Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Behavioral activation system moderates self-referent processing following recovery from depression

Background Previous research has implicated the behavioral activation system (BAS) in depression. The relationship of BAS functioning to aspects of cognitive vulnerability to depression, however, is not known. Method The present study investigated associations among level of BAS functioning and the encoding and recall of positive and negative self-referent information in currently non-depressed participants with a history of recurrent major depression (recovered; RMD) and in never-depressed control participants (CTL). Participants completed self-report measures of levels of BAS and behavioral inhibition system (BIS) functioning. Following a negative mood induction, participants were presented with a series of positive and negative adjectives; they indicated which words described them and later recalled as many of the words as they were able. Results The relationship of BAS functioning to self-referent processing was dependent on participant group. Although lower BAS reward responsivity was associated with the endorsement and recall of fewer positive words across groups, the magnitude of these associations was stronger, and was only significant, within the RMD group. Furthermore, only for RMD participants was lower BAS reward responsivity associated with the endorsement of more negative words. These effects were not accounted for by depressive or anxiety symptoms, current mood, or level of BIS functioning. Conclusions These results indicate that BAS functioning may be distinctively linked to negatively biased self-referent processing, one facet of cognitive vulnerability to depression, in individuals with a history of major depressive disorder. Enhancing BAS functioning may be important in buffering cognitive vulnerability to depression.
Naturalised citizens as voters: behaviour and impact

The composition of eligible voters is changing continuously – in Germany and elsewhere. In electoral analyses, we pay special attention to new, first-time voters and to young voters in general. We consider young people to be trendsetters and we think that parties should pay special attention to this group in order not to lose touch with an age cohort or even with a whole generation. Yet much less attention is paid to those people that join the electorate by naturalisation. Only recently – and as a result of the new citizenship law that took effect in 2000 – have naturalised citizens been perceived as potential party voters, and even the parties’ policy preferences in migration and naturalisation policies are said to be influenced more by the electoral impact of immigration and naturalisation than by any other factor.1 There are few data and even less analysis on the voting behaviour of naturalised citizens in Germany, although there has been a recent contribution that fills the gap to some extent, using nationwide and local data.2 The nationwide screening of naturalised citizens in the monthly Politbarometer surveys which have been the source for earlier analyses is replicated for the period from October 2001 to September 2002. Based on these data, this article describes who these naturalised citizens are, how much interest they show in politics, and how well they know parties and politicians. Further, it casts light on how frequently naturalised citizens participate in elections, which parties they vote for, and which ones they tend to avoid. Finally, the article makes an estimate as to the size of the impact made by naturalised citizens on the outcome of Germany's 2002 Bundestag election.
Radiator of wireless power charging for mobile device and its efficiency characterization

The development of wireless power charging radiator for mobile device and its efficiency characterization are presented. The radiator which is designed using a microstrip patch in spiral shape is intended to work at operating frequency around 10MHz. Some investigations over the gap between 2 radiators are carried out to analyse the effect of varied gap separations to the reflection and transmission coefficients. After obtaining the optimum design, the radiator is deployed on a grounded FR4 Epoxy dielectric substrate with the dimension of 50mm × 60mm and the thickness of 0.8mm. The realized radiator is then measured experimentally to characterize its properties compared with the design ones and to obtain its radiation efficiency. From experimental characterization, the radiator works at operating frequency of 9.21MHz with the reflection and transmission coefficient values of -20.22dB and -2.72dB, respectively. This is comparable to the design one which works at operating frequency of 10MHz and the reflection and transmission coefficient values of -29.79dB and -1.62dB, respectively. Whilst the high efficiency is achieved when the gap separation between 2 stacked radiator is 0.8mm with the average efficiency around 58%.
Object boundary edge selection using normal direction derivatives of a contour in a complex scene

Nguyen proposed a method [H.T. , Nguyen et al., 2002] for tracking a nonparameterized object (subject) contour in a single video stream. Nguyen's approach combined outputs of two steps: creating a predicted contour and removing background edges. We propose a method to increase object tracking accuracy by improving the background edge removal process. Nguyen's background edge removal method of leaving many irrelevant edges is subject to inaccurate contour tracking. Our accurate tracking is based on reducing affects from irrelevant edges by selecting the boundary edge only. We select high-valued edge pixels of average image intensity gradients in the contour normal direction. Our experimental results show that our tracking approach is robust enough to handle a complex-textured scene.
Design Oriented Aerodynamic Modelling of Wind Turbine Performance

The development of a wind turbine aerodynamics model using a Boundary Integral Equation model (BIEM) is presented. The methodology is valid to study inviscid unsteady flows around three dimensional bodies of arbitrary shape and arbitrarily moving with respect to the incoming flow. The extension of this methodology to study viscosity effects in turbine blade flow at high angle of attack is addressed and an approach to determine aerodynamic loads over a wide range of turbine operating conditions is proposed. Numerical applications considering a selected test cases from the NREL experimental dataset are presented. Finally, the application of the proposed turbine aerodynamics model into a multi-disciplinary study including aeroelasticity of pylon-turbine assembly and aeroacoustics modelling of induced noise is briefly described.
Explaining Final Term Changes in US Congressional Foreign Travel

Recent scholarship demonstrates US legislators acquire human capital (that is, contacts, knowledge, and skills) in Congress that maximises post-elective earnings because they anticipate re-entering the labour market after leaving office. This literature has not, however, addressed how legislators’ expectations of entering specific professions affect their in-office activities. This article examines this question within the context of final term, employment-particular changes in House members’ foreign travel. Representatives entering the private sector are predicted to travel more in the last period to augment their human capital in foreign affairs and signal their expertise to prospective employers, while retiring legislators are expected to travel less because they lack incentives to maintain productivity levels. Analysis supports the former but not the latter prediction.
Separation of Ownership and Control: Implications for Board Composition

This article investigates the implications of separation of ownership and control for board composition over a spectrum of ownership structures present in the U.S. property–liability insurance industry. We hypothesize that agency costs associated with manager–owner conflicts increase with the degree of separation of ownership and control. Greater agency costs imply a greater need for monitoring by outside directors on the board. Therefore, use of outside directors is expected to increase as the separation of ownership and control gets larger. Employing a sample of property–liability insurers exhibiting different degrees of separation of ownership and control, we find support for our hypothesis.
Modelling Agricultural Policies in the CEE Accession Countries

The present paper analyses sectoral impacts of the CEE integration with EU. Adopting a par-tial equilibrium model we explicitly model the agricultural sector in CEE. The underlying par-tial equilibrium model is based on the duality theory. The model captures all key CAP instru-ments, such as price support, area payments, animal premiums, quotas and set-aside premiums. The policy simulation analysis allows us to track how changes in the CAP affect the supply and demand behaviour of agricultural producers and consumers of food products. Our simulation results suggest that farm income in CEE will rise mainly due to area payments and animal pre-miums. The impact on consumer welfare is rather small, as decreasing prices for some food products are offset by increasing prices for other agricultural goods.
Cloning, cDNA Sequence, and Alternative Splicing of Porcine Amelogenin mRNAs

In mammals, the organic matrix of developing enamel is dominated by amelogenins. To investigate the expression of proteins secreted into the developing enamel matrix, we have constructed a porcine enamel organ epithelia-specific cDNA library. The amelogenin fraction of the cDNA library was characterized by the cloning of amelogenin-specific polymerase chain-reaction (PCR) amplification products, 5' and 3' rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), and by helper phage rescue of unamplified clones. Clones were characterized that encode porcine amelogenin isoforms 173, 157, 56, 41, and 40 amino acids in length. The structure of the porcine amelogenin gene differs from that of any of those yet described. There are two homologous but distinct exons 1, 2, and 7. One of the two exon 7s can vary in length depending upon the selection of either of two polyadenylation signal/cleavage sites. As a rule, a given exon 1 always pairs with the same exon 2 but can be associated with either exon 7. Despite significant sequence divergence within these exons, no differences are observed in exons 3, 5, and 6. We interpret these findings as evidence of a single amelogenin gene expressed from two promoters; however, the results do not exclude the existence of a second amelogenin gene. The variability generated through the use of alternate promoters and exon 7s primarily affects the non-coding regions of the message. A given amelogenin isoform expressed from the two promoters displays four amino acid differences within the signal peptide, while the secreted proteins are identical. Similarly, the alternative use of exon 7 does not alter the structure of the protein products. The pattern of RNA splicing of amelogenin pre-mRNAs is different for the transcripts expressed from the two promoters. The 173- and the 56-residue amelogenins can be expressed from either promoter, while the 157-residue amelogenin is generated by onlv one of the two promoters.
Natural and anthropogenic changes in atmospheric CO2 over the last 1000 years from air in Antarctic ice and firn

A record of atmospheric CO2 mixing ratios from 1006 A.D. to 1978 A.D. has been produced by analysing the air enclosed in three ice cores from Law Dome, Antarctica. The enclosed air has unparalleled age resolution and extends into recent decades, because of the high rate of snow accumulation at the ice core sites. The CO2 data overlap with the record from direct atmospheric measurements for up to 20 years. The effects of diffusion in the firn on the CO2 mixing ratio and age of the ice core air were determined by analyzing air sampled from the surface down to the bubble close-off depth. The uncertainty of the ice core CO2 mixing ratios is 1.2 ppm (1 σ). Preindustrial CO2 mixing ratios were in the range 275–284 ppm, with the lower levels during 1550–1800 A.D., probably as a result of colder global climate. Natural CO2 variations of this magnitude make it inappropriate to refer to a single preindustrial CO2 level. Major CO2 growth occurred over the industrial period except during 1935–1945 A.D. when CO2 mixing ratios stabilized or decreased slightly, probably as a result of natural variations of the carbon cycle on a decadal timescale.
Retinal vessel segmentation based on Frangi filter and morphological reconstruction

The analysis of structural changes in retinal vessels is the most important part for diagnosing and detecting retinal related diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and arteriosclerotic. This paper presents a method for segmenting retinal vessels in retinal fundus image based on Frangi filter and morphological reconstruction. The proposed method is evaluated using colour fundus images from DRIVE and STARE datasets. In DRIVE dataset, the performance of proposed method achieves an average of sensitivity, specificity and accuracy at 72.13%, 96.65 % and 94.50%, respectively. Meanwhile, in STARE dataset, it achieves an average sensitivity of 75.50%, specificity of 90.38% and accuracy of 88.76%. These results indicate that the proposed method successfully segments retinal vessels in fundus images.
Evaluating the Impact of Social Security Benefits on Health Outcomes Among the Elderly

Given concerns about the depletion of the Social Security Trust Fund, policymakers are considering several proposals to improve the financial sustainability of the program, including some that would lower benefits over time. The extent to which reductions in Social Security benefits impact individual health and well-being is not well understood. Using data from a nationally representative survey of older adults, we examine the impact of changes in Social Security income on a broad range of elderly health outcomes, including cognitive function, depression, disability and self-rated health. Prior literature has documented a positive association between income and health. However, this association may reflect unmeasured confounders that are correlated with both income and health (e.g. childhood environment) or may reflect the impact of health on income. To address these concerns and to identify the causal impact of income on health, we employ an instrumental variables strategy based on changes in Social Security income due to amendments to the Social Security Act in the 1970s. We discuss the implications of our findings for aging populations and for public policy.
Application of image recognition algorithm in satellite interference transmitter location

There are large amounts of interference happening to GEO satellites which cause great harm to the communication systems. GEO-location becomes a very important means to eliminate the interference in satellite monitoring work. But the uncertainty makes the suspicious area quiet large and the target hard to be found. We purposed an image recognition algorithm applied in satellite interference transmitter location. According to the simulation results, the method can reduce the search scope effectively and be very helpful for radio manage department.
Analisis pengaruh hari perdagangan terhadap Return Saham :: Pengujian Week-Four Effect dan Rogalski Effect di Bursa Efek Jakarta

The paper investigates the day of the week effect in Jakarta Stock Exchange by using 73 active stocks during 2001-2003 period. The findings indicate that there is a day of the week effect in JSX. The highest and the lowest return are observed on Friday and Monday, respectively. Analysis of week-four effect in JSX find this phenomenon does not exist in Jakarta Stock Exchange. This study shows that Monday effect occurs not only in the last two weeks (fourth and fifth weeks) but also in the first three weeks. Investigation about relationship between Monday effect and Friday’s return indicates that the negative mean return observed on Monday is not only the consequence of negative return occurring in earlier trading session. Futhermore, non-negative return on Friday also contributes to Monday effect. Further investigation shows that Rogalski effect presents in April. Finally, the study shows the Monday’s return is only positive in April. Key words : Monday effect, week-four effect, Rogalski effect.
Molecular cloning of porcine Siglec-3, Siglec-5 and Siglec-10, and identification of Siglec-10 as an alternative receptor for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV)

In recent years, several entry mediators have been characterized for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). Porcine sialoadhesin [pSn, also known as sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-type lectin (Siglec-1)] and porcine CD163 (pCD163) have been identified as the most important host entry mediators that can fully coordinate PRRSV infection into macrophages. However, recent isolates have not only shown a tropism for sialoadhesin-positive cells, but also for sialoadhesin-negative cells. This observation might be partly explained by the existence of additional receptors that can support PRRSV binding and entry. In the search for new receptors, recently identified porcine Siglecs (Siglec-3, Siglec-5 and Siglec-10), members of the same family as sialoadhesin, were cloned and characterized. Only Siglec-10 was able to significantly improve PRRSV infection and production in a CD163-transfected cell line. Compared with sialoadhesin, Siglec-10 performed equally effectively as a receptor for PRRSV type 2 strain MN-184, but it was less capable of supporting infection with PRRSV type 1 strain LV (Lelystad virus). Siglec-10 was demonstrated to be involved in the endocytosis of PRRSV, confirming the important role of Siglec-10 in the entry process of PRRSV. In conclusion, it can be stated that PRRSV may use several Siglecs to enter macrophages, which may explain the strain differences in the pathogenesis.
Identification of a Conserved Loop in Mog1 that Releases GTP from Ran

Ran regulates nuclear import and export pathways by coordinating the assembly and disassembly of transport complexes. These transport reactions are linked to the GTPase cycle and subcellular distribution of Ran. Mog1 is an evolutionarily conserved nuclear protein that binds RanGTP and stimulates guanine nucleotide release, suggesting Mog1 regulates the nuclear transport functions of Ran. In the present study, we have characterized the nuclear import pathway of Mog1, and we have defined the domain in Mog1 that stimulates GTP release from Ran. In permeabilized cells, nuclear import of Mog1 is independent of exogenously added factors, and is inhibited by wheat germ agglutinin, indicating that translocation of Mog1 involves physical interactions with the nuclear pore complex. In contrast to RanGEF, which is restricted to the nucleus, Mog1 shuttles between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Single‐point mutations in acidic residues of Mog1 (Asp25, Asp34, Glu37) dramatically reduce GTP release and Ran binding activity, whereas mutation of a single basic residue (Arg30) renders Mog1 hyperactive for GTP release. These mutations map within a conserved, solvent‐exposed loop in Mog1 that is functionally similar to the β‐wedge used by RanGEF to promote nucleotide release from Ran. These data suggest that Mog1 and RanGEF use similar mechanisms to facilitate guanine nucleotide release from Ran.
Towards 'Cranfield' test collections for personal data search evaluation

Desktop archives are distinct from sources for which shared “Cranfield” information retrieval test collections1have been created to date. Differences associated with desktop collections include: they are personal to the archive owner, the owner has personal memories about the items contained within them, and only the collection owner can rate the relevance of items retrieved in response to their query. In this paper we discuss these unique attributes of desktop collections and search, and the resulting challenges associated with creating test collections for desktop search. We also outline a proposed strategy for creating test collections for this space.
On Low-Overhead and Stable Data Transmission between Channel-Hopping Cognitive Radios

Cognitive radios (CRs) are proposed to alleviate the huge need for radio spectrum. There are two known steps for a pair of CRs to start communication: the rendezvous and data-channel negotiation. Despite that the rendezvous can be achieved by some well-studied techniques such as the channel hopping, the strategies for data-channel negotiation receive much less attention and their impact on data transmission performance remains unclear. In this paper, we study existing data-channel negotiation schemes for channel-hopping CRs and observe that 1) for short data transmission, they incur a huge overhead, called notification delay , that severely limits the throughput; and 2) for long data transmission, they lead to large overhead, called interruption delay, in handling the PU interruption, which makes performance unstable. By carefully re-examining the steps toward low-overhead and stable data transmission, we argue that a key step, called self-channel selection, is missing and should precede the rendezvous and data channel selection steps. In this step, each CR selects, in a distributed manner, only a small amount of the most stable channels to be used in the later steps. To realize the self-channel selection, we introduce a Randomly-Started Stability-Descent (RSSD) selection algorithm. Expensive simulations are conducted and the results demonstrate the effectiveness of RSSD in reducing 1) the notification delay; 2) the chance of PU interruption; and 3) the interruption delay if PU interruption occurs, which overall improve the performance and quality of data transmission.
Government Transaction Policy, Media of Exchange, and Prices

Abstract We study government transaction policies in search-theoretic models of money. We model government as a subset of agents, who are subject to the same random matching technology and other constraints as private agents, but who behave in an exogenous way regarding which objects they accept in trade and at what price. The objective is to see how these policies affect private agents' strategies, and hence the set of equilibria. We analyze how the effects depend on factors like the size of government, the intrinsic properties of money, and the availability and efficacy of substitutes like barter or foreign currency. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: C78, E31, E42.
The use of quality tools and techniques in product introduction: an assessment methodology

Based on fieldwork carried out on two Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council‐funded projects in the area of design, the paper presents the details of an assessment approach which has been developed to assess the use and application of quality tools and techniques in the new product design and development process. Its use will help management recognise the symptoms, root causes, issues and problems that are adversely affecting NPDD, with respect to application (or lack of it) of quality tools and techniques.
Semi-Global Consensus of Nonlinear Second-Order Multi-Agent Systems With Measurement Output Feedback

This note addresses a leader-follower consensus control problem for second-order multi-agent systems in a complicated scenario where the agent states are partially measurable and the agent dynamics are intrinsically nonlinear. More specifically, when the states of an agent are not fully measurable, a measurement output is thus defined. As a typical example, the measurement output is defined as the position of an agent while its velocity is unmeasurable. We propose a measurement output feedback controller with a dynamic observer for the unmeasurable states. Moreover, the proposed controller with sufficiently large but explicitly designed gains is able to deal with system nonlinearities when the region of attraction is semi-globally specified.