Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Theoretical aspects of corporate social responsibility as the practical implementation of sustainable development

The presented paper analyzes CSR genesis starting from the concept emergence in 1950ies rolling through the all decades until now - in each of it there is highlighted the specialty of concept interpretation. Also, there is presented a scheme of the relationship between the CSR and sustainable development concepts with the detailed analysis of different meanings and usage - sustainable development when ensuring the continuous growth of the company and sustainable development when ensuring the continuous growth of the business environment in the areas of economy, sociology and ecology. Finally, there is made a detailed analysis of CSR concept today by the different researchers and scientists with highlighting the main ideas.
Towards Automatic Service Level Agreements Information Extraction

Service Level Agreements (SLAs) are contracts co-signed by an Application Service Provider (ASP) and the end user(s) to regulate the services delivered through the Internet. They contain several clauses establishing for example the level of the services to guarantee, also known as quality of service (QoS) parameters and the penalties to apply in case the requirements are not met during the SLA validity time. SLAs use legal jargon, indeed they have legal validity in case of court litigation between the parties. A dedicated contract management facility should be part of the service provisioning because of the contractual importance and contents. Some work in literature about these facilities rely on a structured language representation of SLAs in order to make them machine-readable. The majority of these languages are the result of private stipulation and not available for public services where SLAs are expressed in common natural language instead. In order to automate the SLAs management, in this paper we present an investigation towards SLAs text recognition. We devised an approach to identify the definitions and the constraints included in the SLAs using different machine learning techniques and provide a preliminary assessment of the approach on a set of 36 publicly available SLA documents.
Repression of SRF target genes is critical for Myc‐dependent apoptosis of epithelial cells

Oncogenic levels of Myc expression sensitize cells to multiple apoptotic stimuli, and this protects long‐lived organisms from cancer development. How cells discriminate physiological from supraphysiological levels of Myc is largely unknown. Here, we show that induction of apoptosis by Myc in breast epithelial cells requires association of Myc with Miz1. Gene expression and ChIP‐Sequencing experiments show that high levels of Myc invade target sites that lack consensus E‐boxes in a complex with Miz1 and repress transcription. Myc/Miz1‐repressed genes encode proteins involved in cell adhesion and migration and include several integrins. Promoters of repressed genes are enriched for binding sites of the serum‐response factor (SRF). Restoring SRF activity antagonizes Myc repression of SRF target genes, attenuates Myc‐induced apoptosis, and reverts a Myc‐dependent decrease in Akt phosphorylation and activity, a well‐characterized suppressor of Myc‐induced apoptosis. We propose that high levels of Myc engage Miz1 in repressive DNA binding complexes and suppress an SRF‐dependent transcriptional program that supports survival of epithelial cells.
South American West Coast Economies: A Panel Data Approach

Latin American countries, especially those placed in the Pacific shore; have a good growth vector based in macroeconomic parameters like GDP, activity rates and foreign investment. At the same time, these elements evolve in parallel with the trade activity, both as for imports/exports amounts and for containership ports throughput (measured in TEUs). This paper shows the evolution of these parameters along the last decade, and also performs a multivariate analysis, based on panel data methodologies, in order to put all these variables into relation.The results show the relevance of this geographical area as a key growth vector with respect to all the Latin American aggregate, and also show the positive relation between activity rates and innovation, TEUs throughput, and a slightly negative contribution of foreign direct investment and employment in those countries.
Regulation of mechanisms with friction driven by brushed DC motors via IDA-PBC method

In this paper, we apply the interconnection and damping assignment passivity-based control methodology to control a class of mechanisms with friction by means of brushed Direct Current (DC) motors of permanent magnet. The application considers the dynamics of the motor in the control system design. Our main contribution is a control law in terms of voltage applied to each one of DC motors to stabilize the mechanism in a desired position. The class of mechanisms to control includes either fully actuated mechanical systems as underactuated mechanical systems. The performance of the proposed controller is illustrated via simulations through an underactuated mechanism, the ball and beam system.
The new education philanthropy : politics, policy, and reform

Philanthropic foundations play an increasingly influential role in education research, policy, and practice-yet this sector has been subject to little research-informed analysis. In The New Education Philanthropy, Frederick M. Hess and Jeffrey R. Henigconvene a diverse group of scholars and analysts to examine the shifting role of education philanthropy over the last decade, giving particular attention to the large national foundations-Gates, Broad, Walton, and Lumina, among others-that are increasingly aggressive and strategic in their use of funds. Drawing on original research, they investigate and assess the impact of new patterns in foundation giving for advocacy and research; the divergence in funding strategies between old and new foundations; the extension of "venture philanthropy" to higher education; and the backlash against "reform" philanthropy as well as the unlikely partnerships it forges. The New Education Philanthropy offers an unprecedented look behind the scenes at major foundations, exploring the goals, values, and strategies that drive the new grantmakers' work and outlining the lessons they have learned over the past decade. This empirical inquiry into the ideas and activities of this secretive sector promises to provide a valuable resource forresearchers and reformers alike.
Inflammatory and Hemostatic Activation in Patients Undergoing Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

To characterize hemostatic differences imposed by 2 common cardiac surgeries, the authors studied patients undergoing coronary artery revascularization by off-pump (n = 13) or cardiopulmonary bypass on-pump (n = 26) technique. Blood samples collected to 4 days post-surgery were evaluated by flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A significant inflammatory response occurred in both the groups after surgery shown by increased interleukin cytokines and C-reactive protein; however, levels peaked lower and hours later in the off-pump group. Platelets (P-selectin; platelet-leukocyte complexes) and leukocytes (CD11b) were activated only in on-pump patients. Thrombin generation was enhanced in both groups after surgery. Only in the on-pump patients, the thrombin-antithrombin complex, pro-thrombin fragment 1.2, and thrombomodulin (vascular integrity) decreased intraoperatively. Tissue plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 were greater in the on-pump patients. Off-pump surgery may place patients at higher risk of postoperative hypercoagulability because of normal platelet function, intraoperative thrombin generation, less fibrinolytic activity, and lack of vascular protection.
Business, government and community relationships

The paper reports on an exploratory study having its genesis in the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services (2006). The triadic relationship between business, government and the community is explored within the Australian context. The authors explore the perceived reality (the way these relationships are seen to operate) and the ideal (the way they are seen to be designed to operate) with respect to corporate social responsibility and the barriers that prevent the ideal from being the reality. Using quotes from participant interviews, the authors conclude that while business and government are aligned to form a stable power base within the triad, community is perceived to be subject to judgements or decisions determined by the other two entities. A waxing and waning of community strength is identified and the nature of this fluid position and its attendant consequences for the exertion of power are suggested as issues for future research.
An Examination of the (Un)Intended Consequences of Performance Funding in Higher Education

Previous studies have shown that state performance funding policies do not increase baccalaureate degree production, but higher education scholarship lacks a rigorous, quantitative analysis of the unintended consequences of performance funding. In this article, we use difference-in-differences estimation with fixed effects to evaluate performance funding in Indiana. We find that performance funding did not increase the number of graduates and instead led to declining admission rates and increased selectivity at Indiana’s public universities. When compared with surrounding states, we find limited evidence that the effects of performance funding could disproportionately limit college access for Indiana’s low-income and minority applicants.
Iron loading enhances susceptibility to renal ischemia in rats.

Because chronic iron overload can cause organ injury in hemochromatosis and because iron participates in injury during renal ischemia-reperfusion, the effect of mild subacute renal iron loading on the susceptibility to ischemic acute renal failure was evaluated. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with iron nitrilotriacetate (1 mg iron/kg BW i.p. daily) for 5 days. Controls were instead injected with nitrilotriacetate. Seventy-two hours later animals were subjected to 40-min renal artery ischemia. Iron loading produced a 28% increase in kidney iron content without any change in baseline renal function (plasma creatinine) or histology. Ischemic renal injury was far more severe in iron-loaded animals. Plasma creatinine 24 and 48 h after ischemia was significantly higher in iron-loaded rats (3.3 and 3.4 vs. 2.2 and 0.8 mg/dL) and GFR was significantly lower in iron-loaded rats (0.30 vs. 0.78 mL/min). In addition, iron-loaded rats showed a dramatically greater extent of damage by histologic evaluation using a semiquantitative scoring method. Therefore, a small increase in renal iron content greatly increased renal injury after an ischemic insult. These findings may be relevant to human renal disease because there is accumulating evidence of renal iron accumulation in a variety of proteinuric and chronic renal diseases.
Patient-Friendly Visual Rehabilitation EMG Biofeedback with TENS Pain Relief Module based on Android Platform

The aim of this paper is to introduce an integrated system for accurate and easy rehabilitation process. A small gadget connected wirelessly by android application for on line follow up and continuous enhancement with affordable cost. Acquiring and signal processing is implemented by application for both patient and doctor. Patient application process and enhance signal for patient rehabilitation, these acquisitions were sent to the doctor application to follow the rehabilitation progress. The Proposed system gives patients the ability to follow their progress, be exited and do their exercises and rehabilitation processes very well. The design and implementation of Muscle Rehabilitation Enhancement and Control System has been proposed. Pain relief system in portable and affordable small size kit for injured muscle has been implemented. Pain control stimulator "TENS" protocol that outputs a pulsed biphasic current has been manipulated for accuracy and patient safety. Implementation designed to reduce acute, chronic, and postoperative pain, as well as postoperative analgesic medication consumption that last for 24 hours.
Analysis of Residential Demand Response and double-auction markets

Demand response and dynamic pricing programs are expected to play increasing roles in the modern smart grid environment. While direct load control of end-use loads has existed for decades, price driven response programs are only beginning to be explored at the distribution level. These programs utilize a price signal as a means to control demand. Active markets allow customers to respond to fluctuations in wholesale electrical costs, but may not allow the utility to control demand. Transactive markets, utilizing distributed controllers and a centralized auction, can be used to create an interactive system which can limit demand at key times on a distribution system, decreasing congestion. With the current proliferation of computing and communication resources, the ability now exists to create transactive demand response programs at the residential level. With the combination of automated bidding and response strategies, coupled with education programs and customer response, emerging demand response programs have the ability to reduce utility demand and congestion in a more controlled manner. This paper will explore the effects of a residential double-auction market, utilizing transactive controllers, on the operation of an electric power distribution system.
Motor neuron degeneration is attenuated in bax‐deficient neurons in vitro

Apoptosis plays a major role in motor neuron survival during developmental cell death, after axotomy, and in motor neuron diseases. Bax is the first member of the bcl‐2 family shown to promote apoptosis. In the present study, we used the bax‐deficient mouse model to determine the role of bax in motor neuron survival in vitro by using dissociated spinal cord cultures. This system enables the maturation of individual motor neurons in a controlled in vitro environment. Motor neurons were identified by using the antineurofilament antibody SMI‐32 and the antitranscription factor antibody Islet1. Both antibodies labeled large motor neurons in wild‐type and bax‐null cultures. Differentiated wild‐type cultures exhibited a reduction in long‐term cultures of two‐ and fivefold in the number of SMI‐32– and Islet1‐positive cells, respectively. The reduction in the number of motor neurons was attenuated in bax −/− cultures. Bax deficiency also attenuated serum withdrawal‐ and kainate‐induced apoptosis in motor neurons. For comparison, necrotic cell death led to significant motor neuron cell death in both wild‐type and bax −/− cultures. In addition, bax deficiency did not induce proliferation of motor neuron precursors in vitro. This study indicates for the first time that bax has a dominant role in the survival of long‐term cultured motor neurons. J. Neurosci. Res. 55:542–556, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A General Propensity to Psychological Distress Affects Cardiovascular Outcomes: Evidence From Research on the Type D (Distressed) Personality Profile

Evidence Specific negative emotions have been related to adverse cardiac events, but a general propensity to psychological distress may also affect cardiovascular outcomes. In this summary article, we provide a reliable estimate of the prognostic risk associated with Type D (distressed) personality, a general propensity to distress that is defined by high scores on the “negative affectivity” and “social inhibition” traits. Quantitative analyses of prospective studies that included a total of 6121 patients with a cardiovascular condition indicated that Type D personality was associated with a more than 3-fold increased risk of adverse events (9 studies) and long-term psychological distress (11 studies). In addition, a narrative review of 29 studies showed that Type D personality and depression are distinct manifestations of psychological distress, with different and independent cardiovascular effects. There are also plausible biological and behavioral pathways that may explain this adverse effect of Type D personality. The findings reported in this summary article support the simultaneous use of specific and general measures of distress in cardiovascular research and practice. Depression, anxiety, anger, and posttraumatic stress are specific markers of distress that have been related to cardiac disorder,1,–,5 whereas broader markers of psychological distress have received substantially less attention in cardiovascular research.6 However, the general distress shared across these specific markers may predict the development of coronary heart disease1 and may also partly account for the association of depression and anxiety with myocardial infarction,3 poor cardiac prognosis,4 and autonomic cardiac dysregulation.7 Hence, the conceptual idea of psychological distress as a cardiovascular risk marker may be broadened to include a general propensity to distress. Many studies report on depression, anxiety, and cardiovascular outcomes.2,–,4 Although patients may go in and out of depressive and anxious episodes, there …
Expression of Sox2 in cervical squamous cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE Sox2, one of the genes that maintains self-renewal of embryonic stem cells and relates to the differentiation potential of these cells, is abnormaly expressed in various human tumors. We investigated the expression Sox2 in normal cervix and cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and we also assessed the prognostic significance of Sox2 expression in FIGO stage I-II cervical SCC. METHODS Immunohistochemistry was performed to define the expression of Sox2 in 20 normal cervical tissue samples and 55 samples of cervical SCC. Correlations with clinicopathological characteristics were determined by chi-square test. The prognostic impact of Sox2 expression with regard to overall disease-free survival (DFS) was determined by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS The positive expression rate in cervical SCC was 74.5% (41/55), while in normal cervix it was 20.0% (4/20; p=0.000. In addition, the expression of Sox2 did not correlate with clinical factors (p>0.05). The overall DFS rates with negative and positive expressions of Sox2 were 35.7 and 29.3%, respectively (p=0.360). CONCLUSIONS Our results show that Sox2 was overexpressed in FIGO stage I-II cervical SCC, indicating that overexpressed Sox2 may play an important role in the carcinogenesis of cervical SCC. Besides, we found that the expression of Sox2 had no relation to clinical factors and prognosis.
Sensory afferents and motor neurons as targets for nitric oxide in the locust

In the adult locust, nitric oxide (NO) synthase is expressed in interneurons that innervate mechanosensory neuropils, indicating that NO may participate in mechanosensory processing. Here, we have identified potential neuronal targets of NO by localizing the expression and activity of soluble guanylyl cyclase (SGC), its principal molecular target in the nervous system. We used two complementary approaches, namely immunolocalization of SGC α‐subunit (SGCα), and of cyclic GMP (cGMP) after exposure to an NO donor. The cell bodies, axons and central projections of thoracic exteroceptors, proprioceptors, auditory receptors, and chemoreceptors were strongly immunoreactive for SGCα. Strong SGCα immunoreactivity also occurred in all thoracic motor neurons, including their axon terminals. NO‐donors induced a pattern of cGMP immunostaining that was similar to the distribution of SGCα, indicating that both sensory and motor neurons contain functional SGC. Therefore, NO may modulate both the input from these sensory neurons and the output of motor neurons. Although the expression of SGCα was highly consistent, NO donors did not always induce cGMP‐staining in SGC‐containing neurons, suggesting that SGC is coregulated by factors other than NO. Complementing previous reports in the visual and olfactory system, our results indicate a general role for NO‐cGMP signaling in early sensory processing; diffusible signals may mediate a cross‐adaptation or ‐sensitization within neural maps where similarly tuned neurons have adjacent projections, an anatomical arrangement shared by many sensory systems. J. Comp. Neurol. 422:521–532, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Perception of College Students Toward E-Cheating

Information technology (IT) devices have offered many facilities for educational process. Unfortunately, some studies have concluded that IT facilities have been misused by some students. The misuse of IT in academic process is called E-Cheating. Some studies have done, but there are only limited studies conducted for IT utilization in Accounting and Management majors. This research is aimed at knowing how the perception of college students towards any actions of E-cheating in academic area is, especially in university that utilizes IT in Accounting and Management. STIE Perbanas Surabaya has a regulation to punish the students who cheat at final and mid semester examination. Although the punishments have been applied for more than 3 years, the number of students who do cheat is not decreasing. The survey has been conducted to more than 400 students of Accounting and Management to explore the student’s perception towards e-cheating in academic area. This study can give a benefit to educational institutions to be taken into account in the compilation of academic code of ethics and analysis of education curriculum that is relevant to the code of ethics in e-employment.
Effects of sleep and circadian rhythm on the human immune system

Many immune parameters show systematic fluctuations over the 24‐h day in human blood. Circulating naive T‐cells and production of proinflammatory cytokines, like interleukin‐12 (IL‐12), peak during nighttime, whereas cytotoxic effector leukocytes and production of the anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10 peak during daytime. These temporal changes originate from a combined influence of the circadian system and sleep. Both brain functions act synergistically and share neuroendocrine effector mechanisms to convey control over immune functions. Sympathetic tone and cortisol levels show a circadian nadir during nighttime and are further suppressed by sleep, whereas growth hormone and prolactin show a circadian peak during nighttime and are further enhanced by sleep. Thus, the circadian system and sleep jointly evoke a unique endocrine constellation that is extremely effective in inducing changes in leukocyte traffic and a shift toward proinflammatory type 1‐cytokines during the nocturnal period of sleep, that is, an action with strong clinical implications.
Cold War Geopolitics of Population and Reproduction in Okinawa Under US Military Occupation, 1945–1972

This article explores the Cold War geopolitics of population and reproduction in Okinawa under US military occupation from 1945 to 1972. Okinawa has been hailed as a “reproductive paradise,” owing to having the highest birth rate in Japan. However, its high birth rate reflects the Cold War history of US military occupation or, more specifically, the history of reproduction and the marginalization of the population in Japan. In postwar Okinawa, where the Eugenic Protection Law (EPL) was not implemented, the use of legalized abortion and contraceptive methods was restricted until the reversion to Japanese administration. The US Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands (USCAR) put forward emigration as a solution to Okinawa's population pressures and refused to enact the EPL, although the Government of the Ryukyu Islands (GRI) sought to implement the legislation. This article reveals that Cold War geopolitics placed Okinawa between national and international trends of population policy and family planning programs by highlighting the following three points: the GRI's awareness of Okinawa's population problem and enactment of the EPL, USCAR's choice in promoting emigration and “rescission” of the EPL, and a family planning campaign without state initiative in Okinawa under US military occupation.