Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Globalisation , Productivity and Technology Research Paper 2005 / 20 Industrial Linkages and Export Spillovers from FDI

In this paper we investigated the hypothesis of export spillovers from foreign multinationals to domestic firms using a data set of UK manufacturing firms from 1992 to 1999. Unlike previous studies we allow not only for the possibility of horizontal (i.e. intra-industry) and regional externalities, but also for vertical ones (i.e. inter-industry: forward and backward). Deploying and Heckman selection process we modelled the two decisions of whether to export or not, and how much to export, separately. The results indicate that the decision to start exporting is positively associated with the presence of foreign firms in the same industry and region; furthermore export oriented foreign affiliates seem to be the source of stronger export spillovers. The decision concerning how much to export is affected positively by foreign firms in downstream industries and by those in the same industry and region that do not export. JEL classification: F13; F23
Study of a miniature PIFA

This paper presents a study on a modified miniature planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA) with a small ground plane mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) of a mobile phone handset (40mm/spl times/100 mm), operating at 2.45 GHz. Its dimension is reduced to 5 mm /spl times/ 23 mm /spl times/ 4 mm. While inheriting the attractive features of PIFAs, such as low profile, easy fabrication and low cost, the modified miniature antenna exhibits low coupling to the PCB.
Optimization For Improving Biomass And Antioxidant Activity From Lactobacillus Acidophilus

Lactobacillus acidophilus is an important probiotic in many countries. The demand for biomass of this bacterium is huge. In recent years, the antioxidant activity of Lactobacillus is concerned and exploited. However, the low yield severely hindered advance study and application of itsantioxidant activity. In this study, we conducted fermentation experiment using Lactobacillus acidophilus in de Man-Rogosa-Sharpe. The glucose content in this environment is replaced by 6% sucrose solution. Optimal fermentation conditions were determined by experimental planning method and Box-Wilson method including pH 5.1, temperature at 36.6 o C andreaction time in 40hour. At this fermentation conditions, the biomass obtained was 11.589±0.09 log (CFU/ml) (6.4% increase). Lactobacillus acidophilus BK4 showed reducing power was 0.551±0.04 (37.8% increase) and 1,1-diphenyl 2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activities, with inhibition rates of 53.63% (12.02% increase). The biomass and the yield of antioxidant activity from Lactobacillus acidophilus BK4 is significantly improved which satisfies the requirement for advance study and application.
105-114 Aleksitimi.qxp

Objective: The main objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between alexithymia, psychological symptoms and attachment styles in normal individuals. Another purpose of the present study was to examine the associations between sosyodemografic variables such as sex and educational level and alexithymia. Method: Three hundred individuals between 18 to 40 years of age participated. The mean age of participants was 26.71 years (ss= 7.00). Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), Experience in Close Relationships (ECR), and Brief Symptom Inventory (BIS) were used for data collection. Results: The sample was divided into two different groups in terms of alexithymia scores. Alexithymic individuals had significantly higher scores on the psychological symptoms, avoidant and anxious attachment styles. The regression analysis also revealed that educational level, anxious attachment style and psycholocial symptoms were important predictors of alexithymia scores. Conclusion: According to the results of the current study, high psycholocial symptoms, anxious attachment style and low levels of education were important predictors of alexithymia scores. Thus, these findings may be useful for clinical psychological practices. When psychological symptoms of clients seeking therapy are being evaluated, it is important to note that these may be the characteristics of alexithymia. In addition, taking into consideration the relationships between these features of alexithymia and low levels of education and unsecure attachment styles might help to determine both the type of therapy and techniques which will be used in this therapy.
ENHANCED IMPLANTATION AND DEPOSITION OF METAL IONS BY IMMERSION IN SYNCHRONOUS MODULATED RF – DRIVEN PLASMA

An improved ion source based on synchronous enhancement of RF-driven plasma by superimposed high voltage pulses is tested for metal ion implantation on non-metallic surfaces. The results were compared to metal ion implantation by immersion in classical RF plasma. It was demonstrated that using the improved ion source, the metal layer is more compact and less contaminated and a larger amount of implanted ions can be found in the non-metallic substrate.
Unpredictability of nectar nicotine promotes outcrossing by hummingbirds in Nicotiana attenuata.

Many plants use sophisticated strategies to maximize their reproductive success via outcrossing. Nicotiana attenuata flowers produce nectar with nicotine at concentrations that are repellent to hummingbirds, increasing the number of flowers visited per plant. In choice tests using native hummingbirds, we show that these important pollinators learn to tolerate high-nicotine nectar but prefer low-nicotine nectar, and show no signs of nicotine addiction. Nectar nicotine concentrations, unlike those of other vegetative tissues, are unpredictably variable among flowers, not only among populations, but also within populations, and even among flowers within an inflorescence. To evaluate whether variations in nectar nicotine concentrations increase outcrossing, polymorphic microsatellite markers, optimized to evaluate paternity in native N. attenuata populations, were used to compare outcrossing in plants silenced for expression of a biosynthetic gene for nicotine production (Napmt1/2) and in control empty vector plants, which were antherectomized and transplanted into native populations. When only exposed to hummingbird pollinators, seeds produced by flowers with nicotine in their nectar had a greater number of genetically different sires, compared to seeds from nicotine-free flowers. As the variation in nectar nicotine levels among flowers in an inflorescence decreased in N. attenuata plants silenced in various combinations of three Dicer-like (DCL) proteins, small RNAs are probably involved in the unpredictable variation in nectar nicotine levels within a plant.
WNN Prediction Model of Stock Price with Input Dimensions Reduced by Rough Set

To improve the prediction ability of stock price, an integration prediction method based on Rough Set (RS) and Wavelet Neural Network (WNN) is proposed. First RS is used to reduce the dimensions of feature of stock price, then the WNN prediction model is established for stock price movement on the basis of feature dimension reduction; finally, the built model is applied to predict the stock price movement. The simulations on daily closing price index of SSE Composite Index indicate that, the proposed method has advantages of simple structure, strong implementation and good prediction accuracy with average correct rate 64%, and gets better stock price prediction in contrast with single neural network, genetic neural network and WNN. Keywords—Wavelet Neural Network; Rough Set; Attribute Reduction; Stock Price; Prediction
The 3rd International Forum on Oxidative Stress and Aging

For a number of years Coenzyme Q (CoQ10 in humans) was known for its key role in mitochondrial bioenergetics; later studies demonstrated its presence in other subcellular fractions and in plasma, and deeply investigated its antioxidant role. These two roles constitute the basis on which research supporting the clinical use of CoQ10 is founded. Also at the inner mitochondrial membrane level, Coenzyme Q is recognized as an obligatory co-factor for the function of uncoupling proteins and a modulator of the transition pore. Recent data reveal that CoQ10 affects expression of genes involved in human cell signaling, metabolism and transport and some of the effects of exogenously administered CoQ10 might be due to this property. The clinical effects of CoQ10 in heart failure are commonly ascribed to its capacity of ameliorating the energy available for the various myocardial needs, such as contractility. In fact administration of an appropriate dosage of CoQ10 allowed us to measure an improvement of maximal oxygen uptake with the cardiopulmonary test. Furthermore we were able to demonstrate a significant improvement of contractility, by using the “low dobutamine dose” test. A new concept, which has been addressed in the past few years, is the effect of CoQ10 on endothelial function. Impairment of endothelial function is a common feature in ischemic heart disease and this alteration often precedes the formation of the atherosclerotic plaque. It was shown that CoQ10 administration indeed ameliorates endothelial function in diabetic patients, as measured by the so-called flow mediated dilation (FMD). We extensively used this test with cardiovascular patients and were able to show that CoQ10 administration significantly improves FMD response. Among the biochemical reasons responsible for this effect, there could be an interaction of Coenzyme Q with superoxide anion, which could slow down the inactivation of NO· towards peroxynitrite. These observations were originally made on patients affected by ischemic heart disease, but the positive response to CoQ10 administration, in terms of amelioration of FMD was verified also in patients with heart failure.
Dynamic versus static menus: an exploratory comparison

Sixty-three subjects completed 24 tasks using a menu driven computer program. The menu items appeared in a fixed (static) order during 12 of the tasks. During the other 12 tasks the menu item order changed dynamically such that the most frequently selected items always appeared at the top of the menu. All the subjects tried both dynamic and static menus.The subjects that used adaptive dynamic menus for the first set of tasks were significantly slower than those who used static menus on the first set of tasks. Subjects' performance during the second set of tasks was not affected by menu style. Eighty-one percent of the subjects preferred working with static menus to working with dynamic menus.
Title T 1 rho mapping of entire femoral cartilage using depth-and angle-dependent analysis

Objectives To create and evaluate normalized T1rho profiles of the entire femoral cartilage in healthy subjects with threedimensional (3D) angleand depth-dependent analysis. Methods T1rho images of the knee from 20 healthy volunteers were acquired on a 3.0-T unit. Cartilage segmentation of the entire femur was performed slice-by-slice by a boardcertified radiologist. The T1rho depth/angle-dependent profile was investigated by partitioning cartilage into superficial and deep layers, and angular segmentation in increments of 4° over the length of segmented cartilage. Average T1rho values were calculated with normalized T1rho profiles. Surface maps and 3D graphs were created. Results T1rho profiles have regional and depth variations, with no significant magic angle effect. Average T1rho values in the superficial layer of the femoral cartilage were higher than those in the deep layer in most locations (p<0.05). T1rho values in the deep layer of the weight-bearing portions of the medial and lateral condyles were lower than those of the corresponding non-weight-bearing portions (p<0.05). Surface maps and 3D graphs demonstrated that cartilage T1rho values were not homogeneous over the entire femur. Conclusions Normalized T1rho profiles from the entire femoral cartilage will be useful for diagnosing local or early T1rho abnormalities and osteoarthritis in clinical applications. Key Points • T1rho profiles are not homogeneous over the entire femur. • There is angleand depth-dependent variation in T1rho profiles. •There is no influence of magic angle effect on T1rho profiles. •Maps/graphs might be useful if several difficulties are solved.
Utilisation of Geodetic Monitoring for Verification of the Numerical Model of Impact of a Building under Construction on Surrounding Structures

The paper discusses the issue of verification of n umerical models with the utilisation of results of geodetic monitoring for that purpose. That issue has been il lustrated by an example which presents results of g e detic monitoring versus forecasts of displacements, calcu l ted basing on numerical modelling for a building located in a densely built-up urban area, in the direct neighb ourhood of the Warsaw Underground Railway tunnels. Results of 6 geodetic control surveys have been analysed; 3 of them were performed in the period of implementa tion of the construction, 1 within a period of „as built” a cceptance and 2 after completion of construction (6 and 10 months).
I'm the mayor: a robot tutor in enercities-2

We are addressing the problem of creating empathic robot tutors to support school students studying geography topics on a multi-touch table. A multi-role serious game Enercities-2 has been developed from an earlier single-user version in which a Mayor, Economist and Environmentalist have control over differing resources. The game explores the tension between individual and collaborative success. A robot tutor, embodied as a NAO Torso robot, can play any one of these roles. This interactive demo using a large tablet and the NAO will allow attendees to play with the robot, which currently tries to maximize the collaborative score.
CAMP-negative group B Streptococcus went unrecognized with Cepheid GeneXpert but was detected by Liofilchem ® Chromatic StrepB

A Streptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus, GBS) strain from antenatal screening was not detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based Cepheid GeneXpert and was phenotypically CAMP-negative; nevertheless, it formed blue colonies on Liofilchem® Chromatic StrepB, a chromogenic medium which allowed presumptive identification of such an unusual isolate. GeneXpert is a valid, genome-based support in laboratory diagnostics which helps detecting, particularly, nonhemolytic GBS variants that may escape inspection by eye with culture potentially leading to falsely negative results. The system targets the GBS cfb gene, encoding the CAMP protein, responsible for the CAMP reaction, which is historically observed in almost all isolates of this species. Such cfbnegative strains, that are believed to be rare, appear thereby as both CAMP-negative and PCR-negative thus affecting accuracy of the antenatal screening. Based on the published literature, the one we present here seems to be the first GBS isolate escaping detection with GeneXpert due to strain-specific properties, whereas this system’s failure related to low bacterial counts in the rectovaginal sample has been clearly shown elsewhere. Then we emphasize that molecular tests cannot be used alone in the context of GBS carriage screening but should be combined with phenotype-based methods, including chromogenic media, what can contribute making childbirth a glad and safe event.
Vacuolar-Type H+-ATPase and Na+, K+-ATPase Expression in Gills of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) during Isolated and Combined Exposure to Hyperoxia and Hypercapnia in Fresh Water

Abstract Changes in branchial vacuolar-type H+-ATPase B-subunit mRNA and Na+,K+-ATPase α- and β-subunit mRNA and ATP hydrolytic activity were examined in smolting Atlantic salmon exposed to hyperoxic and/or hypercapnic fresh water. Pre-smolts, smolts, and post-smolts were exposed for 1 to 4 days to hyperoxia (100% O2) and/or hypercapnia (2% CO2). Exposure to hypercapnic water for 4 days consistently decreased gill vacuolar-type H+-ATPase B-subunit mRNA levels. Salmon exposed to hyperoxia had either decreased or unchanged levels of gill B-subunit mRNA. Combined hyperoxia+hypercapnia decreased B-subunit mRNA levels, although not to the same degree as hypercapnic treatment alone. Hyperoxia generally increased Na+,K+-ATPase α- and β-subunit mRNA levels, whereas hypercapnia reduced mRNA levels in presmolts (β) and smolts (α and β). Despite these changes in mRNA levels, whole tissue Na+,K+-ATPase activity was generally unaffected by the experimental treatments. We suggest that the reduced expression of branchial vacuolar-type H+-ATPase B-subunit mRNA observed during internal hypercapnic acidosis may lead to reduction of functional V-type H+-ATPase abundance as a compensatory response in order to minimise intra-cellular HCO3– formation in epithelial cells.
A NEW METHOLOGY FOR TESTING COMPOSITE MATERIALS IN MODE III OF FRACTURE

This paper presents a new device for testing compos ite materials in mode III of fracture, which lets to test in mode III quasi-pure, because there is not practically mode II. This does not happen with other devices used for this mode of fracture which have an important component of mode II. Another characteristic is the improvement of the quality and facility of the fitting of the specimen in the device because t here are not screws and mechanical fixtures which avoids preloads before the beginning of test.
An accelerated radiotherapy scheme using a concomitant boost technique for the treatment of unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND We designed a phase II trial for evaluation of the efficacy and tolerability of an accelerated concomitant boost radiotherapy scheme for the treatment of the patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS Thirty patients with unresectable stage IIIA/IIIB NSCLC were prospectively enrolled in this protocol. All patients were scheduled to receive 15 fractions of conventional radiotherapy in doses of 1.8 Gy, to a total of 27 Gy. For the last 10 treatment days, an accelerated concomitant boost schedule was started that was composed of 1.8 Gy/fraction/day, 5 days/week to the large field and 1.8 Gy/fraction/day to the boost field 6 h apart, to a total dose of 63 Gy/35 fractions/5 weeks. RESULTS Median follow-up time was 13 months (range, 5-50 months; 3-year overall, disease-free, loco-regional disease-free and metastasis-free survivals were 23%, 19%, 19% and 23%, respectively). The most common acute toxicity was esophagitis in 31% of patients with the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (RTOG/EORTC) criteria grade 1, and in 54% with grade 2. Radiation pneumonitis developed in 16% of patients with RTOG/EORTC grade 1. Three-year actuarial rate of late pulmonary and skin-subcutaneous toxicity were 12% and 16%, respectively. No late radiotherapy complications of spinal cord or esophagus were recorded. CONCLUSION Overall survival, local control and freedom from local progression were comparable with the results reported with pure hyperfractionated radiotherapy. The overall rate of acute and late toxicity was acceptable.
D Computational Mechanical Analysis for Human Atherosclerotic Plaques Using MRI-Based Models with Fluid-Structure Interactions

Atherosclerotic plaques may rupture without warning and cause acute cardiovascular syndromes such as heart attack and stroke. It is believed that mechanical forces play an important role in plaque progression and rupture. A three-dimensional (3D) MRI-based finite-element model with multicomponent plaque structure and fluid-structure interactions (FSI) is introduced to perform mechanical analysis for human atherosclerotic plaques and identify critical flow and stress/strain conditions which may be related to plaque rupture. The coupled fluid and structure models are solved by ADINA, a well-tested finite-element package. Our results indicate that pressure conditions, plaque structure, component size and location, material properties, and model assumptions all have considerable effects on flow and plaque stress/strain behaviors. Large-scale patient studies are needed to validate the computational findings. This FSI model provides more complete stress/strain analysis and better interpretation of information from MR images and may lead to more accurate plaque vulnerability assessment and rupture predictions.
Numerical simulations and results 1 Eigenvalue problems

1 Eigenvalue problems We begin by fixing some notation. Let Ω := PQR = (0, 0), (1, 0), (a1, b1) be an acute triangle, with angles (α, β, γ) and PQ=1. Let Ω̂ denote the reference triangle (0, 0), (1, 0), (0, 1). These domains are shown in Figure 1. We denote by F : Ω̂ → Ω the affine mapping which take us from the reference triangle Ω̂ to Ω = PQR. Concretely, we can write this in terms of a 2× 2 invertible matrix B as
Seasonal variation of colchicine content in Colchicum brachyphyllum and Colchicum tunicatum (Colchicaceae)

As part of our continuing investigation of Jordanian Colchicum species, (−)-colchicine content in C. brachyphyllum Boiss. & Haussk. ex Boiss and Colchicum tunicatum Feinbr (Colchicaceae), growing wild in Jordan, was determined during different growth stages. Using external reference standard, a reverse-phase gradient photo-diode array high performance liquid chromatography (PDA-HPLC) method was adapted. Underground parts in both species and during different growth stages, always showed higher (−)-colchicine content than the above ground parts. In C. brachyphyllum total (−)-colchicine content of underground parts during flowering stage was found to be about 0.15% (wt/wt), while that of aerial parts was only about 0.04% (wt/wt). In C. tunicatum total (−)-colchicine content of underground parts was found to be 0.12% (wt/wt), and 0.13% (wt/wt) during flowering and vegetating stages, respectively, while that of aerial parts was only about 0.04% (wt/wt) and 0.02% (wt/wt), respectively. In C. tunicatum, stems, roots and unripe seeds are the main storages of (−)-colchicine at flowering, vegetating and seeding stages, respectively, while in C. brachyphyllum, corms are the main storage of (−)-colchicine at flowering and seeding stages.