Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Publication Rates and Inconsistencies of the Abstracts Presented at the National Anatomy Congresses in 2007 and 2008

Background: Despite significant efforts made for, most abstracts presented during a meeting do not proceed and publish as a manuscript in scientific journals. Aims: To investigate publication rates of national anatomy congresses. Study Design: Descriptive study. Methods: All abstracts presented at two annual meetings in 2007 and 2008 were extracted. PubMed and Google Scholar database search used for publication history. Presentation and study types, publication rates and mean publishing times were evaluated. Inconsistency rates between meeting abstract and final published article were also considered. Results: Among 342 abstracts, 195 (57%) were followed by a full-text article. Publication rates for oral and poster presentations were 75% and 52.2%, respectively. The mean publication time was 23.7±23 months. Overall, 89.2% of the articles were published within 5 years. There were no inconsistencies in 50 (25.6%) articles, while 145 (74.4%) had inconsistencies compared to the abstracts presented at the congress. Getting adequate information for 45 (23.1%) articles was not possible. There was no standard reporting format for the abstracts. Conclusion: Our study shows that, overall publication rates for abstracts presented at national anatomy meetings were higher than those presented at national meetings for clinical specialties.
An auxiliary, membrane-based mechanism for nuclear migration in budding yeast

The preanaphase nucleus of budding yeast deforms and builds protrusions into the bud. Formation of the nuclear protrusions requires membrane growth and DNA replication. Nuclear protrusions anchor the nuclear envelope to the cortical ER in an actin- and exocyst-dependent manner, facilitating spindle positioning relative to the cleavage apparatus.
Correlation and time delays of the X-ray and optical emission of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 3783

We present simultaneous X-ray and optical B- and V-band light curves of the Seyfert Galaxy NGC 3783 spanning 2 years. The flux in all bands is highly variable and the fluctuations are significantly correlated. As shown before by Stirpe et al. the optical bands vary simultaneously, with a delay of less than 1.5 d but both B and V bands lag the X-ray fluctuations by 3–9 d. This delay points at optical variability produced by X-ray reprocessing and the value of the lag places the reprocessor close to the broad-line region. A power spectrum analysis of the light curve, however, shows that the X-ray variability has a power-law shape bending to a steeper slope at a time-scale of ∼2.9 d while the variability amplitude in the optical bands continues to grow towards the longest time-scale covered, ∼300 d. We show that the power spectra together with the small value of the time delay are inconsistent with a picture where all the optical variability is produced by X-ray reprocessing, though the small amplitude, rapid optical fluctuations might be produced in this way. We detect larger variability amplitudes on long time-scales in the optical bands than in the X-rays. This behaviour adds to similar results recently obtained for at least three other active galactic nuclei and indicates a separate source of long-term optical variability, possibly accretion rate or thermal fluctuations, in the optically emitting accretion disc.
Influencing Factors Study on Elderly Employment Status

The elderly employment is an important influence on old people life and the work. Using sampling survey data of the 16 boroughs of Beijing, this paper analyses the elderly employment influencing factor. Through the cross table it describes the basic features of the employment of the elderly, then tests significance of each factor by the multi-variable logistic regression, finding age, gender, health status and pension are significant variables, the number of children, educational level of re-employment are not significant variables.
High-resolution simulations of galaxy mergers: resolving globular cluster formation

Massive star clusters observed in galaxy mergers are often suggested to be progenitors of globular clusters. To study this hypothesis, we performed the highest resolution simulation of a gas-rich galaxy merger so far. The formation of massive star clusters of 10 5 to 10 7 M⊙, triggered by the galaxy interaction, is directly resolved in this model. We show that these clusters are tightly bound structures with little net rotation, due to evolve into compact long-lived stellar systems. Massive clusters formed in galaxy mergers are thus robust candidates for progenitors of long-lived globular clusters. The simulated cluster mass spectrum is consistent with theory and observations. Tidal dwarf galaxies of 10 8 9 M ⊙ can form at the same time, and appear to be part of a different class of objects, being more extended and rotating.
Uniform Distribution, Discrepancy, and Reproducing Kernel Hilbert Spaces

Abstract In this paper we define a notion of uniform distribution and discrepancy of sequences in an abstract set E through reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces of functions on E. In the case of the finite-dimensional unit cube these discrepancies are very closely related to the worst case error obtained for numerical integration of functions in a reproducing kernel Hilbert space. In the compact case we show that the discrepancy tends to zero if and only if the sequence is uniformly distributed in our sense. Next we prove an existence theorem for such uniformly distributed sequences and investigate the relation to the classical notion of uniform distribution. Some examples conclude this paper.
Tissue Kallikrein Activity, Detected by a Novel Method, May Be a Predictor of Recurrent Stroke: A Case-Control Study

Aim. Tissue kallikrein (TK) protein content in plasma has been shown to be negatively associated with both incident and recurrent strokes. The aims of this study were to develop a novel method for detecting TK activity and to investigate its association with event-free survival over 5 years in Chinese first-ever stroke patients. Methods. We designed a case-control study with 321 stroke patients (174: ischemic stroke, 147: hemorrhagic stroke) and 323 healthy local controls. TK activity was measured by a novel assay utilizing the immunological characteristics of TK and the catalysis of benzoyl arginine ethyl ester hydrochloride (BAEE). Results. TK protein levels above 0.200 mg/L in plasma were not associated with urinary TK activity or the risk of stroke recurrence. TK activity was significantly lower in stroke patients compared with controls (1.583 ± 0.673 Eu/mL versus 1.934 ± 0.284 Eu/mL, P < 0.001). After adjusting for traditional risk factors, TK activity was negatively associated, in a dose-response manner, with the risk of overall stroke recurrence and positively associated with event-free survival during a 5-year follow-up (relative risk (RR), 0.69; 95% CI, 0.57–0.84; P < 0.001). Conclusions. Our findings suggest that urinary TK activity may be a stronger predictor of stroke recurrence than plasma TK levels.
Biochemotherapy of metastatic malignant melanoma. Predictive value of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes

The therapeutic efficacy of biochemotherapy in metastatic malignant melanoma still carries a low remission rate, but with some durable responses. It would therefore be of considerable importance if patients with a high probability of responding could be identified using predictive tests. The response to interferon-alpha (IFN-α) correlates with the occurrence of CD4+ lymphocytes identified by fine-needle aspirates from melanoma metastases (Håkansson et al, 1996). The present investigation studies a possible correlation between tumour-infiltrating CD4+ lymphocytes in malignant melanoma metastases and the therapeutic effect of biochemotherapy. A total of 25 patients with systemic and 16 with regional metastatic melanoma were analysed before initiation of biochemotherapy (cis-platinum 30 mg/m2 d.1–3, DTIC 250 mg/m2 d.1–3 i.v. and IFN-α2b 10 million IU s.c. 3 days a week, q. 28d.). A monoclonal antibody, anti-CD4, was used to identify tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes in fine-needle aspirates before start of treatment. The presence of these lymphocytes was correlated to response, time to progression and overall survival. A statistically significant correlation (P = 0.01) was found between the occurrence of CD4+ lymphocytes and tumour regression during biochemotherapy in patients with systemic disease. Out of 14 patients with moderate to high numbers of infiltrating CD4+ lymphocytes, 12 achieved tumour regression. In contrast, among patients with low numbers of these cells in metastatic lesions, 8 out of 11 had progressive disease. We also found a significantly longer time to progression (P < 0.003) and overall survival (P < 0.01) among patients with moderate to high numbers of these cells compared to patients with low numbers of these cells before initiation of biochemotherapy. Furthermore, in patients with regional disease, we found a significantly longer time to progression (P = 0.01) and a trend toward a longer overall survival time (P = 0.09). Based on these results and as previously shown with IFN-α therapy alone, there seems to be a need for CD4+ lymphocytes infiltrating the tumours before the start of biochemotherapy to make the treatment successful. Determination of these cells in fine-needle aspirates seems to be a method to predict responders to biochemotherapy, thus increasing the cost–benefit of this treatment strategy considerably, both in terms of patient adverse reactions and health care costs. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer. com
Sustained elevation in inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate results in inhibition of phosphatidylinositol transfer protein activity and chronic depletion of the agonist-sensitive phosphoinositide pool.

The 43 kDa inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase (5-phosphatase) hydrolyses the signalling molecules inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P(3)) and inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (Ins(1,3,4, 5)P(4)) in a signal-terminating reaction. We have utilised cell lines that stably underexpress the 43 kDa 5-phosphatase, as a model system to investigate whether Ins(1,4,5)P(3) can control the rate of its own formation by regulating the resupply of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P(2)). A sustained 2.6-fold elevation in the basal concentration of Ins(1,4,5)P(3), in cell lines underexpressing the 43 kDa 5-phosphatase, correlated with a 32% reduction in the total cellular mass of PtdIns(4,5)P(2). The depletion in cellular PtdIns(4,5)P(2) was confined to a Triton-insoluble cell compartment, enriched in caveolin. In resting cells with elevated Ins(1,4,5)P(3) concentrations resulting from underexpression of the 43 kDa 5-phosphatase, phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) and phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PtdIns(4)P) were depleted by 50% and PtdIns(4,5)P(2) by 61% in the caveolin-enriched Triton-insoluble compartment. Agonist stimulation resulted in the rapid turnover of phosphoinositides in the caveolin-enriched Triton-insoluble fraction of vector-transfected cells, but not in cells with high basal Ins(1,4,5)P(3) concentrations. Depletion of phosphoinositides from the caveolin-enriched Triton-insoluble pool in cells underexpressing the 43 kDa 5-phosphatase did not result from activation of phospholipase C isoenzymes, or inhibition of PtdIns 4-kinase or PtdIns(4)P 5-kinase activities. Significant inhibition of phosphatidylinositol transfer protein (PITP) activity (up to 70%) was observed in cells with elevated basal Ins(1,4,5)P(3) concentrations; however, no reduction in PITP(&agr;) protein expression was detected. These studies indicate that chronic elevation in cellular Ins(1,4,5)P(3) concentrations decreases the PITP-mediated resupply of phosphoinositides in the caveolin-enriched agonist-sensitive pool.
An improved variable step-size NLMS algorithm based on a Versiera function

In this paper, an improved variable step-size NLMS algorithm is proposed, which variable step-size scheme is designed by a Versiera function. The update of the step-size is subtly sensitive to the system noise due to employ the system input power and cross-correlation between the input signal and estimated error. Moreover, the proposed algorithm is stable. Simulation results for system identification demonstrate that the proposed algorithm is superior to other existing algorithms in terms of convergence rate, steady-state MSD and tracking ability.
A Note on Contestability in the Canadian Banking Industry

The authors examine the degree of contestability in the Canadian banking system using the H-statistic proposed by Panzar and Rosse (1987) and modified by Bikker, Spierdijk, and Finnie (2006). A modification is necessary because the standard approach of controlling for size using total assets leads to an upward bias in the H-statistic. The authors propose […]
The Political Economy of King Midas: Resource Abundance and Economic Growth

Parts of the world have been blessed with plentiful fertile valleys, rich fishing banks, diamond mines and vast oil reserves. Paradoxically, such resource-rich countries underperformed in terms of economic growth compared to their resource-scarce counterparts over the last four decades; a phenomenon that became known as the "resource curse" hypothesis. The present study aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the interplay between economic growth and resource abundance. The first part of the study probes into investigating novel theoretical mechanisms that elucidate the "resource curse" paradox, such as the contractionary impact of resource rents on savings, investment and innovation. The second part of the study explores empirically the relative importance of such explanations of the hypothesis across countries and U.S. states.
COSMIC-RAY CURRENT-DRIVEN TURBULENCE AND MEAN-FIELD DYNAMO EFFECT

We show that an α effect is driven by the cosmic-ray (CR) Bell instability exciting left–right asymmetric turbulence. Alfvén waves of a preferred polarization have maximally helical motion, because the transverse motion of each mode is parallel to its curl. We show how large-scale Alfvén modes, when rendered unstable by CR streaming, can create new net flux over any finite region, in the direction of the original large-scale field. We perform direct numerical simulations (DNSs) of a magnetohydrodynamic fluid with a forced CR current and use the test-field method to determine the α effect and the turbulent magnetic diffusivity. As follows from DNS, the dynamics of the instability has the following stages: (1) in the early stage, the small-scale Bell instability that results in the production of small-scale turbulence is excited; (2) in the intermediate stage, there is formation of larger-scale magnetic structures; (3) finally, quasi-stationary large-scale turbulence is formed at a growth rate that is comparable to that expected from the dynamo instability, but its amplitude over much longer timescales remains unclear. The results of DNS are in good agreement with the theoretical estimates. It is suggested that this dynamo is what gives weakly magnetized relativistic shocks such as those from gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) a macroscopic correlation length. It may also be important for large-scale magnetic field amplification associated with CR production and diffusive shock acceleration in supernova remnants (SNRs) and blast waves from GRBs. Magnetic field amplification by Bell turbulence in SNRs is found to be significant, but it is limited owing to the finite time available to the super-Alfvénicly expanding remnant. The effectiveness of the mechanisms is shown to be dependent on the shock velocity. Limits on magnetic field growth in longer-lived systems, such as the Galaxy and unconfined intergalactic CRs, are also discussed.
Holter Ridge Thinning Study, Redwood National Park: Preliminary Results of a 25-Year Retrospective

Redwood National Park is comprised of large areas of overstocked stands resulting from harvest of the old-growth stands in the late 1940s to the 1970s. The Holter Ridge Thinning Study was initiated in 1978 to address this problem and examine the effects that thinning to varying spacing would have on forest development. Densities following thinning in 1979 ranged from 150 to 790 stems/acre with the controls ranging from 1170 to 3410 stems/acre. Mortality from 1979 to 2003 showed a positive relationship to the number of stems/acre post thinning. The number of redwood sprouts was positively related to the number of redwoods thinned. The percent cover of herbaceous and shrub species showed a negative exponential response to stand density while the change in percent cover from 1984 to 2003 for the shrubs also had a negative response to stand density. Stand structure differed between the control plots and the thinned plots. The control plots showed no stratification of the canopy, but the thinned groups showed stratification into an upper-canopy composed of redwood and Douglas-fir and a lower-canopy of redwood and tanoak. After twenty-five years the thinned stands show the initial signs of a mature forest while the controls still exhibit intense competition.
Spread of Phlebotominae in temperate climates: province of Córdoba, Argentina

We report the presence of the competent vector for Leishmaniaspp, Migonemyia migonei, and theEvandromyia cortelezzii-sallesi complex south of its known distribution in the central temperate region of Argentina, in the province of Córdoba. The persistence of this phlebotomine in the northern border of the province, its association with a case of cutaneous leishmaniasis, and the new record in the outskirts of the city of Córdoba, the second most populated in the country, strengthens the need for regular vector surveillance and a case detection-sensitive health system in vulnerable regions, even in temperate climates.
High performance work practices : investigating four perspectives on their employee-level impacts simultaneously

ABSTRACT This thesis has examined simultaneously two key debates of the High Performance Work Practices (HPWP) literature. The first debate, entitled ‘the integrationist and isolationist perspectives of HPWP’, looks at two methods of operationalizing HPWP. In the integrationist perspective, innovative Human Resource Management (HRM) practices are presumed to have mutually supportive properties such that when used together in a coherent manner, they may accrue far-reaching benefits for the organization and employees. By contrast, the isolationist perspective argues that individual HRM practices have unique independent properties and produce varying degrees of effects on outcomes. The second debate, entitled ‘the mutual gains versus the critical perspectives of HPWP’, looks at the employee-level implications of adopting HPWP. In the mutual gains perspective, HPWP are thought to promote desirable employee attitudes and well-being together with their beneficial effects on organizational growth and effectiveness. The critical perspective, on the other hand, assumes that the benefits associated with HPWP may be offset by increases in work intensification and the transfer of more work responsibilities to employees. These two debates have been investigated via two empirical studies. The first study was undertaken to examine the tenets of the two HPWP debates without consideration of sector-specific characteristics, whereas the second study was undertaken to highlight the role of sector-specific characteristics in explaining the employee-level implications of HPWP. Together, both studies provide a framework for determining the extent to which HPWP outcomes are generalizable across organizational settings. The results of both studies show that HPWP produce varying independent effects on employee-level outcomes, and work intensification may explain the intermediary processes underlying some of these effects. The results also indicate that HPWP have mutually supportive properties, and produce beneficial integrated influences on employee attitudes and well-being. However, when the independent iv and integrated effects of HPWP were examined simultaneously, the independent effects of HPWP accounted for variance in employee attitudes and well-being over and above the integrated effects of HPWP.
Investigating speech features and automatic measurement of cognitive load

The ability to measure cognitive load level in real time is extremely useful for improving the efficiency of interfaces and contents delivering, especially when interfaces and contents get complex in a multimedia environment. Speech is highly suitable for measuring cognitive load due to its non-intrusive nature and ease of collection. In this paper, we investigated the patterns of prosodic features and confirmed it is relevant to cognitive load. We also explored varied classification techniques to capture those relevant patterns of speech features. Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and a hybrid SVM-GMM based classifiers were investigated with MFCC and pitch features. Individual systems and a fusion based system were evaluated on two different task scenarios - reading comprehension and Stroop test. The SVM-GMM based system achieved the highest performance on both tasks and improved the accuracy of three levels classification to 75.6% and 82.2%, respectively.
Synthesis of Child Speech With HMM Adaptation and Voice Conversion

The synthesis of child speech presents challenges both in the collection of data and in the building of a synthesizer from that data. We chose to build a statistical parametric synthesizer using the hidden Markov model (HMM)-based system HTS, as this technique has previously been shown to perform well for limited amounts of data, and for data collected under imperfect conditions. Six different configurations of the synthesizer were compared, using both speaker-dependent and speaker-adaptive modeling techniques, and using varying amounts of data. For comparison with HMM adaptation, techniques from voice conversion were used to transform existing synthesizers to the characteristics of the target speaker. Speaker-adaptive voices generally outperformed child speaker-dependent voices in the evaluation. HMM adaptation outperformed voice conversion style techniques when using the full target speaker corpus; with fewer adaptation data, however, no significant listener preference for either HMM adaptation or voice conversion methods was found.
Superresolution algorithm for satellite still images

This paper presents a new algorithm for improving the resolution of satellite images. The improvement aims at obtaining a high resolution image from a single low resolution image. The new algorithm utilizes interpolation and two dimensional filter specifically designed for a particular image by means of maximizing the peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR). The performance of the algorithm is evaluated by using the PSNR. During the assessment process the processed images are compared with a ground truth images. In practice; ground truth images do not exist, however, they are used for comparison purposes. The new algorithm provides better performance compared to the use of cross shaped 2D filters.
Political Marketing and British Political Parties: The Party's Just Begun

1. Political marketing and political parties - what is it all about 2. Thatcher - the marketing pioneer 3. Labour's resistance to political marketing 4. A triumph of presentation over the product - Labour 1983-1987 5. The limited effect of limited marketing - why Labour did not win in 1992 6. The fall of the Conservatives and the neglect of political marketing 7. Blair and the new Labour design - 1992-1999 8. Conclusion - The party's just begun