Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Please Scroll down for Article Journal of Biological Dynamics Discrete Three-stage Population Model: Persistence and Global Stability Results Discrete Three-stage Population Model: Persistence and Global Stability Results

This article may be used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution , reselling , loan or sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of any instructions, formulae and drug doses should be independently verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material. A general three-stage discrete-time population model is studied. The inherent net reproductive number for this model is derived. Global stability of the origin is established provided that the inherent net reproductive number is less than one. If it is larger than one the existence of a unique positive fixed point is proved and the persistence of the system is established. Finally, for certain parameter ranges global stability of the positive fixed point is proved.
Impact of interconnect variations on the clock skew of a gigahertz microprocessor

Due to the large die sizes and tight relative clock skew margins, the impact of interconnect manufacturing variations on the clock skew in today's gigahertz microprocessors can no longer be ignored. Unlike manufacturing variations in the devices, the impact of the interconnect manufacturing variations on IC timing performance cannot be captured by worst/best case corner point methods. Thus it is difficult to estimate the clock skew variability due to interconnect variations. In this paper we analyze the timing impact of several key statistically independent interconnect variations in a context-dependent manner by applying a previously reported interconnect variational order-reduction technique. The results show that the interconnect variations can cause up to 25% clock skew variability in a modern microprocessor design.
Effects of autologous platelet-rich plasma on cell viability and collagen synthesis in injured human anterior cruciate ligament.

BACKGROUND Platelet-rich plasma is a fraction of plasma in which platelets are concentrated. It is reported to represent a source of multiple growth factors that promote tissue repair. In anticipation of the eventual testing of platelet-rich plasma in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-deficient patients, we examined the effect of autologous platelet-rich plasma on human ACL cell function in vitro. METHODS Fresh blood and ACL remnants were obtained from four patients who underwent ACL reconstruction surgery. Platelet-poor plasma and platelet-rich plasma were prepared from the blood samples. The concentrations of various growth factors in each preparation were tested with use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Isolated ACL cells were cultured in the presence of 5% fetal bovine serum, 5% platelet-poor clot releasate, 5% platelet-rich clot releasate, or 10% platelet-rich clot releasate. Platelet-rich plasma and platelet-poor plasma releasates were applied to the ACL cells from the same patient autologously. Cell viability and collagen synthesis in each group were analyzed, and semiquantitative gene-expression assays for type-I and III collagen were also performed. RESULTS The concentrations of the main growth factors (transforming growth factor-beta, platelet-derived growth factor, epidermal growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor) were much higher in platelet-rich clot releasate than in platelet-poor clot releasate. In vitro treatment of ACL cells with platelet-rich clot releasate resulted in a significant increase in cell number compared with platelet-poor clot releasate. Total collagen production by the platelet-rich clot releasate-treated cells was significantly higher than that of the platelet-poor clot releasate-treated cells only because of enhanced cell proliferation. There was no significant effect of platelet-rich clot releasate treatment on gene expression for type-I collagen, but expression of type-III collagen was significantly enhanced by the treatment with platelet-rich clot releasate. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that autologous platelet-rich plasma can enhance ACL cell viability and function in vitro.
Human Papillomavirus Infection at the United States-Mexico Border : Implications for Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control 1

The United States-Mexico border is a region comprised of a country with one of the highest rates of invasive cervical cancer (Mexico) and a country with one of the lowest rates (United States). Recent evidence clearly indicates that human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the cause of cervical cancer. The distribution of specific types of HPV is known to vary in different regions of the world, as do the cofactors that may inhibit or promote HPV carcinogenesis. Estimating the prevalence of oncogenic HPV is needed for guiding vaccine development. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of oncogenic and nononcogenic HPV types and risk factors for HPV among women residing along the United States-Mexico border. A cross-sectional study of 2319 women, ages 15–79 years, self-referring for gynecological care was conducted between 1997 and 1998. HPV was detected by PCR using the PYGMY 09/11 L1 consensus primer, and HPV genotyping was conducted using the reverse line blot method. Overall, the HPV prevalence was 14.4% with no significant differences observed by country after adjustment for age. HPV 16 was the most commonly detected HPV type in both the United States and Mexico. Among women with highgrade squamous intraepithelial lesions, HPV types 58, 45, 51, 31, 35, 55, and 73 were most common in Mexico, and HPV types 18, 31, 35, 51, 52, and 58 were most common in the United States. In both countries, HPV prevalence declined linearly with age from 25% among women ages 15–19 years to 5.3% among women 56–65 years. Factors significantly independently associated with HPV infection were older age [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.15 for ages 56–65 years compared with those 15–19 years], a marital status other than married (AOR 1.58–3.29), increased numbers of lifetime male partners (AOR 3.8 for >10 partners compared with 1 partner), concurrent infection with Chlamydia trachomatis (AOR 1.79), ever use of Norplant (AOR 2.69), and current use of injectable contraceptives (AOR 2.29). Risk factors for HPV infection did not differ by country. Results from this study suggest that in addition to HPV 16 and 18, HPV types 31, 45, 51, and 58 should be considered for inclusion in an HPV prevention vaccine for distribution in Mexico.
Surveillance of community-acquired viral infections due to respiratory viruses in Rhone-Alpes (France) during winter 1994 to 1995

Nasal swab from patients with acute flu-like illness were evaluated for the presence of respiratory viruses in the Rhone-Alpes region of France from 1 October 1994 through 2 May 1995. The relative frequencies and seasonal distributions of the specific viruses were assessed. In addition, virus type was correlated with specific clinical signs and symptoms. During the study, 962 samples were collected by 75 medical practitioners participating in the Groupe Regional d'Observation de la Grippe surveillance network. One or more viruses were detected from 348 samples (36.1%), including 108 respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), 64 influenza virus A type H3N2, 47 influenza virus B, 64 coronavirus, 35 rhinovirus, 22 adenovirus, 5 enterovirus, and 3 parainfluenza-fluenza strains. There were 16 mixed infections. RSV infections peaked in the early winter, and influenza viruses A and B infections peaked during the late winter and early spring. There were two peaks of coronavirus infections (late fall and late winter). Other viruses were detected at lower levels throughout the study period. Patients from whom adenovirus was isolated were significantly more likely to have a fever of > 39.5 degrees C than were patients with other detectable viruses (P < 0.001). Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between influenza and cough (P < 0.01) and RSV and bronchiolitis (P < .001). Thus, the current study defined the overall and relative frequencies of respiratory virus detection from nasal swab specimens in patients with an acute flu-like illness in the Rhone-Alpes region of France during a 7-month period. Correlation with clinical signs and symptoms and provisional conclusions regarding seasonality were also determined.
The Drosophila GOLPH3 homolog regulates the biosynthesis of heparan sulfate proteoglycans by modulating the retrograde trafficking of exostosins

The exostosin (EXT) genes encode glycosyltransferases required for glycosaminoglycan chain polymerization in the biosynthesis of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs). Mutations in the tumor suppressor genes EXT1 and EXT2 disturb HSPG biosynthesis and cause multiple osteochondroma (MO). How EXT1 and EXT2 traffic within the Golgi complex is not clear. Here, we show that Rotini (Rti), the Drosophila GOLPH3, regulates the retrograde trafficking of EXTs. A reduction in Rti shifts the steady-state distribution of EXTs to the trans-Golgi. These accumulated EXTs tend to be degraded and their re-entrance towards the route for polymerizing GAG chains is disengaged. Conversely, EXTs are mislocalized towards the transitional endoplasmic reticulum/cis-Golgi when Rti is overexpressed. Both loss of function and overexpression of rti result in incomplete HSPGs and perturb Hedgehog signaling. Consistent with Drosophila, GOLPH3 modulates the dynamic retention and protein stability of EXT1/2 in mammalian species. Our data demonstrate that GOLPH3 modulates the activities of EXTs, thus implicating a putative role for GOLPH3 in the formation of MO.
Trust Restoration in International Military Missions

Abstract : Establishing and maintaining trust between military organizations and the local population being assisted is considered to be integral to the success of international military operations. A lack of trust in military organizations on the part of the indigenous population may strain the relationship between these two groups, a situation which may, in turn, jeopardize mission success and undermine the military's ability to provide support and assistance to the indigenous population, as well as increase a volatile security situation on the ground. Recent research in the organizational psychology literature has found that in some cases (e.g., an integrity-based trust violation), denial of responsibility is a more effective trust repair mechanism (vs. apology), whereas in other cases (e.g., a competence-based trust violation), an apology is a more effective trust repair mechanism (vs. denial). Still other research has found that an apology is more effective than denial in restoring image and cooperation. This study examined the applicability of these findings to complex international military engagements using a scenario-based experimental paradigm. Results demonstrated that the best trust-related outcomes occur in the absence of trust violations. However, in contrast to previous research, where trust violations did occur, it appears that the most effective trust repair strategy is an apology rather than a denial, although it is important to note that the means for trust measures following either repair strategy remained low in comparison to no trust violation (i.e., the control condition).
Data-Driven Inference on Sign Restrictions in Bayesian Structural Vector Autoregression

Sign-identified structural vector autoregressive (SVAR) models have recently become popular. However, the conventional approach to sign restrictions only yields set identification, and implicitly assumes an informative prior distribution of the impulse responses whose influence does not vanish asymptotically. In other words, within the set the impulse responses are driven by the implicit prior, and the likelihood has no significance. In this paper, we introduce a Bayesian SVAR model where unique identification is achieved by statistical properties of the data. Our setup facilitates assuming a genuinely noninformative prior and thus learning from the data about the impulse responses. While the shocks are statistically identified, they carry no economic meaning as such, and we propose a procedure for labeling them by their probabilities of satisfying each of the given sign restrictions. The impulse responses of the identified economic shocks can subsequently be computed in a straightforward manner. Our approach is quite flexible in that it facilitates labeling only a subset of the sign-restricted shocks, and also concluding that none of the sign restrictions is plausible. We illustrate the methods by two empirical applications to U.S. macroeconomic data.
First Draft : November 2002 Current Draft : October 2003 Preliminary : Not for circulation

Abstract This paper examines the informational efficiency of loans relative to bonds surrounding loan default dates and bond default dates. We examine this issue using a unique dataset of daily secondary market prices of loans over the 11/1999-06/2002 period. We find evidence consistent with a monitoring role of loans. First, consistent with a view that the monitoring role of loans should be reflected in more precise expectations embedded in loan prices, we find that the price reaction of loans is less adverse than that of bonds around loan and bond default dates. Second, we find evidence that the difference in price reaction of loans versus bonds is amplified around loan default dates that are not preceded by a bond default date of the same company. Finally, we find a higher recovery rate for loans as compared to bonds, suggesting that the monitoring role of loans does not diminish significantly in the post default period. Our results are robust to controlling for security-specific characteristics, such as seniority, and collateral, and for multiple measures of cumulative abnormal returns around default dates. Overall, we find that the loan market is informationally more efficient than the bond market around default dates.
Brome mosaic virus helicase- and polymerase-like proteins colocalize on the endoplasmic reticulum at sites of viral RNA synthesis

The helicase-like 1a and polymerase-like 2a proteins of brome mosaic virus (BMV) are required for viral RNA replication in vivo, are present in membrane-bound viral RNA polymerase extracts, and share conservation with the many other members of the alphavirus-like superfamily. To better understand BMV RNA replication and BMV-host interactions, we used confocal microscopy and double-label immunofluorescence to determine and compare the sites of 1a, 2a, and nascent viral RNA accumulation in BMV-infected barley protoplasts. 1a and 2a showed nearly complete colocalization throughout infection, accumulating in defined cytoplasmic spots usually adjacent to or surrounding the nucleus. These spots grew throughout infection and by 16 h postinoculation often assumed a vesicle-like appearance. The BMV RNA replication complex incorporated 5-bromouridine 5'-triphosphate into RNA in vitro and in vivo, allowing immunofluorescent detection of nascent RNA. The cytoplasmic sites of BMV-specific RNA synthesis coincided with the sites of 1a and 2a accumulation, and at the resolution of confocal microscopy, all sites of 1a and 2a accumulation were sites of BMV RNA synthesis. Double-label immunofluorescence detection of selected subcellular markers and 1a or 2a showed that BMV replication complexes were tightly associated with markers for the endoplasmic reticulum but not the medial Golgi or later compartments of the cellular secretory pathway. Defining this association of BMV RNA replication complexes with endoplasmic reticulum markers should assist in identifying and characterizing host factors involved in BMV RNA replication.
Radioaerosol Pulmonary Deposition Using Mesh and Jet Nebulizers During Noninvasive Ventilation in Healthy Subjects

BACKGROUND: In vivo deposition studies of aerosol administration during noninvasive ventilation (NIV) are scarce in the literature. The aim of this study was to compare radioaerosol pulmonary index and radioaerosol mass balance in the different compartments (pulmonary and extrapulmonary) of radio-tagged aerosol administered using vibrating mesh nebulizers and conventional jet nebulizers during NIV. METHODS: This was a crossover clinical trial involving 10 healthy subjects (mean age of 33.7 ± 10.0 y) randomly assigned to both treatment arms of this study: group 1 (NIV + vibrating mesh nebulizer, n = 10) and group 2 (NIV + jet nebulizer, n = 10). All subjects inhaled 3 mL of technetium-99m diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (25 mCi) and 0.9% saline solution via vibrating mesh and jet nebulizers during NIV through a face mask secured with straps while receiving positive inspiratory and expiratory pressures of 12 and 5 cm H2O, respectively. Scintigraphy was performed to count radioaerosol particles deposited in the regions of interest to determine radioaerosol mass balance from the lungs, upper airways, stomach, nebulizer, ventilator circuit, inspiratory and expiratory filters, and mask as a percentage. RESULTS: Vibrating mesh nebulizers deposited 972,013 ± 214,459 counts versus jet nebulizer with 386,025 ± 130,363 counts (P = .005). In a determination of mass balance, vibrating mesh nebulizers showed a higher deposition of inhaled radioaerosol compared with jet nebulizers (23.1 ± 5.8% vs 6.1 ± 2.5%, P = .005) and a higher proportion of radioaerosol deposited into the lungs (5.5 ± 0.9% versus 1.5 ± 0.6%, respectively, P = .005). The residual drug volume was lower with vibrating mesh nebulizers (5.1 ± 1.5%) compared with jet nebulizers (41.3 ± 4.2%, P = .005). CONCLUSIONS: During NIV in healthy subjects, vibrating mesh nebulizers delivered > 2-fold more radiolabeled drug into the respiratory tract compared with conventional jet nebulizers. Additional studies are recommended in subjects with asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, and cystic fibrosis to better understand differences in both aerosol delivery and response. (ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT01889524.)
Efficient TALEN-mediated gene knockout in livestock

Transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) are programmable nucleases that join FokI endonuclease with the modular DNA-binding domain of TALEs. Although zinc-finger nucleases enable a variety of genome modifications, their application to genetic engineering of livestock has been slowed by technical limitations of embryo-injection, culture of primary cells, and difficulty in producing reliable reagents with a limited budget. In contrast, we found that TALENs could easily be manufactured and that over half (23/36, 64%) demonstrate high activity in primary cells. Cytoplasmic injections of TALEN mRNAs into livestock zygotes were capable of inducing gene KO in up to 75% of embryos analyzed, a portion of which harbored biallelic modification. We also developed a simple transposon coselection strategy for TALEN-mediated gene modification in primary fibroblasts that enabled both enrichment for modified cells and efficient isolation of modified colonies. Coselection after treatment with a single TALEN-pair enabled isolation of colonies with mono- and biallelic modification in up to 54% and 17% of colonies, respectively. Coselection after treatment with two TALEN-pairs directed against the same chromosome enabled the isolation of colonies harboring large chromosomal deletions and inversions (10% and 4% of colonies, respectively). TALEN-modified Ossabaw swine fetal fibroblasts were effective nuclear donors for cloning, resulting in the creation of miniature swine containing mono- and biallelic mutations of the LDL receptor gene as models of familial hypercholesterolemia. TALENs thus appear to represent a highly facile platform for the modification of livestock genomes for both biomedical and agricultural applications.
Pharmacist-Led Medication Reviews to Identify and Collaboratively Resolve Drug-Related Problems in Psychiatry – A Controlled, Clinical Trial

Aim of the study This prospective, controlled trial aimed to assess the effect of pharmacist-led medication reviews on the medication safety of psychiatric inpatients by the resolution of Drug-Related Problems (DRP). Both the therapy appropriateness measured with the Medication Appropriateness Index (MAI) and the number of unsolved DRP per patient were chosen as primary outcome measures. Methods Depending on their time of admission, 269 psychiatric patients that were admitted to a psychiatric university hospital were allocated in control (09/2012-03/2013) or intervention group (05/2013-12/2013). In both groups, DRP were identified by comprehensive medication reviews by clinical pharmacists at admission, during the hospital stay, and at discharge. In the intervention group, recommendations for identified DRP were compiled by the pharmacists and discussed with the therapeutic team. In the control group, recommendations were not provided except for serious or life threatening DRP. As a primary outcome measure, the changes in therapy appropriateness from admission to discharge as well as from admission to three months after discharge (follow-up) assessed with the MAI were compared between both groups. The second primary outcome was the number of unsolved DRP per patient after completing the study protocol. The DRP type, the relevance and the potential of drugs to cause DRP were also evaluated. Results The intervention led to a reduced MAI score by 1.4 points per patient (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.8–2.0) at discharge and 1.3 points (95% CI: 0.7–1.9) at follow-up compared with controls. The number of unsolved DRP in the intervention group was 1.8 (95% CI: 1.5–2.1) less than in control. Conclusion The pharmaceutical medication reviews with interdisciplinary discussion of identified DRP appears to be a worthy strategy to improve medication safety in psychiatry as reflected by less unsolved DRP per patient and an enhanced appropriateness of therapy. The promising results of this trial likely warrant further research that evaluates direct clinical outcomes and health-related costs. Trial Registration Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien (DRKS), DRKS00006358
Investigation of Self-Assembly Processes for Chitosan-Based Coagulant-Flocculant Systems: A Mini-Review

The presence of contaminants in wastewater poses significant challenges to water treatment processes and environmental remediation. The use of coagulation-flocculation represents a facile and efficient way of removing charged particles from water. The formation of stable colloidal flocs is necessary for floc aggregation and, hence, their subsequent removal. Aggregation occurs when these flocs form extended networks through the self-assembly of polyelectrolytes, such as the amine-based polysaccharide (chitosan), which form polymer “bridges” in a floc network. The aim of this overview is to evaluate how the self-assembly process of chitosan and its derivatives is influenced by factors related to the morphology of chitosan (flocculant) and the role of the solution conditions in the flocculation properties of chitosan and its modified forms. Chitosan has been used alone or in conjunction with a salt, such as aluminum sulphate, as an aid for the removal of various waterborne contaminants. Modified chitosan relates to grafted anionic or cationic groups onto the C-6 hydroxyl group or the amine group at C-2 on the glucosamine monomer of chitosan. By varying the parameters, such as molecular weight and the degree of deacetylation of chitosan, pH, reaction and settling time, dosage and temperature, self-assembly can be further investigated. This mini-review places an emphasis on the molecular-level details of the flocculation and the self-assembly processes for the marine-based biopolymer, chitosan.