Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of The Expression Levels of Three Long Non-Coding RNAs in Multiple Sclerosis

Objective Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disorder involving both inflammatory and neurodegenerative responses. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been had an emerging role as the biomarkers of different disorders, including autoimmune diseases. Previous studies have shown that NR_003531. 3 (MEG3a), AC000061. 1_201, and AC007182.6 play a role in the pathogenesis of human autoimmune diseases. However, the potential significance of these lncRNAs, as the diagnostic biomarkers of MS, has not been studied yet. We aimed to quantitatively evaluate the expression levels of NR_003531. 3, AC000061. 1_201, and AC007182.6 in peripheral blood samples of MS patients in comparison with healthy controls. Materials and Methods In this case-control study, the blood samples from 20 MS patients and 10 healthy controls were collected. Total RNA was extracted, and the expression levels of three selected lncRNAs were quantitatively measured using the quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) method. Results We detected a significant down-regulation in the expression of NR_003531. 3 in MS patients, while no marked changes were observed in the expression of AC000061. 1_201 and AC007182.6 in patients compared with controls. Based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, NR_003531. 3 could discriminate MS patients from healthy subjects effectively. Regarding the prognosis of MS patients, NR_003531. 3 is significantly and inversely correlated with the expanded disability status scale (EDSS). Conclusion The potential role of NR_003531. 3 lncRNA as a diagnostic biomarker to distinguish MS patients is proposed. Prognostically, NR_003531. 3 correlates with lower disability rates in MS patients.
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling of renewable energy turbine wake interactions

This thesis presents Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations of renewable turbines akin to those used for wind, hydro, and tidal applications. The models developed took the form of actuator discs with the solution of incompressible Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations with the k-ω SST turbulence models. Simulations were initially conducted of a single turbine in water and air and then two axially aligned turbines to study the flow field interactions. These models were compared with previous theoretical, experimental and numerical data evident in the literature. The actuator disc method was underpinned
Environmental assessment of bioethanol from onshore grown Ulva

Besides biofuels from microalgae, an emerging interest in using macroalgae as feedstock for biofuel production is observable. Macroalgae have the advantage that they are much easier to harvest than microalgae so that the problem of low feedstock concentration does not arise. The environmental performance of bioethanol from onshore grown green algae is assessed using literature data and initial laboratory scale data. The optimized system model allows for producing an environmentally efficient biofuel in comparison to fossil fuel and bioethanol from sugar cane. Handling the co-product by substitution instead of energy allocation significantly reduced the environmental impacts of the system and resulted in environmental bonuses in several impact categories. Thus, the management of the co-product in the LCA model (energy allocation vs. substitution) is a key step in the LCA, as it highly influences the impact assessment results.
Crystal structure of pantoate kinase from Thermococcus kodakarensis

The coenzyme A biosynthesis pathways in most archaea involve two unique enzymes, pantoate kinase and phosphopantothenate synthetase, to convert pantoate to 4′‐phosphopantothenate. Here, we report the first crystal structure of pantoate kinase from the hyperthermophilic archaeon, Thermococcus kodakarensis and its complex with ATP and a magnesium ion. The electron density for the adenosine moiety of ATP was very weak, which most likely relates to its broad nucleotide specificity. Based on the structure of the active site that contains a glycerol molecule, the pantoate binding site and the roles of the highly conserved residues are suggested.
A green approach towards systems development methodologies

There are increasing concerns regarding climate change and the effect that the information technology (IT) and information systems (IS) industry has on the environment. The latest research focuses more on Green IS than Green IT. System development methodologies form an integral part of the IS field. This article aims to present a Green approach towards systems development, by presenting an SDM that can be used for the development of a Green IS. Different Green IT techniques were identified that can be incorporated into the system development process to reduce the negative environmental impact of the development process and of the information system that was developed. The perceived effectiveness of these techniques was verified with a survey. These techniques were then used to evaluate existing SDM(s), which proved that the current Green SDM(s) are not thorough enough. A new Green SDM was developed based on the results of the survey and the evaluation of the current Green SDM(s).
Do we engage the student in e-assessment by personalising lecturers' feedback interventions?

This paper describes the results of an eighteen month study evaluating what students' perceptions were of digital ink feedback on electronic assignments. It was a comparative study with 10 distance learning lecturers, (hereafter referred to as tutors) marking up to a maximum of 600 students' electronic assignments over, two nine month presentations of the UK Open University (OU) course, T175 Networked Living. Assignments were submitted by students over the internet to a centralised web depository called the electronic tutor marked system (eTMA) at the OU, in Microsoft Word. Tutors downloaded these assignments onto their own computers and in this study; half of the assignments were marked and edited using a Personal Computer (PC) with conventional keyboard input, using word processing software. The other half of the assignments were marked using a Tablet PC in which it is possible to create a layer over, the Microsoft Word submission and then write directly onto the screen of the Tablet PC using a pen, as if writing on paper. The hand-written feedback was saved or converted to typed text and then saved. In the first presentation of the course over 67% of students made positive comments about how their tutor had used the Tablet PC in providing feedback. This study also showed that the digital ink technology could help extend pedagogy and is of interest to Higher Education establishments considering on-line submission of assessment.
Sport in the ancient world from A to Z

Sport in the Ancient World from A to Z covers an extraordinarily wide range of Greek and Roman sporting activities. Arranged in an easy-to-use dictionary format, this volume includes more than 700 entries discussing ancient athletes, festivals, important sites, equipment and concepts. The approach throughout is comprehensive yet succinct, with key topics, such as athletic festivals, chariot racing, prizes and the role of women receiving more detailed discussion. Each entry concludes with pointers to the most important sources of information, both ancient and modern. The places mentioned in the text are picked out on a useful map, and a timeline of significant developments and events is also included. Reliable, enjoyable, and up-to-date, this handy work of reference will suit readers from student level upwards.
Longer Lasting Products: Alternatives To The Throwaway Society

Contents: Foreword Preface Part 1 Overview: The significance of product longevity, Tim Cooper Part 2 Design for Longevity: Re-evaluating obsolescence and planning for it, Brian Burns Subject/object relationships and emotionally durable design, Jonathan Chapman Defying obsolescence, Miles Park Understanding replacement behaviour and exploring design solutions, Nicole van Nes Adjusting our metabolism: slowness and nourishing rituals of delay in anticipation of a post-consumer age, Alastair Fuad-Luke Durability, function and performance, Walter Stahel. Part 3 Public Policy and Product Life-Spans: Durability and the law, Cowan Ervine The law on guarantees and repair work, Christian Twigg-Flesner Policies for longevity, Tim Cooper. Part 4 Marketing Longer Lasting Products: Rethinking marketing, Ken Peattie Marketing durability, Tim Cooper and Kirsty Christer Can durability provide a strong marketing platform? , Dorothy Mackenzie, Tim Cooper and Kenisha Garnett. Part 5 Product Use and Reuse: Consumer influences on product life-spans, Sian Evans and Tim Cooper Product life cycle management through IT, Matthew Simon There are times and places: systems and practices in the domestic processing and reuse of packaging, Janet Shipton and Tom Fisher Extending product life-spans: household furniture and appliance re-use in the UK, Anthony Curran Index.
Building evaluation techniques

Part 1 Selected evaluation procedures and case studies: contributions from architectural and building construction experts from around the world. Part 2 Overview of performance evaluation: major types of evaluations, who should perform such evaluations and why, and conducting evaluations of empty buildings for future tenants. Part 3 A checklist of factors: detailed checklists examining each critical component of a building within the overall context of building performance, categorized by specific building type advice on how the reader may compile and customize his own checklists appendices.
Die oekonomische Bewertung von Strassenverkehrssicherheitsmassnahmen. Erstellt im Rahmen des EU-Projektes ROSEBUD (Road safety and environmental benefit-cost and cost-effectiveness analysis for use in decision-making)

Die Europaeische Union hat sich zum Ziel gesetzt, die Anzahl der Getoeteten im Strassenverkehr bis zum Jahr 2010 zu halbieren. Um dieses Ziel zu erreichen, ist es notwendig, sinnvolle Prioritaeten zu setzen und effektive Strassenverkehrssicherheitsmassnahmen umzusetzen. Den Entscheidungstraegern dient die oekonomische Bewertung dieser Massnahmen als sachliches Kriterium bei der Auswahl der umzusetzenden Sicherheitsmassnahmen. Im vorliegenden Bericht wird ein Ueberblick darueber gegeben, wie Strassenverkehrssicherheitsmassnahmen oekonomisch bewertet werden koennen, welche methodischen Prinzipien hierbei beachtet werden muessen, welche Daten notwendig sind und dem Evaluator zur Verfuegung stehen und welche Barrieren bei der Bewertungsarbeit auftreten koennen. Darueber hinaus werden Beispiele bewerteter Massnahmen und eine Kurzfassung ueber den Themenbereich der oekonomischen Bewertung in Form einer Power-Point Praesentation dargestellt. Die dargestellten Erkenntnisse wurden im Rahmen des EU Projekts ROSEBUD (Road safety and environmental benefit-cost and cost-effectiveness analysis for use in decision-making) gewonnen. Bericht zum Forschungsprojekt 02 413 (ITRD-Nummer D707703) des Arbeitsprogramms der Bundesanstalt fuer Strassenwesen. The ENGLISH ABSTRACT is available at http://www.bast. de.
Incident Detection Based on Vehicle CAN-Data Within the Large Scale Field Operational Test “euroFOT”

The euroFOT project is the first large-scale Field Operational Test (FOT) of multiple Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in Europe. It will evaluate the impact of ADAS on safety, traffic efficiency, environment, driver behaviour and user acceptance in real life situations with normal drivers by means of collected data from instrumented vehicles. By offering valuable information for the short- and long-term impact of ADAS the euroFOT project aims to encourage the deployment of ADAS. Altogether, about 1000 vehicles equipped with different ADAS technologies will take part in the field operational test. The FOT is coordinated by five Vehicle Management Centers (VMC) and carried out at various operation sites across six European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden and United Kingdom). Within this paper the approach and the requirements for implementing a reliable and automated incident detection process by means of CAN-data for assessing the impact of ADAS at the German1-VMC are presented.
How to use the internet in ELT

*Packed with practical ideas on how to use the internet with your classes and for your own professional development *Offers a clear introduction to using the internet including browsers, directories and search engines, and to understanding simple Netiquette' *Examines what makes a good internet-based activity, how to adapt materials for use in the classroom, and how to design an internet-based course *Detailed appendices with a clear explanation of technical terms, and a list of websites relevant to teachers
The outcome predictors and therapeutic strategy of pneumocystis pneumonia in North China: a double-center retrospective study

Background: Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is common in HIV/AIDS patients with advanced immunosuppression. Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) is recommended as the first-line anti-pneumocystis agent as soon as PCP is suspected based on its typical feature. However, the clinical characteristic and therapeutic strategy of Chinese PCP were not well-known. Methods: We retrospectively investigated 473 HIV associated PCPs in North China from double centers, Beijing You An Hospital during 2010 to 2017 and the Infectious Disease Hospital in Harbin during 2015 to 2017. HIV associated PCP were diagnosed as the guideline recommended by CDC, NIH and HIV Medicine Association of IDSA. Demographic and clinic data were collected and statistically analysed as the parameter distribution feature. Results: Among 473 HIV associated PCPs, we found that men were over-represented in PCP due to the high incidence of HIV infection among male homosexuality, and over one-third of them were aware of their HIV infection ago but did not maintain effective antiretroviral therapy. A history of smoking and multi-organism infection or system infection were common among them. In the multivariate analysis, we found lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (OR 1.020, 95% CI 1.006-1.033, P=0.005), alveolar-arterial O2 difference ([A-a] DO2) and neutrophils counts (OR 1.051, 95% CI 1.005-1.099, P=0.030) were unfavourable predictors and CD4 cell counts (OR 0.900, 95% CI 0.813-0.996, P=0.041) were favourable predictor of PCP outcome. Trimethoprim/sulfamethozole (TMP/SMZ) but not TMP/SMX was used to anti-pneumocystis therapy in these patients with a low side-effect incidence which mainly forcused on epispasis, fever, liver injury and myelosuppression. Caspofungin was the only alternative medicine for those presented poor efficacy or could not tolerate the side-effects of TMP-SMZ and near 30 percent of moderate/severe PCP received glucocorticoid treatment. Conclusion: The present data suggest that high levels of serum-LDH, [A-a] DO2 and neutrophils counts and low CD4 cell counts predict poor outcome of PCP. TMP/SMZ can cure most PCPs with a low side-effect incidence and caspofungin is an effective alternation. A larger prospective study is needed to obtain better estimates of PCP in China.
Sustainable Development Integrated in the Concept of Resilence

The purpose of sustainable development is to minimize the likelihood of dynamic natural and/or man-made systems to exceed tipping points, when exposed to disturbances. In effect, the systems are protected from losing identity and integrity. The authors of this paper suggest accepting resilience thinking as a basis of setting sustainability goals and reaching the respective targets. The resilience theory provides the method needed to maintain identity and integrity, and to manage system´s dynamics. Of concern are three interwoven systems: environment, society and economy, forming a complex super-system coined eco-social triad. Sustainable development of the triad applies to each of the three sub-systems despite conflicting interests of the various actors within each. Resilience is expressed by the ability of natural or man-made systems to respond dynamically to changes of ambient conditions with the aim to retain their inherent function, structure and feedbacks. To manage such changes and associated disturbances a repetitive sequence of processes (also called adaptive cycle) needs to be executed. In ecosystems these cycles are self-regulated and characterized by recycling of materials and energy. In systems dominated by humans adaptive cycles are characterized by phases such as re-evaluation, re-orientation and re-commencement. The concept of adaptive cycles and adaptive management embedded in the resilience theory is considered a promising method to satisfy sustainability goals and reach respective targets.
Slice—n—Dice Algorithm Implementation in JPF

Slice–N–Dice Algorithm Implementation in JPF Eric S. Noonan Department of Computer Science, BYU Master of Science This work deals with evaluating the effectiveness of a new verification algorithm called slice–n–dice. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of slice–n–dice, a vector clock POR was implemented to compare it against. The first paper contained in this work was published in ACM SIGSOFT Software Engineering Notes and discusses the implementation of the vector clock POR. The results of this paper show the vector clock POR performing better than the POR in Java Pathfinder by at least a factor of two. The second paper discusses the implementation of slice–n–dice and compares it against other verification techniques. The results show that slice–n–dice performs better than the other verification methods in terms of states explored and runtime when there is no error in the program or little thread interaction is needed in order for the error to manifest.
Service granularity in SOA-projects : a trade-off analysis

Service granularity, the scope of functionality that is exposed by a service, is a crucial issue in designing service oriented architectures (SOA). Every SOA needs to have well designed services in order to gain the predicted benefits, like flexible business processes and low development costs. However, while many literature sources suggest architects to choose the right level of granularity of services, none of these studies goes into detail about how to do this. In this master thesis we explore service granularity in SOA projects to develop patterns to support service granularity decision-making. Although experience seems to be the only good resource to improve service granularity decision-making, this research examines the service granularity issues to provide help to the inexperienced architect
Electroglottographic analysis of phonatory dynamics and states

The vocal folds can oscillate in several different ways, manifest to practitioners and clinicians as ‘registers’ or ‘mechanisms’, of which the two most commonly considered are modal voice and falsetto voice. Here these will be taken as instances of different ‘vibratory states’, i.e., distinct quasi-stationary patterns of vibration of the vocal folds. State transitions are common in biomechanical nonlinear oscillators; and they are often abrupt and impossible to predict exactly. Switching state is much like switching to a different voice. Therefore, vibratory states are a source of confounding variation, for instance, when acquiring a voice range profile (VRP). In the quest for a state-aware, non-invasive VRP, a semi-automatic method based on the short-term spectrum of the electroglottographic signal (EGG) was developed. The method identifies rapid vibratory state transitions, such as the modal-falsetto switch, and clusters the EGG data based on their similarities in the relative levels and phases of the lower frequency components. Productions of known modal and falsetto voice were accurately clustered by a Gaussian mixture model. When mapped into the VRP, this EGG-based clustering revealed connected regions of different vibratory sub-regimes in both modal and falsetto.
A RADIAL BASIS FUNCTION NETWORK CONTROLLER FOR A SUPPLY SHIP

In this paper, a radial basis function network is developed by using real data, which were gathered while testing a sliding mode controller on an actual model of a supply ship in the Guidance, Navigation and Control Laboratory at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim. The dynamics of supply ships are described, and it is explained how a sliding mode controller can be designed for such a ship. Then, a radial basis function network is developed which mimics the dynamics of the sliding mode controller. The performance of the controller is illustrated by means of simulation studies.
Differential Expression of Genes Related to Sexual Determination Can Modify the Reproductive Cycle of Astyanax scabripinnis (Characiformes: Characidae) in B Chromosome Carrier Individuals

The species complex Astyanax scabripinnis is one of the most studied with respect to origin, distribution, and frequency of B chromosomes, and is considered a model organism for evolutionary studies. Research using population inferences about the occurrence and frequency of the B chromosome shows seasonal variation between sexes, which is associated with the presence of this supernumerary element. We hypothesized that the B chromosome could influence the sex ratio of these animals. Based on this assumption, the present work aimed to investigate if differences exist among levels of gene expression with qRT-PCR of the amh (associated with testicular differentiation) and foxl2a (associated with ovarian differentiation) genes between B-carrier and non-B-carrier individuals. The results showed that for the amh gene, the difference in expression between animals with B chromosomes was not accentuated compared to that in animals without this chromosome. Expression of foxl2a in B-carrier females, however, was reduced by 73.56% compared to females that lacked the B chromosome. Males had no difference in expression of the amh and foxl2a genes between carriers and non-carriers of the B chromosome. Results indicate that the presence of B chromosomes is correlated with the differential expression of sex-associated genes. An analysis of these results integrated with data from other studies on the reproductive cycle in the same species reveals that this difference in expression may be expanding the reproductive cycle of the species.
Characterization of a Random Anisotropic Conductivity Field with Karhunen-Loeve Methods (Postprint)

Abstract : While parametric uncertainty quantification for NDE models has been addressed in recent years, the problem of stochastic field parameters such as spatially distributed electrical conductivity has only been investigated minimally in the last year. In that work, the authors treated the field as a one-dimensional random process and Karhunen-Loeve methods were used to discretize this process to make it amenable to UQ methods such as ANOVA expansions. In the present work, we will treat the field as a two-dimensional random process, and the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the integral operator will be determined via Galerkin methods. The Karhunen-Loeve methods is extended to two dimensions and implemented to represent this process. Several different choices for basis functions will be discussed, as well as convergence criteria for each. The methods are applied to correlation functions collected over electron backscatter data from highly micro textured Ti-7Al.