Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of long-term oral administration of levothyroxine sodium on serum thyroid hormone concentrations, clinicopathologic variables, and echocardiographic measurements in healthy adult horses.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of long-term oral levothyroxine sodium (L-T(4)) administration on serum thyroid hormone concentrations, thyroid gland function, clinicopathologic variables, and echocardiographic examination measurements in adult euthyroid horses. ANIMALS 6 healthy adult mares. PROCEDURES Horses received L-T(4) (48 mg/d) orally for 48 weeks. Every 4 weeks, physical examinations were performed; blood samples were collected for CBC, plasma biochemical analyses, and assessments of serum total triiodothyronine (tT(3)) and thyroxine (tT(4)) concentrations. Plasma creatine kinase MB activity and cardiac troponin I concentration were also measured. Echocardiographic examinations were performed before and at 16, 32, and 48 weeks during the treatment period. RESULTS During the treatment period, mean body weight decreased significantly; heart rate varied significantly, but the pattern of variation was not consistent. Significant time effects were detected for certain clinicopathologic variables, but mean values remained within reference ranges. Cardiac troponin I was only detectable in 8 of 24 plasma samples (concentration range, 0.01 to 0.03 ng/mL). Serum creatine kinase MB activity did not change significantly over time. Compared with the pretreatment value, 5.4-, 4.0-, and 3.7-fold increases in mean serum tT(4) concentrations were detected at 16, 32, and 48 weeks, respectively. Some cardiac measurements changed significantly over time, but mean values remained within published reference ranges. Mean fractional shortening was lower than the pretreatment mean value at 16 and 32 weeks. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE In horses, long-term oral administration of 48 mg of L-T(4)/d significantly increased serum tT(4) concentrations and did not appear to adversely affect health.
Breastfeeding Promotion in Iran: Opportunities and Challenges

Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education: In order to promote breastfeeding and its identified challenges, more adherence and supportive measures are recommended. Copyright © 2013, Iranian Society of Pediatrics; Licensee Safnek Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
GJB2 mutations: Passage through Iran

Hereditary hearing loss (HHL) is a very common disorder. When inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, it typically presents as an isolated finding. Interestingly and unexpectedly, in spite of extreme heterogeneity, mutations in one gene, GJB2, are the most common cause of congenital severe‐to‐profound deafness in many different populations. In this study, we assessed the contributions made by GJB2 mutations and chromosome 13 g. 1777179_2085947del (the deletion more commonly known as del (GJB6‐D13S1830) that includes a portion of GJB6 and is hereafter called Δ(GJB6‐D13S1830)) to the autosomal recessive non‐syndromic deafness (ARNSD) genetic load in Iran. Probands from 664 different nuclear families were investigated. GJB2‐related deafness was found in 111 families (16.7%). The carrier frequency of the 35delG mutation showed a geographic variation that is supported by studies in neighboring countries. Δ(GJB6‐D13S1830) was not found. Our prevalence data for GJB2‐related deafness reveal a geographic pattern that mirrors the south‐to‐north European gradient and supports a founder effect in southeastern Europe. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Competition and competitiveness in the US airline industry

Purpose – This study aims to employ a resource-based lens to explore the competitive implications of firm strategies under conditions of market commonality and shared resource pools. Design/methodology/approach – The firms’ core capabilities in these environments may focus on operational efficiency, as firms seek to compete under significant resource heterogeneity constraints. Findings – Using data from the USA airline industry from 1996-2011, we find that price has a positive relationship with firm performance, whereas quality has a negative relationship. Operational efficiency is a driver of both strategies. Research limitations/implications – The study uses US data. Extending the findings to the global setting may require recognizing other competitive dimensions. Originality/value – Firms that focus on non-core activities perform less well. The results offer insights into an industry that has interested strategy researchers for many years and may suggest an application to other industries with similar .
Time at V·O2max during Intermittent Treadmill Running: Test Protocol Dependent or Methodological Artefact?

Effects of methodological differences on the determination of time at VO (2max) (t (VO2max)) during intermittent treadmill running were investigated. Subjects performed three incremental tests to volitional exhaustion: a continuous protocol with 1-min stages (Cont-INC ([1-min])), and two discontinuous protocols of 2-min (Dis-INC ([2-min])) and 3-min (Dis-INC ([3-min])) stage durations. For each test, VO (2max) and the running velocity associated with V.O (2max) (vVO (2max)) were determined. On a fourth visit, subjects performed an intermittent test with 30-s work and relief intervals run at 105 % and 60 %, respectively, of the vV. (2max) determined during Cont-INC ((1-min)). The t (VO2max) during the intermittent test was determined using three different criteria: VO (2) data points > or = 100 % VO (2max) determined in Cont-INC ((1-min)) (t (VO2max[100 %])), > or = 95 % VO (2max) (t (VO2max[95 %])) and > or = VO (2max) minus 2.1 ml . kg (-1) . min (-1) (t (VO2max[- 2.1])). The V.O (2max) means (SD) for Cont-INC ((1-min)), Dis-INC ((2-min)) and Dis-INC ((3-min)) were 4093 (538), 4096 (516), and 3980 (488) mL . min (-1), respectively. The t (VO2max) means (SD) were: t (VO2max(100 %)) 163 (227) s, t (VO2max(95 %)) 418 (439) s, and t (VO2max(- 2.1)) 358 (395) s. All differences in t (V.O2max) were significantly different (p < 0.05). Differences in t (VO2max) due to using V.O (2max) values derived from using different V.O (2) time-averages were significantly different (p < 0.05). Methodological differences should be considered during interpretation of previous studies.
Phage lytic enzymes as therapy for antibiotic-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae infection in a murine sepsis model.

OBJECTIVES Phage-coded lysins, i.e. murein hydrolases, are enzymes that destroy the cell wall of bacteria. A rapid killing of Streptococcus pneumoniae in the nasopharynx of mice has been described recently using a phage-coded murein hydrolase (enzybiotic). The in vivo effects of a dose-ranging treatment, using either of the phage-coded lytic enzymes Cpl-1 lysozyme or the Pal amidase, have been investigated here in a murine sepsis model. METHODS Purified Pal amidase and/or Cpl-1 lysozyme were used alone or in combination. These enzymes were injected intraperitoneally at different times after challenge with 5 x 10(7) cfu of a type 6B, antibiotic-resistant S. pneumoniae clinical isolate. RESULTS Animals challenged with 5 x 10(7) cfu of this strain alone died within 72 h, whereas a single intraperitoneal injection of Cpl-1 or Pal (200 microg; 1100 U) administered 1 h after the bacterial challenge was sufficient to effectively protect the mice, according to unpaired t-test (P<0.0001). Bacteraemia in unprotected mice reached colony counts >10(7) cfu/mL, whereas the mean colony count in lysin-protected animals was <10(6) cfu/mL over time and ultimately became undetectable. Interestingly, a synergic effect in vivo was observed with the combined use of 2.5 microg each of Cpl-1 and Pal. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest strongly that phage lysins protect animals from bacteraemia and death. Moreover, the simultaneous attack of the pneumococcal peptidoglycan by a lysozyme and an amidase leads to a remarkable effect through enhanced destruction of the bacterial cell wall. The benefits of therapy with enzybiotics against pneumococcus reported here might warrant the examination of alternative strategies for the treatment of diseases caused by clinically relevant pathogens.
Role of nitric oxide, reactive oxygen species, and p38 MAP kinase in the regulation of human chondrocyte apoptosis

This study addresses mechanisms by which interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) regulates human chondrocyte apoptosis induced by a combination of the anti‐CD95 antibody CH‐11 and the proteasome inhibitor (PSI). The effect of IL‐1β on apoptosis varied among tissue samples. IL‐1β either enhanced (16/22 samples) or inhibited (6/22 samples) DNA fragmentation and caspase‐3 processing. The protective effect of IL‐1β was abrogated by the nitric oxide (NO) synthesis inhibitor N‐monomethyl‐l‐arginine (L‐NMMA) while apoptosis stimulation was not affected. The NO‐donors sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and S‐nitroso‐N‐acetyl penicillamine (SNAP) blocked DNA fragmentation, and this was associated with partial inhibition of caspase‐3 processing. Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), a scavenger of reactive oxygen species (ROS) blocked apoptosis induction by CH‐11/PSI as well as the enhancement by IL‐1β. The pro‐apoptotic effects of IL‐1β were also abrogated by the p38 inhibitor SB 202190. In conclusion, IL‐1β augments CH‐11/PSI induced apoptosis in the majority of chondrocyte samples. The pro‐apoptotic effect of IL‐1β is not dependent on NO. In contrast, the anti‐apoptotic effect of IL‐1β observed in a minority of samples is partially NO‐dependent. J. Cell. Physiol. 197: 379–387, 2003© 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Doom or Gloom? CEO Stock Options after Enron

This study finds a significant and pervasive decline but not an elimination of CEO optionbased compensation after the corporate governance scandals around 2000-2001 centered on executive option compensation. Some, but not all, of the drop is predicted by changes in the characteristics of firms, CEOs, boards of directors, and markets. In the cross-section, the change in CEO options is positively related to firm size, growth opportunities, ownership by large pension funds, and CEO experience and negatively related to firm age, board size, and "fair" value expensing of options. The findings provide significant support for the hypothesis that CEO options are affected by optimal contracting considerations, the hypothesis that CEO power is a significant determinant of CEO options, and, to some extent, the hypothesis that differences in perceived and actual costs of CEO options are important. Overall, however, the optimal contracting hypothesis is most able to explain the cross-sectional variation in the decline in options after the scandals.
Two contrasting granite types: 25 years later

The concept of I‐ and S‐type granites was introduced in 1974 to account for the observation that, apart from the most felsic rocks, the granites in the Lachlan Fold Belt have properties that generally fall into two distinct groups. This has been interpreted to result from derivation by partial melting of two kinds of source rocks, namely sedimentary and older igneous rocks. The original publication on these two granite types is reprinted and reviewed in the light of 25 years of continuing study into these granites.
Variational Circuit Simulator based on a Unified Methodology using Arithmetic over Taylor Polynomials

This paper proposed a unified methodology for variational analysis or simulation based on Taylor polynomials. In this methodology, multiple variational metrics under different variational modeling could be concurrently estimated. Applications could include all aspects of variational or statistical analysis and simulation. Experimental results on interconnect delay analysis and circuit simulation validate the proposed methodology
Opinion mining: Approaches, resources and challenges

Web2.0 has contributed tremendously towards the rapid growth of web contents which ensures that customers utilize existing blogs, discussion forums, e-commerce and many other sites to express their opinions and read reviews of other people on different products and services which they plan to procure. Such an online wealth of information over the web has helped customers, firms, manufacturers, service providers, social and government units to take proper decision to procure or enhance various products and services. This practice has triggered the need to enhance existing methods and techniques to extract and summarize opinions from different online reviews. This paper surveys recent and leading methods and techniques that are used for opinion mining and then outlines available resources which have been developed in this regard. The paper also presents few challenges and open issues that need to be addressed and researched in more depth in order to improve the way opinions are extracted and summarized to users and other interested groups.
Neoplastic progression of human colorectal cancer is associated with overexpression of the stromelysin‐3 and BM‐40/SPARC genes

The interaction of neoplastic cells with the extracellular matrix is a critical event for the initiation of cancer invasion and metastasis. This study was designed to evaluate the potential implication of stromelysin‐3 (ST3), a newly identified member of the matrix‐degrading metalloproteinase family, and of BM‐40/SPARC, a glycoprotein associated with the extracellular matrix, during the progression of human colorectal cancers. We analyzed the relative abundance of ST3 and BM‐40/SPARC transcripts by Northern blot, and their distribution by in situ hybridization, in normal mucosa, benign adenomas, and primary colorectal adenocarcinomas and their liver metastases. The ST3 and BM‐40/SPARC transcripts were overexpressed in primary colorectal cancers and their liver metastases compared to non‐neoplastic mucosa. These transcripts were localized in stromal fibroblasts adjacent to the neoplastic foci. Overexpression of ST3 correlated with the progression of human colorectal tumors toward local invasion and liver metastasis. Induction of these genes also occurred in diverticulitis and digestive neoplasms such as gastric and esophageal carcinomas. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Progressing toward a Theory of Marketing Control: A Comment

HE article by Jaworski (1988) is an interesting, thoughtful, and provocative piece on marketing control, an important subject which, I conclude from my casual review of the marketing literature, has not received much managerial, research, or textbook attention. The purpose of this short comment is to put the Jaworski article in perspective in the control literature, highlight a few of its strengths and weaknesses as I see them, and offer a few suggestions for further research on marketing control to supplement those Jaworski provides.
The role of the myostatin protein in meat quality – a review

Abstract. The myostatin protein is a regulator factor in the normal muscle that determines the maximum amount of muscle mass that is typical of that species. If the myostatin gene is mutant, the negative regulating function of the gene does not work. This leads to an increased muscle growth resulting in muscle hypertrophy and hyperplasia. That phenomenon occurs in beef cattle production as well, e.g. in Belgian White-Blue breed where the "double-muscled" phenotype is common due to the successful selection. In the view of quality meat production, this is an outstanding trait, since these animals produce not just more, but better: leaner and tenderer meat. Crossing with Belgian White-Blue cattle shows that although the gene is recessive and monofactorial, its effect is apparent even in heterozygotes due to its partial dominance: the meat:bone ratio and meat yield is better than those of the other breed. In animals with a Culard phenotype this trait manifests with others: there are less fat and suet deposited and the amount of connective tissues between muscles are also decreased.
Hypercalcemia and Childhood Cancer: A 7-Year Experience

Hypercalcemia is a rare but potentially fatal complication during the management of childhood cancer. The treatment of severe hypercalcemia in children has not been clearly defined. The authors present a retrospective series of 16 children (11 boys and 5 girls) with severe hypercalcemia (≥2.9 mmol/L) treated between 1997 and 2004 for malignancy. Median serum calcium level was 3.14 mmol/L. Hypercalcemia was present at the initial diagnosis of cancer (eight patients) or occurred during treatment (five patients) or during relapse (three patients). Three children had several episodes of hypercalcemia. All children were treated by hydration for a median of 7 days (range 2-12 days). Eight patients received intravenous pamidronate. The other treatments were adapted to the mechanism of hypercalcemia. Serum calcium levels were lowered to below 3 mmol/L after a median of 2 days and to below 2.7 mmol/L after a median of 4 days after starting treatment. Pamidronate was well tolerated apart from one case of multifactorial renal failure. Intravenous pamidronate is a safe and effective treatment for severe cancer-related hypercalcemia in children. Specific therapy must be initiated as soon as possible. Serum calcium levels must be monitored for a fortnight after administration of pamidronate due to the risk of hypocalcemia.
Bilateral Cavernous Sinus and Superior Ophthalmic Vein Thrombosis in the Setting of Facial Cellulitis

Cavernous sinus thrombosis is a rare, potentially fatal cause of cerebral venous thrombosis. Infectious causes typically arise from the mid face, orbit, or sinonasal region. We present a case of bilateral cavernous sinus and superior ophthalmic thrombosis secondary to an extreme case of facial cellulitis.
How do pupils use ICT devices to support and enhance their learning

Purpose – The purpose of this small-scale study is to investigate ways in which pupils at the target school use tools such a mobile phones and tablets to enhance their learning. The research focused on three questions: first, what ICT devices do pupils use during lessons? Second, how are such devices used in different curriculum areas? Third, what are the benefits and limitations of their use? Design/methodology/approach – Mixed method approach yielding both quantitative and qualitative data. Quota sampling was used to select ten pupils – two from each year group and five teachers – across a range of curriculum areas – to complete a questionnaire. On the basis of these responses semi-structured focus groups were held with the five teachers and five of the pupils. The pupils were selected on the basis of their use of ICT devices in lessons. Findings – It was found that ICT devices play an important role in pupils’ learning if they are used appropriately. Specifically their use helps promote independent lea.
LSU Digital Commons LSU Digital Commons Collpas: Activity hotspots for frugivorous bats (Phyllostomidae) in Collpas: Activity hotspots for frugivorous bats (Phyllostomidae) in the Peruvian Amazon the Peruvian Amazon

In the SE Peruvian Amazon, large numbers of frugivorous bats regularly visit natural forest clearings known locally as collpas (which are also referred to as clay licks or mineral licks). Bats arrive at collpas to drink water that has accumulated in depressions created by larger geophagous mammals that consume exposed soil. Although collpa visitation is common, little is known about its causes and its ecological implications for the bat community. We compared patterns of use of collpas and non- collpa forest sites by bats in SE Peru. We mist netted bats at collpas and non- collpa sites during the dry season and compared abundance, species richness, species composition, sex ratio, and reproductive condition. More species were captured at collpas than at non- collpa sites, and collpas were visited almost exclusively by frugivores. Overall, bat-capture frequency and combined frugivorous bat-capture frequency were higher at collpas than at non- collpa sites, although some species of frugivorous bats were captured more frequently at non- collpa sites than at collpas ( e.g ., Carollia spp.). Irrespective of capture site, more female bats were pregnant or lactating than not, but there was a distinct female sex bias in bats that visited collpas : 70 percent of bats captured at collpas were female, whereas 44 percent of bats captured away from collpas were female. These patterns suggest that collpas may provide important resources for frugivorous bats in SE Peru, just as they are thought to provide important resources to the vertebrates that consume collpa soils. Accordingly, collpas are important conservation targets in the region. Abstract in Spanish is available at http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/loi/btp.
Monetary Policy, Risk-Taking and Pricing: Evidence from a Quasi-Natural Experiment

Methods and apparatus are presented that facilitate electrophoresis of prior-cast, hydratable separation media, usefully immobilized pH gradient (IPG) strips. The method exploits the swelling of prior-cast, hydratable separation media upon rehydration to help lodge the media in an enclosing member that permits spaced electrical communication with the enclosed separation media. The electrical communication permits a voltage gradient to be established in the enclosed separation medium sufficient to effect separation of analytes therein. Cassettes, buffer cores, electrophoresis systems and kits are presented for effecting the methods of the invention.
Synthesis and characterization of cellulose-silica composite fiber in ethanol/water mixed solvents

Cellulose-silica composite fiber samples have been successfully synthesized using cellulose solution, tetraethoxysilane, and NH3•H2O in ethanol/water mixed solvents at room temperature for 24 h. The cellulose solution was previously prepared by the dissolution of microcrystalline cellulose in a solvent mixture of N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc)/lithium chloride (LiCl). The effect of the tetraethoxysilane concentration on the product was investigated. The products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), differential scanning calorimetric analysis (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDS), and cross polarization magic angle spinning (CP/MAS) solid state 13C-NMR. The morphology of the cellulose-silica composite fiber was investigated by SEM, while their composition was established from EDS measurements combined with the results of FT-IR spectral analysis and XRD patterns. The XRD, FT-IR and EDS results indicated that the obtained product was cellulose-silica composite fiber. The SEM micrographs showed that the silica particles were homogeneously dispersed in the cellulose fiber. The CP/MAS solid state 13C-NMR results indicated that the silica concentration had an influence on the crystallinity of the cellulose. This method is simple for preparation of cellulose-based composites.