Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
To buy or not to buy online: adopters and non-adopters of online shopping in Singapore

The Internet, as a dynamic virtual medium for selling and buying information, services and products, is gaining increasing attention from researchers and practitioners. In this study, we examine the perceptions of adopters and non-adopters of online shopping in terms of demographic profile, consumer expectations of online stores, advantages and problems of online shopping and transaction cost. In addition, we also examine the types of products purchased, frequency of online purchase and the extent of communication with e-commerce vendors. The findings are useful in explaining consumers' buying behaviour in the electronic marketplace. Implications of the results are discussed.
Is it ubiquitous, and what does it mean?

Copyright 2006 Psychonomic Society, Inc. The second author was supported by a VENI grant from the Dutch Organization for Scientific Research (NWO). The third author was supported by NIMH Grant R37-MH44640. We thank Michael Lee, David Gilden, Thomas Thornton, and an anonymous reviewer for their insightful reviews of a previous version of the manuscript. We are also grateful for Tom Thornton’s assistance in clarifying the specifics of the spectral classification method. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to S. Farrell, Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Bristol, 12a Priory Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1TU, England (e-mail: simon .farrell@bristol.ac.uk). Psychonomic Bulletin & Review 2006, 13 (4), 737-741
Lossless compression of grayscale images via context tree weighting

In this article we report on a study of how to use the context tree weighting (CTW) algorithm for lossless image compression. This algorithm has been shown to perform optimally, in terms of redundancy, for a wide class of data sources. Our study shows that this algorithm can successfully be applied to image compression even in its basic form. We also report on possible modifications of the basic CTW algorithm to let it work more efficiently for image data. Our research is briefly focussed on the compression of medical gray scale images.
Identification and Characterization of NVP-BKM120, an Orally Available Pan-Class I PI3-Kinase Inhibitor

Following the discovery of NVP-BEZ235, our first dual pan-PI3K/mTOR clinical compound, we sought to identify additional phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors from different chemical classes with a different selectivity profile. The key to achieve these objectives was to couple a structure-based design approach with intensive pharmacologic evaluation of selected compounds during the medicinal chemistry optimization process. Here, we report on the biologic characterization of the 2-morpholino pyrimidine derivative pan-PI3K inhibitor NVP-BKM120. This compound inhibits all four class I PI3K isoforms in biochemical assays with at least 50-fold selectivity against other protein kinases. The compound is also active against the most common somatic PI3Kα mutations but does not significantly inhibit the related class III (Vps34) and class IV (mTOR, DNA-PK) PI3K kinases. Consistent with its mechanism of action, NVP-BKM120 decreases the cellular levels of p-Akt in mechanistic models and relevant tumor cell lines, as well as downstream effectors in a concentration-dependent and pathway-specific manner. Tested in a panel of 353 cell lines, NVP-BKM120 exhibited preferential inhibition of tumor cells bearing PIK3CA mutations, in contrast to either KRAS or PTEN mutant models. NVP-BKM120 shows dose-dependent in vivo pharmacodynamic activity as measured by significant inhibition of p-Akt and tumor growth inhibition in mechanistic xenograft models. NVP-BKM120 behaves synergistically when combined with either targeted agents such as MEK or HER2 inhibitors or with cytotoxic agents such as docetaxel or temozolomide. The pharmacological, biologic, and preclinical safety profile of NVP-BKM120 supports its clinical development and the compound is undergoing phase II clinical trials in patients with cancer. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(2); 317–28. ©2011 AACR.
Design of microstrip bandpass filters with a dual-passband response

This paper presents a rigorous design of microstrip bandpass filters with a dual-passband response in parallel-coupled and vertical-stacked configurations. Based on resonance characteristics of a stepped impedance resonator (SIR), the second resonant frequency can be tuned over a wide range by adjusting its structure parameters. Emphasis is placed on filter synthesis for simultaneously matching in-band response and singly loaded Q by using tapped input/output couplings for the two designated passbands. Fractional bandwidth design graphs are used to determine proper geometric parameters of each coupled stage when filter specification is given. Realizable fractional bandwidths of the two passbands for a coupled SIR structure are clearly depicted in fractional bandwidth design graphs. Several experimental filters are fabricated and measured to demonstrate the design.
An Examination of Individual Factors and Employees' Creativity: The Case of Spain

The objective of this investigation was to identify and analyze the individual attributes responsible for creative performance among employees of a Spanish firm. Drawing from the existing literature on intrinsic motivation, expertise, cognitive style, and individual creativity, research was conducted to test a creativity model of employee characteristics in Spain. Results confirmed that innovative style and intrinsic motivation were related to employee creativity, as measured by self-ratings. Moreover, results suggested that the accumulation of individual attributes that were hypothesized to have a positive relationship with creativity had a greater effect in creativity than when considering separately. A cluster analysis was carried out in order to procure a taxonomy of employees depending on their individual characteristics. Three groups were defined. Their behavior differed significantly in terms of their creativity performance. Recommendations for enhancing creativity in work settings are proposed.
Cardiometabolic comorbidity in antipsychotic treated patients: need for systematic evaluation and treatment

Abstract Objective. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of cardiometabolic dysregulations and their somatic treatment regimens in a group of psychiatric patients treated with antipsychotics. Methods. In a naturalistic cohort study, baseline cardiometabolic parameters were measured in 543 outpatients. After one year, a second assessment was performed in 220 patients out of the total sample. In addition, it was investigated whether in patients with somatic comorbidities adequate treatment was prescribed. Results. In this cohort, about half of the patients fulfilled the criteria for metabolic syndrome. Only a limited number of patients, however, received pharmacologic treatment for individual risk factors: About 19% for hypercholesterolemia, 26% for hypertension, and 52% for diabetes. Non-treated patients were significantly younger than treated patients. Follow-up data show that the course of the cardiometabolic parameters can be dynamic. Conclusions. Cardiometabolic risk factors are highly prevalent in psychiatric patients treated with antipsychotic drugs. Unfortunately, adequate treatment of cardiometabolic comorbidity in these relatively young patients is seriously hampered. Thus, specific guidelines for psychiatric patients have to be developed taking into account the high cardiovascular risk at a relatively young age and potential pharmacokinetic interactions between psychotropics and somatic compounds. Moreover, integration of psychiatric and physical health care systems for patients with mental disorders is urgently needed.
Tetrakis(thiourea-κS)palladium(II) dithiocyanate

The title compound, [Pd(CH4N2S)4](SCN)2, consists of complex [Pd(TU)4]2+ [TU = thiourea, SC(NH2)2] cations and thiocyanate counter-anions. The PdII cation is situated on an inversion centre and exhibits an almost square-planar coordination by the S atoms of the TU ligands. The complex cations are connected through the thiocyanate ions via N—H⋯N [2.922 (3)–3.056 (3) Å] and N—H⋯S [3.369 (2)–3.645 (2) Å] hydrogen bonds.
Intelligent energy management using CBR: Brazilian residential consumption scenario

This paper proposes a novel case-based reasoning (CBR) approach to support the intelligent management of energy resources in a residential context. The proposed approach analyzes previous cases of consumption reduction in houses, and determines the amount that should be reduced in each moment and in each context, in order to meet the users' needs in terms of comfort while minimizing the energy bill. The actual energy resources management is executed using the SCADA House Intelligent Management (SHIM) system, which schedules the use of the different resources, taking into account the suggested reduction amount. A case study is presented, using data from Brazilian consumers. Several scenarios are considered, representing different combinations concerning the type of house/inhabitants, the season, the type of used energy tariff, the use of Photovoltaic system (PV) generation, and the maximum amount of allowed reduction. Results show that the proposed CBR approach is able to suggest appropriate amounts of energy reduction, which result in significant reductions of the energy bill, while, with the use of SHIM, minimizing the reduction of users' comfort.
Direct and Indirect Suppression of Interleukin-6 Gene Expression in Murine Macrophages by Nuclear Orphan Receptor REV-ERBα

It is now evident that many nuclear hormone receptors can modulate target gene expression. REV-ERBα, one of the nuclear hormone receptors with the capacity to alter clock function, is critically involved in lipid metabolism, adipogenesis, and the inflammatory response. Recent studies suggest that REV-ERBα plays a key role in the mediation between clockwork and inflammation. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the role of REV-ERBα in the regulation of interleukin-6 (il6) gene expression in murine macrophages. REV-ERBα agonists, or overexpression of rev-erb α in the murine macrophage cell line RAW264 cells, suppressed the induction of il6 mRNA following a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxin challenge. Also, rev-erb α overexpression decreased LPS-stimulated nuclear factor κB (NFκB) activation in RAW264 cells. We showed that REV-ERBα represses il6 expression not only indirectly through an NFκB binding motif but also directly through a REV-ERBα binding motif in the murine il6 promoter region. Furthermore, peritoneal macrophages from mice lacking rev-erb α increased il6 mRNA expression. These data suggest that REV-ERBα regulates the inflammatory response of macrophages through the suppression of il6 expression. REV-ERBα may therefore be identified as a potent anti-inflammatory receptor and be a therapeutic target receptor of inflammatory diseases.
Eliminating the need for refractive index matching in optical CT scanners for radiotherapy dosimetry: I. Concept and simulations

Optical computed tomography has now become a well-established method for making empirical measurements of 3D dose distributions in radiotherapy treatment verification. The requirement for effective refractive index matching as part of the scanning process has long been an inconvenience for users, limiting the speed of sample throughput. We propose a new method for reconstructing data that takes explicit account of the refracted path of the light rays and demonstrate theoretically the conditions under which there are sufficient data to create a good reconstruction. Examples of the performance of the algorithm are given. For smoothly varying data, reconstructed images of very high quality are obtained, with RMS deviation of under 1% from the original, provided that the irradiated region lies entirely within a critical radius. For the dosimeter material PRESAGE®, this critical value is approximately 0.65 of the sample radius. Regions outside this are not reconstructed successfully, but we argue that there are many cases where this disadvantage is outweighed by the benefits of the technique.
Wpływ traumatycznych doświadczeń na zdrowie psychiczne dzieci i młodzieży

W badaniach dotycz±cych czesto¶ci traumatycznych wydarzen ? yciowych wykazano, ? e dzieci s± na nie nara? one bardziej ni? osoby doros³e. Im m³odszy wiek dziecka w momencie zaistnienia traumy, tym bardziej niekorzystne skutki dla zdrowia psychicznego dziecka. Porownuj±c definicje stresora w kolejnych klasyfikacjach zaburzen psychicznych wed³ug amerykanskiej klasyfikacji chorob psychicznych (DSM), obserwuje sie tendencje do uszczego³owiania i podkre¶lania wyj±tkowo¶ci traumatycznego wydarzenia, ktore mo? e wywo³aae zaburzenie zdrowia psychicznego. Szczegolnie niekorzystny wp³yw na zdrowie psychiczne maj± traumatyczne wydarzenia w najwcze¶niejszym okresie dziecinstwa. Traumatyczne wydarzenia ? yciowe mog± inicjowaae lub zaostrzaae ro? ne zaburzenia psychiczne. Stres zwieksza ryzyko wyst±pienia licznych objawow i schorzen somatycznych. Ryzyko do¶wiadczania wydarzen traumatycznych, takich jak przemoc lub wypadek, ro¶nie wraz z liczb± stresorow zwi±zanych z rodzin±. W¶rod dzieci krzywdzonych dzieci z rodzin z problemem alkoholowym stanowi± szczegoln± grupe. Specyfika ich codziennego ? ycia sprawia, ? e stale odczuwaj± lek, s± bezradne i spiete. Trwanie w ci±g³ej niepewno¶ci i nieprzewidywalno¶ci wydarzen wywo³uje u dziecka poczucie braku stabilno¶ci, porz±dku ? yciowego, a w konsekwencji - brak kontroli nad swoim ? yciem.
A Non-Blocking Multithreaded Architecture

In this paper we present a new approach to building multithreaded uni-processors. Our innovativeness stems from an architecture with non-blocking threads where all memory accesses are decoupled from the thread execution. Data is pre-loaded into the thread context (registers), and all results are "post-stored" after the completion of the thread execution. The decoupling of memory accesses from thread execution requires a separate unit to perform the necessary pre-loads and post-stores, and controlling the allocation of hardware thread contexts to enabled threads. This separation facilitates for achieving high locality and minimizing the impact of distribution and hierarchy in large memory systems. We present our preliminary results obtained from a Monte Carlo simulator that compares the performance of the proposed system with conventional architectures for randomly generated threads.
Late acceptance-based selection hyper-heuristics for cross-domain heuristic search

Hyper-heuristics are high-level search methodologies used to find solutions to difficult real-world optimisation problems. Hyper-heuristics differ from many traditional optimisation techniques as they operate on a search space of low-level heuristics, rather than directly on a search space of potential solutions. A traditional iterative selection hyper-heuristic relies on two core components, a method for selecting a heuristic to apply at a given point and a method to decide whether or not to accept the result of the heuristic application. Raising the level of generality at which search methods operate is a key goal in hyper-heuristic research. Many existing selection hyper-heuristics make use of complex acceptance criteria which require problem specific expertise in controlling the various parameters. Such hyper-heuristics are often not general enough to be successful in a variety of problem domains. Late Acceptance is a simple yet powerful local search method which has only a single parameter to control. The contributions of this paper are twofold. Firstly, we will test the effect of the set of low-level heuristics on the performance of a simple stochastic selection mechanism within a Late Acceptance hyper-heuristic framework. Secondly, we will introduce a new class of heuristic selection methods based on roulette wheel selection and combine them with Late Acceptance acceptance criteria. The performance of these hyper-heuristics will be compared to a number of methods from the literature over six benchmark problem domains.
An investigation into vocal expressions of emotions: the roles of valence, culture, and acoustic factors.

This PhD is an investigation of vocal expressions of emotions, mainly focusing on non-verbal sounds such as laughter, cries and sighs. The research examines the roles of categorical and dimensional factors, the contributions of a number of acoustic cues, and the influence of culture. A series of studies established that naive listeners can reliably identify non-verbal vocalisations of positive and negative emotions in forced-choice and rating tasks. Some evidence for underlying dimensions of arousal and valence is found, although each emotion had a discrete expression. The role of acoustic characteristics of the sounds is investigated experimentally and analytically. This work shows that the cues used to identify different emotions vary, although pitch and pitch variation play a central role. The cues used to identify emotions in non-verbal vocalisations differ from the cues used when comprehending speech. An additional set of studies using stimuli consisting of emotional speech demonstrates that these sounds can also be reliably identified, and rely on similar acoustic cues. A series of studies with a pre-literate Namibian tribe shows that non-verbal vocalisations can be recognized across cultures. An fMRI study carried out to investigate the neural processing of non-verbal vocalisations of emotions is presented. The results show activation in pre-motor regions arising from passive listening to non-verbal emotional vocalisations, suggesting neural auditory-motor interactions in the perception of these sounds. In sum, this thesis demonstrates that non-verbal vocalisations of emotions are reliably identifiable tokens of information that belong to discrete categories. These vocalisations are recognisable across vastly different cultures and thus seem to, like facial expressions of emotions, comprise human universals. Listeners rely mainly on pitch and pitch variation to identify emotions in non verbal vocalisations, which differs with the cues used to comprehend speech. When listening to others' emotional vocalisations, a neural system of preparatory motor activation is engaged.
Referring children to a Special Dental Care Centre in the Netherlands: parents' experiences and expectations.

AIM The aim of the present study was to assess the relation between treatment at the family dentist versus referral and different aspects of treatment at a Special Dental Care Centre (SDCC), including the choice to return to their family dentist or not. The same study was performed for a group of patients recently referred to and still treated at a Special Dental Care Centre ( SDCC). METHODS A questionnaire was sent to the parents of 852 children for whom complete dental records were available. Treatment was completed for 111 children (study 1) and 170 children were recently referred and had just started treatment (study 2). RESULTS/STATISTIC: In total 281 questionnaires were returned and filled out. Parents of children who returned to their general dental practitioner (GDP) were more satisfied with their GDP treatment than parents of children who did not return to their GDP (study 1: Z=- 3.65, p<0.001; study 2: Z=-2.86, p=0.004). CONCLUSION The decision to return to the family dentist or not after treatment at a SDCC centre was based on their satisfaction with their treatment.
Methods and models for studying the individual : essays in honor of Marian Radke-Yarrow

Lawfulness in Individual Development - Robert B Cairns, Jerome Kagan and Lars R Bergman Through Categories towards Individuals - Robert A Hinde Attempting To Tease Apart the Data The Logic and Implications of a Person-Oriented Approach - David Magnusson The Value of Extreme Groups - Jerome Kagan, Nancy Snidman and Doreen Arcus A Pattern-Orientated Approach to Studying Individual Development - Lars R Bergman Snapshots and Processes The Individual in Context - Joan Stevenson-Hinde The Typological Approach to Studying Personality - Richard W Robins, Oliver P John and Avshalom Caspi Levels of Longitudinal Data Differing in Complexity and the Study of Continuity in Personality Characteristics - Lea Pulkkinen A Prospective Replication of Developmental Pathways in Disruptive and Delinquent Behavior - Rolf Loeber et al Retrospective Recall Recalled - Sir Michael Rutter et al Phenomena Regained - Robert B Cairns and Philip C Rodkin From Configurations to Pathways
Peptic ulcer disease and heart disease are associated with periprosthetic fractures after total hip replacement

Background and purpose There have been no published studies assessing the possible association of medical comorbidities with periprosthetic fracture risk. We therefore assessed whether medical comorbidity is associated with risk of periprosthetic fractures after total hip replacement (THR). Material and methods We used prospectively collected data from 1989–2008 in the Mayo Clinic Total Joint Registry for 2 cohorts: primary THR and revision THR. The main variables of interest were Deyo-Charlson comorbidities at the time of surgery. Outcome of interest was p ostoperative periprosthetic fracture at postoperative day 1 onwards. Multivariable Cox regression models were additionally adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) class, and operative diagnosis. Results We identified 14,065 primary THRs and 6,281 revision THRs with mean follow-up times of 6.3 and 5.6 years, respectively. There were 305 postoperative periprosthetic fractures in the primary THR cohort and 330 in the revision THR cohort. In patients who underwent primary THR, 2 comorbidities were associated with higher risk of periprosthetic fracture: peptic ulcer disease with adjusted hazard ratio of 1.5 (95% CI: 1.1–2.2) and heart disease with adjusted hazard ratio of 1.7 (CI: 1.2–2.4). In patients with revision THR, peptic ulcer disease was associated with a higher adjusted risk of periprosthetic fracture, 1.6 (CI: 1.1–2.3). Interpretation Peptic ulcer disease and heart disease in primary THR patients and peptic ulcer disease in revision THR patients were associated with higher postoperative periprosthetic fracture risk. Further studies are needed to understand whether disease severity or specific medications used for treatment, or both, are responsible for this association. This may allow identification of modifiable factors.
A Multilevel Analysis of Mathematically Low-Achieving Students in Singapore

In this study, TIMSS 2007 data were analysed with a particular focus on mathematically low-achieving students at grade four in Singapore. Specifically, the quantity and major characteristics of mathematically lowachieving fourth graders were examined. Furthermore, eight variables at the student level and nine variables at the school/class level were used to build the two-level hierarchical generalized linear model so as to predict the status of mathematically low-achieving fourth grader. The final model suggested that six variables at the student level, i.e. student gender, number of books at home, frequency of test language spoken at home, frequency of mathematics homework, student’s self-confidence in learning mathematics, student’s perception of school safety, and two variables at the school/class level, i.e. teacher professional development opportunity and principal’s perception of school climate significantly predicted the status of mathematically low-achieving fourth grader. Implications for educational research and practice are presented at the end of this paper.