Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does Good Corporate Governance Include Employee Representation? Evidence from German Corporate Boards

Within the German corporate governance system, labor representation on the supervisory board is common and typically legally mandated. Because labor has detailed knowledge of firm operations, we propose that labor representation on corporate boards brings valuable first-hand operational knowledge to corporate board decision-making. We discover that labor representation, through its knowledge of operational detail, provides a powerful means of monitoring and source of information. We show that the judicious use of labor representation increases firm market value and that the greater the need for coordination within the firm, the greater the potential improvement is in governance effectiveness.
Ultrasonographic Appearance of the Uterine Endometrium in Sudanese Breast Cancer Women on Tamoxifen Therapy

Although the potential benefit of Tamoxifen treatment in breast cancer patients outweighs its risk; however, all patients receiving Tamoxifen should undergo regular gynecologic evaluations. To survey the endometrial abnormality (endometrial thicknesses of 8 mm and more) using Trans-vaginal Ultrasound (TVS), data was collected prospectively from 104 patients with histologically confirmed stage I or II breast carcinoma, on Tamoxifen therapy for at least 6 months duration at Radiation and Isotopes Centre in Khartoum (RICK), Sudan during the period of June 2013 through December 2013. Means and proportions were compared between those with normal and abnormal endometrial thickness using student and chi-square test, respectively. P < 0.05 was considered significant. The mean (SD) duration of Tamoxifen use was 22 months. Among the total patients 39 (37.5%), 29 (27.8%), 20 (19.3%) and 16 (15.4%) used Tamoxifen for < 24, 24-36, 36-48 and ≥ 48 months respectively. Normal TVS was observed in 45 patients and abnormal findings were reported in 59 patients. In this study abnormal endometrial thickness was noticed more among nulliparous (p ≤ 0.001), longer duration of Tamoxifen use (p ≤ 0.001), premenopausal status (p ≤ 0.001), smoking (p ≤ 0.024) and BMI (p ≤ 0.001). In Conclusion: Although the discussions about endometrial screening in patients receiving Tamoxifen are still controversial, our study revealed strong association between Tamoxifen therapy and endometrial abnormality.
Review Antibody flexibility observed in antigen binding and its subsequent signaling

Antibodies are well-known proteins that defend against bacterial and viral infections. At the molecular level, antibodies in solution are flexible and exist in populations of different structures with different energy levels which are important for antigen binding and immunological functions. In the present post-genome era, although many three-dimensional structures of proteins, including antibodies, have been determined mainly by X-ray structural analysis, quantitative analyses of the dynamic properties of proteins are needed for correlation with the protein functions. Since protein molecules always function via binding, we have investigated the binding mechanism of antibodies and the conformational change of antibodies induced upon antigen binding, which is critical for intracellular signaling. In this article, I review several reports, including our recent results of dynamic structural analyses for antibodies. These reports strongly suggest the difficulty in interpreting snapshot pictures from static structural analyses. To detect the flexible nature of protein, the development or improvement of several techniques is also in progress. Used together, the conventional methods, such as binding thermodynamics and kinetics, can provide new information on protein flexibility. These novel findings can not only shed light on the general features of protein functions but also can be put to practical use, such as the rational design of an antibody with high antigen-binding affinity.
Dwell Time Analysis in Urban Railway Lines using Multi Agent Simulation

In railway lines where trains are running densely, to prevent dwell times of trains from increasing is very important to keep punctuality. Thus, railway companies are making great efforts to shorten dwell times as much as possible; such as to introduce trains with wider doors or trains with more doors etc. However, it is difficult to know in advance how effective these efforts are. We have developed a simulator to estimate dwell times of trains when various kinds of improvements to shorten dwell times are taken. The simulator is based on a multi-agent model and simulates each passenger’s behavior both in a train and on a platform. One of the characteristics of this simulator is that it simulates passengers’ behaviour of boarding and alighting seamlessly. Thus, it is possible to estimate dwell times of trains considering the congestion of the platform and inside trains, which are sometimes very influential factor in congested railways.
Identification of a basaltic component on the Martian surface from Thermal Emission Spectrometer data

The Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) instrument collected 4.8×106 spectra of Mars during the initial aerobraking and science-phasing periods of the mission (September 14, 1997, through April 29, 1998). Two previously developed atmosphere-removal models were applied to data from Cimmeria Terra (25°S, 213°W). The surface spectra derived for these two models agree well, indicating that the surface and atmosphere emission can be separated and that the exact atmosphere-removal model used has little effect on the derived surface composition. The Cimmeria spectra do not match terrestrial high-silica igneous rocks (granite and rhyolite), ultramafic igneous rocks, limestone, or quartz- and clay-rich sandstone and siltstone. A particulate (sand-sized) sample of terrestrial flood basalt does provide an excellent match in both spectral shape and band depth to the Cimmeria spectrum over the entire TES spectral range. No unusual particle size effects are required to account for the observed spectral shape and depth. The implied grain size is consistent with the thermal inertia and albedo of this region, which indicate a sand-sized surface with little dust. The identification of basalt is consistent with previous indications of pyroxene and basalt-like compositions from visible/near-infrared and thermal-infrared spectral measurements. A linear spectral deconvolution model was applied to both surface-only Cimmeria spectra using a library of 60 minerals to determine the composition and abundance of the component minerals. Plagioclase feldspar (45%; 53%) and clinopyroxene (26%; 19%) were positively identified above an estimated detection threshold of 10–15% for these minerals. The TES observations provide the first identification of feldspars on Mars. The best fit to the Mars data includes only clinopyroxene compositions; no orthopyroxene compositions are required to match the Cimmeria spectra. Olivine (12%; 12%) and sheet silicate (15%; 11%) were identified with lower confidence. Carbonates, quartz, and sulfates were not identified in Cimmeria at detection limits of ∼5, 5, and 10%, respectively. Their presence elsewhere, however, remains open. The Cimmeria spectra are not well matched by any one SNC meteorite spectrum, indicating that this region is not characterized by a single SNC lithology. The occurrence of unweathered feldspar and pyroxene in Cimmeria, together with the inferred presence of pyroxene and unweathered basalts in other dark regions and at the Viking and Pathfinder landing sites, provides evidence that extensive global chemical weathering of materials currently exposed on the Martian surface has not occurred.
The Story of Beta-sitosterol-A Review

Aims : Phytosterols are a subgroup of the steroids, as an important class of bioorganic molecules,widespread in plants, animals, marines as well as fungi and have similarity to cholesterol in structure. These compounds have a long history of consumption as food or pharmaceutical products, and generally recognized as safe without undesirable side effects.
Selectivity Bias in a Cross-Section Model and in a Repeated Cross-Section ( RCS ) Model

In the presence of selection bias the traditional estimators for pseudo panel data models are inconsistent. This paper discusses a method to achieve consistency in static linear pseudo panels in the presence of selection bias and a testing procedure for sample selection bias. The authors’ approach uses a bias correction term proportional to the inverse Mills ratio with argument equal to the “normit” of a consistent estimation of the conditional probability of being observed given cohort membership. Monte Carlo analysis shows the test does not reject the null for fixed T at a 5% significance level in finite samples. As a “side effect” the authors utilize the enlarged pseudo panel to provide a GMM consistent estimation of the pseudo panel parameters under rejection of the null and apply the procedure to estimate the rate of return to education in Colombia. JEL C15 C23 C52 I26
MAGIC2-D simulations of high efficiency klystrons using the core oscillation method

Klystrons employing traditional monotonic electron bunching are capable of efficiencies up to ∼70%. The use of the core oscillation method (COM) of electron bunching has predicted a significant improvement in efficiency towards 90%. Here, we document refinements on previously presented geometries, with PIC simulations predicting efficiencies up to 85%.
The Saccharomyces cerevisiae PRM1 Homolog in Neurospora crassa Is Involved in Vegetative and Sexual Cell Fusion Events but Also Has Postfertilization Functions

Cell–cell fusion is essential for a variety of developmental steps in many eukaryotic organisms, during both fertilization and vegetative cell growth. Although the molecular mechanisms associated with intracellular membrane fusion are well characterized, the molecular mechanisms of plasma membrane merger between cells are poorly understood. In the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa, cell fusion events occur during both vegetative and sexual stages of its life cycle, thus making it an attractive model for studying the molecular basis of cell fusion during vegetative growth vs. sexual reproduction. In the unicellular yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, one of the few proteins implicated in plasma membrane merger during mating is Prm1p; prm1Δ mutants show an ∼50% reduction in mating cell fusion. Here we report on the role of the PRM1 homolog in N. crassa. N. crassa strains with deletions of a Prm1-like gene (Prm1) showed an ∼50% reduction in both vegetative and sexual cell fusion events, suggesting that PRM1 is part of the general cell fusion machinery. However, unlike S. cerevisiae, N. crassa strains carrying a Prm1 deletion exhibited complete sterility as either a male or female mating partner, a phenotype that was not complemented in a heterokaryon with wild type (WT). Crosses with ΔPrm1 strains were blocked early in sexual development, well before development of ascogenous hyphae. The ΔPrm1 sexual defect in N. crassa was not suppressed by mutations in Sad-1, which is required for meiotic silencing of unpaired DNA (MSUD). However, mutations in Sad-1 increased the number of progeny obtained in crosses with a ΔPrm1 (Prm1-gfp) complemented strain. These data indicate multiple roles for PRM1 during sexual development.
Overdentures on implants placed in bone augmented with fresh frozen bone.

AIM In the last decade several studies have been performed to evaluate the clinical outcome of one or two stage loaded implants supporting overdentures. Since fresh frozen bone (FFB) has an ever-increasing number of clinical applications and few reports are available on implants inserted into FFB, we performed a retrospective study on fixtures inserted in FFB and bearing overdentures. METHODS In the period between December 2003 and December 2006, 17 patients (14 females and 3 males with a median age of about 56 years) were grafted and 60 implants inserted thereafter. A total of 17 overdentures were delivered: 8 in the mandible and 9 in the maxilla. Multiple implant systems were used: 22 Double etched, 7 SLA, 9 Anodic oxidized, and 22 CaPo4 ceramic-blasted. Implant diameter ranged from 3.25 to 4.3 mm and length from 11.5 to 16.0 mm. Implants were inserted to replace 23 incisors, 9 cuspids, 20 premolars and 8 molars. RESULTS No implants were lost (i.e., survival rate=100%) and no differences were detected among the studied variables. Kaplan Meier algorithm and Cox regression did not reveal any statistical differences among the studied variables also as regards the success rate. CONCLUSION Implants inserted FFB and bearing overdentures have a high survival rate and success rates, which are comparable to those of implants inserted in non-grafted bone. FFB bone is a reliable material for alveolar ridge augmentation. No difference was detected among removable prostheses supported by two or more implants.
1 BMI-1 IS INDUCED BY THE EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS ONCOGENE LMP 1 , AND REGULATES THE EXPRESSION OF VIRAL TARGET GENES IN HODGKIN ’ S LYMPHOMA CELLS

#Corresponding author. Dr PG Murray, CRUK Institute for Cancer Studies, The Medical School, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 121 414 4021 Fax: +44 (0) 121 414 4486 Email: P.G. Murray@bham.ac. uk
Use of egg white protein powder based films fortified with sage and lemon balm essential oils in the storage of lor cheese

Edible film was produced by adding 3 % sorbitol (w/v) to egg white protein powder (EWPP). The first group of lor cheese samples was coated with a film fortified by sage essential oil (SEO) and the second group of samples was coated with films enriched by adding lemon balm essential oil (BEO) at various concentrations [0.5 %, 1 %, 2 % (v/v)]. The films were labeled as EWPPSEO(0.5), EWPPSEO(1), EWPPSEO(2), EWPPBEO(0.5), EWPPBEO(1), EWPPBEO(2) to indicate the type and the concentration of the additive. The third batch of the lor cheese samples was coated exclusively with non-fortified EWPP and the fourth batch was uncoated. All of the cheese samples were artificially contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli O157:H7), Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Viable cell counts of these species, yeasts and moulds were determined after the cheese production. All the samples were stored at +4 °C. Their physicochemical and microbiological properties were examined on the 1st, 7th, 15th and 30th day of the storage. Thereat significant (P<0.05) relationships between the increase in the essential oil concentrations and the increase in film thickness, water vapor permeability, inner and outer hardness, decrease in the weight loss, improvement in fat barrier property, and microbial counts during storage were found. These properties were found to be significantly affected in the 2 % (v/v) SEO and BEO samples, while the effects of other additive concentrations were insignificant (P>0.05). Physicochemical and antibacterial properties were more significant in SEO at all concentrations compared to BEO. However, the antifungal effect of BEO was higher than that of SEO. The antifungal effect of BEO was the same at 1 % (v/v) and 2 % (v/v) concentrations. E. coli O157:H7 was the most resistant microorganism to the essential oils while L. monocytogenes was the most sensitive. EWPP showed a bacteriostatic effect on the microorganisms and bactericidal effects were determined on the 30th day of the storage against L. monocytogenes and yeast-moulds.
Characterization of Indoor Power Lines as Data Communication Channels Experimental Details and Results

In this paper, a multi-branch power line is modeled using ABCD matrix to show its worth as a communication channel. The model is simulated using MATLAB in an effort to investigate the effects of multiple loading, multipath, and those as a result of load mismatching. The channel transfer function is obtained and investigated using different cable lengths, and different number of bridge taps under given loading conditions.
SPAD Figures of Merit for Photon-Counting, Photon-Timing, and Imaging Applications: A Review

Single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) emerged as the most suitable photodetectors for both single-photon counting and photon-timing applications. Different complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) devices have been reported in the literature, with quite different performance and some excelling in just few of them, but often at different operating conditions. In order to provide proper criteria for performance assessment, we present some figures of merit (FoMs) able to summarize the typical SPAD performance (i.e., photon detection efficiency, dark counting rate, afterpulsing probability, hold-off time, and timing jitter) and to identify a proper metric for SPAD comparisons, when used either as single-pixel detectors or in imaging arrays. The ultimate goal is not to define a ranking list of best-in-class detectors, but to quantitatively help the end-user to state the overall performance of different SPADs in either photon-counting, timing, or imaging applications. We review many CMOS SPADs from different research groups and companies, we compute the proposed FoMs for all them and, eventually, we provide an insight on present CMOS SPAD technologies and future trends.
EVALUATION OF SORPTION AND LEACHING POTENTIAL OF MALATHION AND ATRAZINE IN AGRICULTURAL SOILS OF INDIA

Movement of pesticides through soils to groundwater and surface water has long been considered a potentially serious environmental problem in different parts of the world. Remediation of such problems requires monitoring of site specific data. Considering these facts a laboratory based investigation was carried out to determine the sorption and leaching parameters of two contrasting and widely used pesticides (malathion and atrazine) in three different agricultural soils: loamy sand (Typic Xerosament), sandy loam (Acid Lateritic Haplustalf) and clay loam (Hyperthermic Typic Haplusterts). Standard batch sorption technique was used to determine the sorption coefficient (Kd) and organic carbon distribution coefficient (Koc). Miscible displacement experiments were conducted to determine the transport parameters such as pore water velocity (ν), dispersion coefficient (D), retardation factor (R) and degradation rate constant (λ). The results of batch sorption experiments revealed that malathion had higher Kd values as compared to atrazine for all soils. The grouping of soils according to sorption capacity followed the order: clay loam > sandy loam > loamy sand, for both malathion and atrazine. The results of miscible displacement experiments revealed that malathion could leach up to 30 cm depth whereas atrazine could leach up to 65 cm depth in the test soils. The values of transport parameters determined by method of moments ranged from 0.79 to 1.63 cm/h for ν and 3.15 to 12.26, cm2/h for D in the test soils. The R values of malathion obtained using Kd were 3.1 to 3.4 times higher than atrazine for the test soils. The half life of malathion and atrazine obtained from λ ranged from 0.3 to 1.7 days and 50 to 64 days, respectively in the above mentioned soils.
Broad-band high-power amplifier using spatial power-combining technique

High power, broad bandwidth, high linearity, and low noise are among the most important features in amplifier design. The broad-band spatial power-combining technique addresses all these issues by combining the output power of a large quantity of microwave monolithic integrated circuit (MMIC) amplifiers in a broad-band coaxial waveguide environment, while maintaining good linearity and improving phase noise of the MMIC amplifiers. A coaxial waveguide was used as the host of the combining circuits for broader bandwidth and better uniformity by equally distributing the input power to each element. A new compact coaxial combiner with much smaller size is investigated. Broad-band slotline to microstrip-line transition is integrated for better compatibility with commercial MMIC amplifiers. Thermal simulations are performed and an improved thermal management scheme over previous designs is employed to improve the heat sinking in high-power application. A high-power amplifier using the compact combiner design is built and demonstrated to have a bandwidth from 6 to 17 GHz with 44-W maximum output power. Linearity measurement has shown a high third-order intercept point of 52 dBm. Analysis shows the amplifier has the ability to extend spurious-free dynamic range by N/sup 2/3/ times. The amplifier also has shown a residual phase floor close to -140 dBc at 10-kHz offset from the carrier with 5-6-dB reductions compared to a single MMIC amplifier it integrates.
Some inequalities among binomial and Poisson probabilities

k (1.4) P(k; X) = E p(j; X), k = 0, 1, i-o for X = np. In this paper it is shown that the error of approximation of the binomial cumulative distribution function P(k; np) B(k; n, p) is positive if k < np np/(n + 1) and is negative if np < k. In fact, B(k; n, X/n) is monotonically increasing for all n (2 X) if k < X 1 and for all n > k/(X k) if X 1 < k < X, and is monotonically decreasing for all n (2 k) if X < k. Thus
Crisis Prevention: Tackling Horizontal Inequalities

This paper analyses the economic and social causes of conflict, drawing conclusions for conflict prevention. Civil wars normally occur when groups mobilize against each other, on the basis of some cultural characteristic like ethnicity or religion. It is suggested that horizontal inequalities, i.e. inequalities among groups in political, economic and social dimensions, provide the basis for inter-group animosity. Policies to limit excessive horizontal inequalities are needed in all vulnerable countries.
Advances in artificial neural network models of active devices

This paper reviews some recent advances in the application of artificial neural networks (ANNs) to measurement-based modeling of active devices. For transistor models, the advent of the adjoint training method for terminal charges, and the training of constitutive relations depending on multiple dynamical variables - some identified from measured waveform data from nonlinear measurements - are surveyed. The ability to implement exact discrete symmetry constraints in ANN-based models is another example. Several examples of practical models implemented in commercial simulation tools are cited to demonstrate that ANN technology has become a mainstream tool for advanced measurement-based modeling of active devices. Areas for future development are also outlined.
Rattus exulans in Western Samoa

THE COMMON RAT of Polynesia is Rattus exulans (Peale). It appears to be closely related to, and ptobably derived from Rattus concolor of the Malay region. The concolor group, and its derivatives, occur all over the Pacific, being represented in the Oceanic islands by R. exulans, R. micronesiensis and R. hawaiiensis. Other species have been erected for the Polynesian forms, but it may be simpler to regard these as synonymical with R. exulans at least until larger series have been collected. Tate (1935) lists as synonyms of R. exulans (Peale): Mus exulans Peal 1848: Tahiti Mus vitiensis Peale 1848: Fiji Mus maorium Hutton (1878) 1879: New Zealand Mus jessook Jentink 1879: New Hebrides Mus huegli Thomas 1880: Fiji. Rattus hawaiiensis Stone (1917) has been erected mainly on colour differences, but the individuals appear to be of a smaller general size though with larger skulls than the Samoan specimens. This form may not require specific rank, but is widely sccepted as differing from R. exulans. R. micronesiensis Tokuda (1933) is also a different form. Mostof theworkonR. exulanshas been done on preserved specimens and, though a large number of individuals have been examined, these form only very shorr series from anyone locality. An attempt was made, therefore,