Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cities and Complexity: Understanding Cities with Cellular Automata, Agent-Based Models, and Fractals

As urban planning moves from a centralized, top-down approach to a decentralized, bottom-up perspective, our conception of urban systems is changing. In Cities and Complexity, Michael Batty offers a comprehensive view of urban dynamics in the context of complexity theory, presenting models that demonstrate how complexity theory can embrace a myriad of processes and elements that combine into organic wholes. He argues that bottom-up processesin which the outcomes are always uncertaincan combine with new forms of geometry associated with fractal patterns and chaotic dynamics to provide theories that are applicable to highly complex systems such as cities. Batty begins with models based on cellular automata (CA), simulating urban dynamics through the local actions of automata. He then introduces agent-based models (ABM), in which agents are mobile and move between locations. These models relate to many scales, from the scale of the street to patterns and structure at the scale of the urban region. Finally, Batty develops applications of all these models to specific urban situations, discussing concepts of criticality, threshold, surprise, novelty, and phase transition in the context of spatial developments. Every theory and model presented in the book is developed through examples that range from the simplified and hypothetical to the actual. Deploying extensive visual, mathematical, and textual material, Cities and Complexity will be read both by urban researchers and by complexity theorists with an interest in new kinds of computational models. Sample chapters and examples from the book, and other related material, can be found at http://www.complexcity. info.
Isolation and Characterization of Mumps Virus Strains in a Mumps Outbreak with a High Incidence of Aseptic Meningitis

In 1993, mumps with a high incidence of aseptic meningitis became prevalent in Akita prefecture, Japan. Three mumps virus isolates obtained from the nonvaccine‐associated cases lacked the BamHI restriction cleavage site of the P gene, like the Urabe strain (Yamada, A. et al, Vaccine 8: 553‐557). However, four additional nucleotide substitutions were found in the determined region of 157 bp. Fourteen of 19 cases from which mumps virus showing the Urabe‐like RFLP profile was detected were complicated with symptomatic meningitis, whereas there were only four cases of meningitis among 23 individuals infected with the wild type showing no Urabe‐like RFLP profile (non‐“Urabe‐like” wild‐type). The incidence of meningitis was over 70% among patients infected with the “Urabe‐like” wild‐type virus. The “Urabe‐like” wild‐type disappeared after February 1994 in the epidemic area and was replaced by the non‐“Urabe‐like” wild‐type. Patients infected with the “Urabe‐like” wild‐type lived in a closed colony, in which there were two instances of transmission between siblings. Thus this outbreak was transient and narrowly localized.
New management techniques and restructuring for accountability in Australian police organisations

This paper examines the implementation of new management techniques in Australian police services since the late 1980s, within an international context of demands for greater public sector efficiencies and accountability. Through an examination of police organisations in Queensland and New South Wales, the paper demonstrates that the impetus for organisational change, particularly in the context of employment practices has largely been driven by revelations of entrenched corruption and police misconduct. As a result, organisational goals of accountability and cultural change have been the critical influences on the restructuring agenda. The paper argues that management strategies should be suited to the specific organisational settings within which they are being applied. It suggests that the process of restructuring and the emphasis on changing employment practices have led to greater potential for conflict between management and police officers.
Molecular docking analysis of imidazole derivatives and polybenzimidazole analogs as inhibitors of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and xanthine oxidase (XO)

The present study describes, molecular docking analysis of Imidazole derivatives and Polybenzimidazole (PBI) analogs as inhibitors of Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Xanthine oxidase (XO). Twelve imidazole derivatives and twelve PBI analogs were evaluated on the docking behaviour of SOD and XO using PatchDock. Docking studies revealed that 1-Ethylimidazole and pyridine-PBI (1 Unit) showed the least atomic contact energy (−15.60 & −200.60 kcal/mol) with that of SOD. Similarly 1-Imidazole and pyridine-PBI (1 Unit) showed the least atomic contact energy (−68.01 & −80.88 kcal/mol) with that of XO. Hence, the results of this present study exhibited the potential of these Imidazole derivatives and Polybenzimidazole (PBI) analogs as SOD and XO inhibitory agents.
Implication of indolamine 2,3 dioxygenase in the tolerance toward fetuses, tumors, and allografts

Mammalian IDO is a heme‐containing enzyme whose main activity in mammals is to degrade the essential amino acid tryp into l‐kynurenine. Although the link between its enzymatic activity and the immune response is not straightforward, several lines of evidence suggest that this enzyme is involved in fighting infections and paradoxically, also in the establishment of the immune tolerance associated with fetus implantation and with the development of oncogenic processes. IDO is associated with the successful development of the fetus. It participates early in pregnancy to the efficient invasion of the uterine mucosa by the nascent trophoblast and remains active throughout the whole process, as illustrated by the decrease in systemic tryp from the second trimester of gestation and the return to normal values after delivery. The short‐term activation of IDO in response to invading pathogens and emerging tumors participates in the elimination of these threats, whereas the sustained activation of IDO often results in a state of immune tolerance that may favor chronic infections and the uncontrolled proliferation of malignant cells. However, despite these potential deleterious effects of IDO, the enzyme is instrumental in maintaining the peripheral tolerance that is required to avoid autoimmune diseases. Below, we review the implication of IDO activation upon the physiological development of the fetus and the pathological development of tumors and discuss whether such an enzyme could be used as a therapeutic tool to decrease the rate of allograft rejections via its potent immunomodulatory properties.
Axillary Block-Induced Chemical Sympathectomy in the Setting of Digital Ischemia.

BACKGROUND Digital ischemia is associated with several rheumatologic disorders and is often difficult to treat. Symptoms and sequelae can include pain, disability, need for amputation, and poor quality of life. METHODS Patients diagnosed with digital ischemia were referred for an ultrasound-guided axillary nerve block using liposomal bupivacaine (Exparel, Pacira Pharmaceuticals). The primary outcome measure was radial and ulnar artery diameter preprocedure and postprocedure. Doppler waveform analyses were performed to measure arterial diameter and blood flow velocity. The QuickDASH questionnaire was administered to evaluate upper extremity function and perceived disability. RESULTS Mean radial and ulnar artery diameters increased from 0.19 cm and 0.16 cm to 0.23 cm and 0.20 cm, respectively, 1 hour postprocedure. Concomitant increases in blood flow velocities and hand temperature and lower pain scores were also noted. Although pain generally returned to baseline after 1 week, QuickDASH symptom/disability scores improved at 30 days, and 2 patients' ischemic symptoms resolved spontaneously during the study period in the absence of other interventions. CONCLUSION Data regarding chemical sympathectomy using regional anesthesia are limited at this time. Our experience suggests a potential role in the treatment and evaluation of digital ischemia. Patients with digital ischemia from rheumatologic conditions appeared to have a greater benefit from a chemical sympathectomy than patients whose conditions had an atherosclerotic or anatomic etiology. Even when the vasodilatory effects are transient, such an intervention may be useful when a more permanent option such as surgical sympathectomy is being considered. Liposomal bupivacaine is only approved for surgical infiltration at this time.
The geometric transfer function for a slat collimator mounted on a strip detector

A theoretical formulation of the effective point spread function of a slat collimator on a strip detector has been derived. The used technique to obtain the geometric transfer function, which is the Fourier transform of the effective point source image, is based on the geometric characteristics of a single gap and it accurately describes the performance of the collimation system for system analysis. Valuable conclusions resulting from this geometric transfer function could be made on the sensitivity, on the spatial resolution, and on the line spread function of the imaging system. We found that the sensitivity was dependent on the angle of incidence and on the distance to the detector. The spatial resolution was constant in a plane at a fixed distance to the detector and closed analytical expressions were derived for transaxial line spread profiles. These results were confirmed by the appropriate Monte Carlo simulations. The presented formulation of the geometric transfer function will be useful with usage in iterative reconstruction algorithms to incorporate distance dependent effects.
Cytochrome P450 Initiates Degradation of cis-Dichloroethene by Polaromonas sp. Strain JS666

ABSTRACT Polaromonas sp. strain JS666 grows on cis-1,2-dichoroethene (cDCE) as the sole carbon and energy source under aerobic conditions, but the degradation mechanism and the enzymes involved are unknown. In this study, we established the complete pathway for cDCE degradation through heterologous gene expression, inhibition studies, enzyme assays, and analysis of intermediates. Several lines of evidence indicate that a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase catalyzes the initial step of cDCE degradation. Both the transient accumulation of dichloroacetaldehyde in cDCE-degrading cultures and dichloroacetaldehyde dehydrogenase activities in cell extracts of JS666 support a pathway for degradation of cDCE through dichloroacetaldehyde. The mechanism minimizes the formation of cDCE epoxide. The molecular phylogeny of the cytochrome P450 gene and the organization of neighboring genes suggest that the cDCE degradation pathway recently evolved in a progenitor capable of degrading 1,2-dichloroethane either by the recruitment of the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase gene from an alkane catabolic pathway or by selection for variants of the P450 in a preexisting 1,2-dichloroethane catabolic pathway. The results presented here add yet another role to the broad array of productive reactions catalyzed by cytochrome P450 enzymes.
An Ecological Approach to Addressing HIV/AIDS in the African American Community

The disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS on African Americans is a significant public health challenge. The complex constellation of individual, social, and environmental factors influencing transmission, require ecological solutions that recognize these multiple levels of influence and actively involve communities. This article describes the formation of a community-based coalition and highlights three initiatives it has undertaken in the areas of mobile HIV testing, HIV education, and faith-based work to improve HIV services for African Americans.
Cochlear adaptation in guinea pigs. A quantitative description.

(1) In response to stimulus trains, the amplitude, latency and width of the N1 component of the round-window-recorded action potentials (AP) reach an equilibrium value after about 5 stimuli. This final value is expressed in percent of the first response and depends on the stimulus intensity, stimulus duration and interstimulus interval (ISI). The equilibrium value is generally reached in an exponential way, the time constant of which also depends on the various stimulus parameters. (2) The adaptation properties of the AP (i.e., those depending on the ISI) measured in this way are identical to those of action potentials recorded in single-nerve-fiber experiments. It is concluded that the AP reflects the properties of the nerve-fiber population by means of a weighted sum of the single-nerve-fiber contributions. (3) It is possible to describe the N1 component of the AP as sum of two partly overlappling Gaussian distribution functions. These two functions reflect the properties of two populations of nerve fiber.
Influence of third opinion leaders on decision making quality: a case on financial decision making

Many top leaders nowadays are relying on external parties to get ideas and information for more effective and quality decision-making. For certain leaders, the power of thinking partners is the factor of success in their decision making process. This study therefore aimed to identify the influence of third opinion leaders in enhancing the relationship between leadership styles and financial decision-making quality. Based on the initial work of Joni (2004 ) and Path-Goal theory, with 211 usable respondents using hierarchical regression analysis, shows that the quality of financial decision is significant and positively related to leadership behavior. Third opinion’s mind and third opinion’s relationship act as pure moderator, while third opinion’s focus was found to be a quasi-moderator. For theoretical implication, the findings suggest that the inclusion of the moderating variable will further enhance the understanding of the differential impact of leadership style under various contexts of decision-making situation, in this case, the third opinion. For future research, it is recommended that differences relation to leadership behavior should be studied more extensively to reach various kinds of comparative conclusions. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015. v6n2s5p292
Aberrant right hepatic artery in pancreaticoduodenectomy for adenocarcinoma: impact on resectability and postoperative outcomes.

OBJECTIVES An aberrant right hepatic artery (aRHA) may pose technical and oncologic challenges during pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PA) as a result of its proximity to the head of the pancreas. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of an aRHA on resectability, and perioperative and oncologic outcomes after PD for PA. METHODS An 11-year retrospective cohort study was conducted. A total of 289 patients with PA scheduled for PD with intent for resection were included in the study. RESULTS Of 289 patients, 249 underwent PD and 40 were found to have unresectable tumours. Incidences of aRHA in the resectable (14.9%) and unresectable (7.5%) groups were similar (P = 0.2); the main reasons for aborting PD were not directly related to the presence of an aRHA. In patients who underwent resection, complications occurred more frequently in the standard PD group (41.5% versus 24.3%; P = 0.04), but there was no difference in rates of positive margin (R1) resection (10.8% versus 16.0%; P = 0.4) or median overall survival (17 months versus 23 months; P = 0.1) between patients with and without an aRHA. CONCLUSIONS The presence of an aRHA in patients with PA does not affect resectability. In patients with resectable tumours, the presence of an aRHA does not increase morbidity or R1 resection rates and does not impact on overall survival.
Does the Leader Make a Difference? Relationship Between Executive Leader Personality and Entrepreneurial Firm Performance

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to expand research on personality and leadership byinvestigating the relationship between executive leader personality and firm performance.Drawing from research on the five-factor model of personality (the Big Five), executive leaderemotional adjustment (low neuroticism) and conscientiousness were hypothesized to bepositively related to firm performance. No specific hypotheses were offered for the relationshipsbetween the remaining Big Five personality traits (extraversion, agreeableness, and openness toexperience) and firm performance. Using a longitudinal sample of initial public offering (IPO)firms, results indicated that emotional adjustment and extraversion were related to measures offirm performance. Specifically, after adjusting for the influence of prior firm performance, as wellas for the effects of several industry, firm, and demographic variables, executive leaderemotional adjustment was associated with firms that had higher earnings per share and higherstock price; executive leader extraversion was associated with firms that had lower earnings pershare and lower productivity. Contrary to expectations, conscientiousness was not related to firmperformance.
Quantitative mapping of microtubule-associated protein 2c (MAP2c) phosphorylation and regulatory protein 14-3-3ζ-binding sites reveals key differences between MAP2c and its homolog Tau

Microtubule-associated protein 2c (MAP2c) is involved in neuronal development and is less characterized than its homolog Tau, which has various roles in neurodegeneration. Using NMR methods providing single-residue resolution and quantitative comparison, we investigated molecular interactions important for the regulatory roles of MAP2c in microtubule dynamics. We found that MAP2c and Tau significantly differ in the position and kinetics of sites that are phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), even in highly homologous regions. We determined the binding sites of unphosphorylated and phosphorylated MAP2c responsible for interactions with the regulatory protein 14-3-3ζ. Differences in phosphorylation and in charge distribution between MAP2c and Tau suggested that both MAP2c and Tau respond to the same signal (phosphorylation by PKA) but have different downstream effects, indicating a signaling branch point for controlling microtubule stability. Although the interactions of phosphorylated Tau with 14-3-3ζ are supposed to be a major factor in microtubule destabilization, the binding of 14-3-3ζ to MAP2c enhanced by PKA-mediated phosphorylation is likely to influence microtubule-MAP2c binding much less, in agreement with the results of our tubulin co-sedimentation measurements. The specific location of the major MAP2c phosphorylation site in a region homologous to the muscarinic receptor-binding site of Tau suggests that MAP2c also may regulate processes other than microtubule dynamics.
Indoxyl Sulfate Induces Leukocyte-Endothelial Interactions through Up-regulation of E-selectin*

Despite a positive correlation between chronic kidney disease and atherosclerosis, the causative role of uremic toxins in leukocyte-endothelial interactions has not been reported. We thus examined the effects of indoxyl sulfate, a uremic toxin, on leukocyte adhesion to activated endothelial cells and the underlying mechanisms. Pretreatment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) with indoxyl sulfate significantly enhanced the adhesion of human monocytic cells (THP-1 cell line) to TNF-α-activated HUVEC under physiological flow conditions. Treatment with indoxyl sulfate enhanced the expression level of E-selectin, but not that of ICAM-1 or VCAM-1, in HUVEC. Indoxyl sulfate treatment enhanced the activation of JNK, p38 MAPK, and NF-κB in TNF-α-activated HUVEC. Inhibitors of JNK and NF-κB attenuated indoxyl sulfate-induced E-selectin expression in HUVEC and subsequent THP-1 adhesion. Furthermore, treatment with the NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor apocynin and the glutathione donor N-acetylcysteine inhibited indoxyl sulfate-induced enhancement of THP-1 adhesion to HUVEC. Next, we examined the in vivo effect of indoxyl sulfate in nephrectomized chronic kidney disease model mice. Indoxyl sulfate-induced leukocyte adhesion to the femoral artery was significantly reduced by anti-E-selectin antibody treatment. These findings suggest that indoxyl sulfate enhances leukocyte-endothelial interactions through up-regulation of E-selectin, presumably via the JNK- and NF-κB-dependent pathway.
Relative growth, nucleic acid content and cell numbers of the brain in Octopus vulgaris (Lamarck).

1. The brain of Octopus vulgaris grows allometrically with respect to weight from 12 mg. at the beginning of post-larval life to 1.95 g. at a body weight of 8.5 kg. 2. The two optic lobes contribute 64% to the wet weight total at the beginning of the growth range and 44% at the end. 3. The 150-fo1d increase in brain weight is accompanied by a 40-fold increase in total DNA content, 80-85% of which is in the optic lobes. DNA concentrations of the order of 20 mg. /g. wet weight are found in the vertical lobes. 4. An average of 1 mg. DNA is yielded by 1.9x108 Octopus sperms and this figure is used to calibrate the nucleic acid content of the optic lobes, and of the suboesophageal and supraoesophageal divisions of the brain in terms of their ‘diploid equivalent’. 5. The ratio between the ‘diploid equivalent’ and the numbers of neurones counted histologically is highest for the suboesophageal division and lowest for the vertical lobes and probably indicates a high glia/neurone index in brain areas with many large cells and low index in those with a homogeneous population of small cells. The brain cells of O. vulgaris do not appear to be polyploid. 6. The RNA/DNA ratio is less than 1.0 in the optic and supraoesophageal lobes, higher than 1.0 in the suboesophageal lobes. The ratio increases during growth, especially in the suboesophageal division.
The Effects of Motivation, Academic Emotions, and Self-Regulated Learning Strategies on Academic Achievements in Technology Enhanced Learning Environment

This study investigated how motivation, academic emotions, and self-regulated learning strategies influenced academic achievement in technology-enhanced learning environment. The research framework and hypotheses were proposed based on the literature review. A survey was administered to collect data from 238 undergraduates majoring in politics, philosophy, and physical education. The data was analyzed using structural equation modeling by Amos. The results indicated that motivation and academic emotions significantly influenced self-regulated learning strategies. Self-regulated learning strategies positively influenced academic achievement. Furthermore, motivation and academic emotion significantly affected academic achievement through the mediating effect of self-regulated learning strategies. Specific implications were also discussed based on the findings of this study.
Gauge fields and extrapotentials in constrained quantum systems

We derive an effective Hamiltonian for a quantum system constrained to a submanifold (the constraint manifold) of configuration space (the ambient space) by an infinite restoring force. We pay special attention to how this Hamiltonian depends on quantities which are external to the constraint manifold, such as the extrinsic curvature of the constraint manifold, the curvature of the ambient space, and the constraining potential. In particular, we find the remarkable fact that the twisting of the constraining potential appears as a gauge potential in the constrained Hamiltonian. This gauge potential is closely related to the geometric phase originally discussed by Berry. The constrained Hamiltonian also contains an effective potential depending on the extrinsic curvature of the constraint manifold, the curvature of the ambient space, and the twisting of the constraining potential. The general nature of our analysis allows applications to a wide variety of problems, such as rigid molecules, the evolution of molecular systems along reaction paths, and quantum strip waveguides.