Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The convergence process of the European regions : the role of Regional Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy

Currently a large share of the European Union (EU) budget is directed toward two policies with different implications at territorial level. The fi nancial resources of the Cohesion Policy (CP)1 represent about one third of the total EU budget while the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) accounts for over 40%. The main operational tools of Cohesion Policy are the Structural Funds (SF) whose aim is reducing regional disparities in terms of income, wealth and opportunities. On the other hand, the CAP has a more sectoral focus and is confi gured with an only partial spatial dimension (EC, 2010), despite the fact that since 1992 it increased its effects on the cohesion process. This means that the territorial impacts of these policies could be asymmetric, not allowing overcoming of territorial disparities. In considering the distribution of CAP subsidies we should take into account that ‘growth in poorer regions is greatly hampered by an unfavourable industrial structure (dominated by agriculture)’ (Cappelen et al., 2003, p.640) and that according to Montresor and Pecci (2008) in some regions CAP subsidies were far higher than those of the CP and focused mainly in the more developed regions. Loosely speaking the issue consists of choosing if the distribution CAP subsidies must follow criteria based on effi ciency or on equity. Starting from these previous fi ndings, the main objective of this study is to answer this question: how effective has the EU regional development policy supported by the SF and the CAP been in promoting economic growth and in fostering the convergence of EU regions? It should be recalled that in 1989, when the EU CP began, there were strong doubts about its effectiveness. These low expectations were mainly related to the poor performances of regional development policies carried out in the Member States (MS) and to the fear that the less developed areas
DTMS-IoT: A Dirichlet-based trust management system mitigating on-off attacks and dishonest recommendations for the Internet of Things

The Internet of Things (IoT) is based on the idea that things surrounding the human living space can be connected to the Internet, allowing smarter living environments and more comfortable life. However, adoption of the IoT might not be approved unless security issues are solved. In this paper, we propose a new Dirichlet based trust management system for the IoT called DTMS-IoT. This system detects nodes malicious behaviour which permits to mitigate both on-off attacks and dishonest recommendations. It also uses service levels and things capacities to reinforce security. As in many trust management systems introduced in the literature, the computation of trust in our solution is based on direct observations and recommendations. The novelty of our approach can be summed up in two aspects. The first aspect concerns recommendations that we do not consider unless direct observations are not credible. However the second aspect tries to prevent On-Off attacks using the precaution factor and mitigates dishonest recommendations based on k-means selection algorithm and guarantor things. The effectiveness of the proposed system is proved by simulation against on-off attacks and good/bad mouthing attacks.
Transferrin up-regulates chemokine synthesis by human proximal tubular epithelial cells: implication on mechanism of tubuloglomerular communication in glomerulopathic proteinura.

BACKGROUND The pathogenesis of glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis in proteinuric renal disease is obscure. We recently showed that transferrin, a key proteinuric component, mediates proximal tubular epithelial cell (PTEC) C3 synthesis. To further examine whether proteinuric tubular injury may induce glomerular inflammation and to characterize the role of transferrin in activating PTEC, glomerular mesangial cells (MC) were exposed to transferrin-activated PTEC culture supernatant and their proliferative and profibrotic responses analyzed. METHODS Human PTEC and MC were obtained by primary culture. Confluent, transferrin-stimulated PTEC were grown in serum-free medium to produce a "conditioned" medium that was incubated with quiescent MC. The proliferative response of MC was then assessed by thymidine uptake, and the expression of fibrogenic factors measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The chemokine profile in PTEC after transferrin treatment was examined by RT-PCR and ELISA. RESULTS "Conditioned" supernatant from PTEC, which contained the highest amounts of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), stimulated MC proliferation compared with serum-free (P = 0.03) or transferrin-containing (P = 0.009) control media. This proliferative response was partially abrogated by treating MC with anti-PDGF. MC expression of PDGF, but not transforming growth factor-beta or intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1, was up-regulated by conditioned PTEC medium. Transferrin up-regulated monocyte chemoattractant peptide-1, interleukin-8, and macrophage migration inhibitory factor expression in a time- and dose-dependent fashion, but had no effect on RANTES expression by PTEC. CONCLUSIONS These results provide experimental evidence suggesting that there is a tubuloglomerular "cross-talk" mechanism in the proteinuric state. PTEC-secreted PDGF, which further induces mesangial PDGF, could partially account for the mesangial proliferation frequently observed in proteinuric renal disease. Transferrin is one of the culprit nephrotic proteins leading to tubular overexpression of various proinflammatory chemokines, which may explain the interstitial changes observed in proteinuric states.
Resolving heterogeneity of Web-service composition in network manufacturing based on ontology

Web-service composition provides more powerful service functions through integrating existing Web services on the Internet, and collaborative working and resource-sharing among enterprises on the Internet have become a popular trend by means of Web-service composition technologies. Network manufacturing plays an important role in the manufacturing domain and can be realized based on Web-service composition. However, heterogeneity exists widely in complicated Web-service composition, except for manufacturing resources, and this must be resolved. In this paper, we focus on the heterogeneity existing in the execution of composite Web services in network manufacturing, in which the heterogeneity is classified into the heterogeneity between semantic equivalent Web services and the heterogeneity between subsequent Web services in a composite service. We summarize five types of conflicts, namely Semantic Conflict, Parameter Data Type Conflict, Parameter Structure Conflict, Parameter Number Conflict, and Parameter Data Unit Conflict. According to these five types of conflicts, an ontology-based approach for resolving them is proposed, including the definition of domain business process ontology knowledge, domain and industry ontology knowledge, and meta-ontology knowledge about transformation rules. Finally, a case is given, and the implementation technologies are introduced. The ontology based on heterogeneity resolution policy should be established as middleware and applied to any domain to make Web-service composition more available.
Investigation of the complete supply chain management for potatoes in Northern Ireland

Supply Chain Management (SCM) is an integral approach of management where lots of beneficiaries work together with their professional interest. Potatoes supply chain like other agricultural products in developed country like the United Kingdom included some important beneficiaries. Interests are not same due to the nature of the professional activity. In distribution systems in developed country always have problems to organise all beneficiaries. Some beneficiaries are discriminated some are not their status as profitable either company or sole trader. In the study, potato farmers of Northern Ireland produce potatoes and these potatoes supposed to be distributed directly to the consumers. As the work in the capitalist society divided in many ways with profit motive, therefore there were many intermediaries between producers and consumers who worked for distributing NI potato to the consumers. They were related together with their own interest and goal. One beneficiary was not thinking about another beneficiary with any kind of interest sacrifice. Finally farmers who were the main producers became discriminated with the price. This is the main problem found in the study. Consumers also have no intention to know the life of farmers. If farmers’ society is not survived in sustainable development way then the potatoes will not be cultivated. Therefore in potatoes farming everybody in the society needs to make their attention for the right of the potatoes farmers of NI.
Hypaphorine Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Endothelial Inflammation via Regulation of TLR4 and PPAR-γ Dependent on PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signal Pathway

Endothelial lesion response to injurious stimuli is a necessary step for initiating inflammatory cascades in blood vessels. Hypaphorine (Hy) from different marine sources is shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. However, the potential roles and possible molecular mechanisms of Hy in endothelial inflammation have yet to be fully clarified. We showed that Hy significantly inhibited the positive effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on pro-inflammatory cytokines expressions, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), as well as induction of the phosphorylation of Akt and mTOR in HMEC-1 cells. The downregulated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) and upregulated toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expressions in LPS-challenged endothelial cells were prevented by Hy. Inhibition of both PI3K and mTOR reversed LPS-stimulated increases in TLR4 expressions and decreases in PPAR-γ levels. Genetic silencing of TLR4 or PPAR-γ agonist pioglitazone obviously abrogated the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in LPS-treated HMEC-1 cells. These results suggest that Hy may exert anti-inflammatory actions through the regulation of TLR4 and PPAR-γ dependent on PI3K/Akt/mTOR signal pathways. Hy may be considered as a therapeutic agent that can potentially relieve or ameliorate endothelial inflammation-associated diseases.
Competitive resources of private housing developers: the Malaysian perspective

The resource‐based view (RBV) has been used on various industry studies. To examine the resources required to thrive in the private housing development sector in Malaysia, the RBV was similarly utilised. Using a combination of mailed questionnaires and face‐to‐face interviews, the study identified and ranked fourteen resources by virtue of their ability to exploit opportunities and/or neutralise threats, or in short, value. While the ranking of some of the resources echoe similar past industry studies, others interestingly did not, perhaps due to the unique characteristics of the industry, or even country. New players to the industry can take stock of the findings to maximise their chances of success. The paper ends by recommending that the study be repeated in Malaysia, this time with many more respondent, to confirm the findings. It also proposes that similar studies be conducted in other countries to enable cross‐country comparisons to be made.
Epidemiology and Infection Control Implications ofAcinetobacter spp. in Hong Kong

ABSTRACT In a previous study, we showed that Acinetobactergenomic DNA group 3 was the most common species among blood culture isolates and was commonly found on superficial carriage sites of the healthy and the sick, which are different findings from those reported in Europe and North America. We used amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis to study further the molecular epidemiology of acinetobacters in our region. Over a study period of 6 weeks with 136 consecutive routine clinical isolates (1.33% of all specimens), genomic DNA groups 2 (Acinetobacter baumannii), 3, and 13TU were obtained from 59 of 69 positive patients. There is a significant difference in the specimen sources of the three genomic DNA groups, with group 13TU being significantly associated with the respiratory tract (chi-square exact test, P = 0.0064). Settle plates showed a significantly heavier environmental load from the intensive care unit (ICU) than from the four surgical wards examined (22 of 70 versus 76 of 120 plates with <5 colonies; chi-square test, P <0.0001). Genomic group 3 accounted for 6 of 12 clusters of possibly related strains among patients, between patients and the ICU environment, and in the ICU environment. Genomic groups 2 and 3 accounted for 21% of the 132 genomically identified isolates recovered from 21 of 41 local vegetables, 53 of 74 fish and meat samples, and 22 of 60 soil samples. Group 13TU was present only in patients' immediate surroundings. The role played by the environment and by human carriage should be evaluated in order to devise a cost-effective infection control program pertinent to our situation of acinetobacter endemicity.
Did Installed Base Given an Incumbent Any (Measurable) Advantages in Federal Computer Procurement

This research examines the relative strength and significance of the status of "incumbent contractor" in federal computer procurement. One finding, as expected, is that an agency is likely to acquire a system from an incumbent vendor. Another finding, perhaps more interesting, is that the (in)compatibility between a buyer's installed base and a potential system also influences the vendor choice; a result that may be the first econometric measurement of the competitive effects of incompatibility. An illustration of this thesis comes from IBM's experience. New evidence shows, however, that IBM's apparent disadvantage with government agencies is largely due to incompatibilities in IBM's product line.
DEVELOPING A MEASURE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT’S FINANCIAL CONDITION

This study develops an instrument to measure the financial condition of local governments (LG) in Indonesia. The instrument will serve as an early warning system for local governments’ financial management. The instrument to measure their financial condition consists of six dimensions, namely short-term solvency, long-term solvency, budgetary solvency, service-level solvency, financial flexibility, and financial independence. Each dimension has its own indicators. There are a total of eighteen indicators examined in this study. These indicators are combined to form a composite index, called a Financial Condition Index (FCI). The reliability and validity of the composite index is analyzed and the results show that the measures developed in this study are reliable and valid. In addition, the instrument possesses the criteria of a good measure: it is theoretically sound, a comprehensive assessment, it has predictive ability, distinctive ability, it is practical, objective, and a resistant to manipulation and gaming. Keywords: financial condition, local government, short term solvency, long term solvency, budgetary solvency, service-level solvency, financial flexibility, financial independence
A GIS‐based climate change adaptation strategy tool

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a geographic information system (GIS)‐based risk assessment tool for visualising climate change impacts in agricultural industries and evaluating eventual adaptation strategies.Design/methodology/approach – A climate change adaptation strategy tool (CCAST) with built‐in GIS capability has been developed for agricultural industries. Development of the GIS functionality within CCAST includes the implementation of map projection, boundary allocation, interpolation and a graphical display of spatial data. In total, 20 climatic and crop indices are computed alongside basic climate variables (rainfall and temperature) from downscaled global climate models at 1,062 sites across the state of New South Wales (NSW) located in eastern Australia.Findings – A case study in Australia is used to demonstrate use of this tool. This shows selecting suitable genotypes of wheat is a key adaptation strategy to mitigate the impacts of climate change on wheat cropping. It shows .
How Housing Slumps End

We construct a simple probit model of the determinants of real house price slump endings. We find that the probability of a house price slump ending is higher, the smaller was the pre-slump house price run-up; the greater has been the cumulative house price decline; the lower are real mortgage interest rates; and the higher is GDP growth. Slumps are longer, other things being equal, where housing supply is more elastic, but shorter the more developed are financial institutions. For slumps of a given size, shorter sharper slumps are associated with worse macroeconomic performance in the short run, but with better performance in the long run. This suggests that for sufficiently low discount rates, policy makers should not impede the decline in real house prices, and this conclusion is reinforced by the finding that after a certain duration, house price slumps can become self reinforcing. On the other hand, we also find evidence that during downturns, falling house prices can lead to lower private sector credit flows. Policy makers thus face a delicate balancing act. While they should not intervene to artificially prop up overvalued house prices, they should ensure that their macroeconomic and banking policies are such as to make a bottoming-out more likely. This suggests that they should keep real interest rates low, and ensure that banks are well-capitalised.
Just passing through? Inhibition of return in saccadic sequences

Responses tend to be slower to previously fixated spatial locations, an effect known as “inhibition of return” (IOR). Saccades cannot be assumed to be independent, however, and saccade sequences programmed in parallel differ from independent eye movements. We measured the speed of both saccadic and manual responses to probes appearing in previously fixated locations when those locations were fixated as part of either parallel or independent saccade sequences. Saccadic IOR was observed in independent but not parallel saccade sequences, while manual IOR was present in both parallel and independent sequence types. Saccadic IOR was also short-lived, and dissipated with delays of more than ∼1500 ms between the intermediate fixation and the probe onset. The results confirm that the characteristics of IOR depend critically on the response modality used for measuring it, with saccadic and manual responses giving rise to motor and attentional forms of IOR, respectively. Saccadic IOR is relatively short-lived and is not observed at intermediate locations of parallel saccade sequences, while attentional IOR is long-lasting and consistent for all sequence types.
Seeking Competitive Advantage in a Deepening Crisis

ABSTRACT This paper examines how Export Processing Zone firms in Zimbabwe have responded to the economic crisis in Zimbabwe. The study investigated how exporters are responding to dissipating competitive advantages. Data was collected from a sample of 30 firms. It was analysed through factor analysis to extract constructs considered competitive advantages or disadvantages. Results show competitive advantages pursued are centred on three key factors, i.e., production, pricing, and product. Competitive disadvantages are in the area of product quality and pricing. The two competitive disadvantages are developing a contagious effect on the remaining advantages, thus, deepening the firms into the crisis.
Sino–Indian Climate Cooperation: implications for the international climate change regime

The international climate change regime is comprised of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol. Under the regime, China and India, two of the largest developing countries, have been exempted from any binding greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets that apply to developed countries. However, with their GHG emissions increasing, China and India have faced growing international pressure to undertake binding mitigation obligations in international climate change negotiations. To enhance their bargaining power in the negotiations, China and India have been cooperating with each other, which has not only led to a new approach to addressing climate change but also defended the ethical benchmark of the regime. In addition, their cooperation has weakened the EU's traditional leadership status and the leadership ambitions of the US such that China and India will now play a more important role in shaping the future of the regime.
SPICE – a previously uncharacterized protein required for centriole duplication and mitotic chromosome congression

Proper assembly and function of a bipolar mitotic spindle is crucial for faithful bidirectional chromosome segregation during cell division. In animal cells, the two poles of the mitotic spindle are organized by centrosomes, microtubule-organizing structures composed of a pair of centrioles surrounded by the so-called pericentriolar material. Proteomic studies have revealed a large number of centrosome proteins, but many remain uncharacterized. Here, we characterize SPICE, a protein that localizes to spindle microtubules in mitosis and to centrioles throughout the cell cycle. RNAi-mediated depletion of SPICE in human cells impairs centriole duplication and causes severe mitotic defects. SPICE depletion compromises spindle architecture, spindle pole integrity and chromosome congression, even in cells in which centriole duplication has occurred. Our data suggest that SPICE is an important dual-function regulator required for centriole duplication and for proper bipolar spindle formation and chromosome congression in mitosis.
Firm-Level Responses to the CFA Devaluation in Cameroon

This article assesses the impact of the CFAF devaluation on industrial enterprises in Cameroon. Using detailed survey data spanning the 1992-95 period , the article documents and interprets firms'reactions to the devaluation in terms of adjustments in output, factor usage, market orientation and productivity. The article shows that the CFAF devaluation had the expected effect of increasing the return to producing tradeable goods, and increased the real cost of using importing intermediate goods. Despite slow output growth, the pooled sample registered a cumulative rate of productivity growth exceeding 6 percent over the 1992/93 to 1994/95 period. Exporters appear to have done better than non-exporters, and medium-sized firms appear to have done the worst. These results are robust with respect to measurement technique, and can be obtained using either production or cost data. Hence encouraging signs of efficiency gains are present. The devaluation also influenced export supplies. Firms with low unit costs were relatively likely to become exporters, and tradeable goods producers, who were favored by the devaluation, expanded output. However, the number of firms in our sample that exported did not increase dramatically after the devaluation.