Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
De Facto States : The Quest for Sovereignty

1. Introduction: The Quest for Sovereignty 2. Political Realities and Legal Anomalies: Revisiting the Politics of International Recognition 3. Can Clans Form Nations? : Somaliland in the Making 4. Bougainville: The Quest for Self-Determination 5. Sovereign Law vs Sovereign Nation: The Case of Kosovo 6. Montenegro and Serbia: Disassociation, Negotiation, Resolution? 7. Chechnya 8. From Frozen Conflict to Frozen Agreement: The Unrecognized State of Transnistria 9. Palestine 2003: The Perils of De Facto Statehood 10. The Abkhazians: A National Minority in their Own Homeland 11. Republika Srpska 12. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus: Striving for International Acceptance under Turkey's Wings 13. Conclusion: States in Waiting, Nations Tired of Waiting
Titrating the Effects of Mitochondrial Complex I Impairment in the Cell Physiology*

The mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation system consists of five multimeric enzymes (complexes I–V). NADH dehydrogenase or complex I (CI) is affected in most of the mitochondrial diseases and in some neurodegenerative disorders. We have studied the physiological consequences of a partial CI inhibition at the cellular level. We used a genetic model (40% CI-inhibited human-ape xenomitochondrial cybrids) and a drug-induced model (0–100% CI-inhibited cells using different concentrations of rotenone). We observed a quantitative correlation between the level of CI impairment and cell respiration, cell growth, free radical production, lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial membrane potential, and apoptosis. We showed that cell death was quantitatively associated with free radical production rather than with a decrease in respiratory chain function. The results obtained with human xenomitochondrial cybrid cells were compatible with those observed in rotenone-induced 40% CI-inhibited cells. At high concentrations (5–6-fold higher than the concentration necessary for 100% CI inhibition), rotenone showed a second toxic effect at the level of microtubule assembly, which also led to apoptosis. The correlation found among all the parameters studied helped clarify the physiological consequences of partial CI inhibitions at the cellular level.
Replication in Hydroxyurea: It's a Matter of Time

ABSTRACT Hydroxyurea (HU) is a DNA replication inhibitor that negatively affects both the elongation and initiation phases of replication and triggers the “intra-S phase checkpoint. ” Previous work with budding yeast has shown that, during a short exposure to HU, MEC1/RAD53 prevent initiation at some late S phase origins. In this study, we have performed microarray experiments to follow the fate of all origins over an extended exposure to HU. We show that the genome-wide progression of DNA synthesis, including origin activation, follows the same pattern in the presence of HU as in its absence, although the time frames are very different. We find no evidence for a specific effect that excludes initiation from late origins. Rather, HU causes S phase to proceed in slow motion; all temporal classes of origins are affected, but the order in which they become active is maintained. We propose a revised model for the checkpoint response to HU that accounts for the continued but slowed pace of the temporal program of origin activation.
Development of a multidimensional scale to measure work satisfaction among pharmacy faculty members.

OBJECTIVES To develop a multidimensional scale to measure work satisfaction among pharmacy faculty members and determine its reliability and validity. METHODS A literature review was used to assist in the generation of 36 statements that putatively comprise the satisfaction construct. The 25 items meeting a priori criteria in a modified Delphi procedure were included in a questionnaire sent by e-mail to 4,228 pharmacy faculty members. Principal axis factoring and scale purification procedures were used to identify a plausible factor structure. RESULTS Using responses acquired from 885 pharmacy faculty members, 6 domains of work satisfaction were identified: resources for scholarship, institutional support and reward, requirements for tenure and promotion, availability of a graduate program, collegiality, and teaching environment. The overall measure demonstrated construct validity, while each domain subscale exhibited relatively high internal consistency reliability. CONCLUSIONS The overall work satisfaction measure and each subscale derived from composite domains can be used to identify sources of discontent and/or track interventions designed to improve work satisfaction.
Towards embryonic‐like scaffolds for skin tissue engineering: identification of effector molecules and construction of scaffolds

Autologous skin grafts are the gold standard for the treatment of burn wounds. In a number of cases, treatment with autologous tissue is not possible and skin substitutes are used. The outcome, however, is not optimal and improvements are needed. Inspired by scarless healing in early embryonic development, we here set out a strategy for the design and construction of embryonic‐like scaffolds for skin tissue engineering. This strategy may serve as a general approach in the construction of embryonic‐like scaffolds for other tissues/organ. As a first step, key effector molecules upregulated during embryonic and neonatal skin formation were identified using a comparative gene expressing analysis. A set of 20 effector molecules was identified, from which insulin‐like growth factor 2 (IGF2) and sonic hedgehog (SHH) were selected for incorporation into a type I collagen–heparin scaffold. Porous scaffolds were constructed using purified collagen fibrils and 6% covalently bound heparin (to bind and protect the growth factors), and IGF2 and SHH were incorporated either individually (~0.7 and 0.4 µg/mg scaffolds) or in combination (combined ~1.5 µg/mg scaffolds). In addition, scaffolds containing hyaluronan (up to 20 µg/mg scaffold) were prepared, based on the up‐ or downregulation of genes involved in hyaluronan synthesis/degradation and its suggested role in scarless healing. In conclusion, based on a comprehensive gene expression analysis, a set of effector molecules and matrix molecules was identified and incorporated into porous scaffolds. The scaffolds thus prepared may create an 'embryonic‐like' environment for cells to recapitulate embryonic events and for new tissues/organs. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An Exploration of Social Learning Behaviors Concerning University Faculty Members’ Use of Learning Management Systems

Formal training for faculty members who use Learning Management Systems (LMSs) plays an integral part in helping faculty members learn to use the LMS and its features, but unstructured interactions between faculty members with respect to the LMS have the potential to supplement formal LMS training (Buchanan et al., 2013; Samarawickrema & Stacey, 2007; Vaill & Testori, 2012). Through individual interviews with faculty members who seek out colleagues in informal settings beyond formal LMS training, this exploratory qualitative study described how faculty members form mutually beneficial learning relationships beyond the formal training environment, detailed the reasons for which faculty members seek these relationships, elucidated the processes by which faculty members learn from one another, and explored opportunities to capitalize on unstructured interactions between faculty members to strengthen the impact of classroom-based LMS training. The data gathered from the interviews provided a deeper understanding of the situations where faculty members seek help outside the context of formal training, information about how and why faculty members seek one another for informal assistance, and detailed accounts of how they receive help and assistance in a low-stakes, collegial environment. With such information, it is possible to develop institutionaland departmental-level formal training in a way that spawns mentorships and encourages and facilitates interpersonal interaction.
[Relationship between the ratio of neutrophil/lymphocyte and risk stratification, prognosis in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome].

Objective: To investigate the value of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in predicting risk stratification and prognosis in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). Methods: A total of 227 NSTE-ACS patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were collected from September 2012 to September 2014 in Beijing Anzhen Hospital.Groups: (1)According to NLR, the patients were divided into 3 groups: NLR<2.20 group; 2.2≤NLR<3.33 group; NLR≥3.33 group. (2)According to the global registry of acute coronary events (GRACE) score, the patients were divided into 3 groups: Low-risk group, Medium-risk group and High-risk group. (3)According to the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), the patients were divided into 2 groups: MACE group and non MACE group.Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) was used to assess value of NLR for high risk NSTE-ACS patients.Then COX regression analysis was used to analyze correlation between NLR and MACE. Results: A total of 227 NSTE-ACS patients after PCI were collected and the ratio of MACE was 32.2% (73/227). The GRACE score and the incidence of MACE in NLR≥3.33 group were higher than those in 2.2≤NLR<3.33 group and NLR<2.20 group (all P<0.01). The level of NLR and the incidence of MACE in High-risk group were higher than those in Low-risk group and Medium-risk group (all P<0.05). The level of NLR and the GRACE score in MACE group were higher than those in non MACE group (all P<0.05). COX regression analysis indicated that NLR was independent risk factor for MACE occurrence in NSTE-ACS patients at 1 year after PCI (OR=1.214, 95%CI: 1.114-1.323, P=0.000). Conclusion: The level of NLR has significant correlation with High-risk NSTE-ACS patients, and NLR is an independent risk factor for poor prognosis in patients with NSTE-ACS.
Tiapride in the Long-term Management of Alcoholics of Anxious or Depressive Temperament

Thirty-two chemically dependent alcoholics with significant levels of anxiety or depression were admitted to a double-blind randomised study in which the effect of the substituted benzamide tiapride was compared with that of placebo over a 6-month period. Twenty patients completed the study. Assessments included relevant biochemical and haematological tests, drinking levels and associated behaviour, expressed satisfaction with various areas of life, the Crown-Crisp Experiential Index of neurotic symptoms and questionnaires on self-esteem and alcohol dependence. The results indicated that in comparison with the placebo group, patients treated with tiapride drank less and had longer periods of abstinence. This was associated with improvements in laboratory tests, reduction in neurotic symptoms, gains in self-esteem and increased levels of expressed satisfaction with life situation. The drug was well tolerated and no deleterious effects were noted, suggesting its potential usefulness for this patient group.
Variable Environmental Effects on a Multicomponent Sexually Selected Trait

Multicomponent signals are made up of interacting elements that generate a functional signaling unit. The interactions between signal components and their effects on individual fitness are not well understood, and the effect of environment is even less so. It is usually assumed that color patterns appear the same in all light environments and that the effects of each color are additive. Using guppies, Poecilia reticulata, we investigated the effect of water color on the interactions between components of sexually selected male coloration. Through behavioral mate choice trials in four different water colors, we estimated the attractiveness of male color patterns, using multivariate fitness estimates and overall signal contrast. Our results show that females exhibit preferences that favor groups of colors rather than individual colors independently and that each environment favors different color combinations. We found that these effects are consistent with female guppies selecting entire color patterns on the basis of overall visual contrast. This suggests that both individuals and populations inhabiting different light environments will be subject to divergent, multivariate selection. Although the appearance of color patterns changes with light environment, achromatic components change little, suggesting that these could function in species recognition or other aspects of communication that must work across environments. Consequently, we predict different phylogenetic patterns between chromatic and achromatic signals within the same clades.
The Biology of Aging

A fundamental goal of research into the basic mechanisms of aging is to develop translational strategies that improve human health by delaying the onset and progression of age-related pathology. Several interventions have been discovered that increase life span in invertebrate organisms, some of which have similar effects in mice. These include dietary restriction and inhibition of the mechanistic target of rapamycin by treatment with rapamycin. Key challenges moving forward will be to assess the extent to which these and other interventions improve healthy longevity and increase life span in mice and to develop practical strategies for extending this work to the clinic. Companion animals may provide an optimal intermediate between laboratory models and humans. By improving healthy longevity in companion animals, important insights will be gained regarding human aging while improving the quality of life for people and their pets.
Habitat‐related seed germination traits in alpine habitats

Abstract Understanding the key aspects of plant regeneration from seeds is crucial in assessing species assembly to their habitats. However, the regenerative traits of seed dormancy and germination are underrepresented in this context. In the alpine zone, the large species and microhabitat diversity provide an ideal context to assess habitat‐related regenerative strategies. To this end, seeds of 53 species growing in alpine siliceous and calcareous habitats (6230 and 6170 of EU Directive 92/43, respectively) were exposed to different temperature treatments under controlled laboratory conditions. Germination strategies in each habitat were identified by clustering with k‐means. Then, phylogenetic least squares correlations (PGLS) were fitted to assess germination and dormancy differences between species’ main habitat (calcareous and siliceous), microhabitat (grasslands, heaths, rocky, and species with no specific microhabitats), and chorology (arctic–alpine and continental). Calcareous and siliceous grasslands significantly differ in their germination behaviour with a slow, mostly overwinter germination and high germination under all conditions, respectively. Species with high overwinter germination occurs mostly in heaths and have an arctic–alpine distribution. Meanwhile, species with low or high germinability in general inhabit in grasslands or have no specific microhabitat (they belong to generalist), respectively. Alpine species use different germination strategies depending on habitat provenance, species’ main microhabitat, and chorotype. Such differences may reflect adaptations to local environmental conditions and highlight the functional role of germination and dormancy in community ecology.
Massive MIMO Relay Systems with Multipair Wireless Information and Power Transfer

This paper investigates destination-aided simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) for a decode-and-forward relay network, in which massive multiple-input multiple-output antennas are deployed at relay to assist communications among multiple source-destination pairs. During relaying, energy signals are emitted from multiple destinations when multiple sources are sending their information signals to relay. With power splitting and unlimited antennas at relay, asymptotic expression of harvested energy is derived. The analysis reveals that asymptotic harvested energy is independent of fast fading effect of wireless channels; meanwhile transmission powers of each source and destination can be scaled down inversely proportional to the number of relay antennas. To significantly reduce energy leakage interference and multipair interference, zero-forcing processing and maximum-ratio combing/maximum-ratio transmission are employed at relay. Fundamental trade-off between harvested energy and achievable sum rate is quantified. It is shown that asymptotic sum rate is neither convex nor concave with respect to power splitting and destination transmission power. Thus, a one-dimensional embedded bisection algorithm is proposed to jointly determine the optimal power splitting and destination transmission power. It shows that destination-aided SWIPT are beneficial for harvesting energy and increasing sum rate. The significant sum rate improvements of the proposed schemes are verified by numerical results.
A Variable Off-Time Control Method for a Single-Phase DCM Microinverter

This paper proposes a variable off-time control method for a single-phase microinverter operating in the discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) for efficiency improvement. First, the fixed off-time control method is analyzed. The concept is to fix the off-time of the active switch throughout a line cycle for all output powers and scale the on-time of the active switch to shape a sinusoidal output current. Then, based on the fixed off-time control method, a variable off-time control method is proposed to modulate the preset fixed off-time in order to decrease the switching frequency during ac line zero-crossings and light load conditions. Compared with existed fixed-frequency DCM control or boundary conduction mode control, the variable off-time control is more flexible to optimize the efficiency under different load conditions as the switching frequency range can be automatically adjusted according to the output power. The switching frequency is high at heavy loads to limit the maximum peak current and is low at light loads to increase the light load efficiency. In addition, a predictive on-time method is adopted to simplify inverter control and reduce hardware costs. The parameter design principle is detailed in this paper. A 300 W prototype is built to verify the performance of the proposed method.
Building a Non-Trivial Paraphrase Corpus Using Multiple Machine Translation Systems

We propose a novel sentential paraphrase acquisition method. To build a well-balanced corpus for Paraphrase Identiﬁ-cation, we especially focus on acquiring both non-trivial positive and negative instances. We use multiple machine translation systems to generate positive candidates and a monolingual corpus to extract negative candidates. To collect non-trivial instances, the candidates are uniformly sampled by word overlap rate. Finally, annotators judge whether the candidates are either positive or negative. Using this method, we built and released the ﬁrst evaluation corpus for Japanese paraphrase identiﬁcation, which comprises 655 sentence pairs.
Potential and use of bacterial small RNAs to combat drug resistance: a systematic review

Background Over the decades, new antibacterial agents have been developed in an attempt to combat drug resistance, but they remain unsuccessful. Recently, a novel class of bacterial gene expression regulators, bacterial small RNAs (sRNAs), has received increasing attention toward their involvement in antibiotic resistance. This systematic review aimed to discuss the potential of these small molecules as antibacterial drug targets. Methods Two investigators performed a comprehensive search of MEDLINE, EmBase, and ISI Web of Knowledge from inception to October 2016, without restriction on language. We included all in vitro and in vivo studies investigating the role of bacterial sRNA in antibiotic resistance. Risk of bias of the included studies was assessed by a modified guideline of Systematic Review Center for Laboratory Animal Experimentation (SYRCLE). Results Initial search yielded 432 articles. After exclusion of non-original articles, 20 were included in this review. Of these, all studies examined bacterial-type strains only. There were neither relevant in vivo nor clinical studies. The SYRCLE scores ranged from to 5 to 7, with an average of 5.9. This implies a moderate risk of bias. sRNAs influenced the antibiotics susceptibility through modulation of gene expression relevant to efflux pumps, cell wall synthesis, and membrane proteins. Conclusion Preclinical studies on bacterial-type strains suggest that modulation of sRNAs could enhance bacterial susceptibility to antibiotics. Further studies on clinical isolates and in vivo models are needed to elucidate the therapeutic value of sRNA modulation on treatment of multidrug-resistant bacterial infection.
Field Trial Evaluation of 3D Beamforming in a Multicell Scenario

3D beamforming is a technique which allows the adaptation of the base station (BS) antenna downtilt per user equipment (UE). The selection of the appropriate downtilt depends on the propagation properties of the environment. This paper investigates the optimum downtilt angle in a typical nonline- of-sight (NLOS) urban outdoor environment. Therefore measurements with variable downtilt have been conducted in a real deployment scenario in Dresden. For different measurement locations the downtilts needed for maximum receive power at the UE are compared to predictions based on different existing propagation models for the vertical dimension of the radio channel. Since the testbed allowed also multi-cell operation, the benefits of downtilt adaptation on the signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) could be verified.
A QUANTITATIVE STUDY OF THE MITOTIC ACTIVITY IN THE SUBEPENDYMAL PLATE OF ADULT RATS

A quantitative study of the mitotic activity of the cells of the subependymal layer in the rat brain has shown that mitotic activity decreases with the increase in age of the animals. Mitotic activity is still found in rats 16 months old and in the case of animals of two strains of rats, of this age, the mitotic count is significantly higher in males than in females.
Sodium-carbonate co-substituted hydroxyapatite ceramics

Powders of sodium-carbonate co-substituted hydroxyapatite, having sodium content in the range of 0.25–1.5 wt. % with a 0.25 wt. % step, were prepared by a precipitation-solid state reaction route. Compacts of the powders were sintered in a CO 2 flow (4 mL/min) at 1100 °C for 2 h. The sintered ceramics contained sodium and carbonate ions in the ranges of 0–1.5 wt. % and 1.3–6 wt. %, respectively, which are typical impurity concentrations in biological apatite. A relationship between sodium and carbonate contents and the type of carbonate substitution was found. The total carbonate content progressively increased with the sodium content. The obtained ceramics showed an AB-type carbonate substitution. However, the substitution became more B-type as the sodium content increased. As a result, the carbonation was almost B-type (94 %) for the highest sodium content (1.5 wt.%).