Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Active Welfare State Policies and Labour Supply in Spain

This paper shows the effect of tax reforms aimed at encouraging Spanish mothers to join the labour market (or not to abandon it). The simulated reforms replace the current in-work benefit (of €100 a month) with more generous scenarios. The analysis is conducted using a behavioural microsimulation model of the Spanish tax-benefit system. The results show that in-work benefits boost the female labour participation rate and labour supply of low-income households (those with higher elasticities). Indeed there is an improvement in social welfare, but we should not overlook the impact on tax revenue.
The treatment of bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaws with bone resection and autologous platelet-derived growth factors.

BACKGROUND Bisphosphonates administered intravenously are used to treat patients with cancer who have hypercalcemia associated with malignant disease, multiple myeloma or metastatic tumors (breast, lung, prostate) in the bones. Bisphosphonates are bone resorption inhibitors and have been associated with osteonecrosis of the jaws. In this article, the authors provide an alternative treatment modality for refractory bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis (BON). CASE DESCRIPTION The authors treated 12 patients with refractory BON and a history of long-term bisphosphonate therapy. Each patient had mucosal ulceration with exposed necrotic bone. The treatment combined bone resection with platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs). The surgical intervention they used was a marginal resection limited to the alveolar bone. Ten of the patients recovered with complete mucosal and bone healing. CONCLUSION BON has been shown to be refractory to antibiotics, minor local débridement and 0.12 percent chlorhexidine oral rinse. Treatment of refractory BON with a combination of marginal resection and PDGF has shown favorable results, including complete wound healing in most patients. This modality has been shown to be effective in treating BON and may be a useful alternative to existing treatment strategies.
Earnings Gaps for Conspicuous Characteristics: Evidence from Indonesia

Recent research has begun to analyze the effects of height on earnings in Indonesia, a developing country with a large population. Little has been done on the potential effects of weight and general health status on earnings. Using a household production function, Grossman and Benham (1974) provide empirical evidence of the positive effect of good health on earnings. Carefully accounting for selection into the workforce and the potential endogeneity of our health variables, we use a sample of individuals between the ages of 25 and 55 from the Indonesian Family Longitudinal Survey (IFLS) to identify the effect of health on earnings and conduct Oaxaca‐Blinder decompositions to identify possible discrimination. We compare these results to those using less conspicuous health measures such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and chest pain. Endogeneity of our health measures is subsequently addressed using several econometric methodologies. Results suggest that overweight males in Indonesia earn an income premium, while underweight females are subject to an income penalty.
Indoor location technology and its applications base on improved LANDMARC algorithm

Position sensing technology and its application is the prerequisite of The Internet of things. This paper mainly discussed the indoor positioning algorithm based on RFID target recognition. Compared to other positioning methods, RFID is advantageous for its non-contact and none-line-of-sight feature. RFID-based indoor positioning system LANDMARC most adjacent neighbor algorithm is a common indoor positioning algorithm, but its result has certain error. This paper introduces pseudo-absolute positioning algorithm and proposes an improved most adjacent neighbor algorithm to improve the precision of indoor positioning. The experiment proves that the improved algorithm has better positioning precision than the original method.
Demand elasticity estimation for a park & ride facility by means of discrete choice modelling

Park & ride facilities have been proposed as a solution for the traffic problem of large cities prevalent around the world. In this article we define them as large parking facilities located in the surroundings of the city, with the purpose of deterring commuters from using their cars in the city centre. Building a park & ride facility requires a large investment. Demand estimation at various price levels is a critical input for the project evaluation. In a previous article (Picasso et al., 2012) we have modelled the demand for a park & ride facility in the north access to Buenos Aires city via discrete choice methods, determining its attractiveness for different segments of the target population. In this article we focus on the price sensitivity of demand. A predicting application was developed to estimate the demand at different price levels for a range of demographic characteristics. The value of time is also determined, by means of the compensated variation.
Alpha-radioimmunotherapy of intraperitoneally growing OVCAR-3 tumors of variable dimensions: Outcome related to measured tumor size and mean absorbed dose.

UNLABELLED The purpose of this work was to (a) investigate the efficacy of radioimmunotherapy using 211At-MX35 F(ab')2 or 211At-Rituximab F(ab')2 (nonspecific antibody) against differently advanced ovarian cancer in mice; (b) image the tumor growth on the peritoneum; and (c) calculate the specific energy and mean absorbed dose to tumors and critical organs. METHODS Two experiments with 5-wk-old nude mice (n = 100 + 93), intraperitoneally inoculated with approximately 1 x 10(7) NIH:OVCAR-3 cells, were done. At either 1, 3, 4, 5, or 7 wk after inoculation animals were intraperitoneally treated with approximately 400 kBq 211At-MX35 F(ab')2 (n = 50 + 45), approximately 400 kBq 211At-Rituximab F(ab')2 (n = 25 + 24), or unlabeled Rituximab F(ab')2 (n = 25 + 24). At the time of treatment 29 animals were sacrificed and biopsies were taken for determination of tumor sizes using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Eight weeks after each treatment the animals were sacrificed and the presence of macro- and microscopic tumors and ascites was determined. The specific energy and mean absorbed dose to tumors were calculated. The activity concentration was measured in critical organs and abdominal fluid. RESULTS When given treatment 1, 3, 4, 5, or 7 wk after cell inoculation the tumor-free fraction (TFF) was 95%, 68%, 58%, 47%, 26%, and 100%, 80%, 20%, 20%, and 0% when treated with 211At-MX35 F(ab')2 or 211At-Rituximab F(ab')2, respectively. The SEM images revealed maximum tumor radius of approximately 30 mum 1 wk after cell inoculation, increasing to approximately 340 mum at 7 wk. Specific energy to cell nuclei varied between 0 and approximately 540 Gy, depending on assumptions regarding activity distribution and tumor size. The mean absorbed dose to thyroid, kidneys, and bone marrow was approximately 35, approximately 4, and approximately 0.3 Gy, respectively. CONCLUSION Treatment with 211At-MX35 F(ab')2 or 211At-Rituximab F(ab')2 resulted in a TFF of 95%-100% when the tumor radius was < or =30 microm. The TFF was decreased (TFF < or = 20%) for 211At-Rituximab F(ab')2 when the tumor radius exceeded the range of the alpha-particles. The specific antibody gave for these tumor sizes a significantly better TFF, explained by a high mean absorbed dose (>22 Gy) from the activity bound to the tumor surface and probably some contribution from penetrating activity.
Electron transfer flavoprotein domain II orientation monitored using double electron‐electron resonance between an enzymatically reduced, native FAD cofactor, and spin labels

Human electron transfer flavoprotein (ETF) is a soluble mitochondrial heterodimeric flavoprotein that links fatty acid β‐oxidation to the main respiratory chain. The crystal structure of human ETF bound to medium chain acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase indicates that the flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) domain (αII) is mobile, which permits more rapid electron transfer with donors and acceptors by providing closer access to the flavin and allows ETF to accept electrons from at least 10 different flavoprotein dehydrogenases. Sequence homology is high and low‐angle X‐ray scattering is identical for Paracoccus denitrificans (P. denitrificans) and human ETF. To characterize the orientations of the αII domain of P. denitrificans ETF, distances between enzymatically reduced FAD and spin labels in the three structural domains were measured by double electron‐electron resonance (DEER) at X‐ and Q‐bands. An FAD to spin label distance of 2.8 ± 0.15 nm for the label in the FAD‐containing αII domain (A210C) agreed with estimates from the crystal structure (3.0 nm), molecular dynamics simulations (2.7 nm), and rotamer library analysis (2.8 nm). Distances between the reduced FAD and labels in αI (A43C) were between 4.0 and 4.5 ± 0.35 nm and for βIII (A111C) the distance was 4.3 ± 0.15 nm. These values were intermediate between estimates from the crystal structure of P. denitrificans ETF and a homology model based on substrate‐bound human ETF. These distances suggest that the αII domain adopts orientations in solution that are intermediate between those which are observed in the crystal structures of free ETF (closed) and ETF bound to a dehydrogenase (open).
DNA fragmentation induced by all‐trans retinoic acid and its steroidal analogue EA‐4 in C2C12 mouse and HL‐60 human leukemic cells in vitro

We have recently shown that retinoic acid induces micronucleation mainly via chromosome breakage (Alakhras et al. Cancer Lett 2011; 306: 15–26). To further study retinoic acid clastogenicity and evaluate DNA damaging potential we investigated the ability of (a) all‐trans retinoic acid and its steroidal analogue EA‐4 to induce DNA fragmentation by using Comet assay under alkaline unwinding and neutral condition electrophoresis, and (b) the retinoids under study to induce small (0–1 kb) DNA fragments. Two cell lines, C2C12 mouse cells and HL‐60 human leukemic cells were used in this study. We found that all‐trans retinoic acid and its steroidal analogue EA‐4 (a) provoke DNA migration due to DNA fragmentation as it is shown by the increased values of Comet parameters, and (b) induce significantly small‐size fragmented genomic DNA as indicated by the quantification of necrotic/apoptotic small DNA segments in both cell systems. A different response between the two cell lines was observed in relation to retinoid ability to increase the percentage of DNA in the tail as well as break DNA in to small fragments. Our findings confirm the ability of retinoic acid to provoke micronucleation by disrupting DNA into fragments, among which small pieces of double‐stranded DNA up to 1 kb are identified. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High Temperature Data Converters in Silicon Carbide CMOS

This paper presents an 8-b digital to analog converter (DAC) and 8-b analog to digital converter (ADC) for high-temperature applications. The pair of data converters were designed in a 1.2-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> silicon carbide CMOS process and have been tested from 25 °C to 400 °C. At 400 °C, the DAC has a maximum differential nonlinearity (DNL) and integral nonlinearity (INL) error of 1.2 least significant bit (LSB) and 2.7 LSB, respectively, while the offset and the gain error are 5.9 and 2.7 LSB. The ADC has a maximum DNL and INL error of 3.6 and −3 LSB, respectively, while the offset error is −7 LSB and the gain error is 2.6 LSB. The ADC has an SNDR = 32.15 dB and effective number of bits = 5.05 b at 300 °C. The DAC is the first of its kind in silicon carbide CMOS, while the ADC is the first reported at temperatures over 300 °C.
Analyzing the political survival prospects of Kim Jong-un's North Korean regime through the framework of selectorate theory

Abstract The political survival of Kim Jong-un's regime in North Korea has been a major international concern since his accession in 2012. While international research has endeavored to diagnose the stability of the regime based on its limitations and weaknesses due to political, economic, and international factors, studies based on baseline theoretical models of leadership stability have rarely been undertaken. This paper employs selectorate theory to address this issue, by identifying the selectorate and winning coalition in North Korea and illustrating their relationships with Kim Jong-un's political survival. To reexamine the analytical framework and results, this study has undertaken in-depth interviews with high-level North Korean defectors who have served in key power apparatuses of Kim Jong-il and/or Kim Jong-un's regime. It analyzes how frequent co-optation of top aides, economic ideologies, and policies are utilized for political survival. It further explains the correlation of his political survival with the party-dependent bureaucracy, internal reign of terror, development of nuclear capacity, and continuous military provocations. However, as the regime further intensifies the reign of terror, the possibility of a coup d’état by the selectorate and coalition cannot be completely ruled out.
A control approach for a robotic ground walking platform

This study presents a control approach for a Ground Walking Platform (GWP). The control approach was developed to be a part of a future lower limb rehabilitation robot that aims to simulate the walking on different terrains (e.g. walking, on plane ground, on stairs, or on a hill). In addition the system aims to simulate for the user not only classic hard ground walking trajectories, but also to simulate different values of stiffens of as well. This may involve walking on solid ground, muddy land, sand and water too. The objective of this paper is to present a dynamic control study of a GWP system allowing us to predict the relationship between the walker's foot and a virtual environment. More specifically, his involves defining the equations describing the relation between the contact forces (foot/platform) and the position of the foot.
The Effect of Dividend Policy on Stock Price: Evidence from An Emerging Country

This study attempts to explore the effect of dividend policy on the stock prices of the companies in Turkey. A balanced panel data set has been formed with 102 companies listed on Borsa Istanbul Industrial Index (XUSIN) for the period 2004-2016. The results of the models used in the study show no statistically significant effect of gross dividend payout ratio, cash dividend payout ratio and their one-year lagged values on stock prices.
Skewness Risk and Bond Prices Francisco Ruge-Murcia

This paper uses extreme value theory to the study the implications of skewness risk for nominal loan contracts in a production economy. Productivity and in ation innovations are modeled using the generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution. The model is solved using a third-order perturbation and estimated by the simulated method of moments. Results show that the U.S. data reject the hypothesis that productivity and in ation innovations are drawn from a normal distribution and favor instead the alternative that they are drawn from an asymmetric distribution. Estimates indicate that skewness risk accounts for 10 percent of the risk premia and has a price of 0.6 percent per year. Despite the fact that bonds are nominal, most of the priced risk is consumption risk. JEL Classi cation: G12, E43, E44
The Antifungal Plant Defensin HsAFP1 Is a Phosphatidic Acid-Interacting Peptide Inducing Membrane Permeabilization

HsAFP1, a plant defensin isolated from coral bells (Heuchera sanguinea), is characterized by broad-spectrum antifungal activity. Previous studies indicated that HsAFP1 binds to specific fungal membrane components, which had hitherto not been identified, and induces mitochondrial dysfunction and cell membrane permeabilization. In this study, we show that HsAFP1 reversibly interacts with the membrane phospholipid phosphatidic acid (PA), which is a precursor for the biosynthesis of other phospholipids, and to a lesser extent with various phosphatidyl inositol phosphates (PtdInsP’s). Moreover, via reverse ELISA assays we identified two basic amino acids in HsAFP1, namely histidine at position 32 and arginine at position 52, as well as the phosphate group in PA as important features enabling this interaction. Using a HsAFP1 variant, lacking both amino acids (HsAFP1[H32A][R52A]), we showed that, as compared to the native peptide, the ability of this variant to bind to PA and PtdInsP’s is reduced (≥74%) and the antifungal activity of the variant is reduced (≥2-fold), highlighting the link between PA/PtdInsP binding and antifungal activity. Using fluorescently labelled HsAFP1 in confocal microscopy and flow cytometry assays, we showed that HsAFP1 accumulates at the cell surface of yeast cells with intact membranes, most notably at the buds and septa. The resulting HsAFP1-induced membrane permeabilization is likely to occur after HsAFP1’s internalization. These data provide novel mechanistic insights in the mode of action of the HsAFP1 plant defensin.
Glucose Prediction Algorithms from Continuous Monitoring Data: Assessment of Accuracy via Continuous Glucose Error-Grid Analysis

Aim: The aim of this article was to use continuous glucose error-grid analysis (CG-EGA) to assess the accuracy of two time-series modeling methodologies recently developed to predict glucose levels ahead of time using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data. Methods: We considered subcutaneous time series of glucose concentration monitored every 3 minutes for 48 hours by the minimally invasive CGM sensor Glucoday® (Menarini Diagnostics, Florence, Italy) in 28 type 1 diabetic volunteers. Two prediction algorithms, based on first-order polynomial and autoregressive (AR) models, respectively, were considered with prediction horizons of 30 and 45 minutes and forgetting factors (ff) of 0.2, 0.5, and 0.8. CG-EGA was used on the predicted profiles to assess their point and dynamic accuracies using original CGM profiles as reference. Results: Continuous glucose error-grid analysis showed that the accuracy of both prediction algorithms is overall very good and that their performance is similar from a clinical point of view. However, the AR model seems preferable for hypoglycemia prevention. CG-EGA also suggests that, irrespective of the time-series model, the use of ff = 0.8 yields the highest accurate readings in all glucose ranges. Conclusions: For the first time, CG-EGA is proposed as a tool to assess clinically relevant performance of a prediction method separately at hypoglycemia, euglycemia, and hyperglycemia. In particular, we have shown that CG-EGA can be helpful in comparing different prediction algorithms, as well as in optimizing their parameters.
A repetitive-based controller for a hybrid filter with high quality grid current waveform

Hybrid filters could restrain harmonic current in distribution power-line effectively and their compensation precision relies heavily on the design of current loop controllers. Since the reference and feedback signals of the current loop controller are composed by different harmonic components and the bandwidth of conventional proportional controller is limited, this controller cannot control the output current waveform without any steady-state error. In this paper, the limitation of conventional proportional controller in the application of a parallel hybrid active power filter is analyzed. Then this paper proposes a repetitive-based composite controller composed by a proportional controller inner loop and repetitive controller external loop to improve the output current waveform with the control object of the seventh-tuned LC filter, and the design method is given in detail. The proposed controller could acquire high quality power-line current waveform when used to suppress odd harmonic as well as even harmonic current, and guarantee excellent dynamic performances. Experimental results obtained from a 380 V, 20 kVA experimental prototype system validate the feasibility of the proposed control strategy.
Stages of Adopting Regular Screening Mammography

This study examined whether distinct subgroups of women could be identified within stages of adoption for screening mammography. These subgroups may represent differential readiness to move to the next stage of the adoption continuum. Data were from a baseline survey of 1323 women between the ages of 50 and 74 years who were recruited through a staff- model HMO for an intervention study to increase rates of mammography. Multiple regression models were used to identify correlates of positive decisional balance within each of four stages of adoption, and an index of positive indicators was developed from the significant correlates for each stage. Analysis of variance showed that the number of positive indicators discriminated women within each stage. This information can be used to develop more effective tailored interventions to increase the percentage of women receiving mammograms on a regular schedule.
Trypanosoma congolense Procyclins: Unmasking Cryptic Major Surface Glycoproteins in Procyclic Forms

ABSTRACT In the tsetse fly, the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma congolense is covered by a dense layer of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored molecules. These include a protease-resistant surface molecule (PRS), which is expressed by procyclic forms early in infection, and a glutamic acid- and alanine-rich protein (GARP), which appears at later stages. Since neither of these surface antigens is expressed at intermediate stages, we investigated whether a GPI-anchored protein of 50 to 58 kDa, previously detected in procyclic culture forms, might constitute the coat of these parasites. We therefore partially purified the protein from T. congolense Kilifi procyclic forms, obtained an N-terminal amino acid sequence, and identified its gene. Detailed analyses showed that the mature protein consists almost exclusively of 13 heptapeptide repeats (EPGENGT). The protein is densely N glycosylated, with up to 13 high-mannose oligosaccharides ranging from Man5GlcNAc2 to Man9GlcNAc2 linked to the peptide repeats. The lipid moiety of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol is composed of sn-1-stearoyl-2-lyso-glycerol-3-HPO4-1-(2-O-acyl)-d-myo-inositol. Heavily glycosylated proteins with similar repeats were subsequently identified in T. congolense Savannah procyclic forms. Collectively, this group of proteins was named T. congolense procyclins to reflect their relationship to the EP and GPEET procyclins of T. brucei. Using an antiserum raised against the EPGENGT repeat, we show that T. congolense procyclins are expressed continuously in the fly midgut and thus form the surface coat of cells that are negative for both PRS and GARP.