Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic analysis of in vitro progression of human papillomavirus-transfected human cervical cells.

The authors have established an in vitro model system which demonstrates the progression of the transformed phenotypes of human cervical epithelial cells transfected with human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 and 18 DNAs. Both viral DNAs exhibit immortalizing potential; however, only HPV 18-immortalized cell lines progress to exhibit anchorage-independent growth and, in a limited number of cases, tumorigenesis. In this paper, the authors have examined the genetic basis for this in vitro progression step by step, including immortalization, anchorage-independent growth, and tumorigenicity of the HPV-transfected human cervical epithelial cells by cell fusion. The results suggest that (a) all three transformed phenotypes, i.e., immortalization, anchorage-independent growth, and tumorigenesis, in this in vitro cervical carcinogenesis model are a result of recessive changes in genes or processes involved; (b) inactivation of p53 and retinoblastoma protein is not sufficient for immortalization of human cervical epithelial cells; (c) HPV expression per se does not account for immortalization of human cervical epithelial cells; (d) immortalization of human cervical epithelial cells initiated by HPV can occur through different processes, although one of them is the most preferred; and (e) probably only one group of recessive genes appears to be involved in the loss of anchorage-dependent growth for HPV-immortalized human cervical cells.
Aneurysmal bone cyst: evaluation of resection and of curettage in 20 cases.

The clinical, angiographic and histological aspects of 20 cases of aneurysmal bone cyst suggest that angiography is a valuable aid in the diagnosis of a cyst, differentiating it from other cystic bone lesions. Angiographic information also has a certain bearing on the origin of the lesion. It was demonstrated that other, benign, lesions may exist adjacent to the cyst or prior to it; in most cases, however, the cyst appears in a bone which is otherwise normal. The failure to differentiate between aneurysmal bone cyst and giant cell tumor in relation to sex, age, localizaiton, morphology, and clinical course (e.g. tendency of recurrence and malignant transformation) may be responsible for confusion in the literature on these lesions. Good results of treatment are achievable by resection en bloc and by resection, or curettage with bone grafting. Curettage alone is inadequate. Only two recurrences (10%) were recorded in the present series during the average follow-up period of 4.5 years.
IN VITRO STUDIES OF MICROWAVE-INDUCED CATARACT III: IN VITRO LENTICULAR EFFECT ENHANCEMENT BY L-BAND PULSED VS CONTINUOUS WAVE MICROWAVE IRRADIATION OF RAT LENS

Damage to rat lenses in vitro caused by continuous (CW) and 24 kW pk microwave pulsed (PW) wave radiation fits a model correlating damage to specific absorption (SA), a product of the specific absorption rate (SAR) and exposure time. This model was extended to include new exposure conditions: higher peak powers of PW radiation at additional pulse durations. The overall model related damage to the SA/dose of radiation. Increasing damage occurred at low doses as the pulse duration increased from 2 to 20 µsec or the peak power of the pulses increased from 24 to 600 kW pk . The enhancement relative to CW irradiation was about 80 times greater at the lowest dose tested when 20 µsec pulses of 600 kW pk microwaves were used. At a 10 µm deep layer of damage in the periphery of the lens, the SAR values for damage were significantly below currently accepted SAR values for the American National Standard Institute (ANSI) safety standard. Consistent with increased damage, experiments using a virtual cathode transmitter delivering 100-200 MW peak power pulses of similar total energy per pulse showed damage after only 10 pulses. The relative biological effect is analogous to that of heavy ion bombardment of the eye lens in experimental cataracts. This new data suggest the need for further exploration into the possibility and the mechanism of accumulative damage from chronic exposure to pulsed microwaves.
A molecular perspective on the evolution of microteiid lizards (Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae), and a new classification for the family

A molecular phylogeny was reconstructed for 26 recognized genera of the Gymnophthalmidae using a total of 2379 bp of mitochondrial (12S, 16S and ND4) and nuclear (18S and c-mos) DNA sequences. We performed maximum parsimony (MP) and maximum likelihood (ML) analyses, and data partitions were analysed separately and in combination under MP. ML analyses were carried out only on the combined sequences for computational simplicity. Robustness for the recovered nodes was assessed with bootstrap and partitioned Bremer support (PBS) analyses. The total molecular evidence provided a better-resolved hypothesis than did separate analysis of individual partitions, and the PBS analysis indicates congruence among independent partitions for support of some internal nodes. Based on this hypothesis, a new classification for the family is proposed. Alopoglossus, the sister group of all the other Gymnophthalmidae was allocated to a new subfamily Alopoglossinae, and Rhachisaurus (a new genus for Anotosaura brachylepis) to the new Rhachisaurinae. Two tribes are recognized within the subfamily Gymnophthalminae: Heterodactylini and Gymnophthalmini, and two others within Cercosaurinae (Ecpleopini and Cercosaurini). Some ecological and evolutionary implications of the phylogenetic hypothesis are considered, including the independent occurrence of limb reduction, body elongation, and other characters associated with fossoriality.
Information system development approach: facts from IT SMEs in India

Information systems are developed at a large scale globally by small and medium enterprise (SMEs) but SMEs do not have enough resources to realise standard IS-development practices. Software engineering practices of IS development are the most widely used practices across the globe. It is well known that software engineering practices play a very important role in ensuring the quality of information system, which is usually ignored while regulating the time and cost constraints. More so, standard development methods are rigorous and their implementation in SMEs is cumbersome. Non-realisation of software engineering in SMEs either leads to information system project failures or quality of the product is compromised. Keeping in view the importance of software engineering, it has become essential to explore the process of information system development prevalent in SMEs. This research paper aims at the actual process of IS development that is widespread in SMEs.
Investigating the Impact of Entrepreneurship Online Teaching on Science and Technology Degrees on Students Attitudes in Developing Economies: The Case of Egypt

This paper investigates the influence of entrepreneurship online teaching in science and technology degree courses in developing economies and the impact of this teaching on studentsâ€™ attitudes towards starting a small business enterprise (SBE). An organised examination of the literature related to entrepreneurship teaching is discussed and illustrated to provide an archive of past research points to explore and develop a clear understanding about the influence of entrepreneurship online teaching to science and technology degree students in developing economies (Egypt). Based on this review, the study validates a conceptual model utilising a positivist research philosophy with a quantitative approach, in which data is collected based on survey strategy through questionnaires to address different levels of the study. The findings indicated that there is very few research studies related to entrepreneurship teaching in developing countries and no single study related to entrepreneurship teaching in Egypt. The study provides great benefits for entrepreneurs, policy makers, practitioners, researchers, and educators by providing an understanding for all the issues related to teaching entrepreneurship on science and technology degree courses. This paper benefits researchers and scholars towards suitable future research studies which in turn will contribute to the related accumulated knowledge in the field.
Le traitement phonologique chez les adultes devenus sourds

Contexte : Un lien a ete montre entre surdite et deterioration des representations phonologiques chez l’adulte devenu sourd. Objectif : L’objectif de cette etude est d’elaborer des exercices permettant d’evaluer la phonologie d’adultes sourds post-linguaux en modalite visuelle. Methode : Les performances d’adultes sourds post-linguaux candidats a l’implant cochleaire, ainsi que de controles apparies en âge, sexe, et niveau socio-culturel ont ete evaluees sur quatre exercices de metaphonologie, une tâche de fluence et des tâches de lecture. Resultats : Le profil phonologique des sujets sourds post-linguaux est different de celui des normo-entendants, les epreuves phonologiques etant significativement moins bien reussies chez les patients que chez les controles.
Dietary fructose causes defective insulin signalling and ceramide accumulation in the liver that can be reversed by gut microbiota modulation

ABSTRACT Objective: The link between metabolic derangement of the gut–2013liver–visceral white adipose tissue (v-WAT) axis and gut microbiota was investigated. Methods: Rats were fed a fructose-rich diet and treated with an antibiotic mix. Inflammation was measured in portal plasma, ileum, liver, and v-WAT, while insulin signalling was analysed by measuring levels of phosphorylated kinase Akt. The function and oxidative status of hepatic mitochondria and caecal microbiota composition were also evaluated. Results: Ileal inflammation, increase in plasma transaminases, plasma peroxidised lipids, portal concentrations of tumour necrosis factor alpha, lipopolysaccharide, and non-esterified fatty acids, were induced by fructose and were reversed by antibiotic. The increased hepatic ceramide content, inflammation and decreased insulin signaling in liver and v-WAT induced by fructose was reversed by antibiotic. Antibiotic also blunted the increase in hepatic mitochondrial efficiency and oxidative damage of rats fed fructose-rich diet. Three genera, Coprococcus, Ruminococcus, and Clostridium, significantly increased, while the Clostridiaceae family significantly decreased in rats fed a fructose-rich diet, and antibiotic abolished these variations Conclusions: When gut microbiota modulation by fructose is prevented by antibiotic, inflammatory flow from the gut to the liver and v-WAT are reversed.
A method for the estimation of aperture uncertainty in A-D converters

This paper describes a technique for the estimation of aperture uncertainty in A-D converters. In the proposed methodology the aperture uncertainty is estimated by measuring the total system jitter, the analog input signal jitter and the sampling clock jitter. The total system jitter measurement is based on the degradation in the signal-to-noise ratio performance of the converter. The timing jitter of the analog input signal and the sampling clock are estimated from their phase noise measurements. Also, the model accounts for the converter's quantization and differential non-linearity noise, which are critical to accurate aperture uncertainty estimation. The technique was applied to a 10-bit converter and the results are discussed.
Back Massage to Decrease State Anxiety, Cortisol Level, Blood Prsessure, Heart Rate and Increase Sleep Quality in Family Caregivers of Patients with Cancer: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of back massage on the anxiety state, cortisol level, systolic/diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate, and sleep quality in family caregivers of patients with cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-four family caregivers were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group (22 interventions, 22 controls) after they were matched on age and gender. The intervention consisted of back massage for 15 minutes per day for a week. Main research outcomes were measured at baseline (day I) and follow-up (day 7). Unpaired t-test, paired t test and chi-square test were used to analyse data. RESULTS The majority of the caregivers were women, married, secondary school educated and housewife. State anxiety (p<0.001), cortisol level (p<0.05), systolic/diastolic blood pressure (p<0.001, p<0.01 respectively), and pulse rate (p<0.01) were significantly decreased, and sleep quality (p<0.001) increased after back massage intervention. CONCLUSIONS The study results show that family caregivers for patients with cancer can benefit from back massage to improve state anxiety, cortisol level, blood pressure and heart rate, and sleep quality. Oncology nurses can take advantage of back massage, which is non-pharmacologic and easily implemented method, as an independent nursing action to support caregivers for patients with cancer.
Complex dynamic behavior of fluctuating smectic- A films as studied by scattering with coherent X-rays

Coherent dynamic x-ray scattering has been used to study the thermally excited layer fluctuations in freely suspended smectic films of the compound 4O.8. Using 8-keV x rays and films with a thickness around 0.3 &mgr;m we resolve relaxation times down to a few &mgr;s. A combination of damped and oscillatory behavior is observed for the layer undulations, which can be attributed to inertial effects. These are due to the surface contribution to the free energy which cannot be disregarded for thin films.
Wild‐type intracellular bacteria deliver DNA into mammalian cells

Gene transfer in vitro from intracellular bacteria to mammalian phagocytic and non‐phagocytic cells and in vivo in mice has been reported. The bacteria used as DNA delivery vectors were engineered to lyze upon entry in the cell due to impaired cell wall synthesis for Shigella flexneri and invasive Escherichia coli, or production of a phage lysin for Listeria mono‐ cytogenes. In vivo gene transfer was obtained with attenuated Salmonella typhimurium and resulted in stimulation of mucosal immunity. We report that wild‐type intracellular human pathogens, such as L. monocytogenes EGD or LO28 and S. flexneri M90T, mediate efficient in vitro transfer of functional genes into epithelial and macrophage cell lines. A low‐ efficiency transfer was obtained from strain EGD to mouse peritoneal macrophages. DNA transfer with S. typhimurium was observed only from atten‐uated aroA strain SL7207 into COS‐1 cell line. As demonstrated by the study of listeriolysin‐defective L. monocytogenes or of S. typhimurium SL7207 aroA engineered to secrete listeriolysin, escape of bacteria or of plasmid DNA from the intracytoplasmic vacuole is required for transfer of genetic information to occur.
Interactive Sensor-Based Balance Training in Older Cancer Patients with Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) have deficits in sensory and motor skills leading to inappropriate proprioceptive feedback, impaired postural control, and fall risk. Balance training programs specifically developed for CIPN patients are lacking. Objective: This pilot study investigated the effect of an interactive motor adaptation balance training program based on wearable sensors for improving balance in older cancer patients with CIPN. Methods: Twenty-two patients (age: 70.3 ± 8.7 years) with objectively confirmed CIPN [vibration perception threshold (VPT) >25 V] were randomized to either an intervention (IG) or a control (CG) group. The IG received interactive game-based balance training including repetitive weight shifting and virtual obstacle crossing tasks. Wearable sensors provided real-time visual/auditory feedback from the lower limb trajectory and allowed the perception of motor errors during each motor action. The CG received no exercise intervention and continued their normal activity. Outcome measures were changes in sway of ankle, hip, and center of mass (CoM) in both mediolateral and anteroposterior (AP) directions during 30-second balance tests with increasing task difficulty [i.e. standing in feet-closed position with eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC), and in semi-tandem position with EO] at baseline and after the intervention. Additionally, gait performance (speed, variability) and fear of falling [Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I)] were measured. Results: Training was safe despite the participants' impaired health status, great severity of CIPN (VPT 49.6 ± 26.7 V), and great fear of falling (FES-I score 31.37 ± 11.20). After the intervention, sway of hip, ankle, and CoM was significantly reduced in the IG compared to the CG while standing in feet-closed position with EO (p = 0.010-0.022, except AP CoM sway) and in semi-tandem position (p = 0.008-0.035, except ankle sway). No significant effects were found for balance with EC, gait speed, and FES-I score (p > 0.05). Conclusions: This proof-of-concept study demonstrates that older cancer patients with CIPN can significantly improve their postural balance with specifically tailored, sensor-based exercise training. The training approach has potential as a therapy for improving CIPN-related postural control deficits. However, future studies comparing the proposed technology-based training with traditional balance training are required to evaluate the benefit of the interactive joint movement feedback.
Complex pitch perception mechanisms are shared by humans and a New World monkey

Significance Complex pitch perception serves a pivotal role in human audition, especially in speech and music perception. It has been suggested that pitch perception mechanisms demonstrated in humans are not shared by nonhuman species. Here we provide evidence that a New World monkey, the common marmoset, shares all primary features of complex pitch perception mechanisms with humans. Combined with previous findings of a specialized pitch processing region in both marmoset and human auditory cortex, this evidence suggests that pitch perception mechanisms likely originated early in primate evolution. The perception of the pitch of harmonic complex sounds is a crucial function of human audition, especially in music and speech processing. Whether the underlying mechanisms of pitch perception are unique to humans, however, is unknown. Based on estimates of frequency resolution at the level of the auditory periphery, psychoacoustic studies in humans have revealed several primary features of central pitch mechanisms. It has been shown that (i) pitch strength of a harmonic tone is dominated by resolved harmonics; (ii) pitch of resolved harmonics is sensitive to the quality of spectral harmonicity; and (iii) pitch of unresolved harmonics is sensitive to the salience of temporal envelope cues. Here we show, for a standard musical tuning fundamental frequency of 440 Hz, that the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), a New World monkey with a hearing range similar to that of humans, exhibits all of the primary features of central pitch mechanisms demonstrated in humans. Thus, marmosets and humans may share similar pitch perception mechanisms, suggesting that these mechanisms may have emerged early in primate evolution.
Prior alcohol consumption and mortality following acute myocardial infarction.

CONTEXT Studies have found that individuals who consume 1 alcoholic drink every 1 to 2 days have a lower risk of a first acute myocardial infarction (AMI) than abstainers or heavy drinkers, but the effect of prior drinking on mortality after AMI is uncertain. OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of prior alcohol consumption on long-term mortality among early survivors of AMI. DESIGN AND SETTING Prospective inception cohort study conducted at 45 US community and tertiary care hospitals between August 1989 and September 1994, with a median follow-up of 3.8 years. PATIENTS A total of 1913 adults hospitalized with AMI between 1989 and 1994. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE All-cause mortality, compared by self-reported average weekly consumption of beer, wine, and liquor during the year prior to AMI. RESULTS Of the 1913 patients, 896 (47%) abstained from alcohol, 696 (36%) consumed less than 7 alcoholic drinks/wk, and 321 (17%) consumed 7 or more alcoholic drinks/wk. Compared with abstainers, patients who consumed less than 7 drinks/wk had a lower all-cause mortality rate (3.4 vs 6.3 deaths per 100 person-years; hazard ratio [HR], 0.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.43-0.71) as did those who consumed 7 or more drinks/wk (2.4 vs 6.3 deaths per 100 person-years; HR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.25-0.55; P<.001 for trend). After adjusting for propensity to drink and other potential confounders, increasing alcohol consumption remained predictive of lower mortality for less than 7 drinks/wk, with an adjusted HR of 0.79 (95% CI, 0.60-1.03), and for 7 or more drinks/wk, with an adjusted HR of 0.68 (95% CI, 0.45-1.05; P =.01 for trend). The association was similar for total and cardiovascular mortality, among both men and women, and among different types of alcoholic beverages. CONCLUSION Self-reported moderate alcohol consumption in the year prior to AMI is associated with reduced mortality following infarction.
Population Dynamics of Scirtothrips dorsalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and Other Thrips Species on Two Ornamental Host Plant Species in Southern Florida

ABSTRACT Since its 2005 introduction into the United States, chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), has become a problematic pest of agronomic, vegetable, fruit, and ornamental plants. Knowledge of its population dynamics may help managers better monitor and control S. dorsalis. Population estimates were recorded for S. dorsalis and other thrips species on Knock-Out rose (Rosa ‘Radrazz’) and green buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus L.) from July 2007 to September 2008 in two field plots (one per plant species) in Homestead, FL. Yellow sticky card traps and samples of terminals, flowers, buds, and leaves were collected. S. dorsalis accounted for 95% of all thrips individuals collected from plants and 84% from traps with the remainder including at least 18 other thrips species. More thrips were caught on or flying near rose plants (47,438) than on or near buttonwoods (5,898), and on-plant densities of S. dorsalis appeared higher for rose than for buttonwood. Compared with rose leaves, rose buds, terminals, and flowers each had higher numbers of S. dorsalis, and buds and terminals had higher densities. On each host plant species, S. dorsalis density fluctuated over time with peaks in the late spring, summer, and fall, but populations were consistently low in the late winter and early spring. On roses, increased plant damage ratings correlated with reduced numbers of flowers and buds, reduced mean flower areas, and increased on-plant number and density of S. dorsalis. There were positive correlations over time between S. dorsalis density and plant damage rating for rose flowers (R = 0.78; P = 0.0003) and for buttonwood terminals (R = 0.90; P = 0.0001 ). Yellow sticky card traps were effective for monitoring S. dorsalis and may be especially useful and economically justified for the most susceptible hosts, but they also work well for less susceptible hosts. A good S. dorsalis scouting program should hence consider trap catches and symptoms such as leaf distortion, small flower area (size), and thrips population concentrations near buds and terminals.