Effect of horse sex status on British Eventing competition performance: an observational study between 1998 and 2016

To test the hypothesis that gender affects horse scores in eventing competition, data on the scores and points awarded to 681 horses was collected from the British Eventing website. Equal numbers of mares, geldings and stallions were used, all foaled during or after 1994 and aged 4–10 years. The study included five levels of competition (BE90, BE100, Novice, Intermediate and Advanced) and investigated differences in mean phased scores, total scores and rank in competition. Additionally, the mean and median ‘BE points per competition’ of each gender were compared. Significant differences in performance between genders were found at all levels except Advanced. Differences were highlighted in average phased and total scores, rank and median points per competition. There was an overall pattern of stallions and geldings outperforming mares, though this was not found to be true at all levels. The only area in which mares were found to perform significantly better than geldings or stallions was showjumping time penalties at BE90

Taking U out, with two nucleases?

BACKGROUND: REX1 and REX2 are protein components of the RNA editing complex (the editosome) and function as exouridylylases. The exact roles of REX1 and REX2 in the editosome are unclear and the consequences of the presence of two related proteins are not fully understood. Here, a variety of computational studies were performed to enhance understanding of the structure and function of REX proteins in Trypanosoma and Leishmania species. RESULTS: Sequence analysis and homology modeling of the Endonuclease/Exonuclease/Phosphatase (EEP) domain at the C-terminus of REX1 and REX2 highlights a common active site shared by all EEP domains. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that REX proteins contain a distinct subfamily of EEP domains. Inspection of three-dimensional models of the EEP domain in Trypanosoma brucei REX1 and REX2, and Leishmania major REX1 suggests variations of previously characterized key residues likely to be important in catalysis and determining substrate specificity. CONCLUSION: We have identified features of the REX EEP domain that distinguish it from other family members and hence subfamily specific determinants of catalysis and substrate binding. The results provide specific guidance for experimental investigations about the role(s) of REX proteins in RNA editing

Determination of relationship between HMW glutenin subunits and bread making quality in bread wheat

Dissertação de mestrado em Contabilidade e Finanças (Auditoria), apresentada à Faculdade de Economia da Universidade de Coimbra, sob a orientação de José Manuel Bernardo Vaz Ferreira.Este estudo tem como objetivo analisar a situação das empresas da Região Autónoma da Madeira no difícil contexto atual. As falências nas empresas têm acontecido com regularidade, devido às diversas alterações conjunturais, que provocam mudanças no contexto do sistema de controlo interno. Este estudo foi realizado com o objetivo de verificar se os procedimentos do controlo interno estão a ser aplicados corretamente nas empresas madeirenses e verificar se as empresas estão fragilizadas devido às condições atuais que o país atravessa, mais concretamente na situação desta região insular que, no ano de 2011 sofreu um aumento do IVA (Imposto sobre o Valor Acrescentado) em seis pontos percentuais. Deste modo, este estudo pretende verificar os pontos fracos do controlo interno em concordância com outros três fatores externos (pagamentos por parte do Estado às empresas, aumento do IVA para 22% e aparecimento de novas superfícies/concorrência). Os resultados do estudo revelam que as empresas da Madeira ainda cometem algumas falhas no controlo interno, de natureza multifatorial. Em relação ao Estado, este tem um papel pouco significativo na situação das empresas (17,2%), o mesmo não sucedendo com o impacto do aumento do IVA, já que, cerca de 96,9% das empresas referem que os clientes estão a consumir menos, o que é preocupante. Em resultado desta situação, 26,7% da amostra coloca em hipótese a falência associada a este último fator. No que diz respeito à concorrência, os resultados demonstram que metade (50%) das empresas inquiridas, sentiram um impacto negativo no seu negócio após a entrada das grandes superfícies na Região. Por último, as empresas madeirenses, neste momento, sofrem um forte impacto de componentes externos ao controlo interno, sendo necessária uma reestruturação, essencialmente no IVA

A wandering spleen presenting as a pelvic mass: case report and review of the literature

Wandering spleens are rare clinical entities found more commonly in females. We report a young female patient found to harbour a pelvic spleen. The literature regarding this rare ectopia is reviewed. The wandering spleen should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pelvic masses

Molecular evaluation of genetic diversity using gliadin alleles in Iranian landrace wheat Triticum aesativum L.

Historiam-se os passos da investigação da epigrafia da civitas Igaeditanorum. Apresenta-se o corpus das inscrições que referem libertos e procura mostrar-se a importância que esta ‘classe’ social deteve neste aglomerado urbano em que a riqueza – proveniente, por exemplo, da exploração aurífera – lhe proporcionou relevante papel sociopolítico logo nos primórdios da Lusitânia romana

Assessment of body mass index and hand anthropometric measurements as independent risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome

The goal of this study was to clarify the role of body mass index (BMI) (weight divided by square of height; kg/m2) and hand anthropometric measurements as independent risk determinants in the development of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and their relationship to the severity of CTS. A total of 131 patients with clinical symptoms of CTS and 131 normal subjects were enrolled, of whom 121 were female both in the CTS cases and the controls. All cases were electrodiagnostically confirmed and assigned to three severity groups. BMI, wrist ratio, shape index, digit index and hand length/height ratio were measured in all participants. Mean values for each item were compared between cases and controls and severity subgroups. A logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent CTS risk factors. The mean values of BMI, wrist ratio and shape index were significantly higher in all CTS patients and females compared to controls, whereas in males only BMI and wrist ratio were higher. The patients in the mild severity subgroup had a significantly lower age and wrist ratio. BMI, wrist ratio and shape index were found to be independent risk factors of CTS development in all patients and females. Our study showed BMI, wrist ratio and shape index as independent risk factors for CTS. These findings are of potential anatomical and clinical importance and outline the risk factors of anatomical malfunction of the wrist in CTS. (Folia Morphol 2008; 67: 36-42