Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Introduction to Other‑Regarding Preferences with an Application to Contract Design

Economic models of individual behavior often make the assumption that in evaluating between competing alternatives agents are only concerned with how each alternative impacts their own payoffs. This simple, yet reasonable, assumption postulates that agents are self‑regarding, that is, agents are not concerned with how their decisions affect other people. This study casts doubt on this assumption. There has been a steady accumulation of experimental evidence from games such as the ultimatum game and the gift exchange game where the observed behavior is not explained by assuming that agents have self‑regarding preferences. Agents often make decisions that lower their payoffs if by doing so other agents are better off. In contrast to self‑regarding preferences, agents are said in this case to have other‑regarding preferences. Most of the evidence discussed in this study was gathered by the use of laboratory experiments. The issue of external validity of this evidence has long been a point of contention. Lab experiments are highly artificial environments that place strong constraints on individual behavior. While this imbues them with their source of methodological strength, it is also a weakness. Evidence gathered in the lab does not necessarily generalize to the real world, and lab experiments are often compared with field studies which are assumed to provideevidence that is more externally valid. We examine the question of the external validity of lab experiments and conclude they are a valid tool for gathering scientific evidence about human behavior.
An evaluation of pure spectrum‐based fault localization techniques for large‐scale software systems

Pure spectrum‐based fault localization (SBFL) is a well‐studied statistical debugging technique that only takes a set of test cases (some failing and some passing) and their code coverage as input and produces a ranked list of suspicious program elements to help the developer identify the location of a bug that causes a failed test case. Studies show that pure SBFL techniques produce good ranked lists for small programs. However, our previous study based on the iBugs benchmark that uses the AspectJ repository shows that, for realistic programs, the accuracy of the ranked list is not suitable for human developers. In this paper, we confirm this based on a combined empirical evaluation with the iBugs and the Defects4J benchmark. Our experiments show that, on average, at most ∼40%, ∼80%, and ∼90% of the bugs can be localized reliably within the first 10, 100, and 1000 ranked lines, respectively, in the Defects4J benchmark. To reliably localize 90% of the bugs with the best performing SBFL metric D∗, ∼450 lines have to be inspected by the developer. For human developers, this remains unsuitable, although the results improve compared with the results for the AspectJ benchmark. Based on this study, we can clearly see the need to go beyond pure SBFL and take other information, such as information from the bug report or from version history of the code lines, into consideration.
Indices of Subscore Utility for Individuals and Subgroups Based on Multivariate Generalizability Theory

Conventional methods for evaluating the utility of subscores rely on traditional indices of reliability and on correlations among subscores. One limitation of correlational methods is that they do not explicitly consider variation in subtest means. An exception is an index of score profile reliability designated as G , which quantifies the ratio of true score profile variance to observed score profile variance. G has been shown to be more sensitive than correlational methods to group differences in score profile utility. However, it is a group average, representing the expected value over a population of examinees. Just as score reliability varies across individuals and subgroups, one can expect that the reliability of score profiles will vary across examinees. This article proposes two conditional indices of score profile utility grounded in multivariate generalizability theory. The first is based on the ratio of observed profile variance to the profile variance that can be attributed to random error. The second quantifies the proportion of observed variability in a score profile that can be attributed to true score profile variance. The article describes the indices, illustrates their use with two empirical examples, and evaluates their properties with simulated data. The results suggest that the proposed estimators of profile error variance are consistent with the known error in simulated score profiles and that they provide information beyond that provided by traditional measures of subscore utility. The simulation study suggests that artificially large values of the indices could occur for about 5% to 8% of examinees. The article concludes by suggesting possible applications of the indices and discusses avenues for further research.
FLUKA simulation yields in a comparison with theoretical and experimental yields relevant to 89Zr produced in the 89Y(p,n) reaction

Abstract The high importance of zirconium-89 (T1/2 = 78.41 h) is related to its applications in medical imaging. It can be produced at low-energy cyclotrons by the reaction 89Y(p,n)89Zr. There exist several publications on its production at low and intermediate energies but there is discrepancy with simulated data. In this study we considered the experimental parameters for four different types of yttrium foil targets reported in literature. The experimental parameters considered were the target geometry, beam profile, and angle of the target relative to the beam during irradiation. The Monte-Carlo code FLUKA was used to calculate production yields. The resulting values obtained by FLUKA from pencil beam or spread energy beam were compared to the theoretical yields obtained from the excitation function and the experimental ones. The FLUKA prediction for 89Z-yield reached ≈50 MBq/μA · h which agrees to a high extent with experimental and theoretical yields reported for the different targets.
Relation between financial information disclosure and capital structure decisions

The main aim of the present study is to relation between finansial information disclosure and capital structure decisions in companies listed on Tehran Stock Exchange. Methodology: Statistical population of this study is consisted of companies listed on Tehran Stock Exchange during the time period of 2009 to 2014 and sample volume is equal to 118 companeis by using screening method and after the elimination of outlaying observations. In this study rating of information including rating of regulations compliance, rating of timely financial disclosure, rating of financial forecasts disclosure, rating of annual financial reports disclosure and rating of company website disclosure were taken as independent variables in order to study their effect on capital structure decisions. Results: This study is an applied study in terms of goal, in terms of nature and content it is a descriptive - correlation study and in terms of research design, it is an ex post facto (semi-empirical) study, which means, it is conducted on the basis of historical and past data analysis (financial statements of companies). In this study, in which panel data with fixed and random effects are used, results obtained from firm data analysis by using multivariate regression at 95% indicated that there is a direct relationship between rating of timely financial disclosures, rating of financial forecasts disclosure and rating of annual financial reports disclosure with capital structure decisions. Conclusion: It was also indicated that there is no significant relationship between rating of regulations compliance and rating of company web site disclosure with capital structure decisions of a company.
Further Investigations on the Crosslinking of Tarsal Collagen as a Treatment for Eyelid Laxity: Optimizing the Procedure in Animal Tissue.

PURPOSE A follow-up experimental study on the exposure of animal tarsal plate to ultraviolet-A radiation aimed at establishing an optimum range for safe irradiation conditions. METHODS Sheep tarsus specimens were excised postmortem and then subjected to irradiation with ultraviolet-A rays (wavelength 365 nm) at higher irradiances than those reported in an initial study, using a laboratory radiation source. The mechanical properties (tensile strength and Young's modulus) of irradiated and nonirradiated samples were evaluated in a mechanical tester. The test and control specimens were examined histologically with an aim to assess the effects of radiation upon the meibomian glands and tarsal collagen networks, and to establish a safe range for the exposure irradiance level. RESULTS As expected, irradiation induced both stiffening and strengthening of the tarsal plate specimens. At an irradiance of 50 mW/cm for 3-minute exposure, these effects were at their maximum level, after which a decline in mechanical characteristics were observed. No destruction of the tarsal connective tissue or the meibomian glands were noticed up to an irradiance of 125 mW/cm for 3-minute exposure, corresponding to a fluence of 22.5 J/cm. Histology revealed that the collagen network surrounding the glands were packed more compactly following irradiation. At a fluence of 45 J/cm, massive destruction of periglandular collagen-rich network and meibocytes were demonstrated histologically. CONCLUSIONS The study indicates that irradiation of tarsal collagen leading to tissue stiffening shall be carried out at levels of fluence between 10 and 15 J/cm, a region that is deemed safe. The exposure time can be adjusted according to the surgeon's decision.
Soya-cerebroside reduces IL-1β-induced MMP-1 production in chondrocytes and inhibits cartilage degradation: implications for the treatment of osteoarthritis

ABSTRACT Osteoarthritis (OA) commonly affects the synovial joint and is characterized by degradation of articular cartilage, which is largely mobilized by increased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity. Soya-cerebroside, an extract of Cordyceps militaris, inhibits inflammatory cytokine production and monocyte migration in human synovial fibroblasts, although its effects are uncertain on MMP expression in chondrocytes and cartilage degradation. In this study, soya-cerebroside antagonized interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β)-induced MMP-1 production in chondrocytes, without cytotoxic effects. Functional genomic data confirm high levels of MMP-1 expression in OA tissue compared with normal tissue. Soya-cerebroside reduced MMP-1 expression via the focal adhesion kinase (FAK), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and AP-1 signalling pathways. In addition, soya-cerebroside suppressed IL-1β-promoted MMP-1 expression and cartilage degradation in animal models. Our report is the first to reveal that soya-cerebroside reduces MMP-1 production in chondrocytes and protects cartilage degradation through the FAK, MEK, ERK, and AP-1 signalling cascade.
A rule-based methodology for automated progress monitoring of construction activities: a case for masonry work

The conventional approach that is used to monitor construction projects is to collect progress data from the construction site through visual investigation. This results in deficient and sometimes erroneous data, and leads to inefficiencies in project control, delays and cost overruns. To address these problems in building construction projects, an approach was developed to automatically monitor activity progress by tracking major construction equipment and bulk materials using sensor-based technologies that are cost-effective and easy to deploy. In this approach data obtained from sensors (e.g., load sensor) and/or other sensor-based technologies (i.e., Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)), which were deployed on major construction resources, were fused using rule-based algorithms to determine the activity progress. This progress data was compared with human-generated site related data (e.g., schedules, site reports) to determine the activity performance. This paper presents the developed data fusion approach and rule-based data fusion algorithms that incorporate the domain-specific heuristic information for determining the activity’s overall progress. To validate the proposed approach, a proof-of-concept prototype was deployed and tested at a construction site for monitoring the progress of masonry work. The results show that the developed approach achieved 95% average accuracy in identifying the progress of the masonry work that was monitored during the field tests. The main contributions of this study are the rule-based data fusion approach and the rules that were developed for processing data from equipment and bulk materials. These rules can be used to determine the progress of other activities that use similar resources.
Improving Deep Reinforcement Learning Using Graph Convolution and Visual Domain Transfer

Recent developments in Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) have shown tremendous progress in robotics control, Atari games, board games such as Go, etc. However, model free DRL still has limited use cases due to its poor sampling efficiency and generalization on a variety of tasks. In this thesis, two particular drawbacks of DRL are investigated: 1) the poor generalization abilities of model free DRL. More specifically, how to generalize an agent’s policy to unseen environments and generalize to task performance on different data representations (e.g. image based or graph based) 2) The reality gap issue in DRL. That is, how to effectively transfer a policy learned in a simulator to the real world. This thesis makes several novel contributions to the field of DRL which are outlined sequentially in the following. Among these contributions is the generalized value iteration network (GVIN) algorithm, which is an end-to-end neural network planning module extending the work of Value Iteration Networks (VIN). GVIN emulates the value iteration algorithm by using a novel graph convolution operator, which enables GVIN to learn and plan on irregular spatial graphs. Additionally, this thesis proposes three novel, differentiable kernels as graph convolution operators and shows that the embedding-based kernel achieves the best performance. Furthermore, an improvement upon traditional n-step Q-learning that stabilizes training for VIN and GVIN is demonstrated. Additionally, the equivalence between GVIN and graph neural networks is outlined and shown that GVIN can be further extended to address both control and inference problems. The final subject which falls under the graph domain that is studied in this thesis is graph embeddings. Specifically, this work studies a general graph embedding framework GEM-F that unifies most of the previous graph embedding algorithms. Based on the contributions made during the analysis of GEM-F, a novel algorithm called WarpMap which outperforms DeepWalk and node2vec in the unsupervised learning settings is proposed. The aforementioned reality gap in DRL prohibits a significant portion of research from reaching the real world setting. The latter part of this work studies and analyzes domain transfer techniques in an effort to bridge this gap. Typically, domain transfer in RL consists of representation transfer and policy transfer. In
The entropy of Lyapunov-optimizing measures of some matrix cocycles

We consider one-step cocycles of $2 \times 2$ matrices, and we are interested in their Lyapunov-optimizing measures, i.e., invariant probability measures that maximize or minimize a Lyapunov exponent. If the cocycle is dominated, that is, the two Lyapunov exponents are uniformly separated along all orbits, then Lyapunov-optimizing measures always exist, and are characterized by their support. Under an additional hypothesis of nonoverlapping between the cones that characterize domination, we prove that the Lyapunov-optimizing measures have zero entropy. This conclusion certainly fails without the domination assumption, even for typical one-step $\mathrm{SL}(2,\mathbb{R})$-cocycles; indeed we show that in the latter case there are measures of positive entropy with zero Lyapunov exponent.
Tectonic affinity of the Khanka Massif in the easternmost Central Asian Orogenic Belt: evidence from detrital zircon geochronology of Permian sedimentary rocks

ABSTRACT The tectonic affiliation of the Khanka Massif, in the easternmost section of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), is still a matter of debate. Here, we provide new constraints on the provenance and timing of deposition of Permian strata in the western margin of the Khanka Massif. The results, which include U–Pb dating of detrital zircon grains using laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), provide evidence regarding the tectonic position of the Khanka Massif and its role in the late Palaeozoic evolution of the eastern CAOB. Detrital zircon grains from a sublitharenite (Pingyangzhen Formation), a litharenite (Liangzichuan Formation), and a metamorphic siltstone (Qinglongcun Group) yielded multiple age populations ranging from Neoproterozoic (~914 Ma) to Permian (~272 Ma). Combined with age constraints from overlying/late-stage igneous rocks and other magmatism of the Khanka Massif, we conclude that the dated strata were deposited during the early–middle Permian and were sourced from the Khanka Massif. A comparison between the detrital zircon age populations and the history of magmatic activity in the neighbouring areas suggests that the Khanka Massif was tectonically linked to the Songnen–Zhangguangcai Range Massif. Based on tectonic discrimination diagrams, we conclude that the western margin of the Khanka Massif was positioned in a convergent-boundary basin during the early–middle Permian. Strike-slip faulting along the Dunhua–Mishan Fault, in response to ridge subduction of the Paleo-Asian Ocean Plate, resulted in a north-eastward movement of the Khanka Massif. The occurrence of Precambrian detrital zircon grains (with ages of 1900–1700 and 900–700 Ma) implies the presence of an ancient basement within the Khanka Massif.
Pattern of celiac disease in a sample of Iraqi children

Background: Celiac Disease(CD) presentation pattern is changing over the years with it's diagnostic criteria and different types of Celiac Disease is emerging. Objectives: To evaluate CD cases in a sample of Iraqi clinically, serologically & histopathologically and to spot any atypical cases. Patients and methods: Forty children diagnosed as Celiac Disease by positive serology were referred to the outpatient department of children Walfare Teaching Hospital & GIT center in Baghdad for further evaluation in the period from first of April 2011 till the first of Jan.2012 were studied. The clinical presentation, serological tests and histopahtological findings were recorded and analyzed. Results: Out of the 40 patients who had positive serology tests, 26 patients only (65%) had positive duodenal biopsy of CD, 9 of the 26 patient cases (34.6%) had GIT symptoms, the rest 17(65.4%) had non GIT symptoms (12 had type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, 3 with isolated short stature & 2 cases had thyroid problems). Constipation, abdominal pain & offensive stool were more significant findings than the usual diarrhea and abdominal distention in the cases presented with GIT symptoms. Height for age in 96.2% of them was -SD below the mean. Weight/height in (76.9%) & (54%) of the BMI were -2SD below the mean. Anti Endomyseal IgA antibodies was 14 cases (35%) with positive serology and negative duodenal biopsy result. Conclusion: The pattern of CD is changing with atypical clinical presentations and CD presents in a non gastrointestinal symptoms in about two third of the cases. Latent CD was found in one third of cases. Anti Endomyseal antibody was the most sensitive and specific serological marker in this study.
Change of neutrophil count after treatment of intravenous immunoglobulin in children with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

Purpose : The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and course of neutropenia following intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy in children with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Methods : From January 2001 to June 2006, fifty-four patients with ITP were enrolled in this study. Forty-two of 54 patients were treated with IVIG, while the other 12 were treated with anti-D immunoglobulin (Anti-D Ig). Post-treatment absolute neutrophil counts (ANC) were compared between patients who received IVIG and those who received Anti-D Ig. Comparison of post-treatment ANC between patients who treated with two different IVIG regimens (400 mg/kg/day for 5 days and 1 g/ kg/day for 2 days) was also performed. Results : Pretreatment ANC were not significantly different between the two treatment groups. After treatment with IVIG, 32 out of 42 patients (76.2%) showed more than 50% decrease of ANC from the baseline. On the other hand, only 2 out of 12 patients (16.7%) showed more than 50% decrease of ANC from the baseline after treatment Anti-D Ig. No significant difference was observed in the decline of ANC between the first IVIG treatment (42 patients) and repeated IVIG treatment groups (7 patients). There was no statistical difference in post-treatment ANC between patients who treated with two different IVIG regimens. The neutropenia induced by IVIG had resolved spontaneously in 38 out of 39 patients (97%) after several days. Conclusion : Neutropenia following IVIG administration may not be an uncommon finding in children with ITP. It seems to be transient and self limited.
Inverse Nodal Problem For An Integro-Differential Operator

In this study, we consider an inverse nodal problem of recovering integro-differential operator with the Sturm-Liouville differential part and the integral part of Volterra type. Furthermore, we obtain a reconstruction formula for function M. So, we reconstruct the operator L with a dense subset of nodal points provided that the function q is known. Even if not all nodes are taken as data but a dense subset of nodes, inverse problem is determined.
Validity and Reliability of Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS) in Indonesia and the Correlation with Quality of Life

Introduction Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can affect cognitive function that might interfere with quality of life. Processing speed and memory are the most common area of cognitive impairment. Cognitive evaluation in daily practice is often difficult to be performed since it needs neuropsychological expert and is time-consuming. Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS (BICAMS) is valid and practical for cognitive evaluation. This study aims to validate BICAMS in Indonesian MS patients and healthy controls (HC) and to analyse the effect of cognitive impairment on quality of life. Methods BICAMS, which composes Symbol Digits Modalities Test (SDMT), California Verbal Learning Test-Second Edition (CVLT-II), and Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R), was translated and cross-culturally adapted to Indonesian from the original BICAMS and then administered to 40 Indonesian MS patients and 66 HC matched by sex, age, and education. Test-retest reliability was performed on 16-MS patients and 42 HC. Quality of life was measured using Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life (MSQOL-54) instrument. Results The SDMT, CVLT-II, and BVMT-R score in MS patients were significantly lower than those in HC (effect size, r: 0.61, 0.36, and 0.47, respectively). Test-retest reliability for all tests was satisfactory with correlation coefficient for SDMT, CVLT-II, and BVMT-R in MS subjects 0.86, 0.81, and 0.83, respectively. Using 5th percentile of HC score as cut-off, 15% MS subjects had impairment in one test, 27.5% in two tests, and 40% in three tests. BICAMS was moderately correlated with EDSS but was not correlated with disease duration and relapse rate. SDMT score correlated with physical function and physical and mental role limitation. Conclusion BICAMS is valid and reliable for assessing cognitive function of Indonesia MS patients.