Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Insular cortex activity and the evocation of laughter

The insular cortex is fundamentally involved in the processing of interoceptive information. It has been postulated that the integrative monitoring of the bodily responses to environmental stimuli is crucial for the recognition and experience of emotions. Because emotional arousal is known to be closely coupled to functions of the anterior insula, we suspected laughter to be associated primarily with neuronal activity in this region. An anatomically constrained re‐analysis of our imaging data pertaining to ticklish laughter, to inhibited ticklish laughter, and to voluntary laughter revealed regional differences in the levels of neuronal activity in the posterior and mid‐/anterior portions of the insula. Ticklish laughter was associated specifically with right ventral anterior insular activity, which was not detected under the other two conditions. Hence, apparently, only laughter that is evoked as an emotional response bears the signature of autonomic arousal in the insular cortex. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:1608–1615, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Comingled Code: Open Source and Economic Development

Discussions of the economic impact of open source software often generate more heat than light. Advocates passionately assert the benefits of open source while critics decry its effects. Missing from the debate is rigorous economic analysis and systematic economic evidence of the impact of open source on consumers, firms, and economic development in general. This book fills that gap. In The Comingled Code, Josh Lerner and Mark Schankerman, drawing on a new, large-scale database, show that open source and proprietary software interact in sometimes unexpected ways, and discuss the policy implications of these findings. The new data (from a range of countries in varying stages of development) documents the mixing of open source and proprietary software: firms sell proprietary software while contributing to open source, and users extensively mix and match the two. Lerner and Schankerman examine the ways in which software differs from other technologies in promoting economic development, what motivates individuals and firms to contribute to open source projects, how developers and users view the trade-offs between the two kinds of software, and how government policies can ensure that open source competes effectively with proprietary software and contributes to economic development.
Essays in Exchange Rates and Prices

In these essays, I examine exchange rates and prices in the context of a small open economy. My first chapter is an empirical study of the behavior of nominal and real exchange rates in Mexico in the last 20 years. I present facts for exchange rate pass-through to prices, using both aggregate prices and CPI micro-data. I structure the evidence in two sets of facts that highlight the importance of real shocks and monetary regime in explaining changing patterns of aggregate prices and the CPI micro data. The first set shows that the nominal and real exchange rates have a strong co-movement at short and medium run horizons. Second, real exchange rate movements are mostly explained by changes in relative prices between `at the dock' prices and retail prices. Third, there is a large nominal exchange rate shock, the reason behind the incomplete exchange rate pass-through and the increase in the real exchange rate is not a slow price adjustment of goods that are actually traded, but a less-than-proportional adjustment of retail prices.The second set of facts analyzes the behavior of individual prices used to compute the CPI. First, there is a positive correlation between the fraction of prices that adjust per period (i.e., the frequency of price adjustment) and the level of inflation. Second, this correlation and the role of these changes in the fraction of adjusting prices in inflation is mostly explained by the exchange rate pass through after the 1994 large currency devaluation episode. In the second chapter I study the role of nominal price rigidities in accounting for low CPI inflation after large currency depreciations. Using a small open economy model with menu-cost nominal frictions calibrated to micro data from Mexico's Consumer Price Index, I find that in episodes of large depreciations, the effects of nominal rigidities in retail prices are quantitatively small and short-lived. The incomplete exchange rate pass-through to consumer prices is largely a result of a fall in real wages caused by negative real shocks and nominal stickiness in wagesIn my third chapter I present a model of a small open economy subject both to a collateral constraint and downward rigidity in wages. These constraints will interact generating external shocks amplification and, in the presence of a currency peg regime, it also generates unemployment. This can be seen as an example that captures two main themes for small open economies: real exchange rigidities and consumption volatility. The contributions of my chapter are twofold. First, I show how financial amplification effects caused by `over borrowing can generate high unemployment rates without resorting to extreme wage rigidity. Second, it shows that the exchange rate policy faces a tradeoff between unemployment and tradable consumption when the collateral constraint binds. These two insights reflect the tradeoff of maintaining a currency peg during a crises: higher unemployment or an amplification of financial amplification of shocks.
The effect of statins on urinary albumin excretion and glomerular filtration rate: results from both a randomized clinical trial and an observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND Statins improve cardiovascular outcome, but less is known on the renal outcome. We, therefore, studied the relationship between the use of statins and urinary albumin excretion (UAE) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in two settings: a randomized controlled trial (RCT) and an observational cohort study, in which patients were included to study the impact of an elevated UAE on renal and cardiovascular prognosis. METHODS We used data from the Prevention of REnal and Vascular ENd-stage Disease Intervention trial (PREVEND-IT) and the PREVEND cohort study. The PREVEND-IT subjects (788 with a UAE 15-300 mg/day) received pravastatin 40 mg/day vs placebo and/or fosinopril 20 mg/day vs placebo in a 2x2 factorial-RCT design. Of the 3440 cohort subjects, 469 used statins during the 4-year follow-up period. Multivariate-regression adjusted for confounding factors and the propensity score was used to estimate the relation between statin use and UAE and GFR. RESULTS In the RCT, pravastatin did not change UAE or GFR, neither in fosinopril yes/no subgroups. In the observational cohort, statin use was associated with a rise in UAE (+12.1%), compared with statin non-use (+3.6%, P<0.001). This rise was most pronounced in those on statins prior to the first screening [+24.8% (95% CI: 11.9-39.2)], those using statins>3 years [+18.5% (7.3-30.8)] and those with >1 or >2 defined daily doses (+15.7 and +17.3%, respectively). These differences remained significant after adjustment for relevant variables and propensity score. The rise in UAE could not be attributed to a higher dose or a specific statin. GFR fell in 4 years in both statin users and non-users (4.6+/-13.5 and 2.4+/-11.2, respectively). The fall in GFR between groups was not different after adjustment (P=0.11). CONCLUSIONS We conclude from the RCT data that statins do not lower UAE in subjects selected because of an elevated UAE instead of hyperlipidaemia. In the observational cohort study, the use of statins similarly was not associated with a fall in UAE; UAE instead increased. Statin treatment was not associated with a significant change in GFR in these subjects with only modestly impaired GFR.
Evaluating multi-sense embeddings for semantic resolution monolingually and in word translation

Multi-sense word embeddings (MSEs) model different meanings of word forms with different vectors. We propose two new methods for evaluating MSEs, one based on monolingual dictionaries, and the other exploiting the principle that words may be ambiguous as far as the postulated senses translate to different words in some other language.
Clustering based approach for balancing accuracy and diversity in collaborative filtering

In today’s world of e-commerce, recommender system plays an important role for both individual user and business. Traditional recommender systems mainly emphasize on individual user satisfaction by recommending high quality items. However, recent study shows that diversity in recommendations is equally important factor from both user and business view points. Diversity in recommended items (individual diversity) provides a user to discover new (novel) items. On the other hand, recommending diverse range of items (aggregate diversity) prevent any item from becoming obscure in a large item space. While there are numerous works done on improving the recommendation accuracy. However, diversity in recommendation is often overlooked. In this paper, we explore clustering technique to generate diverse recommendations at both individual user and aggregate level while maintaining comparable level of accuracy. The results show high diversity gains while applying proposed approach on a real-world rating dataset (MovieLens).
Are Education and Training Always Complements? Evidence from Thailand

This paper investigates the relationship between education and employer-provided training, both on-the-job and off-the-job, using a unique dataset drawn from a survey of Thai employees conducted in the summer of 2001. The authors find a negative and statistically significant relationship between educational attainment and on-the-job training (OJT) and a positive and statistically significant relationship between education and off-the-job training. Since the marginal monetary returns to OJT increase with education, the negative relationship between education and OJT suggests that the marginal costs of OJT are higher for the better educated, perhaps because the opportunity costs of the time spent receiving OJT increase with educational attainment.
Border Region Bridge and Air Transport Predictability

Border region transportation forecast analysis is fraught with difficulty. In the case of El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, dual national business cycles and currency market fluctuations further complicate modeling efforts. Incomplete data samples and asymmetric data reporting conventions further confound forecasting exercises. Under these conditions, a natural alternative to structural econometric models to consider is neural network analysis. Neural network forecasts of air transportation and international bridge activity are developed using a multi-layered perceptron approach. Those out-of sample simulations are then compared to previously published forecasts produced with a system of simultaneous econometric equations. Empirical results indicate that the econometric approach is generally more accurate. In several cases, the two sets of forecasts are found to contain complementary information.
Intensive Care Unit Admission after Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy. Is It Necessary?

Introduction. Cytoreductive surgery (CS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a new approach for peritoneal carcinomatosis. However, high rates of complications are associated with CS and HIPEC due to treatment complexity; that is why some patients need stabilization and surveillance for complications in the intensive care unit. Objective. This study analyzed that ICU stay is necessary after HIPEC. Methods. 39 patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis were treated according to strict selection criteria with CS and HIPEC, with closed technique, and the chemotherapy administered were cisplatin 25 mg/m2/L and mitomycin C 3.3 mg/m2/L for 90-minutes at 40.5°C. Results. 26 (67%) of the 39 patients were transferred to the ICU. Major postoperative complications were seen in 14/26 patients (53%). The mean time on surgical procedures was 7.06 hours (range 5−9 hours). The mean blood loss was 939 ml (range 100–3700 ml). The mean time stay in the ICU was 2.7 days. Conclusion. CS with HIPEC for the treatment of PC results in low mortality and high morbidity. Therefore, ICU stay directly following HIPEC should not be standardized, but should preferably be based on the extent or resections performed and individual patient characteristics and risk factors. Late complications were comparable to those reported after large abdominal surgery without HIPEC.
I am being watched by the Tribunal: Trust and control in Multiplayer Online Battle Arena games

Toxic gaming and griefing in online games are part of the everyday interaction of players around the world. Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) games are notorious for their players’ toxic behavior. League of Legends (LoL), one of the most popular MOBA games, uses the Tribunal system as a strategy to restrict and punish toxic behaviors. The Tribunal system is a neutral body of surveillance that influences the level of system trust for the different populations of players. In this pre-study the attitudes of two different player communities are investigated, with a focus on the Tribunal system. Through forum posts in Defense of the Ancients 2 (Dota 2) forums and League of Legends forums, we analyzed the attitudes towards the Tribunal system from two different player communities. We found a more positive attitude towards the Tribunal system amongst the posts in the LoL forum compared to the posts in the Dota 2 forum, indicating a higher level of system trust for LoL players, and a higher level of personal trust amongst Dota 2 players.
The United Kingdom Parliament and European Union Legislation

Part I: The United Kingdom and the European Community. The Legislative Process of the European Community. The Relationship Between the United Kingdom Parliament and the Institutions of the European Union. Part II: The House of Commons. The Work of the Select Committee on European Legislation. Debating European Legislative Proposals in the European Standing Committees and on the Floor of the House. Departmentally Related Select Committees in the House of Commons and European Affairs. The Scrutiny of European Legislation by the House of Commons after Maastricht. Part III: The House of Lords. The House of Lords and the European Union. The Work of the Select Committee on the European Communities. The Work of the Sub-Committees in the House of Lords. Arrangements in the House of Lords for Scrutiny of the Inter-Governmental Pillars. The Scrutiny of European Legislation by a Reformed Second Chamber - Some Views and Evaluations of a Reformed House of Lords. Part IV: Are the Scrutiny Arrangements Effective? Conclusions and Evaluations. Appendices: List of Witnesses. Structure of the European Union. The Working Methods of the Select Committee on the European Communities.
Peak Efficiency Aware Scheduling for Highly Energy Proportional Servers

Energy proportionality of data center severs have improved drastically over the past decade to the point where near ideal energy proportional servers are now common. These highly energy proportional servers exhibit the unique property where peak efficiency no longer coincides with peak utilization. In this paper, we explore the implications of this property on data center scheduling. We identified that current state of the art data center schedulers does not efficiently leverage these properties, leading to inefficient scheduling decisions. We propose Peak Efficiency Aware Scheduling (PEAS) which can achieve better-than-ideal energy proportionality at the data center level. We demonstrate that PEAS can reduce average power by 25.5% with 3.0% improvement to TCO compared to state-of-the-art scheduling policies.
Analysis of Diepoxide-Specific Cyclic N-Terminal Globin Adducts in Mice and Rats after Inhalation Exposure to 1,3-Butadiene

1,3-Butadiene is an important industrial chemical used in the production of synthetic rubber and is also found in gasoline and combustion products. It is a multispecies, multisite carcinogen in rodents, with mice being the most sensitive species. 1,3-Butadiene is metabolized to several epoxides that form DNA and protein adducts. Previous analysis of 1,2,3-trihydroxybutyl-valine globin adducts suggested that most adducts resulted from 3-butene-1,2-diol metabolism to 3,4-epoxy-1,2-butanediol, rather than from 1,2;3,4-diepoxybutane. To specifically examine metabolism of 1,3-butadiene to 1,2;3,4-diepoxybutane, the formation of the 1,2;3,4-diepoxybutane–specific adduct N,N-(2,3-dihydroxy-1,4-butadiyl)-valine was evaluated in mice treated with 3, 62.5, or 1250 ppm 1,3-butadiene for 10 days and rats exposed to 3 or 62.5 ppm 1,3-butadiene for 10 days, or to 1000 ppm 1,3-butadiene for 90 days, using a newly developed immunoaffinity liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry assay. In addition, 2-hydroxy-3-butenyl-valine and 1,2,3-trihydroxybutyl-valine adducts were determined. The analyses of several adducts derived from 1,3-butadiene metabolites provided new insight into species and exposure differences in 1,3-butadiene metabolism. Mice formed much higher amounts of N,N-(2,3-dihydroxy-1,4-butadiyl)–valine than rats. The formation of 2-hydroxy-3-butenyl-valine and N,N-(2,3-dihydroxy-1,4-butadiyl)–valine was similar in mice exposed to 3 or 62.5 ppm 1,3-butadiene, whereas 2-hydroxy-3-butenyl-valine was 3-fold higher at 1250 ppm. In both species, 1,2,3-trihydroxybutyl-valine adducts were much higher than 2-hydroxy-3-butenyl-valine and N,N-(2,3-dihydroxy-1,4-butadiyl)–valine. Together, these data show that 1,3-butadiene is primarily metabolized via the 3-butene-1,2-diol pathway, but that mice are much more efficient at forming 1,2;3,4-diepoxybutane than rats, particularly at low exposures. This assay should also be readily adaptable to molecular epidemiology studies on 1,3-butadiene-exposed workers
Binding of Histone H1 to DNA Is Differentially Modulated by Redox State of HMGB1

HMGB1 is an architectural protein in chromatin, acting also as a signaling molecule outside the cell. Recent reports from several laboratories provided evidence that a number of both the intracellular and extracellular functions of HMGB1 may depend on redox-sensitive cysteine residues of the protein. In this study we demonstrate that redox state of HMGB1 can significantly modulate the ability of the protein to bind and bend DNA, as well as to promote DNA end-joining. We also report a high affinity binding of histone H1 to hemicatenated DNA loops and DNA minicircles. Finally, we show that reduced HMGB1 can readily displace histone H1 from DNA, while oxidized HMGB1 has limited capacity for H1 displacement. Our results suggested a novel mechanism for the HMGB1-mediated modulation of histone H1 binding to DNA. Possible biological consequences of linker histones H1 replacement by HMGB1 for the functioning of chromatin are discussed.
Is East Africa an Optimum Currency Area

The paper investigates whether the East African Community, comprising of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, constitutes an optimum currency area or not. The East African Community has been revived, and one of the long-term objectives of the Community is to have a common currency. The paper employs the Generalised Purchasing Power Parity method, and various criteria suggested by the theory of Optimum Currency Areas to investigate the optimality of the Community as a currency area. While the various indices that we calculated based on the theory of Optimum Currency Areas gave mixed verdicts, the Generalised Purchasing Power Parity (G-PPP) method supports the formation of a currency union in the region.Using the G-PPP method, we were able to establish cointegration between the real exchange rates in East Africa for the period 1981 to 1998, and even for the period 1990 to 1998. This finding suggests that the three countries tend to be affected by similar shocks.
Assessment of upper airways measurements in patients with mandibular skeletal Class II malocclusion

Objective: Mandibular Class II malocclusions seem to interfere in upper airways measurements. The aim of this study was to assess the upper airways measurements of patients with skeletal Class II malocclusion in order to investigate the association between these measurements and the position and length of the mandible as well as mandibular growth trend, comparing the Class II group with a Class I one. Methods: A total of 80 lateral cephalograms from 80 individuals aged between 10 and 17 years old were assessed. Forty radiographs of Class I malocclusion individuals were matched by age with forty radiographs of individuals with mandibular Class II malocclusion. McNamara Jr., Ricketts, Downs and Jarabak's measurements were used for cephalometric evaluation. Data were submitted to descriptive and inferential statistical analysis by means of SPSS 20.0 statistical package. Student's t-test, Pearson correlation and intraclass correlation coefficient were used. A 95% confidence interval and 5% significance level were adopted to interpret the results. Results: There were differences between groups. Oropharynx and nasopharynx sizes as well as mandibular position and length were found to be reduced in Class II individuals. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the size of the oropharynx and Xi-Pm, Co-Gn and SNB measurements. In addition, the size of the nasopharynx was found to be correlated with Xi-Pm, Co-Gn, facial depth, SNB, facial axis and FMA. Conclusion: Individuals with mandibular Class II malocclusion were shown to have upper airways measurements diminished. There was a correlation between mandibular length and position and the size of oropharynx and nasopharynx.
Public Service Broadcasting's Participation in the Reconfiguration of Online News Content

This article analyses public service broadcasting in Europe, looking at public broadcasters' role as promoters of participative processes. Computer-mediated communication and studies rooted in mediated human interactivity are used to explore participative elements provided by digital technology, and how these can be incorporated into the news websites, through an empirical study of 5 case studies in the European market. The analysis is based on the methodology of content analysis with the goal of outlining the particularities of the participative elements implemented by each broadcaster and revealing the most common participative strategies. The findings suggest that although public service broadcasters offer a wide variety of possibilities, encouraging audiences to take on more active roles, their role is still peripheral and complementary.
Creating a Standards-Based Economics Principles Course

America's adult population is economically illiterate. College economics instruction must shoulder some of the blame for this situation. Forty percent of all college graduates take an economics course. Over 95 percent of principles of economics students do not continue on to major in economics, however. For them, introductory economics is a terminal course. To improve adult economic literacy the authors argue for replacing much of the detail and technical material in the traditional two-semester principles of economics course with a single semester introductory course that emphasizes basic concepts, repetitive practice applying those concepts to real circumstances, and active participation of students in the learning process. The goals of this course should be limited to developing a thorough understanding of basic economic principles such as scarcity, opportunity cost, trade-offs, marginal analysis, incentives, specialization, voluntary exchange, markets, prices as signals, and so on, at the expense of breadth. Twenty appropriate principles are identified in the 1997 Voluntary National Content Standards. The authors argue for omitting cost curves, most graphs, analysis of industry structures, elasticity and multiplier computations, and aggregate demand and aggregate supply analysis from the introductory course.