Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Attracting Major Sporting Events: The Role of Local Residents

Abstract The decision where to host major sports events is the result of a political process, involving local and national politicians as well as national and international sport governing bodies. Politicians and local/national sport governing bodies decide whether to apply for an event, while international sports governing bodies select the host cities (nations). Local and national residents play an important role in this process as their opinion will influence whether the political system supports the application and is willing to fund the event. Many event impacts have characteristics of public goods and externalities. This represents a potential welfare economic rationale for the public sector to fund them. Empirical data from 117 polls of urban and national residents that either have hosted or applied for events reveal that three out of four residents supported hosting the event. Statistical analyses show the strongest support to be in low-income nations. This raises doubts whether such events should be regarded as luxury goods, which is a typical characteristic for sports goods. The major reason for this can be that people are aware that the events will influence the production of other goods and services in society. In particular people in nations where the public sector has had a financial deficit in the years before the poll were more sceptical than others. This pattern does not occur in heavily populated nations where event-related costs represent only a “drop in the ocean” on a macroeconomic level. The surveys also indicate that economic growth resulted in people voting more positively in favour of the events.
Design procedure and experimental validation of a 30kVA DSP-based PWM rectifier

Nowadays DSPs have been used widely in power electronic applications because of powerful calculation ability, several peripherals and serial interfaces. Three phase PWM rectifiers (TPPR) have been used widely since they can provide unity power factor (PF), a sinusoidal grid current and also higher DC voltage than grid voltage amplitude. Besides, current vector control is a powerful strategy to be used for three phase PWM rectifier to regulate input active and reactive powers separately. Therefore, in this paper, precise design procedure is presented firstly. Secondly, simulation and experimental evaluation of the three phase PWM rectifier is considered based on a digital signal processor (DSP)-based digital controller. An expanded simulation and experimental results are done to verify the effectiveness of complete control system. The results show the low-ripple adjustable DC voltage between 650 to 750v. Moreover, the THD value of the input current is about 2.4% which satisfy international standards such as IEEE Standard 1547.
The presence of UCP1 demonstrates that metabolically active adipose tissue in the neck of adult humans truly represents brown adipose tissue

Classically, adult humans have been considered not to possess active brown adipose tissue (BAT). However, positron‐emission‐tomography has shown fluorodeoxyglucose uptake that is distributed in such a way (e.g., in the neck) that it would seem to be BAT. Until now this has not been supported by direct evidence that these areas truly represented BAT, that is, the presence of the BAT‐unique uncoupling protein‐1 (UCP1). Samples of adipose tissue from the neck of 35 patients undergoing surgery for thyroid diseases were obtained and analyzed. In 1/3 of the subjects (the younger and leaner), distinct islands composed of UCP1 immunoreactive brown adipocytes could clearly be discerned, accounting for up to 1/3 of all adipocytes. The brown‐adipose islands were richlysympathetically innervated (indicating acute central control); adjacent white adipose areas were not. The capillary density was high, implying a high capacity for oxygen delivery. Cells with features of brown adipocyte precursors were found in pericapillary areas. These data demonstrate that human adults indeed possess BAT and thus imply possibilities of future therapeutic strategies for the treatment of obesity, including maintenance of brown adipocytes and stimulation of the growth of preexisting brown precursors. —Zingaretti, M. C. , Crosta, F. , Vitali, A. , Guerrieri, M. , Frontini, A. , Cannon, B. , Nedergaard, J., Cinti, S. The presence of UCP1 demonstrates that metabolically active adipose tissue in the neck of adult humans truly represents brown adipose tissue. FASEB J. 23, 3113–3120 (2009). www.fasebj. org
Consumer behavior in food consumption: reference price approach

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show that empirical analysis of consumption of a good, using the same empirical and econometric model as it is done in standard applied demand analysis, may be based on the underlying behavioral model other than the rational choice.Design/methodology/approach – Reference point approach originally developed by psychologists and later translated into reference price approach by business scholars is used to demonstrate this point. Empirically, a model of consumption of broilers in the USA is estimated using regression analysis and its results and implications are discussed.Findings – The same empirical model can be used to represent more than one underlying model of consumer behavior.Research limitations/implications – This paper raises the question of which underlying behavioral theory is valid, and under what circumstances might that validity change. The importance of accounting for reference prices appears to be validated, but the fact that both theories lead to t.
Artesunate-induced depletion of embryonic erythroblasts precedes embryolethality and teratogenicity in vivo.

BACKGROUND Artesunate (ART), an artemisinin antimalarial, is embryolethal and teratogenic in rats, with the most sensitive days being 10 and 11 postcoitum (pc), respectively (Clark et al.: Birth Defects Res B 71:380-394, 2004; White et al.: Birth Defects Res A 70:265, 2004). METHODS In this study, pregnant rats were administered a single oral dose of 17 mg/kg ART on Days 10-11 pc and conceptuses were evaluated through Day 14 pc. RESULTS Paling of visceral yolk sacs was observed within 3-6 hr after treatment. Within 24 hr, marked paling and embryonic erythroblast depletion were observed macroscopically, which preceded malformations and embryo death, and persisted through Day 14 pc. Histologically, embryonic erythroblasts were reduced and cells showed signs of necrosis within 24 hr, were maximally depleted by 48 hr, and had partially rebounded within 3-4 days after treatment (Days 13 and 14 pc). Iron accumulation was evident in treated erythroblasts as early as 6 hr after treatment, suggesting impairment of heme synthesis. Heart abnormalities (swollen or collapsed chambers) were observed within 24 hr in approximately 25-60% of embryos and within 48 hr in 100% of embryos, correlating with histologic signs of cardiac myopathy (thinned and underdeveloped heart walls and enlarged chambers). Delays in limb and tail development occurred by Day 13 pc. Embryos were viable through Day 13 pc, but approximately 77% of embryos had died by Day 14 pc, presumably due to hypoxia and/or cardiac abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS In summary, embryonic erythroblasts are the primary target of ART toxicity in the rat embryo after in vivo treatment, preceding embryolethality and malformations.
A New Angle‐Independent Doppler Ultrasonic Device for Assessment of Blood Flow Volume in the Extracranial Internal Carotid Artery

Objective. To evaluate a new angle‐independent ultrasonic device for assessment of blood flow volume in the internal carotid artery. Methods. In vitro, a pulsatile pump was set to provide an outflow of physiological fluid at 500 mL/min through an 8‐mm‐diameter tube. Flow volume rates were measured 10 times by 10 different operators and compared with time‐collected flow volume rates. In vivo, internal and common carotid artery blood flow volumes were measured in 28 volunteers by 2 operators using a FlowGuard device (Biosonix Ltd). Internal and common carotid artery diameters and blood flow volumes were also assessed by Duplex sonography and compared with FlowGuard measurements. In 10 volunteers, internal carotid artery blood flow volume changes in response to monitored breath manipulations were recorded. Results. In vitro, intraoperator variability was 4.04% (range, 2%–5.7%). The mean error rate ± SD was 3.54% ± 0.8% (range, 2.7%–5.2%). In vivo, the mean common carotid artery blood flow volume was 456 ± 39 mL/min (range, 417–583 mL/min) with a mean diameter of 6.7 ± 0.7 mm (range, 5.8–8.7 mm). The mean internal carotid artery blood flow volume was 277 ± 25 mL/min (range, 239–338 mL/min) with a mean diameter of 5 ± 0.5 mm (range, 4.1–6.1 mm). No significant difference was found between operators. Internal carotid artery diameter and blood flow volume measured by the FlowGuard were closely correlated with the results of Duplex sonography. Repeated shifts of end‐tidal CO2 induced reproducible changes in internal carotid artery flow volume: 187.5 ± 18.1 mL/min at 26.8 ± 1.9 mm Hg and 382.1 ± 18.2 mL/min at 47 ± 2.2 mm Hg. Conclusions. The FlowGuard showed that volume flow studies in the internal carotid artery could be easily performed, with results compatible with those of previous clinical reports. Duplex comparative results and breath‐induced changes in internal carotid artery flow volume justify further evaluation of the system.
BCI-Based Cursor Control Using EEG Sensorimotor Rhythms

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are human-computer interaction systems in which users communicate with a computer via a direct neural interface. Brain-computer interfaces have historically been closely associated with assistive technology for persons with disabilities, but the past few years have seen an increase in publications on human-computer interfaces for people without disabilities. The goal of a cursor control BCI is to control the position of a cursor via brain signals. While there have been a number of publications on cursor control using BCIs, most of them focus on controlling a cursor in custom-built experimental applications. The present thesis describes the design and implementation of a cursor control BCI prototype that translates EEG sensorimotor input into one-dimensional cursor movement and can be accessed using standard input interfaces. Since the BCI is accessible via standard input interfaces, existing input libraries can be used to create experimental applications and the BCI can be used to control existing applications.
Broadband silica-based thulium doped fiber amplifier employing dual-wavelength pumping

We report a broadband and gain-flattened silica-based thulium-doped fiber amplifier with dual-wavelength pumping (790 nm + 1600 nm). 15 dB gain bandwidth is more than 220 nm ranging from 1700 to 1920 nm with a maximum gain of 29 dB and a noise figure of less than 5 dB.
European Added Value of EU measures on the application of the principle of Equal Pay

This research paper provides an overview of the situation with respect to equal pay for men and women in seven Member States. It describes the existing framework for combating the gender pay gap and consolidates the legal, social and political arguments for delivering equal pay. In particular, it analyse the selected labour/industrial relations and legal systems and focuses on three recommendations proposed in the Bauer report (recommendations 1, 4 and 8).
Entering the Black Box of Neural Networks

Summary Objectives: Artificial neural networks have proved to be accurate predictive instruments in several medical domains, but have been criticized for failing to specify the information upon which their predictions are based. We used methods of relevance analysis and sensitivity analysis to determine the most important predictor variables for a validated neural network for community-acquired pneumonia. Methods: We studied a feed-forward, back-propagation neural network trained to predict pneumonia among patients presenting to an emergency department with fever or respiratory complaints. We used the methods of full retraining, weight elimination, constant substitution, linear substitution, and data permutation to identify a consensus set of important demographic, symptom, sign, and comorbidity predictors that influenced network output for pneumonia. We compared predictors identified by these methods to those identified by a weight propagation analysis based on the matrices of the network, and by logistic regression. Results: Predictors identified by these methods were clinically plausible, and were concordant with those identified by weight analysis, and by logistic regression using the same data. The methods were highly correlated in network error, and led to variable sets with errors below bootstrap 95% confidence intervals for networks with similar numbers of inputs. Scores for variable relevance tended to be higher with methods that precluded network retraining (weight elimination) or that permuted variable values (data permutation), compared with methods that permitted retraining (full retraining) or that approximated its effects (constant and linear substitution). Conclusion: Methods of relevance analysis and sensitivity analysis are useful for identifying important predictor variables used by artificial neural networks.
The Medium Term Schooling and Health Effects of Low Birth Weight: Evidence from Siblings

Research has shown that low birth weight is linked to infant mortality as well as longer term outcomes. This paper examines the medium term outcomes that may link low birth weight to adult disadvantage using a national longitudinal sample with a large sample of siblings (Add Health). Results show strong effects on several educational outcomes, including early grade repetition, receipt of special education services, and reports of a learning disability. Results for longer term outcomes are suggestive, though less robust and small in magnitude. Overall, the results suggest that medium term educational disadvantages associated with low birth weight are not driven by family level unobservables and do not accumulate into large long-term disadvantage.
Long‐term durability of response to adalimumab in Crohn's disease

Background: Adalimumab is an effective treatment for Crohn's disease (CD), but may also be associated with loss of response. Few reports provide insight into the durability of treatment of CD with adalimumab for periods longer than 12 months in clinical practice. Aims: To evaluate the long‐term durability of adalimumab maintenance treatment and to identify predictive factors associated with loss of response. Methods: CD patients who initially responded to adalimumab were evaluated in a historical cohort study. Maintenance of long‐term response was estimated using Kaplan–Meier analysis. Cox regression analysis was performed to identify potential predictive factors for loss of efficacy. Results: In all, 380 CD patients were included (mean age, 38 years; 52% female). Of these, 43% had ileocolic CD, 50% inflammatory CD, and 41% perianal CD. Median follow‐up with adalimumab was 8 months (range, 4–75 months). The annual risk of loss of response to adalimumab was 18% per patient‐year of follow‐up. Twenty‐eight percent of patients were anti‐TNF‐naïve and 72% anti‐TNF‐experienced. The loss of efficacy was 8% per patient‐year of follow‐up in the anti‐TNF‐naïve patients and 22% in the anti‐TNF‐experienced group (P < 0.01). In the multivariate analysis, the presence of extraintestinal manifestations (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02–2.9) and previous experience with other anti‐TNF agents (HR = 2.5,95% CI = 1.2–5.3) were associated with higher risk of loss of efficacy. Conclusions: A relevant proportion of CD patients on long‐term adalimumab lost response. The risk of loss of response was higher (more than 2‐fold) in anti‐TNF‐experienced than in anti‐TNF‐naïve patients (22% vs. 8% per patient‐year of treatment). Having extraintestinal manifestations seems to increase the risk of loss of efficacy. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2011;)
Obsolescence and performance in the Central London office market

Presents results of an investigation into the rate of rental and capital obsolescence in the City of London office market. Using a theoretical approach based on a “vintage model” of capital investment and data from the IPD database, assesses the historic rate of obsolescence in the City and draws comparisons with previous studies, finding similar rates of rental obsolescence (1.2 per cent p.a.), but lower rates of capital obsolescence (1.6 per cent p.a.). Considers the potential for an acceleration in the rate of obsolescence resulting from the introduction of new working practices and the emergence of an endemic over‐supply in the market.
The Enzymes of Lecithin Biosynthesis in Human Neonatal Lungs. IV. Phosphorylcholine Cytidyltransferase

Extract: Phosphorylcholine cytidyltransferase, the enzyme which catalyzes the transfer of phosphorylcholine to cytidine 5′-triphosphate to form CDP-choline, was studied for the first time in human neonatal lung. The assay of product synthesis was linear for 10–20 min and up to 12 mg protein. The pH optimum was 6–6.5. The Km of CTP was 2.0 × 10−3 M, and the Km of phosphorylcholine was 0.25 × 10−3 M. The true Vmax was 10 nmol CDP-choline/mg protein/10 min. The enzyme was stable under frozen conditions. Oxygen had no apparent affect on enzyme activity.Speculation: In some tissues, phosphorylcholine cytidyltransferase is possibly the site for a feedback control mechanism of lecithin synthesis. Since there is a relationship between pulmonary lecithin synthesis and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, purification and characterization of phosphorylcholine cytidyltransferase from human neonatal lung may be of significance.
MARINE PROTECTED AREAS IN THE HIGH SEAS AND THEIR IMPACT ON INTERNATIONAL FISHING AGREEMENTS

Abstract Marine protected areas (MPAs) are gaining momentum as tools within fisheries management. Although many studies have been conducted to their use and potential, only few authors have considered their use in the High Seas. In this paper, we investigate the effects of fish growth enhancing MPAs on the formation of regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs) for highly migratory fish stocks. We argue that in absence of enforcement MPAs constitute a weakest‐link public good, which can only be realized if everyone agrees. We combine this notion with a game theoretic model of RFMO formation to derive potentially stable RFMOs with and without MPAs. We find that MPAs generally increase the parameter range over which RFMOs are stable, and that they increase stability in a number of cases as compared to the case without MPAs. They do not necessarily induce a fully cooperative solution among all fishing nations. In summary, results of this paper suggest a positive role for MPAs in the High Seas.
Applicability of second‐generation colon capsule endoscope to ulcerative colitis: A clinical feasibility study

Colon capsule endoscopy has already been used for colon visualization and detection of polyps but its applicability to inflammatory bowel disease is still unconfirmed. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of evaluating the severity of mucosal inflammation in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) using a second‐generation colon capsule endoscope (CCE‐2).
Functional Analysis of the Twin-Arginine Translocation Pathway in Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13869

ABSTRACT Compared to those of other gram-positive bacteria, the genetic structure of the Corynebacterium glutamicum Tat system is unique in that it contains the tatE gene in addition to tatA, tatB, and tatC. The tatE homologue has been detected only in the genomes of gram-negative enterobacteria. To assess the function of the C. glutamicum Tat pathway, we cloned the tatA, tatB, tatC, and tatE genes from C. glutamicum ATCC 13869 and constructed mutants carrying deletions of each tat gene or of both the tatA and tatE genes. Using green fluorescent protein (GFP) fused with the twin-arginine signal peptide of the Escherichia coli TorA protein, we demonstrated that the minimal functional Tat system required TatA and TatC. TatA and TatE provide overlapping function. Unlike the TatB proteins from gram-negative bacteria, C. glutamicum TatB was dispensable for Tat function, although it was required for maximal efficiency of secretion. The signal peptide sequence of the isomaltodextranase (IMD) of Arthrobacter globiformis contains a twin-arginine motif. We showed that both IMD and GFP fused with the signal peptide of IMD were secreted via the C. glutamicum Tat pathway. These observations indicate that IMD is a bona fide Tat substrate and imply great potential of the C. glutamicum Tat system for industrial production of heterologous folded proteins.
Real-time 3D ultrasound laparoscopy

We have previously described 2D array ultrasound transducers operating up to 13.5 MHz for applications including real time 3D transthoracic imaging, real time volumetric intracardiac echocardiography (ICE), real time transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and real time 3D intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging. We have recently built a pair of 2D array transducers for real time 3D laparoscopic ultrasound imaging. These transducers are intended to be placed down a trocar during minimally invasive surgery. Both transducers were built using Gore MicroFlat cables consisting of 18 wires spaced at 0.10 mm and attached to a polyimide backing. The first is a forward viewing 5 MHz, 19 x 11 array with 198 operating elements. It was built on an 8 layer multi-layer flex circuit. The interelement spacing is 0.20 mm yielding an aperture that is 2.2 mm x 3.8 mm. The O.D. of the completed transducer is 10.2 mm , and includes a 2 mm tool port. The average measured center frequency is 4.5 MHz, and the -6 dB bandwidth ranges from 15% to 30%. The 50 Ohm insertion loss, including the MicroFlat cabling, is -81.2 dB. The second transducer is a 7 MHz, 36 x 36 array with 504 operating elements. It was built upon a 10 layer multi-layer flex circuit. This transducer is in the forward viewing configuration, and the interelement spacing is 0.18 mm. The total aperture size is 6.48 mm x 6.48 mm. The O.D. of the completed transducer is 11.4 mm. The average measured center frequency is 7.2 MHz, and the -6 dB bandwidth ranges from 18% to 33%. The 50 Ohm insertion loss is -79.5 dB, including the MicroFlat cable. Real time in vivo 3D images of a canine heart have been made including an apical 4 chamber view from a substernal access with the first transducer to monitor cardiac function. In addition we produced real time 3D rendered images of the right pulmonary veins from a right parasternal access with the second transducer which would be valuable in the guidance of cardiac ablation catheters for treatment of atrial fibrillation.
Multiple Kernel Support Vector Regression with Higher Norm in Option Pricing

The purpose of present study is to investigate a nonparametric model that improves accuracy of option prices found by previous models. In this study option prices are calculated using multiple kernel Support Vector Regression with different norm values and their results are compared. L1norm multiple kernel learning Support Vector Regression (MKLSVR) has been successfully applied to option prices forecasting. The advantages of L1-norm multiple kernel learning is that it allows setting of kernel hyperparameter automatically which is one of the most tedious task. L1-norm MKLSVR normally outperforms under all market conditions than single kernel Support Vector Regression. To further minimize forecasting error we adopt Lp-norm multiple kernel Support Vector Regression (p> 1) as it generalize well under all market conditions. In Lp-norm multiple kernel Support Vector Regression (MKLSVR), optimization part is solved using the Sequential Minimal Optimization algorithm (SMO). The Lp-norm SMOMKL SVR is evaluated on forecasting the option prices of European-style Nifty index options in India. Experimental results show that Lp-norm SMOMKL SVR performs better than L1-norm MKL SVR with different methods.