Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reinforcement learning modulates the stability of cognitive control settings for object selection

Cognitive flexibility reflects both a trait that reliably differs between individuals and a state that can fluctuate moment-to-moment. Whether individuals can undergo persistent changes in cognitive flexibility as a result of reward learning is less understood. Here, we investigated whether reinforcing a periodic shift in an object selection strategy can make an individual more prone to switch strategies in a subsequent unrelated task. Participants completed two different choice tasks in which they selected one of four objects in an attempt to obtain a hidden reward on each trial. During a training phase, objects were defined by color. Participants received either consistent reward contingencies in which one color was more often rewarded, or contingencies in which the color that was more often rewarded changed periodically and without warning. Following the training phase, all participants completed a test phase in which reward contingencies were defined by spatial location and the location that was more often rewarded remained constant across the entire task. Those participants who received inconsistent contingencies during training continued to make more variable selections during the test phase in comparison to those who received the consistent training. Furthermore, a difference in the likelihood to switch selections on a trial-by-trial basis emerged between training groups: participants who received consistent contingencies during training were less likely to switch object selections following an unrewarded trial and more likely to repeat a selection following reward. Our findings provide evidence that the extent to which priority shifting is reinforced modulates the stability of cognitive control settings in a persistent manner, such that individuals become generally more or less prone to shifting priorities in the future.
Economies of scope

Several years ago we coined the term "economies of scope" to describe a basic and intuitively appealing property of production: cost savings which result from the scope (rather than the scale) of the enterprise. There are economies of scope where it is less costly to combine two or more product lines in one firm than to produce them separately. While the concept itself is not completely novel, especially since multiproduct firms are the rule rather than the exception in our economy, we have attempted to make this terminology precise, both in common parlance and in theoretical analyses. Although our definition of economies of scope does not correspond exactly to joint production in the Marshallian sense, we show, in Section I, that it precisely characterizes the conditions which lead to the formation of multiproduct firms in perfectly competitive markets. However, this formal equivalence, in and of itself, provides only limited insight into the tangible forces which make it feasible and profitable to form multiproduct enterprises. In the classic works of John Clark, Eli Clemens, and others, it was suggested that the origins of the multiproduct firm spring from the opportunity to exploit some type of excess capacity. This notion seems to imply that, when there are economies of scope, there exists some input (if only a factory building) which is shared by two or more product lines without complete congestion. Section II examines this issue in general and with a micro model of the technology which explicitly posits the presence of a sharable, "quasi-public" input. Whenever the costs of providing the services of the sharable input to two or more product lines are subadditive (i.e., less than the total costs of providing these services for each product line separately), the multiproduct cost function exhibits economies of scope. Nevertheless, the precise nature of such economies of sharing has profound implications for how the boundaries and scope of the firm may be affected by transactions costs, market failures, and other Coasian considerations. In general, the presence of a quasi-public input mandates the existence of multiproduct firms at some level in the chain of production, even if there are no imperfections in the market for the input itself. However, if the shared-input services are undifferentiated among end uses, multiproduct firms result from the failure of the market to sustain efficient vertical disintegration, as discussed by George Stigler.
Big Men, Small Boys and Politics in Ghana: Power, Ideology and the Burden of History, 1982-1994

Digest of key events from bottom power to people's power - the genesis of a very Ghanaian revolution "We no go sit down make them cheat us every day! " - the ambiguous revolution of 1982 "no condition permanent" - economic reform and political closure, 1982-86 the culture of silence and the cultivation of protest, 1987-91 a flight-lieutenant, two professors and a clerk - the bumpy road back to democracy.
Preferences as Human Capital: Rational Choice Theories of Endogenous Preferences and Socioeconomic Changes

We discuss the theoretical and empirical foundations of modern economic theories of cultural transmission. The importance of cultural factors in shaping economic and social transformations has been the focus of a long-standing debate in social sciences since the XIXth Century. Neoclassical economics has remained at the marging of this debate. However, there has been a recent surge of interest among economists for cultural factors. The economic models of cultural transmission borrow the main ideas from the anthropological literature, but endogeneize the efforts parents exert to transmit specific cultural variants or preference parameters. We distinguish between paternalistic models where parents use their own values to evaluate their children’s utility, and non-paternalistic or utilitarian models in which parents choose their children’s preferences to maximize the children’s well-being. We discuss recent examples, focusing in particular on corruption, patience, and work ethic.
Generic gesture kernel modeling and its application with virtual garment design

Natural and intuitive human-computer interfaces, while striving for immersive experience, often suffer from relatively cumbersome input methods. Mice and keyboards are widely accepted yet limited to point-and-click and basic textual editing operations, distancing the user from the world presented to them. Touch-screen based gestures have introduced a partial solution to this problem. However, they are constrained due to size, weight and positioning and currently provide limited gesture-based operations. In this paper, we propose a gesture model by meta-action formulation based on observations of existing touch gestures as experienced from different perspectives such as type, multiplicity, stage-of-control and control space. We then propose a kernel gesture set which forms the basis of a unified user experience across a large variety of applications and devices. In order to show the effectiveness, intuitiveness and adaptability of the proposed kernel gesture set, a user study is given. We further implement and extend the kernel gesture set through a case study in a very practical domain: garment modeling.
Long Term Tracking and Characterization of P2P Botnet

P2P Botnet is quite robust against various attacks once very effective against centralized network. In this paper, we concentrate on the tracking of P2P botnets, investigate botnet victims which are routable on the Internet, also known as super peers. The super peers are the backbone of the botnet to disseminate its commands and payload updates. Through tracking of three typical live P2P botnets over 6 months and analysis of their network dynamics, we outline a number of descriptive and statistical characterization of super peers, such as geo-location, peer session time and intersession time, in-degree and out-degree distribution, pattern of arrival and departure. In addition, based on the assumption that IP dynamic allocation will not cross the AS (Autonomous System) border, we give out a lower bound estimate of total infected super peers in a conservative manner. We also propose several guidelines on disrupting P2P botnets concerning its various features we have characterized which could be helpful to the security community.
Addressing the Zeros Problem: Regression Models for Outcomes with a Large Proportion of Zeros, with an Application to Trial Outcomes

In law‐related and other social science contexts, researchers need to account for data with an excess number of zeros. In addition, dollar damages in legal cases also often are skewed. This article reviews various strategies for dealing with this data type. Tobit models are often applied to deal with the excess number of zeros, but these are more appropriate in cases of true censoring (e.g., when all negative values are recorded as zeros) and less appropriate when zeros are in fact often observed as the amount awarded. Heckman selection models are another methodology that is applied in this setting, yet they were developed for potential outcomes rather than actual ones. Two‐part models account for actual outcomes and avoid the collinearity problems that often attend selection models. A two‐part hierarchical model is developed here that accounts for both the skewed, zero‐inflated nature of damages data and the fact that punitive damage awards may be correlated within case type, jurisdiction, or time. Inference is conducted using a Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling scheme. Tobit models, selection models, and two‐part models are fit to two punitive damage awards data sets and the results are compared. We illustrate that the nonsignificance of coefficients in a selection model can be a consequence of collinearity, whereas that does not occur with two‐part models.
Utilization of Oncotype DX in an Inner City Population: Race or Place?

Oncotype DX, a 21-gene-array analysis, can guide chemotherapy treatment decisions for women with ER+ tumors. Of 225 ER+ women participating in a patient assistance trial, 23% underwent Oncotype DX testing: 31% of whites, 21% of blacks, and 14% of Hispanics (P = 0.04) were tested. Only 3 white women were treated at municipal hospitals and none was tested. 3% of women treated in municipal hospital as compared to 30% treated at tertiary referral centers were tested (P = 0.001). Within tertiary referral centers, there was no racial difference in testing: 32% of whites, 29% of blacks, and 19% of Hispanics (P = 0.25). Multivariate analysis (model c-statistic = 0.76; P < 0.0001) revealed that women who underwent testing were more likely to have stage 1B (RR = 1.70; 95% CI: 1.45–1.85) and to be treated after 2007 (RR = 1.34; 95% CI: 1.01–1.65) and less likely to be treated at a municipal hospital (RR = 0.20; 95% CI: 0.04–0.94). Women treated at municipal hospitals were less likely to undergo testing resulting in a misleading racial disparity that is driven by site of care. As Oncotype DX can reduce overuse of chemotherapy, it is imperative to expand testing to those who could benefit from yet experience underuse of this test, namely, women treated at safety net hospitals. This trial is registered with NCT00233077.
FTS Measurements of Submillimeter-Wave Atmospheric Opacity at Pampa la Bola II : Supra-Terahertz Windows and Model Fitting

The first measurements of submillimeter-wave atmospheric opacity spectra at the Pampa la Bola site (Northern Chile, Atacama, 4800 m altitude) have been performed during the winter season using a Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS). Atmospheric emission spectra, as a function of airmass, were measured under various weather conditions. Atmospheric opacity was evaluated from sky temperature at the zenith as well as from tipping measurements, which are independent measures but give consistent results. Correlation diagrams between 220 GHz and 345 GHz, 410 GHz, 492 GHz, 675 GHz, 691 GHz, 809 GHz, 875 GHz are shown. Correlations between millimeter-wave and submillimeter-wave opacities get worse when 220 GHz opacity is larger than 0.1. Deviations from the opacity correlation at each frequency show good correlations themselves, but have different relative variations at each frequency. This indicates that atmospheric transparency cannot be characterized only by millimeter-wave opacity, but requires simultaneous opacity measurements at millimeter and submiUimeter-wavelengths.
The Impact of CYP2D6 Genotyping on Tamoxifen Treatment

Tamoxifen remains a cornerstone of treatment for patients with oestrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer. Tamoxifen efficacy depends on the biotransformation, predominantly via the cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) isoform, to the active metabolite endoxifen. Both genetic and environmental (drug-induced) factors may alter CYP2D6 enzyme activity directly affecting the concentrations of active tamoxifen metabolites. Several studies suggest that germline genetic variants in CYP2D6 influence the clinical outcomes of patients treated with adjuvant tamoxifen. Here, we review the existing data relating CYP2D6 genotypes to tamoxifen efficacy.
Adenovirus-mediated hepatic overexpression of scavenger receptor class B type I accelerates chylomicron metabolism in C57BL/6J mice Published, JLR Papers in Press, March 16, 2005. DOI 10.1194/jlr.M400361-JLR200

The function of scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) in mediating the selective uptake of HDL cholesteryl esters is well established. In SR-BI-deficient mice, we recently observed a delayed postprandial triglyceride (TG) response, suggesting an additional role for SR-BI in facilitating chylomicron (CM) metabolism. Here, we assessed the effect of adenovirus-mediated hepatic overexpression of SR-BI (Ad.SR-BI) in C57BL/6J mice on serum lipids and CM metabolism. Infection of 5 × 108 plaque-forming units per mouse of Ad.SR-BI significantly decreases serum cholesterol (>90%), phospholipids (>90%), and TG levels (50%), accompanied by a 41.4% reduction (P < 0.01) in apolipoprotein B-100 levels. The postprandial TG response is 2-fold lower in mice treated with Ad.SR-BI compared with control mice (area under the curve = 31.4 ± 2.4 versus 17.7 ± 3.2; P < 0.05). Hepatic mRNA expression levels of genes known to be involved in serum cholesterol and TG clearance are unchanged and thus could not account for the decreased plasma TG levels and the change in postprandial response. We conclude that overexpression of SR-BI accelerates CM metabolism, possibly by mediating the initial capture of CM remnants by the liver, whereby the subsequent internalization can be exerted by additional receptor systems such as the LDL receptor (LDLr) and LDLr-related protein 1.
A combined planning and self-efficacy intervention to promote physical activity: A multiple mediation analysis

Many individuals are motivated to improve their physical activity levels, but often fail to act upon their intention. Interventions fostering volitional strategies, suchas action planning, coping planning, and self-efficacy beliefs, can help to translate intentions into behavior. This study examines the effectiveness and themechanisms of a combined planning and self-efficacy intervention to promote physical activity among motivated individuals. Participants (N = 883) were randomly assigned to the intervention or to a waiting-list control condition. Multivariate analysis of variance revealed that the intervention resulted in significantly more physical activity, higher levels of action planning, coping planning, and volitional self-efficacy beliefs (p < 0.01). In addition, multiple mediation analysis showed that action planning, coping planning, and volitional self-efficacy mediate between the intervention and physical activity. The study shows that the intervention successfully fostered physical activity and unfolds the underlying self-regulatory mechanisms of the intervention's effectiveness.
Electricity consumption, income, foreign direct investment, and population in Malaysia: New evidence from multivariate framework analysis

Purpose - This study attempts to re-investigate the electricity consumption function for Malaysia through the cointegration and causality analyses over the period 1970 to 2005. Design/methodology/approach - The study employed the bounds-testing procedure for cointegration to examine the potential long-run relationship, while an autoregressive distributed lag model is used to derive the short- and long-run coefficients. The Granger causality test is applied to determine the causality direction between electricity consumption and its determinants. Findings - New evidence is found in this study: first, electricity consumption, income, foreign direct investment, and population in Malaysia are cointegrated. Second, the influx of foreign direct investment and population growth are positively related to electricity consumption in Malaysia and the Granger causality evidence indicates that electricity consumption, income, and foreign direct investment are of bilateral causality. Originality/value - The estimated multivariate electricity consumption function for Malaysia implies that Malaysia is an energy-dependent country; thus energy-saving policies may have an inverse effect on current and also future economic development in Malaysia.
Segregation in neighbourhoods and labour market outcomes of immigrants : evidence from random assignment in the Netherlands

How important is the integration of immigrants in society for labour market outcomes? In this paper we examine the effect of residential segregation in neighbourhoods on labour market outcomes, exploiting the random assignment of asylum seekers to neighbourhoods in the Netherlands. Using Dutch administrative data of the period 1995-2004, we know all consecutive places of residence, country of origin, and labour market income of the working population at the level of postal code areas. While OLS results reveal a considerable negative effect of non-Western migrant concentration on labour market outcomes, IV-results show that concentration has a positive effect on outcomes, especially when also other neighbourhood characteristics are controlled for. On average, immigrants residing in high concentration neighbourhoods are 29 percent more likely to be employed and have substantially higher annual wages than immigrants residing in low concentration neighbourhoods. The positive effect of neighbourhoods with high concentrations of non-Western immigrants is especially strong for recent immigrants. Evidence on the heterogeneity within the group of asylum seekers suggests that especially those who benefit most from living in a concentrated neighbourhood tend to go to these areas.
The changing nature of financial intermediation and the financial crisis of 2007-09

The financial crisis of 2007-09 highlighted the changing role of financial institutions and the growing importance of the "shadow banking system," which grew out of the securitization of assets and the integration of banking with capital market developments. This trend was most pronounced in the United States, but it also had a profound influence on the global financial system as a whole. In a market-based financial system, banking and capital market developments are inseparable, and funding conditions are tied closely to fluctuations in the leverage of market-based financial intermediaries. Balance-sheet growth of market-based financial intermediaries provides a window on liquidity by indicating the availability of credit, while contractions of balance sheets have tended to precede the onset of financial crises. We describe the changing nature of financial intermediation in the market-based financial system, chart the course of the recent financial crisis, and outline the policy responses that have been implemented by the Federal Reserve and other central banks.
Optimal Fiscal Feedback on Debt in an Economy with Nominal Rigidities

We examine the impact of different degrees of fiscal feedback on debt in an economy with nominal rigidities where monetary policy is optimal. We look at the extent to which different degrees of fiscal feedback enhances or detracts from the ability of the monetary authorities to stabilise output and inflation. Using an objective function derived from utility, we find the optimal level of fiscal feedback to be small. There is a clear discontinuity in the behaviour of monetary policy and welfare either side of this optimal level. As the extent of fiscal feedback increases, optimal monetary policy becomes less active because fiscal feedback tends to deflate inflationary shocks. However this fiscal stabilisation is less efficient than monetary policy, and so welfare declines. In contrast, if fiscal feedback falls below some critical value, either the model becomes indeterminate, or optimal monetary policy becomes strongly passive, and this passive monetary policy leads to a sharp deterioration in welfare.
Intensive care unit-acquired weakness: early diagnosis, symptomatology and prognosis

During admission to an intensive care unit (ICU), many critically ill patients develop generalized muscle weakness, a condition called intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICU-AW). ICU-AW can be caused by muscle problems, peripheral nerve problems or a combination of both. As the name of the condition implies, the hallmark symptom is muscle weakness, but also non-motor signs and symptoms, such as sensory and autonomic deficits, may be part of ICU-AW. The aims of the research described in this thesis are to investigate whether ICU-AW can be identified early after ICU admission, to investigate the non-motor signs and symptoms of ICU-AW and to investigate the long-term impact of ICU-AW on survival and physical functioning.
Wireless communication network design in IC factory

A wireless local area network (WLAN) is designed for an IC factory in Hong Kong using the hierarchical genetic algorithm (HGA). The HGA is capable of handling multiobjective functions and discrete constraints. Because of this uniqueness, together with the adoption of a Pareto ranking scheme, a solution can be reached even when skewed multiobjective functions and constraints confinements are being imposed. It has been found from this study that a precise number of base stations can be identified for the WLAN network, while it can satisfy a number of objectives and constraints. This added feature provides a further design tradeoff between cost and performance at no extra effort.
How to Measure Country Level Financial Reporting Quality?

This study constructs six accounting and auditing indicators to develop a comprehensive index to measure financial reporting quality of 38 main capital markets in the world from 2000 to 2007. In order to test the validity of the methodology, we use the index to tests national institutional impact on financial reporting quality and find results that are consistent with our prediction and previous studies. The evidence suggests the innovative quality measure is appropriate and provide a useful tool for researchers who concern financial reporting quality at country level.
Entrepreneurial Orientation versus Small Business Orientation: What Are Their Relationships to Firm Performance?

This study examines the constructs of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) versus small business orientation (SBO), their impact on small business performance, and whether these effects are moderated by longevity. A sample of 267 small business owners from 11 small–medium downtowns was used in structural equation modeling (SEM) testing of the measurement, structural and moderation hypotheses. The measurement confirmatory factor analyses models of the two constructs revealed that EO and SBO are unique constructs. Then a structural model predicting performance was tested. Finally, a two‐group model split on “below 11 years” versus “11+ years” demonstrated that the structural paths connecting EO and SBO to performance are not the same in these groups: for the younger group, only EO significantly predicts performance while for the older group, only SBO significantly predicts performance.