Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptive optoelectronic camouflage systems with designs inspired by cephalopod skins

Significance Artificial systems that replicate functional attributes of the skins of cephalopods could offer capabilities in visual appearance modulation with potential utility in consumer, industrial, and military applications. Here we demonstrate a complete set of materials, components, fabrication approaches, integration schemes, bioinspired designs, and coordinated operational modes for adaptive optoelectronic camouflage sheets. These devices are capable of producing black-and-white patterns that spontaneously match those of the surroundings, without user input or external measurement. Systematic experimental, computational, and analytical studies of the optical, electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties reveal the fundamental aspects of operation and also provide quantitative design guidelines that are applicable to future embodiments. Octopus, squid, cuttlefish, and other cephalopods exhibit exceptional capabilities for visually adapting to or differentiating from the coloration and texture of their surroundings, for the purpose of concealment, communication, predation, and reproduction. Long-standing interest in and emerging understanding of the underlying ultrastructure, physiological control, and photonic interactions has recently led to efforts in the construction of artificial systems that have key attributes found in the skins of these organisms. Despite several promising options in active materials for mimicking biological color tuning, existing routes to integrated systems do not include critical capabilities in distributed sensing and actuation. Research described here represents progress in this direction, demonstrated through the construction, experimental study, and computational modeling of materials, device elements, and integration schemes for cephalopod-inspired flexible sheets that can autonomously sense and adapt to the coloration of their surroundings. These systems combine high-performance, multiplexed arrays of actuators and photodetectors in laminated, multilayer configurations on flexible substrates, with overlaid arrangements of pixelated, color-changing elements. The concepts provide realistic routes to thin sheets that can be conformally wrapped onto solid objects to modulate their visual appearance, with potential relevance to consumer, industrial, and military applications.
Spillover Effects of FDI on Innovation in China: Evidence from the Provincial Data

Foreign direct investment (FDI) can benefit innovation activity in the host country via spillover channels such as reverse engineering, skilled labor turnovers, demonstration effects, and supplier-customer relationships. Using provincial data from 1995 to 2000, we find positive effects of FDI on the number of domestic patent applications in China. This finding is robust under both pooled time-series and cross-section data estimation and panel data analysis and for different types of patent applications (invention, utility model, and external design). The spillover effect is the strongest for minor innovation such as external design patent, highlighting a "demonstration effect" of FDI.
Agency, simulation and self-identification

This paper is concerned with the problem of self-identification in the domain of action. We claim that this problem can arise not just for the self as object, but also for the self as subject in the ascription of agency. We discuss and evaluate some proposals concerning the mechanisms involved in self-identification and in agency- ascription, and their possible impairments in pathological cases. We argue in favor of a simulation hypothesis that claims that actions, whether overt or covert, are centrally simulated by the neural network, and that this simulation provides the basis for action recognition and attribution. In this paper we will be concerned with the problem of self-identification as it arises in the domain of action, which we will take to include both overt and covert or simulated actions. Talk of a problem of identification presupposes a contrast set, and the possibility that, in seeking to identify one self, one picks out something in the contrast set instead. With self-identification, two contrast sets must be considered: the world at large and the set of other selves. The problem of self-identification therefore divides into two sub-problems: self-world discrimination and self-other discrimin- ation. We focus here on the latter problem. Our first aim is to show that there is a problem of self-other discrimination. Our second aim is to discuss and evaluate some proposals concerning the mechanisms involved in self-identification and in agency- ascription, and their possible impairments in pathological cases. In the first section, we will examine some of the reasons why philosophers have paid little attention to the problem of self-other discrimination, and investigate the conditions under which this problem can arise. In section 2, we will concentrate on the identification of the self as a physical body. In section 3, we will present evidence that we are able to perceive the intentions of others. This will involve the idea of shared representations of actions, the nature and format of which we will
Corporate Retentions and Consumers' Expenditure

Corporate retained profits have well-determined effects on both total and non-durable consumers' expenditure, with coefficients which do not differ significantly from those on disposable income in a standard consumption function; the effects also appear in a life-cycle model which excludes disposable income. Retentions convey no useful information about future values of the other arguments of either consumption function. The implications of an alternative explanatory hypothesis, of a discrepancy between the principles and practice of national accounting, are not rejected.
Cognitive Dissonance in Social Work

ABSTRACT Cognitive dissonance is a state of tension occurring when a person holds two psychologically inconsistent cognitions. For this study, 21 social workers who facilitate transracial adoption plans for Aboriginal children in British Columbia were interviewed: 1) Do social workers who facilitate transracial adoption plans for Aboriginal children experience cognitive dissonance? If so, in what ways? 2) How does cognitive dissonance impact them? 3) In what ways do social workers reconcile a sense of dissonance? Findings suggest that social workers do experience cognitive dissonance, that they are adversely impacted, and that they find ways to reconcile the cognitive dissonance.
Strategies for Discovery of Small Molecule Radiation Protectors and Radiation Mitigators

Mitochondrial targeted radiation damage protectors (delivered prior to irradiation) and mitigators (delivered after irradiation, but before the appearance of symptoms associated with radiation syndrome) have been a recent focus in drug discovery for (1) normal tissue radiation protection during fractionated radiotherapy, and (2) radiation terrorism counter measures. Several categories of such molecules have been discovered: nitroxide-linked hybrid molecules, including GS-nitroxide, GS-nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, p53/mdm2/mdm4 inhibitors, and pharmaceutical agents including inhibitors of the phosphoinositide-3-kinase pathway and the anti-seizure medicine, carbamazepine. Evaluation of potential new radiation dose modifying molecules to protect normal tissue includes: clonogenic radiation survival curves, assays for apoptosis and DNA repair, and irradiation-induced depletion of antioxidant stores. Studies of organ specific radioprotection and in total body irradiation-induced hematopoietic syndrome in the mouse model for protection/mitigation facilitate rational means by which to move candidate small molecule drugs along the drug discovery pipeline into clinical development.
On the optimal timing of reductions of CO2 emissions: an economists' perspective on the debate on 'When Flexibility'

Reducing the emission of greenhouse gases to reduce climate change is high on the policy agenda. Discounted costs of reduction are estimated to be substantial. They depend on the employment of various flexibility mechanisms that affect these costs. One of these flexibility mechanisms is the so-called when-flexibility stressing the timing of policy measures aimed at reducing CO2-emissions. This paper surveys the arguments in favour of early and late reduction. By means of an illustration of some of the key-mechanisms, we discuss an applied analysis of optimal timing performed with the applied general equilibrium model DICE.
Sibship size and the biological standard of living in industrial Catalonia, c.1860–c.1920: a case study

Abstract By using military records and population censuses this article investigates the relationship between sibship size and the biological living standards of young males, as measured by height. Focusing on a medium-sized industrial town in Catalonia the analysis shows that the impact of sibship size on child outcomes, as hypothesised by the resource dilution explanation, was rather weak during the years of the first fertility transition. Sibship size affected the height of young males only in certain socioeconomic groups and in specific periods of time, and not always in the expected direction. The article also explores the potential role of confounding factors in the link between sibship size and height, as well as the complexity of this relationship.
A Phase I/II Clinical Trial of Belinostat (PXD101) in Combination with Doxorubicin in Patients with Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Background. Belinostat is a novel histone deacetylase inhibitor. Primary Objectives. Maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and dose limiting toxicities (DLTs) of belinostat (Bel) in combination with doxorubicin (Dox) in solid tumours (phase I) and response rate (RR) in soft tissue sarcomas (phase II). Methods. Bel was administered as a 30-minute IV infusion on days 1–5 and on day 5 with Dox. The dose escalation schedule was as follows: cohort 1: Bel 600 mg/m2 and 50 mg/m2 Dox, cohort 2: Bel 600 mg/m2 and 75 mg/m2 Dox, cohort 3: Bel 800 mg/m2 and 75 mg/m2 Dox, and cohort 4: Bel 1000 mg/m2 and 75 mg/m2 Dox. Results. 41 patients were included (25 in phase I, 16 in phase II). Adverse events were fatigue (95%), nausea (76%), and alopecia (63%). There was one DLT, grade 3 rash/hand and foot syndrome. MTD was Bel 1000 mg/m2/d and Dox 75 mg/m2. Four responses were seen: 2 PR in phase I, RR of 8%; in phase II, 1 PR/1 CR, RR of 13%, and 9 patients (56%) with SD. Conclusion. The combination was well tolerated. Response rate was moderate but median time to progression was 6.0 months (95% CI, 1.6–9.7 months) which is superior to some reports of single-agent Dox.
The Impact of Clinical Social Franchising on Health Services in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review

Background The private sector plays a large role in health services delivery in low- and middle-income countries; yet significant gaps remain in the quality and accessibility of private sector services. Clinical social franchising, which applies the commercial franchising model to achieve social goals and improve health care, is increasingly used in developing countries to respond to these limitations. Despite the growth of this approach, limited evidence documents the effect of social franchising on improving health care quality and access. Objectives and Methods We examined peer-reviewed and grey literature to evaluate the effect of social franchising on health care quality, equity, cost-effectiveness, and health outcomes. We included all studies of clinical social franchise programs located in low- and middle-income countries. We assessed study bias using the WHO-Johns Hopkins Rigour Scale and used narrative synthesis to evaluate the findings. Results Of 113 identified articles, 23 were included in this review; these evaluated a small sample of franchises globally and focused on reproductive health franchises. Results varied widely across outcomes and programs. Social franchising was positively associated with increased client volume and client satisfaction. The findings on health care utilization and health impact were mixed; some studies find that franchises significantly outperform other models of health care, while others show franchises are equivalent to or worse than other private or public clinics. In two areas, cost-effectiveness and equity, social franchises were generally found to have poorer outcomes. Conclusions Our review indicates that social franchising may strengthen some elements of private sector health care. However, gaps in the evidence remain. Additional research should include: further documentation of the effect of social franchising, evaluating the equity and cost-effectiveness of this intervention, and assessing the role of franchising within the context of the greater healthcare delivery system.
Dysregulation of Anti-Inflammatory Annexin A1 Expression in Progressive Crohns Disease

Background Development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involves the interplay of environmental and genetic factors with the host immune system. Mechanisms contributing to immune dysregulation in IBD are not fully defined. Development of novel therapeutic strategies is focused on controlling aberrant immune response in IBD. Current IBD therapy utilizes a combination of immunomodulators and biologics to suppress pro-inflammatory effectors of IBD. However, the role of immunomodulatory factors such as annexin A1 (ANXA1) is not well understood. The goal of this study was to examine the association between ANXA1 and IBD, and the effects of anti-TNF-α, Infliximab (IFX), therapy on ANXA1 expression. Methods ANXA1 and TNF-α transcript levels in PBMC were measured by RT PCR. Clinical follow up included the administration of serial ibdQs. ANXA1 expression in the gut mucosa was measured by IHC. Plasma ANXA1 levels were measured by ELISA. Results We found that the reduction in ANXA1 protein levels in plasma coincided with a decrease in the ANXA1 mRNA expression in peripheral blood of IBD patients. ANXA1 expression is upregulated during IFX therapy in patients with a successful intervention but not in clinical non-responders. The IFX therapy also modified the cellular immune activation in the peripheral blood of IBD patients. Decreased expression of ANXA1 was detected in the colonic mucosa of IBD patients with incomplete resolution of inflammation during continuous therapy, which correlated with increased levels of TNF-α transcripts. Gut mucosal epithelial barrier disruption was evident by increased plasma bacterial 16S levels. Conclusion Loss of ANXA1 expression may support inflammation during IBD and can serve as a biomarker of disease progression. Changes in ANXA1 levels may be predictive of therapeutic efficacy.
Socioeconomic position in childhood and cardiovascular risk factors in older Spanish people.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between childhood social class and the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in the elderly. METHODS Cross-sectional study of 4009 subjects representative of the Spanish non-institutionalized population aged >or =60 years, for whom information was available on father's occupation. We estimated the prevalence of hypertension, obesity, diabetes mellitus, physical inactivity, smoking, and alcohol intake. RESULTS Belonging to a working social class in childhood is associated with increased hypertension, having ever smoked, and heavy alcohol intake, independent of adult social class in men. No association was found between social class in childhood and the other cardiovascular risk factors in men. Belonging to a working social class in childhood is associated with increased general obesity, abdominal obesity, diabetes mellitus, and physical inactivity in women, but the size of the association for abdominal obesity and diabetes mellitus decreases and the statistical significance disappears after adjusting for adult social class. The highest smoking prevalence was observed in women who were in social class I in childhood and the lowest in women who were in social class IV. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study show increased prevalence of some cardiovascular risk factors in men who belong to a working social class in childhood, but they do not support the existing evidence about an association between adverse social circumstances in childhood and increased prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in later life in women.
Narcissism in the eating disorders: Impact on treatment engagement and drop-out.

This paper reviews research examining the psychosocial factors that influence adherence to the psychological treatment of the eating disorders. Drop-out in the eating disorders was found to range between 15 and 73 percent, with an average drop-out of 37 percent Specific factors (relating to the patient, therapy, therapist. patient-therapist relationship, social, geographical and physical features) are examined and discussed in turn. Little consistency was found with regards to the definition of drop-out employed by researchers or the factors found to have an impact of drop-out The potential clinical implications of the findings are discussed. and suggestions are made for future directions in research.
Change deafness across voices in music and language

ABSTRACT Listeners made same/different evaluations of a pair of musical presentations separated by a broadband noise. In the first experiment, the pair had either the same or a different: singers voice, language (Spanish or English), and reverberation (dry or very high reverb). A second experiment was conducted using the same vocal melodies played on guitars to emphasize non-linguistic content. In both Experiments 1 and 2, large-scale changes to Reverb were either completely undetected or ignored. A change of language in Experiment 1 supported only minimal sensitivity to change detection. Changes to multiple variables tended to increase listener sensitivity to a stimulus change. The results seem to indicate that the semantic coherence created by a musical background may limit attention to linguistic changes and voicing. Rather, those changes that more directly influence musical quality may be of greater salience in a musical context.
Mining Comparative Sentences from Social Medias

Comparative opinions represent a way of users express their preferences about two or more entities. In this paper we address the problem of comparative sentences mining focused on social medias. We propose a genetic algorithm able to mine comparative sentences from short sentences based on sequential patterns classification. A comparison among classifiers regarding comparative sentences analysis is also presented. Our results indicate better accuracy for the proposed technique against literature baseline approaches, reaching accuracy levels of 73%.
The Impact of Hypertension on Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes

Arterial chronic hypertension (HTN) is a well-known cardiovascular risk factor for development of atherosclerosis. In order to explain the relation between HTN and acute coronary syndromes the following factors should be considered: (1) risk factors are shared by the diseases, such as genetic risk, insulin resistance, sympathetic hyperactivity, and vasoactive substances (i.e., angiotensin II); (2) hypertension is associated with the development of atherosclerosis (which in turn contributes to progression of myocardial infarction). From all the registries and the data available up to now, hypertensive patients with ACS are more likely to be older, female, of nonwhite ethnicity, and having a higher prevalence of comorbidities. Data on the prognostic role of a preexisting hypertensive state in ACS patients are so far contrasting. The aim of the present paper is to focus on hypertensive patients with ACS, in order to better elucidate whether these patients are at higher risk and deserve a tailored approach for management and followup.
Ability Grouping Interventions and Math Performance Among Inner-City School Students

Ability Grouping Interventions and Math Performance Among Inner-City School Students by Vladimir Sreckovic MA, Oakland University, 2014 MA, University of Chicago, 2008 BA, Stony Brook University, 2007 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education
Understanding and Classifying the Quality of Technical Forum Questions

Technical questions and answers (Q&A) services have become a valuable resource for developers. A prominent example of technical Q&A website is StackOverflow (SO), which relies on a growing community of more than two millions of users who actively contribute by asking questions and providing answers. To maintain the value of this resource, poor quality questions - among the more than 6,000 asked daily - have to be filtered out. Currently, poor quality questions are manually identified and reviewed by selected users in SO, this costs considerable time and effort. Automating the process would save time and unload the review queue, improving the efficiency of SO as a resource for developers. We present an approach to automate the classification of questions according to their quality. We present an empirical study that investigates how to model and predict the quality of a question by considering as features both the contents of a post (e.g., from simple textual features to more complex readability metrics) and community-related aspects (e.g., popularity of a user in the community). Our findings show that there is indeed the possibility of at least a partial automation of the costly SO review process.
Perceived Gender Differences in Performance in Science: The Case of Lesotho Secondary Schools

The paper reports on a study aimed at investigating perceived gender differences in performance in science at secondary school level, as well as beliefs on possible underlying causes for these differences. The study is situated within the interpretivist paradigm and uses a typology of factors drawn from the Educational Effectiveness Research model as a conceptual framework. Six purposively selected secondary schools participated in the study. Focus group discussions were conducted with 48 learners and 22 teachers, and a questionnaire was administered to the six principals of the participating schools. The study indicates that learners and teachers have mixed views on which gender performs best in the sciences. All principals perceived boys as performing best. The perceived reasons for gender differences in performance are wide ranging and reflect broadly student and classroom factors. They include learners’ self-efficacy including attitudes towards science; gendered thinking and aptitude; diligence and perseverance; home experiences and culture; language proficiency; socio-economic challenges and the use of discussion as a learning strategy. The reasons for gender difference in performance are perceived to impact the achievement of girls more negatively than boys.
Deep brain stimulation mediates neurotrophin signaling in an animal model of antidepressant resistance

Chronic adrenocorticotropic hormone administration at circadian nadir produces an antidepressant resistance animal model that does not present with an altered plasma corticosterone profile nor changes in hippocampal brain derived neurotrophic factor and its receptor. Acute and chronic infralimbic deep brain stimulation elicited an antidepressant response in this animal model, which appears to be associated with changes in gene and protein expression of key intracellular mediators of neurotrophic factor signaling. Together, these findings stand to make important positive impacts on treatment strategies for one of the most debilitating and prevalent disorders of the modern era and suggest that antidepressant treatment response may involve mechanisms distinct from chronic stress-mediated induction of depression-like behavioral phenotypes.