Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A systematic compilation and classification of the literature on lameness in cattle.

This paper presents the first systematic review of the literature on lameness in cattle. It identifies, tabulates and classifies relevant published work and was conducted using electronic reference databases (BIDS ISI, BIOSIS, MEDLINE and the CAB Abstracts CD-ROM). A total of 1373 unique references were obtained from 1981 to 2000, of which 914 were written in the English language. A written search protocol was designed to ensure transparency and repeatability. Pilot studies were undertaken to create search terms that minimised bias and ensured relevance. Electronic files of the search terms allow the database to be updated in future. A further 93 references were included from the most recent international conference on lameness giving a total of 1007 English language references. The systematic review process is described, including a method of classifying papers according to their study design and statistical analysis, and it is hoped that other veterinary researchers will conduct similar reviews in their fields. The compiled and classified references are available as a searchable database through the web-sitehttp://cattle-lameness.dhs. org/. The review may be used in several ways; to identify practical interventions to reduce lameness in dairy cows and to use the resultant web-site as the basis of a decision support system for farmers, veterinarians and advisors.
PDGF and FGF-2 Signaling in Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells: Regulation of Proliferation and Differentiation by Multiple Intracellular Signaling Pathways

In this paper we address the linking of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) to intracellular signaling molecules in oligodendrocyte progenitors. It is demonstrated that both growth factors activate downstream targets similar to those shown for protein kinase C (PKC) activation. Yet, neither the arrest of terminal oligodendrocyte differentiation nor the proliferation induced by PDGF or FGF-2 can be antagonized by inhibition of PKC. Rather, p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), p38 MAPK, and pp70 S6 kinase were found to be necessary for the mitogenic activity of PDGF and FGF-2. Paradoxically, these kinases were also necessary for the onset of oligodendrocyte differentiation in control cells. In addition, cAMP-dependent kinase A (PKA) activation inhibited the mitogenic response of oligodendrocyte progenitors to FGF-2. Taken together, the molecular mechanism that controls oligodendrocyte lineage progression is operated by at least two signal pathways, which interfere either with proliferation and/or differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitors.
Alpha-synuclein induced mitochondrial aberrations in a genetic cell culture model of Parkinson’s disease

Mutations in the α-synuclein encoding gene, SNCA, have been implicated in the pathophysiology and progression of Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder which results in motor and cognitive abnormalities in patients. Missense mutations, duplications and triplications of the gene relate to the onset and advancement of the ailment, but the role of α-synuclein protein in the pathogenesis is incompletely understood. Recent investigation of the disease and its other associated proteins has driven interest in the role of mitochondrial abnormalities in Parkinson’s disease. Through use of an ecdysone-inducible expression system in the mammalian neuronal cell line, 1RB3AN27, the detrimental effects of mutant A53T α-synuclein upon mitochondrial morphology has been established, which corroborates the work of similar studies. Complementary immunocytochemistry and western blot analyses allude to the time dependent increase in protein expression and the corresponding fragmentation of mitochondria. Analysis of mitochondrial function using Seahorse XFe24 technology proved inconclusive; further work is needed to confirm the consequences of mutant A53T α-synuclein expression upon mitochondrial respiratory capacity in this disease model.
A Radiographic Study of the Association between Apical Periodontitis and Technical Quality of Intraradicular Posts and Root Canal Fillings: A Cross-sectional Study in Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia

Objectives: This study evaluates the association between the apical periodontitis (AP) and quality of intraradicular posts and the quality of root fillings assessed radiographically in Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: Digital periapical radiographs of 327 teeth with post-retained restoration were retrieved randomly from the Qassim University screening clinic's digital archives and evaluated. The quality of the intraradicular post and root filling was evaluated according to the optimum criteria. The presence of AP was assessed based on the periapical index scoring system. The relation between the post technical quality, the quality of root filling, and AP was determined. The data were analyzed using Chi-square test and logistic regression. Results: AP was found in 22% of the investigated teeth. Adequate root fillings were found in 69% of roots, and 14% of these cases were associated with AP. In roots with root filling classified as inadequate, 38% had AP with a statistically significant association between the root filling length and the presence of AP (P < 0.001). The most frequently used posts were prefabricated metallic posts (57%). Teeth restored with cast posts and prefabricated metallic posts exhibited AP with a frequency of 42.3% and 25.4%, respectively, and teeth with nonmetallic posts had significantly fewer cases of AP (12.0%) with a statistically significant association between the post type and the presence of AP (P = 0.016). Conclusion: Both the quality of the root filling and the intraradicular post type were correlated significantly with the presence of AP. The technical quality of root fillings and intraradicular posts was adequate. Nevertheless, the use of threaded posts is still a common practice in this study population.
A Nonlinear Thermal Process Modeling and Identification Using a Fourth-Order S-PARAFAC Volterra Model

This paper proposes a new reduced complexity Volterra model called S-PARAFAC-Volterra. The proposed model is yielded by using the symmetry property of the Volterra kernels and their tensor decomposition using the PARAFAC technique. It takes advantage from previous results where an algorithm for the estimation of the memory and the order of the Volterra model has been presented. The proposed model has been tested to yield a suitable modeling for the nonlinear thermal process Trainer PT326 and the validation results are satisfactory.
Interactions between conidia of Aspergillus fumigatus and human complement component C3

Activation and deposition of C3 on Aspergillus fumigatus conidia have been previously demonstrated. This study investigated in further detail the interactions between complement component C3 and the conidia of A. fumigatus. Immunoblotting and 125I-C3 binding studies showed that C3 deposition was rapid (less than 15 min) and parallel to the formation of iC3b. Immunoblotting experiments identified a 54- to 58-kDa conidial protein which binds human complement component C3 and/or a C3 fragment(s). 125I labeling of the outer layer of the conidia demonstrated that this protein doublet was present on the surface of the spore. The further degradation of C3 to low-molecular-mass fragments (40, 37, and 30 kDa), in the absence of plasma, by intact living conidia and a preparation of the outer conidial wall layer indicated the ability of fungal components to cleave C3. These data suggest that interactions between conidia and C3 are not limited only to deposition via activation of the alternative complement pathway; they also include degradation of bound C3.
A Resource-Efficient System for Detection and Verification of Anomalies Using Mobile Agents in Wireless Sensor Networks

Sensor readings are vulnerable to in situ and in transit anomalies. A well designed anomaly detection system should be able to identify the source of anomalies through in situ verification of suspicious behavior of sensor nodes. One approach for in situ verification is physical diagnosis of sensor nodes, which is a cumbersome and time-consuming task in medium-to-large-scale networks. Therefore, we propose a novel method for in situ verification of malicious sensor nodes using mobile agents. We employ Coordinated Resource Management mechanism-based observations to detect first-order anomalies and perform in situ verification. Since mobile agents cannot be frequently transmitted over the resource constrained Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) due to the expensive nature of the communication operation as compared to the processing operation, we propose a method which exploits the historical information of anomalous behavior of the sensor node to optimize mobile agent transmission. The performance of the proposed system is investigated via simulations, experiments on MICAz mote, and comparative study. The results and analysis demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed system, in comparison with other existing schemes.
A sequentially optimal randomized algorithm for robust LMI feasibility problems

This paper proposes a randomized algorithm for feasibility of uncertain LMIs. The algorithm is based on the solution of a sequence of semidefinite optimization problems involving a reduced number of constraints. A bound of the maximum number of iterations required by the algorithm is given. Analogies and differences with the gradient and localization methods are discussed. Finally, the performance and behaviour of the algorithm are illustrated by means of a numerical example.
Magnetic Field Configurations Corresponding to Electric Field Patterns That Evoke Long-Term Potentiation Shift Power Spectra of Light Emissions from Microtubules from Non-Neural Cells

Photon counts were measured every 15 ms for 75 s from microtubule-enriched preparations (and nuclei) from mouse melanoma cells during baseline and after 2 min exposures to 1 μT magnetic fields. The magnetic fields were generated from a circular array of solenoids and presented with accelerating or decelerating rotation velocities. The range of photon radiant flux density was in the order of 10-12 W·m-2. Microtubules preparations that had been exposed for only 2 min to a magnetic field configuration corresponding to the electric field pattern that induced long-term potentiation in neural tissue when applied as electric current displayed peaks of spectral power densities within 7 - 8 Hz, 9.5 Hz, 14 - 15 Hz, and 22 Hz bands. The major peak (9.4 Hz) bandwidth was approximately 0.1 Hz. While microtubule preparations exposed for 2 min to a 7 Hz sine-wave or in the absence of a field emitted an overall similar level of spectral power density, the peaks in power density were not present. Treatment with the LTP patterned fields, compared to the baseline or sine-wave fields primarily altered the frequency band in which the amplitude of the photon field was expressed. These results suggest that the photon emissions from microtubule preparations have the capacity to respond to specifically-patterned or geometric shapes of magnetic fields by altering spectral configurations rather than the absolute numbers of photons.
Approaches to the management of hypercholesterolemia

Patients with hypercholesterolaemia need to be carefully evaluated for underlying secondary or genetic causes. All such subjects require dietary advice. Those with total cholesterol levels persistently in excess of 6.5 mmol/l despite diet, and in the presence of multiple cardiac risk factors may need drug therapy. Drug therapy is likely to be life-long and the potential benefits need to be carefully assessed against the long-term safety of the agents employed.
Selective Isolation and Screening of Actinobacteria Strains Producing Lignocellulolytic Enzymes Using Olive Pomace as Substrate

Background Olive pomace, as the main by-product of the olive oil industry, is recently recycled as fermentation substrate for enzyme production. Objectives Actinobacteria isolates were separated from an Algerian soil under olive pomace cultivation and were evaluated for their lignocellulolytic enzymes production. Materials and Methods Isolates of Actinobacteria were separated from soils around oil mills using four isolation media, among them three were enriched by olive pomace. The isolates were screened for their cellulolytic, xylanolytic and ligninolytic activities. Isolates with potential of producing lignocellulose-degrading enzymes were selected under submerged fermentation based olive pomace. Results Ninety isolates of Actinobacteria were separated from soil samples. M3 medium (raw pomace autoclaved alone) was the best isolation medium (68 strains), whereas, the soil from oil mill with continuous system (S1) led to separation of 52 strains. Among the 90 isolates, 82 were shown promising enzyme activity, 19 isolates were presented the largest zone diameter (<30 mm). S1M3I and S1M3II isolates were exhibited the highest values. Conclusions Olive pomace with medium low cost and high titers of enzymes can be valorized by culture of Actinobacteria to produce lignocellulolytic enzymes for industrial applications.
Using Roy's Model to Evaluate the Care Given to Postpartum Women Following Caesarean Delivery

Background: To evaluate the care given using Roy’s Adaptation Model. Materials and Methods: A pretest-posttest experimental model with a control group. Study population comprised postpartum women (N = 134; 65 in the experimental group, 69 in the control group) who had caesarean full-term delivery in a Turkish maternity hospital between September 2009 and February 2011. Data were collected from the experimental group during seven home visits and from the control group at the end of the 6th week postpartum. Results: Percentage, chi-square, arithmetic mean, standard deviation, and the McNamer test were used to evaluate data establishing 36 nursing diagnoses: Physiological requirements (22), Self requirements (7), Role Function requirements (4), and Interdependence Mode requirements (3). It was determined that the care given during the postpartum period using Roy’s Adaptation Model resolved or prevented the majority of postpartum problems. The difference between most diagnoses was found to be statistically significant (p p < 0.001) during the last week of data collection. Conclusion: The care given in the postpartum period using Roy’s Adaptation Model resolved or prevented postpartum problems.
Computerized histories facilitate patient care in a termination of pregnancy clinic: the use of a small computer to obtain and reproduce patient information

Summary. An inexpensive microcomputer has been programmed to obtain histories from patients attending a pregnancy termination clinic. The system is nurse‐interactive; yes/no and multiple‐choice questions are answered on the visual display unit by a light pen. Proper nouns and discursive text are typed at the computer keyboard. A neatly formatted summary of the history is then provided by an interfaced printer. The history follows a branching pattern; of the 370 questions included in the program, only 68 are answered in the course of an average history. The program contains numerous error traps and the user may request explanations of questions which are not immediately understood. The system was designed to ensure that no factors of anaesthetic or medical importance would be overlooked in the busy out‐patient clinic. The computer provides a much more complete history with an average of 42 more items of information than the pre‐existing manual system. This system is demanding of nursing time and possible conversion to a patient‐interactive system is discussed. A confidential questionnaire revealed a high degree of consumer acceptance.
Reduced quality of life in patients with chronic viral liver disease as assessed by SF12 questionnaire.

BACKGROUND & AIM Quality of life may be reduced in patients with chronic liver diseases. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of chronic viral liver disease on health-related quality of life (HRQOL). PATIENTS AND METHODS Quality of life was prospectively investigated in 227 patients with chronic viral liver disease and 75 controls. The generic Short Form 12 questionnaire was applied to measure the HRQOL: Mental and physical component scores were expressed as numeric and categorical values (presence/absence of disability). The electronic database (SPSS for Windows) was used for statistical analysis with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS Mental and physical numeric and categorical scores for the absence of disability were significantly worse in patients compared with controls. Patients were a negative predictive factor for the absence of disability on both mental and physical components while the physical component was the significant factor in multivariate regression analysis (p =0.000). There was no difference in HRQOL scores among patients with hepatitis C or B virus infection. Mental and physical numeric scores were lower in patients with cirrhosis. Liver cirrhosis predicted lower components of the absence of disability in comparison to chronic hepatitis more influencing the physical component (p =0.003). CONCLUSIONS Chronic viral liver disease reduces and predicts a lower quality of life in comparison to a healthy population impairing more the physical component. Hepatitis viruses do not influence differently the quality of life. Liver cirrhosis has a higher negative impact on the quality of life than chronic hepatitis, especially relating to a physical component.
Rhinosporidiosis in southwest Bengal

Rhinosporidiosis is a non-contagious chronic granulomatous disease that is prevalent in southern India and Sri Lanka. It has been known for centuries, but the details of the disease and the precise manner of its transmission have, until recently, remained unknown. Our institution sees many cases of this disease and we investigate the management protocol and its recent advances and include a review of the published literature. A total of 152 patients who were treated at Bankura Sammilani Medical College were studied between 2005 and 2011. The most common age group affected were those aged between 11 and 20 years of age and the male-to-female ratio was 1.9:1. Three patients suffered recurrent disease – one experienced it on the same site and the others on distant sites. Eleven patients with inadequate excision in which the margins were not free from disease were treated with dapsone therapy without any reported recurrence. It is a common disease in southwestern West Bengal. Surgical excision with electrocoagulation of the base is the main treatment, and dapsone therapy is recommended in order to prevent recurrences in multiple sites of affection and inadequate surgically excised cases. Although the disease occurs sporadically in most parts of the world, we see many patients in our area.
The Effect of Periodontal Therapy on Salivary Pseudocholinesterase Activity

The effects of different stages of periodontal therapy on salivary pseudocholinesterase (PCE) activity in patients with periodontitis were determined by use of a spectrophotometric method. The mean PCE activity in whole saliva was 17.95 U/L in the pre-treatment phase, 4.67 U/L after scaling and oral hygiene instructions, and 1.93 U/L following surgical procedures. It was observed that the mean salivary PCE activity in patients with periodontitis showed a tendency to decrease in both phases of treatment, and PCE levels at the end of periodontal therapy were similar to those of healthy subjects.
Proximate and ultimate control of sex ratios in Myrmica brevispinosa colonies

The literature on sex ratio evolution in ant colonies is dominated by inclusive fitness arguments. In general, genetic theory makes good predictions about sexual investment in ant populations, but understanding colony–level variance in sex investment ratios has proven more difficult. Recently, however, more studies have addressed ecological factors that influence colony–level sex investment ratios. Food availability, in particular, has been manipulated because larval nutrition influences female caste determination, thus implying that resource availability should be of critical importance for colony sex investment ratios. However, results from food supplementation experiments are equivocal, and it is clear that ant colony response to food supplementation is dependent on the ecological background of the population. We presented field colonies of the ant Myrmica brevispinosa with two food types (proteins and carbohydrates), and assessed their relative impact on colony–level sex investment ratios. We show that colonies receiving carbohydrate enhancement invested in more female sexuals and produced more female–biased sex allocation ratios than protein–fed or control colonies. Thus, our study is the first, to our knowledge, to demonstrate that sex ratios in social insect colonies might be sensitive to resource quality. Male investment was not influenced by food treatment, but was positively correlated with colony size. Therefore, the shift in sex ratios in our study must have been mediated through nutritional influences on female caste determination rather than male brood elimination. We also used our data to evaluate evidence for sex ratio compensation by queenright colonies in response to male production by workers from orphaned colonies.
Empirical Research of Disposition Effects in Vietnam’s Stock Market

This paper examines some cognitive biases of Vietnamese stock investors by analyzing trading records for 1,201 accounts at a brokerage firm. These investors tend to make poor trading decisions by selling good stocks and buying bad stocks. They demonstrate a significant reference to holding the losing stocks and selling the wining stocks which is known as the disposition effect. It provokes many implications for researchers, market practitioners and policy makers.
Alanine mutants of the Spo0F response regulator modifying specificity for sensor kinases in sporulation initiation

Five single alanine substitution mutations in the Spo0F response regulator gave rise to mutant strains of Bacillus subtilis with seemingly normal sporulation that nevertheless rapidly segregated variants blocked in sporulation. The basis for this deregulated phenotype was postulated to be increased phosphorylation of the Spo0A transcription factor, resulting from enhanced phosphate input or decreased dephosphorylation of the phosphorelay. Strains bearing two of these Spo0F mutant proteins, Y13A and I17A, retained a requirement for KinA and KinB kinases in sporulation, whereas the remaining three, L66A, I90A and H101A, gave strains that sporulated well in the absence of both KinA and KinB. Sporulation of strains bearing L66A and H101A mutations was decreased in a mutant lacking KinA, KinB and KinC, but the strain bearing the I90A mutation required the further deletion of KinD to lower its sporulation frequency. The affected residues, L‐66, I‐90 and H‐101, are involved in crucial hydrophobic contacts stabilizing the orientation of helix α4 of Spo0F. The data are consistent with the notion that these three mutations alter the conformation of the β4–α4 loop of Spo0F that is known to contain residues critical for KinA:Spo0F recognition. As this loop has a propensity for multiple conformations, the spatial arrangement of this loop may play a critical role in kinase selection by Spo0F and might be altered by regulatory molecules interacting with Spo0F.