Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cytokines in gingivocrevicular fluid of rheumatoid arthritis patients: A review of the literature

Abstract Objective Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontitis share several pathological features including bone and soft tissue destruction and high levels of circulating inflammatory proteins. Studies related to cytokines in the periodontal inflammatory exudate (gingivocrevicular fluid, GCF) of RA patients might provide insight into the association between periodontitis and RA. The aim of our study was to review the literature on cytokines in GCF of RA patients including the effect of anti‐rheumatic treatment with biological disease‐modifying anti‐rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and periodontal treatment on these cytokines. Materials and methods MedLine/PubMed searches with different combinations of keywords “rheumatoid arthritis or RA” and “crevicular fluid or GCF” until June 2019 revealed 64 articles. Ten cross‐sectional observational studies and nine treatment studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Results Rheumatoid arthritis patients have increased circulating and GCF levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and proteins, despite anti‐rheumatic treatment with biological DMARDs. Presence of periodontitis was accompanied by higher cytokine and protein levels. Treatment of periodontitis resulted in a decrease of these levels. Conclusion Analysis of GCF of RA patients reveals that the relationship between periodontitis and RA is bidirectional, probably caused by a non‐specific inflammatory burden. Data for a specific relationship are barely present in GCF.
Indoor visible light communication localization system utilizing received signal strength indication technique and trilateration method

Abstract. Visible light communication (VLC) based on light-emitting diodes (LEDs) technology not only provides higher data rate for indoor wireless communications and offering room illumination but also has the potential for indoor localization. VLC-based indoor positioning using the received optical power levels from emitting LEDs is investigated. We consider both scenarios of line-of-sight (LOS) and LOS with non-LOS (LOSNLOS) positioning. The performance of the proposed system is evaluated under both noisy and noiseless channel as is the impact of different location codes on positioning error. The analytical model of the system with noise and the corresponding numerical evaluation for a range of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) are presented. The results show that an accuracy of <10 cm on average is achievable at an SNR>12 dB.
Evaluation of nephrotoxic effect of lead exposure among automobile repairers in Nnewi Metropolis

Background: Lead toxicity is one of the most common occupational hazards that affect several organs of the body, kidney inclusive. Auto repairers are exposed to lead in petrol, radiator, leaded battery, lead soldering wire, and spray paints, thus this study was designed to evaluate lead-induced nephrotoxic effect among automobile repairers. Methods: A total of 80 male subjects within the age range of 20 and 65 years were recruited for this study. 50 subjects were occupationally exposed automobile repairers, of which 15 were electricians, 21 mechanics and 14 panel beaters/spray painters, whereas 30 were non-exposed students and staff from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi campus. Blood sample was collected from these individuals and their blood lead levels were determined alongside creatinine, urea, uric acid, sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate. Results: The results showed that the mean levels of blood lead is significantly higher in automobile repairers than in control group (P 0.05). The evaluation of the renal function markers show that, there were significant increases in the mean serum concentration of creatinine, urea, and uric acid in the study group compare to the control subjects (P 0.05). Conclusion: Findings from this study show that blood lead level is high among automobile repairers above CDC recommended level for adults. This high blood lead level among automobile repairers may be responsible for raised levels of renal markers which may eventually lead to their renal damage.
FABRICATION AND OPTICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SILICON NANOSTRUCTURE ARRAYS BY LASER INTERFERENCE LITHOGRAPHY AND METAL-ASSISTED CHEMICAL ETCHING

In this paper metal-assisted chemical etching has been applied to pattern porous silicon regions and silicon nanohole arrays in submicron period simply by using positive photoresist as a mask layer. In order to define silicon nanostructures, Metal-assisted chemical etching (MaCE) was carried out with silver catalyst. Provided solution (or materiel) in combination with laser interference lithography (LIL) fabricated different reproducible pillars, holes and rhomboidal structures. As a result, Submicron patterning of porous areas and nanohole arrays on Si substrate with a minimum feature size of 600nm was achieved. Measured reflection spectra of the samples present different optical characteristics which is dependent on the shape, thickness of metal catalyst and periodicity of the structure. These structures can be designed to reach a photonic bandgap in special range or antireflection layer in energy harvesting applications. The resulted reflection spectra of applied method are comparable to conventional expensive and complicated dry etching techniques.
How practice size impacts on the implementation and dissemination of post occupancy evaluation

There has been much research on the subject of environmentally sustainable design (ESD), with emerging techniques and technologies improving rapidly and informing sustainability higher education teaching to architects and prospective architects. By examining the success of sustainable designs using post occupancy evaluations, architectural practices might also increase their knowledge of sustainable building practice. Post occupancy evaluations could be useful for improving the designs of future buildings and the design processes that generated them. This paper aims to evaluate these claims by asking: "Do sustainable design practices use the feedback gained from post occupancy evaluations? ," "How does the feedback refine the design process? ," "How is the information gained in these evaluations absorbed within the firm's design practices? ," and, "Does the size of a practice impact on its implementation and dissemination of POE? " This paper investigates the questions posed above through the questioning of architectural practices that have gained a reputation for environmentally sustainable design by having a strong sustainable design philosophy and/or by being recognised for this by winning a sustainability design award. The interviewed practices will have provided some form of post occupancy evaluation as a service or employed them to add to their own knowledge.
Traditional Versus Multivariate Methods for Identifying Jaguar, Puma, and Large Canid Tracks

Abstract The jaguar (Panthera onca) and puma (Puma concolor) are the largest felids of the American Continent and live in sympatry along most of their distribution. Their tracks are frequently used for research and management purposes, but tracks are difficult to distinguish from each other and can be confused with those of big canids. We used tracks from pumas, jaguars, large dogs, and maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) to evaluate traditional qualitative and quantitative identification methods and to elaborate multivariate methods to differentiate big canids versus big felids and puma versus jaguar tracks (n = 167 tracks from 18 zoos). We tested accuracy of qualitative classification through an identification exercise with field-experienced volunteers. Qualitative methods were useful but there was high variability in accuracy of track identification. Most of the traditional quantitative methods showed an elevated percentage of misclassified tracks (≥20%). We used stepwise discriminant function analysis to develop 3 discriminant models: 1 for big canid versus big felid track identification and 2 alternative models for jaguar versus puma track differentiation using 1) best discriminant variables, and 2) size-independent variables. These models had high classification performance, with <10% of error in the validation procedures. We used simpler discriminant models in the elaboration of identification keys to facilitate track classification process. We developed an accurate method for track identification, capable of distinguishing between big felids (puma and jaguar) and large canids (dog and maned wolf) tracks and between jaguar and puma tracks. Application of our method will allow a more reliable use of tracks in puma and jaguar research and it will help managers using tracks as indicators of these felids' presence for conservation or management purposes.
Dynamic matrix controller based on sliding mode control

This work presents a system of tuning equations, based on the sliding surface response, to predict the changes in the parameters of the process, which were used to improve and to tune the predictive dynamic matrix controller parameters. The controller presents a fixed structure and its tuning parameter equations were developed relating the characteristics of the sliding surface and the characteristic parameters of the first order plus deadtime model. Simulations on a blended tank with variable level that presents non linear behavior were considered.
Trust between branch managers and loan officers of Indian banks

The lending climate for banks in emerging economies like India is very different from those in western countries. Banks in India undertake many additional risks when they lend. There are a number of impediments for banks in India for recovering their loans. Some of these impediments have been put in place due to the government policies. The instrument based quantitative methods have limitations in evaluating the lending risk because instrument based methods use variables which cannot be accurately described and measured by banks in emerging economies. A social risk evaluation is therefore more appropriate for risk evaluation and reduction by banks in India. This study focuses on one specific aspect of lending relationship - the relationship between branch manager and loan officer of bank branches in India. A social risk evaluation approach is used to describe this relationship. A framework based on trust theory is developed which help in understanding and reducing the lending risk by Indian banks.
Palladium Supported on Mesoporous Alumina Catalyst for Selective Hydrogenation

Colloidal metal nanoparticles are of great interest because of their use as catalysts, photocatalyst, adsorbent and sensors and their application in optical, electronic and magnetic devices. Capping agents are widely used in the synthesis of colloidal nano crystals for stabilizing the nanoparticles. The well dispersed Palladium nanoparticles (PdNP) supported on mesoporous γ-Al2O3 were prepared by using capping agents namely PVA, PVP, PEG and MEG using tetrahydrofuran as solvent. The catalytic properties of Pd-nanoparticle on mesoporous γ-Al2O3 were studied for hydrogenation model reaction. The alumina supported palladium nanoparticles were characterized by using instrumental techniques namely BET surface area, HR-TEM and XRD. HR-TEM studies shows that the average particle size of Pd metal in the fresh and spent catalyst was in the range from 5 to 10 nm. The catalyst could be efficiently recycled for three times without losing catalytic activity and selectivity.
Trying to find a balance: social support vs privacy during weight-management

This work investigates current attitudes towards the involvement of others during weight-management (WM). It is prompted by ongoing attempts to harness social influence within system design so as to promote an increase in physical activity, with obesity often cited as a motivation. Through in-depth interviews, we have found that the complexities of sharing information in existing WM practices are not reflected in current system designs. Initial findings highlight the design tension raised by the need for social support as well as privacy. Preliminary design concepts of selective disclosure and relative comparison are offered to developers of sociocentric systems supporting WMspecific behavioural change.
The Baldrige Award’s falling fortunes

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore two explanations for the Baldrige Award’s decline. The management fashion literature suggests that it is a waning management fad, and the marketing choice literature suggests the likely presence of an ISO 9000 substitution effect. Design/methodology/approach This exploratory study utilizes data collected on Baldridge Award applications, publications, ISO 9000 certifications and economic indicators. These data are contrasted to explore patterns and trends, and correlation analyses conducted to reveal the plausibility of the fad and substitution effect explanations for the Baldrige Award’s decline. Findings Data analysis confirms the Baldrige Award’s prolonged decline and strongly suggests it is in the final stage of a management fashion life cycle with support provided for the presence of an ISO 9000 substitution effect. Research limitations/implications Many organizations have shifted their attention away from the Baldrige as a means to quality and performance excellence, and there is evidence that the ISO 9000 standards are a viable substitute. Practical implications The Baldrige Program has served its purpose with the Baldrige Award being the pinnacle of recognition for performance excellence achievement. However, the Award is in decline and the Baldrige Program is on a path to financial exigency. The Baldrige must be reframed to recover its role as the preeminent approach to performance excellence. Originality/value The paper satisfies the need to examine potential causes for the diminishing role of the Baldrige Award and challenges both academicians and practitioners to reexamine the Baldrige Program.
Phytoplankton microstructure in fully developed oceanic turbulence

Turbulence alters phytoplankton distributions. In doing so, it changes light and nutrient availability that ultimately influences community composition and carbon flux. The quantitative basis for this paradigm is the matching of the −5/3 slopes of fluorescence and velocity spectra over scales ranging from 1 to 100 m. In this contribution, for the first time, we simultaneously show the −5/3 spectral slopes for velocity and fluorescence at sub‐metre scales. The fluorescence spectral slopes deviate from the −5/3 slope with less steep slopes, suggesting the existence of a viscous‐convective subrange for fluorescence. However, it is difficult to identify the −1 slope as predicted by the Batchelor spectral theory. This portion of spectrum could be white as proposed by Franks (2005). High order structure functions indicate that the fluorescence is more intermittent than the velocity, but less intermittent than the conductivity signals.
Primary hepatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor showing remarkable myxoid change and hemangiopericytoma-like pattern

Title Primary hepatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor showing remarkable myxoid change and hemangiopericytoma-like pattern Author(s) Hayashi, Hiroko; Iseki, Masachika; Kawabata, Masahiro; Nonoshita, Masaaki; Yamamoto, Hidetaka; Shimokawa, Isao Citation Acta medica Nagasakiensia, 58(1), pp.19-24; 2013 Issue Date 2013-04 URL http://hdl.handle. net/10069/32066 Right NAOSITE: Nagasaki University's Academic Output SITE
A Flexible Sub-block in Region Based Image Retrieval Based on Transition Region

One of the techniques in region based image retrieval (RBIR) is comparing the global feature of an entire image and the local feature of image’s sub-block in query and database image. The determined sub-block must be able to detect an object with varying sizes and locations. So the sub-block with flexible size and location is needed. We propose a new method for local feature extraction by determining the flexible size and location of sub-block based on the transition region in region based image retrieval. Global features of both query and database image are extracted using invariant moment. Local features in database and query image are extracted using hue, saturation, and value (HSV) histogram and local binary patterns (LBP). There are several steps to extract the local feature of sub-block in the query image. First, preprocessing is conducted to get the transition region, then the flexible sub-block is determined based on the transition region. Afterward, the local feature of sub-block is extracted. The result of this application is the retrieved images ordered by the most similar to the query image. The local feature extraction with the proposed method is effective for image retrieval with precision and recall value are 57%.
The aqueous phase yield of alkyl nitrates from ROO + NO: Implications for photochemical production in seawater

Alkyl nitrates have been observed in remote oceanic regions of the troposphere and in the surface ocean. The mechanism for their production in the oceans is not known. A likely source is the reaction of ROO + NO (where R is an alkyl group). Steady‐state laboratory experiments show that alkyl nitrates are produced in the aqueous phase via this reaction, with branching ratios of 0.23 ± 0.04, 0.67 ± 0.03, and 0.71 ± 0.04 for methyl, ethyl, and propyl nitrate respectively. The branching ratios in aqueous solution are significantly higher than in the gas phase. Irradiation of surface seawaters yield rates of alkyl nitrate production on the order of 10−18 mol cm−3 s−1, suggesting that the reaction of ROO and NO is an important source of alkyl nitrates in seawater.
Dealing with the Very Small: First Steps of a Picohydro Demonstration Project in an University Campus

This paper presents the implementation, project and design of a small run-of-river hydropower plant, designed for demonstration purposes, under a Project aimed to be a framework of wide spread dissemination of renewable energies and energy efficiency in an University Campus. The details of the hydroelectric power plant, from the project design until the final use of the produced electric energy, are described. The main requirements of the implementation are presented, with regards to the environmental footprint and topography of the site and the adopted solutions are also described. Considering the demonstration purposes, two different electrical systems were installed in the power house: stand-alone and grid-connected. The latter establishes a case study in the development and application of picohydro power plants as microgeneration units in the context of distributed generation systems. The evaluation of both systems is also presented, based on the experimental results obtained from tests experiments and from monitoring the first months of operation at the site.
Instrumental neutron activation analysis and particles induced x-ray emission for monitoring airborne particulate matter in Indonesia

Nuclear techniques have been used in quantification of environmental pollutant. Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) have been turned out to be particularly useful in the analysis of airborne particulate matter. Nuclear Energy Agency of Indonesia has carried out the monitoring air quality especially for airborne particulate matter using nuclear analytical techniques. Sampling of airborne particulate matter was done twice a week for 24 hours in an urban area Bandung and in a suburban area Lembang, Indonesia. The samples were collected using a Gent stacked filter unit sampler in two size fractions of < 2.5 µm (fine) and 2.5 to 10 µm (coarse). The samples were analyzed for elemental concentrations by INAA at TRIGA 2000 Bandung reactor and PIXE at Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences, New Zealand. The validation of INAA method was done using NIST SRM 1648 airborne particulate matter. Both techniques provide more than 20 significant elements for identification the possible sources of atmospheric aerosol. The results demonstrated that INAA and PIXE have a high sensitivity, very precise value for many trace elements in APM samples.
BARRIERS TO SOCIAL ENTERPRISE IN THE UK CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Given recent trends towards social procurement in many countries, it is surprising that there has been no research into social enterprise in the construction sector. In-depth interviews with twelve senior representatives of UK social enterprises indicate that social entrepreneurs face significant barriers to operating in the UK construction industry. Respondents perceive that the vast majority of the construction industry is ignorant, mistrustful and resistant to engaging with social enterprises. Traditional monetary perceptions of value, established supply chain relationships and biased procurement practices are just some of the barriers which exist. Recommendations are made to reduce these barriers which will involve: incentivising social enterprise through the adoption of social procurement policies; reducing bureaucracy in tender processes; opening up rigid supply chains; unbundling trade packages; building effective partnerships and social enterprise networks; challenging negative perceptions of social enterprise; and overcoming strong path dependencies and resistance to change.
‘Evidence Based Management’, or ‘Evidence Oriented Organizing’? A critical realist perspective

Recent years have witnessed a surge of interest in what has been described as Evidence Based Management (henceforth, EBM). Its proponents assert that management practice should be based on a better appreciation of ‘what works’, as determined by the research evidence. This has attracted a varied critique, which suggests that the evidence base on most management issues is uncertain, and constrained by the interests of powerful organizational actors. EBM is depicted as an effort to marginalize more critical perspectives within the field. This article adopts a different approach. Drawing on a critical realist epistemology, it suggests that while research evidence is rarely conclusive it can aspire towards the progressive displacement of ignorance by knowledge. While some advocates of EBM would accept this, it is argued that such acceptance is more rhetorical than substantive, and is undermined by a standpoint which systematically downplays the power saturated organizational contexts in which evidence is assembled and employed in decision making. The key tenets of critical realism as applied to EBM are therefore considered. Critical realism acknowledges epistemological relativism, yet also accepts the need to construct robust causal explanations for social phenomena. Recognizing that organizations are co-created and co-defined by multiple actors, rather than only by managers, it is argued that we should replace the concept of ‘Evidence Based Management’ with the notion of ‘Evidence Oriented Organizing’.
Variability of the Heat and Salt Budget in the Subtropical Southeastern Pacific Mixed Layer between 2004 and 2010: Spice Injection Mechanism

AbstractThe mixed layer heat and salt budget in the southeastern subtropical Pacific are estimated using 7 years (2004–10) of Argo-profiling float data, surface fluxes, precipitation, surface velocity data, and wind observations and reanalysis. In this region, the mixed layer heat budget is characterized by a strong annual cycle mainly modulated by the shortwave radiation annual cycle. During the austral fall and winter, the shortwave radiation input minimum is overwhelmed by the heat loss mainly because of the latent heat flux. The mixed layer salt budget also presents a strong annual cycle with a minimum of salt content during the late austral winter. In contrast with the heat budget, the salt budget is mainly driven by the unresolved terms computed as the residual of the budget. Among these missing terms, the most likely candidate is the vertical turbulent mixing as a result of convection caused by the heat surface buoyancy loss and the destabilizing vertical gradient of salinity at the base of the mix.