Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anisotropic etching of silicon in alkaline solutions : Microscopic activation energy calculations for silicon atoms and its simulation applications

The microscopic activation energies for different surface silicon atoms under different etching conditions are calculated out for the first time based on a series of equations relating the macroscopic etch rates of different silicon crystal planes and the microscopic etch rates of surface silicon atoms with different atom configurations. The microscopic etch rates for surface atoms under different etching conditions are obtained. The obtained microscopic activation energies for silicon atoms and the calculation method have been extended to a silicon anisotropic etching simulation system. A series of simulations have been performed using the simulation system and the simulation results demonstrate to be in good agreement with the experimental results.
Robust fault detection for LPV systems using interval observers and zonotopes

In this paper, the problem of robust fault detection using an interval observer for dynamic systems characterized by LPV (linear parameter varying) models is presented. The observer faces the robustness problem using two complementary strategies. Modeling uncertainties are considered unknown but bounded by intervals. Their effect is addressed using an interval state observation method based on zonotope representation of the set of possible states. The observer gain is designed via pole placement using LMI formulation. The method is applied to a LPV representation of a Twin Rotor MIMO System.
Specification Tests for Portfolio Regression Parameter Stationarity and the Implications for Empirical Research

tion in these studies is that the joint distribution of the rate of return on risky securities (or portfolios) and the market portfolio proxy is bivariate normal and stationary through time.2 That is, the true parameters of the conditional distribution of the (excess) rate of return on risky securities (or portfolios) given the (excess) rate of return on the market portfolio are the same for each observation in the sample. This assumption is a necessary condition for the econometric procedures employed in studies of market efficiency and tests of the two-parameter model, although it is not required by the underlying theory in either case. However, the theory does indicate, for example, that changes in capital structure and the adoption of new projects (or acquisitions) from a different risk class than present operations will change systematic risk. Exogenous economic information may also change the market's assessment of the parameters defining this conditional distribution. Parameter nonstationarity does represent a severe violation of econometric model specification resulting in the loss of known distributional properties of the parameter estimates and confidence in any inferences made conditional on these estimates. The purpose of this study is to provide statistical significance tests of the stationarity specification by providing a more general alternative nonstationarity specification that has, as a special case, the standard linear model. The importance of testing for systematic risk stationarity was first recognized by Blume (1971). In this paper we intend to consider several new problems by addressing the following questions: (1) Are the differences in the estimates of systematic risk in subperiods just due to sampling error or are they "significantly" different from each other? That is, can the null hypothesis that the true fB's are identical in subperiods be tested? Can we test the same null hypothesis for a's?
Chinese Acquisition of the Spratly Archipelago and Its Implications for the Future

In this study, I first examine the place of the Spratly Islands dispute at the heart of interstate relations between China and its regional neighbors around the South China Sea. In doing so, I trace the varied historical claims and periodic disputes over the archipelago, along with the current state of affairs, which is increasingly dominated by the need for more and cheaper sources of oil and natural gas. This background lays the groundwork for the core of this study, which is a simulation analysis looking at the potential ramifications of a more aggressive Chinese position in the South China Sea. Using computer simulation techniques, I compare the desirability of two scenarios related to Chinese policy in the area. The findings suggest that a more aggressive Chinese policy on the Spratlys would be beneficial in some ways, especially in the areas of energy production and imports over the following forty years. At the same time, there are several potential drawbacks as well, including increased environmental degradation and renewed energy supply problems in the second half of the century. I conclude by examining the implications of both conflictual and peaceful Chinese approaches to policy in the South China Sea, in light of China's obvious ascension as the leading state in East and Southeast Asia, as well as its rapidly improving global position.
Leveraging a CHO cell line toolkit to accelerate biotherapeutics into the clinic

The Biogen upstream platform is capable of delivering equivalent quality material throughout the cell line generation process. This allows us to rapidly deliver high‐quality biopharmaceuticals to patients with unmet medical needs. The drive to reduce time‐to‐market led the cell engineering group to develop an expression system that can enable this strategy. We have developed a clonal Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) host cell line that can routinely produce consistent antibody material at high titers throughout the cell line generation process. This host line enables faster delivery of early phase material through use of the highly productive stable pool or a mixture of high performance clones. Due to unique characteristics of this cell line, the product quality of material from early cell populations is very comparable to material from the final clones. This lends itself to a “fast‐to‐tox” strategy whereby toxicology studies can be performed with representative material from an earlier cell population, thus accelerating the clinical timelines. Our new clonal host offers robust and consistent performance that enables a highly productive, flexible process and faster preclinical timelines. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog. , 33:1468–1475, 2017
Skin colour, skin redness and melanin biometric measurements: comparison study between Antera® 3D, Mexameter® and Colorimeter®

The actual skin colorimeters analyse reflect values from a limited number of broad spectral bands and consequently present limited reproducibility and specificity when measuring skin colour. Here, Antera 3D®, a new device which uses reflectance mapping of seven different light wavelengths spanning the entire visible spectrum, has been compared with Mexameter® MX‐18, an established narrow‐band reflectance spectrophotometer and with Colorimeter® CL‐400, an established tristimulus colorimetric instrument.
Maintenance factors of recovery from alcohol dependence in treated and untreated individuals.

BACKGROUND Research on natural recovery from alcohol dependence has focused mainly on triggering mechanisms of the remission process. Only a few studies have considered maintenance factors of natural recovery. METHODS In the present study, 93 natural remitters and 42 self-help group participants were compared. Both groups remitted from alcohol dependence according to DSM-IV criteria. Several alcohol-related variables and maintenance factors of the remission process were assessed in a personal interview by using standardized questionnaires. RESULTS Logistic regression analysis that focused on maintenance factors showed that, independent from direct self-help group context, self-help group attendees informed more individuals about their former alcohol problems and sought social support more often as a coping strategy to deal with craving. No further group differences could be identified. CONCLUSIONS Self-help group participants revealed a higher social engagement to maintain their recovery. Besides this major difference, data support the assumption that more commonalities than differences exist within successful recoveries from alcohol dependence, independent of help-seeking status.
Pathways to impact and the strategic role of universities: new evidence on the breadth and depth of university knowledge exchange in the UK and the factors constraining its development

There has been an increasing focus on the strategic role of universities in stimulating innovation and economic growth, primarily though the transfer of technology. This paper interrogates some of the key aspects of much of the conventional wisdom concerning the transfer of technology and the knowledge exchange process in general. It analyses the results from two unique surveys: a survey of the UK academic community that generated more than 22,000 responses; and a stratified survey of businesses that generated more than 2,500 responses. The results suggest that much of the conventional wisdom concerning knowledge exchange involving academia is too narrowly confined or is misinformed. First, there is an excessive focus in much of the academic and policy discourse on commercialisation and technology transfer--there are many knowledge exchange mechanisms used by academics--these include commercialisation processes but also many other 'hidden' connections. Second, the focus on the science base ignores that knowledge exchange involves academics from all disciplines. Third, the preoccupation with improving innovation and business performance tends to ignore that knowledge exchange involves partners from the public and third (not for profit) sectors as well as private sector businesses. Fourth, the main constraints that hinder or limit the knowledge exchange process include a lack of time, insufficient internal capability to manage relationships and insufficient information to identify partners. Problems concerning cultural differences between academics and business, and disputes concerning intellectual property are not prominent. Overall, the paper suggests that the notion of an academic 'ivory tower' seems to be a myth as far as the UK is concerned. It also suggests that a strategic focus on strengthening connections between academia and the rest of society may generate long-term benefits, but it will also face challenges and should not distort or divert from the wider foundations of scholarship on which the success of universities are built. Copyright The Author 2012. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Cambridge Political Economy Society. All rights reserved. , Oxford University Press.
Formulation and Evaluation of a Salted-out Isoniazid-loaded Nanosystem

The purpose of this study was to develop a drug-loaded nanosystem that has the ability to achieve flexible yet rate-controlled release of model drug isoniazid (INH) employing either an aqueous or emulsion-based salting-out approach. Formulation conditions were aimed at reducing the polymeric size with subsequent rate-modulated INH release patterns from the polymeric nanosystem. The emulsion-based salted-out nanosystems had particle sizes ranging from 77–414 nm and a zeta potential of −24 mV. The dispersant dielectric constant was set at 78.5 and a conductivity of 3.99 mS/cm achieved. The reduced nanosystem size of the aqueous-based approach has demonstrated an intrinsically enhanced exposure of methacrylic acid-ethyl acrylate to zinc sulphate which was employed as a crosslinking reagent. This resulted in robustly interconnected polymeric supports in which INH was efficiently embedded and subsequently released. The multi-layer perceptron data obtained showed that the aqueous and emulsion-based salting out approaches had Power (law) (MSE = 0.020) and Linear (MSE = 0.038) relationships, respectively. Drug release from the nanosystems occurred in two phases with an initial burst-release in aqueous-based nanosystems (30–100%) and significantly lower bursts observed in emulsion-based nanosystems (20–65%) within the first 2 h. This was followed by a gradual exponential release phase over the remaining 12 h. The nanosystems developed demonstrated the ability to control the release of INH depending on the formulation approach adopted.
Telomeric DNA Damage by Topoisomerase I

Topoisomerase I adjusts torsional stress in the genome by breaking and resealing one strand of the helix through a transient covalent coupling between enzyme and DNA. Camptothecin, a specific topoisomerase I poison, traps this covalent intermediate, thereby damaging the genome. Here we examined the activity of topoisomerase I at telomeric repeats to determine whether telomere structures are targets for DNA damage. We show that topoisomerase I is catalytically active in cleaving the G-rich telomeric strand in vitro in the presence of camptothecin but not in cleaving the C-rich strand. The topoisomerase I cleavage site is 5′-TT↓AGGG-3′ (cleavage site marked by the ↓). We also show that endogenous topoisomerase I can access telomeric DNA in vivo and form camptothecin-dependent covalent complexes. Therefore, each telomeric repeat represents a potential topoisomerase I cleavage site in vivo. Because telomere structures are comprised of a large number of repeats, telomeres in fact represent a high concentration of nested topoisomerase I sites. Therefore, more telomeric DNA damage by camptothecin could occur in cells with longer telomeres when cells possess equivalent levels of topoisomerase I. The evidence presented here suggests that DNA damage at telomeric repeats by topoisomerase I is a prominent feature of cell killing by camptothecin and triggers camptothecin-induced apoptosis.
Fig trees at the northern limit of their range: the distributions of cryptic pollinators indicate multiple glacial refugia

Climatic oscillations during the last few million years had well‐documented effects on the distributions and genomes of temperate plants and animals, but much less is known of their impacts on tropical and subtropical species. In contrast to Europe and North America, ice‐sheets did not cover most of China during glacial periods, and the effects of glacial cycles were less dramatic. Fig trees are a predominantly tropical group pollinated by host‐specific fig wasps. We employed partial mitochondrial COI (918 bp) and nuclear ITS2 (462 bp) gene sequences to investigate the genetic structure and demographic histories of the wasps that pollinate the subtropical Ficus pumila var. pumila in Southeastern China. Deep genetic divergence in both mitochondrial (7.2–11.6%) and nuclear genes (1.6–2.9%) indicates that three pollinator species are present and that they diverged about 4.72 and 6.00 Myr bp. This predates the Quaternary ice ages, but corresponds with the formation of the Taiwan Strait and uplifting of the Wuyi–Xianxia Mountains. The three pollinators have largely allopatric distribution patterns in China and display different postglacial demographic histories. Wiebesia spp. 1 and 2 occupy, respectively, the northern and southern regions of the mainland host range. Their populations both underwent significant postglacial spatial expansions, but at different times and at different rates. Wiebesia sp. 3 is largely restricted to northern islands and shows less evidence of recent population expansion. Their mainly allopatric distributions and different demographic histories are consistent with host plant postglacial expansion from three distinct refugia and suggest one mechanism whereby fig trees gain multiple pollinators.
Ligand efficiency metrics: why all the fuss?

Ligand efficiency (LE) is most commonly defined as the ratio of the affinity of a ligand divided by the number of heavy (nonhydrogen) atoms in the molecule (LE = ΔG/[number of heavy atoms]). This ratio was first described in 1999 [1] and gained widespread popularity in drug discovery circles shortly thereafter [2]. The rapid uptake of LE in drug discovery was likely facilitated by the already widespread use of Lipinski’s rules (another size restraining metric) [3] and a burgeoning interest in fragment-based approaches to drug discovery [4]. Ligand efficiency validated fragment-based design and offered a simple measure to keep molecular size in check while undertaking a lead optimization program. Like the rule of five, the rapid adoption of LE by medicinal chemists was probably aided by the simplicity of the metric (no need for complicated algorithms) and the fact that it neatly captured a compelling concept: namely that it is in general better to bring drug discovery candidates forward that are small rather than large. Indeed, many of the productivity problems plaguing the industry are sometimes ascribed to the growing number of potent ‘rocks’ being produced by discovery efforts driven by in vitro biology [5]. Simple metrics, like LE or the rule of five, help bring the problem of molecular size inflation into focus, in a way that is easy to understand. Ligand efficiency has been reviewed recently [6], and the reader is referred to that paper for a detailed description of its many flavors (e.g., LE and lipophilic ligand efficiency [LLE]). The review describes the most common efficiency measures in detail, provides references to examples of their application and compares the advantages and disadvantages of different metrics.
Buying impulse triggered by digital media

This study applies Beatty and Elizabeth Ferrell's impulse buying model to investigate consumers' buying impulses after receiving digital media promotions for limited-time-only sale for services. The influences of consumers' positive affect and impulse buying tendency on their felt urge to buy impulsively were explored. Questionnaires were utilized to survey consumers and structural equation modeling was adopted to explore the causal relationship among the constructs. The results indicated that consumers generate more positive affect if they perceive less time pressure or more money available. The results also revealed the direct effect of consumer positive affect and impulse buying tendency on their felt urge to buy impulsively. The study verifies the successful application of the impulse buying model to the promotion of services through digital media.
Performance measures and short‐termism: An exploratory study

Abstract We examine the relationship between performance measurement systems and short‐termism. Hypotheses are tested on a sample of senior managers drawn from a major telecommunications company to determine the extent to which the diagnostic and interactive uses of financial and non‐financial measures give rise to short‐termism. We find no evidence to suggest that the use of financial measures, either diagnostically or interactively, leads to short‐term behaviour. In contrast, we find a significant association between the use of non‐financial measures and short‐termism. Results suggest that the diagnostic use of non‐financial measures leads managers to make inter‐temporal trade‐off choices that prioritise the short term to the detriment of the long term, while we find interactive use is negatively associated with short‐termism. We find an imbalance in favour of the diagnostic use over the interactive use of non‐financial performance measures is associated with short‐termism. Overall, findings highlight the importance of considering the specific use of performance measures in determining the causes of short‐termism.
The Relationship between Domestic Investment and Outward Foreign Direct Investment: Evidences from China

Since the strategy of “Going Global” to be implemented, the Chinese OFDI has been increased rapidly. For a long time, governments in developed countries as well as some scholars hold the different attitudes that OFDI will crowd out Chinese domestic 5 investment. In this study, we empirically analyze this relationship between OFDI and domestic investment in China based on the data from 1986 to 2010, we use unit root test, Johansen cointegration test and structure the cointegration model in the time series nanalysis. What’s more, we apply Hausman test and use random and fixed effect model in the panel data research. Both results from time series data and panel data analysis show that OFDI has a significant promoting effect on the domestic investment. Investing abroad would bring more domestic investment opportunities in China in both short and long terms during the whole period in the case of overall and divided periods. By analyzing results from different regions, we find that the situation is in line with the country level. And the destinations of OFDI make no difference to the effect of OFDI on GDI.
The sustainability of trade accounts of the G-7 countries

This article has examined the sustainability of the trade accounts of the G-7 countries by analysing the long-run equilibrium between exports and imports. We applied the techniques of the recently developed nonstationary panel data analysis and found that the trade accounts of the G-7 countries are very likely to be nonstationary variables. This implies that trade accounts are not sustainable for the G-7 countries. Therefore, some appropriate policies must be implemented to prevent trade imbalances from increasing.
STAGGERED NOMINAL CONTRACTS: TAYLOR vs. CALVO

This paper compares the Taylor type and the Calvo type staggering schemes in terms of their implications on the behavior of aggregate price and output following a monetary expansion. In the sticky nominal price case, it is shown that Calvo type staggering implies positive autocorrelations (i.e., monotone dampening) in price and output, while Taylor type staggering implies negative autocorrelations (i.e., oscillatory dampening). In the sticky nominal wage case, however, it is found that both types of staggering generate monotonically dampening responses of price and output. In other words, the qualitative implications of wage stickiness are robust to the choice of staggering schemes.
Optimal nonlinear control of a Diesel engine air-path system using VGT/EGR actuation

In this paper, an optimal nonlinear control technique based on the analytic solution of a performance index is used to derive a controller for the Diesel engine air system. The control objective is to achieve tracking of suitable references (corresponding to low emissions) for the air-fuel ratio and the fraction of the recirculated exhaust gas. The considered Diesel engine is a medium duty Caterpillar 3126B with six cylinders equipped with a variable geometry turbocharger and an exhaust gas recirculation valve. The proposed controller is designed on the reduced third order mean value model and implemented as a closed-form nonlinear model predictive control law on the full order model. In order to eliminate steady state offset, integral action is introduced. The resulting controllers, with and without integral action, are assessed through simulations with a SIL architecture using dSpace Simulator. The controller with integral action, exhibits good control performance, with zero offset and ensures global stability and tracking of output references.