Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Intelligent System for Distributed Patient Monitoring and Care Giving

This paper presents a proposal for a context-aware pervasive framework. The framework follows a general purpose architecture, centered around an ontological context representation. The ontology provides the vocabulary upon which software agents communicate and perform rule-based reasoning, in order to assess the system reaction to context changes. The system components and their coordinated operations are described by providing a simple example of a concrete application in a realistic home-care scenario.
1 Does Microfinance Need Infrastructure ? *

Microfinance by and large implies small loans to support entrepreneurial ventures of the poor. Entrepreneurial success is closely interlinked with the quality of accessible infrastructure. Thus, success of microfinance programs also depends on the infrastructure in which the borrowing microentrepreneurs operate. This paper examines empirical relationships between the infrastructure variables of the economy and performance of microfinance institutions (MFIs). The overall results show insignificant relationships which are supportive of the hypothesis in the microfinance literature that MFIs primarily support the informal economy agents.
Using Quality Function Deployment (Qfd) in Designing the “Green Practice” of Gscm For Malaysia’s SMEs Industries

The worldwide is now much debated about the environmental problem and the preservation. In the meantime, GSCM has been introduced and accepted by many environmental experts and to apply this concept to solve the environmental problems. Unfortunately, found that many studies just discussed about the constraints and drivers of GSCM in the industries and not to the problem solving for environment awareness. Therefore, this study will focus on the design of green practice for the environmental awareness with considering the constraints of the customer requirements in the industries. The factor analysis and correlations analysis were used to complete the design in satisfying the requirements of the customer constrained by the limited resources of the technical requirements. Among the methods to fulfill the area of this study is the quality function deployment (QFD) and it was used to identify the desirable the design in green practice of GSCM in Malaysia’s SMEs industries.
Amylase in the hepatopancreas of a euryhaline burrowingcrab: characteristics and modulation

Fil: Asaro, Antonela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencia Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentina
E-Book Readers in Higher Education

This article reports on a research project at the University of Agder that has studied the use of e-readers as a tool for academic study. E-readers (Kindle DX and iPad) were loaded with texts from required reading lists in five courses with 94 participating students. Initially, 87 students responded to the invitation to participate in a survey, but eventually 13 of these submissions had to be removed, as the degree of completion was not sufficient. The final response rate achieved was 79%. Students were in general positive to the use of e-readers but still show a preference for print on paper as the best medium for serious academic study. When reading books, 54% preferred print, 28% a combination of print and e-reader, and finally only 11% were satisfied solely using an e-reader. The iPad scored significantly better than the Kindle DX on tasks that required active interaction with the texts such as highlighting and note taking.
Correlation between blood glucose levels on admission and short-term prognosis of in-patients with acute coronary syndromes after percutaneous coronary intervention

Objective: This research aimed to investigate the influence of admission glucose level on the short-term outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention. Methods: 750 consecutive patients who underwent PCI after acute coronary syndrome during December 2011 and December 2013 were investigated and divided into three groups according to their admission glucose level: Group I (ABG<7.8 mmol/l), group II (7.8 mmol/l ≤ ABG<11.1 mmol/l), group III (ABG ≥ 11.0 mmol/l). In-hospital and 6-month complications were analysed and compared between the three groups. Results: In-hospital mortality was 0.7% in group I, 3.1% in group II, and 6.8% in group III; six-month mortality was 2.4% in group I, 4.7% in group II, and 13.7% in group III. Multivariate logistic regression showed that admission glucose level ≥ 11.0 mmol/l was an independent risk factor related to in-hospital and six-month mortality in percutaneous coronary intervention after acute coronary syndrome. Conclusion: In patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention after acute coronary syndrome, admission glucose level was predictive of short-term outcome. Early treatment of high glucose in perioperative time may benefit these patients.
Dark Matter is Negative Mass

Negative mass is an object whose existence is required by the law of the conservation of energy. The fundamental properties of negative mass can explain important characteristics of dark matter. 1) additional centripetal effects, 2) explanations derived from fundamental principles about the reason why dark matter does not have electromagnetic interaction, 3) repulsive gravity ensuring almost even distribution and lower interaction of dark matter, 4) gravitational lens effect, 5) accelerating expansion of the universe can be explained with negative mass. Therefore, we should seriously examine the negative mass model.
Towards Performance Measurement in Hotels:an Incremental Approach

The overall aim of this study is to investigate the phenomenon of performance measurement in independently owned hotels in Ireland in order to understand the role of measurement in the management of the largest component of the hotel sector. The primary objectives of this study are to investigate the extent to which Irish hotel operators are utilising performance measurement techniques, to establish the rationale for the use of selected performance measures in independent hotels and to understand approaches to performance measurement in the management of independent hotels. A comprehensive investigation of existing performance management and measurement activity is provided in this study. A mixed methods approach to the research was undertaken to gather data on the phenomenon of performance measurement, allowing for a triangulation of data through multiple sources. A survey questionnaire was carried out within the hotels in Ireland followed by focus groups and indepth interviews carried out in a number of small and medium-sized hotels in Ireland. A number of key' performance measurement issues were investigated and include the rationale for performance measurement, the benefits of performance measurement, those responsible for carrying out the function, critical success factors impacting on the business and performance dimensions and measures utilised by hotel operators in the study. The findings of this research have implications for a number of stakeholders, however, the greatest impact will be on the small and medium-sized hotel operator. The research shows there is a need for these hotel operators to adopt a more structured formal approach to performance measurement. A number of models of performance measurement for small, medium-size and large hotels are proposed. These models will contribute to the management of performance in the hotel sector in Ireland, leading to increased effectiveness which is especially important in the current economic climate that the hotel and tourism sector is facing and will face into the future.
Local energy optimality of periodic sets

We study the local optimality of periodic point sets in $\mathbb{R}^n$ for energy minimization in the Gaussian core model, that is, for radial pair potential functions $f_c(r)=e^{-c r}$ with $c>0$. By considering suitable parameter spaces for $m$-periodic sets, we can locally rigorously analyze the energy of point sets, within the family of periodic sets having the same point density. We derive a characterization of periodic point sets being $f_c$-critical for all $c$ in terms of weighted spherical $2$-designs contained in the set. Especially for $2$-periodic sets like the family $\mathsf{D}^+_n$ we obtain expressions for the hessian of the energy function, allowing to certify $f_c$-optimality in certain cases. For odd integers $n\geq 9$ we can hereby in particular show that $\mathsf{D}^+_n$ is locally $f_c$-optimal among periodic sets for all sufficiently large~$c$.
Ethnic minority businesses in the UK : An overview

* Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship da Leicester Business School, Universidade De Montfort. RAM, Monder e JONES, Trevor (2008), “Negócios de minorias étnicas no Reino Unido: uma visão global ”, in OLIVEIRA, Catarina Reis e RATH, Jan (org.), Revista Migrações Número Temático Empreendedorismo Imigrante, Outubro 2008, n.o 3, Lisboa: ACIDI, pp. 65-77
Ex vivo trypanostatic effect of stem-bark extracts of Securidaca longipedunculata (Fres. Holl) against Trypanosoma brucei brucei

Current treatment of trypanosomosis in sub-Saharan Africa is associated with widespread inefficiency. There is therefore the need to find more effective drugs against the disease from promising traditional medicinal herbs. This work is aimed at evaluating ex vivo anti-trypanosomal effect of stem-bark extracts of S. longipedunculata against T. brucei brucei. One hundred microlitre of crude methanol, ethyl acetate and aqueous methanol extracts of S. longipedunculata at concentrations of 3 and 6 mg/ml each were mixed with 50 µl of blood containing 8.1 × 106 trypanosomes and incubated at 37°C for 90 min. Similarly, diminazene aceturate (10 µg/ml), physiological saline solution (50 µl) and blood (100 µl) containing trypanosomes only served as treated, negative and untreated controls, respectively. Motility of the parasite was monitored under light microscope (×400) at 5 min interval throughout the 90 min observation period. All experiments were done in duplicate. The mixtures were subsequently inoculated into rats that were not previously infected with trypanosomes. Phytochemical screening of the extracts revealed the presence of carbohydrates, cardiac glycosides, saponins, steroid, triterpenes, flavonoids and tannins. However, aqueous and ethyl acetate fractions were devoid of flavonoids. The crude methanol immobilized the parasites within 75 min, while ethyl acetate and aqueous extracts induced slight reduction in motility of the parasite at 90 min of incubation. However, inoculated rats developed infection and succumbed to the infection. It is concluded that the stem-bark of the plant possesses trypanostatic, but not trypanocidal, activity against the parasite. Key words: Antitrypanosomal, drug incubation infectivity test, in vitro, phytochemical screening, stem-bark.
Multi-frequency feeds for earth observation applications

In preparation of the EUMETSAT post-EPS user consultation process the European Space Agency has studied future operational meteorological microwave missions including the EGPM (European contribution to the Global Precipitation Measurement mission) type requirements at Pre-Phase A level. These requirements include a dual 54/119 GHz channel capability. ASTRIUM has been selected by ESA to carry out the Multi- Frequency Feeds for Earth Observation Applications Study. The main objective of this activity is to design and test a defocused dual-frequency horn, operating at frequencies 54 and 119 GHz, to be combined with an offset reflector. To derive the required precipitation products from the measurements, both frequency bands (54 and 119 GHz) have to be optimised for a footprint overlap of at least 90% of the largest footprint and for high beam efficiency (> 95%). The Dual-Frequency Feed (DFF) includes the dual-frequency horn and the diplexer for 54/119 GHz channels separation. ASTRIUM, as Study responsible, is in charge of the overall antenna engineering, including the reflector, the diplexer design and the DFF manufacturing and test. IEEA is responsible for the horn design. The horn shall exhibit high level performance in both 54 and 119 GHz frequency bands (VSWR, cross-polar, sidelobes) whilst the diplexer shall discriminate both channels with high level isolation (>40 dB) and with minimum insertion loss (<0.15 dB at 119 GHz). (7 pages)
Mind the Remoteness!: Income disparities across Japanese Prefectures

In this paper we analyze the role played by Market access to explain income disparities among Japanese Prefectures for different periods of time. The results of the estimations suggest that 1) Market access plays an important role in the explanation of income disparities in Japan, 2) the effect of Market access is robust to the inclusion of control variables considered important in the explanation of the Japanese income disparities, 3) the estimations show a tendency for the Market access variable to lose explanatory power throughout the time. In this 10 year time span analyzed from 1996 to 2005 the decrease in explanatory power of Market access was around 15%.
Canada's Productivity Performance in International Perspective

Considering the entire 1995-2003 period and compared to all OECD countries, this paper presents the view that Canada has actually performed quite well in terms of labour productivity growth. The author points to two factors that have fostered productivity growth in Canada: a high level of human capital and low barriers to firm creation. The latter facilitates creative destruction by allowing new firms to challenge existing firms and force less productive firms out of the market. Canada also appears to have benefited from innovation driven by ICT use and related organizational change, especially in the service sector. One weakness highlighted is innovative capacity, as Canada generally lags most other countries in terms of R&D intensity and patents.
Resolving natural ranges and marine invasions in a globally distributed octocoral (genus Carijoa)

The first published report of the snowflake coral in Hawai'i comes from Pearl Harbor in 1972; subsequent identification as the Caribbean octocoral Carijoa riisei led to the general conclusion that it was introduced to Hawai'i from a Caribbean source. In an attempt to confirm the source of the Hawaiian population, we used mitochondrial (mtDNA) and nuclear (nDNA) sequence data to com- pare Hawaiian populations with samples of Carijoa (N = 244) collected worldwide. In addition, cumu- lative vessel traffic patterns from 1940-1979 were compiled for the Pacific Ocean to determine mar- itime connectivity to and from Hawai'i during the assumed time of introduction. Carijoa sampled from throughout Hawai'i (N = 94) share none of the Caribbean mtDNA haplotypes and only a single nDNA allele (0 of 28 and 1 of 27, respectively), indicating that the Hawaiian populations derive from Indo-Pacific rather than Caribbean-Atlantic origins. Furthermore, both mtDNA and nDNA show sig- nificant isolation-by-distance patterns overall and among the Pacific and Hawaiian sampling regions. These data indicate that Carijoa is native to the Indo-Pacific. Published reports of geographically wide-ranging invasions of Carijoa throughout the Pacific appear unfounded because our global sam- pling shows higher diversity in mtDNA (He = 0.87; ! = 0.0023) and nDNA (D = 0.91; ! = 0.042) through- out the Pacific relative to the Caribbean-Atlantic, indicating long evolutionary presence of Carijoa in the region. Our data clearly refute a Caribbean origin for Carijoa in the Hawaiian Archipelago, and indicate that the genus Carijoa is native to the Pacific and in need of further taxonomic evaluation.
In vitro release kinetics study of Esomeprazole Magnesium Trihydrate tablet available in Bangladesh and comparison with the originator brand (Nexium

The main aim of present investigation was to study the dissolution pattern of most commercially available formulations of Esomeprazole in Bangladesh. Commercially available ten national brands and originator brand of esomeprazole magnesium trihydrate tablets were studied in simulated gastric medium (pH 1.2) for first 15 minutes and simulated intestinal medium (pH 6.8) for next 30 minutes time period using USP reference dissolu-tion apparatus (Type II). No brands met the dissolution pattern like the originator brand (E1). But three brands (E3, E6 and E7) were found to be very close to it in terms of dissolution pattern. One brand E11 was found to be sub-standard compared to originator one. Drug release profiles were analyzed for zero order, first order and Higuchi equation to reveal the release kinetics perspective of Esomeprazole magnesium trihydrate enteric coated tablets. It was found that first order kinetics was predominant for E1 (Originator Brand). Zero order and Higuchi release kinetics was predominant release mechanism than first order release kinetics for E2, E4 and E11. First order release kinetics was predominant for rest of the brands (E3, E5, E6, E7, E8, E9 and E10). It was found that drug release of those brands followed moderately diffusion method and concentration dependant from the dosage form. Among all of these locally manufactured Esomeprazole brands E3, E6 and E7 showed compatible dissolution pattern and release kinetics compared with the originator brand. Key words : In vitro dissolution; Market preparations; Kinetics study; Esomeprazole; National brand; Originator brand. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/sjps.v4i1. 8875 SJPS 2011; 4(1): 79-83
Lithospheric mantle evolution monitored by overlapping large igneous 2 provinces : case study in southern Africa

23 24 Most of the studies on the large igneous provinces (LIPs) focus on Phanerozoic times and in 25 particular those related to the disruption of Pangea (e.g. CAMP, Karoo, Parana-Etendeka,) 26 while Precambrian LIPs (e.g. Ventersdorpf, Fortescue) remain less studied. Although the 27 investigation of Precambrian CFBs is difficult because of their poorly preserved character, 28 assessing their chemical composition in parallel with younger overlapping LIP is fundamental 29 for monitoring the evolution of the mantle composition through time. 30 Recent Ar/Ar dating of the Okavango giant dyke swarm (and related sills) showed that ~ 31 90% of the dykes were emplaced at 179 ± 1 Ma and belong to the Karoo large igneous 32
A REVIEW ON PERFORMANCE AND RISK IN BANKS

En las perspectivas economica y de gestion, una unidad reportera en todos los niveles debe hacer todas las medidas eficaces para recibir el maximo de beneficios que se acompana de riesgos y rendimiento. La palabra de riesgo de hecho se lleva a cabo para aumentar el nivel de rendimiento en las unidades. Una de las principales partes de la economia en el mundo de hoy es el sistema monetario y financiero que los bancos estan en la cabeza que se puede afirmar que hoy en dia la economia puede Estar en niveles micro y macro y estan bajo el control de los bancos. Este estudio, algunos de los factores que son eficaces en el rendimiento y los riesgos de los bancos se han considerado e investigado brevemente
Misconceptions About Intuition

This article outlines advances in intuition research and draws attention to several misconceptions, based on conflicting assumptions about the intuition construct and the intuiting process. In particular, it focuses on the distinction between process and outcome, the role of consciousness and affect, the research focus on decision making or problem solving, and the differential use of intuition in technical and creative settings. It calls for a comprehensive intuition model that would refute some of the misconceptions and proposes three types of intuition: intuitive expertise, intuitive creation, and intuitive foresight.
Effect of diets with different levels of guanidinoacetic acid on newly weaned piglets

Para se avaliar os efeitos do uso do acido guanidinoacetico (AGA) em racoes de leitoes na fase de creche (21 aos 63 dias de idade) sobre o desempenho e niveis de creatina quinase (CQ) e creatinina sanguinea, foram utilizados 90 leitoes, machos castrados desmamados aos 21 dias de idade. Os leitoes foram distribuidos em delineamento em blocos casualizados com cinco tratamentos (0; 0,05; 0,10, 0,15 e 0,20% de inclusao do AGA), seis repeticoes e tres animais por repeticao. As racoes experimentais foram formuladas para atender as exigencias nutricionais para as fases de 21 a 32, 33 a 42 e 43 a 63 dias de idade. Agua e racao foram oferecidas a vontade durante todo o periodo experimental. Aos 42 e aos 63 dias de idade foi coletado sangue de um animal por unidade experimental para analise de creatinina e creatina quinase. Foram analisadas as variaveis de ganho de peso diario (GPD), consumo de racao diario (CDR) e conversao alimentar (CA) nos periodos chamados pre-inicial (21 a 42 dias de idade) e no periodo total da fase de creche (21 a 63 dias de idade). Todas as variaveis foram submetidas a analise de variância e a analise de regressao. Foi adotado ? = 0,05 e foi considerado tendencia quando ? ocorreu entre 0,05 e 0,10. Na fase pre-inicial (21-42 dias), ocorreu tendencia de aumento para o parâmetro de ganho de peso diario (P= 0,069) que aumentou ate o nivel de 0,97% de inclusao de AGA. O consumo de racao diario e conversao alimentar nao foram influenciados significativamente pela adicao de diferentes niveis de AGA na dieta. Ja para as variaveis sanguineas, os niveis de creatinina aos 42 e aos 63 dias nao foram influenciados significativamente pelos tratamentos. O nivel de creatina quinase aos 42 dias apresentou uma tendencia (P=0,077) de aumento que ocorreu de forma quadratica ate o nivel de 0,085% de inclusao do AGA, nao havendo diferenca significativa para essa variavel aos 63 dias. No periodo total do experimento (21-63 dias), nao foram observados efeitos significativos da inclusao de AGA para as variaveis de desempenho nem para os niveis de creatinina e creatina quinase sanguineos. A utilizacao de AGA nao promoveu melhoras no desempenho, niveis de creatinina e de creatina quinase sanguineo dos leitoes em fase de creche.
18 Earthquake Induced a Chain Disasters

A strong earthquake not only cause directly damage on constructs but also can result in a series of natural disasters such as landslide, debris flow and flooding. These secondary disasters occurs as a chain disasters as shown in Fig. 1. A strong earthquake can induce a large amount of landslides. And then, a large scale landslide can create a landslide dam when its debris fill into and stop a river. The water impounded by a landslide dam may create a dam reservoir (lake). While the dam is being filled, the surrounding groundwater level rises and causes back-flooding (upstream flooding). And because of its rather loose nature and absence of controlled spillway, a landslide dam is easy to fail catastrophically