Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Unfair Trade? Empirical Evidence in World Commodity Markets Over the Past 25 Years

Since the 1970s, commodity prices have fallen in international markets at the same time that consumer pries have risen. The price of coffee declined 18 percent on world markets between 1975 and 1993, for example, but the consumer price for it increased 240 percent in the United States. Explanations for such diverging patterns remain largely unexplored in current economic literature. The author examines the spreads between international and domestic commodity prices, explains why they have increased, and analyzes their implications for commodity-exporting countries. He finds that the spreads have increased dramatically because of the asymmetric response of domestic consumer prices to movements in world prices. In all major consumer markets, decreases in world commodity prices have systematically been transmitted to domestic consumer prices much less than have increases. This may have cost commodity-exporting countries more than $100 billion a year because it has limited the expansion of demand for commodities in these markets. The asymmetric response, which has been attributed to trade restrictions and rising processing costs, appears to be caused largely by the behavior of international trading companies. Many of these companies are large enough to dominate most commodity markets. Surprisingly, although mainstream economists have suggested imperfect competition in international trade at both the producer and the consumer levels, they have not yet pointed it out at the intermediary level. Free trade requires that all players sing the same tune : competition. The author recommends a special effort to understand the determinants of consumer prices and the role of intermediaries at both wholesale and retail levels -starting with the collection of information about the activities of international trading companies. This effort would require the involvement of the World Bank and the World Trade Organization, because they have the resources to undertake such an operation worldwide. Only a better understanding of how these companies operate will remove the suspicion of unfair trade in international commodity markets.
Why Incentives Don"t Pay: Introducing Bonus Pay in the Kyrgyz Republic and the Undoing of Reforms

Belyavina Raisa - PhD Candidate, Graduate Research Fellow, Teachers College, Columbia University. Address: Teachers College, Columbia University, 525 West 120thSt. , New York, NY10027. E-mail: rb2024@tc.columbia. edu In 2011, the Kyrgyz Republic implemented a teacher salary reform aimed to attract new teachers to the profession and to motivate teachers to improve the quality of their work. A key component of the reform was the introduction of the Stimulus Fund, an incentive pay structure. Although the Stimulus Fund comprised only 10 percent of the budget allocated to schools for staff compensation, this paper shows that it nevertheless played a significant role in the reform implementation process. This article examines whether the Stimulus Fund was successful in motivating teachers and the extent to which it was employed as intended to incentivize and reward high-performing teachers. The theoretical framework for this research builds on the scholarship of Larry Cuban (1998), who posits that schools and not policy makers are the key influencers of whether reforms are adopted or rejected. What this study suggests is that contrary to policy goals, the introduction of incentive pay had a deleterious impact on teacher motivation and resulted in a number of unintended consequences, including intergenerational rifts among teachers, a rejection of other components of the 2011 teacher salary reform, and a failure to make progress in overcoming the persisting challenge of attracting and retaining qualified teachers. As early as six months after the reform was announced, it began to be dismantled by schools and teachers. I argue that the Stimulus Fund was a catalyst for undermining the entire new teacher salary reform. DOI: 10.17323/1814-9545-2016-2-40-61
Mass Administration of Ivermectin for the Elimination of Onchocerciasis Significantly Reduced and Maintained Low the Prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis in Esmeraldas, Ecuador

Objectives To evaluate the effect of ivermectin mass drug administration on strongyloidiasis and other soil transmitted helminthiases. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of data collected in Esmeraldas (Ecuador) during surveys conducted in areas where ivermectin was annually administered to the entire population for the control of onchocerciasis. Data from 5 surveys, conducted between 1990 (before the start of the distribution of ivermectin) and 2013 (six years after the interruption of the intervention) were analyzed. The surveys also comprised areas where ivermectin was not distributed because onchocerciasis was not endemic. Different laboratory techniques were used in the different surveys (direct fecal smear, formol-ether concentration, IFAT and IVD ELISA for Strongyloides stercoralis). Results In the areas where ivermectin was distributed the strongyloidiasis prevalence fell from 6.8% in 1990 to zero in 1996 and 1999. In 2013 prevalence in children was zero with stool examination and 1.3% with serology, in adult 0.7% and 2.7%. In areas not covered by ivermectin distribution the prevalence was 23.5% and 16.1% in 1996 and 1999, respectively. In 2013 the prevalence was 0.6% with fecal exam and 9.3% with serology in children and 2.3% and 17.9% in adults. Regarding other soil transmitted helminthiases: in areas where ivermectin was distributed the prevalence of T. trichiura was significantly reduced, while A. lumbricoides and hookworms were seemingly unaffected. Conclusions Periodic mass distribution of ivermectin had a significant impact on the prevalence of strongyloidiasis, less on trichuriasis and apparently no effect on ascariasis and hookworm infections.
Effects of Long-Term Mindfulness Meditation on Brain's White Matter Microstructure and its Aging

Although research on the effects of mindfulness meditation (MM) is increasing, still very little has been done to address its influence on the white matter (WM) of the brain. We hypothesized that the practice of MM might affect the WM microstructure adjacent to five brain regions of interest associated with mindfulness. Diffusion tensor imaging was employed on samples of meditators and non-meditators (n = 64) in order to investigate the effects of MM on group difference and aging. Tract-Based Spatial Statistics was used to estimate the fractional anisotrophy of the WM connected to the thalamus, insula, amygdala, hippocampus, and anterior cingulate cortex. The subsequent generalized linear model analysis revealed group differences and a group-by-age interaction in all five selected regions. These data provide preliminary indications that the practice of MM might result in WM connectivity change and might provide evidence on its ability to help diminish age-related WM degeneration in key regions which participate in processes of mindfulness.
Effects of isomalt consumption on gastrointestinal and metabolic parameters in healthy volunteers

The polyol isomalt (Palatinit®) is a well established sugar replacer. The impact of regular isomalt consumption on metabolism and parameters of gut function in nineteen healthy volunteers was examined in a randomised, double-blind, cross-over trial with two 4-week test periods. Volunteers received 30 g isomalt or 30 g sucrose daily as part of a controlled diet. In addition to clinical standard diagnostics, biomarkers and parameters currently discussed as risk factors for CHD, diabetes or obesity were analysed. Urine and stool Ca and phosphate excretions were measured. In addition, mean transit time, defecation frequency, stool consistency and weight were determined. Consumption of test products was affirmed by the urinary excretion of mannitol. Blood lipids were comparable in both phases, especially in volunteers with hyperlipidaemia, apart from lower apo A-1 (P=0·03) for all subjects. Remnant-like particles, oxidised LDL, NEFA, fructosamine and leptin were comparable and not influenced by isomalt. Ca and phosphate homeostasis was not affected. Stool frequency was moderately increased in the isomalt phase (P=0·006) without changes in stool consistency and stool water. This suggests that isomalt is well tolerated and that consumption of isomalt does not impair metabolic function or induce hypercalciuria. In addition, the study data indicate that isomalt could be useful in improving bowel function.
Centralized Passive MIMO Radar Detection Without Direct-Path Reference Signals

This work addresses the problem of target detection in passive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar networks without utilization of direct-path reference signals. A generalized likelihood ratio test for this problem is derived, and the distribution of the test statistic is identified under both hypotheses. Equivalence is established between passive MIMO radar networks without references and passive source localization networks. Numerical examples demonstrate important characteristics of the detector, namely, the asymmetric contributions to detection performance from transmitters and receivers, and non-coherent integration gain as a function of signal length. The ambiguity properties of this detector are also investigated, and it is shown that the salient ambiguities can be explained in terms of the time-difference of arrival, frequency-difference of arrival, and angle-of-arrival of the target signals.
Sustaining Group Cognition in a Math Chat Environment

Learning takes place over long periods of time that are hard to study directly. Even the learning experience involved in solving a challenging math problem in a collaborative online setting can be spread across hundreds of brief postings during an hour or more. Such long-term interactions are constructed out of posting-level interactions, such as the strategic proposition of a next step. This paper identifies a pattern of exchange of postings that it terms math proposal adjacency pair, and describes its characteristics. Drawing on the methodology of conversation analysis, the paper adapts this approach to investigating mathematical problem-solving communication and to the computer-mediated circumstances of online chat. Math proposals and other interaction methods constitute the collaborative group as a working group, give direction to its problem solving and help to sustain its shared meaning making or group cognition. Groups sustain their online social and intellectual work by building up longer sequences of math proposals, other adjacency pairs and a variety of interaction methods. Experiences of collaboration and products of group cognition emerge over time.
Different groups, different threats: public attitudes towards immigrants‡

ABSTRACT Research on attitudes towards immigrants devotes much attention to the relative effects of economic and social-psychological factors for understanding sentiment towards immigrants, conceived in general terms. In this article, we advance this work by arguing that the context framing immigration concerns leads publics to associate different types of immigrants with different threats. An issue context that diminishes support for one ‘type’ can boost it for another. Evidence from an original survey experiment in Britain supports this claim. Security fears affect attitudes towards Muslim immigrants but economic concerns bear on views towards Eastern Europeans. While concern about crime adversely affects sentiment for East Europeans but casts Muslims more positively, cultural threats have the opposite effect. By shifting the focus onto the qualities of different types of immigrants, we highlight the importance of the target immigrant group for understanding public attitudes.
Activating Effect of Benzbromarone, a Uricosuric Drug, on Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors

Benzbromarone, a uricosuric drug, reportedly causes hepatic hypertrophy accompanied by proliferation of peroxisomes in rats. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying induction of peroxisome proliferation by benzbromarone, we examined binding affinity for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) and γ (PPARγ), and effects on the binding activity of PPARs with peroxisome proliferation-responsive element (PPRE) and expression of the PPARs target protein. Binding affinity of benzbromarone for PPARα and PPARγ was examined by reporter gene assay. Binding activity of PPARs with PPRE was determined by electric mobility shift assay, and expression of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and acyl-CoA synthetase (ACS) by Western blot method. Benzbromarone displayed affinity for PPARα and PPARγ, and promoted binding of PPARs to PPRE. Furthermore, cultured cells with benzbromarone added showed upregulated expression of LPL and ACS. These results suggest that benzbromarone induces peroxisome proliferation in hepatocytes by binding to PPARs, and controls expression of proteins related to lipid metabolism.
Q beta and Q gamma components of intramembranous charge movement in frog cut twitch fibers

Intramembranous charge movement was measured in frog cut twitch fibers mounted in a double Vaseline-gap chamber with a TEA.Cl solution at 13- 14 degrees C in the central pool. When a fiber was depolarized from a holding potential of -90 mV to a potential near -60 mV, the current from intramembranous charge movement was outward in direction and had an early, rapid component and a late, more slowly developing component, referred to as I beta and I gamma, respectively (1979. J. Physiol. [Lond.]. 289:83-97). When the pulse to -60 mV was preceded by a 100-600- ms pulse to -40 mV, early I beta and late I gamma components were also observed, but in the inward direction. The shape of the Q gamma vs. voltage curve can be estimated with this two-pulse protocol. The first pulse to voltage V allows the amounts of Q beta and Q gamma charge in the active state to change from their respective resting levels, Q beta (-90) and Q gamma (-90), to new steady levels, Q beta (V) and Q gamma (V). A second 100-120-ms pulse, usually to -60 mV, allows the amount of Q beta charge in the active state to change from Q beta (V) to Q beta (- 60) but is not sufficiently long for the amount of Q gamma charge to change completely from Q gamma (V) to Q gamma (-60). The difference between the amount of Q gamma charge at the end of the second pulse and Q gamma (-60) is estimated from the OFF charge that is observed on repolarization to -90 mV. The OFF charge vs. voltage data were fitted, with gap corrections, with a Boltzmann distribution function plus a constant. The mean values of V (the potential at which, in the steady state, charge is distributed equally between the resting and active states) and k (the voltage dependence factor) were -59.2 mV (SEM, 1.1 mV) and 1.2 mV (SEM, 0.6 mV), respectively. The one-pulse charge vs. voltage data from the same fibers were fitted with a sum of two Boltzmann functions (1990. J. Gen. Physiol. 96:257-297). The mean values of V and k for the steeply voltage-dependent Boltzmann function, which is likely to be associated with the Q gamma component of charge, were -55.3 mV (SEM, 1.3 mV) and 3.3 mV (SEM, 0.6 mV), respectively, similar to the corresponding values obtained with the two-pulse protocol. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The anticyclic operad of moulds

A new anticyclic operad Mould is introduced, on spaces of functions in several variables. It is proved that the Dendriform operad is an anticyclic suboperad of this operad. Many operations on the free Mould algebra on one generator are introduced and studied. Under some restrictions, a forgetful map from moulds to formal vector fields is then defined. A connection to the theory of tilting modules for quivers of type A is also described.
Adolescent conduct problems and premature mortality: follow-up to age 65 years in a national birth cohort

Background Severe youth antisocial behaviour has been associated with increased risk of premature mortality in high-risk samples for many years, and some evidence now points to similar effects in representative samples. We set out to assess the prospective association between adolescent conduct problems and premature mortality in a population-based sample of men and women followed to the age of 65 years. Method A total of 4158 members of the Medical Research Council National Survey of Health and Development (the British 1946 birth cohort) were assessed for conduct problems at the ages of 13 and 15 years. Follow-up to the age of 65 years via the UK National Health Service Central Register provided data on date and cause of death. Results Dimensional measures of teacher-rated adolescent conduct problems were associated with increased hazards of death from cardiovascular disease by the age of 65 years in men [hazard ratio (HR) 1.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04–1.32], and of all-cause and cancer mortality by the age of 65 years in women (all-cause HR 1.16, 95% CI 1.07–1.25). Adjustment for childhood cognition and family social class did little to attenuate these risks. Adolescent conduct problems were not associated with increased risks of unnatural/substance-related deaths in men or women in this representative sample. Conclusions Whereas previous studies of high-risk delinquent or offender samples have highlighted increased risks of unnatural and alcohol- or substance abuse-related deaths in early adulthood, we found marked differences in mortality risk from other causes emerging later in the life course among women as well as men.
Protein Analysis Meets Visual Word Recognition: A Case for String Kernels in the Brain

It has been recently argued that some machine learning techniques known as Kernel methods could be relevant for capturing cognitive and neural mechanisms (Jäkel, Schölkopf, & Wichmann, 2009). We point out that ''String kernels,'' initially designed for protein function prediction and spam detection, are virtually identical to one contending proposal for how the brain encodes orthographic information during reading. We suggest some reasons for this connection and we derive new ideas for visual word recognition that are successfully put to the test. We argue that the versatility and performance of String kernels makes a compelling case for their implementation in the brain.
E 4 ects of tone and focus on the formation and alignment of f 0 contours

The present study examines how lexical tone and focus contribute to the formation and alignment of f 0 contours in speech. This was done through an investigation of f 0 contour formation in short Mandarin sentences. These sentences all consisted of "ve syllables with varying tones on the middle three syllables. The sentences were produced by eight Mandarin speakers with four di! erent focus patterns: focus on the "rst, second, or last word, or with no narrow focus. The f 0 patterns of these sentences were examined through point-by-point f 0 tracing, graphical comparison of averaged f 0 contours, f 0 -contour-syllable alignment analysis, and analysis of maximum, minimum f 0 , and slope of f 0 contours. The results indicate that (a) while the lexical tone of a syllable is the most important determining factor for the local f 0 contour of the syllable, focus extensively modulates the global shape of the f 0 curve, which in turn a! ects the height and even the shape of local contours; (b) the tones of adjacent syllables also extensively in#uence both the shape and height of the f 0 contour of a syllable, with the preceding tone exerting more in#uence than the following tone; (c) despite extensive variations in shape and height, the f 0 contour of a tone remains closely aligned with the associated syllable; and (d) both focus and tonal interaction may generate substantial f 0 decline over the course of an utterance. These "ndings seem to be able to reduce the unpredictability in the formation and alignment of f 0 contours in speech. ( 1999 Academic Press
single locus

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An operating system runtime reprogramming infrastructure for WSN

WSNs, despite of its limited resources, are expected to operate without human interventions for a long period of time. Nevertheless, the environment might develop unpredicted characteristics or some network functionality might need some changes. Thus, it is necessary a mechanism which allows software reprogramming of the network nodes after its deployment. This paper presents the integration of a data dissemination protocol and ELUS, an OS support environment. The dissemination protocol is responsible for spreading the data across the network, while ELUS isolates the system components in memory position independent units, allowing their updating at execution time. We have evaluated our infrastructure, using real sensor nodes, in terms of memory consumption, dissemination, and reprogramming time.
Predicting Performance Under Stressful Conditions Using Galvanic Skin Response

The rapid growth of the availability of wearable biosensors has created the opportunity for using biological signals to measure worker performance. An important question is how to use such signals to not just measure, but actually predict worker performance on a task under stressful and potentially high risk conditions. Here we show that the biological signal known as galvanic skin response (GSR) allows such a prediction. We conduct an experiment where subjects answer arithmetic questions under low and high stress conditions while having their GSR monitored using a wearable biosensor. Using only the GSR measured under low stress conditions, we are able to predict which subjects will perform well under high stress conditions, achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.76. If we try to make similar predictions without using any biometric signals, the AUC barely exceeds 0.50. Our result suggests that performance in high stress conditions can be predicted using signals obtained from wearable biosensors in low stress conditions.