Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Understanding the experiences of mobility-disabled tourists

Much has been written on travel for people with mobility disabilities. Despite the quantity of the writing on wheelchair users and slow walkers and their experiences of travel, disabled travellers remain shadowy figures in existing literature and their voices are rarely heard. Drawing upon qualitative data obtained through attending a major disability event and the use of an online questionnaire, this paper explores the experiences of 55 mobility-disabled tourists. The paper indicates problems still exist relating to access, transport difficulties especially with the use of airlines, lack of facilities like hoists, attitude problems and carer support issues.
Grey model and polynomial regression for identifying malicious nodes in MANETs

Nodes positioning is an essential issue for diverse applications in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs). However, besides misbehaving nodes that could cause power depletion, MANETs are also susceptible to cyber-attacks, which can make the network unstable and/or unavailable. Therefore, considering the gaps aforementioned, the goal of this paper is to propose a model for identifying malicious/misbehaving nodes by: (1) the use of two forecasting methods (Grey Model and Polynomial Regression); (2) variability analysis; and (3) simulation of fake node positions. The obtained results allow concluding our model has high rate of accuracy for detecting malicious/misbehaving nodes.
HIV infection, aging, and immune function: implications for cancer risk and prevention

Purpose of review Combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) has turned HIV infection into a complex chronic disease. This article documents cancer risk among HIV-infected persons, reviews immune system effects of HIV infection in relation to cancer risk, discusses implications for cancer prevention, and suggests future research directions. Recent findings There has been a shift in the cancer spectrum from AIDS-defining cancers (ADC) to non-ADC, although the burden of ADC remains high. Although a high prevalence of non-HIV cancer risk factors among HIV-infected persons contributes to cancer risk, substantial evidence has accumulated in favor of an independent association between HIV-induced immunodeficiency and elevated risk of many specific cancer types, most of viral cause, although further work is needed to disentangle immunodeficiency and smoking effects for lung cancer, and immunodeficiency and hepatitis virus effects for liver cancer. Relationships between cancer risk and two other immune system hallmarks of HIV infection, chronic inflammation, and immune dysfunction/senescence, remain poorly understood. Summary Early, sustained ART is a crucial component of cancer prevention. Continued epidemiologic monitoring is needed to detect possible effects on cancer risk of specific ART classes or medications, long-term exposure to systemic inflammation or immune dysfunction, or earlier or more effective ART.
Hacia una perspectiva integradora de la teoría de grupos estratégicos: validez convergente y fortaleza de la definición de grupo estratégico

Una revision de la literatura sobre grupos estrategicos evidencia, en primer lugar, una diversidad significativa de perspectivas de analisis, entre las que destacan el enfoque del posicionamiento estrategico, el de recursos y capacidades y la psicologia cognitiva. En segundo lugar, revela la existencia tanto de definiciones alternativas de grupo estrategico, como de conceptos en cierto modo concurrentes (grupo cognitivo, grupo competitivo, grupo de interaccion competitiva). Por ultimo, lleva a concluir a los autores que todavia no existe una base teorica suficientemente solida que permita fundamentar el propio concepto de grupo estrategico, asi como su valor predictivo de las diferencias en los resultados obtenidos por las empresas, o en sus conductas. En este sentido, este trabajo revisa, sistematiza y relaciona las diferentes definiciones de grupo estrategico, en un esfuerzo por integrar aportaciones que provienen de las tres tradiciones teoricas mas relevantes ya senaladas. Para ello se presenta una propuesta de definiciones de grupo estrategico, con diferentes grados de fortaleza, basada en supuestos de convergencia. Por ultimo, el trabajo trata de dar un primer paso en la definicion de las caracteristicas de los sectores industriales susceptibles de afectar la fortaleza de la definicion de grupo estrategico y, de ahi, su estabilidad y valor predictivo.
Are the corporate social responsibility matters based on good intentions or false pretences? An empirical study of the motivations behind the issuing of CSR reports by UK companies

Purpose – This paper documents the motivations of modern corporations in issuing corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports to their stakeholders. It further demonstrates why these entities have suddenly become more moral or ethical.Design/methodology/approach – An empirical methodology was used to gather and analyse the required information from companies drawn from two sectors of the capital market.Findings – The study results suggest that UK companies have different reasons for issuing CSR reports, for instance; in response to an increasing number of stakeholders requesting information on CSR, companies believe that doing so is good for business, to derive positive public relations benefits, to comply with the government's request for them to issue information on CSR, etc.Originality/value – Information on corporate entities' CSR activities is considered to be valuable by both academic researchers and business managers as it provides a working framework on which future studies can be based. In addit.
Androgen levels in pregnant women decrease with increasing maternal age

Background: To investigate a possible effect of age on maternal androgen levels in uncomplicated pregnancies. Methods: A study of 134 parous women with uncomplicated pregnancies was carried out at three university hospitals in Norway and Sweden. Maternal levels of androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, testosterone and the free testosterone index were measured during weeks 17 and 33 of pregnancy. Results: Maternal levels of androstenedione and testosterone had a negative association with maternal age in weeks 17 and 33 of pregnancy, while dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and the free testosterone index were associated negatively in week 33 only. Adjustment for maternal parity, pre‐pregnancy body mass index, smoking and fetal gender did not affect the results. Conclusions: Maternal androgen levels decrease with increasing maternal age. The cause and possible implication of this finding remain unknown.
Dynamic Income, Progressive Taxes, and the Timing of Charitable Contributions

Using an econometric model of charitable giving and a 10-year panel of tax return data, I find that previous studies have underestimated the effects of permanent income and overestimated the effects of permanent changes in tax prices. The significant statutory tax changes that occurred during the 1980s, especially in 1986, serve to identify the key model parameters. My results imply that people smooth their giving when transitory income changes but also time their giving to exploit transitory changes in tax prices. The results also raise questions about how effectively the tax incentives permanently influence the level, rather than just the timing, of charitable giving by individuals.
Potential for strength and endurance training to amplify endurance performance.

The impact of adding heavy-resistance training to increase leg-muscle strength was studied in eight cycling- and running-trained subjects who were already at a steady-state level of performance. Strength training was performed 3 days/wk for 10 wk, whereas endurance training remained constant during this phase. After 10 wk, leg strength was increased by an average of 30%, but thigh girth and biopsied vastus lateralis muscle fiber areas (fast and slow twitch) and citrate synthase activities were unchanged. Maximal O2 uptake (VO2max) was also unchanged by heavy-resistance training during cycling (55 ml.kg-1.min-1) and treadmill running (60 ml.kg-1.min-1); however, short-term endurance (4-8 min) was increased by 11 and 13% (P less than 0.05) during cycling and running, respectively. Long-term cycling to exhaustion at 80% VO2max increased from 71 to 85 min (P less than 0.05) after the addition of strength training, whereas long-term running (10 km times) results were inconclusive. These data do not demonstrate any negative performance effects of adding heavy-resistance training to ongoing endurance-training regimens. They indicate that certain types of endurance performance, particularly those requiring fast-twitch fiber recruitment, can be improved by strength-training supplementation.
Clinical behavior of 203 stage II endometrial cancer cases: The impact of primary surgical approach and of adjuvant radiation therapy

The aim of this study was to verify the impact of primary surgical approach and adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) on survival, recurrence rate, and pattern of relapse in stage II endometrial cancer patients. Two hundred three subjects were retrospectively reviewed; 135 (66%) underwent simple hysterectomy (SH) and 68 (34%) radical hysterectomy (RH). Sixty-six of 111 (59%) of stage IIA and 67 of 92 (73%) of stage IIB patients underwent adjuvant radiation therapy. Actuarial survival rates for stage IIA and IIB were 86% and 74% at 5 years and 82% and 68% at 10 years, respectively. Survival rates by surgical procedure were 79% in the SH group and 94% in the RH group at 5 years and 74% and 94% at 10 years, respectively (P < 0.05). The overall recurrence rate was 13.8% (28/203); by adjuvant treatment it was 18.6% (13/70) in the observation group and 11.3% (15/133) in the RT group. Most of the relapses were locoregional in the observation group and distant in the RT group. Survival rates by RT were not statistically different. Subjects treated with RH improved their survival compared with the SH group; the difference was significant, but randomized studies should confirm this trend. Although adjuvant RT seemed to reduce the recurrence rate, there was no significant difference in survival, and so the role of RT still needs further verification.
VALUASI COMPOUND OPTION PUT ON PUT TIPE EROPA

Options are one of the form of investment which a contract that gives the right (not obligation) to the option holder to buy (call options) or sell (put options) the underlying asset by a certain date for a certain price. Option price is a reflection of the intrinsic value of the option and any additional amount over intrinsic value. One type of options that are traded is compound options. Compound option model is introduced by Robert Geske in 1979. Compound options are options on options. Compound option put on a put is put option where the underlying assets are another put option. The compound option put on put will be exercised on the first exercise date only if the value of the put option on that date is less than the first stike price. An empirical study using compound option put on a put stocks of Apple Inc which is strike price compound option US$ 560, strike price put option US$ 585, with the first exercise date on March 28, 2014 and the second exercise date on May 17, 2014. The theoritical price of compound option put on put on stocks of Apple Inc is US$ 501.4566.
The clinical and diagnostic role of anti‐GM1 antibody testing

There is increasing evidence that multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) and some lower motor neuron (LMN) syndromes are immune‐mediated and treatable. The frequent occurrence of high titers of anti‐GM1 antibodies in these motor neuropathies raised hopes that serum testing would provide useful diagnostic information. Unfortunately, in routine practice, simple quantification of IgM binding to GM1 ganglioside has proved to be a test with poor sensitivity and specificity. We have found that much greater sensitivity and specificity for MMN and LMN syndromes can be obtained by determining serum antibody binding to panels of antigens, such as GM1, histone H3, and NP‐9. These results suggest that combined measurement of serum antibody binding to GM1 and other antigens can provide tests that are useful in the diagnosis and management of motor neuropathy syndromes. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Chronic Nicotine Differentially Regulates α6- and β3-Containing Nicotinic Cholinergic Receptors in Rat Brain

We investigated the effects of chronic nicotine on α6- and β3-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in two rat brain regions using three methodological approaches: radioligand binding, immunoprecipitation, and nicotine-stimulated synaptosomal release of dopamine. Nicotine was administered by osmotic minipumps for 2 weeks. Quantitative autoradiography with [125I]α-conotoxin MII to selectively label α6* nAChRs showed a 28% decrease in binding in the striatum but no change in the superior colliculus. Immunoprecipitation of nAChRs labeled by [3H]epibatidine in these two regions showed that chronic nicotine increased α4- and β2-containing nAChRs by 39 to 67%. In contrast, chronic nicotine caused a 39% decrease in α6-containing nAChRs in striatum but no change in superior colliculus. No changes in β3-containing nAChRs were seen in either region after chronic nicotine. The decreased expression of α6-containing nAChRs persisted for at least 3 days, recovering to baseline by 7 days after removal of the pumps. There was a small but significant decrease in total nicotine-stimulated dopamine release in striatal synaptosomes after nicotine exposure. However, the component of dopamine release that was resistant to α-conotoxin MII blockade was unaffected, whereas dopamine release that was sensitive to blockade by α-conotoxin MII was decreased by 56%. These findings indicate that the α6* nAChR is regulated differently from other nAChR subtypes, and they suggest that the inclusion of a β3 subunit with α6 may serve to inhibit nicotine-induced down-regulation of these receptors.
Monnet's Error?

Entering a currency union without any political union European countries have taken a gamble: will the needs of the currency union force a political integration (as anticipated by Monnet) or will the tensions create a backlash, as suggested by Kaldor, Friedman and many others? We try to answer this question by analyzing the cross sectional and time series variation in pro-European sentiments in the EU 15 countries. The 1992 Maastricht Treaty seems to have reduced the pro-Europe sentiment as does the 2010 Eurozone crisis. Yet, in spite of the worst recession in recent history, the Europeans still support the common currency. Europe seems trapped: there is no desire to go backward, no interest in going forward, but it is economically unsustainable to stay still.
High‐Capacity Aqueous Potassium‐Ion Batteries for Large‐Scale Energy Storage

A potassium iron (II) hexacyanoferrate nanocube cathode material is reported, which operates with an aqueous electrolyte to deliver exceptionally high capacities (up to 120 mA h g-1 ). The cathode material exhibits excellent structural integrity, leading to fast kinetics and highly reversible properties. All of the battery materials are safe, inexpensive, and provide superior high-rate, long-cycle-life electrochemical performance.
Schooling and the Vietnam-Era GI Bill: Evidence from the Draft Lottery

Draft-lottery estimates of the causal effects of Vietnam-era military service using 2000 census data show marked schooling gains for veterans. We argue that these gains can be attributed to Vietnam veterans' use of the GI Bill rather than draft avoidance behavior. At the same time, draft lottery estimates of the earnings consequences of Vietnam-era service are close to zero in 2000. The earnings and schooling results can be reconciled by a flattening of the age-earnings profile in middle age and a modest economic return to the schooling subsidized by the GI Bill. Other long-run consequences of Vietnam-era service include increases in migration and public sector employment. (JEL H52, I22, I23, J24, J31, J45)
Poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase 1 stimulates the AP-site cleavage activity of tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1

Poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase 1 (PARP1), the key DNA repair regulator, physically and functionally interacts with tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1 (TDP1) and stimulates its abasic site cleaving activity. These interactions allow suggesting PARP1 contribution in the alternative Tdp1 related repair pathway.
A Dynamic Default Dependence Model

We develop a dynamic multivariate default model for a portfolio of credit-risky assets in which default times are modelled as random variables with possibly different marginal distributions, and Li? ½vy subordinators are used to model the dependence among default times. In particular, we define a cumulative dynamic hazard process as a Li? ½vy subordinator, which allows for jumps and induces positive probabilities of joint defaults. We allow the main asset classes in the portfolio to have different cumulative default probabilities and corresponding different cumulative hazard processes. Under this heterogeneous assumption we compute the portfolio loss distribution in closed form. Using an approximation of the loss distribution, we calibrate the model to the tranches of the iTraxx Europe. Once the multivariate default distribution has been estimated, we analyse the distress dependence in the portfolio by computing indicators of systemic risk, such as the Stability Index, the Distress Dependence Matrix and the Probability of Cascade Effects.
The capacity of Th2 lymphocytes to deliver B‐cell help requires expression of the transcription factor STAT3

CD4+ T‐cell help for B cells is crucial for effective Ab responses. Although follicular T helper (Tfh) cells have emerged as the main providers of T‐cell help to B lymphocytes during the germinal center reaction, much less is known about the helper capacities of other effector CD4+ T cells. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the acquisition of B‐cell help capacity of canonically derived T helper 2 (Th2) cells, a Th‐cell subset originally considered responsible for B‐cell help in vivo. We demonstrate herein that developing Th2 cells in mice co‐express activated forms of signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) and STAT3 and that STAT3 expression was required for the capacity of Th2 cells to provide B‐cell help. Thus, Th2 lymphocytes share a common, STAT3‐mediated activation program for the acquisition of optimal B‐cell help capacity with Tfh cells. Moreover, the expression of STAT3 in Th2 cells enhanced the IgG1‐to‐IgE class switch ratio in vivo, a finding with important implications for understanding the molecular basis of allergic diseases.
Can Molecular and Cellular Neuroprotection Be Translated Into Therapies for Patients?: Yes, but Not the Way We Tried It Before

Background and Purpose— The concept of neuroprotection is based on sound scientific data derived in preclinical studies. However, candidate neuroprotectants have never been successfully translated to patients. Methods— A review of past approaches to cellular and molecular neuroprotection, preclinical neuroprotection studies, and clinical approaches was undertaken. Results— Although there is no evidence for fundamental barriers in biological principles that limit the translation of promising therapies to humans, ample evidence exists as to a lack of rigor in preclinical studies, obstacles posed by the complexities of acute ischemic stroke syndromes, and regulatory barriers. Alternative methods to translating stroke drugs may require trials in restricted stroke indications in well-defined patient populations. Conclusions— The translational gap between cellular and molecular neuroscience and patient therapy may be bridged by first developing therapies for narrow stroke indications. A single success may stimulate further research, funding, and a capacity to generalize initial results to broader stroke populations.
Transparency of local public decision-making: towards trust or demystification of government. Paper

Online available minutes of the local council offer the opportunity to look behind the scenes of local government decision-making. But will this transparency, as promised, lead to higher levels of trust or will people get disenchanted by the incrementalism and ‘muddling through’ of the council? 156 people participated in an experiment to examine this question. These participants were randomly assigned to three groups and were given varying amounts of information about council minutes on a municipal website. The minutes were concerned with public decisionmaking about a policy plan to combat air pollution. Results indicate that people who used transparency, are significantly more negative regarding perceived competence of the council. Comparing a low and a high level of transparency shows that when people use transparency, the relationship is mediated by the credibility of the information. Also, knowledge about the decision-making process appears to cause a shift in judgment criteria. People with much knowledge are inclined to base their judgment of perceived competence on this knowledge and less on information credibility. Giving information about the decision-making process is seen as a condition sine qua non with regard to perceived honesty as this remains unaffected. Hence, people expect the local council to be transparent, but in the end there seems to be a gap between public expectations of rational decision-making whilst the reality that transparency discloses is much more chaotic and reveals public decision-making as ‘muddling through’.
Microphotometric, ultrastructural, and electrophysiological analyses of light-dependent processes on visual receptors in white-eyed wild-type and norpA (noreceptor potential) mutant Drosophila

Abstract We examined a white-eyed strain of the norpA mutant (norpA;cn bw) and white (w)norpA+ controls using microspectrophotometry (MSP), electron microscopy (EM), and electroretinography (ERG). These studies revealed that light mediates receptor demise in norpA even though norpA lacks phototransduction. Rhodopsin and the rhabdomere which houses it decrease with increasing age in norpA but not in w with rearing on a 12 h light/12-h dark cycle or in constant light. At higher temperature in norpA;cn bw and w reared in constant light, visual pigment decreases, rhabdomeres diminish, and cells die. Importantly, dark rearing blocked visual pigment loss in norpA;cn bw; the M-potential, an ERG reflection of visual pigment level, corroborated this finding. MSP showed that norpA's visual pigment loss was not due to acute loss of metarhodopsin, rhodopsin's photoproduct. NorpA blocks certain processes expected to be light elicited. The alteration of visual pigment as a function of time of day, present in w controls, is absent in white-eyed norpA, suggesting that light-induced depolarization may be necessary to entrain the rhythm. Microspectrofluorometry using the fluorescent dye, Lucifer yellow, suggested that norpA lacks a light-induced uptake mechanism; using control flies, we determined the stimulus parameters required for uptake in vivo. An attempt to “cure” norpA;cn bw by replacement “therapy” using phospholipase C, missing in norpA's phototransduction cascade, was largely unsuccessful.