Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Renewing Society, Business and Competences for the Future in Sustainable Way

Sustainable development includes economic, social and ecological dimensions which have to be in balance not only today but in the future, too. The framework for sustainable development is multidisciplinary, including actors from different fields as defined in the Triple Helix Model. In this paper, we illustrate alternative scenarios for sustainable business opportunities in a specific region in Finland called Western Uusimaa. As background information we have a survey data concerning companies? attitudes towards sustainable development which has been collected from 88 companies in different business fields. We also analyse the needs for skills and competences in alternative scenarios and make recommendations for actors in the business, society and university to meet those challenges.Western Uusimaa region and its business structure are in transition: many traditional industries do not operate there anymore and new businesses are more than welcome. One of the main driving forces shaping the operational environment is sustainable development. Therefore, green industry, cleantech and responsible business models are the elements of the renewal needed for the future. Our paper is based on an ongoing project which is figuring out the ecosystem of sustainable business in the Western Uusimaa and examining future sustainable business opportunities in the long run. The focus of this paper is on future business opportunities related to sustainable development. The methods used in the research are related to future studies and the timeframe is 20 years to the future. As a result we introduce alternative future scenarios for the sustainable business development. The scenarios are 1) Branded niche for the global market, 2) Competitive advantage from proactive innovations, 3) Develop or die and 4) Local train. Scenarios 1 and 2 are market driven whereas scenarios 3 and 4 are society driven. The content of the scenarios have supplemented with the core competence tree concept, especially focusing on roots, i.e. competences. Knowledge and skills, values and attitudes as well as contacts and experiences together form the set of core competences which are necessary in business development. According to results, most of the companies at least recognize the importance of sustainability and its role in the business. There also seems to be a real need to inform companies about the opportunities created by sustainable solutions. Networking and finding the right partners are essential when developing sustainable business. The co-operation of actors from all Triple Helix dimensions is needed when developing business opportunities within a regional sustainability cluster.
A Comparative Study on Beta in Islamic Finance: Evidence from Malaysian Stock Exchange

The aim of this paper is to provide some preliminary evidences on the potential effect on the risk as result of the principles used to divide the companies between Shari"ah Compliant (LCSC) and not Shari"ah Compliant (LCnotSC). In particular, this analysis represents an exploratory study based on the comparison between the Beta of a sample of companies listed on Bursa Malaysia, classified according to the principles of Islamic finance (business activity screen and financial ratio screen). The results of our analysis point out that in the Malaysian Stock Exchange there is a prevalence of listed companies Shari"ah Compliant that have, on average, a level of risk (measured by Beta) higher than the not Shari"ah Compliant listed companies in the same market.
Benefit and Risk Decision of Supply Chain Resources Integration under 4PL

In order to analyze the decision process of 4PL resource integration in supply chain management,this paper sets forth a general operational framework for the supply chain resource integration under 4PL based on the integration cost and benefit and describes such an input-output relationship.It analyses the supply chain resource integration decisions under 4PL by systemically quantifying and weighing the benefits and risks of the integration.The paper focuses on the expected benefit after integration and the quantification methods of integration benefit and risk.Finally,the paper verifies the objectivity of the results and the theoretical and practical significance of the proposed ideas through a case study.
The H 3 . 3 K 27 M Mutation and its Role in Pediatric Midline Gliomas : Case Report and Review of the Literature

First identified in 2012, the histone 3 mutation H3.3K27M significantly affects the prognosis of children with anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) and other gliomas. Tumors with this mutation tend to be more aggressive and localize along the midline, behaving like diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPGs). Surgical options are often limited because of the deep location of these tumors coupled with their invasive and infiltrative nature. Additionally, AA with this histone mutation is more resistant to chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Given this aggressive and resistant behavior, children with thalamic and/or hypothalamic AA with this mutation have a lower than expected life expectancy of roughly 1 year. In this case report of an 11-year-old female with anaplastic astrocytoma and the H3.3K27M variant, the authors describe the diagnostic importance of genetic and/or immunohistochemistry testing to identify this mutation. We review the relevant literature about the H3.3K27M mutation and discuss the implications that the mutation may have on the management of children with these neoplasms.
Sparse Optimization for Automated Energy End Use Disaggregation

Retrieving the household electricity consumption at individual appliance level is an essential requirement to assess the contribution of different end uses to the total household consumption, and thus to design energy saving policies and user-tailored feedback for reducing household electricity usage. This has led to the development of nonintrusive appliance load monitoring (NIALM), or energy disaggregation, algorithms, which aim to decompose the aggregate energy consumption data collected from a single measurement point into device-level consumption estimations. Existing NIALM algorithms are able to provide accurate estimate of the fraction of energy consumed by each appliance. Yet, in the authors' experience, they provide poor performance in reconstructing the power consumption trajectories overtime. In this brief, a new NIALM algorithm is presented, which, besides providing very accurate estimates of the aggregated consumption by appliance, also accurately characterizes the appliance power consumption profiles overtime. The proposed algorithm is based on the assumption that the unknown appliance power consumption profiles are piecewise constant overtime (as it is typical for power use patterns of household appliances) and it exploits the information on the time-of-day probability in which a specific appliance might be used. The disaggregation problem is formulated as a least-square error minimization problem, with an additional (convex) penalty term aiming at enforcing the disaggregate signals to be piecewise constant overtime. Testing on household electricity data available in the literature is reported.
Ventriculostomy-related cerebral hemorrhages after endovascular aneurysm treatment.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Recent evidence suggests that endovascular treatment of acutely ruptured aneurysms is equivalent, if not superior, to surgical treatment. Not all patients who undergo endovascular treatment do well, however. We have identified ventriculostomy-related hemorrhage to be a potential source of morbidity and mortality. METHODS Prospectively gathered data on patients (n = 51) admitted to a hospital for the endovascular treatment of acutely ruptured aneurysms during a 2.5-year period was analyzed. RESULTS Twenty-four patients had drains inserted, and three suffered symptomatic ventriculostomy-related cerebral hemorrhages. Two of the three patients were being treated with heparin, one of whom also received clopidogrel, and the third was being treated with low molecular weight heparin at the time. The latter had a normal platelet count, prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time. All cerebral hemorrhages were deemed to have occurred as a result of drain manipulation. CONCLUSION The risk of hemorrhage must be considered when using anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy in patients requiring ventriculostomy. Interventionalists must not only work closely with neurosurgeons when it is anticipated that a ventriculostomy may be needed but also ensure that there is good communication with the neurosurgical team during the postprocedural period.
Simultaneous display of lung ventilation and perfusion on a real-time EIT system

EIT images obtained from the human trunk contain changes originating from the lungs, heart and gastro-intestinal tract. In some cases these changes may be spatially separable but in others they can only be separated by temporal filtering. For example, changes relating to both the cardiac and respiratory cycles are present in the lungs. We show that on-line temporal filtering of the images from a 25 frames per second Electrical Impedance Tomography system can be used to produce both cardiac (perfusion) and respiratory (ventilation) images from a single input data stream.
Alterations in drug disposition in older adults

Introduction: The worldwide population is aging, and several age-associated physiological and pathophysiological changes can affect drug disposition. This is particularly important in view of the extensive medication prescribing and exposure in older adults. Areas covered: Using a framework of the four primary pharmacokinetic processes (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Elimination), this review discusses the current evidence of the pharmacokinetic changes that occur with aging, particularly ‘healthy aging,’ focusing on developments in this field over the last 10 years. Expert opinion: A substantial amount of work has been conducted to address whether advancing age significantly affects drug disposition in humans. Despite significant advances in the field, particularly regarding drug metabolism and elimination, a number of issues remain unsolved. In particular, lack of inclusion of older adults with multimorbidity and those aged > 80 and minimal evidence in relation to new drugs limits the applicability of findings to current clinical practice.
Structure and properties of nanocrystalline chitosan

Chitosan and its derivatives are polymers with excellent properties tobe used in regenerative medicine because they guarantee efficiency in the healing process This polymer has a great potential for the development of a new generation of biomaterials that can be used in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering The nanocrystalline chitosan nCh is a modified form of chitosan prepared by the method of obtaining chitosan salts It is characterized by having the same special properties of the precursor chitosan as biocompatibility bioactivity be non toxic and biodegradable The aim of this study was to develop a new method of obtaining nanocrystalline chitosan according to their chemical and physical characterization The material was characterized by Absorption Spectroscopy in the Infrared Region with the Fourier transform FTIR ATR scanning electron microscopy SEM Nuclear Magnetic Resonance NMR Diffraction of X rays particle size analysis and the potential Zeta The results indicated that the process of obtaining nanocrystalline chitosan did not change the structure of the precursor chitosan The analysis in the FTIR showed the same functional groups of the precursor chitosan The H NMR spectroscopy was helpful in the analysis of the chitosan samples in a wide range of values to determine the degree of deacetylation GD The morphology indicates the homogeneity of the structure and the surface The X ray diffraction shows the reduction of crystallinity of QNC which corresponds to the amorphous structure thereof The value of the zeta potential of the chitosan acetate AQ in acid media pH was mV while the value of QNC pH was mV due to its high polydispersity The variation in particle size of samples and AQ using QNC uM mesh filter indicated the average particle size of and nm respectively
Element-coded affinity tags for peptides and proteins.

Isotope-coded affinity tags (ICAT) represent an important new tool for the analysis of complex mixtures of proteins in living systems [Aebersold, R. , and Mann, M. (2003) Nature, 422, 198-207]. We envisage an alternative protein-labeling technique based on tagging with different element-coded metal chelates, which affords affinity chromatography, quantification, and identification of a tagged peptide from a complex mixture. As proof of concept, a synthetic peptide was modified at a cysteine side chain with either a carboxymethyl group or acetamidobenzyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N',N' ',N' "-tetraacetic acid (AcBD) chelates of terbium or yttrium. A mixture of the three modified peptides in a mole ratio of 100:1.0:0.83 carboxymethyl:AcBD-Tb:AcBD-Y was trypsinized, purified on a new affinity column that binds rare-earth DOTA chelates, and analyzed by LC-MS/MS. Chelate-tagged tryptic peptides eluted cleanly from the affinity column; the tagged peptides chromatographically coeluted during LC-MS analysis, were present in the expected ratio as indicated by MS ion intensity, and were sequence-identified by tandem mass spectrometry. DOTA-rare earth chelates have exceptional properties for use as affinity tags. They are highly polar and water-soluble. Many of the rare earth elements are naturally monoisotopic, providing a variety of simple choices for preparing mass tags. Further, the rare earths are heavy elements, whose mass defects give the masses of tagged peptides exact values not normally shared by molecules that contain only light elements.
Microwave breakdown in slots

The properties of microwave-induced breakdown of air in narrow metallic slots are investigated, both theoretically and experimentally, with emphasis on factors important for protection against transmission of incident high-power microwave radiation. The key factors investigated are breakdown power threshold, breakdown time, peak-leakage power, and total transmitted energy, as functions of incident pulse shape and power density. The theoretical investigation includes estimates of the electric field intensification in narrow slots and basic breakdown plasma modeling. New results important for application to the high-power microwave field, such as the influence of pulse shape on breakdown time and peak-leakage power, are presented. The experimental investigation comprises a set of slot breakdown experiments at atmospheric pressure, which are analyzed to extract key parameters, such as transmission cross section, breakdown time, peak leakage power, and transmitted energy. The experimental data is compared and shown to be in good agreement with results obtained in the theoretical investigation.
Deletion of the SLUG (SNAI2) gene results in human piebaldism

Slug is a zinc‐finger neural crest transcription factor, encoded by the SLUG gene, which is critical for development of hematopoietic stem cells, germ cells, and melanoblasts in the mouse. In mouse, heterozygous and homozygous slug mutations result in anemia, infertility, white forehead blaze, and depigmentation of the ventral body, tail, and feet. This phenotype is very similar to the heterozygous W (KIT)‐mutant mouse phenotype and to human piebaldism, which is characterized by a congenital depigmented patches and poliosis (white forelock). To investigate the possibility that some cases of human piebaldism might result from abnormalities of the human SLUG (SNAI2) gene, we carried out Southern blot analysis of the SLUG gene in 17 unrelated patients with piebaldism, who lack apparent KIT mutations. Three of these patients had evident heterozygous deletions of the SLUG gene encompassing the entire coding region. Real‐time PCR confirmed the deletion in all cases. Fluoresence in situ hybridization (FISH) of genomic SLUG probes to metaphase chromosomes independently confirmed the deletion in one of the cases. These findings indicate that some cases of human piebaldism result from mutation of the SLUG gene on chromosome 8, and provide further strong evidence for the role of SLUG in the development of human melanocytes. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Incorporation of Acetate into Acetylcholine, Acetylcarnitine, and Amino Acids in the Torpedo Electric Organ

Abstract: The metabolism of acetate was investigated in the nerve‐electroplaque system of Torpedo marmorata. In intact fragments of electric organ, radiolabeled acetate was incorporated into acetylcholine (ACh), acetylcarnitine (ACar), and three amino acids: aspartate, glutamate, and glutamine. These compounds were identified by TLC, high‐voltage electrophoresis, column chromatography, and enzymic tests. The system responsible for acetate transport and incorporation into ACh displayed a higher affinity but a lower Vmax than that involved in the synthesis of ACar and amino acids. Choline, when added to the medium, increased the rate of acetate incorporation into ACh but decreased (at concentrations >10−5M) that into ACar and amino acids. Monofluoroacetate slightly depressed ACh and ACar synthesis from external acetate but inhibited much more the synthesis of amino acids. During repetitive nerve stimulation, the level of the newly synthetized [14C]ACh was found to oscillate together with that of endogenous ACh, but the level of neither [14C]ACar nor the 14C‐labeled amino acids exhibited any significant change as a function of time. This means that there is probably no periodic transfer of acetyl groups between ACh and the investigated metabolites in the course of activity. Acetate metabolism was also tested in the electric lobe (which contains the cell bodies of the neurons innervating the electric organ) and in Torpedo synaptosomes (which are nerve terminals isolated from the same neurons). Radioactive pyruvate and glutamine were also assayed in some experiments for comparison with acetate. These observations are discussed in connection with ACh metabolism under resting and active conditions in tissues where acetate is the preferred precursor of the neurotransmitter.
A conceptual model of perceived value and consumer satisfaction: a survey of Muslim travellers' loyalty on Umrah tour packages

The global religious travel's market is growing tremendously as travelling is now becoming easy and cheap. However, there has been scant literature studying traveller's behaviour toward religious tourism, despite the fact that this sector is growing as the numbers of Muslim travellers are increasing each year. This paper is designed to analyse the impact of perceived value on satisfaction and loyalty toward Umrah tour package services. 190 samples were collected from Malaysian Muslim travellers visiting Mecca for Umrah and the data was analysed using the SmartPLS software. The results showed that the quality of package services and emotional values are significant predictors for the Muslim traveller's satisfaction, and this satisfaction mediates the link between perceived value and loyalty.
Dataset for the evaluation of eye detector for gaze estimation

Being able to perform eye tracking with low cost technology is the key to broaden its applications and one of the major goals for the eye tracking community nowadays. Furthermore, new datasets to evaluate the different methods are needed to reproduce the real conditions in which these algorithms work. In this paper, we present a dataset containing images of subjects with different gaze orientations as a new evaluation tool. First step in eye tracking algorithms is to detect the region of the eyes, and using the Gi4e dataset, we evaluate the best performing public Haar based classifiers under different gaze orientations to detect the eye area, proving this dataset to be a fair evaluation method.
The possible role of prostaglandin D2 in the long-lasting airways vasodilatation induced by allergen in the sensitized pig.

Allergen-induced nasal and bronchial vasodilatation and bronchoconstriction were studied in ascaris-sensitized pigs with and without pretreatment with diclofenac sodium, to evaluate the contribution of prostanoids in these responses. The bronchoconstriction induced by allergen aerosol challenge was enhanced by diclofenac, whereas the duration of the bronchial vasodilatation was reduced from 80 to 30 min, without changing the maximal effect. However, both the maximal effect and the duration of the nasal vasodilatation were reduced upon nasal allergen challenge by 60% (P less than 0.01) and from 72 to 16 min (P less than 0.05), respectively. Bronchial challenge with the allergen also induced nasal vasodilatation of long duration and this response was highly sensitive to diclofenac pretreatment. I.v. injections of prostaglandins (PG) E1, E2, I2 and D2 revealed that only PGD2 induced vasodilatation of long duration in the airways without major effects on the systemic arterial blood pressure. Nebulization of PGD2 (0.7-1.4 mumol) into the pig airways also induced marked vasodilatation of long duration (greater than or equal to 40 min), especially in the nasal circulation. The vasodilatory responses to PGD2 were not changed by systemic pretreatment with capsaicin or diclofenac. Challenge in the airways with platelet-activating factor (PAF) produced bronchial and vascular responses similar to those seen with the allergen and the vasodilatory responses to PAF were partly sensitive to diclofenac. We propose that a long-lasting component of the allergen-induced vasodilatation in the pig airways, especially in the nasal mucosa, may be caused by the release of PGD2, acting independently of sensory nerves. Allergen and PAF aerosol challenge in the lung may also induce the release of a vasodilatory prostaglandin, possibly PGD2 into the systemic circulation, thereby inducing nasal vasodilatation.
Nitric oxide inhibition of NaCl secretion in the opercular epithelium of seawater-acclimated killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus

ABSTRACT Nitric oxide (NO) modulates epithelial ion transport pathways in mammals, but this remains largely unexamined in fish. We explored the involvement of NO in controlling NaCl secretion by the opercular epithelium of seawater killifish using an Ussing chamber approach. Pharmacological agents were used to explore the mechanism(s) triggering NO action. A modified Biotin-switch technique was used to investigate S-nitrosation of proteins. Stimulation of endogenous NO production via the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) substrate l-arginine (2.0 mmol l−1), and addition of exogenous NO via the NO donor SNAP (10−6 to 10−4 mol l−1), decreased the epithelial short-circuit current (Isc). Inhibition of endogenous NO production by the NOS inhibitor l-NAME (10−4 mol l−1) increased Isc and revealed a tonic control of ion transport by NO in unstimulated opercular epithelia. The NO scavenger PTIO (10−5 mol l−1) supressed the NO-mediated decrease in Isc, and confirmed that the effect observed was elicited by release of NO. The effect of SNAP on Isc was abolished by inhibitors of the soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC), ODQ (10−6 mol l−1) and Methylene Blue (10−4 mol l−1), revealing NO signalling via the sGC/cGMP pathway. Incubation of opercular epithelium and gill tissues with SNAP (10−4 mol l−1) led to S-nitrosation of proteins, including Na+/K+-ATPase. Blocking of NOS with l-NAME (10−6 mol l−1) or scavenging of NO with PTIO during hypotonic shock suggested an involvement of NO in the hypotonic-mediated decrease in Isc. Yohimbine (10−4 mol l−1), an inhibitor of α2-adrenoceptors, did not block NO effects, suggesting that NO is not involved in the α-adrenergic control of NaCl secretion. Summary: Nitric oxide contributes to the regulation of ion transport in fish predominantly through the sGC/cGMP pathway and S-nitrosation of transport proteins may be an additional mechanism.