Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
1 ARE LOW SKILL PUBLIC SECTOR WORKERS REALLY OVERPAID ? A QUASI-DIFFERENCED PANEL DATA ANALYSIS

Public-private sectoral wage differentials have been studied extensively using quantile regression techniques. These typically find large public sector premiums at the bottom of the wage distribution. This may imply that low skill workers are ‘overpaid’, prompting concerns over efficiency. We note several other potential explanations for this result and explicitly test whether the premium varies with skill, using Australian data. We use a quasi-differenced GMM panel data model which has not been previously applied to this topic, internationally. Unlike other available methods, this technique identifies sectoral differences in returns to unobserved skill. It also facilitates a decomposition of the wage gap into components explained by differences in returns to all (observed and unobserved) skills and by differences in their stock. We find no evidence to suggest that the premium varies with skill. One interpretation is that the compressed wage profile of the public sector induces the best workers (on unobserved skills) to join the public sector in low wage occupations, vice versa in high wage occupations. We also estimate the average public sector premium to be 6% for women and statistically insignificant (4%) for men. JEL classification codes: J45, J31, J38
Possibilities of Fe-RICH phases elimination with using heat treatment in secondary Al-Si-Cu cast alloy

L. Hurtalová, E. Tillová, M. Chalupová, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Žilina, Žilina, Slovakia The mechanical properties of Al-Si-Cu cast alloy are strongly dependent upon the morphologies, type and distribution of the second phases. The skeleton like Al15(FeMn)3Si2 and needles Al5FeSi phases were observed in experimental material AlSi9Cu3. The Fe-rich phases morphology was affected with applying two types of heat treatment; T4 and T6, which caused positive changes of mechanical properties especially ultimate tensile strength; gives that for as cast state was Rm = 211 MPa, than at optimum T4 (515 °C/ 4 hours) was Rm = 273 MPa and at optimum T6 (515 °C/ 4 hours with artificial aging 170 °C/ 16 hours) was Rm = 311 MPa.
Toxic effects of ochratoxin A and citrinin, alone and in combination, on chicken embryos

The embryotoxic potential of ochratoxin A and citrinin was studied after administering, either subgerminally or intraamniotically, single mounting doses of the mycotoxins to chicken embryos on days 2, 3, and 4. The beginning of the embryotoxicity dose range was found to be between 0.01 to 0.05 microgram for ochratoxin A and 1 to 10 micrograms for citrinin. The maximum response to both mycotoxins occurred after administration on day 3. In addition to significant growth retardation of fetuses, exencephaly, microphthalmia, cleft beak, reduction deformities of the limbs, and abdominal wall and ventricular septal defects were encountered on day 8 of incubation. When 4 micrograms of citrinin was constantly added to ochratoxin A administered in the dose range of 0.03 to 0.5 microgram, a strictly additive effect was seen. It may be supposed that citrinin produced together with ochratoxin A in some strains of Penicillium viridicatum Westling does not potentiate the clear-cut embryotoxic action of the latter mycotoxin.
THE GROWTH OF IQ AMONG ESTONIAN SCHOOLCHILDREN FROM AGES 7 TO 19

The Standard Progressive Matrices test was standardized in Estonia on a representative sample of 4874 schoolchildren aged from 7 to 19 years. When the IQ of Estonian children was expressed in relation to British and Icelandic norms, both demonstrated a similar sigmoid relationship. The youngest Estonian group scored higher than the British and Icelandic norms: after first grade, the score fell below 100 and remained lower until age 12, and after that age it increased above the mean level of these two comparison countries. The difference between the junior school children and the secondary school children may be due to schooling, sampling error or different trajectories of intellectual maturation in different populations. Systematic differences in the growth pattern suggest that the development of intellectual capacities proceeds at different rates and the maturation process can take longer in some populations than in others.
Process optimization for a high gate trench MOS to minimize threshold voltage variation

Trench MOS devices are widely used in power applications. A novel high gate trench MOS design has the advantages of smaller gate resistance, faster switching, and lower power consumption. However, its low yield has hindered its mass production and application. In this work, we carried out in-depth analysis of the process flow in actual fab and found out the origin of the yield problem to be the electrostatic charge accumulation in the well region generated by friction during photoresist development step. The charges can affect the well doping concentration and in turn the threshold voltage of the MOS devices. Different approaches were proposed to solve the problem, among which rinse time reduction was found to be the most effective one at a low cost‥ The process yield in HHNEC Fab2 in Shanghai was successfully raised up from below 60% to at least 98%. The research work would help facilitate the mass production and wide application of the novel high gate trench MOS.
Limitations on the use of a single screening question to measure sedentary behavior.

OBJECTIVES This study explored the limitations of identifying sedentary individuals via an existing screening question in a state-based surveillance system. METHODS A national sample (n = 7529) of adults, selected by random-digit dialing between November 1999 and May 2000, responded about participation in leisure-time physical activity. RESULTS Of those who initially reported no leisure-time physical activity (25%), 85% were engaging in at least some activity, and 20% were engaging in enough moderate- or vigorous-intensity activity to meet health-related recommendations. CONCLUSIONS Public health programs that use only 1 screening question to identify sedentary behavior may not be able to target physical activity messages effectively, especially if physical activity is defined to include a broad range of activities beyond sports.
Internal radiation therapy of liver tumors: Qualitative and quantitative magnetic resonance imaging of the biodistribution of holmium‐loaded microspheres in animal models

In internal radiation therapy of unresectable liver tumors, microspheres containing a radionuclide are injected in the hepatic artery to achieve a preferential deposition of microspheres in the lesions. In this study, MR imaging techniques for qualitative and quantitative assessment of the biodistribution of holmium‐loaded microspheres (HoMS) were investigated for their use in selective internal radiation therapy of liver tumors. To achieve this goal, the relaxivity of HoMS was first investigated in gel experiments. The resultant calibration curve was subsequently employed to quantify the biodistribution of HoMS administered to 13 excised rabbit livers and to the livers of 3 live rabbits with an implanted tumor. Finally, the feasibility of MR imaging of the biodistribution during treatment of a large animal was investigated by MR imaging of hepatic administration of HoMS to a live pig. Overall, the study showed that MRI can clearly depict the biodistribution of HoMS, but that quantification by means of the gel calibration curve yields an underestimation that increases for higher amounts of HoMS. The observed underestimation is tentatively attributed to accumulations of HoMS in larger liver vessels. The exploratory quantification experiments suggest the feasibility of MR dosimetry. Magn Reson Med 53:76–84, 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Public perceptions of pharmacist expanded scope of practice services in Nova Scotia

Background: Community pharmacists have been transitioning from traditional dispensing roles toward a much broader scope of practice. The objective of this research was to explore public perceptions of expanded scope of practice (ESOP) services as they relate to pharmacy and pharmacist characteristics. Methods: The Survey on New Services Offered by Nova Scotia Pharmacists was developed and deployed using in-pharmacy intercept surveys and online public surveys in Nova Scotia. The survey focused on 4 key ESOP elements/services: 1) prescribing for minor ailments (ambulatory conditions), 2) injections and vaccinations, 3) prescription renewals and 4) medication reviews. Data were analyzed using comparisons between groups (multivariate analysis of variance) and principal component analysis. Results: A total of 385 surveys were obtained from the public regarding their perceptions and use of ESOP services (online n = 237, in-pharmacy intercept n = 148). A number of significant differences were found on the basis of respondent sex, age and the location of survey deployment. Discussion: Overall, public perceptions of pharmacists’ knowledge and skills in providing ESOP services are positive. A pharmacist’s ability to communicate, protect confidentiality and provide quality information regarding medications is important to the public. Conclusion: Respondents who already have a good relationship with their pharmacist are more likely to see value in ESOP services. Future public education strategies should focus on factors positively affecting the public’s perceptions of ESOP services and should encourage public use of these services through intentional patient education of the benefits of ESOP services and strengthening of the patient-provider relationship.
Desarrollo un sistema de visión por computador para la identificación de las infracciones de tránsito orientado a la generación de estudios de movilidad

Trabajo de grado que se propone desarrollar un sistemas de vision por computador para la identificacion de las infracciones de transito en un cruce vehicular, por medio de un algoritmo que detecta la trayectoria de los vehiculos y asi determinar los infractores. Este sistema muestra datos cuantitativos detallados sobre algunas de las infracciones cometidas por los conductores las cuales son: cruce indebido, obstruccion y contravia en una zona determinada, teniendo en cuenta el codigo de transito. El algoritmo consta de una interfaz de usuario donde se ingresan el numero de entradas y salidas que seran objeto de analisis de trayectoria y asi se adquiere la cantidad de vehiculos infractores en las secciones que el usuario ingreso, que son visualizadas en la interfaz de forma estadistica.
Effect of Changing Indications and Techniques on Total Hip Resurfacing

Recently, improved metal-on-metal bearing technology has led to the reemergence of resurfacing as a reasonable option for total hip arthroplasty. During the course of a prospective multicenter FDA-IDE evaluation of metal-on-metal total hip resurfacings, we modified our indications and emphasized surgical technique where the femoral surface area was small due to femoral cysts and small component size. We assessed the influence of these changes on complication rates in the first cohort of 292 patients and the second of 724, and then compared these outcomes in the second cohort with historical reports of resurfacing. We had a minimum followup of 24 months (mean, 33 months; range, 24-60 months). After changes were made in the indications and technique, the overall complication rate decreased from 13.4% to 2.1% with the femoral neck fracture rate reduced from 7.2% to 0.8%. The outcomes of the second cohort compare with modern-day resurfacing devices and appear superior to historical results. The data suggest patients should be carefully selected and technique optimized to reduce complications. Long-term followup is required to see if these promising results will be maintained.Level of Evidence: Level I, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Atomic resolution of nitrogen-doped graphene on Cu foils

Atomic-level substitutional doping can significantly tune the electronic properties of graphene. Using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy, the atomic-scale crystalline structure of graphene grown on polycrystalline Cu, the distribution of nitrogen dopants and their effect on the electronic properties of graphene were investigated. Both the graphene sheet growth and nitrogen doping were performed using microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The results indicated that the nitrogen dopants preferentially sit at the grain boundaries of the graphene sheets and confirmed that plasma treatment is a potential method to incorporate foreign atoms into the graphene lattice to tailor the graphene’s electronic properties.
Neuroprotective Use‐Dependent Blockers of Na+ and Ca2+ Channels Controlling Presynaptic Release of Glutamatea

We have originated a family of N,N'-disubstituted guanidines that block the voltage-activated Ca2+ and Na+ channels governing glutamate release. These compounds, CNS 1237 (N-acenaphthyl-N'-methoxynaphthyl guanidine) and its analogues, are "use dependent" in their ability to attenaute neurotransmitter release: they block glutamate release with greater efficacy under conditions of persistent or repetitive depolarization, as would be encountered under pathophysiological circumstances, relative to their ability to block glutamate release elicited by brief, transient depolarizations more characteristic of normal physiological release events in nonischemic brain. Using electrophysiological and rapid kinetic methods, we have differentiated the use-dependent block of the relevant Na+ and Ca2+ channels governing neurotransmitter release from the mechanism of channel antagonism exhibited by, respectively, the substituted guanidine Na+ channel blocker tetrodotoxin (TTX) and venom peptide Ca2+ antagonists. To characterize use-dependent Na+ channel block by CNS 1237, we have employed whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings from a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line expressing cloned mammalian type II Na+ channels. These experiments demonstrated that, in contrast to the actions of TTX under the same conditions, the potency of Na+ channel block by CNS 1237 is greatly enhanced by depolarizing stimuli in a frequency-dependent manner. Ca2+ channel-activated glutamate release from brain nerve terminal preparations was measured with approximately 300 msec time resolution over a 5-second period of high K(+)-depolarization, using a rapid superfusion technique. CNS 1237 and analogues, at 1-3 microM, accelerated the decay of glutamate release by 40-70%, reflecting depolarization-induced enhancement of block. In contrast, blockade of glutamate release by the Ca2+ channel antagonist peptide toxins omega-aga IV-A (from spider venom) and omega-conotoxin M-VII-C (from cone snail venom) exhibited "reverse-use-dependence:" at concentrations of 0.3 microM, which blocked the initial amplitude of glutamate release by 40-60%, the decay time constant for glutamate release was significantly increased, indicating depolarization-induced relief of block. These findings establish that CNS 1237 and other members of this compound series are use-dependent blockers of the voltage-activated ion channels governing glutamate release. Studies of CNS 1237 in the rat middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) focal stroke model have indicated infarct size reduction comparable to that observed by the same investigators for the glutamate release blocker (BW 619C89 (Burroughs-Wellcome, now in clinical development). Maximal infarct size reduction is achieved with a 3-mg/kg bolus followed by a 4-hour infusion of 0.75 mg/kg/hr. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Bibliometric analysis of service science research: Focus on contribution from Asia

The objective of the paper is to describe the contribution of articles by Asian authors in the top journals in service research. This was done by reviewing and evaluating the methodological approaches and the geographical affiliations of authors published in the selected journals. A sample of top journal in service research is selected based on previous literature. The review and evaluation considers all papers published in selected journals over a 14 year period from 1995 to 2008. The papers are categorized and the geographical affiliations are noted. The analysis revealed that Taiwan is the major contributor in service related articles followed by Singapore, Hong Kong, and South Korea. This is the first review and analysis of contribution from Asian institutions in top journals of service research. The study provides valuable insights into the nature of academic publishing by authors from Asian institutions in the burgeoning area of service science.
THE FREQUENCY OF HOT JUPITERS ORBITING NEARBY SOLAR-TYPE STARS

We determine the fraction of F, G, and K dwarfs in the solar neighborhood hosting hot Jupiters as measured by the California Planet Survey from the Lick and Keck planet searches. We find the rate to be 1.2% ± 0.38%, which is consistent with the rate reported by Mayor et al. from the HARPS and CORALIE radial velocity (RV) surveys. These numbers are more than double the rate reported by Howard et al. for Kepler stars and the rate of Gould et al. from the OGLE-III transit search; however, due to small number statistics these differences are of only marginal statistical significance. We explore some of the difficulties in estimating this rate from the existing RV data sets and comparing RV rates to rates from other techniques.
Influence of natural and synthetic carotenoids on the color of egg yolk

Carotenoids are incorporated into the diet of laying hens in order to modify the yolk color. A natural source of carotenoids in tropical countries is annatto, which could be used in the diets of hens. This study aimed to evaluate the addition of natural (annatto) and synthetic carotenoids to the diet of laying hens (commercial and alternative) and their effects on yolk color and consumer sensory perception of fresh and stored eggs obtained from two different preparations (boiled and fried). Physicochemical analysis of proximate composition, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), emulsion activity and instrumental color were performed. Cooking caused significant alterations to the moisture in the preparations and this may have directly affected the color intensity, influencing factors related to egg appearance. In this study, 85 % of the panelists indicated that yolk color is an important attribute of the product’s quality. There was no antioxidant effect of the carotenoids in raw eggs. Synthetic additives should be better dosed to obtain the desired effect. Storage did not alter the proximate composition of the eggs.
Simultaneous multislice acquisition with arterial‐flow tagging (SMART) using echo planar imaging (EPI)

Arterial spin tagging techniques have been used to image tissue perfusion in MR without contrast injection or ionizing radiation. Currently, spin tagging studies are performed primarily using single‐slice imaging sequences, which are time consuming. This note reports a multislice echo‐planar arterial spin tagging technique (Simultaneous Multislice Acquisition with aRterial‐flow Tagging, or “SMART”). Multiband RF encoding (Hadamard) is used to provide simultaneous multislice acquisition capability for spin tagging techniques (such as echo planar imaging signal targeting with alternating radio frequency and flow‐sensitive alternative inversion recovery). The method is illustrated with a two‐slice pulse sequence that was implemented using the FAIR technique to generate two perfusion weighted images simultaneously. Compared with single‐slice sequences, this two‐slice sequence provided similar image quality, signal‐to‐noise ratio, and twice the spatial coverage compared with the single‐slice technique within the same scan time.
A Mechanised Cryptographic Proof of the WireGuard Virtual Private Network Protocol

WireGuard is a free and open source Virtual Private Network (VPN) that aims to replace IPsec and OpenVPN. It is based on a new cryptographic protocol derived from the Noise Protocol Framework. This paper presents the first mechanised cryptographic proof of the protocol underlying WireGuard, using the CryptoVerif proof assistant. We analyse the entire WireGuard protocol as it is, including transport data messages, in an ACCE-style model. We contribute proofs for correctness, message secrecy, forward secrecy, mutual authentication, session uniqueness, and resistance against key compromise impersonation, identity mis-binding, and replay attacks. We also discuss the strength of the identity hiding provided by WireGuard. Our work also provides novel theoretical contributions that are reusable beyond WireGuard. First, we extend CryptoVerif to account for the absence of public key validation in popular Diffie-Hellman groups like Curve25519, which is used in many modern protocols including WireGuard. To our knowledge, this is the first mechanised cryptographic proof for any protocol employing such a precise model. Second, we prove several indifferentiability lemmas that are useful to simplify the proofs for sequences of key derivations.
Monitoring the network monitoring system: Anomaly Detection using pattern recognition

For a successful and efficient network supervision, an Anomaly Detection System is essential. In this paper, our goal is to develop a simple, practical, and application-domain specific approach to identify anomalies in the input/output data of network probes. Since data are periodic and continuously evolving, it is not possible to use threshold-based approaches. We propose an algorithm based on pattern recognition to help mobile operators detect anomalies in real time. The algorithm is unsupervised and easily configurable with a small number of tuning parameters. After weeks of deployment in a production network monitoring system, we obtain satisfactory results: we detect major anomalies with low error rate.
Sensorless control of AC drives equipped with an inverter output filter

OF DOCTORAL DISSERTATION HELSINKI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY P. O. BOX 1000, FI-02015 TKK http://www.tkk. fi Author Janne Salomäki Name of the dissertation Manuscript submitted 2.7. 2007 Manuscript revised 1.11. 2007 Date of the defence 21.12. 2007 Article dissertation (summary + original articles) Monograph Department Laboratory Field of research Opponent(s) Supervisor Instructor
Dehydrated Human Amnion/Chorion Membrane Allograft Promotes Cardiac Repair Following Myocardial Infarctions

Acute myocardial infarction (MI), more commonly known as heart attack, is a major consequence of cardiovascular disease and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Acute MI occurs when coronary occlusion causes diminished blood supply to the cardiac tissue, and myocardial ischemia results in irreversible damage or cell death [1]. Reperfusion therapy in the form of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) has become the gold standard of treatment for MI and has significantly improved short-term outcomes; however, damage to the cardiac tissue still results in post-MI left ventricular (LV) remodeling. LV remodeling occurs in response to loss of myocardial function in the form of tissue scarring, dilatation, and hypertrophy, and while remodeling is initially beneficial, this compensatory mechanism can be maladaptive, ultimately leading to heart failure [2]. There are currently about 5.1 million Americans living with heart failure with 825,000 new cases each year. It is estimated that the total direct and indirect costs for heart failure in the United States exceed $30 billion each year [3].