Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DNA Methylation Status of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) - Related Genes Is Associated with Severe Clinical Phenotypes in Ulcerative Colitis (UC)

Background Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a phenomenon that allows the conversion of adherent epithelial cells to a mesenchymal cell phenotype, which enhances migratory capacity and invasiveness. Recent studies have suggested that EMT contributes to the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). We investigated the promoter DNA methylation status of EMT-related genes in the colonic mucosa in UC. Methods Colonic biopsies were obtained from the rectal inflammatory mucosa of 86 UC patients and the non-inflammatory proximal colonic mucosa of 10 paired patients. Bisulfite pyrosequencing was used to quantify the methylation of 5 candidate CpG island promoters (NEUROG1, CDX1, miR-1247, CDH1, and CDH13) and LINE1. Results Using an unsupervised hierarchical clustering analysis, inflamed rectal mucosa was well separated from mucosa that appeared normal. The CDH1 and CDH13 promoters were significantly associated with patient age (p = 0.04, 0.03, respectively). A similar trend was found between those genes and the duration of disease (CDH1: p = 0.07, CDH13: p = 0.0002, mean of both: p<0.00001). Several positive associations were found between hypermethylation and severe clinical phenotypes (CDX1 and miR-1247 and a refractory phenotype: p = 0.04 and 0.006, respectively. miR-1247 and CDH1 hyper methylation and a more severe Mayo endoscopic subscore: miR-1247: p = 0.0008, CDH1: p = 0.03, mean of both: p = 0.003). When the severe clinical phenotype was defined as having any of five phenotypes (hospitalized more than twice, highest Mayo endoscopic subscore, steroid dependence, refractory, or a history of surgery) miR-1247 hypermethylation was associated with the same phenotype (p = 0.008). Conclusions Our data suggest that variability in the methylation status of EMT-related genes is associated with more severe clinical phenotypes in UC.
Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide and Impulse Oscillometry in Children With Allergic Rhinitis

Purpose Airway inflammation, bronchial hyper-responsiveness (BHR), and bronchodilator response (BDR) are representative characteristics of asthma. Because allergic rhinitis (AR) is a risk factor for asthma development, we evaluated these 3 characteristics in AR using measurement of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), a methacholine challenge test (MCT), and impulse oscillometry (IOS). Methods This study included 112 children with asthma (asthma group), 196 children with AR (AR group), and 32 control subjects (control group). We compared pulmonary function parameters and FeNO levels among the 3 groups. The AR group was subdivided into 2 categories: the AR group with BHR and the AR group without, and again pulmonary function and FeNO levels were compared between the 2 subgroups. Results FeNO levels were more increased in the AR and asthma groups than in the control group; within the AR group, FeNO was higher in the AR group with BHR than in the AR group without. The BDR was more increased in the AR group than in the control group when percent changes in reactance at 5 Hz (Δ X5) and reactance area (Δ AX) were compared. In the AR group, however, there was no difference in Δ X5 and Δ AX between the AR group with BHR and the AR group without. Conclusions Reversible airway obstruction on IOS and elevated FeNO levels were observed in children with AR. Because elevated FeNO levels can indicate airway inflammation and because chronic inflammation may lead to BHR, FeNO levels may be associated with BHR in AR. IOS can be a useful tool for detecting lower airway involvement of AR independent of BHR assessed in the MCT.
Regionalism versus

1687 Do the forces that regional integration arrangements set up encourage or discourage a trend toward globally freer trade? We don't know yet. Summary findings The literature on regionalism versus multilateralism is growing as economists and political scientists grapple with the question of whether regional integration arrangements are good or bad for the multilateral system. Are regional integration arrangements " building blocks, or stumbling blocks, " in Jagdish Bhagwati's phrase, or stepping stones toward multilateralism? As economists worry about the ability of the World Trade Organization to maintain the GATT's unsteady yet distinct momentum toward liberalism, and as they contemplate the emergence of world-scale regional integration arrangements (the EU, NAFTA, FTAA, APEC, and, possibly, TAFTA), the question has never been more pressing. Winters switches the focus from the immediate consequences of regionalism for the economic welfare of the integrating partners to the question of whether it sets up forces that encourage or discourage evolution toward globally freer trade. The answer is, " We don't know yet. " One can build models that suggest either conclusion, but these models are still so abstract that they should be viewed as parables rather than sources of testable predictions. Winters offers conclusions about research strategy as well as about the world we live in. Among the conclusions he reaches: • Since we value multilateralism, we had better work out what it means and, if it means different things to different people, make sure to identify the sense in which we are using the term. • Sector-specific lobbies are a danger if regionalism is permitted because they tend to stop blocs from moving all the way to global free trade. In the presence of lobbies, trade diversion is good politics even if it is bad economics. • Regionalism's direct effect of multilateralism is important, but possibly more so is the indirect effect it has by changing the ways in which groups of countries interact and respond to shocks in the world economy. • Regionalism, by allowing stronger internalization of the gains from trade liberalization, seems likely to facilitate freer trade when it is initially highly restricted. • The possibility of regionalism probably increases the risks of catastrophe in the trading system. The insurance incentives for joining regional arrangements and the existence of " shiftable externalities " both lead to such a conclusion. So too does the view that regionalism is a means to bring trade …
Market Segmentation Based on Customers' Post-Purchase Performance Evaluation

Abstract Among the important tasks for marketers is to decide whether their organization should pursue a strategy of market segmentation, and if the market is to be segmented, on what basis it should be upon. Segmentation studies have frequently used customer expectations or attribute importance as the basis. However, their limitations, often overlooked, raise questions about their appropriateness. This study adopted a postpurchase performance evaluation based segmentation approach. Tourists' perceptions of restaurant services were examined in order to understand whether tourists could be grouped into distinct segments. The study further explored whether composition of factors influencing dining satisfaction differed between segments. A factor-clustering method identified five distinct segments. Implications of the study are discussed.
Factors Affecting Successful Implementation of Hospital Information Systems

Background: Today, the use of information systems in health environments, like any other fields, is necessary and organizational managers are convinced to use these systems. However, managers’ satisfaction is not the only factor in successfully implementing these systems and failed information technology projects (IT) are reported despite the consent of the directors. Therefore, this study aims to determine the factors affecting the successful implementation of a hospital information system. Methods: The study was carried out as a descriptive method in 20 clinical hospitals that the hospital information system (HIS) was conducted in them. The clinical and paraclinical users of mentioned hospitals are the study group. 400 people were chosen as samples in scientific method and the data was collected using a questionnaire consisted of three main human, managerial and organizational, and technological factors, by questionnaire and interview. Then the data was scored in Likert scale (score of 1 to 5) and were analyzed using the SPSS software. Results: About 75 percent of the population were female, with average work experience of 10 years and the mean age was 30 years. The human factors affecting the success of hospital information system implementation achieved the mean score of 3.5, both organizational and managerial factors 2.9 and technological factors the mean of 3. Conclusion: Human factors including computer skills, perceiving usefulness and perceiving the ease of a hospital information system use are more effective on the acceptance and successful implementation of hospital information systems; then the technological factors play a greater role. It is recommended that for the successful implementation of hospital information systems, most of these factors to be considered
The Mutual Interactions between Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Myoblasts in an Autologous Co-Culture Model

Both myoblasts and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) take part in the muscle tissue regeneration and have been used as experimental cellular therapy in muscular disorders treatment. It is possible that co-transplantation approach could improve the efficacy of this treatment. However, the relations between those two cell types are not clearly defined. The aim of this study was to determine the reciprocal interactions between myoblasts and MSC in vitro in terms of the features important for the muscle regeneration process. Primary caprine muscle-derived cells (MDC) and bone marrow-derived MSC were analysed in autologous settings. We found that MSC contribute to myotubes formation by fusion with MDC when co-cultured directly, but do not acquire myogenic phenotype if exposed to MDC-derived soluble factors only. Experiments with exposure to hydrogen peroxide showed that MSC are significantly more resistant to oxidative stress than MDC, but a direct co-culture with MSC does not diminish the cytotoxic effect of H2O2 on MDC. Cell migration assay demonstrated that MSC possess significantly greater migration ability than MDC which is further enhanced by MDC-derived soluble factors, whereas the opposite effect was not found. MSC-derived soluble factors significantly enhanced the proliferation of MDC, whereas MDC inhibited the division rate of MSC. To conclude, presented results suggest that myogenic precursors and MSC support each other during muscle regeneration and therefore myoblasts-MSC co-transplantation could be an attractive approach in the treatment of muscular disorders.
The Role of Expectations and Output in the Inflation Process: An Empirical Assessment

This brief examines two issues of current interest concerning inflation: (1) whether "well-anchored" expectations will help to restrain inflation's decline and whether an "un-anchoring" of expectations could lead to undesirably high inflation and (2) to what extent output (or utilization) gaps are useful components of empirical models of inflation and, if they are useful, to what extent current gaps might counterbalance the effect of expectations on inflation. The goals of conducting this examination are to articulate a reasonably coherent framework for the discussion, highlight the key areas of uncertainty, and provide new empirical evidence that sheds some light on these areas.
Fairness in an Embedded Ultimatum Game

We embed an ultimatum game in a stylized legal bargaining framework. This changes the framing of the standard ultimatum game in several ways but also moves the bargaining closer to what is found in some naturally occurring settings. In this context, the ultimatum game is played over the joint surplus, which is achieved from settlement rather than a dispute. In our embedded ultimatum game, the median offer contains only 8 percent of the joint surplus from settlement. When we replicate the simple ultimatum game, we find that 50 percent of the joint surplus is contained in the median offer.
Small-interfering RNAs from natural antisense transcripts derived from a cellulose synthase gene modulate cell wall biosynthesis in barley

Small-interfering RNAs (siRNAs) from natural cis-antisense pairs derived from the 3′-coding region of the barley (Hordeum vulgare) CesA6 cellulose synthase gene substantially increase in abundance during leaf elongation. Strand-specific RT-PCR confirmed the presence of an antisense transcript of HvCesA6 that extends ≥1230 bp from the 3′ end of the CesA-coding sequence. The increases in abundance of the CesA6 antisense transcript and the 21-nt and 24-nt siRNAs derived from the transcript are coincident with the down-regulation of primary wall CesAs, several Csl genes, and GT8 glycosyl transferase genes, and are correlated with the reduction in rates of cellulose and (1 → 3),(1 → 4)-β-D-glucan synthesis. Virus induced gene silencing using unique target sequences derived from HvCesA genes attenuated expression not only of the HvCesA6 gene, but also of numerous nontarget Csls and the distantly related GT8 genes and reduced the incorporation of D-14C-Glc into cellulose and into mixed-linkage (1 → 3),(1 → 4)-β-D-glucans of the developing leaves. Unique target sequences for CslF and CslH conversely silenced the same genes and lowered rates of cellulose and (1 → 3),(1 → 4)-β-D-glucan synthesis. Our results indicate that the expression of individual members of the CesA/Csl superfamily and glycosyl transferases share common regulatory control points, and siRNAs from natural cis-antisense pairs derived from the CesA/Csl superfamily could function in this global regulation of cell-wall synthesis.
Cooperation, Conflict, and Power in the Absence of Property Rights

This paper examines interaction in the absence of property rights when agents face a trade-off between productive and coercive activities. In this setting, conflict is not the necessary outcome of one-time interaction and cooperation is consistent with domination of one agent over another. Other things being equal, an agent's power, a well-defined concept in this paper, is inversely related to an agent's resources when resources are valued according to marginal-productivity theory. Some implications for the evolution of property rights are drawn. The model is applicable to a variety of situations in which directly unproductive activities are prevalent. Copyright 1992 by American Economic Association.
Child Access Prevention Laws: Keeping Guns Out of Our Children's Hands

This Note explores the Child Access Prevention (”CAP”) law and laws which are generally intended to limit children’s access to guns at home. The author proposes a model CAP law that should be enacted in the United States. This Note discusses the evolution of CAP laws and presents for arguments for and against such laws. It delves into the National Rifle Association’s (”NRA”) powerful influence that improperly prevents CAP laws from being enacted by the federal government. Additionally, it is argued that unless the federal government enacts a CAP law, innocent children will continue to be injure and lose their lives as a result of unintentional shootings in their own homes. CHILD ACCESS PREVENTION LAWS: KEEPING GUNS OUT OF OUR CHILDREN'S HANDS
The Value Of Leisure In Coping With Natural Disaster: A Case Study In The Aftermath Of Hurricane Katrina

The late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries have witnessed more than their share of cataclysmic events, both natural and human-made. Most notable is Hurricane Katrina, a category 5 storm that ravaged the coasts of Louisiana and Mississippi. The infamous history of Hurricane Katrina's devastation stems from a couple of factors. First, the death toll reached what, for Americans, was a shockingly high figure of 1, 577 peeple. Second, and more socially and politically relevant, was the federal government's mismanagement of the crisis. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of leisure services available to adolescents following the traumatic events of Hurricane Katrina. As such, this study was based on a three-phase, mix-methods approach. First, 100 adults who were adolescents during Hurricane Katrina filled out a structured questionnaire derived from the criteria enumerated for PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV TR (DSM-IV-TR) in order to make an informal assessment of the level of stress these adolescents/youths experienced during and after the events of Hurricane Katrina. Sixty-one percent of the participants taking the survey met criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD similar to the criteria required for such a diagnosis by the DSM-IV. Second, 10 interviews were conducted with adults who were adolescents during the event of Hurricane Katrina and had reported high levels of stress, in order to investigate if leisure was helpful as a coping method during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The most salient themes included: (1) leisure as a coping mechanism before and after Hurricane Katrina; (2) diversity of leisure in dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina; and (3) importance of family and coping together. Third, three interviews were conducted with three different directors of youth-serving leisure agencies (New Orleans Recreation Department, Boys and Girls Club in New Orleans, youth services of Second Mt. Bethel Baptist Church in New Orleans) to investigate if leisure services helped adolescents cope with the traumatic aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The most salient themes included: (1) implementation of new programs since Hurricane Katrina; (2) help rebuilding communities and centers; (3) creating partnerships in youth/leisure programming, and (4) preventative steps in the aftermath. In short, this study outlined participants who experienced stress associated with Hurricane Katrina and were likely to suffer from PTSD and it found that leisure experiences and services can be used as a healthy coping strategy during highly stressful events. Future research can be built on this study in different ways. More in-depth interviews could be used to gain greater insights into how leisure experiences can facilitate coping and greater mental health. Likewise, future research can be directed on greater understanding of leisure constraints during times of natural disaster and if current leisure constraints strategies are even useful during a time of natural disaster.
GRB: magnetic fields, cosmic rays, and emission from first principles?

We describe a scenario for large-scale magnetic field generation and particle acceleration in a collisionless collision of cold plasma clouds. A first-principle (i.e. using particles) numerical simulation of this process might be possible. Our scenario is essentially 3D. We argue that {\it large-scale} magnetic fields are not generated in 2D, even in collisionless plasma. We calculate and numerically simulate magnetic field generation by relativistic collisionless Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in 2D. Collisionless tangential discontinuity might be more important than collisionless shock, because tangential discontinuity remains unstable even in the hydro limit, when the shock stabilizes.
Uncovered Interest Parity at Distant Horizons: Evidence on Emerging Economies & Nonlinearities

This paper tests for uncovered interest parity (UIP) at distant horizons for the US and its main trading partners, including both mature and emerging market economies, also exploring the existence of nonlinearities. At long and medium horizons, it finds support in favour of the standard, linear, specification of UIP for dollar rates vis-a-vis major floating currencies, but not vis-a-vis emerging market currencies. Moreover, the paper finds evidence that, not only yield differentials widen, but that US bond yields do react in anticipation of exchange rate movements, notably when these take place vis-a-vis major floating currencies. Last, the paper detects signs of nonlinearities in UIP at the mediumterm horizon for dollar rates vis-a-vis some of the major floating currencies, albeit surrounded by some uncertainty. JEL Classification: E43, F31, F41
Excess Reserves, Unconventional Monetary Policy and the Consequences for Fiscal Stimulus Packages

Employing huge economic stimulus packages was a common response of many policy leaders during the past financial crisis. In Germany for instance, the government enacted two fiscal packages with an overall volume of approximately 80 billion Euros. On the other hand, the distortions in the banking sector led to an increase in the interest paid for loans, which called for central bank interventions. The resulting increase in the money supply was accompanied by an increased demand for government bonds as well as a sharp rise of the excess reserves. This paper introduces a DSGE framework to analyze the consequences of the enormous amount of excess reserves for a successful fiscal stimulus package. Our results suggest that these reserves may increase the fiscal multiplier in a non-negligible fashion.
Improving Understanding of Choice Experiments to Estimate Values of Travel Time

This paper describes how the value of travel time (VOT) is perhaps the single most important variable in the analysis and planning of transport systems. Knowledge of the VOT of the traveling population is essential for decision makers to be able to justify investment in transport improvements that save travelers time. Further, VOT is required as an input to several forecasting processes. VOT is an important example of the more general concept of willingness-to-pay (WTP), which is central to evidence-based decision-making on public investment. Decision makers justify expenditure on the basis that the public would be willing to pay for infrastructure or improved services. The most common approach adopted for the estimation of population VOT is to conduct stated choice experiments. These experiments involve offering a sample of respondents a series of pairs of alternatives, differing in time and cost. In several studies, including some recent ones, part of the experiment has been based on an experimental design that balances the gains and losses in time and cost but does not include any other variables. This design, though well tried and tested, has been criticized as being too simple, as not giving sufficient variety of choice and of inviting inconsistency in responses. Sometimes it has proved quite difficult to obtain satisfactory results from specific data sets. However, sophisticated analyses of data of this form are able to obtain quite robust estimates. It is therefore interesting to consider whether the problems that have been encountered might be due to the excessively simple form of analysis that has conventionally been used. The conventional assumption is that all the choices are equally accurately assessed, but it appears that this assumption can cause serious problems in modeling the responses. Preliminary tests with alternative assumptions suggest that they could not only solve the difficulty of obtaining credible results but also give a much better explanation of the data. One such assumption is that of random inter-respondent heterogeneity, but other assumptions are possible. For example, the assumption that error in the data is proportional to the cost difference between the alternatives presented leads to analyses on a basis that has been described as “Willingness to Pay” space.