这些被称为“shinbashira”的中心支柱的作用是什么？

And what is the role of the shinbashira, the central pillar?

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旁蒂克卡特琳娜轿跑的前门后方没有支撑车顶的支柱，这种别致的造型为这款轿跑赋予了一种了动感飘逸的感觉，这也对所谓硬顶敞篷车的流行起了推波助澜的效作用。

With no pillar behind the front door to support the roof, Pontiac coupes had a sporty, airy feel that helped popularize the style known as hardtop convertibles.

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同时也欲使其成为该市和该州的一大经济支柱，并且在一段时间内也确实起到了这种作用。

It was also intended to be a moneymaker for city and state, and for a time it was.

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