Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A refined limit on the predictability of human mobility

It has been recently claimed that human movement is highly predictable. While an upper bound of 93% predictability was shown, this was based upon human movement trajectories of very high spatiotemporal granularity. Recent studies reduced this spatiotemporal granularity down to the level of GPS data, and under a similar methodology results once again suggested a high predictability upper bound (i.e. 90% when movement was quantized down to a spatial resolution approximately the size of a large building). In this work we reconsider the derivation of the upper bound to movement predictability. By considering real-world topological constraints we are able to achieve a tighter upper bound, representing a more refined limit to the predictability of human movement. Our results show that this upper bound is between 11-24% less than previously claimed at a spatial resolution of approx. 100m×100m, with a greater improvement for finer spatial resolutions. This indicates that human mobility is potentially less predictable than previously thought. We provide an in-depth examination of how varying the spatial and temporal quantization affects predictability, and consider the impact of corresponding limits using a large set of real-world GPS traces. Particularly at fine-grained spatial quantizations, where a significant number of practical applications lie, these new (lower) upper limits raise serious questions about the use of location information alone for prediction, contributing more evidence that such prediction must integrate external variables.
Examining the effects of gambling-relevant cues on gambling outcome expectancies

Abstract There is a consensus in the addictions literature that exposure to addiction-relevant cues can precipitate a desire to engage, or actual engagement, in the addictive behaviour. Previous work has shown that exposure to gambling-relevant cues activates gamblers’ positive gambling outcome expectancies (i.e. their beliefs about the positive results of gambling). The current study examined the effects of a new, arguably more ecologically valid cue manipulation (i.e. exposure to a gambling lab environment vs. sterile lab environment) on 61 regular gamblers’ explicit and implicit gambling outcome expectancies. The authors first tested the internal consistency of their implicit reaction time measure of gambling outcome expectancies, the Affective Priming Task. Split-half reliabilities were satisfactory to high (.72 to .88), highlighting an advantage of this task over other characteristically unreliable implicit cognitive measures. Unexpectedly, no predicted between-lab condition differences emerged on most measures of interest, suggesting that peripheral environmental cues that are not the focus of deliberate attentional allocation may not activate positive outcome expectancies. However, there was some evidence that implicit negative gambling outcome expectancies were activated in the gambling lab environment. This latter finding holds clinical relevance as it suggests that presenting peripheral gambling-related cues while treating problem gamblers may facilitate processing of the negative consequences of gambling.
R&D Subsidies to Start-ups - Effective Drivers of Patent Activity and Employment Growth?

The present paper investigates the effectiveness of R&D subsidies given to start-ups. Taking an aggregate view rather than evaluating a single program, we estimate the impact of R&D subsidies on start-ups' employment growth and their patent output. A unique data set on start-ups in the East German county of Thuringia allows us to focus on those start-ups that conduct R&D within the first three business years. We conduct propensity score matching to address the selection bias between subsidized and non-subsidized start-ups. We find that R&D subsidies lead to an increase in employment growth of about 66%. Furthermore, subsidized start-ups show a 2.8 times higher patent output. These estimates provide evidence for the additionality of R&D subsidies within the first three business years. Moreover, our analysis points to the special group of academic spin-offs which excels in the novelty of business ideas and patent activity. For some of these high-tech start-ups, no non-subsidized counterparts can be found. This might be attributed to the policy focus on academic spin-offs, which has led to a successful targeting of R&D support schemes.
An intrinsic characterization of p-symmetric Heegaard splittings

We show that every p-fold strictly-cyclic branched covering of a b-bridge link in the 3-sphere admits a p-symmetric Heegaard splitting of genus g=(b-1)(p-1). This gives a complete converse to a result of Birman and Hilden, and gives an intrinsic characterization of p-symmetric Heegaard splittings as p-fold strictly-cyclic branched coverings of links.
Sharing the Burden of the Transition to Adulthood: African American Young Adults’ Transition Challenges and Their Mothers’ Health Risk

For many African American youth, the joint influences of economic and racial marginalization render the transition to stable adult roles challenging. We have gained much insight into how these challenges affect future life chances, yet we lack an understanding of what these challenges mean in the context of linked lives. Drawing on a life course framework, this study examines how young African Americans’ experiences across a variety of salient domains during the transition to adulthood affect their mothers’ health. Results suggest that stressors experienced by African Americans during the transition to adulthood (e.g., unemployment, troubled romantic relationships, arrest) heighten their mothers’ cumulative biological risk for chronic diseases, or allostatic load, and reduce subjective health. These results suggest that the toll of an increasingly tenuous and uncertain transition to adulthood extends beyond young people to their parents. Hence, increased public investments during this transition may not only reduce inequality and improve life chances for young people themselves, but may also enhance healthy aging by relieving the heavy burden on parents to help their children navigate this transition.
Test For Detecting An Impermeable Water Barrier In An Earth-Fill Dam In Austria Using Masw Method

Seismic methods were used to locate an impermeable water barrier (density body), constructed in front of a homogenous earth-fill dam (Pratisbach) in Eastern Styria, Austria. This detention reservoir, built in 1985/86, was constructed of locally mined materials. Key to this structures functionality is its impermeable core located within the upstream toe of the dam and parallel to the dam axis. This density body is reported to be composed of the same material as in the main structure, but has undergone intensive artificial compaction. Current pool level in the detention reservoir is consistent with the designed top of the density body, about 2 m below the surface. Seismic methods were attempted because no apparent anomaly was evident on electromagnetic data associated with the density body. Surface wave (MASW) and refraction seismic methods provided compressional (Vp) and shear-wave (Vs) velocities along a profile that should have crossed directly over the density body of the dam. With only a subtle increase in Vp velocity within the designed density body interval, the findings of the seismic survey appear consistent with the electromagnetic data. A loosely fitting relationship was developed providing a better understanding of the internal condition of the dam.
Letters to the Editor Preovulatory rise in progesterone

Preovulatory rise in progesterone Dear Sir, We read with great interest the article by Eldar-Geva et al. (1998). In the late follicular phase of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist/human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG)-stimulated cycles they showed a concomitant increase of serum progesterone and luteinizing hormone (LH), both of which were reversible by the administration of dexamethasone. Based on these findings, they concluded that part of the follicular phase progesterone is of adrenal origin. Their results seem to support the notion that high oestrogen concentrations may cause discrete changes in the hypothalamic–pituitary adrenal axis and in adrenal enzymatic activity as part of a complex 'cross-talk' between the hypothalamic–pituitary– ovarian and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axes. This proposal is feasible, although there are still some other aspects which need to be given further consideration. Bognar et al. (1991) measured follicular fluid oestradiol, progesterone and testosterone concentrations in patients involved in an in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer programme. Of the three steroids, progesterone showed the best correlation with follicular maturation. A significant difference was established in progesterone content of first versus second class, as well as of first versus third maturity class follicles. The progesterone content of the mature follicles significantly exceeded that of the immature ones. Similarly, a significant difference was found in the progesterone/oestradiol ratios of the immature and mature follicles. The follicular progesterone probably originates from granulosa cells of growing follicles and can be regarded as the most likely source of the rise in serum progesterone concentration. In our earlier study (Bódis et al., 1993), we measured the progesterone, oestradiol, serotonin, noradrenaline and dopa-mine contents of follicular fluid samples obtained from 35 patients undergoing IVF and embryo transfer. Ovarian stimulation was performed using combined suppression–stimulation therapy. The GnRH agonist triptorelin (Decapeptyl; Ferring, Kiel, Germany) was used in a long protocol. Stimulation was carried out with individual dosages of HMG (Humegon; Organon, Obeschleissheim, Germany), varying from two to six 1 ml ampoules daily depending on the follicular maturation. Ovulation was induced by injection of 10 000 IU human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG, Predalon; Organon), and aspiration of follicular fluid was performed 36 h later by ultrasound-guided vaginal puncture. Significantly higher pro-gesterone and noradrenaline concentrations have been found in human follicular fluid from cycles in which the oocyte cleaved and resulted in pregnancy, compared with follicular fluid containing uncleaved oocytes (Bódis et al., 1993). These results suggest that the higher concentration of progesterone and noradrenaline within …
Confirmation of Surgical Decompression to Relieve Migraine Headaches

Background: Surgical decompression of various trigger sites has been shown by two authors to relieve migraine headaches. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of surgical decompression of multiple migraine trigger sites in a clinical practice setting, and to compare the results to those previously published. Methods: A retrospective, descriptive analysis was performed on 18 consecutive patients who had undergone various combinations of surgical decompression of the supraorbital, supratrochlear, and greater occipital nerves and zygomaticotemporal neurectomy performed by a single surgeon. All patients had been diagnosed with migraine headaches according to neurologic evaluation and had undergone identification of trigger sites by botulinum toxin type A injections. Results: The number of migraines per month and the pain intensity of migraine headaches decreased significantly. Three patients (17 percent) had complete relief of their migraines, and 50 percent of patients (nine of 18) had at least a 75 percent reduction in the frequency, duration, or intensity of migraines. Thirty-nine percent of patients have discontinued all migraine medications. Mean follow-up was 16 months (range, 6 to 41 months) after surgery. One hundred percent of participants stated they would repeat the surgical procedure. Conclusions: This study confirms prior published results and supports the theory that peripheral nerve compression triggers a migraine cascade. The authors have verified a reduction in duration, intensity, and frequency of migraine headaches by surgical decompression of the supraorbital, supratrochlear, zygomaticotemporal, and greater occipital nerves. A significant amount of patient screening is required for proper patient selection and trigger site identification for surgical success.
Nonspecific and immune‐specific up‐regulation of cytokines in rabbit dermal tuberculous (BCG) lesions

To our knowledge, this is the first sequential study of cytokines in tissue sections of developing and healing tuberculous (BCG) lesions. In situ hybridization, immunohistochemical, and RT‐PCR techniques were used. Cytokine mRNAs showed a biphasic pattern. The percentage of mononuclear cells (MN) containing IL‐1β, TNF‐α, MCP‐1, and IL‐8 mRNAs was highest in 1‐ to 3‐day lesions, apparently because of the nonspecific inflammatory response caused by the tubercle bacilli in the BCG vaccine. At 5 days, this percentage was significantly reduced. With IFN‐γ, the peak and trough were delayed by 2 days. By 9 days, the percentage of MN containing the mRNAs of all five cytokines had again increased and the rabbits had become tuberculin‐positive. In general, MCP‐1 and TNF‐α proteins and the vascular adhesion molecules, ICAM, VCAM, and perhaps ELAM, peaked at about 3 days. Many mononuclear cells surrounding the central areas of solid and liquefied caseous necrosis contained chemokine IL‐8 mRNA. IL‐8 is known to attract PMN, and PMN were present nearby. In contrast, MN containing chemokine MCP‐1 mRNA were present more peripherally in areas rich in macrophages and lymphocytes. The early nonspecific cytokine response seems to be an adjuvant effect of the mycobacteria in BCG vaccine in that it causes a rapid entry of macrophages, lymphocytes, granulocytes, and probably dendritic cells into local sites of antigen deposition. This effect should be considered in developing improved vaccines for the prevention of tuberculosis, because BCG vaccines producing a strong early cytokine response should be more immunogenic than BCG vaccines with similar antigens producing a weak response. J. Leukoc. Biol. 63: 440–450; 1998.
Future Trends in the Pharmacogenomics of Brain Disorders and Dementia: Influence of APOE and CYP2D6 Variants

About 80% of functional genes in the human genome are expressed in the brain and over 1,200 different genes have been associated with the pathogenesis of CNS disorders and dementia. Pharmacogenetic studies of psychotropic drug response have focused on determining the relationship between variations in specific candidate genes and the positive and adverse effects of drug treatment. Approximately, 18% of neuroleptics are substrates of CYP1A2 enzymes, 40% of CYP2D6, and 23% of CYP3A4; 24% of antidepressants are substrates of CYP1A2 enzymes, 5% of CYP2B6, 38% of CYP2C19, 85% of CYP2D6, and 38% of CYP3A4; 7% of benzodiazepines are substrates of CYP2C19 enzymes, 20% of CYP2D6, and 95% of CYP3A4. 10-20% of Western populations are defective in genes of the CYP superfamily; and the pharmacogenomic response of psychotropic drugs also depends on genetic variants associated with dementia. Prospective studies with anti-dementia drugs or with multifactorial strategies have revealed that the therapeutic response to conventional drugs in Alzheimer’s disease is genotype-specific. The disease-modifying effects (cognitive performance, biomarker modification) of therapeutic intervention are APOE-dependent, with APOE-4 carriers acting as the worst responders (APOE-3/3 > APOE-3/4 > APOE-4/4). APOE-CYP2D6 interactions also influence the therapeutic outcome in patients with dementia.
Cultural Diffusion Was the Main Driving Mechanism of the Neolithic Transition in Southern Africa

It is well known that the Neolithic transition spread across Europe at a speed of about 1 km/yr. This result has been previously interpreted as a range expansion of the Neolithic driven mainly by demic diffusion (whereas cultural diffusion played a secondary role). However, a long-standing problem is whether this value (1 km/yr) and its interpretation (mainly demic diffusion) are characteristic only of Europe or universal (i.e. intrinsic features of Neolithic transitions all over the world). So far Neolithic spread rates outside Europe have been barely measured, and Neolithic spread rates substantially faster than 1 km/yr have not been previously reported. Here we show that the transition from hunting and gathering into herding in southern Africa spread at a rate of about 2.4 km/yr, i.e. about twice faster than the European Neolithic transition. Thus the value 1 km/yr is not a universal feature of Neolithic transitions in the world. Resorting to a recent demic-cultural wave-of-advance model, we also find that the main mechanism at work in the southern African Neolithic spread was cultural diffusion (whereas demic diffusion played a secondary role). This is in sharp contrast to the European Neolithic. Our results further suggest that Neolithic spread rates could be mainly driven by cultural diffusion in cases where the final state of this transition is herding/pastoralism (such as in southern Africa) rather than farming and stockbreeding (as in Europe).
Mothering on Facebook: Exploring the Privacy/Openness Paradox

To post or not to post photographs of children? Is it worth commenting on potentially controversial topics such as vaccinations and breastfeeding in a public forum or even a private group? Facebook offers mothers of young children a range of affordances that were unimaginable in a pre–social networking site (SNS) era, but at the same time presents a new set of dilemmas surrounding parenting in the digital domain. The SNS activity of parents brings the lives of children into online spaces in a way that builds community and social capital, but at the same time creates ethical tensions and raises a series of contemporary quandaries. Drawing upon data from a mixed-methods study, including an online survey of 117 mothers and semi-structured interviews with 17, this article examines Australian mothers’ complex concerns around Facebook and the often-uneasy balance between the need for privacy and the benefits of openness, especially in relation to sharing information about children. The findings show that while issues around privacy were one of the most commonly cited downsides to Facebook use, mothers are becoming increasingly adept at negotiating ways to protect their privacy while enjoying the benefits of openness. These negotiation tactics demonstrate a strong awareness in mothers of young children of the social–political implications of parenting in the digital domain.
Social network site changes over time: The case of MySpace

The uptake of social network sites (SNSs) has been highly trend-driven, with Friendster, MySpace, and Facebook being successively the most popular. Given that teens are often early adopters of communication technologies, it seems reasonable to assume that the typical user of any particular SNS would change over time, probably becoming older and covering different segments of the population. This article analyzes changes in MySpace self-reported member demographics and behavior from 2007 to 2010 using four large samples of members and focusing on the United States. The results indicate that despite its take-up rate declining, with only about 1 in 10 members being active a year after joining, the dominant (modal) age for active U.S. members remains midadolescence, but has shifted by about 2 years from 15 to 17, and the U.S. dominance of MySpace is shrinking. There also has been a dramatic increase in the median number of Friends for new U.S. members, from 12 to 96—probably due to MySpace’s automated Friend Finder. Some factors show little change, however, including the female majority, the 5% minority gay membership, and the approximately 50% private profiles. In addition, there has been an increase in the proportion of Latino/Hispanic U.S. members, suggesting a shifting ethnic profile. Overall, MySpace has surprisingly stable membership demographics and is apparently maintaining its primary youth appeal, perhaps because of its music orientation.
Phylogenetic analysis of the scaling of wet and dry biological fibrillar adhesives

Fibrillar, or “hairy,” adhesives have evolved multiple times independently within arthropods and reptiles. These adhesives exhibit highly desirable properties for dynamic attachment, including orientation dependence, wear resistance, and self-cleaning. Our understanding of how these properties are related to their fibrillar structure is limited, although theoretical models from the literature have generated useful hypotheses. We survey the morphology of 81 species with fibrillar adhesives to test the hypothesis that packing density of contact elements should increase with body size, whereas the size of the contact elements should decrease. We test this hypothesis in a phylogenetic context to avoid treating historically related species as statistically independent data points. We find that fiber morphology is better predicted by evolutionary history and adhesive mechanism than by body size. As we attempt to identify which morphological parameters are most responsible for the performance of fibrillar adhesives, it will be important to take advantage of the natural variation in morphology and the potentially suboptimal outcomes it encompasses, rather than assuming evolution to be an inherently optimizing process.
Properties of Galaxy Groups in the SDSS: II.- AGN Feedback and Star Formation Truncation

Successfully reproducing the galaxy luminosity function and the bimodality in the galaxy distribution requires a mechanism that can truncate star formation in massive haloes. Current models of galaxy formation consider two such truncation mechanisms: strangulation, which acts on satellite galaxies, and AGN feedback, which predominantly affects central galaxies. The efficiencies of these processes set the blue fraction of galaxies, fblue(L, M), as function of galaxy luminosity, L, and halo mass, M . In this paper we use a galaxy group catalogue extracted from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) to determine fblue(L, M). To demonstrate the potential power of these data as a benchmark for galaxy formation models, we compare the results to the semianalytical model for galaxy formation of Croton et al. (2006). Although this model accurately fits the global statistics of the galaxy population, as well as the shape of the conditional luminosity function, there are significant discrepancies when the blue fraction of galaxies as a function of mass and luminosity is compared between the observations and the model. In particular, the model predicts (i) too many faint satellite galaxies in massive haloes, (ii) a blue fraction of satellites that is much too low, and (iii) a blue fraction of centrals that is too high and with an inverted luminosity dependence. In the same order, we argue that these discrepancies owe to (i) the neglect of tidal stripping in the semi-analytical model, (ii) the oversimplified treatment of strangulation, and (iii) improper modeling of dust extinction and/or AGN feedback. The data presented here will prove useful to test and calibrate future models of galaxy formation and in particular to discriminate between various models for AGN feedback and other star formation truncation mechanisms.