Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The performance of Green Technology Investment in Korea

This study examines how green technology investments affect firm performance in the context of stock price growth, revenue growth, and profit growth. This study collected a total of 31 green firm performances from the Korean stock market. Using a regression framework, this paper seeks to answer the research questions; a) is green technology investment successful so far? b) how green technology investment affects firm performance? The empirical findings show that green technology investments, in general, do not have positive impact on firm performance so far, but green technology investments do have an impact on firm performances depending on the type of green technology that firms invested. The contribution of this study is to address the lack of empirical research in understanding whether green technology investments affect firm performance. In addition, this study discusses the research limitations such as the lack of consideration of market demand and characteristic of green technology.
Melatonin involvement in oxidative processes.

The fact that the pineal gland, by its melatonin (MT) production, responds to environmental light variations (the day-night cycle), being also a modulator of the body adaptation to these conditions, may lead to the assumption of its involvement in the body oxidative processes. The redox capacity of melatonin was followed-up in vitro by the chemiluminescence phenomenon. The system generating chemiluminescence as well as free radicals was made up of luminol and H2O2. Incubation of melatonin in doses of 0.08-0.5 microM/ml with the generating system showed that in doses under 0.25 microM/ml melatonin has a pro-oxidative effect while in doses above this value it has an antioxidative effect. The diagram of the results shows the answer specific to a modulator. The study of the correlation between the dose of melatonin with highest pro-oxidative properties and the various peroxide concentrations in the generating system showed that melatonin gets antioxidative properties with the increase in peroxide concentrations (less than 8 mM/ml). In the presence of a hypothalamic homogenate, which is a stimulant of the chemiluminescence-generating system (PXI = 16), melatonin has a dose-dependent antioxidative effect. Similar results were also obtained by adding tryptophan--a free radicals acceptor (PXI = 0.1) and the substrate in melatonin synthesis to the reaction medium. Melatonin in low concentrations (greater than 0.1 microM/ml) has an antioxidative effect while in higher doses it has a dose-dependent pro-oxidative effect. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Revising Max-Min for Scheduling in a Cloud Computing Context

Adoption of Cloud Computing is on the rise[1] and many datacenter operators adhere to strict energy efficiency guidelines[2]. In this paper a novel approach to scheduling in a Cloud Computing context is proposed. The algorithm Maxmin Fast Track (MXFT) revises the Max-min algorithm to better support smaller tasks with stricter Service Level Agreements (SLAs), which makes it more relevant to Cloud Computing. MXFT is inspired by queuing in supermarkets, where there is a fast lane for customers with a smaller number of items. The algorithm outperforms Max-min in task execution times and outperforms Min-min in overall makespan. A by-product of investigating this algorithm was the development of simulator called “ScheduleSim”[3] which makes it simpler to prove a scheduling algorithm before committing to a specific scheduling problem in Cloud Computing and therefore might be a useful precursor to experiments using the established simulator CloudSim[4].
Building capacity through the Internet: lessons learnt from the Reviews of Health Promotion & Education Online.

From 2000 to 2008, the International Union for Health Promotion and Health Education transformed the Internet Journal of Health Promotion it had inherited into an innovative electronic multilingual capacity building experiment, the Reviews of Health Promotion & Education Online . Using a variety of sources (content analysis of the papers, site consultation statistics, users' survey), this paper analyzes reflexively the strengths and weaknesses of this experiment that was replaced in October 2009 by an Internet forum: Views on Health Promotion Online .
Low-Phosphate Induction of Plastidal Stromules Is Dependent on Strigolactones But Not on the Canonical Strigolactone Signaling Component MAX21[OPEN]

Induction of stromule formation in plastids is dependent on strigolactones, but not on the strigolactone signaling component MAX2. Stromules are highly dynamic protrusions of the plastids in plants. Several factors, such as drought and light conditions, influence the stromule frequency (SF) in a positive or negative way. A relatively recently discovered class of plant hormones are the strigolactones; strigolactones inhibit branching of the shoots and promote beneficial interactions between roots and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Here, we investigate the link between the formation of stromules and strigolactones. This research shows a strong link between strigolactones and the formation of stromules: SF correlates with strigolactone levels in the wild type and strigolactone mutants (max2-1 max3-9), and SF is stimulated by strigolactone GR24 and reduced by strigolactone inhibitor D2.
Prognostic value of extravascular lung water in critically ill patients.

OBJECTIVE Measurement of extravascular lung water (EVLW) as a clinical tool for the assessment of pulmonary function has been found to be more appropriate than oxygenation parameters or radiographic techniques. In this study, we analyzed the prognostic value of EVLW in critically ill patients. DESIGN Retrospective analysis. SETTING Operative ICU of a university hospital. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS We retrospectively analyzed 373 critically ill patients (133 female and 240 male patients; age range, 10 to 89 years; mean +/- SD age, 53 +/- 19 years) who were treated in our ICU between 1996 and 2000. All these patients were hemodynamically monitored by the transpulmonary double-indicator (thermo-dye) dilution technique. Each patient received a femoral artery sheath through which a 4F flexible catheter with an integrated thermistor and fiberoptic was advanced into the infradiaphragmatic aorta. EVLW was calculated using a computer system. For each measurement, 15 to 17 mL of cooled 2% indocyanine green were injected central venously. In our results, maximum EVLW was significantly higher in nonsurvivors (n = 186) than in survivors (n = 187) [median, 14.3 mL/kg vs 10.2 mL/kg, respectively; p < 0.001]. In univariate logistic regression models, EVLW (r(2) = 0.024, p = 0.003) at baseline as well as simplified acute physiology score (SAPS) II (r(2) = 0.135, p < 0.0001) and APACHE (acute physiology and chronic health evaluation) II scores (r(2) = 0.050, p < 0.0001) were significant predictors of mortality. If SAPS II and APACHE II scores are combined, r(2) increases to 0.136, but the improvement over SAPS II alone is not significant. The addition of baseline EVLW further increases r(2) to 0.149 (p = 0.021 for the improvement), indicating that EVLW contributes independently to prognosis. CONCLUSION EVLW correlated well with survival (ie, nonsurvivors had significantly higher EVLW values than survivors) and is an independent predictor of prognosis.
The deregulated Nordic electricity market-10 years of experience

The liberalization of the electricity markets in the Nordic countries, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, started in the beginning of the 1990s. This report describes the deregulation process and the parties involved. The parliaments were important in preparing the necessary legislation. The establishment of a regulator with the required power was important The transmission system operator was established and given appropriate tasks. The goals for the common Nordic market are presented, the main goal being to provide for more efficient development and use of the power system. Basic requirements for a competitive electricity market are given. The main part of the report is devoted to the experiences from the Nordic market. The presentation of the important step from theory to practice is mentioning the key success factors; energy act, unbundling, regulation and TSO operation. To create a competitive environment the right responsibilities should be given to the TSOs and regulators. The reasons behind choosing a TSO model is described. Finally the importance of confidence in the market and the solutions chosen are underlined.
Co-overexpression of EpCAM and c-myc genes in malignant breast tumors

Purpose:The overexpression of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) proto-oncogene affects progression, treatment, and diagnosis of many adenocarcinomas. C-myc has been shown to be a downstream target of EpCAM and is also one of the most important proto-oncogenes routinely overexpressed in breast cancer. However, co-overexpression of EpCAM and c-myc genes has not been investigated in breast cancer tissues, particularly in Iranian population. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the expression of EpCAMand c-myc genes in malignant breast cancer tissues using RT-qPCR, followed by analyses of the association between the outcomes. Methods: To this purpose, 122 fresh tissues including 104 malignant and 18 benign samples were disrupted by mortar and pestle and RNA was then isolated from the samples and converted to cDNA. The relative expression levels of EpCAM and c-myc genes were measured by2 method using RTqPCR method. EpCAM protein level was also assessed in 66 cases using western blot technique. Results:Our results showed that EpCAMwas overexpressed in 48% of malignant and 11.1% of benign samples, using RT-qPCR method.Evaluating EpCAM protein overexpression in a portion of samples depicted the fully concordance rate between Western blot and RT-qPCR techniques. C-myc expression was first evaluated by RT-qPCR method, showing the overexpression rate of 39% and 28% in malignant and benign samples respectively. These data were also quite concordant with the clinically available IHC reports of the same samples studied in this study. Importantly, overexpression of EpCAM and c-myc was significantly associated and showed theagreement of 57.3%. Conclusion:This study demonstrated the co-overexpression of EpCAM and c-myc in breast tumors collected from breast cancer patients of theIranian population.EpCAM and c-myc positive cases were significantly associated with reduced and enhanced risk of ER/PR positivity respectively. However, they both were associated with grade III of breast cancer.
ARABIDOPSIS TRITHORAX-RELATED7 Is Required for Methylation of Lysine 4 of Histone H3 and for Transcriptional Activation of FLOWERING LOCUS C[C][W]

In the winter-annual accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana, presence of an active allele of FRIGIDA (FRI) elevates expression of FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC), a repressor of flowering, and thus confers a vernalization requirement. FLC activation by FRI involves methylation of Lys 4 of histone H3 (H3K4) at FLC chromatin. Many multicellular organisms that have been examined contain two classes of H3K4 methylases, a yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) Set1 class and a class related to Drosophila melanogaster Trithorax. In this work, we demonstrate that ARABIDOPSIS TRITHORAX-RELATED7 (ATXR7), a putative Set1 class H3K4 methylase, is required for proper FLC expression. The atxr7 mutation partially suppresses the delayed flowering of a FRI-containing line. The rapid flowering of atxr7 is associated with reduced FLC expression and is accompanied by decreased H3K4 methylation and increased H3K27 methylation at FLC. Thus, ATXR7 is required for the proper levels of these histone modifications that set the level of FLC expression to create a vernalization requirement in winter-annual accessions. Previously, it has been reported that lesions in ATX1, which encodes a Trithorax class H3K4 methylase, partially suppress the delayed flowering of winter-annual Arabidopsis. We show that the flowering phenotype of atx1 atxr7 double mutants is additive relative to those of single mutants. Therefore, both classes of H3K4 methylases appear to be required for proper regulation of FLC expression.
Exact results for the charge and spin densities, exchange-correlation potentials, and density-functional eigenvalues.

We derive asymptotically exact results for the charge and spin densities far away from finite systems (atoms and molecules) and far outside solid surfaces. These results are then used to obtain the correct asymptotic form of the exchange-correlation potential of density-functional (DF) theory and to prove that, for all systems, the eigenvalue of the uppermost occupied DF orbital equals the exact ionization potential. For spin-polarized finite systems we show that the uppermost DF eigenvalue in each spin channel is also given by exact excitation energies.
To deliver or to degrade – an interplay of the ubiquitin–proteasome system, autophagy and vesicular transport in plants

The efficient utilization and subsequent reuse of cell components is a key factor in determining the proper growth and functioning of all cells under both optimum and stress conditions. The process of intracellular and intercellular recycling is especially important for the appropriate control of cellular metabolism and nutrient management in immobile organisms, such as plants. Therefore, the accurate recycling of amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates or micro‐ and macronutrients available in the plant cell becomes a critical factor that ensures plant survival and growth. Plant cells possess two main degradation mechanisms: a ubiquitin–proteasome system and autophagy, which, as a part of an intracellular trafficking system, is based on vesicle transport. This review summarizes knowledge of both the ubiquitin–proteasome system and autophagy pathways, describes the cross‐talk between the two and discusses the relationships between autophagy and the vesicular transport systems.
PERCEPTION OF PITCH AND TONAL TIMING : IMPLICATIONS FOR MECHANISMS OF TONOGENESIS

This paper presents a discussion of tonal categories relating to pitch perception discrimination thresholds and the differences between pitch perception and the perception of tonal timing. Based on the results of a perception experiment using Swedish listeners and tonal timing results from the literature, this paper proposes perceptual mechanisms which may help explain the development of contour tones from level tones. In the perception experiments, listeners were given the task of ranking on a pitch scale /amamam/ stimuli in which rising and falling F0 contours through the second syllable differed in timing and slope. Listeners generally showed much greater tendency to perceive timing differences as pitch differences when the timing differences occurred early in the vowel. It is proposed that level tones may split into contour tones on the basis of their timing related to segments and syllable boundaries.
Iodine Deficiency Disorders in the Iodine-Replete Environment

Background:Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) constitute significant public health problems in parts of the world with poor iodine nutrition, but have been eradicated in North America and other regions. We herein report 3 cases of IDD, which occurred in women living in iodine-replete environments. Methods:The clinical presentation, biochemical findings, and radiological features of the patients were analyzed and presented in 3 case reports. The radiological features are illustrated in sonographic and scintigraphic images. A literature review and discussion, which highlight the risk factors, pathogenesis, ancillary investigations, and rational treatment of iodine deficiency goiter and hypothyroidism are provided. Results:All 3 patients were young women, aged 24 to 38 years, who had goiter. Two of them presented with goitrous hypothyroidism. Radioactive iodine scintigraphy showed a characteristic finding of diffusely increased uptake (in the absence of clinical and biochemical evidence of hyperthyroidism). This scintigraphic pattern was found to be pathognomonic. Dietary iodine supplementation alone resulted in complete remission of IDD in the subjects, including the 2 patients with hypothyroidism. Conclusion:IDD can occur in iodine-replete environments. A high index of suspicion is needed to recognize these cases. It is pertinent that the correct diagnosis be made to avoid unwarranted life-long thyroxine therapy in patients presenting with goiter and hypothyroidism, which is easily treatable with iodized salt. These cases underscore the need for considering iodine deficiency in the etiologic diagnosis of goiter and hypothyroidism, even in iodine-sufficient regions.
Polysubstance use: diagnostic challenges, patterns of use and health

Purpose of review Polysubstance use is common, particularly amongst some age groups and subcultures. It is also associated with elevated risk of psychiatric and physical health problems. We review the recent research findings, comment on changes to polysubstance diagnoses, report on contemporary clinical and epidemiological polysubstance trends, and examine the efficacy of preventive and treatment approaches. Recent findings Approaches to describing polysubstance use profiles are becoming more sophisticated. Models over the last 18 months that employ latent class analysis typically report a no use or limited-range cluster (alcohol, tobacco and marijuana), a moderate-range cluster (limited range and amphetamine derivatives), and an extended-range cluster (moderate range, and nonmedical use of prescription drugs and other illicit drugs). Prevalence rates vary as a function of the population surveyed. Wide-ranging polysubstance users carry higher risk of comorbid psychopathology, health problems, and deficits in cognitive functioning. Summary Wide-ranging polysubstance use is more prevalent in subcultures such as ‘ravers’ (dance club attendees) and those already dependent on substances. Health risks are elevated in these groups. Research into the prevention and treatment of polysubstance use is underdeveloped. There may be benefit in targeting specific polysubstance use and risk profiles in prevention and clinical research.
Concentration , compartmentation and metabolic function of intracellular free

Intracellular total Mg and free Mg are compartmentalized between cell organelles and within the cytosol. Different values of [Mg]i in the cytosol of the same cell type were measured by various investigators. A main reason for the differences is the uncertainty of the dissociation constants used for the Mg furaptra complex in the fluorescence method and for MgATP when P NMR was employed. The more realistic KD values of Mg furaptra and MgATP measured under in situ conditions are higher than the KDs used by most investigators. The [Mg ]is obtained and the KDs used by various authors were presented. The role of intracellular Mg 2+ in metabolic functions and the action of various effectors on [Mg]i and [Ca ]i was reviewed. Intracellular Mg may have a permissive role supporting the effectorinduced mechanisms that are mediated by Ca as a second messenger.
Disk›Based Successive Sampling for Outlier Detection in High Dimensional Data

We propose a sampling based outlier detection method for large high-dimensional data. Our method consists of two phases. In the rst phase, we combine a isuccessive samplingi strategy with a simple randomized partitioning technique to generate a candidate set of outliers. This phase requires one full data scan and the running time has linear complexity with respect to the size and dimensionality of the data set. An additional data scan, which constitutes the second phase, extracts the actual outliers from the candidate set. The running time for this phase has complexity where and are the size of the candidate set and the data set respectively. A major strength of the proposed approach is that no partitioning of the dimensions is required thus making it particularly suitable for high dimension data. Furthermore our method can handle both continuous and categorical attributes. We also present a detailed experimental evaluation of our proposed method on real and synethetic data sets.
Study of the hybrid parylene/PDMS material

This paper reports the mechanical behavior and barrier property of the hybrid parylene/PDMS material. The repetitive uniaxial tensile tests are done to characterize its mechanical behavior and the water vapor transmission rate is measured to evaluate its barrier property. The experimental data are in accordance with the composite material theory. A novel approach of facilitating the diffusion and penetration of parylene coatings into PDMS using in-situ heated deposition is presented. The parylene depth profiling in PDMS and 180° peel tests demonstrate that parylene deposition at elevated temperatures shows enhanced pore sealing capability. A theoretical model is proposed, featuring an infinitely long cylindrical PDMS pore model, free molecular flow and time-varying pore geometry during the deposition. There is only one unknown parameter in the model: the PDMS pore diameter. By fitting the numerical solutions of the theoretical model to the parylene depth profiling curves, the PDMS pore diameter is estimated to be ~6.02nm.
Sustainability and the UK’s Major Food Retailers: Consumer Concentric Cause Marketing Writ Large

This chapter reviews how the UK’s leading food retailers are incorporating sustainability into their corporate identities and marketing strategies. The chapter begins with an outline of the characteristics of sustainability, a discussion of the relationships between marketing and sustainability, and a brief description of the structure of food retailing within the UK. The chapter draws its empirical information from the sustainability material on the top ten UK’s food retailers’ corporate websites and an observational survey conducted in these retailers’ stores in the town of Cheltenham in the UK. The findings reveal that while the top ten UK food retailers claimed strong corporate commitments to sustainability, such commitments are poorly reflected at the point of sale within stores where the dominant marketing messages were designed to entice customers to consume rather than to encourage them to develop more sustainable patterns of shopping behaviour. This leads the authors to offer some critical reflections on the sustainability agendas being pursued by the UK’s leading food retailers. More critically, the authors argue that the UK’s leading food retailers have constructed sustainability agendas which are driven largely, though not necessarily exclusively, by their own commercial interests rather than by commitments to sustainability. As such, these retailers can be seen to be looking to accommodate both strategic long-term commitments to sustainability as well short-term operational decisions to offer customers competitive prices within what they see as genuinely consumer concentric marketing strategies. Peter Jones University of Gloucestershire, UK Daphne Comfort University of Gloucestershire, UK David Hillier University of Glamorgan, UK DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-4852-4.ch042