Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
in T Lymphocytes 3 Expression by Vitamin D Negative Regulation of CD95 Ligand Gene

Fas (APO-1/CD95) and its ligand (FasL/CD95L) are cell surface proteins whose interaction activates apoptosis of Fas-expressing targets. In T lymphocytes, the Fas/FasL system regulates activation-induced cell death, a fundamental mechanism for negative selection of immature T cells in the thymus and for maintenance of peripheral tolerance. Aberrant expression of Fas and FasL has also been implicated in diseases in which the lymphocyte homeostasis is compromised, and several studies have described the pathogenic functions of Fas and FasL in vivo, particularly in the induction/regulation of organ-speciﬁc autoimmune diseases. The 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 is a secosteroid hormone that activates the nuclear receptor vitamin D 3 receptor (VDR), whose immunosuppressive activities have been well studied in different models of autoimmune disease and in experimental organ transplantation. We and others have recently described the molecular mechanisms responsible for the negative regulation of the IFN- (cid:1) and IL-12 genes by 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 in activated T lymphocytes and macrophages/dendritic cells. In this study, we describe the effect of 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 on the activation of the fasL gene in T lymphocytes. We show that 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 inhibits activation-induced cell death, fasL mRNA expression, and that 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 -activated VDR represses fasL promoter activity by a mechanism dependent on the presence of a functional VDR DNA-binding domain and ligand-dependent transcriptional activation domain (AF-2). Moreover, we identiﬁed a minimal region of the promoter containing the transcription start site and a noncanonical c-Myc-binding element, which mediates this repression. These results place FasL -activated VDR on the human fasL promoter. We show that 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 suppresses AICD and fas-L mRNA expression in the activated 2B4.11 T cell hybridoma. We also demonstrate that the PMA plus ionomycin-stimulated fasL promoter activity is inhibited by 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 in 2B4.11 cells, and in Jurkat cells cotransfected with a human VDR expression vector. The The data presented place as a novel for the different immunoregulatory activities of 2 . The physiological and pharmacological implications are discussed.
Reductive logic and proof-search - proof theory, semantics, and control

Preface Foreword by Lincoln Wallen 1. Deductive Logic, Reductive Logic, and Proof-search 2. Lambda-calculi for Intuitionistic and Classical Proofs 3. The Semantics of Intuitionistic and Classical Proofs 4. Proof Theory for Reductive Logic 5. Semantics for Reductive Logic 6. Intuitionistic and Classical Proof-search and Their Semantics References Index
An E-Business Model Facilitating Service Provider Selection in B2C E-Commerce

The advent and expansion of the Internet and its applications, among them e-commerce, has provided new opportunities for the emergence of novel e-business models. A portion of these models are in the form of performing a mediatory role to provide some services for customers or businesses, and to facilitate transactions between them. In B2C e-commerce, often, a service consumer may supply his service demand from a range of providers and when he doesn't have any transaction with many of them making an accurate decision becomes challenging. Therefore, he would need to interact with others to acquire relevant information. Current approaches for addressing this issue are generally rating-based and perform poorly. Recently, an experience-based approach has been proposed by (cid:249) ensoy et al [1]. This paper reviews this approach, analyzes its weaknesses and problems and proposes a new model to eliminate those problems, in which a third party assists the consumers in choosing their desired service providers.
Therapeutic Effect of Luteolin Natural Extract Versus its Nanoparticles on Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Line: in Vitro Study

Oral squamous cell carcinoma still has no satisfactory treatment. Luteolin is a natural flavonoid, exhibiting anti-cancer activity. Nanomedicine has been implemented in cancer therapy, utilizing the benefits of nanoparticles. In this context, this study was conducted to examine whether luteolin and nano-luteolin exert an inhibitory effect on oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line; SCC-25 by inducing apoptosis, and to assess whether nano-luteolin is more efficient compared to luteolin and the gold-standard; 5-fluorouracil. nano-luteolin was prepared and has fulfilled the criteria of nanoparticles. The cytotoxicity of luteolin, nano-luteolin, and 5-fluorouracil were assessed at three-time intervals using the MTT assay. IC50 doses of each intervention were applied to SCC-25, then caspase-3 levels were assessed at three-time intervals, using Real-Time polymerase chain reaction. Our results demonstrated dose- and time-dependent reduction in the % viabilities and IC50 values when SCC-25 treated with luteolin, nano-luteolin, and 5-fluorouracil. Among all the groups, nano-luteolin expressed the highest levels of caspase-3 (nano-luteolin ˃ 5-fluorouracil ˃ luteolin) and its highest value was at 48 h. In conclusion, both luteolin and nano-luteolin exerted cytotoxic effect and have succeeded to induce apoptosis against SCC-25 cells, with superior effect offered by nano-luteolin compared to luteolin and even 5-fluorouracil.
HYPERSPECTRAL UNMIXING BY BREGMAN SPLITTING CONSTRAINT ENFORCEMENT

We have developed a method for hyperspectral (HS) image data unmixing that requires neither pure pixels nor any prior information about the image other than an estimate of the number of different materials present. Based on well-established techniques from nonlinear optimization theory, the algorithm estimates the spectral and spatial structure in the image through a single noise-tolerant algorithm, removing the need for separate endmember and spatial abundance estimation steps. The algorithm is illustrated on data collected by the SpecTIR HS imaging sensor.
A Novel Multi-Criteria Workflow Based on Reverse Solar Envelopes for the Design of Residential Clusters

This paper proposes a novel multi-criterion workflow based on Reverse Solar Envelopes (RSEs) for the design of residential clusters. This eight-step semi-automatic workflow was implemented as a new open-source Grasshopper plug-in for Rhinoceros and used to design building envelopes in two existing urban areas located at different latitudes. In each iteration, a building massing optimization was conducted in terms of the Floor area ratio (FAR) and ratio of the facade with a certain level of solar access (SAr). It was possible to find, in one hour per plot of computation time, the trade-off design solution for different minimum solar access (SA) requirements. Maximum relative difference in terms of each new building’s trade-off performance ranges between 65% and 200%. The consideration of stricter SA requirements could compromise FAR values in high latitudes. Moreover, the method could provide design solutions that largely fulfill the requirements without increasing the computation time.
Point Cloud Segmentation via Constrained Nonlinear Least Squares Surface Normal Estimates

We present a point cloud segmentation scheme based on estimated surface normals and local point connectivity, that operates on unstructured point cloud data. We can segment a point cloud into disconnected components as well as piecewise smooth components as needed. Given that the performance of the segmentation routine depends on the quality of the surface normal approximation, we also propose an improved surface normal approximation method based on recasting the popular principal component analysis formulation as a constrained least squares problem. The new approach is robust to singularities in the data, such as corners and edges, and also incorporates data denoising in a manner similar to planar moving least squares.
Cognitive reflection is associated with greater truth discernment for COVID-19 headlines, less trust but greater use of formal information sources, and greater willingness to pay for masks among social media users in Pakistan

We evaluated the relationship between individual differences in cognitive reflection and the ability to discern between true and false COVID-19 information, trust in information sources for receiving COVID-19 information and willingness to pay (WTP) for masks, using a sample of 621 low- and middle-income users in Pakistan. To capture WTP, participants play an incentive-compatible game involving real stakes. We find that higher cognitive reflection test (CRT) scores are associated with greater truth discernment for COVID-19 headlines, less trust but greater use of formal information sources, and greater WTP for KN95 masks. Thus, interventions to improve discernment of COVID-19 information should target users who rely on intuition and less on cognitive reflection.
A Logic Framework for Multiphase Multichannel Image Segmentation

The energy functional is the weighted sum of a data fidelity term F (u) that penalizes functions that do not adhere to information from the image sufficiently, and a term J(u) that ensures that a minimizer satisfies some regularity assumptions. Regularity is necessary so that anomalies in the image acquisition and communication, such as noise, cannot overly influence the segmentation result. The parameter λ balances the relative importance between data fidelity and regularity. The precise class of such models that we will consider are reviewed in section 2. Most segmentation models propose novel approaches to either the regularization or the fidelity to the image (or to some reformulation if the energy in (1)), but generally consider the case of a single image. In this paper, we consider the case where vector-valued images of a scene are available. The need for vector-valued images is widespread in image processing applications, such as color images (for example, using RGB or luminance color spaces), medical imagery (separate CT, PET or MRI modalities), satellite imagery (such as hyper-spectral), video sequences, stereo segmentation and various texture modalities. A segmentation is thus conducted using the information from all the components of the vector. We mention some work that has been done in vector image processing. The Color Snakes model of Sapiro[15] segments a vector-valued image by using a model that in essence detects vector-valued edges. Some image restoration models extend to vector-valued images, such as anisotropic diffusion models[16, 17] and vector-valued total variation models[1]. Region-based scalar segmentation models also extend to vector-valued segmentation[3, 21].
Anxiety Symptoms Associated With the Severity of Problematic Smartphone Use: The Mediating Role of COVID-19 Anxiety

Objectives The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is regarded as the biggest global health crisis in recent decades. The changes in major life domains due to infection control strategies resemble the func tional impairment consequential to emotional distress and place many people at greater risk of psychiatric conditions. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic and associated social distancing have widely increased the usage of smartphone to receive COVID-19-related information in the past year. However, the excessive use of smartphones has deleterious consequences. The current study investigated general anxiety symptoms and COVID-19-induced anxiety, and their impact on problematic smartphone use (PSPU) severity. Methods Adults aged 18–75 years were recruited by stratified, probability sampling from a database repre sentative of the population. Among 1080 Hong Kong Chinese (age 18–75 years), a cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted between July 23 and August 25, 2020 (the period of the third wave outbreak of CO -VID-19 in Hong Kong). Participants were assessed with the measures, including the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7, and Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to evaluate the associations among general anxiety symptoms, COVID-19-induced anxiety, and severity of PSPU by the Amos 22.0 software. Results Using established cut-off scores, our results found that prevalence of at least moderate anxiety level in around 22% of participants. Using SEM, both general anxiety symptoms and COVID-19-induced anxiety were associated with PSPU severity. Moreover, COVID-19 anxiety partially mediated relations between predispos ing general anxiety with PSPU severity. Conclusion This study provides initial data on the mental health status of people affected by COVID-19. It also investigated the relations between COVID-19-induced anxiety and PSPU severity as a coping mechanism.
An Information Theory Approach to Nonlinear Image Registration UCLA CAM Report 06-64, 2006

In the past decade, information theory has been studied extensively in medical imaging. In particular, image matching by maximizing mutual information has been shown to yield good results in multi-modal image registration. However, there has been few rigorous studies to date that investigate the statistical aspect of the resulting deformation ﬁelds. Different regularization techniques have been proposed, sometimes generating deformations very different from one another. In this paper, we apply information theory to quantifying the magnitude of deformations. We examine the statistical distributions of Jacobian maps in the logarithmic space, and develop a new framework for constructing log-unbiased image registration methods. The proposed framework yields both theoretically and intuitively correct deformation maps, and is compatible with large-deformation models. In the results section, we tested the proposed method using pairs of synthetic binary images, two-dimensional serial MRI images, and three-dimensional serial MRI volumes. We compared our results to those computed using the viscous ﬂuid registration method, and demonstrated that the proposed method is advantageous when recovering voxel-wise local tissue change.
Software-Defined Optical Local Area Network Architecture And Priority Traffic Performance Analysis

A software-defined (SD) solution for optical LANs is presented in our study. The SD approach implements the control plane for the LAN servers orchestration in order for the data plane to adopt a slotted efficient MAC protocol to avoid packet loss, reaching high performance. As opposed to many studies which suppose that the control plane is carried out in the electrical domain, our proposal adopts that the control communication is carried out in the optical domain, synchronized to the data transmissions. The coordinated operation of the data and control planes can be guaranteed for the adopted MAC protocol effective operation. A simple analysis is developed for the maximum throughput formula derivation, assuming several traffic volumes to adopt high traffic diversity in LANs. The adopted SD LAN architecture along with the MAC algorithm could be followed in several optical LAN paradigms, such as intra-data center networks, and enterprises or institutional LANs.
Interaction between One Internal Hole and Two Neighboring Joints under Uniaxial Compression using an Experimental Test and a Numerical Simulation

The interaction between an internal hole and two surrounded joints under a uniaxial compression are examined using the experimental and discrete element procedures. Inside the concrete sample, two notches and an internal hole are created. The joint angle change from 0° to 90° with an increment of 30°. The distances between the joint and the internal hole are 2 cm and 3 cm. Also the numerical models are provided. The joint angle change from 0° to 90° with an increment of 15°. The distances between the joint and the internal hole are 2 cm, 3 cm, and 4 cm. The compressive strength is 7.2 MPa. The rate of loading is 0.005 mm/s. The experiment indicates that the failure process is significantly dependent on the notch angle and the joint distance from the hole. The pattern of fracture and mechanism of failure of joints affect the shear strengths of the samples. The models with joint angles of 30° and 60° have a less compressive strength since the pure tensile failure occurs in these configurations. The model strength decreases with decrease in the join spacing. In fact, in the case that the joint spacing is 2 cm, the interaction between the hole and the neighboring joint is so strong. Consequently, the compressive strength is declined. In both approaches of the numerical simulation and experimental methods, the pattern and strength of failure are identical.
Estimation for Domains in Stratified Sampling Design in the Presence of Nonresponse

An analytical approach for finding the best sampling design subject to a cost constraint is developed. We consider stratified random sampling design when elements of the inclusion probabilities are not equal but are in same stratum and proposed estimators of totals for domains of study under nonresponse in the context of calibration estimation. We derived optimum stratum sample sizes for a given set of unit costs for the sample design and compared empirically the relative performances of the proposed calibration estimators with a corresponding global estimator. Analysis and evaluation are presented.
Foreign Currency Derivatives and Their Impact on Firm Value – A Study on Swedish Non-Financial Firms

This paper empirically examines the relationship between firm value and the usage of currency derivatives for 85 non-financial Swedish firms listed on Stockholm Stock Exchange. The sample includes firms operating in a wide range of industries and with different sizes. The time period for the data is from 2005 to 2010. There is no proof of an existing relationship between currency derivative usage and firm value. The most significant result indicates that a negative correlation between leverage and firm value exists.
Evaluation of Engineering Problem-Framing Professional Development for K12 Science Teachers (Evaluation)

As the importance to integrate engineering into K12 curricula grows so does the need to develop teachers’ engineering teaching capabilities and knowledge. One method that has been used to aid this development is engineering professional development programs. This evaluation paper presents the successes and challenges of an engineering professional development program for teachers focused around the use of engineering problem-framing design activities in high school science classrooms. These activities were designed to incorporate the cross-cutting ideas published in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and draw on best practices for instructional design of problem-framing activities from research on design and model-eliciting activities (MEAs). The professional development (PD) was designed to include the following researched-based effective PD key elements: (1) is content focused, (2) incorporates active learning, (3) supports collaboration, (4) uses models of effective practice, (5) provides coaching and expert support, (6) offers feedback and reflection, and (7) is of sustained duration. The engineering PD, including in-classroom deployment of activities and data collection, was designed as an iterative process to be conducted over a three-year period. This will allow for improvement and refinement of our approach. The first iteration, reported in this paper, consisted of seven high school science teachers who have agreed to participate in the PD, implement the problem-framing activities, and collect student data over a period of one year. The PD itself consisted of the teachers comparing science and engineering, participating in problem-framing training and activities, and developing a design challenge scenario for their own courses. The participating teachers completed a survey at the end of the PD that will be used to inform enhancement of the PD and our efforts to recruit additional participants in the following year. The qualitative survey consisted of open-ended questions asking for the most valuable takeaways from the PD, their reasoning for joining the PD, reasons they would or would not recommend the PD, and, in their opinion, what would inspire their colleagues to attend the PD. The responses to the survey along with observations from the team presenting the PD were analyzed to identify lessons learned and future steps for the following iteration of the PD. From the data, three themes emerged: Development of PD, Teacher Motivation, and Teacher Experience.
Properties and origin of oval defects in epitaxial structures grown by molecular beam epitaxy

A class of macroscopic, so-called oval defects, which may be found in an epitaxial A3B5 materials grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) technique, is studied in this paper. The investigations were performed on the structures containing (Al)GaAs or InGaAs layers. The geometry, morphology as well as the optical properties of defects were studied by different experimental methods, like spatially resolved photoluminescence (SRPL), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and cathodoluminescence (CL). The conclusions are drawn as to the sources of defects and conditions of their appearance.
A Novel Gan-Based Method For Building Surface Wind Pressure Prediction

The wind pressure on the surface of buildings can be critical, especially for high-rise buildings. To overcome the limitations in applying time-consuming CFD simulations to early design stage, we introduce a novel approach for generating real-time surface wind pressure in high-rise buildings through Deep Learning (DL). The DL model is trained on datasets of hundreds of buildings geometries generated by Grasshopper plugin EvoMass, and their corresponding surface wind pressure is simulated by RhinoCFD. Moreover, regarding the current performance prediction using DL, we have noted that the common labeling map and DL model may hinder the efficiency of training. Thus, we proposed a new labeling approach and a modified DL model to assess the accuracy of the prediction. To demonstrate the validity of the approach, the experiments of simulation predictions were conducted, and the results shows that the presented method can greatly enhance the accuracy.