Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of the Gustatory System in the Coordination of Feeding

Visual Abstract To survive, all animals must find, inspect, and ingest food. Behavioral coordination and control of feeding is therefore a challenge that animals must face. Here, we focus on how the gustatory system guides the precise execution of behavioral sequences that promote ingestion and suppresses competing behaviors. We summarize principles learnt from Drosophila, where underlying sensory neuronal mechanisms are illustrated in great detail. Moreover, we compare these principles with findings in other animals, where such coordination plays prominent roles. These examples suggest that the use of gustatory information for feeding coordination has an ancient origin and is prevalent throughout the animal kingdom.
Wind Energy and the Law: A Comparative Analysis

Wind energy as a renewable energy source attracts considerable interest in the climate change debate owing to its potential to reduce CO2 emissions. Its development, however, faces a number of challenges that depend not only on the physical, political and economic conditions, but also on the legal framework regulating, among other issues, jurisdictional, planning and environmental aspects as well as access to the resource, grid and market. This article provides a comparative analysis of the development of wind energy in selected countries. It identifies a number of regulatory challenges in the specific environmental and energy law fields and points to the necessity of an adequate balancing of positive as well as negative effects of wind energy.
New Zealand employer attitudes and behaviours: What are the implications for lifting productivity growth?

This article addresses two issues. First, the rise of individualism in New Zealand employment relations as collective bargaining coverage has declined. Second, the effect this rise in individualism is having on achieving a high wage, high skill economy. In its discussion, the article draws on previous work on the historical rise of individualism, with a special emphasis on developments under the Employment Relations Act (ERA) 2000. The article focuses on the role of employer attitudes and, based on results from surveys of private sector organisations employing 10 or more staff, employers‟ dislike of collective bargaining and unions dominates findings. Finally, the article asks whether individualism can be aligned with a productive, high wage and high skill economy. It is argued that it is more likely that the economy will end up in a low skill, low wage situation.
Anti Cariogenic Effect of Terminalia Chebula

is one of the traditional medicines used in the treatment of many diseases and possesses a wide variety of therapeutic activities. The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial properties of Terminalia chebula against oral pathogens related to caries. Materials and Methods: In this study, Antimicrobial activity was tested using Kirby bouer method by streaking. Total phenol and total flavonoid content were analysed. Twenty high caries risk patients were subjected to rinse aqueous extract of Terminalia chebula . Salivary samples were collected for pH and microbial screening. Oral pathogens were identified by qualitative biochemical analysis. Results: The total phenol content of extract was found to be 21.33 ±1.633 (mean ± SD) and total flavonoids was found to be 23.17 ± 2.317 (mean ± SD). There was a gradual increase in pH till 45mts post-rinse when compared to pre-rinse was observed. Antimicrobial effect of Terminalia Chebula aganist microbes showed that there was a significant reduction between the pre-rinse and post-rinse samples. Conclusion: These promising findings suggested the presence of antimicrobial activity of Terminalia Chebula against oral pathogens and proven to be an effective alternate antimicrobial agent.
Perovskite Thin Films via Atomic Layer Deposition

A new method to deposit perovskite thin films that benefit from the thickness control and conformality of atomic layer deposition (ALD) is detailed. A seed layer of ALD PbS is place-exchanged with PbI2 and subsequently CH3 NH3 PbI3 perovskite. These films show promising optical properties, with gain coefficients of 3200 ± 830 cm(-1) .
First-Sale Bias and Age Effects: Do 'New' Properties Sell at a Premium?

In this paper the affect of age on the price of residential property is investigated. A significant premium is observed in the price of newly constructed property. A regression analysis indicates that new houses (units) sell at a premium, relative to an otherwise identical property, of 11% (19%) in Adelaide, and 10% (7%) in Perth. These properties then underperform the market over the period until a subsequent sale of the property. This pattern is consistent with the empirical results on initial equity offering overpricing and subsequent underperformance. Taken together theses' results indicate a nonlinear relationship between the age of a property and its price. This nonlinearity provides a challenge to modellers building pricing models based on standard linear hedonic functions with age as factor.
Slow Recovery of Excitability and the Wenckebach Phenomenon in the Single Guinea Pig Ventricular Myocyte

The cellular mechanisms of Wenckebach periodicity were investigated in single, enzymatically dissociated guinea pig ventricular myocytes, as well as in computer reconstructions of transmembrane potential of the ventricular cell. When depolarizing current pulses of the appropriate magnitude were delivered repetitively to a well-polarized myocyte, rate-dependent activation failure was observed. Such behavior accurately mimicked the Wenckebach phenomenon in cardiac activation and was the consequence of variations in cell excitability during the diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle. The recovery of cell excitability during diastole was studied through the application of single test pulses of fixed amplitude and duration at variable delays with respect to a basic train of normal action potentials. The results show that recovery of excitability is a slow process that can greatly outlast action potential duration (i.e., postrepolarization refractoriness). Two distinct types of subthresbold responses were recorded when activation failure occurred: one was tetrodotoxin- and cobalt-insensitive (type 1) and the other was sensitive to sodium-channel blockade (type 2). Type 1 responses, which were commonly associated with the typical structure of the Wenckebach phenomenon (Mobitz type 1 block), were found to be the result of the nonlinear conductance properties of the inward rectifier current, IK1. Type 2 sodium-channel-mediated responses were associated with the so-called "millisecond Wenckebach. " These responses may be implicated in the mechanism of Mobitz type 2 rate-dependent Mock. Single-cell voltage-clamp experiments suggest that variations in excitability during diastole are a consequence of the slow deactivation kinetics of the delayed rectifier, IK. Computer simulations of the ventricular cell response to depolarizing current pulses reproduced very closely all the response patterns obtained in the experimental preparation. It is concluded that postrepolarization refractoriness and Wenckebach periodicity are properties of normal cardiac excitable cells and can be explained in terms of the voltage dependence and slow kinetics of potassium outward currents. The conditions for the occurrence of intermittent activation failure during diastole will depend on the frequency and magnitude of the driving stimulus.
Inhibition of rejection in murine islet xenografts by CTLA4Ig and CD40LIg gene transfer.

BACKGROUND Costimulatory signals play a vital role in T cell activation. Blockade of costimulatory pathway by CTLA4Ig or CD40LIg have enhanced graft survival in experimental transplantation models yet mechanisms remain undetermined. We investigated the effects of CTLA4Ig and CD40LIg gene transfer on islet xenografts rejection in rats. METHODS Human islets were infected with recombinant adenoviruses containing CTLA4Ig and CD40LIg genes and implanted beneath the kidney capsule of diabetic rats. Levels of blood sugar, morphological changes, and survival of grafts were recorded. Expressions of CTLA4Ig, CD40LIg and insulin were detected by immunohistochemical staining and cytokines levels were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS Blood glucose levels in transplant rats decreased to normal level on the 2nd day post transplantation. The mean blood glucose in the control group, CTLA4Ig transfected group, CD40LIg transfected group and CTLA4Ig + CD40LIg cotransfected group increased on days 8, 24, 21, 68, post transplantation respectively. The grafts in control group, CTLA4Ig transfected group, CD40LIg transfected group and CTLA4Ig + CD40LIg cotransfected group survived for (8 ± 1), (29 ± 4), (27 ± 3), and (74 ± 10) days, respectively. Survival in CTLA4Ig + CD40LIg cotransfected group was significantly longer. Survivals of CTLA4Ig transfected group and CD40LIg transfected group were significantly longer than control group. In control animals, serum interleukin-2 and tumor necrosis factor α concentration significantly increased within seven days post transplantation. Haematoxylin eosin staining of grafts showed live islets in situ of transplant rats without inflammatory cell infiltration. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed the expression of insulin at islets in all experimental groups. CONCLUSIONS Transfer of CTLA4Ig and CD40LIg genes, especially the cotransfer of both, inhibits rejection of murine islet xenografts. Downregulated expressions of Th1 cells related cytokines might be related to the beneficial effects.
Computational tools for clinical support: a multi-scale compliant model for haemodynamic simulations in an aortic dissection based on multi-modal imaging data

Aortic dissection (AD) is a vascular condition with high morbidity and mortality rates. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can provide insight into the progression of AD and aid clinical decisions; however, oversimplified modelling assumptions and high computational cost compromise the accuracy of the information and impede clinical translation. To overcome these limitations, a patient-specific CFD multi-scale approach coupled to Windkessel boundary conditions and accounting for wall compliance was developed and used to study a patient with AD. A new moving boundary algorithm was implemented to capture wall displacement and a rich in vivo clinical dataset was used to tune model parameters and for validation. Comparisons between in silico and in vivo data showed that this approach successfully captures flow and pressure waves for the patient-specific AD and is able to predict the pressure in the false lumen (FL), a critical variable for the clinical management of the condition. Results showed regions of low and oscillatory wall shear stress which, together with higher diastolic pressures predicted in the FL, may indicate risk of expansion. This study, at the interface of engineering and medicine, demonstrates a relatively simple and computationally efficient approach to account for arterial deformation and wave propagation phenomena in a three-dimensional model of AD, representing a step forward in the use of CFD as a potential tool for AD management and clinical support.
Quote Extraction and Attribution from Norwegian Newspapers

We present ongoing work that, for the first time, seeks to extract and attribute politicians’ quotations from Norwegian Bokmål newspapers. Our method – using a statistical dependency parser, a few regular expressions and a look-up table – gives modest recall (a best of .570) but very high precision (.978) and attribution accuracy (.987) for a restricted set of speaker names. We suggest that this is already sufficient to support some kinds of important social science research, but also identify ways in which performance could be improved.
Spanning Tests for Replicable Small-Cap Indexes as Separate Asset Classes

Empirical tests of different asset combinations show that the composition of a benchmark portfolio determines whether a replicable G–7 small-cap portfolio can expand the original efficient frontier. Interaction among all assets in a portfolio is key to the effectiveness of a small-cap index in efficient portfolios, and constraints do not always reduce diversification benefits of the small-cap assets. Only a few small-cap portfolios of G-7 countries appear to behave as separate asset classes with portfolio performance-enhancing characteristics when an investor benchmarks these portfolios against the U.S. equity market or an international large-cap portfolio.
Evaluation of the CT scanogram for assessment of craniofacial morphology.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this prospective laboratory study was to investigate the suitability of the computed tomography scanogram (CT) as compared with conventional (CC) or storage phosphor digital (SP) lateral cephalograms. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty intact, adult-sized, dry human skulls were used. Each skull was fixed in a custom-made plastic box and imaged in each of the three radiographic machines. All 60 hard copy radiographs were directly digitized using a customized cephalometric program, and all skulls were measured with an external caliper. All measurements were carried out twice, 2 weeks apart. "A priori" ranges were defined in advance for all 18 craniofacial parameters. Linear measurements were corrected for radiographic magnification. Data were analyzed using coefficients of repeatability, limits of agreement, and paired t-tests. RESULTS Direct skull, anterior face height, sella-nasion, and cephalometric SnMx, SNA, SNB, and ANB (except CT) measurements were repeatable. Sella-basion, basion-nasion, most posterior face height measurements, MxMn, and incisor angulations were either not repeatable or not in agreement. When statistical significance was noted, however, the mean difference was of small magnitude for nearly all parameters. CONCLUSION Depending on the clinical situation and the degree of precision required, the scanogram is a viable alternative to lateral cephalometry for assessment of sella-nasion, anterior face height, skeletal planes angles (SnMx, MxMn), SNA, SNB, and ANB, but not of sella-basion, basion-nasion, posterior face height measurements, and incisor angulations.
Reconfiguration of Power Distribution Systems Considering Reliability and Power Loss

A power distribution system reconfiguration methodology considering the reliability and the power loss is developed in this paper. Probabilistic reliability models are used in order to evaluate the reliability at the load points. An algorithm for finding the minimal cut sets is utilized to find the minimal set of components appearing between the feeder and any particular load point. The optimal status of the switches in order to maximize the reliability and minimize the real power loss is found by a binary particle swarm optimization-based search algorithm. The effectiveness of the proposed methodology is demonstrated on a 33-bus and a 123-bus radial distribution system.
Trend Analysis of a Database of Intravenous Pharmacokinetic Parameters in Humans for 670 Drug Compounds

We present herein a compilation and trend analysis of human i.v. pharmacokinetic data on 670 drugs representing, to our knowledge, the largest publicly available set of human clinical pharmacokinetic data. This data set provides the drug metabolism scientist with a robust and accurate resource suitable for a number of applications, including in silico modeling, in vitro-in vivo scaling, and physiologically based pharmacokinetic approaches. Clearance, volume of distribution at steady state, mean residence time, and terminal phase half-life were obtained or derived from original references exclusively from studies utilizing i.v. administration. Plasma protein binding data were collected from other sources to supplement these pharmacokinetic data. These parameters were analyzed concurrently with a range of simple physicochemical descriptors, and resultant trends and patterns within the data are presented. Our findings with this much expanded data set were consistent with earlier described notions of trends between physicochemical properties and pharmacokinetic behavior. These observations and analyses, along with the large database of human pharmacokinetic data, should enable future efforts aimed toward developing quantitative structure-pharmacokinetic relationships and improving our understanding of the relationship between fundamental chemical characteristics and drug disposition.
Corporate Financial-Reporting - A Methodological Review Of Empirical-Research

* University of New South Wales; tStanford University. This paper benefited from comments of participants in workshops at Baruch College CUNY, Cornell University, Monash University, Stanford University, University of Chicago, University of New South Wales, University of Pennsylvania, University of Rochester, and Washington University. A special thanks is due to detailed criticisms from G. Biddle, S. Datar, L. DeAngelo, P. Dodd, N. Dopuch, J. Elliott, N. Gonedes, C. Horngren, M. Jensen, A. Kirby, R. Leftwich, J. Magliolo, R. Morris, C. Purvis, K. Schipper, D. Shores, R. Watts, G. Whittred, M. Wolfson, and J. Zimmerman. Foster's contribution was sponsored by the Stanford Program in Accounting, contributors to which are: Arthur Andersen & Co.; Arthur Young & Company; Coopers & Lybrand; Deloitte Haskins & Sells; Ernst & Whinney; Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co.; and Price Waterhouse & Co. 1 Buchler [1961, p. 125] distinguishes "method" and "methodology" in these terms:". in the broadest sense 'methodological' questions are those dealing with methods as their subject matter, questions pertaining to the origin, scope, nature and relative value of methods. " Webster's Third New International Dictionary defines method as "a procedure or process for attaining an object . a particular approach to problems of truth or knowledge. " Methodology is defined as "a body of methods, procedures, working concepts, rules and postulates employed by a science, art or discipline . a science on the study of method. " We take "research methods" to include the selection of dependent and independent variables, sample selection, choice of functional forms, experimental controls, statistical inference, etc.
Virological Response after Short-Term CCR5 Antagonist Exposure in HIV-Infected Patients: Frequency of Subjects with Virological Response and Associated Factors

ABSTRACT The virological response after an 8-day maraviroc monotherapy has been proposed to be an alternative method to determine whether an CCR5 antagonist should be prescribed to HIV-infected patients. The frequency of patients eligible for a combined antiretroviral therapy which includes maraviroc on the basis of the result of this clinical test is not well-known at the moment. In the same way, clinical and immunovirological factors associated with the virological response after antagonist exposure need to be determined. Ninety consecutive HIV-infected patients were exposed to an 8-day maraviroc monotherapy. The virological response was considered positive if either a reduction of ≥1-log10 HIV RNA copies/ml or an undetectable viral load (<40 HIV RNA copies/ml) was achieved. CXCR4- and CCR5-tropic virus levels were determined by using patients' viral isolates and multiple rounds of infection of indicator cell lines (U87-CXCR4 and U87-CCR5). The frequency of patients with a positive virological response was 72.2% (94.7% and 66.2% for treatment-naïve and pretreated patients, respectively). The positive response rates dramatically decreased in patients with lower CD4+ T-cell counts. The CXCR4-tropic virus level was the only variable independently associated with the virological response after short-term maraviroc exposure. Lower CD4+ T-cell strata were associated with higher CXCR4-tropic virus levels. These results support the suggestion that CCR5 antagonists should be an early treatment option before the expansion of CXCR4-tropic strains.
Corporate Social Accountability in Developing Countries: A Recipe for the Socially Responsible Corporation

From the Pfizer’s clinical trial of the polio drug that killed 11 children in Nigeria and rendered several others blind, deaf and mentally retarded, to the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, India that killed over 5000 people and caused lifelong health damage to up to 100,000 others, the list of multinational companies’ activities that have inflicted costly damage on populations in the developing world in the unconscionable exercise of the corporate power is indeed endless. The growing awareness of the social and environmental impacts of companies’ activities has led to the growing emphasis on corporate social responsibility. Many developing countries that however happen to be most affected by corporate social responsibility issues do not seem to have any remarkable corporate social responsibility framework. This article examines the different theories and dimensions to corporate social responsibility and argues that developing countries can make companies to take their corporate social responsibility seriously by imposing disclosure requirements that cover their non-financial performance thereby making them socially accountable for their activities.
Clinical comparison of laparoscopy vs open surgery in a radical operation for rectal cancer: A retrospective case-control study.

AIM To assess the diverse immediate and long-term clinical outcomes, a retrospective comparison between laparoscopic and conventional operation was performed. METHODS A total number of 916 clinical cases, from January 2006 to December 2013 in our hospital, were analyzed which covered 492 patients underwent the laparoscopy in radical resection (LRR) and 424 cases in open radical resection (ORR). A retrospective analysis was proceeded by comparing the general information, surgery performance, pathologic data, postoperative recovery and complications as well as long-term survival to investigate the diversity of immediate and long-term clinical outcomes of laparoscopic radical operation. RESULTS There were no statistically significance differences between gender, age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), tumor loci, tumor node metastasis stages, cell differentiation degree or American Society of Anesthesiologists scores of the patients (P > 0.05). In contrast to the ORR group, the LRR group experienced less operating time (P < 0.001), a lower blood loss (P < 0.001), and had a 2.44% probability of conversion to open surgery. Postoperative bowel function recovered more quickly, analgesic usage and the average hospital stay (P < 0.001) were reduced after LRR. Lymph node dissection during LRR appeared to be slightly more than in ORR (P = 0.338). There were no obvious differences in the lengths and margins (P = 0.182). And the occurrence rate in the two groups was similar (P = 0.081). Overall survival rate of ORR and LRR for 1, 3 and 5 years were 94.0% and 93.6% (P = 0.534), 78.1% and 80.9% (P = 0.284) and 75.2% and 77.0% (P = 0.416), respectively. CONCLUSION Laparoscopy as a radical operation for rectal cancer was safe, produced better immediate outcomes. Long-term survival of laparoscopy revealed that it was similar to the open operation.