Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Beyond Continuity: Institutional Change in Advanced Political Economies

Debates surrounding institutional change have become increasingly central to Political Science, Management Studies, and Sociology, opposing the role of globalization in bringing about a convergence of national economies and institutions on one model to theories about 'Varieties of Capitalism'. This book brings together a distinguished set of contributors from a variety of disciplines to examine current theories of institutional change. The chapters highlight the limitations of these theories, finding them lacking in the analytic tools necessary to identify the changes occurring at a national level, and therefore tend to explain many changes and innovation as simply another version of previous situations. Instead a model emerges of contemporary political economies developing in incremental but cumulatively transformative processes. The contributors show that a wide, but not infinite, variety of models of institutional change exist which can meaningfully distinguished and analytically compared. They offer an empirically grounded typology of modes of institutional change that offer important insights on mechanisms of social and political stability, and evolution generally. Beyond Continuity provides a more complex and fundamental understanding of institutional change, and will be important reading for academics, researchers, and advanced students of Political Science, Management Studies, Sociology, and Economics. Contributors to this volume - Colin Crouch, Department of Social and Political Sciences, European University Institute, Florence Richard Deeg, Temple University Marie-Laure Djelic, ESSEC Busines School, Paris Jacob S. Hacker, Yale University Gregory Jackson, Kings College, University of London Maarten Keune, European University Insitute, Florence Jonah D. Levy, University of California, Berkeley Bruno Palier, Centre D'Etudes de la Vie Politique Francaise (CEVIPOF), Paris Sigrid Quack, Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin, Germany Wolfgang Streeck, Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies, Cologne Kathleen Thelen, Northwestern University Christine Trampusch, Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies, Cologne Steven K. Vogel, University of California, Berkeley
Head and neck cancer incidence trends in young Americans, 1973-1997, with a special analysis for tongue cancer.

OBJECTIVE To examine the temporal changes in head and neck cancer in young adults in the United States. METHODS Using the cancer surveillance database from the National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program, we calculated age-adjusted incidence rates for head and neck cancers. Using the joinpoint regression model, we described tongue cancer incidence trends and established the statistical significance of temporal changes. We also compared changes in 5-year survival rates for tongue cancer. RESULTS From 1973 to 1997, there were 63 409 patients with head and neck cancer in the 9 SEER registries. Of these, 3339 patients were younger than 40 years. The incidence of head and neck cancer remained stable in groups older than 40 years comparing the 1973-1984 and 1985-1997 data. In contrast, tongue cancer in adults younger than 40 years increased approximately 60% during the same period. We detected a significant increase until 1985, the estimated annual percentage change being 6.7% (95% confidence interval, 2.7%-10.8%; P<.001). After 1985, incidence rates stopped rising but remained steadily high. The change in tongue cancer incidence rates for young adults was related to birth cohorts between 1938 and 1948. The absolute increase in 5-year survival for tongue cancer ranged from 11.7% (<40 years old) to 6.6% (40-64 years old) between 1973-1984 and 1985-1997, with the most significant improvement occurring in young Americans with regional or distant disease (27% and 21%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS A sharp increasing trend in tongue cancer in young Americans may be attributed to persons born after 1938. The reason for the increase is uncertain. Improved survival rates in young patients suggest the emergence of a distinct disease process that is apparent in white but not black populations.
Spectral Gap Error Bounds for Improving CUR Matrix Decomposition and the Nyström Method

The CUR matrix decomposition and the related Nystrom method build low-rank approximations of data matrices by select- ing a small number of representative rows and columns of the data. Here, we intro- duce novel spectral gap error bounds that judiciously exploit the potentially rapid spectrum decay in the input matrix, a most common occurrence in machine learning and data analysis. Our error bounds are much tighter than existing ones for matri- ces with rapid spectrum decay, and they justify the use of a constant amount of over- sampling relative to the rank parameter k, i.e, when the number of columns/rows is ' = k + O(1). We demonstrate our analysis on a novel deterministic algorithm, StableCUR, which additionally eliminates a previously unrecognized source of po- tential instability in CUR decompositions. While our algorithm accepts any method of row and column selection, we implement it with a recent column selection scheme with strong singular value bounds. Empirical re- sults on various classes of real world data matrices demonstrate that our algorithm is as ecient as, and often outperforms, com- peting algorithms.
Conserved Acidic Amino Acid Residues in a Second RNA Recognition Motif Regulate Assembly and Function of TDP-43

Accumulating evidence suggests that pathogenic TAR DNA-binding protein (TDP)-43 fragments contain a partial RNA-recognition motif domain 2 (RRM2) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)/frontotemporal lobar degeneration. However, the molecular basis for how this domain links to the conformation and function of TDP-43 is unclear. Previous crystal analyses have documented that the RRM2-DNA complex dimerizes under acidic and high salt conditions, mediated by the intermolecular hydrogen bonds of Glu246-Ile249 and Asp247-Asp247. The aims of this study were to investigate the roles of Glu246 and Asp247 in the molecular assembly of RRM2 under physiological conditions, and to evaluate their potential use as markers for TDP-43 misfolding due to the aberrantly exposed dimer interface. Unexpectedly, gel filtration analyses showed that, regardless of DNA interaction, the RRM2 domain remained as a stable monomer in phosphate-buffered saline. Studies using substitution mutants revealed that Glu246 and, especially, Asp247 played a crucial role in preserving the functional RRM2 monomers. Substitution to glycine at Glu246 or Asp247 induced the formation of fibrillar oligomers of RRM2 accompanied by the loss of DNA-binding affinity, which also affected the conformation and the RNA splicing function of full-length TDP-43. A novel monoclonal antibody against peptides containing Asp247 was found to react with TDP-43 inclusions of ALS patients and mislocalized cytosolic TDP-43 in cultured cells, but not with nuclear wild-type TDP-43. Our findings indicate that Glu246 and Asp247 play pivotal roles in the proper conformation and function of TDP-43. In particular, Asp247 should be studied as a molecular target with an aberrant conformation related to TDP-43 proteinopathy.
Aortic Pulse Wave Velocity Predicts Focal White Matter Hyperintensities in a Biracial Cohort of Older Adults

Although the cross-sectional relationship of arterial stiffness with cerebral small vessel disease is consistently shown in middle-aged and young-old adults, it is less clear whether these associations remain significant over time in very old adults. We hypothesize that arterial stiffness is longitudinally associated with white matter characteristics, and associations are stronger within watershed areas. Neuroimaging was obtained in 2006–2008 from 303 elderly (mean age 82.9 years, 59% women, 41% black) with pulse wave velocity (PWV) measures in 1997–1998. Multivariable regression models estimated the coefficients for PWV (cm/sec) in relationship to presence, severity, and spatial distribution of white matter hyperintensities (WMH), gray matter volume, and fractional anisotropy from diffusion tensor, adjusting for demographic, cardiovascular risk factors, and diseases from 1997–1998 to 2006–2008. Higher PWV in 1997–1998 was associated with greater WMH volume in 2006–2008 within the left superior longitudinal fasciculus (age and total brain WMH adjusted, P=0.023), but not with WMH in other tracts or with fractional anisotropy or gray matter volume from total brain (P>0.2). Associations were stronger in blacks than in whites, remaining significant in fully adjusted models. Elderly with WMH in tracts related to processing speed and memory are more likely to have had higher PWV values 10 years prior, before neuroimaging data being available. Future studies should address whether arterial stiffness can serve as an early biomarker of covert brain structural abnormalities and whether early arterial stiffness control can promote successful brain aging, especially in black elderly.
The Prevalence of Allergic Rhinitis in Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Introduction: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a multifactorial disease. Allergies are considered a predisposing factor to CRS; however, this remains controversial. The objective of this research was to investigate the prevalence of co-morbidities and allergic reaction, and to specify the most common allergens in patients with confirmed CRS. Materials and Methods: One hundred patients with signs and symptoms of CRS who met the diagnostic endoscopic and radiologic criteria of chronic rhinosinusitis were selected. They filled out a questionnaire and underwent a skin prick test for the common inhalant allergens. Allergic rhinitis was diagnosed according to the history and positive skin prick tests. Results: The mean age of patients was 34. Males were slightly more involved (54%). The prevalence of polypoid and none-polypoid rhinosinusitis was 54% and 46% respectively. The patients’ most common symptoms were nasal discharge (95%), blockage (94%), smell disorders (63%), cough (45%), halitosis (41%), lethargy (37%), and aural fullness (36%). Allergy to at least one allergen was noted in 64% of the CRS patients which is higher than general population in Mashhad, Iran with allergic rhinitis (22.4%). Salsola was the most common allergen. There was no significant difference in allergic reactions between polypoid and non-polypoid CRS patients. Conclusion: Allergic reactions was found in Iranian CRS patients with or without polyposis to be much higher than general population in Mashhad with allergic rhinitis alone.
Environmental levels of oestrogenic and antiandrogenic compounds feminize digit ratios in male rats and their unexposed male progeny

Digit length ratios, especially the second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D : 4D), are associated with various pathological and behavioural conditions in many species including humans and are dependent upon prenatal androgen to oestrogen balance. It is unknown whether digit ratios are modified by environmental exposure to ubiquitous endocrine disruptors. We studied the effect on adult male Wistar rat digit ratios of a gestational exposure to the oestrogenic and antiandrogenic compounds bisphenol A (BPA), genistein and vinclozolin, in low doses, and in combination with investigating in parallel a possible sexual dimorphism of this trait. We also investigated the effects on the male progeny not exposed during gestation. X-rays were taken of the left and right forepaws, and 2D–5D proximal to distal phalanx distances were measured by a standardized procedure based on semi-automatic image analysis. We provide evidence that there is a sexual dimorphism of digit ratios in the Wistar rat, and we found that BPA alone or in combination with genistein and vinclozolin significantly feminized digit ratios in male rats. Intriguingly, significant feminization of digit ratios was also found in the unexposed male progeny of males that had been exposed to compound mixtures. In conclusion, prenatal environmental levels of endocrine-active substances permanently disrupt digit ratios. Digit ratio measurement in adults is thus a promising biomarker of prenatal exposure to low-dose endocrine disruptors in rodents, with potential implications for future studies in humans.
The effect of accompanying media on spatial models derived from text

In a computer based experiment, groups were exposed to either a textual walking tour of the Saint John the Divine Cathedral, the same walking tour accompanied by black and white photos of the cathedral that coincided with the text, or a virtual reality experience accompanied by the same text. Participants were then tested on the factual, imagistic, and mental model knowledge they were able to obtain from the experience. In the test, participants in the text and photo groups were outperformed by the virtual group on the factual questions and the imagistic questions. The virtual group also took significantly more time inside the program than the other two groups. The text group outperformed the other groups on the mental model task. Issues around memory encoding and retrieval are discussed in relationship to the findings.
Improving Productive and Reproductive Performance of Holstein Dairy Cows through Dry Period Management

To determine the effects of dry period (DP) length on milk yield, milk composition, some blood metabolites, complete blood count (CBC), body weight and score and follicular status, twenty five primiparous and multiparous Holstein cows were assigned to a completely randomized design with DP-60 (n = 13) and DP-20 (n = 12) dry period lengths. Cows in the DP-60 produced more milk, protein, SNF, serum non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and beta hydroxyl butyrate acid (BHBA) compared with cows in DP-20 (p≤0.05). Serum glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), urea, and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) were all similar among the treatments. Body Condition Score (BCS), body weight (BW), complete blood count (CBC) and health problems were similar between the treatments. Diameter of the first dominant follicle and diameter of the dominant follicle on d 14 were different among the treatments. Thus, results of this study showed that reducing the dry period length to DP-20 had a negative effect on milk production, milk composition and reproductive performance in Holstein dairy cows.
Generating new directions in career theory: The case for a transdisciplinary approach.

The limitation of social organization is found in the inability of individuals to place themselves in the perspectives of others, to take their points of view. George Herbert Mead, 1927 When we pause in our studies to reflect on theory and method, the greatest yield is a restatement of our problems. C. Wright Mills, 1959 The concept of the career has never been more popular. Once viewed mainly as a synonym for initial job choice, it is now widely accepted as a central feature in employment arrangements. Career development and human resource management programs are not only widely accepted but also seen as critical to both individuals and organizations. Such programs cover a wide range of issues, from individual careers and work–family accommodation, to policy and strategic concerns such as the aging of the work force, adaptation to new technology, and organizational productivity (Gutteridge, 1986; Mills, 1985). However, these trends mean that much of the practice of managing careers has come close to catching up with the body of theory that inspired it (Hall and Associates, 1986). Either career theory has served its purpose and should be laid to rest or it needs a good shot in the arm. We believe this state of affairs exists not because we are done explaining careers, but because work on the topic has moved away from its conceptually rich heritage. As a result, career studies are at risk of addressing increasingly narrow and decreasingly innovative questions. Our view is that a good shot in the arm will help rejuvenate career theory and also help us adapt to the dynamic character of modern industrial society.
Src-induced Tyrosine Phosphorylation of VE-cadherin Is Not Sufficient to Decrease Barrier Function of Endothelial Monolayers*♦

Activation of Src family kinases (SFK) and the subsequent phosphorylation of VE-cadherin have been proposed as major regulatory steps leading to increases in vascular permeability in response to inflammatory mediators and growth factors. To investigate Src signaling in the absence of parallel signaling pathways initiated by growth factors or inflammatory mediators, we activated Src and SFKs by expression of dominant negative Csk, expression of constitutively active Src, or knockdown of Csk. Activation of SFK by overexpression of dominant negative Csk induced VE-cadherin phosphorylation at tyrosines 658, 685, and 731. However, dominant negative Csk expression was unable to induce changes in the monolayer permeability. In contrast, expression of constitutively active Src decreased barrier function and promoted VE-cadherin phosphorylation on tyrosines 658 and 731, although the increase in VE-cadherin phosphorylation preceded the increase in permeability by 4–6 h. Csk knockdown induced VE-cadherin phosphorylation at sites 658 and 731 but did not induce a loss in barrier function. Co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence studies suggest that phosphorylation of those sites did not impair VE-cadherin ability to bind p120 and β-catenin or the ability of these proteins to localize at the plasma membrane. Taken together, our data show that Src-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of VE-cadherin is not sufficient to promote an increase in endothelial cell monolayer permeability and suggest that signaling leading to changes in vascular permeability in response to inflammatory mediators or growth factors may require VE-cadherin tyrosine phosphorylation concurrently with other signaling pathways to promote loss of barrier function.
Second Language Teacher Education: International Perspectives

Contents: S.J. Hudelson, Foreword. Preface. Part I: The Knowledge Base of Second Language Teacher Education. D.J. Tedick, Introduction. E. Tarone, D. Allwright, Second Language Teacher Learning and Student Second Language Learning: Shaping the Knowledge Base. D. Freeman, K.E. Johnson, Response to Tarone and Allwright. A. Scarino, Introspection and Retrospection as Windows on Teacher Knowledge, Values, and Ethical Dispositions. B. Johnston, F. Pawan, R. Mahan-Taylor, The Professional Development of Working ESL/EFL Teachers: A Pilot Study. D. Freeman, K.E. Johnson, Toward Linking Teacher Knowledge and Student Learning. Part II: Contexts of Second Language Teacher Education. D.J. Tedick, Introduction. E. Shohamy, The Power of Tests Over Teachers: The Power of Teachers Over Tests. S. Hiramatsu, Contexts and Policy Reform: A Case Study of EFL Teaching in High School in Japan. H. Byrnes, Toward a Comprehensive Conceptualization of Teaching Assistant Education: Contents, Commitments, Structures. L. Poynor, A Conscious and Deliberate Intervention: The Influence of Language Teacher Education. Part III: Collaborations in Second Language Teacher Education. D.J. Tedick, Introduction. J. Edge, Build It and They Will Come: Realising Values in ESOL Teacher Education. L.C. Smith, The Impact of Action Research on Teacher Collaboration and Professional Growth. S. Cormany, C. Maynor, J. Kalnin, Developing Self, Developing Curriculum, and Developing Theory: Researchers in Residence at Patrick Henry Professional Practice School. N.E. Dubetz, Improving ESL Instruction in a Bilingual Program Through Collaborative, Inquiry-Based Professional Development. Part IV: Second Language Teacher Education in Practice. D.J. Tedick, Introduction. M.A. Snow, Key Themes in TESOL MA Teacher Education. N. Cloud, The Dialogic Process of Capturing and Building Teacher Practical Knowledge in Dual Language Programs. T. Erben, Teacher Education Through Immersion and Immersion Teacher Education: An Australian Case. M. Bigelow, D.J. Tedick, Combining Foreign and Second Language Teacher Education: Rewards and Challenges. C.L. Walker, S. Ranney, T.W. Fortune, Preparing Preservice Teachers for English Language Learners: A Content-Based Approach.
Microbial Contaminants in the Commercial Aviation Fuel Obtained from Benin City Airport, Nigeria

The primary function of aviation fuel is to provide propulsive energy to the aircraft. Microorganisms may contribute to aging instability in the fuel, induce corrosion of the storage tanks and pipeworks, form mats which can block filters and pipelines and increase wear in fuel pumps eventually leading to engine failure, therefore, in this study, the microbial contaminants in the commercial aviation fuel obtained from Benin City Airport, Nigeria were isolated, characterized, identified and their hydrocarbon-utilizing potentials determined using standard methods. The microbial contaminants were Micrococcus luteus, Serratia marcescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Citrobacter freundii, Klebsiella aerogenes, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, Fusarium oxysporum, Penicillium italicum, Rhizopus stolonifer, Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida tropicalis. Serratia marcescens had the highest percentage distribution (16%) in the fuel. Serratia marcescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, Rhizopus stolonifer and Aspergillus fumigatus were the best utilizers of the fuel among the organisms isolated. There was a drop in the initial pH of the mineral salts oil medium inoculated with the isolates indicating hydrocarbon utilization. The result of this work showed that the fuel examined was contaminated with bacteria and fungi, therefore the incorporation of effective biocides, frequent inspection and drainage of water from fuel tanks and pipeworks are recommended.
Flatness, motion planning and trailer systems

A solution of the motion planning without obstacles for the standard a-trailer system is proposed. This solution relies basically on the fact that the system is flat with the Cartesian coordinates of the last trailer as a linearizing output. The Frenet formulae are used to simplify the calculations and permit to deal with angle constraints. The general 1-trailer system, where the trailer is not directly hitched to the car at the center of the rear axle, is also flat. The geometric construction used for the standard 1-trailer system can be extended to this more realistic system. MATLAB simulations illustrate this method. <<ETX>>
Psicopatología y evitación experiencial: AAQ-MEX, comparación de tres pequeñas muestras

Se midieron los niveles de evitacion experiencial en tres pequenas muestras de cinco sujetos cada una, una de pacientes psicoticos, otra de pacientes neuroticos y una tercera de personas mentalmente sanas. Se utilizo para ello una version en espanol del Acceptance and Action Questionnaire elaborado por Hayes, Strosahl, Wilson y Bissett y adaptado para la poblacion mexicana. En este reporte se exponen los resultados y se discuten las implicaciones.
Single walled carbon nanotubes films: Strong electric field induced nonlinear effects in electrical conductivity

Strong electric field induced nonlinear effects in electrical conductivity of single wall carbon nanotube films are demonstrated. The increase of electric conductivity with increase of external electric field strength (up to 200 kV/cm) was attributed to the tunneling between the conducting paths of metallic SWCNT and hoping in one dimensional metallic constituents in carbon nanotube compound, whilst its decrease is related to reduction of tunneling probability within certain percolation paths. Hysteresis behaviour observed in the current-voltage characteristics using nanosecond pulsed characterization is attributed to levels in carbon nanotubes-sodium dodecylsulfate interface.