Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Politics of Electoral Reform in New Zealand

In a referendum held at the same time as the 1993 general election, a majority of New Zealanders voted to establish a new propor tional electoral system to replace their traditional simple plurality system, to take effect after April 1995. New Zealanders were responding to the destabilizing effects of party system dealignment, increasing dispropor tionality of election outcomes, and a succession of governments which many believed had ignored public opinion in their efforts to reform the economy. Competition between the two increasingly discredited major parties set a referendum process in motion, which few politicians thought would end in a vote for change. In part due to a political culture support ing populist democratic values, a majority of New Zealanders voted for proportional representation despite a well-funded all-out propaganda campaign against it. With four parties already represented in parliament at the end of 1993, New Zealand will move to multiparty competition. If successful, the experiment could set an example for similar reform in other plurality democracies.
Combined RAF1 protein expression and p53 mutational status provides a strong predictor of cellular radiosensitivity

The tumour suppressor gene, p53, and genes coding for positive signal transduction factors can influence transit through cell-cycle checkpoints and modulate radiosensitivity. Here we examine the effects of RAF1 protein on the rate of exit from a G2/M block induced by γ-irradiation in relation to intrinsic cellular radiosensitivity in human cell lines expressing wild-type p53 (wtp53) protein as compared to mutant p53 (mutp53) protein. Cell lines which expressed mutp53 protein were all relatively radioresistant and exhibited no relationship between RAF1 protein and cellular radiosensitivity. Cell lines expressing wtp53 protein, however, showed a strong relationship between RAF1 protein levels and the radiosensitivity parameter SF2. In addition, when post-irradiation perturbation of G2/M transit was compared using the parameter T50 (time after the peak of G2/M delay at which 50% of the cells had exited from a block induced by 2 Gy of irradiation), RAF1 was related to T50 in wtp53, but not mutp53, cell lines. Cell lines which expressed wtp53 protein and high levels of RAF1 had shorter T50s and were also more radiosensitive. These results suggest a cooperative role for wtp53 and RAF1 protein in determining cellular radiosensitivity in human cells, which involves control of the G2/M checkpoint. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaign
Research on Edge Detection Based on Mathematical Morphology Algorithm

This paper reviews the connection between mathematical morphology and rough set theory. To verify the validity of the new method, some of applications of mathematical morphology based on rough sets for image processing such as edge detection are presented. Simulation examples show that the mathematical morphology based on rough sets possesses precision properties. The performance of the mathematical morphology based on rough sets is much better than the traditional mathematical morphology.
Characterization of the structure and dynamics of amyloidogenic variants of human lysozyme by NMR spectroscopy

The structures and dynamics of the native states of two mutational variants of human lysozyme, I56T and D67H, both associated with non‐neuropathic systemic amyloidosis, have been investigated by NMR spectroscopy. The 1H and 15N main‐chain amide chemical shifts of the I56T variant are very similar to those of the wild‐type protein, but those of the D67H variant are greatly altered for 28 residues in the β‐domain. This finding is consistent with the X‐ray crystallographic analysis, which shows that the structure of this variant is significantly altered from that of the wild‐type protein in this region. The 1H–15N heteronuclear NOE values show that, with the exception of V121, every residue in the wild‐type and I56T proteins is located in tightly packed structures characteristic of the native states of most proteins. In contrast, D67H has a region of substantially increased mobility as shown by a dramatic decrease in heteronuclear NOE values of residues near the site of mutation. Despite this unusual flexibility, the D67H variant has no greater propensity to form amyloid fibrils in vivo or in vitro than has I56T. This finding indicates that it is the increased ability of the variants to access partially folded conformations, rather than intrinsic changes in their native state properties, that is the origin of their amyloidogenicity.
Promyelocytic leukemia nuclear bodies associate with transcriptionally active genomic regions

The promyelocytic leukemia (PML) protein is aggregated into nuclear bodies that are associated with diverse nuclear processes. Here, we report that the distance between a locus and its nearest PML body correlates with the transcriptional activity and gene density around the locus. Genes on the active X chromosome are more significantly associated with PML bodies than their silenced homologues on the inactive X chromosome. We also found that a histone-encoding gene cluster, which is transcribed only in S-phase, is more strongly associated with PML bodies in S-phase than in G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle. However, visualization of specific RNA transcripts for several genes showed that PML bodies were not themselves sites of transcription for these genes. Furthermore, knock-down of PML bodies by RNA interference did not preferentially change the expression of genes closely associated with PML bodies. We propose that PML bodies form in nuclear compartments of high transcriptional activity, but they do not directly regulate transcription of genes in these compartments.
Warfarin maintenance dose in Iranian patients. A cross sectional study in 5 cities of Iran.

OBJECTIVE To determine the warfarin maintenance dose in Iranian patients. METHODS This multicenter study was conducted between January 2007 and January 2008 in 5 different large cities of Iran. Patients older than 12 years receiving warfarin were included. During the first days of warfarin use, international normalized ration (INR) was measured daily and after that every 1-2 weeks, with a duration of at least one month. The warfarin dose was considered to be stabilized if the INR remained unchanged on 3 consecutive measurements at a level between 2-3. Then mean dose of the last 3 warfarin doses was calculated. RESULTS One hundred and fifty patients receiving warfarin took part in this study. No significant differences were noted in the mean warfarin dosage among the 5 cities, and between men and women (p=0.228). The warfarin daily dose and INR did not shown any statistical difference between men and women. The warfarin dose statistically decreased in patients older than 60 years old (p=0.004 versus 45-60 years, and p=0.002 versus 30-45 years). This study showed that the required mean warfarin dose in Iranian patients was approximately 4 mg to achieve an INR between 2-3. CONCLUSION Considering geographic and ethnic differences of Iranian patients, attention to the dose determination of warfarin is of importance.
Risk Communication and Public Education in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on the 10th Anniversary of the ‘Black Friday’ Tornado

In July 1997, on the 10th anniversary of the great ‘Black Friday’ Tornado, city officials of Edmonton, the print and broadcast media, agencies dealing in emergency management, and the national weather organisation recounted stories of the 1987, F5 tornado that struck Edmonton on a holiday weekend. The information campaign also presented environmental and educational information regarding a range of protective measures that should be adopted in the event of another tornado strike. A unique opportunity arose to study the effects of the 1997 risk communication campaign, and to assess the extent to which a random sample from the population of Edmonton heard, understood, believed, confirmed, and responded to the low-key, non-urgent, environmental and educational warning messages. These behaviours comprise the General Hazards Risk Communication Model that guided this study, as developed by Mileti, Sorensen, Haas, Blanchard-Boehm and others. We found the following explanatory variables to be statistically significant in predicting whether our survey respondents adopted protective measures towards future occurrences of tornadoes following the information campaign: (1) levels of perceived vulnerability to future occurrences; (2) past experiences with the 1987 tornado event; (3) presentation of new environmental and educational information in the 1997 campaign; and, (4) levels of formal education.
The making of the ‘comrades’ movement in Natal, 1985–91

Sociologists have largely discussed 'comrades' or 'amaqabane' within the parameters of two broad social indicators: black youth unemployment and 'anomic' behaviour. The first indicator, unemployment, has destroyed the life-chances and aspirations of the majority of youths. Studies like those of the Inkatha Institute emphasise how unemployment led to frustration and how that turned into aggression and violence.1 The second indicator is that of 'normlessness', the breakdown of values, the breakdown of a communal social solidarity and the antisocial actions that follow. The 'normlessness' school is much favoured by sociologists. Elements of a Durkheimean conception of 'anomie' based on the breakdown of social solidarity, norms, and the family are presented as definitive of black youth behaviour. In what follows I will argue against both indicators. First, it is not, I believe, helpful to explain the emergence of 'comrades' simply via the category of black youth unemployment. It is true that most 'comrades' are young (below 35); that most 'comrades' come from embattled working-class homesteads and households; that most of their cultural codes emerge outside households and kinship relations; and that many are unemployed. But among the phenomenon called 'comrades' there are full wage-earners, informal sector vendors, university graduates, political
Transected axons of adult hypothalamo‐neurohypophysial neurons regenerate along tanycytic processes

In the intact hypothalamo‐neurohypophysial system, oxytocinergic or vasopressinergic neurons project their axons throughout the internal layer of the median eminence towards the blood vessels of the hypophysial neural lobe. When transected at the level of the median eminence, these axons undergo massive sprouting towards the external layer of the organ and the underlying perivascular region containing hy'pophysial portal vessels. The present study was designed to explore the possible roles of median eminence glial cells in such a reorganization of transected neurohypophysial axons. The relationships between regenerating axons and glial cells were studied by laser scanning confocal microscopy and electron microscopy on vibratome sections immunostained with specific antibodies against neurohypophysial peptides and/or against glial markers. All along the intact median eminence, two main types of glial cells were identified: (1) tanycytes immunoreactive to vimentin and slightly immunoreactive to glial fibrillary acidic protein, and (2) classical astrocytes immunoreactive to glial fibrillary acidic protein but vimentin‐negative. In the intact median eminence, neurohypophysial axons were associated with astrocytic processes located in the internal layer. After a lesion of the hypophysial stalk, peptidergic regenerating axonal sprouts were found to project massively towards the external layer and to penetrate the underlying perivascular region in close association with tanycytic‐like processes immunoreactive to both vimentin and to glial fibrillary acidic protein. In contrast, regenerating sprouts were absent from those regions of the lesioned median eminence containing astrocytic processes immunoreactive to glial fibrillary acidic protein but vimentin‐negative. When fixed lesioned median eminences were treated by placing crystals of the lipophilic dye Dil on their ventricular surface, regenerating axons were found to be closely associated with Dil‐labelled tanycytic‐like end feet terminating in the external layer, and with connected thin processes projecting through the external vascular region. These data indicate that in the median eminence of the adult rat, lesioned neurohypophysial axons regenerate in close association with tanycytic processes. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impact of Inclusion Education on Academic Achievement, Student Behavior and Self-Esteem, and Parental Attitudes.

Abstract The effects of students' placement versus non-placement in an inclusion classroom were determined in four sets of dependent variables: (a) parent concerns about their children's school programs; (b) teacher- and parent-reported instances of students' problem behaviors; (c) students' academic performance; and (d) students' self-reported self-esteem. A second, related, purpose was to determine whether student placement in different types of inclusion programs would result in differences in the dependent variables. Discriminant analysis results indicated that (a) parents of students in the inclusion classes expressed a higher degree of concern with their children's school programs; (b) teachers and parents of the students in the inclusion classes reported more instances of behavior problems; (c) students in inclusion classes were more likely to experience gains in reading scores with no noteworthy differences for mathematics, language, and spelling; and (d) students in inclusion classes reported low.
Measurement of Sky Surface Brightness Fluctuations at λ = 4 Microns

We present a measurement of faint-source confusion in deep, wide-field 4 μm images. The 1. °8 × 1. °8 images with 17'' resolution are centered about the nearby edge-on spiral galaxies NGC 4565 and NGC 5907. After removing statistical noise and gain fluctuations in the focal plane array, we measure spatial fluctuations in the sky brightness to be δνIν = 2.74 ± 0.14 nW m-2 sr-1, approximately 1% of the diffuse background level observed in a single pixel. The brightness fluctuations are confirmed to be associated with the sky by subtracting sequential images of the same region. An autocorrelation analysis shows the fluctuations are well described by unresolved point sources. We see no evidence for surface brightness fluctuations on larger angular scales (2′ < θ < 28′). The statistical distribution of brightness fluctuations allows us to estimate the density of sources below the detection limit. We present a Monte Carlo analysis of the undetected sources, which appear to be dominated by galaxies. Galaxies producing detected sky fluctuations contribute νIν(> S) = 1.04 nW m-2 sr-1 to the cosmic infrared background, evaluated at S = 4.0 × 10-8 nW m-2. From the fluctuation data we can determine the integrated source counts N(>S) = 1.79 × 107 sr-1, evaluated at S = 4.0 × 10-8 nW m-2. The observed fluctuations are consistent with reddened K-band galaxy number counts. The number counts of extracted point sources with flux νFν > 6.3 × 10-7 nW m-2 are dominated by stars and agree well with the Galactic stellar model of Wright & Reese. Removing the stellar contribution from DIRBE maps with zodiacal subtraction results in a residual brightness of 14.0 ± 2.6 (22.2 ± 5.9) nW m-2 sr-1 at 3.5 (4.9) μm for the NGC 5907 field and 24.0 ± 2.7 (36.8 ± 6.0) nW m-2 sr-1 at 3.5 (4.9) μm for the NGC 4565 field. The NGC 5907 residuals are consistent with tentative detections of the infrared background reported by Dwek & Arendt, Wright & Reese, and Gorjian, Wright, & Chary.
Researching with children: insights from the Starting School Research Project

The Starting School Research Project, based at the University of Western Sydney, Australia, promotes the involvement of children in research concerning their transition to school. Using examples of approaches that have been utilised to engage children as part of the research on their transition to school, this paper explores some of the philosophical and methodological issues involved in this stance. Approaches including conversational interviews, oral and written journals, drawings, reflections and digital photographs have been successfully introduced in order to empower four‐ and five‐year‐old children to express what they see as important as they start school. Issues of equity and inclusiveness demand a variety of approaches such as these. However, as with all research approaches, both challenges and advantages are associated with each aspect. The paper concludes with a general consideration of the challenges and rewards of engaging young children in researching important aspects of their lives.
‘It wasn't my sole purpose for going down there’ — An inquiry into the Spring Break experience and its relation to risky behaviors and alcohol consumption

Abstract In an effort to further existing knowledge of the Spring Break phenomenon and its connection to risky behaviors and alcohol consumption, 14 undergraduate students from a large Mid‐Atlantic North American University, going on their first Spring Break experience, were interviewed before and after Spring Break. Adopting a qualitative framework, interviews were transcribed verbatim and subsequently coded and analysed until a clear picture of the participants’ Spring Break experiences emerged. Results showed a discrepancy between spring breakers’ perceptions and expectations for Spring Break and their actual Spring Break experiences, particularly in relation to alcohol consumption. After Spring Break, most participants noted that Music Television's (MTV) promises of alcohol‐fuelled sex parties were found not to be true, or were confined to specific places. Furthermore, no significant differences between their on‐campus drinking behavior and Spring Break drinking behavior were reported. Rather than regarding Spring Break as an excuse to drink without restrictions, it is suggested that some college students may view the experience as a continuation of practices engaged in during the rest of the year, lending support to the notion of a tourism–leisure behavioural continuum. Implications for leisure research and directions for future research are discussed.
Role of radiotherapy in cavernous hemangioma liver.

OBJECTIVE To study the effectiveness of local radiotherapy for controlling cavernous hemangioma of liver. METHODS This is a retrospective analysis of four diagnosed cases of cavernous hemangiomas of the liver treated with radiotherapy. Hepatic irradiation was given in a tumor dose of 30 Gy in 15 fractions over 3 weeks period. RESULTS Three of the four cases showed a complete clinical regression of the liver lesions over a period of 8-14 months, but in one case there was only 75% regression of the mass at 12 months of follow up. CONCLUSIONS Localized radiotherapy is effective in the treatment of giant cavernous hemangiomas of the liver and a tumor dose of 30 Gy is optimum with minimal morbidity.
I Feel What He Was Doin’

This study illustrates a set of learning activities designed from two hip-hop aesthetics and explores their use among a classroom of African American preservice teachers who graduated from urban school districts. Based on the two hip-hop aesthetics of kinetic consumption and autonomy/distance, the specific goal of these learning activities is to enable students to respond to justice-oriented teaching and democratic curriculum. Through an ethnographic and grounded theory approach, this study illustrates that these learning activities are useful for these purposes but that they also create potential barriers to student learning.
The Depletion of Nuclear Glutathione Impairs Cell Proliferation in 3t3 Fibroblasts

Background Glutathione is considered essential for survival in mammalian cells and yeast but not in prokaryotic cells. The presence of a nuclear pool of glutathione has been demonstrated but its role in cellular proliferation and differentiation is still a matter of debate. Principal Findings We have studied proliferation of 3T3 fibroblasts for a period of 5 days. Cells were treated with two well known depleting agents, diethyl maleate (DEM) and buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), and the cellular and nuclear glutathione levels were assessed by analytical and confocal microscopic techniques, respectively. Both agents decreased total cellular glutathione although depletion by BSO was more sustained. However, the nuclear glutathione pool resisted depletion by BSO but not with DEM. Interestingly, cell proliferation was impaired by DEM, but not by BSO. Treating the cells simultaneously with DEM and with glutathione ethyl ester to restore intracellular GSH levels completely prevented the effects of DEM on cell proliferation. Conclusions Our results demonstrate the importance of nuclear glutathione in the control of cell proliferation in 3T3 fibroblasts and suggest that a reduced nuclear environment is necessary for cells to progress in the cell cycle.
Explaining performance in an Executive MBA

The search for characteristics that predict student success is vital as MBA and executive MBA (EMBA) staff seek to attract new entrants. Using data from the University of Paisley’s EMBA over 1999-2005, the model developed and tested here synthesises rational choice theory and the student integration model (SIM), in conjunction with critiques of student learning. Information gleaned from student application forms indicated intentions of: integrating academically; integrating socially via networking; career progression; and, obtaining a qualification. Students seeking academic integration performed better (judged by higher graduate GPAs) than students giving other reasons. Students giving networking as a reason for applying had slightly lower graduate GPAs. In the synthesised model, work experience should affect learning in graduate school. An alternative to the usual measure of experience used extensively in the literature was used. Breadth of experience along with sector of employment at the time of entry yielded significant effects for the experience measure in its own right and in its interaction with sector of employment. It is to be hoped the findings in the current paper will stimulate further research into the linkages between graduate GPA, positions held and competencies, roles and tasks exercised in them.
Association of Helicobacter pylori genotype with gastroesophageal reflux disease and other upper gastrointestinal diseases

OBJECTIVE:Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a recognized pathogen, but it may also have a protective effect for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). We compared the prevalence of potential virulence factors (cagA, cagE, vacA genotypes) in GERD to other upper gastrointestinal diseases and controls.METHODS:A total of 405 patients underwent gastroscopy with H. pylori isolation and serum testing. Patient diagnostic subgroups were prospectively defined. Genotypes were determined by amplification using polymerase chain reaction. CagA antibodies were determined by western blot, enzyme-linked immunosorbent, and flow microsphere immunofluorescent assays.RESULTS:Patients were grouped as follows: nonulcer dyspepsia (26%), GERD (20%), gastric ulcer (17%), duodenal ulcer (12%), gastric cancer (6%), or controls (19%). The cagA gene was present in 94–97% of subjects in all categories, but the cagA antibody was less prevalent in nonulcer dyspepsia (69%, 95% CI: 48–86%, p = 0.02) and GERD (69%, CI: 39–91%, p < 0.05) than in those with gastroduodenal pathology including gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, and gastric cancer (92%, CI: 81–98%). The cagE gene and vacA S1 genotype were more frequent in patients with gastroduodenal pathology (p < 0.01). GERD was associated with a significantly lower rate of vacA S1 genotype than controls (29% (CI: 10–56%) versus 80% (CI: 59–93%), p < 0.01). The vacA S1 genotype was associated with the presence of cagA antibodies.CONCLUSIONS:The cagE and vacA S1 genotypes are more prevalent in patients with peptic ulcer or gastric cancer, suggesting a potential function in virulence for these genes. However, the vacA S1 genotype was also more prevalent in controls than GERD, suggesting a potential protective effect against GERD.