Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microscopic modelling of active bacterial suspensions 1

We present two-dimensional simulations of chemotactic self-propelled bacteria swimming in a viscous fluid. Self-propulsion is modelled by a couple of forces of same intensity and opposite direction applied on the rigid bacterial body and on an associated region in the fluid representing the flagellar bundle. The method for solving the fluid flow and the motion of the bacteria is based on a variational formulation written on the whole domain, strongly coupling the fluid and the rigid particle problems: rigid motion is enforced by penalizing the strain rate tensor on the rigid domain, while incompressibility is treated by duality. This model allows to achieve an accurate description of fluid motion and hydrodynamic interactions in moderate to concentrated active suspensions. A mesoscopic model is also used, in which the size of the bacteria is supposed to be much smaller than the elements of fluid: the perturbation of the fluid due to propulsion and motion of the swimmers is neglected, and the fluid is only subjected to the buoyant forcing induced by the presence of the bacteria, which are denser than the fluid. Although this model does not accurately take into account hydrodynamic interactions, it is able to reproduce complex collective dynamics observed in concentrated bacterial suspensions, such as bioconvection. From a mathematical point of view, both models lead to a minimization problem which is solved with a standard Finite Element Method. In order to ensure robustness, a projection algorithm is used to deal with contacts between particles. We also reproduce chemotactic behaviour driven by oxygen: an advection-diffusion equation on the oxygen concentration is solved in the fluid domain, with a source term accounting for oxygen consumption by the bacteria. The orientations of the individual bacteria are subjected to random changes, with a frequency that depends on the surrounding oxygen concentration, in order to favor the direction of the concentration gradient.
P o S ( C R A B 2 0 0 8 ) 0 2 4 The Italian Polarimetry Programmes

Enrico Costa a, Ronaldo Bellazzini b, Giorgio Matt c, Gianpiero Tagliaferri d, Stefano Basso d, Alessandro Brez b, Vincenzo Cotroneo d, Sergio Di Cosimo a, Francesco Lazzarotto a, Massimo Minuti b, Fabio Muleri a, Giovanni Pareschi d, Michele Pinchera b, Alda Rubini a, Paolo Soffitta a, Gloria Spandre b aINAF/IASF Rome Via del Fosso del Cavaliere 100, I-00133 Rome, Italy c INFN Pisa Largo B. Pontecorvo 3, I-56127 Pisa, Italy c Universitá degli studi “Roma Tre” Via della Vasca Navale 84, I-00146 Rome Largo San Leonardo Murialdo, 1, I-00146 Roma d INAF/OAB Via E. Bianchi 46, I-20121 Milano
econstor Make Your Publications Visible . A Service of zbw

This paper focuses on the observed empirical relationship between fiscal rules and budget deficits, and examines whether this correlation is driven by an omitted variable, namely voter preferences. We make use of two different estimation methods to capture voter preferences in a panel of Swiss sub-federal jurisdictions. First, we include a recently constructed measure of fiscal preferences. Second, we capture preferences through fixed effects with a structural break as women are enfranchised. We find that fiscal rules continue to have a significant impact on real budget balances. JEL Classification: C2; D7; E6; H6.
Do higher hospital reimbursement prices improve quality of care?

Does higher medical spending improve quality of care? We estimate the effect of changes in regulated reimbursement prices for hospitals on multiple dimensions of hospital quality, including mortality outcomes, surgical complications, process quality, and patient satisfaction. We exploit an exogenous variation in reimbursement prices between the years 2006 and 2010 based on a reform of hospital financing in Germany. We find that changes in reimbursement prices do not affect quality of care. This effect is precisely estimated, and we can rule out effect sizes that are large relative to the overall variation in quality indicators across hospitals.
Regime-Dependent Effects of Uncertainty Shocks: A Structural Interpretation

Using a Markov‐switching VAR, we show that the effects of uncertainty shocks on output are four times higher in a regime of economic distress than in a tranquil regime. We then provide a structural interpretation of these facts. To do so, we develop a business cycle model in which agents are aware of the possibility of regime changes when forming expectations. The model is estimated using a Bayesian minimum distance estimator that minimizes, over the set of structural parameters, the distance between the regime‐switching VAR‐based impulse response functions and those implied by the model. Our results point to worsening credit‐market conditions that amplify shocks during distress periods. Finally, we show that the expectation effect of regime switching in financial conditions is an important component of the financial accelerator mechanism. If agents are more pessimistic about future financial conditions, then the output effects of shocks are amplified.
Financial incentives for residential energy efficiency investments in Ireland: Should the status quo be maintained?

Improving the energy efficiency of residential dwellings is seen by policy-makers as an important tool to help mitigate the impacts of climate change. Many countries, including Ireland, have put in place policies aimed at stimulating energy efficiency renovations in private households. Options to induce further retrofitting activity include the possibility of altering the structure of financial incentives on offer. At the moment, the Better Energy Homes scheme comprises a cash rebate to home owners following the completion of retrofit works. However, alterations to the incentive structure may be more or less preferred by different segments of the population. We analyse these preferences toward different financing structures. We find that the most preferred option of the choice set presented to respondents is the status quo of a post-retrofit cash rebate, followed closely by the alternative of an upfront discount.
Astro2020 Science White Paper: Using X-Ray Polarimetry to Probe the Physics of Black Holes and Neutron Stars

This white paper highlights compact object and fundamental physics science opportunities afforded by high-throughput broadband (0.1-60 keV) X-ray polarization observations. X-ray polarimetry gives new observables with geometric information about stellar remnants which are many orders of magnitude too small for direct imaging. The X-ray polarimetric data also reveal details about the emission mechanisms and the structure of the magnetic fields in and around the most extreme objects in the Universe. Whereas the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) to be launched in 2021 will obtain first results for bright objects, a follow-up mission could be one order of magnitude more sensitive and would be able to use a broader bandpass to perform physics type experiments for representative samples of sources.
Color Specificity in the Human V4 Complex – An fMRI Repetition Suppression Study

The hierarchy of color processing areas in the human brain starts from cone-opponent signals in the retina. Relayed by the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), color information arrives at the primary visual cortex (V1) and area V2, where color contrast is computed (Conway, 2009). Later visual area V4 and ‘globs’ of neurons in ventral occipital cortex (immediately anterior to V4) are deemed important for color constancy and for the luminance-invariant coding of individual hues. Not only electrophysiological data from non-human primate studies (Conway, Moeller, & Tsao, 2007; Kotake, Morimoto, Okazaki, Fujita, & Tamura, 2009; Kusunoki, Moutoussis, & Zeki, 2006; Matsumora, Koida, & Komatsu, 2008; Stoughton & Conway, 2008; Zeki, 1980), but also neuroimaging and lesion studies in humans implicate the ‘V4 complex’ in higher order color processing (Barbur & Spang, 2008; Bartels & Zeki, 2000; Bouvier & Engel, 2006; McKeefry & Zeki, 1997). It is known howev‐ er, that V4 is not a color area per se, as it is also involved in shape and form processing (e.g. Schiller, 1995).
P o S ( M Q W 7 ) 0 2 6 Internal shocks model for microquasar jets

We present an internal shocks model to investigate particle acceleration and radiation production in microquasar jets. The jet is modelled with discrete ejecta at various time intervals. These ejecta (or ’shells’) may have different properties including the bulk velocity. Faster shells can catch up and collide with the slower ones, thus giving rise to shocks. The particles are accelerated inside the shocked plasma. Each collision results in a new shell, which may take part in any subsequent collisions as well as radiate due to synchrotron radiation. Almost continuous energy dissipation along the jet can be obtained with a large number of shell collisions. We investigate the spectral energy distribution of such jets as well as the physical significance of various parameters (e.g. the time interval between ejections and the shell size)
Forging Linkages in the Commodity Chain: The Case of the Chilean Salmon Farming Industry, 1987–2001

In this paper we use the global commodity chain perspective to analyse the Chilean salmon farming industry. This industry reflects current shifts in the global agro-food sector in that food distribution and retail sectors assume a significant role at the ‘back-end’ of the farmed salmon global commodity chain. Economic concentration is also occurring along the ‘front-end’ of the chain; foreign fish feed capital is integrating forwards into production and thereby assuming greater influence. This is matched by greater economic concentration by foreign and local salmon farming companies in the middle of the chain. Local capital is meeting the challenge of foreign capital by using flexible strategies in the service sector of the salmon farming industry. We also discuss the impact of the farmed salmon global commodity chain on class and gender relations at the point of production. In our conclusions, we discuss the limitations of the global commodity chain perspective as well as the consequences of salmon farming for livelihoods in rural Chile.
Enhanced surveillance of monkeypox in Bas-Uele, Democratic Republic of Congo: the limitations of symptom-based case definitions.

Background: Following an outbreak of cases of vesicular-pustular rash with fever evocative of human monkeypox in Bas-Uele province, Democratic Republic of Congo, surveillance was strengthened. Methods: Households with at least one active generalized vesicular-pustular rash case were visited, and contact and clinical history information was collected from all household members. Whenever possible, skin lesion were screened by PCR for the monkeypox virus, followed by the varicella-zoster virus when negative for the former. Results: PCR results were obtained for 77 suspect cases distributed in 138 households, of which 27.3% were positive for monkeypox, 58.4% for chickenpox, and 14.3% negative for both. Confirmed monkeypox cases presented more often with monomorphic skin lesions, on palms of hands, and on soles of feet. Integrating these three features into the case definition raised the specificity to 85%, but would miss 50% of true monkeypox cases. A predictive model fit on patient demographics and symptoms had 97% specificity and 80% sensitivity, but only 80% and 33% in predicting out-of-sample cases. Conclusion: Few discriminating features were identified and the performance of clinical case definitions was suboptimal. Rapid field diagnostics are needed to optimize worldwide early detection and surveillance of monkeypox.
Developmental Expression and Gene Regulation of Insulin-like 3 Receptor RXFP 2 in Mouse Male Reproductive Organs 1

The mutations of testicular insulin-like 3 (INSL3) hormone or its receptor RXFP2 cause cryptorchidism in male mice. Here we have examined Rxfp2 gene expression at different stages of embryonic and postnatal mouse development in male reproductive tissues employing quantitative RT-PCR and several RXFP2specific antibodies directed toward different parts of the RXFP2 protein. Receptor expression was markedly increased after birth and was readily detectable in the epididymis, Leydig cells, and germ cells of the testis. The strongest expression was detected in adult mouse cremaster muscle. INSL3 treatment increased cell proliferation of embryonic gubernacular and TM3 embryonic Leydig cells, implicating active INSL3-mediated autocrine signaling in these cells and identifying TM3 as a novel in vitro model to study the effects of RXFP2 signaling. We generated Tg(Rxfp2-cre)Aia (Rxfp2-iCre) transgenic mice expressing improved Cre recombinase (iCre) under the control of the 2.4-kb mouse Rxfp2 promoter. The iCre was expressed in the gubernacular ligament at E14.5, indicating that this promoter is able to drive Rxfp2 gene expression during transabdominal testis descent. We demonstrated that the transcription factor Sox9, a known male sex determination factor, is expressed in mouse embryonic gubernacula and upregulated human, but not mouse, promoter luciferase reporter constructs. In conclusion, we have determined the developmental expression profile of INSL3 receptor employing newly characterized RXFP2 antisera and a novel Rxfp2-iCre transgenic mouse model. We determined the promoter region capable of providing the gubernacular-specific expression of Rxfp2. Analysis of RXFP2 promoter identified SOX9 as a new transcriptional enhancer of human gene expression. embryo, iCre, INSL3, Leydig cells, male reproductive tract, RXFP2/LGR8, SOX9, testicular descent, testis
The Effects of Group Motivational Interviewing Compliance Therapy on Drug Attitude, Medicine Application Self-efficacy and Medicine Application in Psychiatric Patients

Purpose: This study aims to verify the effects of the Group Motivational Interviewing Compliance Therapy on drug attitude, medicine application self-efficacy and medicine application in psychiatric patients. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with a non-equivalent control group pre-posttest design. Participants were 43 patients (22 in experimental group and 21 in control group) who were registered at neuro-psychiatric day care center in one university hospital, S city. The experimental group received the Group Motivational Interviewing Compliance Therapy for 6 sessions over 6 weeks. Data were collected between November, 2014 and September, 2016. Comparison of the pre-post results was performed by paired t-test and between-group effect was analyzed by ANCOVA with the SPSS/WIN 23.0 program. Results: The experimental group had a significant increase in drug attitude compared to the control group. However, there was no significant difference in medicine application self-efficacy and medicine application between the two groups. Conclusion: The Group Motivational Interviewing Compliance Therapy is suggested as a promising program that helps psychiatric patients improve drug attitude. Further studies are needed to confirm the effects of the Group Motivational Interviewing Compliance Therapy.
RAILCON ' 16 DETECTION OF TORSIONAL OSCILLATIONS IN DRIVING AXLES OF ELECTRICAL VEHICLES BY APPLICATION OF SPECTRAL ANALYSIS

This paper presents a method for real-time detection of the torsional oscillations in the driving axles of the electrical locomotive with DC or AC traction motors. The method is based on the spectral analysis of the traction motor's measured or estimated quantities. Torsional oscillations are caused by slippage of the traction wheels, and they reflect in oscillations of the torque and angular velocity at the resonant frequency of the driving axle. Torsional oscillations are, further, reflected on the rotor’s angular velocity, and on the electromotive force induced in the rotor. Measurement data obtained by testing the ZS series 444 locomotive in real conditions are used for analysis. Spectral analysis of the measured rotor voltage signal confirms that occurrence of the spectral component at the resonant frequency coincides with slippage of the traction wheels. Possibilities for implementation of the proposed method in the vehicles with AC traction motors are discussed. Simulation model of the vehicle with asynchronous traction motor is realized in Simulink. Results of simulation shows that, when slippage of driving wheels occurs, estimated rotor's velocity contains spectral component at natural frequency of the driving axle-wheels system.
Magnetic field measurements around massive young stellar objects with the EVN.

Although there has been significant progresses in the last years, the formation process of high-mass stars (M>8 M_sun is still unclear. This is mainly due to the fast evolution and large distances of the massive young stellar objects (YSOs) that make difficult to observe, with fine details, a sufficient number of massive YSOs at each evolutionary stages. However, in the last 10 years some pieces of information regarding the gas motion and the magnetic field close to the YSOs have been gathered by observing and analyzing the maser emission of mainly water and methanol molecules. In particular, we have performed full polarization observations of 6.7 GHz methanol masers and/or 22 GHz water maser with the European VLBI Network (EVN) towards a large number of sources in order to provide measurements of magnetic fields orientation and strength at milliarcsecond resolution around massive protostars. These measurements can be made at this high angular resolution only by observing and analyzing the polarized emission of masers. From the linearly and circularly polarized emissions we can determine the orientation and the strength of the magnetic field, respectively. Here, we present the updated statistics of the possible alignment between the magnetic field and the bipolar outflows ejected from the massive protostars. In addition, and for the first time, we will provide lower limits of the magnetic field strength measured from the Zeeman-splitting of the methanol maser by using the very recently determined Lande g-factors for the methanol maser transitions. Furthermore, the up-to-date results of the monitoring project of the 22 GHz water masers detected towards the massive star-forming region W75N(B) will be also presented.
Real Nouns 1 Language , thought , and real nouns

We test the claim that acquiring a mass-count language, like English, causes speakers to think differently about entities in the world, relative to speakers of classifier languages like Japanese. We use three tasks to assess this claim: object-substance rating, quantity judgment, and word extension. Using the first two tasks, we present evidence that learning mass-count syntax has little effect on the interpretation of familiar nouns between Japanese and English, and that speakers of these languages do not divide up referents differently along an individuation continuum, as claimed in some previous reports (Gentner & Boroditsky, 2001). Instead, we argue that previous cross-linguistic differences (Imai & Gentner, 1997) are attributable to “lexical statistics” (Gleitman & Papafragou, 2005). Speakers of English are more likely to think that a novel ambiguous expression like “the blicket” refers to a kind of object (relative to speakers of Japanese) because speakers of English are likely to assume that “blicket” is a count noun rather than a mass noun, based on the relative frequency of each kind of word in English. This is confirmed by testing Mandarin-English bilinguals with a word extension task. We find that bilinguals tested in English with mass-count ambiguous syntax extend novel words like English monolinguals (and assume that a word like “blicket” refers to a kind of object). In contrast, bilinguals tested in Mandarin are significantly more likely to extend novel words by material. Thus, online lexical statistics, rather than non-linguistic thought, mediate crosslinguistic differences in word extension. We suggest that speakers of Mandarin, English, and Japanese draw on a universal set of lexical meanings, and that mass-count syntax allows speakers of English to select among these meanings.
Hierarchy and the Provision of Order in International Politics

The anarchic international system is actually heavily structured: communities of states join together for common benefit; strong states form hierarchical relationships with weak states to enforce order and achieve preferred outcomes. Breaking from prior research, we conceptualize structures such as community and hierarchy as properties of networks of states’ interactions that can capture unobserved constraints in state behavior, constraints that may reduce conflict. We offer two claims. One, common membership in trade communities pacifies to the extent that breaking trade ties would entail high switching costs: thus, we expect heavy arms trade, more than most types of commercial trade, to reduce intracommunity conflict. Two, this is driven by hierarchical communities in which strong states can use high switching costs as leverage to constrain conflict between weaker states in the community. We find empirical support for these claims using a time-dependent multilayer network model and a new measure of hierarchy based on network centrality.
Caring alone ? Social capital and the mental health of caregivers

This study analyzes the role of social capital in buffering the negative relationship between informal-care provision and mental health. Using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) and fixed-effect regression models, we show that those individuals who socialize more frequently enjoy better mental health. We also find that stronger social ties moderate the negative association between caregiving and mental well-being. The protective role of social capital appears to be particularly strong for caregivers with high time commitments or those who regularly perform voluntary work. The moderating role of social activities can neither be explained by the caregiver’s observed characteristics correlated with social capital, nor by features of the caregiving process. However, the results might be driven by insufficient overlap in covariates between carers and non-carers, and the simultaneity between caring decisions and social activities. We relate our results to recent policy initiatives that aim to improve the carer’s well-being. Utilization of caregiver-support services is still rather low. Our findings suggest that caregivers may prefer informal support provided by family, friends, or neighbors to public caregiver benefits. To corroborate this hypothesis, further research regarding the (causal) buffering effects of social capital in the context of informal care is needed.
Left ventricular function assessment by free-breathing magnetic resonance sequence with multiple excitations*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of free-breathing magnetic resonance sequence with three excitations in the determination of ventricular volumes and masses in individuals without breath-holding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Left ventricular volumes and masses determined in 32 healthy volunteers through two cine magnetic resonance imaging sequences were compared: the first sequence, traditionally utilized and considered as a standard, performed under apnea, with a single excitation, and the second one, with free-breathing and three excitations. Three observers at different levels of experience evaluated the agreement and reproducibility. Intraclass correlation coefficient, paired t-test, Bland-Altman plots and sign test were utilized for statistical analysis. RESULTS: According to the two most experienced observers, intraclass correlation coefficients were > 0.913, the paired t-test demonstrated P values > 0.05, Bland-Altman plots had differences randomly distributed around zero and the sign test descriptive levels were > 0.05. CONCLUSION: The sequence evaluated presents an excellent agreement and reproducibility as compared with the standard sequence, and can be utilized in patients with respiratory limitations.