Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive Behavioral Modeling of Conventional and Dual-Tuning PLLs

This paper presents a modular and comprehensive nonlinear time-domain behavioral model for phase-locked loops (PLLs) that are suitable for analyzing the impact on the output signal of the noise contribution and nonidealities of the constituent building blocks. The model building blocks are described by Simulink submodels and can be configured to implement different PLL topologies. Postprocessing of the PLL output provides the PLL phase noise and spur-to-carrier-ratio performances. The calculated phase-noise spectra are compared with those obtained with the well-known linear model and with measurements. To show the flexibility of this approach, many case studies are reported; among them, the analysis of the spurs due to charge pump mismatch and the transient phase noise, and spurs performances of a PLL featuring a dual control of the voltage-controlled oscillator.
Healing of intrabony defects following surgical treatment with or without an Er:YAG laser.

AIM The aim of this controlled, parallel design clinical study was to compare the healing of intrabony periodontal defects following treatment with access flap surgery with and without debridement with an Er:YAG laser. METHODS Twenty-three patients each of whom exhibited one deep intrabony defect were randomly treated with either access flap surgery followed by root surface and defect debridement using an Er:YAG laser (KEY3) (160 mJ, 10 Hz) (test), or with access flap surgery followed by root surface and defect debridement using hand and ultrasonic instruments (control). The following clinical parameters were recorded at baseline and at 6 months: plaque index; gingival index; bleeding on probing; probing depth (PD); gingival recession; and clinical attachment level (CAL). The primary outcome variable was CAL. No statistically significant differences between the groups were found at baseline. RESULTS No serious adverse events were observed after any of the treatments. The results have shown that in the test group the PD decreased from 7.8+/-1.3 to 4.1+/-1.3 mm (p<0.001) and the CAL changed from 9.8+/-2.9 to 7.2+/-2.5 mm (p<0.001). In the control group the PD decreased from 7.8+/-0.8 to 4.6+/-1.6 mm (p<0.001) and the CAL changed from 9.2+/-1.2 to 7.7+/-1.6 mm (p<0.01). The test group displayed a higher tendency for CAL gain, although this tendency did not prove to be statistically significant. CONCLUSION Within the limits of the present study, it can be concluded that: (i) at 6 months following treatment both therapies led to significant improvements of the investigated clinical parameters, and (ii) an Er:YAG laser may represent a suitable alternative for defect and root surface debridement in conjunction with periodontal surgery.
Real-Time Historical Analysis of Monetary Policy Rules

The size of the output gap coefficient is the key determinant of whether quantitative easing since 2009 and continued near-zero interest rates can by justified by a Taylor rule. Fed Chair Ben Bernanke and Vice-Chair Janet Yellen have argued that John Taylor proposed a monetary policy rule with a larger output gap coefficient in his 1999 paper than in his 1993 paper, and have used this argument to justify negative prescribed interest rates in 2009-2010 and near-zero interest rates through 2015. While Taylor neither proposed nor advocated a different rule in 1999 than in 1993, he did not draw a distinction between the implications of the two rules. In accord with common practice at the time, Taylor used revised data. We show that, using real-time data available to policymakers (although not to Taylor when he wrote the paper), there is a sharp difference in the implications of rules with a smaller and a larger output gap coefficient. If John Taylor had been able to use real-time data in his 1999 paper, the importance of the distinction between Taylorâ€™s original rule with a smaller output gap coefficient and other rules with a larger coefficient would have been evident much earlier.
Do Real Estate Brokers Add Value When Listing Services are Unbundled?

This paper measures the effects of real estate brokerage services provided to sellers, other than MLS listings, on the terms and timing of home sales. It is not obvious that sellers benefit from those services. On the one hand, brokers offer potentially useful knowledge and expertise. On the other hand, because the relationship between the homeowner and the broker resembles a classical principal-agent problem, the broker may not deploy services in ways that promote the seller's interests. Yet as long as valuable MLS listings are bundled with brokerage services, homeowners may use brokers even if the agency costs exceed the benefits of brokers' knowledge and expertise. Thus, quantification of the net value of brokerage services other than MLS listings bears directly on the recent policy debate over the desirability unbundling of MLS listings. We estimate the effect of a seller's decision to use a broker on list prices, selling prices, and speed of sale for a real estate market with an unusual and critical characteristic: it has a single open-access listing service that is used by essentially all sellers, regardless of whether they employ brokers. Our central finding is that, when listings are not tied to brokerage services, a seller's use of a broker reduces the selling price of the typical home by 5.9 to 7.7 percent, which indicates that agency costs exceed the advantages of brokers' knowledge and expertise by a wide margin.
Principal-principal-agency relationships and the role of external governance

This paper explores agency problems associated with mutual and joint stock organizational forms. It examines whether the independent mode of distribution acts as a governance factor that reduces principal-agent and principal-principal costs. By analyzing a 1990-1997 panel of life insurance companies this paper provides evidence that mutuals have higher principal-agent costs, but lower principal-principal costs, compared with stocks. Independent distribution mitigates both agency problems by reducing managerial expenses while safeguarding interests of policyholders. These relationships are positively moderated by product complexity and free cash flow. This is consistent with the assumption that companies that use independent agents exhibit lower levels of manager and shareholder opportunism. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Can Linear Predictability Models Time Bull and Bear Real Estate Markets? Out-of-Sample Evidence from REIT Portfolios

A recent literature has shown that REIT returns contain strong evidence of bull and bear dynamic regimes that may be best captured using nonlinear econometric models of the Markov switching type. In fact, REIT returns would display regime shifts that are more abrupt and persistent than in the case of other asset classes. In this paper we ask whether and how simple linear predictability models of the vector autoregressive (VAR) type may be extended to capture the bull and bear patterns typical of many asset classes, including REITs. We find that nonlinearities are so deep that it is impossibile for a large family of VAR models to either produce similar portfolio weights or to yield realized, ex-post out-of-sample long-horizon portfolio performances that may compete with those typical of bull and bear models. A typical investor with intermediate risk aversion and a 5-year horizon ought to be ready to pay an annual fee of up to 5.7 % to have access to forecasts of REIT returns that take their bull and bear dynamics into account instead of simpler, linear forecast.
Exchange Rate, External Orientation of Firms and Wage Adjustment

We estimate the effect of exchange rate movements on firm-level wages, using a representative panel of manufacturing firms. We show that the direction and size of wage adjustment is shaped by the international exposure of each firm on both the sale and cost side of the balance sheet, similar to the response of employment documented in Nucci and Pozzolo (2010). Through the revenue side, wages tend to rise after a currency depreciation and the effect is more pronounced the higher is the firm's exposure to sales from exports. Through the expenditure side, a depreciation induces a cut in the firm's wages, and the effect is larger the higher is the incidence of imported inputs in total production costs. For a given degree of external orientation, both these effects are larger for firms with a lower market power. Moreover, we document that the effect of exchange rates on wages is shaped by (i) the extent of sectoral import penetration in the domestic market; (ii) the proportion of newly hired workers in each firm in a given year; and (iii) the composition of the firm's workforce by occupational category.
FDI inflows and trade imbalances: evidence from developing Asia

The present paper examines the effects of FDI inflows on external imbalances in the developing and transition countries in Asia during the period 1991-2011. To this end, we extend the conventional trade balance model by reformulating the determinants of exports and imports. Our empirical findings suggest that current FDI inflows increase trade deficits, leading to negative consequences for the host countryâ€™s macroeconomic stability. However, the coefficient estimated becomes negative when we lag the FDI variable, implying that FDI inflows worsen the trade balance first and then improve it. We also find that a real depreciation tends to worsen trade balances because the usual Marshall-Lerner constraint is magnified by the import content of exports. Lastly, higher domestic absorption and larger productive capacity in the manufacturing sector improve the trade balance. Thelatter result supports the export-investment nexus, one of the most distinctive features of Asia.
Metabolically healthy and unhealthy obese – the 2013 Stock Conference report

Obesity is closely associated with cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes, but some obese individuals, despite having excessive body fat, exhibit metabolic health that is comparable with that of lean individuals. The ‘healthy obese’ phenotype was described in the 1980s, but major advancements in its characterization were only made in the past five years. During this time, several new mechanisms that may be involved in health preservation in obesity were proposed through the use of transgenic animal models, use of sophisticated imaging techniques and in vivo measurements of insulin sensitivity. However, the main obstacle in advancing our understanding of the metabolically healthy obese phenotype and its related long‐term health risks is the lack of a standardized definition. Here, we summarize the proceedings of the 13th Stock Conference of the International Association of the Study of Obesity. We describe the current research and highlight the unanswered questions and gaps in the field. Better understanding of metabolic health in obesity will assist in therapeutic decision‐making and help identify therapeutic targets to improve metabolic health in obesity.
The Impact of Trade Liberalization on Household Welfare and Poverty in India

A 28-sector, 3-factor and 9-household group Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model for India is constructed to analyze the impacts of Tariffs and Non-tariff Barriers (NTBs) on the welfare and poverty of socio-economic household groups. A general cut in tariffs leads to a decrease in overall welfare and reduction in poverty, which urban households are in a relatively better position to address. The choice of a fiscal compensatory mechanism with indirect tax on domestic consumption does not substantially change the pattern of impact except that it increases overall poverty in the economy. On the other hand, quota reductions on agriculture and food products result in a gain in welfare and a bigger reduction of poverty, with rural households doing better than urban households.
An international IPO review with a focus on China

The inital public offering (IPO) aftermarket performance has received much attention in recent years, and studies have mainly focused on two anomalies: initial underpricing and long-term underperformance. This paper reviews the literature on IPO performance from both theoretical and empirical perspectives. Much attention has been given to the Chinese IPO market due to the severe initial underpricing and inconclusive long-term performance. This paper highlights some of the unique characteristics of Chinese IPOs. Based on the literature, several explanations have been provided to explain the IPO phenomenon in China.
Floral traits influencing plant attractiveness to three bee species: Consequences for plant reproductive success.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY The ability to attract pollinators is crucial to plants that rely on insects for pollination. We contrasted the roles of floral display size and flower color in attracting three bee species and determined the relationships between plant attractiveness (number of pollinator visits) and seed set for each bee species. METHODS We recorded pollinator visits to plants, measured plant traits, and quantified plant reproductive success. A zero-inflated Poisson regression model indicated plant traits associated with pollinator attraction. It identified traits that increased the number of bee visits and traits that increased the probability of a plant not receiving any visits. Different components of floral display size were examined and two models of flower color contrasted. Relationships between plant attractiveness and seed set were determined using regression analyses. KEY RESULTS Plants with more racemes received more bee visits from all three bee species. Plants with few racemes were more likely not to receive any bee visits. The role of flower color varied with bee species and was influenced by the choice of the flower color model. Increasing bee visits increased seed set for all three bee species, with the steepest slope for leafcutting bees, followed by bumble bees, and finally honey bees. CONCLUSIONS Floral display size influenced pollinator attraction more consistently than flower color. The same plant traits affected the probability of not being visited and the number of pollinator visits received. The impact of plant attractiveness on female reproductive success varied, together with pollinator effectiveness, by pollinator species.
The Impact of Accrual-Based Public Accounting Harmonization on EU Macroeconomic Surveillance and Governments’ Policy Decision-Making

This article sheds more light on the possible advantages (and the critical aspects) of introducing accruals accounting for governments in the context of European macroeconomic surveillance. This would add more balance to the discussion about accrual accounting, which tends to focus on the resource costs involved. The research it describes would, inter alia, show the impact on sensitive policy areas using a statistical analysis from EU countries’ official Government Finance Statistics. It also draws some conclusions on a suggested roadmap for public accounting in the European context.
Clinical and personal intimate partner violence training experiences of U.S. medical students.

OBJECTIVE To learn about U.S. medical students' attitudes, experiences, and practices regarding intimate partner violence (IPV). METHODS In a sample reflective of all U.S. medical schools, we surveyed the class of 2003 in 16 U.S. medical schools at three different times in their training. RESULTS A total of 2316 medical students responded, for a response rate of 80%. By senior year, although 91% of medical students reported receiving at least some training in discussing IPV, only one fifth reported extensive training. Although 73% of students entering wards thought IPV was highly important for physicians to discuss with patients, only 55% of students entering wards, decreasing to 35% of seniors, thought IPV would be highly relevant to their own practice. Only 55% of seniors reported talking with general medicine patients at least sometimes about IPV. Greater frequency of discussing IPV for seniors was associated with being a woman (60% vs. 50% for men, p = 0.006), self-designating as politically moderate or liberal (p = 0.0008), and thinking (on entering wards) that it was highly important for physicians to talk to patients about IPV (p = 0.0002). Perceived relevance of discussing domestic violence to intended practice was substantially higher among women, underrepresented minorities, those having a personal or family history of domestic violence, and those categorizing themselves as politically liberal or very liberal. Among seniors, the prevalence of reporting a personal history of IPV was 3% for women and 1% for men; 12% of women and 7% of men reported a family or personal IPV history. CONCLUSIONS Despite national interest in IPV issues, efforts in U.S. medical schools to increase IPV screening and prevention have not achieved saturation. These gaps in IPV instruction in medical schools are a concern because studies have reported that physicians who receive IPV education training are significantly more likely to screen for it.
Real-time stability assessment based on synchrophasors

In this paper, an overview is provided of a new method that in real-time provides an early warning for an emerging blackout that are characterized by a slowly increasing angular separation between sub-groups of system generators. Such angular separation between subgroups of generators can eventually cause in very sharp decline in system voltages at intermediate locations between the two groups as the angular separation approaches 180°. In order to receive an early warning for the occurrence of such type of blackouts, the boundaries of the system generators aperiodic small-signal stability are suggested to be monitored. For that purpose, method for real-time assessment of aperiodic small-signal rotor angle stability is presented. The approach is based on an element-wise assessment of individual synchronous machines where the aim is to determine the maximum steady state power that each synchronous generator can inject into the system. The limits for maximum injectable power represent the boundary for aperiodic small signal stability. The concept of the proposed method is tested on two different systems. The results show that the method is capable of accurately detecting when a given machine crosses the stability boundary. The method can as well provide in real-time a margin to the machines stability boundary, which can be used as an early warning for an impending system stability problem.
An Empirical Investigation of Variations in Real‐Estate Marketing Language over a Market Cycle

Abstract The present study examines the language of residential property listings under different market conditions. Property listings in one of New Zealand’s most popular property magazines were examined over an eight year period, during which time both a buoyant and slower market were experienced. One magazine from the month of September for the years 2001–2008 was coded for the incidence of 13 variables. Findings revealed linguistic variations as a function of the market cycle. During a buoyant market listings referred to the speed with which properties were selling, encouraging buyers to hurry. Listings were also longer, more attention grabbing, and referred to more lifestyle features to differentiate properties during the crowded market. During a slower market properties were referred to as a “bargain” and more emotive language was employed to persuade potential home buyers. These findings suggest that Realtor advertising language varies in response to, and may even influence, the market.
Output, Income and Employment Multipliers in Malaysian Economy: Input-Output Approach

This study attempts to investigate the success or failure development policies for Malaysia economy through the multipliers indices over the period 1983-2000. We used four input-output tables had published so far by Department Statistics of Malaysia (DSOM) for the period under study. The study employed the Leontief inverse model that is open with respect to household for simple multipliers of the output, income and employment; type I multipliers of the income and employment. While it used Leontief inverse model that is closed with respect to household for total multipliers of the output, income and employment; type II multipliers of the income and employment. New evidence is found in this study: first, there is still a high dependency on the primary sectors, such us Oil palm, Rubber primary products and Wood sectors. Second, output and income multipliers for Agriculture sector are still very weak even where some success has resulted from planning policies. Third, the main result of the investment policy was to transform Malaysia from a country of surplus labour to one with a shortage. Fourth, there is no consideration of efficiency or comparative cost in the selection of ‘key’ sectors by reference to multiplier indices.
Identification of an Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinase (ERK) Docking Site in Ribosomal S6 Kinase, a Sequence Critical for Activation by ERK in Vivo *

Glutathione S-transferase (GST)-fusion proteins containing the carboxyl-terminal tails of three p90 ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK) isozymes (RSK1, RSK2, and RSK3) interacted with extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) but not c-Jun-NH2-kinase (JNK) or p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Within the carboxyl-terminal residues of the RSK isozymes is a region of high conservation corresponding to residues722LAQRRVRKLPSTTL735 in RSK1. Truncation of the carboxyl-terminal 9 residues,727VRKLPSTTL735, completely eliminated the interaction of the GST-RSK1 fusion protein with purified recombinant ERK2, whereas the truncation of residues731PSTTL735 had no effect on the interaction with purified ERK2. ERK1 and ERK2 co-immunoprecipitated with hemagglutinin-tagged wild type RSK2 (HA-RSK2) in BHK cell cytosol. However, ERK did not co-immunoprecipitate with HA-RSK2(1–729), a mutant missing the carboxyl-terminal 11 amino acids, similar to the minimal truncation that eliminated in vitro interaction of ERK with the GST-RSK1 fusion protein. Kinase activity of HA-RSK2 increased 6-fold in response to insulin. HA-RSK2(1–729) had a similar basal kinase activity to that of HA-RSK2 but was not affected by insulin treatment. Immunoprecipitated HA-RSK2 and HA-RSK2(1–729) could be activated to the same extent in vitro by active ERK2, demonstrating that HA-RSK2(1–729) was properly folded. These data suggest that the conserved region of the RSK isozymes (722LAQRRVRKL730 of RSK1) provides for a specific ERK docking site approximately 150 amino acids carboxyl-terminal to the nearest identified ERK phosphorylation site (Thr573). Complex formation between RSK and ERK is essential for the activation of RSK by ERK in vivo. Comparison of the docking site of RSK with the carboxyl-terminal tails of other MAPK-activated kinases reveals putative docking sites within each of these MAPK-targeted kinases. The number and placement of lysine and arginine residues within the conserved region correlate with specificity for activation by ERK and p38 MAPKs in vivo.
Evolutionary insights on the origin of human T-cell lymphoma/leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) derived from sequence analysis of a new HTLV-I variant from Papua New Guinea

Recent studies have established the presence of human T-cell lymphoma/leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) in Melanesia. An HTLV-I strain, PNG-1, has now been isolated from a healthy member of the Hagahai, a remote, recently contacted group in Papua New Guinea. To further characterize PNG-1, we employed polymerase chain reaction amplification with subsequent cloning and sequencing of amplified products. Sequence analyses of amplified regions of pol, env, and pX genes of this variant indicate marked heterogeneity (approximately 7%) from prototype HTLV-I. Based on available sequence data, PNG-1 is distinct from all other known HTLV-I strains and diverges from the common ancestor of HTLV-I prior to prototype isolates. The data also suggest, therefore, that HTLV-I originated in the Indo-Malay region rather than Africa.