Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE DIMENSIONS OF IT PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT (ITPM): AN ANALYSIS INVOLVING IT MANAGERS IN BRAZILIAN COMPANIES

The aim of this study is to explore and validate the dimensions of IT Portfolio Management (ITPM) in Brazilian companies, based on three different models. Five case studies were carried out in Brazilian companies that invest more than nine million reals per year in IT. Eight top IT executives from those organizations who had knowledge of the dimensions of ITPM were interviewed. Items were modified and new items included within the dimensions, while examples of equipment or systems applicable to each of the four dimensions were also identified. Research that helps managers to better understand and structure their IT investments by using the dimensions of ITPM is important to assist in the management of such resources.
The epidemiology of a recent focus of mixed Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni infections around the ‘Lac de Guiers’ in the Senegal River Basin, Senegal

Summary A village with mixed Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium infections (probably in a early endemic phase) was identified around the Lac de Guiers in the Senegal River Basin. In documenting the epidemiology of both schistosomes, we focused on prevalence and intensity of infection, transmission patterns and the impact of treatment. S. mansoni prevalences (near 100%) and egg counts (overall geometric mean eggs per gram of faeces (epg) of 589 were high in all age groups, with 35% of individuals excreting > 1000 epg, and showing a slow decline in egg output only after the age of 30 years. The overall prevalence (28%) and egg counts (2% > 50 eggs/10 ml) of S. haematobium were low, with mean counts of 6.3 eggs/10 ml. Maximal mean S. mansoni egg counts were found in 5–9 year‐old boys and in 15–19 year‐old girls; S. haematobium maximal counts in 1–4 year‐old boys and in girls aged 5–9. Extremely high Biomphalaria pfeifferi infection ratios were recorded over the whole year. Following a single treatment, re‐infection was rapid with prevalences and mean egg counts of both Schistosoma species reaching pretreatment levels within 7 months.
Neutropenic acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) in a 12-year-old boy with T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia successfully managed with conservative treatment

ABSTRACT Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) is an inflammation of the gallbladder without the presence of gallstones. In children with malignancies or chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, AAC is very rare. Clinical diagnosis of AAC remains difficult in this patient population but an early recognition followed by an appropriate intervention may confer a benefit. Only three pediatric patients with underlying hematological malignancies whose clinical treatment course was complicated by the development of AAC have been described. We describe a neutropenic pediatric patient who developed AAC following chemotherapy for acute T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), which was successfully managed with conservative treatment. Abbreviations: AAC: Acute acalculous cholecystitis; T-ALL: T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia; TPN: Total parenteral nutrition
Formation of a Ligand-binding Site for the Acetylcholine Receptor in Vitro*

Investigation of the mechanisms by which the subunits of ligand-gated ion channels fold and associate to form oligomers has been hampered by the lack of an in vitro system in which these reactions occur. We have established conditions in a rabbit reticulocyte translation system supplemented with canine pancreatic microsomes under which the α and δ subunits of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) fold and assemble to form a heterodimer with a cholinergic binding site comparable with that found in the intact AChR. Folding of the α subunit was followed by its ability to bind α-bungarotoxin. Folding efficiency was highly sensitive to changes in the redox potential of the translation medium and was favored by an oxidizing environment. Acquisition of the toxin binding conformation required N-linked core glycosylation but not oligosaccharide trimming, suggesting that oligosaccharide-dependent interaction of chaperones with the α subunit is not essential for correct subunit folding. The conformationally mature α subunit specifically associated with the δ subunit but not the β subunit to form a heterodimer with a high affinity ligand-binding site. These data demonstrate, for the first time, correct folding and assembly of the AChR subunits in an in vitro system.
The hull of Rudin's Klein bottle

In 1981 Walter Rudin exhibited a totally real embedding of the Klein bottle into C 2 . We show that the polynomially convex hull of Rudin's Klein bottle contains an open subset of C 2 . We also describe another totally real Klein bottle in C 2 whose hull has topological dimension equal to three.
Total phenolic compounds and in vitro antioxidant potential of crude methanol extract and the correspond fractions of Quercus brantii L. acorn.

Introduction: Due to their roles in the maintenance of human health, phytochemicals and antioxidants in plants are raising interest. Phenolic and flavonoids are components with potential to protect against human diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancers. Q. brantii is one of the traditional folk medicinal plants widely used in Iran. In this study, crude methanol extract and four correspond fractions of this plant were used to evaluate the total phenolic, total flavonoids, total flavonol, and antioxidant activities. Methods: The identification of phenolic, flavonoid, and flavonol components and assay of antioxidant activity were carried out using standard in vitro procedures. Results: The n-butanol fraction (376.2±7.1) had the highest amount of total phenolic compounds and the n-butanol fraction exhibited the lowest IC50 value (6.5±0.6 μg ml). There was significant relationship between the total phenolic contents and the free radical scavenging property in the four fractions in this study (R= -0.768, P< 0.01). Conclusion: The results indicate that at least, n-butanol fraction of this plant with high phytoconstituents and less toxicity could be a promising source of medicinally important natural compound.
Prevalencia de accidentes de trabajo en trabajadores recolectores de basura en Asunción, Paraguay. 2013-2014

Los recolectores de basura, considerados trabajadores de alto riesgo, estan expuestos a una variedad de riesgos profesionales y no profesionales. Las tasas de accidentes ocupacionales en este grupo no se conocen en Paraguay. El objetivo del estudio fue estimar y comparar la prevalencia de accidentes de trabajo en los recolectores de basura formales e informales de Asuncion, Paraguay, para lo cual se llevo a cabo un estudio transversal. La prevalencia de accidentes de trabajo y su asociacion con factores sociodemograficos, condiciones de empleo y trabajo fueron examinadas en 309 trabajadores (186 formales y 123 informales) mediante un cuestionario estructurado. Se utilizo estadistica descriptiva, analisis bivariante (test de chi2) y regresion logistica ajustada. Los trabajadores formales eran de mas edad (57% mas de 40 anos), todos hombres y mejor educados (82% completo nivel basico) comparado al grupo informal (7% mas de 40 anos, 68% varones y 30% completo nivel basico). La prevalencia de accidentes de trabajo entre los formales fue de 37.5% vs. 29.5% comparando con los informales (p=0.1). Luego de ajustes con potenciales confusores no se encontro diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos (OR: 1.8; 95% CI= 0.82-3.88). Factores de riesgos significativos fueron el no uso de guantes (OR: 1.84; CI= 1.01-3.05) y peores condiciones de seguridad (OR: 2.44; CI=1.3-4.7). Los factores de riesgo conocidos (educacion, condiciones de trabajo, las condiciones de salud, trabajo por turnos) estan presentes en ambos grupos, pero no explican los accidentes. Son necesarias mas investigaciones e intervenciones en salud ocupacional en esta actividad laboral.
Adoptive transfer of nuclear factor-kappaB-inactive macrophages to the glomerulus.

BACKGROUND Macrophages have been regarded as "blackguards" in the generation of glomerular injury. However, it is still unclear what kind of cellular machinery is responsible for their pathogenic actions. To explore this issue, this investigation aims at developing a novel strategy using adoptive transfer of "loss-of-function" macrophages to the glomerulus. As a prototypal investigation, this study examines a role for nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) in effector actions of macrophages within the glomerular microenvironment. METHODS NF-kappaB-inactive macrophages, NIKMACNR, were created by transduction of NR8383 rat macrophages with retrovirus encoding a super-repressor mutant of IkappaBalpha, IkappaBalphaM. The effector functions of NIKMACNR cells on resident cells were evaluated by coculture, cross-feeding, and in vivo macrophage transfer. RESULTS Rat mesangial cells cocultured with control macrophages showed abundant expression of activation markers, including monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, stromelysin, and gelatinase B. In contrast, coculture with NIKMACNR macrophages induced only modest gene expression. Similarly, culture medium conditioned by activated, control macrophages triggered mesangial cells and isolated glomeruli to express the activation markers, whereas the stimulatory effect was not observed in medium conditioned by NIKMACNR macrophages. To evaluate effector actions of NIKMACNR macrophages in the glomerulus, control macrophages and NIKMACNR cells were transferred into normal rat glomeruli via renal artery injection. After the transfer of control macrophages, substantial induction of the activation marker stromelysin was observed in resident glomerular cells. This induction was dramatically diminished in the glomeruli transferred with NIKMACNR macrophages. CONCLUSIONS Inactivation of NF-kappaB in macrophages effectively disrupted paracrine, stimulatory loops from macrophages to resident glomerular cells. A combination of "loss-of-function" strategies with the technique for adoptive cell transfer is thus useful to explore pathophysiologic roles for certain machinery of macrophages within the glomerulus.
Predictors of Hypothermia during Spinal Anesthesia

Background Body temperature often is ignored during regional anesthesia, despite evidence that hypothermia occurs commonly. Because hypothermia is associated with adverse clinical outcomes, it is important to recognize predictors of hypothermia and to monitor and control body temperature in patients at risk. The current study was designed to determine the predictors of core hypothermia in patients receiving spinal anesthesia for radical retropubic prostatectomy. Methods Forty-four patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy were studied. A lumbar intrathecal injection of 18–22 mg bupivacaine, 0.75%, with 20 &mgr;g fentanyl was given. No active warming measures were used other than intravenous fluid warming. The following clinical variables were assessed as potential predictors of core (tympanic) temperature at admission to the postanesthesia care unit: duration of surgery, average ambient operating room temperature, body habitus, age, and spinal blockade level. Results The mean core temperature at admission to the postanesthesia care unit was 35.1 ± 0.6°C (range, 33.6–36.3°C). Duration of surgery, ambient operating room temperature, and body habitus were not predictors of hypothermia. A high level of spinal blockade and increasing age were predictors of hypothermia. For each incremental increase in block level, core temperature decreased by 0.15°C, and for each increase in age, core temperature decreased by 0.3°C. Conclusions Although high-level spinal blockade has been associated with decreased thermoregulatory thresholds, no previous study has shown that a higher level of blockade is associated with a greater magnitude of core hypothermia in the clinical setting. As with general anesthesia, advanced age is associated with hypothermia during spinal anesthesia.
The Impact of Small Scale Wind Generators on LV Distribution System Voltage

This paper describes research carried out at Durham University to investigate the effects of high penetrations of Small Scale Wind Turbines (SSWTs) on LV distribution networks. This work aims to develop techniques to overcome network constraints and increase the value of Small Scale Embedded Generators (SSEGs). The paper concentrates on the effects of high levels of SSWTs on the voltage quality of LV distribution systems. The investigation is carried out using a dynamic electrical model of LV distribution network and an urban wind turbine model developed using PSCAD/EMTDC software package. Initial steady state simulation results show that at around 40% penetration of urban wind turbines it is possible that the statutory voltage limits will be exceeded. However when a dynamic simulation is considered it can be seen that slight variations in wind regimes mean this limit would only be met at higher penetrations.
Commentary on '5-HT and mechanisms of defence'

Deakin and Graeff have produced a stimulating, wide ranging and often provocative view of the functions of the central serotoninergic systems and the consequences of their dysfunction. Evidence is drawn from psychopharmacological, neuropharmacological, neuroanatomical and psychiatric sources to present the case that 5-HT is fundamentally involved in the neural mechanisms of fearmotivated behaviour and, by extension, anxiety. Further, that 5-HT systems mediate resilience, i.e. behavioural adaptation to chronic aversive events, and that 5-HT system dysfunction, especially changes in 5-HTIA receptors in the hippocampus, is causal to the depression seen in such circumstances. A particularly interesting and novel extension of Bolles and Fanselow’s hypothesis is that states of anxiety and panic are mutually inhibitory and are both modulated by the 5-HT system. As the authors point out, much of the experimental analysis of the role of 5-HT systems in learning and memory has focussed on aversive processes, but the data
Creep kinematics of nonholonomic systems

Most studies about nonholonomic systems were developed under the absolute relation of constraint equations. Such ideally constrained systems are known somewhat relaxed in real world, which are claimed as complementarily constrained problems. Systems with viscous frictions and/or flexibilities are typical cases at which the constraints are pseudo-violated rather than violated. These nonideal kinematics are treated in terms of nonholonomic creep behaviors, classified by two fundamental types: rotation creep and traverse creep. Creep coefficients are defined and proposed to illustrate the kinematical relations for such complementarily constrained systems. It can be shown that most nonholonomic vehicles can be described by both creep types, while the trailers attached to a car falls into the traverse type only. Therefore, we conclude the existing algorithms for nonholonomic motion planning and control should be modified as intrinsic creeps take place in nature. The creep notion can also be applied to the symmetry systems of conservation of angular momentum.
Prostacyclin Analogs Stimulate Receptor‐Mediated cAMP Synthesis and ATP Release from Rabbit and Human Erythrocytes

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to establish that the prostacyclin (PGI2) receptor (IP receptor) is present on rabbit and human erythrocytes and that its activation stimulates cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) synthesis and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release.
Inspissated Bile Syndrome in a Neonate Treated With Cefotaxime

Cholelithiasis in neonates is usually pigmentary and composed of calcium bilirubinate. 1,2 In children, cholelithisasis and inspissated bile or sludge are associated with prematurity, cystic fibrosis, hemolytic diseases, hemorrhage, congenital heart disease, starvation, total parenteral nutrition, infection, dehydration, ileal resection, abdominal surgery, congenital anomalies of the biliary tract, chronic liver disease, medications (ceftriaxone), and up to 43% of cases are idiopathic. 2,3 We report the case of a neonate who had recurrent cholestasis after being treated for sepsis with cefotaxime.
Determination of time-of-day schedules in the Portuguese electric sector

Electricity pricing based on time-of-day periods and marginal cost reflective pricing sends to consumers the right price signals, promoting economic efficiency in electricity use and in the use of its associated resources. For this purpose, the correct time-of-day schedules determination is of crucial importance. In this paper a methodology for the determination of adequate time-of-day schedules is presented. This methodology was used by ERSE in the definition of new time schedules of the Portuguese electricity tariffs, available to consumers as an option to the old schedule since 2005. The results are presented and discussed in this paper
Analysis of biparietal diameter as an accurate indicator of gestational age

To date, there have been 25 studies attempting to correlate biparietal diameter and gestational age; of these, 17 meet specific criteria and thus are included in this evaluation. Although all studies have shown an increase in biparietal diameter with advancing gestational age, between 17 wk and term there is a discrepancy of approximately 3 wk. In this evaluation the charts are compared and the variations analyzed. An ideal table is constructed by combining the mean gestational age, calculated from a statistical analysis, and the variation at each millimeter point, determined by comparison of all the studies. It is hoped that this new 90% composite table, which consists of a range of gestational ages in weeks for each biparietal diameter, will not only provide more realistic indications of fetal age but also will serve as a reminder to sonographers, obstetricians, and patients of the relative accuracy and variations of biparietal diameter measurements.
Inward rectification in frog skeletal muscle fibres and its dependence on membrane potential and external potassium.

1. Experiments were carried out using a voltage‐clamp technique to investigate the dependence of inward rectification on membrane potential and on the equilibrium potential for K+, changed either by changing [K]o or changing [K]i. 2. The relationship between gK, the potassium chord conductance, and membrane potential depended on membrane potential and [K]o, but not on [K]i. 3. Under hyperpolarization, K currents increased with time, but instantaneous current‐voltage relations also showed inward rectification. The time constants for activation fell with hyperpolarization, e ‐fold for an 18 mV change in membrane potential. 4. The time constants for activation depended on [K]o but not on [K]i. 5. Under depolarization, the activation of K currents was partly reversed, but between activation and membrane potential, determined from two‐pulse experiments, also appeared to depend on [K]o but not on [K]i. 5. Under depolarization, the activation of K currents was partly reversed, but between activation and membrane potential, determined from two‐pulse experiments, also appeared to depend on [K]o but not on [K]i. 6. The rate of activation of K currents under hyperpolarization had a Q10 of 2.64 +/‐ 0.08 (n = 5). Currents, measured per unit length, increased with temperature, with a Q10 of 1.66 +/‐ 0.11 (n = 5).
Prostate cancer: the new evidence base for diagnosis and treatment

&NA; Although prostate cancer (PC) has a significant mortality, there is debate regarding the utility of PC screening. This debate continues as major studies investigating the value of population‐based screening have yet to be concluded. Despite this, there is increasing evidence from preliminary reports from these series, as well as numerous others relating to outcome prediction for PC, that early detection leads to improved outcomes and a decrease in the burden of metastatic disease on our healthcare system. PC is rarely symptomatic until it has metastasised to bone and because of this PSA‐based screening remains the only widely available and reliable method of diagnosis for organ‐confined disease. There is now compelling evidence to show that:Cancers diagnosed by screening are more likely to be early stage, when most can be cured by a number of different treatment options.The maximum benefits of screening are for men aged 50–70 years. Older men have a greater chance of a clinically insignificant cancer being diagnosed for which treatment is not necessary.The familial risks of PC are well recognised. In particular, men with one or more first‐degree relatives already diagnosed with the disease should be actively encouraged to undergo screening.Modern histopathological assessment of fine core needle biopsies of the prostate allows for the likely behaviour of cancer present to be accurately predicted. Changes that mimic those of malignancy can be confidently identified, so these cases are no longer incorrectly diagnosed. These improvements mean that now most men aged 50–70 years diagnosed with PC will have clinically significant cancers that require treatment.
Compaction of the mouse embryo: an analysis of its components.

A variety of Agents (viz : cytochalasin D, colcemid, cytochalasin D+ colcemid, Ca2+-free medium, 7-ketocholesterol, cholesterol, concanavalin A, anti-embryonal carcinoma antiserum and tunicamycin) which modify the cell membrane and/or cytoskeleton were used to investigate the molecular and cellular basis of the intercellular and intracellular components of compaction and analyse the relationships between them. It was found that the individual components could be selectively dissociated from one another. Cell flattening and close intercellular apposition were the most sensitive features and affected by the majority of agents. Tight junctions did not form in the absence of intercellular apposition, however an apparently normal degree of intercellular apposition did not necessarily lead to the assembly of these junctions. Polarization of individual blastomeres, as assessed by the reorganization of the cell surface, was the component most resistant to experimental intervention since it occurred in the presence of all agents used, though it was modified by some of them. The result are discussed in terms of the molecular and cellular events underlying polarization, intercellular apposition and tight junction formation as well as the significance of these events for normal blastocyst formation.