Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bone microstructure and developmental plasticity in birds and other dinosaurs

Patterns of bone microstructure have frequently been used to deduce dynamics and processes of growth in extant and fossil tetrapods. Often, the various types of primary bone tissue have been associated with different bone deposition rates and more recently such deductions have extended to patterns observed in dinosaur bone microstructure. These previous studies are challenged by the findings of the current research, which integrates an experimental neontological approach and a paleontological comparison. We use tetracycline labeling and morphometry to study the variability of bone deposition rates in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) growing under different experimental conditions. We compare resulting patterns in bone microstructure with those found in fossil birds and other dinosaurs. We found that a single type of primary bone varies significantly in rates of growth in response to environmental conditions. Ranging between 10–50 μm per day, rates of growth overlap with the full range of bone deposition rates that were previously associated with different patterns of bone histology. Bone formation rate was significantly affected by environmental/experimental conditions, skeletal element, and age. In the quail, the experimental conditions did not result in formation of lines of arrested growth (LAGs). Because of the observed variation of bone deposition rates in response to variation in environmental conditions, we conclude that bone deposition rates measured in extant birds cannot simply be extrapolated to their fossil relatives. Additionally, we observe the variable incidence of LAGs and annuli among several dinosaur species, including fossil birds, extant sauropsids, as well as nonmammalian synapsids, and some extant mammals. This suggests that the ancestral condition of the response of bone to environmental conditions was variable. We propose that such developmental plasticity in modern birds may be reduced in association with the shortened developmental time during the later evolution of the ornithurine birds. J. Morphol. 254:232–246, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Behavioral model of V and V+ gates to implement the reversible circuits using quantum gates

This paper addresses using quantum gates to implement binary reversible logic circuits. We propose behavioral models for well known V and V+ quantum gates. Our proposed representation is used to synthesize reversible logic circuits instead of using the known unitary matrix form of quantum gates. This technique allows V and V+ gates to be represented in truth table forms. Results show that our technique can be used to synthesize circuits with bigger sizes and gate counts in compare with unitary matrix form of these gates. Several reversible circuit benchmarks are optimized and compared to related works.
The Comparative Effects of Prostaglandin E1 and Nicardipine on Cerebral Microcirculation in Rabbits

We compared the effects of the systemic hypotensive drugs prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and nicardipine on the cerebral microcirculation and on the cerebrovascular reactivities to hypercapnia and hypoxia. In isoflurane-anesthetized rabbits (n = 48), we measured cerebral pial vessel diameters using a cranial-window preparation: (a) during IV PGE1- or nicardipine-induced mild or moderate hypotension (to 80% or 60% of initial mean arterial blood pressure), (b) after topical administration of these drugs, and (c) during hypercapnia or hypoxia induced during such mild or moderate hypotension. Pial arteriolar diameters were (a) unchanged when hypotension (mild or moderate) was induced by PGE1 but increased when it was induced by nicardipine and (b) increased dose-dependently by topical administration of nicardipine but not PGE1. Only small changes in cerebral venular diameter were observed in these experiments. The pial arteriolar dilator response to hypercapnia was potentiated during hypotension (mild or moderate) when it was induced by PGE1 but decreased when it was induced by nicardipine, whereas the response to hypoxia was maintained during PGE1-induced hypotension but decreased during nicardipine-induced hypotension. In conclusion, as a systemic hypotensive drug, PGE1 does not dilate cerebral arterioles and maintains cerebrovascular reactivities to hypercapnia and hypoxia, whereas nicardipine dilates such vessels and reduces these cerebrovascular reactivities.
Bioconversion of Waste Paper into Bio-Ethanol by Co-Culture of Fungi Isolated from Lignocellulosic Waste

In present study, examined the relative potentials of waste paper as microbial substrate for sacchrification using wild strains of Aspergillus sp. , Penicillium sp. and Trichoderma sp. isolated from different degraded cellulose waste material. Office paper showed the strongest susceptible for hydrolysis by Aspergillus sp. (3.76mg/ml) followed Trichoderma sp. (3.26mg/ml) and Penicillium sp. (2.6mg/ml), On the other hand, news paper and filter paper showed least reduction of sugar by tested fungi. Saccharification of fungal cultures were mixed and incubated with all cellulosic materials. An equal mixture 2 (2:2:2) resulted in the highest increase in saccharification with office paper, filter paper as compared to mixture 1. The highest cellulase produced from office paper by Penicillium sp. followed by news paper and filter paper and highest cellulase also produced from office paper by mixed culture 2 followed by filter paper and news paper. The highest rate of protein were produced from news paper by Penicillium sp. and then Aspergillus sp. , Trichoderma sp. and the highest rate of protein were also produced from news paper by mixed culture 2 than mixed culture 1 followed by office paper and filter paper. Office paper selected for the production of bioethanol for highest sacchrification by A. niger. The maximum amount of Ethanol estimated using Potassium dichromate method was 1.3ug/ml which was produced from 5gm office paper saccharified by Aspergillus sp.
Managerial Overconfidence and Corporate Policies

Miscalibration is a standard measure of overconfidence in both psychology and economics. Although it is often used in lab experiments, there is scarcity of evidence about its effects in practice. We test whether top corporate executives are miscalibrated, and whether their miscalibration impacts investment behavior. Over six years, we collect a unique panel of nearly 7,000 observations of probability distributions provided by top financial executives regarding the stock market. Financial executives are miscalibrated: realized market returns are within the executives' 80% confidence intervals only 38% of the time. We show that companies with overconfident CFOs use lower discount rates to value cash flows, and that they invest more, use more debt, are less likely to pay dividends, are more likely to repurchase shares, and they use proportionally more long-term, as opposed to short-term, debt. The pervasive effect of this miscalibration suggests that the effect of overconfidence should be explicitly modeled when analyzing corporate decision-making.
Impacts of Spatial Extend and Site Location on Calibration of Urban Growth Models

During the last decades, cities in sub-saharan Africa have undergone rapid urban growth due to increased population growth and high economic activities. This research explores the impacts of varying modelling settings including spatial extend and its location for the city of Nairobi using a cellular automata (CA) urban growth model (UGM). Our UGM used multi-temporal satellite-based data for classification of urban land-use of 1986, 2000 and 2010, road data, slope data and exclusion layer. Monte-Carlo technique was used for model calibration and Multi Resolution Validation (MRV) technique for validation. Simulation of urban land-use was done up to the year 2030 when Kenya plans to attain Vision 2030. Three spatial grid sizes varying in extent and location were applied in the UGM calibration and validation. Thus, this research explored the impacts of varying spatial extent (grid) and location on urban growth modelling and hence can contribute to an improved sustainable planning and development. This is useful for future planning as the Nairobi grows and expands into the peri-urban areas.
Telecommunications in turmoil : technology and public policy

Let's read! We will often find out this sentence everywhere. When still being a kid, mom used to order us to always read, so did the teacher. Some books are fully read in a week and we need the obligation to support reading. What about now? Do you still love reading? Is reading only for you who have obligation? Absolutely not! We here offer you a new book enPDFd telecommunications in turmoil technology and public policy to read.
Purified Escherichia coli F-factor TraY protein binds oriT

The traY gene of the Escherichia coli F plasmid has been shown by genetic studies (R. Everett and N. Willetts, J. Mol. Biol. 136:129-150, 1980) to be involved in the site-specific nicking reaction at oriT required for the initiation of DNA transfer during bacterial conjugation. In order to assign a biochemical function to TraY protein, the traY gene was cloned in a plasmid vector which utilizes the strong T7 phi 10 promoter to overproduce the protein. The plasmid-encoded TraY protein was specifically labeled with [35S]methionine, and purification of the polypeptide was accomplished by monitoring the radioactive label. Purified TraY protein had a relative molecular mass of approximately 17,000, as determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The amino terminus of the purified protein was sequenced to confirm that the protein was encoded by the traY gene. The protein sequence revealed that the start codon for the TraY protein was a UUG codon 36 base pairs upstream of the AUG start site originally deduced from the DNA sequence (T. Fowler, L. Taylor, and R. Thompson, Gene 26:79-89, 1983). This start sequence confirmed the premise of Inamoto et al. that the F-plasmid TraY polypeptide-coding sequence would begin with UUG, creating a reading frame which renders a large degree of amino acid sequence identity with the TraY polypeptide from R100 (S. Inamoto, Y. Yoshioka, and E. Ohtsubo, J. Bacteriol. 170:2749-2757, 1988). The purified TraY protein from F bound specifically to the origin of transfer region of the F plasmid. However, no nicking activity was detected at oriT by using TraY protein or TraY protein in conjunction with helicase I.
IL-21 Up-Regulates the Expression of Genes Associated with Innate Immunity and Th1 Response1

IL-21 is a recently characterized T cell-derived cytokine that regulates NK and T cell function. IL-21R shares the common γ-chain (γc) with the receptors for IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, and IL-15. Despite the same γc, these cytokines have different effects on diverse cells. In this study, we have studied IL-15- and IL-21-induced gene expression in human primary NK and T cells and the NK-92 cell line. Both IL-15 and IL-21 rapidly induced mRNA synthesis for IFN-γ, T-bet, IL-2Rα, IL-12Rβ2, IL-18R, and myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), the genes that are important in activating innate immunity and Th1 response. IL-15 induced STAT5 DNA binding to the IL-2Rα IFN-γ-activated sequence (GAS), MyD88 GAS, and c-sis-inducible elements, whereas IL-21 induced STAT3 DNA binding to MyD88 GAS and c-sis-inducible elements. IL-21-induced STAT3 activation was verified by immunoprecipitation and Western blotting with anti-phosphotyrosine Ab. In addition, pretreatment of NK-92 cells with IL-15 or IL-21 strongly enhanced IL-12-induced STAT4 DNA binding to IL-2Rα GAS. The induction of IFN-γ, T-bet, IL-12Rβ2, and IL-18R gene expression in NK cells, along with STAT3 activation, suggests that IL-21 is involved in the activation of innate immune responses. Moreover, the enhanced transcription of these genes in T cells establishes a significant role for IL-21 also in the Th1 response.
Charpy Impact Tests of Epoxy Composites Reinforced with Giant Bamboo Fibers

The giant bamboo fiber is among the strongest in the Bambusa species with a potential for application as engineering material. Its properties have been evaluated but there is limited information on the impact resistance of epoxy composites incorporated with giant bamboo fibers. Therefore, this study evaluated the Charpy impact energy of epoxy matrix composites reinforced with up to 30 vol% of giant bamboo fibers. Specimens with Charpy configuration were press-molded with continuous and aligned giant bamboo fibers reinforcing a DGEBA-TETA epoxy as the composite matrix. The energy absorbed by the composites was obtained in standard impact tests and the fracture surface of ruptured specimens was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, SEM. The impact energy was found to increase exponentially with the amount of incorporated fiber. SEM observations revealed the mechanism of crack propagation both in the brittle epoxy matrix and in the fiber interface of the composites.
Industry Response: Ag Biotech Moves to Mollify Its Critics

Although some studies have raised concerns about genetically modified (GM) foods (see p. 1662), so far, there is little evidence to suggest that those currently on the market are harmful, either to human health or ecosystems. Even so, the resistance to GM foods, which largely originated in Britain, is spilling into other European countries and the developing world. Now, as protests continue, the developers of genetically modified crops are contemplating steps, such as labeling GM foods, that were once considered anathema.
International virtual networking capabilities and firm performance: A study of international entrepreneurial Australian SMEs

The Internet is a critical resource for a new generation of small and medium sized enterprise. Specifically, the Internet is important for small entrepreneurial firms in pursuing international opportunities through increased digital integration. As such, the Internet has been identified as a key enabler of international entrepreneurship (Reuber & Fischer, 2011). By facilitating international business for many entrepreneurial SMEs, the Internet has the ability to increase the quality and speed of communications, lower transaction costs, and facilitate the development of international networks. Although the Internet has been found to play a pivotal role in the creation of international relationships and is a mechanism for the creation of international growth opportunities in SMEs (Mathews & Healy, 2008), the role of the international entrepreneurial decision-maker in the development of international virtual networks for leveraging opportunities in internationalisation remains unclear. The findings of this research indicate that developing an ‘international virtual network capability’ forms an important part of the firm’s resource and more specifically dynamic capability base, which is just one component of a firm’s resource bundle that builds towards successful internationalisation via an Internet platform.
Pioglitazone treatment increases COX‐2‐derived prostacyclin production and reduces oxidative stress in hypertensive rats: role in vascular function

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE PPARγ agonists, glitazones, have cardioprotective and anti‐inflammatory actions associated with gene transcription interference. In this study, we determined whether chronic treatment of adult spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with pioglitazone alters BP and vascular structure and function, and the possible mechanisms involved.
Thalassemia Phenotypes and Genotypes in Taiwan: A Retrospective Study Based on Thalassemia Screening of Young Men for Military Conscription

Abstract Prenatal thalassemia studies from Taiwan show that one-third of fetuses with genetic abnormalities have β-thalassemia major (β-TM). However, the phenotypes and genotypes of adult thalassemia warrant further investigation. From September 2006 to April 2014, 741 male candidates drafted for military service with mean corpuscular volume (MCV) <80 fL and serum ferritin >20 µg/L were analyzed. The results showed that the detection rates of α- and β-thalassemia (α- an β-thal) were 50.20% (372/741) and 49.12% (364/741), respectively. Only five patients (0.67%) were diagnosed with both α- and β-thal. The – –SEA/αα mutation was found in 76.88% (286/372) of α-thal patients. Heterozygous mutations in IVS-II-654 (C > T) and codons 41/42 (–TCTT) accounted for 55.77% (203/364) of β-thal cases. The leukocyte counts for α- and β-thal were 6241.74 ± 1552.99 and 6622.87 ± 1814.41 × 109/L, respectively (p = 0.007). The α-thal patients had lower red blood cell (RBC) mass (5.85 ± 0.44 × 1012/L vs. 6.09 ± 0.45 × 1012/L; p < 0.001) and higher hemoglobin (Hb) (12.82 ± 0.72 vs. 12.35 ± 0.71 g/dL; p < 0.001) than β-thal patients. Mean serum ferritin values were 169.67 and 241.36 µg/L, respectively, in α- and β-thal patients (p < 0.001), indicating more profound ineffective erythropoiesis in β-thal. Only four of the 741 patients underwent further hematological follow-up. Our study suggests that iron overload might be a potential problem in β-thal patients; therefore, regular follow-up is highly recommended.
TSV Technology for Millimeter-Wave and Terahertz Design and Applications

The through silicon via (TSV) technology provides a promising option to realize a compact millimeter-wave (mmW) and terahertz (THz) system with high performance. As the fundamental elements in this system, transmission lines (T-lines) and interconnects are very important and therefore studied in this paper. A TSV-based substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) is also characterized. The results show that, the T-lines and interconnects are viable at frequencies lower than ~150 GHz whereas SIW can operate relatively well up to 300 GHz. In addition, two mmW components, i.e., a hairpin filter and a patch antenna, are designed by the TSV technology. Results of all the above passive components indicate that the low-resistivity silicon is the main cause of the total loss. Afterwards, two novel TSV-based topologies are proposed to efficiently integrate an antenna with active circuits for the mmW and THz applications.
Relative implications of protective responses versus damage induction at low dose and low-dose-rate exposures, using the microdose approach.

In reviewing the tissue effects of low-dose radiation (1) absorbed dose to tissue is replaced by the sum of energy deposited with track events in cell-equivalent tissue micromasses, i.e. with microdose hits, in the number of exposed micromasses and (2) induced cell damage and adaptive protection are related to microdose hits in exposed micromasses for a given radiation quality. DNA damage increases with the number of microdose hits. They also can induce adaptive protection, mainly against endogenous DNA damage. This protection involves cellular defences, DNA repair and damage removal. With increasing numbers of low linear energy transfer (LET) microdose hits in exposed micromasses, adaptive protection first tends to outweigh damage and then (above 200 mGy) fails and largely disappears. These experimental data predict that cancer risk coefficients derived by epidemiology at high-dose irradiation decline at low doses and dose rates when adaptive protection outdoes DNA damage. The dose-risk function should include both linear and non-linear terms at low doses.
3D DOCUMENTATION OF 40 KILOMETERS OF HISTORICAL PORTICOES - THE CHALLENGE

In the last years the image-based pipeline for 3D reconstruction purposes has received large interest leading to fully automated methodologies able to process large image datasets and deliver 3D products with a level of detail and precision variable according to the applications. Different open issues still exist, in particular when dealing with the 3D surveying and modeling of large and complex scenarios, like historical porticoes. The paper presents an evaluation of various surveying methods for the geometric documentation of ca 40km of historical porticoes in Bologna (Italy). Finally, terrestrial photogrammetry was chosen as the most flexible and productive technique in order to deliver 3D results in form of colored point clouds or textured 3D meshes accessible on the web. The presented digital products are a complementary material for the final candidature of the porticoes as UNESCO WHS.
Effective Top Management: Beyond the Failure of Corporate Governance and Shareholder Value

Introduction to the English Edition.Preface to the English Edition.Terminology Aspects.New Introduction to the Third Edition.1. Fundamental Reorientation.2. What is Corporate Governance? The Consequences of Asking the Wrong Question.3. Misconceptions and Their Consequences.4. Corporate Governance in the Service of the Company.5. Illusions.6. Entertainment Rather than Information.7. Appearances are Deceptive.Part 1.1. Should Corporate Governance Manage? 2. Functional Shortcomings of the Systems of Today.2.1 Corporate Governance: Fact or Fiction? 2.2 Is the Criticism Justified? 2.3 Classic but Avoidable Management Errors.3. Is the Management of the Future up to the Task? The Great Transformation.3.1 False Prophecies in the Nineties.3.2 (Almost) Everything will Change.3.3 Management: The Most Important Social Function.4. Corporate Governance.4. 1 The Importance of Effective Corporate Governance.4. 2 The Nature and Function of Profit.4. 3 The Three Models of Corporate Governance - And a Fourth.5. What is a Healthy Business? Variables for Assessing a Business.5.1 Market Position.5.2 Innovative Performance.5.3 Productivities.5.4 Attracting Good People.5.5 Liquidity and Cash Flow.5.6 Profitability.5. 7 Precision of the Variables.5. 8 Discussing the Right Matters.5. 9 Biological Thinking in Management: A Red Herring? Part 2.6. The Architecture of Top Management.7. The Structure of Corporate Governance.7. 1 The Role of the Governing Body.7. 2 The Size and Internal Organisation of the Governing Body.7. 2.1 Size.7. 2.2 Internal Organisation - Committee and Subcommittees.7. 3 Personnel Composition.7. 3.1 Technical Competence.7. 3.2 Independence.7. 3.3 Exclusion Criteria.7. 3.4 Term of Office and Age Limit.7. 3.5 Shareholders' Interests.7. 4 Remuneration of the Governing Body.7. 5 Managing the Governing Body.7. 5.1 Number and Length of Meetings.7. 5.2 Personal Attendance.7. 5.3 Regularity.7. 5.4 Followup and Followthrough.7. 5.5 Drawing up the Agenda.7. 5.6 Information Available to the Governing Body.7. 6 Evaluation of the Governing Body.7. 7 Internal Review - Management Audit.7. 8 The Chairman of the Corporate Governance.8. Creating the Executive Body.8. 1 The Tasks of the Executive Body.8. 2 Effectiveness of the Executive Body.8. 2.1 Preventing Ineffective Time Management.8. 2.2 Keeping a Hold on Reality.8. 3 Term of Office.8. 4 The Executive Body as a Team.9. Management or Leadership.9. 1 Mistakes and Misconceptions.9. 2 The Mystique of Leadership.9. 3 From Manager to Leader.9. 4 Charisma.10. Power, Responsibility, and Liability.11. Personnel Selection and Appointment to Top Positions.11.1 Principles.11. 2 Methodology of Personnel Selection.11. 3 Deciding on the Successor Right at the Top.11. 4 Personnel Decisions below Executive Level.11. 5 Internal or External Recruitment? Postscript.Appendices. Appendix 1: Appearance and Reality.Appendix 2: Reorientation: The Nonsense about the New Economy.Appendix 3: The Economic Situation in 2004: Part 1.Appendix 4: The Economic Situation in 2004: Part 2.Bibliography. Index.