Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thermodynamic Properties of Non-equilibrium States in Quantum Field Theory

Abstract Within the framework of relativistic quantum field theory, a novel method is established which allows for distinguishing non-equilibrium states admitting locally a thermodynamic interpretation. The basic idea is to compare these states with global equilibrium states (KMS states) by means of local thermal observables. With the help of such observables, the states can be ordered into classes of increasing local thermal stability. Moreover, it is possible to identify states exhibiting certain specific thermal properties of interest, such as a definite local temperature or entropy density. The method is illustrated in a simple model describing the spatio-temporal evolution of a “big heat bang. ”
An exploration of the use of eye‐gaze tracking to study problem‐solving on standardized science assessments

This pilot study investigated the capacity of eye‐gaze tracking to identify differences in problem‐solving behaviours within a group of individuals who possessed varying degrees of knowledge and expertise in three disciplines of science (biology, chemistry and physics). The six participants, all pre‐service science teachers, completed an 18‐item multiple‐choice science assessment while having their eye‐gaze tracked and recorded. Analysis of the data revealed differences in eye‐gaze behaviour across different disciplines and similarities among participants with similar science backgrounds. This manuscript discusses various issues in eye‐gaze tracking data analysis and suggests some analytical techniques for addressing these issues. The findings suggest that eye‐gaze tracking may potentially be a useful approach to furthering our understanding of students’ problem‐solving behaviours.
‘Death and Axes’: Unexpected Ca2+ Entry Phenologs Predict New Anti-schistosomal Agents

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic flatworm disease that infects 200 million people worldwide. The drug praziquantel (PZQ) is the mainstay therapy but the target of this drug remains ambiguous. While PZQ paralyses and kills parasitic schistosomes, in free-living planarians PZQ caused an unusual axis duplication during regeneration to yield two-headed animals. Here, we show that PZQ activation of a neuronal Ca2+ channel modulates opposing dopaminergic and serotonergic pathways to regulate ‘head’ structure formation. Surprisingly, compounds with efficacy for either bioaminergic network in planarians also displayed antischistosomal activity, and reciprocally, agents first identified as antischistocidal compounds caused bipolar regeneration in the planarian bioassay. These divergent outcomes (death versus axis duplication) result from the same Ca2+ entry mechanism, and comprise unexpected Ca2+ phenologs with meaningful predictive value. Surprisingly, basic research into axis patterning mechanisms provides an unexpected route for discovering novel antischistosomal agents.
Grooming child victims into sexual abuse: a psychometric analysis of survivors’ experiences

ABSTRACT This study sought to examine the psychometric properties of the Grooming subscale of the Computer Assisted Maltreatment Inventory (CAMI) in a sample of adult survivors of child sexual abuse. There are currently no other research measures that examine grooming events as experienced by survivors, which underscores the importance of a reliable and valid way of gathering this information. Participants (n = 295) were adult survivors of child sexual abuse who completed this anonymous study online. The sample was collected through the use of adult survivor of child sexual abuse websites, trauma blogs, and survivor group pages on Facebook. Exploratory Factor Analysis, Confirmatory Factor Analysis, and Cronbach’s Alpha were used to ascertain the reliability and validity of this subscale. These analyses suggest that the Grooming subscale of the CAMI is a reliable and valid measure. This measure is an important addition to the body of research instruments that measure adult survivor of child sexual abuse experiences, particularly since this is the only instrument that examines grooming from this perspective.
Effects of Transient Focal Inactivation of the Basal Ganglia in Parkinsonian Primates

Ablative and chronic stimulation procedures targeting the internal pallidum (GPi) and the subthalamic nucleus (STN) have led to major advancements in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders. Although these procedures have evolved to primarily target the posterior ventrolateral sensorimotor portion of GPi and to less selectively target STN, centrally, the ideal targets within these structures remain to be fully established. In this study, we sought to identify the optimal targeting sites in GPi and STN for reversal of parkinsonian signs through a series of reversible injections of the GABAA agonist muscimol in these nuclei in parkinsonian primates. Akinesia and bradykinesia were strongly ameliorated by discrete inactivation within the centromedial extent of the sensorimotor territory in GPi and the lateral portion of the sensorimotor territory in STN. This suggests that akinesia and bradykinesia might, in fact, originate from abnormalities in the same, or at least overlapping, motor circuits in the parkinsonian state. Inactivation of areas outside of the motor territories did not improve parkinsonism but induced circling and behavioral abnormalities. The segregation of basal ganglia–thalamocortical circuits appears to be therefore maintained, at least to a large extent, in the parkinsonian state. These results underscore that inactivation of discrete regions in the central territory of GPi and the lateral portion of STN are sufficient to ameliorate parkinsonian motor signs and that extension of lesions into nonmotor territories may be deleterious. Surgical outcomes might therefore be optimized by placing more discrete lesions and by restricting the extent of chronic stimulation.
Memory studies in a moment of danger: Fascism, postfascism, and the contemporary political imaginary

Inspired by Walter Benjamin’s concept of the “moment of danger,” this essay considers the contemporary return of the memory of fascism and Nazism among both far-right political movements and liberal and left critics of the right. We briefly sketch how memories and symbols derived from the fascist and National Socialist era, among other sources, help constitute new political subjects in our moment of danger, and we look extensively at responses to the election of Donald Trump and evaluate the way the invocation of the fascist era as memory and warning shapes versions of resistant remembrance. We argue that transnational memory studies needs to think more about the historical consciousness that buttresses contemporary far-right politics and about the potential memory politics that might oppose it.
Component repair using laser direct metal deposition

Abstract Recent studies have indicated that laser direct metal deposition can be used for repairing deep or internal cracks and defects in metallic components. In order to implement the method, it is necessary to machine a groove or slot to the depth of the defect and refill it. This work investigates advantages and potential problems with the technique and compares the results from using two different slot geometries: one rectangular and one triangular in cross-section. H13 hot-work tool steel components are used and H13 powder is deposited using a 1.5 kW diode laser and lateral nozzle. Different combinations of deposition parameters are tested and each sample is analysed in terms of mass deposition rate, deposition microstructure, evidence of porosity, size of the heat-affected zone, and microhardness. Results are evaluated using statistical techniques and the important parameters that control each variable are identified. The work provides evidence that the method can produce high-quality repairs, but porosity at the boundaries between the original part and the added material is a problem.
Traditional family and women's condition: The reciprocal perception of Turkish and Italians

Community psychology considers gender as a central organizing category for understanding power imbalances and directing social change. The geopolitical events of these last years are heightening the contraposition between Islamic and Western countries with significant effects on ethnic prejudices, including the perception of gender roles and women’s condition. The present study focused on two different Mediterranean countries, an Islamic and Eastern one, i.e., Turkey, and a Catholic and Western one, i.e., Italy. It aimed at investigating the reciprocal perception concerning family and the women’s condition in the two states. Participants were 400 university students, both Turkish (N=199) and Italians (N=201). We performed 2 (Italian vs. Turkish) x 2 (Italy vs. Turkey) mixed ANOVAs for repeated measures testing the significance of the differences between rater countries and rated countries. Findings demonstrated an interesting “mirror effect”: Turkish and Italians perceived their home country in similar way, and similarly different from the country of comparison. Implications are discussed.
Computer-Aided Diagnosis With Temporal Analysis to Improve Radiologists’ Interpretation of Mammographic Mass Lesions

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of independent reading with computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) and independent double reading on radiologists' performance to characterize mass lesions on serial mammograms. Six radiologists rated 198 cases, 99 benign and 99 malignant. For each case, the mammograms from two consecutive screening rounds were available. The mass was visible on the prior view in 40% of the cases. Independently, a CAD programe also rated each mass lesion making use of information from prior and current views. The following reading situations were compared: single reading, independent reading with CAD, and independent double reading. Independent reading with CAD was implemented by averaging the scaled ratings from each radiologist and the scaled CAD scores. We implemented independent double reading by averaging the scaled scores from two radiologists. Results were evaluated using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) methodology and multiple reader multiple case analysis. The average performance, measured as the area under the ROC curve (Az value), was 0.80 for the single-reading mode. For independent double reading, the average performance improved to 0.81. This improvement was not significant. For independent interpretation with CAD, the average performance significantly increased to 0.83 (P < 0.05). We conclude that CAD technology with temporal analysis has the potential to help radiologists with the task of discriminating between benign and malignant masses.
Neoliberal disruption and neoliberalism’s afterlife in Latin America: What is left of post-neoliberalism?

The rejection of neoliberalism in Latin America at the time of the new millennium led to a wave of ‘post-neoliberal’ governments that sought to renegotiate the relationship between state and market and pioneer new forms of inclusive welfare. These governments attempted to implement a new economic model that bore some similarities to social democracy, alongside greater emphasis on recognition and identity politics. As this period gradually closes, we ask what accounts for the difficulties of institutionalising redistributive Leftist governance in Latin America. In so doing, we draw attention to the embeddedness of the idea of neoliberal governance, globally and regionally. Whilst the weaknesses of the Latin American Left are real, the return of neoliberalism reflects the fact it is still status quo governance everywhere.
Examining Help-Seeking Among National Guard Service Members

Abstract Low rates of help-seeking among military service members (SMs) remains a persistent problem. Data from 997 National Guard (NG) SMs were examined to assess predictors of help-seeking behavior. Suicidal ideation, age, negative stress, positive stress, depression, and negative beliefs about mental health treatment were consistently found to predict help-seeking. A past history of suicidal ideation was the strongest predictor of receiving treatment. Negative beliefs about mental health treatment had the greatest impact on decreasing the odds of receiving treatment. Results have implications for improving service utilization for NG SMs.
An Improved Piecewise Linear Chaotic Map Based Image Encryption Algorithm

An image encryption algorithm based on improved piecewise linear chaotic map (MPWLCM) model was proposed. The algorithm uses the MPWLCM to permute and diffuse plain image simultaneously. Due to the sensitivity to initial key values, system parameters, and ergodicity in chaotic system, two pseudorandom sequences are designed and used in the processes of permutation and diffusion. The order of processing pixels is not in accordance with the index of pixels, but it is from beginning or end alternately. The cipher feedback was introduced in diffusion process. Test results and security analysis show that not only the scheme can achieve good encryption results but also its key space is large enough to resist against brute attack.
Viability of an elementary syntactic structure in a population playing Naming Games

We explore how the social dynamics of communication and learning can bring about the rise of a syntactic communication in a population of speakers. Our study is developed starting from a version of the Naming Game model in which an elementary syntactic structure is introduced. This analysis shows how the transition from nonsyntactic to syntactic communication is socially favored in communities which need to exchange a large number of concepts.
Predictive Modeling in a VoIP System

An important problem one needs to deal with in a Voice over IP system is server overload. One way for preventing such problems is to rely on prediction techniques for the incoming traffic, namely as to proactively scale the available resources. Anticipating the computational load induced on processors by incoming requests can be used to optimize load distribution and resource allocation. In this study, the authors look at how the user profiles, peak hours or call patterns are shaped for a real system and, in a second step, at constructing a model that is capable of predicting trends. Keywords—particle algorithms, prediction, user-profiles, VoIP.
Differences in time course activation of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex associated with low or high risk choices in a gambling task

Prefrontal cortex plays an important role in decision making (DM), supporting choices in the ordinary uncertainty of everyday life. To assess DM in an unpredictable situation, a playing card task, such as the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), has been proposed. This task is supposed to specifically test emotion-based learning, linked to the integrity of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC). However, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) has demonstrated a role in IGT performance too. Our aim was to study, by multichannel near-infrared spectroscopy, the contribution of DLPFC to the IGT execution over time. We tested the hypothesis that low and high risk choices would differentially activate DLPFC, as IGT execution progressed. We enrolled 11 healthy adults. To identify DLPFC activation associated with IGT choices, we compared regional differences in oxy-hemoglobin variation, from baseline to the event. The time course of task execution was divided in four periods, each one consisting of 25 choices, and DLPFC activation was distinctly analyzed for low and high risk choices in each period. We found different time courses in DLPFC activation, associated with low or high risk choices. During the first period, a significant DLPFC activation emerged with low risk choices, whereas, during the second period, we found a cortical activation with high risk choices. Then, DLPFC activation decreased to non-significant levels during the third and fourth period. This study shows that DLPFC involvement in IGT execution is differentiated over time and according to choice risk level. DLPFC is activated only in the first half of the task, earlier by low risk and later by high risk choices. We speculate that DLPFC may sustain initial and more cognitive functions, such as attention shifting and response inhibition. The lack of DLPFC activation, as the task progresses, may be due to VMPFC activation, not detectable by fNIRS, which takes over the IGT execution in its second half.
Single-cell RNA-seq: advances and future challenges

Phenotypically identical cells can dramatically vary with respect to behavior during their lifespan and this variation is reflected in their molecular composition such as the transcriptomic landscape. Single-cell transcriptomics using next-generation transcript sequencing (RNA-seq) is now emerging as a powerful tool to profile cell-to-cell variability on a genomic scale. Its application has already greatly impacted our conceptual understanding of diverse biological processes with broad implications for both basic and clinical research. Different single-cell RNA-seq protocols have been introduced and are reviewed here—each one with its own strengths and current limitations. We further provide an overview of the biological questions single-cell RNA-seq has been used to address, the major findings obtained from such studies, and current challenges and expected future developments in this booming field.
Potential habitat distribution for the freshwater diatom Didymosphenia geminata in the continental US

The diatom Didymosphenia geminata is a single-celled alga found in lakes, streams, and rivers. Nuisance blooms of D geminata affect the diversity, abundance, and productivity of other aquatic organisms. Because D geminata can be transported by humans on waders and other gear, accurate spatial prediction of habitat suitability is urgently needed for early detection and rapid response, as well as for evaluation of monitoring and control programs. We compared four modeling methods to predict D geminata's habitat distribution; two methods use presence–absence data (logistic regression and classification and regression tree [CART]), and two involve presence data (maximum entropy model [Maxent] and genetic algorithm for rule-set production [GARP]). Using these methods, we evaluated spatially explicit, bioclimatic and environmental variables as predictors of diatom distribution. The Maxent model provided the most accurate predictions, followed by logistic regression, CART, and GARP. The most suitable habitats we.
Hepatic artery infusion with raltitrexed or 5-fluorouracil for colorectal cancer liver metastasis

AIM To evaluate the efficiency and safety of hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) using raltitrexed or 5-fluorouracil for colorectal cancer (CRC) liver metastasis (CRCLM). METHODS A retrospective analysis of patients with unresectable CRCLM who failed systemic chemotherapy and were subsequently treated with HAIC at our institute from May 2013 to April 2015 was performed. A total of 24 patients were treated with 5-fluorouracil, and 18 patients were treated with raltitrexed. RESULTS The median survival time (MST) from diagnosis of CRC was 40.8 mo in the oxaliplatin plus raltitrexed (TOMOX) arm and 33.5 mo in the oxaliplatin plus 5-fluorouracil (FOLFOX) arm (P = 0.802). MST from first HAIC was 20.6 mo in the TOMOX arm and 15.4 mo in the FOLFOX arm (P = 0.734). Median progression-free survival (PFS) from first HAIC was 4.9 mo and 6.6 mo, respectively, in the TOMOX arm and FOLFOX arm (P = 0.215). Leukopenia (P = 0.026) was more common in the FOLFOX arm, and hepatic disorder (P = 0.039) was more common in the TOMOX arm. There were no treatment-related deaths in the TOMOX arm and one treatment-related death in the FOLFOX arm. Analysis of prognostic factors indicated that response to HAIC was a significant factor related to survival. CONCLUSION No significant difference in survival was observed between the TOMOX and FOLFOX arms. HAIC treatment with either TOMOX or FOLFOX was demonstrated as an efficient and safe alternative choice.
Registration of Optical and SAR Satellite Images by Exploring the Spatial Relationship of the Improved SIFT

Although feature-based methods have been successfully developed in the past decades for the registration of optical images, the registration of optical and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images is still a challenging problem in remote sensing. In this letter, an improved version of the scale-invariant feature transform is first proposed to obtain initial matching features from optical and SAR images. Then, the initial matching features are refined by exploring their spatial relationship. The refined feature matches are finally used for estimating registration parameters. Experimental results have shown the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Risky Business: Harlem Pimps’ Work Decisions and Economic Returns

ABSTRACT In this mixed methods study of 56 entry-level pimps in Harlem, NY, we explore how pimps’ choices to use violence or control differ by where they are selling sex, who their clientele are, and whether these violent and controlling behaviors yield higher returns. First, we qualitatively explore how pimps account for each of these choices, and how each group of choices are related to the other choices. Second, we use bivariate statistical techniques to see whether there are associations in this sample between pimps’ ages and each of those decisions, and between each of those decisions and reported earnings. We find that younger pimps work with clients and sex workers in their social networks because they are easier to hold accountable, which leads younger pimps to bypass the self-reported risks involved with more violent work, but also tends be associated with lower self-reported earnings. Older pimps gravitate toward stranger clients, which involves more risk but higher earnings. Most pimps do not describe regularly using violence either against sex workers or to protect sex workers, but the use of violence is more common among older pimps. The accounts of regularly using violence with workers are not associated with higher earnings. The idea that pimps control most aspects of how sex workers labor and other aspects of their lives such as where they live are not substantiated by the accounts of the pimps themselves, but we do find older pimps describe exerting more control over sex workers than younger pimps. We discuss the implications of our findings, which demonstrate that pimps are a diverse group who see their own violence and control decisions as related to age, location, clientele, and perceived risks and rewards.
Einkommen von Bachelor- und anderen Hochschulabsolventen: Höhere Abschlüsse zahlen sich mit dem Alter zunehmend aus

 Die Einkommensdifferenzen zwischen den Qualifikationsgruppen hängen allerdings nicht nur von der formalen Qualifikation der Beschäftigten ab, sondern auch von ihrem Beruf und den Anforderungen in der jeweils ausgeübten Tätigkeiten. Im Rahmen des Bologna-Prozesses erfolgte seit den 2000er Jahren nach und nach die Ablösung der traditionellen Studienabschlüsse Diplom und Magister durch die gestuften Abschlüsse Bachelor und Master. Dies hat die Frage aufgeworfen, wie sich die Absolventen der neuen Studienabschlüsse am Arbeitsmarkt positionieren können. Unsere Untersuchungen zur längerfristigen Entwicklung der Einkommen von Personen mit unterschiedlichen Abschlüssen zeigen, dass die Gehälter zunächst auf einem vergleichbaren Niveau liegen. Mit dem Alter zahlen sich höhere Abschlüsse jedoch zunehmend aus.