Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Loving and Conquering Nature: Shifting Perceptions of the Environment in the Industrialised Russian North

Abstract This article examines complex patterns of interaction between human settlement and the environment in the industrialised Russian north. I analyse how new mining towns, built during the Soviet period, were located and integrated into the environment. Residents have participated in the industrial processing of natural resources in the work domain, also developing a strong emotional attachment to the natural environments while spending leisure time around the cities. In both perception of physical space and ideas about place, the main dividing principle is between the spheres of work and leisure.
Nucleotide sequence and characterization of the gene for secreted alkaline phosphatase from Lysobacter enzymogenes

Lysobacter enzymogenes produces an alkaline phosphatase which is secreted into the medium. The gene for the enzyme (phoA) was isolated from a recombinant lambda library. It was identified within a 4.4-kb EcoRI-BamH1 fragment, and its sequence was determined by the chain termination method. The structural gene consists of an open reading frame which encodes a 539-amino-acid protein with a 29-residue signal sequence, followed by a 119-residue propeptide, the 281-residue mature phosphatase, and a 110-residue carboxy-terminal domain. The roles of the propeptide and the carboxy-terminal peptide remain to be determined. A molecular weight of 30,000 was determined for the mature enzyme from sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The amino acid sequence was compared with sequences available in the current protein data base, and a region of the sequence was found to show considerable homology with sequences in mammalian type 5 iron-containing purple acid phosphatases.
Some Simple Tests of the Direct Effect of Education on Preferences and on Nonmarket Productivity

recently published works, Michael (1972, 1973) exhibited evidence that offers tentative support for the assertion that education not only affects consumption indirectly by raising productivity at work, but that in addition, education directly affects the consumer's lifetime real income (utility) stream. In Michael's language, education increases nonmarket productivity the efficiency with which the consumer combines market goods and leisure time to generate utility. To obtain his empirical results, Michael assumed that education enters as a "shift parameter" in the utility-production functions which characterize the consumption of goods and leisure time. He further assumed that the shifts in these functions caused by education are Hicks' neutral in the sense that both the ratio of marginal products of time and market goods, and the ratio of marginal utilities for any two of the more basic goods produced by combining market goods and time, are independent of attained educational level. These assumptions allowed Michael to conclude that as the consumer's educational level rises, the composition of market purchases will shift toward goods whose income elasticity is greater than one, and away from goods with less than unitary elasticity. A cross-section analysis of consumer expenditures showed that this hypothesis could not be rejected. As Michael himself indicated, the derivation of his test is complex; there is thus a good possibility that a quite different theory could have the same empirical implication. For example, education could affect choices by changing the goods that the consumer considers important in his or her consumption bundle. ' This effect would show up as an alteration in the composition of market purchases; it could be quantified as education elasticities for a number of consumer expenditure categories; and the relationships between these elasticities and income elasticities could be just as Michael discovered in his work. Inasmuch as educational attainment tends to be highly correlated with income, other factors not being held constant, it should not be surprising to find that education and income have similar effects on the composition of market purchases. On the other hand, by restricting attention to the choice of spending income on a composite consumption good, or foregoing income to enjoy leisure, it is possible to derive some simpler tests of the direct effects of education on choices. Further, if one is willing to identify changes in the shape of indifference curves as the preference structure effect of education, then nonmarket productivity effects can be distinguished from such lifestyle effects.
Improved model for the prediction of core loss in finite element analysis of electric machines

This paper presents an improved model for the prediction of core loss in numerical analysis of electromechanical devices. The model allows the coefficients of hysteresis and eddy current losses to vary with peak flux density and frequency based on physical observation of the loss dissipation. The coefficients are derived from the energy loss equation and extracted from specific power loss data typically provided by standard Epstein frame or single-sheet tests. The model was implemented in a 2-D finite-element code for the prediction of core losses in an induction motor where a close correlation between predicted and measured results was found.
Local conical dimensions for measures

Abstract We study the decay of μ(B(x,r)∩C)/μ(B(x,r)) as r ↓ 0 for different kinds of measures μ on ℝn and various cones C around x. As an application, we provide sufficient conditions that imply that the local dimensions can be calculated via cones almost everywhere.
Aggregate Spending and the Terms of Trade: Is There a Laursen-Metzler Effect?

This paper investigates the spending and current-account effects of permanent terms-of-trade shifts in a model where households maximize utility over an infinite planning period. In the framework we adopt, an economy specialized in production must experience a fall in aggregate spending and a current surplus when the terms of trade permanently deteriorate The model thus provides a counter-example to the argument of Laursen and Idetzler (1950) and Harberger (1950) that a permanent worsening in the terms of trade must produce a current-account deficit.
Frameless rendering: double buffering considered harmful

The use of double-buffered displays, in which the previous image is displayed until the next image is complete, can impair the interactivity of systems that require tight coupling between the human user and the computer. We are experimenting with an alternate rendering strategy that computes each pixel based on the most recent input (i.e., view and object positions) and immediately updates the pixel on the display. We avoid the image tearing normally associated with single-buffered displays by randomizing the order in which pixels are updated. The resulting image sequences give the impression of moving continuously, with a rough approximation of motion blur, rather than jerking between discrete positions. We have demonstrated the effectiveness of this frameless rendering method with a simulation that shows conventional double-buffering side-by-side with frameless rendering. Both methods are allowed the same computation budget, but the double-buffered display only updates after all pixels are computed while the frameless rendering display updates pixels as they are computed. The frameless rendering display exhibits fluid motion while the double-buffered display jumps from frame to frame. The randomized sampling inherent in frameless rendering means that we cannot take advantage of image and object coherence properties that are important to current polygon renderers, but for renderers based on tracing independent rays the added cost is small.
Microcephaly Caused by Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus

We report congenital microencephaly caused by infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus in the fetus of a 29-year-old pregnant women at 23 weeks’ gestation. The diagnosis was made by ultrasonography and negative results for other agents and confirmed by a positive PCR result for lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus in an amniotic fluid sample.
Influence of Interindividual Variability of Aldose Reductase Protein Content on Polyol-Pathway Metabolites and Redox State in Erythrocytes in Diabetic Patients

OBJECTIVE To clarify the influence of interindividual difference in the level of aldose reductase on the polyol pathway-related metabolism in diabetic patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The enzyme protein content was determined by a two-site enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies to recombinant human aldose reductase in erythrocytes from 35 diabetic patients and 11 healthy volunteers. Patients were stratified into two groups by the median of aldose reductase content, and the erythrocyte sorbitol level, the fructose level, and the lactate-to-pyruvate ratio were compared between the two groups. We also examined the correlation of the enzyme content with these metabolic parameters. RESULTS The group of patients whose enzyme content was above the median showed a significant increase in the levels of sorbitol (34.7 ± 4.9 vs. 20.4 ± 2.0 nmol/g Hb, P < 0.05) and fructose (99.8 ± 17.2 vs. 45.9 ± 4.6 nmol/g Hb, P < 0.05), along with an elevated lactate-to-pyruvate ratio (28.6 ± 6.1 vs. 11.7 ± 1.2, P < 0.05), compared with patients with low enzyme levels. The aldose reductase content in erythrocytes was well correlated with its activity, and there was a significant correlation between the enzyme content and the erythrocyte sorbitol (r = 0.58, P < 0.001) or fructose (r = 0.57, P < 0.001) levels as well as between the enzyme level and the lactate-to-pyruvate ratio (r = 0.38, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that the interindividual variability of aldose reductase content may contribute tangibly to the polyol-pathway flux and cytoplasmic redox alteration in diabetic patients.
Increasing returns to information: evidence from the Hong Kong movie market

We examine a sample of 300 movies that appeared on the top-10 charts in Hong Kong. We apply an empirical test proposed by Ijiri and Simon (1974) and find that movie revenues in the territory of Hong Kong are consistent with the hypothesis of increasing returns to information. This empirical result confirms the results of De Vany and Walls (1996) who found evidence of increasing returns to information in their analysis of movie data from the US Top-50 charts.
Screening of Patients with Chronic Medical Disorders in the Outpatient Department for Depression Using Handheld Computers as Interface and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 as a Tool

Background and Objectives: Depression, especially in concurrence with chronic medical disorders, is highly prevalent worldwide. An average between 9.3% and 23% of patients with one or more chronic disease have co-morbid depression. This comorbid depression has the worst health scores of all the disease states. Despite this, patients with chronic medical disorders are not commonly screened for depression. Lack of objective screening by health-care providers as well as lack of infrastructure (time/space/personnel) probably contributes to gross underdiagnosis of depression. This issue can be addressed using short objective depression screening score (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9]) (validated in native languages, e.g., Hindi) and paperless self-administered interface on handheld computer (tablet), which is the objective of the study. Subjects and Methods: One hundred consecutive patients with chronic medical disorders visiting our medicine outpatient department were screened for depression using tablets with PHQ-9 Hindi on a self-administered interface. Results: The overall prevalence of depression was found to be 25% (95% confidence interval 16.6–34.8). Nearly half of the patients with depression had moderate depression (PHQ-9 score 10–14) while rest had moderately severe or very severe depression (PHQ-9 score >14). Association of depression was not found to be statistically significant with age, duration of disease, gender, the type of disease, or the number of disease. Majority of patients rated ease of the use of tablet interface (on a visual analog scale) as very easy (approx 95%). All the patients were able to complete the tablet screener without assistance, answering all of the questions. The median time of completion with interquartile range was 4 (3–5) min. Majority of the patients (63%) completed the questionnaire within 5 min while rest completed it in 5–10 min. Conclusions: It is feasible to use tablets with PHQ-9 questionnaire in native language for screening depression in chronic medical disorders. With high prevalence of comorbid depression, any comprehensive care of patients with chronic medical disorders will not be possible, unless such patients are screened and treated for depression. A self-administered screening questionnaire for depression on handheld tablets can prove to be a handy tool to achieve above aim.
An ensemble Neural Network for recognizing PD patterns

This paper introduces a novel insulation diagnosis approach for Partial Discharge (PD) pattern recognition using an ensemble Neural Network (NN) system, comprising of a limited number of NNs trained for the same purpose. The training data for the ensemble NN comprises statistical parameters obtained from different PD measurements of corona from a point-to-plane geometry. The ensemble output gives the weighted average of the output of each NN which is determined by the respective certainties of each NN output. The greatest weight is given to the output with highest certainty in its decisions. Using three NNs, it is shown that the ensemble has best accuracy of 94.8% while the Multi-Layered Perception Network (MLPN), Elman Recurrent Network (ERNN) and Radial Basis Function Network (RBFN) have independent accuracies of 94.6%, 93.6% and 83% respectively. The results show that the ensemble NN model has potential for further application to other PD scenarios.
VERTICAL RELATIONSHIPS IN THE READY-TO-EAT BREAKFAST CEREAL MARKET: A BRAND-SUPERMARKET LEVEL ANALYSIS

The purpose of this paper is to examine the vertical relationship between the manufacturers of ready-to-eat cereals (RTEC) and the retailers in the Boston area. The study uses highly disaggregated (supermarket and brand level ) monthly data from Information Resources Inc (IRI) from 1995 to 1997.The Logit model is used to estimate the demand for 37 brands of RTEC in the top four supermarkets in the Boston area. The demand estimates are then used to compute the price-cost margins (PCM) for retailers and manufacturers under different vertical scenarios, including vertical Nash double marginalization, non-linear pricing, vertical integration, and collusion. The results of the study shed light on the power each agent (manufacturers and retailers) has to set the price of RTECs in the Boston market, and assess inter- and intra-brand substitution among brands of different manufacturers.
Mouse Oocytes Acquire Mechanisms That Permit Independent Cell Volume Regulation at the End of Oogenesis

Mouse embryos employ a unique mechanism of cell volume regulation in which glycine is imported via the GLYT1 transporter to regulate intracellular osmotic pressure. Independent cell volume regulation normally becomes active in the oocyte after ovulation is triggered. This involves two steps: the first is the release of the strong adhesion between the oocyte and zona pellucida (ZP) while the second is the activation of GLYT1. In fully‐grown oocytes, release of adhesion and GLYT1 activation also occur spontaneously in oocytes removed from the follicle. It is unknown, however, whether the capacity to release oocyte‐ZP adhesion or activate GLYT1 first arises in the oocyte after ovulation is triggered or instead growing oocytes already possess these capabilities but they are suppressed in the follicle. Here, we assessed when during oogenesis oocyte‐ZP adhesion can be released and when GLYT1 can be activated, with adhesion assessed by an osmotic assay and GLYT1 activity determined by [3H]‐glycine uptake. Oocyte‐ZP adhesion could not be released by growing oocytes until they were nearly fully grown. Similarly, the amount of GLYT1 activity that can be elicited in oocytes increased sharply at the end of oogenesis. The SLC6A9 protein that is responsible for GLYT1 activity and Slc6a9 transcripts are present in growing oocytes and increased over the course of oogenesis. Furthermore, SLC6A9 becomes localized to the oocyte plasma membrane as the oocyte grows. Thus, oocytes acquire the ability to regulate their cell volume by releasing adhesion to the ZP and activating GLYT1 as they approach the end of oogenesis. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 2436–2446, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Contribution of matrilysin (MMP-7) to the metastatic pathway of human colorectal cancers

BACKGROUND/AIM Matrilysin is one of the matrix metalloproteinases that has a critical role in tumour invasion, and is often expressed in gastrointestinal cancers. The aim of this study was to examine the role of matrilysin in metastasis of human colorectal cancers. PATIENTS (SUBJECTS)/METHODS The relation between matrilysin expression and Dukes’s type was investigated immunohistochemically in 83 surgically resected colorectal cancers, including five with liver metastasis. Moreover, the effects of matrilysin on the in vivo invasive and metastatic potential of colon cancer cells transfected with matrilysin cDNA were examined after subcutaneous injection into SCID mice. RESULTS In 46% of primary and all of metastatic liver tumours, over 10% of cancer cells were stained positively for matrilysin. The expression of matrilysin correlated significantly with the presence of nodal or distant metastases (p<0.05). In addition, matrilysin transfectants formed invasive tumours and multiple liver metastases in SCID mice, without producing any significant difference in the subcutaneous tumour growth from mock transfectants. Casein zymography showed that the invading and metastasised tumours showed conspicuous matrilysin activity, which correlated with the number of metastatic lesions (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Matrilysin showed a correlation with metastasis in a cohort of 83 colorectal cancer patients and marked metastatic potentiation in human colorectal cancer xenografts, indicating that it may play a critical role in the metastatic pathway of colorectal cancers.
Pluralism by the Rules: Conflict and Cooperation in Environmental Regulation

Despite America's pluralistic, fragmented, and generally adversarial political culture, participants in pollution control politics have begun to collaborate to reduce the high costs of developing, implementing, and enforcing regulations. Edward P. Weber uses examples from this traditionally combative policy arena to propose a new model for regulation, "pluralism by the rules," a structured collaborative format that can achieve more effective results at lower costs than typically come from antagonistic approaches. Weber cites the complexity and high implementation costs of environmental policy as strong but insufficient incentives for collaboration. He shows that cooperation becomes possible when opposing sides agree to follow specific rules that include formal binding agreements about enforcement, commitment to the process by political and bureaucratic leaders, and the ensured access and accountability of all parties involved. Such rules establish trust, create assurances that agreements will be enforced, and reduce the perceived risks of collaboration. Through case studies dealing with acid rain, reformulated gasoline, and oil refinery pollution control, Weber demonstrates the potential of collaboration for realizing a cleaner environment, lower compliance costs, and more effective enforcement. Challenging the prevailing view that endless conflict in policymaking is inevitable, "Pluralism by the Rules" establishes a theoretical framework for restructuring the regulatory process.
Macroeconomic Instability and The Quality of Institutions: What Role for Aid

In this paper, we examine the effects of a major source of macroeconomic instability, namely terms of trade instability on the quality of democratic institutions, and we investigate whether foreign aid can play a role reagarding these institutions in a such context of instability. We use data from 51 developing and emergent countries, 26 of them african countries, over the period 1980-1999. We use instrumental variables to isolate the exogeneous variations in aid, and show that instability has a negative effect on institutions and aid a stabilizing effect.
Lossless Medical Image Compression in a Block-Based Storage System

Medical images are captured in a 16-bit high-resolution grayscale format and are large, frequently reaching MBs per image and PBs for the archive. Regulatory compliance requirements make de-ploying new full image compression techniques difficult. Instead of forcing applications and end users to deal with the deployment complexity, we show that image data can be effectively and transparently compressed by the storage infrastructure. We analyzed our MICA compressor performance using five million publicly available medical images (> 2.2 TB) in three different image formats from eight sources. With 8KB blocks, we achieved 13% better compression, 10% better compression throughput and 782% better uncompression throughput than JPEG-LS. MICA also offered some compression for non-medical data that was incidentally stored in the same storage system.
Extracting Information From Previous Full-Dose CT Scan for Knowledge-Based Bayesian Reconstruction of Current Low-Dose CT Images

Markov random field (MRF) model has been widely employed in edge-preserving regional noise smoothing penalty to reconstruct piece-wise smooth images in the presence of noise, such as in low-dose computed tomography (LdCT). While it preserves edge sharpness, its regional smoothing may sacrifice tissue image textures, which have been recognized as useful imaging biomarkers, and thus it may compromise clinical tasks such as differentiating malignant vs. benign lesions, e.g., lung nodules or colon polyps. This study aims to shift the edge-preserving regional noise smoothing paradigm to texture-preserving framework for LdCT image reconstruction while retaining the advantage of MRF's neighborhood system on edge preservation. Specifically, we adapted the MRF model to incorporate the image textures of muscle, fat, bone, lung, etc. from previous full-dose CT (FdCT) scan as a priori knowledge for texture-preserving Bayesian reconstruction of current LdCT images. To show the feasibility of the proposed reconstruction framework, experiments using clinical patient scans were conducted. The experimental outcomes showed a dramatic gain by the a priori knowledge for LdCT image reconstruction using the commonly-used Haralick texture measures. Thus, it is conjectured that the texture-preserving LdCT reconstruction has advantages over the edge-preserving regional smoothing paradigm for texture-specific clinical applications.