Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Comparative Statics Properties of the Theory of the Regulated Firm

This paper presents an analysis of the comparative statics properties of the theory of the regulated firm. It is assumed that the firm either maximizes profit, subject to regulatory constraint, or maximizes revenue, subject to regulatory constraint and a profit constraint. The question asked in each case is whether there are comparative statics properties which distinguish effective from ineffective regulation. Several properties which do so are identified. In particular, the firm's derived demands are found to have some very striking properties. It is shown that if the regulatory constraint is effective, then at given output the firm's demand for capital decreases while its demand for labor increases with increases in the wage rate. These peculiar properties also occur in some cases when the regulatory constraint is not binding if revenue is maximized. However, there prove to be properties which conclusively distinguish revenue maximization from profit maximization.
Harmonic Injection-Based Adaptive Control of IPMSM Motor Drive for Reduced Motor Current THD

This paper presents a robust nonlinear controller for interior permanent magnet synchronous motors based on maximum torque per ampere. Harmonic reduction is achieved through strategic third harmonic injection into the command voltages. Third harmonic injection also permits increased utilization (transfer ratio) of supply potential, which facilitates a greater speed operating range. Stability of the control law state variables is demonstrated through Lyapunov stability criterion. Global asymptotic stability is assured through the application of criterion supported by Barbalat's lemma. Control expressions are derived using an adaptive back-stepping technique, with estimation of dynamic load and mechanical coefficient ensuring optimal performance under dynamic operating conditions. The proposed system has been implemented in a cosimulation environment, with control system and machine model implemented in Matlab/Simulink and PSIM, respectively. The complete drive system is implemented using the DS1104 DSP board for a 3.7 kW laboratory motor. Both experimental and simulation results have demonstrated excellent drive performance, harmonic distortion reduction, and an increase in the linear modulation range.
An exact pricing formula for European call options on zero-coupon bonds in the run-up to a currency union

In this paper we analyze the dynamics of zero-coupon bond options in a situation in which two open economies plan to enter a currency union in the future. More precisely, we make use of recent theoretical work on the continuous-time dynamics of interest-rate differentials between the economies involved and derive a closed-form pricing formula for a European call option on zero-coupon bonds. In a Monte-Carlo simulation study we show that significant option-pricing errors can occur when the key features of interest-rate dynamics during the run-up to the currency union are ignored.
ProxyTeller: A Tool for Guiding Web Proxy Cache Placement Decisions

The efficient delivery of internet content has been identified as a key issue of research for some time. Forward (or reverse) proxies, which are positioned along the request route from the users’ browsers to the origin content servers, maintain a cache with copies of content from their origin servers. The strategic placement of proxies across the backbone ISP network (or the Content Delivery Network) can drastically improve the performance of the system (in terms of network bandwidth savings, origin server load, and user-request latency). The ultimate goal of this work is to develop a tool that decides on the position and the number of proxies required in order to achieve given performance improvements (expressed in terms of network bandwidth, origin server load, and user-latency). We believe such a tool will be very helpful to ISPs/CDNs, content providers, and end-users and is, thus, very much lacking.
A Monetary Approach to the Balance of Trade

The predominant approach to empirical analyses of the balance of trade has been to estimate demand equations for quantities of imports and of exports, employing as explanatory variables relative prices and real incomes. This approach, referred to as the elasticities approach, is most notably exemplified by the work of Hendrick Houthakker and Stephen Magee, although other examples can be found discussed in the survey of such work by Magee (1975). In contrast, contemporary work falling under the rubric of the monetary approach to the balance of payments has emphasized that the balance of payments is determined by the net excess supply or demand for money. But because the balance of payments is identically the sum of the balance of trade, the capital account, and the service account, the monetary approach additionally implies that these subaccounts must be influenced in some way by the net excess supply or demand for money. The empirical work of Pentti Kouri and Michael Porter and of Kouri could be interpreted as combining in one model elements of both the elasticities approach to the balance of trade and the monetary approach to the balance of payments. In these studies, the current account (the sum of the balance of trade and service account) is assumed to be exogenous to the model while the behavior of the capital account is determined by the net excess supply or demand for money. In such a framework the balance of trade could be viewed as being determined by relative prices and real incomes, and the capital account could be viewed as that component of the balance of payments which is
Responses of sap flow, leaf gas exchange and growth of hybrid aspen to elevated atmospheric humidity under field conditions

An increase in average air temperature and frequency of rain events is predicted for higher latitudes by the end of the 21st century, accompanied by a probable rise in air humidity. We currently lack knowledge on how forest trees acclimate to rising air humidity in temperate climates. We analysed the leaf gas exchange, sap flow and growth characteristics of hybrid aspen (Populus tremula × P. tremuloides) trees growing at ambient and artificially elevated air humidity in an experimental forest plantation situated in the hemiboreal vegetation zone. Humidification manipulation did not affect the photosynthetic capacity of plants, but did affect stomatal responses: trees growing at elevated air humidity had higher stomatal conductance at saturating photosynthetically active radiation (gs sat) and lower intrinsic water-use efficiency (IWUE). Reduced stomatal limitation of photosynthesis in trees grown at elevated air humidity allowed slightly higher net photosynthesis and relative current-year height increments than in trees at ambient air humidity. Tree responses suggest a mitigating effect of higher air humidity on trees under mild water stress. At the same time, trees at higher air humidity demonstrated a reduced sensitivity of IWUE to factors inducing stomatal closure and a steeper decline in canopy conductance in response to water deficit, implying higher dehydration risk. Despite the mitigating impact of increased air humidity under moderate drought, a future rise in atmospheric humidity at high latitudes may be disadvantageous for trees during weather extremes and represents a potential threat in hemiboreal forest ecosystems.
Effect of transmission opportunity and frame aggregation on VoIP capacity over IEEE 802.11n WLANs

Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) networks have gained unprecedented growth in recent years and have played an important role in the popularity of wireless VoIP. IEEE 802.11n is the most widely used WiFi standard today. Transmission Opportunity (TXOP) and Frame Aggregation (FA) are two important Medium Access Control (MAC) Layer enhancements provided by IEEE 802.11n standard. In this work our focus is on the determination of optimal values of TXOP and FA that maximize VoIP capacity. We first determine the optimal value of FA that maximizes VoIP capacity. Our simulation results show that optimal value of FA that maximizes VoIP capacity is 14. At 10 ms packetization interval this value of FA provides a gain of 26% in VoIP capacity as compared to the VoIP capacity with no FA. Secondly, we find that the optimal value of TXOP that maximizes VoIP capacity is 13. At 10ms packetization interval this value of TXOP gives a gain of 32% in VoIP capacity as compared to VoIP capacity with default value of TXOP. We then determine the VoIP capacity when optimal values of TXOP and FA are simultaneously used. Our study reveals that simultaneous use of optimal values of both FA and TXOP further increase VoIP capacity. A gain of 44% in VoIP capacity is achieved when optimal values of TXOP and FA are used simultaneously as compared to the VoIP capacity with default values of both FA and TXOP. We further determine VoIP capacity over User Datagram Protocol (UDP) and TCP Friendly Rate Control (TFRC) protocol in the presence of Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) traffic. We note that in the presence of TCP traffic, TFRC with optimal values of TXOP and FA provides an average gain of 37% as compared to TFRC with default values of FA and TXOP.
A Novel Particle Swarm Optimization with Passive Congregation via Chaotic Sequences

(CPSOPC) algorithm utilizes chaotic sequences to improve the global searching by escaping the local optima. This algorithm overcomes the disadvantages of premature convergence in the PSOPC. We compared the proposed algorithm with PSOPC for eight benchmark functions with 10 and 20 dimensions. Simulation results indicate that the CPSOPC improves the global convergence of PSOPC. Furthermore, the proposed algorithm improves the accuracy and efficiency of searches compared with PSOPC and increases the convergence speed of PSOPC.
The Effects of Interest Uncertainty in a Life-Cycle Model

Until a few years ago one of the main assumptions of the neoclassical theory was the knowledge, more or less absolute, of future economic events. This deterministic approach implies that all individuals are able to forecast with certainty the future value of the main variables of the model (for instance the interest rate earned on accumulated savings in a life-cycle model). The assumption of perfect foresight of such important variables is surely a restrictive hypothesis. The effect of uncertainty and risk-aversion upon rational decision rules for individuals (as well as institutions) to use in selecting optimal consumption and saving patterns and optimal portfolios have increasingly engaged the attention of theoretical and professional economists of the capital markets and of business finance. The purpose of this paper is to provide a simple framework in which we explore the consequences of the introduction of interest uncertainty on the consumptionand saving-plans of an individual first and on the optimal accumulation rate of an entire dynasty or class later. In other words we try to answer the question of what is going to happen when uncertainty is introduced into a deterministic life-cycle model. Our analysis will show that while the variance of the uncertain rate of return on capital has a definite effect on the optimal variables of the model, the risk-
Muscle loss in aging population

Sarcopenia is a generic term for the loss of skeletal muscle mass, quality and performance associated with normal aging that can lead to frailty in the elderly. It cannot be considered a disease or a condition that has a clear diagnostic marker. However, the clearly is a decline in the average muscle mass and performance associated with senescence. Because of the great increase in the proportion of the population living long enough that frailty becomes a significant problem, there is much interest in achieving a better scientific understanding of sarcopenia. The ageing of the European population is a major public health problem for most of the industrialized western countries, and represents both a social and an economic burden for the European population.
Morinda citrifolia (Noni) as an Anti-Inflammatory Treatment in Women with Primary Dysmenorrhoea: A Randomised Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial

Introduction. Noni (Morinda citrifolia) has been used for many years as an anti-inflammatory agent. We tested the efficacy of Noni in women with dysmenorrhea. Method. We did a prospective randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial in 100 university students of 18 years and older over three menstrual cycles. Patients were invited to participate and randomly assigned to receive 400 mg Noni capsules or placebo. They were assessed for baseline demographic variables such as age, parity, and BMI. They were also assessed before and after treatment, for pain, menstrual blood loss, and laboratory variables: ESR, hemoglobin, and packed cell volume. Results. Of the 1027 women screened, 100 eligible women were randomized. Of the women completing the study, 42 women were randomized to Noni and 38 to placebo. There were no significant differences in any of the variables at randomization. There were also no significant differences in mean bleeding score or pain score at randomization. Both bleeding and pain scores gradually improved in both groups as the women were observed over three menstrual cycles; however, the improvement was not significantly different in the Noni group when compared to the controls. Conclusion. Noni did not show a reduction in menstrual pain or bleeding when compared to placebo.
Joint ML estimation of carrier frequency, channel, I/Q mismatch, and DC offset in communication receivers

This paper proposes a technique that jointly estimates the I/Q mismatch, dc offset, carrier frequency offset, and channel for receivers in frequency selective channels. The joint estimator is a data-aided technique that requires a training sequence and is derived based on the maximum likelihood (ML) criterion. The characteristics of the joint estimator are analyzed. In particular, it is shown that its accuracy almost achieves the Crame/spl acute/r-Rao lower bound (CRLB). The advantage of the proposed estimator over an existing method is demonstrated through computer simulation.
Enhanced Quality Using Intensive Test and Analysis on Simulators

Embedded systems are becoming ubiquitous and are subject to demanding standards in both safety and reliability. Modern vehicles, which must respect ISO 26262 standards, use up to 100 Electronic Control Unit (ECUs). Advances in microelectronics enable integration of more functions in the ECU, but at the cost of greater unreliability in hostile operating environments, such as electromagnetic fields, temperature, and humidity. Their software mainly drives embedded system flexibility and smartness. However due to lack of automation, its validation and verification (V&V) takes place throughout the design process and tends to swallow up 40% to 50% of the total development cost. The “Enhanced Quality Using Intensive Test Analysis on Simulators” (EQUITAS) project intends to limit the impact of software V&V on embedded systems cost and time-to-market while improving reliability and functional safety. Project activities include: development of a continuous tool-chain to automate the V&V process of embedded computers, improving the relevance of the test campaigns by detecting the redundant tests using equivalence classes, providing assistance for hardware failure effect analysis (FMEA), and finally assessing the tool-chain under the ISO 26262 requirements.
Feature-based tracking approach for detection of moving vehicle in traffic videos

In this paper, we present a novel approach for detection of moving vehicles in traffic videos. We propose a feature-based (corner-based) tracking to track and classify moving vehicles from the extracted ghost or cast shadow. The corner points of the vehicles are detected, labeled and grouped to generate a unique label per vehicle. This approach is able to deal with different types of deformations on the shape of the vehicles due to changes in size, direction and viewpoint. Also, the proposed method is totally free from motion estimation. To demonstrate the robustness and accuracy of our system, the results of the experiments are conducted on traffic videos including different complex background, illumination, motion, camera position, clutter and direction of the vehicles taken from outdoor boulevards and city roads. We detect moving vehicles on an average of 98.8% in a scene. The results show the robustness of our proposed algorithm.
Ju l 1 99 8 F q-Linear Calculus over Function Fields

We define analogues of higher derivatives for Fq-linear functions over the field of formal Laurent series with coefficients in Fq. This results in a formula for Taylor coefficients of a Fq-linear holomorphic function, a definition of classes of Fq-linear smooth functions which are characterized in terms of coefficients of their Fourier-Carlitz expansions. A Volkenborn-type integration theory for Fq-linear functions is developed; in particular, an integral representation of the Carlitz logarithm is obtained.
Six Years of Systematic Literature Reviews in Software Engineering: an Extended Tertiary Study

After the introduction of evidence-based software engineering in 2004, systematic literature reviews (SLR) have been increasingly used as a method for conducting secondary studies in software engineering. Our goal is to analyze quality, coverage of software engineering topics, and potential impact of published SLRs, extending and updating two previous similar studies. We searched for SLRs published between July 2008 and December 2009, analyzed the relevant studies, compared and integrated our findings with previous studies. We found 67 SLRs, addressing 24 software engineering topics. The number of SLRs in software engineering is increasing and the overall quality of the studies is improving, suggesting that the software engineering research community is starting to consistently adopt SLRs as a research method. However, the majority of the SLRs did not evaluate the quality of primary studies and fail to provide guidelines to practitioners, thus decreasing their potential impact to influence software engineering practice.
Linear output regulation of heterogeneous networked systems based on distributed adaptive dynamic state feedback

This paper investigates the linear output regulation problem of heterogeneous networked systems with an aim to make all nodes track the exosystem cooperatively. Firstly, by fully using the interactions between the nodes, a distributed adaptive control law based on full information feedback is designed. Then, considering that the exosystem-accessible nodes can be controlled by static state feedback conveniently, we present a distributed control law with only partial nodes controlled by adaptive dynamic state feedback. Different from some existing works, the feedback gains of the proposed control laws in this paper are independent of the Laplacian matrices of the system topologies, which is of global nature. It has been shown that the linear output regulation problem of heterogeneous networked systems can be solved with both proposed control laws. At last, two numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed distributed control laws.
Kenya : taking liberties : July 1991 : an Africa Watch report

Background deadly verdict - the murder of foreign minister Dr Robert Ouko the great debate - calling for political pluralism Saba Saba - the July killings security forces torture detention without trial sedition - dealing with invisible evidence the judiciary - a system of injustice prison conditions lawyers - challenging legitimacy the media and self-censorship church and state Kenya's land crisis emergency powers and the North Eastern Province screening of ethnic Somalis - pink cards for second-class citizens the shoot-to-kill policy Northern Kenya - a violent occupation refugees - a dangerous sanctuary British policy US policy, recommendations. Appendices: A very Kenyan tale - the story of Oduor Ong'wen court records of Kisumu children's trials cases of sedition and breach of the peace in January 1990-July 1991 constitutional amendments testimony of a Somali refugee who came by sea and arrived in Kenya in February 1991.
Infant rats can learn time intervals before the maturation of the striatum: evidence from odor fear conditioning

Interval timing refers to the ability to perceive, estimate and discriminate durations in the range of seconds to minutes. Very little is currently known about the ontogeny of interval timing throughout development. On the other hand, even though the neural circuit sustaining interval timing is a matter of debate, the striatum has been suggested to be an important component of the system and its maturation occurs around the third post-natal (PN) week in rats. The global aim of the present study was to investigate interval timing abilities at an age for which striatum is not yet mature. We used odor fear conditioning, as it can be applied to very young animals. In odor fear conditioning, an odor is presented to the animal and a mild footshock is delivered after a fixed interval. Adult rats have been shown to learn the temporal relationships between the odor and the shock after a few associations. The first aim of the present study was to assess the activity of the striatum during odor fear conditioning using 2-Deoxyglucose autoradiography during development in rats. The data showed that although fear learning was displayed at all tested ages, activation of the striatum was observed in adults but not in juvenile animals. Next, we assessed the presence of evidence of interval timing in ages before and after the inclusion of the striatum into the fear conditioning circuit. We used an experimental setup allowing the simultaneous recording of freezing and respiration that have been demonstrated to be sensitive to interval timing in adult rats. This enabled the detection of duration-related temporal patterns for freezing and/or respiration curves in infants as young as 12 days PN during odor fear conditioning. This suggests that infants are able to encode time durations as well as and as quickly as adults while their striatum is not yet functional. Alternative networks possibly sustaining interval timing in infant rats are discussed.
Optimal Deadlock-free Path-based Multicast Algorithms in Meshes

Multicasting is an information dissemination problem which consists, for a node of a distributed memory parallel computer, of sending the same message to an arbitrary subset of nodes. The two major criteria to be considered in multicast communication are \textsl{traffic} (number of channels used) & \textsl{latency} (time required). In this paper, we proposed new polynomial algorithms giving optimal solutions in terms of traffic or latency for a mesh network using \textsl{wormhole} routing & \textsl{path-based} facility. All the algorithms are shown to be deadlock-free. Moreover, we generalize our algorithms to arbitrary Hamiltonian graphs.
BUS DEREGULATION: A WELFARE BALANCE SHEET

The effects of local bus deregulation in the United Kingdom are assessed over the period 1985/86 to 1988/89. After taking account of lower earnings and fuel costs, a substantial reduction in operating cost per bus-kilometre through improved productivity is shown. However, ridership losses were greater than expected, and substantial losses to users through higher fares and service instability emerge. Large increases in bus-kilometres operated did not produce any aggregate increase in ridership, but offset much of the reduction in unit cost. Overall, a small net benefit is shown in the metropolitan areas, but a net loss elsewhere. In contrast, London (not deregulated, but subject to a competitive tendering system) shows no user or worker losses, and a substantial net benefit through higher productivity. (Author/TRRL)