Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Citizens' Knowledge On Public Administration: Exploring the Links in Three Social Movements

The dissertation develops a conceptual framework linking social knowledge and public administration. Social knowledge is understood broadly as the knowledge used by people in various roles, including experts, ordinary citizens, and public officials, to solve social problems. Social movement knowledge is examined as one particular type of social knowledge. The conceptual framework used to study the relationship between social movement knowledge and public administration is a combination of several literatures: citizen participation, civic innovations, community of practice, policy learning, and knowledge production in social movements. The framework connects social movement, policy expert, and administrative knowledge through the processes of social, policy, and organizational learning. This dissertation further illustrates the complex dynamics of the relationship between these elements of the framework by presenting empirical evidence from three cases of social movements. Observations from the three cases make several contributions to public administration scholarship. First, the analysis of the dynamics of movement knowledge production helps us understand how social knowledge enters the policy arena and thus becomes “visible” to policy-makers, how the character of its relationship to public policy changes over time, and whether the strategies of movement leaders and policy-makers depend on the dynamics of knowledge production. These insights inform the literature on collaborative governance by illuminating how knowledge production in social movements shapes knowledge interactions between movement knowledge and public sector actors. Next, the dissertation highlights how the interactions between movement communities and public organizations prevent or facilitate the transfer of movement knowledge into public organizations at different organizational levels. The findings enrich the understanding of the influence of external knowledge networks on public organizations and contribute to the literature on knowledge management in the public sector. Finally, the analysis explores the role of movement knowledge in mediating the relationships between policy learning at the national level and organizational learning at the local level. In particular, it examines how movement actors might help bridge public policies and organizational practices. The dissertation ends with a new theoretical model to explain how the knowledge of citizens manifested in social movements affects public policy and the implementation of public policy. The Impact of Citizens’ Knowledge On Public Administration: Exploring the Links in Three Social Movements by Vadym V. Pyrozhenko Dissertation Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration Syracuse University May 2012 Copyright © Vadym V. Pyrozhenko, PhD, 2012 All Rights Reserved
Vega Grid and CSCW: two approaches to collaborative computing

This work looks at computer supported cooperative work from a grid computing viewpoint. We point out the trend of network computing and outline its implications and new CSCW requirements. We discuss key pieces of grid technology that are relevant to collaboration, focusing on the Vega Grid research work conducted at Institute of Computing Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. We also discuss an application example from China Railways.
Correlation of Packet Delay and Loss in the Internet TITLE2

In this paper we examine the correlation between packet delay and packet loss experienced by a continuous-media traffic source on the Internet. Our goal is to study the extent to which one performance measure can be used to predict of the future behavior of the other (e.g., whether observed increasing delay is a good predictor of future loss) so that an adaptive continuous media application might take {\it anticipatory\/} action based on observed performance. We ran numerous hour-long experiments in which continuous media traffic was sent from a source to a destination. We measured the per-packet delay and packet loss and then analyzed our measurements off-line. Our results provide a quantitative study of the extent to which such correlation exists. Interestingly, we observe periodic phenomena in the correlation that we had initially not expected. We discuss our results, speculate as to the reason for the observed behaviors, and discuss their implications for adaptive continuous media applications.
Understanding Carbonate Equilibria by Measuring Alkalinity in Experimental and Natural Systems

Carbonate equilibria is a fundamental concept within the geosciences. An understanding of carbonate equilibria is necessary for geologic studies of weathering, surface and ground water chemistry, and global climate. Equilibria and acid-base relationships are difficult to understand without hands-on examples. Alkalinity titrations, in combination with theoretical calculations, offer a simple and inexpensive method to experiment with carbonate equilibria using both known standards and surface water samples. The acquired data provide a link between theory and application in geochemistry.
The European Parliament in the Enlarged EU: Explaining Group Membership in the European Parliament

This paper examines the decisions behind group membership in the European Parliament. Following the goals ascribed to them by Strom in other settings (1990), national parties should join the largest group that matches their socioeconomic preferences. Yet, whilst explanations taking national parties as the basic unit of analysis might sometimes suffice, we argue that it is often necessary to consider the influence of individual party members and existing EP groups. The pursuit of individual and collective interests by all these actors determines the attractiveness of the various options open to a party weighing up its group affliation in the European Parliament. After developing a conceptual framework to explain the dynamics behind membership decisions, we illustrate it by reference to the attempt by the British Conservative Party to leave the European People's Party-European Democrats (EPP-ED) group, an effort ending in the formation with the Czech Civic Democrats (ODS) of an extraparliamentary federation, the Movement for European Reform.
Terrorism, lightning and falling furniture

ABSTRACT From time to time, opinion pieces appear in the media that point out that the risk of being harmed by terrorism is very low. This much is true, at least from an actuarial perspective. These opinion pieces are often accompanied by lists of other, usually absurd, ways that a person is more likely to die, including being struck by lightning or crushed by falling furniture. When asked, people do state a likelihood of being harmed by terrorism that is much greater than the actuarial odds. But risk perception is complex and to many people the actuarial odds of being killed by terrorism versus being killed by falling furniture do not adequately reflect the differences in the nature of risks from these two things. A discussion about risk perception and terrorism cannot start and end with the conclusion that people simply overestimate the risk. To do so would be to overlook the nuances of risk perception and decision-making under conditions of risk and uncertainty. An understanding of the complex ways in which risk perceptions are shaped is essential for those who would seek to accurately characterise, compare and regulate risks in the terrorism context.
Active Output Voltage Regulation for an Ironless Axial-Flux PM Automotive Alternator with Electromechanical Flux Weakening

Aim of the paper is to present a solution for active output voltage regulation in PM automotive alternators, though mechanical flux weakening. An AFPM ironless machine is investigated, composed of two stators connected in series which can be shifted one with respect to the other, thus allowing a theoretically infinite constant power speed range. The paper focuses on the aspects related to layout, sizing and control of the shifting mechanism, which are critical for accurate output voltage regulation. Experimental tests on a 2 kW prototype will validate the capabilities of the proposed solution, both during steady-state and during transient operating conditions.
The imputation of wages above the contribution limit with the German IAB employment sample

"Researchers analyzing wages with the German IAB employment sample are confronted with a censoring problem: The data comes from the social security accounts. Therefore the wages are only given up to the contribution limit of the social security (A documentation of the data set is found in Bender, Haas, and Klose (2000)). To avoid biased estimation the censored wages can be imputed with estimated wages. The estimation can be done with a tobit model. The independent variables of the estimation are for example qualification, region and branch. " (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en)) Additional Information Anlage zum FDZ-Methodenreport Nr. 02/2005: ado-Programm: imputw
Outdoor UAV control and coordination system supported by biological inspired method

This paper presents control strategy for a group of multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). Descripted biologically inspired method was developed to solve exploration or monitoring tasks. The proposed solution was tested in real environment on a quad-rotor UAV platform. Our abstract model is a decentralized adaptive system with a shared memory which represents the environment.
Performance Analysis of SISO and MIMO FSO Communication Systems Over Turbulent Channels

Free-space optical (FSO) communications using intensity modulation and direct detection (IM/DD), is a cost-effective and high bandwidth access technique, which has recently received significant attention and commercial interest for a variety of applications [30, 44]. Optical wireless communication systems are rapidly gaining popularity as effective means of transferring data at high rates over short distances due to the necessity of a cost-effective, license-free, and high-bandwidth access communication technique [12, 30, 36, 44]. These systems facilitate rapidly deployable, lightweight, high-capacity communication without licensing fees and tariffs. Terrestrial FSO is not free of challenges though. Amajor impairment over FSO links is the atmospheric turbulence, caused by the variations in the refractive index because of inhomogeneities in temperature and pressure changes. In clear weather conditions, the atmospheric turbulence results in fluctuations at the intensity of the received signal, i.e., signal fading, also known as scintillation in optical communication terminology [6, 11]. Turbulence is caused by inhomogeneities of both temperature and pressure in the atmosphere and can severely degrade the link performance, particularly over link distances of 1 km or longer. The performance of this technology depends strongly on the atmospheric conditions between the transmitter and the receiver and the parameters of the link such as the length and the operation wavelength. Effects of fog, rain, atmospheric gases, and aerosols also result in beam attenuation due to photon absorption and scattering [25].
INCREASING THE SUPPLY OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN APEC: A SCORECARD APPROACH

This study employs the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Model to examine the entrepreneurial environment of fourteen APEC economies, members of the GEM Consortium. If “the positive and statistically robust link between entrepreneurship and economic growth has been indisputably verified” (Audretsch et al. 2002), then the supply of entrepreneurship is critical for sustained economic activity in a country. We exploit the GEM 2002 dataset in a “Scorecard Approach” to compare and contrast the level of entrepreneurial framework conditions within these APEC economies.
Testing for Granger Causality in Futures Volume and Stock Returns Relation

This paper is an attempt to study the dynamic relation between futures volume and returns of stocks in Indian context using granger causality with the intent to find out if past movement in volumes in future market improves the return of stocks in spot market. The motivation of this study is the previous literature which suggests that spot and derivative markets are linked and informed traders with private information prefer to trade in derivative market because of trading leverage available into derivative market and so the trading data from futures market should provide feedback to spot market and so affecting the returns. The data has been collected from NSE website for few nifty 50 stocks from different sectors also having significant share in index for the period July-September 2009. The time series data have been tasted for stationarity using Dickey- Fuller test and further causality has been examined. We report weak evidence of dynamic (causal) relationship between future volume and spot returns.
Diagnosis of Ketotic Hypoglycaemia of Childhood

Twenty cases of ketotic hypoglycaemia have been diagnosed in one medical unit in the past 8 years. Typically the children were `dysmature' at birth, with a history suggesting hypoglycaemia in the first 36 hours of life, and they have remained small and thin. 4 are the smaller of non-identical twins. Most presented acutely with recurrent early morning convulsions after the age of 1 year. A dietary ketogenic provocation test, which is the standard diagnostic procedure, induced hypoglycaemia in the 19 cases in which it was done, but the children frequently remained asymptomatic. This contrasts with the original description of the test. Treatment with carbohydrate supplements at bedtime has been successful in controlling symptoms in 16 of the 19 children followed up. Of the failures, 1 is attributable to parental non-co-operation, while in 2 others the original diagnosis was possibly erroneous.
Ju l 2 00 0 Improved timing formula for the PSR B 1257 + 12 planetary system

We present a new analysis of the dynamics of the planetary system around the pulsar B1257+12. A semi-analytical theory of perturbation between terrestrial-mass planets B and C is developed and applied to improve multi-orbit timing formula for this object. We use numerical simulations of the pulse arrival times for PSR B1257+12 to demonstrate that our new timing model can serve as a toll to determine the masses of the two planets. Subject headings: celestial mechanics — planetary systems — pulsars: individual (PSR B1257+12)
Tbx6 Regulates Left/Right Patterning in Mouse Embryos through Effects on Nodal Cilia and Perinodal Signaling

Background The determination of left/right body axis during early embryogenesis sets up a developmental cascade that coordinates the development of the viscera and is essential to the correct placement and alignment of organ systems and vasculature. Defective left-right patterning can lead to congenital cardiac malformations, vascular anomalies and other serious health problems. Here we describe a novel role for the T-box transcription factor gene Tbx6 in left/right body axis determination in the mouse. Results Embryos lacking Tbx6 show randomized embryo turning and heart looping. Our results point to multiple mechanisms for this effect. First, Dll1, a direct target of Tbx6, is down regulated around the node in Tbx6 mutants and there is a subsequent decrease in nodal signaling, which is required for laterality determination. Secondly, in spite of a lack of expression of Tbx6 in the node, we document a profound effect of the Tbx6 mutation on the morphology and motility of nodal cilia. This results in the loss of asymmetric calcium signaling at the periphery of the node, suggesting that unidirectional nodal flow is disrupted. To carry out these studies, we devised a novel method for direct labeling and live imaging cilia in vivo using a genetically-encoded fluorescent protein fusion that labels tubulin, combined with laser point scanning confocal microscopy for direct visualization of cilia movement. Conclusions We conclude that the transcription factor gene Tbx6 is essential for correct left/right axis determination in the mouse and acts through effects on notch signaling around the node as well as through an effect on the morphology and motility of the nodal cilia.
An X-Ray-selected Active Galactic Nucleus at z = 4.6 Discovered by the CYDER Survey

We present the discovery of a high-redshift, X-ray-selected active galactic nucleus (AGN) by the Calan-Yale Deep Extragalactic Research (CYDER) survey: CXOCY J033716.7-050153, located at z = 4.61, the second high-redshift AGN discovered by this survey. Here we present its optical, near-IR, and X-ray properties and compare it with other optical and X-ray-selected high-redshift AGNs. The optical luminosity of this object is significantly lower than most optically selected high-redshift quasars. It also has a lower rest-frame UV to X-ray emission ratio than most known quasars at this redshift. This mild deviation can be explained either by dust obscuring the UV radiation of a normal radio-quiet AGN emitting at 10% of its Eddington luminosity or because this is intrinsically a low-luminosity radio-loud AGN with a supermassive black hole of ~108 M☉ emitting at 1% of its Eddington luminosity. Deep radio observations can discriminate between these two hypotheses.
The PALB2 Gene Is a Strong Candidate for Clinical Testing in BRCA1- and BRCA2-Negative Hereditary Breast Cancer

Background: Several reports indicate that inherited mutations in the PALB2 gene predispose to breast cancer. However, there is little agreement about the clinical relevance and usefulness of mutation screening in this gene. We analyzed the prevalence and spectrum of germline mutations in PALB2 to estimate their contribution to hereditary breast and/or ovarian cancer in the Czech Republic. Methods: The entire PALB2 coding region was sequenced in 409 breast/ovarian cancer patients negative for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations. Testing for large genomic rearrangements (LGR) was performed by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analysis. Results: We have identified 13 different pathogenic alterations including 10 truncating mutations and three LGRs in 16 of 409 patients (3.9%), whereas one truncating mutation was found in a group of 1,226 controls (0.08%; P = 2.6 × 10−9). Three novel LGRs included deletions involving exons 7–8 and 9–10, respectively, and a duplication spanning exons 9–11. Five frameshift and two nonsense mutations were novel, whereas three truncating mutations were described previously. The only recurrent mutation was the c. 172_175delTTGT detected in four unrelated breast cancer individuals. Conclusions: Our analyses demonstrated the significant role of the PALB2 gene in breast cancer susceptibility. The highest frequency of PALB2 mutations (comparable with that previously reported for BRCA2) was found in a subgroup of patients with hereditary breast cancer (HBC) (13/235; 5.5%). Impact: Our results show that mutation analysis of the PALB2 gene, including the analysis of LGRs, is primarily indicated in patients with HBC in case of their BRCA1 and BRCA2 negativity. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(12); 2323–32. ©2013 AACR.
Increasing security and usability of computer systems with graphical passwords

To gain access to computer systems, users are required to be authenticated. This is usually accomplished by having the user enter an alphanumeric username and password. Users are usually required to remember multiple passwords for different systems and this poses such problems as usability, memorabilty and secuurity. Passwords are usually difficult to remember and users have developed their own methods some of which are not secure of selecting passwords which are easy to remember. In this research we developed a secure and usable password system which addresses the memorability problem. In our system users are required to remember three cartoon images which we demonstrate is easier to recall than a typical secure text password. This system is shown to be secure based on the probability of guessing a password and on the likelihood of an observer "shoulder surfing" the password and on the difficulty of launching a brute force attack against a graphical image system. Our work demonstrates that security and usability can be achieved simultaneously. It lays the foundation for developing a class of similar password systems, differing only in the degree of security required. Our password system with its low memory requirements can be used in a wide array of applications.
Sparse signal recovery and dynamic update of the underdetermined system

Sparse signal priors help in a variety of modern signal processing tasks. In many cases, a sparse signal needs to be recovered from an underdetermined system of equations. For instance, sparse approximation of a signal with an overcomplete dictionary or reconstruction of a sparse signal from a small number of linear measurements. The reconstruction problem typically requires solving an ℓ1 norm minimization problem. In this paper we present homotopy based algorithms to update the solution of some ℓ1 problems when the system is updated by adding new rows or columns to the underlying system matrix. We also discuss a case where these ideas can be extended to accommodate for more general changes in the system matrix.
The impact of mammographic breast cancer screening in Singapore: a comparison between screen-detected and symptomatic women.

BACKGROUND Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death amongst Singapore women. There are few studies evaluating the impact of mammographic screening among Asian women. This study aimed to examine differences in disease stage at presentation and outcome between breast cancer patients who were detected by screening (screen-detected) and those who presented symptomatically (symptomatic) from the experience of a regional hospital in Singapore. We also sought to identify the demographic profile of patients who were less likely to be screen detected. METHODS Retrospective data for female patients diagnosed with primary breast cancer and treated from January 2002 - December 2008 were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to examine the profile of symptomatic as opposed to screen-detected patients and factors that influence presentation at an early disease stage. Survival and recurrence rates were computed by Kaplan-Meier method and compared by log rank test. RESULTS The study population consisted of 82 screen-detected and 679 symptomatic patients. The screen-detected patients were more likely to present at an earlier stage and have better overall cancer-specific survival as compared to symptomatic patients. Malay women and those without a family history of breast cancer were less likely to be detected by screening. CONCLUSIONS Mammographic screening appeared to enable the detection of oncologically more favorable lesions and conferred better overall cancer- specific survival in Singapore women. There is possibly room for more targeted education efforts to reach out to Malay women and those without a family history of breast cancer to enable earlier disease detection among these individuals through regular breast cancer screening.