Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Women in contemporary Russia

The position of Russia has always been difficult. In spite of the Revolution in 1917, the legal, economic, social and political inequalities between men and women have remained severe. For more than seventy years the official propaganda of the Soviet system deliberately concealed from the public, in the West as well as the East, the actual position of women, presenting it in rose-colored hues and proclaiming that, under socialism, the issue of the position of women in society had been resolved once and for all. However, the opposite was true: women increasingly suffered from overt and covert discrimination. In fact, the discrepancy between the official and actual positioning of working women became so acute that it led to serious social problems. The democratic reforms of the mid-1980s brought some positive changes at last; for the first time, the "women's issue" was recognized as an urgent socio-political problem requiring serious investigation and practical measures. The authors of this collection of original essays, most of whom are social scientists at the Moscow Academy of Science, examine those aspects of life of women in Russia today which aremost pressing, not least those arising from the multi-ethnic composition of the Russian Federation that comprises more than one hundred different nationalities and in which women constitute fifty-three per cent of the population.
Risk-Sharing and Endogenous Network Formation

In economic literature insurance networks are often treated as exogenous institutions. Frequently, the assumption is made that some clearly identifiable group (e.g. ‘the whole village’ or ‘the extended family’) constitutes an insurance network. Still, theory suggests that the formation of insurance links depends on a myriad of factors related to smooth information flows, norms, trust, the ability to punish, discount rates, group size and the potential gains of cooperation (e.g. how correlated income streams are and the amount of other income smoothing strategies available). Recent research has shown that risk is more likely to be shared in small, tightly knit networks, which do not necessarily coincide with a collection of households delineated on the basis of just one factor like kinship or place of residence. However, so far only few empirical attempts have been made at investigating the determinants of network formation. This paper suggests an approach by which one might present stylized facts on endogenous network formation. Applying it to a data set collected in a Haya village in rural Tanzania, we find that kinship, geographical proximity, the number of common friends, clan membership, religious affiliation and wealth strongly determine the formation of risk-sharing networks. Our data suggest that poor households have less dense networks than the rich, making them more vulnerable in the face of idiosyncratic risk.
Political economics of growth in transition countries

Transition in Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs henceforth) started with high hopes. The economic structure had been suffering from the mismanagement of central planning for so long that most citizens and economists were expecting growth to pick up quickly and materialize in two-digit levels almost immediately. However, experience barely met such optimistic predictions. The hurdles of transition proved more substantial than expected; growth did not materialize before several years; and transition countries instead experienced a dramatic output fall sometimes larger than half of initial output. The main reason behind this phenomenon is that transition requires a complete systemic change, not only of the economic structure, but also of legal and political institutions. More than a set of distinct and separable reforms, transition proved to be a Process of Large-Scale Institutional Change (Dewatripont and Roland, 1997), in which different aspects are heavily intertwined.
Accuracy of Areal Weighting Interpolation: Effects of Geometrical Properties of Zonal Systems

This paper analyzes the accuracy of count data transferred through the areal weighting interpolation with respect to the geometrical properties of zonal systems used for aggregating spatial data. A stochastic model is employed to measure the estimation error caused in data transfer between incompatible zonal systems. The relationship between estimation error and the geometrical properties of zones is approximately represented in analytical forms. The major results are as follows: 1) the perimeter of the target zone and the area and perimeter of the source zones are crucial to the accuracy of the areal weighting interpolation; 2) estimation error increases in proportion to the square root of the perimeter of the target zone; 3) concerning the lattice system, estimation error is proportional to the square root of the perimeter and the biquadratic root of the area of the cell, and inversely proportional to the biquadratic root of the number of cells; 4) the hexagonal lattice yields the most accurate estimates among all lattices.
Hemodynamic changes due to stent placement in bifurcating intracranial aneurysms.

OBJECT The aim of this study was to measure changes in intraaneurysm flow dynamics and mechanical stresses resulting from the placement of Neuroform stents in bifurcating intracranial aneurysm models. METHODS A digital particle image velocimetry (DPIV) system was used to measure the pulsatile velocity and shear stress fields within the aneurysm and at the aneurysm neck-parent artery interface. The DPIV system provides an instantaneous two-dimensional measurement of the temporal and spatial variations of the velocity vector field of the flow inside the aneurysm pouch and the parent vessel, providing information on both the temporal and spatial variations of the velocity field during the entire cardiac cycle. The corresponding shear stress field was then computed from the velocity field data. A flexible silicone model of bifurcating intracranial aneurysms was used. Two Neuroform stents with a 60- to 65-microm strut thickness and an 11% metal/artery ratio were placed in a Y-configuration, and measurements were obtained after placing the stents. CONCLUSIONS Two three-dimensional vortices of different strengths persisted within the aneurysm during the entire cardiac cycle. The peak velocity and strength of these vortices were reduced after placing the two bifurcating stents. The effect of placing the Neuroform stent across the neck of a bifurcating intracranial aneurysm was shown to reduce the magnitude of the velocity of the jet entering the sac by as much as 11%. Nevertheless, the effect of the stents was particularly noticeable at the end of the cardiac cycle, when the residual vorticity and shear stresses inside the sac were decreased by more than 40%.
On the Development of an Integrated CMOS-Based UWB Tunable-Pulse Transmit Module

A novel low-cost low-power fully integrated tunable transmit module composed of a tunable CMOS monocycle pulse generator and compact uniplanar antenna was designed, built, and tested for ultra-wideband (UWB) impulse systems. The CMOS tunable pulse generator integrates a tuning delay circuit, square-wave generator, impulse-forming circuit, and pulse-shaping circuit in a single chip using a standard low-cost 0.25-mum CMOS process. It can generate a monocycle pulse and Gaussian-type impulse (without the pulse-shaping circuitry) signals with tunable pulse duration. A compact uniplanar UWB antenna was also developed and integrated directly with the CMOS pulse generator chip to form the complete integrated tunable UWB transmit module. Measured results show that the CMOS tunable pulse generator can produce a 0.3-0.6-V peak-to-peak monocycle pulse with 140-350-ps tunable pulse duration and a 0.5-1.3-V peak-to-peak impulse signal with 100-300-ps tunable pulse-duration, and the uniplanar antenna has less than a 18-dB return loss and is suitable for transmitting/receiving UWB time-domain impulse signals covering the entire UWB bandwidth of 3.1-10.6 GHz. Good agreement between measured and calculated performance is also achieved. The UWB transmit module was experimentally characterized and its performance is verified. This UWB module finds applications in various time-domain UWB systems including wireless communications and radar
Ecophysiological performance of the primitive red alga Dixoniella grisea (Rhodellophyceae) to irradiance, temperature and salinity stress: growth responses and the osmotic role of mannitol

A. Eggert, S. Raimund, D. Michalik, J. West and U. Karsten. 2007. Ecophysiological performance of the primitive red alga Dixoniella grisea (Rhodellophyceae) to irradiance, temperature and salinity stress: growth responses and the osmotic role of mannitol. Phycologia 46: 22–28. DOI: 10.2216/06-12.1 A culture strain of the benthic unicellular red alga Dixoniella grisea was investigated under different stress conditions. The effects of salinity, temperature and irradiance on growth rates were examined in two-factorial experiments and the accumulation of mannitol in response to increasing salinity investigated. The strain grows in a broad salinity range, from brackish water to twice seawater (60 psu). At optimal salinity (10 psu) and optimal temperature conditions (25–30°C), D. grisea grew best at moderate photon flux densities (PFDs; 50–100 μmol photons m−2 s−1). However, interactive effects between all factors were present. At suboptimal salinities and temperatures, maximal growth rates were shifted to lower PFD and growth was considerably reduced at 50 and 100 μmol photons m−2 s−1. The polyol mannitol was the main low molecular weight carbohydrate in D. grisea. This was verified by 13C-nuclear NMR spectroscopy and HPLC analysis. Mannitol levels increased from 2 to 52 μmol g−1 dry weight (dw) with increasing salinities between 10 and 60 psu, indicating its role as an osmolyte for the first time in a unicellular red alga.
On the International Use of Currencies: The Case of the Deutsche Mark

This paper assesses the role of the deutsche mark as a key international currency. It first investigates the theoretical basis underlying the international use of a currency. Theoretical considerations indicate that several factors relating to the issuing country--including inflation performance, openness of financial markets, and trade patterns--combine to propagate the international use of its currency. The paper then discusses these factors as they relate to the deutsche mark and identifies trends in several of these determinants of international currency use that presage an expanding role for the mark. Finally, data are presented on the extent of the internalization of the deutsche mark during the 1980s which corroborate the theoretical findings.
Quality Warranties and Food Products in Argentina. What Do Consumers Believe In

Consumers increasingly demand multiple-quality attributes in food products and value reliable means to identify them. For producers, the effective communication of their products quality is a marketing strategy. Therefore, another market of information associated with the new food markets emerges. This market is closely linked to the institutional environment and the level of trust in different information sources. In this article the emphasis will be put on how the different quality signals provided by the firms in their products affect the consumers' behavior. The objective is to investigate domestic consumers' perceptions and beliefs about food quality information in Argentina to identify the mechanisms that fully guarantee this quality. The results indicate that domestic consumers' perceptions about high quality products are more related to brand names than seals and certifications in labels. This has consequences upon the competitiveness of domestic food market. Quality certification and seller's reputation are quality warranties restrained only to certain domestic market niches. The household's situation and occupational status seem to be more complex variables that resume the interaction between attitudes, information-processing and actions.
Worker responses to HR practice in adult social care in England

In this article, we consider care worker (CW) responses to enacted HR practices and CW attitudes in adult social care (ASC) in England. Our findings derive from a project that examined HR practices and comprised interviews with 18 managers and 58 CWs. We argue that both HR practice and employee attitudes are more robust than other research in this sector has suggested. Our contributions are threefold: first, we present the under-reported CW perspective. Second, we contribute to understanding of HR practice in low-wage sectors, research in ASC being limited despite increasing elsewhere in low-wage sectors. Finally, we question the likely effectiveness of regulation in achieving its aims of enhancing labour supply and ensuring high quality care delivery.
3DFlow

Mesh editing software is improving, allowing skilled artists to create detailed meshes efficiently. For a variety of reasons, artists are interested in sharing not just their final mesh but also their whole workflow, though the common media for sharing has limitations. In this paper, we present 3DFlow, an algorithm that computes continuous summarizations of mesh editing workflows. 3DFlow takes as input a sequence of meshes and outputs a visualization of the workflow summarized at any level of detail. The output is enhanced by highlighting edited regions and, if provided, overlaying visual annotations to indicated the artist's work, e.g. summarizing brush strokes in sculpting. We tested 3DFlow with a large set of inputs using a variety of mesh editing techniques, from digital sculpting to low-poly modeling, and found 3DFlow performed well for all. Furthermore, 3DFlow is independent of the modeling software used because it requires only mesh snapshots, and uses the additional information only for optional overlays. We release 3DFlow as open source for artists to showcase their work and release all our datasets so other researchers can improve upon our work.
Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Technology Commercialization in Developing Countries: A GCC Perspective in an International Context

Purpose - Innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology commercialization (IET) are critical elements in diversification of economy worldwide. Researchers and practitioners alike are claiming positive effects of IET on the economic development. However, the successful implementation in developing countries such as a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) needs further investigation for successful implementation for growth and development. The purpose of the study is, therefore, to identify the similarities and differences based on the three categories of IET such as economy, policy and industry with a focus on the GCC states, as well as developing countries. Methodology/approach - This paper based on a wide literature review, and a multi-case study. The authors’ professional experience on the topic provides the foundation for this paper. Findings - The findings of this research can help practitioners such as governments and policy maker to implements successfully and extend the climate of smart growth. Practical implications - The results highlight implications successfully from different levels such as economic, social, political, organizational and institutional. Originality/value - This study makes a contribution to knowledge about the effect of (IET) in developing countries, as well as GCC states. Keywords : Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Technology Commercialization, Gulf Cooperation Council States (GCC).
Arctic Oscillation response to volcanic eruptions in the IPCC AR4 climate models

[1] Stratospheric sulfate aerosol particles from strong volcanic eruptions produce significant transient cooling of the troposphere and warming of the lower stratosphere. The radiative impact of volcanic aerosols also produces a response that generally includes an anomalously positive phase of the Arctic Oscillation (AO) that is most pronounced in the boreal winter. The main atmospheric thermal and dynamical effects of eruptions typical of the past century persist for about two years after each eruption. In this paper we evaluate the volcanic responses in simulations produced by seven of the climate models included in the model intercomparison conducted as part of the preparation of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report (AR4). We consider global effects as well as the regional circulation effects in the extratropical Northern Hemisphere focusing on the AO responses forced by volcanic eruptions. Specifically we analyze results from the IPCC historical runs that simulate the evolution of the circulation over the last part of the 19th century and the entire 20th century using a realistic time series of atmospheric composition (greenhouse gases and aerosols). In particular, composite anomalies over the two boreal winters following each of the nine largest low-latitude eruptions during the period 1860–1999 are computed for various tropospheric and stratospheric fields. These are compared when possible with observational data. The seven IPCC models we analyzed use similar assumptions about the amount of volcanic aerosols formed in the lower stratosphere following the volcanic eruptions that have occurred since 1860. All models produce tropospheric cooling and stratospheric warming as in observations. However, they display a considerable range of dynamic responses to volcanic aerosols. Nevertheless, some general conclusions can be drawn. The IPCC models tend to simulate a positive phase of the Arctic Oscillation in response to volcanic forcing similar to that typically observed. However, the associated dynamic perturbations and winter surface warming over Northern Europe and Asia in the post-volcano winters is much weaker in the models than in observations. The AR4 models also underestimate the variability and long-term trend of the AO. This deficiency affects high-latitude model predictions and may have a similar origin. This analysis allows us to better evaluate volcanic impacts in up-to-date climate models and to better quantify the model Arctic Oscillation sensitivity to external forcing. This potentially could lead to improving model climate predictions in the extratropical latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere.
Coronary CT angiography and myocardial perfusion imaging to detect flow-limiting stenoses: a potential gatekeeper for coronary revascularization?

AIMS To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a combined non-invasive assessment of coronary artery disease with coronary CT angiography (CTA) and myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) for the detection of flow-limiting coronary stenoses and its potential as a gatekeeper for invasive examination and treatment. METHODS AND RESULTS In 78 patients (mean age 65 +/- 9 years) referred for coronary angiography (CA), additional CTA and MPI (using single-photon emission-computed tomography) were performed and the findings not communicated. Detection of flow-limiting stenoses (justifying revascularization) by the combination of CTA and MPI (CTA/MPI) was compared with the combination of quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) plus MPI (QCA/MPI), which served as standard of reference. The findings of both combinations were related to the treatment strategy (revascularization vs. medical treatment) chosen in the catheterization laboratory based on the CA findings. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, and accuracy of CTA/MPI for the detection of flow-limiting coronary stenoses were 100% each. More than half of revascularization procedures (21/40, 53%) was performed in patients without flow-limiting stenoses and 76% (47/62) of revascularized vessels were not associated with ischaemia on MPI. CONCLUSION The combined non-invasive approach CTA/MPI has an excellent accuracy to detect flow-limiting coronary stenoses compared with QCA/MPI and its use as a gatekeeper appears to make a substantial part of revascularization procedures redundant.
Gender differences in sexual behaviors of AD patients and their relationship to spousal caregiver well-being

Objectives: Little is known about gender differences in sexuality among community-dwelling heterosexual couples in which one partner has Alzheimer's disease (AD). Few studies have examined gender differences in specific sexual behaviors or their associations with caregiver well-being. This study evaluated the impact of gender differences on intimacy and sexual satisfaction in marital relationships in which one partner has AD. Method: Baseline measures were collected from 162 AD patients and their partners enrolled in a multi-site study between 2001 and 2009 to evaluate gender differences in measures of intimacy, caregiver well-being, and patient sexual behaviors. Results: While over 70% of all patients initiated physically intimate activities (i.e., kissing, hugging, and intercourse), most did not initiate intercourse specifically. Female caregivers reported higher levels of stress and depressive symptoms than male caregivers (p < 0.01). Satisfaction with intimacy was significantly associated with fewer stress and depressive symptoms in female caregivers (r = −0.29, p < 0.01). Caregiver gender, satisfaction with intimacy, and caring for a patient with mild AD were significant predictors of caregiver depressive symptoms (p's < 0.05). Conclusion: The majority of couples dealing with AD reported engaging in intimacy, suggesting its importance in the relationship. Female caregivers who reported less sexual satisfaction reported more frequent stress and depressive symptoms. Caregiver gender, satisfaction with intimacy, and the AD patient's level of cognitive functioning significantly contributed to caregiver well-being. Gender-specific therapies to address patient sexual difficulties and caregiver well-being could potentially maintain or improve the marital relationship.
Interferon γ Induces Retrograde Dendritic Retraction and Inhibits Synapse Formation

The expression of interferon γ (IFNγ) increases after neural injury, and it is sustained in chronic inflammatory conditions such as multiple sclerosis and infection with human immunodeficiency virus. To understand how exposure to this proinflammatory cytokine might affect neural function, we examined its effects on cultures of neurons derived from the central and peripheral nervous systems. IFNγ inhibits initial dendritic outgrowth in cultures of embryonic rat sympathetic and hippocampal neurons, and this inhibitory effect on process growth is associated with a decrease in the rate of synapse formation. In addition, in older cultures of sympathetic neurons, IFNγ also selectively induces retraction of existing dendrites, ultimately leading to an 88% decrease in the size of the arbor. Dendritic retraction induced by IFNγ represents a specific cellular response because it occurs without affecting axonal outgrowth or cell survival, and it is not observed with tumor necrosis factor α or other inflammatory cytokines. IFNγ-induced dendritic retraction is associated with the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), and expression of a dominant-negative STAT1 construct attenuates the inhibitory effect of IFNγ. Moreover, retrograde dendritic retraction is observed when distal axons are selectively exposed to IFNγ. These data imply that IFNγ-mediated STAT1 activation induces both dendritic atrophy and synaptic loss and that this occurs both at the sites of IFNγ release and at remote loci. Regressive actions of IFNγ on dendrites may contribute to the neuropathology of inflammatory diseases.