Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oligodeoxynucleotides containing CpG motifs induce IL‐12, IL‐18 and IFN‐γ production in cells from allergic individuals and inhibit IgE synthesis in vitro

The effects of phosphorothioate oligonucleotides containing CpG motifs (CpG‐ODN) on cultured cells from allergic patients and non‐atopic individuals were investigated. In peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) CpG‐ODN led to a significant increase of IFN‐γ. By intracellular cytokine staining, IFN‐γ production could be attributed to NK cells and inhibition experiments indicated an IL‐12‐dependent mechanism. Moreover, CpG‐ODN increased mRNA expression of IL‐12 and IL‐18 in PBMC. In this respect, no significant difference between allergic and non‐atopic individuals was observed. Monocyte‐derived dendritic cells were identified as one IL‐12‐ and IL‐18‐producing source. In addition, stimulation of PBMC derived from atopic patients with CpG‐ODN led to a considerable increase of polyclonal IgG and IgM synthesis. In contrast, the production of total IgE was suppressed. CpG‐ODN induced a significant rise of IgG and IgM specific for allergens to which the patients were sensitized, whereas allergen‐specific IgE levels remained unchanged. Our data suggest that CpG‐ODN display a strong influence on the ongoing immune response and might represent potential adjuvants for specific immunotherapy of type I allergy.
Configurational and Coactivational Views of Organizational Structure

Two distinct views of organizational structure, configurational and coactivational, are discussed. The configurational view stresses the authoritative coordination of work, whereas the coactivational view emphasizes recurrent patterns of interaction among participants. These two conceptual schemes differ in their stances toward hierarchy, power, and organizational purposiveness. The coactivational view substitutes “invisible hand” explanations of structure for the intentionalist explanations advanced by configurational theory.
Reading and Recall of Metaphorical Sentences: Effects of Familiarity and Context

Two experiments examined the effects of familiarity and context on the reading and recall of metaphorical sentences. In Experiment 1, eye movements were recorded during the reading of high- or low-familiar target metaphors that were preceded by either a related metaphor, an unrelated metaphor, or an unrelated literal sentence. High-familiar metaphors were read more quickly than low-familiar metaphors. Related metaphor contexts facilitated reading times. Experiment 2 examined memory for high- and low-familiar metaphors using the 3 context conditions from Experiment 1 as cues. The high-and low-familiar metaphors were remembered at similar rates. Metaphors cued by a related metaphor were recalled at a higher rate than those cued by an unrelated literal or metaphorical sentence. The results suggest a partial dissociation between comprehension and memory processes.
Parsimonious numerical modelling of deep geothermal reservoirs

Numerical modelling has been undertaken to help improve understanding of a deep geothermal system being considered for development in the vicinity of Eastgate (Weardale, County Durham, UK). A parsimonious numerical modelling approach is used, which allows the possibility to develop a workable formal framework, rigorously testing evolving concepts against data as they become available. The approach used and results presented in this study are valuable as a contribution to a wider understanding of deep geothermal systems. This modelling approach is novel in that it utilises the mass transport code MT3DMS as a surrogate representation for heat transport in mid-enthalpy geothermal systems. A three-dimensional heat transport model was built, based on a relatively simple conceptual model. Results of simulation runs of a geothermal production scenario have positive implications for a working geothermal system at Eastgate. The Eastgate Geothermal Field has significant exploitation potential for combined heat and .
Integrated approach to texture segmentation using multiple Gabor filters

This paper presents an integrated approach using multiple Gabor filters for the segmentation of multi-textured images. The approach includes both the design of the constituent Gabor filters and the design of the classifier and postprocessing. The classifier uses a mixture density to reduce localization error at texture boundaries, and the postprocessing uses morphological operators to remove spurious misclassifications at texture boundaries. Results are presented that confirm the efficacy of the postprocessing methods and the overall integrated approach.
Multi-Agent Motion Control in Cluttered and Noisy Environments

Birds, bees, and fish often flock together in groups to find the source of food (target) based on local information. Inspired by this natural phenomenon, flocking control algorithms are designed to coordinate the activities of multiple agents in cluttered and noisy environments, respectively. First, to allow agents to track and observe the target better in cluttered environments, two new approaches are proposed to control the center of mass (CoM) of positions and velocities of all mobile agents in the network (SingleCoM), and the center of mass of positions and velocities of each agent and its neighbors (Multi-CoM), respectively. With these approaches, the flock can better track the target. Second, to deal with noisy measurements we proposed two flocking control algorithms, Multi-CoM-Shrink and MultiCoM-Cohesion. Based on these algorithms, all agents can form a network and maintain connectivity, even with noisy measurements. We also investigate the stability of our algorithms. The numerical experimental tests are performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Designing auditory cues to enhance spoken mathematics for visually impaired users

Visual mathematic notation provides a succinct and unambiguous description of the structure of mathematical formulae in a manner that is difficult to replicate through the linear channels of synthesized speech and Braille. It is proposed that the use of auditory cues can enhance accessibility to mathematical material and reduce common ambiguities encountered through spoken mathematics. However, the use of additional complex hierarchies of non-speech sounds to represent the structure and scope of equations may be cognitively demanding to process. This can detract from the users' understanding of the mathematical content. In this paper, a new system is presented, which uses a mixture of non-speech auditory cues, modified speech (spearcons) and binaural spatialization to disambiguate the structure of mathematical formulae. A design study, involving an online survey with 56 users, was undertaken to evaluate an existing set of auditory cues and to brainstorm alternative ideas and solutions from users before implementing modified designs and conducting a separate controlled evaluation. It is proposed that by involving a wide number of users in the creative design process, intuitive auditory cues will be implemented with the potential to enhance spoken mathematics for visually impaired users.
Biochemistry and molecular biology research achievements in Greece

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Research Achievements in Greece George Thireos, George Panayotou and Dimitris Thanos* Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology, Vassilika Vouton, Heraklion, Crete, Greece Institute of Molecular Oncology, Biomedical Sciences Research Center ‘‘Al. Fleming,’’ Vari, Greece Institute of Molecular Biology, Genetics and Biotechnology, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
Characterization of Sperm Agglutinating Factor Isolated from Staphylococcus Aureus and its Corresponding Receptor from Spermatozoa

Spermagglutination factor isolated from Staphylococcus aureus showed spermagglutinating and spermicidal properties in vitro. In an attempt to characterize SAF, it was tested for the various factors produced by S. aureus viz. catalase, coagulase, hemolysins, protease, lipase, phospholipase C, nuclease and protein A. As, SAF did not show any of these activities, therefore to identify it, peptide mass fingerprinting using Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of flight (MALDI-TOF) was done. Matching of the mass spectrum in NCBI database showed sequence homology with hypothetical protein BACPEC_00178 of Bacteroides pectinophilus ATCC 43243. SAF conjugated with FITC was able to bind to spermatozoa indicating the presence of receptor on sperm surface. Calorimetric analysis of SAF and this purified receptor interaction showed the binding constant, enthalpy of binding ΔH° as 1130/M and -11.6kJ/mole while the values of free energy and entropy were -18.1kJ/mole and 20.9J/moleK, respectively. The receptor showed sequence similarities with chain A crystal structure of Ga module complexed with human serum albumin when subjected to MALDI-TOF.
A Practical Application of Self-Management for Students Diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Five sixth-grade students diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), taking psychostimulants for treatment of ADHD symptoms, and enrolled in a general education classroom participated in the study. Participants were taught self-management techniques to monitor academic performance, on-task behaviors, and disruptive behaviors. A multiple baseline design across students with intervention withdrawal embedded within each baseline was used to empirically assess the effectiveness of self-management. Self-management associated with increases of on-task behaviors and academic performance and with a decrease of disruptive behaviors when compared to other phases. Implications for practical application of the strategy in general education classrooms are discussed.
FIRST MEETING OF THE FINANCIAL SECTOR REGIONAL FORUM INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE OF FINANCIAL REGULATION AND SUPERVISION The Rationale for Integrating Financial Supervision in Latin America and the Caribbean

This paper analyzes the pros and cons of both the integrated and the specialized approaches to financial supervision. The theoretical arguments are discussed considering some recent experiences around the world and having the Latin American and the Caribbean context as a frame. Based on the analysis of the efficacy and the efficiency of each approach to fulfill the main objectives of financial regulation, the paper finds good reasons for the adoption of the integrated approach in circumstances similar than those prevailing in most countries of the region. JEL Classification: G28, G18, E61, N26
La ville et ses composantes : l'émergence des catégories en interaction orale

Cette etude repose sur un corpus d'interviews semi-directives ou les sujets sont interroges sur leurs territorialites et sur leurs deplacements quotidiens dans le quartier. J'envisagerai la mise en jeu de trois objets discursifs dans differentes interactions : la ville, le quartier, la rue. Selon la logique des relations parties-tout, la rue sera dite a priori « dans le quartier », le quartier « dans la ville ». Cependant les categories sont susceptibles de « glisser » les unes sur les autres, ou de se substituer l’une a l’autre. La nature interactionnelle de ces descriptions de ville est evidemment determinante pour la demarche explicative. Les conflits dialogaux et dialogiques sont ici le cadre « naturel » du modelage des entites urbaines. Versant cognitif et versant social de la production de sens sont etroitement lies.
Opportunistic physical design for big data analytics

Big data analytical systems, such as MapReduce, perform aggressive materialization of intermediate job results in order to support fault tolerance. When jobs correspond to exploratory queries submitted by data analysts, these materializations yield a large set of materialized views that we propose to treat as an opportunistic physical design. We present a semantic model for UDFs that enables effective reuse of views containing UDFs along with a rewrite algorithm that provably finds the minimum-cost rewrite under certain assumptions. An experimental study on real-world datasets using our prototype based on Hive shows that our approach can result in dramatic performance improvements.
Advanced research issues for tomorrow's multimedia networks

Computer networks require complex solutions for traffic shaping and for bandwidth management on links and switching nodes, in order to provide a reliable QoS-based infrastructure for multimedia and bandwidth-on-demand applications. A simpler and lightweight solution could be reached by a new approach in designing the network protocols. The evolution of the hardware technology will make available faster processing units and larger memories for network devices; this could lead to a radical change of paradigm in network design if a long term research plan for innovative network architectures became popular in the research community. The wide variety of arguments to be investigated requires a multidisciplinary approach, possibly involving several research groups worldwide from research institutions and industrial R&D. The main purpose of the article is to suggest some guidelines for designing an innovative architecture for computer networks. Our proposal descends from a circumstantial survey of existing technologies, and offers a general framework for individuating and approaching research topics of common interest in the networking environment.
Serial monitoring of circulating tumor DNA in patients with primary breast cancer for detection of occult metastatic disease

Metastatic breast cancer is usually diagnosed after becoming symptomatic, at which point it is rarely curable. Cell‐free circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) contains tumor‐specific chromosomal rearrangements that may be interrogated in blood plasma. We evaluated serial monitoring of ctDNA for earlier detection of metastasis in a retrospective study of 20 patients diagnosed with primary breast cancer and long follow‐up. Using an approach combining low‐coverage whole‐genome sequencing of primary tumors and quantification of tumor‐specific rearrangements in plasma by droplet digital PCR, we identify for the first time that ctDNA monitoring is highly accurate for postsurgical discrimination between patients with (93%) and without (100%) eventual clinically detected recurrence. ctDNA‐based detection preceded clinical detection of metastasis in 86% of patients with an average lead time of 11 months (range 0–37 months), whereas patients with long‐term disease‐free survival had undetectable ctDNA postoperatively. ctDNA quantity was predictive of poor survival. These findings establish the rationale for larger validation studies in early breast cancer to evaluate ctDNA as a monitoring tool for early metastasis detection, therapy modification, and to aid in avoidance of overtreatment.
Book Review: Victoria D. Markham & Nadia Steinzor. U.S. National Report on Population and the Environment. New Canaan, CT: Center for Environment and Population, 2006

of good scholarship lately on newer forms of environment-related movements (e.g., environmental health movements, slow food). Related to this is fascinating work on transnational organic and fair trade movements and certification processes. A third area featuring an impressive body of recent scholarship is realist research on the causes of ecological degradation (or environmental problems). Some of this research attempts to explain cross-national variation in a number of impact-related indicators (e.g., ecological footprint, carbon dioxide emissions) to simultaneously test multiple theories of ecological impact. Other research within this area focuses at the mesolevel, attempting to explain variation in the environmental impacts of formal organizations.
Debt Servicing and its Adverse Impact on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights in Developing Countries

The article identifies the obligations required of a state party under the ICESCR and demonstrates how they may be infringed as a result of huge debt repayments to creditors. It argues that creditor states have human rights obligations beyond their borders and towards the people of debtor states. These “extra-territorial” human rights obligations make imperative the demand for debt relief to the poorest debtor countries.
Incidence of malignancy in complex cystic renal masses (Bosniak category III): should imaging-guided biopsy precede surgery?

OBJECTIVE Complex indeterminate renal cystic masses (Bosniak type III) can have benign and malignant causes and have been traditionally considered surgical lesions. We sought to determine the incidence of malignancy and to assess a possible role for imaging-guided biopsy for this category of renal masses. MATERIALS AND METHODS Three hundred ninety-seven renal biopsies were performed at our institution between 1991 and 2000. Between January 1997 and August 2000, 28 Bosniak category III lesions, based on established CT imaging criteria on helical CT scans, were identified for analysis. The incidence of malignancy, based on surgical pathology or imaging follow-up and percentage of lesions proceeding to surgery, among these 28 lesions, was determined. The surgical results were correlated with the biopsy findings. RESULTS Of the 28 biopsied category III lesions, 17 (60.7%) were malignant (16 renal cell carcinomas and one lymphoma), and 11 (39.3%) were benign (six hemorrhagic cysts, three inflammatory cysts, one metanephric adenoma, and one cystic oncocytoma). Seventeen of the 28 lesions (16 renal cell carcinomas and one inflammatory cyst) had surgical resection after the biopsy. All resected lesions had pathologic diagnoses identical to the percutaneous imaging-guided biopsy results. The remaining 11 patients who had undergone nonsurgical biopsies had radiologic follow-up for a minimum of 1 year, with benign lesions showing no interval change. CONCLUSION Renal biopsy and radiologic follow-up were useful in identifying nonmalignant lesions in complex cystic renal masses and avoided unnecessary surgery in 39% of patients.
Unfolded protein response in hepatitis C virus infection

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus of clinical importance. The virus establishes a chronic infection and can progress from chronic hepatitis, steatosis to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The mechanisms of viral persistence and pathogenesis are poorly understood. Recently the unfolded protein response (UPR), a cellular homeostatic response to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, has emerged to be a major contributing factor in many human diseases. It is also evident that viruses interact with the host UPR in many different ways and the outcome could be pro-viral, anti-viral or pathogenic, depending on the particular type of infection. Here we present evidence for the elicitation of chronic ER stress in HCV infection. We analyze the UPR signaling pathways involved in HCV infection, the various levels of UPR regulation by different viral proteins and finally, we propose several mechanisms by which the virus provokes the UPR.
Music: A Key for Unlocking Locked-in Syndrome and Improving the Quality of Life for Those with Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases involve the gradual loss of neuronal functioning over time; such diseases include Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Huntington’s disease. The cause of these disorders is often idiopathic and treatment options are limited. Certain progressions of these diseases may lead to Locked-inSyndrome, where an individual is aware of their environment but unable to communicate due to paralysis. The impact from these disorders often leads to further comorbidities and an overall lower quality of life. This paper addresses scientific literature on the effects of music on the brain and how music therapy can be used to help those with neurodegenerative disorders. Several studies show strong evidence to support music therapy as a means for improving cognitive, behavioral, and emotional functioning, as well as providing comfort care for individuals with AD and PD. Furthermore, a new type of eye tracking technology has even allowed individuals with complete paralysis to compose and deliver a musical performance through accessing brainwaves and eye movements. This technology has allowed individuals to deepen their engagement with their environment, also potentially improving their emotional well-being. Finally, this research illuminates the possibilities for music therapy to become a standard means for supporting individuals with neurodegenerative disorders.
Hopeful thinking, participation, and depressive symptoms three months after stroke

This study was designed to examine hopeful thinking, depressive symptoms, and participation in meaningful activities and roles for survivors 3 months after stroke. It was predicted that: (a) participation would predict lower depressive symptoms; (b) higher hopeful thinking (i.e., beliefs in one's goal pursuit abilities) would predict lower depressive symptoms; and (c) higher hopeful thinking would predict better participation. Three months after stroke, 110 participants completed measures of disability, participation, depressive symptoms, and hopeful thinking. Contrary to the first hypothesis, participation did not independently predict depressive symptoms after controlling for more basic activity limitations (physical, memory, communication). As predicted, hopeful thinking was the strongest predictor of depressive symptoms. Hopeful thinking did not directly predict participation, but it moderated relationships of activity functioning to participation. Results suggest that participation and hopeful thinking may contribute to the understanding of post-stroke depressive symptoms, although additional research is needed to further elucidate such contributions.
Lesson study and practical thinking: a case study in Spain

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to explore lesson and learning study as a form of ongoing teacher training which allows teachers the opportunity to reconstruct their practical thinking.Design/methodology/approach – This document begins with a theoretical introduction in which the author explains the nature and dimensions of practical thinking, its importance for the professional development of teachers, followed by the lesson studies themselves, outlining the case of a teacher involved in a research group based on this type of ongoing training.Findings – With the subtle differences and changes proposed for the Spanish context, lesson studies can be a valuable tool in terms of encouraging reflection and the critical questioning of personal values, beliefs and assumptions about teaching, whilst also enabling the reconstruction of teachers’ practical knowledge, in particular their hidden beliefs, habits and emotions.Originality/value – This article offers a new approach for lesson studies as a metho.