Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Attitudes towards Fairtrade Principles and Environmental Views among the Inhabitants of a Rural Swedish Town

This paper evaluates associations between values and preference for the Fairtrade concept and compares the ecocentric and anthroprocentric views of Nature. The intention of Fairtrade product labelling is to increase consumers’ awareness of products that have a presumably more positive influence on workers’ lives in developing countries. The ecocentric view assumes that Nature has an intrinsic value and should be preserved regardless of economic implications. The anthropocentric view, on the other hand, assumes Nature has value only because of the material, physical, or other benefits Nature provides humans. All respondents in the study were residents of Gestad, a small town in a sparsely populated area of Sweden. Among the main results of the study was that self-transcendence values (e.g., universalism and benevolence) were positively correlated with a preference for Fairtrade and ecocentrism, and negatively correlated with anthropocentrism. Conservation values (e.g., tradition and conformity) were positively correlated with anthropocentrism, and negatively correlated with a preference for Fairtrade. Another result was that women were more positive than men towards Fairtrade and ecocentrism.
Stem Cells for the Prevention of Neonatal Lung Disease

Preterm birth affects approximately 11% of all newborns worldwide and is a major risk factor for infant mortality and morbidity. A common complication of preterm birth is the chronic lung disease of prematurity called bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Due to the lack of a specific treatment for BPD, preterm infants surviving with BPD face a lifelong risk of poor lung health. The therapeutic potential of stem cells in regenerative medicine is being harnessed for many diseases, including BPD. Compelling preclinical data using stem cells to prevent/repair lung damage in animal models of experimental BPD has built the basis for its translation into the clinic in preterm infants. This review highlights the exciting translation from bench to bedside that will hopefully lead in the near future to improved pulmonary outcomes in preterm infants.
How do people with schizophrenia explain the behaviour of others? A study of theory of mind and its relationship to thought and speech disorganization in schizophrenia

Background. This paper examines the attribution of mental states to others in schizophrenia and its links with thought and speech disorganization. Methods. Two groups of schizophrenic subjects (15 with and 10 without thought and speech disorganization) were compared with 10 manic subjects and 15 normal controls on their pattern of answers to 14 theory of mind comic strips. Results. Schizophrenic subjects with disorganization and a more severe general psychopathology exhibited more unadaptated interpretations of others' mental states than those without disorganization or the manic or normal controls. Their explanation of other people's behaviour tended to be influenced by the frequency of their actions rather than their mental states. Conclusions. The disorganization pattern in schizophrenia may be associated with a specific deficit of the cognitive ability referred to as theory of mind, and this deficit could be a state rather than a trait variable. Patients with thought and speech disorders may be more likely to understanding other people's mental states in unambiguous and common situations.
A new proposal to reduce burst contention in optical burst switching networks

In this work, we propose a mechanism to reduce the burst blocking probability in an OBS network formed by several stars interconnected by a ring. An offset windows scheme is introduced to assure that the lack of resources for a burst transmission is detected as close as possible to the ingress nodes, i.e. burst contention is only probable at the first core node of the ring that processes a control packet. The proposal guarantees that the burst transmission will be successful once the transmission has been allocated on the first link of the ring; thus, network-core resources are not wasted. Nevertheless, an additional mechanism is needed to guarantee the absence of burst losses before the reservation of resources inside the core network. A retransmission scheme and an OCDMA-based mechanism are introduced in order to achieve this objective
Capacity of selection cooperation with channel estimation errors

In this paper, we investigate the performance of selection cooperation in the presence of channel estimation errors. In particular, we consider a cooperative scenario with multiple relays and amplify-and-forward protocol over frequency flat fading channels. In the selection scheme, only the “best” relay which maximizes the effective signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the receiver end is selected. We present an upper bound on the effective SNR and derive closed-form expressions for the average capacity in the presence of channel estimation error. A simulation study is presented to corroborate the analytical results.
Object Distribution Networks for world-wide document circulation

This paper presents an Object Distribution System (ODS), a distributed system inspired by the ultra-large scale distribution models used in everyday life (e.g. food or newspapers distribution chains). Beyond traditional mechanisms of approaching information to readers (e.g. caching and mirroring), this system enables the publication, classification and subscription to volumes of objects (e.g. documents, events). Authors submit their contents to publication agents. Classification authorities provide classification schemes to classify objects. Readers subscribe to topics or authors, and retrieve contents from their local delivery agent (like a kiosk or library, with local copies of objects). Object distribution is an independent process where objects circulate asynchronously among distribution agents. ODS is designed to perform specially well in an increasingly populated, widespread and complex Internet jungle, using weak consistency replication by object distribution, asynchronous replication, and local access to objects by clients. ODS is based on two independent virtual networks, one dedicated to the distribution (replication) of objects and the other to calculate optimised distribution chains to be applied by the first network.
BLMS and FBLMS-Based adaptive time varying RCS estimation and 2D-imaging for monostatic MIMO radar systems

This paper proposes an adaptive framework for radar cross section (RCS) estimation and 2D-imaging in monostatic MIMO radar systems for an unknown number of targets present in the scanning region of the radar with unknown angles and ranges. Further, the reflection coefficients/RCS of the targets are considered to be time varying. The block least mean square (BLMS) based adaptive framework is initially proposed for joint RCS estimation and 2D-imaging in monostatic MIMO radar systems. Subsequently, the fast block LMS (FBLMS) adaptive framework is developed to yield improved estimation as well as imaging accuracies and faster convergence in comparison to BLMS. Analytical expressions are derived for the mean square observation as well as estimation errors for the BLMS, FBLMS schemes along with their global convergence analyses. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate and compare the estimation and imaging performances of the proposed schemes and validate the analysis.
Accessing Heterogeneous Sources of Evidence to Answer Clinical Questions

The large and rapidly growing number of information sources relevant to health care, and the increasing amounts of new evidence produced by researchers, are improving the access of professionals and students to valuable information. However, seeking and filtering useful, valid information can be still very difficult. An online information system that conducts searches based on individual patient data can have a beneficial influence on the particular patient's outcome and educate the healthcare worker. In this paper, we describe the underlying model for a system that aims to facilitate the search for evidence based on clinicians' needs. This paper reviews studies of information needs of clinicians, describes principles of information retrieval, and examines the role that standardized terminologies can play in the integration between a clinical system and literature resources, as well as in the information retrieval process. The paper also describes a model for a digital library system that supports the integration of clinical systems with online information sources, making use of information available in the electronic medical record to enhance searches and information retrieval. The model builds on several different, previously developed techniques to identify information themes that are relevant to specific clinical data. Using a framework of evidence-based practice, the system generates well-structured questions with the intent of enhancing information retrieval. We believe that by helping clinicians to pose well-structured clinical queries and including in them relevant information from individual patients' medical records, we can enhance information retrieval and thus can improve patient-care.
G protein-mediated mitogen-activated protein kinase activation by two dopamine D2 receptors.

Two isoforms of dopamine D2 receptor, D2L (long) and D2S (short), differ by the insertion of 29 amino acids specific to D2L within the putative third intracellular loop of the receptor, which appears to be important in selectivity for G-protein coupling. We have generated D2L- and D2S-expressing Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, and regulation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway was examined in these cells. Both D2L and D2S mediated a rapid and transient activation of MAPK with dominant activation of p42-kDa MAPK. Pertussis toxin treatment completely abrogated stimulation of MAPK mediated by D2L and D2S, demonstrating that both receptors couple to pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins in this signaling. Stimulation of MAPK mediated by both D2L and D2S receptor was markedly attenuated by coexpression of the C-terminus of beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (betaARKct), which selectively inhibits Gbetagamma-mediated signal transduction. Further analysis of D2L- and D2S-mediated MAPK activation demonstrated that D2L-mediated MAPK activation was not significantly affected by PKC depletion or partially affected by genistein. In contrast, D2S-mediated MAPK activation was potentially inhibited by PKC depletion and genistein was capable of completely inhibiting D2S-mediated MAPK activation. Together, these results suggest that D2L- and D2S-mediated MAPK activation is predominantly Gbetagamma subunit-mediated signaling and that protein kinase C and tyrosine phosphorylations are involved in these signaling pathways.
An open clinical trial assessing a novel training program for social cognitive impairment in schizophrenia

Objective: Social cognition is profoundly impaired in patients with schizophrenia. This study describes ‘Mental-State Reasoning Training for Social Cognitive Impairment’ (SoCog-MSRT), a 5-week program developed to improve social cognition in patients with schizophrenia. We aimed to investigate the feasibility of implementing SoCog-MSRT in a rehabilitation setting and to evaluate whether our training methods produced improvements. Method The feasibility and benefits of SoCog-MSRT were evaluated in an open clinical trial with 14 participants with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Training comprised 10 twice-weekly sessions, for 5 weeks, with a pre- and post-training assessment. Results: There were significant improvements on: (a) a classic false-belief test of Theory of Mind (ToM); (b) inferring complex mental states from the eyes; and (c) a self-reported measure of social understanding. Some of these improvements were associated with baseline levels of working memory and premorbid Intelligence Quotient (IQ). Conclusions SoCog-MSRT can improve ToM abilities and social understanding, but individuals with poorer working memory and lower premorbid IQ may be less able to benefit from this type of training.
Reduced efficacy of sumatriptan in migraine with aura vs without aura

Objective: To determine whether acute migraine treatment outcome is different in migraine with aura compared with migraine without aura. Methods: We examined pooled outcome data for sumatriptan treatment of migraine with and without aura from the sumatriptan/naratriptan aggregate patient database. We also examined similar outcome data for inhaled dihydroergotamine (DHE) from a single, large randomized controlled study. Results: The pooled pain-free rates 2 hours postdose for sumatriptan 100 mg were significantly higher in patients treating attacks without aura (32%) compared with the group who treated attacks with aura (24%) (p < 0.001). The relative risk for pain freedom 2 hours postdose for attacks without aura was 1.33 (95% confidence interval: 1.16–1.54). The number needed to treat for 2 hours of pain freedom was 4.4 for attacks without aura and 6.2 for attacks with aura. For the clinical trial of DHE, the 2-hour pain-free rates did not differ between patients treating attacks without aura (29.4%) compared with those who treated attacks with aura (27.2%; p = 0.65). The relative risk for pain freedom 2 hours postdose for attacks without aura vs with aura was 1.08 (95% confidence interval: 0.77–1.53). The number needed to treat for 2 hours pain free was 5.8 for attacks without aura and 5.0 for attacks with aura. Conclusion: This post hoc analysis of pooled data from multiple randomized trials indicates that sumatriptan is less effective as acute therapy for migraine attacks with aura compared with attacks without aura. In the single study of inhaled DHE, the treatment had similar efficacy for migraine attacks with and without aura. Different responses of migraine with vs without aura to acute therapies may provide insight into underlying migraine mechanisms and influence the choice of acute therapies for different types of migraine attacks.
POLYURETHANE FOAM AS AGGREGATE FOR THERMAL INSULATING MORTARS AND LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE

Preliminary notes The contribution describes the use of polyurethane foam after the end of its life cycle as an aggregate both for thermal insulating mortars for various wall surfaces and for lightweight concrete. The structure and the physical and mechanical properties of thermal insulating mortar are described here. The verification of application of thermal insulating polyurethane mortar in the thickness of 50 ÷ 70 mm to a reference building, where external walls were insulated, is provided further. The second important area dealt with in this contribution is that of lightweight concrete, for which polyurethane foam of grain size of 0,125 ÷ 6 mm is used as an aggregate. The physical and mechanical properties of polyurethane concrete of various densities and an example of its prefabrication are presented.
Cloning of genes involved in pathogenicity of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris using the broad host range cosmid pLAFR1

A genomic library was prepared in Escherichia coli from DNA of wild‐type Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (aetiological agent of crucifer black rot), partially digested with endonuclease EcoRI, using the mobilisable broad host range cosmid vector pLAFR1. Recombinant plasmids contained inserts ranging in size from 19.1 to 32.3 kb (mean 26.6). Certain of the clones complemented E. coli auxotrophic markers. Using the narrow host range plasmid pRK2013 as a helper the pooled recombinant plasmids were transferred conjugally to X. c. campestris mutants, and clones were identified which restored yellow pigmentation to white mutants, prototrophy to amino acid auxotrophs and pathogenicity towards turnip plants to two non‐pathogenic mutants. The lesion in one mutant (8288, complemented by the plasmid pIJ3000) is unknown. However mutant 8237 is defective in production of extracellular protease and polygalacturonate lyase and restoration of pathogenicity by complementation with the plasmid pIJ3020 concomitantly restored both enzyme levels to wild‐type values.
Selective re‐routing of prion protein to proteasomes and alteration of its vesicular secretion prevent PrPSc formation

Conversion of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) into the abnormal scrapie isoform (PrPSc) is the hallmark of prion diseases, which are fatal and transmissible neurodegenerative disorders. ER‐retained anti‐prion recombinant single‐chain Fv fragments have been proved to be an effective tool for inhibition of PrPC trafficking to the cell surface and antagonize PrPSc formation and infectivity. In the present study, we have generated the secreted version of 8H4 intrabody (Sec‐8H4) in order to compel PrPC outside the cells. The stable expression of the Sec‐8H4 intrabodies induces proteasome degradation of endogenous prion protein but does not influence its glycosylation profile and maturation. Moreover, we found a dramatic diverting of PrPC traffic from its vesicular secretion and, most importantly, a total inhibition of PrPSc accumulation in NGF‐differentiated Sec‐8H4 PC12 cells. These results confirm that perturbing the intracellular traffic of endogenous PrPC is an effective strategy to inhibit PrPSc accumulation and provide convincing evidences for application of intracellular antibodies in prion diseases.
Active fixation using attentional shifts, affine resampling, and multiresolution search

Presents a new approach for fixing two cameras at a single location in a 3D scene. Fixation requires the detection of binocular disparity for a single point of interest in the scene so that vergence control can reduce that disparity to zero. Most existing systems use area-based matching, since feature-based matching is computationally prohibitive. Unfortunately, the area-based approach does not perform well when confronted with steeply inclined surfaces, occlusions, repeating patterns or featureless image regions. The method presented in this paper utilizes attentional shifts and affine resampling to combat these problems. These are integrated with adaptive window-size control and coarse-to-fine correlation-based searching. The effectiveness of the approach for complex scenes is demonstrated with several stereo image pairs. <<ETX>>
Toxicity of Microcystis aeruginosa K‐139 Strain

Toxicity of the cells of a newly established axenic Microcystis aeruginosa K‐139 strain to mice was studied. LD50 of the cells harvested in the mid‐log phase was 7.3 mg/kg. The organs of acute dead mice were examined histopathologically. The blood congestion and necrosis of the parenchymal cells around the central veins in the liver were observed, but other organs seemed to be normal. The liver damage was confirmed by the tests of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) activities in the sera of the mice after the injection with the K‐139 cells. Furthermore, the K‐139 cells were capable of inducing interleukin 1 (IL‐1) production by peritoneal macrophages in vitro.
An examination of the literature relating to issues affecting how companies manage through measures

In the last decade, organizations have devoted enormous time and effort to the development of business performance measurement (BPM) systems. Many articles have been written on how to design and implement these types of systems. However, few studies have addressed the issue of why some organizations are better able to ‘manage through measures’ than others. In other words, why do some organizations struggle to ensure that action follows measurement, whilst others systematically use their metrics to inform their decision-making processes, and their subsequent actions? This paper aims to contribute to a more complete understanding of the use of BPM systems by reviewing the performance measurement literature developed in the management arena. It differs from previous examinations of performance measurement and management control systems in that it uses a broader scope and follows a new method of literature review applied to management research, namely, systematic review. The paper focuses on the thematic analysis of the review only. The insights extracted from the literature are articulated and presented in a management framework. In addition, the paper identifies different gaps in the literature that require further research.
Single‐scan quantitative T2* methods with susceptibility artifact reduction

Two imaging methods, MSSAVE (Multiple echo SubSlice AVEraging imaging), based on sub‐slice averaging and MGESEPI (Multiple echo Gradient‐Echo Slice‐Excitation Profile Imaging), based on over‐sampling in the slice direction, are proposed for single‐scan quantitative T2* evaluation with susceptibility artifact compensation. Their potentials in terms of sensitivity, minimum performance time, susceptibility artifact reduction and T2* quantitation quality, were compared with existing single‐scan methods such as classical FLASH two‐ or three‐dimensional or z‐shimmed methods both in vitro and in vivo in normal rat brain. MGESEPI offered good quality T2* maps nearly free of artifacts but required a long acquisition time. MSSAVE was faster, but at the expense of reduced artifact compensation and the achievable T2* quantitation quality. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cytosolic flagellin-induced lysosomal pathway regulates inflammasome-dependent and -independent macrophage responses

Significance This study describes a unique form of cell death induced by a cytosolic flagellin that does not require NLRC4 (nucleotide oligomerization domain-like receptor family, caspase activation recruitment domain domain-containing 4), ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain), or caspase-1/11 but is regulated by lysosomal cathepsins B and D. Inflammasome-independent cell death is characterized by loss of membrane integrity and IL-1α secretion and participates in the clearance of Salmonella Typhimurium by macrophages. Lysosomal pathway activated by flagellin also regulates inflammasome-dependent responses such as IL-1β and IL-1α secretion and pyroptosis. Together, our data identify a pathway induced by cytosolic flagellin that cooperates with inflammasomes to the clearance of infections. NAIP5/NLRC4 (neuronal apoptosis inhibitory protein 5/nucleotide oligomerization domain-like receptor family, caspase activation recruitment domain domain-containing 4) inflammasome activation by cytosolic flagellin results in caspase-1–mediated processing and secretion of IL-1β/IL-18 and pyroptosis, an inflammatory cell death pathway. Here, we found that although NLRC4, ASC, and caspase-1 are required for IL-1β secretion in response to cytosolic flagellin, cell death, nevertheless, occurs in the absence of these molecules. Cytosolic flagellin-induced inflammasome-independent cell death is accompanied by IL-1α secretion and is temporally correlated with the restriction of Salmonella Typhimurium infection. Despite displaying some apoptotic features, this peculiar form of cell death do not require caspase activation but is regulated by a lysosomal pathway, in which cathepsin B and cathepsin D play redundant roles. Moreover, cathepsin B contributes to NAIP5/NLRC4 inflammasome-induced pyroptosis and IL-1α and IL-1β production in response to cytosolic flagellin. Together, our data describe a pathway induced by cytosolic flagellin that induces a peculiar form of cell death and regulates inflammasome-mediated effector mechanisms of macrophages.