Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the chemical potential of D-instantons in c=0 noncritical string theory

We study the chemical potential of D-instantons in c = 0 noncritical string theory. In a recent work [12], it was shown that the chemical potential can be calculated using the one matrix model. The calculation was done using the method of orthogonal polynomials and the authors obtained a universal value in the double scaling limit. We present an alternative method to calculate this value.
Amygdala Lesions Reduce Cataplexy in Orexin Knock-Out Mice

Narcolepsy is characterized by excessive sleepiness and cataplexy, sudden episodes of muscle weakness during waking that are thought to be an intrusion of rapid eye movement sleep muscle atonia into wakefulness. One of the most striking aspects of cataplexy is that it is often triggered by strong, generally positive emotions, but little is known about the neural pathways through which positive emotions trigger muscle atonia. We hypothesized that the amygdala is functionally important for cataplexy because the amygdala has a role in processing emotional stimuli and it contains neurons that are active during cataplexy. Using anterograde and retrograde tracing in mice, we found that GABAergic neurons in the central nucleus of the amygdala heavily innervate neurons that maintain waking muscle tone such as those in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray, lateral pontine tegmentum, locus ceruleus, and dorsal raphe. We then found that bilateral, excitotoxic lesions of the amygdala markedly reduced cataplexy in orexin knock-out mice, a model of narcolepsy. These lesions did not alter basic sleep–wake behavior but substantially reduced the triggering of cataplexy. Lesions also reduced the cataplexy events triggered by conditions associated with high arousal and positive emotions (i.e., wheel running and chocolate). These observations demonstrate that the amygdala is a functionally important part of the circuitry underlying cataplexy and suggest that increased amygdala activity in response to emotional stimuli could directly trigger cataplexy by inhibiting brainstem regions that suppress muscle atonia.
The Martyrdom Effect: When Pain and Effort Increase Prosocial Contributions

Most theories of motivation and behavior (and lay intuitions alike) consider pain and effort to be deterrents. In contrast to this widely held view, we provide evidence that the prospect of enduring pain and exerting effort for a prosocial cause can promote contributions to the cause. Specifically, we show that willingness to contribute to a charitable or collective cause increases when the contribution process is expected to be painful and effortful rather than easy and enjoyable. Across five experiments, we document this “martyrdom effect,” show that the observed patterns defy standard economic and psychological accounts, and identify a mediator and moderator of the effect. Experiment 1 showed that people are willing to donate more to charity when they anticipate having to suffer to raise money. Experiment 2 extended these findings to a non-charity laboratory context that involved real money and actual pain. Experiment 3 demonstrated that the martyrdom effect is not the result of an attribute substitution strategy (whereby people use the amount of pain and effort involved in fundraising to determine donation worthiness). Experiment 4 showed that perceptions of meaningfulness partially mediate the martyrdom effect. Finally, Experiment 5 demonstrated that the nature of the prosocial cause moderates the martyrdom effect: the effect is strongest for causes associated with human suffering. We propose that anticipated pain and effort lead people to ascribe greater meaning to their contributions and to the experience of contributing, thereby motivating higher prosocial contributions. We conclude by considering some implications of this puzzling phenomenon. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Moderators of the effects of anger awareness and expression training and relaxation training to improve chronic headache symptoms

MODERATORS OF THE EFFECTS OF ANGER AWARENESS AND EXPRESSION TRAINING AND RELAXATION TRAINING TO IMPROVE CHORNIC HEADACHE SYMPTOMS by ELYSE R. SKLAR August 2012 Advisor: Dr. Mark A. Lumley Major: Psychology (Clinical) Degree: Master of Arts Chronic headache (HA), a common condition among young adults, is exacerbated by stress. Arousal reducing techniques, such as relaxation training (RT), are moderately effective as stress-management techniques. Suppression of negative emotions, such as anger, has also been shown to worsen stress and pain. Previously, our laboratory found that an innovative 3-session, group-based anger awareness and expression training (AAET) intervention was comparable to group relaxation training (RT) in improving outcomes in HA, and both treatments were more beneficial than no intervention. However, it is likely that individuals respond differently to these interventions. A person’s baseline emotion regulation abilities, assertiveness, and ambivalence over emotional expression likely influence their response to these interventions. Therefore, secondary analyses were conducted to explore how alexithymia and it’s facets (difficulty identifying feelings, difficulty describing feelings, and externally oriented thinking), ambivalence over anger expression, and assertiveness, moderated the effects of AAET, RT, compared with each other and no intervention.
Early Involvement of Immune/Inflammatory Response Genes in Retinal Degeneration in DBA/2J Mice

Purpose The DBA/2J (D2) mouse carries mutations in two of its genes, Tyrp1 and Gpnmb. These alterations result in the development of an immune response in the iris, leading to iris atrophy and pigment dispersion. The development of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in this model of glaucoma is considered to be a significant factor leading to the death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Changes in gene expression in the retina have already been correlated with the appearance of elevated IOP in the D2 mouse. The purpose of the present study was to determine if any changes in gene expression occur prior to the development of IOP. Methods The IOP was measured monthly using a rebound tonometer in D2 and age-matched C57/BL6 (B6) mice (normal controls). D2 animals with normal IOP at 2 and 4 M were used. In addition, mice at the age of 6–7 M were included to look for any trends in gene expression that might develop during the progression of the disease. Separate RNA samples were prepared from each of three individual retinas for each age, and gene expression profiles were determined with the aid of mouse oligonucleotide arrays (Agilent). A subset of genes was examined with the aid of real-time PCR. Immunocytochemistry was used to visualize changes in the retina for some of the gene-products. Results Four hundred and thirteen oligonucleotide probes were differentially expressed in the retinas of 4 M versus 2 M old D2 mice. The most significantly up-regulated genes (181) were associated with immune responses including interferon signaling, the complement system and the antigen presentation pathway, whereas the down-regulated genes (232) were linked to pathways related to cell death and known neurological diseases/disorders. These particular changes were not revealed in the age-matched B6 mice. By 6 M, when IOP started to increase in many of the D2 mice, more robust changes of these same genes were observed. Changes in the levels of selected genes, representative of different functions/pathways, were validated with RT-PCR, and changes in glial responses were visualized in the retina with immunocytochemistry. Conclusions The results showed that the expression of genes related to the immune response and acute stress were altered independently of the development of elevated IOP, and indicated early involvement of the immune system in the onset of the disease. The later development of elevated IOP, observed in this animal model, was coincident with continued changes in expression of genes observed at earlier time points. Further studies are warranted to identify the roles of specific genes identified here with respect to the death of the RGCs.
Measuring one-way delay in wireless mesh networks: an experimental investigation

Wireless Mesh networks are multi-hop networks mostly based on IEEE 802.11 technology and are considered as a viable alternative for providing broadband wireless Internet access. As a consequence, they require support for Quality of Service or advanced mechanisms for selecting Internet gateways. One important required information is the one-way delay between different nodes. In this paper, we have developed, implemented, and evaluated an one-way delay estimation technique for wireless mesh networks which is based on estimating intra node queuing and inter node forwarding delay. An IP-header option field is used to accumulate the per hop delay estimate to provide an end-to-end estimate. We also outline problems with the implementation and compare results with real one-way delays obtained from a 14 node mesh testbed. We show how estimation accuracy depends on network load and provide insights into further improvements.
Assessing Forest Biomass and Exploration in the Brazilian Amazon with Airborne InSAR: an Alternative for REDD

REDD (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation) constitutes a set of financial incentives designed to reduce CO2 emissions from forest degradation and deforestation. REDD success depends on measuring forest biomass as a proxy for CO2 stocks. We tested the efficacy of airborne X- and P-band interferometry as a remote-sensing method to quantify forest biomass and detect changes in forest structure in the Paragominas region, eastern Amazon. With field-classified regions of interest (ROI) and radar imagery, we classified an area of 1479.66 km2 into four forest classes. Radar backscatter and interferometric variables of each forest class were statistically examined. We obtained the interferometric height, Hint, by subtracting digital elevation models resulting from X and P band interferometry for the study area. Inventory-measured biomass were obtained for 42 plots nested within these forest classes, and used as ground truth for subsequent analyses. Using these field plots as experimental units, a functional relationship between radar variables and above-ground biomass (AGB) was obtained by fitting a linear model relating inventory-measured AGB and radar-derived variables. A map of AGB was created. Combining backscatter variables and Hint effectively classified the forest. AGB can be predicted for the Paragominas landscape with Hint and the P-band polarizations pHV and pVV (R 2 =0.82, normalized RMSE=13.7%). X- and P-band airborne radars can be used to estimate forest AGB of large continuous areas as well as detecting forest exploration and degradation, events REDD intends to prevent.
A Coalition-Formation Approach to Equilibrium Federations and Trading Blocs

The authors develop a model in which states may choose to form coalitions to capture efficiency gains from policy coordination. Joining a coalition entails setting the policy variable to maximize the coalition's aggregate payoff at a Nash equilibrium against nonmembers and to commit to a transfer scheme to share the gains. With two states, the unique equilibrium structure is complete federation; with more than two states, incomplete federation can be the unique equilibrium. Interpreting this result in terms of custom unions, the trend to trading-bloc formation may be equilibrium behavior even with cooperation and transfers within customs unions. Copyright 1997 by American Economic Association.
Divergent Resorbability and Effects on Osteoclast Formation of Commonly Used Bone Substitutes in a Human In Vitro-Assay

Bioactive bone substitute materials are a valuable alternative to autologous bone transplantations in the repair of skeletal defects. However, clinical studies have reported varying success rates for many commonly used biomaterials. While osteoblasts have traditionally been regarded as key players mediating osseointegration, increasing evidence suggests that bone-resorbing osteoclasts are of crucial importance for the longevity of applied biomaterials. As no standardized data on the resorbability of biomaterials exists, we applied an in vitro-assay to compare ten commonly used bone substitutes. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were differentiated into osteoclasts in the co-presence of dentin chips and biomaterials or dentin alone (control) for a period of 28 days. Osteoclast maturation was monitored on day 0 and 14 by light microscopy, and material-dependent changes in extracellular pH were assessed twice weekly. Mature osteoclasts were quantified using TRAP stainings on day 28 and their resorptive activity was determined on dentin (toluidin blue staining) and biomaterials (scanning electron microscopy, SEM). The analyzed biomaterials caused specific changes in the pH, which were correlated with osteoclast multinuclearity (r = 0.942; p = 0.034) and activity on biomaterials (r = 0.594; p = 0.041). Perossal led to a significant reduction of pH, nuclei per osteoclast and dentin resorption, whereas Tutogen bovine and Tutobone human strikingly increased all three parameters. Furthermore, natural biomaterials were resorbed more rapidly than synthetic biomaterials leading to differential relative resorption coefficients, which indicate whether bone substitutes lead to a balanced resorption or preferential resorption of either the biomaterial or the surrounding bone. Taken together, this study for the first time compares the effects of widely used biomaterials on osteoclast formation and resorbability in an unbiased approach that may now aid in improving the preclinical evaluation of bone substitute materials.
Success Rate of Stone Recurrence after Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy and Factors affecting Success of Treatment among Egyptian Patients

Objectives: To evaluate the factors that affect the success rate of ESWL for treatment of renal stones and to estimate the prevalence of stone recurrence during a 1-year period. Materials and Methods: During the period of January, 2010 and December, 2010, prospective study of 142 subjects with single or multiple renal stones (<30 mm, largest diameter) undergone ESWL monotherapyby Siemens- LITHOSKOP lithotriptor. The results of treatment were assessedafter a follow-up period of 3 months. Treatment success was a complete clearance of the stones or presence of insignificantresidual fragments<4 millimeters. Correlation of the success rate with the characteristics of the subjects, conditionsof the urinary tract and features of the stone was done. Results: During the 3-months follow-up period, the success rate was 111/142 (78%). Re- treatment was needed in 75 patients (52.8%). Post-treatment procedures were done in 12 subjects (8.4%). Post-ESWL complications were observed in 5 subjects (3.5%). Out of 10 prognosticfactors studied, 5 had a powerful influence on the success rate, which are: renal morphology, presence of congenital anomalies, size of stone, site of stone and treated stones number. Other factors including age, sex, nationality, stonenature (de novo or recurrent) and ureteric stenting had no significant impact on the success rate. Conclusions: Prediction of success of treatment with ESWL and the recurrence depends and may be predicted by renal morphology, presence of congenital anomalies, size of stone, site of stone and treated stones number.
A REDUNDANT AIRCRAFT ATTITUDE SYSTEM BASED ON MINIATURISED GYRO CLUSTERS DATA FUSION BY USING KALMAN FILTERING

The paper presents a redundant strap-down attitude system which uses three miniaturized gyro sensors linear clusters in the detection unit. The data from the sensors in each of the three clusters are fused by using a Kalman filter, in order to improve the useful angular speed signal measured by the detection unit. In the paper are successively exposed the data fusion algorithm and the theoretical background of the attitude system. Finally, is shown the Matlab/Simulink software implementation and experimental validation of the redundant inertial attitude system.
Soil nitrate and water dynamics in sesbania fallows, weed fallows, and maize

We hypothesized that the integration of trees into agricultural land-use systems can reduce NO3 leaching and increase subsoil N utilization. A field study was conducted on a Kandiudalfic Eutrudox (Ochinga site) and a Kandic Paleustalf (Muange site) in the subhumid highlands of Kenya to measure changes in soil NO3 and water to 200-cm depth for one rainy season in four land-use systems (LUS): (i) planted tree fallow using Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr. , (ii) unfertilized maize (Zea mays L.), (iii) weed fallow, and (iv) bare fallow. Subsoil (50-200 cm) NO3-N at the start of the season ranged from 58 to 87 kg ha-1 for the four LUS and two sites. In maize, subsoil NO3-N differed by <5 kg ha-1 between planting and harvest at both sites. In sesbania, subsoil NO3-N decreased by 22 kg ha-1 at both sites, whereas in weed fallow subsoil NO3-N decreased by 26 and 38 kg ha-1 at Ochinga and Muange, respectively. At both sites, subsoil water contents at the start of the season were similar in the four LUS; but at the end of the season, soil water at 100 to 200 cm was significantly lower for sesbania than for maize. Adsorption of NO3 increased with soil depth. Sorbed NO3 at 100 to 200 cm was about 60% in the Kandiudalfic Eutrudox and about 15% in the Kandic Paleustalf. Rotation of maize with either a sesbania fallow or a weed fallow can result in more effective subsoil NO3 and water utilization than maize monoculture.
Exploring citizens' perception of government to citizen services

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the importance of undertaking a systemic view of evaluating the success of government to citizen (G2C) services and identifying the salient factors related with citizens' low adoption of G2C services.Design/methodology/approach – The paper adopts a quantitative case perspective and derives a conceptual research model that encompasses various dimensions of e‐government that relate to citizen adoption behaviour within the framework of theory of planned behaviour (TPB). The model is empirically tested for validity and reliability.Findings – Quantitative findings have been presented, which will be valuable for academics and practitioners doing research in identifying factors for e‐government adoption.Research limitations/implications – Further research efforts should explore new dimensions or test the causal relationships among proposed factors within the boundary of e‐government. In that, the paper is limited contextually where attention should be made no.
Reconstitution of Escherichia coli Glutamine Synthetase Adenylyltransferase from N-Terminal and C-Terminal Fragments of the Enzyme†

ATase brings about the short-term regulation of glutamine synthetase (GS) by catalyzing the adenylylation and deadenylylation of GS in response to signals of cellular nitrogen status and energy. The adenylyltransferase (AT) activity of ATase is activated by glutamine and by the unmodified form of the PII signal transduction protein and is inhibited by PII-UMP. Conversely, the adenylyl-removing (AR) activity of ATase is activated by PII-UMP and inhibited by unmodified PII and by glutamine. Here, we show that the enzyme can be reconstituted from two purified polypeptides that comprise the N-terminal two-thirds of the protein and the C-terminal one-third of the protein. Properties of the reconstituted enzyme support recent hypotheses for the sites of regulatory interactions and mechanisms for intramolecular signal transduction. Specifically, our results are consistent with the protein activators (PII and PII-UMP) binding to the enzyme domain with the opposing activity, with intramolecular signal transduction by direct interactions between the N-terminal AR catalytic domain and the C-terminal AT catalytic domain. Similarly, glutamine inhibition of the AR activity involved intramolecular signaling between the AT and AR domains. Finally, our results are consistent with the hypothesis that the AR activity of the N-terminal domain required activation by the opposing C-terminal (AT) domain.
The Jossey-Bass Academic Administrator's Guide to Exemplary Leadership

Written by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner two of the foremost experts on the topic of leadership, "The Jossey Bass Academic Administrator's Guide to Exemplary Leadership" clearly shows how anyone can develop the key leadership skills needed "to get extraordinary things done" on their campuses. This important resource outlines the principles and practices that are solidly based in more than two decades of quantitative and qualitative research. "The Jossey Bass Academic Administrator's Guide to Exemplary Leadership": describes the proven Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership; explains the fundamental principles that support the key leadership practices; provides actual case examples of real people on college and university campuses who demonstrate each practice; offers specific recommendations on what to do to own these practices; and shows how to continue to develop as a leader.
Applied Psychology in Human Resource Management

Chapter 1: Organizations, Work, and Applied Psychology Chapter 2: The Law and Human Resource Management Chapter 3: People, Decisions, and the Systems Approach Chapter 4: Criteria: Concepts, Measurement, and Evaluation Chapter 5: Performance Management Chapter 6: Measuring and Interpreting Individual Differences Chapter 7: Validation and Use of Individual Differences Measures Chapter 8: Fairness in Employment Decisions Chapter 9: Analyzing Jobs and Work Chapter 10: Strategic Workforce Planning Chapter 11: Recruitment Chapter 12: Selection Methods: Part I Chapter 13: Selection Methods: Part II Chapter 14: Decision-Making for Selection Chapter 15: Training and Development: Considerations in Design Chapter 16: Training and Development: Implementation and the Measurement of Outcomes Chapter 17: International Dimensions of Applied Psychology Chapter 18: Organizational Responsibility and Ethical Issues in Human
Financial Statement Analysis and Security Valuation

List of Cases List of Accounting Clinics 1 Introduction to Investing and Valuation 2 Introduction to the Financial Statements PART ONE: Financial Statements and Valuation 3 How Financial Statements Are Used in Valuation 4 Cash Accounting, Accrual Accounting, and Discounted Cash Flow Variation 5 Accrual Accounting and Valuation: Pricing Book Values 6 Accrual Accounting and Valuation: Pricing Earnings 7 Valuation and Active Investing PART TWO: The Analysis of Financial Statements 8 Viewing the Business Through the Financial Statements 9 The Analysis if the Statement of Shareholders' Equity 10 The Analysis of the Balance Sheet and Income Statement 11 The Analysis of the Cash Flow Statement 12 The Analysis of Profitability 13 The Analysis of Growth and Sustainable Earnings PART THREE: Forecasting and Valuation Analysis 14 The Value of Operations and the Evaluation of Enterprise Price-to-Book Ratios and Price-Earnings Ratios 15 Anchoring on the Financial Statements: Simple Forecasting and Simple Valuation 15 Full-Information Forecasting, Valuation, and Business Strategy Analysis PART FOUR: Accounting Analysis and Valuation 17 Creating Accounting Value and Economics Value 18 Analysis of the Quality of Financial Statements PART FIVE: The Analysis of Risk and Return 19 The Analysis of Equity Risk and Return for Active Investing 20 The Analysis of Credit Risk and Return Appendix A Summary of Formulas Index