Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Application execution path analysis for the automatic parallelisation of binary codes in the Intel x86 platform

Traditionally, computer programs have been developed using the sequential programming paradigm. With the advent of parallel computing systems, such as multicore processors and distributed environments, the sequential paradigm became a barrier to the utilisation of the available resources, since the program is restricted to a single processing unit. To address this issue, we propose a transparent automatic parallelisation tool with a binary rewriter. The steps of our approach are: the disassembly of the Intel x86 application, its transformation into an intermediary language; the analysis of this intermediary representation to obtain the flow and dependency graphs; the partitioning of the application into parallel units, using the obtained graphs; and, finally, the reassembly of the application back into the original Intel x86 architecture. By transforming the compiled application software, we aim at obtaining a program which can better explore the parallel resources, with no extra effort required from users or developers.
Improving the confectionery industry supply chain through second party audits

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate benefits and constraints of improving suppliers’ quality and food safety systems through second party audits. Design/methodology/approach – A quantitative quality and food safety audit tool was developed to perform second party audits within the confectionery industry supply chain. Nine flourmills and four food packaging producers were included in the audit program. Initial audits were performed at the beginning of the program, with follow-up audits performed after one year. Findings – Level of implementation of food safety and quality requirements were presented as scores. Flourmills improved their scores from 38.6 to 64.4 percent during the period of two years. In contrast, at the end of the second year, food packaging producers showed a lower level of improvement from 34.0 to 45.6 percent. This research confirmed that certification status does not imply high performance of a quality/food safety system. Companies experienced problems in identifying proc.
Cytochrome P450 Genetic Polymorphism in Neonatal Drug Metabolism: Role and Practical Consequences towards a New Drug Culture in Neonatology

The cytochrome P450 superfamily (CYP450) in humans is formed by 57 functional monooxygenases critical for the metabolism of numerous endogenous and exogenous compounds. The superfamily is organized into 18 families and 44 subfamilies. CYP nomenclature is based on the identity of amino acids. The most important functions of the CYP450 are related to metabolism of endogenous compounds, detoxification of exogenous xenobiotics and decomposition of the vast majority of currently used drugs. The expression of CYP450 enzymes in the human body is characterized by a marked substrate and tissue specificity, the most important being localized in the liver, but also present in kidney, lung, brain, breast, prostate and in the small intestine. The human cytochrome P450 3A gene family (CYP3A) accounts for the largest portion of CYP450 proteins in human liver and includes 4 genes: CYP3A4, CYP3A5, CYP3A7, CYP3A43. Multiple and complex genetic variations, marked interindividual, interethnic and gender variability have been reported regarding CYP3A isoform expression and activity. Multiple factors may affect CYP3A expression and activity, such as inducers like rifampicin, phenobarbital, 3-methylcholantrene, beta-naphtoflavone, and dexamethasone. The maturation of organ systems, paralleled by ontogeny of drug-metabolizing enzymes during fetal life and in the first months of postnatal life, surely exerts profound effects on drug disposition, probably being the predominant factor accounting for age-associated changes in drug clearance. In fact, drug dosage in the perinatal period represents a continuous challenge for neonatologists. The purpose of this article is to provide a brief review of the pharmacokinetic differences between neonates and adults, showing the peculiarities of liver CYP450-related drug metabolism in the perinatal period and at birth, and to report the toxic mechanisms of liver injury in neonates, due to the most frequently utilized drugs in NICU centers.
Potential ecotoxic effects of polychlorinated biphenyls on Xenopus laevis

We examined potential ecotoxic effects of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)3, PCB5, Aroclor 1254, and Aroclor 1242 on Xenopus laevis. Tadpoles were exposed to PCBs from stage 46/47 (system of Nieuwkoop and Faber) to the completion of metamorphosis. We demonstrated, to our knowledge for the first time, forelimb malformations caused by PCBs (malformation rate, >70%). The malformed forelimbs were fixed in the adduction‐backward rotation position and could not move. Therefore, malformed male frogs were destined to have no offspring, because they could not grasp the females with their forelimbs to mate. Alcian blue‐alizarin red double‐staining indicated that the forelimb malformation resulted from the shoulder abnormality. Compared with the normal shoulder joint, the proximal humerus with the humerus inter‐rotated 90° in the abnormal shoulder joint. Moreover, testes from more than a third of male frogs with exposed to PCBs exhibited feminization to different degrees at gross morphology and histology, with fewer or abnormal spermatogonia and oocytes. Gonadal abnormalities would lead directly to reproductive dysfunction and population decline. These results suggest that PCBs have potentially ecotoxic effects on amphibian populations. We infer that PCBs could play roles in amphibian malformations and population declines, at least at sites that are polluted heavily with PCBs.
Oxygen enhances fusion of cultured chick embryo myoblasts

Fusion of mononucleate myoblasts to form multinucleated myotubes increases when skeletal muscle cells are grown in progressively higher oxygen concentrations (5%, 20%, and 40% oxygen). At four days of growth fusion of myoblasts (as expressed by the percent of all muscle nuclei that are located in myotubes) is 57 ± 2% in 5% oxygen, 68 ± 1% in 20% oxygen, and 78 ± 2% in 40% oxygen (P<0.001). However, at a concentration of 40%, oxygen depresses the rate of cell division and thereby affects the number of myoblasts available for fusion. Thus, oxygen concentration significantly modifies growth of skeletal muscle in vitro. Its net effect on myotube formation results from the interaction of its separate effects to enhance cell fusion and to depress cell proliferation.
Asset Price Bubbles and Central Bank Policies: The Crash of the 'Jackson Hole Consensus'

This paper reexamines the main arguments of whether or not monetary policy should respond to asset bubbles. The question of how the central bank should respond to an asset bubble can be reformulated in two ways. First, how does the central bank respond while an asset bubble is growing, and second, how does it respond after the bubble bursts? There has been strong agreement among economists that a central bank should respond to the bursting of a bubble by aggressively decreasing the Fed funds rate to minimize the adverse impact of financial instability on the real economy. However, there is no clear answer to the question of how the central bank should respond to an asset bubble before it bursts. If there is evidence that the asset price bubble is contributing to inflation, then there is general agreement that the central bank should respond. But what if prices remain stable? These issues are critically reviewed and the conclusion is reached that the high costs associated with the 2007–2009 financial crisis have encouraged the development of a new central bank policy paradigm that encourages “leaning against bubbles” and giving due consideration to alternative tools other than interest rate policy tools.
Why Go Green? The Business Case for Environmental Commitment in the Canadian Hotel Industry

ABSTRACT Despite several studies, international treaties and individual organization's commitment to going green in the tourist hotel industry, there has been limited discussion of the business case for implementing environmental practices. Several hotels have determined that there are numerous benefits to greening their hotel operations; however, there is still a gap between attitude and action in this industry. Cost savings; competitive advantage; employee loyalty; customer retention; regulatory compliance; risk management and social responsibility have been identified as the benefits to environmental commitment however with very limited discussion and proof in relation to the hotel industry. This paper seeks to identify the business case for environmental commitment with a focus on the Canadian hotel industry. Concrete examples of benefits that apply to this industry are discussed as well as future trends that support the case that going green is necessary for an economically viable and efficiently run hotel.
The Multiplier Method to Construct Conservative Finite Difference Schemes for Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations

We present the multiplier method of constructing conservative finite difference schemes for ordinary and partial differential equations. Given a system of differential equations possessing conservation laws, our approach is based on discretizing conservation law multipliers and their associated density and flux functions. We show that the proposed discretization is consistent for any order of accuracy when the discrete multiplier has a multiplicative inverse. Moreover, we show that by construction, discrete densities can be exactly conserved. In particular, the multiplier method does not require the system to possess a Hamiltonian or variational structure. Examples, including dissipative problems, are given to illustrate the method. In the case when the inverse of the discrete multiplier becomes singular, consistency of the method is also established for scalar ODEs provided the discrete multiplier and density are zero compatible.
Human immunodeficiency virus‐1 envelope glycoproteins and anti‐CD4 antibodies inhibit interleukin‐2‐induced Jak/STAT signalling in human CD4 T lymphocytes

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection leads to a profound T cell dysfunction well before the clinical onset of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). We have been accumulating evidence that one of the mechanisms responsible for this T cell deficiency may be the dysregulation of signal transduction via the interleukin (IL)‐2/IL‐2 receptor (R) complex. In CD4 T cells, we have observed previously that viral envelope (env) glycoproteins induce IL‐2 unresponsiveness and the down‐regulation of the three chains making up the IL‐2R (α, β, γ) in vitro. We have now established further that this disruption of the IL‐2/IL‐2R system manifests itself in defective signal propagation via the Janus kinase (Jak)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway in response to IL‐2. The treatment of CD4 T cells with HIV env or surface ligation of CD4 with anti‐CD4 monoclonal antibodies inhibited the IL‐2‐induced activation of Jak‐1 and Jak‐3, as well as their targets, STAT5a and STAT5b. This Jak/STAT deficiency may contribute to the crippling of CD4 T cell responses to a cytokine central to the immune response by HIV.
Entry Point Matters - Effective Introduction of Innovation in Social Networks

Social networks have grown massively in the last few years and have become a lot more than mere message exchange platforms. Apart from serving purposes such as linking friends and family, job linking or news feeding, their nearly pervasive nature and presence in day-to-day activities make them the biggest potential market and access platform to hundreds of millions of customers ever built. Faced with such a complex and challenging environment, we claim that introducing innovation in an efficient way in such networks is of extreme importance. In this paper, we put forward a mechanism to select suitable entry points in the network to introduce the innovation, so fostering its acceptance and enhancing its diffusion. To do this, we use the underlying structure of the network as well as the influencing power some users exercise over others. We present results of testing our approach with both a Facebook dataset and different examples of random
Determinants of Short-term Movement in a Developing Region and Implications for Disease Transmission

Background: Human mobility is important for infectious disease spread. However, little is known about how travel varies by demographic groups and how this heterogeneity influences infectious disease risk. Methods: We analyzed 10 years of survey data from 15 communities in a remote but rapidly changing region in rural Ecuador where road development in the past 15–20 years has dramatically changed travel. We identify determinants of travel and incorporate them into an infection transmission model. Results: Individuals living in communities more remote at baseline had lower travel rates compared with less remote villages (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.51; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.38, 0.67). Our model predicts that less remote villages are, therefore, at increased disease risk. Though road building and travel increased for all communities, this risk differential remained over 10 years of observation. Our transmission model also suggests that travelers and nontravelers have different roles in disease transmission. Adults travel more than children (adjusted OR = 1.73; 95% CI = 1.30, 2.31) and therefore disseminate infection from population centers to rural communities. Children are more likely than adults to be infected locally (attributable fraction = 0.24 and 0.09, respectively) and were indirectly affected by adult travel patterns. Conclusions: These results reinforce the importance of large population centers for regional transmission and show that children and adults may play different roles in disease spread. Changing transportation infrastructure and subsequent economic and social transitions are occurring worldwide, potentially causing increased regional risk of disease.
Exploring the Influence on ATM Service Quality with Customer Satisfaction

The purpose of this paper is to examine the various dimensions of ATM service quality and its impact on customer satisfaction. This study was conducted in Tirupur district, Tamilnadu. The researchers adopted questionnaire method for collecting data from the ATM customers. In the study, eight dimensions of ATM service quality emerged. These are: Trust, Ease of use, Appearance, Security, Accuracy, Grievance handling, Fulfilment and Responsiveness. Among the identified dimension, Appearance was viewed as the most vital dimensions and it has a positive impact on customer satisfaction. This study may help the Bank officials in formulating and framing suitable policies in relation ATM service quality.
Public Trust in Business: Roles of third parties in trust repair: lessons from high-tech alliances for public trust

The relationship between organizations and their stakeholders has become increasingly problematic due to breaches of trust. This trust problem is at the heart of the recent financial crisis in which individuals and whole societies were shown to be highly dependent on large corporations. For example, banks have control over savings, mortgages, and pensions, while – individually and often even collectively – affected stakeholders have no means of control over these parties.
Banking Deregulation and Macroeconomic Impact in China: A Theoretical Analysis and Implications of Wto Accession to the Mainland and Hong Kong

Since the beginning of 1990s, the credit balance of the banking system in mainland China has experienced a big swing from negative to positive. The balance has continued to expand up to now. It seems that both negative and positive credit balances are so large that the financial resources have been utilized inefficiently by the banking system. On the eve of China’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), challenges from banking competition will increase. In this paper a three-sector equilibrium model of monopolistic banking competition is set up and is applied to analyze the impact of the expanding credit balances and banking reform on the Chinese economy. Through theoretical analysis, reasons for the expanding credit balance are provided and some possible solutions are given. China’s accession to the WTO will present many challenges to the state-owned banks. Foreign banks will be allowed to compete directly with Chinese local banks. We found that competition will not only promote China’s GDP, investment, consumption and deposits as well as bring benefits to consumers, but also provide the banking sector from Hong Kong with new opportunities.
The Staffing Requirements with Time-Varying Demand and Customer Abandonment in Call Centers

: This paper considers sta ﬃ ng requirements problem in service systems especial call centers with random cyclic demands and customers’ abandonment behavior by using stationary models. The queueing model can be denoted as , where arrival rates are sinusoidal, sta ﬃ ng requirements are time-varying and customers may abandon service if the of-fered waits exceed the customers’ patience time. We use ”stationary independent period by period” (SIPP) approach to setting sta ﬃ ng requirements during each planning period such as hours, half-hours, etc. The service levels are measured by customer abandonment probability and delay probability of customers. In order to ﬁnd the minimum sta ﬃ ng needed in each period to achieve the service levels, we ﬁrst obtain the minimum sta ﬃ ng by SIPP which satisfy the target delay probability and abandon probability respectively, then set the maximal of the two values as our objective sta ﬃ ng. Numerical analysis shows that in this way sta ﬃ ng requirements are reliable.
Gamma-S crystallin gene (CRYGS) mutation causes dominant progressive cortical cataract in humans

Background: Congenital or childhood cataract is clinically and genetically a highly heterogeneous lens disorder in children. Autosomal dominant inheritance is most common. Objective: To report the identification of a mutation in the human CRYGS gene. Subjects and methods: A large six generation family affected by progressive polymorphic cortical cataract was investigated. After excluding loci for known cataract candidate genes using 39 fluorescent microsatellite markers, a whole genome scan was carried out. Results: The disease was associated with inheritance of a 20.7 cM locus on chromosome 3q26.3-qter, with a maximum LOD score of 6.34 (θ = 0) at marker D3S1602. Haplotype analysis indicated that the disease gene lay at approximately 2.8 Mb physical intervals between D3S1571 and D3S3570 and contained CRYGS on 3q27.3. By sequencing the CRYGS gene, a distinct 1619G→T (AC068631) heterozygous missense mutation in exon 2 was identified, co-segregating with the disease phenotype in this family and resulting in a glycine (GGC) to valine residue (GTC) substitution in codon 18 (NP_060011). Conclusions: This report is the first description of a mutation in CRYGS with autosomal dominant cataract in humans.
Assessment of e‐procurement auction with a balanced scorecard

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to assess success factors associated with e‐procurement auctions. The impacts of e‐procurement auction success factors on the four indicators of the balanced scorecard are investigated.Design/methodology/approach – A survey approach is used to measure the constructs in the proposed model. Respondents were selected from three sectors: private, public, and government organizations using judgment sampling. Data are collected from at least two respondents from purchasing personnel in the e‐procurement user firms. At least one of the respondents is in a managerial position. The sample size is 186, representing 20.4 percent from private enterprises, 33.3 percent from public enterprises, and 46.3 percent from government agencies.Findings – The survey results show that organizational learning of e‐procurement is influenced by service capability, good governance intention, management support policy, and organizational readiness factors. Service capability and organization lear.
Performance improvements and delay in development control

There is growing interest and concern over the impact of regulatory controls on the supply of housing in the UK. While published data indicate performance has improved considerably, the housing industry and government point to the unacceptably long time taken to secure planning permission for housing developments. This paper presents the findings of empirical research on the time taken to gain planning permission for selected recent major housing projects from a sample of local authorities in southern England. The scale of delay found was far greater than indicated by published performance data. The paper explains the disparity between published performance and experiences in relation to the discretionary nature of the British approach to planning, and highlights the perverse outcomes of performance incentives for local planning authorities.
The Significance of Property Sector and Geographic Diversification in Australian Institutional Property Portfolios

Abstract In a property portfolio, the standard strategies for portfolio diversification and risk reduction are diversification by property type and geographic region, with such property investment strategies typically employed by the major institutional investors. Using the Property Council of Australia (PCA) property indices over 1995-2002, the effectiveness of these property portfolio diversification strategies is assessed for Australian institutional property portfolios. Both property type and geographic diversification are seen to deliver significant diversification benefits, with these geographic diversification benefits confirming the successful sectorspecific strategy adopted by many listed property trusts in recent years.
International Harmonisation Of Accounting Standards: The Case For A Mandatory Requirement For The Direct Method Of Reporting Operating Cash Flows

Even though standard setters have now embraced cash flow statements there remains ambivalence as to the best format (i.e. direct or indirect method) for disclosing cash flow from operations. In 1987 the FASB asserted that information about the gross amounts of cash receipts and cash payments is more relevant than information about the net amounts of cash receipts and payments. Yet apart from Australia and New Zealand, most standard setting bodies, including the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), permit a choice between the direct and indirect methods. When given this choice, the vast majority of companies have opted for the indirect method of reporting operating cash flows (OCFs). This difference in OCF presentation between jurisdictions is relevant in this era of harmonisation of accounting standards: both the European Union parliament and the Australian Financial Reporting Council have decided to set 2005 as the target date for the adoption of standards produced by the IASB. Underlying this policy of verbatim adoption of international accounting standards, presumably is the belief that adoption of standards issued by the IASB would lead to an improvement in financial reporting. Such a view was presented recently when current Australian accounting standards were criticised as being “deplorable” by the Chairman of the IASB, David Tweedie (Australian Financial Review, 5 August 2003, p.1). Yet by reviewing the literature on cash flow statements, this paper argues that not all Australian standards would be improved by adopting international standards. In the case of cash flow reporting, maybe the IASB should review its standard and accept the lead of Australia and New Zealand, by not permitting choice of method and mandate the direct method: surely an intended consequence of harmonisation is to narrow areas of difference and variety in accounting practice.