Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Conflicting discourses of rapport and co-membership

Immigrant workers seeking employment through informal day labor networks must continually reinvent themselves in rapid-fire job interviews with potential employers. In these gatekeeping encounters, employers and workers use various techniques to construct rapport and co-membership. Drawing on ethnographic research with Latino workers, employers, and their intermediaries (language brokers) in Tucson, Arizona, my findings suggest that it is possible for employers to manipulate rapport and co-membership to demonstrate solidarity or, conversely, to justify workers’ mistreatment. This chapter builds on previous literature on gatekeeping encounters (Fiksdal 1990; Kerekes 2006) that examined interviewees’ strategies for influencing interview outcomes. By focusing on the discursive techniques employers use (e.g. linguistic accommodation), I argue that the semiotic resources of rapport and co-membership may be used to demarcate social distance or exploit vulnerable workers.
AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF HOUSEHOLDS’ FOOD SECURITY IN GOMBE STATE, NIGERIA.

BEING A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS, FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY ZARIA, AS A PARTIAL FULFILMENT FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF SCIENCE (Msc) ECONOMICS.
Guidance Under Uncertainty: Employing a Mediator Framework in Bilateral Incomplete-Information Negotiations

Bilateral incomplete-information negotiations of multiple issues present a difficult yet common negotiation problem that is complicated to solve from a mechanism design perspective. Unlike multilateral situations, where the individual aspirations of multiple agents can potentially be used against one another to achieve socially desirable outcomes, bilateral negotiations only involve two agents; this makes the negotiations appear to be a zero-sum game pitting agent against agent. While this is essentially true, the gain of one agent is the loss of the other, with multiple issues, it is not unusual that issues are valued asymmetrically such that agents can gain on issues important to them but suffer losses on issues of less importance. Being able to make trade-offs amongst the issues to take advantage of this asymmetry allows both agents to experience overall benefit. The major complication is negotiating under the uncertainty of incomplete information, where agents do not know each other’s preferences and neither agent wants to be taken advantage of by revealing its private information to the other agent, or by being too generous in its negotiating. This leaves agents stumbling in the dark trying to find appropriate trade-offs amongst issues. In this work, we introduce the Bilateral Automated Mediation (BAM) framework. The BAM framework is aimed at helping agents alleviate the difficulties of negotiating under uncertainty by formulating a negotiation environment that is suitable for creating agreements that benefit both agents jointly. Our mediator is a composition of many different negotiation ideas and methods put together in a novel third-party framework that guides agents through the agreement space of the negotiation, but instead of arbitrating a final agreement, it allows the agents themselves to ratify the final agreement.
Genomic and Transcriptomic Associations Identify a New Insecticide Resistance Phenotype for the Selective Sweep at the Cyp6g1 Locus of Drosophila melanogaster

Scans of the Drosophila melanogaster genome have identified organophosphate resistance loci among those with the most pronounced signature of positive selection. In this study, the molecular basis of resistance to the organophosphate insecticide azinphos-methyl was investigated using the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel, and genome-wide association. Recently released full transcriptome data were used to extend the utility of the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel resource beyond traditional genome-wide association studies to allow systems genetics analyses of phenotypes. We found that both genomic and transcriptomic associations independently identified Cyp6g1, a gene involved in resistance to DDT and neonicotinoid insecticides, as the top candidate for azinphos-methyl resistance. This was verified by transgenically overexpressing Cyp6g1 using natural regulatory elements from a resistant allele, resulting in a 6.5-fold increase in resistance. We also identified four novel candidate genes associated with azinphos-methyl resistance, all of which are involved in either regulation of fat storage, or nervous system development. In Cyp6g1, we find a demonstrable resistance locus, a verification that transcriptome data can be used to identify variants associated with insecticide resistance, and an overlap between peaks of a genome-wide association study, and a genome-wide selective sweep analysis.
Single‐Channel Recording of Glutamate Receptors

Highlighted in this unit are issues that should be considered when recording glutamate receptors at the single‐channel level, including some commonly encountered problems and their remedies. “ UNIT 11.17 , Single‐Channel Analysis of Glutamate Receptors” describes analysis techniques used to characterize the recorded single‐channel properties. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
New simple evaluation of the error probability of bit-interleaved coded modulation using the saddlepoint approximation

This paper presents a simple and very accurate method to evaluate the error probability of bit-interleaved coded modulation. Modelling the channel as a binaryinput continuous-output channel with a non-Gaussian transition density allows for the application of standard bounding techniques for Gaussian channels. The pairwise error probability is equal to the tail probability of a sum of random variables; this probability is then calculated with a saddlepoint approximation. Its precision is numerically validated for coded transmission over standard Gaussian noise and fully-interleaved fading channels for both convolutional and turbo-like codes. The proposed approximation is much tighter and simpler to compute than the existing techniques and reveals as a powerful tool for practical use.
Investigation on the effects of measuring authentic contexts on geometry learning

We designed and developed a Ubiquitous Geometry (UG) app for elementary school students to learn geometry in authentic contexts. Real geometry object could facilitate and consolidate students' geometry learning if students were given opportunities to apply and practice geometric concepts in authentic contexts. Geometry is one of the important subject, however, students have less opportunities to apply geometric concepts and solve geometry problems in authentic contexts. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of UG app on students' geometry estimation ability, geometry learning achievement, spatial ability and geometric concepts and explore correlations among them. Participants were 82 fifth grade students divided into experiment group (EG), ruler measurement group (RG) and control group (CG). The results revealed that EG performed significantly better than RG and CG in geometry estimation ability, geometry learning achievement, spatial ability and geometric concepts. Beside the significant correlations between geometry learning achievement and spatial ability, we also found geometry estimation ability significantly related to spatial ability and geometry learning achievement which means fostering estimation ability through measuring authentic objects could help students' geometry learning. It indicated that UG app was able to enhance student's geometry estimation ability, geometry learning achievement, spatial ability and geometric concepts effectively.
Individual differences in the effects of chronic prazosin hydrochloride treatment on hippocampal mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors

The aim of this study was to investigate the noradrenergic regulation of mineralocorticoid receptors (MRs) and glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) in high responder (HR) and low responder (LR) male rats, an animal model of individual differences in hypothalamo‐pituitary‐adrenal axis activity and vulnerability to drugs of abuse. The effects of a chronic treatment with the noradrenergic α1 antagonist (1‐[4‐amino‐6,7‐dimethoxy‐2‐quinazolinyl]‐4‐[2‐furanylcarbonyl] piperazine) hydrochloride (prazosin) (0.5 mg/kg, i.p., 35 days) were assessed on stress‐induced corticosterone (CORT) secretion and on hippocampal MRs and GRs in adrenally intact rats. In order to ascertain whether the effects of chronic prazosin treatment on hippocampal MRs and GRs were direct or indirect, through prazosin‐induced CORT secretion, we also assessed the effects of the same treatment on adrenalectomized rats with CORT substitutive therapy. When compared with LR rats, HR rats exhibited a delayed return to the basal level of CORT following acute restraint stress; this was associated with a lower binding of MRs and GRs in HR rats than in LR rats. Chronic prazosin treatment had no effect in HR animals but markedly reduced hippocampal MRs and GRs, and increased stress‐induced CORT secretion in LR rats. In LR adrenalectomized rats, prazosin reduced hipppocampal MRs but did not change GRs. Our results provide evidence of a differential regulation by noradrenaline of hippocampal MRs and GRs in HR and LR rats. These data could have clinical implications in terms of individual differences in the resistance to antidepressant treatments and individual differences in drug abuse.
Quantifiers Undone: Reversing Predictable Speech Errors in Comprehension

Speakers predictably make errors during spontaneous speech. Listeners may identify such errors and repair the input, or their analysis of the input, accordingly. Two written questionnaire studies investigated error compensation mechanisms in sentences with doubled quantifiers such as Many students often turn in their assignments late. Results show a considerable number of undoubled interpretations for all items tested (though fewer for sentences containing doubled negation than for sentences containing many-often, every-always, or few-seldom). This evidence shows that the compositional form-meaning pairing supplied by the grammar is not the only systematic mapping between form and meaning. Implicit knowledge of the workings of the performance systems provides an additional mechanism for pairing sentence form and meaning. Alternate accounts of the data based on either a concord interpretation or an emphatic interpretation of the doubled quantifier do not explain why listeners fail to apprehend the ‘extra meaning’ added by the potentially redundant material only in limited circumstances.
B Vitamins and Hip Fracture: Secondary Analyses and Extended Follow‐Up of Two Large Randomized Controlled Trials

Elevated plasma homocysteine levels are associated with increased risk of fractures in observational studies. However, it is unsettled whether homocysteine‐lowering treatment affects fracture risk. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an intervention with B vitamins on the risk of hip fracture in a secondary analysis of combined data from two large randomized controlled trials originally designed to study cardiovascular diseases. Both trials had identical design, intervention, and primary objective. Based on a two‐by‐two factorial design, the intervention consisted of a daily capsule with either (1) folic acid (0.8 mg) plus vitamin B12 (0.4 mg) and vitamin B6 (40 mg); (2) folic acid (0.8 mg) plus vitamin B12 (0.4 mg); (3) vitamin B6 alone (40 mg); or (4) placebo. The participants were followed with respect to hip fracture during the trial or during an extended follow‐up (from the trial start for each patient until the end of 2012). No statistically significant association was found between folic acid plus vitamin B12 treatment and the risk of hip fracture, neither during the trial (median 3.3 years; hazard ratio [HR] 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.48 to 1.59) nor during the extended follow‐up (median 11.1 years; HR 1.08; 95% CI, 0.84 to 1.40). Nor were there significant differences in the risk of hip fracture between groups receiving versus not receiving vitamin B6 during the trial (HR 1.42; 95% CI, 0.78 to 2.61). However, during the extended follow‐up, those receiving vitamin B6 showed a significant 42% higher risk of hip fracture (HR 1.42; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.83) compared to those not receiving vitamin B6. In conclusion, treatment with folic acid plus vitamin B12 was not associated with the risk of hip fracture. Treatment with a high dose of vitamin B6 was associated with a slightly increased risk of hip fracture during the extended follow‐up (in‐trial plus post‐trial follow‐up). © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
The rule of law and educational choices: evidence from Italian regions

ABSTRACT The rule of law and educational choices: evidence from Italian regions. Regional Studies. Educational choices about post-secondary fields of study vary across space and time due to psychological, social and economic motivations. A strand of the literature has focused on the role of institutional environment. In this vein, this paper emphasizes the link between regional institutions and students’ preferences by pointing out how effective rule of law decreases resources that rent-seekers may expropriate, thus reducing incentives to choose careers devoted to protect producers from rent-seeking. The econometric investigation on Italian regions supports this view, finding that institutional quality and rule of law in students’ region of origin are relevant to their choice.
Perspectives of fixed daily dose of sofosbuvir and ledipasvir for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C

The fixed dose combination of sofosbuvir and ledipasvir (SOF/LDV) has marked a new era for patients with chronic HCV because it is the first drug to be approved by the FDA that does not include peginterferon or ribavirin. The results of three clinical studies show that SOF/LDV has sustained virologic response of approximately 96% when given as once a day pill for 3 months to both treatment naive and treatment-experienced HCV-1 patients with the exception of prior null responder patients with cirrhosis. Moreover, emerging data in special populations (patients with decompensated cirrhosis, with post-transplant recurrence, with prior SOF-based therapy failure, and with HIV co-infection) show a good tolerance and high sustained virological profile. Many other emerging therapies are now available. Actually, the recommendations of the international guidelines are applicable only for selected patients followed-up by dedicated specialists, including hepatologists and infectologists, and are specifically individualized for patients with advanced fibrosis. We will expect that the landscape for management of HCV will include direct-acting antivirals for treatment of patients with different genotypes and low-grade fibrosis in order to interrupt the progression to late stage of disease and the complications of the infection, including renal disease, thyroid dysfunction, and some cancers.
Detection of incident HIV infection by PCR compared to serology.

In order to determine the most sensitive method for the early detection of HIV infection, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and serology were compared using matched peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and serum samples taken sequentially at 3-month intervals on 17 HIV seroconverters. All samples from the time of enrollment in the study to the time of seroconversion were studied. [There were only two of the 17 cases where PCR and antigen positivity preceded EIA detectable seroconversion. ] Initially, one of these cases was found to be PCR positive 11 months prior to seroconversion, however DNA fingerprinting techniques indicated that the early positive specimen did not belong to the subject in question. In a single subject, PCR was negative at the time of serologic evidence of infection but was positive at the next sampling 3 months later. In the remaining 14 cases, PCR was positive at the same sample time as full or partial seroconversion as determined by three EIA screening tests and Western blot. EIA antibody screen tests showed variability in detection of early HIV antibodies. We found no evidence for prolonged HIV infection prior to seroconversion. PCR offers little if any advantage over serology in the early detection of HIV infection in adults.
Is the SEC Captured? Evidence from Comment-Letter Reviews

SEC oversight of publicly listed firms ranges from comment letter (CL) reviews of firms’ reporting compliance to pursuing enforcement actions against violators. Prior literature finds that firm political connections (PC) negatively predict enforcement actions, inferring SEC capture. We present new evidence that firm PC positively predict CL reviews and substantive characteristics of such reviews, including the number of issues evaluated and the seniority of SEC staff involved. These results, robust to identification concerns, are inconsistent with SEC capture and indicate a more nuanced relation between firm PC and SEC oversight than previously suggested.
A feasibility of office interruptibility estimation based on ceiling camera images and sounds

Office workers are affected by surrounding environment including conversations and visitors. Interrupting a particular worker degrades not only his working efficiency but also the efficiency of others. Therefore, the estimation of interruptibility of entire office is required to attain appropriate interruptions. In this study, a feasibility of automatic estimation of office interruptibility based on the camera image and sound is discussed.
Willingness to engage in peer-delivered HIV voluntary counselling and testing among people who inject drugs in a Canadian setting

Background People who inject drugs (IDU) face unique systemic, social and individual barriers to conventional HIV voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) programmes. Peer-delivered approaches represent a possible alternative to improve rates of testing among this population. Methods Cross-sectional data from a prospective cohort of IDU in Vancouver, Canada, were collected between December 2011 and May 2012. Bivariate statistics and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify the prevalence of and factors associated with willingness to receive peer-delivered VCT. Results Of 600 individuals, 51.5% indicated willingness to receive peer-delivered pretest counselling, 40.7% to receive peer-delivered rapid HIV testing and 42.8% to receive peer-delivered post-test counselling. Multivariate analyses found significant positive associations between willingness for pretest counselling and having used Vancouver's supervised injection facility, Insite, or being a member of VANDU (a local drug user organisation) (all p<0.05). Daily crack smoking and having used Insite were positively associated with willingness to receive peer-delivered HIV testing (p<0.05). Willingness to receive peer-delivered post-test counselling was positively associated with male gender, daily crack smoking, having used Insite and being a member of VANDU (p<0.05). Conclusions While not universally acceptable, peer-delivered VCT approaches may improve access to HIV testing among IDU.
Physical injuries resulting from intimate partner violence and disclosure to healthcare providers: results from a New Zealand population-based study

Background Few studies document the health burden attributable to intimate partner violence (IPV) at the population level. Objectives To document injuries resulting from IPV and women's use of healthcare for treatment of IPV injuries using the New Zealand Violence Against Women Study. Methods A cross-sectional household survey was conducted using a population-based cluster sampling scheme. In total, 2855 women aged 18–64 years were interviewed about their experience of IPV, injuries resulting from violence, and their use of healthcare services. Results Of the 956 women who had experienced physical and/or sexual IPV in their lifetime, half were injured at least once as a result of the violence. The most common injuries were abrasions and bruises; followed by cuts, punctures, bites; and injuries to the eye or ear. Many women reported that they needed healthcare for treatment of IPV injuries, yet most (86%) did not receive healthcare on all occasions it was needed. Half of ever-injured women who received treatment told a healthcare provider the reason for their injury. Among those who did not disclose, shame was the most frequent reason for not telling, followed by fear of further violence. Conclusions This population-based study documents the injury-burden created by IPV, to individuals, healthcare systems, and the population. Implications include supporting healthcare providers to respond to victims of violence and the need for prevention strategies at the population level
Violence against women and girls in the Sustainable Development Goals

permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Dear Editor, On 25 September 2015, the 193 member states of the United Nations (UN) unanimously adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a set of 17 goals and 169 targets aiming to transform the world over the next 15 years. These goals are aimed to eliminate poverty, discrimination, abuse and preventable deaths, address environmental destruction, and usher in an era of development for all people, everywhere. 1 This agenda represents a welcome change to their forerunners, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It was acknowledged that the persistence of violence against women even after 15 years of MDGs has undermined the progress on other MDGs, given its crippling effect on women's ability to contribute to and benefit from broader developmental processes. 2 Though, most of the indicators of gender equality have also been improved after implementing MDGs, gender disparities still exist. 2 More than 30% of women worldwide have experienced either or both physical and sexual violence. 3 Hence, in SDGs, the prevention of violence against women and girls took an important place, compared to MDGs. Also this enables strong leadership and advocacy that are required for motivation and commitment of financial and other resources. The SDG-5 exclusively deals with achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls. Though it's the legacy of MDG-3, this SDG targeted to eliminate all forms of harmful practices and violence against women and girls and appropriate targets are set (Table 1). The SDG-16, which is meant for promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, included a goal to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all other forms of violence against and torture of children (Table 1). This goal targets reducing violence and related deaths among women covering deaths related to domestic violence and dowry, which are rampant in many developing countries. 4 These two SDGs through four targets (5.2, 5.3, 16.1 and 16.2) directly addressed violence against women and girls, and there are several targets among the other SDGs that were aimed directly or indirectly to prevent and reduce violence against women and girls (Table 1). Thus, SDGs gave enough importance and called for the reduction of " all forms of violence everywhere. " In addition, it identified different social and political enablers of gender equality that eventually reduce violence against women and girls. These enablers are addressed under …