Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aspiration Pneumonia: Experimental Evaluation of Albumin and Steroid Therapy

An experimental model using an ex vivo perfused ventilated canine pulmonary lobe was used to study aspiration pneumonia. After intrabronchial acid instillation, the lobe weight tripled, air way pressure and pulmonary artery pressure doubled, and intrapulmonary shunting increased from 5.5% to 53.4%. If large quantities of albumin were added to the lobe perfusate 5 minutes after intrabronchial acid instillation, weight gain, air way and pulmonary artery pressure, and intrapulmonary shunting were unchanged from control levels. If large quantities of steroid were added to the lobe perfusate 5 minutes after intrabronchial acid instillation, the lobe weight doubled but air way pressure and pulmonary artery pressure, and intra-pulmonary shunting were not significantly different from control values. It is surmised that intrapulmonary acid aspiration causes an immediate and marked change in pulmonary capillary permeability. Albumin administration by counter-acting this permeability change, and steroid administration by modifying the permeability change, are both beneficial following acid aspiration.
Metabolic adaptation for low energy throughput in orangutans

Energy is the fundamental currency of life—needed for growth, repair, and reproduction—but little is known about the metabolic physiology and evolved energy use strategies of the great apes, our closest evolutionary relatives. Here we report daily energy use in free-living orangutans (Pongo spp.) and test whether observed differences in energy expenditure among orangutans, humans, and other mammals reflect known differences in life history. Using the doubly labeled water method, we measured daily energy expenditure (kCal/d) in orangutans living in a large indoor/outdoor habitat at the Great Ape Trust. Despite activity levels similar to orangutans in the wild, Great Ape Trust orangutans used less energy, relative to body mass, than nearly any eutherian mammal ever measured, including sedentary humans. Such an extremely low rate of energy use has not been observed previously in primates, but is consistent with the slow growth and low rate of reproduction in orangutans, and may be an evolutionary response to severe food shortages in their native Southeast Asian rainforests. These results hold important implications for the management of orangutan populations in captivity and in the wild, and underscore the flexibility and interdependence of physiological, behavioral, and life history strategies in the evolution of apes and humans.
Lipoprotein(a) as a cardiovascular risk factor: current status

Aims The aims of the study were, first, to critically evaluate lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] as a cardiovascular risk factor and, second, to advise on screening for elevated plasma Lp(a), on desirable levels, and on therapeutic strategies. Methods and results The robust and specific association between elevated Lp(a) levels and increased cardiovascular disease (CVD)/coronary heart disease (CHD) risk, together with recent genetic findings, indicates that elevated Lp(a), like elevated LDL-cholesterol, is causally related to premature CVD/CHD. The association is continuous without a threshold or dependence on LDL- or non-HDL-cholesterol levels. Mechanistically, elevated Lp(a) levels may either induce a prothrombotic/anti-fibrinolytic effect as apolipoprotein(a) resembles both plasminogen and plasmin but has no fibrinolytic activity, or may accelerate atherosclerosis because, like LDL, the Lp(a) particle is cholesterol-rich, or both. We advise that Lp(a) be measured once, using an isoform-insensitive assay, in subjects at intermediate or high CVD/CHD risk with premature CVD, familial hypercholesterolaemia, a family history of premature CVD and/or elevated Lp(a), recurrent CVD despite statin treatment, ≥3% 10-year risk of fatal CVD according to European guidelines, and/or ≥10% 10-year risk of fatal + non-fatal CHD according to US guidelines. As a secondary priority after LDL-cholesterol reduction, we recommend a desirable level for Lp(a) <80th percentile (less than ∼50 mg/dL). Treatment should primarily be niacin 1–3 g/day, as a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled intervention trials demonstrates reduced CVD by niacin treatment. In extreme cases, LDL-apheresis is efficacious in removing Lp(a). Conclusion We recommend screening for elevated Lp(a) in those at intermediate or high CVD/CHD risk, a desirable level <50 mg/dL as a function of global cardiovascular risk, and use of niacin for Lp(a) and CVD/CHD risk reduction.
Use of a Novel 5′‐Regioselective Phosphitylating Reagent for One‐Pot Synthesis of Nucleoside 5′‐Triphosphates from Unprotected Nucleosides

5′‐Triphosphates are building blocks for enzymatic synthesis of DNA and RNA. This unit presents a protocol for convenient synthesis of 2′‐deoxyribo‐ and ribonucleoside 5′‐triphosphates (dNTPs and NTPs) from any natural or modified base. This one‐pot synthesis can also be employed to prepare triphosphate analogs with a sulfur or selenium atom in place of a non‐bridging oxygen atom of the α‐phosphate. These S‐ or Se‐modified dNTPs and NTPs can be used to prepare diastereomerically pure phosphorothioate or phosphoroselenoate nucleic acids. Even without extensive purification, the dNTPs or NTPs synthesized by this method are of high quality and can be used directly in DNA polymerization or RNA transcription. Synthesis and purification of the 5′‐triphosphates, as well as analysis and confirmation of natural and sulfur‐ or selenium‐modified nucleic acids, are described in this protocol unit. Curr. Protoc. Nucleic Acid Chem. 52:1.30. 1‐1.30. 21. © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
International Portfolios, Capital Accumulation and Foreign Assets Dynamics

Despite the liberalization of capital flows among OECD countries, equity home bias remains sizable. We depart from the two familiar explanations of equity home bias: transaction costs that impede international diversification, and terms of trade responses to supply shocks that provide risk sharing, so that there is little incentive to hold diversified portfolios. We show that the interaction of the following ingredients generates a realistic equity home bias: capital accumulation, shocks to the efficiency of physical investment, as well as international trade in stocks and bonds. In our model, domestic stocks are used to hedge fluctuations in local wage income. Terms of trade risk is hedged using bonds denominated in local goods and in foreign goods. In contrast to related models, the low level of international diversification does not depend on strongly countercyclical terms of trade. The model also reproduces the cyclical dynamics of foreign asset positions and of international capital flows.
Klikken of slepen: een vergelijking tussen vraagformats, gebaseerd op een verschillend gebruik van de muis

Citation for published version (APA): Sikkel, D. , Gras, S. , Steenbergen, R. , & Oosterveld, P. (2014). Klikken of slepen: een vergelijking tussen vraagformats, gebaseerd op een verschillend gebruik van de muis. In A. E. Bronner, P. Dekker, E. de Leeuw, L. J. Paas, K. de Ruyter, A. Smidts, & J. E. Wieringa (Eds.), Ontwikkelingen in het marktonderzoek (pp. 85-102). (Jaarboek MarktOnderzoekAssociatie; No. 39). Haarlem: Spaar en Hout.
"RAZA", ADSCRIPCIÓN ÉTNICA Y GENÉTICA EN URUGUAY

Native Americans, Africans and Europeans formed, to varying degrees, the Uruguayan population. At the beginning of the 19 th century, census data indicated that the country was comprised of 36% African or African descended inhabitants, while the number of Natives was not determined. After this, there is no available information on the origins of the population, with the exception of foreigners. In 1996-1997, a Household Survey asked Uruguayans to self-identify their “race”, and in 2006, their ancestry. The first survey showed that 5.9% of the populations was “black or mixed-black” and 0.4% was Native or Native-descended, while the percentages of individuals who claimed African or Native ancestry increased to 9.1% and 4.5% respectively. Genetic data demonstrate that there is a contribution of 6% of African and 10% of Native American blood in the population, while maternal ancestry increases these values to 10% and 31% respectively. Census and genetic data are discussed in relation to national identity.
Comparative study on the distribution patterns of P2X1–P2X6 receptor immunoreactivity in the brainstem of the rat and the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus): Association with catecholamine cell groups

The present study investigated the topographical distribution of P2X1–P2X6 receptor subtypes in the rat and common marmoset hindbrain by immunohistochemistry. In addition, double‐labeling immunofluorescence was used to determine the extent of colocalization between catecholamine cell groups and the various P2X receptors. The data demonstrate a widespread distribution pattern for all six P2X receptors throughout both the rat hindbrain and the marmoset hindbrain, although distinctions between species, brain nuclei, and P2X receptor subtypes exist. In rat, dense staining for the P2X receptors was found in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), medial vestibular nucleus, and medial and lateral parabrachial nuclei. Moderate staining was observed in the hypoglossal nucleus, cuneate nucleus, inferior olive, prepositus hypoglossi, rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), and locus coeruleus. Staining was also observed in the gracile nucleus, the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus, and the central pontine gray. In marmoset, prominent P2X receptor‐like immunoreactivity occurred in the NTS, medial cuneate nucleus, prepositus hypoglossi, and medial vestibular nucleus. Moderate staining was observed in the area postrema, dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, lateral cuneate, lateral reticular, spinal trigeminal nucleus, RVLM, and inferior olive. Immunofluorescent double labeling of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)‐containing cells revealed that all subtypes of P2X receptors show some degree of colocalization with TH. The highest proportion of TH and P2X receptor double labeling was in the A5 region (with the P2X2 subunit), whereas the lowest proportion of double‐labeled cells occurred in the C2 region of the NTS for the P2X5 subunit. These findings support a role for extracellular adenosine 5′‐triphosphate in fast synaptic neurotransmission within the brainstem. J. Comp. Neurol. 427:485–507, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Managing Asthma on the College Campus: Findings of a Texas Pilot Study

BACKGROUND: Students attending institutions of higher education have the option of utilizing their student health center (SHC) for asthma management. However, a review of the available literature revealed no previous research as to how SHCs on college campuses in Texas manage students with asthma. This led to the following research questions; how are SHCs in Texas managing asthma for college students, and what are the SHC directors' attitudes and perceptions of the impact of asthma on their college campuses? METHODS: This descriptive pilot study randomly selected 20 colleges in Texas; 17 institutions agreed to participate. The inclusion criteria consisted of 4-y colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools with an undergraduate student population of greater than 1,000 full-time students, excluding online colleges. Once identified, the director of each institution's SHC was contacted by telephone and invited to complete the Managing Asthma on College Campuses Survey instrument via telephone interview (n = 14) or e-mail (n = 3). Descriptive statistics were used to analyze quantitative data and common themes were noted for the qualitative data. RESULTS: Quantitative data obtained through the survey revealed 23.5% of SHCs provide individualized asthma action plans to students and 35% of SHCs stated they have an emergency action plan for asthma exacerbations. Respondents noted 2 major barriers for effective asthma management on campus: lack of understanding of chronic disease management and underuse of the SHC due to a lack of awareness of its existence. Perceived barriers to visiting the SHC included access issues, money, and students self-medicating with short-acting β2 agonist inhalers and/or over-the-counter medications. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of directors were satisfied with asthma services provided to students; however, they felt more face-to-face asthma education was needed.
Normal probability testing of snore signals for diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent disease in which upper airways are collapsed during sleep, leading to serious consequences. The standard method of OSA diagnosis is known as Polysomnography (PSG), which requires an overnight stay in a specifically equipped facility, connected to over 15 channels of measurements. PSG requires (i) contact instrumentation and, (ii) the expert human scoring of a vast amount of data based on subjective criteria. PSG is expensive, time consuming and is difficult to use in community screening or pediatric assessment. Snoring is the most common symptom of OSA. Despite the vast potential, however, it is not currently used in the clinical diagnosis of OSA. In this paper, we propose a novel method of snore signal analysis for the diagnosis of OSA. The method is based on a novel feature that quantifies the non-Gaussianity of individual episodes of snoring. The proposed method was evaluated using overnight clinical snore sound recordings of 86 subjects. The recordings were made concurrently with routine PSG, which was used to establish the ground truth via standard clinical diagnostic procedures. The results indicated that the developed method has a detectability accuracy of 97.34%.
Investigation of self-induced depolarization of laser radiation in terbium gallium garnet

Absorption of laser radiation in magnetooptical materials results in a temperature gradient which induces depolarization due to both the temperature dependence of the Verdet constant and the photoelastic effect of thermal strains. This results in a limitation of the isolation ratio of Faraday isolators in high average power lasers. Here, we derive expressions for the isolation ratio as a function of beam power, beam radius, angle between incident polarization and crystal axis, and characteristics of the magnetooptical material. The theoretical results are compared with experiments for a terbium gallium garnet crystal. Our results allow us to choose the optimal parameters to maximize the isolation ratio and to compare different materials from this point of view.
The psychology of appearance

Preface Appearance matters: The history of appearance research The challenges facing researchers in the area Appearance and image issues for those without visible differences Psychological difficulties associated with visible difference Psychological predictors of vulnerability and resilience Current provision of support and intervention for appearance related concerns The potential for more effective support and intervention Conclusions, dilemmas and challenges still ahead References Index
Dose-dependent metabolic effect of zoledronate on primary human osteoblastic cell cultures.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the in vitro effect of the bisphosponate zoledronate on metabolic activity, proliferation and viability of human osteoblasts. METHODS Primary human osteoblasts cultures were obtained from cancellous bone of healthy subjects undergoing bone marrow biopsy. Cell cultures were treated with crescent concentrations of zoledronate (10⁻¹⁰to 10⁻³), with and without 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3. In these experimental conditions we evaluated cells viability and proliferation using the MMT colorimetric test, cell apoptosis by measurement of Caspase 3 activity and metabolic cell activity through alkaline phosphatase activity and osteocalcin production. RESULTS Osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase synthesis was significantly enhanced by 10⁻¹⁰ M to 10⁻⁵ M zoledronate concentrations, whereas was dramatically decreased by higher drug concentrations. Vitamin D3 enhanced the positive metabolic effect of zoledronate. The effect of zoledronate on cell proliferation was variable and dose-dependent. While no effect was observed with lower drug concentrations (10⁻¹⁰ M to 10⁻⁸ M), zoledronate 10⁻⁷ M increased cell proliferation. Conversely, concentrations higher than 10⁻⁷ M significantly reduced cell proliferation, in a dose-dependent manner. Osteoblast apoptosis was enhanced after treatment with the highest zoledronate concentrations. The maximum positive effect on osteoblasts metabolic activity and proliferation was observed with the zoledronate concentrations corresponding to those theoretically reached in bone microenvironment when zoledronate is used in clinical practice for post-menopausal osteoporosis treatment. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study confirm that bisphosphonates exert different cellular biochemical effects depending on dosage and support the hypothesis that their positive effect on bone mineral density could be partially due to an anabolic action on bone forming cells.
Risk assessment model for wind power integrated power systems using conditional value-at-risk

Wind power as a renewable source plays a key role for the achievement of the environment-friendly energy structure of power systems. But the uncertainty and fast fluctuation of wind speeds are crucial problems for the availability of wind energy, which also bring more risk threatening the reliability and safety of system operation. In this paper, a revenue model is presented to evaluate the impact of the stochastic wind power on power system operation. The model can provide the possible loss in economical manner to measure the influence due to uncertainties, based on application of conditional value-at-risk (CVaR). Moreover, risk evaluation indexes representing potential economical loss and mean excess loss in different confidence levels can be used to illustrate the future risk degree. The validity of the model has been verified by the numerical simulation results.
The driving control system for articulate mobile robots

This paper considers the control of serially articulated mobile robots by a passive joint arm. Multi articulated robots has various practical advantages such as mobility and carrying capacity. However, it is difficult for an operator to control such robots simultaneously. In this paper, we consider the system that is easy for operators to control multi articulated robots. The basic idea is that an operator operates only the front vehicle and the other vehicles are controlled to track the trajectory of their front vehicles. We use HELIOS Carrier as a mobile platform, and propose the control method applicable to HELIOS Carrier connected by a passive arm. The effectiveness of our approach is evaluated through simulations and experiments.
Fractalkine transgene induces T‐cell‐dependent antitumor immunity through chemoattraction and activation of dendritic cells

Fractalkine (FK, also called neurotactin or CX3CL1) is a CX3C chemokine that can chemoattract T lymphocytes, monocytes and NK cells. In our study, we investigated the induction of antitumor response by FK gene transfer. FK gene‐modified 3LL lung carcinoma cells (3LL‐FK) could both secrete soluble form and express membrane‐bound form of FK. The tumor growth of 3LL‐FK was decreased. Vaccination with 3LL‐FK was effective in the induction of protective immunity and CTL. In vivo depletion analysis demonstrated that CD8+ T cells are the main participating cells of the antitumor response. Obvious infiltrations of CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells and dendritic cells (DC) were observed in the tumor sites, suggesting that 3LL‐FK might induce antitumor immunity through chemoattraction and activation of T cells and DC. Then we investigated the chemoattraction and activation of DC by 3LL‐FK. Chemotaxis assay showed that the supernatants of 3LL‐FK could chemoattract immature DC, which were found to express FK receptor CX3CR1, and the immature DC could obviously adhere to 3LL‐FK. Adherence of DC to 3LL‐FK resulted in phenotypic maturation and upregulated IL‐12 secretion of DC, and more strong stimulation of allogeneic T‐cell proliferation by DC. The increased production of IL‐2 and IFNγ in 3LL‐FK tumor tissue was also observed. Our data suggested that FK gene transfer to tumor cells could induce T‐cell‐dependent antitumor immunity through chemoattraction and activation of DC. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of Potential ITS Strategies Under Non-Recurrent Congestion Using Microscopic Simulation

This report presents a micro-simulation method to evaluate potential ITS applications. Based on the commercial PARAMICS model, a capability-enhanced PARAMICS simulation environment has been developed through integrating a number of plug- in modules implemented with Application Programming Interfaces (API). This enhanced PARAMICS simulation can thus have capabilities to model not only the target traffic conditions and operations but also various potential ITS strategies. An evaluation study on the effectiveness of potential ITS strategies under the incident scenarios is conducted over a corridor network located at the city of Irvine, California. The potential ITS strategies include incident management, local adaptive ramp metering, coordinated ramp metering, traveler information systems, and the combination of above. Based on the calibrated simulation model, we implement and evaluate these scenarios. The evaluation results show that all ITS strategies have positive effects on the network performance. Because of the network topology (one major freeway with two parallel arterial streets), real-time traveler information system has the greatest benefits among all single ITS components. The combination of several ITS components, such as the corridor control and the combination scenarios, can generate better benefits.
Effects of “Reduced” and “Business-As-Usual” CO2 Emission Scenarios on the Algal Territories of the Damselfish Pomacentrus wardi (Pomacentridae)

Turf algae are a very important component of coral reefs, featuring high growth and turnover rates, whilst covering large areas of substrate. As food for many organisms, turf algae have an important role in the ecosystem. Farming damselfish can modify the species composition and productivity of such algal assemblages, while defending them against intruders. Like all organisms however, turf algae and damselfishes have the potential to be affected by future changes in seawater (SW) temperature and pCO2. In this study, algal assemblages, in the presence and absence of farming Pomacentrus wardi were exposed to two combinations of SW temperature and pCO2 levels projected for the austral spring of 2100 (the B1 “reduced” and the A1FI “business-as-usual” CO2 emission scenarios) at Heron Island (GBR, Australia). These assemblages were dominated by the presence of red algae and non-epiphytic cyanobacteria, i.e. cyanobacteria that grow attached to the substrate rather than on filamentous algae. The endpoint algal composition was mostly controlled by the presence/absence of farming damselfish, despite a large variability found between the algal assemblages of individual fish. Different scenarios appeared to be responsible for a mild, species specific change in community composition, observable in some brown and green algae, but only in the absence of farming fish. Farming fish appeared unaffected by the conditions to which they were exposed. Algal biomass reductions were found under “reduced” CO2 emission, but not “business-as-usual” scenarios. This suggests that action taken to limit CO2 emissions may, if the majority of algae behave similarly across all seasons, reduce the potential for phase shifts that lead to algal dominated communities. At the same time the availability of food resources to damselfish and other herbivores would be smaller under “reduced” emission scenarios.