Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An essay on the Muslim Gap

The paper analyzes 3 main trends: (t1) The economic development in the Muslim world is slower than in the rest of the world. (t2) The world grows increasingly democratic due to rising incomes, but this trend does not affect the Muslim world. (t3) The world grows increasingly secular due to rising incomes, but this trend is much weaker in the Muslim world. The difference in (t1) is smaller than necessary to explain (t2) and (t3). It is demonstrated that the data contains two economic convergence clubs: The Western club and the Arab one. The non Arab Muslim countries follow the path of other non-Western countries, though at a lower level. Further, it is demonstrated that Muslims deviate as to religiosity, family life values and as to the preference for religion in politics.
2,3-Dihydroxybenzoic Acid-Containing Nanofiber Wound Dressings Inhibit Biofilm Formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas aeruginosa forms biofilms in wounds, which often leads to chronic infections that are difficult to treat with antibiotics. Free iron enhances biofilm formation, delays wound healing, and may even be responsible for persistent inflammation, increased connective tissue destruction, and lipid peroxidation. Exposure of P. aeruginosa Xen 5 to the iron chelator 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA), electrospun into a nanofiber blend of poly(d,l-lactide) (PDLLA) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), referred to as DF, for 8 h decreased biofilm formation by approximately 75%. This was shown by a drastic decline in cell numbers, from 7.1 log10 CFU/ml to 4.8 log10 CFU/ml when biofilms were exposed to DF in the presence of 2.0 mM FeCl3 6H2O. A similar decline in cell numbers was recorded in the presence of 3.0 mM FeCl3 6H2O and DF. The cells were more mobile in the presence of DHBA, supporting the observation of less biofilm formation at lower iron concentrations. DHBA at MIC levels (1.5 mg/ml) inhibited the growth of strain Xen 5 for at least 24 h. Our findings indicate that DHBA electrospun into nanofibers inhibits cell growth for at least 4 h, which is equivalent to the time required for all DHBA to diffuse from DF. This is the first indication that DF can be developed into a wound dressing to treat topical infections caused by P. aeruginosa.
Visual perceptual and working memory impairments in schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND Impairments in working memory have been proposed to underlie a broad range of cognitive deficits seen in schizophrenia. Visual working memory impairments are frequently reported in schizophrenia. Investigations of visual working memory generally assume intact visual information processing, despite evidence of visual perceptual impairments in schizophrenia. In this study, we evaluated the integrity of the perceptual system for object and spatial visual information and the relevant working memory system, after adjusting for individual perceptual performance differences. METHODS Thirty patients with schizophrenia and 20 healthy control subjects underwent testing using a task of perceptual discrimination of spatial and object visual stimuli. For testing visual working memory, a delay was introduced to the perceptual discrimination task. A thresholding procedure was used so that each subject adequately perceived the information during the working memory test. RESULTS Subjects with schizophrenia exhibited impaired performance relative to controls for object and spatial visual perceptual discrimination. The extent of impairment was greater for the object than for the spatial test. After controlling for perceptual impairments, the subjects with schizophrenia exhibited impaired performance relative to controls for the spatial working memory test but not the object working memory test. CONCLUSIONS Findings implicate dysfunction of posterior brain areas that mediate visual perceptual processing and the prefrontal areas involved in the active maintenance of information during delay intervals. However, the systems that govern object and spatial visual perception and working memory appear to be affected differentially by schizophrenia.
Determinants of European bank risk during financial crisis

Abstract This paper examines the determinants of European bank risk-taking during major financial crisis. Using a sample of banks from 26 countries over the period 2005–2015, we examine the nature of the relationship between bank risk, bank characteristics, regulatory, institutional and macroeconomic variables. We use a dynamic panel data modeling structure to capture the potential discrepancies in risk-taking behavior. We subdivide our sample into two sub-samples (East Europe and West Europe countries). We show that macroeconomic and regulatory variables seem to have non-negligible impact on bank risk-taking attitudes. We document that the relationship between bank risk, internal and external factors differs across samples.
Rich State, Poor State: Essays on Economic Disparities within India

In the first chapter of this dissertation, we create original annual average years of education across the major, present-day states of India from 1951 to 2011 in line with work done by Turner et al.(2007). Drawing from multiple volumes of the decennial censuses, Planning Commission reports, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation databases and historical atlases to account for territorial changes since independence, our data show that the average Indian worker had less than a primary education even as late as 2011. However, this is still significantly more than the years of education of the average Indian, with the disparity growing in later years. We also construct original measures of real output per worker across the same period. Using OLS on differenced data, time fixed effects, as well as dynamic panel estimation, our results show an average return of between 20 and 25% to a year of education. After ensuring that our data show no feedback effects from worker output to future education, we use an endogenous fertility choice model created by Tamura et al, to demonstrate that the increasing but varied rates of change in education levels across all states are a result of declining mortality and increasing space costs. The two factors lead parents to choose higher quality rather than quantity of children, endowed with more education. To do this, we use census actuarial reports and life tables to construct probabilities of young deaths (< 35 years of age) across the states and time under consideration and calibrate the model with rent and taste parameters.
Clinical and prognostic relevancy of left ventricular trabeculation assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND AND AIM We sought to search for factors associated with the magnitude of trabeculation by cardiac magnetic resonance, and evaluate the impact of trabeculations on outcomes in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). METHODS We evaluated clinical profiles and outcomes of 276 subjects with DCM (age: 33.2 ± 13.3 years, 160 males). Trabeculation was quantified as trabeculated/total myocardial mass ratio (TM/M). Subjects were stratified into three subgroups (A, B, and C) according to the tertiles of rising TM/M values (33% ranges). A group of 30 healthy subjects served as controls. Patients were prospectively followed-up in search of major adverse cardiovascular events for 2.4 years on average (range 0.2-3.9 years). RESULTS Dilated cardiomyopathy patients had more trabeculation than controls (27.1 ± 16.9% vs. 17.3 ± 8.1, p < 0.01). Group C subjects had lowest N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) (1445 [984-3843] vs. 873 [440-2633] vs. 529 [206-1221] pg/mL, p < 0.01), higher ejection fraction (23.9 ± 10.4 vs. 25.0 ± 9.2 vs. 32.4 ± 2.7%, p = 0.03), and lower left ventricular mass index (LVMI) (91.3 ± 21.5 vs. 74.3 ± 31.1 vs. 55.7 ± 23.2 g/m2, p < 0.01). They also had fewer areas of late gadolinium enhancement (69 [46.3%] vs. 31 [38.2%] vs. 15 [32.6%], p = 0.01). Male sex (b = 0.21, SE = 0.13; p = 0.01), LVMI (b = -0.32, SE = 0.08, p < 0.01) and NT-proBNP (b = -0.05, SE = 0.02, p = 0.02) were independently related to TM/M. The magnitude of trabeculation was not a predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events. Prognosis was impacted by left ventricular end-diastolic volume index only (HR 2.538, 95% CI -1.734-3.218, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Trabeculation patterns relate to cardiac function and neurohormonal activation but not to survival.
Bread as a source of salt: an international comparison.

OBJECTIVE The salt (NaCl) content of bread, obtained from Belgium and 25 other regions or countries worldwide, was analyzed to evaluate the importance of bread as a source of dietary salt in a population. METHODS A total of 1166 dried bread samples were analyzed using a hot HCl extraction technique followed by flame photometry and performed by the same laboratory technician in Leuven (Belgium); 534 samples from Leuven were analyzed over 10 time periods from 1967-73 to 1992 together with 562 samples from 11 other European countries, 44 from the United States and Peru, and 26 from Asia. RESULTS The average mean salt content of fresh bread (= dried bread times 0.6) in European countries was 12.4 +/- 1.7 g/kg for white and 13 +/- 1.0 g/kg for brown bread. In Japan and Korea it was about 8.5 g/kg and in Pakistan, Thailand, Nepal, and Laos about 5 g/kg. The mean sodium/potassium ratio with Na and K in mmol was 8.0 for white and 4.5 for brown bread, much higher than the recommended value of 1.0. Bread with a very low salt content was found in certain areas of Peru, Spain, and Italy. CONCLUSION The overall salt content of bread in Western countries is excessive, and a gradual reduction is highly desirable.
Comparative proteomics of glycosomes from bloodstream form and procyclic culture form Trypanosoma brucei brucei

Peroxisomes are present in nearly every eukaryotic cell and compartmentalize a wide range of important metabolic processes. Glycosomes of Kinetoplastid parasites are peroxisome‐like organelles, characterized by the presence of the glycolytic pathway. The two replicating stages of Trypanosoma brucei brucei, the mammalian bloodstream form (BSF) and the insect (procyclic) form (PCF), undergo considerable adaptations in metabolism when switching between the two different hosts. These adaptations involve also substantial changes in the proteome of the glycosome. Comparative (non‐quantitative) analysis of BSF and PCF glycosomes by nano LC‐ESI‐Q‐TOF‐MS resulted in the validation of known functional aspects of glycosomes and the identification of novel glycosomal constituents.
Gendered Effects of the Personal Income Tax: Evidence from a Schedular System with Individual Filing in a Developing Country

This article analyzes the gender differences in the Personal Income Tax (PIT)-to-income ratio in Uruguay. Although the tax code does not explicitly specify gender differences, the tax burden varies among households types. When analyzing these differences, our findings suggest that the PIT serves as somewhat of an incentive towards equal gender time allocation within the family, which is consistent with gender equity. In turn, this pattern is reinforced by non-desirable aspects such as higher levels of informality among women and a higher level of non-taxable sources of income among single female households. The above conclusion relies on the assumption of individual filing. Our analysis also observes that the strengths of the PIT system from the gender perspective are eroded by the possibility to opt for a (rarely used) joint filing. The empirical strategy was assessed through the estimation of a zero-one inflated beta model (ZOIB). This model properly addresses the fact that the PIT-to-income ratio includes many zero data points.
17‐β‐Estradiol‐mediated activation of extracellular‐signal regulated kinase, phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase/protein kinase B‐Akt and N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor phosphorylation in cortical synaptoneurosomes

In addition to its well‐known activational mechanism, the steroid hormone 17‐β‐estradiol (E2) has been shown to rapidly activate various signal transduction pathways that could participate in estrogen‐mediated regulation of synaptic plasticity. Although the mechanisms underlying these effects are not clearly understood, it has been repeatedly suggested that they involve a plasma membrane receptor which has direct links to several intracellular signaling cascades. To further address the question of whether E2 acts directly at the synapse and through membrane‐bound receptors, we studied the effects of E2 and of ligands of estrogen receptors on various signaling pathways in cortical synaptoneurosomes. Our results demonstrate that E2 elicits N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor phosphorylation and activates the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase and the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase/Akt signal transduction pathways in this cortical membrane preparation. Furthermore, we provide evidence for the presence of a membrane‐bound estrogen receptor responsible for these effects in cortical synaptoneurosomes. Our study demonstrates that E2 directly acts at cortical synapses, and that synaptoneurosomes provide a useful system to investigate the mechanisms by which E2 regulates synaptic transmission and plasticity.
Nuclear addressing provides a clue for the transforming activity of amino‐truncated CCN3 proteins

CCN3 is a founding member of the CCN (Cyr61, Ctgf, Nov) family of cell growth and differentiation regulators. These secreted proteins are key regulators in embryonic development, and are associated with severe pathologies including fibrotic diseases and cancers. CCN3 was discovered as a MAV integration site in an avian nephroblastoma. Previous work established that the amino‐truncated protein expressed in this tumor was inducing morphological transformation of chicken embryo fibroblasts, whereas the full‐length secreted CCN3 protein was inhibiting cell growth. Amino‐truncated variants were identified in cancer cell lines. Since the lack of signal peptide was expected to alter the fate of the truncated proteins, we hypothesized that modifications of CCN3 subcellular addressing could be responsible for the oncogenic activities of CCN3. The CCN proteins are composed of four structural modules (IGFBP, TSP1, VWC, and CT). We report that amino‐truncated variants of CCN3 are addressed to the nucleus and that the carboxyterminal (CT) module of CCN3 is responsible for the nuclear addressing. Furthermore, our data identify nuclear CCN3 variants as potential transcriptional regulators. In this context, the CT module confers on nuclear CCN3 proteins a negative regulatory effect on transcription. We propose that the nuclear localization of amino‐truncated CCN3 proteins be correlated to oncogenicity. J. Cell. Biochem. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ultrasound biomicroscopy of globes from young adult pigs.

OBJECTIVE To determine anterior chamber ocular measurements of adult porcine globes without histologic fixation by use of ultrasound biomicroscopy scanning. SAMPLE POPULATION 25 porcine globes obtained at an abattoir. PROCEDURE Globes were packed on ice for transport. In the laboratory, globes were trimmed, rinsed with antibiotic solution, secured on a single gauze-fold in a latex holder, then were ultrasonogrammed unreformed. Ultrasound biomicroscopy scanning was done, using a 50-MHz transducer, 17-mm cup, and 2% methyl cellulose. RESULTS Average young adult pig external ocular measurements were: nasal-temporal corneal diameter, 16.61 mm; superior-inferior corneal diameter, 14.00 mm; nasal-temporal globe diameter, 25.48 mm; superior-inferior globe diameter, 24.48 mm; and axial length 21.64 mm. Ultrasound biomicroscopy anterior chamber measurements were: iris sulcus, 30.45 degrees; ciliary sulcus, 18.89 degrees; central corneal thickness, 0.98 mm; corneal thickness at limbus, 1.19 mm; central iris thickness, 0.58 mm; iris tip to ciliary apex, 1.73 mm; iris tip to iris sulcus origin, 3.83 mm; iris tip to ciliary sulcus origin, 2.98 mm; anterior chamber depth from iris tip to cornea, 2.21 mm; central anterior chamber depth, 2.47 mm; ciliary process mid-thickness, 0.65 mm; ciliary process apex to origin of iris sulcus, 2.32 mm; ciliary process apex to origin of ciliary sulcus, 1.34 mm; zonular bundle diameter, 0.10 mm; and interzonular bundle space, 0.11 mm. CONCLUSIONS Anatomic anterior chamber measurements and relations in porcine globes can be used to describe trauma, confirm existence of lesions, and help explain theory. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Ultrasound biomicroscopy is a clinical decision aid facilitating noninvasive anatomic or pathologic description without histologic fixation.
Investigation of Drug-Drug Interactions Caused by Human Pregnane X Receptor-Mediated Induction of CYP3A4 and CYP2C Subfamilies in Chimeric Mice with a Humanized Liver

The induction of cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes is one of the risk factors for drug-drug interactions (DDIs). To date, the human pregnane X receptor (PXR)-mediated CYP3A4 induction has been well studied. In addition to CYP3A4, the expression of CYP2C subfamily is also regulated by PXR, and the DDIs caused by the induction of CYP2C enzymes have been reported to have a major clinical impact. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether chimeric mice with a humanized liver (PXB mice) can be a suitable animal model for investigating the PXR-mediated induction of CYP2C subfamily, together with CYP3A4. We evaluated the inductive effect of rifampicin (RIF), a typical human PXR ligand, on the plasma exposure to the four P450 substrate drugs (triazolam/CYP3A4, pioglitazone/CYP2C8, (S)-warfarin/CYP2C9, and (S)-(−)-mephenytoin/CYP2C19) by cassette dosing in PXB mice. The induction of several drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters in the liver was also examined by measuring the enzyme activity and mRNA expression levels. Significant reductions in the exposure to triazolam, pioglitazone, and (S)-(−)-mephenytoin, but not to (S)-warfarin, were observed. In contrast to the in vivo results, all the four P450 isoforms, including CYP2C9, were elevated by RIF treatment. The discrepancy in the (S)-warfarin results between in vivo and in vitro studies may be attributed to the relatively small contribution of CYP2C9 to (S)-warfarin elimination in the PXB mice used in this study. In summary, PXB mice are a useful animal model to examine DDIs caused by PXR-mediated induction of CYP2C and CYP3A4.
Subthalamic Stimulation Improves Quality of Life of Patients Aged 61 Years or Older With Short Duration of Parkinson's Disease

The optimal timing of subthalamic nucleus (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) in Parkinson's disease (PD) is a topic of ongoing debate. In patients with short disease duration an improvement of quality of life (QoL) has been demonstrated for patients aged younger than 61 years. However, this has not been systematically investigated in older patients yet. We hypothesized that patients aged 61 years or older experience a significant QoL improvement after STN‐DBS with no difference in effect sizes for groups of patients with short and longer disease duration.
The role of exogenous energy substrates in blastocoele fluid accumulation in the rat

Summary Preimplantation mammalian development culminates in the formation of a fluid-filled cavity, the blastocoele, which is a prerequisite for successful implantation and further development. The blastocoele is enclosed by a single layer of polarised cells, the trophectoderm, which is the first epithelium formed in development. In embryos of the mouse and the rabbit, a basolaterally located Na+/K+-ATPase hydrolyses ATP to drive the vectorial transport of ions, which is responsible for the accumulation of blastocoele fluid. Using non-invasive assays of energy substrate consumption and blastocoele fluid accumulation, experiments were carried out on single preimplantation rat embryos, to establish: (1) the roles of the Na+/K+-ATPase and exogenous energy substrates, and (2) the relationship between the consumption and metabolism of energy substrates and fluid accumulation, during blastocoele cavity formation in this species. Ouabain 0.5 mM and energy-substrate-free medium both caused an inhibition in the number of embryos forming a blastocoele in culture, and also reduced the rate of fluid accumulation by day 5 blastocysts collapsed in cytochalasin-D and allowed to re-expand. Ouabain also reduced the consumption of glucose (but not pyruvate) and the production of lactate by re-expanding blastocysts. In the absence of the inhibitor, a direct relationship was seen between fluid accumulation and both glucose (but not pyruvate) consumption and lactate production. However, ouabain had no effect on intact, expanded blastocysts. These results suggest that (1) a basolaterally located, ouabain-inhibitable Na+/K+-ATPase is involved in rat blastocoele formation, (2) this process is dependent on exogenous energy substrates, and (3) there may be a direct relationship between the metabolism of glucose via glycolysis, and blastocoele fluid accumulation.
Spiral Leaky-Wave Antennas Based on Modulated Surface Impedance

Different kinds of spiral planar circularly polarized (CP) antennas are presented. These antennas are based on an interaction between a cylindrical surface-wave excited by an omnidirectional probe and a inhomogeneous surface impedance with a spiral pattern. The surface impedance interaction transforms a bounded surface wave into a circularly polarized leaky wave with almost broadside radiation. The problem is studied by adiabatically matching the local 2D solution of a modulated surface-impedance problem to the actual surface. Analytical expressions are derived for the far-field radiation pattern; on this basis, universal design curves for antenna gain are given and a design procedure is outlined. Two types of practical solutions are presented, which are relevant to different implementations of the impedance modulation: i) a grounded dielectric slab with a spiral-sinusoidal thickness and ii) a texture of dense printed patches with sizes variable with a spiral-sinusoidal function. Full wave results are compared successfully with the analytical approximations. Both the layouts represent good solutions for millimeter wave CP antennas.
Parkinson's disease and age-related alterations in brain oscillations during a Simon task

This study investigated event-related oscillations associated with a Simon task in 11 Parkinson's disease patients, 11 age-matched, and 11 young participants. During this task, participants respond faster when the relative spatial positions of stimulus and response match (no response conflict exists) than when they do not match (response conflict exists). An increased response conflict (increase in reaction times known as Simon effect) was found in elderly control and Parkinson's patients compared with young participants. Group and condition differences were found in the δ and &thetas; frequency range, which may reflect that Parkinson's patients and matched controls use different cognitive strategies for stimulus–response processing than young controls and neurophysiological correlates of such strategy are deficient in patients compared with age-matched controls.