Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Recurrent Neural Network Model for Flexible and Adaptive Decision Making based on Sequence Learning

The brain makes flexible and adaptive responses in the complicated and ever-changing environment for the organism’s survival. To achieve this, the brain needs to choose appropriate actions flexibly in response to sensory inputs. Moreover, the brain also has to understand how its actions affect future sensory inputs and what reward outcomes should be expected, and adapts its behavior based on the actual outcomes. A modeling approach that takes into account of the combined contingencies between sensory inputs, actions, and reward outcomes may be the key to understanding the underlying neural computation. Here, we train a recurrent neural network model based on sequence learning to predict future events based on the past event sequences that combine sensory, action, and reward events. We use four exemplary tasks that have been used in previous animal and human experiments to study different aspects of decision making and learning. We first show that the model reproduces the animals’ choice and reaction time pattern in a probabilistic reasoning task, and its units’ activities mimics the classical findings of the ramping pattern of the parietal neurons that reflects the evidence accumulation process during decision making. We further demonstrate that the model carries out Bayesian inference and may support meta-cognition such as confidence with additional tasks. Finally, we show how the network model achieves adaptive behavior with an approach distinct from reinforcement learning. Our work pieces together many experimental findings in decision making and reinforcement learning and provides a unified framework for the flexible and adaptive behavior of the brain.
Head Mesoderm Tissue Growth, Dynamics and Neural Crest Cell Migration

Vertebrate head morphogenesis involves orchestrated cell growth and tissue movements of the mesoderm and neural crest to form the distinct craniofacial pattern. To better understand structural birth defects, it is important that we learn how these processes are controlled. Here, we examine this question during chick head morphogenesis using time-lapse imaging, computational modeling, and experiment. We find that head mesodermal cells are inherently dynamic in culture and alter cell behaviors in the presence of either ectoderm or neural crest cells. Mesodermal cells in vivo display large-scale whirling motions that rapidly transition to lateral, directed movements after neural crest cells emerge. Computer model simulations predict distinct changes in neural crest migration as the spatio-temporal growth profile of the mesoderm is varied. BrdU-labeling and photoconversion combined with cell density measurements then reveal non-uniform mesoderm growth in space and time. Chemical inhibition of head mesoderm proliferation or ablation of premigratory neural crest alters mesoderm growth and neural crest migration, implying a dynamic feedback between tissue growth and neural crest cell signaling to confer robustness to the system. Summary Statement Dynamic feedback between tissue growth and neural crest cell migration ensures robust neural crest stream formation and head morphogenesis shown by time-lapse microscopy, mathematical modeling and embryo perturbations.
SYSTEMATICS IN METALLICITY GRADIENT MEASUREMENTS. I. ANGULAR RESOLUTION, SIGNAL TO NOISE, AND ANNULAR BINNING

With the rapid progress in metallicity gradient studies at high redshift, it is imperative that we thoroughly understand the systematics in these measurements. This work investigates how the [N ii]/Hα-ratio-based metallicity gradients change with angular resolution, signal to noise (S/N), and annular binning parameters. Two approaches are used: (1) we downgrade the high angular resolution integral-field data of a gravitationally lensed galaxy and re-derive the metallicity gradients at different angular resolution; (2) we simulate high-redshift integral field spectroscopy observations under different angular resolution and S/N conditions using a local galaxy with a known gradient. We find that the measured metallicity gradient changes systematically with angular resolution and annular binning. Seeing-limited observations produce significantly flatter gradients than higher angular resolution observations. There is a critical angular resolution limit beyond which the measured metallicity gradient is substantially different to the intrinsic gradient. This critical angular resolution depends on the intrinsic gradient of the galaxy and is ⩽0. ″02 for our simulated galaxy. We show that seeing-limited high-redshift metallicity gradients are likely to be strongly affected by resolution-driven gradient flattening. Annular binning with a small number of annuli produces a more flattened gradient than the intrinsic gradient due to weak line smearing. For three-annulus bins, a minimum S/N of ∼5 on the [N ii] line is required for the faintest annulus to constrain the gradients with meaningful errors.
Effects of Perceived Risk on Intention to Purchase: A Meta-Analysis

ABSTRACT This article conducts a meta-analysis to determine the effect of perceived risk on intention to purchase in e-commerce settings. The literature generally favors the negative relationship between the two variables; however, some studies have found this relationship to be not significant or even positive. Thirty-five studies were examined, representing 39 overall samples across multiple contexts with a total sample size of 13779 and overall weighted effect size (Pearson’s r) for all studies of −0.362 (95% CI: −.432, −.286), a significant medium effect, with a stronger effect in B2C than B2B contexts. Major IS journals rarely report non-significant results and reflect publication bias, posing a problem for a comprehensive meta-analysis. Due to the reluctance to report or accept, studies showing non-significant results represent a significant challenge for IS research. Our aim is to encourage more meta-analysis in IS literature and utilize this methodology to analyze previously held theories.
Raspberry seed extract improves the ferroxidase activity of ceruloplasmin in patients with lower artery chronic total occlusion

Ceruloplasmin (Cp) is the major antioxidant in plasma, a protein that carries about 95% of the total copper. Multiple biochemical activities of ceruloplasmin have been described, including copper transport or oxidation of Fe(II) to Fe(III) for subsequent uptake by transferrin and ferritin. Reduction of the pool of free Fe(II) ions by Cp prevents the generation of free radicals and reactive oxygen species by oxidation of Fe(II), thus inhibiting the Haber-Weiss reaction. The removal of both free Fe(II) and Fe(III) ions from blood plasma by polyphenols enhances the antioxidant system of the living organism. However, the mechanism of interactions between exoand endogenous antioxidants is still under consideration. The effect of raspberry seed extract (RSE) on the ferroxidase activity of ceruloplasmin isolated from plasma of patients with chronic arterial occlusion of the lower limbs due to athdr n.med. Bogna Gryszczynska, Chair of Chemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 6 Grunwaldzka Street, 60-780 Poznan, Poland, tel. : +48 61 854 65 97, fax: +48 61 854 65 99, e-mail: bognagry@ump.edu. pl * This work was supported by Ministry of Science and Higher Education (Project No. 3235/B/ P01/2010/39).
Some hidden truths about workplace environment

The purpose of this paper is to present an empirical analysis of the managerial perspective and benefits of workplace environment. A primary rationale for workplace environment is the impact on employee performance and satisfaction. A questionnaire was employed to collect data from 600 employees working in public and private sector. Simple and hierarchical regression analysis was done to determine the relationships. The results of this paper elaborate the advantage of using gap approach for evaluating the workplace environment. The findings also support the hypothesized relationships between locus of control and workplace environment. Finally, the current study also confirms the moderator role of workplace environment between job length and job satisfaction. With respect to the avenue of future research, empirical studies from other countries are required to comprehend the dynamic attributes of workplace environment with relation to employee satisfaction. The results suggest the usage of gap approach in developing more favorable workplace environment instead of only evaluating it. The workplace also plays an important role in the relation of locus of control with employee performance and job length with employee satisfaction. The concept presented in this paper tries to move towards forward stage that is prescription for the modification of workplace environment.
Effect of canopy openness on growth, specific leaf area, and survival of tree seedlings in a temperate rainforest of Chiloé Island, Chile

Abstract Tree species of intermediate‐shade tolerance may regenerate in canopy gaps as well as in the forest understory. However, seedling performance may vary widely between shaded and open habitats. In this study, we assessed the differences in relative growth rate (RGR), specific leaf area (SLA), and survival of seedlings of the tree species Drimys winteri (Winteraceae) and Gevuina avellana (Proteaceae) planted in three forest habitats differing in light availability: (1) forest interior, (2) forest edge, and (3) tree‐fall gap (1%, 6%, and 12% of canopy openness, respectively). A total of 60 3‐month‐old seedlings of each species were monitored over 16 months (December 2001‐April 2003) in the three habitats of a Valdivian rainforest fragment on Chiloé Island, southern Chile. RGR was greatest in the tree‐fall gap in both species. Allocation to leaves was proportionally higher in the forest interior. SLA tended to be lower in the tree‐fall gap, intermediate in the forest edge, and greater in the forest interior in both species. In addition, SLA of D. winteri seedlings was always greater than that of G. avellana in all three habitats. Survival of both species was greatest under the canopy gap and lowest in the forest interior. Survival of seedlings of the larger‐seeded species, G. avellana, was greatest during the first few months of the experiment in the forest interior, but then dropped significantly in the period during which seedlings of the smaller‐seeded species, D. winteri, survived in greater numbers. Our comparative study of two intermediate‐shade‐tolerant tree species documented wide variation in growth and survival of seedlings among habitats differing in canopy openness.
The Decimation Method for Laplacians on Fractals: Spectra and Complex Dynamics

In this survey article, we investigate the spectral properties of fractal dierential operators on self-similar fractals. In particular, we discuss the decimation method, which introduces a renormalization map whose dy- namics describes the spectrum of the operator. In the case of the bounded Sierpinski gasket, the renormalization map is a polynomial of one variable on the complex plane. The decimation method has been generalized by C. Sabot to other fractals with blow-ups and the resulting associated renormalization map is then a multi-variable rational function on a complex projective space. Furthermore, the dynamics associated with the iteration of the renormalization map plays a key role in obtaining a suitable factorization of the spectral zeta function of fractal dierential operators. In this context, we discuss the works of A. Teplyaev and of the authors regarding the examples of the bounded and unbounded Sierpinski gaskets as well as of fractal Sturm{Liouville dierential operators on the half-line.
Genetic and epigenetic regulation of phenotypic variation in invasive plants – linking research trends towards a unified framework

Phenotypic variation in the introduced range of an invasive species can be modified by genetic variation, environmental conditions and their interaction, as well as stochastic events like genetic drift. Recent studies found that epigenetic modifications may also contribute to phenotypic variation being independent of genetic changes. Despite gaining profound ecological insights from empirical studies, understanding the relative contributions of these molecular mechanisms behind phenotypic variation has received little attention for invasive plant species in particular. This review therefore aimed at summarizing and synthesizing information on the genetic and epigenetic basis of phenotypic variation of alien invasive plants in the introduced range and their evolutionary consequences. Transgenerational inheritance of epigenetic modifications was highlighted focusing on its influence on microevolution of the invasive plant species. We presented a comprehensive account of epigenetic regulation of phenotypic variation and its role in plant invasion in the presence of reduced standing genetic variation, inbreeding depression and associated genomic events which have often been observed during introduction and range expansion of an invasive alien species. Finally, taking clues from the studies conducted so far, we proposed a unified framework of future experimental approaches to understand ecological and evolutionary aspects of phenotypic variation. This holistic approach, being aligned to the invasion process in particular (introduction-establishment-spread), was intended to understand the molecular mechanisms of phenotypic variation of an invasive species in its introduced range and to disentangle the effects of standing genetic variation and epigenetic regulation of phenotypic variation.
On the Influence of Oil Price Shocks on Economic Activity, Inflation, and Exchange Rates

In this paper, we investigate the effects of oil price shocks on the production, price level, and exchange rate of eight important industrialized countries, using a two-step approach based on a structural VAR model of the global crude oil market proposed by Kilian (see American Economic Review, vol. 99, 2009, pp. 1053-1069). Our main finding is that the effect of oil price shocks on exchange rates also depends on where the changes fundamentally come from. We also conclude that the degree of dependency on imported oil is one of the important factors that affect the pattern of impulse responses.
Measured attention in prolonged over- learned response tasks and its correlation to high level scientific reasoning and school achievement

The relationship between attention and academic performance has been of interest starting with early studies on academic success and failure. In this study we examine how attention measured in simple and prolonged over-learned response tasks correlates with and contributes to scientific reasoning and school achievement (GPA). To study attention, the Attention Concentration Test (ACT) was used and to study scientific reasoning, a modified version of Science Reasoning Tasks, tapping control-of-variable schemata, was used. Of special interest was the highest performing attention group (+ 1 SD) formed from the ACT results. We gathered our data from Finnish ninth graders (n = 358; including 166 girls) from the city located in the eastern part of Finland. Statistically analysed results showed that attention contributed to scientific reasoning, which in turn explained the largest share of the GPA variance. The highest attention group differed from the lowest two attention groups in GPA and from all attention groups in scientific reasoning. For educational practitioners the ACT seems to be a useful tool in assessing exceptional academic learning potential in students.
Firm resource advantage, total quality management, SME performance: Empirical evidence from Nigerian manufacturing firms

Considerable research attention has been devoted to examining the relationship between total quality management and SME performance. Further, extant research has traditionally focused on examining contextual factors, such as business environment, organisational culture, firm age, and firm size as moderators between total quality management and SME performance. However, we cannot theoretically rule out the important of other moderating variables on this relationship that are yet to be explored. The current study examined whether the relationship between total quality management and SME performance depends upon firm resource advantage. Based on survey data collected from 212 SMEs, located in Kano metropolis, findings suggested that total quality management was significantly associated with SME performance. The results also indicated that the relationship between total quality management and SME performance was moderated by firm resource advantage. The implications of the results for explaining the performance of SMEs are discussed.
Research Groups' Social Capital: A Clustering Approach

Our purpose in this article is to study the charact eristics of a research group’s social capital. We proceed from the theoret ical distinctions made in the literature on social capital, such as weak agai nst strong ties, structural holes against cohesion and homogeneity against hete rogeneity of a group. We assume that research groups differ systematicall y with respect to the kind of social capital they possess, which has an i mpact on the scientific performance of the members of these groups. Social capital of research groups is conceptualized in terms of complete networks. We use the data from the Slovenian study of academic research groups conducted in 2003/2004. Research groups incl ude Ph.D. students, their supervisors, and other researchers. They are representative of the Slovenian research groups, which include Ph.D. stud ents under the “junior researchers” program financed by the Slovenian Mini stry of Technology and Higher Education. We explore the variation in research groups’ social capital by using a clustering approach. The analysis reveals three typ es of research group’s social capital: weak social capital, strong social capital of a bonding kind, and strong social capital of a bridging type. Resea rch groups with weak social capital are small, and cooperation ties amon g group members are weak. Bonding social capital is characteristic for small research groups with strong cooperation ties, which are embedded in a de nse network structure. Bridging social capital is found in research groups which consist of a larger number of researchers from different institutions c onnected with one another with ties of a moderate strength. The netwo rk structure in the latter case shows structural holes. In the last part of the paper, we ask whether scien tific performance of Ph.D. students varies according to the social capit al of their research groups. We found that students who are involved in research groups with bridging social capital show significantly better p erformance than students who are members of the groups with either bonding o r weak social capital. The relationship between the strength of ties and p erformance seems to be
THE MAGELLANIC STREAM SYSTEM. I. RAM-PRESSURE TAILS AND THE RELICS OF THE COLLISION BETWEEN THE MAGELLANIC CLOUDS

We have analyzed the Magellanic Stream (MS) using the deepest and the most resolved H i survey of the Southern Hemisphere (the Galactic All-Sky Survey). The overall Stream is structured into two filaments, suggesting two ram-pressure tails lagging behind the Magellanic Clouds (MCs), and resembling two close, transonic, von Karman vortex streets. The past motions of the Clouds appear imprinted in them, implying almost parallel initial orbits, and then a radical change after their passage near the N(H i) peak of the MS. This is consistent with a recent collision between the MCs, 200–300 Myr ago, which has stripped their gas further into small clouds, spreading them out along a gigantic bow shock, perpendicular to the MS. The Stream is formed by the interplay between stellar feedback and the ram pressure exerted by hot gas in the Milky Way (MW) halo with nh = 10−4 cm−3 at 50–70 kpc, a value necessary to explain the MS multiphase high-velocity clouds. The corresponding hydrodynamic modeling provides the currently most accurate reproduction of the whole H i Stream morphology, of its velocity, and column density profiles along LMS. The “ram pressure plus collision” scenario requires tidal dwarf galaxies, which are assumed to be the Cloud and dSph progenitors, to have left imprints in the MS and the Leading Arm, respectively. The simulated LMC and SMC have baryonic mass, kinematics, and proper motions consistent with observations. This supports a novel paradigm for the MS System, which could have its origin in material expelled toward the MW by the ancient gas-rich merger that formed M31.
Wind speed measurements and forest damage in Canton Zurich (Central Europe) from 1891 to winter 2007

The most severe damage to forests in central Europe occurs during winter storms that are caused by Northern Hemispheric mid‐latitude cyclones. These winter storms have caused several catastrophic windthrows during the past four decades. Amounts of forest storm damage are believed to be a function of both the size of the forest and the storm intensity. To test this hypothesis, the Zurich region (city and canton) was chosen because long‐term climate observation data is available for the region. The relationships between forest attributes, wind speed and forest damage were explored by comparing data on forests and wind speed from 107 winters with forest damage. Storm damage was defined as the proportion of damaged forests with respect to the growing stock. The variables: daily wind run (91 years), daily maximum hourly average wind speed (107 years) and peak gust wind speed (74 years) were homogenized with respect to high wind speed and related to levels of forest damage.
Is a Field-Induced Ferromagnetic Phase Transition in the Magnetar Core Actually Possible?

Spin polarized states in dense neutron matter with BSk20 Skyrme force are considered in magnetic fields up to $10^{20}$ G. It is shown that the appearance of the longitudinal instability in a strong magnetic field prevents the formation of a fully spin polarized state in neutron matter, and only the states with moderate spin polarization can be developed.
The Influence of Affective Commitment on Citizenship Behavior and Intention to Quit among Commercial Banks’ Employees in Nigeria

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of affective commitment on discretionary work behaviour and intention to quit among employees in selected post-consolidation Nigerian commercial banks. Using the quantitative approach, data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to full-time employees of eight Nigerian post-consolidation era commercial banks out of which 303 were returned. The research results, based on respondents’ perceptions, revealed that affective commitment had a statistically significant relationship with organizational citizenship behavior and voluntary turnover intentions. The practical organizational and managerial implications of the results were discussed.