Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Functional connectivity analysis is reliable in whole-head near-infrared spectroscopy

near infrared spectroscopy Jan Mehnert1,2, Christoph Schmitz1,3, Harald E. Moller2, Arno Villringer1,2,4,5, Hellmuth Obrig1,2,5 and Karsten Muller2 1Berlin NeuroImaging Center, Charite University Hospital Berlin, Germany/2MaxPlanck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences Leipzig, Germany/3NIRx Medizintechnik GmbH, Berlin, Germany/4Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt University Berlin, Germany / 5Day Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University Hospital Leipzig, Germany
An Investigation on the Relationship between Efficiency Monitoring and Interest Violation under Interest Assimilation

Abstract In this study, the listed electronic companies in Taiwan, from 2005 to 2010, were regarded as the research objects to investigate the relationship between efficiency monitoring and interest violation. The empirical results showed that monitoring creditors’ right is effective external monitoring power, and through compensation, directors, supervisors, and managers cozy up to one another, which causes interest assimilation. Therefore, it is suggested that a company should appropriately raise the debt ratio in order to increase the external monitoring function, and there should be a certain proportional limit for the controlling shareholders to serve as directors or supervisors in order to avoid excessive interest assimilation which further violates the interests of the minority shareholders.
A Ten-Year Treatment Outcome Study of Traumatized Cambodian Refugees

The purpose of this study was to assess treatment outcome among 23 severely traumatized Cambodian refugee patients with posttraumatic stress disorder who had been in continuous treatment for 10 or more years. Primary outcome parameters were symptom severity, social and vocational disability, and subjective quality of life. All patients were interviewed using standard assessment tools by a research psychiatrist not connected with the treatment, and charts were reviewed for past and current traumas and for treatment history. There was a wide range of current posttraumatic stress disorder symptom scores, but current depression scores were very low. Thirteen patients were judged to have good outcomes, and 10 had relatively poor outcomes. Reported degree of previous trauma and demographic factors did not distinguish between the two outcome groups. Sixty percent of patients greatly improved. However, even with comprehensive continuous treatment over a period of 10 or more years, a substantial minority was still impaired.
Protective Effect of Practice on Cognition during Aging: Implications for Predictive Characteristics of Performance and Efficacy of Practice

In the present study, the effect of previous experience on spatial memory, which required the retention of information either over long intervals or within a single session, was longitudinally tested in the water maze in male F-344 rats that were from 6 to 24 months of age. Performance in these tasks was found to be age-dependent (Markowska, 1999). Other behavioral tasks in the straight alley and with a visible platform in the water maze controlled the noncognitive components of performance. For all tasks, performance was significantly correlated between 12-month-old and 18-month-old rats, indicating that cognitive performance at the early, but not advanced, stage of aging could be predicted from performance at a younger age if the novelty of the first exposure to the task was eliminated. The protective effect of experience was more robust in the reference memory task as compared to the working memory task and was modified by age when training was initiated. Behavior during the probe trials was more sensitive to the effect of aging and more resistant to the beneficial effect of practice as compared to the performance in the platform trials. The speed of swimming of experienced rats progressively decreased with age only when tested in the cognitive tasks but not in the straight alley. This indicates that speed of swimming during cognitive tasks does not exclusively reflect the ability to swim, but might be also affected by the cognitive demands of the task. Protective effect of experience on cognition was not modified by restriction in diet.
Epizootiology of Sixty‐Four Amphibian Morbidity and Mortality Events in the USA, 1996‐2001

Abstract: A total of 44 amphibian mortality events and 20 morbidity events were reviewed retrospectively. The most common cause of amphibian mortality events was infection by ranaviruses (Family: Iridoviridae). Ranavirus epizootics have abrupt onset and affect late‐stage larvae and recent metamorphs. Mortality events due to ranavirus infections affected only widespread and abundant amphibian species, and there was a clear association with high population densities. Chytrid fungal infections accounted for seven mortality events in postmetamorphic anurans only. Chytrid epizootics are insidious and easily overlooked in the field. While both ranavirus and chytrid fungal epizootics were associated with > 90% mortality rates at affected sites, only the chytrid fungal infections were linked to multiple amphibian population declines. Three primitive fungal organisms in the newly erected clade, Mesomycetozoa, caused morbidities and mortalities in anurans and salamanders.
Conceptualizing Big Data: Analysis of Case Studies

Digitization and the related datafication produce huge amounts of data. Organizations have started to exploit these new data in order to gain benefits. Exploring this 'big data jungle' is a new area for both scholars and practitioners, and the experiences of early adopters are valuable. This paper analyses big data use cases described in the academic literature by using computerized content analysis methods. Based on the analysis results, we have conceptualized themes and guidelines of big data in the context of an organization, thus contributing to the emerging research of big data. In addition to the realized benefits, the case studies reveal issues regarding technology, skills, organizational culture and decision-making processes. The paper also points out several new research avenues, acts as a reference collection to big data case studies found in academic sources, and bridges theory and practice by pointing out several topics that practitioners should consider. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the evolution of protein folds: are similar motifs in different protein folds the result of convergence, insertion, or relics of an ancient peptide world?

This paper presents and discusses evidence suggesting how the diversity of domain folds in existence today might have evolved from peptide ancestors. We apply a structure similarity detection method to detect instances where localized regions of different protein folds contain highly similar sequences and structures. Results of performing an all-on-all comparison of known structures are described and compared with other recently published findings. The numerous instances of local sequence and structure similarities within different protein folds, together with evidence from proteins containing sequence and structure repeats, argues in favor of the evolution of modern single polypeptide domains from ancient short peptide ancestors (antecedent domain segments (ADSs)). In this model, ancient protein structures were formed by self-assembling aggregates of short polypeptides. Subsequently, and perhaps concomitantly with the evolution of higher fidelity DNA replication and repair systems, single polypeptide domains arose from the fusion of ADSs genes. Thus modern protein domains may have a polyphyletic origin.
Effects of Conservation Tillage and Nutrient Management Practices on Soil Fertility and Productivity of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)–Rice System in North Eastern Region of India

Over centuries and even today, traditional farming practices are well performed without any ecological degradation. However, management practice such as conservative tillage combined with nutrient and residue could increase the crop production as well as soil fertility. A three-year replicated study was conducted to assess the effects of agronomic modification of traditional farming practices on productivity and sustainability of rice (wet season)–rice (dry season) system (RRS). The replacement of farmers practice (T2) with conservation effective tillage (no-till (NT)) and integrated nutrient management (INM) practice along with 30% residue retention (T5) enhanced the straw, root and biomass yield of both wet season rice (WR), dry season rice (DR) and system as a whole over T2. Treatment T5 recorded significantly lower soil bulk density (ρb) and higher pH than the T2 after three years of the experiment. Further, treatment T5 increased total soil organic carbon (2.8%), total soil organic carbon stock (2.8%), carbon sequestration rate (336.5 kg ha−1 year−1), cumulative carbon stock (142.9%) and carbon retention efficiency (141.0%) over T2 of 0–20 cm depth after three year. The soil microbial biomass carbon concentration was significantly the highest under T5. Similarly, the dehydrogenase activity was the maximum under T5. Adoption of conservation tillage and nutrient management practice involving NT and INM along with residue retention can enhance the system productivity, and C and N sequestration in paddy soils is thereby contributing to the sustainability of the RRS.
The potential and barriers to the use of geographical information systems for marketing applications in higher educational institutions

Purpose – To highlight the potential (as well as perceived barriers) to the wider use of GIS in educational marketing.Design/methodology/approach – Five case studies were conducted in order to identify the GIS capabilities that would be required by a typical educational institution. Using the knowledge gained from these case studies, a prototype “admissions GIS” based around a proprietary GIS package was developed.Findings – Spatial approaches based around GIS should provide numerous benefits in educational marketing concerning, for example, the mapping and analysis of participation rates in relation to a variety of recruitment campaigns and widening participation strategies, in detecting changes in enrolment patterns and in the profiling of local areas in order to develop a range of courses designed to appeal to the customer segments therein.Research limitations/implications – The paper has identified important barriers that will need to be overcome before such tools become more widely used in the higher.
Are Chinese Companies the Next Generation of Multinational Corporations? Lenovo vs. Sony in the Global PC Industry

This research examines Chinese outward FDI (OFDI) today and Japanese OFDI in the 1960s. Furthermore, we compare the international expansion strategy of the established Japanese company Sony with emerging Chinese multinational corporation Lenovo in the global PC industry. Our study has important managerial implications for western companies as Chinese firms continue to expand globally.
The Use of Mobile Phone Among Farmers for Agriculture Development

Mobile phone usage in third world countries is playing a vital role for the enhancement of farmers business towards agriculture. Recently, communication through mobile phones is considered very important in enhanc- ing farmers' access to better understand agricultural market situation. Farming communities appreciate mobile phone as easy, fast and convenient way to communicate and get prompt answers of respective problems. Nowadays, the mobile phone has generated an opportunity for the farmers especially to get the information about marketing and weather. Through this important technology, they directly keep in touch with market personals and offer their produce with reasonable prices. The use of mobile phone also keep them aware for weather forecast for agriculture input application like fertilizer and pesticides which might be affected by un fore seen dis- asters as communicated by metrological department. This device has given new direction and approach to farmers to communicate directly and share about recent advances with each other. The studies showed that mobile phones have saved energy and time of farmers and ultimately improved their income. Mobile phones have provided an opportunity to the farmers to communicate directly with market brokers and customers for sell their product in good price.
Electric vehicles: Holy grail or fool's gold

Our analysis shows that there is likely to be minor short term risk or reward for electric utilities with respect to electric vehicle adoption, but also that significant long term value or risk exists, depending on how judiciously utilities manage pricing, charging and infrastructure. The margin of difference between profit and loss lies with the extent to which customer adoption is clustered, whether customers demand faster charging times, and how utilities are able to insure optimal charging times are met, relative to existing system utility peak loads. Customer car purchases are likely to cluster geographically within neighborhoods. Customers appear to want fast charging and convenience, albeit within some price tolerance. And once established, a robust PEV market may be difficult to keep up with, in terms of infrastructure additions, if ignored for too long. We share several methodological innovations and results to address these questions including Bass model market forecasting, consumer choice simulations, mapping spatial adoption and forecasting, and profitability assessment over various time and location based criteria.
Conducting an audit to improve the facilitation of emergency maternal and newborn referral in northern Ghana

Ghana Health Service conducted an audit to strengthen the referral system for pregnant or recently pregnant women and newborns in northern Ghana. The audit took place in 16 facilities with two 3-month cycles of data collection in 2011. Midwife-led teams tracked 446 referred women until they received definitive treatment. Between the two audit cycles, teams identified and implemented interventions to address gaps in referral services. During this time period, we observed important increases in facilitating referral mechanisms, including a decrease in the dependence on taxis in favour of national or facility ambulances/vehicles; an increase in health workers escorting referrals to the appropriate receiving facility; greater use of referral slips and calling ahead to alert receiving facilities and higher feedback rates. As referral systems require attention from multiple levels of engagement, on the provider end we found that regional managers increasingly resolved staffing shortages; district management addressed the costliness and lack of transport and increased midwives' ability to communicate with pregnant women and drivers; and that facility staff increasingly adhered to guidelines and facilitating mechanisms. By conducting an audit of maternal and newborn referrals, the Ghana Health Service identified areas for improvement that service providers and management at multiple levels addressed, demonstrating a platform for problem solving that could be a model elsewhere.
Primary anthropogenic aerosol emission trends for China, 1990–2005

An inventory of anthropogenic primary aerosol emissions in China was developed for 1990–2005 using a technology-based approach. Taking into account changes in the technology penetration within industry sectors and improvements in emission controls driven by stricter emission standards, a dynamic methodology was derived and implemented to estimate inter-annual emission factors. Emission factors of PM 2.5 decreased by 7%–69% from 1990 to 2005 in different industry sectors of China, and emission factors of TSP decreased by 18%–80% as well, with the measures of controlling PM emissions implemented. As a result, emissions of PM 2.5 and TSP in 2005 were 11.0 Tg and 29.7 Tg, respectively, less than what they would have been without the adoption of these measures. Emissions of PM 2.5 , PM 10 and TSP presented similar trends: they increased in the first six years of 1990s and decreased until 2000, then increased again in the following years. Emissions of TSP peaked (35.5 Tg) in 1996, while the peak of PM 10 (18.8 Tg) and PM 2.5 (12.7 Tg) emissions occurred in 2005. Although various emission trends were identified across sectors, the cement industry and biofuel combustion in the residential sector were consistently the largest sources of PM 2.5 emissions, accounting for 53%–62% of emissions over the study period. The non-metallic mineral product industry, including the cement, lime and brick industries, accounted for 54%–63% of national TSP emissions. There were no significant trends of BC and OC emissions until 2000, but the increase after 2000 brought the peaks of BC (1.51 Tg) and OC (3.19 Tg) emissions in 2005. Although significant improvements in the estimation of primary aerosols are presented here, there still exist large uncertainties. More accurate and detailed activity information and emission factors based on local tests are essential to further improve emission estimates, this especially being so for the brick and coke industries, as well as for coal-burning stoves and biofuel usage in the residential sector.
The Unintended Consequences of Divestment

A divestment campaign aims to depress share prices to induce managers to change firm behavior. Assuming that managers make profit-maximizing decisions in the absence of a campaign, firms that accede to divestors’ demands raise short-run share prices but depress long-run profits. Managers who are more interested in short-run prices are therefore more motivated by divestment than managers who care about long-run profits. We show that, as most managerial compensation contracts reward long-run profitability and stock returns, divestment can be ineffective at best, and perhaps counterproductive, rewarding managers who attract divestment campaigns. In a quantification exercise, we show that the wealth of most executives running likely divestment targets in 2015 would be unaffected by even large movements in share prices. Of those affected, a substantial majority would benefit from divestment.
Closed-Loop Model Identification and PID/PI Tuning for Robust Anti-Slug Control

Abstract Active control of the production choke valve is the recommended solution to prevent severe slugging flow at offshore oilfields. This requires operation in an open-loop unstable operating point. It is possible to use PI or PID controllers which are the preferred choice in the industry, but they need to be tuned appropriately for robustness against plant changes and large inflow disturbances. The focus of this paper is on finding tuning rules based on model identification from a closed-loop step test. We perform an IMC (Internal Model Control) design based on the identified model, and from this we obtain PID and PI tuning parameters. In addition, we find simple PI tuning rules for the whole operation range of the system considering the nonlinearity of the static gain. The proposed model identification and tuning rules show applicability and robustness in experiments on a test rigs as well as in simulations using the OLGA simulator.
Environmental values and lifestyles as determining factors of ecological consumer behaviour: an empirical analysis

Purpose – The aim of this study is to identify what values and lifestyles best explain environmentally friendly behaviours.Design/methodology/approach – This paper adapts the Values and Lifestyle scale and the Environmental and Attitude and Knowledge scale to the Spanish context in order to describe the ecological consumer profile. The data were obtained from a questionnaire handed out to a random sample of 573 individuals. With the information obtained, and after the scales validation process, a structural equation analysis has been conducted.Findings – Findings of the study highlight that environmental patterns and self‐fulfilment values are those that best characterise the ecological market segment. This group of consumers is characterised by their self‐fulfilment feeling. They are people who always try to improve themselves and take actions which pose a new challenge for them. They are also characterised by having an ecological lifestyle, that is, environment consciousness, selecting and recycling pro.
Evaluating Beef Cattle Best Management Practices: Conversion to Grass‐Fed Beef

Commercial cow-calf producers in Texas have traditionally had three marketing options: livestock commission companies, private treaty sales, or retained ownership (stockers/feeders). Most calves are placed on wheat or other forage for conditioning with some sold as herd replacements. Grass-fed beef may be a viable, alternative management practice for improving profitability.
Strategic Problems in International Leasing

Leasing as a principle is not new, similar types of finance were present in the Roman Empire some two thousand years ago. Modern international leasing, however, was relaunched as a serious major form of finance marketing activity in the 1960's, although domestic leasing was existent and thriving in the United States even before the World War II. Immediately after the second World War, and especially in the fifties, there was an explosion in consumer credit business in most of the developed countries, and this had lead to a substantial growth in both domestic and international leasing. The growth of international leasing since 1972 is mainly attributable to it having obtained a larger share of the equipment market, because the depression in economic activity, the lack of confidence in future demand and general uncertainty that led to a decline in industrial and equipment investment. Taxation was and still is a major factor; it has been calculated that in 1974 in total available tax allowance for international leases exceeded taxable income, in industrial and commercial companies engaged in international leasing activities in Europe.1 Another major reason for the expansion and growth of international leasing was the extent to which international leasing was marketed to realise a latent need and break down prejudices of not owning equipment. Today many manufacturers use international leasing as a sales aid and also government regulations have changed to equate the tax treatment of international leases with regard to other forms of finance, and make other incentive payments available to lessees.
On a Unified Framework for Approachability with Full or Partial Monitoring

We represent any repeated game with partial monitoring as an abstract repeated game with full monitoring where outcomes are probability measures, to be interpreted as the “maximal information” the players can obtain in the original game. One of our objectives is to define and generalize Blackwell’s approachability theory in this space of probability measures. We characterize approachable sets with, as usual, a simple and complete formulation for convex sets. Translated back into the original games with partial monitoring, these results provide the first necessary and sufficient approachability condition. As there is not a unique way to define averages of probability measures, we also investigate the case of displacement interpolation. We obtain similar results along with rates of convergence.