Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Achieving Employability as We Age: The Role of Age and Achievement Goal Orientations on Learning and Employability

The aging workforce challenges companies to keep their aging employees employable in the workforce. This paper gives an indication as to which employees are more likely to be interested in further learning and employability. Specifically, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of chronological age and achievement goal orientations for informal and formal learning and employability. Data of 167 Austrian knowledge workers were gathered via electronic questionnaires to investigate the relationships between age, achievement goal orientations, learning activities, and employability using structural equation modeling. It was found that informal learning has a significant positive relation with several dimensions of employability. Furthermore, mastery-approach goal orientation also shows a significant positive relation with informal learning and employability. In addition, age had no significant relation with the achievement goal orientations. The paper stresses the need to consider characteristics other than chronological age, such as goal orientations, when considering employees’ learning behavior and employability.
Dynamical bar‐mode instability of differentially rotating stars: effects of equations of state and velocity profiles

As an extension of our previous work, we investigate the dynamical instability against nonaxisymmetric bar-mode deformations of differentially rotating stars in Newtonian gravity by varying the equations of state and velocity profiles. We performed the numerical simulation and the follow-up linear stability analysis by adopting polytropic equations of state with polytropic indices n = 1, 3/2 and 5/2, and with two types of angular velocity profiles (the so-called j-constant-like and Kepler-like laws). It is confirmed that rotating stars with a high degree of differential rotation are dynamically unstable against bar-mode deformation, even when the ratio of the kinetic energy to the gravitational potential energy β is of order 0.01. The criterion for the onset of bar-mode dynamical instability depends weakly on the polytropic index n and the angular velocity profile, as long as the degree of differential rotation is high. Gravitational waves from the final non-axisymmetric quasi-stationary states are calculated using the quadrupole formula. For proto-neutron stars of mass 1.4 M� , radius ∼30 km and β 0.1, such gravitational waves have a frequency of ∼600‐1400 Hz, and the effective amplitude is larger than 10 −22 at a distance of about 100 Mpc, irrespective of n and the angular
A stochastic process-based model for the positional error of line segments in GIS

This paper presents a model for describing the positional error of line segments in geographical information systems (GIS). The model is based on stochastic process theory with the assumptions that the errors of the endpoints of a line segment follow two-dimensional normal distributions. The distribution and density functions of the line segments are derived statistically. The uncertainty information matrix of line segments is derived to indicate the error of an arbitrary point on the line segment. This model covers the cases where two-end points are correlated to each other and points on the line segment are stochastically continuous to each other. The model is a more generic error band model than those previously developed and is called the G-Band model.
Spot Convenience Yield Models for Energy Assets

As the energy markets continue to evolve, valuation of energy-linked assets has been one of the focal topics of recent finance research. One of the most popular choices for describing asset movements is a class of the so-called ”convenience yield models”. Such models introduce a new unobserved quantity related to physical ownership of the asset. In turn, convenience yield models can be broadly split into ”spot” models and ”term structure factor” models. To the first group belong the classical Gibson and Schwartz model [8], as well as later models of Schwartz [19], Hilliard and Reis [12], and Casassus and Collin-Dufresne [7]. The ”term structure” models, which have been discussed among others by Miltersen and Schwartz [17], and Bjork and Landen [2] are similar to Heath-Jarrow-Morton constructions in fixed income. In this paper we review the literature of spot convenience yield models and analyze two new extensions. First, we discuss a variant of the GibsonSchwartz model with time-dependent parameters. This was first suggested by Miltersen [16], but we provide the first full implementation of the model using empirical data. Second, we describe a new three-factor affine model with stochastic convenience yield and stochastic market price of risk. The existence of a third factor allows us to achieve a good fit to the cross-section of futures prices. The idea of time-dependent risk premia has been recently proposed by Casassus and Collin-Dufresne [7], however, they only consider the deterministic case. We believe that a stochastic version is much more
An improved method for finger-vein image enhancement

Finger vein, as a biological characteristic of individual, has been increasingly utilized for personal identification in advanced security applications. Nonetheless, the finger-vein images always are low in quality, which seriously affect the vein-feature extraction and classification. Hence, establishing a reasonable finger-vein enhancement strategy is indispensable in reality. In this paper, an improved approach, incorporating directional decomposition and Frangí filtering, is proposed to enhance finger veins. First, background subtraction is processed to improve image contrast and eliminate uneven illumination. Then, the vein information as ridge-like directional characters in image is detected by directional filter bank and enhanced through Frangí filtering after noise removal. Finally, the enhanced images are obtained from enhanced directional images using a finer reconstruction rule. Experimental results show that the proposed approach is much more effective and robust in enhancing finger-vein images.
Photogrammetric calibration of the SwissRanger 3D range imaging sensor

Many robotic and industrial systems require 3D range-sensing capabilities for mapping, localization, navigation, and obstacle avoidance. Laser-scanning systems that mechanically trace a range-sensing beam over a raster or similar pattern can produce highly accurate models but tend to be bulky and slow when acquiring a significant field of view at useful resolutions. Stereo cameras can provide video-rate range images over significant fields of view but tend to have difficulty with scenes containing low or confusing textures. A new generation of active light, time-of-flight range sensors use a 2D array of sensor elements to produce a 3D range image at video rates. These sensors pose unique calibration challenges, requiring both the usual calibration of lens distortion (intrinsic calibration) and calibration of the time-of-flight range measurement (3D calibration). This paper presents our application of a photogrammetric calibration approach using inexpensive printed optical targets and off-the-shelf software to solve both intrinsic and range calibrations for the MESA Imaging SwissRanger 3100 range imaging sensor. We further identify specific calibration issues stemming from this sensor's correlation of reflectivity with measured range.
Misuse of corticosteroid metered-dose inhaler is associated with decreased asthma stability

This study assessed whether the improper use of pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) is associated with decreased asthma control in asthmatics treated by inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). General practitioners (GPs) included consecutive asthmatic outpatients treated by pMDI-administered ICS and on-demand, short-acting β2-agonists. They measured an asthma instability score (AIS) based on daytime and nocturnal symptoms, exercise-induced dyspnoea, β2-agonist usage, emergency-care visits and global perception of asthma control within the preceding month; the inhalation technique of the patient also was assessed. GPs (n=915) included 4,078 adult asthmatics; 3,955 questionnaires were evaluable. pMDI was misused by 71% of patients, of which 47% was due to poor coordination. Asthma was less stable in pMDI misusers than in good users (AIS: 3.93 versus 2.86, p<0.001). Among misusers, asthma was less stable in poor coordinators (AIS: 4.38 versus 3.56 in good coordinators, p<0.001). To conclude, misuse of pressurized metered-dose inhalers, which is mainly due to poor coordination, is frequent and associated with poorer asthma control in inhaled corticosteroid-treated asthmatics. This study highlights the importance of evaluating inhalation technique and providing appropriate education in all patients, especially before increasing inhaled corticosteroid dosage or adding other agents. The use of devices which alleviate coordination problems should be reinforced in pressurized metered-dose inhaler misusers.
Saving Face on Facebook: Privacy Concerns, Social Benefits, and Impression Management

Use of online social networks is nearly ubiquitous. Use of these services generally entails substantial personal disclosure and elicits significant privacy concerns. This research uses Social Exchange Theory and the impression management literature to examine how privacy concerns can be counterbalanced by the perceived social benefits afforded by a social network’s ability to support impression management. We frame social network use as an attempt to engage in impression management, and we highlight the importance of a social network’s impression management capabilities in predicting social benefits from, and use of, a social network. We test our model with a sample of 244 Facebook users, finding strong support for the proposed relationships. Our theory has important implications for researchers and practitioners interested in privacy issues within social networks.
Decellularized Wharton’s Jelly from human umbilical cord as a novel 3D scaffolding material for tissue engineering applications

In tissue engineering, an ideal scaffold attracts and supports cells thus providing them with the necessary mechanical support and architecture as they reconstruct new tissue in vitro and in vivo. This manuscript details a novel matrix derived from decellularized Wharton’s jelly (WJ) obtained from human umbilical cord for use as a scaffold for tissue engineering application. This decellularized Wharton’s jelly matrix (DWJM) contained 0.66 ± 0.12 μg/mg sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), and was abundant in hyaluronic acid, and completely devoid of cells. Mass spectroscopy revealed the presence of collagen types II, VI and XII, fibronectin-I, and lumican I. When seeded onto DWJM, WJ mesenchymal stem cells (WJMSCs), successfully attached to, and penetrated the porous matrix resulting in a slower rate of cell proliferation. Gene expression analysis of WJ and bone marrow (BM) MSCs cultured on DWJM demonstrated decreased expression of proliferation genes with no clear pattern of differentiation. When this matrix was implanted into a murine calvarial defect model with, green fluorescent protein (GFP) labeled osteocytes, the osteocytes were observed to migrate into the matrix as early as 24 hours. They were also identified in the matrix up to 14 days after transplantation. Together with these findings, we conclude that DWJM can be used as a 3D porous, bioactive and biocompatible scaffold for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications.
New magnetic field measurements of β Cephei stars and slowly pulsating B stars

Abstract We present the results of the continuation of our magnetic survey with FORS 1 at the VLT of a sample of B-type stars consisting of confirmed or candidate β Cephei stars and Slowly Pulsating B stars. Roughly one third of the studied β Cephei stars have detected magnetic fields. The fraction of magnetic Slowly Pulsating B and candidate Slowly Pulsating B stars is found to be higher, up to 50%. We find that the domains of magnetic and non-magnetic pulsating stars in the H-R diagram largely overlap, and no clear picture emerges as to the possible evolution of the magnetic field across the main sequence.
Multi-Message Private Information Retrieval: Capacity Results and Near-Optimal Schemes

We consider the problem of multi-message private information retrieval (MPIR) from <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$N$ </tex-math></inline-formula> non-communicating replicated databases. In MPIR, the user is interested in retrieving <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$P$ </tex-math></inline-formula> messages out of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$M$ </tex-math></inline-formula> stored messages without leaking the identity of the retrieved messages. The information-theoretic sum capacity of MPIR <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$C_{s}^{P}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> is the maximum number of desired message symbols that can be retrieved privately per downloaded symbol, where the symbols are defined over the same field. For the case <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$P \geq M/2$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, we determine the exact sum capacity of MPIR as <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$C_{s}^{P}=1/(1+(M-P)/(PN))$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. The achievable scheme in this case is based on downloading MDS-coded mixtures of all messages. For <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$P \leq {M}/{2}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, we develop lower and upper bounds for all <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$M,P,N$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. These bounds match if the total number of messages <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$M$ </tex-math></inline-formula> is an integer multiple of the number of desired messages <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$P$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, i.e., <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$M/P \in \mathbb {N}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. In this case, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$C_{s}^{P}=(1+1/N+\cdots +1/N^{M/P-1})^{-1}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, i.e., <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$C_{s}^{P}=(1-1/N)/(1-1/N^{M/P})$ </tex-math></inline-formula> for <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$N>1$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$C_{s}^{P}=P/M$ </tex-math></inline-formula> for <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$N=1$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. The achievable scheme in this case generalizes the single-message capacity achieving scheme to have unbalanced number of stages per round of download. For all the remaining cases, the difference between the lower and upper bound is at most 0.0082, which occurs for <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$M=5$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$P=2$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$N=2$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. Our results indicate that joint retrieval of desired messages is more efficient than successive use of single-message retrieval schemes even after considering the free savings that result from downloading undesired symbols in each single-message retrieval round.
The SARS-Unique Domain (SUD) of SARS Coronavirus Contains Two Macrodomains That Bind G-Quadruplexes

Since the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003, the three-dimensional structures of several of the replicase/transcriptase components of SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV), the non-structural proteins (Nsps), have been determined. However, within the large Nsp3 (1922 amino-acid residues), the structure and function of the so-called SARS-unique domain (SUD) have remained elusive. SUD occurs only in SARS-CoV and the highly related viruses found in certain bats, but is absent from all other coronaviruses. Therefore, it has been speculated that it may be involved in the extreme pathogenicity of SARS-CoV, compared to other coronaviruses, most of which cause only mild infections in humans. In order to help elucidate the function of the SUD, we have determined crystal structures of fragment 389–652 (“SUDcore”) of Nsp3, which comprises 264 of the 338 residues of the domain. Both the monoclinic and triclinic crystal forms (2.2 and 2.8 Å resolution, respectively) revealed that SUDcore forms a homodimer. Each monomer consists of two subdomains, SUD-N and SUD-M, with a macrodomain fold similar to the SARS-CoV X-domain. However, in contrast to the latter, SUD fails to bind ADP-ribose, as determined by zone-interference gel electrophoresis. Instead, the entire SUDcore as well as its individual subdomains interact with oligonucleotides known to form G-quadruplexes. This includes oligodeoxy- as well as oligoribonucleotides. Mutations of selected lysine residues on the surface of the SUD-N subdomain lead to reduction of G-quadruplex binding, whereas mutations in the SUD-M subdomain abolish it. As there is no evidence for Nsp3 entering the nucleus of the host cell, the SARS-CoV genomic RNA or host-cell mRNA containing long G-stretches may be targets of SUD. The SARS-CoV genome is devoid of G-stretches longer than 5–6 nucleotides, but more extended G-stretches are found in the 3′-nontranslated regions of mRNAs coding for certain host-cell proteins involved in apoptosis or signal transduction, and have been shown to bind to SUD in vitro. Therefore, SUD may be involved in controlling the host cell's response to the viral infection. Possible interference with poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-like domains is also discussed.
Tissue culture studies on pleural effusions from breast carcinoma patients.

Summary The general lack of success that has attended attempts to establish tumor cell lines from solid specimens of breast carcinoma prompted our use of pleural effusions for this purpose. This paper summarizes tissue culture studies on five sequential pleural effusions from each of two patients with breast carcinoma. The morphology of cells in fresh specimens and cultures was documented by light and electron microscopy. Tumor cells were abundant in the fresh fluid specimens and they showed a high degree of viability. Fibroblasts were generally absent. Tumor cells in the fresh fluids and in cultures were morphologically similar to tumor cells cultured from solid breast carcinoma tissue. Nonneoplastic cells were found to survive or proliferate for 1 to 6 months in culture. Two cell types that grew readily in one of our media (medium BTN) resembled either fibroblasts or mesothelial cells by light microscopy. Electron microscopic studies indicated that the fibroblast-like cells were structurally modified epithelial cells. Our results demonstrate that pleural effusions provide a fertile source of tumor cells from which tumor cell lines can be established.
University Patenting and Technology Commercialization – Legal Frameworks and the Importance of Local Practice

The impact of national legislative frameworks on the higher education sector's contribution to technological innovation is heavily disputed. This paper argues that legislative frameworks may stimulate the development of local practices for the management and exploitation of intellectual property (IP), which in turn determine the level of academic patenting. We present case studies of two comparable universities in each of four selected European countries with different histories of national IP legislation. A within-country analysis shows that a wider range and earlier development of local IP management and exploitation practices are accompanied by higher levels of academic patenting, and that increasing similarity of IP practices is associated with decreasing differences in patenting outputs. A preliminary cross-country analysis reveals an expansion in and increasing similarity of practices for IP management and exploitation in countries with different national IP framework histories. We conclude that adopting Bayh-Dole-like legislation may trigger the development of local IP practices, which stimulate patenting. However, it is not always sufficient and definitely not always necessary. The study concludes with some policy recommendations.
The Local Dimension: a method to quantify the Cosmic Web

ABSTRACT It is now wellaccepted that the galaxiesaredistributed in ﬁlaments, sheets and clustersall of which form an interconnected network known as the Cosmic Web. It is a bigchallenge to quantify the shapes of the interconnected structural elements that formthis network. Tools like the Minkowski functionals which use global properties, thoughwell suited for an isolated object like a single sheet or ﬁlament, are not suited for aninterconnected network of such objects. We consider the Local Dimension D, deﬁnedthrough N(R) = AR D , where N(R) is the galaxy number count within a sphere ofcomoving radius R centered on a particular galaxy, as a tool to locally quantify theshape in the neigbourhood of diﬀerent galaxies along the Cosmic Web. We expectD ∼ 1,2 and 3 for a galaxy located in a ﬁlament, sheet and cluster respectively. UsingLCDM N-body simulations we ﬁnd that it is possible to determine D through a powerlaw ﬁt to N(R) across the length-scales 2 to 10Mpc for ∼ 33% of the galaxies. Wehave visually identiﬁed the ﬁlaments and sheets corresponding to many of the galaxieswith D ∼ 1 and 2 respectively. In several other situations the structure responsible forthe D value could not be visually identiﬁed, either due to its being tenuous or due toother dominating structures in the vicinity. We also show that the global distributionof the D values can be used to visualize and interpret how the diﬀerent structuralelements are woven into the Cosmic Web.Key words: methods: data analysis - galaxies: statistics - large-scale structure ofUniverse
The Protective Effects of Insulin and Natural Honey against Hippocampal Cell Death in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

We investigated the effects of insulin and honey as antioxidants to prevent the hippocampal cell death in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. We selected sixty Wister rats (5 groups of 12 animals each), including the control group (C), and four diabetic groups (control (D) and 3 groups treated with insulin (I), honey (H), and insulin plus honey (I + H)). Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin injection (IP, 60 mg/kg). Six weeks after the induction of diabetes, the group I received insulin (3-4 U/kg/day, SC), group H received honey (5 mg/kg/day, IP), and group I + H received a combination of the above at the same dose. Groups C and D received normal saline. Two weeks after treatment, rats were sacrificed and the hippocampus was extracted. Neuronal cell death in the hippocampal region was examined using trypan blue assay, “H & E” staining, and TUNEL assay. Cell viability assessment showed significantly lower number of living cells in group D than in group C. Besides, the mean number of living cells was significantly higher in group I, H, and I + H compared to group D. Therefore, it can be concluded that the treatment of the diabetic rats with insulin, honey, and a combination of insulin and honey can prevent neuronal cell death in different hippocampal areas of the studied samples.