Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Brain transcranial direct current stimulation modulates motor excitability in mice

Shortly after the application of weak transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to the animal and human brain, changes in corticospinal excitability, which mainly depend on polarity, duration and current density of the stimulation protocol, have been reported. In humans, anodal tDCS has been reported to enhance motor‐evoked potentials (MEPs) elicited by transcranial brain stimulation while cathodal tDCS has been shown to decrease them. Here we investigated the effects produced by tDCS on mice motor cortex. MEPs evoked by transcranial electric stimulation were recorded from forelimbs of 12 C57BL/6 mice, under sevofluorane anaesthesia, before and after (0, 5 and 10 min) anodal and cathodal tDCS (tDCS duration 10 min). With respect to sham condition stimulation (anaesthesia), MEP size was significantly increased immediately after anodal tDCS, and was reduced after cathodal tDCS (∼20% vs. sham). Both effects declined towards basal levels in the following 10 min. Although the site and mechanisms of action of tDCS need to be more clearly identified, the directionality of effects of tDCS on mice MEPs is consistent with previous findings in humans. The feasibility of tDCS in mice suggests the potential applicability of this technique to assess the potential therapeutic options of brain polarization in animal models of neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases.
"Tell me I'm sexy…and otherwise valuable:" Body Valuation and Relationship Satisfaction.

Although extant research demonstrates that body valuation by strangers has negative implications for women, Studies 1 and 2 demonstrate that body valuation by a committed male partner is positively associated with women's relationship satisfaction when that partner also values them for their non-physical qualities, but negatively associated with women's relationship satisfaction when that partner is not committed or does not value them for their non-physical qualities. Study 3 demonstrates that body valuation by a committed female partner is negatively associated with men's relationship satisfaction when that partner does not also value them for their non-physical qualities but unassociated with men's satisfaction otherwise. These findings join others demonstrating that fully understanding the implications of interpersonal processes requires considering the interpersonal context. (120 words).
Towards more trustworthy trust-based systems for anonymity and web security

In today’s Internet, trust has been widely used to design anonymity and security enhanced systems. Some of these trust-based systems have been successfully deployed in the Internet for a long time and benefit a large population of Internet users. In particular, trust-based onion routing network is a representative example for the use of trust in protecting anonymity. As one of the most popular onion routing systems, Tor serves more than 3 millions of Internet users. It hides Internet users’ identities behind a circuit of selected onion routers but runs a high risk of being compromised by attackers who employ malicious onion routers to launch correlation-like attacks. Without an effective trust model, it is very difficult for Internet users to evade attackers’ routers when establishing onion circuits. As a result, recent research proposes trust-based onion routing to thwart the correlation-like attacks. Using a priori trust that users have readily assigned to routers’ owners, attackers’ routers are likely to be identified and excluded from users’ onion circuits. As an example to demonstrate the effectiveness and popularity of trust in protecting security, we study the public key infrastructure (PKI for short) which has been successfully deployed in the web for more than two decades. This infrastructure employs a well-known certification based trust model for website authentication. Based on this trust model, modern browsers trust a group of trust anchors (also known as root certificate authorities or CAs for short) in advance, and authenticate remote websites by checking whether the site certificate is signed by one of the pre-trusted trust anchors. Although trust-based systems are widely used for securing anonymous communications and web services, recent studies reveal that the use of trust could incur new problems. For example, despite that trust-based onion routing successfully defeats correlation-like attacks by using a priori trust among users, the use of trust for onion routing still suffers from two challenging problems due to the inherent weakness of trust. One is the biased trust distributions among users, and the other is how to verify the correctness of trust one person assigns to the other. The biased distribution will reduce the entropy (i.e., anonymity) of the whole routing system and hence induce a new inference attack, whereas the incorrect trust could render trust-based onion routing ineffective in protecting anonymity. On the other hand, the trust-based systems
PENGARUH KUALITAS PRODUK, KUALITAS PELAYANAN DAN HARGA TERHADAP KEPUTUSAN PEMBELIAN PADA KONSUMEN KAFE MOM MILK SEMARANG

The goals of this research are to determine the effect of product quality, service quality and price on purchasing decisions at the consumer cafe Mom Milk Semarang. Type of research using explanatory research with data collection methods by interviews and data collection tools using questionnaires with a sample of 100 respondents consumers Mom Milk Semarang using methods of purposive sampling and Accidental Sampling. The analysis technique used validity test, reliability test, cross tabulation test, simple linear regression, multiple linear regression, t test, and F test with SPSS 25.0. From result of research indicate that product quality influence to purchase decision equal to 31,5%, service quality influence to purchasing decision equal to 33,9% and price influence to purchase decision equal to 42,7%, while simultan product quality, service quality and price effect on purchasing decision equal to 47,5%. It means the better the quality of the product, service quality and price then the higher purchase decision at the cafe Mom Milk Semarang. Price variable to purchase decision variable has bigger effect than product quality and service quality. Based on the results of the study, the researcher suggested that Mom Milk Cafe performs improvements and controls on the manufacture of food or beverages in order to obtain consistent accuracy and evaluate employees, increase employees at certain times to maximize service to consumers, and add facilities that are incomplete in order to consumer convenience.
Willingness to Pay: Measurement and Managerial Implications

Accurately measuring consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) is central to any pricing decision. This chapter attempts to synthesize the theoretical and empirical literatures on WTP. We fi rst present the various conceptual defi nitions of WTP. Then, we evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of alternative methods that have been proposed for measuring it. In this analysis, we distinguish between methods based on purchase data and those based on survey/experimental data (e.g. self-stated WTP, contingent valuation, conjoint analysis and experimental auctions). Finally, using numerical examples, we illustrate how managers can use WTP measures to make key strategic decisions involving bundling, nonlinear pricing and product line pricing.
Effect of Institutional Reforms on the Performance of Non-Governmental Organizations: A Case Study of Un-Habitat

iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENT . vi LIST OF FIGURES . ix LIST OF TABLES . x LIST OF ACRONYMS . xi CHAPTER ONE . 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION.1 1.1 Background of the Study . 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem . 4 1.3 Purpose of the Study . 6 1.4 Research Objectives . 6 1.5 Significance of the Study . 6 1.6 Scope of the Study . 8 1.7 Definition of Terms.8 1.8 Chapter Summary . 8 CHAPTER TWO . 10 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW . 10 2.
On the Performance of Tailored Base-Surge Policies: Theory and Application at Walmart.Com

Problem Definition: Many import items sold at Walmart.com have two suppliers: one is faster and has a random production capacity limit while the other is slower and has infinite capacity. The lead time difference of the two suppliers could be as large as 12 weeks. Walmart.com faces an important and challenging supply chain problem and must make routine inventory replenishment decisions. Academic/Practical Relevance: Dual-sourcing inventory models have been extensively studied in academia and dual-sourcing strategies have been widely implemented in practice. Recently, the so-called Tailored Base-Surge (TBS) policy has begun to receive more attention and demonstrated good performance in existing dual-sourcing models. TBS is intuitive and easy to manage: a constant-order is placed from the slow (regular) supplier every period and a base-stock policy is adapted from the fast (express) supplier. Methodology: This paper develops a new dual-sourcing inventory model incorporating large lead time difference as well as random capacity of the express supplier, and investigates the performance of TBS both theoretically and empirically by using Walmart’s data. Results: We prove that a TBS policy is asymptotically optimal as the regular lead time grows, extending the previous asymptotic optimality of TBS policies in the dual-sourcing system without random capacities. We complement the theory and compare TBS with three well-known heuristics in a “simulated” real-world setting through model calibration by using historical sales data from Walmart.com. Our results demonstrate that TBS outperforms others as for minimizing the long-run average inventory cost. In particular, the inventory cost would be reduced by at least 33% if adapting a TBS policy. Our results also suggest that at an aggregate level, TBS could reduce Weeks of Supply by 2.7 weeks while increasing Met Demand by 3.3% compared with the single-sourcing policy using only the import supplier. Managerial Implications: Our results show that if the proposed dual-sourcing model and algorithm are adapted, Walmart’s inventory system would be significantly improved especially for import items.
Exploration Activity, Long-Run Decisions, and the Risk Premium in Energy Futures

We present evidence that the capital stock of firms in oil and gas exploration as well as oil inventories are each positively related to the slope of the futures curve, and negatively predict returns on holding crude oil futures contracts. We build an equilibrium model of resource extraction, exploration, and storage with these features. Capital lowers extraction costs as firms drill in increasingly expensive fields, while inventory helps smooth fluctuations in demand and extraction. The model sheds light on the role of declining well quality on the recent positive trend of real oil prices, and the peaking of consumption.
Energy Dependent Efficiency in Low Background Alpha Measurements and Impacts on Accurate Alpha Characterization

A difference in low emissivity alpha particle measurements for the same samples was observed between an Alpha Sciences model 1950 gas proportional counter and the XIA UltraLo-1800 ionization chamber. The energy dependent efficiency was evaluated for each instrument to reconcile the difference, and the implication of instrument design bias on measurement results is presented.
Novel immunomodulatory compounds in multiple myeloma

Introduction: The treatment options for patients with multiple myeloma (MM) remain limited. Immunomodulatory agents (IMiDs), such as thalidomide and lenalidomide, have changed the landscape in the treatment of patients with MM while newer IMiDs such as pomalidomide are showing promise in early clinical trials. Areas covered: This review focuses on the biologic rationales of IMiDs and the clinical results supporting their use in MM. It includes data on the new IMiD, pomalidomide and also explores the possible utility of combining IMiDs with other agents. A PubMed search and abstracts from oncology scientific meetings (ASCO and ASH) of articles related to IMiDs and MM was conducted. Expert opinion: IMiDs have shown clinical activity as single agents and in combination. Thalidomide was the first in class drug. Lenalidomide has a better toxicity profile than thalidomide. Pomalidomide may overcome resistance to lenalidomide indicating differences in their mechanisms of action and resistance. Molecular biomarkers may allow us to identify patients who will respond to IMiDs.
Meta-analysis of local tetracycline in treating chronic periodontitis.

BACKGROUND Meta-analysis was used to assess the clinical efficacy of local delivery of tetracycline alone or as an adjunct to conventional mechanical therapy in patients with chronic periodontitis. METHODS Studies were identified in MEDLINE and others sources. Meta-analyses were performed on the basis of probing depth (PD) at baseline, type of antimicrobial used, and experimental and control regimens (i.e., tetracycline plus scaling and root planing [SRP] versus SRP, tetracycline versus SRP, and tetracycline versus placebo, or no treatment). The effect of local tetracycline was evaluated for follow-up times of 4, 8, 12, 16, 24, and 36 weeks. Sensitivity analysis was performed according to antimicrobial delivery mode (irrigation, fibers, strips). A random effects model was used. RESULTS The literature search identified 29 studies that met our inclusion criteria and were entered Into the meta-analysis. A significant mean reduction in PD for the combined tetracycline and SRP was observed regardless of initial probing depth and independently to the duration of follow-up. Tetracycline alone did not perform better than SRP, whereas they performed significantly better than placebo. Differences in improvement of attachment level (AL) were substantially similar to those encountered for PD. CONCLUSIONS Our results documented that local. delivery of tetracycline improves the clinical outcomes of traditional treatment and should be considered particularly as an adjunct to SRP. Considerations regarding the adverse effects of widespread use of tetracycline should be taken into account when choosing a therapeutic strategy of chronic periodontitis.
Selection of the best mental tasks for a SVM-based BCI system

In this work, a study that analyzes the best combinations of mental tasks in a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) using a classifier based on Support Vector Machine (SVM) is presented. To that end, 12 mental tasks of different nature are analyzed and the results of the classification for the combinations of two, three and four tasks are obtained. Four volunteers performed registers of the 12 tasks. The main goal is to find the combination of more than three mental tasks that obtains the highest reliability to apply it in future complex applications that require the use of more than three control commands. After a selection procedure, the results obtained show higher success rates. Using the information provided by every single electrode, an average of 87.10% is obtained as success rate for the classification of two mental tasks, 65.67% for three mental tasks and 50.76% for four mental tasks. Moreover combinations of the best electrodes are studied, improving the accuracy of the system. Using the best five electrodes, averages of 91.42%, 72.89% and 59.75% are obtained classifying two, three and four mental tasks respectively. These results suggest that it is possible to differentiate with enough reliability between more than three mental tasks using the methodology proposed.
Mortality in young offenders: retrospective cohort study

Abstract Objectives To estimate overall and cause specific standardised mortality ratios in young offenders. Design Comparison of mortality data in cohort of young offenders. Settings State of Victoria, Australia. Subjects Cohort of young offenders aged 10-20 years with a first custodial sentence from 1 January 1988 to 31 December 1999. Main outcome measures Deaths ascertained by matching with the national death index, a database containing records of all deaths in Australia since 1980. Death rates in the reference Victorian population used to calculate standardised mortality ratios. Results The offender cohort comprised 2621 men and 228 women with 11 333 person years of observation. The median age of first detention was 17.9 years for men and 18.4 years for women. Median follow up was 3.3 years for men and 1.4 years for women. Overall standardised mortality ratio adjusted for age (expressed as a ratio) was 9.4 (95% confidence interval 7.4 to 11.9) for men and 41.3 (20.2 to 84.7) for women. Cause specific standardised mortality ratios for men were 25.7 (17.9 to 36.9) for drug related causes, 9.2 (5.8 to 15) for suicide, and 5.7 (3.6 to 9.2) for non-intentional injury. A quarter of drug related deaths in men aged 15-19 years were in offenders. Conclusions Social policies for young offenders should address both the prevalent drug and mental health problems as well the high levels of social disadvantage.
Granulocyte elastase activity in static and flow gingival crevicular fluid.

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to evaluate the volume of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and granulocyte elastase activity in static GCF (sGCF) and flow GCF (fGCF) from subjects with various periodontal conditions. METHODS Eleven periodontally healthy, 10 gingivitis and 12 periodontitis subjects were recruited and the sites investigated consisted of healthy sites from healthy subjects (HH); healthy (HG) and gingivitis sites (GG) from gingivitis subjects; and healthy (HP), gingivitis (GP) and periodontitis sites (PP) from periodontitis subjects. fGCF samples were collected either 1 min or 5 min following sGCF collection by paper strip technique. GCF volume was determined by Periotron 6000 and granulocyte elastase activity was assayed with a specific substrate [l-pyroglutamyl-l-prolyl-l-valine-p-nitroanilide(pGluProVal-pNA)]. RESULTS At baseline, no significant differences existed in clinical and GCF parameters between the two matched sites for subsequent collection of fGCF samples either 1 min or 5 min after sGCF sampling in all subjects. The flow exudate in HG and HP sites quickly replenished to sGCF levels, while a delayed replenishment was found in HH sites, despite the similar sGCF volumes of these sites. The GCF volume and elastase levels in the fGCF at 1 min were higher in GP sites than in GG sites (P < 0.05). Overall, depletion of elastase levels in the fGCF at 1 min was observed in all subjects, whereas elastase levels in the fGCF at 5 min had replenished to sGCF levels in HP, GP, PP sites and GG sites, but had remained at a lower level in HH and HG sites. An overall positive correlation was found between sGCF and fGCF for GCF volume and elastase activity (P < 0.001); however, this correlation varied with GCF parameters and with site conditions of the subjects concerned. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that patterns of dynamic changes in GCF flow and elastase activity varied under different periodontal conditions. Assessment of both sGCF and fGCF may allow better insight into the dynamic change of the target components in GCF.
The Ratio of Amount of Haemoglobin to Total Surface Area of Erythrocytes in Birds in Relation to Body Mass, Age of Nestlings, and Season of the Year

The research examined differences in haemoglobin concentration (g%), number of erythrocytes (mm⁻³), length and width of red blood cells (μm), and haematocrit value (%) in adult birds of 21 species with body mass ranging from 8 to 170 g, in eight species of altricial birds during the course of their development and in two species throughout the seasons of the year. Erythrocyte total surface area was taken to be the product of the surface area of a single red blood cell and the erythrocyte count, and the ratio of haemoglobin to the total surface area of erythrocytes was then determined. Erythrocyte total surface area scaled with haemoglobin concentration in all three of the above situations, with the result that the ratio of haemoglobin to total surface area of erythrocytes was constant at a mean of 0.53 ± 0.11 pg μm⁻². Changes in the total surface area of erythrocytes occur as a consequence of simultaneous changes in the size and number of erythrocytes, with haematocrit values remaining relatively constant. The constant value of the ratio of haemoglobin to total surface area of erythrocytes may be optimal for haemoglobin saturation with oxygen in the lungs of birds.
SIMPLER NETWORKS *

Neurophysiologists commonly assume that the function of complex nervous systems can and should be understood in terms of the activity and interrelationships of their basic components, the neurons. Most nervous systems, however, contain so many neurons with such varied properties and complex connectivity networks that an analysis in terms of single-neuron activity is clearly beyond our current technical and conceptual skills. Lacking a useful strategy for complete, direct analysis of complex systems, three alternatives remain. 1. We may lower the goal of explanation of the total system in terms of single elements and instead seek to understand it in terms of the properties of empirically determined functional subcomponents, each of which in turn represents a complex system. 2. We may artificially isolate a few elements from the total system and examine them in detail with the hope that eventually such elements may be recombined to give the total functional system. ’ This is essentially the approach of the reflexologists and has merit insofar as the arbitrarily selected isolates can be combined linearly to reproduce the entire system. If significant properties of the system are unknowingly destroyed or ignored during the initial isolation, then results must be accordingly limited. 3. We may search out and utilize simpler neural systems which can be isolated as reasonably intact systems without disturbing their relevant biological activity, and which can be thoroughly analyzed by our current techniques.
The Occurrence of Uterine Benign Diseases and their Histomorphologic Characters

Uterine diseases are several and can develop from any part of the organ. Noticeable benign diseases are type called hydatidiform mole considered benign among gestational trophoblastic disease and is said to occur from abnormal fertilization of abnormal ova. Other forms are inflammatory, proliferative of insidious cell/tissue implant, hormonal induced, and infectious in their origin. Samples were obtained from patients consulted and admitted into Department of Morbid Anatomy of Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital. Clinical and histopathological record books were reviewed alongside processed tissues, and slides stained by popular heamatoxylin and eosin technique in the 3 year study period. Of the 642 gynecological samples searched, result showed a progressive increase in number as the years empty from 2011 to 2013 presenting 8 uterine diseases in a population of 116 cases. A total of 518 cases were product of conception of which 250 were as a result of incomplete spontaneous abortions and 200 inappropriate criminal abortions, while 68 could not be associated with any definite cause. Leiomyoma cases were 75%, uterine/vaginal prolapsed were 6%, molar pregnancies and endometriosis 5% and while endometrial hyperplasia and uterine atrophy were 3% each and 2% each were for uterine polyp and adenomyosis in all of the 116 cases. Six age groups were involved showing that 7 diseases and total frequency of 50% occurred with age group (40-49) and is seconded by (30-39) which had 5 conditions with frequency of 21%. Attempted provisional diagnosis was based on clinical presentations, and of 116 cases 80% were confirmed accurate by laboratory diagnosis. Clinical characters of leiomyomas were the same while histomorphologic features were not entirely consistently same in all.