Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Beliefs about Racial Discrimination and Support for Pro-Black Policies

Abstract This paper provides representative evidence on beliefs about racial discrimination and examines whether information causally affects support for pro-black policies. Eliciting quantitative beliefs about the extent of hiring discrimination against blacks, we uncover large disagreement about the extent of racial discrimination with particularly pronounced partisan differences. An information treatment leads to a convergence in beliefs about racial discrimination but does not lead to a similar convergence in support of pro-black policies. The results demonstrate that while providing information can substantially reduce disagreement about the extent of racial discrimination, it is not sufficient to reduce disagreement about pro-black policies.
Estimation of Operational Value-at-Risk in the Presence of Minimum Collection Thresholds ?

The Basel II Capital Accord of 2004 sets guidelines on operational risk capital requirements to be adopted by internationally active banks by around year-end 2007. Operational loss databases are subject to a minimum recording threshold of roughly $10,000 (internal) and $1 million (external) – an aspect often overlooked by practitioners. We provide theoretical and empirical evidence that ignoring these thresholds leads to underestimation of the VaR and CVaR figures within the Loss Distribution Approach. We emphasize that four crucial components of a reliable operational loss actuarial model are: (1) non-homogenous Poisson process for the loss arrival process, (2) flexible loss severity distributions, (3) accounting for the incomplete data, and (4) robustness analysis of the model.
Detecting structural changes in object oriented software systems

It is an increasingly accepted fact that software development is a non-linear activity with inherently feedback driven processes. In such a development environment, however, it is important that major structural changes in the design and/or architecture of a software system under development are introduced with care and documented accordingly. In order to give developers appropriate tools that can identify such changes, we need to have a good understanding how software systems evolve over time so that evolutionary anomalies can be automatically detected. In this paper, we present recurring high-level structural and evolutionary patterns that we have observed in a number of public-domain object-oriented software systems and define a simple predictive model that can aid developers in detecting structural changes and as a consequence, improve the underlying development processes.
Firing Fields of Dorsocaudal Medial Entorhinal Cortex as a Context-Independent Spatial Map

The firing fields of the ”grid cells” found in the rat dorsocaudal medial entorhinal cortex (dMEC) present a surprising pattern of context-independent regularity. We use computational means to analyze and validate the geometric and algebraic invariant properties of the firing fields, leading to a context invariant spatial map. Our method computes the specific symmetry group implicitly associated with the spatial map, and quantifies the regularity of the firing fields to achieve a symmetry-based clustering of two different types of “grid cells. ” This quantified regularity makes spatial mapping more computationally efficient and suggests a way to use the dMEC firing patterns to estimate the probabilty of the rat being located at different points in the room. Finally, general properties of context-independent population codes are suggested. Namely, context-independent population codes gain robustness by introducing uncertainty and ambiguity.
A “ Sum of Square Roots ” ( SSR ) Pseudorandom Sampling Method For Election Audits

This note proposes a cute little heuristic method of generating a uniformly distributed pseudo-random number between 0 and 1 for each precinct in an election, for use in selecting a sample of precincts for a post-election audit. A function f is described that takes as input a 15-digit “seed” S and a six-digit precinct number i, and produces a pseudo-random output xi = fS(i) between 0 and 1. The seed S is obtained by rolling fifteen dice in a public ceremony. For a 5% audit, precinct i will be audited if xi ≤ 0.05. This approach also works well for auditing methods, such as negexp, that set different auditing probabilities for different precincts. We call the proposed method the “SSR” method, as it is based on taking the fractional part of a sum of three square roots. One of the nice features of this method is that it can be performed on the simplest of pocket calculators (assuming it has a square-root button). Thus, local election officials and/or election observers can easily determine and/or verify whether or not each particular precinct should be audited, once the seed S has been determined at headquarters. The SSR method should be highly unpredictable to an adversary—an adversary who does not know the seed should have no advantage in determining which precincts to corrupt. The SSR method is also highly efficient, since only 15 dice rolls need to be done, instead of thousands. Finally, it is easily verifiable on a simple calculator.
EFFECTS OF STRAIN-RATE AND SUBGRID DISSIPATION RATE ON ALIGNMENT TRENDS BETWEEN LARGE AND SMALL SCALES IN TURBULENT DUCT FLOW

HPIV measurements of a turbulent flow in a square duct are used for studying the 3-D geometric relations between SGS stresses, filtered strain-rates and vorticity. Conditional sampling is performed based on the strain-rate magnitude and SGS dissipation, including negative values. In regions of high dissipation, the flow is more likely to be in axisymmetric expansion with vorticity strongly aligned with the intermediate strain-rate eigendirection. The alignment between the most extensive SGS stress and the most compressive strain-rate (Tao et al 2000) varies with both the dissipation and strain-rate magnitude, with increased peak values of probability density function (pdf) of angles in regions of high dissipation and strain-rate magnitude. The relative orientation pdfs of the other eigendirections exhibit a more distinguishable bimodal behavior in regions of high dissipation and strain-rate magnitude. However the alignments still differ from eddy viscosity models. The paper also presents the alignment pdf between the measured stresses and model stresses by similarity SGS models. It is shown that the non-linear model (linearized similarity model) provides much better predictions of the alignment, a trend that persists in conditionally sampled data as well.
Research on Hybrid ARIMA and Support Vector Machine Model in Short Term Load Forecasting

In power system, due to the complexity of the historical load data and the randomness of a lot of uncertain factors influence, the observed historical data showed linear and nonlinear characteristics. As we all known, the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) is one of the popular linear models in time series forecasting, and the SVM model is the recent research trend successfully used in solving nonlinear regression and time series problem. So in this paper, a hybrid methodology that combines both ARIMA and SVM model is presented to take advantage of the unique strength of ARIMA and SVM models in linear and nonlinear modeling. The linear pattern of the historical load data can be dealt with ARIMA, and the nonlinear part with SVM model. The effectiveness of the model has been tested using Hebei province daily load data with satisfactory results. The experimental results showed that the hybrid model can effectively improve the forecasting accuracy achieved by either of the models used separately
STT-RAM cell design optimization for persistent and non-persistent error rate reduction: A statistical design view

The rapidly increased demands for memory in electronic industry and the significant technical scaling challenges of all conventional memory technologies motivated the researches on the next generation memory technology. As one promising candidate, spin-transfer torque random access memory (STT-RAM) features fast access time, high density, non-volatility, and good CMOS process compatibility. However, like all other nano-scale devices, the performance and reliability of STT-RAM cells are severely affected by process variations, intrinsic device operating uncertainties and environmental fluctuations. In this work, we systematically analyze the impacts of CMOS and MTJ process variations, MTJ switching uncertainties induced by thermal fluctuations and working temperature on the performance and reliability of STT-RAM cells. A combined circuit and magnetic simulation platform is also established to quantitatively analyze the persistent and non-persistent error rates during the STT-RAM cell operations. Finally, an optimization flow and its effectiveness are depicted by using some STT-RAM cell designs as case study.
Electromyographic Muscle Activity in Curl-Up Exercises With Different Positions of Upper and Lower Extremities

Rutkowska-Kucharska, A and Szpala, A. Electromyographic muscle activity in curl-up exercises with different positions of upper and lower extremities. J Strength Cond Res 24(11): 3133-3139, 2010-The purpose of the study was to evaluate the electromyographic (EMG) activity of muscles in curl-up exercises depending on the position of the upper and lower extremities. From the perspective of biomechanics, different positions of the extremities result in shifting the center of gravity and changing muscular loads in abdominal strength exercises. The subjects of the research were 3 healthy students (body mass 53-56 kg and height 163-165 cm) with no history of low back pain or abdominal surgery. Subjects completed 18 trials for each of the 9 exercises (static curl-up with 3 positions of the upper and 3 position of the lower extremities). The same experiment with the same subjects was conducted on the next day. The EMG activity of rectus abdominis (RA), erector spinae (ES), and quadriceps femoris-long head (rectus femoris [RF]) was examined during the exercises. The surface electrical activity was recorded for the right and left sides of each muscle. The raw data for each muscle were rectified and integrated. The statistical analysis showed that changing the position of upper extremities in the examined exercises affects the EMG activity of RA and ES but does not significantly affect the EMG activity of RF. Additionally, it was found that curl-up exercises with the upper extremities extended behind the head and the lower extremities flexed at 90° in the hip and knee joints involve RA with the greatest intensity, whereas curl-up exercises with the upper extremities extended along the trunk and the lower extremities flexed at 90° in the hip and knee joints involve RA with the lowest intensity.
The relationship between system usage and user satisfaction: a meta-analysis

Purpose – System usage and user satisfaction are widely accepted and used as surrogate measures of IS success. Past studies attempted to explore the relationship between system usage and user satisfaction but findings are mixed, inconclusive and misleading. The main objective of this research is to better understand and explain the nature and strength of the relationship between system usage and user satisfaction by resolving the existing inconsistencies in the IS research and to validate this relationship empirically as defined in Delone and McLean's IS success model.Design/methodology/approach – “Meta‐analysis” as a research approach was adopted because of its suitability regarding the nature of the research and its capability of dealing with exploring relationships that may be obscured in other approaches to synthesize research findings. Meta‐analysis findings contributed towards better explaining the relationship between system usage and user satisfaction, the main objectives of this research.Findings.
Towards Low-Power High-Efficiency RF and Microwave Energy Harvesting

Since the very beginning of RF and microwave integrated techniques and energy harvesting, Schottky diodes are most often used in mixing and rectifying circuits. However, in specific μW power-harvesting applications, the Schottky diode technique fails to provide a satisfactory RF-dc conversion efficiency mainly because of its high zero-bias junction resistance. This paper examines the state-of-the-art low-power microwave-to-dc energy conversion techniques. A comprehensive picture of the state-of-the-art on this aspect is given graphically, which compares different technologies such as transistor, diode, and CMOS schemes. Subsequent to the highlighted limitations of current devices, this work introduces, for the first time, a nonlinear component for low-power rectification based on a recent discovery in spintronics, namely, the spindiode. Along with an analysis of the role of nonlinearity and zero bias resistance in the rectification process of the spindiode, it is shown how the spindiode could enhance the rectification efficiency even at a very low-power level and how this technique would shift the design paradigms of diode-based devices and circuits.
On mining mobile apps usage behavior for predicting apps usage in smartphones

Predicting Apps usage has become an important task due to the proliferation of Apps, and the complex of Apps. However, the previous research works utilized a considerable number of different sensors as training data to infer Apps usage. To save the energy consumption for the task of predicting Apps usages, only the temporal information is considered in this paper. We propose a Temporal-based Apps Predictor (abbreviated as TAP) to dynamically predict the Apps which are most likely to be used. First, we extract three Apps usage features, global usage feature, temporal usage feature, and periodical usage feature from the Apps usage trace. Then, based on those explored features, we dynamically derive an Apps usage probability model to estimate the current usage probability of each App in each feature. Finally, we investigate the usage probability in each feature and select k Apps with highest usage probability from the probability model. In this paper, we propose two selection algorithms, MaxProb and MinEntropy. To evaluate the performance of TAP, we use two real mobile Apps usage traces and assess the accuracy and efficiency. The experimental results show that the proposed TAP with the MinEntropy selection algorithm could have shorter response time of Apps prediction. Moreover, the accuracy reaches to 80% when k is 5, and when k is 7, the accuracy achieves almost 100% in both of the two real datasets.
Okun’s law over the business cycle: was the great recession all that different?

In 1962, Arthur Okun posited an empirical relationship between the change in the unemployment rate and real output growth. Since then, the media, policymakers, pundits, and intermediate macro students have used the so-called Okun’s law as a rule of thumb to relate changes in unemployment to changes in output growth. However, some studies have suggested that the relationship has not been stable over time. Furthermore, the slow recovery of U.S. unemployment relative to output after the Great Recession has led some to question whether Okun’s law has changed permanently. In this light, the authors reconsider the evidence on instability in Okun’s law and, in particular, examine whether the Great Recession has contributed to the breakdown of the empirical relationship.
PGE1, dexamethasone, U-74389G, or Bt2-cAMP as an additive to promote protection by UW solution in I/R injury.

A method to reduce ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury can be an important criterion to improve the preservation solution. Although University of Wisconsin solution (UW) works as a lung preservation solution, its attenuation effect on I/R injury has not been investigated. We attempted to determine whether, by adding various protective agents, modified UW solutions will enhance the I/R attenuation by UW. We examined the I/R injury in an isolated rat lung model. Various solutions, e.g., physiological salt solution (PSS), UW, and modified UW solutions containing various protective agents such as prostaglandin E1, dexamethasone, U-74389G, or dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate were perfused individually to evaluate the I/R injury. Isolated rat lung experiments, with ischemia for 45 min, then reperfusion for 60 min, were conducted in a closed circulating system. Hemodynamic changes, lung weight gain (LWG), capillary filtration coefficient (Kfc), protein content of lavage fluid, concentration of cytokines, and lung histopathology were analyzed. Results showed that the acute I/R lung injury with immediate permeability pulmonary edema was associated with an increase in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production. A significant correlation existed between TNF-alpha and Kfc (r = 0.8, P < 0.0001) and TNF-alpha and LWG (r = 0. 9, P < 0.0001), indicating that TNF-alpha is an important cytokine modulating early I/R injury. Significantly lower levels of Kfc, LWG, TNF-alpha, and protein concentration of lung lavage (P < 0.05) were found in the UW-perfused group than in the control group perfused with PSS. Modified UW promoted the protective effect of UW to further decrease Kfc, LWG, and TNF-alpha (P < 0.05). Histopathological observations also substantiated this evidence. In the UW+U-74389G group, bronchial alveolar lavage fluid contained lowest protein concentration. We conclude that the UW solution attenuates I/R injury of rat lung and that the modified UW solutions further enhance the effect of UW in reducing I/R injury. Among modified solutions, UW+U-74389G is the best. Further investigation of the improved effects of the modified UW solutions would be beneficial in lung transplantation.
Shikonin Suppresses Skin Carcinogenesis via Inhibiting Cell Proliferation

The M2 isoform of pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) has been shown to be up-regulated in human skin cancers. To test whether PKM2 may be a target for chemoprevention, shikonin, a natural product from the root of Lithospermum erythrorhizon and a specific inhibitor of PKM2, was used in a chemically-induced mouse skin carcinogenesis study. The results revealed that shikonin treatment suppressed skin tumor formation. Morphological examinations and immunohistochemical staining of the skin epidermal tissues suggested that shikonin inhibited cell proliferation without inducing apoptosis. Although shikonin alone suppressed PKM2 activity, it did not suppress tumor promoter-induced PKM2 activation in the skin epidermal tissues at the end of the skin carcinogenesis study. To reveal the potential chemopreventive mechanism of shikonin, an antibody microarray analysis was performed, and the results showed that the transcription factor ATF2 and its downstream target Cdk4 were up-regulated by chemical carcinogen treatment; whereas these up-regulations were suppressed by shikonin. In a promotable skin cell model, the nuclear levels of ATF2 were increased during tumor promotion, whereas this increase was inhibited by shikonin. Furthermore, knockdown of ATF2 decreased the expression levels of Cdk4 and Fra-1 (a key subunit of the activator protein 1. In summary, these results suggest that shikonin, rather than inhibiting PKM2 in vivo, suppresses the ATF2 pathway in skin carcinogenesis.
An inverse ellipsometric problem for thin film characterization: comparison of different optimization methods

In this paper, an ill-posed inverse ellipsometric problem for thin film characterization is studied. The aim is to determine the thickness, the refractive index and the coefficient of extinction of homogeneous films deposited on a substrate without assuming any a priori knowledge of the dispersion law. Different methods are implemented for the benchmark. The first method considers the spectroscopic ellipsometer as an addition of single wavelength ellipsometers coupled only via the film thickness. The second is an improvement of the first one and uses Tikhonov regularization in order to smooth out the parameter curve. Cross-validation technique is used to determine the best regularization coefficient. The third method consists in a library searching. The aim is to choose the best combination of parameters inside a pre-computed library. In order to be more accurate, we also used multi-angle and multi-thickness measurements combined with the Tikhonov regularization method. This complementary approach is also part of the benchmark. The same polymer resist material is used as the thin film under test, with two different thicknesses and three angles of measurement. The paper discloses the results obtained with these different methods and provides elements for the choice of the most efficient strategy.
Neural mechanisms of motor program switching in the mollusc Pleurobranchaea. III. Role fo the paracerebral neurons and other identified brain neurons

Identified neurons in the cerebropleural ganglion (brain) of the mollusc Pleurobranchaea were stimulated and recorded from intracellularly while recording the identified motor program from buccal muscles (reduced preparation) or nerves (isolated central nervous system). Neurons studied included the metacerebral giant neurons (MCGs), phasic paracerebral neurons (PCp's), polysynaptic excitors of the PCp's (PSEs), type II electrotonic neurons (ETII's), type I electrotonic neurons (ETI's) and several other identified neurons or neuronal classes. Intracellular stimulation of the above identified neurons generally elicited the ingestion motor program or its characteristic components, but never the egestion motor program and seldom its characteristic components. Intracellular recordings from these neurons in the isolated central nervous system preparation while eliciting the ingestion and egestion motor program generally showed cyclic membrane potential oscillations in phase with both motor programs, indicating that these neurons receive synaptic feedback from the ingestion and egestion central pattern generator(s). This study is therefore consistent with the view that an interrelated cluster of brain neurons is specialized to command the ingestion motor program. A neural model of motor program switching in the buccal motor system is formulated, comprising separate command pathways for ingestion and egestion that converge on a common central pattern generator(s).
Improving Nutritional Status Through Behavioral Change: Lessons from Madagascar

This brief summarizes the results of a gender impact evaluation study, entitled Improving nutritional status through behavioral change : lessons from Madagascar, conducted between 1999 and 2002 in Madagascar. The study observed the impact of large-scale intervention that focuses on the quality of nutritional and child care inputs during the early stages of life. The empirical strategy uses a combination of double-difference and weighting estimators in a longitudinal survey to address the purposive placement of participating communities and estimates the effect of the availability of the program at the community level on nutritional outcomes on the child level. The program significantly improved weight for age z- scores and reduced the proportion of children who were underweight. The program improved the weight for age z-score by 0.15 to 0.22 standard deviations and reduced the incidence of underweight by 5.2 to 7.6 percentage points. The program also led to a significant reduction in stunting. The evidence suggests that these effects indicate significant impacts on longer-term nutritional outcomes. There is some heterogeneity in program impacts, more educated and wealthier mothers reap more benefits from the program. Funding for the study derived from the World Bank Research Grant Community Nutrition: Evaluation of Impacts in Africa.