Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Steady-State Simulation and Optimization of Class-E Power Amplifiers With Extended Impedance Method

This paper proposes a new iteration-free steady-state analysis to the Class-E power amplifier (PA) in frequency-domain by extending the scope of electrical impedance. Owning to this extension, the impedances of different circuit components in the Class-E PA circuits, including the active switches, can be expressed in matrix form. Based on the conventional circuit laws, e.g., the series and parallel laws and the Ohm's law, the steady-state characteristics of a whole Class-E PA circuit can be obtained by vector and matrix manipulation. The number of harmonics involved in the calculation have effects on the computational efficiency and accuracy. The influences of some circuit conditions towards the selection of harmonic number are discussed. The proposed formulation enables fast mapping of some performance indices, e.g., the output power and conversion efficiency, under steady state, so that the changing trends of these indices with respect to the variations of specified circuit parameters can be estimated. This feature can be utilized to carry out offline optimization by tuning some passive components, or online optimization by tuning two in situ adjustable parameters, i.e., the switch driving frequency and duty cycle. The later scheme provides preliminary knowledge on the in situ tuning of Class-E PA in the load varying applications, e.g., electric process heating and wireless power link.
Rule-Based Design of Plant Expression Vectors Using GenoCAD

Plant synthetic biology requires software tools to assist on the design of complex multi-genic expression plasmids. Here a vector design strategy to express genes in plants is formalized and implemented as a grammar in GenoCAD, a Computer-Aided Design software for synthetic biology. It includes a library of plant biological parts organized in structural categories and a set of rules describing how to assemble these parts into large constructs. Rules developed here are organized and divided into three main subsections according to the aim of the final construct: protein localization studies, promoter analysis and protein-protein interaction experiments. The GenoCAD plant grammar guides the user through the design while allowing users to customize vectors according to their needs. Therefore the plant grammar implemented in GenoCAD will help plant biologists take advantage of methods from synthetic biology to design expression vectors supporting their research projects.
A Sociological Theory of Psychopathy

The concept of psychopathy has had a long development in psychopathology. Earliest usage centered around such terms as "moral imbecility"; more recently, the designation "psychopathic personality" has been favored. There has been much argument about the validity of the concept "psychopathy" but relative agreement about the behavior which it specifies. This behavior may be called "asocial. " It is expedient to use a sociological approach in its analysis. The sociological theory of role-playing provides a synthesis of the known facts of psychopathy, in addition to suggesting deductive hypotheses which may be submitted to empirical test.
The molecular basis of neurosensory cell formation in ear development: a blueprint for hair cell and sensory neuron regeneration?

The inner ear of mammals uses neurosensory cells derived from the embryonic ear for mechanoelectric transduction of vestibular and auditory stimuli (the hair cells) and conducts this information to the brain via sensory neurons. As with most other neurons of mammals, lost hair cells and sensory neurons are not spontaneously replaced and result instead in age‐dependent progressive hearing loss. We review the molecular basis of neurosensory development in the mouse ear to provide a blueprint for possible enhancement of therapeutically useful transformation of stem cells into lost neurosensory cells. We identify several readily available adult sources of stem cells that express, like the ectoderm‐derived ear, genes known to be essential for ear development. Use of these stem cells combined with molecular insights into neurosensory cell specification and proliferation regulation of the ear, might allow for neurosensory regeneration of mammalian ears in the near future. BioEssays 28: 1181–1193, 2006. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Perceived value of cloud based information systems. Case: accounting information systems.

of master's thesis Year of approval 2013 Number of pages 114 Language English Cloud based information systems are considered to benefit the organizations through their superior information capabilities compared to traditional information systems. Strong adoption of the cloud computing in the recent years has also affected the view on outsourcing of information technology enabled processes and led to creation of new service offerings represented by a combination of cloud and outsourcing. Earlier research closely considers the benefits of cloud computing and business process outsourcing. However, the empirical evidence of the positive relationship between the use of the cloud and outsourcing and organizational performance is lacking. The focus of the current research is to fill in this gap and analyze managerial perceptions of the value of cloud based information systems by grouping organizations based on their outsourcing pattern: 1) non-outsourcing, 2) selective outsourcing and 3) total outsourcing. Results of the analysis revealed the higher perceived improvements for cloud users compared to non-cloud users for organizations that perform processes in-house and practice selective outsourcing. For organizations, which are inclined towards total outsourcing, the use of cloud does not lead to significantly higher improvements. The clusters with low number of cloud users and outsourcing perceived most improvements in basic accuracy and data quality, while the clusters with high number of cloud users perceived highest improvements in accessibility. Based on the findings six propositions are identified and suggested for further research.
Multiple Signaling Pathways Are Responsible for Prostaglandin E2–Induced Murine Keratinocyte Proliferation

Although prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) has been shown by pharmacologic and genetic studies to be important in skin cancer, the molecular mechanism(s) by which it contributes to tumor growth is not well understood. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms by which PGE2 stimulates murine keratinocyte proliferation using in vitro and in vivo models. In primary mouse keratinocyte cultures, PGE2 activated the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its downstream signaling pathways as well as increased cyclic AMP (cAMP) production and activated the cAMP response element binding protein (CREB). EGFR activation was not significantly inhibited by pretreatment with a c-src inhibitor (PP2), nor by a protein kinase A inhibitor (H-89). However, PGE2-stimulated extracellularly regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) activation was completely blocked by EGFR, ERK1/2, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway inhibitors. In addition, these inhibitors attenuated the PGE2-induced proliferation, nuclear factor-κB, activator protein-1 (AP-1), and CREB binding to the promoter regions of the cyclin D1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) genes and expression of cyclin D1 and VEGF in primary mouse keratinocytes. Similarly, in vivo, we found that WT mice treated with PGE2 and untreated cyclooxygenase-2–overexpressing transgenic mice had higher levels of cell proliferation and expression of cyclin D1 and VEGF, as well as higher levels of activated EGFR, nuclear factor-κB, AP-1, and CREB, than vehicle-treated WT mice. Our findings provide evidence for a link between cyclooxygenase-2 overexpression and EGFR-, ERK-, PI3K-, cAMP-mediated cell proliferation, and the tumor-promoting activity of PGE2 in mouse skin. (Mol Cancer Res 2008;6(6):1003–16)
Efficiency of Qatari banking industry: an empirical investigation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the efficiency of the banking sector in Qatar. The paper utilizes 15 banks comprising Islamic, conventional and foreign banks for the duration of 2007 to 2011. Design/methodology/approach Data envelopment analysis (DEA) technique is applied to compute technical efficiency, pure technical efficiency and scale efficiency. Also, Malmquist productivity index (MPI) is used to identify the sources of productive efficiencies of the banks. Findings The results suggest that Qatari banks are operating below optimum performance and thus there is still room for improvement. While conventional banks are the most efficient in Qatar in terms of technical and pure technical efficiencies, Islamic banks are most efficient in terms of scale efficiency. Besides, pure technical inefficiency dominated scale inefficiency in the Qatari banking sector. Moreover, as compared to the Islamic banks, conventional and foreign banks recorded a reduction in average technical efficiency during the duration of the 2008/2009 global financial crisis. In terms of productivity progress, all the Qatari banks were experiencing a decline in productivity mainly attributed to less technological innovation in the banking sector of Qatar. Research limitations/implications Most of the banks in Qatar do not have published data before 2007 and after 2011. Practical implications There is less technological innovation in the banking sector of Qatar. Hence, bank managers in Qatar should focus on educating customers about modern banking technologies and other innovative banking services in Qatar. Originality/value This study is a pioneering effort in the application of DEA and MPI to study about the banking sector in Qatar.
The Paraoxonase Gene Cluster Protects Against Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Formation

Objective— Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening vascular pathology, the pathogenesis of which is closely related to oxidative stress. However, an effective pharmaceutical treatment is lacking because the exact cause of AAA remains unknown. Here, we aimed at delineating the role of the paraoxonases (PONs) gene cluster (PC), which prevents atherosclerosis through the detoxification of oxidized substrates, in AAA formation. Approach and Results— PC transgenic (Tg) mice were crossed to an Apoe−/− background, and an angiotensin II–induced AAA mouse model was used to analyze the effect of the PC on AAA formation. Four weeks after angiotensin II infusion, PC-Tg Apoe−/− mice had a lower AAA incidence, smaller maximal abdominal aortic external diameter, and less medial elastin degradation than Apoe−/− mice. Importantly, PC-Tg Apoe−/− mice exhibited lower aortic reactive oxidative species production and oxidative stress than did the Apoe−/− control mice. As a consequence, the PC transgene alleviated angiotensin II–induced arterial inflammation and suppressed arterial extracellular matrix degradation. Specifically, on angiotensin II stimulation, PC-Tg vascular smooth muscle cells exhibited lower levels of reactive oxidative species production and a decrease in the activities and expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9. Moreover, PC-Tg serum also enhanced vascular smooth muscle cell oxidative stress resistance and further decreased the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-9, indicating that circulatory and vascular smooth muscle cell PC members suppress oxidative stress in a synergistic manner. Conclusions— Our findings reveal, for the first time, a protective role of the PC in AAA formation and suggest PONs as promising targets for AAA prevention.
BTP Futures and Cash Relationships: A High Frequency Data Analysis

The paper analyses the interactions between the ‘cash’ market (MTS Cash) and the futures market (Eurex) of Italian government bonds in terms of liquidity, price correlation and volatility. Based on daily data, the growth of the Eurex market seems to support the tightening of the bid-ask spread of MTS Cash, all things being equal, thus confirming a healthy and efficient link between cash and futures markets. Against this backdrop, a high frequency analysis highlights some episodes of partial divergence between price developments of futures and cash markets, which might be related to differences in the microstructures of the two markets. The futures market is order driven while the cash market is quote driven; furthermore different types of participants are active in each market. At higher frequencies, episodes of unidirectional propagation of volatility shocks from BTP futures to the MTS Cash market materialize, with potential spillovers on cash market liquidity conditions. In this regard, it is also important to consider the role played by High Frequency Traders, whose activity in futures markets may well contribute to explaining the peculiarities in price dynamics highlighted by high frequency data.
Fair values and audit fees: Evidence from asset revaluations in Australia

This paper examines the association between the level of audit fees paid and asset revaluations, one use of fair value accounting. This Australian study also investigates attributes of asset revaluations and the association with the level of audit fees paid. We find that firms choosing the revaluation model incur higher audit fees than those that chose the cost model; asset revaluations made by directors lead to the firm incurring higher audit fees than for those made by external independent appraisers; and revaluation of investment properties leads to lower audit fees. The findings suggest that asset revaluations can result in higher agency costs and audit fees vary with the reliability of the revaluations and the class of assets being revalued.
Testosterone‐immunopositive primordial germ cells in the testis of the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana

In amphibia, steroidogenesis remains quiescent in distinct seasonal periods, but the mechanism by which spermatogenesis is maintained under low steroidogenic conditions is not clear. In the present study, testosterone location in the testes of Rana catesbeiana was investigated immunohistochemically during breeding (summer) and nonbreeding (winter) periods. In winter, the scarce interstitial tissue exhibited occasional testosterone immunopositivity in the interstitial cells but the cytoplasm of primordial germ cells (PG cells) was clearly immunopositive. By contrast, in summer, PG cells contained little or no immunoreactivity whereas strong immunolabelling was present in the well‐developed interstitial tissue. These results suggest that PG cells could retain testosterone during winter. This androgen reservoir could be involved in the control of early spermatogenesis in winter and/or to guarantee spermiogenesis and spermiation in the next spring/summer. The weak or negative immunoreaction in the summer PG cells might reflect consumption of androgen reservoir by the intense spermatogenic activity from spring to summer. Thus, besides acting as stem cells, PG cells of R. catesbeiana could exert an androgen regulatory role during seasonal spermatogenesis.
Abundant nuclear copies of mitochondrial origin (NUMTs) in the Aedes aegypti genome

A portion of the Aedes aegypti mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 gene (ND4) was amplified using PCR with a 42 °C annealing temperature. Amplified fragments from individual mosquitoes were similar to ND4 but contained multiple segregating sites. We suspected that nuclear copies of mitochondrial origin (NUMTs) exist in the Ae. aegypti genome. A BlastN search in VectorBase with the entire Ae. aegypti mitochondrial genome identified 233 NUMTs comprising 110 178 bp in 145 supercontigs. At a density of 0.080 bp/kb, this represents the second highest density of NUMTs in an insect genome and the highest in Diptera. Analyses of flanking sequences suggested that Ae. aegypti NUMTs arise through mtDNA leakage from damaged mitochondria followed by breakage and nonhomologous recombination, rather than through duplicative processes such as transposition or molecular drive.
Enhancing Sales Skills and Cultural Awareness: An International Competition Approach

This article describes how students can enhance their sales skills and cultural awareness by participating in an international selling competition. The best sales students from a French Canadian, Mexican, and American university were brought together to compete in conducting sales presentations in a business-to-business environment. While the competition will be an annual event held at one of the three institutions, to date two programs have been conducted. In the first competition all students were required to sell to a foreign buyer in English on the first day. On the second day they were assigned to either a selling or buying team which was comprised of a student from each of the three schools for a negotiating exercise. During the second competition students sold on the first day of the competition in their own language. On the second day the students sold in a foreign language—or used an interpreter—to a business person from a different culture. The competitions were judged by panels of international.
Perception of blindness and blinding eye conditions in rural communities.

PURPOSE The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the causes and management of blindness and blinding eye conditions as perceived by rural dwellers of two Yoruba communities in Oyo State, Nigeria. METHODS Four focus group discussions were conducted among residents of Iddo and Isale Oyo, two rural Yoruba communities in Oyo State, Nigeria. Participants consisted of sighted, those who were partially or totally blind and community leaders. Ten patent medicine sellers and 12 traditional healers were also interviewed on their perception of the causes and management of blindness in their communities. FINDINGS Blindness was perceived as an increasing problem among the communities. Multiple factors were perceived to cause blindness, including germs, onchocerciasis and supernatural forces. Traditional healers believed that blindness could be cured, with many claiming that they had previously cured blindness in the past. However, all agreed that patience was an important requirement for the cure of blindness. The patent medicine sellers' reports were similar to those of the traditional healers. The barriers to use of orthodox medicine were mainly fear, misconception and perceived high costs of care. There was a consensus of opinion among group discussants and informants that there are severe social and economic consequences of blindness, including not been able to see and assess the quality of what the sufferer eats, perpetual sadness, loss of sleep and dependence on other persons for daily activities. CONCLUSION Local beliefs associated with causation, symptoms and management of blindness and blinding eye conditions among rural Yoruba communities identified have provided a bridge for understanding local perspectives and basis for implementing appropriate primary eye care programs.
The European Court of Justice and the Judicialization of EU Governance

This Living Reviews article evaluates the most important strains of social science research on the impact of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on integration, EU-level policymaking, and national legal orders. Section 1 defines the concepts of judicialization and governance, and discusses how they are related. As the article demonstrates, the “constitutionalization of the EU,” and its effect on EU governance, is one of the most complex and dramatic examples of judicialization in world history. Section 2 discusses the institutional determinants of judicial authority in the EU in light of delegation theory. The European Court, a Trustee of the Treaty system rather than a simple Agent of the Member States, operates in an unusually broad zone of discretion, a situation the Court has exploited in its efforts to enhance the effectiveness of EU law. Section 3 focuses on the extraordinary impact of the European Court of Justice, and of the legal system it manages, on the overall course of market and political integration. Section 4 provides an overview of the process through which the ECJ’s case law – its jurisprudence – influences the decision-making of non-judicial EU organs and officials. Section 5 considers the role of the ECJ and the national courts in monitoring and enforcing Member State compliance with EU law, a task that has provoked a steady Europeanization of national law and policymaking. Published on-line in the Living Reviews in EU Governance Series, Articles in the Living Reviews in EU Governance series provide critical surveys of the development of knowledge in specific fields of research. Living Reviews are peer-reviewed, up-dated on a regular basis, and fully digitalized. This article has been published at: http://europeangovernance.livingreviews. org/Articles/lreg-2010-2/
Structure of DNA Hexamer Sequence d-CGATCG by Two-dimensional Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Restrained Molecular Dynamics

Abstract Solution conformation of self-complementary DNA duplex d-CGATCG, containing 5′d- CpG 3′ site for intercalation of anticancer drug, daunomycin and adriamycin, has been investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Complete resonance assignments of all the protons (except some H5′/H5” protons) have been obtained following standard procedures based on double quantum filtered correlation spectroscopy (dQF COSY) and two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) spectra. Analysis of sums of coupling constants in one-dimensional NMR spectra, cross peak patterns in dQF COSY spectra and inter proton distances shows that the DNA sequence assumes a conformation close to the B-DNA family. The deoxyribose sugar conformation is in dynamic equilibrium with predominantly S-type conformer and a minor N-type conformer with N↔S equilibrium varying with temperature. At 325 K, the mole fraction of the N-conformer increases for some of the residues by ∼ 9%. Using a total of 10 spin-spin coupling constants and 112 NOE intensities, structural refinement has been carried out using Restrained Molecular Dynamics (rMD) with different starting structures, potential functions and rMD protocols. It is observed that pseudorotation phase angle of deoxyribose sugar for A3 and T4 residues is ∼ 180° and ∼ 120°, respectively while all other residues are close to C2′endo-conformation. A large propeller twist (∼ −18°) and smallest twist angle (∼ 31°) at A3pT4 step, in the middle of the sequence, a wider (12 Å) and shallower (3.0 Å) major groove with glycosidic bond rotation as high anti at both the ends of hexanucleotide are observed. The structure shows base-sequence dependent variations and hence strong local structural heterogeneity, which may have implications in ligand binding.