Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Towards a Better Understanding of Cities Using Mobility Data

The increasing concentration of people in cities generates many problems of control in the management of resources and urban space. Urban sprawl, for example, generates serious environmental, social and economic challenges that pertain to congestion, increasing transport costs, and segregated urban environments. Making cities 'smarter' has the potential to provide a solution for handling more efficiently new sources of digital information, to gain a better understanding of urban dynamics and human mobility and last but not least, to search for more sustainable living conditions. In this context, the increasing availability of geolocated data generated by the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) provides new tools to analyse activity and mobility patterns in urban environments. In this paper, we present an overview of recent findings in empirical applications of such 'big data' to the systematic study of cities and their problems of movement. The paper concludes with a discussion on the potential of this new source of data and on how the coupling of big data analysis and computer modelling can open new horizons for the analysis of urban systems.
Taxation of Capital Gains and the Behavior of Stock Prices over the Dividend Cycle

By limiting their attention to the effect of capital gains tax on the price asked by mid-cycle sellers, Elton and Gruber (Review of Economics and Statistics v.52, 1970) overlook a parallel effect of capital loss credit on the bid price offered by mid-cycle buyers. We show that unequal marginal tax rates on capital gains and losses create two distinct price paths with a growing bid-ask spread between them. The dividend cycle ends with a corresponding drop of the dual price to a temporary common ex-dividend price. As perceived by shareholders, the mid-cycle bid-ask spread created in this fashion may add a significant trading cost beyond the observed market-price spread. Our analysis has important implications for shareholders' optimal timing of trade, the firm's optimal frequency and timing of dividends within the year, and government tax policy. A government seeking to tax capital gains should maintain parity between the tax rates of gains and losses to avoid the introduction of tax-induced trading costs. Absent rate parity, the firm should accommodate shareholders by following a predictable dividend schedule and avoiding extended intervals between dividends. Under this scenario, shareholders can avoid tax-induce trading costs by limiting their transactions to ex-dividend days.
Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Bacterial Isolates Causing Wound Infection Among the Patients Visiting B & B Hospital

A wound is any physical injury involving a break in the skin, and exposed subcutaneous tissues provide a favorable substratum for a wide variety of microorganisms to contaminate and colonize. In this study a total of 870 plus samples were collected from patients visiting B & B hospital suspecting wound infection and then analyzed. The causative agents were isolated, identified by culture and biochemical tests and their susceptibility pattern to antibiotics were determined by using CLSI guidelines. Out of total samples, 476(44.8%) showed bacterial growth. Among growth cases 22.9% were mixed growths. Among all bacterial isolates, 12 species were identified of them, 70.6% were Gram-negative and 29.4% were Gram-positive. Among Gram-positive isolates, Staphylococcus. Aureus (74.2%) was most common followed by CoNS (8.6%), Non hemolytic Streptococci (8.6%), Enterococcus spp. (4.3%) and â -haemolytic Streptococci (4.3%). Among Gram-negative bacteria, the most common isolate was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (31.5%) followed by E.coli (24.8%), Acinetobacter spp. (14.6%), Enterobacter spp. (14.0%) and Klebsiella spp. (13.4%). Proteus spp. and Citrobacter spp. were less common. With regard to AST pattern, S. aureus was most susceptible to chloramphenicol and highly resistance to penicillin. Among them, 7.7% were MRSA. For other Gram-positive isolates as well, effective drug was found to be chloramphenicol. For P. aeruginosa , the most effective drug was imipenem (94.3%) followed by amikacin (63.2%). Likewise, for other Gram-negative bacteria most effective drug was imipenem followed by amikacin. Among the total P. aeruginosa isolates, 58.5% were found to be MDR. For all these P. aeruginosa isolates MIC on gentamycin and ciprofloxacin illustrate the simultaneous presence of ciprofloxacin resistance and reduced gentamycin susceptibility. These results indicated that antibiotic resistance in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were increasing in alarming trend that leads to the failure of treatment. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/njst.v15i2. 12121 Nepal Journal of Science and Technology Vol. 15, No.2 (2014) 91-96
Efficacy of the Insecticidal Bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) (Bt) against the Cereal Leaf Miner Syringopais temperatella Led. (Lep., Scythrididae) under Laboratory Conditions

The cereal leaf miner, Syringopais temperatella Led. (Lep., Scythrididae) is one of the most economical pests on wheat in Jordan. The use of chemical insecticides is neither economic nor sustainable; therefore, biological pesticides (i.e. Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner)) are becoming an important component in crop protection. The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of B. thuringiensis against S. temperatella. Eight B. thuringiensis concentrations were used against S. temperatella L3 on wheat and mortality was recorded at 1, 3, 5 and 7 days after spraying. The results indicated that S. temperatella mortality was significantly affected by B. thuringiensis concentration and time after bacterial application. After 1, 3, 5 and 7 days of spraying, 108 concentration of B. thuringiensis had significantly caused the highest mortality to the pest with 63.3, 73.1, 78.3 and 80.0%, respectively. Then the mortality percent decreased significantly until it reached 3.3, 15.6, 17.4 and 45.0% at 101 concentration, respectively. In conclusion, the study showed that B. thuringiensis is effective in controlling S. temperatella under laboratory conditions.
IDENTIFYING REPEAT VICTIMIZATION WITH GIS

Until recently most attempts at identifying repeat victimization locations have focused on searching address fields in police records. Problems with inaccurate data entry and variation in addressformat make this method fraught with difficulty and time consuming to correct. This study of burglary suggests that a standard GIS package, searching geo-referenced crime locations can dramatically improve the time and accuracy of identifying repeats. The research presented here appears generally consistent with other published work in that the period of highest risk is immediately after an initial burglary. The study covers a longer period than usual. Two years' worth of data raises issues regarding definitions of repeat victimization. The benefit to crime prevention of identifying repeat victimization has been widely recognized (Anderson etal. 1995; Ellingworth etal. 1995; Farrell and Pease 1993), but the process of accurately distinguishing the repeat locations has always been difficult. While the under-reporting of crime to the police is also well documented (Hough and Lewis 1989; Mayhew et al. 1993; Tilley 1995), it remains a reality that police recorded crime data are still one of the best sources of information on local crime distribution in this country. Computerized systems for recording police crime data have been setup within forces but usually the extraction of data pertinent to the geographical crime distribution and the identification of repeat victims is not a priority. A number of articles highlight the difficulties posed by police data in identification of repeat victims (Read and Oldfield 1995; Sampson and Phillips 1995). Crime data tend to be recorded for statistical measurement, and not specifically designed for the identification of repeat victimizations (Ellingworth et al 1995). A graphic example of the difficulties posed by police crime recording systems is provided by David Anderson ( 1995). The study was geographical only in confining the search parameters to a certain police divisional area, and the identification of repeat victims to home addresses. These examples all show the problems of trying to identify a unique location from a number of text fields within a crime data system. If search criteria are tied to beat boundaries and other forms of containment then the problems of identifying repeats increase. Address complexity increases the geo-referencing problem. For example, Nottinghamshire Constabulary's Crime Recording Interim System (CRIS) has separate fields for building name, building number, floor number, sub unit number, sub unit name, sub street name, street name. With such a variety of options it is hardly surprising that different operators on different shifts occasionally record a complex address in fields different from those of their colleagues. Nottinghamshire Constabulary has attempted to get round this problem by improving the address field data entry dialog on CRIS. The system will only accept addresses that it recognizes, and then places the
Immunorestorative in immunosuppressed Balb/c mice and cytotoxic activity of water extract from Trichilia hirta root

Patients receiving chemotherapy treatment in Santiago de Cuba traditionally use water extracts from Trichilia hirta roots. The study aim was to evaluate the immunorestorative and cytotoxic activity of water extracts from Trichilia hirta root. Administration of root water extract increased the total and differential leukocyte counts in inmunosupressed Balb/c mice. Thymus weight recovered significantly as well as bone marrow cellularity. Moreover, water extract (125 ug/mL) showed selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells T-47D and SK-mel-3 in comparison with non-cancer cells (Vero). The results indicate that Trichilia hirta has significant immunorestorative effects in vivo and selective cytotoxicity in vitro. Therefore, it might be a promising alternative for cancer therapy.
Minimax-robust filtering of functionals from periodically correlated random fields

The problem of optimal estimation of linear functionals depending on unknown values of periodically correlated random field from observations of the field with noise is considered. Formulas for calculating mean square errors and spectral characteristics of optimal linear estimates of the functionals are derived in the case where spectral densities are exactly known. Formulas that determine least favourable spectral densities and minimax (robust) spectral characteristics are proposed in the case where spectral densities are not exactly known but a class of admissible spectral densities is given.
Development of Vancomycin-Loaded Polysaccharide-Based Hydrogel Wound Dressings: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation

Aim: The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and tamarind gum (TG)-based citric acid cross-linked vancomycin-loaded hydrogel dressing for wound healing. Materials and Methods: CMC and TG are known for its biocompatibility and biodegradability and hence selected for preparation of hydrogel dressings. The hydrogel films were characterized by attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, solid-state 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance (13C-NMR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The prepared hydrogel films were evaluated for the carboxyl content and equilibrium swelling ratio. Vancomycin hydrochloride was loaded into hydrogels films and drug release was studied in the phosphate buffer pH 7.4. The hemolysis assay was used to study the biocompatibility of hydrogel films. The wound healing activity of optimized hydrogel film was studied in the albino mice of either sex. Results and Discussion: The results of ATR-FTIR, solid-state 13C-NMR, DSC, and SEM confirmed the formation of citric acid cross-linked hydrogel films. The total carboxyl content of hydrogel film was found to be increased when polymer ratio and amount of cross-linker was increased. The prepared hydrogel dressing showed pH-dependent swelling and swelling was decreased significantly with increase in the concentration of TG and cross-linker. Optimized hydrogel dressing batch HD1 exhibited highest drug loading with non-Fickian drug release. Hydrogel dressings were found to be hemocompatible and exhibited wound healing activity in mice. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the citric acid cross-linked polysaccharide-based hydrogel dressings have potential application in the development of topical drug delivery systems for treatment of the wound.
The role of income e ff ects in early retirement ∗

We provide a long term perspective on the individual retirement behavior and on the future of retirement by emphasizing the role of (negative) income effects. We consider a political economic theoretical framework, with actuarially "fair" and "unfair" early retirement schemes, and derive a political equilibrium with positive social security contribution rates and early retirement. A reduction in the wages in youth, consistent with the recent labor market trends since the massive introduction of temporary jobs, induces workers to postpone retirement, and — in the "unfair" system — leads to lower contribution rates. A reduction in the growth rate of the economy has opposite effects on the retirement decisions, leading — in the "unfair" system — to more early retirement. Aging induces a negative income effect, but has also an opposite political effects on social security contributions and retirement decisions. For an actuarially "fair" social security system, we provide conditions for the political effect to dominate; in an "unfair" scheme, numerical simulations confirm a slight predominance of the political effect, as contribution rates increase. These results may shed some light on the future of early retirement in aging societies.
Antioxidant activity of herb extracts from five medicinal plants from Lamiaceae, subfamily Lamioideae

Five medicinal plants from the subfamily Lamioideae of the Lamiaceae were tested for antioxidant activity and screened for polyphenols content. Aerial parts of Ballota nigra, Lamium maculatum, Leonurus cardiaca, Marrubium vulgare, and Galeopsis tetrahit were extracted with methanol (MeOH) and subsequently partitioned by liquid-liquid extraction between petroleum ether (PE), dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EA) and n-butanol (BuOH). All 25 extracts and subfractions were assayed for •DPPH and HO• scavenging and phosphomolybdenum reduction. Total polyphenols and free hydroxycinnamic acids were determined by spectrophotometric assays. Predictably, all species possess remarkable antioxidant capacity, but the relative differences between species and fractions depended on the method of testing. The LLE method allows the partitioning of most active polyphenols into the polar solvents. The BuOH fraction of L. cardiaca had a lowest EC50for •DPPH scavenging - 4.45 µg/ml. The maximum inhibition of deoxyribose degradation of was demonstrated for B. nigra EA and BuOH fractions (79.32 ± 1.62% and 82.04 ± 2.28%, respectively). B. nigra EA, and L. cardiacaBuOH fractions had also the highest reducing capacity of 318.6 ± 14.7 mg/g and 271.4 ± 2.4 mg/g ascorbic acid equivalents. The studied plants can provide efficient antioxidant protection by complementary mechanisms, such as free radical scavenging and metal ions reduction. However, only polar fractions from L. cardiaca and B. nigra are the most potent. Key words: Lamioideae, antioxidant, polyphenols, deoxyribose, Ballota nigra,Galeopsis tetrahit, Lamium maculatum, Leonururs cardiaca, Marrubium vulgare.
Sex Differences in Tibiocalcaneal Kinematics

Purpose. Female runners typically suffer more from chronic running injuries than age-matched males, although the exact biome chanical mechanisms behind the increased susceptibility of female runners are unknown. This study aimed to compare sex differences in tibiocalcaneal kinematics during the stance phase of running. Methods. Twenty male and twenty female participants ran at 4.0 m · s –1 . Tibiocalcaneal kinematics were measured using an eight-camera motion analysis system and compared using independent samples t tests. Results. Peak eversion and tibial internal rotation angles were shown to be significantly greater in female runners. Conclusions. based on these observations, it was determined that female runners may be at increased risk from chronic injury development in relation to excessive tibiocalcaneal motions in the coronal and transverse planes.
An Empirical Study of IT Innovation Adoption Among Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Purpose—The purpose of this research is to use and validate the Entrepreneurial Event model as a base model to investigate SME owners’ perception toward IT innovation adoption and use. This paper also attempts to investigate the key determinants of the adoption of IT innovation among small and medium sized enterprises in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This study revised and validated the Entrepreneurial Event Model in a new context and tried to examine the effect of perceived desirability, propensity to act and performance expectancy on behavior intention to adopt and use IT innovation in SMEs companies. Design/ methodology/ approach—Based on the research model the questionnaire was developed using previous work in the areas of entrepreneurship (Entrepreneurial Event Model) and technology acceptance (UTAUT). The data used to test the hypothesis is collected from various spectrums of Malaysian industries in Kuala Lumpur. A total of 1,000 businesses
Constraints Imposed by the Shape of Marine Magnetic Anomalies on the Magnetic Source

A two-layer source model for marine magnetic anomalies can accommodate several observations made on the shapes of anomalies in the Pacific and southeast Indian oceans. The layers are defined on the basis of cooling history and magnetic properties. The upper layer consists of rapidly cooled basalts, which acquire a strong magnetization near the ridge axis. This layer, with narrow transition zones, can account for the observed short polarity events. The lower layer consists of moderately magnetized, slowly cooled intrusive rocks in the lower oceanic crust. The transition zones in this layer are broad, sloping boundaries reflecting the delayed acquisition of magnetization with depth as, for example, along a sloping Curie point isotherm. The lower layer can account for a skewness discrepancy of 10°–15° in the observed skewness of some anomalies. It is shown that the upper layer has to contribute about three quarters of the total amplitude of magnetic anomalies in order for this model to simulate the observed shape of the anomalies. The model predicts that a deep drill hole located just to the older side of a reversal boundary in the upper part of the oceanic crust should encounter a magnetization polarity reversal within the lower oceanic crust.
Health Hazards Among Fire Fighters 281 HEALTH HAZARDS AMONG FIRE FIGHTERS

Background: Fire fighting is a physically demanding hazardous occupation. Fires are fought in a dynamic, changing, uncontrolled environment exposing workers to potentially toxic agents. The hazards of firefighting are classified as chemical, biological, physical, psychological and ergonomical. Objective: The aim of the present study was: (1) To investigate some of the health hazards among fire fighters with special emphasis on cytogenetic study and ventilatory functions. (2) To monitor the biological, psychological, reproductive and musculo-skeletal hazards. Subjects and methodology: This study was conducted in a fire fighting station in El Omrania El Sharkia in Giza. The study was accomplished during the month of March 2007. The studied group comprised 24 workers in the fire fighting station. They were adult men aged between 18-33 years (23.20 ± 4.09), working on the basis of 12 hours/day with no day off. None of the workers used any protective equipment during working hours. They worked according to the need for help, and not all the time, bearing in mind that the worker may be exposed to frequent shifts or may be not exposed for several days. A referent group of 20 males matched for age [that ranged from 21-35 yrs. , (23.40 ± 4.05) ] , sex, socio-economic status and smoking habit , selected from relatives of the Kasr El Eini hospital patients, were also enrolled in our study. The following investigations were performed after taking individual consent: (A) All workers were interviewed using a special questionnaire including occupational history; and full clinical examination was performed. (B) Ventilatory function tests were evaluated using a portable spirometer connected to a portable computer using the soft ware ZAN program, measuring FVC (Forced vital capacity), SVC (Slow vital capacity), FEV1% 281 Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine, 2007; 31 (2) : 281 299 Helal SF and Labib D 282
Gene Over-Expression of Glycerol-3-phosphate Dehydrogenase in Some Marine Algae of Egypt.

Studies focusing a survey or a comparison between freshwater and marine algae are relatively Algae exhibit a wide range of acclimation in response to induced salinity. However, studies focusing a survey or a comparison between freshwater and marine algae are relatively scarce. A comparative study between three fresh water algae (Spirogyra sp., Chara sp. and Cladophora sp.) and six marine algae among them brown: Sargassum dentifolium, Padina boryana, Dictyota dichotoma; red: Gelidium latifolium, Gracilaria dura and green: Enteromorpha intestinalis) has been performed to study how marine algae can cope with salinity of seawater. Algal fluorescence from the marine and fresh water groups was analyzed to determine whether differences in room-temperature fluorescence could be ascribed to differences between algal classes or specific for individuals. Results obtained showed that fluorescence signatures were relatively uniform for species within class but were different for different classes. Scanning of the SDS-gel showed the presence of certain characteristic protein banding pattern for each species. The amount of proline showed irregular differences according to species. Mannitol was detected only in the members of brown algae. Moreover, the mineral (sodium and potassium) and glycerol contents of the marine algae has noticeable greater values than those of fresh water members. The expression level of G3PDH mRNA was significantly upregulated in marine algal group as compared to that of the freshwater algae. GPDH had a significant impact on numerous metabolic processes in marine algae, including the biosynthesis of glycerol.