Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Drivers of Demand Growth for Mobile Telecommunications Services : Evidence from International Panel Data

This paper reports the results from an econometric analysis of global mobile telephony demand growth as a function of various market and regulatory variables and unobservable country and region-specific factors. Using panel data from 1996-2000, we investigate the drivers of mobile services demand growth in a selected panel of developed and developing countries. We explore, in particular, the effects on that demand growth of the quality of the existing fixed network, the presence of a separate (and, possibly, independent) regulator, and the offering of innovative pricing arrangements, such as Calling Party Pays and prepaid services. We find that although those effects are, for the most part, as expected, there is mixed evidence on the role of the regulator and of the price structure innovations.
Why Are Proactive People More Satisfied With Their Job, Career, and Life? An Examination of the Role of Work Engagement

This study is a response to the call to examine motivational mechanisms linking proactive personality and outcomes. We examined proactive personality as a dispositional antecedent of work and life satisfaction, asserting that work engagement mediates the proactive personality—satisfaction relationships. With data collected from 365 employees from diverse backgrounds, we found support for our research model. Results of structural equation modeling indicate that proactive personality serves as a dispositional antecedent of work engagement, and work engagement fully mediated proactive personality’s relationship with job satisfaction and partially mediated its relationship with career satisfaction and life satisfaction. We discuss implications of results for theory and practice and offer suggestions for future research.
Endophytic Fungi in Species of Artemisia

The genus Artemisia, a collection of ~400 hardy herbaceous plant and shrub species, is an important resource contributing to chemistry, medicine, agriculture, industry, and ecology. Its communities of endophytic fungi have only recently begun to be explored. Summarized from studies conducted on the fungal endophytes in Artemisia species, both fungal phylogenetic diversity and the associated bioactivity was examined. Isolations from 14 species of Artemisia have led to 51 genera of fungal endophytes, 28 families, and 18 orders. Endophytes belonged mainly to Ascomycota, except for two taxa of Cantharellales and Sporidiobolales, one taxon of Mucoromycota, and one species of Oomycota. The mostly common families were Pleosporaceae, Trichocomaceae, Leptosphaeriaceae, and Botryosphaeriaceae (relative abundance = 14.89, 8.51, 7.14 and 6.38, respectively). In the search for bioactive metabolites, 27 novel compounds were characterized and 22 metabolites were isolated between 2006 and 2017. The first study on endophytic fungi isolated from species of Artemisia was published but 18 years ago. This summary of recently acquired data illustrates the considerable diversity of biological purposes addressed by fungal endophytes of Artemisia spp.
DCCast: Efficient Point to Multipoint Transfers Across Datacenters

Using multiple datacenters allows for higher availability, load balancing and reduced latency to customers of cloud services. To distribute multiple copies of data, cloud providers depend on inter-datacenter WANs that ought to be used efficiently considering their limited capacity and the ever-increasing data demands. In this paper, we focus on applications that transfer objects from one datacenter to several datacenters over dedicated inter-datacenter networks. We present DCCast, a centralized Point to Multi-Point (P2MP) algorithm that uses forwarding trees to efficiently deliver an object from a source datacenter to required destination datacenters. With low computational overhead, DCCast selects forwarding trees that minimize bandwidth usage and balance load across all links. With simulation experiments on Google's GScale network, we show that DCCast can reduce total bandwidth usage and tail Transfer Completion Times (TCT) by up to $50\%$ compared to delivering the same objects via independent point-to-point (P2P) transfers.
Animal models of cannabinoid reward

The endogenous cannabinoid system is involved in numerous physiological and neuropsychological functions. Medications that target this system hold promise for the treatment of a wide variety of disorders. However, as reward is one of the most prominent of these functions, medications that activate this system must be evaluated for abuse potential. Meanwhile, cannabis is already being used chronically by millions of people, many of whom eventually seek treatment for cannabis dependence. Therefore, there is a need for procedures that can be used to: (i) better understand the mechanisms of cannabinoid reward; (ii) evaluate the abuse potential of new medications; and (iii) evaluate the effectiveness of medications developed for treating cannabis dependence. Animal models of cannabinoid reward provide a means of accomplishing these goals. In this review, we briefly describe and evaluate these models, their advantages and their shortcomings. Special emphasis is placed on intravenous cannabinoid self‐administration in squirrel monkeys, a valid, reliable and flexible model that we have developed over the past decade. Although the conditions under which cannabinoid drugs have rewarding effects may be more restricted than with other drugs of abuse such as cocaine and heroin, work with these models indicates that cannabinoid reward involves similar brain mechanisms and produces the same kinds of reward‐related behaviour. By continuing to use these animal models as tools in the development of new medications, it should be possible to take advantage of the potential benefits provided by the endocannabinoid system while minimizing its potential for harm.
Comparison between the TRS-398 code of practice and the TG-51 dosimetry protocol for flattening filter free beams

Dosimetry protocols for external beam radiotherapy currently in use, such as the IAEA TRS-398 and AAPM TG-51, were written for conventional linear accelerators. In these accelerators, a flattening filter is used to produce a beam which is uniform at water depths where the ionization chamber is used to measure the absorbed dose. Recently, clinical linacs have been implemented without the flattening filter, and published theoretical analysis suggested that with these beams a dosimetric error of order 0.6% could be expected for IAEA TRS-398, because the TPR20,10 beam quality index does not accurately predict the stopping power ratio (water to air) for the softer flattening-filter-free (FFF) beam spectra. We measured doses on eleven FFF linacs at 6 MV and 10 MV using both dosimetry protocols and found average differences of 0.2% or less. The expected shift due to stopping powers was not observed. We present Monte Carlo kQ calculations which show a much smaller difference between FFF and flattened beams than originally predicted. These results are explained by the inclusion of the added backscatter plates and build-up filters used in modern clinical FFF linacs, compared to a Monte Carlo model of an FFF linac in which the flattening filter is removed and no additional build-up or backscatter plate is added.
Measurable, malleable, and contributory: Toward a motivational framework for reducing risk of HIV/AIDS

ABSTRACT This article models key motivational factors that contribute to youth effort and future intentions to resist risk behaviors for HIV/AIDS. Quantitative questionnaire data were collected from 6,816 youth ages 10–24, in high-risk communities in Kenya and Tanzania. Lisrel 9.1 analysis tested a best-fitting model for individual and environmental predictors of youth effort and intentions to resist HIV/AIDS risk. It yielded 12 statistically significant paths that explained 46–65% of variance in abstinence effort and self-efficacy, future intentions, and success expectations. It represents a relatively comprehensive motivational framework to date for predicting youth resistance to HIV/AIDS risk.
First isolation and molecular characterization of Suid herpesvirus type 1 from a domestic dog in Argentina

Since Aujeszky`s disease (pseudorabies), which is caused by Suid herpesvirus type 1 (SuHV-1), was first notified in Argentina in 1978, many SuHV-1 strains have been isolated from swine. However, this disease can affect other vertebrates, such as dogs (secondary hosts), and lead to fatal neurological disease. The objective of the current work is to report the first isolation and molecular characterization of SuHV-1 from a dead domestic dog from Santa Fe Province (Argentina), which had had nervous signs compatible with pseudorabies. Samples of brain and trigeminal ganglia from this dog were obtained and fixed in formol for histopathology, and virology studies were conducted after cell disruption. Supernatants of both samples were inoculated onto RK13 cells and, after 72 h, DNA was extracted with phenol-chloroform. Purified DNA was cut with a restriction enzyme and subjected to agarose gel and an aliquot was used to amplify the gD and gC genes by PCR. The gC sequence was compared with other public sequences. The strain isolated from the dog was similar to other Argentinean swine strains.
On the Interplay between Non-Functional Requirements and Builds on Continuous Integration

Continuous Integration (CI) implies that a whole developer team works together on the mainline of a software project. CI systems automate the builds of a software. Sometimes a developer checks in code, which breaks the build. A broken build might not be a problem by itself, but it has the potential to disrupt co-workers, hence it affects the performance of the team. In this study, we investigate the interplay between non-functional requirements (NFRs) and builds statuses from 1,283 software projects. We found significant differences among NFRs related-builds statuses. Thus, tools can be proposed to improve CI with focus on new ways to prevent failures into CI, specially for efficiency and usability related builds. Also, the time required to put a broken build back on track indicates a bimodal distribution along all NFRs, with higher peaks within a day and lower peaks in six weeks. Our results suggest that more planned schedule for maintainability for Ruby, and for functionality and reliability for Java would decrease delays related to broken builds.
On the Quantum Phase Operator for Coherent States

In papers by Lynch [Phys. Rev. A 41 2841 (1990)] and Gerry and Urbanski [Phys. Rev. A 42 662 (1990)] it has been argued that the phase-fluctuation laser experiments of Gerhardt, Buchler and Lifkin [Phys. Lett. 49A 119 (1974)] are in good agreement with the variance of the Pegg–Barnett phase operator for a coherent state, even for a small number of photons. We argue that this is not conclusive. In fact, we show that the variance of the phase in fact depends on the relative phase between the phase of the coherent state and the off-set phase 0 of the Pegg–Barnett phase operator. This off-set phase is replaced with the phase of a reference beam in an actual experiment and we show that several choices of such a relative phase can be fitted to the experimental data. We also discuss the Noh, Fougeres and Mandel [Phys. Rev. A 46 2840 (1992)] relative phase experiment in terms of the Pegg–Barnett phase taking post-selection conditions into account.
Beat the Fear of Public Speaking: Mobile 360° Video Virtual Reality Exposure Training in Home Environment Reduces Public Speaking Anxiety

With this article, we aim to increase our understanding of how mobile virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) can help reduce speaking anxiety. Using the results of a longitudinal study, we examined the effect of a new VRET strategy (Public Speech Trainer, PST), that incorporates 360° live recorded VR environments, on the reduction of public speaking anxiety. The PST was developed as a 360° smartphone application for a VR head-mounted device that participants could use at home. Realistic anxiety experiences were created by means of live 360° video recordings of a lecture hall containing three training sessions based on graded exposure framework; empty classroom (a) and with a small (b) and large audience (c). Thirty-five students participated in all sessions using PST. Anxiety levels were measured before and after each session over a period of 4 weeks. As expected, speaking anxiety significantly decreased after the completion of all PST sessions, and the decrement was the strongest in participants with initially high speaking anxiety baseline levels. Results also revealed that participants with moderate and high speaking anxiety baseline level differ in the anxiety state pattern over time. Conclusively and in line with habituation theory, the results supported the notion that VRET is more effective when aimed at reducing high-state anxiety levels. Further implications for future research and improvement of current VRET strategies are discussed.
Gravitational F-terms of SO/Sp gauge theories and anomalies

We study the first non trivial gravitational corrections to the F-terms of = 1 SYM SO/Sp gauge theories, with matter in some representations, by using the generalized Konishi anomaly method. We derive equations at genus one for the operators in the chiral ring and compare them with the loop equations of the corresponding matrix models, finding agreement. We find that for adjoint representation the genus 0 contributions to such corrections can be adsorbed by a field redefinition; remarkably, this is not the case for matter in the (anti-)symmetric representation of (Sp) SO.
Optimal securitization of credit portfolios via impulse control

We study the optimal loan securitization policy of a commercial bank which is mainly engaged in lending activities. For this we propose a stylized dynamic model which contains the main features affecting the securitization decision. In line with reality we assume that there are non-negligible fixed and variable transaction costs associated with each securitization. The fixed transaction costs lead to a formulation of the optimization problem in an impulse control framework. We prove viscosity solution existence and uniqueness for the quasi-variational inequality associated with this impulse control problem. Iterated optimal stopping is used to find a numerical solution of this PDE, and numerical examples are discussed.
Effect of MR Imaging Contrast Thresholds on Prediction of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Response in Breast Cancer Subtypes: A Subgroup Analysis of the ACRIN 6657/I-SPY 1 TRIAL

Functional tumor volume (FTV) measurements by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging can predict treatment outcomes for women receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. Here, we explore whether the contrast thresholds used to define FTV could be adjusted by breast cancer subtype to improve predictive performance. Absolute FTV and percent change in FTV (ΔFTV) at sequential time-points during treatment were calculated and investigated as predictors of pathologic complete response at surgery. Early percent enhancement threshold (PEt) and signal enhancement ratio threshold (SERt) were varied. The predictive performance of resulting FTV predictors was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. A total number of 116 patients were studied both as a full cohort and in the following groups defined by hormone receptor (HR) and HER2 receptor subtype: 45 HR+/HER2−, 39 HER2+, and 30 triple negatives. High AUCs were found at different ranges of PEt and SERt levels in different subtypes. Findings from this study suggest that the predictive performance to treatment response by MRI varies by contrast thresholds, and that pathologic complete response prediction may be improved through subtype-specific contrast enhancement thresholds. A validation study is underway with a larger patient population.
Entropies of Weighted Sums in Cyclic Groups and an Application to Polar Codes

In this note, the following basic question is explored: in a cyclic group, how are the Shannon entropies of the sum and difference of i.i. d. random variables related to each other? For the integer group, we show that they can differ by any real number additively, but not too much multiplicatively; on the other hand, for $\mathbb{Z}/3\mathbb{Z}$, the entropy of the difference is always at least as large as that of the sum. These results are closely related to the study of more-sum-than-difference (i.e. MSTD) sets in additive combinatorics. We also investigate polar codes for $q$-ary input channels using non-canonical kernels to construct the generator matrix, and present applications of our results to constructing polar codes with significantly improved error probability compared to the canonical construction.
Social and emotional functions in three patients with medial frontal lobe damage including the anterior cingulate cortex

Introduction. The aim of this study was to explore social and emotional functions in patients with medial frontal damage including the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Methods. Three patients with medial frontal lobe lesions primarily involving the ACC performed tasks on motivational decision making, emotional facial expression recognition, and social cognition, including theory of mind (ToM). Their performance on these tasks was compared with age and education matched healthy controls. Results. Patient performance on the motivational decision making and social situations tasks did not differ from controls. Selective emotional facial expression recognition impairment for fear was evident in one patient with a unilateral right ACC lesion (patient 3). ToM impairment was present in only one patient with a bilateral ACC lesion (patient 2). In contrast, the two patients with unilateral right ACC lesions had intact ToM (patients 1 and 3). Conclusions. These findings suggest that medial frontal lobe lesions primarily involving the ACC do not appear to critically disrupt motivational decision making or social situation processing. The ACC plays a role in processing particular types of emotion (fear). Bilateral ACC damage impairs ToM processing, but unilateral damage to the right ACC is not sufficient to disrupt ToM.
Cultural difference in neural mechanisms of self-recognition

Abstract Self-construals are different between Western and East Asian cultures in that the Western self emphasizes self-focused attention more, whereas the East Asian self stresses the fundamental social connections between people more. To investigate whether such cultural difference in self-related processing extends to face recognition, we recorded event-related potentials from British and Chinese subjects while they judged head orientations of their own face or a familiar face in visual displays. For the British, the own-face induced faster responses and a larger negative activity at 280–340 ms over the frontal-central area (N2) relative to the familiar face. In contrast, the Chinese showed weakened self-advantage in behavioral responses and reduced anterior N2 amplitude to the own-face compared with the familiar face. Our findings suggest that enhanced social salience of one's own face results in different neurocognitive processes of self-recognition in Western and Chinese cultures.
Family structure and childhood obesity: results of the IDEFICS Project

Abstract Objective To analyse the association between family structure and adiposity in children. Design Cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis of the IDEFICS (Identification and prevention of dietary- and lifestyle-induced health effects in children and infants) study cohort. Setting Primary schools and kindergartens. Subjects Children (n 12 350; aged 7·9 (sd 1·8) years) for the cross-sectional analysis and children (n 5236; at baseline: normal weight, aged 5·9 (sd 1·8) years) for the longitudinal study underwent anthropometry. Family structure was analysed as (i) number and type of cohabiting adults and (ii) number of siblings. Results In the cross-sectional analysis, after controlling for covariates, children living with grandparents had significantly higher BMI Z-score than those living with both parents (0·63; 95 % CI 0·33, 0·92 v. 0·19; 95 % CI 0·17, 0·22; P < 0·01); in addition, the higher the number of siblings, the lower the BMI Z-score (only child = 0·31; 95 % CI 0·24, 0·38; 1 sibling = 0·19; 95 % CI 0·16, 0·23; 2 siblings = 0·15; 95 % CI 0·09, 0·20; >2 siblings = 0·07, 95 % CI 0·04, 0·19; P < 0·001). Over the 2-year follow-up, differences in weight gain were observed across family-structure categories. Further, the risk of incidence of overweight/obesity was significantly lower the higher the number of siblings living in the household (v. only child: 1 sibling = 0·74, 95 % CI 0·57, 0·96; 2 siblings = 0·63, 95 % CI 0·45, 0·88; >2 siblings = 0·40, 95 % CI 0·21, 0·77), independently of confounders. Conclusions The study suggests that an independent association between family structure and childhood obesity exists.
Teaching (with) love: relational engagement in educational settings

Supervisory Committee Dr. Jennifer White, School of Child and Youth Care, University of Victoria Supervisor Dr. Carol Stuart, Departmental Member, School of Child and Youth Care, University of Victoria Co-Supervisor The purpose of this study was to investigate school professionals’ conceptualizations and experiences of love in their work with children. In order to investigate the place of love in educational settings, semi-structured interviews with school professionals were conducted. Results from the interviews were analysed using thematic analysis and feedback on the identified themes was provided by participants during a second phase of interviewing. There was agreement among all participants that loving practice and good pedagogical practice are compatible, and that loving practice benefits students’ overall school experience. Key similarities across participants’ descriptions of loving practice include; the importance of positive relationships and positive boundaries within these relationships, the social, emotional and academic benefits of loving practice, and the relevance of self-care. Parallels are drawn between understandings of praxis in child and youth care and loving practice as defined by the participants in this study. The roles of building community and conscious reflection in loving practice are also explored. Through this work, I hope to offer the reader an opportunity to be more mindful about the role of love in their own professional practice.
A Formal Graph Model for RDF and Its Implementation

Formalizing an RDF abstract graph model to be compatible with the RDF formal semantics has remained one of the foundational problems in the Semantic Web. In this paper, we propose a new formal graph model for RDF datasets. This model allows us to express the current model-theoretic semantics in the form of a graph. We also propose the concepts of resource path and triple path as well as an algorithm for traversing the new graph. We demonstrate the feasibility of this graph model through two implementations: one is a new graph engine called GraphKE, and the other is extended from RDF-3X to show that existing systems can also benefit from this model. In order to evaluate the empirical aspect of our graph model, we choose the shortest path algorithm and implement it in the GraphKE and the RDF-3X. Our experiments on both engines for finding the shortest paths in the YAGO2S-SP dataset give decent performance in terms of execution time. The empirical results show that our graph model with well-defined semantics can be effectively implemented.