634 research outputs found
Methodology for measuring testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and sex hormonebinding globulin in a clinical setting
No full textTestosterone is a hormone difficult to measure accurately. Yet, its accurate determination is the prerequisite for the correct diagnosis and clinical management of hypogonadism in males and hyperandrogenism in females. In the last decade a number of studies increased awareness of the poor performance of most of the current assays and identified some strategies to improve the accuracy of testosterone testing (Rosner et al. 2007; 2010). In the previous edition of this book a chapter was dedicated to the description of the principles, analytical performance and limitations of the existing methodologies for measuring testosterone, DHT and SHBG (Simoni 2004). Here, we will provide an update on the state of the art to help the reader choose the testosterone detection system most suitable for his/her needs in view of the current recommendations. Testosterone and DHT circulate in serum largely bound to transport proteins: that is albumin, which displays low affinity but very high binding capacity, and SHBG, with high affinity and low capacity. A systematic analysis of serum transport of steroid hormones and their interaction with binding proteins revealed an association constant of SHBG of 1.6 × 109 M-1 for testosterone and of 5.5 × 109 M-1 for DHT at 37 C (Dunn et al. 1981). By comparison the association constant of albumin for testosterone is five orders of magnitude lower (6 × 104 M-1) (Anderson 1974). The relative amounts of protein binding of circulating testosterone in men and women are shown in Table 4.1
Effects of social, environmental, and institutional factors on sustainability report assurance: evidence from European countries
No full textPurpose
The purpose of this study is to extend existing knowledge on the determinants of sustainability report (SR) assurance practices. Four different theories – stakeholder theory, institutional theory, signaling theory and legitimacy theory – are used to formulate several hypotheses regarding the main factors that can influence a company’s decision to assure its SRs.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a sample of 417 listed organizations based in different European countries over five years, the effects of stakeholder commitment, country orientation toward sustainability, firm environmental performance and business ethics controversies on the decision to assure SRs are assessed.
Findings
The results show that a company’s decision to assure its SRs is motivated by the need to maintain good relations with its stakeholders (which is in line with stakeholder theory and legitimacy theory), as well as by the willingness to signal their sustainability performance (which is in line with signaling theory) and to gain legitimacy. On the contrary, business ethics controversies do not seem to be relevant to a company’s assurance practices.
Originality/value
This paper provides new insights into the influence that social, environmental and institutional factors have on assurance strategies. New factors that previous research does not investigate – environmental performance, business ethics controversies and corporate governance – are tested. Factors that are already investigated in the literature are considered from an original perspective of introducing alternative measures (e.g. for the scope of national sustainability policies)
OC-k3 cells, an in vitro model for cochlear implant biocompatibility
No full textObjective: In patients with severe or deep hypoacousis, the cochlear implant represents the only way to recover the ability to hear. Nevertheless, the insertion of a silicone-embedded electrode in the cochlea may produce damage through pressure, shock, bleeding and tissue perforation, which could cause apoptosis and necrosis in the organ of Corti. Another variable is the use of different silicone materials. Although all embedding silicone compounds are medical grade biocompatible, their effects in the inner ear environment have never been tested. Our aim was to assess whether polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) compounds employed in cochlear implants could be cytotoxic to inner ear cells, by exposing an in vitro organ of Corti cell line (OC-k3) to four PMDS compounds (three fluid and one elastomere) and verifying whether or not any one of these compounds could lead to cell death by apoptosis or necrosis. Study design: To obtain a toxicity curve, OC-k3 cells were exposed to PDMS compounds (octadimethylsiloxane, hexadimethylsiloxane, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane and a silicon rod) at different dilutions and time of exposure, testing vitality by flux cytofluorometry and fluorescence microscopy. Investigations were extended to molecular interactions between OC-k3 cells and PDMS, testing cell death markers by immunocytochemistry and real-Time PCR. Results: Among the fluid PDMS compounds, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane induced the highest significant cell mortality (at 1:100 dilution) after 48 h of treatment, followed by octadimethylsiloxane (1:10) and hexadimethylsiloxane (1:5) at 24 h. The silicon rod did not show any inner ear cell toxicity. Conclusion: In our experimental conditions, the observed cell mortality was not caused by release of cytotoxic molecules by PDMS on OC-k3 cells, but by the formation by PMDS of a surface film preventing air exchange. From a biomolecular point of view, PDMS compounds appear suitable for electrode coating in cochlear implants. © 2015 International Association of Physicians in Audiology
The effects of business model regulation on the value relevance of traditional performance measures. Some evidence from UK companies
No full textThe first case in the world of a mandatory requirement to disclose business model (BM) in the
annual report is represented by Companies Act 2013 issued in the UK.
The BM offers a simplified representation of a company’s key resources and of how these are
combined to create value. For this reason, a systematic communication of BM should affect
the way a company book value and its capability to generate earnings are perceived.
The purpose of this work is to investigate the impact of mandatory BM disclosure on the
value relevance of traditional financial measures.
Focusing on a sample of UK listed companies over a six-year period, Ohlson model is utilized
to assess the value relevance of book value and net income and their interactions with a
dummy variable that accounts for the introduction of mandatory disclosure of BM.
In line with previous studies on non-financial disclosure regulations, results show that the
introduction of the mandatory requirement to disclose BM has a negative moderating effect
on book value of equity and a positive moderating effect on net income.
As this is the first study to investigate the effects of a mandatory BM disclosure regime, it
could be of interest for both academics and standard-setters
Business Model and Non-Financial Key Performance Indicator Disclosure
No full textBusiness model disclosure is proposed as a communication tool for companies to increase the effectiveness of non-financial key performance indicator (NFKPI) disclosure. First, business model enables the identification of indicators that are aligned with strategic objectives. Moreover, it acts as an integrated framework, showing how different capitals are combined to create value
Supplemental material for Mannose-binding lectin has a direct deleterious effect on ischemic brain microvascular endothelial cells
No full textSupplemental Material for Mannose-binding lectin has a direct deleterious effect on ischemic brain microvascular endothelial cells by Laura Neglia, Stefano Fumagalli, Franca Orsini, Adriana Zanetti, Carlo Perego and Maria-Grazia De Simoni in Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism</p
Psammoecus simoni Grouvelle 1892
No full textPsammoecus simoni Grouvelle, 1892 (Fig. 11) Psammoecus simonis Grouvelle, 1892: 287. Psammoecus simoni – Grouvelle 1908c: 476.— Pal 1985. Material examined Lectotype ♂, by present designation: ‘ Antipolo | E. Simon’, ‘TYPE’ [red label], ‘MUSEUM PARIS | 1917 | Coll. GROUVELLE’ [yellow label], ‘ Psammoecus | Simoni | ty. A. Grouv’ [Grouvelle’s hand] (MNHN). Paralectotype 1 spm with identical data as lectotype (MNHN). Other material 5 spms ‘COLL: MUS. CONGO | Madagascar: Maroansetra | (à la lumière) II/ IV-1950 | J. Vadon’ (MRAC). 1spm ‘COLL. MUS. TERVUREN | N.E. Madagascar: | Ambodivoangy 1959 | J. Vadon’ (MRAC). Differential diagnosis Ps. simoni differs by its short oval habitus and the short, stout parameres that are fused with the basal piece from all other African Psammoecus. The wide-based pronotal teeth resemble Ps. luchti sp. nov., it differs by the elytral striae being considerably wider than interstices, elytra being shorter, darkened basis of elytra, parameres short, stout and fused with basal piece. Redescription BODY. Oval, total length 2.13-3.00 mm (Fig. 11A). Surface yellowish-brown, sometimes reddish-brown, elytra with brown or blackish-brown maculae: humeral swelling, a transverse band in the middle of the elytra, the elytral suture along the posterior two thirds and the elytral apex are dark. Base of antennae yellowish or reddish brown, 6 th to 10 th antennomere darkened, 11 th antennomere yellowish-white, some specimens with light apex of 10 th antennomere. HEAD. Broad, temples narrowed immediately behind eyes; width 0.64-0.71 mm, length 0.33-0.44 mm, 1.67-1.73 times as wide as long. Eyes protuberant, rounded, 0.17-0.20 mm long, distance of inner margins 0.38-0.45 mm. Puncturation on vertex coarse, density of punctures variable, pubescence composed of long, semierect setae, directed anteriorly; microsculpture absent. Longitudinal impressions on vertex very shallow, attaining the middle of the eyes, sometimes shorter. Antennae as in Fig. 11B, 1.17-1.40 mm long, stout, antennomere proportions of lectotype as follows: 2.9: 1.3: 1.8: 1.5: 1.8: 1.6: 1.4: 1.0:1.2: 1.4: 2.8. PRONOTUM. Broad; width 0.62-0.74 mm, length 0.48-0.56 mm, 1.22-1.35 times as wide as long. Surface smooth, without impressions. Anterior angles with distinct groups of small teeth; lateral margins with four distinct teeth; tooth I very small, tooth II a little larger, teeth III and IV largest. Posterior group of teeth consisting of a larger anterior tooth and a very small, almost obtuse posterior tooth. Puncturation coarser than on vertex, punctures sometimes adjoining. Pubescence as on vertex; microsculpture absent. ELYTRA. Oval, short, length 1.35-1.70 mm, combined width 1.00- 1.23 mm, 1.27-1.43 times as long as their combined width. Rows of punctures on disc wider than interstices. Pubescence consists of long, semierect setae. Microsculpture absent. PARAMERES. Short, stout, fused with basal piece; with distinct pattern of three large setae (Fig. 11 C). Remarks In his original description, Grouvelle (1892) spells the name ‘simonis’. However, on the labels that Grouvelle added to the syntypes as well as in a later paper (Grouvelle, 1908c), he spells the name ‘simoni’. Pal (1985) also uses the latter spelling. Hence the present author considers ‘simonis’ to be a misprint and proposes to spell the name in accordance with Grouvelle (1908c) and Pal (1985).Published as part of Karner, Michael, 2012, A revision of African Psammoecus (Coleoptera, Silvanidae) and descriptions of two new species from the collection of the Musée royal de l'Afrique centrale, pp. 1-31 in European Journal of Taxonomy 17 on pages 24-26, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2012.17, http://zenodo.org/record/385784
Construyendo la ópera nacional: A Marília de Itamaracá de L. V. De-Simoni
No full textLuiz Vicente De Simoni (1782-1881) was an Italian physician who went to Rio de Janeiro in 1817, and was constantly involved in the musical and theatrical scene of the city. He is the author of Marília de Itamaracá (1854, music by Adolpho Maersch), considered by some authors as the first “Brazilian” opera. The subject is historical and narrates some episodes of the 17th century war against the Dutch. One of his main concerns was the use of Brazilian and Portuguese themes in operas, in order to invent something “national”. As part of a broader movement, the idea was to explore Brazilian people, landscape and traditions as the main subject for operas that should be sung in Portuguese. The movement was related to a broader political project sponsored by the government and the Emperor, aimed at the revision of Brazilian history and the construction of a new cultural identity for the country. The purpose of this paper is to examine some aspects of the libretto of Marília de Itamaracá and the ideas discussed in its preface, showing the contradictions and tensions involved in the creation of a “national” identity through operas
Textured vs pelletted feed impact on dairy heifers pre-weaning
No full textSubmitted 2020-07-03 | Accepted 2020-08-08 | Available 2020-12-01https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2020.23.mi-fpap.197-204The first three months of life is the most critical period for the young calf, and nutrition plays an essential role for a successful weaning program. The effects of starter feed physical form have been widely investigated in the last decades, but results are variable and often inconsistent. We compared the impact of texturized and pelleted starters on growth performances during the artificial pre-weaning period on replacement female dairy calves. A total of 16 calves were divided in two independent groups, fed with pelleted or texturized starter and monitored from 2 to 44 days of life. Morphometric traits as well as health status, growth performances, feed intake and efficiency were recorded weekly. An interesting significance (p=0.013) was found for the weight increment, that starting from 5th week showed higher values in animals fed with texturized rather than pelleted feedstuff, although no differences were obtained for the feed efficiency. Despite the lack of significant differences, the trends observed for weight increment and health status, suggest some advantages in the use of texturized feedstuff during the pre-weaning period.Keywords: calves pre-weaning nutrition, texturized feed, growth performancesReferencesBach, A. et al. (2007) Effects of physical form of a starter for dairy replacement calves on feed intake and performance. Journal of Dairy Science. 90, 3028–3033. doi:https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2006-761Baldwin, R. L. VI et al. (2004) Rumen development, intestinal growth and hepatic metabolism in the pre- and post-weaning ruminant. Journal of Dairy Science. 87(E Suppl.): E55–E65. doi: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(04)70061-2Boulton, A. C. et al. (2015) A study of dairy heifer rearing practices from birth to weaning and their associated costs on UK dairy farms. Open Journal of Animal Sciences 5, 185–197.Boulton, A. C. et al. (2017) An empirical analysis of the cost of rearing dairy heifers from birth to first calving and the time taken to repay these costs. Animal. doi: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731117000064Drackley, J. K. (2008) Calf nutrition from birth to breeding. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice Special. 24, 55–86. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2008.01.001Franklin, S.T. et al. (2003) Health and performance of Holstein calves that suckled or were hand-fed colostrum and were fed one of three physical forms of starter. Journal of Dairy Science. 86, 2145–2153.Greenwood, R. H. et al. (1997) A new method of measuring diet abrasion and its effect on the development of the forestomach. Journal of Dairy Science. 80, 2534–2541. doi: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(97)76207-6Khan, M. 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(1938) Use of Yeast in Calf Meals and Pellets. Journal of Dairy Science. 21: 161-167.Olynk. N. J. and Wolf, C. A.(2008) Economic analysis of reproductive management strategies on US commercial dairy farms. Journal of Dairy Science. 91, 4082–4091. doi: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2007-0858Pazoki, A, et al. (2017) Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Ruminal Fermentation, and Rumen Development of Calves During Transition From Liquid to Solid Feed: Effects of Physical Form of Starter Feed and Forage Provision. Animal feed science and technology, 234, 173-185. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2017.06.004Porter, J. C. et al. (2007) Effect of fiber level and physical form of starter on growth and development of dairy calves fed no forage. Professional Animal Scientist. 23, 395–400. doi:https://doi.org/10.15232/S1080-7446(15)30994-3Quigley, J. D., et al. (2018). 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