Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Smart cities: the analysis of ICT use in improving the quality of urban living

Due to a sloppy implementation of the development strategy Croatia is constantly falling behind the developed Western countries regarding the technology development. Namely, the IT experts sorted out the problems and proposed the first e-strategy but the majority of the proposed objectives have not been achieved yet due to a profound economic crisis and numerous other social and political factors. Although the digital economy features seven times larger growth rate than the traditional economy, its full potential has remained unused thanks to unevenly structured European political framework. Generally, European countries are still lagging behind other developed countries when the related and reliable networks are implied that in turn support economies and consequently our business and private lives. In the year of 2010, EU commenced a strategy based on which high rates of employment and productivity shall have been achieved by 2020. Five long-term objectives have been set accordingly concerning employment, innovations, education, social engagement and climate/energy. The member countries adopted their own national interests but all actions taken at the national levels have to support the strategy so that the set objectives are achieved. The objectives should lead to the development of new technologic, organizational and logistical solutions aimed at enhancing the quality of life and satisfaction of citizens. This paper analyses the use of the advanced ICT for the purpose of enhancing the quality of life and satisfaction of citizens. The basic idea of the whole strategy was to improve the quality of life in all of the cities (big and small) with minimal environmental costs, using ICT as a stronghold to all of the changes. The target group of the research comprises the citizens who are the users of e-business services and the ICT solutions of public companies controlled by their respective cities in the Republic of Croatia. The results of the research relate to an online research based on 20 closed type questions by means of which it is to be found out to which extent the citizens are familiar with the smart cities concept and whether the level of quality of life and satisfaction is higher when the citizens of smart cities are implied.
Unfolding the relation between global temperature and ENSO

An analysis of global temperature and ENSO data indicates that their relationship is more complicated than currently thought. Indeed, it appears that there are two complimenting aspects to this relation. The first (and known) aspect expresses the fact that global temperature increases after an El Nino event and a La Nina event follows an El Nino event. Thus, El Nino forces global temperature. While this is an important result, it is not the entire picture. If it were, ENSO would be independent of global temperature. The second aspect, which is proposed here, suggests a deeper connection between global temperature and ENSO. We find that ENSO is not independent and that positive (negative) global temperature tendency tends to trigger an El Nino (La Nina). Thus, in a warming climate El Nino events will be more frequent than La Nina events. The methodology presented in this paper may elucidate how realistically coupled ocean‐atmosphere models simulate the response of climate to global change.
The Impact of Infrastructure on Mexican Manufacturing Growth

This paper analyses the impact of infrastructure on the growth rate of the Mexican manufacturing sector. For such purpose, two measures of infrastructure are used: highways and electricity. Further, we also estimate the degree of returns to scale and the markup. We pooled two digit industries to obtain the estimates of the whole manufacturing sector. For the entire manufacturing sector, our results do not show evidence of increasing returns but the existence of market power cannot be rejected. We find that both types of public infrastructure have a significant effect on manufacturing growth and its inclusion reduces the estimated values of returns to scale and market power. Once we use sectoral data, we obtain mixed results: public infrastructure affects significantly only some sectors.
Rail as the Sustainable Backbone of the Energy Efficient Transport Chain – A World View

The transport sector in 2010 was responsible for 23% of total CO2 emissions from fuel combustion in the world. In the same year road transport was responsible for 72% of total CO2 emissions caused by the transport sector globally. This high emission level was created transporting 34% of people and goods. Railway moved 9% of passengers and freight with an impact of just 3% of total transport CO2 emissions. Worldwide, CO2 emissions per passenger-km went down by 32% in the period 2000-2010. In the same period, CO2 emissions per freight tonne-km shrunk by 18%. In the European Union, railways have already largely exceeded the target of 10% renewables in the energy mix. In 2010 renewables used in the rail sector were at 18% compared with only 5% in the transport sector as a whole.This paper highlights sustainable energy policies that spur economic growth and environmental protection in a global context – particularly in terms of reducing greenhouse-gas emissions that contribute to climate change. The target is to mitigate their environmental impact through improved energy efficiency and development and deployment of low-carbon technologies. The paper considers rail energy and emissions statistics and presents aggregate data on a worldwide rail activity and energy use basis. The paper looks closely at railway electricity mixes in Europe as well as options to provide renewable electricity to railway operators. Moving towards sustainable mobility requires both integrated and efficient transport systems as well as secure and clean energy. Modal shifts to rail can be a major driver for decarbonisation of the transport sector, and the set of data presented illustrates this potential.
The Italian Financial Development and the Regional Impact on Growth

The role of financial development in spurring economic growth has been at the center of economic debate for many years. In particular, until the seminal contribution of Rajan and Zingales (1998, RZ henceforth), one of the key questions was the definition of the causality direction of the finance-growth nexus. RZ proposed a test to assess the effectiveness of the mechanism through which finance affects growth, and provided evidence that whenever an industry is more dependent on external finance (because of technological reasons), its growth increases disproportionatly when the financial system is more developed. This finding has encouraged many researchers to use micro data in evaluating the impact of financial development on aggregate growth. Studies on this topic are typically based on cross country data. Financial markets are, in fact, becoming more and more integrated at international level, increasing the interest in understanding the effect of this process on different economies. The adoption of unified international rules can, in fact, contribute not only to making the internationalization process easier, but also to raising growth in less financially developed countries, therefore, promoting at large international convergence. However, even in markets that are rapidly becoming global, local financial development still matters, as Guiso Sapienza and Zingales (2004) clearly show in a study focusing on the Italian market. In Italy, in particular, local development seems to play a relevant role since firms are smaller on average and depend on the proximity of financial institution for satisfying their financing needs. During the last years, the differences
Neurofeedback Treatment for Pain Associated with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type I

ABSTRACT Introduction. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type I (CRPS-I) is a devastating pain condition that is refractory to standard care. Preliminary evidence suggests the possibility that neurofeedback training might benefit patients with chronic pain, including patients with CRPS-I. The current study sought to address the need for more information about the effects of neurofeedback on pain in persons with chronic pain by (1) determining the average decrease in pain in patients with CRPS-I following neurofeedback training, (2) identifying the percent of patients reporting pain decreases that are clinically meaningful, and (3) documenting other benefits of neurofeedback training. Method. Eighteen individuals with CRPS-I participating in a multidisciplinary treatment program were administered 0–10 numerical rating scale measures of pain intensity at their primary pain site, as well as pain at other sites and other symptoms, before and after a 30 minute neurofeedback training session. A series of t-tests w.
Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of methicillin and vancomycin resistant staphylococci

One hundred (100) staphylococci were isolated from several Egyptian hospitals and laboratories which include 85 clinical isolates and 15 from hospital surroundings. The isolates were identified by conventional and molecular techniques. Fifty (50) isolates were identified as Staphylococcus aureus (SA), 40 were Staphylococcus epidermidis (SE) while 10 were identified as Staphylococcus species (SS). Upon testing the resistance to methicillin and vancomycin, it was found that resistance is dominant in isolates from clinical samples than those from the surrounding surfaces. Moreover, the resistance to methicillin was higher than that to vancomycin. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction was carried out to characterize the staphylococci-specific region of 16S rRNA gene, mecA gene associated with methicillin resistance and the virulence marker-associated genes Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) lukS/F-PV genes which are responsible for leukocyte destruction and tissue necrosis. All the methicillin resistant staphylococci (MRS) were found to be mecA+ while only five MRS carried lukS/F-PV genes. On the other hand, 30% of the methicillin sensitive staphylococci (MSS) were found to harbor the mecA gene while lacking the PVL. The results highlight the important role of horizontal gene transfer of virulence genes between staphylococci. In addition, this study indicates that the use of multiplex PCR is not sufficient for antibiotic susceptibility prediction and thus the simultaneous use of conventional and multiplex PCR technique is required for the identification of staphylococci and determination of their antibiotic susceptibility. Key words: Methicillin resistance, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, mecA, Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL).
N-cadherin and hyaluronan expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, relation to patient outcomes

Background: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is regarded as an essential step for tumor invasion and metastasis. In squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (HNSCC), N-Cadherin expression and its involvement in tumor progression remains a controversial topic. Aim of the study: The present study aimed to assess the expression of N-cadherin and HA in HNSCC and further study their relation to patients survival and outcomes. Material and methods: Fifty-eight retrospective selected cases of head and neck squamous carcinomas (HNSCCs) with available paraffin blocks. Complete clinico-pathological and follow-up data were recorded. Immune staining for N-cadherin and hyaluronan were done, also, we study the correlation of the results with patients survival data. Results: Squamous cell carcinoma islands demonstrated high N-cadherin expression in 55.2% and low expression in 44.8%. N-cadherin high expression was significantly ( p < .05) associated with large tumor sizes, advanced TNM clinical stage, increased incidence of recurrence and patient’s death. A significant correlation was recorded between the presence of neural invasion and N-cadherin expression ( p = .004). Strong intensity of stromal HA was significantly ( p < .05) associated with an oral site, nodal metastasis, and higher TNM stage. Patients with high N-cadherin expression, diffuse hyaluronan, and strong stromal hyaluronan reaction had significantly lower DFS rates ( p < .05). High N-cadherin expression, diffuse hyaluronan immunoreactivity, and strong stromal hyaluronan reaction intensity had significantly lower OS rates ( p < .05). Conclusion: N-cadherin and hyaluronan could be important and promising biomarkers during surveillance of patients with HNSCC.
Language, brain and computation: from semiotic asymmetry to recursive rules

This article reviews the comparative analysis of the most promising theoretical areas exploring the correlation principles of the structural / functional brain organization and cognitive characteristics of the language. A special role in the presented approaches is assigned to the principles of computability. The article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the modular and holistic models in the context of semiotic asymmetry. It is important to emphasize that the language model as a set of hierarchically represented objects is consistent with only with the connectivism paradigm (brain as a network), in which the main element is the functional neuron, and it is not the biological neuron but its simplified information model. The informational simplification creates a number of contradictions. We have analyzed the methodological basis of neural network approach and principles of recursive organization. The main question is, do neuron structures determine the principles of mental representations and computational grammar models? The uniformity of syntax and logical structure of neurons creates metaphorical and a not completely correct hypothesis that brain is a network of functional units that computes grammar and syntax rules. One of the objectives of this work is to identify the methodological inconsistencies arising from the computational models of language structures and language activity.
Promoting Destinations via Film Tourism: An Empirical Identification of Supporting Marketing Initiatives

Film tourism is a growing phenomenon worldwide, fueled by both the growth of the entertainment industry and the increase in international travel. This article proposes a model for exploiting film tourism marketing opportunities. It identifies the optimum marketing factors that encourage film tourists to visit destinations that appear (or are depicted) in the movies. Factor analysis reveals four types of marketing activities in which destinations can engage to promote film tourism: proactive efforts to encourage producers and studios to film at the location, efforts to generate media publicity around the film and its location, marketing activities that promote the film location after production, and peripheral marketing activities that leverage film tourism potential. Results of a stepwise multiple regression analysis indicate a high correlation between film tourism success and one of the four factors: the proactive efforts of destinations that encourage producers and studios to film at their location.
The Construction of EU's Childcare Policy through the Open Method of Coordination

This article elaborates analysis of the normative foundations of the European Union's policy for reconciliation of work and family life, with a specific focus on the shifts produced by the introduction of the Open Method of Coordination in the field of childcare policy. The main objective is to examine how childcare has been conceptualised for the purposes of EU public-policy making throughout the years of European integration (1951-2008) and whether the endorsement of the European Employment Strategy (EES) in 1997 has made an impact on this process. Adopting a constructivist analytical framework and policy frame analysis as main research method, the paper maps out the contemporary policy problematizations related to childcare provision, and traces their presence and dynamic development at the EU level. Based on a keyword search in the database of European Union law Eur-Lex, a dataset of 83 documents (42 pieces of secondary legislation and 41 Presidency Conclusions) is formed. The latter is subsequently examined through qualitative content analysis. The study reveals the normative and cognitive evolution of the policy-making process prior to and after the introduction of EES.
METHODOLOGY FOR BUILDING OF COMPLEX WORKFLOWS WITH PROSTAK PACKAGE AND ISIMBIOS

*SUMMARY Motivation: The development of multicellular organisms involves the differential expression of many genes. Thus knowledge about spatial and temporal patterns of gene expression is crucial for understanding development. Typically researchers analyze spatial patterns of gene expression in multicellular organisms by visual inspection of photographic images obtained in the in situ hybridization experiments. A profound limitation of this approach is that it captures little of 2D and 3D information and provides only rough quantitative information. Thus the development of new algorithms and methods for processing of images to accurately quantify the level of gene expression at cellular resolution remains one of the important tasks for bioinformatics. Results: Here we describe a method to quantify protein and mRNA levels per nucleus in the Drosophila blastoderm embryos without loss of spatial information. Availability: All materials are available from authors upon request.
Aerodynamic characteristics around the stalling angle of the discus using a PIV

This paper describes the hysteresis in the aerodynamic properties of a discus near to its stalling angle. Wind tunnel tests were carried out with a full-size womans discus. The experimental aerodynamic data D, L and M were obtained from wind tunnel tests as functions of the angle of attack. It was found that the drag, lift and pitching moment coefficients, CD CL and CM, increase with increasing the angle of attack up to a stalling angle of 29-30°. Beyond the stalling angle, CL and CM decrease suddenly and abruptly with increasing angle of attack. On the other hand, recovery from the stall does not occur at the same stalling angle of 29-30° when the angle of attack decreases from the stall state; recovery actually occurs at 25°. The dependence of CL and CM on the angle of attack is almost the same when the angle of attack is less than 24°. Therefore, hysteresis occurs near the stalling angle. A laminar bubble region is observed in the upstream side of the discus at 28° during the process of increasing the angle of attack, and re-attachment occurs around the convex point of the discus. However, re-attachment does not occur at 26° during the process of decreasing the angle of attack.
Enterprises Performance Through Internal Resource Integration And Market Orientation Based On Competitive Advantages

Every company tries to achieve goals to gain profit and win the competition. To achieve this goal, the company must be able to demonstrate a competitive advantage. Therefore, the company always strives to gain competitive advantage by identifying, managing and optimizing their internal resources in the form of tangible and intangible assets that have superior characteristics as the power of generating competitive advantage. The sustainable competitive advantage by empowering their internal company resources can be defined as Research-Based View (RBV). The importance of research based views is contradicting with Market Based View (MBV) which stated that the more market oriented the more superior their competitive position. By using qualitative research (literature review), this study aims to understand and investigate how to create company performances through both point of views which is internal resources integration and market orientation based on competitive advantages.
Grandparental Child Care in Europe Danielsbacka , Mirkka 2011-01-24

Theories of kin selection and parental investment predict stronger investment in children and grandchildren by women and maternal kin. Due to paternity uncertainty, parental and grandparental investments along paternal lineages are based on less certain genetic relatedness with the children and grandchildren. Additionally, the hypothesis of preferential investment (Laham, Gonsalkorale, and von Hippel, 2005) predicts investment to vary according to available investment options. Two previous studies have tested this hypothesis with small samples and conflicting results. Using the second wave of the large and multinational Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), collected in 2006–07, we study the preferential investment hypothesis in contemporary Europe based on self-reported grandparental provision of child care. We predict that 1) maternal grandmothers provide most care for their grandchildren, followed by maternal grandfathers, paternal grandmothers and last by paternal grandfathers; 2) maternal grandfathers and paternal grandmothers provide equal amounts of care when the latter do not have grandchildren via a daughter; 3) women who have grandchildren via both a daughter and a son will look after the children of the daughter more; and 4) men who have grandchildren via both a daughter and a son will look after the children of the daughter more. Results support all four hypotheses and provide evidence for the continuing effects of paternity uncertainty in contemporary kin behavior.
Chapter 5 Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia in Adults

Staphylococcus aureus is an important cause of bacteremia, and S. aureus bacteremia con‐ stitutes a serious condition with high morbidity and mortality, secondary to multiple complications including infective endocarditis and embolization. The incidence of bac‐ teremia with S. aureus is increasing with more frequent use of medications that lower immune system response, and with the utilization of more invasive medical procedures. In addition, the emergence of resistant S. aureus isolates is becoming more common and can negatively affect the outcome of an individual if not diagnosed and managed prop‐ erly. Health care workers encounter S. aureus bloodstream infections on a routine basis, and in certain situations, it becomes a very challenging infection to control. Because of the impact this entity has on health care costs and the increased use of resources, it is necessary to highlight the causes, clinical presentation, associated complications, and treatment measures. In this chapter, we will cover each of these points, with somewhat more emphasis on methicillin‐resistant S. aureus that is prevalent in both community and hospital settings and is more commonly associated with worsening prognosis and higher mortality.
Detecting Temporal Social Communities for Content Dissemination in Indoor Environments

Mobile social computing services such as location-based services and cooperative computing services are emerging for mobile devices. Those services promise to give us more opportunities to enhance social connectivity with neighbors and nearby places. This paper focuses on the issue of how to be aware of neighbors and social events in indoor environments. We propose a dynamic social community detection algorithm by considering not only the relationship between users but also that between user and place. Simulation results indicate that our community detection algorithm outperforms the others in modularity and stability.