Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ASSESSMENT OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES PROMOTION MEASURES AT THE NATIONAL AND LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE LEVELS

The transport sector is one of the major emitters of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. Transition from usage of fossil fuels to usage of renewable energy resources calls for a comprehensive package of national and local actions. Although electric vehicles can significantly contribute to energy consumption efficiency, reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and independence from petroleum imports, electric vehicle market development in some countries remains comparatively slow. Electric vehicles are more expensive in comparison to traditional vehicles, countries lack necessary infrastructures, consumers may need additional information about the benefits of eco-friendly cars, etc. The above-mentioned and other weighty reasons force national and local authorities to think about implementation of financial and non-financial electric vehicle promotion measures. The experience of other countries and cities is extremely valuable as it helps to form the trends and exploit the benefits of the best practice. The purpose of this article is to analyse global electric vehicle promotion measures applied at national and local administrative levels.DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.5755/j01.ee. 29.4. 19960
Cutting Edge: OFF Cycling of TNF Production by Antigen-Specific CD8+ T Cells Is Antigen Independent1

Although they are known for their capacity to kill infected cells, Ag-specific CD8+ T cells elaborate other effector mechanisms, including TNF and IFN-γ, that contribute to defense against infection. Ag-specific CD8+ T cells rapidly turn ON and turn OFF IFN-γ production in direct response to Ag contact, presumably to minimize the potential immunopathology that could result from inappropriate secretion of this inflammatory mediator. In this study, we show, using in vitro propagated and directly ex vivo-analyzed Ag-specific CD8+ T cells, that in contrast to Ag-dependent ON/OFF cycling of IFN-γ production, the cessation of TNF production by the same IFN-γ producing cells is rapid and Ag independent.
Letters, green cards, telephone calls and postcards: Systematic and meta-analytic review of brief contact interventions for reducing self-harm, suicide attempts and suicide

Background There is growing interest in brief contact interventions for self-harm and suicide attempt. Aims To synthesise the evidence regarding the effectiveness of brief contact interventions for reducing self-harm, suicide attempt and suicide. Method A systematic review and random-effects meta-analyses were conducted of randomised controlled trials using brief contact interventions (telephone contacts; emergency or crisis cards; and postcard or letter contacts). Several sensitivity analyses were conducted to examine study quality and subgroup effects. Results We found 14 eligible studies overall, of which 12 were amenable to meta-analyses. For any subsequent episode of self-harm or suicide attempt, there was a non-significant reduction in the overall pooled odds ratio (OR) of 0.87 (95% CI 0.74–1.04, P = 0119) for intervention compared with control. The number of repetitions per person was significantly reduced in intervention v. control (incidence rate ratio IRR = 066, 95% CI 0.54–0.80, P<0001). There was no significant reduction in the odds of suicide in intervention compared with control (OR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.24–1.38). Conclusions A non-significant positive effect on repeated self-harm, suicide attempt and suicide and a significant effect on the number of episodes of repeated self-harm or suicide attempts per person (based on only three studies) means that brief contact interventions cannot yet be recommended for widespread clinical implementation. We recommend further assessment of possible benefits in well-designed trials in clinical populations.
Tail regression induced by elevated retinoic acid signaling in amphioxus larvae occurs by tissue remodeling, not cell death

The vitamin A derived morphogen retinoic acid (RA) is known to function in the regulation of tissue proliferation and differentiation. Here, we show that exogenous RA applied to late larvae of the invertebrate chordate amphioxus can reverse some differentiated states. Although treatment with the RA antagonist BMS009 has no obvious effect on late larvae of amphioxus, administration of excess RA alters the morphology of the posterior end of the body. The anus closes over, and gut contents accumulate in the hindgut. In addition, the larval tail fin regresses, although little apoptosis takes place. This fin normally consists of columnar epidermal cells, each characterized by a ciliary rootlet running all the way from an apical centriole to the base of the cell and likely contributing substantial cytoskeletal support. After a few days of RA treatment, the rootlet becomes disrupted, and the cell shape changes from columnar to cuboidal. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) shows fragments of the rootlet in the basal cytoplasm of the cuboidal cell. A major component of the ciliary rootlet in amphioxus is the protein Rootletin, which is encoded by a single AmphiRootletin gene. This gene is highly expressed in the tail epithelial cells of control larvae, but becomes downregulated after about a day of RA treatment, and the breakup of the ciliary rootlet soon follows. The effect of excess RA on these epidermal cells of the larval tail in amphioxus is unlike posterior regression in developing zebrafish, where elevated RA signaling alters connective tissues of mesodermal origin. In contrast, however, the RA‐induced closure of the amphioxus anus has parallels in the RA‐induced caudal regression syndrome of mammals.
Effect of barbiturate therapy on phenytoin pharmacokinetics

To evaluate the effect of high-dose pentobarbital therapy on phenytoin pharmacokinetics. Design:A prospective, clinical study. Setting:The intensive care unit of a university hospital. Patients:Ten adult patients with cerebral lesions requiring anticonvulsants and control of intracranial pressure. Interventions:Each patient received phenytoin sufficient to maintain a plasma concentration at 15 μg/mL (60 μmol/L) both before and after barbiturate therapy. Plasma concentrations of total phenytoin, unbound phenytoin, and the major metabolite of phenytoin, 5-(phydroxyphenyl)-5-phenylhydantoin, were measured, and pharmacokinetic variables obtained before and after barbiturate therapy were compared. Measurements and Main Results:Plasma concentrations of total phenytoin remained within the therapeutic range during the 12-hr period preceding barbiturate therapy. After barbiturate therapy, plasma concentrations of both total and unbound phenytoin were significantly less than those concentrations before barbiturate therapy. For total phenytoin, maximum metabolic velocity was increased by 62% (1.09 ± 0.62 to 1.77 ± 0.52 mg/L/hr, 1.20 ± 0.68 to 1.95 ± 0.57 nmol/L/sec, p < .05), and area under the plasma concentration-time curve (0 to infinity) and mean residence time were each decreased by 73% (32.5 ± 20.0 to 8.7 ± 3.1 min-mg/ mL, 2.14 ± 1.25 to 0.57 ± 0.19 sec-mmol/L, p < .01, and 135,000 ± 69,000 to 37,000 ± 11,000 secs, p < .005, respectively) after barbiturate therapy. The plasma concentration of the principal metabolite of phenytoin, 5-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-5-phenylhydantoin, was significantly increased after barbiturate therapy. Conclusions:Phenytoin metabolism is increased by barbiturate therapy, and supplemental doses of phenytoin and frequent drug monitoring may be required after barbiturate therapy. (Crit Care Med 1993; 21:1514–1522)
Multimodal Content-Aware Image Thumbnailing

News article recommendation has the key problem of needing to eliminate the redundant information in a ranked list in order to provide more relevant information within a limited time and space. In this study, we tackle this problem by using image thumbnailing, which can be regarded as the summarization of news images. We propose a multimodal image thumbnailing method considering news text as well as images themselves. We evaluate this approach on a real data set based on news articles that appeared on Yahoo! JAPAN. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed method.
Sorption-Desorption of Lead (II) and Mercury (II) by Model Associations of Soil Colloids

This work has been partially supported by the MCYT Project REN2001-1700-CO2-01/TECNO, the EU Project EVK1-CT-2001-00105 (LIBERATION) and by Junta de Andalucia through Research Group RNM124. M. Cruz-Guzman gratefully acknowledges the Spanish Ministry of Education and Culture for her F.P.U. fellowship.
Lynch Syndrome—Related Endometrial Carcinomas Show a High Frequency of Nonendometrioid Types and of High FIGO Grade Endometrioid Types

Although endometrial cancer (EC) represents the second most common cancer after colonic cancer in patients with Lynch syndrome (LS), the pathologic features and behavior of LS-related EC are not well recognized. ECs from 23 patients (mean age 46.2 years) with MSH2 (16), MLH1 (6), and MLH1/MSH2 (1) constitutional mutations were evaluated for histologic type, FIGO grade, FIGO stage, association with tumors in other sites, and survival. For every LS-associated tumor, 2 same-age cases from patients with no family history of LS-associated cancer were evaluated (sporadic group). In LS-associated EC there were 13 (56.5%) endometrioid (eec) and 10 (43.5%) nonendometrioid carcinomas (neec), and among the sporadic tumors there were 44 (95.7%) eec and 2 (4.3%) neec (P = .001). The eec in women with germline LS mutation had a significantly higher FIGO grade (P = .0378) and more frequent vascular invasion than the controls. The mean survival of the entire group of 23 patients with LS-related EC was 17.326 (14.066 to 20.585). Mean survival according to FIGO stage was significant (P = .010). Difference in mean survival according to age of the patient at the time of the diagnosis (patients >46 years vs <46 years) was not significant. The mean survival of the mutated patients with eec was 20.462 (17.564 to 23.359) and was not significantly different from that of the mutated patients with neec, which was 14.240 (9.119 to 19.361). Log-rank analysis showed that histology did not affect the survival. However, the hazard ratio of neec patients, although not significant, resulted higher. Mean survival of patients with a neec tumor combined with an endometrioid component (14.375 [8.084 to 20.666]) was not different from that of patients with pure neec cancers (14.250 [7.885 to 20.615]). When compared with the control population, LS-related ECs show a wider variety of histologic types; a higher frequency of neec types despite the younger age of the patients, and a higher frequency of high grades among the eec.
Nanometer resolution dynamic displacement measurement in industrial/high noise environments

This paper demonstrates the suitability of giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensors for very high resolution positioning applications. GMR sensors have several advantages over existing sensing schemes, such as low cost, small form factor and simplicity. However, most applications of GMR sensors, so far, have been limited to RPM measurement, hard disk heads and magnetic probes, and where it has been used for positioning, details on signal and sensor conditioning are not given. We present details on the circuitry, its requirements to be able to achieve the desired resolution, the implementation challenges and their solutions. The sensor is characterized for various configurations, both in static and dynamic operation. We show its suitability even for high bandwidth applications, and its versatility in adapting to various range and resolution requirements.
Por qué el presupuesto es un freno para la empresa

El aumento de la competitividad obliga a las empresas a planificar detalladamente la actividad, medir los resultados y reaccionar con rapidez en funcion de dichos resultados y de los cambios que se produzcan en ella y en el entorno. En este contexto, el proceso presupuestario cobra vital importancia para cualquier compania. Sin embargo, en muchas de ellas esta obligacion de planificar, medir y reaccionar se soluciona con un proceso estatico que, involucrando a unas pocas personas de la organizacion, rara vez consigue cumplir con los fundamentos que pueden hacer del presupuesto una herramienta util. Asignar eficientemente los recursos, traducir la estrategia de la empresa en planes operativos, generar previsiones fiables o involucrar a todos los elementos con capacidad de decision para garantizar su compromiso en el logro de metas comunes son algunos de esos aspectos.
Virulence Factors of the Oral Spirochete Treponema denticola

There is compelling evidence that treponemes are involved in the etiology of several chronic diseases, including chronic periodontitis as well as other forms of periodontal disease. There are interesting parallels with other chronic diseases caused by treponemes that may indicate similar virulence characteristics. Chronic periodontitis is a polymicrobial disease, and recent animal studies indicate that co-infection of Treponema denticola with other periodontal pathogens can enhance alveolar bone resorption. The bacterium has a suite of molecular determinants that could enable it to cause tissue damage and subvert the host immune response. In addition to this, it has several non-classic virulence determinants that enable it to interact with other pathogenic bacteria and the host in ways that are likely to promote disease progression. Recent advances, especially in molecular-based methodologies, have greatly improved our knowledge of this bacterium and its role in disease.
TYPES AND FUNCTIONS OF REPETITIONS IN THE NARRATIONS OF TURKISH SPEAKERS OF FRENCH

Research in discourse analysis has revealed that there are various types and functions of repetitions. This study adds to this discussion by examining the repetitions in the discourse of 83 learners of French. Repetition helps the speakers of a language to develop and maintain a conversation or speech; and is one of the mostly employed communication strategies by both native and non-native speakers. The data discussed in this study reveal that Turkish speakers of French employ repetitions both at word and group levels with the aim of stalling and/or repairing previous utterances. The study also suggests that either for stalling or repairing, group level (GL) repetitions were observed to be employed more frequently compared to word level (WL) repetitions.
The Consequence of Partner Relationship Quality to Predict the Successful Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) International Joint Ventures (IJVs) in Thailand Industrial Sectors

ABSTRACT Keywords: SME, IJV, Relationship Quality, Thailand. JEL Classification: F23, M13. Purpose:This study highlighted the important of partner relationship quality captured by bonding, empathy, reciprocity and trust in SME IJV firms. Despite, there has been no systematic analysis has found in the literature regarding to partnership quality in term of relationship marketing (RM) and its effect on IJV business performance across several Thailand’s industrial sectors. Methodology/Sampling: By systematic random sampling, 835 questionnaires were distributed and 341 (42%) usable cases were returned for the final analysis. The study examines the direct and indirect effect of partner relationship quality and its consequence on SME IJV in Thailand across several industrial sectors. Findings: The results of the study confirmed the significant important of partner relationship quality represented by bonding, empathy, reciprocity and trust have fully mediated the relationship between MO and SME IJV performance. Practical Implications: Based on this finding, partner relationship quality is implicit to be important predictors to determine the successful of SME IJV in Thailand. Keywords: SME, IJV, Relationship Quality, Thailand. JEL Classification: F23, M13.
Resource-and-Factor Approach to Clusters Competitiveness Development in Russia’s Regions

The authors of this article provide the main directions of the theory of clusters competitiveness development from the perspective of resource-and-factor analysis methodology. Special attention is paid to the processes of interaction of cluster members both with each other and with the external environment. The analysis of interaction types between economic entities within the cluster is conducted: direct and indirect, characterized by the presence or absence of direct contacts between cluster members. The processes of competition and cooperation within the cluster in terms of production, exchange and redistribution of available resources and factors are studied. The mechanisms necessary to ensure clusters successful functioning as territorial systems are highlighted. It is proved that any cluster shows its highest efficiency in cases when the participants interacting with each other in the processes of exchange and distribution of resources and conditions demonstrate cooperation, while in the process of production of cluster gross product they demonstrate competition. The main backbone feature of cluster organization management is detected, and it is self-production of business activities within the cluster. Some key integrating resources of cluster formations are defined and examined through the example of Russia’s various regions.
THE EFFECT OF ANAESTHETICS ON THE UPTAKE AND RELEASE OF γ‐AMINOBUTYRATE AND D‐ASPARTATE IN RAT BRAIN SLICES

1 The effect of various concentrations of thiopentone, pentobarbitone, methohexitone, hydroxydione, alphaxalone/alphadolone, ketamine, α‐chloralose and urethane on the transport of radiolabelled γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) and D‐aspartate was investigated. 2 Uptake of the amino acids was weakly inhibited, if at all, by the anaesthetics and it is unlikely that such effects contribute significantly to their physiological function. 3 The spontaneous efflux of GABA and D‐aspartate was not detectably altered by any of the drugs tested. 4 Thiopentone, pentobarbitone, methohexitone and hydroxydione inhibited K+‐stimulated GABA and D‐aspartate release. The other anaesthetics had no effect on K+‐stimulated amino acid release. 5 The rank order of potency of the inhibitors of K+‐stimulated amino acid release did not correlate with their anaesthetic potency. Furthermore not all inhibitors appeared to be very effective at anaesthetic concentrations. 6 It is concluded that although it is possible that inhibition of excitatory transmitter release may be involved in the anaesthetic action of some anaesthetics, for many of the substances tested in this study such a mechanism does not appear to be implicated.
Concordance of Self- and Proxy-Reported Suicide Ideation in Depressed Adults 50 Years of Age or Older

Objective: To assess whether social supports (proxies) can detect the presence of suicide ideation in a clinical sample of depressed adults 50 years of age or older, and to additionally assess the potential impact of depression symptom severity on patient–proxy concordance in reports of patient suicide ideation. Method: Cross-sectional data were collected regarding Axis I diagnoses, severity of depressive symptoms, and suicide ideation in a clinical sample of 109 patients 50 years of age and older. Patients were administered study measures by trained interviewers. Patients' social supports completed proxy measures of these same variables. We assessed concordance in self- and proxy-reported suicide ideation, employing global suicide ideation items derived from depression scales and more fine-grained suicide ideation items drawn from multi-item suicide ideation measures. We investigated patient–proxy concordance regarding the presence of patient suicide ideation. Results: Patients who endorsed suicide ideation and were concordantly seen by their social supports to be suicidal reported significantly greater depressive symptom severity than patients concordantly reported to be nonsuicidal. Patients' social supports reported significantly less depressive symptom severity in patients who endorsed suicide ideation yet who did not appear to be suicidal to them. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that family and friends can broadly ascertain the presence of suicide ideation in depressed middle-aged and older adults, yet in doing so may largely be responding to their broad perceptions of depressive symptom severity in patients and not specifically to the presence of suicidal thoughts.
Concentration of the supply chain and audit opinion shopping: the case of China

ABSTRACT The supervision and governance of opinion shopping have been an important issue for academics and regulators all over the world. Taking Chinese A-share listed firms from 2010 to 2016 as our samples and borrowing the method in Lennox (2000), we investigate the impact of concentration of the supply chain on audit opinion shopping. The empirical results show that concentration of the supply chain can increase the probability of audit opinion shopping. From the perspective of demand for audit services, supply-chain-driven opinion shopping is more pronounced when the client firm has lower bargaining power; and from the perspective of supply of audit services, supply-chain-driven opinion shopping is more pronounced in headquarters-to-branch auditor switch than in branch-to-headquarters auditor switch. Furthermore, having a common auditor of client firms in a supply chain can significantly decrease supply-chain-driven opinion shopping. This paper provides evidence of audit opinion shopping from the perspective of the supply chain.
Strategy to Improve Firm Performance Through Operational Efficiency Commitment to Environmental Friendliness: Evidence From Indonesia

The objective of this study is to examine the effect of controlling shareholders’ monitoring on firm performance through the implementation of operational efficiency commitment to environmental friendliness. Non-financial firms listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange and joining the Environmental Performance Assessment Program (PROPER) are determined as the sample. Results indicate that controlling shareholders have a positive impact on operational efficiency commitment to environmental friendliness and also on firm performance. In addition, other key findings indicate that the controlling shareholders can improve firm performance through the implementation of operational efficiency commitment to environmental friendliness. The results of this study support the position of the agency theory, the stakeholder theory, and the legitimacy theory. Operational efficiency commitment to environmental friendliness is then suggested to be a meaningful strategy for the firms to obtain sustainable performance.
Therapeutic effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on motor function in Parkinson's disease patients

Cortical excitability of the primary motor cortex is altered in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Therefore, modulation of cortical excitability by high frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the motor cortex might result in beneficial effects on motor functions in PD. The present study aims to evaluate the effect of rTMS of the motor cortex on motor functions in patients with PD.