Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance Analysis of Multibuffered Packet-Switching Networks in Multiprocessor Systems

An analytic model and analytic results for the performance of multibuffered packet-switching interconnection networks in multiprocessor systems are presented. The performance of single-buffered delta networks is first modeled using the state transition diagram of a buffer. The model is then extended to account for multiple buffers. The analytic results for multibuffered delta networks are compared to simulation results. The performance of multibuffered data manipulator networks is analyzed to demonstrate the generality of the model. >
The Anthrax Vaccine Controversy Questions about its Efficacy, Safety and Strategy

Although all U.S. Armed Forces personnel have been ordered to receive the anthrax vaccine, questions remain concerning its efficacy and safety and its intended use to counter a biological weapons threat. Since published data on the anthrax vaccine are scarce, it is difficult if not impossible to evaluate claims on its effectiveness and safety. In addition, questions concerning its safety have been raised, based on reports that associate the anthrax vaccine with high frequencies of adverse reactions and chronic illnesses. The chronic signs and symptoms associated with anthrax vaccination are similar to those found in Gulf War Illness patients, suggesting that at least some of the chronic illnesses suffered by veterans of the 1991 Gulf War may have been caused by vaccines. Commercial vaccines are often contaminated with microorganisms, such as Mycoplasma species, and this type of microbe has been found in the blood of a sizable subset of Gulf War Illness patients along with antibodies against an unapproved vaccine adjuvant. With concerns about safety and efficacy of the military's vaccines, the strategy of using multiple vaccines to protect against biological warfare agents must be re-evaluated in the context of integrated warfare and the potential simultaneous exposure of forces to chemical, biological and radiological agents along with conventional warfare environmental (smoke, chemicals, etc.) exposures. Introduction—Anthrax Biological Warfare To counter an increasing threat that anthrax spores could be used as a biological warfare (BW) agent all U.S. Armed Forces personnel, including reserve and National Guard members, were ordered to receive anthrax vaccine. This decision has resulted in disciplinary hearings among U.S. Armed Forces personnel who have refused, based on safety considerations, the anthrax vaccine. 1
The effect of hormone therapy on the risk for age-related maculopathy in postmenopausal women

Objective To evaluate the effect of postmenopausal hormone therapy (HT) as well as the use of oral contraceptives and lifetime endogenous hormone exposure on the risk for age-related maculopathy (ARM) in postmenopausal women. Design This was a cross-sectional, controlled study. A total of 102 women from 60 to 80 years of age who were receiving HT and 100 controls underwent a detailed clinical funduscopic evaluation and stereoscopic fundus photography for the presence and grading of ARM. All participants completed a standardized questionnaire regarding vascular risk factors, HT, and lifetime exogenous and endogenous estrogen and progesterone exposure. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t test, &khgr;2 test, and a multivariate logistic regression model. Results The HT and the non-HT groups did not differ in terms of early (11% v 15%), late (6% v 6%), or wet (2% v 2%) ARM prevalence rates. Women with ARM were significantly older than controls (69 v 66 years; P = 0.001, 95% CI = 0.008 − 0.027) and were more likely to have ischemic heart disease (21% v 9%; OR = 2.86, P = 0.03, 95% CI = 0.020 – 0.360). Lifetime exogenous and endogenous hormone exposures and other cardiovascular risk factors were not significantly different among women with ARM as compared with controls. Conclusion Postmenopausal HT may not affect the risk for either early or late ARM in women aged 60 to 80 years. The risk for both entities is not necessarily affected by either exogenous or endogenous lifetime hormone exposure. A history of ischemic heart disease may be associated with an increased risk for ARM.
Intra‐Institutional Relocation: Measured Impact upon Geriatric Patients *

A study was designed to measure the impact of intra‐hospital relocation upon elderly patients transferred to intermediate, skilled nursing, or psychiatric care facilities. The subjects were 389 elderly residents of a psychiatric hospital. Their mean age was 76.2 years, and mean length of hospitalization 22.4 years. A before‐and‐after analysis was made of behavior rating scores, and the mortality rate was compared with baseline values. The findings indicated that, for this type of reorganization, no deterioration was evident in the measured behaviors, nor did the move cause sufficient stress to have a substantial impact on mortality. It was concluded that, contrary to numerous reports in the literature, the mass relocation of elderly patients for the purpose of delivering more appropriate treatment services does not necessarily have detrimental effects. Additional research is required to account for outcomes related to the interaction between more specific personal characteristics and environmental components.
OUTSOURCING THE WAREHOUSING FUNCTION: ECONOMIC AND STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS

This paper investigates the relationship of transaction costs and corporate strategy to the use of third party warehouses. The study finds that the presence of transaction-specific assets is associated with a lower likelihood of outsourcing, as is increasing firm size. However, high shipment volumes are associated with third party use. Significant interindustry differences are also indicated.
Plant-model reduction for PID controller design

A plant-order reduction method has been developed for PID controller design based on the integral-type optimal servo, which is a kind of the linear quadratic regulator (LQR). The order-reduction consists of two steps: The first step is to apply the balanced truncation to reduce the plant order to the second order. The second step is to adjust the plant parameters by the homotopy method to reduce the ? -gap between the original plant and the reduced-order plant. The method can be applied to a plant that is not stable but stabilizable by static output feedback by replacing the plant with the stabilized plant. If the v-gap becomes sufficiently small, then the PID controller designed with the reduced-order plant model provides good control performance and desirable stability margins as the LQR provides.
Evaluation of the Causes and Effects of Flood in Apete, Ido Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Floods in Nigeria had done more harm without any notice of benefits. In the last 30 years, Nigerian cities have experienced great physical development, in terms of building, manufacturing industries and others without any appreciable infrastructures such as drainages, roads and canals to support them. These have made floods to be a serious challenge that plague many Nigerian cities. Thus, this research investigates the causes and effects of flood in Apete Area of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, and proffer recommendations to avert the future occurrence of flood in the area. The results of the research will expose Nigerian government to the strategies of mitigating any occurrence of flood, as well as enlighten the public on how to guide against the occurrence of flood. 156 questionnaires were administered to the residents of Apete area to know the causes and effects of floods in the area. The findings of this research show that there is poor waste management practices among the residents of Apete . They engaged in indiscriminate waste dumps which have blocked the inadequate drainage available. There is high rate of building construction along water channels which usually results to floods. Many lives and properties have been destroyed by floodsl. Keywords: Floods, harm, cities, physical development, infrastructure, drainage, plague, public
Use of a Web-Based Physical Activity Record System to Analyze Behavior in a Large Population: Cross-Sectional Study

Background The use of Web-based physical activity systems has been proposed as an easy method for collecting physical activity data. We have developed a system that has exhibited high accuracy as assessed by the doubly labeled water method. Objective The purpose of this study was to collect behavioral data from a large population using our Web-based physical activity record system and assess the physical activity of the population based on these data. In this paper, we address the difference in physical activity for each urban scale. Methods In total, 2046 participants (aged 30-59 years; 1105 men and 941 women) participated in the study. They were asked to complete data entry before bedtime using their personal computer on 1 weekday and 1 weekend day. Their residential information was categorized as urban, urban-rural, or rural. Participant responses expressed the intensity of each activity at 15-minute increments and were recorded on a Web server. Residential areas were compared and multiple regression analysis was performed. Results Most participants had a metabolic equivalent (MET) ranging from 1.4 to 1.8, and the mean MET was 1.60 (SD 0.28). The median value of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA, ≥3 MET) was 7.92 MET-hours/day. A 1-way ANCOVA showed that total physical activity differed depending on the type of residential area (F2,2027=5.19, P=.006). The urban areas (n=950) had the lowest MET-hours/day (mean 37.8, SD, 6.0), followed by urban-rural areas (n=432; mean 38.6, SD 6.5; P=.04), and rural areas (n=664; mean 38.8, SD 7.4; P=.002). Two-way ANCOVA showed a significant interaction between sex and area of residence on the urban scale (F2,2036=4.53, P=.01). Men in urban areas had the lowest MET-hours/day (MVPA, ≥3 MET) at mean 7.9 (SD 8.7); men in rural areas had a MET-hours/day (MVPA, ≥3 MET) of mean 10.8 (SD 12.1, P=.002). No significant difference was noted in women among the 3 residential areas. Multiple regression analysis showed that physical activity consisting of standing while working was the highest contributor to MVPA, regardless of sex. Conclusions We were able to compile a detailed comparison of physical activity because our Web-based physical activity record system allowed for the simultaneous evaluation of physical activity from 2046 Japanese people. We found that rural residents had greater total physical activity than urban residents and that working and transportation behaviors differed depending on region type. Multiple regression analysis showed that the behaviors affected MVPA. People are less physically active while working, and sports and active transportation might be effective ways of increasing physical activity levels.
Is treatment in a day hospital step-down program superior to outpatient individual psychotherapy for patients with personality disorders? 36 months follow-up of a randomized clinical trial comparing different treatment modalities

Abstract Despite increasing interest in the development of effective treatments for patients with PDs, there is still no consensus about the optimal treatment setting for this group of patients. This study reports the 36months follow-up of the Ullevål Personality Project (UPP) (n=113), a randomized clinical trial comparing two treatment modalities for patients with PDs: an intensive long-term step-down treatment program, consisting of short-term day hospital treatment followed by combined group and individual psychotherapy organized in a hospital setting, with “ordinary” outpatient individual psychotherapy in private practice for patients with moderate to severe PDs. Patients in both treatment groups showed improvements in several clinical measures after 36 months. However, contrary to our expectations, patients in the outpatient treatment setting improved significantly more. Possible explanations for this surprising finding are discussed. The study cannot exclude the possibility that treatment aspects other than differences in modalities could explain some of the differential effectiveness (e.g. differences between therapists).
Inflation Hedging Characteristics of Real Estate Assets in Hong Kong

In this paper the inflation hedging characteristics of Hong Kong real estate market are examined using 1998-2006 data. Both short-term and long-term methods are used. The short-term method follows Fama and Schwert framework. To separate expected and unexpected inflation rate from nominal inflation rate, it is assumed that expected inflation can be reflected directly from time deposit rate in Hong Kong. For long-term analysis the Cointegration method and Granger Causality test are adopted in the analysis. It is found that real estate assets in Hong Kong are not good hedge against inflation, in both short-term and long-term. Also, different types (commercial, office, residential and industrial) of properties show different inflation hedging characters in different periods.
FMECA-based approach for vendor rating: benefits, limits and future perspectives

Over the last decades, the capability to establish logistic partnerships has proven to be a key element of success and consequently, vendor rating has become a topic of great importance, both from a practical and academic point of view. This paper belongs to this stream of research and rethinks failure mode effect and criticality analysis (FMECA) as a quantitative framework for vendor rating. The rationale behind this choice can be traced in the high reputation of FMECA and in the key role played by 'suppliers' reliability' in the achievement of outstanding management results. Aiming to develop a rigorous, yet easy to use framework, the structure of the standard FMECA has been kept almost unchanged, limiting modifications to the main criticality criteria which have been properly contextualised and redefined. A relevant industrial case is finally presented; obtained results are discussed, both from a managerial and operating point of view.
'Pest' and resource: a legal history of Australia's kangaroos

Abstract This paper presents an investigation into the legal history of Australia’s kangaroos. It aims to provide a detailedanalysis of how the law and policy governing the killing of kangaroos has evolved over time in response tochanging public perceptions. This history begins with the pre-European period and traces the impact ofEuropean colonisation, early growth of the commercial kangaroo industry, and the increased role of scienceand regulation upon kangaroos. The paper critiques the historical designation of kangaroos as ‘pests’ that needto be ‘managed’ and argues that such an approach is inconsistent with current scientific understanding. As this‘pest’ status has fallen in importance there has been a shift in regulatory goals from damage mitigation toresource utilisation, although government planning and policy continue to cite damage mitigation alongsideobjectives to maintain viable populations and a sustainable and commercially viable industry. While thekangaroo industry’s current focus is upon the ‘sustainable use of wildlife’, the history of attitudes towardskangaroos as ‘pests’ is so deeply and widely entrenched that it is impossible for the industry to meet welfarestandards. The article concludes that the commercial kangaroo industry does not have any clearly definedpolicy benefit and should be reassessed to take greater account of the impact it has on ecosystems andkangaroo welfare.
Brain maturational processes and delayed onset in schizophrenia

The central feature of schizophrenia is its onset in adolescence. Although this clinical observation is consistent with the view that schizophrenia may be a neurodevelopmental disorder, debate has focused on when the proposed brain maturational deviations may begin and what might be the nature of such defective development. Conflicting models of this illness (e.g., the early and late neurodevelopmental models) have been proposed. In this paper, we will first review concepts from basic developmental neurobiology pertinent to these issues; we then summarize aspects of the neurobiology of schizophrenia that have a particular bearing on the adolescent onset of this illness. We propose that the schizophrenic syndrome may result from early brain adversity and late maturational processes of brain development interacting with adverse humoral, biochemical, and psychosocial factors during adolescence and early adulthood. The onset of schizophrenia in adolescence may be related to the “plasticity switch” secondary to the peripubertal brain maturational changes, perhaps involving an alteration in glutamate receptor function. This loss of plasticity could result in social and nonsocial cognitive deficits that are central to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia; the vulnerable person may therefore utilize prepubertal processing styles that are insufficient to the adaptive and “gistful” abstraction requirements of adult cognition. Schizophrenia onset might occur in the context of psychosocial developmental challenges to a delayed social cognitive capacity among neurodevelopmentally compromised individuals. We review therapeutic implications as well as testable predictions generated by this model, and discuss research strategies that might further our understanding of the brain maturational abnormalities in schizophrenia.
PENGARUH UKURAN DEWAN DIREKSI DAN DEWAN KOMISARIS SERTA UKURAN PERUSAHAAN TERHADAP KINERJA KEUANGAN PERUSAHAAN (Studi Empiris pada Perusahaan Manufaktur Sektor Consumer Good yang Terdaftar di BEI Tahun 2010-2012)

The purpose of this research is to analyze how much influence the board of directors, board of commissioners, as well as the size of the company to the company's financial performance in the consumer goods sector manufacturing companies listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange. The factors examined in this study is the performance of the company as the dependent variable while the size of the board of directors, board size, and the size of the company as an independent variable. The sample consists of 98 companies listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) and submit financial reports to Bapepam consistently in the period 2010-2012. The data used in this study are secondary data and selection of samples using purposive sampling method. The analytical tool used is multiple regression analysis to examine the effect of the size of the board of directors, board of commissioners, and the size of the company or the company's financial performance. As the results of the research indicate that the board of commissioners and the size of the company does not have a significant effect on CFROA or financial performance. While the board of directors has a significant influence on CFROA or financial performance.
Management of lunotriquetral instability: a review of the literature

Lunotriquetral ligament injury is a relatively common cause of ulnar-sided wrist pain. Injury ranges from partial stable ligament tears to extensive perilunate instability. Clinical decision-making largely depends on the chronicity, instability and cause of the ligament injury. Conservative treatment is generally regarded as first choice of treatment of mild lunotriquetral instability; however, outcome studies on conservative treatment are lacking. Temporary arthroscopic pinning and/or debridement are minimally invasive procedures of preference. In the case of more dissociative injury, surgical interventions may be performed. The literature suggests that soft tissue reconstruction is an effective procedure in this group. Arthrodesis of the lunotriquetral joint is associated with high rates of non-union (up to 57%) and the indications for surgery should therefore be very clear. Methodological issues make it hard to draw firm conclusions from the data. Studies on the effectiveness of conservative management and prospective comparative studies will further improve clinical decision-making in lunotriquetral instability. Level of evidence: N/A
Monetary Policy and the Real Economy: A Structural VAR Approach for Sri Lanka

This paper attempts to identify the monetary policy indicator that better explains the Sri Lankan monetary policy transmission mechanism. This study also estimates how shocks stemming from foreign monetary policy and/or oil price affect domestic macroeconomic variables. To that end, we use a seven variable structural VAR model by utilizing monthly time series data from Sri Lanka covering the period from January 1978 to December 2011. Impulse response functions and variance decompositions are used to describe the relationships among variables. Our empirical findings suggest that the interest rate shocks play a significant and better role in explaining the movement of economic variables than monetary aggregate shocks or exchange rate shocks. Second, the targeting of reserve money is a better strategy for the Sri Lankan economy than a focus on narrow or broad money. Third, our findings clearly show that foreign monetary policy shocks and oil price shocks do not seem to affect the domestic economy. Finally, the inclusion of oil price in the SVAR model helped us overcome the puzzles that often appear in the existing literature in monetary economics.
Perceived Constraints to State Park Visitation: A Comparison of Former-Users and Non-Users

This study was conducted to extend the theoretical understanding of perceived constraints to visiting a state park, and test for differences in the ways that sub-groups of non-participants conceptualize constraints. Using random-digit telephone numbers, we obtained a sample of 1,077 Pennsylvania residents who had not visited a state park during the 12 months prior to the survey. Of this group 836 (78%) were former state parks users and 241 (22%) had never visited a state park. Overall, the largest percentage of respondents (60%) identified lack of time as a constraint to their state park use. This was followed by lack of knowledge about state parks (34%), lack of friends or family with whom to visit state parks (24%), distance (22%), physical limitations of the respondent or someone he or she travels with (15%), perceived crowding in state parks (12%), and costs in state parks (11%). Other constraints were identified by fewer than 10% of respondents. With respect to those who had never visited a state park, they were most likely to perceive that their use of state parks was constrained by lack of knowledge, distance, and transportation. Former-users were most likely to perceive that their use of state parks was constrained by the fact that they had visited state parks before. Open-ended responses to follow-up questions revealed that respondents did not think about one constraint in isolation. For example, some respondents related lack of knowledge to time, interest, or family issues. For managers, our results suggest that multiple constraints typically overlap in the mind of the potential visitor to prevent participation. Furthermore, the overlap among different constraints differs for non-users and former-users and changes during the life span. These findings suggest that a single approach to marketing is unlikely to be effective for all audiences. Finally, it is important to consider the possible outcomes of a successful marketing campaign. In a situation where 12% of non-visitors reported that they were constrained by crowding in state parks, a marketing campaign that increases state park visitation might also diminish overall user satisfaction.