Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Government by proxy : (mis?)managing federal programs

service interests, he argues, but the policies of the Reagan administration that must be held responsible for "strategic pluralism run amok" (p. 44). This charge is fair enough as far as it goes, but it does not dispose of the complaint that the JCS has encouraged servicism at the expense of coherent professional military judgments that could facilitate the making of sounder civilian decisions. Two major proponents of defense reform, Generals David C. Jones and Edward C. Myer, seemed to have this in mind. Normative organizational studies usually encounter difficulties in attributing sufficient weight to factors that lie beyond the practical reach of organizational design. Reforming Defense shares this difficulty with Huntington's seminal work, The Soldier and the State. 'The great object in the design of higher defense organization," Hendrickson writes, should be to ensure a plurality of military advice on those questions that involve an intermingling of political and military responsibilities" (p. 115). He is wrong. The great object of government is to assure this sort of pluralism, and in this respect the U.S. government has been successful. Defense organizational reform can proceed with the confidence that it will not substantially affect the plurality of military advice that is available to the president, the Congress, and the public. Taking this pluralism of government into account should change the direction of inquiry about the norms of defense reform even for those who are serious about civil-military distinctions. The question becomes not how to assure that the president has available varied military viewpoints but how much effort should be devoted in statute, administrative arrangement, and presidential practice to seeing that at least one military leader attempts to speak for a presidential viewpoint.
Efficient unsigned squarer design techniques

The partial product matrix (PPM) of a parallel squarer is symmetric. To reduce the depth of PPM, it can be folded, shifted and rearranged. In this paper, we present an efficient unsigned parallel squarer design technique. Also, a fixed-width squarer design method of the proposed squarer is presented. By simulations, it is shown that the proposed squarers lead to up to 18% reduction in area, 10% reduction in propagation delay and 10% reduction in power consumption compared with previous squarers. By using the proposed fixed-width squarers, area, propagation delay and power consumption can be further reduced up to 26%, 15% and 25%, respectively.
Accentual lengthening of monosyllabic-constituents in Beijing Mandarin

In stress-accent languages such as English and Dutch, pitch accent is used as the primary cue for contrastive focus, a mechanism to indicate correction or emphasis in discourse. A well-known fact about Chinese is that pitch change is used to indicate tones for lexical contrasts. This study examines how an alternative acoustic cue duration – is used to signal contrastive focus in Beijing Mandarin. In particular, attention is paid to the interaction of accentual lengthening with other known factors that govern segment duration, namely vowel intrinsic duration and a segment’s position in the prosodic hierarchy. Results from onesyllable constituents will be presented to show their conjoint influence.
The impacts of the State Children's Health Insurance Program on children who enroll: findings from ten states.

OBJECTIVE Examine the extent to which enrollment in the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) affects access to care and service use in 10 states that account for over 60 percent of all SCHIP enrollees. DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING Surveys of 16,700 SCHIP enrollees were conducted in 2002 as part of a congressionally mandated study. Three domains of SCHIP enrollees were included: (1) children who were recently enrolled in SCHIP, (2) those who had been enrolled in SCHIP for 5 months or more, and (3) those who had recently disenrolled from SCHIP. Response rates varied across states and domains but were clustered between 75 and 80 percent. Five different types of indicators were examined: (1) service use; (2) unmet need; (3) parental perceptions about being able to meet their child's health care needs; (4) presence and type of a usual source of care; and (5) provider communication and accessibility. STUDY DESIGN The experiences SCHIP enrollees have while on the program are compared with those a separate sample of children had before enrolling using a separate sample pretest and posttest design, controlling for observable characteristics of the children and their families. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS The sample was drawn based on a list frame of SCHIP enrollees. The survey was administered in English and Spanish, by Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI). Field follow-up was used to locate families who could not be reached by telephone and these interviews were conducted by cellular telephone. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS SCHIP enrollment was found to improve access to care along a number of different dimensions, other things equal, particularly relative to being uninsured. Established SCHIP enrollees were more likely to receive office visits, preventive health and dental care, and specialty care, more likely to have a usual source for medical and dental care and to report better provider communication and accessibility, and less likely to have unmet needs, financial burdens, and parental worry associated with meeting their child's health care needs. The findings are robust with respect to alternative specifications and hold up for individual states and subgroups. CONCLUSIONS Enrollment in SCHIP appears to be improving children's access to primary health care services, which in turn is causing parents to have greater peace of mind about meeting their children's needs.
Optimal Densification for Fast and Accurate Minwise Hashing

Minwise hashing is a fundamental and one of the most successful hashing algorithm in the literature. Recent advances based on the idea of densification (Shrivastava & Li, 2014a;c) have shown that it is possible to compute k minwise hashes, of a vector with d nonzeros, in mere (d + k) computations, a significant improvement over the classical O(dk). These advances have led to an algorithmic improvement in the query complexity of traditional indexing algorithms based on minwise hashing. Unfortunately, the variance of the current densification techniques is unnecessarily high, which leads to significantly poor accuracy compared to vanilla minwise hashing, especially when the data is sparse. In this paper, we provide a novel densification scheme which relies on carefully tailored 2-universal hashes. We show that the proposed scheme is variance-optimal, and without losing the runtime efficiency, it is significantly more accurate than existing densification techniques. As a result, we obtain a significantly efficient hashing scheme which has the same variance and collision probability as minwise hashing. Experimental evaluations on real sparse and high-dimensional datasets validate our claims. We believe that given the significant advantages, our method will replace minwise hashing implementations in practice.
Dendritic Cell Function Can Be Modulated through Cooperative Actions of TLR Ligands and Invariant NKT Cells1

The quality of signals received by dendritic cells (DC) in response to pathogens influences the nature of the adaptive response. We show that pathogen-derived signals to DC mediated via TLRs can be modulated by activated invariant NKT (iNKT) cells. DC maturation induced in vivo with any one of a variety of TLR ligands was greatly improved through simultaneous administration of the iNKT cell ligand α-galactosylceramide. DC isolated from animals treated simultaneously with TLR and iNKT cell ligands were potent stimulators of naive T cells in vitro compared with DC from animals treated with the ligands individually. Injection of protein Ags with both stimuli resulted in significantly improved T cell and Ab responses to coadministered protein Ags over TLR stimulation alone. Ag-specific CD8+ T cell responses induced in the presence of the TLR4 ligand monophosphoryl lipid A and α-galactosylceramide showed faster proliferation kinetics, and increased effector function, than those induced with either ligand alone. Human DC exposed to TLR ligands and activated iNKT cells in vitro had enhanced expression of maturation markers, suggesting that a cooperative action of TLR ligands and iNKT cells on DC function is a generalizable phenomenon across species. These studies highlight the potential for manipulating the interactions between TLR ligands and iNKT cell activation in the design of effective vaccine adjuvants.
Long-term Results of Lens-sparing Vitrectomy for Progressive Posterior-type Stage 4A Retinopathy of Prematurity

Purpose To assess the long-term anatomic and visual outcomes and associated complications of lens-sparing vitrectomy (LSV) in infants with progressive posterior-type tractional retinal detachment (TRD) associated with stage 4A retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Methods In a retrospective case series, the medical records of consecutive patients who presented with progressive posterior-type stage 4A ROP and underwent LSV between 1999 and 2007 were reviewed. Retinal attachment status, visual acuity, and development of postoperative complications were assessed. Results Eleven eyes of 9 patients were included. The mean follow-up period was 4.6 years. In 8 eyes (73%), plus disease was present at the time of LSV. In 3 eyes (27%), 2 (66%) without plus disease and 1 (13%) with plus disease, the retina remained reattached in the end, while 8 eyes (73%) had TRD on final examination. Two eyes with reattached retinas showed favorable visual acuity. In those eyes with detached retinas, 5 (68%) showed no light perception. When surgery for ROP was unsuccessful, development of cataract, corneal opacity, or glaucoma was common. Conclusions The long-term anatomic success rate of LSV for progressive posterior-type stage 4A ROP was low, especially in the presence of plus disease at the time of LSV. Anatomical reattachment is very important for preventing complications and gaining better visual outcomes.
Knowledge sharing for common understanding of technical specifications through artifactual culture

Context: Software engineering is a knowledge intensive activity that is supported by documenting and sharing the required knowledge through a wide variety of artifacts. Global Software Development (GSD) teams heavily rely on artifacts as a vital means of knowledge sharing. However, there is little empirical knowledge about the key reasons and practices of using artifacts in GSD for knowledge sharing to support common understanding of technical specifications. Objective: This study aims at empirically studying the key motivators, practices, and drawbacks of artifact-based knowledge sharing for achieving common understanding of technical specifications in the context of GSD. Method: We conducted an exploratory case study in an organization that was involved in several GSD projects. Results: Our findings revealed the key challenges that necessitated the use of artifacts for sharing technical specification knowledge. We also present the practices that make up the artifact-based knowledge sharing system in the studied case. Finally, we shed some light on the caveats of knowledge sharing practices adopted by the studied company. The findings can provide useful insights into the artifact-based knowledge sharing practices and how it can be complemented by having certain level of social ties among distributed team members, even through asynchronous means.
Evaluation of zeta and HA‐binding methods for selection of spermatozoa with normal morphology, protamine content and DNA integrity

Sperm selection parameters based on morphology and motility for ICSI might not be relevant to chromatin integrity. Thus sperm selection based on sperm characteristics has been suggested. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of the zeta and hyaluronic acid (HA) sperm selection procedures with neat semen, for recovering spermatozoa with normal morphology, protamine content and DNA integrity in infertile men. Semen samples from 77 infertile couples were assessed during this study. Semen analysis was carried out according to World Health Organization criteria. Protamine content, DNA integrity and sperm morphology were assessed by chromomycin A3, sperm chromatin dispersion and Papanicolaou staining respectively. The results show that both HA and zeta methods were efficient to recover spermatozoa with normal morphology and protamine content. In terms of the latter parameters, there was no superiority between the two procedures. However, in terms of DNA integrity, the zeta method was more efficient compared with the control and HA procedure and no significant difference was observed between HA and the controls. Therefore, the zeta method appears to be a suitable procedure to recover spermatozoa with normal DNA integrity.
The acute diarrheal diseases of bacterial origin.

CTE diarrhea of sudden origin is a distressing complaint of not infrequent occurrence in general practice and it is 1Ak one which usually prompts the sufferer to consult his physician. As such it represents a serious and important -a~es~s~sss challenge to the diagnostic acumen of the practicing physician, for not only may the syndrome be the result of a variety of direct insults to the gastrointestinal tract, but in addition it may be a secondary manifestation of a disease process located outside the bowel. Before passing to a brief discussion of the primary causes of acute diarrhea it should be emphasized that the distinction between diarrhea and dysentery is a clinico-pathological rather than an etiological one. Frequent bowel movements accompanied by the passage of blood, pus or mucus are usually referred to as dysentery by the physician, while if these latter elements are missing in spite of frequent evacuations of the bowel, diarrhea is the clinical term used to describe the condition. If several individuals are infected simultaneously with the same organism some may develop diarrhea and others dysentery according to these
Space-time transmissions for wireless secret-key agreement with information-theoretic secrecy

An important building block of the cross-layer network security design is the physical-layer security which addresses problems such as whether the physical-layer can have build-in security and whether physical-layer techniques can assist the upper-layer encryption-based security techniques. This paper provides a positive answer by realizing information-theoretic secrecy with space-time transmissions. While most existing results on information-theoretic secrecy rely on some impractical assumptions, we propose a more practical approach that uses the redundancy of space-time transmissions to create intentional ambiguity to the adversary. Secrecy can be guaranteed even if the adversary has extremely high receiving signal-to-noise ratio. This approach is presented as a new way for secret-key agreement. Simulations in terms of receiving error rate and secret channel capacity are presented.
Early legal careers in comparative context: evidence from Canada and the United States

Abstract This paper explores early careers by drawing on nationally representative surveys of lawyers’ early careers in Canada and the United States. It will examine the sorting of lawyers in sectors and settings as well as the mechanisms that are key to understanding this process. Prior research has pointed to the importance of law school credentials, race, gender and social class, which continue to be important lines of demarcation. The comparative lens provides the opportunity to better understand the ways in which these factors are contingent on national context, which, in turn, shapes the symbolic and cultural value of the forms of capital that can provide access to more prestigious, powerful and remunerative positions in the legal profession.
Differences in sun time within the same time zone affect sleep–wake and social rhythms, but not morningness preference: Findings from a Polish–German comparison study

Morningness–eveningness describes individual preferences for activity at specified times of the day. The present research aimed to test whether sun time entrains humans and whether this effect is observable in sleep–wake timing, in the timing of social rhythm and in morningness preference. Furthermore, we tested whether different reference points (activity expressed in standard time or in sun time, morningness preference scores) provide concordant results about differences in chronotype according to longitude. University students were tested in two locations (Warsaw, Poland; Heidelberg, Germany) positioned within the same time zone but differing according to longitude, thus daylight appeared earlier in the east (Warsaw) than in the west (Heidelberg). Sampling was scheduled to obtain similar photoperiods and other environmental factors in two locations. Measures consisted of times of day when various activities occurred (e.g. going to bed, waking up, going outdoors) in the seven days prior to data collection, morningness preference, and depressiveness. Varsovians and Heidelbergers did not differ in morningness preference and depressiveness, but Varsovians, compared to Heidelbergers, undertook a number of activities (e.g. wake up, get up, having breakfast, first contact with another person and going outdoors) at an earlier clock time (21–38 min earlier, depending on activity), did not differ in starting and finishing classes/work, and were later in eating lunch and dinner. However, all the activities of Varsovians (except for going outdoors) were positioned later according to sun time reference. Thus, residents from east as compared to those from the west had similar morningness preference, were more morning positioned in many aspects according to standard time, but were later according to sun time. Results indicated university students entrained to sun time to some extent, and morning activities more coupled to sun time.
Effect of Replacing Animal Protein with Plant Protein on Glycemic Control in Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Previous research on the effect of replacing sources of animal protein with plant protein on glycemic control has been inconsistent. We therefore conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the effect of this replacement on glycemic control in individuals with diabetes. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases through 26 August 2015. We included RCTs ≥ 3-weeks comparing the effect of replacing animal with plant protein on HbA1c, fasting glucose (FG), and fasting insulin (FI). Two independent reviewers extracted relevant data, assessed study quality and risk of bias. Data were pooled by the generic inverse variance method and expressed as mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity was assessed (Cochran Q-statistic) and quantified (I2-statistic). Thirteen RCTs (n = 280) met the eligibility criteria. Diets emphasizing a replacement of animal with plant protein at a median level of ~35% of total protein per day significantly lowered HbA1c (MD = −0.15%; 95%-CI: −0.26, −0.05%), FG (MD = −0.53 mmol/L; 95%-CI: −0.92, −0.13 mmol/L) and FI (MD = −10.09 pmol/L; 95%-CI: −17.31, −2.86 pmol/L) compared with control arms. Overall, the results indicate that replacing sources of animal with plant protein leads to modest improvements in glycemic control in individuals with diabetes. Owing to uncertainties in our analyses there is a need for larger, longer, higher quality trials. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov registration number: NCT02037321.
Microbial cleavage of various organophosphorus insecticides

Bacteria able to utilize Aspon, Azodrin, Dasanit, diazinon, malathion, Orthene, parathion, Trithion, dimethoate, Dylox, methyl parathion, and Vapona as sole phosphorus sources were isolated from soil and sewage. Individual isolates used from 3 to 10 of these insecticides as sole phosphorus sources. The extent of growth of two Pseudomonas strains in media containing diazinon and malathion was in the range expected from the amount of insecticide supplied, and their proliferation resulted in disappearance of the chemical. Resting cells of the pseudomonads derived from cultures grown on diazinon or malathion but not orthophosphate caused extensive destruction of these two organophosphates in the presence or absence of chloramphenicol. Extracts of the two bacteria derived from organophosphate-grown cultures catalyzed the disappearance of Aspon, Azodrin, Dasanit, diazinon, malathion, Orthene, parathion, and Trithion but not dimethoate, Dylox, methyl parathion, and Vapona. Results from gas chromatographic analysis suggested that the extracts formed dimethyl phosphate from azodrin, dimethyl phosphorodithioate from malathion, diethyl phosphorodithioate from Trithion, and diethyl phosphorothioate from Dasanit, diazinon, and parathion. Dimethyl phosphate, dimethyl phosphorothioate , dimethyl phosphorodithioate, diethyl phosphate, and diethyl phosphorothioate were not used by the pseudomonads as sole phosphorus sources.
Electrostatic self-interaction in the spacetime of a global monopole with finite core

In this paper, we calculate the induced electrostatic self-energy and self-force for an electrically charged particle placed at rest in the spacetime of a global monopole admitting a general spherically symmetric inner structure to it. In order to develop this analysis we calculate the three-dimensional Green function associated with this physical system. We explicitly show that for points outside the monopole's core the self-energy presents two distinct contributions. The first is induced by the non-trivial topology of the global monopole considered as a point-like object. The second is a correction induced by the non-vanishing inner structure attributed to it. As an illustration of the general procedure the flower-pot model for the region inside the monopole is considered. In this application, it is also possible to find the electrostatic self-energy for points in the region inside the monopole. In the geometry of the global monopole with the positive solid angle deficit, we show that for the flower-pot model the electrostatic self-force is repulsive with respect to the core surface for both exterior and interior regions.
What does the decline in the international ranking of the United States in educational attainment mean for community colleges?

ABSTRACT This article was written in response to concerns that have been expressed about the possible consequences of an increasing number of countries overtaking the United States in educational attainment. International statistics on educational attainment were analyzed, questions about comparability of data were discussed, and the impact of different approaches to the organization of higher education on attainment rates was examined. The author concluded that comparing the rate of attainment of subbaccalaureate credentials between the United States and other countries is problematic both because of definitional issues, and as a consequence of the major transfer function of American community colleges. The article explains how colleges that previously offered short term vocational training in many European countries have evolved into vocationally-oriented baccalaureate granting institutions that have enabled their nations to achieve rapidly rising levels of baccalaureate degree attainment. It suggests that the experience of these countries may provide useful lessons—and cautions—for policy makers and educational leaders with respect to expanding the role of community colleges in awarding baccalaureate degrees.