Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Quadrature Switched Capacitor Power Amplifier

This paper presents an all-digital class-G quadrature switched-capacitor power amplifier (Q-SCPA) implemented in 65 nm CMOS. It combines in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) signals on a shared capacitor array. The I/Q signals are digitally weighted and combined in the charge domain. Quadrature summation results in a 3 dB signal loss; Hence the Q-SCPA utilizes a class-G dual-supply architecture to improve efficiency at backoff. Unlike polar/EER counterparts, the Q-SCPA requires no wideband phase modulator or delay matching circuitry. The Q-SCPA delivers a peak output power of 20.5 dBm with a peak PAE of 20%. It is measured with a 10 MHz, 64 QAM LTE signal, and achieves an ACLR of <;-30 dBc, with an EVM <; 4%-rms.
Seasonal Variation in Price Transmission between Tomato Markets in Ghana

It is reasonable to expect that price transmission for perishable products will display seasonal variation, especially in low-income country settings. To date, however, few studies have explicitly tested for seasonal variation in price transmission. We apply a vector error correction model with seasonally regime-dependent adjustment parameters to wholesale tomato prices in Ghana. The results reveal a number of plausible patterns in the seasonal interplay between the main producer and consumer markets for tomatoes in Ghana, and confirm that failure to account for seasonality leads to hybrid estimates of the parameters that depict price transmission behaviour, conflating and obscuring seasonal differences in the way prices and markets interact. Copyright 2012 , Oxford University Press.
Sentinel Node Biopsy in Breast Cancer: An Overview

Abstract: The most powerful predictor of survival in breast cancer is the presence or absence of lymph node metastases. Lymphatic mapping and sentinel node biopsy is a new technique that provides more accurate nodal staging compared to routine histology for women with breast cancer without the morbidity of a complete lymph node dissection. Sentinel lymph node biopsy is a more conservative approach to the axilla that requires close collaboration between the surgical team, nuclear medicine, and pathology. National trials are investigating the clinical relevance of the upstaging that occurs with a more intense examination of the sentinel node. Since complaints due to the axillary node dissection are a common occurrence after definitive breast cancer surgery, if the side effects of the level I and II node dissection can be avoided, particularly in the node‐negative population, a major advance in treating this disease will be made.
Small business owners: too busy to train?

Purpose – The reason often cited for the poor relationship between small businesses and their uptake of vocational education and training is that small business owner‐managers claim that they are too busy to engage in training or any type of learning activity and that most training is of little value to them. The aim of the research is to examine the relationship between these factors.Design/methodology/approach – Using qualitative research methods the study collected data of the knowledge, attitudes and needs of small business owner‐managers, both before and after participation in a training program.Findings – This study has indicated that small business owners are interested in skills development and training opportunities, provided that they are directly applicable to the current situation in their business, and as long as the delivery process is carefully structured in terms of location, time of day, and length of session.Practical implications – The success of a human resource management training pro.
Neuropeptide Y potentiates luteinizing hormone (LH)-releasing hormone-induced LH secretion only under conditions leading to preovulatory LH surges.

We recently demonstrated that neuropeptide Y (NPY) potentiates the ability of pulsatile LHRH infusions to restore LH surges in pentobarbital (PB)-blocked, proestrous rats. In the present study we determined if specific endocrine conditions are necessary for the expression of these direct pituitary effects of NPY. Facilitatory actions of NPY were examined in the absence of gonadal feedback [ovariectomy (OVX)], in the presence of negative gonadal feedback (metestrus), after estrogen priming of the pituitary gland [OVX plus 30 micrograms estradiol benzoate (EB) 2 days before experiments], and after treatments which evoke preovulatory-like LH surges (OVX plus EB and 5 mg progesterone or P the morning of experiments). Rats received jugular catheter implants the day before experiments. On the day of experiments, hourly blood samples were taken from 1100-2100 h. At 1330 h, rats received injections of PB to block endogenous LHRH release, or saline. Every 30 min from 1400-1800 h, PB-treated rats received iv pulses of LHRH (15 ng/pulse) or saline, along with concurrent pulses of NPY (1 or 5 micrograms/pulse) or saline. Plasma samples were analyzed by LH RIA. In all cases, pulsatile administration of 15 ng LHRH resulted in plasma LH levels that were significantly elevated above saline-treated, PB-blocked controls. Only in the case of EB+P-treated rats did coadministration of 5 micrograms NPY along with LHRH significantly enhance LHRH-stimulated LH secretion (P < 0.001). NPY had no effect on LHRH-stimulated LH secretion in OVX, OVX + EB-treated, or metestrous rats. Pulsatile administration of either dose of NPY alone did not stimulate LH release in any of the four groups examined. These results demonstrate that the facilitatory effects of NPY on LHRH-stimulated LH secretion can be manifest only under the endocrine conditions required to produce full, preovulatory-like LH surges, i.e. after estrogen and P treatment.
Assessment of urinary retinol-binding protein as an index of proximal tubular injury.

The urinary excretion of retinol-binding protein (RBP), beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m), and beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase was monitored in patients with renal tubular damage secondary to multiple injuries, rhabdomyolysis, antibiotic treatment, or poisoning by various chemicals such as solvents, heavy metals, or pesticides. In almost all cases, RBP proved to be a more sensitive index of renal tubular damage than was beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase and, being more stable in acid urine, a more practical analyte to measure than was beta 2-m. We corroborated this finding by studying the relationships between these three analytes in more than 150 patients. On the average, an increase in the urinary excretion of beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase becomes detectable when urinary RBP already exceeds the normal value by 50- to 100-fold. In urines with pH greater than 6, RBP and beta 2-m concentrations are well correlated (r = 0.93, n = 150), beta 2-m tending to be more frequently positive (i.e., greater than 311 micrograms/L). But in urines with pH less than 6 (about 30-40% of the samples), the RBP/beta 2-m concentration ratio increases as pH decreases, up to 500 in some patients with massive tubular injury. Because the renal uptake of proteins involves a saturable process, the urinary excretion of RBP, like that of beta 2-m, specifically reflects the reabsorption capacity of proximal tubules only when the glomerular filtration rate is normal or slightly impaired (i.e., serum creatinine less than 20 mg/L). Under these conditions the determination of RBP protein in urine appears the most appropriate test when early detection of tubular injury is desirable.
Access control through self-existent mechanism

This paper proposes a security paradigm named self-existent mechanism of access control. The most distinct character is that it runs absolutely independent from program executing environment, even without cooperation of OS. That is to say, it has a unique structure to assure that computing is controlled under a secure mechanism that cannot be penetrated by software like virus, Trojan and other malicious programs. This paper explains its principle, and describes how to accomplish such control over general computers. Also, this paper gives advice to the design of microprocessor to make this control mechanism to work better.
Business Angel Academies: Unleashing the Potential for Business Angel Investment

Previous research has highlighted the existence of an information problem (information gap) among business angels, mainly due to their desire to keep a low public profile and to the informal character of the market. The creation of business angels' networks was promoted in order to deal with this gap. This approach, however, only partly succeeded in converting the stock of virgin angels into active informal investors. On the basis of the study of a sample of investors attending a business angels' academy, this paper argues that such a conversion can only be significant if the problem is approached from the perspective of their lack of understanding of the investment process. An important source of difficulty in the development and establishment of informal investment projects is the fact that many angels (especially potential angels) lack an adequate understanding of the investment process. They are therefore unable to take advantage of the investment opportunities that might arise. The implication is that there is a need for a new form of intervention: the creation of business angel schools or academies, conceived of as frameworks for the exchange of experiences and closer co-operation.
Securing Commitment in an Insecure World: Workers in Multinational High-Tech Subsidiaries

The article explores the relationship between high-tech work reorganization and worker commitment using case studies of three multinational electronics firms in the Philippines. The author analyzes firms’ work organization strategies and traces three work systems; the panoptic, the peripheral human resource and the collectively negotiated work systems, and the corresponding types of commitment they generate; coerced, purchased and bargained, respectively. The results show that high performance and worker commitment is not incompatible with more traditional managerial hierarchies and workplace control, and that the continuum of commitment types leads to varying worker ability to leverage their commitment into real gains in compensation, autonomy and participation.
A linear programming model for cash flow management in the Brazilian construction industry

A linear programming model has been developed for optimal cash flow management addressing specific cash flow issues related to the construction industry. These include typical financial transactions, possible delays on payments, use of available credit lines, effect of changing interest rates, and budget constraints that often occur in the construction industry. A small size project from the Brazilian construction industry is provided as a case study, aiming at evaluating the potential benefits from using the model. Different changes to the basic structure of the model allow and establish the consistency of the results. Alternative formulations are suggested to deal with uncertainties, longer planning horizons, and multiple subcontractors and suppliers. In addition to the tangible financial earnings derived from the optimization process, the simple structure of the model, as a network flow and corresponding equations, provides much visual insight concerning the relationships between the external inputs and the variables of the problem. Optimal results have yet to be achieved in a real life situation, but a better view of whole cash flow management is provided when using the model.
Inter-capital relations and the network organisation: redefining the work and employment nexus

The blurring of organisational boundaries associated with 'networks' of organisations suggests the need to reconsider how work and employment are shaped by shifting inter-capital relations. Traditional theories of the internalised employment relationship understate its inter-relationship with both the form of inter-capitalist competition and the type of inter-capitalist production relations. Also, existing theories of inter-organisational contracting do not adequately address how these are shaped by employment relations, both within and between organisations. An alternative approach provides a new perspective for considering forms of countervailing power to protect workers' interests in a capitalist system continuously shifting from integrated to non-integrated forms. Copyright 2005, Oxford University Press.
Outsourcing Regulation: Analyzing Nongovernmental Systems of Labor Standards and Monitoring

A range of new nongovernmental systems for advancing labor standards and enforcement have emerged over the last 5 years. This article comparatively assesses these multistakeholder systems of codes of conduct and monitoring, discusses their underlying models of regulation, and proposes a set of criteria for evaluating their effectiveness, including their legitimacy, rigor, accountability, and complementarity. Critical issues are raised about the transparency of existing initiatives, independence of monitors, convergence of standards, and dynamics among nongovernmental regulation, unions, and state enforcement. The article concludes by arguing that with increased transparency, improved technical capacities, and new mechanisms of accountability to workers and consumers, nongovernmental monitoring could complement existing state regulatory systems.
Decorin Binds to a Narrow Region of the Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) Receptor, Partially Overlapping but Distinct from the EGF-binding Epitope*

Decorin, a small leucine-rich proteoglycan, is a key regulator of tumor growth by acting as an antagonist of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase. To search for cell surface receptors interacting with decorin, we generated a decorin/alkaline phosphatase chimeric protein and used it to screen a cDNA library by expression cloning. We identified two strongly reactive clones that encoded either the full-length EGFR or its ectodomain. A physiologically relevant interaction between decorin and EGFR was confirmed in the yeast two-hybrid system and further validated by experiments using EGF/EGFR interaction and transient cell transfection assays. Using a panel of deletion mutants, decorin binding was mapped to a narrow region of the EGFR within its ligand-binding L2 domain. Moreover, the central leucine-rich repeat 6 of decorin was required for interaction with the EGFR. Site-directed mutagenesis of the EGFR L2 domain showed that a cluster of residues, His394-Ile402, was essential for both decorin and EGF binding. In contrast, K465, previously shown to be cross-linked to epidermal growth factor (EGF), was required for EGF but not for decorin binding. Thus, decorin binds to a discrete region of the EGFR, partially overlapping with but distinct from the EGF-binding domain. These findings could lead to the generation of protein mimetics capable of suppressing EGFR function.
Effect of Alpha Interferon on the Hepatitis C Virus Replicon

ABSTRACT Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections can be cured only in a fraction of patients treated with alpha interferon (IFN-α) and ribavirin combination therapy. The mechanism of the IFN-α response against HCV is not understood, but evidence for a role for viral nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A) in IFN resistance has been provided. To elucidate the mechanism by which NS5A and possibly other viral proteins inhibit the cellular antiviral program, we have constructed a subgenomic replicon from a known infectious HCV clone and demonstrated that it has an approximately 1,000-fold-higher transduction efficiency than previously used subgenomes. We found that IFN-α reduced replication of HCV subgenomic replicons approximately 10-fold. The estimated half-life of viral RNA in the presence of the cytokine was about 12 h. HCV replication was sensitive to IFN-α independently of whether the replicon expressed an NS5A protein associated with sensitivity or resistance to the cytokine. Furthermore, our results indicated that HCV replicons can persist in Huh7 cells in the presence of high concentrations of IFN-α. Finally, under our conditions, selection for IFN-α-resistant variants did not occur.
Four Bases of Family Business Successor Commitment: Antecedents and Consequences

Although successor commitment toward family business has been identified as a key desirable attribute, commitment has been treated as a unidimensional construct in family business research. Drawing on the organizational commitment literature, we propose four bases of successor commitment to family firm—affective (based on perceived desire), normative (based on perceived sense of obligation), calculative (based on perceived opportunity costs involved), and imperative (based on perceived need). A model of antecedents and expected behavioral outcomes of each of these bases of commitment is developed. Related propositions are presented, as are the contributions to the literature, research and practical implications.
THE ROLE OF SUPPLY MANAGEMENT CAPABILITIES IN GREEN SUPPLY

Managers realize that they should avoid complex green supply initiatives when they do not have the capabilities to implement them. However, they have little guidance on how these capabilities can be developed. This paper provides an initial analysis of the role of supply management capabilities in green supply. We argue that the implementation of green supply is better explained by focusing on the development and deployment of an organization's specialized internal resources, rather than by the more usual focus on external environmental pressures on a firm. Further, we argue that capabilities appropriate for green supply are developed by a proactive corporate environmental stance and by a more strategic purchasing and supply management approach. We test our model using data from a two‐phase survey of 70 operating units within UK public limited companies. Our results indicate support for our conjecture that supply management capabilities are jointly developed by a proactive corporate environmental approach and a strategic purchasing and supply process. Our study results should be useful to business strategists, regulators, and researchers interested in the predictors of corporate green behavior. They should also assist future researchers in many branches of environmental management who are seeking to explore the role of the internal capabilities of firms in supporting environmental management.
Fast evaluation of continuous-RX impact on performance for strained FDSOI

UTBB-FDSOI device performance can be enhanced by stress engineering, especially thanks SiGe channel in pMOS [1]. SiGe channels induce strong local layout effects [2, 3] which are mainly due to stress relaxation during STI process [2]. In this study, we propose a TCAD simulation methodology to evaluate stress relaxation in standard active regions but also in Continuous-RX design structures. Finally, analytical model is provided to assess Continuous-RX design structure performance.
Late payment and the small firm: an examination of case studies

The issue of the late payment of commercial debt has been cited as a major problem facing small business and has precipitated much political debate. In the UK this has led to establishing the Better Payment Practice Group, and legislation to enforce a statutory right to interest on late payments. A number of surveys have highlighted the extent of the late payment problem and suggested possible causes for it but there has been relatively little work, theoretical and/or empirical on understanding the payment behaviours of firms. This paper builds on previously reported survey results and econometric analysis, to develop 13 small firm case studies where the management and financing of trade credit is analysed in detail. The case studies draw on a combination of qualitative and quantitative data from interview transcripts, questionnaire responses and secondary data. Credit management is examined from the firm’s perspective as both a supplier and a customer. Valuable information is provided on the extent of late payment and small firms’ perception and management of the problem. The analysis revealed that while late payment concerned all the firms interviewed some of them managed it better than others. At the extremes there were two distinct types of firms. Those who found late payment to be the greatest problem were “juggling” various forms of short‐term finance to fund their working capital. Their credit management procedures were ad hoc and unsystematic but there was no evidence that they were at the mercy of dominant customers. Firms who managed late payment had systematic credit management procedures in place, a good knowledge of when to expect payment from each of their customers and appeared to be more in control of the process. Longer‐term sources of finance provided them with the stability to plan ahead and there was sufficient flexibility in their financial structure to cope with minor hiccups.
Mathematische Annalen Does polynomial parallel volume imply convexity ?

For a non-empty compact set A ⊂ R , d ≥ 2, and r ≥ 0, let A⊕r denote the set of points whose distance fromA is r at the most. It is well-known that the volume,Vd(A⊕r ), ofA⊕r is a polynomial of degree d in the parameter r if A is convex. We pursue the reverse question and ask whetherA is necessarily convex if Vd(A⊕r ) is a polynomial in r . An affirmative answer is given in dimension d = 2, counterexamples are provided for d ≥ 3. A positive resolution of the question in all dimensions is obtained if the assumption of a polynomial parallel volume is strengthened to the validity of a (polynomial) local Steiner formula. Mathematics Subject Classification (2000): 52A38, 28A75, 52A22, 53C65
Effects of linkage on response to directional selection from new mutations.

SUMMARY The influence of linkage on the rates of response to continued directional selection of quantitative traits deriving from variation contributed by new mutations in finite populations is investigated. Mutant genes are assumed to have additive effects which are randomly sampled from a symmetric distribution, and to be randomly located on the chromosome. Results were obtained by Monte Carlo simulation. The expected steady rate of response, when variability from new mutations is balanced by that lost by drift and selection, is reduced the tighter the linkage, but the reduction is small unless there are few, short chromosomes. For a given rate of new mutational variance per haploid chromosome set per generation, greater effects of linkage are obtained in large than in small populations, because more mutants segregate. The response and influence of linkage are essentially the same whether the new variance is due to many genes of small effect or few of large effect. The variability of response between replicates and generations was investigated, and the contribution to this of new mutants or recombination of existing mutants compared. Usually most genetic variability was due to the occurrence of a new favourable mutant of large effect.