Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Knowledge-intensive entrepreneurship in Central and Eastern Europe: results of a firm-level survey

New firms formation, as one of the key mechanisms of entrepreneurship, is relatively high in the region though slowing down in all countries in recent years. This dynamism shows two faces. On one hand, we observe very limited KBE, which is confined on few sectors, among which software is the most common. On the other hand, entrepreneurship is very often expression of survival rather than of new opportunities as new firms formation is not followed by investments. In particular, KEINS has explored network requirements in EE Countries for start-up entrepreneurship and for academic entrepreneurship. Indeed, in some sectors conditions for KBE are more favourable than in others i.e. common differences, which arise from low levels of development, are found to be significantly smaller in some sectors than in others. This research has also generated a critical new mass of understanding of KBE in EE so that it will inform EU structural policy.
Thermal Microactuators for Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS)

THERMAL MICROACTUATORS FOR MICROELECTROMECHANCIAL SYSTEMS (MEMS) Rebecca Cragun Department of Mechanical Engineering Master of Science Microactuators are needed to convert energy into mechanical work at the microscale. Thermal microactuators can be used to produce this needed mechanical work. The purpose of this research was to design, fabricate, and test thermal microactuators for use at the microscale in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). The microactuators developed were tested to determine the magnitude of their deflection and estimate their force. Five groups of thermal microactuators were designed and tested. All of the groups used the geometrically constrained expansion of various segments to produce their deflection. The first group, Thermal Expansion Devices (TEDs), produced a rotational displacement and had deflections up to 20 μm. The second group, Bi-directional Thermal Expansion Devices (Bi-TEDs) were similar to the TEDs. The difference, as the name implies, was that the Bi-TEDs deflected up to 6 μm in two directions. Thermomechanical In-plane Micromechanisms (TIMs) were the third group tested. They produced a linear motion up to 20 μm. The fourth group was the Rapid Expansion Bi-directional Actuators (REBAs). These microactuators were bi-directional and produced up to 12 μm deflection in each direction. The final group of thermal microactuators was the Joint Actuating Micromechanical Expansion Systems (JAMESs). These thermal microactuators rotated pin joints up to 8 degrees. The thermal microactuators studied can be used in a wide variety of applications. They can move ratchets, position valves, move switches, change devices, or make connections. The thermal microactuator groups have their own unique advantages. The TIMS can be tailored for the amount of deflection and output force they produce. This will allow them to replace some microactuator arrays and decrease the space used for actuation. The BiTEDs and REBAs are bi-directional and can possibly replace two single direction microactuators. The JAMESs can be attached directly to a pin joint of an existing mechanism. These advantages allow these thermal microactuator groups to be used for a wide variety of applications.
Using external live projects with final year undergraduates

This paper examines a group project module on the final year of an Information Technology degree programme at St Martin’s College, now the University of Cumbria. The paper outlines the nature and purpose of the module and then discusses a research project that has been scrutinising different aspects of the work. It offers some further reflections on how the module is implemented and managed. The paper provides an informal case study of a module that has a clear and explicit employability dimension. It also provides a case study of novice researchers becoming involved in the publication process through reflecting on an aspect of their teaching.
Rehabilitation Robots

In this entry, common robotic architectures employed in rehabilitation robotics are pre-sented, focusing on their speciﬁc strengths and drawbacks, with examples of commercially available devices for each architecture. The main control strategies currently implemented to promote brain plasticity and functional recovery via robot-aided rehabilitation are illustrated. Finally, current trends and future directions in the ﬁeld are discussed.
Systemic Erythropoietin Concentration and its Correlation with Stage of Diabetic Retinopathy

Summary: Background: Erythropoietin (Epo) is one of systemic angiogenic factors, and its role in ocular angiogenesis and in diabetic retinopathy (DR) is not yet fully understood. Latest research data reveal possible correlation of higher EPO concentrations of erythropoietin in blood and in the eye, with more severe of stages of DR. The main aim of this work was to examine the possible influence of serum concentrations of erythropoietin on the development and stages of diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2. Methods: The research involved 90 patients examined at University Eye Clinic in Clinical Center of Vojvodina in Novi Sad, Serbia. First group comprised of 60 patients with diabetes mellitus lasting 10 years or more, with diabetic retinopathy. Second, control group, consisted of 30 healthy individuals. In the first group of 60 diabetic patients, 30 of them had non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), and 30 had proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Laboratory EPO serum levels were determined, and they were correlated to the stage of DR. Concentration of EPO was assessed by ELISA method at the end of the study. Results: The highest average concentration of EPO in serum (9.95 mIU/ml) was determined in group of diabetics with PDR. The lowest average concentration of EPO in serum (6.90 mIU/ml) was found in control group. The average concentration of Epo in serum in group of diabetics with NPDR was 7.00 mIU/ml. EPO concentration in serum was elevated in group of PDR, and it was directly proportional to the level of clinical stadium of PDR, being significantly higher in moderate and severe subgroup of PDR comparing to control healthy subjects, NPDR and mild PDR (h=9.858, p=0.007). Conclusions: Significantly elevated serum concentration of EPO in advanced stages of DR, and positive correlation between EPO serum concentration and clinical stadium of PDR, suggest that erythropoietin presents one of the important growth factors from blood, which plays role in retinal ischemia and angiogenesis in diabetic retinopathy, especially in the proliferative stage of this disease. Keywords: diabetic retinopathy; erythropoietin; glycated hemoglobin; non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy; proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
Immunometabolism: Novel Monitoring and Therapeutic Approach in Transplantation.

T mediation of transplant rejection by allogeneic immune responses remains the main impediment to prolonged graft survival and to the achievement of tolerance. Adequate cell activation and differentiation is required for efficient immune responses to develop, and the balance between regulatory and effector cells serves as a key determinant of transplantation outcome. Understanding of the different signalling pathways and transcriptional patterns which characterize particular immune cell subsets led to the identification of novel targets for the improved monitoring and treatment of transplanted patients. More recently, it has emerged that the reprogramming of complex intracellular metabolic pathways also plays a crucial part in shaping immune cell function. As a consequence, attention has turned toward the interrogation and manipulation of the metabolic status of immune cells with a view to developing novel monitoring tools and therapeutic approaches. Because of their lower metabolic requirements, naive Tcells preferentially rely on glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle for survival. Upon activation, metabolic reprogramming and alterations in nutrient uptake are necessary tomeet the biosynthetic needs associated with cell division and acquisition of effector functions. This early activation is characterized by an increased glycolytic rate, glutamine metabolism, and the pentose phosphate pathway, combined with the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Interestingly, the metabolic programs used by the different T-cell subpopulations appear to have distinct features that are essential to support their lineage reinforcement and function. In broad terms, although effector Tcells with enhanced proliferation, including type 1 and type 17 T helper cells, and cytotoxic cluster of differentiation (CD)8+ T cells, use glycolysis and glutaminolysis to promote proliferation and cytokine production, differentiated regulatory T (Treg) cells and memory CD8+ T cells use the tricarboxylic acid cycle and fatty acid oxidation to enhance their
Electronic institution : an e-contracting platform for virtual organization

Automated tools that assist contract drafting are mostly focused on the representation of contract documents. Multi-agent systems have been applied in the e-business domain, namely for information discovery and contract negotiation. Work on contract monitoring and enforcement is less explored. In this paper we start from these two observations to expose our efforts towards the development of tools that enable the computational representation of contracts and furthermore their monitoring and enforcement. We are mostly interested in Virtual Organization settings, where groups of agents representing different business entities form consortiums that must be regulated by appropriate norms. We are pursuing the concept of an Electronic Institution as a platform providing a normative environment and a set of e-contracting related services. Within this environment, contracts are represented through norms.
DETERMINATION OF SERO-PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS OF BOVINE VIRAL DIARRHEA VIRUS (BVDV) IN BOVINE POPULATION FROM SOUTHERN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

The paper was presented ABSTRACT Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) is an infectious disease of cattle and buffaloes, caused by bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and is distributed worldwide. BVDV leads to considerable economic losses and causes productive and reproductive problems. In this study, sero-prevalence and risk factors associated with BVDV in dairy animals of southern Punjab, Pakistan were determined. Three main Divisions of Southern Punjab including Bahawalpur, Multan and Dera Ghazi khan having a high density of animals, were selected for sampling. The farms having some reproductive problems were targeted for the collection of samples. Sample size was calculated by using Thrushfield formula assuming 50% prevalence of BVDV. In this study, a total of 719 samples from cattle (n=651) and buffaloes (n=68) were taken from 40 different dairy herds and processed for the presence of antibodies against BVDV through antibody capture ELISA. Out of all processed samples, overall, 18.77% positivity against BVDV was observed. Out of cattle samples (n=651), 19.81% (129/651) animals showed seroconversion against BVDV and 8.82% (6/68) in buffaloes, respectively. In study, various risk factors associated with BVD such as entry of new animals, biosecurity, herd size and abortion were evaluated using odds ratio. It was interesting to note that only the entry of newly purchased animals showed a positive association with BVDV. The study concluded that BVDV is circulating in dairy animals of southern Punjab, Pakistan, and there is a need to test the status of newly purchased animals for BVDV before their entry in the farms.
Biological Performance of a Bioabsorbable Magnesium–Magnesium Phosphate Cement Interbody Fusion Cage in a Porcine Lumbar Interbody Fusion Model: a Feasibility Study

Background Magnesium phosphate cement (MPC) is a novel biodegradable bone adhesive. The major drawback of the Magnesium phosphate cement (MPC) cage for implantation is its high brittleness. The magnesium was presumed to compensate for the lack of toughness in the MPC cage. The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of a bioabsorbable cage consisting of magnesium and magnesium phosphate cement (MPC) in a porcine lumbar interbody fusion model. Methods Twelve male Ba-Ma mini pigs underwent lumbar discectomy and fusion with an Mg-MPC cage or a PEEK cage at the L3/L4 and L4/L5 level. Computed tomography (CT) scans were made to evaluate the distractive property by comparing average disc space height (DSH) before and at 6, 12, and 24 weeks after the operation. After the lumbar spines were harvested at 6 or 24 weeks after the operation, micro-CT examination was conducted to analyze the fusion rate, and stiffness of motion segments was investigated through mechanical tests. A histological study was performed to evaluate the tissue type in the intervertebral space. Results CT scans showed no significant difference between the two groups in average DSH at each time point. Micro-CT scans revealed an equal fusion rate in both groups (0% at 6 weeks, 83.3% at 24 weeks). Both groups showed time-dependent increases in stability, the Mg-MPC cages achieved an inferior stiffness at 6 weeks and a comparable stiffness at 24 weeks. Histologic evaluation showed the presence of newly formed bone in both groups. However, empty spaces were observed at the interface or around the Mg-MPC cages. Conclusion Compared with the PEEK cages, the Mg-MPC cages achieved comparable distraction, fusion rate, and spinal stability at 24 weeks after the operation. However, due to inferior stiffness at the early stage and fast degradation, further modification of material composition and design are necessary.
Bacterial profile and drug resistance patterns in neonates admitted with sepsis to a tertiary teaching hospital in Ethiopia

Background : Tackling neonatal infections and antibiotic resistance remains a challenge in low-income countries where neonatal mortality is high and antibiotic resistance is growing. The aim of this study was to identify bacterial etiologies and their drug resistance patterns in neonates admitted with diagnosis of sepsis to neonatal intensive care unit at Jimma Medical Center in Ethiopia. Methods : A prospective longitudinal study was conducted from April to October 2018. A total of 313 clinical specimens (211 blood and 102 cerebrospinal fluid) were processed for 238 neonates suspected to have sepsis. Blood culture was done using BD BACTEC FX40 automated system. Bacterial identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing were done according to standard microbiological techniques. Results : Bacterial etiologies were isolated from 62.1% (131/211) and 3.9% (4/102) of blood and cerebrospinal fluid cultures respectively. The predominant bacteria isolated from blood were Coagulase negative Staphylococcus 27.5% (36/131), followed by S. aureus 20.6% (27/131), Klebsiella species 14.5% (19/131), and Acinetobacter species 10.7% (14/131). Nearly 85% of the isolates were multidrug resistant, predominantly observed in Gram-negative bacteria. Among locally available antibiotics, only meropenem for Gram-negatives and vancomycin for Gram-positives were found to be largely effective. Conclusion : Bacterial pathogens identified in the study were highly resistant to available antibiotics. Thus, an effort to reduce neonatal mortality in the setting should focus on improving diagnostics for neonatal infection and containment of antimicrobial resistance.
Injection of Direct-Sequence Spread Spectrum Pilot Tones into Beamline Components as a Means of Downconverter Stabilization and Real-Time Receiver Calibration

Beamline components used for diagnostic elements often rely on thermal stabilization, continual physical maintenance (ie. tuning), and frequent beam-based calibrations to maintain specified performance. Direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) pilot tones injected into a particular element and combined with the beam-derived signal can subsequently be separated and used to assess performance degradation. In addition, the DSSS tone can be used as a real-time calibration signal, without interference to the intended diagnostic signal. This paper demonstrates such a technique in the design of a Beam Current Monitor downconverter system, as an intended upgrade to the CEBAF Beam Loss Accounting system. A brief spread-spectrum primer is included, as well as a description of appropriate spreading codes and their generation.
The Current State of Wireless Information Technology Among Employers of Bowling Green State University Construction Management Students

Dr. Alan Atalah, Advisor Successful implementation of wireless technology in the construction industry has the potential to streamline the building process and improve the service that is delivered to the owners of projects. A need exists for improving access and transfer of digital communication and documentation, regardless of the time or location. Recent developing trends in technology promise to introduce efficiencies that were not previously available within the industry. This study seeks to identify the current state of wireless information technology among employers of Bowling Green State University Construction Management students. The research design analyzed quantitative data from a web-based survey that presented results on views of the current usage and interest in wireless technology as well as an assessment of respondents’ opinions towards wireless technology. 72.1% of respondents had high interest towards using tablet PC’s, smartphones and wireless hotspots. However, email and drawings remain the only information that is accessed by the majority of respondents. While interest levels in wireless technology are high, the results of the research study reveal several areas that need improvement before significant progress is made. Several concerns were outlined that may be preventing adoption including slow download speeds and durability of devices. Respondents who are spending more time per week on their wireless device are able to realize improvements on productivity and customer service skills.
Neuro-Fuzzy Control of Industrial Systems with Actuator Nonlinearities

From the Publisher: About the Author Frank L. Lewis is Associate Director for Research and Head of the Advanced Controls, Sensors, and MEMS Group at the Automation and Robotics Research Institute at the University of Texas at Arlington. Javier Campos is Linux Consultant Engineer at Montavista Software, Inc. in Irving, Texas. Rastko Selmic is DSP Systems Engineer at Signalogic, Inc. in Dallas, Texas.
Pseudo-Random Sequence (PRS) Space-time-modulated Metasurfaces: General Concept and Fundamental Operations

This paper presents the general concept and fundamental operations of a new class of space-time-modulated metasurfaces, viz., space-time metasurfaces modulated by PseudoRandom Sequence (PRS) waveforms. The metasurfaces may be either purely PRS time-modulated or space-time-modulated by a set of orthogonal PRSs. The PRSs are quasi-random periodic sequences with binary values (±1) and exhibit noise-like wideband spectra. The metasurfaces are assumed to operate in the slow time modulation regime, where the time-variance and frequency-dispersion effects are safely decoupled. In this regime, the bit duration of the PRS is much larger than the transient time associated with temporal dispersion, i.e., than the time for the metasurface to reach the steady regimes in each modulation state. PRS space-time-modulated metasurfaces provide many functionalities that complement those of their deterministic-modulation counterparts. In contrast to these metasurfaces, they massively transform the temporal spectrum of the incident waves, hence providing novel encoding and decoding capabilities. The resulting metasurfaces can perform fundamental operations such as spectrum spreading, interference suppression, and row/cell selection, which are described in detail and which lead to applications such as electromagnetic stealth, secure communication, direction of arrival estimation, and spatial multiplexing.
Use of Sorghum

Considerable amounts of sorghwli grain were used by the U.S. breuing industry in 1943 when brewing ma terials were scdrce. Unfortunately, wrghutn was cracked and only partially dchullcd and dcgerminated, so brew. em obtained poorer yields and bitter tasting beers,"' plus other serious deviations in quality.
Analysis and design of integrated electronic circuits

Semiconductors and the p-n Junction Diode The Junction Transistor The Field Effect Transistor Integrated Circuit Fabrication Graphical Analysis Linear Models for Electronic Devices Pulse and Large-Signal Models for Electronic Devices Fundamental Elements of Digital Systems Logic Families Sequential Circuits and Their Design Memories Small-Signal Untuned Amplifiers - Broadband Amplifiers Operational Amplifier Applications Operational Amplifier Circuitry - The Practical Operational Amplifier Untuned Power Amplifiers Feedback Amplifiers Bandpass Amplifiers Oscillators Power Supplies.
The impact of new technologies on the digital generation: a critical analysis and review of policy making in Australia

There has been a rapid increase in the use of digital technology within Australian households in the past decade. In 1998 only 41 per cent of Australian households had Internet access; in 2006 this figure had increased to 60 per cent (ABS, 2006). A further indicator of the rapid spread of up-to-date technology in Australia is the use of broadband connections. In 2005–06, the number of households with broadband Internet connections almost doubled to 2.3 million, reflecting the enthusiasm with which Australian homes have adopted Internet technology. A significant increase in Internet use among children is also evident. In 2006 nearly 92 per cent of children aged five to 14 years used a computer and 65 per cent used the Internet (ABS, 2006). Internet usage appeared to increase with age, from 37 per cent for 5–8 year olds to 88 per cent for 12–14 year olds. Increasing use of digital technology by young people has become an accepted norm in most Australian households.
Characterizing the VAC14 multimeric state

PtdIns(3,5)₂ is involved in a number of cellular processes, such as the regulation of endolysosome morphology and membrane trafficking, autophagy and ion transport. In mammala, PtdIns(3,5)₂ deficiency results in vacuolation most notable in the neurons of the central and peripheral nervous system. This can potentially block the trafficking of neurotransmitters leading to a progression of neurodegeneration diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. PtdIns(3,5)₂ is synthesized by the Fab1/PIKfyve lipid kinase and degraded by the Fig4/Sac3 lipid phosphatase. Fab1 and Fig4 are found in a complex with its regulator, the Fac14/ArPIKfyve adaptor protein. The aim of this study was to identify the multimeric state of recombinant Vac14 in order to help elucidate the importance of the Vac14 multimer in the regulation of PtdIns(3,5)₂. The result of this study indicated that recombinant Vac14 forms a homodimer and/or homotrimer.