Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Regional Innovation Policy for Small-Medium Enterprises

This work provides an extensive evaluation of the numerous policy instruments used by regional governments in Europe to promote innovation activity in Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs). The instruments are compared and benchmarked in order to identify "good practice", in an effort to bridge the gap between the theory of regional innovation and real-world policy implementation. The authors argue for a new policy paradigm and highlight the value of an interactive style of policy intervention. Since the majority of SMEs have a limited resource base with regard to innovation, they need external orientation to understand and adapt to their environment. Thus, the main role for policy should be to increase the innovative capacity of a region and its SMEs by fostering interactive learning both within firms, and within the region as a whole. The authors also collect extensive data on the efficiency of innovation-driven policy measures and introduce three key concepts for successful regional innovation policy: coherence, interactivity and cumulative character. This volume will provide practical lessons and useful comparative results for a variety of professionals working on SME-oriented innovation at the EU, national and regional level. In particular, the mix of theoretical and empirical material should be of considerable interest to academics and researchers studying regional innovation systems and their role in knowledge-based economies. The book should also appeal to professional consultants, practitioners and policymakers who should find the frameworks for the evaluation and design of innovation policies to be of value.
Lack of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Aggravates Murine Pneumococcal Meningitis

Nitric oxide (NO) plays a central role in the pathogenesis of bacterial meningitis. However, the role of NO produced by endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) in meningitis is still unclear. We investigated the influence of eNOS depletion on the inflammatory host response, intracranial complications, and outcome in experimental pneumococcal meningitis. Leukocyte accumulation in the cerebrospinal fluid was more pronounced in infected eNOS-deficient mice than in infected wild type mice. This effect could be attributed to an increased expression of P-selectin, macrophage inflammatory protein-2, keratinocyte-derived cytokine, and interleukin (IL)-1β in the brain of infected eNOS-deficient mice. However, no differences in the cerebral expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-6 as well as of neuronal NOS and inducible NOS could be detected between infected wild type and mutant mice. In addition to enhanced leukocyte infiltration into the CSF, meningitis-associated intracranial complications including blood-brain barrier disruption and the rise in intracranial pressure were significantly augmented in infected eNOS-deficient mice. The aggravation of intracranial complications was paralleled by a worsening of the disease, as evidenced by a more pronounced hypothermia, an enhanced weight reduction, and an increased death rate. The current data indicate that eNOS deficiency is detrimental in bacterial meningitis. This effect seems to be related to an increased expression of (certain) cytokines/chemokines and adhesion molecules; thus leading to increased meningeal inflammation and, subsequently, to aggravated intracranial complications.
Interleukin-15 in the treatment of cancer

IL-15 is a 14–15 kDa member of the four α-helix bundle of cytokines that acts through a heterotrimeric receptor involving IL-2/IL-15R β, γc and the IL-15 specific receptor subunit IL-15R α. IL-15 stimulates the proliferation of T, B and NK cells, and induces stem, central and effector memory CD8 T cells. In rhesus macaques, continuous infusion of recombinant human IL-15 at 20 μg/kg/day was associated with approximately a 10-fold increase in the numbers of circulating NK, γ/δ cells and monocytes, and an 80- to 100-fold increase in the numbers of effector memory CD8 T cells. IL-15 has shown efficacy in murine models of malignancy. Clinical trials involving recombinant human IL-15 given by bolus infusions have been completed and by subcutaneous and continuous intravenous infusions are underway in patients with metastatic malignancy. Furthermore, clinical trials are being initiated that employ the combination of IL-15 with IL-15R α+/- IgFc.
The ICT Landscape in BRICS countries: Brazil, India, China

The Information Society Unit at IPTS (European Commission) has been investigating the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector and ICT R&D in Asia for several years. This research exercise led to three reports, written by national experts, on China, India and Taiwan, each one including a dataset and a technical annex. This report offers a synthesis on three out of the four BRIC countries (Brazil, India, Russia, China). The report describes, for each of the three countries (Brazil, India, China), its ICT sector, and gives a company level assessment. It also analyses Indian ICT R&D strategies, and assesses the innovation model. In 2010, BRIC countries accounted for 13% of global demand, with spending of about € 328 billion in ICT (EITO, 2011). Therefore, they are becoming major players as producers of ICT goods and services. China has become the world’s largest producer of ICT products (exports of ICT increased fourfold between 2004 and 2008). This impressive growth of the ICT market is translated into R&D expenditures and output. Innovative capability in Asia has grown, the dynamics in terms of catching up are strong. Asian countries are increasingly present in the ICT R&D global landscape.
Interactive Web Simulation for Propofol and Fospropofol, a New Propofol Prodrug

Using pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data published in the scientific literature, we have developed interactive on-line simulations to model administration of propofol and fospropofol, a new water-soluble prodrug formulation of propofol. The prodrug formulation of fospropofol leads to a delayed onset to peak concentrations of propofol. A comparison simulation that overlays administration of fospropofol and propofol allows clinicians to understand the differences of administering fospropofol and traditional propofol. The simulations have the added advantage of allowing for differences among patients documented in test studies and the use of different models.
Strong and weak stability of randomized learning algorithms

An algorithm is called stable at a training set S if any change of a single point in S yields only a small change in the output. Stability of the learning algorithm is necessary for learnability in the supervised classification and regression setting. In this paper, we give formal definitions of strong and weak stability for randomized algorithms and prove non-asymptotic bounds on the difference between the empirical and expected error.
Multiobjective GA optimization using reduced models

In this paper, we propose a novel method for solving multiobjective optimization problems using reduced models. Our method, called objective exchange genetic algorithm for design optimization (OEGADO), is intended for solving real-world application problems. For such problems, the number of objective evaluations performed is a critical factor as a single objective evaluation can be quite expensive. The aim of our research is to reduce the number of objective evaluations needed to find a well-distributed sampling of the Pareto-optimal region by applying reduced models to steady-state multiobjective GAs. OEGADO runs several GAs concurrently with each GA optimizing one objective and forming a reduced model of its objective. At regular intervals, each GA exchanges its reduced model with the others. The GAs use these reduced models to bias their search toward compromise solutions. Empirical results in several engineering and benchmark domains comparing OEGADO with two state-of-the-art multiobjective evolutionary algorithms show that OEGADO outperformed them for difficult problems.
Tail Risk for Australian Emerging Market Entities

Whilst the Australian economy is widely considered to have fared better than many of its global counterparts during the Global Financial Crisis, there was nonetheless extreme volatility experienced in Australian financial markets. To understand the extent to which emerging Australia entities were impacted by these extreme events as compared to established entities, this paper compares entities comprising the Emerging Markets Index (EMCOX) to established entities comprising the S&P/ASX 200 Index using four risk metrics. The first two are Value at Risk (VaR) and Distance to Default (DD), which are traditional measures of market and credit risk. The other two focuses on extreme risk in the tail of the distribution and include Conditional Value at Risk (CVaR) and Conditional Distance to Default (CDD), the latter metric being unique to the authors, and which applies CVaR techniques to default measurement. We apply these measures both prior to and during the GFC, and find that Emerging Market shares show higher risk for all metrics used, the spread between the emerging and established portfolios narrows during the GFC period and that the default risk spread between the two portfolios is greatest in the tail of the distribution. This information can be important to both investors and lenders in determining share or loan portfolio mix in extreme economic circumstances. Classification-JEL:
Shear viscosity from a dynamic density-functional theory.

Based on a dynamic version of the density-functional theory, we obtain a stationary density profile around a particle in a shear flow and calculate the shear viscosity of monatomic liquids. Our results are compared with those obtained from both equilibrium and nonequilibrium computer experiments. An approach similar to the one developed for the shear viscosity is suggested, which in principle enables us to calculate a friction constant and consequently a self-diffusion constant, and some results from the zeroth order approximation are presented.
Computation of A.C.-D.C. System Disturbances - Part I. Interactive Coordination of Generator and Convertor Transient Models

In the presence of h.v. d.c. links the conventional quasi - steady state simulation of power system disturbances is not justifiable. This paper describes a realistic solution which combines the efficiency of single-phase multimachine transient stability analysis and the accuracy of detailed transient convertor simulation. Versatility and moderate computing requirements establish the proposed solution as a viable alternative to the use of analogue simulators.
Data Pushing: A Fly-Centric Guide to Bioinformatics Tools

Bioinformatics tools can be invaluable resources to Drosophila researchers; however, the sheer number of applications and databases can be overwhelming. We present a broad overview of common bioinformatics tasks and the resources used to do them, with a specific focus on resources for Drosophila. The topics covered include: Genome Databases, Sequence Analysis, Comparative Genomics, Gene Expression Databases and Analysis Tools, Function-Based Data and Analysis, Pathways, Networks, and Interactions; and finally, tools to stay current with resources and literature. We also present a compilation of URLs and short descriptions that correspond to the topics and resources mentioned in this review. Supplementary Material can be found at: http://www.landesbioscience. com/supplement/CostelloFLY2-1-sup.pdf
Brazilian National Simplified Taxation System for the Small Business and the Value Added Tax

Since the 1970s, the importance of small business - SB - has increasingly been recognized in the world and in Brazil. Among the measures taken by the Brazilian government to encourage and promote SB, the National Simplified Taxation System - NSTS - stands out. § There are, however, many companies that meet the requirements to be in the NSTS, but they do not opt for this system. The objective of this study is to identify and analyze the reasons for this decision. This is an exploratory qualitative investigation based on a case study. The results show that the NSTS simply does not work for companies whose customers are large retail companies. Thus, the study concludes that, for certain sectors, SBs face a drawback: SBs can no longer pay federal taxes in a unified way.
Foreign Direct Investment and Catching Up of New EU Member States: Is There a Flying Geese Pattern?

The paper verifies the existence of the Flying Geese Model (FGM) in the case of inward FDI in Central European Countries (CECs) which entered the EU, in what way and to what extent FDI has contributed to the catching up, i.e. to the restructuring process and productivity growth in CECs manufacturing. The analysis shows that FDI is a very important vehicle of manufacturing sector restructuring and productivity growth in CECs, along the lines of FGM. Foreign investment enterprises are increasingly engaged in high and medium-high tech industries, much more than domestic enterprises. Also, productivity growth in CEC manufacturing is generally positively correlated with foreign penetration. However, high foreign penetration has a negative impact on productivity growth in high and medium-high tech industries. This is because foreign investment enterprises are mostly engaged in lower end technological segments of these industries and will only change when domestic absorption capacity of CECs will upgrade. At the existing stage of development in CECs, the catching up process via FDI, thus, takes place predominantly in industries at the middle of the technological intensity spectrum.
Recognising leafy plants with in‐air sonar

Continuous Transmission Frequency Modulated (CTFM) ultrasonic sensors can be used to recognise plants. The echo from a plant is modelled as an acoustic density profile. Classification based on features extracted from the echo is more robust than classification based on the echo. Potential applications for this sensing system include landmark navigation and plant sensing for selective spraying of agricultural chemicals.
CHROMIUM PICOLINATE INHIBITS RESISTIN SECRETION IN INSULIN‐RESISTANT 3T3‐L1 ADIPOCYTES VIA ACTIVATION OF AMP‐ACTIVATED PROTEIN KINASE

1 Chromium picolinate (CrPic) has been recommended as an alternative therapeutic regimen for Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the molecular mechanism underlying the action of CrPic is poorly understood. 2 Using normal and insulin‐resistant 3T3‐L1 adipocytes, we examined the effects of CrPic on the gene transcription and secretion of adiponectin and resistin. In addition, using immunoblotting, ELISA and real‐time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), we investigated the effects of 10 nmol/L CrPic for 24 h on AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) to determine whether this pathway contributed to the regulation of adiponectin and resistin expression and secretion. 3 Chromium picolinate did not modulate the expression of adiponectin and resistin; however, it did significantly inhibit the secretion of resistin, but not adiponectin, by normal and insulin‐resistant 3T3‐L1 adipocytes in vitro. Furthermore, although CrPic markedly elevated levels of phosphorylated AMPK and acetyl CoA carboxylase in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes, it had no effect on the levels of AMPK α‐1 and α‐2 mRNA transcripts. Importantly, inhibition of AMPK by 2 h pretreatment of cells with 20 µmol/L compound C completely abolished the CrPic‐induced suppression of resistin secretion. 4 In conclusion, the data suggest that CrPic inhibits resistin secretion via activation of AMPK in normal and insulin‐resistant 3T3‐L1 adipocytes.
Standard Test Collection for English-Persian Cross-Lingual Word Sense Disambiguation

In this paper, we address the shortage of evaluation benchmarks on Persian (Farsi) language by creating and making available a new benchmark for English to Persian Cross Lingual Word Sense Disambiguation (CL-WSD). In creating the benchmark, we follow the format of the SemEval 2013 CL-WSD task, such that the introduced tools of the task can also be applied on the benchmark. In fact, the new benchmark extends the SemEval-2013 CL-WSD task to Persian language.
Automatic policy enforcement on semantic social data

Web-based data collection of non-reactive data is becoming increasingly important for many social science fields. Being able to introduce and automatically enforce policies that regulate the collection and the use of those data is crucial for taking into account the privacy and confidentiality wishes of data providers. Those policies are currently expressed in natural language or in a language lacking a formal semantics, therefore, in order to comply with them researchers need to apply them manually. It is therefore clear that realizing new technologies for automatically supporting the enforcement and monitoring of various type of policies in Web-based data collection is an important open issue. In this paper, we propose an application independent formal model of policies that can be automatically enforced and whose specification allows to take into account the meaning of the managed data. Given that for enforcing the policies on the collected data, their semantics is crucial, in this paper we propose an OWL 2 Social Network Ontology to capture the nature of social network data collected from the Web. We also propose techniques for semantic enrichment of the data, which are then exploited in the specification and enforcement of the formalized policies.
Distribution characteristics, reproducibility, and precision of region of interest-based hippocampal diffusion tensor imaging measures.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE For adequate interpretation of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters empirical distribution characteristics, precision, and reproducibility should be known. The present study investigated distribution and reliability parameters of hippocampal fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD). METHODS FA and MD values were averaged in hippocampal regions of interest in 20 subjects (10 women and 10 men; age range, 25-69 years). Regions of interest were manually placed bilaterally by one investigator at 2 occasions, and by a second independent investigator. Sample distributions of FA and MD values were compared with normal distributions. Intraclass coefficients (ICCs), standard errors of measurement (SEMs), and coefficients of variation (CVs) with confidence intervals (CI95s) were computed. RESULTS The results did not show any deviation of averaged FA (0.237 +/- 0.017) and MD (775 +/- 28 microm2/s) values from normal distribution. Intraobserver reliability (ICC > or = 0.90) and precision (CV < or = 3.5%) were high for all measures. Interobserver reliability reached values of ICC > or = 0.84 and CV < or = 4.1%. FA yielded lower precision (CV 2.2-4.1%) than MD (CV 1.3-2.5%), CI95s were around +/-0.015-0.020 and +/-25-30 microm2/s for FA and MD, respectively. FA differences of 0.020-0.030 and MD differences of 40-50 microm2/s can be assumed to reflect reliably distinct values in hippocampal regions. CONCLUSION The results are in line with previous reports on reliability of DTI measures by using different designs and methodology. Notwithstanding the difficulties associated with region of interest-derived DTI measurements in hippocampal regions, the present approach provides estimates of distribution characteristics and precision applicable to routine assessments of DTI parameters in clinical and research context.
User requirements on mobile AR for cultural heritage site towards enjoyable informal learning

Various mobile augmented reality applications have been developed for cultural heritage sites especially in Europe. However, these existing applications focus on the application content without concerning on the enjoyable and informal learning concepts. This study found that enjoyable aspect and informal learning concept are necessary to promote learning processes at cultural heritage sites. Therefore, this study proposes a conceptual model of mobile augmented reality for cultural heritage site towards enjoyable informal learning. In the proposed model, user requirements were collected and determined through a field study of enjoyable informal learning content at cultural heritage site. This paper presents the results of the field study which detail out the conceptual model with three structures, ten elements, and thirty seven supporting elements. The conceptual model could benefit to the designer of mobile AR to develop such application by implementing various elements to cater enjoyable informal learning experience.
Non-homogenous structures in neural networks with chaotic recursive nodes: dealing with diverse multi-assemblies architectures, connectivity and arbitrary bifurcating nodes

This paper addresses recurrent neural architectures based on bifurcating nodes that exhibit chaotic dynamics. These nodes interact through parametric coupling, self organize, and the network evolves to spatio-temporal attractors that encode stored patterns. This strategy is used to implement associative memories in which the coding of binary strings is done through period-2 cycles. The performance of such associative arrangements is measured through the average error in pattern recovery. The impact of the synaptic connections magnitude on architecture performance is analyzed, and a strategy for minimizing pattern recovery degradation when the number of stored patterns increases is developed. Experimental results show the success of such strategy. Mechanisms for allowing the studied networks to deal with asynchronous changes in input patterns, and tools for the interconnection between associative assemblies and hetero-association are developed. Finally, the coupling and coding of information in heterogeneous assemblies with diverse recursive maps are analyzed.
The existence and impact of the Psychological Refractory Period effect in the driving environment

Driver distraction from in-vehicle tasks can have negative impacts on longitudinal and lateral vehicle control. The distraction problem is increasing due to advances in the functionality, availability, and number of in-vehicle systems. One approach to a solution is managing in-vehicle task presentation to reduce associated distraction. This paper reports three driving simulator experiments, designed to investigate the existence of the Psychological Refractory Period in the driving context and its effect on driver performance. The first two studies demonstrate that the effect is present when one or two surrogate in-vehicle tasks are presented in close temporal proximity to a lead vehicle braking event. Brake responding is subject to an increasing delay as the interval to an in-vehicle task is decreased. In-vehicle task modality and task presentation order modulate this effect. The final study will investigate whether the Psychological Refractory Period exists for a range of safety-critical driving events such as lead vehicle decelerations, swerving away from an out-of-control vehicle, and performing a lane-change manoeuvre. The advances on prior work include the use of an advanced driving simulator, and presentation of unpredictable safety-critical events and real-world in-vehicle tasks. The results have implications for the management of in-vehicle distractions – and driver safety; specifically through controlling the timing and modality of task presentation.