Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Electrical Nonlinearity Emulation Technique for Current-Controlled Memristive Devices

Emerging memristor technology is recently drawing widespread attention due to its potential for diverse applications. Due to the lack of real solid-state memristive devices, there have been many initiatives to develop memristor emulators to study their behavior and applications. One of the most widely used ideal memristor models developed by the HP Lab does not fit the anticipated nonlinear behaviors of a real memristor. In this paper, we propose the concept and the design of a practical memristor emulator, which can be used to mimic the behavior of the well-known current controlled memristor models like-Simmons tunneling barrier model and the ThrEshold adaptive memristor model. Our proposed emulator model mimics the behavior of the electrical nonlinearity of the fabricated memristor. Prior emulators can only emulate the linear electrical behavior. In addition to the mathematical modeling and analysis of the proposed emulator, we provide SPICE simulation and experimental results. Furthermore, the proposed emulator has been used to verify some applications like Wien Oscillators. Finally, a brief comparison with the previously published emulators is presented to highlight the advantages of the proposed design.
Sidewall resistance reduction for FinFETs by B2H6/Helium Self-Regulatory Plasma Doping process

The Self-Regulatory Plasma Doping (SRPD) technique with B2H6/Helium gas plasma for PMOS FinFETs has been aggressively developed. Low resistance of the side surface of fins has been successfully demonstrated. The obtained value of the sheet resistance of the side surface is 910 ohm/sq. This sheet resistance is lower than International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors 2009 Edition (ITRS 2009) required value of maximum drain extension sheet resistance for multi-gate MPU/ASIC (PMOS) at year 2015. The SRPD process reported in this paper will be the excellent doping method for PMOS FinFETs extension for 22 nm node and beyond.
Investment in Human Capital and Personal Income Distribution

ECONOMISTS have long theorized about the nature or causes of inequality in personal incomes. In contrast, the vigorous development of empirical research in the field of personal income distribution is of recent origin. Moreover, the emphasis of contemporary research has been almost completely shifted from the study of the causes of inequality to the study of the facts and of their consequences for various aspects of economic activity, particularly consumer behavior. However, the facts of income inequality do not speak for themselves in statistical frequency distributions. The facts must be recognized in the statistical constructs and interpreted from them. Perhaps the most important conclusion to be drawn from research into the influence of income distribution on consumption is that the effects of inequality depend upon its causes. ' Thus factors associated with observed inequality must be taken into account before the data can be put to any use. Since income inequality is observable in terms of the shapes or parameters of statistical frequency distributions, theories of the determinants of personal income distribution, if they are to be operational, must predict features of the observable statistical constructs. Probably the oldest theory of this type is the one that relates the distribution of income to the distribution of individual abilities.2 A special form of this theory can be attributed to Galton, who claimed that "natural abilities" follow the Gaussian normal law of error. This, it appeared to Galton, was a simple consequence of Quetelet's findings that various proportions of the human body are normally distributed. A seemingly natural corollary of this logic was the hy-
Theoretical volatility measures for freehold property investments

Summary The value of a freehold property, let with regular rent reviews, is developed using an explicit discounted cash flow (DCF) approach. This enables formulae for theoretical volatilities to be derived; these formulae show the theoretical effect on property values of changes in the investor's required rate of return and of changes in the anticipated growth rate of rental values. By reformulating the equations in real terms, it is then possible to derive a formula for the theoretical inflation volatility of a property value. The advantages of the explicit discounted cash flow approach to property valuation and the usefulness of theoretical volatility measures in property investment analysis are discussed.
Regional variation models of white matter microstructure

Diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) is a powerful in vivo imaging technique that is particularly sensitive to the underlying microstructure of white matter tissue in the brain. Many models of the DW-MRI signal exist that allow us to relate the signals we measure to various aspects of the tissue structure, including measures of diffusivity, cellularity and even axon size. From histology, we know that many of these microstructure measures display distinct patterns of variation on length scales greater than the average voxel size. However very few methods exist that use this spatial coherence to inform and guide parameter estimation. Instead, most techniques treat each voxel of data independently. This is particularly problematic when estimating parameters such as axon radius which only weakly influence the signal, as the resulting estimates are noisy. Several methods have been proposed that spatially smooth parameter estimates after fitting the model in each voxel. However if the parameter estimates are very noisy, the underlying trend is likely to be obscured. These methods are also unable to account for spatial coupling that may exist between the various parameters. This thesis introduces a novel framework, the Regional Variation Model (RVM), which exploits the underlying spatial coherence within white matter tracts to estimate trends of microstructure variation across large regions of interest. We fit curves describing parameter variation directly to the diffusion-weighted signals which should capture spatial changes in a more natural way as well as reducing the effects of noise. This allows for more precise estimates of a range of microstructure indices, including axon radius. The resulting curves, which show how microstructure parameters vary spatially through white matter regions, can also be used to detect groupwise differences with potentially greater power than traditional methods.
Abnormal Tibiofemoral Contact Stress and Its Association With Altered Kinematics After Center-Center Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Background: Abnormal tibiofemoral contact stress and aberrant kinematics may influence the progression of osteoarthritis in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)–deficient and the ACL-reconstructed knee. However, relationships between contact stress and kinematics after ACL reconstruction are poorly understood. Therefore, we posed the following research questions: (1) How do ACL deficiency and reconstruction affect the kinematics of and contact stress in the tibiofemoral joint? (2) What kinematic differences are associated with abnormal contact stress after ACL reconstruction? Hypothesis: Center-center ACL reconstruction will not restore knee kinematics and contact stress. Correlations will exist between abnormal contact stress and aberrant kinematics after ACL reconstruction. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Clinical tests of anterior and rotational stability were simulated on 11 cadaveric knees using an industrial robot. Tests were conducted with the ACL intact, sectioned, and after single-bundle ACL reconstruction using a quadrupled hamstring autograft with tunnels drilled through the center of the native footprints. Kinematics were recorded during the tests. Contact stress was continuously recorded from a stress transducer fixed to the tibial plateau, and mean contact stress was calculated regionally. Results: ACL deficiency resulted in increased mean contact stress in the posterior sectors of the medial and lateral compartments under anterior and rotational loads, respectively. Reconstruction reduced stress in these locations; however, contact stress abnormalities remained. On average, kinematics were overconstrained after ACL reconstruction (≤1.8 mm and ≤2.6° in all directions). However, combinations of overconstrained and underconstrained motions in abduction/adduction and medial-lateral translation in response to combined moments, and anterior-posterior translation, medial-lateral translation, and axial rotation in response to an anterior load were associated with abnormal mean contact stress. Conclusion: ACL reconstruction reduces high stresses generated in the posterior compartment of the ACL-deficient knee. Abnormal contact stress after ACL reconstruction is related to multiplanar variations in knee kinematics. Clinical Relevance: Clinical measures of multiplanar kinematics may help to better characterize the quality of ACL reconstruction. Such measures may help identify patients at increased risk of long-term joint degeneration following this surgery.
Tracking genes of ecological relevance using a genome scan in two independent regional population samples of Arabis alpina

Understanding the genetic basis of adaptation in response to environmental variation is fundamental as adaptation plays a key role in the extension of ecological niches to marginal habitats and in ecological speciation. Based on the assumption that some genomic markers are correlated to environmental variables, we aimed to detect loci of ecological relevance in the alpine plant Arabis alpina L. sampled in two regions, the French (99 locations) and the Swiss (109 locations) Alps. We used an unusually large genome scan [825 amplified fragment length polymorphism loci (AFLPs)] and four environmental variables related to temperature, precipitation and topography. We detected linkage disequilibrium among only 3.5% of the considered AFLP loci. A population structure analysis identified no admixture in the study regions, and the French and Swiss Alps were differentiated and therefore could be considered as two independent regions. We applied generalized estimating equations (GEE) to detect ecologically relevant loci separately in the French and Swiss Alps. We identified 78 loci of ecological relevance (9%), which were mainly related to mean annual minimum temperature. Only four of these loci were common across the French and Swiss Alps. Finally, we discuss that the genomic characterization of these ecologically relevant loci, as identified in this study, opens up new perspectives for studying functional ecology in A. alpina, its relatives and other alpine plant species.
What's My Line? A Comparison of Industry Classification Schemes for Capital Market Research

This study compares four broadly available industry classification schemes in a variety of applications common to capital market research. Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes have been available since 1939 but are being replaced by North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. The Global Industry Classifications Standard (GICS)-super-SM system, jointly developed by Standard & Poor's and Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI), is popular among financial practitioners, whereas the Fama and French [1997] algorithm is used primarily by academics. Our results show that GICS classifications are significantly better at explaining stock return comovements, as well as cross-sectional variations in valuation multiples, forecasted and realized growth rates, research and development expenditures, and various key financial ratios. The GICS advantage is consistent from year to year and is most pronounced among large firms. The other three methods differ little from each other in most applications. Copyright 2003 Institute of Professional Accounting, University of Chicago.
Genetics and mechanisms of glycopeptide resistance in enterococci

Introduction. Plasmid-mediated resistance to the glycopeptide antibiotics vancomycin and teicoplanin was first detected in 1986 (35, 53). It was rapidly shown that glycopeptide-resistant enterococci had a broad geographical distribution and were phenotypically and genotypically heterogeneous (Table 1). Strains displaying the VanA resistance phenotype have been studied extensively, leading to the first elucidation of a mechanism of resistance to glycopeptides and to an insight into the regulation and mode of dissemination of the corresponding genes. We review the experimental approaches used to characterize the molecular basis of VanA resistance and briefly discuss the similarities and differences between the VanA phenotype and other phenotypes. The clinical implications (19, 31) and the mechanism (59) of glycopeptide resistance have recently been reviewed. The VanA phenotpe. Inducible resistance to high levels of vancomycin and teicoplanin defines the VanA phenotype (18). This type of resistance reduces the activities of all glycopeptides to various extents, but there is no crossresistance with other cell wall inhibitors (35, 40). Vancomycin induces the synthesis of two proteins that are readily detectable in enterococcal membrane fractions: a 39-kDa protein (5, 41, 50), which was identified as the VanA ligase necessary for cell wall synthesis in the presence of glycopeptides (21), and a D,D-carboxypeptidase (4) that is not required for resistance (7). High-level resistance to glycopeptides is generally transferable to susceptible enterococci by conjugation and was shown, at least in certain strains, to be mediated by self-transferable plasmids (20, 28, 36, 41, 43, 50, 53). It has recently been shown (9) that the genes necessary and sufficient for expression of the VanA phenotype are carried by a transposon designated TnI546. Dissemination of this transposon appears to be responsible for the spread of high-level glycopeptide resistance among clinical isolates of enterococci (9). Overview of Tn1546. Originally detected on plasmid pIP816 from Enterococcus faecium BM4147 (9, 35), TnJS46 consists of 10,851 bp and encodes nine polypeptides (Fig. 1) that can be assigned to four functional groups (7-9): transposition functions (open reading frames [ORFs] ORF1 and ORF2), regulation of vancomycin resistance genes (VanR and VanS), resistance to glycopeptides by production of depsipeptides (VanH, VanA, and VanX), and accessory proteins that may be involved in peptidoglycan synthesis,
Identification of thyroid hormone receptors in rat liver nuclei by photoaffinity labeling with L-thyroxine and triiodo-L-thyronine.

Photoaffinity labeling of rat liver nuclear extract with underivatized thyroid hormones was performed after incubation with 1 nM [3',5'-125I]thyroxine ([125I]T4) or [3'-125I]triiodothyronine [( 125I]T3) by irradiation with light above 300 nm. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the covalently photolabeled nuclear extract revealed four distinct hormone binding proteins of molecular masses 96, 56, 45, and 35 kilodaltons (kDa), respectively. Distribution of the hormone among these proteins was similar for T4 and T3. The 56- and 45-kDa proteins were the most prominently labeled. The specificity of the photoattachment of thyroid hormones to these nuclear proteins was verified by the irradiation of eight randomly chosen proteins and two proteins known to have thyroid hormone binding sites, human thyroxine binding globulin and bovine serum albumin. Only the latter two were photolabeled with [125I]T4. Competition studies performed by incubating nuclear extracts with [125I]T4 or [125I]T3 in the presence of increasing amounts of the corresponding unlabeled hormone (10-, 100-, and 1000-fold molar excess) demonstrated that (1) photoattachment of labeled T3 or T4 to the 56- and 45-kDa proteins was inhibited by 67-78% and 73-85%, respectively, after incubation with a 1000-fold molar excess of unlabeled hormone, (2) in the presence of lower molar excesses of the corresponding competitor (10- and 100-fold), photoattachment of labeled T3 or T4 to the 56- and 45-kDa receptors was gradually inhibited to a similar extent on both proteins, and (3) the 35- and 96-kDa proteins, although having thyroid hormone binding sites, display lower binding activities since the inhibition of photoattachment of labeled T3 or T4 by a 1000-fold molar excess of unlabeled hormone did not exceed 30-42% and 26-49%, respectively. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Using vehicle monitoring technology and eco-driver training to reduce fuel use and emissions in tourism: a ski resort case study

Ground-based transport moves more tourists than any other form of transportation and contributes c. 32% of tourism's carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions – yet remains a largely neglected area of emission/carbon management research. This study examines the value of vehicle monitoring technology (VMT) and eco-driver training as a means to improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions for a fleet of vehicles at the largest ski resort operation in Ontario, Canada. The VMT was installed in 14 fleet vehicles. After eco-driver training, the fleet reduced its average daily speed (−14%), hard decelerations (−55%), hard accelerations (−44%), and idling time (−2%), resulting in decreased fuel costs (−8%) and CO2 emissions (−8%). The process requires very low capital expenditures, can pay for itself in as little as one year, and has safety paybacks. It also has valuable externalities: tourism businesses that instill sustainability awareness and values to their employees contribute to environmental prosperity generally, because eco-trained drivers also drive more efficiently in their everyday lives. This is the first known study to quantify the benefits of driver training and behavioral intervention within a tourism context, demonstrating the potential to enhance environmental sustainability while simultaneously reducing operating costs. Technicalities, issues, and future application possibilities are discussed.
Alterations in the membrane-associated proteome fraction of alveolar macrophages in sarcoidosis.

BACKGROUND Alveolar macrophages are implicated in the pathogenesis of lung sarcoidosis. Their interaction with T-cells leads to an inflammatory response that may either resolve within 2 years, or become chronic with an increased risk to develop lung fibrosis. OBJECTIVE To perform quantitative profiling of the membrane-associated proteome of alveolar macrophages in sarcoidosis patients and healthy individuals to identify specific proteins and pathways involved in sarcoidosis pathology. METHODS Differential proteomic analysis was performed on iTRAQ (isobaric Tag for Relative and Absolute Quantitation) labeled samples using tandem mass spectrometry. Subsequently, uni- and multivariate statistical analyses and pathway- and network analyses were performed. RESULTS Eighty proteins were differentially expressed between healthy and sarcoidosis patients. Down-stream pathway analysis confirmed our recent reports of up-regulation of two phagocytotic pathways: Fcγ receptor-mediated phagocytosis and clathrin-mediated endocytosis signaling. An additional pathway, pyruvate metabolism, was found to be up-regulated in sarcoidosis patients. The oxidative phosphorylation pathway was differentially expressed in subgroups of sarcoidosis, with up-regulation in Löfgren's patients and down-regulation in non-Löfgren's patients. CONCLUSION This unprecedented proteome profiling of the membrane-associated fraction of alveolar macrophages confirmed previous findings of alterations in phagocytotic pathways due to sarcoidosis, as well as indicated a differential dysregulation of the oxidative phosphorylation pathway related to disease outcome in sarcoidosis.
The EU-Thailand Relations: Tracing the Patterns of New Bilateralism

This book focuses on the so-called 'new bilateralism' phenomenon, a foreign policy development that has widespread across regions since the mid-1990s. The book asks why the policy trend of 'new bilateralism' has been pursued in spite of the widely accepted views on political and economic advantages of 'multilateralism'. It also invites an open theoretical discussion on the implications of new bilateralism for international relations. Using the case study of EU-Thailand relations, the book shows that the opportunistic foreign policy behavior of the state is particularly observable in the crisis of multilateralism and that the prospects of bilateral engagement, identity formation and rhetorical action urge the drive to bilateralism with a high degree of pragmatism. This book offers important insight into how the new bilateralism operates, showing its advantages and disadvantages in the developing relationship between the EU and Thailand.
Cloning and characterization of the tetracycline resistance determinant of and several promoters from within the conjugative transposon Tn919

Tn919 is a 15- to 16-kilobase (kb) tetracycline resistance conjugative transposon that was originally isolated from Streptococcus sanguis FC1. The tetracycline resistance determinant (tet) was found on a 4.2-kb HindII fragment by in vitro deletion analysis. This fragment was subcloned to a pWV01 origin capable of directing replication in Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Streptococcus lactis, and expression was observed in all three genera. In all cases, expression was weaker when only the 4.2-kb cloned fragment rather than the full transposon was present. The resistance gene is of the streptococcal tetM class and codes for a protein of approximately 70 kilodaltons. The restriction map resembles that of the tetM gene of Tn1545 (P. Martin, P. Trieu-Cuot, and P. Courvalin, Nucleic Acids Res. 14:7047-7058, 1986), which codes for a protein of 72.5 kilodaltons. A number of transposon-derived promoter-bearing fragments were also cloned and sequenced. These closely resemble the consensus sequence of E. coli and B. subtilis promoters. Fusion experiments with a truncated lacZ gene indicate the possibility of an open reading frame for one of the promoters.
Is the Prevalence of the Factor V Leiden Mutation in Patients with Pulmonary Embolism and Deep Vein Thrombosis Really Different?

Summary Introduction. Previous investigations have suggested a lower prevalence of the factor V Leiden mutation in patients with pulmonary embolism, as compared to patients with deep leg vein thrombosis. Methods. We studied unselected patients with pulmonary embolism, in whom we also assessed the presence of deep vein thrombosis by ultra-sonography. We assessed the prevalence of heterozygosity for the factor V Leiden mutation and compared the outcome of patients with a normal ultrasound (primary pulmonary embolism) to those with an abnormal ultrasound (combined form of venous thromboembolism). Furthermore, we performed a literature search to identify all articles regarding the prevalence of heterozygous factor V Leiden mutation in patients with primary deep vein thrombosis, primary pulmonary embolism and a combined form of venous thromboembolism. We calculated a (common) odds ratio for these 3 manifestations of venous thromboembolism, including the current findings. Results. In 92 patients with proven pulmonary embolism, 25 (27%) had also an abnormal ultrasound. In these patients, the prevalence of the factor V Leiden mutation was 24% (95% CI 9%-45%), whereas the mutation was present in 5 of 67 patients with primary pulmonary embolism (7%; 95% CI 2%-16%). The literature analysis indicated the common odds ratio for the presence of heterozygous factor V Leiden mutation in patients with primary deep vein thrombosis, primary pulmonary embolism and the combined form of venous thromboembolism to be 7.9 (95% CI 5-12), 3.5 (95% CI 2-6) and 6.8 (95% CI 3-14), respectively. Conclusion. In patients with primary pulmonary embolism the prevalence of the factor V Leiden mutation appears to be half of that reported in patients with primary deep vein thrombosis. The mechanism remains unclear.