Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
'A thousand points of spite' - crowding out the bridging community

Abstract: Now as in the past, studies of community are lacking in their analysis of structural factors that influence communities. Theoretical analysis of community lacks regard for structure and agency. I suggest that Bourdieu’s theory of practice and Honeth’s ideas concerning recognition provide mechanism and motivation to address the structure and agency conflict, and inform more sophisticated studies of community. Communities are best served when the practices by which they operate are generalised and inclusive in nature, thus maximising interaction between people of difference and multiplying pathways of recognition. Such communities are characterised by norms of generalised trust and networks of bridging social capital. However, corrosive global structural forces – materialism, inequality and changing household dynamics – pose challenges to such communities. I propose that such forces ‘crowd out’ generalised bridging capital in favour of more particularised bonding capital. Bonding, premised on rational-calculation, is easier to maintain then widespread norms of trust when agents are set adrift from structural support. A few societies provide the support – in the form of universal welfare – to counteract the global structural forces. The rest are subject to increasing bonding and particularisation, and a loss of the recognition that stems from maintaining a tolerant, open and trusting community.
Resource Allocation in Federated Distributed Computing Infrastructures

We consider the problem of allocating combinations of heterogeneous, distributed resources among selfinterested parties. In particular, we consider this problem in the context of distributed computing infrastructures, where resources are shared among users from different administrative domains. Examples of such infrastructures include PlanetLab [15] and computational grids [7]. End-users derive utility from receiving a share of resources. When there is an excess demand for resources, it isn’t possible to completely satisfy all resource requests. Therefore, we argue that it is important for these infrastructures to allocate resources in a way that maximizes aggregate end-user utility. Such an allocation system is known as economically efficient. Because a user’s utility function for resources isn’t typically known a priori, determining an allocation policy to maximize utility is difficult in the presence of excess demand. As use of these infrastructures becomes more widespread, contention for resources will increase, and allocating resources in an economically efficient manner becomes more difficult. Figure 1 shows a snapshot of resource demand in PlanetLab. Due to the way resources are distributed in PlanetLab, the rise in contention decreases the portion of resources received by any individual user, thereby reducing the amount of useful work that can be completed in the system. We argue that given the appropriate mechanisms, end-users can cooperate to arrive at an optimal resource allocation in spite of excess demand. More specifically, by allowing users to express preferences for when and what resources are received, the system will be able to spread out some excess demand over time, and increase the efficiency of the system. To this end, we present the design and early implementation of Bellagio, a distributed resource discov-
Fast-Decodable Space–Time Codes for the $N$-Relay and Multiple-Access MIMO Channel

In this article, the first general constructions of fast-decodable, more specifically (conditionally) g-group decodable, space-time block codes for the nonorthogonal amplify and forward (NAF) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) relay channel under the half-duplex constraint are proposed. In this scenario, the source and the intermediate relays used for data amplification are allowed to employ multiple antennas for data transmission and reception. The worst-case decoding complexity of the obtained codes is reduced by up to 75%. In addition to being fast-decodable, the proposed codes achieve full-diversity and have nonvanishing determinants, which has been shown to be useful for achieving the optimal diversity-multiplexing tradeoff (DMT) of the NAF channel. Furthermore, it is shown that the same techniques as in the cooperative scenario can be utilized to achieve fast-decodability for K-user MIMO multiple-access channel (MAC) space-time block codes. The resulting codes in addition exhibit the conditional nonvanishing determinant property which, for its part, has been shown to be useful for achieving the optimal MAC-DMT.
Coupled cross-regression for low-resolution face recognition

Dimensional mismatch between a low-resolution (LR) surveillance face image and its high-resolution (HR) template makes recognition very difficult. A novel method called coupled cross-regression (CCR) is proposed to deal with this problem. Instead of processing in the original observing space directly, CCR projects LR and HR face images into a unified low-embedding feature space. Spectral regression is employed to improve generalization performance and reduce computational complexity. Meanwhile, cross-regression is developed to utilize HR embedding to increase the information of the LR space, thus improving the recognition performance. Experiments on the FERET and CMU PIE face database show that CCR outperforms existing structure-based methods in terms of recognition rate as well as computational complexity.
Vision-based method for detecting driver drowsiness and distraction in driver monitoring system

Most driver-monitoring systems have attempted to detect either driver drowsiness or distraction, although both factors should be considered for accident prevention. Therefore, we propose a new driver-monitoring method considering both factors. We make the following contributions. First, if the driver is looking ahead, drowsiness detection is performed; otherwise, distraction detection is performed. Thus, the computational cost and eye-detection error can be reduced. Second, we propose a new eye-detection algorithm that combines adaptive boosting, adaptive template matching, and blob detection with eye validation, thereby reducing the eye-detection error and processing time significantly, which is hardly achievable using a single method. Third, to enhance eye-detection accuracy, eye validation is applied after initial eye detection, using a support vector machine based on appearance features obtained by principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA). Fourth, we propose a novel eye state-detection algorithm that combines appearance features obtained using PCA and LDA, with statistical features such as the sparseness and kurtosis of the histogram from the horizontal edge image of the eye. Experimental results showed that the detection accuracies of the eye region and eye states were 99 and 97%, respectively. Both driver drowsiness and distraction were detected with a success rate of 98%.
The dark side of the small world : how efficient information diffusion drives out diversity and lowers collective problem solving ability

Whether as team members brainstorming, or cultures experimenting with new technologies, problem solvers communicate and share ideas. This paper examines how the structure of communication networks among actors can affect system-level performance. We present an agent-based model of information sharing, where the less successful emulate the more successful. Results suggest that where agents are dealing with a complex problem, the more efficient the network at disseminating information, the better the short run and lower the long run performance of the system. The dynamic underlying this result is that an inefficient network maintains diversity in the system period, and is thus better at exploration than an efficient network, supporting a more thorough search for solutions in the long run. For finite time scales there is an inverted U relationship between connectedness and performance, where both poorly and well connected systems perform badly, and moderately connected systems perform best. This curvilinear relationship between connectivity and group performance can be seen in several diverse instances of organizational and social behavior. Kennedy School of Government Harvard University Cambridge, MA 02138
Complications of hydroxyapatite bone cement use in cochlear implantation?

Abstract Objective and importance To highlight the complications of using hydroxyapatite (HA) bone cement when implanting a cochlear implant (CI) device. Clinical presentation A case series of three patients who had undergone cochlear implantation are presented. A bony defect was seen in the external auditory meatal wall posteriorly in all three cases. This was intimately related to the site of HA bone cement, which had been used to anchor the electrode array at the time of the original implantation. Persistent otorrhoea was usually a feature at clinical presentation. Intervention (and technique) Removal of the HA bone cement and repair of the bony defect has resulted in resolution of the otorrhoea and a functioning CI is present in all cases without further complications. Conclusion The use of HA bone cement in cochlear implantation may cause dehiscence of the external auditory meatal wall. Our experience has shown that the electrode array does not need to be secured with cement. It is therefore recommended by this centre that HA cement should not be used to secure the electrode array in cochlear implantation surgery.
The Value Of Users' Facebook Profile Data - Generating Product Recommendations For Online Social Shopping Sites

Most online shops apply recommender systems, i.e. software agents that elicit the users’ preferences and interests with the purpose to make product recommendations. Many of these systems suffer from the new user cold start problem which occurs when no transaction history is available for the particular new prospective buyer. External data from social networking sites, like Facebook, seem promising to overcome this problem. In this paper, we evaluate the value of Facebook profile data to create meaningful product recommendations. We find based on the outcomes of an experiment that already simple approaches and plain profile data matching yield significant better recommendations than a pure random draw from the product data base. However, the best recommendations are based on music/video, brands and product/category information that need to be extracted from the Facebook profile with more sophisticated approaches.
Persuasion about Health Risks: Evidence, Credibility, Scientific Flourishes, and Risk Perceptions

We explored the effects of evidence, credibility, style, and risk perceptions on attitudes toward the recommendations of persuasive health messages. The health messages concerned antibacterial soap, meningitis vaccination, and an over-the-counter diet drug. Respondents (N = 916) provided their perceptions of the messages' evidence, the source's intrinsic credibility, and severity of and susceptibility to risk. We found that the effects of credibility on attitudes were spurious, and that the apparent effects were entirely due to the messages' evidence quality. Severity and susceptibility influenced attitudes even in the presence of evidence effects. Evidence influenced the levels of perceived severity and susceptibility. The inclusion of scientific jargon and statistical information had no discernible effect on either attitudes or credibility. The results indicate that evidence quality should be a fundamental consideration in the design of health messages.
Secure Routing with the DSR Protocol

An ad-hoc network is a spontaneous network that emerges when two or more wireless nodes pledge to help each other. As the wireless range of these nodes is usually limited so each node commits to forward the packets on behalf of its neighbours in accordance with a predefined routing protocol. Dynamic Source Routing (DSR) is one of the widely used routing protocols that is currently undergoing extensive research and development. DSR is based on source routing, but the routes are discovered not on a periodic basis but on an as per requirement basis. The control and data packets traverse the network in accordance with the list of IP addresses held by each packet. As this list is mutable, it creates a potential vulnerability that is frequently exploited by malicious nodes. By adding, deleting or modifying IP addresses in the list, malicious nodes can control and monitor the flow of network traffic. Similarly, transmission of routing packets in clear text, also discloses vital information about the network topology, which is again a potential security hazard. This necessitates that the routing and data packets must be obscured and authenticated prior to usage. In this paper we present a novel and pragmatic scheme for securing the Dynamic Source Routing protocol that protects against a number of attacks carried out against mobile ad-hoc wireless networks.
Reasons for Rehospitalization in Children Who Had Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) occurs after in utero exposure to opioids, but outcomes after the postnatal period are unclear. Our objectives were to characterize childhood hospitalization after NAS. METHODS: Population-based linkage study of births, hospitalization, and death records of all children registered in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, between 2000 and 2011 to a maximum of 13 years. Infants with an International Statistical Classification of Disease and Related Problems, 10th Edition, Australian Modification, coding of NAS (P96.1, n = 3842) were compared with 1 018 421 live born infants without an NAS diagnosis. RESULTS: Infants with NAS were more likely to be admitted into a nursery (odds ratio 15.6, 95% confidence interval: 14.5–16.8) and be hospitalized longer (10.0 vs 3.0 days). In childhood, they were more likely to be rehospitalized (1.6, 1.5–1.7), die during hospitalization (3.3, 2.1–5.1), and be hospitalized for assaults (15.2, 11.3–20.6), maltreatment (21.0, 14.3–30.9), poisoning (3.6, 2.6–4.8), and mental/behavioral (2.6, 2.1–3.2) and visual (2.9, 2.5-3.5) disorders. Mothers of infants with NAS were more likely to be Indigenous (6.4, 6.0–7.0), have no antenatal care (6.6, 5.9–7.4), and be socioeconomically deprived (1.6, 1.5–1.7). Regression analyses demonstrated that NAS was the most important predictor of admissions for maltreatment (odds ratio 4.5, 95% confidence interval: 3.4–6.1) and mental and behavioral disorders (2.3, 1.9–2.9), even after accounting for prematurity, maternal age, and Indigenous status. CONCLUSIONS: Children with NAS are more likely to be rehospitalized during childhood for maltreatment, trauma, and mental and behavioral disorders even after accounting for prematurity. This continues to adolescence and emphasizes the critical need for continued support of this vulnerable group after resolution of NAS.
The movement of eye and hand as a window into language and cognition

We review a variety of new results indicating that actual motor movements (not just mental representations of them) are also intimate components of linguistic and cognitive processes. Everywhere from spoken word recognition to sentence comprehension to visual memory to problem solving to video games to everyday conversation, motor movements often appear to be the very stuff of which cognitive operations are made. Rather than treating language and cognition as modular systems that are independent of perception and action, this dynamic embodied view of mental activity treats them as contiguous with the rest of the brain and body. Spivey, Richardson, & Dale 2 “Man has no Body distinct from his Soul, for that called Body is a portion of the Soul . ” -William Blake (1790)
De rol van pauzes in het overtuigingsproces

Samenvatting. In dit onderzoek is gekeken naar de effecten van gevulde (linguïstische powerless marker) en stille pauzes (vloeiendheidsmaat) op overtuigingskracht. De rol die de talige en etnische achtergrond van de sprekers daarbij spelen is ook onderzocht. Proefpersonen beluisterden persuasieve geluidsfragmenten waarin moedertaal- en tweedetaalsprekers van het Nederlands een voorstel bepleitten. Zowel gevulde als stille pauzes in de spraak van moedertaalsprekers leidden tot negatievere oordelen over het voorstel, over de spreker, en over de kwaliteit van de boodschap. Proefpersonen waren het minder eens met het voorstel als de spraak van moedertaalsprekers pauzes bevatte. Daarnaast werden moedertaalsprekers die met pauzes spraken minder aardig, minder deskundig en minder betrouwbaar bevonden en de met pauzes gevulde spraak van moedertaalsprekers werd door proefpersonen als minder doordacht, minder sterk en minder logisch ervaren. Pauzes in de spraak van tweedetaalsprekers gingen niet gepaard met negatievere attitudes tegenover het voorstel en ook de sprekers- en kwaliteitsoordelen die proefpersonen toekenden aan tweedetaalsprekers bleken niet afhankelijk van het al Proefpersonen met een hoge bleken moedertaalsprekers wier spraak gevulde moedertaalsprekers wier spraak stille pauzes bevatte niet verschillend te beoordelen (t Proefpersonen met een hoge for beoordeelden tweedetaalsprekers wier spraak pauzes bevatte hetzelfde als tweedetaalsprekers wier spraak geen pauzes bevatte: gevuld vs. stil (t < 1); stil vs. zonder (t (24) = 1.75; p = . 093); gevuld vs. zonder (t (24) = 1.09; p = . 286).
The relationship evolutionary process change practices, role stressor and internal customer satisfaction in Jordan’s telecommunication companies

This study investigates the moderating effect of the role stressor on the relationship between evolutionary process change (EPC) practice factors (leadership change, behavioural change, structural change, technological change, and cultural change) and internal customer satisfaction (ICS). Self-reported surveys were carried out among 354 respondents from three telecommunication companies in Jordan. Both multiple and a three-step hierarchical regression analysis were used to test the hypotheses. Overall, the findings revealed that leadership change, behavioural change, structural change, technological change, and cultural change are significant predictors of internal customer satisfaction. However, mixed results were found on the moderating role of the role stressors. While the study found support for the moderating effect of role conflict on the relationship between structural change and technological change on internal customer satisfaction, role ambiguity moderated only the relationship between cultural change and internal customer satisfaction. The study contributes to the body of knowledge by providing insight into the key factors that affect internal customer satisfaction. It also provides additional insight into the moderating role of the role stressor, in particular role conflict and role ambiguity, in enhancing internal customer satisfaction in the telecommunication industry. The study also highlights the limitations and offers recommendations for future research
Potent competitive interactions of some brominated flame retardants and related compounds with human transthyretin in vitro.

Brominated flame retardants such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), pentabromophenol (PBP), and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) are produced in large quantities for use in electronic equipment, plastics, and building materials. Because these compounds have some structural resemblance to the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T(4)), it was suggested that they may interfere with thyroid hormone metabolism and transport, e.g., by competition with T(4) on transthyretin (TTR). In the present study, we investigated the possible interaction of several brominated flame retardants with T(4) binding to TTR in an in vitro competitive binding assay, using human TTR and 125 I-T(4) as the displaceable radioligand. Compounds were tested in at least eight different concentrations ranging from 1.95 to 500 nM. In addition, we investigated the structural requirements of these and related ligands for competitive binding to TTR. We were able to show very potent competition binding for TBBPA and PBP (10.6- and 7.1-fold stronger than the natural ligand T(4), respectively). PBDEs were able to compete with T(4)-TTR binding only after metabolic conversion by induced rat liver microsomes, suggesting an important role for hydroxylation. Brominated bisphenols with a high degree of bromination appeared to be more efficient competitors, whereas chlorinated bisphenols were less potent compared to their brominated analogues. These results indicate that brominated flame retardants, especially the brominated phenols and tetrabromobisphenol A, are very potent competitors for T(4) binding to human transthyretin in vitro and may have effects on thyroid hormone homeostasis in vivo comparable to the thyroid-disrupting effects of PCBs.
A Novel Pathway of Aerobic Benzoate Catabolism in the BacteriaAzoarcus evansii and Bacillus stearothermophilus*

The aerobic catabolism of benzoate was studied in the Gram-negative proteobacterium Azoarcus evansii and in the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus stearothermophilus. In contrast to earlier proposals, benzoate was not converted into hydroxybenzoate or gentisate. Rather, benzoyl-CoA was a product of benzoate catabolism in both microbial species under aerobic conditionsin vivo. Benzoyl-CoA was converted into various CoA thioesters by cell extracts of both species in oxygen- and NADPH-dependent reactions. Using [ring-13C6]benzoyl-CoA as substrate,cis-3,4-[2,3,4,5,6-13C5]dehydroadipyl-CoA,trans-2,3-[2,3,4,5,6-13C5]dehydroadipyl-CoA, the 3,6-lactone of 3-[2,3,4,5,6-13C5]hydroxyadipyl-CoA, and 3-[2,3,4,5,6-13C5]hydroxyadipyl-CoA were identified as products by NMR spectroscopy. A protein mixture ofA. evansii transformed [ring-13C6]benzoyl-CoA in an NADPH- and oxygen-dependent reaction into 6-[2,3,4,5,6-13C5]hydroxy-3-hexenoyl-CoA. The data suggest a novel aerobic pathway of benzoate catabolism via CoA intermediates leading to β-ketoadipyl-CoA, an intermediate of the known β-ketoadipate pathway.
Developmental Status and Intimacy in Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer.

Whereas aggressive multimodal therapies are responsible for improved survival rates of children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer, concern has grown regarding the potential for adverse and delayed developmental effects resulting from these treatments. In light of this concern, this study assessed 207 adult survivors of childhood cancer in terms of their resolution of developmental stage conflicts and capacity for intimacy. The research marked the first large scale study of the developmental impact of the diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancer on long-term survivors. Results suggest that adult survivors followed an essentially normal developmental profile. Older male long-term survivors, however, were experiencing developmental disruptions when compared to the other age and gender groups. These disruptions included a focus on short-term gratification, little investment in long-term goals, low satisfaction with life, and the belief that life has been characterized by lost opportunities. The older male survivor profile also suggests a perception of the world as unsafe and threatening, and they reported feeling distrustful and isolated. Although findings agree with prior reports of essentially normal functioning and adjustment in adult long-term survivors, older male survivors appear to be reporting developmental distress in numerous areas. (RJM) ******************************************************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. * ********************************************************************************