Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Detection of Circulating Immunoglobulins in Serum of Sheep Naturally Infected with Chlamydia Trachomatis and Listeria Monocytogenes in Two Egyptian Provinces

C. trachomatis, L. monocytogenes, ELISA Chlamydia trachomatis and Listeria monocytogenes are important reproductive tract pathogens in a wide variety of animals including sheep. In humans, chronic or repeated infection of the female genital tract with Chlamydia trachomatis has been identified as a significant factor in the development of occlusive infertility or increased risk of ectopic pregnancy. The aim of the current study is to detect circulating immunoglobulins in serum of sheep naturally infected with Chlamydia trachomatis and Listeria monocytogenes in two Egyptian provinces. A total of 82 serum samples from 4 sheep flocks in two Egyptian provinces were examined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of antibodies of Chlamydia trachomatis and Listeria monocytogenes. The results of ELISA revealed the detection of antibodies against the two pathogens at a very high percentage (98.78% and 100% for Chlamydia trachomatis and Listeria monocytogenes, respectively) despite of absence of elevated abortion rates in the examined sheep flocks. It could be concluded that chlamydial and listerial infections occur frequently in Egyptian sheep flocks, even in the absence of elevated abortion rates and there is possible risk to pregnant women in rural areas where chlamydial and listerial infections in farm animals are widespread. Also, ewes that experienced Chlamydia trachomatis or Listeria monocytogenes induced abortion provide a unique opportunity to study the host: parasite dynamic as it relates to persistent infection. This natural model of persistent infection may, in some ways, be superior to more contrived models in which the chlamydial or listerial isolate is not a normal reproductive pathogen of the study animal. Thus, the study of persistent Chlamydial or Listerial infection in sheep may be used for the benefit of both human and veterinary medicine.
Dynamic multimodal full-field optical coherence tomography and fluorescence structured illumination microscopy

Abstract. We report on the development of a configuration of a multimodal full-field optical coherence tomography (FF-OCT) and fluorescence microscope. Our system can simultaneously acquire FF-OCT and structured illumination microscopy images. Dynamic parallel evolution of tissue microstructures and biochemical environments can be visualized. We use high numerical aperture objectives to optimize the combination of the two modalities. We imaged the propagation of mechanical waves initiated by calcium waves in a heart wall to illustrate the interest of simultaneous recording of mechanical and biochemical information.
Performance investigation of a uni-planar compact electromagnetic bandgap (UC-EBG) structure for wide bandgap characteristics

A simple uni-planar EBG structure with reduced cell size is proposed for lower frequency band operation. The simulations of the design are performed using finite element method. Directive transmission method is applied to compute the bandgap of the EBG. The compact EBG structure exhibits wide stopband with different type of substrate materials. From the reflection and transmission characteristics the maximum bandgap obtained is 2.57 GHz (56.8%) and the best mutual coupling reduction level is -90 dB. The planar design can be easily fabricate on regular PC board and suitable for wide range of compact applications.
Comparison of primary skunk brain and kidney and raccoon kidney cells with established cell lines for isolation and propagation of street rabies virus

Cell cultures prepared from skunk kidney, raccoon kidney, and skunk brain were compared with CER, murine neuroblastoma (C1300, clone NA), baby hamster kidney (BHK-21, S-13), and dog kidney (MDCK) cell lines for virus isolation and propagation of street and fixed rabies virus. The skunk brain cells were suitable for efficient replication of all the virus isolates. They were comparable to CER and murine neuroblastoma cells for virus isolation and propagation. None of the other cell cultures was satisfactory. Further work is under way to refine the skunk brain cell cultures.
The Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire: Testing for Measurement Invariance and Latent Mean Differences in Spanish and Portuguese Adolescents

Within the theoretical framework of achievement goals (Nicholls, 1989), Duda and Nicholls (see Duda, 1989; Duda & Whitehead, 1998) developed the Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire (TEOSQ) to assess individual differences in achievement goal orientations. This study searches for validity evidence of the TEOSQ in the case of Spanish (2473) and Portuguese (2486) junior high school. The results showed that factor structure, factor loadings, and intercepts could be considered invariant across groups. Between group differences in latent means showed slightly higher mean scores for the Spanish group for both factors. The results also provide high support for the internal consistency of both the Spanish and Portuguese versions of this scale.
Bilateral paravertebral blockade for conventional cardiac surgery

Summary This prospective observational study aimed to assess the feasibility and efficacy of bilateral continuous paravertebral blockade combined with general anaesthesia in ‘on‐pump’ cardiac surgery. One hundred and eleven elective patients had two paravertebral catheters inserted: one either side of the midline within 2.5 cm of the spinous process of the third or fourth thoracic vertebrae, through which a mixture of ropivacaine and fentanyl was infused during and after surgery. In the first 47 patients, haemodynamic and analgesia data were recorded. In all patients, time to tracheal extubation, length of stay in the intensive care unit and the hospital, morbidity and mortality, and any complication attributable to the regional blockade were recorded. The technique was associated with good haemodynamic stability, good postoperative analgesia and short times to tracheal extubation, with few significant complications.
Lactate: A Preferred Fuel for Human Brain Metabolism in Vivo

Recent in vitro studies suggest that lactate, rather than glucose, may be the preferred fuel for neuronal metabolism. The authors examined the effect of lactate on global brain glucose uptake in euglycemic human subjects using 18fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET). Eight healthy men, aged 40 to 54 years, underwent a 60-minute FDG-PET scan on two occasions in random order. On one occasion, 6.72% sodium lactate was infused at a rate of 50 μmol · kg−1 · min−1 for 20 minutes and then reduced to 30 μmol · kg−1 · min−1; 1.4% sodium bicarbonate was infused as a control on the other occasion. Plasma glucose levels were not different between the two groups (5.3 ± 0.23 and 5.3 ± 0.24 mmol/L, P = 0.55). Plasma lactate was significantly elevated by lactate infusion (4.08 ± 0.35 vs. 0.63 ± 0.22 mmol/L, P < 0.0005. The whole-brain rate of glucose uptake was significantly reduced by approximately 17% during lactate infusion (0.195 ± 0.022 vs. 0.234 ± 0.020 μmol · g−1 · min−1, P = 0.001). The authors conclude that, in vivo in humans, circulating lactate is used by the brain at euglycemia, with sparing of glucose.
Investigating Undergraduate Students' Assessment Preferences in Mathematics Course and Learning Strategies

Article History: Received 10.05. 2012 Received in revised form 06.07. 2012 Accepted 08.07. 2012 Available online 10.04. 2013 The purpose of the study is to define undergraduate students’ assessment preferences and learning strategies and to investigate the relationship between these variables. The study was designed according to correlational survey model. The population of this study was 291 students studying at primary school education department at Cukurova University in 2010-2011 academic falls. As data collection tools, “Assessment Preferences Scale” and “Motivation and Learning Strategies Scale” were used in the study. For analyzing data, descriptive statistics, Multivariate analysis of variance and Pearson Correlation Analysis were used respectively. At the end of the study it was found out that while the students preferring the assessment tools that bring to light their cognitive processes in mathematics classes, they mostly use “organizational”, “exploratory” and “metacognitive” learning strategies. In addition, it was also figured out in the study that there is a “middle-level” meaningful relationship between students’ assessment preferences sub factor scores and learning strategies sub factor scores. In line with these results, defining students’ assessment preferences and assessment strategies as well as providing them with different choices may enhance students’ learning. © 2013 IOJES. All rights reserved
Lung contusion in children—Early computed tomography versus radiography

Objective: To investigate, in children, the correlation between the extent of lung contusion as detected on early radiologic examination (chest radiograph [CXR] and/or thoracic computed tomography [TCT]) and subsequent clinical outcome measures. Design: Retrospective chart review study with blinded assessment of thoracic imaging. Setting: A university-affiliated, level 1 designated pediatric trauma center. Interventions: None. Patients: Patients (1–18 yrs) who, between April 2000 and October 2005, were diagnosed with lung contusion were eligible for study entry. The medical records of those patients who underwent early (within the first 24 hrs of admission) thoracic imaging (CXR and/or TCT) were reviewed. A pulmonary contusion score (PCS) was assigned to each thoracic image according to the extent of contusion injury by two investigators blinded to each others score and the clinical details of the patient. Results: Seventy-four patients were included in the study. Twenty patients had undergone CXR only, whereas 54 had undergone both CXR and TCT. The mean PCS on CXR was 3.9 ± 3.6 compared with 6.5 ± 3.49 on TCT (p < .001). In eight patients (15%) who underwent TCT and CXR, the CXR failed to demonstrate a lung contusion. The PCS derived from CXR examination correlated positively with lower Pao2/Fio2 (r = −.36, p = .019), higher ventilation index (r = .35, p = .014), and longer length of ventilation (r = .28, p = .019). No such correlation was seen with TCT-derived PCS. Conclusions: The severity of lung contusion determined by CXR, but not TCT, correlates with impairment of oxygenation, CO2 exchange, and duration of ventilatory support.
Executive Compensation in Hungary

Four years after the 2007-2008 financial meltdown, the general public remains outraged at the compensation received by top level executives. Complacency in placing compensation arrangements that do not serve the shareholders’ interest have been heavily scrutinized, at least in the eye of the general public. This book aim to shed light on the nature of executive compensation in Hungary between 1994 and 2008. I divide the managers into two ranks, and through observing their various characteristics, I set forth to observe whether executive compensation can be explained accordingly, or whether there exist hints of managerial entrenchment. After using Ordinary Least Squares and Fixed Effects Estimation methods and conducting different robustness checks, I find that the forms of compensation used in this paper are not affected by common measures of firm size and performance, but only by gender status, human capital measures, and ownership type, which indicates that firm performance and firm size have no effect on executive compensation. This raises questions about the role of managers in controlling their own salaries through private benefits of control and managerial entrenchment.
Dual‐component amino‐acid‐mediated synaptic potentials: excitatory drive for swimming in Xenopus embryos.

The neuronal basis of the excitation received by motoneurones during swimming in curarized Xenopus embryos has been investigated further. Extracellular stimulation of axons in the fibre tracts of the spinal cord has been used to evoke unitary excitatory post‐synaptic potentials (p.s.p.s) in motoneurones. The p.s. p.s. had a rise time of 3‐5 ms and a long falling phase lasting up to 200 ms. These potentials consist of two components: a 'fast' p.s. p. which is insensitive to 50 microM‐(+/‐)‐2‐amino‐5‐phosphonovaleric acid (APV) but is blocked by 2 mM‐cis‐2,3‐piperidine dicarboxylic acid (PDA) and is therefore probably mediated by kainate/quisqualate receptors, and a 'slow' p.s. p. which is blocked by both APV and PDA and is therefore probably mediated by N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Paired intracellular recordings from motoneurones and interneurones have revealed a class of spinal cord interneurone which makes descending excitatory amino‐acid‐dependent synapses onto motoneurones and commissural interneurones. The p.s. p.s evoked by intracellular stimulation of these excitatory interneurones consist of 'fast' and 'slow' components identical in shape and pharmacological properties to those of the extracellularly evoked potentials. One neurone may, therefore, be able to release a transmitter which activates both NMDA and non‐NMDA receptors on the same post‐synaptic neurone generating fast and slow post‐synaptic potentials. The excitatory interneurones play an important role in the generation of the swimming pattern in the curarized Xenopus embryo. Like motoneurones, they fire once per swimming cycle in phase with the ipsilateral motoneurones and receive a background excitation during swimming that is excitatory amino acid mediated. They are therefore part of the swimming rhythm generator. The temporal summation of the extracellularly evoked p.s. p.s shows that these excitatory interneurones are sufficient to generate the excitatory drive received by motoneurones during swimming.
Release of phospholipase C z and [Ca 2 C ] i oscillation-inducing activity during mammalian fertilization

During fertilization of mammalian eggs a factor from the sperm, the sperm factor (SF), is released into the ooplasm and induces persistent [Ca 2 C ] i oscillations that are required for egg activation and embryo development. A sperm-speciﬁc phospholipase C (PLC), PLC z , is thought to be the SF. Here, we investigated whether the SFactivity and PLC z are simultaneouslyand completely released into the ooplasm soon after sperm entry. To accomplish this, we enucleated sperm heads within 90 min of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and monitored the persistence of the [Ca 2 C ] i oscillations in eggs in which the sperm had been withdrawn. We also stained the enucleated sperm heads to ascertain the presence/absence of PLC z . Our results show that by 90 min all the SF activity had been released from the sperm, as fertilized enucleated eggs oscillated as fertilized controls, even in cases in which oscillations were prolonged by arresting eggs at metaphase. In addition, we found that the released SF activity became associated with the pronucleus (PN), as induction of PN envelope breakdown evoked comparable [Ca 2 C ] i responses in enucleated and non-manipulated zygotes. Lastly, we found that PLC z localized to the equatorial area of bull sperm and to the post-acrosomal region of mouse sperm and that by 90 min after ICSI all the sperm’s PLC z immunoreactivity was lost in both species. Altogether, our ﬁndings show that during fertilization the SF activity and PLC z immunoreactivity are simultaneously released from the sperm, suggesting that PLC z may be the only [Ca 2 C ] i oscillation-inducing factor of mammalian sperm.
Bestimmungsgründe für die Wahl von ingenieur- und naturwissenschaftlichen Studiengängen: Ausgewählte Ergebnisse einer Schwerpunktstudie im Rahmen der Berichterstattung zur technologischen Leistungsfähigkeit Deutschlands

Diese ZEW-Dokumentation enthalt einen Uberblick uber zentrale Ergebnisse der Studie "Bestimmungsgrunde fur die Wahl von ingenieur- und naturwissenschaftlichen Studiengangen", die als Schwerpunktstudie im Rahmen der Berichterstattung zur technologischen Leistungsfahigkeit Deutschlands von HIS und ZEW erarbeitet wurde.
Inorganic pyrophosphate concentrations in the synovial fluid of arthritic patients.

Abstract A radioisotope dilution technique for measurement of inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi) in synovial fluid is described. Its precision based on duplicate measurements is ±4 μg per 100 ml. PPi levels in 20 of 23 joint fluids from patients with arthritis other than pseudogout clustered about a mean ± S.D. of 22 ± 6.3; 3 control fluids showed elevated values. Of 18 joint fluids from patients with calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition disease (pseudogout), 15 showed inorganic PPi levels that were greater than 2 S.D. from the control mean, 2 were borderline, and one fell in the normal range. The mean ± S.D. of the group was 100.4 ± 93. Inorganic orthophosphate, total and ionized calcium, alkaline phosphomonoesterase activity against both p-nitrophenylphosphate and β-glycerophosphate, and alkaline phosphomonoesterase isozymes were not significantly different in joint fluids from control and pseudogout patients. Preliminary studies on the solubility of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate miscocrystals in various solvents such as distilled water, Tris buffer, dialyzed and anaerobically processed fresh joint fluid and plasma are presented. The levels of PPi attained were of the same order of magnitude as those found in joint fluids from pseudogout patients. Magnesium ions and protein increased solubility; calcium and orthophosphate ions decreased it. Whether or not the PPi levels found in pseudogout fluid represent saturation levels in vivo cannot be answered from the present data.
Political Connections and Market Structure ∗ Job Market Paper

This paper empirically investigates how political connections affect supermarket entry in the Italian grocery retail industry, then quantifies the welfare cost of political influence. We focus on the largest grocery retailer in Italy, a network of consumer cooperatives that has historical links to political parties. We estimate a game-theoretic model that accounts for both the interdependence among firms’ entry decisions and the effect of market-level variables, among which we include a measure of political connections. The informational environment is affected by the presence of political connections, and the connected player might be better informed than its competitors. To take this into account, we adopt a new method to estimate the entry game under weak assumptions on the informational environment. We find a positive effect of political connections on cooperatives’ profits, and a negative effect on some competitors. In a counterfactual, we examine the effects of removing political connections. We link market structure outcomes to consumer welfare by estimating a model of demand and pricing for supermarkets. We obtain bounds on the expected welfare change and quantify the welfare cost of connections.
Glutathione-Redox Balance Regulates c-rel–Driven IL-12 Production in Macrophages: Possible Implications in Antituberculosis Immunotherapy

The glutathione-redox balance, expressed as the ratio of intracellular reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione, plays an important role in regulating cellular immune responses. In the current study, we demonstrate that alteration of glutathione-redox balance in macrophages by GSH donors like cell-permeable glutathione ethyl ester reduced or N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) can differentially regulate production of IL-12 cytokine in macrophages. A low concentration of NAC increased IL-12 p40/p70 production, whereas at high concentration, IL-12 production was inhibited due to increased calmodulin expression that binds and sequesters c-rel in the cytoplasm. Although NAC treatment increased the IκBα phosphorylation, it failed to increase TNF-α levels due to enhanced expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling 1, which specifically prevented nuclear translocation of p65 NF-κB. We demonstrate that NAC at 3 mM concentration could increase bacillus Calmette-Guérin–induced IFN-γ production by PBMCs from patients with active tuberculosis and shifts the anti–bacillus Calmette-Guérin immune response toward the protective Th1 type. Our results indicate that redox balance of glutathione plays a critical role in regulating IL-12 induction in native macrophages, and NAC can be used in tailoring macrophages to induce enhanced Th1 response that may be helpful to control tuberculosis and other pathophysiological disorders.
Analysis of a quenched lattice-QCD dressed-quark propagator

Quenched lattice-QCD data on the dressed-quark Schwinger function can be correlated with dressed-gluon data via a rainbow gap equation so long as that equation's kernel possesses enhancement at infrared momenta above that exhibited by the gluon alone. The required enhancement can be ascribed to a dressing of the quark-gluon vertex. The solutions of the rainbow gap equation exhibit dynamical chiral symmetry breaking and are consistent with confinement. The gap equation and related, symmetry-preserving ladder Bethe-Salpeter equation yield estimates for chiral and physical pion observables that suggest these quantities are materially underestimated in the quenched theory; $|〈\overline{q}q〉|$ by a factor of 2 and ${f}_{\ensuremath{\pi}}$ by $30%. $
Smoking-related correlates of depressive symptoms in low-income pregnant women.

OBJECTIVES To investigate smoking-related correlates of depressive symptomatology in low-income pregnant women. METHODS A cross-sectional survey of 245 pregnant women who smoked prior to pregnancy. RESULTS Women who had lower self-efficacy for maintaining abstinence both in positive affect/social situations and when experiencing negative affect demonstrated greater depressive symptomatology. Additionally, marijuana use, nicotine dependence, and general confidence in one's ability to quit smoking showed a positive relationship to depression. CONCLUSIONS Several modifiable factors that can be targeted through behavioral and cognitive behavioral intervention strategies appear to influence the relationship between depression and smoking in low-income pregnant women.
Illuminating vitamin D effects on B cells – the multiple sclerosis perspective

Vitamin D is associated with many immune‐mediated disorders. In multiple sclerosis (MS) a poor vitamin D status is a major environmental factor associated with disease incidence and severity. The inflammation in MS is primarily T‐cell‐mediated, but increasing evidence points to an important role for B cells. This has paved the way for investigating vitamin D effects on B cells. In this review we elaborate on vitamin D interactions with antibody production, T‐cell‐stimulating capacity and regulatory B cells. Although in vitro plasma cell generation and expression of co‐stimulatory molecules are inhibited and the function of regulatory B cells is promoted, this is not supported by in vivo data. We speculate that differences might be explained by the B‐cell–Epstein–Barr virus interaction in MS, the exquisite role of germinal centres in B‐cell biology, and/or in vivo interactions with other hormones and vitamins that interfere with the vitamin D pathways. Further research is warranted to illuminate this tube‐versus‐body paradox.