Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptive co-management for social–ecological complexity

Building trust through collaboration, institutional development, and social learning enhances efforts to foster ecosystem management and resolve multi-scale society–environment dilemmas. One emerging approach aimed at addressing these dilemmas is adaptive co-management. This method draws explicit attention to the learning (experiential and experimental) and collaboration (vertical and horizontal) functions necessary to improve our understanding of, and ability to respond to, complex social–ecological systems. Here, we identify and outline the core features of adaptive co-management, which include innovative institutional arrangements and incentives across spatiotemporal scales and levels, learning through complexity and change, monitoring and assessment of interventions, the role of power, and opportunities to link science with policy.
THE POWER OF INNOVATION OF IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINABILITY IN THE

The study analyzed the relationship of the power of innovation of strategy implementation to the sustainability of mining companies. The study was conducted through a survey with companies related to the Brazilian Mining Institute (IBRAM) and used the technique of multiple correspondence analysis (HOMALS). We found that companies that exhibit characteristics of innovation and environmental activities have an offensive strategic posture in relation to sustainability, investing in environmental aspects, and in the integration of technology in their products and processes.
Acute environmental hypoxia induces LC3 lipidation in a genotype‐dependent manner

Hypoxia‐induced muscle wasting is a phenomenon often described with prolonged stays at high altitude, which has been attributed to altered protein metabolism. We hypothesized that acute normobaric hypoxia would induce a negative net protein balance by repressing anabolic and activating proteolytic signaling pathways at rest and postexercise and that those changes could be partially genetically determined. Eleven monozygotic twins participated in an experimental trial in normoxia and hypoxia (10.7% O2). Muscle biopsy samples were obtained before and after a 20‐min moderate cycling exercise. In hypoxia at rest, autophagic flux was increased, as indicated by an increased microtubule‐associated protein 1 light chain 3 type II/I (LC3‐II/I) ratio (+25%) and LC3‐II expression (+60%) and decreased p62/SQSTM1 expression (–25%; P<0.05), whereas exercise reversed those changes to a level similar to that with normoxia except for p62/SQSTM1, which was further decreased (P<0.05). Hypoxia also increased Bnip3 (+34%) and MAFbx (+18%) mRNA levels as well as REDD1 expression (+439%) and AMP‐activated protein kinase phosphorylation (+22%; P<0.05). Among the molecular responses to hypoxia and/or exercise, high monozygotic similarity was found for REDD1, LC3‐II, and LC3‐II/I (P<0.05). Our results indicate that environmental hypoxia modulates protein metabolism at rest and after moderate exercise by primarily increasing markers of protein breakdown and, more specifically, markers of the autophagy‐lysosomal system, with a modest genetic contribution. —Masschelein, E. , Van Thienen, R. , D'Hulst, G. , Hespel, P., Thomis, M. , Deldicque, L. Acute environmental hypoxia induces LC3 lipidation in a genotype‐dependent manner. FASEB J. 28, 1022–1034 (2014). www.fasebj. org
Neuron-glial antigen 2 overexpression in hepatocellular carcinoma predicts poor prognosis.

AIM To investigate whether neuron-glial antigen 2 (NG2) could be an effective prognostic marker in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS NG2 expression was semi-quantitatively scored from the immunohistochemistry (IHC) data based on the number of positive cells and the staining intensity. A total of 132 HCC specimens and 96 adjacent noncancerous tissue samples were analyzed by IHC for NG2 protein expression. To confirm the NG2 expression levels observed by IHC, we measured NG2 expression in 30 randomly selected tumor and adjacent noncancerous tissue samples by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. The correlations between NG2 protein expression and the clinicopathological features of HCC patients were analyzed using the χ (2) test. To assess the prognostic value of NG2 for HCC, the association between NG2 expression and survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method with the log-rank test. To further evaluate the prognostic value of NG2 expression, a Cox multivariate proportional hazards regression analysis was performed with all the variables to derive risk estimates related to disease-free and overall survival and to control for confounders. RESULTS High NG2 expression was observed in significantly more primary tumor samples (63.6%; 84/132) compared with the adjacent noncancerous tissue samples (28.1%; 27/96) (P < 0.0001). Moreover, high NG2 protein expression was closely associated with tumor differentiation (χ (2) = 9.436, P = 0.0089), recurrence (χ (2) = 5.769, P = 0.0163), tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage (χ (2) = 8.976, P = 0.0027), and invasion (χ (2) = 5.476, P = 0.0193). However, no significant relationship was observed between NG2 protein expression in HCC and other parameters, such as age, sex, tumor size, serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP), tumor number, or tumor capsule. The log-rank test indicated a significant difference in the overall survival of HCC patients with high NG2 expression compared with those with low NG2 expression (29.2% vs 9.5%, P < 0.001). Moreover, NG2 expression in HCC tissue signiﬁcantly correlated with disease-free survival (15.2% vs 6.7%, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that NG2 expression (HR = 2.035, P = 0.002), serum AFP (HR = 1.903, P = 0.003), TNM stage (HR = 2.039, P = 0.001), and portal vein invasion (HR = 1.938, P = 0.002) were independent prognostic indicators for OS in HCC patients. Furthermore, NG2 expression (HR = 1.974, P = 0.003), serum AFP (HR = 1.767, P = 0.008), TNM stage (HR = 2.078, P = 0.001), tumor capsule (HR = 0.652, P = 0.045), and portal vein invasion (HR = 1.941, P = 0.002) were independent prognostic indicators for DFS in HCC patients. CONCLUSION The up-regulation of NG2 is associated with poor prognosis in HCC. Therefore, NG2 could be useful as an additional prognostic marker to increase the resolution of traditional approaches.
Paradoxical Release of Nitric Oxide by an L-Type Calcium Channel Antagonist, the R+ Enantiomer of Amlodipine

Amlodipine is a mixture of two enantiomers, one having L-type channel blocking activity (S−) and the other about 1,000-fold weaker activity and of little known other activity (R+). To determine whether the R+ enantiomer releases nitric oxide, the ability of amlodipine, its enantiomers, and nitrendipine to release nitric oxide in isolated coronary microvessels and to regulate cardiac tissue oxygen consumption via nitric oxide release was studied in vitro. Amlodipine and the R+ enantiomer released nitric oxide in a concentration-dependent fashion, increasing nitrite release from coronary microvessels by 57 ± 12 and 45 ± 5 pmol/mg/20 min at 10 −6M (p < 0.05 from control). Nitrite release was entirely blocked by Nω-nitro- l -arginine methyl ester ( l -NAME), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, and HOE-140, a B 2 -kinin receptor antagonist. The S− enantiomer had no effect on nitrite release at any concentration. Amlodipine and the R+ enantiomer also reduced oxygen consumption in canine cardiac tissue in vitro and this was in an l -NAME-blockable manner. The S− enantiomer of amlodipine had no effect. This study shows that the R+ enantiomer of amlodipine is responsible for the release of nitric oxide and not the S− enantiomer (the L-type calcium channel blocking portion of amlodipine). Interestingly, nitric oxide release is dependent on the production of kinins because it is blocked by HOE-140. This study defines a potentially important property by which calcium channel blockers may release nitric oxide and may contribute to their use in the treatment of cardiovascular disease.
Spin-fluctuation-induced superconductivity in the copper oxides: A strong coupling calculation.

We have carried out a strong coupling calculation of spin-fluctuation-induced superconductivity for YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 using the experimentally determined spin excitation spectrum. We find that it is extremely important to take full account of the momentum and frequency dependence of the interaction and that while lifetime effects substantially reduce T c from its value calculated in a weak coupling approximation, it is still possible for spin fluctuations to give rise to high-temperature superconductivity
Consensus of multi-agent systems with antagonistic interactions and communication delays

This paper deals with the consensus problem of multi-agent systems under undirected graphs that have antagonistic interactions and communication delays. The multi-agent systems are guaranteed to reach agreement on a consensus value that is the same for all agents except the sign. A problem transformation approach is proposed, which can transform the considered consensus problem into an equivalent stability problem. It is shown that if a multi-agent network under fixed topology is connected and can achieve structural balance, then it can reach consensus, regardless of multiple communication delays. Simulation examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the derived results.
Foreign Exchange Interventions, Capital Controls and Monetary Policy: The Case of China

China has maintained a closed capital account to the private sector and channeled capital flows through the public sector by foreign exchange interventions. This paper presents an open economy model that incorporates this capital account policy configuration in order to study whether foreign exchange interventions can improve welfare in the presence of capital controls, compared to an open capital account. Furthermore, I analyze how these interventions affect the conduct of monetary policy. I find that optimal interventions improve welfare by strategically managing the terms of trade. In the presence of domestic nominal rigidity, interventions increase welfare even if monetary policy is set optimally. I find monetary policy effectively eliminates domestic price distortions, while foreign exchange interventions efficiently correct terms-of-trade externalities.
Evaluation of tissue and cellular biomarkers to assess 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) exposure in earthworms: effects-based assessment in laboratory studies using Eisenia andrei

The lysosomal neutral red retention time (NRRT) assay, a biomarker for lysosomal membrane stability, and the total immune activity (TIA) assay, a measure of non-specific immune system activity, were used in laboratory studies to assess the toxic effects of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) on earthworms (Eisenia andrei) in vivo. The results were compared with the concentration of TNT and its metabolites in earthworm tissue, as well as standard sublethal toxicity endpoints including growth (i.e. weight change) and reproduction effects from previously published studies. Filter paper experiments indicated a significant decrease in NRRT at ≥1.8 μg TNT cm-2, whereas sublethal (weight loss) and lethal effects to earthworms were detected at ≥3.5 and 7.1 μg TNT cm-2, respectively. Experiments in artificial soil showed that NRRT effects could be detected at lower TNT concentrations (≥55 mg TNT kg-1 soil dry weight) compared with other sublethal endpoints (effects on growth and reproduction). The TIA biomarker did not significantly respond to TNT. Copper (as CuSO4, filter paper contact tests) and 2-chloroacetamide (soil tests), which were used as reference toxicants, also decreased the NRRT. The use of the NRRT assay linked with tissue concentrations of TNT metabolites in earthworms was identified as a potentially appropriate biomarker approach for TNT exposure assessment under laboratory conditions and a novel tool for effects-based risk assessment.
From pre-internationalization to post-internationalization: relationship marketing perspective

Although several aspects of the internationalization process and relationship marketing strategy have been addressed in the literature, there is a lack of a unified theoretical framework that explains the impact of relationship marketing strategy on internationalization process. This study was undertaken as an initial attempt to address the role of relationship marketing in the internationalization process. To understand this concept, the internationalization process is divided into two stages: pre-internationalization, which focuses on overcoming the psychic distance and post-internationalization, which focuses on market entry and positioning. At the different stages of internationalization, different variables of relationship marketing assume relatively greater levels of importance, which are likely to have implications for the implementation of an internationalization process. Through a thorough analysis of the literature, and a review of a number of international examples, three research propositions are provided and streams for further research necessary to understand this neglected area of research are then provided.
MBA-IF:A New Data Clustering Method Using Modified Bat Algorithm and Levy Flight

Data clustering plays an important role in partitioning the large set of data objects into known/unknown number of groups or clusters so that the objects in each cluster are having high degree of similarity while objects in different clusters are dissimilar to each other. Recently a number of data clustering methods are explored by using traditional methods as well as nature inspired swarm intelligence algorithms. In this paper, a new data clustering method using modified bat algorithm is presented. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is suitable for data clustering in an efficient and robust way.
Managers' perceptions of the extent of diversity management in multinational organisations in Laos

ii Acknowledgements iv List of tables and figures x LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS xi Chapter 1: Introduction 1 1.1 Background 1 1.2 Description 2 1.2. 1 Background of research problem 2 1.2. 2 Focus of this project 4 1.3 Aim and Objective of the project 5 1.4 Research questions 6 1.5 Hypothesis 6 1.6 Outline of the thesis 7 1.7 Summary 8 Chapter 2: Literature Review. 9 2.
FPGA-accelerated Richardson-Lucy deconvolution for 3D image data

Efficient processing of 3D image data is one of the biggest challenges in biological image analysis. Single plane illumination microscopy, for instance, allows acquiring massive amounts of 3D image data that needs to be processed automatically. An important preprocessing step is deconvolution which reduces the image blur introduced by the imaging system. An often used algorithm is Richardson-Lucy deconvolution which, however, is very time-consuming for huge amounts of 3D image data. We have developed an FPGA-based acceleration of Richardson-Lucy deconvolution. Compared to CPU architectures the computation time is reduced.
Electromyogram control algorithms for the Upper Limb Single-DOF Powered Exoskeleton

The paper proposes control algorithms for Single-DOF Powered Exoskeleton used in physiotherapy and rehabilitation of the human upper limb. Proposed algorithms use EMG signals from single muscles as well as antagonist muscle pairs, to maximize the users intuitive control over the exoskeleton system. The paper is also a design summary of the problems and experiences gathered from building of Single-DOF Upper Limb Exoskeleton using linear electric actuators.
Asymmetry in the Business Cycle: Revisiting the Friedman Plucking Model

Recent research suggests that unobserved components models can, under certain conditions, be estimated without imposing the common zero-correlation restriction between the permanent and transitory innovations. The impact of this restriction, however, has not previously been examined in an unobserved components model with asymmetric movements. This paper produces and estimates an unobserved components model that allows for both correlation between the innovations and asymmetric transitory movements. The asymmetry is modeled using Markov-switching in the transitory component, in the spirit of the Kim and Nelson (1999) version of the Friedman plucking model. The results reveal that U.S. real GDP can be decomposed into a permanent component, a symmetric transitory component, and an additional occasional asymmetric transitory shock. The innovations to the permanent component and the symmetric transitory component are significantly negatively correlated, but the asymmetric transitory shock is exogenous. The findings suggest that both permanent movements and asymmetric transitory shocks are important for explaining post-war output fluctuations in the U.S. The author wishes to thank Raul Andrade, Gaetano Antinolfi, Nathan Balke, Arabinda Basistha, Mike Bradley, Drew Creal, John Driscoll, Steve Fazzari, Mark French, Bob Goldfarb, Fred Joutz, Pamela Labadie, Stanislav Radchenko, James Morley, Michael Owyang, Jeremy Piger, John Roberts, Roberto Sameniego, Dan Sichel, Aarti Singh, Herman Stekler, Pao-Lin Tien, Thomas Trimbur, Chao Wei, and the participants in several seminars for helpful comments and discussion. I also thank Jahangir Hossain and Amr Moubarak for helpful research assistance. All remaining errors are my own. Section
Smart Lighting System ISO/IEC/IEEE 21451 Compatible

Smart lighting systems go far beyond merely replacing lamps. These modern systems are now able to reproduce arbitrary spectra, color temperatures, and intensities and pivot on smart sensors and actuators incorporating information and communication technologies. This paper presents an interoperable smart lighting solution that combines heterogeneous lighting technologies enabling intelligent functions. The system can shift light intensity to increase visual comfort, and it is oriented toward human centric lighting studies. Moreover, this system follows the guidelines defined by the ISO/IEC/IEEE 21451 standards and ZigBee Light Link and also, it includes an additional transducer signal treatment service for artificial intelligence algorithms. Finally, a representational state transfer application allows us to test the interoperability and visualize energy savings in an office room.
Thiosulfate Reductase Isolated from Desulfotomaculum nigrificans

A thiosulfate reductase from Desulfotomaculum nigrificans has been partially purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation, diethylaminoethylcellulose chromatography, and sucrose density gradient centrifugation. With inner-and outer-labeled 35S-thiosulfate, the enzyme reduced only the outer sulfur atom to hydrogen sulfide. The enzyme was inhibited by sulfite and also by several sulfhydryl inhibitors. The Km value for this enzyme was calculated to be 1.3 × 10−1m. Other inorganic sulfur compounds, such as sulfate, sulfite, tetrathionate, and dithionate, were not reduced by this enzyme.
An Online English Auction Scheme

Online English auction is most familiar and mostly used online auction process in the present scenario. It is the most efficient auction process which gives most desirable results in terms of revenue . Our scheme involves three parties, namely the Registration Manager(RM), Auction Manager(AM), and Bidder(B). The Registration Manager publicizes the parameters to register the bidders, allowing them to participate in the bidding process. It also protects the bidding rights and manages the information on the key. The Auction Manager is responsible for conducting the bidding after the registration is over. Our proposed scheme satisfies the following features such as anonymity, no framing, unforgeability, non-repudiation, fairness, public verifiability, one-time registration, and easy revocation. The scheme uses Discrete Logarithmic Problem (DLP) and Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA-1) as hash function.
Structure of the gene for type I hexokinase from rat.

Based on presumed analogy with the previously characterized gene encoding the Type II isozyme of rat hexokinase (Printz, R.L., Koch, S., Potter, L.R., O'Dougherty, R.M., Tiesinga, J.J., Moritz, S., and Granner, D. K., J. Biol. Chem. 268, 5209-5219, 1993), the locations of splice sites in the gene encoding the rat Type I isozyme of hexokinase have been determined by PCR amplification of intronic DNA. Sequences at the splice sites conform to the consensus sequence, with GT and AG being found at 5' and 3' ends of the introns, respectively. Sizes of exons 1 and 2 were determined directly while others were estimated based on identified splice sites and the previously determined cDNA sequence. These exon sizes were confirmed by PCR amplification, which gave products having sizes consistent with those of introns and exons predicted to be within the amplified sequence. Thus, it is unlikely that the gene encoding the Type I isozyme contains any introns not having analogs in the gene for Type II hexokinase. The deduced structure for the rat Type I hexokinase gene is therefore identical to that for the rat Type II isozyme, and spans over 51 kb. Six tandem repeat sequences of (AC/GT)n have been identified in the 5' flanking region and in introns 10, 11, 12, and 16; this is an unusually high frequency of tandem repeat sequences.
Modulation of apical constriction by Wnt signaling is required for lung epithelial shape transition

In lung development, the apically constricted columnar epithelium forms numerous buds during the pseudoglandular stage. Subsequently, these epithelial cells change shape into the flat or cuboidal pneumocytes that form the air sacs during the canalicular and saccular (canalicular-saccular) stages, yet the impact of cell shape on tissue morphogenesis remains unclear. Here, we show that the expression of Wnt components is decreased in the canalicular-saccular stages, and that genetically constitutive activation of Wnt signaling impairs air sac formation by inducing apical constriction in the epithelium as seen in the pseudoglandular stage. Organ culture models also demonstrate that Wnt signaling induces apical constriction through apical actomyosin cytoskeletal organization. Mathematical modeling reveals that apical constriction induces bud formation and that loss of apical constriction is required for the formation of an air sac-like structure. We identify MAP/microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 1 (Mark1) as a downstream molecule of Wnt signaling and show that it is required for apical cytoskeletal organization and bud formation. These results suggest that Wnt signaling is required for bud formation by inducing apical constriction during the pseudoglandular stage, whereas loss of Wnt signaling is necessary for air sac formation in the canalicular-saccular stages. Summary: Epithelial morphogenesis during the transition from the early to late stage of lung development is coordinated by the activity of Wnt signaling.