Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Goal-directed selective attention and response competition monitoring: evidence from unilateral parietal and anterior cingulate lesions.

Competing visual stimuli lead to slower responses to targets. This response competition must be resolved before correct responses are executed. Neuroimaging suggests that response competition monitoring may be subserved by an integrated neural network including the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). In this study, 1 patient with a parietal lesion (Patient J.S.) and 1 with an ACC lesion (Patient G.M.) were presented with 2 flanker tasks; 1 required verbal identification of color targets, and the other required an opposite response to targets (e.g., see red and say "green"); a control group was also tested. For controls, perceptually incongruent flankers interfered with the ability to inhibit prepotent responses to targets. Patient J.S. performed in a similar manner, even when flankers appeared in the neglected field. Patient G.M. demonstrated reduced interference effects for contralesional flankers. Results are discussed in terms of goal-directed selective attention and response competition monitoring.
Local Produce, Foreign Labor: Labor Mobility Programs and Global Trade Competitiveness in Canada*

Temporary visa workers are increasingly taking on a heightened profile in Canada, entering the workforce each year in greater numbers than immigrant workers with labor mobility rights (Sharma 2006). This paper examines the incorporation of foreign workers in Canadian horticulture under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program (SAWP). I argue that foreign labor supplied under the SAWP secures a flexible workforce for employers and thus improves Canada's trade competitiveness in the global agrifood market. Using multiple research strategies, I track the evolution of Canadian horticulture in the global market and the transformation of labor in this industry. I outline the steady growth in the employment of temporary visa workers in the horticultural industry and show how they have become the preferred and, in some cases, core workforce for horticulture operations. The benefits of SAWP workers to employers include the provision of a workforce with limited rights relative to domestic workers and considerable administrative support in selecting, dispatching, and disciplining workers provided at no cost by labor supply countries. I conclude that the SAWP is a noteworthy example of the role of immigration policy in regulating the labor markets of high-income economies and thus ensuring the position of labor-receiving states within the global political economy. The significant and growing role of foreign workers in the U.S. economy has been generally well-researched. In the case of Canada, however, less is known about this social trend despite a number of indicators that suggest similar processes are in play, albeit on a different scale and through different mechanisms. Temporary visa workers in particular are increasingly taking on a heightened profile in the ''Great White North,'' finding work in numerous sectors of the economy. Many
Evaluating Proposed Remedies for Credit Rating Agency Failures

ABSTRACT: Regulators and the financial press have criticized credit rating agencies (CRAs) for exacerbating the financial crisis by providing overly optimistic debt ratings. Allegedly, CRAs departed from their quantitative models in order to please security issuers with higher credit ratings. In response, the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010 required the Securities and Exchange Commission to conduct a study on alternative models for compensating CRAs. We conduct an experiment exploring how the credit ratings of M.B.A. students, who assume the role of credit rating analysts, are affected by two proposals for reform: (1) changing who pays the CRAs, and (2) requiring analysts to justify departures from a quantitative model. We find that credit ratings are highest when the borrower pays CRAs for ratings and a justification requirement is not in place. Implementing either proposed reform independently reduces credit ratings, but credit ratings are not further reduced when both reforms are implemented together. Data Avai.
Methods for normalization of hippocampal volumes measured with MR.

PURPOSE To investigate the use of six cerebral measures as correlates for hippocampal volumes and, therefore, to enable normalized absolute hippocampal volumes to be calculated via two correction processes. METHODS Hippocampal volumes and six cerebral measures were estimated from MR data in 20 control subjects. Three of these measures (the cranial volume, the cerebral volume, and the midsagittal cranial area) were then applied to a group of 32 control subjects, and regression analysis was performed to investigate the linear relationship between hippocampal volume and each measure. Division of hippocampal volume by cerebral measure and correction via a covariance calculation enabled corrected absolute hippocampal volumes to be determined for 32 control subjects and 23 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. RESULTS Correction processes reduced the variance in absolute hippocampal volumes in control subjects and enabled abnormally small absolute volumes to be defined. Of 11 patients with unilateral volume ratio abnormalities, 8 had unilateral abnormally small absolute hippocampal volumes. Of 12 patients with normal volume ratios, 4 had bilateral abnormally small absolute hippocampal volumes. CONCLUSION Correction processes can define absolute hippocampal volumes for correlation studies and may enable identification of unsuspected bilateral hippocampal volume loss.
The Domestic Political Costs of Economic Sanctions

While a great deal of attention has been to paid to whether or not economic sanctions work, less energy has been devoted to exploring the causal mechanisms that lead to the success or failure of sanctions policies. Often, it is assumed that the population is one important source of political costs for targeted leaders, but this assumption has not been tested. Are sanctions related to an increase in antigovernment activity? How does the domestic political system of the targeted state affect the likelihood of this antigovernment behavior? The findings presented here suggest that sanctions may increase antigovernment activity, but that increase is mitigated by the domestic political structures of the target state. In autocratic targets, political violence is less likely to occur when sanctions are in place. For sanctions against autocratic states to be costly, it appears that the political costs needed to alter behavior must be generated internationally rather than domestically.
WASH and the Arp2/3 complex regulate endosome shape and trafficking

Activators of the Arp2/3 complex, termed nucleation‐promoting factors (NPFs), are required for the proper spatial and temporal control of actin assembly in cells. Mammalian cells express several NPFs, each of which functions in a distinct cellular process, including WASP and N‐WASP in phagocytosis and endocytosis, WAVE and JMY in cell migration, and WHAMM in ER‐to‐Golgi transport. Although another NPF called WASH was recently identified, the cellular localization and function of this protein were unclear. Here we demonstrated that human WASH alone potently activated the Arp2/3 complex in vitro and in cells, suggesting that the protein is not autoinhibited like N‐WASP, but is likely regulated by interacting proteins. In cells, WASH was associated with Rab5‐positive early endosomes and Rab11‐positive recycling endosomes that were enriched for actin filaments. Silencing of WASH or Arp2/3 complex expression by RNAi, or disruption of actin function by drug treatments, caused enlargement and elongation of endosomes. Intriguingly, WASH silencing, as well as actin disruption, delayed EGF transport to LAMP1‐positive late endosomes. These observations indicate that actin polymerization by WASH influences the shape and maturation of endosomes, and highlight a previously unrecognized role for WASH and the Arp2/3 complex in the degradative steps of endocytic trafficking. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bureaucracy and innovation

The relationship between bureaucratic structure and innovative behavior is examined by comparing the conditions within the bureaucratic structure with the conditions found by psychologists to be most conducive to individual creativity. The conditions within bureaucracy are found to be determined by a drive for productivity and control, and inappropriate for creativity. Suggestions are made for alterations in bureaucratic structure to increase innovativeness, such as, increased professionalization, a looser and more untidy structure, decentralization, freer communications, project organization when possible, rotation of assignments, greater reliance on group processes, attempts at continual restructuring, modification of the incentive system, and changes in many management practices. It is suggested that bureaucratic organizations are actually evolving in this direction. Victor A. Thompson is professor of political science at the Maxwell Graduate School, Syracuse University.
Food (in)security in rural Rwanda: women’s understanding, experiences and coping strategies

Marie Jeanne Nzayisenga (2015). Food (in)security in Rural Rwanda: Women’s Understanding, Experiences and Coping Strategies. PhD dissertation in Peace and Development Research, School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg, (P.O Box 700, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden) Language: English, with summary in Swedish ISBN: ISBN: 978-91-628-9538-9 http://hdl.handle. net/2077/39521 The aim of this thesis is to probe further into the manifestations and dynamics of food insecurity in Rwanda by attending to women’s voices and experiences. By interviewing women from Nyabihu, a rural district in the Western province of Rwanda, this thesis addresses questions of how women in rural Rwanda understand and experience food insecurity as well as the strategies they use in order to prevent and cope with it. The study also explores women’s views of how ongoing agricultural reforms affect household food security in the Rwandan context. Theoretically, this thesis departs from literature on food security, the global debate about whether food security is a technical or political problem, as well as the study of development and gender. The analytical framework of the study addresses availability of food, access to food and the stability of the two, as well as the gender dimensions of household food security among women in Rwanda. Methodologically this study is a qualitative case study. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews with 51 female respondents and seven informants. This study’s findings support the view that food security is not only a technical problem that can be solved through increased food production, but that it is also crucial to understand how access to food is experienced by various groups of people. Moreover, the results indicate that there is an obvious gap between government food security policy and women’s experiences. The stories from the respondents reveal that food insecurity is partly related to the implementation of agricultural reforms in Nyabihu district. The study also shows that food security in Rwanda needs to be understood in relation to issues of land and poverty since these play an important part in determining women’s food in/security. In addition, women’s experiences differ depending on their financial situation and their access to land. This study also found that intra-household dynamics such as distribution of household resources, gendered power relations between men and women, as well as participation in households’ income decisions play a part in food in/security in Rwandan households. Theoretically, this study contributes to existing food security theories by deepening the understanding of food insecurity from a gendered perspective and fine-tuning the analytic framework. The empirical contribution this study makes consists of the focus on women and food insecurity in Rwandan rural households, raising issues with regard to household dynamics partly ignored in previous studies.
The alignment of appropriate firm and supply strategies for competitive advantage

Purpose – Aims to prove that a firm's perception of the strategic nature of supply depends on how it defines its competitive advantage within the marketplace.Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected using a random stratified cross‐sectional design from 142 large manufacturing firms in the UK. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was employed to test the hypothesised model.Findings – Firms defining their competitive advantage as being cost‐focused will generally consider supply as playing merely a cost‐reduction role, i.e. passive and supportive, whereas firms viewing their competitive advantage as being differentiated will see supply as strategic, i.e. as a distinctive capability.Research limitations/implications – This study's single country setting could limit the generalizability of the findings. Replication of the model would require contrasting empirical contexts. Longitudinal as opposed to cross‐sectional data are needed for studying causations. Also future studies should take a multiple‐sou.
Spatial Ability in Classic Dancers and Their Perceptual Style

The relation between spatial ability (body orientation and body awareness) and field dependence/independence was assessed by measuring performance on the Embedded Figures Test and WISC or WAIS Block Design at four different training levels in classical ballet, beginners to advanced, and a control group with no training in ballet, gymnastics, or sports (n = 70). No significant correlation was found between perceptual style or Block Design performance and body orientation or body awareness at any of the four levels of training. No significant differences were observed between the advanced group and the control group. Training in a particular type of spatial skill such as orientation within surrounding space was not related to the skill required to manipulate an abstractly represented space.
Surgical Smartphone Applications Across Different Platforms

Introduction. There are a vast array of smartphone applications that could benefit both surgeons and their patients. To review and identify all relevant surgical smartphone applications available for the Apple iPhone iOS and Google Android platform based on their user group and subspecialty for which they were designed. Method. Both the literature using PubMed and Google Scholar were searched using the following terms: application$, smartphone$, app$, app*, surgery, surgical, surg*, general surgery, general surg*, bariatric$, urology and plastic surgery, ortho*, orthop(a)edic, cardiac surgery, cardiothoracic, neurosurgery, and ophthalmology. Results. The search yielded 38 articles of which 23 were eligible. Each of the key specialties was searched in the Apple iTunes App Store for iPhone iOS and the Google Play Android application store. In total, there were 621 surgical applications for Apple iPhone iOS and 97 identified on Android’s Google Play. There has been a 9-fold increase in the number of surgical applications available for the Apple iPhone iOS from 2009 to 2012. Of these applications there were 126 dedicated to plastic surgery, 79 to orthopedics, 41 to neurosurgical, 180 to general surgery, 36 to cardiac surgery, 121 to ophthalmology, and 44 to urology. There was a wide range of applications ranging from simple flashcards to be used for revision to virtual surgery applications that provided surgical exposure and familiarization with common operative procedures. Conclusions. Despite the plethora of surgical applications available for smartphones, there is no taxonomy for medical applications. Only 12% were affiliated with an academic institution or association, which highlights the need for greater regulation of surgical applications.
Two-dimensional electroacoustic model of transducer array based on 1-3 piezocomposite materials

An analytical model is presented to achieve simultaneous prediction of the elementary electroacoustic response and directivity pattern of a one-dimensional (1D) piezocomposite array. The theoretical approach was based on guided wave theory in a multilayered structure in which the 1-3 piezocomposite material is considered as a homogeneous piezoelectric plate. A matrix method was applied to simulate the displacement fields generated at the surface of the array when one element was excited with an electrical pulse. A test device was manufactured, then characterized through measurements of displacement performed with an interferometric laser probe when the array vibrated in air and in water. The experimental results are presented and compared with theory
A Threshold Error Correction Model for Intraday Futures and Index Returns

Index-futures arbitragers only enter into the market if the deviation from the arbitrage relation is sufficiently large to compensate for transaction costs and associated interest rate and dividend risks. We estimate the band around the theoretical futures price within which arbitrage is not profitable for most arbitragers, using a threshold autoregression model. Combining these thresholds with an error-correction model, we show that the impact of the mispricing error is increasing with the magnitude of that error and that the information effect of lagged futures returns on index returns is significantly larger when the mispricing error is negative. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Excess mortality associated with hypopituitarism in adults: a meta-analysis of observational studies.

CONTEXT Several previous observational studies showed an association between hypopituitarism and excess mortality. Reports on reduction of standard mortality ratio (SMR) with GH replacement have been published recently. OBJECTIVE This meta-analysis assessed studies reporting SMR to clarify mortality risk in hypopituitary adults and also the potential benefit conferred by GH replacement. DATA SOURCES A literature search was performed in Medline, Embase, and Cochrane library up to March 31, 2014. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Studies with or without GH replacement reporting SMR with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were included. DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS Patient characteristics, SMR data, and treatment outcomes were independently assessed by two authors, and with consensus from third author, studies were selected for analysis. Meta-analysis was performed in all studies together, and those without and with GH replacement separately, using the statistical package metafor in R. RESULTS Six studies reporting a total of 19 153 hypopituiatary adults with a follow-up duration of more than 99,000 person years were analyzed. Hypopituitarism was associated with an overall excess mortality (weighted SMR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.21-2.76) in adults. Female hypopituitary adults showed higher SMR compared with males (2.53 vs 1.71). Onset of hypopituitarism at a younger age was associated with higher SMR. GH replacement improved the mortality risk in hypopituitary adults that is comparable to the background population (SMR with GH replacement, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.05-1.24 vs SMR without GH, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.46-3.34). GH replacement conferred lower mortality benefit in hypopituitary women compared with men (SMR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.38-1.77 vs 0.95; 95% CI, 0.85-1.06). LIMITATIONS There was a potential selection bias of benefit of GH replacement from a post-marketing data necessitating further evidence from long-term randomized controlled trials. CONCLUSIONS Hypopituitarism may increase premature mortality in adults. Mortality benefit from GH replacement in hypopituitarism is less pronounced in women than men.
Theoretical disputes over forest nitrogen fertilization

The theoretical disputes over forest nitrogen (N) fertilization constitute a difficulty for forest managers. In cases where scientists disagree it is hard for practitioners to make scientifically based decisions on what actions to take. The main objective in this study was to understand possible reasons for the scientific discussion associated with the question as to how fertilization for increased forest growth influences the forest ecosystem? Another objective was to clarify the divergent theoretical grounds within this scientific field. The study proceeded by selecting articles based on the criterion that they include field studies of fertilization for stem growth in the temperate region, and then analysing their theoretical content. Differences in theoretical grounds are among the reasons for the scientific disputes over the effects of N fertilization on forest ecosystems.
Predicting Licensure Success With a Computerized Comprehensive Nursing Exam: The HESI Exit Exam

This study was designed to determine the accuracy of computerized comprehensive nursing exams, HESI Exit Exams (E2s), in predicting registered nurse and practical nurse students' success on the licensing exam. Schools of nursing that administered E2s during the academic year 1996–97 were surveyed to determine how many students (n = 2809) predicted by the E2 to pass the licensure exam had failed, and if the exam administration was monitored or proctored. Based on the findings of this study, the E2 was determined to be an accurate predictor of students' success on the licensing exam. However, it was significantly more accurate (P = .05) when the exam was monitored (99.49%) than unmonitored (96.82%). The E2 was determined to be highly predictive of students' success on the licensing exam for all groups tested: associate degree, baccalaureate, diploma, and practical nursing students.
Organizational Implants and Logistics Service Innovation: A Relational Social Capital Perspective

Though many companies are placing or implanting employees within supply chain partners’ firms for the purposes of improving organizational and supply chain performance, research to date has not sufficiently addressed the outcomes of organizational implantation. Our research is specifically focused on the impact that logistics service provider (LSP) implantation has on logistics service innovation for the customer. In a dyadic study pairing 81 LSP implants with their customers, we assess the direct linkage of interorganizational task interdependence, as well as the mediating effects of relational social capital and knowledge exchange on the logistics service innovation of the customer. Empirical analysis revealed significantly more logistics innovation for those customers hosting implants. The logistics innovation is attributable to fully mediated relational social capital and knowledge exchange capabilities in the implantation relationship. Managerial directions related to our findings, as well as possibilities for future implantation-related research, are discussed.