Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Energy and size fluctuations of amphiphilic aggregates in a lattice model

We have studied the self-assembly of amphiphiles over wide ranges of temperature and concentration using Monte Carlo simulation of a lattice model introduced by Care. A new feature that we have observed is that for all the concentrations studied, the specific heat exhibits a peak as a function of temperature. The physical origin of this peak can be traced back to energy fluctuations occurring at the onset of micelle formations and can be used to characterize the critical micelle concentration (CMC). Our observations (i) that the temperature dependence of the specific heat fits rather well with the Schottky-type specific heat of a degenerate two-level system and (ii) that there is the simultaneous appearance of a knee in the cluster distribution function (CDF) explain the underlying physics of identifying the CMC with the appearance of this knee in the CDF, as proposed by Nagarajan and Ruckenstein. We show that the various moments of the cluster distribution functions can be expressed solely in terms of the second moment as predicted by a mean-field theory of Blankschtein, Thurston, and Benedek. We also calculate the fluctuation in the amphiphilic aggregate sizes and relate our simulation results to those from a simple but exactly soluble model proposed by Israelachvili.
Association of Plasma Levels of Resistin with Subcutaneous Fat Mass and Markers of Inflammation but not with Metabolic Determinants or Insulin Resistance

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship of plasma resistin levels with determinants of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and anthropometric parameters in healthy Korean subjects. Plasma resistin levels were determined in 276 subjects. In subjects with MetS, the plasma resistin levels were not significantly increased compared to those without MetS (8.3±4.3 ng/mL vs. 8.5±3.6 ng/mL, respectively, P=0.84). In addition, the plasma resistin levels were not correlated with the body mass index, the waist circumference, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), fasting plasma glucose or insulin levels. However, the plasma resistin levels were positively correlated with the abdominal subcutaneous fat (r=0.18, P<0.01) in all subjects and correlated with TNF α(r=-0.16, P<0.05) and hsCRP (r=0.15, P<0.05) in subjects without MetS but not with MetS. With multiple linear regression analysis, these linear associations remained to be significant. The results of this study show that plasma resistin levels in humans were not associated with markers of insulin resistance, obesity or other determinants of the MetS.
Identity, repression, and the threat of ethnic conflict in a strong state

Faced with repression from a strong state, one might expect minority ethnic groups to attempt to assimilate into the dominant group to make themselves seem less threatening. However, this conceptualization of threat elides its tactical components. Oppressed minority groups, even under strong states, may engage in anti-state operations in order to reduce the repression they face, and these operations may succeed with greater likelihood the more they assimilate. Anticipating this, strategic states may be more likely to preemptively raise repression in the face of assimilation in order to reduce this threat. Our model formalizes this logic, illustrating that it can be optimal for the minority group to differentiate even when doing so is strictly detrimental to mobilization. Differentiation is more likely to obtain when increased repression is more costly to the group and when the group’s anti-state operations are more capable of compelling the state to substantially reduce repression.
Cytogenomics of Feline Cancers: Advances and Opportunities

Relative to the dog, integration of the cat into the “One Health” concept has been more restricted, particularly in the field of molecular oncology. Beyond the continual need to enhance the sophistication of feline healthcare per se, the unique spectrum of naturally-occurring cancers in the cat offers tremendous opportunities for comparative and translational advances that may have mutual benefit for human and veterinary medicine. The study of feline cancers additionally may generate new insight into underexplored aspects of tumor biology that are less accessible in other species, such as the relationship between chronic inflammation and neoplasia, and the role of viruses in malignant transformation. Several factors that have hindered molecular studies of feline cancers have now been surmounted, with the most fundamental step forward coming from the development of a high-quality reference genome sequence assembly for the cat. This article reviews landmark studies that have led to our current appreciation of feline genome architecture, and outlines techniques used in cancer cytogenomics, from conventional karyotyping analysis through to the development of genomic microarrays and beyond. A summary of progress in the identification and characterization of chromosomal aberrations in feline cancers is provided using examples from studies of injection-site sarcomas, lymphomas and mammary tumors.
Distractor Detection and Suppression Have a Beneficial Effect on Attentional Blink

Background Attentional blink (AB) is a phenomenon that describes the difficulty individuals have in reporting the second of two masked targets if the second target (T2) arrives 200–500 ms after the first target (T1). Recent studies explain the AB from cognitive resources limitation to distractors interference. For example, the temporary loss of control (TLC) hypothesis suggests that the AB is conduced by distractors disrupting the input filter for target processing. The inhibition models suggest that the T1+1 distractor triggers a suppression mechanism which could be beneficial for T1 processing but would suppress T2 at short T1–T2 lags. These models consider that the AB is caused by the appearance of distractors. However, in the present study, two methods were taken to help individuals to detect the distractors more effectively. An attenuated AB deficit was found when the distractors could be excluded or suppressed in time. We consider that under an appropriate condition the distractors detection and suppression have a beneficial effect on attentional blink. Methodology/Principal Findings Two methods were employed to help individuals to detect the distractors more effectively: enlarging the low-level-physical characteristic difference between targets and distractors (Experiment 1) and restricting the sets of distractors (Experiment 2). Attenuated AB deficits were found as using the above manipulations. Conclusions/Significance The present study found when the distractors are detected or identified quickly, they could be effectively suppressed, in order to reduce the interference from the targets and result in a smaller AB deficit. We suggest that the suppression mechanism for distractors have a beneficial effect on AB.
Routinization and memorization of tasks in a workshop: the case of the introduction of ISO norms

Changing routines and creating new routinization processes are difficult tasks involving both cognitive and political mechanisms. In this paper we use Defial- a French meet proessing firm- in order to illustrate some of the problems involved in creating a new procedural memory in a workshop and in applying the concept of 'routine'. We discuss some methodological implications resulting from our various observations and the choice we made. In our case study, the complexity arose partly from the many different factors that affect the production process, such as stress and the overload syndrome. We show that time and hierachical pressure cannot alone ensure the success of memorization of a task. The routinization process is only truly sucessful when a new state of condidence towards management has been established, a confidence that helps overcome the socio-emotional issues arising from the changes that are taking place and that paves the way for the acceptance of change in both declarative and procedural memory.
Chronic Oral Gabapentin Reduces Elements of Central Sensitization in Human Experimental Hyperalgesia

Background:In chronic pain, increased activity from intact or damaged peripheral nerve endings results in an enhanced response in central pain transmission systems, a mechanism known as central sensitization. Central sensitization can also be invoked in human experimental models. Therefore, these models may be useful to characterize novel analgesics in humans. The anticonvulsant gabapentin has demonstrated efficacy in patients with neuropathic pain, but its mode of action remains unclear. This study examined the effects of gabapentin on signs of central sensitization (brush and pinprick hyperalgesia) in a human model of capsaicin-evoked pain, using a gabapentin dosing regimen similar to that used in the clinic. The aims were to determine whether gabapentin, dosed in a manner similar to that used in the clinic, affected the various components of central sensitization and to assess the utility of this model for characterizing novel analgesics. Methods:Intradermal capsaicin (100 &mgr;g/20 &mgr;l) was administered in the volar forearm of 41 male human volunteers to induce pain and clinical signs of central sensitization. Gabapentin (titrated to 2,400 mg daily) or placebo was given orally for 15 days in a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group design. The capsaicin test was conducted at baseline and after gabapentin or placebo. Endpoints were the size of areas of brush-evoked allodynia (with cotton gauze) and pinprick hyperalgesia (with von Frey filament), and the intensity of ongoing brush- and pinprick-evoked pain. Results:Gabapentin significantly reduced the area of brush allodynia compared with placebo (P ≤ 0.05) and insignificantly attenuated the area of pinprick hyperalgesia. Gabapentin had no significant effect on spontaneous and evoked pain intensity. Conclusion:Oral gabapentin, administered to healthy volunteers in a regimen similar to that used in treating chronic neuropathic pain, reduces measures of central sensitization evoked by intradermal capsaicin. This suggests that the pain-relieving effect in chronic neuropathic pain condition is linked to the effect of gabapentin on central sensitization. The ability of the capsaicin model to detect the efficacy of this standard treatment of neuropathic pain suggests that it may have a predictive value for detection of efficacy in human subjects.
Polarization-Based Surface Normal Estimation of Black Specular Objects from Multiple Viewpoints

Polarization is physical phenomena of the light which gives rich information of the scene even though it is undetectable by human eyes. In this paper, we analyze the polarization state of the light reflected on black specular objects in order to estimate the surface normal of the objects. Since polarization image of single view is not enough to uniquely determine the surface normal, we observe the object from multiple views. A rough estimate of the object geometry is obtained a priori by space carving so that the polarization state of the reflected light can be analyzed at the same surface point under multiple views. Unlike the photometric stereo or the multiview stereo which cannot estimate the surface normal and the geometry of black specular objects, the proposed method which is based on the polarization analysis and the space carving can estimate the surface normal and the geometry of black specular objects.
A Precise Definition of Reduction of Partial Differential Equations

We give a comprehensive analysis of interrelations between the basic concepts of the modern theory of symmetry (classical and non-classical) reductions of partial differential equations. Using the introduced definition of reduction of differential equations we establish equivalence of the non-classical (conditional symmetry) and direct (Ansatz) approaches to reduction of partial differential equations. As an illustration we give an example of non-classical reduction of the nonlinear wave equation in 1 + 3 dimensions. The conditional symmetry approach when applied to the equation in question yields a number of non-Lie reductions which are far-reaching generalizations of the well-known symmetry reductions of the nonlinear wave equations.
Luminescence of delafossite-type CuAlO2 fibers with Eu substitution for Al cations

Abstract CuAlO2 has been examined as a potential luminescent material by substituting Eu for Al cations in the delafossite structure. CuAlO2:Eu3+ nanofibers have been prepared via electrospinning for the ease of mitigating synthesis requirements and for future optoelectronics and emerging applications. Single-phase CuAlO2 fibers could be obtained at a temperature of 1100 °C in air. The Eu was successfully doped in the delafossite structure and two strong emission bands at ~405 and 610 nm were observed in the photoluminescence spectra. These bands are due to the intrinsic near-band-edge transition of CuAlO2 and the f-f transition of the Eu3+ activator, respectively. Further electrical characterization indicated that these fibers exhibit semiconducting behavior and the introduction of Eu could act as band-edge modifiers, thus changing the thermal activation energies. In light of this study, CuAlO2:Eu3+ fibers with both strong photoluminescence and p-type conductivity could be produced by tailoring the rare earth doping concentrations.
Peripheral targets of centrally located putative accessory neurons of MRO in the isopod Ligia exotica

SUMMARY The three centrally located putative accessory neurons of the muscle receptor organ (MRO) of the isopod Ligia exotica were identified to the third segmental nerve (N3) of the thoracic ganglion by backfilling with Lucifer Yellow. These neurons were then studied intracellularly and extracellularly to determine whether they suppressed the stretch-activated responses of thoracic stretch receptors. Intracellular injection of depolarizing currents into these three putative accessory neurons revealed that only neuron #3 had an inhibitory effect, suggesting that it is an inhibitory accessory neuron related to thoracic stretch receptors. We searched for the peripheral targets of neurons #1 and #2 by intracellular filling with Lucifer Yellow or by recording of junctional potentials in extensor muscles, and show that they are motor neurons that innervate the deep extensor and superficial extensor muscles, respectively.
Relationships between motivational strategies and cognitive learning in distance education courses

Abstract This study examines the relationships between students’ academic levels, the use of motivational regulation strategies, and cognitive learning strategies. A total of 141 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in online distance courses participated in the study. The findings show that students use different motivational regulation strategies and cognitive learning strategies depending on their academic levels. Additionally, hierarchical regression analyses using two dependent variables (i.e., surface level learning strategy and deep processing level learning strategy) indicate that a surface level learning strategy (i.e., rehearsal) and deep processing level strategies (i.e., elaboration, organization, and critical thinking) are predicted by different sets of motivational regulation strategies after controlling for academic level and age. The results provide distance educators and instructional designers with practical suggestions on how to support undergraduate and graduate students’ motivational needs and further promote their use of cognitive learning strategies in online distance education programs in higher education.
Innovation and firm performance:evidence from Malaysian small and medium enterprises

Acknowledging the existence of a large proportion of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and their remarkable contribution to an economy, this sector’s competitiveness and development must be sustained. At the firm level, intense competition under the global economic framework requires this sector reconsider their competitive position vis-a-vis their rivals, amongst others, through innovation. Therefore, innovation has become a centre stage in many empirical studies, especially to examine its relationship with firm performance. Little attention, however, was given to the possible impact of various dimensions of innovation on firm performance. Enriching the literature, this paper evaluates the impact of various innovation dimensions on the performance of SMEs. A total of 284 samples were collected from SMEs in the food and beverage, textiles and clothing and wood-based sub-industries. The data were analysed using a hierarchical regression analysis. The findings confirmed the hypotheses that product innovation and process innovation influenced firm performance significantly, where the impact of the former was stronger than the latter. Besides consolidating the existing theory on the importance of innovation for explaining a variation in firm performance, the findings also inform SMEs and policy makers that innovation is a critical factor in today’s entrepreneurial activities. Further studies should look into how SMEs could calculate cost-benefit ratio of innovation and how they could opt for internal or external sources of innovation before actual innovation is undertaken.
Constraint databases: a tutorial introduction

We give a tutorial introduction to the basic definitions surrounding the idea of constraint databases, and survey and indicate some of the achieved research results on this subject. This paper is not written as a scholarly piece, nor as polished course notes, but rather as something like the transcript of an invited talk I gave at a meeting bringing together researchers from finite model theory, database theory, and computer-aided verification, which was held at Schloss Dagstuhl in October 1999.Very recently the first book on the subject appeared [20]. It covers the state of the art in constraint databases up to, say, mid 1999 [20]. You should see this paper merely as an appetizer for the book. I will also not try to be complete in my bibliographical references. Again, see the book for that.
Different interaction paradigms for different user groups: an evaluation regarding content selection

In recent years there has been a boom of different natural interaction paradigms, such as touch, tangible or gesture-based interfaces, that make better use of human's innate skills rather than imposing new learning processes. However, no work has been reported that systematically evaluates how these interfaces influence users' performance with regard to their level of digital literacy or even age. Furthermore, it is also important to understand the interaction paradigms' impact when performing basic operations, such as data selection, insertion and manipulation, and which interface could be the most efficient for each task. This paper reports the first step of an exploratory evaluation about the relationship between different interaction paradigms and specific target-audiences: dealing with a selection task. We conducted an experiment with 60 subjects to evaluate how different interfaces may influence the performance of specific groups of users. Four input modalities are evaluated in a selection task and results for these different user groups are reported in terms of performance, efficacy (error rate) and user preference. For each group of users, we determined there was a statistically significant difference between the mean time taken to complete the task in each interface. Also, the one input modality every user was accustomed with (the computer mouse) was the one that showed the most discrepancy regarding performance between the groups. We believe that this study raises new issues for future research.
The angular-diameter distance maximum and its redshift as constraints on Λ≠ 0 Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker models

The plethora of recent cosmologically relevant data has indicated that our Universe is very well fitted by a standard Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) model, with Ω M ≈ 0.27 and Ω Λ ≈ 0.73 - or, more generally, by nearly flat FLRW models with parameters close to these values. Additional independent cosmological information, particularly the maximum of the angular-diameter (observer area) distance and the redshift at which it occurs, would improve and confirm these results, once sufficient precise Type Ia supernovae data in the range 1.5 < z < 1.8 become available. We obtain characteristic FLRW-closed functional forms for C = C(z) and M 0 = M 0 (z), the angular-diameter distance and the density per source counted, respectively, when A ≠ 0, analogous to those we have for A = 0. More importantly, we verify that for flat FLRW models z max - as is already known but rarely recognized - the redshift of C max , the maximum of the angular-diameter distance, uniquely gives Ω Λ , the amount of vacuum energy in the universe, independent of H 0 , the Hubble parameter. For non-flat models, determination of both z max and C max gives both Ω Λ and Ω M , the amount of matter in the universe, as long as we know H 0 independently. Finally, determination of C max automatically gives a very simple observational criterion for whether or not the universe is flat - presuming that it is FLRW.
Faculty Perceptions of the Importance of Media Education in Building up Students’ Dispositions in the Arab World

The purpose of this study is to investigate the perceptions of faculty members at Al al-Bayet University regarding the role of media education in building up students’ dispositions. The study further examined the impact of the variables of gender, type of college and years of experience on participants’ responses. This study used the quantitative research methodology. The study population consisted of all faculty members, 316 male and 88 female. A total of 252 faculty members completed and returned the questionnaires. The results of the study have revealed that media education plays an important role in building up the cognitive, the affective, and the behavioral components of the students’ dispositions. While no statistically significant differences were found due to gender and type of college, there were differences due to years of experience in the participants’ responses. Based on the results of the study, several recommendations were offered, including conducting seminars and workshops for faculty members, conducting more studies on media education and its impact on teaching learning process, and integrating a course in media education within the curricula of universities.
“Nothing has stopped me. I keep going:” Black gay narratives

ABSTRACT Are being Black and gay problematic in the United States? Are Black gay youth suffering with these two intersecting identities? Traditional Eurocentric epistemologies would have one believe that Black males, Black gay males, and gay males (liminal groups) are suffering, rarely acknowledging those successfully navigating through society. Oftentimes, Black males and gay males are viewed as being at a disadvantage and struggling through life, which several scholars challenge in their work. What about those Black gay males who love themselves and accept their intersecting identities? Themes are presented here from a qualitative study that gathered life histories of how Black gay youth have negotiated their identities by navigating through social spaces and institutions while having self-possession and an acceptance and appreciation of their Blackness and sexuality.