Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Why the youth are so eager for university education? Evidence from Iran’s labor market

In this article we estimate the wage difference between over-educated and adequately educated workers in a sample of semi-skilled and low skill occupations in Iran’s labor market. Our results show that the over-educated workers in these job categories enjoy a wage premium in the range of 10% to 25% for their excess education. While this relative advantage has gradually declined for private sector employees over (2001-2014), it has remained stable for public sector jobs. The result is attributable to the fact that salary and benefits for public sector employees are directly linked to education attainment and their work experience. Our findings offer an explanation for the strong desire of Iranian youth for university education. If a university graduate finds a job that matched her specialization she will enjoy a higher salary than a high school graduate. If she cannot find an adequate job and has to accept a job for which she is over-educated, she still enjoys a wage premium over her co-workers who are not over-educated. We observe that the over-education wage premium is larger for public sector employees.
Navigation for Occupational Safety in Harsh Industrial Environments

The importance of location based services (LBS) has largely increased for consumer applications and becoming more and more relevant in industrial applications. For example location dependent information can support occupational safety staff to ensure the safety at work in emergency scenarios. In outdoor environments localization can be obtained easily by using a global navigation satellite system (GNSS). For harsh indoor environments, however, where most industrial applications require localization, an accurate localization remains a challenge in general. In this paper we present a hybrid localization system enabling navigation in challenging environments. The hybrid system fuses received signal strength (RSS) based wireless sensor network (WSN) ranging and a foot mounted inertial measurement unit (IMU). The key contribution of this paper is a hybrid localization concept and experimental results using a deployed system in an industrial environment. We characterize the wireless sensor network signal propagation and evaluate the magnetic field for heading stabilization in such environments. The accuracy analysis shows a typical error of 2 meters. In comparison to a pure inertial navigation system (INS) approach, we demonstrate the enhancements introduced by the combination of an inertial navigation system and a wireless sensor network received signal strength based localization.
Increased Activity of Chromatin-bound Ribonucleic Acid Polymerase from Soybean Hypocotyl with Spermidine and High Ionic Strength.

Optimal activity of chromatin-bound RNA polymerase from soybeans is obtained with 1 mm Mn(2-), but only when high ionic strength or polyamines are included in the medium. Such inclusion does not increase the Mg(2+) activation of the polymerase, but it does lower the concentration needed for optimum activity from 10 mm to 1 mm. Mg(2-) activation is inhibited by added Mn(2+), and the inhibition is relieved by high ionic strength or spermidine. The RNA polymerase with either cation is almost entirely polymerase I at low and high ionic strength as evidenced by insensitivity to alpha-amanitin. Treatment of soybean seedlings with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid does not change these characteristics; although the activity rises 3- to 4-fold.It is suggested that chromatin as prepared here may be a selected fraction enriched in polymerase I, which is activated by either Mg(2+) or Mn(2+), and that the Mn(2-) inhibition of activity is due to a known reaction of Mn(2-) with DNA which can be relieved by high ionic strength.
Dense Uncertainty Estimation via an Ensemble-based Conditional Latent Variable Model

Uncertainty estimation has been extensively studied in recent literature, which can usually be classified as aleatoric uncertainty and epistemic uncertainty. In current aleatoric uncertainty estimation frameworks, it is often neglected that the aleatoric uncertainty is an inherent attribute of the data and can only be correctly estimated with an unbiased oracle model. Since the oracle model is inaccessible in most cases, we propose a new sampling and selection strategy at train time to approximate the oracle model for aleatoric uncertainty estimation. Further, we show a trivial solution in the dual-head based heteroscedastic aleatoric uncertainty estimation framework and introduce a new uncertainty consistency loss to avoid it. For epistemic uncertainty estimation, we argue that the internal variable in a conditional latent variable model is another source of epistemic uncertainty to model the predictive distribution and explore the limited knowledge about the hidden true model. We validate our observation on a dense prediction task, i.e., camouflaged object detection. Our results show that our solution achieves both accurate deterministic results and reliable uncertainty estimation.
A critical analysis of e-government evaluation models at national and local municipal levels

Abstract: The importance of e-government models lies in their offering a basis to measure and guide e-government. There is still no agreement on how to assess a government online. Most of the e-government models are not based on research, nor are they validated. In most countries, e-government has not reached higher stages of growth. Several scholars have shown a confusing picture of e-government. What is lacking is an in-depth analysis of e-government models. Responding to the need for such an analysis, this study identifies the strengths and weaknesses of major national and local e-government evaluation models. The common limitations of most models are focusing on the government and not the citizen, missing qualitative measures, constructing the e-equivalent of a bureaucratic administration, and defining general criteria without sufficient validations. In addition, this study has found that the metrics defined for national e-government are not suitable for municipalities, and most of the existing studies have focused on national e-governments even though local ones are closer to citizens. There is a need for developing a good theoretical model for both national and local municipal e-government.
Nonstationary Brain Source Separation for Multiclass Motor Imagery

This paper describes a method to recover task-related brain sources in the context of multiclass brain--computer interfaces (BCIs) based on noninvasive EEG. We extend the method joint approximate diagonalization (JAD) for spatial filtering using a maximum likelihood framework. This generic formulation: 1) bridges the gap between the common spatial patterns (CSPs) and blind source separation of nonstationary sources; and 2) leads to a neurophysiologically adapted version of JAD, accounting for the successive activations/deactivations of brain sources during motor imagery (MI) trials. Using dataset 2a of BCI Competition IV (2008) in which nine subjects were involved in a four-class two-session MI-based BCI experiment, a quantitative evaluation of our extension is provided by comparing its performance against JAD and CSP in the case of cross-validation, as well as session-to-session transfer. While JAD, as already proposed in other works, does not prove to be significantly better than classical one-versus-rest CSP, our extension is shown to perform significantly better than CSP for cross-validated and session-to-session performance. The extension of JAD introduced in this paper yields among the best session-to-session transfer results presented so far for this particular dataset; thus, it appears to be of great interest for real-life BCIs.
The Effect of Nonmedical Factors on Variations in the Performance of Colonoscopy Among Different Health Care Settings

Background:Previous published studies have shown significant variations in colonoscopy performance, even when medical factors are taken into account. This study aimed to examine the role of nonmedical factors (ie, embodied in health care system design) as possible contributors to variations in colonoscopy performance. Methods:Patient data from a multicenter observational study conducted between 2000 and 2002 in 21 centers in 11 western countries were used. Variability was captured through 2 performance outcomes (diagnostic yield and colonoscopy withdrawal time), jointly studied as dependent variables, using a multilevel 2-equation system. Results:Results showed that open-access systems and high-volume colonoscopy centers were independently associated with a higher likelihood of detecting significant lesions and longer withdrawal durations. Fee for service (FFS) payment was associated with shorter withdrawal durations, and so had an indirect negative impact on the diagnostic yield. Teaching centers exhibited lower detection rates and longer withdrawal times. Conclusions:Our results suggest that gatekeeping colonoscopy is likely to miss patients with significant lesions and that developing specialized colonoscopy units is important to improve performance. Results also suggest that FFS may result in a lower quality of care in colonoscopy practice and highlight the fact that longer withdrawal times do not necessarily indicate higher quality in teaching centers.
A randomized, controlled trial of exercise and education for individuals with fibromyalgia.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of a 6-week exercise and educational program for patients with fibromyalgia. METHODS Forty-one subjects were randomly assigned to the program or served as waiting list controls. Program outcome was assessed with a 6-minute walk test, the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, a Self-Efficacy Scale, and a "knowledge" questionnaire (based on information provided during the educational sessions). Waiting list control subjects subsequently completed the program. Program outcome was reassessed 3 or 6 months post-program. RESULTS The program produced significant improvements in 6-minute walk distance, well-being, fatigue, self-efficacy (for controlling pain and other symptoms), and knowledge. At followup, immediate gains in walk distance, well-being, and self-efficacy were maintained, but gains in fatigue and knowledge were lost. CONCLUSION Short-term exercise and educational programs can produce immediate and sustained benefits for patients with fibromyalgia. The benefits of our program may be due to exercise or education since both interventions were given.
The Hybridization of CdSe/ZnS Quantum Dot on InGaN Light-Emitting Diodes for Color Conversion

We have demonstrated the fabrication and characterization of hybrid CdSe/ZnS quantum dot (QD)-InGaN blue LEDs. The chemically synthesized red light (lambda = 623 nm) QD solutions with different concentrations were dropped onto the blue InGaN LEDs with an emission peak of 453 nm and the turn-on voltage of 2.6 V. In this configuration, the CdSe/ZnS core/shell QDs played the role of a color-conversion center. It was clearly observed that the emission intensity from QDs was increased with increasing QD concentration. With a QD concentration of 10 mg/ml in toluene was incorporated, the ratio of emission intensity of QDs to that of InGaN quantum wells reached 0.17, whereas the Commission Internationale de lpsilaEclairage (CIE) chromaticity coordinates greatly shifted to (0.29, 0.14). From the spatial mapping of electroluminescence spectra, the decrease of the intensity of E QW seems to be faster than that of E QD, which suggests that the QD film thickness may be thicker in the edge of the surface of InGaN chip. There will, therefore, convert higher proportion of blue light to red light. Also, the resin-encapsulated hybrid LEDs have a divergence angle (the full angle at 1/e 2 intensity) of about 20deg as the device is operated at 10 mA. Furthermore, under the injection current of 20 mA and room temperature, this device can be operated for more than 1000 h without any obvious degradation. From our results, it can be proven that the synthesized QDs are promising nanophosphors for color-conversion applications of solid-state LEDs. However, to more efficiently convert the blue light to red light, a denser QD solution with higher quantum yield must be utilized.
Age and gender differences in self‐control and its intergenerational transmission

BACKGROUND Few studies have been conducted in people of Asian descent that have reported to demonstrate the distinct developmental trends in good self-control and poor control. To fill this gap, we conducted a national cross-sectional survey among adolescents and young adults in China to further clarify the age and gender differences in self-control from a dual-systems perspective. METHODS A total of 2910 adolescents (female, n = 1698) and their parents from five different provinces in China were surveyed using the Dual-Modes of Self-Control Scale (DMSC-S) and the Parents' Perceived Self-Control Scale. The mean age of the adolescent sample was 17.47 years (ranging from 12.50 to 25.42 years). RESULTS Boys exhibited greater good self-control than girls. Poor control increased between 12 and 17 years of age and declined thereafter; however, good self-control increased over the entire study period. Both good self-control and poor control in student participants were significantly associated with parents' perceived self-control; moreover, the association between good self-control and parental self-control was mediated by SES. CONCLUSION The roles of age, gender, parental self-control and SES varied in a dual-systems model of self-control: good self-control and poor control. Implications of these results are discussed.
Lithium alters regional rat brain myo-inositol at 2 and 4 weeks: an ex-vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy study at 18.8 T

Lithium has been the mainstay of treatment for bipolar disorder. Early studies suggest that lithium acts via inositol depletion. This study assesses the effect of 1, 2 and 4 weeks of lithium treatment on myo-inositol concentrations across several brain regions. Thirty-six Sprague–Dawley rats were treated for 2 weeks with an intraperitoneal injection of either 1 mmol/kg/day, twice daily lithium chloride (n=18) or placebo (2 ml/kg of saline) (n=18). The rats were separated into three groups: 1 week, 2 weeks and 4 weeks. Brains were dissected into prefrontal, temporal and occipital cortical areas, as well as hippocampus, and analyzed at 18.8 T. Myo-inositol was quantified using the Chenomx Profiler software. Lithium did not alter myo-inositol concentrations at 1 week. A significant reduction exists in myo-inositol concentrations in lithium-treated rats at 2 and 4 weeks, across all four brain regions. Studies suggest brain region-specific alterations in myo-inositol concentrations among bipolar patients. Our findings suggest that lithium-induced reduction of myo-inositol is more global.
The Art and Science of Patient Storytelling—Harnessing Narrative Communication for Behavioral Interventions: The ACCE Project

Narrative communication is an emerging form of persuasive communication used in health education to solicit actual patient stories. Eliciting a narrative is an open-ended process and may or may not map to desired intervention objectives or underlying behavioral constructs. In addition, incorporating actual, unscripted narratives into multimedia interventions is challenging. The authors evaluated a protocol of editing narratives for a multimedia intervention to promote smoking cessation in the African American community that maintains fidelity to the original message and was related to behavioral constructs from social cognitive theory. The authors used four steps: (a) narrative collection (videotaping), (b) narrative review (rating of content), (c) narrative editing (documentary style), and (d) pilot testing (usability and assessment of transportation). The authors videotaped 50 personal smoking cessation narratives. After coding for presence of theoretical constructs, perceived risks of smoking (present in 53% of narratives) was the most common related behavioral construct. Four narratives were chosen for inclusion in the DVD. Pilot testing showed viewers reported high level of transportation into the narrative. The authors found that some behavioral constructs were rare and difficult to solicit in this population but that the final product was engaging to the viewers. Lessons learned may be useful for other video-based behavioral interventions that incorporate personal narratives.
Nuclear pore proteins and the control of genome functions

Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are composed of several copies of proteins called nucleoporins (Nups). NPCs penetrate the nuclear envelope (NE) and regulate the nucleocytoplasmic trafficking of macromolecules, and NPC components influence genome functions in a transport-independent manner. Here, Ibarra and Hetzer discuss genome-related functions of Nups and their impact on essential DNA metabolism processes such as transcription, chromosome duplication, and segregation.
A Closer Look at Loss Weighting in Multi-Task Learning

Multi-Task Learning (MTL) has achieved great success in various fields, however, how to balance different tasks to avoid negative effects is still a key problem. To achieve the task balancing, there exist many works to balance task losses or gradients. In this paper, we unify eight representative task balancing methods from the perspective of loss weighting and provide a consistent experimental comparison. Moreover, we surprisingly find that training a MTL model with random weights sampled from a distribution can achieve comparable performance over state-of-the-art baselines. Based on this finding, we propose a simple yet effective weighting strategy called Random Loss Weighting (RLW), which can be implemented in only one additional line of code over existing works. Theoretically, we analyze the convergence of RLW and reveal that RLW has a higher probability to escape local minima than existing models with fixed task weights, resulting in a better generalization ability. Empirically, we extensively evaluate the proposed RLW method on six image datasets and four multilingual tasks from the XTREME benchmark to show the effectiveness of the proposed RLW strategy when compared with state-of-the-art strategies.
Distribution of certain types of occlusal anomalies among Saudi Arabian adolescents in Jeddah city.

OBJECTIVES To assess the distribution of certain types of occlusal anomalies in a sample of Saudi adolescents aged 13-15 years in Jeddah city. DESIGN Across-sectional study. CLINICAL SETTINGS Clinical examination of Saudi adolescents was carried out in the screening clinics, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdul-Aziz University. Occlusal anomalies were recorded according to Björk and Co-workers (1964). PARTICIPANTS 1,024 adolescents aged 13-14 years (608 males and 416 females) were randomly selected from ten intermediate schools. Participants were invited to dental school during the "Annual Dental Health Week" as a part of collaborative efforts between King Abdul-Aziz University and Ministry of Education. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Distribution of post-normal occlusion, pre-normal occlusion, bimaxillary protrusion, overjet, overbite, midline deviation and maxillary and mandibular crowding were calculated for the examined subjects. RESULTS Only 9% of the examined adolescents had normal occlusion. Post-normal occlusion, pre-normal occlusion and bimaxillary protrusion represented 21%, 15% and 8% of the studied sample respectively. Moderate and severe overjet and overbite accounted for 24% & 5% and 27% & 13%, respectively. Midline deviation was detected in 24% of the students. Mild, moderate and severe maxillary and mandibular crowding represented 9%, 26% & 4% and 11%, 38% & 9%, respectively. All the studied occlusal parameters except bimaxillary protrusion were statistically higher in females. CONCLUSION Ninety one percent of the surveyed subjects exhibited some occlusal anomalies. These anomalies were generally higher among adolescent girls.
“Wink to grasp” — comparing eye, voice & EMG gesture control of grasp with soft-robotic gloves

The ability of robotic rehabilitation devices to support paralysed end-users is ultimately limited by the degree to which human-machine-interaction is designed to be effective and efficient in translating user intention into robotic action. Specifically, we evaluate the novel possibility of binocular eye-tracking technology to detect voluntary winks from involuntary blink commands, to establish winks as a novel low-latency control signal to trigger robotic action. By wearing binocular eye-tracking glasses we enable users to directly observe their environment or the actuator and trigger movement actions, without having to interact with a visual display unit or user interface. We compare our novel approach to two conventional approaches for controlling robotic devices based on electromyo-graphy (EMG) and speech-based human-computer interaction technology. We present an integrated software framework based on ROS that allows transparent integration of these multiple modalities with a robotic system. We use a soft-robotic SEM glove (Bioservo Technologies AB, Sweden) to evaluate how the 3 modalities support the performance and subjective experience of the end-user when movement assisted. All 3 modalities are evaluated in streaming, closed-loop control operation for grasping physical objects. We find that wink control shows the lowest error rate mean with lowest standard deviation of (0.23 ± 0.07, mean ± SEM) followed by speech control (0.35 ± 0. 13) and EMG gesture control (using the Myo armband by Thalamic Labs), with the highest mean and standard deviation (0.46 ± 0.16). We conclude that with our novel own developed eye-tracking based approach to control assistive technologies is a well suited alternative to conventional approaches, especially when combined with 3D eye-tracking based robotic end-point control.
Do Measures of Financial Constraints Measure Financial Constraints?

Financial constraints are fundamental to empirical research in finance and economics. We propose two tests to evaluate how well measures of financial constraints actually capture constraints. We find that firms typically classified as constrained do not actually behave as if they were constrained: they have no trouble raising debt when their demand for debt increases exogenously and use the proceeds of equity issues to increase payouts to shareholders. Our evidence suggests that extant findings that have been attributed to constraints may instead reflect differences in the growth and financing policies of firms at different stages of their life cycles. Received December 9, 2014; accepted August 18, 2015 by Editor David Denis.