Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Poverty and Environmental Degradation: a Literature Review and Analysis

There is much controversy surrounding the poverty-environmental degradation nexus. The predominant school of thought argues that poverty is a major cause of environmental degradation and if policy makers want to address the environmental issues, then they must first address the poverty problem. Another school of thought argues that this causal link is too simplistic and the nexus is governed by a complex web of factors. In this paper, a formal structure for analyzing the complex web of factors is formulated and used to review the existing literature on the links between poverty and the degradation of four natural resource sectors. The analysis highlights the institutional and market failures which encourage unsustainable activities, which in turn forces some income groups into poverty. Another important factor is the role of conflicts between different agents (income groups) in the poverty-environmental degradation nexus. The analysis also highlighted the presence of feedback loops between environmental degradation and poverty. *
Why We Help the Wronged: Emotional and Evolutionary Determinants of Victim Compensation

Why do third parties choose to help the victims of norm violations? In Chapter 1, we address this question at the emotional level. We show a relationship between environment and motivating emotion, in which moral outrage motivates the compensation of norm violation victims, whereas empathic concern drives compensation in other situations, at both the trait (Study 1) and state (Studies 2 and 3) levels. This finding presents a novel question for evolutionary psychology. Differing emotional drivers are taken to represent distinct underlying cognitive systems. While previous evolutionary models based on social insurance through indirect reciprocity can account for domain-general empathically driven compensation, they fail to address morally outraged compensation of norm violation victims. In Chapter 2, we extend two evolutionary models of punishment, showing how those same selection pressures may also account for victim compensation. We first propose the reputation-signaling hypothesis, under which compensators signal their community status and knowledge of local norms, making observers more likely to select them as future interaction partners. We also develop the norm stabilization hypothesis, in which compensators broadcast their endorsement of the violated norm, leading conditional conformists to continue to comply, thereby stabilizing the norm within the group. In Chapter 3, we develop and test empirical predictions of both hypotheses. In Study 4, we find support for the joint prediction of both the reputation-signaling and norm stabilization hypotheses that compensation is increased when observed by others. In Study 5, we show that, consistent with the norm stabilization hypothesis, those who observe compensation of a victim of a norm violation are more likely to conform to that norm. In Study 6, we test the prediction of the reputation-signaling hypothesis that those who compensate are preferred as interaction partners to those who act similarly pro-socially, but not through compensation. Here we find mixed results, with compensators being preferred to those who show general prosociality, but less attractive than those who conform to an unrelated norm. Together, this work provides the first emotional and evolutionary account for the compensation of norm violation victims. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Graduate Group Psychology First Advisor Cristina Bicchieri
“I would be more creative if...”: Are there perceived barriers to college students’ creative expression according to gender?

Abstract Creativity has become essential to the innovation that is demanded today. In this context, the university is fundamental in promoting creative skills and, thus, meeting such demand. Despite the lack of research concerning what college students think about creativity, these students perceive barriers to their creative expression. A total of 582 Portuguese college students were analyzed in the present study regarding their perceived barriers to the expression of creativity, using an inventory concerning psychological and social dimensions. Gender differences were assessed, not only considering the inventory’s factors, but also items independently. Statistically significant differences were found in both analyses. These results are the starting point to a debate about the role of university in students’ development, which should be not only professional, but also social and personal, besides the importance of finding place to creativity in their daily academic lives.
Emotional Labor and Organizational Commitment Among South Korean Public Service Employees

I examined the relationship between emotional labor and organizational commitment with 208 South Korean public service employees and used structural equation modeling to analyze the data. The results indicated that deep acting was positively associated with the 3 components of organizational commitment, namely, identification, affiliation, and exchange, and the identification commitment component in particular. However, no significant relationship was found between surface acting and the 3 components of organizational commitment. Thus, South Korean public service employees with a strong sense of organizational identity and who feel valued by their organization may generate positive emotions and engage in deep acting, leading to a high level of organizational commitment.
Joint network-channel coding in the multiple-access relay channel: Beyond two sources

The combination of log-likelihood ratio (LLR) quantization and network coding was previously shown to be a promising compress-and-forward strategy for the multiple access relay channel with two sources. In this paper, we generalize this approach to the case of more than two sources. Our proposed relay scheme consists of a scalar LLR quantizer for each source followed by a network coding (NC) step that suitably combines the quantizer outputs. We use the information bottleneck method to design the quantizers and the NC function. At the destination, an iterative message-passing decoder is used to jointly decode all source messages. Numerical simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed transmission strategy and its suitability for asymmetric source-relay channel conditions.
Cell Suspension Culture of Eriobotrya japonica Regulates the Diabetic and Hyperlipidemic Signs of High-Fat-Fed Mice

The present study investigates the anti-hyperlipidemic and antihyperglycemic effects and mechanism in high-fat (HF)-fed mice of cell suspension culture of Eriobotrya japonica (TA), which contains a great number of pentacyclic terpenoids. Firstly, C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into two groups: the control (CON) group was fed with a low-fat diet (n = 9), whereas the experimental group was fed a 45% HF diet for 8 weeks. Afterwards, the CON group was treated with vehicle, whereas the HF group was subdivided into five groups and was orally given TA or rosiglitazone or not for 4 weeks. Blood and visceral adipose tissue, liver tissue and skeletal muscle were examined. Treatment with TA reduced body weight gain, weights of white adipose tissue (WAT) (including epididymal, perirenal, mesenteric WAT and visceral fat), and hepatic triacylglycerol content significantly without affecting food intake in diet-induced diabetic mice. TA effectively prevented HF diet-induced increases in the levels of blood glucose, insulin, leptin and HOMA-IR index (p < 0.001, p < 0.05, p < 0.05, p < 0.01, respectively) and attenuated insulin resistance. Treatment with TA, adipocytes in the visceral depots showed a reduction in size. TA effectively significantly increased the protein contents of phosphorylation of AMPK-α (Thr172) both in liver and adipose tissue. It is shown that TA exhibits hypolipidemic effect in HF-fed mice by decreasing gene expressions of fatty acid synthesis, including acyl-coenzyme A: diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) 2, which catalyzes the final step in the synthesis of triglycerides, and antidiabetic properties occurred as a result of decreased hepatic glucose production via phosphenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) down- regulation, improved insulin sensitization and TA (at 1.0 g/kg dose) decreased expression of hepatic and adipose 11-β-hydroxysteroid dehydroxygenase (11β-HSD1) gene, which contributed in attenuating diabetic state. Futhermore, TA at doses of 0.5 and 1.0 g/kg had serum lipid-lowering action characterized by the inhibition of DGAT 1 expression. Thus, amelioration of diabetic and dyslipidemic state by TA in HF-fed mice occurred by regulation of PEPCK, DGAT2 and AMPK phosphorylation.
Cross-Excitation in Peripheral Sensory Ganglia Associated with Pain Transmission

Despite the absence of synaptic contacts, cross-excitation of neurons in sensory ganglia during signal transmission is considered to be chemically mediated and appears increased in chronic pain states. In this study, we modulated neurotransmitter release in sensory neurons by direct application of type A botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT/A) to sensory ganglia in an animal model of neuropathic pain and evaluated the effect of this treatment on nocifensive. Unilateral sciatic nerve entrapment (SNE) reduced the ipsilateral hindpaw withdrawal threshold to mechanical stimulation and reduced hindpaw withdrawal latency to thermal stimulation. Direct application of BoNT/A to the ipsilateral L4 dorsal root ganglion (DRG) was localized in the cell bodies of the DRG and reversed the SNE-induced decreases in withdrawal thresholds within 2 days of BoNT/A administration. Results from this study suggest that neurotransmitter release within sensory ganglia is involved in the regulation of pain-related signal transmission.
Opponent Modelling and Commercial Games

To play a game well a player needs to understand the game. To defeat an opponent, it may be sufficient to understand the opponent’s weak spots and to be able to exploit them. In human practice, both elements (knowing the game and knowing the opponent) play an important role. This article focuses on opponent modelling independent of any game. So, the domain of interest is a collection of two-person games, multiperson games, and commercial games. The emphasis is on types and roles of opponent models, such as speculation, tutoring, training, and mimicking characters. Various implementations are given. Suggestions for learning the opponent models are described and their realization is illustrated by opponent models in game-tree search. We then transfer these techniques to commercial games. Here it is crucial for a successful opponent model that the changes of the opponent’s reactions over time are adequately dealt with. This is done by dynamic scripting, an improvised online learning technique for games. Our conclusions are (1) that opponent modelling has a wealth of techniques that are waiting for implementation in actual commercial games, but (2) that the games’ publishers are reluctant to incorporate these techniques since they have no definitive opinion on the successes of a program that is outclassing human beings in strength and creativity, and (3) that game AI has an entertainment factor that is too multifaceted to grasp in reasonable time.
Critical phenomena in a discrete stochastic reaction-diffusion medium

AbstractWe study the steady states of a reaction-di usion medium modelled bya stochastic 2D cellular automaton. We consider the Greenberg-Hastingsmodel where noise and topological irregularities of the grid are taken intoaccount. The decrease of the probability of excitation changes qualita-tively the behaviour of the system from an \active" to an \extinct" steadystate. Simulations show that this change occurs near a critical threshold; it is identi ed as a nonequilibrium phase transition which belongs tothe directed percolation universality class. We test the robustness of thephenomenon by introducing persistent defects in the topology : directedpercolation behaviour is conserved. Using experimental and analyticaltools, we suggest that the critical threshold varies as the inverse of theaverage number of neighbours per cell. keywords: reaction-di usion media, stochastic cellular automata, phase tran-sitionsForeword: See http://webloria.loria. fr/  fates/Amybia/reacdiff.html for accessingthe complete set of experiments this paper refers to. The simulations presented in this paperwere made with the FiatLux [Fat] cellular automata simulator.
A new approach to greedy multiuser detection

We propose a new suboptimum multiuser detector for synchronous and asynchronous multiuser communications. In this approach, a greedy strategy is used to maximize the cost function, the maximum-likelihood (ML) metric. The coefficients of the ML metric are utilized as weights indicating in which order bits can be estimated. The complexity of the algorithm is approximately K/sup 2/ log K per bit, where K is the number of users. We analyze the performance of the greedy multiuser detection in the additive white Gaussian noise channel as well as in the frequency-nonselective Rayleigh fading channel, and compare it with the optimum detector and several suboptimum schemes such as conventional, successive interference cancellation, decorrelator, sequential, and multistage detectors. The proposed greedy approach considerably outperforms these suboptimum schemes, especially for moderate and high loads in low and moderate signal-to-noise ratio regions. The results show that when there is a significant imbalance in the values of the coefficients of the ML metric due to moderate to high noise, fading, and asynchronous transmission, near-optimum performance is achieved by the greedy detection.
The role of sex differences in detecting deception in computer-mediated communication in English

While deception seems to be a common approach in interpersonal communication, most examination on interpersonal deception sees the sex of the interlocutor as unconnected with the capability to notice deceptive messages. This research studies the truth and deception detection capability of both male and female receivers when replying to both true and deceptive messages from both male and female speakers. The outcomes indicate that sex may be a significant variable in comprehending the interpersonal detection probabilities of truth and of lies. An interaction of variables including the speakers’ sex, receivers’ sex, and whether the message appears to be truthful or deceptive is created to relate to detection capability.
Behavior-Specific Praise: An Effective, Efficient, Low-Intensity Strategy to Support Student Success

Behavior-specific praise (BSP) is a low-intensity strategy that can be used to reinforce appropriate responding in the classroom. BSP occurs when a teacher observes particular student behavior and compliments the student for the appropriate response with the intent that students will continue to engage in the appropriate behavior. In this article, we describe a step-by-step process for using BSP in classrooms with all students, including those at risk for emotional and behavioral disorders.
Changes in electrocardiographic findings after closed thoracostomy in patients with spontaneous pneumothorax

Objective We aimed to describe electrocardiographic (ECG) findings in spontaneous pneumothorax patients before and after closed thoracostomy. Methods This is a retrospective study which included patients with spontaneous pneumothorax who presented to an emergency department of a tertiary urban hospital from February 2005 to March 2015. The primary outcome was a difference in ECG findings between before and after closed thoracostomy. We specifically investigated the following ECG elements: PR, QRS, QTc, axis, ST segments, and R waves in each lead. The secondary outcomes were change in ST segment in any lead and change in axis after closed thoracostomy. Results There were two ECG elements which showed statistically significant difference after thoracostomy. With right pneumothorax volume of greater than 80%, QTc and the R waves in aVF and V5 significantly changed after thoracostomy. With left pneumothorax volume between 31% and 80%, the ST segment in V2 and the R wave in V1 significantly changed after thoracostomy. However, majority of ECG elements did not show statistically significant alteration after thoracostomy. Conclusion We found only minor changes in ECG after closed thoracostomy in spontaneous pneumothorax patients.
Identifying Meteorological Drivers for the Seasonal Variations of Influenza Infections in a Subtropical City — Hong Kong

Compared with temperate areas, the understanding of seasonal variations of influenza infections is lacking in subtropical and tropical regions. Insufficient information about viral activity increases the difficulty of forecasting the disease burden and thus hampers official preparation efforts. Here we identified potential meteorological factors that drove the seasonal variations in influenza infections in a subtropical city, Hong Kong. We fitted the meteorological data and influenza mortality data from 2002 to 2009 in a Susceptible-Infected-Recovered model. From the results, air temperature was a common significant driver of seasonal patterns and cold temperature was associated with an increase in transmission intensity for most of the influenza epidemics. Except 2004, the fitted models with significant meteorological factors could account for more than 10% of the variance in additional to the null model. Rainfall was also found to be a significant driver of seasonal influenza, although results were less robust. The identified meteorological indicators could alert officials to take appropriate control measures for influenza epidemics, such as enhancing vaccination activities before cold seasons. Further studies are required to fully justify the associations.
Pathological Investigation of Congenital Bicuspid Aortic Valve Stenosis, Compared with Atherosclerotic Tricuspid Aortic Valve Stenosis and Congenital Bicuspid Aortic Valve Regurgitation

Background Congenital bicuspid aortic valve (CBAV) is the main cause of aortic stenosis (AS) in young adults. However, the histopathological features of AS in patients with CBAV have not been fully investigated. Methods and Results We examined specimens of aortic valve leaflets obtained from patients who had undergone aortic valve re/placement at our institution for severe AS with CBAV (n = 24, CBAV-AS group), severe AS with tricuspid aortic valve (n = 24, TAV-AS group), and severe aortic regurgitation (AR) with CBAV (n = 24, CBAV-AR group). We compared the histopathological features among the three groups. Pathological features were classified using semi-quantitative methods (graded on a scale 0 to 3) by experienced pathologists without knowledge of the patients’ backgrounds. The severity of inflammation, neovascularization, and calcium and cholesterol deposition did not differ between the CBAV-AS and TAV-AS groups, and these four parameters were less marked in the CBAV-AR group than in the CBAV-AS (all p<0.01). Meanwhile, the grade of valvular fibrosis was greater in the CBAV-AS group, compared with the TAV-AS and CBAV-AR groups (both p<0.01). In AS patients, thickness of fibrotic lesions was greater on the aortic side than on the ventricular side (both p<0.01). Meanwhile, thickness of fibrotic lesions was comparable between the aortic and ventricular sides in CBAV-AR patients (p = 0.35). Conclusions Valvular fibrosis, especially on the aortic side, was greater in patients with CBAV-AS than in those without, suggesting a difference in the pathogenesis of AS between CBAV and TAV.
Turbulence measurements for wind-turbine siting on a complex terrain

Mean velocity and turbulence measurements were used for the wind-turbine siting: A scaled model of the site was tested in the UC Davis Atmospheric Boundary Layer wind tunnel. The surface of the model was scanned at various heights, using hot-wire anemometry. Contour plots of the turbulence intensity and the wind power were generated, respectively. The pattern of the wind-tunnel data was verified by field measurements using a hot-film probe positioned on a 4 m mobile mast. The results were compared with the output of a widely used wind-resource analysis PC-program. It is concluded that turbulence measurements over a site, could indicate quickly and reliably, the suitable positions of the wind-turbines in a wind-farm, taking into consideration that turbulence does not require long-term measurement periods, as it is the case with wind speed. Also, wind-tunnel modelling is a valuable tool in the process of wind energy resource assessment and wind-turbine siting.
Instantaneous 3D EEG Signal Analysis Based on Empirical Mode Decomposition and the Hilbert-Huang Transform Applied to Depth of Anaesthesia

Depth of anaesthesia (DoA) is an important measure for assessing the degree to which the central nervous system of a patient is depressed by a general anaesthetic agent, depending on the potency and concentration with which anaesthesia is administered during surgery. We can monitor the DoA by observing the patient’s electroencephalography (EEG) signals during the surgical procedure. Typically high frequency EEG signals indicates the patient is conscious, while low frequency signals mean the patient is in a general anaesthetic state. If the anaesthetist is able to observe the instantaneous frequency changes of the patient’s EEG signals during surgery this can help to better regulate and monitor DoA, reducing surgical and post-operative risks. This paper describes an approach towards the development of a 3D real-time visualization application which can show the instantaneous frequency and instantaneous amplitude of EEG simultaneously by using empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and the Hilbert–Huang transform (HHT). HHT uses the EMD method to decompose a signal into so-called intrinsic mode functions (IMFs). The Hilbert spectral analysis method is then used to obtain instantaneous frequency data. The HHT provides a new method of analyzing non-stationary and nonlinear time series data. We investigate this approach by analyzing EEG data collected from patients undergoing surgical procedures. The results show that the EEG differences between three distinct surgical stages computed by using sample entropy (SampEn) are consistent with the expected differences between these stages based on the bispectral index (BIS), which has been shown to be quantifiable measure of the effect of anaesthetics on the central nervous system. Also, the proposed filtering approach is more effective compared to the standard filtering method in filtering out signal noise resulting in more consistent results than those provided by the BIS. The proposed approach is therefore able to distinguish between key operational stages related to DoA, which is consistent with the clinical observations. SampEn can also be viewed as a useful index for evaluating and monitoring the DoA of a patient when used in combination with this approach.
The Impact of Peer Presence on Cheating

Recent research has shown that the presence of peers can increase individual output both in the lab and the field. This paper tests for negative side effects of such peer settings. We investigate whether peer settings are particularly prone to cheating even if they do not provide additional monetary benefits of cheating. Participants in our real‐effort experiment had the opportunity to cheat when declaring their output levels. Although cheating did not have different monetary consequences when working alone than when working in the presence of a peer, we find that cheating is a more severe problem in peer settings. (JEL J20, J30, M50)