Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Economic Returns to Social Interaction: Experimental Evidence from Microfinance

Microfinance clients were randomly assigned to repayment groups that met either weekly or monthly during their first loan cycle, and then graduated to identical meeting frequency for their second loan. Long-run survey data and a follow-up public goods experiment reveal that clients initially assigned to weekly groups interact more often and exhibit a higher willingness to pool risk with group members from their first loan cycle nearly 2 years after the experiment. They were also three times less likely to default on their second loan. Evidence from an additional treatment arm shows that, holding meeting frequency fixed, the pattern is insensitive to repayment frequency during the first loan cycle. Taken together, these findings constitute the first experimental evidence on the economic returns to social interaction, and provide an alternative explanation for the success of the group lending model in reducing default risk. Copyright 2013, Oxford University Press.
Environmental Perceptions of Gifted Secondary School Students Engaged in an Evidence-Based Enrichment Practice

Grounded in the Achievement Orientation Model, this qualitative case study examines participation in enrichment and environmental perceptions of gifted secondary school students. Participants included 10 gifted secondary school students, their parents, and their classroom teacher. Data included student, parent, and teacher responses in semistructured interviews, short answer surveys, and student work. Findings indicated a relationship between participation in enrichment and environmental perceptions. Student participants benefited from a teacher trained in gifted education who nurtured both affective and cognitive development, homogeneous grouping with like-minded peers, involved parents, and relationships with project mentors. These findings have implications for designing learning environments that effectively support the special needs of gifted secondary school learners.
Toward Opening Book Learning

In this chapter an opening book framework for game-playing programs is presented. Motivated by basic requirements for successfully playing a sequence of games--such as avoiding losing games twice in the same way--it is shown how reasonable move alternatives can be found in order to deviate from previous lines of play. Variants of the algorithm are used by several of today's best Othello programs and allow them to extend their opening books automatically.
Determination of Near-Surface Anisotropy From Surface Electromagnetic Data

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) signatures, such as reflection moveout, are sensitive to the presence of azimuthal anisotropy. Azimuthal anisotropy can occur as an intrinsic property of the medium and/or due to the presence of fractures. In such cases, the GPR normal moveout (NMO) velocity, along different orientations of common-midpoint (CMP) gathers, varies with azimuth. This fact is well known in surface reflection seismology. The azimuthal variation of the NMO velocity in an arbitrary medium is elliptical. Considering the analogy between seismic wave propagation in surface seismology and GPR sounding, we can transfer some of the ideas between both fields, including the ellipticity of the NMO velocity in a fractured medium. Here, we discuss briefly GPR reflection moveout in azimuthally anisotropic media. Our study focuses on the transverse mode of electromagnetic wave propagation in which the polarization is normal to the incidence plane of the CMP gathers. A field data example is presented in which three GPR CMP gathers are acquired along three different azimuths, 60◦ apart, over a fractured medium. Our data analysis demonstrates the azimuthal variation of the GPR NMO velocity, which is utilized to invert for the local orientation of the fracture system in the near surface. The results obtained from the field example agree with the information obtained from geology and near surface studies. This work has important applications in imaging near surface geologic structures and in the determination of tectonic-induced fractures in the near surface.
Evidence of impact of aviation on cirrus cloud formation

This work examines changes in cirrus cloud cover (CCC) in possible association with aviation activities at congested air corridors. The analysis is based on the latest version of the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project D2 data set and covers the period 1984-1998. Over the studied areas, the effect of large-scale modes of natural climate variability such as ENSO, QBO and NAO as well as the possible influence of the tropopause variability, were first removed from the cloud data set in order to calculate long-term changes of observed cirrus cloudiness. The results show increasing trends in (CCC) between 1984 and 1998 over the high air traffic corridors of North America, North Atlantic and Europe. Of these upward trends, only in the summertime over the North Atlantic and only in the wintertime over North America are statistically significant (exceeding +2.0% per decade). Over adjacent locations with low air traffic, the calculated trends are statistically insignificant and in most cases negative both during winter and summer in the regions studied. These negative trends, over low air traffic regions, are consistent with the observed large scale negative trends seen in (CCC) over most of the northern middle latitudes and over the tropics. Moreover, further investigation of vertical velocities over high and low air traffic regions provide evidence that the trends of opposite signs in (CCC) over these regions, do not seem to be caused by different trends in dynamics. It is also shown that the longitudinal distribution of decadal changes in (CCC) along the latitude belt centered at the North Atlantic air corridor, parallels the spatial distribution of fuel consumption from highflying air traffic, providing an independent test of possible impact of aviation on contrail cirrus formation. The correlation between the fuel consumption and the longitudinal variability of (CCC) is significant (+0.7) over the middle latitudes but not over the tropics. This could be explained by the fact that over the tropics the variability of (CCC) is dominated by dynamics while at middle latitudes microphysics explain most of its variability. Results from this study are compared with other studies and for different periods of records and it appears that there exists general agreement as to the evidence of a possible aviation effect on high cloud positive trends over regions with congested air traffic.
Specific genomic and transcriptomic aberrations in tumors induced by partial hepatectomy of a chronically inflamed murine liver

Resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumors by partial hepatectomy (PHx) is associated with promoting hepatocarcinogenesis. We have previously reported that PHx promotes hepatocarcinogenesis in the Mdr2-knockout (Mdr2-KO) mouse, a model for inflammation-mediated HCC. Now, to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the tumor-promoting effect of PHx, we compared genomic and transcriptomic profiles of HCC tumors developing in the Mdr2-KO mice either spontaneously or following PHx. PHx accelerated HCC development in these mice by four months. PHx-induced tumors had major chromosomal aberrations: all were amplifications affecting multiple chromosomes. Most of these amplifications were located near the acrocentric centromeres of murine chromosomes. Four different chromosomal regions were amplified each in at least three tumors. The human orthologs of these common amplified regions are known to be amplified in HCC. All tumors of untreated mice had chromosomal aberrations, including both deletions and amplifications. Amplifications in spontaneous tumors affected fewer chromosomes and were not located preferentially at the chromosomal edges. Comparison of gene expression profiles revealed a significantly enriched expression of oncogenes, chromosomal instability markers and E2F1 targets in the post-PHx compared to spontaneous tumors. Both tumor groups shared the same frequent amplification at chromosome 18. Here, we revealed that one of the regulatory genes encoded by this amplified region, Crem, was over-expressed in the nuclei of murine and human HCC cells in vivo, and that it stimulated proliferation of human HCC cells in vitro. Our results demonstrate that PHx of a chronically inflamed liver directed tumor development to a discrete pathway characterized by amplification of specific chromosomal regions and expression of specific tumor-promoting genes. Crem is a new candidate HCC oncogene frequently amplified in this model and frequently over-expressed in human HCC.
Two novel regulators of N‐acetyl‐galactosamine utilization pathway and distinct roles in bacterial infections

Bacterial pathogens can exploit metabolic pathways to facilitate their successful infection cycles, but little is known about roles of d‐galactosamine (GalN)/N‐acetyl‐d‐galactosamine (GalNAc) catabolism pathway in bacterial pathogenesis. Here, we report the genomic reconstruction of GalN/GalNAc utilization pathway in Streptococci and the diversified aga regulons. We delineated two new paralogous AgaR regulators for the GalN/GalNAc catabolism pathway. The electrophoretic mobility shift assays experiment demonstrated that AgaR2 (AgaR1) binds the predicted palindromes, and the combined in vivo data from reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and RNA‐seq suggested that AgaR2 (not AgaR1) can effectively repress the transcription of the target genes. Removal of agaR2 (not agaR1) from Streptococcus suis 05ZYH33 augments significantly the abilities of both adherence to Hep‐2 cells and anti‐phagocytosis against RAW264.7 macrophage. As anticipated, the dysfunction in AgaR2‐mediated regulation of S. suis impairs its pathogenicity in experimental models of both mice and piglets. Our finding discovered two novel regulators specific for GalN/GalNAc catabolism and assigned them distinct roles into bacterial infections. To the best of our knowledge, it might represent a first paradigm that links the GalN/GalNAc catabolism pathway to bacterial pathogenesis.
Convergence and asymptotic agreement in distributed decision problems

We consider a distributed team decision problem in which different agents obtain from the environment different stochastic measurements, possibly at different random times, related to the same uncertain random vector. Each agent has the same objective function and prior probability distribution. We assume that each agent can compute an optimal tentative decision based upon his own observation and that these tentative decisions are communicated and received, possibly at random times, by a subset of other agents. Conditions for asymptotic convergence of each agent's decision sequence and asymptotic agreement of all agents' decisions are derived.
The evolutionary and genetic origins of consciousness in the Cambrian Period over 500 million years ago

Vertebrates evolved in the Cambrian Period before 520 million years ago, but we do not know when or how consciousness arose in the history of the vertebrate brain. Here we propose multiple levels of isomorphic or somatotopic neural representations as an objective marker for sensory consciousness. All extant vertebrates have these, so we deduce that consciousness extends back to the group's origin. The first conscious sense may have been vision. Then vision, coupled with additional sensory systems derived from ectodermal placodes and neural crest, transformed primitive reflexive systems into image forming brains that map and perceive the external world and the body's interior. We posit that the minimum requirement for sensory consciousness and qualia is a brain including a forebrain (but not necessarily a developed cerebral cortex/pallium), midbrain, and hindbrain. This brain must also have (1) hierarchical systems of intercommunicating, isomorphically organized, processing nuclei that extensively integrate the different senses into representations that emerge in upper levels of the neural hierarchy; and (2) a widespread reticular formation that integrates the sensory inputs and contributes to attention, awareness, and neural synchronization. We propose a two-step evolutionary history, in which the optic tectum was the original center of multi-sensory conscious perception (as in fish and amphibians: step 1), followed by a gradual shift of this center to the dorsal pallium or its cerebral cortex (in mammals, reptiles, birds: step 2). We address objections to the hypothesis and call for more studies of fish and amphibians. In our view, the lamprey has all the neural requisites and is likely the simplest extant vertebrate with sensory consciousness and qualia. Genes that pattern the proposed elements of consciousness (isomorphism, neural crest, placodes) have been identified in all vertebrates. Thus, consciousness is in the genes, some of which are already known.
Gender Differences and Professional Identities in Health and Engineering

Abstract The objective of this study was to compare the professional identity perceptions among undergraduate students enrolled in predominantly female and male courses. The research method is cross-sectional and the sample consisted of 502 undergraduate students in the fields of health and engineering. A questionnaire with the Scale of Professional Self and Hetero-Perception (EAHP) was used to collect the data and descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, and structural equations modeling were used as analysis techniques. According to the students from the two areas, the dimensions that best describe their professions are dynamism; technicity; effort; and ethics, while in the health field, the dimension that received the lowest average score was recognition, indicating that the professionals working in this field resent the lack of respect, admiration, and prestige in society, despite perceiving themselves as honest, honored, productive, and hardworking. Also, the average hetero-perception scores were lower for the health students and the difference between self and hetero-perception was less significant among the engineering students. The results confirm that the professional identities include gender-related attributes, leading to the conclusion that health professions remain vulnerable to gender domination relations.
Cell Proliferation Pattern and Twist Expression in an Aplacophoran Mollusk Argue Against Segmented Ancestry of Mollusca

ABSTRACT The study of aplacophoran mollusks (i.e., Solenogastres or Neomeniomorpha and Caudofoveata or Chaetodermomorpha) has traditionally been regarded as crucial for reconstructing the morphology of the last common ancestor of the Mollusca. Since their proposed close relatives, the Polyplacophora, show a distinct seriality in certain organ systems, the aplacophorans are also in the focus of attention with regard to the question of a potential segmented ancestry of mollusks. To contribute to this question, we investigated cell proliferation patterns and the expression of the twist ortholog during larval development in solenogasters. In advanced to late larvae, during the outgrowth of the trunk, a pair of longitudinal bands of proliferating cells is found subepithelially in a lateral to ventrolateral position. These bands elongate during subsequent development as the trunk grows longer. Likewise, expression of twist occurs in two laterally positioned, subepithelial longitudinal stripes in advanced larvae. Both, the pattern of proliferating cells and the expression domain of twist demonstrate the existence of extensive and long‐lived mesodermal bands in a worm‐shaped aculiferan, a situation which is similar to annelids but in stark contrast to conchiferans, where the mesodermal bands are usually rudimentary and ephemeral. Yet, in contrast to annelids, neither the bands of proliferating cells nor the twist expression domain show a separation into distinct serial subunits, which clearly argues against a segmented ancestry of mollusks. Furthermore, the lack of twist expression during the development of the ventromedian muscle argues against homology of a ventromedian longitudinal muscle in protostomes with the notochord of chordates.
Extragalactic globular clusters in the near infrared IV. Quantifying the age structure using Monte-Carlo simulations

In previous papers of the series, we used a combination of optical and near-infrared colours to derive constrains on the relative age structure in globular cluster systems. Here, we present the details, strength and limitations of our method based on Monte-Carlo simulations of colour-colour diagrams and cumulative age distributions. The simulations are based on general informations about the globular cluster systems (e.g. colour-ranges, the number ratios between sub-populations) and the different single stellar population models (SSP's) which are used to derive relative ages. For both the modeled systems and the observed globular cluster systems we derive the cumulative age distribution and introduce two parameters to define it, the so-called 50% age and the result of the reduced χ 2 test of the comparison between models and observations. The method was tested successfully on several systems and allowed to reveal significant intermediate age populations in two of them.
Neuroendocrine Cells of the Prostate Derive from the Neural Crest*

The histogenesis of prostatic neuroendocrine cells is controversial: a stem cell hypothesis with a urogenital sinus-derived progeny of all prostatic epithelial cells is opposed by a dual origin hypothesis, favoring the derivation of neuroendocrine cells from the neural crest, with the secretory and basal cells being of urogenital sinus origin. A computer-assisted 3D reconstruction was used to analyze the distribution of chromogranin A immunoreactive cells in serial sections of human fetal prostate specimens (gestation weeks 18 and 25). Immunohistochemical double labeling studies with YFP and serotonin antisera combined with electron microscopy were carried out on double-transgenic Wnt1-Cre/ROSA26-YFP mice showing stable YFP expression in all neural crest-derived cell populations despite loss of Wnt1 expression. 3D reconstruction of the distribution pattern of neuroendocrine cells in the human fetal prostate indicates a migration of paraganglionic cells passing the stroma and reaching the prostate ducts. Double-transgenic mice showed 55% double labeling of periurethral neuroendocrine cells expressing both serotonin and YFP, whereas single serotonin labeling was observed in 36% and exclusive YFP labeling in 9%. The results favor the assumption of a major fraction of neural crest-derived neuroendocrine cells in both the human and murine prostates.
CAPACITY OF FOREST CARBON SEQUESTRATION DRIVEN BY NPP INCREASING IN CHINA

Forest ecosystem could significantly sequestrate some atmospheric CO2 and, therefore, partly mitigate current pressure on global warming. The carbon sequestration capacity of forest ecosystem is determined by both the NPP increase trend and turnover time. In order to estimate the capability of forest C sequestration in China, a carbon turnover model, which bases on NPP increase trend monitored by remote sensing and carbon turnover time derived from forest observed data, was designed. Modelled results illustrated that China forest is an apparent carbon sink with a magnitude of 0.052 PgC a-1, in which about 0.034 PgC a-1 in plant tissues and the other of 0.018 PgC a-1 in soil. The further analysis on carbon sequestration efficiency (CSE) indicated that the CSE value is controlled by carbon turnover time. *Corresponding author: tzhou@bnu.edu. cn
Parental perceptions of coaching

Family Life Coaching (FLC) is an emerging approach to serving families that blends family science and coaching psychology. While family life coaching is growing, there is limited research on the perceptions of families about coaching. This study explores parental knowledge of and opinions of family life coaching as a way to help deal with parenting issues across the life course. Findings from this mixed methods study support parental preferences of family life coaching and further suggest that parents support the idea of hiring a family life coach or coaching professional to assist in meeting their goals.
It’s Who I Am: Student Identity Centrality and College Student Success

Despite considerable research on student retention and persistence, college graduation rates remain modest. This article proposes the concept of student identity centrality, which is defined as the extent to which being a student is important to one’s self-image or identity. This study found student identity centrality was positively related to goal commitment, institutional commitment, and intent to persist, even when controlling for precollege attributes and college experiences. Additional findings and implications are discussed.
Isolating the Determinants of Innovativeness: A Split-Population Tobit (SPOT) Duration Model of Timing and Volume of First and Repeat Purchase

The authors present the Split-Population Tobit (SPOT) duration model to incorporate two conceptually distinct dimensions of innovativeness in a single framework, namely, the timing and volume of adoption. Rather than utilizing a diffusion model specification based on word-of-mouth and social contagion effects, the present approach uses a growth model specification and delineates a general function of time to describe the distribution of adoption timing. Estimation and several validation exercises performed on a data set describing the diffusion of personal computers across a sample of over 3000 U.S. firms provide strong support for the superiority of the SPOT model over models derived from restricted conceptualizations of innovativeness. The empirical work, albeit modest, tests the impact of covariates, such as firm-size and decision-centralization, on the dimensions of innovativeness and sheds light on some inconsistent findings in the innovation adoption literature. The authors subsequently derive the extended SPOT model (EXT-SPOT) to incorporate repeat purchase volume and timing in the SPOT framework. Finally, they discuss limitations, further research directions, and implications for the practitioner.
Library and Information Science Education and Training Curriculum at Institutions of Higher Education in Nigeria: A Content Analysis

ABSTRACT This paper investigated the current library and information science curriculum used by three Nigerian library schools to prepare librarians for professional practice. The research objectives included: identifying courses that make up the Library and Information Science curriculum in Nigeria, ascertain the skills/competencies that are required of Library and Information Science graduates by employers of labour, and highlight the areas of strengths and weaknesses in the curriculum. Data were collected using the Master of Library and Information Science curricula of three library schools, and a survey which was administered on heads of academic libraries. Data was analysed using qualitative and quantitative methods. Results showed that the curricula were inadequate in information technology related components desired by heads of academic libraries surveyed. A new curriculum reflecting contemporary innovations in the library and information science profession that would enable graduates to be globally competitive is urgently needed.