Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Research and Innovation – the drivers of economic development Prof

Research and development are critical fueling innovation and national development and economic growth, but there also needs to be apolitical will to succeed. Furthermore there must be a strong synergy between academia and industry. Thus, for research to yield practical fruits, the results must enlighten and mould socio-economic policies and be readily adaptable to the needs of society. Is scientific research being conducted that impacts positively on society, that saves lives? Are there increasing numbers of technological innovations that make South African companies more competitive? Does social science research enlighten public policy? Does current humanities research support the arts and culture? Do ideas emanate from South Africa that improve the quality of life domestically and gobally? South Africa‟s Universities in particular have a vital role to play in developing the nation and they are critical to success in a knowledge-based economy.
Peripheral endotoxin causes long-lasting changes in locus coeruleus activity via IL-1 in the brain

Activity of locus coeruleus (LC) neurons, the major noradrenergic cell-body group in the brain whose axons give rise to approximately 70% of norepinephrine (NE) in the brain, is believed to play an important role in attention/vigilance, cognitive functions and behavioral disorders, particularly depression. Results described here show that in the rat, intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, a bacterial endotoxin) causes long-lasting changes in electrophysiological activity of LC neurons that are mediated by interleukin-1 (IL-1) acting locally in the LC region. First, it was found that IL-1, when microinjected into the LC region or stimulated/expressed in that brain region, increased activity of LC neurons. The only exception to this was that a very low dose of microinjected IL-1 (5 pg) decreased LC activity, which could be blocked by an antagonist to corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), thus suggesting that the decrease was due to IL-1 stimulation of CRH release. All of these effects could be blocked by injection and/or infusion of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) specifically into the LC region. Next, intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of a low dose of LPS(10 µg/kg or 100 ng/kg) was also found to increase LC activity. The excitation of LC produced by 10 µg/kg i.p. LPS increased progressively for at least 1 week, with LC neurons firing at more than twice their normal rate at 1 week after the i.p. LPS injection. Alteration of LC activity lasted for 3 weeks after a single i.p. injection of 10 µg/kg LPS. The effects of i.p. LPS on LC activity at any time after i.p. injection could be blocked by a brief microinfusion of IL-1RA into the LC region, thereby indicating that changes in LC activity seen after the i.p. LPS were caused by IL-1 acting in the LC region. Finally, i.p. injection of peptidoglycan, representing gram-positive bacteria, and polyinsinic-polycytidylic acid [poly(I):(C)], representing viral infection, also caused increases in LC activity, and the effects of peptidoglycan [but not those of poly(I):(C)] were blocked by microinfusion of IL-1RA into LC. These findings suggest that bacterial infections can give rise to prolonged changes in brain activity through cytokine action in brain.
Demand Response Energy Consumption Scheduling Program Using Genetic Algorithm

The critical peak pricing plan is an active part in demand response program. Its technical perspective is to maximize the energy service provider profit as they can reduce the risks and maximize the outcomes further. As an incentive for electricity users to participate in a demand-side management program, this paper will discuss how to maximize the users’ payoff by rescheduling their energy consumption. A distributed demand-side management system among users will be presented with a two way digital communication infrastructure. Then using game theory to formulate, an optimization problem that deal with the total hourly load for each user is applied. The proposed algorithm is implemented on a real data taken from ISO market and by using genetic algorithm.
Simulation and experimental results of a new method of mobile robot localization

In this paper simulation and experimental results of a new localization method of a mobile robot are presented. The new method handles both tasks of localization and mapping simultaneously. Its main feature is no assumption about the shape of obstacles. The objects in the workspace can be of any shape. In experimental phase a 3D laser rangefinder was used as a source of data.
Neonatal Exposure to the Dipeptidyl Peptidase-IV Inhibitors Diprotin A and Sitagliptin Induces Depression-Like Behavior, Anxiety, and Latent Aggression in Adolescent and Adult Rats

Emotional and motivational disorders in adults are often considered to be the result of altered neurodevelopment. Clinical and experimental data provide evidence that serine protease dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV, EC 3.4.14.5) is involved in the pathophysiology of psycho-emotional disorders. Recently, we have shown that adolescent and adult rats exhibit an increase in anxiety and depression-related behaviors after neonatal administration of a synthetic non-competitive inhibitor of DPP-IV, methionyl-2(S)-cyano-pyrrolidine. In the present study, we tested the effects of two competitive, selective DPP-IV inhibitors, sitagliptin (4 mg/kg) and diprotin A (2 mg/kg), administered at postnatal days 5 - 18 on the emotional and motivational behavior of adolescent and adult rats. We observed increased anxiety in one-month-old diprotin A- or sitagliptin-treated rats in the elevated plus maze; diprotin A also enhanced the animals’ anxiety score using a ranked scale for evaluating anxiety and phobias. In the sucrose consumption and preference test, depressive-like behavior was pronounced in both the diprotin A- and sitagliptin-treated one-month-old animals, while only the diprotin A-treated rats exhibited a decrease in sucrose consumption at the age of 2 months. The diprotin A-treated rats also demonstrated behavioral despair and decreased activity in the forced swimming test within 1 - 3 months of age. Increased aggression was observed in 1 - 3-month-old diprotin A-treated rats and in two-month-old sitagliptin-treated rats. These findings support the hypothesis that DPP-IV is involved in the genesis of emotional and motivational disorders. Additionally, the results show that diprotin А impairs the adolescent and adult rats’ behavior more significantly than sitagliptin when the animals were treated with the DPP-IV inhibitors in the early postnatal period.
Self-Collected Versus Clinician-Collected Anal Cytology Specimens to Diagnose Anal Intraepithelial Neoplasia in HIV-Positive Men

Background:Anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) is common in men who have sex with men (MSM) and may be diagnosed by anal cytology screening. Methods:One hundred two MSM with clinician-collected anal cytology and histopathology specimens were assessed from a cohort study of AIN at the University of California at San Francisco. The men were given a cytology self-collection kit with written instructions for use and requested to collect the sample 1 month after the clinic visit. Results:Ninety-one percent of self-collected and 99% of clinician-collected anal cytology samples were adequate for interpretation. The sensitivity of abnormal anal cytology to detect AIN by histology was 68% in self-collected samples and 70% in clinician-collected samples, and the sensitivity to detect AIN 2 or AIN 3 was 71% and 74%, respectively. Cytologic results did not differ by grade between self-collected and clinician-collected samples. Among MSM diagnosed with AIN 2 or 3 by biopsy, 33% of self-collected and 39% of clinician-collected cytology samples were high-grade. The sensitivity of both self-collected and clinician-collected samples to detect AIN 2 or 3 was higher among HIV-positive MSM than among HIV-negative MSM. Conclusions:MSM with biopsy-proven AIN can self-collect anal cytology samples with sensitivity comparable with that of experienced clinicians. This may facilitate screening for AIN.
Securing the future: competitive but "fair"A critical exploration of the tangible and intangible push-pull factors for fair trade SME success

There is no moral pedestal for being a fair trade SME, when it comes to building value or competitiveness. The original concept of fair trade may not have changed, but today it has evolved beyond simply ‘black and white/in or out’. Indeed, the UK SME, just as their larger competitors, may not be Fairtrade© exclusive, whether that be in niche or mainstream markets. Furthermore, to trade using fair trade credentials alone will be insufficient, when their larger rivals can achieve economies of scale and through availability and convenience, target the ‘feel good’ consumer. Whilst Fairtrade© brings the poor farmer and shopper together and arguably ticks the box for large retailers, it is less clear ‘what is in it’ for the UK fair trade SME. The purpose of this thesis is to critically explore the tangible and intangible push-pull factors that enable them to grow and build resilience within a dynamic, but highly competitive ‘virtuous’ market. It will consider how SMEs balance their human, values based decisions with the pressure to remain viable and whether in reality, they simply make pragmatic mental trade-offs to secure their future. The research is exploratory, inductive and qualitative from the epistemological and ontological position of interpretivism and social constructivism; drawing upon grounded theory to support data coding and analysis. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 13 SMEs in Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cumbria and London between December 2012 and June 2013. A coding framework was designed to classify those significant and interconnected factors and a typology of fair trade SMEs that reflects that one size ‘does not fit all’, within this growing and strategic market. Furthermore, through a values based orientation which extends across the supply chain, it will also show how ‘responsible business’ is a reality, through the creation of ‘shared value’.
Circadian Time-Dependent Tumor Suppressor Function of Period Genes

The mammalian core clock genes, Periods (Per1 and Per2), have tumor suppressor properties. Decreased expression of Per1 and Per2 has been reported in several types of human cancers. On the other hand, overexpression of Per1 or Per2 inhibits cancer cell growth in culture. The authors have shown that downregulation of Per1 or Per2 enhances cancer growth in vitro. These genes also regulate the amount of cell proliferation—related molecules, many of which are therapeutic targets. In animals, tumors grow with clear circadian organization, and Per1 and Per2 exert their tumor suppressor functions in a circadian time-dependent manner. Downregulation of Per1 or Per2 increases tumor growth only at certain specific times of the day. Per1 and Per2 differentially regulate tumor growth rhythm in vivo. These data suggest that the therapeutic efficacy of antiproliferation agents depends on the time of day of drug delivery. The optimal times of day may be shifted in tumors that have mutant Period genes.
No Shortcuts: Achieving Shared Value Means Changing Your Business Culture

A growing number of companies declare, e.g., in annual reports, on company websites or in strategy documents, that they subscribe to what Michael Porter and Mark Kramer have labeled ‘strategic CSR’ (2006) or ‘shared value’ (2011). Shared value involves creating economic value in a way that also creates value for society by addressing its needs and challenges. We agree that the pursuit of shared value is essential in today’s business environment, but argue that Porter and Kramer understate the need for significant changes in management practices to achieve it. We address some limitations of the concept of shared value and conclude that these strategies need to be managed within the core business model and underpinned by a supportive and strong organizational culture and values. We provide evidence by comparing organizational cultures and corporate values in Novo Nordisk, Merck, BP and Statoil. We find that these companies have different organizational cultures with implications for the ability of companies to achieve shared value. We conclude by proposing seven key elements of building and managing a responsible organizational culture.
Risk of Diabetes in Siblings and Other Relatives of IDDM Subjects

The risk of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) was examined in siblings of an unselected population (n = 194) of newly diagnosed diabetic individuals <30 yr old. From 1 July 1984 to 30 June 1987, diabetic subjects (proband) identified within a geographically defined area of southern Wisconsin were studied. IDDM occurred among siblings of probands in 13.5% of families and was associated with proband age at diagnosis. The highest risk was found for diabetic subjects <10 yr old at diagnosis (P = 0.04). We did not find an association between sibling IDDM and proband sex, HLA-DR3/4, duration of symptoms, or ketosis at diagnosis. In addition, the odds ratio (OR) for the association of IDDM in the proband with IDDM in parents and second- and third-degree family members was examined by case-control methodology. Diabetic subjects were matched to two types of control subjects (friends and general population) by age stratum and sex. The OR for IDDM was not increased significantly if parental IDDM or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) was reported. However, there were very few parents with diabetes among diabetic or control subjects. In 6.4% of diabetic subjects, one parent had IDDM, 54% of whom were fathers. In 4.3% of diabetic subjects, one parent had NIDDM, and 57.1% of these were fathers. The OR for IDDM was significantly increased if second- and/or third-degree relatives had IDDM (OR diabetic subjects vs. general population 2.33 [P < 0.05]) or NIDDM (OR diabetic subjects vs. friends 2.05 [P < 0.01]). We conclude that the increased risk of sibling IDDM for younger probands suggests variation in etiological factors by family.
An Examination on the use of Technical Trading rules versus a Buy-and-Hold Trading Strategy in the Irish Stock Market.

Much literature debates the validity of stock price prediction. Within this research the accuracy of trading rules was examined. In particular this research focused on whether certain basic technical analysis methods for investing in the stock market can yield higher returns, on average, than a simple buy-and-hold strategy. This method of technical analysis selected for investigation was the crossing of moving averages. Such an approach allows for central research objective to be addressed where the central objective was to identify the usefulness of technical analysis, specifically the moving averages trading rule approach and estimate whether it yields higher returns lower losses than a Simple Buy-and-Hold trading strategy. This research will contribute to existing literature by carrying out a quantitative examination of trading rules within the Irish stock market. A sample of fifty-six Irish stocks which were quoted on the ISEQ was selected for analysis Criteria for the sample were that the stock must have traded for a least five years between the years 2001 and 2011. The returns on the fifty-six stocks were recorded and empirical tested as to the usefulness and power o f moving average trading rules in price prediction was undertaken.
Laser Scanner Versus Stereophotogrammetry: A Three-Dimensional Quantitative Approach for Morphological Analysis of Pubic Symphysis

The reconstruction of biological profile is a crucial step for personal identification of unknown decedents, both in forensic and archaeological context. At this purpose, determination of age at death is a very important issue. Among the skeletal regions used for estimating it, the analysis of pubic symphysis by Suchey-Brooks method remains the most reliable aging technique. In the last years, technologies involving 3D image acquisition have acquired a growing importance in anthropology and may provide a relevant help in diffusion and sharing of skeletal specimens. In particular, among all the new available instruments, laser scanners and stereophotogrammetric systems are particularly useful to obtain 3D reconstructions of the pubic symphyseal surface. Furthermore, the possibility to create digital models of these bony structures allows researchers to easily and fast share their datasets worldwide, avoiding any possible damage to the real sample. This study aims at verifying the technical reproducibility of 3D acquisitions, performed by laser scanner and stereophotogrammetry, as a preliminary study to possible assessment of differences in age at death estimation. Since accuracy and reproducibility of these two instruments have already been evaluated, the study aims at comparing them in order to verify if there are some differences on relevant measurements obtained from the analysis of the 24 commercial casts (by Diane France). These 24 symphyseal casts (12 female and 12 male) were scanned by a dental laser scanner (Dental Wings series 3, Dental Wings Inc., Montreal, Canada) and a stereophotogrammetric system (Vectra 3D, Canfield Scientific, Fairfield, NJ). For each sample two scans were performed by the same tool and some measurements (symphyseal surface length, symphyseal surface area and billowing area) were taken twice on digitized surfaces, by the same operator. The second assessment was performed 15 days after the first one. Repeatability of operator measurements on different scans was assessed by paired Student t-test, or Mann-Whitney test, depending on data distribution. Linear regression was performed as well. To compare the two instruments, Bland-Altman analysis was carried out for billowing measurements. Results show no significant difference (p>0.05) in identification of the same parameter on different scans through both instruments and no significant difference between billowing areas, measured through laser scanner or stereophotogrammetry. In conclusion, data suggest that both 3D image acquisition systems may provide a technically reliable reproduction of pubic symphysis. However, the technical reproduction of skeletal specimens does not mean that the 3D scans are suitable for age estimation, which remains, in anthropological practice, a morphological procedure and requires a specific experience of the operator. Further studies are required to validate the opportunity to use this approach for anthropological age at death estimation.
Transformation of Individual Learning Through Informatics and Information Technology Activities in Primary School

The topic of the individual learning conditions creation can be analysed from the technological as well as pedagogical side. In both cases there is the same fundamental point: how to create valuable and as much as possible natural learning environment? The experience in the application of technologies for personalisation, analysed in scientific literature, reveals newer possibilities for the individual activities support. This encourages taking a different route in analysing individual learning â€“ to interdisciplinary combine the content of close concepts. The paper deals with basic concepts of interdisciplinary content analysis â€“ informatics and information technology impact to an individual learning in primary school.
A Lagrangian Approach for Calculating Microsphere Deposition in a One-Dimensional Lung-Airway Model.

Using the open-source software openfoam as the solver, a novel approach to calculate microsphere transport and deposition in a 1D human lung-equivalent trumpet model (TM) is presented. Specifically, for particle deposition in a nonlinear trumpetlike configuration a new radial force has been developed which, along with the regular drag force, generates particle trajectories toward the wall. The new semi-empirical force is a function of any given inlet volumetric flow rate, micron-particle diameter, and lung volume. Particle-deposition fractions (DFs) in the size range from 2 μm to 10 μm are in agreement with experimental datasets for different laminar and turbulent inhalation flow rates as well as total volumes. Typical run times on a single processor workstation to obtain actual total deposition results at comparable accuracy are 200 times less than that for an idealized whole-lung geometry (i.e., a 3D-1D model with airways up to 23rd generation in single-path only).
An Unsupervised Opinion Mining Approach for Japanese Weblog Reputation Information Using an Improved SO-PMI Algorithm

In this paper, we propose an improved SO-PMI (Semantic Orientation Using Pointwise Mutual Information) algorithm, for use in Japanese Weblog Opinion Mining. SO-PMI is an unsupervised approach proposed by Turney that has been shown to work well for English. When this algorithm was translated into Japanese naively, most phrases, whether positive or negative in meaning, received a negative SO. For dealing with this slanting phenomenon, we propose three improvements: to expand the reference words to sets of words, to introduce a balancing factor and to detect neutral expressions. In our experiments, the proposed improvements obtained a well-balanced result: both positive and negative accuracy exceeded 62%, when evaluated on 1,200 opinion sentences sampled from three different domains (reviews of Electronic Products, Cars and Travels from Kakaku.com). In a comparative experiment on the same corpus, a supervised approach (SA-Demo) achieved a very similar accuracy to our method. This shows that our proposed approach effectively adapted SO-PMI for Japanese, and it also shows the generality of SO-PMI.
Sex and HIV/AIDS education in schools

As British and American societies have become increasingly concerned about sexual risk-taking behaviour among adolescents, they have increasingly looked towards schools to address and possibly limit such behaviour. Schools are the one institution that young people regularly attend; they are geared towards increasing students' knowledge and improving their skills; and they are especially well fitted to educate young people about subjects such as sexuality, in which different concepts should be taught at different developmental stages. On the other hand, conditions in schools may not be ideal: class time is limited, teachers are often not trained in handling sensitive subjects, and considerable controversy surrounds the teaching of some subjects. What light can be thrown on these issues by the evidence on sex education in schools? When studies such as the two articles in this week's issue (pp 414, 417)1 2 evaluate the effectiveness of sex education programmes by measuring their impact on behaviour they apply standards that are not applied to most other school subjects. Most school teaching is evaluated by assessing its impact on knowledge and not on behaviour outside the classroom. Thus when research on sex education programmes uses outcomes …