Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ergodic transformations from an interval into itself

A class of piecewise continuous, piecewise C1 transformations on the interval J c R with finitely many discontinuities n are shown to have at most n invariant measures. 1. The way phenomena or processes evolve or change in time is often described by differential equations or difference equations. One of the sim- plest mathematical situations occurs when the phenomenon can be described by a single number and when this number can be estimated purely as a function of the previous number. That is, when the number xn+x can be written as xn+x = t(x") where t maps an interval J c R into itself. For x E J, let t°(x) denote x and t"+x(x) denote t(t"(x)) for n = 0,1.We will sayp E J is a periodic point with period n if p = t"(p) andp ¥= rk(p) for 1 1. In this paper we assume t is piecewise continuous and piecewise twice continuous differentiable. We also assume that a t ^ > 1 where Jx — j x E /, — t(x) exists \.
The Transcription and Translation Landscapes during Human Cytomegalovirus Infection Reveal Novel Host-Pathogen Interactions

Viruses are by definition fully dependent on the cellular translation machinery, and develop diverse mechanisms to co-opt this machinery for their own benefit. Unlike many viruses, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) does suppress the host translation machinery, and the extent to which translation machinery contributes to the overall pattern of viral replication and pathogenesis remains elusive. Here, we combine RNA sequencing and ribosomal profiling analyses to systematically address this question. By simultaneously examining the changes in transcription and translation along HCMV infection, we uncover extensive transcriptional control that dominates the response to infection, but also diverse and dynamic translational regulation for subsets of host genes. We were also able to show that, at late time points in infection, translation of viral mRNAs is higher than that of cellular mRNAs. Lastly, integration of our translation measurements with recent measurements of protein abundance enabled comprehensive identification of dozens of host proteins that are targeted for degradation during HCMV infection. Since targeted degradation indicates a strong biological importance, this approach should be applicable for discovering central host functions during viral infection. Our work provides a framework for studying the contribution of transcription, translation and degradation during infection with any virus.
Long-term outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection in gastric neoplastic lesions at a single institution in South Korea

Abstract Objective. Although endoscopic treatment for early gastric cancer (EGC) is an accepted therapy in South Korea and Japan, long-term outcomes remain unknown. We evaluated the clinical outcome of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for gastric dysplasia and EGC. Material and methods. A total of 402 patients with gastric dysplasia and EGC were treated with ESD at a single hospital from January 2004 to December 2007. The patients underwent ESD and then received periodic endoscopic follow-up and metastatic surveys for 9–49 months (median 30 months). Resectability (en bloc or piecemeal resection), curability (complete or incomplete), local recurrence, and disease-free survival rates were estimated. Results. There were 107 patients with low-grade dysplasia (LGD), 97 with high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and 198 with EGC. In EGC patients, en bloc resection was achieved in 89.7% (177/198), the complete resection rate was 87.9% (174/198), and the local recurrence rate was 5.1% (10/198). Tumor size >20 mm was significantly associated with local recurrence (odds ratio 6.45; 95% CI 1.20–20.11; p=0.001). There were significant correlations between the incidences of a piecemeal or incomplete resection and that of local recurrence (odds ratio 5.23; 95% CI 1.02–18.34; p=0.001; and odds ratio 6.99; 95% CI 1.22–21.65; p=0.002, respectively). The 3-year cancer-free survival rate was 94.9%. Conclusions. Curative treatment with successful en bloc resection can reduce the local recurrence of gastric neoplastic lesions after ESD. Clinical outcome may be excellent, although longer follow-up studies are warranted.
Platelet-derived growth factor promotes smooth muscle migration and intimal thickening in a rat model of balloon angioplasty.

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a mitogen and chemoattractant for vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) in vitro, but its activities in vivo remain largely undefined. We infused recombinant PDGF-BB (0.01-0.30 mg/kg per d i.v.) into rats subjected to carotid injury. PDGF-BB produced a small increase (two- to threefold) in medial SMC proliferation. More importantly, PDGF-BB greatly increased (20-fold) the intimal thickening and the migration of SMC from the media to the intima during the first 7 d after injury. These data provide support for the hypothesis that PDGF, and perhaps other platelet factors, might play an important role in the movement of mesenchymal cells into zones of injury undergoing repair.
Multiparametric immunophenotyping of B cells in peripheral blood of healthy adults by flow cytometry

The investigation of patients suffering from malignant lymphomas of the B-cell type requires flow cytometric immunophenotyping. Several reports described the expression of almost all B lineage antigens on normal and abnormal B lymphocytes. Thus, immunophenotyping of lymphomas must be interpreted in the context of the reference values obtained for healthy control individuals. For this purpose multiparametric flow cytometric analysis offers the unique feature for lymphocyte subset analysis. In the present study B lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of healthy adults were investigated by multiparametric flow cytometric immunophenotyping for the detection of the frequency (in percent) of antigens provided by the revised European-American classification of lymphoid neoplasms (REAL) classification. Thus, 84 healthy adults were investigated and grouped by age (average ages were as follows: group 1, 25.38 years; group 2, 33.86 years; group 3, 44.17 years; group 4, 55.67 years; group 5, 66.67 years). Analysis was done for surface immunoglobulins (kappa and lambda chains of immunoglobulin M [IgM] and IgD) as well as CD10, CD11c, CD23, CD38, CD103, FMC-7, and B-B4. Three-color immunophenotyping was performed for kappa/CD19/CD5, lambda/CD19/CD5, surface IgM/surface IgD/CD19, FMC-7/CD19/CD5, CD103/CD11c/CD19, CD10/CD23/CD19, and CD38/B-B4/CD19 by live gating of CD19+ events (n = 2,000). Although some numerical differences could be obtained for the different groups, statistical differences (P < 0.005) could only be obtained for the CD19+/CD5+ B-cell subset, which was decreased in the elderly patients (group 5). The established two-color and three-color stainings will serve as a basis for future multiparametric immunophenotyping of abnormal lymphocytes (e.g., for patients suffering from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the B-cell type).
Sympathetic responses during saline infusion into the veins of an occluded limb

Animal studies have shown that the increased intravenous pressure stimulates the group III and IV muscle afferent fibres, and in turn induce cardiovascular responses. However, this pathway of autonomic regulation has not been examined in humans. The aim of this study was to examine the hypothesis that infusion of saline into the venous circulation of an arterially occluded vascular bed evokes sympathetic activation in healthy individuals. Blood pressure, heart rate, and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) responses were assessed in 19 young healthy subjects during local infusion of 40 ml saline into a forearm vein in the circulatory arrested condition. From baseline (11.8 ± 1.2 bursts min−1), MSNA increased significantly during the saline infusion (22.5 ± 2.6 bursts min−1, P < 0.001). Blood pressure also increased significantly during the saline infusion. Three control trials were performed during separate visits. The results from the control trial show that the observed MSNA and blood pressure responses were not due to muscle ischaemia. The present data show that saline infusion into the venous circulation of an arterially occluded vascular bed induces sympathetic activation and an increase in blood pressure. We speculate that the infusion under such conditions stimulates the afferent endings near the vessels, and evokes the sympathetic activation.
IRIDESCENT POLYCHROMATISM IN A FEMALE HUMMINGBIRD : IS IT RELATED TO FEEDING STRATEGIES ?

ABSTP, ACT. --Conspicuous coloration may evolve through aggressive competition either for mates, in sexual selection, or for any limiting resource, in social competition. Most species of hummingbirds (Trochilidae) have polygynous (promiscuous) mating systems, bright male plumage, and conspicuous sexual dichromatism. These patterns have led to the view that their iridescent plumage has evolved by sexual selection. I report an iridescent polychromatism in females of the Andean hummingbird Heliangelus exortis exortis that suggests the evolution of iridescent plumage via aggressive feeding behavior. Female H. e. exortis vary within and among populations in the development of the large iridescent gorget characteristic of males. I document a regular north-south pattern of geographic variation in the polychromatism. In samples from northern Colombia, female gorgets vary from a noniridescent (femalelike) to a fully iridescent (malelike) condition, whereas females from southern Colombia have only the discrete noniridescent and fully iridescent morphs. Samples of females from Ecuador are comprised predominantly of the noniridescent morph. The color forms are not due to seasonal plumage differences or ontogenetic hanges. A significant negative correlation between bill length and degree of iridescence in the largest geographic sample suggests hat females with iridescent gorgets are more aggressive t rritorial foragers than less iridescent females. Received 16 July 1984, accepted 8 April 1985.
ANTIGENIC THRESHOLDS OF ANTITOXIN RESPONSES ELICITED IN IRRADIATED MICE WITH COMPLEXES OF TETANUS TOXIN AND SPECIFIC ANTIBODY.

During the early part of this century, overneutralized mixtures of diphtheria toxin and specific antitoxin were used to produce high-titered antisera in horses and other animals (1-3) and to immunize actively against diphtheria in man (4-7). The introduction of an effective toxoid in the form of formalin-treated diphtheria toxin by Glenny and Siidmersen (8) resolved the inherent danger present in immunizing man and other animals with neutralized mixtures of toxin and antitoxin. In view of the possible value of combined passive and active immunization in the prevention of diphtheria and tetanus, a continuing interest has been given to the relative antigenicity of various toxoid-antitoxin mixtures (9-13). Primary antibody responses to bovine serum albumin and fluid tetanus toxoid were enhanced in mice when these antigens were injected intravenously in slight antigen excess with respective specific rabbit antisera. The enhancement phenomenon was limited to antigens in complex with specific antibody. When rabbit antitoxin was used in complex with tetanus toxoid, enhanced primary antibody responses to rabbit gamma globulin were also demonstrated in mice by testing their capacity to degrade I'3l-labeled rabbit gamma globulin at an accelerated rate (13). Enhanced primary antitoxin responses were obtained in mice immunized by intravenous injection with complexes of fluid tetanus toxoid and isologous mouse antitoxin. The demonstration of the enhancement phenomenon elicited by complexes of toxoid and isologous mouse antitoxin provided evidence that the antibody portion of the complex did not need to be of foreign origin in order to elicit enhanced primary antibody responses. Enhanced antitoxin responses were obtained in nonirradiated and irradiated mice immunized with complexes of fluid tetanus toxoid and isologous antitoxin prepared
Efficient design of Elliptic Curve Point Multiplication based on fast Montgomery modular multiplication

In Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), Elliptic Curve Point Multiplication (ECPM) is one of the most critical operations. In this paper, based on RNS Montgomery modular multiplication, an optimized ECPM architecture is proposed. The proposed architecture encompasses fast RNS to RNS converter with choosing appropriate moduli sets. The proposed RNS bases in first moduli set employs the basis with small Hamming weight based on the work reported in literature and the moduli set {2<sup>n+β</sup>, 2<sup>n</sup> - 1,2<sup>n</sup> + 1,2<sup>n</sup> - 2<sup>(n+1)/2</sup> + 1,2<sup>n</sup> + 2<sup>n+1</sup>/2} + 1, 2<sup>n-1</sup> +1} in the second base, with efficient reverse converter is employed. To design the fast RNS to RNS converter, delay of binary to residue converter from first to second basis is improved. Hardware design for critical moduli in second bases which is the moduli 2<sup>n</sup> + 2<sup>(n+1)/2</sup> + 1 is done. Based on achieved hardware for reduction in moduli 2<sup>n</sup> + 2<sup>(n+1)/2</sup> + 1, the delay requirements of the new converter is shown to be less than another reported converter. Compared to state-of-the-art implementations in the literature, the results shows that the proposed ECPM architecture achieves speed increase of 4%, 42%, 35% and 38% for p =160, 192, 224 and 256 bits respectively.
Nursing ethics: current state of the art.

The essays in this issue of the Journal highlight the types of insights that nursing ethics brings to health care ethics, in general, and attempt to address questions about the adequacy of the conceptual and theoretical foundations of bioethics for a practice discipline like nursing. The essays are written by nurses and non-nurses and bring a surprising balance to the discussion of important issues in nursing ethics from several perspectives. The essays do not represent the full scope of philosophical thought and normative judgements in nursing ethics at the present time, but they do provide a view of nursing ethics through the lens of nursing ethics research, past and present. [Introductions follow to essays by Joy H. Penticuff, Joan Liaschenko and Anne J. Davis, Nancy S. Jecker and Donnie J. Self, Betty J. Winslow and Gerald R. Winslow, Robert J. Connelly, Patricia A. Roth and Janet K. Harrison, and Kevin Wildes].
Mechanisms of Growth Hormone (GH) Action

Many of the actions of growth hormone (GH) on somatic growth and tissue maintenance are mediated by insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), a secreted protein whose gene expression is rapidly and potently induced by GH by unknown mechanisms. Recent studies implicating Stat5a and Stat5b in the growth response to GH in mice and observations linking Stat5b to control of IGF-I gene transcription in rats have prompted the current investigations into the molecular determinants of a putative regulatory network extending from GH through Stat5b to IGF-I. Here we characterize as critical components of this hormone-activated transcriptional pathway two adjacent Stat5 binding sites in the second intron of the rat IGF-I gene located within a conserved region previously found to undergo acute and reversible changes in chromatin structure after in vivo GH treatment. As assessed by chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, GH rapidly induced binding of Stat5 to this DNA segment in the liver of GH-deficient rats, just prior to the onset of transcription from both major and minor IGF-I gene promoters. Biochemical reconstitution experiments showed that the two intronic Stat5 DNA elements were able to bind Stat5b in vitro after GH treatment could transmit GH- and Stat5b-dependent transcriptional responsiveness to the major IGF-I promoter and to a minimal neutral gene promoter and were required for full stimulation of reporter gene activity by GH. Taken together, these results identify an intronic enhancer as a key mediator of GH-induced IGF-I gene transcription working through Stat5b and provide new insight into the molecular architecture of this transcriptional pathway.
IMMUNE RESPONSES OF CD4+ T-CELLS OF MDR-TB PATIENTS TO M. TUBERCULOSIS TOTAL LIPID ANTIGENS

Background: CD4 + T-cell have a central role in protective immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) protein antigens, but function of these cells in response to M. tuberculosis total lipid antigens has remained unclear. The present study was undertaken to determine role of CD4 + T cells in the MDR-TB patients against M. tuberculosis total lipid antigens. Materials and Methods: CD4 + T- cells were isolated from MDR-TB patients and stimulated with M. tuberculosis total lipid antigens. Proliferative responses and cytokine secretion were assessed by MTT and ELISA, respectively. Results: Our study results showed that proliferative responses of stimulated CD4 + T- cells to M. tuberculosis total lipid antigens and IFN-γ production in MDR-TB patients were significantly lower than those of the PPD-positive subjects (P<0.05) whereas, IL-4 production in the MDR-TB patients was elevated(P<0.05). Conclusion: Responses of CD4 + T -cells of MDR-TB patients to total lipid antigens was significantly lower than that of PPD- positive healthy subjects. Therefore, it seems that M. tuberculosis lipid antigens, as protein antigens, have an important role
Proximal thoracic spine fractures: a dangerous blind spot

Methods Thirty-three patients with proximal thoracic fractures in the T1–T4 area managed in a spinal unit were identified. There were 21 males and 12 females with a median age of 31.8 years. A retrospective review of medical records and radiology was undertaken. Demographic data, mechanism of injury, diagnostic modalities, diagnostic delay, fracture characteristics, neurological status, associated injuries, hospital stay, management, complications and outcomes were recorded.
A controlled trial of a human papillomavirus type 16 vaccine.

BACKGROUND Approximately 20 percent of adults become infected with human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16). Although most infections are benign, some progress to anogenital cancer. A vaccine that reduces the incidence of HPV-16 infection may provide important public health benefits. METHODS In this double-blind study, we randomly assigned 2392 young women (defined as females 16 to 23 years of age) to receive three doses of placebo or HPV-16 virus-like-particle vaccine (40 microg per dose), given at day 0, month 2, and month 6. Genital samples to test for HPV-16 DNA were obtained at enrollment, one month after the third vaccination, and every six months thereafter. Women were referred for colposcopy according to a protocol. Biopsy tissue was evaluated for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and analyzed for HPV-16 DNA with use of the polymerase chain reaction. The primary end point was persistent HPV-16 infection, defined as the detection of HPV-16 DNA in samples obtained at two or more visits. The primary analysis was limited to women who were negative for HPV-16 DNA and HPV-16 antibodies at enrollment and HPV-16 DNA at month 7. RESULTS The women were followed for a median of 17.4 months after completing the vaccination regimen. The incidence of persistent HPV-16 infection was 3.8 per 100 woman-years at risk in the placebo group and 0 per 100 woman-years at risk in the vaccine group (100 percent efficacy; 95 percent confidence interval, 90 to 100; P<0.001). All nine cases of HPV-16-related cervical intraepithelial neoplasia occurred among the placebo recipients. CONCLUSIONS Administration of this HPV-16 vaccine reduced the incidence of both HPV-16 infection and HPV-16-related cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Immunizing HPV-16-negative women may eventually reduce the incidence of cervical cancer.
Interactive Effects of Ammonia and Light Intensity on Ocular, Fear and Leg Health in Broiler Chickens

High atmospheric ammonia is detrimental to poultry health under confined environments, especially in its inducement of eye lesions in juvenile chicks during the first week of grow-out. Furthermore, welfare consultants have expressed concerns that low light-intensity may cause damage to the eye lens or lead to blindness. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the interactive effects of ammonia and light-intensity on ocular, fear and leg health in broiler chickens. The interactive effects of inhalation of ambient air with elevated ammonia concentrations and differing light-intensities on eye lesions and welfare (fear and leg-health) in male and female broiler chickens under environmentally controlled conditions were evaluated. Results indicated that ammonia concentrations at 25 and 50 ppm induced eye lesions after day 7 of initial exposure. Light-intensity alone yielded no significant eye lesions. However, light-intensity of 0.2 and 20 lx for 14 days further exacerbated eye lesions. Nevertheless, the effect of ammonia was more pronounced than that of light-intensity. These conditions worsened as duration of ammonia concentration exposure and light-intensity increased during the 7 days of exposure. Eye lesions induced by the interaction of ammonia and light intensity decreased significantly beginning one week after cessation of ammonia exposure, such that the apparent effects were no longer evident. The findings in this investigation suggest that ammonia induced uveitis in chickens clears rapidly upon cessation of ammonia exposure and that fear along with leg health were not significantly affected by ammonia, light-intensity or their interaction. This suggests that elevated ammonia levels in air and low light intensity did not induce stress in broiler chickens.
Estimating abundance of unmarked animal populations: accounting for imperfect detection and other sources of zero inflation

Inference and estimates of abundance are critical for quantifying population dynamics and impacts of environmental change. Yet imperfect detection and other phenomena that cause zero inflation can induce estimation error and obscure ecological patterns. Recent statistical advances provide an increasingly diverse array of analytical approaches for estimating population size to address these phenomena. We examine how detection error and zero inflation in count data inform the choice of analytical method for estimating population size of unmarked individuals that are not uniquely identified. We review two established (GLMs and distance sampling) and nine emerging methods that use N‐mixture models (Royle–Nichols model, and basic, zero inflated, temporary emigration, beta‐binomial, generalized open‐population, spatially explicit, single visit and multispecies) to estimate abundance of unmarked populations, focusing on their requirements and how each method accounts for imperfect detection and zero inflation. Eight of the emerging methods can account for both imperfect detection and additional variation in population size in the forms of non‐occupancy, temporary emigration, correlated detection and population dynamics. Methods differ in sampling design requirements (e.g. count vs. detection/non‐detection data, single vs. multiple visits, covariate data), and their suitability for a particular study will depend on the characteristics of the study species, scale and objectives of the study, and financial and logistical considerations. Most emerging methods were developed over the past decade, so their efficacy is still under study, and additional statistical advances are likely to occur.
Cytokeratin expression in human respiratory epithelium of nasal polyps and turbinates

The cytokertatins in respiratory epithelial cells (REC) of human nasal polyps and turbinates were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Cytokeratin 19 (CK19) was present in all REC, CK5 and 14 were expressed primarily in basal cells, and CK7, 8, and 18 were found in suprabasal cells. Differences in cytoplasmic locations were also apparent among the individual cytokeratins. CK13 was not detected in any REC of these tissues. The results indicate the profile of cytokeratins in REC of human nasal polyps and turbinates is essentially identical to that of REC in the more distal respiratory tract.