Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interaction between Nitrous Oxide, Sevoflurane, and Opioids: A Response Surface Approach

Background:The interaction of sevoflurane and opioids can be described by response surface modeling using the hierarchical model. We expanded this for combined administration of sevoflurane, opioids, and 66 vol.% nitrous oxide (N2O), using historical data on the motor and hemodynamic responsiveness to incision, the minimal alveolar concentration, and minimal alveolar concentration to block autonomic reflexes to nociceptive stimuli, respectively. Methods:Four potential actions of 66 vol.% N2O were postulated: (1) N2O is equivalent to A ng/ml of fentanyl (additive); (2) N2O reduces C50 of fentanyl by factor B; (3) N2O is equivalent to X vol.% of sevoflurane (additive); (4) N2O reduces C50 of sevoflurane by factor Y. These four actions, and all combinations, were fitted on the data using NONMEM (version VI, Icon Development Solutions, Ellicott City, MD), assuming identical interaction parameters (A, B, X, Y) for movement and sympathetic responses. Results:Sixty-six volume percentage nitrous oxide evokes an additive effect corresponding to 0.27 ng/ml fentanyl (A) with an additive effect corresponding to 0.54 vol.% sevoflurane (X). Parameters B and Y did not improve the fit. Conclusion:The effect of nitrous oxide can be incorporated into the hierarchical interaction model with a simple extension. The model can be used to predict the probability of movement and sympathetic responses during sevoflurane anesthesia taking into account interactions with opioids and 66 vol.% N2O.
A Single Amino Acid Substitution in Nonstructural Protein 3A Can Mediate Adaptation of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus to the Guinea Pig

ABSTRACT The genetic changes selected during the adaptation of a clonal population of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) to the guinea pig have been analyzed. FMDV clone C-S8c1 was adapted to the guinea pig by serial passage in the animals until secondary lesions were observed. Analysis of the virus directly recovered from the lesions developed by the animals revealed the selection of variants with two amino acid substitutions in nonstructural proteins, I248→T in 2C and Q44→R in 3A. On further passages, an additional mutation, L147→P, was selected in an important antigenic site located in the G-H loop of capsid protein VP1. The amino acid substitution Q44→R in 3A, either alone or in combination with the replacement I248→T in 2C, was sufficient to give FMDV the ability to produce lesions. This was shown by using infectious transcripts which generated chimeric viruses with the relevant amino acid substitutions. Clinical symptoms produced by the artificial chimeras were similar to those produced by the naturally adapted virus. These results obtained with FMDV imply that one or very few replacements in nonstructural viral proteins, which should be within reach of the mutant spectra of replicating viral quasispecies, may result in adaptation of a virus to a new animal host.
Involvement of both major histocompatibility complex class II alpha and beta chains in CD4 function indicates a role for ordered oligomerization in T cell activation

CD4 is a membrane glycoprotein on T lymphocytes that binds to the same peptide:major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecule recognized by the antigen-specific receptor (TCR), thereby stabilizing interactions between the TCR and peptide;MHC class II complexes and promoting the localization of the src family tyrosine kinase p56lck into the receptor complex. Previous studies identified a solvent- exposed loop on the class II beta 2 domain necessary for binding to CD4 and for eliciting CD4 coreceptor activity. Here, we demonstrate that a second surface-exposed segment of class II is also critical for CD4 function. This site is in the alpha 2 domain, positioned in single class II heterodimers in such a way that it cannot simultaneously interact with the same CD4 molecule as the beta 2 site. The ability of mutations at either site to diminish CD4 function therefore indicates that specifically organized CD4 and/or MHC class II oligomers play a critical role in coreceptor-dependent T cell activation.
Search and the Efficient Assignment of Workers to Jobs

In a model in which different types of workers form matches with different types of employers, a method of calculating opportunity costs of workers and jobs is derived. These are shown to differ systematically from the reservation wages and profits used by workers and employers to determine whether matches should be formed. Ex ante differences among workers and among jobs then generate externalities in the labor market, resulting in inefficient assignments of workers to jobs and multiple equilibria. Intervention in the labor market, by altering the assignment, can increase aggregate output but may cause regressive redistribution. Copyright 1995 by Economics Department of the University of Pennsylvania and the Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association.
Suprascapular nerve block for pain relief in adhesive capsulitis: comparison of 2 different techniques.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of 2 suprascapular nerve block techniques in adhesive capsulitis. DESIGN A single-blinded, randomized, comparative clinical trial. SETTING Physical medicine and rehabilitation department of a university hospital in Turkey. PARTICIPANTS Forty-one patients with adhesive capsulitis. INTERVENTIONS Suprascapular nerve block with patients randomly divided into 2 groups: group A, needle tip guided by superficial bony landmarks, or group B, near-nerve electromyographically guided technique. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain severity and range of motion (ROM) were assessed before the injection and at 10 and 60 minutes after it. RESULTS Active and passive ROM changes and VAS score changes from baseline were statistically significant for each group (P<.05). Passive ROM changes within time after the injection were statistically significant between the 2 groups in all planes except glenohumeral abduction. Achieved VAS score changes in the groups within time were significantly different from each other (P=.001). The VAS score difference after the suprascapular nerve block was more prominent in the near-nerve electromyography group. CONCLUSION The near-nerve electromyography technique for suprascapular nerve block was more successful in providing and maintaining pain relief for up to 60 minutes.
Privatization and economic performance throughout the UK business cycle

Since 1979, many state-owned industries in the UK have been sold to private shareholders. Initial studies of the impact of privatization on performance were unable to distinguish once-and-for-all shake-out effects and those that were part of a continuing process. Moreover, the immediate post-privatization period often coincided with the boom conditions of the late 1980s. Using two standard performance ratios, this paper examines these issues by tracking the record of eleven firms that were privatized in the 1980s. The results make it difficult to sustain the hypothesis that private ownership is unequivocally more efficient than nationalization.
Portfolio disclosures and year-end price shifts

Commercial paper sells at an extra discount if it matures in the next calendar year but Treasury bills do not. The discount is apparent in downward price shifts before the year-end, and upward price shifts at the turn of the year that are significantly correlated with the simultaneous returns to small stocks, and that cannot reflect tax-loss selling. Cross-sectional and time-series tests on prices, as well as flow of funds evidence on trades by institutional investors, indicate that both the debt and equity patterns reflect agency problems related to portfolio disclosures. Copyright 1997 by American Finance Association.
Is recruitment the millennium time bomb for the industry worldwide

This interview with David Wood of the HCIMA highlights his belief that recruitment and staffing are going to be the big problems of the new millennium. With hospitality perceived as a low‐skilled, low‐paid industry, recruitment presents difficulties now. Education in the industry has changed dramatically emphasising the continued need to match training and learning with the real needs of industry.
Implementation of Fog computing for reliable E-health applications

This paper addresses the current technical challenge of an impedance mismatch between the requirements of smart connected object applications within the sensing environment and the characteristics of today's cloud infrastructure. We investigate the possibility to offload cloud tasks, such as storage and data signal processing to the edge of the network, thus decreasing the latency associated with performing those tasks within the cloud. The research scenario is an e-Health laboratory implementation where the real-time processing is performed by the home PC, while the extracted metadata is sent to the cloud for further processing.
Signaling Vascular Morphogenesis and Maintenance

[ Douglas Hanahan ][1] Blood vessels are formed and maintained by a family of soluble factors that interact with tyrosine kinase receptors on the endothelial cell surface. A new angiogenesis factor (Ang2) is reported in an article by [ Maisonpierre et al . ][2] in this week's issue. Hanahan describes what is known about the process of vascular morphogenesis and maintenance and how this new factor fits into this complex regulatory system. [][3] [1]: http://www.sciencemag. org#affiliation [2]: http://www.sciencemag. org/cgi/content/short/277/5322/55 [3]: http://
Effects of maximal oxygen uptake test and prolonged cycle ergometer exercise on sway density plot of postural control

This work aims at testing the influence of the maximal oxygen uptake test and prolonged cycle ergometer exercise on sway density plot (SDP) parameters of postural control. Sixteen healthy male subjects were submitted to stabilometric tests with eye open and closed, before and after two different exercises. The maximal oxygen uptake test caused decrease of the mean duration of peaks in SDP, decreasing the stability level, without modify the rates of central and muscular torque controls. Conversely, 60 min exercise increased the mean time interval between two consecutive peaks in SDP, thus decreasing the control rate but not changing the stability level. Visual privation had a greater effect on body sway than these exercises, which were applied to muscles that are not the main actuators in body sway control. Concluding, the changes in postural control are dependent on the intensity and duration of exercise.
Simultaneous concentration of platelets and marrow cells: A simple and useful technique to obtain source cells and growth factors for regenerative medicine

Platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) has attracted attention as a safe and cost‐effective source of growth factors that stimulate cells to regenerate tissue. Bone marrow aspirate was processed with the same protocol to obtain PRP from peripheral blood. This concentrate contained condensed nucleated bone marrow cells, which are useful for regenerative medicine, as well as condensed platelets. In PRP derived from bone marrow aspirate, the density of platelets and levels of growth factors (platelet‐derived growth factor and transforming growth factor‐β) were the same as in PRP derived from peripheral blood. Condensation of nucleated cells, especially small‐sized cells, was confirmed. With a simple and cost‐effective technique, source cells and growth factors can be obtained at the same time. This simultaneous concentration of platelets and bone marrow cells has great potential as a source of materials for regenerative medicine.
Protection of cardiac mitochondria by diazoxide and protein kinase C: Implications for ischemic preconditioning

Mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K (mitoKATP) channels play a central role in protecting the heart from injury in ischemic preconditioning. In isolated mitochondria exposed to elevated extramitochondrial Ca, Pi, and anoxia to simulate ischemic conditions, the selective mitoKATP channel agonist diazoxide (25–50 μM) potently reduced mitochondrial injury by preventing both the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) and cytochrome c loss from the intermembrane space. Both effects were blocked completely by the selective mitoKATP antagonist 5-hydroxydecanoate. The protective effect against Ca-induced MPT was most evident under conditions in which the ability of electron transport to support membrane potential (Δψm) was decreased and inner membrane leakiness was increased moderately. Under these conditions, mitoKATP channel activity strongly regulated Δψm, and diazoxide prevented MPT by inhibiting the driving force for Ca uptake. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate mimicked the protective effects of diazoxide, unless 5-hydroxydecanoate was present, indicating that protein kinase C activation also protects mitochondria by activating mitoKATP channels. Because Δψm recovery ultimately is required for heart functional recovery, these results may explain how mitoKATP channel activation mimics ischemic preconditioning by protecting mitochondria as they pass through a critical vulnerability window during ischemia/reperfusion.
A Novel Role for Carcinoembryonic Antigen-Related Cell Adhesion Molecule 6 as a Determinant of Gemcitabine Chemoresistance in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Cells

Most patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma present with surgically incurable disease. Gemcitabine, the principal agent used to treat such patients, has little impact on outcome. Overexpression of carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule (CEACAM) 6, a feature of this malignancy, is associated with resistance to anoikis and increased metastasis. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of CEACAM6 in cellular chemoresistance to gemcitabine. CEACAM6 was stably overexpressed in Capan2 cells, which inherently express very low levels of the protein. Suppression of CEACAM6 expression was achieved in BxPC3 cells, which inherently overexpress CEACAM6, by stable transfection of a CEACAM6 small interfering RNA-generating vector. The effects of modulating CEACAM6 expression on gemcitabine-induced cytotoxicity were determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide cytotoxicity assay, flow cytometric apoptosis quantification, caspase profiling, and Western analysis of cytoplasmic cytochrome c release. The roles of Akt and c-Src kinases as downstream targets of CEACAM6 signaling were examined. Stable overexpression of CEACAM6 in Capan2 increased gemcitabine chemoresistance, whereas CEACAM6 gene silencing in BxPC3 markedly increased the sensitivity of these cells to gemcitabine. Differential expression of CEACAM6 modulates Akt activity in a c-Src-dependent manner, and CEACAM6 overexpression appears to protect cells from cytochrome c-induced caspase 3 activation and apoptosis.
Forest optimisation models including timber production and carbon sequestration values of forest ecosystems: a case study

The integration of carbon sequestration value of forest ecosystems into forest management planning models has become increasingly important in sustainable forest management. This study analyses the economic effects of different minimum cutting ages on timber and carbon sequestration values for a Scots pine forest clumped mainly in older age classes in northeast Turkey. The analysis is performed by formulating three optimisation models. The objective of each model is to maximise net present value (NPV) of harvested timber, net present value of carbon sequestration and the total net present value of timber production and carbon sequestration, respectively. Results showed that increasing the minimum cutting ages by 10 years increased the NPV of timber by 10.5%. However, the current minimum cutting ages were optimal for maximizing the NPV of carbon and the sum of the NPV of timber and carbon benefits. In addition, the model outputs were found to be quite sensitive to unit carbon prices.
The impact of ISO registration on New Zealand firms’ performance: a financial perspective

The question that this study addresses is whether the shareholders of New Zealand firms benefit from the process of gaining ISO registration. Three major questions with regard to ISO registration within the New Zealand business context are raised. First, how do New Zealand public firms’ stock prices react to the announcement of ISO registration? Secondly, do ISO registered firms perform any differently to the New Zealand market on average? And finally, does the choice of certifying authority (organisation that awards ISO registration) have an influence on the subsequent performance of the ISO registered firms’ performance? This study is conducted from a financial perspective. The New Zealand market is found to have no reaction to ISO registration announcements; supporting the existence of semi‐strong market efficiency. ISO registered firms are found to perform below average when compared to the New Zealand capital market and the choice of certifying authority does hold influence on subsequent firm performance.
RNomics: an experimental approach that identifies 201 candidates for novel, small, non‐messenger RNAs in mouse

In mouse brain cDNA libraries generated from small RNA molecules we have identified a total of 201 different expressed RNA sequences potentially encoding novel small non‐messenger RNA species (snmRNAs). Based on sequence and structural motifs, 113 of these RNAs can be assigned to the C/D box or H/ACA box subclass of small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), known as guide RNAs for rRNA. While 30 RNAs represent mouse homologues of previously identified human C/D or H/ACA snoRNAs, 83 correspond to entirely novel snoRNAs. Among these, for the first time, we identified four C/D box snoRNAs and four H/ACA box snoRNAs predicted to direct modifications within U2, U4 or U6 small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs). Furthermore, 25 snoRNAs from either class lacked antisense elements for rRNAs or snRNAs. Therefore, additional snoRNA targets have to be considered. Surprisingly, six C/D box snoRNAs and one H/ACA box snoRNA were expressed exclusively in brain. Of the 88 RNAs not belonging to either snoRNA subclass, at least 26 are probably derived from truncated heterogeneous nuclear RNAs (hnRNAs) or mRNAs. Short interspersed repetitive elements (SINEs) are located on five RNA sequences and may represent rare examples of transcribed SINEs. The remaining RNA species could not as yet be assigned either to any snmRNA class or to a part of a larger hnRNA/mRNA. It is likely that at least some of the latter will represent novel, unclassified snmRNAs.
Combining Forecasts with Nonparametric Kernel Regressions

We introduce a flexible nonparametric technique that can be used to select weights in a forecast-combining regression. We perform a Monte Carlo study that evaluates the performance of the proposed technique along with other linear and nonlinear forecast-combining procedures. The simulation results show that when forecast errors are correlated across models, the nonparametric weighting scheme dominates. As a general rule, our simulation results suggest that the practice of combining forecasts, no matter the technique employed in selecting the combination weights, can yield lower forecast errors on average. An application to inflation forecasting is also presented to demonstrate the use of all forecast-combining techniques.
Age as a prognostic factor in breast cancer.

We retrospectively analysed data from 1751 patients with non-metastatic and non-inflammatory breast cancer treated in our institution between 1977 and 1989, in order to evaluate the link between age and prognosis in breast cancer. We chose three age groups (1): < or = 33 (n = 67), 34-40 ( n = 155), > 40 years (n = 1529). There were no significant differences in the distribution of clinical tumor size (T), histological node status (N), histology of the primary-tumor and progesterone receptor levels (PR). Younger patients had a higher proportion of SBR III (p < 0.0001), and of Estradiol Receptor negative tumors (EP). There was a significant difference between the three groups in terms of overall survival (p < 0.035), breast cancer specific survival (p < 0.0001) and relapse-free survival (p < 0.0002). Younger patients had a significantly poorer prognosis (survival and relapse) than older ones. Multivariate analysis of specific survival demonstrated that young age at diagnosis was a poor independent prognostic factor.
The Influence of Enterprise Diversification on Household Food Security Among Small-scale Sugarcane Farmers: A Case Study of Muhoroni Division, Nyando District, Kenya

Abstract This paper examines the levels of household food security and the influence of enterprise diversification on household food security among small-scale sugarcane farmers in Muhoroni division, Nyando District, Kenya. A cross-sectional research design was used in this study. The population consisted of small-scale sugarcane farmers who grow sugarcane in Muhoroni zone. Proportionate sampling followed by simple random sampling was used to select a study sample of 363 farmers. Questionnaires with open and close-ended items were used to collect the data. Using descriptive and inferential statistics, the study showed that there was a strong relationship between enterprise diversification and household food security. About 47% of small-scale sugarcane farmers were found to be food secure and farm enterprise diversification contributed positively towards household food security status. The practice of enterprise diversification needs to be promoted more intensively, as it increases food security among smal.
Valuing Health Conditions - Insights from Happiness Surveys across Countries and Cultures

This paper assesses the effects of different health conditions on happiness. Based on a large data set for Latin America, the effects of different conditions are examined across age, gender, and income cohorts. Anxiety and pain have stronger effects than physical problems, likely because people can adapt better to one-time shocks than to constant uncertainty. The negative effects of health conditions are very large when compared to the effects of income on happiness. While higher peer income typically elicits envy, better peer health provides positive signals for life and health satisfaction. Nonetheless, health norms vary widely across countries. The results suggest that the life satisfaction approach applied to surveys of health may contribute to better health expenditure and policy decisions.
Graded Possibilistic Approach to Variable Selection in Linear Fuzzy Clustering

Linear fuzzy clustering is a useful tool for knowledge discovery in databases (KDD), and several modifications have been proposed in order to analyze real world data. This paper proposes a new approach for estimation of local linear models, in which linear fuzzy clustering is performed by selecting variables in each cluster. The new clustering model uses two types of memberships. One is the conventional membership that represents the degree of membership of each sample. The other is the additional parameter that represents the responsibility of each variable and is given by the graded possibilistic approach. Numerical experiments demonstrate the characteristics of the proposed technique