Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sound Pressure Distribution in the Outer Ear

Sound pressure transformation between the eardrum and several points in the outer ear was measured by means of a probe-tube microphone. The tip of the probe tube was positioned with the help of a fine-screw arrangement and an operating Zeiss microscope. The results slightly amend and extend the classical data of Wiener and Ross.Under lydpavirkning dannes det i det ytre oret med oregangen resonanser som forer til at lydtrykknivaet ved trommehinnen adskiller seg fra lydtrykknivaet utenfor det ytre oret. Hensikten med den foreliggende undersokelsen var ved hjelp av en sondemikrofon (Bruel & Kjaer, 1/2 inch condenser microphone) a male lydtrykknivaet i oregangen 1 mm fra sentrum av trommehinnen (umbo), og a sammenligne dette med lydtrykknivaet 1) i ore-gangen I cm innenfor ytre oregangsapning, 2) ved ytre oregangsapning, 3) ved spissen av tragus og 4) I cm utenfor spissen av tragus. Resultatene viste at i et relativt bredt frekvensomrade, fra ca. 1000 Hz til ca. 9000 Hz, var lydtrykknivaet ved trommehinnen ads.
Eavesdropping on visual cues in green swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri) fights: a case for networking

Aggressive contests probably occur in networking environments where information about fighting ability is conveyed both to an opponent and to individuals peripheral to the fight itself, the bystanders. Our primary aim was to investigate the relative influences of eavesdropping and prior social experience on the dynamics of aggressive contests in Xiphophorus helleri. A bystander's ability to witness an encounter was manipulated using clear, one–way mirror, and opaque partitions. After watching (or not watching) the initial contest, the bystander encountered either the winner or loser of the bout. Treatment comparisons of bystander–winner or bystander–loser contest dynamics indicated the presence or absence of winner, loser, or eavesdropping effects. Winner and loser effects had negligible influences on bystander contest dynamics. Eavesdropping significantly reduced the bystander's propensity to initiate aggression, escalate, and win against seen winners regardless of whether the watched bout had escalated or not. Though eavesdropping had relatively little effect on bystander–loser contest dynamics, bystanders were less prone to initiate aggression and win against losers that had escalated in the witnessed bout. Thus, bystanders appear to preferentially retain and utilize information gained about potentially dangerous opponents (winners or persistent losers). Our data lend clear support for the importance of eavesdropping in visually based aggressive signalling systems.
A Completely Configurable Digital System for Simultaneous Measurements of Hysteresis Loops and Barkhausen Noise

This paper describes a new accurate completely digital configurable computer-aided system for the simultaneous measurements of magnetic hysteresis loops and Barkhausen noise in a wide range of excitation frequencies (from 0.01 to 80 Hz) for the purposes of inspection of material properties and microstructure characterization. The importance of the correct choice of the data-acquisition (DAQ) card to have enough resolution in both hysteresis loop and magnetic Barkhausen noise (MBN) measurements is emphasized. Both the magnetic induction signal to construct the magnetic hysteresis loop and the Barkhausen noise are computed by the digital processing (numerical integration and digital filtering, respectively) of the induced electromotive force (EMF) signal. The accuracy of the hysteresis loop measurements is improved by using additional digital filters. The resolution of MBN results in simultaneous measurements is tested. Finally, some results of hysteresis loops and root-mean-square (RMS) envelopes of the MBN signal are presented to show the capability of the system to work at different excitation frequencies without changing any hardware.
Business and Corruption Have a Non-Directional Relationship: Evidence from the Harare City Council, Zimbabwe

The Paper seeks to expose corruption cases in Zimbabwe which is host to the Harare City Council (HCC), the subject of this probe. From there, the Paper will descend on the HCC and cite heart-stopping cases of corruption and their adverse effect on the local authority in terms of the quality of services provided by the same corruption-ridden HCC. The period covered by this probe is 1980, the milestone year of Zimbabwe’s independence from Britain on 18 April to date. As per his tradition, the Paper will proffer a Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations suggested for risk treatment of the significant challenges exposed during the month long probe. This will hopefully bring the discourse to its fitting finale.
A Genetic Analysis of Coffee Consumption in a Sample of Dutch Twins

Abstract Caffeine is by far the most commonly used psychoactive substance. Caffeine is consumed regularly as an ingredient of coffee. Coffee consumption and coffee preference was explored in a sample of 4,495 twins (including 1,231 pairs) registered with the Netherlands Twin Registry. Twin resemblance was assessed by tetrachoric correlations and the influence of both genetic and environmental factors was explored with model fitting analysis in MX. Results showed moderate genetic influences (39%) on coffee consumption. The remaining variance was explained by shared environmental factors (21%) and unique environmental factors (40%). The variance in coffee preference (defined as the proportion of coffee consumption relative to the consumption of coffee and tea in total) was explained by genetic factors (62%) and unique environmental factors (38%).
Decreased bone strength in HLA-B27 transgenic rat model of spondyloarthropathy.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the nature of osteopenia/osteoporosis in spondyloarthropathy, an inflammatory disorder, using the HLA-B27 transgenic rat model. METHODS HLA-B27 transgenic rats were housed individually and sacrificed at the peak of their disease (8-month-old). The spine and femurs were removed and stored in saline at -20 degrees C until analysis. The bone structure and strength were determined using a micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) device (Scanco Medical) and mechanical testing (Instron 5543). Vertebral bodies and femurs were scanned to determine trabecular structural properties in terms of bone volume (BV/TV), trabecular thickness, and spacing. After scanning, the mid-shaft femurs were subjected to a 3-point bending test (along anterior-posterior direction), the femoral necks were tested in bending, and the vertebral bodies (L4) were tested in compression. Structural (ultimate/yield load, stiffness) and apparent material (ultimate/yield stress, modulus) strength parameters were then determined. RESULTS The majority of the bone structural and strength parameters were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the HLA-B27 transgenic rats as compared with control littermates. Micro-CT data suggested that the transgenic animals had lower BV/TV and trabecular thickness in their vertebral bodies. The poor trabecular structure observed in HLA-B27 rats is also indicative of the poor biomechanical strength properties in the vertebral bodies as well. CONCLUSION The HLA-B27 transgenic rats develop bone fragility similar to that seen in spondyloarthropathy and may be an important model for the study of osteoporosis in spondyloarthropathy.
A Multi-Layered Exploration of the Diversity Management Field: Diversity Discourses, Practices and Practitioners in the UK

This paper presents a multi-layered exploration of the diversity management field in the UK. In doing so, it aims to address two problematic tendencies in the current diversity research: the focus on single-level explorations, and the polarization between critical and mainstream approaches. Using Bourdieu's concept of field, I develop a theoretical framework that conceptualizes the field of diversity management in three constituents: diversity discourse, diversity practice and diversity practitioners. The framework is used to analyse empirical evidence generated through semi-structured interviews with 19 diversity managers of large private-sector companies. This study reveals the presence of a gap between the diversity discourse and practice, and the absence of any standard set of qualifications and skills requirement for practitioners. The findings demonstrate the twofold role of discourse in drawing the boundaries of the diversity management field. First, it is instrumental in constructing diversity management as distinct from equal opportunities. Second, the use discourse functions as a mechanism to control the entry of practitioners into this field, which otherwise has low entry barriers. The paper offers a contribution to management research in general and equality and diversity research in particular through its original use of Bourdieuan sociology in an empirical study.
T Cell Deficits and Overexpression of Hepatocyte Growth Factor in Anti-inflammatory Circulating Monocytes of Middle-Aged Patients with Bipolar Disorder Characterized by a High Prevalence of the Metabolic Syndrome

Background We previously reported T cell deficits and pro-inflammatory gene activation in circulating monocytes of two cohorts of bipolar disorder (BD) patients, a cohort of postpartum psychosis patients and in bipolar offspring. Pro-inflammatory gene activation occurred in two clusters of mutually correlating genes, cluster 1 for inflammation-related cytokines/factors, cluster 2 for motility, chemotaxis, and metabolic factors. Aim To verify these cellular immune abnormalities in yet another cohort [the bipolar stress study (BiSS) cohort] of relative old (52 years, median) BD patients and to relate immune abnormalities to hair cortisol levels, measured in this cohort and representing long-term systemic cortisol levels, and to the presence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS), which was prevalent in 29% of the BiSS patients. Methods Monocyte immune gene activation (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) and T cell deficits (fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis) were determined in 97 well-controlled, largely euthymic BiSS BD patients. Monocyte genes included the cluster 1 and 2 genes, the genes for the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) α and GRβ, and the gene for hepatocyte growth factor [HGF, a marker of monocyte-derived circulating angiogenic cells (CACs)]. CACs serve vessel repair. Abnormal numbers are found in patients with MetS and vascular damage. Results As compared to healthy controls: (1) the pro-inflammatory cluster 1 genes were downregulated, and the GRα and the HGF gene were upregulated in the monocytes of the BiSS patients and (2) T cell deficits were shown (reduced numbers of lymphocytes in particular of T cells). Within the reduced T cell population, a shift had taken place in the T-helper populations: T-helper 17 and T-helper 2 increased and T regulatory cells decreased. Correlations between hair cortisol, the MetS, monocyte gene activation, and T cell deficits were not found. Conclusion T cell deficits most likely are a trait phenomenon of BD, since they have also been found in the other cohorts of BD patients and in bipolar offspring. Monocytes of this cohort showed an anti-inflammatory set point, suggesting that pro- and anti-inflammation are state characteristics of BD. The monocyte gene profile indicated an increased CAC activity; the question arises whether this is due to putative vessel damage in these relatively old patients with a high prevalence of the MetS.
Sensory and attention abnormalities in autistic spectrum disorders

Individuals with autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs) often experience, describe and exhibit unusual patterns of sensation and attention. These anomalies have been hypothesized to result from overarousal and consequent overfocused attention. Parents of individuals with ASD rated items in three domains, ‘sensory overreactivity’, ‘sensory underreactivity’ and ‘sensory seeking behaviors’, of an expanded version of the Sensory Profile, a 103-item rating scale developed for the present study. Parents also rated symptom severity, overselective attention and exceptional memory, and completed the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales. Of 222 rated subjects, 144 had complete data. Cluster analysis showed the predicted overfocused pattern of sensation and attention, comprising overreactivity, perseverative behavior and interests, overfocused attention and exceptional memory in 43 percent of this sample. This pattern was striking in 10 percent. The neurological basis of overreactivity and overfocusing is discussed in relation to the overarousal hypothesis. Attention is drawn to its considerable prevalence in the ASD population.
Patterns of and Risk Factors for Recurrence in Women With Ovarian Endometriomas

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for and the patterns of recurrence of endometrioma and of dysmenorrhea in women with ovarian endometrioma. METHODS: We evaluated 710 consecutive patients operated on for ovarian endometriomas who were followed up for an average of 22.4 months. Twenty factors were examined to assess their effect on risk of recurrence of endometrioma and of dysmenorrhea using survival analysis. Hazard rate also was estimated to examine recurrence patterns. RESULTS: For recurrence of endometrioma, the revised American Fertility Society (rAFS) score, younger age at surgery, and previous medical treatment of endometriosis were identified to be risk factors. For recurrence of dysmenorrhea, rAFS score was the only risk factor. For both recurrences, there was a constant hazard rate in the first 28–30 months after surgery, indicating that the recurrence in that period is completely random. After that period, the hazard rate increased dramatically. CONCLUSION: The total rAFS score, but not rAFS stage, is a risk factor for recurrence of both endometrioma and dysmenorrhea, indicating that the rAFS stage has little prognostic value. The existence of a completely random recurrence period may be a universal phenomenon, with its duration and the magnitude of recurrence risk determined by patient characteristics and quality of care. The second phase of much higher recurrence risk may reflect successful reseeding, reimplantation, and regrowth of ectopic endometrium. Therefore, the identification of risk factors as well as patterns of recurrence should shed better light on possible causes for recurrence, which is now poorly understood. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II
After Desktop Computing: A Progress Report on Smart Environments Research

Microsoft Research, founded in 1991, is now one of the leading computer research groups worldwide. MSR's charter is to invent ways to make computers more capable and easy to use. What is next for Microsoft? Bill Gates has a host of irons in his research fire (http://research.microsoft.com/research). Among them, the EasyLiving group (www.research.microsoft.com/easyliving) is working to propel computing off the desktop and into the realm of the intelligent Star Trek computer. The vision of intelligent environments is a world of technology that seamlessly and unobtrusively surrounds you with intelligent help. It interconnects and controls various appliances and services from TV and the Web, to toasters and bathtubs, reconfiguring them on the fly as you move around, responding as your needs and desires change. The paper discusses the EasyLiving project.
High resolution spectroscopy of two oxygen-rich SNRs with the Chandra HETG

The HETG can be used to obtain spatially resolved spectra of moderately extended sources. We present preliminary results for two well studied, oxygen rich supernova remnants in the Magellanic clouds, E0102-72 and N132D. The dispersed spectrum of E0102-72 shows images of the remnant in the light of individual emission lines from H-like and He-like ions of O, Mg, Ne and He-like Si with no evidence of Fe. The diameters of the images for various ions, measured in the cross-dispersion direction, increase monotonically with the ionization age for the given ion. This shows in detail the progression of the reverse shock through the expanding stellar ejecta. We see clear evidence for asymmetric Doppler shifts across E0102-72 of ∼ ±2000 km s−1. These can be modelled approximately by a partially-filled, expanding shell inclined to the line of sight. The dispersed spectrum of N132D is more affected by spatial/spectral overlap but also shows monochromatic images in several strong lines. Preliminary spectra have been e.
Optimization of a Weak 3′ Splice Site Counteracts the Function of a Bovine Papillomavirus Type 1 Exonic Splicing Suppressor In Vitro and In Vivo

ABSTRACT Alternative splicing is a critical component of the early to late switch in papillomavirus gene expression. In bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV-1), a switch in 3′ splice site utilization from an early 3′ splice site at nucleotide (nt) 3225 to a late-specific 3′ splice site at nt 3605 is essential for expression of the major capsid (L1) mRNA. Three viral splicing elements have recently been identified between the two alternative 3′ splice sites and have been shown to play an important role in this regulation. A bipartite element lies approximately 30 nt downstream of the nt 3225 3′ splice site and consists of an exonic splicing enhancer (ESE), SE1, followed immediately by a pyrimidine-rich exonic splicing suppressor (ESS). A second ESE (SE2) is located approximately 125 nt downstream of the ESS. We have previously demonstrated that the ESS inhibits use of the suboptimal nt 3225 3′ splice site in vitro through binding of cellular splicing factors. However, these in vitro studies did not address the role of the ESS in the regulation of alternative splicing. In the present study, we have analyzed the role of the ESS in the alternative splicing of a BPV-1 late pre-mRNA in vivo. Mutation or deletion of just the ESS did not significantly change the normal splicing pattern where the nt 3225 3′ splice site is already used predominantly. However, a pre-mRNA containing mutations in SE2 is spliced predominantly using the nt 3605 3′ splice site. In this context, mutation of the ESS restored preferential use of the nt 3225 3′ splice site, indicating that the ESS also functions as a splicing suppressor in vivo. Moreover, optimization of the suboptimal nt 3225 3′ splice site counteracted the in vivo function of the ESS and led to preferential selection of the nt 3225 3′ splice site even in pre-mRNAs with SE2 mutations. In vitro splicing assays also showed that the ESS is unable to suppress splicing of a pre-mRNA with an optimized nt 3225 3′ splice site. These data confirm that the function of the ESS requires a suboptimal upstream 3′ splice site. A surprising finding of our study is the observation that SE1 can stimulate both the first and the second steps of splicing.
CAUSAL RELATIONSHIP ANALYSIS OF HUMAN SENSE FOR ODOR USING GRAPHICAL MODELING

The impressions of odors is known as a source of explicit subjective and have individual differences. In this study, the impressions of odors were investigated by a covariance structure analysis. Forty-six subjects (men in their twenties) recorded their reactions to ten odorants by grading them on a seven-point scale in terms of twelve adjective pairs. Their reactions were visually evaluated by using a factor analysis and a covariance structure analysis. The factors were extracted as “preference”, “arousal”and “persistency”. We classified the subjects into three groups according to the similarity in the preference pattern for odors, because the preference patterns of the subjects for odors significantly vary between individuals. Each group had different a causal relationship and a different impression structure for the odors. It was suggested that the subjective impression of odor could be evaluated using the covariance structure analysis.
Intermolecular versus intramolecular interactions of Dictyostelium myosin: possible regulation by heavy chain phosphorylation

Dictyostelium myosin has been examined under conditions that reveal intramolecular and intermolecular interactions that may be important in the process of assembly and its regulation. Rotary shadowed myosin molecules exhibit primarily two configurations under these conditions: straight parallel dimers and folded monomers. All of the monomers bend in a specific region of the 1860-A-long tail that is 1200 A from the head-tail junction. Molecules in parallel dimers are staggered by 140 A, which is a periodicity in the packing of myosin molecules originally observed in native thick filaments of muscle. The most common region for interaction in the dimers is a segment of the tail about 200-A- long, extending from 900 to 1100 A from the head-tail junction. Parallel dimers form tetramers by way of antiparallel interactions in their tail regions with overlaps in multiples of 140 A. The folded configuration of the myosin molecules is promoted by phosphorylation of the heavy chain by Dictyostelium myosin heavy chain kinase. It appears that the bent monomers are excluded from filaments formed upon addition of salt while the dimeric molecules assemble. These results may provide the structural basis for primary steps in myosin filament assembly and its regulation by heavy chain phosphorylation.
Five-year follow-up results for patients diagnosed with anaplastic astrocytoma and effectiveness of concomitant therapy with temozolomide for recurrent anaplastic astrocytoma

Background: Anaplastic astrocytoma (AA; WHO grade-III) patients determination of prognostic factors helps generating multimodal therapy protocols. For this purpose, in the Baskent University, Adana Medical Research Center, specific characteristics of AA patients who have surgery were retrospectively investigated and factors which affect prognosis has been determined. Patients and Methods: Between January 2005 and 2009, 20 patients who have AA have been evaluated retrospectively. Totally, 20 patients had 31 operations. Sixteen patients had only adjuvant radiation therapy (RT). In the postoperative period, 8 patients received adjuvant RT. Nine of 10 patients with tumor recurrence received concomitant therapy with temozolomide (ConcT with TMZ) protocol. No adjuvant therapy protocol could be applied in three patients with poor general condition in the postoperative period. Results: Median survival for patients died was 16±17 months; one year survival was 75% and five year survival 25%. After univariate analysis, preoperative Karnofsky performance score (KPS) was ≥80 (P=0.005577*), postoperative KPS was ≥80 (P=0.003825*), type of tumor resection (P=0.001751*), multiple operations (P=0.006233*), and ConcT with TMZ protocol (P=0,005766*) were all positive prognostic factors which extend the survival. Conclusions: The results of the multivariate analysis did not put forward an independent prognostic factor acting on the survival period (P>0.05).
Bayesian Analysis and Model Selection for Interval‐Censored Survival Data

Summary. Interval‐censored data occur in survival analysis when the survival time of each patient is only known to be within an interval and these censoring intervals differ from patient to patient. For such data, we present some Bayesian discretized semiparametric models, incorporating proportional and nonproportional hazards structures, along with associated statistical analyses and tools for model selection using sampling‐based methods. The scope of these methodologies is illustrated through a reanalysis of a breast cancer data set (Finkelstein, 1986, Biometrics42, 845–854) to test whether the effect of covariate on survival changes over time.
Quantum-statistical interference of coincident neutrons from the compound nucleus.

Coincident neutrons from the {sup 18}O+{sup 26}Mg{r arrow}{sup 44}Ca ({ital E}{sub {ital x}}=60 and 71 MeV) compound-nuclear reaction show an anticorrelation at small relative momentum, giving evidence for quantum-statistical interference in analogy to the optical Hanbury-Brown and Twiss effect. An average decay width of 60 keV is extracted from the measured energy correlations. The deduced extension of the neutron wave packets exceeds by far the {ital nn} scattering length, in accordance with the observed insignificance of the attractive {ital nn} final-state interaction.