Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Green Cities? Urbanization, Trade, and the Environment

This paper establishes a simple theoretical framework which comprises key forces that shape the structure and interrelation of cities to study the interdependencies between urban evolution and the environment. We focus on the potential of the unfettered market forces to economize on emissions. A key finding is that these forces alone may suffice to generate an urban Environmental Kuznets Curve. In particular, reducing trade costs increases per capita incomes and generates a U-shaped evolution of emissions in the process of agglomeration and redispersion. Another key result is that agglomeration per se is typically not a boon for the environment, as total emissions in the total city system are likely to rise.
Career advancement of academics in private higher education: A literature review

Purpose – This paper aims to explore the influence of individual and organizational variables on the career advancement of academics in Malaysian private universities. Design/methodology/approach – The paper reviews the literatures on the factors that influence the academic’s career advancement. Findings - There is a considerable relationship between individual and organization factors and potential benefits of career advancement of academics. It can be serve as the basis for formulating hypotheses to be further investigation and discussion. Practical Implications - This study contributes knowledge to career advancement among academics in private universities. These institutions are rapidly expanding in Malaysia to cater to the needs of achieving the entrance of 40 per cent of the population into tertiary education by the year 2020. At the tertiary education level, HRD is important specifically to create better awareness among academics about their career planning and aspirations, the role individual and organizational-related factors have in their careers and how they should respond to the services given by the institutions. Originality – The paper reviews factors (individual and organizational factors) that are of concern to HRD managers in managing the career advancement of academics in rapidly developing private universities.
Discovery of secular variations in the atmospheric abundances of magnetic Ap stars

Context. The stars of the middle main sequence have relatively quiescent outer layers, and unusual chemical abundance patterns may develop in their atmospheres. The presence of chemical peculiarities reveal the action of such subsurface phenomena as gravitational settling and radiatively driven levitation of trace elements, and their competition with mixing processes such as turbulent diffusion. At present, little is known about the time evolution of these anomalous abundances, nor about the role that diffusion may play in maintaining them, during the main sequence lifetime of such a star. Aims. We want to establish whether abundance peculiarities change as stars evolve on the main sequence, and provide observational constraints to diffusion theory. Methods. We have performed spectral analysis of 15 magnetic Bp stars that are members of open clusters (and thus have well-known ages), with masses between about 3 and 4 M� . For each star, we measured the abundances of He, O, Mg, Si, Ti, Cr, Fe, Pr and Nd. Results. We have discovered the systematic time evolution of trace elements through the main-sequence lifetime of magnetic chemically peculiar stars as their atmospheres cool and evolve towards lower gravity. During the main sequence lifetime, we observe clear and systematic variations in the atmospheric abundances of He, Ti, Cr, Fe, Pr and Nd. For all these elements, except He, the atmospheric abundances decrease with age. The abundances of Fe-peak elements converge towards solar values, while the rare-earth elements converge towards values at least 100 times more abundant than in the Sun. Helium is always underabundant compared to the Sun, evolving from about 1% up to 10% of the solar He abundance. We have attempted to interpret the observed abundance variations in the context of radiatively driven diffusion theory, which appears to provide a framework to understand some, but not all, of the anomalous abundance levels and variations that we observe.
Application of electromagnetism-like algorithm to phase-only syntheses of antenna arrays

In this paper, a novel stochastic approach, i.e., the electromagnetism-like (EM-like) algorithm, is applied to phase-only syntheses of antenna arrays. The goal is to minimize the pattern sidelobe under null-steering constraints by phase-only adjusting. The mechanism of EM-like algorithm results from the Coulomb's Law of Electromagnetics. It does not require gradient calculations, and can automatically converge at a good solution through the virtual charge of each particle. Simulation results show that the EM-like algorithm can well treat the phase-only optimization of antenna arrays. Although the null-steering constraints will affect the optimization in sidelobe reduction, it can be easily included in the EM-like based optimization scheme. The EM-like algorithm can be applied not only to problems of antenna arrays, but also to many other nonlinear optimization problems in electromagnetic waves.
The effect of foot Reflexology Massage on pain of scoliosis patients undergoing spinal surgery

Aims and background: Pain is a common problem encountered after spinal surgery. As we prefer to use effective non-pharmacological methods before using drugs, therefore the purpose of this study was to assess the effect of foot Reflexology massage on reducing pain in scoliosis patients undergoing spinal surgery. Methods and materials: This study was a randomized controlled trial, conducted on 56 scoliosis patients undergoing spinal surgery hospitalized in the Shafa hosp ital in 2013. The reflexology grou p received massage the second day after surgery for 4 consecutive days.In the control group, just an ointment was used on patients’ foot for one minute without applying any pressure. The pain scores before and after the intervention were recorded by the use of short form of McGill pain questionnaire. Findings: Our results showed that there is a significant difference in all com ponents of McGill pain questionnaire after using the intervention,between the ex perimental and control groups (P=0) . conclusions: According to the study results, foot Reflexology massage, as one of the branches of com plementary alternative methods, can be recommended in patients after spinal surgery to reduce their pain.
Shigella isolates in Costa Rica

Shigella is an important enteropathogen and the major cause of dysentery and diarrheal disease around the world. There are no studies related to the molecular detection of integrons among Shigella spp. isolates in Costa Rica. Here we are reporting for the first time the presence of class 1 integrase (intI-1) and extended spectrum β-lactamases genetic cassettes, blaOXA, and blaTEM among multidrug resistant Shigella isolates in Costa Rica. The antibiotic resistance pattern and presence of integrase class 1(intI-1) and genetic cassettes blaOXA and blaTEM were analyzed in 30 Shigella isolates (S. flexneri (83%) and S. sonnei (17%). Bacteria were collected at hospitals and cliniques in Costa Rica and exclusively from stools of individuals with diarrhea. from Costa Rica. Twenty nine out of 30 isolates were resistant to at least, one antibiotic. Multidrug resistance was observed in 26 out of 30 isolates (87%), and found to carry integrase class 1 (93%), and genetic cassettes blaOXA (76%) and blaTEM (7%).
Student-Centered Learning Communities: Teachers' Perspectives

This study was designed to examine teachers' perceptions ofchanges in their classroom practices that have occurred as a result oftraining in process-education techniques commonly described as the Foxfire approach to learning. Teachers participated in a university class during which they studied techniques for implementing experiential, student-centered instructional approaches that give students a voice in the process oftheir education. Changes in classroom practices that affect teachers' interactions with students, parents, and other community members are described.
What GPs mean by 'spirituality' and how they apply this concept with patients: a qualitative study

Background Little is known about how the concept of spirituality is understood and applied by GPs. Aim To provide a detailed description of how GPs understand the concept of spirituality and apply this with patients. Design & setting Nineteen Scottish GPs were interviewed about their perceptions of the concept of spirituality and how they apply this in practice. Method An approach informed by grounded theory was used to identify and summarise common themes. Results Seven concepts concerning spirituality emerged, some of which are previously unrecognised. Four attitudes to spiritual care and four patterns of spiritual care were identified. Conclusion GPs have varying views on what spirituality is, and these relate partly to individual beliefs and experiences. These create considerable variation in the delivery of spiritual care.
Why Are There Still Proximity Effects in Innovation Processes

Empirical studies show that innovation activity is highly agglomerated within space. This stylized fact is often explained by the necessity for the actors of co-localizing with a view to benefiting from tacit knowledge which, by definition, cannot spread easily across the territories. In this article, we propose another reading of the phenomenon. We especially intend to show that the actors are faced with coordination problems resulting from the setting up of a knowledge-based division of labour. The latter solve these problems by relying on the prior existence of socioeconomic proximity relations: relational proximity (role of social networks) on the one hand; mediation proximity on the other hand. In some cases, the socioeconomic proximities and spatial proximity overlap, thus giving rise to the formation of a localized productive system. In other cases, the socioeconomic proximities go through territories, thus giving rise to the development of transterritorial productive networks. In this perspective, the tendency to the agglomeration of innovation activity would be explained less by the tacit nature of knowledge than by the localized nature of certain mediation resources and, especially, of an important part of social relations.
Quality of Agroecological Matrix in a Tropical Montane Landscape: Ants in Coffee Plantations in Southern Mexico

Abstract: Conservation efforts in fragmented landscapes frequently focus on characteristics of the habitat fragments. We propose that the matrix within which habitat fragments occur is of equal importance and focus on quality of the matrix as an interesting variable. We studied ground‐foraging ants in isolated montane forest fragments in the matrix of coffee agroecosystems of southwestern Chiapas, Mexico. We sampled the ants, with tuna fish as bait, in plots at various distances from a forest fragment (2–750 m) on two farms, one an organic farm with considerable shade, the other a conventional farm with only spotty shade. Each plot contained a grid of 49 ( 7 × 7) or 100 (10 × 10) baits. The species richness of ground‐foraging ants was not significantly different between the forest fragment and the high‐quality matrix, but it was significantly lower in the low‐quality matrix than in the forest. Furthermore, species richness decreased with distance from the forest fragment in both matrix types. However, the rate of decrease in species richness was greater in the conventional farm ( poor‐quality matrix) than in the organic farm ( high‐quality matrix), suggesting that the quality of the agricultural matrix is important for the conservation of ant diversity.
A functional form for the macroscopic fundamental diagram with a physical meaning

The macroscopic fundamental diagram (MFD) relates the vehicle accumulation and the production of travel in an urban network with a well-deﬁned and reproducible curve. Thanks to its elegance, the MFD oﬀers a wide range of applications, most notably for traﬃc control. Recently, more and more empirical MFDs have been documented, providing further insights and facilitating their application in real urban networks. So far, however, no generally accepted functional form has been identiﬁed. This paper proposes a functional form for the MFD that is based on the smooth approximation of an upper bound of technologically feasible traﬃc states. We show the applicability of the new functional form in an empirical context with data from Marseille (France), London (UK), Lucerne, and Zurich (both Switzerland). Without loss of generality, we deﬁne the upper bound as a trapezoidal diagram which depends on four physical parameters: free-ﬂow speed, capacity, jam density, and wave speed. The new functional form allows a physically meaningful estimation of the MFD and thus enhances the applicability thereof. Moreover, the smooth approximation uniquely determines the critical density and quantiﬁes the network’s infrastructure potential given a technology frontier, measured as the diﬀerence between an upper bound for the MFD and the traﬃc states observed in real life. Based on the empirical ﬁndings, we conclude that the values of the infrastructure potential are similar across cities. Therefore, even if the empirical MFD is unknown, the MFD can be approximated for any city with a deﬁned technology frontier, using a value of the infrastructure potential within the range found in this study. four free-ﬂow
The Role of Integrated Marketing Communications in Enhancement of SMEs Growth in South Africa

The intention of this paper is to discover and empirically test the knowledge gap exist with regard to the role that integrated marketing communication (IMC) plays in the enhancement of SMEs growth. A quantitative approach is followed in this paper, with a questionnaire as the research instrument and questionnaire items established through a literature review. A sample of 374 SMEs owners/managers agreed to complete the questionnaire. In order to give a descriptive overview of variables relevant to the objectives of the study, a Cronbach test was performed. Certain ability in marketing communication by SMEs was evident from the sample. However, very few marketing communication tools are fully applied in order to enhance SMEs growth. A significant starting point, in attaching importance to the role of IMC enhancement of SMEs growth, is constituted by this paper's sample, even though it is restrictively small. Practitioners may, from this paper, understand where intervention guidelines are needed, in order to improve an IMC plan needed for SMEs. Compared to previous research done on large company practices, this paper represents an original trial to empirically apply the marketing communication approach within SMEs.
Palliative systemic treatment of patients with pancreatic cancer — should reimbursement of nab-paclitaxel change the current management paradigm?

Pancreatic cancer is associated with poor prognosis. In the majority of patients the disease is diagnosed at an inoperable stage, so palliative chemotherapy is the only possible management. In a highly clinically and biochemically selected subpopulation two chemotherapy multi-drug schemes: FOLFIRINOX regimen and combination of nab-paclitaxel with gemcitabine, are more effective than gemcitabine alone, being the current standard of treatment. As there is a lack of direct comparison between doublet and triplet chemotherapies and the prognosis of patients enrolled to ACCORD 11 and MPACT clinical trials is similar, an attempt at indirect analysis was undertaken. It seems that chemotherapy with the use of FOLFIRINOX regimen prolongs overall survival significantly more and mainly has a beneficial impact on quality of life. In the authors’ opinion, the possibilities of using chemotherapy containing nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine are quite limited. In patients with worse performance status monotherapy with gemcitabine or best supportive care should remain a standard of management.
Th-17 cells as novel participants in immunity to breast cancer

Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. Tumour surveillance constitutes a process of recognizing and modifying tumour development and involves both innate and adaptive immune systems. During the progression of malignancy, the immune response is dynamically changed. In our breast cancer model, we used 4T1 mouse mammary tumour cell lines with the capacity to metastasise efficiently to sites affected by human breast cancer. This model was used to evaluate anti-tumour immunity and tested in vivo whether tumour progression affected anti-tumour immunity. Female BALB/c mice were injected with 5 x 104 4T1 tumour cells into 4-th mammary fat-pad. Tumour size was evaluated daily and the number and size of tumour metastases was determined on day 36. Serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, leukocyte cytotoxicity and cellular make up of the draining lymph nodes were tested in animals on day 13 after tumour inoculation. On day 36, metastases were found in the lungs and livers of the mice. IL-17 levels were higher in tumour bearing mice compared to healthy animals, while TNF-α serum levels showed no significant differences during tumour progression. Total cellularity of the draining lymph nodes was higher in tumour bearing mice. There were no differences in the total number of CD8+ and CD4+ cells; however, significant increases in CD19+ cells were found on the 13th day after tumour inoculation. Finally, MTT tests indicated higher cytotoxic activity levels in the draining lymph node cells of tumour bearing mice. We provide evidence suggesting that tumour induction may enhance immune responses most likely via the enhancement of Th-17 cells and the attenuation of CD4+Foxp3+ Treg cells.
The Masses of the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies

We present a family of robust tracer mass estimators to compute the enclosed mass of galaxy haloes from samples of discrete positional and kinematical data of tracers, such as halo stars, globular clusters and dwarf satellites. The data may be projected positions, distances, lineof-sight velocities or proper motions. The estimators all assume that the tracer population has a scale-free density and moves in a scale-free potential in the region of interest. The circumstances under which the boundary terms can be discarded and the estimator converges are derived. Forms of the estimator tailored for the Milky Way Galaxy and for M31 are given. Monte Carlo simulations are used to quantify the uncertainty as a function of sample size. For the Milky Way Galaxy, the satellite sample consists of 26 galaxies with line-of-sight velocities. We find that the mass of the Milky Way within 300 kpc is M300 = 0.9 ± 0.3 ×
Ways of thinking and ways of teaching across contrasting subject areas

The ETL project is within the nationwide Teaching and Learning Programme of the ESRC (www.tlrp.org) and has been investigating ways of ‘Enhancing Teaching-Learning Environments in Undergraduate Courses’ (ETL project) in four main subject areas ‐ Electronic Engineering, Biological Sciences, Economics, History and, for the first phase only, Media Studies ‐ chosen as popular undergraduate subjects with large intakes. In the programme as a whole, there has been an emphasis on ensuring that the research is conducted, as far as possible, in collaboration with the potential users of the research findings ‐ in our case mainly the academic staff involved in teaching. We have sought to involve staff in the progress of the research, firstly through detailed feedback on students reports about their ways of studying and experiences of teaching and learning in chosen course units, and then in discussing with them possible ways of enhancing that teaching-learning experience to encourage more effective learning outcomes. The term ‘enhancing’ was deliberately chosen to avoid the feeling that we any preconceived concern about the general level of university teaching, or teaching within these specific areas. Rather, our intention has been to work with teaching staff who are already providing good experiences for students, to see what makes them effective in that particular subject area, and to provide more detailed feedback from students to see whether those strong teaching-learning environments could be further enhanced. The feedback provided to the teaching staff offered a fuller picture of the student experience without implying that the student view should predominate. In thinking about enhancement, our departmental partners have naturally helped us to reach a balance between staff and student perspectives, and between the ideal and the practical. This paper will present a brief outline of the project as whole, indicating the research design, conceptualisation, and emerging findings. These descriptions will be brief as detailed reports are accumulating in published articles (McCune & Hounsell, 2005; Anderson & Day, 2005), and extensive reports for each subject area are being provided on the project website (www.ed.ac.uk/etl). The project is so wideranging that no single paper can do justice to the four subject areas together: this paper thus uses Electronic Engineering to illustrate the type of analyses that have been carried out and how conclusions have converged from different sources of data.
Electric Field Gradient Theory with Surface Effect for Nano-Dielectrics

The electric field gradient effect is very strong for nanoscale dielectrics. In addition, neither the surface effect nor electrostatic force can be ignored. In this paper, the electric Gibbs free energy variational principle for nanosized dielectrics is established with the strain/electric field gradient effects, as well as the effects of surface and electrostatic force. As regards the surface effects both the surface stress and surface polarization are considered. From this variational principle, the governing equations and the generalized electromechanical Young-Laplace equations, which take into account the effects of strain/electric field gradient, surface and electrostatic force, are derived. The generalized bulk and surface electrostatic stress are obtained from the variational principle naturally. The form are different from those derived from the flexoelectric theory. Based on the present theory, the size-dependent electromechanical phenomenon in nano-dielectrics can be predicted.
Genetic diversity of picoeukaryotes in a semi-enclosed harbour in the subtropical western Pacific Ocean

Picoeukaryotes (<2 to 3 µm) are important components of aquatic ecosystems. The genetic diversity and seasonal variability of marine picoeukaryotes were compared between a semi- enclosed harbour and the adjacent open sea off the subtropical coast in the western Pacific Ocean based on 18S rRNA clone library analysis. Examination of 733 clones revealed 186 different restric- tion fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns, representing 186 operational taxonomic units (OTUs). At least 19 high-level taxonomic groups of picoeukaryotes were recorded. Alveolates group II, ciliates and stramenopiles comprising 37, 17 and 11% of the picoeukaryotes, respectively, were the most dominant groups. Phototrophs such as prasinophytes, cryptophytes and haptophytes were retrieved occasionally. Members from the 2 newly defined phyla, picobiliphytes and Telonemia, were also obtained. A differential spatial distribution of OTUs was observed between samples collected from the 2 sampling sites. Seasonal variations in picoeukaryote composition were more pronounced in the open sea libraries than in the semi-enclosed harbour libraries.