Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Positive Economics of Unemployment and Labor Market Inflexibility

This paper explores the puzzling inaction of governments in Europe concerning labor market liberalization. Although a more liberalized labor market is a prerequisite for mitigating mass unemployment, very little in terms of actual reforms has been achieved. This puzzle can be solved by adopting a political economy perspective. Labor market rigidities serve political economy considerations mainly by benefiting well organized insiders at the expense of badly organized and politically marginalized outsiders. Hence, devising effective and politically feasible policies for fighting unemployment is a challenging task. However, skill-biased technological progress and globalization work in favor of more liberalized labor markets. Copyright 1996 by WWZ and Helbing & Lichtenhahn Verlag AG
Studies on the role of Dlx5 in regulation of chondrocyte differentiation during endochondral ossification in the developing mouse limb

The homeodomain transcription factor Dlx5 has been implicated in the regulation of chondrocyte and osteoblast differentiation during endochondral ossification in the developing limb. In a gain‐of‐function approach to directly investigate the role of Dlx5 in chondrocyte maturation, we have used cartilage‐specific Col2a1‐Dlx5 promoter/enhancer constructs to target overexpression of Dlx5 to the differentiating cartilage models of the limbs of transgenic mice. Targeted overexpression of Dlx5 in cartilage rudiments results in the formation of shortened skeletal elements containing excessive numbers of hypertrophic chondrocytes and expanded domains of expression of Ihh and type X collagen, molecular markers of hypertrophic maturation. This suggests that hypertrophic differentiation is enhanced in response to Dlx5 misexpression. Skeletal elements overexpressing Dlx5 also exhibit a marked reduction in the zone of proliferation, indicating that overexpression of Dlx5 reduces chondrocyte proliferation concomitant with promoting hypertrophic maturation. Taken together these results indicate that Dlx5 is a positive regulator of chondrocyte maturation during endochondral ossification, and suggest that it regulates the process at least in part by promoting the conversion of immature proliferating chondrocytes into hypertrophying chondrocytes; a critical step in the maturation process.
Transpeptidase activity of penicillin‐binding protein SpoVD in peptidoglycan synthesis conditionally depends on the disulfide reductase StoA

Endospore cortex peptidoglycan synthesis is not required for bacterial growth but essential for endospore heat resistance. It therefore constitutes an amenable system for research on peptidoglycan biogenesis. The Bacillus subtilis sporulation‐specific class B penicillin‐binding protein (PBP) SpoVD and many homologous PBPs contain two conserved cysteine residues of unknown function in the transpeptidase domain – one as residue x in the SxN catalytic site motif and the other in a flexible loop near the catalytic site. A disulfide bond between these residues blocks the function of SpoVD in cortex synthesis. With a combination of experiments with purified proteins and B. subtilis mutant cells, it was shown that in active SpoVD the two cysteine residues most probably interact by hydrogen bonding and that this is important for peptidoglycan synthesis in vivo. It was furthermore demonstrated that the sporulation‐specific thiol‐disulfide oxidoreductase StoA reduces SpoVD and that requirement of StoA for cortex synthesis can be suppressed by two completely different types of structural alterations in SpoVD. It is concluded that StoA plays a critical role mainly during maturation of SpoVD in the forespore outer membrane. The findings advance our understanding of essential PBPs and redox control of extra‐cytoplasmic protein disulfides in bacterial cells.
Control and energy management of a grid connected hybrid energy system PV-wind with battery energy storage for residential applications

This paper presents the control and energy management of a hybrid system that comprises wind (Doubly Fed Induction Generator DFIG) and Photovoltaic (PV) generation subsystems, a battery bank, and an AC residential load, connected to the utility grid which is used as a backup source. The objectives of this system are, primarily, to satisfy the house load power demand and, second, to manage the power between its different components. A comprehensive nonlinear model and a control design of the studied power system have been developed in this paper. Simulation results using MATLAB/Simulink illustrate the performances of the proposed supervisor controller under several operation modes.
Evaluation of inputs to rat primary auditory cortex from the suprageniculate nucleus and extrastriate visual cortex

Evidence indicates that visual stimuli influence cells in the primary auditory cortex. To evaluate potential sources of this visual input and how they enter into the circuitry of the auditory cortex, we examined axonal terminations in the primary auditory cortex from nonprimary extrastriate visual cortex (V2M, V2L) and from the multimodal thalamic suprageniculate nucleus (SG). Gross biocytin/biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) injections into the SG or extrastriate cortex labeled inputs terminating primarily in superficial and deep layers. SG projects primarily to layers I, V, and VI while V2M and V2L project primarily to layers I and VI, with V2L also targeting layers II/III. Layer I inputs differ in that SG terminals are concentrated superficially, V2L are deeper, and V2M are equally distributed throughout. Individual axonal reconstructions document that single axons can 1) innervate multiple layers; 2) run considerable distances in layer I; and 3) run preferentially in the dorsoventral direction similar to isofrequency axes. At the electron microscopic level, SG and V2M terminals 1) are the same size regardless of layer; 2) are non‐γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic; 3) are smaller than ventral medial geniculate terminals synapsing in layer IV; 4) make asymmetric synapses onto dendrites/spines that 5) are non‐GABAergic and 6) are slightly larger in layer I. Thus, both areas provide a substantial feedback‐like input with differences that may indicate potentially different roles. J. Comp. Neurol. 518:3679–3700, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Composition, microstructures, and petrophysics of the Mozumi fault, Japan: In situ analyses of fault zone properties and structure in sedimentary rocks from shallow crustal levels

[1] We characterize the chemical, microstructural, and geophysical properties of fault-related rock samples from the 80–100 m wide Mozumi fault zone, north central Honshu, Japan. The fault is exposed in a research tunnel 300–400 m below the ground, and we combine geological data with borehole geophysical logs to determine the elastic and seismic properties of the fault zone. Detailed mapping within the tunnel reveals that the fault zone consists of two zones of breccia to foliated cataclasites 20 and 50 m thick. Two narrow (tens of centimeters wide) principal slip zones on which most of the slip occurred bound the central fault zone. The dominant deformation mechanisms within the fault zone were brittle fracture, brecciation, slip localization, plastic deformation, and vein formation in a sericite-calcite rich matrix. Clay alteration patterns are complex within the fault zone, with clay-rich fault breccia enriched in smectite, illite, and kaolinite relative to the kaolinite and illite dominant in the host rock. Whole rock geochemical analyses show that the fault-related rocks are depleted in Fe, Na, K, Al, Mg, and Si relative to the host rock. The fault zone exhibits depressed electrical resistivity values by 10–100 ohm m relative to the wall rock, values of Vp and Vs values that are ∼0.30 and ∼0.40 km/s (10–20%) less than protolith values. The spontaneous potential logs indicate that the fault zone has increased freshwater content relative to formation waters. Wellbore-based measurements of Vp and Vs in fault-related rocks to enable us to calculate values of Young's modulus from 16.2 to 44.9 GPa and Poisson's ratio for the fault zone of 0.263 to 0.393. The protolith has Young's modulus of 55.4 GPa and a Poisson's ratio of 0.242. Lowest calculated values of Young's modulus and highest calculated values of Poisson's ratio correspond to fault breccia with increased porosity, high fluid content, and low resistivity values. Taken together, these data show that the shallow portion of the Mozumi fault consists of a complex zone of anastomosing narrow slip zones that bound broad zones of damage. Fluid-rock alteration and deformation created altered fault-related rocks, which have resulted in overall reduced interval velocities of the fault zone. These data indicate that seismic waves traveling along the interface or internally reflected in the fault zone would encounter rocks of differing and reduced elastic properties relative to the host rocks but that in detail, material properties within the fault may vary.
A 107GHz LNA in 65nm CMOS with inductive neutralization and slow-wave transmission lines

This paper presents a 107GHz LNA prototype using TSMC 65nm CMOS technology. It explores the limit of the CMOS technology by effectively optimizing the active and passive devices. An improvement of 1.6dB higher maximum stable/available gain (MSG/MAG) on the transistor is achieved around 110GHz by layout optimization and inductor neutralization technique. A high quality factor co-planar waveguide (CPW) transmission line is designed utilizing the slow-wave effect. A quality factor of 23.6 is demonstrated by EM-simulations while taken the consideration of satisfying the stringent layout design rules. Based on the optimization on the active and passive devices, a dual-stage LNA is designed, with a simulated power gain of 10.2dB and noise figure of 8dB at 107GHz, verified by chip-level EM-simulations. The power consumption is 28.2mW.
Empirical investigation of pedal power calculation techniques for track cycling performance measurement

Cycling is highly regarded as one of the important sports in international tournaments. The bicycle statistical information parameters can be used to improve and refine the cyclist training. Knowledge of the bicycle parameters, for instance pedal power, cadence and speed can improve the cyclists' performance. Above all these parameters, the pedal power considered as the most important parameter to improve the athlete's performance. There are two common methods for calculating the pedal power; the first is torque measurement method and the second is known as opposing force measurement method. In this paper, a comparison between these two methods based on the generated pedal power and speed of the track bicycle will be introduced. The comparison results show that the torque measurement method based on strain gauges is better than the opposing force measurement, for example the power exerted by cyclist to move the bicycle forward is 116watt in torque measurement method whereas it is 167watt for force measurement method at 30km/h. The advantage of torque measurement method is widely acknowledged, as can be seen from the commercial products available in the market, based on the literature study in this paper.
Effect of Attendance of the Child on Body Weight, Energy Intake, and Physical Activity in Childhood Obesity Treatment: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance Family-based weight loss treatment (FBT) is considered the gold-standard treatment for childhood obesity and is provided to the parent and child. However, parent-based treatment (PBT), which is provided to the parent without the child, could be similarly effective and easier to disseminate. Objective To determine whether PBT is similarly effective as FBT on child weight loss over 24 months. Secondary aims evaluated the effect of these 2 treatments on parent weight loss, child and parent dietary intake, child and parent physical activity, parenting style, and parent feeding behaviors. Design, Setting, and Participants Randomized 2-arm noninferiority trial conducted at an academic medical center, University of California, San Diego, between July 2011 and July 2015. Participants included 150 overweight and obese 8- to 12-year-old children and their parents. Interventions Both PBT and FBT were delivered in 20 one-hour group meetings with 30-minute individualized behavioral coaching sessions over 6 months. Treatments were similar in content; the only difference was the attendance of the child. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome measure was child weight loss (body mass index [BMI] and BMI z score) at 6, 12, and 18 months post treatment. Secondary outcomes were parent weight loss (BMI), child and parent energy intake, child and parent physical activity (moderate to vigorous physical activity minutes), parenting style, and parent feeding behaviors. Results One hundred fifty children (mean BMI, 26.4; mean BMI z score, 2.0; mean age, 10.4 years; 66.4% girls) and their parent (mean BMI, 31.9; mean age, 42.9 years; 87.3% women; and 31% Hispanic, 49% non-Hispanic white, and 20% other race/ethnicity) were randomly assigned to either FBT or PBT. Child weight loss after 6 months was −0.25 BMI z scores in both PBT and FBT. Intention-to-treat analysis using mixed linear models showed that PBT was noninferior to FBT on all outcomes at 6-, 12-, and 18-month follow-up with a mean difference in child weight loss of 0.001 (95% CI, −0.06 to 0.06). Conclusions and Relevance Parent-based treatment was as effective on child weight loss and several secondary outcomes (parent weight loss, parent and child energy intake, and parent and child physical activity). Parent-based treatment is a viable model to provide weight loss treatment to children. Trial Registration Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01197443
Impact of Synaptic Localization and Subunit Composition of Ionotropic Glutamate Receptors on Synaptic Function: Modeling and Simulation Studies

Ionotropic NMDA and AMPA glutamate receptors (iGluRs) play important roles in synaptic function under physiological and pathological conditions. iGluRs sub-synaptic localization and subunit composition are dynamically regulated by activity-dependent insertion and internalization. However, understanding the impact on synaptic transmission of changes in composition and localization of iGluRs is difficult to address experimentally. To address this question, we developed a detailed computational model of glutamatergic synapses, including spine and dendritic compartments, elementary models of subtypes of NMDA and AMPA receptors, glial glutamate transporters, intracellular calcium, and a calcium-dependent signaling cascade underlying the development of long-term potentiation (LTP). These synapses were distributed on a neuron model and numerical simulations were performed to assess the impact of changes in composition and localization (synaptic versus extrasynaptic) of iGluRs on synaptic transmission and plasticity following various patterns of presynaptic stimulation. In addition, the effects of various pharmacological compounds targeting NMDARs or AMPARs were determined. Our results showed that changes in NMDAR localization have a greater impact on synaptic plasticity than changes in AMPARs. Moreover, the results suggest that modulators of AMPA and NMDA receptors have differential effects on restoring synaptic plasticity under different experimental situations mimicking various human diseases.
What do engagement measures really mean

Purpose – This paper aims to discuss how and with what employees engage at work. It seeks to offer an explanation of “locus of engagement” – what aspects of their work individuals engage with to a lesser or greater extent – and “emotional” and “transactional” engagement – demonstrating that people can engage at different levels, both of which might result in performance but also in very different behaviors.Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on research completed for CIPD by The Kingston Engagement Consortium drawing on both quantative and qualitative data collected from member companies over a six‐year period of study.Findings – The paper argues that managers need a deeper understanding of how employees are engaging with their work to effectively leverage performance through engagement. It finds that despite much work on engagement, the issues of with what and at what level people are engaging is still relatively unexplored. It also finds that how and with what people engage can have implica.
Analysis of the pattern and intensity of urban activities through aggregate cellphone usage

This study applies passive mobile positioning data such as Call Volume, Handover, and Erlang to detect the spatiotemporal distributions of urban activities. We obtained hourly aggregated cellphone data from a dataset of communications in Lisbon, Portugal. Fuzzy c-mean clustering algorithm was applied to the cellphone data to create clusters of locations with similar features in two aspects of activities: the pattern and intensity of urban activities along the hours of a day. In order to validate those clusters as actual predictors of human activity, we compared them with clusters formed using ground truth variables namely presence of people, buildings, points of interest, and bus and taxi movement. To identify the patterns of urban activities, the Erlang data provided a better match, with the ground truth giving 69% of overall accurate predictions. In the case of the intensity of activities, Handover data provided the highest match, with the ground truth yielding 80% of overall accuracy of predictions. Hence, the results demonstrate the potential of passive mobile positioning data in detecting intensity of activities that are superimposed on the different activity patterns, which is a fundamental piece of information for transportation and urban planning.
A study of motives and determinants of foreign direct investment in the key sectors of Libyan economy

The study analyses the key motives and determinants of FDI in various sectors of the Libyan economy. It compares the results for the different sectors to determine how the policy of the Libyan government could be improved in order to increase the benefits for the government and the country. A new framework was developed for this research. A qualitative methodology using multiple case studies was employed. The case study companies comprised eight companies from four sectors. The four sectors were compared and contrasted using Porter's five forces model. The analysis of the eight companies had two stages: "within" and "cross-cases" analyses. Data were gathered through in depth, semi-structured interviews with foreign and local company managers, and government policy makers. The study also uses data collected from secondary sources such as company websites, documents and government reports. The empirical findings reveal the existence of a core of motives and determinants of FDI in Libya that are common for all parties across all sectors. This finding is surprising in relation to the similarity across sectors. This might be explained by the uniform government policy over a relatively stagnant forty-year period. These factors are: market size and growth, high return on investment and investment incentives, political stability, infrastructure and low transportation costs, business and industrial linkages, progress of privatisation, institutions, culture and attractive geographic location. The sector-specific and actor-specific determinants are however less important than the common ones. In terms of obstacles to FDI, bureaucratic red tape, infrastructure in terms of Internet, telephone, and the banking system inhibit FDI inflows in all contexts. The findings of this study showed also the critical role of the Libyan government in facilitating the process of FDI. This is probably the first study to incorporate both host government and foreign investors' views about motives and determinants of FDI.
Evaluation of a Commercially Available Reverse Transcription-PCR Assay for Diagnosis of Enteroviral Infection in Archival and Prospectively Collected Cerebrospinal Fluid Specimens

ABSTRACT A commercially available reverse transcription (RT)-PCR method (AMPLICOR EV; Roche Diagnostic Systems, Inc., Branchburg, N.J.) was evaluated for detection of enteroviruses in cerebrospinal fluid from patients with neurological disease. This assay was compared with virus isolation in cell culture and an in-house RT-PCR method designed with a nonoverlapping region of the enteroviral genome. A panel of 200 cerebrospinal fluid specimens prospectively collected from patients with a wide variety of neurological symptoms, including 50 patients involved in three different outbreaks of acute aseptic meningitis, was assayed. A second panel of 97 archived cerebrospinal fluid specimens, stored for 2 to 5 years, from patients with aseptic meningitis associated with several enterovirus outbreaks was also studied. From the first panel, enteroviruses were detected in 13 of 50 specimens by cell culture (26%), in 43 of 50 specimens by AMPLICOR EV (86%), and in 46 of 50 specimens by the in-house assay (92%) from patients with aseptic meningitis associated with outbreak and 1 of 29, 3 of 29, and 4 of 29 specimens, respectively, from sporadic cases of aseptic meningitis. The remaining 121 cerebrospinal fluid specimens from patients with other neurological syndromes were negative by all tests. From the second panel, enteroviral RNA was detected by the AMPLICOR test (31 of 97 specimens, 32%) and the in-house assay (39 of 97 specimens, 40%). According to our results, patients with aseptic meningitis should be analyzed for enteroviral infection in cerebrospinal fluid by RT-PCR methods, and the AMPLICOR EV test is a suitable tool for performing such studies. Archival cerebrospinal fluid specimens are less suitable for evaluation of the performance of RT-PCR methods designed for enterovirus detection.
Application of Polymerase Chain Reaction to Detect Burkholderia Pseudomallei and Brucella Species in Buffy Coat from Patients with Febrile Illness Among Rural and Peri-Urban Population

Context: Melioidosis and Brucellosis are important endemic infections among people in India, especially in rural settings. Conventional detection techniques have several limitations. Only a few studies exist on the prevalence of Melioidosis and Brucellosis in rural area especially in India. Aim: We sought to evaluate detection of Burkholderia pseudomallei and Brucella spp. among patients presenting febrile illness. Material and Methods: Previously described polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for both pathogens were evaluated with Deoxyribonucleic acid extracts of buffy coat samples collected from 301 patients recruited prospectively. Data was not amenable to statistical analysis. Results: The PCR showed specific amplification and no non-specific amplification with heterologous Gram-negative bacilli. The lower limit of detection of the assay for B. pseudomallei was determined to be 1 colony-forming unit /mL and for Brucella it was 1.95 × 103 plasmids per microliter. Blood culture in automated blood culture system was negative for all the samples. This prospective study carried out in southern India for the first time. PCR for Brucella was positive in 1% of the patient samples whereas 0.3% was positive for B. pseudomallei. Conclusion: The finding of Brucella and Burkholderia infections in our populations leads us to suggest that tests for Brucella and B. pseudomallei should also form part of a diagnostic platform for patients with Pyrexia of unknown origin in tropical developing countries.