Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spintronic devices as key elements for energy-efficient neuroinspired architectures

Processing the current deluge of data using conventional CMOS architectures requires a tremendous amount of energy, as it is inefficient for tasks such as data mining, recognition and synthesis. Alternative models of computation based on neuroinspiration can prove much more efficient for these kinds of tasks, but do not map ideally to traditional CMOS. Spintronics, by contrast, can bring features such as embedded nonvolatile memory and stochastic and memristive behavior, which, when associated with CMOS, can be key enablers for neuroinspired computing. In this paper, we explore different works that go in this direction. First, we illustrate how recent developments in embedded nonvolatile memory based on magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) can provide the large amount of nonvolatile memory required in neuro-inspired designs while avoiding Von Neumann bottleneck. Second, we show that recently developed spintronic memristors can implement artificial synapses for neuromorphic systems. With a more groundbreaking design, we show how the probabilistic writing of single MTJ bits can efficiently replace multi-level weighting for some classes of neuroinspired architectures. Finally, we show that a special class of MTJs can exhibit the phenomenon of stochastic resonance, a strategy used in biological systems to detect weak signals. These results suggest that the impact of spintronics extends beyond the traditional standalone and embedded memory markets.
Self-Determination and Goal Orientation in Track and Field

Self-Determination and Goal Orientation in Track and Field This study investigated gender, age group and locality differences in adolescent athletes' self-determination motivation and goal orientations in track and field. It also examined the relationship between the self-determination theory and achievement goal theory. A total of 632 (349 boys, 283 girls) adolescent athletes (aged 13-18 years) completed the Sports Motivation Scale and Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire. Results indicated significant differences between gender on intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, amotivation (t(630) = 4.10, p < 0.05) and ego orientation (t(630) = 2.48, p < 0.05). Male students reported higher intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, amotivation and ego orientation. A significant difference was found between age groups on task orientation (t(630) = 1.94, p < 0.05) and locality on ego orientation (t(630) = 1.94, p < 0.05). Older athletes showed significantly higher task orientation. Rural athletes had higher ego orientation whereas urban athletes have higher intrinsic motivation. Task orientation was related to intrinsic motivation (r = 0.55, p < 0.01), extrinsic motivation (r = 0.55, p < 0.01), but weakly related to amotivation (r = 0.10, p < 0.01). Ego orientation was related to intrinsic motivation (r = 0.30, p < 0.01), extrinsic motivation (r = 0.36, p < 0.01) and amotivaion (r = 0.36, p < 0.01). Task orientation was related to ego orientation (r = 0.29, p < 0.01). Multiple regression analysis showed intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation and amotivation accounted for 30.5% of the variances in task orientation.
Development of calcium‐permeable AMPA receptors and their correlation with NMDA receptors in fast‐spiking interneurons of rat prefrontal cortex

Abnormal influx of Ca2+ is thought to contribute to the neuronal injury associated with a number of brain disorders, and Ca2+‐permeable AMPA receptors (CP‐AMPARs) play a critical role in the pathological process. Despite the apparent vulnerability of fast‐spiking (FS) interneurons in neurological disorders, little is known about the CP‐AMPARs expressed by functionally identified FS interneurons in the developing prefrontal cortex (PFC). We investigated the development of inwardly rectifying AMPA receptor‐mediated currents and their correlation with NMDA receptor‐mediated currents in FS interneurons in the rat PFC. We found that 78% of the FS interneurons expressed a low rectification index, presumably Ca2+‐permeable AMPARs, with only 22% exhibiting AMPARs with a high rectification index, probably Ca2+ impermeable (CI). FS interneurons with CP‐AMPARs exhibited properties distinct from those expressing CI‐AMPARs, although both displayed similar morphologies, passive membrane properties and AMPA currents at resting membrane potentials. The AMPA receptors also exhibited dramatic changes during cortical development with significantly more FS interneurons with CP‐AMPARs and a clearly decreased rectification index during adolescence. In addition, FS interneurons with CP‐AMPARs exhibited few or no NMDA currents, distinct frequency‐dependent synaptic facilitation, and protracted maturation in short‐term plasticity. These data suggest that CP‐AMPARs in FS interneurons may play a critical role in neuronal integration and that their characteristic properties may make these cells particularly vulnerable to disruptive influences in the PFC, thus contributing to the onset of many psychiatric disorders.
The primary and non-primary acquisition of the mass-count distinction in English and Spanish

This dissertation takes as its central focus the primary acquisition of the mass-count distinction in English and Spanish and the non-primary acquisition of the mass-count distinction in Spanish by English speakers. We compare the distinction in both languages and examine the problems that may arise from the acquisition of the distinction in a first and second language. Current research examining the acquisition of the mass-count distinction has been primarily concerned with early language acquisition. In particular, first language research has looked at the use of language constraints and biases that may facilitate early language acquisition in general, and specifically of mass and count nouns. It has been hypothesized that children are born with constraints and biases that facilitate the acquisition process. One question that arises is whether or not these biases are universal or dependent on the specific language. Our first study aimed to answer this question by comparing the use of substance (water/agua) and object {meat/came) mass nouns by Spanish and English children. The findings from the English and Spanish data led us to hypothesize that the biases may be affected by language specifics. Our second study is concerned with the role of the first language in the non-primary acquisition of the mass-count distinction in Spanish. We proposed that the participants would produce fewer target responses in their experimental tasks for nouns that are more 'flexible' in Spanish than in English. This prediction was based on the hypothesis that for the nouns that have a similar status in both languages there would be a positive influence from the first language, whereas for non-equivalents there would be an opposite effect. Our results support these hypotheses.
COMPUTER ASSISTED INSTRUCTION OF STUDENTS WITH ADHD AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE: A BRIEF REVIEW OF STUDIES CONDUCTED BETWEEN 1993 AND 2016, AND COMMENTS

Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) is an instructional context that uses a computer as the mean for teaching pupils in individualized settings. CAI has been proposed as a compensatory instructional strategy among others for pupils with attentional, impulsivity and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This brief literature review synthesizes the outcomes of CAI to improve academic performance in various school disciplines for children with ADHD. First, it addresses research that studies the impact on academic disciplines performance of elementary school individuals with ADHD. Second, it considers methodological and pedagogical aspects of the studies reviewed. Finally, comments and recommendations, either in instructional and research context are made. Most of the studies reviewed suggested that CAI is an effective strategy in order to improve academic skills of pupils with ADHD. Moreover, an improvement in on-task and a decrease on error and off-task behaviors emerged as a byproduct of CAI intervention in some of those studies. Article visualizations:
DESY 07-007 YITP-SB-07-3 Analytic Solutions for Marginal Deformations in Open String Field Theory

We develop a calculable analytic approach to marginal deformations in open string field theory using wedge states with operator insertions. For marginal operators with regular operator products, we construct analytic solutions to all orders in the deformation parameter. In particular, we construct an exact time-dependent solution that describes D-brane decay and incorporates all α′ corrections. For marginal operators with singular operator products, we construct solutions by regularizing the singularity and adding counterterms. We explicitly carry out the procedure to third order in the deformation parameter.
The emergence of a free culture movement An introductory historical contextualization of online creation communities for the building of digital commons

Online Creation Communities (OCCs) are a set of individuals that communicate, interact and collaborate; in several forms and degrees of participation which are eco-systemically integrated; mainly via a platform of participation on the Internet, on which they depend; and aiming at knowledge-making and sharing. The paper will first provide an historical contextualization OCCs. Then, it will show how the development of OCCs is fuelled by and contributes to, the rise of a free culture movement defending and advocating the creation of digital commons, and provide an empirically grounded definition of free culture movement. The empirical analyses is based content analysis of 80 interviews to free culture practitioners, promoters and activists with an international background or rooted in Europe, USA and Latino-America and the content analysis of two seminar discussions. The data collection was developed from 2008 to 2010.
Sub-500-ps 64-b ALUs in 0 . 18-m SOI / Bulk CMOS : Design and Scaling Trends

In this paper, we present: 1) design of a single-rail energy-efficient 64-b Han–Carlson ALU, operating at 482 ps in 1.5 V, 0.18m bulk CMOS; 2) direct port of this ALU to 0.18m partially depleted SOI process; 3) SOI-optimal redesign of the ALU using a novel deep-stack quaternary-tree architecture; 4) margining for max-delay pushout due to reverse body bias in SOI designs; and 5) performance scaling trends of the ALU designs in 0.13m generation. We show that a direct port of the Han–Carlson ALU to 0.18m SOI offers 14% performance improvement after margining. A redesign of the ALU, using an SOI-favored deep-stack architecture improves the margined speedup to 19%. A 10% margin was required for the SOI designs, to account for reverse body-bias-induced max-delay pushout. Preconditioning the intermediate stack nodes in the dynamic ALU designs reduced this margin to 2%. Scaling the ALUs to 0.13-m generation reduces the overall SOI speedup for both architectures to 9% and 16%, respectively, confirming the trend that speedup offered by SOI technology decreases with scaling.
The Productivity Problem of the Dutch Economy: Implications for Economic and Social Policies and Business Strategy

This paper provides an overview of productivity issues in relation to the performance of the Dutch economy since the 1980s. It looks in particular at the reasons for the slowdown in productivity growth during the second half of the 1990s. Productivity measures are analyzed in relation to per capita income, labour market indicators and various measures of efficiency. The paper then provides a detailed sectoral perspective of productivity growth, with a focus on the role of technology (ICT) and innovation. Considerable attention is also given to the role of intangible inputs, including human capital, knowledge capital and organizational capital. The Dutch policy environment is discussed from the perspectives of macroeconomic and structural policies to support productivity growth. The paper concludes that the potential for faster productivity growth in the Netherlands is quite substantial, in particular in (service) industries that are intensive users of ICT. However, a restructuring of the economic environment is a crucial condition to realize this potentia l. The paper also stresses the need for business strategies that exploit the combined effects of innovation and investment in ICT and intangibles. * Acknowledgements : This paper makes extensive use of earlier work done for DG Enterprise at the European Commission concerning the construction of EU Sectoral Productivity Database, together the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (O’Mahony et al, 2003); a project on the economics of knowledge for the Italian Communications Authority (van Ark, 2003); and a study for the Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs on service innovation (van Ark, Broersma and den Hertog, 2003). I am also grateful to Berenschot Groep B.V. for financial support to work on the conceptualization and measurement issues concerning intangible capital. None of the organizations mentioned above bear any responsibility for the content or viewpoints expressed in this paper. I am grateful to Robert Inklaar, Edwin Stuivenwold and Gerard Ypma for statistical assistance.
The Effect of a Shared Book-Reading Intervention on the Story Retelling and Phonemic Awareness of a Third Grader with Disabilities

ABSTRACT Children with disabilities often demonstrate difficulties in code-focused and meaning-focused domains of literacy. Best practice indicates that skills within these domains should be taught together. The current study used principles of ABAB single-case experimental design to monitor the development of narrative retelling and phonemic awareness in a 3rd-grade child identified by her school as a child with disabilities. This child participated in a shared book-reading program that included discussions of the storybook text, a graphic organizer, and explicit instruction on phonemic awareness skills using words contained within the text. Results indicated significant improvements across both skills corresponding to instruction. Paired-samples t tests corroborated these findings. These findings support the use of interactive shared reading for simultaneously teaching code-focused and meaning-focused skills to children with disabilities. Results also support the use of graphic organizers for improving narrative retelling skills for children with disabilities.
Morphology and distribution of microglial cells in the young and adult mouse cerebellum

The morphology and distribution of microglial cells were studied in the normal cerebellum of young and adult mice using the histochemical demonstration of nucleoside diphosphatase as a specific microglial marker. Our results showed that microglial cells were present in all cerebellar lobules of both young and adult mice, but their distribution and morphology were not homogeneous throughout the cerebellum. Heterogeneity in microglial cell distribution was exclusively related to their location in the different histological layers, and no significant differences were found either between the different cerebellar lobules or between young and adult mice. Microglial density was higher in the cerebellar nuclei than in the cortex; within the cortex, the molecular layer was less densely populated by microglial cells than the granular layer and the white matter. The morphological study revealed that microglial cells were ramified in all cerebellar lobules of both young and adult mice but showed different sizes and ramification patterns as a function of their specific location in the different histological layers. Several typologies of microglial cells were described on the basis of observations in both horizontal and coronal sections. The specific layer‐related pattern of microglial distribution and morphology in mouse cerebellum strongly suggests a physical and functional adaptation of these cells to the characteristics of their microenvironment. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Omni-directional Walking of a Quadruped Robot on a Slope

In this study, we discuss omni-directional walking of a quadruped robot to walk on a slope. A method for successive gait-transition on a slope with specified body posture is introduced. Using this method, a trade-off between the moving speed and the body posture has been verified. Simulations and experiments showed that the proposed method for stable slope walking of a quadruped robot is valid
EXTERNALITIES BY AUTOMOBILES AND FARE-FREE TRANSIT IN GERMANY - A PARADIGM SHIFT?

To mitigate automobile caused externalities, several European cities have introduced fare-free transit schemes. Best known are the plans introduced in Hasselt, Belgium, and Templin, Germany. The staggering increases in ridership in both cities seem to prove the overwhelming success of this policy. In addition, a study carried out for the German Federal Ministry of Transportation scrutinized the program in Templin and found that a positive net effect is likely and fare-free transit is a viable policy to curb automobile externalities. Fare-free schemes are based on the economic theory of the second-best. Automobile users should be encouraged to shift to environmentally friendly transit. An undesired side effect, however, may be the increase in the demand by former transit users and the attraction of pedestrians and bicycle riders. In Templin, the side effect was prevailing, whereas the shift from automobile to transit was only minimal. The positive net benefit was due to the reduction in fatalities and casualties. Since pedestrians and bicycle riders belong to the most endangered road users, every decrease in these modes will lead to a reduction of automobile-caused costs. The undesired side effect thus became the main effect.
Investor Sentiment and Asset Pricing in Public and Private Markets

This paper examines the relation between investor sentiment and returns in public and private markets. We utilize commercial real estate as the testing ground to provide a unique side-by-side comparison of sentiments short- and long-run impact on similar assets that are owned and traded in two distinct investment environments. Using vector autoregressive models to capture the short-run dynamics between returns and investor sentiment, we find a positive relation between investor sentiment and subsequent quarter returns in both public and private real estate markets. The magnitude of this short-run effect is larger in public markets than in private markets, which is consistent with private market investors being better informed and more sophisticated. We further find a negative relation between investor sentiment and subsequent long-horizon public market returns, consistent with prices reverting to their fundamental values over the long-run. In contrast, we find sustained periods of sentiment-induced mispricing in private real estate markets, consistent with greater limits to arbitrage, short-sale constraints, information externalities, and delays in information transmission that characterize these markets.
The Effects of Zr Doping on the Optical, Electrical and Microstructural Properties of Thin ZnO Films Deposited by Atomic Layer Deposition

Transparent conducting oxides (TCOs), with high optical transparency (≥85%) and low electrical resistivity (10−4 Ω·cm) are used in a wide variety of commercial devices. There is growing interest in replacing conventional TCOs such as indium tin oxide with lower cost, earth abundant materials. In the current study, we dope Zr into thin ZnO films grown by atomic layer deposition (ALD) to target properties of an efficient TCO. The effects of doping (0–10 at.% Zr) were investigated for ~100 nm thick films and the effect of thickness on the properties was investigated for 50–250 nm thick films. The addition of Zr4+ ions acting as electron donors showed reduced resistivity (1.44 × 10−3 Ω·cm), increased carrier density (3.81 × 1020 cm−3), and increased optical gap (3.5 eV) with 4.8 at. % doping. The increase of film thickness to 250 nm reduced the electron carrier/photon scattering leading to a further reduction of resistivity to 7.5 × 10−4 Ω·cm and an average optical transparency in the visible/near infrared (IR) range up to 91%. The improved n-type properties of ZnO: Zr films are promising for TCO applications after reaching the targets for high carrier density (>1020 cm−3), low resistivity in the order of 10−4 Ω·cm and high optical transparency (≥85%).
Multimodal control of reaching-simulating the role of tactile feedback

By the onset of reaching, young infants are already able to keep track of the position of their hand by using visual feedback from the target and proprioceptive feedback from the arm. How is this multimodal coordination achieved? We propose that infants learn to coordinate vision and proprioception by using tactile feedback from the target. In order to evaluate this hypothesis, we employ an evolutionary-based learning algorithm as a proxy for trial-and-error sensorimotor development in young infants. A series of simulation studies illustrate how touch: 1) helps coordinate vision and proprioception; 2) facilitates an efficient reaching strategy; and 3) promotes intermodal recalibration when the coordination is perturbed. We present two developmental predictions generated by the model and discuss the relative importance of visual and tactile feedback while learning to reach.
The Effects of Civic Consciousness and Civil Disobedience on Support for and Participation in Contentious Politics

Abstract This study examines the effects of civic consciousness and civil disobedience on individual attitudes toward, and participation in, contentious politics. Using the newly collected survey data on civic consciousness and civil disobedience in Taiwan in 2015, this study finds that both civic consciousness and civil disobedience are significantly associated with individual support for and engagement in contentious politics. Specifically, people with strong civic consciousness and civil disobedience are more likely to support the Sunflower Movement and take part in contentious political activities such as rallies, marches, and strikes. The findings imply that as the ideas of civic consciousness and civil disobedience prevail in a democracy, the public will be more likely to choose to use contentious political activities to express their opinions instead of institutional and legal approaches when the government is unable to respond to public needs in a timely manner.
The Influence of Managerial Accounts on Employees’ Reactions to Negative Feedback

Despite the prevalent assumption that feedback consistently improves performance, recent scholars have suggested that at times negative feedback can have an unfavorable effect on employees’ attitudes and behaviors. This study proposes that such detrimental effects can be minimized through the use of managerial accounts. The results indicated that the type of account can influence employees’ reactions. Concessions, excuses, and justifications reduced employees’ anger and increased perceived interpersonal fairness; concessions also increased intentions to change behavior. Refusals, in contrast, did not influence employees’ reactions. The influence of excuses was augmented when used in conjunction with concessions but attenuated when combined with refusals. These findings suggest that organizations could benefit from training managers to understand the impact of accounts in the negative feedback context.