Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pharmacological role and clinical applications of interleukin-6 in rheumatoid disease

Abstract: Interleukin (IL)-6 is a pleiotropic cytokine that promotes polyclonal activation of association of the transducing glycoprotein 130 with the membrane-anchored receptor (R) α, IL-6 can generate functionally distinct signals. Given these particular molecular aspects, numerous activities ascribed to this cytokine are, in fact, due to the insertion into soluble IL-6Rα. The system is instrumental in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Sjogren’s syndrome and systemic lupus erythema-tosus (SLE). In this respect, it is interesting that the expression of the recombination-activating gene is sustained by IL-6 in B lymphocytes, and repressed by anti-IL-6R antibody (Ab) in RA and SLE. Agents that inhibit IL-6 signaling have now entered clinical trials. As expected, clinical benefits are reported in the treatment of autoimmunedisorders with anti-IL-6R Ab, but other perspectives remain open in the forthcoming biotherapies of immune-mediated disorders. Keywords: interleukin-6, B lymphocyte, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren’s syndrome, biotherapy
Scots pine susceptibility to attack by Tomicus piniperda (L) as related to pruning date and attack density

La susceptibilite de jeunes pins sylvestre aux attaques de scolytides a ete accrue en elagant les arbres, de facon a ce que la taille de leur couronne soit comparable. Les elagages ont eu lieu environ 10, 7 et 1 mois avant le vol des insectes. Les niveaux de population dans la zone d'etude etaient eleves et des attaques spontanees etaient previsibles sur les arbres elagues. Pour augmenter leur attractivite, la moitie des arbres ont ete appâtes avec des rondins de pin. Ainsi, des arbres portant environ un tiers de leur feuillage d'origine, et ayant differents indices de vigueur a cause de l'elagage ont ete soumis a 2 niveaux d'attaque (.)
Measuring shoot-level NOx flux in field conditions: the role of blank chambers

We monitored NO x fluxes in an empty chamber and in chambers containing Scots pine shoots. Our aims were to observe how the chamber blank behaves in non-controlled field conditions and at low ambient NO x concentrations, to find ways of reducing deleterious wall effects, and to evolve a method for a blank correction. We found that solar ultraviolet radiation induced NO x emission from the chamber walls. Comparisons between blanks of several chambers showed that the chambers were not identical. We therefore recommend that a separate blank chamber will be monitored together with the branch chambers in long-term field measurements. At regular time intervals, all of the chambers should be measured simultaneously while empty and the regression between the UV irradiance and NO x flux determined for each chamber. In case the chambers differ from each other, the blank could be corrected with the UV-regression coefficients obtained.
Decentralized Business Process Modeling and Instance Tracking Secured by a Blockchain

For supporting the conceptualization and the management of enterprise models in a decentralized manner, this paper introduces an approach based on model versioning and blockchain technologies. The main contribution is twofold, consisting of a. , the creation of models for inter-organizational business processes in a decentralized environment, and b. , means for tracking process instances using meta-data at run time. Models for business processes, workflows, and instance states are collaboratively created as part of a decentralized architecture. Based on this approach, a hierarchical versioning and modeling approach is employed in order to create and manage public and private models in a transactional fashion. For forming relationships among decentralized participants, semi-formal models linked to a blockchain are suggested. The approach is evaluated with a supply chain use case and demonstrated in an implemented modeling tool.
Nonminimal quartic inflation in classically conformal U ( 1 ) X extended standard model

We propose quartic inflation with non-minimal gravitational coupling in the context of the classically conformal U(1)_X extension of the SM. In this model, the U(1)_X gauge symmetry is radiatively broken through the Coleman-Weinberg (CW) mechanism, by which the U(1)_X gauge boson (Z' boson) and the right-handed neutrinos (RHNs) acquire their masses. We consider their masses in the range of O(10 GeV)-O(10 TeV), which are accessible to high energy collider experiments. The radiative U(1)_X gauge symmetry breaking also generates a negative mass squared for the SM Higgs doublet, and the electroweak symmetry breaking occurs subsequently. We identify the U(1)_X Higgs field with inflaton and calculate the inflationary predictions. Due to the CW mechanism, the inflaton quartic coupling during inflation, which determines the inflationary predictions, is correlated to the U(1)_X gauge coupling. With this correlation, we investigate complementarities between the inflationary predictions and the current constraint from the Z' boson resonance search at the LHC Run-2 as well as the prospect of the search for the Z' boson and the RHNs at the future collider experiments. The radiative U(1)_X gauge symmetry breaking also generates a negative mass squared for the SM Higgs doublet, and the electroweak symmetry breaking occurs subsequently. We identify the U(1)_X Higgs field with inflaton and calculate the inflationary predictions. Due to the Coleman-Weinberg mechanism, the inflaton quartic coupling during inflation, which determines the inflationary predictions, is correlated to the U(1)_X gauge coupling. With this correlation, we investigate complementarities between the inflationary predictions and the current constraint from the Z' boson resonance search at the LHC Run-2 as well as the prospect of the search for the Z' boson and the RHNs at the future collider experiments.
Attracting and retaining skilled and professional staff in remote locations of Australia

Remote Australia constitutes ~75% of the continent and is a dry, often harsh environment in which to live; consequently less than 3% of Australia's population reside there but it is also where a substantial proportion of Australia's export wealth is derived. It is therefore important that attention is paid to ensuring that remote locations in Australia are liveableandthatinnovativestrategiesarepursuedtoattractandretainaproductiveworkforceintheseplaces.Attractingand retaining skilled and professional staff is a problem not limited to remote, or even rural and regional locations in Australia. Thereisstrongevidencetosuggestthatitisincreasinglyaglobalproblemandorganisationsthroughouttheworldareseeking innovative strategies to attract and develop new talent and developing other strategies to retain that talent. This paper examinespopulationandlabourmobilitytrendsinremoteAustraliaandtheissuesthathavebeeninfluentialonratesofstaff attraction and retention, most particularly adequate housing, services and infrastructure. The second half of the paper examinesavarietyofrecommendationsandstrategiesdevelopedbythepublicandprivatesectorstomoreeffectivelyattract andretainskilledandprofessionalstafftoremotelocations.Thispaperdoesnotclaimtobearigorousanalysisofallremote areasofAustralianoracomprehensivestudyofattractionandretentionstrategies.Rather,itaimstohighlightthecomplexity, depth and interconnectedness of the issues for communities, public and private sectors and how they apply in remote locations in Australia.
Taking rejection Personally: an Ethical Analy-SIS of Work rejection on Amazon mechanical Turk

Amazon Mechanical Turk (AMT) is a popular microtasking platform connecting those who need work done with those willing to do it. However AMT has come under increasing scrutiny for the way workers are treated on its platform. This paper examines one particular component of AMT’s microtasking process by conducting a formal ethical analysis, using Tavani’s Comprehensive Cyberethics Methodology, on the way work submitted for evaluation is assessed and either accepted or rejected. The study finds that the system is skewed in favour of those evaluating the work, with little recourse for workers, and an apparent disinterest from AMT. This paper contributes to the continuing debate over the governance of, and responsibilities for, those engaged in digital work through such platforms.
Relationship between total bacteria counts and somatic cell counts from mammary quarters infected by mastitis pathogens

This study was conducted to establish the relationship between somatic cell count (SCC) and bacterial shedding from mammary quarters according to mastitis pathogens. Milk samples from 638 mammary quarters were examined for mastitis pathogens, SCC and total bacterial count (TBC). The raw data of SCC and TBC were used to perform descriptive statistics. The significance of the arithmetic mean differences between SCC and TBC according to bacteriological examination results was determined by a two-tailed unpaired t-test. Pearson and Spearman´s correlations were done with logarithmic data and linear regression analyses. The geometric means of the bacteriological examination results were (cells mL-1; CFU mL-1): no growth (52,000; 12,000), coagulase-negative staphylococci (85,000; 17,000), Staphylococcus aureus (587,000; 77,000); other streptococci (432,000; 108,000) and Streptococcus agalactiae (1,572,000; 333,000). The Pearson and Spearman's correlations between SCC and TBC were higher than 0.60 for all mastitis pathogens. The regression analyses slopes showed different increase in TBC with the same increase in SCC according to mastitis pathogens. The slope for S. agalactiae (0.542) was higher than that for other mastitis pathogens. The results suggest that the intensity of inflammatory process was associated with number of mastitis pathogens shedding from the mammary gland.
Study of Interphase in Polylactic Acid and Cellulose Nanocrystal Composite Films

approved: ______________________________________________________ John Simonsen Polylactic acid (PLA), a renewable material, is used widely in a variety of commercial and specialty applications. However, certain limitations such as high temperature stability and brittleness limit its applicability. This problem is addressed by reinforcing PLA with a variety of materials but the process gives rise to different issues in compatibilization due to differences in polarity of materials. In this research, surface of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC’s) is modified with lactic acid and lactic acid oligomers and are then incorporated into bulk PLA matrix to form nanocomposite films via solvent casting. This thesis includes verification of grafting reactions onto CNC surface via elemental analysis and solid state NMR along with dispersion studies by SEM imaging. The nanocomposite properties are studied with increasing filler content and type of surface modification and a comparison is made with unfilled PLA films. The interphase between the filler and the matrix is studied by evaluating the mechanical properties and trends are established with reference to the graft length. In addition, DSC and TGA analysis of some composites is included to study any deviations in thermal behavior from expected trends. ©Copyright by Pratish Ramesh Rao July 27, 2015 All Rights Reserved Study of Interphase in Polylactic Acid and Cellulose Nanocrystal Composite Films by Pratish Ramesh Rao
Vine cuttings technology in food yam ( Discorea Rotundata) production

This study was designed to evaluate the rooting and tuberization (mini tubers) potentials of vine cuttings of six genotypes (TDr 131, TDr 335, TDr 97/00925, TDr 98/01230, TDr 98/ 00718 and TDr 97/00940) of white yam (D. rotundata) using plant hormone. Vine cuttings from 120 days old plants were collected from the six genotypes for root formation. Three to four nodes leafy vine cuttings were prepared and the lower portion of these nodes were wounded with a clean razor blade and then dusted with 1.0% Indole-3 butyric acid (IBA) powder in order to promote rooting. The vine cuttings were sampled for mini tuber formation three months after transplanting. There were no significant differences (P< 0.05) among the genotypes for both mean root per vine and the mean root length of the cuttings. There was a significant difference (P< 0.05) in the total mini tubers number and the weight of mini tubers which ranged from 8.3 to 82.95 and 1.9 g to 6.9 g respectively.
Meeting the Buddhas: A Guide to Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Tantric Deities

Included in this accessible and thorough guide are: the main figures encountered by Westerners; principle figures from the major Tibetan Buddhist traditions; the meaning and purpose of mantras, sacred symbols, colours and art; a clear account of Buddhist visualization practice and how it works; practical advice on approaching a spiritual teacher, initiation and taking up a visualization practice; and over 50 figures including the five Buddhas of the mandala, three family protectors, long-life Buddhas, Purification Buddha, Buddhas of Wisdom and Compassion, female Buddhas, Sky-Dancers, wrathful deities, historical Buddha and Buddha of the future.
Antibiofilm efficacy of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles against endodontic-periodontal pathogens: An in vitro study

Background: Endodontic-periodontal pathogens exist as biofilms which are difficult to eliminate. Biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) emerged as newer antimicrobial agents with potential benefits. Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC); evaluate the antibiofilm efficacy of fungal-derived AgNPs against Porphyromonas gingivalis, Bacillus pumilus, and Enterococcus faecalis. Materials and Methods: MIC of AgNPs against test pathogens was determined using micro broth dilution method. Serial dilutions of AgNPs ranging from 80 to 1 μg/ml concentration were added to wells containing 10 μl of bacterial inoculum in culture media and control group without AgNPs. For biofilm models, 120 dentin blocks were prepared, sterilized, and contaminated for 2 weeks with (n = 40 each). Group 1: B. pumilus, Group 2: E. faecalis, and Group 3: P. gingivalis and each group is divided into four subgroups (n = 10 each) and treated with distilled water, AgNPs, 2% and 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX). Colonies counted after 24 h of incubation and statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey tests. Results: MIC for B. pumilus was determined as 20 μg/ml and 30 μg/ml for E. faecalis and P. gingivalis. AgNPs were effective as 2% CHX against all biofilms compared to control group. Post hoc Tukey test (P < 0.0001) shows no significant difference between groups. Conclusion: Fungal-derived AgNPs are effective against endo-perio pathogens.
QWEB Specification : new perspectives from different stakeholders

Costa, Acácio Rui Santos (Portugal) Portuguese MSc Student and Researcher born in 1967. His project title: “E-business certification new proposal for the QWEB (expert searching engine) Specification”, to be prepared in the University of Minho. He graduated in Systems and Computer Engineering, University of Minho, Portugal (1993). Now he works as a computer systems administrator, Production and Systems Department, University of Minho. He is a certified QWEB auditor. His research area: E-commerce, E-business; Electronic business certification.
Differential ُExpression of RuBisCO large Subunit and its Assembly in Intact Chloroplasts of Pisum sativum L. Treated with NaCl and Jasmonic Acid

THIS STUDY aimed to detect the effect of stress conditions imposed by different treatments of NaCl and jasmonic acid (JA) on the expression pattern and assembly of RuBisCO large subunit (RbcL) and RuBisCO enzyme complex using SDS-PAGE and HDN-PAGE techniques, respectively. Both Total Soluble Proteins (TSPs) and Chloroplast Proteins (ChPs) were variably affected by each treatment. Notably, a unique protein band was detected in the seedlings treated with 150 mM NaCl for 5 days. Surprisingly, this band was not detected under any other salt treatment. Using nano HPLC-ESI-MS/MS MALDI-TOF protein sequencing, this band was identified as downshifted RbcL at approximately 50 kDa in addition to the original one was separated at approximately 55 kDa on SDS-PAGE. The expression of RbcL protein decreased in a dose dependent manner in the plants treated with JA for one and five days. All treatments did not affect the RuBisCO complex assembly at approximately 660 kDa, but triggered stress-induced ChPs at approximately 440 kDa and 1 MDa concomitant with NaCl treatments. RbcL band isolated from intact chloroplast was associated with Coupling Factor (CF1) beta subunit of ATP synthase as revealed by MALDI-TOF protein sequencing analysis. Possible interpretations of these findings have been further discussed in this study.
Nouvelles approches pour la détection de relations utiles dans les processus: application aux parcours de santé. (New approaches for the discovery of high-utility relations in processes: application to healthcare)

Depuis le Baby-Boom d'apres guerre, la France, comme d'autres pays, est confrontee a un vieillissement de la population et a des pathologies qui deviennent de plus en plus chroniques. Ces nouveaux problemes de sante impliquent des prises en charge plus frequentes, plus complexes et plus transversales. Cependant, plusieurs freins lies a l'evolution de la societe ou a l'organisation interne du systeme de sante, viennent entraver le developpement de prises en charge adaptees pour repondre aux nouveaux besoins. Dans un contexte de reduction des depenses, il est necessaire d'avoir une meilleure maitrise des processus de sante.L'objectif de nos travaux est de proposer un ensemble de methodes pour une meilleure comprehension du parcours de sante de la personne âgee en Auvergne. Pour cela, une description des parcours des personnes âgees est necessaire pour avoir cette vue d'ensemble aujourd'hui manquante. De plus, cela permettra d'identifier les intervenants, les interactions ou encore les contraintes impliquees dans les differents parcours. Les travaux presentes dans ce manuscrit s'interessent a deux problematiques. La premiere consiste a mettre au point des methodes pour modeliser rapidement et efficacement les parcours de sante. Ces modeles permettront d'analyser comment les differents segments d'une prise en charge s'enchainent. La seconde problematique consiste a proposer des methodes pour extraire des informations pertinentes a partir des donnees selon un point de vue metier predefini, propre a la personne qui souhaite analyser ce modele. Ces informations permettront par exemple de detecter des segments de parcours frequents, ou encore anormaux.Pour repondre a ces problematiques, les methodes que nous proposons dans ce manuscrit sont issues du process mining et du data mining. Ces disciplines ont pour objectif d'exploiter les donnees disponibles dans les systemes d'information pour en extraire des connaissances pertinentes. Dans un premier temps, nous proposons une methodologie qui se base sur le pouvoir d'expression des modeles de processus pour extraire des connaissances interessantes. Dans un second temps, nous proposons des techniques pour construire des modeles de processus partiels, dont l'objectif est de permettre l'extraction de fragments de comportements interessants.Les experimentations effectuees demontrent l'efficacite des methodes proposees. De plus, differentes etudes de cas ont ete menees dans divers domaines pour prouver la genericite des techniques developpees.
Association of Ménière Disease with Human Leukocyte Antigen in Taiwanese Population

The etiology of Ménière disease (MD) is multifactorial; genetic factors seem to play an important role. The associations between MD and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) status have been studied previously in several populations and have shown that the HLA alleles imparting susceptibility varied. In the present study, we explored HLA status in Taiwanese patients with definitive MD. HLA was typed via polymerase chain reaction, sequence-specific oligonucleotide genotyping in 35 patients with MD diagnosed using the criteria of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and 70 unrelated healthy controls. HLA allele association tests were used to evaluate differences in allelic frequencies between the patients and controls. The allelic frequency of HLA-A∗11 was significantly greater in MD patients than in controls (52.9 vs. 31.4%, odds ratio: 2.45, 95% confidence interval: 1.4 to 4.4, p = 0.004, p corrected = 0.03). Thus, A∗11 may be a useful HLA biomarker in Taiwanese patients with MD. Further larger-scale studies are required.
Prevalence and determinants of unprotected sex in intimate partnerships of men who inject drugs: findings from a prospective intervention study

Unprotected sex, common among people who inject drugs, puts them and their partners at risk of sexually transmitted infections including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This analysis assesses the changes in sexual risk behavior with regular female partners (RFPs), among married men who inject drugs, before and after implementation of a HIV prevention intervention, and identifies correlates of unprotected sex. People who inject drugs (PWID) were assessed at three points: baseline, preintervention follow-up visit (FV)1, and postintervention FV2. Descriptive analysis was used for reporting changes in sexual behavior over time. Generalized estimating equation assessed the population-averaged change in self-reported unprotected sex with an RFP, attributable to intervention uptake. Multivariable logistic regression determined correlates of self-reported unprotected sex with an RFP at FV2. Findings suggest that the proportion of men reporting any unprotected sex remained high (baseline = 46.0%, FV1 = 43.5%, FV2 = 37.0%). A reduction was observed in unprotected sex after the intervention phase, but this could not be attributed to uptake of the intervention. Higher odds of self-reported unprotected sex with an RFP in the past three months at FV2 were associated with self-reported unprotected sex at baseline, living with family, and being HIV-negative. Married male PWID should receive counseling for safe sex with RFPs, especially those who are HIV-negative and live with their families.
Potential anti-lymphoma effect of M-CSFR inhibitor in adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma

The c-fms proto-oncogene is also known as macrophage colony stimulating factor receptor (M-CSFR) or colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF-1R), and is expressed on several types of malignant tumor cells and myeloid cells. In the present study, we found that overexpression of M-CSFR was present in adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) cases. M-CSFR signaling was associated with lymphoma cell proliferation, and M-CSFR inhibition induced apoptosis in lymphoma cells. The ATLL cell line ATL-T expressed M-CSF/CSF-1 and interleukin (IL)-34, which are both M-CSFR ligands. M-CSF and IL-34 expression was seen in ATLL cases, and co-expression of these ligands was detected in 11 of 13 ATLL cases. M-CSFR inhibition suppressed programmed death-1 and -2 ligand in ATL-T cells and macrophages stimulated with conditioned medium from ATL-T cells. Thus, an M-CSFR inhibitor may be useful as additional therapy against ATLL due to direct and indirect mechanisms.