Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quasar Candidates in the Hubble Deep Field

The Hubble Deep Field (HDF) gives us an unprecedented view of our universe and an opportunity to study a wide range of questions in galaxy evolution and cosmology. Here we focus on the search for unresolved faint quasars and active galactic nuclei (AGNs) in the crude combine images using a multicolor imaging analysis that has proved very successful in recent years. Quasar selection was carried out both in multicolor space and in "profile space. " The latter is the multiparameter space formed by the radial profiles of the objects in the different images. By combining the dither frames available for each filter, we were able to obtain well-sampled radial profiles of the objects and measure their deviation from that of a stellar source. This procedure efficiently helps to overcome the problems caused by the WPFC2 undersampling. Furthermore, to identify areas of multicolor space where quasars might be expected, we generated synthetic quasar spectra in the range 1.0 < z < 5.5, including effects of intrinsic emission lines and absorption by Lyα forest and Lyman limit systems, and computed expected quasar colors. We also developed routines to determine the completeness of our data to point sources in the observed filters. The data are 90% complete at 26.2, 28.0, 27.8, 26.8 mag in the F300W, F450W, F606W, and F814W filters, respectively. We find 41 compact objects in the HDF: one pointlike object with colors consistent with quasars but inconsistent with that of ordinary stars; seven pointlike objects with colors consistent with quasars or stars; 18 stars; and 15 slightly resolved objects, 12 of which have colors consistent with quasars or stars. The latter objects could be resolved AGNs or regions of intense star formation. We estimate the upper limit of unresolved and slightly resolved quasars/AGNs with V606 < 27.0 and z < 3.5 to be 20 objects (16,200 deg-2). We independently recovered a resolved, star-forming galaxy with a spectroscopically confirmed redshift of 3.368 and five spectroscopically confirmed stars. All provide confirmation for the validity of our color and morphological modeling. We make a detailed comparison with previous studies of the HDF. We find good agreement among different authors on the number of stars in the HDF and the lack of quasar candidates with z > 3.5. We find more quasar candidates than previous work because of our more extensive modeling and use of the color information. Spectroscopic observations of the candidates are needed to determine which, if any, are quasars or AGNs.
Reduced Operating Time but Not Blood Loss With Cruciate Retaining Total Knee Arthroplasty

Background There is no consensus regarding the use of retaining or replacing cruciate implants for patients with limited deformity who undergo a total knee replacement. Scope of this paper is to evaluate whether a cruciate sparing total knee replacement could have a reduced operating time compared to a posterior stabilized implant. Methods For this purpose, we performed a randomized study on 50 subjects. All procedures were performed by a single surgeon in the same conditions to minimize bias and only knees with a less than 20 varus deviation and/or maximum 15° fixed flexion contracture were included. Results Surgery time was significantly shorter with the cruciate retaining implant (P = 0.0037). The mean duration for the Vanguard implant was 68.9 (14.7) and for the NexGen II Legacy was 80.2 (11.3). A higher range of motion, but no significant Knee Society Scores at 6 months follow-up, was used as controls. Conclusions In conclusion, both implants had the potential to assure great outcomes. However, if a decision has to be made, choosing a cruciate retaining procedure could significantly reduce the surgical time. When performed under tourniquet, this gain does not lead to reduced blood loss.
Quasi-periodic Fluctuations in Default Mode Network Electrophysiology

The study of human brain electrophysiology has extended beyond traditional frequency ranges identified by the classical EEG rhythms, encompassing both higher and lower frequencies. Changes in high-gamma-band (>70 Hz) power have been identified as markers of local cortical activity. Fluctuations at infra-slow (<0.1 Hz) frequencies have been associated with functionally significant cortical networks elucidated using fMRI studies. In this study, we examined infra-slow changes in band-limited power across a range of frequencies (1–120 Hz) in the default mode network (DMN). Measuring the coherence in band-limited power fluctuations between spatially separated electrodes makes it possible to detect small, spatially extended, and temporally coherent fluctuating components in the presence of much larger incoherent fluctuations. We show that the default network is characterized by significant high-gamma-band (65–110 Hz) coherence at infra-slow (<0.1 Hz) frequencies. This coherence occurs over a narrow frequency range, centered at 0.015 Hz, commensurate with the frequency of BOLD signal fluctuations seen by fMRI, suggesting that quasi-periodic, infra-slow changes in local cortical activity form the neurophysiological basis for this network.
Security Analysts' Career Concerns and Herding of Earnings Forecasts

Several theories of reputation and herd behavior (e.g., Scharfstein and Stein (1990) and Zweibel (1995)) suggest that herding among agents should vary with career concerns. Our goal is to document whether such a link exists in the labor market for security analysts. We find that inexperienced analysts are more likely to be terminated for inaccurate earnings forecasts than are their more experienced counterparts. Controlling for forecast accuracy, they are also more likely to be terminated for bold forecasts that deviate from the consensus. Consistent with these implicit incentives, we find that inexperienced analysts deviate less from consensus forecasts. Additionally, inexperienced analysts are less likely to issue timely forecasts, and they revise their forecasts more frequently. These findings are broadly consistent with existing career concern motivated herding theories.
New challenges in regional economics: an overview

[Extract] Since its beginnings, regional economics has tried to explain the uneven economic development across the spatial landscape, and the different behaviour of regions in response to local and global changes. The main challenges for this discipline are, thus, the identification of the sources of varying regional performances, and the provision of assistance to policy makers for dealing with social and economic problems arising from regional disparities. Especially with the accession of twelve new Member States between 2004 and 2007, the disparities within the EU in economic, social and territorial terms have increased tremendously. For instance the GDP per capita in Luxembourg in purchasing power parities was, in 2006, more than 280 percent of the EU27 average, while Bulgaria and Romania were both about 60 percent below that average (Eurostat 2007). But also within single Member States, growth performance is concentrated in the most dynamic regions as, for example, capital regions and urban centres, and lagging behind in, above all, rural and peripheral areas.
Overview of high reliable radio data infrastructures for public automation applications: LoRa networks

This paper presents the new radio network technology and applications capability for the “LoRa” systems, which ensure long range data transfer, very high number of local subscribers and low power consume. Although this standard provides low data rates, it is intended to be a solution for sensor networks, that don't need too much information to be transmitted at a specific time. The expectation is that LoRa standard to become, next years, the main data carrier for Smart Cities' infrastructures.
Perception of needs and responses in food security: divergence between households and stakeholders

Abstract Objectives The aim of the study was (i) to describe the needs of food-insecure households and their assessment of community programmes, as expressed by households and perceived by stakeholders; and (ii) to examine the similarities and differences between households’ and stakeholders’ perceptions in Quebec City area. Design/setting/subjects A semi-structured interview and sociodemographic questionnaire with fifty-five households and fifty-nine stakeholders (community workers, managers, donor agencies). The transcriptions were subjected to content analysis and inter-coder reliability measurement. Results The respondents’ perceptions converge towards three main categories of needs: needs specific to food security, conditions necessary for achieving food security and related needs. There was agreement on the necessity of better financial resources, although the impact of financial resources alone may be uncertain in the opinion of some stakeholders. Different perceptions of needs and of their fulfilment by community programmes emerge between both groups. Despite households found positive aspects, they complained that quality of food and access were major needs neglected. Their account suggests overall a partial fit between the programmes and food security needs; even a combination of programmes (e.g. collective kitchens, purchasing groups, community gardens) was insufficient to adequately meet these needs. In contrast, most stakeholders perceived that the household’s primary need was a basic amount of food and that the households were satisfied with programmes. Conclusions It is urgent to evaluate the overall effect of community programmes on specific aspects of household food insecurity. The results emphasise that community programmes alone cannot bring about social change needed to prevent food insecurity.
Immune and Viral Correlates of “Secondary Viral Control” after Treatment Interruption in Chronically HIV-1 Infected Patients

Upon interruption of antiretroviral therapy, HIV-infected patients usually show viral load rebound to pre-treatment levels. Four patients, hereafter referred to as secondary controllers (SC), were identified who initiated therapy during chronic infection and, after stopping treatment, could control virus replication at undetectable levels for more than six months. In the present study we set out to unravel possible viral and immune parameters or mechanisms of this phenomenon by comparing secondary controllers with elite controllers and non-controllers, including patients under HAART. As candidate correlates of protection, virus growth kinetics, levels of intracellular viral markers, several aspects of HIV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell function and HIV neutralizing antibodies were investigated. As expected all intracellular viral markers were lower in aviremic as compared to viremic subjects, but in addition both elite and secondary controllers had lower levels of viral unspliced RNA in PBMC as compared to patients on HAART. Ex vivo cultivation of the virus from CD4+ T cells of SC consistently failed in one patient and showed delayed kinetics in the three others. Formal in vitro replication studies of these three viruses showed low to absent growth in two cases and a virus with normal fitness in the third case. T cell responses toward HIV peptides, evaluated in IFN-γ ELISPOT, revealed no significant differences in breadth, magnitude or avidity between SC and all other patient groups. Neither was there a difference in polyfunctionality of CD4+ or CD8+ T cells, as evaluated with intracellular cytokine staining. However, secondary and elite controllers showed higher proliferative responses to Gag and Pol peptides. SC also showed the highest level of autologous neutralizing antibodies. These data suggest that higher T cell proliferative responses and lower replication kinetics might be instrumental in secondary viral control in the absence of treatment.
The Genome Sequence of Mannheimia haemolytica A1: Insights into Virulence, Natural Competence, and Pasteurellaceae Phylogeny

ABSTRACT The draft genome sequence of Mannheimia haemolytica A1, the causative agent of bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC), is presented. Strain ATCC BAA-410, isolated from the lung of a calf with BRDC, was the DNA source. The annotated genome includes 2,839 coding sequences, 1,966 of which were assigned a function and 436 of which are unique to M. haemolytica. Through genome annotation many features of interest were identified, including bacteriophages and genes related to virulence, natural competence, and transcriptional regulation. In addition to previously described virulence factors, M. haemolytica encodes adhesins, including the filamentous hemagglutinin FhaB and two trimeric autotransporter adhesins. Two dual-function immunoglobulin-protease/adhesins are also present, as is a third immunoglobulin protease. Genes related to iron acquisition and drug resistance were identified and are likely important for survival in the host and virulence. Analysis of the genome indicates that M. haemolytica is naturally competent, as genes for natural competence and DNA uptake signal sequences (USS) are present. Comparison of competence loci and USS in other species in the family Pasteurellaceae indicates that M. haemolytica, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, and Haemophilus ducreyi form a lineage distinct from other Pasteurellaceae. This observation was supported by a phylogenetic analysis using sequences of predicted housekeeping genes.
Association of inflammatory marker and highly sensitive C-reactive protein with aerobic exercise capacity, maximum oxygen uptake and insulin resistance in healthy middle-aged volunteers.

BACKGROUND Increased levels of inflammation markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha , have been found in insulin resistance syndrome. Those with elevated levels of high-sensitive CRP (hs-CRP) are at a higher risk for coronary heart disease. In the present study, we evaluated whether maximum oxygen uptake and insulin resistance are related to hs-CRP for the primary prevention of coronary heart disease. METHODS AND RESULTS The subjects were 50 subjects who did not have diabetes mellitus. A multi-step treadmill exercise test was performed to obtain the maximum oxygen uptake when assessed by computerized breath-by-breath analysis. As an index of insulin resistance, the homeostasis model insulin resistance index (HOMA-R; fasting glucose x fasting insulin/405) was used. In addition, bodyweight, body mass index, subcutaneous fat thickness, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglyceride were measured. Multivariate analysis revealed that hs-CRP was significantly correlated with HDL-cholesterol, uric acid, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and maximum oxygen uptake. The maximum oxygen uptake showed the smallest odds ratio was in terms of the relationship with hs-CRP. CONCLUSIONS The present study suggests that the development of exercising habits increases the maximum oxygen uptake. Furthermore, an elevated maximum oxygen uptake decreases HOMA-R and reduces the inflammatory marker CRP, suggesting that exercising habit plays an important role in the primary prevention of coronary heart disease.
Patronizing young and elderly adults: Response strategies in a community setting

Abstract Within the context of an elaborated model of the communication predicament of aging, the effects of particular response strategies to patronizing, intergenerational talk were investigated with written vignettes depicting a community situation. Young adults (N = 222) evaluated a patronizing speaker more negatively than a non‐patronizing speaker, and they also judged both conversational partners to be more satisfied when patronizing speech was absent. As compared to cooperative responses, assertive responses from the patronizee led to evaluations that she was higher status, more controlling, less nurturing, and less satisfied. Patronizing individuals receiving an assertive response were evaluated as less in control and satisfied than when they received a cooperative response.
Aerosol-cloud interactions in the NASA GMI: model development and indirect forcing assessments

This study uses the NASA Global Modeling Initiative (GMI) 3-D chemical transport model (CTM) for assessments of indirect forcing and its sensitivity to the treatment of aerosol, aerosol-cloud interactions and meteorological fields. Three different meteorological datasets from NASA Data Assimilation Office (DAO), NASA finite volume GCM (FVGCM) and the Goddard Institute for Space Studies version II' (GISS II') GCM were used. GMI is ideal for this study as different model components (such as meteorological fields and chemical mechanisms) can easily be interchanged under the same model framework to capture the first aerosol indirect effect (AIE), and its sensitivity to parameterizations and meteorological fields. Cloud droplet number concentration was calculated by implementing both diagnostic and physically based droplet parameterizations. Derived cloud properties, such as cloud optical thickness and effective radius were compared with the remotely sensed data from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). GMI was able to capture the spatial variability and the land-ocean contrast observed in the satellite record. Depending on the meteorological field and droplet parameterization used, the annual mean first AIE ranged from ? 0.99 to ? 1.48 W m ? 2 . It is found that, roughly 80% of the variation is attributed to changes in the meteorology (primarily from variations in liquid water path), while the remaining 20% is attributed to different cloud droplet parameterizations.
Emotion, Cognition, and Behavior

Emotion is central to the quality and range of everyday human experience. The neurobiological substrates of human emotion are now attracting increasing interest within the neurosciences motivated, to a considerable extent, by advances in functional neuroimaging techniques. An emerging theme is the question of how emotion interacts with and influences other domains of cognition, in particular attention, memory, and reasoning. The psychological consequences and mechanisms underlying the emotional modulation of cognition provide the focus of this article.
Azithromycin inhibits nuclear factor-κB activation during lung inflammation: an in vivo imaging study

We studied in vivo the potential involvement of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) pathway in the molecular mechanism of the anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity of azithromycin in the lung. Mice transiently transfected with the luciferase gene under the control of a NF‐κB responsive element were used to assess in vivo NF‐κB activation by bioluminescence imaging. Bioluminescence as well as inflammatory cells and concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids, were monitored in an acute model of pulmonary inflammation resulting from intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) instillation induced a marked increase in lung bioluminescence in mice transiently transfected with the luciferase gene under the control of an NF‐κB responsive element, with significant luciferase expression in resident cells such as endothelial and epithelial cells, as assessed by duoplex immunofluorescence staining. Activation of NF‐κB and inflammatory cell lung infiltration linearly correlated when different doses of bortezomib were used to inhibit NF‐κB activation. Pretreatment with azithromycin significantly decreased lung bioluminescence and airways cell infiltration induced by LPS, also reducing proinflammatory cytokines concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavages and inhibiting NF‐κB nuclear translocation. The results obtained using a novel approach to monitor NF‐κB activation, provided, for the first time, in vivo evidence that azithromycin treatment results in pulmonary anti‐inflammatory activity associated with the inhibition of NF‐κB activation in the lung.
Direct Evidence for the Presence of a Different Converting Enzyme in the Hamster Cheek Pouch

Kininase II (angiotensin I-converting enzyme) is generally accepted to be the enzyme responsible for the conversion of angiotensin I (A I) to angiotensin II (A II). This study examined the response of the microvasculature of the hamster cheek pouch to the local application of A I, A II, and the renin substrate, tetradecapeptide (TUP). A I and TDP caused a localized vasoconstriction that was not blocked by converting enzyme inhibitors (CEI; BPFj. for A I and BPF6. and the nonapeptide inhibitor for TDP). However, both the A II antagonist [Sar1, Ala']angiotensin II and the antiserum to A II blocked completely the A I- and TDP-induced vasoconstriction. Sixty-eight percent of the applied A I wat converted to A II in the presence of CEI as well as in its absence. It is concluded that the vasculature of the hamster cheek pouch converts significant amounts of A I to AII by a route that does not involve kininase II. Ore Res 44: 540-644, 1979
Leadership development, wicked problems and action learning: provocations to a debate

ABSTRACT The paper examines whether, if leadership is defined by the willingness to tackle wicked issues, and if action learning is employed for leadership development purposes, do the action learning participants on leadership development programmes address such wicked issues? It adopts a version of dialogical sense-making to consider this and describes an attempted literature review which led to a series of questions on academic motivations, puzzles and problems, when exactly a problem is wicked, the possible difference between private and public problems, leader development and leaderful practice. It failed to identify such evidence and it is postulated that this is due to the individual-focused nature of leader development.
Non-negative Sparse Coding with Regularizer for Image Classification

Sparse Coding has been successfully applied to many image and object classification problems in recent years. In such tasks, the problem is commonly formulated as representing an image or signal as a sparse linear combination of dictionary elements, where such dictionary elements capture high level patterns in the data, however, relationships between the dictionary elements are generally not taken into account in such frameworks. In this paper, we address this issue on two levels. First, we incorporate high-level domain specific information within sparse coding. Second, while generating the dictionary itself, we develop a model that encourages incoherence among its components so as to build a compact dictionary. This leads to a powerful framework that improves the performance of Sparse Coding, by giving it the right kind of "guidance" for identifying objects, particularly in presence of noise and other variations. We demonstrate the efficacy of our model through extensive experiments, which show that our method meets or exceeds the performance of state-of-the-art algorithms in several image and object classification tasks.