Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Food Aid as Part of a Coherent Strategy to Advance Food Security Objectives

This paper outlines a coherent strategy for the use of food aid in addressing food insecurity. It surveys recent literature on poverty traps, the rights-based approach to food security and discusses where food aid fits into an integrated analysis of poverty and food security. The paper distinguishes between transitory and chronic poverty and between ‘safety nets’, designed to prevent people from falling below a certain poverty threshold, and cargo nets, aimed at lifting people out of chronic poverty. The appropriateness of food aid is discussed in the context of three situations: emergency humanitarian assistance, asset protection, and asset building and productivity enhancement. The paper argues that food aid, like all forms of foreign assistance, should first seek to do no harm.
ON ENHANCING DATA UTILITY IN K-ANONYMIZATION FOR DATA WITHOUT HIERARCHICAL TAXONOMIES

K-anonymity is the model that is widely used to protect the privacy of individuals in publishing microdata. It could be defined as clustering with constrain of minimum k tuples in each group. K-anonymity cuts down the linking confidence between sensitive information and specific individual by the ration of 1/k. However, the accuracy of the data in k-anonymous dataset decreases due to information loss. Moreover, most of the current approaches are for numerical attributes or in case of categorical attributes they require extra information such as attribute hierarchical taxonomies which often do not exist. In this paper we propose a new model, based on clustering, defining the distance between tuples including numerical and categorical attributes which does not require extra information and present the SpatialDistance (SD) heuristic algorithm. Comparisons of experimental results on real datasets between SD algorithm and existing well-known algorithms show that SD performs the best and offers much higher data utility and reduces the information loss significantly.
The Epithelial Sodium Channel ENaC and its Regulators in the Epidermal Permeability Barrier Function~!2009-09-15~!2009-12-10~!2010-04-23~!

The highly amiloride-sensitive epithelial sodium channel ENaC is well known to be involved in controlling whole body sodium homeostasis and lung liquid clearance. ENaC expression has also been detected in the skin of amphibians and mammals. Mice lacking ENaC expression lose rapidly weight associated with an epidermal barrier defect that develops following birth. This dehydration is accompanied with a highly abnormal lipid matrix composition and an impaired skin surface acidification. This strongly suggests a role of ENaC in the maturation of barrier function rather than in the prenatal generation of the barrier, and may be as such an important modulator for skin hydration. In parallel, gene targeting experiments of regulators of ENaC activity, membrane serine proteases, also termed channel activating proteases, like CAP1/Prss8 and matriptase/MT-SP1 by themselves have been shown to be crucial for the epidermal barrier function. In our review, we mainly focus on the role of ENaC and its regulators in the skin and discuss their importance in the epidermal permeability barrier function.
The Information Content of the 1999 Announcement of Funds from Operation Changes for Real Estate Investment Trusts

This study examines the market response to the 1999 announcement of a change in accounting for Funds from Operations (FFO) for Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). This change provides an increase in transparency in the accounting statements of REITs regarding the calculation of FFO. An analysis of this announcement finds that shareholder wealth increases but the significance of that increase is questionable. Additionally, an analysis of the adverse selection component of the bid-ask spread finds weak evidence to support the conjecture that the amount of information asymmetry in REIT prices declines after the announcement of the FFO accounting change.
Biological activity of green-synthesized silver nanoparticles depends on the applied natural extracts: a comprehensive study

Due to obvious disadvantages of the classical chemical methods, green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles has attracted tremendous attention in recent years. Numerous environmentally benign synthesis methods have been developed yielding nanoparticles via low-cost, eco-friendly, and simple approaches. In this study, our aim was to determine the suitability of coffee and green tea extracts in green synthesis of silver nanoparticles as well as to compare the performance of the obtained materials in different biological systems. We successfully produced silver nanoparticles (C-AgNP and GT-AgNP) using coffee and green tea extracts; moreover, based on our comprehensive screening, we delineated major differences in the biological activity of C-AgNPs and GT-AgNPs. Our results indicate that although GT-AgNPs exhibited excellent antimicrobial activity against all the examined microbial pathogens, these particles were also highly toxic to mammalian cells, which limits their potential applications. On the contrary, C-AgNPs manifested substantial inhibitory action on the tested microbes but were nontoxic to human and mouse cells, indicating an outstanding capacity to discriminate between potential pathogens and mammalian cells. These results clearly show that the various green materials used for stabilization and for reduction of metal ions have a defining role in determining and fine-tuning the biological activity of the obtained nanoparticles.
Community Development Through Tourism

Community Development through Tourism examines the development of local communities through the healthy integration of community planning, business planning and tourism planning. It explores the most pertinent tourism and business theories, moving from strategic planning to community empowerment and practice. Research-based case studies are used to illustrate how things work in the real world, and the ways in which various theories can and have been applied. This book will be an important resource for business development managers, tourism operators and community leaders, as well as students and teachers in courses that incorporate aspects of community tourism into their business, tourism, social sciences and arts programs.
Response of Primary Human Airway Epithelial Cells to Influenza Infection: A Quantitative Proteomic Study

Influenza A virus exerts a large health burden during both yearly epidemics and global pandemics. However, designing effective vaccine and treatment options has proven difficult since the virus evolves rapidly. Therefore, it may be beneficial to identify host proteins associated with viral infection and replication to establish potential new antiviral targets. We have previously measured host protein responses in continuously cultured A549 cells infected with mouse-adapted virus strain A/PR/8/34(H1N1; PR8). We here identify and measure host proteins differentially regulated in more relevant primary human bronchial airway epithelial (HBAE) cells. A total of 3740 cytosolic HBAE proteins were identified by 2D LC–MS/MS, of which 52 were up-regulated ≥2-fold and 41 were down-regulated ≥2-fold after PR8 infection. Up-regulated HBAE proteins clustered primarily into interferon signaling, other host defense processes, and molecular transport, whereas down-regulated proteins were associated with cell death signaling pathways, cell adhesion and motility, and lipid metabolism. Comparison to influenza-infected A549 cells indicated some common influenza-induced host cell alterations, including defense response, molecular transport proteins, and cell adhesion. However, HBAE-specific alterations consisted of interferon and cell death signaling. These data point to important differences between influenza replication in continuous and primary cell lines and/or alveolar and bronchial epithelial cells.
Perception of the role of information technology function in organizations: toward the development of a measure

The role (and impact) of IT/IS in organizations is becoming more and more critical. The perception of the "role of IT/IS function in an organization" could have a direct impact on the effectiveness of development of IT capabilities. There has been no measure to date to capture this perception in an organization at the individual level. This paper reports the development of a scale to measure "the perception of the role of IT/IS function in organizations. " Three independent studies involving more than 200 participants provided initial evidence of the construct validity of the new measure with respect to its factor structure, validity, and reliability. The paper discusses the preliminary development of the measure and its implications for the IT development environment/ effort in organizations.
Landscape and Traffic Factors Influencing Deer–Vehicle Collisions in an Urban Enviroment

Deer-vehicle collisions (DVCs) are steadily increasing across North America. The increase is particularly pronounced in urban green spaces where deer (Odocoileus spp.) populations and road densities are high. In the greater city of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, 333 DVCs occurred from 2002 to 2004. To identify landscape and traffi c correlates of these collisions, we built 3 statistical models. The fi rst model assessed the importance of local variables and was based on a spatial precision of the nearest intersection to which collisions were referenced. The second model was based on landscape characteristics and used the nearest township intersection to aggregate collisions. For each of the models, we generated an equivalent number of random locations in a geographic information system (GIS) and examined several independent variables at 4 spatial scales (using 100-m, 200-m, 400-m, and 800-m radius buffers). We used multivariate logistic regression to determine which landscape and traffi c factors increased the probability of a DVC. The third model used ordinal regression to assess correlates with collision frequency. Our fi rst (High Precision) model showed that DVCs occurred in areas with high speed limits and low densities of roads within an 800-m buffer. The second (Aggregate) model found DVCs more likely to occur in areas close to water and the combination of high road densities and non-forested vegetation of high productivity within 800 m. The third (Hotspot) model identifi ed only high traffi c speed as a correlate of collision frequency. A temporal analysis of the collision data found that DVCs peaked in mid- November. We conclude that rates of DVCs could be reduced and road safety improved by lowering speed limits during peak seasons, particularly in areas where road density is high (i.e., interchanges) and where non-forested vegetation occurs in close proximity to roads. Several aspects of our analyses and results may have applications in other jurisdictions where DVCs occur.
A high-rate MSR code with polynomial sub-packetization level

We present a high-rate (n, k, d = n - 1)-MSR code with a sub-packetization level that is polynomial in the dimension k of the code. While polynomial sub-packetization level was achieved earlier for vector MDS codes that repair systematic nodes optimally, no such MSR code construction is known. In the low-rate regime (i. e., rates less than one-half), MSR code constructions with a linear sub-packetization level are available. But in the high-rate regime (i. e., rates greater than one-half), the known MSR code constructions required a sub-packetization level that is exponential in k. In the present paper, we construct an MSR code for d = n - 1 with a fixed rate equation, achieveing a sub-packetization level α = O(kt). The code allows help-by-transfer repair, i. e. , no computations are needed at the helper nodes during repair of a failed node.
Localization of glutamate and glutamate transporters in the sensory neurons of Aplysia

The sensorimotor synapse of Aplysia has been used extensively to study the cellular and molecular basis for learning and memory. Recent physiologic studies suggest that glutamate may be the excitatory neurotransmitter used by the sensory neurons (Dale and Kandel [1993] Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 90:7163–7167; Armitage and Siegelbaum [1998] J Neurosci. 18:8770–8779). We further investigated the hypothesis that glutamate is the excitatory neurotransmitter at this synapse. The somata of sensory neurons in the pleural ganglia showed strong glutamate immunoreactivity. Very intense glutamate immunoreactivity was present in fibers within the neuropil and pleural‐pedal connective. Localization of amino acids metabolically related to glutamate was also investigated. Moderate aspartate and glutamine immunoreactivity was present in somata of sensory neurons, but only weak labeling for aspartate and glutamine was present in the neuropil or pleural‐pedal connective. In cultured sensory neurons, glutamate immunoreactivity was strong in the somata and processes and was very intense in varicosities; consistent with localization of glutamate in sensory neurons in the intact pleural‐pedal ganglion. Cultured sensory neurons showed only weak labeling for aspartate and glutamine. Little or no γ‐aminobutyric acid or glycine immunoreactivity was observed in the pleural‐pedal ganglia or in cultured sensory neurons. To further test the hypothesis that the sensory neurons use glutamate as a transmitter, in situ hybridization was performed by using a partial cDNA clone of a putative Aplysia high‐affinity glutamate transporter. The sensory neurons, as well as a subset of glia, expressed this mRNA. Known glutamatergic motor neurons B3 and B6 of the buccal ganglion also appeared to express this mRNA. These results, in addition to previous physiological studies (Dale and Kandel [1993] Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 90:7163–7167; Trudeau and Castellucci [1993] J Neurophysiol. 70:1221–1230; Armitage and Siegelbaum [1998] J Neurosci. 18:8770–8779)) establish glutamate as an excitatory neurotransmitter of the sensorimotor synapse. J. Comp. Neurol. 423:121–131, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of a Survival-Promoting Peptide in Medium Conditioned by Oxidatively Stressed Cell Lines of Nervous System Origin

A survival-promoting peptide has been purified from medium conditioned by Y79 human retinoblastoma cells and a mouse hippocampal cell line (HN 33.1) exposed to H2O2. A 30 residue synthetic peptide was made on the basis of N-terminal sequences obtained during purification, and it was found to exhibit gel mobility and staining properties similar to the purified molecules. The peptide maintains cells and their processes in vitro for the HN 33.1 cell line treated with H2O2, andin vivo for cortical neurons after lesions of the cerebral cortex. It has weak homology with a fragment of a putative bacterial antigen and, like that molecule, binds IgG. The peptide also contains a motif reminiscent of a critical sequence in the catalytic region of calcineurin-type phosphatases; surprisingly, like several members of this family, the peptide catalyzes the hydrolysis ofpara-nitrophenylphosphate in the presence of Mn2+. Application of the peptide to one side of bilateral cerebral cortex lesions centered on area 2 in rats results in an increase in IgG immunoreactivity in the vicinity of the lesions 7 d after surgery. Microglia immunopositive for IgG and ED-1 are, however, dramatically reduced around the lesions in the treated hemisphere. Furthermore, pyramidal neurons that would normally shrink, die, or disintegrate were maintained, as determined by MAP2 immunocytochemistry and Nissl staining. These survival effects were often found in both hemispheres. The results suggest that this peptide operates by diffusion to regulate the immune response and thereby rescue neurons that would usually degenerate after cortical lesions. The phosphatase activity of this molecule also suggests the potential for direct neuron survival-promoting effects.
Reasons for implementing public private partnership projects: Perspectives from Hong Kong, Australian and British practitioners

Purpose – This paper sets out to present the findings of a study to investigate the reasons for implementing Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects.Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire survey was conducted in Hong Kong (also commonly referred to as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), Australia and the United Kingdom. The survey respondents were asked to rate the importance of nine identified reasons for implementing PPP projects.Findings – The findings of the top three ranks for each respondent group were investigated. Ranked top by the survey respondents in Hong Kong was “Private incentive”. Ranked second by all three groups of survey respondents was “Economic development pressure demanding more facilities”. Third in Hong Kong and first in Australia was “High quality of service required”. The reason “Inefficiency because of public monopoly and lack of competition” was ranked third by the Australian respondents. And finally ranked first and third by the British respondents was “Short.
Which criteria matter most in the evaluation of venture capital investments

This study identifies the importance assigned to the various criteria used by the Portuguese Venture Capitalists (VCs) to evaluate and select early stage venture capital projects. The data was collected through a questionnaire answered by 20 Portuguese VCs. We use descriptive statistics techniques and non-parametric tests to identify the most valued criteria and test differences in the importance assigned to the criteria of several types of VCs and investments. The study reveals that the personality and experience of the entrepreneur and of the management team are the most valued groups of criteria. VCs with a majority of private share capital value more the personality of the entrepreneur and management team than the companies with a majority of public share capital. Additionally, the VCs that did not yet internationalize consider the personality of the entrepreneur and management team and the financial aspects, to be more important than the VCs that have already expanded abroad.
A Cross-Country Empirical Investigation of Corruption and its Relationship to Economic, Cultural, and Monitoring Institutions: An Examination of the Role of Accounting and Financial Statements Quality

This paper empirically tests a model that links economic, cultural, and information/monitoring variables to corruption in 61 countries. The results offer significant evidence to suggest that higher GNP per capita, moderate economic growth, effective legal and financial accounting systems, collectivist values and low power distance are associated with countries that have low corruption. Countries that have better laws, more effective judiciary, good financial reporting standards, and a higher concentration of accountants are found to be less corrupt.
Expression of Emotion in Eastern and Western Music Mirrors Vocalization

In Western music, the major mode is typically used to convey excited, happy, bright or martial emotions, whereas the minor mode typically conveys subdued, sad or dark emotions. Recent studies indicate that the differences between these modes parallel differences between the prosodic and spectral characteristics of voiced speech sounds uttered in corresponding emotional states. Here we ask whether tonality and emotion are similarly linked in an Eastern musical tradition. The results show that the tonal relationships used to express positive/excited and negative/subdued emotions in classical South Indian music are much the same as those used in Western music. Moreover, tonal variations in the prosody of English and Tamil speech uttered in different emotional states are parallel to the tonal trends in music. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the association between musical tonality and emotion is based on universal vocal characteristics of different affective states.
Learning-based model predictive control and user feedback in home automation

Air conditioning systems are generally the largest systems in a home, both physically and energetically, and thus central to home automation efforts. Finding a balance between user comfort and efficiency is a complex problem given the considerable variation present. This paper focuses on comfort, as opposed to absolute temperature, as gauged using simple, sparse user inputs. A thermal model of the house is learned which accounts for weather data and exogenous factors such as occupancy. By incorporating user feedback, a Learning-Based Model Predictive Controller (LBMPC) is able adapt to home conditions and more efficiently operate the system. In contrast to previous efforts which operate in office spaces and to a set point, this work is adapted and tested in a typical home environment and closes a control loop on user comfort. The controller considers that the user's comfort levels may change during the day, for example when the user is in bed, or not at home. It shows that complex systems may be automated without extensive tweaking by the user and in a manner that considers user comfort, time of day, and related factors to reduce energy consumption.
Public opinion and political change in China

Contents List of Figures List of Tables List of Photographs Acknowledgments Part 1 Background 1. The Chinese Political Environment and Public Opinion 2. Collecting Public Opinion in China Part 2 The Formation of Public Opinion 3. Support for Reform and Regime Legitimacy 4. Media Control and Public Opinion 5. Interpersonal Trust and Sociopolitical Change Part 3 Mass Political Behavior and Political Change 6. Publicizing Private Opinion 7. Work and Politics 8. Intellectuals and Political Change Part 4 Conclusion 9. Public Opinion and Political Change in an Authoritarian State Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C Appendix D Appendix E Appendix F Appendix G Notes References Index
Random Perturbations of Dynamical Systems with Absorbing States

Let F : M → M be a continuous dissipative map of a separable metric space M. Consider a finite collection A of closed F -forward invariant sets that is closed under intersection and that contains M. For all �> 0, let Xbe a Markov chain for which the elements of A are absorbing (e.g., extinction boundaries for a population, genotype, or strategy) and such that d(X � t+1 ,F (X � t )) ≤ � for all t. Under an additional nondegeneracy condition (i.e., the noise extends locally in all nonabsorbing directions) and a continuity-like condition on the supports of the random perturbations, we show that for sufficiently small values of � , Xasymptotically spends all of its time near certain invariant sets of F , so-called absorption preserving chain attractors. Moreover, the weak* limit points of X � 's stationary distributions as � → 0 are F -invariant probability measures whose supports lie in the absorption preserving chain attractors. Applications to the dynamics of structured and unstructured populations, multispecies interactions, and evolutionary games are given.