Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Emerging Transnational Migration from Romanian Villages

This article presents the first results of a community census (December 2001) on temporary external migration at the level of all Romanian villages. Local key informants filled in the questionnaire on international temporary migration and its socio-demographic profile. As function of the key destinations, the Romanian villages cluster into six major migration fields: Germany, Hungary, Italy, Turkey, Yugoslavia and Spain. At a more detailed level, considering multiple destinations, those fields break into 15 regions of migration. Village-level analysis of the phenomenon indicates a strong selectivity of migration depending on village characteristics. About 4 percent of the total villages of the country account for more than 60 percent of the total return migration from abroad. These are villages of a high probability of transnationalism. Circular or transnational migration is shown to be connected with the basic characteristics of the migration system of the country: the villages where village to city commuting declined sharply after 1990 and where return migration from cities was high recorded a higher propensity for circular migration abroad. A set of about 2700 villages of high migration prevalence is described as ‘probable transnational communities’.
A novel approach to multiprogrammed multiprocessor synchronization for real-time kernels

In order to solve the problem of inopportune preemption in multiprogrammed multiprocessor synchronization, two strategies which are applicable to real-time systems have been investigated: preemption-safe locking and wait-free synchronization. Both of them, however, have a problem for use in the implementation of a real-time kernel. Preemption-safe locking has the drawback that the preemption cost becomes large; while wait-free operations on complex data structures are generally very inefficient and are not practical. We propose a novel approach to multiprogrammed multiprocessor synchronization, called the SPEPP (Spinning Processor Executes for Preempted Processors) synchronization, with which the preemption cost can be reduced to almost zero, while operations on complex data structures can be realized with reasonable efficiency. This paper presents the two algorithms of the SPEPP synchronization and their extensions, and demonstrates its effectiveness through the performance measurements of real-time kernels implemented with the SPEPP synchronization algorithms.
Immune Mechanisms Responsible for Vaccination against and Clearance of Mucosal and Lymphatic Norovirus Infection

Two cardinal manifestations of viral immunity are efficient clearance of acute infection and the capacity to vaccinate against secondary viral exposure. For noroviruses, the contributions of T cells to viral clearance and vaccination have not been elucidated. We report here that both CD4 and CD8 T cells are required for efficient clearance of primary murine norovirus (MNV) infection from the intestine and intestinal lymph nodes. Further, long-lasting protective immunity was generated by oral live virus vaccination. Systemic vaccination with the MNV capsid protein also effectively protected against mucosal challenge, while vaccination with the capsid protein of the distantly related human Lordsdale virus provided partial protection. Fully effective vaccination required a broad immune response including CD4 T cells, CD8 T cells, and B cells, but the importance of specific immune cell types varied between the intestine and intestinal lymph nodes. Perforin, but not interferon gamma, was required for clearance of MNV infection by adoptively transferred T lymphocytes from vaccinated hosts. These studies prove the feasibility of both mucosal and systemic vaccination against mucosal norovirus infection, demonstrate tissue specificity of norovirus immune cells, and indicate that efficient vaccination strategies should induce potent CD4 and CD8 T cell responses.
Servicing and real-time control of networks with dynamic routing

The design of a network for dynamic routing is made using the forecasted network loads. Load uncertainties arising from errors in the forecast and from daily variations in network load give rise to reserve or idle network capacity not immediately needed by current network demands. The reserve capacity can be reduced by the use of more flexible dynamic routing methods, which allow routing flexibility to help control network flow under load uncertainties. We illustrate techniques for changing network routing patterns in planned and demand servicing to counteract the effects of forecast errors. Included in the benefits are a reduction in both reserve capacity, estimated to be about 5 percent of network first cost, and in trunk rearrangements. We also present call-by-call simulation results for real-time routing enhancements to the basic routing algorithms. The real-time routing algorithms use dynamic trunk reservation techniques, and the simulation results illustrate the improvement in network efficiency and performance under normal daily load variations, network overloads, and network failures.
sHTS : A Streaming Architecture for Statistical Parametric Speech Synthesis

In this paper, we present a prototype for real-time speech synthesis. Statistical parametric speech synthesis is a relatively new approach to speech synthesis. Hidden Markov model based speech synthesis, one of the techniques in this approach, has been demonstrated to be very effective in synthesizing high quality, natural and expressive speech. In contrast to unit selection techniques, HMM-based speech synthesis provides high flexibility as a speech production model, with a small database footprint. In this work we modified the publicly available HTS engine to establish a streaming architecture, called streaming-HTS or sHTS, which provides us with a basis for further research for a future fully real-time speech synthesis system. Quantitative evaluations of the system showed that the degradation of speech quality in sHTS is small with reference to HTS. These results were supported by subjective evaluation, which confirmed that HTS and sHTS can hardly be distinguished.
Piloting Data Collection via Cell Phones: Results, Experiences, and Lessons Learned

From October 2006 through February 2007, Macro and six partnering state departments of health conducted over 1,900 interviews via cell phone in Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Montana, New Jersey, and Texas. The survey collected about 10 minutes of general health data for adults in each state. Despite a high number of hang-ups, many cell users are willing to conduct a survey on their cell phones. The cell phone sample had a higher percentage of young adults and minorities than a comparative landline sample. A high percentage of respondents live in households without a landline or cell only, a population that cannot be reached through landline random digit dialing samples. A high percentage of respondents keep their phones on all day, suggesting that we are reaching a population segment that regularly use their cell phones rather than those who use cell phones sporadically. This cell phone survey experience has provided invaluable information about conducting cell phone interviews and has helped shape methodological directions for future surveys.
Dosimetric characteristics of the Pharma Seed model BT-125-I source.

125I brachytherapy sources are being used with increasing frequency for interstitial implants in tumor sites, especially the prostate. Recently, a new 125I source design has become commercially available for clinical applications. Dosimetric characteristics (i.e., dose rate constant, radial dose function, and anisotropy function) of this source were experimentally and theoretically determined following the AAPM Task Group 43 (TG-43) recommendations and were related to the 1999 NIST calibration assigned to this source [S(k), 99std]. Measurements were performed in a Solid Water phantom using LiF thermoluminescent dosimeters. The measured data were used to validate the Monte Carlo simulations that were performed in Solid Water using the PTRAN code. The Monte Carlo calculations were then performed in liquid water to obtain the dosimetric information for clinical applications in accordance with TG-43 recommendations. The results indicated that the dose rate constant, lambda, of the Pharma Seed model BT-125-I 125I source was 0.90 +/- 0.06 cGy h(-1) U(-1) using thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) measurements and 0.92 +/- 0.03 cGy h(-1) U(-1) using Monte Carlo simulations in Solid Water. The calculated value in liquid water was found to be 0.95 +/- 0.03 cGy h(-1) U(-1). The radial dose function, g(r), of the new 125I source was measured at distances ranging from 0.5 to 10 cm using LiF TLD in Solid Water phantom material. The Monte Carlo simulations were performed for distances ranging from 0.1 to 10 cm from the source center in Solid Water and liquid water. The anisotropy function, F(r, theta), was measured at distances of 2, 5, and 7 cm from the source center and calculated at distances of 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 cm from the source center. The anisotropy constant, phi(an), of the Pharma Seed source in water was found to be 0.975. Complete dosimetric data are described in this manuscript. Per TG-43, the values reported in water should be used for clinical treatment planning systems.
Reconsidering Multi-Dimensional schemas

This paper challenges the currently popular "Data Warehouse is a Special Animal" philosophy and advocates that practitioners adopt a more conservative "Data Warehouse=Database" philosophy. The primary focus is the relevancy of Multi-Dimensional logical schemas. After enumerating the advantages of such schemas, a number of caveats to the presumed advantages are identified. The paper concludes with guidelines and commentary on implications for data warehouse design methodologies.
Evaluation and Performance Management in Government

This article discusses the link between evaluation and performance management, drawing the audience's attention to how they are different and how they are complementary (e.g. where evaluation provides the framework to develop ‘good’ indicators, where performance data can be used for evaluation and an interdependent relationship). Having looked at some of the problems and pitfalls, the article concludes by focusing on this complementarity and argues that evaluators can and should contribute to debates about improving performance within organizations.
Evaluation of the Demerit Points System in Deterring Traffic Offenses

A statistical model for the evaluation of the effectiveness of the Demerit Points System (DPS) in reducing traffic offenses is presented. The model for the waiting times between detected traffic offenses is based on an exponential distribution. Since traffic offenses are relatively rare events, the length of the study period was such that censoring was unavoidable. Under these circumstances Maximum Likelihood (ML) estimates of the waiting time between offenses are determined and the corresponding hypotheses are tested. The empirical results showed that the DPS was responsible for most of the deterrent effect reflected in the increased mean time until the third offense subsequent to the first and second offense detected less than three years apart.
Psychotherapists’ Stereotypes of Heterosexual, Gay, and Bisexual Men

This study investigated stereotypes of heterosexual, gay, and bisexual men in a sample of 112 psychotherapists. Stereotypes were assessed with an open-ended measure asking participants to list characteristics that they associated with one of the three groups of men. Thematic analysis of these characteristics yielded 14 stereotype categories, including categories that reflected psychosocial difficulties (e.g., Depressed and Anxious), gender roles (e.g., Female Gender Role Attributes), and personality (e.g., Open-Minded). Sexual orientation differences were found for 8 of the 14 categories. For example, therapists were most likely to associate open-mindedness with bisexual men, traditional male gender role attributes with heterosexual men, and intelligence with gay men. Implications of results for practice and training are discussed.
A novel human-machine interaction architecture - intention recognition approach

Abstract A novel human-machine interaction architecture is presented. It is based on the machine intention recognition of the human. This work is motivated by the desire to minimize the need for classical direct human-machine interface and communication. Here, the intention-action-state scenario is modified and modelled by dynamic Bayesian networks to facilitate for probabilistic intention inference. The recognized intention, then, drives the interactive behaviour of the machine such that it complies with the human intention in light of the real state of the world. An illustrative example of a human commanding a mobile robot remotely is given and discussed in details.
Optimization and Evaluation of Nested Queries and Procedures

Many database applications perform complex data retrieval and update tasks. Nested queries, and queries that invoke user-defined functions, which are written using a mix of procedural and SQL constructs, are often used in such applications. A straight-forward evaluation of such queries involves repeated execution of parameterized sub-queries or blocks containing queries and procedural code. An important problem that arises while optimizing nested queries as well as queries with joins, aggregates and set operations is the problem of finding an optimal sort order from a factorial number of possible sort orders. We show that even a special case of this problem is NP-Hard, and present practical heuristics that are effective and easy to incorporate in existing query optimizers. We also consider iterative execution of queries and updates inside complex procedural blocks such as user-defined functions and stored procedures. Parameter batching is an important means of improving performance as it enables set-orientated processing. The key challenge to parameter batching lies in rewriting a given procedure/function to process a batch of parameter values. We propose a solution, based on program analysis and rewrite rules, to automate the generation of batched forms of procedures and replace iterative database calls within imperative loops with a single call to the batched form. We present experimental results for the proposed techniques, and the results show significant gains in performance.
Microscale spatial analysis provides evidence for adhesive monopolization of dietary nutrients by specific intestinal bacteria

Each species of intestinal bacteria requires a nutritional source to maintain its population in the intestine. Dietary factors are considered to be major nutrients; however, evidence directly explaining the in situ utilization of dietary factors is limited. Microscale bacterial distribution would provide clues to understand bacterial lifestyle and nutrient utilization. However, the detailed bacterial localization around dietary factors in the intestine remains uninvestigated. Therefore, we explored microscale habitats in the murine intestine by using histology and fluorescent in situ hybridization, focusing on dietary factors. This approach successfully revealed several types of bacterial colonization. In particular, bifidobacterial colonization and adhesion on granular starch was frequently and commonly observed in the jejunum and distal colon. To identify the bacterial composition of areas around starch granules and areas without starch, laser microdissection and next-generation sequencing-based 16S rRNA microbial profiling was performed. It was found that Bifidobacteriaceae were significantly enriched by 4.7 fold in peri-starch areas compared to ex-starch areas. This family solely consisted of Bifidobacterium pseudolongum. In contrast, there was no significant enrichment among the other major families. This murine intestinal B. pseudolongum had starch-degrading activity, confirmed by isolation from the mouse feces and in vitro analysis. Collectively, our results demonstrate the significance of starch granules as a major habitat and potential nutritional niche for murine intestinal B. pseudolongum. Moreover, our results suggest that colonizing bifidobacteria effectively utilize starch from the closest location and maintain the location. This may be a bacterial strategy to monopolize solid dietary nutrients. We believe that our analytical approach could possibly be applied to other nutritional factors, and can be a powerful tool to investigate in vivo relationships between bacteria and environmental factors in the intestine.
Bridging Gaps: Cross-Cultural Training in Teacher Education

Successful interactions with individuals of different backgrounds necessitates adjustment to and awareness of myriad cultural perspectives, attitudes, and be haviors. Cross-cultural training has demonstrated the ability to bring about change in people's cognitions, affective reactions, and behavior. A newly devel oped culture-general assimilator is intro duced as a tool for use by teacher educators.
A Cross-Cultural Investigation of Men’s Judgments of Female Body Weight in Britain and Indonesia

Forty-seven men in Bali, Lombok, and Britain, respectively, were asked to rate a series of female images varying in body size for attractiveness. Between-group analyses indicated that participants in Lombok rated a heavier female figure as attractive compared with participants in Bali and Britain. In addition, participants in Bali and Lombok rated a wider range of figures as attractive compared with Britons. Results are discussed in relation to the globalization of the thin ideal.
Soviet Elections as a Measure of Dissent: The Missing One Percent

A few questions are still hotly debated among students of the Soviet political system, but certainly the nature of Soviet elections is not one of them. Everyone agrees that they are more interesting as a psychological curiosity than as a political reality. They are seen by various writers as ritualized affirmations of regime legitimacy, as methods of involving the masses in supportive activity, as a means of publicly honoring model citizens, and as a crushing display of unanimity designed to isolate the potential nonconformist. Both Western and Soviet writers see Soviet elections from the positive side, from the side of the dutiful 99 percent who invariably vote for the single candidate on the ballot. In fact, Soviet and Western writers are in very close agreement on the major functions of elections in the Soviet Union, although their value judgments tend to differ along the lines one would expect. Taking one typical example from the general Western literature on the Soviet political system, we find the purposes of a Soviet election defined as “a public demonstration of the legitimacy of the regime … an invaluable educational and propaganda exercise … and perhaps most important of all, … proof that the system of control is unimpaired. ” In the more detailed Western works on Soviet elections we find the same approach. Thus, Howard Swearer, in a very insightful and valuable article on Soviet local elections, states that “in the Soviet Union, the formal act of voting is comparable in purpose to such civic rituals as singing the national anthem or saluting a country's flag. It is a public display of personal reaffirmation of the Soviet way of life and the party leadership. ”
Frequency Domain Pre-Equalization With Precoding for Broadband SDMA Systems

Single carrier frequency domain equalization (SC-FDE) has been recently receiving much attention as an alternative to orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) to deal with the detrimental effects of multipath fading. In this paper, we consider transmit frequency domain pre-equalization (FD-PRE) in the downlink transmission of space-division multiple access (SDMA) systems, where the FD-PRE is combined with the Tomlinson-Harashima precoding (THP) technique at the base station so that the mobile station requires limited processing. We propose two FD-PRE MIMO schemes, with parallel and successive precoding, based on the minimum mean square error (MMSE) criterion. In contrast to the previous FD-PRE with THP design, where the THP is only for co-channel interference (CCI) pre-cancellation, the proposed parallel and successive precoders are designed by taking both inter-symbol interference (ISI) and CCI into account. Numerical results will demonstrate the significant performance improvement of our proposed schemes compared to the conventional FD-PRE MIMO schemes. We will also investigate the channel estimation errors and channel variation effects on the proposed systems. It will be shown that by applying channel prediction such detrimental effects can be greatly reduced.
When Small Words Foretell Academic Success: The Case of College Admissions Essays

The smallest and most commonly used words in English are pronouns, articles, and other function words. Almost invisible to the reader or writer, function words can reveal ways people think and approach topics. A computerized text analysis of over 50,000 college admissions essays from more than 25,000 entering students found a coherent dimension of language use based on eight standard function word categories. The dimension, which reflected the degree students used categorical versus dynamic language, was analyzed to track college grades over students' four years of college. Higher grades were associated with greater article and preposition use, indicating categorical language (i.e., references to complexly organized objects and concepts). Lower grades were associated with greater use of auxiliary verbs, pronouns, adverbs, conjunctions, and negations, indicating more dynamic language (i.e., personal narratives). The links between the categorical-dynamic index (CDI) and academic performance hint at the cognitive styles rewarded by higher education institutions.
The process of lexical decision: More words about a parallel distributed processing model.

Central to Seidenberg and McClelland's (1989) parallel distributed processing (PDP) model's account of lexical decision is the assumption that performance is determined by the amount of overlap in the distribution of the orthographic error scores between words and nonwords. The present experiment demonstrates lexical decision performance that is independent of the distribution of orthographic error scores between words and nonwords. Furthermore, the orthographic error scores from the model capture no variance in the reaction time data to words, even in a condition in which the orthographic overlap between words and nonwords is minimal
An insider view of the hybrid organisation: How managers respond to challenges of efficiency, legitimacy and meaning

Abstract In this paper we look at how managers perceive and manage meetings between different institutional logics in three types of hybrid organisations; a savings bank, a municipality and a hospital. The paper contributes to our understanding of organisational hybridity in two ways: First, drawing on Scott’s three institutional pillars, the paper shows how meetings between different institutional logics involve not just the cultural–cognitive pillar, usually highlighted in work on hybrid organisations, but all of them, including the regulative and the normative pillars. Second, the paper suggests a hierarchical relationship between meetings and responses, ranging from less elaborate responses that primarily involve the regulative pillar to more complex and all-encompassing responses that include not only the regulative and the normative but also the cultural–cognitive pillar, triggering questions and issues about identity and purpose.