Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pro-Con Debate: Nitrous Oxide for Labor Analgesia

This Pro-Con debate will provide the practitioner with an evidence-based knowledge approach to assist the clinician in determining whether to employ (Pro) or not to employ (Con) this technique in the obstetrical suite for labor analgesia. Nitrous oxide has been used safely in dentistry and medicine for many centuries. However, accumulating preclinical and clinical evidence increasingly suggests previously unrecognized adverse maternal and fetal effects of nitrous oxide, which warrants reconsideration of its use in pregnant women and a more detailed informed consent. Nitrous oxide is associated with metabolic, oxidative, genotoxic, and transgenerational epigenetic effects in animals and humans that may warrant limiting its usefulness in labor. This debate will discuss and review the clinical uses, advantages, and disadvantages of nitrous oxide on occupational effects of nitrous oxide exposure, neuroapoptosis, FDA warning on inhalational anesthetics and the developing brain, research limitations, occupational exposure safety limits, effects on global warming, and potential for diversion.
Metabolic Control of Viral Infection through PPAR-α Regulation of STING Signaling

Peroxisomal proliferator activated receptors (PPARs) are sensors of dietary lipids and pharmacological targets in the treatment of metabolic disorders. PPAR ligands are also immunosuppressive. However, their function during infection is debated and the mechanisms that underlie their immunoregulatory properties are unclear. We investigated the consequences of PPAR activation during herpesvirus infection. We found that activation of PPAR-α increased herpesvirus replication, suppressed type I interferon production and induced reactive oxygen species (ROS). We discovered that ROS induced by PPAR-α stimulation suppressed the cytoplasmic DNA sensing pathway after direct activation of stimulator of interferon (STING), the ER adapter downstream of cytoplasmic DNA recognition. Although high ROS induces inflammasome activation and cytokine production, we found that ROS inhibited interferon production after cytoplasmic DNA recognition. Treatment of mice with a clinically relevant agonist of PPAR-α increased herpesvirus replication and pathogenesis, comparable to levels observed previously in type I interferon receptor knockout mice. These findings reveal that activation of PPAR-α regulates immunity to cytoplasmic DNA and DNA virus infection through inhibition of interferon. Moreover, these results demonstrate that STING signaling and interferon production is regulated by ROS.
Bioavailability of l-methionine relative to dl-methionine in Broiler chickens

Abstract This study was aimed to estimate the relative bioavailability (RBA) of l-methionine (l-Met) to dl-methionine (dl-Met) in broiler chickens from 1 to 21 d of age. A total of 1664 one-day-old broiler chicks were randomly divided into 13 groups with 8 replicates per group. The basal diet contained 60% of the NRC requirement for Met. Birds in treatment groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with graded levels of dl- or l-Met, resulting in the dietary content of Met at 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% and 100% of the NRC requirement, respectively. Results showed that there were linear increases (p < .05) in average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake, feed efficiency (FE), eviscerated weight, breast muscle weight and leg muscle weight in response to the increasing supplementation of either dl- or l-Met, which also linearly reduced (p < .05) plasma uric acid and protein carbonyl contents. Compared with dl-Met, l-Met addition resulted in elevations (p < .05) in ADG and FE, along with leg muscle yield of birds. A lower (p < .05) content of urea nitrogen with a higher (p < .05) content of uric acid in plasma were observed in the birds supplemented with l-Met compared with dl-Met. Slope-ratio assay revealed that the RBA of l-Met to dl-Met for ADG and FE were 141.5% and 189.1%, respectively. And the respective values were calculated as 122.9% and 116.8% when based on eviscerated weight and breast muscle weight as the response criteria. However, the above RBA estimates except for FE did not differ from 100%. Collectively, supplemental l-Met had a higher bioavailability for FE of broilers relative to dl-Met during the first 3 weeks of life. Highlights l-methionine addition has an advantage over dl-methionine for supporting the growth performance of broiler chickens in early age. The relative bioavailability of l-Met to dl-Met for feed efficiency of broiler chickens during the first 21 days post-hatch was calculated as 189.1% that differs from 100%.
The Underpricing of Initial Public Offerings

AbstractThe following sections are included:IntroductionThe New-issue and Offering ProcessThe Role of Financial Variables in the Pricing of IPOsThe Chinese DataA Benchmark RegressionThe Adverse-Selection ModelsThe Signaling ModelsEmpirical Implications from the Signaling ModelsCorrelation Between IPO Returns and IPO ProceedsCorrelations Among IPO Underpricing and Issuer's Intrinsic Value, Fractional Ownership and Project VarianceIPO Underpricing and SEOsBribery and Lottery Hypotheses of IPO UnderpricingBribery Hypothesis: Underpricing of Chinese IPOs are Gifts to Public Officials or Favored PurchasersLottery Hypothesis: Lottery Mechanism in Share Allocation Contributes to High IPO UnderpricingUnderpricing of Foreign-Share IPOsLong-run Performance of IPOsSummary
A Latent Variable Model for Evaluation of Disparate Ratings of Stem Cell Colonies by Two Experts

The visual inspection of pluripotent stem cell colonies by microscopy is widely used as a primary method to assess the quality of the preparations and degree of pluripotency. The lack of ground truth and the possible inconsistency of evaluations from multiple experts within and between stem cell laboratories are sources of uncertainty about the state of the cells, the reproducibility of preparations, and the efficiency of expansion protocols. To examine how to evaluate the level of confidence one has in disparate rating from experts, we explored a statistical method for assessing the differences in ratings of pluripotent stem cells by two different experts. Two experts rated phase contrast microscope images of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) colonies on a scale of 1 (poor) to 5 (maximum pluripotency character) but agreed with one another only 48% of the time. To assess whether experts used similar criteria to rate colonies, we developed custom image feature algorithms based on the stated visual criteria provided by the experts for selection of colonies. These features, plus others, were then used to develop pluripotency scoring algorithms trained to reflect ratings of both experts. We treated expert ratings as inexact indicators of a continuous pluripotency score and considered the inconsistency between expert ratings in developing our models. The model suggests that the two experts use somewhat different scales for discriminating between colony quality. Covariance analysis indicated that both experts use features that are not included in the model. Two image features, colony perimeter and a feature based on texture, were the most important for both experts for predicting the ratings. Interestingly, colony perimeter was not one of the expert-provided criteria for rating colonies, showing that this modeling approach allowed identification of features that the experts were not aware they were using. A linear model based on both experts identified each expert’s top-rated colonies as well as, or better than, the ratings of the other expert, as indicated by receiver operator characteristic curve analysis. By providing an understanding of the differences and similarities in disparate sets of expert ratings, this analysis helps to establish confidence in the ratings and the criteria for ratings, even when the experts disagree.
Physiological quality of bean seeds after application of desiccant herbicides

ABSTRACT: The application of desiccant herbicides in the bean crop is fundamental in the production of quality seeds, since it anticipates the harvesting season, which makes it possible to obtain seeds in the period of physiological maturation, when they are reported with maximum accumulation of dry matter, high vigor levels and germination percentage. However, there is little information about the ideal application time of these products to obtain beans of high physiological quality. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the physiological quality of bean seeds after application of desiccant herbicides at different times in preharvest. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design in a 2x3+1 factorial scheme, with four replications. Desiccant herbicides paraquat (400g ha-1) and paraquat + diuron (200 + 400g ha-1) were applied in three phenological stages (R8, R8/R9 and R9), plus one control (without herbicide application). Yield (Kg ha-1), mass of one thousand seeds (g), germination (%) and seed vigor were evaluated through tests of accelerated aging, electrical conductivity and primary root length. Application of paraquat molecule at the R8 stage and the paraquat + diuron mixture at the R8/R9 stage reduced the viability and vigor of the bean seeds, and compromised yield. Applications of the paraquat herbicide at the R8/R9 and R9 stages or of the mixture (paraquat + diuron) at the R9 stage preserved the physiological quality of the seeds without;however, affecting yield.
RESULTS ON MEROMORPHIC FUNCTIONS SHARING THREE VALUES CM IN SOME ANGULAR DOMAINS

We study the uniqueness question of transcendental meromorphic functions that share three values CM in some angular domains instead of the whole complex plane. The results in this paper extend the corresponding results in Zheng [13, 14] and Yi [12]. Some examples are given to show that the results in this paper, in a sense, are the best possible.
Exchange Rate Volatility and the Extent of Currency Substitution in Nigeria

This study tests for the existence of currency substitution and attempts to gauge its magnitude in Nigeria. The analysis was based on a multi-perspective unrestricted portfolio balance model. The stock of foreign currency deposits in Nigeria and the ratio of deposits denominated in foreign currency in the domestic banking system to deposits denominated in the domestic currency were modelled. The study revealed the presence of currency substitution in the domestic banking system in Nigeria. A major factor driving this process was exchange rate volatility especially real parallel market exchange rate volatility. Also, the study demonstrates that currency substitution in Nigeria was low during the period under review and as such classified Nigeria as moderately dollarized economy. Subsequently, alternative policy options for curtailing currency substitution in Nigeria were explored. The study concludes that currency substitution is an element of Nigerians' behaviour concerning wealth allocation and as such macroeconomic policies that ensure long periods of low inflation and exchange rate stability become the most powerful policy option that could help stabilize or reduce currency substitution. Also very paramount are the development of domestic financial markets with relevant infrastructural facilities and the development of new financial instruments, which will serve as alternatives to holding money in the domestic economy.
‘ 4 The three-dimensional solar wind at solar activity minin

In late 1997, the Ulysses spacecraft completed its first orbit around the Sun, observing the properties of the heliosphe.re at all latitudes between 80°S and 80°N. Because the mission occurred during a period of near-minimum solar activity, the configuration of the solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field were pa]liculady simple, thus allowing confident comparisons between the properties of the polar corona observed by instruments on the Spartan and SOHO spacecraft and the resulting properties of the solar wind. Particular topics selected for review are the small amplitude variations (microstreams) in the speed of the fast polar solar wind, the large-scale three-dimensional configuration of the interplanetary magnetic field, the differences between transient solar wind events (coronal mass ejections) observed at intermediate and those seen at low latitudes, and the solar sources of the fast and slow solar wind. Table of
AN ELECTRON MICROPROBE STUDY OF THE AMAZON FAN

Detrital grains were examined in 38 sediment samples from Holes 931B, 936A, and 944A of Ocean Drilling Program Leg 155 on the Amazon Fan, adjacent to the South American continental margin. All samples are Quaternary in age (<360 ka). Optically, the fine sand and silt fraction consists of quartz (70% to 80%), feldspar (8% to 15%) and mica (~1%). The light heavy minerals form 5% to 7% of the sediment and consist of zircon, tourmaline, hornblende, clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, staurolite, kyanite, sillimanite, chloritoid, and garnet; opaques form 2% to 5%. The quartz grains are both subangular and wellrounded with iron-rich surface coatings. Thus, the sands of the Amazon Fan are quartz arenite to subarkose. The modal and chemical compositions of the Amazon Fan sands show no vertical and temporal variations throughout the sections and stratigraphic horizons. In order to understand the provenance of the sediments, compositions of constituent mineral grains were analyzed using the electron microprobe. From this study, five mineral assemblages have been recognized that are characteristic of medium-pressure type metamorphic rocks, high-pressure type metamorphic rocks, granitic rocks, and recycled and arc-volcanic sources. Possible sources for the assemblages are Precambrian rocks of the Guiana and Brazilian Shields, the foreland region of the Andes, arc-volcanic rocks of the Andean Cordillera, and Paleozoic to Tertiary sediments of the Amazon Basin.
Humor, the PEN model of personality, and subjective well-being: Support for differential relationships with eight comic styles

IT Il presente studio esamina le relazioni di otto stili comici con il modello di personalità di Eysenck ed il benessere soggettivo. Ad un campione di 252 adulti è stata somministrata una batteria di test comprensiva di diversi strumenti: il Comic Styes Markers (strumento atto a valutare otto stili comici: divertimento, umorismo, nonsense, arguzia, ironia, satira, sarcasmo e cinismo), la forma breve del questionario di Eysenck sulla personalità e misure del benessere soggettivo. I risultati hanno mostrato che tutti e tre i superfattori erano predittivi degli stili comici: l’Estroversione è emersa predire gli stili positivi (divertimento, arguzia) mentre il Nevroticismo predice gli stili di derisione (sarcasmo e cinismo). Lo Psicoticismo è emerso essere legato a tutti gli stili comici tranne che all'ironia. Inoltre, gli stili comici predicono il benessere soggettivo sia positivamente (umorismo, divertimento e arguzia) sia negativamente (sarcasmo e cinismo). La validità incrementale degli stili comici oltre età, sesso e personalità è risultata piccola. Complessivamente, lo studio
A characterization of the non local boundary value problems associated with an elliptic operator

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Metal workers and repairmen at risk for prostate cancer : A review

BACKGROUND The objective is to summarize the results of studies of prostate cancer risk among metal workers, mechanics, and repairmen in order to evaluate the magnitude of risk and to investigate the role of specific work-related hazards in the development of this disease. METHODS Review of literature. RESULTS In most of the studies reviewed, a slight excess risk of prostate cancer incidence or mortality was observed among metal workers and repairmen. It is as yet unclear, however, whether this excess risk is caused by particular occupational exposures or by risk factors in personal life style (e.g., dietary habits). Hardest evidence is found of a relationship to exist between the use of cutting oils or other metal-work liquids and prostate cancer risk. CONCLUSIONS It would appear that metal workers, mechanics, and repairmen run a slightly elevated risk of prostate cancer. However, the actual risk factors are still unknown. Prostate 30:107–116, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
THE LONG RUN FISHER EFFECT 1 Testing the Long Run Fisher Effect

Cointegration techniques are employed as an approach to test the Fisher hypothesis that is defined as a long-run equilibrium relationship between nominal interest rates and inflation. To that end, an extensive analysis of the integration and cointegration properties is performed for the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Germany, using monthly data of long-term rates provided by the national central banks and the IMF IFS. At the 5% significance level, evidence regarding integration and cointegration is mixed. In all cases, the findings fail to pass various robustness checks. On balance, the author concludes that there is no cointegration. The obtained results provide very little support for the long run Fisher effect. If the Fisher effect is best interpreted as a long-run equilibrium condition, these findings imply that money may not be superneutral and that the nominal interest rate is a good indicator of market conditions. Keywords: Fisher effect, interest rate, inflation, cointegration, stationarity THE LONG RUN FISHER EFFECT 3
Extension of twoCaulerpa species along the Tunisian coast

Two species of the green alga genusCaulerpa are considered as invasive in Tunisia:Caulerpa racemosa andC. taxifolia. C. racemosa is found in a many new localities at the central and southern Tunisian coast, and even in the North of the country in colder water. These new observations lead to the hypothesis of the multiplicity of the origins of the introduction of the species and suggest possible invasive potentialities. The general thallus, and more particularly the number, the shape as well as the arrangement of ramelli on fronds allowed us to identify four morphologically different groups. These groups could be either different systematic entities or polymorphic variations of the same taxon due to different ecological conditions.Caulerpa taxifolia was observed for the first time in Tunisia at the roadstead of Sousse in the beginning of the year 2000. It is recognized as identical to that found in the other Mediterranean localities (GenBank number AJ228960). Up to the end of March 2000, a submarine prospecting campaign revealed an affected area of about 350 ha in front of 2 km of coast. Colonies ofCaulerpa taxifolia disseminating in this area appear in isolated spots. form, In the growing stage, they form surfaces varying between 0.5 to 6 m2 and located 20 to 100 m from each other. The total covered surface was estimated to be between 0.5 and 1 ha.
Discontinous innovation: A challenge for purchasing

Purpose of this paper This paper investigates the question: What are the challenges to the purchasing function when faced with discontinuous innovation? The paper defines discontinuous innovation, differentiating it from other forms of innovation, and discusses the challenges for the purchasing function involved in the discontinuous innovation process. Design/methodology/approach The paper reviews and analyses the existing literature on purchasing involvement in incremental and discontinuous innovation. Analysing existing research on early supplier - and early purchasing - involvement in new product development and innovation, we develop conceptual frameworks to further the understanding of, and radically rethink, the role of purchasing involvement in innovations of different degrees of change. Findings The typology highlights some important challenges for the purchasing function when faced with discontinuous rather than the more common incremental innovation challenge. In particular, our analysis of the literature suggests that both Early Supplier involvement (ESI) and Early Purchasing Involvement (EPI) practices need to be reconsidered when applied to discontinuous innovation. Research limitations/implications The paper is conceptual so does not rely on an empirical study conducted for the purpose of addressing our specific research question. Nevertheless, on the basis of analysis of the existing literature we suggest discontinuous innovation calls for a fundamental rethink of established ESI and EPI practices. Practical implications (if applicable) Purchasing functions are advised to widen their search and selection environments for completely new technologies, scanning outside existing supply relationships and supply chains. Purchasing should be involved particularly early in the sourcing process, before any specific project has even been formally started. Short-term supplier relationships or dalliances should be developed. Ask new suppliers for solutions instead of informing suppliers of well-defined specifications. What is original/value of paper The paper examines a well-established field (ESI) and an emerging related field (EPI). Focusing on the challenges of discontinuous innovation, we suggest that both ESI and EPI practices need to be fundamentally reconsidered when applied to discontinuous innovation.
Aberrant DNA Methylation and Genome Instability and Mutation in Cancer

In the process of normal cells transforming into cancer cells with the disruption control of epigenetic and genetic, they will gradually acquire the cancer Hallmarks. Epigenetic and genetic influence each other and closely cooperate to promoter oncogenic transformation in variety ways. It is clear that DNA methylation plays important roles in generation of mutation of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) eventually lead to inactivation such as the probability of C mutation to T of the well-known TSGs p53 is high due to 5-methylcytosine residues is more prone to spontaneous deamination. The most common pattern of epigenetic control of tumor suppressor genes inactivation is hypermethylation of promoter region in cancers and the hypermethylation of CpG islands can also contribute to the increasing mutation rate of tumor suppressor genes such as CpG islands hypermethylation appeared to be tightly linked with the V600E mutation of the BRAF oncogene in colorectal cancer. Global hypomethylation is closely associated with chromosomal instability, which the methylation status of LINE-1 is a marker of global methylation, there is a significant relationship between LINE-1 hypomethylation and DNA copy number variation in the gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Aberrant DNA methylation is pervasive in cancer, which is similar to genomic instability and mutation.
Sanitary program to reduce embryonic mortality associated with infectious diseases in cattle

Abstract Among reproductive disorders in dairy and beef cattle worldwide, embryonic mortalities stand out as one of the most frequent. Because of the multifactorial etiology, the clinical and laboratory diagnoses of embryonic mortality causes in cattle are quite complex. Often, infectious causes may account for up to 50% of bovine embryonic mortality rates after 30 days of conception. This review will address the main causes of early and late embryonic mortality, with emphasis on infectious causes and, particularly, those more frequent in the Brazilian cattle herds. In addition, we will discuss ways of controlling and prophylaxis including those related to reproductive and sanitary management, with emphasis on immunoprophylaxis of the three most frequent reproductive infectious diseases in Brazilian dairy and beef cattle herds.