Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hybrid Integration of a Low-Voltage, High-Current Power Supply Buck Converter With an LTCC Substrate Inductor

Miniaturization of hybrid integrated buck converters is impeded by the difference in growth laws in current rating for silicon and for inductors as current rating increases. In the 20 A range, this leads to the attractive feasibility of planarizing the output inductor as the largest component by utilizing low-temperature cofired ceramic technology in the form of the (magnetic) substrate to carry the rest of the converter circuit. The presence of a magnetic substrate below the circuitry creates additional parasitic inductances, which results in low-frequency oscillations. From simulation, the presence of a conductive shield reduces trace inductances and improves circuit performance. There is a minimum shield thickness required to minimize losses associated with ringing. High-shield conductivity is necessary to lower the trace inductance and minimize power loss. Traces should be placed close to the shield to minimize inductance. Experimental results on converters with ceramic-based shield layers and organics-based shield layers bear out the theoretical expectations and establish the practical viability of the proposed hybrid integration technology.
Opening the Black Box on Bank Efficiency in China: Does Economic Freedom Matter?

Abstract The paper provides, for the first time, empirical evidence on the impact of economic freedom on bank efficiency in a developing economy. We employ the Data Envelopment Analysis method to compute the efficiency of the Chinese banking sector during 2000–2008. The empirical findings indicate that the inefficiency of the Chinese banking sector stems largely from scale rather than pure technical. By examining different dimensions of economic freedom, we find that not all are equally regressive on bank efficiency. We find that the impact of business freedom to be positive, implying that higher (lower) freedom for entrepreneurs to start businesses increases (reduces) bank efficiency. Similarly, monetary freedom is positively related to bank efficiency levels, indicating the importance of a stable and reliable monetary policy to business environment. On the other hand, the impact of financial freedom is negative, implying that higher (lower) financial freedom reduces (increases) the efficiency of banks operating in the Chinese banking sector.
Factors affecting inter-industry variation of foreign ownership of manufacturing industry

A set of hypotheses incorporating various explanations to foreign direct investment are developed and tested on a simultaneous equation model on Australian data. The analysis shows that foreign ownership of industry tends to be higher in the humanskill intensive and technology-intensive industries. High protection seems to be an important inducement for multinational enterprises' participation in Australian industry. The results demonstrate how a major bias can be introduced when the simultaneity involved in the determination of foreign ownership is ignored.
What does uncertainty mean to women with anorexia nervosa? An interpretative phenomenological analysis.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to explore the construct of intolerance of uncertainty in patients with anorexia nervosa through focus groups. METHOD Nine women with anorexia nervosa participated in three focus groups in an in-patient, rehabilitation and day care setting. Focus groups probed participants' experiences of uncertainty and the meaning to them of uncertainty on a physical, behavioural, cognitive and emotional level. RESULTS Data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Patients experienced uncertainty as stressful and wanted to avoid this at all costs. Prominent sources of uncertainty were fear of negative evaluation by others and feelings of being imperfect. Uncertain situations led participants to feel anxious and 'out of control', resulting in a strong desire for control which manifested in extreme organising and planning. DISCUSSION Results suggest that treatment strategies aimed at increasing tolerance of uncertainty in people with anorexia nervosa could be beneficial.
Global Knowledge and R&D Foreign Direct Investment Flows: Recent Patterns in Asia Pacific, Europe, and North America

Abstract The global nature of foreign direct investment (FDI) is changing in terms of both location and sectors of activity. This paper analyses recent flows of R&D FDI across the globe. It is found that North America has been the source of one‐half of all R&D FDI between 2002 and 2005. Asia Pacific, especially China and India, has been the overwhelming destination for most R&D FDI, accounting for more than one‐half of all investment and almost three‐quarters of the jobs created. In general, R&D FDI has not been equitably spread across nations such as India and China but concentrated in a small number of locations. R&D FDI from advanced economies is facilitating the emergence of new centres and clusters of knowledge across the globe. This global redistribution of knowledge brings challenges to policymakers in both the developed and the developing world. The challenges come in two main forms: first, cross‐regional disparities in knowledge‐based wealth creation within particular nations; and second, anxieties about the offshoring of knowledge‐based tasks and jobs. It is argued that current patterns of global knowledge flow require policies to nurture the open regional innovation systems being established by these flows.
Periplasmic protein related to the sn-glycerol-3-phosphate transport system of Escherichia coli

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of shock fluids of Escherichia coli K-12 revealed the presence of a periplasmic protein related to sn-glycerol-3-phosphate transport (GLPT) that is under the regulation of glpR, the regulatory gene of the glp regulon. Mutants selected for their resistance to phosphonomycin and found to be defective in sn-glycerol-3-phosphate transport either did not produce GLPT or produced it in reduced amounts. Other mutations exhibited no apparent effect of GLPT. Transductions of glpT+ nalA phage P1 into these mutants and selection for growth on sn-glycerol-3-phosphate revealed a 50% cotransduction frequency to nalA. Reversion of mutants taht did not produce GLPT to growth on sn-glycerol-3-phosphate resulted in strains that produce GLPT. This suggests a close relationship of GLPT to the glpT gene and to sn-glycerol-3-phosphate transport. Attempts to demonstrate binding activity of GLPT in crude shock fluid towards sn-glycerol-3-phosphate have failed so far. However, all shock fluids, independent of their GLPT content, exhibited an enzymatic activity that hydrolyzes under the conditions of the binding assay, 30 to 60% of the sn-glycerol-3-phosphate to glycerol and inorganic orthophosphate.
Efficacy of Ficus spp. on renal injury induced by hypercholesterolaemia

The ethanol and hexane extracts of Ficus microcarpa, Ficus religiosa and Ficus mysorensis leaves were evaluated against renal injury induced by hypercholesterolaemia. Phytochemical screening of the investigated plants was undertaken. For the in vivo study, all rats were orally given cholesterol (30 mg kg−1 body weight, BW) and leaves extract (500 mg kg−1 BW) five times per week for 9 weeks. Hypercholesterolaemic rats showed significant increases in urea nitrogen and creatinine while serum protein and albumin levels, nitric oxide (NO), Na+–K+-ATPase and phospholipids in kidney tissue were all decreased. Treatment with leaves extract improved kidney function indices (urea nitrogen, creatinine, serum protein and albumin), kidney disorder biochemical parameters (NO, Na+–K+-ATPase and phospholipids), haematological profile (haemoglobin, RBCs and WBCs) and kidney histopathology. In conclusion, Ficus spp. succeeded in improving renal injury induced by hypercholesterolaemia, with the most potent effects seen while using Ficus microcarpa hexane extract.
Bayesian Sampling of Virtual Examples to Improve Classification Accuracy

A virtual example is an artificial example that does not exist in the given training set. We sample a virtual example from a Bayesian network constructed with the original training set. The usefulness of a sampled virtual example for learning is measured by the increment of the network's conditional likelihood. A qualified virtual example is saved and used to update the network for the next sampling. By repeating this process we can generate candidate virtual example sets of various sizes. Among these candidates, an appropriately sized virtual example set for a target learning algorithm is chosen through statistical significance tests. Experiments have shown that the virtual examples collected this way can help various learning algorithms to derive classifiers of improved accuracy
Rat pancreatic islet is formed by unification of multiple endocrine cell clusters

The organogenesis of islets in rat pancreas was studied by three‐dimensional reconstructions from serial section micrographs. On embryonic day (E) 12, an endocrine cluster consisting mainly of glucagon‐expressing cells maintained connection with the pancreatic endoderm at several regions. On E15–E17, the cluster enlarged by fusion of newly formed buds. Although the proportion of insulin‐expressing cells increased, they were located in the periphery of the cluster. On the day of birth, insulin‐expressing cell clusters enlarged and fused to form several cores within the islet. The glucagon‐expressing cell mass expanded to form a thin mantle covering the cores. During islet organogenesis, proliferation activity was high in the exocrine duct system. Moreover, the endocrine cell clusters maintained contact with the duct epithelium throughout. We conclude that the pancreatic islet is generated by the unification of multiple endocrine clusters originated from separate regions of the duct system. The mechanism of mantle–core formation is discussed. Developmental Dynamics 236:3451–3458, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The cytoprotective effects of addition of activated protein C into preservation solution on small‐for‐size grafts in rats

Small‐for‐size liver grafts are a serious obstacle for partial orthotopic liver transplantation. Activated protein C (APC), a potent anticoagulant serine protease, is known to have cell‐protective properties due to its anti‐inflammatory and antiapoptotic activities. This study was designed to examine the cytoprotective effects of a preservation solution containing APC on small‐for‐size liver grafts, with special attention paid to ischemia‐reperfusion injury and shear stress in rats. APC exerted cytoprotective effects, as evidenced by (1) increased 7‐day graft survival; (2) decreased initial portal pressure and improved hepatic microcirculation; (3) decreased levels of aminotransferase and improved histological features of hepatic ischemia‐reperfusion injury; (4) suppressed infiltration of neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages; (5) reduced hepatic expression of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 6; (6) decreased serum levels of hyaluronic acid, which indicated attenuation of sinusoidal endothelial cell injury; (7) increased hepatic levels of nitric oxide via up‐regulated hepatic endothelial nitric oxide synthesis expression together with down‐regulated hepatic inducible nitric oxide synthase expression; (8) decreased hepatic levels of endothelin 1; and (9) reduced hepatocellular apoptosis by down‐regulated caspase‐8 and caspase‐3 activities. These results suggest that a preservation solution containing APC is a potential novel and safe product for small‐for‐size liver transplantation, alleviating graft injury via anti‐inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects and vasorelaxing conditions. Liver Transpl 16:1–11, 2010. © 2009 AASLD.
Will Consumers Pay a Premium for Eco-labeled Apples?

Farmers and other producers are responding to consumer concerns about pesticides by creating new marketing opportunities for products grown with environmentally sound practices. The eco-label analyzed in this study is certified by The Food Alliance (TFA), a non-profit third-party certifying organization based in Portland, Oregon. We assess the mean willingness to pay (WTP) for eco-labeled apples using a double-bounded logit model. We conclude that female respondents with children, and strong environmental and food safety concerns are more likely to pay a premium for eco-labeled apples. However, the estimated premium is small (about 5 cents per pound over an initial price of 99 cents), reflecting the overall difficulty with garnering a premium based on “environmentally sound”practices.
Divisionalization and Horizontal Mergers in a Vertical Relationship

In this paper we evaluate the effects of horizontal mergers in a vertical relationship. Each downstream firm can create autonomous divisions. We show that an infinitesimal merger of downstream firms may exhibit a positive welfare effect if the upstream and downstream sectors are sufficiently unconcentrated. However, any merger of upstream firms reduces social welfare. Moreover, a decrease in the concentration in the upstream stage (respectively downstream stage or non-merging stage) makes the welfare effects of the merger in the upstream stage (respectively downstream stage or non-merging stage) less negative (respectively ambiguous or ambiguous).
Magnetization transfer imaging in patients with clinically isolated syndromes suggestive of multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), reduced magnetization transfer ratios (MTRs) have been reported in white matter that appears normal on studies obtained with conventional imaging techniques. The stage in the disease when this first becomes detectable is unclear. The purpose of this study was to measure the MTR of normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) and lesions in patients with clinically isolated syndromes (CIS), many of whom are at the earliest stages of MS, and to determine the prognostic value of any observed changes. METHODS Twenty-seven CIS patients and 13 matched control subjects were studied. The mean MTR was measured from 10 regions of NAWM and, when present, from lesions. The patients were followed-up clinically for a median of 12 months. RESULTS There was no significant difference in the mean MTR between NAWM in control subjects (38.5% units) and that in CIS patients (38.4% units). After 12 months' follow-up, MS developed in 26% of the patients. The MTR of NAWM in these patients did not differ from that of the other patients or the control subjects. CONCLUSION The reduced MTR in NAWM, described in established MS, was not detectable in patients with CIS. MTR did not provide prognostic information for this short period of follow-up.
Impact of Liquidity on the Futures‐Cash Basis: Evidence from the Indian Market

The law of one price relies on enforcement by arbitragers who are expected to eliminate price differentials quickly. Arbitragers’ activities are constrained by liquidity of markets. However, large price differentials attract arbitrage activity enhancing the liquidity of markets. Using daily data on the NYSE index and related futures contracts, Roll, Schwartz, and Subrahmanyam (2007) document two-way Granger causality between the futures-cash basis and bid-ask spreads for stocks. We examine the issue using intra-day data on Indian single stock futures (SSF) contracts on Indian stocks and also consider the spread on the futures contracts. While the spreads in both the futures and cash markets affect futures-cash basis, we find that the futures-cash basis Granger-causes only the bid-ask spreads for SSFs but not the stocks.
Follicle-stimulating Hormone Activates Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinase but Not Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinase Kinase through a 100-kDa Phosphotyrosine Phosphatase*

In this report we sought to elucidate the mechanism by which the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) receptor signals to promote activation of the p42/p44 extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERKs) in granulosa cells. Results show that the ERK kinase MEK and upstream intermediates Raf-1, Ras, Src, and L-type Ca2+ channels are already partially activated in vehicle-treated cells and that FSH does not further activate them. This tonic stimulatory pathway appears to be restrained at the level of ERK by a 100-kDa phosphotyrosine phosphatase that associates with ERK in vehicle-treated cells and promotes dephosphorylation of its regulatory Tyr residue, resulting in ERK inactivation. FSH promotes the phosphorylation of this phosphotyrosine phosphatase and its dissociation from ERK, relieving ERK from inhibition and resulting in its activation by the tonic stimulatory pathway and consequent translocation to the nucleus. Consistent with this premise, FSH-stimulated ERK activation is inhibited by the cell-permeable protein kinase A-specific inhibitor peptide Myr-PKI as well as by inhibitors of MEK, Src, a Ca2+ channel blocker, and chelation of extracellular Ca2+. These results suggest that FSH stimulates ERK activity in immature granulosa cells by relieving an inhibition imposed by a 100-kDa phosphotyrosine phosphatase.
Low-correlation, large linear span sequences from function fields

A general method of generating families of binary sequences with low correlation as well as large linear span is presented. The lower bound on the linear span is on the order of the square root of the period of each sequence within the family. The design makes use of the theory of function fields. Two example applications of this method are presented in which the underlying function fields are the rational and elliptic function fields respectively.
Evaluation of oral cisapride and metoclopramide in diabetic autonomic neuropathy: an eight‐week double‐blind crossover study

Nineteen diabetic patients with autonomic neuropathy were enrolled in a double‐blind crossover study of cisapride, metoclopramide and placebo. Symptoms were evaluated from diary cards and from assessments undertaken at the end of each eight week treatment period. Measurements of oesophageal transit, gastric emptying and whole gut transit were made before treatment began and at the end of each treatment period. Three patients dropped out early in the study, and the results from 16 patients were analysed.
Self‐reported seafood intake and atopy in Japanese school‐aged children

Background: The effects of fish consumption and n‐3 poly‐unsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels on atopic disorders are inconsistent in previous reports, but few studies have investigated the effects of both fish and n‐3 PUFA. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether erythrocyte fatty acids and the consumption of fish are associated with atopic diseases in pre‐ and early adolescents.
The Banker's Guide to Equity-Linked Certificates of Deposit

quity-linked CD products certificates of deposit that pay little or no interest but promise a minimum value at maturity plus a return based on the performance of a stock market index have reappeared in the U.S. market. Until they were offered recently by a number of banks and brokers, these products had not been widely marketed since 1987. This article describes key features of the recent offerings including the economics of the product for the issuer and the investor and tries to answer some frequently asked questions. To provide historical perspective and to highlight some of the problems issuers of these equitylinked instruments have had in the past, it is worthwhile to look at some of the earlier equity-linked CDs and notes issued by financial institutions. The 1987 market crash significantly diminished the appeal of these products to the consumer. Moreover, some of the early equity-linked CD and note issuers appar//) ently lost money on their risk management transactions. While no one can guarantee sales of the products being offered now, today’s issuer can avoid the market price risks associated with the earlier generation of equity-linked CDs.
Behind the Mask Coaching Through Deep Interpersonal Communication.

Executive coaching can focus on personal behavior change, enhancing leadership effectiveness, fostering stronger relationships, personal development, and/or work–family integration or specific performance issues on the job. K. M. Wasylyshyn (2003a) and H. Levinson (personal communication, 2003) suggested that executive coaching reaches for a deeper level of clinical and therapeutic intervention. The authors propose a health-enhancing, developmental model of coaching anchored in a process of deep interpersonal communication. This approach is neither a surface approach nor a therapeutic approach. It is an interpersonal approach focused on safe, secure communication in which difficult, complicated issues are addressed and where crucial conversations occur. In this process, the executive is approached as a person, one who stands behind the executive mask or facade.
IT culture: its impact on communication and work relationships in business

Establishing an effective relationship between business and Information Technology (IT) professionals is essential for organisational success in today's competitive global economy. Despite many attempts to improve the IT-business relationships, tensions still exist. The cultural differences between business and IT have recently been blamed for these tensions. However, academic research on IT culture is lacking. This paper discusses and compares seven widely reported models for assessing organisational culture. From this, an appropriate model is selected and applied using a multiple case study approach to explore the culture of the IT group in five Australian organisations.
Combining Methods in the Technology Intelligence Process: Application in an Aerospace Manufacturing Firm

Technological change is a major factor in gaining competitive advantage in manufacturing industries. Promoting innovation, exploiting technological opportunities and avoiding threats are increasingly important. Firms need to recognise both current and potential future technological advances that can affect their products, services and processes. This paper presents a Technology Intelligence (TI) methodology and toolset, the main purpose of which is to enable companies to monitor and assess technological developments associated with their products, components, processes and other areas of concern. These technology management activities will assist the company in evaluating its environment while taking advantage of technological changes that represent opportunities or threats. The methodology is described in detail and demonstrated using a case study conducted in an aerospace manufacturing firm in the United Kingdom.
Anxiety Disorders in Chinese Patients with Parkinson'S Disease

Objective: Anxiety disorders (ANDI) commonly occur in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) but their socio-demographic and clinical correlates have not yet been unequivocally determined. This study aimed to assess the frequency of ANDI and their correlates in Chinese PD patients. Methods: A cohort of 133 patients of PD were recruited from three neurology outpatient clinics. Participants' neurological, cognitive, and psychiatric status was assessed using standardized rating instruments. ANDI were diagnosed by qualified psychiatrists using the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders–4th Edition (SCID-DSM IV). Results: Thirty-six patients (27.1%) were diagnosed with some types of ANDI; Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Agoraphobia, and Social Phobia were the commonest subtypes of ANDI in PD (n = 11, 8.3%, in each of the three subtypes). Nine patients had more than one subtype of ANDI. In multivariate logistic regression, younger age of onset of PD [odds ratio (OR) =2.654, 95% confident intervals (CI) = 1.120–6.289, p = 0.027), Geriatric Depression Scale score (OR = 1.179, 95% CI = 1.056–1.316, p = 0.003) and muscle cramps (≥ 1/week) (OR = 2.605, 95% CI = 1.098–6.184, p = 0.030) were independent correlates of ANDI. Conclusions: ANDI are common in Chinese PD patients. Younger age of onset of PD, severity of depressive symptoms, and muscle cramps may be independent correlates of ANDI suggesting that anxiety in PD has multifactorial origin.