Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Food Price Inflation : Causes and Impacts

U.S. food prices rose 4% in 2007 and are expected to gain 3.5% to 4.5% in 2008. Higher farm commodity prices and energy costs are the leading factors behind higher food prices. Farm commodity prices have surged because (1) demand for corn for ethanol is competing with food and feed for acreage; (2) global food grain and oilseed supplies are low due to poor harvests; (3) the weak dollar has increased U.S. exports; (4) rising incomes in large, rapidly emerging economies have changed eating habits; and (5) input costs have increased. Higher energy costs increase transportation, processing, and retail costs.
A filtering proposal for extracted Arabic term candidates

In the terminology extraction process, determining relevance of the candidates is very crucial for the purpose of identifying domain-relevant terms. Information about terms can be often gathered from linguistic knowledge or from statistic measures. In this paper, we present a proposition of a filtering mechanism based on a machine learning technique so as to keep only the most relevant terms. The proposed strategy incorporates varied and rich features from the content as well as the structure of Arabic legal documents.
A Unified Comparison of Stimulus-Driven, Endogenous Mandatory and ‘Free Choice’ Saccades

It has been claimed that saccades arising from the three saccade triggering modes–stimulus-driven, endogenous mandatory and ‘free choice’–are driven by distinct mechanisms. We tested this claim by instructing observers to saccade from a white or black fixation disc to a same polarity (white or black) disc flashed for 100 or 200 ms presented either alone (Exo), or together with an opposite (Endo) or same (EndoFC) polarity disc (blocked and mixed sessions). Target(s) and distractor were presented at three inter-stimulus intervals (ISIs) relative to the fixation offset (ISI: −200, 0, +200 ms) and were displayed at random locations within a 4°-to-6° eccentricity range. The statistical analysis showed a global saccade triggering mode effect on saccade reaction times (SRTs) with Endo and EndoFC SRTs longer by about 27 ms than Exo-triggered ones but no effect for the Endo-EndoFC comparison. SRTs depended on both ISI (the “gap-effect”), and target duration. Bimodal best fits of the SRT-distributions were found in 65% of cases with their count not different across the three triggering modes. Percentages of saccades in the ‘fast’ and ‘slow’ ranges of bimodal fits did not depend on the triggering modes either. Bimodality tests failed to assert a significant difference between these modes. An analysis of the timing of a putative inhibition by the distractor (Endo) or by the duplicated target (EndoFC) yielded no significant difference between Endo and EndoFC saccades but showed a significant shortening with ISI similar to the SRT shortening suggesting that the distractor-target mutual inhibition is itself inhibited by ‘fixation’ neurons. While other experimental paradigms may well sustain claims of distinct mechanisms subtending the three saccade triggering modes, as here defined reflexive and voluntary saccades appear to differ primarily in the effectiveness with which inhibitory processes slow down the initial fast rise of the saccade triggering signal.
Estimating the Benefit Incidence of an Antipoverty Program by Propensity-Score Matching

We apply recent advances in propensity-score matching (PSM) to the problem of estimating the distribution of net income gains from an Argentinean workfare program. PSM has a number of attractive features in this context, including the need to allow for heterogeneous impacts, while optimally weighting observed characteristics when forming a comparison group. The average direct gain to the participant is found to be about half the gross wage. Over half of the beneficiaries are in the poorest decile nationally, and 80%% are in the poorest quintile. Our PSM estimator is reasonably robust to a number of changes in methodology.
Reduced bone density in androgen-deficient women with acquired immune deficiency syndrome wasting.

Women with acquired immune deficiency syndrome wasting are at an increased risk of osteopenia because of low weight, changes in body composition, and hormonal alterations. Although women comprise an increasing proportion of human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients, prior studies have not investigated bone loss in this expanding population of patients. In this study we investigated bone density, bone turnover, and hormonal parameters in 28 women with acquired immune deficiency syndrome wasting and relative androgen deficiency (defined as free testosterone < or =3.0 pg/ml, weight < or =90% ideal body weight, weight loss > or =10% from preillness maximum weight, or weight <100% ideal body weight with weight loss > or =5% from preillness maximum weight). Total body (1.04 +/- 0.08 vs. 1.10 +/- 0.07 g/cm2, human immunodeficiency virus-infected vs. control respectively; P < 0.01), anteroposterior lumbar spine (0.94 +/- 0.12 vs. 1.03 +/- 0.09 g/cm2; P = 0.005), lateral lumbar spine (0.71 +/- 0.14 vs. 0.79 +/- 0.09 g/cm2; P = 0.02), and hip (Ward's triangle; 0.68 +/- 0.14 vs. 0.76 +/- 0.12 g/cm2; P = 0.05) bone density were reduced in the human immunodeficiency virus-infected compared with control subjects. Serum N-telopeptide, a measure of bone resorption, was increased in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients, compared with control subjects (14.6 +/- 5.8 vs. 11.3 +/- 3.8 nmol/liter bone collagen equivalents, human immunodeficiency virus-infected vs. control respectively; P = 0.03). Although body mass index was similar between the groups, muscle mass was significantly reduced in the human immunodeficiency virus-infected vs. control subjects (16 +/- 4 vs. 21 +/- 4 kg, human immunodeficiency virus-infected vs. control, respectively; P < 0.0001). In univariate regression analysis, muscle mass (r = 0.53; P = 0.004) and estrogen (r = 0.51; P = 0.008), but not free testosterone (r = -0.05, P = 0.81), were strongly associated with lumbar spine bone density in the human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients. The association between muscle mass and bone density remained significant, controlling for body mass index, hormonal status, and age (P = 0.048) in multivariate regression analysis. These data indicate that both hormonal and body composition factors contribute to reduced bone density in women with acquired immune deficiency syndrome wasting. Anabolic strategies to increase muscle mass may be useful to increase bone density among osteopenic women with acquired immune deficiency syndrome wasting.
Comparing Affective Commitment in the Public and Private Sectors: A Comprehensive Test of Multiple Mediation Effects

ABSTRACT Employees’ organizational commitment is associated with a number of positive outcomes, such as employee motivation, job satisfaction, productivity, and retention. But previous research has suggested that there may be important sector differences in both commitment and its explanations, yet results are very mixed. We study sector differences in affective organizational commitment among 1,043 public and private office workers who perform very similar tasks across sectors, testing the influence of factors thought to explain commitment and expected to vary between the sectors. We propose that the mixed results are due to different variables mediating the relationship between sector and organizational commitment. Conducting a multiple mediation analysis, we find that more hierarchy negatively mediates the relationship between public sector employment and organizational commitment. On the other hand, the relationship between public sector employment and organizational commitment is positively mediated by public service motivation and participatory management. This highlights the importance of not only studying simple sector differences, but also including relevant individual and organizational-level variables that can explain the mechanisms behind such differences.
Optimizing management regimes for carbon storage and other benefits in uneven-aged stands dominated by Norway spruce, with a derivation of the economic supply of carbon storage

Abstract This study sought optimal sustainable management regimes of uneven-aged Norway spruce-dominated stands with multiple objectives. The criteria were financial returns, CO2 sequestration and diversity of tree size and species. At prevailing timber prices, harvest and transport costs, and interest rates, uneven-aged management for timber alone was most profitable with a 5-year cutting cycle. Lengthening the cutting cycle to 20 years decreased the net present value from timber by 10%, but raised the carbon storage by 21%, the tree species diversity by 32%, and the tree size diversity by 24%. Maximizing CO2 sequestration induced an almost pure spruce stand. A compromise policy maximized CO2 storage, while maintaining a rate of return on the capital of standing trees equal to the interest rate. A supply curve for CO2 storage was derived, showing how much forest owners would be willing to sequester as a function of the price of CO2. Maximizing the NPV from combined CO2 storage and timber production showed complementarity of CO2 storage and timber production for up to NOK 300 Mg−1 of CO2, and sustained, though lower, timber production at higher CO2 prices.
Concentration-dependent increase of murine P388 and B16 population doubling time by the acyclic monoterpene geraniol.

Geraniol, an acyclic end product of a plant isoprene pathway and a pyrophosphorylated intermediate in plant and animal pathways, caused a concentration-dependent increase in the population doubling time of murine P388 leukemia cells in suspension culture and of B16 melanoma cells in monolayer culture. The suppression of the growth of P388 cells by geraniol (0-0.9 mM) and by mevinolin (0-0.25 microM), a competitive inhibitor of mevalonate biosynthesis, was reversed by the addition of 0.5 mM mevalonolactone to the growth medium. Flow cytometry of asynchronous B16 cells grown with geraniol (0-0.15 mM) revealed a population characterized by larger cells with altered nuclear characteristics. Over the course of four studies, dietary geraniol increased the 50% survival time of mice by 10, 29, 33, and 50% following the i.p. transfer of P388 cells. The results of the latter study showed that, following the i.p. transfer of 1 x 10(5) P388 cells, the control group of female C57BL x DBA/2 F1 mice had a 50% survival time of 24 days and a maximum survival of 27 days. Mice fed a diet containing 0.1% geraniol for 14 days prior to and following the P388 cell transfer had a 50% survival time of 36 days, and 20% of the mice remained free of tumors during the 50-day trial. These studies support the possibility that monoterpenes and other isoprenoid products of plant metabolism are in part responsible for the anticarcinogenic actions of diverse fruits, vegetables, and cereal products.
An improved backtracking method for EDAs based protein folding

Many Evolutionary Algorithm (EA) based methods have been proposed to solve protein structure prediction (PSP) problem in HP-lattice model. One of common difficulties of those methods is the existence of invalid individuals produced by geometrical constraints in the conformation of protein (i.e. self-avoidance in the chain). A backtracking method is often used to repair the invalid individuals of genetic search in those methods. However, there is a disadvantage in basic backtracking method, the repairing computational cost is very heavy for long sequence instances. This paper proposes an improved backtracking-based repairing method for long sequence protein folding. A detection procedure is added in backtracking method to avoid entering invalid closed areas when selecting directions for the residues. Experimental results show that the proposed method can significantly reduce the number of backtracking searching operations and the computational cost for the long protein sequences.
Executive severance agreements

This paper studies severance agreements and their relation with CEO turnover. Severance agreements provide an interesting exception to the pay-for-performance paradigm. Not only do executives get paid after being fired, but frequently the payments are already contracted upon at the time the CEO is appointed. Using a representative sample of S&P 1500 firms, I find that half the CEOs have some form of severance agreement in the year they take office. The analysis of the determinants suggests that uncertainty about the quality of the CEO and the stability of the firm drive which CEOs get a severance agreement. Highly paid CEOs are also more likely to get a severance agreement. Pay level, firm size and outside CEOs are the main factors driving the size of the severance package. The analysis of the influence of severance agreements on CEO turnover provides conflicting evidence. Conditional on having an agreement; higher cash (equity) severance amounts are associated with more (less) turnover. * I gratefully acknowledge helpful discussions with the members of my committee: Stanley Baiman, John Core (Chair), Wayne Guay, Robert Holthausen, and David Larcker. I also thank Jennifer Blouin, Mary Ellen Carter, Chris Ittner, Frank Moers, Jeffrey Ng, Scott Richardson, Cathy Schrand, Rodrigo Verdi, and seminar participants at the University of Pennsylvania for helpful comments. I appreciate financial support from the Wharton School and the Deloitte & Touche Foundation.
Inter-industry Wage differentials and the gender wage gap in Belgium

This paper simultaneously analyses the gender wage gap and the inter-industry wage differentials in the Belgian private sector. On the basis of the 1995 Structure of Earning Survey, we estimate the inter-industry wage differentials by gender and the gender wage gap by industry. We find significant interindustry wage differentials for men and women, even when controlling for a large number of productivity-related factors. These differentials are highly correlated but significantly different. An Oaxaca (1973) and Blinder (1973) decomposition, realised at the Nace three-digit level, shows that around one-tenth of the overall gender wage gap (on average women earn 22% less than men) is due to industry effects.
GARP violation, Economic Environment Distortions and Shadow Prices: Evidence from Household Expenditure Panel Data

This paper contributes to the discussion of the compatibility of consumers' behavior in "real" life with GARP. Within expenditure panel data we observe a relatively low rate of violation (240 out of 3630 households). We show that these violations do not imply an "irrational" behavior of the agents, but can be attributed to a change in the agents' choice conditions during a period of time, which includes a shift from a centrally planned towards a market oriented economy.
Bmc Medical Genetics Secretory Granule Neuroendocrine Protein 1 (sgne1) Genetic Variation and Glucose Intolerance in Severe Childhood and Adult Obesity

Background: 7B2 is a regulator/activator of the prohormone convertase 2 which is involved in the processing of numerous neuropeptides, including insulin, glucagon and pro-opiomelanocortin. We have previously described a suggestive genetic linkage peak with childhood obesity on chr15q12-q14, where the 7B2 encoding gene, SGNE1 is located. The aim of this study is to analyze associations of SGNE1 genetic variation with obesity and metabolism related quantitative traits.
Capacity of finite state markov channels with general inputs

We study new formulae based on Lya- punov exponents for entropy, mutual information, and capacity of finite state discrete time Markov chan- nels. We also develop a method for directly com- puting mutual information and entropy using contin- uous state space Markov chains. We show that the entropy rate for a symbol sequence is equal to the primary Lyapunov exponent for a product of random matrices. We then develop a continuous state space Markov chain formulation that allows us to directly compute entropy rates as expectations with respect to the Markov chain's stationary distribution. We also show that the stationary distribution is a continuous function of the input symbol dynamics. This continu- ity allows the channel capacity to be written in terms of Lyapunov exponents.
Mortality in severe sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome patients: impact of treatment

The aim of this study was to determine mortality in patients with sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome (SAHS) according to the treatments employed and comorbidity. An historical cohort of patients with SAHS diagnosed at a university hospital between 1982 and 1992 and followed until 1996 was studied. From a total of 475 SAHS patients, 444 (94%), with a mean±sd apnoea/hypopnoea index at diagnosis of 55±27, were located and included in the study. SAHS treatments employed were: surgery (88), weight loss (134), continuous positive airway pressure (124) and 98 patients were not treated. By the end of follow-up, 49 patients had died. According to Cox regression analysis, mortality in treated patients was lower than in those not treated, but higher in those with a history of severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Mortality in nontreated patients compared with that of the general population, adjusted for age and sex, showed excessive mortality, which decreased in treated patients. Stratification by age showed a greater mortality rate ratio in patients <50 yrs. These findings were maintained when mortality from cardiovascular causes was compared. In conclusion, a rise in mortality was found in nontreated sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome patients compared with the general population, whereas mortality in those treated for sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome did not differ significantly from that of the general population.
Motivation correlates of academic achievement: exploring how motivation influences academic achievement in the PISA 2003 dataset

Supervisory Committee Dr. John O. Anderson, (Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies) Supervisor Dr. C. Brian Harvey, (Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies) Co-Supervisor or Departmental Member Dr. Allyson F. Hadwin, (Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership Studies) Departmental Member Dr. Ronald Skelton, (Department of Psychology) Outside Member The relationship between achievement motivation and academic achievement is complex, but generally, the more a student is motivated to do an academic task, the greater the effort, persistence, and use of cognitive strategies expended on the task, and the better the performance on the task (Pintrich, 2003). The majority of achievement motivation research has been conducted in Western countries (Kumar, 2004). This is a concern as North American classrooms are become increasingly culturally diverse. The present study looked at the relationships between motivation and academic achievement in two distinct cultures: Western (Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom) and Asian (Hong Kong-China, Japan, and Korea). Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) was used to analyze data from the Programme for International Student Assessment 2003 (PISA; OECD, 2004). The outcome measures used for all countries were achievement scores in mathematics, science, reading, and problem-solving. The variables examined at the student level were instrumental and intrinsic motivation, performance orientation, and self-efficacy. The variables examined at the school level were teacher support, student morale, and teacher behaviours affecting school climate. In the null models, the intraclass correlations for the Western countries were consistently lower (ranging from .17 to .27) than for the Asian countries (ranging from .36 to .53). In the final HLM models, at Level 1, intrinsic motivation predicted an increase in scores for all six of the Asian country models in which it was significant, but results were inconsistent for the Western
A comparison of natural and artificial intelligence

This paper was motivated, in part, by Price's recent (1975) tutorial comparing human and computer visual systems. While I found his comparisons interesting, a fundamental question continued to trouble me, as it has now for a number of years. Namely, does artificial intelligence (AI) really bear any fundamentally important relationship to natural intelligence? Or are the two sufficiently different so that a comparison of human and computer visual systems, for example, might be of the same significance as a comparison of locomotion in four-legged animals and four-wheeled vehicles?
Product development of the glasses design — Color imagery in eyeglass frames and skin tone

This study aimed to explore the colour imagery of skin tone and eyeglass frames, and whether this affects the preferences of consumers. Glasses are a focal point on the face and we wished to understand whether the frame colour along with skin tone affects the entire facial image. Many businesses provide suggestions on choosing frames that complement one's skin tone, but what is the basis of these recommendations? We conducted a questionnaire survey and analysed the results using two-way ANOVA and regression analysis. Results were as follows: (1) skin tone significantly influences preference; (2) the colour of eyeglass frames significantly influences preference; (3) the interaction of skin tone and frame colour does not significantly affect preference; (4) consumers with lighter skin tone tend to prefer black frames; (5) elegant, simple, fresh imagery significantly and positively influences preference. Our results showed that when consumers are choosing glasses, the colour relationship between skin tone and glasses frames does not significantly influence their decisions; however, when it comes to choosing the frames, consumers place more emphasis on their skin tone or colour preferences.
A study of Byzantine fault-tolerant algorithms

Malicious attacks and software errors are increasingly common. The growing reliance of industry and government on online information services makes malicious attacks more attractive and makes the consequences of successful attacks more serious. In addition, the number of software errors is increasing due to the growth in size and complexity of software. Since malicious attacks and software errors can cause faulty nodes to exhibit Byzantine (i.e., arbitrary) behavior, Byzantine-fault-tolerant algorithms are increasingly important. In this assignment we are going to present five of the most characteristic examples of Byzantine fault-tolerant algorithms and compare them to each other by evaluating their strengths and weaknesses and finally suggest a particular algorithm for a specific scenario, since one-size-fits-all protocols might be hard if not impossible to design in practice.
Conversations in Colombia: The Domestic Economy in Life and Text

List of figures and tables Acknowledgements 1. Conversations 2. The strength of the earth 3. The house 4. The base 5. The advance and the increase 6. Work for the house 7. Remainders 8. The house and the market 9. Making savings 10. From house to corps Notes References Index.