Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does Gender Affect Scientific Productivity ?. A Critical Review of the Empirical Evidence and a Panel Data Econometric Analysis for French Physicists

The paper revisits the issue of the gender gap in scientific productivity, often referred as the “productivity puzzle” by economists and sociologists of science. After providing a critical review of the empirical evidence, the paper presents the relevant results of a panel data econometric analysis of individual publication productivity differences for two large samples of French cnrs and university physicists. We observe in both cases that the productivity of women in terms of number of publications is, by about one third in average, largely lower than that of men. We conclude, however, that female physicists appear as productive as their male colleagues in cnrs, and even more productive in French universities, when we take into account several factors, in particular unequal chances of promotion and frequent non-publishing spells, which can reflect strong family engagements.
Object-Based Adaptive Load Balancing for MPI Programs∗

Parallel Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) applications often exhibit irregular structure and dynamic load patterns. Many such applications have been developed using procedural languages (e.g. Fortran) in message passing parallel programming paradigm (e.g. MPI) for distributed memory machines. Incorporating dynamic load balancing techniques at the application-level involves significant changes to the design and structure of applications. On the other hand, traditional run-time systems for MPI do not support dynamic load balancing. Object-based parallel programming languages, such as Charm++ support efficient dynamic load balancing using object migration for irregular and dynamic applications, as well as to deal with external factors that cause load imbalance. However, converting legacy MPI applications to such object-based paradigms is cumbersome. This paper describes an implementation of MPI, called Adaptive MPI (AMPI) that supports dynamic load balancing and multithreading for MPI applications. Our approach and implementation is based on the user-level migrating threads and load balancing capabilities provided by the Charm++ framework. Conversion from legacy codes to this platform is straightforward even for large legacy codes. We have converted the component codes ROCFLO and ROCSOLID of a Rocket Simulation application to AMPI. Our experience shows that with a minimal overhead and effort, one can incorporate dynamic load balancing capabilities in legacy Fortran-MPI codes.
Strategies for Managing Knowledge across Boundaries: The Utiliziation of Highly Skilled Contractors

Networks which span organizational boundaries are an important source of knowledge. According to literature they provide flexible access to new knowledge. This paper aims to explore and understand the utilization of highly skilled contractors with regards to organizational knowledge. Based on the theory of social capital and empirical data a grounded theoretical framework is developed. The framework describes contingencies for utilizing contractors' knowledge. Furthermore, we argue that organizational knowledge is mainly created by connecting knowing individuals. In this context our findings indicate that firms embark on strategies of weak and strong ties when utilizing knowledge within a contractor network. These strategies are balanced in the course of time and according to the dynamics of the environment.
Readiness of Zebrafish Brain Neurons to Regenerate a Spinal Axon Correlates with Differential Expression of Specific Cell Recognition Molecules

We analyzed changes in the expression of mRNAs for the axonal growth-promoting cell recognition molecules L1.1, L1.2, and neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) after a rostral (proximal) or caudal (distal) spinal cord transection in adult zebrafish. One class of cerebrospinal projection nuclei (represented by the nucleus of the medial longitudinal fascicle, the intermediate reticular formation, and the magnocellular octaval nucleus) showed a robust regenerative response after both types of lesions as determined by retrograde tracing and/orin situ hybridization for GAP-43. A second class (represented by the nucleus ruber, the nucleus of the lateral lemniscus, and the tangential nucleus) showed a regenerative response only after proximal lesion. After distal lesion, upregulation of L1.1 and L1.2 mRNAs, but not NCAM mRNA expression, was observed in the first class of nuclei. The second class of nuclei did not show any changes in their mRNA expression after distal lesion. After proximal lesion, both classes of brain nuclei upregulated L1.1 mRNA expression (L1.2 and NCAM were not tested after proximal lesion). In the glial environment distal to the spinal lesion, labeling for L1.2 mRNA but not L1.1 or NCAM mRNAs was increased. These results, combined with findings in the lesioned retinotectal system of zebrafish (Bernhardt et al., 1996), indicate that the neuron-intrinsic regulation of cell recognition molecules after axotomy depends on the cell type as well as on the proximity of the lesion to the neuronal soma. Glial reactions differ for different regions of the CNS.
Relative effectiveness of USDA's nonprice export promotion instruments.

The USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service funds three types of activities to promote agricultural exports: consumer promotion, technical assistance, and trade servicing. These "instruments" are analyzed using an adaptation of Muth's model. Results indicate that consumer promotion always increases the derived demand for the U.S. agricultural commodity, but that under certain conditions technical assistance and trade servicing can have a perverse effect. Applying the model to cotton promotion in Japan, the results suggest that, owing to cotton's modest share of retail value, the current emphasis on consumer promotion may be misplaced. Specifically, it appears that producer returns can be enhanced by emphasizing technical assistance projects that save on the marketing input.
Experimental Evaluation of Ventilation Systems in a Single-Family Dwelling

The French regulation on residential building ventilation relies on an overall and continuous air renewal. The fresh air should enter the building through the "habitable rooms" while the polluted air is extracted in the service rooms. In this way, internal air is drained from the lowest polluted rooms to the highest polluted ones. However, internal pressure equilibrium and air movements in buildings result from the combined effects ventilation system and parameters such as wind, temperature difference or doors opening. This paper aims to analyse the influence of these parameters on pollutant transfer within buildings. In so doing, experiments are carried out using tracer gas release for representing pollution sources in an experimental house. Mechanical exhaust, balanced and natural ventilation systems are thus tested. Results show the followings: - For all cases, internal doors' opening causes the most important pollutant spread. - When doors are closed, the best performances are obtained with balanced ventilation. - Independently to heating and doors opening, pollutant transfer from lower levels to higher levels of the building is limited in the case of balanced ventilation. - Pollutant spread is quite similar whether the whole building is heated or not.
Kisspeptins in Reproductive Biology: Consensus Knowledge and Recent Developments1

Kisspeptins, a family of neuropeptides encoded by the Kiss1 gene that are mainly expressed in discrete neuronal populations of the hypothalamus, have recently emerged as essential upstream regulatory elements of GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) neurons and, thereby, potent elicitors of gonadotropin secretion. Indeed, kisspeptins are now recognized as important regulators of key aspects of the maturation and function of the reproductive axis, including the sexual differentiation of the brain, the timing of puberty, the adult regulation of gonadotropin secretion by gonadal hormones, and the control of fertility by metabolic and environmental (e.g., photoperiod) cues. Appreciation of these fundamental biological features has led to the contention that kisspeptins are indispensable elements of the reproductive brain whose relevance goes beyond their crucial physiological roles and may pose potential pathophysiological and therapeutic interest. In spite of such a consensus, recent developments in the field have helped to expand, and somewhat challenged, our current understanding of the neuroendocrine and molecular mechanisms whereby some of the effects of kisspeptins are conducted. This review aims to provide a synoptic and balanced account of the consensus knowledge and recent findings in the field of kisspeptin physiology, which we predict will be crucial in shaping the progress of our understanding of the roles played by this family of neuropeptides in reproductive biology.
American Dreams, Rural Realities: Family Farms in Crisis

Using Dodge County, Georgia, as a case study, Peggy Barlett reveals consumerism, individualism, and short-term decision making as the greatest threats to the family farm. "This book is of value not only to students of agriculture and rural sociology but also to city dwellers attempting to understand the lure and frustration of family farming. "-- Choice "An excellent, well-written study that substantially expands our understanding of connections between the micro level of households and the macro level of cultural trends. "-- American Journal of Sociology |Covering the period from January 1820 to December 1823, this volume continues the annotated edition of the papers of Chief Justice John Marshall.
Fitting Mixed-Effects Models Using Efficient EM-Type Algorithms

Abstract In recent years numerous advances in EM methodology have led to algorithms which can be very efficient when compared with both their EM predecessors and other numerical methods (e.g., algorithms based on Newton—Raphson). This article combines several of these new methods to develop a set of mode-finding algorithms for the popular mixed-effects model which are both fast and more reliable than such standard algorithms as proc mixed in SAS. We present efficient algorithms for maximum likelihood (ML), restricted maximum likelihood (REML), and computing posterior modes with conjugate proper and improper priors. These algorithms are not only useful in their own right, but also illustrate how parameter expansion, conditional data augmentation, and the ECME algorithm can be used in conjunction to form efficient algorithms. In particular, we illustrate a difficulty in using the typically very efficient PXEM (parameter-expanded EM) for posterior calculations, but show how algorithms based on conditional data augmentation can be used. Finally, we present a result that extends Hobert and Casella's result on the propriety of the posterior for the mixed-effects model under an improper prior, an important concern in Bayesian analysis involving these models that when not properly understood has lead to difficulties in several applications.
SIFT, SURF and Seasons: Long-term Outdoor Localization Using Local Features

Local feature matching has become a commonly used method to compare images. For mobile robots, a reliable method for comparing images can constitute a key component for localization and loop closing tasks. In this paper, we address the issues of outdoor appearance-based topological localization for a mobile robot over time. Our data sets, each consisting of a large number of panoramic images, have been acquired over a period of nine months with large seasonal changes (snowcovered ground, bare trees, autumn leaves, dense foliage, etc.). Two different types of image feature algorithms, SIFT and the more recent SURF, have been used to compare the images. We show that two variants of SURF, called U-SURF and SURF-128, outperform the other algorithms in terms of accuracy and speed.
International Transmission of Shocks: A Time-Varying Factor-Augmented VAR Approach to the Open Economy

A growing literature has documented changes to the dynamics of key macroeconomic variables in industrialized countries and highlighted the possibility that these variables may react differently to structural shocks over time. However, existing empirical work on the international transmission of shocks largely abstracts from the possibility of changes to the international transmission mechanism across time. In addition, the literature has largely employed small-scale models with limited number of variables. This paper introduces an empirical model which allows the estimation of time-varying response of a large set of domestic variables to foreign money supply, demand and supply shocks. The key results show that a foreign monetary policy tightening resembles the classic beggar-thy-neighbour scenario for the United Kingdom in the period 1975-90. In more recent periods, the response is negative but largely insignificant.
Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease in Dogs Attending Primary‐care Veterinary Practices in England

Background To date, epidemiological studies on degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD) in dogs have largely reported referral caseloads or been limited to predisposed breeds. Analysis of primary‐care data to identify factors associated with DMVD would help clinicians identify high‐risk individuals and improve understanding. Objectives To estimate the prevalence of and identify risk factors for DMVD in dogs attending primary‐care veterinary practices in England. Animals Cases were identified within the electronic patient records of 111,967 dogs attending 93 practices. Four hundred and 5 dogs were diagnosed with DMVD (diagnosed cases) and a further 3,557 dogs had a heart murmur (HM) consistent with DMVD (possible cases). Methods Retrospective cross‐sectional study design. Prevalence was adjusted for the sampling approach. Mixed effects logistic regression models identified factors associated with DMVD. Results Prevalence estimates of diagnosed DMVD and HMs consistent with DMVD (both diagnosed and possible cases) were 0.36% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.29–0.45) and 3.54% (95% CI: 3.26–3.84) respectively. In the multivariable analysis, males had higher odds of diagnosed DMVD than did females (odds ratio [OR] 1.40, 95% CI: 1.12–1.74). Insured dogs had increased odds of DMVD compared with noninsured dogs (OR 3.56, 95% CI: 2.79–4.55) and dogs ≥20 kg had approximately half the odds of DMVD diagnosis compared with dogs <20 kg (OR 0.51, 95% CI: 0.36–0.74). Strong associations between a DMVD diagnosis and individual breeds and age were identified. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Degenerative mitral valve disease was a common disorder in practice‐attending dogs. Knowledge of identified risk factors for DMVD could improve clinical diagnosis and direct future research.
Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial of Omega-3 as Supplemental Treatment in Schizophrenia

Introduction: Recent studies found omega-3 fatty acid deficiency in brain cell membranes of schizophrenic patients. Conventional antipsychotics have many adverse reactions. Safety, availability and low price made omega-3 as a potential supplement for treatment of these patients. This study investigated the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acid as add-on treatment in schizophrenia. Material & Methods: A randomized, double blind, placebo controlled fixed-dose, add-on clinical trial conducted over 8 weeks. 60 patients with documented schizophrenia randomly divided into two groups: omega-3(1000 mg/day) (n=30) and placebo (n=30). Patients received omega-3 or placebo in addition to their standard antipsychotic treatment. Patient follow up was done using Positive and Negative syndrome Scale (PANSS). Data analyzed using SPSS software v.20. Result: At the end of 8 weeks treatment, PANSS score decreased significantly in both groups (p<0.05) in comparison to baseline. Efficacy of omega-3 in decreasing general psychopathologic and total scores was significant in comparison to placebo group from 4 and 6 weeks after onset of treatment, respectively (p<0.05). Totally, omega-3 supplement therapy efficacy in comparison to sole conventional antipsychotics was 0.86 which was not significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: We found that supplemental omega-3 might increase efficacy of conventional antipsychotics in decreasing symptoms of schizophrenia. Low price, rare adverse reactions and availability of omega-3 made this substance a potential supplement in improved treatment of schizophrenia.
What Caused the Great Moderation? Some Cross-Country Evidence

Over the last 20 years or so, the volatility of aggregate economic activity has fallen dramatically in most of the industrialized world. The timing and nature of the decline vary across countries, but the phenomenon has been so widespread and persistent that it has earned the label: “the Great Moderation. ” A growing body of research has focused on the Great Moderation and its possible explanations, especially as it applies to the U.S. experience. The literature documents the international dimension of this volatility reduction, but so far little is known about the possible causes from a cross-country perspective. Summers shows why the Great Moderation has indeed been a common feature of much of the industrialized world. Specifically, he focuses on the reduction in the volatility of GDP growth that occurred in the G-7 countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States) and Australia. He uses international evidence to evaluate the merits of three likely explanations. He concludes that, from an international perspective, good luck in the form of smaller energy price shocks is not a compelling explanation for widespread moderation of GDP growth volatility. Rather, the Great Moderation is more likely due to better monetary policy outcomes and improved inventory management techniques.
Sibship and Self-esteem in Children with Asthma

This study has explored the valence of sibship that may empower the self-esteem of children with asthma at the interpersonal, environmental control competence, emotionality management, and body-image levels. It has been assumed that the relationship between siblings may have a moderating effect on the negative impact that asthma has on child’s development. Seventy children suffering from chronic asthma have been involved: 40 children with siblings (experimental group) and 30 sibling-free children (control group). The children with asthma have exhibited higher levels of self-esteem in comparison with the sibling-free children. The results of the study, at the clinical significance level, highlight how meaningful could be the involvement of healthy siblings to support the development, and to ease the compliance of children suffering from asthma. The outcomes have confirmed the supportive valence of sibship for the self-esteem of the children with asthma.
The Potential Impact of Vehicle-to-Vehicle and Sensor-to-Vehicle Communication in Urban Parking

Studies have shown that up to thirty percent of all traffic in crowded urban areas can be cruising for parking. Information provision to drivers can potentially decrease cruising time for individual drivers and subsequently improve the performance of the overall system. While most cities provide drivers with information on the occupancy rates of off-street parking facilities, information on single on-street parking places was non-existing until recently. Recent technological advances have made it possible to provide such information.
WikiChanges: exposing Wikipedia revision activity

Wikis are popular tools commonly used to support distributed collaborative work. Wikis can be seen as virtual scrap-books that anyone can edit without having any specific technical know-how. The Wikipedia is a flagship example of a real-word application of wikis. Due to the large scale of Wikipedia it's difficult to easily grasp much of the information that is stored in this wiki. We address one particular aspect of this issue by looking at the revision history of each article. Plotting the revision activity in a timeline we expose the complete article's history in a easily understandable format. We present WikiChanges, a web-based application designed to plot an article's revision timeline in real time. WikiChanges also includes a web browser extension that incorporates activity sparklines in the real Wikipedia. Finally, we introduce a revisions summarization task that addresses the need to understand what occurred during a given set of revisions. We present a first approach to this task using tag clouds to present the revisions made.
Nonlinear transport processes in tokamak plasmas. I. The collisional regimes

An application of the thermodynamic field theory (TFT) to transport processes in L-mode tokamak plasmas is presented. The nonlinear corrections to the linear (“Onsager”) transport coefficients in the collisional regimes are derived. A quite encouraging result is the appearance of an asymmetry between the Pfirsch–Schluter (P-S) ion and electron transport coefficients: the latter presents a nonlinear correction, which is absent for the ions, and makes the radial electron coefficients much larger than the former. Explicit calculations and comparisons between the neoclassical results and the TFT predictions for Joint European Torus (JET) plasmas are also reported. It is found that the nonlinear electron P-S transport coefficients exceed the values provided by neoclassical theory by a factor that may be of the order 102. The nonlinear classical coefficients exceed the neoclassical ones by a factor that may be of order 2. For JET, the discrepancy between experimental and theoretical results for the electron los.
Intra-industry trade and the stage of development : a regression analysis of industrial and developing countries

The concept of intra-industry trade (IIT) is applied to a broad range of countries, including the industrial countries, several advanced developing countries, and a large number of lower income developing countries. The findings suggest that the relationship of a country's IIT and its level of development is very strong. The higher the per capita income, and the greater the diversity of its manufactured goods exports, the greater is the amount of a country's IIT. These two development characteristics alone explain over 60 percent of the variation of the IIT index across countries. By adding the effect of integration in the EEC and a variable for the more advanced level of development of newly industrial countries, nearly 80 percent of the variation is explained. One other characteristic that appears to be a significant determinant of IIT levels is membership of a country in a successful trade integration scheme - only the EEC appears to fit this description.