Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trust and Networking in Inter-firm Relations: the Case of Eco-industrial Development

Abstract Despite much rhetoric concerning the implementation of sustainable development within local and regional economic development strategies, very few concrete examples exist of projects that combine economic, social and environmental aims. However, recently, a number of developments have occurred, based around ideas drawn from industrial ecology. These ecoindustrial parks seek to reduce environmental impacts, while at the same time improving business competitiveness and creating jobs. Eco-industrial parks rely upon creating networks of material and by-product flows between participating firms. However, it is frequently assumed that the trust and cooperation between firms that this involves will arise automatically. In this paper it is argued that a much more nuanced approach is needed, drawing upon work in economic geography and regional economics on trust, networking and untraded interdependencies.
Analysis of the Prevalence of Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Sunscreen: A Cohort Study

Background: As the use of sunscreens becomes more prevalent, reports of adverse effects to sunscreens have increased. Objective: To analyze a patch test database for the prevalence of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to sunscreen. Methods: The database was searched for positive patch test reactions to benzophenone-3. Charts were also reviewed for those who were further tested to the sunscreen series. Results: Twenty-three of the 1,527 patients seen were tested to the sunscreen series. Of these, only 4 patients had a positive reaction to a sunscreen chemical or to the product they were using. In addition, 8 of the 1,527 patients who had no specific history of sunscreen allergy reacted to benzophenone-3. Conclusion: ACD to sunscreen was found to be very uncommon (0.8%). Other final diagnoses included ACD to excipients such as fragrances or preservatives and suspected photosensitive disorders.
Dispersal and Diving Adjustments of the Green Turtle Chelonia mydas in Response to Dynamic Environmental Conditions during Post-Nesting Migration

In response to seasonality and spatial segregation of resources, sea turtles undertake long journeys between their nesting sites and foraging grounds. While satellite tracking has made it possible to outline their migration routes, we still have little knowledge of how they select their foraging grounds and adapt their migration to dynamic environmental conditions. Here, we analyzed the trajectories and diving behavior of 19 adult green turtles (Chelonia mydas) during their post-nesting migration from French Guiana and Suriname to their foraging grounds off the coast of Brazil. First Passage Time analysis was used to identify foraging areas located off Ceará state of Brazil, where the associated habitat corresponds to favorable conditions for seagrass growth, i.e. clear and shallow waters. The dispersal and diving patterns of the turtles revealed several behavioral adaptations to the strong hydrodynamic processes induced by both the North Brazil current and the Amazon River plume. All green turtles migrated south-eastward after the nesting season, confirming that they coped with the strong counter North Brazil current by using a tight corridor close to the shore. The time spent within the Amazon plume also altered the location of their feeding habitats as the longer individuals stayed within the plume, the sooner they initiated foraging. The green turtles performed deeper and shorter dives while crossing the mouth of the Amazon, a strategy which would help turtles avoid the most turbulent upper surface layers of the plume. These adjustments reveal the remarkable plasticity of this green turtle population when reducing energy costs induced by migration.
The Reasons of the Collapse of the Ruble Zone

This paper has mainly a historical character and analyzes the causes of the monetary disintegration of the FSU, stages of this disintegration, and macroeconomic consequences of this process. The second section is devoted to a brief discussion of the economic and political condition of the successful existence of the common currency area. In section 3, I describe the process of monetary disintegration that already started at the end of 1990 when the Soviet Union still existed. Section 4 illustrates the process of monetary disintegration in 1992-1993, after the dissolution of USSR. Section 5 presents a picture about the most important initiative to rebuild the ruble area in 1992-1994. Finally, section 6 contains the discussion on macroeconomic and other consequences of continuing the common currency despite the political disintegration.
Private and public transfers between generations: linking the family and the state

AbstractIn the conventional story of modernization, the emergence of the nuclear family and of public old age security have been seen as parallel and mutually reinforcing processes. According to this view, the traditional intergenerational transfers in the family have been crowded out and replaced by those in the public sphere. In recent years, a growing body of research has demonstrated that substantial transfers between adult generations in the family beyond the nuclear households still exist. Their direction has been reversed, however. The new evidence shows that there is a net downward flow of private resources from the older generations to their adult offspring, i.e. counter to the public transfers. Two questions then arise: How are private and public transfers linked, i.e. to what extent do the private transfers from the older to the younger generations in the family depend on public transfers through old age pensions? And what are the effects of channelling public resources to younger family genera.
Remote instruction call: An RPC approach on instructions for embedded multi-core systems

Remote Procedure Calls (RPCs) are a well-known approach on the software layer, but not on the hardware layer. In this paper, we present, to the best of our knowledge, the first Remote Instruction Call (RIC) approach, which supports the execution of an instruction in another Central Processing Unit (CPU). This leads to an instruction execution in a different address room. RIC can perform some operations that are otherwise only possible with a memory access into another CPU's address room. With RIC no synchronization is required, what may avoid performance penalties as in common approaches. In this work, we present the idea of RIC, an implementation into the mosartMCU project, and the performance evaluation, which is implemented in a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). We discuss some potential improvements and extensions, which may make this work the base for future works.
Short-term effects of silage volatile compounds on feed intake and digestion in beef cattle 1

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate whether fermentation end products in silage affect intake and digestion in beef cattle. Six rumencannulated Nellore steers were randomly assigned to a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with 14-d periods. Each period consisted of 9 d for adaptation and 5 d for sample collection. Steers were housed in a tie-stall barn and individually fed once daily at 0800 h. The dietary treatments in Exp. 1 were as follows: 60% corn silage plus 40% concentrate (CON), 60% corn silage with added ethanol (2.8% on a DM basis) and 40% concentrate (ET), and 60% corn silage with added lactic acid (5.4% on a DM basis) and 40% concentrate (LA). The DMI was similar (P = 0.41) across treatments (average 11.7 kg/d); however, the LA treatment increased the ruminal pH (P = 0.01) and decreased the acetate:propionate ratio (P < 0.01). Diet digestibility decreased by 2.2 to 2.5 percentage units when the DM content was determined by oven drying (at 105°C) rather than by toluene distillation. The treatments in Exp. 2 were as follows: 75% sugarcane silage with no volatile fraction (oven dried at 60°C and rehydrated) and 25% concentrate (75D), 75% sugarcane silage (original moisture content) and 25% concentrate (75W), and 40% sugarcane silage and 60% concentrate (40W). Approximately 21% of the DM content of sugarcane silage consisted of volatile compounds. The presence of these compounds did not alter the DMI (P = 0.36) but did increase both the acetate:propionate ratio (P < 0.01) and the fractional absorption rates of valerate (P < 0.01) and ethanol (P = 0.02) in the empty reticulorumen. The 40W diet led to a greater DMI (40W = 9.79 vs. 75W = 6.19 kg/d; P < 0.01), which altered most of the measured variables traditionally associated with high-concentrate diets. As in Exp. 1, diet digestibility decreased by 1.5 to 5.4 units when the DM content was determined by oven drying at 105°C rather than by toluene distillation. In this short-term study, volatile compounds did not inhibit the DMI or the digestion process of the animals. On the contrary, volatile compounds contributed to the energy content of the silage, composing up to 10% of the energy value as determined by digestibility. Due to the short experimental periods, the results from this study should be interpreted with caution.
You Will Get Mail!Predicting the Arrival of Future Email

The majority of Web email is known to be generated by machines even when one excludes spam. Many machine-generated email messages such as invoices or travel itineraries are critical to users. Recent research studies establish that causality relations between certain types of machine-generated email messages exist and can be mined. These relations exhibit a link between a given message to a past message that gave rise to its creation. For example, a shipment notification message can often be linked to a past online purchase message. Instead of studying how an incoming message can be linked to the past, we propose here to focus on predicting future email arrival as implied by causality relations. Such a prediction method has several potential applications, ranging from improved ad targeting in up sell scenarios to reducing false positives in spam detection. We introduce a novel approach for predicting which types of machine-generated email messages, represented by so-called "email templates", a user should receive in future time windows. Our prediction approach relies on (1) statistically inferring causality relations between email templates, (2) building a generative model that explains the inbox of each user using those causality relations, and (3) combining those results to predict which email templates are likely to appear in future time frames. We present preliminary experimental results and some data insights obtained by analyzing several million inboxes of Yahoo Mail users, who voluntarily opted-in for such research.
Development of novel linear motion mechanism with compact three-staged transmission

To most of the walking robots or legged mobile vehicles, load on each leg changes greatly and frequently. On the other hand, fast moving speed of the lifted leg is also strongly expected. General solution with fixed ratio mechanism has the limitation of providing both large range load capability and moving speed. In this paper, we describe the development of a novel linear motion mechanism with compact lightweight transmission that provides high-speed low-speed and lock stage by practically using two 2K-H type planetary gears. After a full check on the mechanical design through geometric calculation and motion analysis, we examine the mechanical model's dynamic performance with several experiments.
SCAMP5 Plays a Critical Role in Synaptic Vesicle Endocytosis during High Neuronal Activity

Secretory carrier membrane protein 5 (SCAMP5), a recently identified candidate gene for autism, is brain specific and highly abundant in synaptic vesicles (SVs), but its function is currently unknown. Here, we found that knockdown (KD) of endogenous SCAMP5 by SCAMP5-specific shRNAs in cultured rat hippocampal neurons resulted in a reduction in total vesicle pool size as well as in recycling pool size, but the recycling/resting pool ratio was significantly increased. SCAMP5 KD slowed endocytosis after stimulation, but impaired it severely during strong stimulation. We also found that KD dramatically lowered the threshold of activity at which SV endocytosis became unable to compensate for the ongoing exocytosis occurring during a stimulus. Reintroducing shRNA-resistant SCAMP5 reversed these endocytic defects. Therefore, our results suggest that SCAMP5 functions during high neuronal activity when a heavy load is imposed on endocytosis. Our data also raise the possibility that the reduction in expression of SCAMP5 in autistic patients may be related to the synaptic dysfunction observed in autism.
Adaptive simultaneous coefficient identification of a stable one-dimensional heat equation

In this paper, we are concerned with the online identification of two different coefficients for a one-dimensional heat equation, among which one parameter is in the spacial domain and the other appears in the boundary. We prove that the coefficients are identifiable when the plant is excited by a nonzero constant boundary input, and adaptive identifiers are constructed to estimate these unknown parameters.
Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Associated Complications

Study Design. Retrospective review study with literature review. Objective. The goal of our current study is to raise awareness on complications associated with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and their early detection and proper management. Summary of Background Data. It is known that ACDF constitutes one of the most commonly performed spinal procedures. Its outcome is quite satisfactory in the majority of cases. However, occasional complications can become troublesome, and in rare circumstances, catastrophic. Although there are several case reports describing such complications, their rate of occurrence is generally underreported, and data regarding their exact incidence in large clinical series are lacking. Meticulous knowledge of potential intraoperative and postoperative ACDF-related complications is of paramount importance so as to avoid them whenever possible, as well as to successfully and safely manage them when they are inevitable. Methods. In a retrospective study, 1015 patients undergoing first-time ACDF for cervical radiculopathy and/or myelopathy due to degenerative disc disease and/or cervical spondylosis were evaluated. A standard Smith-Robinson approach was used in all our patients, while an autologous or allograft was used, with or without a plate. Operative reports, hospital and outpatient clinic charts, and radiographic studies were reviewed for procedure-related complications. Mean follow-up time was 26.4 months. Results. The mortality rate in our current series was 0.1% (1 of 1015 patients, death occurred secondary to an esophageal perforation). Our overall morbidity rate was 19.3% (196 of 1015 patients). The most common complication was the development of isolated postoperative dysphagia, which observed in 9.5% of our patients. Postoperative hematoma occurred in 5.6%, but required surgical intervention in only 2.4% of our cases. Symptomatic recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy occurred in 3.1% of our cases. Dural penetration occurred in 0.5%, esophageal perforation in 0.3%, worsening of preexisting myelopathy in 0.2%, Horner’s syndrome in 0.1%, instrumentation backout in 0.1%, and superficial wound infection in 0.1% of our cases. Conclusion. Meticulous knowledge of the ACDF-associated complications allows for their proper management. Postoperative dysphagia, hematoma, and recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy were the most common complications in our series. Management of complications was successful in the vast majority of our cases.
Does frontal cortex hypometabolism in progressive supranuclear palsy result from subcortical dysfunction?

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a neurodegenerative disease with frontal lobe‐like features, shows brain hypometabolism which predominates in frontal cortex, although the most severe histopathological lesions are subcortical. To test the hypothesis of the subcortical origin of the metabolic dysfunction in frontal cortex, we used previously obtained data measured using positron emission tomography (PET) in PSP patients and controls to examine the metabolic links between cortical and subcortical brain regions. We calculated interregional correlations of metabolic values in PSP patients and we compared these values to those obtained in controls. Compared to 20 age‐matched controls, the 20 PSP patients studied showed an increase in positive metabolic coupling between frontal and non‐frontal cortical regions. There was an abnormal linkage between frontal cortex and thalamus hypometabolism, the latter partly coupled to caudate nucleus hypometabolism. This study suggests a subcortical origin for frontal cortex hypometabolism in which thalamic activity appears to play a pivotal role.
Neonatal Tissue Damage Promotes Spike Timing-Dependent Synaptic Long-Term Potentiation in Adult Spinal Projection Neurons

Mounting evidence from both humans and rodents suggests that tissue damage during the neonatal period can “prime” developing nociceptive pathways such that a subsequent injury during adulthood causes an exacerbated degree of pain hypersensitivity. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie this priming effect remain poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that neonatal surgical injury relaxes the timing rules governing long-term potentiation (LTP) at mouse primary afferent synapses onto mature lamina I projection neurons, which serve as a major output of the spinal nociceptive network and are essential for pain perception. In addition, whereas LTP in naive mice was only observed if the presynaptic input preceded postsynaptic firing, early tissue injury removed this temporal requirement and LTP was observed regardless of the order in which the inputs were activated. Neonatal tissue damage also reduced the dependence of spike-timing-dependent LTP on NMDAR activation and unmasked a novel contribution of Ca2+-permeable AMPARs. These results suggest for the first time that transient tissue damage during early life creates a more permissive environment for the production of LTP within adult spinal nociceptive circuits. This persistent metaplasticity may promote the excessive amplification of ascending nociceptive transmission to the mature brain and thereby facilitate the generation of chronic pain after injury, thus representing a novel potential mechanism by which early trauma can prime adult pain pathways in the CNS. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Tissue damage during early life can “prime” developing nociceptive pathways in the CNS, leading to greater pain severity after repeat injury via mechanisms that remain poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that neonatal surgical injury widens the timing window during which correlated presynaptic and postsynaptic activity can evoke long-term potentiation (LTP) at sensory synapses onto adult lamina I projection neurons, which serve as a major output of the spinal nociceptive circuit and are essential for pain perception. This persistent increase in the likelihood of LTP induction after neonatal injury is predicted to favor the excessive amplification of ascending nociceptive transmission to the mature brain in response to subsequent injury and thereby exacerbate chronic pain.
Efficacy of leukocyte esterase dipstick test as a rapid test in diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

AIM To evaluate the efficacy of dipstick test in diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in cirrhotic patients who underwent abdominal paracentesis based on the locally available dipstick test. METHODS There were 200 consecutive samples from cirrhotic patients who underwent abdominal paracentesis. Urine dipstick (Combur10 TestM, Roche, Mannheim, Germany) was used as a screening test. A manual cell count with differential study was done in all samples by experienced technicians. The polymorphonuclear (PMN) cell count more than 250 cells/mm3 was used as a diagnostic cut off level. One to three plus dipstick results were used as cut off levels for a positive result. The dipstick test results had to be agreed by three experienced readers. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and accuracy of two different colorimetric cut off scales (1+ and 2+) were calculated and compared. RESULTS The prevalence of SBP diagnosed by manual cell count was 21.0%. There were 128 specimens that had a true negative result by dipstick. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and accuracy of 1+ and 2+ cut off scale to diagnose SBP were 88%, 81%, 55%, 96% and 83% respectively, and 63%, 96%, 82%, 81% and 89% respectively. CONCLUSION Dipstick test can be used as a rapid test for screening of SBP. The higher cut off colorimetric scale has a better specificity and positive predictive value but a lower sensitivity.
New Biofidelic Corridor and Biofidelity Test Procedure for Pedestrian Legform Impactors

The objectives of this research are to propose a new impact response corridor for the ISO legform impactor and to determine the biofidelity of the current legform impactor with rigid leg and thigh developed by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL). The latest data obtained from Post Mortem Human Subject (PMHS) knee impact tests were analyzed in connection with the proposal, and biofidelity legform impact tests were conducted using the current rigid legform impactor. New normalized biofidelic corridors of impact force corresponding to adult male 50th percentile (AM50) are proposed. The impact test results indicate the current rigid legform impactor does not have sufficient human knee biofidelity. The present results suggest that human tolerance can not be used directly for the injury reference value of the legform impactor. A conversion method is needed to interpret the data measured by current legform impactors as the injury reference value.
OPTIMIZING CATFISH FEEDING AND STOCKING STRATEGIES OVER A TWO-YEAR PLANNING HORIZON

Rising costs of feed ingredients in recent years have resulted in record increases in catfish feed prices. Since understocked channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) do not reach market size until the second year of production, static one-year economic models and analyses may not be adequate. A previous mixed-integer profit-maximizing model was extended to include a second year to evaluate the effects of varying feeding frequencies on farm management decisions, particularly on adjustments in the second year. Production options considered included frequency of feeding (every day, every other day, and every third day), multiple-batch production from four different fingerling sizes, and single-batch production from three different stocker sizes. Every day feeding was identified as the profit-maximizing feeding strategy on farms using multiple-batch production but unfavorable market prices, high feed prices, and operating capital constraints reduced feeding frequencies. Every day feeding remained the optimal strategy for farms in single-batch foodfish production. Market and capital constraints reduced the scale of farms operating in single-batch foodfish production, but did not change the optimal every day feeding strategy. Farms maximized profits by transitioning from multiple batch to single batch over the two-year period.
Learning about being a scientist from the vitamin B12 structure collaboration

This historical note reviews the work that resulted in the publication of the structure of Vitamin B12. The collaborations and resulting friendships that developed during this time made a strong impression on the author and encouraged her to pursue a scientific career. 2014 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 42(6):507–509, 2014.