Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enhancing multisensory spatial orienting by brain polarization of the parietal cortex

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique that induces polarity‐specific excitability changes in the human brain, therefore altering physiological, perceptual and higher‐order cognitive processes. Here we investigated the possibility of enhancing attentional orienting within and across different sensory modalities, namely visual and auditory, by polarization of the posterior parietal cortex (PPC), given the putative involvement of this area in both unisensory and multisensory spatial processing. In different experiments, we applied anodal or sham tDCS to the right PPC and, for control, anodal stimulation of the right occipital cortex. Using a redundant signal effect (RSE) task, we found that anodal tDCS over the right PPC significantly speeded up responses to contralateral targets, regardless of the stimulus modality. Furthermore, the effect was dependant on the nature of the audiovisual enhancement, being stronger when subserved by a probabilistic mechanism induced by blue visual stimuli, which probably involves processing in the PPC. Hence, up‐regulating the level of excitability in the PPC by tDCS appears a successful approach for enhancing spatial orienting to unisensory and crossmodal stimuli. Moreover, audiovisual interactions mostly occurring at a cortical level can be selectively enhanced by anodal PPC tDCS, whereas multisensory integration of stimuli, which is also largely mediated at a subcortical level, appears less susceptible to polarization of the cortex.
Managing Sales Force Compensation

There is a considerable debate on the question of direct sales force vis-à-vis reps. The convergence of direct sales force cost and commissions paid to reps is key in the initial decision to use direct sales force or reps based on an analysis to minimize total costs. The choice between direct sales force and independent reps can have a significant impact on the valuation of the organization. It is likely that an optimal point (of direct sales force and indirect reps) is reached where a specific “sales force structure” is adding the most value to the company, thereby resulting in higher valuation. The frameworks provided in this article will help managers of sales organizations faced with structuring decisions. The choice between a direct sales force and reps depends on many economic and non economic factors. The decision related to the use of direct sales force or reps should be investigated not only for their cost and return but also for the market dynamics, its sales range and reach in the market and the relative strengths of the reps.
Two new species of Annulotrema (Monogenea: Dactylogyridae) from Hydrocynus vittatus (Characiformes: Alestidae) in Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe

Abstract Two new and one known species of Annulotrema Paperna & Thurston, 1969 are reported from the gills of the tigerfish Hydrocynus vittatus Castelnau, 1861, collected in Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe. The new species, Annulotrema pseudonili n. sp. and A. bracteatum n. sp. , are described and distinguished mainly on the basis of features of the male copulatory organ (MCO). Annulotrema pseudonili n. sp. most closely resembles A. nili Paperna, 1973, but differs from it by possessing a more delicate MCO with a thin-walled base without a fibrous distal part. Annulotrema bracteatum n. sp. is most similar to Annulotrema ruahae Paperna, 1973, from which it differs by having an MCO composed of a longer copulatory tube and a leaf-shaped accessory piece enveloping the distal part of the tube. The presence of Annulotrema pikoides Guégan, Lambert & Birgi, 1988 on H. vittatus in Zimbabwe represents a new locality record for this parasite.
Alpha-thrombin-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction.

We examined the direct effects of thrombin on pulmonary vasomotor tone in isolated guinea pig lungs perfused with Ringer albumin (0.5% g/100 ml). The injection of alpha-thrombin (the native enzyme) resulted in rapid dose-dependent increases in pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa) and pulmonary capillary pressure (Ppc), which were associated with an increase in the lung effluent thromboxane B2 concentration. The Ppa and Ppc responses decreased with time but then increased again within 40 min after thrombin injection. The increases in Ppc were primarily the result of postcapillary vasoconstriction. Pulmonary edema as evidenced by marked increases (60% from base line) in lung weight occurred within 90 min after thrombin injection. Injection of modified thrombins (i.e., gamma-thrombin lacking the fibrinogen recognition site or i-Pr2P-alpha-thrombin lacking the serine proteolytic site) was not associated with pulmonary hemodynamic or weight changes nor did they block the effects of alpha-thrombin. Indomethacin (a cyclooxygenase inhibitor), dazoxiben (a thromboxane synthase inhibitor), or hirudin (a thrombin antagonist) inhibited the thrombin-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction, as well as the pulmonary edema. We conclude that thrombin-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction is primarily the result of constriction of postcapillary vessels, and the response is mediated by generation of cyclooxygenase-derived metabolites. The edema formation is also dependent on activation of the cyclooxygenase pathway. The proteolytic site of alpha-thrombin is required for the pulmonary vasoconstrictor and edemogenic responses.
Human Resource development in Toyota culture

Companies throughout the world are engaging in 'lean' programs for manufacturing, product development, office work, and even the enterprise following Toyota as a model. The goal is to eliminate waste. Generally speaking these programs have had success at driving impressive dollar savings, but we believe the results are still far below what is possible and generally not sustainable. The problem is a fundamental misunderstanding of what has made Toyota so successful. For Toyota the goal is always to be the best at cost, quality, delivery, safety, and morale through engaging people in continuous improvement. This paper summarises how they do that through an exceptional Human Resource (HR) development system.
Association of Body Mass Index, Blood Pressure and Serum Levels of Triglycerides and High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Childhood with the Insulin Sensitivity Index in Young Adulthood: A 13-year Follow-up

Background Tracking of body mass index (BMI), blood pressure and serum lipids from childhood to adulthood has been demonstrated in previous studies. Whether these factors are associated with the insulin-sensitivity index measured in young adulthood (ISIadult) remains undetermined. Objectives To determine whether any association exists between the ISIadult and BMI, blood pressure and plasma lipids measured in childhood (1979). Methods The study included 227 unrelated white subjects (aged 18–32 years). Their ISIadult were measured in 1992/93, with a combined intravenous glucose (0.3 gl/kg body weight) and tolbutamide (3 mg/kg body weight) tolerance test. BMI, blood pressure and blood lipids were measured in 1979 and again in 1992/93. Results In men, plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) in 1979 (rs = 0.25, P = 0.006) was positively associated with ISIadult and plasma triglyceride measured in 1979 (rs = –0.34, P = 0.001). BMI (rs = –0.29, P = 0.002) and systolic blood pressure, both measured in 1979 (rs = –0.29, P = 0.002) were associated negatively with ISIadult. In women, plasma HDLC measured in 1979 was associated positively and significantly with ISIadult (rs = 0.21, P = 0.024) and BMI measured in 1979 was associated significantly and negatively with ISIadult (rs = –0.22, P = 0.018). Plasma triglyceride or systolic blood pressure, both measured in 1979, were not associated with ISIadult. In gender-stratified multiple-regression analyses [controlling for waist circumferenceadult, maximal aerobic capacity (VO2maxadult), age and women's use of oral contraceptives], plasma HDLC measured in 1979 was associated significantly with ISIadult in men (P = 0.026) but not in women (P = 0.066). A negative association was found between plasma triglyceride measured in 1979 and ISIadult (P = 0.045) in men, but not in women (P = 0.30). BMI, total cholesterol and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, all measured in 1979, were not associated with ISIadult. Conclusion Low plasma HDLC, high plasma triglyceride and high BMI in childhood are associated with low insulin-sensitivity index values in young adulthood.
Assessing the influence of socioeconomic drivers on Italian municipal financial destabilization

The influence of external factors on local government finances, particularly bankruptcies, is much debated. This paper investigates the relationship between regional socioeconomic features and those Italian municipalities that have been declared ‘financially destabilized’ (i.e. bankrupt). Statistical evidence confirms that municipalities located in regions with particular socioeconomic features are less exposed to financial destabilization. An early model that attempts to predict local fiscal stress is presented.
Extracardiac Conduit Fontan Operation with Reduction Aortoplasty for Left Pulmonary Artery Compression after a Norwood Procedure in a Patient with Double-Inlet Left Ventricle

Patients with double-inlet left ventricle usually have a small ascending aorta. In the Norwood procedure, which involves a staged operation, a neoaorta is constructed with a homograft, and the pulmonary artery plays a role in the systemic circulation. Dilatation or aneurysmal changes can occur over time due to the exposure of the neoaorta to systemic pressure, which may induce adverse effects on adjacent structures. We report a rare case of surgical repair for neoaortic root dilataiton with aortic regurgitation, compressing the left pulmohary artery, in a patient who underwent the Norwood procedure.
SEGMENT3D: A web-based application for collaborative segmentation of 3D images used in the shoot apical meristem

Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory, Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials, Campinas, SP, Brazil 2Center for Advanced Methods in Biological Image Analysis, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA 3Institute of Computing, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil 4Institute for Applied Computer Science, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany 5 Institute of Imaging and Computer Vision, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany 6Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, Caltech, Pasadena, CA, USA The quantitative analysis of 3D confocal microscopy images of the shoot apical meristem helps understanding the growth process of some plants. Cell segmentation in these images is crucial for computational plant analysis and many automated methods have been proposed. However, variations in signal intensity across the image mitigate the effectiveness of those approaches with no easy way for user correction. We propose a web-based collaborative 3D image segmentation application, SEGMENT3D, to leverage automatic segmentation results. The image is divided into 3D tiles that can be either segmented interactively from scratch or corrected from a pre-existing segmentation. Individual segmentation results per tile are then automatically merged via consensus analysis and then stitched to complete the segmentation for the entire image stack. SEGMENT3D is a comprehensive application that can be applied to other 3D imaging modalities and general objects. It also provides an easy way to create supervised data to advance segmentation using machine learning models.
Evidence of Environmental Migration

In hedonic property value models, economists typically assume that changing perceptions of environmental risk should be captured by changes in housing prices. For long-lived risks emanating from point sources, however, many other features of neighborhoods seem to change as well. Households relocate in response to changes in perceived environmental quality. We consider spatial patterns in selected census variables over three decades in the vicinity of four Superfund sites. We find many examples of moving and staying behavior, inferred from changes in the relative concentrations of a wide range of socio-demographic groups in census tracts near the site versus farther away. (JEL Q53, R31, R11)
A Novel High-Power-Density Three-Level LCC Resonant Converter With Constant-Power-Factor-Control for Charging Applications

This paper proposes a variable-frequency zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) three-level LCC resonant converter that is able to utilize the parasitic components of the high turns-ratio transformer. By applying a three-level structure to the primary side, the voltage stress of the primary switches is half of the input voltage. Low-voltage MOSFETs with better performance can be used in this converter, and zero-current-switching (ZCS) is achieved for rectifier diodes. By applying a magnetic integration technique, only one magnetic component is required in this converter. The power factor concept of resonant converters is proposed and analyzed, and a novel constant power-factor control scheme is proposed. Based on this control strategy, the circulating energy of resonant converters is considerably reduced. High efficiency can be obtained for high-voltage high-power charging applications. The operation principle of the converter is analyzed and verified on a 700-kHz, 3.7-kW prototype, with which a power density of 72 W/inch3 is achieved.
The management of labour in Japanese manufacturing plants in China

While there is now considerable scholarship concerning Japanese management practices in their overseas production operations in Europe and North America, little is known about Japanese investment in other parts of the world, especially in Asia. This paper draws on on-going research into the nature and operations of Japanese manufacturing investments in China. The paper focuses on interviews primarily with Chinese managers in twenty plants in three locations within China, to examine their personnel polices and practices, and draw from this their overall industrial relations strategies. The main findings were, first, that, despite claims of cultural similarity between China and Japan, personnel management practices were generally not transferred from Japan to the plants in China. Second, practices that may appear as Japanese inspired were often informed by local practices. Third, there was diversity in the forms of practices used, indicating neither sophistication nor a singular recipe of management methods. Thus, the paper seeks to challenge proponents of Japanization who claim, essentially, that Japanese management techniques are predicated on the construction of particular forms of social relations around work that allow sophisticated, and integrated, production-management systems to function. Instead, depending on a complex interrelation between location industry and the history of each plant, managers sought to use various local and 'universal' (generic to capitalism) strategies and practices to control and utilize labour.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AS A SOLUTION FOR CORRUPTION IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR

Corruption in its broader context has been identified and mentioned in the early years. However, the current concerns over corporate corruption have gained a global attention only recently. Following the collapses of the high profiled corporations such as Enron and Worldcom and the scandals behind the bankruptcy of those organizations, it drew a huge interest of the governments and the public towards finding the reasons for those economic disasters. Although corruption had been a concern in all parts of the world and in every sector of the society, it is deeply rooted in all those sectors across the globe. However the recent trends of corporate society towards building a better corporate citizenship encourage the concepts of transparency, integrity, good governance and CSR. Consequently it is contributing to one of the main solutions highlighted in this work for corruption which is, countermeasures within the corporation. The second and more integrated solution is regulatory and institutional countermeasures. Different nations approach differently in adopting a system that meets the interests of stakeholders as well as the interests of the whole society at large. Law makers are obliged to review the traditional trade laws to keep up with the dynamic and evolving corporate environment. Hence, the solution for corporate corruption is not the corporate governance codes or laws and regulation alone, rather it requires an integrated system; a framework which within the independent authorities or governing bodies work together with the various actors in the corporate world.
IN SEARCH OF THE AVERAGE TRANSNATIONAL TERRORIST ATTACK VENUE

In this paper we develop an empirical model for transnational terrorist activity for a panel consisting of 139 countries over the period 1985–1998. Essentially, we attempt to sketch the profile of the average terrorist attack venue. Our findings suggest that the terrorist attack venue is, on average, characterized by low economic openness, high demographic stress, and a high level of international disputes. Furthermore, we document a strong regional component suggesting the presence of infectious contagion on a spatial level. Our results also support the presence of addictive contagion captured by a strong autoregressive component in each country’s terrorist activity. Finally, we find a weak statistical link between the level of democracy and terrorist activity, although the level of democracy is a significant determinant of the potential under‐reporting bias of terrorist activity.
Ecotourism from a conceptual perspective, an extended definition of a unique tourism form

The aim of this article is to develop and present an extended definition of the concept of ecotourism, which has been used and misused in many ways. Ecotourism is not farm tourism, nature tourism or adventure tourism, but a unique tourism form that has become very popular due to the greening of markets, increasing knowledge of the fragility of the environment, better informed managers, and the recognition that there is a close relationship between good ecology and good economy. Ecotourism has been defined in many different ways in the literature, but one of the most central dimensions, co-operation, has not been included. Ecotourism must be sustainable and four central groups of actors have to co-operate, the local people, the authorities, tourists and companies involved in tourism. The understanding of what ecotourism is and stands for is very diverse and the discussion found in Finland is used as an illustrative case in this article. The general view in Finland is that sustainable tourism should be used instead of the concept of ecotourism. A position, which can cause large problems for the development of ecotourism in Finland. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Effect of Economic Incentives on Residential Mobility and Migration in Hungary, 1990-1999

Mobility in Hungary is a relatively infrequent phenomenon of which we have mostly aggregate-level information. Here I use settlement- and individual-level data to show a more elaborate picture of the Hungarian population moving across settlements and regions between 1990 and 1999. Using a simple economic model, I estimate the probabilities of moving house both from aggregate and individual data, and look at its response to economic incentives given by geographic differences in wages and unemployment. Three main results emerge. Firstly, the flow of people does follow wage and unemployment differences as expected, although exact parameter estimates vary considerably if different data and a matching model is used. Secondly, it is confirmed that in many regions of the country there are forces at work, especially a strong trend of suburban development, driving movement against the prediction of the simple model. Thirdly temporary movers, especially students seem to be rather influential contributors to flows we observe at the aggregate level. This makes collection of specialised data or the creation of an elaborate model that takes them into account, necessary in the long term, too.
Political Survival and Endogenous Institutional

Incumbent political leaders risk deposition by challengers within the existing political rules and by revolutionary threats. Building on Bueno de Mesquita, Smith, Siverson, and Morrow’s selectorate theory, the model here examines the policy responses of office-seeking leaders to revolutionary threats. Whether leaders suppress public goods such as freedom of assembly and freedom of information to hinder the organizational ability of potential revolutionaries or appease potential revolutionaries by increasing the provision of public goods depends, in part, on the sources of government revenues. Empirical tests show that governments with access to revenue sources that require few labor inputs by the citizens, such as natural resource rents or foreign aid, reduce the provision of public goods and increase the odds of increased authoritarianism in the face of revolutionary pressures. In contrast, without these sources of unearned revenues, governments respond to revolutionary pressures by increasing the provision of public goods and democratizing.
The risk-adjusted costs of financial distress: a comment

Almeida and Philippon (2007) argue that the present value of the costs of financial distress is considerably larger than previously estimated through failure to recognize that the relevant probabilities to use in this assessment are the risk-adjusted probabilities rather than the historical probabilities. However, Almeida and Philippon have still underestimated the present value of the costs of financial distress through failure to recognize that the costs are expected to grow over time, and correction for this more than doubles their present value. Accordingly, the present value of the tax benefits of debt net of the financial distress costs is now clearly negative rather than marginally positive.