Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Set Membership Classification: A Unified Approach to Geometric Intersection Problems

Many practically important problems in computational geometry may be regarded as a generalization of "clipping," and may be formulated precisely in terms of a function called "membership classification. " This function operates on a pair of point sets called the reference and candidate sets; it segments the candidate into three subsets which are "inside," "outside," and "on the boundary of" the reference. Examples of classification problems include clipping, polygon intersection, point inclusion, and solid interference.
A generalized quantity discount pricing model to increase supplier's profits

In this paper, the joint problem of ordering and offering price discount by a supplier to his sole/major buyer is analyzed. The objective is to induce the buyer to alter his order schedule and size so that the supplier can benefit from lower set up, ordering, and inventory holding costs. We generalize the quantity discount pricing model of Monahan (Monahan, J. P. 1984. A quantity discount pricing model to increase vendor profits. Management Sci. 30 (6) 720--726. ) to: (1) explicitly incorporate constraints imposed on the amount of discount that can be offered; and (2) relax the implicit assumption of a lot-for-lot (or order-for-order) policy adopted by the supplier. An algorithm is developed to solve the supplier's joint ordering and price discount problem.
Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis with Topical Hydrocortisone Hemisuccinate Sodium

I am indebted to Glaxo Laboratories, who not only made a gift of the hydrocortisone hemisuccinate sodium and the inert preparation, but also packed and labelled them ready for use in this trial. I am also indebted to the Medical Research Council for a grant for technical assistance. I wish to thank the following colleagues: Dr. M. H. Hambling for conducting the bacteriological studies; Dr. R. L. Vollum and Dr. W. H. H. Jebb for advice on antibiotics and bacteriology; Miss H. Enser, who assisted me in the sigmoidoscopic examinations and prepared the histological specimens; Miss M. G. Craig and Miss S. V. James, who issued the various therapeutic agents according to the prepared plan; and Miss M. C. McLarty, who made the Charts.
Concept Selection for Independent Restaurants

To launch a new restaurant or concept in a specific area you must support your intuition for success with at least a secondary-data analysis, which will help quantify and define your area's potential and indicate the scale of operation you should consider. Next you should conduct a primary study to determine the condition of the market, including the consumers and the competition. You must also anticipate the future by assessing life-cycle categories and trends in your area, for example, the age-group sizes and what direction they are moving. Define the dominant consumer segments in the area (demographic analysis) and analyze the profiles of those segments before selecting the concept that best fits that target. Define your concept decisively. If your concept is preselected, determine what market segment you will compete in and plan the restaurant's menu, price points, atmosphere, size, and financial goals. Once the concept is well-defined, search (as described above) for those locations that likely will support the concept.
Sleep EEG studies in untreated, long-term schizophrenic patients.

The comparison of the sleep pattern of aged, long-term schizophrenic patients never biologically treated with an age-matched group of normal controls has shown that significant differences were present only in the mean number of REM periods, mean duration of each REM period, mean REM latency, the number of awakenings during the REM period or immediately after it, and mean sleep latency between both groups. The role of several factors that could account for these significant differences is discussed and an increased REM-period vulnerability in long-term schizophrenic patients is hypothesized.
Determinants of the implementation of HRIS applications in business organisations in Jordan

This research investigated the extent to which a firm's internal and external environmental determinants influence the implementation of its HRIS. A conceptual framework that brought together the major factors thought to influence the firm's extent of implementing HRIS applications was developed. The key factors were presented under two broad dimensions: internal and external environmental factors. The data for this research were collected through structured-directed interviews with 236 respondents. The target respondents were business organisations in Jordan, and the key respondent approach was employed. The results show that 93% of the variance of the level of implementing HRIS applications could be explained by this combination, while the internal and external dimension could each explain only 90% and 62% of the variance of the level of implementing HRIS applications respectively. The research results indicate that the internal environmental dimension produces better explanation of the variation of the level of implementing HRIS applications than the external environmental dimension.
Using Discrete Choice Models with Experimental Design Data to Forecast Consumer Demand for a Unique Cultural Event

An approach is developed to forecast participation in unique events with long gestation periods. Experimental observations of choice are derived for conjoint measurement type multiattribute alternatives that describe possible event configurations. The choice data are analyzed by means of discrete choice econometric models. A multinomial logit choice model is applied to forecast the choice of attendance at various types of international expositions. The empirical work was part of the planning efforts undertaken to investigate the potential demand for an international exposition to be held in Eastern Australia in conjunction with the Australian 1988 bicentennial celebrations.
Who Feels Insecure in Europe? Predicting Job Insecurity from Background Variables

Along with the increased flexibilization of the labour market in Europe, there has been a change in the permanence and security of employment. Job insecurity is constituted by a subjectively experienced threat of having to give up one's job sooner than one would like. The experience of job insecurity has been linked to decreasing well-being, negative attitudes towards one's job and organization, and reluctance to stay with the organization. The present study investigates what groups experience higher levels of job insecurity than others. Survey data from four European countries (Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden) were used to determine what characterizes individuals who experience high levels of job insecurity. The results show that employees in jobs characterized by manual labour, contingent workers, and to some extent older workers and those with lower levels of education, experience higher levels of job insecurity.
Review of electrical stimulation in cerebral palsy and recommendations for future directions

Electrical stimulation (ES) for treatment of neuromuscular disorders is introduced. Various forms of ES are defined. Characteristics of cerebral palsy (CP) and treatment options are given. The clinical objectives of ES for CP treatment are stated. A review of the literature for treatment in CP is given. Several common themes within the literature and limitations in prior studies are explored. The majority of studies have used surface stimulation, which has several inherent limitations. To address these limitations, implanted devices may be used. Implanted device systems include percutaneous stimulation systems, and fully implantable leaded systems. While both of these technologies have advantages over surface stimulation, they also have their own limitations. To further address the limitations of percutaneous and fully implantable leaded systems, the Alfred Mann Foundation has developed a completely implantable, telemetered device known as the Radio Frequency Microstimulator (RFM). Results from a study using the RFM for arm rehabilitation in poststroke patients are given. A list of desirable design features for an ES system for CP is given. The next generation microstimulator device under development at the Alfred Mann Foundation is presented. This device may well serve the needs for ES in CP.
Improving the Procedure for Detection of Intrahepatic Transplanted Islets by Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Islet transplantation is an effective therapy for restoring normoglycemia in type‐1 diabetes, but long‐term islet graft function is achieved only in a minority of cases. Noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging of pancreatic islets is an attractive option for “real‐time” monitoring of graft evolution. So far, previous studies have been performed in the absence of a standardized labeling procedure and, besides a feasibility study in patients, the effectiveness and safety of various labeling approaches were tested only with high field magnets (4.7 T). In this study, we addressed: (a) standardization of a labeling procedure for human islets with clinically‐approved contrast agent Endorem®, (b) safety aspects of labeling related to inflammation and (c) quality of imaging both at 7 T and 1.5 T. We have highlighted that the ratio of Endorem®/islet is crucial for reproducible labeling, with a ratio of 2.24 ug/IEQ, allowing successful in vivo imaging both with 1.5 T and 7.0 T magnets up to 143 days after intrahepatic transplant. With this standardized labeling procedure, labeled islets are neither inflamed nor more susceptible to inflammatory insults than unlabeled ones. This report represents an important contribution towards the development of a standardized and safe clinical protocol for the noninvasive imaging of transplanted islets in humans.
A Tale of Two Cycles: Closure, Downsizing and Productivity Growth in Uk Manufacturing, I973-89

This article uses the ARD, the new longitudinal database of the Census of Production, to analyse productivity at the establishment level in the two cycles of 1973–9 and 1979–89. Contrary to a commonly held view, closures did not play a major role in accounting for productivity growth in 1979–89. Establishments which shut had lower productivity than survivors but the exits were replaced by entrants whose productivity was also lower. Hence most of productivity growth was due to growth within survivors. Most productivity growth occurred in establishments which reduced employment. But despite an overall fall of a quarter in employment, 16 per cent of productivity growth occurred in establishments which expanded employment. The main difference between 1973–9 and 1979–89 was in the productivity growth rate amongst survivors. In 1973–9, it was negative overall and over half of employment in 1973 was in establishments where productivity subsequently fell.
Faecal calprotectin levels in infants with infantile colic, healthy infants, children with inflammatory bowel disease, children with recurrent abdominal pain and healthy children

This study investigated faecal calprotectin concentration, a measure of intestinal inflammation, in infants and children with abdominal pain. Faecal calprotectin was measured by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kit in spot stool samples in 76 infants with typical infantile colic, 7 infants with transient lactose intolerance and 27 healthy infants. All infants were 2‐10 wk of age. In addition, 19 children with recurrent abdominal pain (RAP; mean age 11.5 y), 17 with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD; mean age 11.1 y; 10 had Crohn's disease and 7 ulcerative colitis) and 24 healthy children (mean age 5.3 y) were studied. In infants with infantile colic the mean faecal calprotectin concentration was not different from that in healthy infants (278 ± 105 vs 277 ± 109 mg kg−1, p= 0.97) or in infants with transient lactose intolerance (300.3 ± 124 mg kg−1, p= 0.60). The calprotectin level was similar in boys and girls and fell significantly with age (p = 0.04). Children with IBD had faecal calprotectin levels (293 ± 218 mgkg−1) much higher than healthy children (40 ± 28 mg kg−1, p < 0.0001) and children with RAP without identified organic disease (18 ± 24 mg kg−1, p < 0.0001).
Regional convergence and public spending in Italy. Is there a correlation

The aim of this paper is twofold. Firstly, it examines the evolution of regional disparities among the Italian regions during the period 1980-2007. Secondly, the paper analyses the relationship between public spending and regional productivity growth. This analysis is based on the Regional Public Accounts (RPA), a detailed database which measures public financial flows at the territorial level for the period 1996-2006. Results show how the process of both σ and β convergence has mainly concerned labour productivity, while the convergence in per capita GDP has been very weak. The impact of public spending has been different, depending on the expenditure categories and the regions considered. While in the more developed regions of the Northern area of Italy we found a positive correlation between capital expenditure and growth, in the less developed Mezzogiorno the correlation was found only for current expenditure.
Transaction cost analysis and the explanation of hybrid vertical inter-firm relations

Transaction cost economics (TCE), which originally focused on the analysis of markets and hierarchies as alternative mechanisms in the governance of transactions, has lately been geared to the explanation of hybrid vertical relations between firms i.e., neither market nor hierarchy. A careful analysis of the application of TCE to hybrid vertical inter-firm relations shows that the hypothesized relationship between characteristics of transactions and the occurrence of hybrid relations is largely borne out by empirical research. However, by concentrating on the rational utilization of private ordering schemes, TCE fails to give a satisfactory account of the basis underlying hybrid relations and is incapable of explaining developments over time within these relations. Alternative and supplementary approaches are identified, elements of which could be incorporated into TCE in order to strengthen the explanatory power of the theory in these two respects.
In Vivo Evidence for Instability of Episomal Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 cDNA

ABSTRACT Current regimens for the management of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection suppress plasma viremia to below detectable levels for prolonged intervals. Nevertheless, there is a rapid resumption in plasma viremia if therapy is interrupted. Attempts to characterize the extent of viral replication under conditions of potent suppression and undetectable plasma viremia have been hampered by a lack of convenient assays that can distinguish latent from ongoing viral replication. Using episomal viral cDNA as a surrogate for ongoing replication, we previously presented evidence that viral replication persists in the majority of infected individuals with a sustained aviremic status. The labile nature of viral episomes and hence their validity as surrogate markers of ongoing replication in individuals with long-term-suppressed HIV-1 infection have been analyzed in short-term in vitro experiments with conflicting results. Since these in vitro experiments do not shed light on the long-term in vivo dynamics of episomal cDNA or recapitulate the natural targets of infection in vivo, we have analyzed the dynamics of episomal cDNA turnover in vivo by following the emergence of an M184V polymorphism in plasma viral RNA, in episomal cDNA, and in proviral DNA in patients on suboptimal therapies. We demonstrate that during acquisition of drug resistance, wild-type episomal cDNAs are replaced by M184V-harboring episomes. Importantly, a complete replacement of wild-type episomes with M184V-containing episomes occurred while proviruses remained wild type. This indicates that episomal cDNAs are turned over by degradation rather than through death or tissue redistribution of the infected cell itself. Therefore, evolution of episomal viral cDNAs is a valid surrogate of ongoing viral replication in HIV-1-infected individuals.
New scheme of phase-shifted carrier PWM for modular multilevel converter with redundancy sub-modules

In this paper, various modulation schemes for the Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) were evaluated in the point of the output voltage harmonics, switching frequency, and operation implementation. It was confirmed that the existing Phase Shift Carrier (PSC) Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) shows better performance. However, this modulation scheme causes difficulty in handling the redundancy SMs involved in operation. This paper proposes a new PSC PWM for the 20MW 24kV MMC, which can provide an effective operation of the redundancy SMs. In order to verify the proposed PSC PWM, computer simulations with Power System Computer Aided Design (PSCAD) and Hardware in the Loop System (HILS) tests with Real Time Digital Simulator (RTDS) were performed. And actual MMC prototype was built and tested to verify the proper operation. The test results confirm that the proposed PSC PWM operates with expected performance.
Traditional treatment of epilepsy

A 29-year-old South Asian man, with epilepsy since childhood, presented to the emergency room with a seizure. CT scan (figure) showed multiple metallic needles projecting from the coronal suture into the brain. In order to expel the demon that a traditional healer believed was haunting the patient, the skull and brain were pierced with needles. It is unclear whether the demon was successfully expelled, but the seizures persisted and could have been worsened by this treatment. Measures are warranted to warn the public against dangerous modes of traditional medicine.1,2
Hierarchical Selection Theory and Sex Ratios

Models of sex-ratio evolution in structured populations are derived with G. R. Price’s covariance form for the hierarchical analysis of natural selection (1970, Nature 227, 52&521). Previous work on competition among related males for mates (local mate competition), competition among related females for a limiting resource (local resource competition), inbreeding, group selection, and asymmetry of genetic inheritance between males and females, are subsumed under a general formulation for sex-ratio biases in structured populations. I found that the evolutionarily stable strategy sex ratio (males : females) for diploids is 1 -pm : 1 -p,, where pm is the regression coefficient of relatedness of the controlling genotypes on males competing for mates, p, is the regression of controlling genotypes on females that compete for a fixed, limiting resource, and there is no inbreeding. For inbreeding and no competition among females, the evolutionarily stable strategy is 1 -P,~ : 1 + pm,, where p,, is the regression of controlling genotypes on females’ mates. S, 1986 Academic Press, Inc
Natural Resources, Weak States and Civil War: Can Rents Stabilize Coup Prone Regimes?

This paper argues that state weakness is broader than implied previously in the civil war literature, and that particular types of weakness in interaction with natural resources have aggravating or mitigating consequences for the risk of civil war. While in anocracies or unstable regimes natural resources can be expected to increase the risk of civil war, we suggest that resource wealth allows weak leaders to stabilize their relationship with their inner elite circle. In particular, for regimes at risk of coup d'etat, the availability of substantial resources is more likely to be channeled in ways that deter rebellion, plausibly countering the grievances generated by natural resources and rebels' viewing of such resources as a prize for taking over the state. Data from 1946-2003 and multiple empirical operationalizations broadly support our argument. These findings are consistent with work showing that resource rents can induce stability in state - society relationships.
Motional instabilities in prey-predator systems.

Differential fluxes can destabilize the locally stable stationary density distributions in interaction systems with diffusion, advection, and/or locomotion of chemical or biological species. By this method they can cause the formation of stationary or travelling spatial structures. Different scenarios of this general mechanism of spatio-temporal pattern formation in reaction-diffusion-advection systems will be demonstrated, using a simple two-species predator-prey system as an example model.
Prioritization of active antimalarials using structural interaction profile of Plasmodium falciparum enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (PfENR)-triclosan derivatives

An empirical relationship between the experimental inhibitory activities of triclosan derivatives and its computationally predicted Plasmodium falciparum enoyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) reductase (PfENR) dock poses was developed to model activities of known antimalarials. A statistical model was developed using 57 triclosan derivatives with significant measures (r = 0.849, q2 = 0.619, s = 0.481) and applied on structurally related and structurally diverse external datasets. A substructure-based search on ChEMBL malaria dataset (280 compounds) yielded only two molecules with significant docking energy, whereas eight active antimalarials (EC50 < 100 nM, tested on 3D7 strain) with better predicted activities (pIC50 ~ 7) from Open Access Malaria Box (400 compounds) were prioritized. Further, calculations on the structurally diverse rhodanine molecules (known PfENR inhibitors) distinguished actives (experimental IC50 = 0.035 μM; predicted pIC50 = 6.568) and inactives (experimental IC50 = 50 μM; predicted pIC50 = -4.078), which showed that antimalarials possessing dock poses similar to experimental interaction profiles can be used as leads to test experimentally on enzyme assays.
Overexpression of AtMYB 44 Enhances Stomatal Closure to Confer Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Transgenic Arabidopsis 1 [ C ] [ W ] [ OA ]

AtMYB44 belongs to the R2R3 MYB subgroup 22 transcription factor family in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Treatment with abscisic acid (ABA) induced AtMYB44 transcript accumulation within 30 min. The gene was also activated under various abiotic stresses, such as dehydration, low temperature, and salinity. In transgenic Arabidopsis carrying an AtMYB44 promoterdriven b-glucuronidase (GUS) construct, strong GUS activity was observed in the vasculature and leaf epidermal guard cells. Transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing AtMYB44 is more sensitive to ABA and has a more rapid ABA-induced stomatal closure response than wild-type and atmyb44 knockout plants. Transgenic plants exhibited a reduced rate of water loss, as measured by the fresh-weight loss of detached shoots, and remarkably enhanced tolerance to drought and salt stress compared to wild-type plants. Microarray analysis and northern blots revealed that salt-induced activation of the genes that encode a group of serine/threonine protein phosphatases 2C (PP2Cs), such as ABI1, ABI2, AtPP2CA, HAB1, and HAB2, was diminished in transgenic plants overexpressing AtMYB44. By contrast, the atmyb44 knockout mutant line exhibited enhanced salt-induced expression of PP2C-encoding genes and reduced drought/salt stress tolerance compared to wild-type plants. Therefore, enhanced abiotic stress tolerance of transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing AtMYB44 was conferred by reduced expression of genes encoding PP2Cs, which have been described as negative regulators of ABA signaling.