Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endocannabinoid Systetm: Neuropharmacological Implications -

Marijuana or cannabis has been part of humanity's medicine chest for almost as long as history has been recorded. Cannabinoids are a class of diverse chemical compounds isolated from cannabis that act on cannabinoid receptors (CB1 & CB2). The ligands for these receptor proteins include the endocannabinoids (produced naturally in the body by humans and animals), the phytocannabinoids (found in cannabis and some other plants) and synthetic cannabinoids (manufactured artificially). The endogenous cannabinoid system, named after the plant that led to its discovery, is perhaps the most important physiologic system involved in establishing and maintaining human health. The human body's neurological, circulatory, endocrine, digestive and musculoskeletal systems have now all been shown to possess cannabinoid receptor sites. Indeed, even cartilage tissue has cannabinoid receptors, which makes cannabis a prime therapeutic agent to treat various complicated ailments. In each tissue, the cannabinoid system performs different tasks, but the goal is always the same: homeostasis, the maintenance of a stable internal environment despite fluctuations in the external environment. The endocannabinoid system, with its presence in almost all organs especially in CNS makes it a bridge between body and mind. By understanding this system we begin to see a mechanism that explains how states of consciousness can promote health and sense of well being. Nausea, vomiting, stimulation of appetite, symptomatic relief of cancer pain and/or management of neuropathic pain, stroke, cancer, drug dependence, glaucoma, autoimmune uveitis, osteoporosis, sepsis, hepatic, renal, intestinal and cardiovascular disorders are the various diverse areas where cannabinoids have shown their therapeutic presence and potential. In present work cannabinoids are presented as a viable therapeutic target in CNS disorders that include Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease.
How the Perception of Control Influences Unemployed Job Search

The author considers how locus of control—the degree to which one believes one’s actions influence outcomes—is related to an unemployed person’s job search. He finds evidence that “internal” job seekers (who believe their actions determine outcomes) set higher reservation wages than do their more “external” counterparts (who believe their actions have little effect on outcomes) and weak evidence that internal job seekers search more intensively. Consistent with the assumption that locus of control influences job search through an effect on beliefs about the return to search effort, internal job seekers are no better at converting search effort into job offers and earn no more than their peers upon finding employment.
Oral narratives of children with CLIL and non-CLIL background in their primary school education

Diese Arbeit beschaftigt sich mit mundlichen Erzahlungen in Englisch als Fremdsprache von Kindern um mogliche Unterschiede zwischen zwei Gruppen aufzuweisen: Einerseits Kinder, die zusatzlichen Englischunterricht durch CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) in ihrer Volksschule erhalten haben und andererseits Kinder, die an traditionellem Englischunterricht in ihrer VS teilgenommen haben. Nachdem die Schuler am Ende des ersten Jahres im Gymnasium getested wurden, zeigten sich folgende Ergebnisse. Obwohl der zusatzliche Fremdsprachenunterricht nach einem Jahr noch leicht bemerkbar ist im Gesamtresultat der Gruppen, so gibt es doch einzelne Schulerinnen und Schuler aus der Gruppe ohne CLIL, welche gleich gute oder bessere Leistungen erbrachten. Somit wird durch diese Ergebnisse die Forderung uber mehr Nachhaltigkeit von Fruhforderung im Fremdsprachenunterricht unterstutzt.
The effect of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on lipid composition and location of proteins in rat heart lipid rafts

Lipid rafts are microdomains in the cell membrane that have higher concentration of cholesterol and sphingolipids and are more tightly packed than the surrounding membrane. The location of proteins in lipid rafts in cardiomyocyte membranes is important for transmembrane signaling, as the rafts serve as a platform for signaling across membranes. Dietary n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) have been shown to lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases, potentially by affecting signal transduction across the cardiomyocyte membrane. Studies have shown that n-3 LC-PUFA alter the location of proteins in lipid rafts and their lipid composition in T-cells and other cell types. However, the effect of n-3 LC-PUFA on protein localization in lipid rafts in cardiomyocytes has not been investigated. The aim of this project was to study the effect of dietary n-3 LC-PUFA on the fatty acid (FA) composition and the location of raft markers and adrenergic receptors in lipid rafts in rat heart. Lipid rafts were isolated on sucrose gradients from hearts of adult rats that had been fed a controlled diet enriched with fish oil (n-3 LC-PUFA) or safflower oil (n-6 PUFA; control group). Proteins and GM1 ganglioside were analyzed in 12 fractions of the sucrose gradient with western blot and dot blot technique, respectively. Cholesterol was measured with a spectrophotometric assay kit. Phospholipids were isolated from lipid rafts and their FA composition was analyzed with gas chromatography. n-3 LC-PUFA levels were significantly higher in the lipid rafts from rats fed n-3 LC-PUFA than those fed n-6 PUFA. No significant difference was found in location of cholesterol and GM1 levels, or marker proteins, in lipid rafts between the n-3 and n-6 PUFA fed rats. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in quantity or localization of α1and β1adrenergic receptors in lipid rafts from the rat hearts between diet groups. However, a trend was observed towards a higher concentration of β1-adrenergic receptors in lipid rafts from heart of rats fed n-3 LC-PUFA than those fed n-6 PUFA.
PERFECTIONISM AND STRESSFUL LIFE EVENTS AS VULNERABILITIES TO DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS IN STUDENTS

IntroductionThe mood disorders such as depression are the most common mental disorders among individuals. In addition to, girls’ students as a group at high risk are known for developing this disorder. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of perfectionism and stressful life events in predicting disordered depression symptoms among girls’ students. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study on 344 girl students of Tehran’s high schools, who were selected by multiple cluster sampling, was conducted. Participants responded to the questionnaires of perfectionism of Besharat (2004), stressful life events of Lovibond and Lovibond (1995) and depression symptoms of Costello and Comrey (1967). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise regression. Results: Results showed that there were significant internal correlations among perfectionism, stressful life events and depression symptoms (p
The Effect of Assertiveness Training Skill on Feelings of Happiness and Mental Health of Students in Iran

Background and objective Assertiveness is one skill that it can change interpersonal relations and cause happiness. Hence, the aim of present study is the effect of assertiveness training skill on feelings of happiness and mental health of students. Methods and materials the method in this study is empirical method with control group. Statistical population in this study consists of all male high school students of Radar City by 2016. Among those students identified with low assertiveness by their teachers and those with low scores in Mental Health Questionnaire, 30 students were selected randomly and were placed in two experimental and control groups. The experimental group received sessions of assertiveness training and control group was remained in waiting list. Both groups fulfilled Happiness Questionnaire and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) before and after intervention. Data analysis was done using analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) using SPSS-22.Results The results showed that there is significant difference statistically between two groups in terms of amount of happiness and mental health after training assertiveness training (p<0.01). Conclusion Training assertiveness skill can enhance happiness and mental health of students. Keywords : Assertiveness methods, Happiness, Mental health.
Promoting Export: Some Lessons from Indonesian Manufacturing

*Dionisius A. Narjoko and Raymond Atje are senior researcher Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Jakarta, Indonesia. The authors would like to thank Imelada for an excellent research assistant. The views presented in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of CSIS, ARTNeT members, partners and the United Nations. This study was conducted as part of the Asia-Pacific Research and Training Network on Trade (ARTNeT) initiative, aimed at building regional trade policy and facilitation research capacity in developing countries. This work was carried out with the aid of a grant from the World Trade Organization (WTO). The technical support of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific is gratefully acknowledged. Any remaining errors are the responsibility of the author. The authors may be contacted at dion.ardiyanto@anu.edu. au and raymond_atje@csis.or. id
Insoluble Nano-powders Additives Enhancing the Flow of Liquid in Microchannel: Effect of Particle Size

Drag reduction which is first introduced by Toms is now greatly applicable in many fields. Polymers and surfactants are additives that are widely used as drag reducing agents in industries and researches nowadays. Insoluble Nano-powder additives, in the present research, are introduced to enhance the flow of liquid in microchannel. Investigation on the effect of variable concentration (100 to 500 ppm) of three different sizes (7 nm, 200-300 nm and 500-700 nm) Fumed Silica (SiO2) with 100 μm micro-channels by varying the flow rate, using syringe pump, on drag reduction is carried out. Maximum drag reduction up to 56% is achieved using 500 ppm of 200-300 nm fumed silica. This breakthrough discovery will help to speed up the improvement in medical field.
Macroprudential policy in a recovering market: Too much too soon?

The aftermath of the 2007/08 financial crisis has resulted in many Central Banks and regulatory authorities examining the appropriateness of macroprudential policy as an effective and efficient policy option in preventing the emergence of future credit bubbles. Specific limits on loan-to-value (LTV) and loan-to-income (LTI) ratios have been assessed and applied in a large number of markets both in developing and developed economies as a means of ensuring greater financial stability. The Irish property and credit market were particularly affected in the crisis as the domestic housing market had, since 1995, experienced sustained price and housing supply increases. Much of the activity in the Irish market was fuelled by a sizeable credit bubble which was greatly facilitated by the growth of international wholesale funding post 2003. After a period of pronounced declines, Irish house prices in late 2013 started to increase significantly. In early 2015, the Irish Central Bank responded by imposing new LTV and LTI limits to curb house price inflation. However, the introduction of these measures comes at a time when housing supply and mortgage lending are at historically low levels. In this paper we use a newly developed structural model of the Irish property and credit market to examine the implications of these measures for house prices and key activity variables in the mortgage market.
Population morphological variation of the Nile perch ( Lates niloticus , L. 1758), of East African Lakes and their associated waters

In this study an attempt was made to determine whether there are morphological variations associated with the different geographical populations of the Nile perch of East Africa. Analyses of the levels of morphological differentiation based on morphological characterisation and variation were carried out. The study was based on 864 Nile perch sampled from 25 different locations from different Lakes in the region and 10 morphological characters. Also determined were the length – weight relationships and condition factor of sampled Nile perch. The log transformed data of all sampled Nile perch were subjected to multivariate analysis, using ‘PAST’ statistical software. Findings showed that peduncle form and size, of all the variables used in this study, contributed most to the variance. The analysis clustered the Nile perch into two groups, which were found to be as characterised by earlier morphological description of this species and most probably are representatives of two distinct taxa of Nile perch in the East African waters. The LWRs and condition factor conformed to the fish isometric growth formula W = aL b with the value for the pooled data being W = 0.6664L 0.3264 . The existence of 2 morphs agrees with earlier taxonomists (Harrison, 1991; Ribbink, 1987; Bwathondi, 1985; Holden, 1967) who proposed that Nile perch exists in two populations – a bigger shallow water dwelling morph and a smaller deep open water dwelling morph. This calls for identification and mapping of the 2 populations in the different waters of East Africa that may require application of different management regimes .
Analysis of the patients admitted to marmara university hospital with non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Objective: Non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality despite the availability of advanced endoscopic techniques for haemostasis. We have described clinical and endoscopic features of the patients with NVUGIB in a teaching hospital. Method: Two hundred and fifty patients admitted between 1996 and 2001 with acute NVUGIB have been evaluated retrospectively. Results: Mean age was 59 and 34.4% were women. Ingestion of aspirin/non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroid or warfarin during the previous week was reported for 59.6%, 2.8%, 9.6% of the patients, respectively. Previous upper gastrointestinal bleeding was reported for 31.8% of the patients. The leading cause of bleeding was peptic ulcer (49.2%), followed by erosions (19.2%) and stomach tumors (10.8%). Lesions were located in the stomach (40%), duodenum (33.6%), at the gastrojejunostomy line (4.4%) and esophagus (4.4%). H. pyloric region was positive in 79.2% of the 48 patients investigated. Endoscopic treatment was applied to 33 patients. Seven cases (2.8%) including 3 which had failed endoscopic therapy had a surgical intervention. Six patients (2.4%) died. Conclusion: The main cause of bleeding was peptic ulcer. The majority of patients had either an H. pylori infection or an offending drug use. Since the etiology of bleeding was amenable to treatment, the rate of endoscopic and surgical treatment and mortality were low in our patients.
Comparative Optimism, So Useful

Comparative Optimism results from a comparison between the self and another person and consists of a self-serving judgment about the future. Most recent studies show that targets who exhibit a comparative optimistic outlook are judged positively but are also rated as more useful than desirable. In this paper, three experiments examined the social utility and desirability of comparative optimism. They also addressed whether this social acceptance is dependent on the context determined by the predominance of the comparative optimistic response. Results showed that displaying more comparative optimism is less socially accepted on the social desirability than on the social utility dimension. Moreover, the type of context influenced the judgment on the social desirability dimension more than on the social utility dimension. Specifically, a target who expresses strong comparative optimism is generally judged to be useful rather than desirable, except when the target is different from the group of other targets presented.
Computer-aided reverse engineering system in the design and production of orthotic insole shoes for patients with diabetes

Abstract Design and manufacturing strategies for custom orthotic insole shoes for patients with diabetes are presented in this paper. The computer-aided reverse engineering system (CARESystem) was applied for minimizing file errors generated by scanning a patient’s foot. The digital data imaging and communication of medicine (DICOM) images were used for designing complex insole orthotics. The DICOM images obtained by HandySCANN 700TM were then converted into a stereo lithography (STL) file (triangle-based data) format. The color map generated by VX Element and Geomagic software yielded an accurate and smooth STL data file of the patient’s foot. A solid 3D model of orthotic shoe s (insole and outsole) was prepared using the curve-based surface modeling method (CBS model). The error of an image found in the 3D mesh STL file was then edited and smoothed, prior to the 3D prototype products being processed by 3D printers. The prototype of an orthotic shoe insole was fabricated by an adaptive manufacturing machine, the 3D printer EDEN350. Comparative analysis of dimensional data for the insole and outsole revealed that the average size of deviation was less than 1 mm (0.0135–0.0209 mm). Therefore, this method is highly promising to deliver custom orthotics with improved size, dimensional accuracy, and comfort.
Do non-financial firms react to monetary policy actions as banks do?

The theory of the bank lending channel indicates that financial institutions with larger size, higher capitalisation and higher liquidity present a greater capacity to maintain their levels of credit supply in a situation of monetary contraction. However, there is a paucity of (European) studies that analyse the bank lending channel from the non-financial firms’ perspective. This paper analyzes the impact of monetary policy actions on a large sample of Spanish firms. The empirical evidence for Spain shows that the impact of size, solvency and liquidity are similar for banks and non-financial firms.
Material flow cost accounting as a tool for improved resource efficiency in the hotel sector : a case of emerging market

Material Flow Cost Accounting (MFCA) is one of the Environmental Management Accounting (EMA) tools that has been developed to enable environmentally and economically efficient material usage and thus improve resource efficiency. However, the use of this tool to improve resource efficiency in the South African hotel sector remains unknown. An exploratory study, qualitative in nature, was conducted using a single case study with embedded units approach. A Hotel Management Group that met the selection criteria formed part of this study. In-depth interviews were conducted with 10 participants and additional documents were analysed. The investigated hotels have developed technologies that provide an environmental account in both physical and monetary units which constitute the use of MFCA to improve resource efficiencies. However, the study established a number of factors that affect the implementation of MFCA by the hotel sector in a South African context.
Assesing the Impact of Competition on the Efficiency of Italian Airports

This paper provides new empirical evidence on the efficiency of Italian airports. Analysing data on 2010 trough conditional e? ciency measures, we find that competition affects mostly the frontier of best performers, whilst airports that are lagging behind are less influenced by it. By applying a novel two stage approach, we show that competition has an inverse U-shape impact. Finally, the bi-modal shape of the distribution of pure efficiency indicates the existence of two differently managed groups of airports.
Conceptualizations of Wellbeing: Insights from a Prototype Analysis on New Zealand Workers

The current research investigated New Zealand workers' perspectives of wellbeing. Specifically, we were interested in how workers conceptualized wellbeing and what sorts of activities workers currently engage in to promote their individual wellbeing. Four studies surveyed whether workers' conceptualizations of wellbeing are consistent with academic models of wellbeing, the different ways New Zealand workers promote individual wellbeing, and whether the concept of wellbeing is prototypically organized (that is, if not all instances of a concept share all of the features of a prototype). Indicating that wellbeing is indeed prototypically organized, participants were able to list components of wellbeing and then demonstrated significant agreement over which components were central (important) to the concept of wellbeing, and which were peripheral (less important). Results indicated that New Zealand workers are less likely than academic researchers to consider the presence of achievement, engagement, and optimism as important for wellbeing. In contrast to current popular academic models, New Zealand workers viewed physical health, work-life balance, and feeling valued as central components of wellbeing. Physical activity/regular exercise, nurturing relationships, participating in hobbies/interests, and healthy eating were identified as the most popular ways to promote personal wellbeing. Implications for human resource managers, employees, researchers and policy makers are discussed, in addition to recommendations for future research.
LATE QUATERNARY VEGETATION, CLIMATE, AND FIRE DYNAMICS: HUMAN IMPACT AND EVIDENCE OF PAST POLYLEPIS POPULATIONS IN THE NORTHERN ANDEAN DEPRESSION INFERRED FROM THE EL CRISTAL RECORD IN SOUTHEASTERN ECUADOR

Late Pleistocene and Holocene vegetation, climate, and fire dynamics, as well as human impact, were studied in the El Cristal region, which is part of the Andean Depression in southeastern Ecuador. The sediment core from a small basin at 2056 m a.s. l. was analyzed by pollen and charcoal analysis and dated by six radiocarbon dates. The record indicates that during the late Pleistocene (ca. 19 750-12 500 cal yr BP) the Upper Mountain Rainforest (UMF), with some smaller areas of paramo and subparamo were the main vegetation type in the study area. Additionally, there is evidence for Polylepis woodland in the region during this period, which does not exist in the area today. During the transition from the late Pleistocene to the early and mid-Holocene between ca. 12 500 to 3600 cal yr BP, there is a significant presence of mountain rainforest and stable proportions of subparamo and paramo taxa. The early Holocene from ca. 11 500 to 7800 cal yr BP is characterized by UMF vegetation at the study site. Polylepis became more frequent and reached its maximum. During the mid-Holocene between 7800 to 3600 cal yr BP, the composition of the UMF changed. Polylepis decreased after ca. 4000 cal yr BP, probably due to higher fire frequency. During the mid- to late Holocene, human landscape dis- turbance is evident, especially between ca. 2000 and 1380 cal yr BP, with Asteraceae, Muehlenbeckia/Rumex, Osmunda and Huperzia all increasing in abundance. The late Holocene, from ca. 1380 cal yr BP, was characterized by an increased abundance of paramo taxa and a decrease in mountain rainforest taxa. The expansion of grassland during the late Holocene is interpreted as a result of an increase in human activity, which limited forest vegetation to isolated patches. However, between ca. 1200 and 900 cal yr BP the UMF expanded, probably due to forest recovery after the high frequency of fire. Between ca. 900 cal yr BP to present times, the UMF vegetation decreased markedly and grasslands (paramo taxa) ex- panded.