Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Percolation properties of a three-dimensional random resistor-diode network

Studies percolation in a random resistor-diode network on the simple cubic lattice. Here the occupied bonds joining nearest-neighbour sites may be either resistor-like, transmitting information or connectivity in either direction along a bond, or diode-like, transmitting in only one direction. They consider a model in which there exist both positive diodes which transmit in the +x, +y or +z directions, and negative diodes which transmit oppositely. They apply positive-space renormalisation group methods to map out the phase diagram, and calculate the exponents associated with the phase transitions of this system. They find three novel types of transitions due to the presence of the diodes. With only one species of diodes and vacancies (unoccupied bonds) present, a directed threshold occurs at a critical concentration of diodes. Here an infinite cluster forms which transmits only in the direction of the average diode polarisation. A reverse threshold occurs when resistors and only one species of diodes exist. At this point the resistors mediate information flow in the infinite cluster opposite to the diode polarisation. Finally, with all bond elements present, a mixed threshold occurs.
Reproducibility of primary motor cortex somatotopy under controlled conditions.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The somatotopic organization of the contralateral primary motor cortex (M1) and its intra- and intersubject reproducibility has been the subject of many investigations and controversies. A potential explanation for a least some of the conflicting results could be the lack of movement control in the studies performed. The purpose of this study was to investigate these issues under controlled experimental conditions. METHODS Functional MR imaging was performed in 12 healthy volunteers performing hand, finger, wrist, elbow, foot, and tongue movements. Two experimental sessions were separated by 2 weeks. Controlled conditions were achieved by means of a custom-designed arm and hand manipulandum providing standardization of the movements within and across subjects. RESULTS The experiments revealed a clear large-scale somatotopy of the contralateral M1 with distinct subregions controlling the foot, arm, and tongue. Despite considerable overlap of the volumes, geometric centers of gravity (COGs) showed statistically significant differences in coordinates between the elbow, wrist, fingers, and hand. COGs showed a high degree of intra- and interindividual reproducibility, particularly for the upper limb movements, in contrast to the activation volumes that proved to be unreliable parameters, despite the controlled conditions. CONCLUSION These findings support the existence of a gross-scale somatotopic organization yet also demonstrate a clear, fine-scale somatotopy of the within-arm representations. Furthermore, they reveal high reproducibility of the COGs when standardized conditions are applied. This observation highlights the need for movement control to allow for intra- and intersubject comparison.
Asymptotically unitary equivalence and asymptotically inner automorphisms

Let $C$ be a unital AH-algebra and let $A$ be a unital separable simple $C^*$-algebra with tracial rank zero. Suppose that $\phi_1, \phi_2\colon \ C\to A$ are two unital monomorphisms. We show that there is a continuous path of unitaries $\{u_t\colon \ t\in [0, \infty)\}$ of $A$ such that $$ \lim_{t\to\infty}u_t^*\phi_1(a)u_t=\phi_2(a)\quad\hbox{\rm for all}\quad a\in C $$ if and only if $[\phi_1]=[\phi_2]$ in $KK(C,A),$ $\tau\circ \phi_1=\tau\circ \phi_2$ for all $\tau\in T(A)$ and the rotation map ${\tilde\eta}_{\phi_1,\phi_2}$ associated with $\phi_1$ and $\phi_2$ is zero. In particular, an automorphism $\alpha$ on a unital separable simple $C^*$-algebra $A$ in ${\cal N}$ with tracial rank zero is asymptotically inner if and only if $$ [\alpha]=[{\rm id}_A]\quad{\rm in}\quad KK(A,A) $$ and the rotation map ${\tilde\eta}_{\phi_1, \phi_2}$ is zero. Let $A$ be a unital AH-algebra (not necessarily simple) and let $\alpha\in Aut(A)$ be an automorphism. As an application, we show that the associated crossed product $A\rtimes_{\alpha}{\Bbb Z}$ can be embedded into a unital simple AF-algebra if and only if $A$ admits a strictly positive $\alpha$-invariant tracial state.
Defrosting the freezer and other acts of quiet resistance: Affective practice theory, everyday activism and affective dilemmas

ABSTRACT This article illustrates the mode of thinking about affect that practice theory offers qualitative research in psychology. A focus on affective practice draws attention to the entanglement of embodied states with meaning making, to the role of routine and habit, and to the formation of new and creative affective-discursive patterns. Crucially, affective practice highlights human activity and negotiation, intertwining the subjective and the social organisation of affect. To exemplify these points, we draw on a research project on affect and national commemoration in Aotearoa New Zealand, specifically on research on participant engagements with Anzac Day. We elaborate three case studies investigating some of the alternative affective practices developed by those engaged in “quiet resistance” to hegemonic emotion. We discuss the core features of affective practice these case studies illuminate. Overall, the assumed national unity and normative national identity work of Anzac Day commemoration become fragmented, complicated, and troubled. We argue an affective practices approach is a particularly useful route into everyday negotiations of power that might otherwise be rendered mysterious.
Epitome for Automatic Image Colorization

Image colorization adds color to grayscale images. It not only increases the visual appeal of grayscale images, but also enriches the information contained in scientific images that lack color information. Most existing methods of colorization require laborious user interaction for scribbles or image segmentation. To eliminate the need for human labor, we develop an automatic image colorization method using epitome. Built upon a generative graphical model, epitome is a condensed image appearance and shape model which also proves to be an effective summary of color information for the colorization task. We train the epitome from the reference images and perform inference in the epitome to colorize grayscale images, rendering better colorization results than previous method in our experiments.
Pulmonary Cryptococcosis in the Immunocompetent Patient—Many Questions, Some Answers

Background. There are no prospective data regarding the management of pulmonary cryptococcosis in the immunocompetent patient. Clinical guidelines recommend oral fluconazole for patients with mild to moderate symptoms and amphotericin B plus flucytosine followed by fluconazole for severe disease. It is unclear whether patients who have histological evidence of Cryptococcus neoformans but negative cultures will even respond to drug treatment. We evaluated and managed a patient whose presentation and course raised important questions regarding the significance of negative cultures, antifungal choices, duration of therapy, and resolution of clinical, serologic, and radiographic findings. Methods. In addition to our experience, to answer these questions we reviewed available case reports and case series regarding immunocompetent patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis for the last 55 years using the following definitions: Definite - Clinical and/or radiographic findings of pulmonary infection and respiratory tract isolation of C. neoformans without other suspected etiologies; Probable - Clinical and radiographic findings of pulmonary infection, histopathologic evidence of C. neoformans, and negative fungal cultures with or without a positive cryptococcal polysaccharide antigen. Results. Pulmonary cryptococcosis resolves in most patients with or without specific antifungal therapy. Clinical, radiographic, and serologic resolution is slow and may take years. Conclusions. Persistently positive antigen titers are most common in untreated patients and may remain strongly positive despite complete or partial resolution of disease. Respiratory fungal cultures are often negative and may indicate nonviable organisms.
( De ) marketing to Manage Consumer Quality Inferences Web Appendix

Savvy consumers attribute a product’s market performance to its intrinsic quality as well as the seller’s marketing push. This paper studies how sellers should optimize their marketing decisions in response. The authors find that a seller can benefit from “demarketing” its product, meaning visibly toning down its marketing efforts. Demarketing lowers expected sales ex ante but improves product quality image ex post, as consumers attribute good sales to superior quality and lackluster sales to insufficient marketing. The authors derive conditions under which demarketing can be a recommendable business strategy. A series of experiments confirm these predictions.
An Examination of Family/Group Roles in the Decision to Visit a Public Zoological Park

Prior decision-making research highlights the importance of mothers and children in family-oriented leisure decisions, but the degree of this influence has varied by the type of decision, the decision-making role, and various family/group and trip characteristics. The present study revisits and adds to prior research by examining such relationships and by including the perceived influence of other family/friends (in addition to the roles of the traditional father, mother, and child triad) in the decision to visit a public zoological park. Consistent with prior leisure research, our analyses indicate that family-oriented leisure was predominately a joint decision and that female partners were perceived to be the most influential idea initiators, information gatherers, and final decision makers. However, this type of decision making and perceived degree of influence was significantly related to family/group and trip characteristics. Specifically, male partners and other family or friends were perceived as more influential when older children were present in the group (compared with groups with younger children present). Respondents who were Black or who had lower household incomes were also more likely than Whites or respondents with higher household incomes to indicate that male partners and other family/friends were most influential in the decision making. In contrast to recent family leisure decisionmaking research, we found that children were less likely to be perceived as influential final decision makers. Although several studies have discussed changes in family decision-making influence, our results indicate that it would be premature to shift the promotional emphasis away from females in the decision to visit zoos. Nevertheless, zoo marketers should consider that multiple parties negotiate in the decision-making process and should ensure that messages and products are positioned toward the various family/group members (e.g., mothers, fathers, children, other family/friends). Zoo advertising designed to activate the desire to visit (e.g., idea initiation) should continue to balance the appeal for both mothers and children. However, when marketing to households with older children, zoos should develop promotions that are also appealing to other extended family or friends.
The Neglected Political Economy of Eminent Domain

This Article challenges a foundational assumption about eminent domain - namely, that owners are systematically undercompensated because they receive only fair market value for their property. The Article shows that, in fact, scholars have overstated the undercompensation problem because they have focused on the compensation required by the Constitution, rather than on the actual mechanics of eminent domain. The Article examines three ways that Takers (i.e., non-judicial actors in the eminent domain process) minimize undercompensation. First, Takers may avoid taking high-subjective-value properties. Second, Takers frequently must pay more compensation in the form of relocation assistance. Third, Takers and property owners may voluntarily settle on above-market compensation during pre-condemnation negotiations. The Article concludes by reflecting upon current efforts to reform eminent domain legislatively. Prominent legal scholars recently have proposed compensation-based reforms as an alternative to constraints on the use of eminent domain. The final Part rejects this suggestion, arguing that there are two problems, unique to takings raising public use questions, that more money cannot solve: First, high compensation levels may undermine political resistance to questionable projects; second, private takings may generate non-instrumental harms that will persist even as compensation increases.
The Einstein Ring 0047-2808 Revisited: A Bayesian Inversion

In a previous paper, we outlined a new Bayesian method for inferring the properties of extended gravitational lenses given data in the form of resolved images. This method holds the most promise for optimally extracting information from the observed image, while providing reliable uncertainties in all parameters. Here, we apply the method to the well studied optical Einstein ring 0047-2808. Our results are in broad agreement with previous studies, showing that the density profile of the lensing galaxy is aligned within a few degrees of the light profile, and suggesting that the source galaxy (at redshift 3.6) is a binary system, although its size is only of order 1-2 kpc. We also find that the mass of the elliptical lensing galaxy enclosed by the image is (2.91 ± 0.01) × 1011 M☉. Our method is able to achieve improved resolution for the source reconstructions, although we also find that some of the uncertainties are greater than has been found in previous analyses, due to the inclusion of extra pixels and a more general lens model.
The European Union: A Dynamic Complex System of Clubs Comprised by Countries Performing a Variety of Capitalism

Abstract The EU can be regarded as a club where integration is the main club good. For decades, club convergence applied; however, currently there is insufficient level of convergence. The club theory approach becomes increasingly significant with Brexit and the remaining EU-27 heading towards a multi-speed Europe. Overall, the economy of the EU constructs a complex system implying the existence of sub-systems: clubs within the club. Dynamism is an inherent feature of the system. There are outside effects as well as factors influencing the system from inside, many of the latter rooting in the various capitalism models of the member states. In this work we analyse how the varieties of capitalism is related to convergence and complexity in the EU. In this context, the EU is an entity interpreted as a dynamic complex system of clubs comprised by countries performing a variety of capitalism.
Do better schools matter? Parental valuation of elementary education

The evaluation of numerous school reforms requires an understanding of the value parents place on school quality. I use house prices to infer this value, where school quality is proxied by elementary school test scores. I do so by looking within school districts at houses located on attendance district boundaries; I am then comparing houses that differ along only one dimension: the elementary school the child attends. I thereby effectively remove the variation in neighborhood characteristics, property tax rates, and school spending. I find that parents are willing to pay 2.5% more for a 5% increase in test scores; this is approximately half the estimate one gets by running a typical hedonic housing price regression. This estimate is robust to a number of sensitivity checks.
Taxing Boundedly Rational Entrepreneurs

The note presents an evolutionary model of a population of entrepreneurs choosing between two production plans and thus trading opportunities. There is a tax system imposing income tax that is enforced on the population. Also, a level of the legal complexity of a tax system is modeled through boundedly rational choices of entrepreneurs. The model suggests that if the enforcement of a tax system is strong then the increase in the legal complexity leads to increase in the total tax revenue. This may create an incentive for a governing body and politicians to introduce complicated, unclear legal regulations.
Board Reforms and Firm Value: Worldwide Evidence

We examine the impact of corporate board reforms on firm value in 41 countries. Using a difference-in-differences design, we find that board reforms increase firm value. Reforms involving board and audit committee independence, but not reforms involving separation of chairman and chief executive officer positions, drive the valuation increases. In addition, while comply-or-explain reforms result in a greater increase in firm value than rule-based reforms, the effects of reforms are similar across civil law and common law countries. Further investigation shows that the subsequent change in board independence plays an important role in explaining the effectiveness of the reforms.
Childhood overweight and obesity: is the gap closing the wrong way?

BACKGROUND Obesity is a significant public health issue. Obese children have an increased risk of developing chronic adult diseases. Knowledge of socio-economic distribution trends in childhood overweight/obesity is limited. METHODS Body mass indices for 3-year-old children resident in three South Wales localities from 1995 to 2005 were derived from the National Community Child Health Database (NCCHD) and examined in relation to residence lower super output area (LSOA) Townsend Material Deprivation Score. RESULTS Over 11 years, 53-69% of children had height/weight measurements recorded (with little difference observed across deprivation fifths). Amalgamating the data for all 11 years showed no significant association of prevalence with LSOA socio-economic status. Annual trends varied substantially: the most deprived fifth had the lowest proportion on five, and the highest on six, occasions. Linear regression analysis suggested a greater rate of increase of overweight/obesity in children from most-deprived LSOA areas compared with those from least deprived areas (not statistically significant). CONCLUSIONS Socio-economic difference in overweight/obesity prevalence lessened between 1995 and 2005. Despite annual variation, this apparent closing of the gap has been the result of an increase in overweight/obesity prevalence in children from the most deprived areas who, initially, had a lower prevalence compared with children from least deprived areas, but by 2005, had overtaken them.
The Impact of International Outsourcing on the Skill Structure of Employment: Empirical Evidence from German Manufacturing Industries

In recent publications it has been argued that the change of the skill structure of industrial employment is caused by biased technical progress rather than by increasing international trade with low wage countries. However, in linking prices for final goods with prices of primary factors, most empirical studies have only dealt with international trade in final goods and have thereby neglected the impact of international outsourcing. In this paper it is argued that outsourcing can be understood as a substitution of imported intermediate inputs for domestic value added, and that such substitution may have an impact on the skill structure of domestic employment in favor of skilled labor. The empirical evidence for German manufacturing industries supports this hypothesis.
Dissociations between Learning Phenomena do Not Necessitate Multiple Learning Processes: Mere Instructions about Upcoming Stimulus Presentations Differentially Influence Liking and Expectancy

Prior research showed that the degree of statistical contingency between the presence of stimuli moderates changes in expectancies about the presence of those stimuli (i.e., expectancy learning) but not changes in the liking of those stimuli (i.e., evaluative conditioning). This dissociation is typically interpreted as evidence for dual process models of associative learning. We tested an alternative account according to which both types of learning rely on a single process propositional learning mechanism but reflect different kinds of propositional beliefs. In line with the idea that changes in liking reflect beliefs about stimulus co-occurrences whereas changes in expectancy reflect beliefs about stimulus contingency, we found that evaluative ratings depended only on instructions about whether a stimulus would co-occur with a positive or negative stimulus whereas expectancy ratings were influenced also by instructions about individual stimulus presentations.
Physicochemical Changes During Ripening Of Monthan Banana

The changes occur during normal ripening of banana variety (Monthan) was studied for nine days of storage. Percent moisture content of whole fruit was increased initially and decreased after the middle of ripening period, but moisture content of pulp increased gradually. The gradual increase in TSS was observed till the end of storage period. Steep depletion in firmness was positively correlated with the reduction in peel thickness. Pulp to peel ratio and specific gravity was increased steadily with decreasing fruit weight. The percent finger drop was 33.37 at the eight days of storage. The prominent maturity indices in monthan variety are weight, TSS, and firmness.
Archival light curves from the Bamberg Sky Patrol: CF Octantis, 1964–76

We use the archive of the Bamberg Sky Patrol to obtain light curves of the active K subgiant CF Octantis (HD 196818) for the interval 1964‐76. Digitized images of the field near CF Oct were obtained with a flat-bed scanner. Aperture photometry was performed of photo-positives of these images. Using a transformation to second order in plate magnitude, and first order in B − V , for nine field stars for each plate, the B magnitudes of CF Oct were obtained for just over 350 plates. The estimated precision of an individual determination of the B magnitude of CF Oct is 0.05 mag. Analysis of the resulting data reveals the known 20 d rotational variation of this star, and shows the evolution of the light curves from year to year. We obtain light curves with good phase coverage for 1964 to 1969 inclusive, partial light curves for 1970 and 1976, and a few data points from 1971. The amplitude of variation ranges from ∼0.2 to ∼0.4 mag. There is evidence that the characteristic rotation period of the star in the 1960s was slightly less than that measured from photoelectric photometry in the 1980s. Ke yw ords: techniques: photometric ‐ stars: activity ‐ stars: individual: CF Octantis (HD 196818) ‐ stars: spots ‐ stars: variables: other.