Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Infrequently Asked Questions on the Monetary Union of the Countries of the Gulf Co-Operation Council

This article places the monetary union of the countries of the GCC, which is to be established in 2010, in the context of their recent monetary history and in the context of other monetary unions. It shows that the decision to join (or withdraw from, or re-join) a monetary union is both an economic and a political matter. The principal conclusion is that this new currency arrangement in the GCC countries, although of great importance, is not as dramatic a change as it might appear and, especially, that it is significantly different from the euro zone.
Determinants of suicidal ideation in gynecological cancer patients

Gynecological cancer survivors are at increased risk of psychological problems including suicide risk. Suicidal ideation, which was thought to be precursor to suicide attempts, has not been well studied. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, and determinants of suicidal ideation for women with gynecological cancer, and then to assess the effect of coping style and social support on suicidal ideation.
The Role of Misconceptions in Support for Regressive Tax Reform

In this paper, I use data from an exceptionally detailed survey of attitudes toward taxation in the United States to investigate the relative importance of one particular misconception—that high-income people would pay more tax under an apparently regressive reform, mostly because many people believe that the distribution of the burden of the existing income tax is regressive—in explaining public support for aflat tax and a retail sales tax. I find that this policy misconception is strongly associated with support for replacing the existing income tax with either of these two alternatives. A similar misconception about the distributional impact of the estate tax explains some of the support for eliminating that tax.
BRMS1 transcriptional repression correlates with CpG island methylation and advanced pathological stage in non‐small cell lung cancer

Breast cancer metastasis suppressor gene‐1 (BRMS1) mRNA and protein expression are significantly decreased in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and this is a poor prognostic indicator. Given that the BRMS1 promoter region contains a promoter‐associated CpG island (CGI) that encompasses the transcriptional start site, we hypothesized that decreased BRMS1 mRNA and protein levels in NSCLC was secondary to increased BRMS1 promoter methylation. Methylation‐specific PCR (MSP) of the two known CGIs (−3477 to − 2214 and − 531 to + 608) in the BRMS1 genome was performed in NSCLC cells. This demonstrated a robust increase in methylation of the promoter‐associated CGI (−531 to + 608) but not of the upstream CGI (−3477 to − 2214). To experimentally verify that methylation contributes to BRMS1 transcriptional repression, we cloned the BRMS1 promoter region, including the promoter‐associated CGI, into a luciferase reporter gene and found that BRMS1 promoter activity was dramatically inhibited under methylated conditions. We then assessed the BRMS1 methylation profile with MSP and bisulphite‐sequencing PCR in human NSCLC adenocarcinoma (n = 20) and squamous cell carcinoma (n = 20) relative to adjacent non‐cancerous bronchial epithelium. There was a significant increase in BRMS1 promoter methylation in all NSCLC specimens relative to non‐cancerous tissues, with the most dramatic difference in squamous cell cancer histology. Subsequent immunostaining demonstrated that nuclear BRMS1 expression is reduced in lung cancer specimens compared to normal bronchial epithelium. The association between BRMS1 promoter methylation and specific clinical and histopathological variables was examined using a general linear model. Pathological tumour stage was associated with increased BRMS1 methylation in squamous cell cancers. These observations demonstrate that methylation of the promoter‐associated CGI in BRMS1 results in its transcriptional repression, and highlight the potential clinical relevance of this methylation event with respect to NSCLC tumour histology and pathological stage. Copyright © 2010 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance Evaluation of Coherence-Based Adaptive Imaging Using Clinical Breast Data

Sound-velocity inhomogencities degrade both the spatial resolution and the contrast in diagnostic ultrasound. We previously proposed an adaptive imaging approach based on the coherence of the data received in the channels of a transducer array, and we tested it on phantom data. In this study, the approach was tested on clinical breast data and compared with a correlation-based method that has been widely reported in the literature. The main limitations of the correlation-based method in ultrasonic breast imaging are the use of a near-field, phase- screen model and the integration errors due to the lack of a two-dimensional (2-D) array. In contrast, the proposed coherence-based method adaptively weights each image pixel based on the coherence of the receive-channel data. It does not make any assumption about the source of the focusing errors and has been shown to be effective using 1-D arrays. This study tested its in vivo performance using clinical breast data acquired by a programmable system with a 5 MHz, 128-channel linear array. Twenty-five cases (6 fibroadenomas, 10 carcinomas, 6 cysts, and 3 abscesses) were investigated. Relative to nonweighted imaging, the average improvements in the contrast ratio and contrast-to- noise ratio for the coherence-based method were 8.57 dB and 23.2%, respectively. The corresponding improvements when using the correlation-based method were only 0.42 dB and 3.35%. In an investigated milk-of-calcium case, the improvement in the contrast was 4.47 dB and the axial and lateral dimensions of the object were reduced from 0.39 to 0.32 mm and from 0.51 to 0.43 mm, respectively. These results demonstrate the efficacy of the coherence- based method for clinical ultrasonic breast imaging using 1-D arrays.
A randomized trial comparing conventional and endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

BACKGROUND Although the initial results of endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms were promising, current evidence from controlled studies does not convincingly show a reduction in 30-day mortality relative to that achieved with open repair. METHODS We conducted a multicenter, randomized trial comparing open repair with endovascular repair in 345 patients who had received a diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysm of at least 5 cm in diameter and who were considered suitable candidates for both techniques. The outcome events analyzed were operative (30-day) mortality and two composite end points of operative mortality and severe complications and operative mortality and moderate or severe complications. RESULTS The operative mortality rate was 4.6 percent in the open-repair group (8 of 174 patients; 95 percent confidence interval, 2.0 to 8.9 percent) and 1.2 percent in the endovascular-repair group (2 of 171 patients; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.1 to 4.2 percent), resulting in a risk ratio of 3.9 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.9 to 32.9). The combined rate of operative mortality and severe complications was 9.8 percent in the open-repair group (17 of 174 patients; 95 percent confidence interval, 5.8 to 15.2 percent) and 4.7 percent in the endovascular-repair group (8 of 171 patients; 95 percent confidence interval, 2.0 to 9.0 percent), resulting in a risk ratio of 2.1 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.9 to 5.4). CONCLUSIONS On the basis of the overall results of this trial, endovascular repair is preferable to open repair in patients who have an abdominal aortic aneurysm that is at least 5 cm in diameter. Long-term follow-up is needed to determine whether this advantage is sustained.
How does inflammation affect axonal excitability to mechanical stimulation of neurones in the rat pain pathway?

The causes of peripheral neuropathy are varied, encompassing inflammation, nerve compression, laceration or entrapment and exposure to toxins. These are not mutually exclusive and the mechanisms behind such neuropathies are incompletely understood. However, numerous studies have shown that at sites of neural inflammation, or neuritis, a sensitivity to mechanical stimulation is induced in intact, through-conducting axons. Such changes in axonal excitability are of considerable clinical importance because they may explain the typical presentation – of radiating pain evoked by mechanical tension of affected nerves – by patients suffering from common chronically painful conditions. This pain is sometimes elicited by neurologists in the outpatient clinic and is called the Hoffmann-Tinel sign. Dilley & Bove in a recent paper in The Journal of Physiology investigate a possible mechanism for explaining such neuritic axonal mechanical sensitivity (AMS) in a rat model. The authors use an integrative approach, combining electrophysiological, immunohistochemical and histological cellular methods to test their hypothesis that disruption of fast axonal transport by localized neuritis is sufficient to cause the accumulation, and subsequent membrane insertion, of mechanosensitive ion channels. This hypothesis builds on previous studies from other research groups that suggest that the rapid inflammatory mediator, histamine, disrupts axonal transport and that, at least in the monkey, the requisite components for mechanical sensitivity are transported by fast axonal transport. Dilley & Bove (2008) essentially ask whether this link, between inflammation, mechanical sensitivity and fast axonal transport, suggested by amalgamating individual conclusions from previous literature, is valid and causal.
Contextual effects on individual voting behaviour: the impact of party system nationalization in Europe

This article has the purpose to assess if and how party system nationalization affects individual voting behaviour. Previous studies on party system nationalization have focused on systemic processes, exclusively dealing with aggregate data. The authors address this topic from a new empirical perspective, arguing that party system nationalization could act as a context dimension interacting with the vote choice function. How does this specific context dimension moderate the explanatory power of individual-level characteristics? On which determinants of vote choice does party system nationalization have a greater impact? To answer these questions, the authors focus on 23 European countries through the use of the 2009 European Election Study. The empirical analysis shows that in nationalized contexts the impact of the left-right dimension on party support is higher than in territorialized contexts, whereas that of class as well as of culture-related variables is lower. The authors also discuss the implications of these findings.
Photometric Redshifts of Galaxies in COSMOS

We present photometric redshifts for the COSMOS survey derived from a new code, optimized to yield accurate and reliable redshifts and spectral types of galaxies down to faint magnitudes and redshifts out to z ~ 1.2. The technique uses χ2 template fitting, combined with luminosity function priors and with the option to estimate the internal extinction [or E(B - V)]. The median most probable redshift, best-fit spectral type and reddening, absolute magnitude, and stellar mass are derived in addition to the full redshift probability distributions. Using simulations with sampling and noise similar to those in COSMOS, the accuracy and reliability is estimated for the photometric redshifts as a function of the magnitude limits of the sample, S/N ratios, and the number of bands used. We find from the simulations that the ratio of derived 95% confidence interval in the χ2 probability distribution to the estimated photometric redshift (D95) can be used to identify and exclude the catastrophic failures in the photometric redshift estimates. To evaluate the reliability of the photometric redshifts, we compare the derived redshifts with high-reliability spectroscopic redshifts for a sample of 868 normal galaxies with z < 1.2 from zCOSMOS. Considering different scenarios, depending on using prior, no prior, and/or extinction, we compare the photometric and spectroscopic redshifts for this sample. The rms scatter between the estimated photometric redshifts and known spectroscopic redshifts is σ(Δ(z)) = 0.031, where Δ(z) = (zphot - zspec)/(1 + zspec) with a small fraction of outliers (<2.5%) [outliers are defined as objects with Δ(z) > 3σ(Δ(z)), where σ(Δ(z)) is the rms scatter in Δ(z)]. We also find good agreement [σ(Δ(z)) = 0.10] between photometric and spectroscopic redshifts for type II AGNs. We compare results from our photometric redshift procedure with three other independent codes and find them in excellent agreement. We show preliminary results, based on photometric redshifts for the entire COSMOS sample (to i < 25 mag).
An External Site Controls Closing of the Epithelial Na+ Channel ENaC

Members of the ENaC/degenerin family of ion channels include the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), acid‐sensing ion channels (ASICs) and the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans degenerins. These channels are activated by a variety of stimuli such as ligands (ASICs) and mechanical forces (degenerins), or otherwise are constitutively active (ENaC). Despite their functional heterogeneity, these channels might share common basic mechanisms for gating. Mutations of a conserved residue in the extracellular loop, namely the ‘degenerin site’ activate all members of the ENaC/degenerin family. Chemical modification of a cysteine introduced in the degenerin site of rat ENaC (βS518C) by the sulfhydryl reagents MTSET or MTSEA, results in a ∼3‐fold increase in the open probability. This effect is due to an 8‐fold shortening of channel closed times and an increase in the number of long openings. In contrast to the intracellular gating domain in the N‐terminus which is critical for channel opening, the intact extracellular degenerin site is necessary for normal channel closing, as illustrated by our observation that modification of βS518C destabilises the channel closed state. The modification by the sulfhydryl reagents is state‐ and size‐dependent consistent with a conformational change of the degenerin site during channel opening and closing. We propose that the intracellular and extracellular modulatory sites act on a common channel gate and control the activity of ENaC at the cell surface.
Retrosplenial cortex (BA 29/30) hypometabolism in mild cognitive impairment (prodromal Alzheimer's disease)

Previous group studies using positron emission tomography to assess resting cerebral glucose metabolism in very early Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment have identified the posterior cingulate and adjacent cingulo‐parietal cortex as the first isocortical area to develop hypometabolism. We studied the profile of resting cerebral glucose metabolism in individuals with mild cognitive impairment to assess whether more specific and stereotyped regional hypometabolism would be evident across subjects. The study found that the most consistently hypometabolic region between individual subjects was a subregion of the posterior cingulate, the retrosplenial cortex (BA 29/30). This result is discussed in the context of regional connectivity, focal lesion evidence and functional activation studies of episodic memory paradigms in both normal and Alzheimer's disease groups. We propose that the retrosplenial cortex may represent a key junction between prefrontal areas involved in implementing retrieval strategies for episodic memory and hippocampal‐based mnemonic processing; we therefore interpret the retrosplenial hypometabolism as a probable contributor to the memory impairment seen in mild cognitive impairment by disconnecting these two anatomical networks.
Coping with the Ultimate Deprivation: Narrative Themes in a Parental Bereavement Support Group

Support groups are often used to help individuals cope with challenging and unusual life circumstances through narration. Yet, little is known about specific meta-communication within a support group setting and in what ways these interactions may benefit participants. This study uncovers narrative themes that were expressed during a series of support group meetings specific to bereaved parents. Three central narratives were revealed in the analysis including the death story narrative, coping/negotiating narrative, and connecting through communication with others narrative. This research underscores the vital outlet that the support group serves for participants and the communicative means by which subjective healing can occur.
BACKSCATTERING FROM THE NEAR-SURFACE LAYER OF THAWED/FROZEN SOILS OF ALASKA FROM SENTINEL 1 RADAR DATA

This paper considers the question of determining frozen/unfrozen status of 5 cm topsoil layer for seven ground stations in Alaska with latitude from 65° to 70° N by using radar Sentinel 1 C-band data for the period 2016-2017. Determine the status of frozen soil was carried out by two ways: using only radar data with finding the backscatter coefficient threshold, when the temperature in the upper soil layer falls below 0°C, and by using both radar data and ground-based measurements of soil temperature. In the latter case, the correlation between the backscattering coefficient and the soil temperature measured at 5 cm below the soil surface was calculated. Regression models were developed and radar backscatter thresholds for frozen soil were found. Local frozen/unfrozen soil maps were created. The comparison of threshold values obtained by two ways showed their closeness, which tends to decrease with decreasing correlation between radar and ground data. Linear regression between radar backscatter threshold and the area latitude have been received.
Transplantation of Dispersed Pancreatic Islet Tissue in Humans: Autografs and Allografts

Islet transplantation is successful in animals and holds considerable promise as endocrine replacement therapy for patients with diabetes mellitus, but clinical application to diabetic patients has been difficult. We have shown the technical feasibility of human islet transplantation by autotransplantation of dispersed pancreatic islet tissue into the portal vein in three patients with chronic pancreatitis and incapacitating, intractable pain who underwent near-total (>97%) pancreatectomy. In all three patients, the excised pancreas was dispersed by collagenase digestion, but no effort was made to purify the islets. Islet yield, as judged by tissue insulin content, ranged from 24 to 55%. The first patient, who never received insulin after the pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation, had a normal oral glucose tolerance test by 3 wk and has remained normoglycemic for over 2 yr. In the second patient, viable islets were histologically identified in the liver parenchyma. The third patient was treated with hyperalimentation for 3 wk after the pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation and, during this period, required insulin. After cessation of hyperalimentation and initiation of oral feedings, the patient was withdrawn from insulin. Although abnormalities of carbohydrate metabolism were present, the patient did not require insulin for more than 1 yr. Seven diabetic renal eliografi recipients have received allografts of dispersed pancreatic islet tissue prepared in the same way. No patients were cured of diabetes, although transient evidence of islet function —increase in serum or urinary C-peptide levels or decrease in exogenous insulin requirements— occurred in some. Although rejection was probably responsible for most of the failures, transplantation of allogeneic human islet tissue as a free graft is metabolically inefficient. With the current state of immunosuppressive therapy, the primary role of islet transplantation may be in a situation where rejection cannot occur: as an autograft to obviate the occurrence of diabetes after extensive pancreatectomy for benign disease.
The plasma membrane proteome of germinating barley embryos

Cereal seed germination involves a complex coordination between different seed tissues. Plasma membranes must play crucial roles in coordination and execution of germination; however, very little is known about seed plasma membrane proteomes due to limited tissue amounts combined with amphiphilicity and low abundance of membrane proteins. A fraction enriched in plasma membranes was prepared from embryos dissected from 18 h germinated barley seeds using aqueous two‐phase partitioning. Reversed‐phase chromatography on C4 resin performed in micro‐spin columns with stepwise elution by 2‐propanol was used to reduce soluble protein contamination and enrich for hydrophobic proteins. Sixty‐one proteins in 14 SDS‐PAGE bands were identified by LC‐MS/MS and database searches. The identifications provide new insight into the plasma membrane functions in seed germination.
Diagnosing the severity of buccal caries lesions in governmental and private orthodontic patients at debonding, using the ICDAS-II and the DIAGNOdent Pen.

OBJECTIVES To clinically evaluate the prevalence of buccal caries and white spot lesions (WSLs) at debonding in governmental and private orthodontic patients, using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS-II) and the DIAGNOdent Pen, and to study the correlation between the two methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional study was carried out on the nonextracted premolars and anterior teeth of 89 orthodontic patients. They were recruited into two groups based on the treatment center they attended: governmental group (G; n=45) and private group (P; n=44). Immediately after debonding, the examination of buccal caries and WSLs on premolars and anterior teeth was carried out using the ICDAS-II and the DIAGNOdent Pen. Cross-tabulation was applied to study the correlation between the ICDAS-II index and the DIAGNOdent Pen by calculating the Spearman correlation coefficient. RESULTS The G group showed a significantly higher (P<.0001) prevalence of WSLs and/or buccal caries compared to that of the P group based on evaluation by the two methods. Based on ICDAS-II, 43% of the patients in the P group and 9% in the G group were free from any WSLs. In the G group, 22% of the patients had ≥16 LESIONS, whereas there were none for the P group. The Spearman correlation coefficient between the two methods was . 71. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of caries and/or WSLs at debonding was significantly higher in the G group compared to the P group. The clinical index (ICDAS-II) showed a good correlation with the DIAGNOdent Pen.
Microsystem criteria in electrical installations ecodesign

The ecodesign is developing a strong encouragement towards the energy saving balanced with other performances and requires new approaches that this paper begins to highlight. The distribution system management has to facilitate innovations, changes and the complying with these improvements. Together to energy saving, reduced voltage-drops and losses, the system modeling with components of smaller size allows to guarantee a higher value of current densities, reduced volume of conductors and other related goals of efficiencies. Microsystem criteria are highlighted introducing few specific parameters to assist the system design that rises generally as a comprehensive solution of a non linear system of many elements, grouping adequately the supplying loads, adopting circuit with conductors/cables in bunch, in loop or in rope design.