Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Globalisation and economic regionalism: a survey and critique of the literature

The relationship of regionalism to globalisation is modelled in the literature either as open regionalism aimed at integration with the global market or as a project of resistance to global market forces. While the model of open regionalism is underwritten by the liberal political economy perspective on IPE, the resistance model pays close attention to domestic politics. Although they offer considerable insights into the globalisation-regionalism relationship, the former model lacks a realistic notion of both the international and domestic political economies, while the latter adopts a somewhat Euro-centric view of dynamics at the domestic level based on the European welfare state. This paper argues that the economic realist perspective on IPE combined with an approach to domestic politics that pays especial attention to historical and political context offers additional insights into the globalisation-regionalism relationship. First, it makes it possible to (a) identify two variants of open regionalism (a neoliberal variant and an FDI model), and (b) to advance a fourth ideal-type model of the globalisation-regionalism relationship, namely developmental regionalism. The latter model, which also draws on strategic trade theory, involves making a conceptual distinction between foreign-owned and domestic-owned capital, a distinction that is presently missed in the literature and that may be relevant in settings where domestic-owned capital plays crucial political/social roles. Second, it suggests that it is primarily domestic political economic dynamics that determines which of these models emerges in response to globalisation, although the push to regionalism may have initially come from systemic forces. The domestic level is consequently a key level of analysis in explanations of regionalism.
Monetary Policy and Sectoral Shocks: Did the Federal Reserve React Properly to the High-Tech Crisis?

The authors present an identification strategy that allows them to study the sectoral effects of monetary policy and the role that monetary policy plays in the transmission of sectoral shocks. They apply their methodology to the case of the United States and find some significant differences in the sectoral responses to monetary policy. They also find that monetary policy is a significant source of sectoral transfers. In particular, a shock to equipment and software investment, which one identifies with the high-tech crisis, induces a response by the monetary authority that generates a temporary boom in residential investment and durables consumption but has almost no effect on the high-tech sector. Finally, the authors perform an exercise evaluating the model's predictions about the automatic and more aggressive monetary policy response to a shock similar to the one that hit the United States in early 2001. They find that the actual drop in interest rates is in line with the predictions of the model.
Parametric Nonlinear Feature Equalization for Robust Speech Recognition

A new front-end normalization algorithm that uses a parametric nonlinear transformation is proposed in this paper. The method improves histogram equalization based nonlinear transformations by finding a simple and computationally inexpensive parametric expression of the nonlinear transformation. The new parametric approach relies on a two Gaussian model for the probability distribution of the features, and on a simple Gaussian classifier to label the input frames as belonging to the speech or non-speech classes. The result is a more robust equalization, less dependent on the percentage of speech and non-speech frames. Recognition experiments on the AURORA 4 database have been performed and the effectiveness of the algorithm is analyzed in comparison with other linear and nonlinear feature equalization techniques
Yeast-Based High-Throughput Screens to Identify Novel Compounds Active against Brugia malayi

Background Lymphatic filariasis is caused by the parasitic worms Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi or B. timori, which are transmitted via the bites from infected mosquitoes. Once in the human body, the parasites develop into adult worms in the lymphatic vessels, causing severe damage and swelling of the affected tissues. According to the World Health Organization, over 1.2 billion people in 58 countries are at risk of contracting lymphatic filariasis. Very few drugs are available to treat patients infected with these parasites, and these have low efficacy against the adult stages of the worms, which can live for 7–15 years in the human body. The requirement for annual treatment increases the risk of drug-resistant worms emerging, making it imperative to develop new drugs against these devastating diseases. Methodology/Principal Findings We have developed a yeast-based, high-throughput screening system whereby essential yeast genes are replaced with their filarial or human counterparts. These strains are labeled with different fluorescent proteins to allow the simultaneous monitoring of strains with parasite or human genes in competition, and hence the identification of compounds that inhibit the parasite target without affecting its human ortholog. We constructed yeast strains expressing eight different Brugia malayi drug targets (as well as seven of their human counterparts), and performed medium-throughput drug screens for compounds that specifically inhibit the parasite enzymes. Using the Malaria Box collection (400 compounds), we identified nine filarial specific inhibitors and confirmed the antifilarial activity of five of these using in vitro assays against Brugia pahangi. Conclusions/Significance We were able to functionally complement yeast deletions with eight different Brugia malayi enzymes that represent potential drug targets. We demonstrated that our yeast-based screening platform is efficient in identifying compounds that can discriminate between human and filarial enzymes. Hence, we are confident that we can extend our efforts to the construction of strains with further filarial targets (in particular for those species that cannot be cultivated in the laboratory), and perform high-throughput drug screens to identify specific inhibitors of the parasite enzymes. By establishing synergistic collaborations with researchers working directly on different parasitic worms, we aim to aid antihelmintic drug development for both human and veterinary infections.
Geographical Perspectives on Agritourism in The Czech Republic

Abstract Besides more traditional tourist enterprises, tourists in Western Europe and North America regularly seek out even more specific forms of tourist opportunities, such as products of rural tourism. Within rural tourism, agritourism has been developed in these countries as a particular subset, and its significant enhancement in post-socialist European countries was widely anticipated (especially after their integration into the European Union). While considerable and focused attention was devoted to the implementation of agritourism strategies and the characterization of agritourist space with respect to particular countries (e.g. Poland and Slovenia), in Czech geographical literature it has remained a noticeably absent topic. In this paper, central attention is paid to selected characteristics of agritourist space in the Czech Republic, analyzed on the basis of a compiled database of farms diversified into tourism at the municipality level.
Priority queuing of network game traffic over a DOCSIS Cable Modem link

Despite the greater bandwidth available for home Internet users, network problems continue to surface with regard to the mix of network applications being run. The ease in which Internet sharing can be configured, coupled with the increase in the number of computers present in consumer residences, increase the likelihood that concurrent network applications will have to compete for access to a limited bandwidth resource. The performance of applications such as network games and VoIP is heavily dependent on transmission delays and packet loss rates, which can be improved through priority queuing at the Internet Access device to minimise the impact of queuing delay. In this paper we compare the performance of both regular TCP traffic and network game traffic competing for Internet bandwidth on a DOCSIS Cable Modem link to quantify the performance gain and loss of both applications in an environment where priority queuing is enabled for game traffic. Our results show that the decrease in queuing delay and packet loss rate experienced by game flows is significant in the case of prioritised queuing while the un-prioritised TCP flows experience a slight drop in network performance.
In Vivo Cross-sectional Characterization of Cerebral Alterations Induced by Intracerebroventricular Administration of Streptozotocin

Cerebral aging is often associated with the occurrence of neurodegenerative diseases leading to dementia. Animal models are critical to elucidate mechanisms associated to dementia and to evaluate neuroprotective drugs. Rats that received intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin (icv-STZ) have been reported as a model of dementia. In these animals, this drug induces oxidative stress and brain glucose metabolism impairments associated to insulin signal transduction failure. These mechanisms are reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and other dementia. Icv-STZ rats also display memory impairments. However, little is known about the precise location of the lesions induced by STZ administration. In this context, the present study characterized the cerebral lesions induced by two-doses of icv-STZ by using high-field magnetic resonance imaging to easily and longitudinally detect cerebral abnormalities and by using immunohistochemistry to evaluate neuronal loss and neuroinflammation (astrocytosis and microgliosis). We showed that, at high doses, icv-STZ induces severe and acute neurodegenerative lesions in the septum and corpus callosum. The lesions are associated with an inflammation process. They are less severe and more progressive at low doses. The relevance of high and low doses of icv-STZ to mimic dementia and evaluate new drugs is discussed in the final part of this article.
Flow and Pokémon GO: The Contribution of Game Level, Playing Alone, and Nostalgia to the Flow State

Purpose: Although there has been research examining the physical benefits of playing the mobile augmented reality exergame, Pokemon GO (released in July 2016), the mental health benefits have not been investigated. Therefore, to add to the body of knowledge concerning the mental health benefits of playing exergames in the new context of augmented-reality mobile games, this study investigated the positive and beneficial concept of flow and its association with playing Pokemon GO. Design/Method/Approach: A quantitative survey of 202 adult players of Pokemon GO using two validated survey instruments, measuring flow and nostalgia, investigated the correlation between the beneficial state of flow, and playing Pokemon GO. Additionally, thematic analysis was used to analyse participant responses to optional, open-ended questions. Findings: Significant predictors for 27% of variance in flow levels of Pokemon GO players were: game level achieved, playing alone, nostalgia for Pokemon from childhood, and playing with family. The themes identified by thematic analysis of participant comments concerned the beneficial effects they considered Pokemon GO was having on their social, mental, and physical well-being. ;
A Statistical Model for Multilingual Entity Detection and Tracking

Abstract : Entity detection and tracking is a relatively new addition to the repertoire of natural language tasks. In this paper, we present a statistical language-independent framework for identifying and tracking named, nominal and pronominal references to entities within unrestricted text documents, and chaining them into clusters corresponding to each logical entity present in the text. Both the mention detection model and the novel entity tracking model can use arbitrary feature types, being able to integrate a wide array of lexical, syntactic and semantic features. In addition, the mention detection model crucially uses feature streams derived from different named entity classifiers. The proposed framework is evaluated with several experiments run in Arabic, Chinese and English texts; a system based on the approach described here and submitted to the latest Automatic Content Extraction (ACE) evaluation achieved top-tier results in all three evaluation languages.
Examining Repeaters’ Performance on Second Language Proficiency Tests: A Review and a Call for Research

ABSTRACT As the number of candidates who repeat English language proficiency tests more than once to meet a certain cutscore (e.g., for university admission) or to demonstrate progress (e.g., after instruction) continues to increase dramatically, there is a need for more research on the attributes and test performance of test repeaters. This article provides an initial discussion of some of the key validity issues that can arise when interpreting and using repeaters’ scores on second-language (L2) proficiency tests and some of the methodological considerations and challenges when examining repeaters’ test performance. A key validity question is whether changes in repeaters’ test scores across test occasions are due mainly to changes in the construct of interest. Another question is whether construct-irrelevant factors contribute significantly to variability in test scores across test occasions. The article concludes with a call for more research on the attributes and performance of repeaters of L2 proficiency tests to inform the validity arguments of these tests, test score users, and test validation and L2 acquisition research in general.
Finding sparse connectivity patterns in power-constrained ad-hoc networks for accelerating consensus algorithms

In this paper, we show how to critically sparsify a given network while improving the convergence rate of the associated average consensus algorithm. Thus, instead of adding new links or reallocating them, we propose novel distributed methods to find much sparser networks with better convergence results than the original denser ones. We propose two distributed algorithms; a) in the first one, each node solves a local optimization problem using only its two-hop neighborhood, b) the second one is a distributed algorithm based on using, at each node, the power method. As compared with previous work, the reduction in the number of active links is doubled while improving the convergence rate and having a much lower power consumption. Simulation results are presented to verify and show clearly the efficiency of our approach.
Patent ductus arteriosus: lack of evidence for common treatments

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a common diagnosis among extremely premature infants, especially in those with lung disease. Treatments are often used to close the PDA. Despite nearly three decades of research, the question of whether the benefits of treatments to prevent ductal patency or promote closure outweigh the risks of these treatments remains unanswered. The authors rarely use treatments designed to close the PDA. This article reviews three considerations in support of this restrained approach: rates of spontaneous closure of the ductus arteriosus; adverse effect of persistent ductal patency; and benefits and risks of treatments for closure.
Study Skills Assessment among Undergraduate Students at a Private University College in Oman

Abstract This paper reports findings of a small-scale descriptive study that was conducted to assess the level of study skills possessed by undergraduate students enrolled in Engineering, Business Studies and Computing programs at a private University College in Oman. The study explored whether there is any correlation between study skills and academic performance and whether study skills vary in terms of gender, specialization and levels of study. A pre-tested Study Skills Inventory developed by Dennis Congo was administered on the sample. Data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Among other things, the study established that most of the students lack some fundamental study skills such as critical and creative thinking as well as time management and test preparation.
New media, new movements? The role of the internet in shaping the ‘anti‐globalization’ movement

Abstract Collective action and social movement protest has become commonplace in our ‘demonstration‐democracy’ and no longer surprises the media or the public. However, as will be shown, this was not the case with the recent anti‐globalization protests that attracted demonstrators from countries all over the world. The battles of Seattle, Washington, Prague and Genoa, with an unforeseen mixture of nationalities and movements, became world news. Interestingly, the new media seemed to play a crucial role in the organization of these global protests. This article maps this movement‐in‐progress via an analysis of the websites of anti‐globalization, or more specifically anti‐neo‐liberal globalization organizations. It examines the contribution of these sites to three different conditions that establish movement formation; collective identity; actual mobilization and a network of organizations. This ongoing, explorative research indicates signs of an integration of different organizations involved and attributes an important role to the Internet. However, whilst both our methodology and subject are evolving rapidly, conclusions, as our initial results show, must be tempered.
Analysis of dynamical characteristic of canonical deterministic PSO

A particle swarm optimization (PSO) system is one of the powerful systems for solving global optimization problems. The PSO algorithm can search an optimal value of a given evaluation function quickly compared with other proposed meta-heuristics algorithms. The conventional PSO system contains some random factors, therefore, the dynamics of the system can be regarded as stochastic dynamics. In order to analyze the dynamics rigorously, some papers pay attention to deterministic PSO systems which does not contain any stochastic factors. According to these results, the eigenvalues of the system impinge on the dynamics of the particles. Depending on the parameter, the searching ability of the deterministic PSO is decreased. Also, the eigenvalue is complex conjugate number, the system exhibits remarkable searching ability. In order to overcome this, we propose a canonical deterministic PSO which can control its eigenvalues easily, and can improve the searching ability. The dynamics of the system can characterize the damping factor and the rotation angle which can derive from its eigenvalue. We will confirm relation between these parameters and the searching ability of the optimal value from some numerical simulations.
Cosmological constraints on primordial black holes produced in the near-critical gravitational collapse

The mass function of primordial black holes created through the near-critical gravitational collapse is calculated in a manner fairly independent of the statistical distribution of underlying density fluctuation, assuming that it has a sharp peak on a specific scale. Comparing it with various cosmological constraints on their mass spectrum, some newly excluded range is found in the volume fraction of the region collapsing into black holes as a function of the horizon mass.
Development of a system for the automatic detection of air embolism using a precordial Doppler

Venous air embolism (VAE) is the air bubble accumulation in the right side of the heart. Changes in Doppler heart sound (DHS) are characteristic of VAE, and the anesthesiologist has to pay attention to this event continuously, which may not always be possible. This work aims to study different features of the heart sound through a precordial Doppler, that may provide useful information on VAE episodes. A clinical protocol was designed, and DHS was collected at baseline and following infusions of saline with 4 distinct volumes (1ml, 5ml, 8ml and 10ml), and two infusion rates (slow and fast), given by central and peripheric catheters. Signal was pre-processed, the envelope of each signal was extracted, and five features were implemented and evaluated: frequency corresponding to 95% of Welch periodogram power (f95), frequency corresponding to 50% of Welch periodogram power (f50), frequency corresponding to maximum power spectral density (fm), entropy (E), and frequency corresponding to maximum energy of a wavelet transform (freqwav). Relation between extracted features and saline infusions were studied and compared to baseline values. A Graphical User Interface (GUI) with a database of Doppler heart sounds and annotations was also developed. Although features present a high variability between patients, E presents a better performance showing an increase in response to saline injections (in 75% injections), followed by f95 (62%), fm (56.3%), freqwav (37.5%) and f50 (0%).
A Logic of Visibility , Perception , and Knowledge : Completeness and Correspondence Results

VSK logic is a family of multi-modal logics for reasoning about t he information properties of computational agents situated in some enviro ment. UsingVSK logic, we can represent what is objectively trueof the environment, the information that isvisible, or knowableabout the environment, information the agent perceivesof the environment, and finally, information the agent actua lly knowsabout the environment. The semantics of VSK logic are given in terms of a general, automata-like model of agents. In this paper, we prove compl eteness for an axiomatisation ofVSK logic, and present correspondence results for a number of VSK interaction axioms in terms of the architectural propertie s of the agent that they represent. This completeness proof is novel in that we a re able to prove completeness with respect to the automata-like semantics of th e formalism. We give an example to illustrate the formalism, and present conclusio ns and issues for further work. Topic Area: Logics for Practical Reasoning
RETHINKING INDUSTRIAL POLICY bruegel policybrief

Our new evidence on the effectiveness of government intervention should lead policymakers to revisit industrial policy. If the EU is to grow and compete globally, there is a case for the European Commission to allow national or EU sectoral aid, if it is appropriately designed and governed to encourage the redirection of innovation and production. Horizontal support and sectoral aid for upstream research and development are on their own not sufficient to foster the transformation of the European economy. A robust competition policy remains essential to avoid rent-seeking and to favour entry. But it should go hand in hand with greater government economic activism. 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160
Familial Factors Predicting Attitudes Toward Domestic Violence in African American Adolescents

Familial Factors Predicting Attitudes Toward Domestic Violence in African American Adolescents by Cassandra Clarke-Williams MS, McDaniel College, 2009 MA, University of Baltimore, 2006 BS, York College, City University of New York, 2001 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Counselor Education and Supervision, Trauma, and Crisis Specialization Walden University August 2017