Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Wage Premium for Job Seniority During the 1980s and Early 1990s

In this paper I use Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) data to study whether the rewards for job tenure have fallen since the early 1980s. An upward sloping seniority-wage profile is generally thought to be an important dimension of compensation during a career. However, recent interest in the incidence of lay-offs and changes in the structure of firms gives rise to the possibility that employment contracts are less often being structured to reward tenure, or that such contracts are more difficult to honor. Using a two-stage estimator to attempt to control unmeasured individual and job match effects on wages, I find some evidence that the wage premium paid to senior workers has declined moderately. However, I find that these results are mildly sensitive to alternative methods of handling the relatively noisy PSID tenure data.
Optical and thermal characteristics of carbonaceous aerosols measured at an urban site in Gwangju, Korea, in the winter of 2011

ABSTRACT Carbonaceous components (organic carbon [OC] and elemental carbon [EC]) and optical properties (light absorption and scattering) of fine particulate matter (aerodynamic diameter <2.5 μm; PM2.5) were simultaneously measured at an urban site in Gwangju, Korea, during the winter of 2011. OC was further classified into OC1, OC2, OC3, and OC4, based on a temperature protocol using a Sunset OC/EC analyzer. The average OC and EC concentrations were 5.0 ± 2.5 and 1.7 ± 0.9 μg C m−3, respectively. The average single-scattering albedo (SSA) at a wavelength of 550 nm was 0.58 ± 0.11, suggesting that the aerosols observed in the winter of 2011 had a local warming effect in this area. During the whole sampling period, “stagnant PM” and “long-range transport PM” events were identified. The light absorption coefficient (babs) was higher during the stagnant PM event than during the long-range transport PM event due to the existence of abundant light-absorbing OC during the stagnant PM event. In particular, the OC2 and OC3 concentrations were higher during the stagnant PM event than those during the long-range transport event, suggesting that OC2 and OC3 might be more related to the light-absorbing OC. The light scattering coefficient (bscat) was similar between the events. On average, the mass absorption efficiency attributed to EC (σEC) was 9.6 m2 g−1, whereas the efficiency attributed to OC (σOC) was 1.8 m2 g−1 at λ = 550 nm. Furthermore, the σEC is comparable among the PM event days, but the σOC for the stagnant PM event was significantly higher than that for the long-range transport PM event (1.7 vs. 0.5). Implications: Optical and thermal properties of carbonaceous aerosol were measured at Gwangju, and carbonaceous aerosol concentration and optical property varied between “stagnant PM” and “long-range transport PM” events. More abundant light absorbing OC was observed during the stagnant PM event.
Study on the optimal distribution of redundancy effort in cross-layer reliable architectures

This paper presents a comprehensive approach to the smart application of redundancy techniques in multiple-layer hierarchical systems. Computing systems today are rapidly evolving into increasingly complex structures with an ever-increasing number of components. Moreover, future technology generations are expected to have associated lower levels of quality. For these reasons, it is emerging nowadays a renewed interest in the development of reliable architectures. In this work we delve into this topic putting special emphasis on the system hardware hierarchy. We analyze the advantages in terms of reliability of distributing redundancy effort in cross-layer systems. We base our analysis on a general fault model that takes into account both devices and interconnections. Using the Rent's Law we relate the number of devices and interconnections for different configurations of redundancy and compare the global error probability. Our results provide meaningful information about the benefits that can be achieved by properly choosing the system layer at which to apply redundancy, and if applicable, the optimal distribution of redundancy effort through the system layers.
Solving the flatness and quasi-flatness problems in Brans-Dicke cosmologies with a varying light speed

We define the flatness and quasi-flatness problems in cosmological models. We seek solutions to both problems in homogeneous and isotropic Brans-Dicke cosmologies with a varying speed of light. We formulate this theory and find perturbative, non-perturbative and asymptotic solutions using both numerical and analytical methods. For a particular range of variations of the speed of light the flatness problem can be solved. Under other conditions there exists a late-time attractor with a constant value of that is smaller than, but of the order of unity. Thus these theories may solve the quasi-flatness problem, a considerably more challenging problem than the flatness problem. We also discuss the related and quasi- problem in these theories. We conclude with an appraisal of the difficulties these theories may face.
Activation and Sustained Attention: A Pupillometric Study of an Auditory Vigilance Task.

Abstract : Using a classical auditory vigilance task, the relations between pupillometric indices of phasic central nervous system increases in activation and sustained attention were investigated. The amplitude of the task-invoked pupillary response declined as a function of time in task at a rate paralleling the performance decrement. These findings are discussed in the context of an activation theory of attentional processes. (Author)
ADIABATIC FORMULATION OF HETERONUCLEAR HYDROGEN MOLECULAR ION

We revisit the ${\mathrm{HD}}^{+}$ molecular ion by starting from a definition of the nonrelativistic adiabatic Hamiltonian that recovers the isotopic splitting. The Hamiltonian is written in prolate spheroidal coordinates with the origin at the nuclear center of mass. This prescription for the adiabatic Hamiltonian implicitly contains the symmetry-breaking effects arising from the mass difference between the proton and the deuteron, and gives the correct asymptotic atomic reduced masses. We calculate potential-energy curves, vibrational energies, transition dipole moments, and coupling matrix elements for ${\mathrm{HD}}^{+}. $ In our adiabatic approximation, the isotopic splitting is recovered to nine significant digits at a value of ${R=750a}_{0}. $ We investigate the dependence of the vibrational energies on the number of coupled electronic states, and compare with other calculations.
Isomeric equilibria in complexes of adenosine 5'-triphosphate with divalent metal ions. Solution structures of M(ATP)2- complexes.

Solution structures of M(ATP)2- complexes are reviewed. First the self-stacking properties of ATP4- and M(ATP)2- are shortly described. It is emphasized that for an evaluation of solution structures of M(ATP)2- complexes only results from diluted solutions (below 1 mM) should be used. Next, a comprehensive set of stability data obtained under such conditions from potentiometric pH titrations is summarized for the complexes of Mg2+, Ca2+, Mn2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+ and Cd2+ with ATP, and for comparison also with pyrimidine nucleoside 5'-triphosphates (YTPs), i.e. CTP, UTP and TTP. The stabilities for the M(ATP)2- complexes are mostly larger than those for the corresponding M(YTP)2- species; this increased stability results from the metal ion back-binding to the base residue in M(ATP)2-, i.e. macrochelates are formed. Detailed analysis of the stability data allows calculation of the percentage of the closed form for the several M(ATP)2- complexes: back-binding is most pronounced in Cu(ATP)2- (67 +/- 2%), remarkable in Zn(ATP)2- (28 +/- 7%), and not observable for Ca(ATP)2- (2 +/- 6%). Comparison of these results with those from 1H-NMR and ultraviolet spectrophotometric studies allows the conclusion that two types of base back-bound macrochelates are formed: one with a direct, i.e. innersphere, M2+/N-7 coordination, and one with a water molecule between the metal ion and N-7, i.e. an outersphere interaction occurs [e.g. to about 10% in Mg(ATP)2-] through hydrogen bonding of a coordinated water to N-7. The formation degree of both forms of these closed isomers is quantified. The biological implications of these results are indicated and the versatility of ATP as a ligand is discussed by summarizing pertinent examples.
Effective Student Assistance in Virtual Reality Based Intelligent Tutoring Systems

The joint use of virtual reality (VR) and intelligent tutoring systems (ITSs) benefits them qualitatively, since their application scope and interaction possibilities are increased. The educational improvement implies the adaptation of the tutoring processes to the new environment, including exploiting many different and, sometimes, novel information types. One of the processes affected is that of the student assistance, which finds in 3D virtual environments new channels to operate. In this paper, the assistance capabilities of these systems are categorized, and the particular assistant system of the MAEVIF platform is described.
Acute respiratory virus infections.

Most of the acute respiratory disease seen in general practice every winter is caused by viruses. The main aim of research over the last 20 years has been to find out if one particular type of virus could be incriminated as the commonest cause of all the varied climcalrnanifestations of acute respiratory disease (A.R.D.) and the main cause of death, so that efficient methods of control could be developed. It is now obvious that this simple hope will never be realized and that no vaccine will ever abolish A.R. D. at a stroke. Over 150 different viruses have been isolated from out breaks of acute respiratory disease, and antibody acquired against one virus rarely gives any cross-protection against any of the others. Furthermore, almost all the clinical pictures of A.R. D. can be caused by most viruses. This is not surprising since the respiratory tract can respond in only a limited number of ways to any noxious stimulus: over-stimulation of mucous secretion and the cough reflex may be followed by loss of ciliary activity, shedding of mucosa, spasm or paralysis of bronchial smooth muscle and ultimately by retention of secretions, alveo lar collapse or consolidation. Nevertheless, only a few of the possible interactions of virus and host involve a risk to life and merit exceptional effort. For example, acute bronchial infections of infants caused by respiratory syncytial (R.S.) virus are far more sinister than infection of this age group by any other respiratory virus; yet in older children and adults R.S. infections are more common but so trivial as to deserve no special attention.
Bis(tri-2-pyridylamine)nickel(II) bis(perchlorate)

In the title compound, [Ni(C15H12N4)2](ClO4)2, the NiII atom lies on an inversion center and is octahedrally coordinated by the N atoms of two tridentate tri-2-pyridylamine ligands. The two perchlorate anions are disordered over two sites with a refined occupancy ratio of 0.528 (19):0.472 (19).
Dimensionality of three versions of the Eating Disorder Inventory in adolescent girls.

OBJECTIVES To analyze the dimensionality of three versions of the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) in adolescent girls. METHOD The sample comprised 738 participants. The Spanish adaptation of the EDI-2 was used. The EDI-2 contains the 64 items of EDI and has the same items as EDI-3. The dimensional structures hypothesized by Garner for the three EDI versions were assessed via a series of Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFAs). RESULTS The CFA did not confirm Garner's proposed structure in any of the three versions. Consequently it was decided to perform Exploratory Factor Analyses (EFA) of the EDI-2 and the EDI-3 to try to identify the underlying structure. The best theoretical and empirical fit was provided by a 7-factor structure. DISCUSSION This article presents a shortened version of the EDI-2 which may prove more suitable for use with adolescent girls in the general population than the original questionnaire. Certain practical suggestions for optimizing the use of the different versions of the EDI are also presented.
Simulations Based on the Cooptimization Procedure for Plated Contacts With a NiSi Interface

A cooptimization procedure has been developed for industrial solar cells metalized using a nickel seed layer thickened by a plated silver layer. A theoretical contact resistivity model for NiSi nickel silicide contacts was first computed and inserted into classical power loss equations. Optical, resistive, and recombination losses were then simulated with a standard set of parameters used in production. This procedure allows the generation of efficiency and silver consumption contour plots for homogeneous and selective emitters. For both, general guidelines are given for the optimization of the doping profile, the finger spacing, and the finger thickness.
A simulation tool for monitoring elderly who suffer from disorientation in a smart home

This paper addresses the challenging problem of disorientation of elderly people living at home. In order to detect confusion, we monitor the behaviour of the elderly and identify actions that appear alarming in a sensorized and video‐controlled smart environment. In the past, our research has focused on identifying situations, activities and interactions between various actors based on user‐understandable models. This work addresses the development of a simulation tool capable of synthesizing sensor data and low‐level/medium‐level scene events. The tool is of great interest with regard to the design and configuration of an elderly disorientation recognition system because it reduces the laborious and expensive need for experimentation with real devices. We integrate this proposal in a comprehensive framework that distinguishes between a recognition line and a simulation line in a potentially continuous and closed cycle. The recognition line goes from a multisensory monitored scene to its semantic interpretation, which could be completed even with only the narration of the facts. In the opposite direction, the simulation line goes from the narration of a scene to its synthesis with the same semantic content into a 3D simulation and the corresponding sensor signals and low/medium events at specific location points.
Adherence of tunnelled haemodialysis catheter to superior vena caval stent: successful percutaneous removal.

Despite being initially developed as short-term vascular access in haemodialysis patients, cuffed tunnelled haemodialysis catheters are now often relied on in the medium to long term [1,2]. This is either as a consequence of sub-optimal access to vascular surgical support or technical difficulties in obtaining definitive vascular access. These catheters are associated with an increased incidence of sepsis [3] and thrombosis [4], as compared with definitive vascular access. Furthermore, their use is associated with the development of stenosis within the great vessels. This risk although first recognised with the subclavian approach is also an issue with catheters placed within the internal jugular vein [5]. We present a novel case of a further complication arising from the combination of continued use of such catheters within a chronic haemodialysis patient who had had a previous venous stenosis radiologically intervened upon.
[Multiclonality of methicilin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a university hospital].

OBJECTIVE The methicillin resistance of Staphylococcus aureus MRSA is a major problem for human infections. The authors present a genotypic study of these bacteria to understand the spreading of these strains in a university hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS We collected 19 strains of MRSA (September 2003-March 2004) for which the presence of gene mecA had been confirmed by PCR. They were then genotyped in pulsed-field Gel electrophoresis (CHEF variety). RESULTS Resistant strains accounted for 12.9% of all collected S. aureus strains. Most samples came from patients hospitalized or consulting in dermatology. Eleven different antibiotypes and four genotypic profiles were determined: type A (with 8 subtypes), type B (with 2 subtypes), type C, and D. CONCLUSION MRSA strains have a multiclonal distribution in our hospital with a dominant endemic clone in the dermatological unit. Skin infections are the main hospital source for these strains.
High-Q on-chip inductors embedded in wafer-level package for RFIC applications

Wafer level packaging (WLP) technology has been used to integrate high-Q inductor on Si substrate. These inductors consist of a thick Cu electroplated rerouting to reduce series resistance and a thick dielectric layer to separate the inductors from Si substrate. The measured results show that the peak O-factor is 30 at 4 GHz for a 0.77 nH inductor, which is good agreement with the simulated performance by HFSS. Therefore, this technology realizes embedded high-Q inductors in WLP and can improve the performance of RF system.
A preliminary study of breast cancer diagnosis using laboratory based small angle x-ray scattering

Breast tissue collected from tumour samples and normal tissue from bi-lateral mastectomy procedures were examined using small angle x-ray scattering. Previous work has indicated that breast tissue disease diagnosis could be performed using small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) from a synchrotron radiation source. The technique would be more useful to health services if it could be made to work using a conventional x-ray source. Consistent and reliable differences in x-ray scatter distributions were observed between samples from normal and tumour tissue samples using the laboratory based ‘SAXSess’ system. Albeit from a small number of samples, a sensitivity of 100% was obtained. This result encourages us to pursue the implementation of SAXS as a laboratory based diagnosis technique.
Characteristics of nonmethane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) in industrial, industrial-urban, and industrial-suburban atmospheres of the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region of south China

Author(s): Chan, LY; Chu, KW; Zou, SC; Chan, CY; Wang, XM; Barletta, B; Blake, DR; Guo, H; Tsai, WY | Abstract: In a study conducted in late summer 2000, a wide range of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured throughout five target cities in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region of south China. Twenty-eight nonmethane hydrocarbons (NMHCs; 13 saturated, 9 unsaturated, and 6 aromatic) are discussed. The effect of rapid industrialization was studied for three categories of landuse in the PRD: Industrial, industrial-urban, and industrial-suburban. The highest VOC mixing ratios were observed in industrial areas. Despite its relatively short atmospheric lifetime (2-3 days), toluene, which is largely emitted from industrial solvent use and vehicular emissions, was the most abundant NMHC quantified. Ethane, ethene, ethyne, propane, n-butane, i-pentane, benzene, and m-xylene were the next most abundant VOCs. Direct emissions from industrial activities were found to greatly impact the air quality in nearby neighborhoods. These emissions lead to large concentration variations for many VOCs in the five PRD study cities. Good correlations between isoprene and several short-lived combustion products were found in industrial areas, suggesting that in addition to biogenic sources, anthropogenic emissions may contribute to urban isoprene levels. This study provides a snapshot of industrial, industrial-urban, and industrial-suburban NMHCs in the five most industrially developed cities of the PRD. Increased impact of industrial activities on PRD air quality due to the rapid spread of industry from urban to suburban and rural areas, and the decrease of farmland, is expected to continue until effective emission standards are implemented. Copyright 2006 by the American Geophysical Union.
Sensitivity and specificity of transcranial Doppler ultrasonography in the diagnosis of vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage

Vasospasm is the leading cause of death and disability in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) can detect the arterial narrowing noninvasively, but the sensitivity and specificity of this technique have not been reported in a population of patients with a high frequency of angiographic vasospasm. In this study, 34 consecutive patients with SAH undergoing angiography during the period of risk for vasospasm had technically adequate TCD examinations within 24 hours of the angiogram. Using a mean flow velocity of 120 cm/sec and above as indicative of vasospasm, TCD correctly detected angiographic vasospasm in 17 patients; there were no false positives. It correctly determined that 5 patients did not have vasospasm, whereas there were 12 false negatives. False negatives were frequently due to angiographic vasospasm involving vessels not assessable by TCD. The correlation between mean flow velocity and the angiographic residual lumen diameter of the middle cerebral artery was statistically significant. These data suggest that TCD is a highly specific (100%), but less sensitive (58.6%) test for the detection of angiographic vasospasm following SAH. Confirmatory angiography may be avoided if the TCD study is positive, but additional studies may be necessary if the clinical picture is suspicious and the TCD study is negative.
LookTel - Computer Vision Applications for the Visually Impaired

The modern world is predominantly visual. While most people live and function with vision, many people live their lives with limited or no vision at all. The system presented in this dissertation aims to use computer vision techniques to improve the lives of individuals having severe visual impairments or blindness. By applying real-time image recognition in an accessible manner the system facilitates increased personal independence. The system presented here substantially advances the state of the art both in terms of the speed, accuracy, and robustness to the real-world variability. The real-time on-device recognition speed enables more than just object identification; it permits detection—finding the desired item among others. The high accuracy and robustness expands the ability for people to participate in commerce and expand roles for economic participation in multiple cultures. We present an extensive evaluation demonstration and a real-world public release of the system.
LDL cholesterol targets – how low to go?

Purpose of review Lowering LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) reduces vascular risk. Current guidelines recommend initiating statin therapy in patients with a yearly coronary heart disease risk of around 1.5–2%, and most clinicians prescribe standard statin regimens (e.g. 40 mg simvastatin daily). However, there is some uncertainty about whether patients at somewhat lower vascular risk should receive lipid-lowering therapy and also how intensive statin treatment should be. Recent findings Lowering LDL-C by around 1 mmol/l reduces vascular mortality and major morbidity by about one-fifth, and more recent randomized trials comparing intensive versus standard statin regimens confirm that a further LDL-C reduction of 0.5 mmol/l results in an additional 15% reduction in the risk of a major vascular event. Furthermore, statin therapy significantly reduces vascular mortality and morbidity in patients with less than 1% annual risk of a major vascular event. In general, statins are safe and well tolerated, but 80 mg simvastatin is associated with an unacceptably high risk of statin-induced myopathy. Summary Lipid-lowering therapy with statins is cost-effective for a wider range of patients than currently recommended. Intensive statin therapy is associated with larger reductions in vascular risk, and lower LDL-C targets (particularly for higher-risk individuals) should help reduce vascular mortality and major vascular morbidity substantially.