Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analytical Study of vibrational Resonance in an Overdamped Bistable oscillator

The results of analytical study of vibrational resonance (VR) occurring in overdamped bistable system driven by two periodic signals with very different frequencies are presented. Approximate solutions for responses at the low-frequency as a function of the amplitude, and the frequency of the additional high frequency modulation which describe well the main features of vibrational resonance are obtained. Scaling laws for the gain factor and the switching threshold in VR are also found. Analytical results are compared with results of the numerical simulation, showing a good agreement.
Performance measurement practice in an independent hotel context

Purpose – The aim of this work is to explore performance measurement practices in the context of an independent hotel in Northern Cyprus.Design/methodology/approach – The study was conducted in a 392‐room five‐star resort hotel over a nine‐week period using multiple data collection methods comprising semi‐structured interviews, documentation collection and observation. In the context of the case hotel, three decision‐making groups – employees, managers, and regional executive – were involved in order that the performance measurement and the decision‐making mechanism could be described.Findings – The findings indicated six main themes, which are grouped under business dynamics and overall performance, employee performance, customer satisfaction, financial performance, and innovative activities performance measures, so that understanding the type, the communication process and the purpose of utilising the performance measures is described and analysed.Originality/value – This paper presents the results of p.
When the Bubble Bursts: Monetary Policy Rules and Foreign Exchange Market Behavior

We examine the effects of a “bubble” in the foreign exchange market, defined as an exogenous process that temporarily shifts the exchange rate away from the value implied by fundamentals. The bubble process is analogous to Bernanke and Gertler’s (1999) specification of an asset price bubble. We evaluate the performance of alternative simple monetary policy rules under both bubble and no-bubble scenarios and investigate whether policymakers should react to the deviation of the exchange rate from its steady-state value. The policy experiments employ a small-scale forward-looking structural model calibrated to UK data, which we previously used in Batini and Nelson (2000). For this model, which includes an uncovered interest parity condition, we find that the appropriate response to the exchange rate is captured by the expected inflation term, provided that the response coefficient and the inflation horizon are optimized. When uncovered interest parity is relaxed, there appears to be more merit in incorporating a separate exchange rate term in the monetary policy rule.
A Dynamic Model of Consumer Behavior

This dissertation presents a dynamic mathematical theory of consumer behavior, starting from basic assumptions, and building through the tatonnement processes by which exchange (general) equilibria can be achieved in real time.The purpose of the dissertation is to revise consumer theory so that consumer behavior can be studied as a function of observable (demographic) variables instead of non-observable quantities such as preference. With the interpersonal comparison of preference no longer a barrier, general equilibrium models can be used to study the impact of the distribution of demographic factors, most notably wealth, on the demand for goods, and on aggregate well-being.Chapters 2 and 3 discuss the problems with utility, preference, and their measurement as they appeared in the history of economic thought. Chapter 4 develops a theory of the consumer based on his or her marginal prices. The consumer's marginal price for a good is defined as the maximum s/he would be willing to pay for one more unit of it, given all the goods s/he possesses at the time. The consumer's complete set of marginal prices constitutes a vector function, requiring the theory to be built built using vector analysis.The consumer is regarded as acquiring her wealth through many small decisions made over time. Since the bundle s/he holds at any given time is the result of past decisions, the consumer is modeled as dynamically interacting with his/her environment. A dynamic general equilibrium model in which an arbitrary number of traders exchange an arbitrary number of goods is presented in Chapter 5.Chapter 6 develops a method of empirically aggregating consumer's marginal prices to determine how consumers in general would be expected to behave, given their socioeconomic circumstances. The behavior of a demographically diverse community is modeled in the general equilibrium framework, by assuming all consumers have common (aggregate) marginal price functions, yet are differentiated by the bundles they hold. Such bundles are the surrogate for their socioeconomic circumstances.The theory presented in this dissertation is intended to facilitate incorporation of theories and data from Psychology, Sociology, and other social sciences, as well as those of experimental economics.
An Exploration of Page Replication for NoC-Based On-Chip Distributed Memory Systems

By exploiting deeply the memory-level and communication-level parallelisms provided by multiple memory controllers (MCs) and interconnect components, NoC-based on-chip distributed memory systems (DMSs) have received great attention to hit the great 'memory wall'. System scaling makes memory access distance and massive contention found in MCs and interconnects critical to system performance. Data replication is a popular optimization method which has been widely employed in multi-socket NUMA systems, last level NUCA caches and cloud systems. In this paper, we explore page repli-cation schemes for NoC-based on-chip DMSs at architectural level. We discuss the external force, internal force and feasibil-ity of establishing page replicas. External force comes from long memory access radius for shared data, which introduces massive memory access traffic. Internal force is derived from overlaps of traffic hotspots and page access centers for globally shared data. High read-write ratios for most significantly ac-cesses pages illustrate the feasibility of replication. According to these observations, we propose models and algorithms to decide the trigger and actual position for establishing replicas and estimate the benefits and overheads. Besides, we discuss some details of content synchronization, replica cancellation schemes. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the sug-gested mechanisms in various scenarios.
Homeland Security and Regulatory Analysis: Are We Safe Yet?

During the five years since its inception, the Department of Homeland Security promulgated 13 economically significant regulations, costing a total of at least $4 billion annually. This study evaluates the quality of regulatory analysis that DHS has produced for these regulations. Compared to the ideal articulated in Executive Order 12866 and accompanying OMB guidance, most of these analyses are seriously incomplete. DHS, OMB, and Congress can all take steps to remedy this deficiency. The department should hire more economists, involve them early in developing alternatives, manage them in a way that ensures their job is to conduct objective analysis, and learn from both its own and other agencies' best practices in regulatory analysis. OMB should aggressively promote analysis of alternatives when it reviews DHS regulations and amend Executive Order 12866 to clarify that it expects agencies to analyze all reasonable alternatives, even if they would require a change in the law. Congress should give DHS greater discretion to craft regulations and give DHS deadlines that allow adequate time to conduct quality regulatory analysis. Congress should also hold DHS accountable by specifically articulating and measuring the outcomes the regulations are supposed to accomplish. If Congress declines to give DHS more discretion or time, then it should arrange for an objective analysis of alternatives by the Government Accountability Office or other independent entity.
The future of knowledge : increasing prosperity through value networks

Introduction: the center keeps moving A new prosperity Evolution of business thinking Living networks Learning into complexity Power and limits of technology The web of knowledge Knowledge networks and learning communities Communal learning and beyond The New World of Intangibles Intangibles go to market The value network perspective Value network examples New business fundamentals Reflections Appendix: the knowledge complexity archetype.
The Nuclear Progesterone Receptor Reduces Post-Sigh Apneas during Sleep and Increases the Ventilatory Response to Hypercapnia in Adult Female Mice

We tested the hypothesis that the nuclear progesterone receptor (nPR) is involved in respiratory control and mediates the respiratory stimulant effect of progesterone. Adult female mice carrying a mutation in the nPR gene (PRKO mice) and wild-type controls (WT) were implanted with an osmotic pump delivering vehicle or progesterone (4 mg/kg/day). The mice were instrumented with EEG and neck EMG electrodes connected to a telemetry transmitter. The animals were placed in a whole body plethysmograph 7 days after surgery to record ventilation, metabolic rate, EEG and neck EMGs for 4 consecutive hours. The animals were exposed to hypercapnia (5% CO2), hypoxia (12% O2) and hypoxic-hypercapnia (5% CO2+12% O2–5 min each) to assess chemoreflex responses. EEG and EMG signals were used to characterize vigilance states (e.g., wake, non-REM, and REM sleep). PRKO mice exhibited similar levels of minute ventilation during non-REM and REM sleep, and higher frequencies of sighs and post-sigh apneas during non-REM sleep compared to WT. Progesterone treatment increased minute ventilation and metabolic rate in WT and PRKO mice during non-REM sleep. In WT mice, but not in PRKO mice, the ventilation under hypercapnia and hypoxic hypercapnia was enhanced after progesterone treatment. We conclude that the nPR reduces apnea frequency during non-REM sleep and enhances chemoreflex responses to hypercapnia after progesterone treatment. These results also suggest that mechanisms other than nPR activation increase metabolic rate in response to progesterone treatment in adult female mice.
Mapping policy preferences II : estimates for parties, electors, and governments in Eastern Europe, European Union, and OECD 1990-2003

PART I: PARTIES AND REPRESENTATION IN EASTERN EUROPE AND THE EUROPEAN UNION 1. Uniquely! Over-Time Mapping of Party Policy Movements in Central and Eastern Europe 1990-2003 2. Beyond the Left-Right Dimension: Policy Profiles and Programmatic Coherence of Party Groupings in the European Parliament 3. A Common Space for Electoral Communication? Comparing Party and Voter Placements on a Left-Right Continuum in Western Europe and the CEE PART II: METHODOLOGY AND MEASUREMENT 4. Evaluating Validity with the Standard Left-Right Scale: Matching Measurements to Conceptual Intentions 5. Information or Error? Reliability of Policy Time series 6. Quantifying Policy Emphases in Texts Using the CMP Approach: Comparisons with Alternative Approaches. 7. Exploiting Manifesto Estimates of the Median for Multi-Level Analysis: Relating Electoral, Legislative and Government Policy Preferences 8. Using the Data
Three-dimensional polarization sensitizes hepatocytes to Fas/CD95 apoptotic signalling

Maintenance of epithelial cell shape and polarity determines many vital cell functions, including the appropriate response to external stimuli. Murine hepatocytes cultured in a three-dimensional Matrigel matrix formed highly polarized organoids characterized by specific localization of an ERM (ezrin/radixin/moesin) protein, radixin, at microvillus-lined membrane domains. These apical domains surrounded a lumen and were bordered by tight junctions. The hepatocyte organoids were functional as judged by the high level of albumin secretion and accumulation of bilirubin. Stimulation of the Fas/CD95 death receptor, which is highly hepatotoxic in vivo, was a strong inducer of apoptosis in the polarized organoids. This was in sharp contrast to the monolayer hepatocyte cultures, which were protected from death by exacerbated NF-κB signalling following engagement of the death receptors. Thus, hepatocytes in polarized, functional organoids modulate an intracellular signal transduction pathway, allowing the recapitulation of their physiological response to an apoptotic stimulus.
Anti-Arthritic Activity of Schistosoma mansoni and Trichinella spiralis Derived-Antigens in Adjuvant Arthritis in Rats: Role of FOXP3+ Treg Cells

A growing body of evidence supports the concept of helminths therapy in a variety of autoimmune diseases. Here, we aimed to investigate the protective effects of autoclaved Schistosoma mansoni antigen (ASMA) and Trichinella spiralis antigen (ATSA) on the clinical and immunopathological features of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Adjuvant arthritis was induced by subcutaneous and intradermal injections of complete Freund’s adjuvant into the plantar surface of the right hind paw and the root of the tail, respectively. Rats were randomly assigned to serve as normal control, untreated arthritis, ASMA or ATSA-treated arthritis groups. Antigens were given by intradermal injection in two doses, two weeks apart. The development, progression of arthritic features, and the impact on animals’ gait and body weight were followed up for 4 weeks. The associated changes in serum cytokines (IL-17, IFN-γ and IL-10), joints’ histopathology and immunohistochemistry of Foxp3+ T regulatory cells (Tregs) were evaluated at the end of the study. Treatment with either ASMA or ATSA attenuated the progression of clinical features of polyarthritis, improved gait and body weight gain, reduced the elevated serum IL-17 and further increased both IFN-γ and IL-10. Histopathologically, this was associated with a remarkable regression of paws’ inflammation that was limited only to the subcutaneous tissue, and a significant increase in the number of Foxp 3+ cells versus the untreated arthritis group. In conclusion, both Schistosoma mansoni and Trichinella spiralis derived antigens exerted protective effect against adjuvant arthritis with better effect achieved by ASMA treatment. This anti-arthritic activity is attributed to upregulation of the Foxp3+ Tregs, with subsequent favorable modulation of both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The use of autoclaved parasitic antigens excludes the deleterious effects of imposing helminthic infection by using live parasites, which may pave the way to a new therapeutic modality in treating RA.
Computers in Tanzania Secondary Schools-Challenges and Opportunities

This paper presents the findings of the research that aimed at studying the factors hindering computer penetration in secondary schools in Tanzania. The authors used case study approach to conduct a research in which nine secondary schools that already have computer labs were chosen. The study involved over 222 participants, who were mostly teachers and students. Hence, this paper presents findings from students and teachers’ perspectives, presenting not only challenges but also opportunities that come with having computers in schools. The research has found that students have learnt computer skills and computers have revolutionized how schools operate. It has been observed that more computers are required as well as more computer teachers. Alternative source of energy is required as is Internet connectivity in the schools. The research also emphasizes the importance of government support to the schools to equip them with resources enough to fully utilize the computers. The role of individual enthusiasm and hard work has been observed to be the key success and the differentiating factors between the successful and less successful schools. The findings of this study are limited to those schools with computer labs. These exclude most of the schools in rural areas where electricity is still a problem. More research especially on ways to research these remote schools are recommended. This paper advocates towards policy change by putting emphasis on introduction of computers to secondary schools, teaching materials and teacher training. It also recommends social – political views to support public sensitization into using computers in daily lives. The paper is suitable for heads of secondary schools, researchers and all advocates of computers in schools and policy makers. The cost estimates in this paper can be misleading as most of personnel used were volunteers, which cut the total cost of the computers per school significantly.
Medical Care Output and Productivity

With the United States and other developed nations spending as much as 14 percent of their GDP on medical care, economists and policy analysts are asking what these countries are getting in return. Yet it remains frustrating and difficult to measure the productivity of the medical care service industries. This volume takes aim at that problem, while taking stock of where we are in our attempts to solve it. Much of this analysis focuses on the capacity to measure the value of technological change and other health care innovations. A key finding suggests that growth in health care spending has coincided with an increase in products and services that together reduce mortality rates and promote additional health gains. Concerns over the apparent increase in unit prices of medical care may thus understate positive impacts on consumer welfare. When appropriately adjusted for such quality improvements, health care prices may actually have fallen. Provocative and compelling, this volume not only clarifies one of the more nebulous issues in health care analysis, but in so doing addresses an area of pressing public policy concern.
Towards a resolution of the galactic spin crisis: mergers, feedback and spin segregation

We model in simple terms the angular momentum problems of galaxy formation in cold dark matter cosmologies, and identify the key elements of a scenario that may solve them. The buildup of angular momentum is modelled viadynamical friction and tidal stripping in a sequence of mergers. We demonstrate how overcooling in incoming haloes leads to a transfer of angular momentum from the baryons to the dark matter, in conflict with observations. By incorporating a simple recipe of supernova feedback, we are able to solve the problems of angular momentum in disc formation. Gas removal from the numerous small incoming haloes, which merge to become the low specific angular momentum (low-j) component of the product, eliminates the low-j baryons. Heating and puffing-up of the gas in larger incoming haloes, combined with efficient tidal stripping, reduces the angular momentum loss of baryons due to dynamical friction. Dependence of the feedback effects on the progenitor halo mass implies that the spin of baryons is typically higher for lower-mass haloes. The observed low baryonic fraction in dwarf galaxies is used to calibrate the characteristic velocity associated with supernova feedback, yielding V f b ∼100 km s - 1 , within the range of theoretical expectations. We then find that the model naturally produces the observed distribution of the spin parameter among dwarf and bright disc galaxies, as well as the j profile inside these galaxies. This suggests that the model indeed captures the main features of a full scenario for resolving the spin crisis.
Tension based 7-DOF force feedback device: SPIDAR-G

We demonstrate a new intuitive force feedback device for advanced VR applications. Force feedback for the device is tension based and is characterized by 7 degrees of freedom (DOF); 3 DOF for translation, 3 DOF for rotation, and 1 DOF for grasp. The SPIDAR-G (Space Interface Device for Artificial Reality with Grip) will allow users to interact with virtual objects naturally by manipulating two hemispherical grips located in the center of the device frame. We show how to connect the strings between each vertex of grip and each extremity of the frame in order to achieve force feedback. In addition, methodologies will be discussed for calculating translation, orientation and grasp using the length of 8 strings connected to the motors and encoders on the frame. The SPIDAR-G exhibits smooth force feedback, minimized inertia, no backlash, scalability and safety. Such features are attributed to strategic string arrangement and control that results in stable haptic rendering. The design and control of the SPIDAR-G is described in detail and the space graphic user interface system based on the proposed SPIDAR-G system is demonstrated. Experimental results validate the feasibility of the proposed device and reveal its application to virtual reality.
An exploration of individual RNA structural elements in RNA gene finding

This paper explores the use of RNA structural elements for RNA gene finding. A classification experiment is performed in which several support vector machine models, based on the properties of individual RNA secondary structure elements, are trained and tested, revealing the structural elements which have properties useful for RNA gene finding. The study finds that the external loop and structure elements with classification accuracies of over 84% and the stemloop, hairpin, and tail elements with classification accuracies around 70% are the most likely structural elements to be successfully exploited by future RNA gene finders.
Implementation of cervical cancer screening using visual inspection with acetic acid in rural Mozambique: successes and challenges using HIV care and treatment programme investments in Zambézia Province

In order to maximize the benefits of HIV care and treatment investments in sub‐Saharan Africa, programs can broaden to target other diseases amenable to screening and efficient management. We nested cervical cancer screening into family planning clinics at select sites also receiving PEPFAR support for antiretroviral therapy (ART) rollout. This was done using visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) by maternal child health nurses. We report on achievements and obstacles in the first year of the program in rural Mozambique.
Affordance Theory in the IS Discipline: a Review and Synthesis of the Literature

The growing interest of IS researchers in using the theory of Affordances for studying the uses and consequences of the IT artefact calls for an integrative view on the subject. The originating literature is dispersed and the definition of the concept of affordance varies in these studies. With this paper we offer a framework for organizing the existing interdisciplinary literature modeling affordances’ manifestation as effects of actions. Using a structured methodology, we reviewed the titles and abstracts of 126 articles from IS, Organization Studies, and Management literatures and examine a subset of 25 articles. Our work makes three main contributions. First it formalizes the concept of affordance as instanced in the IS domain. Second, it organizes IS affordance studies around four main areas: affordance existence, affordance perception, affordance actualization, and affordance effect. Finally, it discusses the current limitations of Affordance studies and offers the basis for future research.