Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oxidative Imbalance in Different Neurodegenerative Diseases with Memory Impairment

Background: Byproducts of oxidative metabolic reactions could play a role in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases (ND) including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We designed a study aimed at investigating a large set of oxidative and antioxidant markers in a sample of patients affected by different forms of dementia or memory impairment. Methods: Serum levels of coenzyme Q10, malondialdehyde (MDA), the total, oxidized and reduced forms of glutathione (GStot, GSSG and GSH, respectively), reactive oxygen species, anti-oxidized low-density lipoprotein antibodies and antioxidant power (PAO) were investigated in patients affected by AD, mild cognitive impairment, dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s disease with dementia. The patient sample (n = 66) was compared with healthy subjects (HC; n = 62), and a comparison across pathological subgroups was also performed. A multivariate logistic regression model was implemented in order to calculate an algorithm model for predicting the risk of developing a neurodegenerative disorder. Results: The comparison between the memory deficit (MD) group and HC showed a significant difference for MDA (MD: 6.3 ± 2.8 µg/l; HC: 9.1 ± 4.9 µg/l; p = 1.7 × 10–6), GStot (MD: 260.4 ± 62.6 mg/l; HC: 306.5 ± 60.7 mg/l; p = 2.2 × 10–5), GSH (MD: 208.9 ± 68.4 mg/l; HC: 295.3 ± 101.3 mg/l; p = 2.2 × 10–7) and PAO (MD: 1,066.5 ± 247.7 µmol; HC: 954.9 ± 200.4 µmol; p = 0.8 × 10–3). By contrast, no differences in the levels of the studied markers were detected across the different forms of ND. An older age, higher levels of PAO, lower levels of GSH and MDA and the use of cardiovascular or antidepressant drugs were the most important factors associated with the carrier ship of neurodegenerative disorder. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting similar oxidative imbalance in different forms of memory impairment, regardless of the specific etiology. Low GSH levels could be considered as a favorable factor in ND; at the same time it could be suggested that higher levels of PAO represent a counteracting mechanism against an increased oxidative stress. The association between vascular risk factors, depressive status and cognitive impairment is in line with findings in the literature.
R&D behaviour and the emergence of fat-tailed firm size distributions

This paper presents a simple boundedly rational model of a firm and consumer behaviour. We formulate an entry game, where every firm decides on investing in R&D for inventing a new product that will appeal to certain group of consumers. The success depends on the amount of funds available for the project as well as firm's familiarity with the relevant proportion of taste space. We identify the section of parameter space where firms have an incentive to diversify. For these parameter constellations the model results in rich industrial dynamics. Equilibrium rm size distributions are heavy tailed and skewed to the right. The heaviness of the tail depends on one industry-level parameter.
The Economic Return on New Immigrants' Human Capital: the Impact of Occupational Matching

Using a data set that provides information on source country employment, we examine the effect of source and host country occupational matching on earnings and the economic rate of return to the foreign human capital of immigrants in Canada. Examining occupational distributions we find that immigrants converge very quickly to the skill distribution of the Canadian population in terms of the main job worked, although four years after landing they are still below the source country distribution. We also find that for a large proportion of immigrants, their intended occupation differs from their source country occupation. Although immigrants who are able to match their source and host country occupations obtain higher earnings, successful occupational matching does not have any impact on the return to foreign potential work experience. However, immigrants who match their source and host country occupations do have a higher return to schooling, particularly for females.
A note on robust Nash equilibria with uncertainties

In this short note, we investigate the framework where agents or players have some uncertainties upon their payoffs or losses, the behavior (or the type, number or any other characteristics) of other players. More specifically, we introduce an extension of the concept of Nash equilibria that generalize different solution concepts called by their authors, and depending on the context, either as robust, ambiguous, partially specified or with uncertainty aversion. We provide a simple necessary and sufficient condition that guarantees its existence and we show that it is actually a selection of conjectural (or self-confirming) equilibria. We finally conclude by how this concept can and should be defined in games with partial monitoring in order to preserve existence properties.
The Adoption of Innovative Information Technologies by Logistics Service Providers in Taiwan

This paper is to study the factors influencing the adoption of innovative information technologies by the logistics industry in Taiwan. Based on the reviews of related literatures and interviews to some logistics experts, a questionnaire is developed to survey the adoption of innovative information technologies by logistics service providers in Taiwan. 114 logistics service providers in Taiwan are investigated in this study. Factors influencing the adoption of innovative information technologies include technological factors, organizational factors, and environmental factors. The method of factor analysis is used to find some major configurations of each influencing factor. The regression results show that technological, organizational and environmental factors have significantly positive influences on adopting innovative information technologies by logistics service providers. Based on this study about innovation in information technologies, logistics companies can develop better strategies to construct their technological innovation systems and to make them become innovation-based logistics service providers.
The analysis and development of controlled 3φ wavelet modulated AC-DC converter

This paper presents the analysis, development and performance testing of a new method for controlling three phase wavelet modulated ac-dc converters. The wavelet modulation is constructed as a non-dyadic type multiresolution analysis (MRA), which has an analysis part to create three sets of groups of nonuniform recurrent samples from a reference dc signal. The constructed non-dyadic MRA has a synthesis part that generates switching signals for operating the ac-dc converter to synthesize the reference dc signal on its output side. The energy concentrated in the dc output is dependent on levels of resolution of the non-dyadic MRA. Adjusting the sequence of levels of resolution can vary the dc output of the wavelet modulated ac-dc converter. The resolution-level controller is implemented for simulation performances under different operating conditions. Test results show that the proposed controller can adjust the output dc voltage effectively with negligible impacts on the input harmonic contents and power factor.
Software Fault Localization: A Survey

Now a day’s Software is required in all professional disciplines. Hence, it is required to check software for fault localization to maintain the software quality. Software fault localization is an activity of finding the locations of fault in a program. Considering the increasing complexity of software, manual fault localization is not feasible, there is a firm necessity for techniques which can lead software developers to the location of faults with essential interference. Scientists and analysts have designed many different methods for locating software faults in the past few years, which aims to make it more adequate by ambushing the problem in a unique way. This paper gives a comprehensive review of various methods and techniques for locating faults that have been proposed in such valuable published resource.
Infectious bronchitis virus: immunopathogenesis of infection in the chicken

SUMMARY The immunopathogenesis of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) infection in the chicken is reviewed. While infectious bronchitis (IB) is considered primarily a disease of the respiratory system, different IBV strains may show variable tissue tropisms and also affect the oviduct and the kidneys, with serious consequences. Some strains replicate in the intestine but apparently without pathological changes. Pectoral myopathy has been associated with an important recent variant. Several factors can influence the course of infection with IBV, including the age, breed and nutrition of the chicken, the environment and intercurrent infection with other infectious agents. Immunogenic components of the virus include the S (spike) proteins and the N nucleoprotein. The humoral, local and cellular responses of the chicken to IBV are reviewed, together with genetic resistance of the chicken. In long-term persistence of IBV, the caecal tonsil or kidney have been proposed as the sites of persistence. Antigenic variation among IBV strains is related to relatively small differences in amino acid sequences in the S1 spike protein. However, antigenic studies alone do not adequately define immunological relationships between strains and cross-immunisation studies have been used to classify IBV isolates into ‘protectotypes’. It has been speculated that changes in the S1 protein may be related to differences in tissue tropisms shown by different strains. Perhaps in the future, new strains of IBV may arise which affect organs or systems not normally associated with IB.
SATISFACTION OF HERITAGE HOTELS' PATRONS IN PENANG ISLAND: A RESEARCH NOTE

Georgetown in Penang Island, a World Heritage Town that attracts large number of tourists eventually created high competition among hoteliers within the hotel industry. As the competition escalating among hoteliers, it is always a question of customer satisfaction that may ensure the sustainability of heritage hotels in Penang Island. Realising the competitive situations, this study examines, (1) The demographic profile of heritage hotels’ patrons in Penang Island (2) The relationship between satisfaction attributes and overall satisfaction among the heritage hotels’ patrons (3) The impact of demographic factors to the patrons’ satisfaction attributes. Four satisfaction attributes (ambience, service, price, and brand) have been studied against the overall satisfaction of the heritage hotels’ patrons. By purposive convenience sampling method, 135 usable questionnaires were further analysed, indicating a final 45% response rate. Entertainment, layout, facilities, staff responsiveness and competence, price positioning, and brand identification are among the highest rated satisfaction items among the heritage hotel patrons. Regression analysis shows that only price and brand indicated a significant positive relationship with overall satisfaction. Demographic variables of gender, age, and nationality demonstrate a significant relationship with the four satisfaction attributes and overall satisfaction. Theoretical and practical contributions of the study have been discussed as well.
An Accurate Statistical Yield Model for CMOS Current-Steering D/A Converters

To obtain a high resolution CMOS current-steering digital-to-analog converter, the matching behavior of the current source transistors is one of the key issues in the design. At this moment, these matching properties are taken into account by the use of time consuming and CPU intensive Monte Carlo simulations. In this paper, a formula is derived that describes accurately the impact of the mismatch on the INL (integral non-linearity) yield of current-steering D/A converters without any loss of design time.
Structure, organization, and regulation of the complement genes.

cDNA and genomic clones are now available for nearly 30 glycoproteins which comprise the components, regulatory proteins, and receptors associ­ ated with the complement system (Figure 1 , Table 1). These cloning studies have provided information which emphasizes the manner in which the members of the complement system may be divided into families of structurally and functionally related proteins many of which are coded for on the same chromosome and are closely linked. This review is divided into six main sections in order to illustrate these structural and genetic relationships: (a) the C lqr2s2 complex and C l-inhibitor; (b) C2, factor B, C4, and 2 1 -hydroxylase, the class III genes of the major histocompatibility complex; (c) CS and the thioester containing proteins C3 and C4; (d) the regulators of complement activation, (the RCA linkage group) on human chromosome 1 which includes the plasma proteins factor H and C4b­ binding protein (C4bp) and the membrane molecules complement receptor type 1 (CR1), complement receptor type 2 (CR2), decay accelerating factor (DAF) and probably membrane cofactor protein (MCP); (e) complement receptor type 3 (CR3) as a member of the cell adhesion glycoprotein family; and (f) the components of the terminal attack complex CSb-C9.
HRM, employee well-being and organizational performance: A balanced perspective

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Range image smoothing and completion utilizing laser intensity

In this paper, we propose new denoising techniques for a deteriorated range image taken by a laser scanner. Laser scanner acquires a range value from the scanner to the target by measuring the round-trip time of the emitted laser pulse. At the same time, they can obtain the strength of the reflected light as a side product of the range value. Focusing on the laser intensity, we propose two denoising techniques for a deteriorated range image utilizing the intensity image: smoothing by extended bilateral filter, and completion by belief propagation. The extended bilateral filter makes use of laser intensity in addition to the spatial and range information in order that we can smooth a range image corrupted by noises while the geometric features such as jump and roof edges are preserved. The range image completion technique with belief propagation restores a deteriorated range image using the adjacent range values and the corresponding intensity values simultaneously. We conduct simulations and experiments using synthesized images and actual range images taken by a laser scanner and verify that the proposed techniques suppress noise while preserving jump and roof edges and repair deteriorated range images.
Philanthropic Venture Capital: Can the Key Elements of Venture Capital Be Applied Successfully to Social Enterprises?

This paper examines how the venture capital (VC) model is applied to philanthropic venture capital (PhVC). The key aims of the paper are a) to define PhVC and, by transposing its key elements, i.e., "capital" and "advice and engagement", to provide a clear and precise definition of philanthropic venture capitalists (PhVCs); b) to formulate four main hypotheses aiming to test whether, how, and to what extent the typical for-profit VC model, as described by Gompers and Lerner (2001), can be considered as applied to PhVC as well. By analyzing secondary sources we report preliminary results which show that in the screening phase of PhVC investments and during monitoring activities, PhVCs behave like their for-profit counterparts, i.e., the venture capitalists.
Direct Investment and Local Content Rules in the European Community

This paper analyses the behaviour of competing governments in the EC with respect to inflows of direct investment. Solving a non-cooperative sequential bargaining game in which host countries gain from direct investment through tax revenue or imposition of forced local subcontracting, it is concluded that a successful 1992 program does not allow discrimination of direct investment. As they bid against each other for the attraction of projects, the EC countries will give away rents generated by protectionism. Hence, multinational firms may temper the emergence of trading 'blocs' through their ability to play individual countries against each other.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FOR THE COMPETITIVE POSITION OF A NATIONAL ECONOMY ON THE EXAMPLE OF POLAND

The competitive position of a national economy remains one of the factors influencing its perception in the global economy. The implementation of the sustainable development (SD) concept seems to be one of the essential factors conducive to an improvement of its competitive position. This is particularly important in the case of such an economy as Poland, where the implementation of the social, environmental and economic aspects of SD guarantees progress, which is crucial for the growth of the national economy.
Application of the behaviour change wheel framework to the development of interventions within the City4Age project

The probability of an intervention being effective is likely increased if it is designed following a behavioural analysis and with the aid of evidence-based intervention frameworks. For example, the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) framework and its associated COM-B model of behaviour have been used successfully as a starting point for designing behaviour change interventions. However, the BCW framework can also be applied at a later stage in the design process, such as when an intervention has been designed but before it is deployed. Here we describe the application of the BCW framework and COM-B model to evaluate and refine already designed interventions. We use a multidisciplinary multi-site project (‘City4Age’) as a case study. The project aims to promote independent living of older adults through the deployment of interventions using wearable and environment-based technology. We conducted face-to-face interviews with site representatives to identify the target behaviours, perceived barriers and facilitators, intervention functions, and modes of delivery for each planned intervention. Additionally, literature reviews were conducted to identify evidence-based facilitators and barriers for each targeted behaviour. Subsequently, we 1) compared the intervention functions proposed by the project-sites with those most likely to be effective according to the BCW; and 2) assessed the congruency of the barriers and facilitators identified by the pilot-sites with those identified in the literature. For five planned interventions across two project-sites (Birmingham and Singapore), two had intervention functions unlikely to be effective according to the BCW. The two planned interventions to promote social engagement did not address barriers or facilitators evident in the literature, indicating they required refinement. Applying the BCW framework allowed to identify which interventions needed refining. It also helped in providing specific guidance in our recommendations for improvements prior to deployment.
The importance of genes and environment for ocular refraction and its determiners: a population based study among 20–45 year old twins

AIMS To estimate the heritability for ocular refraction and its determiners in a population based cohort of 20–45 years old twins. METHODS 114 twin pairs (53 monozygotic and 61 dizygotic) participated. Refraction was determined in cycloplegia and eye dimensions were measured with ultrasound. Educational length was assessed. The heritability was estimated employing aetiological model fitting. Evidence of gene-environment interaction was analysed. Correlations between intrapairwise differences in educational length and in refraction were evaluated. RESULTS The heritability was between 0.89 and 0.94 (95% CI: 0.82, 0.96) for refraction, total refraction, axial length, and radius of corneal curvature. Phenotypic variation was mostly due to additive genetic effects. Refraction revealed evidence of gene-environment interaction (r = −0.29 to −0.32; p <0.05). The heritability for anterior chamber depth and lens thickness was between 0.88 and 0.94 (95% CI: 0.81, 0.96) and dominant genetic effects were the most likely explanation. There was no correlation between age and intrapairwise differences in refraction. The dizygotic twins had significant larger intrapairwise differences in educational length (p <0.05), but the differences were not correlated with differences in refraction. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate a high heritability for ocular refraction and its determiners and thus suggest that environmental impact on refraction is not significant. However, the epidemiological association between educational length (near work) and myopia, the evidence of increasing myopia prevalence within a few generations, and the theory of gene-environment interaction imply that some individuals might be genetically liable to develop myopia if exposed to certain environmental factors.
E-business Development Key Areas

At present e-business is standard alternative and its development is very fast. E-commerce is subset of e-business. E-commerce is implementation of the business transactions on the internet (internet stores, booking system, and so on). E-business and e-commerce have directly dependence on information and communication technology (ICT). Many conditions have to be satisfied to e-business systems operate all right and bring contribution. The fundamental element is e-business strategy. Aims, procedures, methods, inputs, outputs and the like have to be analyzed in e-business strategy. Individual parts may be under consideration and analyzed in singles steps or in parallel with regards to contexture. Once of the e-commerce key area is internet stores development. Internet stores are realized as a web sites published on internet. Web sites make possible communication between custom and operators information system. Internet store web sites have to fulfil the quite of number of conditions. Principal aim of the internet store web sites is effort to internet store web sites be displayed in one of the forefront in internet browser after request of user. To this goal for example Search Engine Optimization (SEO) or method of paid references can be used. Both methods are very important for internet marketing and they also can be used together. Data from internet store web sites are computing in firm information system. On this account we have to directly defined dataflow between internet store websites and information system. We can buy software for e-business support from provider or new software can be developed. In both cases we have to pay attention to risk areas. Conditions of successful implementation of e-business in firm are in the end of the article.
Biomarkers for Delirium—A Review

To improve delirium recognition and care, numerous serum biomarkers have been investigated as potential tools for risk stratification, diagnosis, monitoring, and prognostication of delirium. The literature was reviewed, and no evidence was found to support the clinical use of any delirium biomarker, although certain biomarkers such as S‐100 beta and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 and inflammatory markers have shown some promising results that need to be evaluated in future studies with appropriate sample size, prospective designs, and in a more‐generalizable population.