Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Internet Addiction among Medical Students and Its Impact on Academic Performance: An Indian Study

Background: Internet has become an indispensable part of medical student’s life. They may experience difficulty in reducing the duration and frequency of internet use, gradually getting addicted to it. The literature on internet usage among Indian medical students is limited and there are hardly any Indian studies correlating Internet addiction and academic performance. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Internet addiction among medical students and its correlation with academic performance. Methods: A cross sectional study was performed among first year to final year medical students from a medical college in South India. Their internet activities were assessed using Internet addiction Questionnaire developed by Kimberly Young. Academic performance was assessed based on the sessional marks obtained in respective subjects. Descriptive / inferential statistics including correlation and ordinal regression was used for analysis. Results: A total of 381 students participated in the study. Out of them, females were 294(71.9%) and males were 107 (28.1%). Prevalence of internet addiction was found to be 61.4%. Among them 149 students (63.7%) had mild, 83 had moderate (35.5%) and 2 (.8%) had severe addiction. Academic performance had a negative association with internet addiction. Conclusion: Prevalence of internet addiction was very high among Indian medical students . Internet Addiction had a negative impact on their academic performance. Early prevention from internet addiction should be emphasized . Awareness is very much important to take up the issue at higher level and to implement measures for preventing it.
Educational Production , Endogenous Peer Group Formation and Class Composition – Evidence From the PISA 2000 Study

The majority of empirical papers in the literature on school quality finds no or only small effects of class size and other school quality measures on students’ outcomes. This paper analyses the effect of achievement heterogeneity and therefore the effect of the composition rather than the pure size of the class on student achievement. In this endeavor, individual-level data from an internationally conducted standardized test, the PISA 2000 study is utilized. For the case of US schools the influence of a student’s peer group is estimated in a pure endogenous effects model and a model also allowing for contextual effects. The potential endogeneity of peer group formation is addressed in an instrumental variable approach. It turns out that heterogenous peer groups have a strong detrimental impact on individual achievement. Moreover, it becomes transparent that contextual variables are important for the extent of peer group effects and the endogeneity of peer group formation. JEL-Classification: I21.
A 5.99 G HZ INDUCTOR -LESS CURRENT CONTROLLED OSCILLATOR FOR HIGH SPEED COMMUNICATIONS

This paper presents the design of five-stage current controlled inductor-less ring oscillator that were simulated in Silterra 0.18um CMOS Technology with oscillation frequencies up to 5.99 GHz. The design uses cross coupled MOS devices along with active inductor (thus inductorless) and controlled by current source to aid in switching speed and to improve the noise parameters. The simulations show that the five-stage oscillator achieves frequency in the range of 3.78GHz to 5.99GHz. The simulated phase noise of the same design was -115.67 dBc/Hz at 1MHz offset with a center frequency of 5.99GHz.
Use of native woodlands and traditional olive groves by foraging bats on a Mediterranean island: consequences for conservation

We recorded bat activity on Zakynthos island (Greece) to test the hypotheses that (1) olive (Olea europea) groves and native woodlands provide comparable foraging habitat for insectivorous bats, (2) lower foraging activity occurs in olive groves treated with insecticide chemicals. We acoustically sampled bat activity (passes per minute) in four wooded habitats (organic and non-organic olive groves, oak woodland (Quercus ilex and Quercus coccifera) and pine (Pinus halepensis) woodland from June to August 2005. Habitat type did not affect overall bat activity. A single application of insecticide chemicals annually did not affect activity over traditional olive groves. Habitat use on the island differed in several ways from that reported in studies at mainland sites. Most strikingly, pine woodland supported higher bat activity than expected relative to other habitat types, and we recorded unexpectedly high levels of M. capaccinii activity in woodland habitats. We suggest that traditional olive groves buffer some bat species from the effects of deforestation. Conservation plans for Mediterranean bats should consider the biodiversity value of these groves along with the need to conserve small woodland patches. Finally, understanding island-specific patterns of habitat use is essential to bat conservation on small off-shore islands.
The pendle: a wearable mediator for mixed initiative environments

In this paper we propose a novel interaction model for augmented environments based on the concept of mixed initiative interaction, and describe the design of the Pendle, a gesture-based wearable device. By splitting control between user and environment, the interaction model combines the advantages of explicit, direct manipulation with the power of sensor-based proactive environments while avoiding the lack of user control and personalization usually associated with the later. The Pendle is a personalizable wearable device with the capability to recognize hand gestures. It acts as mediator between user and environment, and provides a simple, natural interface that lends itself to casual interaction. Experiences with two concrete examples, the MusicPendle and NewsPendle, demonstrate the advantages of the personalized user experience and the flexibility of the device architecture.
Linear Combination Method for UWB Vehicular Radar Pulse Design

Ultra wideband (UWB) vehicular radar has been studied and developed to achieve a safe driving and to promote business in an intelligent transport system. In the paper, we propose a UWB radar pulse design method that makes use of a linear multi-pulse combination of wavelet pulses which satisfy the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulation. Simulation results show that the UWB pulse obtained by the method have the advantages of better spectrum utility ratio and complying with the FCC spectrum mask.
Family Obligations in Europe

The continuing controversies over issues such as community care, day care for children, financial support for young people and child support all illustrate the difficulties and dilemmas involved in striking the right balance between family support and state provision. These issues are particularly important in the context of reductions in social welfare expenditure and family change. Research carried out at the University of Bath, in collaboration with a network of researchers from 15 other western European countries, has examined how the balance between state provision and family support is defined in law and policy in these countries.
A Model for the Internal Structure of Molecular Cloud Cores

We generalize the classic Bonnor-Ebert stability analysis of pressure-truncated, self-gravitating gas spheres, to include clouds with arbitrary equations of state. A virial-theorem analysis is also used to incorporate mean magnetic fields into such structures. The results are applied to giant molecular clouds (GMCs), and to individual dense cores, with an eye to accounting for recent observations of the internal velocity-dispersion profiles of the cores in particular. We argue that GMCs and massive cores are at or near their critical mass, and that in such a case the size-linewidth and mass-radius relations between them are only weakly dependent on their internal structures; any gas equation of state leads to essentially the same relations. We briefly consider the possibility that molecular clouds can be described by polytropic pressure-density relations (of either positive or negative index), but show that these are inconsistent with the apparent gravitational virial equilibrium, 2U + W = 0 of GMCs and of massive cores. This class of models would include clouds whose nonthermal support comes entirely from Alfven wave pressure. The simplest model consistent with all the salient features of GMCs and cores is a ``pure logotrope,'' in which P/P_c = 1 + A ln(rho/rho_c). Detailed comparisons with data are made to estimate the value of A, and an excellent fit to the observed dependence of velocity dispersion on radius in cores is obtained with A = 0.2.
Tax Incentives for Foreign Investment in Latin America and the Caribbean: Do They Need to be Harmonized?

The issue of harmonizing tax incentives in the various regional economic groupings that exist in the Latin America and Caribbean region has recently again come under discussion. My aim in this paper is essentially to sketch a framework within which countries contemplating this issue may approach it in a way that may both reduce the ‘harm’ that might otherwise occur and also foster more judicious and reasoned consideration of the inevitable trade-offs facing them. To set the stage, I first outline the changing views of tax incentives over the last half-century and consider briefly some aspects of the tax incentives now in place in the region. Following a brief discussion about whether tax competition is bad, good, or simply inevitable, I conclude by outlining a general institutional framework within which economic groupings in the region may best deal with the issue of harmonizing tax incentives for foreign investment.
Visualizing the transition to chaos in the Lorenz system

Summary. The Lorenz system still fascinates many people because of the simplicity of the equations that generate such complicated dynamics on the famous butterﬂy attractor. This paper addresses the role of the global stable and unstable manifolds in organising the dynamics. More precisely, for the standard system parameters, the origin has a two-dimensional stable manifold and the other two equilibria each have a two-dimensional unstable manifold. The intersections of these manifolds in the three-dimensional phase space form heteroclinic connections from the nontrivial equilibria to the origin. A parameter-dependent visualization of these manifolds clariﬁes the transition to chaos in the Lorenz system.
Three Essays on Development Economics

This dissertation combines research on three topics in development economics. The first paper estimates the long-term labor performance outcomes for a worker subjected to a negative labor market shock upon entry. The second paper, based on joint work with Alain de Janvry and Elisabeth Sadoulet, examines the political economy of public goods provision through community driven development projects in the context of decentralization . The third paper analyzes household behavior under multiple shocks in rural China. The first paper looks at the impact of labor market shocks upon graduation on the education/work decision and on subsequent employment status in Indonesia where the Asian financial crisis hit in 1997/8. The work/education decision affects the selection of samples when estimating the later impact. Therefore we use a dual selection model to correct the sample selection bias due to the decision process. We find evidence of persistent impacts on later labor market outcomes for junior high and senior high school graduates measured as the probability of working in the informal sector or the agricultural sector. The second paper identifies the impact of increasing decentralization on community targeting using the unique situation of Zambia's Social Investment Fund (SIF) where the degree of decentralization changed in time and space across districts over the 15 years of program implementation. We find that greater decentralization of SIF's functions to districts that had been deemed to have the necessary level of managerial capacity to deserve decentralization led to more progressive targeting across wards, mildly so at the national level and strongly so within districts. We also observe how local electoral politics gained importance with greater decentralization, with more votes received by the candidate from the majority party in the district council attracting more projects to a ward, and more projects in a ward rewarded by more votes for the councilor from the incumbent party.The third paper examines who is more likely to be exposed to shocks, which ex-post coping strategies are employed, and how shocks affect the welfare of Chinese rural households using detailed information on a variety of shocks and household characteristics. We find that an increase in medical expenditures due to health shocks has a negative impact on non-medical expenditures: durable consumption is negatively associated with health shocks in two relatively wealthier provinces; food consumption shows a similar trend among households in the richest province of the sample. Secondly, households who experienced only health shocks have higher medical expenditures than those who experienced both agricultural and health shocks. This suggests that medical insurance schemes in rural China are absent or not functioning well, and that agricultural shocks are also not well-insured.
Credit Status in China's E-commerce Market

This paper analyzes the credit risks existed in China’s C-C e-commerce market, which mainly lie in two kinds of dishonesty: dishonesty in transaction and dishonesty in evaluation. We found that the high transaction risk in China’s C-C market is rooted in low probability of punishment and high cost of implementing a punishment, while the dishonesty in credit rating is rooted in low transaction cost and difficulty in identification authentication of transaction. All these factors are related to the inherent characteristics of C-C transaction. We also did survey on current credit status in China C-C e-commerce market, we found that the sellers’ dishonesty mainly exhibits in late delivery, low quality, inconsistent description and cheat; the buyers’ dishonesty manifests mainly in delayed payment and not fulfilling the contract; While credit speculation is more popular than malicious evaluation.
Cost-efficient OFDM generation at 60-GHz by heterodyne technique with direct modulation and envelope detector

A cost-effective radio over fiber system to up-convert and transmit multigigabit signals at 60 GHz is presented. A low intermediate frequency OFDM signal is used to directly modulate a laser, which is combined with an independent unmodulated laser. The generated millimeter wave frequency can be adjusted by tuning the frequency separation between the lasers. Since no external modulator is required, this technique is low-cost and it is easily integrable in a single chip. In this paper, we present numerical results showing the feasibility of generating an IEEE 802.15. 3c compliant 3.5-Gbps 60-GHz OFDM. We show that received signal quality is not limited by the lasers' linewidth but by the relative intensity noise.
The primate reticulospinal tract, hand function and functional recovery

Abstract The primate reticulospinal tract is usually considered to control proximal and axial muscles, and to be involved mainly in gross movements such as locomotion, reaching and posture. This contrasts with the corticospinal tract, which is thought to be involved in fine control, particularly of independent finger movements. Recent data provide evidence that the reticulospinal tract can exert some influence over hand movements. Although clearly secondary to the corticospinal tract in healthy function, this could assume considerable importance after corticospinal lesion(such as following stroke), when reticulospinal systems could provide a substrate for some recovery of function. We need to understand more about the abilities of the reticular formation to process sensory input and guide motor output, so that rehabilitation strategies can be optimised to work with the innate capabilities of reticular motor control.
An Approach of Selecting Right Neighbors for Collaborative Filtering

Collaborative filtering has been very successful in both research and applications. In collaborative filtering algorithm, the most important process is selecting neighbors for the active user. Traditional methods compute user's similarity on the whole set of items. Because researchers believed if users have similar preference on some of items, they will have the similar preference on other items. But we argue that users have similar preference only on parts of items, not the whole items. For this reason, we try to analyze the problem of traditional approach in the process of selecting neighbors in our paper. And then we propose a novel method to select neighbors for the active user by using the variance of the process of computing similarity between users. Experimental results show that our approach can significantly improve the accuracy of predication.
Should Investors Trust Equity Analysts

This paper studies the holistic issue of the combination of analyst projection accuracy, diversity, and distribution. It first tracks the earnings per share and sales projections of a number of equity analysts for 17 representative U.S. companies using data from 1978 to 2012. It also compares the analysts’ consensus of earnings per share, sales, rating, and price target zone to identify the degree of concentration among the opinions. It finds that the magnitudes and coefficient variations of projection errors are small, and the analysts’ opinions are insignificantly diversified. Analysts’ projections are not significantly skewed, but pessimistic opinions dominate. The results suggest that the projections issued by equity analysts are generally precise, and following their opinions is technically feasible. Analysts’ mistakes are more due to inappropriate investment timing and less due to their abilities to pick firms with robust future performance. Should Investors Trust Equity Analysts?
Better-than-Worst-Case Timing Design with Latch Buffers on Short Paths

Better-than-worst-case timing designs such as Razor introduce shadow flip-flops triggered by a delayed clock in parallel to the functional flip-flops for timing error detection through duplication and comparision. This arrangement suffers from the "short path" problem, whereby the activation of paths shorter than this timing skew can cause false errors to be flagged. The traditional solution is to add buffers to the short paths that are less than the clock skew between the duplicated error detection flip-flops. However, this approach adds considerable area and power overhead, particularly in the presence of significant process variations. This paper studies the use of latches to introduce extra delay on short paths. Holding short paths stable for the first phase of the clock allows the design to achieve a skew of half a clock period between the functional and shadow flip-flops without short path errors. We present a method that characterizes all the path groups and places latches in appropriate path segments of the circuit to ensure that all short paths driving duplicated flip-flops are delayed by half a clock cycle. Unit delay simulations for benchmark designs with and without process variations are presented. Average performance improvement (API) and best- case performance improvement (BPI) for designs are presented with an overall average performance improvement of about 15% and best case performance improvement of 32% at a cost of acceptable area overhead.
Evolution of Communication with Partial Common Interest

This paper uses experiments to investigate the evolution of communication. We consider simple games of information transmission in which the interests of senders and receivers are imperfectly aligned. We show that under four canonical incentive conditions the no-communication hypothesis can be rejected with and without literal meanings. Communicative outcomes are less likely to evolve and, if they do, evolve more slowly without a commonly understood language. When we see communicative outcomes, they tend to satisfy a partial common interest condition. Equilibria are useful guideposts for analyzing outcomes but are not always obtained; e.g., with literal meanings we observe stable sucker behavior and adherence to focal meanings and, without literal meanings, combinations of actions that could not coexist under
Evaluation of "The Social" in Megaprojects: Tensions, Dichotomies, and Ambiguities

The existing approaches to megaproject evaluation have overwhelmingly concentrated on the "iron triangle" criteria of delivering projects on time, within budget, and to predefined project specifications, while the evaluation of the social aspects has received little attention. When "the social" is addressed, it is often done under the denomination "socio-economic", with emphasis on "the economic" and on the "objective" side of the social, measured through quantitative indicators. This paper contributes to filling this gap by exploring a number of dilemmas and tensions that pose challenges to the evaluation of the social in megaproject governance. These relate to the nature of "the social"; stakeholder participation; the relationships between consensus and conflict; the role of evaluation in governance; uncertainty; and the temporal and spatial scales of governance. The article briefly examines environmental justice and territorially sustainable development as potentially fruitful approaches to the evaluation of the social in megaprojects, and suggests ways forward towards bridging the key dichotomies.
Verifying Integrity Constraints on Web Sites

Data-intensive Web sites have created a new form of knowledge base, as richly structured bodies of data. Several novel systems for creating data-intensive Web sites support declarative specification of a site's structure and content (i.e., the pages, the data available in each page, and the links between pages). Declarative systems provide a platform on which A1 techniques can be developed that, further simplify the tasks of constructing and maintaining Web sites. This paper addresses the problem of specifying and verifying integrity constraints on a Web site's structure. We describe a language that can capture many practical constraints and an accompanying sound and complete verification algorithm. The algorithm has the important property that if the constraints are violated, it proposes fixes to either the constraints or to the site definition. Finally, we establish tight bounds on the complexity of the verification problem we consider.