Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Democracy across Gender Diversity and Ethnicity of Middle Eastern SMEs: How Does Performance Differ?

This paper examines the relationship between boards of directors' demographic diversity and firms' financial performance. In particular, we highlight how women and ethnic minorities can affect Middle Eastern SMEs' financial performance. Using an unbalanced panel of 1,855 firm‐year observations of 371 boards of directors from nine Middle Eastern countries, our results support the positive impact of women and ethnic minority group members on Middle Eastern firms' performance. However, our evidence implies that when Western ethnic minority members increase, firms' performances tend to decrease, because these board members are appointed for regional and international board reputation legitimacy, personal business agendas, and links to the external corporate environment.
Serum resistance encoded by colicin V plasmids in Escherichia coli and its relationship to the plasmid transfer system

Eight colicin V plasmids were conjugated into a plasmidless Escherichia coli (K-12) strain that was susceptible to the bactericidal effects of normal rabbit serum. The resulting colicin V-positive strains were examined for their capacity to resist the lethal effects of serum. Serum resistance was assessed as growth of the bacterial strain in medium containing 5% normal rabbit serum inoculated from a culture in the early exponential phase. Only three of the eight colicin V plasmids were found to confer the serum resistance phenotype on the host strain. Derepression of the transfer system was associated with serum resistance in two of the plasmids. Two other derepressed plasmids did not confer serum resistance on the host bacterium. Therefore, such derepression alone was insufficient to produce serum resistance. The factor(s) encoded by colicin V plasmids and responsible for the serum resistance of the bacterial strains bearing the plasmids was shown to be a property associated with the cell and not an extracellular factor excreted into the growth medium.
Why Welfare States Persist The Importance Of Public Opinion In Democracies

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Public attitudes towards family policies in Europe : linking institutional context and public opinion

Family policy variation in Europe is still enormous and there is very limited knowledge about the publics´ attitudes toward family-policy measures in a comparative perspective. Monika Mischke addresses this research gap by combining a profound analysis of existing family-policy measures with a thorough analysis of public attitudes. Based on institutional theory, which argues that institutions structure the process of orientation, the empirical analysis sheds light on the relationship between the current family-policy setup, the social context, and public attitudes toward particular family-policy measures in 12 countries of the European Union. The results demonstrate that the social context needs to be taken into account in order to improve our understanding of attitudinal variation among different countries and family-policy contexts. Moreover, the author points out that only a few patterns of social polarization are quasi universal, whereas many others are specific to individual countries or certain groups of countries.
A model for the regulatory network controlling the dynamics of kinetochore microtubule plus-ends and poleward flux in metaphase

Tight regulation of kinetochore microtubule dynamics is required to generate the appropriate position and movement of chromosomes on the mitotic spindle. A widely studied but mysterious aspect of this regulation occurs during metaphase when polymerization of kinetochore microtubule plus-ends is balanced by depolymerization at their minus-ends. Thus, kinetochore microtubules maintain a constant net length, allowing chromosomes to persist at the spindle equator, but consist of tubulin subunits that continually flux toward spindle poles. Here, we construct a feasible network of regulatory proteins for controlling kinetochore microtubule plus-end dynamics, which was combined with a Monte Carlo algorithm to simulate metaphase tubulin flux. We also test the network model by combining it with a force-balancing model explicitly taking force generators into account. Our data reveal how relatively simple interrelationships among proteins that stimulate microtubule plus-end polymerization, depolymerization, and dynamicity can induce robust flux while accurately predicting apparently contradictory results of knockdown experiments. The model also provides a simple and robust physical mechanism through which the regulatory networks at kinetochore microtubule plus- and minus-ends could communicate.
Evaluation of a one week intradermal regimen for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis: Results of a randomized, open label, active-controlled trial in healthy adult volunteers in India

The currently recommended intradermal regimen for post-exposure prophylaxis spreads over a month period which many times lead to low compliance from the patients. There is a need to introduce and evaluate short course regimens to overcome this problem. This study was conducted to evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of a “new one week intradermal regimen” for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis. A total of 80 healthy adult volunteers were enrolled and allocated randomly either to purified chick embryo cell (PCECV) rabies vaccine or purified verocell rabies vaccine (PVRV), 40 in each group. Each subject received intradermally one of the vaccines, using the one week regimen (4–4-4). Blood samples were collected on Days 0, 7, 14, 28,180 and 365 for estimation of rabies virus neutralizing antibody (RVNA) concentration. The sera samples were analyzed by rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT). All subjects in both the groups had adequate RVNA concentration of ≥ 0.5 IU/mL from day 14 to till day 180 and the difference of geometric mean concentrations between the two groups was not significant (p > 0.606). Further to assess the immunological memory produced by this new regimen, a “single visit four site” intradermal booster vaccination was given to those who did not have adequate RVNA concentration on day 365. This resulted in a quick and enhanced RVNA concentration in these subjects thus denoting a successful anamnestic response. The incidence of adverse events was 8.3% in PCECV group and 1.6% in PVRV group (p = 0.001) and the regimen was well tolerated without any dropouts. In conclusion, the new “one week intradermal regimen” is immunogenic and safe for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis and needs to be further evaluated in persons exposed to rabies.
Performance of beef heifers grazing stockpiled fescue as influenced by supplemental whole cottonseed.

The objectives of this study were to determine the composition of stockpiled fescue from December through February over 2 yr and to determine the performance of heifers grazing stockpiled fescue with or without supplemental whole cottonseed. In early December, 36 heifers (initial BW 277 +/- 0.70 kg, yr 1; 266 +/- 2.2 kg, yr 2; and initial BCS of 5.0 +/- 0.04) were assigned randomly to 6 groups. Each group was assigned randomly to a 2.4-ha tall fescue pasture (98% endophyte infected), which had received 76 kg of N/ha on September 1. Group was the experimental unit for all measures. Forage DM available during grazing (to ground level) averaged 3,913 and 5,370 kg/ha in yr 1 and 2, respectively. The pasture was strip-grazed for 83 d, with daily forage allocation. Three groups were fed whole cottonseed (0.90 kg of DM/heifer; 24.4% CP, DM basis) daily at 0.33% of BW, and a small amount of a corn-based concentrate (0.19 kg of DM/heifer) to assure complete cottonseed consumption. Nutritive value of forage (dry basis) was determined each week by sampling each pasture to the 5-cm target grazing height. Forage disappearance was estimated every 2 wk from pre- and postgraze forage mass. Forage CP was 16.8% in yr 1 and 12.6% in yr 2. In vitro true organic matter digestibility (IVTOMD) was 82.0 and 71.9%, and ADF was 25.9 and 30.7% in yr 1 and 2, respectively. Most indicators of forage quality declined slightly through the winter, although they recovered in late winter in yr 1. The proportion of fescue that was green declined (P < 0.05) from December (79% in yr 1 and 64% in yr 2) to February (62% in yr 1 and 52% in yr 2). Green tissue averaged 20.4 and 15.2% CP, 91 and 87% IVTOMD, and 22.1 and 23.3% ADF in yr 1 and 2, respectively. Brown tissue averaged 10.3 and 8.5% CP, 64 and 62% IVTOMD, and 35.7 and 37.4% ADF in yr 1 and 2, respectively. Shrunk ADG (0.46 vs. 0.56 kg/d in yr 1 and 0.23 vs. 46 kg/d in yr 2) and change in BCS (- 0.03 vs. 0.33 in yr 1 and 0.13 vs. 0.5 in yr 2) was greater (P < 0.05) for supplemented heifers. Supplemented heifers had greater serum urea nitrogen in yr 1 (9.5 vs. 10.5 mg/dL; P < 0.07) and yr 2 (7.2 vs. 8.6 mg/dL; P < 0.01). Forage disappearance was similar between supplemented and unsupplemented heifers (3.19 vs. 3.39 kg.heifer(-1). d(-1) in yr 1 and 4.14 vs. 4.17 kg.heifer(-1). d(-1) in yr 2, respectively). Heifers responded to supplementation, but performance was lower than expected based on forage nutrient content.
Restricted mean models for transplant benefit and urgency

The US lung allocation policy estimates each individual's urgency and transplant benefit in defining a lung allocation score (LAS). Transplant benefit, as defined by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Thoracic Committee, is the days of life gained over the following year if transplanted versus not transplanted. Urgency is measured by days of life during the next year without transplant. In both definitions, accurate estimation of wait list days lived, or a wait list restricted mean lifetime, is required. Risk factors are available to estimate patient urgency when listed, with more urgent patients removed from the wait list upon death or transplant. As a patient progresses, priority for transplant (censoring) changes accordingly. Therefore, it is crucial to adjust for dependent censoring in modeling days of life. We develop a model for the restricted mean as a function of covariates, by using pseudo‐observations that account for dependent censoring linked to a series of longitudinal measures (LAS). Simulation results show that our method performs well in situations comparable with the LAS setting. Applying wait list and post‐transplant model results that account for dependent censoring to wait list patients, we obtain estimates of transplant benefit that are larger for many of the more urgent patients in need of transplant. The difference in LAS for an individual, when properly accounting for dependent censoring, has high impact on the priority and timing of an organ offer for these patients. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Effect of Lexical Factors on Recall From Working Memory: Generalizing the Neighborhood Size Effect

The word-length effect, the finding that lists of short words are better recalled than lists of long words, is 1 of the 4 benchmark phenomena that guided development of the phonological loop component of working memory. However, previous work has noted a confound in word-length studies: The short words used had more orthographic neighbors (valid words that can be made by changing a single letter in the target word) than long words. The confound is that words with more neighbors are better recalled than otherwise comparable words with fewer neighbors. Two experiments are reported that address criticisms of the neighborhood-size account of the word-length effect by (1) testing 2 new stimulus sets, (2) using open rather than closed pools of words, and (3) using stimuli from a language other than English. In both experiments, words from large neighborhoods were better recalled than words from small neighborhoods. The results add to the growing number of studies demonstrating the substantial contribution of long-term memory to what have traditionally been identified as working memory tasks. The data are more easily explained by models incorporating the concept of redintegration rather than by frameworks such as the phonological loop that posit decay offset by rehearsal. L’effet de la longueur du mot, à savoir qu’on se souvient mieux des listes de mots courts que des listes de mots longs, est l’un des quatre phénomènes de référence qui ont guidé le développement de la composante de la boucle phonologique de la mémoire de travail. Toutefois, des travaux antérieurs avaient noté un autre élément dans les études sur la longueur des mots : comparativement aux mots les plus longs, les mots courts utilisés avaient davantage de voisins orthographiques (mots valides qui sont créés en changeant une seule lettre du mot cible). Le facteur de confusion est que les mots ayant le plus grand nombre de voisins sont plus facilement retenus que d’autres mots comparables en ayant peu. Deux expériences examinent les critiques concernant la densité du voisinage orthographique sur l’effet de la longueur du mot : 1) en testant deux nouveaux ensembles de stimuli; 2) en utilisant des groupes de mots ouverts plutôt que fermés; 3) en utilisant des stimuli dans une langue autre que l’anglais. Dans les deux expériences, les sujets se sont mieux rappelé les mots au voisinage de grande densité que les mots possédant peu de voisins orthographiques. Ces résultats s’ajoutent au nombre croissant d’études révélant la contribution importante de la mémoire à long terme dans des tâches qui ont été traditionnellement imputées à la mémoire de travail. Les données s’expliquent plus facilement par des modèles intégrant le concept de rédintégration plutôt que par des cadres, tels que la boucle phonologique, qui attribuent une diminution de l’oubli à la répétition.
Perceptions and management approaches of physicians who care for women with ductal carcinoma in situ.

PURPOSE Limited previous data suggest that heterogeneity exists in the treatment approaches for women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). We sought in a longitudinal cohort study of women with DCIS to assess the attitudes and management approaches toward DCIS among physicians who provide care to women. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eligible physicians were invited to participate in a 1-time mailed survey. A financial incentive and reminders were used to enhance the response rate. Physician perception of risks associated with DCIS for patients and management approaches were evaluated. RESULTS Two hundred and eight physicians were identified, and 151 (73%) completed the survey. Respondents had a median age of 49 years (range, 32-75 years), and most were surgeons or medical oncologists (66%). Eighty-eight percent reported seeing an average of >or= 1 new patient with DCIS per month. In a multivariable model, physicians who cared for proportionately fewer patients with breast cancer were more likely to view DCIS as a riskier disease to a patient's overall health compared with physicians who cared for more women with breast cancer (odds ratio, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.1-4.6; P = .036). Physicians exhibited differences in management approaches when considering theoretical patients with DCIS and did not use consistent terms when speaking with patients with DCIS. CONCLUSION Substantial variation exists among physicians regarding perceptions and management approaches for women with DCIS. In some settings, risks of physician-recommended therapy might outweigh benefits. Further evaluation of the effects of physician management approaches and attitudes about DCIS on patient outcomes is warranted.
Changes in Cytochrome Oxidase in the Piriform Cortex after Status Epilepticus in Adult Rats

Summary: Purpose: The piriform cortex is involved in genesis and propagation of temporal lobe seizures. Degenerating neurons demonstrated by FluoroJade B staining are visible early after status epilepticus (SE) as well as after longer intervals. Furthermore, the piriform cortex is activated during an early phase of experimental temporal seizures, as described by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies. It indicates that the early activity of the piriform cortex should be accompanied by increased adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. Cytochrome oxidase activity in the brain may be used as an endogenous metabolic marker for neurons. The present research studied activity of the cytochrome oxidase separately in the rostral and caudal parts of the piriform cortex after lithium chloride–pilocarpine–induced SE in adult rats.
BRIEF Magnetic Measurement of S-T and T-Q Segment Shifts in Humans Part II: Exercise-Induced S-T Segment Depression

SUMMARY. The direct-current magnetocardiogram, which shows the T-Q (baseline) shift, is used to clarify the cause of S-T depression induced by stress testing in the human heart. Measurements are made of the amount of baseline shift associated with the S-T depresion. Results are presented of a well-documented patient, with typical coronary artery disease, undergoing a two-step exercise test. Before exercise, there was no S-T or baseline shift. During exercise, the S-T segment became depressed and the baseline segment was simultaneously elevated, at about 70% of the S-T amplitude. After termination of exercise, the baseline elevation disappeared somewhat more rapidly than the S-T depression. These results were consistent in repeated tests of this patient. Because the baseline shift is a reflection of an injury current, these results confirm the beuef that exercise-induced S-T depression is mostly due to an injury current which is interrupted during the S-T interval. The baseline shift seen here is the first non-invasive measurement of an injury current in the human heart, and its presence and time-course generally agree with measurements in the animal heart. This work also confirms that the direct-current magnetocardiogram, although not practical for clinical purposes, is useful as a research tool. (Circ Res 53: 274-279, 1983)
The Impact of Vehicle Appearance and Vehicle Behavior on Pedestrian Interaction with Autonomous Vehicles

In this paper, we present the preliminary results of a study that aims to investigate the role of an approaching vehicle's behavior and outer appearance in determining pedestrians' decisions while crossing a street. Concerning appearance, some vehicles are designed to look more assertive than others, and it is believed that vehicle appearance may reflect the driver's social behavior in traffic. In the case of autonomous vehicles, since the human driver no longer controls the vehicle's action, the question arises whether pedestrians treat autonomous and manually-driven vehicles differently when deciding to cross the street. We devised an experiment to determine the impact of the behavioral and physical attributes of a vehicle on pedestrians' road-crossing decisions, both for manually-driven and autonomous vehicles. Preliminary results show that in both cases, distance and speed play a dominant role in pedestrians' decision to cross a road when compared to the vehicle's size and appearance.
Plasma Adiponectin Response to Sculling Exercise at Individual Anaerobic Threshold in College Level Male Rowers

The purpose of the investigation was to study plasma adiponectin response to a single exercise session in male rowers. Eight college level, single scull rowers (VO2max: 5.01+/-0.43 l.min-1; age: 21.5+/-4.5 yrs; height: 184.9+/-5.0 cm; body mass: 78.5+/-8.4 kg; body fat: 11.8+/-1.2%) participated in this study. Venous blood samples were obtained before, immediately after, and following the first 30 min of recovery of constant load on-water rowing over a distance of 6.5 km (approximately 30 min) at the individual anaerobic threshold (75.2+/-2.9% of VO2max). Adiponectin was unchanged (p>0.05) immediately after the exercise. However, adiponectin was significantly increased above the resting value after the first 30 min of recovery (+14.7%; p<0.05). Similarly, leptin was unchanged immediately after exercise and was significantly decreased after the first 30 min of recovery (-18.2%; p<0.05). Plasma insulin was significantly reduced immediately after exercise and remained significantly lower during the first 30 min of recovery period. Glucose increased with exercise and returned to the pre-exercise level after the first 30 min of recovery. Basal adiponectin was significantly related to VO2max (r=-0.62; p=0.034). However, there was no relationship between basal adiponectin and other measured variables. Similarly, basal leptin demonstrated no relationship with other measured variables. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that plasma adiponectin is sensitive in the first 30 min of recovery to the effects of relatively short-term exercise at individual anaerobic threshold when all major muscle parts are involved.
A New Charging Model for Spacecraft Exposed Dielectric (SICCE)

The exposed dielectrics outside a spacecraft interact directly with the ambient plasma. Moreover, they are exposed to the energetic charged particle radiation. The low-energy plasma and the energetic radiation are both important factors for the dielectric charging. Tailored to this special condition, a model named surface and internal coupling charging model for exposed dielectric is newly proposed. It is based on the current conservation law regarding the charging potential as the unknown variable. All the three kinds of currents, namely the surface incident current, internal deposition current, and the leakage current, are considered. Among them, the leakage current is the most complicated, which is determined by the potential and the dielectric conductivity affected by the electric field, radiation dose rate, and temperature. The determinate solution of the model is analyzed and a numerical solution in 1-D case is provided using an iterative algorithm. The solution includes the potential of spacecraft body, distribution of dielectric potential, and electric field. If the internal deposition current is equal to zero, the new model degenerates into the one depicting the surface charging. A simulation is carried out to a polyimide dielectric board considering the typical environment of GEO orbit. The surface charging potential is verified by comparing with the online tool by ESA for surface charging. The internal charge deposition is found to have little effect on the surface charging potential, but it can result in electric field distortion, which is of significance for the dielectric breakdown discharge. Therefore, the new model can provide a more comprehensive assessment for the spacecraft exposed dielectric charging.
EUV and Soft X-Ray Quantum Efficiency Measurements of a Thinned Back-Illuminated CMOS Active Pixel Sensor

We report the first absolute effective quantum efficiency (e-h pairs collected/predicted) measurements of a monolithic thinned back-illuminated CMOS active pixel sensor (APS) in the extreme ultraviolet and soft X-ray region (13-600 Å). The sensor was designed and fabricated under a joint Rutherford Appleton Laboratory/e2v research program and characterized in the Lockheed Martin Solar and Astrophysics calibration facility. We compare our QE results to the data and models developed for thinned CCDs with similar back surface passivation. Our results demonstrate that CMOS APS arrays show significant promise for use in space-based solar physics and astrophysics missions.