Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inferring the dark matter power spectrum from the Lyman α forest in high-resolution QSO absorption spectra

We use the LUQAS sample, a set of 27 high-resolution and high signal-to-noise ratio quasi-stellar object (QSO) absorption spectra at a median redshift of z = 2.25, and the data from Croft et al. at a median redshift of z = 2.72, together with a large suite of high-resolution large box-size hydrodynamical simulations, to estimate the linear dark matter power spectrum on scales 0.003 < k < 0.03 s km -1 . Our reanalysis of the Croft et al. data agrees well with their results if we assume the same mean optical depth and gas temperature-density relation. The inferred linear dark matter power spectrum at z = 2.72 also agrees with that inferred from LUQAS at lower redshift if we assume that the increase of the amplitude is due to gravitational growth between these redshifts. We further argue that the smaller mean optical depth measured from high-resolution spectra is more accurate than the larger value obtained from low-resolution spectra by Press et al. which Croft et al. used. For the smaller optical depth we obtain a 20 per cent higher value for the rms fluctuation amplitude of the matter density. By combining the amplitude of the matter power spectrum inferred from the Lya forest with the amplitude on large scales inferred from measurements of the CMB we obtain constraints on the primordial spectral index n and the normalization σ 8 . For values of the mean optical depth favoured by high-resolution spectra, the inferred linear power spectrum is consistent with a ACDM model with a scale-free (n = 1) primordial power spectrum.
Partisan Dimensions of Confidence in the U.S. Military, 1973–2016

Americans express more confidence in their military than any other institution. The components and causes of confidence have been little studied, especially as a partisan phenomenon. This study assesses trends in how partisanship and ideology affect confidence in the military. Multivariate analysis of General Social Survey and Harris Poll data shows that while confidence has increased for all demographic and political subgroups, partisanship and ideology play larger roles than commonly recognized. Democrats and Republicans are more confident than independents, but Republican confidence increased sharply over the last 20 years. Party ID is now the best predictor of one's confidence in the military. Conservative ideology has little effect, but liberalism reduces confidence, splitting Democrats. The pattern is not only “Republicanization,” however; partisans on both sides are more confident when their party holds the White House.
Using hybrid artificial neural network models in prediction future movements of the stock market

This study tested the neural network-GARCH model for predicting the combined volatility in the stock index, Latin America, Brazil, Chile and Mexico have done. Details of the method of forecasting the volatility of financial series using a combination of artificial neural network are presented. Results show that the ANN model can predict the performance of GARCH models improved when the three markets of Latin America and the studies have shown that the results are robust to different specifications and different measures of volatility consistent with ANN.
TFP Growth in British and German Manufacturing, 1950-1996

The Paper considers the accuracy of traditional TFP growth estimates using an econometric methodology which takes account of scale economies, fixed factors of production and adjustment costs to reveal underlying ‘pure technological change’. The results suggest that these biases vary substantially over time but do not impact heavily on Anglo-German comparisons. In both countries the early post-war years are a period when adjustment costs from a rising supply price of capital goods hold down TFP growth below that which could have accrued from pure technological progress. As might be expected, this problem largely disappeared in the later globalization period.
Experiencing risk: the effect of the experiential life-skills centre ‘Warning Zone’ on children’s risk perception

Abstract This study examined the psychological effects of the Warning Zone experiential life-skills centre on risk perception. The aim of Warning Zone is to educate children about dangers and risks they may encounter in everyday life, with a view to preventing injury. To evaluate changes in risk perception, a quasi-experimental study was undertaken in which children’s risk perception was measured before, after, and one month after the Warning Zone experience. This research also examined children from different types of schools, in order to assess socio-economic factors. Children’s risk perception increased significantly after Warning Zone, and this significant increase was retained one month later. Differential effects of Warning Zone were found between children from different school types, as were pre-existing differences in risk perception between these groups. Children from more deprived backgrounds had better understanding of risks prior to their visit to Warning Zone and a month later had better retained the message of Warning Zone about risks. We conclude that Warning Zone is effective at raising children’s perceptions of risk.
Further Investigation of an IAT for Workplace Integrity

The validity of implicit measures of workplace integrity that use Implicit Association Test (IAT) procedures was examined. Relationships with theoretically relevant explicit and implicit measures of personality constructs and overt behavioral indices replicate and extend results of previous studies and provide additional support for the IAT measures’ validity. PRESS PARAGRAPH The assessment of integrity and character is of interest, especially in the wake of a seemingly endless litany of scandals involving criminal conduct by those in leadership positions in both corporate and governmental organizations. This study examined the validity of a new measure of workplace integrity that is based upon the Implicit Association Test using a temptation paradigm to elicit relevant behavior (breaking rules and lying or following rules and telling the truth). The results replicate other findings and provide additional support for the measure’s potential usefulness as a tool for managing risks related to character failure in organizations.
A 20-day period standing oscillation in the northern winter stratosphere

Abstract. Observations of the ozone profile by a ground-based microwave radiometer in Switzerland indicate a dominant 20-day oscillation in stratospheric ozone, possibly related to oscillations of the polar vortex edge during winter. For further understanding of the nature of the 20-day oscillation, the ozone data set of ERA Interim meteorological reanalysis is analyzed at the latitude belt of 47.5° N and in the time from 1979 to 2010. Spectral analysis of ozone time series at 7 hPa indicates that the 20-day oscillation is maximal at two locations: 7.5° E, 47.5° N and 60° E, 47.5° N. Composites of the stream function are derived for different phases of the 20-day oscillation of stratospheric ozone at 7 hPa in the Northern Hemisphere. The streamline at Ψ = −2 × 107 m2 s−1 is in the vicinity of the polar vortex edge. The other streamline at Ψ = 4 × 107 m2 s1 surrounds the Aleutian anticyclone and goes to the subtropics. The composites show 20-day period standing oscillations at the polar vortex edge and in the subtropics above Northern Africa, India, and China. The 20-day period standing oscillation above Aral Sea and India is correlated to the strength of the Aleutian anticyclone.
The Development of Cortical Multisensory Integration

Although there are many perceptual theories that posit particular maturational profiles in higher-order (i.e., cortical) multisensory regions, our knowledge of multisensory development is primarily derived from studies of a midbrain structure, the superior colliculus. Therefore, the present study examined the maturation of multisensory processes in an area of cat association cortex [i.e., the anterior ectosylvian sulcus (AES)] and found that these processes are rudimentary during early postnatal life and develop only gradually thereafter. The AES comprises separate visual, auditory, and somatosensory regions, along with many multisensory neurons at the intervening borders between them. During early life, sensory responsiveness in AES appears in an orderly sequence. Somatosensory neurons are present at 4 weeks of age and are followed by auditory and multisensory (somatosensory–auditory) neurons. Visual neurons and visually responsive multisensory neurons are first seen at 12 weeks of age. The earliest multisensory neurons are strikingly immature, lacking the ability to synthesize the cross-modal information they receive. With postnatal development, multisensory integrative capacity matures. The delayed maturation of multisensory neurons and multisensory integration in AES suggests that the higher-order processes dependent on these circuits appear comparatively late in ontogeny.
An Analysis of Path-Vector Routing Protocol Convergence Algorithms

Today’s Internet uses a path vector routing protocol, BGP, for global routing. After a connectivity change, a path vector protocol tends to explore a potentially large number of alternative paths before converging on new stable paths. Several techniques for improving path vector convergence have been proposed, however there has been no comparative analysis to judge the relative merit of each approach. In this paper we develop a novel analytical framework for analyzing the convergence delay bounds of path-vector routing protocols in general. Our framework can accommodate different message processing delay models. By incorporating the commonly used uniform processing delay model we are able to fill in all the cases where analytical results are missing previously. The results obtained by using our framework not only confirm the previous work but also provide new insights into the underlying network behavior. We then present a new delay model, the model, which takes into account the actual message queueing delay in actual BGP implementations and simulations. By incorporating the model in our framework, we are able to obtain tighter delay bounds and explain simulation results that cannot be explained using the previous uniform message delay model.
The RETN gene rs1862513 polymorphism as a novel predisposing marker for familial Acne vulgaris in a Pakistani population

Resistin (RETN), recently found to be relevant to inflammation and inflammatory disorders. We, therefore, aimed to investigate the potential role of RETN gene polymorphism in pathogenesis of acne vulgaris with familial history. We investigated the RETN-420C/G polymorphism in 180 patients with acne vulgaris and 180 healthy individuals in a case-control association analysis. In this study, we also investigated the heritability of the RETN susceptible allele from 140 trio families with acne affected offspring. The genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction and direct DNA sequencing. The RETN-420C/G polymorphism was significantly associated with acne in patients compared with healthy controls (P=0.014). The minor allele G at -420 was more prevalent in cases vs. controls (P=0.002). The RETN-420C/G polymorphism was significantly associated with severity of acne vulgaris in patients (P=0.0097). The results of a transmission disequilibrium test revealed a significant association between the RETN-420C/G polymorphism and acne vulgaris (P<0.001). For the first time in the literature, to our knowledge, we demonstrate a significant association of the RETN-420C/G functional polymorphism with familial acne vulgaris.
Rethinking the Boundaries: Competitive Threat and the Asymmetric Salience of Race/Ethnicity in Attitudes toward Immigrants

Research on attitudes toward immigrants has come to divergent conclusions regarding the role of race and ethnicity in shaping these attitudes. Using survey data from 18 European countries, the authors analyze how conditions associated with both economic and cultural threat shape respondents’ receptivity to establishing relationships with immigrants of the same race or ethnicity versus immigrants of a different race or ethnicity. The analyses reveal that the salience of racial and ethnic differences in shaping attitudes toward immigrants is asymmetric. Those who are more likely to express negative attitudes toward immigrants are also more likely to differentiate between immigrants on the basis of race and ethnicity, whereas those less likely to express negative attitudes are also less likely to distinguish between immigrants on the basis of racial and ethnic differences. The authors discuss the substantive and theoretical implications of these findings.
OEF/OIF veterans with and without PTSD : levels of relationship distress, social support, combat experience, and deployment

As Veterans have returned home from the OEF/OIF wars they have faced many struggles with reintegration. Studies of Veterans returning home have found rates of PTSD as high as 18 % (Hoge et al., 2004; Hoge, Terhakopian, Castro, Messer, & Engel, 2007). The symptomatology of PTSD has historically complicated Veterans primary relationships as well other interpersonal relationships and this study seeks to look at the relationship between PTSD and interpersonal distress in a sample of Veterans returning from the OEF/OIF wars. The author conducted secondary analysis of data from a survey taken by a sample of Connecticut Veterans (n = 620) following the OEF/OIF wars. Veterans who screened positive for PTSD (n=58) were compared to Veterans who did not screen positive for PTSD (n =472). The author analyzed levels of relationship distress, combat experience, post-deployment social support, and deployment location. Veterans with PTSD reported higher levels of relationship distress, combat experience, and less social support than Veterans without PTSD (p< .001). Higher PTSD symptomatology was significant (p< .001) with deployment to Iraq compared to all other deployment locations in the survey. Study findings indicate a need for creating greater practical and emotional support for Veterans returning with PTSD through clinical collaboration with the Veteran, caregivers, family members, close friends, and the larger community. OEF/OIF VETERANS WITH AND WITHOUT PTSD: LEVELS OF RELATIONSHIP DISTRESS, SOCIAL SUPPORT, COMBAT EXPERIENCE, AND DEPLOYMENT A project based upon an independent investigation, submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Work. Jeanne-marie E. Mailloux Smith College School for Social Work Northampton, Massachusetts 01063 2012 ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS First, I would like to thank my research advisor Kristin Mattocks for allowing me access to the data set that made this research possible, as well as providing guidance in the thesis process. There aren’t enough words to express my gratitude to David Burton for his patience in teaching me how to think critically about results and in becoming more comfortable with data analysis. I feel blessed for the support and kindness from my parents and siblings despite their busy lives. I also would like to thank all the Smith students in my graduating class that provided support, twinship, mirroring, humor, and love throughout this entire experience.
ADOLESCENT PLEA BARGAINS: DEVELOPMENTAL AND CONTEXTUAL INFLUENCES OF PLEA BARGAIN DECISION MAKING

Problem. Plea-bargaining is the most common conviction process in the United States yet there is a lack of research on how plea bargain decisions are made within the judicial process. By accepting a plea bargain, a defendant is ultimately agreeing to waive their right to trial. To submit a trial waiver, defendants must be competent to stand trial. Research suggests that compared to adults, adolescents are less likely to have the capacities required to be competent to stand trial. This study takes a first step toward examining adolescent capacities to make intelligent, knowing, and voluntary trial waiver decisions. Additionally, this study examines contextual factors (i.e., parental engagement) that are unique to juvenile defendants and that may play a role in adolescent decision making. Aims. This dissertation takes a mixed methods approach (using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods) to accomplish two primary objectives. The primary objectives are to (1) understand the plea bargain process adolescents are expected to navigate and to (2) examine the knowing, intelligent, and voluntary nature of adolescent plea bargain decisions. Method. Through two studies this dissertation uses multiple research methods to evaluate the plea bargain process, the context in which decision making occurs, and the decision-making process adolescents engage in. Study one is exploratory and qualitative in nature and aims to accomplish primary objective one through interviews with 18 defense attorneys. Interviews cover topics such as the plea bargain process, duration and
Relationship between obesity, childhood sexual abuse, and attitudes toward obesity in sexual-minority women

ABSTRACT Sexual-minority women (SMW) are more likely to be overweight, have a history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), and have more positive attitudes toward obesity compared to their heterosexual counterparts. In this exploratory study, the author sought to identify any associations between CSA, obesity, and attitudes toward obesity among SMW. Eighty-five SMW completed a survey assessing their weight, history of CSA, and attitudes toward obesity. An ordered logistic regression (OLS) and an analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed CSA to be negatively correlated with BMI, as well as no association between SMW's attitudes toward obesity and CSA nor BMI. Lastly, SMW did not report significantly different attitudes toward BMI based on their own BMI and history of CSA. This study provides evidence that SMW, particularly those residing within the Deep South, are at high risk for both CSA and for obesity, and highlights the importance of developing future culturally tailored weight loss programs designed specifically for SMW with histories of trauma.
Relationship between social support, sense of humor and life expectancy in elderly of Yazd city

Introduction and purpose: Growing number of old population in Iran highlights the importance of research on elderly-related issues to increase their quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess potential relationship between social support and sense of humor with life expectancy of elderly in Yazd city. Materials & Methods: This descriptive study employed convenience sampling method to include 100 elderly residing in the Yazd city. Data were collected using three questionnaires including; Philips social support, Thorson & Powel Multidimensional sense of humor scale and Snyder's life expectancy questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficient, Regression and T-test were used to analyze the data. Findings: Results of the current study showed a significance relationship between life expectancy and social support as well as sense of humor. Findings from the Regression analysis indicated that social support and sense of humor can predict life expectancy of elderly. In addition, gender-specific analysis in the present study revealed that men had higher sense of hum or while, women had higher life expectancy. However, there was no significant difference in terms of social support between men and women. Conclusion: This study showed that sense of human and social support is associated with increased life expectancy among elderly. With regards to the importance of elderly population in Iran , scholars are encouraged to conduct more research dealing with the elderly -related issues. Moreover, old population as a part of society needs to receive further support from governm ent and individuals.
Intermittent oxygen flux from the interior into the bottom boundary of lakes as observed by eddy correlation

Turbulent oxygen transport from the overlying stratified water column into the bottom boundary layer (BBL) on the slope of a medium‐sized lake was investigated using the eddy correlation (EC) technique. The seicheinduced oscillatory flow of the BBL, with a period of ~1 d, was identified as the mechanism driving turbulent oxygen transport. Sporadic short‐term EC vertical oxygen fluxes exceeded the sedimentary oxygen uptake of 13 ± 2 mmol m‐2 d‐1 calculated from sediment oxygen profiles by more than a factor of three. The average EC flux over half of a seiching period was 9.2 mmol m‐2 d‐1 similar in range to the flux into the sediment; however, these two fluxes do not have to coincide spatially and temporally. The EC oxygen flux was only significant when the deep basin‐scale currents exceeded a velocity of 2 cm s‐1 and the corresponding bottom shear was sufficient to produce active turbulence. Below this threshold, decaying turbulence resulted in oxygen fluxes lower than 3.5 mmol m‐2 d‐1, with an even lower average flux of 0.8 mmol m‐2 d‐1 observed during reversals of the seiching. At low velocities, the weak turbulence is insufficient to transport dissolved oxygen through the stratified top of the BBL (stability N2 ~ 2.4 × 10‐4 s‐2), even though turbulence was found in the inertial subrange and periodical bottom convective mixing was still present. The EC technique provided valuable data on the temporal variability of oxygen transport related to the BBL hydrodynamics and flux pathways.
Semantics of the Domain of Flow Diagrams

A domain of flow diagrams similar to that proposed by Scott, a domain of linear flow diagrams proposed by Goguen et al , a domain of decision table diagrams involving mfimtary branching, and a domain of processes based on the ideas of Milner and Beklc are each provided with a direct semantics, closely related to partial-function semantics, and a continuation semantics similar to that developed by Morris and Wadsworth It is shown that there is a variety of meaning-preserving continuous functions among these language-hke domains, that every direct semantics possesses an "equiva lent" continuation semantics, and that there is a particular continuation semantics which always gives distinct meanings to distinct processes The proofs utilize the algebraic methods of Goguen et al , which are extended to continuous algebras with operat ions whose arguments can be Indexed by mflmte sets or even domains.