinct species: HHV‐6A and B. HHV‐6B infection can cause several clinical manifestations in transplant recipients including encephalitis, bone marrow suppression, and pneumonitis. In contrast to HHV‐6B, the clinical features of HHV‐6A infection remain largely undefined. Herein, we developed a multiplex cycling probe real‐time PCR that discriminated between HHV‐6A and HHV‐6B. The assay was HHV‐6‐specific and no cross amplification was demonstrated for other herpesviruses. Moreover, the assay had a broad, linear dynamic range of detection between 1 and 106 copies of viral DNA. The quantification of HHV‐6A DNA was suppressed by an excess amount of HHV‐6B DNA (1 × 106 copies/tube) in the multiplex PCR assay; however, 1 × 106 copies/tube of HHV‐6A DNA did not affect the quantification of 1 × 104 copies/tube of HHV‐6B DNA. To determine the reliability of the assay for analysis of clinical specimens, DNAs extracted from the peripheral blood of hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients were assayed using our multiplex real‐time PCR versus the standard TaqMan PCR. Strong correlations were demonstrated between the two different assay systems for both HHV‐6A (R2 = 0.913) and HHV‐6B (R2 = 0.909). Therefore, our multiplex HHV‐6 species‐specific cycling probe real‐time PCR is useful for evaluating the precise copy numbers of HHV‐6A and B in transplant recipients. However, as HHV‐6A copy numbers was affected by presence of high copies of HHV‐6B DNA (1 × 106 copies/tube), it may be difficult to measure precise copy numbers of HHV‐6A in inherited chromosomally integrated HHV‐6B patient. J. Med. Virol. 88:1628–1635, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A transition-state analogue reduces protein dynamics in hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase.

Hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT) is the key enzyme in purine base salvage in humans and in purine auxotrophs, including Plasmodium falciparum, the leading cause of malaria. Hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange into amide bonds, quantitated by on-line HPLC and mass spectrometry, has been used to compare the dynamic and conformational properties of human HGPRT alone, the HGPRT-GMP-Mg(2+) complex, the HGPRT-IMP-MgPPi <==> HGPRT-Hx-MgPRPP equilibrating mixture, and the transition-state analogue complex HGPRT-ImmGP-MgPPi. The rate and extent of H/D exchange of 26 peptic peptides, spanning 91% of the primary structure, have been monitored. Human HGPRT has 207 amide H/D exchange sites. After 1 h in D2O, HGPRT alone exchanges 160, HGPRT-GMP-Mg(2+) exchanges 154, the equilibrium complex exchanges 139, and the transition-state analogue complex exchanges 126 of these amide protons. H/D exchange rates are correlated with structure for peptides in (1) catalytic site loops, (2) a connected peptide of the subunit interface of the tetramer, and (3) a loop buried in the catalytic site. Structural properties related to H/D exchange are defined from crystallographic studies of the HGPRT-GMP-Mg(2+) and HGPRT-ImmGP-MgPPi complexes. Transition-state analogue binding strengthens the interaction between subunits and tightens the catalytic site loops. The solvent exchange dynamics in specific peptides correlates with hydrogen bond patterns, solvent access, crystallographic B-factors, and ligand exchange rates. Solvent exchange reveals loop dynamics in the free enzyme, Michaelis complexes, and the complex with the bound transition-state analogue. Proton transfer paths, rather than dynamic motion, are required to explain exchange into a buried catalytic site peptide in the complex with the bound transition-state analogue.
The Impact of Accounting Earnings Quality on the Financial Reports: an Applied Study to a Sample of Iraqi Banks Listed in the Iraqi Stock Exchange

The present research aims at identifying the concept of the accounting earnings quality and the range of its impact on the financial reports of Iraqi banks listed in the Iraqi Stock Exchange. The significance of the study stems from the significance of the accounting earnings quality impact on the Iraqi banks financial reports. The research is based on a number of results, the most of which are: “the quality of accounting earnings is an important element in assessing the quality of financial reports”, and also ‘the quality of earnings represents the ability to predict the future earnings of the banks and continuity of the of banks earnings as well’. Moreover, the article has reached to a number of recommendations, the most important of which are: “attention should be given by the Iraqi Stock Exchange to the adoption of models to measure the quality of earnings of Iraqi banks”, and “internal periodic reports on the quality of earnings in Iraqi banks should be published for the purpose of improving the performance and efficiency of banks”. As far as the statistical analysis is concerned, the researchers have utilized the modified Jones Model (1991) following the statistical program SPSS.
Vitamin D receptor and estrogen receptor gene polymorphisms in postmenopausal Danish women: no relation to bone markers or serum lipoproteins

Objective To investigate the polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and estrogen receptor (ER) genes in relation to biochemical markers of bone turnover (serum osteocalcin and urinary collagen type I degradation products (CrossLapsTM), and to study ER genotypes in relation to serum lipoproteins, blood pressure, or changes in these parameters after 2 years of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in 499 Danish postmenopausal women. Methods The VDR gene polymorphisms were determined by means of the three restriction enzymes, i.e. BsmI, ApaI and TaqI, while the ER gene polymorphisms were determined by means of the PvuII and XbaI restriction enzymes. Serum osteocalcin, urinary CrossLaps and the lipoproteins were also assessed. Body mass index was recorded. Results The VDR or ER genotypes did not differ significantly with respect to age, age at menopause or body mass index. No significant effect of VDR or ER genotype on bone turnover was found. Furthermore, we were unable to find any relationship between ER genotype and lipoproteins or blood pressure at baseline, or changes in these parameters during HRT. Conclusion A clinically significant relationship between VDR and ER genotypes and biochemical markers of bone turnover or serum lipoproteins could not be demonstrated in healthy Danish postmenopausal women.
Modélisation multi-échelle et analyse des roulements à billes à bagues déformables

La modelisation d’un roulement fait classiquement l’hypothese que les bagues sont rigides, c’est a dire que seuls le jeu interne et les deformations de contact interviennent dans l’equilibre interne. Les contraintes actuelles d’espace et de poids incitent a concevoir des roulements et des logements de sections minces, alors que le niveau des charges a supporter augmente. En consequence la structure, dont les bagues, se deforme. L’ordre de grandeur de ces deformations dans le roulement est equivalent a celui des deformations locales. L’equilibre interne est ainsi modifie. Une approche multi echelle des deformations est necessaire et adoptee ici. Nous avons developpe un code analytique qui donne une description precise de l’equilibre interne prenant en compte les deformations locales, et qui integre les deformations de structure calculees independamment par elements finis (E. F. ). L’analyse de la contribution des deformations structurelles montre une modification du jeu interne, et en consequence de l’equilibre interne (angles et charges de contact) et des caracteristiques mecaniques du roulement (raideur, duree de vie).
Place Based Interventions at Scale: The Direct and Spillover Effects of Policing and City Services on Crime

In 2016, the city of Bogotá doubled police patrols and intensified city services on high-crime streets. They did so based on a criminological consensus that such place-based programs not only decrease crime, but also have beneficial spillovers for nearby streets. To test this, we worked with Bogotá to experiment on an unprecedented scale. We randomly assigned 1,919 streets to either 8 months of doubled police patrols, greater municipal services, both, or neither. Such scale brings econometric challenges. Spatial spillovers in dense networks introduce bias and complicate variance estimation through “fuzzy clustering”. But a design-based approach and randomization inference produce valid hypothesis tests in such settings. In contrast to the consensus, we find intensifying state presence did not generate substantively meaningful or statistically significant reductions in crime. Our estimates suggest modest direct effects but with crime displaced nearby, especially property crimes. Confidence intervals suggest we can rule out total reductions in crime of more than 2% from the two interventions.
Fostering Knowledge Exchange Based on Relevant Activities

This thesis describes an approach to support the direct knowledge transfer between two or more individuals who possibly do not know each other, might be situated in dispersed locations but who operate in the same organizational context. The approach focuses on processes that are supported by IT systems and takes into account the advantages and disadvantages of current state-of-the-art approaches. The design of the approach is further guided by theories from psychology and sociology as well as findings from the knowledge management discipline. The core of the approach lies in using activity sequences of the affected individuals to deduce their aptitude to exchange knowledge – taking into account ability as well as motivation for interaction. The approach as well as its instantiation in the form of a prototype implemented into an SAP system were evaluated with the help of a descriptive evaluation, an architecture analysis and two case studies that lasted several months to find out to what extent the requirements could be met and how advantageous the approach is. The approach has proven to be sound and was described as beneficial and useful in questionnaires distributed to users of the approach’s instantiation.
A Framework for the Strategic Management of Information Technology

The complementary between IT as a competitive factor and strategic management is very important for gaining competitive advantages. This paper explores factors related to strategy and IT that should be considered for the strategic analysis of IT as a competitive factor, and proposes a framework for Strategic Technology Management (STM). The research is conducted by means of quantitative and qualitative analysis of data. The framework is expanded and validated through inference to findings of large and small to medium-sized enterprises through interviews, finally ending on theory matching. The results of the analysis show that the strategic management of information technology is a continuous process of evaluation and change and that the alignment between factors such as competitive environment, competitive strategies (business and IT strategies), competitive outcome, and competitive factors gain competitive advantages for industrial companies.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Prevalence in Male Adolescents 4 Years After HPV-16/18 Vaccination

We assessed human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence among HPV-16/18-vaccinated and unvaccinated Finnish male adolescents participating in chlamydia screening 4 years after vaccination with AS04-adjuvanted HPV-16/18 vaccine in 2007-2009. Previously vaccinated (n = 395) or unvaccinated (n = 149) male adolescents were enrolled in 12 municipalities. First-void urine samples were tested for HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, and 68, and prevalence rates for HPV-16/18, and HPV-11/16/18/31/33/45 were reduced profoundly (0% vs 2.1% [P = .02] and 0.8% vs 5.3 [P = .002], respectively). Overall HPV DNA prevalence was also significantly reduced among HPV-16/18-vaccinated (4.1%) compared with unvaccinated subjects (10.1%) (P = .01). In this post hoc study, a highly significant reduction in HPV prevalence 4 years after vaccination suggests that the bivalent HPV-16/18 vaccine has protective efficacy in men.
Axonal loss of white matter in migraine without aura: A tract-based spatial statistics study

Aim Multiple diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) derived indices may help to deduce the pathophysiological type of white matter (WM) changes and provide more specific biomarkers of WM neuropathology in the whole brain of migraine patients without aura (MWoA). Methods Twenty MWoA and 20 age-, education- and gender-matched healthy volunteers participated in this study. Tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) was employed to investigate the WM abnormalities in MWoA by integrating multiple indices, including fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), radial diffusivity (RD), and axial diffusivity (AD). Results Compared with healthy controls, MWoA showed significantly lower FA, MD and AD in multiple brain regions, whereas no difference in RD was observed. Specifically, the overlap among the lower FA, MD, and AD was found in the genu, body, and splenium part of the corpus callosum (CC), the right anterior limb of the internal capsule (ALIC) and the posterior limb of the internal capsule (PLIC) in MWoA compared with healthy controls. Additionally, some of the above WM findings were significantly correlated with duration and headache frequency in MWoA. Conclusion Given that decreased AD may suggest axonal loss, our findings may reveal axonal loss in MWoA.
PROFINET - scalable factory communication for all applications

PROFINET is the industrial Ethernet standard devised by PROFIBUS International (PI) for either modular machine and plant engineering or distributed IO. Using a plant-wide multi-vendor engineering for modular machines, commissioning time as well as costs are reduced. With distributed IO IO-controllers (e.g., PLCs) with their associated IO-devices may also be integrated into PROFINET solutions. Communication is a major part of PROFINET. Real-time communication for standard factory automation applications as well as extensions which enables motion control applications is covered in a common real-time protocol. The advantages of modular and multi-vendor engineering and distributed IO can be used even in applications with time-critical data transfer requirements.
Incremental visual servo control of robotic manipulator for autonomous capture of non-cooperative target

Abstract This paper develops a new autonomous incremental visual servo control law for the robotic manipulator to capture a non-cooperative target, where the control input is the incremental joint angle to avoid the multiple solutions in the existing inverse kinematics. The position and motion of the non-cooperative target are estimated by an eye-to-hand vision system in real time by integrated photogrammetry and extended Kalman filter. The estimated position and motion of the target are fed into the newly developed position-based visual servo control law to drive the manipulator incrementally towards the dynamically predicted interception point between trajectories of the end effector and the target. To validate the proposed approach, a hardware-in-the-loop simulation has been conducted where the position and motion of the target is estimated by a real eye-to-hand camera and fed into the simulation of the robotic manipulator. The simulation results show the proposed incremental visual servo control law is stable and able to avoid the multiple solutions in the total inverse kinematics.
Xanthan Lyase of Bacillus sp. Strain GL1 Liberates Pyruvylated Mannose from Xanthan Side Chains

ABSTRACT When the bacterium Bacillus sp. strain GL1 was grown in a medium containing xanthan as the carbon source, the viscosity of the medium decreased in association with growth, showing that the bacterium had xanthan-depolymerizing enzymes. One of the xanthan-depolymerizing enzymes (xanthan lyase) was present in the medium and was found to be induced by xanthan. The xanthan lyase purified from the culture fluid was a monomer with a molecular mass of 75 kDa, and was most active at pH 5.5 and 50°C. The enzyme was highly specific for xanthan and produced pyruvylated mannose. The result indicates that the enzyme cleaved the linkage between the terminal pyruvylated mannosyl and glucuronyl residues in the side chain of xanthan.
Bidirectional approaches for optogenetic regulation of gene expression in mammalian cells using Arabidopsis cryptochrome 2

Abstract Optogenetic tools allow regulation of cellular processes with light, which can be delivered with spatiotemporal resolution. In previous work, we used cryptochrome 2 (CRY2) and CIB1, Arabidopsis proteins that interact upon light illumination, to regulate transcription with light in yeast. While adopting this approach to regulate transcription in mammalian cells, we observed light-dependent redistribution and clearing of CRY2-tethered proteins within the nucleus. The nuclear clearing phenotype was dependent on the presence of a dimerization domain contained within the CRY2-fused transcriptional activators. We used this knowledge to develop two different approaches to regulate cellular protein levels with light: a system using CRY2 and CIB1 to induce protein expression with light through stimulation of transcription, and a system using CRY2 and a LOV-fused degron to simultaneously block transcription and deplete protein levels with light. These tools will allow precise, bi-directional control of gene expression in a variety of cells and model systems.
Integrated model of service blueprint and house of risk (HOR) for service quality improvement

These days, the business world experienced a very tight competition, so that the products and services offered in the market became more and more diverse. Good service quality is not enough for the company to survive in the face of increasingly fierce business competition. This study uses a Service Blueprint that is integrated with the House of Risk (HOR) with the aim of identifying service failures that can occur and then prioritizing the service quality improvements to give guidance for the service provider to improve service. To show how the model works, a cafe is used as a demonstration of this integrated model. Steps in this research used Service Blueprint to identify fail points and excessive wait. The result was used as an input in HOR 1 to determine the priority of risk which was then resumed in HOR 2 so that strategy priority was obtained. The results of the case studies show that the model could identify 20 risk events, identifies 20 risk agents, could assign 10 risk priorities agents and could give 4 main priority strategies for service quality improvement.