The success of artificial breeding program depends largely on the reproductive performance of males. Male performance can vary with season and age impacting on quality and quantity of semen collected for artificial insemination purposes and therefore fertility of inseminated females. We examined variation in semen output and male libido of seven male ostriches (aged 2-5 years) over a period of 24

Widespread negative correlations between summertime-mean temperatures and precipitation over land regions are a well-known feature of terrestrial climate. This behavior has generally been interpreted in the context of soil moisture atmosphere coupling, with soil moisture deficits associated with reduced rainfall leading to enhanced surface sensible heating and higher surface temperature. The prese

The gain spectrum of a terahertz quantum cascade laser is analyzed by a nonequilibrium Green's functions approach. Higher harmonics of the response function were retrievable, providing a way to approach nonlinear phenomena in quantum cascade lasers theoretically. Gain is simulated under operation conditions and results are presented both for linear response and strong laser fields. An iterative wa

Lymphatic vessels (LVs) play critical roles in the maintenance of fluid homeostasis and in pathological conditions, including cancer metastasis. Although mutations in ALK1, a member of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta/bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) receptor family, have been linked to hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, a human vascular disease, the roles of activin receptor-like kin

A method to compute antenna Q from a single frequency current distribution is applied to the optimization of multiband radiating structures. A genetic algorithm produces suboptimal structures in the sense of simultaneous multiband minimum Q. These structures model in a simplified manner common wireless communication devices. The comparison with the physical bounds for the considered situations sho

The effect of outdiffusion of Mn interstitials from (Ga,Mn) As epitaxial layers, caused by post-growth low-temperature annealing, on their electronic- and band-structure properties has been investigated by modulation photoreflectance (PR) spectroscopy. The annealing-induced changes in structural and magnetic properties of the layers were examined with high-resolution X-ray diffractometry and super

Aim: To report data from the first national pressure ulcer prevalence survey in Sweden on prevalence, pressure ulcer categories, locations and preventive interventions for persons at risk for developing pressure ulcers. Methods: A cross-sectional research design was used in a total sample of 35 058 persons in hospitals and nursing homes. The methodology used was that recommended by the Europea

P-glycoprotein (Pgp) is a major ABC transporter responsible for multidrug-resistance (MDR) in cancer chemotherapy. Pre-clinical MDR modulation studies identified promising chemosensitizers, but none are in the clinic yet. Two novel progesterone-derived carbamates (11-carbamic acid N,N-dibenzyl progesterone ester and 11-carbamic acid N,N-dibutyl progesterone ester) were examined as potential chemos

Transition-metal complexes have long attracted interest for fundamental chemical reactivity studies and possible use in solar energy conversion(1,2). Electronic excitation, ligand loss from the metal centre, or a combination of both, creates changes in charge and spin density at the metal site(3-11) that need to be controlled to optimize complexes for photocatalytic hydrogen production(8) and sele

Objective To develop a system for predicting the progression of radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA) using tibial trabecular bone texture. Methods. We studied 203 knees with (n = 68) or without (n = 135) radiographic tibiofemoral OA in 105 subjects (90 men and 15 women with a mean age of 54 years) in whom 2 sets of knee radiographs were obtained 4 years apart. We determined medial and lateral com

Automated object detection is perhaps the most central task of computer vision and arguably the most difficult one. This paper extends previous work on part-based models by using accurate geometric models both in the learning phase and at detection. In the learning phase manual annotations are used to reduce perspective distortion before learning the part-based models. That training is performed o

Numerical models have become one of the most powerful tools in biomechanics and mechanobiology allowing highly detailed simulations. One of the fields in which they have broadly evolved during the last years is in soft tissue modeling. Particularly, wound healing in the skin is one of the processes that has been approached by computational models due to the difficulty of performing experimental in

Dizziness is seldom the only symptom among patients who develop stroke but patients, hospitalized for vertigo are at higher risk of stroke than the general population. The proportions of patients who have remaining dizziness after a stroke seem to be unclear.

First-line treatment of isolated resectable colorectal peritoneal metastases remains unclear. This study (the Swedish peritoneal study) compares cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy (surgery arm) with systemic chemotherapy (chemotherapy arm).

This paper contains a joint ESHG/ASHG position document with recommendations regarding responsible innovation in prenatal screening with non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). By virtue of its greater accuracy and safety with respect to prenatal screening for common autosomal aneuploidies, NIPT has the potential of helping the practice better achieve its aim of facilitating autonomous reproductive

Lymphoid-primed multipotent progenitors with down-regulated megakaryocyte-erythroid (MkE) potential are restricted to cells with high levels of cell-surface FLT3 expression, whereas HSCs and MkE progenitors lack detectable cell-surface FLT3. These findings are compatible with FLT3 cell-surface expression not being detectable in the fully multipotent stem/progenitor cell compartment in mice. If so,

Objective. To identify genetic factors driving pathogenic autoantibody formation in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), in order to better understand the etiology of RA and identify possible new avenues for therapeutic intervention. Methods. We performed a genome-wide analysis of quantitative trait loci controlling autoantibody to type II collagen (anti-CI

The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) Capture the Fracture Campaign aims to support implementation of Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) throughout the world. INTRODUCTION: FLS have been shown to close the ubiquitous secondary fracture prevention care gap, ensuring that fragility fracture sufferers receive appropriate assessment and intervention to reduce future fracture risk. METHODS: Capt

Individuals carrying pathogenic mutations in BRCA1/2 genes have a high lifetime risk of breast cancer. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are involved in DNA double strand break repair, DNA alterations that can be caused by exposure to reactive oxygen species, a main source of which are mitochondria. Mitochondrial genome variations affect electron transport chain efficiency and reactive oxygen species production. In

OBJECTIVES: To compare rapid sequence intubation (RSI) premedication with morphine for intubation of preterm infants. STUDY DESIGN: Preterm infants needing semi-urgent intubation were enrolled to either RSI (glycopyrrolate, thiopental, suxamethonium, and remifentanil, n = 17) or atropine and morphine (n = 17) in a randomized trial. The main outcome was "good intubation conditions" (score ≤10 asse