Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Comorbid Negative Mood on Craving's Relationship to Post-Treatment Alcohol Use

Alcohol is ranked as the third highest burden of disease worldwide and the eighth highest leading cause of death. An estimated 19.5% of Australians consume alcohol in quantities that place them at risk of alcohol-related injury or disease over their lifetime. Alcohol misuse is also highly problematic, being associated with a range of negative physical, psychological and social consequences. While treatments are effective in helping people to achieve reductions, relapse rates are high, with up to 80% of treated alcohol users eventually relapsing. The ability to identify which treatment seekers may be at greater risk for relapse would enable appropriate tailoring of interventions and planning of aftercare. Craving has been widely studied as a potential predictor of relapse, but has performed inconsistently. The effect of comorbid depression on craving’s predictive performance however, has been largely neglected, despite demonstrated associations between negative affect and craving, and between negative affect and substance use. The aim of this thesis was to explore the performance of craving as a predictor of posttreatment alcohol use outcomes in the presence of comorbid depressed mood, under the hypothesis that presence of negative affect would augment effects of craving, strengthening its predictive power and increasing vulnerability to post-treatment relapse. Two studies were conducted, one with a sample of drinkers with comorbid depression, and the other with a sample of drinkers with a range of depression severity.
Dust modelling and forecasting in the Barcelona Supercomputing Center: Activities and developments

The Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC) is the National Supercomputer Facility in Spain, hosting MareNostrum, one of the most powerful Supercomputers in Europe. The Earth Sciences Department of BSC operates daily regional dust and air quality forecasts and conducts intensive modelling research for short-term operational prediction. This contribution summarizes the latest developments and current activities in the field of sand and dust storm modelling and forecasting.
A dynamic model of international trade

This thesis studies an international trade game modelled as a coordination game, where countries interact by following a simple behavioural rule of trying to reduce the gap between the maximal payoff and their own payoff. Countries are allowed to choose from one of two strategies – E (integrate into the world economy) or A (remain in autarky). D’Artigues and Vignolo [33] find that in this coordination game, the desire to imitate the leading country is frustrated by the impossibility of doing so. Hence, paradoxically, the desire of convergence into the world economy may lead to a more partitioned world economy. Envy is found to be the central motive behind developing countries opting for rejection of globalisation, and with sufficiently large heterogeneity in payoffs, spiteful behaviour overcomes imitation. The presence of envious people in a class of symmetric coordination games helps players to coordinate on a particular strict Nash equilibrium, which is always risk-dominant. This thesis first analyses the trade dynamics for a simple 2-country and a 3-country model and then derives conclusions on the more general n-country model. Results for the first trade model are based on the model output obtained for strict equilibria and strictly stable states of the trade game via numerical computations. This model is then extended by allowing countries to choose intermediate strategies, so that they can choose the level of integration with the world economy by a small strategy size δ>0. The trade dynamics for this continuous strategy trade game model are then derived for the 2-country scenario, which suggest that the lagging country can catch up with the leading country, leading to non-existence of any long-term equilibria.
Nationalising South African mines: Back to a prosperous future, or down a rabbit hole?

Nationalisation is high on the policy agenda in South Africa. This paper considers the case for nationalising the local mining sector from an evidence-based perspective. The relevant evidence is derived from theoretical considerations and related to the known features of the South African mining sector and economy. A strong case against nationalisation emerges, which can be summarised as follows: The mining sector is competitive and therefore a poor candidate for public ownership. Further, the resources sector does not dominate the South African economy nor does it create the risk of Dutch Disease. Nationalising the mining sector will cost the government more than it receives. This is not only a bad idea in itself, but it will limit the scope for distributive policies on the national budget. The contemporary international experience demonstrates the risks of fiscal imprudence. Finally, nationalising the resources sector will undermine support for those very market-based institutions required to achieve a higher long-run growth trajectory.
Workplace bullying: the experiences of building and construction apprentices

This paper examines the workplace bullying experiences of building and construction apprentices. The aims of the paper are to learn about the types of behaviours to which building and construction apprentices are subjected and to examine the reasons why a significant proportion of them neither confront the perpetrator of the behaviour nor report the behaviour, either within the organisation or externally. Individual semi-structured interviews were used. The results indicate that the apprentices were subjected to a wide range of negative behaviours. There were several reasons for them neither confronting the perpetrator nor reporting the bullying, including fear of job loss and financial impact.
The Determination of Long-Term Interest Rates: Implications for Monetary and Fiscal Policies

The object of this paper is to bring to bear on financial-non financial interactions a richer approach to modeling the determination of long-term interest rates. in a series of previous papers. I have developed an alternative model based explicitly on the truism that any factor affecting long-term bond yields does so by (and only by) influencing some borrower's supply of bonds and/or some lender's demand for bonds. Rather than model the bond yield directly, as in the single-equation term-structure approach, this work instead models the supply of and the demand for bonds ,and determines the bond yield at the level necessary to equate resulting total supply and demand. The specific bond supplies and demands modeled in this work are those in the U . S. market for corporate bonds; this market is the primary source of long-term external lands to finance business fixed investment, and the corporate bond yield is also the long-term interest rate most frequently used in single-equation models of term-structure relationships. This paper reports the implications of this supply-demand model of long-term interest rate determination for the effectiveness of monetary and fiscal policies, as modeled in all other respects by the MJT-Penn-SSRC (henceforth MPS) econometric model of the United Stares. The new research tool applied in this paper is therefore altered MPS model from which the usual single term-structure equation has been removed and into which a supply-demand model of the bond market has been substituted. The only difference between this altered MPS model and the familiar NIPS model therefore lies in the determination of long-term asset yields and prices. Since these long-term yields and prices are such an important part of the overall bearing of financial market developments on nonfinancial behavior, however, the altered model exhibits interesting implications for fiscal and monetary policies.
How different mental workload levels affect the take-over control after automated driving

Automated driving represents a new way of driving and, therefore, significant changes in driver behaviour are expected. In this study, we analysed the impact of different levels of mental workload associated with a non-driving task in response to a take-over request (TOR). Thirty participants drove in a driving simulator through three experimental conditions: once in manual driving and twice following an automated driving during which a non-driving task was performed. The impact of the mental workload was evaluated by manipulating the mental workload induced by the non-driving task (low versus high mental workload). The results showed a negative effect of automated driving on take-over performance regardless of the level of mental workload. These results point out that engagement in non-driving task leads to reduced situation awareness. Interpretations of results and research prospects are discussed.
Approximate Computing : Application Analysis and Hardware Design

It is normal to expect the processor to produce a correct result. But it may be the case that a software application does not need ”strict” correctness, but rather limited correctness. The goal of this project is to search for potential definition of ”non-strict” correctness, as well as investigate the improvements in performance and power consumption that can be achieved in this new model. This project proposes a hardware/software system design for applying the approximate computing idea to the wellknown problem of memory latency due to cache misses. We use three techniques to predict the values of cache misses: Last Value, Stride and Adaptive prediction. Because our approach is recovery-free, evaluation of quality of service after the execution is our main way to control the correctness of speculative predictions. Our evaluations show that the system we propose can successfully cover significant amount of L1/L2 cache misses. On average we can cover 62% of L1 misses with more aggressive, but less precise techniques, and 40% with the more precise, but less aggressive Adaptive technique. In a simple in-order model this corresponds to an average speedup of 12.5% and 10% respectively. For applu benchmark we can successfully cover more than 56% of L2 misses, that leads to 69% performance improvement.
New transnational social spaces : international migration and transnational companies in the early twenty-first century

Part I. Introduction 1. The approach of transnational social spaces: responding to new configurations of the social and the spatial Part II. International Migration and Transnational Social Spaces 2. Comparing local level Swedish and Mexican transnational life: an essay in historical retrieval 3. Dissagregating transnational social spaces: gender, place and citizenship in Mexico - US transnational spaces 4. Transnational families: institutions of transnational social space 5. Shifting spaces - complex identities in Turkish-German migration Part III. International Companies and Transnational Social Spaces 6. Pluri-local social spaces by tele-cooperation in international companies 7. Pluri-local social spaces in international companies 8. The transnationalization of companies and their industrial relations 9. Co-ordination and control in transnational business and non-profit organizations Part IV. The Future of Trnasnational Social Spaces 10. Cracked casings: towards an analytics for studying transnational processes
The effects of sell-side debt research on debt and equity markets

We study the effects of sell-side debt research on price formation and investor behavior in debt and equity markets. Sell-side corporate debt research involves the production and dissemination of information by sell-side analysts to debt investors. Our sample includes 921 companies with publicly traded bonds and equity over the period from 2002 through 2004, with 429 of them being the subject of 2,758 debt research reports issued by 15 brokers. On debt report publication days, we document abnormally higher absolute returns and trading volume in both the bond and equity markets, as well as higher co-variation in debt and equity returns, controlling for the informational effects of earnings announcements, credit ratings changes and equity analyst reports. Second, we document that in the presence of sell-side debt research, debt returns incorporate public information relatively more quickly. The combined evidence suggests that sellside debt analysts (i) provide new information to debt and equity markets and (ii) speed up the information flow from the equity to the debt market. JEL Classification: G15, G21
SCHUR MULTIPLICATIVE MAPS ON MATRICES

Abstract The structure of Schur multiplicative maps on matrices over a field is studied. The result is then used to characterize Schur multiplicative maps f satisfying $f(S) \subseteq S$ for different subsets S of matrices including the set of rank k matrices, the set of singular matrices, and the set of invertible matrices. Characterizations are also obtained for maps on matrices such that Γ(f(A))=Γ(A) for various functions Γ including the rank function, the determinant function, and the elementary symmetric functions of the eigenvalues. These results include analogs of the theorems of Frobenius and Dieudonné on linear maps preserving the determinant functions and linear maps preserving the set of singular matrices, respectively.
Robust Control for a Class of Linear Infinite Dimensional Systems with Multiplicative Disturbances

In this paper the problem of robust control for a class of linear infinite dimensional systems under mixed disturbances of the multiplicative type is addressed. The Lyapunov function approach is used for proving that there is a controller that stabilizes this class of systems under the presence of uncertainties and perturbations, and guarantees some tolerance level for the joint cost functional. A comment is added to the Riccati operator equation’s solution for this problem.
Intrinsic Stabilization of Output Rates by Spike-Time Dependent Hebbian Learning

Over a broad parameter regime, spike-time dependent learning leads to an intrinsic stabilization of the mean firing rate of the postsynaptic neuron. Subtractive normalization of the synaptic weights (summed over all presynaptic inputs converging on a postsynaptic neuron) follows if, in addition, the mean input rates are identical at all synapses and correlations in the input are translation invariant. In a rate description, stabilization of the postsynaptic firing rate is most easily achieved by a negative correlation term in the learning rule, often called ‘anti-Hebbian’ learning. For spike-based learning, a strict distinction between Hebbian and ‘anti-Hebbian’ rules is no longer possible. Specifically, learning is driven by correlations on the time scale of the learning window which may be positive even though the integral over the learning window is negative. While the negative integral leads to intrinsic rate stabilization, the positive part of the learning window picks up temporal structure in the input. Spike-spike correlations between presynaptic and postsynaptic firing stabilize those synapses which have large efficacies. The spike-spike correlations are evaluated for a piecewise linear Poisson model and for a noisy spiking neuron model with refractoriness.
Regional differences in agricultural profitability, government payments, and farmland values: Implications of DuPont expansion

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to use the DuPont expansion to examine those factors underlying differences in (rates of) return on different crop portfolios over space (ten regions) and time (1960-2004). The paper also estimates the impact of government payments on farmland values through its impact on farm profitability. Design/methodology/approach - Businesses use the DuPont model to analyze the profitability of a business. This model includes three components: net profit margin, asset turnover, and financial leverage (or assets to equity). It is based on the relationships among these three components and is expressed as a product of ratios. For the purposes of the current study, accrued capital gains from (total) returns are excluded to focus on cash returns “cash flow”. Returns from current income are a “cash flow” available in the short run to pay financial obligations. Furthermore, returns from capital gains are not liquid; they are gains in wealth fully captured as capital gains/losses only in the longer term. Following the DuPont approach, the effect of government payments on farm asset values is equal to the sum of the effect of government payments on profit margins plus the effect of government payments on the asset turnover ratio. Findings - The analysis focuses on agricultural profitability in the ten Economic Research Service (ERS) regions. By comparing the components of the DuPont expansion, profitability differences over time are analyzed. The results indicate that one cause of low profitability in the Corn Belt and Mountain regions is a perpetually low profit margin while the evidence for other regions supports lower asset efficiency. Results show that government payments impact the profit margin and affect value of farm assets in particular farmland values but not asset turnover ratio. Originality/value - The use of DuPont expansion factor in agriculture is original and really helps us to understand the factors driving profitability in agriculture. Another innovation (originality) in this paper is the theoretical model that connects the DuPont expansion factor, government payments and its impact on farmland values.
A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effectiveness of Court-Type Traditional Thai Massage versus Amitriptyline in Patients with Chronic Tension-Type Headache

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the court-type traditional Thai massage (CTTM) to treat patients with chronic tension-type headaches (CTTHs) comparing with amitriptyline taking. A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Sixty patients diagnosed with CTTH were equally divided into a treatment and a control group. The treatment group received a 45-minute course of CTTM twice per week lasting 4 weeks while the control group was prescribed 25 mg of amitriptyline once a day before bedtime lasting 4 weeks. Outcome measures were evaluated in week 2, week 4 and followed up in week 6 consisting of visual analog scale (VAS), tissue hardness, pressure pain threshold (PPT), and heart rate variability (HRV). The results demonstrated a significant decrease in VAS pain intensity for the CTTM group at different assessment time points while a significant difference occurred in within-group and between-group comparison (P < 0.05) for each evaluated measure. Moreover, the tissue hardness of the CTTM group was significantly lower than the control group at week 4 (P < 0.05). The PPT and HRV of the CTTM group were significantly increased (P < 0.05). CTTM could be an alternative therapy for treatment of patients with CTTHs.
Comparing Attitudes of Online Instructors and Online College Students: Quantitative Results for Training, Evaluation and Administrationabout Administrative Student Support Services?

The past decade has witnessed an explosion in online learning opportunities for post-secondary students throughout the United States. The university has developed a Faculty Online Observation (FOO) model to allow for an annual observation of online adjunct faculty with a focus on five major areas of facilitation. To test the effectiveness and support of the FOO, a survey related to the observation areas was administered to online faculty and students. The results determined a number of areas of agreement and non-agreement between the groups. The findings will provide valuable information for future training and professional development needs of online instructors, and processes of teaching based on perspectives of instructors, course developers, students, and discipline managers.
Resazurin Microtiter Assay Plate: Simple and Inexpensive Method for Detection of Drug Resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

ABSTRACT A method for detecting multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis by using a reduction of resazurin is described. Eighty clinical isolates were evaluated against isoniazid and rifampin; results at 7 days were compared with those of the proportion method. Specificity and sensitivity were excellent. The method is simple, inexpensive, and rapid and might be used with other antituberculosis drugs.
Identification of Inhibitor Binding Site in Human Sirtuin 2 Using Molecular Docking and Dynamics Simulations

The ability to identify the site of a protein that can bind with high affinity to small, drug-like compounds has been an important goal in drug design. Sirtuin 2 (SIRT2), histone deacetylase protein family, plays a central role in the regulation of various pathways. Hence, identification of drug for SIRT2 has attracted great interest in the drug discovery community. To elucidate the molecular basis of the small molecules interactions to inhibit the SIRT2 function we employed the molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and the molecular mechanism Poisson-Boltzmann/surface area (MM-PBSA) calculations. Five well know inhibitors such as suramin, mol-6, sirtinol, 67, and nf675 were selected to establish the nature of the binding mode of the inhibitors in the SIRT2 active site. The molecular docking and dynamics simulations results revealed that the hydrogen bonds between Arg97 and Gln167 are crucial to inhibit the function of SIRT2. In addition, the MM-PBSA calculations revealed that binding of inhibitors to SIRT2 is mainly driven by van der Waals/non-polar interactions. Although the five inhibitors are very different in structure, shape, and electrostatic potential, they are able to fit in the same binding pocket. These findings from this study provide insights to elucidate the binding pattern of SIRT2 inhibitors and help in the rational structure-based design of novel SIRT2 inhibitors with improved potency and better resistance profile.
Surgical site infection (SSI) rates in the United States, 1992-1998: the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System basic SSI risk index.

By use of the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) System's surgical patient surveillance component protocol, the NNIS basic risk index was examined to predict the risk of a surgical site infection (SSI). The NNIS basic SSI risk index is composed of the following criteria: American Society of Anesthesiologists score of 3, 4, or 5; wound class; and duration of surgery. The effect when a laparoscope was used was also determined. Overall, for 34 of the 44 NNIS procedure categories, SSI rates increased significantly (P< .05) with the number of risk factors present. With regard to cholecystectomy and colon surgery, the SSI rate was significantly lower when the procedure was done laparoscopically within each risk index category. With regard to appendectomy and gastric surgery, use of a laparoscope affected SSI rates only when no other risk factors were present. The NNIS basic SSI index is useful for risk adjustment for a wide variety of procedures. For 4 operations, the use of a laparoscope lowered SSI risk, requiring modification of the NNIS basic SSI risk index.