Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design of highly parallel linear digital circuits based on symbol-level redundancy

In the non-linear digital system, it is difficult to design systematically highly parallel digital circuits whose output digit depends on a small number of input digits. On the other hand, the concept of linearity in digital systems is very attractive because analytical methods can be utilized to design highly parallel circuits. One of the most important problems in the design is to transform an original specification to a linear one. The design method of highly parallel circuits based on a necessary condition has been discussed. However, we cannot always find the solution even if the necessary condition is satisfied. To solve the problem, a sufficient condition for linearity is derived. If the sufficient condition is satisfied, we can design the linear circuit from the specification by the use of multiplicated redundant symbols.
Histological and biochemical studies of a transplantable rat chondrosarcoma.

The Swarm rat chondrosarcoma, a spontaneously derived tumor maintained in Sprague-Dawley rats, was examined for its morphological and biochemical characteristics. The tumor matrix exhibited cartilage-like-staining properties. Cartilage-specific type II collagen was identified intracellularly and following hyaluronidase pretreatment in the extracellular matrix by means of immunofluorescent techniques with antitype II antibodies. Histological studies revealed a multinodular tumor structure. Type I and III collagens were found predominantly in the septa and stroma between the nodules. Various procedures for obtaining the maximal yield of viable cells from the tumor were compared. Under the culture conditions used, primary cell suspensions in short-term culture did not change their phenotypic expression regarding the synthesis of type II collagen. Biologically active polysomes and messenger RNA were isolated from cell suspensions, which proved to be a better source for such macromolecules than was the total tissue. The Swarm rat chondrosarcoma is therefore a useful model system for studying the biosynthesis of type II collagen. A similar methodology could be used to study human tumors. The macromolecular synthetic pattern of malignant sarcomas, particularly the pattern of structural matrix proteins, may provide a more rational classification scheme for these poorly understood human tumors.
Characterization of Herpes Simplex Viruses Selected in Culture for Resistance to Penciclovir or Acyclovir

ABSTRACT Penciclovir (PCV), an antiherpesvirus agent in the same class as acyclovir (ACV), is phosphorylated in herpes simplex virus (HSV)-infected cells by the viral thymidine kinase (TK). Resistance to ACV has been mapped to mutations within either the TK or the DNA polymerase gene. An identical activation pathway, the similarity in mode of action, and the invariant cross-resistance of TK-negative mutants argue that the mechanisms of resistance to PCV and ACV are likely to be analogous. A total of 48 HSV type 1 (HSV-1) and HSV-2 isolates were selected after passage in the presence of increasing concentrations of PCV or ACV in MRC-5 cells. Phenotypic analysis suggested these isolates were deficient in TK activity. Moreover, sequencing of the TK genes from ACV-selected mutants identified two homopolymeric G-C nucleotide stretches as putative hot spots, thereby confirming previous reports examining Acvr clinical isolates. Surprisingly, mutations identified in PCV-selected mutants were generally not in these regions but distributed throughout the TK gene and at similar frequencies of occurrence within A-T or G-C nucleotides, regardless of virus type. Furthermore, HSV-1 isolates selected in the presence of ACV commonly included frameshift mutations, while PCV-selected HSV-1 mutants contained mostly nonconservative amino acid changes. Data from this panel of laboratory isolates show that Pcvr mutants share cross-resistance and only limited sequence similarity with HSV mutants identified following ACV selection. Subtle differences between PCV and ACV in the interaction with viral TK or polymerase may account for the different spectra of genotypes observed for the two sets of mutants.
A Relationship between Market Share Elasticities and Brand Switching Probabilities

The authors derive a theoretical relationship between the aggregate market share elasticity matrix and the aggregate brand switching matrix on the basis of a logit model of heterogeneous consumers choosing among competing brands in a product class. Aggregate cross-elasticities are shown to be proportional (through a single scaling constant) to their corresponding aggregate row-conditional brand switching probabilities. Aggregate own-elasticities are shown to be proportional (through the negative of the same scaling constant) to one minus their corresponding aggregate row-conditional repeat purchase probabilities. An empirical analysis conducted on household scanner panel data in the liquid laundry detergent category shows that the theoretical correspondence holds as a very good approximation. An illustrative use of the relationship in estimating aggregate (store-level) models of market share indicates that the relationship helps improve predictive validity in a holdout period.
Design of an orthogonal feed circularly polarized microstrip array antenna suitable for large scale extensible arrays

This paper presents a circularly polarized 1×2 array antenna for X-band applications. Both-sided MIC technology is effectively used to design this array antenna as the array antenna consists of both microstrip lines and slot lines to realize the feed network. Patch elements and microstrip lines are placed on the top surface of the substrate and slot lines on the reverse surface (ground plan) of the substrate. Each of the patches is excited by two orthogonal feed lines. One of the feed lines is ahead by an odd multiple of quarter wavelength than the other feed line. This strategy makes the each patch circularly polarized. The impedance bandwidth is about 630 MHz and the 3-dB axial ratio bandwidth is more than 1%. This array antenna is very suitable to make large scale extensible array antennas by using it as a unit array.
Measuring Increase in Synchronization to Identify Muscle Endurance Limit

Changes in surface electromyogram (sEMG) spectral content are commonly associated with localized muscle fatigue. However, the significance of the changes is only evident during pair-wise comparison and these can only be used for comparison between the rested and fatigued muscle and cannot be used for identifying the limit of muscle endurance without having the rested data for comparison. This is due to the large variations between sEMG at different levels of strengths of contraction, and between different people. This is further compounded when the contraction is not isometric but is cyclic because there is large variation of sEMG within each cycle. This research has developed a new sEMG based method for studying muscle fatigue and for identifying the limit of muscle endurance. It is based on motor unit synchronization and is called increase in synchronization (IIS) index. IIS index measures the level of independence between two channels of sEMG recorded from the muscle and is the log of the determinant of the global matrix ( log||G||) which is generated by performing independent component analysis on the two channels. The experimental results for biceps brachii demonstrate that when the muscle was rested, the two channels had a high degree of independence and the IIS index was greater than -0.7 (range -0.65 to -0.05). However, the channels became dependent as the muscles progressively fatigued and IIS index became less than -6.2 (range -7.8 to -6.3 ) at the limit of muscle endurance. This was irrespective of the contraction being isometric or cyclic, or of the level of muscle contraction.
Dynamic Pricing on Retail Term Deposits of a Bank

A quantitative ground for decision-making in a bank on setting of optimal interest rates on retail term deposits is proposed. The offered approach is based on the variational method of synthesis of optimal deterministic control. To solve this problem, instead balance sheet interest rates it is used the interest rates on deposit cash flows. An example of optimal interest rate dynamics is enclosed. The proposed approach allows achieving the maximal net interest income for the bank under budget constraints.
Algebraic coding theory

This is the revised edition of Berlekamp's famous book, "Algebraic Coding Theory," originally published in 1968, wherein he introduced several algorithms which have subsequently dominated engineering practice in this field. One of these is an algorithm for decoding Reed-Solomon and Bose–Chaudhuri–Hocquenghem codes that subsequently became known as the Berlekamp–Massey Algorithm. Another is the Berlekamp algorithm for factoring polynomials over finite fields, whose later extensions and embellishments became widely used in symbolic manipulation systems. Other novel algorithms improved the basic methods for doing various arithmetic operations in finite fields of characteristic two. Other major research contributions in this book included a new class of Lee metric codes, and precise asymptotic results on the number of information symbols in long binary BCH codes.Selected chapters of the book became a standard graduate textbook.Both practicing engineers and scholars will find this book to be of great value.
Design and comprehensive modelling of solid-state transformer(SST) based substation

The concept of Solid-State Transformer (SST) is a subject of vivid attention and extensive research in the recent decade, motivated by their potential impact extending well beyond 50 Hz transformers for power distributions. With the introduction of wide band-gap semiconductor devices such as GaN and SiC, it is starting to look more likely to see SST in field applications in the near future. This paper proposes the design of a compact 10 kVA, Solid State Transformer(SST) based substation. The design employs a dual active bridge (DAB) converter to achieve the bi-directional power flow and zero voltage switching (ZVS) in the switching devices, operated at 50 kHz switching frequency. Comprehensive modelling of the high frequency transformer is presented by considering the multiple core PCB configuration. A 2-D electromagnetic analysis is used to estimate the parameters of high frequency transformer which is implemented in a finite-element analysis software. J-A model of a hysteresis loop is also introduced to predict the magnetic hysteresis behaviour of the high frequency transformer accurately. To support the presented concept, simulation results from Matlab-Simulink tool are shown and discussed.
The p53/Retinoblastoma-mediated Repression of Testicular Orphan Receptor-2 in the Rhesus Monkey with Cryptorchidism*

Whereas the linkage of infertility to cryptorchidism, the failure of the testis to descend into the scrotum at birth, has been well documented, the detailed molecular mechanism remains unclear. Here we report that the testicular orphan receptor-2 (TR2) expression, which modulates many signal pathways, was completely repressed in the surgery-induced cryptorchidism of the rhesus monkey. Further studies link TR2 repression to the induction of p53 and results suggest that induced p53 could repress TR2 expression via the p53→p21→CDK→Rb→E2F signal pathway. In return, TR2 could also control the expression of p53 and Rb through the regulation of human papillomavirus 16 E6/E7 genes. Together, our data suggest a feedback control mechanism between TR2 and p53/Rb tumor suppressors, which might play important roles in male infertility associated with cryptorchidism.
Crowdsourcing As a Solution to Distant Search

We argue that under certain circumstances crowdsourcing transforms distant search into local search, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of problem solving. Under such circumstances a firm may choose to crowdsource problem solving rather than solve the problem internally or contract it to a designated supplier. These circumstances depend on the characteristics of the problem, the knowledge required for the solution, the crowd, and the solutions to be evaluated.
Low power filter design using memristor, meminductor and memcapacitor

A Memristor is an electrical component that depends on amount of charge flows through it. Memristor is combination of Memory and Resistor. It is non-volatile memory means that it remembers the amount of charge even when power is not applied. Similar to Memresistor there is Meminductor which is combination of Memory and Inductor and Memcapacitor which is combination of Memory and Capacitor. In this paper, characteristics of Memristor, Memcapacitor, Meminductor, Low Pass Filter using Memristor, Meminductor, Memcapacitor, High Pass Filter using Memristor, Meminductor, Memcapacitor and Band Pass Filter using Memristor, Meminductor and Memcapacitor have been analyzed. Power Consumption using Memory Devices are reduced by 73.5%. The proposed characteristics and filters is implemented and simulated on PSIPCE.
[Nasal resistance and continuous positive airway pressure treatment for sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome].

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the relation between nasal resistance and tolerance and compliance with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (SAHS). MATERIAL AND METHOD One hundred twenty-five patients with a mean apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) of 53 21 were assessed for nasal resistance by active anterior rhinometry before starting CPAP treatment. Airflow (cm3/s) at 150 Pa was measured at each nostril. Tolerance for and compliance with CPAP was assessed at 2 weeks, 6 months and one year after start of treatment. RESULTS The mean CPAP prescribed was 9 2 cmH2O. Rhinometry findings were considered pathological for 70 patients (56%). We observed no correlation between nasal flow and the CPAP established (r = 0.018). The treatment compliance objective in the first year was 5 1.5 hours/day. The most common nasal side effects during this period were runny nose, itching and sneezing (24%), oronasal dryness (21%) and subjective nasal obstruction (6%). There were no significant differences in tolerance of or compliance with CPAP treatment between patients with normal or abnormal rhinometry. CONCLUSIONS Nasal resistance assessed by anterior rhinometry is unrelated to optimum CPAP and does not affect either tolerance or compliance among patients with SAHS.
Connexins in Cardiovascular and Neurovascular Health and Disease: Pharmacological Implications

Connexins are ubiquitous channel forming proteins that assemble as plasma membrane hemichannels and as intercellular gap junction channels that directly connect cells. In the heart, gap junction channels electrically connect myocytes and specialized conductive tissues to coordinate the atrial and ventricular contraction/relaxation cycles and pump function. In blood vessels, these channels facilitate long-distance endothelial cell communication, synchronize smooth muscle cell contraction, and support endothelial-smooth muscle cell communication. In the central nervous system they form cellular syncytia and coordinate neural function. Gap junction channels are normally open and hemichannels are normally closed, but pathologic conditions may restrict gap junction communication and promote hemichannel opening, thereby disturbing a delicate cellular communication balance. Until recently, most connexin-targeting agents exhibited little specificity and several off-target effects. Recent work with peptide-based approaches has demonstrated improved specificity and opened avenues for a more rational approach toward independently modulating the function of gap junctions and hemichannels. We here review the role of connexins and their channels in cardiovascular and neurovascular health and disease, focusing on crucial regulatory aspects and identification of potential targets to modify their function. We conclude that peptide-based investigations have raised several new opportunities for interfering with connexins and their channels that may soon allow preservation of gap junction communication, inhibition of hemichannel opening, and mitigation of inflammatory signaling.
Analysis, Classification and Comparison of Scheduling Techniques for Software Transactional Memories

Transactional Memory (TM) is a practical programming paradigm for developing concurrent applications. Performance is a critical factor for TM implementations, and various studies demonstrated that specialised transaction/thread scheduling support is essential for implementing performance-effective TM systems. After one decade of research, this article reviews the wide variety of scheduling techniques proposed for Software Transactional Memories. Based on peculiarities and differences of the adopted scheduling strategies, we propose a classification of the existing techniques, and we discuss the specific characteristics of each technique. Also, we analyse the results of previous evaluation and comparison studies, and we present the results of a new experimental study encompassing techniques based on different scheduling strategies. Finally, we identify potential strengths and weaknesses of the different techniques, as well as the issues that require to be further investigated.
The Impact of Corporate Governance Mechanism on Agency Cost: An Empirical Evidence of Pakistani Listed Companies

This study attempts to investigate the role of Corporate Governance in mitigating agency cost. For this purpose a sample of 100 firms selected on the basis of 100 INDEX of Karachi Stock Exchange during the period 2007 to 2011. To do so, alternative proxies for agency costs are employing: the ratio of total sales to total assets (asset turnover) and the ratio of selling, general & administrative expenses (SG&A) to total sales. Multivariate fixed effect regression is used to analyze the data. The explanatory variables include director ownership, institutional ownership, ownership Concentration, board size, CEO/Chair duality, Non Executive Directors, Debt Ratio, remuneration structure and board independence. The analysis is controlled for the influence of company size. The results show that higher director and institutional ownership reduces the level of agency cost. Smaller sized boards also results in lowering agency cost. Board independence has positive association with asset utilization ratio. The separation of the post of CEO and chairperson and higher remuneration lower agency cost. Bank debt constitutes one of the most important Corporate Governance devices for Pakistani Listed Companies. Also, managerial ownership, managerial compensation and ownership concentration seem to play an important role in mitigating agency costs.
Developing An Internet Self-Efficacy Scale of 2006 (ISE06)

: Earlier Internet Self-Efficacy scales may have become obsolete because of the fast pace of internet technology. The purpose of this research was to bridge the gap and update the scale. Based on a sample of 1123 responses, a 40-item scale of Internet Self-Efficacy 2006 (ISE06) was developed and validated statistically. The new version of the Internet self-efficacy scale is composed of seven domains including Blogger, Instant Messenger, online shopping information, photo album, visiting blog, audio/video connection by instant messenger, and video sharing. Evidence of reliability and construct validity is presented for the new instrument and future research is discussed.
Detection of hypermethylated RIZ1 gene in primary tumor, mouth, and throat rinsing fluid, nasopharyngeal swab, and peripheral blood of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patient.

PURPOSE The aims of this study are to examine the methylation status of the Fn2 RIZ1 gene in nasopharyngeal (NP) tumors and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell lines and to evaluate the clinical value of methylated RIZ1 gene in body fluid samples of NPC patients. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Methylation status of RIZ1 was evaluated by MSP on CNE-2 and M1 cell lines, 30 tumor biopsies, and their matched body fluid samples, including mouth and throat (M & T) rinsing fluid, NP swabs, plasma, and buffy coat. Normal controls included 8 normal NP biopsies and body fluid samples from 29 healthy volunteers. Sequencing was performed on MSP products from one NP tumor and one M & T rinsing fluid. Transcription of the RIZ1 gene before and after 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine treatment was examined on CNE-2. RESULTS The methylated RIZ1 gene was detected in both CNE-2 and M1, 18 (60%) NP tumors, but not in any of the normal controls. Of 30 matched body fluid samples, methylated RIZ1 DNA was found in 11 (37%) NP swabs, 9 (30%) M & T rinsing fluid, 7 (23%) plasma, and 3 (10%) buffy coat samples. Sequencing analysis confirmed all cytosines to uracils conversion, excluding cytosines in CpG dinucleotides in methylated PCR products. Promoter methylation correlated with loss of RIZ1 mRNA expression, and 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine treatment restored its expression in CNE-2. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that promoter hypermethylation of the RIZ1 gene is commonly found in NPC. Its detection in body fluid samples of NPC patients but not in normal controls indicates that it is worth to further evaluate its clinical application in assisting screening of NPC and monitoring recurrence after treatment.
The Role of Career-Self-Management in Determining Employees’Perceptions and Evaluations of their Psychological Contract and their Esteemed Value of Career Activities Offered by the Organization

The development of a career is subject to an interaction and exchange process between employer and employee. In addition, the changing nature and meaning of a career in todays competitive labor market has stimulated researchers to relate this with the psychological contract theory (e.g. Herriot, 1998; Sparrow & Cooper, 1998). However, the research domain of career self-management and the potential influence on the perception and evaluation of the psychological contract and on career activities offered by the organization in particular, has not been explicitly explored yet. Studies of Kossek et al. (1998) and Sturges et al. (2000) show that employees who actively manage their own career, hold higher expectations towards their employer, since they develop a clear idea on what their career objectives are and on how they want to achieve them. Hence, hypotheses are formulated that address the relationship between career self-management and (1) the perception and evaluation of the psychological contract, (2) the esteemed value and perception of career activities offered by the employer. To test our hypotheses, a cross-sectional survey among 491 employees of six Belgian organizations has been conducted. Our results suggest that the extent to which employees manage their own career has a significant impact on (1) the perception and evaluation of promises exchanged with their employer and (2) the importance they attach to career activities and the evaluation they make of the career activities offered by the company. First, employees who actively manage their own career, believe their employer has made more promises to them relating to different content domains of the psychological contract. Secondly, employees who actively manage their own career, are more positive on the fulfillment of their psychological contract. More specifically, this conclusion can be applied to the two dimensions of the psychological contract that are job-related, i.e. career development opportunities, job content. Thirdly, employees who actively manage their own career, attach more importance to the career activities offered by the company. In particular those career activities that consist of real guidance and steering from the organization. Furthermore, these employees also evaluate the provision of career management practices in the organization more positively. Our findings are discussed in view of the literature on career self-management and psychological contracts and they add new important insights.