Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A New Alternative Method for Superovulation Using Passive Immunization Against Inhibin in Adult Rats1

Abstract The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of passive immunoneutralization of endogenous inhibin on ovulation rate and embryo development in vivo and in vitro to establish a new alternative superovulation method in the adult rat. Female adult rats of Wistar strain were superovulated with a single injection of inhibin antiserum (inhibin-AS; 100 or 400 μl) or an injection of 20 IU eCG followed by an injection of 10 IU hCG. Untreated animals served as controls. Embryos were collected from oviducts or uteri on Days 1–5 of pregnancy, and the number of embryos and implantation sites were observed. On Day 1 of pregnancy, the two-cell-stage embryos were cultured and embryos from the 100-μl inhibin-AS group and the control group were transferred to recipient females to determine developmental competence. There were no significant differences between groups in fertilization rate. The numbers of normal embryos in the inhibin-AS-treated groups were significantly higher than the control and the eCG-hCG-treated groups throughout Days 1–4 of pregnancy. The number of implantation sites observed on Day 5 of pregnancy in the inhibin-AS-treated groups was significantly higher than both the control and the eCG-hCG-treated groups. Furthermore, the rate of blastocyst development in vitro in the inhibin-AS-treated groups and posttransfer viability in the 100-μl-inhibin-AS group were comparable with those of the control group. These results indicate that immunoneutralization of endogenous inhibin is a new practical alternative for induction of superovulation as a substitution for eCG-hCG method in the adult rat.
Factors Determining the Choice of Hunting and Trading Bushmeat in the Kilombero Valley, Tanzania

Regulation of illegal bushmeat trade is a major conservation challenge in Africa. We investigated what factors are most likely to induce actors in the bushmeat trade to shift to an alternative occupation by conducting a choice experiment with 325 actors in the bushmeat trade in the Kilombero Valley, Tanzania. Specifically, we asked respondents to choose between hunting or trading bushmeat and alternative salary‐paying work, in a set of hypothetical scenarios where the attributes of these alternatives were varied and included measures of command and control, price of substitute meat, daily salary in the work option, and whether or not cows were donated to the respondent. We modeled the choice contingent on socioeconomic characteristics. The magnitude of fines and patrolling frequency had a significant but very low negative effect on the probability of choosing to engage in hunting or trading bushmeat compared with the salary of an alternative occupation. Donation of livestock and the price of substitute meats in the local market both affected the choice significantly in a negative and a positive direction, respectively. The wealthier a household was the more likely the respondent was to choose to continue hunting or trading bushmeat. On the margin, our results suggest that given current conditions in the Kilombero Valley on any given day 90% of the respondents would choose salary work at US$3.37/day over their activities in the bushmeat trade, all else equal.
A Prospective Study of Chlamydia pneumoniae Antibodies in Children Between 7 months and 8 years of Age

To provide insight into the appearance and longitudinal course of Chlamydia pneumoniae antibodies in childhood, C. pneumoniae immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgA and, in selected children, IgM antibodies were measured annually in 199 healthy children, followed prospectively from age 7 months to age 8 y (number of samples 1225) using a commercial enzyme immunoassay kit. IgG antibodies to C. pneumoniae were common throughout the follow-up, and the values declined rapidly after apparent infections during early childhood. Of the 128 identified seroconversions, 94 were probably primary infections and 34 reinfections. IgM antibodies were detected in 28% of the samples that showed a clear increase in IgG. IgA antibodies were scarce before 2 y of age, but their proportion then increased gradually. At the ages of 7 and 8 y, 10% of the children had clearly positive IgG and IgA antibody values. Increases in IgG were not associated with clinical respiratory symptoms. This study shows that C. pneumoniae infections probably occur commonly already at an early age, and that the infections are often asymptomatic. Consecutive high IgG and IgA antibody concentrations at the ages of 7 and 8 y indicate that persistent seropositivity for both antibodies may already develop in young children.
Temporal Trends in Sexual Behaviors and Sexually Transmitted Disease History Among 18- to 39-Year-Old Seattle, Washington, Residents: Results of Random Digit-Dial Surveys

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to describe sexual behaviors of Seattle residents in 2003–2004 and report changes since 1995. Methods: We conducted a random digit-dial (RDD) survey among 18- to 39-year-old men and women in 2003–2004. We compared the results with the results of a 1995 RDD survey conducted in the same population. Questionnaire batteries and sampling methods were similar in the 2 surveys. Results: Between 1995 and 2004, the median number of lifetime sex partners increased from 7 to 8. Vaginal douching declined from 70.6% to 25.9% (P = 0.004) among black women; from 8.3% to 5.9% (P <0.05) among Asian American women; and from 15.5% to 2.4% (P <0.05) overall. After adjustment, proportions of women who reported practicing vaginal douching (odds ratio [OR], 0.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.7–0.22), the proportion of respondents who reported a history of any sexually transmitted disease (OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.53–0.93) and a history of gonorrhea (OR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.25–0.89) declined between 1995 and 2004. Conversely, the proportion of respondents who reported only same-sex partners (OR, 3.27; 95% CI, 1.33–9.88), condom use at first sex with their most recent sex partner (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.06–1.78), and reported practice of anal sex (OR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.21–3.48) increased between 1995 and 2004. Among blacks, proportions reporting an age difference of only 2 years with their partners declined from 64.3% to 25.9% (P <0.05), indicating increased age mixing. Conclusions: Some risk behaviors declined whereas others increased between 1995 and 2004; several trends were divergent between the general population and minority populations. Our data hint at an increasing divergence in risk behaviors and morbidity between minority populations and the general population. Also, anal sex and number of sex partners have increased. These patterns have serious implications for the design, targeting, and implementation of prevention programs.
MTHFR C 677 T and A 1298 C gene polymorphisms and their relation to homocysteine level in Egyptian children with congenital heart diseases ☆

Abbreviations: MTHFR, methylene tetrahydrofolate re diseases; SNP, single nucleotide polymorphism; ECHO, ech teine; DNA, deoxyribonucleic acid; PCR–RFLP, polymerase ment length polymorphism; VSD, ventricular septal defec patent ductus arteriosus. ☆ Funding: This study was funded with the support of University Projects, Zagazig University Post Graduate & ⁎ Corresponding author. Tel. : +2
Bayesian analysis of structural equation models with multinomial variables and an application to type 2 diabetic nephropathy

There is now increasing evidence proving that many complex diseases can be significantly influenced by correlated phenotype and genotype variables, as well as their interactions. Effective and rigorous assessment of such influence is difficult, because the number of phenotype and genotype variables of interest may not be small, and a genotype variable is an unordered categorical variable that follows a multinomial distribution. To address the problem, we establish a novel nonlinear structural equation model for analysing mixed continuous and multinomial data that can be missing at random. A confirmatory factor analysis model with Kronecker product is proposed for grouping the manifest continuous and multinomial variables into latent variables according to their functions; and a nonlinear structural equation is formulated to assess the linear and interaction effects of the independent latent variables to the dependent latent variables. Bayesian methods for estimation and model comparison are developed through Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques and path sampling. The newly developed methodologies are applied to a case–control cohort of type 2 diabetic patients with nephropathy. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Management Scheme for Increasing the Connectivity of Small-Scale Renewable DG

This paper presents a planning model and an active network management (ANM) scheme for increasing small-scale renewable distributed generation (DG) capacity in distribution networks. The capacity of each DG unit is assumed to include two components: 1) unconditional and 2) conditional. Unconditional DG capacity is calculated using an appropriate economic model that ensures adequate profit for DG investors. For all online distribution system conditions, a DG unit whose capacity is less than or equal to the unconditional DG capacity is granted permission to inject power into the system without curtailment. The first phase of this work involved the development of a proposed planning model that maximizes the number of DG units installed based on the calculated unconditional capacity. Any capacity higher than the unconditional DG capacity is considered conditional capacity. The second phase of this work is focused on an ANM scheme for minimizing the curtailment of conditional DG capacity using a novel scalable optimization model. The simulation results show that the proposed planning model with the ANM scheme significantly increases the photovoltaic (PV) DG capacity that can be installed. The simulation results indicate that online operation of the proposed ANM scheme would provide a favorable outcome and enhanced performance.
Food Sustainability as a Strategic Value Driver in the Hotel Industry

This paper aims at exploring the impact of green food on consumers’ purchase attitudes toward a hotel stay and on consumers’ behavioral intentions (i.e., intention to visit the hotel, intention to offer positive recommendations to others and willingness to pay a premium price), focusing on an Italian perspective where the food is a worldwide famous cultural element. This research employed a survey sent out by email to a database of contacts provided by an Italian company that operates in tourism. Data collection was completed in four weeks and the initial dataset counted 3586 of target respondents. A total of 302 surveys were completed and the data were analyzed through structural equation modeling (SEM). Firstly, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed, followed by a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) that leads to the estimation of the structural model. The results show that personal beliefs toward green food are positively associated with respondents’ purchase attitudes toward green food. Moreover, stronger purchase attitudes toward green food lead to more favorable purchase attitudes toward hotels that offer green food, further substantiating the investigation about whether or not consumers’ attitudes employ similar concerns on sustainability for their daily purchases as well as for vacation products and services. In turn, the latter purchase attitudes are positively associated with individual behavioral intentions toward hotels that offer green food.
Traumatic Optic Neuropathy: A Review

The aim of this article is to evaluate current literature on investigation and management of traumatic optic neuropathy (TON), propose recommendations for diagnosis and management, and explore novel future treatments. TON, though uncommon, causes substantial visual loss. Without clear guidelines, there is much ambiguity regarding its diagnosis and management. Investigation and treatment (conservative, medical, surgical, and combined) vary widely between centers. Electronic databases PubMed, MEDLINE, PROSPERO, CENTRAL, and EMBASE were searched for content that matched “Traumatic optic neuropathy. ” Articles with abstracts and full text available, published in the past 10 years, written English and limited to human adults, were selected. All study designs were acceptable except case reports and case series with fewer 10 patients. All abstracts were then evaluated for relevance. References of these studies were evaluated and if also relevant, included. A total of 2,686 articles were retrieved and 43 examined for relevance. Of these, 23 articles were included. TON is a clinical diagnosis. Visual-evoked potential is useful in diagnosis and prognosis. Computed tomography demonstrates canal fractures and concomitant injuries. Magnetic resonance images should be reserved for select and stable patients. Conservative treatment is appropriate in mild TON. Steroids are of questionable benefit and may be harmful. Surgery should be reserved for patients with radiological evidence of compression and individualized.
Regime-Dependent Effect of Crude Oil Price on BRICS Stock Markets

ABSTRACT In this study, the dynamic relation between global crude oil prices and stock prices is investigated in terms of crude oil-exporting and -importing countries. The relationship between crude oil prices and stock prices is examined for BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) for the periods of January 1995 to December 2016 by means of the Markov Switching Vector Autoregression (MS-VAR) model. The impulse-response analysis results suggest that the responses of the stock market to an oil price shock vary over the regimes for all countries. Specifically, we find that the responses of the stock market to an unexpected oil price shock are positive and statistically significant in the high-volatility regime in all countries except for China, and these results suggest that the increase in oil prices may be evaluated by demand-side shock in these countries.
Steady-State Pharmacokinetics of Cefoperazone and Sulbactam in Patients with Acute Appendicitis

OBJECTIVE: To determine the steady-state pharmacokinetics of intravenously administered cefoperazone and sulbactam when given in combination to patients with acute appendicitis. METHODS: Six patients with normal renal and hepatic function received cefoperazone 2 g with sulbactam 1 g prior to appendectomy and then every 12 hours. Serial blood samples were collected after each patient received at least three doses of cefoperazone/sulbactam. RESULTS: Cefoperazone and sulbactam could be best described by a two-compartment model. Mean ± SD values for cefoperazone steady-state volume of distribution (Vss d), elimination half-life (t1/2β), clearance (Cl), and area under the curve (AUC0-t) were 19.8 ± 8.0 L, 3.97 ± 1.06 h, 62.6 ± 16.3 mL/min, and 556.9 ± 122.0 mg·h/L, respectively. Sulbactam Vss d, t1/2β, Cl, and AUC0-t were 34.7 ± 13.9 L, 1.39 ± 0.4 h, 288.6 ± 68.2 mL/min, and 64.8 ± 24.5 mg·h/L, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with data from healthy volunteers, cefoperazone exhibited a decreased Cl and increased Vss d and t1/2β in patients with acute appendicitis. An increased Vss d also was observed for sulbactam. The disposition of cefoperazone/sulbactam is altered in this group of patients; however, these changes are not likely to warrant a dosage reduction.
Diagnostic yield of 96-h wireless pH monitoring and usefulness in patients' management

Abstract Objective. To get insight into usefulness of 96-h wireless monitoring in diagnosis of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and in patients' management. Material and methods. 51 patients who underwent 96-h wireless and 51 matched patients who underwent 24-h traditional pH monitoring were enrolled and retrospectively contacted with a structured telephone interview. Results. In the wireless group, the 96-h recording improved (p < 0.05) the diagnostic yield compared with the first 48-h recording by allowing Symptom Association Probability to be measured in eight more patients and by decreasing indeterminate tests from 11 to 5. After pH monitoring, concordance between results of the test and treatment for GERD was higher in the wireless compared with the traditional group, 78% versus 58% of the patients (p < 0.05). Both improvement/disappearance of the clinically relevant symptom and satisfaction (score of 1–10) at time of the telephone interview were however similar in the two groups, 73% versus 65% and 7.0 versus 6.5. Conclusions. Wireless pH monitoring prolonged to 96 h increased the likelihood to exclude/confirm GERD as the cause of the clinically relevant symptoms in those patients with an indeterminate result for GERD after the first 48 h. Outcome was however similar to the one of traditional pH monitoring.
Efficiency Analysis of Cotton-Wheat and Rice-Wheat Systems in Punjab, Pakistan

The main objectives of this study were to estimate the technical, allocative and economicefficiency and subsequently to investigate the determinants of technical, allocative andeconomic inefficiency of cotton-wheat and rice-wheat farming systems in Punjab, Pakistan. Data were collected from 400 farmers (200 farmers from each farming system) for the crop year 2005-06. Technical, allocative and economic efficiency scores wereestimated by a non-parametric data envelopment analysis procedure. Technical, allocative and economic inefficiency scores were separately regressed on socio-economic and farm specific variables to identify the sources of technical, allocative and economic inefficiency using a Tobit regression model. The mean technical, allocative and economic efficiency calculated for the cottonwheat system was 0.75, 0.44 and 0.37, respectively. Results of the study revealed that if sample farms in cotton-wheat system operated at full efficiency level they could reduce their input use by 25 percent and cost of production by 56 percent without reducing the level of output and with the same technology. Decomposition of technical efficiency into pure and scale efficiency revealed that small farms were pure technically more efficient than large and medium farms. Scale inefficiency was found to account for a larger share of technical inefficiency on small farms than on medium and large farms. Small farms were found to be less allocatively efficient than medium and large farms. The mean technical, allocative and economic efficiency of the sample farms in rice-wheat system was estimated at 0.70, 0.48 and 0.40, respectively. These results implied that if sample farms in rice-wheat system operated at full efficiency levels they could reduce their input use by 30 percent and cost of production by 52 percent without any reduction in the level of output and with the existing technology. Decomposition of technical efficiency into pure and scale efficiency revealed that small farms were pure technically more efficient than large and medium farms. Pure technical efficiency of small, medium and large farms was 087, 0.79 and 0.81, respectively. Scale efficiency of small, medium and large farms was 079, 0.94 and 0.94, respectively. Small farms were found to be less allocatively efficient than medium and large farms. 2 Results of Tobit regression models showed that years of schooling and number of contacts with extension agents had negative impact on technical, allocative and economic inefficiency of both farming systems. Access to credit had negative impact on technical inefficiency of sample farms in cotton-wheat system. Impact of access to credit was negative on technical, allocative and economic inefficiency of rice-wheat system. It was found than those farms which were located close to the market were technically less inefficient than the farms located away from the markets. Sharecroppers were technically more inefficient than owner operators in both farming systems of Punjab.
E-government, Economic Growth and Trade: A Simultaneous Equation Approach

Does e-government promote trade and economic growth? This paper attempts to answer this question by employing simultaneous equation estimation approach and using a cross-section data of 147 countries. This is first study which has empirically estimated the bilateral relationships between economic growth and e-government, trade and e-government and trade and economic growth. The findings indicate that e-government is a stimulant of both economic growth and trade. The results predict the presence of a bilateral relationship between e-government and economic growth, trade and e-government, and unilateral causality exists from trade to growth.
An investigation of teacher's beliefs and attitudes regarding the use of tablet computers as a pedagogical tool in teaching practical studies (Electricity and Electronics) in Kuwait Intermediate Schools

Tablet computers facilitate and augment learning in and beyond the conventional classroom, which is considered as seamless learning, free from time and space boundaries. These portable devices are increasingly being integrated in Kuwaiti schools and consequently there is the need to ascertainhowteachers’ pedagogical and epistemological beliefsinfluence their decisions to integrate tablet computers for teaching in Kuwaiti schools. This inquiry is grounded in the theoretical frameworks of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK). The study establishes the factors influencing teachers’ initial adoption of tablet computers, their impact on teachers’ pedagogical approaches, and the challenges teachers’ face. A mixed-methods exploratory-cum-explanatory research design was employed to acquire both qualitative and quantitative data. Research instruments used included questionnaires, interviews and observations. Questionnaires were administered to a sample of 150 intermediate school teachers from one school district. A sample of 15 teachers was selected for interviews. The 15 teachers were also observed in their classrooms. Quantitative data was analysed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 21 software while qualitative data was thematically analysed.This study found that the teachers' perceptions of affordances and constraints of the technology may have developed over time and through the use of the devices in their classroom practices. Although the teachers had varied self-efficacy beliefs, they had positive attitudestowards theuseoftablet computers. Findings also suggest that the teachers’ TPACK fostered skills to use these devices and that they could support authentic assessment and promote student-centred learning. Furthermore, the study considersthat policymakers lack clarity in pedagogical understanding and as result inadequate policies were hindering rather than enabling tablet computer integration in schools. Although most findings reinforce what is already known about the field, this study is unique as these results are new for Kuwait and possibly more widely for the Middle East. The study recommends that policymakers provide increased support for teachers and encourage schools to put in place mechanisms that improve teachers’ attitudes towards emerging technologies. Additionally, it recommends that teachers should be provided relevant and targeted in-service training programmes to enhance their skills and knowledge in order to integrate tablet computers into their teaching practices to effectively support a student-centered learning paradigm.