Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Goals for the resuscitation of shock

ObjectiveTo remind practitioners of the conventional goals of resuscitation of overt hypotensive or uncompensated shock (“ABC,” for airway, breathing, and circulation) and to introduce additional goals, represented by successive letters of the alphabet, to aid clinicians in recognizing the persistence of compensated shock in the splanchnic organs and in achieving more complete resuscitation by eliminating inadequate tissue perfusion in these organs. Data SourcesReview and analysis of current medical literature on shock and organ failure, combined with the author's prior research and expertise in the areas of tissue oxygenation and tonometric monitoring in the critically ill. ConclusionsIn traumatic and septic shock, multiple system organ failure is associated with a persistent state of compensated shock in which hypotension and oliguria are corrected, but in which inadequate perfusion persists in the splanchnic organs and especially in the mucosal lining of the gut. The additional goals recommended include “D” for increasing the delivery of oxygen to levels that meet the metabolic demand by all tissues in the body, especially those tissues within the splanchnic circulation, and “E” for ensuring extraction and utilization of oxygen by the tissues. Future needs for goals that address reperfusion injury, translocation of bacterial toxins, and the release of toxic mediators are also considered. (Crit Care Med 1993; 21:S25-S31)
Bringing the Artificial Pancreas Home: Telemedicine Aspects

The design and implementation of telemedicine systems able to support the Artificial Pancreas need careful choices to cope with technological requirements while preserving performance and decision support capabilities. This article addresses the issue of designing a general architecture for the telemedicine components of an Artificial Pancreas and illustrates a viable solution that is able to deal with different use cases and is amenable to support mobile-health implementations. The goal is to enforce interoperability among the components of the architecture and guarantee maximum flexibility for the ensuing implementations. Thus, the design stresses modularity and separation of concerns along with adoption of clearly defined protocols for interconnecting the necessary components. This accounts for the implementation of integrated telemedicine systems suitable as short-term monitoring devices for supporting validation of closed-loop algorithms as well as devices meant to provide a lifelong tighter control on the patient state once the Artificial Pancreas has become the preferred treatment for patients with diabetes.
Anomalies in Estimates of Cross-Price Elasticities for Marketing Mix Models: Theory and Empirical Test

We investigate the theoretical possibility and empirical regularity of two troublesome anomalies that frequently arise when cross-price elasticities are estimated for a set of brands expected to be substitutes. These anomalies are the occurrence of: (a) negatively signed cross-elasticities; and (b) sign asymmetries in pairs of cross price elasticities. Drawing upon the Slutsky equation from neoclassical demand theory, we show how and why these anomalies may occur when cross elasticities are estimated for pairs of brands that are substitutes. We empirically examine these issues in the context of the widely used Multiplicative Competitive Interaction (MCI) and Multinomial Logit (MNL) specifications of the fully extended attraction models (Cooper and Nakanishi 1988). Utilizing a database of store-level scanner data for 25 categories and 127 brands of frequently purchased branded consumer goods, we find that about 18% of a total of 732 cross elasticity estimates are negative and approximately 40% of the 366 pairs of cross elasticities are sign asymmetric. Finally, we find that the occurrence of negatively signed cross elasticities can be partially explained by a set of hypothesized relationships between cross-price elasticities and brand share and elasticities of income and category demand.
The effect and possible clinical efficacy of in vivo inhibition of neutrophil extracellular traps by blockade of PI3K-gamma on the pathogenesis of microscopic polyangiitis

Abstract Objective: Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are peculiar structures composed of the externalized chromatin with intracellular proteins and formed by activated neutrophils in a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent manner. Aberrant NETs are considered to be autoantigens for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) underling the development of microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). However, little is known regarding the therapeutic efficacy of in vivo inhibition of NET formation (NETosis) on MPA pathogenesis. This study determines whether reducing NETosis prevents ANCA production and improves characteristic involvement. Methods: A mouse model of MPA induced by administering a novel extract from Candida albicans was devised. By applying this method to mice lacking phosphoinositide 3-kinase gamma (PI3K-gamma), which is indispensable for ROS production in neutrophils, we investigated the levels of in vivo NETs, ANCA titers and histological damage. Results: Our model exhibited accumulation of NETs in vivo, elevation of ANCA titers and characteristic pathologies mimicking human MPA, including small-vessel vasculitis and crescentic glomerulonephritis. Strikingly, these abnormalities were reduced by genetically and/or pharmacologically blocking PI3K-gamma. Moreover, a pharmacological PI3K-gamma blockade decreased the levels of human NETs. Conclusion: Our results suggest that in vivo inhibition of NETosis by blocking PI3K-gamma could be a promising therapeutic strategy for the pathogenesis of MPA.
Together but Unequal

This article provides a renewed understanding of migrants’ citizenship rights in urban China. Specifically, we look at how migrants fare in attaining homeownership and social benefits, in comparison with local residents. We also explore how migrant outcomes relate to both individual socioeconomic and institutional factors. The results are primarily based on the 2005 One Percent Population Survey in two of China’s largest cities—Beijing and Shanghai. Migrants have experienced improvement in homeownership and housing conditions, but there is marked heterogeneity in rights attainment among migrants, particularly by type of origin (urban vs. rural). Making the most gains are those from urban origins and with better education. Market-related factors, such as education, are increasingly important predictors of migrant outcomes in the cities.
A Document Straight Line Based Segmentation for Complex Layout Extraction

Document layout extraction is a difficult step in the image interpretation process due to the high complexity of documents. The main challenge relies on the huge gap between both the physical and the logical structures of document images. In order to loose as few as possible information, most existing methods are working at pixel level. In this paper, we present a new framework for complex layout extraction based on features of high levels obtained from a document straight line based segmentation. We propose to capture the straight line segments thanks to a new transform integrating the local spatial organization of the segments contained in the document content. Such transform can be applied either on the foreground (related to the document content) or the background pixels, in order to take advantage of the duality of information present in both document parts. Experimental results obtained on the PRImA Layout Analysis dataset illustrate the robustness of our framework for the extraction of specific components of the document including text areas, images and separators.
Altered microRNA expression profiles in a rat model of spina bifida

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are dynamically regulated during neurodevelopment, yet few reports have examined their role in spina bifida. In this study, we used an established fetal rat model of spina bifida induced by intragastrically administering olive oil-containing all-trans retinoic acid to dams on day 10 of pregnancy. Dams that received intragastric administration of all-trans retinoic acid-free olive oil served as controls. The miRNA expression profile in the amniotic fluid of rats at 20 days of pregnancy was analyzed using an miRNA microarray assay. Compared with that in control fetuses, the expression of miRNA-9, miRNA-124a, and miRNA-138 was significantly decreased (> 2-fold), whereas the expression of miRNA-134 was significantly increased (> 4-fold) in the amniotic fluid of rats with fetuses modeling spina bifida. These results were validated using real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Hierarchical clustering analysis of the microarray data showed that these differentially expressed miRNAs could distinguish fetuses modeling spina bifida from control fetuses. Our bioinformatics analysis suggested that these differentially expressed miRNAs were associated with many cytological pathways, including a nervous system development signaling pathway. These findings indicate that further studies are warranted examining the role of miRNAs through their regulation of a variety of cell functional pathways in the pathogenesis of spina bifida. Such studies may provide novel targets for the early diagnosis and treatment of spina bifida.
Granulocytic Sarcoma with Myxoid Stroma. Report of a Case

A granulocytic sarcoma with myxoid features simulating a chondrosarcoma was detected in the left arm of a 59 years old man. It is suggested that extramedullary hematopoietic neoplasms such as granulocytic sarcoma may display, similarly to malignant lymphomas, non-specific sarcoma-like features that obscure the usual diagnostic characteristics.
Supported Ag–TiO2 core–shell nanofibres formed at low temperature by plasma deposition

Ag–TiO2 nanofibres (about three µm long and 30–150 nm thick) formed by a single-crystalline silver wire (20–30 nm thick) and an external layer of amorphous TiO2 of variable thickness are prepared at 403 K by oxygen plasma activation of a silver substrate followed by plasma deposition of TiO2. Thicker fibres of anatase crystallites surrounding the silver wire were prepared when plasma deposition was carried out at 523 K. The fibres have been analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and x-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS). The plasmon losses of the silver core wire have been characterized by electron energy loss spectroscopy in the TEM microscope. Based on the experimental evidence, a new volcano-type mechanism of formation of these core–shell fibres is proposed, whereby the effect of the plasma and the high mobility of the silver would be key factors determining their morphology and dimensions.
Status of the RODOS system for off-site emergency management after nuclear and radiological accidents and its enhancement under the EURANOS project

Under the auspices of its Euratom Research Framework Programmes, the European Commission (EC) has supported the development of the RODOS (Real-time On-line DecisiOn Support) system for off-site emergency management after nuclear accidents. The current version of the system has been, or is being, installed in many national emergency centres. RODOS provides coherent support at all stages of an accident (i.e., before, during and after a release), including the long term management and restoration of contaminated areas. The system is able to support decisions about the introduction of a wide range of potentially useful countermeasures (e.g., sheltering and evacuation of people, distribution of iodine tablets, food restrictions, agricultural countermeasures, relocation, decontamination, restoration, etc.) mitigating the consequences of an accident with respect to health, the environment, and the economy. Within the EURANOS project, the RODOS system will be further enhanced for practical applicability in operational emergency centres.
An evaluation system for cloud service selection using fuzzy AHP

Cloud computing is a large scale internet based computing paradigm that deliver of computing services over the Internet. With the recent advancement in the field of Cloud computing, it has become a new way of doing business. Cloud services play a crucial role in terms of on-demand services on a subscription basis. A number of available enterprises offer a large number of Cloud services to their customers with the equivalent functionality. Due to accelerated adaptation and vast availability of Cloud services, it is very difficult for the users to decide about the best service providers and the reason for its selection. Quality of Service (QoS) is the essential factor that has taken into account when selecting a cloud service with respect to users requirement. This paper discusses the fuzzy based Analytic Hierarchy Process (fuzzy-AHP) to efficiently tackle both quantitative and qualitative decision factors involved in selection of cloud service provider in current business scenario. Both the theoretical and practical background of this paper have shown that fuzzy AHP is capable to efficiency handle the fuzziness of the data involved in the multi-criteria decision making problem of this study.
ECONOMIC GROWTH IN COLOMBIA: A REVERSAL OF ‘FORTUNE’?

Since 1979, Colombia´s annual GDP growth has been on average two percentage points lower than what was observed between 1950 and 1980. The sources-of-growth decomposition shows that this deceleration can be accounted entirely by changes in productivity. Indeed, between 1960 and 1980 productivity gains increased output per worker by nearly 1% per year. Since 1980, productivity losses have reduced output per worker at about the same rate. The time series analysis suggests that the im-plosion of productivity was caused by the increase in criminality which diverted capital and labor to unproductive activities. In turn, the rise in crime was the result of rapid expansion in drug-traffi ck-ing activities, which erupted around 1980. Conse-quently, the fortunes associated with the emergence of Colombia as the world largest producer of co-caine had a signifi cantly negative effect on growth and productivity. This explanation is supported by cross-country evidence that shows that Colombia´s underperformance, especially in the 1990s, is ex-plained by its high homicide rate.
Mutation of Serine 90 to Glutamic Acid Mimics Phosphorylation of Bovine Prolactin (*)

Phosphorylated prolactin has been identified and isolated from bovine pituitaries. The biological activity of this phosphoprotein is severely reduced in comparison with nonphosphorylated prolactin. The sites of phosphorylation are serines 26, 34, and 90, and the stoichiometry is 1:1:10, respectively. In this report, the phosphoserine residues have been individually replaced with glutamic acid in recombinant methionyl bovine prolactins in order to mimic phosphorylation at each site. Substitution of glutamic acid for serine at positions 26, 34, and 90 reduced protein helical contents by 10, 6, and 14%, respectively. UV absorbances for S26E and S34E bovine prolactins were blue-shifted, similar to the biological isolates of phosphorylated bovine prolactin, but the biological activities of the S26E and S34E mutants (ED values of 16.3 and 18.8 pM, respectively) were similar to that of wild-type prolactin (ED value of 18.6 pM) in the Nb2 rat lymphoma assay. S90E bovine prolactin had the greatest reduction in helical content but showed similar UV and fluorescent spectra to the wild-type bovine prolactin. The biological activity of S90E bovine prolactin (ED value of 672 pM) was reduced to an activity similar to that of phosphorylated bovine prolactin. The data indicate that the phosphorylation of serine 90 is responsible for the reduction in biological activity.
Exploring the Central Executive in Situation Awareness

Despite its significance, the central executive is the least explored component of working memory, particularly in complicated contexts. Exp. 1 investigated the role of executive control of working memory in situation awareness in a real-life driving simulation. Exp. 2 examined the extent to which taxing the central executive might affect situation awareness. High, Medium, and Low Situation Awareness groups were formed as assessed using the Situation Awareness Global Assessment Technique. Executive function was measured using several tests. Results from Exp. 1 demonstrated that the Low Situation Awareness group performed significantly worse on all executive function tasks compared to High and Medium Situation Awareness groups. Findings from Exp. 2 suggested that concurrent load on the central executive dramatically affected the Low Situation Awareness group but not the High Situation Awareness group: the former had significantly more driving violations under central executive load.
Glucocorticoid Regulation of Glycerol Phosphate Dehydrogenase and Ornithine Decarboxylase Activities in the Spinal Cord of the Rat

Abstract: We examined the effects of glucocorticoids on induction of glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) in the spinal cord of rats. After a single subcutaneous dose of 5 mg/kg of dexametha‐sone (DEX) phosphate, GPDH activity was maximally increased at 20 h with the effect still persisting for 46 h, in contrast to ODC activity, which was already stimulated at 4 h. The enzyme induction was accompanied by a reduction in number of cytosolic glucocorticoid receptors already at 1 h after DEX treatment, with replenishment at 22 h. A dose‐response curve for DEX demonstrated that the minimal effective dose (0.2 mg/kg) for enzyme induction also reduced the number of cytosolic receptors because of occupation/depletion. The effects were specific for natural and synthetic glucocorticoids, as GPDH and ODC activities were not stimulated by aldosterone, testosterone, estradiol, or progesterone. ODC was induced in the cervical region of the spinal cord as well as in the horse tail plus filum terminale, whereas GPDH responded in the former but not the latter region. Previous work has demonstrated that glucocorticoid receptors are slightly more concentrated in the cervical spinal cord. It is suggested that glucocorticoid induction of these two predominantly glial enzymes occurs by a steroid receptor‐mediated event, as postulated in other regions of the nervous system. In view of the short latency required for induction of ODC, we also examined the effect of inhibitors of transcription and translation. Whereas cycloheximide reduced the stimulatory effect of DEX, a paradoxical stimulation was obtained when DEX and dactinomycin (actinomy‐cin D) were given concomitantly. It is suggested that the inductive responses of GPDH and ODC to glucocorticoids may be different. Considering that GPDH induction has been shown by other laboratories to represent a genomic effect of adrenal steroids, different levels of control may account for the stimulation of ODC in the spinal cord.
Navigating Political Hazard Risks and Legal System Quality

With emphasis on a venture’s institutional environment and its stage of development, the authors develop theory to explain how the quality of a nation’s legal system and the level of political hazards affect venture capital (VC) investment strategies in developing countries. The data set consists of 433 VC investment transaction rounds occurring in 13 Latin American countries over the period 1995 to 2003. Different from previous research on the likelihood of investment occurrence, the authors consider the size of an investment transaction as a dependent variable. The authors find a negative relationship between investment size and the political hazards risk and that larger investments are associated with ventures operating in lower quality legal systems. The authors also propose the moderating role of these institutional dimensions in the relationship between a venture’s stage of development and investment size. Findings indicate that in lower quality legal systems, conventional VC-staging strategies are not apparent, where middle and later stage ventures receive the largest investments, but with improvements to the legal system, increasingly larger investments go to early stage ventures. Regarding the stage interaction with political hazards, the authors find that the positive relationship between the venture’s stage of development and investment size weakens as the level of political hazards increases, and when political hazards are high, conventional VC-staging similarly does not occur. In uncovering the unique impact of these institutional dimensions with respect to developing country entrepreneurship, these findings shed light on the acute challenges faced by developing country ventures seeking VC funding at varying stages of development.
Price Adjustment Costs and the Output-Inflation Trade-off

When prices are costly to adjust, there is a trade-off between the rate of inflation and the firm's average level of output. This trade-off is the result of fully optimizing behaviour by the firm. Sufficient conditions are developed for inflation to have no effect on output. However, these conditions are unlikely to be met in practice. This suggests that the superneutrality of money hypothesis is incompatible with the type of demand and cost curves normally encountered in economic theory. If the discount rate is positive, moderate rates of inflation will always lead to higher levels of output.
Forecasting Trends in Time Series

Most time series methods assume that any trend will continue unabated, regardless of the forecast lead time. But recent empirical findings suggest that forecast accuracy can be improved by either damping or ignoring altogether trends which have a low probability of persistence. This paper develops an exponential smoothing model designed to damp erratic trends. The model is tested using the sample of 1,001 time series first analyzed by Makridakis et al. Compared to smoothing models based on a linear trend, the model improves forecast accuracy, particularly at long leadtimes. The model also compares favorably to sophisticated time series models noted for good long-range performance, such as those of Lewandowski and Parzen.
Geographic diversification, performance, and the risk profile of UK construction firms

Purpose – Executives are often faced with the challenge of making sound decisions regarding the product and geographic markets into which the company should diversify. This situation is even more glaring with respect to construction companies, owing to the volatile nature of the construction market. The purpose of this paper is to present empirical results on the impact of geographic diversification on the performance and risk profiles of construction firms in the UK.Design/methodology/approach – Published financial data of construction firms covering the period 1995‐2004 are employed in the paper. From this data, extent of geographic diversification, performance, and risk are computed. Firms are grouped based on the extent of diversification into undiversified, moderately diversified, and highly diversified. Performance of these groups is then compared using the t‐statistic based on return on equity (ROE), return on total asset (ROTA), return on capital employed (ROCE), and profit margin (PM). Findings – .
R&D, Innovation and Exporting

This study considers the determinants of whether a firm exports, undertakes RD rather, innovating increased the probability of exporting. Exporting had no direct impact on whether innovation occurred in either sector. Given the key role of R&D, innovation and exporting in determining productivity, it is important that government understands these complex interactions between R&D, innovation and exporting and takes advantage of them when devising and implementing productivity-enhancing policies at the micro-level.