Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Passivity of Switched Recurrent Neural Networks With Time-Varying Delays

This paper is concerned with the passivity analysis for switched neural networks subject to stochastic disturbances and time-varying delays. First, using the multiple Lyapunov functions method, a state-dependent switching law is designed to present a stochastic passivity condition. Second, a hysteresis switching law involving both the current state and the previous value of the switching signal are presented to avoid chattering resulted from the state-dependent switching. Third, based on the average dwell-time approach, a class of switching signals is determined to guarantee the switched neural network stochastically passive. Finally, three numerical examples are provided to illustrate the characteristics of three proposed switching laws.
A Profile of Youth Justice in Canada Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics

Data in many forms Statistics Canada disseminates data in a variety of forms. In addition to publications, both standard and special tabulations are offered. Data are available on the Internet, compact disc, diskette, computer printouts, microfiche and microfilm, and magnetic tape. Maps and other geographic reference materials are available for some types of data. Direct online access to aggregated information is possible through CANSIM, Statistics Canada's machine-readable database and retrieval system. Toll-free access is provided for all users who reside outside the local dialling area of any of the Regional Reference Centres. All prices exclude sales tax Catalogue no. 85-544-XPE, is published as a standard paper product. The prices for delivery in Canada are $40.00 and outside Canada for US $40.00. or by Internet, at order@statcan.ca. For changes of address, please provide both old and new addresses. Statistics Canada products may also be purchased from authorized agents, bookstores and local Statistics Canada offices.
The Consumption Response to Predictable Changes in Discretionary Income: Evidence from the Repayment of Vehicle Loans

Although the life cycle/permanent income hypothesis is the primary framework for understanding household consumption and savings decisions, only a few studies have used clearly identifiable income changes to test the basic predictions of the model. The estimates produced using this empirical strategy have yet to lead to a consensus of beliefs since the results have both favored and rejected the model. This paper contributes to this literature by examining the consumption reaction to predictable increases in discretionary income following the final payment of a vehicle loan. Using data from the Consumer Expenditure Survey, the results show that a 10 increase in discretionary income due to a loan repayment leads to a 2 to 3 increase in nondurable consumption. Additional analysis suggests that these findings may be explained by the presence of borrowing constraints.
Why and how do researchers engage themselves in commercialization of research ?

The aim of the paper is to develop a framework of governance structures based on of researcher motivations and structures to commercialize academic research into economic value. We do this by case studies of academic researchers who have considered commercializing their research findings in the field of stem cell biology. The empirical cases let us further expand the typology of governance structures for commercialization of research discoveries from academia to industry. The main finding is a number of collaborative governance structures between the researchers and industry with corresponding business models, indicating that many researchers prefer to stay in academia and use commercialization as a vehicle for enlarging their research inside and outside academia. 1 Corresponding author: Lars Bengtsson, Blekinge Institute of Technology, School of Management, PO Box 520, 392 25 Ronneby Sweden lars.bengtsson@bth.se Tel: +46708-129945
Use of a hybrid vaccinia virus-T7 RNA polymerase system for expression of target genes

A novel expression system based on coinfection of cells with two recombinant vaccinia viruses has been developed. One recombinant vaccinia virus contained the bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase gene under control of a vaccinia virus promoter. The second recombinant vaccinia virus contained a target gene of choice flanked by bacteriophage T7 promoter and termination sequences. Maximum expression of the target gene occurred when cells were infected with 10 PFU of each recombinant virus. Although T7 RNA polymerase synthesis began shortly after infection, the target gene was not expressed until late times and was largely inhibited when DNA replication was blocked. Target gene transcripts were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis and had the predicted size. With this system, Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase, hepatitis B virus surface antigen, and human immunodeficiency virus envelope proteins were made. In each case, the level of synthesis was greater than had previously been obtained with the more conventional recombinant vaccinia virus expression system.
Stock Market Liquidity and the Cost of Issuing Equity

Abstract We show that stock market liquidity is an important determinant of the cost of raising external capital. Using a large sample of seasoned equity offerings, we find that, ceteris paribus, investment banks' fees are significantly lower for firms with more liquid stock. We estimate that the difference in the investment banking fee for firms in the most liquid vs. the least liquid quintile is about 101 basis points or 21% of the average investment banking fee in our sample. Our findings suggest that firms can reduce the cost of raising capital by improving the market liquidity of their stock.
When Does Men’s Hostile Sexism Predict Relationship Aggression? The Moderating Role of Partner Commitment

Hostile sexism encompasses aggressive attitudes toward women who contest men’s power and suspicions that women will manipulate men by exploiting their relational dependence. Prior research has shown that these attitudes predict greater aggression toward female relationship partners, but has overlooked the contexts in which such aggression should occur. The present research identified an important contextual factor that determines when men’s hostile sexism is (and when it is not) associated with relationship aggression. Men who more strongly endorsed hostile sexism were more aggressive toward their female partners during couples’ daily life (Study 1) and conflict discussions (Study 2), but only when their female partners were perceived to be, or reported being, low in relationship commitment. These findings show that men who endorse hostile sexism do not always enact aggression toward female partners, but do so in contexts relevant to their fears that women will exploit men’s relational dependence and undermine men’s power.
DNA Damage in Buccal Mucosa Cells of Pre-School Children Exposed to High Levels of Urban Air Pollutants

Air pollution has been recognized as a human carcinogen. Children living in urban areas are a high-risk group, because genetic damage occurring early in life is considered able to increase the risk of carcinogenesis in adulthood. This study aimed to investigate micronuclei (MN) frequency, as a biomarker of DNA damage, in exfoliated buccal cells of pre-school children living in a town with high levels of air pollution. A sample of healthy 3-6-year-old children living in Brescia, Northern Italy, was investigated. A sample of the children's buccal mucosa cells was collected during the winter months in 2012 and 2013. DNA damage was investigated using the MN test. Children's exposure to urban air pollution was evaluated by means of a questionnaire filled in by their parents that included items on various possible sources of indoor and outdoor pollution, and the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5) and NO2 in the 1–3 weeks preceding biological sample collection. 181 children (mean age±SD: 4.3±0.9 years) were investigated. The mean±SD MN frequency was 0.29±0.13%. A weak, though statistically significant, association of MN with concentration of air pollutants (PM10, PM2.5 and NO2) was found, whereas no association was apparent between MN frequency and the indoor and outdoor exposure variables investigated via the questionnaire. This study showed a high MN frequency in children living in a town with heavy air pollution in winter, higher than usually found among children living in areas with low or medium-high levels of air pollution.
Does Monetary Policy Keep Up with the Joneses? Optimal Interest-Rate Smoothing with Consumption Externalities

Changes in monetary policy are typically implemented gradually, an empirical observation known as interest-rate smoothing. We propose the explanation that time-non-separable preferences may render interest-rate smoothing optimal. We find that when consumers have "catching-up-with-the-Joneses" preferences, optimal monetary policy reacts gradually to shocks to prevent inefficiently fast adjustments in consumption. We also extend our basic model to investigate the effects of capital formation and nominal rigidities on the dynamics of optimal monetary policy. Optimal policy responses continue to be gradual in the presence of capital and sticky prices, with a size and speed that are in line with empirical findings for the U.S. economy. Our results emphasize that gradualism in monetary policy may be needed simply to guide the economy on an optimally smooth path.
Internet and Displacement Effect: Children's Media Use and Activities in Singapore

This paper examines the relationship between Internet use and six activities that are important to childhood development: television viewing, newspaper reading, radio listening, sports and physical exercise, interaction with family, and socializing with friends. Perceived importance of the Internet, television, newspaper, and radio as information sources was also included. A panel of 1,251 secondary-one students was surveyed in 1999, and was revisited in 2000. A total of 817 students remained in the 2000 survey, giving an attrition rate of 34.7%. Results showed that an increase in Internet use depressed television viewing, but stimulated newspaper reading, radio listening, and socializing with friends. However, it had no significant impact on physical activities and interaction with family members. Change in the perception of the importance of the Internet as an information source was also found to be related to the perceived importance of two other media sources. Limitations of the study were included in the discussion section.
Development of a Multiplex PCR for the Detection of asa1, gelE, cylA, esp, and hyl Genes in Enterococci and Survey for Virulence Determinants among European Hospital Isolates of Enterococcus faecium

ABSTRACT A multiplex PCR for the simultaneous detection of five virulence genes (asa1, gelE, cylA, esp, and hyl) in enterococci was developed. The presence of these genes was investigated in 153 clinical and 118 fecal Enterococcus faecium isolates from inpatients at an increased risk of developing infections (such as patients in intensive care units and hematology wards) from 13 hospitals in eight European countries. Of the 271 E. faecium isolates, 135 were vancomycin resistant E. faecium (VREF) isolates and 136 were vancomycin susceptible E. faecium (VSEF) isolates. Susceptibilities to ampicillin, gentamicin, streptomycin, vancomycin, teicoplanin, ramoplanin, quinupristin-dalfopristin, and linezolid were tested by the microdilution method. Overall, the prevalence of esp was significantly higher (P = 0.03) in clinical VREF isolates (92%) than in fecal VREF isolates (73%). In Italy, the prevalence of esp was significantly higher (P = 0.02) in VREF isolates (91%) than in VSEF isolates (68%), whereas in the United Kingdom, hyl was significantly more prevalent (P = 0.01) in VREF isolates (71%) than in VSEF isolates (29%). No significant differences were found for the other countries. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was used to check the clonality among the strains tested and showed the spread of two center-specific (esp-positive) VREF clones in Italy and one center-specific (hyl-positive) clone in the United Kingdom. These clones were resistant to ampicillin, gentamicin, and streptomycin. The multiplex PCR reported in this study is a convenient and rapid method for the simultaneous detection of the virulence genes asa1, gelE, cylA, esp, and hyl in enterococci. Molecular analysis showed the intrahospital spread of esp-positive VREF clones (in Italy) and hyl-positive VREF clones (in the United Kingdom); the role of hyl remains to be elucidated.
Lateral stabilization of a single wheel robot applying electromagnetic force

The lateral stabilization of single wheel robot is a challenge for researchers. We proposed a new mechanism to solve the problem by applying electromagnetic force. The mechanism was described briefly, and after dynamic analyses of the robot, its state space equation was obtained. The prototype was built in ADAMS, and integrated with MATLAB a PID controller and a LQR controller were performed respectively. A simple physical experiment was carried out on inverted pendulum applying Lorentz force. Simulation and physical experiment results show that the proposed mechanism is feasible and more energy efficient.
Evaluating stress reduction techniques and Fitzmaurice Voicework® as a template for addressing performance anxiety and enhancing focus in student actors

Abstract Research conducted over the past 20 years in psychology, voice science, kinesiology, and neuroscience shows promising results in establishing the potential of breath management, attentional focus, and somatic disciplines to enhance the ability of individuals to function effectively under intense and often stressful performance circumstances. Many of these approaches have been incorporated into the training of performing artists for centuries, and among diverse cultures. Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Techniques, and Fitzmaurice Voicework®, employ such techniques, and a study investigating their efficacy in alleviating performance anxiety and enhancing focus may provide information that will help us to further refine our actor training methods.
When the story proceeds backward: The discovery of endogenous β-aminobutyric acid as the missing link for a potential new plant hormone

ABSTRACT The capacity of β-aminobutyric acid (BABA) to induce resistance in plants against biotic and abiotic stresses has been known for more than 50 y. In the beginning reports were mainly descriptive of the phenomenon, but it became clear with the discovery of BABA insensitive mutants in Arabidopsis that there was definitely a genetic basis underlying BABA-induced resistance. The study of these mutants, along with the use of regular hormone mutants, allowed establishing the defense pathways activated upon defense induction. To date it is clear that BABA potentiates the defense pathway more appropriate to counteract the upcoming stress situation, through a phenomenon termed priming. Interestingly, plants possess a receptor for BABA, but up to recently there was a general consensus on the fact that BABA was a xenobiotic molecule. The development of an accurate non-destructive assay for measuring aminobutyric acid isomers in planta and the finding of plant-produced BABA, thus seems to represent the missing link for the discovery of a novel plant hormone. Differences and similarities with some of the classical plant hormones are presented here.
Bridge Builders in IT Artifact Development

This paper analyzes the role of ‘bridge builders’ in Information Technology (IT) artifact development, focusing on new, challenging information systems (IS) contexts, packaged software development and outsourcing. Both literature and empirical analyses on ‘bridge builders’ in IT artifact development are carried out. The literature review combines findings from several yet separate research communities. Based on the review, a categorization of what this ‘bridge building’ includes in IT artifact development, is outlined. The ‘bridge builders’ are expected to understand the users; represent the users both in presentational and political sense; and to facilitate collaboration in IT artifact development, in doing so serving either the interests of the operational or managerial stakeholders. Furthermore, by utilizing this categorization as a sensitizing device, two empirical cases are analyzed, showing that the ‘bridge builders’ are expected to and occasionally also succeed in understanding the users, representing them both in presentational and political sense, and facilitating collaboration, serving the interests of the operational or managerial stakeholders. Our empirical findings point out the varieties and challenges involved with this role in IT artifact development. We especially emphasize the importance of this position in the new, challenging IS contexts, and argue for further analyses of it.
Comprehension of mimetics by adult native speakers of Japanese

Linguistics traditionally regards the relationship between a word’s sound and its meaning as arbitrary; words which systematically relate sound and meaning – ‘sound-symbolic’ or ‘mimetic’ words – have been regarded as peripheral (Imai and Kita, 2014); however, increasingly, research has found that languages such as Japanese have highly developed and grammatically integrated lexical strata devoted to mimetic words (Hamano, 1998; Tsujimura, 2001, 2005; Tsujimura and Deguchi, 2003). In Japanese, Akita (2010) has posited that among mimetics that denote internal states (‘psychomimes’), three categories can be identified based on semantic, morphosyntactic, and syntactic properties. With respect to syntax, Akita proposes that compatibility with locus noun phrases constitutes a syntactic constraint on these mimetic classes’ naturalness that can serve to discriminate the three classes. In this experiment, we sought to find empirical evidence for this claim by way of native speakers’ judgment of the naturalness of mimetics in sentences according to a five-point scale. Our results provided empirical support for Akita’s claim, indicating that her categorization might indeed be a psychological reality for native speakers of Japanese.
Near-IR spectra of red supergiants and giants I. Models with solar and with mixing-induced surface abundance ratios

Context. It remains difficult to interpret the near-IR emission of young stellar populations. One main reason is our incomplete understanding of the spectra of luminous red stars. Aims. This work provides a grid of theoretical spectra of red giant and supergiant stars, that extends through optical and nearIR wavelengths. For the first time, models are also provided with modified surface abundances of C, N and O, as a step towards accounting for the changes that occur due to convective dredge-up in red supergiants or may occur at earlier evolutionary stages in the case of rotation. The aims are (i) to assess how well current models reproduce observed spectra, in particular in the near-IR; (ii) to quantify the effects of the abundance changes on the spectra; and (iii) to determine how these changes affect estimates of fundamental stellar parameters. Methods. Spectra are computed with the model atmosphere code PHOENIX and compared with a homogeneous set of observations. Although the empirical spectra have a resolution of only λ/∆λ ∼ 1000, we emphasize that models must be calculated at high spectral resolution in order to reproduce the shapes of line blends and molecular bands. Results. Giant star spectra of class III can be fitted extremely well at solar metallicity down to ∼3400 K, where difficulties appear in the modelling of near-IR H2O and TiO absorption bands. Luminous giants of class II can be fitted well too, with modified surface abundances preferred in a minority of cases, possibly indicating mixing in excess of standard first dredge-up. Supergiant stars show a larger variety of near-IR spectra, and good fits are currently obtained for about one third of the observations only. Modified surface abundances help reproducing strong CN bands, but do not suffice to resolve the difficulties. The effect of the abundance changes on the estimated Teff depends on the wavelength range of observation and can amount several 100 K. Conclusions. While theoretical spectra for giant stars are becoming very satisfactory, red supergiants require further work. The model grid must be extended, in particular to larger micro-turbulent velocities. Some observed spectra may call for models with even lower gravities than explored here (and therefore probably stellar winds), and/or with more extreme abundances than predicted by standard non-rotating evolution models. Non-static atmospheres models should also be envisaged.
We're Sorry But it's Not Our Fault: Organizational Apologies in Ambiguous Crisis Situations

Crisis management theories encourage organizations to use different response strategies depending on how much responsibility for the crisis stakeholders attribute to organizations. However, theory has not fully addressed what organizations ought to say when responsibility for the crisis is ambiguous, as in a data breach crisis. This study uses a content analysis to (i) examine what organizations say in response to data breaches and (ii) compare what organizations say after data breaches with what organizations say when they are clearly responsible. The findings suggest that organizations are more likely to acknowledge responsibility and show empathy when they are clearly to blame, but are more likely to invite contact and advise stakeholders how to protect themselves in data breach situations.
Virtually Perfect Time Sharing in Dual-Task Performance: Uncorking the Central Cognitive Bottleneck

A fundamental issue for psychological science concerns the extent to which people can simultaneously perform two perceptual-motor tasks. Some theorists have hypothesized that such dual-task performance is severely and persistently constrained by a central cognitive “bottleneck,” whereas others have hypothesized that skilled procedural decision making and response selection for two or more tasks can proceed at the same time under adaptive executive control. The three experiments reported here support this latter hypothesis. Their results show that after relatively modest amounts of practice, at least some participants achieve virtually perfect time sharing in the dual-task performance of basic choice reaction tasks. The results also show that observed interference between tasks can be modulated by instructions about differential task priorities and personal preferences for daring (concurrent) or cautious (successive) scheduling of tasks. Given this outcome, future research should investigate exactly when and how such sophisticated skills in dual-task performance are acquired.