Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Voting in the House or Wooing the Voters at Home: Labour MPs and the 2001 General Election Campaign

Part of Labour's strategy for winning a second full term of government at the 2001 general election in the UK involved encouraging its MPs, especially those holding marginal seats, to spend considerable time in their constituencies in the preceding years, contacting voters and promoting the party's cause. Given the size of its majority in 1997, it was able to afford for many MPs to be absent from divisions in the House of Commons. This article looks at the voting records of Labour MPs who stood for re-election in 2001 during the two preceding parliamentary sessions. It reports that backbench MPs representing marginal constituencies were much more likely to be absent from the House during the last session prior to the election. Those absences were also apparently related to their performance at the election: the more often they absented themselves from parliamentary votes in that session (compared to the previous session) the better their performance at the 2001 election relative to national trends.
Credit Crunch, Social Mobility and the Quest for Sustainable Communities: Revisiting the Possibility of Social Credit

The Panel began its work before the scale of the recent economic downturn was widely felt, and the relevance of its findings will therefore be determined by the twists and turns of the unfolding economic events. However, the culmination of the recession and social economic trends may in fact provide an opportunity to address the problems of social mobility and community economic renewal. In a 2008 press release echoing the government’s own outlook of finding local
Alendronate Administration and Skeletal Response During Chronic Alcohol Intake in the Adolescent Male Rat

Alendronate is an aminobisphosphonate that inhibits bone resorption in osteoporotic humans and rats but does not induce osteomalacia. Several bisphosphonates, including alendronate, also have direct positive actions on osteoblasts, bone formation, and mineralization. We studied the effects of alendronate on skeletal development in adolescent male rats during chronic alcohol intake. Four groups of age‐ and weight‐matched male Sprague‐Dawley rats (35 days of age) were fed the Lieber‐DeCarli diet containing 36% of calories as EtOH (E), the EtOH diet plus 60 mg/kg alendronate (EA) every other day intraperitoneally (ip), an isocaloric diet (I), or the isocaloric diet plus 60 mg/kg alendronate (IA) every other day ip. Body weight, femur length, serum levels of osteocalcin (OC), insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1), testosterone, and luteinizing hormone (LH); femur distal metaphyseal and middiaphyseal bone mineral density (BMD) and tibial metaphyseal gene expression for α‐1‐type I collagen (Col I), OC, and bone alkaline phosphatase (AP); and femur strength by four‐point bending to failure were measured after 28 days of feeding and alendronate injections. Serum alcohol levels at death were 156 ± 13 mg/dl (E) and 203 ± 40 mg/dl (EA). Alendronate given to alcohol‐fed rats increased metaphyseal BMD by more than 3‐fold over rats fed alcohol alone. Alendronate given to isocaloric pair‐fed rats increased metaphyseal BMD by more than 2.5‐fold over rats fed the isocaloric diet alone. Cortical BMD was reduced by alcohol but was increased by alendronate. Alcohol consumption reduced serum IGF‐1 levels, and alendronate increased IGF‐1 levels in alcohol‐fed rats. Serum OC, testosterone, and LH were unaffected by alcohol and alendronate. Quantitative dot blot hybridization using rat complementary DNA (cDNA) probes and normalization against 18S subunit ribosomal RNA (rRNA) levels revealed no changes in tibial metaphyseal gene expression for type I collagen, osteocalcin, or alkaline phosphatase. Alcohol significantly reduced the biomechanical properties of the femurs that were partially compensated by alendronate. Chronic alcohol consumption uncouples formation from ongoing resorption, and resorption is inhibited by alendronate. However, alendronate's positive effects on osteoblast‐mediated mineralization during chronic alcohol consumption point to the potential use of bisphosphonates in the treatment of decreased bone formation secondary to alcohol‐induced diminished osteoblast function.
Understanding International Differences in the Gender Pay Gap

Using microdata for 22 countries over the 1985–94 period, we find that more compressed male wage structures and lower female net supply are both associated with a lower gender pay gap, with an especially large effect for wage structures. Reduced‐form specifications indicate that the extent of collective bargaining coverage is also significantly negatively related to the gender pay gap. Together, the wage compression and collective bargaining results suggest that the high wage floors that are associated with highly centralized, unionized wage setting raise women’s relative pay, since women are at the bottom of the wage distribution in each country.
EU Compliance Mechanisms: The Interaction between the Infringement Procedures, IMS, SOLVIT and EU-Pilot

This article investigates the role of alternative compliance mechanisms in the EU: SOLVIT, EU-Pilot and the Internal Market Scoreboard. These mechanisms are theoretically meant as complementary and practical, cost-reducing alternatives to the EU infringement procedures and national court procedures. The mechanisms aim to, through peer pressure and informal contacts, prevent citizens and businesses that encounter problems with the application of EU law from having to start time-consuming and costly court procedures. Moreover, they serve to correct infringements of EU law at an early stage without recourse to official infringement procedures by the Commission. This article discusses how alternative problem-solving mechanisms work in practice, how they fit in the EU legal system and what, if any, influence they have on the official EU infringement procedures. It will be shown how the existence of such alternative mechanisms leads to an increase in the level of absolute compliance with EU law.
Evolving a Mario agent using cuckoo search and softmax heuristics

This paper presents a method for evolving an agent which can successfully play a level of Super Mario Brothers as implemented on the MarioAI Benchmark. The Mario search space is extremely large, making finding reasonable solutions intractable for ordinary agents. The recently introduced evolutionary algorithm, cuckoo search is especially well suited toward searching such large spaces when it employs the use of Le´vy flights. Unfortunately, these Le´vy flights cannot be applied to non numerical problems such as Mario. We present a modification of the algorithm which uses the Le´vy distribution to effect appropriate change in a much wider set of problems, including Mario. To further optimize the search of Mario's problem space, a softmax heuristic is presented to focus on areas with likely solutions.
New Cardiovascular Devices Novel Left Ventricular Assist System ®

We propose a Novel Left Ventricular Assist System (Novel LVAS) as a bridge to cardiac transplantation and to functional heart recovery in advanced heart failure. This report regards the principles that led to its development. It is our hope that the design of a high-peak-output pump of smaller size will lead to improved functional capacity, when compared with currently available left ventricular assist bridges to heart recovery. Several basic considerations went into the design of this system: 1) we did not want to cannulate the heart chambers; 2) in particular, we rejected the use of a left ventricular apical cannula for myocardial recovery, because it destroys the helical anatomy of the chamber; 3) we chose an atriostomy for blood inflow to the implanted pump; and 4) we synchronized the pump to the patient’s electrocardiogram, to ensure blood pump ejection in diastole. The key to success is the atriostomy, which creates an opening larger than the patient’s mitral valve. The atriostomy may be performed with the heart beating. Bleeding from the left ventricular apical anastomosis is a fairly common occurrence in currently available left ventricular assist systems; subsequent transfusion can exacerbate right heart dysfunction and sensitize the immune system. These complications are avoided with our system. The new system works either in partial mode or total mode, depending on whether partial or full left ventricular unloading is required. The Novel Left Ventricular Assist System is in its initial clinical trial stage, under the supervision of the author. (Tex Heart Inst J 2003;30:194-201)
CT and MRI of Siderotic Regenerating Nodules in Hepatic Cirrhosis

The demonstration by CT of siderotic regenerating liver nodules in cirrhosis was evaluated and compared with that of MR imaging retrospectively in 27 patients with histologically diagnosed hepatic cirrhosis. Only in one of the two patients with marked iron deposits in regenerating nodules did CT demonstrate multiple high density nodules. In the other patient with marked iron deposits and in seven of the nine patients with moderate iron deposits, the liver parenchyma on CT was demonstrated as heterogeneous and of slightly high density without focal nodules. In 8 patients with mild to moderate iron deposits and in the 10 with no iron deposits, the liver parenchyma was homogeneous on CT. Multiple low intensity nodules in the liver were seen on fast low-angle shot (FLASH) MR images in all 17 patients with iron deposits in regenerating nodules. No low intensity nodules were seen on FLASH MR images in the 10 patients with no iron deposits. If there are iron deposits above a certain level, siderotic regenerating nodules may appear as nodules of high density on CT or as heterogeneous regions of high density liver parenchyma. Magnetic resonance is more sensitive than CT in demonstrating siderotic regenerating nodules.
On Control System of the Two-Robot Coordination

Based on the features of two-robot coordination control system, a coordination system in layered modularization was set up from the human motor control system. A module of object hybrid impedance controller (HIC) was designed, so it can compensate the whole dynamics and its stability was analyzed. After make the inner force controller combine reasonably with the motor controller, the integrated controller of two-robot can be realized. The experiment results show that the control effect is satisfactory.
The Nerve Supply of the Trapeziometacarpal Joint

Ten forearm and hand specimens from fresh cadavers were dissected and examined under magnification for articular branches to the trapeziometacarpal joint arising from the thenar and palmar cutaneous branches of the median nerve, the superficial branch of the radial nerve and the lateral cutaneous nerve of forearm. In all but one specimen the thenar branch of the median nerve sent an articular branch to the trapeziometacarpal joint. Multiple branches from the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve, the superficial branch of the radial nerve and the lateral cutaneous nerve of forearm were also found. All these branches need to be divided during a “complete” denervation of the trapeziometacarpal joint.
Ceramide Kinase Is a Mediator of Calcium-dependent Degranulation in Mast Cells*

Ceramide kinase (CERK) catalyzes the conversion of ceramide to ceramide 1-phosphate (C1P) and is known to be activated by calcium. Although several groups have examined the functions of CERK and its product C1P, the functions of C1P and CERK are not understood. We studied the RBL-2H3 cell line, a widely used model for mast cells, and found that CERK and C1P are required for activation of the degranulation process in mast cells. We found that C1P formation was enhanced during activation induced by IgE/antigen or by Ca2+ ionophore A23187. The formation of C1P required the intracellular elevation of Ca2+. We generated RBL-2H3 cells that stably express CERK, and when these cells were treated with A23187, a concomitant C1P formation was observed and degranulation increased 4-fold, compared with mock transfectants. The cell-permeable N-acetylsphingosine (C2-ceramide), a poor substrate of CERK, inhibited both the formation of C1P and degranulation, indicating that C1P formation was necessary for degranulation. Exogenous introduction of CERK into permeabilized RBL-2H3 cells caused degranulation. We identified a cytosolic localization of CERK that provides exposure to cytosolic Ca2+. Taken together, these results indicate that C1P formation is a necessary step in the degranulation pathway in RBL-2H3 cells.
Fatigue in the acute phase after first stroke predicts poorer physical health 18 months later

Objective: To determine whether fatigue in the acute phase following stroke predicts long-term patient-reported physical and mental health outcomes 18 months later. Methods: Patients (n = 96, mean age 67.8 years, SD 12.9) were assessed within 2 weeks of hospital admission for first-ever stroke (acute phase) and 18 months later. Measures included the Fatigue Severity Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory II. The Short Form–36 was used to assess self-reported physical and mental health. Multivariate regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between acute phase fatigue and later health outcomes, controlling for relevant covariates. Results: Acute phase fatigue was associated with physical health at 18-month follow-up, but not with mental health. After adjusting for other potential predictors of health outcomes, including age, sex, cohabitation status, acute phase physical or mental health, and depressive symptoms, acute phase fatigue remained a significant predictor of later physical health but not of later mental health. The reverse relationships were also examined, but neither physical nor mental health in the acute phase predicted fatigue at 18 months; the best predictor of fatigue at 18-month follow-up was acute phase fatigue. Conclusions: These findings suggest that acute phase fatigue is an independent risk factor for poor physical health 18 months after stroke. Diagnosis and treatment of acute phase fatigue may improve physical health-related quality of life among stroke survivors. Effective treatments for poststroke fatigue, both in the acute phase and later in the recovery period, are needed.
Texture Synthesis Based on Compute Unified Device Architecture

Texture synthesis is important in producing computer-generated animation. In order to tackle the issue of poor efficiency of traditional serial point matching texture synthesis algorithm, we propose a parallel approach based on CUDA (Compute Unified Device Architecture) for texture synthesis. By reasonably arranging data transfer between CPU and GPU, and using GPU to do tedious and time-consuming computing, we are able to greatly improve the efficiency of texture synthesis. Testing the parallel algorithm on two systems with different level of Nvidia Graphics Cards, the experiment results indicate that the GPU parallel algorithm achieves a speed-up ratio up to 160.
Thatcher, Reagan, and Mulroney: In Search of a New Bureaucracy

This work suggests that the 1980s were an especially tumultuous decade for the bureaucracies of Great Britain, the United States and Canada. Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Reagan and Brian Mulroney came to office convinced that the bureaucracies of their countries were massively flawed: in addition to exerting too much influence over policy, they were inefficient, resistant to change and responsible for many economic woes. Savoie, a writer, scholar and a senior administrator in the Canadian government, considers the war of reform waged by the leaders of these major industrialised countries. Reagan declared that he had come to Washington "to drain the swamp" of bureaucracy; he set up the Grace Commission to investigate the operation of the US government. Thatcher and Mulroney were equally committed to reform and initiated wide-ranging changes. By the end of the decade, the changes were dramatic. Many government operations had been privatised in all three countries, and new management techniques had been introduced. In Great Britain, one observer judged that the changes were historically as important as the collapse of Keynesian economics. This book asks: is government now better in these three countries, and was the political leadership right in focusing on management of the bureaucracy as the villain? Professor Savoie suggests that the reforms overlooked problems now urgently requiring attention and, at the same time, attempted to address non-existent problems. His viewpoint combines theory and practice, and should appeal to scholars, students and practitioners. His research is based, in part, on interviews with 62 officials, almost all in the executive branch, of the governments of Great Britain, the United States and Canada.
Immune response to Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette Guérin infection in major histocompatibility complex class I‐ and II‐deficient knock‐out mice: contribution of CD4 and CD8 T cells to acquired resistance

Knock‐out mice with defined major histocompatibility complex (MHC) deficiencies were infected intravenously with Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette Guérin (M. bovis BCG) to assess the relative impact of MHC class I‐ and II‐dependent immune responses. Heterozygous control mice were capable of controlling growth of M. bovis BCG, although infection progressed chronically, as assessed by determination of colony‐forming units. Furthermore, infected controls developed granulomatous lesions at the site of mycobacterial growth and delayed‐type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions after challenge with purified protein derivative of tuberculin. In vitro, spleen cells from heterozygous control mice produced high concentrations of interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) after restimulation with mycobacterial antigens. In contrast, the MHC class II‐deficient Aβ−/− mice, which are virtually devoid of functional CD4 T cells, succumbed to M. bovis BCG infection. Furthermore, Aβ−/− mice lacked DTH reactions to tuberculin and only few minute picnotic lesions were formed in livers of infected mice. Finally, spleen cells from infected Aβ−/− mice failed to produce measurable IFN‐γ concentrations after restimulation in vitro with various mycobacterial antigen preparations. The capacity of β2‐microglobulin (β2m)‐deficient mice, which are devoid of CD8α/β T cells, to inhibit growth of M. bovis BCG was only slightly affected at low inocula, although significantly higher colony‐forming units were detected in spleens. These knock‐out mice developed strong DTH responses to tuberculin and their spleen cells produced high levels of IFN‐γ once reactivated by mycobacterial antigens. Furthermore, in livers of infected β2m‐deficient mice, extravascular infiltrates developed which were more diffuse than those in infected control littermates. Remarkably, the β2m‐deficient mice were substantially more susceptible to higher inocula of M. bovis BCG than their control littermates. Our data formally prove the essential role of MHC class II‐dependent immune mechanisms in all relevant aspects of immunity to M. bovis BCG. In addition, our findings emphasize an important contribution of MHC class I‐dependent immunity to effective anti‐mycobacterial protection. We assume that CD4 T cells are highly effective in containing M. bovis BCG within distinct granulomatous lesions, but fail to eradicate their intracellular pathogens. It appears most likely that CD8 T cells are also required to achieve this goal.
A data mining based approach towards detection of low rate DoS attack

Low rate Denial of Service attack is an advanced form of DoS attack which has high concealment characteristics due to its behaviour like normal traffic. Due to this characteristics of LDoS, currently available tools and IDS have very low efficiency in detection of LDoS attacks and hence these attacks are successful in thwarting legitimate users from accessing the network resources. Most of the researchers propose to make changes in protocols, router, network configuration, node functionalities and network topography in their proposed solution which is highly impractical. This paper presents a data mining based approach for detection of LDoS attack without making any changes in the network environment. Experimental results are provided to support the proposed mechanism.
Current practice of FTSE 350 Boards concerning the appointment, evaluation and development of directors, boards and committees post the Combined Code

The objectives of this study are to survey, post the latest Combined Code, current board practice concerning (a) the appointment, evaluation and development of directors and (b) performance evaluation of boards and their committees. The Company Secretaries of all FTSE 100 and 250 companies were invited to complete, online or on paper, a survey questionnaire designed to investigate several aspects of the performance of their Boards of Directors, including the impact of relevant parts of the latest Combined Code. The more positive findings are that: the Code's principles yield discernible benefits for board and company performances; board performance is most affected by new appointments which has implications for director induction; New Directors' roles and competencies are well articulated by Nomination Committees; a majority use explicit performance criteria; a majority of directors commit 3? 5 days per annum to their professional development. Areas for attention suggested by the findings are as follows: a minority translate explicit performance criteria into specific improvement targets; some ambivalence characterises public disclosure of board evaluation results; evaluation of Committees' performance is less rigorous than for Main Boards; the powers and responsibilities of Subsidiary/Divisional boards are not well defined; only a minority of Nomination Committees focus on Descriptors of High Performance; traditional methods of Director selection and induction prevail; Non-Executive Directors' (NEDs') suitability to coach their Executive Director colleagues or other members of the executive team; only one in seven boards uses External Facilitators to assist in benchmarking their performance. The implications of these results are discussed.
Human resource strategies, workplace reform and industrial restructuring in Australia and New Zealand

In recent years, Australia and New Zealand have pursued two different routes of labour market reform. New Zealand opted for a radical experiment in the deregulation of industrial relations and other areas. Australia pursued a co-operative and co-ordinated approach to reform within the centralized arbitral system. Both reform initiatives were designed to stimulate improvements in organizational performance and cost competitiveness. In this paper, we argue that there are three main types of strategies that management can use to reduce labour cost and improve performance: productivity-enhancement, costminimization and work-intensification strategies. We argue that the former is a long-term sustainable strategy whereas the latter two are negative short-term strategies that may have deleterious longer-term effects. This paper reports the results of a cross-national survey in New Zealand and Australia into the extent of adoption of these management strategies. The results are presented by industry, employment s.