Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Energy-Efficient System with Timing-Reliable Error-Detection Sequentials

A new type of energy-efficient digital system that integrate Error Detection Sequential (EDS) and Dynamic Voltage Scaling (DVS) circuits has been developed [1, 2, 3, 4]. In these systems, EDS-monitored paths convert the Process, Voltage and Temperature (PVT) variations into timing variations. Nevertheless, the conversion can suffer from the reliability issue (extrinsic EDS-reliability). EDS circuits detect the unfavorable timing variations (so called “error”) and guide DVS circuits to adjust the operating voltage to a proper lower level to save the energy. However, the error detection is generally susceptible to the metastability problem (intrinsic EDS-reliability) due to the synchronizer in EDS circuits. The Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) due to metastability is exponentially related to the synchronizer delay. This dissertation proposes a new EDS circuit deployment strategy to enhance the extrinsic EDS-reliability. This strategy requires neither buffer insertion nor an extra clock and is applicable for Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) implementations. An FPGAbased Discrete Cosine Transform with EDS and DVS circuits deployed in this fashion demonstrates up to 16.5% energy savings over a conventional design at equivalent frequency setting and image quality, with a 0.8% logic element and 3.5% maximum frequency penalties. Voltage-Boosted Synchronizers (VBSs) are proposed to improve the synchronizer delay under single low-voltage supply environments. A VBS consists of a Jamb latch and a switched-capacitor-based charge pump that provides a voltage boost to the Jamb Latch to speed up the metastability resolution. The charge pump can be either Clock-driven Voltage-Boosted Synchronizer (CVBS) or Metastability-driven Voltage-Boosted Synchronizer (MVBS). A new methodology for extracting the metastability parameters of synchronizers under changing biasing currents is proposed. For a 1-year MTBF specification, MVBS and CVBS show 2.0 to 2.7 and 5.1 to 9.8 times the delay improvement over the basic Jamb latch, respectively, without large power consumption. Optimization techniques including transistor sizing, Forward Body Biasing (FBB) and dynamic implementation are further applied. For a common MTBF specification at typical PVT conditions, the optiiii mized MVBS and CVBS show 2.97 to 7.57 and 4.14 to 8.13 times the delay improvement over the basic Jamb latch, respectively. In post-Layout simulations, MVBS and CVBS are 1.84 and 2.63 times faster than the basic Jamb latch, respectively.
Classifying Exchange Rate Regimes: Deeds vs. Words

Most of the empirical literature on the relative merits of alternative exchange rate regimes uses the IMF 'de jure' classification based on the regime that governments claim to have, abstracting from the fact that many countries that in theory follow flexible regimes intervene in the exchange market to an extent that in practice makes them indistinguishable from fixed rate regimes, and vice versa. To address this problem, in this paper we construct a 'de facto' classification of exchange rate regimes. Using cluster analysis techniques, we group different regimes according to their behavior along three classification dimensions: the nominal exchange rate, changes in the nominal exchange rate, and international reserves. We compare our results with the IMF classification, and discuss the main discrepancies. Among other things, our classification finds no support for the hypothesis that intermediate regimes has been disappearing in recent years, and highlights the fact that in practice flexible regimes are restricted to cases of relatively minor exchange rate volatility.
Incentive management and job involvement among teachers in technical schools in Cameroon

The study sought to find out the relationship between incentive management and job involvement among teachers in technical schools in Cameroon. Three hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The sample population consisted of 252 teachers randomly selected from a population of 580 teachers. Data for the study were collected using an instrument made by the researcher called Incentive Management and Job involvement Questionnaire (IMJIQ). Data were analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Population t-test statistics and the hypotheses were tested at . 05 level of significance. The result of the study revealed that economic and non-economic involvement significantly correlated with job involvement of teachers in technical schools. Job involvement of teachers was found to be significantly high. From the findings, it was recommended that adequate economic and non-economic incentive packages should be provided for teachers to stimulate them for higher job involvement and commitment.
Does the Risk of Managerial Entrenchment Affect CEO Dismissal in Family SMEs

The aim of this study is to identify the determinants of CEO dismissal in Belgian family SMEs. Based on a survey launched to 2.000 SMEs, 102 CEO dismissals were identified as well as other relevant features related to the family character of the firm. Logistic regressions have been used to explain CEO dismissal by several variables related to governance. The results indicate a significant influence of CEO attributes such as age and tenure on CEO dismissal. Also, firm age has been shown to enhance CEO dismissal. The other governance variables do not lead to significant findings. Taken together, these results suggest that specific risks of managerial entrenchment can explain CEO turnover in the context of family SMEs.
PD-1 / PD-L 1 : A NOVEL TARGET FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED AND METASTATIC NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER RECEPTOR PROGRAMIRANE SMRTI / LIGAND PROGRAMIRANE SMRTI

Immune checkpoints are receptor-ligand interactions that either enhance or turn down the activation of T-lymphocytes. Among them, the interaction of Programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) and Programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) shows suppressive effect of T-lymphocytes, preventing over activation of T-lymphocytes in inflammation. However, some tumor cells can also express PD-L1 and use it as a strategy to escape the host’s immune response, by binding to PD-1 on T-lymphocytes and inducing their anergy and apoptosis. Hence, a promising approach in cancer therapy would be focused on preventing the tumor cells’ PD-L1 from binding to PD-1 of immune cells by application of monoclonal antibodies against either PD-1 or PD-L1. These novel drugs are known as PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, and have been tested in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), particularly in advanced stages of the disease. Compared to conventional chemotherapy, PD-1/PDL1 inhibitors showed fewer adverse effects, and presented encouraging results in terms of improved survival of NSCLC patients, mostly when used as a second line therapy. The therapeutic agents that inhibit PD-1/PD-L1 binding will have a major clinical value if tumor cells express PD-L1 on their membranes. Therefore, reliable interpretation of PD-L1 expression in tumors is needed for optimal selection of patients who would benefit from PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. However, PD-L1 as a biomarker needs further improvement, since the estimation of PD-L1 expression is dependent on several factors, such as number of analyzed tumor cells, used antibody, cut-off values.
Effects of Three ALS-inhibitors on Five Emergent Native Plant Species in Florida

3 ABSTRACT Three acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibiting herbicides are currently being evaluated for the control of hydrilla ( Hydrilla verticillata L.f. Royle) and other submersed aquatic weeds. The impacts of long-term aqueous exposures of these herbicides on non-target native emergent plant species are unknown. Therefore, trials were conducted to determine the effect of aqueous applications of the ALS-inhibitors penoxsulam (2-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)-N-(5,8-dimethoxy (1,2,4)triazolo(1,5- c) pyrimidin-2-yl)-6-(trifluoromethyl) benzenesulfonamide), imazamox (2-(4,5-dihydro-4-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-5-oxo- 1H-imidazol-2-yl)-5-(methoxymethyl)-3-pyridinecarboxylic ac- id), and bispyribac sodium (2,6-bis(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin- 2-yloxy)benzoic acid) on established soft-stem bulrush ( Scir- pus validus Vahl.), Egyptian panicgrass ( Paspalidium gemina- tum (Forssk.) Stapf), maidencane ( Panicum hemitomon Schult.), pickerelweed ( Pontederia cordata L.) and sagittaria ( Sagittaria lancifolia L.). Plants were exposed to initial aque- ous concentrations of each herbicide at 25, 75, 150 and 300 µg/L for 66 d. At harvest, shoot and root biomass of untreat- ed controls by species increased from 100 to >1500%. While both grass species increased in biomass following exposure to ALS-inhibitors at rates up to 300 µg/L, the shoot biomass of panicgrass was inhibited by bispyribac and penoxsulam at concentrations of 75 µg/L and higher when compared to un- treated controls. Maidencane was generally more tolerant than panicgrass to all three herbicides. Bulrush shoot growth was inhibited at all concentrations, with differential respons- es to the 3 herbicides. Pickerelweed shoot growth was re- duced below pre-treatment weights at 25 µg/L and higher following treatment with penoxsulam and bispyribac. Sagit- taria was more sensitive to penoxsulam at rates of 25 and 75ug/L compared to imazamox and bispyribac. There was in- hibition of root growth for all species, but whether inhibition resulted from direct toxicity to roots or as an indirect result of shoot inhibition was not determined. The spectrum of her- bicidal activity for all three herbicides was similar (in order of increasing tolerance: pickerelweed
Variability Comparison of Mustard Crosses in Advanced Segregating Generations

In advanced segregating generations, variability was studied and compared in 14 mustard crosses, for yield and its attributing traits. The fourteen crosses in the F4 generation in the first year and F5 generation in the second year differed significantly for all characters except total chlorophyll content, 100 seed weight and secondary branches per plant and seed yield per plant in F4 and total chlorophyll content and 100 seed weight in F5 generation. In F4 generation Pusa Bold × Pusa Bahar was the highest yielder (10.62 g/plant) but in F5 generation Pusa Bahar × Varuna (10.25 g/plant) was the highest yielder. At both genotypic and phenotypic level, seed yield per plant was positively associated with plant height, height upto first fruiting branch and siliquae per plant only in F5 generation whereas, in F4 generation no such positive association on seed yield component with seed yield per plant was found. In F5 generation, seed yield was positively associated with plant height, height upto first fruiting branch and siliquae per plant. On the basis of the mean performance of the crosses F5, three of them namely Pusa Bahar × Varuna, Pusa Bold × Kranti and Pusa Barani × Pusa Jaikissan were identified as high yielding and can be used for further selection of superior high yielding genotypes of mustard.
The establishment and impact of Pseudorasbora parva, an exotic fish species introduced into Lake Mikri Prespa (north-western Greece)

1. The topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva Schlegel, 1842, a south-east asian cyprinid, was introduced accidentally in the Danube Delta in Romania in the 1960s and has now achieved a pan-Danubian distribution. P. parva has been introduced into other countries, such as Greece, usually inadvertently included with other species imported for fish farming. In 1984–85, during a study of the fish populations of Lake Mikri Prespa (north-west Greece), several topmouth gudgeon were caught. Our aim was to study the changes in the population size of P. parva over nearly 10 years, to study its life history traits and to assess its potential impacts on native fish species. 2. The catch per unit effort (CPUE) in spring increased significantly between 1984 and 1992. We found evidence that P. parva has established a breeding population in the lake. P. parva combines many characteristics likely to favour a successful colonization (resistance to harsh climatic conditions, early sexual maturity, extended breeding season, broad dietary spectrum). Growth in Lake Prespa, where the oldest individuals captured were 3 years old, is very similar to that observed within its native range. 3. There is evidence for dietary overlap between P. parva and three endemic species: Paraphoxinus epiroticus prespensis, Cobitis meridionalis and Alburnoides bipunctatus ohridanus. No decline in the populations of these three species has yet been demonstrated. Other possible impacts are discussed. The successful colonization by P. parva was certainly favoured by the absence of a true piscivorous fish in the lake and by the isolation and high level of endemism of fish communities. 4. The conservation of the many endemic species in the lake should be a priority and the introduction of exotic species should be banned.
Center for Economic Institutions Working Paper Series

Market size structure refers to the distribution of shares of different size classes of local market participants, where the sizes are inclusive of assets both within and outside the local market. We apply this new measure of market structure in two empirical analyses of the U.S. banking industry to address concerns regarding the effects of the consolidation in banking. Our quantity analysis of the likelihood that small businesses borrow from large versus small banks and our small business loan price analysis that includes market size structure as well as conventional measures yield very different findings from most of the literature on bank size and small business lending. Our results do not suggest a significant net advantage or disadvantage for large banks in small business lending overall, or in lending to informationally opaque small businesses in particular. We argue that the prior research that excluded market size structure may be misleading and offer some likely explanations of why our results differ.
Occurrence of Multidrug Resistance among E. coli O157:H7 Isolated fromStool Samples Obtained from Hospitalized Children

A survey of the antimicrobial resistance pattern of Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains obtained from stool samples collected from children with diarrhea attending General hospital Warri, General Hospital Agbor, Eku General Hospital and University of Benin teaching Hospital was carried out. All isolates were obtained using standard microbiological and biochemical procedures. Serological analysis to detect E. coli O157 strains was carried out using the dry spot E. coli O157 test kit. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out using disc diffusion method. A total of 46 Escherichia coli isolates were obtained from the 60 stool samples. All Escherichia coli isolated were 100% resistant to cefixime. The lowest level of resistance was observed in nitrofuratoin (15%). Serotypes O157 exhibited 100% resistance to ceftazidime, cefuroxime and cefixime. The ability of E. coli O157 strains to transfer antimicrobial resistance traits by conjugation was detected using Pseudomonas aeruginosa as recipient. High level of resistance transferred was observed. The ease of transfer exhibited by E. coli O157 strains amongst children in this study is an issue of concern. As such, an early identification and understanding of the epidemiology of this resistance will enable the development of preventive strategies which can curtail this emerging resistance, thereby facilitating a timely and appropriate public health response.
Teachers’ Awareness of Their Role in Planning and Implementing School-based Curriculum Innovation

Abstract Centrally planned curriculum in most developing countries follows a centre-periphery approach in which curriculum planned by a central authority is simply handed down to teachers for implementation. However, teachers as curriculum implementers still have the room to adapt and adopt curriculum to suit the conditions they face in schools. We sought to ascertain teachers’ awareness of their role in planning and implementing school-based curriculum innovation. A quantitative-cum-qualitative descriptive survey design was used. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from a convenient sample of 242 teachers drawn from schools in one educational district in Zimbabwe. Interviews were also held with a purposeful sample of teachers who had responded to the questionnaire. The SPSS statistical package version 17 was used to analyze quantitative data. Qualitative data was analysed through content analysis as emerging key issues led to themes that guided analysis. It emerged from the study that teachers were generally aware of their role in the planning and implementation of school-based curriculum innovation but their understanding of their role was as limited as their understanding of the concept curriculum. The study recommends emphasis on curriculum theory as a key component of teacher training and the implementation of short in-service courses to enhance teachers’ knowledge of curriculum and their role in planning and implementing school-based curriculum innovation.
Managerial Entrenchment and Capital Structure Decisions

We study associations between managerial entrenchment and firms' capital structures, with results generally suggesting that entrenched CEOs seek to avoid debt. In a cross-sectional analysis, we find that leverage levels are lower when CEOs do not face pressure from either ownership and compensation incentives or active monitoring. In an analysis of leverage changes, we find that leverage increases in the aftermath of entrenchment-reducing shocks to managerial security, including unsuccessful tender offers, involuntary CEO replacements, and the addition to the board of major stockholders.
The Effect of Media as a Tool of Popular Culture on Crime

One of the important factors directing social life within popular culture is media and its tools. Nowadays, popular culture elements rather contain violence. For example, the fact that media often broadcast programs, news or movies with violent content creates a social environment in which violence is taught and consumed. Today, significant developments especially in the mass media devices have made it easier to access information and enabled the spread of information globally. But, these changes in the global World have also brought discussions about to what extend media directs violence within the increasing violence events recently. This study has tried to analyze the effect of media on violence theoretically.
Monotone Trajectories of Differential Inclusions in Banach Spaces

we recall that is said to be a continuous preorder (see e.g. [9]) whenever P is a lower semicontinuous correspondence with a closed graph. Let F : [0, T ]×X → E be a nonempty convex weakly compact set-valued map. Given x0 in X we look for Lipschitz solutions of the differential inclusion: w′(t) ∈ F (t, w(t)) w(0) = x0 (1.1) which are viable, i.e. w(t) ∈ X for all t ∈ [0, T ] and monotone with respect to the preorder P , that is for any s, t ∈ [0, T ], s < t impliesw(t) ∈ P (w(s)).
Effect of Relative Humidity and Temperature on Shelf Life of Sorghum, Lentil and Niger Seeds

Seeds of three crops viz. lentil, sorghum and niger were compared for their storability at different relative humidities (RH) and temperatures. Two varieties per crop were selected i.e. lentil (L-4076 and L-4578), sorghum (CSV-15 and CSV-216R.) and niger (GA-10 and JNC-6) for this study. The humidity levels selected were 95, 75, 50, 33 and 5.5% which were maintained using saturated salt solutions of KNO3, NaCl, Ca(NO3)2, MgCl2 and ZnCl2 respectively at ambient, 10 and35°C temperatures. Total duration of the experiment was 90 days for storage at all RH except the highest (95%) in which the duration was reduced to 20 days. Monitoring for seed germination, vigour and electrical conductivity was carried out at one-month interval in all the seed lots except those stored at highest RH at three different temperatures. In the later, the seeds were monitored at 10 days interval for the above-mentioned parameters. Results revealed that increased rate of deterioration occurred irrespective of type of seeds or cultivars at high RH and temperature. Germination and vigour index declined significantly when seeds were stored at very high (95%) to high (75%) RH and 35°C temperature while the electrical conductivity recorded a steep increase at these conditions implying their usefulness as indices for seed quality loss.
An Overhead Costs Assessment for Construction Projects at Gaza Strip

An overhead cost of projects has significant role and influence on the performance of the construction companies. In addition, maintaining a good performance and quality of work away from possible loss. The purpose of the research is to examine the overhead costs management practice in the construction industry in the Gaza Strip. The awareness of construction companies and techniques followed by the contractors in estimating the overhead costs, affecting factors and mitigation measures was examined. A structured questionnaire supported by personal interviews was used to collect information. Sixty-three contracting companies working in the construction industry in the Gaza Strip were surveyed. The analysis shows a good awareness of the concept of overheads costs and its components. Gaza Strip Contractors follow precise practices to estimate the overheads costs. Contractors are taking several precautionary measures to minimize any risks associated with overheads costs. Factors affecting the estimation of overhead costs are including the management capacity of the company and its policy, led by the company's experience and ability to implement the project within the time frame. There are other factors related to the working environment of the project, especially the closure of commercial crossings of the Gaza.
Interactive comment on “ Reactive processing of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in aqueous aerosol mimics : surface tension depression and secondary organic products ” by Z

"Page 19478 Line 12 (Abstract): The statement about identifying a hemiacetal sulfate ester for the formate-ammonium sulfate system does not seem to belong to the abstract. Although the word “tentatively” is used, based on the results section of the manuscript that reports products that are not completely identified, this statement should be reserved only for the discussion section. Further input on this issue is given below. "
Optimizing Signal Timings to Improve Safety of Signalized Arterials

One way to improve safety of signalized arterials is to optimize signal timings. Historically, signal retiming tools were used to reduce traffic delay and stops and other measures of traffic efficiency. The concept of optimizing signal timings specifically to improve safety metrics, or their surrogate measures, is not common in current signal timing optimization practice. This study advocates a fresh approach to integrating VISSIM microsimulation software, SSAM, and VISGAOST for optimizing signal timings to reduce surrogate safety measures and thereby reduce risks of potential real-world crashes. In addition, a multiple-objective genetic algorithm is implemented into VISGAOST to identify the optimal compromise between two competing objectives: surrogate safety and traffic efficiency. A 12-intersection corridor on Glades Road in Boca Raton served as a case study. Optimized signal timings delivered a solution that balanced both safety and efficiency. When compared to initial signal timings the estimated number of conflicts was reduced by 7%. In addition, when compared to signal timings optimized for efficiency the estimated number of conflicts was reduced by 9% without a significant loss of efficiency (~1%). The study also approximated a Pareto Front of conflicts and throughput which may be instrumental when trading off (surrogate) safety for efficiency in the development of signal timing plans. Further research is needed to test the approach on a variety of networks and traffic conditions and to find a good composite measure for single-objective optimizations.