Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Democratization, Women's Movements, and Gender-Equitable States: A Framework for Comparison

There is a rich collection of case studies examining the relationship between democratization, women's movements, and gendered state outcomes, but the variation across cases is still poorly understood. In response, this article develops a theoreticallygrounded comparative framework to evaluate and explain cross-national variations in the gendered outcomes of democratic transitions. The framework highlights four theoretical factors—the context of the transition, the legacy of women's previous mobilizations, political parties, and international influences—that together shape the political openings and ideologies available to women's movements in transitional states. Applying the framework to four test cases, we conclude that women's movements are most effective at targeting democratizing states when transitions are complete, when women's movements develop cohesive coalitions, when the ideology behind the transition (rather than the ideology of the winning regime) aligns easily with feminist frames, and when women's past activism legitimates present-day feminist demands. These findings challenge current conceptualizations of how democratic transitions affect gender in state institutions and provide a comparative framework for evaluating variation across additional cases.
Director Overlaps in Mutual Fund Families

We examine a unique characteristic of mutual fund governance: the role of overlapping boards of directors within mutual fund families. We find that overlapping boards are a mixed blessing. At first glance, such governance arrangements appear to benefit investors: they are associated with higher returns and higher managerial skill. However, we present evidence that such board structures work to benefit fund families rather than individual funds for which they have fiduciary responsibilities. Window dressing and strategic performance transfer from low‐ fee funds to high‐fee funds occur more often. In addition, families that have higher board overlap tend to have higher marketing fees. As a result of these coordinated actions, mutual fund families with greater degrees of board overlap enjoy larger asset inflows.
Predicting intention to participate in family takaful scheme using decomposed theory of planned behaviour

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that influence an individual’s intention to participate in the family takaful scheme based on decomposed theory of planned behaviour (DTPB). The central hypotheses for this study are that individual’s intentions to participate in family takaful scheme are a result of attitudes towards participation in family takaful scheme, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control (PBC). Awareness and knowledge, as well as exposure and religiosity, are integrated into the model. Design/methodology/approach Using primary data collection method, 384 questionnaires were distributed to target respondents comprising of Muslims in Klang Valley, Malaysia. The data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences and SmartPLS. Findings The DTPB model is effective in predicting individual’s intention to participate in family takaful scheme. Out of 15 hypotheses, 12 were found to be significant. Attitudes towards participation in family takaful scheme, PBC, knowledge, and exposure have significant influences on purchase intention. However, this study found the path from religiosity, awareness, and subjective norm to intention was insignificant. Practical implications The results of this study highlight the applicability of DTPB into takaful research and suggest marketing strategies for family takaful operators. Originality/value The value of this paper lies in its presentation of a model for factors that affect individual’s intention to participate in family takaful scheme.
Assessing challenges of continuous integration in the context of software requirements breakdown: a case study

The complexity of software development has increased over the last few years. Customers today demand higher quality and more stable software with shorter delivery time. Software companies strive to improve their processes in order to meet theses challenges. Agile practices have been widely praised for the focus they put on customer collaboration and shorter feedback loops. Companies that have well established agile practices have been trying to improve their processes further by adopting continuous integration - the concept where teams integrate their code several times a day. However, adopting continuous integration is not a trivial task since it requires frequent integration of smaller units of requirements that can be tested separately. This thesis presents a case study in which we, based on interviews at a major Swedish telecommunication services and equipment provider, assess the challenges of continuous integration and software requirements breakdown and their in uence on the implementation of a continuous integration process.
Quality control of visual gamma oscillation frequency in studies of pharmacology, cognitive neuroscience and large-scale multi-site collaborations

In visual cortex, high-contrast grating stimuli induce neurons to oscillate synchronously with a centre frequency in the gamma range (~30–80 Hz). The peak frequency of visual gamma oscillations is modulated by numerous factors, including stimulus properties, cortical architecture and genetics, however, it can be measured reliably over time. As demonstrated by both animal models and human pharmacological studies, the gamma peak frequency is determined by the excitation/inhibition balance and the time constants of GABAergic processes. This oscillatory parameter could thus reflect inter-individual differences in cortical function/physiology, representing a possible biomarker for pharmacological treatment in conditions such as epilepsy, autism and schizophrenia. This thesis demonstrates the importance of measuring the gamma peak frequency accurately and reliably in magnetoencephalographic (MEG) recordings. In Chapter 2, a novel quality-control (QC) approach was validated for peak frequency estimation and identification of poor-quality data. In Chapter 3, QC of a previous pharmacological MEG study of visual gamma with tiagabine revealed a marked drug-induced reduction of peak frequency. Although contrasting with the null finding originally reported (Muthukumaraswamy et al., 2013), the result is supported by both animal models and recent human studies, demonstrating the potentialities of appropriate QC routines. In Chapter 4, testing for the effect of spatial attention on the gamma peak frequency in primary visual cortex resulted in no evidence of a change. However, the modulation of gamma amplitude by attention was consistent with a role in feed-forward signal propagation across the visual hierarchy. In Chapter 5, the QC approach was used to compare visual gamma data recorded at different sites of the UK MEG Partnership, demonstrating the feasibility of combining data from different MEG systems. These results have implications particularly for pharmacological and large-scale multi-site studies, both of which are emerging as promising approaches for the study of brain function with MEG.
Increase in scrotal temperature in car drivers.

Several recent studies have reported a gradual decline in sperm production in men. Endocrine disrupters as well as lifestyle have been suggested as risk factors. One lifestyle factor that may affect human fertility is driving a vehicle for a prolonged period. Several authors have suggested that driving position may increase the scrotal temperature. In order to validate this hypothesis we conducted continuous monitoring of scrotal temperature in real conditions, i.e. in men driving a car for a prolonged period. Nine volunteer men were asked to walk outside for 40 min and then to drive a car for 160 min. Scrotal temperatures were measured from thermocouples and values recorded every 2 min on a portable data recorder. Scrotal temperature increased significantly (P < 0.0001) in driving posture after 2 h of driving, reaching a value 1.7-2.2 degrees C higher than that recorded while walking. This link between driving position and increased scrotal temperature indicates a potential exposure of male reproductive function to lifestyle factors.
Person-Organisation Fit and its Impact on Organisational Citizenship Behaviour as Related to Social Performance

Person-Organisation Fit (POF) is a well known concept; it has been revealed as a factor that influences employee behaviour in many aspects such as commitment, identification, intention to leave, corporate brand perception level, etc. This study deals with the impact POF on another element of employee behaviour – Organisational Citizenship Behaviour-i.e. employees' willingness to perform extra tasks and to carry out activities that are not part of their job, without expecting any formal or informal compensation. Organisational Citizenship Behaviour (OCB) is a relatively new concept of interest for scholars, leading to a plethora of publications over the past decade. Many academics have studied the impact of OCB impact on organisational effectiveness and have found a strong positive correlation between the two. This research examined this concept in terms of an organisation's social performance, as perceived by its employees. The study found that OCB is positively related to POF, so that the higher the POF the higher the OCB. The researchers also examined the correlations between POF and Organisational Identification (OI) levels and found a positive correlation between them too. The researchers further examined the employees' Perception of Social Performance (PSP) by an organisation, as a moderating variable between POF and OCB and between OI and OCB, but have found no correlation between them. Thus, POF was found to be a meaningful factor with a strong impact on many variables of organisational behaviour. Following this research, OCB has become a ‘legitimate member' of this group of variables. But Social Performance Perception was not defined as a factor that plays a significant role in this relationship.
Identifying Oneself with the Face of Someone Else Impairs the Egocentered Visuo-spatial Mechanisms: A New Double Mirror Paradigm to Study Self–other Distinction and Interaction

Looking at our face in a mirror is one of the strongest phenomenological experiences of the Self in which we need to identify the face as reflected in the mirror as belonging to us. Recent behavioral and neuroimaging studies reported that self-face identification not only relies upon visual-mnemonic representation of one’s own face but also upon continuous updating and integration of visuo-tactile signals. Therefore, bodily self-consciousness plays a major role in self-face identification, with respect to interplay between unisensory and multisensory processing. However, if previous studies demonstrated that the integration of multisensory body-related signals contributes to the visual processing of one’s own face, there is so far no data regarding how self-face identification, inversely, contributes to bodily self-consciousness. In the present study, we tested whether self–other face identification impacts either the egocentered or heterocentered visuo-spatial mechanisms that are core processes of bodily self-consciousness and sustain self–other distinction. For that, we developed a new paradigm, named “Double Mirror. ” This paradigm, consisting of a semi-transparent double mirror and computer-controlled Light Emitting Diodes, elicits self–other face merging illusory effect in ecologically more valid conditions, i.e., when participants are physically facing each other and interacting. Self-face identification was manipulated by exposing pairs of participants to an Interpersonal Visual Stimulation in which the reflection of their faces merged in the mirror. Participants simultaneously performed visuo-spatial and mental own-body transformation tasks centered on their own face (egocentered) or the face of their partner (heterocentered) in the pre- and post-stimulation phase. We show that self–other face identification altered the egocentered visuo-spatial mechanisms. Heterocentered coding was preserved. Our data suggest that changes in self-face identification induced a bottom-up conflict between the current visual representation and the stored mnemonic representation of one’s own face which, in turn, top-down impacted bodily self-consciousness.
Can Acute Pain Treatment Reduce Postsurgical Comorbidity after Breast Cancer Surgery? A Literature Review

Regional analgesia, opioids, and several oral analgesics are commonly used for the treatment of acute pain after breast cancer surgery. While all of these treatments can suppress the acute postsurgical pain, there is growing evidence that suggests that the postsurgical comorbidity will differ in accordance with the type of analgesic used during the surgery. Our current study reviewed the effect of analgesics used for acute pain treatments on the major comorbidities that occur after breast cancer surgery. A considerable number of clinical studies have been performed to investigate the relationship between the acute analgesic regimen and common comorbidities, including inadequate quality of recovery after the surgery, persistent postsurgical pain, and cancer recurrence. Previous studies have shown that the choice of the analgesic modality does affect the postsurgical comorbidity. In general, the use of regional analgesics has a beneficial effect on the occurrence of comorbidity. In order to determine the best analgesic choice after breast cancer surgery, prospective studies that are based on a clear definition of the comorbidity state will need to be undertaken in the future.
REPUTATION RESOURCES, COMMITMENT AND PERFORMANCE OF FILM PROJECTS IN THE USA AND CANADA (1988-1997)

This paper introduces a framework derived from the resource-based view to investigate the impact of reputation resources and commitment on commercial and artistic performance of film projects. Structural models are tested on 2080 films first released in American theatres from 1988 to 1997. Results demonstrate the mediating role of financial commitment in assessing film performance and in transforming static resources into dynamic assets. They unearth a novel hierarchy and dynamics of primary resources and irreversible commitment and of key players in a film project: Actors first, then directors and producers in a coordinating role. Third, they confirm industrial rather than artistic dominant traits of American cinema.
Statistical properties of the combined emission of a population of discrete sources: astrophysical implications

We study the statistical properties of the combined emission of a population of discrete sources (for example, the X-ray emission of a galaxy due to its population of X-ray binaries). Namely, we consider the dependence of their total luminosity L tot = Σ L k and of the fractional rms tot of their variability on the number of sources n or, equivalently, on the normalization of the luminosity function. We show that, as a result of small number statistics, a regime exists in which L tot grows non-linearly with n, in apparent contradiction with the seemingly obvious prediction (L tot ) = f L (dN/dL) dL n. In this non-linear regime, rms tot decreases with n significantly more slowly than expected from the rms oc 1/√n averaging law. For example, for a power-law luminosity function with a slope of a = 3/2, in the non-linear regime, L tot n 2 and rms tot does not depend at all on the number of sources n. Only in the limit of n → ∞ do these quantities behave as intuitively expected, L tot n and rms tot 1/√n. We give exact solutions and derive convenient analytical approximations for L tot and rms tot . Using the total X-ray luminosity of a galaxy due to its X-ray binary population as an example, we show that the L X -star formation rate and L X -M * relations predicted from the respective 'universal' luminosity functions of high- and low-mass X-ray binaries are in good agreement with observations. Although caused by small number statistics, the non-linear regime in these examples extends as far as SFR <∼ 4-5 M ○. yr -1 and log(M * /M ○. ) <∼ 10.0-10.5, respectively.
Bandwidth-Aware Application Mapping for NoC-Based MPSoCs

Network-on-Chip (NoC) has been introduced to meet the communication challenges for on chip multi-processors and the bandwidth of NoC takes a significant role in area and power consumption of overall system. In order to minimize the bandwidth requirement of NoC, a mapping method is proposed to schedule the tasks of an application onto NoC architecture. More precisely, given the application task graph of a specific application, an ACO-based (Ant Colony Optimization) algorithm is used to map the tasks onto the NoC, such that the bandwidth requirement of NoC is minimized. The benefit of our method is evaluated by simulation and the simulation results show that our method can achieve about 48% reduction in bandwidth requirement of NoC compared to the state-of-art method.
The heart of trained athletes: cardiac remodeling and the risks of sports, including sudden death.

Young competitive athletes are widely regarded as a special subgroup of healthy individuals with a unique lifestyle who are seemingly invulnerable and often capable of extraordinary physical achievement.1–3 For more than 100 years, there has been considerable interest in the effects of intense athletic conditioning on the cardiovascular system.4–27 The advent of echocardiography more than 30 years ago provided a noninvasive quantitative assessment of cardiac remodeling associated with systematic training, and consequently, a vast body of literature has been assembled that is focused on the constellation of alterations known as “athlete’s heart. ”4–27 Athlete’s heart is generally regarded as a benign increase in cardiac mass, with specific circulatory and cardiac morphological alterations, that represents a physiological adaptation to systematic training.1,6–27 However, the clinical profile of athlete’s heart has expanded considerably over the last several years as a result of greater accessibility to large populations of trained athletes studied systematically with echocardiography, ECG, cardiac magnetic resonance, and ambulatory Holter ECG monitoring. As a consequence, there is increasing recognition of the impact that prolonged conditioning has on cardiac remodeling, which may eventually mimic certain pathological conditions with the potential for sudden death or disease progression. Over the last several years, sudden deaths of trained athletes, usually associated with exercise, have become highly visible events fueled by news media reports and with substantial impact on both the physician and lay communities.1,28–36 Interest in these tragic events has accelerated owing to their increased recognition; awareness that underlying, clinically identifiable cardiovascular diseases are often responsible; and the availability of treatments to prevent sudden death for high-risk athlete-patients. In the present review, we offer a comprehensive assessment of many issues that target the interrelation of intense physical exertion with cardiac structure and function, as well as the rare, potentially adverse consequences of …
A sociolinguistic investigation of Acehnese with a focus on West Acehnese: a stigmatised dialect.

This study investigates differences between two Acehnese dialects, the high status North Acehnese and the stigmatised West Acehnese, and explores the social interpretations of these differences. The linguistic subsystems that differentiate the two dialects are analysed and attitudes of Northern and Western Acehnese speakers towards the dialects are investigated. To obtain primary data from native speakers, intensive fieldwork in The Province of Aceh was carried out. An Acehnese wordlist from Daud & Durie’s (1999) Kamus basa Acèh = Kamus bahasa Aceh = Acehnese-Indonesian-English thesaurus, -which is mainly based on North Acehnese, was used to elicit a comparative wordlist in West Acehnese. Three different methods were used in the data collection: participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and the matched guise test. The data from the questionnaire of the matched guise test was analysed statistically in order to determine the significance of the results. There are salient differences between North and West Aceh dialects regarding several key phonological features and lexical items. It is also found that Acehnese has a more complex vowel system in comparison to Bahasa Indonesia. Although the Acehnese vowel system includes all the vowels of Bahasa Indonesia, North and West Acehnese exhibit different vowel correspondences in Indonesian loanwords and in some cases replace Indonesian vowels with the vowel /ɯ/, which is unusual amongst the world’s languages. Some differences characterise North Acehnese as a ‘refined,’ ‘standard,’ and ‘prestigious’ Acehnese variety and West Acehnese as a ‘rough,’ ‘vulgar’, and stigmatised variety. However, these characterisations need careful discussion in this context. Due to the negative opinion towards their dialect, West Acehnese speakers accommodate their language style to North Acehnese when they communicate with people of non-West Acehnese background. However, the strong negative judgement that the majority of Acehnese people express towards West Acehnese in interviews and observations is not clearly reflected in the results of the matched guise test. The disconnect between attitudes to language and attitudes to people, and the array of different attitudes to different aspects of the language, is most pronounced in this case and has been the subject of repeated testing and further investigation. In conclusion, this thesis demonstrates that within Aceh, dialect differentiation and linguistic stigmatisation are primarily based on lexical semantics, whilst
Chapter 1 Using Object-Oriented Design Metrics to Predict Software Defects

Many object-oriented design metrics have been devel oped [1,3,8,17,24] to help in predict software defects or evaluate design quality . Since a defect prediction model may give crucial clues about the distribution and locat ion of defects and, thereby, test prioritization, accurate prediction can save costs in the testing process. Considerable research has been performed on defect prediction methods; se e the surveys by Purao and Vaishnavi [22] and by Wahyudin et al. [25], unfortunatel y few results appear at statistically significant level. Therefore, further empirical val id tion is necessary to prove the usefulness of the metrics and software prediction mode ls in industrial practice. Our study was made possible through the creation of a new metric calculation tool . There are many tools that calculate object-oriented m trics. What is the reason to create another one? In fact the situation is not so perfec t. The available programs are either extremely inefficient (sometimes they do not work wit h big software projects at all), not available as open source and therefore difficult to reason about their results, or incomplete — the set of calculated metrics is not wide e nough. It is extremely hard to find a tool that calculates all metrics from the Chidamber and Kemerer (C&K) metrics suite [3]. Having both, C&K and QMOOD metrics suites [1] in one tool is even rarer, and according to the authors' knowledge there is no oth er tool, that calculates metrics suggested by Tang et al. [24]. Ckjm calculates metrics that have been recommended as good quality indicators. There are several works th at investigate the C&K metric suite and that have empirically proven their usability in quality or defect prediction [2, 10, 11, 20]. There are recommendations about QMOOD metrics suite [1, 20] and the quality oriented extension of C&K [24] too. Ckjm does not o ffer a GUI and its focus is not on