Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Consumers' Expectations in a Booming Housing Market: Space-time Patterns in the Netherlands, 1999–2000

Even though economic models have been relatively successful in explaining the long-run patterns of house prices, they have more difficulties in explaining short-run developments in the housing market. However, the fact that during such ‘bubbles’ the spatial pattern of house prices, which can mainly be attributed to accessibility differences, usually remains unchanged, suggests that the irrational forces that are presumably responsible for unexplained movements in house prices obey some regularities: they seem to affect the level of house prices, but not their spatial pattern. This suggests that it is worthwhile to consider the explanatory power of psychological variables like those reflecting general (nation-wide) feelings of optimism or pessimism. This paper considers the development of Dutch house prices in the years 1999 and 2000, when house prices increased fast. Existing explanations of the long-run development of Dutch house prices on the basis of economic fundamentals (notably income and the mortgage interest rate) would suggest a much more modest development of house prices over these years. The paper also shows that commonly used housing market indicators, notably the number of vacancies (houses for sale) and the time on the market, are unable to explain the development of house prices during this period. However, the paper finds a strong relationship between the development of house prices and the Dutch index of consumer confidence.
Predicting the signal of O2 microsensors from physical dimensions, temperature, salinity, and O2 concentration

The signal of Clark‐type oxygen sensors is controlled not only by the oxygen concentration but also by sensor dimensions, temperature, and salinity. We have developed a mathematical model that predicts the O2 microsensor signal as a function of these parameters. The only model variable, membrane permeability, can be determined by a one‐point calibration; hence, the model can be used for calibrating the signal measured under any temperature and salinity. The model describes the oxygen concentration profile through the sensor and thus allows optimization of sensor construction with respect to stirring sensitivity, signal‐to‐noise ratio, and response time. The model is demonstrated using oxygen water column profiles off the coast of central Chile.
Overview of the technology Network-on-Chip

Network on chip or network on a chip (NoC or NOC) is a communication subsystem on an integrated circuit (commonly called a “chip” ),typically between intellectual property (IP) cores in a system on a chip (SoC). NoCs can span synchronous and synchronous clock domains or use uncloked synchronous logic. NoC technology applies networkingtheory and methods to on-chip communication and brings notable improvements over conventional bus and crossbar interconnections. NoC improves the scalability of SoCs, and the power efficiency of complex SoCs compared to other designs. This integrated microprocessor has been a landmark in the evolution of computing technology. Whereas it took monstrous efforts to be completed, it appears now as a simple object to us. Indeed, the microprocessor involved the connection of a computational engine to a layered memory system, and this was achieved using busses. Complex application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) were designed to address-specific applications. These systems required multiprocessing over heterogeneous functional units, thus requiring efficient on-chip communication. On the other side, multiprocessing platforms were developed to address high-performance computation—such as image rendering. Furthermore, the chapter
Impact of financial crisis on the profitability of sme in the Republic of Macedonia – pollog region

SME play a significant role in all economies and are key agents of employment, innovation and growth. A significant number of SME could use funds productively if they were available, but are often denied access to financing, thus impeding their creation, survival and growth. Although SME form a broad spectrum as far as their relative size, sector of activity, seniority, location and performance are concerned, there is a vital need for innovative solutions for their financing in particular for innovative and high growth SME in a globalised knowledge based economy. Through this paper will try to explore the impact of financial crisis in the profitability of SME in the Republic of MacedoniaPollog region. Given that Macedonia is a small country with an economy not quite developed, small enterprises and medium enterprises play a decisive role in economic development of this country. Konferenca e Katërt Ndërkombëtare për Riskun — QSHR 214 The sample consist 150 SME operating in the Pollog region. The data used in empirical analysis are obtained from annual reports of business development. From the results of this paper is expected to highlight determinants that have the more impact in the profitability of businesses.
A Malicious Agreement in a Cluster-based Wireless Sensor Network

—A Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) is a wireless network consisting of spatially distributed autonomous devices using sensors to cooperatively monitor physical or environmental conditions. Usually, as they are deployed to an open and unprotected region, they are vulnerable to various types of attacks. For wireless networks, a stable topology is an important research topic that provides good environment for transmission data in WSN. Further, the fault-tolerance and reliability of the WSN has been an important topic. The problem of reaching agreement in the distributed system is one of the most important issues to design a fault-tolerance system. In previous works, reach a common agreement among healthy nodes to cope with the influence from faulty components is significant in a fault-tolerance system. In this study, the agreement problem is revisited in a WSN, which the sensor nodes maybe subject to Byzantine (malicious) failure.
Molecular epidemiology and evaluation of haemato -biochemical parameters in canine parvoviral enteritis dogs in Chennai, India

Canine parvoviral enteritis is caused by canine parvovirus (CPV) which is featured by vomiting, haemorrhagic enteritis, myocarditis, dehydration, dullness and anaemia. It is commonly seen in puppies less than six month of age especially when unvaccinated. An early and accurate diagnosis, proper prophylactic and therapeutic measures, awareness about the pattern of disease occurrences aids the treating veterinarians in a better way. A total of 150 faecal and blood samples were collected from twelve different dog breeds presented with the symptoms of vomiting, haemorrhagic foul smelling diarrhoea and dehydration to Infectious Disease Unit, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai. Polymerase chain reaction was done to estimate the presence of canine parvovirus-2. Out of 150 samples, 71 (47.3%) samples showed positive for canine parvovirus-2. Haemato-biochemical alterations in parvo affected puppies revealed anaemia, leucopenia, decreased packed cell volume, hypoglycemia and decreased electrolyte values. These findings envisage the need for developing proper therapeutic protocols to save the affected puppies.
Synthesis, Structure, Function and Biomedical Studies of Nucleic Acid Derivatized with Selenium

Nucleic acids are macromolecules in cells for storing and transferring genetic information. Moreover, nucleic acids, especially RNAs, can fold into well-defined 3D structures and catalyze biochemical reactions. As ubiquitous biological molecules in all living systems, nucleic acids are important drug targets, and they can also be used in diagnostics and therapeutics. Structural information of nucleic acids provides the foundation for DNA and RNA function studies. X-ray crystallography has been a useful tool for structural studies of bio-macromolecules at atomic level. There are two major problems in macromolecular crystal structure determination: phasing and crystallization. Although selenium derivatization is routinely used for solving novel protein structures through the MAD phasing technique, the phase problem is still a critical issue in nucleic acid crystallography. The covalent seleniumderivatization of nucleic acids has been proven to be a useful strategy for solving the phase problem in nucleic acid X-ray crystallography. Besides the facilitation of nucleic acid crystallography, there is also a wide range of other applications for selenium-derivatized nucleic acids (SeNA). The investigation presented in this dissertation mainly focuses on the following research subjects (1) Synthesis and characterization of selenium-derivatized nucleic acids for X-ray crystallography, especially phosphoroselenoate RNAs. They are generated and used for crystallization. (2) Application of selenium-derivatized RNA for RNA interference. Phosphoroselenoate RNAs are tested for RNAi activities. (3) Synthesis and characterization of the uridine 5’-triphosphate modified with selenium at position 4. (4) Facile synthesis and antitumor activities of selenium modified deoxyribonucleosides. MeSe-thymidine nucleosides have shown antitumor activity in cell assays. INDEX WORDS: Selenium, Nucleic acids, RNA, DNA, PSe-RNA, X-ray crystallography, Anti-cancer drug, siRNA, RNA interference, SYNTHESIS, STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND BIOMEDICAL STUDIES OF NUCLEIC ACID DERIVATIZED WITH SELENIUM
The origins of polyploids in western North American fawn-lilies (Erythronium) 1

Two rare tetraploid fawn-lilies, Erythronium elegans P.C. Hammond & K.L. Chambers in western Oregon and Erythronium quinaultense G.A. Allen in northwestern Washington, are hypothesized to be of hybrid origin, on the basis of morphological evidence. I tested these hypotheses using DNA sequences of the nuclear ribosomal ITS region and of two plastid intergenic spacer regions (trnH-psbA and trnS-trnG) from the two tetraploids and the five relevant diploid taxa. ITS sequences indicated that the low-elevation diploid species Erythronium revolutum Sm. and Erythronium oregonum Apple- gate are recently diverged, and gave rise (at least in part) to the two tetraploids. Both E. elegans and E. quinaultense yielded multiple chloroplast DNA haplotypes that were of two distinct types. One plastid haplotype found in both E. elegans (four populations) and E. quinaultense (one population) exactly matched the most common haplotype of E. revolutum; other haplotypes of E. elegans (four populations) and E. quinaultense (two populations) were similar to those of E. oregonum. These results are consistent with derivation of the plastid genomes of different polyploid popula- tions from either E. revolutum or E. oregonum (or their respective recent ancestors), and suggest recurrent formation of each tetraploid species. The two tetraploids are examples of allopolyploid species in which morphological and molecular evidence of their origins are in striking contrast, reflecting very different aspects of their genomes.
Seasonal Distribution of Phlebotomus papatasi, Vector of Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

The activity of Phlebotomus papatasi Scopoli, a vector of cutaneous leishmaniasis, is known to be seasonal, but the information describing these patterns is sparse in time and space. The purpose of his paper is to conduct a meta-analysis to depict the seasonality of P. papatasi at the global scale. The current paper uses data from a collection of 1200 scientific papers, where 300 are about the vector and 36 include monthly data (of 61 sites) of the P. papatasi from 15 countries published from 1994 to 2017. The activity peaked mainly in dry periods in all explored sites. A map of seasonal distribution depicted a peak activity in August, followed by September. Geographically (geographic preference), August and September at the latitude 33° showed the highest abundance at a global scale. Concerning the latitude P. papatasi distribution, the high number is localized between 27° and 35°. However, the high number of this species according to the longitude is localized between − 4° and 58°, which shows a high interval of activity. Locally, for the habitat preference, the findings show a preference of this vector to indoor than to outdoor. All these results can be helpful in identifying the period and sites of a future potential risk of leishmaniasis. This is the first attempt at the update of the vector activity both at global and local scale.
Enhancing Evolutionary Conversion Rate Optimization via Multi-Armed Bandit Algorithms

Conversion rate optimization means designing web interfaces such that more visitors perform a desired action (such as register or purchase) on the site. One promising approach, implemented in Sentient Ascend, is to optimize the design using evolutionary algorithms, evaluating each candidate design online with actual visitors. Because such evaluations are costly and noisy, several challenges emerge: How can available visitor traffic be used most efficiently? How can good solutions be identified most reliably? How can a high conversion rate be maintained during optimization? This paper proposes a new technique to address these issues. Traffic is allocated to candidate solutions using a multi-armed bandit algorithm, using more traffic on those evaluations that are most useful. In a best-arm identification mode, the best candidate can be identified reliably at the end of evolution, and in a campaign mode, the overall conversion rate can be optimized throughout the entire evolution process. Multi-armed bandit algorithms thus improve performance and reliability of machine discovery in noisy real-world environments.
Effects of Antioxidant-rich Indo-mediterranean Foods on Pre-heart Failure: Results from the Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Halberg Hospital and Research Institute, Civil Lines, Moradabad, India, Graduate School of Human Environmental Medicine, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan, Era Medical College, Lucknow, India, Mukogawa Women’s University, Nishinomiyacity, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, PJ Safaric University, Kosice, Slovakia Department of Biology, Trnava university, Trnava, Slovakia Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Trnava University, Trnava, Slovakia
Mnemonic monitoring in anosognosia for memory loss.

OBJECTIVE Anosognosia, or unawareness, for memory loss has been proposed to underlie cognitive functions such as memory and executive function. However, there is an inconsistent association between these constructs. Recent studies have shown that compromise ongoing self-monitoring of one's memory associates with anosognosia for memory loss. Yet to date it is unclear which memory monitoring mechanisms are impaired in these patients. In this study, we examined the extent to which temporal monitoring or orbitofrontal reality filtering (e.g., ability to monitor the temporal relevance of a memory) and source monitoring (e.g., the ability to distinguish which memories stem from internal as opposed to external sources) are associated with awareness of memory deficits. METHOD A total of 35 patients (M = 69 years; M = 14 years of education) with memory difficulties following a stroke were recruited from outpatient clinics. Patients were assessed with measures of self-awareness of memory difficulties, cognitive abilities and 2 experimental paradigms assessing source and temporal monitoring. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Results showed that patients unaware of their memory difficulties were more likely to externalize the source of their memories. Specifically, those unaware of their deficits were more likely to assign an external source to memories that were internally produced (e.g., imagined). No differences were observed in relation to temporal monitoring between patients aware and unaware of their deficits. This study informs current theoretical models of self-awareness of memory loss. Future studies should attempt to replicate these findings and explore different memory monitoring mechanisms in relation to anosognosia for memory loss. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
A Low-Cost Approach for Characterizing Melt Flow Properties of Filaments Used in Fused Filament Fabrication Additive Manufacturing

Users of Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) can choose from a wide variety of new materials as filament producers continue to introduce new polymer and polymer composite filament into the marketplace. This paper describes a low-cost device capable of measuring the rheological properties of off-the-shelf polymer filament. In this approach, measurements are taken during filament extrusion which are combined with a pressure drop model based on simple shear flow within the FFF nozzle to perform inverse analysis that computes parameters for the power law generalized Newtonian fluid (GNF) model. The applicability of our FFF-filament rheometer is demonstrated with four commercially available polymer filaments by comparing the results to those obtained from a commercial rotational rheometer. A filament characterization approach similar to Melt Flow Index (MFI) is also proposed to assess the extrusion characteristics of materials specific to FFF.
LSHTM Research Online

A B S T R A C T Background: There is a growing discussion regarding the mortality burdens of hot and cold weather and how the balance between these may alter as a result of climate change. Net e ﬀ ects of climate change are often presented, and in some settings these may suggest that reductions in cold-related mortality will outweigh increases in heat- related mortality. However, key to these discussions is that the magnitude of temperature-related mortality is wholly sensitive to the placement of the temperature threshold above or below which e ﬀ ects are modelled. For cold exposure especially, where threshold e ﬀ ects are often ill-de ﬁ ned, choices in threshold placement have varied widely between published studies, even within the same location. Despite this, there is little discussion around appropriate threshold selection and whether reported associations re ﬂ ect true causal relationships – i.e. whether all deaths occurring below a given temperature threshold can be regarded as cold-related and are therefore likely to decrease as climate warms. Objectives: Our objectives are to initiate a discussion around the importance of threshold placement and examine evidence for causality across the full range of temperatures used to quantify cold-related mortality. We examine whether understanding causal mechanisms can inform threshold selection, the interpretation of current and future cold-related health burdens and their use in policy formation. Methods: Using Greater London data as an example, we ﬁ rst illustrate the sensitivity of cold related mortality to threshold selection. Using the Bradford Hill criteria as a framework, we then integrate knowledge and evidence from multiple disciplines and areas- including animal and human physiology, epidemiology, biomarker studies and population level studies. This allows for discussion of several possible direct and indirect causal mechanisms operating across the range of ‘ cold ’ temperatures and lag periods used in health impact studies, and whether this in turn can inform appropriate threshold placement. Results: Evidence from a range of disciplines appears to support a causal relationship for cold across a range of temperatures and lag periods, although there is more consistent evidence for a causal e ﬀ ect at more extreme temperatures. It is plausible that ‘ direct ’ mechanisms for cold mortality are likely to occur at lower temperatures and ‘ indirect ’ mechanisms (e.g. via increased spread of infection) may occur at milder temperatures. Conclusions: Separating the e ﬀ ects of ‘ extreme ’ and ‘ moderate ’ cold (e.g. temperatures between approximately 8 – 9°C and 18°C in the UK) could help the interpretation of studies quoting attributable mortality burdens. However there remains the general dilemma of whether it is better to use a lower cold threshold below which we are more certain of a causal relationship, but at the risk of under-estimating deaths attributable to cold.
Mapping of Two High Mobility Group Protein Genes for Growth and Composition traits in Pig

and Implications Using information from the human genome two new candidate genes for growth and composition traits were studied. The porcine high mobility group isoforms protein [HMGI(Y) and HMGIC] genes were chosen based on their presumed role in fat cell growth and differentiation. The HMGI(Y) gene was assigned to pig chromosome 7 by both linkage and physical mapping methods. This assignment agrees with other comparative mapping studies as the human HMGI(Y) gene maps to human chromosome 6p21, which is known to share a homology with pig chromosome 7. Interestingly, the pig HMGIC gene was assigned to the pig chromosome 1 by both methods. The localization of these candidate genes in the pig genome could improve the power of analyses for quantitative traits associated with growth and meat quality traits.
Environmental Policy Stringency, Innovation and Productivity in EU Countries: is there a Double Dividend?

In a globalised framework, environmental regulations can play a crucial role in influencing countries’ comparative advantages. The conventional perception about environmental protection is that it imposes additional costs on firms possibly reducing their global competitiveness with negative effects on growth and employment. However some economists, in particular Porter and Van der Linde (1995), argued that pollution is often associated with resource waste and that more stringent environmental policies can stimulate innovation that may over-compensate for the additional costs ofcomplying with these policies. This is known as the Porter hypothesis and suggests the existence of a “double dividend” for both economic and environmental aspects, related to the implementation of environmental regulations. In this paper, we adopt a macroeconomic approach to investigate the impact of various environmental strategies on the economy as a whole. Preliminary findings show that the narrow version of the Porter Hypothesis cannot be rejected and that the choice of different environmental policies appears to be neutral. Interestingly enough, it seems that the environmental stringency measures adopted between 1995 and 2008 on average did not erode the competitiveness of EU Member States but rather stimulated innovation and productivity, while over-compensating for the additional costs related to these policies.