Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Desmoglein 1 in ovine muzzle skin detected by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting [autoimmune diseases]

SUMMARY Desmosomes are epithelial adhesion structures that assure the mechanical cell-cell adhesion, by linking the intermediate filaments of two adjacent cells. Several proteins have been characterised as component of these structures and, among them, desmogleins are known to be the autoantigens in some autoimmune diseases that go by the name of pemphigus complex diseases. In particular Desmoglein 1 is the targeted antigen in Pemphigus foliaceus. This study aims at revealing the presence of Desmoglein 1 in the ovine muzzle skin using a commercial monoclonal antibody, raised against human desmoglein-1, on samples obtained from sheep muzzle. Immunohistochemical analyses (streptavidin-peroxidase method) and immunoblotting analyses (chemiluminescence method) have been performed. Immunohistochemical evaluation allowed for detection of a pericellular staining of keratinocyte cell membranes in the spinous and the basal layers of epidermis. A positive immunoreaction was obtained when the anti-Dsg-1 antibody was reacted with human cheek epidermis used as positive control. Specificity of the immune reaction was confirmed by the lack of staining in samples incubated with the anti-vimentin antibody used as negative control. Densitometric analyses of the chemiluminescence film showed three bands. One of them could be referred to Desmoglein 1, the second one to Desmoglein 3 and the last one to a Desmoglein-Plakoglobin complex. RIASSUNTO I desmosomi sono strutture di adesione tipiche dei tessuti epiteliali che connettono i filamenti intermedi del citoscheletro di due cellule adiacenti, assicurando la loro adesione meccanica. Tra le proteine che compongono queste strutture, le desmogleine sono note come antigene target in alcune malattie autoimmuni riunite sotto il nome di malattie del complesso del pemfigo. La desmogleina 1, in particolare, si comporta da auto antigene nel pemfigo foliaceo. Lo scopo della presente ricerca e stato quello di mettere in evidenza questa proteina su campioni di cute prelevate da musello di pecora con l’utilizzo di un anticorpo monoclonale indotto contro la desmogleina 1 dell’uomo. Su di essi sono state condotte indagini immunoistochimiche (metodo streptavidina-perossidasi) e di immunoblotting (metodo della chemiluminescenza). L’indagine immunoistochimica ha rilevato una distribuzione della proteina uniforme e pericellulare negli strati basale e spinoso dell’epidermide. La reazione positiva si e ottenuta anche su cute di guancia di uomo usata come controllo positivo. La specificita del test e stata confermata dall’assenza di positivita in campioni incubati con un anticorpo antivimentina, utilizzato come controllo negativo. L’indagine di immunoblotting ha evidenziato tre bande di cui una potrebbe corrispondere alla desmogleina 1, la seconda alla desmogleina 3 e la terza ad un complesso Desmogleina-Placoglobina.
Exploring Reverse Diffusion of HRM Practices: Insights from 3 Finnish MNCs

This qualitative case study on 3 Finnish MNCs explores the extent to which the MNCs engage in RD and the factors that affect RD in these MNCs. In this regard, internal structural factors necessary to facilitate the occurrence of RD were carefully examined to assess how these contribute to the success or hindrance of the phenomenon. Using an abductive approach, which is tightly linked to data, the study revealed evidence of RD in all the MNCs albeit in varying degrees. On the basis of literature, however, clear RD was detected in only 1 MNC which appeared to have the transnational model and thus supported the argument that RD is most likely to occur in transnational companies than merely internationalised firms. The other 2 MNCs seemed more interested in learning from sister companies locally than from foreign subsidiaries. While the factors facilitating or hindering RD found are not peculiar to Finnish MNCs, two themes that emerged: culture and national identity, provided a contextual element to the study. Despite the acknowledgement of the need to learn from subsidiaries by all respondents, RD was not found to be a common practice in the studied cases probably because it was not seen as a ‘make’ or ‘break’ factor. This has implications for management, consultants and researchers in stressing the importance of RD as a critical success factor rather than an optional tool. Also, the study has implications for social capital and social identity theory and exploring the interrelationships between various facets of these theories and RD can enhance our understanding on the phenomenon.
Usage of Text Sentiment Analysis Models and Methods in the Sociological Studies

Natural language processing has recently become very popular in the sociological studies due to a wide expansion of social media such as social networks, blogs, forums, etc., as well as online polls. An important direction of this area is a text sentiment analysis, used to find out people’s opinions on various actual issues. The paper deals with two methods of sentiment analysis: known support vector machine (SVM) as supervised learning and proposed lexicon-based classifier as unsupervised learning. The proposed classifier is domain-independent, does not require training data, and uses ready-made sentiment lexicons. The lexicon-based classifier is shown to exceed the SVM for small text collections. The article provides analysis of errors and offers the ways to increase classifier’s quality.
An Empirical Investigation of the Relationship between Stock Return and Trading Volume: Evidence from the Jordanian Banking Sector

This study investigates the dynamic relationship between stock return and trading volume in the banking sector of Amman Stock Exchange (ASE). In addition, it reveals the nature and direction of this relationship. Therefore, several tests were utilized to include: Bivariate regression model, vector error correction model (VECM), variance decomposition technique, impulse responds function, pairwise Granger causality and Johansenâ€™s cointegration tests. The empirical results show that there is no significant relationship between trading volume and stock return on the sub-index level. Moreover, our results show a significant relationship between trading volumes and return volatility. Furthermore, Johansenâ€™s cointegration analysis demonstrates that stock return is cointegrated with the trading volume indicating long-run equilibrium relationship. VECM provides evidence of long-run causality from return to trading volume. On the other hand, we used variance decomposition technique and impulse respond function to compare the degree of explanatory power of the trading volume over stock return. The evidence supports the influential role of the stock return in Amman Stock Exchange. Finally, pairwise Granger causality test reveals that past values of stock return were useful in predicting trading volume in ASE. The study concludes that stock price changes in any direction have informational content for upcoming trading activities.
Consequences of Succession on Extensively Grazed Grasslands for Central European Butterfly Communities: Rethinking Conservation Practices

Abstract: Because of changes in land use, the quantity of extensively grazed or mown calcareous grasslands and their successional stages have drastically declined over the last few decades in Central Europe. Old fallow land has decreased most. It is often afforested or reconverted into extensively cultivated grassland because extensive cultivation is believed to be favorable for diversity and rare species conservation. The relative importance of fallow calcareous grasslands, however, has not been investigated fully and might be much underestimated. To evaluate the relative importance of extensively grazed pastures, early and old fallow land, and young forest, we examined populations of diurnal butterflies from 14 sites in the Swiss Jura Mountains. We used univariate, multivariate, and qualitative methods to compare the successional stages. The first 2–3 years of succession had little influence on the butterfly fauna. Therefore, pastures and early fallow land were treated as a single “early stage. ” Old fallow land had significantly higher species richness (+32%) and heterogeneity (+65%) and hosted more Red List species (+48%) than the early stage. Young forest was depauperate in butterfly species. Further, cluster analysis and correspondence analysis showed a close resemblance of the sites of the early stage to each other and a clear difference from the sites of old fallow land. All differences were best explained by the successional age of the sites. Both early stage and old fallow land showed a high proportion (>25%) of stage‐specific species, but more threatened species were specific to old fallow land. We conclude that up to now the importance of old fallow land has been underestimated in conservation efforts in Central Europe. Contrary to the prevailing opinion, it is at least as important for butterflies as extensively cultivated grassland. Further conversion into forest, a common habitat in the region, should be prevented. Because old fallow land has become exceedingly rare, its inclusion in management plans is urgently needed. Otherwise, we may soon lose a valuable but often overlooked part of our biodiversity.
GROUND SUBSIDENCE ALONG SHANGHAI METRO LINE 6 BY PS-InSAR METHOD

Abstract. With the rapid development of urban economy, convenient, safe, and efficient urban rail transit has become the preferred method for people to travel. In order to ensure the safety and sustainable development of urban rail transit, the PS-InSAR technology with millimeter deformation measurement accuracy has been widely applied to monitor the deformation of urban rail transit. In this paper, 32 scenes of COSMO-SkyMed descending images and 23 scenes of Envisat ASAR images covering the Shanghai Metro Line 6 acquired from 2008 to 2010 are used to estimate the average deformation rate along line-of-sight (LOS) direction by PS-InSAR method. The experimental results show that there are two main subsidence areas along the Shanghai Metro Line 6, which are located between Wuzhou Avenue Station to Wulian Road Station and West Gaoke Road Station to Gaoqing Road Station. Between Wuzhou Avenue Station and Wulian Road Station, the maximum displacement rate in the vertical direction of COSMO-SkyMed images is −9.92 mm/year, and the maximum displacement rate in the vertical direction of Envisat ASAR images is −8.53 mm/year. From the West Gaoke Road Station to the Gaoqing Road Station, the maximum displacement rate in the vertical direction of COSMO-SkyMed images is −15.53 mm/year, and the maximum displacement rate in the vertical direction of Envisat ASAR images is −17.9 mm/year. The results show that the ground deformation rates obtained by two SAR platforms with different wavelengths, different sensors and different incident angles have good consistence with each other, and also that of spirit leveling.
A Survey on Vision Based Approaches for Image Description

: Automatic description from image is a challenging problem that contains interest from the domain like computer vision and natural language processing. In this survey, we represents deep learning concepts for describing a recent development in Computer Vision and Natural Languange Processing. This paper contains neural network appproaches for generating description of images, process of image decription, identified dataset and technolgies used for this framework and various evaluation metrics used for calculating scores.
The effect of acupuncture on objective and subjective gait parameters in horses

Reasons for performing the study: Despite century long-standing application in human and veterinary medicine, it is still questioned whether acupuncture has any effect other than placebo. Objectives: To investigate whether acupuncture can alter gait in horses as assessed by objective and subjective parameters. Study design: Prospective, randomised, single-blinded, cross over study. Animals: Eight adult horses. Methods: Horses were randomly assigned to a treatment (three acupuncture treatments in 8 days) or control group. Subjective and objective gait analyses were performed before and after each treatment and at 1, 3 and 7 days after the last treatment (time-points 1–9, respectively). Horses were assessed at the trot in a straight line on a hard surface and on the lunge on the left and right reins on a soft surface (conditions 1–3, respectively). After 12 weeks, groups were reversed. Objective gait analysis was performed using inertial sensors and subjective analysis by two boardcertified surgeons who reviewed video-recordings. Each limb was assessed for lameness before and after treatment. Lameness and global scores were assigned using 4-point scales. Assessors were blinded to treatment status. The effects of treatment (yes/no), time (1– 9) and horse under conditions 1 –3 were compared using a linear mixed-effects model and a generalized estimating equation. Results: Treatment decreased hip hike difference under all conditions [condition 1: control, 6.3 ± 6.4 mm versus treatment, –0.2 ± 6.4 mm (p = 0.007); condition 2: control, 9.7 ± 7.8 mm versus treatment, 2.8 ± 7.8 mm (p = 0.032); condition 3: control, 7.3 ± 6.3 mm versus treatment, –2.7 ± 6.4 mm (p = 0.003)]. Other parameters also improved significantly under conditions 1 and 3. Based on subjective gait analysis, treatment decreased lameness [odds ratio (OR) 0.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.34–0.78; p = 0.002] but not global (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.24– 1.10; p = 0.12) scores. Conclusions: Acupuncture can change horses' gaits to a degree appreciable by objective and subjective analyses.
Understanding Urban Ecosystems: An Ecological Economics Perspective

Anthills, feedlots, and cities share important systemic characteristics. Each of these entities is associated mainly with a single species – anthills with ants, feedlots with cattle, and cities with humans. All three are characterized by large populations and extraordinary densities of their keystone inhabitants. And, most importantly from the perspective of their defining species, none is ecologically self-contained nor self-sufficient – anthills, feedlots, and cities are all sustained by biophysical processes that occur mainly outside the boundaries of the named entities themselves. What, then, are the relevant ecosystems for ants, cattle, and people? This chapter addresses this question for people, particularly urban dwellers, from the perspective of human ecology and ‘ecological economics’.
A Rational for the Payback Criterion: An Application of Almost Stochastic Dominance to Capital Budgeting

Textbooks on financial management have emphasized the shortcomings of the payback criterion for decades. However, empirical evidence suggests that in actual capital budgeting procedures the payback method is used quite regularly. Mostly, it is implemented supplementary to net present value or internal rate of return, but small companies tend to rely on payback times as single criterion. A convincing theoretical foundation for the observed use of the payback criterion is lacking. Consequently, our goal is to provide such an explanation for the payback criterion’s popularity. We demonstrate from a decision theoretical perspective how relying on payback times simplifies investment decisions in modern organizations. Gathering information from different management levels and ensuring the utilization of individual skills requires a multi-stage capital budgeting process. Accordingly, we consider fundamental organizational features of this process with respect to their impact on the payback method’s use. For this purpose, we built upon almost stochastic dominance (ASD) as modeling device. Firstly, we show that applying his concept allows to include the risk preferences of all relevant decision makers into the analysis. Secondly, we illustrate that the criteria derived from this model help conveying these preferences to those who do the preparatory work preceding the final decision. To some extent, these new criteria are generalizations of payback times. This finding provides a potential explanation for the payback’s persisting prominence.
Development of a Semi-Automated System for Routine Preparation of Carbonate Samples

We constructed a semi-automated system to transform carbonate samples to CO2, as a means to increase sample-processing capacity. The physico-chemical process includes hydrolysis of carbonate, quantification of the mass of carbon and CO2 collection in a glass ampoule. The system is computer-controlled and monitored, and all the data are stored. A single run of five consecutive samples requires about 3.5 hours. Measurements of 14C concentrations were made on samples of IAEA C-1 Carrara marble to test the reliability of this semi-automated system. These measurements have allowed the determination of the total system background and the memory effect of our system.
A Three-Dimensional Constitutive Equation And FiniteElement Method Implementation for Shape Memory Polymers

In order to describe the thermomechanical deformation and shape memory effect of shape memory polymers (SMPs), a three-dimensional thermomechanical constitutive model that considers elastic, viscoelastic strain and thermal expansion is proposed for isotropic SMPs. A three-dimensional finite element procedure is developed by implementing the proposed constitutive model into the user material subroutine (UMAT) in ABAQUS program. Numerical examples are used to compare it with existing experimental data in a one dimensional case and to demonstrate the thermomechanical behavior of SMPs with 3D deformation. It is shown that the present constitutive theory and the finite element method can effectively simulate the thermomechanical behavior and shape memory effect of SMPs under complicated deformation states.
Numerical simulation of dynamic brittle fracture of pipeline steel subjected to DWTT using XFEM-based cohesive segment technique

In the past several numerical studies have addressed the ductile mode of fracture propagation. However, the brittle mode of pipeline failure has not received as much attention yet. The main objective of this study is to predict brittle fracture behaviour of API X70 pipeline steel by means of a numerical approach. To this end, the eXtended Finite Element Method (XFEM)-based cohesive segment technique is used to model Drop Weight Tear Test (DWTT) of X70 pipeline steel at -100°C. In this model the dynamic stress intensity factor and crack velocity are calculated at the crack tip at each step of crack propagation.
Accounting method choice and market valuation in the extractive industries

Abstract For more than 40 years, oil and gas companies have been able to choose between two competing methods for accounting for exploration activities. The implication is that two otherwise identical companies can report substantially different earnings depending on chosen method. This situation, where oil and gas company managers have discretion to choose between different accounting methods, has transpired because of intense lobbyism towards accounting standard setters by oil and gas companies in favour of one of the methods. The existence of two accounting methods is concerning since investors will struggle to uncover the true underlying performance of oil and gas companies. We conjecture that investors will resort to operating cash flows to evaluate oil company financial performance since cash flows are less affected by managers’ discretion than earnings are. In this study, we investigate the relevance to investors of earnings versus cash flow for oil and gas companies. Our results show that cash flow measures, but not earnings, are significantly associated with oil company returns. These findings suggest that the financial markets lack confidence in oil company earnings, irrespective of accounting method used, and investors therefore prefer cash flows as measures of underlying financial performance.
Articlex Quanta , Computations , and Extended Everett Concept

In the Extended Everett Concept, proposed by M.B. Mensky, is assumed, that numerous quantum alternatives that are included in a superposition of many-world Everett universe, are available for the analysis to consciousness, being in some threshold states like sleep or meditation. Since this possibility is in the direct contradiction to no-cloning theorem of quantum mechanics, the question arises how this can be. The proposed solution is based on an analogy with the ‘miracle of cloning of states’, which can be implemented for an observer living in the quantum world, simulated on a classical computer. The basis of the hypothesis is the algorithmic solvability of the quantum theory.
Spectroscopic study on relationship between contacts erosion and chromatic parameters of arc in a HVCB

Contacts erosion is one of the most crucial factor affecting the electrical service lifetime of high-voltage circuit breakers (HVCBs). Monitoring the contacts’ erosion degree is increasingly in demand for the sake of condition based maintenance to guarantee the functional operation of HVCBs. An experimental test rig has been designed based upon a commercial 245kV/40kA SF6 puffer type circuit breaker with copper-tungsten (28%wt and 72%wt) arcing contacts under atmospheric pressure. Three optical-fibre based sensors are used to capture the time-resolved spectra of arcs. A novel approach using chromatic methods to process the time-resolved spectral signal has been proposed. The processed chromatic parameters have been interpreted to show that the time variation of spectral emission from the contact material and quenching gas are closely correlated to the mass loss and surface degradation of the plug arcing contact. The feasibility of applying this method to on-line monitoring of contact erosion is indicated.
Systematic variations in apparent topographic height as measured by noncontact atomic force microscopy

A flat Si100 surface is prepared with neighboring n- and p-doped regions. The contact potential difference between the tip and the two well-defined regions of similar material is utilized to examine the effects and interplay of essential tip-sample forces in atomic force microscopy. Measurements with a frequency-modulated noncontact atomic force microscope NCAFM show large apparent topographic height variations across the differently doped regions. The height differences depend on the bias polarity, bias voltage, radius, and conducting state of the tip. The functional relationships are well explained by integrated model calculations. These findings provide a coherence scenario of NCAFM operation under these essential forces and facilitate quantitative understanding of the systematic errors in surface topographic height measurement commonly performed in nanoscience.
Women’s stories implying aspects of anti-Judaism with Christological depiction in Matthew

This study focuses on the women’s stories that imply aspects of anti-Judaism within Matthew’s depiction of Christology, which is called Matthew’s theology. In fact, Matthew’s community opposed the Jewish system and Jewish leaders and parted from its parent body. Even though Matthew’s community was still similar to the Jewish system, it had significant differences as well. The study discusses these aspects of anti-Judaism that appear in the woman’s stories that include the genealogy of Jesus, the haemorrhaging woman, the Canaanite woman, and the women at the cross and Jesus’ tomb. This study shows proof and examples of anti-Judaism within the stories and thoroughly analyses them. Therefore, it can be confirmed that the women’s stories imply aspects of anti-Judaism with Christological depictions by Matthew’s theological tendency.