Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis and Design of a Robust Floating Point CMOS Image Sensor

A robust floating point CMOS image sensor (CIS) is designed and tested. A detailed analysis for signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the floating point CIS including the effect of the exponent detection error is presented. Based on the analysis, a simple way to effectively remove the optimum integration time detection error is proposed. In addition, the proposed imager obtains the exponent at the beginning of the image capturing cycle, which provides a logarithmic image of the scene. A 32 times 24 prototype sensor including 4 transistors pixel array, 4 bit static random access memory (SRAM) array, 8 bit ADC and CDS block, and integration time control block was designed and fabricated using standard 0.5 mum CMOS process. It achieved 50.5 dB of dynamic range (DR) enhancement with 32 dB of peak SNR at 30 frames/s.
A TDOA location scheme in OFDM based WMANs

A time difference of arrival (TDOA) location scheme for the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) based wireless metropolitan area networks (WMANs) is presented. A novel TDOA estimation algorithm for OFDM signals is proposed and adopted in this scheme. The algorithm enhances the location performance by utilizing the information in the time and frequency domains obtained from the received location OFDM signals. The simulations are implemented with an 802.16e configuration considering an outdoor wireless scenario. The simulation results show that the scheme can meet the E911 requirements in even complex multipath channel conditions, and outperform the location schemes with traditional correlation detection TDOA estimations.
A fast consensus algorithm for multiple controllers in software-defined networks

Multiple SDN controllers architecture has been proposed to improve the scalability problem and to avoid a single point of failure. One major issue in the SDN multiple controllers architecture is how to reach a consistent network state among SDN controllers. In order to resolve the above issue and to make sure that all controllers have the same network state and the whole network becomes consistent, an efficient consensus mechanism to synchronize the control state of each controller is required. In view of this, we propose a Fast Paxos-based Consensus algorithm (FPC) which provides strong consistency. The proposed FPC uses a controller priority mechanism to guarantee a proposal must be elected in each round and no additional round is needed even more than two proposers get the same votes. Using Estinet, simulation results have shown that the proposed FPC has lower average consensus time (35.3% lower) than Raft. With a low consensus time, the proposed FPC can improve the data store access performance (26.0% faster at retrieving data and 59.7% faster at storing data via the REST API comparing with the Raft). Therefore, the proposed FPC is feasible for multiple SDN controller networks.
Secure lightweight context-driven data logging for bodyworn sensing devices

Rapid advancement in wearable technology has unlocked a tremendous potential of its applications in the medical domain. Among the challenges in making the technology more useful for medical purposes is the lack of confidence in the data thus generated and communicated. Incentives have led to attacks on such systems. We propose a novel lightweight scheme to securely log the data from bodyworn sensing devices by utilizing neighboring devices as witnesses who store the fingerprints of data in Bloom filters to be later used for forensics. Medical data from each sensor is stored at various locations of the system in chronological epoch-level blocks chained together, similar to the blockchain. Besides secure logging, the scheme offers to secure other contextual information such as localization and timestamping. We prove the effectiveness of the scheme through experimental results. We define performance parameters of our scheme and quantify their cost benefit trade-offs through simulation.
Resource allocation strategy for innovation portfolio management

Our study demonstrates empirically that the choice of resource allocation strategy affects innovation performance. Allocating resources to a broader range of innovation projects increases new product sales, an effect that appears to outweigh that of resource intensity. In addition, we find that the performance benefit of breadth is higher for firms that allocate resources selectively at later stages of the innovation process. This breadth-selectiveness effect is greatest for firms intending to create relatively more novel products, departing further from their knowledge base. Based on these results, we theorize that breadth increases performance because it spreads firms' bets on unproven innovative endeavors. Limiting resource commitments by selecting out deteriorating projects prevents an escalation in the costs of breadth. This advantage increases with the uncertainty implicit in greater innovative intent. The paper thus contributes to theory of how resource allocation strategies influence performance outcomes of innovation project portfolios.
Foreign direct investment and government policy in Central and Eastern Europe

The 1990s have been a period of extraordinary politics in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). This chapter discusses how the transition from state to market has created bureaucratic barriers to entry, but also windows of opportunity for foreign direct investment (FDI). The high costs and high investment risks associated with FDI in CEE are a reflection the institutional development. Thus, inflows of FDI have been largest in those countries that made most progress in establishing a market-oriented institutional framework. After outlining trends of institutional change and their impact on FDI, this chapter discusses how aspects of the institutional framework and FDI policy affect diverse types of investment projects. Acquisition and Greenfield investors are concerned with different aspects of government policy: privatization and regulatory policies for acquirers and investment incentives, regional policy and special economic zones for Greenfield investors. The shifting policy priorities have thus changed the types of projects undertaken by foreign investors in the region.
Trends in Long Term Employment in the United States, 1979-96

I examine changes in the incidence of long-term employment in the United States using data from mobility supplements and pension and benefit supplements to the Current Population Survey (CPS) from 1979 through 1996. After controlling for demo- graphic characteristics, the fraction of workers reporting more than ten and more than twenty years of tenure fell substantially after 1993 to its lowest level since 1979. This decline was concentrated among men, while long-term employment relationships became slightly more common among women. The decline in the incidence of long-term employment relationships for all workers was not mirrored in an increase in incidence on lost jobs (jobs from which workers were laid off Thus, the evidence is not consistent with the view that the decline in long-term employment relationships is the result of employers targeting long-term employees for layoff. In fact, it was found that the share of displaced men who are displaced from long-term employment relationships has declined since 1979. In the end, long-term employment relationships remain an important feature of the U.S. labor market, and women are represented more fully in these relationships than in the past.
Personal Word of Mouth, Virtual Word of Mouth, and Innovation Use

The authors examine the impact of word-of-mouth communication on innovation use. Hypotheses are developed linking both personal and virtual word of mouth (vWOM) directly to innovation use. The authors also examine the mediating role of two additional variables that link word of mouth and innovation use. Existing research suggests that personal word of mouth (pWOM) indirectly influences intensity of innovation use through its impact on consumer perceptions of the size of local adopter population. In addition, both personal and virtual word-of-mouth influence should be positively associated with consumer perceptions of the availability of complementary products, which prior studies have linked to variety of innovation use. The authors test these hypotheses using data collected from 247 Japanese adopters of new-generation portable gaming devices. Findings indicate that both personal and virtual word of mouth are directly related with variety of innovation use, which is in turn related with intensity of use. In addition, pWOM is positively related with both intensity of use and variety of use through its impact on consumer perceptions of (1) the perceived size of the local adopter population and (2) the availability of complementary products. In contrast, through these same two paths, vWOM is negatively related with both intensity of use and variety of use.
Metabolism of the Anti-Hepatitis C Virus Nucleoside β-d-N4-Hydroxycytidine in Different Liver Cells

ABSTRACT β-d-N4-Hydroxycytidine (NHC) was found to have selective anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) activity in the HCV replicon system (clone A). The intracellular metabolism of tritiated NHC was investigated in the HCV replicon system, Huh-7 cells, HepG2 cells, and primary human hepatocytes. Incubation of cells with 10 μM radiolabeled NHC demonstrated extensive and rapid phosphorylation in all liver cells. Besides the 5′-mono, -di-, and -triphosphate metabolites of NHC, other metabolites were characterized. These included cytidine and uridine mono-, di-, and triphosphates. UTP was the predominant early metabolite in Huh-7 cells and primary human hepatocytes, suggesting deamination of NHC as the primary catabolic pathway. The intracellular half-lives of radiolabeled NHC-triphosphate and of CTP and UTP derived from NHC incubation in Huh-7 cells were calculated to be 3.0 ± 1.3, 10.4 ± 3.3, and 13.2 ± 3.5 h (means ± standard deviations), respectively. Studies using monkey and human whole blood demonstrated more-rapid deamination and oxidation in monkey cells than in human cells, suggesting that NHC may not persist long enough in plasma to be delivered to liver cells.
Identifying childhood characteristics that underlie premorbid risk for substance use disorders: Socialization and boldness

Abstract We utilized a longitudinal twin study (N = 2,510) to identify the child characteristics present prior to initiation of substance use that best predicted later substance use disorders. Two independent traits accounted for the majority of premorbid risk: socialization (conformity to rules and conventional values) and boldness (sociability and social assurance, stress resilience, and thrill seeking). Low socialization was associated with disruptive behavior disorders, parental externalizing disorders, and environmental adversity and exhibited moderate genetic (0.45) and shared environmental influences (0.30). Boldness was highly heritable (0.71) and associated with less internalizing distress and environmental adversity. In combination, these traits exhibited robust associations with adolescent and young adult substance use disorders (R = .48 and .50, respectively) and incremental prediction over disruptive behavior disorders, parental externalizing disorders, and environmental adversity. The results were replicated in an independent sample. Socialization and boldness offer a novel conceptualization of underlying risk for substance use disorders that has the potential to improve prediction and theory with implications for basic research, prevention, and intervention.
ASSESSMENT OF THE EXPOSURE TO FLUORIDE FROM DRINKING WATER IN DURANGO, MEXICO, USING A GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM

SUMMARY: A Geographic Information System (GIS) coupled with environmental data was used for the study of endemic fluorosis in the city of Durango, Mexico. The city was divided into four different risk areas. These areas were categorized according to fluoride levels in tap water. Mean fluoride levels ranged from 1.54 mg/L in area 1 to 4.70 mg/L in area 4. A level of 5.67 mg/L, the highest fluoride concentration in Durango, was found in area 4. Almost 95% of the 306,652 inhabitants living in this city were exposed to fluoride levels higher than 2.0 mg/L. Exposure doses to fluoride were calculated for all the areas. For example, the maximum estimated exposure doses were 1.86 mg/kg/day for infants, 0.28 mg/kg/day for children and 0.16 mg/kg/day for adults. Taking into account the minimal risk level of 0.05 mg/kg/day calculated by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, a health risk for the city of Durango became evident.
What Stator Current Processing Based Technique to Use for Induction Motor Rotor Faults Diagnosis

In recent years, marked improvement has been achieved in the design and manufacture of stator winding. However, motors driven by solid-state inverters undergo severe voltage stresses due to rapid switch-on and switch-off of semiconductor switches. Also, induction motors are required to operate in highly corrosive and dusty environments. Requirements such as these have spurred the development of vastly improved insulation material and treatment processes. But cage rotor design has undergone little change. As a result, rotor failures now account for a larger percentage of total induction motor failures. Broken cage bars and bearing deterioration are now the main cause of rotor failures. Moreover, with advances in digital technology over the last years, adequate data processing capability is now available on cost-effective hardware platforms to monitor motors for a variety of abnormalities on a real-time basis in addition to the normal motor protection functions. Such multifunction monitors are starting to displace the multiplicity of electromechanical devices commonly applied for many years. For such reasons, this paper is devoted to a comparison of signalprocessing-based techniques for the detection of broken bars and bearing deterioration in induction motors. Features of these techniques that are relevant to fault detection are presented. These features are then analyzed and compared to deduce the most appropriate technique for induction motor rotor fault detection.
The Participatory Market Chain Approach: Stimulating pro-poor market-chain innovation

Innovation in the food and agriculture sector is frequently short-circuited by a lack of trust and communication between actors in the market chain. To overcome these problems and stimulate innovation, the Participatory Market Chain Approach (PMCA) brings together small farmers, market agents, and service providers for an intense process of facilitated interaction. The PMCA uses a flexible three-stage participatory process to improve communication, build trust, and facilitate collaboration among participants so that they can jointly identify, analyze, and exploit new market opportunities. The PMCA focuses on innovation in products, technologies, and ways of working together. By carefully selecting market chains and partners, and building in social responsibility, the PMCA can lead to favourable outcomes and impacts for poor farmers, typically the weakest link in the chain. The PMCA requires facilitation and technical support from professionals with good social skills, research experience, and marketing knowledge, based in a neutral research and development organization. To ensure that impacts are sustained, the PMCA is best used as part of a broader programme of market chain development.
Decentralized interference coordination for D2D communication underlying cellular Networks

A framework on decentralized interference coordination based on the pricing mechanism is developed for device-to-device (D2D) communication underlying cellular systems to guarantee quality of service (QoS) of both cellular users (CUs) and D2D links. We aim at coordinating two types of interference: inter-layer interference from D2D pairs to CUs and intra-layer interference among D2D pairs. The former is mitigated by the base station through setting a price on the channel being reused by D2D pairs while the latter is solved by a game-theoretic approach, in which the D2D pairs compete for the spectrum until a Nash Equilibrium (NE) is achieved. Finally, numerical results verify that the proposed distributed scheme is effective for the interference coordination and its performance is close to the centralized scheme.
The Association of GSK3β with E2F1 Facilitates Nerve Growth Factor-induced Neural Cell Differentiation*

It is widely acknowledged that E2F1 and GSK3β are both involved in the process of cell differentiation. However, the relationship between E2F1 and GSK3β in cell differentiation has yet to be discovered. Here, we provide evidence that in the differentiation of PC12 cells induced by nerve growth factor (NGF), GSK3β was increased at both the mRNA and protein levels, whereas E2F1 at these two levels was decreased. Both wild-type GSK3β and its kinase-defective mutant GSK3β KM can inhibit E2F1 by promoting its ubiquitination through physical interaction. In addition, the colocalization of GSK3β and E2F1 and their subcellular distribution, regulated by NGF, were observed in the process of PC12 differentiation. At the tissue level, GSK3β colocalized and interacted with E2F1 in mouse hippocampus. Furthermore, GSK3β facilitated neurite outgrowth by rescuing the promoter activities of Cdk inhibitors p21 and p15 from the inhibition caused by E2F1. To summarize, our findings suggest that GSK3β can promote the ubiquitination of E2F1 via physical interaction and thus inhibit its transcription activity in a kinase activity independent manner, which plays an important role in the NGF-induced PC12 differentiation.
Reducing Foreign Exchange Settlement Risk

Much progress has been made in reducing settlement risk in foreign exchange markets, particularly through use of CLS Bank. However, the remaining exposures are sometimes still significantly large and not always well managed, creating the potential for systemic risk. To address this problem, it is particularly important that prudential regulators promote effective management of the risk by market participants.
When the Daughter Joins Family Firm. Staffing, Adverse Selection and Organizational Justice in Family SMEs

This article provides empirical evidence to support the Agency Theory as applied to small and medium-sized family firms. The research, conducted on a sample of family SMEs (N = 88), has investigated: the career path of son/daughter, the match between job assignment and agent skills, the relevance of agent's job for organizational purpose, using a qualitative method.This research suggests that altruism of the Principal as a parent and widespread adverse selection are confirmed phenomena typical of family SMEs, especially when agent is the Principal’s daughter. In addition, the research highlights the implications in terms of perceived organizational justice on the part of employees who are not members of the family. Finally, this article suggests the causes and reasons for such altruistic and opportunistic behavior.
Atherosclerosis in Rabbits Fed a Low Cholesterol Dietfor Five Years

Rabbits were fed a low cholesterol atherogenic diet for up to 5 years. Arterial lesions during the first 12 months consisted of smooth muscle cell and lipid accumulation in the intima, with smaller amounts of elastin and collagen. By 24 months, considerable degeneration and necrosis of smooth muscle foam cells had occurred, lipid had decreased in relative proportion, and collagen was predominant. These trends continued during the final 3 years. By 48 months most plaques were calcified and a few had hemorrhage. Atherosclerosis was extensive in rabbits with serum cholesterol concentrations greater than 300 mg/100 ml and minimal in rabbits with concentrations consistently less than 150 mg/100 ml. Thicker lesions tended to have more atheromas while thinner ones were more fibrous and less fatty. Significant regression of fatty streaks occurred in a group of rabbits fed the atherogenic diet for 2 years and a stock diet during the third year but more advanced lesions did not regress. This study illustrates the importance of time as a variable in atherogenesis, and demonstrates that modest hypercholesterolemia can lead to atherosclerosis in rabbits that is qualitatively unlike atherosclerosis induced in rabbits by cholesterol rich diets and that resembles several stages of human atherosclerosis.
Effects of the opioid antagonist naloxone on release of luteinizing hormone in mares during the anovulatory season.

To investigate an involvement of endogenous opioids in the regulation of circannual changes in reproductive activity, effects of the opioid antagonist naloxone on the concentration of immunoreactive and bioactive luteinizing hormone (LH) in plasma were measured in mares during the anovulatory season. Naloxone (0.5 mg/kg i.v.) caused a significant increase (P < 0.05) in immunoreactive as well as bioactive LH concentration in plasma. The amplitude of the increase in LH concentrations measured with an in vitro bioassay was more pronounced than the amplitude of the increase in LH secretion determined by radioimmunoassay. This indicates that although in seasonal anovulatory mares the bioactivity of LH in plasma is low, highly bioactive LH is present in the anterior pituitary and can be released by naloxone. The LH response to naloxone did not depend on the degree of ovarian follicular activity. It can be concluded that a tonic opioid inhibition of LH release is present in mares during at least part of the anovulatory season and that endogenous opioids seem to be involved in the regulation of seasonal reproductive activity in the horse. In contrast to the situation during the breeding season, the opioid systems regulating LH release are activated independently of luteal progesterone.
A comparison of severe tardive dystonia and severe tardive dyskinesia

The authors present a demographic study comparing tardive dystonia with severe tardive dyskinesia (TD) patients. Tardive dystonia was more common among young men, while severe TD was more common in older women. Neuroleptics were distributed equally in both groups before the onset of the movement disorders. Drug‐free periods were common in the history of severe TD than in tardive dystonia patients.
The Equine Herpesvirus 2 E1 Open Reading Frame Encodes a Functional Chemokine Receptor

ABSTRACT Several herpesviruses contain open reading frames (ORFs) that encode potential homologs of eucaryotic genes. Equine herpesvirus 2 (EHV-2) is a gammaherpesvirus related to other lymphotropic herpesviruses such as herpesvirus saimiri and Epstein-Barr virus. The E1 ORF of EHV-2, a G protein-coupled receptor homolog, shows 31 to 47% amino acid identity with known CC chemokine receptors. To investigate whether E1 may encode a functional receptor, we cloned the E1 ORF and expressed it in stably transfected cell lines. We report here the identification of the CC chemokine eotaxin as a functional ligand for the EHV-2 E1 receptor. Chemokines are likely to play a role in the regulation of immune functions in equine hosts during EHV-2 infection and, via interaction with E1, may affect viral replication and/or escape from immune responses.