Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Domestic Political Survival and International Con fl ict : Is Democracy Good for Peace ?

If conflict is sufficiently costly to the average citizen, then full democracies are unlikely to be at war with each other. However, they may be become very aggressive in their interactions with other types of regimes, so democracy is not always good for peace. Moreover, limited democracies will be the most aggressive regime types, if the leader thinks he can stay stay in power only by appealing to an aggressive minority. Empirically, we find that a dyad of limited democracies is more likely to be involved in a militarized dispute than any other pair of political regimes (including two dictatorships). A dyad of full democracies is less likely to be involved in a militarized dispute than any other pair. Thus, there seem to be strong non-linearities in the relationship between democracy and peace, with limited democracies inherently more aggressive than other regime types. This effect is not limited to a period of transition from democracy to dictatorship. Finally, we find that as the environment becomes more hostile as a country becomes less democratic, the probability of conflict increases most dramatically when it faces a
Simulated Wave-Induced Erosion of the Mississippi River–Gulf Outlet Levees during Hurricane Katrina

This case study on the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet earthen berm/spoil bank (EBSB) illustrates a method to quantitatively analyze wave-induced lateral erosion and breaching through the flood side of coastal flood protection levees with grass armor prior to overtopping. Lateral wave-induced erosion was evaluated based on a three-step process: (1) velocity profiles were generated using a general purpose transient dynamic finite element program; (2) resistance to wave-induced erosion as a result of grass cover (turf) on the flood face of the EBSB was estimated and no wave-induced erosion was applied until the grass cover protection failed; and (3) estimated soil erodibility characteristics were used, in combination with the estimated wave-induced flood face velocities, to estimate the magnitude of lateral erosion. This case study identified that soil erodibility characteristics directly impact coastal flood protection levee performance, grass/turf armoring provides erosion protection for a limited duration,.
Palaeoceanography at the juncture between the Indian and South Atlantic oceans during the late quaternary

ABSTRACT This study uses planktonic foraminifera assemblage and SST proxy (transfer function and alkenone) data from the Southern Benguela System, offshore the Cape of Good Hope to examine palaeoceanographic change at this important juncture of the thermohaline circulation. The records of watermass characteristics and variation thus derived are used to understand further climatic mechanisms and feedbacks within the southern hemisphere and globally.This study uses planktonic foraminifera assemblage and SST proxy (transfer function and alkenone) data from the Southern Benguela System, offshore the Cape of Good Hope to examine palaeoceanographic change at this important juncture of the thermohaline circulation. The records of watermass characteristics and variation thus derived are used to understand further climatic mechanisms and feedbacks within the southern hemisphere and globally. Various modes of surface circulation are associated with particular climatic intervals through statistical and ecological analysis of faunal census data. Transitions and early intergiacials are associated with watermasses including a significant Indian Ocean component. The main feature of glacials is an eutrophic ocean environment interval (OEI) linked to increased upwelling and filament projection into the Cape Basin. Cooler stadials of intergiacials are marked by increased abundance of transitional and oligotrophic species associated with the South Atlantic gyre. These environments are seen in a characteristic order through a typical glacial—interglacial cycle as watermasses respond to insolation changes and thermohaline and atmospheric reorganisations. These are driven by northern hemisphere summer insolation cycles through trade wind strength, ITCZ position, and the position of the Agulhas Retroflection. The South Atlantic gyre signal is determined by austral summer insolation, however. SST reconstructions provide a direct record of the changing temperature characteristic of regional watermasses and are thus a second constraint on the interpretations derived from planktonic foraminiferal assemblages. Two techniques are used in this study: faunal-based transfer functions; and alkenones (U1"37). Past interglacials were at least as warm as today
Seismic Hazard based on Simulated Accelerograms due to Moderate/ Strong Earthquakes in National Capital (Delhi) Region

The National Capital Region (NCR) of India lies in the geological realm of the Peninsular India and is about 200 km from the India plate boundary (Himalaya). The NCR may be affected by a great earthquake in Central Seismic Gap (CSG) of Himalaya and/or by moderate/strong earthquake in NCR . The occurrence of moderate/strong earthquake in a densely populated city with several old and weak structures such as Delhi can be devastating and highlights the hazard potential due to local earthquakes here . The envelopes of accelerograms have been generated at bed rock level from hypothetical moderate/strong earthquakes (M 5.5 – 6.0 ) in the National Capital Region to estimate the seismic hazard and risk from such events . The simulations have been done at number of points distributed on a grid. A semi- empirical technique has been used for this purpose . The peak ground acceleration values have been extracted from the simulated accelerograms and contoured to show the spatial distribution. The results of present analysis may be used for the preparation of scenario hazard maps of the region.
Distributed Metainformation Searching: An Approach to Information Retrieval in the Age of the Semantic Web

Semantic representation of information has some evident advantages from an integration point of view, but there are many situations in which this approach is not directly applicable, as information is stored in several formats without (implicit or explicit) knowledge of its semantics. We present a distributed middleware able to unify the access to any arbitrary information source by doing a semantic translation of its contents.
MULTI-LEVEL ATTRIBUTE-BASED MATCHING APPROACH TOWARDS ENERGY-EFFICIENT RESOURCE PROVISIONING IN CLOUD DATA CENTERS

In this paper, we present a resource provisioning technique which classifies data center entities through their attributes as characterized by their resource requirements. The classification process enables the multilevel matching approach which assigns client requests to the most appropriate VM, while the VM is assigned to a Host of similar characteristics. By considering the multi-dimensionality of compute resources, data center entities which include applications, VMs, and Hosts, are consolidated and assigned according to the most proportionate available resource. Evaluation results confirm the benefits of applying such techniques on the performance and energy consumption of a cloud data center.
LSU Digital Commons LSU Digital Commons The common marmoset genome provides insight into primate The common marmoset genome provides insight into primate biology and evolution biology and evolution

The common marmoset genome provides insight into primate biology and evolution. We report the whole-genome sequence of the common marmoset ( Callithrix jacchus ). The 2.26-Gb genome of a female marmoset was assembled using Sanger read data (6×) and a whole-genome shotgun strategy. A first analysis has permitted comparison with the genomes of apes and Old World monkeys and the identification of specific features that might contribute to the unique biology of this diminutive primate, including genetic changes that may influence body size, frequent twinning and chimerism. We observed positive selection in growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor genes (growth pathways), respiratory complex I genes (metabolic pathways), and genes encoding immunobiological factors and proteases (reproductive and immunity pathways). In addition, both protein-coding and microRNA genes related to reproduction exhibited evidence of rapid sequence evolution. This genome sequence for a New World monkey enables increased power for comparative analyses among available primate genomes and facilitates biomedical research application.
Procedural Justice and the Regulation of Tax Compliance Behaviour : The Moderating Role of Personal Norms

The Andrew Young School of Policy Studies was established at Georgia State University with the objective of promoting excellence in the design, implementation, and evaluation of public policy. In addition to two academic departments (economics and public administration), the Andrew Young School houses seven leading research centers and policy programs, including the International Studies Program. The mission of the International Studies Program is to provide academic and professional training, applied research, and technical assistance in support of sound public policy and sustainable economic growth in developing and transitional economies. The International Studies Program at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies is recognized worldwide for its efforts in support of economic and public policy reforms through technical assistance and training around the world. This reputation has been built serving a diverse client base, including the World Bank, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), finance ministries, government organizations, legislative bodies and private sector institutions. The success of the International Studies Program reflects the breadth and depth of the in-house technical expertise that the International Studies Program can draw upon. The Andrew Young School's faculty are leading experts in economics and public policy and have authored books, published in major academic and technical journals, and have extensive experience in designing and implementing technical assistance and training programs. Andrew Young School faculty have been active in policy reform in over 40countries around the world. Our technical assistance strategy is not to merely provide technical prescriptions for policy reform, but to engage in a collaborative effort with the host government and donor agency to identify and analyze the issues at hand, arrive at policy solutions and implement reforms. For more information about our technical assistance activities and training programs, please visit our website at
Multidimensional Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa: Levels and Trends

This paper provides an overview of multidimensional poverty - levels and trends - in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), using the most recent estimations and analyses of the global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), which was developed by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) launched in 2010 and reported in UNDP’s Human Development Reports. The global MPI 2014 covers 37 SSA countries, which are home to 91% of the population of the region. This paper synthesises the main results: the levels of poverty in SSA overall as well as in West, East, Central and Southern Africa. It compares the MPI in rural and urban areas and the MPI with income poverty. It also summarises results on inequality among the poor as this is highest in SSA countries. In terms of poverty dynamics, of the 19 SSA countries for which we have time-series data, 17 - covering 93% of the poor people across all 19 - had statistically significant reductions in multidimensional poverty. Finally, we scrutinise the situation in SSA according to a new measure of destitution, which identifies a subset of poor people as destitute if they experience a number of extreme deprivations like severe malnutrition or losing two children. Throughout this analysis, the paper demonstrates the descriptive analyses that multidimensional poverty indices enable - such as decomposition and dynamic analysis of poverty by subnational groups and ethnic groups, and the breakdown and dynamic analysis of the composition of the MPI according to its constituent indicators.
Acute Disruption of Select Steroid Receptor Coactivators Prevents Reproductive Behavior in Rats and Unmasks Genetic Adaptation in Knockout Mice EDE

Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Baylor College of Medicine (E.M.A., B.W.O.), Houston, Texas 77030; Department of Pharmacology, University of Louisville (D.Z.), Louisville, Kentucky 40292; Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, The John Hopkins University (M.R.), Baltimore, Maryland 21218; and Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of Pittsburgh (S.O.), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261
Has Nongenomic Action in Caveolae

ER and ER serve classically as transcription factors, and ER also mediates nongenomic responses to E2 such as the activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). In contrast, the nongenomic capacities of endogenous ER are poorly understood. We evaluated eNOS activation by E2 in cultured endothelial cells that express endogenous ER to determine whether the ER isoform has nongenomic action and to reveal the subcellular locale of that function. A subpopulation of ER was localized to the endothelial cell plasma membrane, overexpression of ER enhanced rapid eNOS stimulation by E2, and the response to endogenous ER activation was inhibited by the ER -selective antagonist RR-tetrahydrochrysene (THC). eNOS activation through ER was reconstituted and shown to occur independent of ER in COS-7 cells, and ER protein in COS-7 was directed to the plasma membrane. THC also blunted E2 activation of eNOS in isolated endothelial cell plasma membranes. Furthermore, ER protein was detected and THC attenuated E2 stimulation of eNOS in isolated endothelial cell caveolae, and functional ER -eNOS coupling was recapitulated in caveolae from transfected COS-7 cells. These findings in the ER-eNOS signaling paradigm indicate that endogenous ER has nongenomic action in caveolae. (Molecular Endocrinology 16: 938–946, 2002)
Applications of Optimal Bands Selection Using in Wetland Monitor of Western Inner Mongolia Based on Multispectral Remote Sensing Data——Taking Wuliangsu Lake as an Example

Wetland is said "the kidney of the nature" for abundant resources,special ecosystem structure and function.To protect and utilize wetland better,the researches on wetlands have become the focus of international numerous scholars in recent years.Trying to apply Remote Sensing to wetland,this text mainly studies optimal bands selection using multispectral Remote Sensing data to stand out wetland types and wetland vegetation.Studies indicate that it must consider spectrum characteristic difference of bands combination as big as possible in addition to the big information of band and the small relativity between bands on optimal bands selection principles.Taking Wuliangsu Lake as an example,this text uses the best index OIF index to select optimal bands combining spectrum characteristics of the research objects and the use of ETM on Landsat7,finally TM453 is the best combination,such choice can make gray degree value of different objects to the biggest,this will be advantageous to see and distinguish.
The Non-Standard Monetary Policy Measures of the ECB: Motivations, Effectiveness and Risks

Abstract This paper examines the challenges faced by the European Central Bank since the outbreak of the global financial crisis. From 2008 to 2014, the need to preserve the correct functioning of the monetary policy transmission mechanism and ensure the supply of credit to the private sector stretched the limits of conventional monetary policy. In 2015, the risk of deflation led the ECB to start a large scale asset purchase programme. The analysis is largely based on a review of the many studies that Banca d’Italia staff has produced on the factors that have brought inflation to unprecedented low levels in 2014 and on the effects of the asset purchase programme. Zusammenfassung Dieser Beitrag untersucht die Herausforderungen, vor denen die Europäische Zentralbank seit dem Ausbruch der globalen Finanzkrise steht. Von 2008 bis 2014 hat die Notwendigkeit, das ordnungsgemäße Funktionieren des geldpolitischen Transmissionsmechanismus zu wahren und die Kreditversorgung des privaten Sektors sicherzustellen, die Grenzen der konventionellen Geldpolitik überschritten. Im Jahr 2015 führte das Deflationsrisiko dazu, dass die EZB ein groß angelegtes Anleihenkaufprogramm aufnahm. Die vorliegende Analyse basiert im Wesentlichen auf einer Überprüfung der zahlreichen Studien, welche die Mitarbeiter der Banca d‘Italia zu den Faktoren erstellt haben. Diese Faktoren haben einerseits die Inflation 2014 auf ein beispiellos niedriges Niveau gebracht und andererseits Auswirkungen auf das Programm zum Ankauf von Vermögenswerten zur Folge gehabt. JEL Classification: E31, E43, E52
Effect of increased pCO2 on the planktonic metabolic balance during a mesocosm experiment in an Arctic fjord

The effect of ocean acidification on the balance between gross community production (GCP) and community respiration (CR) (i.e., net community production, NCP) of plankton communities was investigated in summer 2010 in Kongsfjorden, west of Svalbard. Surface water, which was characterized by low concentrations of dissolved inorganic nutrients and chlorophyll a (a proxy of phytoplankton biomass), was enclosed in nine mesocosms and subjected to eight pCO2 levels (two replicated controls and seven enhanced pCO2 treatments) for one month. Nutrients were added to all mesocosms on day 13 of the experiment, and thereafter increase of chlorophyll a was provoked in all mesocosms. No clear trend in response to increasing pCO2 was found in the daily values of NCP, CR, and GCP. For further analysis, these parameters were cumulated for the following three periods: phase 1 – end of CO2 manipulation until nutrient addition (t4 to t13); phase 2 – nutrient addition until the second chlorophyll a minimum (t14 to t21); phase 3 – the second chlorophyll a minimum until the end of this study (t22 to t28). A significant response was detected as a decrease of NCP with increasing pCO2 during phase 3. CR was relatively stable throughout the experiment in all mesocosms. As a result, the cumulative GCP significantly decreased with increasing pCO2 during phase 3. After the nutrient addition, the ratios of cumulative NCP to cumulative consumption of NO3 and PO4 showed a significant decrease during phase 3 with increasing pCO2. The results suggest that elevated pCO2 influenced cumulative NCP and stoichiometric C and nutrient coupling of the plankton community in a high-latitude fjord only for a limited period. However provided that there were some differences or weak correlations between NCP data based on different methods in the same experiment, this conclusion should be taken with caution.
An examination of motivations for using the World Wide Web

Using data collected from students at a fully networked university community, this study examines patterns of World Wide Web use and how they may relate to gratifications people seek from traditional media. Path analyses show that beliefs about the Web predict gratifications sought, and that the latter predict gratifications obtained, with considerable reliability. More importantly, entertainment, surveillance, and passing time—gratifications typically associated with television and newspaper use—prove to be significant predictors of World Wide Web site visitation. Thus, the data indicate that Internet use may be understood and predicted through the application of traditional gratification typologies.
Deep Learning in Low Resolution Image Recognition

Currently deep learning is the widely adopted machine learning techniques by computer vision and signal processing communities. Deep Learning, in particular, the Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), are the most impressive classifiers widely used for image recognition.in recent years. The key advantages of CNN over the traditional machine learning algorithms are discussed in this paper which includes representation learning at different layers, translation and scale invariance, and parallel implementation with efficient use of GPUs, stochastic gradient descent optimization with a new regularization technique called as ‘dropout’.
Limited Functional Grouping of Neurons in the Motor Cortex Hand Area During Individuated Finger Movements : A Cluster Analysis

[PDF] [Full Text] [Abstract] , November 1, 2005; 94 (5): 3325-3341. J Neurophysiol M. H. Schieber and G. Rivlis Averages of Electromyographic Activity During Skilled Finger Movements A Spectrum From Pure Post-Spike Effects to Synchrony Effects in Spike-Triggered [PDF] [Full Text] [Abstract] , January 1, 2007; 97 (1): 110-120. J Neurophysiol C. T. Moritz, T. H. Lucas, S. I. Perlmutter and E. E. Fetz Spinal Cord in Sedated Monkeys Forelimb Movements and Muscle Responses Evoked by Microstimulation of Cervical [PDF] [Full Text] [Abstract] , January 1, 2007; 97 (1): 70-82. J Neurophysiol M. H. Schieber and G. Rivlis Cortex Neurons Partial Reconstruction of Muscle Activity From a Pruned Network of Diverse Motor [PDF] [Full Text] [Abstract] , April 1, 2007; 97 (4): 2887-2899. J Neurophysiol T. M. Herter, I. Kurtzer, D. W. Cabel, K. A. Haunts and S. H. Scott Postural Task Characterization of Torque-Related Activity in Primary Motor Cortex During a Multijoint [PDF] [Full Text] [Abstract] , July 1, 2007; 98 (1): 327-333. J Neurophysiol S. B. Hamed, M. H. Schieber and A. Pouget Decoding M1 Neurons During Multiple Finger Movements
LUTEIN: SEE THE DIFFERENCE

The rationale for the protective role of lutein in the body stems from the ability of this carotenoid to: 1) filter harmful short-wavelengths of visible light (i.e. blue light), 2) function as antioxidant and 3) stabilize membrane integrity. These biological functions allow lutein to reduce the number of free radicals generated in the body directly by filtering blue light filter, or indirectly by working as an antioxidant.