Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pulsar Wind Nebulae in Evolved Supernova Remnants

For pulsars similar to the one in the Crab Nebula, most of the energy input to the surrounding wind nebula occurs on a timescale ≲103 yr; during this time, the nebula expands into freely expanding supernova ejecta. On a timescale ~104 yr, the interaction of the supernova with the surrounding medium drives a reverse shock front toward the center of the remnant, where it crushes the pulsar wind nebula (PWN). We have carried out one- and two-dimensional, two-fluid simulations of the crushing and reexpansion phases of a PWN. We show that (1) these phases are subject to Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities that result in the mixing of thermal and nonthermal fluids, and (2) asymmetries in the surrounding interstellar medium give rise to asymmetries in the position of the PWN relative to the pulsar and explosion site. These effects are expected to be observable in the radio emission from evolved PWN because of the long lifetimes of radio-emitting electrons. The scenario can explain the chaotic and asymmetric appearance of the Vela X PWN relative to the Vela pulsar without recourse to a directed flow from the vicinity of the pulsar. The displacement of the radio nebulae in G327.1-1.1, MSH 15-56 (G326.3-1.8), G0.9+0.1, and W44 relative to the X-ray nebulae may be due to this mechanism. On timescales much greater than the nebular crushing time, the initial PWN may be mixed with thermal gas and become unobservable, so that even the radio emission is dominated by recently injected particles.
Upper airway inflammation assessed by nasal lavage in compost workers: A relation with bio-aerosol exposure.

BACKGROUND Exposure to microbial agents in the composting industry may cause work related airway inflammation. Nasal lavage (NAL) has been proposed as a noninvasive method to assess such effects in population studies. METHODS Pre- and post-shift NAL were performed in the workers of a compost plant visited in 1995 (n = 14) and 1996 (n=15), of whom only four participated in both surveys. Total cells, cytokines and other inflammation markers were measured in NAL fluid, and pre-shift levels and post/pre concentration ratios were compared with NAL results obtained in the same periods in 10 and 9 controls, respectively, and with levels of airborne exposure to microbial agents endotoxin and beta(1,3)-glucan as measured in personal air samples. RESULTS Job-title specific exposure levels in the first survey ranged from 75 to 527 EU/m(3) for endotoxin and from 0.54 to 4.85 microg/m(3) for beta(1,3)-glucan. In the second survey these values were lower, 29-285 EU/m(3) and 0.36-4.44 microg/m(3), respectively. In the first survey pre-shift NAL concentrations of total cells, MPO, IL-8, NO and albumin were significantly (1.1-4.8 fold) higher in compost workers than in controls. Post/pre ratios for various markers were significantly (1.2-3.2 fold) higher in compost workers in both surveys. NAL cells were mainly neutrophils, while eosinophils were only incidentally observed. A weak relation with exposure was found for pre-shift levels of MPO, uric acid and urea in the first survey. CONCLUSIONS Occupational exposure of compost workers may cause acute and possibly (sub-)chronic inflammatory reactions in the upper airways, presumably induced by non-allergenic pro-inflammatory agents like endotoxins and beta(1, 3)-glucans.
Heterologous transposition in Aspergillus nidulans

Aspergillus nidulans is one of the model ascomycete fungi. Transposition events have never been described in this organism. We have determined that this organism has at least 13 copies of a Fot1‐related element. These copies are transcribed, non‐methylated and polymorphic in various wild isolates. In spite of this, we have failed to isolate transposon insertions when the resident niaD gene is used as a transposon trap. This contrasts with the situation described previously in Fusarium oxysporum. We show that two elements of F. oxysporum, Fot1 and impala, transpose efficiently in A. nidulans. We have developed the impala system by tagging it with the yA gene. This permits the visual detection of the transposon by the colour of the conidiospores. We demonstrate that no endogenous transposase of A. nidulans is able to act in trans on a defective impala element, whereas its own transposase driven by two different promoters is able to mobilize this element. The frequency of excision of these modified elements is between 10−4 and 10−5. Loss of the transposable element occurs in about 10% of all excision events. In the remaining 90%, the transposon seems to be integrated at random positions in the genome. The availability of mitochondrially inherited mutations has allowed us to demonstrate that hybrid dysgenesis is apparently absent in A. nidulans. The development of this system opens the way to investigating the mechanism underlying the paucity of transposition events leading to visible phenotypes. It should allow us to develop efficient gene‐tagging tools, useful in this and other fungi.
Effects of full-mouth scaling and root planing in conjunction with systemically administered azithromycin.

BACKGROUND One-stage full-mouth disinfection (FMD), in which full-mouth scaling and root planing (SRP) is performed with adjunctive use of chlorhexidine, was introduced in 1995. There have been several reports on the effectiveness of this treatment protocol. However, FMD was reported to induce pyrexia frequently. We examined the effects of full-mouth SRP in conjunction with azithromycin administered orally before SRP to control the number of bacteria. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of full-mouth SRP using azithromycin with conventional SRP. METHODS Thirty-four subjects (17 in the test group and 17 in the control group) with severe chronic periodontitis were selected. The subjects of the test group had azithromycin 3 days before full-mouth SRP. Clinical parameters (probing depth [PD], gingival index [GI], bleeding on probing [BOP], and gingival crevicular fluid [GCF]), total number of bacteria, and number of black pigment-producing rods (BPRs) were evaluated at baseline and 5, 13, and 25 weeks after baseline. RESULTS All clinical parameters improved in the test group more than in the control group. In the bacteriologic examination, the total number of bacteria did not change during the examination. In the test group, BPRs were not detected until 13 weeks. However, BPRs were detected in the control group by 13 weeks. CONCLUSION It was shown that full-mouth SRP using systemically administered azithromycin was a clinically and bacteriologically useful basic periodontal treatment for severe chronic periodontitis.
Dominant culturable bacterial microbiota in the digestive tract of the American black vulture (Coragyps atratus Bechstein 1793) and search for antagonistic substances

Strict and facultative culturable anaerobic bacteria from the digestive tract of six American black vultures (Coragyps atratus Bechstein 1793) were isolated and identified. After capture, the birds received a non-contaminated diet for one week to eliminate possible allochthonous microorganisms. Then, specimens collected from tongue, stomach and intestines were weighed, submitted to decimal dilution in an anaerobic chamber, inoculated into culture media and incubated aerobically and anaerobically at 37oC for enumeration, isolation and identification. Isolated bacteria were submitted to tests to detect possible antagonisms between them. The total bacterial population along the digestive tract ranged from 3.46 ± 0.39 log CFU/g in the stomach to 10.75 ± 0.37 log CFU/g in the distal intestine. Some bacteria were isolated for the first time from the digestive tract of C. atratus: Actinomyces bovis, Lactobacillus cellobiosus, Micrococcus luteus, Neisseria sicca, Clostridium bifermentans, Enterobacter agglomerans, Peptostreptococcus sp. , Sarcina sp. , Serratia odorifera, and Shigella flexneri. Associations between microorganisms were observed during isolation on two occasions, one involving A. bovis and N. sicca, and the other involving A. bovis and a Gram-negative rod. Hetero-, iso- and autoantagonisms were observed, suggesting the ecological role of these indigenous microorganisms in terms of population auto-control and environmental barrier in the digestive tract of carrion-feeding birds.
Early occupational therapy programme increases hand grip strength at 3 months: results from a randomised, blind, controlled study in early rheumatoid arthritis

Aim: The goal of occupational therapy (OT) is to facilitate adjustments to lifestyle and to prevent function loss. This study evaluated the effects of an early OT programme in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: We conducted a randomised, blind, controlled trial enrolling 60 patients with early RA, divided into 2 groups. At baseline, group 1 received the full information programme and group 2 received no information. In an extension phase, patients in group 2 received the full information programme at 3 months and were assessed at 6 months. The main outcomes were grip strength of hands (as objective assessment) and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) score (as subjective assessment). Results: At 3 months, grip strength of the dominant and non-dominant hands increased more in group 1 than in group 2 (p = 0.021 and 0.047 respectively). HAQ score decreased more in group 1 than in group 2 (p<0.001). In the extension phase, changes in grip strength and HAQ score in group 2 were similar to those seen in group 1 between baseline and 3 months. Conclusions: This study comparing two schedules of OT programme showed that an early extended information programme improved hand function in patients with early RA.
An Authorization Management Approach in the Internet of Things

Inherited the exibility merit of the access control model based on attribute (ABAC), the authorization model based on attribute delegation in the Internet of Things (IADAM) is presented, the attribute set with attribute expression in the mode is expressed, and the method based on attribute delegation directly to assign and transmit the permission are adopted. Complied with the constraint the mechanism of atomic authorization and the simplest authorization attributes in delegation strictly, searching along opposite direction of the authorization chain, trusted authorization source can be found, so nal attribute set possessed by requestor is trusted. According to the analysis, the model has the characters of better security and exibility, which suitable for the Internet of Things.
Coupled stability characteristics of nearly passive robots

The authors address the problem of designing manipulator control laws such that interaction between manipulator and environment is stable. Taking passive manipulator admittance as a design goal. a metric that bounds the distance between the achieved nonpassive response and a passive target response is introduced. Conditions for coupled stability are developed based on this measure of admittance error, which result in restrictions on allowable environmental characteristics. When environmental conditions for the manipulator are known, the admittance error can be used as a control design specification. Alternatively, the admittance error can be used to measure performance of an existing system, providing a guide to mechanical interface design. A simple example is used to illustrate this approach. <<ETX>>
The Relationship between Business Strategy, IT Strategy and Alignment Capability

Aligning business and IT strategy is a prominent area of concern. Organizations that successfully align their business strategy and their IT strategy, outperform their non-aligned peers (Chan et al., 1997). This chapter explores the relationship between business strategy, IT strategy and alignment capability. We found that each business strategy can be supported by all IT strategies, but that certain combinations provide a better fit than others. Regarding business strategy and alignment capability we found no conclusive relationship. Regarding the relationship between IT strategy and alignment capability however a clear relationship appeared. We explored this relationship further in a dual case study of two organizations having distinctly different IT strategies. One organization sees IT as an enabler for the business processes with mainly an internal impact, whereas the other organization IT sees as a driver for business innovation that can create competitive advantage in the market place. Based upon an assessment of their alignment capabilities we found that the company with the innovative IT strategy scored a distinctly higher alignment capability than the company with the essential IT strategy. Although this conclusion may not be surprising, it provides further evidence for the statement that a more progressive IT strategy pairs with a better alignment of business and IT.
Studies on immunization against plague. II. The complement-fixation test.

Summary A procedure for the complement-fixation test with plague Fraction I as antigen and specific high-titered antiplague (by preference anti-Fraction I) serum as antiserum has been described. Examples of the use of the method are given: the determination of Fraction I plague antigen in the bacteria and in tissue extracts of carcasses of mice and guinea pigs that had died of experimental plague. Antibodies to Fraction I were detected in convalescent human sera, in sera of guinea pigs immunized with various living avirulent plague organisms, and of rabbits and monkeys immunized with Fraction I. The titers obtained are in direct agreement with values determined by precipitation, agglutination, immunization and passive mouse-protection tests. The complement-fixation tests, besides being a valuable addition to research plague studies, also acts as a liaison test for evaluation of plague vaccines, estimation of degree of immunity, determination of potency of antiplague sera, confirmation of recent infection with Pasteurella pestis and help in the positive identification of plague bacilli.
Low-dose, beta-particle emission from 'stent' wire results in complete, localized inhibition of smooth muscle cell proliferation.

BACKGROUND Restenosis after catheter-based revascularization has been demonstrated to be primarily caused by medial and/or intimal smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation. The objective of this study was investigate the ability of local emission of beta-particles from a 32P-impregnated titanium "stent" wire source to inhibit vascular SMC and endothelial cell proliferation in cell culture and to determine the dose-response characteristics of this inhibition. METHODS AND RESULTS A series of experiments were performed using 0.20-mm-diameter titanium wires that were impregnated with varying low concentrations of 32P (activity range, 0.002 to 0.06 microCi/cm wire, n = 47) or 31P (nonradioactive control, n = 28) in cultures of rat and human aortic SMCs and in cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells. The zone of complete cell growth inhibition (in millimeters from stent wire) was measured using light microscopy in the cultures exposed to the radioactive (32P) or control (31P) wires at 6 and 12 days after plating. In both rat and human SMC cultures there was a distinct 5.5- to 10.6-mm zone of complete SMC inhibition at wire activity levels > or = 0.006 microCi/cm. In contrast, there was no zone of inhibition surrounding the control (31P impregnated) wires (P < .001 versus 32P wires at all wire activities > or = 0.006 microCi/cm for human and rat SMCs). Proliferating bovine endothelial cells were more radioresistant than SMCs, with no zone of inhibition observed at wire activity levels up to 0.019 microCi/cm (P < .001 versus SMCs at 0.006 microCi/cm and 0.019 microCi/cm). CONCLUSIONS We conclude that very low doses of beta-particle emission from a 32P-impregnated stent wire (activity levels as low as 0.006 microCi/cm of wire) completely inhibit the growth and migration of both rat and human SMCs within a range of 5.5 to 10.6 mm from the wire. Endothelial cells appear to be much more radioresistant than SMCs. These data suggest that an intra-arterial stent impregnated with a low concentration of 32P may have a salutary effect on the restenosis process. Whether this approach can be used successfully and safely to inhibit restenosis in vivo and in the clinical setting is under investigation.
On the Path to an European Single Electronic Format – ESMA Consultation for the IFRS Taxonomy of Structured Electronic Reporting

Manuscript Type: TheoreticalMain Focus: At European level signs become more obvious that structured electronic reporting using XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) will be part of a future European single electronic standards for financial reporting (ESEF). This ESEF is planned to be build on the IFRS Taxonomy. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has begun to implement rules that were included in the new EU Transparency Directive, 2013. Background of the consultation of ESMA, the amended provisions of the Transparency Directive, according to which with effect from 1 January 2020, all annual financial reports to be created in a common electronic reporting format (European Single Electronic Format (ESEF)). To this end, ESMA should submit to the European Commission not later than 31 December 2016 draft regulatory technical standards to define the electronic loading reporting format, taking into account existing and future technology options. The regulations aimed at facilitating submissions for issuers, and the filed Information for investors and regulators to improve access to and thus also to enable better analysis and peer comparisons. This article analyzes the 110 commentaries to ESMA release paper.Results: The evaluation of the commentaries has shown that the majority of commentators the ESMA proposals support the implementation of the ESEF. A small number reject the proposals completely or is against certain aspects to ESEF. Critics of the proposed ESEF can be summarized in three categories. The first group rejects completely all proposals. Striking on this commentaries is that the text of the comments is semantically completely identical. All of these comments came from one geographical area. From this it can be concluded that the content of the comments has been agreed in advance by the companies, which can be traced back to a pooling of common interests. Although the consultation process represent a transparent proven process to public participation, so this result shows that this kind of consultation process not protected from a political-driven participation of interests. The second group consist essentially of stakeholders: regulators, IT companies, standard-setters and auditors who in general support the proposals. However, a majority of the second Grupen rejects company-specific elements which are also called common practice elements. A third group rejects the majority of proposals, but no identical semantic comments are detectable. Usually, the public consultation process has the task to disclose divergent opinions and interests and to initiate a competition. This that more than half of the commentary contains the exact same comment text, this goal is not reached. This raises the question whether ESMA should assess these commentaries in their final assessment as one comment.
Consumer decision-making of slow moving consumer goods in the age of multi-channels

ABSTRACT Currently, consumer decision-making is influenced by the spread of technology that has made multi-channel retailing possible. Multi-channel retailing can be defined as a retailer using a combination of separate and independent channels without any overlap for promoting and selling products and services. This study contributes to three research streams: consumer decision-making, multi-channel retailing and slow-moving consumer goods (SMCG). A theoretical framework is developed to examine the decision-making processes of two groups of consumers, Millennials and Mothers. As the aim of the study was to gain insight into consumer decision-making in the context of multi-channels it was designed to be exploratory and used an abductive approach. The empirical material was mainly collected via interviews in store and consumers’ homes. The interview data are complemented by in-store observations. Our findings show that multi-channels influence consumers’ decision-making and that there are differences between Millennials and Mothers. Different devices and channels are used at different stages of the decision-making process and we claim that they complement, rather than conflict with each other. Retailers need to understand that customers expect omni-channelling, which has a positive impact on brand and sales. We argue that retailers who want to remain competitive will need to move toward omni-channelling.
SEC Rule 10b5-1 Plans and Strategic Trade around Earnings Announcements

We examine how corporate insiders profit from private information about future earnings performance through SEC Rule 10b5-1 trading plans. We first provide evidence consistent with insiders using 10b5-1 plans to sell stock in advance of disappointing earnings results. We then examine insiders who not only currently use 10b5-1 plans, but also actively traded their own company’s stock prior to the availability of such plans. We find that this group traded aggressively on earnings information prior to 10b5-1, but then shifted their aggressive trading into 10b5-1 plans after the availability of planned trading. We also document several questionable patterns associated with their trading behavior. Namely, their trades tend to be irregularly timed, close to the plan initiation date, infrequent in nature, and executed during traditional earnings blackout periods. In terms of firm characteristics, these insiders are more likely to be employed at firms with weaker firm governance and lower institutional ownership.
Business models for a European e-Learning marketplace

A lot of e-Learning materials, contents, and resources have been produced in the meantime by a lot of institutions. Problems arise concerning the marketing as well as the re-use and re-targeting of the materials for specific user needs and target groups. Marketplaces are supposed to be an easy way for those institutions to put their learning materials into the market and to sharpen their profile. Marketplaces provide benefits for buyers (e.g. personalization and easier access), benefits for sellers/providers (e.g. new potential markets for exploiting their knowledge bases), and benefits for other trusted parties acting as partners. In this paper, we will clarify the development of an e-marketplace for e-Learning materials and describe crucial factors that are to be taken into account.