Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CHINA ’ S CAPITAL AND PRODUCTIVITY MEASUREMENT USING FINANCIAL RESOURCES

This paper constructs China’s capital stock, which is used in conjunction with a labor variable to estimate a Cobb-Douglas production function for the Chinese economy. Two panels of data are used – one for capital formation and one for sources of investment finance. Both national and provincial data are used for these two panels, thus giving a total of four capital-stock series. The Cobb-Douglas estimates show that China’s total factor productivity was about 3.4 percent in the post-reform years. Productivity of coastal provinces is higher than inner provinces. Among the various sources of investment finance, foreign direct investment is more efficient than state-funded capital stock.
Group Delay Equalized UWB InGaP/GaAs HBT MMIC Amplifier Using Negative Group Delay Circuits

A negative group delay (NGD) circuit has been employed to equalize a group delay variation in a broadband ultra-wideband (UWB) InGaP/GaAs heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) amplifier. Using the NGD circuit, a part of a salient group delay characteristic in the operation band of broadband amplifiers can be suppressed without an increase of the entire group delay. The MMIC amplifier has a steep group delay increase in the lower frequency region of the full-band UWB band (3.1-10.6 GHz) due to the sum of phase variations near the cutoff frequencies of the HBTs. The NGD circuit has been inserted to reduce this increase of the group delay in the UWB band. By adding a three-cell NGD circuit while considering input and output matching at the input side of the MMIC amplifier, the group delay variation is decreased by 78%. However, gain was also decreased by insertion of the multistage NGD circuit. In an attempt to avoid this decrease in gain, a one-cell NGD circuit was inserted into the feedback loop of the MMIC amplifier, and as a result, we were able to decrease the group delay variation by 79%, with minimal gain deterioration.
The influence of social media on international students' choice of university and course

This thesis is a qualitative study of the influence of social media on the university and course decision making process of international students. It examines the role of social media in influencing international students' decisions on course and university selection and the role of social media in meeting their information needs. It also gathered inputs on how universities could engage, collaborate and communicate using social media communities and channels for more effective recruitment strategies.
Double Standards and Backsliding: The Double Edged Sword of Supermajoritarian Voting in the EU

[From the introduction]. If the demands of membership are high and the capacity of the new member states to meet those demands is low, why is the EU expanding so rapidly? Several factors contribute to this observation. This article focuses on the one set of institutional features that lead initially high demands that diminish over time. I argue that because of the varying effects of supermajoritarian voting requirements in combination with different agenda setters the demands of joining are high but that the demands of staying in are lower. Furthermore, as the EU expands the difference between initial demands for joining and long-term demands of membership will not diminish and will probably increase. That is there is a built in double standard with candidate members held to very high standards and existing member states allowed to backslide. Using a series of simple spatial models, I show that increasing the number of member states will not only increase the size of the core1 but can also shift it in the direction of the new member states.2 Furthermore, I model the enforcement mechanism for the human rights standards set forth in Article 6(1) of the Treaty. This enforcement mechanism depends on a unanimous vote in favor of sanctioning a member state. From these models, I derive a number of implications. In particular, I argue that the possibility of member states to undo reforms they had to implement to join the EU, that is “backslide,” does not decrease and will likely increase with expansion. New member states’ ability to backslide is greatest when there are other members states with similar incentives to undo reforms on that dimension. A new member state’s ability to backslide is at its lowest when the new member state is an outlier relative to the rest of the members. Finally, the possibility for backsliding is greater with regard to Article 6(1) than for the regulatory policies encompassed in the Aquis.
Worse survival for TP53 (p53)-mutated breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant CMF.

BACKGROUND TP53 has been described as a prognostic factor in many malignancies, including breast cancer. Whether it also might be a predictive factor with reference to chemo- and endocrine therapy is more controversial. PATIENTS AND METHODS We investigated relapse-free (RFS), breast cancer-corrected (BCCS) and overall survival (OS) related to TP53 status in node-positive breast cancer patients that had received polychemotherapy [cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil (CMF)] and/or endocrine therapy (tamoxifen). Sequence analyses of the whole TP53 coding region was performed in 376 patients operated on for primary breast cancer with axillary lymph node metastases between 1984 and 1989 (median follow-up time 84 months). RESULTS TP53 mutations were found in 105 patients (28%). We found 90 (82%) of the 110 mutations in the more frequently analysed exons 5-8, while the other 20 (18%) were located in exons 3-4 and 9-10, respectively. Univariate analyses showed TP53 to be a significant prognostic factor with regard to RFS, BCCS and OS in patients who received adjuvant CMF. CONCLUSIONS TP53 mutations might induce resistance to certain modalities of breast cancer therapy. Sequence-determined TP53 mutation was of negative prognostic value in the total patient population and in the CMF treated patients.
Rethinking Project Definition in Terms of Target Costing

That phase of projects that immediately precedes design has been called by a variety of names, including design briefing, programming, front end loading, and project definition. It is widely agreed that this project definition phase is often ill performed, resulting in the design and construction of facilities that do not satisfy their purchasers or users. A number of lean construction theorists, including this author, have made contributions to rethinking project definition as a phase within lean project delivery. Target costing is a methodology developed by manufacturers of consumer products to systematically improve product profitability, and is now being adapted for use in the delivery of construction projects. Target costing starts with setting a target cost, which is a very complex and difficult process in construction as compared to manufacturing. In this paper, project definition is revisited as the phase in which target costs are set. Both traditional and lean project definition models are reviewed, a philosophy and approach are presented and grounded in case studies, and a research agenda is put forward for project definition/setting target cost.
The Black Academic's Guide to Winning Tenure-Without Losing Your Soul

How to Win Tenure - Without Losing Your Soul. Understanding the Game. Race, Power, and the Academic System. The Politics of "Fit. " Mastering Your Technique. Tenure and Time Management. The Academic Office. Healthy Pathways to Publication. The Art of Efficient Teaching and Service. Playing to Win. Shifting from Habits of Survival to Strategies for Success. Constructive Conflicts. Building a Supportive Network. Conclusion. Succeeding with Integrity.
mRNA N6-methyladenosine methylation of postnatal liver development in pig

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a ubiquitous reversible epigenetic RNA modification that plays an important role in the regulation of post-transcriptional protein coding gene expression. Liver is a vital organ and plays a major role in metabolism with numerous functions. Information concerning the dynamic patterns of mRNA m6A methylation during postnatal development of liver has been long overdue and elucidation of this information will benefit for further deciphering a multitude of functional outcomes of mRNA m6A methylation. Here, we profile transcriptome-wide m6A in porcine liver at three developmental stages: newborn (0 day), suckling (21 days) and adult (2 years). About 33% of transcribed genes were modified by m6A, with 1.33 to 1.42 m6A peaks per modified gene. m6A was distributed predominantly around stop codons. The consensus motif sequence RRm6ACH was observed in 78.90% of m6A peaks. A negative correlation (average Pearson’s r = -0.45, P < 10−16) was found between levels of m6A methylation and gene expression. Functional enrichment analysis of genes consistently modified by m6A methylation at all three stages showed genes relevant to important functions, including regulation of growth and development, regulation of metabolic processes and protein catabolic processes. Genes with higher m6A methylation and lower expression levels at any particular stage were associated with the biological processes required for or unique to that stage. We suggest that differential m6A methylation may be important for the regulation of nutrient metabolism in porcine liver.
An Investigation of the Stability of the Cost Performance Index

Abstract : This study examines the stability of the Cost Performance Index (CPI) . The CPI is and indicator of the cost performance efficiency achieved on a contract and is used to analyze cost performance on defense contracts. It has long been asserted that the index does not change by more than 10 percent after a contract is 50 percent complete, but an exhaustive literature search did not locate any empirical work that supports this assertion. Knowing that the CPI is stable is important because it indicates that a contractor has a healthy management system, it increases the reliability placed in the contractor's planning process, it gives confidence in our Estimate at Completion computations, and if a contractor is overrunning his budget, it gives confidence when declaring the contractor in trouble. After defining CPI stability two methods to test for stability were developed. The two methods chosen were: first, to measure the range of the CPIs that occurred at greater than 50 percent complete and second, to calculate a percentage interval and verify that the CPI is stable after a contract is 50 percent complete.
Las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación en la organización de empresas: cuestiones de investigación en un nuevo paradigma

There are many studies in the Iiterature in management that address how information technology (IT) affect organizations. IT might modify organizational structure, internal processes and organizational performance. Nevertheless, after literature reviewing it is necessary to integrate both theoretical and empirical background in order to propose a robust framework that analyses IT using the major organizational theories. We finish this work identifying several research issues, most of them unexplored, than can be a guide for future investigations.
An approach to the approximation problem for nonrecursive digital filters

A direct design procedure for nonrecursive digital filters, based primarily on the frequency-response characteristic of the desired filters, is presented. An optimization technique is used to minimize the maximum deviation of the synthesized filter from the ideal filter over some frequence range. Using this frequency-sampling technique, a wide variety of low-pass and bandpass filters have been designed, as well as several wide-band differentiators. Some experimental results on truncation of the filter coefficients are also presented. A brief discussion of the technique of nonuniform sampling is also included.
Endoscopic submucosal dissection for nonampullary large superficial adenocarcinoma/adenoma of the duodenum: feasibility and long-term outcomes

Background and study aims: The clinical benefit of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for superficial duodenal neoplasias has not yet been verified. The aims of this study were to validate the feasibility and long-term outcomes of ESD for nonampullary superficial duodenal neoplasias, larger than 20 mm. Patients and methods: 41 patients, with 41 nonampullary large superficial duodenal neoplasias, who underwent ESD between April 2005 to March 2013 were included in the study. The short- and long-term outcomes were retrospectively evaluated, related to tumor size, resection size, histological type, invasion depth, complete resection rate, operation time, perforation rate, delayed bleeding rate, local recurrence rate, distant metastasis, and survival rate. Results: ESD was successfully completed in 38 of 41 patients (92.7 %). The median sizes of tumors and resected specimens were, respectively, 26 mm (range 20 – 70 mm) and 36.5 mm (range 23 – 80 mm). Histopathological findings showed 13 adenocarcinomas (12 mucosal, 1 submucosal) and 28 adenomas (26 high grade dysplasia, 2 low grade dysplasia). The complete resection rate was 89.5 % (34 /38 tumors). The mean operation time was 128.3minutes. Perforation during ESD occurred in 39 % and delayed bleeding occurred in 18.4 %. The median observation period was 48 months (range 3.2 – 94.1 months), and no local recurrence or distant metastasis was seen during this time, representing a disease-free survival rate of 100 %. Conclusions: ESD for nonampullary large superficial duodenal adenocarcinoma/adenoma is feasible with favorable long-term outcomes. However, because of the high complication rate due to its technical difficulty, experience and skill of the operator, along with adequate perioperative management, are essential.
Eliminating the Outside Good Bias in Logit Models of Demand with Aggregate Data

Abstract The logit model is the most popular tool in estimating demand for differentiated products. In this model, the outside good plays a crucial role because it allows consumers to stop buying the differentiated good altogether if all brands simultaneously become less attractive (e.g. if a simultaneous price increase occurs). But practitioners lack data on the outside good when only aggregate data are available. The currently accepted procedure is to assume a “market potential” that implicitly defines the size of the outside good (i.e. the number of consumers who considered the product but did not purchase); in practice, this means that an endogenous quantity is approximated by a reasonable guess thereby introducing the possibility of an additional source of error and, most importantly, bias. We provide two contributions in this paper. First, we show that structural parameters can be substantially biased when the assumed market potential does not approximate the outside option correctly. Second, we show how to use panel data techniques to produce unbiased structural estimates by treating the market potential as an unobservable in both the simple and the random coefficients logit demand model. We explore three possible solutions: (a) controlling for the unobservable with market fixed effects, (b) specifying the unobservable to be a linear function of product characteristics, and (c) using a “demeaned regression” approach. Solution (a) is feasible (and preferable) when the number of goods is large relative to the number of markets, whereas (b) and (c) are attractive when the number of markets is too large (as in most applications in Marketing). Importantly, we find that all three solutions are nearly as effective in removing the bias. We demonstrate our two contributions in the simple and random coefficients versions of the logit model via Monte Carlo experiments and with data from the automobile and breakfast cereals markets.
Progression of the Prothrombotic State in Aging Bmal1-Deficient Mice

Objective—The goal of this study was to examine the functional relationship between aging endothelium and thrombogenicity in a mouse model of premature aging. Methods and Results—Coagulation tests and factors, blood cell counts, aorta endothelial function, aorta gene expression, and FeCl3-induced thrombosis in mesenteric blood vessels were analyzed in 10- to 30-week-old brain and muscle ARNT-like protein-1 (Bmal1)–deficient (knockout [KO]) mice and wild-type littermates. Ten-week-old KO mice manifested shortened prothrombin times (9.7 versus 11.3 seconds in wild-type) and elevated plasma fibrinogen (264 versus 172 mg/dL). At 30 weeks, factor VII (198% versus 149%), and platelet counts (2049 versus 1354 K/&mgr;L) were increased in KO mice. Gene deficiency reduced the vasoactive nitric oxide production at 10 and 30 weeks and tended to reduce and increase the protein expression of thrombomodulin and von Willebrand factor, respectively, with aging. Shortened venular and arteriolar occlusion times on FeCl3-induced injury in 10-week-old KO mice confirmed higher thrombogenicity, culminating in priapism, observed in 60% of 25- to 30-week-old KO males. Conclusion—Endothelial dysfunction and a hypercoagulable state cause early arterial and venous thrombogenicity in Bmal1 KO mice. With aging, progressive endothelial dysfunction, rising platelet counts, and high factor VII further enhance thrombogenicity, provoking priapism.
Symptom reduction due to psychosocial interventions is not accompanied by a reduction in sick leave: Results from a randomized controlled trial in primary care

Abstract Objective. To investigate whether interventions that have positive effects on psychological symptoms and quality of life compared with usual care would also reduce days on sick leave. Design. A randomized controlled trial. Setting. A large primary health care centre in Stockholm, Sweden. Intervention. Patients with common mental disorders were recruited by their GPs and randomized into one of two group interventions that took place in addition to usual care. These group interventions were: (a) group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and (b) group multimodal intervention (MMI). Both types of intervention had previously shown significant effects on quality of life, and MMI had also shown significant effects on psychological symptoms. Patients. Of the 245 randomized patients, 164 were employed and had taken sick leave periods of at least two weeks in length during the study period of two years. They comprised the study group. Main outcome measures. The odds, compared with usual care, for being sick-listed at different times relative to the date of randomization. Results. The mean number of days on sick leave increased steadily in the two years before randomization and decreased in the two years afterwards, showing the same pattern for all three groups . The CBT and MMI interventions did not show the expected lower odds for sick-listing compared with usual care during the two-year follow-up. Conclusion. Reduction in psychological symptoms and increased well-being did not seem to be enough to reduce sickness absence for patients with common mental problems in primary care. The possibility of adding workplace-oriented interventions is discussed.
Automated Cause & Effect Analysis for Process Plants

Cause & Effect (C&E) analysis for process plants is one of the tasks associated with Process Control Engineering (PCE). With the availability of electronic Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), a Computer-Aided tool is developed to carry out the analysis automatically by encoding knowledge related to PCE in rules so that they can be applied to a given set of P&IDs to produce the corresponding C&E Diagrams. This paper describes how this is achieved. A rule-based system and an instrument checker are developed. They are used to generate the results and the results are displayed in a format that complies with ISO 10418 (ISO, 2003).
Mindfulness and employees in the workplace.

The overall aim of this research is to identify the impact of a brief, low-cost mindfulness meditation training program for employees in a workplace setting, specifically in the UK higher education sector. Although there has been extensive research on the efficacy of mindfulness training for perceived stress of employees, to date, there has been limited research exploring the following: (a) impact of mindfulness-based training interventions on work-related outcomes (b) long-term impact of those interventions, and (c) use of self-help training interventions (low-cost) without supplementary guidance. This thesis aimed to address the research gaps through three empirical studies. Firstly, Study 1 used a randomised waitlist control trial design (N = 125) to assess the impact of offering a mindfulness-based intervention to employees. Intention-to-treat analysis showed improvements in mindfulness and perceived stress after the offer of the Headspace® app. With higher levels of participation, results showed progressively greater improvements in mindfulness, perceived stress and two work-related outcomes, work-life-balance and emotional job engagement. Study 2 then used a longitudinal (12 months) repeated-measures design (N = 60) to investigate the extent to which the amount of Headspace app usage predicted mindfulness, perceived stress and work-related outcomes. Simple regression analysis showed that higher Headspace usage led to greater improvements in work-life-balance and emotional job engagement, however other outcomes were not significant. Study 3 used a qualitative design (N = 13) to explore participants’ 12-months experiences of practicing mindfulness, and the perceived impact on their workplace issues. From a thematic analysis of phone interview transcripts, three themes evolved: challenges (workplace related), selective focus (experience of mindfulness), and work impact (from more mindful approach to workplace). Overall, the findings from this thesis provide support for the effectiveness of brief mindfulness-based training in improving mindfulness and perceived stress. The findings demonstrate that those who use a mindfulness training app can improve their work-life balance and emotional job engagement within two months and both work-related outcomes can be improved with increased usage over one year, although improvements do not increase in mindfulness and perceived stress, and other work-related outcomes. Finally, this thesis contributes to research on the use of digital smart-phone apps as an effective delivery method of mindfulness-based training.
A New Measure of Wireless Network Connectivity

Despite intensive research in the area of network connectivity, there is an important category of problems that remain unsolved: how to characterize and measure the quality of connectivity of a wireless network which has a realistic number of nodes, not necessarily large enough to warrant the use of asymptotic analysis, and which has unreliable connections, reflecting the inherent unreliability of wireless communications? The quality of connectivity measures how easily and reliably a packet sent by a node can reach another node. It complements the use of capacity to measure the quality of a network in saturated traffic scenarios and provides an intuitive measure of the quality of (end-to-end) network connections. In this paper, we introduce a probabilistic connectivity matrix as a tool to measure the quality of network connectivity. Some interesting properties of the probabilistic connectivity matrix and their connections to the quality of connectivity are demonstrated. We demonstrate that the largest magnitude eigenvalue of the probabilistic connectivity matrix, which is positive, can serve as a good measure of the quality of network connectivity. We provide a flooding algorithm whereby the nodes repeatedly flood the network with packets, and by measuring just the number of packets a given node receives, the node is able to asymptotically estimate this largest eigenvalue.