Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Free-Riding Behavior in Vaccination Decisions: An Experimental Study

Individual decision-making regarding vaccination may be affected by the vaccination choices of others. As vaccination produces externalities reducing transmission of a disease, it can provide an incentive for individuals to be free-riders who benefit from the vaccination of others while avoiding the cost of vaccination. This study examined an individual's decision about vaccination in a group setting for a hypothetical disease that is called “influenza” using a computerized experimental game. In the game, interactions with others are allowed. We found that higher observed vaccination rate within the group during the previous round of the game decreased the likelihood of an individual's vaccination acceptance, indicating the existence of free-riding behavior. The free-riding behavior was observed regardless of parameter conditions on the characteristics of the influenza and vaccine. We also found that other predictors of vaccination uptake included an individual's own influenza exposure in previous rounds increasing the likelihood of vaccination acceptance, consistent with existing empirical studies. Influenza prevalence among other group members during the previous round did not have a statistically significant effect on vaccination acceptance in the current round once vaccination rate in the previous round was controlled for.
Optical and infrared properties of V1647 Orionis during the 2003-2006 outburst I. The reflection nebula

Aims. The recent outburst of the young eruptive star V1647 Orionis has produced a spectacular appearance of a new reflection nebula in Orion (McNeil’s nebula). We present an optical/near infrared investigation of McNeil’s nebula. This analysis is aimed at determining the morphology, temporal evolution and nature of the nebula and its connection to the outburst. Methods. We performed multi epoch B, V, RC, IC, zgunn ,a ndKS imaging of McNeil’s nebula and V1647 Ori as well as KS imaging polarimetry. The multiband imaging allows us to reconstruct the extinction map inside the nebula. Through polarimetric observations we attempt to disentangle the emission from the nebula from that of the accretion disk around V1647 Ori. We also attempt to resolve the small spatial scale structure of the illuminating source. Results. The energy distribution and temporal evolution of McNeil’s nebula mimic that of the illuminating source. The extinction map reveals a region of higher extinction in the direction of V1647 Ori. Excluding foreground extinction, the optical extinction due to McNeil’s nebula in the direction of V1647 Ori is AV ∼ 6.5 mag. The polarimetric measurement shows a compact high polarization emission around V1647 Ori. The percentage of KS band linear polarization goes from 10–20%. The vectors are all well aligned with a position angle of 90 ◦ ± 9 ◦ East of North. This may correspond to the orientation of a possible accretion disk around V1647 Ori. These findings suggest that the appearance of McNeil’s nebula is due to reflection of light by pre-existing material in the surroundings of V1647 Ori. We also report on the discovery of a new candidate brown dwarf or protostar in the vicinity of V1647 Ori as well as the presence of clumpy structure within HH 22A.
Essays on volatility forecasting

In this chapter a straightforward comparison of volatility models is performed. This has been a popular theme within the finance literature however a generally accepted conclusion has still to be reached. Entering this debate a comparison between two popular ‘simple’ models, namely the Exponential Smoothing and the Moving Averages and the more ‘advanced’ GARCH type models capturing the features of volatility clustering, the leverage effect and volatility persistence, which are found to exist in the data. Four measures of comparison are used in this exercise and a further dimension is explored based on the classification of the sample markets in order to identify the existence or not of any differences between emerging and developed economies. The results show that the more advanced GARCH type models do a better job overall than the simple models. More specifically in the order of the asymmetric models first followed by the long memory models and finally in third place the simpler time series models. When the country classification is taken into account a clearer picture emerges in the ranking of the results for the developed economies than for the developing economies, however for both the developed and emerging economies there is no contest in identifying the worst performing model. Chapter 3 A volatility forecasting exercise
Molecular Hydrogen in the Damped Lyα Absorber of Q1331+170

We used HST STIS to obtain the spectrum of molecular hydrogen associated with the damped Lyα system at zabs = 1.7765 toward the quasar Q1331+170 at zem = 2.084. Strong H2 absorption was detected, with a total H2 column density of N(H2) = (4.45 ± 0.36) × 1019 cm-2. The molecular hydrogen fraction is f = 2N/(N + 2N) = 5.6% ± 0.7%, which is the greatest value reported so far in any redshifted damped Lyα system. This results from the combined effect of a relatively high dust-to-gas ratio, a low gas temperature, and an extremely low ambient UV radiation field. Based on the observed population of J states, we estimate the photoabsorption rate to be Rabs = (7.6 ± 2.4) × 10-13 s-1, corresponding to a local UV radiation field of J(1000 Å) ≈ 2.1 × 10-3J1000 Å, ☉, where J1000 Å, ☉ is the UV intensity at 1000 Å in the solar neighborhood. This is comparable to the metagalactic UV background intensity at this redshift and implies an extremely low star formation rate in the absorber's environment. We construct a simple model to describe the structure of the H2 absorber, with a best-fit total hydrogen number density of n(H) ≈ 0.2 cm-3 and an electron temperature of Te ≈ 140 K. Assuming spherical symmetry, the mass of the H2 cloud is estimated to be ≈6.5 × 107 M☉, larger than the masses of most giant molecular clouds in the Milky Way and nearby galaxies. The extinction of Q1331+170 due to the intervening DLA is EB-V ≈ 0.037, and we also find that the extinction by DLAs with firm H2 detections is significantly greater than those for which only upper limits of f have been determined. The observed CO-to-H2 column density ratio is NCO/N < 2.5 × 10-7, which is similar to the value measured for diffuse molecular clouds in the Galactic ISM. Finally, applying the inferred physical conditions to the observed C I fine structure excitation, we estimate the cosmic microwave background temperature to be TCMB = (7.2 ± 0.8) K at z = 1.77654, consistent with the predicted value of 7.566 K from the standard cosmology.
Intergroup Relations in States of the Former Soviet Union : The Perception of Russians

Introduction. Attitudes of Titulars and Russians. Intergroup Dynamics in States of the Former Soviet Union. Factors Affecting the Intergroup Relation of Titulars and Russians. Five New Republics and the Position of Russians. Titular Views of Russians. Russian Views of Titulars. Titular and Russian Attitudes towards Jews and Armenians. Potential Intergroup Conflict in the Five Former Soviet Republics. The Complexity of Intergroup Relations: Conclusions. Appendix: Samples, Variables, Questions, and Analysis. References.
National Institute of Economic and Social Research Discussion Paper No 352 Economic Bene fi ts of Lifelong Learning ∗

This paper examines the effect of lifelong learning on men’s employment and wages. Using data from the British Household Panel Survey, a variant of the mover-stayer model is developed in which hourly wages are either taken from a stationary distribution (movers) or are closely related to the hourly wage one year earlier (stayers). Mover-stayer status is not observed and we therefore model wages using an endogenous switching regression, extended to take account of non-random selection into employment. The model is estimated by maximum likelihood, using generalised residuals to correct for possible endogeneity of lifelong learning decisions. The results show modest effects significant at a 10% level for men who undertake life-long learning without upgrading their educational status and more powerful and significant effects for those who do upgrade their status. For the latter, the influence of lifelong learning on employment prospects is an important influence on the overall return. JEL Codes: C33, C35, I20, J24, J31, J63
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DESIGN WITH AN EVOLUTIONARY APPROACH

This paper presents two engineering design problems, both of which were solved by evolutionary algorithms. The evolutionary approach is used in universal electro-motor geometry optimization and integrated circuits area/time optimization. In the first case we improve the efficiency of a universal motor; where the goal is to find a new set of independent geometrical parameters for the rotor and the stator with the aim of reducing the motor’s power losses, which occur in the iron and the copper. In the second case we improve some parts of the high-level synthesis process of integrated circuits by considering the concurrency of operation scheduling and resource allocation constraints to ensure a globally optimal solution in a reasonable time.
Prevalence and Associated Factors of Schistosomiasis among Children in Yemen: Implications for an Effective Control Programme

Background Schistosomiasis, one of the most prevalent neglected tropical diseases, is a life-threatening public health problem in Yemen especially in rural communities. This cross-sectional study aims to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of schistosomiasis among children in rural Yemen. Methods/Findings Urine and faecal samples were collected from 400 children. Urine samples were examined using filtration technique for the presence of Schistosoma haematobium eggs while faecal samples were examined using formalin-ether concentration and Kato Katz techniques for the presence of S. mansoni. Demographic, socioeconomic and environmental information were collected via a validated questionnaire. Overall, 31.8% of the participants were found to be positive for schistosomiasis; 23.8% were infected with S. haematobium and 9.3% were infected with S. mansoni. Moreover, 39.5% of the participants were anaemic whereas 9.5% had hepatosplenomegaly. The prevalence of schistosomiasis was significantly higher among children aged >10 years compared to those aged ≤10 years (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis confirmed that presence of other infected family member (P<0.001), low household monthly income (P = 0.003), using unsafe sources for drinking water (P = 0.003), living nearby stream/spring (P = 0.006) and living nearby pool/pond (P = 0.002) were the key factors significantly associated with schistosomiasis among these children. Conclusions/Significance This study reveals that schistosomiasis is still highly prevalent in Yemen. These findings support an urgent need to start an integrated, targeted and effective schistosomiasis control programme with a mission to move towards the elimination phase. Besides periodic drug distribution, health education and community mobilisation, provision of clean and safe drinking water, introduction of proper sanitation are imperative among these communities in order to curtail the transmission and morbidity caused by schistosomiasis. Screening and treating other infected family members should also be adopted by the public health authorities in combating this infection in these communities.
Beyond Legal Coverage: Assessing the Performance of Social Health Protection

A frequently used indicator to measure social health protection performance is the extent of population coverage as stipulated in national legislation. However, this indicator does not provide meaningful information on performance in terms of effective access to benefits that are available, affordable and of acceptable quality, not least for the poor and workers in informal economies. This article proposes a new approach to measuring performance by applying a set of relevant indicators in an analytical framework for assessing the performance of social health protection. The approach allows policy-makers to conclude from comparisons among groups of countries facing similar challenges. Preliminary results include comprehensive information on deficits that need to be addressed when striving for effective universal coverage. With further refinement, the suggested approach could become a standard assessment tool for measuring performance. issr_1400 21.38
Efficient self‐collision detection on smoothly discretized surface animations using geometrical shape regularity

We present a new algorithm for detecting self‐collisionson highly discretized moving polygonal surfaces. If is based on geometrical shape regularity properties that permit avoiding many useless collision tests. We use an improved hierarchical representation of our surface that, besides the optimizations inherent to hierarchisation, allows us to fake adjacency information to our advantage for applying efficiently our geometrical optimizations. We reduce the computation time between each frame by building automatically the hierarchical structure once as a preprocessing task. We describe the main principles of our algorithm, followed by some performance tests.
The divergent eukaryote Trichomonas vaginalis has an m7G cap methyltransferase capable of a single N2 methylation

Eukaryotic RNAs typically contain 5′ cap structures that have been primarily studied in yeast and metazoa. The only known RNA cap structure in unicellular protists is the unusual Cap4 on Trypanosoma brucei mRNAs. We have found that T. vaginalis mRNAs are protected by a 5′ cap structure, however, contrary to that typical for eukaryotes, T. vaginalis spliceosomal snRNAs lack a cap and may contain 5′ monophophates. The distinctive 2,2,7-trimethylguanosine (TMG) cap structure usually found on snRNAs and snoRNAs is produced by hypermethylation of an m7G cap catalyzed by the enzyme trimethylguanosine synthase (Tgs). Here, we biochemically characterize the single T. vaginalis Tgs (TvTgs) encoded in its genome and demonstrate that TvTgs exhibits substrate specificity and amino acid requirements typical of an RNA cap-specific, m7G-dependent N2 methyltransferase. However, recombinant TvTgs is capable of catalysing only a single round of N2 methylation forming a 2,7-dimethylguanosine cap (DMG) as observed previously for Giardia lamblia. In contrast, recombinant Entamoeba histolytica and Trypanosoma brucei Tgs are capable of catalysing the formation of a TMG cap. These data suggest the presence of RNAs with a distinctive 5′ DMG cap in Trichomonas and Giardia lineages that are absent in other protist lineages.
A shared suppletive pattern in the pronominal systems of Chang Naga and Southern Qiang

This article shows the existence of a similar irregular alternation in pronominal the morphology of Chang Naga and Southern Qiang, two distantly related Sino-Tibetan languages. This pattern is argued to be the trace from an older case marking system. On the basis of this hypothesis, a new analysis of pronominal systems in various languages of the family is presented.
Strategic R&D and Patent Behaviour in some EU-Countries

This paper will be focused on two issues. Firstly, entrepreneurial innovative behaviour will be explained and, investigating the corresponding literature, it will also be concluded that innovation can reasonably be explained by patent behaviour. Secondly, because of the essential role of R&D spillovers, these will be considered in greater detail. In this respect, strategic R&D behaviour of private enterprises will be analysed under the occurrence of spillovers. Based on imperfectly competitive product markets, optimal R&D and output strategies are mutually compared. A test for various EU countries is provided using the average propensity to patent (APP) as a crude measure for the absence of spillovers. This test is applied on a panel of 22 sectors using OECD, EPO and EUROSTAT data for Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom over the sample period 1989-1995. It is found that (coherent) long-run forecasts for the number of patent applications are feasible for Denmark and Germany but not for the other four EU-countries considered.
The Pathways to the First Contact with Mental Health Services among Patients with Schizophrenia in Lagos, Nigeria

There is increasing evidence that delay in the commencement of treatment, following the onset of schizophrenia, may be related to the pathways patients navigate before accessing mental health care. Therefore, insight into the pattern and correlates of pathways to mental care of patients with schizophrenia may inform interventions that could fast track their contact with mental health professionals and reduce the duration of untreated psychosis. This study assessed the pathways to mental health care among patients with schizophrenia (n = 138), at their first contact with mental health services at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Yaba Lagos, Nigeria. Traditional and religious healers were the first contact for the majority (69%) of the patients. Service users who first contacted nonorthodox healers made a greater number of contacts in the course of seeking help, eventuating in a longer duration of untreated psychosis (P < 0.001). However, the delay between the onset of psychosis and contact with the first point of care was shorter in patients who patronized nonorthodox practitioners. The findings suggest that collaboration between orthodox and nonorthodox health services could facilitate the contact of patients with schizophrenia with appropriate treatment, thereby reducing the duration of untreated psychosis. The need for public mental health education is also indicated.
Neural Adaptation and Behavioral Measures of Temporal Processing and Speech Perception in Cochlear Implant Recipients

The objective was to determine if one of the neural temporal features, neural adaptation, can account for the across-subject variability in behavioral measures of temporal processing and speech perception performance in cochlear implant (CI) recipients. Neural adaptation is the phenomenon in which neural responses are the strongest at the beginning of the stimulus and decline following stimulus repetition (e.g., stimulus trains). It is unclear how this temporal property of neural responses relates to psychophysical measures of temporal processing (e.g., gap detection) or speech perception. The adaptation of the electrical compound action potential (ECAP) was obtained using 1000 pulses per second (pps) biphasic pulse trains presented directly to the electrode. The adaptation of the late auditory evoked potential (LAEP) was obtained using a sequence of 1-kHz tone bursts presented acoustically, through the cochlear implant. Behavioral temporal processing was measured using the Random Gap Detection Test at the most comfortable listening level. Consonant nucleus consonant (CNC) word and AzBio sentences were also tested. The results showed that both ECAP and LAEP display adaptive patterns, with a substantial across-subject variability in the amount of adaptation. No correlations between the amount of neural adaptation and gap detection thresholds (GDTs) or speech perception scores were found. The correlations between the degree of neural adaptation and demographic factors showed that CI users having more LAEP adaptation were likely to be those implanted at a younger age than CI users with less LAEP adaptation. The results suggested that neural adaptation, at least this feature alone, cannot account for the across-subject variability in temporal processing ability in the CI users. However, the finding that the LAEP adaptive pattern was less prominent in the CI group compared to the normal hearing group may suggest the important role of normal adaptation pattern at the cortical level in speech perception.
FROM UNEMPLOYMENT TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP : CONSTRUCTING DIFFERENT MEANINGS

Since the 1980s and increasingly since the 1990s entrepreneurship has become to stand for growth, prosperity, and employment. It has become one of the most publicly acclaimed and strategic areas of national and regional business policy, supported by interest towards entrepreneurship in policymaking. The high levels of unemployment have led policy makers to seek solutions, and one of the most promoted ones is the entrepreneurship solution. At the same time there is a lot of debate on the advisability of this route since it is argued that those who are ‘forced’ into entrepreneurship are less dynamic and less entrepreneurial, and consequently their failure rate is higher compared with failure rates of those individuals with more positive motives for entrepreneurship. (Storey 1991, 2002, see also Tervo – Niittykangas 1994) However, also contradictory evidence may be found: For example, a Finnish study shows a remarkable (70%) survival rate for enterprises that were set up by unemployed individuals selected as the beneficiaries of a particular initial start-up financing (Lehto – Stenholm 2001).
Person Re-identification by Efficient Impostor-Based Metric Learning

Recognizing persons over a system of disjunct cameras is a hard task for human operators and even harder for automated systems. In particular, realistic setups show difficulties such as different camera angles or different camera properties. Additionally, also the appearance of exactly the same person can change dramatically due to different views (e.g., frontal/back) of carried objects. In this paper, we mainly address the first problem by learning the transition from one camera to the other. This is realized by learning a Mahalanobis metric using pairs of labeled samples from different cameras. Building on the ideas of Large Margin Nearest Neighbor classification, we obtain a more efficient solution which additionally provides much better generalization properties. To demonstrate these benefits, we run experiments on three different publicly available datasets, showing state-of-the-art or even better results, however, on much lower computational efforts. This is in particular interesting since we use quite simple color and texture features, whereas other approaches build on rather complex image descriptions!
Loss of MTSS1 results in increased metastatic potential in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a 5-year survival rate of 7%. This dismal prognosis is largely due to the inability to diagnose the disease before metastasis occurs. Tumor cell dissemination occurs early in PDAC. While it is known that inflammation facilitates this process, the underlying mechanisms responsible for this progression have not been fully characterized. Here, we functionally test the role of metastasis suppressor 1 (MTSS1) in PDAC. Despite evidence showing that MTSS1 could be important for regulating metastasis in many different cancers, its function in PDAC has not been studied. Here, we show that loss of MTSS1 leads to increased invasion and migration in PDAC cell lines. Moreover, PDAC cells treated with cancer-associated fibroblast-conditioned media also have increased metastatic potential, which is augmented by loss of MTSS1. Finally, overexpression of MTSS1 in PDAC cell lines leads to a loss of migratory potential in vitro and an increase in overall survival in vivo. Collectively, our data provide insight into an important role for MTSS1 in suppressing tumor cell invasion and migration driven by the tumor microenvironment and suggest that therapeutic strategies aimed at increasing MTSS1 levels may effectively slow the development of metastatic lesions, increasing survival of patients with PDAC.