Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Notion of Robustness in Complex Networks

We consider a graph-theoretic property known as r-robustness which plays a key role in a class of consensus (or opinion) dynamics where each node ignores its most extreme neighbors when updating its state. Previous work has shown that if the graph is r-robust for sufficiently large r, then such dynamics will lead to consensus even when some nodes behave in an adversarial manner. The property of r-robustness also guarantees that the network will remain connected even if a certain number of nodes are removed from the neighborhood of every node in the network and thus it is a stronger indicator of structural robustness than the traditional metric of graph connectivity. In this paper, we study this notion of robustness in common random graph models for complex networks; we show that the properties of robustness and connectivity share the same threshold function in Erdös-Rényi graphs, and have the same values in 1-D geometric graphs and certain preferential attachment networks. This provides new insights into the structure of such networks, and shows that they will be conducive to the types of dynamics described before. Although the aforementioned random graphs are inherently robust, we also show that it is coNP-complete to determine whether any given graph is robust to a specified extent.
Actuator fault accommodation strategy for a team of LTI multi-agent systems

A cooperative actuator fault accommodation strategy for a team of linear time-invariant (LTI) multi-agent systems with a switching topology and directed communication network graph is studied in this paper. The faults could occur in more than one agent simultaneously and the fault severity is not needed to be precisely estimated. The proposed fault accommodation strategy is performed in two levels: the agent level fault recovery (ALFR) and the team level fault recovery (TLFR). Whenever a fault is detected, the recovery strategy is to locally recover faulty agents based on inaccurate estimates of the faults in the first step and to reconfigure the weights of the information flow graph in the second step. The proposed strategy is based on the sub-optimal solution of a bi-linear matrix inequality (BMI) and guarantees the consensus achievement of the team. The stability properties of the proposed controller and the recovery strategy are investigated based on Lyapunov analysis. The effectiveness of our proposed consensus algorithm is illustrated by performing numerical simulations for a team of ten agents and the performance of our strategy is compared with the centralized and decentralized fault recovery approaches in the literature.
Lymphocyte Subpopulations in Lymph Nodes and Peripheral Blood: A Comparison between Patients with Stable Angina and Acute Coronary Syndrome

Objective Atherosclerosis is characterized by a chronic inflammatory response involving activated T cells and impairment of natural killer (NK) cells. An increased T cell activity has been associated with plaque instability and risk of acute cardiac events. Lymphocyte analyses in blood are widely used to evaluate the immune status. However, peripheral blood contains only a minor proportion of lymphocytes. In this study, we hypothesized that thoracic lymph nodes from patients with stable angina (SA) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) might add information to peripheral blood analyses. Methods Peripheral blood and lymph nodes were collected during coronary by-pass surgery in 13 patients with SA and 13 patients with ACS. Lymphocyte subpopulations were assessed by flow cytometry using antibodies against CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, CD16/56, CD25, Foxp3, CD69, HLA-DR, IL-18 receptor (R) and CCR4. Results Lymph nodes revealed a lymphocyte subpopulation profile substantially differing from that in blood including a higher proportion of B cells, lower proportions of CD8+ T cells and NK cells and a 2-fold higher CD4/CD8 ratio. CD4+CD69+ cells as well as Foxp3+ regulatory T cells were markedly enriched in lymph nodes (p<0.001) while T helper 1-like (CD4+IL-18R+) cells were more frequent in blood (p<0.001). The only significant differences between ACS and SA patients involved NK cells that were reduced in the ACS group. However, despite being reduced, the NK cell fraction in ACS patients contained a significantly higher proportion of IL-18R+ cells compared with SA patients (p<0.05). Conclusion There were several differences in lymphocyte subpopulations between blood and lymph nodes. However, the lymphocyte perturbations in peripheral blood of ACS patients compared with SA patients were not mirrored in lymph nodes. The findings indicate that lymph node analyses in multivessel coronary artery disease may not reveal any major changes in the immune response that are not detectable in blood.
Influential factors on the production of English /θ/ by Japanese learners of English

Abstract This study investigates the linguistic and sociolinguistic factors which trigger high frequency of /s/-substitution (i.e. the substitution of /s/ for /θ/) by Japanese-speaking learners of English. From the production experiment participated by 8 Japanese learners, it was found that /s/-substitution was more likely to occur in a stressed syllable before high vowels in a longer word, with /s/ in proximity, and in more spontaneous speech. The results of this study could be applied to pedagogical strategies to help Japanese learners overcome their pronunciation difficulties more efficiently.
Stellar remnants in galactic nuclei: mass segregation

The study of how stars distribute themselves around a massive black hole (MBH) in the center of a galaxy is an important prerequisite for the understanding of many galactic-center processes. These include the observed overabundance of point X-ray sources at the Galactic center, the prediction of rates and characteristics of tidal disruptions of extended stars by the MBH and of inspirals of compact stars into the MBH, the latter being events of high importance for the future space borne gravitational wave interferometer LISA. In relatively small galactic nuclei, hosting MBHs with masses in the range 10 5 - 10 7 M ⊙ , the single most important dynamical process is 2-body relaxation. It induces the formation of a steep density cusp around the MBH and strong mass segregation, as more massive stars lose energy to lighter ones and drift to the central regions. Using a spherical stellar dynamical Monte-Carlo code, we simulate the long-term relaxational evolution of galactic nucleus models with a spectrum of stellar masses. Our focus is the concentration of stellar black holes to the immediate vicinity of the MBH. We quantify this mass segregation for a variety of galactic nucleus models and discuss its astrophysical implications. Special attention is given to models developed to match the conditions in the Milky Way nucleus; we examine the presence of compact objects in connection to recent high-resolution X-ray observations.
Education of Women in Islam: A Critical Islamic Interpretation of the Quran

Abstract In Islam, knowledge, its acquisition and application is a fundamental requirement for all Muslims to enable them to believe, think, and act according to the principles of the religion. However, differences in style of interpretation of the Qur’an have led to text being interpreted against its own fundamental worldview; an example is the recent attempted assassination of a Pakistani girl for advocating female education. Based on analysis of selected verses, this article argues that the worldview of the Qur’an places importance on gaining knowledge of different kinds to fulfill divine requirements as well as all forms of human endeavor.
Scaffolding Young Children's Prosocial Responsiveness: Preschoolers' Responses to Adult Sadness, Anger, and Pain

Children's responsiveness to a female adult's negative emotions was investigated in two studies. During individual play sessions with preschoolers (mean age = 44 and 50 months in each study), experimenters enacted two vignettes involving each of three emotions: anger, sadness, and pain. The children's reactions to negative emotion, as well as their reactions after it was explained, and after prosocial behaviour was requested, were rated for level of prosocial response. Overall, prosocial behaviour increased after such supportive scaffolding from the adult. Children responded most prosocially to anger, and least prosocially to pain. Requesting help affected prosocial responsiveness only for sadness and anger. The slightly older subjects in Study Two may have needed less adult scaffolding of the situation because of their more proficient understanding of emotion. The results are discussed with reference to the information young children need regarding adult emotional displays, and their need to feel competent to perform prosocial actions.
Shaped by the Past: The Default Mode Network Supports Cognition that Is Independent of Immediate Perceptual Input

Although many different accounts of the functions of the default mode network (DMN) have been proposed, few can adequately account for the spectrum of different cognitive functions that utilize this network. The current study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to explore the hypothesis that the role of the DMN in higher order cognition is to allow cognition to be shaped by information from stored representations rather than information in the immediate environment. Using a novel task paradigm, we observed increased BOLD activity in regions of the medial prefrontal cortex and posterior cingulate cortex when individuals made decisions on the location of shapes from the prior trial and decreased BOLD activity when individuals made decisions on the location of shapes on the current trial. These data are inconsistent with views of the DMN as a task-negative system or one that is sensitive only to stimuli with strong personal or emotional ties. Instead the involvement of the DMN when people make decisions about where a shape was, rather than where it is now, supports the hypothesis that the core hubs of the DMN allow cognition to be guided by information other than the immediate perceptual input. We propose that a variety of different forms of higher order thought (such as imagining the future or considering the perspective of another person) engage the DMN because these more complex introspective forms of higher order thought all depend on the capacity for cognition to be shaped by representations that are not present in the external environment.
Examination of the mass media process and personal factors affecting the assessment of mass media-disseminated health information

This study examined the mass media and personal characteristics leading to health communication inequality as well as the role of certain factors in health communication’s mass media process. Using both sociodemographic variables and Maletzke’s model as a basis, we investigated the relationship between selected components of the mass communication process, the receiving of reliable health information as a result of health communication, and the condition of its use. The study involved 1853 people in Turkey and was structured in two parts. The first part dealt with questions regarding sociodemographic characteristics, the use of the mass media and the public’s ability to obtain health information from it, the public’s perception of the trustworthiness of health information, and the state of translating this information into health-promoting behaviours. In the second part, questions related to the mass communication process were posed using a five-point Likert scale. This section tried to establish structural equation modelling using the judgements prepared on the basis of the mass media model. Through this study, it has been observed that sociodemographic factors such as education and age affect individuals’ use of and access to communication channels; individuals’ trust in and selection of health information from the programme content and their changing health behaviours (as a result of the health information) are related to both their perception of the mass communication process and to sociodemographic factors, but are more strongly related to the former.
A practical study of adaptive finger reassignment and replacement in the soft handover region

We present the effects of correlated or/and non-identical fading channels as well as outdated/imperfect channel estimations on the performance of newly proposed finger reassignment and replacement schemes for RAKE receivers in the soft handover region. The performance of these schemes were previously analyzed by the authors over independent and identically distributed Rayleigh fading channels. In this paper, we consider the exponentially decaying power delay profile among paths with the exponential and constant correlation models. The effect of outdated/imperfect channel estimations is also evaluated. Simulation results show that our proposed schemes are still offering an interesting performance versus network overhead tradeoff in the practical channel environments considered in this paper.
Antenna configuration comparison in challenging NLOS locations

The objective of this paper is to compare uplink (UL) performance with different antenna technologies when receiving Non-Line of Sight (NLOS) signal in field tests. The antenna configurations in use were a passive antenna system and an active antenna system (AAS). The radiation pattern can be controlled horizontally by changing its azimuth angle and vertically by changing the tilt angle of the antenna. AAS includes a flexible configuration that consists of diversity beams and other features for beam controlling. The field trial benefitted 2-way and 4-way receive (RX) diversity in both antenna systems. The field trial environment consists of three macro-cellular Long Term Evolution (LTE) evolved Node B (eNB) operating in 2.1 GHz band. This trial environment has two AAS and one passive system in use for the measurements. The environment can encompass one macro cell and with vertical controlling, it is possible to add an additional beam and with horizontal controlling it is possible to steer the main beam towards the user equipment (UE). Field trial used drive test software to evaluate the test network performance. Mobile network user had UE in drive testing to evaluate cellular network quality from the mobile device's point of view. The field trial results indicate that AAS beam controlling can achieve remarkable capacity gain in uplink direction when UE does not have a line of sight to the eNB.
Profiles of Students’ Interest in Science Issues around the World: Analysis of data from PISA 2006

The Programme for International Student Assessment in 2006 included several measures of students’ interest in science. These measures were constructed by combining information from several items where students are asked to respond to statements along Likert scale categories. Since there is evidence for Likert scales providing culturally biased country scores, we demonstrate in this article that the relative profiles of interest can be meaningfully analysed across countries. Hence, we have developed national relative profiles of interest in science constructed from the country‐ and item‐specific residuals at the item level. Subsequently, these relative profiles of interest have been used as input in a cluster analysis providing identification of distinct groups of countries with similar item‐by‐item patterns of interest in science. The most notable feature of the analysis is an overall division between two larger groups of countries, roughly corresponding to European/Western countries in one group and non‐European countries, with only a few exceptions, in the other group. A number of meaningful clusters of countries, partly defined by language and partly by localisation, are identified within each of the two main clusters. In order to develop a more detailed understanding of the characteristic features of the various clusters, descriptive information about the items is included in the analysis. The most notable finding is the strong relative preference for life and health issues among the non‐European countries, contrasted with the distinct favouring of items relating to physical/technological systems in the European/Western countries.
Combining MR Imaging, Positron-Emission Tomography, and CSF Biomarkers in the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Alzheimer Disease

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Different biomarkers for AD may potentially be complementary in diagnosis and prognosis of AD. Our aim was to combine MR imaging, FDG-PET, and CSF biomarkers in the diagnostic classification and 2-year prognosis of MCI and AD, by examining the following: 1) which measures are most sensitive to diagnostic status, 2) to what extent the methods provide unique information in diagnostic classification, and 3) which measures are most predictive of clinical decline. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ADNI baseline MR imaging, FDG-PET, and CSF data from 42 controls, 73 patients with MCI, and 38 patients with AD; and 2-year clinical follow-up data for 36 controls, 51 patients with MCI, and 25 patients with AD were analyzed. The hippocampus and entorhinal, parahippocampal, retrosplenial, precuneus, inferior parietal, supramarginal, middle temporal, lateral, and medial orbitofrontal cortices were used as regions of interest. CSF variables included Aβ42, t-tau, p-tau, and ratios of t-tau/Aβ42 and p-tau/Aβ42. Regression analyses were performed to determine the sensitivity of measures to diagnostic status as well as 2-year change in CDR-SB, MMSE, and delayed logical memory in MCI. RESULTS: Hippocampal volume, retrosplenial thickness, and t-tau/Aβ42 uniquely predicted diagnostic group. Change in CDR-SB was best predicted by retrosplenial thickness; MMSE, by retrosplenial metabolism and thickness; and delayed logical memory, by hippocampal volume. CONCLUSIONS: All biomarkers were sensitive to the diagnostic group. Combining MR imaging morphometry and CSF biomarkers improved diagnostic classification (controls versus AD). MR imaging morphometry and PET were largely overlapping in value for discrimination. Baseline MR imaging and PET measures were more predictive of clinical change in MCI than were CSF measures.
InGaAsN metal-semiconductor-metal photodetectors with Modulation-doped heterostructures

InGaAsN metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) photodetectors (PDs) with modulation-doped heterostructures have been successfully fabricated. It was found from capacitance-voltage measurements that carriers were well confined. Using thermionic emission theory and measured dark currents, it was found that effective Schottky barrier heights were 0.61, 0.72, 0.50, and 0.23 eV for the MSM-PDs with Al<sub>0.2</sub>Ga<sub>0.8</sub>As cap layer doping N<sub>d</sub>=5times10<sup>16</sup>, 9times10<sup>16</sup>, 2times10<sup>17</sup>, and 6times10<sup>17</sup> cm<sup>-3</sup>, respectively. Furthermore, it was found that measured responsivities were 0.02, 0.14, and 0.22 A/W and for the MSM-PDs with N<sub>d</sub>=5times10<sup>16</sup>, 9times10<sup>16</sup>, and 2times10<sup>17</sup> cm<sup>-3</sup>, respectively
Faculteit Economie En Bedrijfskunde Tweekerkenstraat 2 B-9000 Gent the Stakeholder Model Refined

The popularity of the stakeholder model has been achieved thanks to its powerful visual scheme and its very simplicity. Stakeholder management has become an important tool to transfer ethics to management practice and strategy. Nevertheless, legitimate criticism continues to insist on clarification and emphasises on the perfectible nature of the model. Here, rather than building on the discussion from a philosophical or theoretical point of view, a different and innovative approach has been chosen: the analysis will return to the origin of stakeholder theory and will keep the graphical framework firmly in perspective. It will confront the stakeholder model's graphical representation to the discussion on stakeholder definition, stakeholder identification and categorisation, to re-centre the debate to the strategic origin of the stakeholder model. The ambiguity and the vagueness of the stakeholder concept are discussed from managerial and legal approaches. The impacts of two major shortcomings of the popular stakeholder framework are examined: the boundaries and the level of the firm's environment, and the ambivalent position of pressure groups and regulators. Working pragmatically, with a focus on the managerial and organisational perspective, an attempt is made to clarify the categorisations and classifications by introducing new terminology with a distinction between stakeholders, stakewatchers and stakekeepers. The analysis will finally lead to a proposed upgraded and refined version of the stakeholder model, with incremental ameliorations close to Freeman's original model and a return of focus to its essence, the managerial implications in a strategic approach.
A Formal Evaluation of the Performance of Different Corporate Styles in Stable and Turbulent Environments

The notion of "parenting styles", introduced by Goold, Campbell and Alexander, has been widely acknowledged by the Corporate Strategy literature as a good broad description of the different ways in which corporate managers choose to manage and organize multibusiness firms. The purpose of this paper is to present a formal test of the relationship between parenting style and performance. For this test, we developed a set of agent-based simulations using the Performance Landscapes framework, which captures and describes the evolution of firms led by different parenting styles in business environments with different levels of complexity and dynamism. We found that the relative performance of each style is contingent upon the characteristics of the environment in which the firm operates. In less complex business environments, the Strategic Planning style outperforms the Strategic Control and Financial Control styles. In highly complex and highly dynamic environments, by contrast, the Strategic Control style performs best. Our results also demonstrate the importance of planning and flexibility at the corporate level and so contribute to the wider debate on Strategic Planning vs. Emergent Strategies.
Facilitation of glutamate receptors reverses an age‐associated memory impairment in rats

The accuracy of memory for recent events is reported to decay between young adulthood and middle age in humans (Crook et al., 1990; Crook and West, 1990; Thomas et al., 1977) due to impairments in acquisition and/or retention (Craik, 1977; Huppert and Kopelman, 1989). Effects of this kind are also found in comparisons of middle‐aged (12–18 months) vs. young adult (3 months) rats in tests requiring retention of recently sampled spatial cues (Kadar et al., 1990a; Kadar et al., 1990b; Goudsmit et al., 1990; Weiss and Thompson, 1991). The causes of such changes in memory processing are unknown but might be expected to involve age‐related losses in forebrain glutamate receptors (Bahr et al., 1992; Magnusson and Cotman, 1993; Wenk et al., 1991); these receptors mediate fast excitatory transmission in many brain regions and play an essential role in the production of long‐term potentiation (LTP), a form of synaptic plasticity that has been implicated in memory encoding (Landfield and Lynch, 1977; Moore et al., 1993). In the present communication we report results indicating that a drug that enhances AMPA‐type glutamate receptors acts centrally to selectively increase hippocampal spatial cell firing and improves both acquisition performance and memory retention in middle‐aged rats to levels equivalent to those found in young adult animals. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.