Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification of Genes Regulated by IL-1β Using Integrative microRNA and mRNA Genomic Analysis in Human Articular Chondrocytes

Objective. The physiological and pathogenetic role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the maintenance of joint homeostasis and in the development of arthritis is recently being elucidated. In this study, we attempted to identify differentially expressed miRNAs in human osteoarthritis (OA) chondrocytes in response to interleukin (IL)-1β. In addition, simultaneous profiling of miRNA and mRNA expression was performed to get an integrated analysis of miRNA and mRNA expression. Methods. Monolayer cultured chondrocytes obtained from knee cartilages of OA patients were stimulated with IL-1β for 4 hours and RNA was isolated. One microgram of total RNA was polyadenylated and converted to cDNA and miRNA microarray was performed. Seven hundred thirty five oligos were used, corresponding to 470 well-annotated human miRNA sequences and 265 potential miRNAs that were identified recently. mRNA microarray was performed simultaneously using the RNA samples that were used for miRNA array. Both sequence and expression information was used to identify regulatory relationship between miRNA and mRNA pairs. Results. Expression profiling of miRNA extracted from IL-1β treated chondrocytes identified 25 miRNA which showed differential expression. We also identified 7190 mRNAs differentially regulated by IL-1β treatment. Among the 25 miRNAs differentially regulated, 13 miRNAs had targets searched by MiRANDA scheme. By combining target search and miRNA-mRNA pairing, we could identify 1043 miRNA-mRNA target pairs. MiR-200a was found to be expressed in human OA and normal cartilages, with downregulation in OA lesion cartilages. Conclusion. It is suggested that miRNA may play a role in the regulation of cartilage degradation in OA.
Reproductive biology of the Magellan skate, Bathyraja magellanica (Chondrichthyes, Rajidae), in the south-western Atlantic

The knowledge of reproductive parameters is essential to develop effective management and conservation plans. The present study provides the first information on the reproductive biology of an abundant and important trawl by-catch skate, Bathyraja magellanica, along its geographic range in the south-western Atlantic (43–55°S). In total, 81 males (205–738 mm total length, TL) and 104 females (157–768 mm TL) were analysed. Length–frequency distributions were significantly different between sexes, with females being larger than males. However, no sexual dimorphism was observed in TL–total body weight relationship and liver size. Length at maturity was similar between males (638 mm TL) and females (653 mm TL), ~85% of maximum observed size. The mean number of vitellogenic oocytes per skate was 14.37 (±4.43), increasing with female TL. Egg cases of B. magellanica had striated surface, broad lateral keels, extremely long posterior horns, and its wall consisted of three layers. An important area for the reproduction of B. magellanica was found between 48°50′S and 50°30′S. The present results indicated that this species has a low reproductive efficiency, suggesting that the B. magellanica population should be monitored closely to avoid large-scale changes in skate community structure of the south-western Atlantic.
The frost resistance of some native plants from the Central Volcanic Plateau, North Island, New Zealand, in relation to plant succession

Abstract The frost resistance (T 50) of several key species of the tussock grasslands, tussock shrublands, and forest on the Central Volcanic Plateau was measured, using the electrical conductivity method. The frost resistance of Chionochloa rubra, Dracophyllum filifolium, Phyllocladus alpinus, Leptospermum scoparium, Nothofagus solandri var cliffortioides, and Brachyglottis bidwillii was measured in autumn, mid winter, spring, and summer. Additional species were tested in mid winter for their maximum frost resistance. In mid winter, the T 50 ranged from -4.2°C for Pseudopanax arboreus to -27.4°C for Chionochloa rubra. Phyllocladus alpinus from different areas (including the South Island) showed significant differences in T 50 (from -9.2°C up to -16.3°C). Species which were measured throughout the year showed, with the exception of Chionochloa rubra, a significant hardening from summer to winter and a significant dehardening after winter. The seasonal and midwinter frost hardiness of the different species.
Identity, Poverty Situations and the Epistemology of the Known Subject

The article proposes a relational definition of poor people and poverty situations grounded in the Epistemology of the Known Subject and drawn from qualitative research data. I first examine the basic assumptions of such epistemology, which has arisen from the limitations of prior ways of knowing; that is, of what I call the epistemological paradigms of the Epistemology of the Knowing Subject.Then I discuss the features of an empirical study on extreme poverty in Buenos Aires city, as well as the data analysis and concept creation processes involved.This enables me to consider the characteristics of the relational definition of poor people and poverty situations. Finally, I explore the societal model and the type of social process underlying the usual notions of poverty, and the influence of both on social policy design.
Guide to Bluetooth Security: Recommendations of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (Special Publication 800-121 Revision 1)

The National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-121 Revision 1, Guide to Bluetooth Security is the first revision to NIST SP 800-121, Guide to Bluetooth Security. Bluetooth is an open standard for short-range radio frequency communication. Bluetooth technology is used primarily to establish wireless personal area networks. It has been integrated into many types of business and consumer devices, including cellular phones, personal digital assistants, laptops, automobiles, printers, and headsets. This publication provides information on the security capabilities of Bluetooth and gives recommendations to organizations employing Bluetooth technologies on securing them effectively. Updates in this revision include the latest vulnerability mitigation information for Secure Simple Pairing, introduced in Bluetooth v2.1 + Enhanced Data Rate (EDR), as well as an introduction to and discussion of Bluetooth v3.0 + High Speed and Bluetooth v4.0 security mechanisms and recommendations. ~
Cognitive Behavioral Treatment of Single Males with Sexual Dysfunction: A Case Illustration

Sexual dysfunction in males is usually treated with conjoint sex therapy. Such approach is not possible with single males and it is often a limitation in the management. The present paper deals with the application of cognitive behavioral strategies in the treatment of sexual dysfunctions in single males. A 27-year old unmarried graduate male, reported with complaints of inability to get proper erection, weakness and loss of interest in work of three years duration. 15 sessions of therapy was conducted focusing on such areas as clarifications of misconceptions and myths about sexuality, reduction in anxiety and teaching adaptive sexual practices. The techniques used were education, relaxation training and fantasy training, masturbatory retraining. The client showed remarkable improvement following treatment. The issues important in management of single males are
A novel reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction reveals a high prevalence of Plasmodium vivax gametocyte carriage in an endemic area of Thailand

Background: Gametocytes are precursors of malaria sexual stages that are infective to mosquito vectors and play crucial roles in maintaining cycle of infection. Microscopy cannot determine the status of gametocyte carriage in those who had submicroscopic gametocytemia that may serve as infectious reservoirs in endemic areas. Meanwhile, gametocytes possess stage-specific mRNA that can be detected by molecular methods. Objective: To develop a sensitive method for detection of Plasmodium vivax gametocytes using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and determine its diagnostic performance in clinical samples. Materials and Methods: A nested RT-PCR was devised using primers targeting Pvs25, a mature gametocytespecific mRNA transcript of P. vivax (nested Pvs25 RT-PCR). Performance of the assay was evaluated using mRNA extracted from blood samples of 180 febrile patients attending a malaria clinic in Tak Province. Total RNA was extracted from blood samples that were preserved in RNAlater? and from dried blood on filter papers. Malaria species was determined by microscopy from Giemsa stained blood smears and reaffirmed by nested PCR targeting mitochondrial cytochrome b (nested mtCytb PCR). Results: Of 180 blood samples, malaria was diagnosed in 120 patients (69 P. vivax and 51 P. falciparum) by microscopy and 125 patients by nested mtCytb PCR (69 P. vivax, 51 P. falciparum and 5 coinfections with both these species). Microscopy detected gametocytes in 30 of all 74 (40.5%) P. vivax positives by nested mtCytb PCR. Meanwhile, 67 of 74 (90.5%) P. vivax-positive isolates that were preserved in RNAlater? gave positive results by nested Pvs25 RT-PCR. Therefore, nested Pvs25 RT-PCR identified mature P. vivax gametocytes more than twice as frequently as microscopy. The minimum detection threshold for nested Pvs25 RT-PCR was 10 copies of template DNA whereas no cross-reactivity with other human malaria species was observed. Dried blood collected on filter papers offered comparable results for Pvs25 mRNA detection with blood stored in RNA preservative with only 2.7% difference in positive rates. Conclusion: The nested RT-PCR targeting Pvs25 developed in this study is sensitive and specific for diagnosing mature P. vivax gametocytes and can be efficiently applied to both blood samples kept in RNA preservative and dried blood on filter paper. Keywords: Plasmodium vivax, Gametocyte, Pvs25, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Thailand
Social Media Toolkit Supporting Instructors to Create Social and Unbound Learning Spaces in Higher Education (Hands-on Session)

In an ongoing EU FP7 Era.NET RUS project, 1 utilizing a mixed-method approach (interviews/focus group ( n =145) in four countries; online teaching style survey), we, among others, researched how instructors and students in higher education (HE) use social media (SoMe) for teaching, learning, and research. We revealed potential bene ﬁ ts of SoMe usage by instructors in HE classrooms. However, although many instructors are open-minded about applying SoMe in their teaching contexts, they often face dif ﬁ culties when deciding how to integrate it in their instructional designs. Therefore, we developed a SoMe toolkit that will (a) assess the instructor’s teaching scenario by asking four questions, (b) suggest the best matching SoMe class by utilizing an algo-rithm based on pedagogical principles, and (c) provide instructional tips for the instructor on how to integrate the suggested SoMe class in his or her teaching. The pedagogical framework of the toolkit will be presented in detail in this paper. At the conference, you will be able to test the toolkit’s functions, see the users’ data entry visualized in nearly real time, and have the opportunity to give feedback and discuss.
Mechanisms of exercise intolerance in chronic heart failureand type 2 diabetes mellitus

Chronic heart failure (CHF) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) remain primary causes of mortality. Furthermore ~25-30% of CHF patients have DM, and these diabetic heart failure (D-HF) patients have an adverse prognosis. However, as yet, very few studies have examined the D-HF population in comparison to matching CHF, DM, and control patients. Therefore the current thesis described four experimental studies examining exercise intolerance and skeletal muscle abnormalities in these patient populations. The first study of this thesis employed a novel exercise test (RISE-95) to better evaluate exercise intolerance in CHF and D-HF patients. This study confirmed previous clinical findings indicating that D-HF patients have a lower peak pulmonary oxygen uptake (VO2peak). Furthermore this study also demonstrated that nearly half of the cohort acutely increased VO2peak, the mechanism of which may elucidate potential therapeutic targets. To examine potential mechanisms contributing to exercise intolerance, the second study investigated skeletal muscle mitochondrial function in chest muscle biopsies obtained from control, DM, CHF and D-HF patients. This study identified that D-HF patients exhibit both quantitative and qualitative mitochondrial impairments, with the latter residing at complex I. The next study corroborated these findings in leg biopsies from the same patients. The final study uncovered potential mechanisms possibly contributing to skeletal muscle mitochondrial impairments, including an increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and downregulated expression of key mitochondrial genes. Furthermore this study revealed that D-HF patients exhibit a type II fibre-specific atrophy and capillary rarefaction. Collectively, these studies expand our current knowledge regarding exercise intolerance in D-HF patients and how skeletal muscle impairments may contribute to the worse symptoms and outcomes seen in this growing population. The findings from this thesis are expected to guide future research endeavours, which may identify potential therapeutic targets by which exercise intolerance may be ameliorated in these patients.
Morphology and reproduction of Asiatic Ulva pertusa (Ulvales, Chlorophyta) in Thau Lagoon (France, Mediterranean Sea)

A detailed study of vegetative and reproductive phases of several populations of a common species of Ulva from Thau Lagoon (France, Mediterranean Sea) showed that the material is in good agreement with Asiatic Ulva pertusa Kjellman. Since October 1994, the date of its first observation in Thau Lagoon, U. pertusa has developed abundant repro- ductive populations. It is highly probable that this species was introduced at Thau along with oyster transfers from the Pacific. Ulva pertusa is new to the Mediterranean Sea.
The vegetation and vascular flora of the Bartlett Arboretum Forest

Abstract The vegetation and vascular flora of the Bartlett Arboretum Forest, Stamford, Connecticut is described. Based upon abundance, frequency, and diameter at breast height (dbh) data from sixty-one, 100 m2 random quadrats collected in summer 2007, calculations of a species area curve, clustering of quadrat data and Importance Values (IV) were performed. Analysis shows a forest dominated by Fagus grandifolia (IV, 64.17), followed by Acer rubrum (IV 37.41), and Betula lenta (IV 33.84). The vascular flora is documented from collections made from fall 2006 through fall 2008 as well as herbarium records. A total of 351 vascular plant species from 95 families are recorded. The most represented families are the Poaceae (31 species), Asteraceae (30 species), Rosaceae (16 species), and Cyperaceae (16 species). These four families comprise 93 species and 26.4 percent of the flora. Exotic species comprise 26.7 percent of the flora with 94 species. Two species, Eurybia radula and Sibbaldiopsis tridentata are listed as endangered in the state of Connecticut.
Evaluation of different densities of auxin and endophytic fungi (Piriformospora indica and Sebacina vermifera ) on Mentha piperita and Thymus vulgaris growth

Mentha piperita and Thymus vulgaris are two important species of the family Lamiaceae. Two distinct experiments were conducted and examined; the first evaluate the effect of different auxin levels on M. piperita and T. vulgaris growth, while the second examined the effect of two fungi Piriformospora indica and Sebacina vermifera on plant height, root length, shoots and root weight in in vitro in a completely randomized design (3 and 20 replication in first and second experiments, respectively). The first experiment showed that the most effective hormone dose for the M. piperita growth was 1 mgl -1 of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and in the T. vulgaris , it was 1 mgl -1 of indole acetic acid (IAA). Increase of the hormone doses resulted in reduced growth. The second experiment showed that growth of the plants inoculated with fungi increased significantly. The data indicated that the plants inoculated with S. vermifera were of maximum height and the plants inoculated with P. indica had maximum weight also. The nodes of M. piperita and numbers of shoots in T. vulgaris increased significantly.
CO2 emissions from biomass combustion for bioenergy: atmospheric decay and contribution to global warming

Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from biomass combustion are traditionally assumed climate neutral if the bioenergy system is carbon (C) flux neutral, i.e. the CO2 released from biofuel combustion approximately equals the amount of CO2 sequestered in biomass. This convention, widely adopted in life cycle assessment (LCA) studies of bioenergy systems, underestimates the climate impact of bioenergy. Besides CO2 emissions from permanent C losses, CO2 emissions from C flux neutral systems (that is from temporary C losses) also contribute to climate change: before being captured by biomass regrowth, CO2 molecules spend time in the atmosphere and contribute to global warming. In this paper, a method to estimate the climate impact of CO2 emissions from biomass combustion is proposed. Our method uses CO2 impulse response functions (IRF) from C cycle models in the elaboration of atmospheric decay functions for biomass‐derived CO2 emissions. Their contributions to global warming are then quantified with a unit‐based index, the GWPbio. Since this index is expressed as a function of the rotation period of the biomass, our results can be applied to CO2 emissions from combustion of all the different biomass species, from annual row crops to slower growing boreal forest.
Motorcycle image analysis with nanoelectronics platform

This research investigated of image tracking and edge detection for motorcycle in various lighting and weather conditions with nanoelectronics platform. The platform capability in different resolution and threshold level also evaluated. Comparison between field programmable gate array (FPGA) hardware platform and (MATLAB) software platform has been made. Developed framework showed great accuracy in segmentation of motorcycle plate number in daylight compared to rainy daylight and night condition. System developed has the processing time less than 40 milliseconds in various critical conditions such as daylight, rainy daylight and night conditions. The output image was analyzed by comparing the accuracy of bounding box and edges which is displayed in different conditions, threshold level, resolutions and distances. The result showed different performance for each condition. The output image is clear with pixel 1024 x768 in daylight, rainy and night. Meanwhile image quality getting blur while used low pixel resolutions such as 640 x 480, 720 x 480 and 800 x 600. Total speed for each image processing is 30 frames per second. The ability of this system captured motorcycle image is 5 to 15 meter in daylight, rainy and night. Analysis with Histogram level and contrast stretching method showed performance in hardware is improved rather than software [1-6].
An evaluation of tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) as an alternative to perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) for use on dairy farms in the Waikato

Grazed pasture provides the bulk of feed on New Zealand dairy farms. As such, the amount, and the nutritive value, of the pasture grown directly influences farm production and profitability. In the Waikato (North Island, New Zealand), low soil moisture is a major constraint to pasture production and recent droughts have highlighted the limitations of the predominant pasture species, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), in this region. Methods of mitigating the effects of low soil moisture include the use of drought tolerant species, like tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum), and by using irrigation. The main objectives of this research were to compare the pasture dry matter (DM) production, nutritive value and survival of two tall fescue types (Continental, CTF; and Mediterranean, MTF) with perennial ryegrass (PR). Pastures were sown as either a grass monoculture or as grass-dominant mixtures with either white clover (Trifolium repens), red clover (Trifolium pratense) or chicory (Cichorium intybus) as companion species. The experimental design was a split block with two identical small plot experiments that were either fully irrigated (I+) or were not irrigated (I-) and were rotationally grazed by dairy cows. One experiment was established in autumn 2007 and spanned one year. A second experiment was established in spring 2008 that spanned two years, in order to determine whether productive pastures of tall fescue can be established in both seasons. Annual DM yields of I+PR pastures averaged 16.9 t DM/ha across the 3 years evaluated in this study. This was consistently greater (P < 0.003) than either I+CTF or I+MTF pastures (averaging 13.7 and 12.5 t DM/ha, respectively). Average IDM yields were more similar at 14.5, 13.6 and 12.8 t DM/ha from IPR, I-CTF and I-MTF pastures, respectively. Generally, PR pastures produced superior seasonal DM yields than CTF or MTF pastures, with three exceptions. In summer 2007/2008 both I+ and I-CTF pastures produced 0.6 and 1.5 t DM/ha more (P = 0.004) DM than I+ and I-PR pastures, respectively. Also, in winter (P < 0.001) and spring 2009 (P = 0.003) I-CTF pastures produced more DM than I-PR, however, at these times an irrigation interaction was observed (P < 0.001) where I+PR produced more DM than I+CTF. The enhanced I-CTF production was associated with higher tiller densities observed on I-CTF relative to I+CTF
Exploring poisoning attacks against a face recognition system

Face recognition systems are being widely adopted today as identification tools. The main reason for this trend is the rise of machine learning algorithms, which allows for efficient and usable authenticators. However, intelligent adversaries may target these algorithms, and prior works have underlined the effectiveness of such attacks. One example is the poisoning of the training set, where the attacker changes the input on which the model re-trains to modify the learned function. In this work, we apply an existing poisoning attack against an authentication system based on a state-of-the-art face recognition technique. In particular, we target a SVM classifier which extends a deep neural network for feature extraction. Moreover, we present a novel reverse mapping technique to craft real-world image starting from a feature vector. Our attack shows a drop in the accuracy of ~45% by just adding one sample to the training set. This work underlines that poisoning poses a real threat to face authenticators and that security vulnerabilities should be considered when designing such systems.