Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A survey of the Galactic plane for 6.7-GHz methanol masers — I. l = 325°−335°; b= − 0°.53−0°.53

We report the results of the first complete survey of an area of the Galactic Plane for maser emission from the 6.7-GHz transition of methanol. The survey covers a 10.6-square-degree region of the Galactic Plane in the longitude range 325-335 degrees and latitude range -0.53-0.53 degrees. The survey is sensitive to masers with a peak flux density greater than approximately 2.6 Jy. The weakest maser detected has a peak flux density of 2.3 Jy and the strongest a peak flux density of 425 Jy. We detected a total of 50 distinct masers, 26 of which are new detections. We show that many 6.7-GHz methanol masers are not associated with IRAS sources, and that some are associated with sources that have colours differing from those of a typical ultra-compact HII region (UCHII). We estimate that the number of UCHII regions in the Galaxy is significantly more than suggested by IRAS-based estimates, possibly by more than a factor of two.
Empirical Studies of Christian Prayer: A Review of the Literature

Christian prayer is a central religious practice which has received scant attention in psychological research. The two major types of prayer are verbal and contemplative prayer. A review of the empirical studies of prayer suggests that the work done in this area can be divided into four categories: (a) developmental studies of conceptions of prayer; (b) research on motivations for praying; (c) studies of the effects of verbal prayer; and (d) studies of the effects of contemplative prayer. The studies on the development of the concept of prayer generally have found patterns consistent with Piaget's stages of moral and cognitive development. Regarding motives for prayer, Welford (1947) supported the hypothesis that prayer is not just a neurotic flight from anxiety. Elkins et al. (1979) found verbal prayer to be generally ineffective in anxiety reduction. Parker and St. Johns (1957) demonstrated that a program of spiritual development that includes verbal prayer can be effective as a therapeutic intervention. The findings of Sacks (1979) suggest that contemplative prayer may facilitate ego development. Opportunities for further research on prayer are discussed.
Simulating Spinal Border Cells and Cerebellar Granule Cells under Locomotion – A Case Study of Spinocerebellar Information Processing

The spinocerebellar systems are essential for the brain in the performance of coordinated movements, but our knowledge about the spinocerebellar interactions is very limited. Recently, several crucial pieces of information have been acquired for the spinal border cell (SBC) component of the ventral spinocerebellar tract (VSCT), as well as the effects of SBC mossy fiber activation in granule cells of the cerebellar cortex. SBCs receive monosynaptic input from the reticulospinal tract (RST), which is an important driving system under locomotion, and disynaptic inhibition from Ib muscle afferents. The patterns of activity of RST neurons and Ib afferents under locomotion are known. The activity of VSCT neurons under fictive locomotion, i.e. without sensory feedback, is also known, but there is little information on how these neurons behave under actual locomotion and for cerebellar granule cells receiving SBC input this is completely unknown. But the available information makes it possible to simulate the interactions between the spinal and cerebellar neuronal circuitries with a relatively large set of biological constraints. Using a model of the various neuronal elements and the network they compose, we simulated the modulation of the SBCs and their target granule cells under locomotion and hence generated testable predictions of their general pattern of modulation under this condition. This particular system offers a unique opportunity to simulate these interactions with a limited number of assumptions, which helps making the model biologically plausible. Similar principles of information processing may be expected to apply to all spinocerebellar systems.
Exploring societal support for L2 learning and L1 maintenance: A socio-cultural perspective

This paper adopts the view that bilingualism is a result of numerous societal forces. In this paper, the data collected from five Japanese immigrant families residing in Toronto, Canada are dynamically represented within the framework of Engestrom’s (1999) Activity Model. Results identify family bonding as the most significant reason for L1 maintenance. Other important social factors include the information disseminated by professionals in the field, stories shared among immigrant families, the availability of school programmes, access to technology and resources, availability of caregivers who speak the target language, teachers well-versed in language learning mechanisms, frequent visits to the country of origin, multicultural surroundings, and the clear division of labour between school and home. However, the paper calls for a more co-operative education system that bridges the schism between homes and schools. A new model is proposed which is thought to be conducive to bilingualism.
Functional Haplotypes in the Promoter of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 Predict Risk of the Occurrence and Metastasis of Esophageal Cancer

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) plays important roles in cancer development and aggression. Our previous studies revealed a strong association between the MMP-2 −1306C/T polymorphism and risk of several cancers. A novel −735C/T polymorphism in MMP-2 promoter has been identified but the function is undefined. This study examined our hypothesis that these two polymorphisms might have functional relevance and impact on risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in the context of haplotype. Genotypes and haplotypes were analyzed in 527 cases and 777 controls and odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by logistic regression. The function of the polymorphisms was examined by electrophoretic mobility shift assays, luciferase gene expression assays, and reverse transcriptase-PCR analyses. It was found that the −735C→T transition disrupts an Sp1 site and displays a lower promoter activity. The C-1306–C-735 haplotype had 7-fold increased luciferase expression and 3.7-fold increased MMP-2 mRNA levels in esophageal tissues compared with the T-1306–T-735 haplotype. A case-control analysis revealed a 1.52-fold (95% CI = 1.17–1.96) or 1.30-fold (95% CI = 1.04–1.63) excess risk of developing esophageal squamous cell carcinoma for the −1306CC or −735CC genotype carriers compared with noncarriers, respectively. A greater association was observed between elevated risk of developing esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and C-1306 or C-735 allele containing haplotypes, with the risk being highest for the C-1306–C-735 haplotype compared with the T-1306–T-735 haplotype (OR = 6.53; 95% CI = 2.78–15.33). The C-1306–C-735 haplotype was also associated with increased risk for distant metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OR = 3.34; 95% CI = 1.16–9.63). These findings suggest that the C-1306–C-735 haplotype in the MMP-2 promoter contributes to risk of the occurrence and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by increasing expression of MMP-2.
THE PATTERN OF MEDICAL MORTALITIES IN A SPECIALIST HOSPITAL IN NORTH-CENTRAL NIGERIA.

Background: Review of causes of morbidity and mortality in health care facilities is an important exercise which gives a picture of the prevailing disease pattern in the particular community and at the same time looks out for any change in the disease pattern over time. This exercise is a necessary component for planning of the health care needs of the community. Objective: To determine the mortality pattern on the medical wards of the Kogi State Specialist Hospital, a tertiary center located in Lokoja, North-Central Nigeria. Methods: A retrospective review of medical records of all patients admitted to the medical wards of the hospital over a period of 18 months (December 2008 – May 2010) was carried out. The information recorded from these sources included the age and gender, diagnosis/ cause of death and the duration of admission. Results: A total of six hundred and eighty-four patients were admitted during the period being studied with a predominance of female patients (Female: Male Ratio = 1.07). There were seventy-six deaths (11.1%) during the period in question with HIV and related complications accounting for most recorded mortality (32.9%) closely followed by non-communicable cardiovascular conditions (hypertension, heart failure and CVD) – 28.9%. Conclusion: This study clearly shows that HIV infection and its complications remains the leading cause of death despite the advent of HAART. Clearly there is a need to revisit the strategies of HIV prevention and control. Also there is an urgent need to focus on the prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes.
Associations of newly qualified teachers’ beliefs with classroom management practices and approaches to instruction over one school year

Abstract We focus on assessing whether newly qualified teachers’ professional outcome expectations and their beliefs about students’ intellectual potential are associated with teachers’ self-reported classroom management and instructional practices. One hundred and eighteen novice teachers participating in the induction year programme were studied during their first years as full-time teachers. Results attest to a salient association between teachers’ more optimistic views of the malleability of students’ intellectual potential and teachers’ confidence in themselves as positive change agents in student outcomes. Also, teachers’ belief-set in the beginning of their career was shown to be associated with significant differences in the level of using instructional practices promoting mastery goal orientation in the classroom as well as offering students emotional support during the learning process. In the light of the significant belief–behaviour links demonstrated, more explicit attention to the sophistication of teachers’ ability beliefs in teacher education programmes is recommended.
Extended Lie Brackets for Nonlinear Time-Delay Systems

In this note the Extended Lie bracket operator is introduced for the analysis and control of nonlinear time-delay systems (NLTDS). This tool is used to characterize the integrability conditions of a given submodule. The obtained results have two fundamental outcomes. First, they define the necessary and sufficient conditions under which a given set of nonlinear one-forms in the n-dimensional delayed variables x(t),. ,x(t-sD) , with D constant but unknown, are integrable, thus generalizing the well known fundamental Frobenius Theorem to delay systems. Secondly, they set the basis for the extension to this context of the geometric approach used for delay-free systems. The effectiveness of the results is shown by solving the problem of the equivalence of a NLTDS to an accessible Linear Time-Delay System (LTDS) by bicausal change of coordinates.
Growth Forms

This paper presents work-in-progress on techniques for procedurally “growing” organic-looking forms. The goal is to design and implement techniques for expressing simple algorithmic operations that can be combined in various ways to produce forms that develop from an amorphous blob to a structured cellular assemblage. Growth “buds” in a cellular assemblage each execute short programs that determine local parameters of growth, e.g., directionality, branching, cell size, cell shape, and color. These are executed in a software simulator package that generates both graphical (2D) and geometric (3D) output. Every step along the way determines a triangulated manifold boundary that can be fabricated by solid freeform fabrication equipment. I plan to incorporate these techniques into future sculpture that combines mathematical ideas with organic sensibilities. Introduction. Nature provides an enormous range of attractive organic forms which have inspired artists through the ages [2]. In previous work, I have created simulated organic forms reminiscent of underwater sea life via mathematical models of an entire organism’s static structure [3]. This paper explores simple techniques for mimicking various organic forms via a simple dynamic growth process, e.g., Figure 1. The goal is to create organic-looking geometric sculpture which can be built on 3D printing machines. It relates to well-known techniques of L-Systems [6] but is designed to create smooth surfaces with a triangulated manifold boundary that can be fabricated by solid freeform fabrication equipment. Figure 1: A cellular form that develops by outward growth at the tip of each arm. Bridges 2009: Mathematics, Music, Art, Architecture, Culture
Predicting good requirements for in-house development projects

We surveyed software practitioners regarding software development practices used during recent projects. Five categories of questions broadly related to requirements were asked: the sponsor, customer/users, requirements issues, the project manager and project management, and the development process. Relationships between project factors and good requirements were investigated. We developed requirements prediction equations by dividing our response data into two data sets. Using binary logistic regression on each set we tested the equations developed. Such analysis provides us with insight into which variables are significant predictors of good requirements. The best predictors were 1) the customers/users had a high level of confidence in the development team, with 2) risks were controlled and managed by the project manager.
The Tully—Fisher relation of distant cluster galaxies

We have measured maximum rotation velocities (V rot ) for a sample of 111 emission-line galaxies with 0.1 ≤ z ≤ 1, observed in the fields of six clusters. From these data we construct 'matched' samples of 58 field and 22 cluster galaxies, covering similar ranges in redshift (0.25 ≤ z ≤ 1.0) and luminosity (M B ≤ -19.5 mag), and selected in a homogeneous manner. We find the distributions of M B , V rot and scalelength to be very similar for the two samples. However, using the Tully-Fisher relation (TFR) we find that cluster galaxies are systematically offset with respect to the field sample by -0.7 ± 0.2 mag. This offset is significant at 3σ and persists when we account for an evolution of the field TFR with redshift. Extensive tests are performed to investigate potential differences between the measured emission lines and derived rotation curves of the cluster and field samples. However, no such differences that could affect the derived V rot values and account for the offset are found. The most likely explanation for the TFR offset is that giant spiral galaxies in distant clusters are on average brighter, for a given rotation velocity, than those in the field. This could be due to enhanced star formation caused by an initial interaction with the intracluster medium. As our selection favours galaxies with strong emission lines, this effect may not apply to the entire cluster spiral population, but does imply that strongly star-forming spirals in clusters are more luminous than those in the field, and possibly have higher star formation rates. However, the possibility that this TFR offset is a mass-related effect, e.g. due to the stripping of galaxy dark matter haloes, is not excluded by our data.
Assessing the Impact of Brand Equity based on Fans’ Brand Loyalty (Case study: foolad Khuzestan, Iran)

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of brand equity based on soccer fans brand loyalty. This is a descriptive-correlational study based on Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The population consists of fans of foolad Khuzestan club in Khuzestan state of Iran. In order to collect the data Khodadadi and colleague questionnaires (2014) were used, while 389 questionnaires were analyzed finally. In order to analyze the data, Partial Least Squares Models and Smart PLS3 were utilized. The results show that there is positive and significant relation between all study factors (attitudes of brand imagination, brand imagination characteristics, brand imagination benefits, brand identity) and brand loyalty and as well as three aspects of brand imagination and brand identity. In assessing the impact on Brand loyalty factors and brand identity, brand imagination benefits was the most efficient factor. In addition, between all brand imagination factors and brand loyalty, there is an indirect positive and significant relation through brand identity.
Combined Inhibition of Apoptosis and Complement Improves Neural Graft Survival of Embryonic Rat and Porcine Mesencephalon in the Rat Brain

To define potential mechanisms of cell death during neural cell transplantation, we investigated the role of intracellular caspase activation in combination with the activation of serum complement. We demonstrated that ventral mesencephalic (VM) cells are susceptible to complement-mediated cell lysis that can be blocked with an anti-C5 complement inhibitor (18A10). We also determined that incubating freshly isolated allogenic VM cells with the caspase inhibitor 1-3-Boc-aspartyl(Ome)-fluoromethyl ketone (BAF), followed by immediate striatal implantation, led to a 2.5-fold increase in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) cell survival 12 weeks postimplantation (P < 0.05). In contrast, overnight incubation with BAF followed by striatal implantation led to a 2-fold reduction in TH cell survival at 12 weeks (P < 0.05). Using the optimal BAF treatment and complement inhibition, we tested the hypothesis that these treatments would lead to increased cell survival in both allogeneic and xenogeneic transplantation models. We transplanted cell suspensions of (a) rat E14 VM or VM treated with (b) BAF alone, (c) anti-C5, or (d) a combination of BAF and anti-C5. There was a significant increase in the relative number of TH-positive cells in the BAF/anti-C5 group versus control at 12 weeks posttransplantation. Similar results were achieved in a pig to rat xenotransplant paradigm. A neuronal xenograft marker (70-kDa neurofilament) also demonstrated relative increases in graft volume in the BAF/anti-C5 treatment group. These studies indicate that more than one mechanism can mediate cell death during neural cell transplantation and that a combined treatment using caspase and complement inhibition can significantly improve cell survival.
Cellular Mechanisms Regulating Activity-Dependent Release of Native Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor from Hippocampal Neurons

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a critical role in activity-dependent modifications of neuronal connectivity and synaptic strength, including establishment of hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP). To shed light on mechanisms underlying BDNF-dependent synaptic plasticity, the present study was undertaken to characterize release of native BDNF from newborn rat hippocampal neurons in response to physiologically relevant patterns of electrical field stimulation in culture, including tonic stimulation at 5 Hz, bursting stimulation at 25 and 100 Hz, and theta-burst stimulation (TBS). Release was measured using the ELISA in situ technique, developed in our laboratory to quantify secretion of native BDNF without the need to first overexpress the protein to nonphysiological levels. Each stimulation protocol resulted in a significant increase in BDNF release that was tetrodotoxin sensitive and occurred in the absence of glutamate receptor activation. However, 100 Hz tetanus and TBS, stimulus patterns that are most effective in inducing hippocampal LTP, were significantly more effective in releasing native BDNF than lower-frequency stimulation. For all stimulation protocols tested, removal of extracellular calcium, or blockade of N-type calcium channels, prevented BDNF release. Similarly, depletion of intracellular calcium stores with thapsigargin and treatment with dantrolene, an inhibitor of calcium release from caffeine–ryanodine-sensitive stores, markedly inhibited activity-dependent BDNF release. Our results indicate that BDNF release can encode temporal features of hippocampal neuronal activity. The dual requirement for calcium influx through N-type calcium channels and calcium mobilization from intracellular stores strongly implicates a role for calcium-induced calcium release in activity-dependent BDNF secretion.
Shoulder Mobility, Muscular Strength, and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors with and without Tai Chi Qigong Training

Objectives. To compare the shoulder mobility, muscular strength, and quality of life (QOL) among breast cancer survivors with and without Tai Chi (TC) Qigong training to those of healthy individuals and to explore the associations between shoulder impairments and QOL in breast cancer survivors with regular TC Qigong training. Methods. Eleven breast cancer survivors with regular TC Qigong training, 12 sedentary breast cancer survivors, and 16 healthy participants completed the study. Shoulder mobility and rotator muscle strength were assessed by goniometry and isokinetic dynamometer, respectively. QOL was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B) questionnaire. Results. Goniometric measurements of the active range of motion in the flexion, abduction, and hand-behind-the-back directions were similar among the three groups. The TC Qigong-trained breast cancer survivors had significantly higher isokinetic peak torques of the shoulder rotator muscles (at 180°/s) than untrained survivors, and their isokinetic shoulder muscular strength reached the level of healthy individuals. Greater shoulder muscular strength was significantly associated with better functional wellbeing in breast cancer survivors with TC Qigong training. However, no significant between-group difference was found in FACT-B total scores. Conclusions. TC Qigong training might improve shoulder muscular strength and functional wellbeing in breast cancer survivors.
Determinants of the Spatial Mobility of Immigrants in Sweden

Foreign-born residents constitute approximately eleven percent of the Swedish population. This level has been reached after steady immigration during the post-war years and has been accompanied in recent decades with proportionately more non-European immigrants. Immigration has implications for Swedish regional economic development for two reasons examined here. First, immigrant settlement patterns are somewhat different from those of native Swedes. Second, immigrant internal migration behaviour, after arriving in Sweden, differs from native Swedes. This paper focuses on this second consequence of immigration. It examines the migration decisions of immigrants after initial settlement and the demographic, socio-economic, and cultural variables that influence them. It finds that immigrants differ from natives in migration behaviour, mainly because of the role that the size of immigrant communities plays in the decision to migrate and choice of destination. The implications of these results for regional economic-demographic modelling and regional economic growth are discussed.