Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Countries' Repayment Performance Vis-Ã -Vis the IMF: An Empirical Analysis

While the literature on external debt repayment performance by sovereign debtors is extensive, repayment performance vis-A -vis the International Monetary Fund has not been dealt with separately. Given differences between the IMF and other providers of financial resources, this paper considers whether it is possible to distinguish through logit analysis between the countries that make timely repayments to the Fund and those that become overdue. The paper finds that the inclusion of IMF-specific financial variables and a small number of macroeconomic variables yields a highly significant econometric model of the probability of a country incurring IMF arrears.
Applications of computational models to better understand microvascular remodelling: a focus on biomechanical integration across scales

Microvascular network remodelling is a common denominator for multiple pathologies and involves both angiogenesis, defined as the sprouting of new capillaries, and network patterning associated with the organization and connectivity of existing vessels. Much of what we know about microvascular remodelling at the network, cellular and molecular scales has been derived from reductionist biological experiments, yet what happens when the experiments provide incomplete (or only qualitative) information? This review will emphasize the value of applying computational approaches to advance our understanding of the underlying mechanisms and effects of microvascular remodelling. Examples of individual computational models applied to each of the scales will highlight the potential of answering specific questions that cannot be answered using typical biological experimentation alone. Looking into the future, we will also identify the needs and challenges associated with integrating computational models across scales.
Auditory Steady-State Responses and Word Recognition Scores in Normal-Hearing and Hearing-Impaired Adults

Objective The number of steady-state responses evoked by the independent amplitude and frequency modulation (IAFM) of tones has been related to the ability to discriminate speech sounds as measured by word recognition scores (WRS). In the present study IAFM stimulus parameters were adjusted to resemble the acoustic properties of everyday speech to see how well responses to these speech-modeled stimuli were related to WRS. Design We separately measured WRS and IAFM responses at a stimulus intensity of 70 dB SPL in three groups of subjects: young normal-hearing, elderly normal-hearing, and elderly hearing-impaired. We used two series of IAFM stimuli, one with modulation frequencies near 40 Hz and the other with modulation frequencies near 80 Hz. The IAFM stimuli, consisting of four carrier frequencies each independently modulated in frequency and amplitude, could evoke up to eight separate responses in one ear. We recorded IAFM responses and WRS measurements in quiet and in the presence of speech-masking noise at 67 dB SPL or 70 dB SPL. We then evaluated the hearing-impaired subjects with and without their hearing aids to see whether an improvement in WRS would be reflected in an increased number of responses to the IAFM stimulus. Results The correlations between WRS and the number of IAFM responses recognized as significantly different from the background were between 0.70 and 0.81 for the 40 Hz stimuli, between 0.73 and 0.82 for the 80 Hz stimuli, and between 0.76 and 0.85 for the combined assessment of 40 and 80 Hz responses. Response amplitudes at 80 Hz were smaller in the hearing-impaired than in the normal-hearing subjects. Response amplitudes for the 40 Hz stimuli varied with the state of arousal and this effect made it impossible to compare amplitudes across the different groups. Hearing aids increased both the WRS and the number of significant IAFM responses at 40 Hz and 80 Hz. Masking decreased the WRS and the number of significant responses. Conclusions IAFM responses are significantly correlated with WRS and may provide an objective tool for examining the brain’s ability to process the auditory information needed to perceive speech.
Congenic Mapping of the MHC‐Linked Susceptibility to Type 1 Diabetes in the NOD Mouse

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC)‐linked susceptibility to type 1 diabetes consists of multiple components. Previous studies with NOD mice congenic for the MHC from a sister strain, the CTS mouse, mapped Idd16, a second component of MHC‐linked susceptibility to type 1 diabetes, in the region adjacent to, but distinct from Idd1 in the class II region. In this study, three lines of subcongenic strains were established from the original congenic strain. Phenotypic analysis of the strains indicated that MHC‐linked susceptibility to type 1 diabetes consists of at least three components: Idd1, Idd16.2 adjacent to Idd1, and Idd16.1 telomeric to Idd16.2.
On the Complexity of Two-Player Attrition Games Played on Graphs

The attrition game considered in this study is a graph based strategic game which is a movement-prohibited analogue of small-scale combat situations that arise frequently in popular real-time strategy video games. We present proofs that the attrition game, under a variety of assumptions, is a computationally hard problem in general. We also analyze the 1 vs. n unit case, for which we derive optimal target-orderings that can be computed in polynomial time and used as a core for heuristics for the general case. Finally, we present small problem instances that require randomizing moves — a fact that at first glance seems counter-intuitive.
Structure of the Bifunctional dCTP Deaminase-dUTPase from Methanocaldococcus jannaschii and Its Relation to Other Homotrimeric dUTPases*

The bifunctional dCTP deaminase-dUTPase (DCD-DUT) from Methanocaldococcus jannaschii catalyzes the deamination of the cytosine moiety in dCTP and the hydrolysis of the triphosphate moiety forming dUMP, thereby preventing uracil from being incorporated into DNA. The crystal structure of DCD-DUT has been determined to 1.88-Å resolution and represents the first known structure of an enzyme catalyzing dCTP deamination. The functional form of DCD-DUT is a homotrimer wherein the subunits are composed of a central distorted β-barrel surrounded by two β-sheets and four helices. The trimeric DCD-DUT shows structural similarity to trimeric dUTPases at the tertiary and quaternary levels. There are also additional structural elements in DCD-DUT compared with dUTPase because of a longer primary structure. Four of the five conserved sequence motifs that create the active sites in dUTPase are found in structurally equivalent positions in DCD-DUT. The last 25 C-terminal residues of the 204-residue-long DCD-DUT are not visible in the electron density map, but, analogous to dUTPases, the C terminus is probably ordered, closing the active site upon catalysis. Unlike other enzymes catalyzing the deamination of cytosine compounds, DCD-DUT is not exploiting an enzyme-bound metal ion such as zinc or iron for nucleophile generation. The active site contains two water molecules that are engaged in hydrogen bonds to the invariant residues Ser118, Arg122, Thr130, and Glu145. These water molecules are potential nucleophile candidates in the deamination reaction.
Recent strategies toward microfluidic‐based surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy

Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is an extremely powerful analytical tool, which not only yields information about the molecular structure of the analyte in the form of characteristic vibrational spectrum but also gives sensitivities approaching those in fluorescence spectroscopy. The SERS measurement on the microfluidic platform provides possibility to manufacture the device with design perfectly fulfilling the needs of the application with minimal sample consumption. This review aims at describing basic strategies for SERS measurement in microfluidic devices published in the last decade and covers current trends in microfluidics with SERS detection in the field of bioanalysis and approaches toward on‐line coupling of liquid‐based separation techniques with SERS detection.
Impact of Preoperative Variables on the Functional and Radiological Outcome of an Uncemented Femoral Stem: A Prospective Two-Year Follow-Up

The demand for improved clinical outcomes in total hip arthroplasty (THA) has led to improvements in fixation, bone ingrowth and designs providing an increased range of motion. The purpose of this prospective clinical study was to evaluate the outcome of a new cementless stem (Hipstar). The variables of body mass index (BMI), gender, preoperative function and age were explored as predictors for recovery after surgery. Clinical and radiological evaluation of 100 patients were undertaken preoperatively and at 6, 12 and 24 months postoperatively using the Harris Hip Score (HHS), WOMAC-Score and the SF-36-Score. The mean preoperative HHS was 53.6±14.5 points and it increased significantly to 82.8±15.4 at the postoperative evaluation at 24 months (WI-test p<0.001). Diminished preoperative function led to a lower postoperative score, but BMI, age and gender were not predictors of clinical and radiological outcome. Due to stress-shielding the straight Hipstar stem revealed radiolucent lines of between 41.5% and 68.5% in the proximal Gruen zones, which indicates a higher primary and secondary stability by enhanced osseous integration compared to other straight stems. Our clinical results are encouraging, but long-term follow-up will be necessary to confirm the successful introduction of the new Hipstar stem.
Technoself enhanced blended learning via social interaction

Social networking has advanced the Internet as a dynamic platform for developing new learning models which emerge out of an organic mix of "wisdom of the crowds" and "just in time" social learning. Learners can now access social learning using across a multitude of services and devices, such as mobile phones, tablets (e.g. iPad), personal computers and even game consoles. Social networking enables multimodal interaction among people to improve information enrichment and further facilitate self expression and self development through collaboration. This paper explores the evolving `technoself' as a new dimension of self with the emerging social networking technologies. It also investigates the impact of technoself on social learning and the migration of social interaction into online domains which fosters a technoself system to enhance learning experience through the convergence of educational and social dimension. Furthermore, the paper discusses the challenges in Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) and evaluates a novel pedagogical and sociological model of learning - a blended learning approach which bridges the technoself enhanced social learning and formal learning in education.
Hydrocortisone therapy in a cat with vasopressor‐refractory septic shock and suspected critical illness‐related corticosteroid insufficiency

A 27‐month‐old female cat was presented with septic peritonitis secondary to a ruptured pyometra and subsequent pyothorax. Vasopressor‐refractory septic shock led to a suspicion of critical illness‐related corticosteroid insufficiency, successfully treated with intravenous hydrocortisone. Previous megestrol acetate administration may have played a role in the development of adrenocortical dysfunction.
An automatic shadow detection method for high-resolution remote sensing imagery based on polynomial fitting

ABSTRACT Most existing shadow detection models and algorithms require extensive calculations and have difficulties effectively removing features, such as water bodies, some dark objects and bluish ground objects. In this paper, we propose a high-resolution automatic shadow extraction algorithm based on the process of histogram fitting. First, the histogram of the whole image is fitted by fourth and fifth-degree polynomials according to the histogram difference of the near-infrared bands of different shadow areas in the remotely sensed image. Second, the shadow area is preliminarily extracted based on the relationships between the shadow features of the remote sensing image and the intersections of the fourth- and fifth-degree polynomials. Then, the normalized difference water index (NDWI) is applied to extract the water bodies. Finally, to obtain the shaded area, the scanning line seed filling algorithm is applied to remove the water bodies falsely detected as shadows in the preliminary shading extraction. The proposed algorithm is evaluated by using the various high-resolution images including GaoFen-1 (GF-1), GaoFen-2 (GF-2), QuickBird2, and ZiYuan-3 (ZY-3), as well as an elaborate comparison to histogram threshold segmentation algorithms such as Component 3 (C3) algorithm, multi-elements extraction algorithm multi-band detection algorithm, and spectral correlation algorithm based on spectral features. The results of experiment showed that the proposed algorithm could extract the shadows of various images, achieve satisfied results, and completely remove water bodies.
An Embodied User Interface for Increasing Physical Activities in Game

The rate of obese has been increasing and obesity has emerged as a significant threat not only to the health but also in society. Obesity has adverse effects such as physical appearance, psychosocial consequences and metabolic disturbances. One of reasons causing these phenomena is most games have static and stationary user interfaces as input devices. These kinds of interfaces hold users at their computers and cause not only decreases of the strength of their health, but also blocks communications between family members. In this paper, we propose physical activity based interactive exercise called Punch Punch, which is played with virtual objects displaying on a large screen. The informal study revealed that the Punch Punch enhanced physical and social activities while playing games. The goal of this study is finding embodied user interfaces to increase physical and social activities.
Bone Quality Assessment by Quantitative Ultrasound of Proximal Phalanxes of the Hand in Healthy Subjects Aged 3–21 Years

Bone quality by quantitative ultrasound was assessed in 1083 (587 males) healthy white subjects aged 3–21 y. Amplitude-dependent speed of sound (AD-SoS) through the distal end of the first phalanx diaphysis of the last four fingers of the hand was measured by an ultrasound device (DBM Sonic 1200, IGEA, Carpi, Italy). Mean AD-SoS values increased progressively from 3 to 21 y (males, 1845.9–2119.1 m/s, p < 0.0001; females, 1842.3–2098.8 m/s, p < 0.0001). They did not differ (p = NS) between sexes up to age 11, but females showed higher (p < 0.05 –p < 0.0001) AD-SoS values than males in age groups 12, 13, and 14 y. There was no difference (p = NS) of AD-SoS values between sexes in pubertal stages 1, 2, and 5, but females had higher mean AD-SoS values than males in stages 3 (p < 0.01) and 4 (p < 0.001). Independent predictors of AD-SoS were weight, body mass index, pubertal stage, and mean width of fingers in males, and age, pubertal stage, and mean width of fingers in females (p < 0.01 –p < 0.0001). However, 7.8% in males and 3.6% in females of the increment of AD-SoS values can be related to the finger anatomy alone. AD-SoS values probably reflect the architectural organization of growing bone or changes in bone elasticity. Increased bone density and size may be additional factors influencing AD-SoS. Measurement of AD-SoS at the hand phalanxes may be a simple, noninvasive, and radiation-free technique to assess bone quality in children.
How Land Use Change, Changed Culture

Aimee Navickis-Brasch is a registered professional engineer with over nineteen years of experience in Hydraulic and Stormwater Engineering including positions with: Bovay Northwest Consulting Engineers (Dames and Moore), Boeing, and Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). The majority of her career was spent working for WSDOT as a headquarters hydraulic and stormwater engineer where she was responsible for providing statewide support including; design, research, training, mentoring, and policy development. For eight years, she was the primary editor of the WSDOT Hydraulics Manual and the co-editor of the 2011 Highway Runoff Manual. Navickis-Brasch recently resigned from her position at WSDOT to pursue a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at the University of Idaho with an emphasis in Engineering Education, Water Resources, and Stormwater Management. She received her bachelor of science in Mechanical Engineering from Gonzaga University and a master of science in Civil Engineering from Washington State University. Navickis-Brasch is also an adjunct member of the Civil Engineering Faculty at Gonzaga University where she teaches Stormwater Management and Senior Design.
Estimating genotype error rates from high-coverage next-generation sequence data

Exome and whole-genome sequencing studies are becoming increasingly common, but little is known about the accuracy of the genotype calls made by the commonly used platforms. Here we use replicate high-coverage sequencing of blood and saliva DNA samples from four European-American individuals to estimate lower bounds on the error rates of Complete Genomics and Illumina HiSeq whole-genome and whole-exome sequencing. Error rates for nonreference genotype calls range from 0.1% to 0.6%, depending on the platform and the depth of coverage. Additionally, we found (1) no difference in the error profiles or rates between blood and saliva samples; (2) Complete Genomics sequences had substantially higher error rates than Illumina sequences had; (3) error rates were higher (up to 6%) for rare or unique variants; (4) error rates generally declined with genotype quality (GQ) score, but in a nonlinear fashion for the Illumina data, likely due to loss of specificity of GQ scores greater than 60; and (5) error rates increased with increasing depth of coverage for the Illumina data. These findings, especially (3)–(5), suggest that caution should be taken in interpreting the results of next-generation sequencing-based association studies, and even more so in clinical application of this technology in the absence of validation by other more robust sequencing or genotyping methods.
Modeling the impact of process variation on resistive bridge defects

Recent research has shown that tests generated without taking process variation into account may lead to loss of test quality. At present there is no efficient device-level modeling technique that models the effect of process variation on resistive bridges. This paper presents a fast and accurate technique to model the effect of process variation on resistive bridge defects. The proposed model is implemented in two stages: firstly, it employs an accurate transistor model (BSIM4) to calculate the critical resistance of a bridge; secondly, the effect of process variation is incorporated in this model by using three transistor parameters: gate length (L), threshold voltage (Vth) and effective mobility (μeff), where each follow Gaussian distribution. Experiments are conducted on a 65-nm gate library (for illustration purposes), and results show that on average the proposed modeling technique is more than 7 times faster and in the worst case, error in bridge critical resistance is 0.8% when compared with HSPICE.
Harvey, Irma, and the NFIP: Did the 2017 Hurricane Season Matter to Flood Insurance Reauthorization?

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has become a coastal hurricane insurance program — a fact that is bankrupting it. As a result of climate change, the ocean surrounding the United States is both rising and becoming warmer, and hurricanes and other coastal storms are projected to become both more frequent and more destructive. While no particular hurricane can yet be blamed exclusively on climate change, these projections nevertheless have real implications for the future of the NFIP. In 2017, Congress was gearing up to reauthorize the NFIP just as the United States entered its worst hurricane season in over a decade. This Article examines how hurricanes and other coastal storms have affected the NFIP, both in terms of it solvency and its potential goals. Specifically, after reviewing the NFIP’s history and its interactions with coastal hurricanes and storms, the Article explores the process of re-authorizing the NFIP in 2017 and 2018 while the United States was suffering through Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. It concludes that Congress is showing some signs of reforming the NFIP to take account of the increasing vulnerability of coastal properties but that the NFIP could do much more to promote climate change adaptability.
On guaranteed smooth scheduling for input-queued switches

Input-queued switches are used extensively in the design of high-speed routers. As switch speeds and sizes increase, the design of the switch scheduler becomes a primary challenge, because the time interval for the matching computations needed for determining switch configurations becomes very small. Possible alternatives in scheduler design include increasing the scheduling interval by using envelopes , and using a frame-based scheduler that guarantees fixed rates between input-output pairs. However, both these alternatives have significant jitter drawbacks: the jitter increases with the envelope size in the first alternative, and previously-known methods do not guarantee tight jitter bounds in the second. In this paper, we propose a hybrid approach to switch scheduling. Traffic with tight jitter constraints is first scheduled using a frame-based scheduler that achieves low jitter bounds. Jitter-insensitive traffic is later scheduled using an envelope-based scheduler. The main contribution of this paper is a scheduler design for generating low-jitter schedules. The scheduler uses a rate matrix decomposition designed for low jitter and different from the minimum-bandwidth Birkhoff-Von Neumann (BV) decomposition. In addition to generating low-jitter schedules, this decomposition in the worst case yields fewer switch configuration matrices (O(n)) than the BV decomposition (O(n/sup 2/)), and so requires far less high-speed switch memory. We develop an efficient algorithm for decomposing the rate matrix and for scheduling the permutation matrices. We prove that our low-jitter algorithm has an O(logn) factor bound on its bandwidth consumption in comparison to the minimum-bandwidth BV decomposition. Experimentally, we find that the bandwidth increase in practice is much lower than the theoretical bound. We also prove several related performance bounds for our scheduler. Finally, we propose a practical algorithm for bandwidth-guaranteed algorithm, and show how our findings could even be extended to systems with large tuning time.
Latinos in the Northeastern United States: Trends and Patterns

This paper charts the growth and development of the Latino population of the northeastern U.S. from 1970 to 2015. The relatively small population dominated by Puerto Ricans and concentrated in New York and a few other cities has evolved into a large, diverse, and more geographically dispersed population. It grew from 1.9 to 7.7 million persons and rose from 3.8% to 10.5% of the regional population. It has increasingly suburbanized with roughly equal numbers of Latinos living in cities and suburbs. They are the most diverse Latino population of all regions in the U.S., they are not dominated by Mexicans, they are predominantly documented, and the large majority are citizens.