Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Artificial Trachea and Long Term follow-up in Carinal Reconstruction in Dogs

We have already reported “del” successful carinal reconstruction of the trachea with an observation period of 1 – 2 years. In this study, we evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of the reconstruction after 5-years of follow-up. The Y-shaped Marlex® mesh tube was reinforced with a polypropylene spiral and coated with atelocollagen made from porcine skin. The prosthesis was 60 mm long with an outer diameter of 18 mm. Replacement of the tracheobronchial bifurcation was preformed through a right thoracotomy in a beagle dog. Bronchoscopical examination and sampling of the tracheal epithelium was performed periodically to check the function of cilia. The implanted prothesis was promptly infiltrated by the surrounding connective tissue and completely incorporated by the host trachea and bronchus. Bronchoscopically, sufficient epithelization was confirmed from the upper to the lower site of anastomosis. After 5 years neither stenosis nor dehiscence was observed. In spite of there being mesh-exposure at the luminal surface, the dog had no clinical symptoms until sacrifice for pathological examination. The bent frequency of the cilia was maintained within the normal range, indicating “del” functional recovery of the regenerating airway. Our tracheal prosthesis is promising for clinical “del” repair of the tracheobronchial bifurcation.
The C282Y mutation of the HFE gene is not found in Chinese haemochromatotic patients: multicentre retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE To detect two novel mutations (C282Y and H63D) of the HFE gene in Chinese patients with hepatic iron overload. DESIGN Multicentre retrospective study. SETTING Four public hospitals, Hong Kong. PARTICIPANTS Fifty Chinese patients who presented from January 1987 through December 1999 with hepatic iron overload from various causes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The DNA from liver biopsy samples was tested for HFE mutations by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. RESULTS The sample DNA quality was unsatisfactory for analysis of the C282Y mutation in one case and the H63D mutation in nine cases. The C282Y mutation was not detected in any of the 49 satisfactory samples. Three of the 41 samples were heterozygous for the H63D mutation and only one was homozygous, giving an allele frequency of 6.1%. Of the three H63D-heterozygotes, one had beta-thalassaemia major, one had beta-thalassaemia minor, and one had hereditary spherocytosis. None of the 12 patients who were presumed to have primary haemochromatosis were positive for either mutation. CONCLUSIONS The classical form of human leukocyte antigen-linked hereditary haemochromatosis appears to be absent form this locality. The H63D mutation is found in a minority (9.8%) of the patients, in whom it may act synergistically with an erythropoietic factor.
Feline Infectious Peritonitis Viruses Arise by Mutation from Endemic Feline Enteric Coronaviruses

Abstract Feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) strains from six cats and three different geographic areas were compared genetically with feline enteric coronavirus (FECV) isolates obtained from cats inhabiting the same environments. Sequence comparisons were made from 1.2- to 8.9-kb segments on the 3′ end of the genome. FECV/FIPV pairs from the same catteries or shelters were 97.3–99.5% related but were genetically distinct from FIPV and FECV strains obtained from cats living in geographically distinct environments. The high genetic similarity between FECVs and FIPVs from the same environment strongly suggested a common ancestry. Based on the presence of deletion mutations in the FIPVs and not in the FECVs, it was concluded that FIPVs evolved as mutants of FECVs. The mutations are deletions in the FIPVs and not insertions in the FECVs since similar sequences are present in other strains that have segregated earlier from a common ancestor. Therefore, the order of descent is from FECV to FIPV. Mutations unique to FIPVs were found in open reading frames (ORFs) 3c in 4 of 6 isolates and/or 7b in 3 of 6 isolates. When the study was extended to include 7 additional FIPV isolates, 11/13 of the FIPVs sequenced were found to have mutated 3c ORFs.
Factorial Aerobic Scope Is Independent of Temperature and Primarily Modulated by Heart Rate in Exercising Murray Cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii)

Several previous reports, often from studies utilising heavily instrumented animals, have indicated that for teleosts, the increase in cardiac output (V̇b) during exercise is mainly the result of an increase in cardiac stroke volume (VS) rather than in heart rate (fH). More recently, this contention has been questioned following studies on animals carrying less instrumentation, though the debate continues. In an attempt to shed more light on the situation, we examined the heart rates and oxygen consumption rates (Ṁo2; normalised to a mass of 1 kg, given as Ṁo2 kg) of six Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii; mean mass ± SE = 1.81 ± 0.14 kg) equipped with implanted fH and body temperature data loggers. Data were determined during exposure to varying temperatures and swimming speeds to encompass the majority of the biological scope of this species. An increase in body temperature (Tb) from 14°C to 29°C resulted in linear increases in Ṁo2 kg (26.67–41.78 μmol min−1 kg−1) and fH (22.3–60.8 beats min−1) during routine exercise but a decrease in the oxygen pulse (the amount of oxygen extracted per heartbeat; 1.28–0.74 μmol beat−1 kg−1). During maximum exercise, the factorial increase in Ṁo2 kg was calculated to be 3.7 at all temperatures and was the result of temperature‐independent 2.2‐ and 1.7‐fold increases in fH and oxygen pulse, respectively. The constant factorial increases in fH and oxygen pulse suggest that the cardiovascular variables of the Murray cod have temperature‐independent maximum gains that contribute to maximal oxygen transport during exercise. At the expense of a larger factorial aerobic scope at an optimal temperature, as has been reported for species of salmon and trout, it is possible that the Murray cod has evolved a lower, but temperature‐independent, factorial aerobic scope as an adaptation to the largely fluctuating and unpredictable thermal climate of southeastern Australia.
Theoretical Kinetics Investigation of Xenon Dielectric Barrier Discharge for Excimer Lamp

This paper presents a homogeneous study of xenon dielectric barrier discharge (DBD). The model, including plasma chemistry, electrical circuit, and Boltzmann equation modules, investigates the electrical and physical characteristics of high-pressure DBDs. The model is applied in the case of a sinusoidal voltage at period frequency of 50 kHz and gas pressure of 400 torr. First, we have analyzed the temporal evolutions of the plasma voltage, the current density and the species concentrations. Then, the physical model validity is checked by comparing the model results with a theoretical work. The effect of the kinetic scheme on the electrical parameters, the species concentration, and the total lamp efficiency are also investigated and discussed.
Characterization of Banana (Musa spp.) Pseudo-Stem and Fruit-Bunch-Stem as a Potential Renewable Energy Resource

— Banana pseudo-stem and fruit-bunch-stem are agricultural residues that can be used for conversion to bio-char, bio-oil, and gases by using thermochemical process. The aim of this work is to characterize banana pseudo-stem and banana fruit-bunch-stem through proximate analysis, elemental analysis, chemical analysis, thermo-gravimetric analysis, and heating calorific value. The ash contents of the banana pseudo-stem and banana fruit-bunch-stem are 11.0 mf wt. % and 20.6 mf wt. %; while the carbon content of banana pseudo-stem and fruit-bunch-stem are 37.9 mf wt. % and 35.58 mf wt. % respectively. The molecular formulas for banana stem and banana fruit-bunch-stem are C 24 H 33 NO 26 and C 19 H 29 NO 33 respectively. The measured higher heating values of banana pseudo-stem and banana fruit-bunch-stem are 15.5MJ/kg and 12.7 MJ/kg respectively. By chemical analysis, the lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose contents in the samples will also be presented. The feasibility of the banana wastes to be a feedstock for thermochemical process in comparison with other biomass will be discussed in this paper.
World Development Indicators 2010

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Decreased biventricular longitudinal strain shortly after congenital heart defect surgery

Impaired ventricular performance in patients who underwent surgery for congenital heart defect (CHD) may ultimately result in clinical heart failure. It is therefore important to regularly evaluate the left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) performance. We evaluated tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) before and after surgical correction of a CHD.
Couples' and Singles' Savings after Retirement

We model the saving problem of retired couples and singles facing uncertain longevity and medical expenses in presence of means-tested social insurance. Households can save to self-insure against uncertain longevity and medical expenses, and to leave bequests. Individuals in a couple can be altruistic towards their spouse and other heirs and split bequests optimally. Single people can care about leaving bequests to children and others. Using AHEAD data, we first estimate the model and we then evaluate the relative importance of the various savings motives and the risk exposure of couples’ versus singles.
Casting Metal Nanowires Within Discrete Self-Assembled Peptide Nanotubes

Tubular nanostructures are suggested to have a wide range of applications in nanotechnology. We report our observation of the self-assembly of a very short peptide, the Alzheimer's β-amyloid diphenylalanine structural motif, into discrete and stiff nanotubes. Reduction of ionic silver within the nanotubes, followed by enzymatic degradation of the peptide backbone, resulted in the production of discrete nanowires with a long persistence length. The same dipeptide building block, made of D-phenylalanine, resulted in the production of enzymatically stable nanotubes.
Individual Characteristics, Contextual Factors and Entrepreneurial Behavior

markdownabstractThis thesis is concerned with entrepreneurship in general, and innovative entrepreneurship in particular. It contributes to three main developments in the field of entrepreneurship: sub-groups of entrepreneurs, the role of start-up motivations and the role of contextual factors in shaping entrepreneurial behavior. This thesis is concerned with the entrepreneurial entry of individuals with different labor market statuses (Chapter 2) and the conditions that determine whether someone is involved in one type of entrepreneurial activity instead of another (i.e., innovation versus imitation) (Chapters 3, 4 and 5). Overall, this thesis contributes to a better understanding of determinants of entrepreneurial entry and innovative entrepreneurship at various levels of analysis.
Mucosal Flora in Crohn ́ s diseases and ulcerative colitis

Until the late 19 century, microbes were the major cause of death in humans. Ironically, the infectious nature of most diseases was not recognized. There was little treatment available and was mostly focused on strengthening the general immunity. This changed with the identification of pathogens by Pasteur and Koch. The knowledge about microbial infections quickly expanded and reduced dramatically the impact of pathogens on humanity. However these advances referred exclusively to mono-infections. The situation in medicine stayed unchanged for polymicrobial diseases. A polymicrobial involvement is suspected in caries, pharyngo-tonsillitis, vaginosis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colon cancer; Research data on coronary heart disease, stroke and autoimmune diseases suggest that pathogens trigger the illness, however positive proof and understanding of causality are lacking. The current medical strategies for handling of these diseases are therefore directed toward managing symptoms, conditioning immunity, and the search for the genetic background.
Intravenous Iron in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Possible Prognostic Factors

venous injections in these cases, it would -be useful if they could be easily recognized. Useless and perhaps awkward therapy could thus be avoided and blood transfusion given at once if, for example, orthopaedic procedures were imminent. To try to discover factors of possible prognostic value, the results of a variety of observations upon patients who received intravenous iron have been assembled, but
Knowledge Management and Business Performance: Mediating Effect of Innovation

The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating effect of innovation in the relationship between knowledge management and business performance of SMEs in Rwanda. A cross-sectional survey and quantitative methodological approach were used to collect data used to carry out mediation test. The study results revealed that innovation had a positive effect on business performance. However, there was no direct effect of knowledge management on business performance, except through the full mediation of innovation. This implies that without innovation, Rwandan SMEs may not achieve an improved business performance. This study contributes to existing body of knowledge management on the improvement of business performance of SMEs through innovation. The results could help business owners to make use of the available knowledge resources by transforming them into new products, new processes and new markets to boost their business performance. This study used a cross sectional research design and was limited to investigate the effect of knowledge management and innovation on business performance. Future researchers could employ a longitudinal method to investigate any possibility for variations in the results. Qualitative studies could equally be used to supplement the quantitative findings. Lastly, this study focused on manufacturing SMEs only. Future research might focus on other types of businesses.
Neonatal Hair Analysis Contribution to Establishing a Gestational Drug Exposure Profile and Predicting a Withdrawal Syndrome

&NA; Recently, interest in hair analysis in such fields as drug abuse, driving, or for clinical purposes (determination of drug‐exposed neonates especially) has grown because of the highly sensitive method of detection (GC‐MS) that can now be applied. Neonates born to drug‐addicted mothers can suffer from neonatal withdrawal syndrome (NWS), which requires morphine treatment in its severe forms. To assess and measure toxicologic factors predicting the appearance and the severity of this syndrome, matrices such as urine, meconium, and hair are necessary. Cannabinoids, opiates, cocaine (and its metabolites), and methadone in particular were determined in the various matrices collected in 17 mother/neonate pairs. An immunologic screening method was used, and quantification was achieved with GC‐MS. In spite of some bias (color, length, race) that might hinder an accurate interpretation, the results of hair analysis makes it possible to confirm a fetal drug exposure and to reinforce the diagnosis of the NWS observed, particularly when results obtained in other matrices are negative. Hair analysis contributes to our ability to predict a NWS.
Does culture influence the implementation of Enterprise Risk Management

The primary purpose of this study is to investigate if culture influences a firm’s decision to implement enterprise risk management (ERM). It will examine which factors influence this decision on a worldwide level, how ERM implementation varies across countries and to what extent these differences are influenced by cultural dimensions. The study is based on 380 firm observations from 19 countries. ERM implementation is examined with a keyword search on annual reports and culture is measured with Hofstede’s dimensions power distance, uncertainty avoidance and individualism. This study supports that culture has an influence on ERM implementation which shows that culture has to be taken into account when analysing and comparing ERM implementation across countries. Furthermore, this worldwide sample allows to compare ERM variation between the observed countries and it shows that influences which have been examined on a country-level can also be found on a worldwide-level. (Less)
Value relevance of IFRS and the effect of the financial crisis : evidence from European financial firms

This thesis investigates the value relevance of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the effect of the financial crisis on European financial firms. The empirical work is divided into two parts. The first part examines the impact of mandatory IFRS adoption and of the financial crisis on the value relevance of accounting information. For a sample of financial firms listed in the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland over 1998-2012, the results indicate that the combined value relevance of book value of equity and earnings has increased following mandatory IFRS adoption in 2005, thereby supporting the view that IFRS adoption improves the quality of accounting information. In addition, the findings suggest that the value relevance of book value of equity increases while that of earnings decreases as the financial crisis evolves. Moreover, during the crisis period the value relevance of equity book value appears greater for firms operating in countries with weak institutional environment as well as for firms with weak corporate governance mechanisms. The results are consistent for the whole sample of financial firms and a sub-sample of banks. The second empirical part of this thesis evaluates the value relevance of fair value hierarchy under IFRS 7 that requires firms to classify fair value measurements into three levels based on the valuation inputs. Using a sample of listed financial firms in the EEA and Switzerland over 2009-2012, the results show that the value relevance of level 1 and level 2 fair values is greater than the value relevance of fair values at level 3, although the difference is significant only for level 1. Furthermore, the evidence suggests that the value relevance of level 3 fair values is lower for firms domiciled in countries characterised by a weak institutional environment and for firms with weak corporate governance mechanisms.
3-MA Inhibits Autophagy and Favors Long-Term Integration of Grafted Gad67–GFP GABAergic Precursors in the Developing Neocortex by Preventing Apoptosis

In human neonates, immature GABAergic interneurons are markedly affected by an excitotoxic insult. While in adults the interest of cell transplantation has been demonstrated in several neurological disorders, few data are available regarding the immature brain. The low survival rate constitutes a strong limitation in the capacity of transplanted neurons to integrate the host tissue. Because i) autophagy is an adaptive process to energetic/nutrient deprivation essential for cell survival and ii) literature describes cross-talks between autophagy and apoptosis, we hypothesized that regulation of autophagy would represent an original strategy to favor long-term survival of GABAergic precursors grafted in the immature neocortex. Morphological, neurochemical, and functional data showed that in control conditions, few grafted Gad67-GFP precursors survived. The first hours following transplantation were a critical period with intense apoptosis. Experiments performed on E15.5 ganglionic eminences revealed that Gad67-GFP precursors were highly sensitive to autophagy. Rapamycin and 3-MA impacted on LC3 cleavage, LC3II translocation, and autophagosome formation. Quantification of Bax, mitochondrial integrity, caspase-3 cleavage, and caspase-3 immunolocalization and activity showed that 3-MA induced a significant decrease of Gad67-GFP precursor apoptosis. In vivo, 3-MA induced, within the first 24 h, a diffuse LC3 pattern of grafted Gad67-GFP precursors, an increase of precursors with neurites, a reduction of the density of caspase-3 immunoreactive cells. A twofold increase in the survival rate occurred 15 days after the graft. Surviving neurons were localized in the cortical layers II–IV, which were still immature when the transplantation was done. Altogether, these data indicate that inhibition of autophagy represents an original strategy to allow GABAergic interneurons to overpass the first critical hours following transplantation and to increase their long-term survival in mice neonates.
A new organism resembling P. tularensis isolated from water.

THE DEMONSTRATION of the presence of Pasteurella tularensis in ponids, rivers, anid streamiis in northwestern United States (1) promiipted continued study on the distributioni of P. tulareensis in such waters, especially where there have been reports of epizootics in a(qtuatic mamiimals. During the course of the studies, an organism, attpparently not described in the literature, was detected in a water sample obtained fromn Utah. The purpose of this paper is to describe this organism, for which we propose the name Pasteurella novicida sp. niov. In correspondence and in the exchange of cultures, this organism lhas been referred to as Utah 112.
Early extubation following coronary artery bypass surgery: a prospective randomized controlled trial. The Fast Track Cardiac Care Team.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To determine the safety of early extubation (EE) after coronary artery surgery. DESIGN Prospective randomized controlled trial. SETTING The cardiac surgery operating room and ICU of a university-affiliated teaching hospital. PATIENTS One hundred eligible patients presenting for elective coronary artery surgery. INTERVENTIONS Patients randomized to the EE group were administered a reduced dose of fentanyl (15 microg/kg) and an anesthetic compatible with EE, while patients randomized to the conventional extubation (CE) group were given fentanyl (50 microg/kg). MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS The time to extubation in the EE group (median, 240 min; range, 30 to 930 min) was significantly less than the CE group (median, 420 min; range, 125 to 1,140 min) (p<0.01). Twenty patients were withdrawn from the study according to protocol guidelines. There were no cases of reintubation or complications attributable to EE. CONCLUSIONS By using an appropriate anesthetic technique and postoperative management, EE can be achieved following coronary artery bypass surgery without major complications.
Why Do Borrowers Pledge Collateral? New Empirical Evidence on the Role of Asymmetric Information

An important theoretical literature motivates collateral as a mechanism that mitigates adverse selection, credit rationing, and other inefficiencies that arise when borrowers hold ex ante private information. There is no clear empirical evidence regarding the central implication of this literature—that a reduction in asymmetric information reduces the incidence of collateral. We exploit exogenous variation in lender information related to the adoption of an information technology that reduces ex ante private information, and compare collateral outcomes before and after adoption. Our results are consistent with this central implication of the private-information models and support the empirical importance of this theory.