Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Comparison of Two Mathematical Modeling Frameworks for Evaluating Sexually Transmitted Infection Epidemiology

Background Different models of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can yield substantially different conclusions about STI epidemiology, and it is important to understand how and why models differ. Frequency-dependent models make the simplifying assumption that STI incidence is proportional to STI prevalence in the population, whereas network models calculate STI incidence more realistically by classifying individuals according to their partners' STI status. Methods We assessed a deterministic frequency-dependent model approximation to a microsimulation network model of STIs in South Africa. Sexual behavior and demographic parameters were identical in the 2 models. Six STIs were simulated using each model: HIV, herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis. Results For all 6 STIs, the frequency-dependent model estimated a higher STI prevalence than the network model, with the difference between the 2 models being relatively large for the curable STIs. When the 2 models were fitted to the same STI prevalence data, the best-fitting parameters differed substantially between models, with the frequency-dependent model suggesting more immunity and lower transmission probabilities. The fitted frequency-dependent model estimated that the effects of a hypothetical elimination of concurrent partnerships and a reduction in commercial sex were both smaller than estimated by the fitted network model, whereas the latter model estimated a smaller impact of a reduction in unprotected sex in spousal relationships. Conclusions The frequency-dependent assumption is problematic when modeling short-term STIs. Frequency-dependent models tend to underestimate the importance of high-risk groups in sustaining STI epidemics, while overestimating the importance of long-term partnerships and low-risk groups.
Interaction of Epstein-Barr Virus Latent Membrane Protein 1 with SCFHOS/β-TrCP E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Regulates Extent of NF-κB Activation*

The Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) is pivotal in the transforming activity of this virus. We found that the common LMP1-95-8 variant interacts with Homologue of Slimb (HOS), a receptor for the SCFHOS/βTrCP ubiquitin-protein isopeptide ligase (E3) via one canonical and one cryptic HOS recognition site. These sites are mutated or deleted in the tumor-derived LMP1-Cao variant, which did not bind to HOS. Mutations within these sites on LMP1-95-8 abrogated HOS binding and increased transforming activity of LMP1. HOS did not regulate stability of LMP1-95-8 unless it was mutated to bear additional lysine residues near the cryptic motif. LMP1 proteins that could not bind to HOS exhibited an increased ability to induce IκB degradation and NF-κB-mediated transcription without further increase in activation of IκB kinases. Expression of LMP1-95-8 reduced the levels of endogenous HOS available to interact with phosphorylated IκBα. Degradation of IκBα and dose dependence of NF-κB activation by LMP1-95-8 were promoted by co-expression of HOS. Our data suggest that LMP1-95-8 is a pseudo-substrate of SCFHOS/βTrCP E3 ubiquitin ligase and that interaction between LMP1 and HOS restricts the extent of LMP1-induced NF-κB signaling. We discuss the potential role of this mechanism in transforming and cytostatic effects of LMP1 variants in cells and Epstein-Barr virus-associated tumors.
Using the Structured-case Approach to Build Theory in E-Government

Both from the perspective of practitioners as well as from an academic point of view, e-government has gained considerable momentum in the past years. However, in order to create a sound e-government body of knowledge much research work still has to be done. This paper reports on the findings of the use of the structured-case approach to investigate the success factors for e-government initiatives. A total of fifteen case studies were conducted in seven European countries. The paper outlines the contribution of the structured-case approach to build e-government theories. The paper concludes that the structured-case approach demonstrates the process of knowledge and theory building because it clearly points out the linkage between the data collected and the conclusions drawn. Hence, the application of the structured-case approach assures scientific rigor - an element that is often missed or done poorly in IS case study research
Language-based Abstractions for Dynamical Systems

Ordinary differential equations (ODEs) are the primary means to modelling dynamical systems in many natural and engineering sciences. The number of equations required to describe a system with high heterogeneity limits our capability of effectively performing analyses. This has motivated a large body of research, across many disciplines, into abstraction techniques that provide smaller ODE systems while preserving the original dynamics in some appropriate sense. In this paper we give an overview of a recently proposed computer-science perspective to this problem, where ODE reduction is recast to finding an appropriate equivalence relation over ODE variables, akin to classical models of computation based on labelled transition systems.
Clasificación de caninos retenidos y su aplicación clínica

There exists numerous classifications for impacted anterior teeth most of them are confusing, being different from each other with none of these giving a clear idea of position and relation of impacted canines. A simple classification is suggested exclusively for impacted canines, since this a very common problem in the orthodontic practice and no clear classification for impacted canines exist. The complications that are present in the orthodontic treatment are described and simple preventive measures are suggested to try to prevent impacted canines. The use of posterior-anterior cranial
Shortening of telomeres: Evidence for replicative senescence of T cells derived from patients with Wegener's granulomatosis.

BACKGROUND Replicative senescence describes the fact that somatic cells undergo a finite and predictable number of cell divisions before entering an irreversible state of growth arrest. Progressive shortening of the telomeres, a consequence of cell division, is a reliable indicator of replicative senescence. METHOD We analyzed telomere length of DNA derived from T cells of patients suffering from Wegener's granulomatosis by Southern blotting. Moreover, expression of CD28, another marker for replicative senescence, was tested by cytofluorometry. RESULTS In patients with disease for more than 5 years, short telomeres were detected in addition to telomeres of normal length, indicating replicative senescence of discrete T-cell clones. Reduced expression of CD28 was noted, particularly on CD8-positive T cells, derived from patients with disease for more than 5 years and short telomeres. CONCLUSION Our data provide evidence that a portion of T cells had undergone replicative senescence, which in turn indicates clonal expansion of T cells as consequence of activation.
Démembrement génétique des déficiences intellectuelles et compréhension des bases physiopathologiques associées, à l'ère du séquençage à haut débit

La deficience intellectuelle (DI) est definie comme un dysfonctionnement intellectuel general inferieur a la moyenne, qui s'accompagne de limitations significatives du fonctionnement adaptatif (DSM-V). Il s'agit d'un handicap frequent qui concerne pres de 3% de la population generale. L'identification de l'etiologie d'une DI est une question primordiale car elle permet d'optimiser la prise en charge des patients sans risque de passer a cote d'une cause curable, et d'evaluer le risque de recidive dans la famille afin d'offrir un conseil genetique pour les grossesses a venir. Malgre les recents progres, l'etiologie de la maladie reste inconnue dans pres de 40% des cas. Le demembrement des causes genetiques et la comprehension des bases physiopathologiques des DI constituent donc un grand defi scientifique et medical. Par ailleurs, l'identification des genes impliques dans les DI et le decryptage des processus cellulaires sous-jacents a ces phenotypes sont une approche de choix pour etudier le developpement et la plasticite cerebrale chez l'homme d'une part et entrevoir le developpement de nouvelles strategies therapeutiques d'autre part. Le travail de these presente dans ce manuscrit s'inscrit dans cette thematique de recherche et a porte sur l'analyse, par la methode de Whole Exome Sequencing (WES), de cinq familles independantes dans lesquelles segrege une forme syndromique de DI. La premiere partie detaille les resultats obtenus pour l'analyse de trois familles consanguines dans lesquelles segrege une DI autosomique recessive. La seconde partie presente l'etude de deux familles independantes dont les enfants atteints presentent une clinique tres semblable. Au total, ce memoire decrit l'identification de i) deux genes precedemment associes a la DI (WDR62 et AP4M1), ii) deux genes candidats (RAD54B et HERC2), potentiels modificateurs des symptomes observes, puis iii) la definition d'un nouveau mode d'heredite, et enfin iv) la caracterisation de deux nouveaux genes impliques dans la DI (TTI2 et NONO) suivie des etudes fonctionnelles des efiets des mutations sur les cellules de patients et l'analyse d'un modele murin Nonogt.
Angiopoietin-1, Unlike Angiopoietin-2, Is Incorporated into the Extracellular Matrix via Its Linker Peptide Region*

Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) affect angiogenesis differently during embryogenesis and tumorigenesis. In an attempt to understand the molecular basis underlying the distinct roles of those two homologous molecules, we investigated the association of Ang-1 and Ang-2 with the extracellular matrix (ECM). TA3 murine mammary carcinoma (TA3) and Lewis lung carcinoma cells expressing v5 epitope-tagged Ang-1 and Ang-2 were used in our studies. The results indicated that Ang-1 is secreted and incorporated into the ECM of the tumor cells, whereas Ang-2 is not associated with the ECM. The mutagenesis study indicated the domain that is responsible for the ECM association of Ang-1 is the linker peptide region between the coiled-coil and the fibrinogen-like domains. A weak binding between the coiled-coil domain of Ang-1 and the ECM was observed. Immunocytochemistry study revealed a distinct ECM distribution pattern of Ang-1, which is quite different from that of fibronectin, laminin, and collagen types I and IV. The ECM-associated Ang-1 proteins are released, and Tie-2 receptors are phosphorylated upon the adhesion of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Implications of the difference in the ECM association of Ang-1 and Ang-2, which are related to the regulation of angiopoietin activity and their roles in localversus distant angiogenesis during tumor metastasis, are discussed.
Blind identification of an autoregressive system using a nonlinear dynamical approach

The problem of identifying an autoregressive (AR) system with arbitrary driven noise is considered here. Using an abstract dynamical system to represent both chaotic and stochastic processes in a unified framework, a dynamic-based complexity measure called phase space volume (PSV), which has its origins in chaos theory, can be applied to identify an AR model in chaotic as well as stochastic noise environments. It is shown that the PSV of the output signal of an inverse filter applied to identify an AR model is always larger than the PSV of the input signal of the AR model. Therefore, by minimizing the PSV of the inverse filter output, one can estimate the coefficients and the order of the AR system. A major advantage of this minimum-phase space volume (MPSV) identification technique is that it works like a universal estimator that does not require precise statistical information about the AR input signal. Because the theoretical PSV is so difficult to compute, two approximations of PSV are also considered: the e-PSV and nearest neighbor PSV. Both approximations are shown to approach the ideal PSV asymptotically. The identification performance based on these two approximations are evaluated using Monte Carlo simulations. Both approximations are found to generate relatively good results in identifying an AR system in various noise environments, including chaotic, non-Gaussian, and colored noise.
The Neural Basis of Motivational Influences on Cognitive Control

Cognitive control mechanisms support the deliberate regulation of thought and behavior based on current goals. Recent work suggests that motivational incentives improve cognitive control, and has begun to elucidate the brain regions that may support this effect. Here, we conducted a quantitative meta-analysis of neuroimaging studies of motivated cognitive control using activation likelihood estimation (ALE) and Neurosynth in order to delineate the brain regions that are consistently activated across studies. The analysis included functional neuroimaging studies that investigated changes in brain activation during cognitive control tasks when reward incentives were present versus absent. The ALE analysis revealed consistent recruitment in regions associated with the frontoparietal control network including the inferior frontal sulcus (IFS) and intraparietal sulcus (IPS), as well as consistent recruitment in regions associated with the salience network including the anterior insula and anterior mid-cingulate cortex (aMCC). A large-scale exploratory meta-analysis using Neurosynth replicated the ALE results, and also identified the caudate nucleus, nucleus accumbens, medial thalamus, inferior frontal junction/premotor cortex (IFJ/PMC), and hippocampus. Finally, we conducted separate ALE analyses to compare recruitment during cue and target periods, which tap into proactive engagement of rule-outcome associations, and the mobilization of appropriate viscero-motor states to execute a response, respectively. We found that largely distinct sets of brain regions are recruited during cue and target periods. Altogether, these findings suggest that flexible interactions between frontoparietal, salience, and dopaminergic midbrain-striatal networks may allow control demands to be precisely tailored based on expected value.
FGF23 is a putative marker for bone healing and regeneration

Besides numerous other factors, fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) signaling is involved in fracture healing and bone remodeling. FGF23 is a phosphatonin produced by osteoblastic cells, which signals via FGFR1, thereby exerting effects in bone and kidney. We analyzed if serum FGF23 levels might be an indicator to predict fracture healing and union. FGF23 (C‐Term) was elevated on day 3 postoperatively in 55 patients sustaining an exchange of total hip implants due to aseptic loosening. A prospective study of 40 patients undergoing primary hip arthroplasty also showed elevated FGF23 (C‐Term) but no change in FGF23 (intact) levels on days 1, 4, and 10 postoperatively. Serum phosphate and phosphate clearance stayed within normal ranges. FGF23 mRNA expression in ovine callus was compared between a standard and delayed course of osteotomy healing. In the standard model, a marked increase in FGF23 mRNA expression compared to the delayed healing situation was observed. Immunohistochemical analysis showed FGF23 production of osteoblasts and granulation tissue in the fracture callus during bone healing. In conclusion, FGF23 is involved in bone healing, can be measured by a sensitive assay in peripheral blood, and is a promising candidate as an indicator for healing processes prone to reunion versus nonunion. © 2009 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res
microPET imaging of glioma integrin {alpha}v{beta}3 expression using (64)Cu-labeled tetrameric RGD peptide.

UNLABELLED Integrin alpha(v)beta(3) plays a critical role in tumor-induced angiogenesis and metastasis and has become a promising diagnostic indicator and therapeutic target for various solid tumors. Radiolabeled RGD peptides that are integrin specific can be used for noninvasive imaging of integrin expression level as well as for integrin-targeted radionuclide therapy. METHODS In this study we developed a tetrameric RGD peptide tracer (64)Cu-DOTA-E{E[c(RGDfK)](2)}(2) (DOTA is 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N',N'',N'''-tetraacetic acid) for PET imaging of integrin alpha(v)beta(3) expression in female athymic nude mice bearing the subcutaneous UG87MG glioma xenografts. RESULTS The RGD tetramer showed significantly higher integrin binding affinity than the corresponding monomeric and dimeric RGD analogs, most likely due to a polyvalency effect. The radiolabeled peptide showed rapid blood clearance (0.61 +/- 0.01 %ID/g at 30 min and 0.21 +/- 0.01 %ID/g at 4 h after injection, respectively [%ID/g is percentage injected dose per gram]) and predominantly renal excretion. Tumor uptake was rapid and high, and the tumor washout was slow (9.93 +/- 1.05 %ID/g at 30 min after injection and 4.56 +/- 0.51 %ID/g at 24 h after injection). The metabolic stability of (64)Cu-DOTA-E{E[c(RGDfK)](2)}(2) was determined in mouse blood, urine, and liver and kidney homogenates at different times after tracer injection. The average fractions of intact tracer in these organs at 1 h were approximately 70%, 58%, 51%, and 26%, respectively. Noninvasive microPET studies showed significant tumor uptake and good contrast in the subcutaneous tumor-bearing mice, which agreed well with the biodistribution results. Integrin alpha(v)beta(3) specificity was demonstrated by successful blocking of tumor uptake of (64)Cu-DOTA-E{E[c(RGDfK)](2)}(2) in the presence of excess c(RGDyK) at 1 h after injection. The highest absorbed radiation doses determined for the human reference adult were received by the urinary bladder wall (0.262 mGy/MBq), kidneys (0.0296 mGy/MBq), and liver (0.0242 mGy/MBq). The average effective dose resulting from a single (64)Cu-DOTA-E{E[c(RGDfK)](2)}(2) injection was estimated to be 0.0164 mSv/MBq. CONCLUSION The high integrin and avidity and favorable biokinetics make (64)Cu-DOTA-E{E[c(RGDfK)](2)}(2) a promising agent for peptide receptor radionuclide imaging and therapy of integrin-positive tumors.
Geographic structuring and transgenerational maternal effects shape germination in native, but not introduced, populations of a widespread plant invader.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Germination is critical in determining species distributions and invasion dynamics. However, is it unclear how often invasive populations evolve germination characteristics different from native populations, because few studies have isolated genetic variation by using seed from garden-grown plants. Additionally, while herbivore-induced transgenerational effects are common, it is unknown whether maternal herbivory differentially shapes germination in native and introduced offspring. METHODS We explored germination in native and introduced populations of the North American invader Verbascum thapsus using seed from garden-grown maternal plants, half of which were protected from herbivores. To elucidate (1) germination niche breadth and (2) whether germination conditions affected expression of genetic structuring among populations, we germinated seed under four ecologically relevant temperature regimes. KEY RESULTS Native populations had a wide germination niche breadth, germinating as well as or better than introduced populations. At cooler temperatures, native populations exhibited a genetically based environmental cline indicative of local adaptation, with populations from warmer locales germinating better than populations from cooler locales. However, this cline was obscured when maternal plants were attacked by herbivores, revealing that local stressors can override the expression of geographic structuring. Introduced populations did not exhibit clinal variation, suggesting its disruption during the introduction process. CONCLUSIONS Native and introduced populations have evolved genetic differences in germination. The result of this difference manifests in a wider germination niche breadth in natives, suggesting that the invasive behavior of V. thapsus in North America is attributable to other factors.
Cognitive Test Performance and Background Music

This study examined the effects of background music on test performance. In a repeated-measures design 30 undergraduates completed two cognitive tests, one in silence and the other with background music. Analysis suggested that music facilitated cognitive performance compared with the control condition of no music: more questions were completed and more answers were correct. There was no difference in heart rate under the two conditions. The improved performance under the music condition might be directly related to the type of music used.
Historical Trends, Drivers, and Future Projections of Ice Phenology in Small North Temperate Lakes in the Laurentian Great Lakes Region

Lake ice phenology (timing of ice breakup and freeze up) is a sensitive indicator of climate. We acquired time series of lake ice breakup and freeze up, local weather conditions, and large-scale climate oscillations from 1981–2015 for seven lakes in northern Wisconsin, USA, and two lakes in Ontario, Canada. Multiple linear regression models were developed to understand the drivers of lake ice phenology. We used projected air temperature and precipitation from 126 climate change scenarios to forecast the day of year of ice breakup and freeze up in 2050 and 2070. Lake ice melted 5 days earlier and froze 8 days later over the past 35 years. Warmer spring and winter air temperatures contributed to earlier ice breakup; whereas warmer November temperatures delayed lake freeze. Lake ice breakup is projected to be 13 days earlier on average by 2070, but could vary by 3 days later to 43 days earlier depending upon the degree of climatic warming by late century. Similarly, the timing of lake freeze up is projected to be delayed by 11 days on average by 2070, but could be 1 to 28 days later. Shortened seasonality of ice cover by 24 days could increase risk of algal blooms, reduce habitat for coldwater fisheries, and jeopardize survival of northern communities reliant on ice roads.
Syringomyelia secondary to paraplegia due to fractures of the thoracic spine.

The clinical, radiological and operative findings in 3 patients with paraplegia consequent upon fractures of the thoracic spine are presented. Myelography revealed widening of the cervical spinal cord in all 3 patients and this finding was confirmed at operation. The incidence of this condition in the Spinal Injuries Unit is shown to be similar to that noted in other large units. The principal theories as to the aetiology of this condition, i.e. cavitation secondary to haematomyelia or myelomalacia caused by circulatory disorders, are reviewed.