Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Laparoscopic Complete Mesocolic Excision with Central Vascular Ligation in right colon cancer: long-term oncologic outcome between mesocolic and non-mesocolic planes of surgery

Aim: To analyze our experience in translating the concept of total mesorectal excision to “no-touch” complete removal of an intact mesocolonic envelope (complete mesocolic excision), along with central vascular ligation and apical node dissection, in the surgical treatment of right-sided colonic cancers, comparing “mesocolic” to less radical “non-mesocolic” planes of surgery in respect to quality of the surgical specimen and long-term oncologic outcome. Method: A total of 115 patients with right-sided colonic cancers were retrospectively enrolled from 2008 to 2013 and operated on following the intent of minimally invasive complete mesocolic excision with central vascular ligation. Results: Morbidity and mortality were 22.6% and 1.7%, respectively. Mesocolic, intramesocolic, and muscularis propria planes of resection were achieved in 65.2%, 21.7%, and 13% of cases, respectively, with significant impact for mesenteric plane of surgery on R0 resection rate (97.3%), circumferential resection margin <1 mm (2.6%), and consequent survival advantage (82.6% at 5 years) when compared to muscularis propria plane of surgery, with R0 resection rate and overall survival falling to 72% and 60%, respectively, and with circumferential resection margin <1 mm raising to 33.3%, all being statistically significant. Stratifying patients for stage of disease, laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision with central vascular ligation significantly impacted survival in patients with stage II, IIIA/B, and in a subgroup of IIIC patients with negative apical nodes. Conclusion: In our experience, minimally invasive complete mesocolic excision with central vascular ligation allows for both safety and higher quality of surgical specimens when compared to less radical intramesocolic or muscularis propria planes of “standard” surgery, significantly impacting loco-regional control and thus overall survival.
Impaired induction of blood‐brain barrier properties in aortic endothelial cells by astrocytes from GFAB‐deficient mice

Cell culture models have been extensively used for studies of blood‐brain barrier (BBB) function. However, most in vitro models fail to reproduce the peculiar physiological and morphological properties of in situ brain microvascular endothelial cells. A recently developed, tridimensional and dynamic model of the BBB has permitted studies of glial‐endothelial interactions in hollow fibers exposed to intraluminal flow. We have taken advantage of this technique and have investigated the ability of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)‐deficient (GFAP−/−) astrocytes to induce BBB properties in aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) cultured in vitro. BAEC exposed to flow were seeded intraluminally in hollow fibers and co‐cultured with extraluminally seeded mouse astrocytes. Under these conditions, astrocytes have been shown to induce blood‐brain barrier properties in non‐brain endothelial cells. We followed induction of a BBB phenotype by measuring the transendothelial resistance, as well as endothelial permeability to potassium, theophylline, 8‐sulphophenyl‐theophylline (8‐SPT), sucrose, and Evans blue. Wild‐type mouse astrocytes induced BBB properties in aortic endothelial cells following 3–4 weeks of co‐culturing. Thus, these endothelial cells restricted passage of K+ ions into the extracapillary space and selectively excluded hydrophilic molecules, such as 8‐SPT and 14C‐sucrose. GFAP−/− astrocytes failed to induce a significant restriction to the passage of potassium and hydrophilic drugs (sucrose, 8‐SPT), failed to induce transendothelial resistance values comparable to control co‐cultures, but were capable of inducing exclusion of Evans blue by endothelial cells. These results suggest that GFAP (and intermediate filaments) may play a role in the induction of BBB properties in non‐BBB endothelial cells. GLIA 22:390–400, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reactions of ozone with human skin lipids: Sources of carbonyls, dicarbonyls, and hydroxycarbonyls in indoor air

This study has used proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) for direct air analyses of volatile products resulting from the reactions of ozone with human skin lipids. An initial series of small-scale in vitro and in vivo experiments were followed by experiments conducted with human subjects in a simulated office. The latter were conducted using realistic ozone mixing ratios (≈15 ppb with occupants present). Detected products included mono- and bifunctional compounds that contain carbonyl, carboxyl, or α-hydroxy ketone groups. Among these, three previously unreported dicarbonyls have been identified, and two previously unreported α-hydroxy ketones have been tentatively identified. The compounds detected in this study (excepting acetone) have been overlooked in surveys of indoor pollutants, reflecting the limitations of the analytical methods routinely used to monitor indoor air. The results are fully consistent with the Criegee mechanism for ozone reacting with squalene, the single most abundant unsaturated constituent of skin lipids, and several unsaturated fatty acid moieties in their free or esterified forms. Quantitative product analysis confirms that squalene is the major scavenger of ozone at the interface between room air and the human envelope. Reactions between ozone and human skin lipids reduce the mixing ratio of ozone in indoor air, but concomitantly increase the mixing ratios of volatile products and, presumably, skin surface concentrations of less volatile products. Some of the volatile products, especially the dicarbonyls, may be respiratory irritants. Some of the less volatile products may be skin irritants.
Relationship between cyclic guanosine monophosphate accumulation and relaxation of canine trachealis induced by nitrovasodilators.

The role of cyclic GMP (cGMP) in mediating relaxation of canine trachealis produced by nitrovasodilators (NVDs), compounds that activate guanylate cyclase, was examined. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) produced a concentration-dependent relaxation of the canine trachealis that was accompanied by a concentration-related increase in cGMP content. In time course studies, relaxation of isolated trachealis strips induced by 30 microM SNP was paralleled by an increase in cGMP that reached a maximum of 18-fold above basal levels within 2 min. Zaprinast, an inhibitor of the cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase, potentiated both SNP-induced relaxation and cGMP accumulation. A cell-permeable analog of cGMP, 8-bromo-cGMP, mimicked the relaxant effects of SNP. Also assessed were the effects of methylene blue, an agent that inhibits soluble guanylate cyclase activity, and hemoglobin, an agent that competitively binds NO-containing compounds. In these experiments, tissues were pretreated with the above agents for 10 min, contracted with 1 or 3 microM methacholine, and then relaxed by the cumulative addition of SNP or two other NVDs, S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP) and glyceryl trinitrate (GTN). Tissues were flash-frozen after adding the final concentration of the various NVDs and assayed for cGMP. Methylene blue and hemoglobin suppressed both cGMP accumulation and relaxation in response to SNAP and GTN. in contrast, methylene blue and hemoglobin inhibited SNP-induced cGMP accumulation but, paradoxically, potentiated SNP-induced relaxation. The results of this study generally support a role for cGMP in NVD-induced relaxation of airway smooth muscle. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
On the Feasibility of Resolving the Organ Shortage

Debates concerning the feasibility of resolving the organ shortage from the potential pool of deceased donors have suffered from both conceptual and empirical problems. Conceptually, several authors mistakenly have viewed recipient waiting lists as a measure of the magnitude of the shortage. And empirically, the number of deaths that would qualify for potential organ donation has proven difficult to estimate. While the latter problem appears to have been substantially lessened by recent work, the former, definitional, problem remains. This paper offers the economically correct definition of a shortage and applies that definition to the new data on potential supply.
Comparative assessment of onabotulinumtoxinA and mirabegron for overactive bladder: an indirect treatment comparison

Context OnabotulinumtoxinA and mirabegron have recently gained marketing authorisation to treat symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB). Objective To evaluate the relative efficacy of mirabegron and onabotulinumtoxinA in patients with idiopathic OAB. Design Network meta-analysis. Data sources A search of 9 electronic databases, review documents, guidelines and websites. Methods Randomised trials comparing any licensed dose of onabotulinumtoxinA or mirabegron with each other, anticholinergic drugs or placebo were eligible (19 randomised trials were identified). 1 reviewer extracted data from the studies and a second reviewer checked the data. Candidate trials were assessed for similarity and networks were developed for each outcome. Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted using both fixed-effects and random-effects models. When there were differences in mean baseline values between mirabegron and onabotulinumtoxinA trials they were adjusted for using network meta-regression (NMR). Results No studies directly comparing onabotulinumtoxinA to mirabegron were identified. A network was created for each of the 7 outcomes, with 3–9 studies included in each individual network. The trials included in the networks were broadly similar. Patients in the onabotulinumtoxinA trials had more urinary incontinence and urgency episodes at baseline than patients in the mirabegron trials and these differences were adjusted for using NMR. Both onabotulinumtoxinA and mirabegron were more efficacious than placebo at reducing the frequency of urinary incontinence, urgency, urination and nocturia. OnabotulinumtoxinA was more efficacious than mirabegron (50 and 25 mg) in completely resolving daily episodes of urinary incontinence and urgency and in reducing the frequency of urinary incontinence, urgency and urination. NMR supported the results of the network meta-analysis. Conclusions In the absence of head-to-head trials comparing onabotulinumtoxinA to mirabegron, this indirect comparison indicates that onabotulinumtoxinA may be superior to mirabegron in improving symptoms of urinary incontinence, urgency and urinary frequency in patients with idiopathic OAB.
FAKTOR-FAKTOR YANG MEMPENGARUHI PRICE EARNING RATIO SAHAM PERUSAHAAN MANUFAKTUR

The purpose of this study was to see whether there is influence from the Sales Growth,, DER, ROE, ROI is positive and significant impact on the Price Earning Ratio manfaktur company listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange (BEI) as a sample study Sampling in this study using purposive sampling method with different study criteria. Number of study sample of 25 manufacturing companies that exist on the Stock Exchange in the period 2008-2010. The data in this study is secondary data from financial reports and stock prices obtained from the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) through the Indonesia Stock Exchange Statistics. This study used Price Earning Ratio is the dependent variable, whereas the independent variable is Sales Growth, DER, ROE, ROI. In this research, hypothesis testing is done by using a multiple linear regression statistical tests using SPSS version 17.0 computer program. The results showed sales growth variable has positive and significant impact on Price Earning Ratio, ROE and ROI and variable negative and significant effect on the Price Earning Ratio, while variable DER had no effect on Price Earning Ratio, sales growth simultaneously, DER, ROE.dan ROI positive effect on the Price Earning Ratio. Based on these results, then the Sales Growth, DER, ROE, ROI can be used as indicators (benchmarks) in conducting an assessment of the high-low Price Earnings Ratio at a manufacturing company and for making investment decisions.
Toward the rebirth of the Japanese economy and its corporate system

It is widely agreed that the Japanese economy has experienced the following three phases since the early 1970s: (1) ‘success’ from the oil crisis to the mid-1980s; (2) a ‘bubble economy’ from the mid-1980s through the early 1990s; and (3) ‘failure’ since the early 1990s. This article, however, suggests that the production system has remained ‘successful’ throughout the three phases, while the financial system has been a consistent ‘failure’. If we accept the conclusion that the true nature of the crisis facing Japan in the 1990s was a crisis of the financial system, and that the production system remained sound during that period, the prescription for curing the crisis is simple: reform of the financial system and maintenance of the production system. At the very least, the following four actions are crucial for the rebirth of the Japanese economy and its corporate system:skill-building in equity finance by both businesses and banks,overcoming the ‘investment suppression mechanism’ which came into effect after the oil crisis,shifting to an enterprise strategy combining product power with services in order to increase revenues, and building an economically rational international division of labor with East Asian economies and enterprises.
Product Quality and Firm Heterogeneity in International Trade (Qualité du produit et hétérogénéité des firmes dans le commerce international)

This paper quantifies the separate contributions of product quality and technical efficiency in explaining variation in export outcomes across US manufacturing plants. Unlike previous studies that rely on unit values, I estimate idiosyncratic demand from price and quantity information. I find substantial across-plant heterogeneity in demand, and consistent with the quality interpretation, demand is positively correlated with advertising expenditures, wage rates and material costs. I use this variation to explain across-plant heterogeneity in export outcomes. The results show that, in addition to productivity, idiosyncratic demand is an important determinant of selection into exporting and the levels of foreign sales.
Hyper-heuristic Evolution of Dispatching Rules: A Comparison of Rule Representations

Dispatching rules are frequently used for real-time, online scheduling in complex manufacturing systems. Design of such rules is usually done by experts in a time consuming trial-and-error process. Recently, evolutionary algorithms have been proposed to automate the design process. There are several possibilities to represent rules for this hyper-heuristic search. Because the representation determines the search neighborhood and the complexity of the rules that can be evolved, a suitable choice of representation is key for a successful evolutionary algorithm. In this paper we empirically compare three different representations, both numeric and symbolic, for automated rule design: A linear combination of attributes, a representation based on artificial neural networks, and a tree representation. Using appropriate evolutionary algorithms (CMA-ES for the neural network and linear representations, genetic programming for the tree representation), we empirically investigate the suitability of each representation in a dynamic stochastic job shop scenario. We also examine the robustness of the evolved dispatching rules against variations in the underlying job shop scenario, and visualize what the rules do, in order to get an intuitive understanding of their inner workings. Results indicate that the tree representation using an improved version of genetic programming gives the best results if many candidate rules can be evaluated, closely followed by the neural network representation that already leads to good results for small to moderate computational budgets. The linear representation is found to be competitive only for extremely small computational budgets.
Powered Wheelchair Skills Training for Persons with Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective The aims of this study were to test the hypothesis that people with stroke who receive formal powered wheelchair skills training improve their wheelchair skills to a significantly greater extent than participants in a control group who do not and to explore the influence of spatial neglect. Design Seventeen participants with stroke (including nine with spatial neglect) were randomly allocated to intervention (n = 9) or control (n = 8) groups. Those in the intervention group received up to five 30-min training sessions based on the Wheelchair Skills Training Program 4.1. The powered Wheelchair Skills Test version 4.1 was administered at baseline (T1) and after training (T2). Results A rank order analysis of covariance on the T2 Wheelchair Skills Test score, having adjusted for the T1 score, showed a significant effect caused by group (P = 0.0001). A secondary analysis showed no significant effect caused by spatial neglect (P = 0.923). Conclusions People with stroke who receive formal powered wheelchair skills training improve their powered wheelchair skills to a significantly greater extent (30%) than participants who do not (0%). The extent of change was not affected by the presence of spatial neglect. These findings have significance for the wheelchair provision process and the rehabilitation of people with stroke.
Does Environmental Investment Really Contribute to Firm Performance? An Empirical Analysis Using Japanese Firms

The purpose of our study is to investigate the effect of environmental investment on firm performance. It is believed that a firm can increase its economic performance by strengthening the trust of consumers and shareholders through environmental investment. Our study makes the following three contributions. First, we consider ex ante firm environmental protection efforts rather than ex post environmental performance. As far as we limit our discussion to posterior performance, we cannot consider whether a firm can improve its economic performance while it makes efforts for environmental protection. Second, we examine the effects of environmental investment both in the short term and in the long term. Although previous studies rarely consider the effects of environmental effort in the long term, there is no evidence to assume that environmental efforts have a static role in future performance. Moreover, there can be a time lag between the investment and the social recognition of firm effort. Third, we not only use observed environmental investment of large firms but also estimate the unobserved data of small and medium firms to generalize our discussion. Using an ordinary least squares (OLS) regression with a data set of 3,237 Japanese firms, we obtain the following results. First, in the short term, environmental investment does not affect firm performance significantly. Second, in the long term, environmental investment increases firm performance significantly. This suggests that there is a time lag between investment and firm valuation according to consumers and shareholders. However, this positive effect of environmental investment disappears in the next period.
Notes on the Theory of Duopoly

T | aHE very magnitude of the literature on the theory of duopoly may be interpreted as indirect evidence of the unsatisfactory state of this theory. Duopoly seems to present one of those problems concerning which everything sensible that can be said doubtless already has been said, and yet no single solution commands general agreement. It is the purpose of the present notes, not to increase the number of theories of duopoly, but rather to reappraise certain theories which have already been advanced. Duopoly will be defined, for present purposes, as the market situation in which there are two (or, more generally, few) independent producers who do not explicitly agree on a common policy with respect to output, price, advertising, wages, and all other variables subject to their control. From this definition it follows that duopoly is present as long as there is a single variable of policy concerning which the two duopolists do not have an explicit agreement. In most of the literature price and output are construed to be the only variables of policy, but this is an unnecessary restriction of the analysis. Why study duopoly? For under normal conditions it is easily demonstrated that approximately the maximum gain to each duopolist is attained when the two do collaborate and set a nearmonopoly price. The reply to this argument must necessarily be half-hearted: for once empirical evidence joins a priori considerations in suggesting that explicit agreement is a typical "solution" of duopoly relationships. As far as price policies are concerned, there are widespread indications that American duopolists evince a distaste for rivalry. Nevertheless, the theoretical duopoly problem is important. As has already been suggested, there are many variables in a
The CAPM is Alive and Well: A Review and Synthesis

Mean-Variance (M-V) analysis and the CAPM are derived in the expected utility framework. Behavioural Economists and Psychologists (BE&P) advocate that expected utility is invalid, suggesting Prospect Theory as a substitute paradigm. Moreover, they show that the M-V rule, which is the foundation of the CAPM, is not always consistent with peoples’ choices. Thus, BE&P cast doubt on the validity of expected utility paradigm and of the M-V rule, hence the CAPM is theoretically questionable. In addition, there is very little empirical support to the CAPM. We show in this study that the CAPM is theoretically valid even when one accepts the BE&P framework and even when expected utility is invalid. Moreover, within the BE&P framework there is a strong experimental support for the CAPM.
Identification and Developmental Expression of Inhibitor of Caspase-activated DNase (ICAD) in Drosophila melanogaster*

DNA fragmentation, a hallmark of apoptosis, is regulated by a specific nuclease called caspase-activated DNase (CAD) and its inhibitor (ICAD). When cell lysates from Drosophila S2 cells were chemically denatured and the denatured proteins were removed after dialysis, the supernatant inhibited Drosophila CAD (dCAD). To identify the inhibitor, we tested recombinant DREP-1, which was previously identified using the Drosophila EST data base and found it also inhibited dCAD DNase. An antibody against DREP-1 inhibited the ICAD activity in the S2 cell extracts, confirming the identification of DREP-1 as a Drosophila homolog of ICAD (dICAD). The recombinant DREP-1/dICAD was cleaved at a specific site by human caspase 3 as well as by extracts prepared from S2 cells undergoing apoptosis. Biochemical fractionation and immunoprecipitation of dICAD from S2 cell extracts indicated that dICAD is complexed with dCAD in proliferating cells. The expression of the caspase-resistant form of dICAD/DREP-1 in a Drosophila neuronal cell line prevented the apoptotic DNA fragmentation. Northern hybridization and the immunohistochemical analyses revealed that the expression of thedICAD gene is developmentally regulated.
What Do We Know about Heritage Languages? What Do We Need to Know about Them?.

Stephen Krashen is a professor emeritus with the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California. Heritage languages (HL) are language spoken by the children of immigrants or by those who immigrated to a country when young. The purpose of this article is to briefly review what is known about heritage language development over time and to identify some gaps in our knowledge. We will consider three aspects: how much HL speakers use their HLs, how well they know them, and the attitudes they have toward their HLs, focusing here on older children, adolescents, and adults.