Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Farm Commodity Policy and Obesity

Many commentators have claimed that farm subsidies have contributed significantly to the “obesity epidemic” by making fattening foods relatively cheap and abundant and, symmetrically, that taxing “unhealthy” commodities or subsidizing “healthy” commodities would contribute to reducing obesity rates. This paper makes three contributions. First, we review evidence from the literature on the impacts on food consumption and obesity resulting from subsidies applied in the past to production or consumption of farm commodities. Second, we develop and present new arguments and preliminary evidence on the impacts of past government investments in agricultural R&D on food consumption and obesity—through research-induced increases in agricultural productivity and the consequences for prices, production, and consumption of farm commodities. Third, we consider and compare the economic efficiency of hypothetical agricultural research policies (changing the orientation of agricultural research investments) versus hypothetical agricultural commodity subsidies and taxes as alternative mechanisms for encouraging consumption of healthy food or discouraging consumption of unhealthy food, or both.
Practical Approach to Designing Wood Roof Truss Assemblies

The objective of this research was to use a three-dimensional (3D) analysis method to evaluate “system effects” in light-frame roof truss assemblies. The goal of this study was to develop an improved and practical design method for 3D roof truss assemblies used in residential construction. A truss plate manufacturer (TPM) design software was used to lay out assemblies and to design individual trusses. The TPM software used a conventional design procedure (CDP) by analyzing one truss at a time in two dimensions. A commercially available structural analysis program was utilized to model and analyze 3D truss assemblies as a system. This system design procedure (SDP) is being proposed as a tool to analyze and design 3D roof truss assemblies. Three truss assemblies, L shape, T shape, and a complex assembly, were analyzed. The structural responses including combined stress index (CSI), truss deflections, and reactions from both CDP and SDP were compared and the system effects were evaluated. From this investiga.
Relational Antecedents of Organizational Slack: An Empirical Study into Supplier-Customer Relationships

This paper builds on the relational exchange and power-dependency literature to explore the role played by specific relational antecedents that lead to the hoarding of slack resources. We hypothesize about the impact of four different aspects characterizing supplier-customer relationships on the level of slack resource hoarded by the suppliers: 1/ the interdependence equilibrium between supplier and customer, 2/ the reciprocal power of supplier and customer, 3/ the relational norms that structure the relationship, and 4/ the performance of the supplier. The hypotheses were tested on a sample of 98 French automotive component suppliers. Our findings allow us to distinguish between potential and available slack, and suggest that a supplier’s level of available slack resources increases when its dependence on the customer is higher, when its power is lower, and when the relational norms governing the relationship with the customer are stronger. Moreover, the statistical results point out that the level of potential slack resources held by a supplier is explained neither by the relational behavior of the firm nor by the power-dependence equilibrium between the partners, however a high performance supplier enjoys a higher level of potential slack.
Five nights of intensive R- and V-band photometry of QSO 0957+561A,B

We present R- and V-band photometry of the gravitational lens system QSO 0957+561 from five nights (one in 2000 January and four in 2001 March, corresponding to the approximate time delay for the system) of uninterrupted monitoring at the Nordic Optical Telescope. In the photometry scheme we have stressed careful magnitude calibration as well as corrections for the lens galaxy contamination and the crosstalk between the twin (A and B) quasar images. The resulting, very densely sampled, light curves are quite stable, in conflict with earlier claims derived from the same data material. We estimate high-precision timelag-corrected B/A flux ratios in both colour bands, as well as V ‐ R colour indices for A and B, and discuss the short time-scale variability of the system.
STATE TRANSFER INSTEAD OF TELEPORTATION IN MEASUREMENT-BASED QUANTUM COMPUTATION

Quantum measurement is universal for quantum computation. The model of quantum computation introduced by Nielsen and further developed by Leung relies on a generalized form of teleportation. In order to simulate any n-qubit unitary transformation with this model, four auxiliary qubits are required. Moreover Leung exhibited a universal family of observables composed of one one-qubit measurement and four two-qubit measurements. We introduce a model of quantum computation via measurements only, relying on state transfer: state transfer only retains the part of teleportation which is necessary for computation. In order to simulate any n-qubit unitary transformation with this new model, only one auxiliary qubit is required. Moreover we exhibit a universal family of observables composed of three one-qubit measurements and only one two-qubit measurement. This model improves those of Nielsen and Leung in terms of both the number of auxiliary qubits and the number of two-qubit measurements required for quantum universality. In both cases, the minimal amounts of necessary resources are now reached: one auxiliary qubit (because measurement is destructive) and one two-qubit measurement (for creating entanglement).
Nucleotide modifications within bacterial messenger RNAs regulate their translation and are able to rewire the genetic code

Nucleotide modifications within RNA transcripts are found in every organism in all three domains of life. 6-methyladeonsine (m6A), 5-methylcytosine (m5C) and pseudouridine (Ψ) are highly abundant nucleotide modifications in coding sequences of eukaryal mRNAs, while m5C and m6A modifications have also been discovered in archaeal and bacterial mRNAs. Employing in vitro translation assays, we systematically investigated the influence of nucleotide modifications on translation. We introduced m5C, m6A, Ψ or 2′-O-methylated nucleotides at each of the three positions within a codon of the bacterial ErmCL mRNA and analyzed their influence on translation. Depending on the respective nucleotide modification, as well as its position within a codon, protein synthesis remained either unaffected or was prematurely terminated at the modification site, resulting in reduced amounts of the full-length peptide. In the latter case, toeprint analysis of ribosomal complexes was consistent with stalling of translation at the modified codon. When multiple nucleotide modifications were introduced within one codon, an additive inhibitory effect on translation was observed. We also identified the m5C modification to alter the amino acid identity of the corresponding codon, when positioned at the second codon position. Our results suggest a novel mode of gene regulation by nucleotide modifications in bacterial mRNAs.
Opportunity, fair process and relationship value: career development as a driver of proactive work behaviour

In line with recent findings from organisational justice theory, we hypothesised that employee proactive behaviour and careerist orientation is predicted by the interplay of perceived favourability of career development opportunities, the perceived fairness of the procedures used to decide them, and employee organisational commitment. Employees (N = 325) of a large financial services organisation responded to a self-completion questionnaire. As predicted, when career development opportunities were viewed unfavourably, perceived procedural justice was significantly and positively related to individual proactive behaviour and significantly and negatively related to careerist orientation but only when organisational commitment was high. It appears that high procedural justice may only 'offset' the negative effects of unfavourable career development opportunities when employees identify with, and are committed to, their organisation. Further support is presented for a relational, rather than instrumental, model of procedural justice when reflecting on employee reactions to their employers' policies and decision-making. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.
The Serendipitous Extragalactic X-Ray Source Identification (SEXSI) Program. II. Optical Imaging

The Serendipitous Extragalactic X-ray Source Identification (SEXSI) Program is designed to expand significantly the sample of identified extragalactic hard X-ray sources at intermediate fluxes, 10-13 ergs cm-2 s-1 ≲ S2-10 keV < 10-15 ergs cm-2 s-1. SEXSI, which includes sources derived from more than 2 deg2 of Chandra images, provides the largest hard X-ray-selected sample yet studied, offering an essential complement to the Chandra Deep Fields (total area ∼0.2 deg2). In this paper we describe R-band optical imaging of the SEXSI fields from the Palomar, MDM, and Keck observatories. We have identified counterparts or derived flux limits for nearly 1000 hard X-ray sources. Using the optical images, we derive accurate source positions. We investigate correlations between optical and X-ray flux, and optical flux and X-ray hardness ratio. We also study the density of optical sources surrounding X-ray counterparts, as well as the properties of optically faint, hard X-ray sources.
Molecular Characterization of the Predominant Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 Virus in Mexico, December 2011–February 2012

When the A(H1N1)pdm09 pandemic influenza virus moved into the post-pandemic period, there was a worldwide predominance of the seasonal influenza A(H3N2) and B viruses. However, A(H1N1)pdm09 became the prevailing subtype in the 2011–2012 influenza season in Mexico and most of Central America. During this season, we collected nasopharyngeal swabs of individuals presenting with influenza-like illness at our institution in Mexico City. Samples were tested for seasonal A(H3N2) and B influenza viruses, as well as A(H1N1)pdm09 by real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. Of 205 samples tested, 46% were positive to influenza, all of them A(H1N1)pdm09. The clinical characteristics of patients showed a similar pattern to the 2009 pandemic cases. Using next generation sequencing, we obtained whole genome sequences of viruses from 4 different patients, and in 8 additional viruses we performed partial Sanger sequencing of the HA segment. Non-synonymous changes found in the Mexican isolates with respect to the prototype isolate H1N1 (A/California/04/2009) included HA S69T, K163R and N260D unique to 2012 Mexican and North American isolates and located within or adjacent to HA antigenic sites; HA S143G, S185T, A197T and S203T previously reported in viruses from the 2010–2011 season, located within or adjacent to HA antigenic sites; and HA E374K located in a relevant site for membrane fusion. All Mexican isolates had an oseltamivir-sensitive genotype. Phylogenetic analysis with all 8 influenza gene segments showed that 2012 Mexican sequences formed a robust, distinct cluster. In all cases, 2012 Mexican sequences tended to group with 2010–2011 Asian and European sequences, but not with 2009 Mexican sequences, suggesting a possible recent common ancestor between these latter regions and the 2012 Mexican viruses. It remains to be defined if these viral changes represent an important antigenic drift that would enable viral immune evasion and/or affect influenza vaccine effectiveness.
Behavioural biases and evolutionary dynamics in an agent-based financial market

This research is devoted to the study of financial market dynamics in a framework which combines agent-based modelling and concepts from behavioural finance. The thesis explores, in an agent-based financial market model, the interlinkage between investor heterogeneity, bounded rationality, behavioural biases and the aggregate market dynamics. We develop a dynamic equilibrium model of a financial market in the presence of heterogeneous, boundedly rational investors. The model combines a performance-driven strategy-switching mechanism of an adaptive belief system (Brock and Hommes, 1998) and an evolutionary finance model (Evstigneev, Hens and Schenk-Hopp´e, 2011). A key feature of this new model is that it contains a combination of passive and active learning dynamics. Passive learning refers to the market force by which wealth accumulates on investment strategies which have done relatively well. Active learning refers to the switching behaviour by which investors actively move their wealth into strategies which have performed well in the recent or distant past. This thesis extends the literature by examining the joint effect of passive and active learning in relation to the evolutionary dynamics of financial markets. By drawing in concepts from behavioural finance, we focus on the micro-level modelling of various heuristics and behavioural biases which may affect investors’ active learning and financial forecasting, such as overconfidence, recency bias, sentiment, etc. We quantify the macro-level market impact of these behavioural elements and study the evolutionary prospects of market dynamics. We show that the interaction between passive and active learning is crucial to understanding the market selection of dominant strategy or the survival of different strategies. Investors’ bounded rationality and behavioural biases in active learning and financial forecasting play an important role in shaping the market dynamics. Our findings point to the causes of the persistence of market inefficiencies and a variety of stylised facts of financial market. The added value of drawing together agent-based modelling and behavioural finance on the study of financial markets dynamics is demonstrated.
The Relative Importance Of Monetary Policy Transmission Channels In Malaysia

This paper investigates the relative strength of four monetary policy transmission channels (exchange rate, asset price, interest rate and credit) in Malaysia using a 12- variable open economy VAR model. By comparing the baseline impulse response with the constrained impulse response where a particular channel is being switched off the interest rate channel is found to be most important in influencing output and inflation in the horizon of about two years, and the credit channel beyond that. The asset price channel is also relevant in the shorter-horizon, more so than the exchange rate channel, particularly in influencing output. For inflation, the exchange rate channel is more relevant than the asset price channel.
Classical behaviour in quantum systems: the case of straight tracks in a cloud chamber

The aim of this paper is to discuss in a pedagogical way the problem of the emergence of classical behaviour in certain physical systems which, in principle, are correctly described by quantum mechanics. It is stressed that the limit ℏ → 0 is not sufficient and the crucial role played by the environment must be taken into account. In particular, recalled is the old problem raised by Mott in 1929 (Proc. R. Soc. Lond. A 126 79) concerning the straight tracks observed in a cloud chamber, produced by an α-particle emitted by a source in the form of a spherical wave. The conceptual relevance of the problem for a clearer understanding of the classical limit is discussed in a historical perspective. Moreover, a simple mathematical model is proposed, where the result of Mott is obtained in a rigorous mathematical way.
Hubble Space Telescope/NICMOS Observations of Terzan 5: Stellar Content and Structure of the Core

We report results from Hubble Space Telescope/NICMOS imaging of the extremely dense core of the globular cluster Terzan 5. This highly obscured bulge cluster contains a low-mass X-ray binary and at least two millisecond pulsars, with evidence for a large millisecond pulsar population. It has been estimated to have one of the highest collision rates of any Galactic globular cluster, making its core a particularly conducive environment for the production of interacting binary systems. We have reconstructed high-resolution images of the central 19′′ × 19′′ region of Terzan 5 by application of the drizzle algorithm to dithered NIC2 images in the F110W, F187W, and F187N near-infrared filters. We have used a DAOPHOT/ALLSTAR analysis of these images to produce the deepest color-magnitude diagram (CMD) yet obtained for the core of Terzan 5. We have also analyzed the parallel 11′′ × 11′′ NIC1 field, centered 30′′ from the cluster center and imaged in F110W and F160W, and an additional NIC2 field that is immediately adjacent to the central field. This imaging results in a clean detection of the red giant branch and horizontal branch in the central NIC2 field, and the detection of these plus the main-sequence turnoff and the upper main sequence in the NIC1 field. We have constructed an H versus J-H CMD for the NIC1 field, which provides a measurement of the infrared reddening, E(J-H) = 0.72 [corresponding to E(B-V) = 2.16]. We obtain a new distance estimate of 8.7 kpc, which places Terzan 5 within less than 1 kpc of the Galactic center. The NIC1 CMD provides an apparent detection of the red giant branch bump, about 1 mag below the horizontal branch, indicating that the metallicity is at least solar and possibly somewhat higher. A number of blue objects are detected in the central NIC2 field and the NIC1 field, which hint at the presence of a blue horizontal branch. We have also determined a central surface-density profile that results in a maximum likelihood estimate of 7. ″9 ± 0. ″6 for the cluster core radius. We discuss the implications of these results for the dynamical state of Terzan 5.
Dysregulated long intergenic non-coding RNA modules contribute to heart failure

Long intergenic non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs) are emerging as important regulatory molecules involved in diseases including heart failure. However, little is known about how the lincRNAs work together with protein-coding genes (PCGs) contributing to the pathogenesis of heart failure. In this study, we constructed a comprehensive transcriptome profile of lincRNAs, PCGs and miRNAs using RNA-seq and miRNA-seq data of 16 heart failure patients (HFs) and 8 non-failing individuals (NFs). Through integrating lincRNA and PCG expression profiles, we identified HF-associated lincRNA modules. We identified a heart-specific lincRNA module which was significantly enriched for differentially expressed lincRNAs and PCGs. This module was associated with heart failure rather than with other clinical traits such as sex, age, smoking and diabetes mellitus. Moreover, the module was significantly correlated with certain indicators of left ventricular function like ejection fraction and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, implying the potential of its components as crucial biomarkers. Apart from enhancer-like function, lincRNAs in this module could act as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) to regulate genes which were associated with left-ventricular systolic function. Our work provided deep insights into the critical roles of lincRNAs in the pathology of heart failure and suggested that they could be valuable biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Protest Movements in 1960s West Germany: A Social History of Dissent and Democracy

ContentsAcknowledgementsPrefaceList of AbbreviationsIntroductionPart 1 1945@19641Post-war Reconstruction and the APO2The Origins of the APOPart II 1965@19673University Reform4The Vietnam Campaign5Conspiracies and Counter-conspiracies? 6The Shooting of Benno Ohnesorg: the Turning PointPart III 1967@19697University Reform8The Vietnam Campaign9The Dutschke Shooting10Conspiracies and Counter-conspiracies? Part IV The 1970s11The Descent into Terrorism12The Women's MovementConclusionBibliographyIndex
Perceiving Heading in the Presence of Moving Objects

In most models of heading from optic flow a rigid environment is assumed, yet humans often navigate in the presence of independently moving objects. Simple spatial pooling of the flow field would yield systematic heading errors. Alternatively, moving objects could be segmented on the basis of relative motion, dynamic occlusion, or inconsistency with the global flow, and heading determined from the background flow. Displays simulated observer translation toward a frontal random-dot plane, with a 10 deg square moving independently in depth. The path of motion of the object was varied to create a secondary focus of expansion (FOE') 6 deg to the right or left of the actual heading point (FOE), which could bias the perceived heading. There was no effect when the FOE was visible, but when the object moved in front of it, perceived heading was biased toward the FOE' by ∼1.9° with a transparent object, and ∼3.4° with an opaque object. The results indicate that scene segmentation does not occur prior to heading estimation, which is consistent with spatial pooling weighted near the FOE. A simple template model based on large-field, center-weighted expansion units accounts for the data. This may actually represent an adaptive solution for navigation with respect to obstacles on the path ahead.
Metapopulation Persistence in Random Fragmented Landscapes

Habitat destruction and land use change are making the world in which natural populations live increasingly fragmented, often leading to local extinctions. Although local populations might undergo extinction, a metapopulation may still be viable as long as patches of suitable habitat are connected by dispersal, so that empty patches can be recolonized. Thus far, metapopulations models have either taken a mean-field approach, or have modeled empirically-based, realistic landscapes. Here we show that an intermediate level of complexity between these two extremes is to consider random landscapes, in which the patches of suitable habitat are randomly arranged in an area (or volume). Using methods borrowed from the mathematics of Random Geometric Graphs and Euclidean Random Matrices, we derive a simple, analytic criterion for the persistence of the metapopulation in random fragmented landscapes. Our results show how the density of patches, the variability in their value, the shape of the dispersal kernel, and the dimensionality of the landscape all contribute to determining the fate of the metapopulation. Using this framework, we derive sufficient conditions for the population to be spatially localized, such that spatially confined clusters of patches act as a source of dispersal for the whole landscape. Finally, we show that a regular arrangement of the patches is always detrimental for persistence, compared to the random arrangement of the patches. Given the strong parallel between metapopulation models and contact processes, our results are also applicable to models of disease spread on spatial networks.
Design and the Big Five : Linking Visual Product Aesthetics to Product Personality

While there have been some important advances in understanding how consumers evaluate specific aspects of visual product aesthetics, there is a lack of a systematic understanding of the processes that link product design aesthetics to broader consumer perceptions. In this research, we show that consumers’ assessment of visual product aesthetics are linked to perceptions of product personality. Across several real products, selected for their aesthetics variations, this research conceptually and empirically links perceptions of seven aesthetic dimensions (simplicity/complexity, harmony, balance, unity, dynamics, novelty and timeliness/fashion) to perceptions of five product personality characteristics (sincerity, excitement competence, sophistication and ruggedness).