Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Liquidity preference, uncertainty, and recession in a stock-flow consistent model

This paper develops a stock-flow consistent model that explicitly integrates the role of liquidity preference and perceived uncertainty into the decision-making process of households, firms, and commercial banks. Emphasis is placed on (1) the link between the precautionary motive and the asset choice of the private sector, (2) the effect of perceived uncertainty on the desired margins of safety and borrowing, and (3) the impact of financial obligations on the liquidity preference of households and firms. Performing a simulation experiment, the paper illuminates the channels through which a rise in perceived uncertainty is likely to set off a recessionary process.
Toward a Theoretical Basis for Understanding the Dynamics of Strategic Performance in Family Firms

An important distinction between family and nonfamily firms and among different types of family firms is the manner in which strategy is formulated and implemented. These differences in strategic behaviors can cause variations in firm performance. Understanding the nature of these differences and how the family form of organization drives them therefore contributes to the development of a strategic management theory of the family firm, a unifying theme of the series of special issues published in Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice to date. This article briefly reflects on the progress made in understanding the strategic differences of family firms in this ongoing series and discusses the contributions of the articles and commentaries contained in this fifth special issue on theories of family enterprise.
Gradient-domain degradations for improving historical documents images layout analysis

We present a novel method for adding realistic degradations to historical document images in order to generate more training data. Degradation patches are extracted from other documents and applied to the target document in the gradient domain. Working in the gradient domain has not been done for this purpose in document images analysis so far. It has the advantage to prevent color inconsistencies and allows to efficiently avoid border effects. This paper contains the detailed description of our novel method, with a focus on the mathematical aspect of the transition to and from the gradient domain. Furthermore, we perform quantitative experiments where we investigate the effects of using synthetically generated training data on historical documents with different kind of degradations.
Scalable network-based video-freeze detection for HTTP adaptive streaming

HTTP adaptive streaming (HAS) has become a key video delivery technology for mobile and fixed networks. Internet service providers and CDN (Content Delivery Network) providers are interested in network-based monitoring the client's Quality of Experience (QoE) for HAS sessions. In our previous work, we designed a HAS QoE monitoring system based on the sequence of HTTP GET requests collected at the CDN nodes. The system relies on a technique called session reconstruction to retrieve the major QoE parameters without modification of the clients. However, session reconstruction is computationally intensive and requires manual configuration of reconstruction rules. To overcome the limitations of session reconstruction, this paper proposes a scalable machine learning (ML) based scheme that detects video freezes using a few high-level features extracted from the network-based monitoring data. We determine the discriminative features for session representation and assess five potential classifiers. We select the C4.5 decision tree as classifier because of its simplicity, scalability, accuracy, and explainability. To evaluate our solution, we use traces of Apple HTTP Live Streaming video sessions obtained from a number of operational CDN nodes and traces of Microsoft Smooth Streaming video sessions acquired in a controlled lab environment. Experimental results show that an accuracy of about 98%, 98%, and 90% can be obtained for the detection of a video freeze, a long video freeze, and multiple video freezes, respectively. Excluding log parsing, the computational cost of the proposed video-freeze detection is 33 times smaller than needed for session reconstruction.
Model predictive control of grid-tied photovoltaic systems: Maximum power point tracking and decoupled power control

This paper presents maximum power point tracking (MPPT) and decoupled power control for single phase grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) systems. Model predictive control (MPC) technique is used to extract the maximum power from the PV array and feed it to grid. The stochastic behavior of solar energy necessitates MPPT of PV system to operate at maximum power point and make the system economical. Power control of grid-tied inverters are commonly based on synchronous reference frame transformation, this methodology requires the phase angle information by phase-looked loop (PLL). In this paper MPC technique is used for decoupled active and reactive power control of the single phase grid-tied inverter. The proposed technique does not need PLL, modulation module and synchronization transform, which makes the control algorithm simple for digital implementation. Comparing the developed technique to the conventional perturb & observe (P&O) method indicates significant improvement in PV system performance. The simulation result is validated by implementing the control algorithm experimentally using dSPACE 1007.
The Fallacy of Regulatory Symmetry: An Economic Analysis of the 'Level Playing Field' in Cable TV Franchising Statutes

Formal regulatory parity can entail counterintuitive effects. In a series of state statutes, municipal governments have been directed to issue cable TV franchises to new competitors only after (a) formal hearings considering the 'public interest' in competition; and (b) imposing terms and conditions which are at least as burdensome as those contained in the incumbent's franchise. While billed as 'level playing field' laws, economic theory, an important case study in Connecticut, and a probit analysis of Ameritech's cable franchise acquisition strategy suggest that these statutes actually tilt the field against entrants.
Hardware accelerator for biological protein sequence alignment on reconfigurable Networks-on-Chip

Pairwise sequence alignment is widely regarded as the most basic, and also the most computation-intensive, algorithm in computational biology. Sequence alignment identifies the similarity between the amino acid sequences of two proteins and is an important source of insight into many biological issues such as protein function and evolutionary pathways. In this paper, we present a high-performance hardware accelerator for sequence alignment problem. This accelerator relies on a set of simple processing cores connected by a reconfigurable network-on-chip. The reconfigurable network-on-chip provides very low inter-core latency and hence, allows integrating larger number of processing cores on a single chip. Evaluation results show that the proposed accelerator offers more than 47% performance gain over the baseline mesh topology and 18% over a state-of-the-art accelerator due to its faster network and finer-grained parallelism.
Efficiency tests with overlapping data: an application to the currency options market

This paper presents the results of an empirical study into the efficiency of the currency options market. The methodology derives from a simple model often applied to the spot and forward markets for foreign exchange. It relates the historic volatility of the underlying asset to the implied volatility of an option on the underlying at a specified prior time and then proceeds to test obvious hypotheses about the values of the coefficients. The study uses panel regression to address the problem of overlapping data which leads to dependence between observations. It also uses volatility data directly quoted on the market in order to avoid the biases which may occur when 'backing out' volatility from specific option pricing models. In general, the evidence rejects the hypothesis that the currency option market is efficient. This suggests that implied volatility is not the best predictor of future exchange rate volatility and should not be used without modification: the models presented in this paper could be a way of producing revised forecasts.
Revisiting the interest rate puzzle

This article makes a connection between Lucas' (1978) asset pricing model and the macroeconomic dynamics for some selected countries. Both the relative risk aversion and the impatience for postponing consumption by synthesizing the investor behaviour can help to understand some key macroeconomic issues across countries, such as the savings decision and the real interest rate. I find that the government consumption makes worse the so-called ‘equity premium-interest rate puzzle’. The first root of the quadratic function for explaining the real interest rate can produce this puzzle, but not the second root. Thus, Mehra and Prescott (1985) identified only one possible solution.
Promoting value in dementia care: Staff, resident and family experience of the capabilities model of dementia care

Objectives: This Australian study examined individual experiences of the implementation of the Capabilities Model of Dementia Care (CMDC) and subsequent outcomes for the care of residents with dementia living in long-term care. Furthermore, this study aimed to explore those factors that facilitated and inhibited the implementation of the new model of care. Methods: The CMDC was developed and then tested in a non-randomised clinical trial. Staff, residents and family experiences of their involvement and perceptions of the model were captured at the end of 12 months. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with the 25 participants (12 nursing staff, 6 residents with dementia, 7 family members). Questions varied depending on the participant group but were designed to assess experiences of and changes to care during the intervention. Inductive thematic analysis was used to identify the experiences of the implementation of the CMDC. Results: Five themes included: general reflections on nursing care, implementation of the CMDC intervention, positive outcomes of the CMDC intervention, challenges in the implementation of the CMDC, difficulty sustaining care and tensions between participants’ perspectives of care. Conclusion: Positive change resulted from implementation of the CMDC, however, staff mentorship was identified as a key to sustaining changes in practice.
Numerical multiconfiguration Hartree-Fock studies of atomic photoionization cross sections: Dynamical core-polarization effects in atomic sodium.

Completely numerical multiconfiguration Hartree-Fock (MCHF) methods are used to calculate the photoionization cross section of atomic sodium in its ground state for incident photon energies in the single-channel region between the first (3${s}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$${)}^{1}$S and second (2${p}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$${)}^{3}$P ionization thresholds. Particular attention is focused on obtaining accurate cross-sectional values in the threshold and Cooper-minimum region up to \ensuremath{\sim}5 eV kinetic energy, where there is the possibility of a sensitivity of results to the quality of the ground-state wave function and final-state potential, and on incorporating the effects of dynamical core polarization in the final state, which are particularly important in the \ensuremath{\sim}5\char21{}15-eV kinetic energy region. These attributes are incorporated in the MCHF procedure by including appropriate doubly excited configurations in the ground state and ${L}^{2}$ polarization pseudostates in the final-state wave function. Provision is made in the final-state calculation for the simultaneous variational determination of the continuum function, of the orbitals comprising a basis for the ${L}^{2}$ polarization pseudostates, and of the configuration-mixing coefficients at each photon energy. The cross sections calculated in this way using length and velocity forms are in good agreement over the entire incident photon energy range considered, suggesting that converged values may be obtained in this interval from the present development. The very small effects of spin-orbit interaction on the photoionization cross section are neglected in the present calculations, in accordance with previously reported observations. Comparisons are made with available experimental values and with other computational studies in various approximations, and comments are provided on the origins of discrepancies between the present and previously reported measured and calculated values.
Lethal neonatal meningoencephalitis caused by multi-drug resistant, highly virulent Escherichia coli

Abstract Neonatal meningitis is a rare but devastating condition. Multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria represent a substantial global health risk. This study reports on an aggressive case of lethal neonatal meningitis due to a MDR Escherichia coli (serotype O75:H5:K1). Serotyping, MDR pattern and phylogenetic typing revealed that this strain is an emergent and highly virulent neonatal meningitis E. coli isolate. The isolate was resistant to both ampicillin and gentamicin; antibiotics currently used for empiric neonatal sepsis treatment. The strain was also positive for multiple virulence genes including K1 capsule, fimbrial adhesion fimH, siderophore receptors iroN, fyuA and iutA, secreted autotransporter toxin sat, membrane associated proteases ompA and ompT, type II polysaccharide synthesis genes (kpsMTII) and pathogenicity-associated island (PAI)-associated malX gene. The presence of highly-virulent MDR organisms isolated in neonates underscores the need to implement rapid drug resistance diagnostic methods and should prompt consideration of alternate empiric therapy in neonates with Gram negative meningitis.
Fiddling with Value: Violins as an Investment?

This paper measures the returns to investing in violins using two different datasets. One dataset includes 75 observations on repeat sales of the same violins at auction starting in the mid-19th century and another dataset includes over 2000 observations on individual violin sales at auction since 1980. Overall real returns for the dataset on repeat sales for the period 1850-2006 have been approximately 3.5%. Real returns to the overall portfolio of individual sales since 1980 have been nearly 4%. While this return is lower than other standard investments, the price path has been stable with a slight negative correlation to stocks and bonds.
Labour and Epistemic Communities: The Case of ‘Managed Migration’ in the UK

How do new ideas flow through networks to reframe policy questions, and what role is played by the growing world of think tanks and policy experts? This article takes the remarkable shift in UK labour migration policy since 2000 and demonstrates how policy was redesigned by networks of actors working between and within the worlds of think tanks and government, including the Prime Minister's Policy and Innovation Unit (PIU), the Treasury, the Home Office and the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR). The article shows how different kinds of ideas and knowledge flowed through different actors and networks to influence the reframing of policy, using the epistemic communities hypothesis (ECH) as a theoretical framework for the analysis.
de Dark Side of the Deep Heart

Ischemic heart disease is the most common cause of death in Western countries. It is consequence of a reduced cardiac blood supply leading to a decrease in oxygen and nutrients fundamental for the proper functioning of the myocardium. The persistence of this condition induces fibrosis and scar deposition to replace the dead cardiac tissue. This replacement damages pumping function and thus predisposes to arrhythmias. Specific transcriptional programs finely regulate the cardiac remodeling. Deciphering the deep transcriptional changes during ischemic heart disease might shed light on potential targets for early diagnosis and new drug development.
Trade liberalisation in T&C: an overview of the welfare effects

The objective of this paper is to examine the effects that trade liberalisation in Textiles and Clothing (T&C) had on the welfare of European producers of cotton-yarn. We employ multi-market theory and a single-market approach to examine the price-induced welfare effects in four major European T&C producing countries namely, Greece, Portugal, Spain and Turkey. Results show that the liberalisation of trade had a substantial negative impact on producers' welfare in all four countries. Welfare and sensitivity analysis suggests that, while cotton-yarn price-decreases and labour-cost increases are expected to further dampen producers' welfare, the adoption of new technologies can substantially assist the competitiveness of European products in the world markets.
A single-event transient hardened phase-locked loop in 0.18 µm CMOS process

By implementing a novel complementary current limiter (CCL), a phase-locked loop (PLL) has been developed for improved single-event transient (SET) tolerance in 0.18 µm CMOS process. Simulation results show that the CCL circuit can significantly reduce the voltage perturbation on the input of the voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) by up to 92.8%, and reduce the recovery time of the PLL by up to 76.4% in the presence of SETs in the charge pump (CP). And it can also improve the error pulses and phase displacement of the output clock greatly. Moreover, the CCL circuit can be readily applied to other PLL topologies1.
Do differences in risk factors explain the lower rates of coronary heart disease in Japanese versus U.S. women?

BACKGROUND Mortality from coronary heart disease (CHD) in women in Japan is one of the lowest in developed countries. In an attempt to shed some light on possible reasons of lower CHD in women in Japan compared with the United States, we extensively reviewed and analyzed existing national data and recent literature. METHODS We searched recent epidemiological studies that reported incidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and examined risk factors for CHD in women in Japan. Then, we compared trends in risk factors between women currently aged 50-69 years in Japan and the United States, using national statistics and other available resources. RESULTS Recent epidemiological studies have clearly shown that AMI incidence in women in Japan is lower than that reported from other countries, and that lipids, blood pressure (BP), diabetes, smoking, and early menopause are independent risk factors. Comparing trends in risk factors between women in Japan and the United States, current levels of serum total cholesterol are higher in women in Japan and levels have been similar at least since 1990. Levels of BP have been higher in in Japan for the past 3 decades. Prevalence of type 2 diabetes has been similar in Japanese and white women currently aged 60-69 for the past 2 decades. In contrast, rates of cigarette smoking, although low in women in both countries, have been lower in women in Japan. CONCLUSIONS Differences in risk factors and their trends are unlikely to explain the difference in CHD rates in women in Japan and the United States. Determining the currently unknown factors responsible for low CHD mortality in women in Japan may lead to new strategy for CHD prevention.
A New Systemic Safety Detecting Software

Because it is hard to find and to clear cockhorse and virus developed by root kit technology, antivirus soft at present is hard to clear virus in the system, which make the system in dangers status of hazard. So, designing a speedy clear Trojan and virus makes by root kit is very important. The article.is based on SDK, adopting the technology.of kernel to design the Clairvoyant systemic safety detecting software. It major function is monitors.the service of the system and the operation. Monitor the register changer. Search the file, process, system module hided by the virus. It can also end protected processes and delete protected files forcibly. Through the port.mapping of processes, it can find.port messages opened.by system, processes opening ports and.cockhorse effectively. http://dx.doi. org/10.11591/telkomnika.v12i10. 5345
SME Entrepreneurial Orientation, International Performance, and the Moderating Role of Strategic Alliances

International entrepreneurship research maintains that firms with strong entrepreneurial orientations expand to international markets to enhance performance. Yet these firms can suffer from resource constraints as they move abroad. To alleviate this problem, previous research has suggested participation in strategic alliances. We developed and tested a theoretical perspective that merged these ideas, maintaining that firm–level entrepreneurial orientation is associated with higher international performance both directly and in combination with participation in foreign market research or marketing alliances. Based on surveys of U.S. and U.K. firms, our findings indicate that small and medium–sized enterprises (SMEs) have higher international performance when they possess greater entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and when the type of alliance (research or marketing) used is aligned with the capabilities of the firm. Further we find that participating in alliances strengthens the relation between EO and international performance. These results have important implications for managers and policy makers interested in improving SME international performance.
Environmental Policy Stringency and Technological Innovation: Evidence from Patent Counts

This paper examines the impact of public environmental policy, as reflected in expenditures on pollution abatement and control, on innovations in environment-related technology. The analysis is conducted using patent data for a panel of 16 countries between 1985 and 2004. It is found that there are important differences in innovation effects of resources spent in the public vs. private sector and resources spent on pollution control activities vs. directly on R&D. These results are broadly confirmed with a subsequent analysis on a broader cross-section of 33 countries over the period 2001-2006, using an alternative measure of environmental policy stringency.
Feasibility and acceptability of using pedometers as an intervention tool for Latinas.

BACKGROUND Due to high rates of inactivity and related chronic illnesses among Latinas, the current study examined the feasibility and acceptability of using pedometers as an intervention tool in this underserved population. METHODS Data were taken from a larger randomized, controlled trial2 and focused on the subsample of participants (N = 43) who were randomly assigned to receive a physical activity intervention with pedometers and instructions to log pedometer use daily and mail completed logs back to the research center each month for 6 months. RESULTS Retention (90.7% at 6 months) and adherence to the pedometer protocol (68.89% returned ≥ 5 of the 6 monthly pedometer logs) were high. Overall, participants reported increased physical activity at 6 months and credited pedometer use for helping them achieve these gains (75.7%). Participants who completed a high proportion (≥ 5/6) of pedometer logs reported significantly greater increases in physical activity and related process variables (stages of change, self-efficacy, behavioral processes of change, social support from friends) than those who were less adherent (completed < 5 pedometer logs). CONCLUSIONS Pedometers constitute a low-cost, useful tool for encouraging self-monitoring of physical activity behavior in this at-risk group.