Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neuroprotective Effect of Insulin-like Growth Factor-II on 1- Methyl-4-Phenyl Pyridinium-Induced Oxidative Damage in Cortical Neuronal Cells

Purpose: To evaluate the receptor-mediated neuroprotective effect of insulin-like growth factor-II (IGFII) on 1-methyl-4-phenyl pyridinium (MPP) induced oxidative damage in adult cortical neuronal cultures. Methods: Adult rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. Cortical neurons were prepared from rats. The cells were exposed to 10 μM of MPP (group 1, G1); MPP + 100 ng/mL of IGF-II (group 2, G2); MPP + IGF in the presence of 20 ng/μL IGF-I analogue (group 3; G3); 5 ng/μL anti-IGF-IIR (group 4; G4); or MPP + IGF II + IGF inhibitor (group 5; G5). The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), levels of oxidative stress markers, antioxidant enzymes, mitochondrial functional markers were analyzed in the MPP-treated neuronal cells (with or without treatment with IGF-II). Results: The results demonstrate that IGF-II treatment protects MPP-induced toxicity by decreasing ROS production (58.33 %; p ˂ 0.001), AChE levels (50 %), and maintaining the innate antioxidants to near normal levels. The study on oxidative functional markers showed that IGF-II significantly decreased the MPP-induced elevated levels and mitochondrial markers (TBARS, 40 %, LOOH-39.28 %) to near normal levels. Further analysis using inhibitors of IGF-IR (IGF-I analogue) and IGF-IIR (anti- IGF-IIR) showed that involvement of IGF-IIR might have greatly contributed to the neuroprotective effect of IGF-II. Conclusion: IGF-II receptors play a significant role in the neuroprotective mechanism of IGF-II by acting as an antioxidant, thereby reducing the neuro-degeneration induced by oxidative insults. This indicates that IGF-II receptors are a potential target for the treatment of diseases related to imbalance in redox homeostasis. Keywords: Insulin-like Growth Factor-II, Neuronal Cells, 1-Methyl-4-phenyl Pyridinium, Mitochondrial Markers, Oxidative Stress, Neuroprotection, Antioxidant
A DSGE model for Iceland

This paper presents a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model for a small open economy fitted to Icelandic data. The model has been developed at the Central Bank of Iceland as a tool for policy analysis and forecasting purposes in support of inflation targeting. As the existing macroeconometric model at the Central Bank, the model is a dynamic quarterly model. But it differs by being fully founded on well-defined microeconomic decision problems of agents in the economy. This allows for a structural interpretation of shocks to the economy. The model features endogenous capital accumulation subject to investment adjustment costs, variable capacity utilisation, habit formation in consumption, monopolistic competition in goods and labour markets, as well as sticky prices and wages. The home economy engages freely in international trade, while international financial intermediation is subject to endogenous costs. Monetary policy is conducted by an inflation targeting central bank. The model is fitted to Icelandic data for the sample period 1991-2005 through a combination of calibration and formal Bayesian estimation. The paper presents the estimation results, and it discusses the model's properties. Finally, first applications are shown to illustrate the model's potential in guiding monetary policy.
Tractor Service Price Determinants among Smallholder Farmers in Ethiopia

Draught power, important agricultural input that mostly affects farm productivity is becoming important problem of Ethiopian agriculture as DAPs are decreasing and mechanization/tractorization/ is most important solution. This study examines factors influencing farmers’ tractor use in Oromia. Data was collected from 160 samples HHs in two districts of Arsi Zone. Data included challenges to provide tractor rental service and farmers’ WTP. Partial budgeting ensured that percentage profitability over traditional practice for hired tractor was 35.91 and 13.11 for wheat and teff respectively. Tobit model result shows that educational level, landholding, rental station distance, extension contact, cooperative membership, farm fragmentation, land suitability for tractor operation, tractor quality, hired labor, oxen number, and family labor determine WTP while, education level, landholding, cooperative membership, farm fragmentation, hired labor and land suitability for tractor operation influence the intensity. To enhance agricultural mechanization human Capital development, strengthening extension services and supply of tractor and availing credit for purchase of small tractors are recommended. Moreover, farmers should pool their farm land to economize their farm.
AnyThreat: An Opportunistic Knowledge Discovery Approach to Insider Threat Detection

Insider threat detection is getting an increased concern from academia, industry, and governments due to the growing number of malicious insider incidents. The existing approaches proposed for detecting insider threats still have a common shortcoming, which is the high number of false alarms (false positives). The challenge in these approaches is that it is essential to detect all anomalous behaviours which belong to a particular threat. To address this shortcoming, we propose an opportunistic knowledge discovery system, namely AnyThreat, with the aim to detect any anomalous behaviour in all malicious insider threats. We design the AnyThreat system with four components. (1) A feature engineering component, which constructs community data sets from the activity logs of a group of users having the same role. (2) An oversampling component, where we propose a novel oversampling technique named Artificial Minority Oversampling and Trapper REmoval (AMOTRE). AMOTRE first removes the minority (anomalous) instances that have a high resemblance with normal (majority) instances to reduce the number of false alarms, then it synthetically oversamples the minority class by shielding the border of the majority class. (3) A class decomposition component, which is introduced to cluster the instances of the majority class into subclasses to weaken the effect of the majority class without information loss. (4) A classification component, which applies a classification method on the subclasses to achieve a better separation between the majority class(es) and the minority class(es). AnyThreat is evaluated on synthetic data sets generated by Carnegie Mellon University. It detects approximately 87.5% of malicious insider threats, and achieves the minimum of false positives=3.36%.
Mim: A Merge Iteration and Its Applications for Big Data

With the rapid development of technologies like the Internet, sensors and bioinformatics, and data has grown explosively. In the big data era, more and more iterative algorithms have been applied in the fields of data mining and machine learning. In most situation, the iterative algorithms compute in the entire dataset which are merged from the partial ones. Given the iterative results on partial datasets, it is efficient if the results on the entire dataset can be merged from them, otherwise the re-computing on entire one is time consuming. Unfortunately, current iteration model do not support the results merging. We propose merge iteration computing model (Mim) in this paper. Mim is a solution but not a platform. It states how to execute iterative algorithm effectively through reusing the exiting results without sacrificing the accuracy, and such mechanism is suitable for the most iterative algorithms. We explain the in-partition iteration step, error evaluation step, compensation step (optional), and merge iteration step of Mim, in addition, the in-partition iteration step is preliminary of merging iteration and should be done before the partial datasets are merged. We also analyze the accuracy and performance advantages of Mim theoretically. In the application scenarios, we implement Mim over Spark framework, and applied the Mim to the financial data analysis in a city. Finally, through a series of experiments, we prove the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed Mim on the PageRank and K-means algorithms. Under the various test cases, the maximum optimization ratio of Mim is 25% and 56% comparing with regular iteration on PageRank and K-means, respectively. And the errors are negligible.
Directivity and Bandwidth Enhancement of Proximity-Coupled Microstrip Antenna Using Metamaterial Cover

─ Two major problems associated with patch antennas are low gain and narrow bandwidth. This paper is mainly concerned with directivity and bandwidth enhancement of proximity-coupled microstrip antenna using metamaterial cover. Compared to the patch without metamaterial cover, bandwidth of the antenna is improved about 2.33% and directivity is increased about 9.91dB. The commercial software CST Microwave Studio and a full-wave FDTD numerical technique, developed by the authors, are adopted for the simulations. Index Terms ─ Metamaterial cover, FDTD.
State Feedback Regulator Design for Coupled Linear Wave Equations

In this paper the state feedback regulator design is considered for a system of coupled linear wave equations with distinct constant wave speeds and a spatially-varying coupling. To this end, recent results for the backstepping control of coupled linear parabolic systems are extended to coupled linear wave equations. Subsequently, an additional feedforward controller is determined to ensure output regulation for reference inputs and disturbances described by a finite-dimensional signal model. The design of the resulting state feedback regulator is based on explicitly solving the regulator equations, for which a simple existence condition is provided. Exponential stability is verified for the closed-loop system. Two coupled wave equations subject to destabilizing boundary conditions are utilized to illustrate the results of the paper.
Tax revenue potential and effort - an empirical investigation

Many countries want to raise additional revenue, be it primarily for public investment, for social services, or for debt and deficit reduction. Regardless of revenue mobilisation plans, economic and institutional conditions limit the amount of taxes that a country can realistically raise. This paper aims to quantify such tax capacity for a 27-year panel of 85 non-resource-rich economies. Using stochastic frontier analysis, it proceeds to estimate actual tax effort exerted, measuring the gap between realised performance and the stochastic tax frontier for each country. The analysis relies on the ICTD Government Revenue Dataset, a new and high-quality source for internationally-comparable tax-to-GDP ratios. We identify industrial structure, education and trade as ‘inputs’ of tax capacity. A higher age dependency ratio is found to push the tax frontier out, whereas high inflation pulls it in. Reflecting the political and administrative components of taxation, three institutional variables are found to affect tax effort. The estimated effort for 2009 ranges from 38% in Guatemala to 90% in Sweden, with a mean of 62% across all observations. Subject to methodological caveats, the results suggest wide scope for tax policy and administration reform, especially for many low-income countries.
Üniversite Öğrencileri için Geliştirilen Öznel İyi Oluşu Artirma Programinin Etkililiğinin İncelenmesi Investigating The Effectiveness of Subjective Well-Being Increasing Program For University Students

This study examines the effectiveness of subjective well-being increasing program which is developed with respect to positive psychology for university students in a non-clinical sample. A total of 26 students (13 of them in experimental group and 13 of them in control group) between ages 18-22 were included in the present study. The two (experiment and control) groups pretest-posttest design were used in this study. The scales of Satisfaction with Life, Positive-Negative Affect, and also personal information form were used. In this study, Mann Whithney U and Wilcoxon Sign Test were used in order to analysis of data. According to results, students who participate in program as a person in experimental group have much higher points on the life satisfaction and positive affection, and also fewer points on negative affection than the students in the control groups. Additionally, program supplied eight important gains. Subjective well-being increasing program which is developed in the present study could be used for increasing subjective well-being of individuals.
Phytochemical Investigations of some Laticiferous Plants belonging to Khandesh Region of Maharashtra

Analyses were carried out on latex obtained from twenty one plant species belonging to Khandesh region of Maharashtra, India, for the presence of possible secondary metabolites, namely alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, cynogenic glycosides, phenolics, tannins and saponins. Phenolic compounds were found in all latex samples except in Ipomoea carnea Jacq. Seventy six percent species of laticiferous plants contain alkaloid. Terpenoids were found in the latex of Carica papaya L. and Manilkara zapota (L.) P. van Royen only however, remaining plants were devoid. Cynogenic glycosides and tannins were detected in 52 % and 48 % of latex samples respectively. Flavonoids and saponins were detected in equal number of latex samples i.e. 38 %. Out of this, four species of Apocynaceae and single species of Euphorbiaceae, Moraceae, Carricaceae, Convolvulaceae etc. showed flavonoid. While three species of Euphorbiaceae, two species of Apocynaceae and Moraceae and single species of Asclepiadaceae showed saponin. The moisture and total solid content varies from species to species in latex samples analyzed. Euphorbia prunifolia Jacq. had highest level of moisture i.e. 93.33% and less solid content i.e. 6.67% whereas Euphorbia hirta L. had lowest level of moisture i.e.63.63% and highest content of total solid i.e. 36.37%. The results suggest that, the laticiferous plants would be exploited in the management of various diseases as they have diverse group of secondary metabolites.
Aplicación del cuestionario de agresores/víctimas de Olweus a una muestra de adolescentes argentinos

Fil: Resett, Santiago Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Saavedra 15. Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones en Psicologia Matematica y Experimental Dr. Horacio J. A. Rimoldi; Argentina
Leadership as a driver for organizational change

The paper aims to review the dominating literature and recent findings on leadership phenomenon and its role in organizational change. The studies in sphere of strategic management, organizational theories and social development theories were analyzed to reveal the main features of the leadership. A four-element model for leadership change is proposed, mostly based on the mediating role of transformational leader. The change forces are presented as a combination of transformational leader, the change agents, the change operators and the environment (including endogenous and exogenous factors). As an alternative for competition between transformational leaders and transactional leaders, this paper introduces the network leadership, more beneficial in terms of rapid organizational transformation.
DEM GENERATION FROM CLOSE-RANGE PHOTOGRAMMETRY USING EXTENDED PYTHON PHOTOGRAMMETRY TOOLBOX

Abstract. Digital elevation models (DEMs) are widely used raster data for different applications concerning terrain, such as for flood modelling, viewshed analysis, mining, land development, engineering design projects, to name a few. DEMs can be obtained through various methods, including topographic survey, LiDAR or photogrammetry, and internet sources. Terrestrial close-range photogrammetry is one of the alternative methods to produce DEMs through the processing of images using photogrammetry software. There are already powerful photogrammetry software that are commercially-available and can produce high-accuracy DEMs. However, this entails corresponding cost. Although, some of these software have free or demo trials, these trials have limits in their usable features and usage time. One alternative is the use of free and open-source software (FOSS), such as the Python Photogrammetry Toolbox (PPT), which provides an interface for performing photogrammetric processes implemented through python script. For relatively small areas such as in mining or construction excavation, a relatively inexpensive, fast and accurate method would be advantageous. In this study, PPT was used to generate 3D point cloud data from images of an open pit excavation. The PPT was extended to add an algorithm converting the generated point cloud data into a usable DEM.
Direct observation of ferroelectricity in Ca3Mn2O7 and its prominent light absorption

Layered perovskites A3M2O7 are known to exhibit the so-called hybrid improper ferroelectricity. Despite experimentally confirmed cases (e.g., nonmagnetic M = Ti and Sn), the ferroelectricity in magnetic Ca3Mn2O7 remains a puzzle. Here, the structural, ferroelectric, magnetoelectric, and optical properties of Ca3Mn2O7 are systematically investigated. Switchable polarization is directly measured, demonstrating its ferroelectricity. In addition, magnetoelectric response is also evidenced, implying the coupling between magnetism and ferroelectricity. Furthermore, strong visible light absorption is observed, which can be understood from its electronic structure. Its direct and appropriate bandgap, as well as wide conducting bands, makes Ca3Mn2O7 a potential candidate for ferroelectric photoelectric applications.
EFFECT OF BAGASSE PORTION IN DIET ON BODY COMPOSITION OF GOAT

The study was aimed to predict body composition of local goats fed bagasse based total mixedration (TMR). Fifteen male local goats (18 months old with average body weight of 18 kg ) were used inthis study. Goats were divided randomly into 3 groups, and were fed TMR’s those contained 15, 25, and35% of sugarcane bagasse, respectively. All experimental diets were designed to be isoenergy andisoprotein. After 12 weeks of adaptation to experimental diets and environment, each group wassubjected to feed digestibility trial, body composition, and experiment of feeding effect on serumglucose. The data were analyzed using one way analyses of variance. The results showed that the bodycomposition and serum glucose concentration were not significantly different (P>0.05) amongtreatments. The bagasse portion in the TMR upto 25% lowered daily feed consumption and body weightgain (P<0.05). It was concluded that the use of sugarcane bagasse up to 35% in the TMR did not affectbody composition of goats.
Geographies of Origin and Proximity: Approaches to Local Agro-Food Systems

The present paper aims to provide a critical review with respect to the literature on Local Agro-Food Systems (LAFS) in America and Europe over the last two decades, devoted to investigating the geographies of the relationships between territory and identity-based food products. In studies on LAFS, the concept of origin of food products is based upon a historical and bio-cultural analysis of food identity. Debates on territorial anchorage focus on the causal factors —natural, cultural and socio-economic— that a distinctive territory imprints on the specific attributes of identity-based foods. Moreover, the notion of geographical and organisational proximity aligns with a socio-cultural and economic approach to collective action aiming at rural development. A LAFS implies a certain spatial density and a network of mutually cooperating farms, firms and institutions, specialised in producing and marketing an identity-based food product, what can in turn be used to valorise the food identity both on the markets and also by contributing to the creation of common and public goods. A transdisciplinary view is required both for comprehending the emergence and evolution over centuries of the identity-based foods and also for understanding the role they play in constructing more sustainable rural development in the future.
Developing a fuzzy risk assessment model for guaranteed maximum price and target cost contracts in construction

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a fuzzy risk assessment model for construction projects procured with target cost contracts (TCC) and guaranteed maximum price (GMP) contracts using factor analysis (FA) and fuzzy synthetic evaluation method, based on an empirical questionnaire survey with relevant industrial practitioners in Hong Kong.Design/methodology/approach – A total of 34 key risk factors (RFs) inherent with TCC/GMP contracts were identified through an extensive literature review and a series of structured interviews. A questionnaire survey was then launched to solicit the opinions of industrial practitioners on risk assessment of such RFs.Findings – The most important 17 principal RFs after the calculation of normalised values were selected for undertaking FA. Five principal risk groups (PRGs) were then generated in descending order of importance as: design risks, pre‐contract risks, economic and financial risks, lack of experience in TCC/GMP procurement process and post‐contract r.
The inverse Voronoi problem in graphs

We introduce the inverse Voronoi diagram problem in graphs: given a graph $G$ with positive edge-lengths and a collection $\mathbb{U}$ of subsets of vertices of $V(G)$, decide whether $\mathbb{U}$ is a Voronoi diagram in $G$ with respect to the shortest-path metric. We show that the problem is NP-hard, even for planar graphs where all the edges have unit length. We also study the parameterized complexity of the problem and show that the problem is W[1]-hard when parameterized by the number of Voronoi cells or by the pathwidth of the graph. For trees we show that the problem can be solved in near-linear time and provide a lower bound of $\Omega(n \log n)$ time for trees with $n$ vertices.
Do factors influencing recruitment ultimately determine the distribution and abundance of encrusting algae on seasonal tropical shores

Similar to many low-latitude shores, encrusting algae are the dominant space-occupying organisms on moderately exposed rocky shores in Hong Kong. A multifactorial experiment assessed the roles of herbivory, season, tidal height and substratum inclination on the initial recruitment of encrusting algae to artificial surfaces. Herbivores reduced recruit densities at certain times of the year and tidal heights, but did not prevent settlement. In contrast, the relative timing of recruitment and the prevailing environmental conditions greatly affected recruit success. No species recruited at any time to the high shore, and species recruited as high as the mid shore only during cooler months. Spec~es that recruited during the cooler months (e.g. Hapalosponc~~d~on gelat~nosum and coralline crusts) could colonlse the mid shore, ~vhlle Ralfsla expansa, w h ~ c h recruited primarily during the hot season, was restricted to the low shore and subtidal. Recruitment also va r~ed wlth substratum inclinat~on, coolseason recruits were found In greater densities on horizontal surfaces, whereas hot-season recrults exhibited no differen.ce between holizontal and vert~cal plates. Seasonal availability of free space may influence the life-history strategies of encrusting algae. R. expansa recruited during the hot season to the low shore, when free space was available following the annual die-back of algae. In contrast, coolseason recruits (e.g. H. gelatinosum) have less free space to colonise and as a result become established in greater densities higher on the shore, resulting in increased physical stress and mortality during the following hot season. The timing of recruitment relative to spatial and temporal variation in the physical environment, therefore, greatly affects the potential distribution of mature encrusting algal populations on Hong Kong shores.