Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the Relation of MIMO APP Detection and SIMO Maximum Ratio Combining

In classical non-iterative MIMO detection a soft-output MIMO detector computes likelihoods of the transmit bits being 1 or 0, given the received symbol vector. In iterative MIMO detection-decoding, detection performance is improved by exploiting apriori information about bit probabilities from the decoder. Transmit bits are viewed as random variables and the optimum detector performs Bayesian updating of transmit bit probabilities to compute the aposteriori probabilities (APP). We show that with growing apriori knowledge APP and max-log-APP MIMO detector performance increases up to the performance of maximum ratio combining (MRC) for SIMO transmission of BPSK modulation, when transmitting with the same energy per symbol. This is an upper bound for detector performance in iterative detection-decoding (Turbo MIMO receiver).
A New Combined Speech Processor for Electric and Acoustic Stimulation – Eight Months Experience

Purpose: Electric acoustic stimulation (EAS) relies on the preservation of low-frequency hearing and adequate amplification of these frequencies. EAS has been achieved by fitting the cochlear implant (CI) speech processor together with an ipsilateral in-the-ear hearing aid. This study will evaluate the outcomes when CI/EAS users upgrade to a new combination of hearing aid and speech processor in 1 device (DUET™). Method: Nine EAS patients participated in this study. Before switchover and after 2 and 8 months of DUET device use, they were assessed using monosyllables and sentences in quiet and in noise. Additionally, a questionnaire, the Abbreviated Profile for Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB), was used to evaluate subjective impressions. Results: All subjects performed equally well, or even better, after switchover. This was also demonstrated over time. The participants with EAS before switchover performed equally afterwards, while those who used CI only did markedly better with the new device, especially in noisy conditions. Slight preference for the new system was also demonstrated with the APHAB. Conclusion: All subjects showed benefit in noise; CI-only users before switchover particularly benefited from the new hearing system. Those who applied EAS before switchover performed equally well. The DUET allows individuals better access to EAS.
An Extension to Taylor's Model of Credit Unions

In a series of papers, Taylor (1971, 1977, 1979) has proposed a theoretical model of Credit Union behavior emphasizing their nonprofit and cooperative nature. Taylor (1979) represents the model in its most developed form. In this note his work is surveyed and a modification is proposed, namely the incorporation of current period endogenous reserve accumulation, which is very important in practice and which, it is suggested, fills a significant gap and makes his model more satisfactory as a representation of credit union behaviour in periods of asset growth or decline.
Caring to innovate

AbstractSix voices are introduced to review social care interventions from the perspectives of looked after children and young people, family members, health, education and welfare professionals, politicians and policy makers, service regulators and research scholars. Then six ideologies that have shaped social care practices during the past half-century are reviewed, including normalisation, deinstitutionalisation, mainstreaming, minimal intervention, diversion and use of the least restrictive environment. To conclude, care innovations are highlighted posing implications for social care management.
Measuring Event Impacts in Thinly Traded Stocks

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to suggest simple procedures designed to cope with the effects of thin trading on event study tests. The procedures are directed at two central problems: (i) missing individual stock returns (i.e., days on which no trading is observed in a security), and (ii) the effect of a bid-ask spread on the time series behavior of daily stock return data. We attack these problems by explicitly incorporating them in the construction of a generating process for observed security returns. First, we develop a procedure for “filling in” missing returns. Then, we model a return-generating process of observed security returns that allows estimation of the variance of unobserved true security returns for use in hypothesis testing.
Label Aggregation for Crowdsourcing with Bi-Layer Clustering

This paper proposes a novel general label aggregation method for both binary and multi-class labeling in crowdsourcing, namely Bi-Layer Clustering (BLC), which clusters two layers of features - the conceptual-level and the physical-level features - to infer true labels of instances. BLC first clusters the instances using the conceptual-level features extracted from their multiple noisy labels and then performs clustering again using the physical-level features. It can facilitate tracking the uncertainty changes of the instances, so that the integrated labels that are likely to be falsely inferred on the conceptual layer can be easily corrected using the estimated labels on the physical layer. Experimental results on two real-world crowdsourcing data sets show that BLC outperforms seven state-of-the-art methods.
Evolution and function of eukaryotic‐like proteins from sponge symbionts

Sponges (Porifera) are ancient metazoans that harbour diverse microorganisms, whose symbiotic interactions are essential for the host's health and function. Although symbiosis between bacteria and sponges are ubiquitous, the molecular mechanisms that control these associations are largely unknown. Recent (meta‐) genomic analyses discovered an abundance of genes encoding for eukaryotic‐like proteins (ELPs) in bacterial symbionts from different sponge species. ELPs belonging to the ankyrin repeat (AR) class from a bacterial symbiont of the sponge Cymbastela concentrica were subsequently found to modulate amoebal phagocytosis. This might be a molecular mechanism, by which symbionts can control their interaction with the sponge. In this study, we investigated the evolution and function of ELPs from other classes and from symbionts found in other sponges to better understand the importance of ELPs for bacteria–eukaryote interactions. Phylogenetic analyses showed that all of the nine ELPs investigated were most closely related to proteins found either in eukaryotes or in bacteria that can live in association with eukaryotes. ELPs were then recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli and exposed to the amoeba Acanthamoeba castellanii, which is functionally analogous to phagocytic cells in sponges. Phagocytosis assays with E. coli containing three ELP classes (AR, TPR‐SEL1 and NHL) showed a significantly higher percentage of amoeba containing bacteria and average number of intracellular bacteria per amoeba when compared to negative controls. The result that various classes of ELPs found in symbionts of different sponges can modulate phagocytosis indicates that they have a broader function in mediating bacteria–sponge interactions.
The performance effects of major workforce reductions: longitudinal evidence from North America

This paper investigates the performance effects of major job cuts.1 Using data from Compustat S&P database, we examined the longitudinal impact of workforce reductions on labour productivity and operational indebtedness of 239 US and Canadian companies. Repeated measures analysis showed that firms that substantially cut jobs failed to improve their labour productivity and their operational indebtedness. Then, taken a step further, statistical analysis surprisingly revealed that firms that cut the highest proportions of their workforce had a significant deterioration of their operational indebtedness and a non-significant change of their labour productivity. These results call into question the economic legitimacy of major workforce reductions increasingly institutionalized to the detriment of the strategic approach of HRM.
First-principles calculations of structural and elastic properties of hexagonal Cu2In intermetallic compound

In recent years, Pb-Sn solders have been commonly applied in the microelectronic packaging industry over last decades due to their remarkable properties, such as good wetting, low melting temperature and low cost. Nevertheless, because of the toxic Pb element in the solders, significant environmental and health issues are created. Due to the high environmental awareness, green electronics products are presently advocated and proclaimed through legislation [1]. It has been extensively reported that multi-component Pb-free solders are potential to be the substitute of the Pb-Sn solders for developing green products. In recent years, extensive thermodynamic database of some metal elements, such as Ag, Cu, In, Sn, and Zn, has been established by many studies in replace of Pb to synthesize a novel Pb-free solder alloy [2]. The In-based solders could be one of the favorable candidates due to their good wetting, thermal fatigue durability, high ductility and appropriate melting point. However, there are some significant technical challenges needed to be resolved prior to their full and successful implementation and application. For example, Cu has been widely utilized in the under bump metallurgy (UBM) of chip and substrate metallization for solder bonding in the microelectronics industry. Because of the active chemical diffusion characteristics, it tends to diffuse into Sn-In based solder during assembly process and isothermal aging testing to form several intermetallic compounds (IMCs) at the interfaces between the solder and UBM, such as Cu2In. The IMCs can induce a great influence on the structural stiffness and material strengths of solder joints, which are essential to the reliability performance of the electronic packaging. In literature, extensive focuses have been placed on the interfacial formation and evolution of the Cu2In IMC by many researches. It should be noted that the success of application of the Pb-free solder in the advanced interconnect technology strongly relies on the full comprehension of the mechanical properties of the IMC. Unfortunately, only limited studies have been attempted to explore the essential subject in literature. Thus, the main goal of the study attempts to provide a more complete and comparative investigation of the structural and elastic properties of the Cu2In IMC through first-principles calculation by density functional theory (DFT) [3] within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) [4] based on pseudopotential method. It is believed that through the investigation of its elastic properties, one can have a better understanding of its relation to the thermal-mechanical reliability of solder joints.
Rate-Based Model Predictive Controller for Diesel Engine Air Path: Design and Experimental Evaluation

This paper presents the development and results of rate-based model predictive control (RB-MPC) for a diesel engine air path. The objective is to regulate the intake manifold pressure and the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) flow estimate to the specified set-points by coordinated control of the Variable Geometry Turbine (VGT), EGR valve, and EGR throttle actuators. We present steps by which we arrive at a controller that has low computational complexity, good tracking performance, and capability to enforce multiple constraints. Through the employed strategies, the need to cover the operating range with multiple linear models and to use a complicated switching controller structure is avoided. Simulation and experimental results are presented that demonstrate the ability of RB-MPC to follow specified set-points while satisfying state and control constraints throughout the engine operating range.
Comparative Genomics of H. pylori and Non-Pylori Helicobacter Species to Identify New Regions Associated with Its Pathogenicity and Adaptability

The genus Helicobacter is a group of Gram-negative, helical-shaped pathogens consisting of at least 36 bacterial species. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), infecting more than 50% of the human population, is considered as the major cause of gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric cancer. However, the genetic underpinnings of H. pylori that are responsible for its large scale epidemic and gastrointestinal environment adaption within human beings remain unclear. Core-pan genome analysis was performed among 75 representative H. pylori and 24 non-pylori Helicobacter genomes. There were 1173 conserved protein families of H. pylori and 673 of all 99 Helicobacter genus strains. We found 79 genome unique regions, a total of 202,359bp, shared by at least 80% of the H. pylori but lacked in non-pylori Helicobacter species. The operons, genes, and sRNAs within the H. pylori unique regions were considered as potential ones associated with its pathogenicity and adaptability, and the relativity among them has been partially confirmed by functional annotation analysis. However, functions of at least 54 genes and 10 sRNAs were still unclear. Our analysis of protein-protein interaction showed that 30 genes within them may have the cooperation relationship.
Role of Agriculture in Achieving MDG 1 in Asia and the Pacific Region

This paper examines whether agricultural growth through public expenditure, ODA or investment will improve significantly the prospects of achieving MDG 1 of halving poverty in Asia and the Pacific Region. As more than a few countries in this Region recorded impressive economic growth in the early years of the present decade, the case for the widely used poverty threshold of US$1.25 per day (at 2005 PPP) for assessing progress towards MDG1 is not so compelling now. Accordingly, the present assessment uses two poverty thresholds: US$2 per day and US$1.25 per day (both at 2005 PPP). Our analysis, based on country panel data, confirms robustly that increases in public agricultural expenditure, agricultural ODA, agricultural investment, or fertiliser use (as a proxy for technology), accelerate agricultural and GDP growth. Consequently, the headcount and depth of poverty indices are reduced substantially. Our simulation results show that, for halving the headcount index at US$2 per day, Asia and the Pacific region as a whole would need in 2007-13 a 56% increase in annual agricultural ODA, a 28% increase in agricultural expenditure, a 23% increase in fertiliser use or a 24% increase in agricultural investment. Aggregation of the simulation results for various groups reveals that countries in low income group, with a low level of macro governance or institutional quality, or with low ease of doing business would need larger increase in agricultural ODA, expenditure or investment to halve poverty. Although the share of agriculture in GDP has declined, our analysis reinforces the case for channelling a substantially larger flow of resources not just for accelerating growth but also for achieving the more ambitious MDG1. A policy dilemma, however, is the trade-off between institutional quality and resource transfers. National governments and donors must reflect deeply on triggers for institutional reforms and mechanisms that would ensure larger outlays for agriculture and their allocation between rural infrastructure and sustainable technologies.
Jevon's 'Blunder' Concerning Value and Distribution: An Explanation

The first section outlines Jevon's critique in his THEORY OF POLITICAL ECONOMY of the Classical approach to distribution and shows that there is evidence of his having used the concept of a natural wage when developing his marginalist theory. The second explains how Jevons could have begun his distribution analysis with an explanation of rent in a Classical framework and then concluded that the framework was indeterminate. The third section suggests how Jevons modified the rent theory. The manner in which Jevons developed his new capital theory to provide a general explanation for profits is considered in the fourth section, while the fifth explains how Jevons attempted to evade a problem with his explanation of wages in the new distribution theory. Copyright 1991 by Oxford University Press.
External ownership and innovation in the United Kingdom

This paper examines the impact of ownership and a variety of other variables on the likelihood of innovation and the presence of an R&D function within a national sample of UK defence related firms. It is shown that foreign ownership has a negative indirect impact upon innovation. Mixed support is found for the Schumpeterian approach to innovation. Involvement in export markets, technological opportunity and R&D collaboration are shown to have a positive impact on innovation.
“You think it’s hard now … It gets much harder for our children”: Youth with autism and their caregiver’s perspectives of health care transition services

Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis often have complex comorbid physical and mental health conditions. These youth rely heavily on their medical providers and struggle through the often rocky transition out of pediatric care into adulthood and adult-centered care. This study is among the first to qualitatively examine the health care transition experiences of youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their caregivers. We conducted four focus groups with youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (n = 13) and their caregivers (n = 19) and used thematic analysis strategies to identify key themes. Parents’ discussions emphasized (a) loss of relationship with provider and lack of support transitioning from pediatric to adult care, (b) providers’ lack of knowledge about Autism Spectrum Disorder, and (c) concerns about losing guardianship. Youth emphasized their confusion and anxiety around (a) medical providers’ role, especially in the transition to adulthood; and (b) managing their medical lives independently. Our findings are important because they not only improve our understanding of health care transition needs among youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their caregivers but demonstrate a sound methodological procedure to facilitate input from youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Black Men's Relative Earnings: Are the Gains Illusory?

This study investigates the hypothesis that the increase in the median earnings of black men relative to those of white men after 1964 in the United States largely reflects the labor force withdrawal of high proportions of low-wage black men who availed themselves of government transfers. Analyzing Current Population Survey and Social Security Administration data through 1985, the author finds little empirical support for three direct implications of the “sample censoring” hypothesis. Of the total measured gain in relative earnings between 1964 and 1985 (from .531 to .663, or 13.2 percentage points), he finds that only 14% (or 1.8 percentage points) can be attributed to sample selection.
Litigation and Settlement under the English and American Rules: Theory and Evidence

In contrast to the American rule, whereby each party bears its own costs, the English rule requires losers at trial to pay the winner's legal fees, up to a reasonable limit. We develop six hypotheses regarding how these two cost-allocation rules might affect settlements and litigated outcomes through changes in (i) the selection of cases reaching the settle-versus-litigate stage and (ii) behavior thereafter. Using data from Florida, which applied the English rule to medical malpractice claims during the period 1980-85, we examine the rules' effects on the probability of plaintiffs' winning at trial, jury awards, and out-of-court settlements. The English rule increased plaintiff success rates at trial, average jury awards, and out-of-court settlements. Our interpretation of these findings emphasizes that the overall quality of the claims reaching the settle-versus-litigate stage must improve to generate the combination of effects observed.
How nurses learn advocacy.

PURPOSE To describe how nurses develop the skill of advocating for patients. DESIGN & METHODS Hermeneutic phenomenological research methods. Both reserve and active U.S. Army nurses who cared for patients associated with the military operation in Bosnia were individually interviewed to gain an understanding of their experiences of advocating for patients and how they developed their advocating practices. FINDINGS The constitutive pattern identified was Developing Advocating Practices. The themes comprising this constitutive pattern were Who I Am, Watching Other Nurses Interact with Patients, and Gaining Confidence. CONCLUSIONS For the nurses in this study, developing advocating practices was more haphazard and situationally dependent than methodically taught in their nursing education programs. Nurses would have a stronger foundation in advocacy in nurse educators consciously teach advocacy and if nurse administrators support new graduates' advocacy in the work environment.
Calling Convertible Bonds Too Late Can Be Rational

In this paper, we offer a theoretical explanation for the empirical puzzle that convertible bonds are called too late or too early. Contrary to the literature, we do not assume frictions to explain the observed call behavior. Instead, we assume that the firm has issued in addition to stock and convertible bonds, also straight bonds. This seemingly innocuous extension has the important consequence that a conversion can cause a wealth transfer from the stockholders to the bondholders. This wealth transfer changes the analysis and results of the seminal papers by Ingersoll (1977a) and Brennan/Schwartz (1977) substantially. First, the value of a convertible bond can no longer be determined by option-pricing methods. The strategic behavior of the convertible bond holders requires a game-theoretical analysis. Second, the negative effect of an enforced conversion on the stockholders can be avoided by calling the bonds too late. Third, a positive wealth transfer can also be produced by calling the bond too early.
The resource‐based view and value: the customer‐based view of the firm

Purpose – The resource‐based view (RBV) explores the role of key resources, identified as intangible assets and capabilities, in creating competitive advantage and superior performance. To a great extent the conceptual analysis and empirical research within the RBV has focused on the firm's perspective of key resources and the value to the firm of these key resources. The other perspective on key resources is to explore the value they provide to the customer. The question of interest here is whether key resources that hold value for the firm also hold value for the customer.Design/methodology/approach – A depth interview was trialled as an appropriate methodology by which to begin to explore the customer perspective of key resources.Findings – This trial suggests that further investigation of the customer perspective will provide a clearer view of customers' assessment of the firm's valuable resources. The trial interview with a key customer indicates there are subtle differences in the ranking of valued .
StoryKit: tools for children to build room-sized interactive experiences

Children enjoy interactive museum experiences, fun houses, and amusement parks, but children are not the authors of these immersive storytelling experiences. They are merely the audience or participants in an environment built by adults. We believe an important educational opportunity is being overlooked. Therefore, we have developed what we call a StoryKit that enables children to be authors, builders, and artists of their own StoryRooms, room-sized immersive experiences. Funware, hardware, and physical software are the three components that make up the StoryKit. In this paper and accompanying video, we describe the StoryKit technologies, our most recent advances in the technology, and how children create a StoryRoom by using the StoryKit.