Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Joaquim Nery Delgado (1835-1908): The Diplomatic Dimension of a Geologist’s Career

ABSTRACT This analysis focusses on the diplomatic roles of Joaquim Nery Delgado (1835‒1908), a geologist who served for about 50 years in the Portuguese Geological Survey, created in 1857 as part of the cartographic programme of the Ministry of Public Works, Trade, and Industry. In recent years, increasing attention has been paid by specialists in both science and technology studies and International Relations on the relationship amongst science, technology, and diplomacy, especially after the Second World War and the ensuing Cold War. However, historically, the relationship between science and diplomacy has deeper roots, stretching back to the early modern period. In this context, Delgado’s work as a Survey geologist operating within the state bureaucracy encompassed occasional scientific, political, and economic mediating roles, notably as the Portuguese government’s official representative at international events and cartographic projects, as well as in dealings of colleagues and businessmen with the Portuguese government. His fluid diplomatic functions accompanied the re-enforcement of the state apparatus and its international relations in a difficult period of Portuguese foreign policy.
Connectomic consistency: a systematic stability analysis of structural and functional connectivity

Objective. Connectomics, the study of brain connectivity, has become an indispensable tool in neuroscientific research as it provides insights into brain organization. Connectomes are generated using different modalities such as diffusion MRI to capture structural organization of the brain or functional MRI to elaborate brain’s functional organization. Understanding links between structural and functional organizations is crucial in explaining how observed behavior emerges from the underlying neurobiological mechanisms. Many studies have investigated how these two organizations relate to each other; however, we still lack a comparative understanding on how much variation should be expected in the two modalities, both between people and within a single person across scans. Approach. In this study, we systematically analyzed the consistency of connectomes, that is the similarity between connectomes in terms of individual connections between brain regions and in terms of overall network topology. We present a comprehensive study of consistency in connectomes for a single subject examined longitudinally and across a large cohort of subjects cross-sectionally, in structure and function separately. Within structural connectomes, we compared connectomes generated by different tracking algorithms, parcellations, edge weighting schemes, and edge pruning techniques. In functional connectomes, we compared full, positive, and negative connectivity separately along with thresholding of weak edges. We evaluated consistency using correlation (incorporating information at the level of individual edges) and graph matching accuracy (evaluating connectivity at the level of network topology). We also examined the consistency of connectomes that are generated using different communication schemes. Main results. Our results demonstrate varying degrees of consistency for the two modalities, with structural connectomes showing higher consistency than functional connectomes. Moreover, we observed a wide variation in consistency depending on how connectomes are generated. Significance. Our study sets a reference point for consistency of connectome types, which is especially important for structure-function coupling studies in evaluating mismatches between modalities.
A Novel Multitemporal Image-Fusion Algorithm: Method and Application to GOCI and Himawari Images for Inland Water Remote Sensing

A spectral–temporal-unmixing-based multitemporal image fusion (MTIF) algorithm is proposed to fuse Geostationary Ocean Color Imager (GOCI) and Himawari images. The algorithm was applied to two data sets. The fusions are quantitatively and qualitatively compared with four widely used algorithms. The results show that the MTIF algorithm performs better using both evaluation indexes and visual comparisons. For optical complex water monitoring, the MTIF-derived chlorophyll-a concentration ( ${C} _{{\text {chla}}}$ ) map has better spatial detail and temporal trends compared with the other algorithms. For cloudy images, the MTIF algorithm can estimate part of the undercloud water reflectance information: when there are more than 32.6 cloud-free pixels in the current study area, the MTIF algorithm can successfully recover the under cloud information. The MTIF algorithm has great potential to advance the monitoring of optical complex inland water.
Versatile on-chip light coupling and (de)multiplexing from arbitrary polarizations to controlled waveguide modes using an integrated dielectric metasurface

Metasurfaces have found broad applicability in free-space optics, while its potential to tailor guided waves remains barely explored. By synergizing the Jones matrix model with generalized Snell’s law under the phase-matching condition, we propose a universal design strategy for versatile on-chip mode-selective coupling with polarization sensitivity, multiple working wavelengths, and high efficiency concurrently. The coupling direction, operation frequency, and excited mode type can be designed at will for arbitrary incident polarizations, outperforming previous technology that only works for specific polarizations and lacks versatile mode controllability. Here, using silicon-nanoantenna-patterned silicon-nitride photonic waveguides, we numerically demonstrate a set of chip-scale optical couplers around 1.55 μm, including mode-selective directional couplers with high coupling efficiency over 57% and directivity about 23 dB. Polarization and wavelength demultiplexer scenarios are also proposed with 67% maximum efficiency and an extinction ratio of 20 dB. Moreover, a chip-integrated twisted light generator, coupling free-space linear polarization into an optical vortex carrying 1ℏ orbital angular momentum (OAM), is also reported to validate the mode-control flexibility. This comprehensive method may motivate compact wavelength/polarization (de)multiplexers, multifunctional mode converters, on-chip OAM generators for photonic integrated circuits, and high-speed optical telecommunications.
Influence of Hot Hardness and Microstructure of High‐Alloyed Powder Metallurgical Tool Steels on Abrasive Wear Behavior at Elevated Temperatures

Herein, the abrasive wear behavior of different high‐alloyed powder metallurgical (PM) tool steels is investigated at elevated temperatures (400–600 °C) in a dry‐pot wear tester containing Al2O3 particles. To identify the influence of the microstructure, PM tool steels with different hot hardnesses, carbide types, and carbide volume contents are selected. Wear tracks are analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to clarify wear mechanisms. The results show that there is no direct correlation between wear resistance and only one material property such as hot hardness, carbide content, or carbide type. More important seems to be the best possible compromise between a sufficient hot hardness of the metallic matrix and a high volume content of carbides that are harder than the attacking abrasive particles at the respective temperature. When the test temperatures surpass the tempering temperature of the investigated steels, there is a pronounced change in wear behavior due to the stronger embedding of abrasive particles into the wear surface. It is thus necessary to discuss the microstructural properties as a function of temperature, considering interactions with the abrasive particles.
Ultra‐wideband radar cross‐section reduction using polarization conversion metasurface

In this paper, a novel ultra‐wideband (UWB) chessboard structured metasurface has been designed to realize the monostatic radar cross‐section (RCS) reduction. The unit has a periodic simple multi‐V‐shaped structure can convert linear polarized waves into their orthogonal polarized ones in an UWB ranging from 14.5 to 41 GHz. In addition, the RCS reduction of two kinds of chessboard structures which composed of the proposed unit are compared in this paper, and one of them has been fabricated and tested. Experiments and simulation results show that, under normal incidence of electromagnetic wave, it can achieve RCS reduction over 10 dB within an UWB of 20.5 GHz.
Tariffs and Formation of Free Trade Agreements Networks

This paper examines the formation of bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs) on the basis of country heterogeneity in the tariff level. We demonstrate that a country's unilateral incentive to form an FTA depends on the relative magnitudes of the (negative) market concession effect and the (positive) market expansion effect, both of which are determined by the tariff levels of the two FTA partner countries. Global welfare is maximised when all country pairs form FTAs. Two countries in equilibrium are more likely to form an FTA when their tariff gap is smaller or when their tariff levels are neither very high nor very low. This finding is robust to several extensions of the model. Our preliminary empirical analysis provides some evidence for the finding.
Pediatric Neuro-Oncology in Low-/Middle-Income Countries

Pediatric cancer is becoming increasingly important in low-/middle-income countries (LMICs), due to the improvement in controlling communicable diseases, decrease infant, and early childhood mortalities associated with infection and malnutrition. Worldwide, although much improvement was encountered in many pediatric tumors particularly acute leukemia that represents the commonest type of cancer in children, this was not so obvious in CNS tumors, the second most common tumor type. Slow advances have been achieved to improve treatment end results in pediatric neuro-oncology. This was largely related to disease under diagnosis, incorrect clinical assessment, improper staging, and lack of the availability of appropriate radiologic, neurosurgical, and radiotherapeutic services in LMICs. Moreover, the need for multidisciplinary team working together to embalmment unified approved management guidelines, highly specific care level within a widely accepted quality control measures are of utmost importance to raise the treatment outcome levels to that of high-income countries (HICs). Much effort is needed in LMICs to improve the management of pediatric CNS tumors, decrease the gap, and reach good results already attained by the dedicated centers in HICs. There are many international organizations and societies that can and are willing to help in this matter. In this chapter, an illustration of the obstacles faced by LMIC neuro-oncologists will be discussed. The different ways and procedures are recommended to improve the general situation to attain good results similar to that in HICs.
Building knowledge for a forage breeding program on native Festuca species in the highlands of Bolivia

Native grasses constitute the most important source of feed for camelids, sheep and cattle in the highlands of Bolivia, where the genus Festuca is one of the major feed components. The two most important species of this region are F. dolichophylla J. Presl (known as “chilliwa”) and F. orthophylla Pilg (known as “iru ichu”). This research aimed to investigate the phylogenetic relationships within the Festuca genus from the highlands of Bolivia, to evaluate the genetic diversity using EST-SSR markers and to assess the nutritional value for its use in breeding and conservation. The phylogenetic analysis, which was based on sequences derived from nuclear (ITS, CEN, Acc1) and chloroplast DNA (matK) regions, revealed that the Bolivian Festuca species derived from a common ancestor of the fine-leaved lineage of the Festuca sub-genus. In addition, Bolivian fescues where all grouped together, thus indicating that they belong to the American clade II of the Loliinae subtribe. The evaluation of genetic diversity performed using 12 EST-SSR markers in 43 populations indicated absence of clear population structure. However, four primer-pairs (FES 04, FES 13, FES 24 and NFA 142) were at the top in their polymorphism and gene diversity indicating the putative use of them in future population genetic analysis. Moreover, they could be helpful in pursuing the development of effective conservation management strategies for native and endangered Festuca species in Bolivia. The assessment of the mineral composition, protein, ash and cellulose contents, which were determined in 11 Bolivian Festuca ecotypes and 2 cultivars from Argentina, revealed as candidates for genetic improvement, the accessions 29, 10, 21, 32, 38 and 23 due to their high protein, Ca, Mg and P contents. The result generated in this work represents the starting material to develop a forage breeding program of the Festuca species in Bolivia as well as develop strategies for ex situ and in situ germplasm conservation.
Simon Says: Examining Gender Differences in Advice Seeking and Influence in the Lab

This paper examines gender differences in advice seeking behavior. We introduce a novel experimental framework in which subjects have the option to either solve a task on their own, or with the help of costly advice. Over two treatments, we vary the amount of information that advisees receive about advice quality. We use two types of questions, mathematical and verbal, to test the effect of stereotyped domains. Our findings suggest that women seek less advice than men. This result is driven by two behavioral patterns. First, women seek less advice when they are in the information treatment. Second, men seek more advice on verbal tasks. Advisor gender does not matter. These results suggest that gender may affect the decision to seek advice.
Reconnecting Rural Native Hawaiian Families to Food through Aquaponics

Food insecurity is a pressing issue in Hawai‘i as the vast majority of available and accessible foods are imported. To address this issue, a backyard aquaponics program was implemented from 2010 to 2016 to offer additional avenues to food sovereignty in a rural predominantly Native Hawaiian community. Aquaponics provides a contained and sustainable food production system that models Native Hawaiian principles of land and water stewardship. The purpose of this community-engaged study was to identify the outcomes and resources needed to continue sustaining the backyard aquaponics systems. The researchers began building a relationship with the community by helping to build several aquaponics systems. The researchers and community partner co-developed the interview questions and participants were interviewed in-person. The outcomes of the study revealed multiple benefits of having a backyard aquaponics system, including increased access to vegetables and fruit, improved diet, low maintenance cost, and enhanced family and community connectedness. Participants reported a renewed connection to Native Hawaiian values, especially land stewardship. Challenges included leaks and breakages with the system, overproduction of fish, complications in water temperature, and vulnerability to unpredictable weather. These findings suggest that backyard aquaponics systems have the potential to provide multiple benefits including alleviating barriers related to food security.
Entrepreneurial Competencies and Micro enterprises Performance A Study among the poor and Low-Income Households in Malaysia

This study examined the effect of relevant entrepreneurial competencies on microenterprise performance in Malaysia. A cross-sectional design was adopted to collect quantitative data from 300 randomly selected micro-entrepreneurs from the National Poverty Data Bank database in Malaysia. Results showed a significant positive effect of conceptual, commitment, opportunity recognizing, and organizing competencies on microenterprise performance. Findings further revealed a significant negative effect of micro-entrepreneurs’ relationship competencies on their enterprise performance. It is recommended that in order to reduce poverty by creating an entrepreneurial economy, governments should make entrepreneurship the goal of public policy particularly focusing on the relevant competencies identified.
Heterogeneous integration of III-V based photonics with silicon

III-V based devices have provided unsurpassed performance enabling the rapid advancement of data-communications over the past decades. Yet the integration of these components is still primitive leading to high costs due to the packaging challenges. Heterogeneous integration using controlled release of the essential device layers from individual source wafers and engineered parallel transfer to a common platform is a very promising approach as it takes the best materials and devices, produced in a conventional foundry environment, to produce powerful photonic circuits on target waveguiding platforms such as silicon-on-insulator. The devices can be pre- or post-processed and optically integrated to the silicon waveguides using butt, evanescent or potentially grating coupling. Laser devices are the most critical since they cannot easily be realized in Si. We demonstrate the transfer of lasers based on InP quantum wells where the devices are bonded by van der Waals forces. We have also demonstrated the release and transfer of silicon microcircuits, GaN materials and dielectric layers. We study the interface property between the transferred materials (e.g. InP) and the target wafer (Si). There is an improvement in device performance after the transfer due to the high thermal conductivity of Si. This approach will allow more sophisticated circuits due to the ease of including multi-wavelength lasers as well as modulating and detecting functions along with specialty materials such as potentially lithium niobate or magnetic materials. The technique enables close integration of photonics with electronics platforms and thus a route to widespread consumer applications for III-V devices.
Neuropsychological stratification of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: building affect into clinically relevant neuro-biomarkers of breathlessness

Chronic breathlessness profoundly affects quality of life for its sufferers. Often, reported breathlessness is inconsistent with airway pathophysiology and objective disease markers. While a mechanistic understanding of this discordance has thus far remained elusive, factors such as mood, attention and expectation have all been implicated as important perceptual modulators. Therefore, here we have developed a model capable of exploring these relationships aiding patient stratification and revealing clinically-relevant neuro-biomarkers.A cohort of 100 participants with mild-to-moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) underwent a comprehensive assessment that included functional brain imaging while viewing and rating breathlessness-related word cues, self-report questionnaires and clinical measures.Using an exploratory factor analysis across psychological and physiological measures, we identified two distinctive neuropsychological behavioural profiles that differed across four key factors corresponding to mood, symptom burden, and two capability measures. These profiles stratified participants into high and low symptom groups, which did not differ in spirometry values. The low symptom load group demonstrated greater FMRI activity to breathlessness-related word cues in the anterior insula.Our findings reveal two clear groups of individuals within our COPD cohort, divided by behavioural rather than clinical factors. Furthermore, indices of depression, anxiety, vigilance and perceived capability were linked to differences in brain activity within key regions thought to be involved in monitoring bodily sensations (interoception). These findings demonstrate the complex relationship between affect and interoceptive processing, providing the foundations for the development of targeted treatment programmes that harness clinical and symptom-relevant biomarkers.
How moral disengagement and individual differences relate to community sentiment toward enhanced interrogation techniques

Controversy surrounds the CIA’s “enhanced interrogation” techniques that could be considered torture. Replicating previous studies, 1) sentiment toward torture was moderately supportive yet divided and 2) there was a positive relationship between belief that techniques are effective and belief they are justified. Supporting our hypotheses, general just world beliefs, religious fundamentalism, and moral disengagement negatively related to considering various techniques as torture and positively related to beliefs about effectiveness and justification of torture. Religious devotionalism positively related only to considering various techniques as torture, partially supporting hypotheses. Relationships between IVs (e.g., fundamentalism) and DVs (i.e., sentiment toward torture) were mediated by moral disengagement. This helps explain cognitive processes that underlie sentiment. Finally, the moral disengagement scale we developed had good reliability and predictive ability.
Regional variation of hysterectomy for benign uterine diseases in Switzerland

Background Hysterectomy is the last treatment option for benign uterine diseases, and vaginal hysterectomy is preferred over more invasive techniques. We assessed the regional variation in hysterectomy rates for benign uterine diseases across Switzerland and explored potential determinants of variation. Methods We conducted a population-based analysis using patient discharge data from all Swiss hospitals between 2013 and 2016. Hospital service areas (HSAs) for hysterectomies were derived by analyzing patient flows. We calculated age-standardized mean procedure rates and measures of regional variation (extremal quotient [EQ], highest divided by lowest rate) and systematic component of variation [SCV]). We estimated the reduction in the variance of crude hysterectomy rates across HSAs in multilevel regression models, with incremental adjustment for procedure year, age, cultural/socioeconomic factors, burden of disease, and density of gynecologists. Results Overall, 40,211 hysterectomies from 54 HSAs were analyzed. The mean age-standardized hysterectomy rate was 298/100,000 women (range 186–456). While the variation in overall procedure rate was moderate (EQ 2.5, SCV 3.7), we found a very high procedure-specific variation (EQ vaginal 5.0, laparoscopic 6.3, abdominal 8.0; SCV vaginal 17.5, laparoscopic 11.2, abdominal 16.9). Adjusted for procedure year, demographic, cultural, and sociodemographic factors, a large share (64%) of the variance remained unexplained (vaginal 63%, laparoscopic 85%, abdominal 70%). The main determinants of variation were socioeconomic/cultural factors. Burden of disease and the density of gynecologists was not associated with procedure rates. Conclusions Switzerland has a very high regional variation in vaginal, laparoscopic, and abdominal hysterectomy for benign uterine disease. After adjustment for potential determinants of variation including demographic factors, socioeconomic and cultural factors, burden of disease, and the density of gynecologists, two thirds of the variation remain unexplained.