Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Impact of China’s WTO Accession on Foreign Ownership

During the 1990s, rapid growth in China was accompanied by strong growth in foreign direct investment (FDI). FDI continued to grow until 1997 when it leveled off. Overall total investment fell as direct investment leveled off and portfolio investment fell after 1997. In terms of total foreign investment, it is clear that in 1998, under the shadow of the East Asian Crisis, China fell out of favour. Attempts by China to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO) have recently progressed to the final stages with the signing of agreements with the United States, Europe and Japan. It is hoped that China’s accession to the WTO will accelerate changes in China towards a market economy and attract foreign investment back to China. In this paper we explore the implications of WTO accession for market rates of return and hence on investment in China using the dynamic GTAP model. The paper also takes into account duty drawbacks and examines the effect of replacing lost tariff revenue resulting from the reduction of tariffs. The affects of this on China and on investment are investigated in this paper. It is found that the effect of accession on interest rates can play an important role in enhancing China’s attractiveness as a destination for foreign investment. This increase in the attractiveness of China as a destination for foreign capital can, however, be severely curtailed if China chooses to follow a policy of replacing lost tariff revenue with additional income taxes.
A super wideband circular-shaped fractal antenna loaded with concentric hexagonal slots

This article presents a super wideband (SWB) circular-shaped fourth iterative fractal antenna loaded with concentric hexagonal slots. A tapered microstrip feed and a partial ground plane is used. It has a total size of 40 × 27 × 1.6 mm3. Numerical results of the antenna show that it provides a bandwidth from 1.43 GHz to more than 40 GHz (percentage bandwidth greater than 186%) with a bandwidth ratio of approximately greater than 28:1 for S11 < -10 dB. A prototype of the proposed antenna has been fabricated and its performances are measured up to 15 GHz. A good agreement is achieved between the numerical and experimental reflection coefficient, VSWR and input impedance. Measured radiation patterns at different frequencies and simulated peak gain are presented and discussed. It has the advantages of super wide bandwidth and compact size. The developed antenna is suitable for various wireless communications such as GPS, GSM, UMTS, ISM and UWB.
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha 308G . A polymorphism and risk of rheumatic heart disease: a meta-analysis

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remains a serious cardiovascular disorder across the world. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF- a ) codifies a potent immunomodulator and pro-inflammatory cytokine that mediates diverse pathological processes. A promoter 308G . A polymorphism in TNF- a has been implicated in RHD risk. However, the results remain controversial. Therefore, to evaluate more precise estimations of the relationship, a meta-analysis was performed. A total of 7 studies including 735 RHD cases and 926 controls were involved in this meta-analysis. Overall, our results revealed that there was a significant association with RHD risk in three genetic models (homozygous model: OR 5 3.06, 95%CI 5 1.22–10.60, P 5 0.020; dominant model, OR 5 2.03, 95%CI 5 1.01–4.07, P 5 0.048; and recessive model, OR 5 4.26, 95%CI 5 2.41–7.55, P , 0.001). Further ethnic population analysis found a significantly increased risk of RHD among Asians and Europeans. Interestingly, similar results were found among hospital-based studies. Begg’s funnel plot and Egger’s test did not reveal any publication bias. Taken together, this meta-analysis demonstrates that the TNF- a 308G . A polymorphism is associated with RHD susceptibility, and it contributes to the increased risk of RHD. However, additional well-designed studies with larger samples are warranted to confirm these findings.
Determinants of Change in Air-Bone Gap and Bone Conduction in Patients Operated on for Chronic Otitis Media

Background Middle ear surgery aims to eliminate pathology from the middle ear, improve drainage and ventilation of the postoperative cavity, and reconstruct the tympanic membrane and ossicles. The aim of this work is to define the factors that affect ABG (air-bone gap) and bone conduction in the patients operated on due to chronic otitis media. Material/Methods A prospective analysis of patients operated on due to diseases of the middle ear during 2009–2012 was carried out. The cases of patients operated on for the first time due to chronic otitis media were analyzed. The analysis encompassed patients who had undergone middle ear surgery. The patients were divided into several groups taking into account the abnormalities of the middle ear mucous and damage of the ossicular chain observed during otosurgery. Results A significant hearing improvement was observed in patients with type 2 tympanoplasty in the course of chronic cholesteatoma otitis media and in patients with simple chronic inflammatory process in whom a PORP was used in the reconstruction. Granulation tissue was an unfavorable factor of hearing improvement following tympanoplasty. A significant improvement of bone conduction was observed in the patients with dry perforation without other lesions in the middle ear. The elimination of granulation lesions was a positive factor for the future improvement of the function of the inner ear. Conclusions The presence of granuloma-related lesions in the middle ear spaces is likely to impede hearing improvement. Damage to the ossicular chain rules out the possibility of bone conduction improvement after surgery. The prognosis on tube-related simple chronic otitis media after myringoplasty, with the preserved continuity of the ossicular chain, consists of closing the ABG and leads to significant improvement of bone conduction.
The Informational Content of Empirical Measures of Real Interest Rate and Output Gaps for the United Kingdom

In many economies, the monetary policy instrument is the level of short-term nominal interest rates, but the monetary policy stance might be better characterised by the ex-ante real interest rate that this nominal rate implies, relative to some 'neutral' or 'natural' real rate of interest. In this paper, the natural rate of interest and the real interest rate gap - the difference between the actual and the natural real rate of interest - are estimated by applying Kalman filtering techniques to a small-scale macroeconomic model of the UK economy. In this model, the real interest rate gap, the output gap and inflation are related via IS-curve and Phillips-curve relationships. The natural rate of interest is defined as the level of (ex-ante) real interest rates that is consistent with an output gap of zero, that is output at its natural level, in the medium term. Based on these estimates, the paper examines whether empirical measures of the real interest rate gap are a useful tool for policymakers - do they contain additional information relative to the estimated output gap, and does the real rate gap have leading indicator properties for the output gap and inflation? Are these gap estimates of practical use in a policy setting? The paper finds that the real rate gap has leading indicator properties for both the output gap and inflation. Importantly, these properties have varied considerably over time: breaking the sample into four subsamples, it appears that the leading indicator properties for both the output and real rate gap were substantially stronger for the subsample that covers most of the 1980s. After the introduction of the inflation target, post 1992, the relationship between the real interest rate gap and the output gap strengthens, but the leading indicator properties of these gaps for inflation diminish, as might be expected under an inflation-targeting regime.
A 1.94 to 2.55 GHz, 3.6 to 4.77 GHz Tunable CMOS VCO Based on Double-Tuned, Double-Driven Coupled Resonators

This paper presents a multi-band CMOS VCO using a double-tuned, current-driven transformer load. The dual frequency range oscillator is based on enabling/disabling the driving current in the secondary port of the transformer. This approach eliminates the effect of switches connected directly to the VCO tank whose capacitance and on-resistance affect both the tuning range and the phase noise of a typical multi-band oscillator. The relation between the coupling coefficient of the transformer load, selection of frequency bands, and the resulting quality factor at each band is investigated. The concept is validated through measurement results from a prototype fabricated in 0.25 ¿m CMOS technology. The VCO has a measured tuning range of 1.94 to 2.55 GHz for the low frequency range and 3.6 to 4.77 GHz for the high frequency range. It draws a current of 1 mA from 1.8 V supply with a measured phase noise of -116 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset from a 2.55 GHz carrier. For the high frequency band, the VCO draws 10.1 mA from the same supply with a phase noise of -122.8 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset from a 4.77 GHz carrier.
Tribological Properties of the Lubricant Containing Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles as an Additive

To improve the oil-solubility of nanoparticles, a new technology was used to prepare a kind of lubricant containing titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles. The microstructures of the prepared nanoparticles were characterized via transmission electron microscope (TEM) and infrared spectroscopy (IR). Tribological properties of TiO2 nanoparticles used as an additive in base oil were evaluated using four-ball tribometer and ball-on-disk tribometer. In addition, the worn surface of the steel ball was investigated via polarized microscopy (PM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The TiO2 nanoparticles can be completely well-dispersed in the base oil under a new process (NP), which has no significantly negative effect on the anti-oxidation property. The results of the tribological tests show that TiO2 nanoparticles under the NP show a better anti-wear property and friction-reducing property in base oil compared to TiO2 nanoparticles under the tradition process (TP). The main aim of this paper lies in solving with the oil-solubility problem through the combination effect of surface modification and special blend process of lubricating oil. This method was first used to prepare lubricant containing TiO2 nanoparticles and then used as additives in engine oil, gear oil, and other industrial lubricants. At the same time, tribological properties of TiO2 nanoparticles in base oil as a lubricating additive were also studied.
Problem-Focused Coping Mediates the Effect of Subclinical Trauma Symptoms in Returning Service Members on Psychological Distress in Their Civilian Partners

Service members’ subclinical trauma symptoms predict psychological adjustment difficulties in their civilian partners. Few studies, however, have explored processes that underlie this effect. Whether the relationship between service members’ subclinical trauma symptoms and civilian partners’ psychological distress occurs indirectly via coping behaviors was explored here. A total of 52 service members and their civilian partners completed online surveys. Service members answered questions on military variables and subclinical trauma. Civilian partners answered questions on problem-focused (PF) and disengaged coping, and psychological distress. Civilian partners of service members reporting greater subclinical trauma symptoms used fewer PF coping behaviors, and this predicted increased psychological distress. These findings provide a likely target for intervention; increasing PF coping might mitigate psychological distress in civilian partners of trauma-affected service members.
Cell Biology and Ethics: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Anatomists in India

Most scientific discoveries and advancements have occurred in the world in the last century. Both developed and developing countries are the beneficiaries of the new scientific knowledge and its application. Advanced knowledge and the ethical issues are inseparable from research, treatment, prophylaxis and prevention involving human diseases. It is necessary to make well informed decisions about acceptance of advancements that have taken place elsewhere and also prepare systems for our research and medical education. Bioethics therefore needs to be grounded in the local socio cultural context and health care systems. Students make first contact with human biological tissue in the Anatomy department. The seeds of ethical practices and professionalism are sown here. Therefore appropriate knowledge and attitudes of anatomists and cell biologists towards human tissue is important for regular practice of medicine. A questionnaire based study of knowledge and attitudes of 300 anatomy faculty related to use of human biological materials in research and education was conducted. The items included in the questionnaire were to judge the awareness about the same i.e., laboratory handling of human material and research related to corpses, organ & whole body donation along with their use in clinical learning and research in various medical specialties like, orthopedics, surgery, ENT, anesthesia etc. for clinicians, physicians and surgeons as well as undergraduate, post graduate and allied workforce teaching. The data collected from the respondents in the form of positive and negative responses was analyzed. The study identifies the knowledge gaps and the perceptions of faculty regarding the scope and utility of understanding the role of human biological tissues in curriculum and research and transmission of message to the next generation of learners.
Indeterminacy with Inflation-Forecast-Based Rules in a Two-Bloc Model

We examine the performance of forward-looking inflation-forecast-based rules in open economies. In a New Keynesian two-bloc model, a methodology first employed by Batini and Pearlman (2002) is used to obtain analytically the feedback parameters/horizon pairs associated with unique and stable equilibria. Three key findings emerge: First, indeterminacy occurs for any value of the feedback parameter on inflation if the forecast horizon lies too far into the future. Second, the problem of indeterminacy is intrinsically more serious in the open economy. Third, the problem is compounded further in the open economy when central banks respond to expected consumer, rather than producer price inflation.
Latent space domain transfer between high dimensional overlapping distributions

Transferring knowledge from one domain to another is challenging due to a number of reasons. Since both conditional and marginal distribution of the training data and test data are non-identical, model trained in one domain, when directly applied to a different domain, is usually low in accuracy. For many applications with large feature sets, such as text document, sequence data, medical data, image data of different resolutions, etc. two domains usually do not contain exactly the same features, thus introducing large numbers of "missing values" when considered over the union of features from both domains. In other words, its marginal distributions are at most overlapping. In the same time, these problems are usually high dimensional, such as, several thousands of features. Thus, the combination of high dimensionality and missing values make the relationship in conditional probabilities between two domains hard to measure and model. To address these challenges, we propose a framework that first brings the marginal distributions of two domains closer by "filling up" those missing values of disjoint features. Afterwards, it looks for those comparable sub-structures in the "latent-space" as mapped from the expanded feature vector, where both marginal and conditional distribution are similar. With these sub-structures in latent space, the proposed approach then find common concepts that are transferable across domains with high probability. During prediction, unlabeled instances are treated as "queries", the mostly related labeled instances from out-domain are retrieved, and the classification is made by weighted voting using retrieved out-domain examples. We formally show that importing feature values across domains and latent semantic index can jointly make the distributions of two related domains easier to measure than in original feature space, the nearest neighbor method employed to retrieve related out domain examples is bounded in error when predicting in-domain examples. Software and datasets are available for download.
Role of Hematocrit Concentration on Successful Extubation in Critically Ill Patients in the Intensive Care Units

Background: Hematocrit (Hct) is an important parameter for optimal oxygenation during discontinuation from ventilator, but there is no consensus about its concentration and effectiveness on successful extubation. Objectives: The current study aimed to determine the role of Hct concentration on extubation failure in critically ill patients. Patients and Methods: The current prospective cohort study investigated the effect of age, gender and Hct level on successful extubation of 163 mechanically ventilated patients in Imam Khomeini hospital intensive care units (ICUs), Tehran, Iran. Following successful weaning process, the patients were classified into two groups on the basis of Hct level; 62 with an Hct level of 21% - 27% and the other 101 patients with Hct levels above 27%. The data were analyzed by chi-square test and multiple logistic regressions. A probability value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: There was no significant association between the level of Hct concentration and extubation failure (8.9% vs. 9.2%, P = 0.507). Gender and age were significantly associated with extubation failure (OR = 9.1, P = 0.034, OR = 12.5, P = 0.014, respectively). Although the differences between, before and after extubation of PaO2 and P/F ratio, were of significant values between the two different groups of Hct (P = 0.001, P = 0.004 respectively), they had no effect on the failure of extubation (P= 0.259, P = 0.403, respectively). Conclusions: Although some studies showed association between anemia and extubation failure, the current study could not confirm it. The study showed that males, regardless of the Hct level, had a better extubation success rate than those of females.
Protein Interactions in Xenopus Germ Plasm RNP Particles

Hermes is an RNA-binding protein that we have previously reported to be found in the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particles of Xenopus germ plasm, where it is associated with various RNAs, including that encoding the germ line determinant Nanos1. To further define the composition of these RNPs, we performed a screen for Hermes-binding partners using the yeast two-hybrid system. We have identified and validated four proteins that interact with Hermes in germ plasm: two isoforms of Xvelo1 (a homologue of zebrafish Bucky ball) and Rbm24b and Rbm42b, both RNA-binding proteins containing the RRM motif. GFP-Xvelo fusion proteins and their endogenous counterparts, identified with antisera, were found to localize with Hermes in the germ plasm particles of large oocytes and eggs. Only the larger Xvelo isoform was naturally found in the Balbiani body of previtellogenic oocytes. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) experiments confirmed that Hermes and the Xvelo variants interact in germ plasm, as do Rbm24b and 42b. Depletion of the shorter Xvelo variant with antisense oligonucleotides caused a decrease in the size of germ plasm aggregates and loosening of associated mitochondria from these structures. This suggests that the short Xvelo variant, or less likely its RNA, has a role in organizing and maintaining the integrity of germ plasm in Xenopus oocytes. While GFP fusion proteins for Rbm24b and 42b did not localize into germ plasm as specifically as Hermes or Xvelo, BiFC analysis indicated that both interact with Hermes in germ plasm RNPs. They are very stable in the face of RNA depletion, but additive effects of combinations of antisense oligos suggest they may have a role in germ plasm structure and may influence the ability of Hermes protein to effectively enter RNP particles.
A comparison of two working memory tasks in aphasia

ABSTRACT Background: Overall, there is growing consensus that working memory (WM) should be routinely assessed in individuals with aphasia as it can contribute significantly to their level of language impairment and be an important factor in treatment planning. However, there is still no consensus in the field as to which tasks should be used to assess WM in aphasia. The two main alternatives are adapted complex span tasks and N-back tasks. Both have been used interchangeably in previous studies of WM in aphasia, even though the correspondence between the two tasks has not been properly established. Aims: The current study investigates the relationship between two WM tasks—complex span and N-back tasks—in a large sample of individuals with aphasia. The relationships of these tasks to measures of language comprehension are also explored, as well as differences in performance patterns between individuals with non-fluent and fluent aphasia. Methods & Resources: Forty-four participants with aphasia (non-fluent: n = 27; fluent: n = 13; mixed: n = 4) were examined with a modified listening span task (Ivanova & Hallowell, 2014), an auditory verbal 2-back task, and a standardised Russian language comprehension test. Outcomes & Results: Results revealed a moderate relationship between the two WM measures, but demonstrated a divergence in terms of their relationship to language comprehension. Performance on the modified listening span task was related to language comprehension abilities, but performance on the 2-back task was not, suggesting that the two tasks primarily index different underlying cognitive mechanisms. Furthermore, the relationship between the modified listening span task and language comprehension was significant for individuals with non-fluent aphasia, but not for those with fluent aphasia. Conclusions: Overall, the data demonstrate that while performance of individuals with aphasia was related on the two tasks, the two tasks cannot be substituted for one another without further inquiries into their underlying differences.
Automated Change Planning for Differential Update IT Systems with State Constraint

As the life-cycle of IT systems is getting faster and shorter, the lead time requirements of the deployment for updates have become severe. Provisioning automation tools make it easy to update IT systems, but the update of a large-scale IT systems such as a large enterprise system is still time-consuming. Existing provisioning tools cannot automatically generate update procedures because they cannot take care of the constraints related to the states of the current system. For example, the web service has a constraint that requires both of the modification of the configuration files and the restart of the service for configuration update when the service is in the running state. On the other hand, it requires only the modification of the configuration files when the service is not in the running state. In this paper, we propose a novel declarative component-based model scheme that automatically generates the update procedure from the difference between the current and desired state for IT systems with the aforementioned state constraints. We present the efficiency and effectiveness of our scheme through a case study using the implementation of a prototype.