Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sex and hemispheric differences in facial invariants extraction

This present study investigates sex differences in hemispheric cooperation during a facial identity matching task. The method used was a divided visual field paradigm in which the probe face was neutral or expressive and the target face was always neutral. Probe and target faces were presented both unilaterally and sequentially. A total of 28 right-handed women and 32 right-handed men participated in this study. The results confirm the women's advantage in face recognition and reveal symmetrical interhemispheric cooperation in women only. In men, processing time was faster when the probe face appeared in the left visual field—and encoded by the right hemisphere—and the target in the right visual field—projected to the left hemisphere—compared to the reverse direction. Interestingly, the data also show that women were not influenced by the expression of the probe face when matching identity, whereas men were always faster when the probe face was neutral, like the target, than when it was expressive. These results are discussed in light of Bruce and Young's (1986) model, and in terms of view-dependent and view-independent processes.
CMOS ring oscillator array with braided connections

The novel topology of the CMOS ring oscillator array is proposed, where the array elements are braided. Compared with the conventional topology of the CMOS ring oscillator array, the proposed oscillator array possesses the nature of the tight and bi-directional connections, and will has the possibility of the phase noise performance improvement. To verify the performance improvement of the proposed oscillator array, using 0. 18μmCMOS process models, the circuit simulations are performed. Simulated results show the FOM of the proposed oscillator array is superior than the conventional oscillator array.
Secretagogin is a Ca2+-binding protein specifying subpopulations of telencephalic neurons

The Ca2+-binding proteins (CBPs) parvalbumin, calbindin, and calretinin are phenotypic markers of terminally differentiated neurons in the adult brain. Although subtle phylogenetic variations in the neuronal distribution of these CBPs may occur, morphologically and functionally diverse subclasses of interneurons harbor these proteins in olfactory and corticolimbic areas. Secretagogin (scgn) is a recently cloned CBP from pancreatic β and neuroendocrine cells. We hypothesized that scgn is expressed in the mammalian brain. We find that scgn is a marker of neuroblasts commuting in the rostral migratory stream. Terminally differentiated neurons in the olfactory bulb retain scgn expression, with scgn being present in periglomerular cells and granular layer interneurons. In the corticolimbic system, scgn identifies granule cells distributed along the dentate gyrus, indusium griseum, and anterior hippocampal continuation emphasizing the shared developmental origins, and cytoarchitectural and functional similarities of these neurons. We also uncover unexpected phylogenetic differences in scgn expression, since this CBP is restricted to primate cholinergic basal forebrain neurons. Overall, we characterize scgn as a neuron-specific CBP whose distribution identifies neuronal subtypes and hierarchical organizing principles in the mammalian brain.
Robot motion remix based on motion capture data towards human-like locomotion of humanoid robots

This paper presents preliminary results on generating walking and turning motion of a humanoid robot based on human motion data obtained by using motion capturing system. The target humanoid robot is recently released HRP-4C, which looks like a Japanese woman with realistic geometry. One of the main uses of this robot is to be entertainment. Therefore it is important that the robot's motions are easily created, and feasible for the robot. Captured human motion data are used as a starting point, to which the following modifications are added: step length, speed, rotational angle during turn, and so on. Dynamic balance is also considered. Verification is conducted through both simulation and experiment with HRP-4C. A turning performance based on human motion is successfully demonstrated.
How class and race shape Latino experiences at elite colleges and universities

This doctoral dissertation is a study of Latinos at elite colleges and universities. I compare Latino students among themselves across multiple lines of difference — including race, socioeconomic status, generational status, and gender — in order to understand how Latino students’ demographic characteristics, financial situations, other pre-college experiences, and institutional attributes affect Latino students’ academic performance, identity, and physical and emotional health. I perform univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses on the National Longitudinal Survey of Freshmen (NLSF), a five-wave longitudinal survey that follows a cohort of 3,924 randomly selected students among the 1999 incoming freshman classes at 28 selective institutions of higher education. My results suggest that all Latinos do not experience similar outcomes in these environs. Among Latinos from wealthier backgrounds, the culture of affluence actually proved dangerous to students’ independence, their mental health, and, by extension, their academic performance. But poorer Latino students’ health, happiness, and studies suffer as a direct result of the financial burdens they and their families face as they struggle to pay for their education and to help support themselves and their families. Black Latinos were more likely to feel victimized on campus, and to endure higher rates of depression as a result. Mixed-race and middle-class Latinos seemed to find the best, most even-keeled minority path of social mobility at elite colleges and universities. These results lend credence to the hypothesis that elite colleges and universities are institutions that maintain existing systems of social stratification and enact their reifying processes, thereby conferring relative advantages on those who are already systemically advantaged. These results also support further inquiry into “minority paths to mobility,” or research that examines the ways in which minorities may attain social mobility without following older, more traditional paths that require them to lose their culture in order to “assimilate” into the mainstream. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Graduate Group Sociology First Advisor Camille Z. Charles
The business of location: site selection consultants and the mobilisation of knowledge in the location decision

Consideration of the work of site selection consultants provides a window onto the frictions inherent in the location decision. In this paper, we draw upon interviews to interpret site selection consultants as intermediaries between a demand for locations emanating from MNEs and a supply of locations provided by national and subnational territories. We show how this intermediary role extends beyond the economizing on search costs and into the rarely appreciated market-creating and value adding opportunities offered by location. We also show how the knowledge mobilised by consultants is quintessentially geographical. Paradoxically, it is the geographical nature of the knowledge mobilised by site selection consultants that presents frictions to the professionalisation and globalisation of the industry despite its seminal role in promoting the mobility of economic activities. In conclusion, we explore elements of a future research agenda centred on the mediated nature of MNE location decisions.
BPMN4CP: Design and implementation of a BPMN extension for clinical pathways

The Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) is a standard for business process modeling that is very common in professional practice due to its expressiveness, the well defined meta model and the possibility of workflow integration. This research article aims to apply the BPMN for the representation of clinical pathways in order to utilize its benefits in the clinical context. BPMN provides a set of generic process modeling elements what makes it necessary to extend the language by domain-specific concepts from the field of clinical pathways (e.g., evidence indicators). Therefore, the extension method of Stroppi et al. (2011) was applied and extended in order to facilitate a systematic design and development. This research article provides the analysis of requirements and relevant concepts for modeling clinical pathways. Based on a domain ontology, need for extension is identified and the valid BPMN extension meta model is designed by the construction of a conceptional domain model and the corresponding BPMN extension model. The evolved extension ”BPMN4CP” is demonstrated by an example process of wisdom tooth treatment.
Large Signal Equivalent Circuit Model for Package AlGaN/GaN HEMT

In this paper, a large signal equivalent circuit empirical model based on Anglov model for ceramic package high power AlGaN/GaN HEMT has been proposed. A temperature-dependent drain current model, including self-heating efiect, has been presented, and good agreements are achieved between measurement results and calculated results at difierent temperatures. The nonlinear capacitance models are modeled directly by measured microwave scattering (S) parameters and multi-bias small signal equivalent circuit model (SSECM) of package device is also established based on the measurements. A power amplifler based on large size AlGaN/GaN HEMT with a total gate periphery of 36mm has been designed by using the proposed model for validation purpose, and the simulation results flt the measurement results well at difierent temperatures.
A Comparison Analysis on the Intention to Continued Use of a Lifelong Learning Website

Previous research studies, which were performed under different task environments, identified a variety of factors that can affect student satisfaction with e-learning courses. Lifelong e-learning courses can be different from typical e-learning courses because they are designed to provide "lifelong, voluntary, and self-motivated" pursuit of knowledge for either personal or professional reasons. This study uses three popular behavioral models to identify factors that can affect student intent to continue in a lifelong e-learning course. The study integrates elements of the TAM, TPB, and PCI models to create a research model. The study uses the research model to predict student intent to continue in a lifelong e-learning course. The study uses random selection to choose students from members of the SME Online University in Taiwan. The study uses a survey to collect information concerning student intent to continue in a lifelong e-learning course. The study uses a partial least squares structural (PLS) model to analyze survey results. Study results show that two factors (perceived usefulness and compatibility) have significant impacts on student intent to continue in a lifelong e-learning course. Study results also show that the PCI model predicts student intent to continue in a lifelong e-learning course more accurately than the TAM and TPB models.
Heptad Repeat 2 in Herpes Simplex Virus 1 gH Interacts with Heptad Repeat 1 and Is Critical for Virus Entry and Fusion

ABSTRACT Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) entry into cells and cell-cell fusion mediated by HSV-1 glycoproteins require four glycoproteins, gD, gB, gH, gL. Of these, gH is the only one that so far exhibits structural-functional features typical of viral fusion glycoproteins, i.e., a candidate fusion peptide and, downstream of it, a heptad repeat (HR) segment able to form a coiled coil, named HR-1. Here, we show that gH carries a functional HR-2 capable of physical interaction with HR-1. Specifically, mutational analysis of gH aimed at increasing or decreasing the ability of HR-2 to form a coiled coil resulted in an increase or decrease of fusion activity, respectively. HSV infection was modified accordingly. A mimetic peptide with the HR-2 sequence inhibited HSV-1 infection in a specific and dose-dependent manner. Circular dichroism spectroscopy showed that both HR-2 and HR-1 mimetic peptides adopt mainly random conformation in aqueous solution, while a decrease in peptide environmental polarity determines a conformational change, with a significant increase of the α-helical conformation content, in particular, for the HR-1 peptide. Furthermore, HR-1 and HR-2 mimetic peptides formed a stable complex, as revealed in nondenaturing electrophoresis and by circular dichroism. The mixture of HR-1 and HR-2 peptides reversed the inhibition of HSV infection exerted by the single peptides. Complex formation between HR-1 and HR-2 was independent of the presence of adjacent gH sequences and of additional glycoproteins involved in entry and fusion. Altogether, HR-2 adds to the features typical of class 1 fusion glycoproteins exhibited by HSV-1 gH.
Peripheral blood blast clearance is an independent prognostic factor for survival and response to acute myeloid leukemia induction chemotherapy

In patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), rapid reduction of circulating blasts with induction chemotherapy may serve as an in vivo marker of chemosensitivity. We performed a retrospective analysis of 363 patients with untreated AML who received induction chemotherapy in order to determine the relationship between day of blast disappearance (DOBD) and complete remission (CR) rates, event‐free survival (EFS), and overall survival (OS). DOBD ≤ 5 vs. >5 was identified as the most discriminating cutoff for OS. DOBD > 5 was observed in 35 patients (9.6%). The CR rate for patients with DOBD ≤ 5 vs. >5 was 74.0 and 28.6%, median EFS was 9.4 and 1.8 months, and median OS was 17.1 and 5.8 months, respectively (P < 0.001 for all). DOBD > 5 was independently associated with a lower CR rate and shorter EFS and OS (P < 0.001 for all). DOBD > 5 retained prognostic significance for EFS and OS when patients were stratified by cytogenetic risk group, de novo vs. secondary or therapy‐related AML, European LeukemiaNet‐based risk groups, and whether CR was achieved. We propose DOBD > 5 as a simple and early marker of disease resistance that identifies patients with poor prognosis who otherwise may not be identified with existing risk stratification systems. Am. J. Hematol. 91:1221–1226, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Essays in family and labour economics

This thesis explores family and labour economics issues in the context of different countries, the unified motive is to gain policy implication by applying diversified micro-econometric tools into different datasets. The UK has experienced the 1999 Working Family Tax Credit and the 2003 Working and Child Tax Credit reforms. The first chapter provides the first piece of evidence on the effect of single mothers being eligible to income transfer programmes on early childhood outcomes in the Britain. Using the Millennium Cohort Study (MCS), various children’s production functions are used to deal with endogeneity of inputs and unobserved heterogeneity problems. Findings suggest that mothers entitled to in-work benefit has positive effects on both children’s cognitive and non-cognitive outcomes, comparing to the mothers live on welfare. The second chapter presents new evidence on the child quantity- quality (Q-Q) trade-off based on the 1% sample of 1990 Chinese census. The main contribution of this chapter comes from applying a novel Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) approach that accounts for the non-linear distribution of both outcome and endogenous variables. The identification strategy exploits variation in family size that is induced by twin births and first child gender, which allows the test of Q-Q trade-off in a wide range of fertility distribution. I find significantly negative effects of fertility on educational outcome of children, and this trade-off nonlinearly decreases with family size and shows heterogeneous effects by birth order. This chapter provides technique foundation for policies that attempt to reduce contraceptive costs, control population growth and subsidize families with fewer children. The third chapter examines the retirement consumption puzzle using the Chinese Household Income Project data. A failure to smooth the consumption upon retirement would arise considerable concerns for the well-being of elderly people and adjustments of public policies. This chapter employs a regression discontinuity approach and shows that elderly households are able to maintain stable consumption onset of retirement by adjusting expenditure across sub-aggregated categories and household behaviour. This study confirms the prediction of Life Cycle Model and have important implications for using disaggregated consumption data to test the existence of retirement consumption puzzle and for testing consumption theories.
Helix bending as a factor in protein/DNA recognition

Normal vectors perpendicular to individual base pairs are a powerful tool for studying the bending behavior of B‐DNA, both in the form of normal vector plots and in matrices that list angles between vectors for all possible base pair combinations. A new analysis program, FREEHELIX, has been written for this purpose, and applied to 86 examples of sequence‐specific protein/DNA complexes whose coordinates are on deposit in the Nucleic Acid Data Base. Bends in this sample of 86 structures almost invariably follow from roll angles between adjacent base pairs; tilt makes no net contribution. Roll in a direction compressing the broad major groove is much more common than that which compresses the minor groove. Three distinct types of B‐DNA bending are observed, each with a different molecular origin: (1) Localized kinking is produced by large roll at single steps or at two steps separated by one turn of helix. (2) Smooth, planar curvature is produced by positive and negative roll angles spaced a half‐turn apart, with random side‐to‐side zigzag roll at intermediate points, rather than a tilt contribution that might have been expected theoretically. (3) Three‐dimensional writhe results from significant roll angles at a continuous series of steps. Writhe need not change the overall direction of helix axis, if it is continued indefinitely or for an integral number of helical turns. A‐DNA itself can be formally considered as possessing uniform, continuous writhe that yields no net helix bending. Smooth curvature is the most intricate deformation of the three, and is least common. Writhe is the simplest deformation and is most common; indeed, a low level of continuous writhe is the normal condition of an otherwise unbent B‐DNA helix of general sequence. With one exception, every example of major kinking in this sample of 86 structures involves a pyrimidine–purine step: C–A/T–G, T–A, or C–G. Purine–purine steps, especially A–A, show the least tendency toward roll deformations. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biopoly 44: 361–403, 1997
Chitosan arrests bleeding in major hepatic injuries with clotting dysfunction: an in vivo experimental study in a model of hepatic injury in the presence of moderate systemic heparinisation.

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of two chitosan formulations, Omni-Stat® granules and Celox Gauze®, in a model of major hepatic injury in the presence of clotting dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS Major hepatic injuries in moderately heparinised swine were treated with either Omni-Stat® granules or Celox Gauze® as compared to control plain gauze. RESULTS Plain gauze control failed to stop the bleeding in 13 of 14 attempts. Omni-Stat® arrested the bleeding in 18 of 18 attempts, providing it was in contact with the bleeding surface. Celox Gauze® arrested bleeding in 5 out of 6 attempts initially, and with further pressure in the sixth. CONCLUSIONS The results support the evidence that chitosan-derived products act independently of classical clotting pathways and should be effective in patients who suffer major liver injury even in the presence of clotting dysfunctions.
The importance of ergonomic design in product innovation. Lessons from the development of the portable computer

The article addresses the role of ergonomic design in product innovation. Designers meet users’ needs by developing solutions to complex trade-offs—reverse salients—between a product’s characteristics. The fundamental ergonomic design challenge in portable computers concerns the reverse salient between two ergonomic factors: screen size and weight. It is easier to view information on larger screens, but portability is negatively affected by the weight of larger batteries required to power larger screens. This ergonomic reverse salient shaped the innovation trajectory of the portable computer, from the selection of the clamshell portable over alterative design configurations, to the search for more efficient batteries and new types of screens. Based on hedonic price analysis on data of ergonomic and technological characteristics, we show that (i) screen size and weight are key components in hedonic price functions, (ii) the interaction between screen size and weight is distinct from interactions between other, technological, characteristics that affect computing power, and (iii) positive prices are paid for the product solutions to the ergonomic reverse salient.
Growth Implications of Infrastructure Finance in Nigeria

Development in whatever form cannot transform into good healthy living if infrastructure such as telecommunications, transport, energy, water, health, housing and education are not sufficient. As such, financing of infrastructure projects is expected to yield positive externalities to economic growth and the welfare of the people. This study analyzes the effect of public and private investment on infrastructure and its impact on economic growth in Nigeria during the period 1970 to 2014 using a Stephane et al. (2007) and Sahoo et al. (2010) framework. The Engel-Granger (1987) cointegration and Error correction mechanism (ECM) were employed to analyze the unit root procedures, ascertain the long run relationship and establish the values of long run parameters. Empirical results show that domestic private investment, public investment and per capita real expenditure on health and education influenced economic growth negatively, while labour force and the infra- structure index affected growth positively. Nigeria’s experience in terms of infrastructure development shows that the government needs to articulate a good economic policy that will enhance infrastructure quality and at the same time makes provisions for human capital development for sustained growth.
Balance sheet classification of compound financial instruments and the judgment of securities market analysts

This paper investigates the effect of balance sheet classification of a compound financial instrument on the analystâ€™s judgment on estimates in target prices using an experimental setting. The experimental design involves both buy and sales-side analysts grouped into three subsamples with limited information set about the company used in the experiment and different information regarding the accounting for the compound financial instrument (IAS 32 model, SOA model and NEA model) after the following event: a private placement of a mandatorily convertible debenture to finance the acquisition of another company abroad. We apply nonparametric means and bootstrap test. Our result show that regardless of balance sheet classification of the compound financial instrument, analysts are likely to treat it conservatively as a liability. Moreover, if the compound financial instrument is wholly classified as a liability and the company is highly leveraged, they tend to discount firmâ€™s share price.