Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A New High Contrast Imaging Program at Palomar Observatory

We describe a new instrument that forms the core of a long-term high contrast imaging program at the 200 inch (5 m) Hale Telescope at Palomar Observatory. The primary scientific thrust is to obtain images and low-resolution spectroscopy of brown dwarfs and young exoplanets of several Jupiter masses in the vicinity of stars within 50 pc of the Sun. The instrument is a microlens-based integral field spectrograph integrated with a diffraction-limited, apodized-pupil Lyot coronagraph. The entire combination is mounted behind the Palomar adaptive optics (AO) system. The spectrograph obtains imaging in 23 channels across the J and H bands (1.06–1.78 μm). The image plane of our spectrograph is subdivided by a 200 × 200 element microlens array with a plate scale of 19.2 mas per microlens, critically sampling the diffraction-limited point-spread function at 1.06 μm. In addition to obtaining spectra, this wavelength resolution allows suppression of the chromatically dependent speckle noise, which we describe. In addition, we have recently installed a novel internal wave front calibration system that will provide continuous updates to the AO system every 0.5–1.0 minutes by sensing the wave front within the coronagraph. The Palomar AO system is undergoing an upgrade to a much higher order AO system (PALM-3000): a 3388-actuator tweeter deformable mirror working together with the existing 241-actuator mirror. This system, the highest-resolution AO corrector of its kind, will allow correction with subapertures as small as 8.1 cm at the telescope pupil using natural guide stars. The coronagraph alone has achieved an initial dynamic range in the H band of 2 × 10-4 at 1″, without speckle noise suppression. We demonstrate that spectral speckle suppression provides a factor of 10–20 improvement over this, bringing our current contrast at 1″ to ∼2 × 10-5. This system is the first of a new generation of apodized-pupil coronagraphs combined with high-order adaptive optics and integral field spectrographs (e.g., GPI, SPHERE, HiCIAO), and we anticipate that this instrument will make a lasting contribution to high-contrast imaging in the Northern Hemisphere for years.
Ages and Metallicities of Globular Clusters in NGC 4472

We have derived ages and metallicities from co-added spectra of 131 globular clusters associated with the giant elliptical galaxy NGC 4472. Based upon a calibration with Galactic globular clusters, we find that our sample of globular clusters in NGC 4472 span a metallicity range of approximately -1.6 � [Fe/H] � 0 dex. There is evidence of a radial metallicity gradient in the globular cluster system which is steeper than that seen in the underlying starlight. Determination of the absolute ages of the globular clusters is uncertain, but formally, the metal-poor population of globular clusters has an age of 14.5 ± 4 Gyr and the metal-rich population is 13.8 ± 6 Gyr old. Monte Carlo simulations indicate that the globular cluster populations present in these data are older than 6 Gyr at the 95% confidence level. We find that within the uncertainties, the globular clusters are old and coeval, implying that the bimodality seen in the broadband colours primarily reflects metallicity and not age differences.
Comparing the Self-Report and Measured Smartphone Usage of College Students: A Pilot Study

Objective Nowadays smartphone overuse has become a social and medical concern. For the diagnosis and treatment, clinicians use the self-report information, but the report data often does not match actual usage pattern. The paper examines the similarity and variance in smartphone usage patterns between the measured data and self-reported data. Methods Together with the self-reported data, the real usage log data is collected from 35 college students in a metropolitan region of Northeast Asia, using Android smartphone monitoring application developed by the authors. Results The unconscious users underestimate their usage time by 40%, in spite of 15% more use in the actual usage. Messengers are most-used application regardless of their self-report, and significant preference to SNS applications was observed in addict group. The actual hourly pattern is consistent with the reported one. College students use more in the afternoon, when they have more free time and cannot use PCs. No significant difference in hourly pattern is observed between the measured and self-report. Conclusion The result shows there are significant cognitive bias in actual usage patterns exists in self report of smartphone addictions. Clinicians are recommended to utilize measurement tools in diagnosis and treatment of smartphone overusing subjects.
Equivalence of sparse circulants: the bipartite Ádám problem

We consider n-by-n circulant matrices having entries 0 and 1. Such matrices can be identified with sets of residues mod n, corresponding to the columns in which the top row contains an entry 1. Let A and B be two such matrices, and suppose that the corresponding residue sets S_A and S_B have size at most 3. We prove that the following are equivalent: (1) there are integers u,v mod n, with u a unit, such that S_A = uS_B + v; (2) there are permutation matrices P,Q such that A=PBQ. Our proof relies on some new results about vanishing sums of roots of unity. We give examples showing this result is not always true for denser circulants, as well as results showing it continues to hold in some situations. We also explain how our problem relates to the Adam problem on isomorphisms of circulant directed graphs.
Water Footprint Calculation on the Basis of Input–Output Analysis and a Biproportional Algorithm: A Case Study for the Yellow River Basin, China

In the Yellow River basin, China, ecosystems suffer from the overexploitation and utilization of water resources, resulting in various environmental impacts. Consideration must be given to both human and ecosystem water requirements in water resources management. A water footprint (WF) is a tool for estimating industrial, agricultural, commercial and household water requirements and for examining the impact of consumption on water resources. The study attempts to establish an approach to analyse the dynamic processes and driving forces that result in certain WFs. Using input–output tables for provinces and municipalities, we calculate water use coefficients, the total WF and the net external WF of consumption in China’s Yellow River Basin. A biproportional algorithm is employed to revise the input–output tables for analysing the temporal dynamics of the WF. The factor analysis and linear regression were used to analyse the main influencing factors of WF. Results indicate that the coefficient for water use by primary industries is highest and that coefficients for provincial water use differ significantly. Second, household consumption and residuals from capital accumulation constituted approximately half of the total WF of the Yellow River basin in 2002 and also differed significantly among provinces. Third, the ratio of the net external WF to the total WF increased, and the ratio of final consumption to the total WF declined during the period examined. Fourth, output by secondary industries correlated most strongly with the WF, followed by area under irrigation, per capita meat consumption, water consumption per 10,000-yuan increase in added value and population.
Contraction of Wildlife Dispersal Area in Olgulului - Ololorashi Group Ranch Around Amboseli National Park, Kenya

A majority of large mammals from Amboseli National Park rely on group ranch wildlife dispersal areas for wet season dispersal. However, the contraction of wildlife dispersal areas around Amboseli may be increasing, but the extent is unknown. This study investigated the contraction of wildlife dispersal area by human infrastructure in Olgulului - Ololorashi Group Ranch, which surrounds over 90% of Amboseli Park. Global Positioning System (GPS) was used for location and Geographical Information System (GIS) was used for spatial analysis to determine the area occupied by the structures. The minimum distance of wildlife kept away from institutions was 275 ± 20 m, followed by bomas (214 ± 16 m), roads (163 ± 9 m), and livestock (192 ± 12 m). The minimum distance of wildlife from human infrastructure was used as an index of wildlife displacement. All infrastructure occupied an actual area of 66 km 2 (5%) of the group ranch. This increased to 281 km 2 (23%) with wildlife displacement. Of the area occupied by human infrastructure, fourteen settlement clusters (199 km 2 , 10.82%) were located. Bomas covered 10% of the group ranch area, followed by institutions (6%), roads (5%), and agriculture (2.13%). The infrastructures were widely distributed in the group ranch and around the Amboseli. Although more dispersal space was available, the spatial distribution of clusters and infrastructure threaten wildlife dispersal. If the obstruction of dispersal routes is not addressed, the group ranch will be compromised as a wildlife dispersal area for Amboseli National Park.
Coupled K+–Water Flux through the HERG Potassium Channel Measured by an Osmotic Pulse Method

The streaming potential (V stream) is a signature feature of ion channels in which permeating ions and water molecules move in a single file. V stream provides a quantitative measure of the ion and water flux (the water–ion coupling ratio), the knowledge of which is a prerequisite for elucidating the mechanisms of ion permeation. We have developed a method to measure V stream with the whole-cell patch-clamp configuration. A HEK293 cell stably expressing the HERG potassium channel was voltage clamped and exposed to hyperosmotic solutions for short periods of time (<1 s) by an ultrafast solution switching system (the osmotic pulse [quick jump-and-away] method). The reversal potentials were monitored by a series of voltage ramps before, during, and after the osmotic pulse. The shifts of the reversal potentials immediately after the osmotic jump gave V stream. In symmetrical K+ solutions (10 mM), the V streams measured at different osmolalities showed a linear relationship with a slope of −0.7 mV/ΔOsm, from which the water–ion coupling ratio (n, the ratio of the flux of water to the flux of cations; Levitt, D.G., S.R. Elias, and J.M. Hautman. 1978. Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 512:436–451) was calculated to be 1.4. In symmetrical 100 mM K+ solutions, the coupling ratio was decreased significantly (n = 0.9), indicating that the permeation process through states with increased ion occupancy became significant. We presented a diagrammatic representation linking the water–ion coupling ratio to the mode of ion permeation and suggested that the coupling ratio of one may represent the least hydrated ion flux in the single-file pore.
Die Enge der Beziehung zwischen erwachsenen Kindern und ihren Eltern – und umgekehrt

Zusammenfassung In diesem Beitrag geht es einerseits um die Frage, wie eng die Beziehungen zwischen erwachsenen Kindern und ihren Eltern in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland generell sind. Andererseits wird untersucht, warum manche intergenerationalen Beziehungen enger und andere weniger eng sind. Dabei werden zunächst theoretisch vier Determinantengruppen entwickelt, nämlich Opportunitätsstrukturen, Bedürfnisstrukturen, familiale Strukturen und kulturell-kontextuelle Strukturen. Die empirischen Analysen basieren auf den Daten des Sozio-ökonomischen Panels. Sie belegen zunächst, daß die allermeisten Eltern und erwachsenen Kinder zumindest von engen intergenerationalen Beziehungen berichten, wobei dies noch mehr für die Eltern als für die Kinder zutrifft. Die engsten Beziehungen bestehen zwischen ostdeutschen Müttern und Töchtern, die vergleichsweise flüchtigsten zwischen westdeutschen Söhnen und Vätern. Hinsichtlich der vier Determinantengruppen zeigt sich, daß diese allesamt bedeutsam sind. Die entsprechenden theoretischen Hypothesen werden (anhand von deskriptiven Auswertungen und geordneten Probit-Modellen) zum Teil belegt, zum Teil widerlegt und zum Teil differenziert.
How Does Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Relate to ADHD in a Sample of College Students

ABSTRACT This study sought to investigate the relationship between SCT and ADHD in a two groups of college students. One group consisted of 121 participants who were clinically diagnosed with ADHD. The other group was a non-diagnosed control group which consisted of 102 participants who were recruited from general university classrooms. Students diagnosed with ADHD endorsed a significantly higher number of SCT symptoms compared to the control group. Additionally, within the group diagnosed with ADHD, the strongest significant relationship was between symptoms of SCT and symptoms of inattention. The relationship between SCT and symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity was non-significant. There were no significant gender differences in SCT symptoms in either group. The number of SCT symptoms needed to be at or above the 95th percentile in the group diagnosed with ADHD was nine and in the control group it was five symptoms. Informant differences were investigated in the group diagnosed with ADHD and the results indicated that the self-reported score for symptoms of SCT was significantly higher than those reported by an informant rater. SCT was significantly related to symptoms of anxiety and depression. The strongest relationship was between SCT and depression. The relationship between SCT and two timed measures of cognitive functioning was investigated. The results indicated that SCT was not significantly related to a measure of reading fluency or visual matching. This is the first known study to date to have explored the relationship between ADHD and SCT in college students. Recommendations for future research are made. %%%%A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. %%%%Summer Semester, 2014. %%%%December 13, 2013. %%%%ADHD, SCT%%%%Frances Prevatt, Professor Directing Dissertation; Lenore McWey, University Representative; Jeannine Turner, Committee Member; Shengli Dong, Committee Member.
A Hybrid Approach to Optimize the Number of Recombinations in Ancestral Recombination Graphs

Building ancestral recombination graphs (ARG) with minimum number of recombination events for large datasets is a challenging problem. We have proposed ARG4WG and REARG heuristic algorithm for constructing ARGs with thousands of whole genome sequences. However, these algorithms do not result in ARGs with minimal number of recombination events. In this work, we propose GAMARG algorithm, an improvement of ARG4WG, to optimize the number of recombination events in ARG building process. Experiment with different datasets showed that GAMARG algorithm outperforms other heuristic algorithms in building ARGs for large datasets. It also is much better than other heuristic algorithms and comparable to exhaustive search methods for small datasets.
Probing thermal expansion of graphene and modal dispersion at low-temperature using graphene nanoelectromechanical systems resonators

We use suspended graphene electromechanical resonators to study the variation of resonant frequency as a function of temperature. Measuring the change in frequency resulting from a change in tension, from 300 to 30 K, allows us to extract information about the thermal expansion of monolayer graphene as a function of temperature, which is critical for strain engineering applications. We find that thermal expansion of graphene is negative for all temperatures between 300 and 30 K. We also study the dispersion, the variation of resonant frequency with DC gate voltage, of the electromechanical modes and find considerable tunability of resonant frequency, desirable for applications like mass sensing and RF signal processing at room temperature. With a lowering of temperature, we find that the positively dispersing electromechanical modes evolve into negatively dispersing ones. We quantitatively explain this crossover and discuss optimal electromechanical properties that are desirable for temperature-compensated sensors.
Local excitation and interference of surface phonon polaritons studied by near‐field infrared microscopy

We demonstrate that mid‐infrared surface phonon polariton excitation, propagation and interference can be studied by scattering‐type near‐field optical microscopy (s‐SNOM). In our experiments we image surface phonon polaritons (SPPs) propagating on flat SiC crystals. They are excited by weakly focused illumination of single or closely spaced metal disks we fabricated on the SiC surface by conventional photolithography. SPP imaging is performed by pseudo‐heterodyne interferometric detection of infrared light scattered by the metal tip of our s‐SNOM. The pseudo‐heterodyne technique simultaneously yields optical amplitude and phase images which allows us to measure the SPP wave vector – including its sign – and the propagation length and further to study SPP interference. High resolution imaging of SPPs could be applied to investigate for example SPP focusing or heat transfer by SPPs in low dimensional nanostructures.
Characterization of throat microbial flora in smokers with or without COPD

The study aimed to determine the relationship between throat microbiome and COPD. Sixty-five Chinese males (n=20, smokers without COPD; n=45 smokers with COPD) were included. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling indicated differences of microbiome between COPD and controls, but no difference was observed between COPD patients with differing degrees of lung function or disease severity. Rarefaction analyses suggested that operational taxonomic units (OTUs, species-level) richness decreased in COPD. The dominant taxa between COPD and controls were similar, but the proportions of taxonomic distribution were different. The dominant phyla were Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Fusobacteria. The dominant genera were Haemophilus, Leptotrichia, Porphyromonas, Fusobacterium, Veillonella, Streptococcus, Neisseria and Prevotella. Two dominant OTUs, otu3 (Veillonella_dispar) and otu4 (Streptococcus_unclassified), were identified. Otu3 and its father-level taxa, which were negatively correlated with predicted percent of forced expiratory volume in a second (FEV1%pred), were increased in COPD. By contrast, otu4 and its father-level taxa, which were positively correlated with FEV1%pred, were decreased in COPD. Otu4 also showed a slight potential as a COPD biomarker. To conclude, the throat microbiome was different between smokers with or without COPD, which is similar to findings from the lower respiratory tract. This study may strengthen our understanding of the relationship between microbiomes of different airway sites and COPD.
Study of Black Sand Particles from Sand Dunes in Badr, Saudi Arabia Using Electron Microscopy

Particulate air pollution is a health concern. This study determines the microscopic make-up of different varieties of sand particles collected at a sand dune site in Badr, Saudi Arabia in 2012. Three categories of sand were studied: black sand, white sand, and volcanic sand. The study used multiple high resolution electron microscopies to study the morphologies, emission source types, size, and elemental composition of the particles, and to evaluate the presence of surface “coatings or contaminants” deposited or transported by the black sand particles. White sand was comprised of natural coarse particles linked to wind-blown releases from crustal surfaces, weathering of igneous/metamorphic rock sources, and volcanic activities. Black sand particles exhibited different morphologies and microstructures (surface roughness) compared with the white sand and volcanic sand. Morphological Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Laser Scanning Microscopy (LSM) analyses revealed that the black sand contained fine and ultrafine particles (50 to 500 nm ranges) and was strongly magnetic, indicating the mineral magnetite or elemental iron. Aqueous extracts of black sands were acidic (pH = 5.0). Fe, C, O, Ti, Si, V, and S dominated the composition of black sand. Results suggest that carbon and other contaminant fine particles were produced by fossil-fuel combustion and industrial emissions in heavily industrialized areas of Haifa and Yanbu, and transported as cloud condensation nuclei to Douf Mountain. The suite of techniques used in this study has yielded an in-depth characterization of sand particles. Such information will be needed in future environmental, toxicological, epidemiological, and source apportionment studies.
Identification of molecular and physiological responses to chronic environmental challenge in an invasive species: the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas

Understanding the environmental responses of an invasive species is critical in predicting how ecosystem composition may be transformed in the future, especially under climate change. In this study, Crassostrea gigas, a species well adapted to the highly variable intertidal environment, was exposed to the chronic environmental challenges of temperature (19 and 24°C) and pH (ambient seawater and a reduction of 0.4 pH units) in an extended 3-month laboratory-based study. Physiological parameters were measured (condition index, shell growth, respiration, excretion rates, O:N ratios, and ability to repair shell damage) alongside molecular analyses. Temperature was by far the most important stressor, as demonstrated by reduced condition indexes and shell growth at 24°C, with relatively little effect detected for pH. Transcriptional profiling using candidate genes and SOLiD sequencing of mantle tissue revealed that classical “stress” genes, previously reported to be upregulated under acute temperature challenges, were not significantly expressed in any of the treatments, emphasizing the different response between acute and longer term chronic stress. The transcriptional profiling also elaborated on the cellular responses underpinning the physiological results, including the identification of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway as a potentially novel marker for chronic environmental challenge. This study represents a first attempt to understand the energetic consequences of cumulative thermal stress on the intertidal C. gigas which could significantly impact on coastal ecosystem biodiversity and function in the future.