Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Soft Cyclic Delay Diversity and its Performance for DVB-T in Ricean Channels

Cyclic delay diversity (CDD) provides additional diversity in Rayleigh fading channels, and therefore, improves the system performance. For line-of-sight (LOS) propagation, e.g., the additive white Gaussian noise channel, the implementation of CDD yields to a performance loss. The power distribution among the transmit (TX) antenna branches is a further parameter which can freely be chosen for optimizing the system performance and allows to switch on/off CDD softly. The idea is to feed different power levels into the multiple TX antenna branches rather than distributing the TX power uniformly among the TX antennas. We exemplarily implement the soft CDD principle to the terrestrial digital video broadcasting system (DVB-T). We consider a Ricean multipath fading channel, which allows to control the ratio of LOS and non-LOS propagation power via the Ricean factor for simulations. Simulation results for 2-TX and 4-TX antenna CDD show that antenna power weighting significantly reduces the SNR loss in LOS propagation by the cost of a slight degradation of the SNR gain in non-LOS scenarios.
Of Time and Partisan Instability in Britain

Converse's ‘Of Time and Partisan Stability’ presents one of the most elegant theories in political science. Analysing the surveys collected in Almond and Verba's five-nation study, Converse explains the micro-level processes that can contribute to partisan stability among mass electorates. If, as Campbell, Converse, Miller and Stokes argue, partisan loyalties contribute to electoral stability, Converse's theory has important implications, not only for electoral behaviour, but for democratic political stability as well.
Maternal vasoactive exposures, amniotic bands, and terminal transverse limb defects.

BACKGROUND Limb reduction deficiencies that are accompanied by amniotic bands (AB-Ls) and terminal transverse limb deficiencies (TLDs) have each been attributed to vascular disruption; for the former, however, it is not clear if amniotic bands are the primary cause of or are secondary to vascular disruption. If amniotic bands are secondary to vascular disruption, then a shared pathogenesis for each case group might be exhibited by similar risk factors. METHODS We evaluated maternal age, education, race/ethnicity, parity, pregnancy wantedness, and vasoactive exposures among 139 AB-L and 373 TLD cases, using interview data collected from mothers in 10 states by the National Birth Defects Prevention Study. Vasoactive exposures included maternal cigarette smoking and use of decongestants, nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs, and antihypertensive drugs in the periconceptional period. RESULTS Increased risk estimates were observed for Black mothers (OR 2.5; 95% CI: 1.5-4.1) and nulliparous mothers (2.1; 1.4-3.0) in relation to AB-L, while neither was associated with TLD. Hispanic women (1.4; 1.0-1.9) and those not wanting the pregnancy (1.5; 1.1-2.1) had increased risks of TLD, but not AB-L. Maternal cigarette smoking and aspirin use each increased the risk of AB-L, but not TLD; while decongestants and possibly antihypertensive medications increased the risk of TLD, but not AB-L. CONCLUSIONS The lack of consistent findings for the two case groups suggests that AB-L and TLD may be distinct entities. The inconsistencies also suggest that these vasoactive exposures may not be markers for vascular disruption or that vascular disruption may not play a major role in the pathogenesis of these two types of limb deficiencies.
DNA fragmentation in V79 cells irradiated with light ions as measured by pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis. II. Simulation with a generalized broken stick model

Purpose: To characterize the differences among the experimental DNA fragmentation spectra induced in Chinese hamster V79 cells by γ‐rays, low‐energy protons and alpha‐particles through the use of a phenomenological model. Materials and methods: A model of DNA fragmentation was developed as a generalization of the broken‐stick model, in which the double‐strand breaks induced by radiation were considered randomly placed, but in which the manifestly non‐random fragmentation of the control sample was fully taken into account and considered as the initial fragment distribution. Further, an analytical method was introduced that allowed an evaluation of the deviation from randomness of the fragmentation induced by radiation. Results: The analysis of the experimental distribution of DNA fragments showed that there was a progressive departure from randomness in radiation‐induced fragmentation going from γ‐rays to protons and then to alpha‐particles. This deviation was characterized by an enhanced induction of fragments, and therefore by a larger correlation of double‐strand breaks, in the experimental range of lower molecular weights. Conclusion: The analysis shows that low‐energy light ions induce DNA fragmentation, at the loop level of the chromatin organization, that can be significantly non‐random. The same analysis can readily be applied at different length scales, and thus it could offer a basis for the study of the link between DNA damage, correlated at various spatial scales and biological end‐points.
Defence Measures and Earnings Management in an Owner Dominant Context

The aim of this research is to examine the effect of defensive measures (DMs) on earnings management in an owner dominant environment such as Continental Europe, where control is assumed to be exercised by large shareholders. Thus, compared to the manager dominant context of the US/UK, in the owner dominant environment firms operate in a setting with weaker investor protection, less developed capital markets and a larger presence of dominant owners with the ability and incentives to influence corporate decisions. Using a defensive index that captures the level of defence measures in Spanish listed firms’ by-laws, we find a positive relation between the presence of DMs and earnings management. Our results are consistent with DMs promoting dominant shareholders’ entrenchment and increasing their incentives to manage earnings in order to avoid unnecessary scrutiny from market participants and regulators in a context where political rent-seeking activities are prevalent.
Squamous overgrowth is not a safety concern for photodynamic therapy for Barrett's esophagus with high-grade dysplasia.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Photodynamic therapy with porfimer sodium combined with acid suppression (PHOPDT) is used to treat patients with Barrett's esophagus (BE) with high-grade dysplasia (HGD). A 5-year phase 3 trial was conducted to determine the extent of squamous overgrowth of BE with HGD after PHOPDT. METHODS Squamous overgrowth was compared in patients with BE with HGD randomly assigned (2:1) to receive PHOPDT (n=138) or 20 mg omeprazole twice daily (n=70). Patients underwent 4-quadrant jumbo esophageal biopsies every 2 cm throughout the pretreatment length of BE until 4 consecutive quarterly follow-up results were negative for HGD and then biannually up to 5 years or treatment failure. Endoscopies were reviewed by blinded gastroenterology pathologists. RESULTS Histologic assessment of 33,658 biopsies showed no significant difference (P> .05) in squamous overgrowth between groups when compared per patient (30% vs 33%) or per biopsy (0.5% vs 1.3%), or when the average number of biopsies with squamous overgrowth were compared per patient (0.48 vs 0.66). The highest grade of neoplasia per endoscopy was not found exclusively beneath squamous mucosa in any patient. CONCLUSIONS No difference was observed in squamous overgrowth between patients given PHOPDT plus omeprazole compared with only omeprazole. Squamous overgrowth did not obscure the most advanced neoplasia in any patient. Treatment of HGD with PHOPDT in patients with BE does not present a long-term risk of failure to detect subsquamous dysplasia or carcinoma.
Dairy product consumption and gastric cancer risk: a meta-analysis.

AIM To investigate whether dairy product consumption is a risk factor for gastric cancer. METHODS We searched the PubMed and Web of Science databases for English-language studies on dairy product consumption and gastric cancer risk that were published between October 1980 and September 2013. One author independently extracted data and assessed study quality. Based on the heterogeneity results, we used either the fixed effects model or the random effects model to compute the summary relative risks and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We also analyzed subgroups according to the study design, geographic region, sex, and whether there were adjustments for confounders (smoking and drinking) with respect to the sources of heterogeneity. RESULTS We found 39 studies that were potentially eligible for inclusion in this meta-analysis, including 10 cohort studies and 29 case-control studies. The summary relative risk for gastric cancer, comparing the highest and lowest dairy product consumption categories, was 1.06 (95%CI: 0.95-1.18). Specific analyses for milk, butter, and margarine yielded similar results, but the results for cheese and yogurt were different. There was significant heterogeneity for all studies (Q = 112.61; P = 0.000; I (2) = 67.1%). No publication bias was observed (Egger's test: P = 0.135; Begg's test: P = 0.365). There was a nonsignificant association between dairy product consumption and gastric cancer risk in the subgroup analysis for the study design, sex, geographic region, and whether there were adjustments for confounders (smoking and drinking). CONCLUSION In our meta-analysis, dairy product consumption was associated with a nonsignificantly increased risk of gastric cancer. However, this result should be verified using large, well-designed prospective studies.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation and the challenge of coil placement: A comparison of conventional and stereotaxic neuronavigational strategies

The combination of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with functional neuroimaging has expanded the potential of TMS for human brain mapping. The precise and reliable positioning of the TMS coil is not a simple task, however. Modern frameless stereotaxic systems allow investigators to base navigation either on the subject's structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional MRI data, or the use of functional neuroimaging data from the literature, so‐called “probabilistic approach. ” The latter assumes consistency across individuals in the location of task‐related “activations” in standardized stereotaxic space. Conventional nonstereotaxic localization of brain areas is also a common method for defining the coil position. Our aim was to evaluate the accuracy of five different localization strategies in one single study. The left primary motor cortex (left M1‐Hand) was used as target region. Three approaches were based on real‐time frameless stereotaxy using information based on either anatomical or functional MRI. The remaining two strategies relied either on standard cranial landmarks (i.e., the International 10–20 EEG system) or a standardized function‐guided procedure (i.e., the spatial relationship between the left and right M1‐Hand). The results were compared to a TMS‐based mapping of the primary motor cortex; center of gravity of motor‐evoked potentials (MEP‐CoG) was calculated for each subject (n = 10). Our findings suggest that highest precision can be achieved with fMRI‐guided stimulation, which was accurate within the range of millimeters. Very consistent results were also obtained with the “probabilistic” approach. In view of these findings, we discuss the methods and special characteristics of each localization strategy. Hum Brain Mapp, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Financial Revolution in England : A Study in the Development of Public Credit, 1688-1756

Part 1 The scope of the problem: the financial revolution the contemporary debate. Part 2 Government long-term borrowing: the earliest phase of the national debt 1688-1714 problems of administration and reform 1693-1719 the South Sea Bubble (I) the South Sea Bubble (II) financial relief and reconstruction 1720-30 (I) financial relief and reconstruction 1720-1730 (II) the national debt under Walpole war and peace 1739-55. Part 3 The public creditors: public creditors in England public creditors abroad. Part 4 Government short-term borrowing: borrowing by exchequer tallies borrowing by exchequer bills departmental credit the bonds of the monied companies the ownership of short-dates securities. Part 5 The market in securities: the turnover of securities the rate of interest in theory and practice the origins of the stock exchange. Appendices.
On the Relationship between Wages and Monitoring: Comment

Goerke (2001) suggests that the relationship between wages and monitoring intensity can be positive in efficiency wage models, without constituting a refutation of the shirking theory. Nevertheless, there are several features of the model that can undermine this insightful analysis. This comment aims to highlight the problems that arise when the monitoring intensity is endogenized the way suggested by the author and to present the proof that using Cobb–Douglas function is under the current set-up not feasible. First of all, the author uses the profit function in the following form:
Teachers’ Informal Collaboration Regarding Technology

Abstract Elementary school teachers in the present study reported informal collaboration regarding technology use as a more effective method of professional development than organizationally planned or sponsored activities. Despite the fact that teachers see their colleagues as valuable resources for learning how to utilize technology, the disciplined inquiry into informal collaboration is sparse. To answer the research question, “What is the nature of informal collaboration among teachers regarding technology use? ,” a combination of questionnaire and interview techniques was utilized to generate five assertions concerning the constructs that govern teachers’ informal collaboration regarding technology use. These assertions include information pertaining to teachers’ perceptions of informal collaboration, factors that influence conversations, and with whom and for what purpose participants informally collaborate.
Effective Derivative Hedging and Initial Public Offering Long‐Run Performance

We investigate the role of corporate currency risk management through the use of financial derivatives in influencing the long-run performance of a sample of Australian resources companies. We find that derivative users generally outperformed nonderivative users in the 5-year period following listing. Effective derivative users consistently outperformed the nonhedgers. Furthermore, within the population of derivative users, effective derivative users tended to perform better than ineffective hedgers. Our results indicate that effective financial risk management plays a role in long-run IPO performance.
Cyclone, coastal society and migration: empirical evidence from Bangladesh

In this study the effectiveness of adaptive coping strategies to reduce the damage cost and its consequences for social structural change are examined. Here, migration is considered as a strategic step to cope with the adverse effect of cyclone Aila of 2009 in Bangladesh. A survey of 288 respondents demonstrated that male members of cyclone victims' family were likely to move nearer cities immediately after the end of relief programme. They live in slum environments to accumulate more money for their dependants, but out-migration from the family creates more social problems for their spouse. It introduces changes in local social structure. Income and asset distribution play a vital role in deciding movement. This study depicts a societal cluster of migration correlating with previous disaster data that introduces a new methodological tool for analysing the disaster-migration nexus.
Proteomics for early detection of colorectal cancer: recent updates

ABSTRACT Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common type of cancer with a relatively poor survival rate. The survival rate of patients could be improved if CRC is detected early. Biomarkers associated with early stages of tumor development might provide useful tools for the early diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Areas covered: Online searches using PubMed and Google Scholar were performed using keywords and with a focus on recent proteomic studies. The aim of this review is to highlight the need for biomarkers to improve the detection rate of early CRC and provide an overview of proteomic technologies used for biomarker discovery and validation. This review will also discuss recent proteomic studies which focus on identifying biomarkers associated with the early stages of CRC development. Expert commentary: A large number of CRC biomarkers are increasingly being identified by proteomics using diverse approaches. However, the clinical relevance and introduction of these markers into clinical practice cannot be determined without a robust validation process. The size of validation cohorts remains a major limitation in many biomarker studies.
Adoptive immunotherapy of a syngeneic murine leukemia with a tumor-specific cytotoxic T cell clone and recombinant human interleukin 2: correlation with clonal IL 2 receptor expression.

The successful adoptive immunotherapy of the syngeneic Friend virus-induced murine leukemia FBL-3 was mediated by a proliferative MHC-restricted, tumor-specific CTL clone in combination with recombinant human IL 2. This clone was previously shown to express the L3T4-, Lyt-1+, Lyt-2+ surface phenotype. Activation of the clone for 48 hr in vitro with irradiated tumor cells induced the expression of IL 2 receptors and markedly increased clonal proliferation in response to recombinant IL 2. Intravenous injection of 2 X 10(7) 48 hr in vitro-activated cloned cells, followed by 6 days of systemic (i.p.) administration of IL 2 resulted in the complete regression of tumors and the cure of 50% of the treated mice. IL 2 alone had no effect on tumor growth, whereas the injection of nonactivated (resting) clone plus IL 2 or activated clone without IL 2 had small but insignificant effects on tumor growth and survival. These results indicated that the in vivo effector functions of cloned T cells may be markedly enhanced by the concurrent systemic administration of recombinant IL 2 and by the induction of optimal IL 2 receptor expression on the cloned T cells at the time of cell administration.
Fire or Ice? A Critical Assessment of the Underlying Views

A debate is raging on whether the U.S. is likely to experience hyperinflation (fire) or deflation (ice) as a result of post-crisis policies, particularly quantitative easing. Views have been put forward to suggest that the U.S. is heading towards ice, while others suggest that fire is the destination. There are also those who envisage either fire or ice, depending on how much is done to combat deflation. These views are assessed critically to reach the conclusion that, on the balance of probabilities, it seems that the U.S. is more likely heading towards fire
Social Journalism: Exploring how Social Media is Shaping Journalism

Some of the iconic images in journalism at the start of the twenty-first century have come from citizens sharing their experiences of a news event on social media. From the grainy mobile phone video of the July 2005 London bombings, to the 2009 Twitter photo of the airplane in the Hudson River, to YouTube videos of the protests in Egypt in 2011, media has become a space shared by journalists and citizens. Powerful digital communication tools, often identified by the catch-all phrase of social media, are transforming the way media is gathered, disseminated, and consumed. A generation of Internet technologies, collectively described as Web 2.0, has facilitated the involvement of citizens in the observation, selection, filtering, distribution, and interpretation of events. It has become commonplace for the citizens caught up in the news to provide the first accounts, images, and video of events unfolding around them, sharing their media on services such as YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. There has always been a degree of social interaction with media. In today’s digital spaces, social interaction has become so intertwined with media that it is shaping how people experience the Internet. In just a few years, social networking alone has become what Pew Research describes as a “global phenomenon,” (Pew Research Center, 2010 : 1). In countries such as the USA, Poland, the UK, and South Korea, almost half of adults say they use social networking sites, and the figure is even higher for young adults (Pew Research Center, 2010 ). The range of Web 2.0 services and tools commonly referred to as social media are transforming how journalists and citizens relate to the news. Media organizations around the world have enthusiastically embraced social media as a way to distribute news and connect with audiences. Social media is an evolving field of study and application, with
Do Bidders Hire Top-Tier Investment Banks to Certify Value?

We investigate why top-tier investment banks are hired to advise bidders in tender offers. Top-tier banks are not hired in complex transactions. They are hired by bidders with larger boards of directors, less concentrated equity ownership and less insider ownership. Additionally, announcement returns earned by the acquiror are not higher and long-term returns are lower if a top-tier bank is used. Finally, acquisitions advised by top-tier banks are more likely to be completed. Though our evidence is partly consistent with the hypothesis that firms hire top-tier investment banks to certify deal value, we argue that it is more consistent with an alternative hypothesis that they are hired by managers and directors with poorly-aligned incentives simply to ensure the deal is completed.
THE POWER WITHIN: INSTITUTION-BASED LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS IN RURAL COMMUNITY COLLEGES IN ILLINOIS

The purpose of this study was to examine institution-based leadership development programs in rural community colleges in Illinois, and the impact of these programs in supporting and preparing future community college leaders. The study also explored the efficacy of these programs and whether their implementation aligns with the institutions’ culture and goals. According to Hull and Keim (2007), 70% of today’s leaders believe that there is a need to expand in-house development programs. This study employed a mixed methods design for data collection and was structured as a dominant-status sequential design where qualitative data gathering was dominant, although quantitative data gathering occurred first. Community colleges selected for this multiple-case study included 25 rural community colleges located throughout the state of Illinois (Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, 2010). Participant selection began with a webdistributed survey sent to the chief academic officers and presidents of the 25 selected rural community colleges. Based on responses, six participants (two each from classifications “ruralsmall,” “rural medium,” and “rural-large”) were identified and selected for semistructured interviews. Findings from interviews suggest four emerging themes: (a) despite an agreement present among rural community college senior-level administrators on the merits of institution-based leadership developments programs, a formal implementation process is not yet present; (b) there is evidence to suggest that succession planning at rural community colleges is taking a more informal direction in light of the absence of a formal plan; (c) there are conflicting perspectives among community college boards of trustees and senior-level administrators in rural community colleges regarding the implementation of institution-based leadership development programs;