Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clustering EU's Countries According to I. Th. Mazi's Systemic Geopolitical Theory Using K-Means and MPI

As a geographical method of analyzing power redistribution, Systemic Geopolitical Analysis (according to Ioannis Th. Mazis theoretical basis) proposes a multi-dimensional, interdisciplinary research pattern, which embraces economic, cultural, political and defensive facts. The amount of data produced combining these attributes is extremely large and complex. One of the solutions to explore and analyze this data is clustering it and one of the most popular and useful techniques in order to group data within appropriate sets is k-means algorithm which clusters data according to its characteristics. The main disadvantage is its computational complexity which makes the technique very difficult to apply on big and dynamic data sets. In this study, a parallel version of k-means is used in order to cluster the European Union countries according to their attributes and the results obtained prove the importance of this research.
Phosphorylation Determines the Calmodulin-mediated Ca2+ Response and Water Permeability of AQP0*

In Xenopus oocytes, the water permeability of AQP0 (Pf) increases with removal of external calcium, an effect that is mediated by cytoplasmic calmodulin (CaM) bound to the C terminus of AQP0. To investigate the effects of serine phosphorylation on CaM-mediated Ca2+ regulation of Pf, we tested the effects of kinase activation, CaM inhibition, and a series of mutations in the C terminus CaM binding site. Calcium regulation of AQP0 Pf manifests four distinct phenotypes: Group 1, with high Pf upon removal of external Ca2+ (wild-type, S229N, R233A, S235A, S235K, K238A, and R241E); Group 2, with high Pf in elevated (5 mm) external Ca2+ (S235D and R241A); Group 3, with high Pf and no Ca2+ regulation (S229D, S231N, S231D, S235N, and S235N/I236S); and Group 4, with low Pf and no Ca2+ regulation (protein kinase A and protein kinase C activators, S229D/S235D and S235N/I236S). Within each group, we tested whether CaM binding mediates the phenotype, as shown previously for wild-type AQP0. In the presence of calmidazolium, a CaM inhibitor, S235D showed high Pf and no Ca2+ regulation, suggesting that S235D still binds CaM. Contrarily, S229D showed a decrease in recruitment of CaM, suggesting that S229D is unable to bind CaM. Taken together, our results suggest a model in which CaM acts as an inhibitor of AQP0 Pf. CaM binding is associated with a low Pf state, and a lack of CaM binding is associated with a high Pf state. Pathological conditions of inappropriate phosphorylation or calcium/CaM regulation could induce Pf changes contributing to the development of a cataract.
Effectiveness of Terminal Voltage Distortion Minimization Methods in Fractional Slot Surface-Mounted Permanent Magnet Machines Considering Local Magnetic Saturation

Terminal voltage distortion in surface-mounted permanent magnet machines caused by local magnetic saturation significantly influences the machine performance. Thus, this paper focuses on the minimization methods for such phenomenon. The traditional harmonics minimization methods, such as rotor skewing and nonuniform airgap (rotor and stator shaping), are investigated. However, neither of them can effectively reduce the terminal voltage distortion since the local magnetic saturation in tooth-tips always exists, especially for designs with small or closed slot openings. This paper proposes that the terminal voltage distortion could be essentially reduced when larger slot opening width is adopted, since the local magnetic saturation by tooth-tip leakage flux decreases as a consequence. A design trade-off on slot opening is recommended to balance the terminal voltage distortion and other performance, e.g., the torque quality and flux weakening capability. The results show that the optimal trade-off should be made according to the machines most frequent operation conditions. Two prototypes with different design tradeoffs have been manufactured and tested as examples to validate the analyses.
Administrative restructuring and urban development in China: Effects of urban administrative level upgrading

This study focuses on state-led urbanisation in the Chinese context by examining the effects of urban administrative level upgrading on urbanisation and urban development. We argue that urban administrative level upgrading is an important policy instrument in China that empowers cities to play a leading role in driving national and regional economic development. However, there is a lack of systematic empirical investigation to determine whether the objectives of urban administrative level upgrading have been achieved. Using a quasi-experimental method that combines propensity score matching with the difference-in-difference approach, we thoroughly examine the effects of county- to prefecture-level city upgrading and county to county-level city upgrading on the development performance of cities. The results confirm that county- to prefecture-level city upgrading can positively lead to a significant increase in urban population growth and fiscal revenue in a few years after upgrading, although this may not necessarily lead to rapid industrialisation. However, the same is not true for county to county-level city upgrading. This difference may be because counties and county-level cities are at the same administrative level, whilst prefecture-level cities are at a higher administrative level compared with county-level cities and counties. The results indicate that China’s administrative division system, although restructured, retains hierarchical and level-based structure in the post-reform period. We highlight the continuing strategic role of the Chinese state by establishing new scales and arenas and adjusting administrative structures to promote urban development.
Linewidth rebroadening in DFB lasers due to weak side modes

A new mechanism for linewidth rebroadening in distributed feedback (DFB) lasers is proposed. It is shown that mode partitioning between the main mode and a weak side mode in conjunction with the difference in longitudinal distributions can lead to strong rebroadening even for side mode suppression ratios (SMRs) larger than 30 dB. An analytical expression for the new linewidth contribution is derived. The contribution increases with the third power of the photon number in the dominant side mode. This agrees with experiments on DFB lasers when one generally observes a strong increase in linewidth where the SMSR decreases below 30 dB. This work and the reported experimental results clearly show that linewidths increase if the side mode suppression goes down. However, it seems that in some DFB lasers rebroadening can occur without any decrease in SMSR, so that other mechanisms need to be considered. <<ETX>>
Ethnic Capital and Sub-National Development: Armenian and Greek Legacy in Post-Expulsion Turkey

Does historical exposure to highly-skilled populations lead to path-dependence in regional development? To answer this question, we study the long-term economic legacy of Armenians and Greeks of the Ottoman Empire using their mass expulsions from Anatolia as a unique natural experiment of history. Since these consecutive events led to a complete and permanent removal of both communities from Turkey within a short time period, our analysis can rule out any contemporaneous minority influence on development. Results on the sample of Turkish districts suggest that historical Armenian and Greek presence left a positive long-term legacy on contemporary population density, urbanization, and economic activity. We also exploit within-district variation across 49,000 villages and neighborhoods to document a highly localized minority influence. Those localities in close proximity to Armenian and Greek community buildings are more prosperous today than their otherwise similar counterparts. An important mechanism of persistence is the minority legacy on local human capital accumulation among Muslims. In the past, Muslims in historically high-minority areas had greater levels of human capital than Muslims in low-minority areas; and this difference persists to date.
Microsurgical anatomy of the dural collar (carotid collar) and rings around the clinoid segment of the internal carotid artery.

OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship of the clinoid segment of the internal carotid artery to the structures in the roof of the cavernous sinus and to determine whether this segment is neither intradural nor intracavernous, as recently proposed. METHODS The region of the roof of the cavernous sinus was dissected and examined using 3 to 40x magnification and micro-operative techniques. RESULTS The clinoid segment was located within a collar formed by the dura lining the medial surface of the anterior clinoid process, the posterior surface of the optic strut, and the upper part of the carotid sulcus. The clinoid segment and the collar were defined above by the upper ring formed by the dura extending medially from the upper surface of the anterior clinoid process to surround the artery and below by the lower ring formed by the dura extending medially from the lower surface of the anterior clinoid process. The upper ring was adherent to the wall of the artery, but the lower dural ring was separated from the lower margin of the clinoid segment by a narrow space that admitted venous tributaries of the cavernous sinus, called the clinoid venous plexus. This venous plexus narrowed as the upper ring was approached and became wider at the lower ring, where the plexus communicated with the venous channels of the cavernous sinus. The upper and lower dural rings were best defined along the lateral and anterior margins of the artery, were less distinct medially, and disappeared posteriorly, where the dura forming the upper and lower rings came together. CONCLUSION The clinoid segment is intracavernous, being located within a collar of dura in which venous tributaries of the cavernous sinus course. The implications of these findings for surgery are reviewed.
Eight types of “baby boomer” entrepreneurs

This study developed a typology of eight heterogeneous types of baby boomer entrepreneurs and extended the occupational choice model regarding driving factors for entrepreneurialism in this population. The study relied on monthly USA Current Population Survey data across 11 years (2006–2016), and using 2-sample t-tests and multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression models that incorporated both individual- and metropolitan-level effects, found that new and unincorporated baby boomer entrepreneurs were more likely than their continuing and incorporated counterparts, respectively, to come from central cities, and that continuing, new opportunity, full-time, and incorporated baby boomer entrepreneurs were more likely than new, new necessity, part-time, and unincorporated baby boomer entrepreneurs, respectively, to be physically healthier and better educated. The typology and findings on USA baby boomers have global implications for career progression in older workers.
Potential Implications of China’s Rebalancing on China, the United States, and the Bilateral Economic Relationship

Recent research has examined trade statistics from a value-added perspective and it has traced global value chains (GVC) through countries’ domestic production, exports and imports. Research by Koopman et al., Johnson and Noguera, Timmer, and OECD-WTO has made clear that our understanding of trade linkages based on statistics in gross values can be very different from our understanding of trade based on value-added terms. This paper discusses the potential implications for the U.S. economy and its trade arising from China’s efforts to rebalance its economy and promote consumption-led growth. Our analytical framework is a multiregional computable general equilibrium (CGE) trade model. The model is calibrated to a global data set derived from version 8 of the GTAP database (Narayanan, Aguiar, and McDougall, 2012). This data set has additional information about the sourcing of imports obtained from a global value chains data (Tsigas, Wang, and Gehlhar, 2012). The model has a focus on the United States, China, and their top trade partners. Twenty six regions and 41 production sectors in each region are specified to represent the world economy. The presentation in the GTAP Conference would focus on the additional insights obtained from including the GVC information in the analysis.
T2* Mapping Provides Information That Is Statistically Comparable to an Arthroscopic Evaluation of Acetabular Cartilage

Objectives The purpose of this study was to validate T2* mapping as an objective, noninvasive method for the prediction of acetabular cartilage damage. Methods This is the second step in the validation of T2*. In a previous study, we established a quantitative predictive model for identifying and grading acetabular cartilage damage. In this study, the model was applied to a second cohort of 27 consecutive hips to validate the model. A clinical 3.0-T imaging protocol with T2* mapping was used. Acetabular regions of interest (ROI) were identified on magnetic resonance and graded using the previously established model. Each ROI was then graded in a blinded fashion by arthroscopy. Accurate surgical location of ROIs was facilitated with a 2-dimensional map projection of the acetabulum. A total of 459 ROIs were studied. Results When T2* mapping and arthroscopic assessment were compared, 82% of ROIs were within 1 Beck group (of a total 6 possible) and 32% of ROIs were classified identically. Disease prediction based on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated a sensitivity of 0.713 and a specificity of 0.804. Model stability evaluation required no significant changes to the predictive model produced in the initial study. Conclusions These results validate that T2* mapping provides statistically comparable information regarding acetabular cartilage when compared to arthroscopy. In contrast to arthroscopy, T2* mapping is quantitative, noninvasive, and can be used in follow-up. Unlike research quantitative magnetic resonance protocols, T2* takes little time and does not require a contrast agent. This may facilitate its use in the clinical sphere.
Association of candidate susceptible loci with chronic infection with hepatitis B virus in a Chinese population

A number of genetic loci have been proposed to be associated with persistent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. This study aimed to evaluate the association and interaction of susceptible genes with HBV persistence in a Chinese population. A total of 17 polymorphisms in 9 candidate genes were studied in 361 Chinese chronic hepatitis B patients and 304 patients who recovered spontaneously. Distributions of susceptible polymorphisms were examined in healthy Chinese and Caucasian populations. Gene–gene interactions were tested by the multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) method. The TNF −308 G/G genotype and G allele, IL‐10RB codon 47 A allele, and MCP‐1 −2518 G/G genotype and G allele were more frequent in patients than controls (P < 0.01, after multiple corrections Pc < 0.05), while the frequencies of TNF −308 A/G genotype and IL‐10 −592 A/A genotype were significantly higher in controls than in the patient group (Pc < 0.05). The frequencies of the risk allele MCP‐1 −2518 G and CTLA4 6230 G were much higher in Chinese than in the Caucasian groups (P < 0.001). An interaction between CCR5 −2459, TNFA −863, IL‐10RB codon 47, and MCP‐1 −2518 was detected by MDR (P = 0.001). The results indicate that genetic determinants may affect the outcome of HBV infection in both independent and synergic manners. J. Med. Virol. 82:371–378, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dynamics of Aeromonas hydrophila, Aeromonas sobria, and Aeromonas caviae in a sewage treatment pond

The spatiotemporal dynamics of Aeromonas spp. and fecal coliforms in the sewage treatment ponds of an urban wastewater center were studied after 20 months of sampling from five stations in these ponds. Isolation and identification of 247 Aeromonas strains were undertaken over four seasons at the inflow and outflow of this pond system. The hemolytic activity of these strains was determined. The Aeromonas spp. and the fecal coliform distributions showed seasonal cycles, the amplitude of which increased at distances further from the wastewater source, so that in the last pond there was an inversion of the Aeromonas spp. cycle in comparison with that of fecal coliforms. The main patterns in these cycles occurred simultaneously at all stations, indicating control of these bacterial populations by seasonal factors (temperature, solar radiation, phytoplankton), the effects of which were different on each bacterial group. The analysis of the Aeromonas spp. population structure showed that, regardless of the season, Aeromonas caviae was the dominant species at the pond system inflow. However at the outflow the Aeromonas spp. population was dominated by A. caviae in winter, whereas Aeromonas sobria was the dominant species in the treated effluent from spring to fall. Among the Aeromonas hydrophila and A. sobria strains, 100% produced hemolysin; whereas among the A. caviae strains, 96% were nonhemolytic.
Aerophagia in children: characterization of a functional gastrointestinal disorder

Abstract The purpose of this study was to describe presenting symptoms, diagnostic testing, treatments and outcomes in a group of children with a diagnosis of aerophagia. A computerized diagnostic index was used to identify all children between the age of 1 and 17 years diagnosed with aerophagia at a tertiary care medical centre between 1975 and 2003. Individual medical charts were abstracted for information on the demographics, clinical features, co‐morbid diagnoses, diagnostic work up and treatment of children with aerophagia. Information on presenting symptoms was also collected for a group of children who were retrospectively classified as having functional dyspepsia for comparison (n = 40). Forty‐five children had a diagnosis of aerophagia. The mean duration of symptoms in children with aerophagia was 16 ± 5 months. The most common gastrointestinal symptoms were abdominal pain, distention and frequent belching. Children with functional dyspepsia had a higher prevalence of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and unintentional weight loss compared to children with aerophagia (all P < 0.05). In conclusion, aerophagia is a disorder that is diagnosed in neurologically normal males and females, who can experience prolonged symptoms. Although many children with aerophagia present with upper gastrointestinal symptoms, the disorder appears to be distinct from functional dyspepsia.
Stereotactic comparison among cerebral blood volume, methionine uptake, and histopathology in brain glioma.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Vascularity, metabolism, and histologic grade are related in gliomas but the exact determinants of these relationships are not fully defined. We used image coregistration and stereotactic biopsies to regionally compare cerebral blood volume (CBV) and (11)C-methionine (MET) uptake measurements in brain gliomas and to assess their relationship by histopathologic examination. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fourteen patients with brain gliomas underwent MR imaging, including dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced MR and positron-emission tomography (PET) using MET acquired in identical stereotactic conditions before biopsy. MR-based CBV maps were calculated and both CBV maps and PET images were coregistered to anatomic images. Sixty-five biopsy samples were obtained on trajectories targeted toward high MET uptake area. The following histopathologic features were semiquantified in each sample: mitotic activity, endothelial proliferation, cellular pleomorphism, and tumor necrosis. CBV and MET uptake values were measured in the biopsy area and normalized to contralateral white matter. CBV ratios were compared with MET uptake ratios, and both measurements were compared with histologic features of each sample. RESULTS CBV ratios ranged from 0.08 to 10.24 (median = 1.73), and MET uptake ratios ranged from 0.30 to 4.91 (median = 1.67). There was a positive correlation between CBV ratios and MET uptake ratios (r = 0.65, P < .001). Both CBV and MET uptake ratios were found to be significantly related to endothelial proliferation and mitotic activity (P < .01). CONCLUSION Within glial tumors, there is a local relationship between CBV and MET uptake measurements. Both provide indices of focal malignant activity.
An Empirical Analysis of the Risk Taking Channel of Monetary Policy in China—Base on Evidence from Chinese Listed Bank

After financial crisis in 2008, more and more researchers paid attention to not only the expansionary monetary policy but also the relationship between the risk-taking and monetary policy. Borio and Zhu firstly researched on risk-taking channel of monetary policy in 2008. This article firstly reviews some literature about the risk-taking channel of monetary policy, the transmission mechanism and the influencing factors, and then selects the data of 15 representative listed Banks in China from 2007-2016 to do empirical research and draw the following conclusions. First, this article finds evidence that the risk-taking channel of monetary policy is significant in China. Expansionary monetary policy has a positive impact on banks’ risk-taking. Second, macro-economic conditions and the micro characteristics of the bank can influence the transmission of risk-taking channel. Based on that, this article proposes the recommendation that monetary policy should be included in macro-prudential system to strengthen monitoring system of the bank’s risk management. Besides the relationship between counter-cyclical capital regulation and monetary policy control is important.
Spectral energy indices for model order reduction

This paper proposes three indices which should be best used in combination for the automatic determination of reduced order models (ROMs) for large dynamic linear systems. The first index determines the range in the frequency response of the complete model which contains most of the signal energy, say 95%, and which the ROM should attempt to reproduce. The second index selects the most important poles and associated residues needed to the ROM to reproduce this behavior. In this sense, the second index is a pole dominance index (PDI). The third one is a global measurement of the ROM error in the frequency range determined by the first index. All three indices are based on the spectral energy concept. The theoretical developments and the application of the three proposed indices to construct a ROM of a medium size electric power system are presented. In addition the performance of the proposed PDI (PPDI) is compared to the performance of a conventional one, showing the superiority of the PPDI.