Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Social Class, Politics, and Urban Markets: The Makings of Bias in Policy Outcomes

This book is about the policymaking of public agencies in large American cities. Based on a decade of research, it studies urban mass transit in terms of the factors that bias the industry's policy outcomes to benefit one public or another. Why is there a great variance of outcomes among agencies? What are the important taproots of bias in policymaking? How does the pattern of outcomes correspond to the American mosaic of public interests? The book's second-broader and more important-purpose is to demonstrate the value of social science theory in making sense of urban processes and the responsiveness of governmental policymaking in a plural society. The book analyzes the applicability of six rival theses-derived from political science, economics, administrative theory, sociology, social psychology, and urban planning-to understanding the forces that mold policymaking in American metropolitan areas. The book employs methods of rigorous quantitative analysis, such as regression, factor, and path techniques to examine 42 transit agencies operating in urban areas with populations of at least 500,000. Focusing on the question of bias in an agency's policies, the author devises an imaginative method for comparing different kinds of policy outcomes in a neutral light. The model, "Multiple Simultaneous Outcome Indices," allows the analyst to observe differences in emphasis of one perspective relative to another. How and why do urban agencies differ in the emphases of their policy outcomes? At the root of the answers is globalization, but the author argues that certain local influences within an urban setting exert a more direct effect on policy outcomes. These influences include socioeconomic status, wealth and racial poverty, intergovernmental relationships, market competition between automobiles and transit, and the way cities are laid out (including the effects of sprawl). In the end, the book reveals the most significant influence to be the cultural phenomenon of the American upper middle class, which represents "the good life" and is associated with symbolically appealing technologies and the nuisance of urban roadway congestion.
The global state of harm reduction 2012. Towards an integrated response.

In 2008 Harm Reduction International released the Global State of Harm Reduction, a report that mapped responses to drug-related HIV and hepatitis C epidemics around the world for the first time. The report has since been published every two years. The Global State of Harm Reduction 2012 presents the major developments in harm reduction policy adoption and programme implementation that have occurred since 2010, enabling some assessment of global progress. It also explores several key issues for developing an integrated harm reduction response, such as building effective harm reduction services for women who inject drugs, access to harm reduction services by young people, drug use among men who have sex with men, global progress toward drug decriminalisation and sustainability of services in challenging environments. This report, and other global state of harm reduction resources, are designed to provide reference tools for a wide range of audiences, such as international donor organisations, multilateral and bilateral agencies, civil society and non-governmental organisations, including organisations of people who use drugs, as well as researchers and the media.
Indoor air quality and health: validity and determinants of reported home dampness and moulds.

BACKGROUND Questionnaire-based surveys from several countries have consistently detected adverse health associated with home dampness and mould growth. METHODS To test the validity of questions commonly used to indicate the presence of indoor mould, questionnaires were administered in 403 homes where dust samples were taken for viable fungi and air samples for ergosterol. RESULTS Geometric mean concentrations of the total viable fungi were 255 (SE 116) x 10(3) CFU/g when mouldy odours were reported and 155 (SE 55) when odours were not reported (P = 0.01). Similarly, reported water damage was associated with a 50% increase (P = 0.06). Geometric mean concentrations of the predominantly indoor-source fungi, Aspergillus plus Penicillium, were twice as high when mould or mildew was reported than when not mentioned (P = 0.01). The presence of reported mould or water damage was unrelated to the presence of detectable levels of ergosterol. There was evidence for reporting bias: in the presence of low concentrations of viable fungi in dust, respondents reporting allergies were more likely to report visible mould growth (odds ratio [OR] = 1.8, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.9-3.5, P = 0.10. In the presence of elevated concentrations of dust fungi, respondents who smoked were less likely to report visible mould growth, (OR = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2-0.7, P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS Reported mould, water damage, and mouldy odours were associated with elevated levels of indoor fungi. However, inaccuracy was high and there was evidence of a systematic reporting bias. Future research should concentrate on developing accurate objective measures of exposure to fungi, and then use this information to develop valid questionnaires. Currently, objective measures not questionnaires, are recommended to clarify the health effects of indoor fungi.
Resolution enhancement by vibrating displays

We present a method that makes use of the retinal integration time in the human visual system for increasing the resolution of displays. Given an input image with a resolution higher than the display resolution, we compute several images that match the display's native resolution. We then render these low-resolution images in a sequence that repeats itself on a high refresh-rate display. The period of the sequence falls below the retinal integration time and therefore the eye integrates the images temporally and perceives them as one image. In order to achieve resolution enhancement we apply small-amplitude vibrations to the display panel and synchronize them with the screen refresh cycles. We derive the perceived image model and use it to compute the low-resolution images that are optimized to enhance the apparent resolution of the perceived image. This approach achieves resolution enhancement without having to move the displayed content across the screen and hence offers a more practical solution than existing approaches. Moreover, we use our model to establish limitations on the amount of resolution enhancement achievable by such display systems. In this analysis we draw a formal connection between our display and super-resolution techniques and find that both methods share the same limitation, yet this limitation stems from different sources. Finally, we describe in detail a simple physical realization of our display system and demonstrate its ability to match most of the spectrum displayable on a screen with twice the resolution.
Heuristic Evaluation as a Complement to Usability Testing: A Case Study in Web Domain

Usability testing is one of the most used methods to define the level of usability of a software product. However, there is always uncertainty to determine the best method that complements user testing in a depth usability assessment. Nowadays, the concern of many software developers is to identify an appropriate methodology, whose evaluation methods could be capable of measuring all usability aspects of a user interface. For this reason, we conducted a heuristic evaluation as a preliminary step to the implementation of a usability test, in order to determine in which extent these methods complement each other, and establish the gaps which are covered by each of them. The heuristic evaluation was performed by five specialists in the field of Human-Computer Interaction, who identified a total of fifty-nine usability problems in a transactional web site. Subsequently, a usability test was conducted with the participation of eight postgraduate students of a master's program in Informatics Engineering. The results show that most of the usability problems which were detected during the usability testing, had already been identified by the heuristic evaluation. Nevertheless, there were significant differences in the importance that was given to each problem. Usability experts emphasized in aspects that were not relevant to end users.
Osteoclast spreading kinetics are correlated with an oscillatory activation of a calcium-dependent potassium current

Cell movement and spreading involve calcium-dependent processes and ionic channel activation. During bone resorption, osteoclasts alternate between spread, motile and resorptive phases. We investigated whether the electrical membrane properties of osteoclasts were linked to their membrane morphological changes. Rabbit osteoclasts were recorded by time-lapse videomicroscopy performed simultaneously with patch-clamp whole cell and single channel recordings. Original image analysis methods were developed and used to demonstrate for the first time an oscillatory activation of a spontaneous membrane current in osteoclasts, which is directly correlated to the membrane movement rate. This current was identified as a calcium-dependent potassium current (IKCa) that is sensitive to both charybdotoxin and apamin and was generated by a channel with unitary conductance of approximately 25±2 pS. Blockade of this current also decreased osteoclast spreading and inhibited bone resorption in vitro, demonstrating a physiological role for this current in osteoclast activity. These results establish for the first time a temporal correlation between lamellipodia formation kinetics and spontaneous peaks of IKCa, which are both involved in the control of osteoclast spreading and bone resorption.
”DARLING, WE NEED TO TALK. SWITCH ON YOUR PHONE, PLEASE!” Patterns of Communication Channel Use for Self- Disclosure in Long-Distance Romantic Relationships

Based on social penetration theory, social information processing theory and media synchronicity theory, the present study explores the role of different communication channels in romantic relationships in terms of self-disclosure. Especially, it seeks to investigate how self-disclosure influences the choice of communication channel use within long-distance romantic relationships. A total of 101 respondents participated in an online survey. Even though instant messenger was found to be the most frequently used mediated channel within any kind of romantic relationships, it is not used when self-disclosing intimate matters. Face-to-face was found to be the preferred channel for self-diclsoure followed by telephone among long-distance couples exceeding web cam call. This is an indication that cue multiplicity of computer-mediated channels, does not account for a preferred use. Cue multiplicity here refers to the amount of different ways of how messages can be transported, one example would be the tone of voice (Dennis & Vallacich, 1999).
In Vitro Inhibitory Effects of Scutellarin on Six Human/Rat Cytochrome P450 Enzymes and P-glycoprotein

Inhibition of cytochrome P450 (CYP) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) are regarded as the most frequent and clinically important pharmacokinetic causes among the various possible factors for drug-drug interactions. Scutellarin is a flavonoid which is widely used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. In this study, the in vitro inhibitory effects of scutellarin on six major human CYPs (CYP1A2, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4) and six rat CYPs (CYP1A2, CYP2C7, CYP2C11, CYP2C79, CYP2D4, and CYP3A2) activities were examined by using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Meanwhile, the inhibitory effects of scutellarin on P-gp activity were examined on a human metastatic malignant melanoma cell line WM-266-4 by calcein-AM fluorometry screening assay. Results demonstrated that scutellarin showed negligible inhibitory effects on the six major CYP isoenzymes in human/rat liver microsomes with almost all of the IC50 values exceeding 100 μM, whereas it showed values of 63.8 μM for CYP2C19 in human liver microsomes, and 63.1 and 85.6 μM for CYP2C7 and CYP2C79 in rat liver microsomes, respectively. Scutellarin also showed weak inhibitory effect on P-gp. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that scutellarin is unlikely to cause any clinically significant herb-drug interactions in humans when co-administered with substrates of the six CYPs (CYP1A2, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4) and P-gp.
Testing Weak-Form Market Efficiency of Next Eleven Countries

This research is based on Efficient Market Hypothesis. Markets are divided into three form based on pricing efficiency and these are weak-form, semi-strong form and strong-form efficiency. The main research question is to investigate weak-form pricing efficiency of “next eleven” countries. We have used historical stock indices returns for ten years period starting from 09/01/2003 to 02/10/2013. Daily full period data is divided into two groups (pre-financial crisis and post-financial crisis). Pre-financial crisis start from January 2003 to March 2008 and Post-financial crisis start from April 2008 to September 2013. Weekly full period returns start from 11/09/2003 to 30/08/2013. The purpose of dividing the sample data into two groups is to check whether financial crisis had any impact on the efficiency of these markets.
Applications of a theorem concerning sets with connected sections

As the reader can notice, the title of the present paper differs from that of [3] only because the term connected replaces the term convex. This is not casual. Indeed, it remains our aim to show, by means of a series of further applications, the usefulness of our recent Theorem 2.3 of [6] which, in a certain sense, can be regarded as a “connected” version of the famous Theorems 1′ and 2 of [3]. In the sequel, given a product space X × Y , we denote by pX and pY the projections from X × Y onto X and Y , respectively. Moreover, if A ⊆ X × Y , then for every x ∈ X and y ∈ Y , we put
The Long-Term Impact of Study Abroad on Honors Program Alumni.

Introduction “Study abroad enables students to experience an interconnected world and to embrace difference rather than being threatened by it; it shows them the collective heritage of mankind” (Wolfensberger, 281). Indeed, study abroad is often thought to be one of the most effective of experiential learning opportunities, one of the so-called “High-Impact Educational Practices” or “HIPs. ” These HIPs, articulated in the widely cited AAC&U-sponsored 2008 study led by George Kuh, and expanded upon with follow-up assessment data in 2013, of course, build upon the early theoretical framework of John Dewey, Clifford Geertz, Lev Vygotsky, and numerous others in the subsequent decades who recognized the value of experiential learning (Braid; Kolb; Strikwerda; and others). Not surprisingly, our assessment-driven environment, aimed at creating and sustaining the optimum educational conditions for student success within and beyond the classroom, increasingly emphasizes analysis of learning outcomes from these unconventional practices. Numerous studies have been conducted confirming the personal, professional, and societal value of study abroad for undergraduates by international educators, researchers, and major study abroad providers such as International Education of Students (IES), School for International Training (SIT), and International Student Exchange Programs (ISEP). Journal articles have also appeared documenting relatively small-scale studies on the nature and impact of study abroad. Some align with current trends in educational assessment focusing upon student learning outcomes of a specific study abroad program (see Doyle; Williams; Braskamp, Braskamp, & Merrill; Kilgo, et al); some focus on the impact of logistical differentials such as location, duration, pre-and post-prep and/or debriefing sessions (see Rexeisen, et al.; Engle; Dean & Jendzurski; Camarena); some on discussions of broadening intercultural competencies and awareness or developing attributes of global citizenry (see Kurt, Olitsky, & Geis; Shadowen, et al.; Wolfensberger); others on career impact and professional development (see Franklin; DeGraaf, et al.; Dwyer); and so forth.
Segregated Security Exchanges with Ex Ante Rights to Trade: A Market-Based Solution to Collateral-Constrained Externalities

This paper studies a competitive general equilibrium model with default and endogenous collateralized contracts. The possibility of trade in spot markets creates externalities, as spot prices and the bindingness of collateral constraints interact. We propose a market based solution which overcomes the externalities problem and obviates the needs for any government policy intervention. If agents are allowed to contract ex ante on market fundamentals determining the state-contingent spot prices used to unwind collateral, over and above contracting on true underlying states of the world, then standard existence and welfare theorems apply, that is, competitive equilibria are equivalent with Pareto optima.
Estimating Cotton Nitrogen Nutrition Status Using Leaf Greenness and Ground Cover Information

Assessing nitrogen (N) status is important from economic and environmental standpoints. To date, many spectral indices to estimate cotton chlorophyll or N content have been purely developed using statistical analysis approach where they are often subject to site-specific problems. This study describes and tests a novel method of utilizing physical characteristics of N-fertilized cotton and combining field spectral measurements made at different spatial scales as an approach to estimate in-season chlorophyll or leaf N content of field-grown cotton. In this study, leaf greenness estimated from spectral measurements made at the individual leaf, canopy and scene levels was combined with percent ground cover to produce three different indices, named TCCLeaf, TCCCanopy, and TCCScene. These indices worked best for estimating leaf N at early flowering, but not for chlorophyll content. Of the three indices, TCCLeaf showed the best ability to estimate leaf N (R2 = 0.89). These results suggest that the use of green and red-edge wavelengths derived at the leaf scale is best for estimating leaf greenness. TCCCanopy had a slightly lower R2 value than TCCLeaf (0.76), suggesting that the utilization of yellow and red-edge wavelengths obtained at the canopy level could be used as an alternative to estimate leaf N in the absence of leaf spectral information. The relationship between TCCScene and leaf N was the lowest (R2 = 0.50), indicating that the estimation of canopy greenness from scene measurements needs improvement. Results from this study confirmed the potential of these indices as efficient methods for estimating in-season leaf N status of cotton.
Comparative study of isobaric bupivicane for vaginal hysterectomy using clonidine & dexmedetomidine as adjuvant

Efforts to find a better adjuvant in regional anaesthesia are underway since long. Aims and objectives are to compare the efficacy and clinical profile of two a-2 adrenergic agonists, dexmedetomidine and clonidine, in epidural anaesthesia with special emphasis on their sedative properties and an ability to provide smooth intra-operative and post-operative analgesia. A prospective randomized study was carried out which included 50 adult female patients between the ages of 45 and 65 years of (American Society of Anaesthesiologists) ASAI/II grade who underwent vaginal hysterectomies. The patients were randomly allocated into two groups; bupivacaine + dexmedetomidine (BD) and bupivacaine + clonidine (BC), comprising of 25 patients each. Group BD was administered 12 ml of 0.5% epidural bupivacaine and 1 ng/kg of dexmedetomidine, while group BC received admixture of 12 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine and 2 pg/kg of clonidine. Onset of analgesia, sensory and motor block levels, sedation, duration of analgesia and side effects were observed. The data obtained was subjected to statistical computation with analysis of variance and chi-square test using statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 10.0 for windows and value of P 0.05). Dexmedetomidine is a better neuraxial adjuvant compared to clonidine for providing early onset of sensory analgesia, adequate sedation and a prolonged post¬operative analgesia.
Influenza B Virus Victoria Group with a New Glycosylation Site Was Epidemic in Japan in the 2002-2003 Season

ABSTRACT In the 2002-2003 season, influenza B virus Victoria strains were epidemic after a 6-year absence in Kobe City, Japan. They reacted poorly to the immune ferret sera prepared for use against the previous strain. An amino acid substitution in the HA1 region caused them to acquire an N-linked glycosylation site.
The Color of Money and the People Who Lend It

Racial disparities persist in the mortgage lending market, as does debate over their causes. This article examines whether the racial composition of a lender's workforce affects the loan approval rate for minority applicants. The relationship between employment of, and mortgage lending to, blacks, Hispanics, and Asians, is examined in five metropolitan areas: Atlanta, Boston, Denver, Milwaukee, and San Francisco.Linear multiple regression for institutional-level analysis and probit analysis for applicant-level analysis indicate that the racial composition of the workforce does affect loan approval rates for minority applicants. For blacks and Hispanics, employment, particularly in administrative and professional positions, positively affects loan approval; the findings for Asians were mixed. Further research is suggested for developing a fuller understanding of the relationship between employment and loan application approval. Specific policy recommendations are proposed for regulatory agencies, lenders, .
Risk of Cancer in Children Conceived by Assisted Reproductive Technology

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: An increasing number of children are born after assisted reproductive technology (ART), and monitoring their long-term health effects is of interest. This study compares cancer risk in children conceived by ART to that in children conceived without. METHODS: The Medical Birth Registry of Norway contains individual information on all children born in Norway (including information of ART conceptions). All children born between 1984 and 2011 constituted the study cohort, and cancer data were obtained from the Cancer Registry of Norway. Follow-up started at date of birth and ended on the date of the first cancer diagnosis, death, emigration, or December 31, 2011. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of overall cancer risk between children conceived by ART and those not. Cancer risk was also assessed separately for all childhood cancer types. RESULTS: The study cohort comprised 1 628 658 children, of which 25 782 were conceived by ART. Of the total 4554 cancers, 51 occurred in ART-conceived children. Risk of overall cancer was not significantly elevated (HR 1.21; 95% CI 0.90–1.63). However, increased risk of leukemia was observed for children conceived by ART compared with those who were not (HR 1.67; 95% CI 1.02–2.73). Elevated risk of Hodgkin's lymphoma was also found for ART-conceived children (HR 3.63; 95% CI 1.12–11.72), although this was based on small numbers. CONCLUSIONS: This population-based cohort study found elevated risks of leukemia and Hodgkin's lymphoma in children conceived by ART.