Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Age Related Structural Changes in the Bulbourethral Gland of Gaddi Goat (Capra hircus)

Se realizo un estudio sobre las glandulas bulbouretrales de 30 cabras Gaddi, divididas en tres grupos de 10 animales cada uno; prepuberes (desde 1 dia de edad hasta 5 anos de edad). El estudio revelo que las glandulas crecen a una mayor velocidad hasta los 6 meses de vida postnatal, despues de lo cual el ritmo baja considerablemente. En el grupo prepuberal se observo un aumento casi 10 veces en peso y mas de tres veces en todas las mediciones lineales. La relacion estroma v/s parenquima fue de 80:20 el primer dia postnacimiento, mostrando un aumento de tres veces en el parenquima en los animales prepuberes, llegando a una proporcion 43:57. En una de las cabras de un dia de edad las piezas terminales secretoras luminal y no-luminal se organizaron en pequenos grupos alrededor del conducto luminal; el precursor de la cisterna central. Inicialmente la glandula contenia piezas terminales serosas y mucosas. Esta ultima tenia una mayor preponderancia. Sin embargo, en animales puberales se convirtio en una glandula de tipo mucosa, con solo un pequeno numero de piezas terminales serosas. Histoquimicamente, los acinos glandulares reactivos al PAS y azul Alcian indicaron la presencia de glicol-muco-complejos en los componentes de secrecion de la glandula.
Identifying the Stance of Monetary Policy at the Zero Lower Bound: A Markov-Switching Estimation Exploiting Monetary-Fiscal Policy Interdependence

In this paper, I propose an econometric technique to estimate a Markov-switching Taylor rule subject to the zero lower bound of interest rates. I show that incorporating a Tobit-like specification allows to obtain consistent estimators. More importantly, I show that linking the switching of the Taylor rule coefficients to the switching of the coefficients of an auxiliary uncensored Markov-switching regression improves the identification of an otherwise unidentifiable prevalent monetary regime. To illustrate the proposed estimation technique, I use U.S. quarterly data spanning 1960:1-2013:4. The chosen auxiliary Markov-switching regression is a fiscal policy rule where federal revenues react to debt and the output gap. Results show that there is evidence of policy co-movements with debt-stabilizing fiscal policy more likely accompanying active monetary policy, and vice versa.
Economic efficiency in Spanish ports: some empirical evidence

In this study, a stochastic frontier cost function is used to estimate the econmic efficiency of Spanish ports through panel data. The sample covers annual data of 27 Spanish ports from 1985–1989. By comparing a Cobb-Douglas function with a translog, it is found that the latter best represents the technology according to the data. Analysing the efficiency indices obtained, it is found that the relatively larger ports are more economically inefficient. Moreover, the presence of large scale economies has been detected, as well as a lack of technical progress for the period considered.
Evidence for vesicular glutamate transporter synapses onto gonadotropin‐releasing hormone and other neurons in the rat medial preoptic area

The medial preoptic area is a key structure in the control of reproduction. Several data suggest that excitatory amino acids are involved in the regulation of this function and the major site of this action is the medial preoptic region. Data concerning the neuromorphology of the glutamatergic innervation of the medial preoptic area are fragmentary. The present investigations were focused on: (i) the morphology of the vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGluT1)‐ and vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGluT2)‐immunoreactive nerve terminals, which are considered to be specific to presumed glutamatergic neuronal elements, in the medial preoptic area of rat; and (ii) the relationship between these glutamate transporter‐positive endings and the gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons in the region. Single‐ and double‐label immunocytochemistry was used at the light and electron microscopic level. There was a weak to moderate density of VGluT1‐ and a moderate to intense density of VGluT2‐immunoreactive elements in the medial preoptic area. Electron microscopy revealed that both VGluT1‐ and VGluT2‐immunoreactive boutons made asymmetric type synaptic contacts with unlabelled neurons. VGluT2‐labelled, but not VGluT1‐labelled, axon terminals established asymmetric synaptic contacts on GnRH‐immunostained neurons, mainly on their dendrites. The present findings are the first electron microscopic examinations on the glutamatergic innervation of the rat medial preoptic area. They provide direct neuromorphological evidence for the existence of direct glutamatergic innervation of GnRH and other neurons in the rat medial preoptic area.
Building better bureaucracies

Executive Overview Colloquially speaking, bureaucracy means red tape, over-controlling bosses, and apathetic employees. But large-scale organizations need appropriately designed formalized procedures and hierarchical structure to avoid chaos and assure efficiency, quality, and timeliness. We currently lack theoretical or practical guidelines for building better bureaucracies that can support high levels of both performance and employee involvement. This article combines insights from organization theory and cognitive psychology research on technology to propose a set of organization design guidelines.
Complementarities between strategies to protect inventions and innovations: evidence from manufacturing SMEs

How should innovative firms manage the protection of their inventions and innovations from imitation when having to choose between various intellectual property protection methods? Data on manufacturing SMEs are used to investigate complementarities and independence between six protection mechanisms in order to see how they mix them to protect their technological innovations. The results of the study show that SMEs devise four generic protection strategies that are based on complementary mixes of mechanisms in order to protect their inventions and innovations. Moreover, the results also show that there are many important differences in the determinants of the different protection methods.
Estimating the value of the reduction in air pollution during the Beijing Olympics

Abstract This study estimates the willingness-to-pay (WTP) of Beijing residents in order to maintain the improved air quality experienced during the Olympic Games. A double-bounded contingent valuation method is applied to a survey of 566 Beijing residents. The results indicate that the mean annual WTP per household is between CNY 22,000 and 24,000, and the median WTP is around CNY 1,700. The WTP for this actually experienced improvement is significantly higher than the results from previous hypothetical WTP surveys in China.
Optimizing carry-lookahead logic through a comparison of PMOS and NMOS block inversions

The fast performance of a carry-lookahead adder (CLA) comes from the ability to input a carry signal into each full adder block that depends on all preceding adder blocks. While the translation of this carry signal logic into CMOS transistors has a unique solution, this paper demonstrates that there are four different ways to connect the PMOS and NMOS transistors to Vdd, ground, and the output. Each method is analyzed according to its speed performance to find the most desirable CMOS configuration. This configuration is further improved through transistor sizing to achieve the most optimized CLA carry circuit. The result is given as a schematic, as well as a stick diagram.
Constituents in Conflict: Serving External Stakeholders

Accounting education has been criticized for several years and calls for its change have been extensive. This study obtains the viewpoints of two important constituent groups for higher education accounting programs: (1) public accountants and (2) non-public accountants, regarding the importance of topics to be covered in accounting courses. Of 22 course topics, statistically significant differences for 16 were found between the two groups. Implications for accounting educators are discussed.
An integrated attitude model of self-service technologies: evidence from online stock trading systems brokers

This study develops an integrated causal path analysis, based on both category-based affect theory and the technology acceptance model (TAM), to identify the antecedents of consumers' attitudes toward self-service technologies. Using online stock trading systems as an example (N = 267), this study employs structural equation modeling to confirm the research structure. The results reveal that consumers' attitudes toward self-service technologies depend on their attitude toward technologies and attitude toward self-services, in support of category-based affect theory. Further, computer self-efficacy and network information literacy positively influence attitude toward technologies, and both perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness positively influence attitude toward self-service technologies, which were proposed in the two theories, were also found. Therefore, this study suggests that integrated attitude model of the category-based affect and TAM can be applied to properly explain the attitude forming toward self-service technologies, and can be fruitful for future research on the diffusion of Internet-based technological systems.
Comparison of DQ and Dynamic Phasor based frequency scanning analysis of grid-connected Power Electronic Systems

Frequency scanning is a practical technique to obtain a small-signal frequency-domain model of complex Power Electronic Systems(PES) by injecting a wide band signal of small amplitude in the time domain simulation of the system. The study of interactions of a PES with a grid may then be done using this model, using stability analysis methods like the Nyquist criterion, provided the model is Linear Time-Invariant(LTI). PES are usually time-periodic systems in the phase variables. For balanced three-phase systems with negligible lower order harmonics, the model of the system in the D-Q variables is time-invariant. The model formulation in Dynamic Phasor variables yields an LTI model for a more general class of systems which includes systems with negative sequence controllers and/or low-order harmonics, but the model is of high order and it is tedious to obtain the frequency scans in these variables. This paper presents a comparative evaluation of the application of DQ and Dynamic Phasor based frequency scanning for grid interaction studies. It is shown that DQ and Dynamic Phasor based frequency scans yield practically identical conclusions although the DQ model is not strictly time-invariant in some situations. This result has practical significance given the smaller size of a DQ based model and the relative ease in obtaining DQ based frequency scans.
The c-MYC oncoprotein, the NAMPT enzyme, the SIRT1-inhibitor DBC1, and the SIRT1 deacetylase form a positive feedback loop

Silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) represents an NAD+-dependent deacetylase that inhibits proapoptotic factors including p53. Here we determined whether SIRT1 is downstream of the prototypic c-MYC oncogene, which is activated in the majority of tumors. Elevated expression of c-MYC in human colorectal cancer correlated with increased SIRT1 protein levels. Activation of a conditional c-MYC allele induced increased levels of SIRT1 protein, NAD+, and nicotinamide-phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) mRNA in several cell types. This increase in SIRT1 required the induction of the NAMPT gene by c-MYC. NAMPT is the rate-limiting enzyme of the NAD+ salvage pathway and enhances SIRT1 activity by increasing the amount of NAD+. c-MYC also contributed to SIRT1 activation by sequestering the SIRT1 inhibitor deleted in breast cancer 1 (DBC1) from the SIRT1 protein. In primary human fibroblasts previously immortalized by introduction of c-MYC, down-regulation of SIRT1 induced senescence and apoptosis. In various cell lines inactivation of SIRT1 by RNA interference, chemical inhibitors, or ectopic DBC1 enhanced c-MYC-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, SIRT1 directly bound to and deacetylated c-MYC. Enforced SIRT1 expression increased and depletion/inhibition of SIRT1 reduced c-MYC stability. Depletion/inhibition of SIRT1 correlated with reduced lysine 63-linked polyubiquitination of c-Myc, which presumably destabilizes c-MYC by supporting degradative lysine 48-linked polyubiquitination. Moreover, SIRT1 enhanced the transcriptional activity of c-MYC. Taken together, these results show that c-MYC activates SIRT1, which in turn promotes c-MYC function. Furthermore, SIRT1 suppressed cellular senescence in cells with deregulated c-MYC expression and also inhibited c-MYC–induced apoptosis. Constitutive activation of this positive feedback loop may contribute to the development and maintenance of tumors in the context of deregulated c-MYC.
Identification of the nonamer peptide from influenza A matrix protein and the role of pockets of HLA‐A2 in its recognition by cytotoxic T lymphocytes

Influenza matrix peptide 58–66 is shown to be the optimal nonamer for binding to HLA‐A2 and presentation to cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). If titered out to 2 × 10−10 – 4 × 10−10M in CTL‐mediated lysis assays and to 3 × 10−9M in an HLA‐A2 assembly‐stabilization assay in cell lysates. The peptide was shown to make probable contacts with its carboxy terminus close to residue 116 in the floor of the cleft of HLA‐A2, close to the F pocket. The side chain of the amino‐terminal amino acid was unimportant, but its free amino and carbonyl groups in the A pocket appeared important in optimizing peptide presentation. The B pocket probably accommodates the side chain of residue 2 (isoleucine) and was shown to be critical in peptide presentation.
Molecular data reveal a cryptic species within the Culex pipiens mosquito complex

The Culex pipiens mosquito complex is a group of evolutionarily closely related species including C. pipiens and Culex quinquefasciatus, both infected by the cytoplasmically inherited Wolbachia symbiont. A Wolbachia‐uninfected population of C. pipiens was however described in South Africa and was recently proposed to represent a cryptic species. In this study, we reconsidered the existence of this species by undertaking an extensive screening for the presence of Wolbachia‐uninfected C. pipiens specimens and by characterizing their genetic relatedness with known members of the complex. We first report on the presence of Wolbachia‐uninfected specimens in several breeding sites. We next confirm that these uninfected specimens unambiguously belong to the C. pipiens complex. Remarkably, all uninfected specimens harbour mitochondrial haplotypes that are either novel or identical to those previously found in South Africa. In all cases, these mitochondrial haplotypes are closely related, but different, to those found in other C. pipiens complex members known to be infected by Wolbachia. Altogether, these results corroborate the presence of a widespread cryptic species within the C. pipiens species complex. The potential role of this cryptic C. pipiens species in the transmission of pathogens remains however to be determined. The designation ‘Culex juppi nov. sp. ' is proposed for this mosquito species.
Statistical Challenges Facing Early Outbreak Detection in Biosurveillance

Modern biosurveillance is the monitoring of a wide range of prediagnostic and diagnostic data for the purpose of enhancing the ability of the public health infrastructure to detect, investigate, and respond to disease outbreaks. Statistical control charts have been a central tool in classic disease surveillance and also have migrated into modern biosurveillance; however, the new types of data monitored, the processes underlying the time series derived from these data, and the application context all deviate from the industrial setting for which these tools were originally designed. Assumptions of normality, independence, and stationarity are typically violated in syndromic time series. Target values of process parameters are time-dependent and hard to define, and data labeling is ambiguous in the sense that outbreak periods are not clearly defined or known. Additional challenges include multiplicity in several dimensions, performance evaluation, and practical system usage and requirements. Our focus is mainly on the monitoring of time series to provide early alerts of anomalies to stimulate investigation of potential outbreaks, with a brief summary of methods to detect significant spatial and spatiotemporal case clusters. We discuss the statistical challenges in monitoring modern biosurveillance data, describe the current state of monitoring in the field, and survey the most recent biosurveillance literature.
Rover odometry aided by a star tracker

This paper develops a practical framework for estimating rover position in full-dark conditions by correcting relative odometric estimates with periodic, absolute-attitude measurements from a star tracker. The framework is validated using just under 2.5 kilometres of field data gathered at the University of Toronto's Koffler Scientific Reserve at Jokers Hill (KSR) comprised of both wheel odometry and lidar-based Visual Odometry (VO). It is shown that for the wheel odometry solution, the final estimate of rover position was within 21 metres of the groundtruth as calculated by a differential GPS receiver, or 0.85% of the total traverse distance. When the star tracker measurements are artificially limited to occurring approximately every 250 metres, the algorithm still performs well, giving a final position error of 75.8 metres or 3.0%. Preliminary results to replace wheel odometry with lidar-based VO for the development a full-dark visual solution are also presented. The lidar-based VO solution is shown to be capable of outperforming wheel odometry, but more work is required to develop methods to handle the variety of terrain conditions encountered.
Progesterone analogue protects stressed photoreceptors via bFGF‐mediated calcium influx

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a degenerative retinal disease leading to photoreceptor cell loss. In 2011, our group identified the synthetic progesterone ‘Norgestrel’ as a potential treatment for RP. Subsequent research showed Norgestrel to work through progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) activation and upregulation of neuroprotective basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Using trophic factor deprivation of 661W photoreceptor‐like cells, we aimed to further elucidate the mechanism leading to Norgestrel‐induced neuroprotection. In the present manuscript, we show by flow cytometry and live‐cell immunofluorescence that Norgestrel induces an increase in cytosolic calcium in both healthy and stressed 661Ws over 24 h. Specific PGRMC1 inhibition by AG205 (1 μm) showed this rise to be PGRMC1‐dependent, primarily utilizing calcium from extracellular sources, for blockade of L‐type calcium channels by verapamil (50 μm) prevented a Norgestrel‐induced calcium influx in stressed cells. Calcium influx was also shown to be bFGF‐dependent, for siRNA knock down of bFGF prevented Norgestrel‐PGRMC1 induced changes in cytosolic calcium. Notably, we demonstrate PGRMC1‐activation is necessary for Norgestrel‐induced bFGF upregulation. We propose that Norgestrel protects through the following pathway: binding to and activating PGRMC1 expressed on the surface of photoreceptor cells, PGRMC1 activation drives bFGF upregulation and subsequent calcium influx. Importantly, raised intracellular calcium is critical to Norgestrel's protective efficacy, for extracellular calcium chelation by EGTA abrogates the protective effects of Norgestrel on stressed 661W cells in vitro.
Policy-Based Reserves for Power Systems

This paper introduces the concept of affine reserve policies for accommodating large, fluctuating renewable in feeds in power systems. The approach uses robust optimization with recourse to determine operating rules for power system entities such as generators and storage units. These rules, or policies, establish several hours in advance how these entities are to respond to errors in the prediction of loads and renewable infeeds once their values are discovered. Affine policies consist of a nominal power schedule plus a series of planned linear modifications that depend on the prediction errors that will become known at future times. We describe how to choose optimal affine policies that respect the power network constraints, namely matching supply and demand, respecting transmission line ratings, and the local operating limits of power system entities, for all realizations of the prediction errors. Crucially, these policies are time-coupled, exploiting the spatial and temporal correlation of these prediction errors. Affine policies are compared with existing reserve operation under standard modeling assumptions, and operating cost reductions are reported for a multi-day benchmark study featuring a poorly-predicted wind infeed. Efficient prices for such “policy-based reserves” are derived, and we propose new reserve products that could be traded on electricity markets.
White Matter Hyperintensities and Working Memory: An Explorative Study

ABSTRACT White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are commonly observed in elderly people and may have the most profound effect on executive functions, including working memory. Surprisingly, the Digit Span backward, a frequently employed working memory task, reveals no association with WMH. In the present study, it was investigated whether more detailed analyses of WMH variables and study sample selection are important when establishing a possible relationship between the Digit Span backward and WMH. To accomplish this, the Digit Span backward and additional working memory tests, WMH subscores, and cardiovascular risk factors were examined. The results revealed that performance on the Digit Span backward test is unrelated to WMH, whereas a relationship between other working memory tests and WMH was confirmed. Furthermore, a division between several white matter regions seems important; hyperintensities in the frontal deep white matter regions were the strongest predictor of working memory performance.
Inhibition of CaT1 channel activity by a noncompetitive IP3 antagonist.

A newly cloned, human epithelial Ca2+ transport protein (CaT1) was expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, and its single channel characteristics were examined. The CaT1 channel shows a strong dependence upon hyperpolarizing voltages, being activated by very negative voltages. The probability of channel opening and mean open times increase substantially at more negative voltages in the range of -90 to -160 mV. In addition, CaT1 channel activity was markedly inhibited by micromolar levels of a noncompetitive antagonist of the IP3 receptor originally isolated from a marine sponge, Xestospongin C. This inhibitory effect could be mediated indirectly via the binding of Xestospongin C to the inositol-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor or, alternatively, by a direct action on the CaT1 channel itself. Independent of its mechanism of action in inhibiting CaT1, Xestospongin C will provide a useful tool for elucidating the physiological role(s) of this novel epithelial Ca2+ channel.
Pension Reform in Nigeria

While the Chilean pension reform has received considerable attention, its emulation in Nigeria has not. This article is the first in-depth analysis of the Nigerian reform. It suggests that the Nigerian authorities failed to learn the lessons of Chile. They transposed a system that both failed to serve the country from which it was copied and that is inappropriate to the country to which it was copied. For countries such as Nigeria, alternative forms of provision for old age are needed. A social pension might be considered.