Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic parameters for direct and maternal calving ability over parities in Piedmontese cattle.

Estimates of heritabilities and genetic correlations for calving ease over parities were obtained for the Italian Piedmontese population using animal models. Field data were calving records of 50,721 first- and 44,148 second-parity females and 142,869 records of 38,213 cows of second or later parity. Calving ability was scored in five categories and analyzed using either a univariate or a bivariate linear model, treating performance over parities as different traits. The bivariate model was used to investigate the genetic relationship between first- and second- or between first- and third-parity calving ability. All models included direct and maternal genetic effects, which were assumed to be mutually correlated. (Co)variance components were estimated using restricted maximum likelihood procedures. In the univariate analyses, the heritability for direct effects was . 19 +/- . 01, . 10 +/- . 01, and . 08 +/- . 004 for first, second, and second and later parities, respectively. The heritability for maternal effects was . 09 +/- . 01, . 11 +/- . 01, and . 05 +/- . 01, respectively. All genetic correlations between direct and maternal effects were negative, ranging from -. 55 to -. 43. Approximated standard errors of genetic correlations between direct and maternal effects ranged from . 041 to . 062. For multiparous cows, the fraction of total variance due to the permanent environment was greater than the maternal heritability. With bivariate models, direct heritability for first parity was smaller than the corresponding univariate estimate, ranging from . 18 to . 14. Maternal heritabilities were slightly higher than the corresponding univariate estimates. Genetic correlation between first and second parity was . 998 +/- . 00 for direct effects and . 913 +/- . 01 for maternal effects. When the bivariate model analyzed first- and third-parity calving ability, genetic correlation was . 907 +/- . 02 for direct effects and . 979 +/- . 01 for maternal effects. Residual correlations were low in all bivariate analyses, ranging from . 13 for analysis of first and second parity to . 07 for analysis of first and third parity. In conclusion, estimates of genetic correlations for calving ease in different parities obtained in this study were very high, but variance components and heritabilities were clearly heterogeneous over parities.
Activation Mechanism of Brain Microglia in Patients With Diffuse Neurofibrillary Tangles With Calcification: A Comparison With Alzheimer Disease

Diffuse neurofibrillary tangles with calcification (DNTC) is an atypical dementia and is characterized pathologically by diffuse neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) without senile plaques (SPs). In this study, we investigated the distribution of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR–positive activated microglia in postmortem brain tissue of six patients with DNTC and six patients with Alzheimer disease (AD). HLA-DR–positive activated microglia were observed to associate with SPs in AD. In the DNTC brain, which lacks SPs, HLA-DR–positive microglia were mainly accumulated around weakly tau-positive NFTs, which were also positive for anti–amyloid-P and anti-C3d antibodies. The results of this study suggest that the complement pathway is also activated in the DNTC brain and that immune and inflammatory responses, including microglia activation, may occur around extracellular NFTs in DNTC patients.
Time-dependent Circulation Flows: Iron Enrichment in Cooling Flows with Heated Return Flows

We describe a new type of dynamical model for hot gas in galaxy groups and clusters in which gas moves simultaneously in both radial directions. The observational motivations for this type of flow are compelling. X-ray spectra indicate that little or no gas is cooling to low temperatures. Bubbles of hot gas typically appear in Chandra X-ray images and XMM-Newton X-ray spectra within ~50 kpc of the central elliptical galaxy. These bubbles must be buoyant. Furthermore, the elemental composition and total mass of gas-phase iron observed within ~100 kpc of the center can be understood as the accumulated outflow of most or all of the iron produced by Type Ia supernovae in the central galaxy over time. This gaseous iron has been circulating for many gigayears, unable to cool. As dense inflowing gas cools, it produces a positive central temperature gradient, a characteristic feature of normal cooling flows. This gas dominates the local X-ray spectrum but shares the total available volume with centrally heated, outflowing gas. Circulating flows eventually cool catastrophically if the outflowing gas transports mass but no heat; to maintain the circulation both mass and energy must be supplied to the inflowing gas over a large volume, extending to the cooling radius. The rapid radial recirculation of gas within ~50 kpc results in a flat core in the gas iron abundance, similar to many group and cluster observations. We believe the circulation flows described here are the first gasdynamic, long-term evolutionary models that are in good agreement with all essential features observed in the hot gas: little or no gas cools as required by XMM spectra, the gas temperature increases outward near the center, and the gaseous iron abundance is about solar near the center and decreases outward.
Scattering with longitudinally coherent matter beams

I present a derivation of the many qualitative changes to basic scattering theory that result when a ~partially! coherent matter beam inelastically interacts with a quantum target. The weak beam limit, where only one object in the beam interacts with the quantum target, is developed. Some of the basic changes to scattering theory are as follows. ~1! The transition probability can increase as the square of the number of particles in the beam. ~2! The transition probability is not proportional to the convolution of the total inelastic cross section with the momentum distribution of the beam. ~3! The transition probability to different final states of the target does not depend on the population in the initial states but depends on the amplitudes for the initial states. ~4! The total transition probability depends on the differential cross section integrated over all final angles and on the differential cross section only in the forward scattering direction. ~5! The transition probability can be nonzero even when the beam misses the target. ~6! In the perturbative limit, the transition probability can be related to classical, large scale properties of the beam ~such as the average density!
Elucidation of insulin assembly at acidic and neutral pH: Characterization of low molecular weight oligomers

Deficiency in insulin secretion and function that characterize type 2 diabetes often requires administration of extraneous insulin, leading to injection‐site amyloidosis. Insulin aggregation at neutral pH is not well understood. Although oligomer formation is believed to play an important role, insulin oligomers have not been fully characterized yet. Here, we elucidate similarities and differences between in vitro insulin aggregation at acidic and neutral pH for a range of insulin concentrations (2.5–100 μM) by using kinetic thioflavin T fluorescence, circular dichroism, atomic force and electron microscopy imaging. Importantly, we characterize the size distribution of insulin oligomers at different assembly stages by the application of covalent cross‐linking and gel electrophoresis. Our results show that at the earliest assembly stage, oligomers comprise up to 40% and 70% of soluble insulin at acidic and neutral pH, respectively. While the highest oligomer order increases with insulin concentration at acidic pH, the opposite tendency is observed at neutral pH, where oligomers up to heptamers are formed in 10 μM insulin. These findings suggest that oligomers may be on‐ and off‐pathway assemblies for insulin at acidic and neutral pH, respectively. Agitation, which is required to induce insulin aggregation at neutral pH, is shown to increase fibril formation rate and fibrillar mass both by an order of magnitude. Insulin incubated under agitated conditions at neutral pH rapidly aggregates into large micrometer‐sized aggregates, which may be of physiological relevance and provides insight into injection‐site amyloidosis and toxic pulmonary aggregates induced by administration of extraneous insulin.
Electrophoretic Analysis of Abnormal Development.∗

Summary As a result of a teratogenic maternal folic acid deficiency, discrete changes are produced in the molecular composition of abnormally developing embryos. Furthermore, these changes continue in the embryo after the mother has been returned to a complete ration. The adverse effects on the development of new enzymatic forms appeared to be both qualitative and quantitative. Although there was a general trend for delayed and asynchronous appearance of specific molecules in the abnormally developing embryos, this was not invariably the case and some of the enzymes did appear on schedule and at or near control amounts in the experimental animals. Thus the retardation in the appearance of certain enzyme forms resulting from folic acid deficiency would appear to be selective.
Tibial Plateau Fractures An Analysis of the Results of Treatment in 60 Patients

Sixty patients with fractures of the tibial plateau were reviewed and assessed in terms of fracture type, treatment method, adequacy of reduction, immobilization time, associated ligamentous and meniscal injury, and overall result in an attempt to define factors important in the prediction of outcome. Comminuted bicondylar fractures (Type IV) were the most common (39%). Thirty-eight of the 60 fractures were treated by open reduction and internal fixation, and 22 were treated by closed methods. Overall, 75% of the patients had a satisfactory result. Ligamentous and meniscal injuries were treated surgically and did not influence the final outcome. The single most important factor in predicting outcome in a patient with a tibial plateau fracture was the adequacy of reduction. The method of achieving the reduction and the length of the immobilization period of the knee were not as crucial. A residual step of greater than 5 mm on the weight-bearing area was universally associated with an unsatisfactory result.
DOCUMENT DE TREBALL XREAP 2009-11 Small firms , growth and financial constraints

This paper analyses the impact of different sources of finance on the growth of firms. Using panel data from Spanish manufacturing firms for the period 2000-2006, we investigate the effects of internal and external finances on firm growth. In particular, we examine three dimensions of these financial sources: a) the performance of the firms’ capital structure in accordance with firm size; b) the effects of internal and external financial sources on growth performance; c) the combined effect of equity, external debt and cash flow on firm growth. We find that low-growth firms are sensitive to cash flow and short-term bank debt, while high-growth firms are more sensitive to long-term debt. Furthermore, equity capital seems to reduce barriers to external finance. Our main conclusion is that during the start-up phase, firms are unable to increase their financial leverage and so their capital structure fails to promote correct investment strategies. However, as their equity capital increases, alternative financial mechanisms, in particular long-term debt, become available, which have a positive impact on firm growth. JEL classification: L25, R12
Effects of muscarinic agents on chick choroids in intact eyes and eyecups: evidence for a muscarinic mechanism in choroidal thinning

In chicks, ocular growth inhibition is associated with choroidal thickening and growth stimulation with choroidal thinning, suggesting a mechanistic link between the two responses. Because muscarinic antagonists inhibit the development of myopia in animal models by a non‐accommodative mechanism, we tested the hypothesis that agonists would stimulate eye growth and thin the choroid. We also hypothesized that the effective growth‐inhibiting antagonists would thicken the choroid.
Bone Geometry, Volumetric Density, Microarchitecture, and Estimated Bone Strength Assessed by HR‐pQCT in Klinefelter Syndrome

Although the expected skeletal manifestations of testosterone deficiency in Klinefelter's syndrome (KS) are osteopenia and osteoporosis, the structural basis for this is unclear. The aim of this study was to assess bone geometry, volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD), microarchitecture, and estimated bone strength using high‐resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR‐pQCT) in patients with KS. Thirty‐one patients with KS confirmed by lymphocyte chromosome karyotyping aged 35.8 ± 8.2 years were recruited consecutively from a KS outpatient clinic and matched with respect to age and height with 31 healthy subjects aged 35.9 ± 8.2 years. Dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) and HR‐pQCT were performed in all participants, and blood samples were analyzed for hormonal status and bone biomarkers in KS patients. Twenty‐one KS patients were on long‐term testosterone‐replacement therapy. In weight‐adjusted models, HR‐pQCT revealed a significantly lower cortical area (p < 0.01), total and trabecular vBMD (p = 0.02 and p = 0.04), trabecular bone volume fraction (p = 0.04), trabecular number (p = 0.05), and estimates of bone strength, whereas trabecular spacing was higher (p = 0.03) at the tibia in KS patients. In addition, cortical thickness was significantly reduced, both at the radius and tibia (both p < 0.01). There were no significant differences in indices of bone structure, estimated bone strength, or bone biomarkers in KS patients with and without testosterone therapy. This study showed that KS patients had lower total vBMD and a compromised trabecular compartment with a reduced trabecular density and bone volume fraction at the tibia. The compromised trabecular network integrity attributable to a lower trabecular number with relative preservation of trabecular thickness is similar to the picture found in women with aging. KS patients also displayed a reduced cortical area and thickness at the tibia, which in combination with the trabecular deficits, compromised estimated bone strength at this site. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Astigmatism induced by oblique clear corneal incision: right vs. left eyes.

BACKGROUND To compare the induced astigmatism after phacoemulsification in the right vs. the left eye. METHODS An oblique clear corneal incision was made in a superotemporal location in the right (n = 344) and a superonasal location in the left (n = 292) eye. Retrospectively, patient characteristics, pre- and postoperative visual acuity, and induced astigmatism values were compared. Statistical analysis was performed with the Student t , chi2, and Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS The proportion of against-the-rule astigmatism and surgically induced astigmatism values were significantly larger in the left-eye group (p < 0.001). INTERPRETATION Surgically induced astigmatism occurred to a greater extent in the left eyes compared with the right, possibly because of structural differences.
Catabolism of glucose and fatty acids by virulent Treponema pallidum

We describe a procedure which permits essentially full recovery of physiologically active Treponema pallidum from rabbit testicular extracts and greatly reduces contaminating tissue material. Such preparations were employed for investigations of the ability of T. pallidum to catabolize glucose and fatty acids. Radiorespirometric studies revealed that glucose and pyruvate, but not oleate or palmitate, could be degraded to CO2. The use of differentially labeled glucose, in conjunction with enzymatic analyses, indicated that glucose was catabolized by a combination of the Embden-Meyerhoff-Parnas and hexose monophosphate pathways. Pyruvate was degraded to CO2 from only the carboxyl position, suggesting the absence of a functioning Krebs cycle; this was substantiated by additional enzyme analyses and radiorespirometric experiments. Oleate and palmitate were incorporated but not catabolized by beta-oxidation. Glucose, although catabolized, was not incorporated. The potential significance of these findings is discussed.
Organizational culture, leadership style and effectiveness: A case study of middle eastern construction clients

During the last few decades, organizational effectiveness has received a great deal of attention in many industrial sectors. As a result, a variety of models have been formulated which measure organizational performance. In the construction industry, two factors have subsequently captured the imagination and interest of researchers and practitioners alike: the culture of the organization and the leadership style of project managers. This focus places a requirement upon construction organizations to recognize and understand their organizational culture, and equally, to clearly communicate it to their employees as part of their capitalist drive of constantly improving performance, productivity and profit. Traditional ways of conducting construction business require a sound understanding of the technical and managerial demands of executing projects, which in turn, places an increased emphasis upon the management and leadership competencies of individual project managers. The purpose of the research is to explore the relationship between organizational culture, authentic leadership style and effectiveness within the context of a case study investigation centred on Middle Eastern construction clients and their project managers. The outcomes of the investigation, which include the presentation of an explanatory model, indicate that organizational culture is directly and positively related to performance and effectiveness, while project managers' leadership style has an indirect relationship to effectiveness. A strong organizational culture is therefore deemed critical to organizational performance.
Structure of the pelvic ureter in an adult Kenyan population

Alterations in histomorphological features of the pelvic ureter such as muscle fiber orientation have been implicated in the etiology of vesicoureteric reflux. Consequently, anatomical sex differences in the histomorphology of the pelvic ureter may explain the female predisposition to this disease. Reports of these differences are, however, scarce. Twelve adult pelvic ureters (6 male and 6 female), harvested during autopsy were used for histomorphology. Five-millimeter thin sections were taken from juxtavesical, mid and distal intravesical segments of the ureter. These were fixed in formal saline solution and processed routinely for paraffin embedding. Seven-micrometer sections were stained with Masson’s Trichrome stain to demonstrate orientation of smooth muscle cells and collagen fibers. In all sections, the ureter displayed a mucosa, muscularis and adventitia. In males, the muscularis of juxtavesical ureter displayed three layers namely an inner longitudinal, intermediate circular and an outer longitudinal. In females only two layers namely an inner longitudinal and outer circular were observed. In the mid intravesical segment, the muscularis in males displayed two layers: an inner longitudinal and outer circular layer while in females only the longitudinal layer was present. The structure of the pelvic ureter therefore displayed sex differences. In males, the muscularis in the juxtavesical and mid intravesical segments possessed additional longitudinal and circular layers respectively. These structural differences could partially explain the higher predisposition to vesicoureteric reflux in females Key words : Sex; histomorphology, vesicoureteric reflux, pelvic ureter
IN VITRO/IN VIVO PERFORMANCE STUDY OF NEW METRONIDAZOLE PERIODONTAL GEL FORMULATIONS

The aim of this paper is to continue previous studies of gel formulation containing metronidazole and having mucoadhesive properties for the treatment of periodontal diseases by assessing their in vitro and in vivo characteristics. We started from the premise that the crosslink density and swelling capacity of the polyacrylic acid derivatives greatly affect the swelled mucoadhesive polymer which penetrates into the tissue crevices followed by the interpenetration between the polymer chains and protein chains of the mucus aimed to achieve correlations between the rheological properties of gels and mucoadhesivity. The results showed that the analysed gels F3_3, F3_1 (Ultrez 10) and F2_3 (Carbopol ® 974P) have the most appropriate rheological properties. To evaluate the kinetics of drug release from the analysed gels, 9 kinetic models (functions of time) were performed. R 2 adjusted (the adjusted coefficient of determination), MSC (model selection criterion) and AIC criterion (Akaike informational criterion) used as goodness of fit parameters indicated that Korsmeyer-Peppas is the most appropriate model to describe the release kinetics of the drug release from the 9 gel formulations. Preliminary clinical studies have shown that the topical application of metronidazole gel formulations, in combination with mechanical treatment of smoothening of the root surface appears to be more efficient, improving clinical parameters. Plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing index (BOP), and probing pocket depth (PPD) evaluated at one month post-treatment had better values compared with those of the initial examination values in a greater number of the periodontal examined sites (PI-54.15%, BOP-62.38%, and PPD28.45%) in the group B of patients receiving scaling and root planning (SRP) and 15% metronidazole gel formulation F3_3.
Altered dopamine D1 and D2 receptor mRNA expression in mesencephalon from mice exposed to repeated treatments with methamphetamine and cannabinoid CB1 agonist methanandamide.

OBJECTIVES In our previous studies we found that both acute administration of CB1 receptor agonist methanandamide and repeated methanandamide pre-treatment prior to methamphetamine challenge dose elicited increase in the CB1 receptor mRNA expression in the mouse mesencephalon. As a reciprocal cross-talk is reported between the cannabinoid CB1 and dopamine receptors, that are highly co-localized on brain neurones, we targeted possible changes in relative expression of dopamine D1 and D2 receptor mRNA in mesencephalon in mice sensitized by repeated treatments to methamphetamine stimulatory effects and cross-sensitized to methamphetamine by cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist methanandamide pre-treatment. METHODS To confirm development of behavioural sensitization or cross-sensitization, respectively, we observed changes in locomotion using the open field test. Mice were treated repeatedly with either methamphetamine or methamphetamine after repeated pre-treatment with methanandamide. After each measurement of locomotion one third of animals were sacrificed and the brain was stored. RNA was isolated from the midbrain and used for reverse transcription and subsequent real-time PCR. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION As in many of our earlier studies with the same dosage regimen we found in the behavioural part both development of sensitization to methamphetamine stimulatory effects after repeated treatment and cross-sensitization to them by pre-treatment with cannabinoid receptor CB1 agonist methanandamide. Real-time PCR analyses showed an increase in D1 receptor mRNA expression after the first dose of methamphetamine (that persisted also after the last dose of methamphetamine) and after the first dose of methanandamide (which also persisted after the methamphetamine challenge dose). In opposite a significant decrease in D2 receptor mRNA expression both after the first dose of methamphetamine and methanandamide (that persisted also after the methamphetamine challenge doses) was registered. Thus, our results suggest that both methamphetmine and methanandamide treatment can provoke changes in dopamine receptor density in mouse mesenpcephalon, the increase in D1 and decrease in D2 receptor subtypes.