Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Boron Nitride Nanotubes for Spintronics

With the end of Moore's law in sight, researchers are in search of an alternative approach to manipulate information. Spintronics or spin-based electronics, which uses the spin state of electrons to store, process and communicate information, offers exciting opportunities to sustain the current growth in the information industry. For example, the discovery of the giant magneto resistance (GMR) effect, which provides the foundation behind modern high density data storage devices, is an important success story of spintronics; GMR-based sensors have wide applications, ranging from automotive industry to biology. In recent years, with the tremendous progress in nanotechnology, spintronics has crossed the boundary of conventional, all metallic, solid state multi-layered structures to reach a new frontier, where nanostructures provide a pathway for the spin-carriers. Different materials such as organic and inorganic nanostructures are explored for possible applications in spintronics. In this short review, we focus on the boron nitride nanotube (BNNT), which has recently been explored for possible applications in spintronics. Unlike many organic materials, BNNTs offer higher thermal stability and higher resistance to oxidation. It has been reported that the metal-free fluorinated BNNT exhibits long range ferromagnetic spin ordering, which is stable at a temperature much higher than room temperature. Due to their large band gap, BNNTs are also explored as a tunnel magneto resistance device. In addition, the F-BNNT has recently been predicted as an ideal spin-filter. The purpose of this review is to highlight these recent progresses so that a concerted effort by both experimentalists and theorists can be carried out in the future to realize the true potential of BNNT-based spintronics.
Studying for and Taking Tests: Self-reported Difficulties and Strategies for University Students with Learning Disabilities

Structured interviews of 31 university students with learning disabilities revealed that many reported difficulties when studying for and taking tests. Additionally, when presented scenarios about studying for tests and taking tests, the majority of respondents did not report using systematic and comprehensive approaches or strategies. Eighty-four percentreported requesting and receiving testing accommodations, and 46% stated that their professors allowed such changes. Implications for practitioners and researchers are discussed with regard to possible interventions as well as the use of self-report procedures for diagnostic purposes.
Problem-Based Learning in Pharmaceutical Education: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective. To assess the effects of problem-based learning (PBL) on the learning achievements of pharmacy students. Methods. We searched for controlled studies that compared PBL to traditional learning in pharmacy courses (graduate and undergraduate) in the major literature databases up to January 2014. Two independent researchers selected the studies, extracted the data, and assessed the quality of the studies. Meta-analyses of the outcomes were performed using a random effects model. Results. From 1,988 retrieved records, five were included in present review. The studies assessed students' impressions about the PBL method and compared student grades on the midterm and final examinations. PBL students performed better on midterm examinations (odds ratio [OR] = 1.46; confidence interval [IC] 95%: 1.16, 1.89) and final examinations (OR = 1.60; IC 95%: 1.06, 2.43) compared with students in the traditional learning groups. No difference was found between the groups in the subjective evaluations. Conclusion. pharmacy students' knowledge was improved by the PBL method. Pharmaceutical education courses should consider implementing PBL.
Low-Dose Chemotherapy with Insulin (Insulin Potentiation Therapy) in Combination with Hormone Therapy for Treatment of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Purpose. To evaluate the results and quality of life of patients with resistant of castration-resistant tumors previously treated with Insulin-potentiation therapy (IPT) combined with hormone therapy. Materials and methods. Sixteen patients with metastasis prostate tumors after bilateral castration, androgenic blockade, and progression of the disease were observed during the study. The patients were divided into two groups: group A consisting of 8 patients treated with low-dose chemotherapy Epirubicin, Vinblastine, and Cyclophosphamide combined with LHRH agonist and group B consisting of another 8 patients treated with low-dose chemotherapy Docetaxel combined with LHRH agonist. Results. The overall (groups A and B) results concerning PSA after the sixth IPT show partial effect in 8 out of 16 (50%) patients, stabilization in 4 out of 16 (25%), and progression in 4 out of 16 (25%). The median survival for all treated patients is 11,7 months (range 3–30 months). During the treatment no significant side effects were observed, and no lethal cases occurred. Conclusion. In spite of the small number of the treated patients with castration-resistant prostate tumors, the preliminary results are promising and this gives us hope and expectations for future serious multicenter research over the possibilities for routine implementation of IPTLD.
Advance Selling When Consumers Regret

We characterize the effect of anticipated regret on consumer decisions and on firm profits and policies in an advance selling context where buyers have uncertain valuations. Advance purchases trigger action regret if valuations turn out to be lower than the price paid, whereas delaying purchase may cause inaction regret from missing a discount or facing a stockout. Consumers whom we describe as emotionally rational act strategically in response to the firm's policies and in anticipation of regret. In this context, regret explains two types of behavioral patterns: inertia (delayed purchase) and frenzies (buying early at negative surplus). We show how firms should optimally respond to consumer regret and also characterize a normative regret threshold above which they should not advance sell. Action regret reduces profits as well as the value of advance selling and booking limit policies for price-setting firms; inaction regret has the opposite effects. These effects are diminished by capacity constraints and are reversed for firms facing price pressure in the advance period (owing, e.g., to competition or market heterogeneity). Regret heterogeneity explains premium advance selling for the capacity-constrained firm, which may benefit from larger shares of regretful buyers. Finally, we show how the negative effects of regret on profits can be mitigated by regret-priming marketing campaigns and by offering refunds or options or allowing resales. Our results highlight the importance of assessing the relative strength of regret within and across market segments and of accounting for these factors in pricing and marketing policies. This paper was accepted by Christian Terwiesch, operations management.
Explaining Clinical Effects of Deep Brain Stimulation through Simplified Target-Specific Modeling of the Volume of Activated Tissue

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although progress has been made in understanding the optimal anatomic structures as target areas for DBS, little effort has been put into modeling and predicting electromagnetic field properties of activated DBS electrodes and understanding their interactions with the adjacent tissue. Currently, DBS is performed with the patient awake to assess the effectiveness and the side effect spectrum of stimulation. This study was designed to create a robust and rather simple numeric and visual tool that provides sufficient and practical relevant information to visualize the patient's individual VAT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multivariate polynomial fitting of previously obtained data from a finite-element model, based on a similar DBS system, was used. The model estimates VAT as a first-approximation sphere around the active DBS contact, using stimulation voltages and individual tissue-electrode impedances. Validation uses data from 2 patients with PD by MR imaging, DTI, fiber tractography, and postoperative CT data. RESULTS: Our model can predict VAT for impedances between 500 and 2000 Ω with stimulation voltages up to 10 V. It is based on assumptions for monopolar DBS. Evaluation of 2 DBS cases showed a convincing correspondence between predicted VAT and neurologic (side) effects (internal capsule activation). CONCLUSIONS: Stimulation effects during DBS can be readily explained with this simple VAT model. Its implementation in daily clinical routine might help in understanding the types of tissues activated during DBS. This technique might have the potential to facilitate DBS implantations with the patient under general anesthesia while yielding acceptable clinical effectiveness.
Statistical analysis of gene expression in blood before diagnosis of breast cancer

Norsk Regnesentral Norsk Regnesentral (Norwegian Computing Center, NR) is a private, independent, non‐profit foundation established in 1952. NR carries out contract research and development projects in information and communication technology and applied statistical‐mathematical modelling. The clients include a broad range of industrial, commercial and public service organisations in the national as well as the international market. Our scientific and technical capabilities are further developed in co‐operation with The Research Council of Norway and key customers. The results of our projects may take the form of reports, software, prototypes, and short courses. A proof of the confidence and appreciation our clients have in us is given by the fact that most of our new contracts are signed with previous customers. Abstract The analyses in this note are based on a dataset with gene expression in blood before diagnosis of breast cancer. The dataset consists of case‐control pairs that are matched on birth year and time of blood sampling, and the data for a pair is the log 2 difference in gene expression between the case and control. For each case‐ control pair the gene expression is measured once before diagnosis. As the blood samples of the different case‐controls pairs are measured at different points in time before diagnosis, we have used the dataset for examining whether the gene expression profile varies with time. We have also used the dataset for examining whether the gene expression profile varies between cases and controls, or between cases with and without spread (metastases), and for predicting whether a case has breast cancer with or without spread. The dataset consists of two subdatasets, one where the cases participated in the screening program (the screening group) and one where for cases did not participate in the screening program (the clinical group). All analyses have been performed separately for these two subdatasets. We have used and adapted a method based on hypothesis testing using randomization, that is able to identify small changes that are varying slowly in time and/or among strata, by using a large number of genes in each hypothesis test and predictor. Even though the signals in the data are weak, we concluded that the gene expression profile varies in time, between cases and controls and between cases with and without spread (metastases). The dataset is quite small, with only 108 (30) case‐control pairs with spread and 272 (57) without spread in the screening (clinical) group, …
Inter- and Intra-Patient Heterogeneity of Response and Progression to Targeted Therapy in Metastatic Melanoma

Background MAPK inhibitors (MAPKi) are active in BRAF-mutant metastatic melanoma patients, but the extent of response and progression-free survival (PFS) is variable, and complete responses are rare. We sought to examine the patterns of response and progression in patients treated with targeted therapy. Methods MAPKi-naïve patients treated with combined dabrafenib and trametinib had all metastases ≥5 mm (lymph nodes ≥15 mm in short axis) visible on computed tomography measured at baseline and throughout treatment. Results 24 patients had 135 measured metastases (median 4.5/patient, median diameter 16 mm). Time to best response (median 5.5 mo, range 1.7–20.1 mo), and the degree of best response (median −70%, range +9 to −100%) varied amongst patients. 17% of patients achieved complete response (CR), whereas 53% of metastases underwent CR, including 42% ≥10 mm. Metastases that underwent CR were smaller than non-CR metastases (median 11 vs 20 mm, P<0.001). PFS was variable among patients (median 8.2 mo, range 2.6–18.3 mo), and 50% of patients had disease progression in new metastases only. Only 1% (1/71) of CR-metastases subsequently progressed. Twelve-month overall survival was poorer in those with a more heterogeneous initial response to therapy than less heterogeneous (67% vs 93%, P = 0.009). Conclusion Melanoma response and progression with MAPKi displays marked inter- and intra-patient heterogeneity. Most metastases undergo complete response, yet only a small proportion of patients achieve an overall complete response. Similarly, disease progression often occurs only in a subset of the tumor burden, and often in new metastases alone. Clinical heterogeneity, likely reflecting molecular heterogeneity, remains a barrier to the effective treatment of melanoma patients.
Blind identifiability of certain classes of multipath channels from second-order statistics using antenna arrays

Recently, Ding (see IEEE Signal Processing Lett., vol.3, p.150-2, May 1996) has pointed out several classes of multipath channels that are not blindly identifiable from fractionally spaced samples and second-order cyclic spectra. In this letter, we consider the blind identification problem using multiple antennas and show that the multipath channels will not give rise to any common roots among the subchannels formed from the antennas and, hence, they can be identified from second-order statistics. In our development, we will point out the role of band-limitedness of the channels in characterizing different classes.
Mindfulness Meditation Training in Adults and Adolescents With ADHD

Objective: ADHD is a childhood-onset psychiatric condition that often continues into adulthood. Stimulant medications are the mainstay of treatment; however, additional approaches are frequently desired. In recent years, mindfulness meditation has been proposed to improve attention, reduce stress, and improve mood. This study tests the feasibility of an 8-week mindfulness training program for adults and adolescents with ADHD. Method: Twenty-four adults and eight adolescents with ADHD enrolled in a feasibility study of an 8-week mindfulness training program. Results: The majority of participants completed the training and reported high satisfaction with the training. Pre—post improvements in self-reported ADHD symptoms and test performance on tasks measuring attention and cognitive inhibition were noted. Improvements in anxiety and depressive symptoms were also observed. Conclusion: Mindfulness training is a feasible intervention in a subset of ADHD adults and adolescents and may improve behavioral and neurocognitive impairments. A controlled clinical study is warranted. (J. of Att. Dis. 2008; 11(6) 737-746)
Outage performance of uplink two-tier networks under backhaul constraint

Multi-tier cellular communication networks constitute a promising approach to expand the coverage of cellular networks and enable them to offer higher data rates. In this paper, an uplink two-tier communication network is studied, where macro users, femto users and femto access points are geometrically located inside the coverage area of a macro base station according to Poisson point processes. Each femtocell is assumed to have a fixed backhaul constraint that puts a limit on the maximum number of femto and macro users it can service. Under this backhaul constraint, the network adopts a special open access policy, in which each macro user is either assigned to its closest femto access point or to the macro base station, depending on the ratio between its distances from those two. Under this model, upper and lower bounds on the outage probabilities experienced by users (macro and femto) serviced by femto access points are derived as functions of the distance between the macro base station and the femto access point serving them. The bounds are confirmed via simulation results.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Kato-Katz and FLOTAC for Assessing Anthelmintic Drug Efficacy

Background Sensitive diagnostic tools are required for an accurate assessment of prevalence and intensity of helminth infections in areas undergoing regular deworming, and for monitoring anthelmintic drug efficacy. We compared the diagnostic accuracy of the Kato-Katz and FLOTAC techniques in the frame of a drug efficacy trial. Methodology/Principal Findings Stool samples from 343 Zanzibari children were subjected to duplicate Kato-Katz thick smears and the FLOTAC basic technique in a baseline screening in early 2009. The FLOTAC showed a higher sensitivity than the Kato-Katz method for the diagnosis of Trichuris trichiura (95% vs. 88%, p = 0.012) and Ascaris lumbricoides (88% vs. 68%, p = 0.098), but a lower sensitivity for hookworm diagnosis (54% vs. 81%, p = 0.006). Considering the combined results from both methods as ‘gold’ standard, the prevalences of T. trichiura, hookworm and A. lumbricoides were 71% (95% confidence interval (CI): 66–75%), 22% (95% CI: 17–26%) and 12% (95% CI: 8–15%), respectively. At follow-up, 3–5 weeks after 174 among the 269 re-examined children were administered anthelmintic drugs, we observed cure rates (CRs) against A. lumbricoides, hookworm and T. trichiura of 91% (95% CI: 80–100%), 61% (95% CI: 48–75%) and 41% (95% CI: 34–49%), respectively, when using the Kato-Katz method. FLOTAC revealed lower CRs against A. lumbricoides (83%, 95% CI: 67–98%) and T. trichiura (36%, 95% CI: 29–43%), but a higher CR against hookworm (69%, 95% CI: 57–82%). These differences, however, lacked statistical significance. Considerable differences were observed in the geometric mean fecal egg counts between the two methods with lower egg reduction rates (ERRs) determined by FLOTAC. Conclusion/Significance Our results suggest that the FLOTAC technique, following further optimization, might become a viable alternative to the Kato-Katz method for anthelmintic drug efficacy studies and for monitoring and evaluation of deworming programs. The lower CRs and ERRs determined by FLOTAC warrant consideration and could strategically impact future helminth control programs.
Applying the Ohlson and Feltham-Ohlson Models for Equity Valuation: Some Accounting Considerations

This paper is designed as a secondary research that summarizes major findings related to the equity valuation models of James Ohlson (1995) and Gerald Feltham & James Ohlson (1995) from the viewpoint of their application in real world circumstances and with only publicly available information at hand. The Ohlson model estimates the value if equity on the basis of its book value and the sum of all future abnormal earnings calculated from a clean-surplus income and a charge for the required return on the equity investment. The consequent Feltham-Ohlson model adjusts the valuation for the effects of conservative accounting practices on book values and earnings. The paper presents a case study of Microsoft Corporation, where the company is valued separately by both models and under different settings of the input data with the purpose to compare the extent to which the models deal with accounting distortions. The study focuses particularly on the impact of deviations from the clean-surplus principle and comments on other deficiencies in the publicly available accounting data. The Feltham-Ohlson model was found more suited to cope with such accounting problems, while the Ohlson valuation produced considerably understated estimates of common equity. The case study also indicated that deficiencies in the reporting of employee stock option compensation, investments and derivatives might produce major inconsistencies in the examined valuation frameworks and distort their results.
Packaging as a vehicle of nutritional information for children: Enhancing children’s perceptions of healthy food

3 INTRODUCTION . 4 LITERATURE REVIEW . 4 THE IMPORTANCE OF PACKAGING . 4 PACKAGING AS A VEHICLE OF NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION . 5 TARGETING CHILDREN . 7 HYPOTHESES . 8 PERCEIVED HEALTHINESS . 8 ATTENTION TO THE NUTRITION CLAIM . 9 ATTITUDE TOWARD THE PRODUCT AND PURCHASE INTENTION . 9 METHODOLOGY . 11 LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES . 11 SAMPLE . 11 RESEARCH DESIGN AND MATERIALS . 12 PROCEDURE . 15 MEASURES . 15 RESULTS . 17 PERCEIVED HEALTHINESS . 17 ATTENTION TO THE NUTRITION CLAIM . 18 ATTITUDE TOWARD THE PRODUCT AND PURCHASE INTENTION . 19 OTHER RESULTS . 22 DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS . 23 LIMITATIONS AND FUTURE RESEARCH . 26 REFERENCES . 27 APPENDICES . 31 APPENDIX A: EXAMPLE OF A STIMULUS VISUAL NUTRITION CLAIM AND GENERAL CLAIM ASSURING TASTINESS . 31
Sense and Nonsense: Teaching Journalism and Science Students to Be Advocates for Science and Information Literacy

Long before “fake news” became a catchphrase, misguided beliefs about scientific truths undermined the free exercise of democracy and personal decision-making. Journalistic norms such as providing false balance in the name of “objectivity,” deliberate manipulation by vested interests, and the human tendency toward confirmation bias combined to enable the dissemination of damaging misinformation about tobacco, climate change, vaccines, nuclear power, genetically modified foods, and other topics critical to the health and welfare of the modern world. This article examines an innovative new course designed to teach a mixed group of journalism and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) majors to evaluate expertise and bias, examine data and misrepresentation, and develop evidence-based communication on complex scientific topics. The course covered concepts such as fact-checking, validation, fraud, the “backfire effect,” confirmation bias, limitations of the scientific method, conspiracy theories, misuse of statistics, and the role of journalists and scientists as truth-tellers in society. Journalism and science students learned to communicate with each other and with their respective audiences. A series of critical thinking assignments culminated in a final project where students, working in mixed teams, developed an interactive multimedia project communicating a controversial science topic to the public. This interdisciplinary course is offered as one model for teaching science literacy and information literacy to journalism and STEM students.
Max Percentile Replication for Optimal Performance in Multi-regional P2P VoD Systems

Peer-to-peer based (P2P) VoD systems have proven to be an effective solution for scalable video distribution. In P2P VoD, each peer contributes storage to replicate videos and assist video delivery. A fundamental question is how to optimally replicate video content across the peers so as to maximize their upload capacity. We study this question within the context of a large-scale P2P network where peers are grouped into different geographical regions, and downloading a video across regions is more expensive than within a region. Our analysis addresses the combined challenge of (1) optimizing the replica allocation (placement) with respect to an arbitrary stochastic demand distribution, and (2) finding an optimal assignment of video requests to peers. The problem addressed can model other applications including inventory problems. Our main result is that optimal replica placement in single- and multi-region environments is of max percentile nature. We derive optimal algorithms and show that they have low complexity and thus very practical. We use numerical analysis and simulation to evaluate the system performance and study its behavior. Our results can be used to provide valuable insights on the design of P2P VoD systems.