Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Deleveraging Via Asset Sales: Agency Costs, Taxes, and Government Policies

Do equityholders of a financially distressed firm have an incentive to buy back debt to achieve a more sustainable leverage ratio and avoid costly bankruptcy? I develop a dynamic structural model incorporating a dynamic game to determine conditions under which a firm would voluntarily do so. It allows me to assess the impact of debt-overhang and asset substitution on the restructuring decision and the holdout problem. I find that as long as the total firm value increases through the debt repurchase, equityholders benefit from it, as well. In a dynamic setting, the debt overhang problem takes the form of too early restructuring. Taxes on cancellation of debt income and government subsidies to debtholders can destroy equityholders’ incentives; so does low liquidity in the market for the firm’s assets; an asset purchase program fosters them. Finally, via threatening not to tender, debtholders can appropriate a large share of the firm’s restructuring gains. However, they cannot stop equityholders from gambling for resurrection, which in turn gives equityholders bargaining power to prevent debtholders from holding out. JEL classification: G21, G28, G32, G33, G38, H81 1johann.reindl@bi.no. I would like to thank Engelbert Dockner, Dirk Hackbarth, Gyoengyi Lóránth, Neal Stoughton, Youchang Wu, and Josef Zechner for helpful discussions and comments.
Thermal biofeedback and the treatment of tinnitus

Thermal biofeedback and general relaxation procedures were employed to treat 32 patients with subjective tinnitus. Each patient received eight 1‐hour biofeedback sessions over an eight‐week period, while listening to standard Jacobsonian type relaxation tapes. Sixty‐five percent of the patients experienced a reduction of their symptoms. While none reported worsening of their symptoms, only two reported total symptom abatement. Findings suggest relaxation and peripheral vascular circulation arc inversely related to the intensity of tinnitus symptoms. The probability that an individual will benefit from biofeedback appears related to his/her ego strength (Es). No differences were noted between the performance of male and female patients. Although not fail‐safe, biofeedback and relaxation treatment are excellent management tools in the treatment of tinnitus.
The Hector Distributed Run-Time Environment

Harnessing the computational capabilities of a network of workstations promises to off-load work from overloaded supercomputers onto largely idle resources overnight. Several capabilities are needed to do this, including support for an architecture-independent parallel programming environment, task migration, automatic resource allocation, and fault tolerance. The Hector distributed run-time environment is designed to present these capabilities transparently to programmers. MPI programs can be run under this environment on homogeneous clusters with no modifications to their source code needed. The design of Hector, its internal structure, and several benchmarks and tests are presented.
The connexions of the striatum and globus pallidus: synthesis and speculation.

Recent findings on the afferent and efferent connexions of the striatum (the caudate nucleus and putamen) and globus pallidus have been summarized in an orderly sequence. The striatum receives afferent fibres from three main sources, the cerebral cortex, the intralaminar nuclei of the thalamus and the midbrain; the major features of each of these pathways are outlined. The striatum sends efferent fibres to the globus pallidus and the substantia nigra, and the two segments of the globus pallidus in turn project upon the subthalamic nucleus and upon the thalamus and midbrain tegmentum. Through the thalamus the major influence of the striopallidum is upon the motor area of the cerebral cortex, and it is suggested that through the midbrain tegmentum there may also be a descending influence upon the spinal cord. These findings from light microscopical investigations are synthesized with observations made in electron microscopic studies of the striatum and globus pallidus. On the basis of present knowledge of their structure and connexions attention is drawn to several marked similarities between these parts of the basal ganglia and the cerebellum.
Polymorphism analysis of the ABCA3 gene: association with neonatal respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants.

BACKGROUND Previous reports indicated that mutations in the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette transporter A3 (ABCA3) cause fatal respiratory failure in term infants, and common ABCA3 gene polymorphisms have been characterized at the population level in Caucasians. But the role of ABCA3 in relation to respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in newborns has not been evaluated within a Chinese population. The aim of this study was to analyze eight single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the ABCA3 gene, and to assess the ABCA3 gene as a candidate gene for susceptibility to RDS in newborns. METHODS Eight SNPs were selected and genotyped in 203 newborns. The data analysis and statistical tests were used for allele frequencies, haplotype and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium pairwise linkage disequilibrium measures. RESULTS There was a haplotype association with SNP rs313909 and SNP rs170447, but no haplotype association was observed among the newborns with and without RDS (P > 0.05). The minor allele frequency (G) of the coding SNP (cSNP) rs323043 (P585P) was significantly increased in preterm infants with RDS. CONCLUSION There is an association between a synonymous cSNP rs323043 and the development of RDS.
Recovering the Green's function from field-field correlations in an open scattering medium.

The possibility of recovering the Green’s function from the field-field correlations of coda waves in an open multiple scattering medium is investigated. The argument is based on fundamental symmetries of reciprocity, time-reversal invariance, and the Helmholtz–Kirchhoff theorem. A criterion is defined, indicating how sources should be placed inside an open medium in order to recover the Green’s function between two passive receivers. The case of noise sources is also discussed. Numerical experiments of ultrasonic wave propagation in a multiple scattering medium are presented to support the argument.The possibility of recovering the Green’s function from the field-field correlations of coda waves in an open multiple scattering medium is investigated. The argument is based on fundamental symmetries of reciprocity, time-reversal invariance, and the Helmholtz–Kirchhoff theorem. A criterion is defined, indicating how sources should be placed inside an open medium in order to recover the Green’s function between two passive receivers. The case of noise sources is also discussed. Numerical experiments of ultrasonic wave propagation in a multiple scattering medium are presented to support the argument.
Brain drain or OE? Characteristics of young New Zealanders who leave.

AIMS To characterise the emigration patterns of young New Zealanders. METHODS The 980 members of the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study participating in the "age-26" (1998-1999) assessment provided information about emigration behaviour, qualifications, aspects of physical and mental health and personality. RESULTS 26% of the sample had moved overseas to live between the ages of 18 and 26, with the United Kingdom and Australia being the most common destinations. Compared to non-emigrants, emigrants had higher IQ scores, were better qualified, leaner and fitter, and had happier and less stress-prone personalities. Based on their planned return date, 63% of emigrants were considered to be on their OE overseas experience (OE, return in <5 years), 18% were defined as brain-drain emigrants (return in >5 years or never) and 18% were uncertain about their return. Brain-drain emigrants were more likely than OE emigrants to leave for better work opportunities, and they were also more likely to go to Australia. However, there were no differences in terms of qualifications, intelligence and personality between OE and brain-drain emigrants. CONCLUSIONS Most young New Zealanders in this cohort who left for overseas were embarking on their OE. Brain-drain emigrants make up a sizeable minority of emigrants, but appear to possess no more skills than those who plan or choose to return.
Down‐regulation of cyclin E1 expression by microrna‐195 accounts for interferon‐β‐induced inhibition of hepatic stellate cell proliferation

Recent studies have suggested that interferons (IFNs) have an antifibrotic effect in the liver independent of their antiviral effect although its detailed mechanism remains largely unknown. Some microRNAs have been reported to regulate pathophysiological activities of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). We performed analyses of the antiproliferative effects of IFNs in HSCs with special regard to microRNA‐195 (miR‐195). We found that miR‐195 was prominently down‐regulated in the proliferative phase of primary‐cultured mouse HSCs. Supporting this fact, IFN‐β induced miR‐195 expression and inhibited the cell proliferation by delaying their G1 to S phase cell cycle progression in human HSC line LX‐2. IFN‐β down‐regulated cyclin E1 and up‐regulated p21 mRNA levels in LX‐2 cells. Luciferase reporter assay revealed the direct interaction of miR‐195 with the cyclin E1 3′UTR. Overexpression of miR‐195 lowered cyclin E1 mRNA and protein expression levels, increased p21 mRNA and protein expression levels, and inhibited cell proliferation in LX‐2 cells. Moreover miR‐195 inhibition restored cyclin E1 levels that were down‐regulated by IFN‐β. In conclusion, IFN‐β inhibited the proliferation of LX‐2 cells by delaying cell cycle progression in G1 to S phase, partially through the down‐regulation of cyclin E1 and up‐regulation of p21. IFN‐induced miR‐195 was involved in these processes. These observations reveal a new mechanistic aspect of the antifibrotic effect of IFNs in the liver. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 2535–2542, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression of Alternatively Spliced RNA Transcripts of Amelogenin Gene Exons 8 and 9 and Its End Products in the Rat Incisor

In addition to seven known exons of the amelogenin gene, recent studies have identified two exons downstream of amelogenin exon 7 in genomic DNA of mouse and rat. Here the spatial and temporal expression of mRNAs and of the translated proteins derived from alternative splicing of the amelogenin gene ending with exon 8 and exon 9 were examined by in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). RNA signals for exons 8 and 9 were expressed in the ameloblast layer extending from early presecretory to postsecretory transitional stages of amelogenesis. IHC of amelogenin proteins that include sequences encoded by these exons demonstrated identical localization of these proteins in the ameloblast layer corresponding to RNA signals identified by ISH. There was intense immunostaining of the enamel matrix secreted by these cells. Western blotting analysis of rat enamel proteins revealed three distinct protein bands with sequences encoded by the new exons. These data confirmed the existence of the transcripts of alternatively spliced mRNAs coding for exons 8 and 9 of the amelogenin gene in rat tooth germs and suggest that the translated proteins contribute to the heterogeneity of amelogenins and have some significant roles in enamel formation and mineralization.
Structural and Functional Basis for Lipid Synergy on the Activity of the Antibacterial Peptide ABC Transporter McjD*

The lipid bilayer is a dynamic environment that consists of a mixture of lipids with different properties that regulate the function of membrane proteins; these lipids are either annular, masking the protein hydrophobic surface, or specific lipids, essential for protein function. In this study, using tandem mass spectrometry, we have identified specific lipids associated with the Escherichia coli ABC transporter McjD, which translocates the antibacterial peptide MccJ25. Using non-denaturing mass spectrometry, we show that McjD in complex with MccJ25 survives the gas phase. Partial delipidation of McjD resulted in reduced ATPase activity and thermostability as shown by circular dichroism, both of which could be restored upon addition of defined E. coli lipids. We have resolved a phosphatidylglycerol lipid associated with McjD at 3.4 Å resolution, whereas molecular dynamic simulations carried out in different lipid environments assessed the binding of specific lipids to McjD. Combined, our data show a synergistic effect of zwitterionic and negatively charged lipids on the activity of McjD; the zwitterionic lipids provide structural stability to McjD, whereas the negatively charged lipids are essential for its function.
Differential impact of adherence on long-term treatment response among naive HIV-infected individuals

Objectives: To examine the long-term impact of adherence on virologic, immunologic, and dual response stratified by type of HAART regimen in treatment-naive patients starting HAART in British Columbia, Canada; and to assess the degree of virologic and immunologic response associated with emergence of drug resistance, progression to AIDS, and mortality. Methods: Eligible participants initiated HAART between 1 January 2000 and 30 November 2004, were followed until 30 November 2005, and had at least 2 years of follow-up. Virologic and immunologic responses were dichotomized at their median values. Virologic response was defined as at least 65% of follow-up time with plasma viral load (pVL) of less than 50 copies/ml. Immunologic response was defined as a CD4 cell count increase of at least 145 cells/μl. Adherence measures were based on prescription refill compliance. Proportional odds models and logistic regression were used to address our objectives. Results: The distribution of patient responses was 394 (44.9%) for CD4+/pVL+ (best), 350 (39.9%) for CD4−/pVL+ or CD4+/pVL− (incomplete), and 134 (15.3%) for CD4−/pVL− (worst). We found a positive correlation between adherence and virologic and immunologic responses (P < 0.01). Having worst compared with best response (reference group) was associated with higher odds of mortality (odds ratio: 6.09; 95% confidence interval: 2.57–14.42) and emergence of drug resistance (odds ratio: 10.56; 95% confidence interval: 5.93–18.81) even after adjusting for adherence and HAART regimen. Conclusion: Patients not attaining the best virologic and immunologic responses are at a high risk for emergence of drug resistance and mortality, and these responses are highly dependent on the adherence level and initial HAART regimen. Patients on protease inhibitor-single did worse no matter the adherence level.
Clinical studies of immunomodulatory activities of Yunzhi-Danshen in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a prevalent tumor in Hong Kong. The immune system of such patients could be adversely affected during the course of conventional chemotherapy or radiotherapy. We investigated the immunomodulatory effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Yunzhi-Danshen capsules in NPC patients treated with radiotherapy. DESIGN Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 16-week study. SETTING/LOCATION The Prince of Wales Hospital, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. SUBJECTS Twenty-seven (27) patients with histologically proven NPC, at least 18 years of age. METHODS Twenty-seven patients with histologically proven NPC were recruited to take Yunzhi (3.6 g daily) and Dangshem (1.4 g daily) in the form of 12 combination capsules (TCM group) or placebo (12 capsules) daily for 16 weeks, respectively. Flow cytometry was used to assess the percentages and absolute counts of human lymphocyte subsets in whole blood. Plasma concentration of soluble interleukin-2 receptor and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Ex vivo production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10 in the whole blood assay culture supernatant was measured by ELISA. RESULTS The decreases in percentage and absolute count of T lymphocytes in the TCM group were less than those in the placebo group after they took the capsules for 16 weeks (both p < 0.05). Furthermore, the decreases in absolute count of T suppressor cells plus cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and T helper cells in the TCM group were significantly lower than those in the placebo group after they took the capsules for 16 weeks (both p < 0.05). CONCLUSION These results suggest that Yunzhi-Danshen can exert an immunomodulating effect in alleviating lymphopenia during radiotherapy in NPC patients.
Biological properties of medicinal plants: a review of their antimicrobial activity

Plants have been used for thousands of years to flavor and conserve food, to treat health disorders and to prevent diseases including epidemics. The knowledge of their healing properties has been transmitted over the centuries within and among human communities. Active compounds produced during secondary vegetal metabolism are usually responsible for the biological properties of some plant species used throughout the globe for various purposes, including treatment of infectious diseases. Currently, data on the antimicrobial activity of numerous plants, so far considered empirical, have been scientifically confirmed, concomitantly with the increasing number of reports on pathogenic microorganisms resistant to antimicrobials. Products derived from plants may potentially control microbial growth in diverse situations and in the specific case of disease treatment, numerous studies have aimed to describe the chemical composition of these plant antimicrobials and the mechanisms involved in microbial growth inhibition, either separately or associated with conventional antimicrobials. Thus, in the present work, medicinal plants with emphasis on their antimicrobial properties are reviewed.
Informal Networks in the Italian Labor Market

In this paper I focus on the effect of informal networks on individuals’ job search and earnings. In the empirical analysis, conducted on data drawn from the 1991 and 1993 Bank of Italy Survey of Household Income and Wealth, I show that while seeking work through informal networks (referrals by friends, relatives, or acquaintances to potential employers) increases the probability of receiving job offers, it is also associated with lower earnings. In a regression of annual earnings on human capital variables and a dummy for whether the worker was hired via informal networks, the latter displays a negative and statistically significant coefficient. I consider two alternative explanations: unobserved low skills/ability and firms’ attributes. I find that while controlling for the latter halves the magnitude of the effect, it does not remove it entirely.
Fault detection and diagnosis for reaction wheels of satellite's attitude control system using a bank of Kalman filters

The main objective of this research is the development of an isolation and detection interacting multiple model (IMM) algorithm for partial (soft) or total (hard) reaction wheel failures in the spacecraft attitude control system (ACS). Based on different scenarios and assumptions we develop healthy models of the ACS under various operating conditions and construct faulty modes with respect to temperature changes, power supply line voltage changes, torque variations, and unexpected current variations in each motor axis windings of the reaction wheels. Once a fault mode is detected and isolated we will be able to develop in certain conditions the recovery procedure through feedback control strategies for the ACS.
MDM2 oncogene, E3 ubiquitin protein ligase T309G polymorphism and risk of oesophageal or gastric cancer: Meta-analysis of 15 studies

Objective To investigate the association between potentially functional MDM2 oncogene, E3 ubiquitin protein ligase (MDM2) T309G polymorphism and susceptibility to oesophageal or gastric cancer. Methods Two investigators independently searched the PubMed and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases for studies published before September 2013. Results Pooled results showed that the variant homozygous 309GG genotype (versus TT) was significantly associated with increased risk of both oesophageal (odds ratio [OR] 0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.65, 0.90) and gastric cancer (OR 0.52; 95% CI 0.38, 0.72). Subgroup analysis revealed a 309GG-associated increased risk for both cancer types in Asian populations, particularly among Chinese and Japanese ethnicity. When stratified for Helicobacter pylori infection and histological type of gastric cancer, the 309GG-related risk was higher in H. pylori-positive patients (T versus G: OR 0.37; 95% CI 0.22, 0.63) and the association was stronger with intestinal (TT + TG versus GG: OR 0.68; 95% CI 0.54, 0.87) rather than diffuse gastric-cancer type. Conclusions The MDM2 T309G polymorphism may be significantly associated with increased susceptibility to oesophageal or gastric cancer, particularly among Eastern Asian populations.
Expression of Activation and Costimulatory Elements by Human Intestinal Intraepithelial Lymphocytes

It is unclear whether human intestinal intraepithelial T lymphocytes (iIEL) are resting or activated cells. To address this question, an improved isolation procedure was developed for small bowel iIEL, which were analysed by two‐colour flow cytometry and compared with resting and mitogen‐activated peripheral blood lymphocytes. iIEL expression of CD44 isoforms, Bcl‐2 and Ki67 antigen was also determined in tissue sections. iIEL expressed CD69 at levels comparable with 48–72 h phytohaemagglutinin blasts, but did not express CD25 or CD95. iIEL were Bcl‐2+ but not Ki67+. αEβ7 and α4B7 expression was relatively high, whereas αLβ2, CD5 and CD28 were expressed at low density. Isolated iIEL expressed CD44 (core epitopes) at lower levels than peripheral blood lymphocytes, although almost all CD44 contained splice variant 6 (CD44v6). Peripheral blood lymphocytes expressed CD44 at very high density, but little CD44v6, even after activation. However, in tissue sections, iIEL showed differential labelling with CD44 core epitope antibodies and no detectable CD44v6, implying CD44 receptor occupancy or epitope masking in situ. Thus, normal iIEL express a quasi‐activated phenotype with unusual patterns of adhesion receptors, which may act as costimulatory elements. These may permit iIEL to assume effector functions, with absence of CD25 preventing entry into the cell cycle, thereby maintaining an apoptosis‐resistant phenotype.
Oral administration of Agaricus blazei (H1 strain) inhibited tumor growth in a sarcoma 180 inoculation model.

Agaricus blazei (H1 strain) was tested for its anticancer activity using a sarcoma 180 (S180) inoculation model and the changing patterns of splenocyte subsets were examined. Its hot-water extract was administered orally to ICR and KSN nude mice that were inoculated with S180. The growth of S180 was significantly inhibited in A.blazei treated groups. Pan T cells significantly increased in all treated groups compared to controls, even in KSN nude mice. Splenocyte subset changes were slightly different between ICR and KSN nude mice. This S180 inoculation model proved to be effective in screening the antitumor effect of basidiomycetes and allowed comparisons of immunological cellular changes between the mouse strains.