Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Novel Substrate Integrated Waveguide fixed phase shifter for 180-degree Directional Coupler

Substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) is a new type of guided wave structure which could be used in both microwave and millimeter wave integrated circuits. The study found that SIW's metallic via structure is very suitable for achieving fixed phase difference by different SIW widths. In this principle, a very simple way was used to realize the fixed phase shifter in equal length SIW firstly, and designed a 23 GHz 3 dB 180-degree H-plane directional coupler in this technique. It can achieve an over 8.7% bandwidth with plusmn0.25 dB power equality, -19.2 dB isolation and 180 degrees phase shift between the output and coupled ports.
Identiﬁcation and Characterization of a New Enoyl Coenzyme A Hydratase Involved in Biosynthesis of Medium-Chain-Length Polyhydroxyalkanoates in Recombinant Escherichia coli

The biosynthetic pathway of medium-chain-length (MCL) polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from fatty acids has been established in fadB mutant Escherichia coli strain by expressing the MCL-PHA synthase gene. However, the enzymes that are responsible for the generation of ( R )-3-hydroxyacyl coenzyme A (R3HA-CoAs), the substrates for PHA synthase, have not been thoroughly elucidated. Escherichia coli MaoC, which is homologous to Pseudomonas aeruginosa ( R )-speciﬁc enoyl-CoA hydratase (PhaJ1), was identiﬁed and found to be important for PHA biosynthesis in a fadB mutant E. coli strain. When the MCL-PHA synthase gene was introduced, the fadB maoC double-mutant E. coli WB108, which is a derivative of E. coli W3110, accumulated 43% less amount of MCL-PHA from fatty acid compared with the fadB mutant E. coli WB101. The PHA biosynthetic capacity could be restored by plasmid-based expression of the maoC Ec gene in E. coli WB108. Also, E. coli W3110 possessing fully functional (cid:1) -oxidation pathway could produce MCL-PHA from fatty acid by the coexpression of the maoC Ec gene and the MCL-PHA synthase gene. For the enzymatic analysis, MaoC fused with His 6 -Tag at its C-terminal was expressed in E. coli and puriﬁed. Enzymatic analysis of tagged MaoC showed that MaoC has enoyl-CoA hydratase activity toward crotonyl-CoA. These results suggest that MaoC is a new enoyl-CoA hydratase involved in supplying ( R )-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA from the (cid:1) -oxidation pathway to PHA biosynthetic pathway in the fadB mutant E. coli strain.
The molecular basis of celiac disease

Celiac disease is caused by inflammatory, gluten specific T cell responses in the small intestine. Invariably such responses are HLA‐DQ2 or HLA‐DQ8 restricted, providing an explanation for the strong association between celiac disease and these HLA‐class II alleles. It is now clear that some native gluten sequences can bind to HLA‐DQ2/8 and induce T cell responses. In addition, modification of gluten peptides by the enzyme tissue transglutaminase results in high affinity HLA‐DQ2/8 binding peptides that can induce T cell responses. Thus, gluten molecules contain a large number of immunogenic peptides and this is likely to play an important role in the breaking of oral tolerance to gluten. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genetic polymorphisms of cytochrome P450 enzymes and antidepressant metabolism

Introduction: The cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes are the major enzymes responsible for Phase I reactions in the metabolism of several substances, including antidepressant medications. Thus, it has been hypothesized that variants in the CYP network may influence antidepressant efficacy and safety. Nonetheless, data on this field are still contradictory. The authors aim to give an overview of the published studies analyzing the influence of CYP highly polymorphic loci on antidepressant treatment in order to translate the acquired knowledge to a clinical level. Areas covered: The authors collected and compared experimental works and reviews published from the 1980s to the present and included in the Medline database. The included studies pertain to the effects of CYP gene polymorphisms on antidepressant pharmacokinetic parameters and clinical outcomes (response and drug-related adverse effects), with a focus on applications in clinical practice. The authors focused mainly on in vivo studies in humans (patients or healthy volunteers). Expert opinion: Great variability in antidepressant metabolism among individuals has been demonstrated. Thus, with the current interest in individualized medicine, several genetic tests to detect CYP variants have been produced. They provide a potentially useful way to anticipate some clinical outcomes of antidepressant treatment, although they will only be extensively used in clinical practice if precise and specific treatment options and guidelines based on genetic tests can be provided.
Taking the forest: The shared meaning of tree theft

In spite of the persistent nature of tree theft, little is known about the nature of this enduring activity. This year‐long ethnographic study conducted in a Pacific Northwest national forest examines the nature of tree theft and the role that it plays in contributing to social order in the forest community. A blend of ethnographic and Forest Service data is the basis of a three‐part tree theft typology. Findings show that tree theft that is affiliated with legitimate timber sales is accommodated by community tolerance and social support to preserve a shared sense of community. Unaffiliated thefts are not tolerated because of the disruption to community norms, and thus serve as an important community boundary. Tree poaching supports the sense of community as a means to order relationships, confer status, establish trust, and exclude unwanted members through the formal label of crime. As long as tree theft continues to service the stability of the forest community, it is likely to persist.
Perilymph Osmolality Modulates Cochlear Function

Objectives/Hypothesis: The cochlear amplifier is required for the exquisite sensitivity of mammalian hearing. Outer hair cells underlie the cochlear amplifier and they are unique in that they maintain an intracellular turgor pressure. Changing the turgor pressure of an isolated outer hair cells through osmotic challenge modulates its ability to produce electromotile force. We sought to determine the effect of osmotic challenge on cochlear function.
Of Poverty and Plastic: Scavenging and Scrap Trading Entrepreneurs in India's Urban Informal Economy

This volume applies the interdisciplinary 'field economics' approach to poverty analysis. The work is based on extensive fieldwork in the pre-urban edge of the sprawling metropolis of Delhi It assesses the economic, social, and political institutions and processes that structure the well-being, agency, and activities of the poor who are waste scavengers and involved with plastic recycling. Using a mix of survey and ethnographic data, it tells the complete story of how the waste picker at the lowest level of the chain fares in comparison to other kinds of occupational groups engaged in different parts of the scavenging and recycling chain, as well as in other parts of the informal economy. It focuses on the following themes: how occupational choices are dictated by low caste status; how these groups negotiate and surmount market failures and state failures to create a viable informal economy supporting numerous livelihoods and businesses; and how these groups gain or lose from patronage links at the level of the state government and national political parties.
Tests of Random Walk for Latin American Stock Markets: Additional Evidence

ABSTRACT This study examines the presence of random walk in stock returns in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela using variance-ratio tests as developed by Lo and MacKinlay (1988, 1989) and modified by Chow and Denning (1993). Daily, weekly and monthly index return series over a four- to eight-year sample period is used in the present study. Local currency rather than dollar denominated returns are used to avoid distortions caused by exchange rate behavior. The results indicate that while the return series for Argentina and Costa Rica follow random walk in a consistent manner, the return series for Peru does not, irrespective of the frequency of the data used. The results for the other sample markets vary as different frequency of data is used to estimate the variance-ratios. RESUMEN. Este estudio examina la presencia del trayecto aleatorio o random walk en el retorno de las inversiones bursátiles realizadas en Argentina, Brasil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, México, Perú y Venezuela, usando la prueba de variación proporcional desarrollada por Lo y MacKinlay (1988, 1989), modificada por Chow y Denning (1993). En este estudio se usa una serie de índices de retorno diarios, semanales y mensuales a lo largo de un período muestra de cuatro a ocho años. También se utiliza como denominar la moneda local en vez del dólar, para evitar cualquier distorsión que pueda llegar a provocar el comportamiento de la tasa cambiaria. Los resultados indican que, mientras que la serie de retornos obtenidos en Argentina y Costa Rica siguen la norma del trayecto aleatorio, Perú no lo hace, independientemente de la frecuencia de los datos usados. Los resultados para otros mercados varían a medida que se utiliza una frecuencia de datos diferente para estimar la variación proporcional. RESUMO. Este estudo examina a existência de um passeio fortuito no lucro das ações na Argentina, no Brasil, no Chile, na Colômbia, na Costa Rica, no México, no Peru e na Venezuela, utilizando os testes de índice de variância, desenvolvidos por Lo e MacKinlay (1988, 1989) e modificados por Chow e Denning (1993). Séries diárias, semanais e mensais de índices de retorno foram utilizadas neste trabalho, durante um período de amostragem de quatro a oito anos. Foi utilizada a moeda local, em vez do dólar, como parâmetro de retorno, para evitar distorções causadas pelo comportamento das taxas de câmbio. Os resultados indicam que, enquanto as séries de retorno para a Argentina e para a Costa Rica seguem o passeio fortuito de forma consistente, para o Peru isto não procede, independente da freqüência dos dados utilizados. Os resultados dos outros mercados utilizados como amostra, variam, conforme a utilização da freqüência diversa de dados, para avaliar os índices de variância.
Large Proximity-Induced Spin Lifetime Anisotropy in Transition-Metal Dichalcogenide/Graphene Heterostructures

Van der Waals heterostructures have become a paradigm for designing new materials and devices in which specific functionalities can be tailored by combining the properties of the individual 2D layers. A single layer of transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMD) is an excellent complement to graphene (Gr) because the high quality of charge and spin transport in Gr is enriched with the large spin–orbit coupling of the TMD via the proximity effect. The controllable spin-valley coupling makes these heterostructures particularly attractive for spintronic and opto-valleytronic applications. In this work, we study spin precession in a monolayer MoSe2/Gr heterostructure and observe an unconventional, dramatic modulation of the spin signal, showing 1 order of magnitude longer lifetime of out-of-plane spins compared to that of in-plane spins (τ⊥ ≈ 40 ps and τ∥ ≈ 3.5 ps). This demonstration of a large spin lifetime anisotropy in TMD/Gr heterostructures, is a direct evidence of induced spin-valley coupling in Gr and provides an accessible route for manipulation of spin dynamics in Gr, interfaced with TMDs.
Rarity of germline 1100delC mutation in CHK2 in patients with malignant melanoma of the skin

In this study the proportion of sporadic and familial malignant melanoma (MM) cases harbouring 1100delC in CHK2 was determined to assess whether this mutation is associated with the occurrence of MM. Three groups of patients were studied: (i) 101 patients with histologically confirmed sporadic MM of the skin diagnosed in the city of Szczecin, Poland; (ii) 16 MM patients with a family history of MM in their first-degree relatives; and (iii) 1024 individuals selected at random by family doctors from the city of Szczecin. Molecular examination included an allele-specific oligonucleotide polymerase chain reaction assay for the CHK2 founder mutation (1100delC), genomic sequencing, loss of heterozygosity analysis using CA-repeat microsatellite markers, and haplotype analysis. The CHK2 founder mutation was detected in one out of 101 (1%) of the sporadic MM cases, in none of the 16 familial MMs, and in two of the 1024 individuals (0.2%) from the general population. The differences between the groups of patients were not statistically significant. The MM patient with a CHK2 founder mutation was a 56-year-old female with a history of brain tumours at age 33 and 40 years, sarcoma at 41 years and finally MM at 55 years. Examination of tumorous DNA isolated from the MM and the sarcoma from this patient revealed no loss of heterozygosity in either tumour. It seems that examination of sporadic or familial MM cases for the 1100delC germline mutation in CHK2 is not justified. To evaluate whether this CHK2 founder mutation is associated with MM in patients with LFS syndrome, more MM cases from LFS families should be examined.
Early versus late tracheostomy for critically ill patients.

BACKGROUND Long-term mechanical ventilation is the most common situation where tracheostomy is indicated for patients in intensive care units (ICU). 'Early' and 'late' tracheostomies are two categories of the timing of tracheostomy. The evidence on the advantages attributed to early over late tracheostomy is somewhat conflicting but includes shorter hospital stays and lower mortality rates. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of early (≤ 10 days after intubation) versus late tracheostomy (> 10 days after intubation) in critically ill adult patients predicted to be on prolonged mechanical ventilation and with different clinical conditions. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2010, Issue 12); MEDLINE (via PubMed) (1966 to December 2010); EMBASE (via Ovid) (from 1974 to December 2010); LILACS (1986 to December 2010); PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database) at www.pedro. fhs.usyd. edu.au (1999 to December 2010) and CINAHL (1982 to December 2010). SELECTION CRITERIA We included all randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials which compared early tracheostomy (two to10 days after intubation) against late tracheostomy (> 10 days after intubation) for critically ill adult patients expected to be on prolonged mechanical ventilation. There was no language restriction. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two authors extracted data and conducted a quality assessment. Meta-analyses using the random-effects model were conducted for mortality and pneumonia. MAIN RESULTS We included four studies, with a high risk of bias, in which a total of 673 patients were randomized to either early or late tracheostomy. We could not pool data in a meta-analysis because of clinical, methodological and statistical heterogeneity between the included studies. There is no strong evidence for real differences between early and late tracheostomy in the primary outcome of mortality. In one study a statistically significant result favouring early tracheostomy was observed in the outcome measuring time spent on ventilatory support (mean difference (MD) -9.80 days, 95% CI -11.48 to -8.12, P < 0.001). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Updated evidence is of low quality, and potential differences between early and late tracheostomy need to be better investigated by means of randomized controlled trials. At present there is no specific information about any subgroup or individual characteristics potentially associated with better outcomes with either early or late tracheostomy.
Can Information and Communication Technology Help Reduce Corruption? How So and Why Not: Two Case Studies from South Asia

The deployment of electronic governance over the past few years has enabled citizens to access government information and services with more ease and less cost. Unfortunately, the majority of governments embracing these technologies and making the citizen-government interaction easier to navigate are found primarily in the industrialized West. One exception is India, which is the focus of this paper. Beyond viewing electronic governance as a means of facilitating state-citizen interactions, I explore the linkages between electronic governance and corruption deterrence, and by doing so, fill in a crucial void in the current literature. After reviewing successful ICT-led government reform efforts in the West from public administration literature, a simple model is proposed to determine how these technologies may come to be utilized for reform. The model is then applied to the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh and the neighboring government of Bangladesh to test the salience of the variables, and to determine why the former may be more successful than the latter.
The Effects of Union Membership on Wages and Employee Benefits: The Case of Australia

In Australia, pay awards by government tribunals cover nearly the entire work force, and those awards set equal pay for comparable union and nonunion workers. Union members may, however, secure higher compensation through plant-level bargaining. This study uses 1984–88 panel data to estimate the magnitude of union effects on compensation by examining changes in the compensation of employees who enter and leave union jobs, relative to changes in the compensation of workers who remain union or nonunion. The results show that union workers in Australia enjoy 7–18% higher wages than comparable nonunion workers and are also more likely to have access to a pension plan.
Corporate Political Contributions and Stock Returns

We develop a new and comprehensive database of firm-level contributions to U.S. political campaigns from 1979 to 2004. We construct variables that measure the extent of firm support for candidates. We find that these measures are positively and significantly correlated with the cross-section of future returns. The effect is strongest for firms that support a greater number of candidates that hold office in the same state that the firm is based. In addition, there are stronger effects for firms whose contributions are slanted toward House candidates and Democrats. Copyright (c) 2010 the American Finance Association.
Greening the mainstream: party politics and the environment

If the environment becomes the subject of party competition so that mainstream parties compete to be the ‘greenest’ party and move closer to Green party positions that may produce more environmental policy measures and better environmental outcomes. A comparative analysis of the impact of the environmental dimension on contemporary party politics employs the 2010 Chapel Hill Expert Survey and the Manifesto Project empirical data to analyse party positions and issue salience. Green parties still form a homogenous party family characterised by strong environmental, libertarian and left-wing policy positions. Mainstream parties have mostly employed dismissive and accommodative strategies towards the environment, with left-wing parties adopting more pro-environment policy positions than right-wing parties, but with only marginal differences in issue salience that fluctuate over time.
Robustness of Macroeconomic Indicators of Capital Mobility

The performance of macroeconomic indicators of capital mobility is examined in the context of an intertemporal equilibrium model of a small open economy. Recursive numerical solution methods are used to compute measures of consumption smoothing, savings-investment correlation, and the variability and output-correlation of investment that characterize the model in the presence of income disturbances. None of these statistics is a reliable indicator of capital mobility unless information regarding differences in preferences, technology, and the nature of stochastic shocks can be taken into account.
Quality management practices and their relationship to organizational performance

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent of total quality management (TQM) practices implemented in Palestinian hospitals and their relationship to organizational performance using the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award criteria. Design/methodology/approach – A survey of 51 hospitals operating in the West Bank of Palestine was conducted in order to test the validity and reliability of TQM constructs and their relationship to organizational performance. Findings – The results showed that TQM constructs used in this study are positively related to hospital performance and for the most part the relationship was significant; they were capable of explaining a significant portion of variance in performance. Three elements were found to be strongly significant predictors of performance- people management, process management, and information and analysis. Research limitations/implications – Although hospitals operating in the Gaza Strip were excluded from the study, this research promotes.
ESD robustness of low-voltage/high-speed TVS devices with epitaxial grown films

A transient voltage suppression (TVS) diode with abrupt junctions has been developed using the low-temperature epitaxy and process technology. The triggering voltage at 6 V could be precisely controlled by the thickness and dopant concentration. The reliability of TVS device is confirmed based on its electrostatic discharge (ESD) strength in conjunction with the transmission line pulse (TLP) test. As a result, the device could exceed 28 A TLP, ±8 kV MM, and could withstand IEC 61000-4-2 up to ±19kV. Moreover, TVS diode exhibited very low leakage current, small capacitance, fast respond time and high cut off frequency of 2nA, 60 pF, 8 ps, and 52 MHz, respectively. TVS diode can be also used for a digital communication line as well as an ESD/EMI filter attenuating the RF noise in MHz range.
Universalizing Access to Primary Education in Kenya: Myths and Realities

Kenya is among the African countries that have made notable advances in the quest for Universal Primary Education (UPE). Major landmarks in this regard include free primary education, increased enrolments, and an attempt to democratize education governance through decentralized management. However, the road towards full attainment of UPE has also been marked by increasingly complex internal inefficiencies in the form of increased dropout rates, congested classrooms, shortage of teachers and basic facilities, and a policy framework that favours centralism over inclusivity. Equity concerns, with regard to gender, region, ethnicity, and socio-economic background also abound. Furthermore, overemphasis on primary education may have locked out other sectors of education from their due policy and fiscal attention. Such shortcomings compromise the ideal of UPE, namely the provision of an education that is equitable and meaningful to all—including underserved populations.