Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Resveratrol protects against asthma-induced airway inflammation and remodeling by inhibiting the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB pathway

The aim of the present study was to explore the protective role of resveratrol (RES) in asthma-induced airway inflammation and remodeling, as well as its underlying mechanism. An asthma rat model was induced by ovalbumin (OVA) treatment. Rats were randomly assigned into sham, asthma, 10 µmol/l RES and 50 µmol/l RES groups. The amount of inflammatory cells in rat bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was detected. Pathological lesions in lung tissues were accessed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), and Masson's trichrome staining. Levels of inflammatory factors in lung homogenate were detected via ELISA. The blood serum of asthmatic and healthy children was also collected for analysis. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), Τoll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88) and NF-κB expression in asthmatic and healthy children, as well as rats of the different groups. H&E staining demonstrated that multiple inflammatory cell infiltration into the rat airway epithelium of the asthma group occurred whilst the 50 µmol/l RES group displayed alleviated pathological lesions. Masson staining indicated that there was an increased airway collagen deposition area in the asthma and 10 µmol/l RES groups compared with the 50 µmol/l RES group. The number of inflammatory cells in BALF extracted from rats of the asthma and 10 µmol/l RES groups was higher compared with the 50 µmol/l RES group. Treatment with 50 µmol/l RES significantly decreased the thicknesses of the airway wall and smooth muscle. ELISA results illustrated that interleukin (IL)-1, IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels were elevated, whereas IL-12 level was reduced in lung tissues of the asthma and 10 µmol/l RES groups whilst the 50 µmol/l RES group demonstrated the opposite trend. HMGB1, TLR4, MyD88 and NF-κB mRNA levels were remarkably elevated in rats of the asthma and 10 µmol/l RES groups compared with the 50 µmol/l RES group. Serum levels of IL-1, IL-10 and TNF-α were elevated, whereas IL-12 was reduced in asthmatic children compared with healthy children. The present results demonstrated that a large dose of RES alleviated asthma-induced airway inflammation and airway remodeling by inhibiting the release of inflammatory cytokines via the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB pathway.
Various components of the RNAi pathway are required for conidiation, ascosporogenesis, virulence, DON production and SIGS-mediated fungal inhibition by exogenous dsRNA in the Head Blight pathogen Fusarium graminearum

Gene silencing through RNA interference (RNAi) shapes many biological processes in filamentous fungi. In this study we explored the contribution of several key proteins of fungal RNAi pathways, including DICER-like1 and 2 (FgDCL1, FgDCL2), ARGONAUTE1 and 2 (FgAGO1, FgAGO2), AGO-interacting protein FgQIP (QDE2-interacting protein), RecQ helicase (FgQDE3), and four RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (FgRdRP1, FgRdRP2, FgRdRP3, FgRdRP4), to sexual and asexual multiplication, pathogenicity as well as spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) by exogenous dsRNA of the ascomycete fungus Fusarium graminearum (Fg). We corroborate and extend earlier findings that conidiation, ascosporogenesis and Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) symptom development require operable RNAi pathways. Of note, the involvement of RNAi components in conidiation is dependent on environmental conditions as it is detectable only under low light (< 2 μmol m−2 s−1). Although both DCLs and AGOs partially share their functions, the sex-specific RNAi pathway (ascosporogenesis) is mediated primarily by FgDCL1 and FgAGO2, while the RNAi components FgDCL2 and FgAGO1 contribute to conidia formation and germination. Similarly, FgDCL1 and FgAGO2 account for pathogenesis as their knock-out (KO) results in reduced FHB development. Apart from Δdcl2 and Δago1, the KO mutants Δrdrp2, Δrdrp3, Δrdrp4, Δqde3 and Δqip are strongly compromised for conidiation, while KO mutations in all RdPRs, QDE3 and QIP strongly affect ascosporogenesis. Analysis of trichothecenes mycotoxins in wheat kernels showed that the relative amount of DON [rDON], calculated as [DON] per amount of fungal genomic DNA, was reduced in all spikes infected with RNAi mutants, suggesting that fungal RNAi pathways affect Fg’s DON production in wheat spikes. Moreover, SIGS-mediated plant protection to Fusarium was strongly dependent on fungal DCLs, AGOs, and QIP, but not on QDE3. Together these data show that in F. graminearum the RNAi machinery plays a central role in different steps of sexual and asexual reproduction, in fungal pathogenicity and DON production, and in the control of the pathogen by exogenous dsRNA under the tested conditions.
Potassium fractions and availability for chickpea (Cicer arietinum) in Vertisols of north-west Ethiopia

For a critical appraisal of the supplying power of potassium (K) and to predict bioavailable K, it is necessary to have knowledge on the fractions of K and evaluate soil test methods for plant nutrition. This research aimed to assess the forms of K and select a suitable extractant for chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) nutrition on Vertisols of East Gojjam, north-west Ethiopia. Potassium fractions and bioavailable K extracted by chemical solutions was measured using flame photometry. The mineralogy of Vertisols was assessed by X-ray diffraction. The results showed that the fractions of K were significantly correlated to each other and regression analysis showed that 97.6% of the variability of NH4OAc-K was accounted by the HNO3-K and total K fractions, signifying their existence in dynamic equilibrium. The forms of K were correlated to K uptake by chickpea, suggesting the contribution of the fractions of K to plant nutrition. The high level of K in each form was associated with the illite-smectite clay mineral. The availability of K by ammonium bicarbonate-DTPA was best predicted (R2 = 0.61, p < 0.05) by chickpea uptake in comparison with Mehlich 3 and NH4OAc (R2 = 0.48 and 0.47, respectively). The weaker prediction of NH4OAc-K may be due to the presence of high fixing clays. Further research is necessary on a wide variety of soils and crop types to verify this result and select a suitable extractant for crops in local conditions.
È Ðù×øö× Óö Îöøùð Êêêððøý Öùòó Êò * Ò Äù Blockinòó Ëóóö× †

In the late 90’s the emergence of high performance 3D commodity graphics cards opened the way to use PC clusters for high performance Virtual Reality (VR) applications. Today PC clusters are broadly used to drive multi projector immersive environments. In this paper, we survey the different approaches that have been developed to use PC clusters for VR applications. We review the most common software tools that enable to take advantage of the power of clusters. We also discuss some new trends. CR Categories: I.3. 2 [Graphics Systems]: Distributed/network graphics; I.3. 7 [Three-Dimensional Graphics and Realism]: Animation—Virtual reality; I.6. 8 [Types of Simulation]: Animation—Distributed; D.1. 3 [Concurrent Programming];
ANALYSIS OF PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ MISCONCEPTION THROUGH SIX TIER DIAGNOSTIC TEST ABOUT THE CONCEPT OF WATER CHARACTERISTICS

Science is knowledge consisting of a collection of concepts. The wrong concept understanding will lead to misconceptions in students. The main purpose of this research is to analyze primary school students’ misconception through six tier diagnostic tests about the concept of water characteristics. This research used descriptive qualitative approach. Data were collected by using six tier diagnostic test. The subjects of this study are the fifth grade students of primary school. Based on the results of data analysis, researchers found that almost half of the students experience the misconceptions on the concept of water characteristics including water gives pressure, soapy water cleans oily dirt, and water dissolves various substances. The six tier diagnostic test instrument show the primary school students’ misconception on the concept of water characteristics. Some factors that cause misconceptions in students are students' prior knowledge, teacher mistaken, and errors in textbooks.
The Effect of Tourist Attraction Toward Visitor Satisfaction in Sindang Barang Cultural Village, Bogor Regency

A part of the attraction destination is the cultural tourist attraction that encompasses cultural villages. Bogor Regency has a cultural village that has a variety of Sundanese arts and culture, history and Sundanese beliefs and customs, a natural rural place and has a place to stay or lodging to give a natural impression for tourists who visit. This research was conducted to determine whether tourist attractions affect visitor satisfaction in the Sindang Barang Cultural Village. The purpose of this study was to investigate how much influence the tourist attraction on visitor satisfaction in the Sindang Barang Cultural Village. The Method of research used is quantitative methods in order to obtain more comprehensive, valid, reliable, and objective data. The samples were 107 visitors who came to Sindang Barang Cultural Village. Analysis used descriptive statistical methods, simple correlation coefficient of Pearson, Coefficient of determination and regression analysis. The result showed that tourist attraction had a positive influence of 70% and there is a significant effect between Tourist Attraction toward Visitor Satisfaction in Sindang Barang Cultural Village.
Point of care ultrasound training needs for primary care physicians: Practice setting matters

Abstract Background: Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) is increasingly used in primary care. This study seeks to determine the educational needs of primary care physicians. Methods: All primary care practitioners in Calgary, Alberta, on the electronic departmental newsletter distribution list were invited to participate in an online survey. Interests in learning 25 POCUS applications and 9 procedures were assessed using a 5-point Likert scale. Results: Of the 1394 members on the distribution list, 96 responded. Of these, 88 completed the survey. The majority of the participants (n = 69, 78%) were office-based while 19 (21%) were hospital-based. The top applications for office-based participants included: (1) confirming fetal heart rate, (2) assessing fetal lie, and (3) confirming intrauterine pregnancy. For hospital-based participants, these were: (1) assessing soft tissue/superficial abscesses, (2) looking for ascites, and (3) confirming volume status of the patient. Of the 75 participants who perform procedures, both office- and hospital-based participants were most interested in learning incision and drainage for superficial abscesses and joint aspirations/injections; other procedural interests significantly differed between the two groups. Conclusions: Interests of office-based primary care practitioners in learning POCUS differed significantly from hospital-based practitioners. We recommend that separate office vs. hospital practice streams be offered to address their educational needs.
Frequency, clinical features and differential response to therapy of concurrent ALK/EGFR alterations in Chinese lung cancer patients

Purpose: EGFR and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) alterations have been regarded as oncogenic drivers and incorporated into clinical practices to manage nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Alterations of these two genes were traditionally considered to be mutually exclusive, but recent studies have suggested that they can occur concomitantly. Here, we investigated the prevalence, clinical features and outcomes in response to the treatment of NSCLC patients who harbor EGFR and ALK co-alterations. Methods: We reviewed the genomic profiles of 419 ALK-rearranged NSCLC patients with the intent of investigating the EGFR kinase domain (exon 18–21) and ALK co-alterations. The genomes of these patients were sequenced in a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments-certified laboratory. Results: The overall frequency of concomitant EGFR (exon 18–21) and ALK alterations was 5.01% (21/419) in ALK-rearranged NSCLC patients. The concomitant rate of EGFR alterations in patients with EML4-ALK co-alterations (3.06%, 11/359) was dramatically lower than that in patients with non-EML4-ALK co-alterations (16.67%, 10/60, p<0.01). EML4-ALK/EGF R co-alterations were more prone to occur in females than in males, and non-EML4-ALK/EGFR co-alterations were more common in males than in females (p=0.02). Before the detection of EGFR-ALK co-alterations, some patients were treated with EGFR-TKIs (n=16) according to previously detected EGFR alterations; Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that EML4-ALK/EGFR co-altered patients (n=7) had a significantly shorter progression-free survival (PFS) after EGFR-TKI treatment than that of non-EML4-ALK/EGFR co-altered patients (n=8; mPFS, 6.0 vs 15.0 months, p=0.046). In addition, we demonstrated the subsequent clinical outcomes of co-altered patients after previous EGFR-TKI treatment. Five EGFR/ALK co-altered patients treated with single TKIs (EGFR-TKIs or ALK-TKIs) displayed diverse clinical outcomes. Three patients who received dual-TKI treatment (EGFR-TKI plus ALK-TKI) all achieved a PFS of more than 5 months (8.4 months, 8.6 months, >5.2 months). Conclusion: EML4-ALK/EGFR and non-EML4-ALK/EGFR co-alterations displayed distinct clinical features and responses to EGFR-TKIs, suggesting that non-EML4-ALK co-alterations are likely to occur as a resistance mechanism to EGFR-TKI. In addition, dual-TKI therapy might be a better choice than single-TKI treatments for these co-altered patients. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest dual-positive EGFR/ALK cohort study in People's Republic of China.
Selective Flip-Flop Optimization for Reliable Digital Circuit Design

Runtime variability sources, such as bias temperature instability (BTI) and supply voltage fluctuation affect both timing and functionality of the flip-flops inside a VLSI circuit. In this paper, we propose a method to improve the timing and reliability of the VLSI circuits by optimizing the flip-flops for resiliency against aging and supply voltage fluctuation. In the proposed selective reliability optimization method, we first extend the standard cell libraries by adding optimized versions of the flip-flops designed for better resiliency against severe BTI impact and/or supply voltage fluctuation. Then, we optimize the VLSI circuit by replacing the aging-critical and voltage-drop-critical flip-flops (VC) of the circuit with the reliability-optimized versions to improve the timing and the reliability of the entire circuit in a cost-effective way. The simulation results show that incorporating the optimized flip-flops in a processor can prolong the lifetime of the processor by 36.9% compared to the original design, which translates into better reliability. This is achieved with negligible leakage overhead (less than 0.1% on the processor) and no area overhead which facilitates the integration of the proposed method in the standard VLSI design flow.
A Mobile Cyber-Physical System Framework for Aiding People with Visual Impairment

A Mobile Cyber-Physical System Framework for Aiding People with Visual Impairment by Martin Goldberg Advisor: Professor Zhanyang Zhang It is a challenging problem for researchers and engineers in the assistive technology (AT) community to provide suitable solutions for visually impaired people (VIPs) through AT to meet orientation, navigation and mobility (ONM) needs. Given the spectrum of assistive technologies currently available for the purposes of aiding VIPs with ONM, our literature review and survey have shown that there is a reluctance to adopt these technological solutions in the VIP community. Motivated by these findings, we think it critical to re-examine and rethink the approaches that have been taken. It is our belief that we need to take a different and innovative approach to solving this problem. We propose an integrated mobile cyber-physical system framework (MCPSF) with an ‘agent’ and a ‘smart environment’ to address VIP’s ONM needs in urban settings. For example, one of the essential needs for VIPs is to make street navigation easier and safer for them as pedestrians. In a busy city neighborhood, crossing a street is problematic for VIPs: knowing if it is safe; knowing when to cross; and being sure to remain on path and not collide or interfere with objects and people. These remain issues keeping VIPs from a truly independent lifestyle. In this dissertation, we propose a framework based on mobile cyber-physical systems (MCPS) to address VIP’s ONM needs. The concept of mobile cyber-physical systems is intended to bridge the physical space we live in with a cyberspace filled with unique information coming from IoT devices (Internet of Things) which are part of Smart City infrastructure. The devices in the IoT may be embedded in different kinds of physical structures. People with vision loss or other special needs may have difficulties in comprehending or perceiving iv signals directly in the physical space, but they can make such connections in cyberspace. These cyber connections and real-time information exchanges will enable and enhance their interactions in the physical space and help them better navigate through city streets and street crossings. As part of the dissertation work, we designed and implemented a proof of concept prototype with essential functions to aid VIP’s for their ONM needs. We believe our research and prototype experience opened a new approach to further research areas that might enhance ONM functions beyond our prototype with potential commercial product development.
Bias of Two-Level Scalability Coefficients and Their Standard Errors

Two-level Mokken scale analysis is a generalization of Mokken scale analysis for multi-rater data. The bias of estimated scalability coefficients for two-level Mokken scale analysis, the bias of their estimated standard errors, and the coverage of the confidence intervals has been investigated, under various testing conditions. It was found that the estimated scalability coefficients were unbiased in all tested conditions. For estimating standard errors, the delta method and the cluster bootstrap were compared. The cluster bootstrap structurally underestimated the standard errors of the scalability coefficients, with low coverage values. Except for unequal numbers of raters across subjects and small sets of items, the delta method standard error estimates had negligible bias and good coverage. Post hoc simulations showed that the cluster bootstrap does not correctly reproduce the sampling distribution of the scalability coefficients, and an adapted procedure was suggested. In addition, the delta method standard errors can be slightly improved if the harmonic mean is used for unequal numbers of raters per subject rather than the arithmetic mean.
A Novel Quality Defects Diagnosis Method for the Manufacturing Process of Large Equipment Based on Product Gene Theory

Focusing on the problems of quality information management and quality defects diagnosis in the manufacturing process of large equipment, a novel quality defects diagnosis method based on product gene theory and knowledge base was developed. First, a product gene model and a sectional encoding method for the quality control of the manufacturing process of large equipment were proposed. In that model, the processing surface was the minimum information granularity to meet the production characteristics of large equipment and to improve the flexibility of the product gene model. Then, a similarity evaluation rule and an optimization method of the weights of elements based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) were addressed to filter the available knowledge of product gene from the product gene knowledge base. Aiming at the characteristic of many-to-many between quality defects and quality influence factors in some cases, a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (FCE) method was developed for the further localization of diagnosis knowledge. Finally, an experiment of bearing spacer was applied to illustrate the proposed quality diagnosis approach. In the experiment, the data from the target gene and knowledge genes were described reasonably. On this basis, available knowledge genes could be accurately filtered with the proposed similarity rule and the method of filtration, where the PSO was proved to be effective. The diagnosis results of the experiment show that multiple factors lead to the defects that were verified. Therefore, the proposed quality defects diagnosis method is an effective way for quality control.
KARAKTERISTIK EKSTERIOR, PRODUKSI DAN KUALITAS TELUR ITIK ALABIO (Anas platyrhynchos Borneo) DI SENTRA PETERNAKAN ITIK KALIMANTAN SELATAN

Alabio duck as one of the genetic resources of South Kalimantan develop rapidly and well-known as an excellent breed of ducks for egg production in Indonesia. However, due to unplanned crossbreeding in the field, presumely the productivity and the purity of Alabio ducks decreased. The study is conducted in order to provide information of the characteristics of body weight, body shape, colour of feather, beak, and shank, and also egg production and egg quality of Alabio ducks at duck farming centers in South Kalimantan. The results indicated that there are uniformity in body weight, ≤ 1,5 – 1,6 kg for female and > 1,6 kg for male at 20-24 weeks of age, bottle for of body shape, 60o elavation, but there are variations in some degree in feather colour, beak colour and shank colour of Alabio duks. The feathers vary between batik (strip) or not-strip with cream as the base color. Meanwhile, the colour of beak and shank vary as light yellow, old yellow and orange. Unless for the higher egg production (91%) in the intensive system and yellow red yolk colour (12,93 RYCF) in the extensive system, egg qualities are not different between production systems.
Molecular docking studies of isolated compounds from Cassia fistula on HMG-COA reductase

HMG-CoA reductase which plays a central role in the production of cholesterol. High cholesterol levels have been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Statins have been found to reduce cardiovascular disease and mortality in those who are at high risk. Currently, Statin drugs are prescribed to decrease the serum low density lipid levels, but they have been found to cause many adverse side effects. The above situation necessitated the need to develop suitable phytotherapeutic agents with less frequent side effects. Cassia fistula (Family: Fabaceae), is a promising cardiotonic medicinal plant, having wider applications in indigenous systems of medicine. Bark is laxative, anthelmintic, emetic, febrifuge, diuretic and depurative. It is useful in boils, leprosy, ringworm affection, colic, dyspepsia, constipation, diabetes, strangury and cardiac problems. The present study involved molecular docking of HMG-CoA reductase and 3 phytochemicals reported from Cassia fistula using automated docking software Glide 5.6, (Schrodinger Inc). The 3D structure of HMG-Co Areductase (PDB ID: IHWK) and the ligand molecules were retrieved from RSCB protein databank. We believe that the compound 2 from the plant Cassia fistula has the potential to regulate the cholesterol level in the blood by limiting the activity of the enzyme, HMG-CoA reductase.