Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Structural vector autoregression with time varying transition probabilities: identifying uncertainty shocks via changes in volatility

Structural vector autoregressive models with regime-switching variances have been used to test structural identification strategies. In these models the transition probabilities are assumed to be constant over time. In reality these probabilities may depend on certain economic fundamentals that help predicting turning points. This paper is the first to introduce time varying probabilities into structural VAR model that is identified via volatility. A generalized ExpectationMaximization algorithm is developed for estimation of the model. For empirical illustration the model is applied to test two sets of assumptions used for identification of uncertainty shocks. A formal test rejects the hypothesis that uncertainty shocks do not influence macroeconomics variables on impact but support the alternative of non-negligible contemporaneous effects. JEL Codes: C32, D80, E24
Managerial networking and business model innovation: empirical study of new ventures in an emerging economy

More than 50% of newly established ventures fail in the initial stage across the globe due to fairly well-known reasons: liability of newness, lack of resources and smallness. One way to overcome these issues is to build connections with external bodies that may help in exchange of knowledge and resources. While networking is a useful ally, it cannot save a venture from failure entirely on its own. New firms also need an effective business model innovation which is considered a key factor in the success of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the current era. This article examines the importance of networking in building effective business model innovation. Data were collected through structured questionnaires using a sample size of 311 young SMEs operating in the emerging economy, Pakistan. Hypotheses were tested through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) in analysis of a Moment Structures (AMOS). 21. The results indicate that financial networking, business networking and political networking significantly and positively contribute to business model innovation. Owners and managers of young medium-sized firms are advised to focus on building relationship with external partners, financial institutions and government officials to create an effective business model innovation in order to survive in a turbulent market. Implications for practice are also discussed in detail. Keywords: networking; business model innovation; new ventures; emerging market Plus de 50% des entreprises nouvellement créées échouent dès leur première année pour des raisons clairement établies: le handicap dû à leur jeunesse, le manque de ressources et le handicap de la taille. Un des moyens pour surmonter ces difficultés est de construire des partenariats avec d'autres structures qui apporteraient des ressources et savoirs. Bien que nécessaire, le réseau d'affaires ou networking ne peut à lui seul prévenir une entreprise d'echouer par son propre chef. Les nouvelles entreprises ont besoin d'un business modèle innovant qui constitue actuellement le facteur clé de succès des Petites et moyennes entreprises (PME). Le présent article examine l'importance du réseau d'affaires ou networking dans la définition d'un business model innovant. A partir d'un questionnaire, nous avons mené une étude sur un échantillon de 311 nouvelles PME du Pakistan exerçant dans le secteur de l'économie émergeante. En utilisant des modèles structurés d'equations dans AMOS. 21, nous avons testé nos hypothèses. Il en résulte que le partenariat financier, le partenariat d'affaires et le partenariat politique influencent significativement et positivement la mise en place d'un modèle d'affaires innovant. Les actionnaires et les gestionnaires des jeunes PME sont conseillés de construire des relations avec des partenaires extérieurs, des instutions financières et des acteurs gouvernementaux afin de créer un modèle d'affaires innovant qui garantisse leur pérennité sur un marché instable. Les implications pratiques sont aussi détaillées dans le présent article.
What Is Clinically Meaningful: Outcome Measures in Pain Clinical Trials

Objective: The goal of this analysis is a better understanding of the issues involved in establishing the amount of change in pain that must be reported by subjects, participating in clinical trials and using standard pain scales, to indicate a clinically important difference. Design: A review of the literature and a discussion of relevant concepts are presented. The focus is on outcome measures of pain commonly used in the studies described, including pain intensity, pain relief, global assessment of the medication effect, and requirement for an extra dose of rescue medication to treat a pain episode. The standard analysis statistics used to summarize the data are the central tendency of the groups being compared (i.e., mean, median, or mode), and the proportion of subjects that achieve one or more specific levels of benefit. Results: The analysis of the proportion of responders in the groups being compared allows for a more easily understandable clinical importance of the results. Conclusions: An analysis of the proportion of responders is a clinically relevant analysis for many pain clinical trials and should be presented for one or more levels of response as appropriate. This will allow the readers to more easily interpret the results and apply them to clinical practice.
Simulation and Analysis of Actuation Voltage of Electrostatically Actuated RF MEMS Cantilever and Fixed – Fixed Switches with Variable Beam Parameters

Radio Frequency (RF) Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) switches are becoming more and more popular in the electronics industry. The main concern in using RF MEMS switch is its high actuation voltage. Thus the main focus in this paper is to obtain low actuation voltage. This paper presents the simulation and analysis of RF MEMS cantilever beam and Fixed – Fixed beam switches. RF MEMS switches simulated in this paper use electrostatic actuation method. Simulations were done using finite element modeling. Different designs and parameters such as gap between electrodes, beam thickness, beam length, and relative permittivity values of medium between electrodes were chosen for analyzing the deflection of beams for various actuation voltages. Perforations of different dimensions were made on both type of beams and the resulted deflections were studied. The simulation results show that the Cantilever and Fixed – Fixed beams follow approximately similar deflection pattern with Cantilever beam deflecting more for applied actuation voltage in all the studies.
Quantitative evaluation of DNA hypermethylation in malignant and benign breast tissue and fluids

The assessment of DNA had demonstrated altered methylation in malignant compared to benign breast tissue. The purpose of our study was to (i) confirm the predictive ability of methylation assessment in breast tissue, and (ii) use the genes found to be cancer predictive in tissue to evaluate the diagnostic potential of hypermethylation assessment in nipple aspirate fluid (NAF) and mammary ductoscopic (MD) samples. Quantitative methylation specific (qMS)‐PCR was conducted on three specimen sets: 44 malignant (CA) and 34 normal (NL) tissue specimens, 18 matched CA, adjacent normal (ANL) tissue and NAF specimens, and 119 MD specimens. Training and validation tissue sets were analyzed to determine the optimal group of cancer predictive genes for NAF and MD analysis. NAF and MD cytologic review were also performed. Methylation of CCND‐2, p16, RAR‐β and RASSF‐1a was significantly more prevalent in tumor than in normal tissue specimens. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated an area under the curve of 0.96. For the 18 matched CA, ANL and NAF specimens, the four predictive genes identified in cancer tissue contained increased methylation in CA vs. ANL tissue; NAF samples had higher methylation than ANL specimens. Methylation frequency was higher in MD specimens from breasts with cancer than benign samples for p16 and RASSF‐1a. In summary, i) routine quantitative DNA methylation assessment in NAF and MD samples is possible, and ii) genes hypermethylated in malignant breast tissue are also altered in matched NAF and in MD samples, and may be useful to assist in early breast cancer detection.
Web 2.0 technologies for teaching and learning mathematics subject in high school. A case study

There are various technologies within the e-learning approach. These technologies include e-Book, Publishing and Presentation tools such as PowerPoint, World Wide Web and Web 2.0. The technologies that are being used in high school for learning should be improved to keep pace with the world. Unfortunately, science subjects such as mathematics seem to be lacking in e-learning as a platform for teaching and learning. If a new innovation is not introduced to address this challenge, some learners might begin to lose interest in the mathematics subject. This paper presents the use of Web 2.0 for teaching and learning Mathematics subject in High School using the Technology acceptance model (TAM) to analyse and understands the significance and critical factors influencing the technology usage in High School mathematics classroom.
Reliability and Validity of the Cognitive Slippage Scale in Two Populations

Analyses of responses from a clinical sample of 120 patients (primarily schizophrenics) and from 158 college students to the Cognitive Slippage Scale, a scale designed by Miers and Raulin to identify speech deficits and confused thinking in schizophrenic and schizotypal personality disorders showed high internal reliability; Cronbach's coefficients alpha were . 89 and . 86 in the clinical and college student samples, respectively. The mean scale scores significantly differentiated the two samples. Also, change scores over 4 wk. showed adequate stability for both samples. Item analysis indicated Items 11, 20, 21, and 28 may not reliably discriminate between schizophrenic and college student samples. Over-all, these preliminary results are consistent with the reliability and validity of the scale.
Effect of Experimental Fluorosis on the Surface Topography of Developing Enamel Crystals

Dental fluorosis is an increasing problem, yet the precise mechanism by which fluoride exerts its effects remains obscure. In the present study, we have used atomic force microscopy to image and quantitate surface features of enamel crystals isolated from specific developmental stages of fluorotic and control rat incisors. The results showed a significant decrease in crystal surface roughness with development in control tissue. Crystals from fluorotic tissue were significantly rougher than controls at all stages of development, did not decrease in roughness during the later stages of their development and had many morphological abnormalities. These data clearly demonstrate an effect for fluoride on enamel crystal surfaces which could reflect changes in the nature and distribution of growth sites and/or in mineral–matrix interactions. These would be expected to affect crystal growth during maturation, resulting in the characteristic porous appearance of fluorotic lesions in mature teeth.
Comparing human papillomavirus vaccine knowledge and intentions among parents of boys and girls

ABSTRACT Background/Objective: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. Previous research suggests some differences between male and female adolescents in correlates of vaccine receipt and reasons for non-vaccination; few studies examine both sexes together. This analysis assessed knowledge and attitudes related to HPV disease and vaccination, intention to vaccinate, and reasons for delayed vaccination or non-vaccination among parents of boys and girls 13–17 y old in 50 states, the District of Columbia, and selected local areas. Methods: National Immunization Survey-Teen 2013 data were analyzed and gender differences examined. Results: In this sample, adolescent boys were more likely than girls to be unvaccinated and less likely to have completed the HPV vaccination series (p < 0.005 for both). Parents of girls were more likely than parents of boys to report a provider recommendation for HPV vaccination (65.0% vs. 42.1%). Only 29% of girls' parents reported a provider recommendation to begin vaccination by 11–12 y old. Among unvaccinated teens, parental intention to vaccinate in the next 12 months did not differ by sex, but reasons for vaccination or non-vaccination did. Many parents do not know the recommended number of HPV doses. Conclusions: Gender differences in provider vaccination recommendations and reasons for vaccination might partially explain differential HPV uptake by male and female adolescents. Clinicians should offer strong recommendations for HPV vaccination at 11–12 y old for both girls and boys. To reduce missed opportunities, HPV vaccination should be presented in the context of, and given concurrently with, other routinely administered vaccines.
Cetuximab Therapy for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Objective. To review the current state of the data on the use of cetuximab in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Data Sources. The National Center for Biotechnology Information’s PubMed and the Cochrane collection. Review Methods. Search terms included cetuximab and head and neck cancer. These results were reviewed, and a second search was performed using limits: meta-analysis, randomized controlled trial, and clinical trial. Results. The literature search yielded 412 articles. Fifteen were identified for analysis. For patients with recurrent/metastatic disease who received combination chemotherapy in phase I/II trials, the overall response (OR) was 18.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.4%-27.0%). Phase III trial data for combination chemotherapy in recurrent/metastatic disease showed OR to be 17.0% (95% CI, 12.6%-21.4%) for platinum-based regimens and 34.2% (28.6%-39.7%) for platinum-based regimens with cetuximab. For this same group, the estimated aggregate hazard ratio comparing platinum-based therapy plus cetuximab to platinum therapy alone was 1.10 (95% CI, 0.78-1.54), indicating no significant improvement in overall survival in the aggregate analysis. Combination chemoradiation with cetuximab in both phase I/II trials and the single phase III trial shows enhanced responsiveness, but the data are difficult to interpret because it is not used with standard-of-care regimens for advanced-stage disease. Conclusion. Early evidence has shown cetuximab to be effective in the treatment of HNSCC, and it should be used to enhance, but not replace, current treatment paradigms until further phase III data are available.
Interior permanent magnet synchronous motors: Impact of the variability of the parameters on their efficiency

In the scientific literature, various authors presented different control strategies aimed to increase the efficiency of the interior permanent magnet synchronous motors. These strategies, starting from a well-known mathematical model of the dynamic behaviour of the motor, are able to reduce the power losses acting on the magnetizing component of the stator current. However, none of the proposed approaches takes into account that, varying the working conditions of the motor, also the values of the parameters, which have an impact on the power losses, can vary. In this paper, therefore, starting from an accurate measurement of the motor characteristics for various values of speed and load, we present a new control strategy, which, by taking into account the variability of the motor parameters, allows a more efficient reduction of the motor power losses. In order to validate the model, the values of the power losses obtained by using the model are compared with the values obtained by experimentally measuring the power losses.
Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety of exenatide in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

PURPOSE The pharmacology and tolerability of exenatide in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were studied. METHODS Two randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled studies were conducted. Treatment with oral antidiabetic agents was stopped 14 days before study initiation. In the first study (study A), eight subjects received placebo, 0.1-, 0.2-, 0.3-, and either 0.4-microg/kg exenatide or placebo five minutes before a meal combined with liquid acetaminophen (to assess the rate of gastric emptying) on days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. In the second study (study B), subjects received a single s.c. dose of exenatide or placebo on consecutive days. Part 1 of study B used exenatide doses of 0.01 and 0.1 microg/ kg; 0.02-, 0.05-, and 0.1-microg/kg doses were given in part 2. After an overnight fast, the study drug was injected 15 minutes before a meal (part 1) and before a meal and acetaminophen (part 2). Parts 1 and 2 of study B enrolled six and eight patients, respectively. RESULTS In both studies, plasma exenatide pharmacokinetic profiles appeared dose proportional. Exenatide doses of 0.02-0.2 microg/kg dose-dependently lowered postprandial glucose excursions. Exenatide suppressed postprandial plasma glucagon and slowed gastric emptying. There were no serious adverse events and no patient withdrawals related to treatment. Nausea and vomiting were the most common adverse events and were mild to moderate in severity at doses ranging from 0.02 to 0.2 microg/kg. CONCLUSION Administration of preprandial exenatide by s.c. injection resulted in dose-proportional exenatide pharmacokinetics and antidiabetic pharmacodynamic activity. At doses ranging from 0.02 to 0.2 microg/kg, exenatide dose-dependently reduced postprandial plasma glucose excursion by insulinotropism, suppression of plasma glucagon, and slowing of gastric emptying.
Oxygen potential engineering of interfacial layer for deep sub-nm EOT high-k gate stacks on Ge

The interfacial layer (IL) control is a key to achieving deep sub-nm EOT gate stacks with maintaining superior interface properties. We propose the thermodynamically robust IL engineering on Ge (Y<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>-doped GeO<sub>2</sub> IL). Based on the understanding of Y<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>-doped GeO<sub>2</sub> IL, we have demonstrated 0.47-nm-thick EOT on Ge, and the highest electron mobility at high-N<sub>s</sub> in Ge n-MOSFETs with sub-nm-thick EOT.
Prevalence and Clinical Features of Chronic Pancreatitis in China: A Retrospective Multicenter Analysis Over 10 Years

Objectives: A multicenter study was initiated by the Chinese Chronic Pancreatitis Study Group to determine the nature and magnitude of chronic pancreatitis (CP) in China. Methods: Twenty-two hospitals representing all 6 urban health care regions in China participated in the study. The survey covered a 10-year period from May 1, 1994, to April 30, 2004. Multiple logistic regression was used for analyses. Results: The analysis included 2008 patients (64.99% were men, and 35.01% were female; mean age, 48.9 years [SD, 15.0 years]). Chronic pancreatitis prevalence increased yearly from 1996 to 2003: 3.08, 3.91, 5.28, 7.61, 10.43, 11.92, 12.84, and 13.52 per 100,000 inhabitants. Chronic pancreatitis etiologies were alcohol (35.11%), biliary stones (34.36%), hereditary (7.22%), and idiopathic CP (12.90%). Clinical feature were pain (76.25%), maldigestion (36.11%), jaundice (13.40%), and steatorrhea (6.92%). Complications were pseudocyst (26.25%), diabetes (21.61%), bile duct strictures (13.40%), and ascites (1.74%). With regard to the diagnosis, the sensitivity and specificity of endoscopic ultrasonography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography were 88% and 93%, and 87% and 93%, respectively. Three hundred ninety-one patients (19.47%) received endoscopic therapy. Surgery was performed in 239 patients (11.90%). Conclusion: In China, the incidence of CP is rising rapidly; alcohol and biliary stones are the main causes. Endoscopic ultrasonography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography are highly sensitive and specific diagnostic methods.
A large-scale and low-power CAM architecture featuring a one-hot-spot block code for IP-address lookup in a network router

We propose a new CAM architecture for the large-scale integration and low-power operation of a network router application. This CAM reduces entry count by an average of 52%, using a newly developed one-hot-spot block code. This code eliminates redundancy in a memory cell and improves the efficiency of IP address compression. To implement the proposed code, a hierarchical match-line structure and an on-chip entry compression/extraction scheme are introduced. With this architecture, a search-depth control scheme deactivates unnecessary search lines and reduces power consumption by 45%. Using a DRAM cell, our new content addressable memory (CAM) can achieve 1.5 million entries in 0.13-/spl mu/m technology, which is six times more than a conventional static ternary CAM.
Bladder pressure measurements and urinary tract infection in trauma patients.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this trial was to determine if using a closed technique for bladder pressure measurements (BPMs) would eliminate them as a risk factor for urinary tract infection (UTI) in trauma patients, as was shown previously using an open technique. METHODS Data were collected prospectively from January 2006 until December 2009 by a dedicated epidemiology nurse and combined with trauma registry data at our Level 1 trauma center. All trauma patients admitted to the surgical trauma intensive care unit (STICU) with and without UTIs were compared for demographic and epidemiologic data. A closed system was used in which the urinary drainage catheter (UDC) remained connected to the bag and 45 mL of saline was injected through a two-way valved sideport, with subsequent measurements through the sideport. RESULTS There were 1,641 patients in the trial. The UTI group was sicker (Injury Severity Score [ISS] 18.7±11.9 no UTI vs. 28±10.7 UTI; p<0.0001), with longer stays (11.4±12.4 days no UTI vs. 37.9±20.3 days UTI; p<0.0001) and more UDC days (4.3±6.6 no UTI vs. 23.9±16.6 UTI; p<0.0001). The BPM group had more UDC days (15.6 days±16.0 BPM vs. 5.4 days±7.3 no BPM; p<0.0001), yet no difference in UTI rate/1,000 UDC days (5.7 no BPM vs. 8.0 BPM; p=0.5291). Logistic regression demonstrated only UDC days to be a predictor of UTI (1.125; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.097-1.154; p<0.0001), whereas ISS (1.083, 95% CI 1.063-1.104; p<0.0001) and age (1.051, 95% CI 1.037-1.065; p<0.0001) were the only predictors of death. CONCLUSION Although patients undergoing BPM have more UTIs than patients without BPM, the measurements are not an independent predictor of UTI when done by the closed technique. These findings emphasize the judicious use of BPM with a closed system and, more importantly, the need for early removal of catheters.