Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Young Lady with ANA negative SLE with Secondary Anti Phospholipid Syndrome

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune, multisystem connective tissue disease characterized by various autoantibodies to nuclear and cytoplasmic antigens and commonly affects the joints and a variety of organs due to an over activation of the body's immune system. There is wide heterogeneity in presentation of SLE patients, including lung, central nervous system, skin, kidney, and hematologic manifestations. The presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in serum is generally considered a decisive diagnostic sign of SLE. However, a small subset of SLE patients who had the typical clinical features of SLE was reported to show persistently negative ANA tests. Our report describes a 24-yr-old female who presented with the clinical manifestations of SLE such as malar rash, photosensitivity, arthritis, oral ulcer and proteinuria. The serum autoantibodies were all negative except anti ribosomal P. She was also positive for lupus anti-coagulant. She was treated with oral prednisolone, hydroxychloroquine with topical tacrolimus and improved significantly. Three months after, repeat ANA and anti-ds DNA showed persistent negativity but lupus anti-coagulant remained positive. This case suggests that ANA may not be required in the pathogenesis of SLE.
A Framework to Evaluate Webpage Segment Recognizers

Many webpages are inaccessible because they cannot be read by non-sighted human users, nor can they be appropriately indexed by search engines. Using tools that can identify and classify the functional elements of pages, it is possible to create accessible versions. A way to achieve this goal is to extract segments and assign the right semantic role to them. We evaluate tools that read webpages and automatically recognize and classify the functional elements, also called segments, and create a measure of their accuracy so tools can be compared. We introduce a method and tools to measure accuracy, and a procedure to build ground truth based on labels by the webpages' designers. We present a proof-of-concept of a methodology: a method and tools to measure accuracy, and a procedure to build ground truth based on labels by the webpages' designers. Our contribution is an evaluative framework to assess how well tools that parse the functional units in webpages and assign semantic roles to those units can satisfy the needs of search engines, non-sighted users, researchers and developers.
Improving query expansion strategies with word embeddings

Representation learning has been a fruitful area in recent years, driven by the growing interest in deep learning methods. In particular, word representation learning, a.k. a. word embeddings has triggered progress in different natural language processing (NLP) tasks. Despite the success of word embeddings in tasks such as named entity recognition or textual entailment, their use is still embryonic in query expansion. In this work, we examine the usefulness of word embeddings to represent queries and documents in query-document matching tasks. For this purpose, we use a re-ranking strategy. The re-ranking phase is conducted using representations of queries and documents based on word embeddings. We introduce IDF average word embeddings, a new text representation strategy based on word embeddings, which allows us to create a query vector representation that provides higher relevance to informative terms during the process. Experimental results in TREC benchmark datasets show that our proposal consistently achieves the best results in terms of MAP.
Combining Institutional and Distributed Frameworks in Studies of School Leadership

ABSTRACT The premise of this article is that studies of distributed leadership could benefit from further incorporation of institutional approaches to better understand complex reform demands facing school leaders working for instructional improvement. We begin by articulating the core components of a distributed perspective on leadership and of an institutional perspective on organizational change. We next describe our methods for reviewing a purposeful sample of 28 highly cited empirical articles on distributed school leadership in K-12 settings. We argue that studies that fully integrate institutional and distributed perspectives can contribute important insights on how school leaders manage the pressures of complex policy environments and the role of collective structuration in defining and legitimating distributed leadership practice.
In vitro rumen fermentation characteristics of goat and sheep supplemented with polyunsaturated fatty acids

An in vitro gas-production study was conducted to compare differences in rumen fermentation characteristics and the effect of supplementation of 4% linseed oil as a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids on the rumen fermentation profile in rumen fluid collected from goats and sheep. Rumen fluid for each species was obtained from two male goats of ~18 months old and two sheep of similar sex and age fed the similar diet containing 30% alfalfa hay and 70% concentrates. The substrate used for the fermentation was alfalfa hay and concentrate mixture (30 : 70) without (control) and with addition of linseed oil. The experiment was a two (inoculums) × two (oil levels) factorial experiment, with five replicates per treatment, and was repeated once. Rumen fermentation characteristics, including pH, fermentation kinetics, in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), volatile fatty acid (VFA) production and microbial population were examined. Results of the study showed that gas-production rate (c), IVOMD, VFA production and population of total bacteria and two cellulolytic bacteria (Ruminococus albus and Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens) from rumen fluid of goat were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of samples from sheep. Irrespective of sources of inoculums, addition of oil did not affect fermentation capacity, IVOMD and total VFA production. The higher B. fibrisolvens population (associated with bio-hydrogenation) in rumen fluid of goat seems to suggest that polyunsaturated fatty acids are more prone to bio-hydrogention in the rumen of goat than in sheep. This assumption deserves further investigation.
FEATURE-EXTRACTION FROM ALL-SCALE NEIGHBORHOODS WITH APPLICATIONS TO SEMANTIC SEGMENTATION OF POINT CLOUDS

Abstract. Feature extraction from a range of scales is crucial for successful classification of objects of different size in 3D point clouds with varying point density. 3D point clouds have high relevance in application areas such as terrain modelling, building modelling or autonomous driving. A large amount of such data is available but also that these data is subject to investigation in the context of different tasks like segmentation, classification, simultaneous localisation and mapping and others. In this paper, we introduce a novel multiscale approach to recover neighbourhood in unstructured 3D point clouds. Unlike the typical strategy of defining one single scale for the whole dataset or use a single optimised scale for every point, we consider an interval of scales. In this initial work our primary goal is to evaluate the information gain through the usage of the multiscale neighbourhood definition for the calculation of shape features, which are used for point classification. Therefore, we show and discuss empirical results from the application of classical classification models to multiscale features. The unstructured nature of 3D point cloud makes it necessary to recover neighbourhood information before meaningful features can be extracted. This paper proposes the extraction of geometrical features from a range of neighbourhood with different scales, i.e. neighborhood ranges. We investigate the utilisation of the large set of features in combination with feature aggregation/selection algorithms and classical machine learning techniques. We show that the all-scale-approach outperform single scale approaches as well as the approach with an optimised per point selected scale.
Cinnamon Extract Changes the Expression of miRNAs26-b, 29a, 223 and320 in Insulin Resistant Adipocytes

ObjectiveInsulin resistance (IR) is the major cause in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Expression of some miRNAs can be changed in response to a drug treatment for IR, and used as the biomarker in IR. This study set out to determine the effect of cinnamon extract (cinnamaldehyde) on some miRNAs expression in IR adipocytes.Materials and MethodsIn this In-vitro study the 3T3L1 cells were expanded in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium (DMEM), differentiated into adipocytes phenotype and insulin resistant with high glucose medium, then the cells were treated with cinnamaldehyde. To determine of the miRNAs profiling in 3T3L1 adipocytes, insulin-resistant adipocytes and treated insulin-resistant adipocytes quantitative real-time PCR method was performed.ResultsIR adipocytes exhibited a significantly increase in miRs 29a, 223 and 320 expression, and decrease in miR26-b expression in compare to the normal adipocytes(P-value<0.001 and P-value= 0.024 respectively). However in response to cinnamaldehyde in IR adipocytes, expression of miRs 29a, 223 and 320 were down-regulated while expression of miR26-b was up-regulated neared it to the normal level (P-value= 0.003 and P-value= 0.002 respectively). ConclusionIR changes expression of intended miRs, so that cinnamaldehyde treatment helps to improve and normalize the changes. Cinnamon as the herbal product can be helpful for IR particular in adipose tissue.
VirtFun: Function Offload Methodology to Virtualized Environment

The use of virtual machines (VM) has become popular with substantial growth for both personal and commercial use, especially supported by the progress of hardware and software virtualization technologies. There are several reasons for this adoption like: cost, customization, scalability and flexibility. Distinct domains of application, such as scientific, financial and industrial, spanning from embedded to cloud systems, taken advantage of this kind of machines to meet processing computational demands. However, there are setbacks: hardware handling, resources use, performance and management. This growth demands an effective support by the underlying virtualization infrastructure, which directly affects the hosts’ capacity in datacenters and cloud environment that support them. It is evident that the host native processing performs better than VMs, especially when using accelerator devices, where the common solution is to assign each device to a specific VM, instead of sharing it among multiples VMs. Beyond performance issues inside the host, we need to consider the VM performance when using accelerator devices. In this context, it is necessary to provide efficient mechanisms to manage and run VMs which can take advantages of high-performance devices, like FPGAs or even from software resources on the host. To assist this challenge, this paper proposes a methodology to improve communication performance of applications running on the VMs, VirtFun. To do so, we developed a framework able to offload pieces of application's code (vFunction) to host by means of secure data sharing between the application and device. The results achieved in our experiments demonstrated significant acceleration capacity for the guest application vFunction. The speedup reached 340% compared to conventional network execution, reaching maximum slowdown of 2.8% in the worst case and near to 0% in the best case considering the native execution.
Measurement of Neutron Polarization and Transmission for the Neutron EDM at SNS Experiment

The existence and size of a neutron electric dipole moment (nEDM) remain important questions in particle and cosmological physics. The nEDM@SNS experiment proposes to improve the sensitivity on the nEDM by using polarized ultra-cold neutrons (UCN) and polarized $^3$He in a bath of superfluid $^4$He. The experiment will employ a cryogenic magnet to provide the required magnetic field environment to achieve the proposed sensitivity. This proceedings will describe a setup to measure the neutron polarization and transmission losses resulting from passage through the magnetic shielding and cryostat windows.
How Does Online Information Affect Consumption Decision?—An Empirical Test in the Context of Social Sharing

In social media, people can share product information and consumer feelings, which makes the role of social media far beyond social itself. The product information that consumers get on social media has gradually become an important basis for consumer decision-making. In the context of social sharing, how does online information affect consumer decision-making? This paper will discuss the influence of network information on Chinese consumers' decision-making, so as to better understand the characteristics of online consumption behavior and provide the basis for the formulation of enterprise network marketing plans.
An Efficient T-matrix Method for Analyzing the Electromagnetic Scattering of Multiple PEC Objects

The T-matrix method has been of a great interest in solving the electromagnetic scattering problems since it is firstly discussed in [1]. Later, [2] extends the T-matrix method to an arbitray number of scatterers. The total T-matrix is expressed in terms of the individual T-matrices by an iterative procedure. In order to reduce the computation cost of the total T-matrix, a recursive algorithm is proposed in [3]. Since then, the use of this idea for various structures has been demonstrated [4, 5]. In this paper, we propose firstly an efficient way to obtain a small T-matrix for any arbitrary-shaped conducting scatterer. Based on the T-matrix information for each scatterer, an algorithm considering the interactions of multiple scatterers is then proposed. Since the dimension of each single T-matrix is much smaller than the unknowns of MOM method, the computation cost is greatly reduced for multiple-scatterer problems. Moreover, due to the incidence independent property of the T-matrices, they don’t need the recalculation for different incident cases. This further reduces the cost.
Super-enhancers modulate interleukin-6 expression and function in cancers

Background It is widely accepted that inflammatory cytokine, interleukin 6 (IL-6), was not only elevated in cancer but also important in carcinogenesis. But how did IL-6 be produced in tumor microenvironment remains to be addressed. Methods Both bioinformatics tools and quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to examine the expression of IL-6 in cancer cells. To map super-enhancers of IL-6, sgRNAs were constructed. Stable knockout cells were established and subsequently used for cell proliferation and colony formation assay. The correlation between mapped super-enhancers and IL-6 expression was studied by ATAC-seq analysis. Results The expression of IL-6 was high in multiple cancers, including pancreatic cancer (PAAD). The elevated expression of IL-6 in PAAD was further confirmed by transcriptional data and in a panel of pancreatic cancer cell lines (one immortal HPDE6-C7 cell line and four PDAC cell lines: BxPC-3, PANC-1, AsPC-1 and CFPAC-1). When treated with JQ-1 and I-BET-762, two inhibitors of super-enhancers, the expression of IL-6 in multiple cancer cells including CFPAC-1, HeLa and SUM-159 cells was significantly reduced. By analyzing the H3K27Ac profiling, BRD4 binding, Med1 binding and DNA conservation in CFPAC-1, HeLa and SUM-159 cells, we identified a potential super-enhancer (IL6-SE) that might be important for IL-6 expression in cancer. The super-enhancer (IL6-SE) can be further divided into two elements (IL6-SEa and IL6-SEb). Genetic deletion of IL6-SEa in cancer cells greatly reduces the expression of IL-6. IL6-SEa deficient cells also showed low proliferation and colony formation ability. In patients, the epigenetic activation (ATAC signal) of IL6-SEa is correlated with the expression of IL-6. Conclusions In summary, we not only provide convincing experimental evidence to demonstrate that IL-6 expression in cancer is dependent on super-enhancers but also identified IL6-SEa as a critical DNA regulatory element. Our findings provide new insights to understand the epigenetic regulation of IL-6 expression in cancers.
Inhibition of type I and type II interferon signaling by alphavirus nonstructural proteins

Jason D. Simmons: Inhibition of type I and type II interferon signaling by alphavirus nonstructural proteins. (Under the direction of Mark T. Heise) Alphaviruses are mosquito-borne pathogens that represent an emerging threat due their capacity to cause large outbreaks of infectious disease ranging from severe arthritis, as observed with the current chikungunya virus outbreak in the Indian Ocean, to potentially fatal encephalitis, as witnessed by periodic outbreaks of Venezeulan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV). Type I interferon (IFN) plays a crucial role in limiting alphavirus replication and pathogenic strains must employ mechanisms to downregulate this response. In these studies, we have identified a previously unrecognized mechanism by which VEEV and Sindbis virus (SINV) inhibit the response to both type I and type II IFNs, which presumably would limit the antiviral effects of these cytokines within infected cells. Studies with VEEV, as well as propagation-defective replicon particles devoid of the viral structural genes, indicated that the viral nonstructural proteins (nsPs) disrupt critical signaling events downstream of type I and type II IFN receptor activation, as indicated by failed activation and nuclear localization of STAT1, a transcription factor central to multiple signaling pathways. Notably, these inhibitory events occurred upstream and independently of global transcriptional shutoff, which was previously proposed to be the mechanism by which alphaviruses downregulate IFN induction and signaling. Our subsequent studies with SINV demonstrated that other alphaviruses also antagonize Jak/STAT activation and that the efficiency of this inhibition correlated tightly with the relative virulence of SINV strains. Importantly, we were able to map this effect to a single amino acid determinant that was required for efficient STAT inhibition by AR86, an adult mouse neurovirulent SINV strain. This determinant, threonine at nsP1 538, was critical for adult mouse neurovirulence and could rescue efficient STAT inhibition when introduced into an avirulent virus. These studies
Using Time to Assess Extension Exhibits

In addition to other evaluation methods, the amount of time visitors spend at an exhibit may indicate visitors' level of interest and engagement with the exhibit content. We describe methods from the museum field where time is used as a measurement of exhibit effectiveness and discuss findings from a study in which we used time to evaluate an Extension exhibit. This information has implications for Extension professionals interested in using time as a method of evaluating visitors' level of interest and engagement in their exhibits.
Characterization of Copper Interactions with Alzheimer Amyloid β Peptides

Abstract: Cu and Zn have been shown to accumulate in the brains of Alzheimer's disease patients. We have previously reported that Cu2+ and Zn2+ bind amyloid β (Aβ), explaining their enrichment in plaque pathology. Here we detail the stoichiometries and binding affinities of multiple cooperative Cu2+‐binding sites on synthetic Aβ1‐40 and Aβ1‐42. We have developed a ligand displacement technique (competitive metal capture analysis) that uses metal‐chelator complexes to evaluate metal ion binding to Aβ, a notoriously self‐aggregating peptide. This analysis indicated that there is a very‐high‐affinity Cu2+‐binding site on Aβ1‐42 (log Kapp = 17.2) that mediates peptide precipitation and that the tendency of this peptide to self‐aggregate in aqueous solutions is due to the presence of trace Cu2+ contamination (customarily ∼0.1 μM). In contrast, Aβ1‐40 has much lower affinity for Cu2+ at this site (estimated log Kapp = 10.3), explaining why this peptide is less self‐aggregating. The greater Cu2+‐binding affinity of Aβ1‐42 compared with Aβ1‐40 is associated with significantly diminished negative cooperativity. The role of trace metal contamination in inducing Aβ precipitation was confirmed by the demonstration that Aβ peptide (10 μM) remained soluble for 5 days only in the presence of high‐affinity Cu2+‐selective chelators.
Study on Mutation of Botrytis cinerea and Pathogenicity

【Objective】The mutational method of Botrytis cinerea mutant with AbA resistance was studied.It was investigated that AbA affected cellular morphology and pathogenicity of Botrytis cinerea and its mutant 【Method】The mutant of B.cinerea with AbA resistance was obtained by mutagen EMS with different concentrations and AbA selection from wild-type B.cinerea. 【Result】AbA obviously affected cell morphology of wild-type B.cinerea,including the delay of conidial germination,excessive branching near the tip of germ tube,the inhibition of the mycelium growth,and can decrease pathogenicity.In contrary the AbA does not affect cellular morphology of mutant and to a certain extent contributes to the increased pathogenicity of mutant. 【Conclusion】The mutagenesis conditions of B.cinerea with AbA resistant were obtained.The mutant can resist the effect of AbA on cell morphology and pathogenicity.
The Transforming Growth Factor‐βs

Abstract: Transforming growth factor‐βs (TGF‐βs) are amongthe most widespread and versatile cytokines. Here, we first provide a briefoverview of their molecular biology, biochemistry, and signaling. We thenreview distribution and functions of the three mammalian TGF‐β isoforms,β1, β2, and β3, and their receptors in the developing and adultnervous system. Roles of TGF‐βs in the regulation of radial glia,astroglia, oligodendroglia, and microglia are addressed. Finally, we reviewthe current state of knowledge concerning the roles of TGF‐βs incontrolling neuronal performances, including the regulation of proliferationof neuronal precursors, survival/death decisions, and neuronaldifferentiation.
Structural and Genetic Diversity of Hexavalent Chromium-Resistant Bacteria in Contaminated Soil

ABSTRACT Culture-independent and -dependent methods were used to evaluate the genetic diversity of hexavalent chromium-resistant bacteria in contaminated soils. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) showed that hexavalent chromium-resistant bacteria in contaminated soils had significant structural diversity that was not related to the concentration of hexavalent chromium, while the diversity of soil bacterial communities was correlated with soil pH. Twenty-two chromium-resistant bacterial strains were isolated from contaminated soil, including members of Brevundimonas, Micrococcus, Exiguobacterium, Alcaligenes and Pannonibacter. Repetitive sequence-based polymerase chain reaction showed that the BOX- primer produced the more complex banding patterns than the ERIC- and REP- primers, indicating a high degree of genotypic diversity. These bacterial strains varied in ability to reduce hexavalent chromium. Pannonibacter reduced 300 mg·L−1 of hexavalent chromium in solution within 24 h. X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) analysis revealed that Cr(OH)3, Cr2O3, and CrCl3 composed approximately 83.51% of the total chromium in the reduction product.