Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Examining the validity of Poissonian models against the birth and death TCP model for various radiotherapy fractionation schemes

Purpose: To compare the results obtained for tumour control probability (TCP) in protracted treatments, we used two models which apply Poisson statistics for clonogenic cell distribution and a non-Poissonian model, emphasising the conditions for the validity of Poissonian models. Previously published results on two cell lines growing as megacolonies in vitro irradiated with conventional and accelerated dose fractionation schemes were used. Materials and methods: The expressions of TCP for three models are described and conclusions are drawn on the applicability of each model, and their usefulness for different fractionations. Results: The fits to experimental data are shown and the parameter values for both Poissonian and non-Poissonian models are given. We also determined if differences exist in repopulation rate and other related parameters, for different protocols of treatment. Conclusions: Both the Poissonian models, when they satisfied the required conditions, and the non-Poissonian model, gave acceptable fits. We observed no significant differences in repopulation for different irradiation protocols.
Developmental studies on the vomeronasal organ in the golden hamster.

Development of the vomeronasal organ in the golden hamster was chronologically examined by light and electron microscopy. This organ was embryologically derived from the olfactory placode and appeared as a tubular structure of the neuroepithelium on the medial wall of the nasal pit on either side at 11 days of gestation. At 12 days of gestation, this organ was completely separated from the nasal cavity and encircled by the immature vomeronasal cartilage. At 13 days of gestation, within the organ, the respiratory epithelium became easily distinguishable from the sensory epithelium. At 14 days of gestation the venous sinus and Jacobson's glands appeared, and this organ was equipped with all the histological components until birth. This organ began to communicate with the nasal cavity at 2 days after birth. The sensoly epithelium of this organ consisted of undifferentiated cells in the early fetal life. These stem cells were gradually differentiated into sensory and supporting cells. These cells were rather slowly maturated in their fine structure. For example, only some sensory cells became first provided with microvilli on their free surface at 8 days after birth. Even at 10 days after birth, some sensory cells were still devoid of microvilli and undifferentiated cells were sometimes observed in the sensory epithelium as well. Therefore, the olfactory function in the early postnatal life seems to be solely ascribed to the olfactory epithelium under these morphodifferentiation though the vomeronasal organ might be related with some kind of olfaction after this period.
Fatta historia : En explorativ fallstudie om historieundervisning och historiebruk i en högstadieklass

Studiens huvudsyfte ar att utforska hur historieamnet konstitueras av larare och eleverunder arbetet med ett amnesomrade, i det har fallet forsta varldskrigets och mellankrigstidenshistoria. Narmar .
Mucosal exudation of plasma is a noninjurious intestinal defense mechanism

We have demonstrated in sensitized rats that the immediate response to endointestinal challenge with allergen (10‐6 M ovalbumin) is characterized by mucosal exudation of plasma with little or no concomitant change in the mucosal absorption capacity. The luminal entry of plasma macromolecules also leaves the light microscopic structure and the ultrastructure of the mucosa unaffected. It is possible that the plasticity of epithelial zonulae occludens allows a noninjurious and unidirectional paracellular flux of extravasated plasma into the gut lumen. We propose that inflammatory‐stimulus‐induced mucosal exudation of plasma belongs to the first‐line defense mechanisms of the intact lining of the intestine.
The barriers and challenges toward addressing the social and cultural factors influencing diabetes self-management in Indian populations

Abstract Patient adherence to recommended diabetes self-care practices reduces the risk of diabetic complications. However, most clinic-based approaches have proved inadequate in maintaining optimal diabetic self-management and the prevention of undesirable health outcomes at the population level among disadvantaged populations. Several sociocultural factors influence patient adherence to diabetic self-care practices which should be recognized and addressed by the health-care provider, especially in lower socioeconomic status and women patients. The lack of physician empathy and tendency to assign blame upon diabetic patients for the failure of adherence without recognizing the complex sociocultural factors influencing patient behavior can undermine the possibilities for better management. The enlistment of familial support when available is valuable for improving medical adherence and health outcomes in vulnerable diabetic patients with low health literacy. Young unmarried women with diabetes are particularly at risk of diabetes stigma eroding familial support and marital prospects require need effective health communication along with their family. Moreover, women with diabetes have a greater likelihood of compromising their dietary needs for the sake of their familial dietary preferences. The inability of patients to comply with recommended exercise regimen may be derived from environmental factors; primarily unsafe neighborhoods, lack of availability of nearby recreational facilities such as public parks, and cultural resistance in patriarchal social environments. Policy approaches for improving diabetes management in disadvantaged diabetic populations should consider mandatory registration, assured diabetic medication, and follow-up in case of missed appointments. Community mobilization for overcoming societal stigma against women with diabetes also persists as a formidable challenge.
POPULATION STRUCTURE AND LEVELS OF GENE FLOW IN THE MEDITERRANEAN LAND SNAIL ALBINARIA CORRUGATA (PULMONATA: CLAUSILIIDAE)

The amount of gene flow among local populations partly determines the relative importance of genetic drift and natural selection in the differentiation of such populations. Land snails, because of their limited powers for dispersal, may be particularly likely to show such differentiation. In this study, we directly estimate gene flow in Albinaria corrugata, a sedentary, rock‐dwelling gastropod from Crete, by mark‐recapture studies. In the same area, 23 samples were taken and studied electrophoretically for six polymorphic enzyme loci. The field studies indicate that the population structure corresponds closely to the stepping‐stone model: demes are present on limestone boulders that are a few meters apart, and dispersal takes place mainly between adjacent demes. Average deme size (N) is estimated at 29 breeding individuals and the proportion of migrants per generation at 0.195 (Nm = 5.7). We find no reason to assume long‐distance dispersal, apart from dispersal along occasional stretches of suitable habitat. Genetic subdivision of the population, as derived from FST values, corresponds to the direct estimate only at the lowest spatial level (distance between sample sites < 10 m), where values for Nm of 5.4 and 17.6 were obtained. In contrast, at the larger spatial scales, FST values give gene‐flow estimates that are incompatible with the expected amount of gene flow at these scales. We explain these discrepancies by arguing that gene flow is in fact extremely limited, making correct estimates of Nm from FST impossible at the larger spatial scales. In view of these low levels of gene flow, it is concluded that both genetic drift and natural selection may play important roles in the genetic differentiation of this species, even at the lowest spatial scales.
GROWTH RETARDATION IN THALASSEMIA MAJOR

A stunting of growth is almost invariably present in thalassemia major. ' A precise explanation for this characteristic remains unknown. At the last Conference on the Problems of Cooley's Anemia in 1964, the retardation had been ascribed to chronic hypoxia associated with the severe anemia. It was implied that patients maintained a t a high hemoglobin level showed less retardation.2 On the other hand, the massive hemosiderosis of the pituitary, adrenal, thyroid and gonads observed at autopsy has suggested the pathogenesis to be Although our main interest was growth failure, the associated sexual infantilism warranted evaluation of other endocrine functions. 3
Determination of Return on Assets of the Foreign Exchange Banks in Indonesia

The purpose of this research was to examine the determinants of Return on Assets (ROA) on the foreign exchange banks in Indonesia. The data used were the financial ratios of 27 foreign exchange banks in Indonesia in 2012-2016. The data were gathered from the published financial statements of the Indonesian foreign exchange banks. This research employed a Common Effect Model (CEM) as the most suitable panel regression model to analyze the data using the E-views statistical software. The findings indicate that from 2012 to 2016, the profitability of the exchange banks is largely determined by the Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR), Loan to Deposit Ratio (LDR), Operating Efficiency Ratio (OER), and total debt. The findings also imply that apart from maximizing profit, it is important for the banks to abide by the regulations issued by the central bank or the Financial Services Authority in performing the banking operations. Negligence to observe the level of prudential and risk management will not only lead to profit loss, but it will also cause the failure of the banks.
The Hyperpolarization-Activated Current Determines Synaptic Excitability, Calcium Activity and Specific Viability of Substantia Nigra Dopaminergic Neurons

Differential vulnerability between Substantia Nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA) dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons is a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Understanding the molecular bases of this key histopathological aspect would foster the development of much-needed disease-modifying therapies. Non-heterogeneous DAergic degeneration is present in both toxin-based and genetic animal models, suggesting that cellular specificity, rather than causing factors, constitutes the background for differential vulnerability. In this regard, we previously demonstrated that MPP+, a neurotoxin able to cause selective nigrostriatal degeneration in animal rodents and primates, inhibits the Hyperpolarization-activated current (Ih) in SNpc DAergic neurons and that pharmacological Ih antagonism causes potentiation of evoked Excitatory post-synaptic potentials (EPSPs). Of note, the magnitude of such potentiation is greater in the SNpc subfield, consistent with higher Ih density. In the present work, we show that Ih block-induced synaptic potentiation leads to the amplification of somatic calcium responses (SCRs) in vitro. This effect is specific for the SNpc subfield and largely mediated by L-Type calcium channels, as indicated by sensitivity to the CaV 1 blocker isradipine. Furthermore, Ih is downregulated by low intracellular ATP and determines the efficacy of GABAergic inhibition in SNpc DAergic neurons. Finally, we show that stereotaxic administration of Ih blockers causes SNpc-specific neurodegeneration and hemiparkinsonian motor phenotype in rats. During PD progression, Ih downregulation may result from mitochondrial dysfunction and, in concert with PD-related disinhibition of excitatory inputs, determine a SNpc-specific disease pathway.
Compact Multimode Multielement Antenna for Indoor UWB Massive MIMO

In this paper, we present a concept for a compact ultra-wideband multielement antenna (MEA) for massive MIMO indoor base stations. The antenna concept is based on the simultaneous excitation of different characteristic modes on each element of the MEA. This enables an effective 484 port antenna using only 121 physical antenna elements. Thereby, a size reduction of 54% compared to a generic MEA based on crossed dipoles is achieved. The antenna operates in the ultra-wide frequency band of 6-8.5 GHz with a reflection coefficient of sii <; -10 dB and the interelement and intraelement mutual coupling of the antenna ports is sji ≤ -20 dB.
Preferential deposition of amyloid beta protein (Abeta) in the form Abeta40 in Alzheimer's disease is associated with a gene dosage effect of the apolipoprotein E E4 allele.

The effect of apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genotype on the deposition of amyloid beta protein (Abeta) was examined in 54 patients with Alzheimer's disease. No difference in the amount of Abeta deposited as Abeta42(43) was seen between genotype groups with no, one or two E4 alleles. However, the amount of Abeta40 deposited increased according to the copy number of E4 alleles with patients possessing one E4 allele containing more than twice, and those with two E4 alleles, four times, the amount of Abeta40 in their brains compared to patients without an E4 allele. The increase in total Abeta deposited within the tissue (i.e. Abeta40 plus Abeta42(43) loads) in the presence of an E4 allele is therefore due entirely to an enhanced deposition of Abeta40. These data are consistent with the suggestion that the presence of E4 within pre-existing Abeta42(43) containing plaques may lower the threshold to fibrilization of Abeta40 thereby promoting its subsequent deposition. Thus, although the total amount of Abeta initially deposited in the brain as Abeta42(43) is not affected by the binding of any one particular ApoE isoform this does influence the subsequent maturation of plaques with a greater proportion transforming into Abeta40 containing cored plaques when the E4 isoform is present.
Effect of Performance Management on Employees Well-Being via Perceived Job Control

The significant amount of research attention was given to the association among HRM and well-being; but how the attention driving performance management influences well-being and what variables explain their relation has not been well discussed yet. This study investigates the relationship between performance management practices and employees well being when perceived job control is playing the role of mediator. The Present research study addresses this relation in, educating employees working in different sectors in Lahore city as the city recruits employees from different areas of the country (Pakistan). Data was gathered from 250 employees and results show that performance management significantly influences our mediator and well-being and also the mediator (perceived job control) significantly influences the relationship between performance management practices and well-being. For future research purposes, limitations as well as future directions are also discussed in this research.
Dealing with Attributes Non-Attendance in a Discrete Choice Experiment on Valuation of Tourist Facilities Attribute in Kenyir Lake, Malaysia

Accounting for ignored attributes, or attribute non-attendance (ANA), in discrete choice experiment (DCE) is believed to produce more reliable willingness to pay (WTP) estimates. However, there is evidence that respondents who claimed to have ignored some attributes may simply have assigned them lesser importance. To explore this issue in the context of tourism research, a new follow-up question is used to investigate whether the respondents have ignored certain attributes or just assigned the attribute as of lesser importance when responding. Three different mixed logit (MXL) models were estimated and compared. Results generally indicate that some respondents do indeed ignore certain attributes, and some of them put less emphasis on certain attributes when making decisions. Comparison of the different MXL models reveals different WTP estimates, suggesting the importance of considering an appropriate method to deal with ANA. JEL Classification: Q51, Q57
Deformation of the lamina cribrosa and anterior scleral canal wall in early experimental glaucoma.

PURPOSE To test the hypothesis that pathophysiologic deformation of the lamina cribrosa and anterior scleral canal wall underlies the onset of confocal scanning laser tomography (CSLT)-detected optic nerve head (ONH) surface change in early experimental glaucoma. METHODS Both eyes of four normal (two normal eyes) monkeys and four with early glaucoma (one eye with laser-induced IOP elevation, observed until the onset of CSLT-detected ONH surface change) were enucleated immediately after death and immersion fixed at IOP 0 mm Hg. In an additional four normal monkeys and five with early glaucoma, both eyes were cannulated, and IOP set to 10 mm Hg in one normal eye and either 30 or 45 mm Hg in the other (normal or early-glaucoma) eye. After 15 to 80 minutes of acute IOP elevation, these nine monkeys were perfusion-fixed. Within images of serial sagittal sections of the ONH tissues in all 17 monkeys, anterior lamina cribrosa position, laminar thickness, and scleral canal diameter were measured. For each parameter, differences between the two eyes of each monkey and between treatment groups were assessed by ANOVA. RESULTS Within the eyes of the eight monkeys with IOP 0 mm Hg, the lamina cribrosa was posteriorly displaced and thicker and the scleral canal was enlarged at Bruch's membrane and at the anterior laminar insertion in the early-glaucoma eyes compared with the contralateral normal eyes (plastic deformation). Within the high-IOP normal eyes, the lamina cribrosa was posteriorly displaced compared with that in the low-IOP normal eyes, but there were no significant differences in laminar thickness or scleral canal diameter (normal compliance). Within the high-IOP early-glaucoma eyes, the lamina cribrosa was posteriorly displaced and thicker and the scleral canal enlarged, compared with both low-IOP normal eyes and high-IOP normal eyes (hypercompliant deformation). Differences in laminar position between the high-IOP early-glaucoma eyes and the contralateral low-IOP normal eyes (hypercompliant plus plastic deformation) were more than eight times greater than the differences between the high-IOP normal eyes and the contralateral low-IOP normal eyes (normal compliance). CONCLUSIONS Both plastic (permanent) and hypercompliant deformation of the lamina cribrosa and anterior scleral canal wall are present in young adult monkey eyes with early experimental glaucoma. These findings suggest that damage to the ONH connective tissues occurs early in the monkey model of experimental glaucoma.
Voluntary Clawback Adoption and Analyst Following, Forecast Accuracy, and Bias

Adoption of voluntary clawback provisions has been on the increase since 2002 with the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Existing studies, in general, have documented positive outcomes associated with the adoption. Most of these studies examine the adoption from the angles of financial reporting risk and compensation, with a few exceptions. We, on the other hand, study the adoption from financial analysts’ point of view who tend to be the most important users of financial reports. We use a one-to-one propensity score matching sample of firms that voluntarily adopt restatement triggered clawback provisions and similar non-adopters. In particular, we examine financial analyst following, financial analyst forecast accuracy, and financial analyst forecast optimistic bias. We find that firms that adopt clawback provisions are followed by more financial analysts. We also find that financial analysts provide more accurate forecasts, and with less optimistic bias. Collectively, our results suggest that the adoption of clawback provisions is associated with meaningful effect among financial analysts.
A Lyapunov based nonlinear small-gain theorem for discontinuous discrete-time large-scale systems

We present a nonlinear Lyapunov function based small-gain theorem for analyzing input-to-state stability of discrete-time large-scale systems. Motivated by the fact that many feedback control laws lead to discontinuous closed loop systems, we pose no continuity assumptions on the system dynamics. For characterizing input-to-state stability in this discontinuous setting, we utilize a recently introduced strong implication-form ISS-Lyapunov function.
Disruptive Democratization: Contentious Events and Liberalizing Outcomes Globally, 1990–2004

Abstract:Does contentious collective action matter? Whereas most social movement literature has addressed this question in the US context for policy change outcomes, this paper takes a different approach by bringing the question to a global context and examines democratization as a structural outcome. Accordingly, we test several hypotheses about the ephemeral, positive, and negative influences of contentious collective action on the democratization process in a given country, as well as the cross-border effect of the contention. To go beyond the limitations of previous studies, this paper uses a monthly time-series, cross-national model to examine potential liberalizing or deliberalizing effects of protest activities. Using data from 103 non-democratic countries from 1990 to 2004, we find that protests and riots increase the probability that a country will liberalize in a given month. We find that while contentious events in other countries do not directly increase the risk of liberalization, external contentious events, especially those that lead to political liberalization, increase the count of contentious events, thus indirectly boosting liberalization. We find no evidence that protest significantly increases the chances of deliberalization. Together, our findings show a key role for non-elite political actors to influence political liberalization.
Influence of nitric oxide modulators on cholinergically stimulated hormone release from mouse islets

1 We have investigated, with a combined in vitro and in vivo approach, the influence on insulin and glucagon release stimulated by the cholinergic, muscarinic agonist carbachol of different NO modulators, i.e. the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors NG‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME), NG‐monomethyl‐L‐arginine (L‐NMMA) and 7‐nitroindazole as well as the intracellular NO donor hydroxylamine. 2 At basal glucose (7 mM) carbachol dose‐dependently stimulated insulin release from isolated islets with a half‐maximal response at approximately 1 μM of the agonist. In the presence of 5 mM L‐NAME (a concentration that did not influence basal insulin release) the insulin response was markedly increased along the whole dose‐response curve and the threshold for carbachol stimulation was significantly lowered. 3 Carbachol‐stimulated islets displayed an increased insulin release and a suppressed glucagon release in the presence of L‐NAME, L‐NMMA or 7‐nitroindazole. Significant suppression of glucagon release (except for L‐NAME) was achieved at lower concentrations (approximately 0.1–0.5 mM) of the NOS inhibitors than the potentiation of insulin release (1.0–5.0 mM). The intracellular NO donor hydroxylamine dose‐dependently inhibited carbachol‐induced insulin release but stimulated glucagon release only at a low concentration (3 μM). 4 In islets depolarized with 30 mM K+ in the presence of the KATP channel opener diazoxide, NOS inhibition by 5 mM L‐NAME still markedly potentiated carbachol‐induced insulin release (although less so than in normal islets) and suppressed glucagon release. 5 In vivo pretreatment of mice with L‐NAME was followed by a markedly increased insulin release and a reduced glucagon release in response to an i.v. injection of carbachol. 6 The data suggest that NO is a negative modulator of insulin release but a positive modulator of glucagon release induced by cholinergic muscarinic stimulation. These effects were also evident in K+ depolarized islets and thus NO might exert a major influence on islet hormone secretion independently of membrane depolarization events.