Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Regulation of luteal cell 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activity by estradiol.

Recent studies have suggested that estradiol or androgen precursor may stimulate steroidogenesis in the luteal cell by modulating intracellular sterol availability and metabolism. This investigation was performed to examine the effect of estradiol on de novo synthesis of cholesterol. Pregnant rats hypophysectomized and hysterectomized on Day 12 were treated for 72 h with either estradiol or testosterone. De novo cholesterol synthesis was determined by measurement of the specific activity of the enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase, the rate limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis, in microsome-enriched preparations of luteal tissue and incorporation of [14C] acetate into cholesterol by corpora lutea incubated in vitro. Estradiol or testosterone treatment caused a 4- to 5-fold stimulation of luteal cholesterol biosynthesis, as measured by these techniques. NaF, an inhibitor of phosphatase which blocks the conversion of the inactive enzyme to the active form, reduced the HMG CoA reductase activity to 30% in corpora lutea obtained from either steroid or vehicle-treated rats. However, an increase in enzyme activity of comparable magnitude by steroids was observed whether microsomes were isolated with or without NaF. The effect of estradiol appears to be enzyme-specific, since it failed to affect the microsomal marker, NADPH-cytochrome c reductase. Since the cholesteryl ester content of corpora lutea falls in response to steroid treatment, rats were treated with 4-aminopyrazolo-[3,4d]pyrimidine (4-APP) to deplete cellular cholesterol content. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A Novel Partial-Ground-Plane-Based MOSFET on Selective Buried Oxide: 2-D Simulation Study

A novel partial-ground-plane (PGP)-based MOSFET on a selective buried oxide (SELBOX), named PGP-SELBOX, is proposed. An extensive simulation study and the comparative analysis of the key characteristics of the PGP-SELBOX, the SELBOX, and the conventional silicon-on-insulator (SOI) devices has been performed using the 2-D device simulator Medici. The simulations have revealed that the PGP-SELBOX and the SELBOX structures are more thermally efficient than the conventional SOI device. Further, the magnitude of the short-channel effects (SCEs) is lower in the PGP-SELBOX in comparison to the SELBOX device. Though the SCE suppression is best in the thin-film SOI device, the PGP-SELBOX shows better improvement in SCE suppression in comparison to the SELBOX device. The suppression of self-heating effects and SCEs in the PGP-SELBOX results in a significant reduction in leakage current. An improved performance in terms of I ON/I OFF ratio is obtained in the PGP-SELBOX device. Further, the fT values of the PGP-SELBOX are comparable to those of the SELBOX and the SOI devices. A process flow in which a low-dose separation by implantation of oxygen technique can be employed for the fabrication of the PGP-SELBOX is also proposed.
Probable malignant catarrhal fever presented as transient generalised crusting dermatitis in a cow

Abstract CASE HISTORY: A 2-year-old crossbred cow developed crusting ulcerative lesions that covered approximately 40% of the body. They were first observed 2 weeks after the cow calved, and were most severe over the caudal aspect of the proximal hindlegs and perineum. CLINICAL FINDINGS AND DIAGNOSIS: Generalised variably confluent 1–2-cm diameter foci of ulceration and crusting were visible. No ocular or oral lesions were visible, and the cow did not have diarrhoea. Skin biopsies revealed lesions consistent with those previously described for malignant catarrhs fever (MCF). Additionally, prominent multinucleate cells were visible. The DNA for ovine herpesvirus type 2 (OHV-2) was amplified from the skin biopsies, using PCR. The cow spontaneously made a complete clinical recovery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Malignant catarrhs fever should be considered in cases of ulcerative skin disease in cattle. The disease is difficult to diagnose, and a combination of skin histology as well as PCR is required. Although probably rare, it appears complete recovery from MCF is possible when the disease is confined to the skin.
Pulmonary rehabilitation improves only some domains of health-related quality of life measured by the Short Form-36 questionnaire

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) has inconsistent effects on health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with chronic lung diseases. We evaluated the effect of PR on HRQL outcomes using the 36-item short form of the medical outcomes (SF-36). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the files of all patients who completed PR in 2010, 2011, and first half of 2012. We collected information on demographics, symptoms, pulmonary function tests, 6-minute walk tests (6-MWT), and responses on the SF-36 survey, including the physical component score (PCS) and mental component score (MCS). RESULTS: The study included 19 women and 22 men. The mean age was 69.8 ± 8.5 years. The diagnoses included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; n = 31), asthma (n = 3), interstitial lung disease (n = 5), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA; n = 2). The mean forced expiratory volume-one second (FEV1) was 1.16 ± 0.52 L (against 60.5 ± 15.9% of predicted value). There was a significant improvement in 6-MWT (P < 0.0001). The PCS improved post-PR from 33.8 to 34.5 (P = 0.02); the MCS did not change. CONCLUSION: These patients had low SF-36 scores compared to the general population; changes in scores after PR were low. These patients may need frequent HRQL assessment during rehabilitation, and PR programs should consider program modification in patients with small changes in mental health.
What hides behind the German labor market miracle? A macroeconomic analysis

The Hartz reforms in the early 2000s have reshaped the German labor market and have led to what many observers call the "German labor market miracle". This paper closes a gap in the evaluation of the reforms by providing a macroeconomic analysis of the effects of the reform on worker flows. We use SIAB micro data to construct worker flow series between employment and unemployment for the period from 1980 to 2010. To disentangle cyclical from long-run effects, we construct a new data series using unemployment benefit claims to extend worker flow series until 2014. Using this new data, we show that 40 % of the decrease in unemployment is accounted for by cyclical movements in the separation rate. The remaining 60 % are accounted for by the reversed secular decline in Germany's job finding rate. We complete our analysis by a structural analysis based on a search and matching model of the German labor market. We estimate the effects of each of the four reform steps (Hartz I-IV) to provide an answer to the question which part of the reform has been most important in generating Germany's labor market miracle.
Appraisal of the MTT-based Assay as a Useful Tool for Predicting Drug Chemosensitivity in Leukemia

The MTT-based assay relies upon the cellular reduction of tetrazolium salts to their intensely colored formazans. The test is easy to perform in hematological malignancies and is adaptable for high throughput of samples, although there are some minor limitations in its application resulting from metabolic interference. This class of assays are highly accurate for predicting drug resistance, whereas their predictive value for drug sensitivity depends on the type of disease and drug or drug combination used. They have been found to predict clinical response to fludarabine FLD in B-CLL and were useful for predetermining clinical potential of a single drug or drug combination in AML patients. Extensive studies with ALL patients have supported their advantage for selecting effective drug treatment of the disease. To conclude, pretreatment chemosensitivity assays may help in the selection of chemotherapeutic drugs with the greatest likelihood for clinical effectiveness, and in the exclusion of uneffective therapy. This can lead to improved disease management, response, survival and use of financial resources.
Keynote Speech: Federal Reserve Policy in the Post-Crisis Period

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) engaged in a series of extraordinary monetary policy actions in the wake of the Global Financial Crisis of 2007–2008 to support economic activity in the United States. Interest rates were lowered to their effective lower bound and the Fed’s balance sheet was greatly expanded through a series of large-scale asset purchase programs. As the U.S. economy has recovered, “normalization” of monetary policy (which will be data-dependent) has drawn closer. This article reviews some factors that may impact the post-normalization course of monetary policy.
Stochastic stability analysis of packet-based networked control systems

By taking advantage of the packet-based transmission in networked control systems (NCSs), a packet-based control approach is proposed for NCSs. Using this approach, the control law can be designed with explicit compensation for network-induced delay, data packet dropout and data packet disorder simultaneously. The sufficient and necessary condition for the stochastic stability of the closed-loop system is obtained, by modeling the closed-loop system as a Markov jump system. A numerical example is also considered to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
The Synonym management process in SAREL

The specification phase is one of the most important and least supported parts of the software development process. The SAREL system has been conceived as a knowledge-based tool to improve the specification phase. The purpose of SAREL (Assistance System for Writing Software Specifications in Natural Language) is to assist engineers in the creation of software specifications written in Natural Language (NL). These documents are divided into several parts. We can distinguish the Introduction and the Overall Description as parts that should be used in the Knowledge Base construction. The information contained in the Specific Requirements Section corresponds to the information represented in the Requirements Base. In order to obtain high-quality software requirements specification the writing norms that define the linguistic restrictions required and the software engineering constraints related to the quality factors have been taken into account. One of the controls performed is the lexical analysis that verifies the words belong to the application domain lexicon which consists of the Required and the Extended lexicon. In this sense a synonym management process is needed in order to get a quality software specification. The aim of this paper is to present the synonym management process performed during the Knowledge Base construction. Such process makes use of the Spanish Wordnet developed inside the Eurowordnet project. This process generates both the Required lexicon and the Extended lexicon that will be used during the Requirements Base construction.
Interventions for treating bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy.

BACKGROUND Bacterial vaginosis has been associated with poor perinatal outcome. Since the infections are amenable to treatment, identification during pregnancy and treatment may reduce the risk of preterm birth and its consequences. OBJECTIVES The objective of this review was to assess the effects of antibiotic treatment of bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised trials comparing one antibiotic regimen with placebo or no treatment, or which compare two or more alternative antibiotic regimens in pregnant women with bacterial vaginosis. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Trial quality assessments and data extraction were done independently by three reviewers. Study authors were contacted for additional information. MAIN RESULTS Five trials involving 1504 women were included. These trials were of good quality. Antibiotic therapy was highly effective at eradicating infection during pregnancy as judged by 'test-of-cure' following therapy (odds ratio 0.22, 95% confidence interval 0.17 to 0.27). The effect of treating bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy showed a trend to less births before 37 weeks gestation (odds ratio 0.78, 95% confidence interval 0.60 to 1.02). The prevention of preterm birth less than 37 weeks gestation was most marked in the subgroup of women with a previous preterm birth (odds ratio 0.37, 95% confidence interval 0.23 to 0. 60). REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS The current evidence does not support screening and treating all pregnant women for bacterial vaginosis to prevent preterm birth and its consequences. For women with a history of a previous preterm birth there is some suggestion that detection and treatment of bacterial vaginosis early in pregnancy may prevent a proportion of these women having a further preterm birth. It is not known whether this is associated with an improvement in neonatal well-being.
The Institutionalization of Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting

This article presents a three-stage model of how isomorphic mechanisms have shaped corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting practices over time. In the first stage, defensive reporting, companies fail to meet stakeholder expectations due to a deficiency in firm performance. In this stage, the decision to report is driven by coercive isomorphism as firms sense pressure to close the expectational gap. In the second stage, proactive reporting, knowledge of CSR reporting spreads and the practice of CSR reporting becomes normatively sanctioned. In this stage, normative isomorphism leads other organizations to look to CSR reporting as a potential new opportunity for achieving the firm’s goals. In the third stage, imitative diffusion, the defensive reporters together with the proactive reporters create a critical mass of CSR reporters that reaches a threshold at which the benefits of CSR reporting begin to outweigh any costs due to mimetic isomorphism. The study finds support for the model in an examination of Fortune 500 firms from 1997 to 2006.
Passive E-Textile UHF RFID-Based Wireless Strain Sensors With Integrated References

Highly stretchable e-textile antennas enable wireless strain sensing based on passive UHF RFID tags. We present two sensors both based on a two-tag system, where one tag antenna is sensitive and one is insensitive toward strain. This way, we achieve novel referenced strain sensors for unambiguous readout. We outline the antenna system development to achieve high EM isolation between the tags and present results from the wireless testing of the sensor.
A comparison of speeds of personal computers using an x-ray scattering Monte Carlo benchmark

In recent years personal computers, PCs, have become more popular and competitive with other computers, in terms of price and memory, to run Monte Carlo (MC) programmes. A few years ago some work was performed to test computer speed, mainly other than PCs, using the MC code EGS4. In the present work a Monte Carlo neutron and photon code, MCNP version 4.2 and 4A, was used to test the speed of various PCs. A benchmark was written, with previously checked results, to test the PCs' speed. PCs used in the test were based on the Intel 486 (33, 66 and 100 MHz) and pentium 90. The benchmark was also used on an upgraded SunSparcstation 4/360. The pentium speed was found to be about 3.5, 2 and 1.5 times faster than that of the 33, 66 and 100 MHz, respectively. The 33 MHz speed was comparable to that of the SunSparcstation. It is concluded that the application of MC code, the cost of the PC and the required speed of results may influence the choice of the PC.
Comparison of the Effectiveness of Intravitreal Ranibizumab for Diabetic Macular Edema in Vitrectomized and Nonvitrectomized Eyes

Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) for diabetic macular edema (DME) between eyes with and without previous vitrectomy. Procedures: We prospectively assessed the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) after IVR for 6 months. Results: There were no significant differences in the baseline BCVA and CMT between both groups. In the nonvitrectomized group (n = 15), the mean changes of BCVA and CMT from baseline to month 6 were significant (p < 0.01). In the vitrectomized group (n = 10), the improvement appeared to be slower, and the mean BCVA improvement was not significant (p = 0.5), although the mean CMT decrease was significant (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the mean changes of BCVA and CMT between both groups at 6 months. Conclusions: The difference in the effectiveness of IVR between both groups was not significant. IVR can be a treatment option even for vitrectomized DME eyes.
Treatment of Childhood Obesity in Obese Families

BACKGROUND Parental obesity reduces the likelihood of a multidisciplinary childhood obesity program to succeed, suggesting that special family-based interventions should be constructed for obese children from obese families. AIM To examine the effects of an intense combined 3-month familial dietary-behavioral-physical activity intervention for a subgroup of obese children (BMI >95th percentile) from obese families (parental BMI >27 kg/m2) compared to a control group of obese children and obese parents who did not participate in the combined intervention. CHILDREN Twenty-two obese children were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 11) or control (n = 11) group. Anthropometric measurements, body composition, dietary and activity habits and fitness levels were measured before and at the end of a 3-month intervention. RESULTS The intervention led to a significant difference in change in body weight (-0.2 +/- 0.3 vs 1.7 +/- 0.6 kg; p <0.05), BMI percentiles (-1.4 +/- 0.5 vs -0.1 +/- 0.2%; p <0.05), and to a decrease in screen (television and computer) time (-2.2 +/- 0.6 vs 0.1 +/- 0.3 h/day; p <0.05) in the intervention group compared to the controls. In addition, the intervention led to a significant improvement in fitness level determined by endurance time (181 +/- 30 vs 26 +/- 63 seconds in the intervention vs control group, respectively; p <0.05). CONCLUSION Obese children from obese families pose a therapeutic challenge to health care providers. Intense family-oriented multidisciplinary weight management intervention should be designed for treatment in this unique population.
Sympathetic reinnervation of rat kidney grafts.

BACKGROUND Reinnervation occurs in many transplanted tissues and organs. Sympathetic reinnervation in rat kidney grafts was investigated. METHODS Rats were syngeneically transplanted with a kidney and bilaterally nephrectomized. Reinnervation was assessed by immunohistochemical staining for neuron-specific protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) and by tissue norepinephrine measurements in grafts removed 1.5 (n=6), 3 (n=7), 6 (n=8), and 9 (n=7) months after transplantation. RESULTS PGP 9.5-positive neural structures were significantly reduced in grafts removed 1.5 and 3 months after transplantation compared with native kidneys with slightly increased numbers at 6 and 9 months after transplantation. Median transplant norepinephrine concentrations remained at approximately 3% compared with native kidneys until 9 months after transplantation. CONCLUSIONS In transplanted rat kidneys, some reinnervation occurs in the hilum within 9 months after transplantation. This is not accompanied by a significant recovery of norepinephrine concentration in renal tissue indicating persistent sympathetic denervation.
Comparison of visual tracking algorithms on in vivo sequences for robot-assisted flexible endoscopic surgery

Flexible endoscopes are used in many diagnostic and interventional procedures. Physiological motions may render the physicians task very difficult to perform. Assistance could be achieved by using motorized endoscopes and real-time visual tracking algorithm to automatically follow a selected target. In order to control the motors, one needs to have an accurate estimation of the motion of the target in the endoscopic view, which requires an efficient tracking algorithm. In this paper, we compare tracking algorithms on various in vivo targets in order to assess their behavior under different conditions. The study shows that among the difficulties which arise when tracking an in vivo target, the change of illumination is paramount. Nevertheless, some algorithms, with minor modifications and without a priori knowledge about the target, achieve very good results.
Personality traits of anaesthetists and physicians: an evaluation using the Cloninger Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI‐125)

The personality profiles of Specialist Anaesthetists, Trainee Anaesthetists and Specialist Physicians were examined using Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory. These were compared with validated Community Sample ‘average values’ and a historical Norwegian Physician sample. Completed forms were returned from 364 doctors (Specialist Anaesthetists 222, Trainee Anaesthetists 75, Physicians 67), an overall response rate of 71%. Specialist Anaesthetists were more Cooperative, Harm Avoidant and Self‐Directed than the Community Sample but less Reward Dependent, Novelty Seeking and Persistent than the Community Sample. Physicians were more Cooperative than their Specialist Anaesthetist colleagues, but both more so than were the general population. Trainee anaesthetists appear to be more Novelty Seeking and Reward Dependent than the Specialist Anaesthetists, this factor being predominately age related. Extreme/Mild personality traits were identified in 33% of Specialists, 41% of Trainees and 33% of Physicians, whilst personality disorders were found at the expected rates (Specialist Anaesthetists 9%, Trainee Anaesthetists 10%, Physicians 2%). Personality assessment has implications for recruitment, crisis management and professional development within anaesthesia.
Cellular COPII Proteins Are Involved in Production of the Vesicles That Form the Poliovirus Replication Complex

ABSTRACT Poliovirus (PV) replicates its genome in association with membranous vesicles in the cytoplasm of infected cells. To elucidate the origin and mode of formation of PV vesicles, immunofluorescence labeling with antibodies against the viral vesicle marker proteins 2B and 2BC, as well as cellular markers of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), anterograde transport vesicles, and the Golgi complex, was performed in BT7-H cells. Optical sections obtained by confocal laser scanning microscopy were subjected to a deconvolution process to enhance resolution and signal-to-noise ratio and to allow for a three-dimensional representation of labeled membrane structures. The mode of formation of the PV vesicles was, on morphological grounds, similar to the formation of anterograde membrane traffic vesicles in uninfected cells. ER-resident membrane markers were excluded from both types of vesicles, and the COPII components Sec13 and Sec31 were both found to be colocalized on the vesicular surface, indicating the presence of a functional COPII coat. PV vesicle formation during early time points of infection did not involve the Golgi complex. The expression of PV protein 2BC or the entire P2 and P3 genomic region led to the production of vesicles carrying a COPII coat and showing the same mode of formation as vesicles produced after PV infection. These results indicate that PV vesicles are formed at the ER by the cellular COPII budding mechanism and thus are homologous to the vesicles of the anterograde membrane transport pathway.