Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human recognition using transient auditory evoked potentials: a preliminary study

This study presents a new technique for human recognition using transient auditory evoked potentials (AEPs). AEPs are electrical potentials that are triggered by stimulating ears with auditory stimulus reflecting the neural response from the cochlea to the auditory cortex. These signals feature some advantages over conventional biometric traits as they cannot be easily forged or stolen like fingerprints or faces. Moreover, these signals are cancellable and can be changed by modifying the auditory stimulus. This allows system reuse even if the registered signal was breached. To investigate the biometric potential of this signal, a database of ten subjects was collected where transient AEPs signals were recorded by stimulating the left and the right ears separately. Machine learning techniques were employed to extract unique features for each subject using 1D convolutional neural network. The proposed system was evaluated over single-session and two-session recordings. Moreover, a fusion of left and right ear stimulated AEP signals was adopted for performance improvement. Using single-session and two-session recordings, the proposed system achieved a correct recognition rate over 95% and an equal error rate below 7%. The achieved results show that AEPs carry subject discriminative features allowing the possibility of employing AEP signal as a biometric trait.
A fast algorithm with minimax optimal guarantees for topic models with an unknown number of topics

We propose a new method of estimation in topic models, that is not a variation on the existing simplex finding algorithms, and that estimates the number of topics K from the observed data. We derive new finite sample minimax lower bounds for the estimation of A, as well as new upper bounds for our proposed estimator. We describe the scenarios where our estimator is minimax adaptive. Our finite sample analysis is valid for any number of documents (n), individual document length (N_i), dictionary size (p) and number of topics (K), and both p and K are allowed to increase with n, a situation not handled well by previous analyses. We complement our theoretical results with a detailed simulation study. We illustrate that the new algorithm is faster and more accurate than the current ones, although we start out with a computational and theoretical disadvantage of not knowing the correct number of topics K, while we provide the competing methods with the correct value in our simulations.
High neurofilament levels are associated with clinically definite multiple sclerosis in children and adults with clinically isolated syndrome

Background: A promising biomarker for axonal damage early in the disease course of multiple sclerosis (MS) is neurofilament light chain (NfL). It is unknown whether NfL has the same predictive value for MS diagnosis in children as in adults. Objective: To explore the predictive value of NfL levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for MS diagnosis in paediatric and adult clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) patients. Methods: A total of 88 adult and 65 paediatric patients with a first attack of demyelination were included and followed (mean follow up-time in adults: 62.8 months (standard deviation (SD) ±38.7 months) and 43.8 months (SD ±27.1 months) in children). Thirty control patients were also included. Lumbar puncture was done within 6 months after onset of symptoms. NfL was determined in CSF using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). COX regression analyses were used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) for clinically definite multiple sclerosis (CDMS) diagnosis. Results: After adjustments for age, oligoclonal bands (OCB), and asymptomatic T2 lesions on baseline magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), increased NfL levels in both paediatric and adult CIS patients were associated with a shorter time to CDMS diagnosis (children HR = 3.7; p = 0.007, adults HR = 2.1; p = 0.032). For CIS patients with a future CDMS diagnosis, children showed higher NfL levels than adults (geometric mean 4888 vs 2156 pg/mL; p = 0.007). Conclusion: CSF NfL levels are associated with CDMS diagnosis in children and adults with CIS. This makes NfL a promising predictive marker for disease course with potential value in clinical practice.
Active Learning Increases Children's Physical Activity across Demographic Subgroups

ABSTRACT Given the need to find more opportunities for physical activity (PA) within the elementary school day, this study was designed to asses the effect of Initiatives for Children's Activity and Nutrition (I-CAN! ) active lessons on the following: 1) student PA outcomes via accelerometry and 2) socioeconomic status (SES), race, sex, body mass index (BMI), or fitness as moderators of this effect. Participants were 2493 fourth-grade students (45.9% male, 45.8% white, 21.7% low SES) from 28 central Texas elementary schools randomly assigned to intervention (n = 19) or control (n = 9). Multilevel regression models evaluated the effect of I-CAN! on PA, and effect sizes were calculated. The moderating effects of SES, race, sex, BMI, and fitness were examined in separate models. Students in treatment schools took significantly more steps than did those in control schools (&bgr; = 125.267, SE = 41.327, P = 0.002, d = 0.44). I-CAN! had a significant effect on moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA), with treatment schools realizing 80% (&bgr; = 0.796, SE = 0.251, P = 0.001, d = 0.38) more MVPA than the control schools. There were no significant school-level differences on sedentary behavior (&bgr; = −0.177, SE = 0.824, P = 0.83). SES, race, sex, BMI, and fitness level did not moderate the effect of active learning on step count and MVPA. In conclusion, active learning increases PA within elementary students, and does so consistently across demographic subgroups. This is important because these subgroups represent harder-to-reach populations for PA interventions. Although these lessons may not be enough to help children reach daily recommendations of PA, they can supplement other opportunities for PA. This speaks to the potential of schools to adopt policy change to require active learning.
during low-intensity exercise skeletal muscle influences whole body fat oxidation The potential for mitochondrial fat oxidation in human

[PDF] [Full Text] [Abstract] , May 1, 2007; 102 (5): 1844-1849. J Appl Physiol Rozhdestvenskaya, C. Mikael Mattsson, Jonas K. Enqvist, Björn Ekblom and Kent Sahlin Maria Fernström, Linda Bakkman, Michail Tonkonogi, Irina G. Shabalina, Zinaida muscle after 24-h ultraendurance exercise Reduced efficiency, but increased fat oxidation, in mitochondria from human skeletal [PDF] [Full Text] [Abstract] , July 1, 2007; 582 (1): 393-405. J Physiol Lawrence L. Spriet and Arend Bonen George J. F. Heigenhauser, Jorge Calles-Escandon, Jan F. C. Glatz, Joost J. F. P. Luiken, Graham P. Holloway, Jamie Lally, James G. Nickerson, Hakam Alkhateeb, Laelie A. Snook, mitochondrial oxidation in rat and human skeletal muscle Fatty acid binding protein facilitates sarcolemmal fatty acid transport but not [PDF] [Full Text] [Abstract] , May 1, 2008; 104 (5): 1436-1441. J Appl Physiol Geny and Ruddy Richard Evelyne Lonsdorfer, Renée Ventura-Clapier, Bertrand Mettauer, François Piquard, Bernard Frédéric N. Daussin, Joffrey Zoll, Elodie Ponsot, Stéphane P. Dufour, Stéphane Doutreleau, function in human skeletal muscle Training at high exercise intensity promotes qualitative adaptations of mitochondrial [PDF] [Full Text] [Abstract] , November 19, 2010; 285 (47): 36495-36510. J. Biol. Chem. Moore, Xianlin Han, Nada A. Abumrad and Richard W. Gross Jenkins, Shaoping Guan, Sung Ho Moon, Terri Pietka, Fatiha Nassir, Timothy Schappe, Kristin David J. Mancuso, Harold F. Sims, Kui Yang, Michael A. Kiebish, Xiong Su, Christopher M. Adipocyte Fatty Acid Oxidation Resistance during High Fat Feeding by Mitochondrial Uncoupling and Increased Prevents Obesity and Insulin γ 2 Genetic Ablation of Calcium-independent Phospholipase A
Underemployment in the Early Careers of College Graduates Following the Great Recession

Though labor market conditions steadily improved following the Great Recession, underemployment among recent college graduates continued to climb, reaching highs not seen since the early 1990s. In this paper, we take a closer look at the jobs held by underemployed college graduates in the early stages of their careers during the first few years after the Great Recession. Contrary to popular perception, we show that relatively few recent graduates were working in low-skilled service jobs, and that many of the underemployed worked in fairly well paid non-college jobs requiring some degree of knowledge and skill. We also find that the likelihood of being underemployed was lower for those with more quantitatively oriented and occupation-specific majors than it was for those with degrees in general fields. Moreover, our analysis suggests that underemployment is a temporary phase for many recent college graduates as they transition to better jobs after spending some time in the labor market, particularly those who start their careers in low-skilled service jobs.
An Examination of Staff-Level Stakeholders and Organizational Culture at a Camp for Youth with HIV/AIDS

While staff issues have been discussed in corporate and not-for-profit settings, little research has been conducted in organizations that specifically serve young people. Understanding program context is important to developing successful youth development programs. One important setting for youth development is summer camp. Adult staff members strongly influence the climate of camp and can perhaps be considered the primary program input. However, staff members likely have differing theories and beliefs about the value of camp for youth, and how and why various outcomes emerge from youths’ participation. We used a qualitative case-study approach to investigate the adult staff stakeholders (i.e., counselors, health care providers, social workers, and administrative staff) and organizational culture of a camp for youth with HIV/AIDS and explored how staff-level values, beliefs, and actions potentially influenced the outcomes of participation for campers. Interviews, focus groups, and observations were conducted and data analysis followed procedures as outlined by Strauss and Corbin (1998). Analysis of the data indicated two major components. First, findings emerged related to the organizational cultures (i.e., values, beliefs, and actions) of staff-level stakeholder groups: the counselors and the psychosocial, medical, and administrative teams. Second, even though there were inconsistencies and gaps in values, beliefs, and actions between stakeholder groups, people enacted unified structure and program efforts that supported four positive camper outcomes: experiencing caring people; developing a sense of belonging; experiencing reprieve and recreation; and increasing knowledge, skills, and attitudes. However, there were variations between stakeholder groups in beliefs about how these outcomes were achieved and which outcomes were or should have been cultivated. While researchers and practitioners may assume that a cohesive group of leaders with clear and defined goals is needed to best produce positive developmental outcomes, the findings from this study suggest that cohesion is not a critical element. Camp may be such a powerful process in itself that meaningful youth outcomes can still occur even in the presence of high levels of stakeholder role differentiation and low levels of role integration. This article also reviews organizational management literature related to the findings from this study.
Individual differences concerning the impact of feedback - Specifying the role of core self-evaluations

The impact of feedback on performance turned out to be inconsistent with respect to the significance of a wide range of moderating variables. Concerning personality traits, generalized self-efficacy, self-esteem, locus of control, and emotional stability have been shown to affect the processing of feedback. So far, feedback research has observed these traits in isolation, neglecting their interrelations. This study was carried out to investigate the impact of an integrative, higher order concept including these traits (termed as core self-evaluations) on the effects of feedback interventions. Participants (N = 471) received manipulated positive, negative or no feedback (control group) in the scope of two test performances conducted on the computer. Confirmatory factor analysis corroborated the concept of core self-evaluations. Repeated measures ANOVA did not reveal an effect of core self-evaluations on the impact of feedback. Considering the single traits, solely self-esteem turned out to affect the power of feedback.
Do Investors Still Rely on Credit Rating Agencies? Evidence from the Financial Crisis

The global financial crisis brought increased attention to the importance of rating agencies. The broad consensus was that the rating agencies were unable to detect any deterioration of the issuer’s credit quality in a timely manner. This study analyzes the credit default swaps (CDSs) and stock market response to rating changes during the financial crisis and subsequent years. The sample includes 542 companies from the United States and 15 European countries and examines 915 corporate issuer ratings. The results show that there is no CDS market response to rating announcements during the crisis but that the stock market anticipates downgrade announcements.
Attachment to the Romantic Partner and Sibling: Attachment Hierarchies of Twins and Non-Twin Siblings

Previous studies have shown that romantic partners and siblings are important attachment figures. This study compares the attachment to the romantic partner with the attachment to the sibling as a function of the participant’s sibling type among monozygotic (MZ) twins, dizygotic (DZ) twins, and non-twin (NT) siblings. The results show that MZ twins prefer their sibling to their romantic partner whereas DZ twins are equally attached to their sibling and romantic partner. In contrast, NT siblings are more attached to their romantic partner compared to their sibling. These results indicate that genetic relatedness has profound impact on a person’s attachment hierarchy and the relative rank of the romantic partner and the sibling.
Systems thinking for assistive technology: a commentary on the GREAT summit

Abstract The area of assistive technology has a long history of technological ingenuity and innovation. In order to ensure that the benefits of assistive technology are equitably distributed across the population and life course, it is necessary to adopt a systemic approach to the area. We describe examples of systems thinking and non-systems thinking across 10 Ps. These Ps are People (or users, as the primary beneficiaries of assistive technology), Policy, Products, Personnel, Provision (as key strategic drivers at systems level); and Procurement, Place, Pace, Promotion and Partnership (as key situational factors for systems). Together these Ps should constitute a framework for an “open” system that can evolve and adapt, that empowers users, inter-connects key components and locates these in the reality of differing contexts. The adoption of a stronger systems thinking perspective within the assistive technology field should allow for more equitable, more resilient and more sustainable assistive technology across high, middle- and low-income contexts and countries. Implications for Rehabilitation The progress of assistive technology provison has been hampered by disconnected initiatives and activities and this needs to be corrected. Systems thinking is a way of thinking about the connections between things and how these are influenced by contextual and other factors. By encouraging the providers and users of assitive technology to think more systemically we can provide a more cohesive and resilient systems. The user experience is the central component of systems thinking in assistive technologies.
Microstructure and Solidification Crack Susceptibility of Al 6014 Molten Alloy Subjected to a Spatially Oscillated Laser Beam

Oscillating laser beam welding for Al 6014 alloy was performed using a single mode fiber laser and two-axis scanner system. Its effect on the microstructural evolution of the fusion zone was investigated. To evaluate the influence of oscillation parameters, self-restraint test specimens were fabricated with different beam patterns, widths, and frequencies. The behavior of hot cracking propagation was analyzed by high-speed camera and electron backscatter diffraction. The behavior of crack propagation was observed to be highly correlated with the microstructural evolution of the fusion zone. For most oscillation conditions, the microstructure resembled that of linear welds. A columnar structure was formed near the fusion line and an equiaxed structure was generated at its center. The wide equiaxed zone of oscillation welding increased solidification crack susceptibility. For an oscillation with an infinite-shaped scanning pattern at 100 Hz and 3.5 m/min welding speed, the bead width, solidification microstructure, and the width of the equiaxed zone at the center of fusion fluctuated. Furthermore, the equiaxed and columnar regions alternated periodically, which could reduce solidification cracking susceptibility.
The combined and separate impacts of climate extremes on the current and future US rainfed maize and soybean production under elevated CO2

Heat and drought are two emerging climatic threats to the US maize and soybean production, yet their impacts on yields are collectively determined by the magnitude of climate change and rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations. This study quantifies the combined and separate impacts of high temperature, heat and drought stresses on the current and future US rainfed maize and soybean production and for the first time characterizes spatial shifts in the relative importance of individual stress. Crop yields are simulated using the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM), driven by high‐resolution (12 km) dynamically downscaled climate projections for 1995–2004 and 2085–2094. Results show that maize and soybean yield losses are prominent in the US Midwest by the late 21st century under both Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios, and the magnitude of loss highly depends on the current vulnerability and changes in climate extremes. Elevated atmospheric CO2 partially but not completely offsets the yield gaps caused by climate extremes, and the effect is greater in soybean than in maize. Our simulations suggest that drought will continue to be the largest threat to US rainfed maize production under RCP4.5 and soybean production under both RCP scenarios, whereas high temperature and heat stress take over the dominant stress of drought on maize under RCP8.5. We also reveal that shifts in the geographic distributions of dominant stresses are characterized by the increase in concurrent stresses, especially for the US Midwest. These findings imply the importance of considering heat and drought stresses simultaneously for future agronomic adaptation and mitigation strategies, particularly for breeding programs and crop management. The modeling framework of partitioning the total effects of climate change into individual stress impacts can be applied to the study of other crops and agriculture systems.
The Blessings of Multiple Causes

Abstract Causal inference from observational data is a vital problem, but it comes with strong assumptions. Most methods assume that we observe all confounders, variables that affect both the causal variables and the outcome variables. This assumption is standard but it is also untestable. In this article, we develop the deconfounder, a way to do causal inference with weaker assumptions than the traditional methods require. The deconfounder is designed for problems of multiple causal inference: scientific studies that involve multiple causes whose effects are simultaneously of interest. Specifically, the deconfounder combines unsupervised machine learning and predictive model checking to use the dependencies among multiple causes as indirect evidence for some of the unobserved confounders. We develop the deconfounder algorithm, prove that it is unbiased, and show that it requires weaker assumptions than traditional causal inference. We analyze its performance in three types of studies: semi-simulated data around smoking and lung cancer, semi-simulated data around genome-wide association studies, and a real dataset about actors and movie revenue. The deconfounder is an effective approach to estimating causal effects in problems of multiple causal inference. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.
A Case for an Islamic Social Impact Bond

While the premise of Islamic finance is often couched in the principle of maqasid al-shariah with claims to social justice and welfare, the impact and contribution to the social sector has been minimal. This paper examines the claim among critics that there is an inherent weakness in the Islamic banking and finance industry in terms of its underdeveloped social sector. We argue that to be true to its spirit, Islamic finance has to have a more inclusive role in the economy by enhancing the proliferation of shariah compliant financial products for solutions in the social sector. The paper also highlights developments of SIB (social impact bond) in the social finance space and draws parallel to similar trends in Islamic finance. The paper provides a case for structuring an Islamic SIB by highlighting the benefits of such structures.
Effects of Anticipated Foreign Military Threat on Arms Accumulation

The literature of competitive arms accumulation based on the intertemporal optimization model has in recent years received considerable attention. For example, some models study the strategic aspects of arms accumulation in a dynamic game [1; 11; 6; 14; 15],' others examine the economic effect of consumption, military spending, and arms accumulation in the presence of a foreign threat [5; 6]. However, these studies focus their attention on the stability, the steady-state effect, and the short-run adjustment of military spending and the domestic arms stock following an unanticipated permanent rise in the foreign military threat.2 It seems that very few efforts have been made to analyze the effects of an anticipated foreign military threat on the defense spending and home weapon stock. As a consequence, the first purpose of this paper is to contribute to the literature of competitive arms accumulation through examining the impact of an anticipated foreign threat. There are several examples motivated for such a study. The Middle East is a case in point. Kuwait and Saudi Arabia face the anticipated military threat from Iraq since the outbreak of the Gulf War in 1991. Recently, the peace talk between Israel and Arabs is often held, which makes their people anticipate that the enmity between both sides may be lessened and that the military conflicts in the Middle East may be lowered in the future. The South Asia is another case in point. As India insists on developing their nuclear weapons, the public in Pakistan anticipate that the military threat will be increased and hence will engage in an arms race action. Most studies on military spending use two alternative specifications in the utility function. Brito [1], Simaan and Cruz [11], Deger and Sen [5; 6] assume that the utility function is nonsepara-