Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Maternal effects in cooperative breeders: from hymenopterans to humans

The environment that an offspring experiences during its development can have lifelong consequences for its morphology, anatomy, physiology and behaviour that are strong enough to span generations. One aspect of an offspring's environment that can have particularly pronounced and long-lasting effects is that provided by its parent(s) (maternal effects). Some disciplines in biology have been quicker to appreciate maternal effects than others, and some organisms provide better model systems for understanding the causes and consequences of the maternal environment for ecology and evolution than others. One field in which maternal effects has been poorly represented, and yet is likely to represent a particularly fruitful area for research, is the field of cooperative breeding (i.e. systems where offspring are reared by carers in addition to parent(s)). Here, we attempt to illustrate the scope of cooperative breeding systems for maternal effects research and, conversely, highlight the importance of maternal effects research for understanding cooperative breeding systems. To this end, we first outline why mothers will commonly benefit from affecting the phenotype of their offspring in cooperative breeding systems, present potential strategies that mothers could employ in order to do so and offer predictions regarding the circumstances under which different types of maternal effects might be expected. Second, we highlight why a neglect of maternal strategies and the effects that they have on their offspring could lead to miscalculations of helper/worker fitness gains and a misunderstanding of the factors selecting for the evolution and maintenance of cooperative breeding. Finally, we introduce the possibility that maternal effects could have significant consequences for our understanding of both the evolutionary origins of cooperative breeding and the rise of social complexity in cooperative systems.
Ribosomal protein S4 is a transcription factor with properties remarkably similar to NusA, a protein involved in both non‐ribosomal and ribosomal RNA antitermination

Escherichia coli ribosomal RNA (rRNA) operons contain antitermination motifs necessary for forming terminator‐resistant transcription complexes. In preliminary work, we isolated ‘antiterminating’ transcription complexes and identified four new proteins potentially involved in rRNA transcription antitermination: ribosomal (r‐) proteins S4, L3, L4 and L13. We show here that these r‐proteins and Nus factors lead to an 11‐fold increase in terminator read‐through in in vitro transcription reactions. A significant portion of the effect was a result of r‐protein S4. We show that S4 acted as a general antitermination factor, with properties very similar to NusA. It retarded termination and increased read‐through at Rho‐dependent terminators, even in the absence of the rRNA antiterminator motif. High concentrations of NusG showed reduced antitermination by S4. Like rrn antitermination, S4 selectively antiterminated at Rho‐dependent terminators. Lastly, S4 tightly bound RNA polymerase in vivo. Our results suggest that, like NusA, S4 is a general transcription antitermination factor that associates with RNA polymerase during normal transcription and is also involved in rRNA operon antitermination. A model for key r‐proteins playing a regulatory role in rRNA synthesis is presented.
INHIBITORS OF HISTONE DEACETYLASES : CORRELATION BETWEEN ISOFORM SPECIFICITY AND REACTIVATION OF HIV-1 FROM LATENTLY INFECTED CELLS *

Deacetylation of histone proteins at the HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR) by histone deactylases (HDACs) can promote transcriptional repression and virus latency. As such, HDAC inhibitors (HDACI) could be used to deplete reservoirs of persistent, quiescent HIV-1 proviral infection. However, the development of HDACI to purge latent HIV-1 requires knowledge of the HDAC isoforms contributing to viral latency and the development of inhibitors specific to these isoforms. In this study, we identify the HDACs responsible for HIV-1 latency in Jurkat J89GFP cells using a chemical approach that correlates HDACI isoform specificity with their ability to reactivate latent HIV-1 expression. We demonstrate that potent inhibition or knockdown of HDAC1, an HDAC isoform reported to drive HIV-1 into latency, was not sufficient to de-repress the viral LTR. Instead, we found that inhibition of HDAC3 was necessary to activate latent HIV-1. Consistent with this finding, we identified HDAC3 at the HIV-1 LTR by chromatin immunoprecipitation. Interestingly, we show that valproic acid is a weak inhibitor of HDAC3 (IC50 = 5.5 mM) relative to HDAC1 (IC50 = 170 μM). Because the total therapeutic concentration of valproic acid ranges from 275700 μM in adults, this data may explain why this inhibitor has no effect on the decay of latent HIV reservoirs in patients. Taken together, our study suggests an important role for HDAC3 in HIV-1 latency and, importantly, describes a chemical approach that can readily be used to identify the HDAC isoforms that contribute to HIV-1 latency in other cell types.
Testing generalized linear and semiparametric models against smooth alternatives

We propose goodness‐of‐fit tests for testing generalized linear models and semiparametric regression models against smooth alternatives. The focus is on models having both continous and factorial covariates. As a smooth extension of a parametric or semiparametric model we use generalized varying‐coefficient models as proposed by Hastie and Tibshirani. A likelihood ratio statistic is used for testing. Asymptotic expansions allow us to write the estimates as linear smoothers which in turn guarantees simple and fast bootstrapping of the test statistic. The test is shown to have √n‐power, but in contrast with parametric tests it is powerful against smooth alternatives in general.
Activity-based serendipitous recommendations with the Magitti mobile leisure guide

This paper presents a context-aware mobile recommender system, codenamed Magitti. Magitti is unique in that it infers user activity from context and patterns of user behavior and, without its user having to issue a query, automatically generates recommendations for content matching. Extensive field studies of leisure time practices in an urban setting (Tokyo) motivated the idea, shaped the details of its design and provided data describing typical behavior patterns. The paper describes the fieldwork, user interface, system components and functionality, and an evaluation of the Magitti prototype.
Degradation and Utilization of Isolated Hemicellulose by Pure Cultures of Cellulolytic Rumen Bacteria

Dehority, B. A. (Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station, Wooster). Degradation and utilization of isolated hemicellulose by pure cultures of cellulolytic rumen bacteria. J. Bacteriol. 89:1515–1520. 1965. —Hemicelluloses isolated from flax, corn hulls, alfalfa, oat hulls, and fescue grass were used as sole energy sources to study the ability of pure cultures of cellulolytic rumen bacteria to degrade and utilize these materials. From a total of eight bacterial strains tested (three strains of Bacteroides succinogenes, four strains of Ruminococcus flavefaciens, and one strain of Ruminococcus albus), only three strains of ruminococci were able to utilize the hemicelluloses for growth. Hemicellulose fermentation mixtures were analyzed for total pentose, residual hemicellulose (pentose precipitated in 80% ethyl alcohol), and ethyl alcohol-soluble pentose. The three strains of ruminococci were able to partially utilize the different hemicelluloses as energy sources, as determined by total pentose loss, and they were capable of almost complete degradation of the original hemicellulose from an ethyl alcohol-insoluble to ethyl alcohol-soluble form. The extent of both degradation and utilization varied markedly between the three strains and different substrates. Tests on the other strains indicated that no growth, production of organic acid end products, or appreciable loss of total pentose had occurred. However, analysis of the culture medium for residual hemicellulose indicated that these strains were able to extensively degrade the original hemicelluloses to an ethyl alcohol-soluble form. Marked differences were observed among strains and hemicelluloses in the amount of hemicellulose degraded. Of the different hemicelluloses, corn-hull hemicellulose was the most resistant to degradation and utilization by the cellulolytic rumen bacteria.
Fitts' law for older adults: considering a factor of age

The paper describes an experiment investigating older adults' ability to make rapid aimed movements with a computer mouse. Fitts' law was found to be applicable, but had R2 lower than for younger subjects. On average, it took elder participants twice as much time to complete movement tasks, but their accuracy was two times higher. Error level was affected by small (8 pixels) target size, but not by movement distance. Mean throughput was 4.58, but only 3.29 for senior subjects. Extended regression models, incorporating factors of subjects' age and experience, were proposed for movement time and throughput, providing a useful insight for HCI researchers and interface designers.
Essential Experiences to Undergird the Early Development of Literacy

This study identified a repertoire of essential early life experiences to which young children with visual impairments need to be exposed to undergird their development of literacy. The authors analyzed 254 stories from three published basal literacy series to identify the experiences necessary to bring meaning to each story. Through analysis and categorization of the data, they then identified 22 global areas of experience as essential. Guidelines for providing these experiences are suggested, including ways to link experiences to early literacy events.
Crack Cocaine Use and its Relationship with Violence and Hiv

OBJECTIVES To evaluate crack cocaine use practices, risk behaviors associated with HIV infection among drug users, and their involvement with violence. INTRODUCTION HIV infections are frequent among drug users due to risky sexual behavior. It is generally accepted that crack cocaine use is related to increased levels of violence. Several reports point to an increase in violence from those involved in drug trafficking. Although HIV infections and risky sexual behavior among drug users have been quite well studied, there are few studies that evaluate violence as it relates to drugs, particularly crack. METHODS A total of 350 drug users attending drug abuse treatment clinics in São Paulo, Brazil were interviewed about their risky behaviors. Each patient had a serological HIV test done. RESULTS HIV prevalence was 6.6% (4.0 to 10.2). Violence was reported by 97% (94.7 to 99.1) of the subjects (including cases without personal involvement). Acts of violence such as verbal arguments, physical fights, threats, death threats, theft, and drug trafficking were significantly higher among crack users. A decrease in frequency of sexual intercourse was observed among users of injected drugs, though prostitution was observed as a means of obtaining drugs. A high number of crack cocaine users had a history of previous imprisonment, many for drug-related infractions. DISCUSSION The data presented are in accordance with other reports in the literature, and they show a correlation between drug use, imprisonment, violence, and drug trafficking. CONCLUSION A high HIV prevalence and associated risky sexual behaviors were observed among crack cocaine users. The society and the authorities that deal with violence related to crack users and drug trafficking should be aware of these problems.
Nonbiopsy Diagnosis of Cardiac Transthyretin Amyloidosis

Background— Cardiac transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis is a progressive and fatal cardiomyopathy for which several promising therapies are in development. The diagnosis is frequently delayed or missed because of the limited specificity of echocardiography and the traditional requirement for histological confirmation. It has long been recognized that technetium-labeled bone scintigraphy tracers can localize to myocardial amyloid deposits, and use of this imaging modality for the diagnosis of cardiac ATTR amyloidosis has lately been revisited. We conducted a multicenter study to ascertain the diagnostic value of bone scintigraphy in this disease. Methods and Results— Results of bone scintigraphy and biochemical investigations were analyzed from 1217 patients with suspected cardiac amyloidosis referred for evaluation in specialist centers. Of 857 patients with histologically proven amyloid (374 with endomyocardial biopsies) and 360 patients subsequently confirmed to have nonamyloid cardiomyopathies, myocardial radiotracer uptake on bone scintigraphy was >99% sensitive and 86% specific for cardiac ATTR amyloid, with false positives almost exclusively from uptake in patients with cardiac AL amyloidosis. Importantly, the combined findings of grade 2 or 3 myocardial radiotracer uptake on bone scintigraphy and the absence of a monoclonal protein in serum or urine had a specificity and positive predictive value for cardiac ATTR amyloidosis of 100% (positive predictive value confidence interval, 98.0–100). Conclusions— Bone scintigraphy enables the diagnosis of cardiac ATTR amyloidosis to be made reliably without the need for histology in patients who do not have a monoclonal gammopathy. We propose noninvasive diagnostic criteria for cardiac ATTR amyloidosis that are applicable to the majority of patients with this disease.
Eliciting information on differential sensation of heat in those with and without poststroke aphasia using a visual analogue scale.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Aphasia can result in an inability to communicate the presence, location, or intensity of pain. Although visual analogue scales (VASs) exist, it is unknown whether they are useful in assessing pain in individuals with aphasia. The objective was to determine whether those with poststroke aphasia could respond differentially to thermal stimuli of varying intensities using a standardized VAS. METHODS Five groups of participants were assessed: those without stroke, those with stroke but without aphasia, and 3 groups with varying degrees of aphasia. A 10-cm vertical VAS was used to measure responses to varying thermal intensities delivered on the participant's forearm. RESULTS Across all 5 groups, a similar proportion demonstrated ability to discriminate between 2 temperatures (chi2=1.899; P=0.75). When presented with 4 temperatures, all groups performed more poorly, yet with similar success rates across groups (chi2=0.1267; P=0.88). The repeated-measures ANOVA revealed no effect of group but a significant effect of temperature (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS A VAS may be useful in clinical identification of differing intensities of stimuli in a substantial proportion of those with aphasia.
Supporting the Development of Intrinsic Motivation in the Middle School Classroom.

This study took place in a sixth grade math class at Webber Middle School in Saginaw, Michigan. A literature review indicated that a classroom that students perceive as safe, supportive of their autonomy, and of their learning increases intrinsic motivation. With this in mind, the author created a study, which would look for connections between positive, non-controlling feedback and students' views of the classroom as a safe learning environment followed by evidence of an increase in intrinsic motivation. The study further examined whether allowing choice in assignments would increase intrinsic motivation as evidenced by an increase in completed assignments, completed portfolios and an increase in a desire to complete assignments. And finally, it explored whether sharing the content standards and benchmarks with students and asking them to write their own goals, thus supporting autonomy, would increase students' learning and intrinsic motivation as evidenced by preand post-tests and a self-assessment of their desire to learn. Appendixes include: the letter indicating completion (to be inserted); student journal form; tally sheet for classroom observation of student active involvement; student classroom environment survey; tally sheet of teacher feedback; tally sheet for completed assignments, extra credit assignments and portfolios; interest inventory--assignment choice; student self-assessment of desire to learn; tally sheet of correct answers for preand post-tests; and tally sheet for goals set and goal completion; (Contains 13 references.) (Author) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. Intrinsic Motivation 1 Supporting the Development of Intrinsic Motivation in the Middle School Classroom Terri Oginsky Mentor: M. Bubp EDU 690: Collaborative Action Research Marygrove College June 20, 2003 1 PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY
The efficacy of psychological interventions for infertile patients: a meta-analysis examining mental health and pregnancy rate.

BACKGROUND Psychological interventions for infertile patients seek to improve mental health and increase pregnancy rates. The aim of the present meta-analysis was to examine if psychological interventions improve mental health and pregnancy rate among infertile patients. Thus, controlled studies were pooled investigating psychological interventions following the introduction of assisted reproductive treatments (ART). METHODS The databases of Medline, PsycINFO, PSYNDEX, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library were searched to identify relevant articles published between 1978 and 2007 (384 articles). Included were prospective intervention studies on infertile patients (women and men) receiving psychological interventions independent of actual medical treatment. The outcome measures were mental health and pregnancy rate. A total of 21 controlled studies were ultimately included in a meta-analysis comparing the efficacy of psychological interventions. Effect sizes (ES) were calculated for psychological measures and risk ratios (RR) for pregnancy rate. RESULTS The findings from controlled studies indicated no significant effect for psychological interventions regarding mental health (depression: ES 0.02, 99% CI: -0.19, 0.24; anxiety: ES 0.16, 99% CI: -0.10, 0.42; mental distress: ES 0.08, 99% CI: -0.10, 0.51). Nevertheless, there was evidence for the positive impact of psychological interventions on pregnancy rates (RR 1.42, 99% CI: 1.02, 1.96). Concerning pregnancy rates, significant effects for psychological interventions were only found for couples not receiving ART. CONCLUSIONS Despite the absence of clinical effects on mental health measures, psychological interventions were found to improve some patients' chances of becoming pregnant. Psychological interventions represent an attractive treatment option, in particular, for infertile patients who are not receiving medical treatment.
Right ventricular outflow tract and pulmonary artery stents in children under 18 months of age

Objective: To report our experience on patients less than 18 months of age in whom stents were placed either in the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) or pulmonary arteries. Background: Although percutaneous placement of intravascular stents in congenital heart disease is common practice, there are few reports regarding placement in young children. Methods: Retrospective review of our database identified 19 patients less than 18 months of age who underwent placement of 26 stents in either the RVOT or pulmonary arteries. Data evaluated were patient age, gender, weight, site of narrowing, type of stent, gradient across the area of narrowing pre‐ and post‐stent placement, vessel size pre‐ and post‐stent placement, gradient, and vessel size on followup, and ability to redilate the stent if necessary. Results: Mean patient age was 9.7 months (range 0.5–17.5 months). There were 14 males and 5 females with a mean weight of 7.1 kg (range 2.3–10.2 kg). Five patients had stents placed in the RVOT and 14 patients had 21 stents placed in the branch pulmonary arteries. Two Johnson and Johnson P188 stents were used, 23 premounted Genesis biliary stents and 1 other. Gradient across the stenotic area decreased from a mean of 52.9 mm Hg (range 20–80 mm Hg) to 15 mm Hg (range 3–40 mm Hg) (P <.001). Conclusions: Percutaneous placement of intravascular stents in young children is a viable procedure, can provide excellent relief of stenoses, and increases vessel size in the short term. Although many of these stents cannot be dilated to adult size, their efficacy in small infants and children in whom further surgery will ultimately be required makes them desirable for this group of patients. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Role of the Microenvironment in Liver Metastasis: From Pre- to Prometastatic Niches

Liver metastases remain a major barrier to successful management of malignant disease, particularly for cancers of the gastrointestinal tract but also for other malignancies, such as breast carcinoma and melanoma. The ability of metastatic cells to survive and proliferate in the liver is determined by the outcome of complex, reciprocal interactions between tumor cells and different local resident subpopulations, including the sinusoidal endothelium, stellate, Kupffer, and inflammatory cells that are mediated through cell–cell and cell–extracellular matrix adhesion and the release of soluble factors. Cross-communication between different hepatic resident cells in response to local tissue damage and inflammation and the recruitment of bone marrow cells further enhance this intercellular communication network. Both resident and recruited cells can play opposing roles in the progression of metastasis, and the balance of these divergent effects determines whether the tumor cells will die, proliferate, and colonize the new site or enter a state of dormancy. Moreover, this delicate balance can be tilted in favor of metastasis, if factors produced by the primary tumor precondition the microenvironment to form niches of activated resident cells that promote tumor expansion. This review aims to summarize current knowledge on these diverse interactions and the impact they can have on the clinical management of hepatic metastases. Clin Cancer Res; 22(24); 5971–82. ©2016 AACR.
Acupuncture for Low Back Pain in Pregnancy – a Prospective, Quasi- Randomised, Controlled Study

This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of acupuncture in low back and pelvic pain during pregnancy under real life conditions, as compared with patients undergoing conventional treatment alone. A total of 61 conventionally treated pregnant women were allocated randomly into two groups to be treated or not by acupuncture. Twenty-seven patients formed the study group and 34 the control group. They reported the severity of pain using a Numerical Rating Scale from 0 to 10, and their capacity to perform general activities, to work, and to walk. We also assessed the use of analgesic drugs. Women were followed up for eight weeks and interviewed five times, at two-week intervals. All women completed the study. In the study group the average pain during the study period showed a larger reduction (4.8 points) than the control group (−0.3 points) (P<0.0001). Average pain scores decreased by at least 50% over time in 21 (78%) patients in the acupuncture group and in five (15%) patients in the control group (P<0.0001). Maximum pain and pain at the moment of interview were also less in the acupuncture group compared with the control group. The capacity to perform general activities, to work and to walk was improved significantly more in the study group than in the control group (P<0.05). The use of paracetamol was lower in the acupuncture group (P<0.01). These results indicate that acupuncture seems to alleviate low back and pelvic pain during pregnancy, as well as to increase the capacity for some physical activities and to diminish the need for drugs, which is a great advantage during this period.