Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EEG Spectral Generators Involved in Motor Imagery: A swLORETA Study

In order to characterize the neural generators of the brain oscillations related to motor imagery (MI), we investigated the cortical, subcortical, and cerebellar localizations of their respective electroencephalogram (EEG) spectral power and phase locking modulations. The MI task consisted in throwing a ball with the dominant upper limb while in a standing posture, within an ecological virtual reality (VR) environment (tennis court). The MI was triggered by the visual cues common to the control condition, during which the participant remained mentally passive. As previously developed, our paradigm considers the confounding problem that the reference condition allows two complementary analyses: one which uses the baseline before the occurrence of the visual cues in the MI and control resting conditions respectively; and the other which compares the analog periods between the MI and the control resting-state conditions. We demonstrate that MI activates specific, complex brain networks for the power and phase modulations of the EEG oscillations. An early (225 ms) delta phase-locking related to MI was generated in the thalamus and cerebellum and was followed (480 ms) by phase-locking in theta and alpha oscillations, generated in specific cortical areas and the cerebellum. Phase-locking preceded the power modulations (mainly alpha–beta ERD), whose cortical generators were situated in the frontal BA45, BA11, BA10, central BA6, lateral BA13, and posterior cortex BA2. Cerebellar-thalamic involvement through phase-locking is discussed as an underlying mechanism for recruiting at later stages the cortical areas involved in a cognitive role during MI.
Cultural Influences on Brand Identification and Brand Defense

According to Lisjak, Lee, and Gardner (2012), a threat to a brand can elicit the same response as a threat to the self. The current research examined whether people react differently to brand threats as a function of East Asian versus North American culture and as a function of whether the source of the threat was a stranger or a close friend. In Study 1, 616 U.S. and East Asian participants were recruited to complete an online survey via Amazon’s M Turk. Participants were asked to read a blog post that contains negative evaluations of two U.S. brands. Participants were randomly assigned to two conditions, in which they were either told that the blog post was written by a close friend or by a stranger. After reading, participants’ attitude change towards the brands was measured to reflect their defensiveness. Results show that there was no significant difference in defensiveness between East Asian and U.S. participants in either condition. Study 2 was then conducted to examine Chinese responses to Chinese brands assessed in their native language. In Study 2, 500 Chinese participants completed the study in Mandarin, and the survey included Chinese as well as American brands. Participants showed no significant difference in their defensiveness on brands from China versus the U.S. Overall, no evidence was found to support the cultural differences in consumers’ defensiveness when a brand they identify with is threatened.
CSR-Contingent Executive Compensation Contracts

Abstract Firms have increasingly started tying their executives’ compensation to CSR-related objectives. In this paper, we attempt to understand why firms offer CSR-contingent compensation and the conditions under which such compensation improves corporate social performance. Using hand-collected data from proxy statements, we find that this emerging compensation practice varies significantly across industries and across different CSR categories. Further, well-governed firms are more likely to offer CSR-contingent compensation, and such compensation does lead to higher corporate social standing. Such firms are more likely to offer formula-based, Objective CSR-contingent compensation. However, our results suggest that non-formulaic, Subjective CSR-contingent compensation also helps improve companies’ social performance when firm outcomes are more volatile and unpredictable, and therefore executives’ effort and performance are harder to evaluate, and when firms have better corporate governance.
Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment of Health and Safety Approach JSA (Job Safety Analysis) in Plantation Company

Plantation company needed to identify hazard and perform risk assessment as an Identification of Hazard and Risk Assessment Crime and Safety which was approached by using JSA (Job Safety Analysis). The identification was aimed to identify the potential hazards that might be the risk of workplace accidents so that preventive action could be taken to minimize the accidents. The data was collected by direct observation to the workers concerned and the results were recorded on a Job Safety Analysis form. The data were as forklift operator, macerator worker, worker’s creeper, shredder worker, workers’ workshop, mechanical line worker, trolley cleaning workers and workers’ crepe decline. The result showed that shredder worker value was 30 and had the working level with extreme risk with the risk value range was above 20. So to minimize the accidents could provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which were appropriate, information about health and safety, the company should have watched the activities of workers, and rewards for the workers who obey the rules that applied in the plantation.
Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor increases growth inhibition and reduces G(2)/M cell accumulation induced by temozolomide in malignant glioma cells.

Temozolomide (TZM) is a novel methylating agent currently under investigation for treatment of recurrent high-grade gliomas. Although TZM generates a wide spectrum of methyl adducts, its cytotoxicity has been attributed to mismatch repair (MR)-mediated processing of O(6)-methylguanine:T mispairs. N3-methyladenine and N7-methylguanine adducts are promptly repaired by the base excision repair system, unless a poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor is combined to TZM. In this case, the repair process of N-methylpurines cannot be completed and the deriving DNA strand breaks contribute to cytotoxicity. In this study, we investigated the influence on cell growth and cell cycle of treatment with TZM + PARP inhibitor in glioma cells characterized by different susceptibility to TZM. The results indicated that PARP inhibitor increases growth inhibition induced by TZM in either p53-wild-type or p53-mutant glioblastoma cells, as early as 24 h after drug exposure. The enhancing effect exerted by PARP inhibitor was particularly evident in glioma cells characterized by a defective expression of MR, since these cells are tolerant to O(6)-methylguanine damage and show low sensitivity to TZM. In O(6)-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (OGAT)-deficient and MR-proficient tumor cells bearing wild-type p53, the drug combination markedly reduced cell accumulation in the G(2)/M phase of cell cycle and induction of the G(2) checkpoint regulator Chk1 kinase. In short-term cultures of glioma cells derived from surgical specimens, PARP inhibitor enhanced chemosensitivity to TZM and this effect was especially evident in OGAT-proficient tumors. Thus, a pharmacological strategy based on the interruption of N-methylpurine repair might represent a novel strategy to restore or increase glioma sensitivity to TZM.
Using experimental game theory to transit human values to ethical AI

Knowing the reflection of game theory and ethics, we develop a mathematical representation to bridge the gap between the concepts in moral philosophy (e.g., Kantian and Utilitarian) and AI ethics industry technology standard (e.g., IEEE P7000 standard series for Ethical AI). As an application, we demonstrate how human value can be obtained from the experimental game theory (e.g., trust game experiment) so as to build an ethical AI. Moreover, an approach to test the ethics (rightness or wrongness) of a given AI algorithm by using an iterated Prisoner's Dilemma Game experiment is discussed as an example. Compared with existing mathematical frameworks and testing method on AI ethics technology, the advantages of the proposed approach are analyzed.
The utility of dermoscopy in the diagnosis of evolving lesions of vitiligo.

BACKGROUND Early lesions of vitiligo can be confused with various other causes of hypopigmentation and depigmentation. Few workers have utilized dermoscopy for the diagnosis of evolving lesions of vitiligo. AIM To analyze the dermoscopic findings of evolving lesions in diagnosed cases of vitiligo and to correlate them histopathologically. METHODS Dermoscopy of evolving lesions in 30 diagnosed cases of vitiligo was performed using both polarized light and ultraviolet light. RESULT On polarized light examination, the pigmentary network was found to be reduced in 12 (40%) of 30 patients, absent in 9 (30%), and reversed in 6 (20%) patients; 2 patients (6.7%) showed perifollicular hyperpigmentation and 1 (3.3%) had perilesional hyperpigmentation. A diffuse white glow was demonstrable in 27 (90%) of 30 patients on ultraviolet light examination. Melanocytes were either reduced in number or absent in 12 (40%) of 30 patients on histopathology. CONCLUSION Pigmentary network changes, and perifollicular and perilesional hyperpigmentation on polarized light examination, and a diffuse white glow on ultraviolet light examination were noted in evolving vitiligo lesions. Histopathological examination was comparatively less reliable. Dermoscopy appears to be better than routine histopathology in the diagnosis of evolving lesions of vitiligo and can obviate the need for a skin biopsy.
Two protocols comparing human and machine phonetic recognition performance in conversational speech

This paper describes two experimental protocols for direct comparison of human and machine phonetic discrimination performance in continuous speech. These protocols attempt to isolate phonetic discrimination while eliminating for language and segmentation biases. Results of two human experiments are described including comparisons with automatic phonetic recognition baselines. Our experiments suggest that in conversational telephone speech, human performance on these tasks exceeds that of machines by 15%. Furthermore, in a related controlled language model experiment, human subjects were better able to correctly predict words in conversational speech by 45%. ∗
Last Place Aversion in Queues

This paper documents the effects of last-place aversion in queues and its implications for customer experiences and behaviors, as well as for operating performance. An observational analysis of customers queuing at a grocery store, and four online studies in which participants waited in virtual queues, revealed that waiting in last place diminishes wait satisfaction while increasing the probabilities of switching and abandoning queues, with detrimental implications for queuing systems. The research suggests that last-place aversion can lead to maladaptive customer behaviors—switching behaviors that increase wait times and abandoning when the benefits of waiting are most pronounced. The results indicate that this behavior is partially explained by the inability to make a downward social comparison; namely, when no one is behind a queuing individual, that person is less certain that continuing to wait is worthwhile. Furthermore, this paper provides evidence that queue transparency is an effective service design lever that managers can use to reduce the deleterious effects of last-place aversion in queues. When people cannot see that they are in last place, the behavioral effects of last-place aversion are nullified; and when they can see that they are not in last place, the tendency to renege is greatly diminished. Finally, a system-level experiment, in which pairs of queues were created and analyzed, reveals that when the effects of last-place aversion are addressed, overall abandonment decreases, such that with equivalent arrival and service rates, total service provision can be increased. This paper was accepted by Vishal Gaur, operations management.
Radial head reduction after a missed Monteggia fracture: brief report.

THE JOURNAL OF BONE AND JOINT SURGERY alternative methods, such as epiphyseodesis by inserting a bone peg (Weiner et al. 1984). The hook-pin has eliminated the risk of lost epiphyseal grip : it cannot slide back and it is retracted in its channel with the growth of the femoral neck. Inserted in a pre-drilled hole there is only minimal trauma to the growth plate ; and as only one pin (inserted under fluoroscopy) is used, there is very little risk of joint penetration. Our investigation has shown considerable growth of the femoral neck after pinning. As slipping occurs through the hypertrophic layer of the growth-plate, there is usually no damage to the germinative layer before treatment, and consequently a potential for further growth. In our oldest patient nd growth of the femoral neck or of the greater trochanter was recorded. This boy had a bilateral chronic slip with onset of symptoms at least one year before pinning and the absence of growth in his case could be due to normal cessation of growth. In children with endocrine disorders or severe trauma a slipped capital femoral epiphysis is sometimes seen under the age of ten, when there is still considerable potential for growth of the femoral neck. The hook-pin allows growth to continue so that the hips develop normally.
Cost Analysis of Calcium in Store Brand versus National Brand Grocery Products

ABSTRACT Objective: This study was to determine if calcium fortification yields a higher price per serving in grocery store products. Researchers compared store brand to national brand grocery products in relation to cost in order to examine if calcium values were similar between store brand and national brand products. Methods: A total of 112 store brand and 211 national brand grocery products were collected from three low (national chain store), middle and high priced (Virginia and North Carolina regional store) grocery venues. Products were compared using price and calcium percentage per serving. ANOVA was used to determine between store brand and national brand for price per serving and calcium content, and between grocery venues. Results: National brand fortified products had a significantly lower mean price per serving when compared to national brand non-fortified products (p = 0.0002). There was no statistical difference between store brand fortified and non-fortified products (p = 0.9256). Low priced store brand products had the lowest mean price per serving ($0.34 ±0.24). Conclusions: This study found store brand products have similar calcium content as national brand products. Product cost was lower at low priced store compared to middle and high priced stores.
Rectangular b-metric space and contraction principles

The concept of rectangular b-metric space is introduced as a generalization of metric space, rectangular metric space and b-metric space. An analogue of Banach contraction principle and Kannan's xed point theorem is proved in this space. Our result generalizes many known results in xed point theory.
University Management Practices and Academic Spin-offs

Building upon the recent literature on the empirical economics of management, we posit that different forms of management practices introduced by Universities to support academic entrepreneurship affect how well spin-offs get created, supported and evaluated and, eventually, account for academic spinoff performance. We draw on a longitudinal sample of 790 Italian University spin-offs founded by 42 different Italian Universities and observed over the period 2006-2014. Our results suggest that management practices contribute to explain the growth of academic spin-offs and that this effect varies across management practices (e.g. support operations management vs. target management) and spin-offs’ growth patterns (e.g. high-growth vs. low-growth spin-offs). Drawing on these results, the adoption of management practices by University managers should be carefully considered as they seem to serve different purposes. Their appropriateness can vary and, not surprisingly, some management practices seem to be more effective than others in driving spin-offs’ growth.
Marketing in Cyberspace: What Factors Drive E-Commerce Adoption?

What factors affect the adoption of e-commerce among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)? In this study, e-commerce adopters are classified according to White et al.'s (1998) labels, namely traditionalist, straddler, and innovator. Interview data collected from 84 firms are used to illustrate a hypothesis-testing methodology linking various decision-maker, innovation, and environmental characteristics with the propensity to adopt online marketing.
βFSH, βLH and Growth Hormone Gene Expression in Blue Gourami (Trichogaster trichopterus, Pallas 1770) During Spermatogenesis and Male Sexual Behavior

Abstract The relationship between gonadal development (histological evidence for spermiogenesis and/or spermatogenesis), sexual behavior (nest-building) and mRNA levels of gonadotropins (βFSH and βLH) and growth hormone (GH) in the male pituitary was investigated. Amplification of βFSH cDNA showed a significantly higher mRNA level in mature males (whether sexually active or not) than in juveniles. However, following PCR amplification of βLH cDNA, a significantly higher mRNA level was found in the sexually active group compared to the sexually inactive group. These results suggest that FSH may participate in spermatogenesis, whereas LH is more involved in spermiogenesis. The GH mRNA level increased slightly during the maturation process but no significant differences were found between the groups studied.
Comment on: On the Kung-Traub Conjecture for Iterative Methods for Solving Quadratic Equations. Algorithms 2016, 9, 1

Kung-Traub conjecture states that an iterative method without memory for finding the simple zero of a scalar equation could achieve convergence order 2 d − 1 , and d is the total number of function evaluations. In an article “Babajee, D.K. R. On the Kung-Traub Conjecture for Iterative Methods for Solving Quadratic Equations, Algorithms 2016, 9, 1, doi:10.3390/a9010001”, the author has shown that Kung-Traub conjecture is not valid for the quadratic equation and proposed an iterative method for the scalar and vector quadratic equations. In this comment, we have shown that we first reported the aforementioned iterative method.
Antecedents of Supplier Relation Quality in the Ghanaian Construction Supply Chain

Effective and efficient management of suppliers within a supply chain is an essential requirement for improving organisational performance within construction companies. However, factors inherent within the supply chain of supplier-buyer exchanges such as culture, politics, dependence and trust may influence supplier relationship quality (SRQ). This research therefore seeks to identify the influence that these factors have upon SRQ in the Ghanaian construction industry and develop a conceptual framework that explains the interconnectivity between them. A literature review is used to develop a conceptual framework of the antecedents influencing supplier relationship quality. Primary ‘perception’ data obtained from 152 building material suppliers is used to test the proposed model using Partial Least Squares (PLS). Findings reveal that culture, politics, dependence and trust have a significant influence on relationship quality in supply chain collaborations amongst purchasers and suppliers of building materials. While politics has a strong influence on dependence, it also generates a negative influence on SRQ and trust. The research confirms the positive effect of trust and dependence in SRQ management and extends understanding of the influence of culture and politics. Practical implications suggest that managers of building material suppliers should focus upon building trust and dependence and be discouraged from over-reliance upon politics and political affiliations as a basis for long-term relationship building.
Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) prevents nuclear β-catenin accumulation and regulates axis formation in Xenopus embryos

Jun NH2-terminal kinases (JNKs) regulate convergent extension movements in Xenopus embryos through the noncanonical Wnt/planar cell polarity pathway. In addition, there is a high level of maternal JNK activity spanning from oocyte maturation until the onset of gastrulation that has no defined functions. Here, we show that maternal JNK activation requires Dishevelled and JNK is enriched in the nucleus of Xenopus embryos. Although JNK activity is not required for the glycogen synthase kinase-3-mediated degradation of β-catenin, inhibition of the maternal JNK signaling by morpholino-antisense oligos causes hyperdorsalization of Xenopus embryos and ectopic expression of the Wnt/β-catenin target genes. These effects are associated with an increased level of nuclear and nonmembrane-bound β-catenin. Moreover, ventral injection of the constitutive-active Jnk mRNA blocks β-catenin-induced axis duplication, and dorsal injection of active Jnk mRNA into Xenopus embryos decreases the dorsal marker gene expression. In mammalian cells, activation of JNK signaling reduces Wnt3A-induced and β-catenin-mediated gene expression. Furthermore, activation of JNK signaling rapidly induces the nuclear export of β-catenin. Taken together, these results suggest that JNK antagonizes the canonical Wnt pathway by regulating the nucleocytoplasmic transport of β-catenin rather than its cytoplasmic stability. Thus, the high level of sustained maternal JNK activity in early Xenopus embryos may provide a timing mechanism for controlling the dorsal axis formation.
Are Founder CEOs Better Innovators? Evidence from S&P 500 Firms

Using a novel dataset on founder CEOs in S&P 500 firms for the period from 1993 to 2003, this paper investigates the relationship between founder CEOs and innovation. Our main results show that the existence of a founder CEO is correlated with a 31 percent increase in the citation-weighted patent count before we control for R&D spending and a 23 percent increase in the citation- weighted patent count after we control for R&D spending, suggesting that founder CEOs are more effective and efficient innovators than professional CEOs. Our findings are particularly convincing since the results are consistent across various robustness checks that control for potential selection issues and other endogeneity concerns. Furthermore, our results suggest that founder CEOs are more likely to take their firms in a new technological direction.
Evaluation of a method for experimental induction of osteoarthritis of the hip joints in dogs.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate a method for experimental induction of osteoarthritis in the hip joints of dogs. ANIMALS 12 mixed-breed dogs. PROCEDURE A unilateral triple pelvic osteotomy was performed. In 6 dogs, the iliac osteotomy was repaired with 45 degrees of internal rotation, reducing coverage of the femoral head by the acetabulum. In the other 6 dogs, the fragments were repaired in anatomic alignment. Radiography, force plate evaluations, and subjective lameness evaluations were performed before and after surgery. Dogs were euthanatized 7 months after surgery, and samples of cartilage and joint capsule were examined histologically. RESULTS Subjective lameness scores, radiographic appearance of the hip joints, and Norberg angles were not significantly different between groups; however, force plate evaluations did reveal significant differences in vertical ground reaction forces. Femoral head coverage was significantly decreased with rotation of the acetabulum. Mild inflammatory changes were discernible in the joint capsule and articular cartilage of some dogs in both groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggest that 45 degrees internal rotation of the acetabulum does not consistently induce biologically important osteoarthritic changes in the hip joints of dogs.