Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PLURALISM AND ETHNICITY IN NEW YORK CITY POLITICS: THE CASE OF PUERTO RICANS

This article examines Puerto Rican efforts to win the mayoralty of the city of New York, focusing on the 2005 election. So far Puerto Ricans have failed to make it to City Hall, but the explanation for this is not systemic. Systemic factors have played a role, but not in deterministic fashion. Theirs is a pluralist story. The political system is open, but access to power is contingent on the interplay between capability and feasibility. When Puerto Ricans had a good candidate—capability—the context was not favorable—feasibility—and when the context was favorable they did not have a good candidate. When the party mattered most, their candidate was a reformer; when the party was over, their candidate was an organization man. Puerto Rican ethnic identity played contradictory roles in this process, thrusting and energizing candidates as well as being the proverbial albatross around the candidate’s neck. The elements of success for the future appear to be: having a conciliatory leadership style; avoiding association with polarizing figures; amassing enough money to run an efficient campaign, focused on the promotion of collective goods and devoid of ideological posturing; and exploiting racial and ethnic identity to garner and mobilize support without alienating in- or out-groups. a b s t r a c t
Colour image denoising based on a combined model

In this paper, we propose a method to remove noise in RGB-color images. This method is based on a total variation of intensity function of images. Here, the proposed method is a developed version of our previous method to remove a linear combination of Gaussian and Poisson noises in grayscale images. This method works well with the wide range of proportion of Poisson and Gaussian noises. We show here, the developed version can be used to well approximate real noises in color raster images.
New Universal Biquads Employing CFOAs

Four new single-input-multi-output-type universal biquad filters using current-feedback operational amplifiers (CFOAs) are presented, which realize all the five standard filter functions (namely, low-pass, bandpass, high-pass, notch, and all-pass) from the same configuration, provide tunability of the various filter parameters in all the five responses, and offer a resistive or ideally infinite input impedance while employing only four CFOAs and two grounded capacitors as preferred for integrated circuit implementation. The workability of the new biquads has been verified by hardware implementations and SPICE simulations based upon AD844-type CFOAs, and some sample results are presented
A revised design for an understanding machine

This paper argues that machine translation programs will be able to solve certain problems, e.g., the resolution of polysemy, only by storing the meaning of natural language words in a medium and a format providing properties similar to those of human “understanding”. It also maintains that all human meaning may be exhaustively represented in terms of readings on a practically infinite number of calibrated standards, or, alternatively, by elaborate constellations of readings on a very small number of “element” standards. It is proposed that representing the meanings of natural language words in terms of such constellations is to represent them in a medium appropriate to serve as a mechanical equivalent of human understanding, at least for the purposes of mechanical translation. Such representation of meaning would also permit the overall body of semantic information to be stratified in accord with the dimensional complexity of concepts. This would allow encyclopedic amounts of information about the meaning of each natural language word to be stored in memory for use when a decision dependent on “understanding” arose, while at the same time only very brief summa-tional symbols of this information would ordinarily be adequate as a translation interlingua. Several general characteristics of such representation and storage of semantic information, and some of the standards possibly usable as element standards, are described.
Rigid Labour Compensation and Flexible Employment ? Firm-Level Evidence with Regard to Productivity for Belgium

Using firm-level data for Belgium over the period 1997-2005, we evaluate the elasticity of firms' labour and real average labour compensation to microeconomic total factor productivity (TFP). Our results may be summarised as follows. First, we find that the elasticity of average labour compensation to firm-level TFP is very low contrary to that of labour, consistent with real wage rigidity. Second, while the elasticity of average labour compensation to idiosyncratic firm-level TFP is close to zero, the elasticity with respect to aggregate sector-level TFP is high. We argue that average labour compensation adjustment mainly occur at the sector level through sectoral collective bargaining, which leaves little room for firm-level adjustment to firm-specific shocks. Third, we report evidence of a positive relationship between hours and idiosyncratic TFP, as well as aggregate TFP within the year.
Coping of Judo Competitors in the Context of Gender, Age, Years of Practice and Skill Level

The purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which gender, age, skill level, and years of practice serve as predictors of coping styles in judo. Participants in the study consisted of 98 judo competitors (47 females and 51 males, aged 13–21 years). As a result of the agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis four coping styles have been established for the Brief COPE inventory in approach–avoidance and cognitive–behavioral dimensions, with dominant approach coping style. The standard multiple regression analysis indicated that gender, age, and judo practice served as predictors for approach, avoidance, or behavioral coping styles.
Customer Loyalty to an Online Store: The Meaning of Online Service Quality

Service quality is crucial in retaining customers in both online and traditional stores. However, measuring online service quality is hampered because of the unique aspects of online service quality that are not part of the widely used service quality instrument, SERVQUAL. Identifying these dimensions and assessing their relative importance is the objective of this study. New service dimensions are identified: lack of annoying banners, beneficial search engines, site security, quick response time, and customer recognition. Data dealing with Barnes & Noble.com (www.bn.com) indeed show that all five dimensions are correlated with increased customer loyalty. The data also show that service quality overrides the effects of perceived risk, cheaper prices, and cost to switch a vendor. Data dealing with the traditional Barnes & Noble bookshops and including the new dimension of customer recognition shows that the these new dimensions do not contribute beyond SERVQUAL. These preliminary results suggest that although SERVQUAL is a good instrument for assessing the service quality of traditional stores, additional dimensions are needed to capture some of the unique aspects of online service. The results also confirm that in both traditional and online shops, service quality reduces the effects of perceived risk, cost to switch, and relative price.
Characterization of the neuronal marker NeuN as a multiply phosphorylated antigen with discrete subcellular localization

NeuN (neuronal nuclei) is an antigen used widely in research and diagnostics to identify postmitotic neurons. The present study aims at an initial understanding of the molecular nature and functional significance of this as yet ill‐defined antigen. Using isoelectric focusing, both the 46‐ and 48‐kDa isoforms of NeuN can be separated in multiple spots spanning a pH range of 8–10.5, suggesting that they might be phosphorylated. Enzymatic dephosphorylation abolishes NeuN immunoreactivity, confirming that NeuN is indeed a phosphoprotein, and establishing that binding of the defining antibody depends on its state of phosphorylation. Combined biochemical and immunohistochemical analysis show that both the 46‐ and the 48‐kDa NeuN isoforms can be localized to the cell nucleus as well as in the neuronal cytoplasm. Their relative concentration in these compartments is distinct, however, with the 48‐kDa isoform being the predominant isoform in the cytoplasm. Within the nucleus, NeuN is found preferentially in areas of low chromatin density and virtually excluded from areas containing densely packed DNA. The present identification of multiple differentially phosphorylated isoforms of NeuN, together with recent reports on the dependence of NeuN immunoreactivity levels on a variety of physiologic or pathologic signals, suggests a previously unappreciated level of complexity in the regulation of this enigmatic, neuron‐specific antigen. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Using Capsule Endoscopy to Identify GI Tract Lesions in Cirrhotic Patients With Portal Hypertension and Chronic Anemia

Goals We aimed to evaluate the ability of capsule endoscopy (CE) to detect small intestine (SI) lesions, especially SI varices, in patients with intrahepatic cirrhosis, portal hypertension (PHTN), and chronic anemia. Background Gastroesophageal variceal bleeding is a well-recognized complication of cirrhosis and PHTN, yet methods of identifying lesions in the SI that may contribute to covert bleeding and anemia, such as small bowel enteroscopy and angiography, are invasive and may be inadequate. Study In this observational pilot study, 19 consecutive patients presenting to a tertiary care, liver transplantation referral center with cirrhosis, PHTN, and chronic anemia after obliterative esophageal variceal therapy were evaluated with wireless CE using the GIVEN Pillcam SB M2A capsule. Two independent and blinded examiners reviewed the CE examinations. Results SI varices were identified in 15.8% (3/19) of patients. Other PHTN-related findings included portal hypertensive gastropathy (13/19, 68.4%), portal hypertensive enteropathy (12/19, 63.1%), and portal hypertensive colopathy (3/19, 15.8%). Two patients had nonbleeding esophageal varices (2/19, 10.5%). A potential source of gastrointestinal blood loss was identified in 89.5% (17/19) of patients. Active bleeding sites were identified in 15.8% (3/19). Conclusions CE can identify potential bleeding sources and could have diagnostic utility in patients with end-stage liver disease and chronic anemia after obliterative esophageal variceal therapy.
Invasive pericranial nerve interventions

Background In many patients suffering from primary headaches, the available pharmacological and behavioural treatments are not satisfactory. This is a review of (minimally) invasive interventions targeting pericranial nerves that could be effective in refractory patients. Methods The interventions we will cover have in common pericranial nerves as targets, but are distinct according to their rationale, modality and invasiveness. They range from nerve blocks/infiltrations to the percutaneous implantation of neurostimulators and surgical decompression procedures. We have critically analysed the published data (PubMed) on their effectiveness and tolerability. Results and conclusions There is clear evidence for a preventative effect of suboccipital injections of local anaesthetics and/or steroids in cluster headache, while evidence for such an effect is weak in migraine. Percutaneous occipital nerve stimulation (ONS) provides significant long-term relief in more than half of drug-resistant chronic cluster headache patients, but no sham-controlled trial has tested this. The evidence that ONS has lasting beneficial effects in chronic migraine is at best equivocal. Suboccipital infiltrations are quasi-devoid of side effects, while ONS is endowed with numerous, though reversible, adverse events. Claims that surgical decompression of multiple pericranial nerves is effective in migraine are not substantiated by large, rigorous, randomized and sham-controlled trials.
Sources of seasonal fractional integration in macroeconomic time series

Some empirical studies indicate that macroeconomic time series, such as monetary aggregates, inflation, consumption and income are fractionally integrated at the seasonal frequencies. We aim to provide an explanation of this empirical finding. In particular, we show that cross-sectional aggregation or structural changes, which are characteristic features of many macroeconomic time series, may create fractional orders of integration at the seasonal frequencies. Seasonal extensions of the models of Granger (1980), Parke (1999) and Diebold & Inoue (2001) are developed.
Software process improvement in small organizations: a case study

The Capability Maturity Model for software has become a major force in software development process improvement. We looked at the role of process improvement in the context of a small organization. Although the Capability Maturity Model integration is replacing the CMM, we focused on the older CMM. We had to look at more than which CMM key process areas apply to small businesses. Our overall goal was to institute good software development practices, we used the language of the CMM to gain the management's cooperation. Applying these practices is essential to managing growth, yet undertaking this effort without prior experience could impede a small company's innovative nature. This case study's purpose was to investigate the success factors of a software process improvement effort for a small software development organization.
Strategies of readers with autism when responding to inferential questions: An eye‐movement study

Previous research suggests that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have difficulties with inference generation in reading tasks. However, most previous studies have examined how well children understand a text after reading or have measured on‐line reading behavior without response to questions. The aim of this study was to investigate the online strategies of children and adolescents with autism during reading and at the same time responding to a question by monitoring their eye movements. The reading behavior of participants with ASD was compared with that of age‐, language‐, nonverbal intelligence‐, reading‐, and receptive language skills‐matched participants without ASD (control group). The results showed that the ASD group were as accurate as the control group in generating inferences when answering questions about the short texts, and no differences were found between the two groups in the global paragraph reading and responding times. However, the ASD group displayed longer gaze latencies on a target word necessary to produce an inference. They also showed more regressions into the word that supported the inference compared to the control group after reading the question, irrespective of whether an inference was required or not. In conclusion, the ASD group achieved an equivalent level of inferential comprehension, but showed subtle differences in reading comprehension strategies compared to the control group. Autism Res 2017, 10: 888–900. © 2016 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bound and Gagged: Pornography and the Politics of Fantasy in America

In this eye-opening exploration, Laura Kipnis challenges our tendency either to demonize pornography or to dismiss it. Examining the entire spectrum of pornography--from the anti-porn positions of Catherine MacKinnon and Andrea Dworkin to the activities of men's magazine publishers such as Larry Flynt--Kipnis challenges our most basic preconceptions about the meaning of porn.
Speed Control for PMSM Servo System Using Predictive Functional Control and Extended State Observer

The speed regulation problem for permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) servo system is studied in this paper. In order to optimize the control performance of the PMSM servo system, the predictive functional control (PFC) method is introduced in the control design of speed loop. The PFC-based speed control design consists of two steps. A simplified model is employed to predict the future q -axis current of PMSM. Then, an optimal control law is obtained by minimizing a quadratic performance index. However, it is noted that the standard PFC method does not achieve a satisfying effect in the presence of strong disturbances. To this end, an improved PFC method, called the PFC+ESO method, is developed. It introduces extended state observer (ESO) to estimate the lumped disturbances and adds a feedforward compensation item based on the estimated disturbances to the PFC speed controller. Simulation and experiment comparisons are made for these PFC methods and proportional-integral method with antiwindup control method to verify the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Contributos para a validação da escala de auto-estima de Rosenberg numa amostra de adolescentes da região interior norte do país

The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) was completed by 501 adolescents, 231(46, 1%) male and 270 (53, 9%) female, that attend the elementary and secondary school, in the interior North of the Portugal. We have made the study of the psychometric characteristics of the above-mentioned scale, which, in the present study presented a reability considered satisfactory and a bi-dimensional factorial structure, which explains (46%) of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analyses have produced the similarly results. The differences related to the gender show that the level of self-esteem is higher in boys.
Implicit Memory: Theoretical Issues

Contents: Part I:Introduction. R.S. Lockhart, The Role of Theory in Understanding Implicit Memory. Part II:Characterizing Implicit Memory. J.C. Dunn, K. Kirsner, Implicit Memory: Task or Process? W. Hirst, On Consciousness, Recall, Recognition, and the Architecture of Memory. D.L. Schacter, J. Bowers, J. Booker, Intention, Awareness, and Implicit Memory: The Retrieval Intentionality Criterion. H.L. Roediger, K. Srinivas, M.S. Weldon, Dissociations Between Implicit Measures of Retention. Part III:Theories and Models. E.U. Weber, B.B. Murdock, Priming in a Distributed Memory System: Implications for Models of Implicit Memory. K. Kirsner, J.C. Dunn, P. Standen, Domain-Specific Resources in Word Recognition. M.E. J. Masson, Fluent Preprocessing as an Implicit Expression of Memory for Experience. M.S. Humphreys, J.D. Bain, J.S. Burt, Episodically Unique and Generalized Memories: Applications to Human and Animal Amnesics. Part IV:Processes and Representations. C.M. MacLeod, J.N. Bassili, Are Implicit and Explicit Tests Differentially Sensitive to Item-Specific vs. Associative Information? L-G. Nilsson, L. B ckman, Implicit Memory and the Enactment of Verbal Instructions. S. Lewandowsky, K. Kirsner, V. Bainbridge, Context Effects in Implicit Memory: A Sense Specific Account. M. Carroll, Implicit Memory: Compatibility Between Study-Test Operations. S. Kinoshita, Masked and Unmasked Repetition Effects: Activation of Representation or Procedure? Part V:Development and Learning. A.J. Parkin, The Development and Nature of Implicit Memory. K. Durkin, Implicit Memory and Language Acquisition. J.G. Snodgrass, Sources of Learning in the Picture Fragment Completion Task. Part VI:Comment. M. Coltheart, Implicit Memory and the Functional Architecture of Cognition.
Particle trapping at an advancing solidification front with interfacial-curvature effects

We predict the maximum solidification rate, or critical velocity, Vc at which an insoluble particle suspended in a melt is pushed ahead of an advancing solidification front by intermolecular forces. At higher solidification rates the particle is incorporated within the solid. The net intermolecular force pushing the particle and the viscous resistance opposing it are both significantly influenced by the shape of the front as it conforms to the particle in response to interfacial premelting. We predict the entire shape of the front, within a thin-film approximation, accounting for the freezing-point depression due to curvature. We show how the interface shape varies with the magnitude of the surface energy and the closeness of the particle, and compare these to previous, ad hoc representations of the interface. We confirm the scaling results of previous, more approximate, analyses for the case in which the intermolecular forces are dominated by nonretarded van der Waals interactions, and provide new results for other power-law interactions. We examine how the particle behaviour changes as its radius increases so that the effect of interfacial curvature is diminished. # 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. PACS: 64.70. Dv; 68.15. +e; 68.45. Gd; 81.30. Fb
New Insights into Trehalose Metabolism by Saccharomyces cerevisiae: NTH2 Encodes a Functional Cytosolic Trehalase, and Deletion of TPS1 Reveals Ath1p-Dependent Trehalose Mobilization

ABSTRACT In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the synthesis of endogenous trehalose is catalyzed by a trehalose synthase complex, TPS, and its hydrolysis relies on a cytosolic/neutral trehalase encoded by NTH1. In this work, we showed that NTH2, a paralog of NTH1, encodes a functional trehalase that is implicated in trehalose mobilization. Yeast is also endowed with an acid trehalase encoded by ATH1 and an H+/trehalose transporter encoded by AGT1, which can together sustain assimilation of exogenous trehalose. We showed that a tps1 mutant defective in the TPS catalytic subunit cultivated on trehalose, or on a dual source of carbon made of galactose and trehalose, accumulated high levels of intracellular trehalose by its Agt1p-mediated transport. The accumulated disaccharide was mobilized as soon as cells entered the stationary phase by a process requiring a coupling between its export and immediate extracellular hydrolysis by Ath1p. Compared to what is seen for classical growth conditions on glucose, this mobilization was rather unique, since it took place prior to that of glycogen, which was postponed until the late stationary phase. However, when the Ath1p-dependent mobilization of trehalose identified in this study was impaired, glycogen was mobilized earlier and faster, indicating a fine-tuning control in carbon storage management during periods of carbon and energy restriction.
Detecting High-Redshift Evolved Galaxies as the Hosts of Optically Faint Hard X-Ray Sources

We combine deep Subaru near-infrared images of the massive lensing clusters A2390 and A370 with Keck optical data to map the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of Chandra X-ray sources lying behind the clusters. The three sources behind A2390 are found to have extremely red colors with SEDs consistent with evolved galaxies at redshifts z > 1.4. One source has extremely anomalous colors, which we interpret as evidence for a type Sa SED at a redshift around 2.5. The photometric redshift of another source has been confirmed at z = 1.467 from near-infrared spectroscopy using the Cooled Infrared Spectrograph and Camera for OHS on Subaru. Mapping of optically faint hard X-ray sources may prove to be an extremely efficient way to locate luminous evolved galaxies at high redshifts.