Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin and flunixin meglumine for treatment of cows with experimentally induced Escherichia coli mastitis.

The efficacy of flunixin alone and together with enrofloxacin in treatment of experimental Escherichia coli mastitis was compared using six cows. The cross-over study design was used. Pharmacokinetics of flunixin and enrofloxacin were also studied in these diseased cows. The response of each cow was similar after the first and second challenge and the individual reaction seemed to explain the severity of clinical signs. The most important predictive factor for outcome of E. coli mastitis was a heavy drop in milk yield. Treatment with enrofloxacin and flunixin enhanced elimination of bacteria, but the difference from those receiving flunixin alone was not significant. Two cows, which had received no antimicrobial treatment (Group 1), were killed on day 4 postchallenge. One cow was killed after the first and the other after the second challenge. Cows receiving combination therapy produced 0.9 L more milk per day during the study period than cows which had only received flunixin (P < 0.05). Based on our findings, antimicrobial treatment might be beneficial in the treatment of high-yielding cows in early lactation. The absorption of enrofloxacin was delayed after subcutaneous administration, the mean apparent elimination half-life being about 23 h, whereas after i.v. administration elimination t(1/2) was only 1.5 h. The majority of the antimicrobial activity in milk originated from the active metabolite, ciprofloxacin, which could be measured throughout the 120-h follow-up period after the last subcutaneous administration. No differences were present in the pharmacokinetic parameters of flunixin between treatment groups: mean elimination half-life was 5.7-6.2 h, volume of distribution 0.43-0.49 L/kg and clearance 0.13-0.14 L h/kg. No flunixin or merely traces were detected in milk: one of the three cows had a concentration of 0.019 mg/L 8 h after administration.
Equalizers for multi-user detection in code division multiple access mobile radio systems

In code division multiple access (CDMA) systems transmitting over time-varying multipath channels, both intersymbol interference (ISI) and multiple access interference (MAI) arise. The conventional suboptimum receiver consisting of a bank of matched filters is often inefficient because interference is treated as noise. The optimum multi-user detector is too complex to be implemented at present. Four suboptimum detection techniques based on zero forcing (ZF) and minimum mean square error (MMSE) equalization with and without decision feedback (DF) are presented and compared. They combat both ISI and MAI. The computational complexity of all four equalizers is essentially the same and they are independent of the size of the data symbol alphabet. It is shown that all four equalizers considerably outperform the conventional receiver. The MMSE equalizers are superior to the corresponding ZF equalizers. Furthermore, the equalizers with DF perform better than the corresponding equalizers without DF. An algorithm termed channel sorting is introduced to reduce the impairing effect of error propagation on the equalizers with DF. <<ETX>>
Chapter 2 Radio Resource Management Performance for the GSM / EDGE Radio Access Network

This chapter presents a broad study on the potential of applying RRM techniques to the global system for mobile communication (GSM)/enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE) system. Even though the presented results are focused on the GSM/EDGE system, the principles employed by most of the considered RRM techniques can be applied to other radio access networks (RANs). We thus hope that the reader will also learn about RRM strategies and adapt these concepts to the RAN of his/her own interest. The provision of multiple services is one of the key features of GSM/EDGE, which has been the focus of several studies, such as [22, 24, 25, 37]. Additionally, some of the themes that have been covered by recent research include power control [36, 41, 45], dynamic channel allocation [20, 46, 47, 49, 60], multi-antenna techniques [18, 19, 34, 48, 50, 51], among others. In this chapter, the RRM techniques are placed within the context of GSM/EDGE and results are presented, which indicate the achievable gains in terms of capacity and/or quality of service (QoS). The results demonstrate that, by using appropriate RRM techniques, the GSM/EDGE radio access network capacity remains competitive with other emerging access technologies, thus allowing for substantial operational cost reductions for the already deployed infrastructure. The remaining of this chapter is organized as follows: Section 2.2 briefly describes the architecture of the GSM/EDGE radio access network, along with its protocol stack and standard RRM functionalities. Section 2.3 presents the RRM techniques considered in the scope of this chapter, which are power control, dynamic channel allocation, management of multiple services, and multi-antenna techniques. Next, in Section 2.4, some aspects concerning the simulation and modeling of GSM/EDGE networks are discussed. The achieved simulation results are presented in Section 2.5 for the studied RRM techniques. Finally, trends and directions for the further evolution of RRM in GSM/EDGE networks are discussed in Section 2.6.
EVAPOTRANSPIRAÇÃO E COEFICIENTE DE CULTIVO DA HELICÔNIA GOLDEN TORCH NO VALE DO SÃO FRANCISCO - DOI: 10.7127/rbai.v9n500331

A floricultura brasileira vem se consolidando como uma atividade lucrativa, no entanto a falta de informacoes vem se tornando um fator limitante a producao. O estudo foi conduzido em ambiente semi-protegido no Vale do Sao Francisco, Juazeiro – BA, com a cultura de Heliconia Gonden Torch, de 30 de novembro de 2013 a 21 de fevereiro de 2014. O objetivo do trabalho foi determinar a evapotranspiracao da cultura e o coeficiente de cultivo da Heliconia Golden Torch no Vale do Sao Francisco. As plantas foram cultivadas em solo textura franco-arenosa, em canteiros, com espacamento de 0,5 m x 2,0 m, irrigadas por gotejamento, diariamente. A evapotranspiracao da cultura foi quantificada por balanco hidrico do solo. Utilizando-se tensiometros para determinacao da umidade atual do solo, determinou-se a drenagem e a variacao de armazenamento de agua no solo. A heliconia Golden Torch apresentou uma taxa de evapotranspiracao media de 2,78 mm d -1 , totalizando 231,2 mm no periodo estudado. Os valores medios dos coeficientes de cultivos encontrados foram de 0,63 na fase inicial, 0,80 na fase vegetativa e de 1,01 na fase de florescimento-colheita.
Sensory, Cognitive, and Sensorimotor Learning Effects in Recognition Memory for Music

Recent research suggests that perception and action are strongly interrelated and that motor experience may aid memory recognition. We investigated the role of motor experience in auditory memory recognition processes by musicians using behavioral, ERP, and neural source current density measures. Skilled pianists learned one set of novel melodies by producing them and another set by perception only. Pianists then completed an auditory memory recognition test during which the previously learned melodies were presented with or without an out-of-key pitch alteration while the EEG was recorded. Pianists indicated whether each melody was altered from or identical to one of the original melodies. Altered pitches elicited a larger N2 ERP component than original pitches, and pitches within previously produced melodies elicited a larger N2 than pitches in previously perceived melodies. Cortical motor planning regions were more strongly activated within the time frame of the N2 following altered pitches in previously produced melodies compared with previously perceived melodies, and larger N2 amplitudes were associated with greater detection accuracy following production learning than perception learning. Early sensory (N1) and later cognitive (P3a) components elicited by pitch alterations correlated with predictions of sensory echoic and schematic tonality models, respectively, but only for the perception learning condition, suggesting that production experience alters the extent to which performers rely on sensory and tonal recognition cues. These findings provide evidence for distinct time courses of sensory, schematic, and motoric influences within the same recognition task and suggest that learned auditory–motor associations influence responses to out-of-key pitches.
Body Language and Augmented Reality Learning Environment

A recent national survey of Taiwanese students shows that their physical health condition has been worsening more than many other countries. In this study we examine use of a new learning system enhanced with augmented reality (AR) to address this growing global problem. In order to apply three different physical activities for the experiment the learners use their body language for interacting with the computer. In order to increase effectiveness of the AR system, we then combine students¡¦ academic achievement and their preferences for using the system. The experimental results from 419 students indicate much higher achievements in their academic work and gain significantly more those who come with their minds set for stronger challenging preferences in the seven subscales.
Use of low-dose human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for final follicularmaturation in ovulatory women treated by intrauterine insemination

Objective: To evaluate follicle growth and maturation supported by daily late follicular phase low-dose human chorionic gonadotropins (hCG) administration following pre-stimulation with clomiphene citrate(CC) and human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) in comparison with a sequential CC and hMG regime only. Materials and methods: A prospective controlled randomized trial. Sixty infertile women who were considered suitable for intrauterine insemination (IUI) were recruited. All of the patients received 100mg dose of CC for 5 days (Day 3-7 of their cycle) with hMG from day 8. Then the patients were assigned to two groups. Thirty patients received low-dose hCG (250 IU/day, group A) when a leading follicle greater than 14mm in diameter was detected in serial transvaginal ultrasound. Thirty patients (group B) continued only hMG. In both groups, hCG (10/000 IU IM) was given when the leading follicle diameter reached 18-20mm. Results: The mean age, BMI, duration and cause of infertility were similar in both groups. Group A had significantly more follicles above 14mm (p = 0.035) and significantly fewer follicles below 14mm by the end of the stimulation compared with group B (p = 0.045). A significantly higher in serum estradiol (E2, pg/ml) on the day of hCG administration was observed in group A (368.5±40 vs. 194.2±10 in group B, p = 0.015). There was no difference in the endometrial thickness between the groups (10.3 ± 2.3, group A vs. 10.5 ± 2.8, group B). There were significantly more chemical and clinical pregnancies in group A (26% vs. 10%, p = 0.02). No pregnancy miscarried and there were two twin pregnancies in group A and one in group B. Two of the pregnancies in group B developed moderate forms of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and none in group A. Conclusions: The use of micro-dose HCG after gonadotropin therapy in the late follicular phase is better at achieving pregnancies than a conventional regimen.
Faunal remains from Chibuene, an Iron Age coastal trading station in central Mozambique

We report on the small faunal assemblage from the Iron Age coastal trading station of Chibuene, situated on the coastal littoral of central Mozambique. The faunal assemblage was excavated in 1995 and contains bones from a variety of animals, including livestock, chickens, wild game animals, as well as aquatic species such as turtles and fish. Fish, turtle and shark remains dominate the assemblage. The fauna from the first and second millennium AD occupations share similarities with other contemporaneous sites to the north on the East African coast, rather than with sites located in South Africa.
Genetic polymorphisms related to the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system and response to antihypertensive drugs

Importance of the field: Only 23 – 41% of hypertensive patients receiving antihypertensive drugs achieve adequate blood pressure control. Multiple physiological systems regulate blood pressure and variation in genes involved in these systems may account for enhanced or diminished blood pressure lowering response to antihypertensive therapy. Areas covered in this review: We explored explanations for variation in blood pressure response to antihypertensive drugs by linking genetic polymorphisms in renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) genes to antihypertensive drug response on intermediate parameters (e.g., potassium excretion, aldosterone levels). A MEDLINE search (1966 – 2008) was performed to identify publications reporting effects of genetic polymorphisms in the RAAS on antihypertensive drug response with regard to intermediate parameters. What the reader will gain: With regard to the ACE insertion/deletion and the angiotensinogen -217G/A polymorphism variation in blood pressure response could be explained by effects on intermediate parameters. However, most studies that were identified with our search varied in study design, population and outcome, which complicate adequate comparisons. Take home message: Little evidence is available that explains these pharmacogenetic interactions. In the future, a better understanding of these mechanisms should provide a more solid evidence base for the individualized hypertension treatment based on genetic variation.
Replicative Senescence: Implications for in Vivo Aging and Tumor Suppression

Normal cells have limited proliferative potential in culture, a fact that has been the basis of their use as a model for replicative senescence for many years. Recent molecular analyses have identified numerous changes in gene expression that occur as cells become senescent, and the results indicate that multiple levels of control contribute to the irreversible growth arrest. These include repression of growth stimulatory genes, overexpression of growth inhibitory genes, and interference with downstream pathways. Studies with cell types other than fibroblasts will better define the role of cell senescence in the aging process and in tumorigenesis.
The Effect of Team Leader Characteristics on Learning, Knowledge Application, and Performance of Cross-Functional New Product Development Teams

This study examines how leadership characteristics in new product development teams affect the learning, knowledge application, and subsequently the performance of these teams. Using data from a study of 229 members from 52 high-tech new product projects, we empirically demonstrate that team learning has a strong positive effect on the innovativeness and speed to market of the new products. Moreover, a democratic leadership style, initiation of goal structure by the team leader, and his or her position within the organization were positively related to team learning. Managerial implications of these results are discussed.
Priority-setting and hospital strategic planning: a qualitative case study

Objectives: To describe and evaluate the priority-setting element of a hospital's strategic planning process. Methods: Qualitative case study and evaluation against the conditions of 'accountability for reasonableness' of a strategic planning process at a large urban university-affiliated hospital. Results: The hospital's strategic planning process met the conditions of 'accountability for reasonableness' in large part. Specifically: the hospital based its decisions on reasons (both information and criteria) that the participants felt were relevant to the hospital; the number and type of participants were very extensive; the process, decisions and reasons were well communicated throughout the organization, using multiple communication vehicles; and the process included an ethical framework linked to an effort to evaluate and improve the process. However, there were opportunities to improve the process, particularly by giving participants more time to absorb the information relevant to priority-setting decisions, more time to take difficult decisions and some means to appeal or revise decisions. Conclusion: A case study linked to an evaluation using 'accountability for reasonableness' can serve to improve priority-setting in the context of hospital strategic planning.
AAIR: Antibody Antigen Information Resource

In a recent article, Kryczek et al. ([1][1]) demonstrated that CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) rendered monocytes immunosuppressive via up-regulation of B7-H4. We were particularly interested in the reported fact that Tregs were required for conditioning of human monocytes to exert suppressive
Agricultural Lands Subsidize Winter Diet of the Dunlin at Two Major Estuaries

Abstract. On the western coast of North America, several estuaries provide shorebirds with important winter and stopover habitat. These habitats include not only aquatic estuarine resources but also adjacent upland agricultural lands. The extent to which shorebirds use estuarine vs. upland habitats at these stopover sites is difficult to quantify but crucial to designing strategies for their conservation. We measured stable isotopes (&dgr;13C, &dgr;15N) in whole blood of Dunlins (Calidris alpina) and their prey from two major estuaries in north Puget Sound, Washington, USA, to estimate their relative use of estuarine vs. upland agricultural zones. We identified four isotopically distinct dietary inputs (agriculture high in 15N, other agriculture, marsh/marine, and freshwater plume). Isotopic sampling and modeling was informed by movements and habitat use derived from radiotelemetry. This isotopic structure allowed us to conclude that these Dunlins obtained about 62% of the protein in their diet from agricultural lands and 38% from the estuary. Our results underline the urgent need to combine management of estuaries and upland agricultural areas in strategies for shorebird conservation.
Association of IL-1R2 genetic polymorphisms with the susceptibility of ankylosing spondylitis in Northern Chinese Han population

Objectives. Previous Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have demonstrated Interleukin-1 receptor 2 (IL-1R2) was strongly associated with susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The aim of this study was to replicate the association of IL-1R2 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with AS in the northern Han Chinese. Methods. A total of 490 AS patients and 580 matched healthy controls were enrolled in our study. Six tagSNPs in IL-1R2: rs4851526, rs4851527, rs2302589, rs2072476, rs2072472, and rs2310173 were selected and genotyped by Taqman SNP genotyping method. The differences of allele and genotype frequencies were analyzed by use of PLINK 1.07. Results. Logistic regression analysis showed that one tagSNP rs2302589 in IL-1R2 was significantly associated with AS susceptibility (OR 0.77, 95% CI = 0.64–0.92, P = 0.005). However, no significant association was observed on the other tagSNPs for AS risk. The haplotype analysis further showed that the haplotype “GCGCGG” of IL-1R2 was also associated with the increased risk of AS (OR 1.362, P = 0.0207). Conclusions. This is the first detection that the genetic variation rs2302589 in IL-1R2 gene was associated with AS in Northern Han Chinese. This result confirmed that IL-1R2 may be genetic biomarker for susceptibility to AS.
Impact of subclinical hypothyroidism treatment in systolic and diastolic cardiac function.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of levothyroxine (L-T4) replacement in echocardiographic parameters of middle-aged women with subclinical hypothyroidism (SH). SUBJECTS AND METHODS This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Echocardiographic evaluation was carried out at baseline and one year after restoration of euthyroidism. Thirty-three women with SH were assigned to one of two groups (L-T4 or placebo). RESULTS The two groups had similar basal characteristics. There was a significant deterioration of left ventricular Tei index after one year of placebo use, which differed from the effect of L-T4 replacement (+0.086 ± 0.092 vs. -0.014 ± 0.012; p = 0.047). There was also a slight reduction in cardiac output and cardiac index with placebo use, which was not different from L-T4 effect. CONCLUSION Results suggest a positive impact of L-T4 replacement in cardiac function of middle-aged women with SH.
Age at menarche and prevalence of oligo/amenorrhea in top Polish athletes

The representative sample of a population of top Polish athletes (>75% of all participants in Poland's Winter and Summer National Championships during 1992–1994) was investigated using a questionnaire. The athletic group numbered 926 women in total. The control group (n = 708) in the same age range (15–37 years) as the athletes was randomly chosen from the Warsaw population. The mean menarcheal age of all athletes was 13.6 ± 1.3 years, and it was statistically different from the controls (12.9 ± 1.2 years). Athletes who started training before menarche were more numerous (661) than those who started training after menarche (265). The mean menarcheal age was also different for those groups (13.9 ± 1.3 years vs. 13.0 ± 1.3 years). In all sports except cross‐country skiing and biathlon, the menarcheal age of girls starting training before menarche was later as compared to the age of those starting training after menarche. The prevalence of oligo/amenorrhea (⩽9 menstrual cycles per year) was much higher for all younger and premenarche trained athletes than postmenarche trained girls. This prevalence also was much higher for athletes than for controls. Early maturers were engaged in team games, fencing, and judo, but late maturers were engaged in cross‐country skiing and biathlon, track and field—long and middle distances, and marathon. It may indicate the presence of the sport's selection factor. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 10:511–517, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Wearable Device Providing a Visual Fixation Point for the Alleviation of Motion Sickness Symptoms.

OBJECTIVES Motion sickness (MS) can be problematic for many military operations. Some pharmaceutical countermeasures are effective but can lead to side effects. Non-pharmaceutical countermeasures vary in effectiveness and can require time to be beneficial (e.g., desensitization). Previous research suggests that visual fixation can alleviate MS symptoms. In the current experiment we tested the effectiveness of a user-worn device that provides a visual fixation point that moves with the user. METHODS Fourteen subjects viewed the interior of a rotating optokinetic drum (60°/s) through a visor that displayed either a clear view of the scene (control) or the scene with a fixation point (experimental). After 5 minutes of viewing, symptoms were assessed using (1) the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire that yields four scores (total, nausea, oculomotor, and disorientation) and (2) a 0 to 10 MS overall scale. RESULTS Viewing the fixation point resulted in significantly lower scores for all measures. Control condition scores were as much as 400% higher than when the fixation point was viewed. CONCLUSIONS A wearable device that presents a visual fixation point that moves with the user may reduce MS. The device's portability suggests that it may be suitable for some military operations, and additional research in the field is warranted.
El Programa Nacional de Bilingüismo como fundamento para la política de bilingüismo lasallista

De acuerdo a las reflexiones que ha generado la implementacion del Programa Nacional de Bilinguismo (PNB) en la comunidad academica nacional, especialmente en el campo de la ensenanza del ingles como lengua extranjera, el presente articulo pretende justificar la propuesta de una politica de bilinguismo en la Universidad de La Salle que de cuenta de los objetivos del PNB, desde las experiencias generadas en la educacion media y con el fin de fundamentar la puesta en practica del aprendizaje del ingles como un medio de aprendizaje y no como un objeto de estudio.