Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Noise‐immune dual‐rail dynamic circuit for wide fan‐in gates in asynchronous designs

Dual‐rail dynamic logic circuits can provide inverting and noninverting outputs, especially for asynchronous designs, to implement complicated gates at the cost of approximately doubling the area and power consumption. In this paper, a new dual‐rail dynamic circuit is proposed which has lower die area consumption and higher noise immunity without dramatic speed degradation for even wide fan‐in gates for asynchronous circuits. The main idea in the proposed circuit is that voltage due to the current of the pulldown network (PDN) is compared with the reference voltage to provide two complementary outputs. The reference voltage almost corresponds to the leakage current of the PDN with all transistors being off. The proposed circuit is compared with conventional dual‐rail circuits such as differential domino logic and differential cross‐coupled domino logic. Simulation results for 32‐bit‐wide OR gates designed using high‐performance 16‐nm predictive technology model demonstrate significant performance advantages such as 66% power reduction and at least 2.86× noise‐immunity improvement at the same delay compared to the differential domino circuits. © 2012 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A simulation study of odds ratio estimation for binary outcomes from cluster randomized trials

We used simulation to compare accuracy of estimation and confidence interval coverage of several methods for analysing binary outcomes from cluster randomized trials. The following methods were used to estimate the population‐averaged intervention effect on the log‐odds scale: marginal logistic regression models using generalized estimating equations with information sandwich estimates of standard error (GEE); unweighted cluster‐level mean difference (CL/U); weighted cluster‐level mean difference (CL/W) and cluster‐level random effects linear regression (CL/RE). Methods were compared across trials simulated with different numbers of clusters per trial arm, numbers of subjects per cluster, intraclass correlation coefficients (ρ), and intervention versus control arm proportions. Two thousand data sets were generated for each combination of design parameter values. The results showed that the GEE method has generally acceptable properties, including close to nominal levels of confidence interval coverage, when a simple adjustment is made for data with relatively few clusters. CL/U and CL/W have good properties for trials where the number of subjects per cluster is sufficiently large and ρ is sufficiently small. CL/RE also has good properties in this situation provided a t‐distribution multiplier is used for confidence interval calculation in studies with small numbers of clusters. For studies where the number of subjects per cluster is small and ρ is large all cluster‐level methods may perform poorly for studies with between 10 and 50 clusters per trial arm. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Respiration of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus Strain 109J and Its Energy Substrates for Intraperiplasmic Growth

Measurements of oxidation rates, respiratory quotients (RQ), and release of 14CO2 from uniformly labeled substrates showed that glutamate, α-ketoglutarate, and synthetic and natural amino acid mixtures are oxidized by suspensions of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus strain 109J. The oxidation of these substrates largely suppress the endogenous respiration of the Bdellovibrio cells and may or may not cause a small increase, 20 to 50%, in their rate of oxygen consumption. The failure of respired substrates to increase markedly the respiration rate of the Bdellovibrio cells over the endogenous value is discussed. Carbon from these substrates is incorporated into the Bdellovibrio cells during oxidation. Acetate is also oxidized, but its oxidation inhibits endogenous respiration by only about 40% and no acetate is assimilated. The RQ of the Bdellovibrio cells changes from a value characteristic of endogenous respiration to that characteristic of the oxidation of glutamate or of a balanced amino mixture very shortly after the attack of the Bdellovibrio cells on their prey, and the latter RQ is maintained during intraperiplasmic growth. Glutamate, or a mixture of amino acids in the external environment, contributes to the carbon dioxide produced by the Bdellovibrio cells growing intraperiplasmically. It is concluded from these data that amino acids, derived from the breakdown of the protein of the prey, serve as a major energy source during intraperiplasmic growth of B. bacteriovorus 108J. Insofar as they were tested, B. bacteriovorus strains 109D and A. 3. 12 were similar in respiration to strain 109J.
Are Center Access Advantages Weakening? The Case of Office-Commercial Markets

Abstract This paper presents the first attempt to explore recent changes in office–commercial land value gradients within polycentric Los Angeles. The empirical results uncover substantial flattening in these gradients between 1989 and 1994. As such, they are consistent with conjectures that the recent information revolution is contributing toward the weakening of spatial links between office–commercial activities and large business centers, thereby leading to increasingly dispersed patterns of business location. Further empirical research, however, is needed to not only ascertain the continuation of observed trends but also to more conclusively link them to technological advances. To the extent that this research uncovers long-run, technology-induced spatial transformations, urban spatial models may need to be revised to more accurately reflect dispersed patterns of office–commercial activity within post-industrial markets.
International R&D spillovers revisited: Human capital as an absorptive capacity for foreign technology

Abstract This paper examines aspects of R&D spillovers across countries, in particular, the role of international trade and human capital as the catalysts for international diffusion of technology. We present a new way of measuring foreign R&D stocks embodied in foreign intermediate goods and capital equipment, which we argue is free from the criticism of previous measures. With the pooled panel data spanning 1970 through 1995 for 103 countries, we find that the effects of foreign R&D on total factor productivity growth of both industrial countries and developing countries are substantial and that human capital is the most influential channel for absorbing foreign R&D spillovers.
How can policy towards manufacturing in Africa reduce poverty

In this paper it is argued that policy towards manufacturing in Africa can reduce poverty if such policy focuses on the creation of high paying jobs. The paper draws on a range of crosscountry firm-level evidence to show how policy can promote jobs and higher real wages. It is shown that Mauritius is a country which has achieved both these objectives. The paper places Mauritius in the context of other African countries and then asks why these countries have lagged so far behind. The paper examines the policies needed to build a linkage from manufacturing to overall economic growth with a substantial impact on poverty drawing on firm-level evidence from Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana and South Africa. * The paper draws on collaborative work undertaken by economists from Africa, Europe and North America who have worked on firm level data for the manufacturing sector in Africa. The CSAE is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council of the UK and work on the industrial sector of Africa at the CSAE is supported by UNIDO. The editor, Karl Wohlmuth made some very helpful comments on an earlier version of this paper. All errors are our own. + Måns Söderbom is the UNIDO Fellow at the CSAE.
Personal Narratives in Aphasia: Understanding Narrative Competence

Abstract Background: Personal narratives have been suggested as a way for persons post stroke to re-establish their identity. To relate tellable personal stories, narrative competence – along with its building blocks – is essential. Objective: The objective of this study was to describe narrative competence in persons with mild to moderate aphasia. It addressed the areas of coherence, clarity, temporal-causal structure, and reference in narratives. The study also examined the strategies used (evaluative language) as well as the topics and themes in personal narratives. Methods: Sixteen individuals with mild to moderate aphasia were asked to relate the story of their stroke and stories of a memorable and a frightening experience. Stories were elicited using a “willing listener” procedure. Responses were analyzed quantitatively in terms of the number of propositions and the instances of temporal-causal sequences, reference, and evaluation. Qualitative analysis was performed to determine the overall coherence and clarity of the narratives. Results: Narrative competence was present in the majority of participants. Although difficulties with reference were observed, high ratings of narrative coherence and clarity were attributed to sufficient amount of language, preserved temporal-causal sequencing, and the use of strategies (evaluative language). Conclusions: Narrative competence was exhibited in the personal narratives of individuals with mild to moderate aphasia. In addition to pinpointing essential elements of narrative competence, the use of personal narratives was deemed beneficial for both the clinician, by providing a better understanding of the individual with aphasia, and the individual with aphasia, by providing opportunities for self-disclosure.
Mindfulness of the kindness of others : The contemplative practice of Naikan in cultural context

Mindfulness in the Buddhist tradition involves a variety of practices, and contemporary secular forms of mindfulness practices, therapies, and interventions can similarly be broadened to include more of these forms. The Japanese practice of Naikan takes one mindfulness practice from the Buddhist tradition—that of recollecting the kindness of others—and asks clients to engage in this practice for 1 solid week, 15 hours per day. Difficult interpersonal relationships and a perceived lack of social support are chief sources of stress, and Japanese selfhood in particular has been described as interdependent and highly social in nature. It is unsurprising therefore that Japanese would be drawn to relational forms of practice like Naikan, and that they would find particular benefit from such practices. Recent ethnographic and survey work I have conducted at 2 Naikan centers suggests that Naikan significantly improves positive mental health, perceived connection with others, and perceived meaning in life, even up to 6 months later, thereby potentially undercutting factors contributing to depression and suicide. Naikan practice is not entirely limited to Japan, however, and its use in Europe and North America prompts us to ask about the culturally specific and universal aspects of mindfulness practices, and how we may construct mindfulness interventions that are best suited for addressing the mental health problems that face our communities.
Fine-Scale Tracking of Marine Turtles Using GPS-Argos PTTs

Abstract High-accuracy location data of wildlife telemetry using conventional satellite location systems are difficult to obtain. However, such data are necessary to clarify the nature of movements and home range sizes of animals. In order to measure the high-accuracy location data, we developed new GPS-Argos Platform Terminal Transmitters (PTTs) which transmit both the conventional location and GPS location simultaneously. Two experiments, one in an artificial rearing pond and the other in the open sea, were performed. First, two hawksbill turtles were tracked with the PTTs in a 5 ha breeding pond in Thailand. Their home ranges using both data were calculated and found to be 2.96 ha and 0.93 ha by the GPS data, and 156,740 ha and 184,478 ha by a conventional data. Secondly, a female green turtle attached with the GPS-Argos was released from the coast of Pangnga Province, Thailand. There was a relationship between depth and speed of travel based on the GPS data. The data from the PTT showed that the turtle moved south along the coastline at the depth of less than 20 m for 5 days, and then stayed at a depth of less than 10 m for 4 days. However, we could not find any clear relationship using conventional data. Only a meandering movement at a variety of depths was observed. The results of the two experiments indicated the PTTs have an enormous potential for enhancing our understanding of fine-scale movement patterns and home ranges of marine turtles.
Attitudes, attributes and institutions: Determining job satisfaction in Central and Eastern Europe

Purpose – This paper aims to contribute to the growing body of empirical evaluations of workers' subjective well being by assessing the impact of values, beliefs, important job attributes and autonomous institution building on employees' job satisfaction across ten countries in Central and Eastern Europe.Design/methodology/approach – Data derived from the European Values Study 1999/2000 is being utilised, which provides detailed information not only on job satisfaction and socio‐demographic characteristics, but also on individuals' subjective views, beliefs and important job attributes. Following a descriptive narrative on the transformation in emerging market economies, ordered probit regressions are performed to determine the significance of these characteristics, values and beliefs on workers' job satisfaction.Findings – The empirical findings suggest that reported attitudes, values and beliefs and their impact on job satisfaction evince traits of a legacy of communist industrial relations as well as s.
Rapid Biosynthesis Method and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles Using Zizyphus spina christi Leaf Extract and Their Antibacterial Efficacy in Therapeutic Application

Antibacterial activity of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was significant in therapeutic application of nanotechnology. These researchers studied an ecofriendly and rapid method for the first time to synthesize silver nanoparticles using Zizyphus spina christi L aqueous leaves extract (ZSE), and their antibacterial properties. The extract was found to have the potential to form silver nanoparticles at room temperature within few minutes. The green synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized using different techniques. The UV-visible spectrum of the solution containing AgNPs showed a peak at 414 nm corresponding to the plasmon absorbance of silver nanoparticles. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the formed particles were hexagonal in shape with appreciable Nano size ranging from 21.5 to 59.67 nm. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy analysis (FTIR) of biosynthesized AgNPs affirmed the role of ZSE as reducing and capping agent of Ag+ ions to AgNPs, and X-Ray Diffraction patterns (XRD) showed that they could be indexed as face-centered-cubic structure of silver. Antibacterial activity of AgNPs was determined by well diffusion and micro plate assay methods, showing maximum inhibition zones of 24 mm, 23 mm, 15 mm and 17 mm against Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter sp. , Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) results showed that AgNPs had MIC, MBC of 45, 57 μg/mL, 49, 61 μg/mL, 63, 90 μg/mL and 59, 82 μg/mL against S. aureus, Acinetobacter sp. , P. aeruginosa and E. coli respectively. Furthermore, the green synthesized AgNPs were loaded on band-aids and screened for antibacterial activity. The AgNPs loaded on band-aids exhibited strong antibacterial effect against multi drug resistant bacteria. These nanoparticles could be used for treating wounds and preparing wound dressing. Such researches are crucial in the demonstration of therapeutic importance of silver nanoparticles in medical application.
Redesigning the American Dream: The Future of Housing, Work and Family Life

Americans still build millions of dream houses in neighborhoods that sustain Victorian stereotypes of the home as 'woman's place' and the city as 'man's world. ' Urban historian and architect Dolores Hayden tallies the personal and social costs of an American 'architecture of gender' for the two-earner family, the single-parent family, and single people. Many societies have struggled with the architectural and urban consequences of women's paid employment: Hayden traces three models of home in historical perspective-the haven strategy in the United States, the industrial strategy in the former USSR, and the neighborhood strategy in European social democracies-to document alternative ways to reconstruct neighborhoods. Updated and still utterly relevant today as the New Urbanist architects have taken up Hayden's critique of suburban space, this award-winning book is essential reading for architects, planners, public officials, and activists interested in women's social and economic equality.
Prevalence and risk factors for chronic bronchitis in Pelotas, RS, Brazil: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND--Chronic bronchitis causes high morbidity and mortality throughout the world. It is basically a preventable disease. However, few population based studies of chronic bronchitis have been carried out in less developed countries. METHODS--A population based cross sectional survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of chronic bronchitis and associated risk factors in an urban area (Pelotas) of southern Brazil. 1053 subjects aged 40 years and over (90.3% of eligible subjects) were interviewed using the ATS-DLD-78 questionnaire. RESULTS--Of the subjects interviewed 12.7% were classified as having chronic bronchitis. In univariate analyses a significant increase in the relative odds of chronic bronchitis was seen in men (OR = 2.17, 95% CI 1.50 to 3.13), low family income (OR = 2.60, 95% CI 1.47 to 4.47 for lowest quartile), low schooling (OR = 4.65, 95% CI 2.36 to 9.18 for those with no schooling), smoking habits (OR = 6.92, 95% CI 4.22 to 11.36 for smokers of 20 or more cigarettes per day), high occupational exposure to dust (OR = 2.48, 95% CI 1.56 to 3.94), inadequate housing (OR = 2.09, 95% CI 1.22 to 3.58), high level of indoor air pollution (OR = 1.86, 95% CI 1.16 to 2.99), and reported childhood respiratory illnesses (OR = 2.08, 95% CI 1.25 to 3.49). Multiple logistic regression resulted in the identification of the following independent risk factors: family income (OR = 1.99, 95% CI 1.04 to 3.81 for subjects in the lowest quartile compared with those in the highest quartile), schooling (OR = 5.60, 95% CI 2.52 to 12.45 for subjects with no schooling compared with those with nine or more years), smoking (OR = 8.10, 95% CI 4.46 to 14.71 for smokers of 20 or more cigarettes per day compared with non-smokers), and history of major respiratory illnesses in childhood (OR = 2.16, 95% CI 1.20 to 3.85). CONCLUSIONS--Low family income, poor schooling, smoking, and childhood respiratory illnesses were significantly associated with chronic bronchitis.
TÜRKİYE’DE TARIMSAL DESTEK POLİTİKALARI

Even though there has been a strong liberalization trend all over the world agricultural protectionist policies still sustain. Especially in developed countries agriculture continues to be the most protected sector of economy. However, protection level has shown great variations among subsectors of agriculture. In this study we test Becker Hypothesis which presumes a non-linear relationship between protection level and sector size. The data of 12 subsectors of Turkish agriculture has confirmed Becker Hypothesis predictions. In addition to that the study concludes that as the country gets wealthier and the election year gets closer, the protection levels of all agriculture subsectors rise.
Efficacy of hydrotherapy in fibromyalgia syndrome--a meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials.

OBJECTIVE To systematically review the efficacy of hydrotherapy in FM syndrome (FMS). METHODS We screened MEDLINE, PsychInfo, EMBASE, CAMBASE and CENTRAL (through December 2008) and the reference sections of original studies and systematic reviews on hydrotherapy in FMS. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the treatment of FMS with hydrotherapy (spa-, balneo- and thalassotherapy, hydrotherapy and packing and compresses) were analysed. Methodological quality was assessed by the van Tulder score. Effects were summarized using standardized mean differences (SMDs). RESULTS Ten out of 13 RCTs with 446 subjects, with a median sample size of 41 (range 24-80) and a median treatment time of 240 (range 200-300) min, were included into the meta-analysis. Only three studies had a moderate quality score. There was moderate evidence for reduction of pain (SMD -0.78; 95% CI -1.42, -0.13; P < 0.0001) and improved health-related quality of life (HRQOL) (SMD -1.67; 95% CI -2.91, -0.43; P = 0.008) at the end of therapy. There was moderate evidence that the reduction of pain (SMD -1.27; 95% CI -2.15, -0.38; P = 0.005) and improvement of HRQOL (SMD -1.16; 95% CI -1.96, -0.36; P = 0.005) could be maintained at follow-up (median 14 weeks). CONCLUSIONS There is moderate evidence that hydrotherapy has short-term beneficial effects on pain and HRQOL in FMS patients. There is a risk to over-estimate the effects of hydrotherapy due to methodological weaknesses of the studies and to small trials included in meta-analysis.
Human Resources and Total Quality Management Some Case Study Evidence

The growing interest in total quality management programmes is well‐known, although there is some concern that such programmes have, in practice, paid only limited attention to human resource management issues. Uses the findings of a primary case study and two secondary case studies to examine this particular proposition. The basic findings indicate that both the introduction and the operation of total quality management programmes require a consistent management approach, with particular effort being given to making complementary changes in related human resource management practices.
The Effect of the Financial Crisis on the Jordanian Industrial Sector

The International financial crisis caused the recession of the industrial sector in most developed countries. The effect of the crisis in the developing countries was different. This research aimed at investigating the effect of international financial crisis on industrial sector in Jordan. Different financial ratios were estimated using the financial statements of the industrial enterprises for the period 2000-2008. The financial data were classified to two periods. The first period 2000-2005 and 2006-2008 for this purpose. The results show very slight effect on the industrial sector in Jordan results of the limitations of most companies on their activities as a part of risk management policy.
A Structural VAR analysis of Islamic financing in Malaysia

The main determination of this paper is to catch out the relations of Islamic financing and key macroeconomic and financial variables. In this paper we use the structural vector auto regression approach to check the behaviour of the Islamic financing that how much operative in Malaysia. This paper determines that the Islamic financing positively effects in Malaysia and due to the Islamic financing price level was shocks and financing chances increases. The Islamic banks are protected from the interest rate this is the very big for everything. In the dual banking system Islamic banking practices are not affected by the monitory policy. In Islamic banking industry, the various macroeconomic variables on Islamic financing is vital. Keywords: Malaysia, Structural VAR, Impulse response functions, Islamic financing