Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An initial study on hotel low-carbon procurement management—A perspective of China mainland

As a sustainable practice, green procurement has been done by the hotel industry for about 20 years. It has huge potential for sustainable development. Green procurement has changed the traditional procurement mode and has facilitated expansion of hotel environmental management. Yet, due to that in the current green procurement management, only such factors as using, machining, and substituting process of the goods or service procured have been regarded in the case of their environmental impact, with other factors as producing, transportation, consumption and decomposition (of waste) being ignored, thus it is difficult for traditional procurement to provide suitable services to meet the multiple requirements of both economic benefit and environment protection. The problem has caused researchers to rethink the current green procurement, which leads to an increasing research attention to a new form of procurement. This paper firstly puts forward the definion of hotel low carbon procurement and describe its connotation; It then analyzes the low-carbon procurement management mode, and explores the necessity and feasibility of realizing low carbon procurement management; Lastly, it points out the main realisization approaches of low carbon procurement, including: 1) for the government to push the low-carboned policy and mechanism environment; 2) for the owners and managers of the hotels to build up low-carbon consciousness; 3) to select specialized and intensive low-carbon procuring mood; 4) to obtain technological support from related research groups; 5) to provide professional personnel guarantee. It is hoped that the adoption of low-carbon procurement will lead to the greater popularity of green hotel establishment.
DNA-Dependent Protein Kinase Inhibits AID-Induced Antibody Gene Conversion

Affinity maturation and class switching of antibodies requires activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID)-dependent hypermutation of Ig V(D)J rearrangements and Ig S regions, respectively, in activated B cells. AID deaminates deoxycytidine bases in Ig genes, converting them into deoxyuridines. In V(D)J regions, subsequent excision of the deaminated bases by uracil-DNA glycosylase, or by mismatch repair, leads to further point mutation or gene conversion, depending on the species. In Ig S regions, nicking at the abasic sites produced by AID and uracil-DNA glycosylases results in staggered double-strand breaks, whose repair by nonhomologous end joining mediates Ig class switching. We have tested whether nonhomologous end joining also plays a role in V(D)J hypermutation using chicken DT40 cells deficient for Ku70 or the DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs). Inactivation of the Ku70 or DNA-PKcs genes in DT40 cells elevated the rate of AID-induced gene conversion as much as 5-fold. Furthermore, DNA-PKcs-deficiency appeared to reduce point mutation. The data provide strong evidence that double-strand DNA ends capable of recruiting the DNA-dependent protein kinase complex are important intermediates in Ig V gene conversion.
Design, synthesis and anticonvulsant activity of some new 6,8-halo-substituted-2h-[1,2,4]triazino[5,6-b]indole-3(5h)-one/-thione and 6,8-halo-substituted 5-methyl-2h-[1,2,4]triazino[5,6-b]indol-3(5h)-one/-thione

A new series of 6,8-halo-substituted-2H-[1,2,4]triazino[5,6-b]indole-3(5H)-one/-thione and 6,8-halo-substituted 5-methyl-2H-[1,2,4]triazino[5,6-b]indol-3(5H)-one/-thione (5a-5l) were designed and synthesized keeping in view of the structural requirement of pharmacophore. The above compounds were characterized by thin layer chromatography and spectral analysis. Anticonvulsant activity of the synthesized compounds was evaluated by the maximal electroshock (MES) test. Neurotoxicity and CNS depressant effects were evaluated by the rotarod motor impairment and Porsolt’s force swim tests, respectively. A computational study was carried out, for calculation of pharmacophore pattern, prediction of pharmacokinetic properties and toxicity properties. The above study revealed that the compounds 8-chloro-2H-[1,2,4]triazino[5,6-b]indol-3(5H)-one (5e), 6,8-dibromo-2H-[1,2,4]triazino[5,6-b]indol-3(5H)-one (5i) and 6,8-dibromo-5-methyl-2H-[1,2,4]triazino[5,6-b]indol-3(5H)-one (5k) possess excellent anticonvulsant activity in the series with little CNS depressant effect and no neurotoxicity as compared to standard drugs phenytoin and carbamazepine.
Purchasing Power and Process Attributes: Some Preliminary Considerations in the Arena of International Trade

We analyse the implications of regulating market-based process attributes in an international trade context. We apply our work to agro-food products by providing anecdotal evidences. To guarantee fair trading in open market-based credence goods, we underline the importance of the defining stage prior to the stages of monitoring and signalling hidden credence properties. We briefly discuss some implications of marketing process attributes in the context of international trade, notably by stressing the need for international co-operation. JEL Classification Numbers: D 82, F 13, Q 18, L 15
Peginterferon beta-1a in multiple sclerosis: 2-year results from ADVANCE

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous peginterferon beta-1a over 2 years in patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis in the ADVANCE study. Methods: Patients were randomized to placebo or 125 µg peginterferon beta-1a every 2 or 4 weeks. For Year 2 (Y2), patients originally randomized to placebo were re-randomized to peginterferon beta-1a every 2 weeks or every 4 weeks. Patients randomized to peginterferon beta-1a in Year 1 (Y1) remained on the same dosing regimen in Y2. Results: Compared with Y1, annualized relapse rate (ARR) was further reduced in Y2 with every 2 week dosing (Y1: 0.230 [95% CI 0.183–0.291], Y2: 0.178 [0.136–0.233]) and maintained with every 4 week dosing (Y1: 0.286 [0.231–0.355], Y2: 0.291 [0.231–0.368]). Patients starting peginterferon beta-1a from Y1 displayed improved efficacy versus patients initially assigned placebo, with reductions in ARR (every 2 weeks: 37%, p<0.0001; every 4 weeks: 17%, p=0.0906), risk of relapse (every 2 weeks: 39%, p<0.0001; every 4 weeks: 19%, p=0.0465), 12-week disability progression (every 2 weeks: 33%, p=0.0257; every 4 weeks: 25%, p=0.0960), and 24-week disability progression (every 2 weeks: 41%, p=0.0137; every 4 weeks: 9%, p=0.6243). Over 2 years, greater reductions were observed with every 2 week versus every 4 week dosing for all endpoints and peginterferon beta-1a was well tolerated. Conclusions: Peginterferon beta-1a efficacy is maintained beyond 1 year, with greater effects observed with every 2 week versus every 4 week dosing, and a similar safety profile to Y1. Clinicaltrials.gov Registration Number: NCT00906399.
An Immune-Genetic Algorithm-Based Scheduling Optimization in a Networked Control System

Network performance relies on the design of control algorithm and network information scheduling in a networked control system (NCS). The effect of the network scheduling is to allocate rationally network resources and improve network utilization. A scheduling approach is presented to implement the scheduling of a set of periodic tasks in this paper. And an immune-genetic algorithm (IGA) is proposed to realize the network scheduling optimization. We take the transmission error of control systems as an object function. The simulation results show that the approach can optimize the scheduling of NCS and improve the network resource utilization.
Low Power Single Electron Or/Nor Gate Operating at 10GHz

The design and simulation of a single-electron OR/NOR gate is being presented using a Monte Carlo based tool. Both the OR/NOR behavior and the stability were verified while the free energy behavior of the circuit was also examined. The results confirmed that the circuit behaved as an OR/NOR gate, depicting improved characteristics than previously published single electron OR circuits, achieving a really fast operational speed at low power. Moreover, the noise through the circuit was nearly diminished, while a stable behavior of the circuit was verified without any noise present at the output points.
The Myth of Digital Democracy

Is the Internet democratizing American politics? Do political Web sites and blogs mobilize inactive citizens and make the public sphere more inclusive? The Myth of Digital Democracy reveals that, contrary to popular belief, the Internet has done little to broaden political discourse but in fact empowers a small set of elites--some new, but most familiar. Matthew Hindman argues that, though hundreds of thousands of Americans blog about politics, blogs receive only a miniscule portion of Web traffic, and most blog readership goes to a handful of mainstream, highly educated professionals. He shows how, despite the wealth of independent Web sites, online news audiences are concentrated on the top twenty outlets, and online organizing and fund-raising are dominated by a few powerful interest groups. Hindman tracks nearly three million Web pages, analyzing how their links are structured, how citizens search for political content, and how leading search engines like Google and Yahoo! funnel traffic to popular outlets. He finds that while the Internet has increased some forms of political participation and transformed the way interest groups and candidates organize, mobilize, and raise funds, elites still strongly shape how political material on the Web is presented and accessed. The Myth of Digital Democracy. debunks popular notions about political discourse in the digital age, revealing how the Internet has neither diminished the audience share of corporate media nor given greater voice to ordinary citizens.
Evaluation and Analysis of Popular Decision Tree Algorithms for Annoying Advertisement Websites Classification

Search engines are usually used for exploring the net and finding required information. When search results are shown usually 10 links are included in the first page. It must be notices how many percent of achieved results are related to our request. Unfortunately some of advertisement websites utilize phony techniques to attract users so that they could obtain their personal goals (such as increase in visit rate, higher rank, introducing products and so on). This type of websites are called annoying (intrusive) web pages which are sort of web spam. According to our study most of web users are not eager to see these pages. Moreover, these Web Pages waste users' time and cause them to forget they search term as well as to fail in finding needed information. In this study various classification algorithms based on decision tree are evaluated and analyzed so that the best option for classification of these web pages is identified. The obtained results revealed that J48 is the best choice owing to its high precision and accuracy rate.
Interaction Effect of Salicylic Acid and Putrescine on Vase life of Cut Narcissus Flowers

The effects of salicylic acid (SA) and Putrescine (Put), on cut Narcissus was studied. SA (0, 100 and 200 mg l-1) and Put (0, 150 and 300 mg l-1), their combinations were tested as preservative mixture. This study was conducted in a factorial experiment with complete randomized design on 108 Narcissus cut flowers in horticulture laboratory of agriculture faculty of Islamic Azad University, jiroft branch. The recorded traits included Vase life, Microbial Count, Fresh weight changes and Solution uptake. the results shown using SA and PUT as a preservative significantly increased the vase life, Fresh weight changes, Microbial Count and Solution uptake (P≤5%). The results showed that salicylic acid and Putrescine treatments increased cut flower vase life, while descreased the Microbial Count with total delay of senescence. Maximum flower vase life was recorded in SA 100 mgl-1+PU100mgl-1 treatments. A direct relationship between vase life and, increasing of Fresh weight changes and water uptake was observed as well
Muscle glycogen content modifies SR Ca2+ release rate in elite endurance athletes.

PURPOSE The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of muscle glycogen content on sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) function and peak power output (Wpeak) in elite endurance athletes. METHODS Fourteen highly trained male triathletes (VO2max = 66.5 ± 1.3 mL O2·kg·min), performed 4 h of glycogen-depleting cycling exercise (HRmean = 73% ± 1% of maximum). During the first 4 h of recovery, athletes received either water (H2O) or carbohydrate (CHO), separating alterations in muscle glycogen content from acute changes affecting SR function and performance. Thereafter, all subjects received CHO-enriched food for the remaining 20-h recovery period. RESULTS Immediately after exercise, muscle glycogen content and SR Ca release rate was reduced to 32% ± 4% (225 ± 28 mmol·kg dw) and 86% ± 2% of initial levels, respectively (P < 0.01). Glycogen markedly recovered after 4 h of recovery with CHO (61% ± 2% of preexercise) and SR Ca release rate returned to preexercise level. However, in the absence of CHO during the first 4 h of recovery, glycogen and SR Ca release rate remained depressed, with the normalization of both parameters at the end of the 24 h of recovery after receiving a CHO-enriched diet. Linear regression demonstrated a significant correlation between SR Ca release rate and muscle glycogen content (P < 0.01, r = 0.30). The 4 h of cycling exercise reduced Wpeak by 5.5%-8.9% at different cadences (P < 0.05), and Wpeak was normalized after 4 h of recovery with CHO, whereas Wpeak remained depressed (P < 0.05) after water provision. Wpeak was fully recovered after 24 h in both the H2O and the CHO group. CONCLUSION In conclusion, the present results suggest that low muscle glycogen depresses muscle SR Ca release rate, which may contribute to fatigue and delayed recovery of Wpeak 4 h postexercise.
Lyman α systems within hot galactic haloes

A hot-gas halo is predicted by chemodynamical models during the early evolution of spheroidal galaxies. Cold condensations, arising from thermal instabilities in the hot gas, are expected to be embedded in the hot halo. In the early phases of the galaxy (t≲1 Gyr), a strong X-ray and EUV emission is produced by the extended hot-gas distribution, ionizing the cold clouds. This self-irradiating two-phase halo model successfully explains several line ratios observed in QSO absorption-line systems, and reproduces the temperature distribution of Lyman α clouds.
Overexpression of X-Box Binding Protein 1 (XBP1) Correlates to Poor Prognosis and Up-Regulation of PI3K/mTOR in Human Osteosarcoma

Increasing evidence demonstrates that dysregulation of XBP1 function contributes to tumorigenesis in some cancers. However, little is known about the role of XBP1 in the progression of osteosarcoma (OS). The expression of XBP1 in OS samples was measured by quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting assays. Cell cycle analysis and cell counting kit 8 (CCK8) assays were performed to determine the effects of XBP1 expression on cells growth capacity. Cell apoptosis coassay was applied to determine cell survival. The expression of genes affected by XBP1 was examined by quantitative RT-RCR and validated by Western blotting assays. XBP1 was overexpressed in OS clinical samples compared with corresponding non-cancerous tissues. Overexpression of XBP1 was significantly associated with advanced clinical stages, high degree of malignancy and low tumor necrosis rate. Furthermore, hypoxia activated XBP1, and silencing XBP1 significantly enhanced OS cell apoptosis. Knock-down of XBP1 resulted in inhibition of OS growth. Most importantly, knockdown of XBP1 led to down-regulation of PIK3R3 and mTOR. Taken together, XBP1 is up-regulated and has a pro-tumor effect in OS with activation of PI3K/mTOR signaling. Thus, targeting XBP1 may provide a new potential therapeutic method for OS.
Enabling Fast Bootstrap of Reputation in P2P Mobile Networks

The easy deployment of P2P self-organized systems has contributed to their wide diffusion and to the definition of a new communication paradigm. Mobile communities can now spontaneously emerge to enable users to become both consumer and service providers. However, the presence of selfish and malicious nodes can thwart the sustainability of these systems as nodes try to exploit services without contributing resources. In these P2P systems reputation management schemes can promote collaboration, but they are mostly ineffective in communities that last for short time.In this paper we propose a token based mechanism that extends existing reputation management schemes to support mobility. It reduces the problem of bootstrapping the reputation values and provides incentives for nodes to properly behave. Simulation results show that the token based extension enables the correlation of transactions in different contexts efficiently.
Development and Evaluation of Six Gamut-Mapping Algorithms for Pictorial Images

Six techniques for mapping the colors of an image into the gamut of printable colors were compared. Six pictorial scenes were used in two psychophysical experiments, one to test accurate reproduction and one to test preferred reproduction. A new contrast-enhancing algorithm was found to give more favorable reproductions than several gamut-mapping techniques described in the literature. This algorithm performs luminance compression by applying an inverted power function to images in a linear RGB color space: 1 (1 RGB). Remaining out-of-gamut pixels are clipped to the gamut surface in the direction of a central point on the neutral axis. Other algorithms that performed well were those that clip out-of-gamut colors to the surface of the gamut, and do not affect colors within the gamut. These algorithms can sometimes result in undesirable artifacts for certain images, including contouring and loss of shadow detail. However, observers did not object to the loss of shadow detail if the colorfulness of the image was maintained or increased. Also, the results of a matching experiment (original present) and a preference experiment gave quite different results. Clipping algorithms did well in the matching experiments, while contrast boosting algorithms did best in the preference matching. The preferred techniques did well in both experiments.
Removal of salt and pepper noise using robust M-filter

In recent days, camera manufacturers continue to pack increasing numbers of pixels per unit area, an increase in noise sensitivity manifests itself in the form of noisier image. Camera manufacturers, therefore, depend on image denoising algorithms to reduce the effects of such noise artifacts in the resultant image. The most common type of noise is impulse noise, in which the affected pixels are replaced by noise values which will be either zero or one. First, the noise pixel can be identified by switching method. Second, the median filter applied on every corrupted pixel. Third, compare the neighboring pixel value on input image with the median filtered image, if the two pixels having a difference then apply the M-filter on that. This paper mainly deals with the detection of noisy pixels and applying robust M-filter (lorentzian) method to improve the peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR), structural similarity index (SSIM) and mean square error (MSE) value. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm significantly outperforms other state-of-the-art image denoising methods such as adaptive median filter, decision based filter in terms of both objective measure and visual evaluation.
When Is It Less Costly for Risky Firms to Borrow ? Evidence from the Bank Risk-Taking Channel of Monetary Policy

This paper finds supporting evidence for the bank risk-taking channel of monetary policy in the U.S. by investigating banks’ loan pricing policies over the last two decades. We show that banks charge lower spreads when they lend to riskier borrowers relative to the spreads they charge on loans to safer borrowers in periods of “low” short-term rates compared to periods of “high” short-term rates. The interest discount that banks offer riskier borrowers when short-term rates are “low” is robust to borrower-, loan-, and bank-specific factors as well as macroeconomic factors known to play a role on loan rates. It is also robust to bank-firm fixed effects. Our investigation of the micro information banks provide in the Senior Loan Officers Opinion Survey on their standards for approving C&I loans shows that the interest rate discount that riskier borrowers enjoy when short-term rates are “low” is indeed bank driven.
Cutting Plane Methods and Subgradient Methods

Interior point methods have proven very successful at solving linear programming problems. When an explicit linear programming formulation is either not available or is too large to employ directly, a column generation approach can be used. Examples of column generation approaches include cutting plane methods for integer programming and decomposition methods for many classes of optimization problems. This tutorial discusses the use of interior point methods in a column generation scheme. Semidefinite programming relaxations of combinatorial optimization problems are often tighter than linear programming relaxations. This tutorial describes some research in using semidefinite programming relaxations to find exact solutions to combinatorial optimization problems. Semidefinite programs are expensive to solve directly, so cutting surface approaches to solving them are also considered. Finally, this tutorial looks at recent smoothing techniques for solving nonsmooth optimization problems using a subgradient approach. These methods have some links to cutting surface approaches.
Global synchronization of complex dynamical networks with non-identical nodes

This paper addresses the problem of synchronization for complex dynamical networks with non-identical nodes. Neither an equilibrium for each node nor a synchronization manifold is assumed to exist. A criterion of global synchronization in the sense of boundedness of the maximum state deviation between nodes is proposed by introducing the average dynamics of all nodes. An explicit bound of the maximum state deviation between nodes is obtained by the maximum difference between each node dynamics and the average dynamics. The proposed criterion is an extension of the related synchronization criteria for the case of identical nodes to the case of non-identical nodes.
P artially Recurrent Neural Networks in Stock Forecasting

Partially recurrent neural networks are applied to forecast stock market data. Their specific advantage is related to the improved representation of temporal data as compared with conventional feedforward neural networks. Abstract St ock market data represent time-series data par excellence. The challenge for neural networks in such an environment is the representation of the temporal organization inherent in the input data. Conventionally , the temporal organization is approximated with a sliding windows technique when using standard feedforward neural networks such as the Multi-Lay er Perceptron as the underly ing model during the learning process. This approach suffers from a rather random selection of the sliding windows's actual size. We show that a more compact representation can be achieved by using partially recurrent neural networks. Moreover, the forecasting results as the ultimate goal of the application are improved significantly.