Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reducing political polarization in Hong Kong: a pilot experiment of deliberation

Abstract Contemporary Hong Kong is riven by serious political and social polarization. Hong Kong's problem does not lie in ideological differences among citizens; rather, the major issue is that people of different political stripes view each other as enemies. In this study, we conducted two experiments to compare the impacts of deliberation and discussion on political depolarization. In study 1, we invited participants of opposing views toward the Article 23 legislation and conducted a 90-min discussion session. The participants were divided into two groups: deliberation and causal discussion. The deliberation group received an information booklet on the issue and had to strictly follow rules of deliberation whereas the causal discussion group had no such stimuli. In study 2, we used video recordings from study 1 and presented the videos to two groups of participants. One group of participants watched the deliberation video and the other group watched the causal discussion video. The main finding of the study is both deliberation and causal discussion had mixed effects on reducing political polarization. After discussion, issue attitude and issue polarization remained largely the same, but people's attitude toward others with opposing views became more favorable and affective polarization was reduced. No systematic differences were found between deliberation and discussion. And watching discussion and deliberation will deliver similar effects but to a lesser extent.
How Conceptions of Equity Inform Principal Data Use: A Purposeful Examination of Principals From Four School Districts

In this study, we examine principals’ data use within four districts are engaged in district-level professional learning around equity. Drawing on Gutierrez's framework for dimensions of equity, we consider how principals engage in data use in light of the dimensions of access, achievement, identity, and power. Findings suggest each district had its own definition of equity and engaged in work at advancing equity based on this unique definition. We conclude with implications for policy, preparation, and practice related to these different understandings of equity.
A new adaptive resurf concept for 20 V LDMOS without breakdown voltage degradation at high current

This paper presents a new adaptive resurf (reduced surface field) concept for 20 V LDMOS which introduces an additional resurf layer to the conventional resurf layer. The new resurf LDMOS achieves a sufficiently low on-resistance of 17.7 m/spl Omega//spl middot/mm/sup 2/ and a high static breakdown voltage of 28.0 V without significant breakdown voltage degradation under large drain current flow conditions. The device on-state breakdown voltage for a 5 V gate voltage is 21.8 V.
Fourier-based Separation Technique for Shape Grading of Potatoes Using Machine Vision

A Fourier-based shape separation method was developed for shape grading of potatoes using machine vision for automated inspection. The relationship between object shape and its boundary spectrum values in Fourier domain was explored for shape extraction. A new and fast method of using Green’s theorem and boundary Fourier coefficients was given for estimating elongation of an object. A shape separator based on harmonics of the transform was defined for potato shape separation. Tests showed the shape separator was effective and efficient for difficult shape separation. The machine vision system developed has a great potential to assist humans for automated potato grading.
Prediction of peak internal fields in direct-coupled-cavity filters

In this paper, an explicit expression of the peak electric-field strength in the cavities of Chebyshev direct-coupled-cavity waveguide filters is derived. It is shown that the electric-field strength can be predicted from the analysis of the time-averaged stored energy in the lumped low-pass prototype, from which the cavity filter was derived. This simplifies the analysis and study of the power-handling capability of these types of filters considerably, as the stored energy in the prototype filters is easily computed. The analysis of the field distribution in the cavities of an example third-degree Chebyshev direct-coupled-cavity filter shows that the explicit expression for the peak electric-field strength derived in this paper agrees closely with results obtained from a TE/sub 10/ circuit model of the filter, from a full-wave electromagnetic solver and from measurements.
WAGENINGEN UNIVERSITY AND RESEARCH CENTRE DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS GROUP THE QUALITY OF INSTITUTIONS AND THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE COPPER MINING SECTOR TO ECONOMIC GROWTH

III TABLE OF CONTENTS . IV LIST OF FIGURES . VI LIST OF TABLES . VII CHAPTER 1 . 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1 BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION . 1 1.2 PROBLEM DESCRIPTION . 3 1.3 GENERAL OBJECTIVE . 3 CHAPTER 2 . 5 2.0 AN OVERVIEW OF COPPER PRICES, PRODUCTION AND EXPORTS . 5 2.1 COPPER PRICES . 5 2.2 COPPER PRODUCTION . 6 2.3 COPPER EXPORTS . 6 CHAPTER 3 . 9 3.0 THEORY AND LITERATURE REVIEW . 9 3.1 DUTCH DISEASE THEORY . 9 3.3 NATURAL RESOURCE EXPORT BOOM, EXCHANGE RATE AND DUTCH DISEASE. 10 3.4 THE QUALITY OF INSTITUTIONS, NATURAL RESOURCE BOOMS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH . 14 3.4.2 ECONOMIC GROWTH AND NATURAL RESOURCE BOOMS . 18 CHAPTER 4 . 21 4.0 DATA DESCRIPTION AND THE EMPIRICAL MODEL . 21 4.1 DATA DESCRIPTION . 21 4.2 MODEL SPECIFICATION . 22 4.2.1 Econometric Procedure . 23 CHAPTER 5 . 27 5.0 RESULTS . 27 5.1 DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS . 27 5.1.1 Testing For Stationarity, Investigation Order of Integration and Selection of Lags . 29 5.2 ECONOMETRIC RESULTS . 31 5.2.1 Contribution of Copper Export Booms and the E ff ct of the Quality of Institutions . 32 5.2.2 Granger Causality Wald Tests . 45 5.2.3 Copper Export Booms and Exchange Rate . 47 5.3 DISCUSSION . 49 5.4 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS . 52
High Loading Capacity and Wear Resistance of Graphene Oxide/Organic Molecule Assembled Multilayer Film

Taking advantage of the strong charge interactions between negatively charged graphene oxide (GO) sheets and positively charged poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA), self-assembled multilayer films of (GO/PDDA)n were created on hydroxylated silicon substrates by alternating electrostatic adsorption of GO and PDDA. The formation and structure of the films were analyzed by means of water contact angle measurement, thickness measurement, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Meanwhile, tribological behaviors in micro- and macro- scale were investigated by AFM and a ball-on-plate tribometer, respectively. The results showed that (GO/PDDA)n multilayer films exhibited excellent friction-reducing and anti-wear abilities in both micro- and macro-scale, which was ascribed to the special structure in (GO/PDDA)n multilayer films, namely, a well-stacked GO–GO layered structure and an elastic 3D crystal stack in whole. Such a film structure is suitable for design molecular lubricants for MEMS and other microdevices.
Recurrence of Graves’ Disease: What Genetics of HLA and PTPN22 Can Tell Us

Background Approximately half of patients diagnosed with Graves’ disease (GD) relapse within two years of thyreostatic drug withdrawal. It is then necessary to decide whether to reintroduce conservative treatment that can have serious side effects, or to choose a radical approach. Familial forms of GD indicate a significant genetic component. Our aim was to evaluate the practical benefits of HLA and PTPN22 genetic testing for the assessment of disease recurrence risk in the Czech population. Methods In 206 patients with GD, exon 2 in the HLA genes DRB1, DQA1, DQB1 and rs2476601 in the gene PTPN22 were sequenced. Results The risk HLA haplotype DRB1*03-DQA1*05-DQB1*02 was more frequent in our GD patients than in the general European population. During long-term retrospective follow-up (many-year to lifelong perspective), 87 patients relapsed and 26 achieved remission lasting over 2 years indicating a 23% success rate for conservative treatment of the disease. In 93 people, the success of conservative treatment could not be evaluated (thyroidectomy immediately after the first attack or ongoing antithyroid therapy). Of the examined genes, the HLA-DQA1*05 variant reached statistical significance in terms of the ability to predict relapse (p=0.03). Combinations with either both other HLA risk genes forming the risk haplotype DRB1*03-DQA1*05-DQB1*02 or with the PTPN22 SNP did not improve the predictive value. Conclusion the DQA1*05 variant may be a useful prognostic marker in patients with an unclear choice of treatment strategy.
Narrative Exposure Therapy in Patients With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder in a Naturalistic Residential Setting: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Comorbid Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) increases the already high symptom burden of patients with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). As the gold standard for BPD treatment, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), does not focus on PTSD, other treatment approaches are needed. Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) was designed to address multiple traumatic events and may be especially useful in this patient group. The aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy of NET compared to DBT based treatment (DBT-bt) in a randomized controlled trial. Methods: Female patients (n = 60) with BPD and comorbid PTSD were randomized to either a 10-week residential NET or DBT-bt. The primary outcome was change in PTSD severity as assessed by the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS). Mixed linear models as well as reliable change, remission, and response rates were used to compare improvement across treatment groups. Results: Mixed linear model showed that patients in both treatments improved significantly over time across all outcome measures. This improvement was not more pronounced in NET (no significant time × type of treatment effect). However, NET resulted in a higher remission rate as compared to DBT-bt. PTSD remission was accompanied by BPD remission in all cases. Conclusions: This study shows the value of trauma-focused therapy in patients with BPD and PTSD for recovery in both disorders. To shorten the duration of both illnesses as much as possible, future studies should focus on the factors predicting treatment success and enabling patients to benefit from trauma-focused treatment as soon as possible. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT02517723.
Application of Programmable Tetrahedral Framework Nucleic Acid-Based Nanomaterials in Neurological Disorders: Progress and Prospects

Tetrahedral framework nucleic acid (tFNA), a special DNA nanodevice, is widely applied in diverse biomedical fields. Due to its high programmability, biocompatibility, tissue permeability as well as its capacity for cell proliferation and differentiation, tFNA presents a powerful tool that could overcome potential barriers in the treatment of neurological disorders. This review evaluates recent studies on the use and progress of tFNA-based nanomaterials in neurological disorders.
Efficacy and Safety of Adding Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shown promising anti-tumor activity in multiple malignances including breast cancer. However, the responses can vary. This meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of adding ICIs to neoadjuvant chemotherapy against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and assess correlation of PD-L1 tumor status with responses. Methods Eligible studies were retrieved from the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated ICI-containing versus ICI-free neoadjuvant therapy were included in this study. Meta-analyses were performed using Review Manager Version 5.2 software. Results This study included four RCTs containing 1795 patients with early TNBC. Compared with ICI-free neoadjuvant therapy, ICI-containing neoadjuvant therapy significantly increased the pathological complete response (pCR) rates in TNBC (odds ratio [OR] = 2.14, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.37–3.35, P < 0.001). In subgroup analysis, the addition of ICI to neoadjuvant chemotherapy was significantly associated with increased pCR rate in both PD-L1-positive TNBC (OR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.33–2.41, P < 0.001) and PD-L1-negative TNBC (OR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.14–2.99, P = 0.01). Patients with TNBC receiving ICI-containing neoadjuvant therapy had a better event-free survival (hazard ratio = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.48–0.89, P = 0.007) than those who receiving ICI-free neoadjuvant therapy. A significantly higher risk of adverse events including adrenal insufficiency, increased aspartate aminotransferase, dry skin, hepatitis, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, infusion related reaction, pyrexia, and stomatitis was associated with ICI-containing neoadjuvant therapy. Conclusion ICI-containing neoadjuvant therapy significantly increased the pCR rate in TNBC patients, independently of PD-L1 status. The addition of ICI to neoadjuvant chemotherapy may be considered an option for TNBC patients.
Modeling Heterogeneous Brain Dynamics of Depression and Melancholia Using Energy Landscape Analysis

Our current understanding of melancholic depression is shaped by its position in the depression spectrum. The lack of consensus on how it should be treated—whether as a subtype of depression, or as a distinct disorder altogethe—interferes with the recovery of suffering patients. In this study, we analyzed brain state energy landscape models of melancholic depression, in contrast to healthy and non-melancholic energy landscapes. Our analyses showed significant group differences on basin energy, basin frequency, and transition dynamics in several functional brain networks such as basal ganglia, dorsal default mode, and left executive control networks. Furthermore, we found evidences suggesting the connection between energy landscape characteristics (basin characteristics) and depressive symptom scores (BDI-II and SHAPS). These results indicate that melancholic depression is distinguishable from its non-melancholic counterpart, not only in terms of depression severity, but also in brain dynamics.
Diabetic Retinopathy and Insulin Insufficiency: Beta Cell Replacement as a Strategy to Prevent Blindness

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a potentially devastating complication of diabetes because it puts patients at risk of blindness. Diabetes is a common cause of blindness in the U.S. and worldwide and is dramatically increasing in global prevalence. Thus new approaches are needed to prevent this dreaded complication. There is extensive data that indicates beta cell secretory failure is a risk factor for DR, independent of its influence on glycemic control. This perspective article will provide evidence for insufficient endogenous insulin secretion as an important factor in the development of DR. The areas of evidence discussed are: (a) Presence of insulin receptors in the retina, (b) Clinical studies that show an association of beta cell insufficiency with DR, (c) Treatment with insulin in type 2 diabetes, a marker for endogenous insulin deficiency, is an independent risk factor for DR, (d) Recent clinical studies that link DR with an insulin deficient form of type 2 diabetes, and (e) Beta cell replacement studies that demonstrate endogenous insulin prevents progression of DR. The cumulative data drive our conclusion that beta cell replacement will have an important role in preventing DR and/or mitigating its severity in both type 1 diabetes and insulinopenic type 2 diabetes.
Online Star vs. Celebrity Endorsements: The Role of Self-Concept and Advertising Appeal in Influencing Purchase Intention

Despite the fact that companies increasingly value online star endorsements as Internet celebrity economy booms, scientific knowledge on the effect of online star endorsements on consumers’ purchase intention is limited. Based on the theories of self and construal level theory, this study investigates the impact of online star vs. celebrity endorsements on purchase intention and explores the underlying mechanism as well as boundary conditions. The results of four studies reveal the following: (1) Compared with no endorsement, both celebrity endorsements and online star endorsements lead to increases in consumers’ purchase intention, with no significant difference between the two. (2) Self-concept mediates these relationships; specifically, celebrity and online star endorsements activate the ideal and actual self respectively, and enhance consumers’ willingness to purchase. (3) The effect of endorsements on consumers’ purchase intention is moderated by advertising appeals. That is, celebrity endorsements enhance purchase intention when consumers are exposed to symbolic appeals in advertisements, and online star endorsements enhance purchase intention when it is matched with functional advertising appeals.
Pharmacist's Perspectives on Administering a COVID-19 Vaccine in Community Pharmacies in Four Balkan Countries

Community pharmacists expanded their roles and engaged in vaccination services in many countries around the world, but not in Balkan countries. This research aimed to assess the perceptions of pharmacists on involvement in the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine administration in four Balkan countries (Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, and Serbia). A cross-sectional survey was conducted using an online questionnaire that was distributed to community pharmacists across these countries between February and March 2021. A total of 636 community pharmacists were included in the analysis of the survey. The willingness to administer vaccines for COVID-19 (or other vaccines well established in the practice, like a flu vaccine) in community pharmacies is significantly different among the countries: the pharmacists from Albania were more willing to administer vaccines. The factors associated with the eagerness to vaccinate are almost the same among the countries: the lack of training in the faculty classes and the lack of a special place where to administer vaccines. Additional significant factors were found in Bulgaria (pharmacists from independent pharmacies wanted more than the pharmacists working in chain pharmacies to administer vaccines) and in Serbia (male pharmacists agreed more with administering vaccines than female pharmacists). Further national reforms are needed for adopting the expanding role of community pharmacists.
Effect of nitrogen fertilisation reduction on yield, quality and N utilisation of processing spinach

Nitrogen (N) fertilizer is one of the main growth limiting nutrients in leafy crops and represents one of the highest input costs in horticultural systems and a potential concern for the environment. As a consequence, any environmental and economic considerations need a deep analysis of N fertiliser utilisation in vegetable production. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of the reduction of N fertilisation on yield, quality, N uptake and N utilisation efficiency of processing spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). To accomplish this objective two field experiments were carried out in the Foggia Plain (Southern Italy) to determine the optimum N-application level and ways of modulating it during the growing cycle through the application of different N rates. In a completely randomized experimental design with four replications the following three N fertilization treatments were compared: 50% (N 150 kg ha -1 ), 75% (N 225 kg ha -1 ) and 100% (N 300 kg ha -1 ) of the normal rate applied by the farmers in the trial area. Subdividing the total amounts in equal parts, the urea fertiliser was broadcasted in three times: before sowing, at the stage of second couple of leaves (38 days after sowing, DAS) and at fast growing stage (81 DAS). The results indicate that lower N fertilization level ensured a satisfactory yield, quality (dry matter and nitrate contents), N uptake and N utilisation pattern. It also decreased the amount of N available for leaching during the whole cropping cycle. The higher quantity of N applied at the maximum level did not increase the majority of the measured parameters, whereas the N utilization efficiency decreased significantly from the intermediate to the highest N treatment level in both field experiments. The results of this research indicated the way to optimise N fertilisation of processing spinach, in terms of quantity and time of fertiliser application, to obtain satisfactory crop performances and reducing environmental risks.
Linking Individual-Level Knowledge Sourcing to Project-Level Contributions in Large R&D-Driven Product-Development Projects

This paper focuses on the link between individuals' knowledge sourcing and their creative contributions, such as new ideas and solutions in R&D-driven product-development projects; creative contributions were both self- and peer-assessed. The paper reveals that, for individuals, knowledge sources internal to the organization were generally regarded as more important than external knowledge sources. However, external parties such as customers, partners, and suppliers constitute the knowledge source that best predicted creative contributions at the project level. Informal external contacts were deemed the least important knowledge source by individuals; however, this was positively related to self-assessed creative contributions. The paper thus finds that there is a discrepancy between the knowledge sources deemed important by individuals and the sources that are associated with creative contributions at the project level.
Insights into Clinical, Genetic, and Pathological Aspects of Hereditary Spastic Paraplegias: A Comprehensive Overview

Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSP) are a heterogeneous group of motor neurodegenerative disorders that have the core clinical presentation of pyramidal syndrome which starts typically in the lower limbs. They can present as pure or complex forms with all classical modes of monogenic inheritance reported. To date, there are more than 100 loci/88 spastic paraplegia genes (SPG) involved in the pathogenesis of HSP. New patterns of inheritance are being increasingly identified in this era of huge advances in genetic and functional studies. A wide range of clinical symptoms and signs are now reported to complicate HSP with increasing overall complexity of the clinical presentations considered as HSP. This is especially true with the emergence of multiple HSP phenotypes that are situated in the borderline zone with other neurogenetic disorders. The genetic diagnostic approaches and the utilized techniques leave a diagnostic gap of 25% in the best studies. In this review, we summarize the known types of HSP with special focus on those in which spasticity is the principal clinical phenotype (“SPGn” designation). We discuss their modes of inheritance, clinical phenotypes, underlying genetics, and molecular pathways, providing some observations about therapeutic opportunities gained from animal models and functional studies. This review may pave the way for more analytic approaches that take into consideration the overall picture of HSP. It will shed light on subtle associations that can explain the occurrence of the disease and allow a better understanding of its observed variations. This should help in the identification of future biomarkers, predictors of disease onset and progression, and treatments for both better functional outcomes and quality of life.