Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microarray analysis reveals abnormal chromosomal complements in over 70% of 14 normally developing human embryos.

STUDY QUESTION What are the aneuploidy rates and incidence of mosaicism in good-quality human preimplantation embryos. SUMMARY ANSWER High-level mosaicism and structural aberrations are not restricted to arrested or poorly developing embryos but are also common in good-quality IVF embryos. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Humans, compared with other mammals, have a poor fertility rate, and even IVF treatments have a relatively low success rate. It is known that human gametes and early preimplantation embryos carry chromosomal abnormalities that are thought to lower their developmental potential. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE AND DURATION The embryos studied came from nine young (age <35 years old) IVF patients and were part of a cohort of embryos that all resulted in healthy births. These 14 embryos inseminated by ICSI and cryopreserved on Day 2 of development were thawed, cultured overnight and allowed to succumb by being left at room temperature for 24 h. Following removal of the zona pellucida, blastomeres were disaggregated and collected. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING AND METHODS There were 91 single blastomeres collected and amplified by multiple displacement amplification. Array-comparative genomic hybridization was performed on the amplified DNA. Array-data were normalized and aneuploidy was detected by the circular binary segmentation method. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The good-quality embryos exhibited high rates of aneuploidy, 10 of 14 (71.4%) of the embryos being mosaic. While none of the embryos had the same aneuploidy pattern in all cells, 4 of 14 (28.6%) were uniformly diploid. Of the 70 analysed blastomeres, 55.7% were diploid and 44.3% had chromosomal abnormalities, while 29% of the abnormal cells carried structural aberrations. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Finding such a high rate of aneuploidy and mosaicism in excellent quality embryos from cycles with a high implantation rate warrants further research on the origin and significance of chromosomal abnormalities in human preimplantation embryos. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This research was supported by the Instituut voor de aanmoediging van innovatie door Wetenschap en Technologie in Vlaanderen (IWT-Vlaanderen). A.M. is a PhD student at the IWT-Vlaanderen. C.S. is a postdoctoral fellow at the FWO Vlaanderen. There are no competing interests.
Dietary impacts on rumen microbiota in beef and dairy production

The reticulo-rumen is the largest compartment of the ruminant digestive tract, and it harbors a complex anaerobic microbial community capable of producing a wide array of enzymes, some of which are important for the breakdown of plant lignocellulosic and non-structural carbohydrate (starch, sugars) material through the process of fermentation (Russell and Rychlik, 2001). Important outcomes of microbial fermentation are the production of volatile fatty acids (or short-chain fatty acids) that serve as fuels for the animal’s tissues and the synthesis of microbial protein that provides amino acids for the animal to produce high-quality protein for human consumption, i.e., meat and milk. Studies over the last few decades have conclusively demonstrated that the ruminal microbial ecosystem (both of the neonate and mature ruminant) can be altered by nutritional management (McCann et al., 2014b). Therefore, nutrition represents an important tool for manipulating the microbial ecosystem to optimize rumen function while producing high-quality meat and milk for meeting the demands of a growing human population. The recent development of omic technologies, e.g., sequencing of the 16S and 18S ribosomal RNA gene, metagenomics, and metatranscriptomics, along with bioinformatics tools, have not only enhanced the understanding of the rumen ecology, but also our ability to predict the functional capacity of the microbiota (McCann et al., 2014b). From a production standpoint, it is believed that further gains in knowledge that in the medium-to-long term could lead to practical applications will arise from the integration of taxonomic and functional data with “classical” parameters of rumen digestion, metabolism, and performance (Morgavi et al., 2013). Our aim in this review is to provide recent examples demonstrating how nutrition can alter the structure, composition, and diversity of the rumen microbiota in beef and dairy production. In addition, we attempt to highlight points where there are knowledge gaps for further research.
Insulin-like growth factor-1 and delirium in critically ill mechanically ventilated patients: a preliminary investigation

ABSTRACT Background: Delirium occurs frequently in the intensive care unit (ICU), but its pathophysiology is still unclear. Low levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a hormone with neuroprotective properties, have been associated with delirium in some non-ICU studies, but this relationship has not been examined in the ICU. We sought to test the hypothesis that low IGF-1 concentrations are associated with delirium during critical illness. Methods: Mechanically ventilated medical ICU patients were prospectively enrolled, and blood was collected after enrollment for measurement of IGF-1 using radioimmunometric assay. Delirium and coma were identified daily using the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU and the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale, respectively. The association between IGF-1 and delirium was evaluated with logistic regression. In addition, the association between IGF-1 and duration of normal mental state, measured as days alive without delirium or coma, was assessed using multiple linear regression. Results: Among 110 patients, the median age was 65 years (IQR, 52–75) and APACHE II was 27 (IQR, 22 –32). IGF-1 levels were not a risk factor for delirium on the day after IGF-1 measurement (p = 0.97), at which time 65% of the assessable patients were delirious. No significant association was found between IGF-1 levels and duration of normal mental state (p = 0.23). Conclusions: This pilot study, the first to investigate IGF-1 and delirium in critically ill patients, found no association between IGF-1 and delirium. Future studies including serial measurements of IGF-1 and IGF-1 binding proteins are needed to determine whether this hormone has a role in delirium during critical illness.
Variable Latency Goldschmidt Algorithm Based on a New Rounding Method and a Remainder Estimate

A new variable latency Goldschmidt algorithm is presented. The algorithm is based on a new rounding method for division, square root, and their reciprocals that avoids the conventional remainder calculation in most of cases and improves previous proposals. The rounding decision is taken by checking the least significant bits of the output of the last Goldschmidt iteration without any other transformation. This helps to reduce the number of cases which need the calculation of the remainder. Additionally, we avoid the calculation of the remainder for most of those cases by using a remainder estimate that can be easily obtained from the Goldschmidt iteration. The calculation of the estimate is much simpler and less time consuming than the calculation of the remainder and this contributes to reducing the number of cases which need a large latency. The combination of both techniques allows us to define a variable latency algorithm which needs to compute the remainder in just nine percent of the total number of cases for reciprocal and division and in 12 percent for square root and square root reciprocal.
A localized PCR inhibitor in a porcelain crab suggests a protective role

A number of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) inhibitors have been identified from biological and environmental samples. By and large, such substances are treated as random nuisances and contaminants with alternate functions; their inhibitory effects on DNA replication being a coincidental property of their molecular structure. Here, we demonstrate the presence of a localized PCR inhibitor in the foregut of the porcelain crab Petrolisthes rufescens (Anomura: Porcellanidae) from the Red Sea. The inhibitor precluded amplification of 28s, 16s and 18s gene sequences effectively but lost activity at 10−2 dilutions from initial concentration. Heat treatment was ineffective in arresting inhibition and spectrophotometric techniques suggested that the inhibitor was not a melanin-type compound. The compound was not detected from midgut, hindgut, or gills of the crab. Activity of the inhibitor was precluded when samples were treated with suspensions from the midgut, suggesting that enzymatic degradation of the inhibitor likely happens at that part of the gut. As many microbial pathogens invade their hosts via ingestion, we suggest the presence of the localized inhibitor could carry a defensive or immunological role for P. rufescens. The identity of the inhibitory molecule remains unknown.
[Relationship between the Mandarin acceptable noise level and the personality traits in normal hearing adults].

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the relationship between the Mandarin acceptable noise level (ANL) and the personality trait for normal-hearing adults. METHODS Eighty-five Mandarin speakers, aged from 21 to 27, participated in this study. ANL materials and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) questionnaire were used to test the acceptable noise level and the personality trait for normal-hearing subjects. SPSS 17.0 was used to analyze the results. RESULTS ANL were (7.8 ± 2.9) dB in normal hearing participants. The P and N scores in EPQ were significantly correlated with ANL (r = 0.284 and 0.318, P < 0.01). No significant correlations were found between ANL and E and L scores (r = -0.036 and -.167, P > 0.05). CONCLUSION Listeners with higher ANL were more likely to be eccentric, hostile, aggressive, and instabe, no ANL differences were found in listeners who were different in introvert-extravert or lying.
Expression in Escherichia coli and sequence analysis of the listeriolysin O determinant of Listeria monocytogenes

To evaluate the role of hemolysin production in the virulence of Listeria monocytogenes, we have undertaken the analysis of the chromosomal region containing hlyA, the gene coding for listeriolysin O. A recombinant cosmid, conferring a hemolytic phenotype to Escherichia coli, was shown to express listeriolysin O, by immunoblotting with a specific antiserum against listeriolysin O. The presence of hlyA on the cosmid was demonstrated by DNA hybridization with a probe previously shown to contain part of hlyA. The complete nucleotide sequence of hlyA has been determined. The deduced protein sequence reveals the presence of a putative 25-amino-acid signal sequence: the secreted form of listeriolysin O would have 504 amino acids, in agreement with the molecular weight of purified listeriolysin O (58,000). The protein sequence is highly homologous to those of streptolysin O and pneumolysin. A peptide of 11 amino acids conserved in the three proteins contains the unique cysteine known to be essential for lytic activity. By DNA-DNA hybridization, the listeriolysin O gene was detected in all L. monocytogenes strains tested, even in the nonhemolytic type strain. The gene was absent in other species of the genus Listeria.
DECISION-MAKING AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL TREATY: WILL THE IGC DISCARD GISCARD?

CEPS Policy Briefs are published to provide concise policy-oriented analysis of contemporary issues in EU affairs. Unless otherwise indicated, the views expressed are attributable only to the authors in a personal capacity and not to any institution with which they are associated. Available for free downloading from the CEPS website (http://www.ceps.be)
Short-term load forecasting using neural network with principal component analysis

A neural-network-based (NN-based) approach for short-term load forecasting of electrical power is proposed. The principal component analysis (PCA) technique is used to reduce the original electric load variables to several characteristic variables. A single parameter dynamic search algorithm (SPDS) is employed to train the NN. Since the training sample sets can be chosen before forecasting, the interference of the non-correlative samples for the forecasting can be avoided. The effectiveness and the feasibility of on line forecasting of the proposed method are examined using simulated experiments.
Effects of transport stress on concentrations of cortisol, corticosteroid-binding globulin and glucocorticoid receptors in pigs with different halothane genotypes.

Effects of stress on concentrations of cortisol and corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) in blood plasma and on glucocorticoid receptor concentrations in muscle cytosol were studied in pigs representing three Halothane (Hal) genotypes (NN, Nn, nn). At 12 wk of age, animals were divided into four groups: pigs subjected to transport (5 h in a truck), pigs treated with amperozide prior to transport, pigs not transported but treated with amperozide and pigs neither transported nor given amperozide. Animals were slaughtered the week they reached 100 kg live weight (3 mo later). The Hal gene showed no major influence on the variables studied except for cortisol concentrations (P = .06) measured directly after transport at 12 wk of age (NN = 66.8 nM, Nn = 61.4 nM, nn = 69.4 nM). However, the response in each Hal genotype differed, depending on whether or not the pigs had been exposed to transport. Two weeks after transport, NN pigs developed higher cortisol concentrations than untransported animals, whereas the response was reversed in nn animals; Nn pigs showed no difference in this regard. At slaughter, the effect of transport (12 wk of age) on cortisol and CBG was still apparent. In NN pigs cortisol and CBG concentrations were elevated (P less than or equal to .05, P = .08, respectively), whereas concentrations tended to be lower in nn pigs (P = .17, P = .07, respectively) when compared with untransported pigs. Transported pigs had lower receptor concentrations at slaughter (P less than or equal to .01) than untransported pigs. However, pigs given amperozide in connection with transport had a receptor concentration comparable to that in untransported pigs. Our study shows conclusively that transport stress had long-term effects on cortisol, CBG and glucocorticoid receptor concentrations. In addition, amperozide had long-term effects on cortisol and receptor concentrations.
Pro-inflammatory role of angiotensin II in mercuric chloride-induced nephropathy in rats

Mercuric chloride (HgCl2), which induces kidney toxicity, constitutes a potential threat to human health. In addition to direct toxic effects, kidney inflammatory events take place during the HgCl2-induced nephropathy. There is no information currently available about the role of angiotensin II (Ang II) in this inflammatory process. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to determine the expression of Ang II and Ang II-associated inflammatory molecules, i.e. intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and mono-cyte/macrophage infiltration (ED-1), in HgCl2-induced nephropathy. Three groups of Sprague Dawley rats that were to receive HgCl2 (2.5 mg HgCl2/kg BW, by gavage) were utilized: one had received Losartan at 30 mg/kg BW; one had received Enalapril at 30 mg/kg BW; and one had received distilled water, in each case daily for 3 days prior to the HgCl2 exposure. For these studies, an extra set of controls treated with saline solution in place of HgCl2 and water in place of the test drugs was employed. Renal biopsies were obtained 96 h after HgCl2 injection and the expressions of Ang II, ICAM-1, iNOS, and ED-1 were analyzed by indirect immunoflourescence while tubular damage was assessed via histopathology. An increased expression of Ang II, ICAM-1, iNOS, and ED-1 as well as increases in tubular necrosis were observed in all HgCl2-animals. Treatments with Losartan or Enalapril diminished the induced expressions as well as the extent of tubular damage. The data here suggest that Ang II is involved in the pro-inflammatory events during HgCl2-induced nephropathy, and that this is probably mediated, in part, by Ang II receptors Type 1 (AT-1).
Measuring the phenomenology of autobiographical memory: A short form of the Memory Experiences Questionnaire

The Memory Experiences Questionnaire (MEQ) is a theoretically driven and empirically validated 63-item self-report scale designed to measure 10 phenomenological qualities of autobiographical memories: Vividness, Coherence, Accessibility, Time Perspective, Sensory Details, Visual Perspective, Emotional Intensity, Sharing, Distancing and Valence. To develop a short form of the MEQ to use when time is limited, participants from two samples (N = 719; N = 352) retrieved autobiographical memories, rated the phenomenological experience of each memory and completed several scales measuring psychological distress. For each MEQ dimension, the number of items was reduced by one-half based on item content and item-total correlations. Each short-form scale had acceptable internal consistency (median alpha = .79), and, similar to the long-form version of the scales, the new short scales correlated with psychological distress in theoretically meaningful ways. The new short form of the MEQ has similar psychometric proprieties as the original long form and can be used when time is limited.
Wnt signaling inside the nucleus

Accumulation of the β‐catenin protein and transactivation of a certain set of T‐cell factor (TCF)‐4 target genes by accumulated β‐catenin have been considered crucial in colorectal carcinogenesis. In the present review, we summarize nuclear proteins that interact with, and regulate, the β‐catenin and TCF and lymphoid enhancer factor (LEF) transcriptional complexes. Our recent series of proteomic studies has also revealed that various classes of nuclear proteins participate in the β‐catenin–TCF‐4 complex and modulate its transcriptional activity. Furthermore, the protein composition of the TCF‐4‐containing nuclear complex is not fixed, but is regulated dynamically by endogenous programs associated with intestinal epithelial cell differentiation and exogenous stimuli. Restoration of the loss‐of‐function mutation of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene in colorectal cancer cells does not seem to be a realistic approach with currently available medical technologies, and only signaling molecules downstream of the APC gene product can be considered as targets of pharmacological intervention. Nuclear proteins associated with the β‐catenin–TCF‐4 complex may include feasible targets for molecular therapy against colorectal cancer. Recently, an inhibitor of the interaction between CREB‐binding protein and β‐catenin was shown to efficiently shut down the transcriptional activity of TCF‐4 and induce apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells. We also summarize current strategies in the development of drugs against Wnt signaling. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 631–637)
Feedback and Administrative Behavior in the Public Sector

Feedback, or telling employees how well they are performing, is an essential element for effective organizational functioning. Feedback plays a determinative role in how employees perceive their work environment and it affects their perception of their employer's evaluation and reward system. Feedback affects both employee motivation and performance. Given feedback's positive effect upon so many other aspects of employee behavior, it probably has a positive effect on professionalism as well. Unfortunately, this intuitively appealing relationship has not been demonstrated in existing research. The positive relationship between feedback and other aspects of organizational behavior has been clearly demonstrated. Adequate feedback has positive impacts on motivation in general,' effort,2 goal setting,3 performance adjustment and improvement,4 and goal attainment.5 Adequacy of feedback has also been linked with career satisfaction6 and to reduced turnover.7 Employees desire and actively seek feedback about their performance from their supervisor, co-workers, and the work itself.8 These behaviors occur because employees seek to reduce uncertainty about the adequacy or acceptability of their performance at work. These behaviors also reflect a desire to understand contingencies at work such as those between effort and performance and between performance and rewards.9 Feedback may occur through formal evaluations but more often occurs informally in day-to-day communications. Unfortunately, the importance of adequate feedback often is overlooked and the practice of giving feedback is taken for granted by many supervisors, co-workers, and clients or recipients of organizational services. A low adequacy of feedback in the work situation is one where a supervisor rarely, if ever, tells employees how well they are performing. Also, this situation occurs when employees receive only negative feedback. Employees in this situation might receive feedback only when they do not meet supervisory expectations. To make matters worse, they may have little prior knowledge of these expectations. On the other hand, when
Performance of the NeQuick G iono model for single-frequency GNSS timing applications

GNSS timing is currently used worldwide in critical real-time systems that require precise synchronisation or time-stamping at geographically dispersed sites, such as wireless telephone stations, electrical power grids and financial services. For applications where multiple timing equipment needs to be deployed, it is desirable to use low-cost, single-frequency receivers. Together with calibration issues, the ionospheric delay is the major limiting factor for accurate timing in single-frequency setups. Increasing demands in cost-saving and accuracy will make the availability of precise single-frequency solutions more and more interesting. In this paper we analyse single-frequency timing accuracy using the Galileo NeQuick G model, as compared with the standard GPS Klobuchar model, and taking the dual-frequency iono-free solution as reference. The analysis is done by postprocessing RINEX files from two calibrated GNSS receivers, one located at mid-latitude and the other one close to the equator. Unlike Klobuchar, NeQuick G is based on a rather complex mathematical algorithm. For offline applications in postprocessing this is not an issue, but for a real-time implementation it might be necessary to evaluate the model not too frequently, in order to improve execution speed. NeQuick G efficiency is analysed from this point of view also.