Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The euro trilemma, or: how the Eurozone fell into a neofunctionalist legitimacy trap

Abstract The Euro-Crisis can be explained by the calamitous interaction of two neofunctionalist logics operating in the Eurozone since its inception: first, a logic of irreversible enlargement, and second, a logic of continuous deepening. The logic of enlargement perpetuates greater divergence among the members of the Eurozone, not only with respect to the productivity of national economies, but also, even more crucially, with respect to the reform capacity of political systems and the institutional characteristics of different varieties of capitalism. The logic of deepening expresses the irresistible tendency of a currency union towards closer political and economic integration. The clash of these logics threatens to overwhelm the political, institutional and ideological state capacities of very diverse members. Thus, the Eurozone has entered a dynamic trilemma: it presupposes (and to a certain degree requires) expansion to complement the Single Market; it needs to deepen far beyond its original and current set-up to function as a monetary union; and it needs a robust degree of legitimacy to survive politically. But it can satisfy only two of these objectives.
Role of Familiarity and Preference in Reproductive Success in Ex Situ Breeding Programs

Abstract: Success of captive‐breeding programs centers on consistent reproduction among captive animals. However, many individuals do not reproduce even when they are apparently healthy and presented with mates. Mate choice can affect multiple parameters of reproductive success, including mating success, offspring production, offspring survival, and offspring fecundity. We investigated the role of familiarity and preference on reproductive success of female Columbia Basin pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis) as measured by litter production, litter size, average number of young that emerged from the burrow, and average number of young that survived to 1 year. We conducted these studies on pygmy rabbits at the Oregon Zoo (Portland, Oregon, U.S.A.) and Washington State University (Pullman, Washington, U.S.A.) from February to June 2006, 2007, and 2008. Before mating, we housed each female adjacent to 2 males (neighbors). Female preference for each potential mate was determined on the basis of behavioral interactions observed and measured between the rabbits. We compared reproductive success between females mated with neighbor and non‐neighbor males and between females mated with preferred and nonpreferred males. Our findings suggest that mating with a neighbor compared with a non‐neighbor and mating with a preferred neighbor compared with a nonpreferred neighbor increased reproductive success in female pygmy rabbits. Litter production, average number of young that emerged, and average number of young that survived to 1 year were higher in rabbits that were neighbors before mating than in animals who were not neighbors. Pairing rabbits with a preferred partner increased the probability of producing a litter and was significantly associated with increased litter size. In captive breeding programs, mates are traditionally selected on the basis of genetic parameters to minimize loss of genetic diversity and inbreeding coefficients. Our results suggest that integrating genetic information with social dynamics and behavioral measures of preference may increase the reproductive output of the pygmy rabbit captive‐breeding program. Our findings are consistent with the idea that allowing mate choice and familiarity increase the reproductive success of captive‐breeding programs for endangered species.
Additive-state-decomposition-based dynamic inversion stabilized control of a hexacopter subject to unknown propeller damages

In this paper, we study the control problem of a hexacopter subject to unknown propeller damages, namely without fault detection. This problem is first formulated to be a time-varying disturbance rejection problem. Then, a novel control, namely additive-state-decomposition-based dynamic inversion stabilized control, is applied to stabilize the considered system subject to an unknown time-varying disturbance. Neither fault detection and isolation module nor control re-allocation for a hexacopter is required under this framework. Moreover, it can achieve a good rejection performance when damages happen. Finally, a simulation example shows its effectiveness.
Semantic coordination of P2P collective intelligence

P2P techniques for semantic coordination based on semantic communities are recently emerging to enforce effective collaboration platforms. In this paper, we focus on semantic coordination in the iCoord P2P system and we introduce the notion of collective intelligence to enable semantic peer communities to setup a shared community vocabulary which is gradually built with the autonomous contribution of all the community members according to their terminological preferences. Techniques for extending iCoord to include in the collective intelligence also the social peer knowledge coming from conventional tagging systems are also presented.
Delayed access and survival in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a cohort study.

RATIONALE Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is often initially misdiagnosed. Delays in accessing subspecialty care could lead to worse outcomes among those with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. OBJECTIVES To examine the association between delayed access to subspecialty care and survival time in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. METHODS We performed a prospective cohort study of 129 adults who met American Thoracic Society criteria for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis evaluated at a tertiary care center. Delay was defined as the time from the onset of dyspnea to the date of initial evaluation at a tertiary care center. We used competing risk survival methods to examine survival time and time to transplantation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS The mean age was 63 years and 76% were men. The median delay was 2.2 years (interquartile range 1.0–3.8 yr), and the median follow-up time was 1.1 years. Age and lung function at the time of evaluation did not vary by delay. A longer delay was associated with an increased risk of death independent of age, sex, forced vital capacity, third-party payer, and educational attainment (adjusted hazard ratio per doubling of delay was 1.3, 95% confidence interval 1.03 to 1.6). Longer delay was not associated with a lower likelihood of undergoing lung transplantation. CONCLUSIONS Delayed access to a tertiary care center is associated with a higher mortality rate in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis independent of disease severity. Early referral to a specialty center should be considered for those with known or suspected interstitial lung disease.
Efficacy of continuous epidural analgesia versus single dose caudal analgesia in children after intravesical ureteroneocystostomy.

PURPOSE We compared the effects of single dose caudal injection and continuous epidural infusion of bupivacaine on postoperative pain intensity and supplemental opioid analgesic requirements in children undergoing intravesical ureteroneocystostomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Children 6 to 18 years old scheduled for ureteroneocystostomy were recruited for the study. Patients were randomized to group 1--caudal injection of 0.25% bupivacaine before approximately surgical incision and group 2--placement of an epidural catheter with injection of 0.25% bupivacaine, followed by a continuous epidural infusion upon completion of surgery. All patients received intravenous morphine patient controlled analgesic (PCA) as a rescue analgesic, and ketorolac and oxybutynin postoperatively. The epidural catheter was discontinued 48 hours after surgery, with removal of the urinary drainage catheter 4 hours later. Outcome measures included pain intensity rating, supplemental morphine requirements, presence and pain intensity of bladder spasms, analgesia related side effects, time to tolerating a regular diet, and patient and parent satisfaction. RESULTS There was no statistically significant difference in average daily pain scores between the 2 groups. In the postanesthesia care unit. Significantly more patients in the caudal group required morphine than in the epidural group (56% versus 11%). The total PCA demand was significantly greater in the caudal group on days 1 and 2 postoperatively. Patients in the caudal group took significantly longer to tolerate a regular diet than those in the epidural group. CONCLUSIONS Continuous epidural analgesia and single dose caudal injection of bupivacaine in conjunction with intravenous morphine PCA and ketorolac provide adequate pain control following intravesical ureteroneocystostomy. Continuous epidural analgesia reduces the need for supplemental intravenous morphine and allows children to tolerate a regular diet earlier.
Alcoholic fermentation: Modelling based on sole substrate and product measurement

Optimal automatic bioreactor control requires a mathematical model adapted to the potency of reliable sensors. A new relationship describing the kinetic behavior of alcoholic fermentation is discussed. By analogy with chemical kinetics, the biological rate of substrate consumption is related to substrate and product concentration by the following equation: \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$$r_s = kS^\alpha P^\beta$$\end{document} Using the well known yield relation between product and substrate, it is possible to describe in both batch and continuous cultures the ethanol and sugar concentrations versus time. This pattern has been successfully tested on several fermentations performed by yeasts (S. cerevisiae, S. bayanus, and S. cerevisiae sake) and a bacterium (Z. mobilis). This simple relationship is proposed as a tool for process control alcoholic fermentation.
A compact BPF using SSRR loading with Koch fractal island SIR

In this paper, a novel structure consisted of single split resonant ring (SSRR) and stepped-impedance resonant (SIR) is proposed. The structure is etched on ground to fabricating a compact band pass filter (BPF) cell. Besides, fractal geometry is used on low impedance line of SIR to improve the performances of filter and realize miniaturization. Finally, a high performances BPF was designed by cascading two unit cells with the third Koch island fractal geometries. It has been simulated, fabricated, and successfully tested. The measurement results are in good agreement with simulation.
Characterization of an enhancement-mode 650-V GaN HFET

GaN heterojunction field-effect transistors (HFETs) in the 600-V class are relatively new in commercial power electronics. The GaN Systems GS66508 is the first commercially available 650-V enhancement-mode device. Static and dynamic testing has been performed across the full current, voltage, and temperature range to enable GaN-based converter design using this new device. A curve tracer was used to measure Rds-on across the full operating temperature range, as well as the self-commutated reverse conduction (i.e. diode-like) behavior. Other static parameters such as transconductance and gate current were also measured. A double pulse test setup was constructed and used to measure switching loss and time at the fastest achievable switching speed, and the subsequent over-voltages due to the fast switching were characterized. Based on these results and analysis, an accurate loss model has been developed for the GS66508 to allow for GaN-based converter design and comparison with other commercially available devices in the 600-V class.
Robust LiDAR-based localization in architectural floor plans

Modern automation demands mobile robots to be robustly localized in complex scenarios. Current localization systems typically use maps that require to be built and interpreted by experienced operators, increasing deployment costs as well as reducing the adaptability of robots to rearrangements in the environment. In contrast, architectural floor plans can be easily understood by non-expert users and typically represent only the non-rearrangeable parts of buildings. In this paper we propose a system for robot localization in architectural CAD drawings. Our method employs a simultaneous localization and mapping approach to online augment the floor plan with a map represented as a pose-graph with LiDAR measurements. Whenever the environment is accurately mapped in the vicinity of the robot, we use the graph to perform relative localization. We thoroughly evaluate our system in challenging real-world scenarios. Experiments demonstrate that our method is able to robustly track the robot pose even when the floor plan shows major discrepancies from the real-world. We show that our system achieves sub-centimeter accuracy and is suitable for real-time application.
Effective Teaching and Learning Strategies

Over the past decade, leaders in pharmacy education and the profession in the United States focused on responding to the role of the pharmacist in the rapidly changing health care environment. This response included moving to the Doctor of Pharmacy as the entry‐level degree in the profession. Less understood and often overlooked are pharmacy's responses to equally dramatic changes in the national higher education environment. One trend in higher education is the use of active teaching and learning methodologies, many of which are based on cognitive science research on human learning. The primary purpose of this paper is to focus on teaching and learning by describing the philosophy and policy changes of the new American Council on Pharmaceutical Education accreditation standards advocating active teaching and learning strategies, by discussing the implications for pharmacy faculty teaching roles and responsibilities, and by providing examples of active teaching and learning strategies and relevant literature embedded in the standards.
Physical and chemical changes of polystyrene nanospheres irradiated with laser

It has been reported that polymer resist such as PMMA (Polymethyl methacrylate) which is a well known and commonly used polymer resist for fabrication of electronic devices can show zwitter characteristic due to over exposure of electron beam [1]. They tend to change their molecular structure to either become negative or positive resist corresponded to irradiation doses. These characteristic was due to crosslinking and scissors of the PMMA molecular structures, but till now the understanding of crosslinking and scissors of the polymer resist molecular structure due to electron beam exposure were still unknown to researchers [2–5].
Iterative Phase Reconstruction and Weighted Localization Algorithm for Indoor RFID-Based Localization in NLOS Environment

As the Internet of Things develops, indoor radio frequency identification (RFID)-based localization technique is getting more attention. However, there is much difficulty for improving RFID localization precision in non-line-of sight (NLOS) environment. The localization accuracy of conventional linear search algorithm is decreased exceedingly in NLOS environment. In this paper, compared with typical least square (LS) localization algorithm, a new indoor RFID-based localization algorithm is proposed to fulfill high accuracy in the electromagnetic wave propagation through NLOS environment. The new localization algorithm is a joint iterative phase reconstruction and weighted localization algorithm based on convex optimization. In NLOS environment, carrier phase difference calculated by RFID reader always has a positive bias value, which in turn causes a positive bias value for the computed distance from RFID reader to tag. Utilizing the positive effect of the NLOS phase measurements while restraining their negative effect, we propose a weighted localization algorithm using convex optimization. Iterative reconstruction is adopted for carrier phase difference calculated by RFID reader. Within each iteration process, phase is adjusted using previous carrier phase difference calculated by RFID reader and the previously estimated position of tag. The phase measurement platform made by ZTE Corporation is used to obtain the carrier phase difference of roundtrip signal between the tag and reader, and the tag position is estimated by taking the measured phase into the proposed localization algorithm. The results of the indoor experiment demonstrate the proposed algorithm comparatively has a high localization precision in NLOS environment, even though the typical LS localization algorithm does not work.
Vietnamese Academics' Research Capacity in Tertiary Contexts

Research carried out by academics at higher education institutions (HEIs) has substantially contributed to nations’ development, particularly in a time of globalisation and internationalisation of higher education (HE). A range of studies on academics’ research have been undertaken in western contexts. Those studies can be classified into studies of academics’ research perceptions and studies of factors affecting academics’ research productivity. However, there has been a very limited number of studies on academics’ research capacity and HEIs’ research capacities in Vietnam. Meanwhile, the Vietnamese Government has attempted to develop its HE system to contribute to the success of its national development. Over the past ten years, the Vietnamese Government has issued a series of research related policies and has had a greater investment into the development of its HE system. However, the research capacity of Vietnamese HEIs has been lower than that of its neighbouring countries in the region. Therefore, this study was conducted with the hope that it might provide an in-depth understanding of the research capacities of Vietnamese HEIs and their academics and how they can be better fostered in the Vietnamese HE system. The study was conducted in three public HEIs at different levels in southern Vietnam: provincial, regional, and national. The study employed an interpretive case study approach with a lens of historical and sociocultural theory. Three key tools used for data collecting were surveys, individual semi-structured interviews, and document analysis. The research participants were purposefully selected from the three institutions. For data analysis, the study utilised a combined framework adapted from the predictive model department research productivity of Bland, Center, Finstad, Risbey, and Staples (2005), the model of factors affecting academics’ research productivity of Chen, Gupta, and Hoshower (2006), and Moore’s (2015) social-ecological model: Looking beyond the individual. The study’s findings indicated that the research capacities of Vietnamese HEIs and their academics were influenced by various factors at different levels. At societal level, they include socioeconomic, sociocultural, and political factors. At community level, they comprise resources, research orientation, research networks, professional development practices. At institutional level, they consist of establishment history, geographical location, and organisation. Additionally, the study identified that institutional contexts affected the academics’ research motivation and research engagement at this level. Finally, this study suggested some recommendations for both academic leaders and academics from the three HEIs and Vietnamese HE policy makers to consider so that they may find ways to enhance the research capacities of the Vietnamese HEIs and their academics’ research engagement.
Association of tumor necrosis factor gene polymorphisms and prolonged mechanical ventilation after coronary artery bypass surgery

ObjectiveProlonged mechanical ventilation is a common complication after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Tumor necrosis factor &agr; is an important proinflammatory mediator in the post–coronary artery bypass graft inflammatory cascade. We attempted to study the effect of polymorphisms at the −308 site in the promoter region of the tumor necrosis factor gene (TNF−308) and the +250 site within the lymphotoxin-&agr; gene (LT&agr;+250) on the risk of prolonged mechanical ventilation after coronary artery bypass grafting. DesignProspective observational study. SettingTertiary care center. PatientsA total of 400 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting were enrolled. MeasurementsThe primary end point was time to extubate. Secondary end points were the percentages of patients extubated at 8, 24, and 48 hrs; the length of intensive care unit and hospital stay; the need for a rehabilitation facility; and 30-day mortality. Precollected blood was used for gene analysis. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme digestion. Main ResultsPatients with an AA genotype at the LT&agr;+250 site and those without the LT&agr;+250G/−308TNFG haplotype had a shorter duration of mechanical ventilation (11.5 vs. 27.8 hrs and 11.2 vs. 29.4 hrs;p = .039 and .01, respectively). The risk of prolonged mechanical ventilation at 8, 24, and 48 hrs was higher for patients with a GA or GG genotype at the LT&agr;+250 site and the LT&agr;+250G/TNF−308G haplotype. This association between genotype and duration of mechanical ventilation was more dramatic in patients undergoing conventional coronary artery bypass grafting than in those undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. With Bayesian analysis, clinical criteria and genotype can be used sequentially to predict the risk of prolonged mechanical ventilation. ConclusionsThe LT&agr;+250 and LT&agr;+250G/TNF−308G haplotypes are associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation after coronary artery bypass graft. Preoperative genetic screening may guide intraoperative management to reduce postoperative complications.
Learning Strategy Preference and Personality Type: Are They Related?.

This study investigated the relationship of learning strategy preference to personality type. Learning strategy preference was identified with the Assessing The Learning Strategies of AdultS (ATLAS), and personality type was measured with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). The findings indicate that while overall personality type is not related to learning strategy preference, three of the four indicators of personality type show a relationship to learning strategy preference. Consequently, while stereotypes cannot be made to link approaches to learning with overall personality types, certain personality traits can be indicators of how one might be approaching learning tasks.
The effect of different mouth rinse products on intra-oral halitosis.

AIM To evaluate the effect of different mouth rinses 12 h after rinsing on genuine intra-oral halitosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-four adults with halitosis were included in a double-blind, crossover, randomized clinical trial. Halitosis was evaluated 12 h after rinsing with placebo and five mouth rinse products containing zinc acetate and chlorhexidine diacetate; zinc lactate, chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride; zinc acetate and chlorhexidine diacetate with reduced amounts of mint and menthol; zinc chloride and essential oil; and chlorine dioxide using the organoleptic method and a gas chromatograph. Test periods were separated by 1 week. RESULTS Hydrogen sulphide (H2 S), methyl mercaptan (MM) and the organoleptic scores (OLS) were significantly reduced 12 h following rinsing with all substances compared to placebo (P < 0.05). H2 S was more effectively reduced after rinsing with zinc acetate and chlorhexidine diacetate and zinc acetate and chlorhexidine diacetate with reduced amounts of mint and menthol compared to rinsing with zinc chloride and essential oil (P < 0.05), and significantly lower values of MM were obtained after rinsing with zinc acetate and chlorhexidine diacetate compared to zinc lactate, chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride (P < 0.05). The percentage effectively treated individuals (H2 S (<112 ppb), MM (<26 ppb) and OLS score <2) varied from 58% percentage (zinc acetate and chlorhexidine diacetate) to 26% (zinc chloride and essential oil). CONCLUSION All treatments resulted in reduction in halitosis 12 h after rinsing compared to placebo. H2 S and MM were most effectively reduced by zinc acetate and chlorhexidine diacetate.