Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clearance of Mucus from Endotracheal Tubes during Intratracheal Pulmonary Ventilation

Background: Intratracheal pulmonary ventilation (ITPV) is a form of tracheal gas insufflation in which all gas emerges in a cephalad direction from the tip of a reverse‐thrust catheter positioned within an endotracheal tube. In vitro experiments have shown that this rapid gas flow, with 5 ml/h of normal saline added to the gas flow, continuously removes tracheal secretions from within the endotracheal tube. The authors evaluated its effectiveness to remove mucus in long‐term studies in sheep. Methods: Fourteen healthy sheep were tracheally intubated and ventilated for 3 days with ITPV or with volume‐controlled ventilation. Measurements were made of the total amount of secretions within the endotracheal tubes (weight gain), the protein content within the endotracheal tubes, and the increase in resistance to constant air flow. The structure of the airways was examined grossly and histologically. Three additional sheep were ventilated for 24 h with ITPV, and Evans Blue dye was added to the saline to assess the distribution of the infused saline. Results: There was significantly less mucus in endotracheal tubes of sheep ventilated with ITPV than with conventional ventilation, as shown by minimal weight gain (0.70 +/‐ 0.14 g vs. 2.44 +/‐ 0.81 g; P < 0.001), lower protein content (14.09 +/‐ 10.79 mg vs. 294.99 +/‐ 153.06 mg; P <0.001), and lower resistance to constant air flow (6.15 +/‐ 0.54 cm H2 O [center dot] l sup ‐1 [center dot] s sup ‐1 vs. 15.34 +/‐ 5.28 cm H2 O [center dot] l sup ‐1 [center dot] s sup ‐1; P < 0.001). Results of gross and histological examinations of the tracheas of animals in both groups were similar, and the tracheas were well preserved. More than 95% of the instilled saline was recovered during ITPV. Only traces of Evans Blue dye were found near the tip of the endotracheal tubes. Conclusion: Intratracheal pulmonary ventilation makes it possible to keep the endotracheal tubes of sheep ventilated for 3 days free of mucus without suctioning.
The Proto-MHC of Placozoans, a Region Specialized in Cellular Stress and Ubiquitination/Proteasome Pathways

The MHC is a large genetic region controlling Ag processing and recognition by T lymphocytes in vertebrates. Approximately 40% of its genes are implicated in innate or adaptive immunity. A putative proto-MHC exists in the chordate amphioxus and in the fruit fly, indicating that a core MHC region predated the emergence of the adaptive immune system in vertebrates. In this study, we identify a putative proto-MHC with archetypal markers in the most basal branch of Metazoans—the placozoan Trichoplax adhaerens, indicating that the proto-MHC is much older than previously believed—and present in the common ancestor of bilaterians (contains vertebrates) and placozoans. Our evidence for a T. adhaerens proto-MHC was based on macrosynteny and phylogenetic analyses revealing approximately one third of the multiple marker sets within the human MHC-related paralogy groups have unique counterparts in T. adhaerens, consistent with two successive whole genome duplications during early vertebrate evolution. A genetic ontologic analysis of the proto-MHC markers in T. adhaerens was consistent with its involvement in defense, showing proteins implicated in antiviral immunity, stress response, and ubiquitination/proteasome pathway. Proteasome genes psma, psmb, and psmd are present, whereas the typical markers of adaptive immunity, such as MHC class I and II, are absent. Our results suggest that the proto-MHC was involved in intracellular intrinsic immunity and provide insight into the primordial architecture and functional landscape of this region that later in evolution became associated with numerous genes critical for adaptive immunity in vertebrates.
Linking real activity and financial markets: the first steps towards a small estimated model for Canada

Another weakness of most models that purport to describe the transmission mechanism is their failure to pass the simple test of generating a different steady state rate of inflation in response to a series of monetary policy actions. Such models with an unique steady state rate of inflation are very difficult to reconcile with the unit root test results found in the empirical literature. One goal of this paper is to identify permanent shocks causing inflation to reach a new steady state rate of growth. A second goal is to model equilibrium values of financial variables through their long-run relationships with real variables in a tractable macroeconomic model.
Twin vs. singleton pregnancy. Clinical characteristics and latency periods in preterm premature rupture of membranes.

OBJECTIVE To compare the clinical characteristics and latency periods (latencies) of preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM) in twin vs. singleton pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN Between January 1986 and December 1996, data on all women with singleton and twin gestations complicated by PPROM were reviewed. Perinatal morbidity, mortality and latencies between singleton and twin pregnancies were compared. A further division according to PPROM at < 30 and > or = 30 weeks' gestation was made in both groups. Their latencies were compared. RESULTS A total of 131 singleton and 48 twin pregnancies with PPROM between 20 and 36 weeks' gestation were included in this series. Regardless of the gestational age at PPROM, the mean latencies of singleton and twin pregnancies were statistically similar (4.4 +/- 3.3 vs. 3.4 +/- 2.9 days, nonsignificant). When PPROM occurred at > or = 30 weeks, the latency of twin pregnancies was shorter than that of singleton pregnancies (2.5 +/- 1.9 vs. 3.7 +/- 2.6 days, P < .05). In both groups, the latencies of PPROM at < 30 weeks were longer than that at > or = 30 weeks (singleton, 5.6 +/- 4.0 vs. 3.7 +/- 2.6 days, P < .005; twin, 4.8 +/- 3.5 vs. 2.5 +/- 1.9 days, P < .05). We also observed a higher percentage of deliveries within the initial 48 hours in twin pregnancies: 50% of women delivered within 48 hours after PPROM and 91.7% within 7 days. In contrast, 26.7% and 85.5% of singleton pregnancies with PPROM were delivered within 48 hours and 7 days, respectively. Perinatal and neonatal outcomes in both groups were similar. CONCLUSION This investigation provides the basis for patient counseling and management in twin pregnancies with PPROM. In general, singleton and twin pregnancies with PPROM had similar latencies. Latency in PPROM at < 30 was longer than that of PPROM at > or = 30 weeks' gestation in both singleton and twin pregnancies. When PPROM occurred at < 30 weeks' gestation, both groups appeared to have similar latencies. In pregnancies with PPROM at > or = 30 weeks' gestation, latency in twins was shorter than in singleton pregnancies. In twin pregnancies with PPROM after 30 weeks' gestation, prompt steroid administration for fetal lung maturity should be considered.
Going Private Buyouts and Shareholder Wealth Gains: Impact of Bankruptcy Risk

Using a sample of 236 UK companies that went from public to private (PTP) company status during 1997 to 2005 and a control sample of similar firms not going private, we study, with logistic regression methodology, the impact of bankruptcy risk measured by their default probability, estimated using stock market data and option pricing models, on the going private decision. We also examine value gains to existing shareholders of target companies of PTP transactions. Fama-French 3 factor event study approach is used to estimate the abnormal returns around the announcement period. We find that going private companies have significantly higher default probability. They also have fewer growth opportunities, lower stock market valuation, poorer operating performance and larger pre-PTP management holding. These companies are usually small in size, suffer stock market neglect and are undervalued. Weak corporate governance factors increase the chances of going private. We report a cumulative abnormal return (CAR) of 15% for a 7 day announcement period for firms subject to going private. These returns are higher for target firms faced with higher bankruptcy risk suggesting a strong turnaround motivation for the PTP deal. Private equity firms sponsoring PTPs generate higher shareholder value gains when they acquire firms with poorer growth record, higher risk of bankruptcy and larger free cash flow suggesting they are not deterred by the risk of financial distress but consider it a value creating opportunity. High bankruptcy risk at going private increases the chance the target will end up in receivership.
Software and database for the analysis of mutations in the VHL gene

VHL is a tumor suppressor gene localized on chromosome 3p25-26. Mutations of the VHL gene were described at first in the heritable von Hippel-Lindau disease and in the sporadic Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC). More recently, VHL has also been shown to harbor mutations in mesothelioma and small cell lung carcinoma. To date more than 500 mutations have been identified. These mutations are mainly private with only one hot spot at codon 167 associated with pheochromocytoma. The germline mutations are essentially missense while somatic mutations include deletions, insertions and nonsense. To standardize the collection of these informations, facilitate the mutational analysis of the VHL gene and promote the genotype-phenotype analysis, a software package along with a computerized database have been created. The current database and the analysis software are accessible via the internet and world wide web interface at the URL:http://www.umd. necker.fr
Double-Agents and Trace-Deletion in Agrammatism

The Trace-Deletion Hypothesis (henceforth TDH; Grodzinsky 1986, 1995) states that syntactic traces are deleted in agrammatism and that whenever a trace is deleted, a default strategy is activated. The default strategy assigns the role of Agent to the first NP. In structures where a second NP receives the Agent role syntactically, the consequence is that the agrammatic representation contains two conflicting Agents for the same action. This is the mechanism that induces guessing and the random performance on comprehension tests that has often been observed for passives and certain other structures. In this paper, we isolate the default strategy of the TDH, using a sentence-picture matching task in which one of the pictures matches the meaning arrived at by the default strategy. Our results show that an agrammatic representation does not involve double-Agents, and thus the default strategy (and therefore the TDH) is refuted.
Akt/Protein Kinase B and Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β Signaling Pathway Regulates Cell Migration through the NFAT1 Transcription Factor

The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway regulates a multitude of cellular processes. Deregulation of PI3K signaling is often observed in human cancers. A major effector of PI3K is Akt/protein kinase B (PKB). Recent studies have pointed to distinct roles of Akt/PKB isoforms in cancer cell signaling. Studies have shown that Akt1 (PKBα) can attenuate breast cancer cell motility, whereas Akt2 (PKBβ) enhances this phenotype. Here, we have evaluated the mechanism by which Akt1 blocks the migration of breast cancer cells through the transcription factor NFAT. A major effector of Akt/PKB is glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), also a NFAT kinase. Inhibition of GSK-3β using short hairpin RNA or a selective inhibitor potently blocks breast cancer cell migration concomitant with a reduction in NFAT activity. GSK-3β-mediated inhibition of NFAT activity is due to proteasomal degradation. Experiments using GSK-3β mutants, which are unresponsive to Akt/PKB, reveal that inhibition of cell migration by Akt/PKB is mediated by GSK-3β. These effects are recapitulated at the levels of NFAT degradation by the proteasome. Our studies show that activation of Akt/PKB leads to inactivation of the effector GSK-3β and the outcome of this signaling event is degradation of NFAT by the proteasome and subsequent inhibition of cell migration. (Mol Cancer Res 2009;7(3):425–32)
Dialogue games as dialogue models for interacting with, and via, computers

The purpose of this paper is to discuss some ways in which dialectical models can be put to computational use. In particular, we consider means of facilitating human-computer debate, means of catering for a wider range of dialogue types than purely debate and means of providing dialectical support for group dialogues. We also suggest how the computational use of dialectical theories may help to illuminate research issues in the field of dialectic itself.
Olig2 Overexpression Induces the In Vitro Differentiation of Neural Stem Cells into Mature Oligodendrocytes

Differentiation induction of neural stem cells (NSCs) into oligodendrocytes during embryogenesis is the result of a complex interaction between local induction factors and intracellular transcription factors. At the early stage of differentiation, in particular, the helix‐loop‐helix transcription factors Olig1 and Olig2 have been shown to be essential for oligodendrocyte lineage determination. In view of the possible application of NSCs as a source for remyelinating cell transplants in demyelinating diseases (e.g., multiple sclerosis), in vitro procedures need to be developed to drive the oligodendrocyte differentiation process. Mere culture in medium supplemented with major embryonic oligodendrogenic induction factors, such as Sonic hedgehog, results in oligodendrocyte differentiation of only about 10% of NSCs. We previously showed that induction of Olig1 expression by gene transfection could indeed initiate the first stage of oligodendrocyte differentiation in NSCs, but appeared to be unable to generate fully mature, functional oligodendrocytes. In this study, we transfected NSCs isolated from the embryonic mouse brain with the Olig2 gene and found that the introduced overexpression of Olig2 could induce the development of fully mature oligodendrocytes expressing the transcription factor Nkx2.2 and all major myelin‐specific proteins. Moreover, Olig2‐transfected NSCs, in contrast to nontransfected NSCs, developed into actively remyelinating oligodendrocytes after transplantation into the corpus callo‐sum of long‐term cuprizonefed mice, an animal model for demyelination. Our results show that transfection of genes encoding for oligodendrogenic transcription factors can be an efficient way to induce the differentiation of NSCs into functional oligodendrocytes.
Subprime mortgage models

Introduction Literature Review Subprime Residential Mortgage Loans Appendix to Chapter 2: Subprime Interest Rates Securitization of Subrime Residential Mortgage Loans Appendixes to Chapter 3 Subprime Risks Appendixes to Chapter 4 Subprime Bank Bailouts Appendixes to Chapter 5 Basel Capital Regulation & the Subprime Mortgage Crisis Appendixes to Chapter 6 Conclusions & Future Directions Index
Familial Effects in Schizophrenia and Homosexuality*

This paper begins by reviewing the problem of determining whether there is a genetic factor in schizophrenia and homosexuality by considering the problem explaining the resulting apparently stationary polymorphisms. By analysing unpublished data on homosexuals it is concluded that the latter can not be explained by a genetic factor. The implications of the observed increases in parental age and parental loss in these diseases are then discussed, together with their implications for the genetic hypotheses.
ResXplorer: Revealing relations between resources for researchers in the Web of Data

Recent developments on sharing research results and ideas on the Web, such as research collaboration platforms like Mendeley or ResearchGate, enable novel ways to explore research information. Current search interfaces in this field focus mostly on narrowing down the search scope through faceted search, keyword matching, or filtering. The interactive visual aspect and the focus on exploring relationships between items in the results has not sufficiently been addressed before. To facilitate this exploration, we developed ResXplorer, a search interface that interactively visualizes linked data of research-related sources. By visualizing resources such as conferences, publications and proceedings, we reveal relationships between researchers and those resources. We evaluate our search interface by measuring how it affects the search productivity of targeted lean users. Furthermore, expert users reviewed its information retrieval potential and compared it against both popular academic search engines and highly specialized academic search interfaces. The results indicate how well lean users perceive the system and expert users rate it for its main goal: revealing relationships between resources for researchers.
Phylogenetic study of Grimmia (Grimmiaceae) based on plastid DNA sequences (trnL-trnF and rps4) and on morphological characters

Abstract This work investigates the phylogenetic relationships within Grimmia Hedw. using 33 species of Grimmia and ten outgroup species from the Funariidae and the Dicranidae using a combination of two molecular markers and 52 morphological and anatomical characters. Plastid (trnL-trnF and rps4) DNA sequences were used to reconstruct the molecular phylogeny of Grimmia. The 33 chosen Grimmia species represented the majority of those found in Europe and Asia. An analysis using rps4 and trnL-trnF with six outgroup species supported the monophyly of the Grimmiaceae. The combined analysis of both plastid markers and morphological characters also resolved the Grimmiaceae as monophyletic. The results indicate that Grimmia, as currently defined, is paraphyletic. Two main clades were present, one that contained the species traditionally placed in the subgenus Rhabdogrimmia Limpr. and one that contained the remaining Grimmia species.
Physiological States of Individual Salmonella typhimurium Cells Monitored by In Situ Reverse Transcription-PCR

ABSTRACT The possibility of using levels of specific mRNAs in individual bacteria as indicators of single-cell physiology was investigated. Estimates of the numbers of groEL and tsf mRNAs per cell in Salmonella typhimurium cells in different physiological states were obtained by Northern analysis. The average number of groEL mRNAs per cell was estimated to be 22 in fast-growing cultures and 197 in heat-shocked cultures. The average number of tsf mRNAs per cell was estimated to be 37 in fast-growing cultures, 4 in slow-growing cultures, and 0 in nongrowing cultures. The potential of mRNA-targeted in situ reverse transcription (RT)-PCR to monitor quantitatively different levels ofgroEL and tsf mRNA in individual cells and thus monitor both specific gene induction and general growth activity was assessed. Neither groEL nor tsfmRNA was present in stationary-phase cells, but it was shown that stationary-phase cells contain other RNA species at high levels, which may provide a possibility for monitoring directly stationary-phase individual cells by the use of in situ RT-PCR. The outcome of the in situ RT-PCR analyses indicated that a population of fast-growing cells is heterogeneous with respect togroEL mRNA single-cell contents, suggesting a cell-cycle-controlled expression of groEL in S. typhimurium, whereas a fast-growing culture is homogeneous with respect to tsf mRNA single-cell contents, suggesting that the level of tsf mRNA is relatively constant during the cell cycle.
Another Look at the Performance of Actively Managed Equity Mutual Funds

In this study we evaluate the performance of actively managed equity mutual funds against a set of passively managed index funds. We find that the return spread between the best performing actively managed funds and a factor-mimicking portfolio of passive funds is positive and as large as 3 to 5 percent per annum. Our findings are inconsistent with the view that active funds have little or no incremental economic value over low-cost index funds.
Health Informatics: an Overview

This paper provides an overview of the range and development of health informatics, with examples from the literature world wide covering the types of information involved, the areas of application, the impact of evidence based medicine and other professional issues, integrated information systems, and the needs of the public, patients and their carers. While medical informatics certainly comprises a major part of health informatics it is not the main focus of this paper. Medical informatics is the older term and involves the use of information technology and computing specifically for medical science research, and the diagnosis and treatment of disease involving, for example, X‐rays, imaging, resonance, and magnetic scanning techniques. Rather, the scope of this review is the literature relating to the wider concept of the management of information through the interdisciplinary application of information science and technology for the benefit of patients, scientists, managers, staff, and carers involved in the whole range of healthcare activity.
Mechanical effects on skeletal growth.

The growth (i.e. increase of external dimensions) of long bones and vertebrae occurs longitudinally by endochondral ossification at the growth plates, and radially by apposition of bone at the periosteum. It is thought that mechanical loading influences the rate of longitudinal growth. The 'Hueter-Volkmann Law' proposes that growth is retarded by increased mechanical compression, and accelerated by reduced loading in comparison with normal values. The present understanding of this mechanism of bone growth modulation comes from a combination of clinical observation (where altered loading and growth is implicated in some skeletal deformities) and animal experiments in which growth plates of growing animals have been loaded. The gross effect of growth modulation has been demonstrated qualitatively and semi-quantitatively. Sustained compression of physiological magnitude inhibits growth by 40% or more. Distraction increases growth rate by a much smaller amount. Experimental studies are underway to determine how data from animal studies can be scaled to other growth plates. Variables include: differing sizes of growth plate, different anatomical locations, different species and variable growth rate at different stages of skeletal maturity. The two major determinants of longitudinal growth are the rate of chondrocytic proliferation and the amount of chondrocytic enlargement (hypertrophy) in the growth direction. It is largely unknown what are the relative changes in these key variables in mechanically modulated growth, and what are the signaling pathways that produce these changes.
Influence of certain soybean antinutritional factors supplemented to a casein-based semipurified diet on intestinal and liver morphology in fingerling rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss

To investigate the cause of morphological changes occurring in the liver and intestine of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss fed defatted soybean meal (SBM)-based non-fish meal diets, morphological observations were conducted on fish fed casein-based semipurified diets supplemented with soybean antinutritional factors (soya saponin, soya isoflavone, soya lectin, oligosaccharide, Ca-phytate and their mixture). Hepatocytes and the epithelial cells in the hepatic ducts were not atrophied in any of the treatments. Lack of microvilli and pinocytotic vacuoles, and fatty degeneration of the epithelial cells were observed in the distal intestine of fish fed diets containing soya saponin. The proliferation of connective tissue in the mucosal folds and submucosa was shown in the distal intestine of fish fed the diet containing all substances including lectin. These results suggest that both saponin and lectin are the responsible factors in SBM for the occurrence of morphological changes of the distal intestine in rainbow trout fed SBM-based diets.