Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On-the-fly characterization of NBTI in ultra-thin gate oxide PMOSFET's

We propose a new methodology to characterize the negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) degradation without inherent recovery. The extracted parameters are the linear drain current, the threshold voltage and the transconductance. We compare the new and the usual methodologies and show a logarithmic time dependence of both the degradation and the recovery. The hole trapping (detrapping) is directly correlated to the V/sub T/ degradation (recovery), and plays the main role in the NBTI in ultra-thin gate-oxide PMOSFET's.
Output-Based Aid in Water: Lessons in Implementation from a Pilot in Paraguay

Paraguay's aguateros-small private water companies- form an important part of the water sector, serving about 9 percent of the total population (or about 17 percent of those with piped water supply). But until recently they operated only in urban areas, where water resources are abundant, and they could choose customers, based on their ability to pay the full costs of providing service. A new Bank-funded initiative seeks to attract aguateros and construction firms active in the water sector to un-served rural areas and small towns, by providing an output-based aid subsidy, awarded through competitive bidding. The initiative is the first attempt anywhere to apply this approach to rural and small-town water sector investment. This Note reviews the early lessons.
Public Private Partnerships: Overcoming Pre-Contract Problems Faced by Public Clients and Private Providers in Infrastructure Projects in Singapore

Abstract After five years since their introduction, there remains a dearth of public-private-partnership (PPP) projects in Singapore. This paper aims to investigate the problems faced when using PPP arrangements and provide recommendations on how these can be surmounted. Face-to-face in-depth interviews with practitioners from the public and private sectors were conducted. The results show that the problems faced by public PPP clients are: difficulty in deciding if a public service could be bought using the PPP route; private providers’ inability to innovate and understand clients’ requirements; private sector’s low capability in facilities management; and public sector’s constantly changing needs. The difficulties faced by private providers are: inability to recoup expenditure; absence of a PPP champion; high tendering cost; criteria for awards are unclear; and risk allocation is unfair. Recommendations on how problems faced in the PPP pre-contract stage might be overcome are presented.
The Economics of Regulating Cellular Phones in Vehicles

Regulation of the use of cellular phones by individuals while driving is now commonplace outside the United States and has been proposed in a number of jurisdictions in the United States. There is growing concern that using cellular phones while driving leads to increases in accidents and fatalities. This paper provides an economic analysis of regulatory options for addressing cellular phone usage by drivers of vehicles. While large uncertainties surrounding both benefits and costs exist, a key conclusion is that banning drivers from using cellular phones is a bad idea. Our best estimate is that the costs of a ban are likely to exceed benefits by more than $20 billion annually. Less intrusive regulation, such as requiring the use of a hands-free device that would allow a driver to use both hands for steering also is not likely to be economically justified. We are doubtful that the net benefits from a ban on drivers' using hand-held phones or a mandate requiring the use of hands-free devices would be positive for three reasons. First, the results of our quantitative benefit-cost analysis suggest that costs are likely to exceed benefits. Second, our best estimates of accidents and fatality reductions do not take into account how drivers would alter their behavior in response to regulation. If regulations were enforced, drivers may simply switch to other risky behaviors. Thus, the net reductions in accidents and fatalities are likely to be overstated, which means the benefits of regulatory interventions could be quite small. Third, the technology is already moving in the direction of voice activation, which is likely to reduce risks. Instead of regulating now, the federal government and the states should collect more systematic information on the relationship between cellular phone use by individuals while driving and accidents. Specifically, governments should attempt to improve estimates of the number of accidents and fatalities associated with cellular phone use. It is possible that accidents are underestimated now. Moreover, an argument can be made that accidents will increase more than linearly as more drivers use cellular phones in vehicles. The federal government should also assess the benefits and costs of introducing promising new technologies that could reduce the risks of accidents associated with drivers' using cellular phones in vehicles.
An econometric analysis and forecasting of Seoul office market

This study examines and forecasts the Seoul office market, which is going to face a big supply in the next few years. After reviewing several previous studies on the Dynamic model and the Seoul Office market, this thesis applies two structural econometric models to forecast trends of rent, vacancy, and new supply of office space of Seoul Office Market, which is going to face a big supply in the next a few years. The first model has rent and supply equations. The second model is a full model that consists of three simultaneous equations; rent, supply, and absorption equations Empirically, the simple model was tested against time-series data of the Seoul office market since 1975. Rent equation is explained by current office stock, current GDP and past rent and past GDP, both lagging one year. The supply equation explains new office supply by one year lagging completion, five and six years lagging rent and growth of GDP in two previous years. The second model is a full model that consists of three simultaneous equations: rent, supply, and absorption equations based on time-series data since 1991. In this model, rent is impacted by current vacancy rate, past rent and vacancy rate both lagging one year. The supply equation is explained by completion one year ago, five years lagging rent, and past vacancy rate lagging four years, and the absorption equation is expressed by GDP per employment, current GDP, one year ago rent, and occupied stocks. Using estimated models with exogenous supplies for the next six years, ten-year contingent forecasts are made based on three scenarios having different estimated GDP growths. The forecasts for both models demonstrate that untypical supply for next six years will impact office rent negatively in all of the scenarios. In short, the Seoul office market, strongly affected by big supply over demand until 2016, will tend to be become soft or tight during same period before supply goes down and rent reacts. Since late 2010s, however, the market will fully recover from oversupply. Thesis Supervisor: William C. Wheaton Title: Professor of Economics
An analysis of main and subsidiary credit card holding and spending

Purpose – This study seeks to examine why most multiple credit cardholders have a “main” card (i.e. a card used more often than others) and “subsidiary” cards (i.e. cards used less often or only in an emergency) and the spending patterns associated with main and subsidiary cards.Design/methodology/approach – The study is qualitative in nature, using a survey which contained open‐ended questions to acquire data. Responses were subject to content analysis to categorise the reasons given for having a main and subsidiary card.Findings – Results show that some 85 per cent of the 141 respondents indicated that they had a main card and the most frequently quoted reason for having such a card was the superior discounts and promotions which were offered by the card issuer. Not surprisingly, main cards were used for the broadest range of transactions, while subsidiary cards were used for a more restricted range of transactions, a majority saying that their subsidiary cards were held for “stand‐by purposes”. Research.
PROJECTION METHOD FOR SUPPORT VECTOR MACHINES WITH INDEFINITE KERNELS

In this paper, we tackle with indefinite kernels by introducing projection matrix to formulate a positive semidefinite kernel. The projection matrix has a nice property of sharing the same set of eigenvectors with the original kernel. The proposed model can be regarded as a generalized version of spectrum method (denoising method and flipping method) by varying parameter λ. The problem of selecting optimal λ for optimizing the prediction performance is also considered. Using the Bregman matrix divergence theory, one can realize kernel learning by using unconstrained optimization. And our suggested λ in projection matrix helps to exhibit optimal performance for different values of λ.
The Association between Firm-Specific Characteristics and Voluntary Disclosure of Listed Companies in Kuwait

Many studies have examined the relationship between a company’s characteristics and the level of disclosure in both developed and developing countries that enjoyed political and economic stability. This study aims to examine the influence of some firm characteristics which include firm size, debt ratio, profitability, ownership dispersion, audit firm size,industry sector and year - and voluntary disclosure level of Kuwait companies. For the purpose of this study, 38 companies in the real estate and investment sector - forming approximately 17.4 percent of the total firms listed in Kuwait stock exchange are chosen from Kuwait stock exchange. Data are drawn from annual reports of these companies for a period of four years 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. By using correlation and regression analysis, the study found that, except firm size, profitability and industry sector, all variables are related positively and with disclosure level of Kuwait companies in the real estate and investment sector.
Parametric design of stop band pass filter based on RF metamaterials in LTCC technology

This paper presents a novel approach to design a parametric RF stop band pass ¯lter based on Low Temperature Co-¯red Ceramic (LTCC) Technology. The LTCC technology enables to miniaturize and development compact structures using not only the standard xy-planar circuit dimensions but also the z-height dimension. The proposed ¯lters topologies are based on a stripline loaded with one or several complementary rings resonator (CSRRs). Speci¯cally, a parametric study z-location of the stripline respect to the CSRRs is carried out in order to determine the optimum con¯gurations operating in the Ku-band.
The prevalence of obesity as indicated by BMI and waist circumference among Nigerian adults attending family medicine clinics as outpatients in Rivers State.

BACKGROUND The prevalence of overweight and obesity in most developed countries and in urban areas of many less developed countries has been increasing markedly over the past twenty years. This study's aims were to determine the prevalence of obesity using BMI and waist circumference among Nigerian adults attending Family Medicine Clinics as outpatients and to assess the relative associations with CVD risk factors. METHODS Subjects, who all volunteered for this study reported at the study centres after an overnight fast, to be weighed (in kg), for their heights (in metres), blood pressure and waist circumference (in cm) measured, and their venous blood samples taken for lipid studies and fasting blood glucose estimation. Results were analysed using SPSS for windows software (version 11) and Epi Info (version 6. 04d). RESULTS The prevalence of obesity as determined by large waist circumference was 31.7% at the Okrika (rural) centre and 16.9% at the Port Harcourt centre. It was 16.3% at the Okrika centre and 14% at the Port Harcourt centre, as determined by BMI > or = 30 kgm(-2). Obesity as determined by BMI > or = 30 kgm(-2) is more prevalent among young adults (< 40 years) in Port Harcourt than at Okrika. Obesity by both definitions is more prevalent among females than among males (p < 0.01) and more among subjects older than 40 years. Both indices of obesity appear to be significantly associated with CVD risk factors. CONCLUSION Obesity in our environment is strongly associated with a family history of obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. It is therefore not surprisingly more prevalent among females and older members of society. Healthier eating and social habits, and increased physical activity need to be strongly encouraged.
New Endoscopic Imaging Technology Based on MEMS Sensors and Actuators

Over the last decade, optical fiber-based forms of microscopy and endoscopy have extended the realm of applicability for many imaging modalities. Optical fiber-based imaging modalities permit the use of remote illumination sources and enable flexible forms supporting the creation of portable and hand-held imaging instrumentations to interrogate within hollow tissue cavities. A common challenge in the development of such devices is the design and integration of miniaturized optical and mechanical components. Until recently, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors and actuators have been playing a key role in shaping the miniaturization of these components. This is due to the precision mechanics of MEMS, microfabrication techniques, and optical functionality enabling a wide variety of movable and tunable mirrors, lenses, filters, and other optical structures. Many promising results from MEMS based optical fiber endoscopy have demonstrated great potentials for clinical translation. In this article, reviews of MEMS sensors and actuators for various fiber-optical endoscopy such as fluorescence, optical coherence tomography, confocal, photo-acoustic, and two-photon imaging modalities will be discussed. This advanced MEMS based optical fiber endoscopy can provide cellular and molecular features with deep tissue penetration enabling guided resections and early cancer assessment to better treatment outcomes.
Association between obesity and a prothrombotic state: the Framingham Offspring Study

Summary Although obesity is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, the mechanism has not been fully explained. Since thrombosis is a critical component of cardiovascular disease, we examined the relationship between obesity and hemostatic factors. We studied 3230 subjects (55% females, mean age 54 years) without a history of cardiovascular disease in cycle 5 of the Framingham Offspring Study. Obesity was assessed by body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio. Fasting blood samples were obtained for fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) antigen, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) antigen, factor VII antigen, von Willebrand factor (VWF), and plasma viscosity. Body mass index was directly associated with fibrinogen, factor VII, PAI-1 and tPA antigen in both men and women (p<0.001) and with VWF and viscosity in women. Similar associations were present between waist-to-hip ratio and the hemostatic factors. With minor exceptions for VWF and viscosity, all associations persisted after controlling for age, smoking, total and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose level, blood pressure, and use of antihypertensive medication. The association between increased body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio and prothrombotic factors and impaired fibrinolysis suggests that obesity is a risk factor whose effect is mediated in part by a prothrombotic state.
An Early Warning Influenza Model using Alberta Real- Time Syndromic Data (ARTSSN)

We developed early warning algorithms for influenza using data from the Alberta Real-Time Syndromic Surveillance Net (ARTSSN). In addition to looking for signatures of potential pandemics, the model was operationalized by using the algorithms to provide regular weekly forecasts on the influenza trends in Alberta during 2012-2014. We describe the development of the early warning model and the predicted influenza peak time and attack rate results. We report on the usefulness of this model using real-time ARTSSN data, discuss how it was used by decision makers and suggest future enhancements for this promising tool in influenza planning and preparedness.
A dynamical neural network model of sensorimotor transformations in the leech

Interneurons in leech ganglia receive multiple sensory inputs and make synaptic contacts with many motor neurons. These hidden units coordinate several different behaviors. The authors used physiological and anatomical constraints to construct a model of the local bending reflex. Dynamical networks were trained on experimentally derived input-output patterns using recurrent back propagation. Units in the model were modified to include electrical synapses and multiple synaptic time constants. The properties of the hidden units that emerged in the simulations matched those in the leech. The model and data support distributed rather than localist representations in the local bending reflex. The results also explain counterintuitive aspects of the local bending circuitry
Impact of a Short-Term Water Abstinence on Airway Hyperresponsiveness in Elite Swimmers

Objective: To investigate the effect of a swimming break on airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and to evaluate perception of bronchoconstriction-related symptoms after methacholine challenge testing (MCT). Design: Observational, controlled study. Setting: University department. Participants: Overall, 25 healthy, elite, competitive swimmers aged ≥14 years from the local Olympic training center and 25 healthy control subjects. Independent Variable: Duration of water abstinence. Main Outcome Measures: Primary outcome measures were a positive MCT with a provocation dose (PD) and the perception score of bronchoconstriction-related symptoms at visit 1 (V1, training period) and visit 2 (V2, after swimming break). Results: In the study, 13 swimmers (52%) and 10 control subjects (40%) showed AHR. The PD did not differ significantly between V1 and V2 in the swimmers (P = 0.81) or in the control subjects (P = 0.74). No correlation of fraction of exhaled nitric oxide with the PD could be established in both the groups (swimmers: P = 0.97; controls: P = 0.99). The majority of swimmers with AHR were asymptomatic, and only minimal differences in perception of bronchoconstriction-related symptoms between swimmers and control subjects were observed (P = 0.23). Conclusions: A swimming break of 25 ± 8 days does not seem sufficient to significantly reduce AHR in elite swimmers. Thus, relevant and systematic effects of short-term water abstinence on AHR seem unlikely. Because the majority of swimmers remain asymptomatic, AHR may escape routine screening examinations. The impact of AHR on athletic performance and the long-term clinical consequences remain to be clarified.
Multinational Firms, Labor Market Discrimination, and the Capture of Competitive Advantage by Exploiting the Social Divide

The organizational theory of the multinational firm holds that foreignness is a liability, and specifically that lack of embeddedness in host-country social networks is a source of competitive disadvantage; meanwhile the literature on labor market discrimination suggests that exploiting the bigotry of others can be a source of competitive advantage. We seek to turn the former literature somewhat on its head by building on insights from the latter. Specifically, we argue that multinationals wield a particularly significant competitive weapon: as outsiders, they can identify social schisms in host labor markets and exploit them for their own competitive advantage. Using two unique data sets from South Korea, we show that in the 2000s multinationals have derived significant advantage in the form of improved profitability by aggressively hiring an excluded group, women, in the local managerial labor market. Our results are economically meaningful, realistic in size, and robust to the inclusion of firm fixed effects. Multinationals, even those whose home markets discriminate against women, often show signs of having seen the strategic opportunity. Though the host market is moving toward a new equilibrium freer of discrimination, that movement is relatively slow, presenting a multiyear competitive opportunity for multinationals.
Structural determinants of nitroxide motion in spin‐labeled proteins: Tertiary contact and solvent‐inaccessible sites in helix G of T4 lysozyme

A nitroxide side chain (R1) has been substituted at single sites along a helix–turn–helix motif in T4 lysozyme (residues 114–135). Together with previously published data, the new sites reported complete a continuous scan through the motif. Mutants with R1 at sites 115 and 118 were selected for crystallographic analysis to identify the structural origins of the corresponding two‐component EPR spectra. At 115, R1 is shown to occupy two rotamers in the room temperature crystal structure, one of which has not been previously reported. The two components in the EPR spectrum apparently arise from differential interactions of the two rotamers with the surrounding structure, the most important of which is a hydrophobic interaction of the nitroxide ring. Interestingly, the crystal structure at 100 K reveals a single rotamer, emphasizing the possibility of rotamer selection in low‐temperature crystal structures. Residue 118 is at a solvent‐inaccessible site in the protein core, and the structure of 118R1, the first reported for the R1 side chain at a buried site, reveals how the side chain is accommodated in an overpacked core.
Using electronic texts for an annotated corpus building

Collections of texts with annotations on several levels are useful resources. They are employed for diverse tasks in theoretical research and natural language processing. The most important collections are dedicated to English. However, huge efforts are required to develop the corresponding resource for other languages. In this work, we present the initial steps for the compilation of an annotated Mexican corpus using electronic texts obtained from the Web.
Vesicular Trafficking Systems Impact TORC1-Controlled Transcriptional Programs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The Target of Rapamycin Complex I (TORC1) orchestrates global reprogramming of transcriptional programs in response to myriad environmental conditions, yet, despite the commonality of the TORC1 complex components, different TORC1-inhibitory conditions do not elicit a uniform transcriptional response. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, TORC1 regulates the expression of nitrogen catabolite repressed (NCR) genes by controlling the nuclear translocation of the NCR transactivator Gln3. Moreover, Golgi-to-endosome trafficking was shown to be required for nuclear translocation of Gln3 upon a shift from rich medium to the poor nitrogen source proline, but not upon rapamycin treatment. Here, we employed microarray profiling to survey the full impact of the vesicular trafficking system on yeast TORC1-orchestrated transcriptional programs. In addition to the NCR genes, we found that ribosomal protein, ribosome biogenesis, phosphate-responsive, and sulfur-containing amino acid metabolism genes are perturbed by disruption of Golgi-to-endosome trafficking following a nutritional shift from rich to poor nitrogen source medium, but not upon rapamycin treatment. Similar to Gln3, defects in Golgi-to-endosome trafficking significantly delayed cytoplasmic–nuclear translocation of Sfp1, but did not detectably affect the cytoplasmic–nuclear or nuclear–cytoplasmic translocation of Met4, which are the transactivators of these genes. Thus, Golgi-to-endosome trafficking defects perturb TORC1 transcriptional programs via multiple mechanisms. Our findings further delineate the downstream transcriptional responses of TORC1 inhibition by rapamycin compared with a nitrogen quality downshift. Given the conservation of both TORC1 and endomembrane networks throughout eukaryotes, our findings may also have implications for TORC1-mediated responses to nutritional cues in mammals and other eukaryotes.