Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pathogenesis of juvenile chronic arthritis: genetic and environmental factors

Juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) is a heterogeneous group of chronic arthropathies affecting approximately 1–3 children per 1000. The initial oversimplified classification into pauciarticular, polyarticular, and systemic onset types has been expanded in a World Health Organisation-International League Against Rheumatism report to include seven different types of disease.1 It is clear that the majority of children with JCA have a different disease from adults with rheumatoid arthritis, although the chronic arthropathies have some common clinical and pathological features. As a group, these diseases are generally considered to be autoimmune in origin with the evidence supporting this varying between types. There is a general female preponderance, characteristic chronic inflammatory infiltrates in the synovium and immune responses characterised by autoantibodies including antinuclear antibodies (ANA), IgM rheumatoid factor, and antibodies to heat shock proteins and the oncoprotein DEK. In addition and in common with many other autoimmune diseases, there are extensive and well documented associations with genetic markers, primarily, but not exclusively, within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) or HLA region on the short arm of chromosome 6. It is anticipated that environmental triggering agents are also involved in the pathogenic process. In a recent review of a related disease, rheumatoid arthritis, the contribution of HLA genetics to pathogenesis was estimated to be approximately 37% with as yet unknown genes contributing further, with the balance being deemed largely due to environmental factors.2 The purpose of this review is to consider the relative contributions of genetic versus environmental factors as being causal in the various types of JCA. JCA is rarely familial so that a low index of suspicion for a simple genetic basis is in order. In early studies reported, Dr Barbara Ansell and Professor Eric Bywaters were able to identify family disease and concordance in twins. Subsequently multiplex families and sibling …
Localization of the Rsp5p Ubiquitin-Protein Ligase at Multiple Sites within the Endocytic Pathway

ABSTRACT The Saccharomyces cerevisiae RSP5 gene encodes an essential HECT E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase. Rsp5p contains an N-terminal C2 domain, three WW domains in the central portion of the molecule, and a C-terminal catalytic HECT domain. A diverse group of substrates of Rsp5p and vertebrate C2 WW-domain-containing HECT E3s have been identified, including both nuclear and membrane-associated proteins. We determined the intracellular localization of Rsp5p and the determinants necessary for localization, in order to better understand how Rsp5p activities are coordinated. Using both green fluorescent protein fusions to Rsp5p and immunogold electron microscopy, we found that Rsp5p was distributed in a punctate pattern at the plasma membrane, corresponding to membrane invaginations that are likely sites of endosome formation, as well as at perivacuolar sites. The latter appeared to correspond to endocytic intermediates, as these structures were not seen in a sla2/end4-1 mutant, and double-immunogold labeling demonstrated colocalization of Rsp5p with the endosomal markers Pep12p and Vps32p. The C2 domain was an important determinant of localization; however, mutations that disrupted HECT domain function also caused mislocalization of Rsp5p, indicating that enzymatic activity is linked to localization. Deletion of the C2 domain partially stabilized Fur4p, a protein previously shown to undergo Rsp5p- and ubiquitin-mediated endocytosis; however, Fur4p was still ubiquitinated at the plasma membrane when the C2 domain was deleted from the protein. Together, these results indicate that Rsp5p is located at multiple sites within the endocytic pathway and suggest that Rsp5p may function at multiple steps in the ubiquitin-mediated endocytosis pathway.
Asymptotic Theory of Large Deviations for Markov Chains

A formal asymptotic expansion is constructed for the joint probability density function (pdf) of a stationary ergodic Markov chain, Xn, and its averages, Yn. Since the pair (Xn,Yn)$is Markovian, the joint pdf satisfies a forward Kolmogorov equation whose solution is expanded asymptotically for large n. An algorithm is proposed for the calculation of the full asymptotic series, but only the three leading terms are found explicitly. It is found that for small values of the average, the asymptotic expansion coincides with the appropriate version of the central limit theorem. The ideas and methods are generalized to a large class of averages and to vector valued Markov chains.
Importance of accurately assessing biomechanics of the cornea

Purpose of review This article summarizes the state-of-the-art in clinical corneal biomechanics, including procedures in which biomechanics play a role, and the clinical consequences in terms of error in estimating intraocular pressure (IOP). Recent findings Corneal biomechanical response to refractive surgery can be categorized into either stable alteration of surface shape and thus visual outcome, or unstable biomechanical decompensation. The stable response is characterized by central flattening and peripheral steepening that is potentiated in a stiffer cornea. Two clinical devices for assessing corneal biomechanics do not yet measure classic biomechanical properties, but rather provide assessment of corneal deformation response. Biomechanical parameters are a function of IOP, and both the cornea and sclera become stiffer as IOP increases. Any assessment of biomechanical parameters must include IOP, and one value of stiffness does not adequately characterize a cornea. Summary Corneal biomechanics plays a role in the outcomes of any procedure in which lamellae are transected. Once the corneal structure has been altered in a manner that includes central thinning, IOP measurements with applanation tonometry are likely not valid, and other technologies should be used.
ITiCSE 2010 working group report motivating our top students

It would be unlikely for any first year programming class to be solely composed of novices with the same aptitude for learning. We all have students who arrive with a range of abilities and backgrounds. We have students who barely know their way around a keyboard and those who have programmed professionally; this starting knowledge is also no indicator of learning ability. We need to support struggling students with little knowledge whilst maintaining the enthusiasm of those who are quick to learn, and trying not to de-motivate the ones in the middle The aim of this working group was to explore the ways in which academics around the world enthuse their high achieving students; seeking things that work and things that don't. This has been achieved by a mixture of literature review and survey of current practice. The synthesis of these forms the basis for the recommendations we make.
Harmonization of Accounting Standards for Islamic Financial Institutions: Evidence of the Adoption of FAS No. 17 in Indonesia

ABSTRACTIndonesia as a country with dual-banking system applies local accounting standards for conventional and Islamic financial institutions named SAK (Standar Akuntansi Keuangan or Generally Accepted Accounting Standard) which may raise the question of accounting harmonization with Financial Accounting Standards (FAS) issued by Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI). This study aims to analyze the harmony level of Islamic accounting in Indonesia to FAS issued by the AAOIFI. The analysis covers de jure (formal or regulatory) harmonization and de facto (practical) harmonization. It involves content analysis utilizing FAS no. 27 of investment accounts to Indonesian PSAK at de jure analysis, and to thirteen of Indonesian Islamic banks annual report in 2016 for de facto analysis. Wilcoxon signed rank test is conducted to measure the significance of harmony to AAOIFI standards. The result shows that there is no harmony in de jure and de facto level. ABSTRAKIndonesia sebagai negara dengan dual-banking system memiliki standar akuntansi keuangan (SAK) yang digunakan oleh lembaga keuangan konvensional dan syariah. Hal ini dapat menimbulkan pertanyaan tentang harmonisasi SAK dengan Financial Accounting Standards (FAS) yang dikeluarkan oleh Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI). Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis tingkat keharmonisan akuntansi syariah di Indonesia terhadap FAS yang dikeluarkan oleh AAOIFI. Analisis ini mencakup harmonisasi de jure (formal atau secara regulasi) dan harmonisasi de facto (praktis). Penelitian ini melibatkan analisis konten menggunakan FAS no. 27 akun investasi ke PSAK Indonesia pada analisis de jure, dan tiga belas laporan tahunan bank syariah Indonesia pada tahun 2016 untuk analisis de facto. Tes peringkat uji Wilcoxon dilakukan untuk mengukur signifikansi keselarasan dengan standar AAOIFI. Hasilnya menunjukkan bahwa tidak ada harmonisasi antara FAS dan SAK dalam tingkat de jure dan de facto.
The impact of blood pressure variability on subclinical ventricular, renal and vascular dysfunction, in patients with hypertension and diabetes.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Blood pressure variability (BPV) was proved as a cardiovascular risk factor. One of its mechanisms is related to arterial stiffness and ventriculo-arterial coupling; however its impact on subclinical cardiovascular dysfunction has not been evaluated yet. OBJECTIVES To assess the relationship between BPV on 24 hours, and subclinical left ventricle (LV), renal, and vascular dysfunction in diabetic and hypertensive patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS We studied 56 patients (57±9 years, 29 men) with mild-to-moderate hypertension and type 2 diabetes, no cardiovascular disease, normal ejection fraction and normal renal function. 24 hours ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) was used to assess BPV, daytime (d) and night time (n), by: 1. mean (M); 2. standard deviation of mean (SD); 3. variance (Vr); 4. coefficient of variation (CV); 5. day/night variation: reverse dippers, non-dippers, dippers and extreme dippers; conventional and 2D speckle tracking echo to assess LV function; myocardial deformation was measured as global longitudinal strain (GLS). Endothelial (flow mediated dilation, FMD) and arterial function (intima media-thickness, IMT; pulse wave velocity, PWV), microalbuminuria were tested. OUTCOMES Daytime BPV correlates inversely with subclinical myocardial function evaluated through GLS. Daytime systolic BPV correlates positively with IMT (all rho > 0.30, all p < 0.05). Also, there is a significantly inverse correlation between mean BP and GLS. We found a direct correlation between mean BP, but not BPV, and microalbuminuria (all rho > - 0.30 and all p < 0.05). We found no correlation between BPV and FMD, PWV. There were no differences for GLS, microalbuminuria and FMD between dipper groups. CONCLUSIONS In diabetic patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension, increased daytime blood pressure variability correlates with subclinical left ventricular dysfunction and arterial function (IMT), while microalbuminuria correlates with elevated blood pressure, but not with blood pressure variability.
The Use of Venom and Venom-Derived Products in Medicine and Cosmetics: the Ethical Issues From Islamic Perspective

Venom is a mixture of biologically active toxins that affect normal physiological functions. With the advance in technology, the complexity and functions of venom and its toxins are slowly being revealed. It has become important source for therapeutic, diagnostic and cosmetic agents. However, there is concern among the Muslim community pertaining to halal and safety issues on the venom and venom-derived product usage. There are few studies that discuss the Islamic views in the usage of venom and venom-based product in medicine and cosmetic applications. There is a need for Muslim scientists and scholars to seriously identify the potential ethical and safety issues in the usage of venom and venom-derived products in view of the widespread application in medicine and cosmetic, which subsequently forming the basis for relevant and reliable shariah ruling. This is an attempt to review the relevant articles based on the following keywords: venom and Islamic ruling, venom-based product, venom and medicine, venom and cosmetic, antivenom, venom toxin, snake poison and venom diagnostics. It will also attempt to clarify and elaborate the implication of the “halal” status for venom-based product. Finaly the current available shariah rulings on the usage of venom and venom-based product both in medical and cosmetic area and the related principle of fiqh involved will be analyzed. The findings from this review, particularly the current available ruling will allow various parties to be well informed on the current ruling and related issues on the usage of this products.
Chemical constituents and biological activities of Viburnum macrocephalum f. keteleeri

Abstract Three new compounds (1–3) and seven known compounds (4–10) have been isolated from the ethanolic extract of Viburnum macrocephalum f. keteleeri using bioactivity-guided fractionation and identified as methyl (2-α-L-rhamnopyranosyloxy)acetate (1), methyl (2R-3-α-L-rhamnopyranosyloxy)glycerate (2), methyl (3R-4-α-L-rhamnopyranosyloxy-3-hydroxy)butanoate (3), bridelionoside B (4), (6S,7E,9R)-roseoside (5), linarionoside A (6), 3,7,11-trimethyl-1,6-dodecadien-3,10,11-triol (7), (+)-8-hydroxylinalool (8), β-sitosterol (9) and daucosterol (10). The structures of 1–3, including absolute configurations, were determined by spectroscopic data (1H and 13C NMR, HSQC, HMBC and ORD) and chemical methods. In addition, compounds 1–8 were assayed for their insecticidal and antimicrobial activities. Compounds 7 and 8 exhibited moderately insecticidal effects against Mythimna separata with LD50 values of 180 and 230 μg g−1, respectively. Compounds 2, 3, 7 and 8 showed varying antimicrobial activities with IC50 values ranging from 125 to 529 μM.
Induction of Epstein-Barr Virus Kinases To Sensitize Tumor Cells to Nucleoside Analogues

ABSTRACT The presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the tumor cells of some EBV-associated malignancies may facilitate selective killing of these tumor cells. We show that treatment of an EBV+ Burkitt's lymphoma cell line with 5-azacytidine led to a dose-dependent induction of EBV lytic antigen expression, including expression of the viral thymidine kinase (TK) and phosphotransferase (PT). Azacytidine treatment for 24 h modestly sensitized the cell line to all nucleosides tested. To better characterize EBV TK with regard to various nucleoside analogues, we expressed EBV TK in stable cell clones. Two EBV TK-expressing clones were moderately sensitive to high doses of acyclovir and penciclovir (PCV) (62.5 to 500 μM) and to lower doses of ganciclovir (GCV) and bromovinyldeoxyuridine (BVdU) (10 to 100 μM) compared to a control clone and were shown to phosphorylate GCV. Similar experiments in a transient overexpression system showed more killing of cells transfected with the EBV TK expression vector than of cells transfected with the control mutant vector (50 μM GCV for 4 days). A putative PT was also studied in the transient transfection system and appeared similar to the TK in phosphorylating GCV and conferring sensitivity to GCV, but not in BVdU- or PCV-mediated cell killing. Induction of EBV kinases in combination with agents such as GCV merits further evaluation as an alternative strategy to gene therapy for selective killing of EBV-infected cells.
Intranasal HB‐EGF administration favors adult SVZ cell mobilization to demyelinated lesions in mouse corpus callosum

In the adult rodent brain, the subventricular zone (SVZ) represents a special niche for neural stem cells; these cells proliferate and generate neural progenitors. Most of these migrate along the rostral migratory stream to the olfactory bulb, where they differentiate into interneurons. SVZ‐derived progenitors can also be recruited spontaneously to damaged brain areas to replace lost cells, including oligodendrocytes in demyelinated lesions. In this study, we searched for factors able to enhance this spontaneous recruitment of endogenous progenitors. Previous studies have suggested that epidermal growth factor (EGF) could stimulate proliferation, migration, and glial differentiation of SVZ progenitors. In the present study we examined EGF influence on endogenous SVZ cell participation to brain repair in the context of demyelinated lesions. We induced a focal demyelinated lesion in the corpus callosum by lysolecithin injection and showed that intranasal heparin‐binding epidermal growth factor (HB‐EGF) administration induces a significant increase in SVZ cell proliferation together with a stronger SVZ cell mobilization toward the lesions. Besides, HB‐EGF causes a shift of SVZ‐derived progenitor cell differentiation toward the astrocytic lineage. However, due to the threefold increase in cell recruitment by EGF treatment, the absolute number of SVZ‐derived oligodendrocytes in the lesion of treated mice is higher than in controls. These results suggest that enhancing SVZ cell proliferation could be part of future strategies to promote SVZ progenitor cell mobilization toward brain lesions. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2008
Evolution of an Online Forum for Knowledge Management Professionals: A Language Game Analysis

Using Wittgenstein's (1953, 1969) language game framework, we analyze the evolution of an online discussion forum of information systems professionals in India. Three major dimensions of the forum's language game are documented: roles, social identity, and linguistic style. Our analysis shows how rules of linguistic interaction emerge around these three dimensions and help to shape social order in the forum over time. The forum's developmental pattern mirrors phases of small group development, including forming, norming, performing, and storming. Based on our findings, we posit general inferences regarding how professional groups with loose social ties can develop sustainable online discussion forums.
Étiquetage morphosyntaxique de langues non dotées à partir de ressources pour une langue étymologiquement proche

Nous presentons une approche generique du transfert d'annotations morphosyntaxiques d'une langue dotee vers une langue non dotee etymologiquement proche. Nous ne presupposons aucun corpus parallele et aucune connaissance prealable de la langue non dotee (ni lexique, ni corpus annote). Notre approche repose uniquement sur des paires de cognats obtenues par apprentissage non-supervise selon le paradigme de la traduction automatique statistique a base de caracteres, et sur un dictionnaire morphosyntaxique de la langue dotee. Pour les mots frequents et courts, nous preferons assigner les etiquettes directement aux mots de la langue non dotee en fonction de mesures de similarite inter-langues du contexte morphosyntaxique immediat. Partant de l'allemand comme langue dotee, nous evaluons notre approche sur le neerlandais, qui est en realite dotee, et le palatin. Nous obtenons une precision d'etiquetage de 67,2\% pour le neerlandais et de 60,7\% pour le palatin.
Patterns of Rift Valley fever activity in Zambia

SUMMARY Summary An hypothesis that there was an annual emergence of Rift Valley fever virus in Zambia, during or after the seasonal rains, was examined with the aid of sentinel cattle. Serum samples taken during 1974 and 1978 showed evidence of epizootic Rift Valley fever in Zambia, with more than 80% positive. A sentinel herd exposed from 1982 to 1986 showed that some Rift Valley fever occurred each year. This was usually at a low level, with 3–8% of the susceptible cattle seroconverting. In 1985–6 more than 20% of the animals seroconverted, and this greater activity was associated with vegetational changes - which could be detected by remote-sensing satellite imagery-which have also been associated with greater virus activity in Kenya.
Cigarette smoke induces endoplasmic reticulum stress response and proteasomal dysfunction in human alveolar epithelial cells

• What is the central question of this study? The endoplasmic reticulum stress response caused by cigarette smoke may lead to excessive apoptosis with disruption of the epithelial barrier, thus contributing to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. One way of promoting cell survival is to facilitate degradation of cigarette smoke‐induced protein damage through the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway. Direct effects of gas‐phase cigarette smoke on proteasomal activities have not been demonstrated previously. • What is the main finding and what is its importance? We show that cigarette smoke induces protein damage and triggers the endoplasmic reticulum stress response in human alveolar epithelial cells. A significant reduction of all three proteasomal activities was found. Ineffective degradation of damaged proteins could lead to a sustained epithelial stress response and development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Reporting methods for processing and analysis of data from serial block face scanning electron microscopy

Serial block face scanning electron microscopy is rapidly becoming a popular tool for collecting large three‐dimensional data sets of cells and tissues, filling the resolution and volume gap between fluorescence microscopy and high‐resolution electron microscopy. The automated collection of data within the instrument occupies the smallest proportion of the time required to prepare and analyse biological samples. It is the processing of data once it has been collected that proves the greatest challenge. In this review we discuss different methods that are used to process data. We suggest potential workflows that can be used to facilitate the transfer of raw image stacks into quantifiable data as well as propose a set of criteria for reporting methods for data analysis to enable replication of work.
Deteriorating Distributed Denial of Service Attack by Recovering Zombies using penalty Scheme

Resource of victim impounded by DDoS attack leads the victim to series monetary loss apart from various other ill-effects. Already lot of solutions came up in technological aspects almost neglecting the economical aspects. Hence there is not yet a proper method to make the zombies accountable to the economical loss materialized as the effects of highly zombie oriented DDoS attacks. Therefore the need of the hour is to develop a prudential monetary based DDoS solution that serves as the economical defense as well as strives to bring heighted awareness among the zombies. Consequently in this study we discuss the techno-economical scheme termed as Penalty Scheme. This scheme is an idea of enforcing necessary means to evaluate the accountability of zombies which therefore serves as the economical defense towards the notorious DDoS attacks. This method notifies and makes the zombies aware of the loss incurred through their careless participation in DDoS attacks. The proposed scheme is analyzed using real time datasets, the results show the considerable improvement in the DDoS attack handling through integrating the Penalty Scheme with the cooperative filtering approach.