Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Panoramic Mid-Infrared Survey of Two Distant Clusters

We present panoramic Spitzer MIPS 24 μm observations, covering ~9 × 9 Mpc2 (25′ × 25′) fields around two massive clusters, Cl 0024+16 and MS 0451-03, at z = 0.39 and z = 0.55, respectively, reaching a 5 σ flux limit of ~200 μJy. Our observations cover a very wide range of environments within these clusters, from high-density regions around the cores out to the turnaround radius. Cross-correlating the mid-infrared catalogs with deep optical and near-infrared imaging of these fields, we investigate the optical/near-infrared colors of the mid-infrared sources. We find excesses of mid-infrared sources with the optical/near-infrared colors expected of cluster members in the two clusters and test this selection using spectroscopically confirmed 24 μm members. The much more significant excess is associated with Cl 0024+16, whereas MS 0451-03 has comparatively few mid-infrared sources. The mid-infrared galaxy population in Cl 0024+16 appears to be associated with dusty star-forming galaxies (typically redder than the general cluster population by up to AV ~ 1-2 mag) rather than emission from dusty tori around active galactic nuclei in early-type hosts. We compare the star formation rates derived from the total infrared (8-1000 μm) luminosities for the mid-infrared sources in Cl 0024+16 with those estimated from a published Hα survey, finding rates ≳5 times those found from Hα, indicating significant obscured activity in the cluster population. Compared to previous mid-infrared surveys of clusters from z ~ 0-0.5, we find evidence for strong evolution of the level of dust-obscured star formation in dense environments to z = 0.5, analogous to the rise in the fraction of optically selected star-forming galaxies seen in clusters and the field out to similar redshifts. However, there are clearly significant cluster-to-cluster variations in the populations of mid-infrared sources, probably reflecting differences in the intracluster media and recent dynamical evolution of these systems.
Assessment and Calibration of a RGB-D Camera (Kinect v2 Sensor) Towards a Potential Use for Close-Range 3D Modeling

In the last decade, RGB-D cameras - also called range imaging cameras - have known a permanent evolution. Because of their limited cost and their ability to measure distances at a high frame rate, such sensors are especially appreciated for applications in robotics or computer vision. The Kinect v1 (Microsoft) release in November 2010 promoted the use of RGB-D cameras, so that a second version of the sensor arrived on the market in July 2014. Since it is possible to obtain point clouds of an observed scene with a high frequency, one could imagine applying this type of sensors to answer to the need for 3D acquisition. However, due to the technology involved, some questions have to be considered such as, for example, the suitability and accuracy of RGB-D cameras for close range 3D modeling. In that way, the quality of the acquired data represents a major axis. In this paper, the use of a recent Kinect v2 sensor to reconstruct small objects in three dimensions has been investigated. To achieve this goal, a survey of the sensor characteristics as well as a calibration approach are relevant. After an accuracy assessment of the produced models, the benefits and drawbacks of Kinect v2 compared to the first version of the sensor and then to photogrammetry are discussed.
Teaching Children to Learn Word Meanings from Context: A Synthesis and Some Questions

This article reviews 14 studies investigating approaches that aimed at teaching children to be more efficient at learning words from context. In nearly all of the studies reviewed, treatments were effective at improving children's skill in learning words from context compared to a no-treatment control. However, in the 4 studies that included a practice-only treatment, no significant differences were found between the strategy treatment and practice-only groups. These findings suggest that the effects of the treatments were due to the practice rather than to the specific strategies taught. Suggestions are made for improving research examining the effects of context-clue strategies.
Testing for Non-Gaussianity in the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe Data: Minkowski Functionals and the Length of the Skeleton

The three Minkowski functionals and the recently defined length of the skeleton are estimated for the co-added first-year Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) data and compared with 5000 Monte Carlo simulations, based on Gaussian fluctuations with the a priori best-fit running-index power spectrum and WMAP-like beam and noise properties. Several power spectrum-dependent quantities, such as the number of stationary points, the total length of the skeleton, and a spectral parameter, γ, are also estimated. While the area and length Minkowski functionals and the length of the skeleton show no evidence for departures from the Gaussian hypothesis, the northern hemisphere genus has a χ2 that is large at the 95% level for all scales. For the particular smoothing scale of 3. °40 FWHM it is larger than that found in 99.5% of the simulations. In addition, the WMAP genus for negative thresholds in the northern hemisphere has an amplitude that is larger than in the simulations with a significance of more than 3 σ. On the smallest angular scales considered, the number of extrema in the WMAP data is high at the 3 σ level. However, this can probably be attributed to the effect of point sources. Finally, the spectral parameter γ is high at the 99% level in the northern Galactic hemisphere, while perfectly acceptable in the southern hemisphere. The results provide strong evidence for the presence of both non-Gaussian behavior and an unexpected power asymmetry between the northern and southern hemispheres in the WMAP data.
Statistical Post-Processing of Ensemble Precipitation Forecasts by Fitting

We present a parametric statistical post-processing method which transforms raw (and frequently biased) ensemble forecasts from the Global Ensemble Forecast System (GEFS) into reliable predictive probability distributions for precipitation accumulations. Exploratory analysis based on 12 years of reforecast data and 1/8-degree climatology-calibrated precipitation analyses shows that censored, shifted gamma distributions can well approximate the conditional distribution of observed precipitation accumulations given the ensemble forecasts. A nonhomogeneous regression model is set up to link the parameters of this distribution to ensemble statistics which summarize the mean and spread of predicted precipitation amounts within a certain neighborhood of the location of interest, and in addition the predicted mean of precipitable water. Regression parameters are fitted to training data through minimization of the continuous ranked probability score. The proposed method is demonstrated with precipitation reforecasts over the conterminous United States using common metrics such as Brier skill scores and reliability diagrams. 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
Quantified Facial Soft-tissue Strain in Animation Measured by Real-time Dynamic 3-Dimensional Imaging

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate and quantify dynamic soft-tissue strain in the human face using real-time 3-dimensional imaging technology. Methods: Thirteen subjects (8 women, 5 men) between the ages of 18 and 70 were imaged using a dual-camera system and 3-dimensional optical analysis (ARAMIS, Trilion Quality Systems, Pa.). Each subject was imaged at rest and with the following facial expressions: (1) smile, (2) laughter, (3) surprise, (4) anger, (5) grimace, and (6) pursed lips. The facial strains defining stretch and compression were computed for each subject and compared. Results: The areas of greatest strain were localized to the midface and lower face for all expressions. Subjects over the age of 40 had a statistically significant increase in stretch in the perioral region while lip pursing compared with subjects under the age of 40 (58.4% vs 33.8%, P = 0.015). When specific components of lip pursing were analyzed, there was a significantly greater degree of stretch in the nasolabial fold region in subjects over 40 compared with those under 40 (61.6% vs 32.9%, P = 0.007). Furthermore, we observed a greater degree of asymmetry of strain in the nasolabial fold region in the older age group (18.4% vs 5.4%, P = 0.03). Conclusions: This pilot study illustrates that the face can be objectively and quantitatively evaluated using dynamic major strain analysis. The technology of 3-dimensional optical imaging can be used to advance our understanding of facial soft-tissue dynamics and the effects of animation on facial strain over time.
Low voltage CMOS bandgap references with temperature compensated reference current output

Techniques for designing low voltage bandgap references providing both reference voltage and current outputs are proposed. By modifying the bandgap load or the bandgap core, the temperature dependences of the voltage output and the current output can be compensated separately. Based on the proposed techniques, a IV bandgap reference was designed in a conventional 0.18um CMOS process. Opamp was not required in this design. The current consumption was 7. 1μA. It achieved temperature coefficients of < 21ppm/°C and < 45ppm/°C for the voltage output and the current output, respectively, over different temperature, process, and sheet resistance variations.
Differences in emotion modulation using cognitive reappraisal in individuals with and without suicidal ideation: An ERP study

Difficulties in emotion regulation have been associated with increased suicidal thoughts and behaviours. The majority of studies have examined self-reported use of emotion regulation strategies. In contrast, the current study focused on a direct measure of individuals’ ability to use a specific emotion regulation strategy, cognitive reappraisal, using the late positive potential (LPP), an event-related potential component that reflects attention to emotional stimuli. Specifically, the cognitive reappraisal ability of 33 undergraduate students was assessed via an image-viewing task during which the participants had to passively view, increase or reduce their emotions in response to looking at neutral, positive or dysphoric images. We found that participants with a history of suicidal ideation (SI) had significantly higher LPP when asked to reduce negative emotion in response to dysphoric images, compared to individuals with no history of SI. These findings suggest that difficulties with using cognitive reappraisal, specifically to decrease negative affect, might be linked to suicide risk.
Immediate Effects of Lumbopelvic Manipulation and Lateral Gluteal Kinesio Taping on Unilateral Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Objectives: To determine the immediate effects of Kinesio taping directed to the hip and manipulation directed to the lumbopelvic region in individuals with unilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Background: PFPS affects up to 25% of the general population. Despite the high prevalence, this condition is not clearly understood, as evidenced by the numerous proposed causes and recommended treatments. Notwithstanding, recent evidence suggests that treatments directed at the hip or spine may lead to beneficial results. Methods: A convenience sample of 18 participants (12 men and 6 women, 19.5 ± 1.15 years old) with unilateral PFPS was recruited. Participants were randomized by sex to 1 of 3 groups: Kinesio taping, manipulation, and control taping. The main outcome measures included the Y-balance test, squatting range of motion (ROM), and the Lower Extremity Functional Scale. Results: Compared with the lumbopelvic manipulation and control groups, those in the Kinesio taping group performed significantly better on the Y-balance test (F = 5.59, P = 0.02) and with squatting ROM (F = 3.93, P = 0.04). The Kinesio taping and lumbopelvic groups were also significantly better than the control (sham) group with double-leg squatting ROM performance 3 days later. Conclusion: Kinesio taping may facilitate gluteus medius activation and improve postural stability and a double-leg squat. Clinical Relevance: The improvement in affected limb reach and double-leg squatting ROM highlights the potential for Kinesio taping to improve gluteus medius activation. Lumbopelvic manipulation may also immediately improve rehabilitation programs for PFPS.
SINGLE IMAGE FOG REMOVAL BASED ON FUSION STRATEGY

Images of outdoor scenes are degraded by absorption and scattering by the suspended particles and water droplets in the atmosphere. The light coming from a scene towards the camera is attenuated by fog and is blended with the airlight which adds more whiteness into the scene. Fog removal is highly desired in computer vision applications. Removing fog from images can significantly increase the visibility of the scene and is more visually pleasing. In this paper, we propose a method that can handle both homogeneous and heterogeneous fog which has been tested on several types of synthetic and real images. We formulate the restoration problem based on fusion strategy that combines two derived images from a single foggy image. One of the images is derived using contrast based method while the other is derived using statistical based approach. These derived images are then weighted by a specific weight map to restore the image. We have performed a qualitative and quantitative evaluation on 60 images. We use the mean square error and peak signal-to-noise ratio as the performance metrics to compare our technique with the state-of-the-art algorithms. The proposed technique is simple and shows comparable or even slightly better results with the state-of-the-art algorithms used for defogging a single image.
Perceptions of Organizational Justice, Job Satisfaction, and Organizational Commitment in Intercollegiate Athletics: A Study of NCAA Men's Sport Coaches.

PERCEPTIONS OF ORGANIZATIONAL JUSTICE, JOB SATISFACTION, AND ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT IN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS: A STUDY OF NCAA MEN'S SPORT COACHES Dustin F. Thorn December 11, 2009 The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship among organizational justice components, overall job satisfaction, and organizational commitment within the intercollegiate athletics setting. Perceptions of three organizational justice components (procedural, distributive, and interactional), overall job satisfaction, and organizational commitment were gathered from head and assistant coaches of NCAA Division I and III baseball, men's basketball, and wrestling programs. Findings indicated the following: (a) significant interactional effects were found between sport type and NCAA Division, (b) a significant interactional effect was found between sport type and job title, (c) no significant differences were present on perceptions of overall job satisfaction or organizational commitment, (d) different organizational justice components contributed uniquely to predicting both overall job satisfaction and organizational commitment among all sport types, and (e) while sport type did not significantly moderate the relationship between distributive justice and overall job satisfaction, marginal means plots did indicate interactions to be present. The discussion of the findings centers on three points. First, perceptions of organizational justice components among male sport coaches predict overall job
Plasticity of human handedness: Decreased one-hand bias and inter-manual performance asymmetry in expert basketball players

Abstract Athletes frequently have to adapt their skills to fast changes of play, often requiring the flexible execution of a particular movement skill with either hand. To assess the influence of sport-specific expertise and extensive sport training on human laterality, a video analysis of regular basketball games was performed for professional, semi-professional, and amateur players to investigate how non-dominant hand use and proficiency change with increasing expertise. Our results showed that the right-hand (i.e. dominant hand) bias in basketball players is reduced with increasing expertise (i.e. competitive level). Accordingly, we found that professional players use their non-dominant hand more often and with greater success than semi-professional and amateur players. This was true for most of the basketball-specific skills. Based on these results, we assume that increasing amounts of bilateral practice can lead to a shift in task-specific manual preference towards a higher use of both hands in competition, as well as to a higher proficiency for non-dominant hand actions in particular. From an applied perspective, the more frequent use and higher proficiency of the non-dominant hand in professional basketball players, compared with amateurs, suggests that the context-specific and skilled use of the non-dominant hand is crucial for successful play at higher competitive levels in the sport of basketball.
On the Complexity of VLSI Implementations and Graph Representations of Boolean Functions with Application to Integer Multiplication

Lower-bound results on Boolean-function complexity under two different models are discussed. The first is an abstraction of tradeoffs between chip area and speed in very-large-scale-integrated (VLSI) circuits. The second is the ordered binary decision diagram (OBDD) representation used as a data structure for symbolically representing and manipulating Boolean functions. The lower bounds demonstrate the fundamental limitations of VLSI as an implementation medium, and that of the OBDD as a data structure. It is shown that the same technique used to prove that any VLSI implementation of a single output Boolean function has area-time complexity AT/sup 2/= Omega (n/sup 2/) also proves that any OBDD representation of the function has Omega (c/sup n/) vertices for some c>1 but that the converse is not true. An integer multiplier for word size n with outputs numbered 0 (least significant) through 2n-1 (most significant) is described. For the Boolean function representing either output i-1 or output 2n-i-1, where 1 >
Intelligence assessments for children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review

Cerebral palsy (CP) is defined as a primary disorder of posture and movement; however, approximately 45% of children with CP also have an intellectual impairment. Prevalence estimates are limited by a lack of guidelines for intelligence testing. This systematic review aims to identify and examine intelligence assessments for children with CP.
Positively charged micelles based on a triblock copolymer demonstrate enhanced corneal penetration

Purpose The cornea is a main barrier to drug penetration after topical application. The aim of this study was to evaluate the abilities of micelles generated from a positively charged triblock copolymer to penetrate the cornea after topical application. Methods The triblock copolymer poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(ε-caprolactone)-g-polyethyleneimine was synthesized, and the physicochemical properties of the self-assembled polymeric micelles were investigated, including hydrodynamic size, zeta potential, morphology, drug-loading content, drug-loading efficiency, and in vitro drug release. Using fluorescein diacetate as a model drug, the penetration capabilities of the polymeric micelles were monitored in vivo using a two-photon scanning fluorescence microscopy on murine corneas after topical application. Results The polymer was successfully synthesized and confirmed using nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared. The polymeric micelles had an average particle size of 28 nm, a zeta potential of approximately +12 mV, and a spherical morphology. The drug-loading efficiency and drug-loading content were 75.37% and 3.47%, respectively, which indicates that the polymeric micelles possess a high drug-loading capacity. The polymeric micelles also exhibited controlled-release behavior in vitro. Compared to the control, the positively charged polymeric micelles significantly penetrated through the cornea. Conclusion Positively charged micelles generated from a triblock copolymer are a promising vehicle for the topical delivery of hydrophobic agents in ocular applications.
Encouraging Accounting Students to Write - Help or Hindrence?

The anecdotal evidence from lecturers and tutors at this University is that accounting students are not able to write clearly to express their understanding of accounting theory. Various strategies and resources aimed at improving the written communication skills of first year accounting students were developed by the School of Accounting and Finance including an accounting forum. The forum was related to an essay that the students were to complete as part of the assessment for an accounting subject. The accounting forum comprised three/four senior lecturers from the School who took the students through the relevant accounting concepts and theory and the way in which the theory could be applied to a transaction. The forum design and content was linked to a tutorial programme aimed at providing the skills needed to complete the assigned essay task. The evaluation suggests that whilst the students responded well to the idea of a forum there was not the improvement in the students' essays that was expected when designing the forum.
On the Central Paths and Cauchy Trajectories in Semidefinite Programming

In this work, we study the properties of central paths, defined with respect to a large class of penalty and barrier functions, for convex semidefinite programs. The type of programs studied here is characterized by the minimization of a smooth and convex objective function subject to a linear matrix inequality constraint. So, it is a particular case of convex programming with conic constraints. The studied class of functions consists of spectrally defined functions induced by penalty or barrier maps defined over the real nonnegative numbers. We prove the convergence of the (primal, dual and primal-dual) central path toward a (primal, dual, primal-dual, respectively) solution of our problem. Finally, we prove the global existence of Cauchy trajectories in our context and we recall its relation with primal central path when linear semidefinite programs are considered. Some illustrative examples are shown at the end of this paper.
The Dynamics of the Australian Short‐Term Interest Rate

This paper examines various models of the short‐term interest rate in Australia. The analysis centres on three classes of models. First, the generalised diffusion model of Chan et al. (1992) is examined which allows the variance to be a function of interest rate levels. This model nests a number of the traditional term structure models. We find initial support for the generalised model. Second, we examine models which incorporate time‐varying volatility dynamics. Third, a class of models that incorporates both time‐varying volatility and the levels model is analysed. We extend these models by allowing an asymmetric reaction to news resulting in a threshold‐type model. The paper examines each of the models and then proposes and perfor Ms prediction tests that allow different classes of models to be benchmarked. The second and third class of models appear to produce the most accurate estimates. The results indicate a number of important differences between the Australian market and overseas markets.