Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Induction of Anti-Aquaporin 5 Autoantibody Production by Immunization with a Peptide Derived from the Aquaporin of Prevotella melaninogenica Leads to Reduced Salivary Flow in Mice

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by dryness of the mouth and eyes. The glandular dysfunction in SS involves not only T cell-mediated destruction of the glands but also autoantibodies against the type 3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor or aquaporin 5 (AQP5) that interfere with the secretion process. Studies on the breakage of tolerance and induction of autoantibodies to these autoantigens could benefit SS patients. To break tolerance, we utilized a PmE-L peptide derived from the AQP5-homologous aquaporin of Prevotella melaninogenica (PmAqp) that contained both a B cell “E” epitope and a T cell epitope. Repeated subcutaneous immunization of C57BL/6 mice with the PmE-L peptide efficiently induced the production of Abs against the “E” epitope of mouse/human AQP5 (AQP5E), and we aimed to characterize the antigen specificity, the sequences of AQP5E-specific B cell receptors, and salivary gland phenotypes of these mice. Sera containing anti-AQP5E IgG not only stained mouse Aqp5 expressed in the submandibular glands but also detected PmApq and PmE-L by immunoblotting, suggesting molecular mimicry. Characterization of the AQP5E-specific autoantibodies selected from the screening of phage display Ab libraries and mapping of the B cell receptor repertoires revealed that the AQP5E-specific B cells acquired the ability to bind to the Ag through cumulative somatic hypermutation. Importantly, animals with anti-AQP5E Abs had decreased salivary flow rates without immune cell infiltration into the salivary glands. This model will be useful for investigating the role of anti-AQP5 autoantibodies in glandular dysfunction in SS and testing new therapeutics targeting autoantibody production.
THE HANDBOOK OF PROJECT-BASED MANAGEMENT

One of the most influential books ever written on the development of project management-fully revised Handbook of Project-Based Management, Fourth Edition has been thoroughly updated to cover the recent developments in the project management field to help deliver the organization's strategy, regardless of the industry. This new edition focuses on the role of the global Project Manager, and how to embark on a successful project in the digital age. Rodney Turner, editor of the International Journal of Project Management, explains how to employ the proven structured approach that he has popularized over the last four decades.
Morphology of four common and phylogenetically distant ant species varies along disturbance and aridity gradients in the Caatinga dry forest

Understanding species adaptations to human‐modified ecosystems is central to evolutionary and conservation biology. It is essential to evaluate trait variations in populations that occur along environmental gradients to understand the adaptive potential of species to human‐driven environmental change. We analyzed morphological trait variations in the workers of four common and phylogenetically distant ant species (Dinoponera quadriceps, Dorymyrmex goeldii, Pheidole radoszkowskii, and Ectatomma muticum) along disturbance and aridity gradients in the Caatinga dry forest. Ants were collected using pitfall traps in 20 0.1‐ha plots distributed over an area of 213.75 km2. Up to five individuals per species were selected from each plot to measure eight morphological traits. Between‐plot variability contributed considerably (~37%) to the total variability of morphological traits. This pattern of high between‐plot variability was consistent across species and traits. Such morphological intraspecific variations between plots were not strongly related to the aridity or disturbance gradients. However, when ant morphology did respond to environmental change, the response was stronger to aridity rather than disturbance, and responses were most conspicuous in P. radoskowskii. Our results suggest that ants in the Caatinga may have substantial potential for morphological adaptation to environmental changes and that disturbance intensity and variations in aridity are not strong determinants of ant worker morphology despite influencing morphological variation over small geographical distances. These morphological variations are likely to represent key assets, by enabling individuals and population to inhabit the variety of habitats provided by Caatinga and to cope with upcoming changes in land use and climate.
Amplified Vasodilatation within the Referred Pain Zone of Trigger Points Is Characteristic of Gluteal Syndrome—A Type of Nociplastic Pain Mimicking Sciatica

Gluteal syndrome (GS) mimicking sciatica is a new disease that has been recently recognized and included in the International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision. The present study examines nociplastic pain involvement in GS and sciatica patients using a new Skorupska protocol (SP) test that provokes amplified vasodilatation in the area of expected muscle-referred pain. A positive test is confirmed if there is (i) a development of autonomic referred pain (AURP) and (ii) an increase in the delta of average temperature (Δ₸°) > 0.3 °C at the end of the stimulation and during the observation SP phases. Chronic GS (n = 20) and sciatica (n = 30) patients were examined. The SP test confirmed muscle-referred pain for (i) all GS patients with 90.6% positive thermograms (Δ₸° 0.6 ± 0.8 °C; maximum AURP 8.9 ± 13.6% (both p < 0.05)) and (ii) those sciatica (n = 8) patients who reported pain sensation during the test with 20.6% positive thermograms (Δ₸° 0.7 ± 0.7 °C; maximum AURP 15.1 ± 17.8% (both p < 0.05)). The remaining sciatica (n = 22) patients did not report pain during the test and presented a Δ₸° decrease and the AURP size below 1%. Conclusion: Amplified vasodilatation suggesting nociplastic pain involvement was confirmed for all GS and sciatica patients who reported painful sensations in the zone typical for gluteus minimus referred pain during the test.
Multi-Attribute Rating METHOD for Selecting a CLEAN COAL Energy Generation Technology

The process of technology management contains various stages, such as the identification, selection, acquisition, implementation, and maintenance of technologies. In the case of power generation companies, a key aspect of the selection stage is the choice of generation technologies for newly commissioned units. The investment decision depends on many factors, primarily economic, environmental, social, technological, and legal, and represents a complex multi-criteria problem. Currently, the decision is further complicated by the often unpredictable tightening of environmental standards, forcing the closure of conventional sources, on which many countries have so far based their energy security. The paper analyzes the problem of choosing one of the so-called clean coal technologies to be implemented in conditions of transformation of the power sector. In this paper, five selected clean coal technologies are characterized, and the SMART method is adopted to technology selection. The following technologies were considered: supercritical coal-fired power plant (with and without CCS), IGCC power plant (with and without CCS), and IGCC power plant with CCS and integrated hydrogen production. Nine practical criteria (in three main groups: environmental, technological, economic) for comparing technologies are defined, computational experiments performed, and conclusions from the research presented. The work was based on the literature study of multi-criteria decision support and an analysis of power sector needs based on the example of the Polish power sector. The conducted research, apart from the technology recommendation, led to the conclusion that the chosen method may be applied to decision-making in the field of power generation technology management. The study also indicated the potential direction of the development of a power generation structure in a situation where a component of ensuring energy security is the use of available coal fuels.
Signal Transduction of Mineralocorticoid and Angiotensin II Receptors in the Central Control of Sodium Appetite: A Narrative Review

Sodium appetite is an innate behavior occurring in response to sodium depletion that induces homeostatic responses such as the secretion of the mineralocorticoid hormone aldosterone from the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex and the stimulation of the peptide hormone angiotensin II (ANG II). The synergistic action of these hormones signals to the brain the sodium appetite that represents the increased palatability for salt intake. This narrative review summarizes the main data dealing with the role of mineralocorticoid and ANG II receptors in the central control of sodium appetite. Appropriate keywords and MeSH terms were identified and searched in PubMed. References to original articles and reviews were examined, selected, and discussed. Several brain areas control sodium appetite, including the nucleus of the solitary tract, which contains aldosterone-sensitive HSD2 neurons, and the organum vasculosum lamina terminalis (OVLT) that contains ANG II-sensitive neurons. Furthermore, sodium appetite is under the control of signaling proteins such as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and inositol 1,4,5-thriphosphate (IP3). ANG II stimulates salt intake via MAPK, while combined ANG II and aldosterone action induce sodium intake via the IP3 signaling pathway. Finally, aldosterone and ANG II stimulate OVLT neurons and suppress oxytocin secretion inhibiting the neuronal activity of the paraventricular nucleus, thus disinhibiting the OVLT activity to aldosterone and ANG II stimulation.
A comparison between 2D and 3D planning of high-dose-rate vaginal cuff brachytherapy in patients with stage I-II endometrial cancer using cobalt-60

Purpose Post-surgery radiation can reduce the risk of loco-regional relapse in high-intermediate-risk endometrial cancer. High-dose-rate vaginal cuff brachytherapy (HDR-BRT) is an acceptable method of radiation in majority of endometrial cancer cases. Although 2D planning is frequently used for treatment based on physical examination without any imaging, measurement of the dose received by organs-at-risk (OARs) is not possible. Therefore, the present study was the first to compare dose delivered to target and OARs in 2D vs. 3D planning in patients treated with cobalt-60 source. Material and methods In this study, organs including vagina wall, bladder, rectum, and sigmoid were contoured on computed tomography (CT) scan images of 37 endometrial cancer patients, and doses delivered to organs were recorded. Statistics, such as D90, D99, V100, V150, V200, D0.1cc, D1cc, and D2cc were determined. Results D90 and D99 were lower in 3D treatment planning in comparison with 2D. Although V100 was more in 3D planning, V150 and V200 were less. Analyzing D0.1cc, D1cc, and D2cc of OARs revealed that doses given to rectum, sigmoid, and bladder were less in 3D planning compared to 2D. Conclusions Comparison of 2D and 3D planning results showed that 3D planning could deliver an appropriate dose to the target while sparing more OARs.
Auralization of traffic noise within the LISTEN project – Preliminary results for passenger car pass-by

Auralization of future traffic noise scenarios would be a valuable tool for city planners, noise consultants and decision makers, since it would make it possible to evaluate various noise mitigation solutions already at the planning stage. The main goal of the Swedish multi- disciplinary research project LISTEN is to develop such a tool. In the present paper, auralizations of a single pass-by of a passenger car are investigated with respect to different simulation approaches, and the methodologies behind the approaches are described. Three listening experiments were conducted in order to perceptually evaluate the auralizations. The results showed a high degree of perceptual agreement between real and auralized sounds. However, slight differences between real and auralized sounds were found for perceived realism, annoyance and speed of vehicles, which calls for further improvements of the auralizations.
The Warfighter Associate: Decision-Support and Metrics for Mission Command

Abstract : This report describes a unique and promising intelligent agent plug-in technology for Mission Command Systems the Warfighter Associate (WA) that enables individuals and teams to respond more effectively to the cognitive challenges of Mission Command. The WA uses a doctrinally based knowledge representation to model role-specific workflows and continuously monitors the state of the operational environment to enable decision-support, delivering the right information to the right person at the right time. Capabilities include: (1) monitoring communications in chat rooms and other sources, (2) automatically plotting tactical graphics in a common operating picture, (3) reporting the current tactical situation, and (4) recommending courses of action (COAs) with respect to the necessary staff collaborations, re-tasking of assets, and required reporting. Specifically, two interrelated, hierarchical knowledge graphs based on the Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act (OODA) Loop model workflows and the state of the operational environment, facilitating doctrinally based recommendations for COAs based on available assets and asset capabilities. The knowledge graphs are state traces, measuring the staff cognitive demands across scenario runtimes as dynamic events unfold on the battlefield. Mission Command performance metrics can be automatically derived from the traces. Last, we discuss the potential of this technological approach to support Control and Command agility.
Robust Framework Diagnostics of Blockchain for Bitcoin Transaction System: A Technical Analysis from Islamic Financial Technology (i-FinTech) Perspective

In year 2017, Bitcoin attracted most investors because high return of investment. The system for Bitcoin transaction is known as blockchain. The blockchain is blocks of transaction history that shared publicly using secured cryptography. Each block contains the previous transaction information, timestamp and new transaction data in secured cryptographic hash programming language. This paper evaluates the Bitcoin framework whether the security of the system is satisfied with a definition of reliable computer system. In the same time, this paper discovers the reliability of the programming process that involved in blockchain system. The finding of this paper will help investors to understand the blockchain system properly in developing better understanding of cryptocurrency framework. The better understanding of the blockchain will help investors making proper decision in their investment portfolio to gain better profit and preventing loss.
Function point analysis in computer science capstone projects

Capstone projects at the Computer Science Department at the University of Texas at El Paso allow students to demonstrate their knowledge of software engineering. During the capstone project, students work on a project that simulates industry; students have a client and a supervising team. Before a project is implemented, professors must assess the project to ensure consistency with previous projects and a significant experience for the students. Currently, a project is assessed primarily on past experiences. In industry, agreeing to completing and delivering a project without assessing the scope and estimating the project cost is neither acceptable nor profitable. Similarly in academia cost estimation beneficial, and one approach is to apply cost estimation techniques. Function Point Analysis (FPA) was applied to eight past capstone projects in computer science at UTEP. The capstone projects were conducted over the past 10 years. The research demonstrated that by applying a standard cost estimation approach, capstone projects can be assessed in an algorithmic way instead of relying solely on cost estimating experience. An accurate cost estimate of a capstone project leads to a valuable learning experience for the software engineering students.
On the growth and structure of social systems following preferential attachment

Social systems are notoriously unfair. In this thesis, we focus on the distribution and structure of shared resources and activities. Through this lens, their extreme inequalities tend to roughly follow a universal pattern known as scale independence which manifests itself through the absence of a characteristic scale. In physical systems, scale-independent organizations are known to occur at critical points in phase transition theory. The position of this critical behaviour being very specific, it is reasonable to expect that the distribution of a social resource might also imply specific mechanisms. This analogy is the basis of this work, whose goal is to apply tools of statistical physics to varied social activities. As a first step, we show that a system whose resource distribution is growing towards scale independence is subject to two constraints. The first is the well-known preferential attachment principle, a mathematical principle roughly stating that the rich get richer. The second is a new general form of delayed temporal scaling between the population size and the amount of available resource. These constraints pave a precise evolution path, such that even an instantaneous snapshot of a distribution is enough to reconstruct its temporal evolution and predict its future states. We validate our approach on diverse spheres of human activities ranging from scientific and artistic productivity, to sexual relations and online traffic. We then broaden our framework to not only focus on resource distribution, but to also consider the resulting structure. We thus apply our framework to the theory of complex networks which describes the connectivity structure of social, technological or biological systems. In so doing, we propose that an important class of complex systems can be modelled as a construction of potentially infinitely many levels of organization all following the same universal growth principle known as preferential attachment. We show how real complex networks can be interpreted as a projection of our model, from which naturally emerge not only their scale independence, but also their clustering or modularity, their hierarchy, their fractality and their navigability. Our results suggest that social networks can be quite simple, and that the apparent complexity of their structure is largely a reflection of the complex hierarchical nature of our world.
JPEG2000 - Implications for Defence

Abstract : JPEG2000 is a competitive state-of-the-art new international image coding standard. Imagery is used by the Australian Defence Organisation (ADO) in many business processes covering strategic, operational and tactical levels. With the increasing international trend for the military to depend on international standards where appropriate, it is likely that JPEG2000 will be used in many military imagery systems and processes. The purpose of this report is to present an introduction to JPEG2000 and its implications for the ADO. The report consists of a background section on the present options for image coding, a technical overview of the new JPEG2000 standard, details of the implications to ADO imagery applications, and a conclusion including possible future research activities. The intended readers for this report are ADO personnel who are responsible for imagery technology.
Haspin participates in Aurora phosphorylation at centromeres and contributes to chromosome congression in male mouse meiosis

Chromosome segregation requires that centromeres properly attach to spindle microtubules. This is an essential step towards the accuracy of cell division and therefore must be precisely regulated in both mitosis and meiosis. One of the main centromeric regulatory signaling pathways is the Haspin-H3T3ph-chromosomal passenger complex (CPC) cascade, which is responsible for the recruitment of the CPC to the centromeres. In mitosis, Haspin kinase phosphorylates H3 at threonine 3 (H3T3ph), the essential histone mark that recruits the CPC whose catalytic component is Aurora B kinase. To date, no data has yet been presented about the action of the centromeric Haspin-H3T3ph-CPC pathway in mammalian male meiosis. We have analyzed the consequences of Haspin chemical inhibition in cultured spermatocytes using LDN-192960. Our in vitro studies suggest that Haspin kinase activity is required for proper chromosome congression during both meiotic divisions and for the recruitment of phosphorylated Aurora B at meiotic centromeres. These results have been confirmed by the characterization of the meiotic phenotype of the genetic mouse model Haspin-/-, which displays similar defects. In addition, our work demonstrates that the absence of H3T3ph histone mark does not alter SGO2 localization to meiotic centromeres. These results add new and relevant information regarding the regulation of centromere function during meiosis.
Keeping People Involved: Creating a New Model for Service Organizations

Developing and keeping younger people involved is a problem facing many nonprofits. Traditional service organizations are losing members at an unprecedented rate. Incorporating Generation Xers and the Millenials will be key to the sustainability of service clubs. Methodology includes a comparison between the Duluth Superior Eco Rotary Club and other Rotary clubs and service organizations using the following factors: attendance, gender, age and participation. Results show that changes in meeting time, price, length of meeting time, atmosphere, gender, age and type of activities can aid leaders in developing and keeping younger people more involved.
Comparison of Scaled vs. Ultrasound Based Musculoskeletal Models on Knee Muscle Moments During Single-Leg Squatting

Muscles produce force resulting in moments about a joint causing movement of the body. Muscle forces are estimated with a Hill-type model incorporating four parameters; optimal fiber length (OFL) tendon slack length physiological cross sectional area (PCSA) pennation angle and maximal isometric force (F[superscript]max) scaled to individual subjects. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if subject specific musculotendon parameters estimated in vivo using ultrasound would better estimate moments produced about a joint compared to previous scaling methods. Methods: 7 recreationally active and resistance trained males and females with no history of lower extremity injury participated. Subjects performed single-leg squats while kinematic kinetic and muscle activation data was recorded. Two models for each subject were used in SIMM to estimate knee moments activations and muscle forces: scaled (SC) and ultrasound-based (US). Ultrasound imaging of the primary knee muscles were used to derive subject-specific muscle parameters. Scaled muscle parameters were scaled from the model's generic muscle parameter values. Results: The scaled model produced approximately 50% more error compared to the ultrasound model (RMSE: US= 2.71Nm vs. SC= 6.08 Nm) when comparing inverse dynamics knee moments to each model. EMG analysis showed less error in the ultrasound vs. scaled models when compared to experimental muscle activation (RMSE: US= 0.16 mV Â± .07 SC= 0.23 mV Â± .09) (p .05). Correlations between model and experimental EMG were weak to modest in both models for all muscles [Quadriceps: (US r= 0.50 mV Â± .45 p< 0.01 SC r= 0.55 mV Â± .27 p<0.01) Hamstrings: (US r= 0.44 mV Â± .25 p< 0.01; SC r= 0.23 mV Â± .30 p< .01)] Conclusion: Advances in methodologies used in the field of biomechanical musculoskeletal modeling could be applied to a variety of pathological patients enabling researchers and physicians to better understand how pathology relates with muscle function. More research is warranted in the attempt of deriving a more physiological relevant muscle modeling technique.