Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Matching imports to skills in vintage-capital technology menu setting. Evidence from Poland.

Most companies, even in knowledge intensive sectors, are technology adopters rather than innovators. It is especially true for lesser developed countries. Each adopter uses machines and equipment combined with her human capital to produce output or provide services. Machines are vintage-specific and so is human capital. Technology users must bear adoption costs of newly acquired machines in form of time needed to install the equipment and, more importantly, to train the personnel on how to operate the machines effectively. To minimize such costs adopters thoroughly choose machinery from a range of quality called a "technology menu". This theory is better suited for sectors intensively using machinery - among services sectors only construction fulfills the requirement. The objective of the paper is to present the impact of a technology shock of foreign origin on average productivity in Polish construction sector as well as the effects of purchasing machinery of state-of-the art quality. We find that random, one standard deviation technology shock increases productivity by 6.4%, while acquiring highest-tech machinery by 9.8%. Nevertheless, after accounting for adoption costs productivity, in the latter case, drops by 6%. This opens an interesting approach to innovation policy - enhancing imports of lower quality or second-hand machinery to match the stock of human capital in the country. This, however, remains in the theory, as governments tend to favor locally produced machinery of lower quality as a part of import-substitution or raise the level of human capital - the effect of such policy is vague and remote. keywords Vintage-capital, Adoption costs, Technology menu, Innovation policy.
Immunomodulatory Effects of Lactic Acid Bacteria on Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells and Macrophages in the Context of a Pro-inflammatory Challenge

ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.iii TABLE OF CONTENTS.iv LIST OF TABLES.vi LIST OF FIGURES.vii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS.x INTRODUCTION.1 Part 1: The Immune System.1 Part 2: The Intestinal Ecosystem.9 Part 3: Probiotics and Biomarkers.12 Part 4: Immunological Research Investigating Probiotic Bioactivity and Immunomodulation.14 Section A: Empirical Evidence of Probiotic Modulation of Innate Immunity.14 Section B: Other Approaches to Probiotic-related Immunomodulation. 19 Objectives and Experimental Approach.26 MATERIALS AND METHODS.28 RESULTS.35 Lactobacilli growth phases and characteristics.35 Spent MRS broth does not influence baseline IL-8 secretion levels in monocytic U-937 cells.35 Effects of spent MRS broth on TNFα-challenged monocytic U-937 cells.36 Effects of spent MRS broth on TNFα-challenged HT-29 intestinal epithelial cells.36 Effects of freeze-dried spent stationary RO011 broth and bacteria and acidified controls on TNFα-challenged U-937 monocytic macrophages.36 Effects of freeze-dried spent stationary RO011 broth and bacteria and acidified controls on TNFα-challenged HT-29 intestinal epithelial cells.37 Effects of log and stationary growth phase bacteria on unchallenged and TNFα-challenged U-937 monocytic macrophages.37 Effects of log and stationary growth phase bacteria on unchallenged and TNFα-challenged HT-29 intestinal epithelial cells.38 Effects of freeze-dried spent stationary RO011 broth over a dilution gradient in TNFα-challenged HT-29 intestinal epithelial cells.38 Effects of spent RO011 stationary broth on the production of Granulocyte Macrophage-Colony Stimulating Factor (GMCSF) in HT-29 intestinal epithelial cells.38
Post‐Secondary School Type and Academic Achievement

type="main"> The Further Education (FE) sector has been the Cinderella of English education, attracting less research, despite the large number of students who attend FE colleges. We ask whether the post-16 institution attended by the pupil, i.e. FE college or school-based provision, influences pupils' final achievement and whether the gain in pupil achievement at A level is greater in FE colleges as compared with school-based provision. Allowing for the fact that FE colleges admit more disadvantaged pupils, those who attend an FE college do marginally less well at A level. Sixth form colleges have significantly higher value-added, particularly for higher achieving pupils.
SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF SOME BENZOFUROPYRIMIDINE DERIVATIVES

A series of new 8-bromo-3-{[phenylmethylidene]amino}[1]benzofuro[3,2-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-one derivatives 4a-r have been synthesized by using ethyl 3-amino-5-bromo-1-benzofuran-2-carboxylate 1 as a starting material. The amino ester 1 was converted into its hydrazide 2 by reacting with hydrazine hydrate, which upon treatment with various aldehydes and ketones yielded corresponding Schiff bases 3a-r. The desired compounds 4a-r were obtained by reacting Schiff bases 3a-r with triethyl orthoformate. The structures of all the synthesized compounds were established by analytical and spectral studies. The compounds 4a-r were evaluated for their antimicrobial by cup plate method and antioxidant activity by DPPH radical scavenging method. Some of the compounds exhibited considerable antimicrobial activities and compounds 4o and 4r were found to be excellent in scavenging DPPH radical at 50 μg and also retained almost same activity in 100 μg.
Revenue Elasticities in Euro Area Countries

Revenue elasticities play a key role in forecasting, monitoring and analysing public finances under the European fiscal framework, which largely builds on cyclically adjusted indicators. This paper investigates whether there is evidence for dynamic – instead of the currently used static – elasticities in euro area countries. Applying country-specific error correction models we reveal important differences across countries. For a majority of euro area Member States we find evidence for dynamic revenue elasticities. We show that the application of such dynamic elasticities could substantially reduce forecast errors in several countries – with the evidence being stronger based on ex-post than based on real-time data. JEL Classification: E62, H68
Wild bee diversity is enhanced by experimental removal of timber harvest residue within intensively managed conifer forest

The use of timber harvest residue as an energy source is thought to have environmental benefits relative to food‐based crops, yet the ecological impact of this practice remains largely unknown. We assessed whether the abundance and diversity of wild bees (Apoidea) were influenced by the removal of harvest residue and associated soil compaction within managed conifer forest in western Oregon, USA. We sampled bees over two years (2014–2015) on study plots that were subjected to five treatments representing gradients in removal of harvest residue and soil compaction. We collected >7,500 bee specimens from 92 distinct species/morphospecies that represented five of the seven bee families. We trapped 3x more individuals in the second year of the study despite identical sampling effort in both years, with most trapped bees classified as ground‐nesting species. Members of the sweat bee family (Halictidae) comprised more than half of all specimens, and the most abundant genus was composed of metallic green bees (Agapostemon, 33.6%), followed by long‐horned bees (Melissodes, 16.5%), sweat bees (Halictus, 15.9%), and bumble bees (Bombus, 13.6%). In both years, abundance and observed species richness were greatest in the most intensive harvest residue treatment, with other treatments having similar values for both measures. Our study indicates that early successional managed conifer forest that has experienced removal of harvest residue can harbor a surprising diversity of wild bees, which are likely to have important contributions to the broader ecological community through the pollination services they provide.
Idioms and Strategies of Translation in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

This article described the translation of idioms expression found in the novel Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows published by Bloomsbury and the strategies in translating idioms applied based on Baker (2001). Using qualitative method, the writer provided a detailed description about the translation strategies in translating idiomatic expressionsfound in Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows. As the results, the study showed that several translation strategies are applied, which include idioms of similar meaning and form, using an idiom of similar meaning but dissimilar form, translation by paraphrase, and translation by omission. The cultural difference becomes the main concern in keeping the original meaning, especially when dealing with idiomatic expressions. When translating idioms, the translator might use some adjustment in the certain context to keep the correct meaning, so the translated text is still readable and clear. In conclusion, translating idioms could be a serious matter regarding the target language. In this case the problems are doubled since the stylistic meaning should be kept without reducing the beauty of the text
Identification of material properties of composite materials

Abstract Present paper describes the facilities of composite material properties identification technique using specimen vibration tests, genetic algorithms, finite elements analysis and specimen shape optimization. In identification process the elastic constants in a numerical model is updated so that the output from the numerical code fits the results from vibration testing. Main problem analysed in this paper is that Poisson's ratio is the worst determined elastic characteristic due to its low influence on specimen eigenfrequencies. It is shown that it is possible to increase its influence by choosing specific test specimen characteristics (side aspect ratio, orthotropy angle, etc.) via optimization routine. In this paper are presented test results of some experiments wherein glass‐epoxy and carbon‐epoxy material properties were identified.
Application Research on 2D Image-based Non-contact Anthropometric Technology in Clothing E-commerce

Anthropometry is an important component element of fashion design, pattern research, clothing production and clothing MTM online. Anthropometric technology has went through the process from contact to non-contact, and from manual anthropometry to 2D image and 3D anthropometry. The purpose of this paper is to summarize symmetric and theoretic 2D image-based non-contact anthropometric ideas, and to solve the problem of measuring body circumference dimensions on 2D images in clothing e-commerce. Firstly it separates 2D image-based non-contact Anthropometry into three steps: image silhouette extracting and characteristic body measurement, girth calculation and error & accuracy analysis, and analyses the methods of every step; then it discusses the characteristics of the anthropometry operating and its' application in clothing e-commerce.
ROUTING PROTOCOLS FOR MANET, VANET AND AANET: A SURVEY

Wireless and mobile communications have become dominant of all the communication with time. An ad hoc network is a collection of dynamic wireless mobile nodes which forms a temporary network without any fixed infrastructure. Ad Hoc Networks are multi - hop wireless networks. The node uses intermediate nodes to send packet to remote nodes. For this purpose different distributed routing protocols are required. This paper presents various routing protocols specifically designed for ad hoc routing networks like MANET, VANET, AANET.
Changes in lipids of white-scar oyster (Crassostrea belcheri) during chilled storage under different salt concentrations.

Changes in lipids of white-scar oyster (Crassostrea belcheri) during chilled storage at 4±2 C under different salt concentration were investigated. Shell-on oyster packed in normal air and 2.5% brine and shucked oyster packed in water, 2.5% brine and 4% brine were monitored for lipid class, fatty acid composition, peroxide value (PV) and volatile profile. The results showed a decrease in triglyceride (TG) and phospholipid (PL) but free fatty acid (FFA), as well as peroxide value increased (P<0.05). Decrease in polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) was found in oysters during chilled storage, leading to the presence of alcohols, carbonyls, carboxylic acid and hydrocarbons. Shell-on oysters packed in 2.5% brine showed greater changes in lipid composition than those packed in normal air. Shucked oysters packed in 4% brine showed less changes in lipid composition than those packed in 2.5% brine and water. However, this might affect the acceptable taste of the oysters.
The effect of metformin on memory retention of inhibitory avoidance learning in streptozotocin-induced rat model of alzheimer’s disease

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is closely associated with impaired insulin signaling in brain, suggesting it to be a brain-specific form of diabetes and thus termed as the “type 3 diabetes”. Metformin is one of the most widely used agent against insulin resistance. The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of metformin on memory retention in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced model of AD in rats using an inhibitory avoidance learning. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 56 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into 7 groups: control; STZ-treated, STZ plus saline or metformin. For the induction of AD, STZ (3 mg/kg) was administered bilaterally into lateral ventricles. All rats were trained in shuttle box for inhibitory avoidance learning. Metformin (50, 100, 200 mg/kg, i.p) or saline were injected immediately after the training. The retention test was performed after two days. Results: The results showed that post-training injection of metformin dose-dependently increased the time spent in the light chamber before entering to the dark chamber in STZtreated rats. Moreover, metformin dose-dependently improved the memory retention in the rats. Conclusion: Post-training injection of metformin dose-dependently enhanced the memory retention in STZ-induced model of AD.
Enhancing Secured Data Hiding Using Dynamic Digital Signature for Authentication Purpose

As a significant verification method, digital signature algorithm introduces a technique to endorse what the contents of the message. This message has not been altered throughout the communication process. Due to this, it increases the receiver confidence that the message was unchanged. However, two issues that required to be addressed are large size of the ciphered data in digital signature and making it closer to the original file. The objective of this paper is to present the adoption of digital signature as a stegano-image into the main image and the LSB steganographic method is capable to increase the security. The benefits of this encryption algorithm are computational efficiency, digital signature with the size as small as 8 bytes and minimize bandwidth in comparison with other digital signature methods. In messages with the sizes smaller than 1600 bytes, the hashed file reduces the original file up to 8.51%.
Perturbative Approach to Landau-Zener Transitions

Abstract The Landau-Zener level-crossing problem is analysed perturbatively. We consider the operator H(t) = Φ(t) σ3 + Δσ1, where Φ(t) is an external (time-dependent) force, σi are the Pauli matrices, and Δ is taken to be a small parameter. By considering the operator U(t, −t) that evolves states in time from −t to t, it is possible to develop a perturbation series in Δ. For three choices of Φ(t), U(t, −t) is determined for small Δ. For Φ(t) periodic with period θ a small Δ approximation to U(t, −t) is obtained that is valid for times of order θ/(θ Δ)3. A slow modulation of this time evolution operator is found and for certain values of the parameters the slow modulation may stop, leaving U(t, −t) asym 1 for all t. The effects of fluctuations in Φ(t) on the transition probability are also calculated. To O(Δ2) it is found that for Φ(t) ∝ t, white Gaussian noise modifies the probability of a transition in a finite time but leaves unaltered the long time transition probability. This is in accordance with the findings of Y. Kayanuma (Phys. Rev. Lett.58 (1987), 1934).
QUALITY OF GOVERNANCE IN “OLD” AND “NEW” EU MEMBER STATES IN A COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE

Quality of Governance in “Old” and “New” EU Member States in a Comparative Perspective. A question arises whether the quality of governance of the “old” EU member states is greater than that of the “new” ones. Intuitively speaking, “old” member states should fare much better. In the article, a measure of the quality of governance is presented, based on the World Bank’s Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI) for 1996, 2003 and 2010. According to the authors, the quality of governance consists of three components: system persistence, inclusiveness and effectiveness. Findings indicate that most of the “old” EU member states perform much better with respect to the quality of governance compared to their “new” counterparts. Further, the relationship between the quality of governance and some aspects of socio-economic development is examined. In this regard, a strong correlation between most of the elements under consideration is detected. In conclusion, the authors assume that if the EU chooses not to elicit a higher quality of governance of its member states, it is destined to become a melee of states characterised by enormously different levels of democratic potential. As a consequence, inevitably, a question will arise as to the sustainability and sense of purpose of its very existence. Sociologia 2012, Vol. 44 (No. 3: 367-384)
Fully fuzzy linear programming with inequality constraints

Fuzzy linear programming problem occur in many fields such as mathematical modeling, Control theory and Management sciences, etc. In this paper we focus on a kind of Linear Programming with fuzzy numbers and variables namely Fully Fuzzy Linear Programming (FFLP) problem, in which the constraints are in inequality forms. Then a new method is proposed to fine the fuzzy solution for solving (FFLP). Numerical examples are providing to illustrate the method.
Examination of the relationship between user participation and technology acceptance in post-implementation

EXAMINATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN USER PARTICIPATION AND TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTANCE IN POST-IMPLEMENTATION by Ekta M. Menghrajani Implementing information technology (IT) systems to support organizational effectiveness and enhance efficiencies is increasingly costly, challenging, and has a low success rate. Many researchers have explored user technology acceptance as a key to successful implementation of IT systems. Research on characteristics inherent to the implementation process can aid interventions designed to enhance user technology acceptance. User participation is a process characteristic that has been linked to IT system success and user satisfaction before and during implementation. Using data from 131 survey respondents, the current study investigated the relationship between user participation and technology acceptance in the postimplementation phase of an IT system. Analysis showed that user participation via hands-on learning activities and relationship with information systems (IS) staff had a positive impact on user affective and cognitive technology acceptance. Results suggest that the more users maintain a relationship with IS staff and take part in hands-on learning activities related to an IT system, the more they will like the IT system and perceive benefits of using the particular system. Findings and directions for future research and intervention development are discussed.
Interannual Variations of the Tropical Ocean Instability Wave and ENSO

Abstract Using ocean data assimilation products, variability of eastern Pacific Ocean tropical instability waves (TIWs) and their interaction with the El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) were analyzed. TIWs are known to heat the cold tongue through horizontal advection. Conversely, variability of the cold tongue influences TIW variability (TIWV). During La Nina, TIWs are more active and contribute to anomalous warming. During El Nino, TIWs are suppressed and induce an anomalous cooling. TIWV thus acts as negative feedback to ENSO. Interestingly, this feedback is stronger during La Nina than during El Nino. To investigate this negative/asymmetric feedback, a simple parameterization for the horizontal thermal flux convergence due to TIWs was incorporated into a simple ENSO model. The model results suggested that asymmetric thermal heating associated with TIWs can explain the El Nino–La Nina asymmetry (with larger-amplitude El Ninos).
An assessment of the contemporary threat posed by network worm malware

The cost of a zero-day network worm outbreak has been estimated to be up to US$2.6 billion. Additionally zeroday network worm outbreaks have been observed that spread at a significant pace across the global Internet, with an observed infection level of more than 90 percent of vulnerable hosts within 10 minutes. The threat posed by such fast-spreading malware is therefore significant, particularly given the fact that network operator / administrator intervention is not likely to take effect within the typical epidemiological timescale of such infections. This paper presents a classification of wormable vulnerabilities, demonstrating a method to determine if a vulnerability is wormable, and presents a survey into the cause of the reduction of worm outbreaks in recent years, as well as their viability in the future. It then goes on to explore recent wormable vulnerabilities, and points out the issues with operating system security in relation to techniques used by zero-day worms.