Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The 6-minute walk test in pulmonary arterial hypertension: how far is enough?

TD, Potts-Kant EN, Ingram JL, Wang Y, Jung S-H, et al. Alveolar macrophages from overweight/obese subjects with asthma demonstrate a proinflammatory phenotype.Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2012;186:404–411. 7. Shore SA. Obesity and asthma: lessons from animal models. J Appl Physiol 2007;102:516–528. 8. Shore SA. Obesity, airway hyperresponsiveness, and inflammation. J Appl Physiol 2010;108:735–743. 9. Mathis D, Shoelson SE. Immunometabolism: an emerging frontier. Nat Rev Immunol 2011;11:81. 10. Osborn O, Olefsky JM. The cellular and signaling networks linking the immune system and metabolism in disease. Nat Med 2012;18:363–374. 11. Mancuso P, Gottschalk A, Phare SM, Peters-Golden M, Lukacs NW, Huffnagle GB. Leptin-deficient mice exhibit impaired host defense in gram-negative pneumonia. J Immunol 2002;168:4018–4024. 12. Mancuso P, Peters-Golden M, Goel D, Goldberg J, Brock TG, Greenwald-Yarnell M, Myers MG Jr. Disruption of leptin receptorSTAT3 signaling enhances leukotriene production and pulmonary host defense against pneumococcal pneumonia. J Immunol 2011;186: 1081–1090. 13. Sutherland ER, Goleva E, Strand M, Beuther DA, Leung DY. Body mass and glucocorticoid response in asthma. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2008;178:682–687. 14. Sutherland ER, Goleva E, King TS, Lehman E, Stevens AD, Jackson LP, Stream AR, Fahy JV. Cluster analysis of obesity and asthma phenotypes. PLoS ONE 2012;7:e36631. 15. Williams AS, Chen L, Kasahara DI, Wurmbrand AP, Shore SA. Obesity and airway responsiveness: role of TNFR2. Pulm Pharmacol Ther 2012; Epub ahead of print. 16. Shore SA, Schwartzman IN, Mellema MS, Flynt L, Imrich A, Johnston RA. Effect of leptin on allergic airway responses in mice. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2005;115:103–109. 17. Huang K, Rabold R, Abston E, Schofield B, Misra V, Galdzicka E, Lee H, Biswal S, Mitzner W, Tankersley CG. Effects of leptin deficiency on postnatal lung development in mice. J Appl Physiol 2008;105:249–259. 18. Kirwin SM, Bhandari V, Dimatteo D, Barone C, Johnson L, Paul S, Spitzer AR, Chander A, Hassink SG, Funanage VL. Leptin enhances lung maturity in the fetal rat. Pediatr Res 2006;60:200–204. 19. Jain M, Budinger GR, Lo A, Urich D, Rivera SE, Ghosh AK, Gonzalez A, Chiarella SE, Marks K, Donnelly HK, et al. Leptin promotes fibroproliferative acute respiratory distress syndrome by inhibiting peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2011;183:1490–1498.
A discussion on bullying and cyberbullying : An introduction by the editor

Recently this journal published a special issue on cyberbullying, which is ‘‘. voluntary and repeated assaults against a person through electronic means’’ (Menesini & Spiel, 2012). Researchers refer to this with terms like cyberbullying (as the editors of the issue prefer), electronic bullying, or internet bullying. Cyberbullying gets a lot of attention these days, as many people and researchers believe that ‘‘. cyberbullying represents a threatening experience among young people in different Western countries’’. The special issue offers a wealth of new research data and interpretations: longitudinal data (Kostas, Demetriou, & Hawa, 2012); false memories in relation to traditional and cyberbullying (Vannucci, Nocentini, Mazzoni, & Menesini, 2012); a comparison of cyberbullying and traditional bullying in adolescence (Perren & Gutzwiller-Helfenfinger, 2012); direct and indirect effects on self-control in adolescents of 25 European countries (Vazsonyi, Machackova, Sevcikova, Smahel, & Cerna, 2012); cyber-victimization and popularity in early adolescence (Gradinger, Strohmeier, Schiller, Stefanek, & Spiel, 2012); feelings of remorse in cyberbullies (Slonje, Smith, & Frisen, 2012); the stressfulness of on-line victimization (Staude-Müller, Hansen, & Voss, 2012), and the relation between mental health and cyber-victimization (Dooley, Shaw, & Cross, 2012). From conference discussions, like the 15th European Conference on Developmental Psychology held in Bergen, 23–27 August 2011, it became clear to me that the father of bullying research, Dan Olweus, had reservations as to the specialty of this new form of bullying. I asked him politely to write a paper with his views on cyberbullying. Happily enough he was prepared to do so. This invited paper, with the challenging title ‘‘Cyberbullying: An overrated phenomenon? ’’ (Olweus, 2012a, this issue), is so clearly meant as a contribution to the scientific discussion on cyberbullying, that we have called it a ‘‘Discussion paper’’. Olweus explains that claims about cyberbullying in the media are greatly exaggerated; he demonstrates that cyberbullying is a low-prevalence phenomenon, and that it has not made new victims and bullies who are not also involved in some form of traditional bullying. And Olweus recommends that schools should still EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY 2012, 9 (5), 517–519
Developing the management standards approach within the context of common health problems in the workplace: a Delphi study

The primary objective of the research reported here is to provide evidence, arguments and recommendations in relation to the development of a more unified framework for the Health & Safety Executive’s programme on ‘Health, Work and Wellbeing’. Essentially, it is to answer the key question ‘can the Management Standards approach be used more widely to address the most common health problems at work? ’ In order to answer this question, a better understanding of the current strengths and weaknesses of the Management Standards approach and its potential had to be developed. The identified information needs have been addressed using a Delphi methodology, framed by a focussed review of the relevant scientific and professional literatures, to elicit, harvest and explore expert knowledge in this area. The programme of work took six months to complete starting in March 2008 and finishing in September 2008. This report and the work it describes were funded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Its contents, including any opinions and/or conclusions expressed, are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect HSE policy.
Infrared Studies of Surface Acidity and Reversible Folding in Palygorskite

The infrared absorption spectra of a palygorskite sample from Cáceres, Spain, showed two previously unreported bands in the OH-stretching region at 3420–3440 and 3220–3230 cm−1 after evacuation at 90°–230°C. These bands, which reached maximum intensity after the sample was heated at 150°C, were assigned to OH in the $$\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} H \\: \\ {Si - O - Si\,and\,} \\ \end{array}\begin{array}{*{20}{c}} H \\: \\ {Si - O - A1} \\ \end{array}$$ groups, respectively. To characterize the nature of these OH groups, pyridine was adsorbed on the sample. The resultant spectra suggest that at 150°C the palygorskite folded and OH groups protonated, resulting in the formation of a deformed pyridinium ion between 150° and 290°C. A high concentration of thermally stable Lewis-acid sites on the surface of the palygorskite was also noted.
X Electronic Structure of Fluorinated Carbon Nanotubes

Chemical functionalization of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), i.e., attachment of individual atoms/molecules or their aggregates to CNTs, can extend the field of application of these nanosystems in nanoelectronics, sensorics, hydrogen power engineering, bioengineering, medicine, etc. (Dresselhaus & Dresselhaus, 2001; Burghard, 2005). In this respect, the fluorination of CNTs is of special interest because the fluorination results in a considerable decrease in the chemical inertness of the initial systems. Therefore, the fluorination is considered as a promising technological process for the first stage of the CNT chemical functionalization (Mickelson et al., 1998; Mickelson et al., 1999; Khabashesku et al., 2002; Lee, 2007). However, carbon materials react with fluorine over a wide range of external conditions. Consequently, the chemical composition, as well as the atomic and electronic structures of fluorinated carbon nanotubes (F-CNTs), depends substantially on the structure and properties of the initial materials and fluorination conditions, such as the reaction temperature and duration, the presence of catalysts, pressure, and concentration of fluorinating reactants (Touhara & Okino, 2000). All these factors need comprehensive investigations of fluorination products by different experimental methods. Fitting of fluorination conditions that are necessary to perform the preset controllable restructuring of the CNT electronic structure remains at present the most topical problem of the carbon nanomaterial chemistry. Therefore, their atomic and electronic structures have been studied by using a limited number of experimental techniques. First and foremost, these are different microscopic techniques ensuring their visualization (Mickelson et al., 1998; Mickelson et al., 1999; Khabashesku et al., 2002; Lee, 2007; Touhara & Okino, 2000), Hamwi et al., 1997; Yudanov et. al., 2002; Hayashi et al., 2002; Lee et al., 2003), x-ray diffraction methods characterizing the degree of F-CNT crystallinity (Hamwi et al., 1997; Yudanov et. al., 2002) UV spectroscopy (Mickelson et al., 1999), Raman spectroscopy (Mickelson et al., 1998; Mickelson et al., 1999; Khabashesku et al., 2002; Lee, 2007; Touhara & Okino, 2000; Hamwi et al., 1997; Lee et al., 2003) and C 1s and F 1s core-level x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) (Touhara & Okino, 2000; Hamwi et al., 1997; Lee et al., 2003; An et al, 2002) which provide information on the nature of chemical bonding between 4
The Impact of Ownership Structure on Voluntary Corporate Disclosure in Annual Reports: Evidence from Fiji

The extent of voluntary corporate disclosure by companies in annual reports in recent years has increased due to various factors. A number of prior studies examined the relationship between ownership concentration and voluntary corporate disclosure. Their findings suggest there is less voluntary corporate disclosure in family owned and high shareholder concentrated firms. On the other hand, companies with low shareholder concentration are likely to have more voluntary corporate disclosure because of the principal to agent relationship. Though studies have examined the impact of ownership structure on the extent of voluntary disclosure, there is still a need to investigate the issue in the Pacific Island countries, such as Fiji. The ownership structure of the companies in Fiji is highly concentrated. This paper examines the relationship between ownership structure and the extent of voluntary corporate disclosure in annual reports of listed companies in Fiji. A content analysis approach suggests how the ownership structure affects the extent of voluntary corporate disclosure in Fiji.
Marketing communications: Factors influencing brand loyalty of internet service provider

This research investigates the relationship between marketing communications and customer loyalty of the home Internet users in Southern Thailand. This study looks into addressing the factors that influence brand loyalty intentions of the home Internet users. This research is based on the premise that brand personality, brand image and brand awareness are created either by direct company communication mix or indirect contact with the consumers both of which influences the perception of consumer expectation while at the same time reinforcing brand trust. Exploratory research finds that, consumers will be satisfied with the brand if the brand can fulfil its promises and expectations that the consumers have of its brand and products. In return, high consumer satisfaction will augment the level of brand trust and brand value, eventually affecting brand loyalty. Track: Brands & Brand Management INTRODUCTION The main thrust of this research is to develop a framework that can be empirically tested in order to determine the factors that influence brand loyalty in the ISP home use market in Southern Thailand. The National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre of Thailand (NECTEC, 2010) notes that there was a growth in Internet users by 13.7% between 2008 and 2009, and 84.68% growth between 2005 and 2009. At the same time, there have been a high number of home Internet users switching their service providers each year in Southern Thailand (Thaichon, Lobo & Mitsis, 2012). This research provides an opportunity for ISPs in Southern Thailand to understand factors that influences brand loyalty, which in turn can lead to customer retention in the competitive home Internet service market and subsequently increase their market share through a more loyal customer base. This research addresses the following question: “What are the factors that influence brand loyalty (retention) of home Internet users in Southern Thailand? ” and “What are the effects of marketing communications on brand loyalty (retention)? ” LITERATURE REVIEW Growing market competition has resulted in an increasing focus on customers and how to maintain the current customer base (Hong & John, 2010). Business performance improves as the number of loyal consumers increases (Jahanzeb, Fatima & Khan, 2011). Customer retention is very important and becomes the main concern of many businesses (Flint, Blocker & Boutin, 2011), especially when a lot of companies are facing costly customer acquisition (Abdolvand, Charkari & Mohammadi, 2006) and high customer turnover rate (Spiller, Vlasic & Yetton, 2007). Recruiting new customers cannot guarantee long-term success for a company especially when that company cannot retain its customers (Wang & Wu, 2012).
Effect of Corporate Tax on FDI Inflows and Stock

Effect of Corporate Tax on FDI Inflows and Stock The Foreign Direct Investment means “cross border investment made by a resident in one economy in an enterprise in another economy, with the objective of establishing a lasting interest in the investee economy. FDI is also described as “investment into the business of a country by a company in another country”. Mostly the investment is into production by either buying a company in the target country or by expanding operations of an existing business in that country”. Such investments can take place for many reasons, including to take advantage of cheaper wages, special investment privileges (e.g. tax exemptions) offered by the country. An objective of the study is, to empirically examine the impact of corporatetax on the FDI inflows and stock into countries with high income levels for the period from 2004 to 2016. Study has used panel regression equation through software Eviews 8 and Stat 13. For high income countries in model 1, study found that corporate tax rates have no effect on FDI inflows. GDP, GDP per capita and FDI openness have positive impact on FDI inflows. For the model 2 of high income countries, study found that corporate tax rates do affect FDI stock. FDI stock displays positive relationship with FDI openness and GDP per capita. KeywordsCorporate Tax Rate, GDP, Panel regressionand FDI
Pollination Habit of Avocado Cultivars in South Florida

Avocado flowering is synchronously dichogamous in two separate floral openings. Stigmas tend to desiccate during the second opening and avocado pollen has been perceived to be sticky. It has thus been assumed that flowers are pollinated by flying insects only during the first floral opening. Although caged tree investigations have supported such a conclusion, few studies have tested this assumption directly. Pollination habits of avocado cultivars grown in South Florida have been investigated for five consecutive years since the initial observations that greater than 90% of pollen deposition was occurring during the second opening in several cultivars. The observations were subsequently verified using cheesecloth bags and insecticides to prevent pollination by flying insects, such as bees and wasps, and by small, less mobile insects, such as flower thrips, during either opening. Contrary to the conclusions of others, we have found that 1) pollen generally dries and is dispersed within one hour after dehiscence of anthers, 2) that a substantial number of stigmas are apparently receptive to this pollen during the second floral opening, and 3) that insects are not necessary for this transfer. All results indicate that wind is the primary vector transferring pollen to stigmas within flowers during the second opening. Ample fruit set in six cultivars studied thus far appears to result from self-pollination. Insects appear to play a minor role in both cross- and self- pollination in Florida avocados. The flowering behavior of avocados was first examined in the early 1920's by B. S. Nirody (1922) and A. B. Stout (1923). At that time, it was discovered that flowers were synchronously dichogamous, opening twice each for approximately half a day. The first opening was classified female since no pollen was present. The second opening, which occurs on the following day, was classified male. Pollen was released during this opening, but the stigmas typically were desiccated, making it difficult for pollen tubes to germinate or grow. These observations led to the conclusion that self pollination within flowers was unlikely. Cross pollination between complementary flowering cultivars, A and B, was considered the most likely method of pollination. Type A cultivars display female flowers in the morning hours and male flowers during the afternoon of the next day. Type B cultivars display female flowers in the afternoon of the first day and male flowers during the morning of the second. Pollination between flowers within the same tree or cultivars is also possible when flower openings overlap during low night and warm day temperature conditions. Details of these flowering events and their implications have been fully reviewed by Bergh (1976) and Davenport (1986).
Investigating the mechanism by which the atypical antipsychotic clozapine reduces disease in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system characterized by damage to the myelin sheaths that surround nerve axons. Inflammatory damage to the myelin sheath leads to severe physical disability in patients. Whereas approved disease modifying treatments are available for relapsing-remitting forms of MS, there are no approved treatments for the progressive stages, leaving approximately 50% of MS sufferers without treatment. Therefore, there is an urgent need for development of effective alternatives. Atypical antipsychotic agents used for treating schizophrenia have recently been recognized for their immune-modifying properties and our laboratory has shown previously that treating mice with risperidone or clozapine reduces the severity of disease in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model for MS. Although atypical antipsychotic agents like clozapine have been used in the clinic for almost 60 years, there is very little experimental data that describes the mechanism by which atypical antipsychotic agents like clozapine are able to modify the immune response. This thesis aimed to describe the immunological mechanisms by which clozapine is able to reduce EAE disease and to determine the underlying cellular signalling alterations that occur during treatment to facilitate immune modifying properties. In vitro experiments showed that clozapine can impair induction of Th1 and Th17 cells while promoting the differentiation of iTreg and increasing Foxp3 expression. However, although clozapine effectively delayed disease onset and reduced the severity of EAE, the therapeutic effect of clozapine was not associated with impaired capacity to induce antigen specific Th1 or Th17 responses in the periphery. Moreover, Treg function was dispensable for disease protection by clozapine. Instead, disease protection by clozapine was associated with a suppressed state of activation in CNS resident microglia and infiltrating monocytes assessed by flow cytometric measurement of activation associated receptor expression. In vitro experiments using primary macrophage cell culture revealed that clozapine can alter the activation of activated macrophages towards a less inflammatory state directly. Interestingly, the altered state of activation in primary macrophages was not associated with detectable changes in cell signalling pathways known to mediate activation. This thesis demonstrated that clozapine treatment protects from EAE by a multi-faceted immunological mechanism that likely involves modifying multiple pathways and cell types during EAE and may be of therapeutic benefit to MS patients in the progressive stages of disease. Finally, this thesis also has relevance to psychiatry as it demonstrates that clozapine has potential to alter cellular immune responses.
Implementation and Analysis of Real-time Object Tracking on the Starburst MPSoC

Computer vision has experienced many advances over the recent years. As such, it started to rapidly find its way into many commercial and industrial applications, with the disciplines of visual object detection and tracking being most prominent. A good example of computer vision being applied in practice, is the social network and website Facebook, where advanced object detection algorithms are utilized to detect and recognize people and in particular -- their faces. One of the main reasons for the rapid expansion of computer vision in practice, is the ever emerging new computing platforms, such as the cloud service, capable to handle the complex mathematics involved in analyzing and extracting information from images. Despite its advances however, computer vision is still in its early stages of establishing a solid foothold in the world of embedded systems. Specifically, systems which are subjected to real-time constraints, with restricted computational resources, are struggling the most. Thus the usage of modern visual object detection and tracking algorithms in safety critical embedded systems is still more or less restricted. Fortunately, this is starting to change with newly developed embedded computer architectures, which employ application specific hardware to perform the task of computer vision more efficiently. In this thesis, two state-of-the-art computer vision algorithms in the form of HOG-SVM detection and Particle filter tracking, are explored and evaluated on a real-time embedded MPSoC, called Starburst. Eventually, it can be shown that these two seemingly ``difficult'' algorithms, not only can satisfy certain real-time constraints, but also achieve a high throughput on an embedded system such as Starburst. To accomplish this, the thesis contributes with a powerful real-time hardware architecture of the HOG object detector, and a software based multiple processor object tracking framework, based on the Particle filter. Both implementations are evaluated and tested on Starburst, to determine their respective real-time capabilities and whether imposed throughput constraints can be satisfied. Additionally, the functional behavior and accuracy of the implementations is also analyzed, but not to a full extent, since both algorithms are widely studied and documented in modern literature. The focus of this research is thus mainly on the temporal behavior.