Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
West Nile Virus Transmission and Ecology in Birds

Abstract: The ecology of the strain of West Nile virus (WNV) introduced into the United States in 1999 has similarities to the native flavivirus, St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) virus, but has unique features not observed with SLE virus or with WNV in the old world. The primary route of transmission for most of the arboviruses in North America is by mosquito, and infected native birds usually do not suffer morbidity or mortality. An exception to this pattern is eastern equine encephalitis virus, which has an alternate direct route of transmission among nonnative birds, and some mortality of native bird species occurs. The strain of WNV circulating in the northeastern United States is unique in that it causes significant mortality in exotic and native bird species, especially in the American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos). Because of the lack of information on the susceptibility and pathogenesis of WNV for this species, experimental studies were conducted at the USGS National Wildlife Health Center. In two separate studies, crows were inoculated with a 1999 New York strain of WNV, and all experimentally infected crows died. In one of the studies, control crows in regular contact with experimentally inoculated crows in the same room but not inoculated with WNV succumbed to infection. The direct transmission between crows was most likely by the oral route. Inoculated crows were viremic before death, and high titers of virus were isolated from a variety of tissues. The significance of the experimental direct transmission among captive crows is unknown.
Evaluation of anticancer activity of the alkaloid fraction of Alstonia scholaris (Sapthaparna) in vitro and in vivo

The anticancer effect of various doses of an alkaloid fraction of Sapthaparna, Alstonia scholaris (ASERS), was studied in vitro in cultured human neoplastic cell lines (HeLa, HepG2, HL60, KB and MCF‐7) and in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma bearing mice. Treatment of HeLa cells with 25 µg/mL ASERS resulted in a time dependent increase in the antineoplastic activity and the greatest activity was observed when the cells were exposed to ASERS for 24 h. However, exposure of cells to ASERS for 4 h resulted in 25% viable cells and hence this time interval was considered to be the optimum time for treatment and further studies were carried out using this time. Treatment of various cells with ASERS resulted in a concentration dependent decline in the viable cells and a nadir was reached at 200 µg/mL in all the cell lines studied. The IC50 was found to be 5.53, 25, 11.16, 10 and 29.76 µg/mL for HeLa, HePG2, HL60, KB and MCF‐7 cells, respectively. Similarly, administration of ASERS, once daily for 9 consecutive days to the tumor bearing mice caused a dose dependent remission of the tumor up to 240 mg/kg body weight, where the greatest antitumor effect was observed. Since 240 mg/kg ASERS showed toxic manifestations, the next lower dose of 210 mg/kg was considered as the best effective dose, in which 20% of the animals survived up to 120 days post‐tumor‐cell inoculation as against no survivors in the saline treated control group. The ASERS treatment resulted in a dose dependent elevation in the median survival time (MST) and the average survival time (AST) up to 240 mg/kg ASERS and declined thereafter. The surviving animals were healthy and disease free. The effect of ASERS was better than cyclophosphamide, which was used as a positive control, where all the animals succumbed to death by 40 days and the MST and AST were 19.5 and 18.3 days, respectively. The effective dose of 210 mg of ASERS was 3/10 of the LD50 dose, which increased the MST and AST up to 54 and 49.5 days, respectively. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evidence for a Trade-Off between Host-Range Breadth and Host-Use Efficiency in Aphid Parasitoids

“The jack-of-all-trades is a master of none” describes the widely held belief that engaging in many tasks comes at the cost of being unable to do those tasks well. However, empirical evidence for generalist fitness costs remains scarce. We used published data from a long-term field survey of aphid parasitoids to determine whether relative specialists are more abundant than generalists on their shared hosts, a pattern that would be expected if generalists suffer a trade-off between host-range breadth and host-use efficiency. Relative specialists were more abundant than generalists on their shared hosts, but only when we used a measure of specialization that accounts for the taxonomic differences among parasitoids’ hosts. These results suggest that a generalist-specialist trade-off exists within this group of parasitoids and that the generalist fitness cost depends on the taxonomic breadth, rather than the number, of host species that are used.
De l'analogie rendant compte de la commutation en linguistique

Les analogies auxquelles nous nous interessons mettent quatre chaines de symboles en proportion, par exemple, fable : fabuleux :: miracle : miraculeux ou abc : aabbcc :: a^n.b^n.c^n : a^n+1.b^n+1.c^n+1. Une etude historique de l'analogie en linguistique nous a permis de degager les deux articulations (conformite et rapport) et les notions constitutives (similarite et contiguite) de ce type d'analogie. De postulats generaux nous avons tire une caracterisation formelle (encore partielle) rendant compte de la commutation entre chaines de symboles. Une application directe est la conjugaison automatique par analogie. Nous avons propose de definir certains langages formels a l'aide de ce type d'analogie. La grammaticalite, c'est-a-dire l'appartenance a un langage, est testee par egalite avec certaines chaines attestees apres reduction selon des modeles analogiques, eux aussi attestes. L'absence de non-terminaux fait de ce type de grammaires des grammaires par l'exemple. Nous examinons la possible place de tels langages dans le debat sur l'adequation des langages formels a la description des langues. En forcant la conservation des analogies entre deux langages de chaines analogiques, on obtient une methode generale applicable a divers problemes du traitement automatique des langues, par exemple, l'analyse structurale ou la traduction automatique de phrases.
An Updated Model to Enhance Knowledge Sharing among Stakeholders in Jordanian Hospitals Using Social Networks

Survival of any organization heavily depends on knowledge sharing, however, the variables that enhance or dissuade knowledge sharing behaviors in the Jordanian hospitals has not been poorly recognized. Therefore, this paper is aimed at determining the obstacles that prevent stakeholders in Jordanian hospitals from sharing their knowledge; and furthermore we have developed a conceptual model, based on Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), to improve our understanding in terms of the factors, which affect knowledge sharing behaviors of knowledge workers in the Jordanian hospitals. To achieve the objective of examining the barriers that hinder the stakeholders from knowledge sharing in Jordanian hospitals, we have conducted an interview survey with the stakeholders in the Jordanian hospitals, to get their viewpoints. Therefore, we interviewed 15 of the workers in the various sectors in Jordanian hospitals and we have analyzed the results, which showed that, 18 out of 36 universal barriers are affecting the knowledge sharing behavior. By comparing these results with previous studies, we developed a conceptual model, to improve and encourage stakeholders to share knowledge, among them.
Goldstone mode and soft mode at the smectic-A-smectic-C phase transition studied by dielectric relaxation.

The complex dielectric constant has been measured in a room-temperature ferroelectric liquid-crystal mixture. We have resolved the experimental data into the Goldstone mode and the soft mode and for each mode determined the dielectric strength and the corresponding relaxation frequency. The results are compared with the dielectric strength calculated using the extended Landau type of free-energy density proposed by Z\ifmmode \check{}\else \v{}\fi{}eks\ifmmode \check{}\else \v{}\fi{} [Mol. Cryst. Liq. Cryst. 114, 259 (1984)], and it is shown that this calculation is able to describe the experimental data well. We have shown that by reasonable assumptions we can derive a simple relation between the Goldstone-mode contribution to the dielectric susceptibility (${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{2}$) and the polarization (${P}_{0}$), tilt (${\mathrm{theta}}_{0}$), and pitch (p) of the system: ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\chi}}}_{2}$=(${\mathrm{P}}_{0}$p${\mathit{theta}}_{0}$${)}^{2}$/${8\mathrm{K}}_{3}$${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\pi}}}^{2}$), where ${K}_{3}$ is a bend nematic curvature elastic constant. We also predict, on theoretical grounds, a small peak of the dielectric strength to exist at ${T}_{c}$.
Overexpression of calbindin D28k in dentate gyrus granule cells alters mossy fiber presynaptic function and impairs hippocampal‐dependent memory

Calcium is a key signaling ion for induction of synaptic plasticity processes that are believed to influence cognition. Mechanisms regulating activity‐induced increases in neuronal calcium and related synaptic modifications are not fully understood. Moreover, involvement of specific synapses in discrete aspects of spatial learning remains to be elucidated. We used herpes simplex amplicons to overexpress calbindin D28k (CaBP) selectively in dentate gyrus (DG) granule cells. We then examined the effects on hippocampal network activity by recording evoked synaptic responses in vivo and in vitro and analyzing hippocampal‐dependent behavior. Relative to Lac‐Z‐ and sham‐infected controls, CaBP overexpression increased mossy fiber (MF‐CA3) excitatory postsynaptic potentials and reduced paired‐pulse facilitation (PPF), suggesting an increase in presynaptic strength. Additionally, CaBP overexpression reduced long‐term potentiation (LTP), caused a frequency‐dependent inhibition of post‐tetanic potentiation (PTP), and impaired spatial navigation. Thus, increasing CaBP levels selectively in the DG disrupts MF‐CA3 presynaptic function and impairs spatial cognition. The results demonstrate the power of gene delivery in the study of the neural substrates of learning and memory and suggest that mossy fiber synaptic plasticity is critical for long‐term spatial memory. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Clinical and Population Studies Cellular Aging Reflected by Leukocyte Telomere Length Predicts Advanced Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Objective—To determine the association between leukocyte telomere length (TL) and atherosclerosis and its clinical sequelae stroke and myocardial infarction. Methods and Results—Within the scope of the prospective population-based Bruneck Study, leukocyte TL was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in 800 women and men aged 45 to 84 years (in 1995). The manifestation of cardiovascular disease (CVD) (1995–2005) and the progression of atherosclerosis (1995–2000) were carefully assessed. The TL was shorter in men than in women (age-adjusted mean [95% CI], 1.41 [1.33 to 1.49] versus 1.55 [1.47 to 1.62]; P 0.02) and inversely correlated to age (r 0.22, P 0.001) and family history of CVD (P 0.03). Participants with CVD events during follow-up (n 88) had significantly shorter telomeres (ageand sex-adjusted mean [95% CI], 1.25 [1.08 to 1.42] versus 1.51 [1.45 to 1.57]; P 0.001). In multivariable Cox models, baseline TL emerged as a significant and independent risk predictor for the composite CVD end point and its individual components (myocardial infarction and stroke); however, this was not the case for de novo stable angina and intermittent claudication. Subjects in the top and bottom TL tertile group differed in their CVD risk by a factor of 2.72 (95% CI, 1.41 to 5.28), which is the risk ratio attributable to a 13.9-year difference in chronological age. Remarkably, in our atherosclerosis progression model, TL was strongly associated with advanced, but not early, atherogenesis. All findings were consistent in women and men. Conclusion—Our findings indicate a differential role of telomere shortening in the various stages of atherosclerosis, with preferential involvement in advanced vessel pathology and acute vascular syndromes. (Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2010;30:1649-1656.)
Validity of Indian Diabetes Risk Score and its association with body mass index and glycosylated hemoglobin for screening of diabetes in and around areas of Lucknow

Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the validity of Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS) and its association with body mass index (BMI) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) for screening of diabetes and obesity. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was designed, and samples were randomly enrolled from Lucknow and its adjoining areas. Totally, 405 subjects were included in the study. We used diabetes risk factors (age, waist circumference, physical activity, and family history of diabetes) for screening of diabetes and abdominal obesity (AO) and BMI for screening of general obesity. HbA1c was used for confirming the diabetes patients in this population. Statistical analysis was applied to all data using SPSS software (version 20.0). P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: All 405 subjects were assessed for diabetic risk factors, BMI, and glycated hemoglobin. Of these, 56.3% subjects were aged ≥50 years. 1° and 2° AO was found in 47.9% and 40% subjects, respectively. About 27.1% subjects were found to have sedentary lifestyle, and 72.6% were found to have no family history of diabetes. According to IDRS, 272 subjects (67.2%) were found at high risk of diabetes (score ≥60). Based on BMI calculation, 198 subjects were obese, of which 79.3% were found at high risk for diabetes. A significant association was found between subjects with higher risk score and BMI (P < 0.001). Assessment of HbA1c showed that 97 (23.9%) were prediabetic and 204 (50.4%) were diabetic, of which 63.9% and 77%, respectively was at high risk for diabetes as per IDRS. A significant association was found between subjects with higher risk score and HbA1c (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Our study fully supports the validity of IDRS, as it can be used as a cost-effective tool for primary mass screening of diabetes. Moreover, its combination with BMI value and HbA1c can be used for strict monitoring for diabetes and obesity at primary health care centers to reduce the early development of diabetes complications and severe obesity comorbidities.
THE PROLIFERATION KINETICS OF NHIK 1922 CELLS IN VITRO AND IN SOLID TUMOURS IN ATHYMIC MICE

The proliferation kinetics of cells of the line NHIK 1922 grown in vitro and as solid tumours in the athymic mutant nude mouse has been studied. In vitro, growth curves were determined for exponentially growing populations and for populations synchronized by mitotic selection. The phase durations for these populations were determined by flow cytofluorometric measurements of DNA‐histograms and pulsed incorporation of [3H]TdR respectively. The generation time and the phase durations for synchronized populations were found to be about equal to those for exponentially growing populations. The duration of the phases G1, S and G2+ M was found to be 8·5–9·5, 11·0–12·0 and 6·0–6·5 hr respectively, i.e. the generation time was 26·5–27·0 hr. The proliferation kinetics in vivo were studied by flow cytofluorometry and by the technique of percentage labelled mitoses. The median duration of S‐phase and (G2+ M)‐phase in vivo was found to be approximately the same as that observed in vitro, while the median duration of G1‐phase was found to be approximately 5 hr longer in vivo than under the present in vitro growth conditions. The growth fraction in vivo was estimated to be approximately 50%. The non‐proliferative compartment of the tumour cells was found to consist mainly of cells with the DNA‐content of cells in G1‐phase. It is concluded that the reduced rate of proliferation of NHIK 1922 cells in vivo is correlated with alterations in the duration of G1‐phase and, hence, the proportion of cells in G1‐phase.
Agile Methods in large-scale software development organizations : applicability and model for adoption

Agile methods have proven to be beneficial in small organizations, and there has also been growing interest in using these methods in large organizations. This dissertation analyzes what agility and agile development are and creates a framework for using those methods in large organizations. The work starts with a Concept Analysis of Agile Software Development and agile-in-large. The theoretical part also reflects the necessary background of Complex Adaptive Systems, Lean Thinking, and Learning Organizations. Then a model of an Agile Enterprise is defined and a Framework for Organizational Development and putting Agile Methods into use in large software development organizations is presented. Large development organizations consist of many levels. It is not enough to use Agile Methods on a certain level only, e.g., on the lowest level, but all levels need to change and adapt to the new way of working. Failure to do so leads to several unwanted consequences, which are described. One possible large-scale Agile Framework is described and analyzed. The usage of Agile Methods on a large scale is validated by quantitative studies. The level of success of using an Agile Framework on a large scale is dictated by how much the same framework for operation is shared within the organization, as partial transformation leads to confusion. But smaller successes can lead into organizational learning. The framework that is proposed can be used to further enhance agility. In this way large-scale agility can be seen as a never-ending series of systematic improvements of the enterprises’ Agile Aspects.
AIDS-related malignant lymphoma: results of prospective treatment trials.

Twenty-two consecutive patients with high-grade, B-cell lymphomas related to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) were accrued onto two sequential phase II studies, consisting of a standard regimen (M-BACOD, group no. 1, N = 13), or a novel, intensive regimen (group no. 2, N = 9), which included high-dose cytosine arabinoside (HD-Ara-C), and high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX), in an attempt to prevent CNS relapse and improve response rates. Stage IV disease was present in 82%. Complete remission (CR) was achieved in seven of 13 patients (54%) in group no. 1, and in three of nine (33%) group no. 2 (P = NS). By multivariate analysis, the most significant factor in predicting response was a Karnofsky performance score (KPS) greater than 60 (P = .04). Three of the ten patients who achieved CR on either regimen have relapsed; in all, five of 13 patients (31%) in group no. 1 have achieved disease-free survival for more than 1 year, compared with one of nine (11%) in group no. 2. CNS progression occurred in six patients in group no. 2, and in two patients in group no. 1. Hematologic toxicity was significantly greater in group no. 2, and these patients had an increased risk of opportunistic infection (one in group no. 1 v seven in group no. 2; P less than .01). Survival was similar, with a median of 11 months in group no. 1 and 6 months in group no. 2. We conclude that the intensive regimen of combination chemotherapy described here is associated with significant risk of early death due to opportunistic infection in patients with AIDS-related lymphoma, and that progression in the CNS remains a major problem. Trials of combination chemotherapy of a less intensive nature, perhaps in combination with immunomodulators or antiretroviral agents should be explored.
An Analysis of Long Memory in the SSE's Component Index

Stock returns can reflect the behavior of investors in the securities and financial markets. We test for the presence of long memory in the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SSE) using the R/s and KPSS tests. In addition, the parameter of long memory is estimated by the LP regression method. This analysis provides significant evidence to show that returns recorded by the SSE’s Component Index exhibit long memory processes. This evidence suggests that the SSE stock market is not efficient, contradicting the martingale model.
Bank Lending Rates and Financial Structure in Italy: A Case Study

The paper notes that the high degree of stickiness of bank lending rates observed in Italy in the past is related to constraints on competition within the banking and financial markets. Using individual data for 63 local Italian banks in a variety of financial environments, it discusses the effect on the lending rate determination process of the recent sweeping financial liberalization in Italy. The paper also discusses the role of the discount rate in speeding up the adjustment process of bank interest rates, and the pros and cons of its possible indexation.
Electronic Pneumatic Clutch Control of the Heavy Truck based on Neural Network PID

Pneumatic clutch system of heavy truck is nonlinear and its state parameters are variable. The common PID controller is difficult to obtain good performance. Neural network is adopted to tune the PID parameter online. The output of neural network is used to adjust the PID controller parameter and the controller adjusts the pulse width to control the displacement of the clutch. The experimental result demonstrates the algorithm can obtain good control performance.
A 20-mW 640-MHz CMOS Continuous-Time  $\Sigma\Delta$ ADC With 20-MHz Signal Bandwidth, 80-dB Dynamic Range and 12-bit ENOB

A wide bandwidth continuous-time sigma-delta ADC, operating between 20 and 40 MS/s output data rate, is implemented in 130-nm CMOS. The circuit is targeted for applications that demand high bandwidth, high resolution, and low power, such as wireless and wireline communications, medical imaging, video, and instrumentation. The third-order continuous-time SigmaDelta modulator comprises a third-order RC operational-amplifier-based loop filter and 4-bit internal quantizer operating at 640 MHz. A 400-fs rms jitter LC PLL with 450-kHz bandwidth is integrated, generating the low-jitter clock for the jitter-sensitive continuous-time SigmaDelta ADC from a single-ended input clock between 13.5 and 40 MHz. To reduce clock jitter sensitivity, nonreturn-to-zero (NRZ) DAC pulse shaping is used. The excess loop delay is set to half the sampling period of the quantizer and the degradation of modulator stability due to excess loop delay is avoided with a new architecture. The SigmaDelta ADC achieves 76-dB SNR, -78-dB THD, and a 74-dB SNDR or 12 ENOB over a 20-MHz signal band at an OSR of 16. The power consumption of the CT SigmaDelta modulator itself is 20 mW and in total the ADC dissipates 58 mW from the 1.2-V supply
How Tyrosine 15 Phosphorylation Inhibits the Activity of Cyclin-dependent Kinase 2-Cyclin A*

Inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) activity by Tyr-15 phosphorylation directly regulates entry into mitosis and is an important element in the control of the unperturbed cell cycle. Active site phosphorylation of other members of the CDK family that regulate cell cycle progression instates checkpoints that are fundamental to eukaryotic cell cycle regulation. Kinetic and crystallographic analyses of CDK2-cyclin A complexes reveal that this inhibitory mechanism operates through steric blockade of peptide substrate binding and through the creation of an environment that favors a non-productive conformation of the terminal group of ATP. By contrast, tyrosine phosphorylation of CDK2 alters neither its Km for ATP nor its significant intrinsic ATPase activity. Tyr-15-phosphorylated CDK2 retains trace protein phosphorylation activity that should be considered in quantitative and qualitative cell cycle models.