jimnoneill/paper-to-field-training huggingface dataset:
FMimic: Foundation Models are Fine-grained Action Learners from Human Videos

Visual imitation learning (VIL) provides an efficient and intuitive strategy for robotic systems to acquire novel skills. Recent advancements in foundation models, particularly Vision Language Models (VLMs), have demonstrated remarkable capabilities in visual and linguistic reasoning for VIL tasks. Despite this progress, existing approaches primarily utilize these models for learning high-level plans from human demonstrations, relying on pre-defined motion primitives for executing physical interactions, which remains a major bottleneck for robotic systems. In this work, we present FMimic, a novel paradigm that harnesses foundation models to directly learn generalizable skills at even fine-grained action levels, using only a limited number of human videos. Extensive experiments demonstrate that our FMimic delivers strong performance with a single human video, and significantly outperforms all other methods with five videos. Furthermore, our method exhibits significant improvements of over 39% and 29% in RLBench multi-task experiments and real-world manipulation tasks, respectively, and exceeds baselines by more than 34% in high-precision tasks and 47% in long-horizon tasks.

Topic: Multimodal Machine Learning Applications
Subfield: Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
The effect of institutional distance on international market selection: comparing export to foreign direct investment

The goal of the current paper is to investigate the effect of institutional distance on market expansion. We specifically focus on two dependent variables, export and foreign direct investments (FDIs) from the USA. The research uses a cross-sectional time-series analysis to test the influence of institutional factors on exports and FDI. Dimensions of the institutional environment have an effect on export and FDI activity between two countries. The regulative, normative, and cultural dimensions of the institutional environment vary in importance across the two modes of entry. Of the three, culture turns out to be the most significant. Our framework allows companies to classify markets with regards to these macro variables and then investigate international expansion opportunities.

Topic: International Business and FDI
Subfield: Strategy and Management
Field: Business, Management and Accounting
Domain: Social Sciences
CCDC 670165: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination

An entry from the Cambridge Structural Database, the world’s repository for small molecule crystal structures. The entry contains experimental data from a crystal diffraction study. The deposited dataset for this entry is freely available from the CCDC and typically includes 3D coordinates, cell parameters, space group, experimental conditions and quality measures.

Topic: Crystallization and Solubility Studies
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Book review: <i>The Eternal Criminal Record</i> by James Jacobs

A specter is haunting Europe — the specter of populations without socio-economic integration and overwhelmed by criminal records that follow their steps. We are facing one of the more sensitive historic moments with regard to criminal policies, in which the criminal justice system expands and absorbs the most hidden spaces of our everyday life. It is the passageway from the Welfare State to the Badfare State; from the Social State to the Penal State; from the Social State to the Security State. This passage has no relation with the crime rates.

Topic: Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Increasing drought resistance of Alnus subcordata C.A. Mey. seeds using a nano priming technique with multi-walled carbon nanotubes

To evaluate the effects of nano priming on seed germination of Alnus subcordata (Caucasian alder) C.A. von Meyer under drought stress, the present research was conducted using multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs; 0, 10, 30, 50, and 100 mg.l-1) at 6 levels of drought stress (0, -2, -4, -6, -8, and -10 bar) through a factorial experiment (5 priming levels with 4 replications). After priming, the seeds were placed into a germinator at 21°C. Results revealed that nano priming at the concentration of 100 mg.l-1 led to the highest germination rate and percentage at all levels of drought stress. Also, the highest values of seed vigour index and root and stem lengths and dry weights were observed at nano carbon treatment with 30 mg.l-1. Considering the obtained results, it was concluded that nano priming could result in boosted resistance of Caucasian alder seeds against drought stress, so that the seed tolerance increased from -4 bar (without nano priming treatment, i.e. reference sample) to -8 bar upon applying 100 mg.l-1 nanotubes. Based on the results of the present research, it is suggested that the seed nano priming technique with MWCNTs can be applied in order to increase the seed and seedling tolerance of other members of the genus Alnus Miller.

Topic: Seed Germination and Physiology
Subfield: Plant Science
Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences
Domain: Life Sciences
Risks and Benefits of Using Marlex Mesh in Chest Wall Reconstruction

The records of 101 patients who had undergone chest wall reconstruction both with and without stabilization of the chest wall by Marlex mesh were reviewed to see if Marlex reduced ventilator dependence and hospital stay, and to determine whether the use of Marlex was associated with any increased risk of infection. In 40 patients in whom Marlex was used, the mean number of days on postoperative ventilator support was 0.8, and mean hospital stay was 9.7 days. In 61 patients in whom Marlex was not used, the mean number of days on ventilator support was 4.9, and mean hospital stay was 17.5 days. These differences were statistically significant (p = 0.03, p = 0.006). Two patients in the Marlex-stabilized group (5%) developed wound infections, but these were preceded by ischemic necrosis of overlying flaps. None of the patients without Marlex developed wound infections. That difference was not statistically significant. We conclude that the use of Marlex in chest wall reconstruction does not significantly increase the risk of wound infection, provided that overlying tissues are properly vascularized and remain viable, and that synthetic mesh does improve chest wall stability and reduce ventilator dependence and overall hospital stay.

Topic: Reconstructive Surgery and Microvascular Techniques
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
The View of COMECON Experts on the General State of the Egyptian Oil Industry and its Development Prospects, Mid-1970s

The author of the article for the first time publishes and introduces into scientific circulation an analytical document prepared in August 1976 by experts of the COMECON Oil Bureau and approved by authorized representatives of socialist countries in the Bureau at their eighth meeting in December 1976, — generalized material for preparation of a set of practical measures related to cooperation of interested COMECON member countries and aimed at guaranteeing in advance long-term oil supplies from the Arab Republic of Egypt. Today this document is held by the Russian State Archive of Economics (as part of the large collection of COMECON materials: RGAE. Fond 561). By analyzing the document, it is possible to reveal the view of the foreign trade specialists of COMECON member countries on the general state of Egyptian oil industry in the mid-1970s and on its development prospects in the second half of the seventies (including the question of possible growth in oil production and exports of the Arab Republic of Egypt), as well as to evaluate the accuracy of this view. The information contained in the document, despite the inaccuracies found in it, was nevertheless useful for understanding the main trends in the Egyptian oil industry.

Topic: Natural Resources and Economic Development
Subfield: General Economics, Econometrics and Finance
Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance
Domain: Social Sciences
Peptide Histidine-Methionine Immunoreactivity in Plasma and Tissue from Patients with Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide-Secreting Tumors and Watery Diarrhea Syndrome

The presence of peptide histidine-methionine (PHM)-like peptides has been determined in plasma and tumor specimens from patients with vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-secreting tumors and the watery diarrhea syndrome. All patients had strikingly elevated plasma concentrations of PHM immunoreactivity (median, 1800; range, 500-6800 pmol/liter; n = 12), which were higher than those of VIP (median, 235; range, 50-580 pmol/liter). In patients with other endocrine and nonendocrine pancreatic tumors, plasma PHM concentrations were not significantly different from normal (median, 20; range, 5-60 pmol/liter; n = 28). Plasma samples from patients with diarrhea due to other illnesses also had PHM concentrations that were not significantly different from normal (median, 40; range, 10-80 pmol/liter; n = 23). The gel chromatographic profiles of plasma and tumor extracts from patients with VIP-secreting tumors revealed the presence of at least two molecular forms that reacted with an antiserum directed to the N-terminus of PHM (SY1). The later peak (Kav, 0.50-0.53) corresponded in position to synthetic PHM and also reacted with the PHM-specific antiserum (SY2). The earlier peak (Kav, 0.30-0.37), not reactive with antiserum SY2, corresponded to a large molecular form of PHM-like immunoreactivity previously identified as the predominant form in normal human stomach and plasma, though not in the rest of the intestinal tract. The neuroendocrine nature of the tumors was confirmed by the demonstration of immunostaining with a battery of antisera to neuroendocrine markers. Immunocytochemistry revealed the presence of both VIP and PHM in tumor cells. The presence of high circulating concentrations of PHM-like immunoreactivity in patients with VIP-secreting tumors, as measured with a PHM N-terminus-directed antiserum, SY1, suggests that use of this type of antiserum may provide valuable information in the diagnosis of such tumors. The contribution of the PHM-like peptides to the features of this syndrome is not known.

Topic: Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Response and Pattern of Failure After Photodynamic Therapy for Intraluminal Stage I Lung Cancer

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) causes selective tumor damage and has been shown to be effective in the treatment of early-stage lung cancer. Thirty patients, with 39 intraluminal cancer lesions, who were considered to be high-risk surgical candidates, were treated with PDT. A complete response after PDT was found in 23 patients (28 lesions), in 20 patients (25 lesions) after the first treatment and in 3 patients after the second treatment. Thirteen complete responders (18 tumors) are still alive, with a median survival of 10 months (range, 2–95 months). Two patients developed subsequent primaries (4 and 40 months), seven had recurrences (2–19 months), and one developed nodal disease. Therefore, the overall long-term success rate of PDT in terms of local control was 46%. Two of the partial responders achieved a complete response after external irradiation; one is still in complete-response status after 52 months. Bronchoscopic evaluation showed that partial responders had tumors located distal to a segmental bronchial bifurcation or in bronchial stumps. Our data suggest that inadequate light delivery or an insufficient light dose may account for treatment failure in this category of patients. Improvement of light dosimetry and better assessment of tumor extension may increase the efficacy of PDT.

Topic: Photodynamic Therapy Research Studies
Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Conserved regions in the cytoplasmic domains of the leukocyte integrin alpha L beta 2 are involved in endoplasmic reticulum retention, dimerization, and cytoskeletal association.

Abstract Selected functions of integrins, including regulated cytoskeletal association and transmembrane signaling, depend on a poorly defined bidirectional communication between the extracellular and cytoplasmic domains of the alpha and beta subunits. To investigate this problem in the leukocyte integrin alpha L beta 2 (LFA-1), we generated a series of cytoplasmic truncation or internal substitution mutants of the alpha L and beta 2 cytoplasmic domains, and assessed their biochemical and functional properties upon ectopic expression in constitutively adherent cells. Expression of the alpha L beta 2 heterodimer in stably adherent cells is sufficient to promote its constitutive cytoskeletal association. Structural determinants for such association are located in selected regions of the beta 2 cytoplasmic domain, which display functional interdependence. In addition, a conserved region (Arg733-Lys742) in the beta 2 cytoplasmic domain seems to be critical not only for its cytoskeletal association, but also for endoplasmic reticulum retention, assembly, and transport to the plasma membrane of the mature alpha L beta 2 heterodimer. Analysis of deletion mutants of the alpha L subunit demonstrates a role of the conserved, membrane-proximal GFFKR motif in conferring stability to the alpha beta complex, possibly because of its direct involvement in heterodimer formation. We propose that a previously uncharacterized association of defined subregions of the cytoplasmic domains of integrin alpha and beta subunits affects the dimerization and regulated function of the adhesion receptor.

Topic: Phagocytosis and Immune Regulation
Subfield: Immunology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Flowering phenology and pollen characteristics of cultivated populations of Paeonia ostii ‘Feng dan’ at different altitudes

ABSTRACT: From a pollination biology standpoint, this study compared modifications in the flowering phenology, soluble sugar and protein content of pollen, antioxidant enzyme system, and storage traits of five cultivated populations of Paeonia ostii ‘Feng dan’ at various altitudes in Luoyang. The findings indicated that the first blooming phase was delayed at greater altitudes. There was a significant difference in the soluble sugar content of pollen between sites; and there was no discernible relationship between soluble sugar content and altitude. With increasing altitude, there is a tendency for soluble protein content to decrease. The activities of antioxidant enzymes in pollen from cultivated populations at varying altitudes showed SOD and POD enzyme activities generally increasing with decreasing temperature, whereas CAT enzymes showed divergent patterns. Differences existed in the storage time of pollen across populations at different altitudes, and pollen from higher altitudes appeared to be better adapted to low-temperature storage environments. The rate of decrease in pollen viability under dry storage at -74.7 °C was significantly lower than under other storage conditions. The comprehensive analysis concludes that the variations in ‘Feng dan’ cultivation populations within the same region at different altitude zones can be leveraged for cross-pollination among proximate populations, utilizing low-temperature dry pollen storage technology, with the aim of achieving abundant oil peony production.

Topic: Ecology and Conservation Studies
Subfield: Plant Science
Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences
Domain: Life Sciences
What's lost in inverted faces?

Disproportionate inversion decrements for recognizing faces and other homogeneous stimuli are often interpreted as evidence that experts use relational features to recognize stimuli that share a configuration. However, it has never directly been shown that inversion disrupts the coding of relational features more than isolated features. Here we report three studies that compare inversion decrements for detecting changes that span the isolated-relational feature continuum. Relatively large inversion decrements occurred for relational features (Thatcher illusion changes, internal feature spacing), with smaller decrements for isolated features (presence/absence of facial hair or glasses). The one discrepancy was a relatively large inversion decrement for detecting changes to the eyes and mouth, which we had classified as an isolated feature change. However, this decrement disappeared when the features were presented out of the face context (Experiments 2 and 3), suggesting that it occurs because subjects spontaneously code relations between the features and the rest of the face. Although the results support the interpretation of disproportionate inversion effects as evidence of relational coding, the difficulty of classifying changes as isolated or relational highlights an undesirable ambiguity in the isolated-relational feature distinction. We therefore consider alternative construals of the configural coding notion.

Topic: Face Recognition and Perception
Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Sustainability of using CD-based Study Materials at the Open University of Tanzania

This qualitative study on sustainability of using CD-based study materials at the Open University of Tanzania was conducted from September 2015 to April 2016 at the four centers of the Open University of Tanzania namely Ilala, Kinondoni, Tabora and Temeke Centre. The study adopted a case study design and used structured interview and questionnaire as tools of data collection. The data were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively by using the SPSS. The major findings of the research identified that students of the open university of Tanzania perceive the use of CD-based study materials positively because of their being on organizing and easy catch up of learning materials compared to ordinary forms of material organization. In addition the findings add that computer facilities play an essential role on access to materials and making a clear hierarch of learning in universities where students stand in a better chance of knowledge acquisition from electronic sources while instructors gain sufficient opportunities to provide effective supervision on students’ material organization. Finally, the researcher recommends the current global trend in education emphasizes the use of technology and therefore computer education is inevitable if quick and sufficient students’ access to material is the case for effective education at tertiary level. The curricula across variety of educational systems are to consider computer as an integral part of learning in universities.

Topic: Open Education and E-Learning
Subfield: Computer Science Applications
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Individual Cell Analysis of the Cytokine Repertoire in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1–Infected Monocytes/Macrophages by a Combination of Immunocytochemistry and In Situ Hybridization

Abstract The expression of many cytokines is dysregulated in individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1). To determine the effects of HIV-1 infection on cytokine expression in individual cells (at the single cell level), we investigated the intracellular levels of proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, and IL-8) and hematopoietic growth factors (granulocyte colony-stimulating factor [G-CSF], granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor [GM-CSF]) in monocyte-derived macrophages, mock-infected, or infected with HIV-1 by immunocytochemical staining for cytokine protein and compared this with secreted cytokine levels as determined by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). No difference in the frequency or intensity of cell-associated immunocytochemical cytokine staining could be observed between HIV-1 and mock-infected cells even though the level of secreted proinflammatory cytokines increased and the hematopoietic growth factors decreased in HIV-1–infected cultures. Furthermore, equal expression of cytokine mRNA was observed in all cells in the culture regardless of whether the cells were productively infected with HIV-1 as determined by double-labelling immunocytochemical staining for HIV-1 p24 antigen and in situ hybridization for cytokine mRNA expression. These results indicate that HIV-1 infection results in dysregulation of intracellular cytokine mRNA expression and cytokine secretion not only in HIV-1–infected cells, but also through an indirect way(s) affecting cells not producing virus.

Topic: HIV Research and Treatment
Subfield: Virology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Understanding the Frequency- and Time-Dependent Behavior of Ballistic Carbon-Nanotube Transistors

The high-frequency and time-dependent behavior of carbon-nanotube (CN) transistors is examined by numerically solving the time-dependent Boltzmann transport equation self-consistently with the Poisson equation. The two-port admittance matrix, containing the transistor's <i xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">y</i> -parameters, is extracted. At frequencies below the transistor's unity-current-gain frequency <i xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">fT</i> , the <i xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">y</i> -parameters are shown to agree with those predicted from a quasi-static description of transistor operation, provided that the partitioning factor for the device charge is extracted through application of an appropriate time-dependent ramp voltage to the gate. The physics of time-dependent transport is described, and by examining the positive- and negative-going components of electron charge in the nanotube, it is shown for an <i xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">nin</i> device structure that the <i xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">n</i> regions <i xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">can</i> add a time delay to the device response, even though these regions do not affect the transistor's extrapolated <i xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">fT</i> . For very high frequencies, or for very fast transients, it is pointed out that the conventional ldquofloating boundary conditionrdquo approach, which was originally suggested for dc simulations of ballistic Mosfets, becomes questionable when applied to time-dependent simulations of nanotubes. While this paper omits collisions and focuses on an intrinsic transistor structure that excludes external parasitics, it provides a first useful step toward the full frequency- and time-dependent characterization of CN transistors.

Topic: Carbon Nanotubes in Composites
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SUBSTITUTED POLYACETYLENES BY CYCLOPOLYMERIZATION : POLY (1, 6-HEPTADIYNE) AND POLY (PROPIOLIC ANHYDRIDE)

Two substituted polyacetylenes, poly(l,6-heptadiyne) and poly(propiolic anhydride), have been synthesized by cyclopolymerization of diacetylenic precursors. The former polymer has been examined in some detail. Under suitable conditions, it can be doped to a conductivity(σ) of ~ 1 s/cm. It displays a number of contrasts to polyacetylene in its morphology, lack of crystallinity, and electron spin resonance behavior. Poly(propiolic anhydride) has been examined only in a preliminary manner ; however, this system offers the possibility for generation of a range of substitutents by facile modification of the starting monomer or the product polymer. Cyclopolymerization is a feasible route for synthesis of a family of conducting polymers.

Topic: Synthesis and Properties of Aromatic Compounds
Subfield: Organic Chemistry
Field: Chemistry
Domain: Physical Sciences