Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Coping with Social Change: Life Strategies of Workers in Poland's New Capitalism

The concerns of the people, whose experiences are explored in this book, rarely make it through to the academic discourse and political praxis in Central and Eastern Europe. In the public discourse and in many sociological accounts, manual workers tend to be represented as disoriented victims of post-socialist transformation. But how can such an approach explain the diversity of the actual ways of coping with social change adopted by workers in the new capitalist reality? To address this question the author turns to workers themselves, to their life strategies and personal experiences. He reconstructs the processes of adapting to and resisting structural changes in working-class milieus in one of the industrial regions of Poland (Silesia). Through this in-depth analysis of 166 personal interviews with blue-collar workers, Mrozowicki reaches general conclusions
Preparation of PTFE Film With Adhesive Surface Treated by Atmospheric-Pressure Nonthermal Plasma Graft Polymerization

A surface modification technique that improves the adhesion of fluorocarbon polymer films such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluoroalkoxy fluoroplastics, and polychlorotrifluoroethylene is developed using argon at atmospheric pressure and acrylic acid vapor nonthermal plasma. The results of the T-type peeling test show that the peeling strength of the treated PTFE film is approximately 70 times greater than that of the untreated film. From X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope analyses, it is confirmed that chemical bonds with F atoms decrease greatly on the surface and that a hydrophilic layer is formed due to the plasma graft polymerization process. Using the present surface treatment apparatus, it is possible to bond A4-sized sheets of PTFE and metals without losing the excellent physical properties of PTFE.
Veto Players: How Political Institutions Work

erative response to evidence that public employees were more prone to corruption or less committed to the public interest. Instead, such changes constituted a “peculiar form of policymaking: announcing solutions before experiencing or studying the problems—and before understanding the consequences” (52). This goes only a little way towards assessing levels of public integrity and readers will want to consult the literature in public policy on the role of symbolic appeals in agenda setting, the political nature of problem definition and policy evaluation, and the institutional dynamics of policy change. Making policy before tangible problems are unambiguously demonstrated by agreed upon evidence and before they are widely acknowledged by the public may be peculiar, but it is certainly not unique to anticorruption and ethics policy. Of course, the authors do not have to demonstrate convincingly the integrity of public employees (for which there is other evidence worth taking seriously) in order to provide a solid description of the modern ethics regime and to call attention to some of its more important and troubling consequences. The strengths of the book, however, are different from those promised by the title. Many of their specific remedies for the problems they identify seem reasonable, even if they are unlikely. They propose, for example, campaign finance reform to cure “the real ethics sewer in the federal government” (170). Others, like curtailing the use of FBI background checks, are especially important in light of the authors’ revealing and valuable account of the way such checks put a great deal of uncorroborated and irrelevant information into the hands of partisan combatants. Other recommendations, such as the elimination of financial disclosure requirements for career employees and confidential disclosure for all but a handful of appointees, will no doubt help the authors meet their goal of provoking very spirited debate. Finally, while Mackenzie and Hafken are right to despair of the costly and often counterproductive reliance on formal and criminal investigations and the culture of mistrust that pervades our politics, it is important to note that curtailing such activity will not automatically result in the rejuvenation of political accountability that the authors seek. It is not at all clear that the public or political leaders have the information or the interest in holding those who violate the public trust accountable. Placing more faith in Presidents to fire employees who engage in wrongdoing and in the public to “exercise their vote as a swift sword of accountability” (175) seems, unfortunately, to be a risky proposition.
Improving Competence by Integrating Case-Based Reasoning and Heuristic Search

We analyse the behaviour of a Propose & Revise architecture in the VT elevator design problem and we show that this problem solving method cannot solve all possible cases covered by the available domain knowledge. We investigate this problem and we show that this limitation is caused by the restricted search regime employed by the method and that the competence of the method cannot be improved by acquiring additional domain knowledge. We therefore propose an alternative design problem solver, which integrates case-based reasoning and heuristic search techniques and overcomes the competence-related limitations exhibited by the Propose & Revise architecture, while maintaining the same level of efficiency. We describe four algorithms for case-based design, which exploit both general properties of parametric design tasks and application specific heuristic knowledge.
CHAMP gravity field recovery using the energy balance approach

Abstract. Since the early days of satellite geodesy energy balance based methods for gravity field determination have been considered. If non-conservative forces are known the Hamiltonian along the orbit is a constant of the motion. Thus the gravity field can be determined if position and velocity of the satellite are known and accelerometer measurements are available to model the non-conservative part. CHAMP is the first satellite that provides the user with those three kinds of data nearly continuously. Numerical investigations using real CHAMP data are presented to show the feasibility of the method. Using a semi-analytical approach the gravity field can be determined efficiently by a 2D-Fourier method. Those fast computations also give way to application of the method not only to a full gravity field recovery but also, e.g. for quick-look and validation of SST observations for satellite missions like CHAMP, GRACE or GOCE. The method can also be used for estimation of accelerometer calibration parameters. Key words. gravity field, energy balance, Jacobi-integral, non-conservative forces, accelerometer calibration, CHAMP
QED derived from the two-body interaction (2) The derivation

We have shown in a previous paper that the Dirac bispinor can vary like a four-vector and that Quantum Electrodynamics (QED) can be reproduced with this form of behaviour. (2) We have also shown in part I (3) of this paper, that QED with the same transformational behaviour also holds in a second space which we called M-space. Here we use M-space to show that QED can be reduced to two simple rules for a two-body interaction.
Additive higher Chow groups of schemes

Abstract We show how to make the additive Chow groups of Bloch-Esnault, Rülling and Park into a graded module for Bloch's higher Chow groups, in the case of a smooth projective variety over a field. This yields a projective bundle formula as well as a blow-up formula for the additive Chow groups of a smooth projective variety. In case the base field k admits resolution of singularities, these properties allow us to apply the technique of Guillén and Navarro Aznar to define the additive Chow groups “with log poles at infinity” for an arbitrary finite-type k-scheme X. This theory has all the usual properties of a Borel-Moore theory on finite type k-schemes: it is covariantly functorial for projective morphisms, contravariantly functorial for morphisms of smooth schemes, and has a projective bundle formula, homotopy property, and Mayer-Vietoris and localization sequences. Finally, we show that the regulator map defined by Park from the additive Chow groups of 1-cycles to the modules of absolute Kähler differentials of an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero is surjective, giving evidence of a conjectured isomorphism between these two groups.
Catch-up, Growth and Convergence in the OECD

This paper analyses the sources of post-war growth and convergence in the OECD using an extension of Mankiw, Romer and Weil's (1992) model in which the rate of technical progress is determined endogenously by the level of R&D spending and a process of technological catch-up. The results indicate that the impact of R&D investment on growth has been significant. Technological catch-up is found to be very fast and seems to have played an important role in OECD convergence during the first half of the sample period. The exhaustion of this effect, moreover, may help explain the slowdown of growth and convergence after the mid-1970s, and suggests that further convergence will require an important investment effort on the part of poorer countries. Finally, there is evidence that the neoclassical convergence effect is also operative but its contribution to convergence in output per worker has been minor.
Managerial Timing and Corporate Liquidity : Evidence from Actual Share Repurchases

We investigate the timing of open market share repurchases and the resultant impact on firm liquidity. Using Hong Kong’s unique disclosure environment, we identify the exact implementation dates for over 5,000 equity buybacks. We find that managers exhibit substantial timing ability. Consistent with the information-asymmetry hypothesis, bid-ask spreads widen and depths narrow during repurchase periods. We decompose bid-ask spreads and show that adverse selection costs increase substantially as market participants respond to the presence of informed managerial trading. Our findings provide additional insight into how markets process information and have significant implications for corporate payout and disclosure policies. For correspondence: Paul Brockman, Department of Accountancy, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong; office: (852) 2766-7032, fax: (852) 2330-9845, email: Acpaul@PolyU.Edu. Hk Managerial Timing and Corporate Liquidity: Evidence from Actual Share Repurchases Abstract We investigate the timing of open market share repurchases and the resultant impact on firm liquidity. Using Hong Kong’s unique disclosure environment, we identify the exact implementation dates for over 5,000 equity buybacks. We find that managers exhibit substantial timing ability. Consistent with the information-asymmetry hypothesis, bid-ask spreads widen and depths narrow during repurchase periods. We decompose bid-ask spreads and show that adverse selection costs increase substantially as market participants respond to the presence of informed managerial trading. Our findings provide additional insight into how markets process information and have significant implications for corporate payout and disclosure policies.We investigate the timing of open market share repurchases and the resultant impact on firm liquidity. Using Hong Kong’s unique disclosure environment, we identify the exact implementation dates for over 5,000 equity buybacks. We find that managers exhibit substantial timing ability. Consistent with the information-asymmetry hypothesis, bid-ask spreads widen and depths narrow during repurchase periods. We decompose bid-ask spreads and show that adverse selection costs increase substantially as market participants respond to the presence of informed managerial trading. Our findings provide additional insight into how markets process information and have significant implications for corporate payout and disclosure policies.
Smart Grid Security: Threats, Challenges, and Solutions

The cyber-physical nature of the smart grid has rendered it vulnerable to a multitude of attacks that can occur at its communication, networking, and physical entry points. Such cyber-physical attacks can have detrimental effects on the operation of the grid as exemplified by the recent attack which caused a blackout of the Ukranian power grid. Thus, to properly secure the smart grid, it is of utmost importance to: a) understand its underlying vulnerabilities and associated threats, b) quantify their effects, and c) devise appropriate security solutions. In this paper, the key threats targeting the smart grid are first exposed while assessing their effects on the operation and stability of the grid. Then, the challenges involved in understanding these attacks and devising defense strategies against them are identified. Potential solution approaches that can help mitigate these threats are then discussed. Last, a number of mathematical tools that can help in analyzing and implementing security solutions are introduced. As such, this paper will provide the first comprehensive overview on smart grid security.
The Effect of a 20 km Run on Appetite Regulation in Long Distance Runners

The purpose of the present study was to investigate appetite-related hormonal responses and energy intake after a 20 km run in trained long distance runners. Twenty-three male long-distance runners completed two trials: either an exercise trial consisting of a 20 km outdoor run (EX) or a control trial with an identical period of rest (CON). Blood samples were collected to determine plasma acylated ghrelin, peptide YY3-36 (PYY3-36) and other hormonal and metabolite concentrations. Energy intake during a buffet test meal was also measured 30 min after the exercise or rest periods. Although plasma acylated ghrelin concentrations were significantly decreased after the 20 km run (p < 0.05), plasma PYY3-36 did not change significantly following exercise. Absolute energy intake during the buffet test meal in EX (1325 ± 55 kcal) was significantly lower than that in CON (1529 ± 55 kcal), and there was a relatively large degree of individual variability for exercise-induced changes in energy intake (−40.2% to 12.8%). However, exercise-induced changes in energy intake were not associated with plasma acylated ghrelin or PYY3-36 responses. The results demonstrated that a 20 km run significantly decreased plasma acylated ghrelin concentrations and absolute energy intake among well-trained long distance runners.
Cardioprotective effects of dietary lipids evident in the time‐dependent alterations of cardiac function and gene expression following myocardial infarction

We have previously shown that prolonged high–saturated fat feeding (SAT) for 8 weeks after myocardial infarction (MI) improves ventricular function and prevents the metabolic remodeling commonly observed in heart failure. The current study was designed to delineate the interplay between markers of energy metabolism and indices of cardiac remodeling with 2 and 4 weeks of post‐MI SAT in male Wistar rats. By 2 weeks, less remodeling was noted in MI‐SAT evidenced by diminished chamber dilation and greater ejection fraction assessed by echocardiography and hemodynamic measures. In addition, gene expression of energy metabolism targets involved in FA uptake, oxidation, and glucose oxidation regulation was increased in MI‐SAT with respect to MI alone, although no change in PDH phosphorylation was observed. The regulatory kinase, phosphoinositide 3 kinase (Pi3k), was strongly induced by 2 weeks in the MI‐SAT group, although AKT protein content (a primary downstream target of PI3K that affects metabolism) was decreased by both MI and SAT alone, indicating early involvement of cellular signaling pathways in lipid‐mediated cardioprotection. Our results demonstrate that cardioprotection occurs acutely with SAT following MI, with improvement in indices of both cardiac function and fatty acid oxidation, suggesting a mechanistic role for energy metabolism in the beneficial effects of high dietary fat following cardiac injury.
Who tweets? tracking microblogging use in the 2010 swedish election campaign

Among the many so called microblogging services that allow their respective users to describe their current status in short posts, Twitter is probably among the most popular and well known. Since its launch in 2006, Twitter use has evolved and is increasingly used in a variety of contexts. One are of use is politics. Although many of the initial hopes for “e-democracy” appear to have gone unfulfilled, the successful employment of the Internet during the 2008 US presidential campaign has yet again raised voices claiming that the Internet, and particularly “social media” applications like Twitter, provides interesting opportunities for online campaigning and deliberation. This paper presents a study on Twitter use during the 2010 Swedish general election. The analysis is focused on identifying user types and how these high-end users make use of the Twitter service. By providing results regarding Twitter use before, during and after the height of the Swedish election campaign, this paper provides important insights into the practice of civic microblogging.
A Comparison of L_1 Norm and L_2 Norm Multiple Kernel SVMs in Image and Video Classification

SVM is one of the state-of-the-art techniques for image and video classification. When multiple kernels are available, the recently introduced multiple kernel SVM (MK-SVM) learns an optimal linear combination of the kernels, providing a new method for information fusion. In this paper we study how the behaviour of MK-SVM is affected by the norm used to regularise the kernel weights to be learnt. Through experiments on three image/video classification datasets as well as on synthesised data, new insights are gained as to how the choice of regularisation norm should be made, especially when MK-SVM is applied to image/video classification problems.
Testing the Binary Black Hole Paradigm through the Fe Kα Line Profile: Application to 3C 273

We propose the study of long-term variations in the Fe Kα line profile as a discriminator for binary black hole (BH) systems. The existence of a binary BH in the center of an active galaxy will produce a particular signature in the evolution of the line profile, as a result of disk precession. This signature is a periodic variation of the position of the blue edge of the profile, accompanied by periodic change of its intensity. We show that detection of the former is clearly within the observational capabilities of planned X-ray missions. Detecting a periodic variation of line profiles would provide the first direct evidence for precessing disks in active galactic nuclei, as opposed to the existing evidence supporting only the precession of jets. We apply these ideas to 3C 273.
Ada and software engineering education: one professor's experiences

How do you select a programming language for your project? Few developers have the luxury of coding the same design in multiple languages to compare language merits. For over twenty years my undergraduate students have implemented the same large (10-15K lines), multi-tasking, real-time embedded system. In one 15 week semester, student teams specify, design, and implement software to control a substantial model railroad layout. Students implement everything from device drivers for custom I/O hardware to high-level decision making algorithms. Student teams have implemented the project in both Ada and C. This paper describes the course, the laboratory, the project, and an analysis of the results achieved with each of the implementation languages.
Do markup dynamics reflect fundamentals or changes in conduct?

Intertemporal shifts in conduct, such as a transition from competitive to anti-competitive behavior, induce shifts in the firms’ equilibrium price configurations. Such shifts generate non-stationary price dynamics in addition to those which originate from exogenous fundamentals. We exploit this statistical feature to detect potential changes in conduct, as well as measure their effect on prices. Our approach requires only data on prices and fundamentals without necessitating strong assumptions regarding industry structure. Application to United States and European banking sectors indicates substantial differences between conventional credit spreads and components associated with changes in conduct.
The Self and Social Behavior in Differing Cultural Contexts

Three aspects of the self(private, public, collective) with different probabilities in different kinds of social environments were sampled. Three dimensions of cultural variation (individualism--collectivism, tightness-looseness, cultural complexity) are discussed in relation to the sampling of these three aspects of the self. The more complex the culture, the more frequent the sampling of the public and private self and the less frequent the sampling of the collective self. The more individualistic the culture, the more frequent the sampling of the private self and the less frequent the sampling of the collective self. Collectivism, external threat, competition with outgroups, and common fate increase the sampling of the collective self. Cultural homogeneity results in tightness and in the sampling of the collective self. The article outlines theoretical links among aspects of the environment, childrearing patterns, and cultural patterns, which are linked to differential sampling of aspects of the self. Such sampling has implications for social behavior. Empirical investigations of some of these links are reviewed.
Analyticity in Angle Variable and Upper Bounds in Noncommutative Quantum Field Theory

The existence of Jost-Lehmann-Dyson representation analogue has been proved in framework of space-space noncommutative quantum field theory. On the basis of this representation it has been found that some class of elastic amplitudes admits an analytical continuation into complex cosθ plane and corresponding domain of analyticity is Martin ellipse. This analyticity combined with unitarity leads to Froissart-Martin upper bound on total cross section.
Limitations of the Spike-Triggered Averaging for Estimating Motor Unit Twitch Force: A Theoretical Analysis

Contractile properties of human motor units provide information on the force capacity and fatigability of muscles. The spike-triggered averaging technique (STA) is a conventional method used to estimate the twitch waveform of single motor units in vivo by averaging the joint force signal. Several limitations of this technique have been previously discussed in an empirical way, using simulated and experimental data. In this study, we provide a theoretical analysis of this technique in the frequency domain and describe its intrinsic limitations. By analyzing the analytical expression of STA, first we show that a certain degree of correlation between the motor unit activities prevents an accurate estimation of the twitch force, even from relatively long recordings. Second, we show that the quality of the twitch estimates by STA is highly related to the relative variability of the inter-spike intervals of motor unit action potentials. Interestingly, if this variability is extremely high, correct estimates could be obtained even for high discharge rates. However, for physiological inter-spike interval variability and discharge rate, the technique performs with relatively low estimation accuracy and high estimation variance. Finally, we show that the selection of the triggers that are most distant from the previous and next, which is often suggested, is not an effective way for improving STA estimates and in some cases can even be detrimental. These results show the intrinsic limitations of the STA technique and provide a theoretical framework for the design of new methods for the measurement of motor unit force twitch.