Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EFFECT OF EGG WEIGHT ON PRE-HATCH PERFORMANCE IN BROILER CHICKENS

A study was conducted to determine the effect of egg weight on hatchability and chick weight in CARIBRO Vishal broiler chicken. In the present study a total of 600 eggs were selected and allocated into three treatments 200 each: small (<49g), medium (50-59g), and large (60-69g) and incubated at stranded incubation temperature and humidity. The result showed that hatchability percentage of large sized egg was significantly higher (P<0.05) in compare to medium and small sized eggs, however higher embryonic mortality were recorded in small egg size groups. Percent moisture loss were significantly (P<0.05) higher in small sized egg group. Higher chick weight and lower embryonic mortality was observed in large sized egg group in compared to medium and small sized group.
Temozolomide as an alternative to irradiation for elderly patients with newly diagnosed malignant gliomas

The optimal treatment for elderly patients (defined as patients 70 years of age or older) with malignant gliomas (MG) remains controversial. Some physicians advocate withholding therapy following diagnosis based on the observation that elderly patients do not tolerate adjuvant radiotherapy. The availability of temozolomide (TMZ), a new alkylating agent with antiglioma efficacy, offers another potential therapeutic option for these patients. The drug can be administered orally at home with minimal morbidity.
Risk management and portfolio selection using \alpha-stable regime switching models

This article tries to enhance the current Gaussian distribution paradigm for modeling asset returns by emphasizing two points. It proposes a model which captures fat tails and skewness, and takes into account distinct market regimes. Therefore, an alpha-stable regime-switching model is proposed. The implications of this model on asset management are shown. The alpha-stable regime-switching model is employed for applications in risk management and portfolio selection. An empirical study shows that the model is better suited than Gaussian and Gaussian regime-switching models to measure risk accurately. A portfolio optimization case study for a traditional stocks and bonds investor is pursued. In this study, the model leads to less risky and more diversified portfolios. In particular, the model avoids huge losses in times of crisis and thus leads to a better (adjusted) Sharpe ratio and Omega.
Nitrogen-Doped Diamond Film for Optical Investigation of Hemoglobin Concentration

In this work we present the fabrication and characterization of a diamond film which can be utilized in the construction of optical sensors for the investigation of biological samples. We produced a nitrogen-doped diamond (NDD) film using a microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (MWPECVD) system. The NDD film was investigated with the use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Raman spectroscopy. The NDD film was used in the construction of the fiber optic sensor. This sensor is based on the Fabry–Pérot interferometer working in a reflective mode and the NDD film is utilized as a reflective layer of this interferometer. Application of the NDD film allowed us to obtain the sensor of hemoglobin concentration with linear work characteristics with a correlation coefficient (R2) equal to 0.988.
Over‐expression of lipocalin 2 promotes cell migration and invasion through activating ERK signaling to increase SLUG expression in prostate cancer

Metastasis is the primary cause of prostate cancer (PCa) lethality and poses a huge clinical obstacle. Lipocalin 2 (LCN2), a member of the lipocalin family, is aberrantly expressed in some human cancers and has been implicated in the progression of some tumors. However, the role of LCN2 in the metastatic capacity of prostate cancer (PCa) is poorly understood.
Semidiurnal internal tide incoherence in the equatorial Pacific

The jets in the equatorial Pacific Ocean of a realistically forced global circulation model with a horizontal resolution of 1/12.5° cause a strong loss of phase coherence in semidiurnal internal tides that propagate equatorward from the French Polynesian Islands and Hawaii. This loss of coherence is quantified with a baroclinic energy analysis, in which the semidiurnal-band terms are separated into coherent, incoherent, and cross terms. For time scales longer than a year, the coherent energy flux approaches zero values at the equator, while the total flux is ∼500 W/m. The time variability of the incoherent energy flux is compared with the internal-tide travel-time variability, which is based on along-beam integrated phase speeds computed with the Taylor-Goldstein equation. The variability of monthly mean Taylor-Goldstein phase speeds agrees well with the phase speed variability inferred from steric sea surface height phases extracted with a plane-wave fit technique. On monthly time scales, the loss of phase coherence in the equatorward beams from the French Polynesian Islands is attributed to the time variability in the vertically sheared background flow associated with the jets and tropical instability waves. On an annual time scale, the effect of stratification variability is of equal or greater importance than the shear variability is to the loss of coherence. In the model simulations, low-frequency equatorial jets do not noticeably enhance the dissipation of the internal tide, but merely decohere and scatter it.
Syncytiotrophoblast Is a Barrier to Maternal-Fetal Transmission of Herpes Simplex Virus1

Abstract Herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 has been discovered in placental tissue from spontaneous miscarriages, but reports of transplacental transmission and fetal infection are extremely rare. Previously, we demonstrated that the villous syncytiotrophoblast, which forms a continuous layer between the maternal and fetal circulation, is resistant to HSV entry. Here, we tested our hypothesis that the villous syncytiotrophoblast prevents transplacental transmission of HSV secondary to decreased expression of HSV entry mediators (HveA, HveB, and HveC). In addition, we investigated the ability of HSV to infect extravillous trophoblast cells, which mediate placental attachment to the uterine wall, and the expression of HSV receptors in these cells. We performed fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analyses and immunostaining to demonstrate that HveA, HveB, and HveC were not expressed in third-trimester villous trophoblast cells. Consequently, villous explants obtained from third-trimester placentas were resistant to infection by a recombinant HSV-1 vector, HSV-1 KOS, but approximately 20% of mesenchymal cells within the villous core were infected when villous explants were pretreated with trypsin to disrupt the villous trophoblast layer. Conversely, FACS analysis and immunostaining demonstrated that extravillous trophoblast cells expressed HveA, HveB, and HveC, and these cells were efficiently infected by HSV vectors. Infection of extravillous trophoblast cells by HSV-1 was not reduced when the cells were pretreated with an antibody against HveA but was partially reduced when the cells were pretreated with antibodies directed against HveB and HveC. Thus, the decreased expression of herpesvirus entry mediators in villous syncytiotrophoblast prevents placental villous infection, thereby limiting maternal-fetal transmission of HSV.
Serum α- and β-Carotene Concentrations Qualitatively Respond to Sustained Carrot Feeding

β-Carotene is a predominant source of vitamin A in developing countries. Genetically selected “high carotene” carrots could have an impact on the vitamin A and antioxidant status of people if widely adopted. A 3 × 3 crossover study in humans (n = 10) evaluated the difference in uptake and clearance of α- and β-carotene from carrots genetically selected and traditionally bred to have high, typical, or no carotene. Subjects were fed white (0 mg α- and β-carotene/d), orange (1.8 mg α-carotene and 2.6 mg β-carotene/d), or dark-orange (4 mg α-carotene and 7 mg β-carotene/d) carrots in muffins for 11 d, with a 10-d washout phase between treatments. Serum carotenoid and retinol concentrations were measured by HPLC. C-reactive protein (CRP), an indicator of underlying inflammation or infection which may lower serum retinol, was measured at the beginning of each period. A significant treatment effect occurred for serum α- and β-carotene concentrations (P < 0.001), and a trend towards a negative effect of subjects’ BMI on concentrations (P= 0.08). A significant treatment by sequence interaction was observed (P = 0.038), which was attributable to a difference in serum α- and β-carotene concentrations between carrot treatments in the first period. Serum retinol remained stable for the first 20 d of the intervention and then decreased (P = 0.02). CRP was not elevated in any subject. High carotene carrots provide more provitamin A carotenoids than the typical store-bought variety, without a change in flavor. The availability of high carotene carrots could readily increase consumption of β-carotene and potentially impact the vitamin A status of those individuals who are deficient or at risk of depletion.
Quantitative Evaluation of Ocular Surface Inflammation in Patients with Different Grade of Conjunctivochalasis

Purpose: To evaluate and compare HLA-DR expression of conjunctival epithelial cells in different grade of conjunctivochalasis (CCh). Patients and Methods: Thirty patients and seven healthy subjects underwent clinical examination, grading of CCh by lid-parallel conjunctival fold (LIPCOF) test, and impression cytology of the bulbar conjunctiva. HLA-DR expression was analyzed by flow cytometry. Schirmer test, tear break-up time, and vital staining were also performed. Results: Patients who presented with mild and moderate CCh showed a similar expression of HLA-DR to normal subjects. A significant increase (p < 0.005) of HLA-DR was found in patients with severe CCh. Positive correlation was found between fluorescein staining and HLA–DR expression (r = 0.36, p = 0.009) and between lissamine–green staining and HLA-DR expression (r = 0.30, p = 0.027). Neither correlation was found between Schirmer test nor break up time and HLA-DR expression. Conclusion: Inflammation plays a pivotal role on the ocular surface of patients with severe CCh. Since mild and moderate CCh HLA-DR expression was similar to normal controls, we can speculate that the source of inflammation could be the presence of conjunctival folds.
Synthesis and modification of proteins during the cell cycle of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We have used a novel technique to study the synthesis, modification and degradation of proteins during the cell cycle in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Logarithmically growing cells were pulse-labeled twice, with the pulses separated in time by more than one generation. Subsequently, the cells were fractionated as to their position in the cell cycle by centrifugal elutriation, and for different proteins the ratio of radioactive material from the two pulses was then determined. Periodic degradation, synthesis, or modification would produce periodic variations in the ratio of counts. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was used to examine 110 different proteins at different times of the cell cycle. All but two proteins had a constant ratio of counts through the cell cycle. This indicates that the rate of synthesis of individual proteins increases exponentially during the cell cycle and that periodic degradation or modification of proteins is not a general feature of the cell cycle in S. cerevisiae.
Designing and managing manufacturing networks–a survey of Swedish plants

The design and management of the manufacturing network for a firm is an important factor for its competitive position. By manufacturing network we mean the plant or plants of a manufacturing firm and the relationships with external suppliers. The way that these operate together is crucial for supporting the competition of the products in the marketplace. This article presents the results of a survey of 106 Swedish manufacturing plants. We find that the markets and supply networks of Swedish plants are global, but there is a focus on Europe. The main reason for locating a plant in Sweden is proximity to skills and knowledge, and we find no pure low-cost plants. The overall level of site competence is very high. There are many significant differences between how internal and external suppliers are selected. The choice of internal suppliers, i.e. those suppliers in the manufacturing network that belong to the same firm, is to a large extent based on a single corporate decision reflecting quality and competence, while external suppliers are chosen based on quality, price and delivery dependability considerations. This study provides a broad analysis of the manufacturing networks in which Swedish plants operate, and the roles of these plants.
A climatic context for the out-of-Africa migration

Around 200,000 yr ago, Homo sapiens emerged in Africa. By 40 ka, Homo sapiens had spread throughout Eurasia, and a major competing species, the Neanderthals, became extinct. The factors that drove our species “out of Africa” remain a topic of vigorous debate. Existing research invokes climate change as either providing opportunities or imposing limits on human migration. Yet the paleoclimate history of northeast Africa, the gateway to migration, is unknown. Here, we reconstruct temperature and aridity in the Horn of Africa region spanning the past 200,000 yr. Our data suggest that warm and wet conditions from 120,000 to 90,000 yr ago could have facilitated early waves of human migration toward the Levant and Arabia, as supported by fossil and lithic evidence. However, the primary out-of-Africa event, as constrained by genetic studies (ca. 65–55 ka), occurred during a cold and dry time. This complicates the climatemigration relationship, suggesting that both “push” and “pull” factors may have prompted Homo sapiens to colonize Eurasia.
Platelet activation induced by porcine factor VIII (HYATE:C)

We studied the effects of porcine factor VIII (P‐FVIII; Hyate:C) and other coagulation products employed in the management of patients with hemophilia A, on platelet activation in vitro. Exposure of normal resting platelets to P‐FVIII resulted in platelet activation, as manifested by increased expression of the platelet surface activation markers CD62, CD63, and activated‐GPIIbIIIa, and by activation‐induced modulation of expression of normal platelet membrane glycoproteins CD41, CD42, and CD36. In contrast, platelet activation was not observed after exposure of the platelets to human FVIII, FEIBA, recombinant FVIIa, or cryosupernatant plasma. As with thrombin, exposure of platelets to P‐FVIII resulted in the generation of platelet microparticles, an effect not seen not with the other products. In contrast to the characteristic reduction in expression in the number of CD42 molecules detected on thrombin‐activated platelets, P‐FVIII‐stimulated platelets showed a small increase in CD42 expression. In contrast to thrombin, P‐FVIII did not cause platelet dense granule release. The results indicate that therapeutic P‐FVIII activates platelets, likely in ways that are different from the platelet activation seen with thrombin. The observed platelet activation and microparticle generation may provide a “hypercoagulable” mechanism for hemostasis with P‐FVIII therapy separate from, and additional to, that due to increased circulating FVIII levels. Am. J. Hematol. 57:200–205, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
M&A driven IT transformation

Technological, economical, cultural, and political changes constantly lead to new opportunities and challenges in today’s highly dynamic business environment. Increasingly, modern enterprises leverage the strategic instrument of Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) to seize these tempting opportunities and adapt to the altering market conditions. As Information Technology (IT) penetrates the business of almost all enterprises, it has to be considered during virtually any M&A endeavor. Particularly the resulting need for IT transformation in the course of the M&A post merger integration (PMI) phase represents a complex and intricate task in which problem-specific models and tangible methods are of utmost importance. In all cases, the design of such helpful artifacts requires a solid foundation and a profound understanding with regards to the specific context, drivers, and influence factors in reference to the IT transformation. Based on related literature in the field of M&A, we conducted 15 explorative expert interviews with industry partners from the German banking industry, who were involved in a bank merger. In doing so, the interview partners revealed illuminative insights into possible problems, solutions, and pitfalls occurring during the transformation of IT. This article summarizes the key findings of the semi-structured talks and compares them with approaches and statements suggested by current M&A literature resources. In this vein, the stage is set for future research in the realm of IT transformation during M&A situations which can benefit from the empirical grounded results presented within this document.
Effects of caffeine and used coffee grounds on biological features of Aedes aegypti (Diptera, Culicidae) and their possible use in alternative control

Caffeine and used coffee grounds completely blocked the development of Aedes aegypti in the early stages, in treatments with the concentrations 1.0 mg/mL and 50 mg/mL, respectively. More advanced stages and even adults were obtained in lower concentrations of both substances, enabling observations to be made of mortality rate, longevity and esterase patterns. The experiments involved treatments using either eggs or 3rd instar larvae (L3), with or without the addition of fish food. Mortality rates prior to the adult stage and adult longevity were significantly different in the comparisons among treatments, in every kind of experiment, but in those using L3 larvae, their percentages were smaller. Observations of the time of larva and adult onset suggested that developmental time was also delayed in treatments with both substances. The addition of fish food increased significantly the number of adults produced in caffeine 0.2 and in the control, but in used coffee grounds, the opposite effect occurred. Longevity was apparently not affected by the addition of food, except again in coffee grounds, in which it decreased. In an attempt to detect a mechanism involved in the action of caffeine and coffee grounds, esterases (enzymes involved in the detoxification of xenobiotics) were analyzed in polyacrylamide gels of treated 4th instar larvae (L4). In treatments with both substances, the expression of some carboxylesterases was affected, suggesting that they may be involved in the observed impairment.
ß2-Agonists and cAMP inhibit protein degradation in isolated chick (Gallus domesticus) skeletal muscle

1. The role of β2-agonist and of cAMP in chick skeletal muscle proteolytic pathways and protein synthesis was investigated using an in vitro preparation that maintains tissue glycogen stores and metabolic activity for several hours. 2. In extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle total proteolysis decreased by 15 to 20% in the presence of equimolar concentrations of epinephrine, clenbuterol, a selective β2-agonist, or dibutyryl-cAMP. Rates of protein synthesis were not altered by clenbuterol or dibutyryl-cAMP. 3. The decrease in the rate of total protein degradation induced by 10−5 m clenbuterol was paralleled by a 44% reduction in Ca2+-dependent proteolysis, which was prevented by 10−5 m ICI 118·551, a selective β2-antagonist. 4. No change was observed in the activity of the lysosomal, ATP-dependent, and ATP-independent proteolytic systems. Ca2+-dependent proteolytic activity was also reduced by 58% in the presence of 10−4 m dibutyryl-cAMP or isobutylmethylxanthine. 5. The data suggest that catecholamines exert an inhibitory control of Ca2+-dependent proteolysis in chick skeletal muscle, probably mediated by β2-adrenoceptors, with the participation of a cAMP-dependent pathway.
Definitive Irradiation of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Analysis of Results and Failures in 103 Cases

During the period 1975–1984, 103 patients were treated for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Most of them presented with an advanced stage: 64 stage IV and 26 stage III. Sixty-one patients presented with neck nodes, which was the most frequent symptom of presentation. The histologic subtypes included 64 squamous cell carcinoma and 39 undifferentiated carcinoma. All patients were treated by high energy sources with portals encompassing the primary and the whole neck. Doses ranged from 50–55 Gy in T1 patients to 65–70 Gy in T4 patients. The mean survival was 58.5 months, and 31 patients were alive and disease free at 60 months from treatment. A clear difference in survival emerged among T1, T2-3, and T4 patients (p > 0.01), whereas there was no significant difference between T2 and T3 patients. Also, NO and N1 showed no significant difference in 5-year disease-free survival (38% and 41 %, respectively); only 20 % of N2 and 7 % of N3 patients survived for more than 5 years. As regards histology, 25% of patients with a squamous cell carcinoma and 36% of those with an undifferentiated carcinoma were alive at 5 years. The presence of distant metastases (in 20 patients) was not correlated with T stage but was strongly correlated with N stage; histology did not affect the development of metastases. There clearly was no correlation between T and N stage, a behavior which probably constitutes a characteristic of these tumors. From our analysis we can affirm that N stage has a greater influence on prognosis and final outcome than T stage, at least using the UICC staging criteria.
Phase I Study of CT-2103, A Polymer-Conjugated Paclitaxel, and Carboplatin in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors

Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of CT-2103 (poly L-glutamic acid-paclitaxel) in combination with carboplatin in patients with histologically proven solid tumors that were either refractory to conventional treatment or for which no conventional therapy was available. Patients and Methods: Twenty-two adult patients with advanced solid tumors were treated in this dose escalation study. Patients were treated every 21 days with CT-2103 at 175, 210, 225, or 250 mg/m2 (doses expressed as units of conjugated-paclitaxel) via 10–20 minute intravenous (IV) infusion, followed one hour later with carboplatin administered at AUC 5 or 6 via 30 minute IV infusion. No prophylaxis for hypersensitivity was administered with initial treatment. Doses were administered every 21 days until progressive disease or dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was observed. Toxicity was evaluated using NCI Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events v2.0 (CTCAE v2.0); response to treatment was evaluated using Response Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). Results: The MTD was determined to be 225 mg/m2. DLTs observed at 250 mg/m2 were neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. No hypersensitivity reactions were observed. Three patients achieved partial responses (PR). Fifteen patients received at least 3 cycles of treatment without observation of progressive disease. Median survival time was 5.9 months. Patients that demonstrated partial responses were all ovarian cancer patients that had previously failed paclitaxel therapy. The only Grade 4, nonhematologic treatment-related toxicity was febrile neutropenia. Grade 4 neutropenia (9 patients) was observed across all dose groups. Twelve patients developed thrombocytopenia (Grade 3/4) while receiving combination therapy. All had resolution of thrombocytopenia with discontinuation of carboplatin, suggesting that carboplatin, and not CT-2103, contributed mainly to platelet toxicity. Conclusion: CT-2103 administered at 225 mg/m2 every 21 days in combination with carboplatin administered at AUC 6 has a manageable safety profile in patients with solid tumors; further clinical investigation is recommended, especially in patients with ovarian or non-small cell lung cancer.