Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ultra Low-Power Analog Median Filters

The design and implementation of three analog median filter topologies, whose transistors operate in the deep weak-inversion region, is described. The first topology is a differential pairs array, in which drain currents are driven into two nodes in a differential fashion, while the second topology is based on a wide range OTA, which is used to maximize the dynamic range. Finally, the third topology uses three range-extended OTAs. The proposed weak-inversion filters were designed and fabricated in ON Semiconductor 0.5 m technology through MOSIS. Experimental results of three-input fabricated prototypes for all three topologies are shown, with power consumptions of 90 nW in the first case, and 270 nW in the other two cases. A dual power supply 1.5 Volts was used.
Improving the Accuracy of Land Use and Land Cover Classification of Landsat Data Using Post-Classification Enhancement

Classifying remote sensing imageries to obtain reliable and accurate land use and land cover (LULC) information still remains a challenge that depends on many factors such as complexity of landscape, the remote sensing data selected, image processing and classification methods, etc. The aim of this paper is to extract reliable LULC information from Landsat imageries of the Lower Hunter region of New South Wales, Australia. The classical maximum likelihood classifier (MLC) was first applied to classify Landsat-MSS of 1985 and Landsat-TM of 1995 and 2005. The major LULC identified were Woodland, Pasture/scrubland, Vineyard, Built-up and Water-body. By applying post-classification correction (PCC) using ancillary data and knowledge-based logic rules the overall classification accuracy was improved from about 72% to 91% for 1985 map, 76% to 90% for 1995 map and 79% to 87% for 2005 map. The improved overall Kappa statistics due to PCC were 0.88 for the 1985 map, 0.86 for 1995 and 0.83 for 2005. The PCC maps, assessed by McNemar’s test, were found to have much higher accuracy in comparison to their counterpart MLC maps. The overall improvement in classification accuracy of the LULC maps is significant in terms of their potential use for land change modelling of the region.
Dynamic capabilities and their indirect impact on firm performance

This paper investigates the relationship between dynamic capabilities and firm performance. In particular it addresses the question of whether dynamic capabilities impact directly or indirectly on performance. Using data from manufacturing firms, the paper articulates and measures dynamic capabilities as a multi-dimensional construct with three underlying factors: coordination, learning and strategic competitive response. Then, structural equation modelling is employed to explore the relationships among dynamic capabilities, functional competences and firm performance. Empirical findings suggest that dynamic capabilities are antecedents to functional competences which in turn have a significant effect on performance. Direct effects on performance are found to be insignificant. Furthermore, similar effects seem to hold for both higher and lower levels of environmental dynamism. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Working Paper No . 2010 / 47 Concepts and Operationalization of Pro-Poor Growth

Growth that reduces poverty is often considered pro-poor regardless of whether the poor benefit from it more than the non-poor. Such growth could simply be termed povertyreducing growth. This paper argues that for growth to be pro-poor it should disproportionally benefit the poor. The paper proposes an operational definition of propoor growth that restricts it to the cases in which the mean income of the poor increases proportionally more than that of the non-poor. A new index is proposed based exclusively on the redistributional component of poverty-gap changes obtained through an exact decomposition. It is then shown that this component measures how pro-poor growth is over a given period based on the above mentioned definition. The paper further presents several indicators for evaluating and monitoring the ‘pro-poorness’ of growth over time and concludes with an empirical illustration for the case of Honduras.
On the gradient flow of a one-homogeneous functional

We consider the gradient flow of a one-homogeneous functional, whose dual involves the derivative of a constrained scalar function. We show in this case that the gradient flow is related to a weak, generalized formulation of a Hele–Shaw flow. The equivalence follows from a variational representation, which is a variant of well-known variational representations for the Hele–Shaw problem. As a consequence we get existence and uniqueness of a weak solution to the Hele–Shaw flow. We also obtain an explicit representation for the Total Variation flow in dimension 1, and easily deduce basic qualitative properties, concerning in particular the "staircasing effect".
The strategic management of college enrollments

"The Strategic Management of College Enrollments" is a complete guide to the principles and practice of enrollment management and presents a strategic approach to recruiting and retaining students by linking and coordinating the activities of recruitment, admissions, financial aid, orientation, career planning, retention, and other areas. It explains how to tailor an enrollment management system to the specific organizational needs of a college or university, and make it an integral part of the institution's strategic planning.
Functional abnormalities in the dyslexic brain: A quantitative meta‐analysis of neuroimaging studies

This study used foci from 17 original studies on functional abnormalities in the dyslexic brain to identify brain regions with consistent under‐ or overactivation. Studies were included when reading or reading‐related tasks were performed on visually presented stimuli and when results reported coordinates for group differences. Activation likelihood estimation (ALE) was used for quantification. Maxima of underactivation were found in inferior parietal, superior temporal, middle and inferior temporal, and fusiform regions of the left hemisphere. With respect to left frontal abnormalities, we found underactivation in the inferior frontal gyrus to be accompanied by overactivation in the primary motor cortex and the anterior insula. Tentative functional interpretations of the activation abnormalities are provided. Hum Brain Mapp, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Long-term aerosol-mediated changes in cloud radiative forcing of deep clouds at the top and bottom of the atmosphere over the Southern Great Plains

Abstract. Aerosols can alter the macro- and micro-physical properties of deep convective clouds (DCCs) and their radiative forcing (CRF). This study presents what is arguably the first long-term estimate of the aerosol-mediated changes in CRF (AMCRF) for deep cloud systems derived from decade-long continuous ground-based and satellite observations, model simulations, and reanalysis data. Measurements were made at the US Department of Energy's Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program's Southern Great Plains (SGP) site. Satellite retrievals are from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite. Increases in aerosol loading were accompanied by the thickening of DCC cores and the expansion and thinning of anvils, due presumably to the aerosol invigoration effect (AIV) and the aerosol microphysical effect. Meteorological variables dictating these cloud processes were investigated. Consistent with previous findings, the AIV is most significant when the atmosphere is moist and unstable with weak wind shear. Such aerosol-mediated systematic changes in DCC core thickness and anvil size alter CRF at the top of atmosphere (TOA) and at the surface. Using extensive observations, ~300 DCC systems were identified over a 10 years period at the SGP site (2000–2011) and analyzed. Daily mean AMCRF at the TOA and at the surface are 29.3 W m−2 and 22.2 W m−2, respectively. This net warming effect due to changes in DCC microphysics offsets the cooling resulting from the first aerosol indirect effect.
Evidence-based peer-tutoring program to improve students’ performance at the university

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the impact of a peer-tutoring program on academic performance among first-year students. The sample consisted of 102 first-year students from four-degree programs at a Spanish University. The academic performance was measured through the official student Academic reports. The assignment of the students to the experimental group (N = 51) and control group (N = 51) was done randomly. The intervention consisted of 20 highly structured individual weekly tutoring sessions delivered by senior and doctoral students, previously trained in three training sessions. The results show moderate effects’ size and statistically significant differences in favor of the experimental group in the total academic course, as well as in the fall and spring semesters.
The Consequences of Issuing Convertible Bonds: Dilution And/Or Financial Restructuring?

Historically, most convertible bond (CB) issues have been converted to equity sooner or later. The announcement of a CB issue will bring about a future dilution of the firm's capital, and is often followed by a drop in share price. However, a CB issue by itself creates future value for the shareholders if it enables the firm to make profitable investments. It can also issue a positive signal regarding the restructuring of the firm's financial liabilities and its attempts to optimise its financial structure. These positive effects, if they occur, will develop gradually after the issue, and cannot be identified by a simple short-term event analysis of a CB issue announcement. In this paper, we test the significance of the dilution effect, coupled with a possible value creation effect, using data from the French stock market. We introduce a comparison between dilutive convertibles and non-dilutive exchangeable bonds. By integrating different corrections and by selecting a window of analysis over a longer period after the announcement of the issue, we show that the negative cumulative average abnormal returns generally observed in previous studies become non-significant. This absence of global incidence is indicative of large differences in individual behaviour by issuers of CBs, and leads us to take into account the strategic choices linked to the issue of a CB. Two goals, often described as ‘investment financing’ or ‘financial restructuring’, may exist when issuing, and may appear to explain the size of the abnormal returns.
Company-Based Determinants of Training and the Impact of Training on Company Performance: Results from an International HRM Survey

This study uses an international dataset (26 countries) in examining the questions of what determines employee training from an organisational perspective and to what extent training investments contribute to company performance. The results indicate that the provision of company training is largely determined by firm-specific factors such as human resource management (HRM) practises. The results further show that two widely used measures of training (incidence and intensity) are largely determined by different factors. Staff turnover (mobility) does not appear to be a decisive factor in explaining the provision of training on a national level or company level though it is associated with lower profitability. However, the single most important factor associated with profitability is how much is invested in training (intensity), suggesting that the economic benefits of training outweigh the cost of staff turnover.
Determinants of debt maturity structure across firm size

ABSTRACT This study examines the empirical determinants of debt maturity structure across the size of Spanish firms. Our evidence offers support for the relevance of growth opportunities, size, asymmetric information and asset to maturity to explain debt maturity structure. The paper also provides evidence regarding the differences in explanations according to firm size. It is shown that debt maturity in small firms is higher when the slope of the interest rate term structure increases and for very low-risk and very risky firms.
Prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission cascade in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction The Chinese government has invested US$140 million annually on prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. This study evaluates the programme by examining the improvements in programme coverage HIV testing and provision of antiviral drugs along the PMTCT cascade. Methods Data for PMTCT cascade indicators were collected through a comprehensive systematic review of published peer-reviewed English and Chinese literature during 2003–2011. Meta-analysis was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Results This study included 113 publications. HIV prevalence among pregnant women in China who accessed antenatal care (ANC) remained below 0.1% during the past decade. HIV testing coverage in pregnant women attending ANC and in HIV-exposed infants at 18 months significantly increased from 62.4% (95% CI 4.7% to 98.2%) and 22.1% (16.3% to 32.3%) in 2003 to 90.3% (88.4% to 91.8%) and 82.8% (66.9% to 99.5%) in 2011 respectively, whereas antiretroviral (ARV) prophylaxis uptake increased from 35.2% (12.2% to 47.3%) and 26.9% (24.3% to 28.9%) to 86.2% (53.2% to 97.2%) and 90.3% (85.5% to 93.7%). HIV vertical transmission rate substantially decreased from 31.8% (25.7% to 38.6%) prior to the programme to 2.3% (1.4% to 3.8%) in 2011. During 2003–2011, among 25 312 (23 995–26 644) infants born to HIV-positive mothers who received ARV prophylaxis, 975 (564–1395) were diagnosed with HIV, corresponding to an average transmission rate of 3.9% (3.2% to 4.6%). However, while including transmissions among HIV-positive pregnant women who were lost along the cascade, the average transmission rate during 2003–2011 was 17.4% (15.8% to 19.0%). Conclusions PMTCT programmes have reduced HIV mother-to-child transmission in China. Further improvements in the continuum of care remain essential in realising the full potential of the programme.
Beyond under the dome: an environmental documentary amplified public risk perception about air pollution in China

Abstract Air pollution is a major environmental problem in China and it poses serious risks to public health. Based on the social amplification of risk framework (SARF), this study examines how media, in particular, an impactful environmental documentary titled Under the Dome, influenced Chinese citizens’ risk perception about air pollution. Survey results showed that exposure to the documentary amplified risk perception and risk perception was significantly related to viewers’ information seeking behaviors, policy support, and individual mitigation action about this issue.
Evaluation of the effect of backpack load and position during standing and walking using biomechanical, physiological and subjective measures

Recommendations on backpack loading advice restricting the load to 10% of body weight and carrying the load high on the spine. The effects of increasing load (0%–5%–10%–15% of body weight) and changing the placement of the load on the spine, thoracic vs. lumbar placement, during standing and gait were analysed in 20 college-aged students by studying physiological, biomechanical and subjective data. Significant changes were: (1) increased thorax flexion; (2) reduced activity of M. erector spinae vs. increased activation of abdominals; (3) increased heart rate and Borg scores for the heaviest loads. A trend towards increased spinal flexion, reduced pelvic anteversion and rectus abdominis muscle activity was observed for the lumbar placement. The subjective scores indicate a preference for the lumbar placement. These findings suggest that carrying loads of 10% of body weight and above should be avoided, since these loads induce significant changes in electromyography, kinematics and subjective scores. Conclusions on the benefits of the thoracic placement for backpack loads could not be drawn based on the parameter set studied.
Stellar evolution with rotation XI. Wolf-Rayet star populations at different metallicities

Grids of models of massive stars (M ≥ 20 M� ) with rotation are computed for metallicities Z ranging from that of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) to that of the Galactic Centre. The hydrostatic effects of rotation, the rotational mixing and the enhancements of the mass loss rates by rotation are included. The evolution of the surface rotational velocities of the most massive O-stars mainly depends on the mass loss rates and thus on the initial Z value. The minimum initial mass for a star for entering the Wolf-Rayet (WR) phase is lowered by rotation. For all metallicities, rotating stars enter the WR phase at an earlier stage of evolution and the WR lifetimes are increased, mainly as a result of the increased duration of the eWNL phase. Models of WR stars predict in general rather low rotation velocities (<50 km s −1 ) with a few possible exceptions, particularly at metallicities lower than solar where WR star models have in general faster rotation and more chance to reach the break-up limit. The properties of the WR populations as predicted by the rotating models are in general in much better agreement with the observations in nearby galaxies. Some possible remaining difficulties in these comparisons are mentioned. The evolution of the chemical abundances is largely influenced by rotation in all phases from the MS phase to the WN and WC phases. We also show that the interval of initial masses going through the LBV stage is changing with Z and Ω. The observed variation with metallicity of the fractions of type Ib/Ic supernovae with respect to type II supernovae as found by Prantzos & Boissier (2003) is very well reproduced by the rotating models, while non-rotating models predict much too low ratios. This indicates that the minimum initial masses of single stars going through a WR phase are consistently predicted. At Z = 0.040, stars with initial masses above 50 Mreach a final mass at the time of supernova explosion between 5 and 7.5 M� , while at Z = 0.004, like in the SMC, the final masses of stars are in the range of 17-29 M� . On the whole, rotation appears to be an essential parameter even for the WR properties. Detailed tables describing the evolutionary tracks are available on the web.
Learning A Deep ` 1 Encoder for Hashing

We investigate the `1-constrained representation which demonstrates robustness to quantization errors, utilizing the tool of deep learning. Based on the Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers (ADMM), we formulate the original convex minimization problem as a feed-forward neural network, named Deep `1 Encoder, by introducing the novel Bounded Linear Unit (BLU) neuron and modeling the Lagrange multipliers as network biases. Such a structural prior acts as an effective network regularization, and facilitates the model initialization. We then investigate the effective use of the proposed model in the application of hashing, by coupling the proposed encoders under a supervised pairwise loss, to develop a Deep Siamese `1 Network, which can be optimized from end to end. Extensive experiments demonstrate the impressive performances of the proposed model. We also provide an in-depth analysis of its behaviors against the competitors.
Association between Red Blood Cell Distribution Width and Acute Pancreatitis

Background We aimed to determine whether there are any alterations in red blood cell width in patients diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. Material/Methods This was a retrospective study of records of patients treated in emergency units and diagnosed with acute pancreatitis between January 2011 and April 2013. Records were investigated regarding patient age, sex, and causes of acute pancreatitis. Red blood cell width and amylase values obtained from the patients during diagnosis and after a full recovery from acute pancreatitis were added to the records. Results Recorded red blood cell width and amylase values of 104 patients diagnosed with acute pancreatitis were statistically compared according to the time of sample collection. Samples were collected in the post-diagnostic period and after full recovery. Values of red blood cell width and amylase were found to be significantly higher in samples collected during hospital admission in comparison to those obtained from patients after fully recovering from acute pancreatitis (p<0.05). Conclusions An increase in red blood cell width value is a marker of acute pancreatitis; therefore, we suggest that red blood cell width can be used as a tool for the early diagnosis and assessment of disease progression.
From Novice to Effective Teacher: A Study of Postgraduate Training and History Pedagogy

The question of what makes for effective initial professional development of teachers is both complex and contested. From 1992 in England there have been major changes to the pattern of initial teacher training [ITT], changes that have been centrally imposed with minimal or no consultation with the Higher Education Institutes’ [HEI] teacher training community involved. The revolution has seen initial professional development move its locus from HEIs to schools and colleges, with a downgrading in both the role and status of HEIs in the process. The study reported below is a longitudinal one from 1996-2000 into the factors that affect the professional development of teachers of history to 7-11 year olds. Because of the disruption caused by changes in government policy towards both schools and HEIs the research adopted a case study approach, examining the career paths of 18 initial trainees within the context of developing their professionalism. The findings are accordingly tentative but suggest that professional development in terms of the teaching of history is a highly complex long-term process that has two dominant influences: the students’ prior experience of both learning and being taught history and the Initial Teacher Training within the HEI. The paper examines within the ITT course the affect that an Intervention Strategy for the teaching of History had upon the student teachers. The conclusion is that where students have a well developed and syntactic understanding of the discipline prior to the course that the Intervention Strategy builds upon and complements, they are able to develop many of the features of proto-expert teachers of history. Where their prior experience of history as an academic discipline is limited, both the overall college course and the Intervention Strategy have a relatively superficial impact upon their development as teachers of history.
Ketamine suppresses intestinal TLR4 expression and NF-kappaB activity in lipopolysaccharide-treated rats.

AIM To investigate whether ketamine suppresses lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced increase in Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) activity in the intestines of rats. METHODS Six groups of rats received one of the following: normal saline control, LPS (5 mg/kg) plus saline, LPS (5 mg/kg) plus ketamine (0.5 mg/kg), LPS (5 mg/kg) plus ketamine (2.5 mg/kg), LPS (5 mg/kg) plus ketamine (10 mg/kg), or ketamine (10 mg/kg) alone. Intestinal TLR4 mRNA expression was analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and NF-kappaB activity was tested by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) 1, 3, or 5 hours after the LPS injection. RESULTS Lipopolysaccharide increased TLR4 expression and NF-kappaB activity in the intestines of rats. Ketamine at the dosage of 0.5, 2.5, and 10 mg/kg suppressed the LPS-induced increase in TLR4 expression and NF-kappaB activity. Ketamine alone had no effect. CONCLUSION The study demonstrated that ketamine inhibits NF-kappaB activation in the intestines of LPS-treated rats, possibly by suppressing TLR4 expression.