Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Independence of Evolutionary and Mutational Rates after Transmission of Avian Influenza Viruses to Swine

ABSTRACT In 1979, an H1N1 avian influenza virus crossed the species barrier, establishing a new lineage in European swine. Because there is no direct or serologic evidence of previous H1N1 strains in these pigs, these isolates provide a model for studying early evolution of influenza viruses. The evolutionary rates of both the coding and noncoding changes of the H1N1 swine strains are higher than those of human and classic swine influenza A viruses. In addition, early H1N1 swine isolates show a marked plaque heterogeneity that consistently appears after a few passages. The presence of a mutator mutation was postulated (C. Scholtissek, S. Ludwig, and W. M. Fitch, Arch. Virol. 131:237–250, 1993) to account for these observations and the successful establishment of an avian H1N1 strain in swine. To address this question, we calculated the mutation rates of A/Mallard/New York/6750/78 (H2N2) and A/Swine/Germany/2/81 (H1N1) by using the frequency of amantadine-resistant mutants. To account for the inherent variability of estimated mutation rates, we used a probabilistic model for the statistical analysis. The resulting estimated mutation rates of the two strains were not significantly different. Therefore, an increased mutation rate due to the presence of a mutator mutation is unlikely to have led to the successful introduction of avian H1N1 viruses in European swine.
Emotion and phylogeny.

Gentle handling of mammals (rats, mice) and lizards (Iguana), but not of frogs (Rana) and fish (Carassius), elevated the set-point for body temperature (i.e., produced an emotional fever) achieved only behaviorally in lizards. Heart rate, another detector of emotion in mammals, was also accelerated by gentle handling, from ca. 70 beats/min to ca. 110 beats/min in lizards. This tachycardia faded in about 10 min. The same handling did not significantly modify the frogs' heart rates. The absence of emotional tachycardia in frogs and its presence in lizards (as well as in mammals), together with the emotional fever exhibited by mammals and reptiles, but not by frogs or fish, would suggest that emotion emerged in the evolutionary lineage between amphibians and reptiles. Such a conclusion would imply that reptiles possess consciousness with its characteristic affective dimension, pleasure. The role of sensory pleasure in decision making was therefore verified in iguanas placed in a motivational conflict. To be able to reach a bait (lettuce), the iguanas had to leave a warm refuge, provided with standard food, and venture into a cold environment. The results showed that lettuce was not necessary to the iguanas and that they traded off the palatability of the bait against the disadvantage of the cold. Thus, the behavior of the iguanas was likely to be produced, as it is in humans, through the maximization of sensory pleasure. Altogether, these results may indicate that the first elements of mental experience emerged between amphibians and reptiles.
Multi-resolution image analysis based on singular value decomposition and subdivision

A new multi-resolution image analysis method based on singular value decomposition and subdivision is proposed in the paper. Subdivision scheme's good similarity among different subdivision layers makes the multi-resolution analysis has better approximation between the decomposed signals to the initial image. Non-symmetrical decomposition is employed in SVD. These properties provide the advantages of various sizes of transformation and more security. The experimental results demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed multi-resolution image analysis method. Furthermore, extracted watermarks from tampered images were also clearly identified. The values of SNR are in the normal range.
Embracing Technology and Community Engagement as a Teaching and Learning Medium in Social Justice Education

This paper examines the varied learning experiences that integrated socio-cultural theory, community engagement and e-learning offered by the "Diversity, Social Justice and Schooling" subject at the University of Western Sydney. This subject engaged university students in the learning process in a reflective and critical way, by responding to a need identified by community. Together with education technology, subject content knowledge and community engagement, the social justice subject aimed to enhance the educational achievement of marginalised groups, while simultaneously supporting pre-service teachers in the context of their development as educators committed to a social justice ethos.
Tacrolimus combined with two different corticosteroid‐free regimens compared with a standard triple regimen in renal transplantation: one year observational results

Krämer BK, Klinger M, Wlodarczyk Z, Ostrowski M, Midvedt K, Stefoni S, Citterio F, Pietruck F, Squifflet J‐Paul, Segoloni G, Krüger B, Sperschneider H, Banas B, Bäckman L, Weber M, Carmellini M, Perner F, Claesson K, Marcinkowski W, Vítko Š, Senatorski G, Salmela K, Nordström J. Tacrolimus combined with two different corticosteroid‐free regimens compared with a standard triple regimen in renal transplantation: one year observational results. Clin Transplant 2010: 24: E1–E9. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S.
Modulatory Effect of Erythrocytes on the Platelet Reactivity to Collagen in IDDM Patients

Platelets participate in the atherothrombotic complications of diabetes. Recent data demonstrate that platelet reactivity can be modulated via cell-cell interactions with erythrocytes and neutrophils. In this study, platelet reactivity was evaluated in 30 IDDM patients. We used an analytical procedure that permits an independent evaluation of platelet activation (granule release, eicosanoid formation) and platelet recruitment (pro-aggregatory activity of cell-free releasates) after platelet stimulation with collagen in the presence or absence of other blood cells. The interaction between platelets and erythrocytes (hematocrit 40%) resulted in a marked enhancement of platelet activation (5HT, βTG, TXA2 release) and recruitment in both patients and control subjects. The erythrocyte enhancement of platelet TXA2 synthesis and recruitment was significantly higher in the patients, while no differences were detected in platelet granule release. The elevated platelet recruitment in the IDDM patients was found to be due to 1) increased susceptibility of diabetic platelets to the prothrombotic effect of erythrocytes and 2) the greater response of diabetic platelets to their own cell-free releasate. Patients with poor metabolic control (elevated HbA1c) or longer evolution time had an even greater platelet recruitment. The presence of microalbuminuria is not related to the platelet recruitment. Since platelet recruitment is an essential step in thrombus growth, its enhancement may favor thrombotic complications in IDDM.
Inspiratory Muscle Training May Increase Peak Inspiratory Flow in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background: When choosing a specific inhalation device for a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patient, the internal airflow resistance and the ability of the patient to overcome it and to create an optimal inspiratory flow are essential. Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to investigate: (1) the peak inspiratory flow (PIF) that a patient with COPD can generate while breathing through two dry powder inhalers and (2) whether in patients with low PIF specific inspiratory muscle training (SIMT) will increase the PIF and exceed the minimal PIF that is considered necessary to guarantee optimal lung deposition of the drug. Methods: Inspiratory muscle strength and PIFs were measured in 60 patients with COPD. Then 28 patients with severe COPD and low PIF were randomized to receive SIMT or to a control group. Results: With the Turbuhaler, 12 patients (20%) could not generate the optimal flow of 60 l/min. PIF correlated very well with maximal inspiratory mouth pressure (PImax) for the Diskus and the Turbuhaler, as well as for both males and females (p < 0.001). Following the training period, there was a statistically significant increase in the PImax in the training group. This increase was associated with a significant increase in the PIF. All patients overcame the minimal threshold PIF following the training. Conclusions: Some patients with severe COPD are not able to generate adequate flow to secure optimal lung deposition of the inhalation with the Turbuhaler. SIMT improves inspiratory muscle strength as well as PIF. Following 8 weeks of training, the optimal PIF enabling adequate lung deposition of the drug was attained in all the trained patients.
Industrialization and Urban Housing in Communist China

The state of housing in a country has a direct impact on the level of public health, on the crime rate, and on many other social problems of importance. It also has an indirect effect on labor productivity in the economy through the general morale of workers. Practically all countries today are facing housing problems in varying degrees, especially in urban areas. For an underdeveloped country, its ability to provide adequate housing in urban areas is a vital prerequisite for successful industrialization. In countries which are relatively well developed, the rising income level of the population creates a constantly increasing demand for better dwellings.
Epstein-Barr Virus Lytic Transactivator Zta Enhances Chemotactic Activity through Induction of Interleukin-8 in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells

ABSTRACT Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated, undifferentiated type of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is characterized by intensive leukocyte infiltration. Interaction between the infiltrating cells and the tumor cells has been considered crucial for NPC development. Recruitment of the infiltrates can be directed by certain chemokines present in the NPC tissues. It is unknown whether and how EBV lytic infection regulates expression of the chemokines. Using an antibody array, we first found that several chemokines secreted from EBV-infected NPC cells are increased upon EBV reactivation into the lytic cycle, and interleukin-8 (IL-8) is the chemokine upregulated most significantly and consistently. Further studies showed that the EBV lytic transactivator Zta is a potent inducer of IL-8 in NPC cells, augmenting secreted and intracellular IL-8 proteins, as well as IL-8 RNA. Zta upregulates Egr-1, a cellular transcription factor that has been involved in upregulation of IL-8, but the Zta-induced IL-8 expression is independent of Egr-1. The ability of Zta to transactivate the IL-8 promoter is important for the induction of IL-8, and we have identified two Zta-responsive elements in the promoter. Zta can bind to these two elements in vitro and can also be recruited to the IL-8 promoter in vivo. DNA-binding-defective Zta mutants can neither activate the IL-8 promoter nor induce IL-8 production. In addition, Zta-expressing NPC cells exert enhanced chemotactic activity that is mainly mediated by IL-8. Since IL-8 may contribute to not only leukocyte infiltration but also multiple oncogenic processes, the present study provides a potential link between EBV lytic infection and pathogenesis of NPC.
Analysis of internal and external validity criteria for a computerized visual search task: A pilot study

ABSTRACT Inhibition is one of the main executive functions, because of its fundamental role in cognitive and social development. Given the importance of reliable and computerized measurements to assessment inhibitory performance, this research intends to analyze the internal and external criteria of validity of a computerized conjunction search task, to evaluate the role of perceptual inhibition. A sample of 41 children (21 females and 20 males), aged between 6 and 11 years old (M = 8.49, SD = 1.47), intentionally selected from a private management school of Mar del Plata (Argentina), middle socio-economic level were assessed. The Conjunction Search Task from the TAC Battery, Coding and Symbol Search tasks from Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children were used. Overall, results allow us to confirm that the perceptual inhibition task form TAC presents solid rates of internal and external validity that make a valid measurement instrument of this process.
Expansion of the Variational Garrote to a Multiple Measurement Vectors Model

(08/12/2018) Expansion of the Variational Garrote to a Multiple Measurement Vectors Model The recovery of sparse signals in underdetermined systems is the focus of this paper. We propose an expanded version of the Variational Garrote, originally presented by Kappen (2011), which can use multiple measurement vectors (MMVs) to further improve source retrieval performance. We show its superiority compared to the original formulation and demonstrate its ability to correctly estimate both the sources’ location and their magnitude. Finally evidence is given of the high performance of the proposed algorithm compared to other MMV models.
Electrons in Finite-Sized Water Cavities: Hydration Dynamics Observed in Real Time

We directly observed the hydration dynamics of an excess electron in the finite-sized water clusters of \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \((\mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O})_{\mathrm{n}}^{-}\) \end{document} with n = 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35. We initiated the solvent motion by exciting the hydrated electron in the cluster. By resolving the binding energy of the excess electron in real time with femtosecond resolution, we captured the ultrafast dynamics of the electron in the presolvated (“wet”) and hydrated states and obtained, as a function of cluster size, the subsequent relaxation times. The solvation time (300 femtoseconds) after the internal conversion [140 femtoseconds for \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \((\mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O})_{35}^{-}\) \end{document}] was similar to that of bulk water, indicating the dominant role of the local water structure in the dynamics of hydration. In contrast, the relaxation in other nuclear coordinates was on a much longer time scale (2 to 10 picoseconds) and depended critically on cluster size.
Sexually Dimorphic Ontogeny of GABAergic Influences on Periventricular Somatostatin Neurons

The biosynthesis and secretion of somatostatin (SRIH) within the hypothalamic periventricular-median eminence (PeN-ME) pathway follows a sexually differentiated developmental pattern beginning in the early neonatal period. It is generally accepted that testosterone plays a role in these processes, but the mechanisms underlying the age and sex differences are poorly understood. The present study sought to investigate the hypothesis that γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) may play a role in determining sex differences in SRIH neuronal activity. Using an in vitro hypothalamic preparation where more than 97% of the immunoreactive SRIH is contained within the PeN-ME pathway, peptide release in response to the GABAA receptor antagonist, bicuculline, was followed through development. In the male a stimulatory response, indicative of an inhibitory GABAergic tone on SRIH secretion, was observed as early as postnatal day (P) 5. This persisted throughout juvenile development (P10, P17) and was present also in the adult male (P75), but in the peripubertal period the response to bicuculline was first lost (P25) and then reversed to an inhibition (P40), suggesting a transient switch to an apparent stimulatory GABAergic tone on SRIH release. By contrast, in the female, no bicuculline responsiveness was seen until P25 when it caused a decrease in SRIH release which persisted into adulthood. Using in situ hybridization studies we found no evidence to support the view that these age- and sex-dependent differences were due to changes in the expression of GABAA receptor α-subunits (α1 and α2) which are colocalised in the PeN SRIH neurons. Following adult gonadectomy, the bicuculline response was abolished in the male, whereas, in the female it was reversed and identical in magnitude to the response in the intact male. These results demonstrate marked sex differences in GABAA-receptor-mediated influences on SRIH release which develop soon after birth and, in the adult, depend on gonadal factors. In the male these factors activate a primarily inhibitory influence, whereas in the female they facilitate an apparently stimulatory tone of GABA on SRIH secretion via the GABAA receptor. Our findings thus support the view that GABAergic transmission may play a key role in generating sex differences in the mode of SRIH secretion from the hypothalamus which has been shown to be a major factor in determining the sexually dimorphic patterns of growth hormone secretion.
Selective transmigration of monocyte-associated HIV-1 across a human cervical monolayer and its modulation by seminal plasma

Objective:To analyse the transmigration of immune cells infected by HIV-1 across the epithelial monolayer using the endometrial human endometrial carcinoma (HEC)-1A cell line and to study the influence of seminal plasma in this process. Design:After sexual intercourse involving a male partner infected by HIV-1, a selection process has been shown to lead to a predominant transmission of the R5 phenotype despite the presence of X4 and R5 strains in semen. Transmigration of HIV-infected monocytes present in semen may represent a pertinent mechanism that could explain this tropism selection. Methods:Epithelial monolayer crossing was studied by using HEC-1A epithelial cells cultured on permeable support and monocyte-enriched or lymphocyte-enriched populations of cells infected or not by HIV R5 or X4 strains. Transmigrating cells were quantified and analysed for their ability to transmit HIV infection to immune target cells. The effect of HIV-negative seminal plasma on cell transmigration was analysed. Results:A preferential passage of the R5 strain associated with monocyte-enriched populations was observed together with the ability of this strain to transmit infection. Seminal plasma was found able to decrease the epithelial crossing of immune cells by enhancing transepithelial resistance and by increasing the adherence of immune cells to the monolayer. Conclusion:The preferential transmigration of HIV R5 strains associated with monocytes across the endocervical monolayer may explain the predominant transmission of the R5 strains after sexual intercourse. By its capacity to modulate the tightness of the epithelial structure, seminal plasma reinforces this selection process.
Pharmacotherapeutic treatment of germ cell tumors: standard of care and recent developments

ABSTRACT Introduction: Testicular germ cell tumors are the most common malignancy among men aged 40 and less. Since the introduction of cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy, germ cell tumors are among the most curable solid tumors with cure rates of 95% in all patients and > 80% in metastatic disease. Areas covered: Current standards and future developments in GCT treatment, including adjuvant chemotherapy, first line treatment for metastatic disease, and salvage regimens in case of relapse and refractory disease. Expert opinion: Maintaining therapeutic success while further reducing treatment-related toxicity is paramount. Cancer-specific survival in localized disease approximates 100%. Therefore, orchidectomy followed by active surveillance is the preferred approach for all seminomas and non-seminomas lacking lymphovascular invasion. Non-seminomas with lymphovascular invasion should be offered adjuvant treatment with one cycle of bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin (BEP). The BEP regimen remains standard of care for metastatic disease, while the role of primary high-dose chemotherapy in case of inadequate tumor-marker decline or presence of high-risk features (i.e. mediastinal origin, non-pulmonary visceral metastases) remains to be elucidated. Several curative salvage chemotherapy combinations are available, i.e. TIP, VeIP, GIP or high-dose carboplatin and etoposide. GOP is the current option of choice in cisplatin-refractory patients. Novel targeted agents failed to improve treatment outcome so far.
The effects of intracerebroventricular AM‐251, a CB1‐receptor antagonist, and ACEA, a CB1‐receptor agonist, on penicillin‐induced epileptiform activity in rats

Purpose: Several results support the conclusion that the cannabinoid system has a role in generation and cessation of epileptic seizures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of intracerebroventricular AM‐251 [N‐(piperidin‐1‐yl)‐5‐(4‐iodophenyl)‐1‐(2,4‐dichlorophenyl)‐4‐methyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐3‐carboxamide], a CB1‐receptor antagonist, and ACEA (arachidonyl‐2‐chloroethylamide), a CB1‐receptor agonist, on penicillin‐induced epileptiform activity in rats.
Correlated Mobility Fluctuations and Contact Effects in p-Type Organic Thin-Film Transistors

Low-frequency noise (LFN) has been used in order to gain insight into the physical properties of the materials involved in organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) fabrication, often with contradictory results. Besides the physical origin of noise, contact effects on noise have been a source of concern and discussion. In this paper, we report on accurate LFN measurements in p-type staggered top-gate OTFTs over four decades of channel current, from the subthreshold to the strong accumulation region. The measured spectra follow a clear 1/f behavior attributed to the trapping/detrapping of channel charge carriers into interface and oxide defects, while the influence of noise sources at contacts is found to be negligible. However, contacts affect the measured noise by a nonnegligible differential resistance. Noise data are interpreted in the context of a multitrap correlated mobility fluctuations (CMFs) model, showing that noise is dominated by acceptor-like traps. Despite the low mobility (μeff ~ 2 cm2/V/s), the large scattering parameter (α ~ 107 Vs/C) produces an increase of the noise at the higher currents due to CMFs. The product αμeff ≈ 2·107 cm2/C, which measures the strength of CMFs, is similar to what was reported for a-Si:H and much higher with respect to crystalline silicon MOSFETs revealing a strong correlation between CMFs and the state of disorder of the active layer.
Adjusting The Perceived Distance Of Virtual Speech Sources By Modifying Binaural Room Impulse Responses

Effective control of the perceived location of virtual sound sources is an important aspect of auditory displays. While room acoustics modelling may be used to produce cues related to the sound source and listener location in a space, in many real-time applications it is more feasible to utilize ready-made room impulse responses. This paper looks at how the perception of distance can be affected by modifying the temporal envelopes of room impulse responses. Two measured binaural room impulse responses were modified by amplifying or attenuating different portions of them before convolving them with speech samples. Listeners were asked to judge the relative distances between these virtual speech sources presented over headphones. The results suggest that the perception of distance is more effectively altered by modifying an early-tolate energy ratio, where approximately 50–100 ms of the impulse response is included in the early energy, than by directly modifying the traditional direct-to-reverberant energy ratio.