Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Emergence of Inter-Municipal Cooperation – A Hazard Model Approach

We use a hazard model to identify the factors that drive the emergence of inter-municipal cooperation (IMC). We focus on IMC in tasks of internal administration in West-Germany between 2001 and 2014 – tasks where IMC may generate economies of scale while regional spillovers are negligible. Our results support the homophily-hypothesis and the relevance of political transaction costs. Municipalities situated in clusters of small and shrinking municipalities are more likely to start IMC. At odds with the previous literature, IMC is more likely to emerge among municipalities in fiscally strong clusters. We find no evidence that IMC is more likely in certain phases of the election cycle while state subsidies for IMC are an important driving force behind IMC.
Multiple objective community service resources matching with priority

This paper synthetically considers community resident's satisfaction, community resident's priority, delivery efficiency of resource suppliers and equilibrium matching in the case of multiple community service demand, and establishes a multiple objective community service resources matching model with priority in view of M community residents, L service and N suppliers. Then it gives a solution algorithm based on hierarchical optimization. Because of the problems existing in the community service resources and the computational complexity of the solution algorithm, a simple and quick heuristic solution algorithm is proposed. Finally a numerical example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the solution algorithm.
Interbank Network Disruptions and The Real Economy

Shocks to the structure of the interbank lending network can have important macroeconomic repercussions. This paper examines the impact of the dynamic structure of the interbank lending network on interest rates and investment in the nonfinancial sector. By incorporating a network of bank relationships into a general equilibrium model with monetary policy, I show that the aggregate interest rate increases in response to a shock that destroys a large fraction of bank relationships and decreases in response to a shock that destroys a small fraction of relationships. Moreover, the shape of the interbank network matters for these dynamics: the interest rate is least responsive to the network disruptions if the interbank network is scale-free. Additionally, the amplification and propagation of the network shocks depend on the corridor of the policy rates set by the central bank. In particular, as the difference between the discount rate and the excess reserve rate decreases, the effect of a network disruption on interest rates becomes less significant but more persistent, which in turn leads to a smaller but more prolonged effect on the real sector.
Energy eigenvector analysis of surface discharges for evaluating the performance of polymer insulator in presence of water droplets

Due to hydrophobic properties of polymer insulator, formation of discrete water droplets and the induced surface discharges on the insulator are typical phenomena during the insulator operation. To investigate the performance of polymer insulator in presence of discrete water droplets, maximum value, cumulative charge and energy eigenvector of discharge current were investigated. Effects of droplet numbers, droplet location, volume and contamination on surface discharges were analyzed. Obtained results reveal that with the development of surface discharges from initiation of corona discharge to arcing discharge and surface flashover, the dominate components in discharge current are the low frequency (0-78 Hz) components. For the condition of both single droplet and double droplets, flashover voltage and maximum value, cumulative charge and energy eigenvector of discharge current show the increasing tendency with increasing the droplet volume from 10 to 30 μL, but show the decreasing tendency under the condition of increasing the droplet volume from 30 to 40 μL and increasing the droplet contamination from 1.0 to 3.0 mS/cm. However, for triple droplets, the flashover voltage and investigated characteristics of discharge current show the decreasing tendency under the condition of increasing the droplet volume from 10 to 40 μL and increasing the droplet contamination from 1.0 to 3.0 mS/cm. Meanwhile, based on the comparison of droplet effects, it can be found that both droplet numbers and droplet location have significant influence on surface discharges.
Heterogeneous High-Performance Quantum-Cascade Laser Sources for Broad-Band Tuning

A heterogeneous high-performance quantum-cascade laser gain chip comprising two bound-to-continuum active region designs emitting at 8.2 and 9.3 mum is presented. Its extrapolated gain spectrum has a full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of 350 cm - 1. Though a broad gain bandwidth invariably results in a reduced gain cross section, devices with a high-reflection coated back facet still lase continuous-wave (CW) up to a temperature of 50 degC and demonstrates output powers in excess of 100 mW at 30degC. Such high performance was achieved by designing the waveguide in a buried heterostructure fashion and epi-down mounting on a diamond submount, resulting in a thermal resistance of only 4.8 K/W. In pulsed mode, we reached a peak output power of 1 W at room temperature. Finally, in order to prove the usability for broad-band tuning, this chip was antireflection coated on the front facet with a residual reflectivity of < 2.5 x 10-3 and used in our external cavity (EC) setup operated at room temperature. In pulsed mode, we were able to tune the gain chip over 292 cm -1, which is 25% of center frequency. In CW, we reached a coarse tuning range of 201 cm-1 (18%) and an output power in excess of 135 mW at the gain maximum at 15degC. This gain chip enabled CW room temperature EC tuning with output powers in excess of 20 mW over 172 cm -1.
Development of a radiobiological evaluation tool to assess the expected clinical impacts of contouring accuracy between manual and semi-automated segmentation algorithms

RADEval is a tool developed to assess the expected clinical impact of contouring accuracy when comparing manual contouring and semi-automated segmentation. The RADEval tool, designed to process large scale datasets, imported a total of 2,760 segmentation datasets, along with a Simultaneous Truth and Performance Level Estimation (STAPLE) to act as ground truth tumor segmentations. Virtual dose-maps were created within RADEval and two different tumor control probability (TCP) values using a Logistic and a Poisson TCP models were calculated in RADEval using each STAPLE and each dose-map. RADEval also virtually generated a ring of normal tissue. To evaluate clinical impact, two different uncomplicated TCP (UTCP) values were calculated in RADEval by using two TCP-NTCP correlation parameters (δ = 0 and 1). NTCP values showed that semi-automatic segmentation resulted in lower NTCP with an average 1.5 – 1.6 % regardless of STAPLE design. This was true even though each normal tissue was created from each STAPLE (p < 0.00001). TCP and UTCP presented no statistically significant differences (p ≥ 0.1884). The intra-operator standard deviations (SDs) for TCP, NTCP and UTCP were significantly lower for the semi-automatic segmentation method regardless of STAPLE design (p < 0.0331). Both intra-and inter-operator SDs of TCP, NTCP and UTCP were significantly lower for semi-automatic segmentation for the STAPLE 1 design (p <0.0331). RADEval was able to efficiently process 4,920 datasets of two STAPLE designs and successfully assess the expected clinical impact of contouring accuracy.
Insecticidal Activity of Individual and Mixed Monoterpenoids of Geranium Essential Oil Against Pediculus Humanus Capitis (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae)

ABSTRACT The major components of geranium (Geranium maculatum L.) oil and their mixtures were tested against female Pediculus humanus capitis De Geer (Phthiraptera: Pediculidae). Chemical analysis by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry revealed four major constituents: citronellol (38%), geraniol (16%), citronellyl formate (10.4%), and linalool (6.45%) (concentration expressed as percentage of total). Topical application demonstrated that the most potent component was citronellol and geraniol, with LD50 values 9.7 and 12.7 µg/insect, respectively. Linalool and Citronellyl formate were less toxic with LD50 values 24.7 and 38.5 µg/insect, respectively. Toxicity of these four major constituents in the same proportion as the natural oil, was greater than whole oil and each individual component. Removal of any four constituents produced a decreased in effectiveness. The absence of citronellol caused the greatest decrease in toxicity (DL50 from 2.2 to 10.9 µg/insect), leading us to conclude that this constituent is the major contributor to oil toxicity. The knowledge of the role of each constituent in the toxicity of the whole oil gives the possibility to create artificial blends of different constituents for the development of more effective control agents.
The cytochrome P450 genesis locus: the origin and evolution of animal cytochrome P450s

The neighbourhoods of cytochrome P450 (CYP) genes in deuterostome genomes, as well as those of the cnidarians Nematostella vectensis and Acropora digitifera and the placozoan Trichoplax adhaerens were examined to find clues concerning the evolution of CYP genes in animals. CYP genes created by the 2R whole genome duplications in chordates have been identified. Both microsynteny and macrosynteny were used to identify genes that coexisted near CYP genes in the animal ancestor. We show that all 11 CYP clans began in a common gene environment. The evidence implies the existence of a single locus, which we term the ‘cytochrome P450 genesis locus’, where one progenitor CYP gene duplicated to create a tandem set of genes that were precursors of the 11 animal CYP clans: CYP Clans 2, 3, 4, 7, 19, 20, 26, 46, 51, 74 and mitochondrial. These early CYP genes existed side by side before the origin of cnidarians, possibly with a few additional genes interspersed. The Hox gene cluster, WNT genes, an NK gene cluster and at least one ARF gene were close neighbours to this original CYP locus. According to this evolutionary scenario, the CYP74 clan originated from animals and not from land plants nor from a common ancestor of plants and animals. The CYP7 and CYP19 families that are chordate-specific belong to CYP clans that seem to have originated in the CYP genesis locus as well, even though this requires many gene losses to explain their current distribution. The approach to uncovering the CYP genesis locus overcomes confounding effects because of gene conversion, sequence divergence, gene birth and death, and opens the way to understanding the biodiversity of CYP genes, families and subfamilies, which in animals has been obscured by more than 600 Myr of evolution.
Utilization of copper in copper proteinate, copper lysine, and cupric sulfate using the rat as an experimental model.

One hundred twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats, averaging 108.6 g initial body weight, were used in two feeding experiments to evaluate the utilization of Cu in Cu proteinate, Cu lysine, and cupric sulfate. In Exp. 1, 60 rats were randomly assigned to 12 treatments in a 2 x 2 x 3 factorial arrangement of treatments, with Zn supplementation at 0 or 1000 mg/kg diet, Cu supplementation at 5 or 15 mg/kg diet, and Cu form of CuSO4.5H2O, Cu proteinate, or Cu lysine. The purified basal diet contained . 81 mg Cu, 20 mg Zn, and 60 mg Fe/kg diet. Experiment 2 was similar to Exp. 1 except Zn was replaced by Fe. In Exp. 1, feed intake of Cu proteinate (15.74 g/d) and Cu lysine (15.74 g/d) treatments was higher (P < .05) than that of CuSO4 (15.33 g/d). Body weight gain and feed intake were increased by high dietary Cu at either requirement or high levels of dietary Zn (P < .05). There were no differences in feed intake or body weight gain among the treatment groups in Exp. 2 (P > .05). The Cu utilization of Cu proteinate and Cu lysine were higher (P < .05) based on the liver Cu content. The rats fed Cu complexes had a higher liver Fe or Zn content (P < .05) than the rats fed CuSO4, suggesting that Cu complexes are absorbed via another mechanism that differs from that of inorganic Cu and does not interfere with Zn and Fe. Spleen Cu content may be a sensitive indicator of Cu status. High dietary Zn decreased Cu utilization, but this effect was overcome by high dietary Cu.
An Investigation of the Psychological Effects of the September 11, 2001, Attacks on New York City: Developing and Implementing Research in the Acute Postdisaster Period

ABSTRACT The September 11, 2001, attack on New York City was the largest human-made disaster in United States history. In the first few days after the attack, it became clear that the scope of the attacks (including loss of life, property damage, and financial strain) was unprecedented and that the attacks could result in substantial psychological sequelae in the city population. Researchers at the Center for Urban Epidemiologic Studies at the New York Academy of Medicine designed and implemented an assessment of the mental health of New Yorkers 5—8 weeks after the attacks. To implement this research in the immediate postdisaster period, researchers at the center had to develop, in a compressed time interval, new academic collaborations, links with potential funders, and unique safeguards for study respondents who may have been suffering from acute psychological distress. Results of the assessment contributed to a New York state mental health needs assessment that secured Federal Emergency Management Agency funding for mental health programs in New York City. This experience suggests that mechanisms should be in place for rapid implementation of mental health assessments after disasters.
Using Prosopagnosia to Test and Modify Visual Recognition Theory

Biederman’s contemporary theory of basic visual object recognition (Recognition-by-Components) is based on structural descriptions of objects and presumes 36 visual primitives (geons) people can discriminate, but there has been no empirical test of the actual use of these 36 geons to visually distinguish objects. In this study, we tested for the actual use of these geons in basic visual discrimination by comparing object discrimination performance patterns (when distinguishing varied stimuli) of an acquired prosopagnosia patient (LB) and healthy control participants. LB’s prosopagnosia left her heavily reliant on structural descriptions or categorical object differences in visual discrimination tasks versus the control participants’ additional ability to use face recognition or coordinate systems (Coordinate Relations Hypothesis). Thus, when LB performed comparably to control participants with a given stimulus, her restricted reliance on basic or categorical discriminations meant that the stimuli must be distinguishable on the basis of a geon feature. By varying stimuli in eight separate experiments and presenting all 36 geons, we discerned that LB coded only 12 (vs. 36) distinct visual primitives (geons), apparently reflective of human visual systems generally.
Nitric oxide donors in pregnancy: fetomaternal hemodynamic effects induced in mild pre‐eclampsia and threatened preterm labor

The present study was performed to determine whether there are significant differences in the effects of the nitric oxide donor, glyceryl trinitrate, administration in pregnancies complicated by mild pre‐eclampsia compared to the effects in pregnancies which are uncomplicated by this pathology. Glyceryl trinitrate is able to release nitric oxide (NO); deficiency of NO has been hypothesized in the pathogenesis of pre‐eclamptic disorders.
Study of correlation between maternal fatigue and uterine contraction pattern in the active phase of labour.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To evaluate the correlation between maternal fatigue and uterine contraction pattern at the beginning of the active phase of labour. BACKGROUND Fatigue is one of the most common complaints in pregnant women that often continues until delivery. Maternal fatigue prolongs the labour process and increases the rate of cesarian section. Studies on the pattern of uterine contractions have shown that the length of the fall time is longer in prolonged labours than in normal deliveries. DESIGN A cross-sectional study. METHODS This study was conducted on 100 primiparous women who were referred to Ommolbanin Hospital (Mashhad, Iran) in 2011. Maternal fatigue was assessed at the beginning of the active phase of labour. Then, the pattern of uterine contractions was monitored for 30 minutes by an external tocodynamometer. The F/R ratio was determined by measuring the time for a contraction to return to its baseline from its peak and the time for a contraction to rise to its peak. The data were analysed by chi-square and anova tests. RESULTS The results showed that there was a significant relationship between maternal fatigue and uterine contraction pattern. The F/R ratio was increased with increase in fatigue severity. CONCLUSIONS Fatigue causes changes in the pattern of uterine contractions. The return time of a contraction from its peak to its baseline (fall) is increased with increase in fatigue severity. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Offering strategies to prevent tiredness and reduce the related fatigue complications.
Green Fluorescent Protein Changes the Conductance of Connexin 43 (Cx43) Hemichannels Reconstituted in Planar Lipid Bilayers*

Background: Connexin 43 hemichannels participate in many cellular processes. To elucidate their location and function within living cells, they were labeled with GFP. Results: Recombinantly expressed Cx43 and Cx43-GFP form conducting hemichannels in reconstituted planar membranes. Their conductance states and voltage dependence differ. Conclusion: Fusion of GFP to Cx43 significantly affects the electrophysiological behavior of Cx43 hemichannels. Significance: GFP can significantly alter channel activities. In mammalian tissues, connexin 43 (Cx43) is the most prominent member of the connexin family. In a single lipid bilayer, six connexin subunits assemble into a hemichannel (connexon). Direct communication of apposing cells is realized by two adjacent hemichannels, which can form gap junction channels. Here, we established an expression system in Pichia pastoris to recombinantly produce and purify Cx43 as well as Cx43 fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP). Proteins were isolated from crude cell membrane fractions via affinity chromatography. Cx43 and Cx43-GFP hemichannels were reconstituted in giant unilamellar vesicles as proven by fluorescence microscopy, and their electrophysiological behavior was analyzed on the single channel level by planar patch clamping. Cx43 and Cx43-GFP both showed an ohmic behavior and a voltage-dependent open probability. Cx43 hemichannels exhibited one major mean conductance of 224 ± 26 picosiemens (pS). In addition, a subconductance state at 124 ± 5 pS was identified. In contrast, the analysis of Cx43-GFP single channels revealed 10 distinct conductance states in the range of 15 to 250 pS, with a larger open probability at 0 mV as compared with Cx43, which suggests that intermolecular interactions between the GFP molecules alter the electrophysiology of the protein.
Implementation of a Low Complexity UWB Transmitted Reference Pulse Cluster System

This paper describes the implementation detail of an ultra wideband transmitted reference pulse cluster (TRPC) system [1]. The newly proposed TRPC signaling structure consists of multiple pulses with uniform and compact spacing. It overcomes the major hurdle to practical implementation of conventional transmitted reference (TR) systems, that is, the long wideband delay line requirement. In addition, TRPC offers superior error performance and increases the data rate over conventional TR. A modular prototyping platform implemented with discrete commercial off the shelf components and commercial test equipment is built. It adopts binary phase shift keying (BPSK) modulation scheme, employs the TRPC signaling method, and communicates over a wireless link using a direct conversion architecture. The experimental results presented demonstrate that the TRPC system can work stably and robustly, and is able to achieve a transmission rate of 1-10 Mbps in dense multipath environments. The prototype can assist the design and verification of the analog front end and digital baseband models for future commercial integrated UWB TRPC systems.
Flexible parametric survival models built on age-specific antimüllerian hormone percentiles are better predictors of menopause

Objective:This study aimed to improve existing prediction models for age at menopause. Methods:We identified all reproductive aged women with regular menstrual cycles who met our eligibility criteria (n = 1,015) in the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study—an ongoing population-based cohort study initiated in 1998. Participants were examined every 3 years and their reproductive histories were recorded. Blood levels of antimüllerian hormone (AMH) were measured at the time of recruitment. Age at menopause was estimated based on serum concentrations of AMH using flexible parametric survival models. The optimum model was selected according to Akaike Information Criteria and the realness of the range of predicted median menopause age. Results:We followed study participants for a median of 9.8 years during which 277 women reached menopause and found that a spline-based proportional odds model including age-specific AMH percentiles as the covariate performed well in terms of statistical criteria and provided the most clinically relevant and realistic predictions. The range of predicted median age at menopause for this model was 47.1 to 55.9 years. For those who reached menopause, the median of the absolute mean difference between actual and predicted age at menopause was 1.9 years (interquartile range 2.9). Conclusions:The model including the age-specific AMH percentiles as the covariate and using proportional odds as its covariate metrics meets all the statistical criteria for the best model and provides the most clinically relevant and realistic predictions for age at menopause for reproductive-aged women.
Diagnostic performance of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the diagnosis of breast lumps.

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of line needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of breast lumps. METHODS All patients who underwent FNA breast lumps at Rehman Medical Institute, Peshawar during 2006 to 2008 were included in this descriptive cross-sectional study. The FNA procedure was performed & interpreted by experienced cyto-pathologists. FNAC of 102 breast lumps were analysed. RESULTS The age range of the patients was 15-80 years (mean 38.11 years). Inadequate cases were 2.94%, malignant 30.39%, atypical/suspicious of malignancy 6.86%, and benign 59.80%. Malignant lesions predominated in the 5th and 6th and benign in the 3rd and 4th decades of life. CONCLUSION FNAC of breast is simple, cost-effective and less traumatic method for diagnosis of breast lumps. Combined with physical examination and imaging studies, it is a highly sensitive diagnostic tool and can reduce the need for open biopsy.