Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Incremental Linear-Time Algorithm for Recognizing Interval Graphs

The fastest-known algorithm for recognizing interval graphs [S. Booth and S. Lucker, J. Comput. System Sci., 13 (1976), pp. 335–379] iteratively manipulates the system of all maximal cliques of the given graph in a rather complicated way in order to construct a consecutive arrangement (more precisely, a tree representation of all possible consecutive arrangements). This paper presents a much simpler algorithm using a related, but much more informative tree representation of interval graphs. This tree is constructed in an incremental fashion by adding vertices to the graph in a predefined order such that adding a vertex u takes $O(|{\operatorname{Adj}}(u)| + 1)$ amortized time.
Proneurotrophins, Seizures, and Neuronal Apoptosis

Neurons respond to numerous factors in their environment that influence their survival and function during development and in the mature brain. Among these factors, the neurotrophins have been shown to support neuronal survival and function, acting primarily through the Trk family of receptor tyrosine kinases. However, recent studies have established that the uncleaved neurotrophin precursors, the proneurotrophins, can be secreted and induce apoptosis via the p75 neurotrophin receptor, suggesting that the balance of secreted mature and proneurotrophins has a critical impact on neuronal survival or death. Epileptic seizures elicit increases in both proneurotrophin secretion and p75NTR expression, shifting the balance of these factors toward signaling cell death. This review will discuss the evidence that this ligand-receptor system plays an important role in neuronal loss following seizures.
The Transplantation Society Believes a Policy of Engagement Will Facilitate Organ Donation Reform in China

The Transplantation Society (TTS) was the first professional transplantation organization to respond to the practice of using organs from executed prisoners for transplantation more than a decade ago (1). TTS has been instrumental in working with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Health Assembly to develop guidelines for governments to combat organ trafficking and, with the International Society of Nephrology, established the Declaration of Istanbul (DOI). This declaration defined “organ trafficking” and “transplant tourism” and presented principles and proposals to effect change. TTS has worked diligently to curtail commercial transplantation and the use of executed prisoners globally and replace this practice with ethical programs of living and deceased organ donation to serve the citizens of every nation.
Hexacyclinol, a new antiproliferative metabolite of Panus rudis HKI 0254.

During our continuing screening for new bioactive metabolites from fungi we discovered recently hexacyclinol (1) as a novel, unusual, oligocyclic metabolite in cultures of the fungal strain Panus rudis HKI 0254. The strain was isolated from basidiospores of this fungus found on dead betula woods collected near Irkutsk (Sibiria, specimen herb. H, DORFELT, Sibiria 299). Panus rudis is of widespread occurrence throughout the world in many different ecotypes and has been reported to produce bioactive secondary metabolites1,2). The basidiomata of Panus rudis from the Sibirian source are growing singly or basal confluent to little tufts, excentric to central, stipitate, infundibuliform, with hazel-brown, strong tomentous pilei until 4.5cm in diameter; pilei and stipes with hairs until 2.5mm,
Constraints, Determinants of SME Innovation, and the Role of Government Support

This paper provides an empirical analysis of potential constraints to SMEs upgrading their capability to innovate, and assesses the effectiveness of government support in overcoming these constraints. The justification for government support is that market failures can hinder SMEs' access to information, finance, technology, and human resources. This paper focuses on the impact of the perceived effectiveness of government support through business development services in terms of providing: (i) training; (ii) counselling and advice; (iii) technology development and transfer; (iv) information; (v) business linkages; (vi) financing; and (vii) a conducive business environment. The effectiveness of this support is evaluated against the ability of SMEs to innovate.
Firm Performance, Corporate Governance and Managerial Reward

The aim of the paper is to test two hypotheses: on one hand, the aim is to analyse if firm’s executive rewards can be explained just by the hierarchical structure of the firm (Model One) while on the other we want to study the correlation between the level of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) compensation, the quality of firms’ corporate governance and firm performances (Model Two). A comparison of the results obtained will be helpful for two reasons: if the level of reward is not only a function of hierarchy (Model One) or economic performances (Model Two) it will be interesting to compare the excess of compensation due to managerial discretion obtained in the two models and check if the results obtained show a similar trend. Furthermore, if the excess of compensation due to managerial discretion will be positive, model two will help us to understand if this “inefficiency” is due to a weak corporate governance structure or to the nature of the ownership of the firm.
Neurogenic mechanisms in bronchial inflammatory diseases

Neurogenic inflammation encompasses the release of neuropeptides from airway nerves leading to inflammatory effects. This neurogenic inflammatory response of the airways can be initiated by exogenous irritants such as cigarette smoke or gases and is characterized by a bi‐directional linkage between airway nerves and airway inflammation. The event of neurogenic inflammation may participate in the development and progression of chronic inflammatory airway diseases such as allergic asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The molecular mechanisms underlying neurogenic inflammation are orchestrated by a large number of neuropeptides including tachykinins such as substance P and neurokinin A, or calcitonin gene‐related peptide. Also, other biologically active peptides such as neuropeptide tyrosine, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide or endogenous opioids may modulate the inflammatory response and recently, novel tachykinins such as virokinin and hemokinins were identified. Whereas the different aspects of neurogenic inflammation have been studied in detail in laboratory animal models, only little is known about the role of airway neurogenic inflammation in human diseases. However, different functional properties of airway nerves may be used as targets for future therapeutic strategies and recent clinical data indicates that novel dual receptor antagonists may be relevant new drugs for bronchial asthma or COPD.
Detecting, preventing, and managing patients' alcohol problems.

OBJECTIVE To examine Canadian family physicians' attitudes, beliefs, and practices regarding alcohol use and alcohol-related problems among their patients. DESIGN A self-administered questionnaire mailed to a random sample of 2883 family physicians. The survey was conducted using a modified Dillman method. PARTICIPANTS Canadian physicians in active office-based practice during 1989. Sample included certificated and noncertificated members of the College of Family Physicians of Canada, as well as non-members of the College. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Perceived importance of various health-promotion behaviours; attitudes and beliefs about working with problem drinkers; current knowledge and practices regarding identifying and managing problem drinkers; and demographic characteristics. RESULTS Respondents had a strong sense of role legitimacy in working with problem drinkers, but predominantly negative and pessimistic attitudes. Half the respondents felt they had failed in their work with problem drinkers. More physicians agreed on a psychosocial etiology for alcoholism than on a biological origin. Three quarters of respondents said they "almost always" ask patients about quantity and frequency of alcohol use, and just over one third "almost always" ask about problems related to drinking. Data also suggest doctors have relatively few patients with alcohol problems, and they need help in responding to such patients. CONCLUSION Physicians need more training for their role in identifying and managing patients with alcohol problems.
Corporate Governance and Sectoral Patterns of Innovation: Evidence from Italian Manufacturing Industries

The paper explores the question whether the relationship between corporate governance dimensions and innovation at the firm level is affected by sectoral characteristics, by analyzing Italian manufacturing sectors. We estimate the impact of corporate governance features on patenting activity for two sub-groups of Italian firms, identified on the basis of the well-established distinction between Schumpeter Mark I (creative destruction) and Schumpeter Mark II (creative accumulation) sectors. We use a unique dataset on about 35.000 Italian manufacturing firms over the 2002-2007 period and employ a hurdle model for zero-inflated data in order to study simultaneously (i) the firm's ability to be innovative rather than non innovative and (ii) its ability to be relatively more innovative than the other innovative firms. We find that in Schumpeter Mark I sectors, a concentrated ownership structure has a positive effect on innovation, while the opposite is true for Schumpeter Mark II sectors. We interpret this result, arguing that, in more unstable markets, a concentrated ownership reduces agency costs to a larger extent than it exacerbates asymmetric bargaining problems. We find also that Schumpeter Mark I environments are associated to a negative effect of debt exposure, due to the higher uncertainty and agency costs. These findings are robust to a number of identification issues, including the possible endogeneity of corporate ownership structures. Our results may allow to make sense of the contradictory findings of the literature on corporate governance and innovation.
The role of non-uniform sarcomere behaviour during relaxation of striated muscle.

It has previously been shown that there are marked non-uniformities in the pattern of sarcomere length changes during relaxation of a muscle fibre. This problem has now been studied in more detail during both twitch and tetanus in frog single muscle fibres and some of these results are presented to elucidate the mechanical consequences of the non-uniform sarcomere movements. The sarcomere behaviour during an isometric twitch is essentially the same as that observed during a tetanus in a given fibre: the sarcomere pattern is stable during the rising phase, the peak and the initial portion of the relaxation period. The pattern becomes non-uniform at a point (approx. 73% of peak force) which coincides with the beginning of a rapid fall in tension. At this point some segments (altogether c. 70% of the fibre length) start to shorten at the expense of others which are overextended. Maximum shortening, and elongation, is attained as the isometric tension approaches zero (2–5% of peak force). The majority of the sarcomeres in the fibre thus produce mechanical work (against a decaying load) during the isometric relaxation phase. The onset on non-uniformity varies with the time at which peak twitch force is attained. Thus, if a fibre is released to redevelop tension at different times during a twitch, the onset of non-uniformity is found to shift correspondingly to coincide with the beginning of the rapid tension fall in each case. The results suggest that the mechanical activity decays at different rates along the length of the fibre. The cross-bridges (reduced in number) in the weaker segment(s) will be stretched and when the stretch exceeds approximately 18 nm/half sarcomere the bridges start to slide. It appears that the yielding somehow further reduces the activity in this segment leading to a steeper decline in tension. It is possible to induce the non-uniform behaviour (and the rapid relaxation phase) at an earlier time by applying a stretch to the fibre so that the weak segments start to yield. In this way the rapid relaxation phase may be initiated already at the peak of the isometric twitch. The results suggest that the non-uniform behaviour provides a mechanism by which the isometric relaxation is speeded up. Evidence is presented to show that a similar mechanism may be effective also during relaxation of cardiac muscle.
Fat Profiles of Your Favorite Fast-Food Restaurant: How Do They Measure Up to Recommended Guidelines?

Fast-food restaurant meals may affect the health of individuals. Data from nine popular fast-food establishments showed that sandwiches and desserts are high in fat. Saturated fat was found to be present in amounts higher than monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat. Breakfast items contained more fat than lunch sandwiches. Further measures should be taken to reduce the fat content of fast-food. Fast-food restaurant owners must evaluate offering combination breakfast sandwiches, thus allowing the customers the option of ordering single items.
Experimental therapies : gene therapies and oncolytic viruses

Glioblastoma is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor in adults. Over the past three decades, the overall survival time has only improved by a few months, therefore novel alternative treatment modalities are needed to improve clinical management strategies. Such strategies should ultimately extend patient survival. At present, the extensive insight into the molecular biology of gliomas, as well as into genetic engineering techniques, has led to better decision processes when it comes to modifying the genome to accommodate suicide genes, cytokine genes, and tumor suppressor genes that may kill cancer cells, and boost the host defensive immune system against neoantigenic cytoplasmic and nuclear targets. Both nonreplicative viral vectors and replicating oncolytic viruses have been developed for brain cancer treatment. Stem cells, microRNAs, nanoparticles, and viruses have also been designed. These have been armed with transgenes or peptides, and have been used both in laboratory-based experiments as well as in clinical trials, with the aim of improving selective killing of malignant glioma cells while sparing normal brain tissue. This chapter reviews the current status of gene therapies for malignant gliomas and highlights the most promising viral and cell-based strategies under development. © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. gene therapy; glioblastoma; malignant glioma; microRNA; nanoparticle; oncolytic virus; stem cell PMID: 26948355 DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-802997-8.00011-6 [PubMed in process] Format: Abstract 1 1 2 3 Author information 1
Multi-FPGA Evaluation Platform for Disaggregated Computing

We present a versatile FPGA-based evaluation platformfor exploring alternative execution strategies on disaggregatedenvironments for applications, considering differentprocessing block types: compute cores, memory, and accelerators. Developers can interconnect different blocks types in orderto create optimal configurations. A user-level software libraryallows quick mapping of applications on real hardware. Wehave implemented a fully working prototype using three ZC706FPGA boards, and evaluated different software / hardwareconfigurations of a matrix multiplication benchmark.
Intruders in the Grid

A power grid is a critical infrastructure that relies on supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems for monitoring, control, and operation. On top of the power infrastructure reside layers of information and communications technology (ICT) that are interconnected with electric grids. The cyber and power infrastructures together constitute a large, complex cyberphysical system. ICTs on the power grids have evolved from isolated structures into open and networked environments based on TCP/IP and Ethernet. The technology is known to be vulnerable with respect to cyberintrusions. As ICTs of the power infrastructure have evolved into highly connected network environments, the use of firewalls has become a widely adopted access control method against intruders. Firewalls do not guarantee cybersecurity, however. The misconfiguration of company firewalls has been reported. Even if the configuration of a firewall is correct, it is still vulnerable because firewalls are not able to detect insider attacks and connections from the trusted side. Hence, solutions based solely on firewalls can be inadequate.
Role of cholecystokinin in appetite control and body weight regulation

Cholecystokinin (CCK), a peptide that is distributed widely throughout the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system, has a number of physiological effects including the stimulation of gallbladder contraction and pancreatic and gastric acid secretion, slowing of gastric emptying and suppression of energy intake. This review focuses on current knowledge relating to (i) the effects of CCK on energy intake; (ii) the role for CCK in the pathophysiology of obesity; and (iii) the therapeutic potential for strategies which modulate the action or secretion of CCK in the management of obesity. While CCK plays a role in the acute regulation of appetite and energy intake, there is little evidence to suggest that specific CCK receptor agonists, or modulation of the actions of endogenous CCK by dietary manipulation, have sustainable inhibitory effects on energy intake. Hence, it appears unlikely that manipulating the pathways by which CCK modulates energy intake will prove to be an effective strategy in the long term management of obesity.
Targeted therapies: what they teach us about the pathogenesis of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

ABSTRACT Introduction: Biologic therapy has revolutionized treatment pathways in psoriatic joint and skin disease. It has also provided a useful tool with which pathological pathways of this condition may be explored. Areas covered: This review presents data on the clinical and biological effects of targeted therapy in psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis. Therapeutic agents covered include inhibitors of TNFα, inhibitors of the IL-23/IL-17 axis and inhibitors of intracellular small molecules involved in the transduction of the inflammatory signal. Trial data on clinical and imaging efficacy is reviewed in parallel with studies on biological effects at tissue level. Pathological insights gained from the use of these treatments are explored. Expert commentary: A close relationship exists between specific pathological types and clinical manifestations of psoriatic disease, including responses to treatment. Studying these relationships is likely to improve understanding of disease and enable rational selection of specific treatments for patients with specific pathotypes.
AN UPDATE OF THE FRANCHISEE MOTIVATIONS: A STUDY IN SPAIN

This paper presents an empirical study of the motives for acquiring a franchise, based on a sample of franchisees operating in the Spanish market. The results are compared with the obtained in the previous studies. Although this topic has been studied previously, the spectacular progress of franchises throughout the world in the last decade may have changed franchiseesi? ½ opinions about their motives. This manuscript establishes an update of motivational incentives for individuals to enter franchising from the previous studies. The results provide the following ranking: (1) Proven business format, (2) Start-up support, (3) Established name, (4) Training provided, (5) Faster development, and (6) Ongoing support. This study and the previous literature suggest there is a limited group of motives involved in the franchisee decision, but the ranking varies from study to study. It shows a different ranking of motives for selection of a franchisee from previous studies.
Relationship between self-reported upper limb disability and quantitative tests in hand-arm vibration syndrome

Purpose. To establish the relationship between quantitative tests of hand function and upper limb disability, as measured by the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, in hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). Method. A total of 228 individuals with HAVS were included in this study. Each had undergone a full HAVS assessment by an experienced physician, including quantitative tests of vibrotactile and thermal perception thresholds, maximal hand-grip strength (HG) and the Purdue pegboard (PP) test. Individuals were also asked to complete a DASH questionnaire. Results. PP and HG of the quantitative tests gave the best and statistically significant individual correlations with the DASH disability score (r2 = 0.168 and 0.096). Stepwise linear regression analysis revealed that only PP and HG measurements were statistically significant predictors of upper limb disability (r2 = 0.178). Overall a combination of the PP and HG measurements, rather than each alone, gave slightly better discrimination, although not statistically significant, between normal and abnormal DASH scores with a sensitivity of 73.1% and specificity of 64.3%. Conclusions. Measurements of manual dexterity and hand-grip strength using PP and HG may be useful in helping to confirm lack of upper limb function and ‘perceived’ disability in HAVS.
Analisis Strategi Bersaing Bisnis Eceran Besar/ Modern (Kasus Persaingan Bisnis Ritel Di Pekanbaru)

The development of large retail/ modern in Pekanbaru is the implications arising fromeconomic growth, income growth and population growth. The development of large/ modernretail business continues to increase, causing the level of competition in retail business isbecome very tight. These conditions led to changes in the business strategy of each largeretailer in order to win the competition (to increase market share). This study aims todescribe and outline the activities undertaken to effectively implementated of their businessexcellence strategy. This research was used qualitative methods such as the method of datacollection and interviews with informants and also observation techniques. The resultsillustrate the business strategies adopted by retailer to create competitive advantage.Competitive strategy carried out with a variety of supporting activities for each.
Stool form scale as a useful guide to intestinal transit time.

BACKGROUND Stool form scales are a simple method of assessing intestinal transit rate but are not widely used in clinical practice or research, possibly because of the lack of evidence that they are responsive to changes in transit time. We set out to assess the responsiveness of the Bristol stool form scale to change in transit time. METHODS Sixty-six volunteers had their whole-gut transit time (WGTT) measured with radiopaque marker pellets and their stools weighed, and they kept a diary of their stool form on a 7-point scale and of their defecatory frequency. WGTT was then altered with senna and loperamide, and the measurements were repeated. RESULTS The base-line WGTT measurements correlated with defecatory frequency (r = 0.35, P = 0.005) and with stool output (r = -0.41, P = 0.001) but best with stool form (r = -0.54, P < 0.001). When the volunteers took senna (n = 44), the WGTT decreased, whereas defecatory frequency, stool form score, and stool output increased (all, P < 0.001). With loperamide (n = 43) all measurements changed in the opposite direction. Change in WGTT from base line correlated with change in defecatory frequency (r = 0.41, P < 0.001) and with change in stool output (n = -0.54, P < 0.001) but best with change in stool form (r = -0.65, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS This study has shown that a stool form scale can be used to monitor change in intestinal function. Such scales have utility in both clinical practice and research.