Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Humanitarian Theory of Punishment

IN ENGLAND we have lately had a controversy about Capital Punishment. I do not know whether a murderer is more likely to repent and make a good end on the gallows a few weeks after his trial or in the prison infirmary thirty years later. I do not know whether the fear of death is an indispensable' deterrent; I need not, for the purpose of this article, decide whether it is a morally permissible deterrent. Those are questions which I propose to leave untouched. My subject is not Capital Punishment in particular, but that theory of punishment in general which the controversy showed to be almost universal among my fellow-countrymen. It may be called th~ Humanitarian theory. Those who hold it think that it is mild and merciful. In this I believe that they are seriously mistaken. I believe that the "Humanity" which it claims is a dangerous illusion and disguises the possibility of cruelty and injustice without end. I urge a return to the traditional or Retributive theory not solely, not even primarily, in the interests of society, but in the interests of the rriminal. ' According to the Humanitarian theory, to punish a man because he deserves it, and as much as he deserves, is mere revenge, and, therefore, barbarous and immoral. It is maintained that the only legitimate motives for punishing are the desire to deter others by example or to mend the criminal. When this theory is combined, as frequently happens, with the belief that all crime is more or less pathological, the idea of mending tails off into that of healing or curing and punishment becomes therapeutic. Thus it appears at first sight that we have passed from the harsh and self-righteous notion of giving the wicked their deserts to the charitable and enlightened one of tending the psychologically sick. What could be more amiable? One little point which is taken for granted in this theory needs, however, to be made explicit. The things done to the criminal, even if they are called cures, will be just as compulsory as they were in the old days when we called them punishments. If a tendency to steal, can be cured by psychotherapy, the thief will no doubt be forced to undergo the treatment. Otherwise, society cannot continue.
Buffer Management and Hybrid Probability Choice Routing for Packet Delivery in Opportunistic Networks

Due to the features of long connection delays, frequent network partitions, and topology unsteadiness, the design of opportunistic networks faces the challenge of how to effectively deliver data based only on occasional encountering of nodes, where the conventional routing schemes do not work properly. This paper proposes a hybrid probability choice routing protocol with buffer management for opportunistic networks. A delivery probability function is set up based on continuous encounter duration time, which is used for selecting a better node to relay packets. By combining the buffer management utility and the delivery probability, a total utility is used to decide whether the packet should be kept in the buffer or be directly transmitted to the encountering node. Simulation results show that the proposed routing outperforms the existing one in terms of the delivery rate and the average delay.
Full-wave rectifiers based on operational transconductance amplifiers

The implementation of full-wave rectifiers using operational transconductance amplifiers (OTAs) as the only main active circuit elements is presented. The proposed scheme use the characteristic of the differential amplifier inside OTA and avoids the use of diode. The typical problems of the OTA circuit, the input voltage swing limitation and the temperature dependence of the OTA transconductance gain, have been improved. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate the performance of the proposed rectifier.
Mobile Agent Communication in Wireless Networks

| Software agents are gaining more and more attention in both research and commercial worlds and are sometimes proposed to be used in mobile wireless environments. While agents may solve many problems typical to these environments, agents require special support from underlying architecture. Mobile agents, perhaps the most known class of agents, needs special treatment in these environments. Although moving agent’s code from mobile device to stationary host, and running agent there solves the problem of unexpected disconnections, the migration process is sometimes too time consuming compared to traditional message passing. In this paper we discuss about agent communication issues concentrating on the problems the wireless environment causes, and give some guidelines how these problems may be solved.
Coordination of central odor representations through transient, non-oscillatory synchronization of glomerular output neurons

At the first stage of processing in the olfactory pathway, the patterns of glomerular activity evoked by different scents are both temporally and spatially dynamic. In the antennal lobe (AL) of some insects, coherent firing of AL projection neurons (PNs) can be phase-locked to network oscillations, and it has been proposed that oscillatory synchronization of PN activity may encode the chemical identity of the olfactory stimulus. It remains unclear, however, how the brain uses this time-constrained mechanism to encode chemical identity when the stimulus itself is unpredictably dynamic. In the olfactory pathway of the moth Manduca sexta,we find that different odorants evoke gamma-band oscillations in the AL and the mushroom body (a higher-order network that receives input from the AL), but oscillations within or between these two processing stages are not temporally coherent. Moreover, the timing of action potential firing in PNs is not phase-locked to oscillations in either the AL or mushroom body, and the correlation between PN synchrony and field oscillations remains low before, during, and after olfactory stimulation. These results demonstrate that olfactory circuits in the moth are specialized to preserve time-varying signals in the insect's olfactory space, and that stimulus dynamics rather than intrinsic oscillations modulate the uniquely coordinated pattern of PN synchronization evoked by each olfactory stimulus. We propose that non-oscillatory synchronization provides an adaptive mechanism by which PN ensembles can encode stimulus identity while concurrently monitoring the unpredictable dynamics in the olfactory signal that typically occur under natural stimulus conditions.
Cerebral Asymmetry and the Effects of Sex and Handedness on Brain Structure: A Voxel-Based Morphometric Analysis of 465 Normal Adult Human Brains

We used voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to examine human brain asymmetry and the effects of sex and handedness on brain structure in 465 normal adults. We observed significant asymmetry of cerebral grey and white matter in the occipital, frontal, and temporal lobes (petalia), including Heschl's gyrus, planum temporale (PT) and the hippocampal formation. Males demonstrated increased leftward asymmetry within Heschl's gyrus and PT compared to females. There was no significant interaction between asymmetry and handedness and no main effect of handedness. There was a significant main effect of sex on brain morphology, even after accounting for the larger global volumes of grey and white matter in males. Females had increased grey matter volume adjacent to the depths of both central sulci and the left superior temporal sulcus, in right Heschl's gyrus and PT, in right inferior frontal and frontomarginal gyri and in the cingulate gyrus. Females had significantly increased grey matter concentration extensively and relatively symmetrically in the cortical mantle, parahippocampal gyri, and in the banks of the cingulate and calcarine sulci. Males had increased grey matter volume bilaterally in the mesial temporal lobes, entorhinal and perirhinal cortex, and in the anterior lobes of the cerebellum, but no regions of increased grey matter concentration.
Evaluating the Design of Accounting Information System and its Implementation in Ethiopian Manufacturing Industries

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of accounting information system design and implementation. This study give an insight in identifying better and poor performance of the AIS, and a clue of measurements to be taken in order to improve the AIS design and implementation . Data were collected from primary sources while Z-Test statistics and multiple comparison tests were used for analysis of data. The results indicate that the accounting information system design and implementation of these firms is effective at the same time as it could: enhance quality of financial reports, control and safeguard assets. The results did not indicate that the accounting information system design and implementation is effective, as it could not improve performance evaluation. It was concluded that for accounting information system design and implementation to be effective, firms’ accounting information system stakeholders are supposed to focus on: enhanced AIS design and implementation criteria and increased attention towards professional and operational standard.
Hormetic Responses of Lonicera Japonica Thunb. To Cadmium Stress

The hormetic responses of Lonicera japonica Thunb. to cadmium (Cd) stress were investigated in a hydroponic experiment. The present results showed that root length and total biomass dry weight increased in comparison with the control at low concentrations Cd. The height of the plant exposed to 2.5 and 5 mg L-1 Cd increased significantly by 11.9% and 12.8% relative to the control, and with the increase of Cd concentrations in the medium, plant height began to decrease. The responses of photosynthetic pigments contents and relative water content to Cd stress had a similar trend, which all showed significantly an inverted U-shaped dose–response curve and confirmed that the stimulatory effect of low concentrations Cd occurred in the plant. Furthermore, L. japonica, as a new Cd-hyperaccumulator, could be considered as a new plant model to study the underlying mechanisms of the hormesis.
Normalization of the Matter Power Spectrum via Higher Order Angular Correlations of Luminous Red Galaxies

We present a novel technique with which to measure σ8. It relies on measuring the dependence of the second-order bias of a density field on σ8, using two separate techniques. Each technique employs area-averaged angular correlation functions (ω̄N), one relying on the shape of ω̄2, the other relying on the amplitude of s3 (s3 = ω̄3/ω̄22). We confirm the validity of this method by testing it on a mock catalog drawn from Millennium Simulation data and finding a value of σ8 − σtrue8 = − 0.002 ± 0.062. We create a catalog of photometrically selected LRGs from SDSS DR5 and separate it into three distinct data sets by photometric redshift, with median redshifts of 0.47, 0.53, and 0.61. Measurements of c2 and σ8 are made for each data set, with the assumption of a flat geometry and WMAP3 best-fit priors on Ωm, h, and Γ. We find, with increasing redshift, that c2 = 0.09 ± 0.04, 0.09 ± 0.05, and 0.09 ± 0.03, and σ8 = 0.78 ± 0.08, 0.80 ± 0.09, and 0.80 ± 0.09. We combine these three consistent σ8 measurements to produce σ8 = 0.79 ± 0.05. Allowing the parameters Ωm, h, and Γ to vary within their WMAP3 1 σ error, we find that the best-fit value of σ8 does not change by more than 8%, and we are thus confident that our measurement is accurate to within 10%. We anticipate that future surveys, such as Pan-STARRS, DES, and LSST, will be able to employ this method in order to measure σ8 to great precision, and this will serve as an important check, complementarily, on the values determined via more established methods.
Real-Time Decentralized Information Processing as a Model of Organizations with Boundedly Rational Agents

This paper studies the properties of real-time decentralized information processing as a model of human information processing in organizations. Real-time decentralized processing—which models the computation of decision rules in a temporal decision problem by members of an organization—captures both the cost of computation in terms of the members' time and the constraints imposed by computational delay on the use of recent information. Unlike a batch processing model, it has no single measure of delay because decisions are computed from data of heterogeneous lags. Furthermore, decentralization does not unambiguously reduce delay, because processing a message precludes processing current data.
Thyroid nodules with nondiagnostic results on repeat fine-needle aspiration biopsy: which nodules should be considered for repeat biopsy or surgery rather than follow-up?

Purpose: The goal of this study was to assess the clinicopathologic and ultrasonographic features of thyroid nodules with nondiagnostic results on repeat ultrasonography (US)-guided fineneedle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) according to size and the number of suspicious findings and to determine the proper management of nodules with consecutive nondiagnostic results. Methods: This retrospective study included 297 nodules with nondiagnostic results on repeat FNAB that were evaluated by US over the course of at least 12 months of follow-up, a follow-up biopsy, or an operation. We compared clinical and US variables between benign and malignant nodules in thyroid nodules with repeat nondiagnostic results. Results: The comparison of benign and malignant nodules with repeat nondiagnostic results revealed that age, marked hypoechogenicity, irregular or microlobulated margins, microcalcifications, and nonparallel shape were significantly associated with malignancy. Multivariate logistic regression analysis in malignant nodules revealed that microcalcifications and irregular or microlobulated margins were independently associated with malignancy. Among them, only irregular or microlobulated margins were independently significant as a predictor of malignancy in repeatedly nondiagnostic nodules measuring >10 mm. Using receiver operating characteristic analysis, the best cutoff value for the “number of suspicious findings” between benign and malignant nodules was three in nodules of all sizes, three in nodules measuring ≤10 mm, and two in nodules measuring >10 mm. Conclusion: Irregular or microlobulated margins may be the most frequent US features in repeatedly nondiagnostic nodules >10 mm. The presence of “two or more suspicious findings” can be used as the cutoff for distinguishing benign and malignant nodules.
The effects of incentives, instructor motivation and feedback strategies on faculty evaluation response rates in large and small class sizes

Abstract Four instructor-led strategies designed to increase faculty teaching response rates were assessed across both small (n < 50) and large (n ≥ 50) class sizes. The interventions included: (a) individual incentives, (b) group incentives, (c) instructor motivation and (d) instructor motivation plus feedback. A comparison group utilizing the standard university strategies was also included in the study. The percentage of answers to open-ended or qualitative questions was measured across groups. The results show that implementing a contingency – whether group or individual – significantly improves the rate at which students complete course evaluation ratings regardless of class size; however, these contingencies, while effective for increasing overall rating response rate, do not promote increased submission rates of qualitative comments. Furthermore, it was found that class GPA did not differ across intervention strategy nor did it influence response rates.
Dynamics of SHB and SDP on 9XX EDFAs: Dependence on spectral allocation of input channels

The influence of the spectral allocation of input channels on the dynamic response of three-level erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) governed by spectral hold burning (SHB) and site dependent pumping (SDP) is investigated, both, experimentally and theoretically. Using an experimental setup specifically designed to isolate and assess the SHB and SDP behavior we are able to validate, with a good accuracy, a mathematical model derived from the fundamental equations of the three-level amplifier. We conclude that by selecting a pump wavelength centered at 974 nm instead of 980 nm, we can reduce the power excursions by 23 %, and that by increasing the channel spacing from 100 GHz to 150 GHz the power excursions decrease by more than 20 %. Further simulations are done to investigate the behavior of SHB and SDP in an EDFA with ideal gain control. We verify that in a subband switch, changing from the red subband to the blue subband causes higher deviations than when changing from the blue subband to the red subband of the c-band. Also, in a drop scenario, the overshoots and undershoots of the surviving channel depend on the input channels spectral allocation and on the gain of the amplifier.
Vouchers for Private Schooling in Colombia : Evidence from a Randomized Natural Experiment

Colombia used lotteries to distribute vouchers which partially covered the cost of private secondary school for students who maintained satisfactory academic progress. Three years after the lotteries, winners were about 10 percentage points more likely to have  nished 8th grade, primarily because they were less likely to repeat grades, and scored 0.2 standard deviations higher on achievement tests. There is some evidence that winners worked less than losers and were less likely to marry or cohabit as teenagers. Bene ts to participants likely exceeded the $24 per winner additional cost to the government of supplying vouchers instead of publicschool places. (JEL I22, J13, I28)
Linear-quadratic Optimal Control with Integral Quadratic Constraints

We derive closed-form solutions for the linear-quadratic (LQ) optimal control problem subject to integral quadratic constraints. The optimal control is a non-linear function of the current state and the initial state. Furthermore, the optimal control is easily calculated by solving an unconstrained LQ control problem together with an optimal parameter selection problem. Gradient formulae for the cost functional of the optimal parameter selection problem is derived. Application to minimax problems is given. The method is illustrated in a numerical example.
Venous Outflow Reconstruction in Adult Living Donor Liver Transplant: Outcome of a Policy for Right Lobe Grafts without the Middle Hepatic Vein

Introduction. The difficulty and challenge of recovering a right lobe graft without MHV drainage is reconstructing the outflow tract of the hepatic veins. With the inclusion or the reconstruction of the MHV, early graft function is satisfactory. The inclusion of the MHV or not in the donor's right lobectomy should be based on sound criteria to provide adequate functional liver mass for recipient, while keeping risk to donor to the minimum. Objective. Reviewing the results of a policy for right lobe grafts transplant without MHV and analyzing methods of venous reconstruction related to outcome. Materials and Methods. We have two groups Group A (with more than one HV anast.) (n = 16) and Group B (single HV anast.) (n = 24). Both groups were compared regarding indications for reconstruction, complications, and operative details and outcomes, besides describing different modalities used for venous reconstruction. Results. Significant increase in operative details time in Group A. When comparison came to complications and outcomes in terms of laboratory findings and overall hospital stay, there were no significant differences. Three-month and one-year survival were better in Group A. Conclusion. Adult LDLT is safely achieved with better outcome to recipients and donors by recovering the right lobe without MHV, provided that significant MHV tributaries (segments V, VIII more than 5 mm) are reconstructed, and any accessory considerable inferior right hepatic veins (IRHVs) or superficial RHVs are anastomosed.
How to Best Nest Regular Path Queries

Regular path queries (RPQs) define query patterns in terms of regu-lar expressions and are therefore well-suited to query for paths over roles in DL. RPQs can be extended to 2-way RPQs (with converse), CRPQs (with conjunc-tions), or PRPQs (arbitrary positive Boolean combinations), all of which have been explored in DL research. Another natural extension of any query language is nesting, where query predicates can be defined in terms of subqueries. In this pa-per, we discuss several ways of introducing nesting to PRPQs, and show that they lead to increasingly expressive query languages: CN2RPQs, which were stud-ied in the context of DLs recently; nested P2RPQs; and positive queries with transitive closure on binary predicates. The latter is one of the most expressive languages for which query answering can still be decided over DL knowledge bases. We present initial complexity results that show query answering to be non-elementary in the worst case, with an exponential increase for each level of nest-ing of the transitive closure operator.
Parental role in decision making about pediatric cardiac transplantation: familial and ethical considerations.

Parents of children with complex or terminal heart conditions often face agonizing decisions about cardiac transplantation. There are differences in the level of involvement that parents prefer when making such decisions. The purpose of this study was to identify and describe parents' preferences for their roles in decisions related to cardiac transplantation. A prospective ethnographic method was used to study 24 parents of 15 children prior to their decision of accepting or rejecting the transplant option for their children. Findings revealed that the style of parent decision making ranged from a desire to make an independent, autonomous choice to a wish for an authoritarian, paternalistic choice. Nurses and physicians can best support families in this situation, showing sensitivity to the steps that parents use to make their decisions. An ethical model of decision making is proposed that includes respect for differences in beliefs and values of all persons involved in the transplantation discussion.
Functional differences in Na+ channel gating between fast‐spiking interneurones and principal neurones of rat hippocampus

1 GABAergic interneurones differ from glutamatergic principal neurones in their ability to discharge high‐frequency trains of action potentials without adaptation. To examine whether Na+ channel gating contributed to these differences, Na+ currents were recorded in nucleated patches from interneurones (dentate gyrus basket cells, BCs) and principal neurones (CA1 pyramidal cells, PCs) of rat hippocampal slices. 2 The voltage dependence of Na+ channel activation in BCs and PCs was similar. The slope factors of the activation curves, fitted with Boltzmann functions raised to the third power, were 11.5 and 11.8 mV, and the mid‐point potentials were −25.1 and −23.9 mV, respectively. 3 Whereas the time course of Na+ channel activation (−30 to +40 mV) was similar, the deactivation kinetics (−100 to −40 mV) were faster in BCs than in PCs (tail current decay time constants, 0.13 and 0.20 ms, respectively, at −40 mV). 4 Na+ channels in BCs and PCs differed in the voltage dependence of inactivation. The slope factors of the steady‐state inactivation curves fitted with Boltzmann functions were 6.7 and 10.7 mV, and the mid‐point potentials were −58.3 and −62.9 mV, respectively. 5 The onset of Na+ channel inactivation at −55 mV was slower in BCs than in PCs; the inactivation time constants were 18.6 and 9.3 ms, respectively. At more positive potentials the differences in inactivation onset were smaller. 6 The time course of recovery of Na+ channels from inactivation induced by a 30 ms pulse was fast and mono‐exponential (τ= 2.0 ms at −120 mV) in BCs, whereas it was slower and bi‐exponential in PCs (τ1= 2.0 ms and τ2= 133 ms; amplitude contribution of the slow component, 15%). 7 We conclude that Na+ channels of BCs and PCs differ in gating properties that contribute to the characteristic action potential patterns of the two types of neurones.