Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
External motivation to avoid prejudice alters neural responses to targets varying in race and status

Abstract Those who are high in external motivation to respond without prejudice (EMS) tend to focus on non-racial attributes when describing others. This fMRI study examined the neural processing of race and an alternative yet stereotypically relevant attribute (viz., socioeconomic status: SES) as a function of the perceiver’s EMS. Sixty-one White participants privately formed impressions of Black and White faces ascribed with high or low SES. Analyses focused on regions supporting race- and status-based reward/salience (NAcc), evaluation (VMPFC) and threat/relevance (amygdala). Consistent with previous findings from the literature on status-based evaluation, we observed greater neural responses to high-status (vs low-status) targets in all regions of interest when participants were relatively low in EMS. In contrast, we observed the opposite pattern when participants were relatively high in EMS. Notably, all effects were independent of target race. In summary, White perceivers’ race-related motivations similarly altered their neural responses to the SES of Black and White targets. Specifically, the findings suggest that EMS may attenuate the positive value and/or salience of high status in a mixed-race context. Findings are discussed in the context of the stereotypic relationship between race and SES.
A vocational calling: exploring a caring technology in elderly care

In this article we explore the relationship of care of a group of health care workers in elderly care, through their descriptions of themselves and their work. We have an interest in how relationships of care may be explored and characterised in and across disparate vocational settings. This is a critical response to policy discourses of citizenship that are currently emerging for re‐emphasis in Europe through citizenship education and the idea of the active citizen. We mobilise two notions to help us in the analysis of interview transcripts. First, ‘calling’ is used as a figure of thought. Past religious and secular discourses of calling to God and nursing provide us with glimpses of past relations of vocation and care through which to consider present descriptions. The term ‘technology of the self’ is one drawing specifically from the work of Michel Foucault, through which we theorise the calling to care emerging from our interviewee descriptions as such a technology. Our analysis indicates that a specific calling to care and technology is mobilised by these health care workers in elderly care. We conclude that it is through such stabilisations of description that the health care workers' shape context‐specific subjectivities, as caring citizens.
Vision-IMU based collaborative control of a blind UAV

Position estimation of UAVs is usually done using onboard sensors such as GPS and camera. However, in certain practical situations, the measurements of both the GPS and the onboard camera of the UAV might not always be available or reliable. This paper investigates the possibility to overcome situations in which a UAV is blind, i.e. situations in which its onboard position sensors and estimates fail, by utilizing vision data from an external UAV. The paper demonstrates that by means of a collaborative approach, aimed at fusing information of multiple aerial vehicles, it is still possible to control the position of an UAV with onboard sensor fail. The method makes use of vision measurements from an external UAV in combination with the on-board IMU measurements of the main UAV to create a reliable position estimate. Indoor experiments demonstrate that position control is possible using this estimate.
An Empirical Study on the Effects of International Technology Diffusion on Chinese Regional Technology Progress

Technology progress has been key for sustaining economic growth in China. This paper modifies CH model to test the effects of international technology diffusion on Chinese eastern, middle and western technology progress. Two additional channels, inward FDI and foreign patent applications, for international technology diffusion are estimated along with the channel of trade. We construct a new approach to qualify R&D stock embodied in patent applications and estimate the spillover effects on Chinese 29 provinces from 1985 to 2003, implying that technology diffusion is important for Chinese technology progress, especially on middle and western regions. Each channel for international technology diffusion has distinct effects on technology progress in different regions. The differences between the elasticities of regional technology progress with respect to each channel for international technology diffusion can affect Chinese regional policymaking to promote technology progress
Credit-Rating Shopping, Selection and the Equilibrium Structure of Ratings

An important feature of the microstructure of credit ratings is the ability of a security issuer to choose which ratings to purchase. Such choices can reflect explicit or even implicit shopping for favorable credit reviews and induce "selection" effects in the structure of ratings. When there is considerable heterogeneity in views the issuer selects the ratings that are the most positive. Because the correlation among models is least when heterogeneity is greatest, we examine the influence of the correlation on the extent of ratings shopping and bias. Selectivity is central to the decision to solicit (purchase) a credit rating or for the credit rating agency to provide an unsolicited rating based upon coarser information. Our analysis highlights the interaction between the decision about whether to rely on unsolicited ratings and the potential for ratings shopping, illustrating the interaction between different types of potential conflicts of interest in the credit rating process. We use selection to provide an equilibrium interpretation for "notching" (formulaic haircutting of a credit rating agency's rating) by a rival. We point to the potential winner's curse that is implicit when the most favorable rating is selected, raising the issue of how rating agencies, regulatory authorities and investors interpret solicited ratings. We conclude by presenting theoretical results and numerical solutions to illustrate qualitative aspects of rating shopping. For example, we show that higher cost of obtaining indicative ratings and regulatory mandates to charge fees for obtaining indicative ratings reduce the extent to which these are obtained, increasing the extent of ratings bias. The higher cost of ratings also reduces the probability of "notching," i.e., the likelihood that an unpublished rating is below an existing published one.
A Review on Determining Cohesion and Coupling Based Object Oriented Metrics

Object Oriented (OO) metrics play a key role in determining the efficiency of the code being developed under OO approaches. Cohesion and coupling are the widely used measures applied for the determination of important factors including reusability, maintainability and readability. There exists many Cohesion and Coupling based OO metrics making it difficult to choose the appropriate one. Moreover, improper application of these metrics may also lead to wrong judgements. This paper aims to provide a classification of various Cohesion and Coupling based OO metrics.
Adaptive sampling for selectivity estimation in spatial database

Spatial sampling is a significant part of query processing in spatial database. In this paper, an adaptive data-driven sampling for selectivity estimation is proposed in spatial database. This technique presents an efficient sampling for spatial data, especially for two-dimensional line and polygon data, and it make the sample size fit the limit of time and memory, or a user-defined parameter. The data-driven sampling technique is compared with various techniques on different type of datasets in our experimental study, and it out outperforms the other techniques over a broad range of query workloads and datasets.
Morningness/eveningness chronotype, poor sleep quality, and daytime sleepiness in relation to common mental disorders among Peruvian college students

The study was designed to investigate the association between sleep disturbances and common mental disorders (CMDs) among Peruvian college students. A total of 2538 undergraduate students completed a self-administered questionnaire to gather information about sleep characteristics, sociodemographic, and lifestyle data. Evening chronotype, sleep quality, and daytime sleepiness were assessed using the Horne and Ostberg morningness–eveningness questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale, respectivelty. Presence of CMDs was evaluated using the General Health Questionnaire. Logistic regression procedures were used to examine the associations of sleep disturbances with CMDs while accounting for possible confounding factors. Overall, 32.9% of the participants had prevalent CMDs (39.3% among females and 24.4% among males). In multivariable-adjusted logistic models, those with evening chronotype (odds ratios (OR) = 1.43; 95% CI 1.00–2.05), poor sleep quality (OR = 4.50; 95% CI 3.69–5.49), and excessive daytime sleepiness (OR = 1.68; 95% CI 1.41–2.01) were at a relative increased odds of CMDs compared with those without sleep disturbances. In conclusion, we found strong associations between sleep disturbances and CMDs among Peruvian college students. Early education and preventative interventions designed to improve sleep habits may effectively alter the possibility of developing CMDs among young adults.
Structured programmers learning object-oriented programming: cognitive considerations

With obt«t-oncmc:d progr.tmnung I()())'~) in )au . tnd C' •" incrn1lng 1n popubrity. r~u-. unmtt currcm 'tructura! pM· grammtl'\ {e.g . • u~n ofC or CORC)L) I\ ofcomid~u.bk llllcrnt in the tompmcr disciplme. OnC' lOinmonly cxprt"~! t-C'd problem wuh 1hio; training t.a~k h d'IJt the im~ractiou berwccn programmer~ . tncl their prOgl.tfi'lnling 1.11\gu.1gt: envirorlmc:nl appe:~n;co llt': significantly . 1lctml durms hmh d~tgn . 1nd t:~l ing J')h:UO wha1 U)itlg al\ QQp bn~U. ;IltC \. -('rSUS ('<tfliCf. SOallrd qruuum:i, ~proachC'l. l)r~1;ammcn wing cxto. ;tin~ tcchntqua o:ptritnec c-e>nfusi<ln. (ru,tr.~ooon • .wd sometime\ fail in thtar .mcmpu to acquire M\\ C.:>OP skills. After comp:ar ing and c:onu-.uting obi«t-ofienrc:d .1ppro.u:hn ",th uru~o.· rured dc1ign .a.nd progr.mming, chc .1uchors rc,'iew the cognitive ~.Miic.:uhics no,•icc and c:xpcn ~lrucwred prop,r.1m· mer\ cm;oumer in swirching ro 001., technology :mel sugg.:'t way~ tO .uuclior.m: the rrouhle~. Fin.llly, prcliminnry re,.e.u'tll i\ prot1Htd which indicates th . t , <.Url\r;~ry m commonly c:xpres"td ,.,c:ws. apettido 1101 find 11 more difficult to tlunitt'" pu"3digm~ tlun do oovi«s. Tiley m;a)·· howe\"c::J, cx.p~nentt more (rmtr.uion u they arc ccmpor;anl)· ~~to ne-. u·nM
Practical Additive Homomorphic Encryption for Statistical Analysis over Encrypted Data

Homomorphic encryption scheme is one of useful tools for handling encrypted sensitive information. However, most of existing schemes have not been widely used in practical applications due to their inefficiency. In this paper, we give an additive homomorphic encryption scheme which can be used for evaluating some statistical information, such as the mean and the variance. To compute the information without the multiplicative homomorphism, we devise a message encoding technique and design a new additive homomorphic encryption by applying our encoding technique to Paillier's scheme which supports the additive homomorphism. Note that our scheme is the first additive homomorphic encryption which supports the evaluation of both the mean and the variance of encrypted data. We also propose some modifications of our scheme to improve the practicality. One of remarkable advantages of our message encoding technique is that it can be applied to any additive homomorphic encryption for supporting the above mentioned statistical operations.
ERP consultant selection problem using AHP, fuzzy AHP and ANP: A case study in Turkey

In the information technology industry, projects are often carried out simultaneously and with limited human resources, being of major relevance to adequately allocate consultants (using either the company’s own consultants or outsourcing) to each project. At the company analyzed, consultants’ allocation to concurrent projects, especially when outsourcing is done, is complex. To solve the decision problem, the Project Resource Planning method (PRP), Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), fuzzy AHP and Analytic Network Process (ANP)-based methodologies were used. The experiments suggested that both AHP and fuzzy AHP led to the same results, but neither of these considered the interactions within decision elements during the selection process, while ANP, which takes into account these interactions, most correctly weighs the sub-criteria and gives the best composite weights.
A null space approach for complete and over-complete blind source separation of autoregressive source signals

This paper presents a method of blind source separation (BSS) of autoregressive (AR) signals for complete and over-complete cases. It is based on a new separation matrix estimated from the null space (NS) of the mixture. Analysis of a mixture equation is carried out to find out the analytical representation of the separating matrix used for estimating the input source signals. The Eigenvectors of the mixture matrix is factorized using upper and lower triangular matrix factorization, then use them to formulate the separation matrix. An algorithm of the new method is provided in this paper. Simulation results show that the method is successfully separating speech and Gaussian signals from their mixture with MSE less than 0.14.
Ecological Differentiation among Genotypes of Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale)

Abstract We tested for ecological differences among apomictic dandelion genotypes in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, in order to establish a basis for predicting potential ecological consequences of genetic variation in invading populations. A greenhouse experiment on 30 potential clonal families revealed significant among-family variation for leaf morphological traits, and molecular analyses confirmed the presence of multiple genotypes. In a field common-garden experiment on six confirmed genotypes, plant size and seed production both varied over an order of magnitude among genotypes, suggesting great potential for selection among genotypes during invasion. Genotypes also varied significantly in the timing of reproduction, which may indicate differences in the timing of resource use that could promote population performance of genotype mixtures. There was no evidence of a trade-off between adult plant fitness and seed dispersal or regeneration traits. Genetic variation in dandelion populations appears to have great potential for influencing their invasive success. Nomenclature: Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale Weber in Wiggers.
Growth structure and crystal symmetry of grossular garnets from the Jeffrey mine , Asbestos , Quebec , Canada

Birefringent, orange grossular garnets from the Jeffrey mine, Asbestos, Quebec, Canada, have noncubic ordered arrangements of the Al3*, Fe3*, andlor OH ions and rhombic growth hillock with four vicinal faces on the (1 10) face. The surface features correspond to internal growth patterns observed in thin section between crossed polarizers. The growth steps ar€ symmetrically inclined to the (001) and (lI0) planes on the (110) face, and the ordered arrangement of Al3*, Fe3", andlor OH ions is symmetrical with respect to these planes, which produces sectoral twins on the crystal face. The twofold axis (D axis) is normal to the (l l0) growth face; therefore the crystal symmetry is monoclinic. Colorless and green grossular garnets show fine growth steps parallel to [001] on the (110) face; therefore their crystal symmetry is orthorhombic, although some parts are strained.
Response of estuarine meiofauna assemblage to effects of fertilizer enrichment used in the sugar cane monoculture. Pernambuco, Brazil

application of inorganic fertilizer was used to simulate environmental eutrophication associated with the sugar cane monoculture. Meiofauna community structure is herein used to assess this experimental impact. Nine quadrangular areas (4m² each) were randomly defined in the midlittoral estuarine area. Three of these areas received a high dose of sugar cane fertilizer (375 g/m² Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium), three areas received a low dose of the fertilizer (187.5 g/m²) and the other three areas represented the control. The fertilizer was applied every week. Environmental parameters and meiofauna were sampled using three–to-four week intervals. Six samplings were subsequently performed maintaining this interval. Meiofauna was counted and identified to major taxonomic groups. Meiofauna community structure varied throughout the experimental areas. Control areas maintained their abundance values during the study period, but within the enriched areas meiofauna abundance decreased greatly. MDS and ANOSIM analysis showed significant variation in the meiofauna community structure among experimental areas and also along the experimental period in the enriched areas.
General Model of Human-Robot Cooperation Using a Novel Velocity Based Variable Impedance Control

In the future, robots will have to assist human beings in the performance of several tasks. In order to achieve this goal, robots have to be able to follow human movement in a way that is transparent to the human operator. This paper presents a new method to make this cooperation more transparent. The method is based on an online variable impedance control using differentiation of the force as a natural sensor of human intention. This work will also demonstrate why velocity control should be used in the controller of a human-friendly robot rather than typical position control. The performance of the control scheme introduced here is also validated in an experimental cooperative drawing task involving a parallel manipulator and a human operator
TOLERÂNCIA À DESSECAÇÃO EM SEMENTES DE ARCHANTOPHOENIX ALEXANDRAE WENDL. AND DRUDE (PALMEIRA REAL AUSTRALIANA)

As sementes tem comportamentos diferenciados em relacao a tolerância a perda de umidade. Com o objetivo de determinar a tolerância a dessecacao em sementes de Archantophoenix alexandrae Wendl and Drude (Palmeira real australiana), foi coletado um lote de frutos de uma palmeira desta especie em Blumenau – SC e transportados inicialmente ao Laboratorio de Silvicultura da Universidade Regional de Blumenau onde foram despolpados. Posteriormente, no Laboratorio de Sementes Florestais do Departamento de Ciencias Florestais da Universidade Federal do Parana, as sementes foram expostas para a secagem, em ambiente natural, em sala. Os tratamentos consistiram na amostragem para a determinacao do teor de umidade e testes de germinacao no inicio do experimento e apos 24, 54, 78, 102, 127 e 151 horas. O teor de agua foi avaliado pelo metodo de estufa a 105 + 3o C por 24 horas e utilizando-se 4 repeticoes de 10 sementes para cada tratamento. O teste de germinacao foi conduzido sob temperatura constante de 25oC e luz natural, em vermiculita umedecida com 75 ml de agua, em caixas de germinacao - “gerbox”, com 8 repeticoes de 25 sementes. A contagem de plântulas germinadas foi realizada a cada 48 horas, por um periodo de 73 dias, quando cessou a protrusao de radiculas. Os resultados do experimento mostraram, pela porcentagem e velocidade de germinacao, que a A.alexandrae e pouco tolerante a dessecacao das sementes. O periodo de tolerância a dessecacao, para as condicoes em que o experimento foi executado, e de 78 horas, correspondendo a um nivel de umidade de 24,84%.
Prosopographical Views to Finnish WW2 Casualties Through Cemeteries and Linked Open Data

This paper presents an application for studying the death records of WW2 casualties from a prosopograhical perspective, provided by the various local military cemeteries where the dead were buried. The idea is to provide the end user with a global visual map view on the places in which the casualties were buried as well as with a local historical perspective on what happened to the casualties that lay within a particular cemetery of a village or town. Plenty of data exists about the Second World War (WW2), but the data is typically archived in un-connected, isolated silos in diﬀerent organizations. This makes it diﬃcult to track down, visualize, and study information that is contained within multiple distinct datasets. In our work, this problem is solved using ag-gregated Linked Open Data provided by the WarSampo Data Service and SPARQL endpoint.
Knighthoods, Damehoods, and CEO Behaviour

We study whether and how politicians can inﬂuence the behaviour of CEOs and ﬁrm performance with prestigious government awards. We present a simple model to develop the hypothesis that government awards have a negative effect on ﬁrm performance. The empirical analysis uses two legal reforms in New Zealand for identiﬁcation: Knighthoods and damehoods were abolished in April 2000 but reinstated in March 2009. The ﬁndings are consistent with the predictions of the model. The results suggest that government awards serve as an incentive tool through which politicians inﬂuence ﬁrms in favour of employees to the detriment of shareholders.
Thermal conductivity of isotopically enriched silicon carbide

Since the semiconductor silicon carbide presents attractive opportunities for the fabrication of novel electronic devices, there is significant interest in improving its material quality. Shrinking component sizes and high demands for efficiency and reliability make the capability to release excess heat an important factor for further development. Experience from Si and Diamond tells us that isotopic enrichment is a possible way to increase the thermal conductivity. We have produced samples of 4H-SiC that contain 28Si and 12C to a purity of 99.5%. The thermal conductivity in the c-direction of these samples has been measured by a transient thermoreflectance method. An improvement due to enrichment of at least 18% was found. The result is valid for a temperature of 45K above room temperature. A preliminary study of the temperature dependence of the thermal conductivity demonstrates a strong temperature dependence in agreement with earlier reports for 4H.
LABEL-FREE BIOSENSING USING CASCADED SILICON-ON-INSULATOR MICRO-RACETRACK RESONATORS INTEGRATED WITH PDMS MICROFLUIDIC CHANNELS

This paper demonstrates a label-free biosensing platform using Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) micro-racetrack resonators, cascaded such that multiple measurements can be made using a single input and output waveguide and therefore a single detector. The devices are integrated with poly(dimethylsiloxane) microfluidic channels in order to characterize the devices’ sensing properties. Both bulk refractive index sensing using glycerin/water solutions and clinically-relevant biosensing using Human Factor IX and its corresponding antibody are characterized. Bulk sensitivities of 40 nm/RIU are achieved, and the devices are able to sense both the protein attachment during functionalization and the protein-antibody binding reaction.