Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Which Institutions are more relevant than others in inequality mitigation

The paper estimates the respective contributions of legal, economic, political and social institutions on inequalities within countries across the globe, while using various measures of openness and trade policy as our control group. The results suggest that institutions have significant effects on inequality. Among legal institutions, rule of law and control for corruption have a stronger impact on inequality than voice and accountability. Though we find that countries which practice democracy are less prone to unequal outcomes, we also find that autocratic setups may not necessarily lead to greater inequalities. Both frameworks may carry redistributive effects, as both are found to be positively associated with the incomes of the poorest and negatively associated with the incomes of the richest. Secondly, whether a country is politically stable is rather a more decisive institutional factor apropos inequality than whether a country has an autocratic or a democratic orientation. Economic institutions also seem to play an important role in alleviating inequalities within countries. Whether the government is functioning effectively and whether it has a robust fiscal and monetary policy seems to have stronger impact on inequality than regulatory quality. Education for all, a proxy for social institutions, has a strong redistributive power. Overall, legal institutions trump any other institutional categories in reducing inequalities in a country. On the other hand, middle income group is most likely to benefit from good functioning institutions than any other income group.
An overview of GNSS remote sensing 0602435 N 73-4260-035

The Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals are always available, globally, and the signal structures are well known, except for those dedicated to military use. They also have some distinctive characteristics, including the use of L-band frequencies, which are particularly suited for remote sensing purposes. The idea of using GNSS signals for remote sensing the atmosphere, oceans or Earth surface was first proposed more than two decades ago. Since then, GNSS remote sensing has been intensively investigated in terms of proof of concept studies, signal processing methodologies, theory and algorithm development, and various satellite-borne, airborne and ground-based experiments. It has been demonstrated that GNSS remote sensing can be used as an alternative passive remote sensing technology. Space agencies such as NASA, NOAA, EUMETSAT and ESA have already funded, or will fund in the future, a number of projects/missions which focus on a variety of GNSS remote sensing applications. It is envisaged that GNSS remote sensing can be either exploited to perform remote sensing tasks on an independent basis or combined with other techniques to address more complex applications. This paper provides an overview of the state of the art of this relatively new and, in some respects, underutilised remote sensing technique. Also addressed are relevant challenging issues associated with GNSS remote sensing services and the performance enhancement of GNSS remote sensing to accurately and reliably retrieve a range of geophysical parameters.
Trust in e-commerce

A necessity that is plays an important role in today's turbulent environment is e-commerce. E-commerce, despite being young has tremendous progress and especially recently, there has been more tendency in Iran. But on the other hand, since e-commerce is not tangible as traditional trade, one important requirement in the buying in e-commerce area is the concept of trust. Hence, this paper tries to investigate the relationship between trust and e-commerce that sometimes considered as a missing link in the e-commerce issues. This paper first discusses the concept of e-commerce and with a glance, explains the beginning of this type of e-commerce in Iran and examines the types and dimensions of trust. Then, the strategy of building customer trust and the importance of confidence in e-commerce was discusses. Building business to business trust and business to customer in e-commerce, the relationship based on mutual trust can be established and facilitate and expedite the process of e-commerce and its growth.
Low intestinal tract adenomatous polyps regression in FAP patients by dietary-induced erbeta upregulatior

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomal dominant condition with a complete penetrance characterized by an early onset of multiple colorectal adenomas which with time develop into colorectal carcinomas. In absence of surgery, FAP patients have a high risk to die of metastatic colorectal cancer at young age. The two primary surgical options for colonic polyposis are total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis (IRA) or total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch/anal anastomosis (IPAA). Advantage of IRA compared to IPAA are: the simplicity of the procedure, the low rate of postoperative complications and also the good functional results. However, major drawback of IRA is the occurrence of cancer in the rectal stump (1). In the last years IPAA was largely adopted thinking that this type of procedure could definitively abolish the occurrence of polyps and cancer in the distal intestinal tube. However, with time, in the majority of patients, one or more adenomatous polyps and sometimes large adenomas and also carcinomas can develop (2, 3). Attempts to control the proliferation of the FAP polyps, to reduce the risk of recurrent polyps and to prevent carcinoma in the rectum or pouch have been tried in the past years. Anti-COX drugs (sulindac, celecoxib) have been used in several randomized placebo-controlled trials showing a significative regression of the colorectal polyps in FAP patients (4, 5). However, concerns for their use were emerged since serious adverse effects and loss of action could occur after a prolonged administration (6, 7). High intake of certain dietary components such as ascorbic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (the omega-3 fish oil derivative), association of curcumin and quercetin, have been also evaluated with a positive effect (8-10). The aim of the present study is to evaluate whether supplementation of the diet with a patented blend of phytoestrogens and indigestible and insoluble fibers (Adipol®) is able to control or reduce the adenomatous polyps in FAP patients and to modify the ERs expression of the rectal or ileal pouch mucosa.
Arbitrary Null Object Languages in a Parametric Theory of Linguistic Variation

Within the Government-Binding framework, the parametric theory of linguistic variation spelled out in Chomsky (1981) is designed to provide a principled account of cross-linguistic andlor cross-dialectal variation as well as a maximally simple answer to the question of why such a variation remains unproblematic for the first language learner. According to the Chomskyan view of parameters, the grammar of a speaker consists of an innate set of universal principles, which are cross-linguistic constants, as well as an innate set of parameters, each of which range over a number of possible settings. The only "learned behavior" is the language specific operation of selecting a value for each parameter. The resulting set of value-fixed parameters then naturally interacts with the set of universal principles to yield a variety of language specific effects. Two given languages or dialects will therefore differ as long as they select different values for at least one parameter. When comparing several languages the task of the linguist is therefore to identify parameters on the basis of (a) crosslinguistic variation within a consttuction and (b) language specific systematic patterns which emerge from superficially unrelated constructions. In this paper I will use this theory of linguistic variation to argue that the presence vs. absence of V-governed arbitrary empty categories across languages is a direct consequence of the strong vs. weak agreement parameter advocated in Pollock (1989).
Equilibrium with Product Differentiation

A model of product differentiation which combines elements of both spatial and representative consumer formulations is used to examine the properties of single- and multiple-price equilibria. Conditions under which decreases in the intensity of consumer preferences reduce price are given. It is shown that, with certain types of demand curves, entry can eliminate price-cost markups even given product differentiation. If competition is localized, it is demonstrated that entry does not affect the markup. Finally, the effect of spurious product differentiation on price is examined.
Cardiac Innate Immunity

Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) impacts the lives of millions, and ranks as the number one killer world-wide. Despite significant research efforts, CVD remains a major burden on the national health care system, and novel therapeutic modalities to effectively and curatively fight many debilitating diseases of the heart and vasculature are urgently needed. The role of inflammation in the development of CVD has been increasingly in focus through the past decade. Elucidating upon the plethora of innate immune mechanisms likely involved in CVD therefore becomes of immediate interest. Host defense peptides (HDPs) are central elements of innate immunity, encompassing molecules (including the defensin peptides) with wide-reaching biological effects, including immunomodulation and antimicrobial activity. Hypothesis & Specific Aims The study’s main hypothesis relies upon the basic concept that the heart possesses a local innate defense system, which actively aids in fighting off a variety of “danger signals”, and that a disarray in this defense contributes to development of CVD. The heart expresses beta-defensin peptides (BDs), and we theorized that these HDPs act as a local defense system within the myocardium or in other words as “guardians of heart health”. The specific aims of the experimental studies were to 1) Evaluate expression of cardiac BDs in response to inflammatory mediators, and 2) Assess the functional properties (including antimicrobial activity and immunomodulation) of synthetic BD peptides in vitro. Design & Methods To test our hypothesis, we studied myocardial beta-defensin expression (rBDs) in a rat model, comparing levels among two experimental and one control group. Animals were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or high-fat diet (HFD) intake representative of exposure to either an infectious (LPS) or non-infectious (HFD) inflammatory mediator. Serum samples were collected for measurement of cytokines, inflammatory and cardiac biomarkers and lipidprofiling. Beta-defensin levels were assessed using customized Superarray assays and q R TP C R , a n d a l l amplicon sizes on the PCR products were subsequently c o n fi r m e d u s i n g a g a r o s e g e l electrophoresis. Serum levels were assessed on commercial ELISA kits. Functional assessment of select rBDs included computational modeling as well as in vitro antimicrobial and cell
Three Super-Earths Transiting the Nearby Star GJ 9827

We report on the discovery of three transiting planets around GJ 9827. The planets have radii of 1.75 ± 0.18, 1.36 ± 0.14, and R⊕, and periods of 1.20896, 3.6480, and 6.2014 days, respectively. The detection was made in Campaign 12 observations as part of our K2 survey of nearby stars. GJ 9827 is a V = 10.39 mag K6V star at a distance of 30.3 ± 1.6 parsecs and the nearest star to be found hosting planets by Kepler and K2. The radial velocity follow-up, high-resolution imaging, and detection of multiple transiting objects near commensurability drastically reduce the false positive probability. The orbital periods of GJ 9827 b, c, and d planets are very close to the 1:3:5 mean motion resonance. Our preliminary analysis shows that GJ 9827 planets are excellent candidates for atmospheric observations. Besides, the planetary radii span both sides of the rocky and gaseous divide, hence the system will be an asset in expanding our understanding of the threshold.
ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΔΙΑ ΒΙΟΥ ΜΑΘΗΣΗΣ ΑΕΙ ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΕΠΙΚΑΙΡΟΠΟΙΗΣΗ ΓΝΩΣΕΩΝ ΑΠΟΦΟΙΤΩΝ ΑΕΙ (ΠΕΓΑ)

In both managed and natural ecosystems, beneficial plant-associated bacteria play a key role in supporting and/or increasing plant health and growth. Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) can be applied in agricultural production or for the phytoremediation of pollutants. However, because of their capacity to confer plant beneficial effects, efficient colonization of the plant environment is of utmost importance. The majority of plant-associated bacteria derives from the soil environment. They may migrate to the rhizosphere and subsequently the rhizoplane of their hosts before they are able to show beneficial effects. Some rhizoplane colonizing bacteria can also penetrate plant roots, and some strains may move to aerial plant parts, with a decreasing bacterial density in comparison to rhizosphere or root colonizing populations. A better understanding on colonization processes has been obtained mostly by microscopic visualisation as well as by analysing the characteristics of mutants carrying disfunctional genes potentially involved in colonization. In this review we describe the individual steps of plant colonization and survey the known mechanisms responsible for rhizosphere and endophytic competence. The understanding of colonization processes is important to better predict how bacteria interact with plants and whether they are likely to establish themselves in the plant environment after field application as biofertilisers or biocontrol agents. 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
MÁS ALLÁ DE UN RECORRIDO POR EL CONCEPTO DE COMPETENCIAS. SU CONSTRUCCIÓN Y CONNOTACIONES EN LOS CAMPOS DE LA EDUCACIÓN, EL TRABAJO Y LA CULTURA DEL ÉXITO

espanolEste articulo problematiza algunas reflexiones sobre el concepto de competencias, principalmente en el campo de la educacion. Comenzando con un analisis de los “origenes” del concepto, se ira avanzando hacia una definicion general como eje estructurante que posibilite ir anudando la diversidad de problematicas inherentes al campo de la educacion, y la construccion del exito escolar. EnglishThis article problematizes some reflections around the concept of competences, mainly in the field of education. Starting with an analysis of the "origins" of the concept, it will be moving towards a general definition, as a structural axis, making it possible to go knotting the diversity of issues inherent in the field of education, and the construction of school success.
Bose-Einstein condensates in 'giant' toroidal magnetic traps

The experimental realization of gaseous Bose—Einstein condensation (BEC) in 1995 sparked considerable interest in this intriguing quantum fluid. Here, progress towards the development of an 87Rb BEC experiment in a large (≈ 10cm diameter) toroidal storage ring is reported. A BEC will be formed at a localized region within the toroidal magnetic trap, from whence it can be launched around the torus. The benefits of the system are manifold, as it should readily enable detailed investigations of persistent currents, Josephson effects, phase fluctuations and high-precision Sagnac or gravitational interferometry.
DETECTION OF UNSAFE COMPONENT LOADINGS USING DYNAMIC ANALYSIS TECHNIQUE

Dynamic loading plays a major role in software development process. The flexibility in it allows linking a component dynamically and using its exported functionalities. Dynamic loading allows the system to perform, a library can be loaded or unloaded in the memory, then the loaded library functions and variables can be retrieved and executed or accessed. The dynamic analysis technique deals with detection of vulnerable and unsafe dynamic component loadings in the system. This work introduces the first automated technique to detect and analyze vulnerabilities and errors related to the dynamic component loading, and also detects for safe components loaded in the memory. The analysis comprises of two phases namely, Online Phase to apply dynamic binary instrumentation to collect runtime information on component loading, and Offline Phase to analyze the collected information to detect vulnerable component loadings. The technique uses a set of practical tools for detecting and removing unsafe component loadings on Microsoft Windows and Linux. An extensive analysis of unsafe component loadings on various types of popular software has been conducted.
'Energy Regions': Guiding visions that work? - The influential alignment of actors around visions of long-term socio-technical change 1

Guiding visions play an important role in the transition management approach as a central means of mobilizing social actors . For the identification of promising governance structures , it is crucial to understand the features and functions of such potentially coordinating visions, the factors influencing and constraining their pro-active creation and the conditions for their maturation into socially binding norms. Austrian Energy Regions , are regional initiatives aiming to focus regional development strategies on the exploitation of renewable energy and to build up respective actor networks. A certain vision of a future energy system (e.g. regional self-reliance, 100% renewable sources) is symbolized by sets of targets (e.g. a certain share of heat/electricity provided from renewable sources by certain years). I analyze the genesis of one such vision in the district of Murau, Upper Styria. I reflect on the strategies of activists who achieved impressive effects with their Leitbild coordinating decisions of planners, local authorities, enterprises and households when deciding on infrastructure investments etc. Energy Regions are interesting attempts to synchronize expectations and align actors and resources in novel arenas of public deliberation, which strategically - and in many ways successfully - craft a consensus on socio-technical change. Even if such objectifications of certain socio-technical futures are vague and of a temporary and partly illusionary character, they can apparently be quiet productive - at the regional scale at least. What is rarely acknowledged, though, is how much strategizing and anticipation of conflict has to inform already the formulation of such visions, if they are to gain significant influence on crucial actors strategies later.
A Novel Model and Efficient Topic Extraction for Travel Package Recommendation

The new concept recommendation system is applying in many applications.in this project explore the online travel information of tourists to provide personalized travel package. But traditional recommendation system cant providing better travel package to tourists from various geo-graphic locations. Many technical challenges are available for designing and implementation of efficient travel package recommendation system. Proposing a new model named as tourist-area-season topic model along with Latent Dirichlet Allocation algorithm which extracts the features like locations, travel seasons of various landscapes. Introducing cocktail approach for better personalized travel package recommendation. Further Extending TAST model with the tourist-relation-area-season topic model includes relationship among the tourists.Eventually our proposed approach is efficient to give better package recommendation for tourists.
Fast reversible NiTi fibers for use in microrobotics

The authors report the experimentally determined characteristics of NiTi fibers which have been modified using a preparation procedure in which the fibers were subjected to brief very large current pulses during forced stretching. The modified fibers contract and relax fast enough to be of use in microrobotics. The modified fibers generate a maximum extrapolated stress of 230 MN/m/sup 2/ and yield a peak measured power/mass approaching 50 kW/kg. The theory of a micro-actuator incorporating the modified fibers is presented. <<ETX>>
Histogram of Gradient based Efficient Image Quality Assessment

Here we propose an image quality assessment (IQA) based on histogram of oriented gradients (HOG). This method makes use of the characteristic that the histogram of gradient image describes the state of input image. In the proposed method, the image quality is derived by the slope of the HOG obtained from the target image. The line representing the HOG is measured by a random sample consensus (RANSAC) on the HOG. Simulation results based on the LIVE image quality assessment database suggest that the proposed method aligns better with how the human visual system perceives image quality than several state-of-the-art IQAs.
Silver and copper accumulation in two estuarine bivalves, the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) and the hooked mussel (Ischadium recurvum) in the Patuxent River estuary, Maryland

In order to assess the source of trace elements and to compare uptake between different bivalve species, oysters and mussels were transplanted to five sites in the upper Patuxent River estuary during 1988. Transplant sites were located above and below the discharge of Chalk Point Steam Electric Station (CPSES)—a historic point source for copper. Organisms were sampled approximately monthly for 1 yr and analyzed for copper and silver. During spring and summer, concentrations of silver and copper increased in oysters at the upstream stations. There was very little change in silver and copper concentrations in the mussels with either time or among stations. Copper concentrations accumulated by oysters approached those found during previous periods when CPSES used Cu−Ni alloy condenser tubes (1966–1987), suggesting that corrosion from the Cu−Ni condenser tubes was only a minor contributor to the copper burdens of oysters in the river nearby. The lack of accumulation by mussels at the same sites suggests that part of the reason for the accumulation by oysters may be a taxonomically specific physiological effect caused by the salinity regime in the upper Patuxent.
Studies on the Laccase of Lentinus edodes : Specificity , Localization and Association with the Development of Fruiting Bodies

The phenol oxidases from mature fruiting bodies of Lentinus edodes (Berk.) Sing. , a commercially cultivated mushroom, were studied. The major phenol oxidase was a laccase with a pH optimum near 4.0 and an apparent molecular weight of 100000. Catechol oxidase and tyrosinase were also present. The laccase investigated was primarily extracellular ; the highest activity was in the pigmented rind of the pileus and in the stipe. Increased laccase activity was associated with rapid growth of non-pigmented aerial mycelium and formation of pigmented primordia and fruiting bodies. Possible functions of the laccase and its regulation during the development of fruiting bodies are discussed.
An investigation into the drivers of Australian REIT merger and acquisition announcements

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to use Australian Real Estate Investment Trust (A‐REIT) data to empirically examine potential influencing factors on A‐REITs becoming a bidder or a target in the mergers and acquisitions (MA in contrast, the authors' Australian results show that size has a positive impact. Prior research on share price and asset performance has shown that underperformance increases the odds of an entity becoming a target, but this paper's results further support these findings and provide confirmation of the inefficient management hypothesis. For acquirers it was found that leverage, cash balances, management structure, the l.