Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Subsidies and the Persistence of Technology Adoption: Field Experimental Evidence from Mozambique

We report the results of a randomized experiment testing impacts of subsidies for modern agricultural inputs in rural Mozambique. One-time provision of a voucher for fertilizer and improved seeds leads to substantial increases in fertilizer use, which persist through two subsequent agricultural seasons. Voucher receipt also leads to large, persistent increases in household agricultural production and market sales, per capita consumption, assets, durable good ownership, and housing improvements.Consistent with learning models of the adoption decision, we find positive treatment effects on farmers' estimated returns to the input package. We also document positive cross-household treatment spillovers: one's own fertilizer use rises in the number of social network members receiving vouchers. Our findings are consistent with theoretical models predicting persistence of impacts of temporary technology adoption subsidies, in particular due to learning effects.Institutional subscribers to the NBER working paper series, and residents of developing countries may download this paper without additional charge at www.nber. org.
Self-monitoring practices, attitudes, and needs of individuals with bipolar disorder: implications for the design of technologies to manage mental health

OBJECTIVE To understand self-monitoring strategies used independently of clinical treatment by individuals with bipolar disorder (BD), in order to recommend technology design principles to support mental health management. MATERIALS AND METHODS Participants with BD (N = 552) were recruited through the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, the International Bipolar Foundation, and WeSearchTogether.org to complete a survey of closed- and open-ended questions. In this study, we focus on descriptive results and qualitative analyses. RESULTS Individuals reported primarily self-monitoring items related to their bipolar disorder (mood, sleep, finances, exercise, and social interactions), with an increasing trend towards the use of digital tracking methods observed. Most participants reported having positive experiences with technology-based tracking because it enables self-reflection and agency regarding health management and also enhances lines of communication with treatment teams. Reported challenges stem from poor usability or difficulty interpreting self-tracked data. DISCUSSION Two major implications for technology-based self-monitoring emerged from our results. First, technologies can be designed to be more condition-oriented, intuitive, and proactive. Second, more automated forms of digital symptom tracking and intervention are desired, and our results suggest the feasibility of detecting and predicting emotional states from patterns of technology usage. However, we also uncovered tension points, namely that technology designed to support mental health can also be a disruptor. CONCLUSION This study provides increased understanding of self-monitoring practices, attitudes, and needs of individuals with bipolar disorder. This knowledge bears implications for clinical researchers and practitioners seeking insight into how individuals independently self-manage their condition as well as for researchers designing monitoring technologies to support mental health management.
Tunability and Noise Dependence in Differentiation Dynamics

The dynamic process of differentiation depends on the architecture, quantitative parameters, and noise of underlying genetic circuits. However, it remains unclear how these elements combine to control cellular behavior. We analyzed the probabilistic and transient differentiation of Bacillus subtilis cells into the state of competence. A few key parameters independently tuned the frequency of initiation and the duration of competence episodes and allowed the circuit to access different dynamic regimes, including oscillation. Altering circuit architecture showed that the duration of competence events can be made more precise. We used an experimental method to reduce global cellular noise and showed that noise levels are correlated with frequency of differentiation events. Together, the data reveal a noise-dependent circuit that is remarkably resilient and tunable in terms of its dynamic behavior.
TEACHER-CENTERED OR STUDENT-CENTERED LEARNING APPROACH TO PROMOTE LEARNING?

This study investigates English department students learning needs including their attitudes towards student-centered and traditional teaching approaches, culture learning in English as Foreign Language (EFL) program, attitudes towards authority in class, the main problems encountered in the course in learning English and their practice of language learning strategies. In this empirical study, following Xiao’s (2006) questionnaire, the data are collected from undergraduates and postgraduates students. In analyzing the groups, one-way ANOVA Test is used to identify whether the mean score on a variable differed significantly from one group to another by taking into account variation within groups as well as between groups. The findings of this research provide EFL teachers with insightful information on students’ learning needs as an input to syllabus and material planning, to lesson planning and classroom instruction practice. The study demonstrates the importance of a good understanding of students’ variables in TEFL programs at university level in Indonesia.
Freedom Above Things: Nietzsche and the Artistic Critique of Capitalism

This article has two analytical objectives: to read Nietzsche’s thought as an instance of the ‘artistic critique of capitalism,’ as theorized by Boltanski and Chiapello; and to connect that reading to illustrative historical examples of left-wing movements on which Nietzsche’s artistic critique exerted an influence. It thus brings into question the orthodox Marxist interpretation (associated primarily with Lukács and Mehring) of Nietzsche as a reactionary apologist for imperialism and capitalism. Certainly, Nietzsche’s political philosophy is explicitly elitist and antidemocratic, and thus in no way mounts a ‘social critique’ of the inegalitarianism and exploitation characteristic of modern class society. However, Nietzsche’s opposition to industrial discipline and standardization and his championing of the struggle against generic alienations align him in a profound way with the liberatory impulse of the artistic critique.
Comparison of Gated SPECT Myocardial Perfusion Imaging with Echocardiography for the Measurement of Left Ventricular Volumes and Ejection Fraction in Patients With Severe Heart Failure

Background: Gated single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is known as a feasible tool for the measurement of left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) and volumes, which are of great importance in the management and follow-up of patients with coronary artery diseases. However, considering the technical shortcomings of SPECT in the presence of perfusion defect, the accuracy of this method in heart failure patients is still controversial. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to compare the results from gated SPECT MPI with those from echocardiography in heart failure patients to compare echocardiographically-derived left ventricular dimension and function data to those from gated SPECT MPI in heart failure patients. Patients and Methods: Forty-one patients with severely reduced left ventricular systolic function (EF< 35%) who were referred for gated SPECT MPI were prospectively enrolled. Quantification of EF, end-diastolic volume (EDV), and end-systolic volume (ESV) was performed by using quantitative gated spect (QGS) (QGS, version 0.4, May 2009) and emory cardiac toolbox (ECTb) (ECTb, revision 1.0, copyright 2007) software packages. EF, EDV, and ESV were also measured with two-dimensional echocardiography within 3 days after MPI. Results: A good correlation was found between echocardiographically-derived EF, EDV, and ESV and the values derived using QGS (r = 0.67, r = 0.78, and r = 0.80 for EF, EDV, and ESV, respectively; P < 0.001) and ECTb (r = 0.68, 0.79, and r = 0.80 for EF, EDV, and ESV, respectively; P < 0.001). However, Bland-Altman plots indicated significantly different mean values for EF, 11.4 and 20.9 using QGS and ECTb, respectively, as compared with echocardiography. ECTb-derived EDV was also significantly higher than the EDV measured with echocardiography and QGS. The highest correlation between echocardiography and gated SPECT MPI was found for mean values of ESV different. Conclusions: Gated SPECT MPI has a good correlation with echocardiography for the measurement of left ventricular EF, EDV, and ESV in patients with severe heart failure. However, the absolute values of these functional parameters from echocardiography and gated SPECT MPI measured with different software packages should not be used interchangeably.
Phonological complexity and language learnability.

PURPOSE To extend formal models of language learnability to applications in clinical treatment of children with functional phonological delays. METHOD The focus of the narrative review is on phonological complexity. This follows from learnability theory, whereby complexity in the linguistic input to children has been shown to trigger language learning. Drawing from the literature, phonological complexity is defined from epistemic, ontological, and functional perspectives, with specific emphasis on the application of language universals in the selection of target sounds for treatment. RESULTS The cascading effects of phonological complexity on children's generalization learning are illustrated, and frequently asked questions about complexity in treatment are addressed. CONCLUSION The role of complexity in cognitive development is introduced to demonstrate the apparent robustness of effects.
Risk Factors for Local Tumor Recurrence after Segmental Transarterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: the Importance of Tumor Located in the Segmental Border Zone

Objective We wanted to evaluate whether tumors located in a segmental border zone are predisposed to local recurrence after performing segmental transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma. Materials and Methods Seventy-three hepatocellular carcinoma nodules were retrospectively analyzed for local tumor recurrence after performing segmental transarterial chemoembolization by using follow-up CT studies (median follow-up period: 20 months, range: 4-77 months). The tumors were divided into two groups according to whether the lesions were located at the segmental border zone (Group I) or not (Group II). Comparison of the tumor characteristics and chemoembolization methods between the two groups was performed using the chi-square test. The local recurrence rates were compared by Kaplan-Meyer method and analyzed with the log rank test. Results Local tumor recurrence occurred for 25 hepatocellular carcinoma nodules (42.9%). The follow-up periods, tumor characteristics and chemoembolization methods between Groups l and ll were comparable. The local recurrence rate was 64.0% (16/25) in Group I and 18.8% (9/48) in Group II. The difference was statistically significant on the univariate and multivariate analyses (p = 0.000 for both). Conclusion Tumor location in a segmental border zone was a significant risk factor for local tumor recurrence after performing segmental transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma.
Practical Symmetric Key Cryptography on Modern Graphics Hardware

Graphics processors are continuing their trend of vastly outperforming CPUs while becoming more general purpose. The latest generation of graphics processors have introduced the ability handle integers natively. This has increased the GPU's applicability to many fields, especially cryptography. This paper presents an application oriented approach to block cipher processing on GPUs. A new block based conventional implementation of AES on an Nvidia G80 is shown with 4-10x speed improvements over CPU implementations and 2-4x speed increase over the previous fastest AES GPU implementation. We outline a general purpose data structure for representing cryptographic client requests which is suitable for execution on a GPU. We explore the issues related to the mapping of this general structure to the GPU. Finally we present the first analysis of the main encryption modes of operation on a GPU, showing the performance and behavioural implications of executing these modes under the outlined general purpose data model. Our AES implementation is used as the underlying block cipher to show the overhead of moving from an optimised hard-coded approach to a generalised one.
Targets' Practices: How People Allocate their Attention among Multiple Streams of Incoming Information

The communication environment within organizations provides multiple opportunities for informational retrieval throughout the day. While previous research has explored media choice from a sender’s perspective, little research has explored the choices receivers or targets make in attending to messages and information streams. This paper explores the process that targets use to evaluate messages by introducing a model of target attention allocation. Built on theories of media choice, uses and gratifications, and social exchange, this model focuses on targets’ need to reduce uncertainty, the interactivity offered by the media available to them, and the social norms guiding their media choices. In doing so, the model provides a means for measuring targets’ willingness to remain focused on a given information stream or, conversely, switch to another information stream.
The Entrepreneurial Organization of Heterogeneous Capital

Transaction cost, property rights, and resource-based approaches to the firm assume that assets, both tangible and intangible, are heterogeneous. Arranging these assets to minimize contractual hazards, to provide efficient investment incentives, or to exploit competitive advantage is conceived as the prime task of economic organization. None of these approaches, however, is based on a systematic theory of capital heterogeneity. In this paper we outline the approach to capital developed by the Austrian school of economics and show how Austrian capital theory provides a natural bridge between theory of entrepreneurship and the theory of the firm. We refine Austrian capital theory by defining capital heterogeneity in terms of subjectively perceived attributes, the functions, characteristics, and uses of capital assets. Such attributes are not given, but have to be created or discovered by means of entrepreneurial action. Conceiving entrepreneurship as the organization of heterogeneous capital provides new insights into the emergence, boundaries, and internal organization of the firm, and suggests testable implications about how entrepreneurship is manifested.
The functional forebrain circuitry of fear-cue inhibited feeding in food-deprived rats: Evidence from complementary pathway tracing and Fos induction maps studies

The drive to eat, like most motivated behaviors, is controlled by both intrinsic signals from the body as well as extrinsic signals from the environment. Although these factors often act in concert, in some instances environmental cues can override the body’s homeostatic signals. Prior work investigating the ability of learned cues to promote overeating in the absence of hunger identified a critical forebrain network composed of the amygdala, medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and lateral hypothalamus (LHA). We hypothesized that a similar forebrain network may also be critical when learned fear-cues inhibit eating despite hunger. The amygdala, mPFC and LHA are each anatomically and functionally positioned to influence feeding, and evidence suggests they could work together to support the fear-cue’s ability to inhibit feeding by overriding homeostatic hunger signals triggered by food-deprivation. Prior anatomical work identified direct pathways between these three large, heterogeneous regions; however, less is known about the organization of the underlying circuitries, especially between distinct nuclei and/or subdivisions that comprise these structures. Study 1 used a dual retrograde tract tracing design to map the topographical organization of the connections between the amygdala, mPFC, and LHA in detail, and to determine whether amygdalar pathways to the mPFC and to LHA originated from the same or different neurons. We found evidence for multiple, topographically organized, direct pathways from the amygdala to the LHA, and separate pathways from the amygdala to areas of the mPFC that send direct projections to the LHA. Importantly, nearly all amygdalar projections to the mPFC and to the LHA originated from different neurons, suggesting that amygdala and amygdala-mPFC processing influence the LHA independently. Study 2 used immediate early gene induction to map the patterns of functional activation within this amygdala-prefrontallateral hypothalamic network during the expression of fear-cue inhibited feeding behavior, and to assess whether these patterns were similar in males and females. We found differential activation across the network, and activation patterns related to the presentation of fear-cues, the presence of food-related cues, and the amount of food consumed were associated within distinct cell groups in the amygdala, mPFC, and LHA. Together, the studies presented in this dissertation provide anatomical and functional maps for future interrogation of the circuitry underlying fear-cue inhibited feeding.
The Effects of Context and Attention on Spiking Activity in Human Early Visual Cortex

Here we report the first quantitative analysis of spiking activity in human early visual cortex. We recorded multi-unit activity from two electrodes in area V2/V3 of a human patient implanted with depth electrodes as part of her treatment for epilepsy. We observed well-localized multi-unit receptive fields with tunings for contrast, orientation, spatial frequency, and size, similar to those reported in the macaque. We also observed pronounced gamma oscillations in the local-field potential that could be used to estimate the underlying spiking response properties. Spiking responses were modulated by visual context and attention. We observed orientation-tuned surround suppression: responses were suppressed by image regions with a uniform orientation and enhanced by orientation contrast. Additionally, responses were enhanced on regions that perceptually segregated from the background, indicating that neurons in the human visual cortex are sensitive to figure-ground structure. Spiking responses were also modulated by object-based attention. When the patient mentally traced a curve through the neurons’ receptive fields, the accompanying shift of attention enhanced neuronal activity. These results demonstrate that the tuning properties of cells in the human early visual cortex are similar to those in the macaque and that responses can be modulated by both contextual factors and behavioral relevance. Our results, therefore, imply that the macaque visual system is an excellent model for the human visual cortex.
YODA The Young Observant Discovery Agent

Southern California/Information Sciences Institute consists of a group of young researchers who share a passion for autonomous systems that can bootstrap its knowledge from real environments by exploration, experimentation, learning, and discovery. Our goal is to create a mobile agent that can autonomously learn from its environment based on its own actions, percepts, and missions. Our participation in the Fifth Annual AAAI Mobile Robot Competition and Exhibition, held as part of the Thirteenth National Conference on Artificial Intelligence, served as the first milestone in advancing us toward this goal. YODA’s software architecture is a hierarchy of abstraction layers, ranging from a set of behaviors at the bottom layer to a dynamic, mission-oriented planner at the top. The planner uses a map of the environment to determine a sequence of goals to be accomplished by the robot and delegates the detailed executions to the set of behaviors at the lower layer. This abstraction architecture has proven robust in dynamic and noisy environments, as shown by YODA’s performance at the robot competition.
Scene text recognition with deeper convolutional neural networks

Scene text recognition plays an important role in many applications such as video indexing and house number localization in maps. Recently, some feature learning methods have been proposed to handle this problem, which often exploit deep architectures with no more than 5 layers and relatively large receptive fields. Meanwhile, to avoid model overfitting, they generally take advantage of large amount of additional data. Inspired by the great success of GoogleLeNet with a deeper network and VGG networks with smaller receptive fields in the ImageNet competition, in this paper, we adopt a much deeper network with up to 15 layers and smaller receptive fields (3×3) to learn better features for scene text recognition. Particularly, even without additional training data, our model can achieve better performance. Experiments on scene text datasets (ICDAR 2003, SVT, Chars74K) demonstrate that our method achieves the state-of-the-art performance on character classification and competitive performance on cropped word recognition.
Performance Analysis of Soft Real-Time Systems

We model a gracefully degrading mul-tiprocessor soft real-time system which is subject to both dynamic (software) and static (hardware) failures, without recovery, using a Markov process. We derive the traditional reliability performance measure and meantime to failure (MTTF) of such a system with respect to both failure types and introduce a parameter, expected-deadline-missed, which is the expected number of tasks that miss their deadlines per time unit at every processor, due to dynamic failures in the presence of faulty hardware components. Based on this parameter, we deene three performance measures suitable for analysis of real-time systems, deadline-missed-reliability, deadline-missed-before-failure, and deadline-missed-time-reliability.
Serious Games in Education

This study investigates to what extent serious game s support learning processes. We compared the abilities of two groups of high sch ool students to answer questions on a subject that they were recently inst ructed on. The first group received its instructions by means of a serious gam e, the second group by means of a text. We discovered that the group that receiv ed its instructions via a serious game performed significantly better than the text g roup in solving the assignments. Surprisingly, the group that received its instructions via a text indicated that they were better motivated. Further analysis showed that clear gender differences were underlying these results: m ales benefitted most from instruction via a serious game, while females were better motivated by a text. From our results we conclude that serious games can be more effective in learning processes than written texts, but that the y do not necessarily motivate students better than a textbook . SERIOUS GAMES, TEXTBOOKS, EDUCATION