Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nuclear-cytoplasmic interactions during the first cell cycle of nuclear transfer reconstructed bovine embryos: implications for deoxyribonucleic acid replication and development.

The present study investigated the decay of maturation-promoting factor (MPF) activity in electrically activated in vitro-matured bovine oocytes and examined the influence of the cell cycle stage of both the donor nucleus and the recipient cytoplasm upon the morphology and DNA synthesis potential of the donor nucleus in reconstructed embryos. The decay of MPF activity was studied both biochemically in electrically activated in vitro-matured oocytes and by morphological examination of nuclear structure in reconstructed bovine embryos. As measured by H1 kinase activity in groups of 10 oocytes, the level of MPF declined rapidly to 30 +/- 4% (of the maximum level in unactivated control oocytes) at 60 min and reached a basal level of 20 +/- 6% at 120 min. This level of activity was then maintained until at least 9 h postactivation. In contrast, when MPF activity was assayed by morphological examination of nuclei in individual reconstructed embryos, the decline in activity occurred over a period of 9 h postactivation. DNA synthesis of nuclei arrested at the G1/S border and in G2 phases of the cell cycle was examined in embryos reconstructed at the time of oocyte activation, i.e., when MPF levels were maximal, and by fusion 10 h postactivation, when no MPF activity could be detected. All nuclei transferred at the time of oocyte activation underwent nuclear envelope breakdown (NEBD) and subsequent DNA synthesis. However, when nuclei were transferred 10 h after activation, no NEBD was observed in any nuclei. Nuclei arrested at the G1/S border or nuclei in S phase when transferred in the absence of NEBD underwent DNA synthesis, while no DNA synthesis was observed in G2 nuclei transferred into this cytoplasmic environment. The results presented show that all nuclei, regardless of cell cycle stage, undergo DNA replication when transplanted into metaphase II (MeII) cytoplasts in which MPF activity is high. From these observations we would suggest that one factor that may contribute to the present low frequency of development of bovine nuclear transfer embryos is the ploidy of the reconstructed embryo after the first cell cycle. In order to maintain correct ploidy of the reconstructed embryo, only G1 nuclei should be transferred at the time of activation, when MPF levels are high. In contrast, when the integrity of the nuclear membrane is maintained by transfer at 10 h postactivation, when MPF activity is absent, the rereplication of G2 nuclei is prevented and correct ploidy of the reconstructed embryo may be maintained.
Production, Manufacturing and Logistics Modelling imperfect advance demand information and analysis of optimal inventory policies

We consider an inventory control problem where it is possible to collect some imperfect information on future demand. We refer to such information as imperfect Advance Demand Information (ADI), which may occur in different forms of applications. A simple example is a company that uses sales representatives to market its products, in which case the collection of sales representatives’ information as to the number of customers interested in a product can generate an indication about the future sales of that product, hence it constitutes imperfect ADI. Other applications include internet retailing, Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) applications and Collaborative Planning, Forecasting, and Replenishment (CPFR) environments. We develop a model that incorporates imperfect ADI with ordering decisions. Under our system settings, we show that the optimal policy is of order-up-to type, where the order level is a function of imperfect ADI. We also provide some characterizations of the optimal solution. We develop an expression for the expected cost benefits of imperfect ADI for the myopic problem. Our analytical and empirical findings reveal the conditions under which imperfect ADI is more valuable. � 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Geometric morphometrics for the taxonomy of 11 species of Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) mosquitoes

The subgenus Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) (Diptera: Culicidae) includes the primary vectors of Plasmodium spp. in Colombia. Most adult females of this subgenus are difficult to identify in the field using the available keys. With the objective of further investigating the discriminatory power of modern morphometrics, both landmark‐based and outline‐based approaches were explored using the wing venation geometry of 11 Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) species. Wing shape was able to separate the closest species of the subgenus. When the 11 species were analysed together, validated classification scores on average 5.3–8.6 times higher than those expected by chance were observed. These scores computed from the total sample of 11 species were not satisfactory for the recognition of Anopheles benarrochi B, Anopheles oswaldoi s.l. and Anopheles strodei. These sibling species were captured in sympatry. To improve the identification power of the morphometric tool, it was necessary to analyse these species separately from the remaining species. The best classification scores were obtained using a combination of 12 landmarks collected not only on the intersections of wing veins, but also on spots. An outline approach also gave excellent reclassification scores. Another pair of sibling species, collected in allopatry, Anopheles nuneztovari and Anopheles rangeli, also showed high classification scores.
Nitrite uptake into intact pea chloroplasts : I. Kinetics and relationship with nitrite assimilation.

The uptake of nitrite into intact pea chloroplasts was observed and its relationship with internal nitrite reduction was assessed. Net nitrite uptake exhibited saturation kinetics and an alkaline pH preference. This evidence questioned the accepted major role for neutral HNO(2) permeation and its reported influence on photosynthesis. The possible involvement of a nitrite permeation channel or transport protein is discussed. Net nitrite uptake curves were closely comparable with those for nitrite reduction within the chloroplast. Net nitrite uptake into chloroplasts was profoundly influenced by darkness, incubation temperature, and plant nitrate nutrition. Of several inorganic salts tested, sulfite was the only anion to exhibit a distinct inhibition of nitrite uptake. In contrast, nitrite uptake could be stimulated by the presence of certain cations, particularly at acidic pH values. It was concluded that nitrite uptake was closely related to stromal pH, internal nitrite accumulation, and nitrite reduction. The possible dependence of nitrite reduction on nitrite uptake rather than electron transport is discussed. External ATP and NAD(P)H did not significantly affect net nitrite uptake. This suggested that cytoplasmic ATP or reductant could not directly support nitrite uptake and, possibly, nitrite assimilation.
Vinte anos (1985-2005) dos Working Papers da FEP: um estudo sobre a respectiva probabilidade de publicação nacional e internacional

Os trabalhos de investigacao sobre a producao e publicacao cientifica na area da economia tem nos ultimos anos registado um verdadeiro boom. Tal deriva, em grande parte, do facto da publicacao ter implicacoes individuais e colectivas ao nivel, respectivamente, dos rankings dos investigadores e das instituicoes onde estes estao filiados. Pouca reflexao, no entanto, tem sido efectuada sobre a producao de working papers e respectivas implicacoes no seio das instituicoes onde sao produzidos, nomeadamente a capacidade daqueles na promocao de um ambiente organizacional que propicie investigacao cientifica de qualidade. Neste artigo efectuamos uma analise detalhada a evolucao da producao cientifica da FEP (Universidade do Porto) na forma de working papers, investigando a respectiva probabilidade de publicacao em revistas com referee, assim como a importância estatistica das possiveis determinantes dessa mesma probabilidade. Utilizando a serie longa destes working papers desde a sua genese (1985) ate fim de 2005, envolvendo 197 working papers, observamos que, em media, 13% dos working papers da FEP foram publicados em revistas com referee de circulacao internacional. Atraves da estimacao de um modelo logit, concluimos que ser um working paper recente (produzido entre 2000-2005), da area da economa regional e urbana, elaborado em co-autoria com um investigador filiado numa instituicao estrangeira, e envolvendo um assistente e professores (auxiliares e/ou associados) contribui, de forma significativa, para a respectiva probabilidade de publicacao internacional.
Coexistence and Interworking of IEEE 802.16 and IEEE 802.11(e)

The coexistence and interworking of IEEE 802.16 and IEEE 802.11 is an acute problem. The frame-based medium access of 802.16 requires rigorous protection against interference from wireless local area networks in order to operate properly. The 802.11e enhancements of the medium access control of 802.11 introduce the capability to support QoS. These enhancements define a central entity as main element: the hybrid coordinator. It realizes a contention free, centrally controlled medium access and introduces QoS limitations to the contention based access of 802.11e. In this paper, a central coordinating device combines the central base station of 802.16 with the hybrid coordinator of 802.11e and is thus referred to as base station hybrid coordinator. The base station hybrid coordinator is capable to operate in an 802.16 and an 802.11(e) protocol mode in the same frequency band. The realization of the interworking between these two standards is discussed and evaluated in this paper
Bis(1-ferrocenylmethylidene-4-phenylthiosemicarbazidato-κ2 N 1,S)zinc(II) monohydrate

In the title compound, [Fe2Zn(C5H5)2(C13H11N3S)2]·H2O, the ZnII ion is in a distorted tetrahedral geometry being coordinated by two thiosemicarbazone ligands via N and S atoms. One of the Cp rings is disordered over two positions with occupancies of 0.55 and 0.45. The dihedral angle between the substituted Cp rings is 56.1 (5)° and the two phenyl rings are orientated at a dihedral angle of 41.7 (4)°. In the crystal structure, intermolecular O—H⋯S, N—H⋯O and C—H⋯N hydrogen bonds link the molecules into chains along the b axis. The structure is further consolidated by O—H⋯π interactions.
Automated extraction and quantification of macular drusen from fundal photographs.

The objective quantification of drusen (and other macular lesions) should have applications epidemiologically, in the study of the natural history of drusen, and with such instruments as the scanning laser ophthalmoscope. The automated extraction of drusen from photographs is technically difficult because of uneven macular reflectance, and the confusing pattern of darker vessels. We have developed a method using an IBM personal computer, an image digitising board and specially written software. Once the image is digitised, no further input from the operator is necessary. We present the results of manual counting versus automated counting on a small series of patients with drusen. The automated technique is highly reproducible, and will calculate the retinal area occupied by drusen. The area and numbers of drusen can be compared over time, giving an index of progression. Hard drusen are fairly well detected, but the detection of soft drusen with their lower contrast remains a problem. The technique cannot distinguish between drusen and other pale lesions (e.g., atrophic retinal changes).
Predicting the cost of Parkinson's disease

The degenerative nature of Parkinson's disease (PD) suggests that it will lead to high levels of resource use. This study measures service use and costs for a representative community sample of PD patients and identifies cost predictors. Patients were identified from general practices and were interviewed twice, separated by a 12‐month interval. Demographic and clinical data on patients were collected and 6‐month costs were calculated. Regression analysis was used to identify significant baseline predictors of follow‐up costs. The annual service costs (baseline and follow‐up combined) were £13,804 per person. Formal service costs accounted for 20% of this figure with informal care from families/friends accounting for 80%. The regression model explained 42% of total follow‐up costs and significant predictors included gender (with men having higher costs), disability, and depression. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Venous ulcer management in New Zealand: usual care versus guideline recommendations.

AIM To compare usual care with key recommendations for venous ulcer management in the New Zealand Guidelines for Care of People with Chronic Leg Ulcers. METHOD A cohort of participants enrolled in the usual care arm of the HALT trial had their management compared to four treatment recommendations: compression (use high compression); dressing selection (use simple dressings); pentoxifylline (trial of treatment if not tolerant of compression or failure to progress with compression alone); and compression hosiery after healing (remain in hosiery after healing to prevent recurrence). RESULTS 181 participants were enrolled in the usual care arm, 25 in Auckland, 60 in Counties Manukau, 41 in Waikato, and 55 in Christchurch. Compression--all participants received high compression. Dressings--simple dressings accounted for just 29% of dressings used. Moist dressings and medicated dressings accounted for 35% and 36% of dressings respectively, but 95% of dressing costs. Pentoxifylline--only one participant used pentoxifylline when up to 97 (54%) were candidate patients. Compression after healing--70% of participants healed at 12 weeks used compression hosiery after healing with regional variation in use. CONCLUSION Compression use was consistent with guideline recommendations, although hosiery use after healing could improve. Dressing selection and use of pentoxifylline did not match guideline recommendations. Three of the four guideline recommendations offer opportunities for improving clinical effectiveness, with some potential for cost savings.
2 VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE OF PRESS RELEASES AND THE IMPORTANCE OF TIMING : A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE UK AND SPAIN 1

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The microbiota associated with successful or failing osseointegrated titanium implants.

Abstract In this study the microbiota associated with oral endosteal titanium hollow cylinder implants (ITI) was studied using microscopic, immunochemical and cultural methods. Samples from 5 edentulous patients with successfully incorporated implants serving as abutments for overdentures for more than one year were compared with samples from 7 patients with clinically failing implants. Unsuccessful sites were characterized by pocket probing depths of 6 mm or more, suppuration and visible loss of alveolar bone around the implant as visualized on radiographs. These sites harbored a complex microbiota with a large proportion of Gram-negative anaerobic rods. Black-pigmented Bacteroides and Fusobacterium spp. were regularly found. Spirochetes, fusiform bacteria as well as motile and curved rods were a common feature in the darkfield microscopic specimens of these sites. Control sites in the same patients harbored small amounts of bacteria. The predominant morphotype was coccoid cells. Spirochetes were not present, fusiform bacteria, motile and curved rods were found infrequently and in low numbers. The microbiota in control sites in unsuccessful patients and in site in successful patients were very similar. On the basis of these results, it is suggested that “periimplantitis” be regarded as a site specific infection which yields many features in common with chronic adult periodontitis.
Chronic stress, daily stressors, and circulating inflammatory markers.

OBJECTIVES Acute laboratory stressors elicit elevations in serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Chronic stressors, such as family dementia caregiving, promote a state of chronic low-grade elevation in circulating inflammatory markers. The recurrent daily stressors associated with chronic stress may lead to repeated and sustained activation of the physiological stress systems. The present study evaluated the possibility that greater exposure and reactivity to daily stressors fueled increased levels of circulating inflammatory markers among family dementia caregivers, compared with noncaregiving controls. METHODS This cross-sectional study included 53 caregivers and 77 noncaregiving controls. A semistructured interview assessed the occurrence of daily stressors in the past 24 h. A blood sample provided data on two inflammatory markers, C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). RESULTS Caregivers were more likely to experience multiple stressors in the past 24 h than noncaregiving controls. The occurrence of multiple daily stressors was associated with greater serum IL-6 and CRP levels. The greater occurrence of daily stressors in the past 24 h partially mediated the relationship between dementia caregiving and CRP levels. CONCLUSION These results suggest that the cumulative effect of daily stressors promotes elevations in inflammatory markers. Greater exposure to daily stressors may be a psychobiological mechanism leading to elevations in CRP levels among family dementia caregivers.
Periplasmic gel: new concept resulting from the reinvestigation of bacterial cell envelope ultrastructure by new methods

Bacterial cell envelope ultrastructure was investigated both by the progressive lowering of temperature embedding technique and freeze-substitution, using conventional and scanning transmission electron microscopy. Comparison with standard embedding procedures revealed a new aspect of cell envelope structure in specimens at low temperatures. The envelope was delimited by an electron-dark layer, beneath which was a uniform matter-containing layer lying between the outer and inner membranes. There was no empty periplasmic space. Buoyant densities of isolated peptidoglycan obtained in Percoll (1.02 to 1.07 g ml-1) and CsCl2 (1.44 g ml-1) led to a calculated hydration of the peptidoglycan which was more than was previously assumed. Peptidoglycan therefore possibly fills the entire space between the inner and outer membranes in the form of a periplasmic gel. The new model of cell envelope organization is discussed with respect to the current knowledge on bacterial cell wall structure and function.
Inhaled nitric oxide aggravates phosgene model of acute lung injury

The principal acute mode of action of inhaled phosgene gas is related to an increase alveolar fluid exudation under pathologic conditions. This paper considers some aspects in modeling phosgene-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in an acute rat bioassay and whether edema formation can be modulated by inhaled nitric oxide (iNO). Protein analysis in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid is amongst the most sensitive method to quantify the phosgene-induced non-cardiogenic, pulmonary high-permeability edema following acute inhalation exposure. Maximum concentrations in BAL-protein occur within one day postexposure, typically within a latency period up to about 15 h as a consequence of an increasingly exhausted lymphatic drainage. An almost similar sensitivity was given by the functional endpoint ‘enhanced pause (Penh)’ when measured by non-invasive whole-body barometric plethysmography over a time period of 20 h. The magnitude of edema formation follows a concentration x time (C1xt) relationship, although animal model-specific deviations may occur at very short exposure durations (1–20 min) due to a rodent-specific, reflexively induced transient decreased ventilation. This has to be accounted for when simulating accidental exposure scenarios to study the mechanisms involved in pharmacological modulation of fluid transport in this type of ALI. Therefore, a special focus has to be given to the dosimetry of inhaled phosgene, otherwise any change in effect magnitude, as a result of under-dosing of phosgene, may be misconceived as promising therapy. This study demonstrates that accidental exposures can be modeled best in rats by exposure durations of at least 20–30 min. Lung function measurements (Penh) show that pathophysiological effects appear to occur concomitant with the exposure to phosgene; however, its full clinical manifestation requires a gross imbalance of pulmonary fluid clearance. When applying this concept, post-phosgene exposure iNO at 1.5 ppm × 6 h or 15 pm × 20 h led to an aggravation of edema formation while L-NAME, a non-selective inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, led to attenuation. Ethyl pyruvate, given either prophylactically or therapeutically, was ineffective.
Socio‐demographic risk factors for home‐type injuries in Swedish infants and toddlers

In this paper we use data from Swedish national registers to study socio‐demographic patterns of hospital admissions as a result of injuries sustained at home (poisoning, falls, scalding and ingestion/intrusion of foreign objects) in children 0–3 y. The study population comprised 546 336 children born in Sweden during the period 1987–91. The different injury mechanisms peaked at different ages: ingestion of foreign objects at 10–12 mo, scald injuries at 13–15 mo, non‐drug poisoning at 16–18 mo and drug poisoning at 24–30 mo. In a multivariate analysis it was demonstrated that children of young mothers (<24 y) were more likely to have been admitted to hospital because of fall injuries and poisonings, while children with more than two siblings had a slightly increased risk for all injuries. Children of mothers born in a non‐western country were more likely to have been admitted to hospital because of scald injuries; odds ratio (OR) 1.7 (95% CI: 1.4–2.1), while they were less likely to have been admitted because of fall injuries; OR 0.8 (0.7–0.8) and non‐drug poisoning; OR 0.5 (0.4–0.6). Children in families who received social welfare benefits were more likely to have been admitted to hospital because of fall injuries; OR 1.3 (1.2–1.4), drug poisoning; OR 1.8 (1.7–2.0), non‐drug poisoning; OR 1.4 (1.3–15) and scald injuries; OR 1.1 (1.1–1.5), while injuries with ingestion/intrusion of foreign objects tended to vary little with socio‐economic indicators.
The Development and Evaluation of the French Version of the Schwartz Outcome Scale-10 ( SOS-10F )

The Schwartz Outcome Scale-10 (SOS-10) is an effective measure of change in inpatient and outpatient populations, as well as student counselling centres, chemically dependent populations, and research projects. The utility of the SOS-10 in Canada is limited because there is currently no French version of this instrument. This study reports on a three-phase process (initial translation from English to French, evaluation of the online English SOS-10, and establishing equivalency between English online and French online versions) of development and validation of a French version of the SOS-10.