Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Two-way master-slave double-chain networks: limitations imposed by linear master drift for second order PLLs as slave nodes

Distribution of precise time signals among the nodes of a network is a fundamental requirement for digital transmission and switching systems in telecommunication and control. Cideciyan et al., (1987) conjectured that two-way master-slave (TWMS) networks present, in the general case, a better performance than one-way master-slave (OWMS) considering the long term linear master frequency drift. In this work we study the TWMS case using dynamical system theory showing that, due to the effects of long-term clock instabilities, the steady-state frequency-error is unstable for a number of slaves higher or equal than four, limiting the use of this kind of architecture.
Employee responses to health insurance premium increases.

OBJECTIVE To determine the sensitivity of employees' health insurance decisions--including the decision to not choose health maintenance organization or fee-for-service coverage--during periods of rapidly escalating healthcare costs. STUDY DESIGN A retrospective cohort study of employee plan choices at a single large firm with a "cafeteria-style" benefits plan wherein employees paid all the additional cost of purchasing more generous insurance. METHODS We modeled the probability that an employee would drop coverage or switch plans in response to employee premium increases using data from a single large US company with employees across 47 states during the 3-year period of 1989 through 1991, a time of large premium increases within and across plans. RESULTS Premium increases induced substantial plan switching. Single employees were more likely to respond to premium increases by dropping coverage, whereas families tended to switch to another plan. Premium increases of 10% induced 7% of single employees to drop or severely cut back on coverage; 13% to switch to another plan; and 80% to remain in their existing plan. Similar figures for those with family coverage were 11%, 12%, and 77%, respectively. Simulation results that control for known covariates show similar increases. When faced with a dramatic increase in premiums--on the order of 20%--nearly one fifth of the single employees dropped coverage compared with 10% of those with family coverage. CONCLUSIONS Employee coverage decisions are sensitive to rapidly increasing premiums, and single employees may be likely to drop coverage. This finding suggests that sustained premium increases could induce substantial increases in the number of uninsured individuals.
A hierarchical task network planner for pathfinding in real-time strategy games

In this paper, we propose an automatic mechanism of Hierarchical Task Networks (HTNs) creation for solving the problem of real-time path planning in Real-Time Strategy (RTS) Games. HTNs are created using an abstraction of the game map. A real-time heuristic search approach called Learning Real-Time A* (LRTA) is applied to execute the primitive tasks of the HTNs. The main purpose of using a HTN based real-time path planner is to restrict the real-time search to a shorter part of the problem space while keeping it in the direction of the actual goal position. Results show that the hierarchical approach reduces the suboptimality of the LRTA and speeds up the convergence process.
Factors associated with humoral response to ESAT-6, 38 kDa and 14 kDa in patients with a spectrum of tuberculosis.

SETTING Tertiary care chest hospital in Montreal, Canada, where the average annual incidence of TB is 10/100,000 population. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the clinical correlates of humoral response to three Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens. METHODS Humoral response to three M. tuberculosis antigens, 38 kDa, 14 kDa and ESAT-6, was measured with ELISA in patients with a spectrum of TB-related conditions. The association of positive tests for each antigen, defined with receiver operator characteristics (ROC) analysis, and patient characteristics was assessed in multivariate regression. RESULTS A total of 383 patients underwent serologic testing. In multivariate analysis, humoral response to 38 kDa was associated with active disease, response to 14 kDa was associated with inactive TB and female sex, and response to ESAT-6 with inactive TB, female sex, prior contact with TB, and recent arrival in Canada from high prevalence countries. CONCLUSIONS Response to the 38 kDa antigen was associated with current active disease, and was very different from response to the 14 kDa and ESAT-6 antigens. These latter two antigens were associated with risk factors for future active, but not current disease, suggesting that they might be useful to identify persons with higher risk of reactivation of latent TB.
Statistical texture analysis of morphological changes in pressboard insulation due to thermal aging and partial discharges

Power transformer pressboard insulation is subject to thermal aging effects during normal operation that can result in micrometer-scale physical/morphological changes to its surface. Such surface irregularities can increase the likelihood of particle/contaminant attachment to pressboard surfaces or static electrification of oil flowing along these surfaces. Both phenomena can lead to partial discharges which can ultimately lead to insulation failure. In this work, pressboard samples were thermally stressed in air inside an oven to produce pressboards with differing levels of thermal aging and therefore varying surface irregularities. Another set of samples were immersed in insulating oil after thermal stressing, and stressed electrically to produce surface tracking partial discharges. A statistical texture analysis of the thermally and electrically stressed samples was used to demonstrate that the surface condition of pressboard samples were affected by thermal deterioration and the presence of partial discharges.
Corporate Social Performance, Financialization, and Real Investment in US Manufacturing Firms

In recent years, the global financial and economic crisis are rewriting the relationship between business and society, focusing, among other things, on the role of the process of financialization, not only in the economy as a whole but also within non-financial companies. Shareholder value maximization, together with the commoditization of business, has led to a general short-term approach at the expense of capital accumulation and core business activity, to the detriment of not only firms’ competitiveness and productivity but also of human capital, strategic innovation, business ethics, and long-term growth. Within this framework, this study investigates the role of corporate sustainability, analyzing the nexus between financialization, accumulation of real capital, and corporate social performance, an issue that has been neglected so far. Using a sample of US manufacturing firms from 2002 to 2017, we found that, while financialization was negatively correlated with corporate real investment, the environmental and social firm performance positively impacted corporate capital accumulation. Our results support the belief that a focus on environmental, social, and governance standards, fostering real investments, may enhance a firm’s long-term growth with a positive effect on its long-term value.
A temporary increase of down syndrome among births of young mothers in Norway: An effect of risk unrelated to maternal age?

The Medical Birth Registry of Norway carries out a population‐based surveillance of birth defects on a routine basis. An increased proportion of newborn with Down syndrome was seen among children of young mothers during 1985–1986. Three alternative explanations were considered: a first representing a maternal age specific effect, a second based on a general increase in a subgroup of cases caused by factors not related to maternal age, and a third based on the assumption that a particular birth cohort of young women was carrying a high risk. As 1987 and 1988 showed very low proportions in all age groups, the last explanation was considered less likely. Statistical modeling was used to explore which of the two remaining explanations of the temporary increase was the more likely. The observed changes were compatible with a change in the occurrence of a group of maternal age‐independent Down syndrome cases, from 4.59 per 10,000 in 1973–1984 and again in 1987–1988 to a temporary high of 7.68 per 10,000 in 1985–1986. However, the possibility of an age specific change only among young mothers could not be ruled out.
HIV testing self-efficacy is associated with higher HIV testing frequency and perceived likelihood to self-test among gay and bisexual men.

Background Regular testing of individuals at higher-risk of HIV is central to current prevention strategies. The aim of the present study was to examine the extent to which confidence in one's perceived ability to undertake various aspects of HIV testing and self-testing (self-efficacy) affected HIV testing outcomes. We assessed factors, including self-efficacy, associated with HIV testing frequency and the likelihood to self-test among gay and bisexual men (GBM). METHODS Participants were HIV-negative GBM at an increased risk of HIV (more than five partners or condomless anal intercourse in the previous 3 months) enrolled in a randomised controlled trial of HIV self-testing. The baseline questionnaire captured data regarding sociodemographic characteristics, HIV and/or sexually transmissible infection testing history, sexual behaviour, beliefs and attitudes towards HIV and eight items capturing confidence in HIV testing ability that were combined as a single broad measure of HIV testing self-efficacy (α=0.81). Factors associated with three or more HIV tests in the past year and the likelihood of self-testing in the future were determined using logistic regression. RESULTS Of 354 GBM, 34% reported three or more HIV tests in the past year, and 64% reported being 'very likely' to self-test. Factors independently associated with three or more HIV tests in the past year were: higher self-efficacy (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.08 per unit increase; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.14; P=0.004); >10 male partners in the past 6 months (aOR 1.79; 95% CI 1.05-3.04; P=0.031) and higher optimism regarding the effects of HIV treatments on HIV transmission (aOR 1.14; 95% CI 1.00-1.29; P=0.044). Only higher self-efficacy was independently associated with reporting a greater likelihood to self-test in the future (aOR 1.10; 95% CI 1.05-1.15; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Improving self-efficacy by enhancing GBM's knowledge and experience may lead to higher testing frequency. The self-efficacy measure used in the present study could be useful in identifying GBM likely to face difficulties with HIV testing and self-testing.
An IIP2 calibration technique for direct conversion receivers

An improvement for a previously published IIP2 calibration method for a Gilbert cell type mixer is introduced. In the previous solution the IIP2 was degraded as a function of the baseband frequency when a mixer with RC load was used. This solution maintains a high IIP2 over the entire baseband channel in wideband systems. In order to implement an on-chip tuning engine the correct trimming code has to be detected. Two different solutions for the detection of the correct trimming code are discussed in this paper.
Person owner fit in micro, small and medium companies

Purpose - The main purpose of this study is to examine whether the Person Owner Fit as a dimension developed in the theory of Person Environment Fit has a significant influence on job satisfaction and intention to leave. Methodology - In this study we tested a sample of employees working in the micro, small and medium business sector in Banyumas district, Central Java, Indonesia, as many as 225 respondents, using structural equation modelling (SEM). Findings - The test results show p-value of 0.011 2.00 and p-value of 0.102> 0.05 (cut of value), with its CR value amounting to 1,634 <2,00 Conclusion - There is a positive and significant effect of the dimension of Person Owner Fit (P_Own_Fit) on job satisfaction, and there is no significant effect of the Person Owner Fit (P_Own_Fit) dimension on the intention to leave.
RP-HPLC Method for the Simultaneous Determination of Captopril andH2-Receptor Antagonist: Application to Interaction Studies

Rapid, sensitive, simple and accurate high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method is developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of captopril with H2 receptor antagonists as cimetidine, ranitidine and famotidine. Captopril was separated from H2 receptor antagonist using pre packed Purospher star C18 (5 μm, 25×0.46 cm) column methanol: water (60:40 v/v) were used as the mobile phase, pH 3.0 ± 0.02 was adjusted by orthophosphoric acid. The flow rate was 0.8 mLmin-1 at ambient temperature, diluent was 50:50 methanol water while UV detection was performed at 225 nm. The retention time for captopril was found to be 5.2 minute, for ranitidine and famotidine 2.5 minute and cimetidine 2.7 minute. Each drug showed a good resolution from captopril. In vitro interaction studies of captopril with commonly administered H2 receptor antagonists i.e. cimetidine, ranitidine and famotidine were carried out at 37°C using above validated method. These studies clearly indicated that H2-receptor antagonists bind to captopril causing drastic changes in the availability of the drug.
Comparison of Serum Human Epididymis Protein 4 and Carbohydrate Antigen 125 as Markers in Endometrial Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Objectives For patients with endometrial cancer (EC), the screening value of serum human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) remains controversial. We performed meta-analyses to compare the screening accuracy of serum HE4 and carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) for EC. Materials and Methods A search of diagnostic test studies was performed in 5 English databases: Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Elton Bryan Stephens Co or EBSCO; and 2 Chinese databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure or CNKI and VIP (Weipu Database), from their inception dates to early July 2015. Two reviewers independently selected trials, conducted critical appraisal, and extracted data. Meta-analyses were performed to compare the screening accuracy between HE4 and CA125. Summary receiver operating characteristic curve and the area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve were performed. Subgroup analysis, meta-regression, sensitivity analysis, and Egger plot and the Egger test were also conducted. Results Twenty-one studies were identified, and the methodological quality was generally fair. Meta-analyses revealed that the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratios for HE4 in screening EC were 0.56, 0.89, 6.41, 0.49, and 14.82, respectively, whereas the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio for CA125 in screening EC were 0.32, 0.81, 2.15, 0.83, and 2.74, respectively. The areas under the summary receiver operating characteristic curves for HE4 and CA125 were 0.7778 and 0.5474, respectively. Conclusions This study indicates that serum HE4 may be superior to CA125 in screening accuracy of EC. This conclusion has to be interpreted cautiously owing to high heterogeneity and some limitations.
Effect of human stem cells labeled with ferumoxides-poly-L-lysine on hematologic and biochemical measurements in rats.

PURPOSE To determine whether ferumoxides-poly-l-lysine (PLL) complex-labeled mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) or ferumoxides-PLL complex alone alters hematologic, blood chemistry, renal function, and/or liver function measurements after being intravenously infused into rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-five rats (group 1) received intravenous injections of labeled MSCs, and 25 additional rats (group 2) received intravenous injections of ferumoxides-PLL complex only. Complete blood counts, liver and renal function test results, and serum electrolyte and iron concentrations were measured for 42 days after the injections and compared with those measured in five control rats (group 3). To determine the duration of labeled MSCs in the circulation, venous blood was serially drawn from five additional rats (group 4) that were injected with labeled MSCs. Analyses of variance (ANOVA) followed by Fisher protected least significant difference post hoc tests were used to statistically analyze results. P < . 05 was considered to indicate significance in all analyses. RESULTS Administration of neither labeled MSCs nor ferumoxides-PLL complex had a significant effect on hematologic or blood chemistry indicators of organ function. Of the parameters measured, only hemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) in the rats injected with labeled MSCs, as well as MCV and hemoglobin, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and direct bilirubin concentrations in the rats injected with ferumoxides-PLL complex, varied significantly during the 42-day postinjection period (P < .05, ANOVA). No other measurements, including serum electrolyte and iron concentrations, changed significantly during the test period (P > .05). Furthermore, injected labeled MSCs had cleared from the peripheral circulation by 15 minutes after injection. CONCLUSION Results indicate that infusing cells that are magnetically labeled with ferumoxides-PLL complex into rats does not alter biochemical or hematologic measures of organ function in a clinically relevant or preclusive manner.
Virus Induction of Heat Shock Protein 70 Reflects a General Response to Protein Accumulation in the Plant Cytosol1

Different cytoplasmically replicating RNA viruses were shown to induce a specific subset of heat-inducible heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) genes in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). To identify the inducing principle, a promoter∷reporter system was developed for the facile analysis of differentially responding Arabidopsis HSP70 genes, by infiltration into Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. Through transient expression of individual viral cistrons or through deletion analysis of a viral replicon, we were unable to identify a unique inducer of HSP70. However, there was a positive correlation between the translatability of the test construct and the differential induction of HSP70. Since these data implied a lack of specificity in the induction process, we also expressed a random series of cytosolically targeted Arabidopsis genes and showed that these also differentially induced HSP70. Through a comparison of different promoter∷reporter constructs and through measurements of the steady-state levels of the individual proteins, it appeared that the HSP70 response reflected the ability of the cytosol to sense individual properties of particular proteins when expressed at high levels. This phenomenon is reminiscent of the unfolded protein response observed when the induced accumulation of proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum also induces a specific suite of chaperones.
In vivo study of wound bursting strength and compliance of topical skin adhesives.

OBJECTIVES Over the past decade, the use of topical skin adhesives (TSA) for wound closure has increased. Among TSA characteristics, strength and flexibility are most important. Prior studies have compared the wound bursting strengths (WBSs) of the cyanoacrylates immediately after wound closure. In this study the authors compared the WBS and flexibility of multiple TSAs immediately and up to 2 days after closure. METHODS This was a controlled animal experiment. Two-centimeter incisions were created on both sides of 210 Sprague-Dawley rats and randomly closed with one of five commercially available TSAs (Dermabond [D], Indermil [I], Histoacryl [H], Liquiband [L], or GluStitch [G]). WBS and TSA flexibility were measured using the BTC-2000 device immediately after closure and at 1 and 2 days after closure. WBS and TSA flexibility were compared across groups with analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS Wound bursting strengths were higher (p < 0.05) at 0, 1, and 2 days for D (274, 388, 232 mm Hg) than for all other TSAs (I 182, 225, and 107; H 189, 214, and 69; L 146, 118, and 75; or G 161, 150, and 73). TSA flexibility was also greater (p < 0.05) at 0, 1, and 2 days for D (36, 27, and 29 mm Hg/mm) than for all other TSAs (I 18, 14, and 12; H 18, 13, and 15; L 19, 14, and 12; G 26, 23, and 18). CONCLUSIONS The octyl-cyanoacrylate-based adhesive is significantly stronger and more flexible than all the butyl-cyanoacrylate-based adhesives at 0, 1 and 2 days after closure.
Low serum thyrotropin concentrations as a risk factor for atrial fibrillation in older persons.

BACKGROUND Low serum thyrotropin concentrations are a sensitive indicator of hyperthyroidism but can also occur in persons who have no clinical manifestations of the disorder. We studied whether low serum thyrotropin concentrations in clinically euthyroid older persons are a risk factor for subsequent atrial fibrillation. METHODS We studied 2007 persons (814 men and 1193 women) 60 years of age or older who did not have atrial fibrillation in order to determine the frequency of this arrhythmia during a 10-year follow-up period. The subjects were classified according to their serum thyrotropin concentrations: those with low values (< or = 0.1 mU per liter; 61 subjects); those with slightly low values (> 0.1 to 0.4 mU per liter; 187 subjects); those with normal values (> 0.4 to 5.0 mU per liter; 1576 subjects); and those with high values (> 5.0 mU per liter; 183 subjects). RESULTS During the 10-year follow-up period, atrial fibrillation occurred in 13 persons with low initial values for serum thyrotropin, 23 with slightly low values, 133 with normal values, and 23 with high values. The cumulative incidence of atrial fibrillation at 10 years was 28 percent among the subjects with low serum thyrotropin values (< or = 0.1 mU per liter), as compared with 11 percent among those with normal values; the age-adjusted incidence of atrial fibrillation was 28 per 1000 person-years among those with low values and 10 per 1000 person-years among those with normal values (P = 0.005). After adjustment for other known risk factors, the relative risk of atrial fibrillation in elderly subjects with low serum thyrotropin concentrations, as compared with those with normal concentrations, was 3.1 (95 percent confidence interval, 1.7 to 5.5; P < 0.001). The 10-year incidence of atrial fibrillation in the groups with slightly low and high serum thyrotropin values was not significantly different from that in the group with normal values. CONCLUSIONS Among people 60 years of age or older, a low serum thyrotropin concentration is associated with a threefold higher risk that atrial fibrillation will develop in the subsequent decade.
RETHINKING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HOUSING PRICES AND INFLATION: NEW EVIDENCE FROM 29 LARGE CITIES IN CHINA

This paper presents a longitudinal analysis of the relationship between housing prices and inflation by employing new housing price indices from 29 large Chinese cities over the 2003–2013 period. Based on the Autoregressive Distributive Lag (ARDL) model and bounds test, we find no long-run co-integration relationship between housing prices and inflation. This result is robust for different types of inflation (actual, expected, unexpected inflation). Furthermore, it is found that the housing prices in China grow spectacularly in the sample period owing to the dramatic development of the Chinese economy, while inflation grows in a more modest way. Although the study is conducted in the context of China, the results can provide useful evidence to the debate on the relationship between housing prices and inflation.