Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking among Arab Youth; a Cross-Country Study.

OBJECTIVE Waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS) is considered a global epidemic that is spreading among youth. Our analysis was conducted to compare the national baseline prevalence rate estimates of WTS among Arab boys and girls. DESIGN SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS The Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) is a school-based survey using standardized self-administered questionnaires; it employs a two-stage cluster sampling technique to obtain a representative sample of youth (13-15 years of age). We conducted a secondary data analysis of nationally representative GYTSs available from 16 Arab countries. MAIN MEASURES Youth who self-reported smoking waterpipe at least once in the past 30 days were considered to be current waterpipe tobacco smokers. National weighted WTS prevalence rate estimates along with respective 95% confidence intervals were reported for boys and girls. RESULTS Pooled GYTS data from 16 Arab countries yielded a total of 31,359 youth. Overall, 10.6% of the respondents were current waterpipe tobacco smokers, with boys (13.7%) having significantly higher estimates than girls (7.2%). Overall, current WTS prevalence rate estimates ranged from . 9% in Oman to 34.2%, in Lebanon. The WTS epidemic was more predominant among boys and girls, respectively, in the West Bank (42.8% and 24.2%), Lebanon (38.6% and 30.5%) and Jordan (25.7% and 14.5%). CONCLUSION Among Arab boys and girls, WTS represents a growing strain of the tobacco epidemic that requires immediate attention.
GAP1, the general amino acid permease gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Nucleotide sequence, protein similarity with the other bakers yeast amino acid permeases, and nitrogen catabolite repression.

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, mutations at the GAP1 locus selectively abolish the activity of the general amino acid transport system. This permease catalyses active transport of apparently all biological amino acids across the plasma membrane. We have determined the nucleotide sequence of the GAP1 gene. The sequence contains an open reading frame of 601 codons corresponding to a polypeptide of Mr 65578. This polypeptide is strongly hydrophobic; it exhibits three potential glycosylation sites. Hydropathy analysis suggests 12 membrane-spanning regions. The N-terminal domain is charged, it does not resemble hydrophobic signal sequences found in secreted proteins. Hence the GAP1 gene encodes a protein with characteristics typical of integral membrane proteins translocating ligants across cellular membranes. The deduced amino acid sequence of GAP1 protein presents strong similarities to those of the yeast arginine, histidine and proline permeases, suggesting a common evolutionary origin for these amino acid permeases. Nitrogen-source regulation of the GAP1 permease is believed to occur at two distinct levels, i.e. permease synthesis and permease activity [Grenson (1983) Eur. J. Biochem. 133, 135-139]. Northern analysis of GAP1-specific transcripts in wild-type and in mutant strains is in agreement with these views and indicates that nitrogen catabolite repression of GAP1 synthesis occurs at the RNA level.
Necessity of Sequential Pulses of Prostaglandin F2alpha for Complete Physiologic Luteolysis in Cattle1

Abstract The luteolytic effects of exogenous prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF) that did and did not simulate natural 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF (PGFM) pulses were studied during mid-diestrus in 42 Holstein heifers. Plasma concentrations of PGF were assessed by assay of PGFM. In experiment 1, a single intrauterine injection of 4.0 mg of PGF into the uterine horn ipsilateral to the corpus luteum resulted in a precipitous progesterone decline, whereas sequential injections of 0.25 or 1.0 mg every 12 h resulted in a stepwise decrease (P < 0.05) following each injection. A progesterone increase occurred during the first 5 min before the luteolytic decrease but only for the 4.0-mg dose. From the results of experiment 2, a 2-h intrauterine infusion of a total of 0.5 mg of PGF was judged to best simulate a natural PGFM pulse. In experiment 3, simulation of sequential pulses at 12-h intervals resulted in a continuous precipitous decrease in progesterone to <1 ng/ml by the beginning of the fourth simulated pulse. In contrast, a single simulated pulse resulted in a 6-h progesterone decrease to a constant concentration for 3 days after treatment, followed by a return to control concentrations. The mean ± SEM interval between the pretreatment and posttreatment ovulations was shorter (P < 0.05) in the group with sequential simulated pulses (14 ± 1 day) than in the group with a single pulse (21 ± 1 day). Results indicated that excessive PGF doses may stimulate nonphysiologic progesterone responses and supported the hypothesis that sequential PGF pulses are required to stimulate natural luteolysis in cattle.
Let-7c MicroRNA Expression and Clinical Significance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding regulatory RNAs that are often dysregulated during carcinogenesis. Downregulation of let-7 miRNA in many human cancers indicates its role in tumourigenesis. This study evaluated the levels of let-7c miRNA, using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, between 32 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and matched normal adjacent tumour tissues within the context of the patient's clinical pathology. Levels of let-7c miRNA were significantly lower in HCC tissues than in corresponding normal adjacent tumour tissues and there was a correlation between the downregulation of let-7c and poor tissue differentiation in HCC. There was no correlation between let-7c miRNA levels and other clinicopathological factors, such as patient age, sex, hepatitis B virus status, α-fetoprotein levels, tumour size, tumour number, the presence of cirrhosis, liver envelope invasion or portal vein thrombosis. These data suggested that let-7c microRNA may play a role in regulating HCC cell differentiation.
Gain Measurements of THz Quantum Cascade Lasers using THz Time-Domain Spectroscopy

Terahertz (THz) time-domain spectroscopy is used to investigate the gain and losses of a THz quantum cascade laser (QCL) operating at 2.86 THz. This measurement technique allows access to the amplitude and phase spectra, allowing the direct determination of the gain. At the emission frequency of the QCL, a value of 6.5 cm-1 is found. The gain can also be studied as a function of different operating conditions, even when no laser action is present. Effects such as gain clamping and spectral narrowing are also observed. Furthermore, temperature measurements illustrate the reduction of the gain as the temperature is increased.
Risk Factors for Pancreatic Cancer: Case-Control Study

OBJECTIVES:Although cigarette smoking is the most well-established environmental risk factor for pancreatic cancer, the interaction between smoking and other risk factors has not been assessed. We evaluated the independent effects of multiple risk factors for pancreatic cancer and determined whether the magnitude of cigarette smoking was modified by other risk factors in men and women.METHODS:We conducted a hospital-based case-control study involving 808 patients with pathologically diagnosed pancreatic cancer and 808 healthy frequency-matched controls. Information on risk factors was collected by personal interview, and unconditional logistic regression was used to determine adjusted odds ratios (AORs) by the maximum-likelihood method.RESULTS:Cigarette smoking, family history of pancreatic cancer, heavy alcohol consumption (>60 mL ethanol/day), diabetes mellitus, and history of pancreatitis were significant risk factors for pancreatic cancer. We found synergistic interactions between cigarette smoking and family history of pancreatic cancer (AOR 12.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6–108.9) and diabetes mellitus (AOR 9.3, 95% CI 2.0–44.1) in women, according to an additive model. Approximately 23%, 9%, 3%, and 5% of pancreatic cancer cases in this study were related to cigarette smoking, diabetes mellitus, heavy alcohol consumption, and family history of pancreatic cancer, respectively.CONCLUSIONS:The significant synergy between these risk factors suggests a common pathway for carcinogenesis of the pancreas. Determining the underlying mechanisms for such synergies may lead to the development of pancreatic cancer prevention strategies for high-risk individuals.
Rate-dependent behavior of Sn3.8Ag0.7Cu solder over strain rates of 10−6 to 102 s−1

Solder joints are subjected to different loading conditions depending on the application environment. Desktop and server applications for example, involve thermomechanical fatigue loads at low-strain rates and the dominant mode of failure is creep fatigue. Mobile electronics applications on the other hand, are subject to dynamic stresses on the solder joint during impact. In our previous work, we developed a constitutive model based on mechanical test data at low strain rates. Experiments were carried out using double-lap shear test specimens of specially prepared solder assemblies over strain rate regimes of 10-6 to 10-3 s-1 [D. Bhate et al.]. In this work, the previous experimental results are augmented with tests performed at higher strain rates (10-3 to 102 s-1) at room temperature. These experiments were performed using two different experimental setups: a MTS 810 uniaxial compression tester and a Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB). The experimental results demonstrate a remarkably consistent relationship between the yield stress and the strain rate over eight decades of strain rate! We also fit the data to viscoplastic constitutive models popularly available in commercial finite element programs. Although the constitutive models are built using data at low strain rate regimes, the model is shown to be a reasonable fit to the experimental data over the entire strain rate regime under consideration (10-6 to 102 s-1). The differences in observed behavior under compression and tension are discussed, along with a microstructural study of the samples used in the tests.
In Vivo Addition of Poly(A) Tail and AU-Rich Sequences to the 3′ Terminus of the Sindbis Virus RNA Genome: a Novel 3′-End Repair Pathway

ABSTRACT Alphaviruses are mosquito-transmitted RNA viruses that cause important diseases in both humans and livestock. Sindbis virus (SIN), the type species of the alphavirus genus, carries a 11.7-kb positive-sense RNA genome which is capped at its 5′ end and polyadenylated at its 3′ end. The 3′ nontranslated region (3′NTR) of the SIN genome carries many AU-rich motifs, including a 19-nucleotide (nt) conserved element (3′CSE) and a poly(A) tail. This 3′CSE and the adjoining poly(A) tail are believed to regulate the synthesis of negative-sense RNA and genome replication in vivo. We have recently demonstrated that the SIN genome lacking the poly(A) tail was infectious and that de novo polyadenylation could occur in vivo (K. R. Hill, M. Hajjou, J. Hu, and R. Raju, J. Virol. 71:2693–2704, 1997). Here, we demonstrate that the 3′-terminal 29-nt region of the SIN genome carries a signal for possible cytoplasmic polyadenylation. To further investigate the polyadenylation signals within the 3′NTR, we generated a battery of mutant genomes with mutations in the 3′NTR and tested their ability to generate infectious virus and undergo 3′ polyadenylation in vivo. Engineered SIN genomes with terminal deletions within the 19-nt 3′CSE were infectious and regained their poly(A) tail. Also, a SIN genome carrying the poly(A) tail but lacking a part or the entire 19-nt 3′CSE was also infectious. Sequence analysis of viruses generated from these engineered SIN genomes demonstrated the addition of a variety of AU-rich sequence motifs just adjacent to the poly(A) tail. The addition of AU-rich motifs to the mutant SIN genomes appears to require the presence of a significant portion of the 3′NTR. These results indicate the ability of alphavirus RNAs to undergo 3′ repair and the existence of a pathway for the addition of AU-rich sequences and a poly(A) tail to their 3′ end in the infected host cell. Most importantly, these results indicate the ability of alphavirus replication machinery to use a multitude of AU-rich RNA sequences abutted by a poly(A) motif as promoters for negative-sense RNA synthesis and genome replication in vivo. The possible roles of cytoplasmic polyadenylation machinery, terminal transferase-like enzymes, and the viral polymerase in the terminal repair processes are discussed.
CREOG In-Training Examination Results: Contemporary Use to Predict ABOG Written Examination Outcomes.

BACKGROUND The in-training examination (ITE) offers formative assessments of residents' developing medical knowledge. Identification of an ITE performance level associated with success on the specialty board examination allows identification of "at risk" residents. OBJECTIVE This study sought to identify a threshold score for obstetrics and gynecology residents' performance on the Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology (CREOG) ITE that predicts successful performance on the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) written examination. METHODS We analyzed ITE and ABOG results of 80 residents who completed 4 years of CREOG ITEs at 2 institutions between 2002 and 2012. We assessed the level of performance associated with successful performance on the ABOG written examination. RESULTS Data analyzed included scores for 71 of 80 residents (89%), with an overall pass rate of 82%. A postgraduate year (PGY) 4 score of 200 on the CREOG ITE or twice in any of the PGY training years was associated with a 100% ABOG pass rate. Scoring ≥ 205 in any PGY also was associated with a 100% pass rate. Residents who did not attain a score of 200 had a 35% to 45% chance of failing the ABOG written examination, depending on the PGY of the ITE performance. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that a CREOG ITE score of at least 200 twice, or as a PGY-4, offers assurance of successful performance on the ABOG examination. Scores lower than this threshold may be used to identify "at risk" residents for added learning and provide program elements in need of improvement.
Les effets des nouvelles technologies à une fin professionnelle sur l’équilibre Travail - Famille: une étude comparative franco-italienne

1. Problématique Plusieurs études montrent comment l’intrusion du travail dans la vie privée peut représenter une source de stress, contrevenir au processus de récupération et engendrer un conflit Travail-Famille (Derks et al., 2014). La relation entre le bien-être et l’utilisation des nouvelles technologies en dehors des horaires de travail fait l’objet d’une attention accrue. En France, la loi Travail No. 2016-1088 a introduit une régulation de la consultation des smartphones et des courriels en dehors des horaires de travail pour les entreprises de plus de 50 employés. En Italie, il n’existe aujourd’hui aucune loi similaire. Les modalités des activités réalisées en dehors des horaires de travail grâce à la mobilisation des nouvelles technologies sont gérées par les organisations, négligeant parfois les frontières travail/famille. Alors que l’utilisation d’internet dans un cadre professionnel a fortement augmenté, peu nombreuses sont les études examinant les effets de cette utilisation croissante.
Mindfulness and headache: A “new” old treatment, with new findings

Background Mindfulness refers to a host of procedures that have been practiced for centuries, but only recently have begun to be applied to varied pain conditions, with the most recent being headache. Methods We reviewed research that incorporated components of mindfulness for treating pain, with a more in depth focus on headache disorders. We also examined literature that has closely studied potential physiological processes in the brain that might mediate the effects of mindfulness. We report as well preliminary findings of our ongoing trial comparing mindfulness alone to pharmacological treatment alone for treating chronic migraine accompanied by medication overuse. Results Although research remains in its infancy, the initial findings support the utility of varied mindfulness approaches for enhancing usual care for headache management. Our preliminary findings suggest mindfulness by itself may produce effects comparable to that of medication alone for patients with chronic migraine and medication overuse. Conclusions Much work remains to more fully document the role and long term value of mindfulness for specific headache types. Areas in need of further investigation are discussed.
Fetal distribution of 5alpha-reductase 1 and 5alpha-reductase 2, and their input on human prostate development.

PURPOSE Human prostate development starts in the tenth week of gestation. Initial interactions between the epithelium and mesenchyma are stimulated by androgens. The transformation of circulating testosterone to 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone by tissue linked 5alpha-reductase is a key event in androgen metabolism. The 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone mediates androgen effects in the urogenital sinus and external genitalia, leading to the formation of a male phenotype and androgen mediated prostate growth. Supposedly 5alpha-reductase 2 is the predominant isoenzyme in human accessory sex tissue, whereas the function of 5alpha-reductase 1 remains unclear. We focused on the detection, distribution and effects of the 2 isoenzymes during gestation and infancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Serial sections from fetuses and infants were immunostained using antibodies directed against 5alpha-reductase 1 and 2. Additionally, to detect the downstream products of androgen synthesis reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analyses were done for 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase types 2, 3 and 7. RESULTS Immunohistochemistry revealed positive staining for each isoenzyme throughout fetal development. Moreover, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction for 5alpha-reductase 1 and 2 confirmed these findings on the transcription level. Additionally, the most relevant enzymatic downstream products of cellular androgen synthesis (17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2, 3 and 7) were also detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge this is the first study revealing the expression and distribution of each 5alpha-reductase isoenzyme as well as the potential contribution of 5alpha-reductase 1 during fetal human prostate development.
Interventions for the treatment of twin-twin transfusion syndrome.

BACKGROUND Twin-twin transfusion syndrome, a condition affecting monochorionic twin pregnancies, is associated with a high risk of perinatal mortality and morbidity. A number of treatments have been introduced to treat the condition but it is unclear which intervention improves maternal and fetal outcome. OBJECTIVES The objective of this review was to evaluate the impact of treatment modalities in twin-twin transfusion syndrome. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (October 2007) and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library 2007, Issue 4). We also searched conference proceedings and made personal contact with experts active in the area of the review. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised and quasi-randomised studies of amnioreduction versus laser coagulation, septostomy versus laser coagulation or septostomy versus amnioreduction. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS One review author assessed eligibility and extracted data, which were checked by a second author. We contacted study authors for additional information. MAIN RESULTS Two studies (213 women) were included. This review shows that laser coagulation of anastomotic vessels results in less death of both infants per pregnancy (relative risk (RR) 0.33; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.16 to 0.67, one trial), less perinatal death (RR 0.59; 95% CI 0.0.40 to 0.87 adjusted for cluster, one trial) and less neonatal death (RR 0.29; 95% CI 0.14 to 0.61 adjusted for cluster, one trial) than in pregnancies treated with amnioreduction. There is no difference in perinatal outcome between amnioreduction and septostomy. A third study is awaiting assessment. More babies were alive without neurological abnormality at the age of six months in the laser group than the amnioreduction groups (RR 1.66; 95% CI 1.17 to 2.35 adjusted for clustering, one trial). This difference did not persist beyond six months of age. There was no significant difference in the babies alive at six months with neurological abnormality treated by laser coagulation or amnioreduction (RR 0.58; 95% CI 0.18 to 1.86 adjusted for clustering, one trial). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Endoscopic laser coagulation of anastomotic vessels should be considered in the treatment of all stages of twin-twin transfusion syndrome to improve perinatal outcome. Further research on the effect of treatment on milder forms of twin-twin transfusion syndrome (Quintero stage 1 and 2) are required. The long-term outcomes of survivors from the studies included in this review are required.
Devising Classificatory Frameworks of Accountings’ Consequences: An illustrative Pacific study of the economic, social, cultural and natural

Purpose: Applications of accounting ideas and practices invariably have consequences. The people in any way responsible for these applications cannot know all possible consequences; however, this predicament is yet more reason to anticipate as many as possible, and behave accordingly. Our article responds to arguments that in order to increase the impact of research into accounting ideas and practices, researchers should give greater priority than hitherto to knowing about the consequences of accountings. Method: We deal with the concept of consequences and exemplify how appreciating them is an interpretative process. We illustrate this process through studying an identity longitudinally, taking an eclectic approach and making liberal use of theoretical perspectives. Our empirical materials are from Nikunau Island and where I-Nikunau (i.e., indigenes of Nikunau) Diaspora reside—Tarawa Atoll, and other Pacific locations and Great Britain— along with further places where accounting usages affecting them have emanated (e.g., Rome, Washington and Manila). These usages relate to industrial hunting of marine life, trading for copra, mining for fertiliser, religion making, civilising and developing the people through colonial governance, and developing and emerging their economy with aid from neoimperial organisations. Findings: We argue that accounting usages have caused or possibilitated wide-ranging and far-reaching alterations to life among I-Nikunau, including that the majority now lives outside Nikunau. These alterations may be regarded as consequences of accounting usages, albeit in conjunction with those of many other actions, events, etc. Having drawn terms from a range of disciplines, we classify the consequences as macroand micro-economic, distributional, organisational, political, social, environmental, societal, cultural, educational, geographical, demographical, spiritual, nutritional and biological, and we present these 15 classes in a framework specific to I-Nikunau. Originality: We commend our approach to other researchers of accounting and other disciplines in order to induce equivalent classificatory frameworks relevant to their identities of study. We also put forward a canoe metaphor to help shape researchers’ endeavours and qualify a definition of accounting to help users of accounting technology to have greater consideration for accountings’ consequences.