Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human papillomavirus (HPV) genome status & cervical cancer outcome - A retrospective study

Background & objectives: Persistent infections with high-risk (HR) human papillomaviruses such as HPV 16, 18, 31, 33 and 45 have been identified as the major aetiological factor for cervical cancer. The clinical outcome of the disease is often determined by viral factors such as viral load, physical status and oncogene expression. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of such factors on clinical outcome in HPV16 positive, locally advanced cervical cancer cases. Methods: One hundred and thirty two pretreatment cervical tumour biopsies were selected from patients undergoing radiotherapy alone (n=63) or concomitant chemo-radiation (n=69). All the samples were positive for HPV 16. Quantitative real time-PCR was carried out to determine viral load and oncogene expression. Physical status of the virus was determined for all the samples by the ratio of E2copies/E7copies; while in 73 cases, the status was reanalyzed by more sensitive APOT (amplification of papillomavirus oncogene transcripts) assay. Univariate analysis of recurrence free survival was carried out using Kaplan-Meier method and for multivariate analysis the Cox proportional hazard model was used. Results: The median viral load was 19.4 (IQR, 1.9- 69.3), with viral integration observed in 86 per cent cases by combination of the two methodologies. Both univariate and multivariate analyses identified viral physical status as a good predictor of clinical outcome following radiation treatment, with episomal form being associated with increased recurrence free survival. Interpretation & conclusions: The present study results showed that viral physical status might act as an important prognostic factor in cervical cancer.
Preparation and thermal stability of bulk amorphous Pd40Cu30Ni10P20 alloy cylinder of 72 mm in diameter

The glass-forming ability of a Pd 4 Cu 30 Ni 10 P 20 alloy was found to increase significantly by B 2 O 3 flux treatment, as is evidenced by the decrease in the critical cooling rate from 1.57 K/s in the non-fluxed state to 0.100 K/s in the fluxed state. The flux treatment also causes the extension of the supercooled liquid region by the increase in the onset temperature of crystallization (T x ). The effect of the flux treatment is presumably due to the increase in the thermal stability of the supercooled liquid by the suppression of heterogeneous nucleation. The critical cooling rates in the non-fluxed and fluxed states for a Pd 40 Ni 40 P 20 alloy are measured to be 128 and 0.167 K/s, respectively, both of which are larger than those for the Pd-Cu-Ni-P alloy. The use of the molten Pd-Cu-Ni-P alloy subjected to the flux treatment enabled the production of bulk amorphous alloys in cylindrical forms of 50 to 72 mm in diameter and 52 to 75 mm in length. The glass transition temperature (T g ) and T x values of the bulk amorphous alloys are the same as those for the melt-spun amorphous ribbon prepared from the fluxed molten alloy. The success of synthesizing an amorphous alloy of 72 mm in diameter is encouraging both for the future development of basic science of bulk amorphous alloys and for their engineering application.
Choline is a Selective Agonist of α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in the Rat Brain Neurons

In the present study, we demonstrate that choline, a precursor of acetylcholine (ACh) and a product of acetylcholine hydrolysis by acetylcholinesterase (AChE), acts as an efficient and relatively selective agonist of α7–containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) in neurons cultured from the rat hippocampus, olfactory bulb and thalamus as well as in PC12 cells. Choline was able to activate postsynaptic and presynaptic α7 nAChRs, with the latter action resulting in the release of other neurotransmitters. Although choline was approximately one order of magnitude less potent than ACh (EC50 of 1.6 mM for choline and 0.13 mM for ACh), it acted as a full agonist at α7 nAChRs. In contrast, choline did not activate α4β2 agonist‐bearing nAChRs on hippocampal neurons, and acted as a partial agonist at α3β4‐containing nAChRs on PC12 cells. The ethyl alcohol moiety of choline is required for the selective action on α7 nAChR. Exposure of cultured hippocampal neurons for 10 min to choline (10–100 μM) resulted in desensitization of the native α7 nAChRs. Moreover, chronic exposure (10 days) of the cultured hippocampal neurons to a desensitizing concentration of choline (∼30 μM) decreased their responsiveness to ACh. The selective action of choline on native α7 nAChRs suggests that this naturally occurring compound may act in vivo as an endogenous ligand for these receptors. Putative physiological actions of choline include retrograde messenger activity during the development of the mammalian central nervous system and during periods of elevated synaptic activity that leads to long‐term potentiation.
Mediación emocional aplicada en sistemas de comunicación aumentativa y

Muchas personas que carecen de la capacidad de hablar debido a diversos tipos de discapacidades motoras y del lenguaje utilizan dispositivos informaticos de ayuda a la comunicacion. Estos dispositivos aportan un medio de comunicacion alternativa muy util pero, en la mayoria de los casos, lento y carente de expresividad. En los ultimos anos se ha dedicado un gran esfuerzo a la mejora de la velocidad de comunicacion mediante diversos metodos, tales como la prediccion de palabras o el diseno de dispositivos de entrada adaptables, obteniendose mejoras interesantes. Sin embargo, el problema de la falta de expresividad en la comunicacion no ha sido suficientemente estudiado. El reciente auge de la computacion emocional abre una via a la inclusion de informacion de contexto que permita reflejar los sentimientos, estados de animo y actitudes, en las ayudas a la comunicacion. El presente articulo hace un estudio de la aplicabilidad de la computacion emocional a las ayudas a la comunicacion y describe un prototipo que esta siendo usado para evaluar la calidad de la comunicacion lograda.
Exposure to Retinoic Acid in the Neonatal but Not Adult Mouse Results in Synchronous Spermatogenesis1

Retinoic acid (RA) is required for germ cell differentiation, the regulation of which gives rise to a constant production of mature sperm. In testes from 3-day postpartum (dpp) RARE-hsplacZ mice, periodic regions positive for beta-galactosidase activity were observed along the length of the seminiferous tubules. Periodicity was abolished by treatment of neonates with exogenous RA at 2 dpp. To assess the consequences, 2-dpp mice were treated with RA, and the long- and short-term effects were assessed. Long-term effects of neonatal RA exposure included a delay in the appearance of advanced germ cells and the absence of a spermatogenic wave (synchronous spermatogenesis) in the adult. In contrast, RA exposure in vitamin A-sufficient adults did not result in synchronous spermatogenesis but rather induced apoptosis in a subset of spermatogonia. Shortly after (24 h) neonates were exposed, altered expression of known germ cell differentiation and the (Stra8, Kit, Sycp3, and Rec8) meiosis markers and an increase in the number of STRA8 and SYCP3 immunopositive cells were observed relative to those of vehicle controls. However, 48 and 72 h after exposure, a significant reduction in the number of STRA8 and SYCP3 immunopositive cells occurred. Immunohistochemical analysis of a marker for apoptosis demonstrated neonatal exposure resulted in increased germ cell apoptosis, as observed in the adult. Additionally, RA exposure resulted in increased Cyp26a1 expression of the RA-degrading enzyme. Thus, while RA treatment of neonatal and adult mice resulted in apoptosis of spermatogonia, synchronous spermatogenesis occurred only after neonatal RA exposure.
The Nature and Origins of Misperceptions: Understanding False and Unsupported Beliefs About Politics

Political misperceptions can distort public debate and undermine people's ability to form meaningful opinions. Why do people often hold these false or unsupported beliefs, and why is it sometimes so difficult to convince them otherwise? We argue that political misperceptions are typically rooted in directionally motivated reasoning, which limits the effectiveness of corrective information about controversial issues and political figures. We discuss factors known to affect the prevalence of directionally motivated reasoning and assess strategies for accurately measuring misperceptions in surveys. Finally, we address the normative implications of misperceptions for democracy and suggest important topics for future research.
A proteogenomic approach to understand splice isoform functions through sequence and expression-based computational modeling

The products of multi-exon genes are a mixture of alternatively spliced isoforms, from which the translated proteins can have similar, different or even opposing functions. It is therefore essential to differentiate and annotate functions for individual isoforms. Computational approaches provide an efficient complement to expensive and time-consuming experimental studies. The input data of these methods range from DNA sequence, to RNA selection pressure, to expressed sequence tags, to full-length complementary DNA, to exon array, to RNA-seq expression, to proteomic data. Notably, RNA-seq technology generates quantitative profiling of transcript expression at the genome scale, with an unprecedented amount of expression data available for developing isoform function prediction methods. Integrative analysis of these data at different molecular levels enables a proteogenomic approach to systematically interrogate isoform functions. Here, we briefly review the state-of-the-art methods according to their input data sources, discuss their advantages and limitations and point out potential ways to improve prediction accuracies.
Effect of aging on the hemodynamic and sympathetic response at the onset of isometric handgrip exercise

This study determined whether sympathetic inhibition occurs at the onset of isometric handgrip exercise (HG). We also determined whether age affects the hemodynamic and sympathetic responses to HG. Twelve young and 16 older individuals (age: 24 ± 3 vs.60 ± 9 years) performed four 20‐second HG at 30, 40 and 50% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). Beat‐by‐beat heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac output (Q) and total peripheral resistance (TPR) were assessed by Modelflow, and burst frequency and burst incidence of muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) were obtained by microneurography. Baseline MSNA burst frequency and incidence were higher in older vs. young individuals (24±9 vs. 12±5 bursts/min, 41±14 vs. 18±8 bursts/100 heartbeat, p<0.001). At 30% MVC, there was no HG effect on HR, MAP, Q, TPR, bursts frequency and incidence in comparison to baseline. At 40% MVC, HG increased HR alone (main effect, p=0.01). At 50% MVC, HG increased HR and burst frequency (main effect, p<0.01). An age effect was observed at 50% MVC, where HG increased HR to a greater extent in young vs. older individuals (15±10 vs. 8±5 bpm, p=0.02). There was no evidence of sympathetic inhibition at the onset of HG in either young or older individuals. Age reduced the HR response but had no impact on the sympathetic response at the onset of HG. This study was funded by CIHR.
Polymorphisms of MTHFR Associated with Higher Relapse/Death Ratio and Delayed Weekly MTX Administration in Pediatric Lymphoid Malignancies

Backgrounds. Outcome of childhood malignancy has been improved mostly due to the advances in diagnostic techniques and treatment strategies. While methotrexate (MTX) related polymorphisms have been under investigation in childhood malignancies, many controversial results have been offered. Objectives. To evaluate associations of polymorphisms related MTX metabolisms and clinical course in childhood lymphoid malignancies. Method. Eighty-two acute lymphoblastic leukemia and 21 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma children were enrolled in this study. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms in 2 genes (MTHFR (rs1801133/c.677C>T/p.Ala222Val and rs1801131/c.1298A>C/p.Glu429Ala) and SLCO1B1 (rs4149056/c.521T>C/p.V174A and rs11045879/c.1865+4846T>C)) were genotyped by Taqman PCR method or direct sequencing. Clinical courses were reviewed retrospectively. Results. No patient who had the AC/CC genotype of rs1801131 (MTHFR) had relapsed or died, in which distribution was statistically different among the AA genotype of rs1801131 (P = 0.004). Polymorphisms of SLCO1B1 (rs11045879 and rs4149056) were not correlated with MTX concentrations, adverse events, or disease outcome. Conclusions. Polymorphisms of MTHFR (rs1801131) could be the plausive candidate for prognostic predictor in childhood lymphoid malignancies.
Chikungunya: A Potentially Emerging Epidemic?

Chikungunya virus is a mosquito-borne emerging pathogen that has a major health impact in humans and causes fever disease, headache, rash, nausea, vomiting, myalgia, and arthralgia. Indigenous to tropical Africa, recent large outbreaks have been reported in parts of South East Asia and several of its neighboring islands in 2005–07 and in Europe in 2007. Furthermore, positive cases have been confirmed in the United States in travelers returning from known outbreak areas. Currently, there is no vaccine or antiviral treatment. With the threat of an emerging global pandemic, the peculiar problems associated with the more immediate and seasonal epidemics warrant the development of an effective vaccine. In this review, we summarize the evidence supporting these concepts.
Simulation of MIMO System with STBC in Simulink and MATLAB

The space-time block coding (STBC) makes use of a high algebraic structure to provide diversity gain. Paper shows that the multiple receiver antennas increase the diversity, which results in high SNR. The two illustrative examples of Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) system in wireless network using STBC are presented. Firstly, paper compares the case of single user while incorporating multiple receiving antennas. Secondly, paper compares the case of multiple users while incorporating multiple receiving antennas. The simulation results after experimental testing are in good agreement. General Terms Wireless communications, MIMO system, Space-time block coding (STBC).
Contextualising non-profit governance: the influence of contextual factors on board characteristics and paradoxes

Contextualising non-profit governance: the influence of contextual factors on board characteristics and paradoxes Conference or Workshop Item How to cite: Cornforth, Chris (2003). Contextualising non-profit governance: the influence of contextual factors on board characteristics and paradoxes. In: 19th European Group for Organizational Studies (EGOS) Colloquium: Organization Analysis Informing Social and Global Development, Jul 2003, Copenhagen, Denmark.
A First Approach to Autonomous Bidding in Ad Auctions

We present autonomous bidding strategies for ad auctions, first for a stylized problem, and then for the more realistic Trading Agent Competition for Ad Auctions (TAC AA)—a simulated market environment that tries to capture some of the complex dynamics of bidding in ad auctions. We decompose the agent’s problem into a modeling subproblem, where we estimate values such as click probability and cost per click, and an optimization sub-problem, where we determine what to bid given these estimates. Our optimization algorithms, the focus of this paper, come in two flavors: rule-based algorithms, which can make reasonable decisions even with inaccurate models; and greedy multiple choice knapsack algorithms, which can make better decisions but require more accurate models to do so. We evaluate agent performance in the game-theoretic TAC AA domain, as well as in a more controlled testing framework that decouples the modeling and optimization subproblems. Although decision-theoretic in nature, we argue that it is nonetheless reasonable to use our controlled testing framework to determine which optimization algorithm is most suitable for an agent with a given amount of model error, and which model improvements would lead to the greatest gain in overall agent performance.
Mechanism of radiation-induced bystander effect: role of the cyclooxygenase-2 signaling pathway.

The radiation-induced bystander effect is defined as "the induction of biological effects in cells that are not directly traversed by a charged particle but are in close proximity to cells that are. " Although these bystander effects have been demonstrated with a variety of biological endpoints in both human and rodent cell lines (as well as in 3D tissue samples), the mechanism of the phenomenon is not known. Although gap junction communication and the presence of soluble mediator(s) are both known to play important roles in the bystander response, the precise signaling molecules have yet to be identified. By using the Columbia University charged particle beam in conjunction with a strip dish design, we show here that the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2, also known as prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase-2) signaling cascade plays an essential role in the bystander process. Treatment of bystander cells with NS-398, which suppresses COX-2 activity, significantly reduced the bystander effect. Because the critical event of the COX-2 signaling is the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways, our finding that inhibition of the extracellular signal-related kinase phosphorylation suppressed bystander response further confirmed the important role of mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling cascade in the bystander process. These results provide evidence that the COX-2-related pathway, which is essential in mediating cellular inflammatory response, is the critical signaling link for the bystander phenomenon.
A Review of 3-D Packaging Technology

This paper reviews the state-of-the-art in three-dimensional (3-D) packaging technology for very large scale integration (VLSI). A number of bare dice and multichip module (MCM) stacking technologies are emerging to meet the ever increasing demands for low power consumption, low weight and compact portable systems. Vertical interconnect techniques are reviewed in detail. Technical issues such as silicon efficiency, complexity, thermal management, interconnection density, speed, power etc. are critical in the choice of 3-D stacking technology, depending on the target application, and are briefly discussed.
On the relationship between fractal geometry of space and time in which a system of interacting cells exists and dynamics of gene expression.

We report that both space and time, in which a system of interacting cells exists, possess fractal structure. Each single cell of the system can restore the hierarchical organization and dynamic features of the entire tumor. There is a relationship between dynamics of gene expression and connectivity (i.e., interconnectedness which denotes the existence of complex, dynamic relationships in a population of cells leading to the emergence of global features in the system that would never appear in a single cell existing out of the system). Fractal structure emerges owing to non-bijectivity of dynamic cellular network of genes and their regulatory elements. It disappears during tumor progression. This latter state is characterized by damped dynamics of gene expression, loss of connectivity, loss of collectivity (i.e., capability of the interconnected cells to interact in a common mode), and metastatic phenotype. Fractal structure of both space and time is necessary for a cellular system to self-organize. Our findings indicate that results of molecular studies on gene expression should be interpreted in terms of space-time geometry of the cellular system. In particular, the dynamics of gene expression in cancer cells existing in a malignant tumor is not identical with the dynamics of gene expression in the same cells cultured in the monolayer system.
Flare reaction due to vitamin B12 in a patient with psoriasis and contact eczema

ml of water or ethanol (Ultra-Turax, type 18/2), followed by cold maceration for 3 h. Filtrates were used for patch testing. Ten control persons showed no reaction on application of all the plant extracts mentioned. The patient reacted strongly to all cauliflower extracts and less so to extracts of tulip bulbs and onions. No reaction was observed with potato extracts. The positive reaction to tulips induced us to test tulipalin A (a-methylene-y-butyrolactone), the sensitizing agent of tulips (Verspyck Mijnssen 1968). Our patient reacted positively to tulipalin A. This explains at least partially the troubles caused by tulips. Allergy for cauliflower is only mentioned sporadically in literature (Touton 1932, Vaughan & Harvey Black 1954). Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) belongs to the plant family Cruciferae. Sensitization by members of this family seems to be rare. Rook, Wilkinson & Ebling (1972) do not mention Cruciferae as possibly sensitizing plants. It should not be forgotten, however, that all Cruciferae contain glucosinolates (mustard oil glucosides). Some of the latter generate highly irritant mustard oils on hydrolysis. The possibility that, in rare instances, irritation by mustard oil-like compounds can be followed by sensitization cannot be excluded (Mitchell 1974). Our patient reacted positively also to other cultivars of Brassica oleracea (red cabbage, Brussels sprouts) and to rape seed (Brassica campestris). Just as other Cruciferae, members of the genus Brassica contain rather large amounts of hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives (Hermann 1967), sinapic acid and sinapin being the most characteristic ones. Patch tests with these and some related compounds such as ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid (Hjorth 1961) caused no reactions. 325
Flexible Pressure Mapping Platform for Mobility Monitoring Applications

The goal of the work presented here is the development, integration and testing of an innovative technological approach to be the basis for a new product and service for markets associated with the “Health” vector. Our research focuses on a Physiological computing approach, where a polymeric flexible detection system, working as the sensing element is used as an input channel, and a computing system is responsible for the physiological signals synthesis. The proposed solution provides a simpler, lower cost and larger scale manufacturing production of polymer based sensors, along with an electronic interface and the software design. The sensing platform consists in a flexible PCB (Printed Circuit Boards) manufactured using conventional technology (defining the electrical connections and the capacitors dimensions) together with two flexible polymeric membranes (TPU) printed with conductive ink (Plexcore®) for definition of the electrodes. A Capacitance to Digital Converter (CDC) is used to measure the capacitance of the sensors, and a graphical interface in MATLAB allows real-time visualization of data. Current results performed on the pressure sensors indicate the feasibility of the approach.
Exploring the Roles of Social Exchanges in Using Information Systems

— Previous studies have indicated that one of the most critical failure reasons of enterprise systems is the lack of knowledge sharing and utilization across organizations. As a consequence, many information systems researchers have paid attention to examining the effect of absorptive capacity closely associated with knowledge sharing and transferring on IS usage performance. A lack of communications and interactions due to a lack of organizational citizenship behavior might lead to weak absorptive capacity and thus negatively influence knowledge sharing across organizations. In this study, a theoretical model which delves into the relationship between usage performance of enterprise systems and its determinants was established.