Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fiscal Policy under Imperfect Competition with Flexible Prices: An Overview and Survey

Abstract This paper surveys the link between imperfect competition and the effects of fiscal policy on output, employment and welfare. We examine static and dynamic models, with and without entry under a variety of assumptions using a common analytical framework. We find that in general there is a robust relationship between the fiscal multiplier and welfare, the tantalizing possibility of Pareto improving fiscal policy is much more elusive. In general, the mechanisms are supply side, and so welfare improving policy, whilst possible, is not a general result.
Talker Versus Dialect Effects on Speech Intelligibility: A Symmetrical Study

This study investigates the relative effects of talker-specific variation and dialect-based variation on speech intelligibility. Listeners from two dialects of American English performed speech-in-noise tasks with sentences spoken by talkers of each dialect. An initial statistical model showed no significant effects for either talker or listener dialect group, and no interaction. However, a mixed-effects regression model including several acoustic measures of the talker’s speech revealed a subtle effect of talker dialect once the various acoustic dimensions were accounted for. Results are discussed in relation to other recent studies of cross-dialect intelligibility.
The structural brain correlates of cognitive deficits in adults with Klinefelter's syndrome.

CONTEXT Adults with Klinefelter's syndrome (KS) are known to present disturbances of language skills and delayed learning abilities. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to assess brain morphometry in KS and to correlate eventual volumetric changes with performance on neuropsychological tests. PATIENTS Patients included 18 KS adults and 20 age-matched controls. METHODS All participants underwent prospectively double-spin-echo brain magnetic resonance imaging and neuropsychological testing of verbal and nonverbal domains. On the axial stack of magnetic resonance imaging slices, regional brain volumes were measured either by automated segmentation (full brain, total cerebrospinal fluid, and ventricular volume) or manual drawing with help of a neuroanatomy atlas (frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes, gray matter component of the lobes, cerebellar hemispheres, and hippocampal complexes). RESULTS KS patients performed significantly lower than controls on language-related tasks exploring verbal processing speed and verbal executive function. They were diagnosed with significant enlargement of ventricular volume and bilateral reduction of cerebellar hemispheres. Furthermore, after separation of participants according to handedness and after correction of regional brain volumes for atrophy, a significant reduction of left temporal lobe volume was found in KS compared with controls. Ventricular volume was inversely correlated with cognitive function, whereas left temporal lobe volume was positively correlated with language-related tasks. CONCLUSION This study hypothesizes that supernumerary X-chromosome and/or congenital hypogonadism provoke structural alterations in the subcortical pathways involved in language processing, thus providing a neurobiological substrate for cognitive deficits in KS.
Integrated genome analysis suggests that most conserved non-coding sequences are regulatory factor binding sites

More than 98% of a typical vertebrate genome does not code for proteins. Although non-coding regions are sprinkled with short (<200 bp) islands of evolutionarily conserved sequences, the function of most of these unannotated conserved islands remains unknown. One possibility is that unannotated conserved islands could encode non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs); alternatively, unannotated conserved islands could serve as promoter-distal regulatory factor binding sites (RFBSs) like enhancers. Here we assess these possibilities by comparing unannotated conserved islands in the human and mouse genomes to transcribed regions and to RFBSs, relying on a detailed case study of one human and one mouse cell type. We define transcribed regions by applying a novel transcript-calling algorithm to RNA-Seq data obtained from total cellular RNA, and we define RFBSs using ChIP-Seq and DNAse-hypersensitivity assays. We find that unannotated conserved islands are four times more likely to coincide with RFBSs than with unannotated ncRNAs. Thousands of conserved RFBSs can be categorized as insulators based on the presence of CTCF or as enhancers based on the presence of p300/CBP and H3K4me1. While many unannotated conserved RFBSs are transcriptionally active to some extent, the transcripts produced tend to be unspliced, non-polyadenylated and expressed at levels 10 to 100-fold lower than annotated coding or ncRNAs. Extending these findings across multiple cell types and tissues, we propose that most conserved non-coding genomic DNA in vertebrate genomes corresponds to promoter-distal regulatory elements.
Mapping Data to Higher-Order Description Logic Knowledge Bases

In this paper we introduce the notion of mapping-based knowledge base (MKB), to formalize those ontology-based data access (OBDA) scenarios where both the extensional and the intensional level of the ontology are determined by suitable mapping assertions involving the data sources. We study reasoning over MKBs in the context of Hi(DL-LiteR), a higher-order version of the DL DL-LiteR. We show that answering queries posed to MKBs expressed in Hi(DL-LiteR) can be done efficiently through FOL rewriting: hence, query answering can be delegated to a DBMS, as in the case of traditional OBDA systems.
Fraction of Electrons Consumed in Electron Acceptor Reduction and Hydrogen Thresholds as Indicators of Halorespiratory Physiology

ABSTRACT Measurements of the hydrogen consumption threshold and the tracking of electrons transferred to the chlorinated electron acceptor (fe) reliably detected chlororespiratory physiology in both mixed cultures and pure cultures capable of using tetrachloroethene,cis-1,2-dichloroethene, vinyl chloride, 2-chlorophenol, 3-chlorobenzoate, 3-chloro-4-hydroxybenzoate, or 1,2-dichloropropane as an electron acceptor. Hydrogen was consumed to significantly lower threshold concentrations of less than 0.4 ppmv compared with the values obtained for the same cultures without a chlorinated compound as an electron acceptor. The fe values ranged from 0.63 to 0.7, values which are in good agreement with theoretical calculations based on the thermodynamics of reductive dechlorination as the terminal electron-accepting process. In contrast, a mixed methanogenic culture that cometabolized 3-chlorophenol exhibited a significantly lower fe value, 0.012.
Improving the Endosomal Escape of Cell-Penetrating Peptides and Their Cargos: Strategies and Challenges

Cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) can deliver cell-impermeable therapeutic cargos into cells. In particular, CPP-cargo conjugates tend to accumulate inside cells by endocytosis. However, they often remain trapped inside endocytic organelles and fail to reach the cytosolic space of cells efficiently. In this review, the evidence for CPP-mediated endosomal escape is discussed. In addition, several strategies that have been utilized to enhance the endosomal escape of CPP-cargos are described. The recent development of branched systems that display multiple copies of a CPP is presented. The use of viral or synthetic peptides that can disrupt the endosomal membrane upon activation by the low pH of endosomes is also discussed. Finally, we survey how CPPs labeled with chromophores can be used in combination with light to stimulate endosomal lysis. The mechanisms and challenges associated with these intracellular delivery methodologies are discussed.
Overview of Space-Time Wireless Communications in Quasi-static Rayleigh Flat Fading Channels

This paper presents a brief overview of spacetime algorithms for communication systems operating in quasi-static Rayleigh flat fading environments. The space-time algorithms exploit a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) channel and are designed to meet criteria for optimality under three different channel state information (CSI) conditions: 1) CSI at receiver and transmitter, 2) CSI at receiver but not transmitter, and 3) CSI at neither receiver or transmitter. We analyze the theoretical capacities of the MIMO channels and give the design criteria for space-time codes (STC) under each condition. We briefly describe Grassmannian beamforming (quantized beamforming), space-time block coding (STBC), space-time trellis coding (STTC), and unitary space-time modulation (USTM) for a MIMO system operating at a spectral efficiency of 2 bps/Hz. We show through simulation the comparative performance of each of the space-time transmission schemes presented.
The effects of the size of a boiling bubble on lesion production in boiling histotripsy

Boiling histotripsy employs a number of millisecond-long High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) pulses with high acoustic peak pressures at the HIFU focus to mechanically fractionate soft tissue. Studies have shown the mechanisms underpinning this tissue fractionation process; however, the question of how HIFU exposure conditions affect lesion formation still remains unclear. In the present work, a high-speed camera and a passive cavitation detection (PCD) system were used to investigate the dynamics of bubbles induced and the corresponding mechanical damage generated in optically transparent tissue-mimicking phantoms with two different boiling histotripsy exposure conditions (1. P+ = 85.4 MPa, P- = – 15.6 MPa; 2. P+ = 71.5 MPa, P- = – 13.4 MPa at focus). Our results clearly showed that there is a positive relationship between the size of a boiling bubble and the lesion dimension. At P+ = 85.4 MPa and P- = – 15.6 MPa, a relatively larger boiling bubble was, for instance, produced at the focus in the gel phantom followed by the presence of a wider cavitation cluster progressing toward the HIFU transducer, resulting in the formation of a larger lesion compared to that with P+ = 71.5 MPa and P- = – 13.4 MPa.
The Need for Development of New HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase and Integrase Inhibitors in the Aftermath of Antiviral Drug Resistance

The use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) involves combinations of drugs to achieve maximal virological response and reduce the potential for the emergence of antiviral resistance. There are two broad classes of reverse transcriptase inhibitors, the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). Since the first classes of such compounds were developed, viral resistance against them has necessitated the continuous development of novel compounds within each class. This paper considers the NRTIs and NNRTIs currently in both preclinical and clinical development or approved for second line therapy and describes the patterns of resistance associated with their use, as well as the underlying mechanisms that have been described. Due to reasons of both affordability and availability, some reverse transcriptase inhibitors with low genetic barrier are more commonly used in resource-limited settings. Their use results to the emergence of specific patterns of antiviral resistance and so may require specific actions to preserve therapeutic options for patients in such settings. More recently, the advent of integrase strand transfer inhibitors represents another major step forward toward control of HIV infection, but these compounds are also susceptible to problems of HIV drug resistance.
Relationship of isokinetic torque to isometric torque

Isokinetic muscle testing has become an increasingly popular method for measuring muscle performance. However, the relationship of isokinetic strength measurements to static strength measurements remains unclear. The relationship between maximal isokinetic and maximal isometric torque was investigated at angular velocities of 24, 48, 96, and 192°/s for both flexion and extension of the elbow joint. Twenty‐four subjects were tested bilaterally, and discrete torque values at the positions of 60 and 90° of flexion were obtained from the continuous isokinetic records for comparison with isometric torques recorded at the same two positions. Data were analyzed using an analysis of covariance with isokinetic torque, the dependent variable, expressed as a function of isometric torque and as a function of the design variables side and position. The results demonstrated significant effects of side and position and also demonstrated the dependence of isokinetic strength on velocity. Confidence intervals were determined for the prediction of isokinetic torque from observed isometric torque for normal individuals, providing a potentially useful tool to aid in the diagnosis of muscular disorders.
Interplay Between Spreading and Random Walk Processes in Multiplex Networks

Real networks in our surrounding are usually complex and composite by nature and they consist of many interwoven layers. The commutation of agents (nodes) across layers in these composite multiplex networks heavily influences the underlying dynamical processes, such as information, idea and disease spreading, synchronization, consensus, etc. In order to understand how the agents’ dynamics and the compositeness of multiplex networks influence the spreading dynamics, we develop a susceptible-infected-susceptible-based model on the top of these networks, which is integrated with the transition of agents across layers. Moreover, we analytically obtain a critical infection rate for which an epidemic dies out in a multiplex network, and latter show that this rate can be higher compared with the isolated networks. Finally, using numerical simulations we confirm the epidemic threshold and we show some interesting insights into the epidemic onset and the spreading dynamics in several real and generic multiplex networks.
Based on Fuzzy Partial Ordering Trustworthy Resource Selection Approach Research

The resources choice question has the choice scope broadly and the entity strange degree higher question in the grid environment. Efficient resource sharing and utilization cannot be achieved without the guarantee of a higher degree of trust relationship. In this paper, reputation mechanism is introduced to resource selection in Grid, which aims at leverage the guarantee of trustworthiness and reliability. According to the fact that reputation is multi-faceted and uncertain, guided by the evaluation and decision making ideas from fuzzy partial order, the proposed approach makes fuzzy partial order modeling on each resource providerpsilas multi-faceted reputation, integrates overall information, and choose proper resource providers according to the final integrative order. Compared with other methods, this approach has better overall consideration.
The Role Of Citation Context In Predicting Long-Term Citation Profiles: An Experimental Study Based On A Massive Bibliographic Text Dataset

The impact and significance of a scientific publication is measured mostly by the number of citations it accumulates over the years. Early prediction of the citation profile of research articles is a significant as well as challenging problem. In this paper, we argue that features gathered from the citation contexts of the research papers can be very relevant for citation prediction. Analyzing a massive dataset of nearly 1.5 million computer science articles and more than 26 million citation contexts, we show that average countX (number of times a paper is cited within the same article) and average citeWords (number of words within the citation context) discriminate between various citation ranges as well as citation categories. We use these features in a stratified learning framework for future citation prediction. Experimental results show that the proposed model significantly outperforms the existing citation prediction models by a margin of 8-10% on an average under various experimental settings. Specifically, the features derived from the citation context help in predicting long-term citation behavior.
OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY–BASED CORRELATION BETWEEN CHOROIDAL THICKNESS AND DRUSEN LOAD IN DRY AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION

Purpose: Spectral domain optical coherence tomography can be used to measure both choroidal thickness and drusen load. The authors conducted an exploratory study using spectral domain optical coherence tomography to determine if a correlation between choroidal thickness and drusen load exists in patients with dry age-related macular degeneration. Methods: Forty-four patients with dry age-related macular degeneration were recruited. The drusen area and volume were determined using the automated software algorithm of the spectral domain optical coherence tomography device, and choroidal thickness was measured using enhanced depth imaging. Correlations were determined using multivariable and univariable analyses. Results: The authors found an inverse correlation between choroidal thickness and drusen load (r = −0.35, P = 0.04). Drusen load was also correlated with visual acuity (r = 0.32, P = 0.04). A correlation between choroidal thickness and visual acuity was suggested (r = −0.22, P = 0.21). Conclusion: Spectral domain optical coherence tomography can be used to assess the correlation between drusen load and choroidal thickness, both of which show a relationship with visual acuity. The measurement of these outcomes may serve as important outcome parameters in routine clinical care and in clinical trials for patients with dry age-related macular degeneration.
Determinants for the development of hypertension in adolescents. A 6‐year follow‐up

Objective This study was aimed to evaluate the determinants of elevated blood pressure (BP) in adolescents. Design and methods We retrospectively evaluated the BP and anthropometric data in 419 Japanese students (268 males and 151 females) during high school and university. Their annual health records were analysed for BP, heart rate, height and body weight between the ages of 15 and 21 years. Results The number of hypertensive students did not vary significantly during the 6 years. Concerning changes in BP categories according to the modified JNCVI classification between the ages of 15 to 21 years, 150 males kept a normal BP (keeping normal BP group); 39 males developed high BP (developing high BP group); 37 males kept high BP (keeping high BP group); and 42 males became normal BP (becoming normal BP group). The majority of females (n = 144, 95.4%) were included in the keeping normal BP group. In male students, both the keeping and becoming normal BP groups, especially the latter, showed a significant decrease in heart rate over the 6 years, while the other two groups showed no change. The height and body weight of each of the four groups showed a significant increase, but the body mass index (BMI) of the males in the becoming normal BP group did not increase over the 6 years. Body weight and BMI at the age of 15 years in the male keeping normal BP group were significantly below that of the other three groups; this difference persisted at the age of 21 years. Furthermore, male university students who showed a BP above ‘high–normal’ at the age of 21 years exhibited a significantly higher BP, heart rate, body weight and BMI than did the normotensives, when they were high school students. Stepwise regression analysis of the data showed that the best predictors of BP at the age of 21 years were the initial high school BP and BMI levels and changes in BMI and heart rate during the 6-year period for male students. Conclusion Results indicate that the BP and BMI during high school and the changes in BMI and heart rate from high school to university influenced the BP at the age of 21 years in male students. Data indicate that information on the prevention and management of hypertension including weight control should begin early, especially in male adolescents.
A Production IR-Drop Screen on a Chip

Many modern designs have large, localized failures due to excessive power consumption, which can be measured as IR drop. The methodology described here employs an on-chip process-monitoring circuit that is easy to integrate on chip and use in a characterization or production environment, to help identify and localize IR-drop hot spots and power-related failures.
A comparison of cerebral SPECT abnormalities in HIV-positive homosexual men with and without cognitive impairment.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether technetium Tc 99m exametazime (HMPAO) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) can distinguish between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive homosexual men with normal neuropsychologic test results and HIV-positive homosexual men with abnormal neuropsychologic test results. DESIGN Neurologic, neuropsychologic, magnetic resonance imaging, and Tc 99m HMPAO SPECT examinations were performed on 10 HIV-positive homosexual men without cognitive impairment and five HIV-positive homosexual men with cognitive impairment. PATIENTS Human immunodeficiency virus-positive homosexual men from New York City were recruited for the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Findings on SPECT scans were evaluated qualitatively for focal defects, heterogeneity of the cortical margin, white matter hypoperfusion, and decreased global cortical uptake. All SPECT focal defects were coregistered with magnetic resonance images; SPECT heterogeneity and global cortical uptake were also measured quantitatively. RESULTS Coregistration with magnetic resonance imaging revealed that 63% of the focal SPECT defects corresponded to brain gyri and 37% corresponded to sulci. There was no significant difference in the frequency of qualitative or quantitative SPECT abnormalities between HIV-positive homosexual men ith and without cognitive impairment. However, after examining individual neuropsychologic test factors, impaired motor speed performance was associated with decreased quantitative global cerebral uptake. CONCLUSIONS Qualitative SPECT abnormalities are not increased in frequency in HIV-positive homosexual men with global cognitive impairment compared with those in HIV-positive homosexual men without cognitive impairment. Impaired motor speed performance may be associated with decreased quantitative global cerebral uptake.
A Comparative Study of Arabic Text-to-Speech Synthesis Systems

Text-to-speech synthesis is the process of converting written text to speech. The lack of research on the growth of and the need for the Arabic language is notable. Therefore, this paper reports an empirical study that systematically compares two screen readers, namely, NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA) and IBSAR. We measured the quality of these two systems in terms of standard pronunciation and intelligibility tests with visually impaired or blind people. The results revealed that NVDA outperformed IBSAR on the pronunciation tests. However, both systems gave competitive performance on the intelligibility tests.
Future challenges in efficiently supporting M2M in the LTE standards

This paper describes issues related to one of the most significant challenges that 3GPP faces in supporting M2M communications over LTE: facilitating the support for low cost M2M devices. The paper considers the requirements for low cost M2M devices and the most significant contributors to device cost. System bandwidth is identified as being a significant cost contributor and backwards compatible approaches to reducing system bandwidth are identified.