Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Opting Out in the Empire State: A Geographic Analysis of Opting Out in New York, Spring 2015 & 2016

Background Recently, states have experienced widely varying participation in annual assessments, with the opt-out movement concentrated in New York State and Colorado. Geographic variation between and within states suggests that the diffusion of opting out is multilayered and an appropriate phenomenon to explore geographic dimensions of social movements in education. Purpose The study analyzes the geographic patterns of opting out from state assessments in school districts in New York State. Research Design We conducted linear regression and geographically weighted regression on district-level proportions of third- through eighth-grade students in local public school districts for 2015 and 2016 (n = 623), excluding New York City and charter schools. Independent variables included the district-level proportion of students with disabilities, identified as English Language Learners, and identified as White; census-based small-area child poverty estimates for the districts; and the geographic population density of the district. Linear regressions excluded racial and ethnic dummy variables to reduce collinearity problems, and geographically weighted regression limited geographically varying coefficients to child poverty and population density based on preliminary analyses. Findings The unweighted ordinary least squares (OLS) of district-level opting out in both spring 2015 and spring 2016 are weakly predictive as a whole (adjusted R2 < .20). In both years, population density was a statistically significant but low-magnitude predictor of change in opt-out behavior using OLS. The proportion of students with Individualized Education Plans was positively associated with opt-out behavior, and district-level child poverty was negatively associated with opt-out behavior. The proportion of White students was a statistically significant positive predictor of opt-out behavior in spring 2015 but not statistically significant for 2016, though with a coefficient in the same direction (positive). Analyzing the same data with geographically weighted regression more than doubled the adjusted R2 for each year and demonstrated that there were areas of New York State where the coefficients associated with child poverty and population density reversed direction, with suburban Long Island and the western upstate region as areas with a magnified negative association between district-level child poverty and opting-out percentages. Conclusions In the past five years, social networks have enabled the long-distance organizing of social and political movements in education, including opting-out and teacher walkouts. However, the long-distance transmission of ideas does not explain intrastate variations. In this study, geographically weighted regression revealed the local variations in relationships between opting-out and two key variables. Local networks still matter critically to social organizing around education.
Effect of transglutaminase and carrageenan on restructured fish products containing dietary fibres

Summary The inclusion of various levels of a microbial transglutaminase or a carrageenan additive to restructured hake products with or without dietary fibre (obtained from inner pea or chicory root) was studied. These experiments were aimed at producing technologically innovative restructured fish products with improved textural and colour properties. It was found that the addition of transglutaminase, up to 0.5% (w/w), favoured better textural properties, particularly, at 0.1% (w/w) level or above. On the other hand, restructured product with a dietary fibre content of 4% (w/w) and carrageenan addition, up to 2% (w/w), exhibited increased hardness. This can be particularly interesting for those products containing chicory root inulins as this fibre presented an adverse effect on hardness. Regarding colour, higher carrageenan contents caused a slight but significant colour change in the product, making it redder (for products containing Swelite and Fibruline) and more yellow (only concerning Swelite).
Characterization of the spray atomization process of a multi-hole gasoline direct injector based on measurements using a phase Doppler particle analyser

The main objective of this experimental study was to investigate the spray atomization process of a multi-hole gasoline direct injector by characterizing the basic process of single-jet atomization as well as complex phenomena such as air entrainment and jet interactions. We measured the droplet size and velocity using a phase Doppler particle analysis system at different measurement distances and different injection pressures in both the parallel direction and the orthogonal direction with respect to spray propagation. In addition, we calculated the Weber numbers to characterize further the spray atomization process. Our experimental results showed that the droplet velocities followed similar trends for different measurement distances but that the peak value decreased as the distance increased. Furthermore, a leading edge of the spray was observed at the initial stage of injection but disappeared as the measurement distance increased. Based on the droplet diameter distribution, we confirmed that increasing the distance and air entrainment had effects on the jet atomization process. Air entrainment was seen at the edges of both sides of the jet when the droplet diameter was less than 23 µm and the droplet was travelling at a low velocity, and the spray atomization process was more activated under air entrainment conditions. A comparison of different injection pressures confirmed that the injection pressure plays an important role in droplet break-up.
Spatial and Temporal Arrangement of Recurrent Inhibition in the Primate Upper Limb

Renshaw cells mediate recurrent inhibition between motoneurons within the spinal cord. The function of this circuit is not clear; we previously suggested based on computational modeling that it may cancel oscillations in muscle activity around 10 Hz, thereby reducing physiological tremor. Such tremor is especially problematic for dexterous hand movements, yet knowledge of recurrent inhibitory function is sparse for the control of the primate upper limb, where no direct measurements have been made to date. In this study, we made intracellular penetrations into 89 motoneurons in the cervical enlargement of four terminally anesthetized female macaque monkeys, and recorded recurrent IPSPs in response to antidromic stimulation of motor axons. Recurrent inhibition was strongest to motoneurons innervating shoulder muscles and elbow extensors, weak to wrist and digit extensors, and almost absent to the intrinsic muscles of the hand. Recurrent inhibitory connections often spanned joints, for example from motoneurons innervating wrist and digit muscles to those controlling the shoulder and elbow. Wrist and digit flexor motoneurons sometimes inhibited the corresponding extensors, and vice versa. This complex connectivity presumably reflects the flexible usage of the primate upper limb. Using trains of stimuli to motor nerves timed as a Poisson process and coherence analysis, we also examined the temporal properties of recurrent inhibition. The recurrent feedback loop effectively carried frequencies up to 100 Hz, with a coherence peak around 20 Hz. The coherence phase validated predictions from our previous computational model, supporting the idea that recurrent inhibition may function to reduce tremor. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT We present the first direct measurements of recurrent inhibition in primate upper limb motoneurons, revealing that it is more flexibly organized than previous observations in cat. Recurrent inhibitory connections were relatively common between motoneurons controlling muscles that act at different joints, and between flexors and extensors. As in the cat, connections were minimal for motoneurons innervating the most distal intrinsic hand muscles. Empirical data are consistent with previous modeling: temporal properties of the recurrent inhibitory feedback loop are compatible with a role in reducing physiological tremor by suppressing oscillations around 10 Hz.
Microfluidic chip for monitoring Ca2+ transport through a confluent layer of intestinal cells

The absorption of dietary calcium through the intestinal barrier is essential for maintaining health in general and especially of the bone system. We propose a microfluidic model that studies free calcium (Ca2+) transport through a confluent monolayer of Caco-2 cells. The latter were cultured on a porous membrane that was positioned in between a top and bottom microfluidic chamber. Fresh cell culture medium was continuously supplied into the device at a flow rate of 5 nL s−1 and the culture progress of the cell monolayer was continuously monitored using integrated Transepithelial Electrical Resistance (TEER) electrodes. The electrical measurements showed that the Caco-2 monolayer formed a dense and tight barrier in 5 days. The transported free Ca2+ from the top microfluidic chamber to the basolateral side of the cell monolayer was measured using the calcium-sensitive dye fura-2. This is a ratiometric dye which exhibits an excitation spectrum shift from 340 nm to 380 nm, when it binds to Ca2+ with an emission peak at 510 nm. Therefore, the concentration of free Ca2+ is proportional to the ratio of fluorescence emissions obtained by exciting at 340 nm and 380 nm. The barrier function of the cell monolayer was evaluated by a measured rate of Ca2+ transport through the monolayer that was 5 times lower than that through the bare porous membrane. The continuous perfusion of cell nutrients and the resultant mechanical shear on the cell surface due to the fluid flow are two key factors that would narrow the gap between the in vivo and in vitro conditions. These conditions significantly enhance the Caco-2 cell culture model for studying nutrients bioavailability.
Subtype of breast cancer influences sentinel lymph node positivity

Introduction The purpose of the study was to determine the correlation between biological subtype of breast cancer and the risk of its metastasis to a sentinel lymph node. Material and methods In the analysed group there were 1018 women with breast cancer, clinically node negative, untreated previously. Luminal A subtype was recognised in 57% of patients. A positive sentinel lymph node was detected in 26.5% of women. Results In the multivariate analysis only age and tumour size proved to be significant for the entire group, respectively: OR = 0.59, p = 0.0004; OR = 1.96; p < 0.0001. For Luminal A subtype values were OR = 0.51, p = 0.0007; OR = 1.78, p = 0.0045, respectively. For Luminal B patients, in women over 61 years, the risk of sentinel node metastasis probability decreases by 67% and for tumours over 21 mm the probability of positive sentinel node metastasis increases by 117%. Conclusions According to our analysis luminal breast cancers are most numerous subtypes, and in these cases we expect more frequent instances of metastasis to a sentinel node. Following the most updated and modern procedures of breast cancer patients’ treatment a procedure of sentinel lymph node biopsy is used, replacing an aggressive treatment in the axilla region. In regards to our analysis we should be more vigilant in estimation of regional lymph nodes in luminal patients under sixty with high grade tumours and the tumour diameter more than 20 mm.
Structure of the Commensurate Phase P'' of Wüstite Fe0.902O Studied by High Resolution Electron Microscopy

Atomic level observations have been made of the commensurate phase P'' of Fe0.902O. In the ideal state, the crystal structure is monoclinic with lattice parameters a=b=\frac{5}{2} √2a0, c=5a0 and γ=90^°, and belongs to the space group P21/m. Here, a0 is the lattice parameter of the fundamental cell taking the NaCl type of structure. The unit cell contains four iron vacancy clusters, each of which is made of two vacancy tetrahedra with a common edge and contains no tetrahedral iron atoms. This ideal structure is not usually realized in a real crystal, where stacking disorders in the cluster layers are successively introduced and in some cases the cluster itself is heavily deformed.
Density Functional Theory Study of Sulfur Poisoning on Nickel Anode in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: Effects of Surface and Subsurface Sulfur Atoms

Impurities such as sulfur compounds cause performance degradation in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). We studied the sulfur poisoning mechanism on an SOFC nickel anode using density functional theory method, focusing on the effects of surface and subsurface sulfur atoms. Binding energy of surface sulfur atoms decreases with increase of sulfur coverage on nickel surface. Subsurface sulfur atoms become stable relative to surface sulfur atoms at high sulfur coverage. Subsurface sulfur phase also appears between sulfur adsorption phase and nickel sulfide phase in the calculated phase diagram for Ni-S systems. Influences of sulfur atoms on intermediate adsorbates during surface reactions are also investigated. Sulfur hinders the reaction by destabilizing the reaction intermediates on nickel surface.
Absorption Behavior of Metal Ions on Chitin/Cellulose Composite Fibers with Chemical Modification by EDTA

The novel synthesis of EDTA-modified chitin/cellulose composite fibers is accomplished using dimethyl sulfoxide as the solvent, and the absorptive ability of the fibers for metal ions is examined by measuring absorption isotherms at different pHs. For some metal ions, the modified fibers show improved absorption powers compared with the parent fiber material. These composite fibers may be a reusable medium for metal ion removal and concentrations from an aqueous matrix.
Preparation of albumin–ferrite superparamagnetic nanoparticles using reverse micelles

BACKGROUND: Micellar systems are widely applied as reactors to encapsulate inorganic nanoparticles in polymeric materials. However, only low inorganic contents and microscale dimensions are often achieved. RESULTS: The adsorption of albumin protein on ferrite nanoparticles permits to increase the stability of inorganic dispersions in water by inhibiting particle flocculation. Subsequent glutaraldehyde addition induces protein crosslinking and ferrite entrapment. Polymer–ferrite composite nanoparticles were obtained in this way. The magnetic albumin nanoparticles (25 nm mean diameter) obtained contain about 40 wt% of ferrite and show superparamagnetic behaviour. The composite powder was successfully functionalized with a model drug and the biological activity was evaluated. CONCLUSION: Using a reverse micelle approach, ferrite–albumin composite nanoparticles with a high inorganic content were obtained. The method permits the formulation of biocompatible magnetic particles of nanoscale dimensions. The exhibited superparamagnetic behaviour permits to hypothesize an application of the powder composite as a carrier in biomedical technologies. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Formation of cyclohexa-1,4-diene by metathesis of linoleic and linolenic esters

The metathesis of linolenic and linolenic esters with tungsten hexachloride–tetramethyltin as catalyst yields a considerable amount of cyclohexa-1,4-diene (up to 30 mol % of the reaction mixture in the case of methyl linolenate) along with alkenes, and monocarboxylic and dicarboxylic esters.
Applying behavioral insights to tax compliance: Experimental evidence from Latvia

In recent years, tax authorities around the world have started to use behavioral insights to encourage taxpayers to fulfill their obligations. We review and discuss some of the recent empirical literature on tax compliance. In line with recent trends, we report on a field experiment in collaboration with the State Revenue Service of Latvia (SRS) to encourage previously non-compliant individuals, who also have their own business income, to submit their tax declarations on time in 2017. These individuals were pre-emptively sent emails with behaviorally informed messages in order to reach and influence an important target population at a salient moment. Our results indicate that all of the behaviorally-informed messages increased submissions by the submission deadline when compared to a control group. The best performer was a message that specifically framed non-compliant behavior as a deliberate choice and increased timely submissions by 9.4% (4.1 percentage points; p=0.05 ).
Dysregulation of Insulin-Linked Metabolic Pathways in Alzheimer’s Disease: Co-Factor Role of Apolipoprotein E ɛ4

Background: Brain insulin resistance and deficiency are well-recognized abnormalities in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and likely mediators of impaired energy metabolism. Since apolipoprotein E (APOE) is a major risk factor for late-onset AD, it was of interest to examine its potential contribution to altered insulin-linked signaling networks in the brain. Objective: The main goal was to evaluate the independent and interactive contributions of AD severity and APOE ɛ4 dose on brain expression of insulin-related polypeptides and inflammatory mediators of metabolic dysfunction. Methods: Postmortem fresh frozen frontal lobe tissue from banked cases with known APOE genotypes and different AD Braak stages were used to measure insulin network polypeptide immunoreactivity with a commercial multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Significant AD Braak stage and APOE genotype-related abnormalities in insulin, C-peptide, gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), glucaton-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), leptin, ghrelin, glucagon, resistin, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) were detected. The main factors inhibiting polypeptide expression and promoting neuro-inflammatory responses included AD Braak stage and APOE ɛ4/ɛ4 rather than ɛ3/ɛ4. Conclusion: This study demonstrates an expanded role for impaired expression of insulin-related network polypeptides as well as neuroinflammatory mediators of brain insulin resistance in AD pathogenesis and progression. In addition, the findings show that APOE has independent and additive effects on these aberrations in brain polypeptide expression, but the impact is decidedly greater for APOE ɛ4/ɛ4 than ɛ3/ɛ4.
Exciplex emission and decay of co-deposited 4,4′,4″-tris[3-methylphenyl(phenyl)amino]triphenylamine:tris-[3-(3-pyridyl)mesityl]borane organic light-emitting devices with different electron transporting layer thicknesses

Highly efficient fluorescence organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) based on the mixed 4,4′,4″-tris[3-methylphenyl(phenyl)amino]triphenylamine:tris-[3-(3-pyridyl)mesityl]borane (1:1) system are reported. The electroluminescence due to the exciplex emission is red shifted when the thickness of the electron-transporting layer increases. The prepared OLEDs achieve a low turn-on voltage of 2.1 V, a high current efficiency of 36.79 cd/A, and a very high luminescence of 17 100 cd/m2, as well as a low efficiency roll-off. The current efficiency of the optimized OLED is maintained at more than 28.33 cd/A up to 10 000 cd m−2. The detailed recombination mechanism of the prepared OLEDs is investigated by the transient electroluminescence method. It is concluded that there are no contributions from trapped charges and annihilations of triplet-triplet excitons to the detected electroluminescence.
Fluorescence, ion binding, and viscosity properties of poly[2- and 4-vinylpyridine]s in methanol and in sulfuric acid

Fluorescence intensities of poly(2-vinylpyridine) (P2VP) and poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) in H2SO4/H2O solutions were increased with increasing acid concentration. The intensities for P2VP were found to be six times stronger than that of P4VP. These differences were accounted for by the microenvironment of protonated pyridinium group. The ion binding properties of 4-methylpyridine (4MP), P2VP, and P4VP were investigated in methanol using Tb3+ as a fluorescence probe. The increase of fluorescence intensity of Tb3+ in [P2VP–Tb3+] and [P4VP–Tb3+] complexes is due to both the replacement of the inner coordinated methanol molecules and ligand-to-metal energy transfer. The model compound 4MP was inefficient from this point of view, and the results were attributed to the polymer cooperative effect. Reduced viscosities of poly(vinylpyridine)s (PVP) in methanol were similar to nonionic polymers; however, when TbCl3 was added into the solution, the viscosities increased upon dilution. These results also indicated that PVP form complexes with Tb3+ in methanol. When diluted, the counterions Cl− are allowed to dissociate and the charged polymer expands. Consequently, the solution's viscosity increases. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 1341–1345, 1999
Sorption of Pesticides and Herbicides on Highly Polar Polymeric Sorbents

Six porous copolymers of acrylonitrile (AN)/divinylbenzene (DVB) and methacrylonitrile (MAN)/DVB have been synthesized by the suspension polymerization in the presence of inert diluents. The resulting adsorbents are found to have slightly different specific surface areas (460–720 m2/g for AN/DVB and 560–730 m2/g for MAN/DVB) and contain various amounts of strongly polar nitrile groups. The influence of surface polarity has been studied for the sorption of selected pesticides and herbicides from water. In addition, a series of styrene-divinylbezene resins, namely Hypersol-Macronet™ MN-100 (weakly basic), MN-400 (strongly basic), and MN-200 (unfunctionalized) have been tested for the removal of selected pesticides and herbicides. The sorption of atrazine on all studied sorbents is significantly higher than sorption of imazapyr or 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Atrazine sorption on AN/DVB and MAN/DVB resins is in the range of 30–66 mg/g (0.055–0.092 mg/m2) at an equilibrium concentration of 1 mg/L in solution.
The Case for Remote Work

Abstract The case for remote work goes well beyond its use during the covid-19 global pandemic. Over the last ten years, research from a variety of subdisciplines in economics and other social sciences collectively makes a strong case for the viability of remote work for the long-run. This paper brings this research together to argue remote work (also called telework) is likely to become far more common in the future for four reasons. First, the productivity of individual workers who switch to remote work is comparable or higher than their colocated peers, at least in some industries. Second, matching firms to geographically distant workers is becoming easier thanks to technological and social developments. Third, remote workers tend to be cheaper because workers value geographic flexibility and the ability to work remotely. Fourth, the benefits of knowledge spillovers from being physically close to other knowledge workers has been falling and may no longer exist in many domains of knowledge. While the prevalence of remote work (pre-covid-19) is small, I show it was already rising rapidly with plenty of room to continue growing. Finally, I argue remote work has positive externalities and should be promoted by policy-makers.