Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Are Training Subsidies for Firms Effective? The Michigan Experience

This paper explores the effects of a state-financed training grant program for manufacturing firms in Michigan. Using a three-year panel of data from a unique survey of firms that applied for these grants, the authors estimate the effects of receipt of a grant on total hours of training in the firm and the product scrap rate. They find that receipt of these grants is associated with a large and significant, though one-time, increase in training hours, and with a more lasting reduction in scrap rates.
Inventory Control with Demand Forecasts and Uncertain Leadtimes

We consider the inventory control problem with demand forecasts and uncertain leadtimes. While it has been reported that demand forecast information would improve inventory control performance, Iida [14] pointed out, using the stochastic leadtime model Kaplan [16] developed, that the improvement with demand forecast information may significantly decrease as leadtimes get more uncertain. In this paper we investigate whether his finding holds for other leadtime processes such as independent leadtimes and Markovian leadtimes.
Chemical states of the N-terminal “lid” of MDM2 regulate p53 binding: Simulations reveal complexities of modulation

Phosphorylation of S17 in the N-terminal "lid" of MDM2 (residues 1-24) is proposed to regulate the binding of p53. The lid is composed of an intrinsically disordered peptide motif that is not resolved in the crystal structure of the MDM2 N-terminal domain. Molecular dynamics simulations of MDM2 provide novel insight into how the lid undergoes complex dynamics depending on its phosphorylation state that have not been revealed by NMR analyses. The difference in charges between the phosphate and the phosphomimetic 'Asp' and the change in shape from tetrahedral to planar are manifested in differences in strengths and durations of interactions that appear to modulate access of the binding site to ligands and peptides differentially. These findings unveil the complexities that underlie protein-protein interactions and reconcile some differences between the biochemical and NMR data suggesting that lid mutation or deletion can change the specific activity of MDM2 and provide concepts for future approaches to evaluate the effects of S17 modification on p53 binding.
Formamide reaction network in gas phase and solution via a unified theoretical approach: Toward a reconciliation of different prebiotic scenarios

Significance The qualitative and quantitative description of chemical reactions is a formidable problem. Determining pathways, energetics, and kinetics requires costly accurate quantum approaches. Typically, this amounts to a simplification of gas-phase reactions into elementary steps, which, in turn, are usually directly translated in solution. The topology-based method hereby presented allows instead an unbiased exploration of both gas-phase and aqueous-phase reactions. Its application to formamide, a centerpiece of prebiotic chemistry, unveils very different reaction networks between gas and solution regimes, indicating, in the liquid phase, new pathways, intermediates, and products. The new scheme allows us also to demonstrate the comparable relative stability of formamide, hydrogen cyanide, and formic acid, thus contributing insight to a heated current debate in the prebiotic chemistry community. Increasing experimental and theoretical evidence points to formamide as a possible hub in the complex network of prebiotic chemical reactions leading from simple precursors like H2, H2O, N2, NH3, CO, and CO2 to key biological molecules like proteins, nucleic acids, and sugars. We present an in-depth computational study of the formation and decomposition reaction channels of formamide by means of ab initio molecular dynamics. To this aim we introduce a new theoretical method combining the metadynamics sampling scheme with a general purpose topological formulation of collective variables able to track a wide range of different reaction mechanisms. Our approach is flexible enough to discover multiple pathways and intermediates starting from minimal insight on the systems, and it allows passing in a seamless way from reactions in gas phase to reactions in liquid phase, with the solvent active role fully taken into account. We obtain crucial new insight into the interplay of the different formamide reaction channels and into environment effects on pathways and barriers. In particular, our results indicate a similar stability of formamide and hydrogen cyanide in solution as well as their relatively facile interconversion, thus reconciling experiments and theory and, possibly, two different and competing prebiotic scenarios. Moreover, although not explicitly sought, formic acid/ammonium formate is produced as an important formamide decomposition byproduct in solution.
Bayesian model order selection for nonlinear system function expansions

Orthonormal function expansions have been used extensively in the context of linear and nonlinear systems identification, since they result in a significant reduction in the number of required free parameters. In particular, Laguerre basis expansions of Volterra kernels have been used successfully for physiological systems identification, due to the exponential decaying characteristics of the Laguerre orthonormal basis and the inherent nonlinearities that characterize such systems. A critical aspect of the Laguerre expansion technique is the selection of the model structural parameters, i.e., polynomial model order, number of Laguerre functions in the expansion and value of the Laguerre parameter α, which determines the rate of exponential decay. This selection is typically made by trial-and-error procedures on the basis of the model prediction error. In the present paper, we formulate the Laguerre expansion technique in a Bayesian framework and derive analytically the posterior distribution of the α parameter, as well as the model evidence, in order to infer on the expansion structural parameters. We also demonstrate the performance of the proposed method by simulated examples and compare it to alternative statistical criteria for model order selection.
Volatility forecasting in emerging markets with application of stochastic volatility model

The volatility of financial asset returns is a key variable in risk management and derivative pricing. The behaviours of emerging equity markets are now significant to global economies. This research examines the performance of five popular categories of volatility forecasting models on 31 emerging and developed stock indices with data series comprising recent 7 years. A modification in estimation processes of the Stochastic Volatility Model (SVM) is proposed. The empirical analysis shows that the equity markets of emerging markets are more volatile and difficult to model than those of developed countries. The SVM performs well in both settings, and has a clear advantage in developed markets.
Evaluation of electric vehicles impacts on distribution networks under different penetration scenarios

This paper presents a methodology for assessment of the impacts on the distribution network faced with the presence of electric vehicles (EV) and aims at its application in the distribution networks of two power utilities in Brazil. The impact on the electrical system is originated by the loads on the network, which are represented by particular and typical load curves associated to consumers, and theoretical models of load curves of batteries. The typical load curves correspond to curves obtained in measurement campaigns and characterize several consumption groups. Through the load curve associated to each battery and the possible connection place of each EV, it is modeled the charging of EV through fast or slow chargers, and home chargers are also used. In assessment the impact on network, penetration scenarios are considered for the period 2010–2020.
Frequency Estimation: A Least-Squares New Approach

A new algorithm based on the least-squares method is proposed for online power system frequency estimation. The algorithm is based on a formula which holds for every three consecutive samples. Several of these formulae are written for some consecutive triples of samples and the least-squares method is applied to estimate the frequency. A revised version of the approach with less computation burden at the cost of little decline in estimation accuracy is presented. Response time and processing time of the algorithm are discussed. The effect of data window size, sampling frequency, noise, harmonic, interharmonic, exponentially decaying dc, and filtering on the performance of the approach is discussed. The approach is compared with that of a recent similar paper and a demodulation approach.
Honor and War: Southern US Presidents and the Effects of Concern for Reputation

Reputation has long been considered central to international relations, but unobservability, strategic selection, and endogeneity have handicapped quantitative research. A rare source of haphazard variation in the cultural origins of leaders—the fact that one-third of US presidents were raised in the American South, a well-studied example of a culture of honor—provides an opportunity to identify the effects of heightened concern for reputation for resolve. A formal theory that yields several testable predictions while accounting for unobserved selection into disputes is offered. The theory is illustrated through a comparison of presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson and systematically tested using matching, permutation inference, and the nonparametric combination of tests. Interstate conflicts under Southern presidents are shown to be twice as likely to involve uses of force, last on average twice as long, and are three times more likely to end in victory for the United States than disputes under non-Southern presidents. Other characteristics of Southern presidencies do not seem able to account for this pattern of results. The results provide evidence that concern for reputation is an important cause of interstate conflict behavior.
Design and operation of fast model predictive controller for stabilization of magnetohydrodynamic modes in a fusion device

Magnetic confinement fusion (MCF) devices suffer from magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) instabilities. A particular unstable mode, known as the resistive wall mode (RWM), is treated in this work. The RWM perturbs the plasma globally and can degrade the confinement or even terminate the plasma if not stabilized. This paper presents a control design approach to stabilize the RWM in the reversed-field pinch (RFP). The approach consists of: closed-loop system identification of the RFP, design of a fast model predictive controller and experimental validation of the controller. Experimental results shows that the proposed controller manages to stabilize the RWM in plasma.
10C-6 Fully Integrated CMUT-Based Forward-Looking Intracardiac Imaging for Electrophysiology

Minimally invasive percutaneous electrophysiological mapping of the heart chambers is becoming a standard procedure to diagnose and treat cardiac arrhythmias. Due to advances in technology that enable small feature sizes and a high level of integration, non-fluoroscopic intracardiac imaging is attracting more attention to better guide electrophysiologal (EP) interventions. In this effort, we are developing a forward-looking intracardiac ultrasound imaging catheter, which is also equipped with several EP electrode sensor bands and a metal RF ablation tip enclosure. A 24-element fine-pitch (63 mum) 1-D array, based on capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) technology, has been fabricated for high-frame-rate imaging. Through-wafer vias are incorporated in the device to connect the signal and ground electrodes to the flip-chip bond pads on the backside of the array. The total footprint of the array measures 1.73 mm x 1.27 mm. Also a custom-designed integrated circuit (IC) has been fabricated to be closely integrated with the CMUT array for improved SNR. This IC comprises some of the important front- end electronics of an ultrasound imaging system. It measures 2 mm x 2 mm and is composed of 24 individual transmit/receive blocks. The transmit circuitry is capable of delivering 25 -V unipolar pulses. The receive circuitry includes a transimpedance preamplifier followed by a line driver buffer. A CMUT array was flip-chip bonded directly on to the IC for initial testing. All of the 24 elements of the array and the IC are functional. Array uniformity was tested by measuring the resonant frequency in air. A standard deviation of 0.37 percent was measured around the mean value of 17.9 MHz. The same array operates at 9.2 MHz in immersion with a 104 percent fractional bandwidth. Imaging performance of the described front-end was tested on a commercial phantom and also in ex- vivo environment on an isolated perfused rabbit heart (Langendorfl). The final goal is to integrate the CMUT array and the front-end electronics at the tip of a 10 -F catheter. A flexible printed circuit board (PCB) has been designed and the first sub-assembly is ready for cable attachment and final catheter integration.
A single-mass self-resonating closed-loop capacitive MEMS accelerometer

This paper presents a single-axis, self-resonating accelerometer. The presented accelerometer incorporates a resonating sensing element which is used along with a closed-loop self-resonance circuit, and the analog force-feedback readout circuit. During operation, the sensing element is oscillated at its fundamental frequency through dedicated actuation electrodes in closed-loop configuration. This oscillation is used to modulate the capacitance difference between another set of differential electrodes which are solely used for acceleration sensing. The modulated capacitance difference signal is used to measure acceleration using a closed-loop accelerometer readout circuit. Moreover, the square-wave oscillation signal, which is generated by the self-resonance circuitry, is used to down-convert the modulated acceleration readout signal to baseband. Combining a resonator and an accelerometer in a single mass sensing element, as presented in this work, eliminates the need for an external signal source such as a clock or a function generator which are widely used in capacitive accelerometers. In addition to modulation and demodulation, the oscillation signal can also be benefited in temperature compensation purposes by means of changes in resonance frequency, which is affected by the ambient temperature. Tests held between −20 °C and 60 °C show that there is a strong correlation between the drift in closed-loop accelerometer output and the drift in resonance frequency. By using this correlation, the temperature dependence of the accelerometer output is reduced from −15.4 mg/°C to −76 μg/°C. The noise performance results of the proposed accelerometer indicate the bias instability of 99 μg and the velocity random walk of 54 μg/VHz.
Optimal linear combination of ARFI, transient elastography and APRI for the assessment of fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B

Accurate assessment of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is necessary not only to predict the long‐term clinical course but also to determine an appropriate antiviral therapy scheme. Several noninvasive approaches – serum markers and elastography – have been proposed as alternatives for the histopathological analysis of liver biopsies. The aim of this study was to evaluate two ultrasound elastography methods (ARFI and TE) and one biochemical test (APRI), as well as their optimal linear combination, in the assessment of liver fibrosis in CHB.
Gender, social capital and information exchange in rural Uganda

Changing agricultural research and extension systems mean that informal mechanisms of information diffusion are often the primary source of information about improved seed and practices for farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. This paper investigates the interactions between gender, social capital and information exchange in rural Uganda. Within the framework of farmer-to-farmer models, we conceptualise the informal information diffusion process to comprise social capital accumulation and information exchange. We assume that each agent participates in information exchange with a fixed (predetermined) level of social capital and examine how endowments of social capital influence information exchange, paying close attention to gender differences. A multinomial logit model is used to analyse multiple participation choices of information exchange facing the farmer. Findings demonstrate that social capital is an important factor in information exchange, with men generally having better access to social capital than women. We also find strong evidence in support of group-based technology dissemination systems. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neonatal platelets from cord blood and peripheral blood

The haemostatic system in neonates is different from that of adults, possibly contributing to an increased incidence of bleeding disorders, such as intracranial hemorrhage. In this study, we analyzed platelets from cord blood and peripheral blood, collected at three time points after delivery from 20 term and 37 preterm neonates as well as blood from 20 healthy adults. Platelet membrane glycoproteins (GP) were quantified and P-selectin expression and PAC-1 binding ability before and after stimulation with TRAP were analyzed by whole blood flow cytometry. We found no significant differences in neonatal platelets from cord blood and peripheral blood within the first 24 h of life. Platelets from infants less than 30 weeks of gestation expressed lower levels of GP (33271 ± 9381 vs. 44085 ± 17287 for GPIIIa, P < 0.05) and were less reactive than platelets from term newborns (4.3 ± 3.3 vs. 20.1 ± 11.8% PAC-1 positive platelets after stimulation with TRAP, P < 0.05). A significantly lower level of GPIIb/IIIa expression on platelets from peripheral blood was seen in term newborns as well as preterm infants, compared to adults. There was only a partial enhancement in the degranulation ability (α-granules) (13.4 ± 12.3 vs. 50.3 ± 16.1% P-selectin positive platelets, P < 0.05) and no significant increase for PAC-1 binding (13.6 ± 10.9 vs. 15.3 ± 5.9% PAC-1 positive platelets, P = 0.8) during the first 12 days of life. In conclusion, we could demonstrate that neonatal platelet reactivity increases with gestational age.
Genomic tissue typing and optimal antithymocyte globuline dose using unrelated donors results in similar survival and relapse as HLA‐identical siblings in haematopoietic stem‐cell transplantation for leukaemia

Sixty‐one leukaemia patients treated with haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from a genomic human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐A, ‐B and –DRβ1 matched unrelated donor (MUD) were compared with 121 patients with an HLA‐identical sibling donor. All patients received conventional conditioning. We selected all patients with unrelated donors who received optimal antithymocyte globuline (ATG) dose, 6 mg/kg. One hundred and seven patients received stem cells from peripheral blood and 75 patients received bone marrow (BM) cells. The incidences of acute graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) grades II–IV were 33.4% and 34.7% in the MUD and sibling group, respectively. After year 2001, the incidence of chronic GVHD was similar in the two groups (27.8% vs. 25.8%). There was no difference in overall survival (60% vs. 60%), transplant‐related mortality (18.6% vs. 16.6%) and relapse (23% vs. 26.4%) between the two groups. Conclusion: Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation with unrelated donors results in similar GVHD, relapse and survival as compared to using sibling donors. Reasons for this may be improved tissue‐typing techniques and supportive care and optimisation of the ATG dose.
How Well Do Professionals Forecast Exchange Rates? Evidence from Survey Expectations †

This paper examines rationality and forecasting accuracy of exchange rate survey expectations from two datasets that include 10 major and 40 minor currencies during the recent two decades. Based on the tests of unbiasedness and orthogonality, the forecasts for minor currencies are relatively more rational than the forecasts for major currencies at the short horizon of 3 months, and the forecasts for major currencies are relatively more rational at longer horizons of 12 and 24 months. We evaluate the predictive accuracy and directional accuracy of professional exchange rate forecasts and find that the evidence of forecasting accuracy is stronger at longer than at shorter forecast horizons and for minor currencies than for major currencies.
The Contribution of ICTs to Productivity Growth in Canada and the United States in the 1990s

The slower productivity growth in Canada relative to that experienced in the United States in the second half of the 1990s has been a matter of great concern to Canadians, with a wide variety of explanations put forward to account for this development. A key issue is whether this slower productivity growth is broadly-based, which would imply a societal-level explanation, or narrowly-based, which would point to industry-specific factors. In this article in the issue, Someshwar Rao and Jianmin Tang of Industry Canada examine the contribution of the information and communications technology (ICT) sector to productivity growth in Canada and the United States in the 1990s. They find that the productivity growth gap in the 1990s at both the total economy and manufacturing level can be entirely accounted for by the greater size and faster growth of the ICT sector in the United States relative to that in Canada. They note that the Canada-U.S. productivity gap could widen in the medium term given the continued U.S. predominance in the crucial ICT sector.
Risk Assessment in the International Food Safety Policy Arena - Can the Multilateral Institutions Encourage Unbiased Outcomes?

Two institutions provide multilateral venues for countries to discuss food safety measures at the international level: the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex) and the World Trade Organization. Both institutions encourage their Members to base food safety standards on scientific evidence. In this paper we provide a description of how food-safety-related scientific evidence is generated and how it is used in the context of risk assessment for international standard-setting at Codex and in WTO trade disputes. In particular, we discuss the processes leading to policy conclusions on the basis of scientific evidence, with a focus on the interactions involved between private and public sector actors and those between "scientific experts" and others. We identify weaknesses in the current institutional set-up and provide suggestions on how to improve the interaction between different players at the national and international level so as to strengthen the existing system and increase its cost efficiency.