Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Olympic Games as a News Shock

The awarding of the Olympic Games to a certain city or the announcement of a city’s Olympic bid may be considered as a news shock that affects agents’ market expectations. A news shock implies potential impacts on the dynamic adjustment process that change not only the volatility but also the long-run steady-state levels of endogenous economic variables. In this study, we contribute to and extend previous researchers’ attempts to empirically test for the Olympic Games as a news shock by implementing full structural models and by matching Olympic hosts and bidders to structurally similar countries.
A planar PDMS micropump using in-contact minimized-leakage check valves

We present a micropump with a simple planar design featuring compliant in-contact check valves in a single layer, which allows for a simple structure and easy system integration. The micropump, based on poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), primarily consists of a pneumatically driven thin membrane, a pump chamber, and two in-plane check valves. The pair of check valves is based on an in-contact flap–stopper configuration and is able to minimize leakage flow, greatly enhancing the reliability and performance of the micropump. Systematic experimental characterization of the micropump has been performed in terms of the frequency response of the pumping flow rate with respect to factors including device geometry (e.g. chamber height) and operating parameters (e.g. pneumatic driving pressure and backpressure). The results demonstrate that this micropump is capable of reliably generating a maximum flow rate of 41 µL min−1 and operating against a high backpressure of up to 25 kPa. In addition, a lumped-parameter theoretical model for the planar micropump is also developed for accurate analysis of the device behavior. These results demonstrate the capability of this micropump for diverse applications in lab-on-a-chip systems.
Epitope‐specific CD4+, but not CD8+, T‐cell responses induced by recombinant influenza A viruses protect against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection

Tuberculosis remains a global health problem, in part due to failure of the currently available vaccine, BCG, to protect adults against pulmonary forms of the disease. We explored the impact of pulmonary delivery of recombinant influenza A viruses (rIAVs) on the induction of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis)‐specific CD4+ and CD8+ T‐cell responses and the resultant protection against M. tuberculosis infection in C57BL/6 mice. Intranasal infection with rIAVs expressing a CD4+ T‐cell epitope from the Ag85B protein (PR8.p25) or CD8+ T‐cell epitope from the TB10.4 protein (PR8.TB10.4) generated strong T‐cell responses to the M. tuberculosis‐specific epitopes in the lung that persisted long after the rIAVs were cleared. Infection with PR8.p25 conferred protection against subsequent M. tuberculosis challenge in the lung, and this was associated with increased levels of poly‐functional CD4+ T cells at the time of challenge. By contrast, infection with PR8.TB10.4 did not induce protection despite the presence of IFN‐γ‐producing M. tuberculosis‐specific CD8+ T cells in the lung at the time of challenge and during infection. Therefore, the induction of pulmonary M. tuberculosis epitope‐specific CD4+, but not CD8+ T cells, is essential for protection against acute M. tuberculosis infection in the lung.
Fast-track programmes for hepatopancreatic resections: where do we stand?

BACKGROUND Fast-track (FT) programmes represent a series of multimodal concepts that may reduce surgical stress and speed up convalescence after surgery. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate FT programmes for patients undergoing hepatopancreatic surgery. METHODS PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library databases were searched for studies of FT vs. conventional recovery strategies for liver and pancreatic resections. RESULTS For liver surgery, three cohort studies were included. Primary hospital stay was significantly reduced after FT care in two of the three studies. There were no significant differences in rates of readmission, morbidity and mortality. For pancreatic surgery, three cohort studies and one case-control study were included. Primary hospital stay was significantly shorter after FT care in three out of the four studies. One study reported a significantly decreased readmission rate (7% vs. 25%; P= 0.027), and another study showed lower morbidity (47.2% vs. 58.7%; P < 0.01) in favour of the FT group. There was no difference in mortality between the FT and control groups. CONCLUSIONS FT rehabilitation for liver and pancreatic surgical patients is feasible. Future investigation should focus on optimizing individual elements of the FT programme within the context of liver and pancreatic surgery.
Microvessel density as a prognostic marker for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the prognostic significance of mean vascular density (MVD) in a variety of transitional cell carcinomas (TCC) obtained by biopsy and cystectomy, and thus determine the importance of vascular density as a prognostic indicator for vesical TCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS Tumour vasculature was visualized using factor VIII immunohistochemistry. The MVDs of tumours from 42 cystectomy specimens were correlated with patient survival over a maximum follow-up of 156 months. The results were also compared with those obtained from initial bladder biopsy in a subset of 29 patients. RESULTS Twenty-five patients had died over a mean follow-up of 32 months. The MVDs from cystectomy specimens ranged from 29 to 229 vessels per medium-power field (0.94 mm2) while that for biopsies before cystectomy ranged from 51 to 155 vessels. The MVD for both cystectomy and biopsy specimens showed a significant association with survival, but this was absent in a multivariate analysis that included tumour stage and grade, and there was a poor correlation between the MVD of cystectomy- and biopsy-derived tumours. CONCLUSION The assessment of tumour vascularity appears to be of little clinical importance for vesical TCC.
Involvement of peripheral cyclooxygenase‐1 and cyclooxygenase‐2 in inflammatory pain

Pain‐induced functional impairment in the rat (PIFIR) is a model of inflammatory and arthritic pain similar to that of clinical gout. Nociception is induced by the intra‐articular injection of uric acid into the right hind limb, inducing its dysfunction. Animals then receive analgesic drugs and the recovery of functionality over time is assessed as an expression of antinociception. We have examined the role of peripheral prostaglandins synthesized by cyclooxygenase‐1 (COX‐1) and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) in inflammatory pain using the PIFIR model. Rofecoxib (a selective COX‐2 inhibitor) and SC‐560 (a selective COX‐1 inhibitor) both produced dose‐dependent effects. When the inhibitors were administered before uric acid, they showed similar potency, but the antinociceptive efficacy of SC‐560 was lower than rofecoxib; the best antinociceptive effects were obtained with the dose of 100 μ g/articulation of each inhibitor (pre‐treatment). In post‐treatment (inhibitors administered after the uric acid), rofecoxib showed the least antinociceptive effect and SC‐560 was more potentthan rofecoxib. The inhibition of both COX‐1 and COX‐2 produced a more profound analgesic effect than the inhibition of either COX‐1 or COX‐2 alone. The present data support the idea that both COX isoforms contribute to the development and maintenance of local inflammatory nociception. Thus, it could be expected that inhibition of both COX‐1 and COX‐2 is required for non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAID)‐induced antinociception in the rat. These findings suggest that the therapeutic effects of NSAIDs may involve, at least in part, inhibition of COX‐1 and COX‐2.
Virgin olive oil volatile compounds from lipoxygenase pathway and characterization of some italian cultivars.

Fruits from seven different varieties of Olea europaea L. , grown in the same environmental conditions, were harvested in two succeeding years at the same ripening degree and immediately processed. The oils obtained were submitted to gas chromatographic determination of the volatile compounds extracted by dynamic headspace technique. The results demonstrated that the accumulation of the different metabolites in the oils obtained from the various cultivars were strictly connected with the varietal parameter because of the enzyme differences genetically determined. This feature made possible the differentiation of the examined cultivars on the basis of the percent of each metabolite from the enzymatic transformation of 13-hydroperoxides of linolenic acid. Oils from Picual and Koroneiki varieties cultivated in Spain and Greece, respectively, showed contents of volatiles very similar to those detected in the oils of the same varieties cultivated in Italy, proving that they were not significantly influenced by the environmental conditions.
Reproductive toxicity screen of trifluoroiodomethane (CF(3)I) in Sprague-Dawley rats.

CF(3)I is being considered by the U.S. Air Force as a replacement for Halon 1301 for fire-extinguishing requirements in unoccupied spaces. The purpose of this study was to determine and evaluate the potential for CF(3)I to produce reproductive toxicity and to provide additional information on the effect of CF(3)I exposure on the thyroid. Groups of 16 male and 16 female rats were exposed (6 h/day) to CF(3)I vapor at concentrations of 0 (control), 0.2, 0.7, and 2.0% using whole-body inhalation chambers. Prior to mating, rats were exposed to CF(3)I for 4 wk (5 days/wk). Exposures were 7 days/wk during the periods of mating (2 wk), gestation (3 wk), and lactation (3 wk). First-generation pups were not exposed to CF(3)I vapor. In parental animals, there were no clinical signs of toxicity except for a minimal decrease in mean body weight in female rats at 2.0% CF(3)I. At necropsy, gross findings, mean serum chemistry levels, mean hematology values, mean bone marrow micronuclei scores, and mean organ weights were similar for all exposure groups, including the air control group. Statistically significant differences did not show a pattern and/or were considered incidental. There were no treatment-related microscopic tissue findings, including the thyroid organ. Analysis of reproductive indices and parameters indicates CF(3)I is not a reproductive toxicant. Results of serum thyroid hormone levels (e.g., T(3), T(4), rT(3), and TSH), showed concentration-related increases in TSH, T(4), and rT(3). T(3) levels were decreased. First-generation pup survival and mean body weights were similar in all exposure groups, including the control. Exposure of 2.0% CF(3)I vapor for approximately 14 wk produced minimal general toxicity and no reproductive toxicity in Sprague-Dawley rats. On the basis of reproductive indices and parameters, the NOAEL for this study is 2.0% CF(3)I.
Why regulate private firm disclosure and auditing?

Private firms face differing financial disclosure and auditing regulations around the world. In the US and Canada, for example, private firms are generally neither required to disclose their financial results nor have their financial statements audited. By contrast, many firms with limited liability in most other countries are required to file at least some financial information publicly and are also required to have their financial statements audited. This paper discusses and analyzes the reasons for differential financial reporting regulation of private firms. We first discuss various definitions of a private firm. Next, we examine theoretical arguments for regulating the financial reporting of these firms, particularly related to public disclosure and auditing. We then provide new survey-based evidence of firms’ and standard setters’ views of regulation. We conclude by identifying future research opportunities.
uPAR regulates pericellular proteolysis through a mechanism involving integrins and fMLF-receptors

Summary The expression of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR) can be regulated by several hormones, cytokines, and tumour promoters. uPAR is a glycosyl-phosphatidyl inositol (GPI)- linked cell-surface protein; however, it is capable to transduce signals inside the cell by interacting with other cell-surface proteins, such as integrins and G-protein coupled (GPC) receptors. We previously reported that uPAR cell-surface expression can be positively regulated by its ligand, uPA, independently of its proteolytic activity. We now demonstrate that uPAR overexpression induces or increases uPA secretion both in uPAR-negative and in uPAR-expressing cells. Accordingly, uPAR depletion impairs uPA expression in cells which constitutively express both uPA and its receptor. uPAR exerts its regulatory effect through the activation of the ERK mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), whereas the p-38 MAPK is not involved. Overexpression of truncated forms of uPAR, lacking the N-terminal domain (DI) and not able to interact with membrane co-receptors, failed to increase uPA expression. Inhibition of uPAR-integrin interaction by the specific P-25 peptide, as well as Gi-protein inhibition by cholera pertussin toxin or depletion of the GPC receptors for fMLF (fMLF-Rs) also impaired uPAR capability to regulate uPA expression. These findings demonstrate that uPAR, whose expression is regulated by uPA, can, in turn, regulate uPA expression through a mechanism involving its functional interaction with integrins and fMLF-Rs.
Evaluation of an enzyme immunoassay system for measuring herpes simplex virus (HSV) Type 1‐specific and HSV Type 2‐specific IgG antibodies

MRL Diagnostics has developed a dual enzyme immunoassay (EIA) system that employs the recombinant Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) type‐specific glycoproteins G1 (HSV1) and G2 (HSV2) to detect HSV type‐specific IgG antibodies. This system was evaluated using 155 consecutive sera previously tested in a conventional dual EIA system (Zeus) that employs multiple HSV1 and HSV2 proteins to detect type‐common as well as type‐specific antibodies. Sera were also analyzed by Western blot to determine the true HSV type‐specific IgG reactivity pattern. Of 110 sera giving concordant reactivity patterns in the MRL and Zeus EIA systems, 108 (98%) also displayed concordant Western blot patterns; two sera gave false positive HSV2 reactivity in both EIA systems. Of 45 sera giving discordant MRL and Zeus EIA reactivity patterns, 41 (91%) displayed a Western blot reactivity pattern that matched the MRL reactivity pattern. Both the HSV1 IgG component and the HSV2 IgG component of the MRL EIA system were 100% sensitive and > 95% specific. In contrast, the Zeus HSV1 IgG EIA was 98% sensitive and 79% specific, and the Zeus HSV2 IgG EIA was 85% sensitive and 79% specific. An analysis of the distribution of index values in the MRL EIA system showed that low‐positive values (1.0–3.0) were rare, but, when detected, often represented false positive results; only 11 MRL low‐positive results were observed, but all 6 MRL false positive results were found within this low‐positive subgroup. These findings show that the MRL dual EIA system effectively detects HSV type‐specific IgG antibodies. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 14:13–16, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Morphogenetic and regulatory effects of mutations in the envelope proteins of an avian hepadnavirus

The envelope gene of the avian hepadnavirus, duck hepatitis B virus, was mutated in order to dissect the functions of the two major envelope proteins pre-S/S and S. Both envelope proteins were found to be required for virus particle assembly and secretion. The placement of stop codons after each of the first three AUG codons in the pre-S region allowed efficient translational initiation at downstream AUG codons to produce novel N-terminally truncated pre-S/S proteins. These proteins could substitute for pre-S/S protein in the production of enveloped virus production, but not in the production infectious virus. A mutant defective in myristylation of the pre-S/S protein produced reduced amounts of enveloped virus, and this virus was not infectious. Mutants defective in the pre-S/S protein accumulated high levels of covalently closed circular viral DNA (cccDNA) compared with the wild type or with a mutant defective in only the S protein. Hyperamplification of cccDNA resulted in high levels of viral RNA, consistent with the proposed role of cccDNA as the transcriptional template. Myristylation of the pre-S/S protein was not required for control of cccDNA amplification, and mutants that produced N-terminally truncated pre-S/S proteins displayed higher levels of cccDNA. We concluded that the pre-S/S protein, but not the S protein, is required for control of cccDNA amplification and persistent infection.
Reduction of handoff search phase time in IEEE 802.11 WLAN to fulfill real time services requirements

The performance of passive and active scanning is analyzed for wireless LAN, during handoff search phase based on the IEEE 802.11b standard. The performance analysis indicates that the active scanning method is faster and works well if the number of mobile stations is less than 15. Active scanning can reduce the search phase time to 55% compared to that of passive scanning, for 10 mobile stations in a cell. The timer MinChannelTime of active scanning is set to 1 ms and the MaxChannelTime timer is set according to the number of mobile stations allowed in the WLAN cell. We propose a technique in which a WLAN cell is aware of the number of mobile stations in the surrounding WLAN cells and their associated used channels. In this way, the number of scanned channels can be reduced dramatically and a mobile station can switch to passive or active scanning and modify the active scanning MaxChannelTime parameter accordingly. Using this technique the search phase time can be reduced to below 50 ms for a WLAN cell with 10 mobile stations.
Foam: a multiphase system with many facets

Liquid foams are an extreme case of multiphase flow systems: capable of flow despite a very high dispersed phase volume fraction, yet exhibiting many characteristics of not only viscoelastic materials but also elastic solids. The non-trivial, well-defined geometry of foam bubbles is at the heart of a plethora of dynamical processes on widely varying length and time scales. We highlight recent developments in foam drainage (liquid dynamics) and foam rheology (flow of the entire gas–liquid system), emphasizing that many poorly understood features of other materials have precisely defined and quantifiable analogues in aqueous foams, where the only ingredients are well-known material parameters of Newtonian fluids and bubble geometry, together with subtle but important information on the surface mobility of the foam. Not only does this make foams an ideal model system for the theorist, but also an exciting object for experimental studies, in which dynamical processes span length scales from nanometres (thin films) to metres (foam continuum flows) and time scales from microseconds (film rupture) to minutes (foam rheology).
Involvement of Stress Kinase Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Kinase 7 in Regulation of Mammalian Circadian Clock*

Background: MKK7 is a kinase involved in the cellular stress response. Results: MKK7 regulates circadian gene expression and the stability of an essential circadian component in unstressed mammalian cells. Conclusion: MKK7 functions as a circadian clock regulator. Significance: Our identification of role of MKK7 in the circadian clock provides insight into the importance of stress-responsive molecules in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. The stress kinase mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 7 (MKK7) is a specific activator of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), which controls various physiological processes, such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, and migration. Here we show that genetic inactivation of MKK7 resulted in an extended period of oscillation in circadian gene expression in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Exogenous expression in cultured mammalian cells of an MKK7-JNK fusion protein that functions as a constitutively active form of JNK induced phosphorylation of PER2, an essential circadian component. Furthermore, JNK interacted with PER2 at both the exogenous and endogenous levels, and MKK7-mediated JNK activation increased the half-life of PER2 protein by inhibiting its ubiquitination. Notably, the PER2 protein stabilization induced by MKK7-JNK fusion protein reduced the degradation of PER2 induced by casein kinase 1ϵ. Taken together, our results support a novel function for the stress kinase MKK7 as a regulator of the circadian clock in mammalian cells at steady state.
Association between Marginal Bone Loss around Osseointegrated Mandibular Implants and Smoking Habits: A 10-year Follow-up Study

While many factors are conceivable, occlusal loading and plaque-induced inflammation are frequently stated as the most important ones negatively affecting the prognosis of oral implants. Currently, little is known about the relative importance of such factors. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of smoking and other possibly relevant factors on bone loss around mandibular implants. The participants were 45 edentulous patients, 21 smokers and 24 non-smokers, who were followed for a 10-year period after treatment with a fixed implant-supported prosthesis in the mandible. The peri-implant bone level was measured on intraoral radiographs, information about smoking habits was based on a careful interview, and oral hygiene was evaluated from clinical registration of plaque accumulation. Besides standard statistical methods, multiple linear regression models were constructed for estimation of the relative influence of some factors on peri-implant bone loss. The long-term results of the implant treatment were good, and only three implants (1%) were lost. The mean marginal bone loss around the mandibular implants was very small, about 1 mm for the entire 10-year period. It was greater in smokers than in non-smokers and correlated to the amount of cigarette consumption. Smokers with poor oral hygiene showed greater marginal bone loss around the mandibular implants than those with good oral hygiene. Oral hygiene did not significantly affect bone loss in non-smokers. Multivariate analyses showed that smoking was the most important factor among those analyzed for association with peri-implant bone loss. The separate models for smokers and non-smokers revealed that oral hygiene had a greater impact on peri-implant bone loss among smokers than among non-smokers. This study showed that smoking was the most important factor affecting the rate of peri-implant bone loss, and that oral hygiene also had an influence, especially in smokers, while other factors, e.g., those associated with occlusal loading, were of minor importance. These results indicate that smoking habits should be included in analyses of implant survival and peri-implant bone loss.