Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Unbundling Enterprise and Entrepreneurship

Enterprise, entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs are terms that are subject to particular depictions and representations that do not always reflect their actual nature. Publicly held and shared perceptions and preconceptions tend to lead to stereotypes, caricatures and distortions that preclude or obstruct real insight into these phenomena. A case is made for a reconsideration of the key terms, particularly via a grounding of analysis and experience in actual events and conditions. The paper concludes by defining entrepreneurship as being both a state – of being an entrepreneur, and a behaviour – of being entrepreneurial. From this perspective, entrepreneurship extends beyond limited conceptualizations of its close association with business start-up and growth to incorporate enterprising activity and dynamics across society and its institutions.
Automatic Object Cosegmentation in Sparse Multiview Images

In this paper, an automatic approach for object co segmentation in sparse multiview images is presented. To extract the foreground object in multiview images with wide baselines, the cues of color and geometry are combined in our framework of double iterative loops. In the outer loop, we iteratively apply geometric background extraction and iterated graph cuts. Based on previous silhouettes, we effectively exploit the epipolar tangency constraint to extract the background in each image. After learning the bilayer color models, iterated graph cuts are applied to obtain the refined silhouettes, which are further employed in the next round of outer loop. In the inner loop, iterated graph cuts, due to the pixels in geometric extracted background are often far from the target object, a background gain factor is proposed to enhance the power of the background color model. In our method the 3D model of the object or the depth maps are discarded for limited sparse multiview images. Experiments show that based on a small number of multiview images our double-loops system can effectively extract the object.
Virtual provider pessimism: analysing instant messaging reference encounters with the pair perception comparison method

Introduction. We examine the differences between user and provider perceptions of the same instant messaging reference encounter. We summarize previoius studies of face-to-face reference encounters, identifying a common phenomenon we call provider pessimism � when users of a service are more satisfied than providers think they will be. We then look for this phenomenon in an instant messaging reference setting. Method. The pair perception comparison method is introduced to systematically compare user and provider perceptions of the same encounter. We implement the method by administering separate satisfaction surveys to undergraduate users and Master's of Library Science student providers immediately after a shared instant messaging reference encounter. Analysis. A total of twenty-six matched surveys were compared using paired sample statistics to identify significant discrepancies. Results. We find evidence of provider pessimism for overall satisfaction, the tempo of the interaction, ease of use of the system, friendliness of the provider, accuracy of the references, provider follow-up and spelling and grammar used by the provider. Conclusion. Our findings suggest that new virtual reference providers should have increased confidence in their abilities and not be overly concerned with potentially stressful features of instant messaging such as typing quickly or misspelling words. Future use of the pair perception comparison method can more systematically identify discrepancies in user and provider perceptions.
Defensive Medicine: A Bane to Healthcare

The above oath is what every physician is bound to follow, but what happens in real practice is quite alarming. The so-called divine profession has lost its glory due to the intrusion of an evil namely ‘defensive medicine. ’ Defensive medicine in simple words is departing from normal medical practice as a safeguard from litigation. It occurs when a medical practitioner performs treatment or procedure to avoid exposure to malpractice litigation. Defensive medicine is damaging for its potential to poses health risks to the patient. Furthermore, it increases the healthcare costs. Not the least, defensive medicine also paves way for degradation of physician and patient relationship. [1]
Immunomodulatory activity accompanying chicken egg yolk immunoglobulin Y

Abstract Immunity transfer from a mother to the newborn does not depend exclusively on immunoglobulins. Peptides, which are characterized by immunoregulatory properties that accompany IgG2, known as proline- rich polypeptide complex (PRP), have been discovered for the first time in ovine colostrum. In this report we present new data showing that some immunoregulatory peptides associated with the main immunoglobulin class, IgY, are also present in the avian immune system. Cytokine-inducing activity of particular fractions obtained from ovine colostrum, IgG+ (IgG2 containing PRP), IgG− (IgG2 free of PRP), and purified PRP, was compared with that of crude egg yolk IgY (IgY+), additionally purified egg yolk IgY (IgY−), and polypeptides accompanying IgY named Yolkin (Y), using an ex vivo model of whole human blood cells. It was shown that both IgG+ fraction and PRP, but not IgG−, stimulated the whole blood cells to release tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β cytokines. Similar experiments performed with hen's egg IgY preparations showed that IgY+ and Y samples showed higher cytokine-inducing activity than samples additionally purified with the use of size exclusion chromatography (IgY−). The IgY+ at a dose of 100 μg was even more active than the positive lipopolysaccharide control. It was also found that Y is able to stimulate macrophage cell line J774.2 to release nitric oxide. The results obtained suggest that IgY, the main chicken immunoglobulin fraction, is accompanied by additional polypeptides and plays a role of a transporter of biologically active substances, which was observed in the case of colostral IgG.
Accuracy of histologic grading of synovial inflammation in temporomandibular joints with internal derangement using Gynther's system.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the system by Gynther et al (J Oral Maxillofac Surg 56:1281, 1998) for histologic grading of synovial inflammation in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in arthroscopically obtained synovial biopsy specimens. PATIENT AND METHODS Thirty-three human TMJ synovial biopsy specimens from patients with internal derangement of the TMJ were evaluated using the system of Gynther et al. The results were compared statistically with the intensity of synovitis seen arthroscopically using Spearman ranked correlation coefficient. RESULTS In 2 of the 3 parameters tested, a statistically significant correlation was found between the histologic findings by the system of Gynther et al and arthroscopic findings using the scale of Murakami et al (J Oral Maxillofac Surg 49:1159, 1991) CONCLUSION These results suggest that histologic grading of synovial inflammation by the system of Gynther et al has considerable accuracy. However, more investigations are necessary to confirm the results.
Spontaneous clearance of chronic hepatitis C virus infection is associated with appearance of neutralizing antibodies and reversal of T-cell exhaustion.

BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus (HCV) readily establishes chronic infection with exhaustion of HCV-specific T cells and escape from neutralizing antibodies. Spontaneous recovery from chronic infection is rare and has never to our knowledge been studied immunologically. METHODS We prospectively studied, from prior to infection through >2 years of follow-up, cytokines, HCV-specific T cells, and antibodies, as well as viral sequence evolution in a white male who spontaneously cleared HCV genotype 1a after 65 weeks. RESULTS Significant alanine aminotransferase and plasma cytokine elevation and broad HCV-specific T-cell responses did not result in HCV clearance in the acute phase. Frequency and effector function of HCV-specific T cells decreased thereafter, and HCV titers stabilized as is typical for the chronic phase. HCV clearance after 65 weeks followed the appearance of neutralizing antibodies at week 48 and was associated with reversal of HCV-specific T-cell exhaustion, as evidenced by reduced programmed death-1 (PD-1) expression and improved T-cell function. Clearance occurred without inflammation or superinfection with hepatitis B virus, human cytomegalovirus virus, influenza, and Epstein-Barr virus. CONCLUSIONS T-cell exhaustion is reversible at least in the first 2 years of chronic HCV infection, and this reversion in conjunction with neutralizing antibodies may clear HCV. These findings are relevant for immunotherapy of chronic infections.
A scalable platform for run-time reconfigurable satellite payload processing

Reconfigurable hardware is gaining a steadily growing interest in the domain of space applications. The ability to reconfigure the information processing infrastructure at runtime together with the high computational power of today's FPGA architectures at relatively low power makes these devices interesting candidates for data processing in space applications. Partial dynamic reconfiguration of FPGAs enables maximum flexibility and can be utilized for performance increase, for improving energy efficiency, and for enhanced fault tolerance. To be able to prove the effectiveness of these novel approaches for satellite payload processing, a highly scalable prototyping environment has been developed, combining dynamically reconfigurable FPGAs with the required interfaces such as SpaceWire, MIL-STD-1553B, and SpaceFibre. Up to 30 SpaceWire interfaces, 5 copper-based SpaceFibre interfaces, and 270 GPIOs can be realized and combined with one to five dynamically reconfigurable Xilinx FPGAs and up to 20 GByte of working memory. The implemented approach for dynamic reconfiguration enables partial reconfiguration at 400 MByte/s. Blind and readback scrubbing is supported and the scrub rate can be adapted individually for different parts of the design.
Towards a low-carbon economy: scenarios and policies for the UK

This article analyses the implications of long-term low-carbon scenarios for the UK, and against these it assesses both the current status and the required scope of the UK energy policy. The scenarios are generated using the well-established MARKAL (acronym for MARKet ALlocation) UK energy systems model, which has already been extensively used for UK policy analysis and support. The scenarios incorporate different levels of ambition for carbon reduction, ranging from 40% to 90% cuts from 1990's level by the year 2050, to shed insights into the options for achieving the UK's current legally binding target of an 80% cut by the same date. The scenarios achieve their carbon reductions through very different combinations of demand reduction (implying behaviour change) and implementation of low-carbon and energy efficiency technologies on both the supply and demand sides. In all cases, however, the costs of achieving the reductions are relatively modest. The ensuing policy analysis suggests that while the cuts are feasible both technically and economically and while a number of new policies have been introduced in order to achieve them, it is not yet clear whether these policies will deliver the required combination of both short- and long-term technology deployment, and behaviour change for the UK Government's targets to be achieved.
Measurement of the severity of natural smooth surface (interproximal) caries lesions with polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography

Previous studies have demonstrated that polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS‐OCT) can be used to image early dental caries. The purpose of this study was to compare the measured reflectivity of natural caries lesions found on smooth surfaces (interproximal lesions) with the mineral loss measured using digital microradiography (DM) in order to determine if PS‐OCT can be used as a non‐destructive method to measure the severity of dental decay and resolve the internal structure of caries lesions.
The Great Global Vitamins Conspiracies, 1985-1999

This paper is a comprehensive examination of the global bulk vitamins cartels of the 1990s. In terms of its precision and breadth of coverage, the quantitative information now available on vitamins surpasses that of almost any other modern cartel. For example, the internal records of the major defendants have yielded monthly transaction prices for 53 bulk vitamin products over periods of up to 22 years.Evidence is presented that these 16 interrelated cartels were the largest discovered international price-fixing schemes of the late 20th century in terms of affected commerce and direct overcharges. On the other hand, the percentage increases in bulk vitamin prices wrought by the cartels were merely average. The formation of the cartels by and large occurred in markets that were in terms of their structures and historical modes of behavior ideally suited for overt collusion. Although organizationally similar in many respects, the cartels also displayed a wondrous variety of collusive conducts. Only four to six of the cartels died natural deaths.There is little question that the convicted members of the vitamins cartels were in absolute monetary terms the most heavily sanctioned defendants in the history of antitrust law. Yet, it is equally non-controvertible that the impressive corporate monetary sanctions imposed worldwide were inadequate to deter recidivism.
Combined Effects of Phosphatidylcholine and Demineralized Bone Matrix on Bone Induction

The osteoinductivity of demineralized bone matrix (DBM) becomes significantly reduced if the specimens are further delipidated with chloroform-methanol. The addition of phosphatidylcholine (PC), a major constituent of the lipid fraction present in the calcification front during normal bone formation, can restore the biological activity. Active endochondral bone formation is observed in the DBM/PC implants placed in the anterior abdominal wall musculature or subcutaneously for 28 days. When PC is added to generate a putty containing 60% PC and 40% DBM, biochemical parameters associated with osteoinductivity are significantly enhanced. Biological responses evaluated histologically and by determination of alkaline phosphatase activity are in very good agreement. The DBM/PC putty has good handling properties, can be molded into different shapes, and does not wash away from the application site. An advantage of adding PC is that it not only enhances the handling properties, but also boosts the osteoinductivity of the preparation.
Regional Specialisation and Industrial Concentration in Romania's Transition Period from an Election Cycle Perspective

In this paper we propose an inquiry into the patterns of regional specialisation and industrial concentration in Romania during its transition to a market economy (1990–2004). Following an econometric modelling-based approach we demonstrate that the changes in these patterns have been influenced to a large extent by election cycles, and more precisely by changes in the economic policy options determined by the ‘colour’ of each corresponding government. These findings have an important significance for the postaccession period, suggesting the need for decisions on economic structures to be carefully monitored when a new election cycle is approaching, in order to avoid possible negative consequences for efficiency and integration in EU structures.
Fuel Use and Optimality of Assignments in Multivehicle Households in 2001 and 2009

Multivehicle household fleets often consist of vehicles with a wide range of attributes, including passenger and cargo capacities, towing capability, and fuel consumption. Decisions for how these vehicles are assigned to trips can have a significant impact on a household's total fuel use. In this paper, actual vehicle assignments from the 2001 and 2009 National Household Travel Surveys data are compared with the decisions for minimizing fuel use by using CTRAM, a model that determines optimal vehicle-to-trip assignments while considering constraints on vehicle availability and capability. Results show that the average potential reduction in fuel use through optimal assignment for multivehicle households was 10.9% in 2001 and 10.1% in 2009. However, the corresponding increase in assignment optimality seen in this period does not appear to be the result of a greater prevalence of active, short-term vehicle assignment decisions, such as a driver's voluntary use of a nonpreferred vehicle or switching of vehicles midday. This finding provides evidence that the higher level of assignment optimality in 2009 was influenced by other, possibly longer-term, decisions such as consideration of fuel consumption in purchase decisions in accordance with the primary driver's expected usage of the vehicle (e.g., a small, efficient vehicle for long-distance work commuting). The significance of this conclusion is reinforced by the finding that increases in assignment optimality are smaller in lower-income households, possibly because of the lack of efficient vehicles in the secondary market in the years preceding the 2009 survey.
Mechanism of Vascular Hyperresponsiveness in the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat

Hyperresponsiveness of resistance vessels has been described in various vascular beds of spontaneously hypertensive rats perfused with artificial medium. This change has been attributed to altered vascular dimensions secondary to the development of hypertension. To test the possibility that true changes in sensitivity might contribute independently to vasoconstrictor hyperresponsiveness in spontaneously hypertensive rats, threshold vasoconstrictor doses of norepinephrine and barium chloride were determined in denervated hindquarters of rats perfused at constant flow with autologous blood. Threshold constrictor responses to norepinephrine were elicited in the hypertensive rats at concentrations averaging less than one-third that required in controls. Threshold vasoconstrictor concentrations of barium were not significantly different between the two groups. The ratio of norepinephrine/barium sensitivity was also significantly elevated in the hypertensive group. These data suggest that in the presence of a full humoral complement, excitability (barium sensitivity) in resistance vessels of spontaneously hypertensive rats is not altered, whereas the smooth muscle is hypersensitive to norepinephrine. Thus, it appears that changes in sensitivity as well as altered vascular geometry are important in the production of vascular hyperresponsiveness in the spontaneously hypertensive rat.
Trends in Renal Transplantation in Patients With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection: An Analysis of the United States Renal Data System

Background. We examined the United States Renal Data System registry to analyze trends in renal transplantation in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Methods. A retrospective cohort study was performed using the United States Renal Data System, analyzing patients receiving renal transplants from January 1, 1995, to September 29, 2006. Factors independently associated with transplantation in HIV-infected patients with end-stage renal disease were identified. Results. There was a significant increase in renal transplant recipients who were HIV seropositive who received renal transplants from 2001 to 2006 (n=208, 0.26%) versus 1995 to 2000 era (n=43, 0.06%, P<0.001). Before 2001, only 18 states performed renal transplants in HIV-infected patients, whereas most states transplanted HIV-infected patients in the second era. There were more African American recipients with HIV infection from 2001 to 2006 compared with the earlier cohort (n=118 vs. 8, P<0.001). Patients with HIV infection were more likely to have received induction therapy (n=121 vs. 37, P<0.001) and tacrolimus maintenance suppression (n=105 vs. 13, P<0.001) in the latter era. There were also more deceased donor transplants from 2001 to 2006 (n=143 vs. 25, P<0.001). In logistic regression analysis, when adjusted for multiple factors including recipient and donor age, race, gender, and donor type, patients with HIV infection were more likely to have been transplanted after 2001 (adjusted odds ratio, 2.21; 95% confidence interval=1.49–3.28). In analysis adjusted for multiple factors including hepatitis C virus coinfection, HIV infection was not significantly associated with all-cause graft loss. Conclusions. There has been a dramatic increase in the number of transplants among HIV-infected patients. These findings suggest improved access to transplant wait listing and better management of immunosuppression, especially among African American patients.
Gelatin-induced Reversion of Protoplasts of Bacillus subtilis to the Bacillary Form: Electron-microscopic and Physical Study

Protoplasts of Bacillus subtilis plated on SD medium form L colonies in quantitative yield and propagate in the L form indefinitely. L bodies or protoplasts placed in 25% gelatin medium form bacillary colonies. Details of the reversion of naked bodies to the walled form are reported. In 25% gelatin medium, reversion begins earlier (about 50% reversion in 4 hr) than the multiplication of bacilli. Thus, virtually all the observed bacillary forms are themselves revertants and not the offspring of a few growing clones. The optimal temperature for reversion is 26 C in 25% gelatin. When cells reverting at 26 C are warmed to 40 C for 3 min, reversion is delayed markedly, whereas viability is unaffected. For electron microscopy, a dense protoplast inoculum was placed on a gelatin surface, incubated, and then fixed in situ. There was no multiplication, but crowding delayed reversion markedly. Successive events of reversion are as follows. The loose nucleoid of the protoplasts condenses in response to the gelatin medium and condenses further and further as reversion proceeds. A thin coat of wall develops around the bodies of various sizes and shapes and then increases uniformly in thickness until a wall of normal aspect is formed. Rod-shaped cells grow out from these bodies—sometimes in several directions at once. A few mesosomes begin to appear only after a thin coat of wall has been formed. These are dense, atypical structures compartmented by membranes. They are located at the cell periphery and do not seem to be in contact with the nucleoids. Quantitative estimates showed that only 20 to 25% of revertant cells or cells grown on gelatin contain even a single mesosome. The others have no mesosome at all. Mesosomes thus do not appear to play a significant role in reversion, and normal mesosome functions must presumably be performed elsewhere in the cell in gelatin-grown bacilli. The role of cell wall, its synthesis, and its chemical nature in successive steps in reversion are discussed.
Hybrid dual-mode low voltage dropout regulator with infinite impulse response digital filters

In this paper we will demonstrate the implementation of a low-dropout hybrid regulator (LDO) that includes a continuous to discrete time feedback loop, in a 28 nm TSMC CMOS technology. The proposed LDO will be given an apriori signal to differentiate between low and high load current states. This mixed mode design is scalable ensuring the best regulation at different load currents for dual or multichannel LDO designs. It has a maximum overshoot of less than 5 mV and undershoot of less than 50 mV with steady state ripple of less than 5 mV. The maximum switching transient time to steady state regulation was found by simulation to be under 830 ps.
Two-Park Tariffs and Consumption Externalities

This paper provides explicit characteristics of those two-part tariffs which maximize profit and consumers' plus producer's surplus. The effect of consumption externalities (as in telecommunications systems) is then explored. The characterizations are in terms of elasticities of demand with respect to price, income, and the number of other customers in the system.