Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Surface Cues Reduce the Latency to Name Rotated Images of Objects

Jolicoeur (1985, Memory & Cognition 13 289–303) found a linear increase in the latency to name line drawings of objects rotated (0° to 120°) from the upright (0°) in the initial trial block. This effect was much shallower in later blocks. He proposed that the initial effect may indicate that mental rotation is the default process for recognising rotated objects, and that the decrease in this effect, seen with practice, may reflect the increased use of learned orientation-invariant features. Initially, we were interested in whether object–colour associations that may be learned during the initial block, could account for the reduced latency to name rotated objects, seen in later blocks. In experiment 1 we used full-cue colour images of objects that depicted colour and other surface cues. Surprisingly, given that Jolicoeur's findings were replicated several times with line drawings, we found that even the initial linear trend in naming latency was shallow. We replicated this result in follow-up experiments. In contrast, when we used less-realistic depictions of the same objects that had fewer visual cues (ie line drawings, coloured drawings, greyscale images), the results were comparable to those of Jolicoeur. Also, the initial linear trends were steeper for these depictions than for full-cue colour images. The results suggest that, when multiple surface cues are available in the image, mental rotation may not be the default recognition process.
Can Justice and Fairness enlarge the Size of International Environmental Agreements?

The literature on International Environmental Agreements (IEA) predicts a rather low number of signatories to an IEA. This is in sharp contrast to empirical evidence. As experimental economics provides some evidence for more complex human behavior, extending the theory of IEA to a broader class of preferences is clearly promising. The present paper shows that where countries’ preferences incorporate justice and fairness there will be a strong incentive for them to choose similar abatement policies within and outside an IEA. Consequently, free-riding at the expense of the signatory states diminishes and participation in an IEA becomes a more successful strategy, so that the size of stable IEAs increases. JEL classification: C7, D62, D63, H77
Exploiting the brain's network structure in identifying ADHD subjects

Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) is a common behavioral problem affecting children. In this work, we investigate the automatic classification of ADHD subjects using the resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) sequences of the brain. We show that brain can be modeled as a functional network, and certain properties of the networks differ in ADHD subjects from control subjects. We compute the pairwise correlation of brain voxels' activity over the time frame of the experimental protocol which helps to model the function of a brain as a network. Different network features are computed for each of the voxels constructing the network. The concatenation of the network features of all the voxels in a brain serves as the feature vector. Feature vectors from a set of subjects are then used to train a PCA-LDA (principal component analysis-linear discriminant analysis) based classifier. We hypothesized that ADHD related differences lie in some specific regions of brain and using features only from those regions are sufficient to discriminate ADHD and control subjects. We propose a method to create a brain mask which includes the useful regions only and demonstrate that using the feature from the masked regions improves classification accuracy on the test data set. We train our classifier with 776 subjects, and test on 171 subjects provided by the Neuro Bureau for the ADHD-200 challenge. We demonstrate the utility of graph-motif features, specifically the maps that represent the frequency of participation of voxels in network cycles of length 3. The best classification performance (69.59%) is achieved using 3-cycle map features with masking. Our proposed approach holds promise in being able to diagnose and understand the disorder.
The impact of osteoporosis on health-related quality of life in patients after liver transplantation – a pilot study

Introduction Liver transplantation (LT) is now a well-established procedure with 5-year survival rates over 70%, and one of its ultimate goals is the improvement of patient health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Osteoporosis remains a serious potential complication of LT, leading to fragility fractures, pain, and functional impairment. Aim To assess the degree of osteoporosis and the impact of fragility fractures on HRQOL in patients with chronic liver diseases treated with LT. Material and methods Twenty-seven patients (14 female, 13 male) at a median period of 3.5 years post LT participated in the study. HRQOL was assessed by Short Form-36 and PBC-40 instruments. Bone mineral density (BMD) in the lumbar spine and hip neck were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Physical activity was assessed by questionnaire. Data on the duration of the liver disease, time from LT, and fragility fractures were also collected. Results As many as 74.1% of the patients had reduced BMD (t-score < -1.0 SD) in the hip. Mean values of the spine and hip BMD z-scores were -1.1 and -0.9 SD, respectively. Time after LT, percentage of lean tissue, and physical activity were positively associated with BMD. The prevalence of fractures was 48%. We did not find significant differences in age, gender, body composition parameters, physical activity, BMD, and HRQOL scores between the subjects with and without fractures. Conclusions We found a high prevalence of fragility fractures and a decreased BMD in LT recipients. Patients with a history of fractures had similar HRQOL scores to those without fractures.
Ureteral Injury After Laparoscopic Versus Open Colectomy

Background and Objectives: Ureteral injury is an infrequent but potentially lethal complication of colectomy. We aimed to determine the incidence of intraoperative ureteral injury after laparoscopic and open colectomy and to determine the independent morbidity and mortality rates associated with ureteral injury. Methods: We analyzed data from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program for the years 2005–2010. All patients undergoing colectomy for benign, neoplastic, or inflammatory conditions were selected. Patients undergoing laparoscopic colectomy versus open colectomy were matched on disease severity and clinical and demographic characteristics. Multivariate logistic regression analyses and coarsened exact matching were used to determine the independent difference in the incidence of ureteral injury between the 2 groups. Multivariate models were also used to determine the independent association between postoperative complications associated with ureteral injury. Results: Of a total of 94 526 colectomies, 33 092 (35%) were completed laparoscopically. Ureteral injury occurred in a total of 585 patients (0.6%). The crude incidence in the open group was higher than that in the laparoscopic group (0.66% versus 0.53%, P = .016). CEM produced 14 630 matching pairs. Matched analysis showed the likelihood of ureteral injury after laparoscopic colectomy to be 30% less than after open colectomy (odds ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval, 0.51–0.96). Patients with ureteral injury were independently more likely to have septic complications and have longer lengths of hospital stay than those without ureteral injury. Conclusion: Laparoscopic colectomy is associated with a lower incidence of intraoperative ureteral injury when compared with open procedures. Ureteral injury leads to significant postoperative morbidity even if identified and repaired during the colectomy.
Learning English through out-of-school exposure. Which levels of language proficiency are attained and which types of input are important?

In this study we examined the level of English proficiency children can obtain through out-of-school exposure in informal contexts prior to English classroom instruction. The second aim was to determine the input types that fuel children's informal language acquisition. Language learning was investigated in 780 Dutch-speaking children (aged 10–12), who were tested on their English receptive vocabulary knowledge, listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Information about learner characteristics and out-of-school English exposure was gathered using questionnaires. The results show large language gains for a substantial number of children but also considerable individual differences. The most beneficial types of input were gaming, use of social media and speaking. These input types are interactive and multimodal and they involve language production. We also found that the various language tests largely measure the same proficiency component.
Similarity-based retrieval for diverse bookshelf software repository users

The paper presents a similarity-based retrieval framework for a software repository that aids the process of maintaining, understanding, and migrating legacy software systems [12]. Designing a software repository involves three issues: (1) information content; (2) information representation; and (3) strategies for accessing repository artifacts. Assuming the architecture presented in [12] we extend the retrieval system to support imprecise queries, iterative browsing, and diverse users. Because of repository size, complexity of queries and relations among artifacts, we take a performance approach to support a scalable implementation.We propose a retrieval system that uses numeric [31] and semantically rich context-based similarity [19]. Efficient iterative browsing is based on an incremental query evaluation algorithm from database management systems [20]. Explicitly defined context supports various retrieval strategies and diverse user models.
Considering Etiquette in the Design of an Adaptive System

In this article, the authors empirically assess the costs and benefits of designing an adaptive system to follow social conventions regarding the appropriateness of interruptions. Interruption management is one area within the larger topic of automation etiquette. The authors tested these concepts in an outdoor environment using the Communications Scheduler, a wearable adaptive system that classifies users’ cognitive state via brain and heart sensors and adapts its interactions. Designed to help dismounted soldiers, it manages communications in much the same way as a good administrative assistant. Depending on a combination of message priority, user workload, and system state, it decides whether to interrupt the user’s current tasks. The system supports decision makers in two innovative ways: It reliably measures a mobile user’s cognitive workload to adapt its behavior, and it implements rules of etiquette adapted from human-human interactions to improve human-computer interactions. Results indicate costs and benefits to both interrupting and refraining from interrupting. When users were overloaded, primary task performance was improved by managing interruptions. However, overall situation awareness on secondary tasks suffered. This work empirically quantifies costs and benefits of “appropriate” interruption behaviors, demonstrating the value of designing adaptive agents that follow social conventions for interactions with humans.
A Wide-Field Hubble Space Telescope Study of the Cluster Cl 0024+1654 at z=0.4. II. The Cluster Mass Distribution

We present a comprehensive lensing analysis of the rich cluster Cl 0024+1654 (z = 0.395) based on panoramic sparse-sampled imaging conducted with the WFPC2 and STIS cameras on board the Hubble Space Telescope. By comparing higher fidelity signals in the limited STIS data with the wider field data available from WFPC2, we demonstrate an ability to detect reliably weak-lensing signals to a cluster radius of ≃5 h Mpc, where the mean shear is around 1%. This enables us to study the distribution of dark matter with respect to the cluster light over an unprecedented range of cluster radii and environments. The projected mass distribution reveals a secondary concentration representing 30% of the overall cluster mass, which is also visible in the distribution of cluster member galaxies. We develop a method to derive the projected mass profile of the main cluster taking into account the influence of the secondary clump. We normalize the mass profile determined from the shear by assuming that background galaxies selected with 23 < I < 26 have a redshift distribution statistically similar to that inferred photometrically in the Hubble Deep Fields. The total mass within the central region of the cluster is independently determined from strong-lensing constraints according to a detailed model that utilizes the multiply imaged arc at z = 1.675. Combining strong and weak constraints, we are able to probe the mass profile of the cluster on scales of 0.1-5 Mpc, thus providing a valuable test of the universal form proposed by Navarro, Frenk, & White (NFW) on large scales. A generalized power-law fit indicates an asymptotic three-dimensional density distribution of ρ ∝ r-n with n > 2.4. An isothermal mass profile is therefore strongly rejected, whereas an NFW profile with M200 = 6.1 × 1014 h M☉ provides a good fit to the lensing data. We isolate cluster members according to their optical/near-infrared colors; the red cluster light closely traces the dark matter with a mean mass-to-light ratio of M/LK = 40 ± 5 h65 M☉/L☉. Similar profiles for mass and light on 1-5 Mpc scales are expected if cluster assembly is largely governed by infalling groups.
Methods for boosting recommender systems

Online shopping has grown rapidly over the past few years. Besides the convenience of shopping directly from ones home, an important advantage of e-commerce is the great variety of items that online stores offer. However, with such a large number of items, it becomes harder for vendors to determine which items are more relevant for a given user. Recommender Systems are programs that attempt to assist in such scenarios by presenting the user a small subset of items which she is likely to find interesting. We consider in this work a popular class of such systems that are based on Collaborative Filtering (CF for short). CF is the process of predicting user ratings to items based on previous ratings of (similar) users to (similar) items. The objective of this research is to develop new algorithms and methods for boosting CF based Recommender Systems. Specifically, we focus on the following four challenges: (1) improving the quality of the predictions that such systems provide; (2) devising new methods for choosing the recommended items to be presented to the users; (3) improving the efficiency of CF algorithms and related data structures; (4) incorporating recommendation algorithms in different application domains.
Is Extraction Bad? Encomienda and Development in Colombia Since 1560

We explore the impact of encomienda, a forced-labor institution imposed by the Spanish throughout Latin America during three centuries, on long-term development outcomes in Colombia. Despite being a classically extractive institution, municipalities that had encomiendas in 1560 have higher development indicators than otherwise-similar, neighboring municipalities without. Encomienda is associated with higher municipal GDP/capita, lower poverty and infant mortality, and higher secondary school enrolments today. Further probing implies a mechanism by which encomenderos founded the local state in the colonial territories they dominated. This stronger local state persisted through Colombia’s war of independence and the chronic instability of the early republic. It mobilized resources and invested in public goods in ways that initially suited encomenderos, but over long periods of time also spurred economic and human development. Our results highlight the benefits of disaggregating “institutions” to analytically discrete components, and of pushing analysis to the subnational level.
The Bullwhip Effect : Analysis of the Causes and Remedies

Preface This research paper is a compulsory part of the Master's program Business Analytics at the VU University Amsterdam. The student should do research on a business related problem, with a strong mathematical or computer science component. The research could be based on literature, but may also be extended with own research. This research paper presents an elaborate literature overview of the bullwhip effect, extended with computer simulations to get more insight in the processes that cause the effect. The bullwhip effect is a phenomenon that refers to a trend of larger and larger swings in inventory, as one moves upstream in a supply chain. Since a long crackling whip is a suitable metaphor for the amplifying and oscillating swings in inventory, the phenomenon is called the bullwhip effect. I would like to thank Rene Bekker for the time and effort he spend supervising me. iii Summary The bullwhip effect is a problem in supply chains that refers to amplifying swings in inventory as one moves upstream along a supply chain (further away from the customer). The aim of this paper is to give an elaborate literature overview, supplemented with computer simulations to make the problem more intelligible. In Chapter 2 we first describe the bullwhip effect based on the results of Sterman's beer game [22]. The beer game simulates a supply chain consisting of a beer retailer, wholesaler, distributor and brewery. The game is played by four players who make independent inventory decisions without consultation with other players. Typical game results clearly demonstrate the amplification effects. Secondly, we show how the bullwhip effect could be measured and present the simple supply chain model of Chen et al. [6]. To quantify the size of the bullwhip effect, Chen et al. propose the order rate variance ratio, which is given by the variance of the orders, divided by the variance of the demand. If the ratio is greater than one, the bullwhip effect exists. Chen et al. assume that the demand follows an autoregressive model of the first degree, an AR(1) model. They further assume that all members of the supply chain use a simple order-up-to policy, where the mean demand and the average forecast error are estimated with moving average forecasts. Given these assumptions, they derive a lower bound for the order rate variance ratio. The ratio is always greater than one, which implies the bullwhip effect. To make the …
Characterization of a Y-Family DNA Polymerase eta from the Eukaryotic Thermophile Alvinella pompejana

Human DNA polymerase η (HsPolη) plays an important role in translesion synthesis (TLS), which allows for replication past DNA damage such as UV-induced cis-syn cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs). Here, we characterized ApPolη from the thermophilic worm Alvinella pompejana, which inhabits deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimneys. ApPolη shares sequence homology with HsPolη and contains domains for binding ubiquitin and proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Sun-induced UV does not penetrate Alvinella's environment; however, this novel DNA polymerase catalyzed efficient and accurate TLS past CPD, as well as 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine and isomers of thymine glycol induced by reactive oxygen species. In addition, we found that ApPolη is more thermostable than HsPolη, as expected from its habitat temperature. Moreover, the activity of this enzyme was retained in the presence of a higher concentration of organic solvents. Therefore, ApPolη provides a robust, human-like Polη that is more active after exposure to high temperatures and organic solvents.
Availability of Family-Friendly Work Practices and Implicit Wage Costs: New Evidence from Canada

Using Canadian linked employer-employee data covering the period 1999-2005, I examine the determinants of the availability of family-friendly "care" practices and the impact of such practices on wages. The results show that the provision of family-friendly practices is not mainly derived from socio-demographic characteristics of workers but rather from job- and firm-related factors. The findings also reveal that there is a trade-off between the provision of family-friendly practices and earnings indicating the existence of an implicit market in which workers face reductions in their wages. This result supports the hypothesis that family-friendly benefits are to some extent conceived as a gift or a signal that employers care about employees' family responsibilities and, in return, employees are willing to “buy” these practices and thus accept a wage offset.
Sticky Socialism: A Quantitative Study of Citizens' Adaptation to Economic and Political Regime Change

Author(s): Ichpekova, Diana Vladimirova | Advisor(s): Sears, David O. | Abstract: The collapse of communism two decades ago — and the subsequent political and economic transformation of Central and Eastern Europe — has raised new questions about the ability of citizens to adapt to changing institutional orders. This dissertation project starts with a large and fundamental puzzle: over the past twenty years, post-communist nations have shown improved convergence toward Western standards of economic and political performance, yet public opinion has grown increasingly disapproving of the changes that have taken place. Why? While rational-choice theories expect individuals to engage in simple cost-benefit analyses of altering realities, psychological accounts suggest impediments to such practicable adjustments; theories of socialization and attitude "persistence," in particular, emphasize the perseverance and continuing influence of values acquired earlier in life. This dissertation seeks to integrate these various insights and provide a more comprehensive understanding of transition at the individual- level. Utilizing a unique mix of (a) cross-sectional, repeated survey data (European Values Study/World Values Study, 1990-2005), (b) longitudinal survey data (German Socioeconomic Panel, 1999-2010), and (c) macro indicators of economic and political outputs, it investigates the relative importance of early ("primacy") experiences, (re-)learning procedures, and contemporary societal factors for the development of post-communist beliefs. Incorporating a range of statistical techniques, it also probes related mechanisms of change, including within-person attitude stability, alterations in cohort composition over time, migration, and the intergenerational transmission of values, so as to better address the prospects for convergence. The findings reveal numerous challenges to the task of attitudinal adaptation. Although post-communists are found to partially respond to changing circumstances — and to move some way toward the norms espoused by their Western counterparts — these shifts are shown to be neither linear over time, nor symmetrical for all involved. Rather, even decades after regime change, significant (leftist) biases remain, particularly for members of older cohorts. Supplementary analyses unearth additional evidence of resistance, illustrating how these stable, socialist distinctions might linger further into the long-term, defying physical relocation and potentially even population replacement. Such an inquiry is hoped to illuminate transitions beyond Europe (e.g., China, Middle East), where citizen adaptation to post-authoritarian climates will be critical for democratic consolidation.