Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design and Analysis of CMOS Subharmonic Injection-Locked Frequency Triplers

K- and V-band CMOS differential subharmonic injection-locked frequency triplers (ILFTs) are proposed, analyzed, and designed. Based on the proposed ILFT structure, models for the injection-locking range and the output phase noise are developed. A K-band ILFT is designed and fabricated using 0.18-m standard CMOS technology. The measured injection-locking range is 1092 MHz with a dc power consumption of 0.45 mW and an input injection power of 4 dBm. The harmonic rejection ratios are 22.65, 30.58, 29.29, 40.35 dBc for the first, second, fourth, and fifth harmonics, respectively. The total injection-locking range of the -band ILFT can achieve 3915 MHz when the varactors are used and the dc power consumption is increased to 2.95 mW. A -band ILFT is also designed and fabricated using 0.13-m standard CMOS technology. The measured injection-locking range is 1422 MHz with 1.86-mW dc power consumption and 6-dBm input injection power. The injection-locking range of the proposed ILFT is similar to the tuning range of a conventional varactor-tuned bulk-CMOS voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO). Moreover, the proposed ILFT has a greater output power and a lower dc power consumption level than a VCO. As a result, it is feasible to use the proposed ILFT in low-power millimeter-wave synthesizers.
The Media Politics of Social Protest

The relationship between political agenda building and media agenda building is examined with reference to mobilization of the Spanish antimilitary movement between 1976-1993. Three models of media-state relations are discussed in terms of possible media outcomes of social protest. These models are used to examine political and media agenda building in relation to movement challenges. An analysis of the coverage of the antimilitary movement by three national dailies demonstrates that political opportunity structures shape media opportunity structures. There are, however, small windows of opportunity when the causal effect works in the other direction. Media structures can help a movement open, reset, and sometimes block official policies. Media opportunities, however, do not remain favorable in the long run because government elites can bureaucratize and trivialize movement challenges, thereby reducing their newsworthiness. Institutionalized media abide by journalistic rules that tend to validate the poli.
Experimental identification of unique oxide defect regions by characteristic response of charge pumping

Although multi-frequency charge pumping (MFCP) is a widely used characterization technique to study oxide defects, the range and type of defects probed by the technique awaits conclusive identification. In this paper, we use characteristic response of variable channel length, as well as variable Tcharge-Tdischarge CP experiments to self-consistently isolate and assign specific defect energy regions to CP signals. The results confirm the existence of shallow traps in Al2O3 samples and deep traps in HfO2 bulk oxide, as has been speculated by various research groups in the past. We also provide specific experimental guidelines to identify the most prominent defect region for a given transistor technology. Such identification is essential to correctly interpret CP experiments and decide on optimization schemes for gate stacks.
Estimating Canopy Nitrogen Concentration in Sugarcane Using Field Imaging Spectroscopy

Abstract: The retrieval of nutrient concentration in sugarcane through hyperspectral remote sensing is widely known to be affected by canopy architecture. The goal of this research was to develop an estimation model that could explain the nitrogen variations in sugarcane with combined cultivars. Reflectance spectra were measured over the sugarcane canopy using a field spectroradiometer. The models were calibrated by a vegetation index and multiple linear regression. The original reflectance was transformed into a First-Derivative Spectrum (FDS) and two absorption features. The results indicated that the sensitive spectral wavelengths for quantifying nitrogen content existed mainly in the visible, red edge and far near-infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Normalized Differential Index (NDI) based on FDS (750/700) and Ratio Spectral Index (RVI) based on FDS (724/700) are best suited for characterizing the nitrogen concentration. The modified estimation model, generated by the Stepwise Multiple Linear Regression (SMLR) technique from FDS centered at 410, 426, 720, 754, and 1,216 nm, yielded the highest correlation coefficient value of 0.86 and Root Mean Square Error of the Estimate (RMSE) value of 0.033%N (n = 90) with nitrogen concentration in sugarcane. The results of this research demonstrated that the estimation model developed by SMLR yielded a higher correlation coefficient with nitrogen content
Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Phosphohydrolase Regulates Endoplasmic Reticulum-to-Golgi Trafficking of Ceramide

ABSTRACT Previous studies demonstrated that sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) phosphohydrolase 1 (SPP-1), which is located mainly in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), regulates sphingolipid metabolism and apoptosis (H. Le Stunff et al., J. Cell Biol. 158:1039-1049, 2002). We show here that the treatment of SPP-1-overexpressing cells with S1P, but not with dihydro-S1P, increased all ceramide species, particularly the long-chain ceramides. This was not due to inhibition of ceramide metabolism to sphingomyelin or monohexosylceramides but rather to the inhibition of ER-to-Golgi trafficking, determined with the fluorescent ceramide analog N-(4,4-difluoro-5,7-dimethyl-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene-3-pentanoyl)-d-erythro-sphingosine (DMB-Cer). Fumonisin B1, an inhibitor of ceramide synthase, prevented S1P-induced elevation of all ceramide species and corrected the defect in ER transport of DMB-Cer, readily allowing its detection in the Golgi. In contrast, ceramide accumulation had no effect on either the trafficking or the metabolism of 6-([N-(7-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino]hexanoyl)-sphingosine, which rapidly labels the Golgi even at 4°C. Protein trafficking from the ER to the Golgi, determined with vesicular stomatitis virus ts045 G protein fused to green fluorescent protein, was also inhibited in SPP-1-overexpressing cells in the presence of S1P but not in the presence of dihydro-S1P. Our results suggest that SPP-1 regulates ceramide levels in the ER and thus influences the anterograde membrane transport of both ceramide and proteins from the ER to the Golgi apparatus.
Vitamin E status and quality of life in the elderly: influence of inflammatory processes

Chronic low-grade inflammation is a characteristic of ageing that may lead to alterations in health status and quality of life. In addition to intrinsic biological factors, recent data suggest that poor nutritional habits may largely contribute to this condition. The present study aimed at assessing mental and physical components of quality of life and at determining their relationship to vitamin E status, inflammation and tryptophan (TRP) metabolism in the elderly. Sixty-nine elderly subjects recruited from the Three-City cohort study participated in the study. Quality of life was assessed using the medical outcomes study thirty-six-item short-form health survey (SF-36). Biological assays included the measurement of plasma vitamin E (α-tocopherol), inflammatory markers, including IL-6 and C-reactive protein, and TRP metabolism. Results showed that participants with poor physical health status, as assessed by the SF-36, exhibited lower circulating concentrations of α-tocopherol together with increased concentrations of inflammatory markers. Similarly, poor mental health scores on the SF-36 were associated with lower concentrations of α-tocopherol, but also with decreased concentrations of TRP. These findings indicate that nutritional status, notably as it relates to vitamin E, is associated with immune function and quality of life in the elderly.
Two Gold Return Puzzles

Since the dismantling of the Bretton Woods system, gold has delivered average return comparable to the average return delivered by the aggregate US stock market. This suggests that none of the growth and technological improvement gains accrued to the financiers. In the context of modern asset pricing models, say the CAPM model or the Fama-French three factor model, gold is a risk free asset, as it has no covariation with the risk factors. The large average gold return is a Jensen's alpha not explained by covariation with what modern asset pricing models consider risk factors, i.e., the market, the growth, and the small firms risk factors.
The Impact of Mobile Language Learning (WhatsApp) on EFL Context: Outcomes and Perceptions

Seeking to identify the impact of mobile language learning (WhatsApp) on the achievements of EFL learners, a quasi-experimental design study was applied at Al-Baha University in Saudi Arabia. This study examines the impact of mobile language learning in enhancing EFL students’ English skills ability when learning English as a foreign language context. Particularly, the study intends to investigate the impact of mobile language learning (WhatsApp) in comparison to traditional learning in learning English skills on the achievement of EFL learners. Thus, the participants in this study included 48 male learners, aged 18–22 years, preparatory year at Al-Baha University. The results highlighted that there are significant differences between the mean scores of the EFL learners who were taught English in the Mobile language learning (WhatsApp), and those who were taught English by using the traditional learning (the control group) in the post-test. This difference was in favour of the experimental group. However, the findings revealed that are not statistically significant differences between the EFL learners in the experimental classes and the students in the control groups in their English achievement test score at the pre-test. Furthermore, the results of this research revealed that most EFL learners claimed that they were enthusiastic to join English lessons through WhatsApp groups and expressed the belief that working in a WhatsApp group can boost their motivation and their academic results. Also, most EFL learners highlighted that using mobile language learning method (WhatsApp) enabled them to increase their social skills, confidence, while helping them to create positive relationships with their colleagues and the teacher. However, there were some obstacles and barriers to join WhatsApp learning groups, such as lack of access to the internet and lack of tendency to share and participate in the WhatsApp group.
Differential effect of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS‐III) on the regulation of adult neurogenesis and behaviour

Although it has been postulated that adult neurogenesis, i.e. the generation of functional neurons from progenitor cells in the mammalian brain, is involved in both the pathogenesis of depressive disorders and the therapeutic effect of antidepressant drugs, its regulation is still poorly understood. Nitric oxide, a gaseous messenger molecule, represents a possible modulating agent as it is involved in learning and memory formation as well as synapto‐ and morphogenesis. Here we investigated whether adult neurogenesis is altered in mice lacking endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS‐III). Compared to wild‐type littermates, NOS‐III‐deficient mice showed a significant reduction in neuronal progenitor cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus, suggesting a role for NOS‐III in the stimulation of neuroneogenesis. NeuN, β‐III‐tubulin and GFAP double‐immunolabelling demonstrated that proliferating progenitor cells differentiate preferentially into neurons but not into astrocytes. However, when the survival rate of newly formed cells was examined no difference between wild‐type and NOS‐III knockout mice was found, suggesting that NOS‐III selectively exerts its effects on the proliferation of progenitor cells. This might be mediated by a decrease in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) transcripts in the hippocampus of knockout animals. At the behavioural level, while NOS‐III knockout mice displayed better and faster learning in a learned helplessness paradigm, no depression‐like behaviours were observed. In conclusion, our results indicated that NOS‐III is involved in the proliferation of neuronal progenitor cells, although behavioural analysis does not provide evidence for a pro‐depressive effect of reduced neuroneogenesis.
Preparing an emotionally expressive vocal performance

This paper explores the processes, strategies, and methods used when preparing an expressive vocal performance from the point-of-view of the artist. The study tracked the development and performance preparation of 13 university students studying classical voice performance or music education. Participants were asked to choose one unfamiliar piece from their repertoire and complete three surveys administered at the beginning, middle, and end of their study term. Each survey was geared toward the participants’ level of preparation and pertained to their approaches for learning new repertoire, the application of constructive criticism from peers and instructors, and experiences during and after their initial performance. Unlike studies focussed performance preparations of instrumentalists, this study focussed on singers, and take into account needs specific to singers, i.e. developing skills in emotional connection to text, character development, and emotional communication through body language and facial expression. The results support a three-phase model of skill acquisition marked by a period of introduction and deliberate practice, a middle associative phrase marked by drawing personal connections, and an autonomous phrase marked by performance readiness.
The Value of Improved Public Services: An Application of the Choice Experiment Method to Estimate the Value of Improved Wastewater Treatment Infrastructure in India

In this paper we employ a stated preference environmental valuation technique, namely the choice experiment method, to estimate local public’s willingness to pay (WTP) for improvements in the capacity and technology of a sewage treatment plant (STP) in Chandernagore municipality, located on the banks of the River Ganga in India. A pilot choice experiment study is administered to 150 randomly selected Chandernagore residents and the data are analysed using the conditional logit model with interactions. The results reveal that residents of this municipality are willing to pay significant amounts in terms of higher monthly municipality taxes to ensure the full capacity of the STP is used for primary treatment and the technology is upgraded to enable secondary treatment. Overall, the results reported in this paper supports increased investments to improve the capacity and technology of STPs to reduce water pollution, and hence environmental and health risks that are currently threatening the sustainability of the economic, cultural and religious values this sacred river generates.
TRIS. II. Search for CMB Spectral Distortions at 0.60, 0.82, and 2.5 GHz

With the TRIS experiment we have performed absolute measurements of the sky brightness in a sky circle at δ = + 42° at the frequencies ν = 0.60, 0.82, and 2.5 GHz. In this paper we discuss the techniques used to separate the different contributions to the sky emission and give an evaluation of the absolute temperature of the CMB. For the blackbody temperature of the CMB we get TCMBth = 2.837 ± 0.129 ± 0.066 K at ν = 0.60 GHz, TCMBth = 2.803 ± 0.051−0.300+0.430 K at ν = 0.82 GHz, and TCMBth = 2.516 ± 0.139 ± 0.284 K at ν = 2.5 GHz. The first error bar is statistic (1 σ), while the second one is systematic. These results represent a significant improvement with respect to the previous measurements. We have also set new limits to the free-free distortions, –6.3 × 10−6 < Yff < 12.6 × 10−6, and slightly improved the Bose-Einstein upper limit, |μ| < 6 × 10−5, both at 95% confidence level.
Does a Patient-Managed Insulin Intensification Strategy With Insulin Glargine and Insulin Glulisine Provide Similar Glycemic Control as a Physician-Managed Strategy? Results of the START (Self-Titration With Apidra to Reach Target) Study

OBJECTIVE Diabetes self-management is universally regarded as a foundation of diabetes care. We determined whether comparable glycemic control could be achieved by self-titration versus physician titration of a once-daily bolus insulin dose in patients with type 2 diabetes who are unable to achieve optimal glycemia control with a basal insulin. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Patients with type 2 diabetes, an HbA1c level >7% (53 mmol/mol), and either nocturnal hypoglycemia episodes or an insufficient basal insulin glargine level (with or without oral agents) to achieve a fasting plasma glucose level ≤6 mmol/L (108 mg/dL) were studied. Participants all had bolus insulin glulisine added at breakfast and were allocated to either algorithm-guided patient self-titration or physician titration. The primary outcome was an HbA1c level ≤7% (53 mmol/mol) without severe hypoglycemia. RESULTS After a mean (SD) follow-up of 159.4 days (36.2 days), 28.4% of participants in the self-titration arm vs. 21.2% in the physician titration arm achieved an HbA1c level of ≤7% (53 mmol/mol) without severe hypoglycemia (between-group absolute difference 7.2%; 95% CI −3.2 to 17.7). The lower end of this 95% confidence interval was within the predetermined noninferiority boundary of −5% (P noninferiority = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS In stable patients with type 2 diabetes who are receiving doses of basal insulin glargine who require bolus insulin, a simple bolus insulin patient-managed titration algorithm is as effective as a physician-managed algorithm.
Why firms want to organize efficiently and what keeps them from doing so: Evidence from the for-hire trucking industry

In this paper we integrate content-based predictions of transaction cost economics with processbased predictions of organizational change. Specifically, we predict that poorly aligned firms (according to transaction cost reasoning) realize lower profits than their better-aligned counterparts, and that these firms will attempt to adapt so as to better align their transactions. We then consider a range of organizational factors that influence the level of “adjustment costs” that constrain such adaptation. We find evidence generally consistent with our predictions in a study of the U.S. for-hire interstate trucking industry. We also find that firms that attempt to adjust rapidly have higher exit rates, consistent with structural inertia theory.
Impact of Supply Chain Network Structure on FDI: Theory and evidence

This study investigates how the structure of a supply chain network influences the FDI decisions of firms embedded in the network. We theoretically describe firms' FDI decisions through a coordination game of a fixed network with incomplete information. We show that the network effect in the equilibrium can be represented by Katz-Bonacich centrality. Firms with a larger Katz-Bonacich centrality than other firms are more likely to engage in FDI. We empirically test this prediction with disaggregated inter-firm transaction network data of 115,111 Japanese firms and confirm that the Katz-Bonacich centrality has a significantly positive, robust effect on firms' FDI engagements.
Adaptive mufti-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm

In this article we describe a novel Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) approach to Multi-objective Optimization (MOO) called Adaptive Multi-objective Particle Swarm Optimization (AMOPSO). AMOPSO algorithm's novelty lies in its adaptive nature, that is attained by incorporating inertia and the acceleration coefficient as control variables with usual optimization variables, and evolving these through the swarming procedure. A new diversity parameter has been used to ensure sufficient diversity amongst the solutions of the non dominated front. AMOPSO has been compared with some recently developed multi-objective PSO techniques and evolutionary algorithms for nine function optimization problems, using different performance measures.
On Local α-Times Integrated C-Semigroups

This paper presents several characterizations of a local α-times integrated C-semigroup {T(t);0≤tlτ} by means of functional equation, subgenerator, and well-posedness of an associated abstract Cauchy problem. We also discuss properties concerning the nondegeneracy of T(⋅), the injectivity of C, the closability of subgenerators, the commutativity of T(⋅), and extension of solutions of the associated abstract Cauchy problem.
Self-Affirmation through WeChat Moments

Self-affirmation is helpful for reducing the individual’s defensive response to threats, harvesting and growing from threatening but valuable information. This study examines whether viewing personal WeChat moments is self-affirmative. Browsing WeChat moments of other people that better than yourself will lead to an upward social comparison, but the effect of browsing your own moments is rarely discussed. This study conducts an experiment, and the result proves that browsing WeChat moments is an effective self-affirmation intervention paradigm. The self-affirmation paradigm which is close to daily life deserves further promotion and research.
Evolutionary algorithms and artificial immune systems on a bi-stable dynamic optimisation problem

Dynamic optimisation is an important area of application for evolutionary algorithms and other randomised search heuristics. Theoretical investigations are currently far behind practical successes. Addressing this deficiency a bi-stable dynamic optimisation problem is introduced and the performance of standard evolutionary algorithms and artificial immune systems is assessed. Deviating from the common theoretical perspective that concentrates on the expected time to find a global optimum (again) here the `any time performance' of the algorithms is analysed, i.e., the expected function value at each step. Basis for the analysis is the recently introduced perspective of fixed budget computations. Different dynamic scenarios are considered which are characterised by the length of the stable phases. For each scenario different population sizes are examined. It is shown that the evolutionary algorithms tend to have superior performance in almost all cases.
Self-Efficacy: A Mediating Role in Agricultural Study

Little research is available that describes how tertiary agricultural students cope with their first year university studies. This study attempted to till this void by focusing on self-efficacy, persistence and satisfaction. Structural equation modelling, using AMOS, was employed to test the validity of a model drawing on first year tertiary agricultural students from a rural-based university and an urban-based university. The results of this work show constructs in the model, including self-efficacy, future orientation, and generic skills self-estimates, were key predictors of student persistence and satisfaction.