Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The nature of sensory time perception – centralised or distributed?

Using psychophysical methods and human subjects, this work aims to investigate the role of human sensory systems in the perception and passage of time. Specifically, I question the centralised nature of timing and whether a central clock exists to mediate incoming timing signals across the different sensory modalities. The alternative is that our timing mechanisms are embodied within distributed, modality-specific networks, each operating in a dedicated and independent manner. In my first experiment subjects were exposed to a range of rhythms presented to audio, visual and tactile sensory modalities, and were asked to reproduce a test rhythm via a tapping device. Subjects were able to adapt to a range of rhythms; however, the resulting after-effects were only evidenced when the adapting and test sensory modalities matched. My second experiment questioned how we construct sensory rhythms and, using the same method of rhythm adaptation, I used a single empty interval as a test stimulus. Results show that adapting to a given rhythmic rate strongly influences the temporal perception of a single empty interval. This questions the seemingly unique nature of rhythm, suggesting that adaptive distortions in perceived rate of signals within a sequence are, at least in part, a consequence of distortions in the perception of the inter-stimulus interval between the sequence’s component signals. My third experiment focused on more complicated rhythms in the form of anisochrony. I found limited observable after-effects as a result of exposing subjects to patterned rhythms across auditory, visual and tactile sensory modalities. The final experiment demonstrated significant after-effects following exposure to perfectly interleaved auditory and visual rhythms. These results collectively demonstrate mechanisms actively underpinning human perception of time and importantly, present evidence of dynamically distributed mechanisms linked to each sensory modality and processing incoming timing signals in a dedicated manner.
Managing Shariah Non-Compliance Risk via Islamic Dispute Resolution

This article discusses Shariah non-compliance risk as a form of operational risk intending to ensure that operations in the Islamic and banking finance industry comply with Shariah procedures. In the field of Islamic finance, Shariah non-compliance risk refers to the possibility that Islamic finance transactions may be challenged based on Shariah non-compliance. This article uses a comparative and normative approach as well as a legal analysis of the case of Beximco. The article proposes the management of Shariah non-compliance risk by augmenting the effectiveness of Shariah governance systems with Islamic banking and finance arbitration; arbitration should be an enforced part of Islamic finance institutional arrangements—as it always has been classically—to provide flexibility for dispute resolution. To this end, the article examines contemporary implementations of Shariah arbitration rules to assess how Shariah non-compliance risk can be better managed via Islamic dispute resolution procedures.
DEJA-VU: Double Feature Presentation and Iterated Loss in Deep Transformer Networks

Deep acoustic models typically receive features in the first layer of the network, and process increasingly abstract representations in the subsequent layers. Here, we propose to feed the input features at multiple depths in the acoustic model. As our motivation is to allow acoustic models to re-examine their input features in light of partial hypotheses we introduce intermediate model heads and loss function. We study this architecture in the context of deep Transformer networks, and we use an attention mechanism over both the previous layer activations and the input features. To train this model's intermediate output hypothesis, we apply the objective function at each layer right before feature re-use. We find that the use of such iterated loss significantly improves performance by itself, as well as enabling input feature re-use. We present results on both Librispeech, and a large scale video dataset, with relative improvements of 10 - 20% for Librispeech and 3.2 - 13% for videos.
Synthesis and Characteristics of Local Fly Ash Based Geopolymers Mixed with Natural Aggregates

Global industrialization generates large amount of waste which strongly affects the depositing areas and the living creatures from the surroundings. In the same time, the construction sector meets an exponential development process, resulting in materials and construction areas increase. Therefore, the need of new materials was felt worldwide. One solution that knew a rapid development, especially in this sector, was to obtain new eco-friendly materials through a mechanism called geopolymerization. True this powerful chemical reaction between a waste, rich in aluminum and silicon, and a strong alkaline solution, a tetragonal structure of Al-O-Si is obtained that possess properties comparable to those of Portland cement-based concrete. In the present paper the effect of aggregates on local fly ash based geopolymers is analyzed from the structure and mechanical properties point of view. According to this study, the aggregates strongly influence the density, compression strength and flexural strength at any age of samples.
ER-Anchored Transcription Factors bZIP17 and bZIP60 Regulate Triterpene Saponin Biosynthesis in Medicago truncatula1[OPEN]

Triterpene saponins (TS) are a structurally diverse group of metabolites that are widely distributed in plants. They primarily serve as defense compounds and their production is often triggered by biotic stresses through signaling cascades that are modulated by phytohormones such as the jasmonates (JA). Two JA-modulated basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors (TFs), TRITERPENE SAPONIN BIOSYNTHESIS ACTIVATING REGULATOR 1 (TSAR1) and TSAR2, have been previously identified as direct activators of TS biosynthesis in the model legume Medicago truncatula. Here, we report on the involvement of the core endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress basic leucine zipper (bZIP) TFs bZIP17 and bZIP60 in the regulation of TS biosynthesis. Expression and processing of M. truncatula bZIP17 and bZIP60 proteins was altered in roots with perturbed TS biosynthesis or treated with JA. Accordingly, such roots displayed an altered ER network structure. M. truncatula bZIP17 and bZIP60 proteins were shown to be capable of interfering with the TSAR-mediated transactivation of TS biosynthesis genes, particularly under ER stress conditions, when they translocate from the ER to the nucleus. Furthermore, the inhibitory role of ER stress bZIP TFs in the regulation of JA-dependent terpene biosynthetic pathways appears to be widespread in the plant kingdom, as we demonstrate that it also occurs in the regulation of monoterpene indole alkaloid biosynthesis in the medicinal plant Catharanthus roseus. We postulate that activation of ER stress bZIP TFs provides the plant with a mechanism to balance metabolic activities and thereby adequately govern modulation of growth, development and defense processes in defined stress situations. One sentence summary ER stress bZIP transcription factors can interfere with the activity of jasmonate-inducible bHLH transcription factors to modulate the elicitation of plant specialized metabolism in stress conditions.
Analysis of surgical treatment and prognostic factors for hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was the most common primary malignant liver tumor. The portal vein thrombosis (PVTT) of 10–40% were detected when HCC is exactly diagnosed. The patients whose PVTT existed in main branch of portal vein had poor prognosis. Whether hepatectomy could improve the survival rate of patients of HCC with PVTT was currently unknown. This study was to explore the prognosis and affecting factors of HCC with PVTT after liver resection. Methods: The clinical data of 81 patients who were performed surgical treatment because of HCC with PVTT were analyzed retrospectively. All patients were followed up. Kaplan-Meier curve (log rank test) was used to survival analysis. The factor of P Results: The median survival time of HCC with PVTT after hepatectomy was 11.0 months, and the disease-free survival (DFS) time of HCC with PVTT after hepatectomy was 4.2 months. During follow-up, HCC recurrence and metastasis were happened in 78 patients while intrahepatic recurrence and metastasis were happened in 56 patients (71.8%). The 2-year overall survival (OS) rates of patients who received the treatment of Sorafenib and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and symptomatic treatment after recurrence were 50.0%, 18.5% and 0% (P=0.000), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that surgical margins and Cheng’s classification for PVTT were independent factors on the DFS time for patients of the HCC with PVVT, while histological differentiation, Cheng’s classification for PVTT and the modalities were independent factors on the OS time. Subgroup analysis revealed that there were not statistically significant difference (P>0.05) for the DFS and OS time of patients between the type I and II of the Cheng’s classification for PVTT. However, there were significantly difference (P Conclusions: Cheng’s classification for PVTT and the mode of treatments after the recurrence were independent factors on the survival of patients of HCC with PVTT. The individual treatments based on multidisciplinary team (MDT) could effectively extend the survival time of patients of HCC with PVTT.
Blood and plasma volumes in normal west African dwarf sheep

Blood and plasma volumes were determined using T-1824 in 36 normal adult West African Dwarf sheep. In the rams, dry ewes, pregnant ewes and lactating ewes, the mean values for the blood volume (ml/kg body weight) were 64.08 ± 6.11, 55.74 ± 9.31, 71.46 ± 6.46 and 147.12 ± 12.79 respectively, while the mean values for the plasma volume (ml/kg body weight) were 45.70 ± 6.37, 40.16 ± 7.03, 43.10 ± 3.12 and 96.16 ± 6.55 respectively. Anaemia during pregnancy was not observed in these sheep, while as lactation advanced, the strain of lactation reduced the body weight in the lactating ewes and caused a progressive reduction in the blood and plasma volumes in these animals.
PENGARUH BAURAN PEMASARAN TERHADAP KEPUASAN DAN KEPERCAYAAN SERTA DAMPAKNYA PADA LOYALITAS KONSUMEN

Marketing mix and customer satisfaction are two of the factors that are thought to be relatively large in influencing trust and have a large impact on loyalty. To prove the effect of each variable, this research was conducted with the aim to determine the effect of marketing mix, satisfaction and trust and its impact on loyalty. This research was conducted at Harvest City Housing by taking a sample of 100 consumers as research samples. The research used in this study is a causal type explanatory research that seeks to test the influence of variables in a structural model. The study was conducted by testing one exogenous variable and three endogenous variables. The research resulted in the findings of the model analysis results are feasible due to the influence of marketing mix, satisfaction and trust and their impact on consumer loyalty in the equation model 0.805 MM + 1-0.83 R2 = 0.17, 0.440 MM + 0.364 SC + error 0.89 R2 0.11 and 0.137 MM + 0.223 SC + 0.519 TR + error 0.82 R2 0.18 where: 1) The marketing mix affects satisfaction. 2) Marketing mix influences trust. 3). The marketing mix has no effect on loyalty. 4). Satisfaction does not affect Trust 5) Satisfaction does not affect loyalty. 6). Trust influences loyalty. Based on these findings, it is suggested to improve loyalty to improve the quality of the marketing mix, customer satisfaction and trust. Keywords : Marketing Mix, Satisfaction, Trust and Loyalty.
Long-term ecological consequences of forest fires in the continuous permafrost zone of Siberia

Wildfires are an important factor in controlling forest ecosystem dynamics across the circumpolar boreal zone. An improved understanding of their direct and indirect, short- to long-term impacts on vegetation cover and permafrost–vegetation coupling is particularly important to predict changes in carbon, nutrient and water cycles under projected climate warming. Here, we apply dendrochronological techniques on a multi-parameter dataset to reconstruct the effect of wildfires on tree growth and seasonal permafrost thaw depth in Central Siberia. Based on annually-resolved and absolutely dated information from 19 Gmelin larch (Larix gmelinii (Rupr.) Rupr. ) trees and active soil layer thickness measurements, we find substantial stand-level die-off, as well as the removal of ground vegetation and the organic layer following a major wildfire in 1896. Reduced stem growth coincides with increased δ13C in the cellulose of the surviving trees during the first decade after the wildfire, when stomatal conductance was reduced. The next six to seven decades are characterized by increased permafrost active soil layer thickness. During this period of post-wildfire ecosystem recovery, enhanced tree growth together with positive δ13C and negative δ18O trends are indicative of higher rates of photosynthesis and improved water supply. Afterwards, a thinner active soil layer leads to reduced growth because tree physiological processes become limited by summer temperature and water availability. Revealing long-term effects of forest fires on active soil layer thickness, ground vegetation composition and tree growth, this study demonstrates the importance of complex vegetation–permafrost interactions that modify the trajectory of post-fire forest recovery across much of the circumpolar boreal zone. To further quantify the influence of boreal wildfires on large-scale carbon cycle dynamics, future work should consider a wide range of tree species from different habitats in the high-northern latitudes.
Climate Change and U.S. Agriculture: Accounting for Multi-dimensional Slope Heterogeneity in Production Functions

We study potential impacts of future climate change on U.S. agricultural productivity using county-level yield and weather data from 1950 to 2015. To account for adaptation of production to different weather conditions, it is crucial to allow for both spacial and temporal variation in the production process mapping weather to crop yields. We present a new panel data estimation technique, called mean observation OLS (MO-OLS) that allows for spatial and temporal heterogeneity in all regression parameters (intercepts and slopes). Both forms of heterogeneity are important: We find strong evidence that production function parameters adapt to local climate, and also that sensitivity of yield to high temperature declined from 1950-89. We use our estimates to project corn yields to 2100 using 19 climate models and three greenhouse gas emission scenarios. We predict unmitigated climate change will greatly reduce yield. Our mean prediction (over climate models) is that adaptation alone can mitigate 36% of the damage, while emissions reductions consistent with the Paris targets would mitigate 76%.
On stability and damage behavior of asymmetric sandwich panels under uniaxial compression

In practical applications, asymmetric sandwich panels with tapered and junction regions are frequently used. Under uniaxial compressions, asymmetric sandwich panels are collapsed with complex failure mechanism, and its mechanical behaviour is affected by tapered regions. For structure safety consideration, it is necessary to systematically investigate the stability and damage behavior of full-scaled asymmetric sandwich panels under uniaxial compression experimentally and numerically. For comparison, symmetric sandwich panels were also studied. Quasi-static compression tests and numerical modeling were conducted. Experimental data were sufficiently recorded and carefully analyzed. Meanwhile a nonlinear finite element model was advanced for evaluating stability and predicting failure behaviours and load-bearing capacity of test specimen. Comparisons between numerical predictions and experimental measurements showed that a good agreement was achieved. The tapered region had significant influence on stability behavior and load-bearing capacity. It intensified the asymmetry and introduced additional bending moments into asymmetric sandwich panels and thus caused early local buckling. Thicker core thickness enhanced the structural stiffness and load-bearing capacity. Large amounts of matrix cracking, fibre push-out and core-skin delamination were captured in asymmetric sandwich panels. Overall, buckling occurred in symmetric sandwich panels instead of local buckling in asymmetric sandwich panels, and brittle fibre breakage dominated the failure.
Perspectives of key stakeholders about vocational training and rehabilitation in Trinidad and Tobago

Introduction Vocational training and rehabilitation programs are effective in increasing employability and community participation of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Much of the research on effective programming has been conducted in high-income countries with resources targeted at individuals with intellectual disabilities. Although Trinidad and Tobago is a high-income country, there is a dearth of services and resources available to individuals with intellectual disabilities. This article explores stakeholder perspectives on the current status of vocational training and rehabilitation programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities in Trinidad and Tobago. Method Participants from diverse groups were identified through snowball sampling. Data were collected in the form of semi-structured interviews conducted in person in Trinidad and Tobago and ranging from 45 to 75 minutes in duration. Interviews followed a loose structure of open-ended questions and the person–environment–occupation model helped inform the questions. Results Thirty participants completed the interviews including clients, parents, teachers, principals, non-governmental organization representatives and occupational therapists. Several themes and subthemes emerged including balancing the need for inclusion and segregation, stigma, social policy, issues in current vocational services and independence and expectations. Conclusion Vocational services in Trinidad and Tobago face many challenges including resource shortages and meeting the varying needs of clients. They also provide important safe spaces for socialization and acceptance. Resources are needed to improve the level of current services and to help address the competing and at times contradictory goals of differing stakeholders.
Colorectal Cancer on Instagram: A Content Analysis

Abstract Instagram, an image-based platform has been studied in varied areas; however, a search of the literature identified a gap in colorectal cancer specifically. The purpose of this study was to describe the content on Instagram related to colorectal cancer. The most regularly occurring content involved displaying support for those with colorectal cancer (n = 81), highlighting an individual story (n = 67), and discussing treatment (n = 37). Posts that contained photos of people were more likely to highlight an individual story (p < 0.001), discuss support (p = 0.006), and discuss treatment (p = 0.006). The emergence of health content on social media warrants attention from public health practitioners.
Consistency of Response in the COMPASS Study [Breath Powered™ Nasal Delivery of 22 mg Sumatriptan Powder (AVP-825) Versus 100 mg Oral Sumatriptan in Acute Migraine: A Comparative Clinical Trial] (S23.001)

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate consistency of pain response at early timepoints across multiple migraine attacks for AVP-825 vs. sumatriptan 100mg oral tablets in the COMPASS study. BACKGROUND: AVP-825 is an investigational Breath Powered™ device delivering low-dose sumatriptan powder deep into the nasal cavity, enabling rapid systemic absorption. Compared with 100mg oral sumatriptan, AVP-825 showed significantly greater benefits on the COMPASS primary endpoint (SPID-30). DESIGN/METHODS: Multicenter, double-dummy, crossover study with two 12-week treatment periods. Patients received AVP-825 or oral sumatriptan 100mg tablets plus complimentary placeboes in period-1 then switched treatment for period-2. Patients treated ≤5 qualifying migraines/period within 1 hour of headache onset. Multi-attack pain relief and pain freedom rates were estimated for the first 2 attacks, 蠅2 of the first 3 attacks, and 3 of the first 3 attacks in each period. Comparisons assessed using McNemar9s test. RESULTS: 185 patients were treated in both periods (full analysis set; 1531 migraine attacks treated). For patients treating 蠅2 attacks in each period (n=165 patients each group), AVP-825 was superior to oral sumatriptan in rate of pain relief (37.6[percnt] vs. 18.8[percnt], P<.0001) and pain freedom (10.9[percnt] vs. 3.0[percnt], P=.0072) at 30-minutes post-dose for the first two attacks. For patients treating 蠅3 attacks in each period (n=140 patients each group), AVP-825 was superior to oral sumatriptan at 30 minutes post-dose for headache relief (51.4[percnt] vs. 33.6[percnt], P=.0002) and pain freedom (15.7[percnt] vs. 6.4[percnt], P=.015) in 蠅2 of the first 3 migraine attacks treated, and for pain relief (27.1[percnt] vs. 12.1[percnt], P=.0002) at 30 minutes post-dose in 3 of the first 3 migraine attacks treated. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with oral sumatriptan, AVP-825 resulted in more consistent pain freedom and pain relief across multiple migraine attacks within 30 minutes of treatment. Consistent rapid relief suggests the pharmacokinetic advantage of Breath Powered delivery of sumatriptan powder. Support: Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Disclosure: Dr. Lipton has received personal compensation for activities with Allergan, Inc., American Headache Society, Autonomic Technologies, Boston Scientific Corp., Bristol-Myers Squibb, CogniMed Inc., Colucid Pharmaceuticals, Eli Lilly & Company, eNeura Therape Dr. Buse has received personal compensation for activities with Allergan and American Headache Society. Dr. Buse9s employer has received research support from Allergan, Zogenix, Novartis, National Headache Founation, and Vedanta Research. Dr. Shulman has received personal compensation for activities with Avanir Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Siffert has received personal compensation for activities with Avanir Pharmaceuticals as an employee.
The use of tumor growth rate (TGR) in evaluating sorafenib and everolimus treatment in mRCC patients: An integrated analysis of the TARGET and RECORD phase III trials data.

4540 Background: RECIST criteria may not be sufficient to evaluate targeted therapies in mRCC. TGR includes the time between each evaluation and is expected to overcome some of the RECIST pitfalls. How TGR is modified under targeted therapies and how it correlates with outcome in mRCC remains unknown. Methods: Medical records from all patients (pts) prospectively treated at Institut Gustave Roussy (IGR) in the TARGET (n=84) and in the RECORD (n= 52) phase III trials were extracted. Results were subsequently validated in the entire TARGET cohort (TARGET) (n=902). TGR was computed by dividing tumor shrinkage by the time between the two related evaluations (% RECIST x 100 / days). Typical treatment periods were assessed: BEFORE treatment (wash-out), UNDER treatment (first cycle), at PROGRESSION (pts still receiving the drug) and AFTER treatment interruption (wash-out). Results: As compared to placebo, TGR UNDER was significantly decreased following sorafenib (-23.6 vs. 20 (IGR) and -19 vs. 22 (TARGET)) and e.