Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Electroencephalographic Responses to Photographs: A Case Study of Three Women with Distinct Adult Attachment Interview Classifications

This preliminary study explored whether neurophysiological responses to visual stimuli, including attachment-related pictures, differed based on attachment status. Along with self-reported valence ratings and reaction times, recorded electroencephalographic (EEG) responses to a total of 100 images, 25 each of Positive, Negative, Neutral, and Personal (each participant's parents and child), were analyzed within and among three mothers with three attachment statuses (Dismissing, Preoccupied, and Secure), as judged by the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI). All three mothers gave their highest pleasantness ratings for Personal photographs. However, differences emerged when cross-region Alpha2 activation patterns in response to each picture type were compared amongst attachment categories. Alpha2 activation recorded during viewing of the participants' children's photographs was similar to viewing Negative pictures for mothers with insecure (Dismissing and Preoccupied) status; whereas the Alpha2 activation of the mother with Secure status towards photographs of her child was similar to Positive pictures. Different patterns of hemispheric asymmetry in Betal frequency when processing different picture types were also found. The mother with Dismissing status showed significantly stronger left-hemisphere Betal activation across all image types. The Preoccupied mother showed significantly stronger right-hemisphere Betal activation for all but the Neutral images, during which activation did not differ between the two hemispheres. The mother with Secure status showed significantly stronger Betal activation in the left hemisphere for all but parental Personal photos, during which activation did not differ between the two hemispheres. Implications from the current findings and future research possibilities are discussed.
Mitochondrial Depolarization Accompanies Cytochrome cRelease During Apoptosis in PC6 Cells*

Cytochrome c is released from mitochondria into the cytosol in cells undergoing apoptosis. The temporal relationship between cytochrome c release and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential was monitored by laser-scanning confocal microscopy in single living pheochromocytoma-6 cells undergoing apoptosis induced by staurosporine. Mitochondrial membrane potential monitored by tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester decreased abruptly in individual cells from 2 to 7 h after treatment with staurosporine. Depolarization was accompanied by cytochromec release documented by release of transfected green fluorescent protein-tagged cytochrome c in these cells. The results show that mitochondrial depolarization accompanies cytochromec release in pheochromocytoma-6 cells undergoing apoptosis.
Angle dependent switching of granular and multilayer perpendicular media

In this paper we extend our study to include the external field angle dependence of the time independent switching field, H/sub swo(/spl theta/)/, for granular and multilayer perpendicular media. Comparison of H/sub swo(/spl theta/)/ with a calculated head field provides further insight to the technologically important issues of transition definition and side-writing of adjacent tracks for these two classes of perpendicular recording media.
A new analytical framework for studying protocol diversity in P2P networks

Thanks to years of research and development, current peer-to-peer (P2P) networks are anything but a homogeneous system from a protocol perspective. Specifically, even for the same P2P system (e.g., BitTorrent), a large number of protocol variants have been designed based on game theoretic considerations with the objective to gain performance advantages. We envision that such variants could be deployed by selfish participants and interact with the original prescribed protocol as well as among them. Consequently, a meta-strategic situation - judiciously selection of different protocol variants - will emerge. In this work, we propose a general framework, Migration, based on evolutionary game theory to study the coevolution of peers for selfish protocol selection, and, most importantly, its impact on system performance. We apply Migration to P2P systems and draw on extensive simulations to characterize the dynamics of selfish protocol selection. The revealed evolution patterns shed light on both theoretical study and practical system design.
Amplifiable resistance to tetracycline, chloramphenicol, and other antibiotics in Escherichia coli: involvement of a non-plasmid-determined efflux of tetracycline

Increasing levels of resistance to tetracycline and to a number of other unrelated antibiotics, including chloramphenicol, beta-lactams, puromycin, and nalidixic acid, occurred in Escherichia coli after 50 to 200 generations of growth in the presence of subinhibitory concentrations of tetracycline or chloramphenicol. In the absence of selective pressure, resistances fell to low levels within 100 generations of growth. This amplification of resistance was observed in laboratory and naturally occurring E. coli strains as well as in polA and recA strains. With the exception of previously identified cmlA and cmlB mutations, tetracycline or chloramphenicol resistances were not P1 transducible. Coincident with the emergence of resistance was the appearance of a previously cryptic energy-dependent efflux system for tetracycline. The expression of resistance phenotypes and the tetracycline efflux system were temperature sensitive at 42 degrees C.
Modelling spatial economic effects of transport infrastructure policies : a computable general equilibrium approach

The purpose of this doctoral thesis is to suggest and operationalise several important extensions and improvements in the methodology used to evaluate regional economic effects of the large-scale transport infrastructure and pricing policies. The main contributions are divided into the static modelling part and the dynamic modelling part. In the static modelling part, our focus is on the implications of the assumptions of partial capital mobility and wage rigidity for the evaluation of border-crossing infrastructure projects. In particular, we introduce a negative relationship between the regional real wage and the unemployment rate, usually called the "wage curve", into the model. We show that including these assumptions substantially increases the magnitude of the indirect effects predicted by the model. We also identify and describe the mechanisms governing these effects. In the dynamic modelling part, we make a first attempt to introduce full forward-looking dynamics into the spatial CGE modelling framework by specifying the intertemporal optimization problems of the households and the firms. This framework also allows us to rep-resent incomplete capital mobility in a more plausible way than in the static model by introducing the costs of investment. We perform numerical simulations in order to study the properties of the model, and to understand the added value of this approach as compared to static analysis. Both models are employed to analyse the economic impacts of the Fehmarn Belt railway axis project, in particular the indirect effects thereof.
Laparoscopic Harvesting of Jejunal Free Flaps

We studied the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic jejunal free flap harvesting with total intracorporeal small-bowel anastomosis in an animal model. Eight dogs underwent laparoscopic resection of 8 to 15 cm of jejunum with endoscopic GIA anastomoses and jejunal segment harvesting through the periumbilical laparoscopic port. In six animals, the harvested jejunum was implanted subcutaneously and revascularized by anastomosis of the mesenteric artery and vein to the femoral vessels. Both the microvascular and intracorporeal jejunal anastomoses were studied at 10 days. Mean laparoscopic operative time was 2.9 hours, with the last five procedures all completed in fewer than 2 hours. Mean ischemic time was 1.9 hours. The laparoscopically performed small-bowel anastomoses were all successful. All dogs took regular diets within 1 day, with normal bowel function returning by the second day. Both clinically and histologically, the bowel wall and mesenteric vessels of all the segments harvested demonstrated no injury despite their laparoscopic harvest. Five of the free flaps remained fully viable at 10 days. One flap failed after prolapse of the flap resulting from inadequate fixation. Laparoscopic harvesting of the jejunal free flap is safe and efficacious and offers all of the potential advantages of laparoscopic abdominal surgery.
Prediction of personality disorder traits by psychosis proneness scales in a German sample of young adults.

Prior research has focused on schizophrenia-spectrum disorder traits in psychosis-prone subjects. The whole range of personality disorders were only explored in patient samples and with the relatives of patients. In light of this situation, the predictive value of Physical Anhedonia (PhA), Perceptual Aberration (PER), and Magical Ideation (MI) for personality disorder traits were examined dimensionally and categorically in a non-patient sample. We selected a non-student sample (n = 404) and focused on two risk groups (PhA: n = 14; combined PER/MI: n = 36), and a control group (n = 19) using the SCID II to assess personality disorders at a time period two years later. MI explained most of the variance in clinically relevant schizotypal personality disorder symptoms, while PER and PhA dimensionally were associated with the number of diagnostic criteria met for other personality disorders. While both risk groups exceeded the control group in clinically relevant borderline traits, only the PER/MI-individuals differed in fulfilling more criteria for schizotypal personality disorder.
A methodology for identification and localization of partial discharge sources using optical sensors

The present work represents a methodology to detect the location of single as well as multiple Partial Discharge (PD) sources by optical method and to investigate the performance of optical sensors for this purpose. An experimental setup has been arranged in the laboratory for generation of PDs, optical sensing and analysis of the recorded signals obtained from multiple optical sensors. The analysis results prove the effectiveness of the methodology using optical sensors to find whether PD is occurring at single location or multiple locations. For identification of PD locations pattern recognition technique has been utilized by considering the received optical energy as a feature. For feature selection and classification two techniques have been evaluated, viz. Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) and Support Vector Machine (SVM), and both have shown promising performance. SVM in regression mode was used for identification of unknown PD location/locations. In this case average accuracy obtained was 92.6% when PD is occurring at one location and 80.1% when PD is occurring at two locations. The obtained results indicate that, the proposed methodology can be used to locate partial discharges in high voltage equipment where the optical signals due to discharges find a path to get radiated towards the outer surface.
A Dominant Role of Toll-Like Receptor 4 in the Signaling of Apoptosis in Bacteria-Faced Macrophages 1

Conserved bacterial components potently activate host immune cells through transmembrane Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which trigger a protective immune response but also may signal apoptosis. In this study, we investigated the roles of TLR2 and TLR4 as inducers of apoptosis in Yersinia enterocolitica-infected macrophages. Yersiniae suppress activation of the antiapoptotic NF-κB signaling pathway in host cells by inhibiting inhibitory κB kinase-β. This leads to macrophage apoptosis under infection conditions. Experiments with mouse macrophages deficient for TLR2, TLR4, or both receptors showed that, although yersiniae could activate signaling through both TLR2 and TLR4, loss of TLR4 solely diminished Yersinia-induced apoptosis. This suggests implication of TLR4, but not of TLR2, as a proapoptotic signal transducer in Yersinia-conferred cell death. In the same manner, agonist-specific activation of TLR4 efficiently mediated macrophage apoptosis in the presence of the proteasome inhibitor MG-132, an effect that was less pronounced for activation through TLR2. Furthermore, the extended stimulation of overexpressed TLR4 elicited cellular death in epithelial cells. A dominant-negative mutant of Fas-associated death domain protein could suppress TLR4-mediated cell death, which indicates that TLR4 may signal apoptosis through a Fas-associated death domain protein-dependent pathway. Together, these data show that TLR4 could act as a potent inducer of apoptosis in macrophages that encounter a bacterial pathogen.
Interleukin-18 gene promoter polymorphisms and the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Background. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is multifactorial, and the genetic background may be a crucial etiologic factor. Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a multifunctional cytokine that induces interferon (IFN)-gamma secretion and plays an important role in antitumor immunity. Variations in the DNA sequence in the IL-18 gene promoter may lead to altered IL-18 production and/or activity, and so this can modulate an individual's susceptibility to ESCC. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the relationship of IL-18 gene promoter −137 G/C and −607 C/A polymorphisms and their haplotypes with the risk of ESCC in a Chinese population. Methods. Two hundred and thirty five patients with ESCC and 250 age- and sex-matched controls, using sequence specific primers-polymerase chain reaction (PCR-SSP). Results. Two polymorphisms, −137 G/C and −607 C/A were in strong linkage disequilibrium (LD). There were significantly differences in the genotype and allele distribution of −137 G/C polymorphism of the IL-18 gene among cases and controls. The −137 GC and CC genotypes were associated with a significantly increased risk of ESCC as compared with the −137 GG genotypes (OR = 1.91, 95% CI, 1.29–2.82, p = 0.001 and OR = 2.95, 95% CI, 1.23–7.04, p = 0.012, respectively). Consistent with the results of the genotyping analyses, the −137 C/ − 607 A haplotype was associated with a significantly increased risk of ESCC as compared with the −137G/ − 607 C haplotype (OR = 1.61; 95% CI, 1.16–2.23; p = 0.004). Conclusion. This study shows for the first time an association between IL-18 gene promoter −137 G/C polymorphism may contribute represent a genetic risk factor for ESCC in a Chinese population.
Happenstance and the cognitive-affective personality system: optimizing chance in vocational education

The paper maps and compares vocational education and training cost-sharing mechanisms and regulatory instruments across the 12 newer EU Member States (Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovenia and Slovakia). It establishes which mechanisms and instruments are more successful and identifies shortcomings in their governance. Extensively using qualitative (literature review, surveys of VET experts) methods, the paper reviews and evaluates the developments of costsharing schemes in the newer EU Member States and provides recommendations to improve VET cost-sharing policies.
Contingent valuation and motivation analysis of tourist routes

The purpose of this research is to determine the economic value assigned to the historical heritage of Valdivia (Chile) by tourists visiting the city. For this, the contingent valuation method is used, proposing a scenario of guided tours suitable to attempt to evaluate physically dispersed urban heritage which is also difficult to define as a tourism product, given its diversity. A double-bounded dichotomous choice format is employed to formulate the valuation question, and willingness to pay (WTP) is estimated using parametric techniques. The study is complemented by segmentation analysis for the main reasons why tourists visit the city of Valdivia, applying the contingency tables method. The results suggest that there is no statistically significant difference in the WTP for the three historical and cultural routes offered and show a higher WTP for foreign tourists compared with domestic tourists as well as for those with higher incomes. Moreover, segmentation analysis shows that the level of education and origin of the tourists interviewed are significant variables in characterizing the reason for their visit.
Performance Analysis of Some Batch Verification Methods of Digital Signatures

In this paper, we compare three methods in detecting invalid signatures in batch verification. The first method, randomly select test, randomly chooses a half of signatures to verify in a batch. The second method is the small exponent test which is widely used. The third method, randomly numbering test, is a simplified method of the matrix-detection algorithm. The randomly numbering test randomizes the order of the signatures and verifies the signatures in log k+1 batches where k is the number of signatures. We simulate each method and analyze the efficiency of the methods. As a result, randomly numbering test is more efficient than small exponent test when the number of signatures in a batch verification is large.
The Effects of Altruism and Social Background in an Online-Based, Pay-What-You-Want Situation

Pay-What-You-Want (PWYW) is a participative pricing mechanism that leaves it up to the customer to choose a purchase price. Presently, the factors that influence customers’ willingness to pay are still not completely understood. This study examines the degree to which willingness to pay in an anonymous PWYW purchase situation on the Internet is influenced by the social motif of altruism and communication that as a part of the purchase price, will be donated to a charitable institution identified in advance. We hypothesized that altruism as well as a social background exerted an increasing impact on willingness to pay. A specific purchase situation in which the social background was manipulated was simulated by using online surveys. Altruism was measured using a 7-point Likert-type scale. The sample consisted of 403 participants, predominantly students and young adult employees. We found that communication of a social background led to a highly significant increase in willingness to pay (p p
Approximate Control of Formations of Multiagent systems

In this paper we are investigating how the local controllability properties of each agent interplays with the motion feasibility of the complete multiagent system, studying systems that are either small time locally controllable (STLC), or locally controllable but in bounded time. We present an approximation strategy, which allows us to plan the motion of the system using fully actuated holonomic vehicles, and to incorporate the constraints on the motion of the agents in a latter step, satisfying the formation constraints arbitrarily well. We apply this approximation strategy to tracking both static trajectories or arbitrary moving references.
Computational approaches for RNA energy parameter estimation.

Methods for efficient and accurate prediction of RNA structure are increasingly valuable, given the current rapid advances in understanding the diverse functions of RNA molecules in the cell. To enhance the accuracy of secondary structure predictions, we developed and refined optimization techniques for the estimation of energy parameters. We build on two previous approaches to RNA free-energy parameter estimation: (1) the Constraint Generation (CG) method, which iteratively generates constraints that enforce known structures to have energies lower than other structures for the same molecule; and (2) the Boltzmann Likelihood (BL) method, which infers a set of RNA free-energy parameters that maximize the conditional likelihood of a set of reference RNA structures. Here, we extend these approaches in two main ways: We propose (1) a max-margin extension of CG, and (2) a novel linear Gaussian Bayesian network that models feature relationships, which effectively makes use of sparse data by sharing statistical strength between parameters. We obtain significant improvements in the accuracy of RNA minimum free-energy pseudoknot-free secondary structure prediction when measured on a comprehensive set of 2518 RNA molecules with reference structures. Our parameters can be used in conjunction with software that predicts RNA secondary structures, RNA hybridization, or ensembles of structures. Our data, software, results, and parameter sets in various formats are freely available at http://www.cs. ubc.ca/labs/beta/Projects/RNA-Params.
Applying the multi-level perspective on socio-technical transitions to rentier states: the case of renewable energy transitions in Nigeria

ABSTRACT Although numerous studies have been conducted in recent years on energy transitions, they have been predominately developed and applied in industrialized countries. It is however important to examine the applicability of transition theories, as they are currently formulated, beyond OECD countries. This paper analyses renewable energy transitions in Africa, using Nigeria as a case study, to elucidate the analytical and methodological challenges that sustainability transition studies are facing in developing countries, particularly rentier states. In doing so, the paper employs the lens of the multi-level perspective (MLP) on socio-technical transitions - a well-established theory that emphasizes the role of ‘niches’, ‘regimes’ and ‘landscapes’ in instituting transitions. Based on a detailed analysis of Nigeria, we argue for a more nuanced enquiry of the construct ‘regime’ that better accounts for the rentier character of the state including the role of political elites and prevalent client-patron relationships. As such, our paper makes an important contribution to the further refinement and enrichment of the MLP by focusing on the political dimensions of energy transitions.
I'm in a Hurry, I Don't Want to Know! The Effects of Time Pressure and Transparency on Self-Serving Behavior

In a laboratory experiment, using a game in which a “decider” determines her own payoff and the payoff of a “stakeholder” by choosing between two payoff allocations, we analyze the effect of time pressure on self-serving behavior under two transparency conditions. Under “transparent consequences” the decider instantly observes that her payoff maximizing (“self-serving”) option is payoff minimizing for the stakeholder. Under “hidden consequences” there is initial uncertainty whether that option is payoff minimizing or maximizing for the stakeholder, but the information is obtainable at no cost. We find that (i) time pressure has no effect under transparent consequences, but (ii) significantly increases self-serving behavior under hidden consequences, (iii) despite having no effect on the frequency of information revelation. These results have major ramifications for organizational design and contribute to the understanding of the cognitive and motivational aspects of pro-social behavior.