Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Argumentation in Psychology: Background Comments

Argumentation constitutes 1 of the most common forms of human interaction. Yet despite its pervasiveness, relatively little psychological research has been conducted on the topic. This article serves as an introduction to this research and has 2 goals. One is to discuss a number of general issues relevant to the study of argumentation, including the definition, goals and functions, structure, evaluation of arguments and argumentation, and the relation of narrativity and argumentation. The 2nd goal is to describe some examples of the existing psychological research on argumentation, with emphasis on articles in this special issue. Topics include argumentation by children, argumentation skill, writing argumentative text, argumentation and case-based change, argumentation and critical thinking, and argumentation and narrativity in a legal context.
Girl Power in Agricultural Production: How Much Does it Yield? A Case-Study on the Dairy Sector in India

It is often argued that women have an important role to play in fostering sustainable and inclusive development. Several empirical studies indeed find a correlation between intra-household bargaining power and spending on children’s nutrition, health and education. The general perception of the impact of gender on agricultural productivity is far less favorable. As a result of constrained access to input markets, output markets, and land markets, female-headed households are usually found to be less productive in agriculture than male-headed households. This paper provides empirical evidence of the impact of female intra-household decision-making power on dairy productivity in India, based on evidence from a household-level dataset which was collected in 2008 in 50 villages spread over 5 districts in Andhra Pradesh, a state in the South of India. The results of our analysis suggest that equal, if not higher, productivity is achieved in households where a woman, rather than a man, is the primary decision-maker over production-related decisions. While caution is due in drawing overly strong conclusions, and more research is needed to corroborate these findings, our results provide a more nuanced view on the impact of gender on agricultural productivity than the one which is usually put forward in the literature.
Inhibition of human squamous cell carcinoma growth in vivo by epidermal growth factor receptor antisense RNA transcribed from the U6 promoter.

BACKGROUND Squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (SCCHN), unlike normal mucosal squamous epithelial cells, overexpress epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) messenger RNA and protein. EGFR protein is required to sustain the proliferation of SCCHN cells in vitro. To determine whether EGFR expression contributes to tumor growth, we investigated the effect of suppressing EGFR expression in tumor xenografts through in situ expression of antisense oligonucleotides. METHODS Intratumoral cationic liposome-mediated gene transfer was used to deliver plasmids capable of expressing sense or antisense EGFR sequences into human head and neck tumors, which were grown as subcutaneous xenografts in nude mice. The oligonucleotides were expressed under the control of the U6 RNA promoter. RESULTS Direct inoculation of the EGFR antisense (but not the corresponding sense) plasmid construct into established SCCHN xenografts resulted in inhibition of tumor growth, suppression of EGFR protein expression, and an increased rate of apoptosis (programmed cell death). Sustained antitumor effects were observed for up to 2 weeks after the treatments were discontinued. CONCLUSION These results suggest that interference with EGFR expression, using an antisense-based gene therapy approach, may be an effective means of treating EGFR-overexpressing tumors, including SCCHN.
Aggregate Impacts of Natural and Man-made Disasters: A quantitative comparison

In recent decades, the world has faced an increasing number of natural and man-made disasters. Such disasters include tsunamis, earthquakes, the current ongoing financial crisis, terrorism, riots, and wars. These disasters generate tremendous social and economic costs, especially for the poor in low income economies. This paper assesses and compares the impacts of various natural and man-made disasters quantitatively. We carefully construct cross-country panel data of 189 countries within the range between 1968 to 2001 on a wide variety of natural disasters such as hydro-meteorological, geophysical, climatological, technological and biological disasters as well as man-made disasters such as economic crises, civil conflicts and wars. The paper employs this unique panel dataset to estimate econometric models which enable us to quantify and compare the impacts of different natural and man-made disasters on welfare as captured by per capita consumption. According to our estimation results, in the short term, natural disasters generate the largest negative welfare impacts which are followed by wars and economic disasters. Intriguingly, in the long term, natural disasters and wars have positive impacts on per capita GDP growth. Wars affect large economies more than small economies while natural disasters affect small economies disproportionately.
The Efficacy and Safety of Different Kinds of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Network Meta Analysis of 43 Randomized Controlled Trials

Background and Objective We conducted a network meta analysis (NMA) to compare different kinds of laparoscopic cholecystectomy [LC] (single port [SPLC], two ports [2PLC], three ports [3PLC], and four ports laparoscopic cholecystectomy [4PLC], and four ports mini-laparoscopic cholecystectomy [mini-4PLC]). Methods PubMed, the Cochrane library, EMBASE, and ISI Web of Knowledge were searched to find randomized controlled trials [RCTs]. Direct pair-wise meta analysis (DMA), indirect treatment comparison meta analysis (ITC) and NMA were conducted to compare different kinds of LC. Results We included 43 RCTs. The risk of bias of included studies was high. DMA showed that SPLC was associated with more postoperative complications, longer operative time, and higher cosmetic score than 4PLC, longer operative time and higher cosmetic score than 3PLC, more postoperative complications than mini-4PLC. Mini-4PLC was associated with longer operative time than 4PLC. ITC showed that 3PLC was associated with shorter operative time than mini-4PLC, and lower postoperative pain level than 2PLC. 2PLC was associated with fewer postoperative complications and longer hospital stay than SPLC. NMA showed that SPLC was associated with more postoperative complications than mini-4PLC, and longer operative time than 4PLC. Conclusion The rank probability plot suggested 4PLC might be the worst due to the highest level of postoperative pain, longest hospital stay, and lowest level of cosmetic score. The best one might be mini-4PLC because of highest level of cosmetic score, and fewest postoperative complications, or SPLC because of lowest level of postoperative pain and shortest hospital stay. But more studies are needed to determine which will be better between mini-4PLC and SPLC.
MicroRNA-27b Regulates Mitochondria Biogenesis in Myocytes

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs that affect the post-transcriptional regulation of various biological pathways. To date, it is not fully understood how miRNAs regulate mitochondrial biogenesis. This study aimed at the identification of the role of miRNA-27b in mitochondria biogenesis. The mitochondria content in C2C12 cells was significantly increased during myogenic differentiation and accompanied by a marked decrease of miRNA-27b expression. Furthermore, the expression of the predicted target gene of miRNA-27b, forkhead box j3 (Foxj3), was also increased during myogenic differentiation. Luciferase activity assays confirmed that miRNA-27b directly targets the 3’-untranslated region (3’-UTR) of Foxj3. Overexpression of miRNA-27b provoked a decrease of mitochondria content and diminished expression of related mitochondrial genes and Foxj3 both at mRNA and protein levels. The expression levels of downstream genes of Foxj3, such as Mef2c, PGC1α, NRF1 and mtTFA, were also decreased in C2C12 cells upon overexpression of miRNA-27b. These results suggested that miRNA-27b may affect mitochondria biogenesis by down-regulation of Foxj3 during myocyte differentiation.
Firm Size, Competition, Financing and Innovation

Abstract This paper investigates the effects of firm size, competition and access to finance on the innovation performance of that firm. After a review of the relevant literature, three logit models are proposed and tested. The empirical analysis is based on the business environment and enterprise performance survey (BEEPS) for 1053 enterprises from twenty-six countries in years 2002 and 2005. Our results suggest a positive and statistically significant relationship between firm size and innovation. We also find a positive relationship between both competition and access to finance with innovation.
A Study on the Single-dose Oral Toxicity of Super Key in Sprague-Dawley Rats

Objectives: This study was performed to analyze the single-dose oral toxicity of the super key (processed sulfur). Methods: All experiments were conducted at Medvill, an institution authorized to perform non-clinical studies, under the Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) regulations. In order to investigate the oral toxicity of super key We administered it orally to Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The SD rats were divided into four groups of five male and five female animals per group: group 1 being the control group and groups 2, 3, and 4 being the experimental groups. Doses of super key 500 mg/kg, 1,000 mg/kg and 2,000 mg/kg were administered to the experimental groups, and a dose of normal saline solution, 10 mL/kg, was administered to the control group. We examined the survival rates, weights, clinical signs, gross findings and necropsy findings. This study was conducted under the approval of the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee. (Approval number: A01-14018). Results: No deaths or abnormalities occurred in any of the four groups. Although slight decreases in the weights of some female rats were noted, no significant changes in weights or differences in the gross findings between the control group and the experimental groups were observed. To check for abnormalities in organs, we used microscopy to examine representative histological sections of each specified organ; the results showed no significant differences in any of the organs. Conclusion: The results of this research showed that administration of 500 ─ 2,000 mg/kg of super key did not cause any changes in the weights or in the results of necropsy examinations. Neither did it result in any mortalities. The above findings suggest that treatment with super key is relatively safe. Further studies on this subject are needed to yield more concrete evidence.
Participatory Governance in Urban Management and the Shifting Geometry of Power in Mumbai

This article questions the participatory dimension of urban governance in Mumbai. Based on surveys of a number of participatory projects for urban services, it compares the differentiated impacts of participation in middle-class colonies with those in slums. Results demonstrate that changing citizen–government relationships have led to the empowerment of the middle and upper middle class who harness the potential of new ‘invited space’ to expand their claims on the city and political space. In contrast, the poor end up on the losing side as NGOs function more as contracted agents of the State than as representatives of the poor. Direct community participation empowers influential community members, small private entrepreneurs and middlemen, and contributes to labour informalization. Ultimately, these processes consolidate a form of ‘governing beyond the State’ that promotes a managerial vision of participation and leads to double standards of citizenship.
Dimensions of emotional intelligence related to physical and mental health and to health behaviors

In this paper the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and health is examined. The current work investigated the dimensions of EI are sufficient to explain various components of physical and mental health, and various categories of health-related behaviors. A sample of 855 participants completed two measures of EI, the Trait Meta-Mood Scale and trait emotional intelligence questionnaire, a measure of health, the Health Survey SF-36 Questionnaire (SF-36); and a measure of health-related behaviors, the health behavior checklist. The results show that the EI dimensions analyzed are better predictors of mental health than of physical health. The EI dimensions that positively explain the Mental Health Component are Well-Being, Self-Control and Sociability, and negatively, Attention. Well-Being, Self-Control and Sociability positively explain the Physical Health Component. EI dimensions predict a lower percentage of health-related behaviors than they do health components. Emotionality and Repair predict the Preventive Health Behavior category, and only one dimension, Self-Control, predicts the Risk Taking Behavior category. Older people carry out more preventive behaviors for health.
Children's vocal behaviour in a pre-school environment and resulting vocal function

This study aims to shed some light onto the relationship between the degree of hoarseness in children’s voices observed at different times during a day in pre-school and different aspects of their speech behaviour. Behavioural aspects include speech activity, phonation time, F0 variation, speech intensity and the relationship between speech intensity and background noise intensity. The results show that children behave differently and that the same type of behaviour has a varied effect on the different children. It can be seen from two children with otherwise very similar speech behaviour, that the fact that one of them produces speech at a higher intensity level also brings about an increase of hoarseness by the end of the day in pre-school. The speech behaviour of the child with highest degree of hoarseness on the other hand cannot be observed to be putting an extreme load on the vocal system.
Future recession risks: an update

In 2010, statistical experiments based on components of the Conference Board’s Leading Economic Index showed a significant possibility of a U.S. recession over a 24-month period. Since then, the European sovereign debt crisis has aggravated international threats to the U.S. economy. Moreover, the Japanese earthquake and tsunami demonstrated that the U.S. economy is vulnerable to outside disruptions. Updated forecasts suggest that the probability of a U.S. recession has remained elevated and may have increased over the past year, in part because of foreign financial and economic crises.
Determinants Of Entrepreneurial Intentions

In this paper an economic-psychological model of factors that influence individuals’ intentions to go into business for themselves is developed and tested. According to this model the primary determinant of entrepreneurial intention is a person’s conviction that starting and running one’s own firm is a suitable alternative for him/her. This conviction is in its turn based on certain general attitudes and domain attitudes. The former refer to more general psychological dispositions whereas the latter specifically concern entrepreneurship and owner-managed firms. Attitudes are believed to act as mediators for influences of personal background factors. Apart from this ‿main chain‿ of causal influences, the individual’s current situation (i.e., employment status) is expected to have an impact on both conviction and intentions. The importance of this type of situational influence has been highlighted by previous research. The model is tested on a large sample of 35-40 years old Swedish subjects. A mail questionnaire with multiple indicators of the concepts in the model was distributed to 300 subjects each in 6 different regions. A response rate of over 70 percent was obtained. The use of six separate samples allows for checking the stability of the results. The results largely support the relationships suggested by the model. Comparatively high explanatory power (35 and over 50 percent, respectively) was obtained for conviction and intentions. The supposed effects of background factors and current situation were also confirmed. However, the analyses suggest that part of the influence of background factors is not mediated by the used psychological constructs. It is concluded that the model neatly summarizes and integrates much of what we know from previous research about factors that influence individuals’ entrepreneurial inclinations, and also adds some new insights.
Facial expression recognition for multiplayer online games

The Multiplayer Online Game (MOG) becomes more popular than any other types of computer games for its collaboration, communication and interaction ability. However, compared with the ordinary human communication, the MOG still has many limitations, especially in communication using facial expressions. Although detailed facial animation has already been achieved in a number of MOGs, players have to use text commands to control avatars expressions. In this paper, we briefly review the state of the art in facial expression recognition and propose an automatic expression recognition system that can be integrated into a MOG to control the avatar's facial expressions. We evaluate and improve a number of algorithms to meet the specific requirements of such a system and propose an efficient implementation. In particular, our proposed system uses fixed and less facial landmarks to reduce the computational load with little degradation of the recognition performance.
An Application of Post-DEA Bootstrap Regression Analysis to the Spillover of the Technology of Foreign-Invested Enterprises in China

It is now widely believed that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) affects positively the productivity of individual enterprises in the host economy and this is a main argument in favour of FDI. Although China is the largest recipient of FDI after the USA, there has been little empirical research as to whether such productivity effects of FDI are present in China. In this paper we attempt to answer some of these questions using a data set constructed from the Third Industrial Census of China conducted in 1995. We employ a Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to estimate individual enterprise level relative productivity scores from an industry level nonparameteric production technology. These individual results are then related to the level of FDI via a Bootstrap regression which is used to insure consistent estimates of the variance covariance matrix of the regression estimates. The results are decomposed by size of enterprise and industry and provide an insight to the manner in which such spillover effects may be operating in the Chinese Economy.
Idealized models for galactic disc formation and evolution in ‘realistic’ ΛCDM haloes

We study the dynamics of galactic disk formation and evolution in 'realistic' LambdaCDM haloes with idealized baryonic initial conditions. We add rotating spheres of hot gas at z=1.3 to two fully cosmological dark-matter-only halo (re)simulations. The gas cools according to an artificial and adjustable cooling function to form a rotationally supported galaxy. The simulations evolve in the full cosmological context until z=0. We vary the angular momentum and density profiles of the initial gas sphere, the cooling time and the orientation of the angular momentum vector to study the effects on the evolution of the disk. The final disks show realistic structural and kinematic properties. The slower the cooling/accretion processes, the higher the kinematic disk-to-bulge ratio D/B of the resulting system. We find that the initial orientation of the gas angular momentum with respect to the halo has a major effect on the resulting D/B. The most stable systems result from orientations parallel to the halo minor axis, but the sign of the spin can have a strong effect. Despite the spherical and coherently rotating initial gas distribution, the orientation of the central disk and of the outer gas components and the relative angle between the components can all change by more than 90 degrees over several billion years. Disks can form from initial conditions oriented parallel to the major axis, but there is often strong misalignment between inner and outer material. The more the orientation of the baryonic angular momentum changes during the evolution, the lower the final D/B. The behaviour varies strongly from halo to halo. Even our simple initial conditions can lead to strong bars, dominant bulges, massive, misaligned rings and counter-rotating components. We discuss how our results may relate to the failure or success of fully cosmological disk formation simulations. (abridged)
Cathelicidin Antimicrobial Peptides are Expressed in Salivary Glands and Saliva

The expression of antimicrobial peptides at epithelial surfaces such as skin, lung, and intestine is thought to provide protection against infection. Cathelicidin antimicrobial peptides are essential for the protection of skin against invasive bacterial infection. To determine if cathelicidins are also present in the oral cavity, we examined the expression of both mRNA and protein in mice and human saliva. The murine cathelicidin (CRAMP) was detected in the adult by reverse-transcription/polymerase chain-reaction (RT-PCR), and in embryonic, newborn, and adult tissues by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. CRAMP mRNA and protein were localized to the salivary glands, specifically in acinar cells of the submandibular gland and palatine minor glands, as well as in lingual epithelium and palatal mucosa. In man, the human cathelicidin LL-37 was detected in human saliva by Western blotting. These results indicate that cathelicidins are present in the salivary system, in some oral epithelia, and in saliva, contributing to broad-spectrum defense of the oral cavity.
Online Adaptation of a c-VEP Brain-Computer Interface(BCI) Based on Error-Related Potentials and Unsupervised Learning

The goal of a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) is to control a computer by pure brain activity. Recently, BCIs based on code-modulated visual evoked potentials (c-VEPs) have shown great potential to establish high-performance communication. In this paper we present a c-VEP BCI that uses online adaptation of the classifier to reduce calibration time and increase performance. We compare two different approaches for online adaptation of the system: an unsupervised method and a method that uses the detection of error-related potentials. Both approaches were tested in an online study, in which an average accuracy of 96% was achieved with adaptation based on error-related potentials. This accuracy corresponds to an average information transfer rate of 144 bit/min, which is the highest bitrate reported so far for a non-invasive BCI. In a free-spelling mode, the subjects were able to write with an average of 21.3 error-free letters per minute, which shows the feasibility of the BCI system in a normal-use scenario. In addition we show that a calibration of the BCI system solely based on the detection of error-related potentials is possible, without knowing the true class labels.