Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Scarcity and Environmental Impact of Mineral Resources—An Old and Never-Ending Discussion

A historical overview shows that mankind has feared the scarcity of mineral resources, especially metals, for many centuries. In the first half of the 20th century, this discussion was marked by the great military demand for raw materials, followed by the growing world population, increasing consumption and environmental awareness. From then on, there was less talk of regional shortages, but more discussion of a global scarcity or even a drying up of raw material sources worldwide. Although these forecasts are still controversially discussed today, the assessment of resource depletion has become an integral element of Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) or Life Cycle Impact Assessments (LCIA) of product systems. A number of methodological approaches are available for this purpose, which are presented and applied in a series of articles as part of a special issue of ”Resources”. The fundamental question is also addressed, namely to what extent the assessment of resource depletion in the context of an environmental study such as LCA is appropriate.
Recent Trends in Europe's Output and Productivity Growth Performance at the Sector Level, 2002-2015

Using the latest release of sector-level growth and productivity data up to 2015 from the EU KLEMS database, evidence is mounting that the global financial crisis (2008/09) and the Euro Area recession (2011/12) have significantly damaged the growth potential of European economies across the board. None of the countries in the 12 EU member states included in the analysis have recovered to growth rates anywhere near to what they were in the decade before the crisis. Slow productivity growth which was already visible in most market services sectors before the crisis has broadened to the goods-producing sector for most European economies since the crisis. The manufacturing sector was particularly hard hit, and has only partially recovered. The dynamics of the global and Euro Area crises and their impact seem still to be in full swing, making it too early to judge whether output and productivity growth rates can still recover to the pre-crises rate or whether growth in Europe will end up as a slower long-term trend.
Direction Finding in MIMO Radar With Unknown Mutual Coupling

Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar has received much attention due to its potentials in offering improved performance for target detection and parameter estimation. It has been shown that the performance of direction finding techniques can be considerably enhanced in MIMO radar, since an extended virtual array can be employed. In general, the performance gain is achieved by assuming that both the transmitter and receiver are well calibrated without uncertainties. However, in practice, both the transmitter and receiver may suffer from various array imperfections such as mutual coupling. Hence, the problem of direction finding in MIMO radar with unknown mutual coupling is investigated in this paper. Computationally efficient algorithms are developed to estimate the directions-of-arrival by exploiting the structure of mutual coupling matrix of the transmitter and receiver equipped with uniform linear arrays. Moreover, it is shown that the proposed methods can be applied to scenarios in which the transmitter or receiver has other imperfections, for example, sensor position perturbations or gain/phase mismatches. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed methods are able to effectively eliminate the negative influence of unknown mutual coupling on direction finding and offer improved performance over the existing methods.
THE IMPACT OF PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT IN ORGANIZATIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA ON EMPLOYEES` JOB SATISFACTION

The most widespread forms of preferential treatment of individuals in organizations are nepotism, cronyism and favoritism. It is about unprofessional practices that provide preferential treatment to the relatives or friends in different situations in organizations. If the employees work in such working environment, they usually have the perception of working in an unfair environment. Consequently, such situation may cause many negative consequences, such as: decreasing the organizational commitment, decreasing the performances, job dissatisfaction, etc. For these reasons, nepotism, cronyism and favoritism are the practices that are very harmful for the organizations. Bearing in mind this fact, as well as the fact that this topic has not been sufficiently investigated in the literature, especially in domestic one, the aim of this paper is to analyze previously mentioned forms of preferential treatment as well as to find out whether there are differences in job satisfaction between the employees who work in organizations in which this practice is emphasized and those who work in organization where this is not the case.
Bile acids induce overexpression of homeobox gene CDX-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human Barrett's esophageal mucosa and adenocarcinoma cell line

Objective. Barrett's esophagus (BE) is an acquired precancerous condition that develops from mucosal injury incurred after chronic gastroesophageal acid and bile reflux. The mechanism of progression of carcinogenesis in BE is still not fully understood. Recently, the role of bile acids and the homeobox gene transcription factor CDX-2 has been suggested in the pathogenesis of BE. The aims of the present study were 1) to compare the mRNA and protein expression of CDX-2 in biopsies obtained from patients with BE and normal squamous epithelium and 2) to study the effect of two different bile salts, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and deoxycholic acid (DCA), on the mRNA expression of CDX-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in Barrett's the adenocarcinoma cell line (OE-33). Material and methods. CDX-2 expression was measured in Barrett's mucosa and normal esophageal mucosa obtained from 15 patients with BE histologically diagnosed by immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In in vitro experiments, OE-33 cells were incubated with DCA (100 µM) and UDCA (100 µM) in neutral and shortly acidified media (pulse acidification). The expression of CDX-2 and VEGF was assessed by quantitative RT-PCR. Results. Both mRNA and protein expression of CDX-2 were significantly up-regulated in Barrett's mucosa as compared to normal esophageal mucosa. In neutral medium, OE-33 cells showed an increase in CDX-2 expression after incubation with DCA or UDCA. After short acidification of the medium, expression of CDX-2 in OE-33 cells was significantly higher than that in cells incubated in neutral pH. The addition of DCA and UDCA did not cause any further alteration in CDX-2 expression. In neutral and acidified medium, VEGF mRNA expression was only significantly up-regulated by DCA, but not by UDCA. Conclusions. Bile acids, especially in acidic medium, increase expression of CDX-2. DCA appears to be a stronger stimulant of the expression of VEGF than UDCA in the Barrett's carcinoma cell line, indicating a stronger carcinogenic potential of this bile salt.
Scaling-Up Sustainable Development Initiatives: A Comparative Case Study of Agri-Food System Innovations in Brazil, New York, and Senegal

To effectively address the sustainability crises our planet faces, decision-makers at different levels of government worldwide will have to get a handle on three key challenges: learning from Global North and South initiatives in tandem, taking stock of social innovations alongside technological fixes, and nurturing grassroots sustainable development initiatives next to, or in place of, top-down corporate and government interventions. Current scientific literature and grant-making institutions have often reinforced the compartmentalized fashion in which we learn and draw policy lessons from North/South, social/technical, and bottom-up/top-down sustainability initiatives, including local food system innovations. The strategic levers for global sustainable development lying in-between are thus left out. This paper uses exploratory, multiple case study analysis to address this omission. By concurrently drawing lessons from grassroots innovations in Brazil, New York, and Senegal—three profoundly different socioeconomic and geographic contexts—we identify common pressure points that have enabled local communities to drive system-wide transformations toward climate adaptation, resilience, and sustainability in the agri-food system. The findings of this paper would be of value to scholars, government officials, and community groups engaged in agri-food systems sustainability and interested in the processes of change that have allowed budding innovations to stabilize and scale up.
Vitamin D levels, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular risks in very young obese children

Abstract Objective: To examine the relationships of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels with the measures of insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk, and identify the clinical factors associated with low 25-OHD in young obese children. Design and methods: Data from 83 children ages 2–6 years seen for obesity care (clinic latitude 42°N) were analyzed. Insulin resistance [homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)] and cardiovascular risks were examined in relationship to 25-OHD levels using correlation statistics. χ2 and logistic regression models were applied to identify the factors associated with vitamin D deficiency (25-OHD levels <20 ng/mL) and insufficiency (<30 ng/mL). Results: Children’s mean age was mean 4.9 years and they were predominantly Hispanic. Mean body mass index (BMI) Z-score was 3.2 and mean HOMA-IR was 2.8. Mean 25-OHD was 30.9 ng/mL (6% <20 ng/mL and 46% 20–29 ng/mL). There were no significant correlations between 25-OHD and BMI (Spearman’s ρ=–0.096, p=0.389), BMI Z-score (Spearman’s ρ=0.104, p=0.350), HOMA-IR (Spearman’s ρ=–0.144, p=0.269), total cholesterol (Spearman’s ρ=–0.028, p=0.833), or triglycerides (Spearman’s ρ=–0.026, p=0.846). Vitamin D deficiency was significantly associated with older age, lower milk intake, and testing in winter months. 25-OHD level <30 ng/mL was associated with older age, African-American and Hispanic race/ethnicity, and testing in winter months. All factors retained significance in a multivariate logistic regression model, with African-American (odds ratio=14.4) and Hispanic (odds ratio=7.2) race/ethnicity being the strongest predictors of 25-OHD levels <30 ng/mL. Conclusions: In these children, 25-OHD was not associated with insulin resistance or cardiovascular risks. Considering age, race/ethnicity, diet, and season may help identify young obese children needing vitamin D management.
Mental disorders and suicide in Northern Ireland

Background The aim of this part of the Northern Ireland Suicide Study was to investigate the prevalence of DSM - III - R axis I (clinical syndrome) and axis II (personality) disorders among suicides (14 years and older) in Northern Ireland during a one-year period. Method A psychological autopsy study based on a variety of documentary sources and interviews with bereaved informants and health care professionals. Results Ninety per cent of suicides (106/118) had a current axis I and/or an axis II mental disorder. At least one current axis I disorder was diagnosed in 86% of suicides (102/118), and at least one axis II disorder was diagnosed in 44% (52/118). Suicides under 30 years (92% male) were less likely to have a current axis I disorder (68%; 26/38) than those 30 years and older (95%; 76/80). Psychiatric comorbidity was present in 55% of suicides (65/118). The time between the last contact with a health care professional and death was greater among suicides under 30 years and male suicides. Conclusions Notwithstanding the aetiological complexity of suicide, the prevention, recognition and treatment of mental disorder will continue to play key roles in suicide prevention.
A political ecology of neoliberal multiculturalism : social Inclusion and Market-Based Conservation in Indigenous Costa Rica

This is the main question that has guided this dissertation: _How is neoliberal multiculturalism established in the context of the market-based interventions and strategies implemented in the Talamanca-Bribri and the Talamanca-Cabecar Indigenous Reserves (TBIR and TCIR, respectively) and how does this impinge on the possibility of the green economy to reach its objectives of environmental conservation and social inclusion for the Bribri and Cabecar people? _ This question is accompanied by three other sub-research questions: 1. What are the main features of the wider conservation discourse in Costa Rica, how it is being transformed by ideas about the green economy and how has this affected the governance and intervention strategies of the market-based conservation projects being implemented in the TBIR and TCIR? 2. How do these key features relate to local Bribri and Cabecar territorialities at the level of regional and local governance levels? 3. How does neoliberal multiculturalism impact the possibilities of the market-based conservation projects implemented in the TBIR and TCIR of producing inclusive forms of development and conservation for the Bribri and the Cabecar people?
Misfortunes of a mathematicians' trio using Computer Algebra Systems: Can we trust?

Computer algebra systems are a great help for mathematical research but sometimes unexpected errors in the software can also badly affect it. As an example, we show how we have detected an error of Mathematica computing determinants of matrices of integer numbers: not only it computes the determinants wrongly, but also it produces different results if one evaluates the same determinant twice.
A spiral process model for case studies on software quality monitoring - method and metrics

This article presents a spiral process model for an iterative case study on quality monitoring, conducted in an industrial environment. In a highly iterative project, everything seems to happen at the same time: analysis, design and testing. We propose a spiral process model for case studies, and present a study conducted according to the proposed process. In the study, metrics collected from three software development projects are analysed to investigate which characteristics are stable across projects and feature groups of the product. The contribution of the article is multi-fold, detailing the case study methodology used with its sub-goals and procedures. Furthermore, the article presents the metrics collected and the results as such from the case study, which gives insights into a complex development environment and the trends of the retrieved data. The analysed data serve as feedback to the project staff to facilitate identification of software process improvement. The data have also been used for defect prediction. (Less)
The functional assessment of cancer therapy (FACT) scale. Development of a brain subscale and revalidation of the general version (FACT‐G) in patients with primary brain tumors

Background. This report describes the development and validation of a brain subscale for the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT) scale, and the revalidation of the subscales of the general version (FACT‐G), which measure physical, social, family, emotional, and functional well‐being and the quality of the relationship with the physician.
Tumor vascular proteins as biomarkers in ovarian cancer.

PURPOSE This study aimed to identify novel ovarian cancer biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets through molecular analysis of tumor vascular cells. METHODS Immunohistochemistry-guided laser-capture microdissection and genome-wide transcriptional profiling were used to identify genes that were differentially expressed between vascular cells from human epithelial ovarian cancer and healthy ovaries. Tumor vascular markers (TVMs) were validated through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) of immunopurified tumor endothelial cells, in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot analysis. TVM expression in tumors and noncancerous tissues was assessed by qRT-PCR and was profiled using gene expression data. RESULTS We identified a tumor vascular cell profile of ovarian cancer that was distinct from the vascular profile of normal ovary and other tumors. We validated 12 novel ovarian TVMs. These were expressed by immunopurified tumor endothelial cells and localized to tumor vasculature. Select TVMs were found to be specifically expressed in ovarian cancer and were absent in all normal tissues tested, including female reproductive tissues with physiologic angiogenesis. Many ovarian TVMs were expressed by a variety of other solid tumors. Finally, overexpression of any one of three ovarian TVMs by vascular cells was associated with decreased disease-free interval (all P < .005). CONCLUSION We have identified for the first time the molecular profile of ovarian tumor vasculature. We demonstrate that TVMs may serve as potential biomarkers and molecular targets for ovarian cancer and a variety of other solid tumors.
Serotype and adhesion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from contact lens wearers

The purpose of the present study was to correlate the serotypes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to the bacterial adhesion to contact lenses and human corneal epithelial cells. Twenty‐three strains isolated from contact lens wearers were used for the study. The bacterial serotypes were examined with a P. aeruginosa antisera kit. The attachment of bacteria on contact lenses or human corneal epithelial cells was determined by counting the number of adhered bacteria after incubation of the bacteria with contact lenses or corneal epithelial cells. The 23 ocular isolates belonged to seven serotypes. Strains of serotypes I, G and E were the three dominant serogroups and were more adhesive to contact lenses compared with other groups of the bacteria. The bacterial serotypes and the clinical sequelae were not strongly related. These results indicate that the surface characteristics of bacterial serotypes are related to the bacterial adhesion to the surface, but the pathogenesis of the bacteria may result from multiple factors.
Differential Targets and Subcellular Localization of Antitumor Alkyl-lysophospholipid in Leukemic Versus Solid Tumor Cells*

Synthetic alkyl-lysophospholipids represent a family of promising anticancer drugs that induce apoptosis in a variety of tumor cells. Here we have found a differential subcellular distribution of the alkyl-lysophospholipid edelfosine in leukemic and solid tumor cells that leads to distinct anticancer responses. Edelfosine induced rapid apoptosis in human leukemic cells, including acute T-cell leukemia Jurkat and Peer cells, but promoted a late apoptotic response, preceded by G2/M arrest, in human solid tumor cells such as cervix epitheloid carcinoma HeLa cells and lung carcinoma A549 cells. c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) and caspase-3 were accordingly activated at earlier times in edelfosine-treated Jurkat cells as compared with drug-treated HeLa cells. Both leukemic and solid tumor cells took up this alkyl-lysophospholipid and expressed the two putative edelfosine targets, namely cell surface Fas death receptor (also known as APO-1 or CD95) and endoplasmic reticulum CTP: phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase. However, edelfosine was mainly located to plasma membrane lipid rafts in Jurkat and Peer leukemic cells and to endoplasmic reticulum in solid tumor HeLa and A549 cells. Edelfosine induced translocation of Fas, Fas-associated death domain-containing protein, and JNK into membrane rafts in Jurkat cells, but not in HeLa cells. In contrast, edelfosine inhibited phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis in both HeLa and A549 cells, but not in Jurkat or Peer leukemic cells, before the triggering of apoptosis. These data indicate that edelfosine targets two different subcellular structures in a cell type-dependent manner, namely cell surface lipid rafts in leukemic cells and endoplasmic reticulum in solid tumor cells.
Global growing-area elasticities of key agricultural crops estimated using dynamic heterogeneous panel methods

We estimate the short‐ and long‐run global response of corn, soybeans, wheat, and rice growing areas to output price changes allowing responses to vary across countries using methods from the panel time‐series literature. Our estimates of growing‐area response are considerably lower than estimates obtained using more traditional models. Previous findings appear biased due to the assumption of homogeneous response across countries. Our aggregate estimates of short‐ and long‐run elasticities of four crop growing areas with respect to average price are 0.024 and 0.143, respectively. Crop‐specific results indicate that both corn and soybean growing areas are generally more responsive than wheat and rice. For corn and soybeans, the long‐run own‐price growing‐area elasticities are 0.274 and 0.793, respectively. The long‐run own‐price elasticities for wheat and rice are 0.279 and 0.045, respectively. The short‐run own‐price elasticities for corn and soybeans are 0.133 and 0.199, respectively, which are higher than wheat (0.037) and rice (0.00001).
Estimating the Impact of Drought on Agriculture Using the U.S. Drought Monitor

Abstract We estimate the impacts of drought, as defined by the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM), on crop yields and farm income in the United States during the 2001‐2013 time period. Our empirical strategy relies on panel data models with fixed effects that exploit spatial and temporal variability in drought conditions and agricultural outcomes at the county level. We find negative and statistically significant effects of drought on crop yields equal to reductions in the range of 0.1% to 1.2% for corn and soybean yields for each additional week of drought in dryland counties, and 0.1% to 0.5% in irrigated counties. Region‐specific results vary, with some regions experiencing no yield impacts from drought, while yield reductions as high as 8.0% are observed in dryland counties in the Midwest for every additional week of drought in the highest USDM severity category. Despite this impact on crop yields, we find that additional weeks of drought have little to no effect on measures of farm income. While precipitation and temperature explain most of the variability in crop yields, we find that the USDM captures additional negative impacts of drought on yields.
A Framework for Spatiotemporal Analysis of Regional Economic Agglomeration Patterns

Understanding regional economic agglomeration patterns is critical for sustainable economic development, urban planning and proper utilization of regional resources. Taking Guangdong Province of China as the study area, this paper introduces a comprehensive research framework for analyzing regional economic agglomeration patterns and understanding their spatiotemporal characteristics. First, convergence and autocorrelation methods are applied to understand the economic spatial patterns. Then, the intercity spatial interaction model (ISIM) is proposed to measure the strength of interplay among cities, and social network analysis (SNA) based on the ISIM is utilized, which is designed to reveal the network characteristics of economic agglomerations. Finally, we perform a spatial panel data analysis to comprehensively interpret the influences of regional economic agglomerations. The results indicate that from 2001 to 2016, the economy in Guangdong showed a double-core/peripheral pattern of convergence, with strengthened intercity interactions. The strength and external spillover effects of Guangzhou and Shenzhen enhanced, while Foshan and Dongguan had relatively strong absorptive abilities. Moreover, expanding regional communication and cooperation is key to enhancing vigorous economic agglomerations and regional network ties in Guangdong by spatial panel data analysis. Our results show that this is a suitable method of reflecting regional economic agglomeration process and its spatiotemporal pattern.