Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does global precedence really depend on visual angle?

Global advantage has been found in some studies to hold only in stimuli subtending no more than 7 degrees - 10 degrees of visual angle. We argue that those studies confounded globality and eccentricity. To avoid this confound we used stimuli with all their elements located along their perimeter (e.g., Cs and circles). These were presented in two visual angle conditions, small (2 degrees) and large (17.25 degrees). In Experiment 1 subjects had to indicate either the direction of an opening of a C made up of circles or of Cs that were the elements of a circle. Contrary to previous findings, global advantage was found for both large and small visual angle conditions. Results from a control condition seem to indicate that the major determinant of that global advantage was relative size. In Experiment 2 subjects responded to the global or local levels of right- or left-facing Cs made up of right- or left-facing Cs. For the small visual angle condition, the global level interfered with processing of the local level, but not vice versa. For the large visual angle, however, interference effects were smaller and symmetrical, even though a sizeable difference in mean reaction time was observed between the responses to the local and global levels. It is suggested that the time it takes to respond to a level when relevant and the level's effectiveness as a distractor when irrelevant are determined at two different stages of processing.
Perceptions about Boards in Sme Sized Family Businesses

This paper reports on a study of the attitudes to the formation and roles of formalised active boards in Australian small to medium sized (SME) family businesses. While the literature on governance includes guidelines for effective boards, many family owned businesses perceive they are functioning adequately without formalising a board structure. This study employed a qualitative approach and explored the board functions of nine family business cases drawing on the Hilmer and Tricker (1994) framework. This framework summarises the roles of boards as: formulating strategy, setting policies, supervising executive management and providing accountability. Cases included those with and without active boards, some of which comprised solely non-independent (family) directors and others which included independent (nonfamily) membership. A review of the case studies identified perceived long-term advantages in formalising boards in the small to medium sized family businesses, as well as some perceived disadvantages by those SME family businesses which were reluctant to adopt active boards. Overall, the case studies suggest that active boards of directors with a mix of family and outside directors can bring a wide range of benefits to SME family businesses including improving strategy, managing family emotional and loyalty stresses, and providing expertise that would otherwise be unavailable or expensive.
Farm support policies that minimize global distortionary effects.

The recent world food crisis highlighted the critical issue of global food security and the need to enhance global agricultural production capacity to meet current and future food demand. Increased investment in agriculture and adequate incentives to farmers are required to meet this global challenge. A key question is how to shape and design support to farmers in both the developed as well as the developing world while minimizing those distortions to global markets that are potentially harmful to developing countries, and at the same time promoting global food supply adequacy, food security for the undernourished, and poverty reducing and growth incentives for the farmers in low income food deficit countries.
Long Terminal Repeats Are Used as Alternative Promoters for the Endothelin B Receptor and Apolipoprotein C-I Genes in Humans*

To examine the potential regulatory involvement of retroelements in the human genome, we screened the transcribed sequences of GenBankTM and expressed sequence tag data bases with long terminal repeat (LTR) elements derived from different human endogenous retroviruses. These screenings detected human transcripts containing LTRs belonging to the human endogenous retrovirus-E family fused to the apolipoprotein CI (apoC-I) and the endothelin B receptor (EBR) genes. However, both genes are known to have non-LTR (native) promoters. Initial reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction experiments confirmed and authenticated the presence of transcripts from both the native and LTR promoters. Using a 5′-rapid amplification of cDNA ends protocol, we showed that the alternative transcripts of apoC-I and EBR are initiated and promoted by the LTRs. The LTR-apoC-I fusion and native apoC-I transcripts are present in many of the tissues tested. As expected, we found apoC-I preferentially expressed in liver, where about 15% of the transcripts are derived from the LTR promoter. Transient transfections suggest that the expression is not dependent on the LTR itself, but the presence of the LTR increases activity of the apoC-I promoter from both humans and baboons. The native EBR-driven transcripts were also detected in many tissues, whereas the LTR-driven transcripts appear limited to placenta. In contrast to the LTR of apoC-I, the EBR LTR promotes a significant proportion of the total EBR transcripts, and transient transfection results indicate that the LTR acts as a strong promoter and enhancer in a placental cell line. This investigation reports two examples where LTR sequences contribute to increased transcription of human genes and illustrates the impact of mobile elements on gene and genome evolution.
Interrelationships Between Measured Running Intensities and Agility Performance in Subelite Rugby Union Players

The purpose of this study was to investigate agility performance of rugby players using various intensity running tests. A further aim was to investigate if any differences existed between playing positions in relation to agility performance. Nineteen subelite players (mean ± SD age, 23.0 ± 5.4 years) participated in the study. Players underwent measurements of anthropometry (height, body mass, and sum of four skinfolds). Running tests investigated were speed (10 m and 40 m sprint), agility (T Test and Illinois), and multistage fitness tests (20 m, 10 m, and 5 m), with all tests for agility measured against the Illinois agility test. Results indicated that backline players produced significant correlations (P < 0.05) in agility compared with forwards. The findings indicate that developing or using existing rugby-specific agility programs to aid performance may be of greater benefit and of higher priority in training programs designed for backs rather than forwards.
Consistent Reproduction of Movement Sequences during Acquisition of a Pursuit Tracking Task

A pursuit tracking task is used as a vehicle to investigate the manner in which response consistency is affected by practice. Detailed examination of movement patterns shows that subjects can reproduce the mid-phase of a movement relatively consistently while the accelerative and decelerative phases of the movement remain highly variable. The findings are discussed with reference to Sparrow's 1983 concept of efficiency in conjunction with Norman and Shallice's 1980 model of automated action.
PENGARUH MOTIVASI, PERSEPSI KUALITAS, DAN SIKAP KONSUMEN PADA PERILAKU PEMBELIAN ULANG

ABSTRACT This study aims to determine the dynamics of consumer behavior shown in repurchase behavior that is influenced by motivation, quality perception, and attitudes of consumers. The object of this research is a business of food outlet named Mie Setan Kober Bali. This research was conducted in the Denpasar city where the outlet of Mie Setan Kober Bali located. The samples used were 105 of respondents using cross-section data. The data collection technique using purposive sampling through questionnaires given directly. Source of data used are primary data and secondary data. The data collected were processed using multiple Linear Regression Analysis techniques. Results showed simultaneously three of independent variables (consumer motivation, perceived quality, and consumer attitudes) have a significant effect on the repurchase behavior in Mie Setan Kober Bali. However, partial test showed that consumer attitudes variables not significantly affect the dependent variable; a repurchase behavior.
Vigabatrin-associated retinal cone system dysfunction

To the Editor: Krauss et al.1 reported visual disturbances in adult patients treated with vigabatrin for epilepsy. Visual field constriction, in particular, was concluded to be associated with retinal cone system dysfunction. However, such symptoms have not been described in children undergoing vigabatrin therapy. The mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are unknown. Nevertheless, we hypothesize a particular age-dependent biochemical pathway involved in vigabatrin-associated retinal dysfunction. The efficacy of vigabatrin relies on its irreversible …
The Capability of Sarbanes-Oxley Act in Enhancing the Independence of the Jordanian Certified Public Accountant and its Impact on Reducing the Audit Expectation Gap "An Empirical Investigation from the Perspectives of Auditors and Institutional Investors"

The purpose of this study is to investigate the capability of Sarbanes-Oxley Act in enhancing the independence of the Jordanian Public Accountant, and its impact on the audit expectations gap. To achieve these objectives, a questionnaire was developed and distributed to a sample of Jordanian external auditors, and Institutional Investors. Descriptive statistics, one sample T- test, and two independent samples T- test were used. Results show that Sarbanes-Oxley Act is expected to enhance the independence of the Jordanian external public accountant, and reduce the audit expectation gap. It also shows that there are significant differences between auditors and institutional investors regarding the capability of Sarbanes-Oxley Act in enhancing the independence of the Jordanian public accountant, and reducing the expectations gap. Based on those results the researchers recommend that non-audit services must be defined and sufficient instructions should be undertaken to protect auditor’s independence using Sarbanes-Oxley Act to achieve that. The role of audit committees in the Jordanian listed companies must be activated, and the public needs to be educated concerning the auditor’s independence in order to reduce the expectation gap.
Spatial Factors in Visual Attention: Some Compensatory Effects of Location and Time of Arrival of Nontargets

It is well established that the identity of nontarget events may affect reaction to a target event, but that spatial separation between the two will reduce such an influence. Two experiments are reported in which an attempt was made to distinguish between two accounts of this effect. On one, some of the information about events spatially distant from the target is shut out from analysis altogether. On the other, such events are fully analysed, but either the analysis proceeds more slowly or else it starts only after a delay. In the experiments the time of arrival of, and the distance between, the target and nontarget events were systematically varied. The conventional effects of the distance of nontargets from target were greatly reduced when the target and nontarget events were asynchronous. If the nontargets arrived first, they had an effect on reaction to the target whether they were near to or far from it. If they arrived second, their identity had no effect at either separation. These results appear to rule out any simple view of attention according to which information outside the target region is denied analysis. Rather, distant nontarget events are analysed, but produce their effects at a later time than less peripheral events.
Effects of reconstituted HDL on charge-based LDL subfractions as characterized by capillary isotachophoresis Published, JLR Papers in Press, February 27, 2007.

Modified LDL in human plasma including small, dense LDL (sdLDL) and oxidized LDL carries a more negative charge than unmodified LDL and is atherogenic. We examined the effects of apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I)/POPC discs on charge-based LDL subfractions as determined by capillary isotachophoresis (cITP). Three normal healthy subjects and seven patients with metabolic disorders were included in the study. LDL in human plasma was separated into two major subfractions, fast- and slow-migrating LDL (fLDL and sLDL), by cITP. Normal LDL was characterized by low fLDL, and mildly oxidized LDL in vitro and mildly modified LDL in human plasma were characterized by increased fLDL. Moderately oxidized LDL in vitro and moderately modified LDL in a patient with hypertriglyceridemia and HDL deficiency were characterized by both increased fLDL and a new LDL subfraction with a faster mobility than fLDL [very-fast-migrating LDL as determined by cITP (vfLDL)]. cITP LDL subfractions with faster electrophoretic mobility (fLDL vs. sLDL, vfLDL vs. fLDL) were associated with an increased content of sdLDL. Incubation of a plasma fraction with d > 1.019 g/ml (depleted of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins) in the presence of apoA-I/POPC discs at 37°C greatly decreased vfLDL and fLDL but increased sLDL. Incubation of whole plasma from patients with an altered distribution of cITP LDL subfractions in the presence of apoA-I/POPC discs also greatly decreased fLDL but increased sLDL. ApoA-I/POPC discs decreased the cITP fLDL level, the free cholesterol concentration, and platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase activity in the sdLDL subclasses (d = 1.040–1.063 g/ml) and increased the size of LDL. ApoA-I/POPC discs reduced charge-modified LDL in human plasma by remodeling cITP fLDL into sLDL subfractions.
Childhood obesity and school absenteeism: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Regular school attendance is a key determinant of student's academic achievement and psychosocial development. Obesity may affect children's school attendance through its detrimental impact on their physical and mental health. A literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library for articles published until April 2017 that examined the relationship between unhealthy body weight and school absenteeism among children and adolescents. Thirteen studies total (10 cross‐sectional and three longitudinal) conducted in seven countries were identified. The mean and median sample sizes were 24,861 and 3,113, respectively. Ten studies objectively measured children's height and weight, and three were based on parents' self‐report. Four studies measured absenteeism using school administrative data, and nine administered questionnaires on children's parents. Among them, 11 reported a statistically significant positive association between childhood overweight/obesity and school absence, whereas two reported null effect. The meta‐analysis found that the odds of being absent from school was 27% and 54% higher among children with overweight and obesity than among their normal weight counterparts, respectively. Future studies should adopt an experimental study design and accurate measures on school attendance and delineate the underlining pathways linking childhood obesity to school absenteeism through obesity‐related illnesses and psychosocial problems.
The clitic status of person markers in Sorani Kurdish

The ambiguous nature of clitics challenges simple distinctions between morphology and syntax. Clitic properties also feature in theoretical accounts of ergativity. In this paper we analyze the nature of the person markers in Sorani Kurdish. The direct person markers are conventionally treated as verb affixes, while the oblique person markers are assumed to be clitics. A variety of clitic tests show that both the direct and oblique person markers have some affix properties as well as some clitic properties. The results illustrate the difficulty that language-specific features pose for a general theory of clitics.
OVERCOMING CAPITAL CONSTRAINTS AND CHALLENGES OF FAST GROWTH AS AN IT SME

Problem: High wage countries depend on SME's to lower unemployment, to trigger economic growth and to utilize the 'knowledge waste' created by large investments in human capital. However, due to their limited access to capital markets SME's are seen as unfavourably dependent on their own generation of internal funds to grow. Among SME's, IT firms are seen as most representative for this struggle, since they have i) a bad reputation within the public and institutional sector due to the dot-com era, and ii) assets with low collateral value (e.g. immaterial assets, human capital, knowledge, prototypes and ideas that all have unknown, unsecure and hard to predict second-hand or future values). Despite these unfavorable characteristics, some IT firms are growing considerably fast. What can we learn from them?
Possible roles for GABAergic inhibition in the vocal control system of the zebra finch

The final common output from the telencephalic vocal control system in songbirds is the projection from nucleus RA, which drives respiratory and syringeal muscles via medullary nuclei. We examined the possible role of GABAergic inhibition in RA of adult male zebra finches by micro-injecting bicuculline, an antagonist of inhibitory GABAA receptors, while recording simultaneously with multiple microelectrodes. Following bicuculline injection, the normally high spontaneous activity of RA neurons exhibited a pattern of rhythmic bursting lasting up to 30 min. The bursts were often accompanied by involuntary vocalizations: monosyllabic notes resembling calls. Other experiments used microinjections that were below threshold for involuntary vocalization. When the bird sang to a female during a period after the injection, song structure was degraded: song duration was lengthened, noisiness increased, and novel syllables appeared. The results suggest that GABA normally contributes to regulating excitability in RA. When this regulation is blocked, activity increases sufficiently to engage the respiratory and vocal musculature. Synaptic inputs that affect GABAergic interneurons in RA could thus play a role in initiation and control of vocalization. The abnormal vocalizations produced in the presence of bicuculline suggest that GABAergic inhibition may normally help to shape the pattern of learned vocalizations, as well as to regulate overall RA activity.
Information rate analysis of the oversampled phase-noise channel

In this paper, we analyze the information rate of a phase-noise discrete-time channel obtained by sampling the continuous-time channel. In particular, we assume that more than one sample per data symbol may be available at the receiver, so that this channel is referred to as “oversampled. ” This work extends previous literature work by taking into account the presence of a bandlimited shaping pulse at the transmitter with time support not limited to the symbol period, possibly causing inter-symbol interference. Our results show that for sufficiently large signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) it is possible to recover the performance degradation caused by phase noise, also for quite large values of the phase noise intensity.
Socio-demographic characteristics associated with cigarettes smoking, drug abuse and alcohol drinking among male medical university students in Iran.

BACKGROUND Substance abuse is one of the most complicated social problems. Understanding socio-demographic characteristics of those who abuse substances could help deal with this problem more efficiently. The main objective of this study was to determine socio-demographic characteristics associated with alcohol drinking, cigarettes smoking and drug abuse among a sample of male medical university students in Iran. METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2014 among 425 male medical college students randomly selected with the proportional to size among different faculties in Isfahan and Kermanshah medical universities in Iran. A self-report written questionnaire was applied to collect data. Data were analyzed by the SPSS-20. RESULTS Mean age of the respondents was 19.9 yr (ranging from 18 to 22 yr). About 19.4%, 3.9%, and 10.1% of the respondents had history of cigarette smoking, drug use, and alcohol drinking during the past three months, respectively. Logistic regression showed that mother's educational level, living place, economic status, and parents' divorce were the most influential predictive factors on substance abuse. CONCLUSIONS Considering the high prevalence of substance abuse (especially smoking and alcohol drinking), it seems essential to design educational interventions to prevent substance abuse, paying attention to predictive factors mentioned above, among college students.
SPECIAL REPORT: Protective effect of NO on gastric lesions and inhibition of expression of gastric inducible NOS by flurbiprofen and its nitro‐derivative, nitroflurbiprofen

Nitroflurbiprofen (NFP) causes significantly less gastric lesions than flurbiprofen (FP), probably because of its capacity to release nitric oxide (NO) in the stomach. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which induces the expression of an inducible type of NO synthase (iNOS) in rat stomach, also reduces gastric mucosal damage elicited by FP. Furthermore, both FP and NFP decrease significantly the amount of mRNA encoding iNOS induced by LPS in the stomach. The inhibitory effect of NFP seems to be due at least in part to its ability to release NO.
Treatment of malignant melanoma by regional perfusion

HE TECHNIQUE OF REGIONAL OR “ISOLAT TION” perfusion in the treatment of localized malignant disease was developed first by Creech and his associates1 approximately 8 years ago. The procedure has been used clinically for the treatment of patients with many types of tumors. Its efiicacy has been questioned in some types, as carcinoma, but the technique has shown greater effectiveness in treatment of soft tissue sarcomas and malignant melanomas.5 Many types of cancer chemotherapeutic agents have been studied in evaluating the technique. Experience has shown that in the relatively short period of exposure of the tumor to the chemotherapeutic agent, alkylating agents and antibiotics are more suited to this technique than antimetabolites, since by the nature of the activity of the antimetabolite a longer period of contact with the malignant tissues is required in order to obtain full effectiveness. Approximately 5% years ago an experimental evaluation of this procedure was initiated at the University of California, Los Angeles. The largest group of primary tumors studied were the malignant melanomas. In their treatment 2 methods of therapy were used: (1) isolation perfusion as an adjuvant to surgical therapy (the largest number were treated in this manner) and (2) isolation perfusion alone as palliative therapy. An effort was made in this series to perform the operative procedure in a similar manner in all patients so that data might be compared without a variable in operative technique. Unfortunately, the lack of a concurrent control series performed in a random manner makes it im-