Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Suckling as rearing method on dairy farms: The effect on farm system aspects of two dairy farms in the Netherlands

Maternal behaviour, interactions and contact between cow and calf is limited or absent in modern dairy production due to the widely use of artificial calf rearing. Introduction of suckling on a dairy farm has effects on many aspects such as calf growth, animal health, milk production, rearing costs, behaviour, welfare and naturalness etc. In a pilot study on two farms the effect of suckling systems on calf growth and milk production of dairy cows was assessed. Furthermore, the development of naturalness on the case study farms was described, as well as the motivation, for the use of suckling as rearing method, of seven farmers.
Effects of Instilled Combustion-Derived Particles in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats. Part I: Cardiovascular Responses

Epidemiological studies have reported statistically significant associations between the levels of ambient particulate matter (PM) and the incidence of morbidity and mortality, particularly among persons with cardiopulmonary disease. While similar effects have been demonstrated in animals, the mechanism(s) by which these effects are mediated are unresolved. To further investigate this phenomenon, the cardiovascular and thermoregulatory effects of an oil combustion-derived PM (HP-12) were examined in spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats. The particle used in this study had considerably fewer water-soluble metals than the residual oil fly ash (ROFA) particles widely used in previous animal toxicity studies, with Zn and Ni constituting the primary water-leachable elements in HP-12. Rats were surgically implanted with radiotelemeters capable of continuously monitoring electrocardiogram (ECG), heart rate (HR), systemic arterial blood pressure (BP), and core temperature (Tco). Animals were divided into four dose groups and were administered one of four doses of HP-12 suspended in saline vehicle (0.00, 0.83, 3.33, 8.33 mg/kg; control, low, mid, and high dose, respectively) via intratracheal instillation (IT). Telemetered rats were monitored continuously for up to 7 days post-IT, and were sacrificed 4 or 7 days post-IT. Exposures to mid- and high-dose HP-12 induced large decreases in HR (↓30–120 bpm), BP (↓20–30 mmHg), and Tco (↓1.2–2.6°C). The decreases in HR and BP were most pronounced at night and did not return to pre-IT values until 72 and 48 h after dosing, respectively. ECG abnormalities (rhythm disturbances, bundle branch block) were observed primarily in the high-dose group. This study demonstrates substantial dose-related deficits in cardiac function in SH rats after IT exposure to a low-metal content, combustion-derived particle.
A Gamma Activity Time Process with Noninteger Parameter and Self-Similar Limit

We construct a process with gamma increments, which has a given convex autocorrelation function and asymptotically a self-similar limit. This construction validates the use of long-range dependent t and variance-gamma subordinator models for actual financial data as advocated in Heyde and Leonenko (2005) and Finlay and Seneta (2006), in that it allows for noninteger-valued model parameters to occur as found empirically by data fitting.
Analysis of risk factors that may be associated with progression from ocular hypertension to primary open angle glaucoma

Background: As a multifactorial disease, glaucoma may be associated with pressure‐dependent and pressure‐independent factors. Ocular hypertension (OHT) may develop into primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) for many patients. Groups with OHT and POAG were compared for pressure‐dependent and independent risk factors. A high prevalence of any factor(s) could indicate a contribution to progression from OHT to POAG.
New insights in naevogenesis: Number, distribution and dermoscopic patterns of naevi in the elderly

Background/Objectives: It is well recognized that the number and patterns of acquired melanocytic naevi vary with age, but little is known about naevus patterns in the elderly. This is a cross‐sectional study assessing the prevalence, dermoscopic pattern and anatomical distribution of naevus subtypes in a stratified cohort aged between 60 and 89 years.
Explaining the French paradox

The 'French paradox' refers to the very low incidence of and mortality rates from ischaemic heart disease in France despite the fact that saturated fat intakes, serum choles terol, blood pressure and prevalence of smoking are no lower there than elsewhere. To some extent it is due to under-reporting, but this is not the whole explanation. The relative im munity of the French to ischaemic heart disease has been attributed to their high alcohol consumption and to their intake of antioxidant vitamins, both being supplied by wine. The custom of drinking wine with the meal may confer protection against some of the adverse effects of the food.
Efficacy of oxycodone in neuropathic pain: a randomized trial in postherpetic neuralgia.

OBJECTIVE Although opioid analgesics are used in the management of neuropathic pain syndromes, evidence of their efficacy remains to be established. We evaluated the clinical efficacy and safety of oxycodone in neuropathic pain using postherpetic neuralgia as a model. METHODS Patients with postherpetic neuralgia of at least moderate intensity were randomized to controlled-release oxycodone 10 mg or placebo every 12 hours, each for 4 weeks, using a double-blind, crossover design. The dose was increased weekly up to a possible maximum of 30 mg every 12 hours. Pain intensity and pain relief were assessed daily, and steady (ongoing) pain, brief (paroxysmal) pain, skin pain (allodynia), and pain relief were recorded at weekly visits. Clinical effectiveness, disability, and treatment preference were also assessed. RESULTS Fifty patients were enrolled and 38 completed the study (16 men, 22 women, age 70+/-11 years, onset of postherpetic neuralgia 31+/-29 months, duration of pain 18+/-5 hours per day). The oxycodone dose during the final week was 45+/-17 mg per day. Compared with placebo, oxycodone resulted in pain relief (2.9+/-1.2 versus 1.8+/-1.1, p=0.0001) and reductions in steady pain (34+/-26 versus 55+/-27 mm, p=0.0001), allodynia (32+/-26 versus 50+/-30 mm, p=0.0004), and paroxysmal spontaneous pain (22+/-24 versus 42+/-32 mm, p=0.0001). Global effectiveness, disability, and masked patient preference all showed superior scores with oxycodone relative to placebo (1.8+/-1.1 versus 0.7+/-1.0, p=0.0001; 0.3+/-0.8 versus 0.7+/-1.0, p=0.041; 67% versus 11%, p=0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Controlled-release oxycodone is an effective analgesic for the management of steady pain, paroxysmal spontaneous pain, and allodynia, which frequently characterize postherpetic neuralgia.
Effect of Metatarsal Pad Placement on Plantar Pressure in People with Diabetes Mellitus and Peripheral Neuropathy

Background: Standard prevention and treatment strategies to decrease peak plantar pressure include a total contact insert with a metatarsal pad, but no clear guidelines exist to determine optimal placement of the pad with respect to the metatarsal head. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of metatarsal pad location on peak plantar pressure in subjects with diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy. Methods: Twenty subjects with diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and a history of forefoot plantar ulcers were studied (12 men and eight women, mean age = 57 ± 9 years). CT determined the position of the metatarsal pad relative to metatarsal head and peak plantar pressures were measured on subjects in three footwear conditions: extra-depth shoes and a 1) total contact insert, 2) total contact insert and a proximal metatarsal pad, and 3) total contact insert and a distal metatarsal pad. The change in peak plantar pressure between shoe conditions was plotted and compared to metatarsal pad position relative to the second metatarsal head. Results: Compared to the total contact insert, all metatarsal pad placements between 6.1 mm to 10.6 mm proximal to the metatarsal head line resulted in a pressure reduction (average reduction = 32 ± 16%). Metatarsal pad placements between 1.8 mm distal and 6.1 mm proximal and between 10.6 mm proximal and 16.8 mm proximal to the metatarsal head line resulted in variable peak plantar pressure reduction (average reduction = 16 ± 21%). Peak plantar pressure increased when the metatarsal pad was located more than 1.8 mm distal to the metatarsal head line. Conclusions: Consistent peak plantar pressure reduction occurred when the metatarsal pad in this study was located between 6 to 11 mm proximal to the metatarsal head line. Pressure reduction lessened as the metatarsal pad moved outside of this range and actually increased if the pad was located too distal of this range. Computational models are needed to help predict optimal location of metatarsal pad with a variety of sizes, shapes, and material properties.
A randomized controlled trial of vaginal misoprostol tablet and intracervical dinoprostone gel in labor induction of women with prolonged pregnancies

Background: Objective of the study was to compare the efficacy of vaginal misoprostol and intracervical dinoprostone gel for induction of labor in women with unfavorable cervix beyond 41 weeks (287 days) of gestation. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was performed at a teaching hospital between January 2011 and December 2012. 192 women with singleton uncomplicated pregnancy with no previous uterine scar not going into spontaneous labor at 288th days of gestation . Misoprostol(25 mcg tablet)in the posterior vaginal fornix, four hourly, maximum six doses or Dinoprostone (0.5 mg gel) intracervical instillation ,six hourly, maximum three doses were given.Oxytocin was administered if needed. Primary outcome: Induction delivery interval (IDI) with incidence of delivery within 12 hours and 24 hours; mode of delivery: vaginal or caesarean section. Secondary outcome: maternal side effects, neonatal outcome. For statistical analysis chi-square test, student t- test and P-value determination were done. Results: The mean IDI was shorter in the misoprostol group compared to the dinoprostone group (p 0.05). Adverse neonatal outcome (5-minutes Apgar score 0.05). Conclusions: Vaginal misoprostol tablet is a safe and more effective method of induction of labour when compared with intracervical dinoprostone gel in prolonged pregnancies.
Intracellular RIG-I Signaling Regulates TLR4-Independent Endothelial Inflammatory Responses to Endotoxin

Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response to infections associated with organ failure that is the most frequent cause of death in hospitalized patients. Exaggerated endothelial activation, altered blood flow, vascular leakage, and other disturbances synergistically contribute to sepsis-induced organ failure. The underlying signaling events associated with endothelial proinflammatory activation are not well understood, yet they likely consist of molecular pathways that act in an endothelium-specific manner. We found that LPS, a critical factor in the pathogenesis of sepsis, is internalized by endothelial cells, leading to intracellular signaling without the need for priming as found recently in immune cells. By identifying a novel role for retinoic acid–inducible gene-I (RIG-I) as a central regulator of endothelial activation functioning independent of TLR4, we provide evidence that the current paradigm of TLR4 solely being responsible for LPS-mediated endothelial responses is incomplete. RIG-I, as well as the adaptor protein mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein, regulates NF-κB–mediated induction of adhesion molecules and proinflammatory cytokine expression in response to LPS. Our findings provide essential new insights into the proinflammatory signaling pathways in endothelial cells and suggest that combined endothelial-specific inhibition of RIG-I and TLR4 will provide protection from aberrant endothelial responses associated with sepsis.
In vitro studies on the selective binding of IgG from different species to tissue sections of the bovine mammary gland

Tissue sections of the mammary gland of cattle provide a sensitive and reproducible model for studying the initial events of the selective transport of bovine IgGs by the acinar epithelium (AE). Mammary tissue was reacted with purified antibody to horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and exposed to HRP. The sites of peroxidase activity were revealed cytochemically.
Learners’ choices and beliefs about self-testing

Students have to make scores of practical decisions when they study. We investigated the effectiveness of, and beliefs underlying, one such practical decision: the decision to test oneself while studying. Using a flashcards-like procedure, participants studied lists of word pairs. On the second of two study trials, participants either saw the entire pair again (pair mode) or saw the cue and attempted to generate the target (test mode). Participants were asked either to rate the effectiveness of each study mode (Experiment 1) or to choose between the two modes (Experiment 2). The results demonstrated a mismatch between metacognitive beliefs and study choices: Participants (incorrectly) judged that the pair mode resulted in the most learning, but chose the test mode most frequently. A post-experimental questionnaire suggested that self-testing was motivated by a desire to diagnose learning rather than a desire to improve learning.
Longitudinal analysis of virtual community perceptions of cohesion: The role of cooperation, communication, and competition

Online, virtual group interactions may help adherence to health promotion programs. The purpose of this study was to explore longitudinal relationships among dimensions of group cohesion and group-interaction variables to inform and improve group-based strategies within programs aimed at promoting physical activity in virtual communities. In all, 56 online virtual users completed a group dynamics–based physical activity promotion intervention and assessments of group cohesion and group interaction at baseline and 4 weeks. Friendly competition and cooperation were consistently strong predictors of cohesion. Facilitating a sense of friendly competition and cooperation may increase engagement in physical activity programs by bolstering group cohesion.
Venous Thrombosis, Oral Contraceptives and High Factor VIII Levels

Summary Recently, it has been described that elevated plasma levels of factor VIII are a strong risk factor for venous thrombosis. We analysed the data of the Leiden Thrombophilia Study, a population based case-control study on the causes of venous thrombosis, to verify whether the risk due to oral contraceptive use was higher in women with higher factor VIII levels. Furthermore we investigated the joint risk of high factor VIII levels and oral contraceptive use. We selected 155 premenopausal women with deep-vein thrombosis and 169 control subjects, aged 15-49, who were at the time of their thrombosis (or similar date in control) not pregnant, nor in the puerperium, did not have a recent miscarriage, and were not using injectable progestogens. Of the patients, 109 (70%) women had used oral contraceptives during the month preceding their deep-vein thrombosis, in contrast to 65 (38%) of the control subjects (index date), yielding an odds ratio for oral contraceptive use of 3.8 (95% CI 2.4-6.0). Of the women who suffered a deep-vein thrombosis 56 (36%) had high factor VIII levels (≥150 IU/dl) as compared with 29 (17%) of the control subjects, yielding an odds ratio for high factor VIII of 4.0 (95% CI 2.0-8.0), relative to factor VIII levels <100 IU/dl. The joint effect of oral contraceptive use and high factor VIII resulted in an odds ratio of 10.3 (95% CI 3.7-28.9), comparing women who had both with women who had neither. We conclude that there is an increase in risk due to oral contraceptive use in women with higher factor VIII levels and that both factors have additive effects.
Comparative Life Histories of Greenbugs and Sugarcane Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) Coinfesting Susceptible and Resistant Sorghums

Abstract Host-plant resistance has been a fundamental component of aphid management in cereal crops. Over decades, various sources of resistance to greenbug, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), were bred into cultivars of sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, to counter recurring virulent greenbug biotypes. The recent invasion of sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner), raised questions about plant-mediated interactions between the two aphids and the possibility of using greenbug antibiosis against sugarcane aphid. The present work was undertaken to characterize the impact of PI 550610 resistance to ‘biotype I’ greenbug, expressed in seed parental line KS 116B, on aphid life histories and to observe plant-mediated interactions between aphid species in its presence and absence. At 23°C, sugarcane aphid nymphs matured 1.5 d faster than greenbug nymphs on susceptible hybrid P8500, but at similar rates on the resistant line, which delayed maturity by 1–1.5 d in both species and increased juvenile mortality by three- to fourfold. Sugarcane aphid reproductive rate was double that of greenbug on susceptible sorghum (4.45 vs. 2.30 nymphs per female per day), but not significantly different on the resistant one (3.09 vs. 2.27). Thus, PI 550610 expresses antibiosis, not tolerance, to these aphids. Coinfestation of P8500 had a positive effect on greenbug intrinsic rate of increase (rm), which changed to negative on KS 116B, whereas the rm of sugarcane aphid was unaffected by coinfestation with greenbug on either cultivar. The results indicate that KS 116B will be useful for producing sugarcane aphid-resistant hybrids, and that PI 550610 antibiosis changes the sugarcane aphid–greenbug interspecific relationship from commensalism to amensalism.
Using animals in teaching: APS position statement and rationale.

The 2004 APS Position Statement on the Use of Animals in Teaching evolved following more than two years of discussions within the Council, the Animal Care and Experimentation Committee, the Education Committee, and the Editorial Board of the journal, Advances in Physiology Education. Position statements are, by definition, brief, and typically do not capture the detailed analysis and discussion of the complex issues that they summarize. Therefore, it is important to provide additional information to help orient the reader to the discussion that shaped the position statement. Toward that end, the APS is providing two background information pieces. The first is a historical perspectives review on the use of animals in teaching laboratories by APS Public Affairs Officer, Alice Ra’anan, available in the September 2005 issue of Advances in Physiology Education (8). The second is an educational rationale for the use of animal laboratories in the larger context of student laboratories.
Preliminary Study of Positron Emission Tomography in the Detection and Management of Orbital Malignancy

Purpose: To determine the clinical efficacy of positron emission tomography (PET) in the treatment of patients with orbital malignancy. Methods: Prospective, consecutive case series to assess the ability of PET to (1) identify lesions previously demonstrated on CT or MRI; (2) characterize the metabolic activity of these lesions; and (3) determine the presence of metabolically active metastases elsewhere in the body. Results: Eighteen patients with suspected orbital malignancies, ages 32 to 78 years, underwent PET in addition to CT and/or MRI. Sixteen of 18 also underwent orbital biopsy. Histopathologic diagnosis included lymphoma (55%), carcinoma (22%), melanoma (11%), sarcoma (5.5%), and lymphoid hyperplasia (5.5%). All orbital lesions were seen on conventional imaging. Overall, 61% of orbital lesions were demonstrated on PET, including 55% of tumors that were lymphoproliferative and 100% (n = 5) of other malignancies. PET was useful in ruling out tumor recurrence after exenteration in 2 patients. Conclusions: In this small clinical series, PET proved effective in demonstrating nonlymphoproliferative orbital malignancy. This series is too small to study any correlation between histopathologic aggressiveness and PET findings in orbital lymphoma.
Designing Superoleophobic Surfaces

Understanding the complementary roles of surface energy and roughness on natural nonwetting surfaces has led to the development of a number of biomimetic superhydrophobic surfaces, which exhibit apparent contact angles with water greater than 150 degrees and low contact angle hysteresis. However, superoleophobic surfaces—those that display contact angles greater than 150 degrees with organic liquids having appreciably lower surface tensions than that of water—are extremely rare. Calculations suggest that creating such a surface would require a surface energy lower than that of any known material. We show how a third factor, re-entrant surface curvature, in conjunction with chemical composition and roughened texture, can be used to design surfaces that display extreme resistance to wetting from a number of liquids with low surface tension, including alkanes such as decane and octane.
Correcting for multiple destination trips in recreational use values using a mean-value approach; An application to Bellenden Ker National Park, Australia

This paper focuses on an empirical application of the travel cost method, to estimate the recreational use value of Bellenden Ker National Park, part of the Wet tropics World Heritage Area Queensland, Australia. Walking appears to be one of the main activities associated with recreational experiences in the region. Substantial socio-economic as well as environmental benefits are expected to be gained if the areas was to be developed further, with regard to walking tracks, provided that this would be done in an environmentally sustainable way. Two overnight tracks within the park have been selected to obtain information about visitors’ experiences with the tracks in the past, to address specific needs for possible future developments. A standard assumption for interpreting travel costs as a valid proxy for the price of a trip is that the travel cost be incurred exclusively to visit that particular site. However, this assumption often proves to be invalid as people tend to combine destinations. We propose a method commonly used in multi-criteria decision-making to correct for multiple trip bias. A value of $AUS 15.2 mln has been estimated as the net present value of recreational use in 2001 values at about six percent real rate of interest in perpetuity. This value appears to be rather small compared to other TCM studies undertaken in the area, for national parks that were similar in size and visitor numbers.
Highly Temporal Visualization of Generation Process of Underwater Secondary Streamer From Developed Primary Streamer

A series of images of a generation process of an underwater secondary streamer from a developed primary streamer was visualized by an ultrahigh-speed camera with a microscope lens. The secondary streamer with a filamentary structure propagated with an average velocity of 30 km/s from one of the channel tips of the semispherical primary streamer with an average propagation velocity of 1.8 km/s. The synchronized current waveform showed that pulsed currents of about 100 mA were changed into a continuous current of about 300 mA when the secondary streamer started to propagate. This experiment was carried out by the application of a single-shot pulsed positive voltage to a needle-to-wire electrode system with a gap length of 6 mm.
Baculovirus transduction of rat articular chondrocytes: roles of cell cycle

We have previously demonstrated highly efficient baculovirus transduction of primary rat articular chondrocytes, thus implicating the possible applications of baculovirus in gene‐based cartilage tissue engineering. However, baculovirus‐mediated gene expression in the chondrocytes is transient.