Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serum gonadotropin and prolactin levels in females with primary infertility and thyroid dysfunction in North Indian population

Adequate levels of circulating thyroid hormones are of primary importance for normal reproductive func tion. Patients with subclinical hypothyroidism have no sy mptoms or very few symptoms related to thyroid dise ase, but may have adverse outcome on fertility but are not r efer ed to infertility clinics. Galactorrhea and hy perprolactinemia patients may have primary hypothyroidism. The aim o f this study was to evaluate if thyroid dysfunction leads to any alteration in serum gonadotropin and prolactin leve ls contributing towards infertility. This case control study was performed in 256 females in a tertiary care hospital. Serum TSH, fT4 and fT3, LH, FSH and prolactin level s were assayed using fully automated chemiluminescent immu noassay Analyzer Access 2 by Beckman and Coulter (U SA). Serum LH, FSH levels were significantly low and ser um prolactin levels were significantly high in pati ents with infertility and hypothyroidism. Serum LH, FSH level s were significantly high in infertile females with hyperthyroidism whereas serum prolactin levels were low but not significantly different in these patie nts. Thyroid disorders have a great impact on fertility in femal es. Fertility improves when euthyroidism is restore d. It has been suggested that normal gonadotropin and thyroid func tio tests are necessary to achieve maximum fertili za ion rate and blastocyst development. Thyrotoxicosis in women has been linked with reduced fertility but the mec hanism for the same has not been elucidated clearly. We sugges t screening of thyroid hormone in all the females w ith infertility.
Assessment of Demand and Supply of Biotechnology of Reproduction for Cattle Breeding in the Northern Regions of Cameroon

The present study was conducted in pre-selected cattle farms on genetic improvement programs through artificial insemination (AI) in the northern regions of Cameroon. The main objective was to assess the demand and supply of biotechnology for cattle breeding. It was carried out on the basis of a survey of 54 breeders and six (06) service providers of reproductive biotechnologies. It consisted of interviews with each operating manager and service provider, while collecting information on the basis of a questionnaire. From this study, it appears that farmers opted for the improvement of dairy genes (79.6%) and chose AI (50%) as a tool to achieve this goal rather than natural mating (48.1%). The low success rate and the prohibitive cost of this technique were the main constraints discouraging farmers from adopting it. The subvention and the zoo-sanitary follow-up were the accompanying measures desired by the breeders. As for the supply, AI on induced estrus was the only technique offered and only one provider (veterinary doctor) has been trained in a specialized institution. The main constraints identified by reproductive biotechnology service providers were semen conservation (100%), breeders’ neglect (100%) and unavailability of semen (50%). Four support measures were desired by the service providers, namely a training center in biotechnology of reproduction (100%), grants (83.3%), establishment of a quality control laboratory for semen (50%) and the creation of a semen collection center (33.3%).
Potential Oral Health Benefits of Cranberry

In the past decade, cranberry extracts have been attracting ever-growing attention by dental researchers. The potential benefits of cranberry components in reducing oral diseases, including dental caries and periodontitis, are discussed in this review. A non-dialysable cranberry fraction enriched in high molecular weight polyphenols has very promising properties with respect to cariogenic and periodontopathogenic bacteria, as well as to the host inflammatory response and enzymes that degrade the extracellular matrix. Cranberry components are potential anti-caries agents since they inhibit acid production, attachment, and biofilm formation by Streptococcus mutans. Glucan-binding proteins, extracellular enzymes, carbohydrate production, and bacterial hydrophobicity, are all affected by cranberry components. Regarding periodontal diseases, the same cranberry fraction inhibits host inflammatory responses, production, and activity of enzymes that cause the destruction of the extracellular matrix, biofilm formation, and adherence of Porphyromonas gingivalis, and proteolytic activities and coaggregation of periodontopathogens. The above-listed effects suggest that cranberry components, especially those with high molecular weight, could serve as bioactive molecules for the prevention and/or treatment of oral diseases.
Sexuality in Nigerian Pregnant Women: Perceptions and Practice

EDITORIAL COMMENT: We accepted this paper for publication because it undoubtedly will interest readers and hopefully encourage a similar report on Australian women. We could do with more data on the subject. We can understand that sexual activity can be ‘painful’ or ‘gratifying’, that it ‘may help to keep the husband around’ but need enlightenment on how the activity is ‘functional’ (table 3 and text). Our interpretation of the data provided is that the term means ‘fulfilment of marital obligations’.
Molecular characterization of the Bacillus anthracis main S‐layer component: evidence that it is the major cell‐associated antigen

Bacillus anthracis, the aetiological agent of anthrax, is a Gram‐positive spore‐forming bacterium. The cell wall of vegetative cells of B. anthracis is surrounded by an S‐layer. An array remained when sap, a gene described as encoding an S‐layer component, was deleted. The remaining S‐layer component, termed EA1, is chromosomally encoded. The gene encoding EA1 (eag) was obtained on two overlapping fragments in Escherichia coli and shown to be contiguous to the sap gene. The EA1 amino acid sequence, deduced from the eag nucleotide sequence, shows classical S‐layer protein features (no cysteine, only 0.1% methionine, 10% lysine, and a weakly acidic pi). Similar to Sap and other Gram‐positive surface proteins, EA1 has three 'S‐layer‐homology’motifs immediately downstream from a signal peptide. Single‐ and double‐disrupted mutants were constructed. EA1 and Sap were co‐localized at the cell surface of the wild‐type bacilli. However, EA1 was more tightly bound than Sap to the bacteria. Electron microscopy studies and in vivo experiments with the constructed mutants showed that EA1 constitutes the main lattice of the B. anthracis S‐layer, and is the major cell‐associated antigen.
Reconstructing the Meridional Overturning Circulation from Boundary Densities and the Zonal Wind Stress

Numerical models are used to test whether the meridional overturning circulation (MOC) can be reconstructed from boundary densities and the wind stress. In idealized model setups without topography the strength as well as the temporal and spatial variability of the MOC cell can largely be reproduced from boundary densities and the zonal wind stress. With added slopes along the meridional boundaries, most of the depth-averaged flow is missed and neither strength nor spatial structure of the MOC is well reproduced. However, the temporal evolution of both MOC and its estimate are similar. In an eddy-permitting model with realistic bottom topography the contribution of the depth-averaged meridional flow to the MOC is captured at some places while it is missed at others. Nevertheless, boundary densities and the zonal wind stress allow the leading modes of the temporal and spatial MOC variability to be reproduced. On seasonal time scales most of the MOC variability is due to the wind stress but changes in the boundary density affect the MOC as well. On interannual time scales the MOC variability largely reflects changes in the boundary density. Generally, the MOC reconstructions are accurate when bottom velocities are small, an assumption made in the reconstruction approach. The results are relevant for estimates of both the modern and the past MOC. In the real ocean, boundary densities can be obtained from measurements of temperature, conductivity, and pressure in the water column, whereas past seawater densities have left their imprint in sea sediments.
A flow cytometric method for viability assessment of Staphylococcus aureus and Burkholderia cepacia in mixed culture

Mixed bacterial communities are commonly encountered in microbial infections of humans. Knowledge on the composition of species and viability of each species in these communities allows for a detailed description of the complexity of interspecies dynamics and contributes to the assessment of the severity of infections. Several assays exist for quantification of specific species in mixed communities, including analysis of quantitative terminal restriction fragment length polymorphisms. While this method allows for species‐specific cell enumeration, it cannot provide viability data. In this study, flow cytometry was applied to assess the viability of Staphylococcus aureus and Burkholderia cepacia in mixed culture by membrane integrity analysis using SYBR® Green I and propidium iodide staining. Both bacteria are relevant to pulmonary infections of cystic fibrosis patients. Fluorescence staining was optimized separately for each species in pure culture due to differences between species in cell wall structure and metabolic capabilities. To determine viability of species in mixed culture, a protocol was established as a compromise between optimum conditions determined before for pure cultures. This protocol allowed the detection of viable and dead cells of both species, exhibiting an intact and a permeabilized membrane, respectively. To discriminate between S. aureus and B. cepacia, the protocol was combined with Gram‐specific fluorescent staining using wheat germ agglutinin. The established three‐color staining method was successfully tested for viability determination of S. aureus and B. cepacia in mixed culture cultivations. In addition, growth of both species was monitored by quantitative terminal restriction fragment length polymorphisms. The obtained data revealed alterations in viability during cultivations for different growth phases and suggest interspecies effects in mixed culture. Overall, this method allows for rapid simultaneous Gram‐differentiation and viability assessment of bacterial mixed cultures and is therefore suitable for the analysis of dynamics of mixed communities of medical, environmental, and biotechnological relevance. © 2012 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Board characteristics and microfinance institutions’ performance

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of board characteristics on MFIs performance in Nigeria. A specific country study is warranted given the results from pooled cross-country studies may be biased owing to a failure to control for country differences. It is also particularly challenging to generalize the outcome of these results into a specific country given that many factors about MFIs, ranging from the nature of governance, legal status, size and prudential regulations, are not similar across countries. Design/methodology/approach The relationship between board characteristics and microfinance banks performance in Nigeria is tested using a sample of 120 firm-year observations covering 30 MFIs in the periods from 2010 to 2013. The study extracted all microfinance-level data from the Microfinance Information Exchange database. Findings The authors document a positive and significant relationship between board size and MFIs performance. The authors also find negative relation between female directors and MFIs performance, but not significant. The results suggest that larger board size indicates good corporate governance practice, which leads to reduced agency cost. Research limitations/implications This study sheds new lights on the Nigerian MFIs’ board room dynamic. As the government is increasingly contemplating on the board structure and corporate governance policies, the study offers useful and timely empirical guidance to the Nigerian regulators. Originality/value Given the important role of microfinance industry in Nigeria, this is the first study of its kind analyzing the impact of board characteristics on microfinance performance among Nigerian MFIs.
FMRFamide-related neuropeptides are agonists of the orphan G-protein-coupled receptor GPR54.

We have isolated and determined the coding sequences of human and mouse orthologs of the rat orphan G-protein-coupled receptor GPR54. Mouse and rat GPR54 are nearly 95% identical to each other, and both are approximately 85% identical to human GPR54 at the amino acid level. Screening of agonists for GPR54 identified several invertebrate neuropeptides of the RFamide and RWamide family that were able to activate GPR54 at microM range through the G(alpha)q pathway. Substitution analysis showed that the C-terminal optimal sequence of GPR54-activating peptides is Gly-Leu-Arg-Trp-NH2. Northern analysis of human GPR54 detected expression in several peripheral tissues and many regions of the central nervous system.
Relation of psychophysical data to histopathology in monkeys with cochlear implants.

Psychophysical measures of threshold and dynamic range for electrical stimulation were made in macaque monkeys that had electrodes implanted in the scala tympani. At the completion of psychophysical testing the monkeys were sacrificed and the cochleas and brain steins examined. Low thresholds and large dynamic ranges were associated with minimal damage to the organ of Corti and minimal brain stem degeneration. whereas thresholds were high and dynamic ranges small in subjects showing a high degree of sensorineural cochlear damage and brain stem degeneration. Three different implant orientations were observed. but orientation did not seem to have a major effect on threshold.
Toward wellness: Women seeking health information

As health information seekers pursue their "right to know" when investigating medical options, the question of reliable health information resources becomes paramount. Previous research has not addressed widely the connection between women as the health information seeker and quality health information, nor has women's awareness of specific health and medical resources been adequately evaluated. A study with a convenience sample of 119 women assessed the process of seeking health information (women's health information needs, the search strategies they employed for filling the information need, and the use of the health information found), and their awareness of specific health and medical information resources. Our survey instrument was based on Kuhlthau's Information Search Process (ISP) model. Results appeared to address the uncertainty stage of the ISP model, as there were conflicting responses regarding the facility of locating information, the usefulness of the information found, and whether or not the subjects' health questions were answered. The study also identified a low awareness by our respondents of specific health and medical information resources. There is an opportunity for health information providers to play a role in mediating at this uncertainty stage to connect health information seekers with reliable information.
The Intermediate Role of Brand Loyalty in the Relationship between Consumer Value and Purchase Intention (Case Study: Consumers of SNOWA Household Appliances in Kermanshah City)

The present study tries to test the mediating role of brand loyalty in relationship between consumer value and purchase intention. The research method is descriptive- correlative and it is specifically of structural equations modeling type which uses Smart PLS software. Statistical population is consumers of SNOWA Appliance Company in Kermanshah city. 384 people were selected as sample regarding confidence interval of 95% and the margin of error 5%. In order to measure research variables a questioner with 5-level Likert type used which its validity confirmed by experts and reliability of used tool obtained by using Cronbach Alpha for functional value 0.876, emotional value 0.799, social value 0.812, brand loyalty 0.892 and purchase intention 0.832 . It shows desirable reliability of research tool. Results showed that functional, emotional, and social values have positive significant impact on consumers, purchase intention of SNOWA household appliance through impact on brand loyalty both directly and indirectly.
Impact of Modified Laboratory Learning Environment on transformative Biology Process Skills among Secondary School Students in Osun State , Nigeria Salami

This study examined the impact a modified laboratory learning environment (MLLE) has on the Biology process skills of secondary school students. It compared the process skills of high and low achievers when taught in a modified laboratory learning environment and also determined how MLLE can improve achievement of students and their retention ability in Biology. 274 senior secondary class one (SSI) students were randomly selected from six intact classes for the study. A pre-test post-test quasi experimental design was adopted for the study. The students were taught plant and animal nutrition for six weeks. An Observation Checklist/Rating Scale containing 22-item exercises was used to assess the students’ process skills in an on-going manner during practical exercises. The instrument was adapted from the one used in the Faculty of Education, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria for assessing student-teachers’ teaching skills during teaching practice. It was found that the process skills of the students improved when they were taught under a modified laboratory learning environment. It was also found that the biology process skills of low achievers improved significantly and the students’ retention was also significant. The study concluded that a modified biology laboratory environment is an effective way of improving students’ biology process skills, achievement and retention.
Wafer counter-bonding for integrating cte-mismatched substrates and its application to MEMS tuneable metamaterials

This paper presents symmetrical counter-bonding as a method for integrating multiple substrates of non-compatible thermo-mechanical properties. This technique is successfully applied to fabricate MEMS tuneable high-impedance surfaces combining four substrates of two otherwise fabrication-incompatible materials (silicon and AF45 glass) on a wafer-level. A large-scale high-impedance surface with 200×52 array elements with a pitch of 350µm and a total size of 70×18mm2 has been fabricated and the microwave properties of the devices have successfully been characterized at 70–114GHz. Furthermore, micron-sized surface waviness in the glass substrates, induced by the thermal cycling under mechanical stress in the bonding process, has been investigated during temperature cycling.
Mutant Mouse Models Reveal the Relative Roles of E2F1 and E2F3 In Vivo

ABSTRACT The E2F1, -2, and -3 transcription factors are key downstream targets of the retinoblastoma protein (pRB) tumor suppressor that drive expression of proliferation-associated genes. Here we use mutant mouse strains to investigate E2F3's role in vivo. We show that E2F3 is essential for embryonic viability in the pure 129/Sv background but the presence of C57BL/6 alleles yields some adult survivors. Although growth retarded, surviving E2f3−/− animals are initially healthy. However, they die prematurely, exhibiting no obvious tumor phenotype but with the typical signs of congestive heart failure. The defects are completely distinct from those arising in E2f1 mutant mice (S. J. Field et al., Cell 85:549-561; 1996; L. Yamasaki et al., Cell 85:537-548, 1996), supporting the prevailing view that these E2Fs must have some unique biological functions in vivo. To test this model, we examined the phenotypes of E2f1 E2f3 compound mutant mice. Almost all of the developmental and age-related defects arising in the individual E2f1 or E2f3 mice were exacerbated by the mutation of the other E2f. Thus, E2F1 and E2F3 appear to play critical, overlapping roles in the development and maintenance of a variety of tissues. Importantly, this study did identify one major difference in the properties of E2F1 and E2F3: either alone or in combination with E2F1 loss, E2f3 mutation did not increase the incidence of tumor formation. These data strongly suggest that tumor suppression is a specific property of E2F1 and not E2F3.
Antagonism of antifungal metabolites from Streptomyces griseus H7602 against Phytophthora capsici

In this study, evidences for antagonism were established by production of antifungal metabolites from Streptomyces griseus H7602, which were active to inhibit mycelial growth of Phytophthora capsici in the in vitro assays. Mycelial growth and zoosporangia formation of P. capsici was strongly inhibited in the medium containing the cell free culture filtrate of S. griseus H7602. Antifungal metabolites from the cell free culture filtrate of S. griseus H7602 showed substantial antagonistic effects on P. capsici. In addition, a purified antifungal compound was separated from the antifungal metabolites of S. griseus H7602 and identified to be 1H‐pyrrole‐2‐carboxylic acid (PCA) by spectra analyses. PCA showed strong antifungal activity and was evaluated for the first time for its antagonism against P. capsici under in vitro conditions. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of PCA was low (4 µg ml−1), and the mycelial growth of P. capsici was almost inhibited at concentration of 64 µg ml−1. This study suggests that the PCA may be useful as biofungicides against P. capsici, and the prominent antagonism of antifungal metabolites from S. griseus H7602 highlights it as a candidate for biocontrol of P. capsici.
Low power parallel encoding system for video surveillance applications

In this paper, an encoding system is proposed to further reduce the power consumption in parallel video encoding based on difference detection and Hilbert transform based workload estimation (HTWE). The proposed parallel encoding system provides an average of 40% computational complexity reduction for parallel encoding without objective performance loss. For the multi-core platform with frequency and voltage scalability, up to 78% of power reduction can be achieved.
Emergency Mental Health Care for Youth in Washington State: Qualitative Research Addressing Hospital Emergency Departments' Identification and Referral of Youth Facing Mental Health Issues

Objectives: The purpose of this formative research was to gain a better understanding of how Washington State hospital emergency departments (EDs) identify and refer children and adolescents with mental health concerns. Increased understanding of emergency mental healthcare for youth will lead to the development and implementation of strategies and policies that enhance the system of providing mental health services to children and adolescents. Methods: We conducted structured group interviews, a form of qualitative research, with ED, social work, and mental health administrators and providers in 9 hospitals in Washington State. Results: Interviews reflected a systemwide lack of emergency mental health services for youth, as well as a lack of coordination between the larger mental health system and hospital ED. In addition, we identified issues specific to the hospital/ED such as insufficient availability of social work and mental health staff, lack of mental and behavioral health screening tools, lack of knowledge of available mental health services, and lack of clarity about the ED's role in identification of mental health concerns. Conclusions: Specific interventions should be developed, implemented, and evaluated to increase coordination between the ED and the larger mental health system. This should include methods for increasing ED staff knowledge of available and accessible mental health services for youth, perhaps through an online system. In addition, the role of the ED in identifying youth facing mental health issues should be clarified, and a brief, nonintrusive screening tool for identifying emergency mental health concerns should be developed.