Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
FACTORS INFLUENCING E-COMMERCE DEVELOPMENT IN SERBIA

In this paper, an overview of current state of e-commerce development in Serbia is presented. Also, some important factors influencing e-commerce diffusion are discussed. The factors are divided into four groups: technical factors, which cover e-commerce telecommunication and logistics infrastructure; legal factors, i.e. necessary laws and regulations on e-commerce; economic factors, and psychological factors and local culture. The study showed very strong correlation between broadband internet penetration and internet usage on the one hand and online shopping penetration on the other hand. Also, strong correlation was found between national economic wealth and online shopping penetration. The development of logistics systems in Serbia, national laws and regulations related to e-commerce, e-payment systems and cultural characteristics and habits of Serbian customers are discussed. The results show that despite the notable improvement in the last few years, the level of e-commerce development in Serbia is still far away from EU28 average. Finally, some recommendations for faster e-commerce diffusion are presented.
The Danielson Evaluation System in Two Mid- South High Schools: A Case Study

The purpose of this study is to answer the question: How do pilot users of the Danielson Evaluation System perceive this model in two mid-south high schools? The study describes the perceptions of teachers and administrators who implemented the Danielson Teacher Evaluation Model. The primary focus was on teachers and administrators experience with the pilot of the new Arkansas Teacher Excellence and Support System. In an effort to meet requirements under the ESEA flexibility waiver Arkansas developed a comprehensive evaluation model to meet state and federal accountability standards. Arkansas Department of Education developed a pilot school program in which they were afforded the opportunity to explore the teacher evaluation tool in four pilots across the state. The researcher conducted structured open-ended interviews with teachers and building principals. Observations were conducted with research participants. Documents were collected throughout the study to meet triangulation of this phenomenological study. The significant themes (axial codes) that emerged from the data collected were (a) role of the students, (b) teacher evaluation system, (c) emotions of teachers, and (d) reflection of the process. This qualitative study adds new research to the field on the perceptions, experiences, and essence of piloting the Danielson Framework for Teaching Evaluation Model. This research will be instrumental in facilitating more long term research on the perceptions of the framework as a teacher evaluation model. Through this study, readers can gain new insight on the struggle of teachers and administrators as they shift their thinking from the Danielson Framework which guides teacher practices to an evaluation tool. This study provides new research of the everyday challenges of teachers and their effort to improve student achievement.
Rapid, ultra-sensitive detection of gas phase elemental mercury under atmospheric conditions using sequential two-photon laser induced fluorescence.

We have examined the sensitivity of sequential two photon laser induced fluorescence (LIF) detection of elemental mercury, Hg(0) in the gas phase. The most sensitive approach involves an initial laser excitation of the 6(3)P1-6(1)S0 transition at 253.7 nm, followed by excitation with a second laser to the 7(1)S0 level. Blue shifted fluorescence is observed on the 6(1)P1-6(1)S0 transition at 184.9 nm. The excitation scheme, involving sequential excitation of two atomic transitions, followed by detection of the emission from a third is extremely specific and precludes detection of anything other than atomic mercury. Using our 10 Hz laser system we have achieved a detection sensitivity of 0.1 ng m(-3) at a sampling rate of 0.1 Hz, i.e. averaging 100 laser shots at a pressure of one atmosphere in air. At low concentrations we sampled simultaneously with an automated mercury analyzer (Tekran 2537A), to ensure accuracy. We have examined the linearity of the technique, generating flows containing mercury concentrations between 1 and 10,000 ng m(-3) using a permeation tube and dynamic dilution, but relying on the concentrations given by the Tekran at low levels and the concentration calculated from dilution at high levels. We find that the detection is linear over the five orders of magnitude that we were able to vary the concentration. Our measured detection limits in He and Ar are much lower as these gases are inefficient fluorescence quenchers.
A Novel Personalized Differential Privacy Mechanism for Trajectory Data Publication

With the development of smart city, more organizations analyze people's trajectory data, so as to provide better location-based services. However, publishing the original trajectory data directly raises serious privacy threats to individuals. As a kind of powerful framework for providing formal and strong privacy guarantees, differential privacy has been applied in the trajectory data publication. Nevertheless, the existing approaches assume that individuals require the same privacy preference, and thus the same level of privacy protection is provided for all individuals, which leads to insufficient privacy guarantee is provided for some individuals, while the other individuals received excess privacy protection. This paper assumes that individuals require different level of privacy and propose a personalized differential privacy publication mechanism for trajectory data. We apply the Hilbert curve to extract the distribution characteristics of the trajectory data at each time and propose a personalized different privacy generalization algorithm for trajectories with different privacy preferences. Through extensive experiments on real world trajectory dataset, we show that this mechanism provides better tradeoff between data privacy and utility compared with the uniform differential privacy based methods.
Monitoring of Markets and Sectors (MMS Project): Final Report

This paper constructs a decision tree structure to screen industries for possible malfunctioning using a strategic set of indicators reflecting potential, internal and international competition. Based on this conditional combination of market characteristics and taking into account the life cycle of industries, we classify industries into different groups with a low or high probability that market malfunctioning is present.
Vector species composition and malaria infectivity rates in Mkuzi, Muheza District, north-eastern Tanzania.

Entomological surveys were conducted in Mkuzi village in Muheza District, north-east Tanzania from April to September 2003. The objectives were to determine the species composition and infectivity rates of mosquitoes in Mkuzi village. Mosquito collection was done using CDC light trap and pyrethrum spray catch (PSC) techniques. The light trap: spray catch ratio was 2.2:1. A total of 2157 mosquitoes were collected (light trap = 1483; PSC = 674). Anopheles gambiae s.s. accounted for 56.7% (N = 1224) of all mosquitoes collected. Other species were An. funestus complex (19.2%) and Culex quinquefasciatus (24.1%). The mosquito density per room was 74.15 and 33.7 for light trap and PSC techniques, respectively. A total of 1637 Anopheles mosquitoes were tested for circumsporozoite protein by Enzyme linked Immunosobent Assay (ELISA). The overall infectivity rate for circumsporozoite protein for P. falciparum in Anopheles mosquitoes was 21.14% (346/1637). Species-specific infectivity rates were 22.7% (278/1224) in An. gambiae s.s. and 24.0% (68/283) in An. funestus funestus, 0% (0/80) for An. rivulorum and 0% (0/50) for An. parensis. Blood meal analysis indicated that 92.3% of An. gambiae s.s, 88.9% of An. funestus s.s. , 64.5% of An. rivulorum and 67.7% of An. parensis had taken blood meal from human hosts. In conclusion, malaria transmission in Mkuzi area of Muheza district is mainly by the highly anthropophagic An. gambiae s.s. and An. funestus s.s. More studies are needed to identify the seasonal variation of species composition and transmission dynamics in this village.
Effect of cholesterol diet on reproductive function in male albino rats.

OBJECTIVE The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of cholesterol diet (400 mg/kg body weight) for 60 days on gonadal function in albino rats. METHODS The study was conducted in the Animal House Unit at Jordan University of Science and Technology, School of Medicine, Irbid, Jordan between October 2003 and February 2004. Adult male and female albino rats of Sprague Dawley strain were raised under controlled temperature and light. Male rats were divided into: a) control group--rats receiving vehicle (olive oil) for 60 days and treatment group--rats receiving cholesterol diet for a reproductive cycle. Animals were weighed and autopsied 24 hours after the last dose. Biochemical and histological approaches were used to assess fertility in both groups. RESULTS The treatment caused significant reduction (p < or = 0.001) in sperm motility and density in cauda epididymides and testes. A significant reduction (p < or = 0.001) in epithelial cell height of caput, cauda and seminal vesicle was also observed. In the treated group, there was a significant reduction (p<0.001) in seminiferous tubules diameter and Leydig cell nuclear diameter. Spermatocytes (primary and secondary) were significantly decreased (p < or = 0.01) and spermatids were significantly reduced (p < or = 0.001) in the treatment group. Whereas, the number of degenerating Leydig cells (interstitial cells) increased significantly (p < or = 0.001). Serum biochemistry reveals significant increase (p<0.001) in cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The intragastric administration of cholesterol diet to male rats for 60 days significantly reduced the number of females impregnated by these males. However, the number of implantations and number of viable fetuses were significantly (p<0.01) decreased in female rats impregnated by males that ingested cholesterol. On the other hand, the number of resorptions was significantly (p<0.01) increased in females impregnated by males that ingested cholesterol. The histometry and histology of reproductive organs confirm these results. CONCLUSION Hyperlipidemia can cause alteration in the biochemistry and histometry of reproductive organs and can cause inhibition of spermatogenesis via the Leydig cell.
The Tax Effects of Health Expenditures on Aging Economies: Empirical Evidence on Selected OECD Countries

The aim of our study is twofold: i) we examine the effect of aging on public health expenditures; and ii) investigate the fiscal burden of the health expenditures over the period 1965-2012 for selected OECD countries. As empirical methodology, we perform nonlinear unit root test proposed by Kapetanios et al. (2003). Afterwards, we employ Seo (2006) cointegration test based on a threshold vector error correction model (TVECM). We find evidence supporting the impact of aging population on the public health expenditures, thus on the tax burden for all countries with the exception of Japan, Sweden and the US.
A framework for executing parallel simulation using RTI

The grid enables large-scale resource sharing and makes it viable for running large-scale parallel and distributed simulations. The high level architecture (HLA) paradigm provides a software platform and interoperability interface for simulation components to utilize these hardware resources. However, neither the grid nor the HLA provides mechanism for resource management for parallel and distributed simulations. It is also noticed that substantial effort is required for writing program that conforms to the runtime infrastructure (RTI) requirements because of its complexity. In this paper, we introduce a framework for designing and executing parallel simulation using the RTI. The framework is also designed to assist load balancing and checkpointing. With the code library from our framework, the modeler is able to complete the design of a parallel simulation that runs on RTI by specifying the simulation configuration and the handling detail of each event. Our framework incorporates automatic code generation. It also uses data distribution management (DDM) to route simulation events (interactions) to achieve efficient use of network bandwidth.
Malignant Transformation Arising From Mature Cystic Teratoma of the Ovary: A Retrospective Study of 20 Cases

Objectives: Mature cystic teratoma (MCT) of the ovary rarely undergoes malignant transformation (MT). Malignant transformation carries a significantly worse prognosis than epithelial ovarian cancer, regardless of whether postoperative chemotherapy or radiotherapy is applied. The rarity of this tumor has posed a significant challenge to developing standardized postoperative management protocols. The aim of this study was to review our experience with MT and to describe our current treatment practices. Methods: A retrospective chart review of these patients was performed that identified 20 women treated for MT of MCT at our centers between 1988 and 2008. Results: The median age was 52.5 (range, 29-77) years. Fifteen patients had squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and 5 patients had other histological subtypes. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage distribution was as follows: 11 were stage I, 4 were stage II, 4 were stage III, and 1 was stage IV. All patients underwent an initial laparotomy. Eleven patients received adjuvant treatment: 8 were treated with chemotherapy, 2 with concurrent chemoradiation therapy, and 1 with radiation therapy. Platinum-based chemotherapy was the first-line regimen. The overall 1-year survival rate was 70%. Significant correlations between overall survival and age, stage, and residual tumor were presented (P = 0.044, P = 0.0107, P < 0.0001, respectively). Eight patients with advanced stage died of their disease. Four patients, however, were treated with adjuvant chemotherapy or concurrent chemoradiation therapy and survived more than 1 year. One stage III patient had a disease-free interval of 2 years. Two cases of SCC treated with combination platinum/taxane chemotherapy temporarily responded. In the other 2 cases of SCC, concurrent chemoradiation therapy with nedaplatin also resulted in tumor regression. Conclusions: The prognosis of MT is highly dependent on age, stage, and optimal cytoreduction. Adjuvant treatment has not been standardized, although our experience supports the use of combination platinum/taxane chemotherapy.
Primary Mental Health Care Information and Services for St. John's Visible Minority Immigrants: Gaps and Opportunities

This article draws on an environmental scan and interviews with visible minority immigrants in a small urban Atlantic community to report on gaps and opportunities for improving access to information about primary mental health care services and barriers to utilization of these services. Information about services was limited and did not specifically address the complex health-related concerns of immigrants with diverse religious and cultural backgrounds. Accessing information about mental health care services was challenging for some visible minority immigrants because of physical and financial constraints and limited computer and language literacy. The major barriers to the utilization of primary mental health care services were lack of information, language and literacy issues, a mistrust of primary mental health care services, the stigma associated with mental illness, long wait times, lack of finances, and religious and cultural differences and insensitivity. A list of nine recommendations, which may be of interest to mental health decision-makers and service providers in small urban centers with limited ethno-cultural diversity, is provided.
Effects of fish oil on lymphocyte proliferation, cytokine production and intracellular signalling in weanling pigs

It has been widely documented that fish oil attenuates inflammatory responses partially via down-regulation of T-lymphocyte function. To determine the anti-inflammatory role of fish oil in weanling pigs, we investigated the effects of fish oil and its functional constituents on peripheral blood lymphocyte proliferation, cytokine production and subsequent intracellular signalling in inflammatory-challenged weanling pigs and in in vitro cultured lymphocytes. Fish oil (7%) or corn oil (7%) was supplemented to 72 crossbred pigs (7.6 ± 0.3 kg BW and 28 ± 3 days of age) in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment that included an Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge (challenged or not challenged). On day 14 and 28 of the experiment, 200 μg/kg BW of LPS or an equivalent amount of sterile saline was administered to the pigs by intraperitoneal injection. Blood samples were collected on days 15 and 29 to determine peripheral blood lymphocyte proliferation, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) production. The results showed that inflammatory challenge decreased average daily gain (P < 0.05) and average daily feed intake (P < 0.05) during days 15 - 28. Fish oil supplementation had no effect on growth performance. Inflammatory challenge increased lymphocyte proliferative response to concanavalin A (Con A) (P < 0.05) following each challenge. Fish oil tended to suppress (P < 0.1) the proliferation following the first challenge. Similarly, fish oil tended to reduce IL-1β production (P < 0.1) following the second challenge and IL-2 (P < 0.1) production following the first challenge in both challenged and unchallenged pigs compared with corn oil. In parallel in vitro experiments, peripheral blood lymphocytes of weanling pigs were incubated with various concentrations of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or linoleic acid (LA) (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 μg/ml). EPA, DHA and high levels of LA predominantly suppressed IL-1β (P < 0.05), IL-2 (P < 0.05) production and subsequent lymphocyte proliferation (P < 0.05). Low levels of LA increased (P < 0.05) IL-2 production. Compared with LA, EPA resulted in a stronger inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation (P < 0.05) and IL-2 (P < 0.01), and DHA resulted in a stronger inhibition of IL-1β (P < 0.05) and IL-2 (P < 0.01). To elucidate the mechanism(s) by which fish oil and its functional constituents suppressed lymphocyte function, the kinetics of intracellular [Ca2 +]i and protein kinase C activity were determined in in vitro experiments. EPA, DHA and LA exerted very similar dose-dependent stimulatory effects on intracellular Ca2 +. EPA and DHA inhibited protein kinase C activity (P < 0.05), while LA had no significant effect (P > 0.05). These results suggest that fish oil and its functional constituents (EPA and DHA) exerted an anti-inflammatory effect by down-regulation of lymphocyte activation in weanling pigs, possibly by manipulation of intracellular signalling.
c-Src Suppresses Dendritic Cell Antitumor Activity via T Cell Ig and Mucin Protein-3 Receptor

The enhanced expression of T cell Ig and mucin protein-3 (TIM-3) on tumor-associated dendritic cells (DCs) attenuates antitumor effects of DNA vaccines. To identify a potential target (or targets) for reducing TIM-3 expression on tumor-associated DCs, we explored the molecular mechanisms regulating TIM-3 expression. In this study, we have identified a novel signaling pathway (c-Src→Bruton’s tyrosine kinase→transcription factors Ets1, Ets2, USF1, and USF2) necessary for TIM-3 upregulation on DCs. Both IL-10 and TGF-β, which are produced in the tumor microenvironment, upregulated TIM-3 expression on DCs via this pathway. Suppressed expression of c-Src or downstream Bruton’s tyrosine kinase, Ets1, Ets2, USF1, or USF2 blocked IL-10– and TGF-β–induced TIM-3 upregulation on DCs. Notably, in vivo knockdown of c-Src in mice reduced TIM-3 expression on tumor-associated DCs. Furthermore, adoptive transfer of c-Src–silenced DCs in mouse tumors enhanced the in vivo antitumor effects of immunostimulatory CpG DNA; however, TIM-3 overexpression in c-Src–silenced DCs blocked this effect. Collectively, our data reveal the molecular mechanism regulating TIM-3 expression in DCs and identify c-Src as a target for improving the efficacy of nucleic acid–mediated anticancer therapy.
Interproximal access efficacy of three manual toothbrushes with extended, x-angled or flat multitufted bristles.

PURPOSE This laboratory research study was conducted to evaluate three manual toothbrushes for their ability to remove artificial plaque from interproximal sites. MATERIALS AND METHODS Interproximal access efficacy (IAE) was evaluated using a pressure-sensitive artificial plaque substrate placed around simulated anterior and posterior teeth with horizontal and vertical brushing motions. Efficacy was determined as the maximum width of artificial plaque removed from around the teeth. Testing was conducted on three manual toothbrushes with different bristle configurations coded as: Extended [Aquafresh Between Teeth (also marketed as Dr. Best Zwischenzahn)], X-angled (Oral-B CrossAction) and Flat multitufted (Oral-B Indicator). Twenty-four tests on each toothbrush design were conducted, and the results were statistically analysed using two-sample t-tests, assuming unequal variances. RESULTS The individual mean IAE values on anterior and posterior tooth shapes with vertical and horizontal brushing were significantly (P < 0.001) higher for the toothbrush with extended bristles (Aquafresh Between Teeth) than for the other two toothbrush designs tested. When the data were combined to give an overall average, the IAE for the toothbrush with extended bristles (Aquafresh Between Teeth) was significantly (P < 0.001) higher than the IAE value for the toothbrushes containing x-angled (Oral-B CrossAction) or flat multitufted bristles (Oral-B Indicator). CONCLUSION Based on the demonstrated predictability of the IAE assay for clinical interproximal plaque removal, the manual toothbrush with extended bristles should be an effective brush for cleansing the dental interproximal sites.
Increase in Transglutaminase 2 in Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IMs), including dermatomyositis (DM), polymyositis (PM), and sporadic inclusion body myositis (s-IBM), are characterized by inflammatory cell infiltration in muscle tissue and muscle fiber destruction, which leads to muscle weakness. Although the cause of IMs is unclear, an autoimmune pathogenesis may be involved in initiating the muscle inflammation. Recently, we have found an aberrant expression of transglutaminase 2 (TGase 2) in s-IBM, which is closely associated with insoluble inclusion body formation. TGase 2 is a cross-linking enzyme that generates a conformational change of molecules via a covalent isopeptide bond. The increase in the level of TGase 2 expression and the inappropriate presentation of substrates/cross-linked aggregates to the immune system may contribute to the autoimmune aspects of IMs. We investigated whether or not an increase in TGase 2 expression is a common factor in muscle inflammation. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and normal tissues were employed as controls. Using immunocytochemistry and quantitative RT-PCR, the level of TGase 2 expression was found to be specifically increased in PM and DM, but not in DMD and normal controls. Therefore, the targeting of TGase inhibition in IMs will be a challenging therapeutic approach that should be investigated in the near future.