Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measuring Inequality from Top to Bottom

This paper presents a new methodology to measure inequality that optimally combines household survey information and tax records to construct a complete income distribution. Combining the two data sources is necessary because, on the one hand, household surveys do not accurately represent the wealthiest segment of the population, while tax records do; on the other hand, the opposite is true for the lower end of the income distribution: tax records only include incomes above a certain threshold. The key innovation of the proposed methodology—and the main difference from the existing literature—is the choice of an optimal income threshold b. The Gini coefficient for the population is then computed combining the conditional income distributions for incomes below b (using household survey data) and above b (using tax records). Central to this methodology is the fact that b is not chosen arbitrarily: it should be determined in such a way as to minimize reliance on household survey data to compute the top of the income distribution. In practice, the optimal b corresponds to the minimum income level that triggers mandatory tax filing. The proposed methodology is applied to the case of Colombia.
Distinct Functions for the Two PsbP-Like Proteins PPL1 and PPL2 in the Chloroplast Thylakoid Lumen of Arabidopsis1[W][OA]

PsbP, an extrinsic subunit of photosystem II (PSII), is a nuclear-encoded protein that optimizes the water-splitting reaction in vivo. In addition to PsbP, higher plants have two nuclear-encoded genes for PsbP homologs (PsbP-like proteins [PPLs]) that show significant sequence similarity to a cyanobacterial PsbP homolog (cyanoP); however, the function of PPLs in higher plants has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we characterized Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) mutants lacking either of two PPLs, PPL1 and PPL2. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that PPL1 would be an ortholog of cyanoP, and PPL2 and PsbP may have a paralogous relationship with PPL1. Analysis on mRNA expression profiles showed that PPL1 expressed under stress conditions and PPL2 coexpressed with the subunits of chloroplast NAD(P)H dehydrogenase (NDH) complex. Consistent with these suggestions, PSII activity in a ppl1 mutant was more sensitive to high-intensity light than wild type, and the recovery of photoinhibited PSII activity was delayed in ppl1 plants. Therefore, PPL1 is required for efficient repair of photodamaged PSII. Furthermore, the stoichiometric level and activity of the chloroplast NDH complex in thylakoids were severely decreased in a ppl2 mutant, demonstrating that PPL2 is a novel thylakoid lumenal factor required for accumulation of the chloroplast NDH complex. These results suggest that during endosymbiosis and subsequent gene transfer to the host nucleus, cyanoP from ancient cyanobacteria evolved into PPL1, PPL2, and PsbP, and each of them has a distinct role in photosynthetic electron transfer in Arabidopsis.
A case study for integrated modeling in urban drainage facilitating the interface approach

Late research and developments show a trend towards integrated models to simulate the urban drainage cycle to offer a complete picture of the system’s performance. However, in regard to integrated models considering water quality, only few actual case studies exist. We developed such a model for the urban drainage system of Graz, Austria containing runoff generation, a sewer system, actuators and the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) of the city. This integrated model uses an interface approach, which connects commonly known sub-models of the various subsystems by automated scripts. Following this methodology results in the advantage of an understandable and easier to maintain integrated model for the sewer operator. So far the model has been used to evaluate the impact of a newly constructed combined sewer storage tunnel (central storage tunnel – CST) on the existing WWTP and to derive best management practices (BMPs) for the integrated operation of the system in regard to minimizing the total emission load to the receiving water.
Developing a protocol for bioinformatics analysis: An integrated information behavior and task analysis approach

The purpose of this research is to capture, understand, and model the process used by bioinformatics analysts when facing a specific scientific problem. Integrating information behavior with task analysis, we interviewed 20 bioinformatics experts about the process they follow to conduct a typical bioinformatics analysis—a functional analysis of a gene, and then used a task analysis approach to model that process. We found that each expert followed a unique process in using bioinformatics resources, but had significant similarities with their peers. We synthesized these unique processes into a standard research protocol, from which we developed a procedural model that describes the process of conducting a functional analysis of a gene. The model protocol consists of a series of 16 individual steps, each of which specifies detail for the type of analysis, how and why it is conducted, the tools used, the data input and output, and the interpretation of the results. The linking of information behavior and task analysis research is a novel approach, as it provides a rich high‐level view of information behavior while providing a detailed analysis at the task level. In this article we concentrate on the latter.
Evaluation of Patients for Implantable Pain Modalities: Medical and Behavioral Assessment

BackgroundAdvances in neurobiology serve as the basis for current and evolving implantable pain modalities, consisting of neurostimulation and neuraxial drug administration systems. Appropriate treatment of pain begins with an accurate diagnosis based on thorough physical and behavioral evaluations. MeasuresThe medical evaluation includes a review of the patient's medical history, diagnostic studies, physical examination, complete diagnostic workup, and screening trial of the proposed implantable therapy. The behavioral evaluation includes a review of the patient's history and medical records, clinical interview, mental status examination, psychological testing, and determination of suitability for implantation. ConclusionsPatients with chronic pain are subject to neurophysiological, emotional, and behavioral influences that govern their perception of pain and of pain relief. Therefore, treatment of chronic pain is multidisciplinary, drawing on cognitive and behavioral psychological therapies, functional rehabilitation, orthopedic and neurologic surgery, medications, nerve blockade, neuroaugmentative procedures, and sometimes neurodestructive procedures. Appropriate selection of patients helps ensure that implantable therapies are used for those who are most likely to benefit.
Adaptive echo cancellation in VoIP network

In VoIP communication acoustic echo is one of the important issue which reduces the quality communication. To solve this problem adaptive filters are consider as an efficient solution. In this paper adaptive filters like LMS, NLMS RLS and dual-H filter are used for echo cancellation. Acoustic echo canceller is simulated by using MATLAB. To improve overall performance of VoIP network along with echo cancellation we tried to remove background noise. This paper also includes effect of packet drop, tail circuit delay and dual talk on VoIP network.
Increased sodium channel SNS/PN3 immunoreactivity in a causalgic finger

The sodium channels SNS/PN3 and NaN/SNS2 are regulated by the neurotrophic factors—nerve growth factor (NGF) and glial‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and may play an important role in the development of pain after nerve injury or inflammation. These key molecules have been studied in an amputated causalgic finger and control tissues by immunohistochemistry. There was a marked increase in the number and intensity of SNS/PN3‐immunoreactive nerve terminals in the affected finger, while GDNF‐immunoreactivity was not observed, in contrast to controls. No differences were observed for NGF, trk A, NT‐3 or NaN/SNS2‐immunoreactivity. While further studies are required, these findings suggest that accumulation of SNS/PN3 and/or loss of GDNF may contribute to pain in causalgia, and that selective blockers of SNS/PN3 and/or rhGDNF may provide effective novel treatments.
Malignant potential of aneuploid pancreatic endocrine tumours

Evaluation of the malignant potential of pancreatic endocrine tumours is difficult by histological criteria alone. Nuclear deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) cytometric analysis can provide significant prognostic and biological information in a number of solid human tumours. Thus, the DNA profiles and nuclear parameters of 39 patients with pancreatic endocrine tumours diagnosed from 1969 to 1989 were studied, using computerized video image analysis. Of the 39 patients with tumours, 27 cases did not have evidence of metastatic disease at the time of investigation. The majority of these (N=21) showed a diploid profile. Five were aneuploid and one was tetraploid. In the 12 tumours that proved malignant, three had tissue of both the primary tumour and the metastases analysed; six had material only from the primary tumour, although metastatic disease was established clinically; and another three only had tissue from the secondary tumour studied. The majority of the malignant cases were aneupioid (N =7); three were dipioid; one showed a diploid primary but an aneuploid secondary; and one showed a hyperdiploid pattern. The percentage of nuclei with a DNA content greater than 5N (5CER) did not seem to contribute further to the assessment nor did the means of the nuclear areas and shape factors. It appears that ploidy studies may be useful in predicting malignant potential of pancreatic endocrine tumours. There is a high rate of immunostaining for insulin by benign pancreatic endocrine tumours and this may be a useful adjunct to distinguish them from their malignant counterparts. However, there is no statistically significant correlation between the expression of various hormones and the DNA ploidy of tumour cells.
Hyperintense Basilar Artery on FLAIR MR Imaging: Diagnostic Accuracy and Clinical Impact in Patients with Acute Brain Stem Stroke

Because FLAIR high signal intensity in occluded arteries occurs elsewhere in the brain, these authors analyzed the signal of the basilar artery in 20 instances of occlusion in a group of patients who also underwent DSA. While the FLAIR hyperintense basilar artery sign showed moderate sensitivity, its specificity and accuracy were high for the detection of occlusions. The extent of the occlusion also predicted survival. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: FLAIR-hyperintense vessels are known to be a sign of sluggish collateral blood flow in hemispheric vessel occlusion. Additionally, they seem to have a prognostic implication. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the hyperintense configuration of the basilar artery (FLAIR-hyperintense basilar artery) as a marker of basilar artery occlusion and as a predictor of patient outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively identified 20 patients with basilar artery occlusion who initially underwent MR imaging with subsequent DSA. The diagnostic accuracy of the FLAIR-hyperintense basilar artery sign was tested by 4 independent readers in a case-control design, and the relation among FLAIR-hyperintense basilar artery and DWI posterior circulation–ASPECTS, patient outcome, and patient survival was evaluated. To grade the extent of the FLAIR-hyperintense basilar artery sign, we generated a score by counting the number of sections from the basilar tip to the foramen magnum in which a hyperintense signal in the vessel lumen was present multiplied by the section thickness. RESULTS: The FLAIR-hyperintense basilar artery sign showed moderate sensitivity (65%–95%) but very good specificity (95%–100%) and accuracy (85%–93%) for the detection of basilar artery occlusion. Substantial or excellent inter-reader agreement was observed (Cohen κ, 0.64–0.85). The FLAIR-hyperintense basilar artery inversely correlated with the posterior circulation–ASPECTS (r = −0.67, P = .01). Higher FLAIR-hyperintense basilar artery scores were associated with patient death (28.3 ± 13.7 versus 13.4 ± 11.1, P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The FLAIR-hyperintense basilar artery sign proved to be a valuable marker of vessel occlusion and may substantially support the diagnosis of basilar artery occlusion. The established FLAIR-hyperintense basilar artery score may be helpful for the prediction of individual patient survival.
The Medium Run

MACROECONOMICS iS largely divided into two subfields. One focuses on the short run, on the study of business cycles. The other focuses on the long run, on growth and its determinants. The assumption implicit in this division is that the medium run is primarily a period of transition from business cycle fluctuations to growth. This simplification is clearly convenient, but it is misleading. Modern economies are characterized by medium-run evolutions that are quite distinct from either business cycle fluctuations or steady-state growth. Two facts make the point. The first is well known: unemployment rates have steadily increased in continental Europe over the past twentyfive years, while remaining largely stable in "Anglo-Saxon" countries. The other is less well known but equally important: capital shares have steadily increased in continental Europe over the past fifteen years, and in many cases currently stand at postwar highs; in contrast, capital shares have remained largely stable in "Anglo-Saxon" countries. The latter fact plays a central role in the story that follows and is documented in figure 1. The upper panel shows the behavior of capital shares in the business sector in Germany, France, Italy, and Spain. Note that after lows in the late 1970s and early 1980s, shares in all four countries stand
The Influence of Larval Density, Food Stress, and Parasitism on the Bionomics of the Dengue Vector Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae): Implications for Integrated Vector Management

ABSTRACT: New larval control strategies for integrated vector management of Aedes aegypti are in high demand, including the use of biological control agents. Exposure of Aedes aegypti to parasites, starvation, and overcrowded conditions during larval development reduces the probability of survival to eclosion, can directly affect fitness parameters such as adult size and fecundity, and can affect the size, provisioning, and viability of eggs produced by females. We compared these parameters after exposing larvae to 1) abundant food at low larval densities, 2) food deprivation and high larval density, and 2) infection with the endoparasite Plagiorchis elegans, an entomopathogenic digenean trematode. Female mosquitoes that eclosed from larval conditions of starvation and overcrowding were smaller and laid fewer and smaller eggs than controls. The proportion of females to complete an oviposition cycle was reduced in the P. elegans-infected treatment group. Parasite load was negatively correlated with wing length and egg size. Infection of Ae. aegypti with P. elegans has sublethal effects and may reduce population-level reproductive output, but one-time low-density P. elegans exposure does not have sufficient effect on Ae. aegypti fitness parameters to be considered a viable biocontrol option.
Macrophage depletion impairs oligodendrocyte remyelination following lysolecithin‐induced demyelination

An association between macrophages and remyelination efficiency has been observed in a variety of different models of CNS demyelination. In order to test whether this association is causal or coincidental, we have examined the effects of macrophage depletion on the rate of remyelination of lysolecithin‐induced demyelination in the spinal cord of young adult female rats. Macrophage depletion was achieved by reducing the monocyte contribution to the macrophages within the lesion using the clodronate‐liposome technique. This technique not only resulted in a decrease in Ox‐42–positive cells in the spleen of treated animals but also in the levels of macrophage scavenger receptor type B mRNA expression within the demyelinating lesion. In animals treated with clodronate‐liposomes throughout the remyelination process, there was a significant decrease in the extent of oligodendrocyte remyelination at 3 weeks after lesion induction, but no effect on Schwann cell remyelination. If macrophage depletion was delayed until the second half of the remyelination phase, then there was no effect on the repair outcome, implying that macrophages are required for the early stages of CNS remyelination. The results of this study indicate that the macrophage response is an important component of successful CNS remyelination and that approaches to the treatment of demyelinating disease based on inhibition of the inflammatory response may also impair regenerative events that follow demyelination. GLIA 35:204–212, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Consumer Needs in Global Electronic Commerce

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Effective treatment protocol for poor ovarian response: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Poor ovarian response represents an increasingly common problem. This systematic review was aimed to identify the most effective treatment protocol for poor response. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and The Cochrane Library from 1980 to October 2015. Study quality assessment and meta-analyses were performed according to the Cochrane recommendations. We found 61 trials including 4997 cycles employing 10 management strategies. Most common strategy was the use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist (GnRHant), and was compared with GnRH agonist protocol (17 trials; n = 1696) for pituitary down-regulation which showed no significant difference in the outcome. Luteinizing hormone supplementation (eight trials, n = 847) showed no difference in the outcome. Growth hormone supplementation (seven trials; n = 251) showed significant improvement in clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) and live birth rate (LBR) with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.13 (95% CI 1.06–4.28) and 2.96 (95% CI 1.17–7.52). Testosterone supplementation (three trials; n = 225) significantly improved CPR (OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.16–5.04) and LBR (OR 2.18; 95% CI 1.01–4.68). Aromatase inhibitors (four trials; n = 223) and dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation (two trials; n = 57) had no effect on outcome.
An Application of the Social Psychological Model of Tourism Motivation

Abstract The purpose of this study was to empirically test Iso-Ahola's (1982) Social Psychological Model of Tourism Motivation (SPMTM). The model is more commonly known as the seeking-escaping theory. Data were collected through a mail survey with 286 respondents and a 31.1% response rate. Factor analysis of the motivation items resulted in a six factor solution. The factors fit into the seeking and escaping dimensions of the SPMTM, thus confirming the model. Motivational factors were compared between Non-Caucasians and Caucasians. Significant differences between the two groups provided support for the subcultural hypothesis, which attributes differences in leisure preferences to differences in norms and values based on racial and ethnic groups.
Rethinking Suffering: Allowing for Suffering that is Intrinsic at End of Life

ABSTRACT The dilemma so central to the work of providers of palliative and end-of-life care is the paradox of their professional and ethical duty to try to relieve suffering and the limitations of so doing. While the capacity to sit with suffering at the end of life is critical to clinical work, the idea that some intrinsic suffering cannot necessarily always be relieved may model for patients and families that suffering can be borne. Clinicians who encounter unrelievable suffering may feel a sense of failure, helplessness, moral distress, and compassion fatigue. While tolerating suffering runs counter to the aims of palliative care, acknowledging it, bearing it, and validating it may actually help patients and families to do the same. “Sitting with suffering” signals a paradigm shift within the discipline of palliative care, as it asks clinicians to rethink their role in being able to relieve some forms of psychosocial suffering intrinsic to dying.
Franchise partner selection decision making

This paper aims to investigate international franchise partner selection from the perspective of different decision making models and analyse the influence of organisational factors on the franchise selection decision making. Empirical data were collected from a leading international hotel group through multiple data collection methods. The research findings indicate that the participant organisation mainly exploits a processual approach to decision making. Power over the decision making shifts to different levels where the necessary information can best be accumulated and interpreted in different stages of the process. Different organisational parameters interact and exert influence upon each other while a franchise organisation decides to choose the most appropriate franchise partner.
Russia and the New World Disorder

The Russian annexation of Crimea was one of the great strategic shocks of the past twenty-five years. For many in the West, Moscow's actions in early 2014 marked the end of illusions about cooperation, and the return to geopolitical and ideological confrontation. Russia, for so long a peripheral presence, had become the central actor in a new global drama. In this groundbreaking book, renowned scholar Bobo Lo analyzes the broader context of the crisis by examining the interplay between Russian foreign policy and an increasingly anarchic international environment. He argues that Moscow's approach to regional and global affairs reflects the tension between two very different worlds-the perceptual and the actual. The Kremlin highlights the decline of the West, a resurgent Russia, and the emergence of a new multipolar order. But this idealized view is contradicted by a world disorder that challenges core assumptions about the dominance of great powers and the utility of military might. Its lesson is that only those states that embrace change will prosper in the twenty-first century. A Russia able to redefine itself as a modern power would exert a critical influence in many areas of international politics. But a Russia that rests on an outdated sense of entitlement may end up instead as one of the principal casualties of global transformation.