Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Outlines of the History of Ethics for English Readers

"The Methods of Ethics" 1874 edition, 498pp "The Method of Ethics" 7th edition 1907, 564pp "The Principles of Political Economy" 3rd edition 1901, 616pp "Outlines of the History of Ethics for English Readers" 6th edition 1931, 368pp "The Elements of Politics" 3rd edition 1908, 702pp "Practical Ethics: a Collection of Addresses and Essays" 1898 edition, 268pp "Lectures on the Ethics of T.H. Green, Mr Herbert Spencer, and J. Martineau" 1902 edition, 294pp "Philosophy, its Scope and Relations: an Introductory Course of Lectures" 1902 edition, 270pp "The Development of European Polity" 1903 edition, 480pp "Miscellaneous Essays and Addresses" 1904 edition, 382pp "Lectures on the Philosophical Lectures of Kant and Other Philosophical Lectures and Essays" 1905 edition, 484pp "Henry Sidgwick: A Memoir", Arthur Sidgwick and Eleanor Sidgwick, 1906 edition, 646pp "Presidential Addresses to the Society of Physical Research, 1882-1911", Henry Sidgwick (nine addresses), Mrs Henry Sidgwick, et al, 1912 edition, 344pp "Miscellaneous Essays of Henry Sidgwick, 1870-99", c.300pp "Reviews by Henry Sidgwick, 1871-99", c.200pp.
Colombian international trade from a physical perspective: towards an ecological "Prebisch thesis"

Article history: Received 22 August 2005 Received in revised form 16 November 2005 Accepted 19 November 2005 Prebisch's approach to economic development was based on the notion that there is an international historical division of labour. Peripheral countries are specialised in exporting primary goods while Centre countries export industrial goods. The Terms of Trade for peripheral countries tend to deteriorate. This approach can be extended to ecological issues. The international Centre–Periphery division does not only involve the monetary exchange of goods and capital, but also the physical exchange in which Southern countries provide materials and energy so that Northern countries can develop their socioeconomic metabolism. This metabolic process is guaranteed through cheap prices for primary goods. This paper aims to apply and extend Prebisch's thought on unequal exchange, both monetary and ecological, in relation to Colombian trade in the period 1970–2002, using Material Flow Analysis. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
In-home contextual reality: a qualitative analysis using the Multiple Errands Test Home Version (MET-Home)

ABSTRACT Adults with stroke frequently experience executive dysfunction. Despite the range of assessments that examine the effects of executive dysfunction on daily tasks, there remains a paucity of literature that examines the influence of the environment on performance in the community. The MET-Home is an ecologically valid assessment for examining post-stroke executive dysfunction in the home environment. This qualitative study explores the relationship between the environment and MET-Home performance among home-dwelling adults with stroke and matched controls. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, we analysed video, interview, and observation notes from a MET-Home validation study. An overarching theme of interplay between everyday task performance and the home environment produced further themes: naturalistically emerging supports and barriers and environment as strategy. Within naturalistically emerging supports and barriers, five contextual sub-themes were discovered: physical environment, social environment, temporal context, virtual context, and personal context. Within environment as strategy, we identified four sub-themes: reducing distractions, using everyday technologies, planning in context, and seeking social support. These findings extend the conceptualisation of how we evaluate executive dysfunction in the context of the community to also consider the inherent influence of the environment.
Growth Arrest by the Antitumor Steroidal Lactone Withaferin A in Human Breast Cancer Cells Is Associated with Down-regulation and Covalent Binding at Cysteine 303 of β-Tubulin*

Background: The tubulin microtubule network remains an attractive anticancer target. Results: The antitumor steroidal lactone withaferin A (WA) down-regulates tubulin and binds to Cys303 of β-tubulin. Conclusion: Tubulin is a novel target of WA-mediated growth arrest in human breast cancer cells. Significance: Favorable safety and pharmacokinetic profiles merit clinical investigation of WA for prevention and/or treatment of breast cancer. Withaferin A (WA), a C5,C6-epoxy steroidal lactone derived from a medicinal plant (Withania somnifera), inhibits growth of human breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo and prevents mammary cancer development in a transgenic mouse model. However, the mechanisms underlying the anticancer effect of WA are not fully understood. Herein, we report that tubulin is a novel target of WA-mediated growth arrest in human breast cancer cells. The G2 and mitotic arrest resulting from WA exposure in MCF-7, SUM159, and SK-BR-3 cells was associated with a marked decrease in protein levels of β-tubulin. These effects were not observed with the naturally occurring C6,C7-epoxy analogs of WA (withanone and withanolide A). A non-tumorigenic normal mammary epithelial cell line (MCF-10A) was markedly more resistant to mitotic arrest by WA compared with breast cancer cells. Vehicle-treated control cells exhibited a normal bipolar spindle with chromosomes aligned along the metaphase plate. In contrast, WA treatment led to a severe disruption of normal spindle morphology. NMR analyses revealed that the A-ring enone in WA, but not in withanone or withanolide A, was highly reactive with cysteamine and rapidly succumbed to irreversible nucleophilic addition. Mass spectrometry demonstrated direct covalent binding of WA to Cys303 of β-tubulin in MCF-7 cells. Molecular docking indicated that the WA-binding pocket is located on the surface of β-tubulin and characterized by a hydrophobic floor, a hydrophobic wall, and a charge-balanced hydrophilic entrance. These results provide novel insights into the mechanism of growth arrest by WA in breast cancer cells.
Immunological benefits of antiretroviral therapy in very early stages of asymptomatic chronic HIV-1 infection

ObjectivesTo assess whether an almost complete restoration of immune system can be achieved when antiretroviral therapy is initiated at very early stages of asymptomatic chronic HIV-1 infection. DesignT cell subsets and cell-mediated responses were analysed at baseline and after 12 months of either a double or a triple antiretroviral therapy in 26 asymptomatic HIV-1-infected patients with CD4 T cell counts > 500 × 106 cells/l and a baseline plasma viral load > 10 000 copies/ml. ResultsTriple therapy was significantly more effective in reducing plasma HIV RNA to undetectable levels, in returning CD4:CD8 ratio to nearly normal levels, in reducing activated cells (CD38) and in increasing naive (CD45RA+CD45RO−−) and memory (CD45RA−−CD45RO+) CD4 cells. Both double and triple therapies caused a clear decrease in memory (CD45RA−−CD45RO+) CD8 cells as well as a significant increase in the CD28 subset of CD8 cells. At baseline, there was an important increase in cells producing interferon-γ (IFNγ) with no significant abnormalities in T lymphocytes producing interleukin 2 (IL-2), tumour necrosis factor α and interleukin 4. Both types of therapy reduced IFNγ- and IL2-producing CD4 T lymphocytes while IFNγ-producing CD8 cells remained increased. Even before therapy, these HIV-1-positive patients lacked significant abnormalities in the T cell responsiveness to polyclonal stimuli as well as in the secretion of CCR5 chemokines by peripheral blood mononuclear cells. ConclusionsInitiating highly active antiretroviral therapy at very early stages of chronic HIV-1 infection allows rapid and almost complete normalization of T cell subsets and preservation of T cell functions. These early-treated patients could be excellent candidates for receiving additional HIV-specific immune-based therapies, which might be essential for the control of HIV infection.
Technology- and investment-led growth effects of economic integration: a panel cointegration analysis for the EU-15 (1960–2000)

Using a panel cointegration approach we test for technology- and investment-led growth effects of economic integration for the EU-15 Member States over the period 1960 to 2000. Integration is measured by an index that is mainly based on tariff reductions and accounts for both GATT-liberalization and European integration. We find that integration has induced sizeable level effects on GDP per capita of some 44%, with both technology-led and investment-led effects playing an important role. While integration-induced efficiency increases materialize within a few years, integration-induced effects on the equilibrium stock of capital require a long time to work themselves out.
The demand for salmon in France: the effects of marketing and structural change

Two aspects of change in the market for salmon in France during the 1980s are the subject of econometric analysis. First, an hypothesis that a change in the distribution pattern for salmon, with a larger share of the product traded further down the distribution channel, has lead to more elastic demand is tested via demand analysis. Second, the effects of advertising in expanding the salmon market is tested.
Family‐Friendly Human Resource Policy: Is It Still Working in the Public Sector?

The balance between work and family plays a pivotal but evolving role in human resource policy. Ensuring that human resource policy responds to rapidly changing American family demographics, particularly the recent sharp increase in single unmarried Americans, is a major challenge. Compensation policy long has focused on family-oriented values by promising increased capacity to provide for a family in exchange for higher work performance. Now, employees are voicing concerns about matters such as quality time with family, and, in turn, employers are responding by implementing more benefits to achieve a better work–family balance. Strong counterarguments against human resource goals targeted only at families advocate personal policies that emphasize work–life balance for all employees. How well has personal policy kept pace with the shifting compensation preferences of public employees? Results suggest that implementation policies are keeping pace with employee satisfaction. However, levels of employee satisfaction often differ widely by demographic characteristics.
Pharmacokinetics and Relative Bioavailability of Orally Administered Innovator‐Formulated Itraconazole Capsules and Solution in Healthy Dogs

Background Itraconazole is commonly used for treatment of systemic and cutaneous mycoses in veterinary medicine. Two formulations, capsule and solution, are used interchangeably in dogs. However, marked differences in bioavailability have been reported in other species. Similar investigations have not been performed in dogs. Objective To determine and compare pharmacokinetics of itraconazole in dogs after oral administration of commercially available capsule and solution formulations intended for use in humans. Animals Eight healthy, adult, purpose‐bred dogs. Methods Dogs received approximately 10 mg/kg of innovator‐formulated itraconazole solution and capsule PO in randomized, crossover design with a 10‐day washout period. To ensure maximal absorption, solution was administered to fasted dogs, whereas capsules were co‐administered with food. Blood samples were collected at predetermined time points, and plasma drug concentrations were measured using high‐pressure liquid chromatography. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined with compartmental analysis. Results The mean relative bioavailability of the capsule was 85% that of the solution, but drug absorption was variable, and overall drug concentrations were similar between formulations. Mean elimination half‐lives of both formulations were nearly identical at approximately 33 hours. Regardless of formulation, simulations suggest that a loading dose of 20 mg/kg, followed by 10 mg/kg once every 24 hours, will result in plasma concentrations considered to be adequate in most dogs. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Contrary to findings reported in other species, overall drug exposures after capsule and solution administration are not substantially different in dogs. Despite some pharmacokinetic differences between itraconazole capsule and solution, formulation‐specific dosages do not appear to be necessary.
A reinforcement learning based heuristic for autonomous robot path planning

This paper focuses on modeling the area exploration problem as a Markov decision process and training a robotic agent in a simulated grid world environment to learn optimal control policy for finding a path that maximizes the area exploration. Reinforcement learning based heuristic, called QNav, is proposed and used by the learning agent for proper interaction with its environment, obstacle avoidance, and navigation strategy. It is shown that, besides the native rewards provided by the underlying environment, additional reward shaping play an important role in guiding the learning process. Various other training techniques, including eligibility tracing, are studied on how they might help in achieving a balance between reduction in learning time and yielding sub-optimal policies. Policies learned through the proposed QNav algorithm are then evaluated for total area coverage against the well known shortest path A* algorithm. Keywords—Reinforcement learning, Reward shaping, Area exploration, Autonomous robot, Path planning
Process improvement measures in social area organisations

Purpose – The main objective of this study is to develop a strategy for implementing various quality measurement tools as part of a continuous improvement programme in institutions for the elderly in Portugal.Design/methodology/approach – The empirical data were drawn from a survey performed in 32 institutions for the elderly, aiming to ascertain the level of knowledge of several performance measures and quality tools and their degree of implementation. Based on data and on total quality management principles, a performance measurement framework was designed and tested in two organisations.Findings – The results confirmed the existence of a relevant gap between theory and practice and also showed that innovation measures were considered the less relevant and less used. Overall, it was concluded that the degree of quality management systems implementation (a small number of institutions have a quality system certified) affects positively the success of a performance measurement system.Practical implication.
Airway eosinophilia and expression of interleukin‐5 protein in asthma and in exacerbations of chronic bronchitis

Background An increased nutnber of eosinophils in the bronchial mucosa has been demonstrated both in asthma and in exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. Oiyective To investigate whether the airway eosinophilia present in asthma and in chronic bronchitis during exacerbations is associated with interleukin (IL)‐5 protein expression in the bronchial mucosa.
An Energy Efficient Cell Selection Framework for Femtocell Networks With Limited Backhaul Link Capacity

Dense deployment of femtocells improves the network capacity without significantly burdening the operator with huge capital and operational expenditure. However, extremely dense deployment of femtocells comes with the cost of increased cochannel interference and higher energy consumption. Additionally, femtocells burden the existing ADSL/broadband lines by using them as backhaul to connect to the cellular core network. A cell selection scheme defines the criteria on which mobile users associate themselves with base stations. This criteria may include received signal quality, available bandwidth, and energy consumption. Hence, cell selection plays a crucial role in system capacity, load balancing, and energy consumption. In this paper, we provide a framework for femtocell deployment in the urban scenario where interference, energy consumption, and backhaul capacity are major concerns. We first model the energy consumption of base stations, user equipment, and wired backhaul links. Then, we propose an efficient spectrum and power allocation technique to mitigate interference and improve bandwidth utilization in the uplink and downlink, respectively. Finally, we suggest a novel QoS-aware cell selection scheme that assigns mobile users to femtocells considering the capacity improvement obtained per unit increase in energy consumption. The proposed cell selection scheme incorporates the energy consumption of the wired backhaul links and their limited capacity constraint into the cell selection criteria. Our proposed spectrum and power allocation technique, when combined with the proposed cell selection, leads to a significant reduction in energy consumption without any deterioration in the system capacity. Simulation results confirm that our proposed framework has the potential to significantly improve the energy efficiency of the network.
Are Global Imbalances Sustainable? Post Crisis Scenarios

This paper assesses the sustainability of global imbalances by testing for the presence of unit roots in the current account positions (measured in relation to GDP) of the United States, China, Japan, Germany and the oil-exporting countries using a methodology that allows for structural breaks in levels and trends. We find that the external positions of these major countries/regions are stationary around structural breaks, which define episodes of current account reversals. On the basis of an event analysis of past reversals, it appears that structural breaks are associated with shifts in the fiscal stance, exchange rate parities and potential output growth, a finding that underscores the scope for macroeconomic and structural policies to ensure the sustainability of external positions while avoiding potentially disruptive reversals. These findings have implications for long-term capital flows after the crisis.
Zero-Shot Learning With Attribute Selection

Zero-shot learning (ZSL) is regarded as an effective way to construct classification models for target classes which have no labeled samples available. The basic framework is to transfer knowledge from (different) auxiliary source classes having sufficient labeled samples with some attributes shared by target and source classes as bridge. Attributes play an important role in ZSL but they have not gained sufficient attention in recent years. Previous works mostly assume attributes are perfect and treat each attribute equally. However, as shown in this paper, different attributes have different properties, such as their class distribution, variance, and entropy, which may have considerable impact on ZSL accuracy if treated equally. Based on this observation, in this paper we propose to use a subset of attributes, instead of the whole set, for building ZSL models. The attribute selection is conducted by considering the information amount and predictability under a novel joint optimization framework. To our knowledge, this is the first work that notices the influence of attributes themselves and proposes to use a refined attribute set for ZSL. Since our approach focuses on selecting good attributes for ZSL, it can be combined to any attribute based ZSL approaches so as to augment their performance. Experiments on four ZSL benchmarks demonstrate that our approach can improve zero-shot classification accuracy and yield state-of-the-art results.
Municipal corporatization in Germany and Italy

Abstract During the last few years, the local government sector in European countries has undergone a number of important changes. Among the various reform initiatives has been the externalization of public services, such as corporatization, contracting-out, public–private partnerships and privatization. The key goal of this article is to describe and explain the evolution of local public services provision in the two selected countries, with a particular focus on ‘corporatization’. The article seeks to draw a picture of the actual municipal landscape with the administrative core and its various corporations. Furthermore, it will discuss the reasons for corporatization trends and their impact on the corporate governance structures of municipalities in Germany and Italy.
Effect of RAD51C expression on the chemosensitivity of Eμ-Myc p19Arf−/− cells and its clinical significance in breast cancer

The aim of the present study was to investigate the chemosensitivity to anti-cancer drugs of RAD51 paralog C (RAD51C)-deficient Eμ-Myc p19Arf−/− cells, to detect the expression of RAD51C in breast cancer tissues by immunohistochemistry (IHC), and to explore their association with clinicopathological factors. Eμ-Myc p19Arf−/− cells were stably transfected with retroviruses co-expressing short hairpin-RNA against RAD51C and green fluorescent protein (GFP). A single-cell flow cytometry-based GFP competition assay was used to assess the change in sensitivity to anti-cancer drugs. GFP-negative cells in the same population served as an internal control. In total, tissue samples from 213 cases of breast cancer and 99 adjacent non-cancerous tissue samples were collected to construct tissue microarrays. IHC was used to detect the expression of RAD51C protein. Relevant clinical information was collected for a correlation analysis. Transfection of RAD51C-shRNA was demonstrated to effectively reduce the RAD51C protein expression in the Eμ-Myc p19Arf−/− cells. The sensitivities of the cells to three drugs, camptothecin, cisplatin and olaparib, significantly increased following RAD51C gene knockdown. In breast cancer tissue, RAD51C expression was significantly higher in the Erb-B2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2 overexpression group. The overall survival time of the patients with RAD51C-negative expression was longer than that of patients with RAD51C-positive expression. RAD51C expression was an independent prognostic factor for survival of breast cancer patients. In summary, the results indicate that silencing of RAD51C may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for malignant tumors, and that measuring RAD51C expression by IHC may have prognostic value for breast cancer patients.