Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inside the Black Box: Bank Credit Allocation in China’s Private Sector

This study examines how the Chinese state-owned banks allocate loans to private firms. We find that the banks extend loans to financially healthier and better-governed firms, which implies that the banks use commercial judgments in this segment of the market. We also find that having the state as a minority owner helps firms obtain bank loans and this suggests that political connections play a role in gaining access to bank finance. In addition, we find that commercial judgments are important determinants of the lending decisions for manufacturing firms, large firms, and firms located in regions with a more developed banking sector; political connections are important for firms in service industries, large firms, and firms located in areas with a less developed banking sector.
Interference cancellation in groups

Consider a multiuser white noise channel of bandwidth W Hz, white noise spectral density /spl eta//2, with M users all received at power P, all requiring the same rate R bits/sec. It is known that that there is a Shannon capacity for the channel and that it is achievable by FDMA. This capacity can also be achieved by an interference cancellation procedure that involves M/sup 2/ cancellations, and Rimoldi and Urbanke (see IEEE Trans. Inform. Theory, 1994) have shown that it is achievable with at most 2M cancellation steps. We show that we can achieve rates arbitrarily close to capacity with O(1) cancellation steps in the particular case of equal powers and equal rates.
Alternative Splicing in Self-Renewal of Embryonic Stem Cells

Much of embryonic stem cell biology has focused on transcriptional expression and regulation of genes that could mediate its unique potential in self-renewal or pluripotency. In alignment with our present understanding on the genetic, protein, and epigenetic factors that may direct cell fate, we present a short overview of the often overlooked contribution of alternative splice variants to regulatory diversity. Progressing beyond the limitations of a fixed genomic sequence, alternative splicing offers an additional layer of complexity to produce protein variants that may differ in function and localization that can direct embryonic stem cells to specific differentiation pathways. In light of the number of variants that can be produced at key ES cell genes alone, it is challenging to consider how much more multifaceted transcriptional regulation truly is, and if this can be captured more fully in future works.
Brushless DC generator controlled by constrained predictive algorithm

The brushless DC generator controlled by a predictive algorithm is considered in this paper. It is able to develop excellent performances such as minimum Joule losses and minimum torque ripple, at the same time. The tracking characteristic of the prime-mover is mandatory for setting the reference value of the electromagnetic torque developed by the generator, by means of which the switching pattern of the AC/DC converter is determined at each sampling time interval. The above generator performances are possible under certain constrained values of reference torque and rotor speed, due to the DC-bus voltage saturation. The knowledge of these quantities are necessary for the best matching of the prime-mover with the brushless DC generator and the AC/DC converter. In this paper, these constraints are investigated in detail with the aim of highlighting the best operation of the conversion system under a constant DC bus voltage.
Diabetes Impairs Stem Cell and Proangiogenic Cell Mobilization in Humans

OBJECTIVE Diabetes mellitus (DM) increases cardiovascular risk, at least in part, through shortage of vascular regenerative cells derived from the bone marrow (BM). In experimental models, DM causes morphological and functional BM alterations, but information on BM function in human DM is missing. Herein, we sought to assay mobilization of stem and proangiogenic cells in subjects with and without DM. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In a prospective trial (NCT01102699), we tested BM responsiveness to 5 μg/kg human recombinant granulocyte colony–stimulating factor (hrG-CSF) in 24 individuals with DM (10 type 1 and 14 type 2) and 14 individuals without DM. Before and 24 h after hrG-CSF, we quantified circulating stem/progenitor cells and total and differential white blood cell counts. We also evaluated in vivo the proangiogenic capacity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells using the Matrigel plug assay. RESULTS In response to hrG-CSF, levels of CD34+ cells and other progenitor cell phenotypes increased in subjects without DM. Patients with DM had significantly impaired mobilization of CD34+, CD133+, and CD34+CD133+ hematopoietic stem cells and CD133+KDR+ endothelial progenitors, independently of potential confounders. The in vivo angiogenic capacity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells significantly increased after hrG-CSF in control subjects without DM, but not in patients with DM. DM was also associated with the inability to upregulate CD26/DPP-4 on CD34+ cells, which is required for the mobilizing effect of granulocyte colony–stimulating factor. CONCLUSIONS Stem and proangiogenic cell mobilization in response to hrG-CSF is impaired in DM, possibly because of maladaptive CD26/DPP-4 regulation. These alterations may hamper tissue repair and favor the development of cardiovascular complications.
Self-learning fuzzy SVC scontroller for oscillations damping

this paper investigates the use of self learning fuzzy PD controller applied to SVC device for improving damping inter-area modes of oscillations. The SLFLC utilizes sensitivity model for learning of SLFLC parameters. This has been enhanced by adding an integral term whose gain coefficient is also synthesized by learning that is actuated after completion of the main learning algorithm. The paper considers the conventional PID controller and compares its performance with respect to the proposed SLFLC controller. Several fault and load disturbance simulation results are presented to emphasize the efficiency of the proposed SVC controller in a TNB 25bus of south Malaysian power system KeywordsSVC devices; Power system oscillations; Fuzzy logic controllers (FLC); self learning fuzzy logic controller (SLFLC); Damping oscillation.
Analysis of Algorithms for Phrase Recognition

Three algorithms, designed to recognize vowels, are analyzed for their complexity class or growth pattern. First a databank was prepared from vowel loops of Peterson and Barney (1952) which was used for vowel recognition. The above three algorithms produced the same vowel-recognition rate of more than 78% on a given short phrase. This paper submits the result of our analysis of the three algorithms to investigate their growth pattern and decide which of the three is the fastest in making decision of vowel recognition. The simple system of vowel recognition, presented in this paper, which leads to phrasal recognition, can serve the purpose of automatic recognition of short phrases in a long wire-tapped message. The phrasal recognition can be advantageous to do a preliminary study whether or not a wire-tapped long message contained phrases of interest. If it does the intelligence agent can get primed to scrutinize the entire message. This scheme can spare a lot of time of heavily loaded intelligence agent deputed to do wire-tapping
Model validation of simple-graph representations of metabolism

The large-scale properties of chemical reaction systems, such as metabolism, can be studied with graph-based methods. To do this, one needs to reduce the information, lists of chemical reactions, available in databases. Even for the simplest type of graph representation, this reduction can be done in several ways. We investigate different simple network representations by testing how well they encode information about one biologically important network structure—network modularity (the propensity for edges to be clustered into dense groups that are sparsely connected between each other). To achieve this goal, we design a model of reaction systems where network modularity can be controlled and measure how well the reduction to simple graphs captures the modular structure of the model reaction system. We find that the network types that best capture the modular structure of the reaction system are substrate–product networks (where substrates are linked to products of a reaction) and substance networks (with edges between all substances participating in a reaction). Furthermore, we argue that the proposed model for reaction systems with tunable clustering is a general framework for studies of how reaction systems are affected by modularity. To this end, we investigate statistical properties of the model and find, among other things, that it recreates correlations between degree and mass of the molecules.
ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION OF SOUTHWESTERN PONDEROSA PINE ECOSYSTEMS: A BROAD PERSPECTIVE

The purpose of this paper is to promote a broad and flexible perspective on ecological restoration of Southwestern (U.S.) ponderosa pine forests. Ponderosa pine forests in the region have been radically altered by Euro-American land uses, including livestock grazing, fire suppression, and logging. Dense thickets of young trees now abound, old- growth and biodiversity have declined, and human and ecological communities are in- creasingly vulnerable to destructive crown fires. A consensus has emerged that it is urgent to restore more natural conditions to these forests. Efforts to restore Southwestern forests will require extensive projects employing varying combinations of young-tree thinning and reintroduction of low-intensity fires. Treatments must be flexible enough to recognize and accommodate: high levels of natural heterogeneity; dynamic ecosystems; wildlife and other biodiversity considerations; scientific uncertainty; and the challenges of on-the-ground im- plementation. Ecological restoration should reset ecosystem trends toward an envelope of ''natural variability,'' including the reestablishment of natural processes. Reconstructed historic reference conditions are best used as general guides rather than rigid restoration prescriptions. In the long term, the best way to align forest conditions to track ongoing climate changes is to restore fire, which naturally correlates with current climate. Some stands need substantial structural manipulation (thinning) before fire can safely be reintro- duced. In other areas, such as large wilderness and roadless areas, fire alone may suffice as the main tool of ecological restoration, recreating the natural interaction of structure and process. Impatience, overreaction to crown fire risks, extractive economics, or hubris could lead to widespread application of highly intrusive treatments that may further damage forest ecosystems. Investments in research and monitoring of restoration treatments are essential to refine restoration methods. We support the development and implementation of a diverse range of scientifically viable restoration approaches in these forests, suggest principles for ecologically sound restoration that immediately reduce crown fire risk and incrementally return natural variability and resilience to Southwestern forests, and present ecological perspectives on several forest restoration approaches.
Why Did Financial Institutions Sell RMBS at Fire Sale Prices during the Financial Crisis

Much attention has been paid to the large decreases in value of non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) during the financial crisis. Many observers have argued that the fall in prices was partly caused by fire sales. We use capital requirements and accounting rules to identify circumstances where financial institutions had incentives to engage in fire sales and then examine whether such sales occurred. For financial institutions subject to credit-sensitive capital requirements, capital requirements increase as an asset's credit becomes impaired. When accounting rules require such an asset's value to be marked-to-market and the fair value loss to be recognized in earnings, a capital-constrained firm can improve its capital position by selling the credit-impaired asset even if it has to accept a liquidity discount to do so. In contrast, a financial firm whose fair value losses are not recognized in earnings for the purpose of calculating capital requirements is more likely to satisfy capital requirements by selling liquid assets whose value has not fallen and hence would be unlikely to engage in fire sales. Using a sample of 5,000 repeat transactions of non-agency RMBS by insurance companies from 2006 to 2009, we show that insurance companies that became more capital-constrained because of operating losses (uncorrelated with RMBS credit quality) and also recognized fair value losses sold comparable RMBS at much lower prices than other insurance companies during the crisis.
Reversible Data Hiding for Color BMP Image Based on Block Difference Histogram

This work proposes a reversible data hiding algorithm for color BMP image that is based on the block difference histogram. The method divides the color BMP image into non-overlapping 3 by 3 pixels blocks. In each block, the specified pixel is selected to calculate absolute differences between the RGB color value of the selected pixel and that of the other pixels. Then, these differences are used to generate a histogram and the block difference histogram shifting method is adopted to embed data. Experimental results reveal that the proposed method yields a high embedding capacity.
Changes in Nerve Conduction Velocity After Six Weeks of Glucoregulation With Portable Insulin Infusion Pumps

SUMMARY Near normal glucoregulation was maintained in 10 patients with insulin-dependent (type I) diabetes mellitus for 6 wk with preprogrammed continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion using a portable battery-powered infusion pump (CSII). This form of therapy resulted in a statistically significant increase in motor nerve conduction velocity in the median and peroneal nerves compared with baseline values. There was no significant change in the motor nerve conduction velocity in the ulnar nerve or in the sensory nerve conduction studies. No changes occurred in five additional patients studied in similar fashion while on a conventional insulin regimen. These results suggest that the prevention of sustained hyperglycemia with CSII could theoretically result in the prevention of diabetic neuropathy. However, only long-term studies of CSII will provide the information necessary to determine the clinical relevance of the findings.
On timing offset estimation for OFDM systems

Two timing offset estimation methods for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems as modifications to Schmidl and Cox's method (see IEEE Trans. Commun., vol.45, p.1613-21, 1997) are presented. The performances of the timing offset estimators in additive white Gaussian noise channel and intersymbol interference channel are compared in terms of estimator variance obtained by simulation. Both proposed methods have significantly smaller estimator variance in both channel conditions.
Effects of Exercise Duration and Number of Players in Heart Rate Responses and Technical Skills During Futsal Small-sided Games

In the design of training programs, it is common for coaches to modify task constraints to conduct the drill intensity at the targeted level. Sport specific drills with variations are constantly used in Futsal practices, however the knowledge about how these variations influence drill intensity and technical demands is very scarce. The purpose of this study was to measure the physiological and technical effects of both duration and variations in the numbers of players in futsal specific drills. Heart rates and technical skills of 8 semi-professional futsal players were recorded during four specific drills. The experimental protocol consisted in a half-court game with official rules, played in 4v4, 3v3 and 2v2, each during 4 minutes and 4v4 during 10 minutes. It was maintained an active break of 4 minutes between each repetition. The lowest %HRmax was observed in response to the 4v4 drill independent of the exercise duration. In players' number variation statistically significant differences were found in the percentage of time spent between 65-85%HRmax, in the number of successive contacts with the ball and number of dribbles. In exercise duration, statistically significant differences were found in percentage of time spent above 85%HRmax, in the number of successive contacts with the ball, number of dribbles and number of tackles. The decrease in the number of players and exercise duration resulted in intensity increases and more frequent individual tactical actions.
An efficient technique for hybrid classification and feature extraction using normalization

Text classification is technique for assigning the class or label to a particular document within predefined class labels. Predefined classes examples are sports, business, technical, education and science etc. Classification is supervised learning technique i.e. these classes are trained with certain features and then document is classified based on similarity measure with these trained document set. Text classification is used in many applications like assigning the label to the documents, separating the spam messages from the genuine one, filtering of text, natural language processing etc. Feature selection, extraction and classification are various phases for assigning label to any document. In this paper, PCA is used for feature extraction, ABC is used for feature selection and SVM is used for classification. PCA is improved by applying normalization-using size of features in our proposed approach. It reduces the redundant features to larger extent. There are very few research works, which have implemented PCA, ABC and SVM for complete classification. Evaluation parameters like accuracy, F-measure and G-mean are calculated to check classifier efficiency. The proposed system is deployed on 20-Newsgroup dataset. Experiment analysis proves that accuracy is improved using our proposed approach as compared to existing approaches.
Mitigating the adverse impact of particulates on indoor air

Part of a series of fi ve reports that cover energy and industry, traffi c and transport, measurement technology, indoor air, and health and the environment. This publication includes material protected under copyright law, the copyright for which is held by Tekes or a third party. Material contained here may not be used for commercial purposes. The contents are the opinion of the writers concerned and do not represent the offi cial Tekes position. Tekes bears no responsibility for any possible damage arising from the use of this material. The original source must be mentioned when quoting from this publication. 3 Preface T he air we breathe exposes us to a growing number of airborne contaminants, including particulate matter invisible to the eye, as a result of ever-growing traffi c volumes and ever-higher levels of energy generation , as well as other factors. Fine particulates are known to have major health implications, and result in the premature death of over 300,000 people in the EU annually alone. Advances in technology are allowing us to measure smaller and smaller sizes of particles and gain a better understanding of how they impact health and the environment, however. The more we learn about the very real harm caused by these types of emissions, the more the benefi ts of introducing tougher air quality standards become clearer. Typical of the initiatives being introduced in this area is the European Commission's Clean Air for Europe (CAFE) programme, the results of which will be used to enhance European air quality from 2010 onwards. Tekes launched a four-year programme in 2002 known as the FINE Particles – Technology, Environment and Health Technology Programme – together with the Academy of Finland, the Ministry of Transport and Communications, and the Ministry of the Environment – to address some of these challenges. In particular , to generate new research data, leverage the existing broad range of Finnish expertise in fi ne particles and develop it further, and catalyse business opportunities in the fi eld. The programme's ultimate goal has been to improve our understanding of the impact emissions of this type have on health and the environment, identify the potential for new technological innovations, and encourage their commercialisation. The FINE programme involved over 50 individual projects and close to 60 companies and 20 research institutions , and focused on emissions and technology in fi ve main areas: energy and industry, …
On Feedback and Emotional Labour

This opinion piece argues that educators are performing emotional labour when giving feedback to students. I propose that this emotional labour is performed due to the desire to balance the promotion of student learning with the increasing need for efficiency and quality control. This attempt to balance an abundance of care with a dearth of time leaves a gap between the compassion an educator wants to provide, the guidelines that must be followed, and what is feasible from a workload perspective. Are we equipped to give effective feedback at scale, and what are the emotional strategies used for, and consequences of, doing so?
The Enlightenment of Vision Zero to China's Road Safety Management

Current road safety management cannot meet the requirements of changing serious road safety situation and strengthening the protection of road users in China. The paper aims at looking for a possible solution for improving China’s road safety management by introducing the leading ideas on road safety from Vision Zero. With literature research and practice reviewing, the development course, main content and typical application of Vision Zero are introduced and discussed in details, and the leading ideas represented by Vision Zero and its great value are discovered. Considering the circumstances in China, such ideas are used to analyze the actions which are needed by the government to improve road safety management. It is the first time to analyze the problems in road safety management and find their countermeasures by using the ideas from Vision Zero in China.
Asymmetric cooperation among wireless relays with linear precoding

Wireless relays extend coverage, improve spectral efficiency, and enhance reliability and rates of wireless cellular communication systems. In this work, we introduce the fundamental notion of asymmetric cooperation among cooperating relays in cellular downlinks - different relays are party to different but overlapping knowledge about the messages transmitted from the base station. We argue that asymmetric cooperation arises naturally in most two-phase protocols in which the base station first transmits information to multiple relays that then cooperatively forward the information to the recipient mobile stations in the cell. For a system in which two relays are of the decode-and-forward type and cooperate using linear precoding to communicate with two mobile stations, we formulate the general, but complicated, throughput optimization problem and derive several results that considerably simplify the optimization. We show that under different channel configurations and fairness criteria, asymmetric cooperation is often the throughput-maximizing option. Under typical configurations, a 20-30% throughput enhancement is achieved compared to conventional full-cooperation systems.