Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Servicification of Manufacturing in Asia: Redefining the Sources of Labor Productivity

Services are playing an increasingly important role in the global economy. Over the last few decades, the sectorâ€™s contribution to output, employment, and value-added trade has grown quite dramatically. The rise of services and apparent decline of manufacturing employment have raised concerns about the future of growth given the lower labor productivity of the former. But more recent studies have argued against this for several reasons. Among others, current measures of productivity do not properly account for the indirect contribution of services to other sectors. For example, the additional value generated by services in the production of manufactured goods can be substantial, but it is not properly accounted for because of the indivisible and intangible nature of services. Moreover, the rise of the digital economy has created new ways for services to contribute to production. This paper aims to tackle some of these issues by focusing on the servicification of manufacturing in Asia. Our contribution to the emerging literature is twofold. First, we propose a conceptual framework of servicification. And second, we offer some preliminary evidence of this phenomenon for Asia and measurement proposals to disentangle the contribution of services to labor productivity.
Hybrid Genetic Algorithms for a Rostering Problem

Hybrid Genetic Algorithms are described for a large‐size real‐life rostering problem (railway workers' job scheduling and roster optimization). The new algorithm uses an order‐based representation which encodes as a chromosome the list of job units to schedule. First, a greedy algorithm is considered, which uses a randomly generated job units list, and satisfies only the constraints pertaining to the workers' job contract. Then, a genetic algorithm optimizes the global roster, minimizing its length and achieving some desired homogenizations. Finally, a second genetic algorithm (GA) is used to find the best parameter values for the first genetic algorithm. Thus, this work investigates the use of a GA together with a greedy algorithm and of a second GA to optimize the parameter values of the first GA.
Structure of a functional IGF2R fragment determined from the anomalous scattering of sulfur

Insulin‐like growth factor II receptor (IGF2R) is a multifunctional cell surface receptor implicated in tumour suppression. Its growth inhibitory activity has been associated with an ability to bind IGF‐II. IGF2R contains 15 homologous extracellular domains, with domain 11 primarily responsible for IGF‐II binding. We report a 1.4 Å resolution crystal structure of domain 11, solved using the anomalous scattering signal of sulfur. The structure consists of two crossed β‐sheets forming a flattened β‐barrel. Structural analysis identifies the putative IGF‐II binding site at one end of the β‐barrel whilst crystal lattice contacts suggest a model for the full‐length IGF2R extracellular region. The structure factors and coordinates of IGF2R domain 11 have been deposited in the Protein Data Bank (accession codes 1GP0 and 1GP3).
Distributed User Association and Femtocell Allocation in Heterogeneous Wireless Networks

Deployment of low-power low-cost small access points such as femtocell access points (FAPs) constitute an attractive solution for improving the existing macrocell access points' (MAPs) capacity, reliability, and coverage. However, FAP deployment faces challenging problems such as interference management and the lack of flexible frameworks for deploying the FAPs by the service providers (SPs). In this paper, we propose a novel solution that jointly associates the user equipment (TIE) to the APs, and allocates the FAPs to the SPs such that the the total satisfaction of the TIEs in an uplink OFDMA network is maximized. We model the competitive behaviors among the TIEs, FAPs, and SPs as a dynamic matching game and we propose distributed algorithms to find the optimal TIE association and FAP allocations. We show analytically that the matching algorithms converge to the optimal and stable outcomes after a small number of iterations. Simulations and analytical results show the proposed mechanism is arbitrarily close to the global optimal solution by setting a design parameter (step number) but has significantly reduced overhead and complexity over the centralized algorithm.
Measuring disability with parsimony.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE Health surveys, especially those for older persons, include numerous detailed items about disability. There has been little effort to develop a global disability item, that is, one question that covers the concept of disability briefly but well. This article discusses how parsimony can be achieved through a single item, or less desirably by reductions of detailed items. MAIN OUTCOME AND RESULTS Results of three analyses on the issue of compact disability indicators, using public-use data sets (AHEAD, HRS, BRFSS), are presented. The analyses study relationships of global disability to both detailed disability items and global health. Overall, the results show that a global disability item has good coverage of specific disabilities and is distinct from self-rated health. CONCLUSIONS Routine inclusion of a global disability item in surveys is recommended, and specific suggestions are made to aid its design.
Life Cycle of Ixodes pacificus (Acari: Ixodidae): Timing of Developmental Processes Under Field and Laboratory Conditions

Abstract The developmental timing of Ixodes pacificus Cooley & Kohls, the primary vector of the Lyme disease spirochete and the agent of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis in the far-western United States, was determined under field and laboratory conditions. During their seasonal peaks of abundance, each of the three parasitic stages of I. pacificus, both fed and unfed, was placed inside silk-screen packets. These packets were apportioned between four topographic exposures of two hilltop sites in northwestern California. The sites differed in vegetational composition and elevation: the first (elevation 390 m) was dominated by woodland-grass, the second (elevation 914 m) by chaparral. The timing of oviposition, larval eclosion, molting, and mortality were recorded in the field every 2–3 wk for 2.5 yr. Microenvironmental temperatures were measured on all four exposures at both sites. Accelerated developmental rates of all three stages were correlated with warmer soil temperatures and the time of placement in the field. In the laboratory, replete female I. pacificus maintained under uniform environmental conditions sustained constant preovipositional and prehatch periods independent of date-of-feeding. In the field, all unfed stages survived through one active feeding season with most larvae and nymphs remaining in behavioral diapause between late summer and early spring. No life stage survived through two active feeding periods which suggests that cohorts do not overlap. We concluded that I. pacificus takes a minimum of 3 yr to complete its life cycle in northwestern California. Ixodes pacificus, life history, microhabitat, development, Lyme disease
Physiological Properties of Saccharomyces cerevisiae from Which Hexokinase II Has Been Deleted

ABSTRACT Hexokinase II is an enzyme central to glucose metabolism and glucose repression in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Deletion of HXK2, the gene which encodes hexokinase II, dramatically changed the physiology of S. cerevisiae. The hxk2-null mutant strain displayed fully oxidative growth at high glucose concentrations in early exponential batch cultures, resulting in an initial absence of fermentative products such as ethanol, a postponed and shortened diauxic shift, and higher biomass yields. Several intracellular changes were associated with the deletion of hexokinase II. Thehxk2 mutant had a higher mitochondrial H+-ATPase activity and a lower pyruvate decarboxylase activity, which coincided with an intracellular accumulation of pyruvate in the hxk2 mutant. The concentrations of adenine nucleotides, glucose-6-phosphate, and fructose-6-phosphate are comparable in the wild type and the hxk2 mutant. In contrast, the concentration of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate, an allosteric activator of pyruvate kinase, is clearly lower in the hxk2mutant than in the wild type. The results suggest a redirection of carbon flux in the hxk2 mutant to the production of biomass as a consequence of reduced glucose repression.
Sparse representation for fetal QRS detection in abdominal ECG recordings

In this work, we consider the problem of detection of fetal heart beats from abdominal, non-invasive mixture recordings. We propose a new method for the separation of maternal and fetal beats based on the sparse decomposition in an over-complete dictionary of Gaussian-like functions. To increase the detection capability, we also use Independent Component Analysis (ICA) after maternal template subtraction. We show that the proposed detection method can be applied on the original mixture with a sensitivity close to 95%. Moreover, our method may be used also for single channel abdominal ECG signals, and also used in real-time applications.
Freedom after Neoliberalism

Over the last four decades, the rise of the socio-political formation widely referred to as neoliberalism has seen a particular model of freedom – the freedom of free markets, property rights, and entrepreneurial self-ownership – gain prominence in a variety of ways around the globe. More recently, there has been a surge in critical activity around neoliberalism, which has led to the emergence of an increasingly settled understanding of its political, economic, and cultural mechanics. Most critiques, however, have proven reluctant to engage neoliberalism on the territory that it has conspicuously made its own: namely, freedom. This special collection aims to rethink, re-evaluate, and renovate the many meanings of freedom beyond its limited economic function in neoliberal theory and practice, and to imagine what freedom might look like in a world beyond neoliberalism. The introduction provides an overview of the current conjuncture, in which there is a growing realisation that neoliberal governance has failed to deliver on its promises of freedom. We argue that this realisation has made possible, and necessary, the exploration of new histories and new futures of freedom. The introduction concludes with a brief summary of the articles that comprise this special collection.
Effects of solvent immersion and evaporation on the electrical conductance of pre-stressed carbon nanotube buckypapers

Buckypapers (BPs) are free standing thin sheets made of carbon nanotubes, such as single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) or multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) or their mixtures. In this research, through in situ electrical resistance measurements, we studied the electrical conductance changes of carbon nanotube networks (NTNs) in various BP samples from complete immersion to evaporation using different chemical solvents. BP samples demonstrated a 20–30% decrease in conductance upon the immersion and almost full recovery after the drying process. We found that by pre-stressing, BP samples demonstrated highly reproducible patterns of conductance changes corresponding to solvent quantity. This feature can be potentially used for sensor applications to simultaneously detect both the occurrence and the amount of organic solvent leakage.
High‐Resolution B‐Mode Ultrasound Reading Methods in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Cohort

To measure the association of cardiovascular disease risk factors with carotid artery diameter and thickness of the intima and media in the general population, standardized ultrasound scanning and reading protocols were performed on 15,800 individuals in the multicenter Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. In a randomly selected subset of 855 participants, the mean artery diameter, minimum lumen diameter, and maximum near‐and far‐wall thicknesses were measured at a core laboratory from B‐mode image recordings of the common carotid, bifurcation, and internal carotid arteries to determine both within‐reader and between‐reader variability. Measurements associated with the wall thickness are sensitive indicators of reader reproducibility, with between‐reader reliability coefficients ranging from 0. 78 to 0.93 and coefficients of variation ranging from 13.1 to 18.3%. The percent of paired readings in the three carotid segments for which the absolute difference of the far‐wall thickness measured by different readers was no greater than one image pixel (0.067 mm) was 58% (common carotid), 53% (internal carotid), and 42% (bifurcation). Highly reproducible measurements of carotid artery dimensions can be achieved with standardized training and performance of ultrasound scanning and reading protocols.
Lack of Evidence for Aromatase Expression in Human Ovarian Epithelial Carcinoma

It is controversial whether ovarian epithelial carcinoma possesses steroidogenic enzymes. We investigated aromatase expression in ovarian epithelial carcinoma, and compared it with the normal ovary and placenta. Samples were obtained from an ovarian carcinoma cell line SK-OV-3, ovarian tumour tissues from four patients with epithelial carcinoma and one patient with dysgerminoma. Aromatase enzymatic activity was measured in microsome fractions by quantitating 3H2O released from [1-3H]androstenedione and [3H]oestrone converted from [1,2,6,7-3H]androstenedione. Aromatase messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using oligonucleotide primers synthesized according to the published human aromatase gene sequence. No aromatase activity was detected in either of two mucinous cystadenocarcinoma specimens or in SK-OV-3 cells, while aromatization proceeded with apparent Michaelis-Menten kinetics in the normal ovaries and placentas. The apparent Km value was 200 nmol/L for the ovary. Aromatase mRNA was detected in dysgerminoma, and the normal ovary and placenta, but not in any of three mucinous cystadenocarcinoma specimens, one serous cystadenocarcinoma specimen and SK-OV-3 cells. These results for both enzyme activity and gene expression suggest that the human ovarian epithelial carcinoma lacks aromatase. The demonstration of absence of aromatase gene expression raises the possibility that aromatase activity in ovaries bearing epithelial carcinoma may be associated with hyperplastic stromal rather than tumour cells.
The Public Sector Equality Duty: Enforcing Equality Rights Through Second-Generation Regulation

This article reviews the effectiveness of the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED), based on insights from debates within equality law and theories of regulation. Drawing on examples of its practical implementation, the strengths and weaknesses of the ‘reflexive turn’ in equality law are assessed. Whilst recognising the concerns raised regarding second-generation regulation, such as its inability to address structural power relations, the article proposes that this form of regulation has some merit when applied to equality law. First, the participatory processes that it produces can in themselves be viewed as equality outcomes, particularly when equality is understood to encompass the participation and inclusion of vulnerable groups. Second, this form of regulation can introduce change within organisations, proving reasonably resilient once embedded in standards of good management practice. The paper does not suggest that the processes of the PSED cannot be improved, and instead proposes a number of ways in which second-generation regulation can be made more effective. However, it argues that examples of the implementation of the PSED show how reflexive regulation can provide more effective and resilient means to support the realisation of equality and social justice than at first appears.
Data-driven selective sampling for marine vehicles using multi-scale paths

This paper addresses adaptive coverage of a spatial field without prior knowledge. Our application in this paper is to cover a region of the sea surface using a robotic boat, although the algorithmic approach has wider applicability. We propose an anytime planning technique for efficient data gathering using point-sampling based on non-uniform data-driven coverage. Our goal is to sense a particular region of interest in the environment and be able to reconstruct the measured spatial field. Since there are autonomous agents involved, there is a need to consider the costs involved in terms of energy consumed and time required to finish the task. An ideal map of the scalar field requires complete coverage of the region, but can be approximated by a good sparse coverage strategy along with an efficient interpolation technique. We propose to optimize the trade off between the environmental field mapping and the costs (energy consumed, time spent, and distance traveled) associated with sensing. We present an anytime algorithm for sampling the environment adaptively by following a multi-scale path to produce a variable resolution map of the spatial field. We compare our approach to a traditional exhaustive survey approach and show that we are able to effectively represent a spatial field spending minimum energy. We present results that indicate our sampling technique gathering most informative samples with least travel. We validate our approach through simulations and test the system on real robots in the open ocean.
A Novel Electrode With Electromagnetic Tip Tracking in Ultrasonography-Guided Radiofrequency Ablation: A Phantom, Ex Vivo, and In Vivo Experimental Study

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to compare the targeting and ablation performance between a newly developed radiofrequency (RF) electrode embedded with an electromagnetic position sensor (EMPS) at the electrode tip and a conventional RF electrode. Materials and MethodsThe institutional animal care and use committee approved this study. The targeting of paint balls within phantoms was performed under ultrasonography guidance by 2 radiologists (beginner vs expert) with an “in-plane” and “out-of-plane” approaches using the new RF electrode and a conventional RF electrode (n = 20 for each method). To evaluate the targeting performance, the electrode placement time and the number of electrode pullbacks for redirection were compared between the 2 electrodes. The ablation performance was also compared by analyzing the ablation volumes in ex vivo bovine and in vivo porcine livers (n = 30 and n = 24, respectively) and the cellular viability of the ablation zone in in vivo specimens. ResultsIn the phantom study, the RF electrode embedded with an EMPS showed a significantly shorter electrode placement time compared with the conventional RF electrode in both the in-plane and out-of-plane approaches by both radiologists (P < 0.05). The electrode pullback rate for both radiologists was lower in the new RF electrode than in the conventional RF electrode, but it did not reach statistical significance in the in-plane approach by the expert (P = 0.059). The ablation volumes analyzed with and without cellular viability in the ex vivo and in vivo studies were not significantly different between the 2 electrodes (P > 0.05). ConclusionsThe RF electrode embedded with an EMPS is faster than the conventional electrode in the electrode placement into the target lesions. The ablation performance is not significantly different between the 2 electrodes.
Daytime Cheyne-Stokes respiration in ambulatory patients with severe congestive heart failure is associated with increased mortality.

BACKGROUND Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSR) frequently occurs in patients with severe heart failure during sleep and may increase mortality. Daytime CSR supposedly poses an even greater risk, but its prevalence and prognostic importance remain elusive. Therefore, we investigated the circadian prevalence of CSR and its influence on survival in patients with heart failure. METHODS In 60 consecutive ambulatory patients (mean age+/-SE, 58.0+/-1.5 years; 6 women) with stable severe heart failure (left ventricular ejection fraction, 26+/-1%; New York Heart Association [NYHA] class, 2.6+/-0.1), the breathing pattern was unobtrusively monitored during 24 h of usual activities with a portable respiratory inductive plethysmograph. RESULTS During nights, 62% of patients had >or=15 periodic breathing cycles per hour; during days, the corresponding prevalence was 16%. CSR prevailed in 32+/-3% of the night and in 10+/-2% of the day, with peaks at 4:00 am, 2:00 pm, and 6:00 pm. Eighteen patients with CSR during >or=10% of the daytime lived shorter without heart transplantation than 42 patients with <10% of daytime CSR (p<0.05) during 836+/-27 days of follow-up. CSR during >or=10% of the daytime was an independent predictor of mortality (hazard ratio, 3.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 12.7; p<0.05) when controlling for age, sex, brain natriuretic peptide, left ventricular ejection fraction, and NYHA class. CONCLUSIONS CSR occurs in 62% of patients with severe heart failure at night and in 16% during the day. Since daytime CSR is associated with reduced survival, solely performing sleep studies may not allow to adequately assess prognosis and tailor treatment in patients with severe heart failure.
Risk of Infection with Chlamydia trachomatis from Migrants to Communities Undergoing Mass Drug Administration for Trachoma Control

Abstract Purpose: To determine the risk of infection with Chlamydia trachomatis in children who are migrants to communities who are undergoing mass drug administration (MDA), and if their neighborhoods have higher rates of infection over time. Methods: In four communities in Kongwa, Tanzania, all children were enrolled in a longitudinal study of infection and trachoma. New children were identified at census updates as having not been in the community at the previous census. Within communities, neighborhoods were defined as spatially close groups of households, or “balozi”. All children in the communities were invited to be examined for trachoma, and have ocular swabs taken for evidence of infection. Trachoma was graded using the World Health Organization simplified grading scheme, and swabs were processed using Amplicor. Results: Children who were migrants were more likely to be infected and to have trachoma than children who were resident in the community, which was significant by the time of the survey following the third year of MDA (odds ratio, OR, 2.49, 95% confidence interval, CI, 1.03–6.05). The neighborhoods where newcomers resided were more likely to have infection a year later than neighborhoods with no migrants, which was most pronounced following the third year of MDA (OR 2.86, 95% CI 1.07–7.65). Conclusion: Migrants to communities may be an important source of re-emergent infection, especially as MDA lowers infection among residents. Highly migrant populations may need a special surveillance and treatment program to avoid slowing progress in communities under MDA.