Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Placement of intracranial pressure monitors by non-neurosurgeons: Excellent outcomes can be achieved

BACKGROUND Traumatic brain injury remains one of the most prevalent and costly injuries encountered within the discipline of trauma and represents a leading cause of morbidity and mortality within our society. The purpose of this study was to compare the safety of intracranial pressure (ICP) monitor placement by general surgery residents and neurosurgeons. METHODS A retrospective chart review of all trauma patients requiring ICP monitor placement at an American College of Surgeons–verified Level 1 trauma center during a 10-year period was performed. Comparison of demographic variables, injury severity, intracranial injuries, incidence of ICP monitor–related complications, and outcomes were made between general surgery residents, trauma surgeons, and neurosurgeons. RESULTS There were 546 patients included in the study. The average age of the cohort was 37.6 years, with an average hospital length of stay being 16.0 days and an Injury Severity Score of 27.7. Mechanisms of injury varied, but 58.8% was a result of motor vehicle and motorcycle collisions, and an additional 19.2% was a result of falls. No significant difference was found in terms of procedure-related complications between subgroups, including intracranial hemorrhage, infection, malfunctions, dislodgment, or death. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate that the placement of ICP monitors may be performed safely by both neurosurgeons and non-neurosurgeons. This procedure should thus be considered a core skill for trauma surgeons and surgical residents alike, thereby allowing initiation of prompt medical treatment in both rural areas and trauma centers with inadequate neurosurgeon or fellow coverage. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic study, level IV.
Regulation of PI3K/Akt/GSK‐3 pathway by cannabinoids in the brain

Delta9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive component in Cannabis sativa preparations, exerts its central effects mainly through the G‐protein coupled receptor CB1, a component of the endocannabinoid system. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have reported neuroprotective effects of cannabinoids in excitotoxicity and neurodegeneration models. However, the intraneuronal signaling pathways activated in vivo by THC underlying its central effects remain poorly understood. We report that THC acute administration (10 mg/kg, i.p.) increases the phosphorylation of Akt in mouse hippocampus, striatum, and cerebellum. This phosphorylation was mediated by CB1 receptors as it was blocked by the selective CB1 antagonist rimonabant. Moreover, PI3K inhibition by wortmannin abrogated THC‐induced phosphorylation of Akt, but blockade of extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinases by SL327 did not modify this activation/phosphorylation of Akt. Moreover, administration of the dopaminergic D1 (SCH 23390) and D2 (raclopride) receptor antagonists did not block the activation of PI3K/Akt pathway induced in the striatum by cannabinoid receptor stimulation, suggesting that this effect is independent of the dopaminergic system. In addition, THC increased the phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta. Therefore, activation of the PI3K/Akt/GSK‐3 signaling pathway may be related to the in vivo neuroprotective properties attributed to cannabinoids.
Investment climate, outward orientation and manufacturing firm productivity: new empirical evidence

ABSTRACT Drawing on the World Bank Enterprise Surveys, we revisit the link between firm-level investment climate and productive performance for a panel of enterprises surveyed twice in time in 70 developing countries and 11 manufacturing industries. We take advantage of the time dimension available for an increasing number of countries to tackle the endogeneity issue stressed in previous studies. We also use pertinent econometric techniques to address other biases inherent in the data (e.g.measurement errors, missing observations and multicollinearity). Our results reinforce previous findings by validating, with a larger than usual sample of countries and industries, the importance of a larger set of environment variables. We show that infrastructure quality, information & communication technologies, skills and experience of the labour force, cost of and access to financing, security and political stability, competition and government relation contribute to firms’ and countries’ performances gap. The empirical analysis also illustrates that firms which choose an outward orientation have higher productivity level. Nevertheless, outward oriented enterprises are more sensitive to investment climate limitations. These findings have important policy implications by showing which dimensions of the business environment, in which industry, could help manufacturing firms to be more competitive in the present context of increasing globalization.
Performance of Three Mode-Meter Block-Processing Algorithms for Automated Dynamic Stability Assessment

The frequency and damping of electromechanical modes offer considerable insight into the dynamic stability properties of a power system. The performance properties of three mode-estimation block-processing algorithms from the perspective of near real-time automated stability assessment are demonstrated and examined. The algorithms are: the extended modified Yule Walker (YW); extended modified Yule Walker with spectral analysis (YWS); and sub-space system identification (N4SID). The YW and N4SID have been introduced in previous publications while the YWS is introduced here. Issues addressed include: stability assessment requirements; automated subset selecting identified modes; using algorithms in an automated format; data assumptions and quality; and expected algorithm estimation performance.
Effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy on biomarkers of B-lymphocyte activation and inflammation

Objective:Chronic inflammation and B-cell hyperactivation are seen in HIV infection, contributing to an increased risk for the accrual of genetic errors that may result in B-cell lymphoma. The primary objective of this study was to determine the effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on serum levels of molecules that are associated with immune activation and/or inflammation, including several that are associated with B-cell activation, specifically IL-6, sCD30, sCD27, IgG, IgA, CXCL13 (B lymphocyte chemoattractant, BLC), a B-lymphocyte chemokine involved in B-cell trafficking, as well as C-reactive protein, an acute-phase protein. Design:We used a retrospective cohort study design, measuring serum levels of these markers at each of four 1-year intervals, 2 years before and 2 years after HAART initiation, in a subgroup of 290 HIV-infected men enrolled in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS). Methods:Serum levels of immune activation-associated molecules were measured by ELISA and multiplexed immunometric assays. Reference values were determined by the 5th to 95th percentiles from a sample of 109 HIV-uninfected MACS men. Results:HAART use was associated with a reduction, but not normalization, of most biomarkers tested. Serum levels of IL-6 and C-reactive protein appeared to be unaffected by HAART. Conclusions:These results suggest a partial normalization of serum cytokine levels post HAART. However, a chronic state of B-cell hyperactivation continues 2–3 years after HAART initiation. These findings may explain, in part, the excess incidence of lymphoma still occurring in HIV-infected persons in the post-HAART era.
Bayer-Activities of Daily Living Scale in Mild and Moderate Dementia of the Alzheimer Type

The main purpose of this study is to examine the reliability of the Bayer-Activities of Daily Living (B-ADL) scale when used as a cognitive screening instrument for mild and moderate dementia of the Alzheimer type. This is a retrospective study of 66 patients with dementia. The B-ADL scale was completed by the caregiver or the family member at the first encounter. The internal consistency was found to be 0.94 for the 27 patients that completed all 25 questions in the scale. Significant correlation and receiver–operating characteristic curve analysis were found for the B-ADL total score and subscale 1 (tasks requiring short- and long-term memory) for Clinical Dementia Rating scale. Severity of dementia by the B-ADL scale is statistically similar but not the same as Mini-Mental State Examination. Our findings confirm that B-ADL scale is a valid indicator of the cognitive status of patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
A novel autosomal dominant distal myopathy with early respiratory failure: Clinico‐pathologic characteristics and exclusion of linkage to candidate genetic loci

We describe a novel autosomal dominant myopathy presenting in mid–adult life with tibialis anterior weakness. We carried out a detailed clinical assessment of 24 individuals spanning three generations, documenting pathologic features of the muscles in 7 of the 11 affected individuals, including an autopsy study on one case. The second generation of affected individuals presented at an earlier age, and the disease progressed more rapidly than in the first generation. Lung function tests revealed progressive global respiratory muscle weakness detectable from the time of presentation, with preferential diaphragmatic involvement in some cases. Hip girdle and shoulder girdle weakness appeared later in the disease course. We observed a striking correlation between the clinical and pathological features. Clinically unaffected muscles had minimal pathologic change. Fiber splitting, eosinophilic inclusions, and vacuoles with basophilic rims were seen in moderately affected muscles, and fat and fibrous connective tissue replaced muscle fibers in the severely involved muscles. The inclusions were Congophilic and reacted with antibodies to desmin, β‐amyloid, and phosphorylated tau protein. The disease was not linked to any of the known loci associated with distal myopathies, confirming that the disorder in this family is both genetically and phenotypically distinct. Ann Neurol 2001;49:443–452
Monetary and fiscal regimes policy rules in a discrete time model

This paper determines how fiscal policy rule interacts with monetary policy rule affect the conditions of equilibrium determinacy when moving from continuous to discrete time. The monetary authority follows an interest rate-targeting rule while the fiscal authority follows a debt-targeting rule. It is shown that the local determinacy of an equilibrium path is determinate under the active monetary/passive fiscal regime, while the examination of other regimes is shown to be indeterminate. These findings are in stark contrast with the case of the continuous time model, suggesting that the timing assumptions play an important role in determining local equilibrium.
Molecular Study of Receptor for Advanced Glycation Endproduct Gene Promoter and Identification of Specific HLA Haplotypes Possibly Involved in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

The receptor for advanced glycation end product (RAGE) is thought to play an important role in inflammation. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a long-lasting fatigue that compromises at least 50% of a subject's daily activities without other known cause. Immune dysfunction has been implicated and an association with a peculiar genetic cytokine profile, predisposing to an immunomodulatory response of inflammatory nature, was found. The aim of this study is to analyse RAGE polymorphisms and HLA-DRB1 alleles in seventy-five Italian CFS patients and 141 controls matched for age, sex and ethnicity. These two groups underwent genomic study for RAGE –374T/A and –429C/T promoter polymorphisms; moreover, 46 patients and 186 controls were typed for HLA-DRB1 at low resolution molecular level. Of these, 31 patients and 99 controls also underwent “high resolution analysis” to define the HLA-DRB1*11 and DRB1*13 alleles. The haplotypes RAGE-374T, DRB1*04; RAGE-374T, DRB1*09; RAGE-374T, DRB1*11; RAGE-374A, DRB1*13; RAGE-429T, DRB1*04 and RAGE-429C, DRB1*11 were significantly more frequent in CFS patients, whereas RAGE-429C, DRB1*07 would seem protective. A significantly lower frequency of DRB1*1104 (5.4% vs 12.9% p=0.04, OR=0.39) and a significantly higher frequency of HLA-DRB1*1301 (13.0% vs 5.1% p=0.006, OR= 2.79) were found in CFS patients. A synergic effect was observed with RAGE polymorphism. The OR values strengthened in the following cis combinations: RAGE-374A, HLA-DRB1*1104 (OR=0.27) and RAGE-374A, HLA-DRB1*1301 (OR=6.23). HLA haplotypes rather than single alleles of RAGE or of DRB1 genes seem to be involved in CFS, probably including a subregion of major interest.
A methodological approach to analyze the territorial appropriation of high-speed rail from interactions between actions and representations of local actors

ABSTRACT Because it is difficult to separate the specific transport impact from other factors influencing economic and spatial development, the focus in research is increasingly on understanding the process by which territorial changes occur in order to explain how economic and social agents and local authorities have appropriated new transportation systems. This appropriation plays a crucial part in territorial dynamics. The diversity of economic and spatial changes produced by high-speed rail indicates the existence of multiple modes of appropriation which vary according to the location of stations, the mobilization of local stakeholders confronted with the transport operators’ logic and the geographical and historical context of the infrastructure implementation. Appropriation is defined as a dialogical identity process that must be explained to better understand the gradual and mutual adjustments between the transportation system and the territory. After specifying the issues involve in an analysis of the appropriation of high-speed rail, the article adopts an analytical framework inspired by Brunel and Roux‘s research work on consumer habits in order to explain how appropriation has gradually taken shape over the various stages of a high-speed line project.
RNA triplexes: from structural principles to biological and biotech applications

The diverse biological functions of RNA are determined by the complex structures of RNA stabilized by both secondary and tertiary interactions. An RNA triplex is an important tertiary structure motif that is found in many pseudoknots and other structured RNAs. A triplex structure usually forms through tertiary interactions in the major or minor groove of a Watson–Crick base‐paired stem. A major‐groove RNA triplex structure is stable in isolation by forming consecutive major‐groove base triples such as U·A‐U and C+·G‐C. Minor‐groove RNA triplexes, e.g., A‐minor motif triplexes, are found in almost all large structured RNAs. As double‐stranded RNA stem regions are often involved in biologically important tertiary triplex structure formation and protein binding, the ability to sequence specifically target any desired RNA duplexes by triplex formation would have great potential for biomedical applications. Programmable chemically modified triplex‐forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) and triplex‐forming peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) have been developed to form TFO·RNA2 and PNA·RNA2 triplexes, respectively, with enhanced binding affinity and sequence specificity at physiological conditions. Here, we (1) provide an overview of naturally occurring RNA triplexes, (2) summarize the experimental methods for studying triplexes, and (3) review the development of TFOs and triplex‐forming PNAs for targeting an HIV‐1 ribosomal frameshift‐inducing RNA, a bacterial ribosomal A‐site RNA, and a human microRNA hairpin precursor, and for inhibiting the RNA–protein interactions involving human RNA‐dependent protein kinase and HIV‐1 viral protein Rev. WIREs RNA 2015, 6:111–128. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1261
Faculty development and organizational systems behavior

Faculty development is that process that fosters improvement in faculty members' skills in teaching and research and promotes their career advancement. This study investigated the association between organizational behavior in military medical centers and the faculty development of its medical corps officers assigned to teaching positions. Such organizational behaviors as defining tasks clearly and resolving conflicts satisfactorily correlated well with the faculty members' overall satisfaction and other parameters of good faculty development. The results suggest that a strong relationship exists between the organizational behavior of an institution and the sense of identity, productivity, and continued career growth of its individual faculty members.
A bipartite periplasmic receptor–diguanylate cyclase pair (XAC2383–XAC2382) in the bacterium Xanthomonas citri

The second messenger cyclic diguanylate monophosphate (c-di-GMP) is a central regulator of bacterial lifestyle, controlling several behaviors, including the switch between sessile and motile states. The c-di-GMP levels are controlled by the interplay between diguanylate cyclases (DGCs) and phosphodiesterases, which synthesize and hydrolyze this second messenger, respectively. These enzymes often contain additional domains that regulate activity via binding of small molecules, covalent modification, or protein–protein interactions. A major challenge remains to understand how DGC activity is regulated by these additional domains or interaction partners in specific signaling pathways. Here, we identified a pair of co-transcribed genes (xac2382 and xac2383) in the phytopathogenic, Gram-negative bacterium Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xac), whose mutations resulted in opposing motility phenotypes. We show that the periplasmic cache domain of XAC2382, a membrane-associated DGC, interacts with XAC2383, a periplasmic binding protein, and we provide evidence that this interaction regulates XAC2382 DGC activity. Moreover, we solved the crystal structure of XAC2383 with different ligands, indicating a preference for negatively charged phosphate-containing compounds. We propose that XAC2383 acts as a periplasmic sensor that, upon binding its ligand, inhibits the DGC activity of XAC2382. Of note, we also found that this previously uncharacterized signal transduction system is present in several other bacterial phyla, including Gram-positive bacteria. Phylogenetic analysis of homologs of the XAC2382–XAC2383 pair supports several independent origins that created new combinations of XAC2382 homologs with a conserved periplasmic cache domain with different cytoplasmic output module architectures.
Exploiting Convolutional Neural Networks and Preprocessing Techniques for HEp-2 Cell Classification in Immunofluorescence Images

Autoimmune diseases are the third cause of mortality in the world. The identification of anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) via Immunofluorescence (IIF) test in human epithelial type-2 cells (HEp-2) is a conventional method to support the diagnosis of such diseases. In the present work, three popular Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) are evaluated for this task: LeNet-5, AlexNet, and GoogLeNet. We also assess the impact of six different pre-processing strategies on the performance of these CNNs. Additionally, data augmentation based on the rotation of the training set images after the pre-processing strategies was evaluated. Our work is the first to consider AlexNet and GoogLeNet models for the proposed analysis and classification of HEp-2 cells images, besides the LeNet-5. Experimental results allow to conclude that neither pre-processing strategies were essential to improve accuracy values of the CNNs. However, when data augmentation is considered, contrast enhancement followed by data centralization is significant in order to achieve good results. Additionally, our results were compared with results from other state-of-art papers. Our best results were achieved by GoogLeNet architecture trained with images with no pre-processing and no data augmentation, resulting in 98.17% of accuracy, which outperforms the results presented in other works in literature.
Cellular and subcellular localization of estrogen and progestin receptor immunoreactivities in the mouse hippocampus

Estrogen receptor‐α (ERα), estrogen receptor‐β (ERβ), and progestin receptor (PR) immunoreactivities are localized to extranuclear sites in the rat hippocampal formation. Because rats and mice respond differently to estradiol treatment at a cellular level, the present study examined the distribution of ovarian hormone receptors in the dorsal hippocampal formation of mice. For this, antibodies to ERα, ERβ, and PR were localized by light and electron immunomicroscopy in male and female mice across the estrous cycle. Light microscopic examination of the mouse hippocampal formation showed sparse nuclear ERα and PR immunoreactivity (‐ir) most prominently in the CA1 region and diffuse ERβ‐ir primarily in the CA1 pyramidal cell layer as well as in a few interneurons. Ultrastructural analysis additionally revealed discrete extranuclear ERα‐, ERβ‐, and PR‐ir in neuronal and glial profiles throughout the hippocampal formation. Although extranuclear profiles were detected in all animal groups examined, the amount and types of profiles varied with sex and estrous cycle phase. ERα‐ir was highest in diestrus females, particularly in dendritic spines, axons, and glia. Similarly, ERβ‐ir was highest in estrus and diestrus females, mainly in dendritic spines and glia. Conversely, PR‐ir was highest during proestrus, mostly in axons. Except for very low levels of extranuclear ERβ‐ir in mossy fiber terminals in mice, the labeling patterns in the mice for all three antibodies were similar to the ultrastructural labeling found previously in rats, suggesting that regulation of these receptors is well conserved across the two species. J. Comp. Neurol. 518:2729–2743, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fact-Checking as Idea and Practice in Journalism

Fact-checking has a traditional meaning in journalism that relates to internal procedures for verifying facts prior to publication, as well as a newer sense denoting stories that publicly evaluate the truth of statements from politicians, journalists, or other public figures. Internal fact-checking first emerged as a distinct role in U.S. newsmagazines in the 1920s and 1930s, decades in which the objectivity norm became established among American journalists. While newspapers have not typically employed dedicated fact-checkers, the term also refers more broadly to verification routines and the professional concern with factual accuracy. Both scholars and journalists have been concerned with a decline of internal fact-checking resources and routines in the face of accelerated publishing cycles and the economic crisis faced by news organizations in many parts of the world. External fact-checking consists of publishing an evidence-based analysis of the accuracy of a political claim, news report, or other public text. Organizations specializing in such “political” fact-checking have been established in scores of countries around the world since the first sites appeared in the United States in the early 2000s. These outlets may be based in established news organizations but also “good government” groups, universities, and other areas of civil society; practitioners generally share the broad goals of helping people become better informed and promoting fact-based public discourse. A burgeoning area of research has tried to measure the effectiveness of various kinds of external fact-checking interventions in countering misinformation and promoting accurate beliefs. This literature generally finds that fact-checking can be effective in experimental settings, though the influence of corrections is limited by the familiar mechanisms of motivated reasoning.