Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Jumping off Arnstein's ladder: social learning as a new policy paradigm for climate change adaptation

Participation of citizens, groups, organizations and businesses is now an essential element to tackle climate change effectively at international, European Union, national and local levels. However, beyond the general imperative to participate, major policy bodies offer little guidance on what this entails. We suggest that the dominance of Arnstein's ladder of citizen participation in policy discourses constrains the ways we think about, and critically the purposes we ascribe to, participation in a climate change context. We suggest an alternative framing of climate change, where no single group has clear access to understanding the issue and its resolution. Thus adaptation is fundamentally dependent on new forms of learning. Drawing on experiences of social learning approaches to natural resource managing, we explore how a commitment to social learning more accurately embodies the new kinds of role, relationship, practice and sense of purpose required to progress adaptive climate change agendas and practices. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
O efeito da volatilidade da taxa de câmbio sobre o comércio internacional: uma investigação empírica sob a ótica da margem extensiva

The main purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect of exchange rate volatility on the extensive margin of international trade. In methodological terms, we defined as the extensive margin of international trade, the number of products exported by countries to their trading partners. Later, this variable was specified as dependent variable on a gravity model of trade, whose parameters were estimated by nonlinear panel data. The period of analysis in this work was from 1995 to 2009 and the number of countries considered in the study was 54. The results indicate that an increase in the volatility of the exchange rate causes a reduction on the extensive margin of international trade.
Endowments and the Allocation of Schooling in the Family and in the Marriage Market: The Twins Experiment

03 We show how comparisons between the within-twin correlations of human capital outcomes across identical and nonidentical twins can be used to identify the variability in the individual-specific component of endowments and the responsiveness of schooling to individual-specific endowments in the family and in the marriage market even when schooling is measured with error. Estimates from two twins samples indicate that 27 (42) percent of the variance in log earnings (obesity) is due to variability in individual-specific endowments, allocations of schooling reinforce specific endowments, and individual-specific earnings endowments of men and their wives' schooling are negatively associated.
New data detection method for a HDD with patterned media

New bit array pattern and detection algorithm for hard disk drive (HDD) with patterned media are proposed. The width of the reader is larger than a bit width, of which the fabrication cost is lower than a bit-size compatible reader. It can read several sub-tracks simultaneously, in which the bits are patterned with different phase. The readback signal is superposed by each bit response and we can extract the bit information easily because of its phase difference.
Volatility regimes and liquidity co-movements in cap-based portfolios

Liquidity co-movements are studied within three different market capitalization indices, each made up of 100 NYSE stocks. Long-run liquidity co-movements are quantified in each class and compared to short-run liquidity co-movements. To condition the analysis of systematic liquidity upon index volatility, three regimes of volatility are defined using the Markov-switching methodology. Our results show that the magnitude of liquidity co-movements is on average positively related to the market capitalization of the index. There are significant differences between short-run and long-run liquidity comovements, and between spread-based measures and depth-based measures. Finally, the volatility regime bears on the liquidity co-movements relationships.
A Hardware-Based TCP Stream State Tracking and Reassembly Solution for 10G Backbone Traffic

There is a growing interest in designing high-speed network devices to perform packet processing at stream layer. However, TCP processing for 10G backbone traffic is not just to address performance problem but also to cope with abnormal conditions. Some characteristics of real traffic, especially the lack of finish tag for many streams and the complexity of packets reordering, will result in memory exhaustion for hardware-based TCP subsystem which is less flexible for exceptional processing. In this paper, we present a hardware design for backbone traffic which is capable of processing 10G with TCP reassembly and tracking states of millions of parallel TCP streams. The solution has several features: (1) an effective, easy hardware implementation stream replacement algorithm for massive stream table (2) fast one round access to global stream table which enable 10MPPS processing (3) an active release policy for out-of-order data buffers management (4) a design of linkless data structure which ensures time limit for worst case processing. The simulation result shows that the system can process over 99% of the 10G Backbone traffic using reasonable storage resources. A FPGA-based prototype is also implemented for evaluation.
The Role of Contract Expirations in Service Parts Management

The majority of after‐sales service providers manage their service parts inventory by focusing on the availability of service parts. This approach, combined with automatic replenishment systems, leads to reactive inventory control policies where base stock levels are adjusted only after a service contract expires. Consequently, service providers often face excess stock of critical service parts that are difficult to dispose due to their specificity. In this study, we address this problem by developing inventory control policies taking into account contract expirations. Our key idea is to reduce the base stock level of the one‐for‐one policy before obsolescence (a full or partial drop in demand rate) occurs and let demand take away excess stock. We refer to this policy as the single‐adjustment policy. We benchmark the single‐adjustment policy with the multiple‐adjustment policy (allowing multiple base stock adjustments) formulated as a dynamic program and verify that for a wide range of instances the single‐adjustment policy is an effective heuristic for the multiple‐adjustment policy. We also compare the single‐adjustment policy with the world‐dependent base stock policy offered by Song and Zipkin (1993) and identify the parameter combinations where both policies yield similar costs. We consider two special cases of the single‐adjustment policy where the base stock level is kept fixed or the base stock adjustment is postponed to the contract expiration time. We find that the initial demand rate, contract expiration time, and size of the drop in demand rate are the three key parameters driving the choice between the single‐adjustment policy and its special cases.
Tomographic phase microscopy of living three-dimensional cell cultures

Abstract. A successful application of self-interference digital holographic microscopy in combination with a sample-rotation-based tomography module for three-dimensional (3-D) label-free quantitative live cell imaging with subcellular resolution is demonstrated. By means of implementation of a hollow optical fiber as the sample cuvette, the observation of living cells in different 3-D matrices is enabled. The fiber delivers a stable and accurate rotation of a cell or cell cluster, providing quantitative phase data for tomographic reconstruction of the 3-D refractive index distribution with an isotropic spatial resolution. We demonstrate that it is possible to clearly distinguish and quantitatively analyze several cells grouped in a “3-D cluster” as well as subcellular organelles like the nucleoli and local internal refractive index changes.
A realistic model for official interest rate movements and their consequences

This article extends the Vector Autoregression (VAR) methodology to examine the consequences of monetary policy decisions by considering two types of nonlinearities in the determination of official interest rates: (1) the asymmetry related to the different nature of the discrete and infrequent positive and negative interest rate movements determined by central bankers and (2) the convexity in the transmission of policy shocks induced by the nonnegativity constraint in interest rates. For the UK, we find some evidence of both types of asymmetries. In the US, responses to unexpected interest rate shocks are far more symmetric. Results highlight the importance of considering all types of asymmetries when studying monetary transmission.
Optimal Dynamic Pricing for Perishable Assets with Nonhomogeneous Demand

We consider a dynamic pricing model for selling a given stock of a perishable product over a finite time horizon. Customers, whose reservation price distribution changes over time, arrive according to a nonhomogeneous Poisson process. We show that at any given time, the optimal price decreases with inventory. We also identify a sufficient condition under which the optimal price decreases over time for a given inventory level. This sufficient condition requires that the willingness of a customer to pay a premium for the product does not increase over time. In addition to shedding managerial insight, these structural properties enable efficient computation of the optimal policy.Numerical studies are conducted to show the revenue impact of dynamic price policies. Price changes are set to compensate for statistical fluctuations of demand and to respond to shifts of the reservation price. For the former, our examples show that using optimal dynamic optimal policies achieves 2.4--7.3% revenue improvement over the optimal single price policy. For the latter, the revenue increase can be as high as 100%. These results explain why yield management has become so essential to fashion retailing and travel service industries.
Evaluation of the Self-Adjusting File system (SAF) for the instrumentation of primary molar root canals: a micro-computed tomographic study.

AIM The Self-Adjusting File (SAF) system has been recommended for use in permanent teeth since it offers more conservative and effective root-canal preparation when compared to traditional rotary systems. However, no study had evaluated the usage of SAF in primary teeth. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the use of SAF, K file (manual instrumentation) and Profile (traditional rotary instrumentation) systems for primary-tooth root-canal preparation in terms of instrumentation time and amounts of dentin removed using micro-computed tomography (μCT) technology. MATERIALS AND METHODS Study Design: The study was conducted with 60 human primary mandibular second molar teeth divided into 3 groups according to instrumentation technique: Group I: SAF (n=20); Group II: K file (n=20); Group III; Profile (n=20). Teeth were embedded in acrylic blocks and scanned with a μCT scanner prior to instrumentation. All distal root canals were prepared up to size 30 for K file,. 04/30 for Profile and 2 mm thickness, size 25 for SAF; instrumentation time was recorded for each tooth, and a second μCT scan was performed after instrumentation was complete. Amounts of dentin removed were measured using the three-dimensional images by calculating the difference in root-canal volume before and after preparation. Data was statistically analysed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS Manual instrumentation (K file) resulted in significantly more dentin removal when compared to rotary instrumentation (Profile and SAF), while the SAF system generated significantly less dentin removal than both manual instrumentation (K file) and traditional rotary instrumentation (Profile) (p<.05). Instrumentation time was significantly greater with manual instrumentation when compared to rotary instrumentation (p<.05), whereas instrumentation time did not differ significantly between the Profile and SAF systems. CONCLUSION Within the experimental conditions of the present study, the SAF seems as a useful system for root-canal instrumentation in primary molars because it removed less dentin than other systems, which is especially important for the relatively thin-walled canals of primary teeth, and because it involves less clinical time, which is particularly important in the treatment of paediatric patients.
Hyperglycemia After Intense Exercise in IDDM Subjects During Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion

Exercise is conventionally considered a modality for improvement of glycemia in diabetes. We have found that a short period of intense exercise (80% ) in normal lean subjects produces sustained postexercise hyperglycemia 20% above basal with a corresponding 100% increase in plasma insulin. In people with insulindependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) incapable of this insulin response, it was predicted that postexercise hyperglycemia would be of greater magnitude and/or duration. To investigate this possibility, the effects of the same intense exercise (80% ) were studied in 8 IDDM subjects (2 on 2 occasions) in the postabsorptive state with continuous subcutaneous (abdominal) insulin infusion (CSII). When the preexercise plasma glucose was normal (n = 6, 86 ± 4 mg/dl), there ensued a postexercise hyperglycemia to 127 ± 7 mg/dl (P < .001) sustained for 2 h postexhaustion. Plasma free immunoreactive insulin (IRI) was 1.43 ± 0.12 ng/ml before exercise and did not change postexercise. When mean preexercise plasma glucose was 149 ± 9 mg/dl (n = 4), it rose progressively throughout the 2 h of recovery to 229 ± 28 mg/dl (P < .025). A small but statistically significant decrease in free IRI occurred during the last 80 min of recovery. Hyperglycemia in the diabetic subjects was not explained by abnormal or differing responses of glucagon or catecholamines. Thus, with intense exercise, diabetic control deteriorates rather than improves. Therefore, different therapeutic strategies may be required for intense compared with moderate exercise in IDDM patients.
Diabetic Neuropathy 3 Years After Successful Pancreas and Kidney Transplantation

Twenty-seven patients with successful transplantation and a control group of 14 patients with early rejection of the pancreas graft but functioning kidney graft were examined in a prospective study for 3 yr. Before transplantation, all patients had long-standing type I diabetes with advanced secondary complications, including end-stage diabetic nephropathy. After transplantation in the patients of both groups, kidney function was almost normal. Mean HbA1 levels were normal in the group with pancreas graft survival. In the control group, HbA1 levels were, on average, 1.5% higher compared with the group with pancreas survival (P = 0.00005). After 3 yr, the patients with functioning pancreas graft showed fewer symptoms (mean difference 1.0 in a symptom score ranging from 0 to 16, P = 0.004) compared with the control group. No statistically significant difference between both groups concerning clinical signs of polyneuropathy could be observed. In the pancreas and kidney transplantation group, peroneal and median nerve conduction velocities increased 7.2 m/s (P < 0.01) and 3.5 m/s (P < 0.05), respectively, whereas no increase was registered in the control group. The change of median and sural sensory nerve conduction velocities, peroneal and median compound muscle action potentials, and sural and median sensory action potentials was insignificant. In conclusion, although the improvement of clinical symptoms and neurophysiological signs of polyneuropathy was modest in the pancreas and kidney transplantation group, our data suggest that successful pancreas transplantation is able not only to halt the progression of diabetic polyneuropathy but also to improve it to some extent even at a far advanced stage.
Comparision of Effects of Rosuvastatin Versus Atorvastatin Treatment on Plasma Levels of Asymmetric Dimethylarginine in Patients With Hyperlipidemia Having Coronary Artery Disease

Elevated plasma levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) are prevalent in patients with hypercholesterolemia and coronary artery disease. A total of 83 patients with hypercholesterolemia and angiographically documented mild coronary artery stenosis were randomized to rosuvastatin treatment (20 mg) or atorvastatin treatment (40 mg) once daily for 6 weeks after a 4-week dietary lead-in phase. Both statins decreased total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride levels effectively. Only rosuvastatin increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. Both rosuvastatin and atorvastatin decreased plasma ADMA levels; rosuvastatin had a significantly greater effect. The reduction in ADMA levels were correlated with the reduction in TC and LDL-C levels as well as LDL-C–HDL-C ratio. Treatment with rosuvastatin or atorvastatin in patients with hyperlipidemia with mild coronary artery stenosis may lead to a decrease in ADMA levels, which may contribute to improved endothelial function.
A Device Simulation-Based Investigation on Dielectrically Modulated Fringing Field-Effect Transistor for Biosensing Applications

In this paper, a dielectrically modulated fringing field-effect-transistor (DMFFET) structure has been introduced as the transducer element for electrochemical biosensing applications, where the gate-induced fringing field has been exploited for transduction. This detection principle is different from that of the direct gate field modulation in conventional dielectrically modulated field-effect-transistor (DMFET)-based transducers. This paper explores the transduction mechanism from the electrostatics and carrier transport mechanism of DMFFET, in comparison with conventional double gated (DG) DMFET, based on extensive device-level simulation. The transducer response for the DMFFET/DG-DMFET structures has been estimated in terms of the drain current sensitivity, which is defined in the dB scale. In this paper, the effects of gate/drain biases have been investigated in details, and a strategy has been proposed for identifying suitable biasing ranges of operation based on half width at full maxima limit of sensitivity. The relative influences of electron trapping/de-trapping at the interfaces are also indicated on the transducer responses. Further, the role of different gate-related structural parameters of DMFFET has been considered for sensitivity-optimization. The comparative performance study with the reported DMFETs indicates the inherent superiority of DMFFET for transduction.
2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-induced Degradation of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) by the Ubiquitin-Proteasome Pathway

Activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), a potent agonist of AhR, induces a marked reduction in steady state AhR. To analyze the mechanism of regulation of ligand-activated AhR, we examined the biochemical pathway and function of the down-regulation of the receptor by TCDD. Pulse-chase experiments reveal that TCDD shortens the half-life (t 1 2 ) of AhR from 28 to 3 h in mouse hepatoma cells. Inhibitors of the 26 S proteasome, lactacystin and MG132, block the TCDD-induced turnover of AhR. The TCDD-induced degradation of AhR involves ubiquitination of the AhR protein, because (a) TCDD induces formation of high molecular weight, ubiquitinated AhR and (b) degradation of AhR is inhibited in ts20 cells, which bear a temperature-sensitive mutation in the ubiquitin-activating enzyme E1, at a nonpermissive temperature. Inhibition of proteasomal degradation of AhR increases the amount of the nuclear AhR·Arnt complex and “superinduces” the expression of endogenous CYP1A1 gene by TCDD, indicating that the proteasomal degradation of AhR serves as a mechanism for controlling the activity of the activated receptor. We also show that deletion of the transcription activation domain of AhR abolishes the degradation, whereas a mutation in the DNA-binding region of AhR or Arnt reduces the degradation; these data implicate the transcription activation domain and DNA binding in AhR degradation. Our findings provide new insights into the regulation of TCDD-activated AhR through ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation.
Pre-Ictal Entropy Analysis of Microwire Data from an Animal Model of Limbic Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder that can have damaging effects in the brain including over 50% loss of neuronal activity in the hippocampal regions of the CA1 and CA3. The pre-ictal period was studied in an animal model of limbic epilepsy using Shannon entropy and correlation analysis. The primary aim was to uncover underlying relative changes in signals between the Dentate Gyrus and CA1 areas of the bilateral hippocampus. Preliminary entropy analysis results included dynamical changes between channels in the Dentate Gyrus and channels in the CA1 region at and around the time of the seizure
A Delphi Investigation to Explain the Voluntary Adoption of XBRL 1

The objective of this paper is to identify the fact ors that could have led North-American companies to voluntarily submit their information i n XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) under the XBRL Voluntary Financial Reporting Program (2005-2008). The motivation that led us to carry out this analysis was the fact that, despite the many benefits attributed to XBRL , only 137 companies (out of over 10.000 filers) deci ded to join the voluntary program issued by the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission). At this point, we wondered if the SEC should have promoted other benefits to encourage companies to use XBRL. To reach our goal, we conducted a Delphi study. Through this study, we asked a panel of XBRL experts their opinion about the reasons that could have led companies to voluntaril y disclose their business information in XBRL. Our results show that, according to experts, factor s such as to gain a deeper knowledege of XBRL and to acquire a company image as a pioneer in tech nology played an essential role in the process of voluntary adoption of the standard.
A Term Structure Model for Defaultable Bonds with Macro and Latent Variables

We derive and estimate an affine no-arbitrage model with default risk and macroeconomic state variables to investigate the determinants of the term structure of emerging market external debt for Brazil, Colombia and Mexico. In particular we assess the importance of US macroeconomic factors, country's solvency ratios and latent variables in determining each country's term-structure. Our results indicate that: (i) the single most important variable is the joint latent variable interpreted as international liquidity, being more important in longer yields - it accounts for around 35% of the emerging markets 6 months duration spread movements and around 46% of 10 years duration spreads; (ii) the contribution of US macro variables ranges from 15% of the movements in short spread to 10% in the longer spreads; (iii) solvency variables are relatively more important to explain spreads in Mexico than in Brazil and Colombia; (iv) the idiosyncratic latent factor - interpreted as political risk - is also relevant accounting for approximately 30% of the movements, but its effect is larger on shorter yields.