Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Housing Subsidies and Homeowners: What Role for Government-Sponsored Enterprises?

This paper analyzes the federal programs providing financial support for U.S. housing: direct appropriations programs (e.g., public housing and vouchers); tax expenditure programs (e.g., the low income housing tax credit and the special tax treatment of owner-occupied housing); and credit guarantee programs (e.g., activities managed by the Federal Housing Administration, the Veterans’ Administration and the Government Sponsored Enterprises, GSEs). We review and quantify the public resources devoted to these programs – congressional appropriations on housing programs, the costs to the federal treasury arising from the favorable tax treatment of housing, and the market value of federal credit insurance and credit guarantees. The review establishes the quantitative importance of credit guarantees in the federal system of housing support. We then consider the activities of the GSEs in more detail, focusing on their roles as mortgage assemblers, conduits, guarantors, and portfolio investors. We consider the rationale for each of these activities, the nature of the federal subsidy provided for each, and the likely consequences of changes in the federal role. We then analyze two current Congressional bills, Senate S. 190 that limits direct GSE mortgage investments, and H.R. 1461 that redirects GSE resources to “affordable” housing. We propose, instead, that a user fee be imposed on GSE debt (to compensate for the value of the implicit guarantee on this debt), and that the proceeds be used to augment the current housing voucher program. This would increase the economic efficiency of the GSEs and would further the equity objectives articulated by the Congress.
Experimental determination of electron and hole mobilities in MOS accumulation layers

This letter presents for the first time, the experimentally determined majority carrier mobilities in the accumulation layer of a MOSFET for both p-type and n-type channel doping for a wide range of doping concentrations. The measured carrier mobility is observed to follow a universal behavior at high transverse fields, similar to that observed for minority carriers in MOS inversion layers. At the higher doping levels, the effective mobility for majority carriers at low to moderate transverse fields is found to be very close to the bulk mobility. This is believed to be due to carrier screening of the ionized impurity scattering which dominates at the higher doping concentrations.
Do Board Gender Diversity and Director Typology Impact CSR Reporting?

By studying female directors and their typology, this paper contributes to the empirical evidence relating to board gender diversity and the disclosure of corporate social responsibility (CSR) information. An ordered random effect probit model was applied to a panel of Spanish non-financial and non-insurance listed firms over the 2009–2013 period. The analyses revealed that a higher percentage of women in boardrooms and in groups of outside and independent directors imply better CSR disclosure. These results hold for corporations with a critical mass of three women on the board and among outside directors.
Exploring the Antitumor Mechanism of High-Dose Cytarabine through the Metabolic Perturbations of Ribonucleotide and Deoxyribonucleotide in Human Promyelocytic Leukemia HL-60 Cells

Despite the apparent clinical benefits of high-dose cytarabine (Ara-C) over lower dose Ara-C in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) therapy, the mechanism behind high-dose Ara-C therapy remains uncertain. In this study, a LC-MS-based method was carried out to investigate the metabolic alteration of ribonucleotide and deoxyribonucleotide in human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60) after treatment with Ara-C to reveal its antitumor mechanism. The metabolic results revealed that four nucleotides (ATP, ADP, CDP, and dCTP) could be used as potential biomarkers indicating the benefit of high-dose Ara-C over lower dose Ara-C treatment. Combining metabolic perturbation and cell cycle analysis, we conjectured that, apart from the acknowledged mechanism of Ara-C on tumor inhibition, high-dose Ara-C could present a specific action pathway. It was suggested that the pronounced rise in AMP/ATP ratio induced by high-dose Ara-C can trigger AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and subsequently Forkhead Box, class O (FoxO), to promote cell cycle arrest. Moreover, the significant decrease in CDP pool induced by high-dose Ara-C might further accelerate the reduction of dCTP, which then aggravates DNA synthesis disturbance. As a result, all of these alterations led to heightened tumor inhibition. This study provides new insight in the investigation of potential mechanisms in the clinical benefits of high-dose Ara-C in therapy for AML.
Genome-Scale Analysis of Programmed DNA Elimination Sites in Tetrahymena thermophila

Genetically programmed DNA rearrangements can regulate mRNA expression at an individual locus or, for some organisms, on a genome-wide scale. Ciliates rely on a remarkable process of whole-genome remodeling by DNA elimination to differentiate an expressed macronucleus (MAC) from a copy of the germline micronucleus (MIC) in each cycle of sexual reproduction. Here we describe results from the first high-throughput sequencing effort to investigate ciliate genome restructuring, comparing Sanger long-read sequences from a Tetrahymena thermophila MIC genome library to the MAC genome assembly. With almost 25% coverage of the unique-sequence MAC genome by MIC genome sequence reads, we created a resource for positional analysis of MIC-specific DNA removal that pinpoints MAC genome sites of DNA elimination at nucleotide resolution. The widespread distribution of internal eliminated sequences (IES) in promoter regions and introns suggests that MAC genome restructuring is essential not only for what it removes (for example, active transposons) but also for what it creates (for example, splicing-competent introns). Consistent with the heterogeneous boundaries and epigenetically modulated efficiency of individual IES deletions studied to date, we find that IES sites are dramatically under-represented in the ∼25% of the MAC genome encoding exons. As an exception to this general rule, we discovered a previously unknown class of small (<500 bp) IES with precise elimination boundaries that can contribute the 3′ exon of an mRNA expressed during genome restructuring, providing a new mechanism for expanding mRNA complexity in a developmentally regulated manner.
Unleashing the Walking Dead: Understanding Cross-App Remote Infections on Mobile WebViews

As a critical feature for enhancing user experience, cross-app URL invocation has been reported to cause unauthorized execution of app components. Although protection has already been put in place, little has been done to understand the security risks of navigating an app's WebView through an URL, a legitimate need for displaying the app's UI during cross-app interactions. In our research, we found that the current design of such cross-WebView navigation actually opens the door to a cross-app remote infection, allowing a remote adversary to spread malicious web content across different apps' WebView instances and acquire stealthy and persistent control of these apps. This new threat, dubbed Cross-App WebView Infection (XAWI), enables a series of multi-app, colluding attacks never thought before, with significant real world impacts. Particularly, we found that the remote adversary can collectively utilize multiple infected apps' individual capabilities to escalate his privileges on a mobile device or orchestrate a highly realistic remote Phishing attack (e.g., running a malicious script in Chrome to stealthily change Twitter's WebView to fake Twitter's own login UI). We show that the adversary can easily find such attack "building blocks" (popular apps whose WebViews can be redirected by another app) through an automatic fuzz, and discovered about 7.4% of the most popular apps subject to the XAWI attacks, including Facebook, Twitter, Amazon and others. Our study reveals the contention between the demand for convenient cross-WebView communication and the need for security control on the channel, and makes the first step toward building OS-level protection to safeguard this fast-growing technology.
Electromigration reliability and morphologies of Cu pillar with microbump under high current density stressing

Current-induced failures in fine pitch Sn micro-bump with Cu pillar have been investigated under a high current density of 3×105 A/cm2 and temperature of 150°C. Both joule heating and high current density led to void formation and an abrupt increase of electrical resistance at the onset of the current stressing. The electrical resistance fluctuated for a period of time when Cu and solder continue to transform into intermetallic compounds (IMC). The electrical resistance eventually becomes stable when the entire solder have transformed into IMC. In early stage, the metallurgical reaction started with significant Cu dissolution into solder, followed by void formation between IMC and the remaining solder. The failure was due to the substrate-side Cu trace dissolution into solder driven by electron flow in high current density tests. When the stressing time increased to 160hrs, the Cu pillar and Cu trace continue to consume and solder transform to IMC joint Cu6Sn5, then Cu3Sn IMC became thicker. When stressing time increased to 2145hrs, the solder has fully reacted and transformed into full Cu3Sn IMC joint. However, the EM and kirkendall voids coalesced into continue cracks at the interface between the IMC joint and Cu pillar and Cu trace due to the current stressing caused the resistance of the micro-bump increased abruptly.
Monthly Estimates of Alcohol Drinking During Pregnancy: United States, 2002-2011.

OBJECTIVE Taking a step beyond prior alcohol research on pregnancy trimesters, we produced pregnancy month-specific drinking estimates for women in the United States in order to shed light on time variations of alcohol drinking during pregnancy, as might be determined by alcohol dependence. We posited that (a) pregnancy might prompt cessation of drinking soon after pregnancy status is discovered, a finding obscured in trimester-specific estimates, and (b) a possible alcohol-dependence effect on drinking persistence among pregnant women might be observed via the monthly approach. METHOD Data are from the 2002-2011 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (Restricted-Data Analysis System [R-DAS]), with large nationally representative samples of U.S. civilians, including 12- to 44-year-old females stratified by pregnancy status and month of pregnancy, and with assessment of recent alcohol dependence as well as heavy episodic drinking (HED). RESULTS Pregnancy's possibly protective constraints on drinking can be seen as early as Month 2. We observed considerable variability of drinking prevalence (%) before Trimester 1 ended, with no appreciable variation across Months 4-9. A possible alcohol-dependence effect on drinking persistence is seen when the contrast is made in relation to expected values for pregnant women without alcohol dependence. CONCLUSIONS We detected a possibly ameliorative pregnancy effect on alcohol use and HED, with variation in drinking prevalence across the months of the first trimester. Alcohol dependence might be affecting drinking persistence among pregnant women, but this effect cannot account for the drinking persistence observed here.
The accuracy of the Raypex5 electronic apex locator using stainless-steel hand K-file versus nickel-titanium rotary Mtwo file.

OBJECTIVES Today many clinicians use both stainless-steel hand K-files and nickel- titanium rotary files during endodontic treatment. It is of great importance for the clinician to have confidence in the accuracy of an apex locator even if these files were used interchangeably. The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the accuracy of the Raypex5 electronic apex locator using stainless-steel hand K-file versus nickel-titanium rotary Mtwo file. STUDY DESIGN Twenty straight and single canals of maxillary central teeth were used. Access cavities were prepared; actual working length were determined and compared with electronic working length obtained by means of apex locator Raypex5 using stainless-steel hand K-file and nickel-titanium rotary Mtwo file. Data was analyzed by paired T-test. RESULTS There was no significant difference between 15/0.02 stainless-steel hand K- file and 10/0.04 NiTi rotary Mtwo file for the mean differences between actual and electronic working length (p=0.126). CONCLUSIONS Under the conditions of this in-vitro study, Raypex5 registered more measurements in acceptable range using 15/0.02 stainless-steel hand K- file and 10/0.04 NiTi rotary Mtwo file. It is possible to use them interchangeably without compromising the working length.
Molecular Epidemiology, Evolution, and Ecology of Francisella

Abstract: Tularemia is a disease caused by several subspecies of Francisella tularensis, although the severity of the disease varies greatly from subspecies to subspecies. Currently, there are four recognized subspecies (tularensis, holarctica, mediasiatica, and novicida), in addition to a second Francisella species, F. philomiragia. It is clear from molecular sampling of the environment that these human pathogens are a mere fraction of the Francisella diversity. Taxonomic nomenclature is now being based upon several DNA‐sequence‐based approaches and this advance provides for robust phylogenetic models that are guiding the systematics of this genus. This in turn allows for better molecular epidemiological investigations and more precise ecological analysis. Tularemia ecology is still only partially understood, with many knowledge gaps about the disease reservoir and vectors. Molecular analysis has identified a major population split within F. tularensis subsp. tularensis that points toward distinctive ecological adaptations, vectors, and host species. Current medical practice does not rely upon subspecies or subpopulation identification, although this information may have predictive value for clinical outcome, especially in the United States. Combined molecular and epidemiological analyses suggest that the population split in F. tularensis subsp. tularensis matches two distinct human diseases in the United States with different mortality rates. DNA‐sequence‐based typing of F. tularensis subsp. holarctica from tularemia outbreaks in Europe and the United States proves regional identity among isolates and also demonstrates that this subspecies successfully disseminated worldwide in recent evolutionary time.
Assessment of antimicrobial potential of 10% ginger extract against Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans, and Enterococcus faecalis: an in vitro study.

BACKGROUND Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans, and Enterococcus faecalis are the three oral microorganisms most commonly implicated in the causation of oral infections. All these oral microorganisms have shown resistant to routinely used antimicrobials. There is a need for an antimicrobial agent which is effective, safe, and economical. Zingiber officinale, commonly known as ginger is one such plant product which has been used from ancient time. It has been shown to possess promising inhibitory effect on many of the oral microorganisms. On review of dental literature, there was scarcity of studies which had tried to assess antimicrobial potential of ginger extract against S. mutans, E. faecalis, and C. albicans; hence, the present study was designed. AIM To evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial potential of 10% ginger extract against S. mutans, E. faecalis, and C. albicans. SETTINGS AND DESIGN Laboratory setting and experimental design. MATERIALS AND METHODS In the first part of the study, 10% ethanolic ginger extract was prepared in the laboratory of Pharmacy College. It was then subjected to microbiological assay to determine its zone of inhibition using Agar disk diffusion test and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) using serial broth dilution method against S. mutans, C. albicans, and E. faecalis. RESULTS 10% ethanolic ginger extract showed: (a) Maximum zone of inhibition of 8 mm, 14 mm, and 11 mm against S. mutans, C. albicans, and E. faecalis respectively. (b) MIC of 1.25%, 2.5%, and 2.5% against S. mutans, C. albicans, and E. faecalis respectively. CONCLUSION 10% ethanolic ginger extract was found to possess antimicrobial potential against all the three pathogens used in the study.
Percutaneous management of renal pelvic urothelial tumors: long-term followup.

PURPOSE We present the long-term outcome of percutaneous resection of renal urothelial tumor. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 24 patients underwent primary percutaneous resection of renal urothelial tumor. Patients with low stage pT0-1 disease were treated primarily with percutaneous surgery. All pelvicaliceal tumors were taken for biopsy and treated with percutaneous resection. Patients with multi-segmental pelvicaliceal system involvement, stage greater than pT1, high grade histology or additional ureteral tumors were considered for nephroureterectomy. Topical chemotherapy (mitomycin C or epirubicin) was administered via nephrostomy tube or intravesical instillation after Double-J stent (Medical Engineering Corp., New York, New York) insertion. Surveillance included upper tract cytology, nephroscopy or fiberoptic ureterorenoscopy. Long-term followup was correlated with histopathology. RESULTS Of the 24 cases 2 had squamous cell carcinoma, 5 had grade III transitional cell carcinoma, 15 had grade I to II transitional cell carcinoma and 2 had no tumor. Control was established with initial percutaneous resection in 18 (75%) cases and second look nephroscopy in 4. Early recurrences were detected by excretory urography (IVP) in 3 cases, small pelvic recurrences by IVP in 2, fiberoptic ureterorenoscopy in 2 and bladder tumors by flexible cystoscopy in 3 after 1 year. A total of 10 nephroscopies were performed in 5 cases, 24 flexible uretereorenoscopies in 9 and IVP in 6. Three synchronous, grade I bladder tumors were managed conventionally. All patients with high grade disease died of malignancy except one (with no further treatment) and 6 of the 15 patients with low grade noninvasive transitional cell carcinoma underwent nephroureterectomy during followup either due to progression of disease, concomitant tumor or complications. Two patients with solitary kidneys died of renal failure unrelated to malignancy. High grade tumors or tumors greater than T1 were treated with nephroureterectomy early during management. There was no perioperative mortality and 9 (60%) of the low grade cases the kidneys were preserved at a mean followup +/- SD of 64 +/- 15 months. All excised tracks from patients who underwent nephroureterectomy and the renal fossae were free of tumor on histopathological examination. CONCLUSIONS Percutaneous resection of transitional cell tumor should be considered primarily in patients with early stage disease excluding tumors crossing caliceal infundibula, ureteropelvic junction tumor, tumor extending over multiple calices and synchronous ureteral tumors. The long-term outcome of low grade tumors is good and they should be managed by either form of minimally invasive surgery. Nephron sparing is possible in a large percentage of low grade disease but high grade tumors should be treated with nephroureterectomy.
Influence of self-similarity on 3D holoscopic video coding performance

Holoscopic imaging, also known as integral imaging, is a promising solution for glasses-free 3D technology since it allows a more natural and immersive 3D sensation with continuous full motion parallax. However, in order to provide 3D holoscopic content with convenient visual quality in terms of resolution and 3D perception, ultra-high resolution acquisition and display devices are required. Consequently, efficient video coding tools become essential to deal with this large amount of data. However, current and emerging state-of-the-art video coding technologies do not yet address the specific characteristics of 3D holoscopic content. In this context, this paper presents and studies a coding scheme based on the concept of self-similarity compensated prediction, which is used to explore the particular arrangement of 3D holoscopic content through the introduction of new prediction modes. In order to profoundly analyze these new prediction modes, two different generations of video codecs, modified to handle 3D holoscopic content, are examined and compared: the first one is derived from the H.264/AVC video coding standard while the second one is based on the recent standardization project called High Efficient Video Coding (HEVC). Experimental results clearly show the advantages of using this coding scheme in both codecs, as well as the connection between the performance of the self-similarity compensation process and the characteristics of the 3D holoscopic content.
Disentangling the effects of post-entry speed of internationalisation on export performance of INVs

This article aims to explore the under-researched topic of post-entry speed of internationalisation (PSI) in the context of international new ventures (INVs). We unbundle PSI and examine its relationship with both financial and non-financial export performance, considering three related, but conceptually distinct, dimensions of PSI: internationalisation intensity, spread and geographical diversity. Building on organisational learning theory, we highlight different mechanisms that contribute to post-entry performance outcomes among INVs. Our findings from a sample of 112 INVs in New Zealand provide evidence that the three dimensions of PSI are distinct and that they have different impacts on financial and non-financial export performance. This article contributes to the limited, yet growing body of literature on PSI by providing a deeper understanding of PSI and its constituent dimensions. In addition, this study offers new theoretical insights into how and why different dimensions of post-entry speed of internationalisation can contribute to stronger export performance.