Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Helping behaviour in facultatively eusocial hover wasps: an experimental test of the subfertility hypothesis

A candidate explanation for the evolution of eusociality is that helpers are physiologically constrained such that helping is their only realistic option. We tested this subfertility hypothesis in a species of facultatively eusocial hover wasp (Hymenoptera, Stenogastrinae: Liostenogaster flavolineata) by seeing whether helpers that were forced to nest on their own were able to mature their own eggs. One focal helper was left alone on each of 22 nests, from which all other adult wasps (including the dominant) were permanently removed. After 18 days, all but one of the 19 focal helpers that remained on their nests had ovarian development and insemination status characteristic of dominants, and the majority had probably laid eggs. This was in striking contrast to the reproductive status of other helpers removed from the same nests at the start of the experiment. These results provide convincing experimental evidence that females do not become helpers because of some unconditional physiological constraint. There is currently no unequivocal support for the subfertility hypothesis in facultatively eusocial Hymenoptera lacking morphological castes. Copyright 1999 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.
A systematic review of mathematical models of mosquito-borne pathogen transmission: 1970–2010

Mathematical models of mosquito-borne pathogen transmission originated in the early twentieth century to provide insights into how to most effectively combat malaria. The foundations of the Ross–Macdonald theory were established by 1970. Since then, there has been a growing interest in reducing the public health burden of mosquito-borne pathogens and an expanding use of models to guide their control. To assess how theory has changed to confront evolving public health challenges, we compiled a bibliography of 325 publications from 1970 through 2010 that included at least one mathematical model of mosquito-borne pathogen transmission and then used a 79-part questionnaire to classify each of 388 associated models according to its biological assumptions. As a composite measure to interpret the multidimensional results of our survey, we assigned a numerical value to each model that measured its similarity to 15 core assumptions of the Ross–Macdonald model. Although the analysis illustrated a growing acknowledgement of geographical, ecological and epidemiological complexities in modelling transmission, most models during the past 40 years closely resemble the Ross–Macdonald model. Modern theory would benefit from an expansion around the concepts of heterogeneous mosquito biting, poorly mixed mosquito-host encounters, spatial heterogeneity and temporal variation in the transmission process.
SEQUENTIAL CONFLICTING SELECTION DUE TO MULTISPECIFIC INTERACTIONS TRIGGERS EVOLUTIONARY TRADE-OFFS IN A MONOCARPIC HERB

Abstract Trade-offs are crucial in understanding phenotypic evolution of organisms. A main source of trade-offs is conflicting selection, a phenomenon very likely in complex multispecific scenarios in which many potential selective agents coexist. The main goal of this study is to investigate the selective trade-offs arising due to conflicting selection on female-fitness components in Erysimum mediohispanicum. I quantified the selection exerted on 10 plant traits by a mutualistic (pollinators) and antagonistic (gall-makers, predispersal and postdispersal seed predators, mammalian herbivores) multispecific assemblage acting sequentially throughout eight selective episodes of the plant, from floral bud to juvenile production. Variation in lifetime female fitness (quantified as number of juveniles) was related mostly to variation in number of flowers, fruit initiation, and seedling establishment. The direction of selection changed among different selective episode for many traits. Most importantly, conflicting selection was frequent in the study system, with half of the phenotypic traits experiencing opposing selection in different selective episodes. Selection at individual life-cycle stages diverged remarkably from selection based on total fitness. Consequently, the evolution of many traits is determined by the relative importance of each episode of selection, with conflicting selection inevitably yielding evolutionary compromises.
Effects of sex and early maternal abuse on adrenocorticotropin hormone and cortisol responses to the corticotropin-releasing hormone challenge during the first 3 years of life in group-living rhesus monkeys

Abstract In this study we investigated the development of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis in 21 group-living rhesus monkeys infants that were physically abused by their mothers in the first few months of life and in 21 nonabused controls. Cortisol and adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) responses to a corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) challenge were assessed at 6-month intervals during the subjects' first 3 years of life. Abused infants exhibited greater cortisol responses to CRH than controls across the 3 years. Abused infants also exhibited blunted ACTH secretion in response to CRH, especially at 6 months of age. Although there were no significant sex differences in abuse experienced early in life, females showed a greater cortisol response to CRH than males at all ages. There were no significant sex differences in the ACTH response to CRH, or significant interactions between sex and abuse in the ACTH or cortisol response. Our findings suggest that early parental maltreatment results in greater adrenocortical, and possibly also pituitary, responsiveness to challenges later in life. These long-term alterations in neuroendocrine function may be one the mechanisms through which infant abuse results in later psychopathologies. Our study also suggests that there are developmental sex differences in adrenal function that occur irrespective of early stressful experience. The results of this study can enhance our understanding of the long-term effects of child maltreatment as well as our knowledge of the development of the HPA axis in human and nonhuman primates.
Vaccinia virus gene A18R encodes an essential DNA helicase

The vaccinia virus A18R protein is a DNA-dependent ATPase that contains the canonical sequence motifs associated with the DEXH group of DNA and RNA helicases. Investigation of A18R protein function during infection indicated it functions in the early and late phases of vaccinia virus transcription. The A18R protein shares sequence similarity with the mammalian DNA helicase ERCC3. The ERCC3 protein has a dual function: it is a component of the transcription factor TFIIH and is an essential participant in the cellular nucleotide excision repair pathway. Here we present evidence that the A18R protein is a DNA helicase that unwinds duplex DNA in a 3'-to-5' direction. The A18R helicase was inactive on RNA-DNA and RNA-RNA hybrids. The A18R unwinding activity was most efficient on DNA substrates with lengths of 20 nucleotides or less, and its unwinding activity was not stimulated by the addition of Escherichia coli single-strand-binding protein (SSB), the bacteriophage T4 gene 32 SSB, or the vaccinia virus I3L protein, a putative SSB. We have used an electrophoretic gel mobility shift assay to show that the A18R protein forms a stable complex with single-stranded DNA, and to a lesser extent RNA, in a reaction that does not require ATP.
Deposition of SiO2/polymer nanoporous thin films on long-period grating (LPG) optical fibres and dramatic enhancement of the resonance bands

A nano-assembled porous thin film, deposited using the layer-by-layer method and infused with a functional compound, is used for the development of a highly sensitive fibre-optic ammonia sensor. Sensor fabrication involves a 2-stage process: firstly the deposition of the basic porous thin film (poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)/SiO2) over a long period grating written in optical fibre, followed by infusion of a porphyrin compound (tetrakis-(4-sulfophenyl)porphine, TSPP), into the porous film. The device shows high sensitivity to ammonia (ca. 1 ppm) when immersed into an aqueous solution.
Increases in Heroin Overdose Deaths — 28 States, 2010 to 2012

Nationally, death rates from prescription opioid pain reliever (OPR) overdoses quadrupled during 1999-2010, whereas rates from heroin overdoses increased by <50%. Individual states and cities have reported substantial increases in deaths from heroin overdose since 2010. CDC analyzed recent mortality data from 28 states to determine the scope of the heroin overdose death increase and to determine whether increases were associated with changes in OPR overdose death rates since 2010. This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which found that, from 2010 to 2012, the death rate from heroin overdose for the 28 states increased from 1.0 to 2.1 per 100,000, whereas the death rate from OPR overdose declined from 6.0 per 100,000 in 2010 to 5.6 per 100,000 in 2012. Heroin overdose death rates increased significantly for both sexes, all age groups, all census regions, and all racial/ethnic groups other than American Indians/Alaska Natives. OPR overdose mortality declined significantly among males, persons aged <45 years, persons in the South, and non-Hispanic whites. Five states had increases in the OPR death rate, seven states had decreases, and 16 states had no change. Of the 18 states with statistically reliable heroin overdose death rates (i.e., rates based on at least 20 deaths), 15 states reported increases. Decreases in OPR death rates were not associated with increases in heroin death rates. The findings indicate a need for intensified prevention efforts aimed at reducing overdose deaths from all types of opioids while recognizing the demographic differences between the heroin and OPR-using populations. Efforts to prevent expansion of the number of OPR users who might use heroin when it is available should continue.
FAMILIAL MALIGNANT MELANOMA. A PEDIGREE AND CYTOGENETIC STUDY.

Three cases of malignant melanoma occurring in a mother and two adult sons in a family of eleven are reported. The pedigree of this family was studied in regard to individual eye color, hair color, and complexion. The findings support the generally accepted belief that malignant melanoma is more common in blue-eyed blonds with a light complexion. A cytogenetic study of leukocyte and skin tissue cultures is described. The results revealed a normal diploid number of chromosomes 46 and a normal karyotype in the mother and one son. The implications of the findings in reference to the cases of familial malignant melanoma and the potentialities of tremendous advances in molecular biochemistry and genetics are discussed.
Neuronal Networks in Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease that can be clinically characterized by impaired memory and many other cognitive functions. Previous studies have demonstrated that the impairment is accompanied by not only regional brain abnormalities but also changes in neuronal connectivity between anatomically distinct brain regions. Specifically, using neurophysiological and neuroimaging techniques as well as advanced graph theory—based computational approaches, several recent studies have suggested that AD patients have disruptive neuronal integrity in large-scale structural and functional brain systems underlying high-level cognition, as demonstrated by a loss of small-world network characteristics. Small world is an attractive model for the description of complex brain networks because it can support both segregated and integrated information processing. The altered small-world organization thus reflects aberrant neuronal connectivity in the AD brain that is most likely to explain cognitive deficits caused by this disease. In this review, we will summarize recent advances in the brain network research on AD, focusing mainly on the large-scale structural and functional descriptions. The literature reviewed here suggests that AD patients are associated with integrative abnormalities in the distributed neuronal networks, which could provide new insights into the disease mechanism in AD and help us to uncover an imaging-based biomarker for the diagnosis and monitoring of the disease.
HIV-Tat-mediated delivery of an LPTS functional fragment inhibits telomerase activity and tumorigenicity of hepatoma cells.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Human liver-related putative tumor suppressor (LPTS) is a gene that encodes a telomerase inhibitory protein that is similar to human Pin2/TRF1-interacting protein. The LPTS protein binds directly to the telomerase catalytic subunit (human telomerase reverse transcriptase) and suppresses telomerase activity. Telomere maintenance and telomerase activity are required for long-term proliferation of cancer cells, so LPTS might be used in anticancer strategies. METHODS The carboxy-terminal (functional) fragment of LPTS was fused to the transactivator of transcription of human immunodeficiency virus (Tat)-an 11-amino acid peptide that translocates across the cell membrane; the TAT-fused C-terminal of LPTS (TAT-LPTS-LC) was purified and transduced into cells. Telomerase activity was identified by using the telomeric repeat amplification protocol. The effects of the TAT-LPTS-LC protein on cell proliferation and death were evaluated by colorimetric tetrazolium salt and flow cytometry analyses. Tumor growth was analyzed in nude mice. RESULTS The purified TAT-LPTS-LC protein was efficiently delivered into the cells, where it suppressed telomerase activity and shortened telomere length. TAT-LPTS-LC inhibited proliferation of telomerase-positive hepatocellular carcinoma BEL-7404 and hepatoblastoma HepG2cells and induced their death; however, it had no effect on telomerase-negative liver cell line L02 and osteosarcoma cell line Saos-2. In mice, tumor formations by BEL-7404 cells were suppressed by TAT-LPTS-LC treatments. CONCLUSIONS Transduction of hepatoma cells with a fusion protein that contains the C-terminal, functional fragment of LPTS and human immunodeficiency virus Tat (TAT-LPTS-LC) causes telomere shortening, limits proliferation, and inhibits growth of tumors from these cells in mice. TAT-LPTS-LC inhibits telomerase activity and might be developed as an anticancer agent.
Relationships of TQM philosophy, methods and performance: a survey in Taiwan

Total quality management (TQM) has been a widely applied process for improving competitiveness around the world. The implementation of TQM usually consists of both TQM philosophy from Deming’s “14 points”, Juran’s “ten steps”, and Crosby’s “14 steps” and techniques such as SPC, QCC, benchmark, QFD, etc. The integration of philosophy and methods are usually used in implementing practices of TQM. Some researches indicated only TQM philosophy enhances quality performances; the others indicated both philosophy and methods help. This research conducts a questionnaire survey in Taiwan to test the following propositions: TQM philosophy enhances quality performance; TQM methods enhance quality performance; and the integration of TQM philosophy and TQM tools enhances quality performance. The results showed TQM philosophy, and TQM tools have a positive relationship with business performance. The integration of TQM philosophy and tools positively influenced both cost reduction and business performance.
Does Developmental Education Improve Labor Market Outcomes? Evidence From Two States

Many community college students start college in developmental education and leave before enrolling in college-level coursework or making much progress toward a degree; thus, developmental education courses represent the primary education these students receive. Using student-unit record data from two large community college systems linked to wage record data, this is the first study to estimate the labor market returns to developmental education. For two cohorts of students who attended community college in North Carolina and Virginia, we find that earning developmental English credits led to an increase in earnings due to an increased likelihood of employment. In contrast, in both states, developmental math credits had negative impacts on earnings, particularly for those assigned to the lowest level of the developmental math sequence.
In Vivo Measurement of Brain Tumor Elasticity Using Intraoperative Shear Wave Elastography

Abstract Purpose: Objective Shear wave elastography (SWE) enabled living tissue assessment of stiffness. This is routinely used for breast, thyroid and liver diseases, but there is currently no data for the brain. We aim to characterize elasticity of normal brain parenchyma and brain tumors using SWE. Materials and Methods: Patients with scheduled brain tumor removal were included in this study. In addition to standard ultrasonography, intraoperative SWE using an ultrafast ultrasonic device was used to measure the elasticity of each tumor and its surrounding normal brain. Data were collected by an investigator blinded to the diagnosis. Descriptive statistics, box plot analysis as well as intraoperator and interoperator reproducibility analysis were also performed. Results: 63 patients were included and classified into four main types of tumor: meningiomas, low-grade gliomas, high-grade gliomas and metastasis. Young’s Modulus measured by SWE has given new insight to differentiate brain tumors: 33.1 ± 5.9 kPa, 23.7 ± 4.9 kPa, 11.4 ± 3.6 kPa and 16.7 ± 2.5 kPa, respectively, for the four subgroups. Normal brain tissue has been characterized by a reproducible mean stiffness of 7.3 ± 2.1 kPa. Moreover, low-grade glioma stiffness is different from high-grade glioma stiffness (p = 0.01) and normal brain stiffness is very different from low-grade gliomas stiffness (p < 0.01). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that there are significant differences in elasticity among the most common types of brain tumors. With intraoperative SWE, neurosurgeons may have innovative information to predict diagnosis and guide their resection.
A comparison of types of robot control for programming by Demonstration

Programming by Demonstration (PbD) is an efficient way for non-experts to teach new skills to a robot. PbD can be carried out in different ways, for instance, by kinesthetic guidance, teleoperation or by using external controls. In this paper, we compare these three ways of controlling a robot in terms of efficiency, effectiveness (success and error rate) and usability. In an industrial assembly scenario, 51 participants carried out peg-in-hole tasks using one of the three control modalities. The results show that kinesthetic guidance produces the best results. In order to test whether the problems during teleoperation are due to the fact that users cannot, like in kinesthetic guidance, switch between control points using traditional teleoperation devices, we designed a new device that allows users to switch between controls for large and small movements. A user study with 15 participants shows that the novel teleoperation device yields almost as good results as kinesthetic guidance.
Neonatal candidiasis: prophylaxis and treatment

The incidence of candidiasis has risen in neonatal intensive care units as advances in medical therapy have allowed for increased survival of extremely preterm neonates. The mortality of candidiasis has been reported to be 20% by several multi-centre studies. Definitive guidance for prophylaxis and treatment is hindered by lack of large, multi-centre, randomised controlled trials. Systemic prophylaxis is currently not recommended for any neonatal population, and amphotericin B deoxycholate continues to be used as first-line therapy for the treatment of invasive disease.
Previews and overviews in digital libraries: Designing surrogates to support visual information seeking

To aid designers of digital library interfaces, we present a framework for the design of information representations in terms of previews and overviews. Previews and overviews are graphic or textual representations of information abstracted from primary information objects. Previews act as surrogates for one or a few objects and overviews represent collections of objects. A design framework is elaborated in terms of the following three dimensions: (1) what information objects are available to users, (2) how information objects are related and displayed, and (3) how users can manipulate information objects. When utilized properly, previews and overviews allow users to rapidly discriminate objects of interest from those not of interest, and to more fully understand the scope and nature of digital libraries. This article presents a definition of previews and overviews in context, provides design guidelines, and describes four example applications.
An Outbreak of Cryptosporidium parvum across England & Scotland Associated with Consumption of Fresh Pre-Cut Salad Leaves, May 2012

Background We report a widespread foodborne outbreak of Cryptosporidium parvum in England and Scotland in May 2012. Cases were more common in female adults, and had no history of foreign travel. Over 300 excess cases were identified during the period of the outbreak. Speciation and microbiological typing revealed the outbreak strain to be C. parvum gp60 subtype IIaA15G2R1. Methods Hypothesis generation questionnaires were administered and an unmatched case control study was undertaken to test the hypotheses raised. Cases and controls were interviewed by telephone. Controls were selected using sequential digit dialling. Information was gathered on demographics, foods consumed and retailers where foods were purchased. Results Seventy-four laboratory confirmed cases and 74 controls were included in analyses. Infection was found to be strongly associated with the consumption of pre-cut mixed salad leaves sold by a single retailer. This is the largest documented outbreak of cryptosporidiosis attributed to a food vehicle.
Perceived Causes of Mental Illness and Treatment Seeking Behaviors among People with Mental Health Problems in Gebremenfes Kidus Holy Water Site

This study assesses the perceived causes of mental illnesses and treatment seeking behaviors among patients who attended the holy water sprinkling religious practice in the holy site of Gebremenfes Kidus holy water around Axum town. The data were collected from 25 participants who were sprinkled by the holy water at the time. A case study method was employed in order to collect detail and in-depth information from the target participants of the study. The researcher used available sampling method and collected the data using semi-structured interview from the patients and their caregivers. The participants were with full of insight about their health problems. Most patients in the holy water attributed the mental illness to different social evil practices and traditional beliefs as well as to the punishing hands of the God as a result of disobeying to the religious principles and social taboos. The treatment seeking preference of most patients was spiritual practices like, holy water sprinkling, praying and other traditional healing techniques such as herbal medicines with no dose limit and no scientific proof for the effectiveness of the medicine. Generally, participants had negative attitude towards the effectiveness of the modern medicine or professional help to the illness. A research conducted in Uganda revealed the same result. In some Ugandan communities, help is mostly sought from traditional healers initially, whereas western form of care is usually considered as a last resort. The factors found to influence help seeking behavior within the community include: beliefs about the causes of mental illness and the people’s lack of awareness about the scientific cause and treatment approaches to the illness [1].