Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Colliding winds in the stellar core at the Galactic Centre: some implications

We point out that a high number density of stars in the core of a dense star cluster such as the central stellar cluster at the Galactic center, where many stars possess strong stellar winds, should result in collisions of those winds. The wind collisions in the dense stellar core at the Galactic center would result in production of strong X-ray flares with the rate of $\sim 10^{-4}~ (N_w/10^3)^2 / yr$ and duration of $\sim 1$ week, where $N_w$ is the number of the wind producing stars in the core. Presence of a massive black hole would enhance the stellar density around it and would make collisions of the winds in the core substantially more frequent. Collisions of the stellar winds in the cluster have also a number of interesting observable implications, including generation of $\gamma$-rays by particles accelerated by the shocks from the colliding winds. These processes are also expected to be relevant to compact regions of intense star formation elsewhere.
Examining the influence of corporate governance on intellectual capital efficiency: Evidence from top service firms in Australia

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of corporate governance on intellectual capital (IC) in top service firms in Australia. Design/methodology/approach - – Drawing on the agency theory, the paper develops hypotheses about relationships between corporate governance mechanisms (chief executive officer [CEO] duality, board size, board composition and subcommittee composition) and IC. The study uses a multiple regression analysis on data collected from corporate annual reports of 300 firm-year observations. Findings - – The findings of the regression analysis indicate that CEO duality, board composition and remuneration committee composition are significantly associated with IC. In contrast, there is no evidence that board size and audit committee composition have an effect on IC. The study contributes to agency theory in general and the literature on IC and corporate governance more specifically. Practical implications - – The findings of the study might be of interest to regulators, investment analysts, shareholders, company directors and managers in Australia, as well as academics, in designing corporate governance mechanisms to develop IC. Originality/value - – Corporate governance is country-specific and, hence, its impact on managerial decisions leading to IC is different from country to country. This study provides empirical evidence on the relationship between corporate governance and IC in top service firms in Australia.
Research Paper Writing Strategies of Professional Japanese EFL Writers.

Four Japanese university professors were interviewed on their processes and strategies for writing a research paper in English as a Foreign language (EFL). The results show that these professional EFL writers use strategies similar to those used by skilled native English and proficient ESL writers as reported in previous studies, have an explicit view of writing as a nonlinear dynamic process and as a way of discovering meaning and ideas, supplement writing at the computer with writing with pen and paper, and basically do not rely on L1 Japanese in the EFL writing process. It was also found that their L2 research paper writing process is perceived as virtually equivalent to their L1 counterpart, which suggests that already existing L1 writing strategies transfer to L2 writing.
Comparison of Views of the Nature of Science between Natural Science and Nonscience Majors

Science educators have the common goal of helping students develop scientific literacy, including understanding of the nature of science (NOS). University faculties are challenged with the need to develop informed NOS views in several major student subpopulations, including science majors and nonscience majors. Research into NOS views of undergraduates, particularly science majors, has been limited. In this study, NOS views of undergraduates in introductory environmental science and upper-level animal behavior courses were measured using Likert items and open-ended prompts. Analysis revealed similarities in students' views between the two courses; both populations held a mix of naïve, transitional, and moderately informed views. Comparison of pre- and postcourse mean scores revealed significant changes in NOS views only in select aspects of NOS. Student scores on sections addressing six aspects of NOS were significantly different in most cases, showing notably uninformed views of the distinctions between scientific theories and laws. Evidence-based insight into student NOS views can aid in reforming undergraduate science courses and will add to faculty and researcher understanding of the impressions of science held by undergraduates, helping educators improve scientific literacy in future scientists and diverse college graduates.
Functional classes of cortical projection neurons develop dendritic distinctions by class-specific sculpting of an early common pattern

We demonstrate in rat neocortex that the distinct laminar arrangements of the apical dendrites of two classes of layer 5 projection neurons, callosal and corticotectal, do not arise de novo, but are generated later in development from a common tall pyramidal morphology. Neurons of each class initially elaborate an apical dendrite in layer 1. Layer 5 callosal neurons later lose the segments of their apical dendrite superficial to layer 4, generating their characteristic short pyramidal morphology. The apical dendrite of layer 5 callosal neurons later lose the segments of their apical dendrite superficial to layer 4, generating their characteristic short pyramidal morphology. The apical dendrite of layer 5 callosal neurons is actively eliminated, rather than passively displaced, as superficial cortical layers expand. Corticotectal neurons and callosal neurons superficial to layer 5 maintain their apical dendrite to layer 1. Therefore, this selective dendritic loss occurs in a neuron class-specific manner and, within the callosal population, in a lamina-specific manner. Based on our additional observations and other studies, this phenomenon can be extended to other types of cortical projection neurons. These findings show that selective dendritic elimination plays a major role in shaping the functional architecture characteristic of the adult cortex.
Multiple high risk HPV infections are common in cervical neoplasia and young women in a cervical screening population

Aims: If human papillomavirus (HPV) testing is to be included within cervical screening programmes, the importance of multiple HPV infections in cervical neoplasia needs to be determined. This study investigated the diversity of multiple HPV types in a routine cervical screening population, and assessed associations with cervical neoplasia. Methods: Overall HPV prevalence, type specific prevalence, and extent of multiple infection were assessed in residual material from 3444 liquid based cytology samples, using real time GP5+/GP6+ polymerase chain reaction for screening and linear array assay for genotyping. HPV status was studied in relation to age and concurrent cytological evidence of dyskaryosis. Results: Twenty per cent of samples were HPV positive. HPV type diversity was broad, and multiple HPV infections occurred in half of the HPV positive samples. Younger women were significantly more likely to harbour multiple high risk HPV (HR-HPV) infections. Infections with multiple HR-HPV types were found in 3.4% of samples negative for neoplasia and in 33.3%, 41.8%, and 40.4% of samples with borderline, mild, or high grade dyskaryosis, respectively. Single HR-HPV infections were found in 4.9%, 38.6%, 45.0%, and 51.1% of negative, borderline, mild, or high grade dyskaryosis samples, respectively. Conclusions: Multiple HR-HPV infections were most prevalent in young women. Multiple HR-HPV infections were not more frequent in high grade than in low grade cervical neoplasia, reflecting common sexual transmission of multiple HR-HPV. Prospective cohort studies linking sequential loss or gain of HPV types with cytological analysis are required to assess the impact of multiple HR-HPV infections on neoplastic progression.
Best practices in regulating State-owned and municipal water utilities

The fundamental lesson that emerges from this survey of regulating state-owned and municipal water utilities in developing countries is that sector regulation has to be embedded in an adequate and consistent institutional framework in order to have a positive impact on performance. Sector regulation, by itself, is no guarantee of performance improvements in the drinking water supply and sanitation sector. Case studies and empirical analyses suggest that without significant changes in the supporting institutions, the standard tools of regulation will not be effective. This conclusion is disturbing, especially for developing countries, since it means that the establishment of a regulatory agency might raise hopes, but ultimately, the agency's rules are unlikely to improve performance without additional, politically difficult initiatives.
Head tracking based glance area estimation for driver behaviour modelling during lane change execution

This paper describes a method to analyse driver behaviour before lane change manoeuvres to detect the lane change intent before the actual manoeuvre itself is initiated. Recent research shows that driver's visual behaviour is an essential indicator to estimate intent to change lane. To create stochastic models for this process, it is necessary to detect which areas are frequently taken into focus by the driver (like looking towards the front window and side mirrors, for example). In a laboratory setting these regions could directly be measured using eye tracking methods. When focusing on solutions which can be integrated into cars under realistic settings, common eye tracking methods fail. More stable solutions are head tracking systems, mostly based on mono or stereo cameras. In this article an approach is presented for estimating the drivers glance areas from head tracking data.
In vitro transfer of cellular immunity against nasopharyngeal carcinoma using transfer factor from donors with Epstein-Barr virus antibody activity.

Summary The peripheral leukocyte migration inhibition assay has been adapted as an in vitro assay of cell-mediated immunity to a soluble antigen extract of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and as an assay for transfer factor (TF) activity in this system. Ten normal individuals with positive Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibody titers (1:16 or greater) demonstrated leukocyte migration inhibition (mean ± S.E.) of 36.8 ± 3.4%, at an NPC antigen concentration of 50 µg/ml, compared to a mean migration inhibition of 13.8 ± 5.3% in 10 EBV-negative normal subjects (EBV antibody titer,
Transfer RNA Post-Transcriptional Processing, Turnover, and Subcellular Dynamics in the Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) are essential for protein synthesis. In eukaryotes, tRNA biosynthesis employs a specialized RNA polymerase that generates initial transcripts that must be subsequently altered via a multitude of post-transcriptional steps before the tRNAs beome mature molecules that function in protein synthesis. Genetic, genomic, biochemical, and cell biological approaches possible in the powerful Saccharomyces cerevisiae system have led to exciting advances in our understandings of tRNA post-transcriptional processing as well as to novel insights into tRNA turnover and tRNA subcellular dynamics. tRNA processing steps include removal of transcribed leader and trailer sequences, addition of CCA to the 3′ mature sequence and, for tRNAHis, addition of a 5′ G. About 20% of yeast tRNAs are encoded by intron-containing genes. The three-step splicing process to remove the introns surprisingly occurs in the cytoplasm in yeast and each of the splicing enzymes appears to moonlight in functions in addition to tRNA splicing. There are 25 different nucleoside modifications that are added post-transcriptionally, creating tRNAs in which ∼15% of the residues are nucleosides other than A, G, U, or C. These modified nucleosides serve numerous important functions including tRNA discrimination, translation fidelity, and tRNA quality control. Mature tRNAs are very stable, but nevertheless yeast cells possess multiple pathways to degrade inappropriately processed or folded tRNAs. Mature tRNAs are also dynamic in cells, moving from the cytoplasm to the nucleus and back again to the cytoplasm; the mechanism and function of this retrograde process is poorly understood. Here, the state of knowledge for tRNA post-transcriptional processing, turnover, and subcellular dynamics is addressed, highlighting the questions that remain.
Lost In Space? On The History, Status, And Future Of Regional Science (Presidential Address, April 4, 1992)

Regional science is turning 40. Once the harbinger of a person's imminent death, becoming 40 now ushers in a period of apprehension and reflection-the mid-life crisis. It is a time to confront the dreams of youth, take stock of the present, ponder the path that led from there to here, and discern future possibilities. If all goes well, reflection and self-assessment lead to a renewed sense of purpose and to the self-understanding, resolve, and motivation that will shape the next 40 years. Regional science has much to gain from a deliberate effort to assess its condition, directions, and options. I attempt to do so here, but, of course, one person and one paper cannot suffice for such a task. This paper will serve its goal if it sparks thought, discussion, and action leading to both a better understanding of regional science and a more vigorous and useful regional science.
The Gender Gap Reloaded: Is School Quality Linked to Labor Market Performance?

This study examines the gender gap in wages of young adults in the late 1970s, mid 1980s, and 2000, in the middle and the tails of the wage distribution using quantile regression. We also examine the importance of school quality indicators in predicting future labor market performance. We conduct analyses for three major racial groups in the US: Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics. We employ base year and follow up data from two rich longitudinal studies: the National Longitudinal Study (NLS) of high school seniors in 1972 and the National Education Longitudinal Study (NELS) of eighth graders in 1988. Our results indicate that school quality is an important predictor of and positively associated to future wages for Whites, but it is less so for the two minority groups. We confirm significant gender disparities in wages favoring men across three surveys in the 1970s, 1980s, and 2000 that are unaccounted for. While the unexplained gender gap is evident across the entire wage distribution, it is more pronounced for Whites and less pronounced for Blacks and Hispanics. Overall, the gender gap in wages is more pronounced in higher paid jobs (top 10 percent) for all groups, indicating the presence of a n alarming glass ceiling.
New parallel multipliers based on low power adders

Two new parallel multiplier architectures are designed based on two new full adders. These two adders are based on a new algorithm and display low power dissipation and high speed. The compactness and regularity of conventional array multipliers are maintained. The partial products are generated more efficiently using lower number of transistors. The proposed two multipliers offer significant improved performance, in terms of speed and power dissipation, than standard array multipliers
Comments on “Memantine Blocks α7* Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors More Potently Than N-Methyl-d-aspartate Receptors in Rat Hippocampal Neurons”

In the following reply, we would like to address point-by-point the comments made by Banerjee et al. in response to our article entitled “Memantine Blocks α7* Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors More Potently than N -Methyl-d-aspartate Receptors in Rat Hippocampal Neurons” ( J Pharmacol Exp Ther
Short-term Efficacy of Monthly Pamidronate Infusion in Patients with Osteogenesis Imperfecta

We evaluated the efficacy of a monthly infusion of pamidronate on the frequency of fractures, biochemical effects, and bone mineral density in children with osteogenesis imperfecta. Eleven patients from 0.9 to 13.8 yr of age were included in this study. The patients were administered pamidronate intravenously (30 mg/m2) over a 4-hr period monthly for a period ranging from 6 to 37 months. Height and weight Z-scores did not change significantly. The frequency of fractures was decreased from 2.3±1.01 times per year before treatment to 0.6±0.69 times per year during treatment. There were no long-term changes in biochemical markers during pamidronate therapy. The mean bone mineral density of the spine and femur increased significantly. Monthly intravenous pamidronate therapy decreased frequencies of fracture and increased bone mineral density without significant adverse events in Korean patients with osteogenesis imperfecta.
Recombination in Human Mitochondrial DNA

The possibility of recombination in human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been hotly debated over the last few years. In this study, a general model of recombination in circular molecules is developed and applied to a recently published African sample (n = 21) of complete mtDNA sequences. It is shown that the power of correlation measures to detect recombination in circular molecules can be vanishingly small and that the data are consistent with the given model and no recombination only if the overall heterogeneity in mutation rate is <0.09.
Export of mRNA from microinjected nuclei of Xenopus laevis oocytes

Export of mRNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasm was studied in mature Xenopus laevis oocytes. In vitro transcribed, capped 32P-labeled mRNA was microinjected into nuclei, and its appearance in the cytoplasm measured by counting radioactivity or by RNA extraction and gel electrophoresis. Both for a 5.0-kb transferrin receptor mRNA and a 2.0- kb 4F2 antigen heavy chain mRNA we found saturable transport with an apparent Km of 3.6 x 10(8) molecules per oocyte nucleus. Under non- saturating conditions the half-time for mRNA export from the nucleus was approximately 2 min at 20 degrees C. At higher concentrations of injected mRNA this half-time was prolonged, and the maximal transport rate was reached at approximately 1.6 x 10(8) molecules/min. mRNA transport showed properties of an energy-dependent mechanism, since it was inhibited at 4 degrees C or by ATP depletion. Co-injection of the cap dinucleotide m7GpppG blocked the export effectively, suggesting a role for the cap in this process. The export was also inhibited by the pre-injection of wheat germ agglutinin. The effect of the lectin was specific and abolished by co-injection of N-acetylglucosamine. Finally, we found significant competitive inhibition in mRNA export by the presence of tRNA. Our results suggest that mRNA transport is a facilitated process which may share common steps with tRNA transport. Preliminary gel retardation experiments show that injected mRNA associates with endogenous nuclear proteins and suggest an exchange of some of the bound components during the transport to the cytoplasm.
Factors affecting corporate social responsibility disclosure in Egypt

The study makes a significant contribution to the corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure literature by offering the first study of its type undertaken in Egypt as an example of a developing country that examines the determinants of individual and aggregated types of CSR information. Using a sample of 111 Egyptian listed companies for the period of 2005–2010, we find that 66% of the Egyptian listed companies disclose on average 10–50 CSR statements. In addition, we find that product/customer information is used extensively by Egyptian listed companies compared with other types of CSR information. Finally we find that profitability is the main determinant for the aggregated and most of individual CSR information in Egypt.
Amyloid-Mediated Sequestration of Essential Proteins Contributes to Mutant Huntingtin Toxicity in Yeast

Background Polyglutamine expansion is responsible for several neurodegenerative disorders, among which Huntington disease is the most well-known. Studies in the yeast model demonstrated that both aggregation and toxicity of a huntingtin (htt) protein with an expanded polyglutamine region strictly depend on the presence of the prion form of Rnq1 protein ([PIN +]), which has a glutamine/asparagine-rich domain. Principal Findings Here, we showed that aggregation and toxicity of mutant htt depended on [PIN +] only quantitatively: the presence of [PIN +] elevated the toxicity and the levels of htt detergent-insoluble polymers. In cells lacking [PIN +], toxicity of mutant htt was due to the polymerization and inactivation of the essential glutamine/asparagine-rich Sup35 protein and related inactivation of another essential protein, Sup45, most probably via its sequestration into Sup35 aggregates. However, inhibition of growth of [PIN +] cells depended on Sup35/Sup45 depletion only partially, suggesting that there are other sources of mutant htt toxicity in yeast. Conclusions The obtained data suggest that induced polymerization of essential glutamine/asparagine-rich proteins and related sequestration of other proteins which interact with these polymers represent an essential source of htt toxicity.
Environmental stress and local adaptation in Daphnia magna

The effects of fish kairomones, crowding chemicals, and day length on the life–history traits of a set of 16 Daphnia magna clones, derived from four populations that differ in fish‐predation pressure, were studied. Significant among‐population differences were observed, the differences being in concordance with the hypothesis of local adaptation. The among‐population genetic differences were not mediated through a change in response to fish kairomones, but through an overall smaller body size, smaller eggs, and a higher number of eggs in clones derived from habitats in which fish are present. Using a model, we show that the observed changes in life‐history characteristics may lead to differences in fitness under different predation regimes, such that populations from habitats with fish have highest fitness under fish‐predation regimes and populations without a fish background have higher fitness values under invertebrate predation regimes.
Divergent Paths in Post-Communist Transformation: Capitalism for All or Capitalism for the Few?

List of Tables and Figures Preface and Acknowlegements Foreword Introduction and Overview PART 1: BACKGROUND: TRANSITION DEBATES AND STATISTICAL FACTS Key Debates on Transition Measuring Progress in Transition Economic and Social Costs of Transition: A Hard Look at Soft Facts PART 2: AN EX-POST TRANSITION PARADISM UNCHARTED WATERS, PIRATE RAIDS, AND SAFE HAVENS The SS Transition Navigation Model The Search for a Navigation Chart: Legitimate Debates, Vested Interests, and Reformist Commitments From Rent-Seeking to Oligarchy to State Capture A Safe Haven for Market Reforms: Membership in the EU and Other International Organizations PART 3: A SUMMING-UP Future Prospects for Captured States Diverse Outcomes: Liberal Societies, Captured States and Undertermined Politics Notes Bibliography Index