Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Glial heterogeneity in expression of the inwardly rectifying K+ channel, Kir4.1, in adult rat CNS

Previous electrophysiological evidence has indicated that astrocytes and oligodendrocytes express inwardly rectifying K+ channels both in vitro and in vivo. Here, for the first time, we have undertaken light microscopic immunohistochemical studies demonstrating the location of one such channel, Kir4.1, in both cell types in regions of the rat CNS. Some astrocytes such as those in the deep cerebellar nuclei, Bergmann glia, retinal Müller cells, and a subset in hippocampus express Kir4.1 immunoreactivity, but not others including those in white matter. Oligodendrocytes also express this protein, strongly in perikarya and to a lesser extent in their processes. Expression of Kir4.1 in astrocytes and oligodendrocytes would enable these cells to clear extracellular K+ through this channel, whereas nonexpressors might use other mechanisms. GLIA 30:362–372, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Human autoantibody binding to multiple conformations of DNA.

Systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis in humans are characterized by circulating and tissue fixed autoantibodies reactive with self antigens including nucleic acids and other nuclear components. Native calf thymus DNA (B-form), DNA.RNA hybrid (A-form), and left handed DNA (Z-form) were reactive with autoantibodies derived from SLE sera. Inhibition studies suggest that antibodies are recognizing multiple conformations presented by altogether different polymers and A- or Z-DNA might be the immunogenic stimulus for the production of antibodies cross reactive with native DNA.
Optical performance monitoring

Progress in optical networking has stimulated interest in optical performance monitoring (OPM), particularly regarding signal quality measures such as optical signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), Q-factor, and dispersion. These advanced monitoring methods have the potential to extend fault management and quality-of-service (QoS) monitoring into the optical domain. This paper reviews OPM applications and techniques, while examining the role of OPM as an enabling technology for advances in high-speed and optically switched networks.
Tenders for European Cereal Export Refunds: A Structural Approach

A large part of the EU's export refunds are awarded through tender procedures. We apply auction theory to model the traders' behaviour for weekly tenders of soft wheat intervention stocks. Specification and estimation of the optimal bidding strategy are developed under two opposing assumptions about the traders' valuation of grain, each corresponding to a particular functioning of international soft wheat and related markets. This structural approach allows us to conclude that the traders' market power is relatively weak. Copyright 1996 by Oxford University Press.
Collagen triple helix repeat containing‐1 in the differential diagnosis of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans and dermatofibroma

Background The distinction between dermatofibroma (DF) and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a well‐known challenge for dermatopathologists. Immunohistochemical stains have been used to augment routine histological examination to aid in differentiating DF from DFSP. Collagen triple helix repeat containing‐1 (Cthrc1) was identified as a novel gene expressed in the adventitia and neointima on arterial injury. It is indicated to be a cell type‐specific inhibitor of transforming growth factor‐β, which in turn impacts collagen type I and III deposition, neointimal formation, and dedifferentiation of stem cells. Cthrc1 has also been shown to be highly active and potent in degrading extracellular matrix proteins and was found to be overexpressed in several malignant tumours, such as breast cancer and malignant melanoma. To our knowledge, however, expression of Cthrc1 in DFSP and DF has not been studied before.
Effect of fibular repositioning taping in adult basketball players with chronic ankle instability: a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial.

BACKGROUND Chronic ankle instability presents a high incidence and prevalence in basketbal players. It is important to develop strategies to reduce the functional and mechanical limitations resulting from this condition. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of Mulligan's fibular repositioning taping with a placebo taping immediatly after application and after a running test (Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test). METHODS Sixteen adult basketball players (10 male, 6 female) with chronic ankle instability and mean age 21.50±2.76 years old. Assessment of static postural control (15 seconds of unipedal stance test with eyes closed in a force platform), functional performance (figure-of-8 hop test and lateral hop test) and neuromuscular control (peroneus longus latency time in sudden inversion) in two conditions: Mulligan and placebo. RESULTS No significant effect was found for the intervention factor in both hop tests (P>0.170), but there was a significant effect for the time factor (P<0.03). For the peroneus longus latency time, there was a significant interaction between factors (P=0.028) and also for time (P=0.042). No significant effect was found for any of the static postural control variables (area, speed and total displacement) (P≥0.10). CONCLUSIONS There was no differences between Mulligan's fibular repositioning taping and Placebo taping in postural control and functional performance in basketball players with chronic ankle instability. However, Mulligan's taping appears to reduce peroneus longus latency time after a running when compared with a placebo taping.
University to community pilot preschool programme: The effects on learning environment, teachers' attitude and children holistic development

There is no gainsaying the fact that Early Childhood Education generally, and preschool education in particular, is faced with myriad of problems in Nigeria. Scholars, government agencies and nongovernmental organisations have been struggling to find lasting solutions to these problems but the successes recorded have been quite insignificant. This might be as a result of the non-implementation of various research findings and the gap between the theories learnt and practices in preschools. It is, therefore, imperative for teacher trainers to take the policies, principles and theories of teaching to the preschool levels so as to serve as models. Some preschool sections in some public primary schools in Ibadan, Oyo State were selected and their needs in terms of learning resources, teaching force and developmentally appropriate instructions were attended to. Mixed methods research design of triangulation type was adopted. The data gathered after a term of 13 weeks revealed that there is a little improvement in the learning environment and the development of the children holistically. But the attitude of the teachers has not been changed significantly. Recommendations are made for future practices on the programme.
Chairman statement characteristics and firms performance: a study of Malaysian construction companies

Chairman statement in the corporate annual report is classified as narrative accounting and until today it remains as voluntary disclosure. Without guidelines by the accounting standards setters and close monitoring by the regulators, it is hypothesised that company management may exaggerate the qualitative explanation in the chairman statement to impress various groups of stakeholders. In 2008, as sub prima crisis effecting global economic, and eventually reaches Malaysian shore, one of the badly suffered sectors in construction industry. Therefore, this study attempts to examine how these construction companies disclosure their chairman statement in order to reflect the negative impact towards their bottom line financial reporting. Specifically, the study investigates whether there is a significant different between profitable and not profitable construction companies as well as increased or decreased revenue construction companies associate with the characteristics of chairman statement in the corporate annual report. The independent sample t-test showed that there are no significant different, except profitable construction companies tend to provide more picture and graphic in the chairman statement section while reporting their bottom line performance.
Real interest rates and the cost of capital

The real interest rate and the equity risk premium are critical economic parameters that influence a wide range of economic decisions. This paper considers the problems involved in estimating expected real interest rates and the equity risk premium, and hence the overall cost of capital. Using UK data, it suggests reasons why estimates based on historical returns may be misleading, and discusses alternative approaches to estimating the cost of capital. Copyright 1999 by Oxford University Press.
Robust optimal planning and control of non-periodic bipedal locomotion with a centroidal momentum model

This study presents a theoretical method for planning and controlling agile bipedal locomotion based on robustly tracking a set of non-periodic keyframe states. Based on centroidal momentum dynamics, we formulate a hybrid phase-space planning and control method that includes the following key components: (i) a step transition solver that enables dynamically tracking non-periodic keyframe states over various types of terrain; (ii) a robust hybrid automaton to effectively formulate planning and control algorithms; (iii) a steering direction model to control the robot’s heading; (iv) a phase-space metric to measure distance to the planned locomotion manifolds; and (v) a hybrid control method based on the previous distance metric to produce robust dynamic locomotion under external disturbances. Compared with other locomotion methodologies, we have a large focus on non-periodic gait generation and robustness metrics to deal with disturbances. This focus enables the proposed control method to track non-periodic keyframe states robustly over various challenging terrains and under external disturbances, as illustrated through several simulations.
NuSTAR OBSERVATIONS OF GRB 130427A ESTABLISH A SINGLE COMPONENT SYNCHROTRON AFTERGLOW ORIGIN FOR THE LATE OPTICAL TO MULTI-GEV EMISSION

GRB 130427A occurred in a relatively nearby galaxy; its prompt emission had the largest GRB fluence ever recorded. The afterglow of GRB 130427A was bright enough for the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope ARray (NuSTAR) to observe it in the 3–79 keV energy range long after its prompt emission (∼1.5 and 5 days). This range, where afterglow observations were previously not possible, bridges an important spectral gap. Combined with Swift, Fermi, and ground-based optical data, NuSTAR observations unambiguously establish a single afterglow spectral component from optical to multi-GeV energies a day after the event, which is almost certainly synchrotron radiation. Such an origin of the late-time Fermi/Large Area Telescope >10 GeV photons requires revisions in our understanding of collisionless relativistic shock physics.
The Cross-National Market in Human Beings

Human trafficking, as defined here, is moving human beings across borders for the purpose of enslaving them. Human trafficking may be in the sex trade, forced labor or service, extraction of body parts, or other forms of exploited labor or debt bondage. The market is believed to be extensive, with its own distribution channels, pricing systems, and other market functions. The purposes of this article are to present an understanding of cross-border human trafficking as a marketing system, to explicate the societal effects of that system, and to show how the extent of cross-border trafficking may be estimated, using as an example several countries where it is believed to be a substantial problem. Additionally, we seek to show that cross-border human trafficking may be a much more serious problem than what is visible to governments.
The Characteristics and Features of SMEs: Favorable or Unfavorable to Logistics Integration?

For small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs), logistics integration is one of the most significant challenges of modern management. Growing numbers of SMEs are under pressure from large manufacturing enterprises (LMEs) to change their traditional management styles, both operationally and organizationally, replacing them with integrated systems that help increase the speed and fluidity of physical and information flows, help synchronize demand with supply, and help manage transactions more accurately. The recent literature discusses integrated logistics chain management quite extensively, but most studies address the issue from the standpoint of large firms. Given the importance of SMEs in the economies of industrialized countries, and given, too, that a constantly growing number of such firms will have to replace their management methods by logistically integrated practices, the authors of this study believe that it is important to examine the characteristics and features of SMEs in order to identify those favorable and unfavorable to logistics integration.
Vocational education: challenges for hospitality management in the new millennium

Puts forward the author’s view of key issues affecting hospitality education into the new millennium. Issues identified as particularly impacting on UK centres are graduate standards, quality and quality assessment, research assessment, key skills and learning and teaching including the impact of information technology. Amongst these issues, information technology is identified as having the greatest potential impact to bring about radical change. It is suggested that there is now the capability to develop global hospitality education brands. This capability is not confined to existing education suppliers. Corporations, business schools and commercial management development organisations may also be attracted by this opportunity.
MECHANISMS AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REFORM: ITALIAN CASES OF BETTER REGULATION AND DIGITALIZATION

This article applies a processual approach to the explanation of administrative reform in Italy over fifteen years. By carrying out a comparison between better regulation and digitalization policies it shows that the oscillation in the level of implementation over time and across policies can be explained by the intensity and direction of spillover and certification mechanisms and that in turn these mechanisms are activated by design features and contextual factors at different levels of analysis.
Universalisation of education in India: myth or reality? A case study of West Bengal

The movement for universalisation of education began in the UK about a century ago and it reached India several decades later. Female education is important for having success in issues like gender equality and alleviation of poverty. Although admission of girls has gone up significantly over the past few years, but at the same time the dropout rate of girl student before or at the point of transition from class five to class six is more than 50% and this occurs even after central and state governments have devised excellent policies to improve the conditions of girl's schooling. This study concentrates in analysing the literacy status of women in West Bengal and India.
Liquids storage (5 degrees C) of ram semen in different diluents.

This study examined the effects of three diluents--skim milk (M), TesT (TE) and Tris-trehalose (TR)--on quality of ram semen stored at 5 degrees C over a long term. Percentage of motile spermatozoa (PM), motility score (MS), percentage of intact acrosomes (PIA), and percentage of swollen spermatozoa under hypoosmotic conditions (PS) were assessed after cooling and every 24 h up to day 16. There was a significant effect (p < .01) of diluent type in the conservation rates after cooling for PM. The TR diluent achieved greater values (94.7 +/- 1.36%) than TE (82.4 +/- 3.08%), while M showed an intermediate value (89.3 +/- 2.17%). In relation to time of storage, TR diluent showed the highest PM values up to day 12, but differed (p < .05) from TE medium only until day 4. The TR extender maintained a PM > 50% up to day 8, while TE and M were greater than 50% up to day 5. Skim milk maintained progressive movement of sperm cells for longer (MS = 3 until day 5) than the other diluents. There were no significant differences in PIA among the 3 media during the first 6 days of storage (except in day 2), and M showed the lowest value afterward. There was no significant extender effect on PS for the first 3 days, but after day 6 diluent M also showed the lowest values of this variable.
A Novel Rotor Configuration and Experimental Verification of Interior PM Synchronous Motor for High-Speed Applications

On account of high efficiency and high power density, permanent-magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) are mainly applied to a high-speed machine. Especially, because of relatively easy magnetic circuit design and control, a surface-mounted PMSM of them is adopted in almost the entire high-speed applications. However, the surface-mounted PMSM has some weak points due to a sleeve, which is nonmagnetic steel used in order to maintain the mechanical integrity of a rotor assembly in high-speed rotation. The sleeve causes additional eddy current loss in the rotor besides permanent magnet and increases not only magnetic air-gap length but manufacturing costs by raw material purchase and shrink fitting. Thus, in this paper, a new rotor shape for a high-speed interior permanent-magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) is presented in order to resolve the faults of the surface-mounted PMSM. Moreover, the amount of permanent magnet employed in the IPMSM is decreased by approximately 53% than that of the surface-mounted PMSM. Except for the rotor configuration, all design conditions of the IPMSM are identical compared with the surface-mounted PMSM. Finally, the IPMSM is fabricated, and its superiority and reliability in high-speed operation are verified by test.
Agency Problems of Corporate Philanthropy

Evaluating agency theory and optimal contracting theory views of corporate philanthropy, we find that as corporate giving increases, shareholders reduce their valuation of firm cash holdings. Dividend increases following the 2003 Tax Reform Act are associated with reduced corporate giving. Using a natural experiment, we find that corporate giving is positively (negatively) associated with CEO charity preferences (CEO shareholdings and corporate governance quality). Evidence from CEO-affiliated charity donations, market reactions to insider-affiliated donations, its relation to CEO compensation, and firm contributions to director-affiliated charities indicates that corporate donations advance CEO interests and suggests misuses of corporate resources that reduce firm value.
Human development of the ability to learn from bad news

Humans show a natural tendency to discount bad news while incorporating good news into beliefs (the “good news–bad news effect”), an effect that may help explain seemingly irrational risk taking. Understanding how this bias develops with age is important because adolescents are prone to engage in risky behavior; thus, educating them about danger is crucial. We reveal a striking valence-dependent asymmetry in how belief updating develops with age. In the ages tested (9–26 y), younger age was associated with inaccurate updating of beliefs in response to undesirable information regarding vulnerability. In contrast, the ability to update beliefs accurately in response to desirable information remained relatively stable with age. This asymmetry was mediated by adequate computational use of positive but not negative estimation errors to alter beliefs. The results are important for understanding how belief formation develops and might help explain why adolescents do not respond adequately to warnings.
Informing Design of Next Generation Social Media to Support Crisis-Related Grassroots Heritage

When a crisis occurs, members of the public often attempt to document, make sense of, and share crisis-related memories through social media. This research explores how social media technology has the potential to support new kinds of heritage practices at the grassroots level by being both the tools and the sites for facilitating heritage production and sharing among the public, what I term “grassroots heritage. ” I intend to investigate how the notion of heritage is changing in an age of social media technology that facilitates a participatory culture. I also will examine how public-generated information around crises can be transformed into knowledge that has long-term value for the benefit of present and future generations. I will use a technology design method that I call “web-based probes” to generate design proposals that will inspire and inform the design of next generation social media tools. These tools will support socially distributed curation of public-generated content around crises as well as support social action to strengthen community resilience to crises. The dissertation will focus on extensively documenting the design process and justifying the design choices in the proposals using two design strategies: design rigor/praxis and reflective design. My key research contributions are to present design proposals of social media tools that are aesthetically functional, to explain the social and cultural implications of these designs, and to open up new spaces for design that will inform next generation social media tools for supporting crisis-related grassroots heritage practices.
An UWB antenna using modified Sierpinski-carpet Fractal Antenna

A novel UWB antenna is presented, which is formed by the modified Sierpinski-carpet fractal with the 50Ω micro-strip. Four resonant frequencies and three operation frequency bands can be observed via measurement between 1GHz-20GHz when return loss is smaller than -10 dB. The bandwidth of lower frequency band is from 1.1GHz to 10.8 GHz.
[Evaluation of prognostic factors for colon cancer].

INTRODUCTION Colon cancer represents a major health problem in the world. The outcome of newly diagnosed cases predominantly relies on stage as defined by the UICC-TNM and American Joint Committee on Cancer classifications. AIMS The aim of this retrospective study was to identify the additional prognostic factors for patients with colon cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the incidence and significance of 8 clinical and pathological factors in 225 patients treated over a 2-year period in Surgery Clinic No. III, Cluj-Napoca. In order to avoid selection bias, all cases with a prior diagnostic of colon cancer and intervention for recurrence or metastasis, as well as cases lacking more than 20% of necessary datawere excluded. The candidate variables were analyzed using the Cox Proportional Hazards Model in order to select those who influence the outcome. RESULTS The overall 5-year survival rate was 42%. Patients treated with resection of the primary tumor had a survival rate of 50%, ranging from 82% in patients with stage I malignancy to 11% in the presence of metastatic disease. 21% of all patients underwent emergency operation for obstruction or perforation but this did not significantly influence survival (p = 0.1). TheTNM stage of the tumor (HR = 1.2-8.4), grade of tumor differentiation (HR = 2.1) and perineural invasion (HR = 1.8) were independent negative prognostic factors. Venous invasion and status of resection margins were found to influence the outcome on univariate analysis, but were discarded when integrated in the multivariate model. The number of lymph nodes analyzed (p = 0.9) and the tumor location (p = 0.3) did not significantly affect the outcome of patients. CONCLUSION These results suggest that the prognosis of newly diagnosed cases of colon cancer is influenced by the TNM stage, the degree of tumor differentiation and the presence of perineural invasion.