Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Hybrid Fuzzy Multi-criteria Decision Making Model Based on Fuzzy DEMATEL with Fuzzy Analytical Network Process and Interpretative Structural Model for Prioritizing LARG Supply Chain Practices

In recent years, taking advantage of LARG supply chain (SC) paradigm, a combination of four paradigms (clean, agile, resilience and green) has been increasingly employed. For capturing the advantages of LARG in SC, companies needed to recognize proper practices and implement them with appropriate planning and infrastructure. However, one of its deficiencies is lack of proper method in the prioritization of the LARG paradigms and practices as well as explanation of their relationship. Hence, the main contribution of this paper is to present a comprehensive approach to deal with inherent vagueness and uncertainty of the human decision process using fuzzy set theory, it aims to provide a quantitative basis via a hybrid fuzzy multi-criteria decision making (FMCDM) model that will make easy data collection and shall decrease the calculation. This model combines fuzzy decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) with fuzzy analytical network process (ANP), i.e. FDANP, to determine the global weights of paradigms and practices and develop their impact relation map. Finally, the implementation of practice was prioritized by using interpretative structural model (ISM). It should be noted that, to measure the efficiency of this method, Iranian dairy industries as a case study was considered. With the help of obtained results, it can be determined the most and the least important practices and paradigms and prioritization of their implementation.
Pharmacokinetics and Platelet Antiaggregating Effects of Beraprost, an Oral Stable Prostacyclin Analogue, in Healthy Volunteers

Beraprost sodium (BPS) is an orally stable analogue of prostacyclin that inhibits adenylate-cyclase dependent platelet aggregation and is proposed for treatment of chronic arterial occlusion. To determine the duration and intensity of platelet antiaggregation with BPS, 12 healthy, nonsmoking, male white volunteers participated in a double-blind, dose-escalating design with randomized placebo, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. After overnight fasting, single (20,40, 60 μ.g and placebo) and repeated [20, 40, 60 μg and placebo three times daily (t.i.d.) for 3 days] oral doses of BPS were administered. Mean percentage of inhibition of ADP-induced aggregation normalized to placebo was measured for 8 h after drug administration and related to plasma concentrations (Cp) of the active enantiomer (APS 314d). BPS 40 and 60 (Ag decreased platelet aggregation 1 h after single doses, and 0.5 h and 1 h after repeated doses. BPS 20 μg had no significant effect. APS 314d pharmacokinetics was linear, and its terminal half-life (t) ranged from 0.50 ± 0.21 to 0.91 ± 0.27 h (mean ± SD) independently of BPS dose. Antiaggregating effects were poorly related to Cp of APS 314d (r2 ≤ 0.2). Some subjects complained of moderate postdrug absorption headaches (7 of 12 after single and 8 of 12 after repeated doses) and flushes (6 of 12 and 7 of 12, respectively). These data indicate that orally active prostacyclin BPS (40 or 60 μg) exerts its maximal antiaggregating effects between 0.5 and 1 h.
Effects of international trade on domestic employment: an application of a global multiregional input–output supermultiplier model (1995–2011)

ABSTRACT The effects on domestic employment of international trade and the globalisation of supply chains are as politically controversial as they are empirically inconclusive. To estimate them we extend the global multiregional input–output framework by endogenising demand for both domestic and imported intermediates, private business investment and household non-durable consumption – or equivalently, we generalise the supermultiplier formula. The model accounts, in particular, for the employment consequences of economic integration and those channelled through integration. We estimate these foreign sector effects alongside those of domestic origin using a recursive hierarchical structural decomposition analysis and statistics from the World Input–Output Database and National Accounts that cover years 1995–2011. Focusing on Spain, Italy, France, Germany, the UK, the US, Japan and China we answer the following questions: To what extent did international linkages deriving from international trade affect domestic employment? Did domestic employment benefit from economic integration?
Interest Rates, the Forward Premium, and Unanticipated Money: Reply

The relationship between the weekly money supply announcement and interest rates has attracted the attention of a large number of economists. Recent research by Cornell [2; 3], Engel and Frankel [5], Gavin and Karamouzis [6], Grossman [7], Hardouvelis [9], Naylor [10], Nichols, Small, and Webster [11], Roley [12], Roley and Walsh [13], Urich [14], and Urich and Wachtel [15] indicates a positive correlation between unanticipated changes in the announced money supply and interest rates. The consensus on the relationship between unanticipated changes in money supply announcements and interest rates, however, disappears in the explanation of the phenomenon. Two competing explanations and thus, two hypotheses are offered. The main difference between the two hypotheses lies in the interpretation of future money growth conditioned on the information provided by the money supply announcement. According to the first hypothesis, also known as the "expected liquidity hypothesis," market participants believe that the Federal Reserve will promptly offset any deviations in the money supply from its target level. This implies that an unanticipated increase in the money supply revealed by the announcement will be followed by a monetary tightening and, hence, an increase in real short-term interest rates. According to the second hypothesis; also known as the "inflation premium hypothesis," market participants interpret the change in the money supply revealed by the announcement as a permanent deviation from the money supply target. This implies that an unanticipated increase in the money supply will not be offset and hence, will raise the inflation premium. Therefore, according to the first hypothesis, an increase in nominal interest rates caused by an unanticipated increase in the announced money supply is due to a rise in real interest rates. According to the second hypothesis, it is due to an increase in the inflationary premium. In order to distinguish between the two hypotheses, evidence has been presented from the foreign exchange and long term bond markets. After analyzing the correlation between unanticipated money growth and the change in the level of spot exchange rates before and after the announcements, Cornell [2; 3], Engel and Frankel [4], Hakkio and Pearce [8], and Hardouvelis [9] find support for the "expected liquidity hypothesis. " Based on the correla-
Wirelessly controlled led lighting system

Intelligent LED dimmer demand in lighting market is increasing due to energy saving potential, environment protection as well as great possibility of control and management of lighting systems. An internet web browser controlled LED lighting systems is developed and described in the article. The 1st is radio-wave and internet implementation between LED light source (lamp) and control point. The 2nd are ZigBee network and internet implementation. Special Hall effect based LED dimmer circuit is developed. FileMaker database implementation in the computer controlled electrical technologies still is rare.
Predictors of virological rebound in HIV-1-infected patients initiating a protease inhibitor-containing regimen

Objective To study the predictors of virological rebound in patients having early virological response to protease inhibitor (PI)-containing regimen. Design and methods APROCO cohort study prospectively enrolled 1283 HIV-infected patients starting a PI-containing regimen in 1997–1999. Adherence to therapy was measured with self-administered questionnaires after 4 months of therapy (M4). Virological rebound was defined as a viral load (VL) > 500 copies/ml in patients having early virological response, defined as a VL < 500 copies/ml at M4. Predictors of time to virological rebound were studied with multivariate proportional hazards model. Results During a median follow-up of 20 months, virological rebound was observed in 32% of the 830 patients with early virological response. Virological rebound was more frequent when patients had received previous antiretroviral treatment [adjusted hazards ratio (HR) = 2.4;P < 0.0001], were younger (HR = 1.4 per each 10 years younger;P < 0.0001), had baseline CD4 cell count < 500 × 106/l (HR = 2.3;P < 0.001), had higher baseline VL (HR = 1.4 per each log10 copies/ml higher;P < 0.001), reported low adherence to therapy at M4 (HR = 2.1;P < 0.001) or had stopped PI at M4 (HR = 1.7;P = 0.04). Conclusion Initiation of treatment at a stage of preserved immunity is associated with a more durable virological response under protease inhibitor. Every effort should be made to monitor and strengthen adherence to therapy, even in patients having early virological response.
FEDERAL MERIT PAY - A LONGITUDINAL ANALYSIS

Pay for performance has long been a goal of federal personnel policy, but in practice few civil servants have been denied their periodic salary increases, regardless of their performance. ' Merit pay, as mandated by the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 (CSRA), bases the compensation of grades 13-15 supervisors and management officials on their rated performance. Merit pay has probably been the most complex of the CSRA's provisions for two reasons. First, the various payout mechanisms had to be established. Such questions as the appropriate size of pay pools and whether managers at the various grades/steps should receive identical salary increases for identical performance ratings had to be determined before payouts could be made. The difficulties of arriving at satisfactory solutions to these problems are reflected in the timing of OPM's comprehensive merit pay guidelines, released in draft in February 1981,' two and one-half years after the passage of CSRA, and in the last-minute General Accounting Office (GAO) intervention to alter the payout formula.3 Second, merit pay was implemented concurrently with the new, objectives-based performance appraisal system on which merit payouts would be based. This new performance appraisal system is significantly different from the trait-based systems used to rate most federal managers prior to the change. Now the elements, or components, of each job need to be specified and objective indicators of relative performance on each element must be developed. Ratings on these individualized "contracts" are then combined for each manager so that the performance of all the managers in a pay pool can be rated for merit pay purposes. Although there were objections to tying pay to a new, untested, performance appraisal system,4 virtually every agency in the federal government was required by the pressures of statutory deadlines to implement concurrently the new performance appraisal and merit pay systems for managers. This paper assesses the effectiveness of the new merit pay system after the initial government-wide payout in October 1981. Applying a longitudinal research design to the motivational premises on which merit pay is based, we evaluate the early reactions of employees to merit pay. We conclude with a discussion of some of the important contingencies affecting the motivational effectiveness of merit pay.
The neutrophil‐activating protein of Helicobacter pylori down‐modulates Th2 inflammation in ovalbumin‐induced allergic asthma

The Helicobacter pylori neutrophil‐activating protein (HP‐NAP) is able in vitro to elicit IL‐12 and IL‐23 production via agonistic interaction with toll‐like receptor 2, and to promote Th1 polarization of allergen‐specific T‐cell responses. This study was aimed to assess whether systemic/intraperitoneal and/or mucosal HP‐NAP administration inhibited the Th2‐mediated bronchial inflammation using a mouse model of allergic asthma induced by inhaled ovalbumin (OVA). Systemic HP‐NAP delivery markedly reduced the lung eosinophilia in response to repeated challenge with aerosolized OVA. Likewise, the production of IL‐4, IL‐5 and GM‐CSF was significantly lower in the bronchoalveolar lavage of animals treated with systemic HP‐NAP plus OVA than that of animals treated with OVA alone. Systemic HP‐NAP also significantly resulted in both reduction of total serum IgE and increase of IL‐12 plasma levels. Mucosal administration of HP‐NAP was equally successful as the systemic delivery in reducing eosinophilia, IgE and Th2 cytokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage. However, no suppression of lung eosinophilia and bronchial Th2 cytokines was observed in toll‐like receptor 2‐knock‐out mice following HP‐NAP treatment. These results identify HP‐NAP as a candidate for novel strategies of prevention and treatment of allergic diseases.
Venous Anastomoses with a Microvascular Anastomotic Device in Head and Neck Reconstruction

The Microvascular Anastomotic System (3M coupler) uses a friction-fit union of implant rings composed of high-density polyethylene and stainless-steel pins. Several reports have described equal or greater patency rates, as well as more rapid performance, using the device, compared to conventional suturing techniques. Eighty-nine patients, who underwent head and neck surgery with free-tissue transfers, using the Microvascular Anastomotic System, were evaluated. A hundred and twenty-one venous anastomoses were done using the device. All but one was done in an end-to-end manner Arteries were anastomosed with a conventional suture technique. The flap survival rate was 100 percent. The authors conclude that the device is reliable and time-sparing for end-to-end venous anastomoses in head and neck reconstruction.
Cytospin centrifuge in differential counts of milk somatic cells.

A procedure was developed for a cytospin centrifuge to concentrate cells from milk onto microscope slides in a circle with 6 mm diameter. Differential somatic cell counts with cytospin were compared to the conventional hand smearing technique to ascertain variation in differential counts. Milk samples were from each of 30 cow quarters, 10 within each of three total milk somatic cell count ranges of less than . 7, . 7 to 1.5, and more than 1.5 x 10(6)/ml. Two prepared from each sample. All smears were air dried; and stained with modified Wright's stain, the first 200 cells were counted. Differential cell counts from smears prepared by the two procedures were not different. Variation between duplicate smears in differential cell counts was less for cytospin technique. Cytospin can be used to obtain rapid and accurate differential cell counts in milk over a wide range of total somatic cell counts.
Selective modulation of plasmodial Hsp70s by small molecules with antimalarial activity

Abstract Plasmodial heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) chaperones represent a promising new class of antimalarial drug targets because of the important roles they play in the survival and pathogenesis of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. This study assessed a set of small molecules (lapachol, bromo-β-lapachona and malonganenones A, B and C) as potential modulators of two biologically important plasmodial Hsp70s, the parasite-resident PfHsp70-1 and the exported PfHsp70-x. Compounds of interest were assessed for modulatory effects on the steady-state basal and heat shock protein 40 (Hsp40)-stimulated ATPase activities of PfHsp70-1, PfHsp70-x and human Hsp70, as well as on the protein aggregation suppression activity of PfHsp70-x. The antimalarial marine alkaloid malonganenone A was of particular interest, as it was found to have limited cytotoxicity to mammalian cell lines and exhibited the desired properties of an effective plasmodial Hsp70 modulator. This compound was found to inhibit plasmodial and not human Hsp70 ATPase activity (Hsp40-stimulated), and hindered the aggregation suppression activity of PfHsp70-x. Furthermore, malonganenone A was shown to disrupt the interaction between PfHsp70-x and Hsp40. This is the first report to show that PfHsp70-x has chaperone activity, is stimulated by Hsp40 and can be specifically modulated by small molecule compounds.
Kernel-Based Object Tracking for Cerebral Palsy Detection

Cerebral palsy is a chronic conditions affecting body movements, posture and muscle coordination. It is caused by damage to one or more specific areas of the brain, usually occurring during fetal development or infancy. The General Movement Assessment procedure consists of observation and clinical classification of movement patterns, and the absence of normal movement qualities between 2-4 months post term age has been shown to be a strong predictor of later cerebral palsy. In this paper we present a method for estimating motion trajectories of infant limbs and head in order to assess general movements. We extract the motion information from video captured from infants. For extracting motion data, a combined Bayesian filtering and kernel-based tracker is used and the appropriate modification applied on the previous methods. Result of tracking experiments shows high performance of the proposed method.
Pain, Mood, and Substance Abuse in HIV: Implications for Clinic Visit Utilization, Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence, and Virologic Failure

Background:Cooccurring pain, mood disorders, and substance abuse are common in HIV-infected patients. Our objective was to investigate the relationship between pain, alone and in the context of mood disorders and substance abuse, on clinic utilization, antiretroviral therapy adherence, and virologic suppression. Methods:Pain, mood disorders, and substance abuse were assessed at the first visit. No-show and urgent visits were measured over a 1-year period. Models were adjusted for age, race, sex, insurance status, CD4+ T-lymphocyte count, and HIV risk factor. Results:Among 1521 participants, 509 (34%) reported pain, 239 (16%) had pain alone, 189 (13%) had pain and a mood disorder, and 30 (2%) had pain and substance abuse. In univariate models, participants with pain, mood disorders, and substance abuse had higher odds of a no-show visit than those without these conditions [odds ratio (OR), 1.4; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.1–1.8; OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.2–1.9; OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.4–2.8, respectively]. In the multivariable model, pain increased the odds of a no-show visit only in participants without substance abuse (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1–1.9) and pain reduced the odds of a no-show visit in participants with substance abuse (OR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.2–0.9; P for interaction = 0.0022). Conclusions:In this study, pain increased the odds of no-show visits but only for participants without substance abuse. Because pain, mood disorders, and substance abuse are highly prevalent in HIV-infected patients, our findings have implications for HIV treatment success. Interventions that incorporate pain management may be important for improving health outcomes in patients living with HIV infection.
Hybrid VARMA and LSTM Method for Lithium-ion Battery State-of-Charge and Output Voltage Forecasting in Electric Motorcycle Applications

Electric vehicles (EVs) have gained attention owing to their effectiveness in reducing oil demands and gas emissions. Of the electric components of an EV, a battery is considered as the major bottleneck. Among the various types of battery, lithium-ion batteries are widely employed to power EVs. To ensure the safe application of batteries in EVs, monitoring and control are performed using state estimation. The state of a battery includes the state-of-charge (SoC), state-of-health (SoH), state-of-power (SoP), and state-of-life (SoL). The SoC of a battery is the remaining usable percentage of its capacity. This mainly depends on variations of the operating condition of the EV in which the battery is applied. The SoC of a battery is reflected by its output voltage. That is, the SoC is considered to be zero when the output voltage of a battery drops below a cut-off voltage. This study proposes an SoC and output voltage forecasting method using a hybrid of the vector autoregressive moving average (VARMA) and long short-term memory (LSTM). This approach aims to estimate and forecast the SoC and output voltage of a battery when an EV is driven under the CVS-40 drive cycle. Forecasting using the hybrid VARMA and LSTM method achieves a lower root-mean-square error (RMSE) than forecasting with only VARMA or LSTM individually.
INHIBITION OF STEROIDOGENESIS IN LEYDIG CELLS BY EXOGENOUS NITRIC OXIDE OCCURS INDEPENDENTLY OF STEROIDOGENIC ACUTE REGULATORY PROTEIN (StAR) MRNA

Nitric oxide (NO) plays multiple roles in the reproductive system. The authors studied the effect of NO on LH-stimulated steroidogenesis in primary cultures of rat Leydig cells, particularly seeking a link between inhibition of steroidogenesis and changes in expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR). Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), an NO generator, did not alter basal testosterone, but dosedependently reduced testosterone production in the Leydig cells stimulated by LH (100 ng/mL) at 3 h after addition of SNP. Induction of StAR mRNA transcripts could be detected as early as 1 h after the addition of LH, but no effect was detected of SNP on LH induction of StAR mRNA. StAR, then, is not affected in the inhibition by NO of LH-stimulated steroidogenesis in Leydig cells.
Creditworthiness is a Technique of Cash Management - A Study on IT Sector

It is the age of competitive environment. Sound credit management approach can ensure success in this environment. Credit analysis is actually risk analysis. In the competitive environment and changing scenario, every business organisation has been trying to overcome such situation. Due to failure in competition, market share, and economies in business, many small businesses walk in the path of mergers and acquisitions, and big giant organisation take the advantage. Now the companies are diversified into variety of products and services. Therefore, to make the organisation profitable some objective information is required. As a business firm grows or is taken over by giant organisations, the decision making process becomes more complex and centralised and the old traditional methods of credit analysis become misleading. So in this paper we tried to give importance to the credit management.