Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quasar Microlensing: When Compact Masses Mimic Smooth Matter

The magnification induced by gravitational microlensing is sensitive to the size of a source relative to the Einstein radius, the natural microlensing scale length. This paper investigates the effect of source size in the case in which the microlensing masses are distributed with a bimodal mass function, with solar-mass stars representing the normal stellar masses and smaller masses (down to 8.5 × 10-5 M☉) representing a dark matter component. It is found that there exists a critical regime in which the dark matter is initially seen as individual compact masses, but with increasing source size the compact dark matter acts as a smooth mass component. This study reveals that interpretation of microlensing light curves, especially claims of small-mass dark matter lenses embedded in an overall stellar population, must consider the important influence of the size of the source.
Effects of Endotoxaemia on Protein Metabolism in Rat Fast-Twitch Skeletal Muscle and Myocardium

Background It is unclear if the rat myocardium undergoes the same rapid reductions in protein content that are classically observed in fast-twitch skeletal muscle during endotoxaemia. Methodology/Principal Findings To investigate this further, and to determine if there is any divergence in the response of skeletal muscle and myocardium in the mechanisms that are thought to be largely responsible for eliciting changes in protein content, Sprague Dawley rats were implanted with vascular catheters and administered lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 150 µg kg−1 h−1) intravenously for 2 h, 6 h or 24 h (saline administered control animals were also included), after which the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and myocardium were removed under terminal anaesthesia. The protein-to-DNA ratio, a marker of protein content, was significantly reduced in the EDL following 24 h LPS administration (23%; P<0.05), but was no different from controls in the myocardium. At the same time point, a significant increase in MAFbx/atrogin-1 and MuRF1 mRNA (3.7±0.7- and 19.5±1.9-fold increase vs. controls, respectively; P<0.05), in addition to protein levels of α1-3, 5–7 subunits of the 20S proteasome, were observed in EDL but not myocardium. In contrast, elevations in phosphorylation of p70 S6K residues Thr421/Ser424, and 4E-BP1 residues Thr37/Thr46 (P<0.05), consistent with an elevation in translation initiation, were seen exclusively in the myocardium of LPS-treated animals. Conclusions/Significance In summary, these findings suggest that the myocardium does not undergo the same catabolic response as skeletal muscle during early endotoxaemia, partly due to the absence of transcriptional and signalling events in the myocardium typically associated with increased muscle proteolysis and the suppression of protein synthesis.
On Relational Interpretation of Multimodal Categorial Logics

Several recent results show that the Lambek Calculus L and its close relative L1 are sound and complete under (possibly relativized) relational interpretation. This paper transfers these results to L3, the multimodal extension of the Lambek Calculus that was proposed in Moortgat (1996). Two simple relational interpretations of L3 are proposed and shown to be sound and complete. The completeness proofs make heavy use of the method of relational labeling from Kurtonina (1995). Finally, it is demonstrated that relational interpretation provides a semantic justification for the translation from L3 to L from Versmissen (1996).
Assessing the impact of sea surface temperatures on a simulated medicane using ensemble simulations

Abstract. The sensitivity of the October 1996 Medicane in the western Mediterranean basin to sea surface temperatures (SSTs) is investigated with a regional climate model via ensemble sensitivity simulations. For 11 SST states, ranging from −4 K below to +6 K above the observed SST field (in 1 K steps), 24-member ensembles of the medicane are simulated. By using a modified phase space diagram and a simple compositing method, it is shown that the SST state has a minor influence on the tracks of the cyclones but a strong influence on their intensities. Increased SSTs lead to greater probabilities of tropical transitions, to stronger lower- and upper-level warm cores and to lower pressure minima. The tropical transition occurs sooner and lasts longer, which enables a greater number of transitioning cyclones to survive landfall over Sardinia and re-intensify in the Tyrrhenian Sea. The results demonstrate that SSTs influence the intensity of fluxes from the sea, which leads to greater convective activity before the storms reach their maturity. These results suggest that the processes at steady state for medicanes are very similar to tropical cyclones.
Firm-Created Word-of-Mouth Communication: Evidence from a Field Test

In this paper, we investigate the effectiveness of a firm's proactive management of customer-to-customer communication. We are particularly interested in understanding how, if at all, the firm should go about effecting meaningful word-of-mouth (WOM) communications. To tackle this problem, we collect data from two sources: (1) we implement a large-scale field test in which a national firm created word of mouth through two populations: customers and noncustomers, and (2) we collect data from an online experiment. We break our theoretical problem into two subproblems. First, we ask: “What kind of WOM drives sales? ” Motivated by previous research, we hypothesize that for a product with a low initial awareness level, WOM that is most effective at driving sales is created by less loyal (not highly loyal) customers and occurs between acquaintances (not friends). We find support for this in the field test as well as in an experimental setting. Hence, we demonstrate the potential usefulness of exogenously created WOM: conversations are created where none would naturally have occured otherwise. Then, we ask: “Which agents are most effective at creating this kind of WOM? ” In particular, we are interested in evaluating the effectiveness of the commonly used opinion leader designation. We find that although opinion leadership is useful in identifying potentially effective spreaders of WOM among very loyal customers, it is less useful for the sample of less loyal customers.
Cortical functional network organization from autoregressive modeling of local field potential oscillations

A framework is presented for quantifying functional network organization in the brain by spectral analysis based on autoregressive modeling. Local field potentials (LFPs), simultaneously recorded from distributed sites in the cerebral cortex of monkeys, are treated as signals generated by local neuronal assemblies. During the delay period of a visual pattern discrimination task, oscillatory assembly activity is manifested in the LFPs in the beta‐frequency range (14–30 Hz). Coherence analysis has shown that these oscillations are phase synchronized in functional networks in the sensorimotor cortex in relation to maintenance of contralateral hand position, and in the visual cortex in relation to anticipation of the visual stimulus. Granger causality analysis has revealed information flow in the sensorimotor network that is consistent with a peripheral sensorimotor feedback loop, and in the visual network that is consistent with top‐down anticipatory modulation of assemblies in the primary visual cortex. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
XMM-Newton First-Light Observations of the Hickson Galaxy Group 16

This paper presents the XMM-Newton first-light observations of the Hickson-16 compact group of galaxies. Groups are possibly the oldest large-scale structures in the Universe, pre-dating clusters of galaxies, and are highly evolved. This group of small galaxies, at a redshift of 0.0132 (or 80 Mpc) is exceptional in the having the highest concentration of starburst or AGN activity in the nearby Universe. So it is a veritable laboratory for the study of the relationship between galaxy interactions and nuclear activity. Previous optical emission line studies indicated a strong ionising continuum in the galaxies, but its origin, whether from starbursts, or AGN, was unclear. Combined imaging and spectroscopy with the EPIC X-ray CCDs unequivocally reveals a heavily obscured AGN and a separately identified thermal (starburst) plasma, in NGC 835, NGC 833 and NGC 839. NGC 838 shows only starburst thermal emission. Starbursts and AGN can evidently coexist in members of this highly evolved system of merged and merging galaxies, implying a high probability for the formation of AGN as well as starbursts in post-merger galaxies.
Robust-Control for Discrete-time L # Markovian Jump Linear Systems

This paper deals with the robust -control of discrete-time L# Markovian jump linear systems. It is assumed that both the state and jump variables are available to the controller. Uncertainties satisfying some norm bounded conditions are considered on the parameters of the system. An upperbound for the -control L# problem is derived in terms of an LMI optimization problem. For the case in which there are no uncertainties, we show that the convex formulation is equivalent to the existence of the mean square stabilizing solution for the set of coupled algebraic Riccati equations arising on the quadratic optimal control problem of discrete-time Markovian jump linear systems. Therefore, for the case with no uncertainties, the convex formulation considered in this paper imposes no extra conditions than those in the usual dynamic programming approach. Finally some numerical examples are presented to illustrate the technique. Submitted in October 1997; Revised in January 1999
Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorder (WRMD) among Production Operators: Studies of Differences in Age and Gender

Prevalence of musculoskeletal pain is a major concern among manufacturing-based companies as they are still very reliant on manual labour. A better understanding whether musculoskeletal pain differ between gender and would enable organizational intervention to improve employees’ health and safe working conditions. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine the current prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among production workers and differences of musculoskeletal pain between gender and across age groups. A cross-sectional survey involving 324 shop-floor manufacturing workers was done using Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaires (CMDQ). No significance differences were observed between female and male employees in terms of right hand, left hand, lower extremity, neck and lower back. However, there is a significance difference of pain at the upper extremity with female operators experienced more pain compared to their male counterparts. No significance differences were found among age categories for lower back, right hand, left hand, upper and lower extremity. However, neck pain and left hand was significantly different. The age effects indicate non linear association.
Morphometric Analysis of Arteriolar Tortuosity in Human Cerebral White Matter of Preterm, Young, and Aged Subjects

Arteriolar tortuousities, consisting of vascular coils, loops, and spirals, appear in white matter in a subset of human cerebral vessels. Computerized morphometry was used to analyze brain sections from a broad age range of subjects to determine whether tortuosity is a phenomenon of aging or is associated with leukoaraiosis (LA) or Alzheimer disease (AD). Autopsy brains were studied from 55 subjects ranging in age from 23 weeks postconception to 102 years. Fourteen aged subjects were diagnosed with LA and 7 with AD. By using computerized morphometry, vascular curl (curvilinear length/straight length) was measured in white matter arterioles in 100-&mgr;m-thick, alkaline phosphatase-stained sections. Aging subjects, compared with young subjects, showed significant increases in both the prevalence and severity of tortuosity. Curl scores in aged subjects with LA or AD were not significantly different from aged controls without LA or AD. We conclude that 1) tortuous vessels are extremely rare in preterm babies, children, or young adults; 2) significant tortuosity, as indicated by elevated curl scores, begins in middle age; 3) tortuosity does not appear in a subset of aged individuals regardless of longevity; and 4) tortuosity does not appear in a subset of individuals with either LA or AD.
Pose-invariant face recognition with parametric linear subspaces

We present a framework for pose-invariant face recognition using parametric linear subspace models as stored representations of known individuals. Each model can be fit to an input, resulting in faces of known people whose head pose is aligned to the input face. The model's continuous nature enables the pose alignment to be very accurate, improving recognition performance, while its generalization to unknown poses enables the models to be compact. Recognition systems with two types of parametric linear model are compared using a database of 20 persons. The results showed our system's robust recognition of faces with /spl plusmn/50 degree range of full 3D head rotation, while compressing the data by a factor of 20 and more.
VLIW instruction scheduling for minimal power variation

The focus of this paper is on the minimization of the variation in power consumed by a VLIW processor during the execution of a target program through instruction scheduling. The problem is formulated as a mixed-integer program (MIP) and a problem-specific branch-and-bound algorithm has been developed to solve it more efficiently than generic MIP solvers. Simulation results based on the TMS320C6711 VLIW digital signal processor using benchmarks from Mediabench and Trimaran showed that over 40% average reduction in power variation can be achieved without sacrificing execution speed of these benchmarks. Computational requirements and convergence rates of our algorithm are also analyzed.
Hypoxia Increases Heparanase-Dependent Tumor Cell Invasion, Which Can Be Inhibited by Antiheparanase Antibodies

The β-endoglucuronidase heparanase plays an important role in tumor invasion, a process that is significantly enhanced by hypoxia. We have used a strategy of stable transfection with antisense to derive ovarian carcinoma cell lines that express different levels of heparanase and used these to demonstrate that invasion correlates with heparanase activity. Secreted heparanase activity was increased by reduction, hypoxia, and growth of cells under reduced oxygen (1%) augmented heparanase activity and invasion, both of which are inhibited by treatment with antiheparanase antibodies. This is the first demonstration that heparanase activity may be regulated by microenvironmental redox conditions, which influence invasion, and that invasion can be blocked with specific heparanase-neutralizing antibodies.
Risk of Incident Diabetes in Relation to Long-term Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter in Ontario, Canada

Background: Laboratory studies suggest that fine particulate matter (≤ 2.5 µm in diameter; PM2.5) can activate pathophysiological responses that may induce insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. However, epidemiological evidence relating PM2.5 and diabetes is sparse, particularly for incident diabetes. Objectives: We conducted a population-based cohort study to determine whether long-term exposure to ambient PM2.5 is associated with incident diabetes. Methods: We assembled a cohort of 62,012 nondiabetic adults who lived in Ontario, Canada, and completed one of five population-based health surveys between 1996 and 2005. Follow-up extended until 31 December 2010. Incident diabetes diagnosed between 1996 and 2010 was ascertained using the Ontario Diabetes Database, a validated registry of persons diagnosed with diabetes (sensitivity = 86%, specificity = 97%). Six-year average concentrations of PM2.5 at the postal codes of baseline residences were derived from satellite observations. We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate the associations, adjusting for various individual-level risk factors and contextual covariates such as smoking, body mass index, physical activity, and neighborhood-level household income. We also conducted multiple sensitivity analyses. In addition, we examined effect modification for selected comorbidities and sociodemographic characteristics. Results: There were 6,310 incident cases of diabetes over 484,644 total person-years of follow-up. The adjusted hazard ratio for a 10-µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 was 1.11 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.21). Estimated associations were comparable among all sensitivity analyses. We did not find strong evidence of effect modification by comorbidities or sociodemographic covariates. Conclusions: This study suggests that long-term exposure to PM2.5 may contribute to the development of diabetes.
An analytical study of some biomechanical variables and the achievement level of 2000 m rowing

This study aimed to analyse the first 250 m in rowing (2000 m) racing by finding the relationship between some biomechanical variables and the achievement(time) of the race. The study design was an analytical descriptive method linked to the relationship between variables, with the intention of selected the participants which is represented by 6 of the best achievements players from the Iraqi National Youth Team for rowing, All participants performed the test between 13:00 - 14:00 h afternoons, which is the same weekly training time for participants. The level of the relationship between the biomechanical variables and the achievement was uneven in terms of the strength and weakness of the relationship, however, the research ended in results that can be used as a guide for the training rowing. It very important to focus on the training of special endurance because of it an important factor in this types of racing which require the rower to stay in the same velocity to the end of the race, this can be as a proposed study.
What you believe versus what you think they believe: a neuroimaging study of conceptual perspective‐taking

Social communication requires shared representations as well as a cognitive flexibility for successful interactions between self and other. What neural mechanisms underlie the ability to distinguish between our own perspective vs. the perspective of others at a conceptual level? In this PET study subjects who were medical students were asked according to the experimental conditions to respond to a list of health‐related questions, taking either their own perspective or the perspective of a ‘lay person’. Third‐person perspective as compared to first‐person perspective was associated with activation in the medial part of the superior frontal gyrus, in the left superior temporal sulcus, in the left temporal pole and in the right inferior parietal lobe. The reverse comparison revealed a specific activation in the postcentral gyrus for the first‐person conceptual perspective. This study provides congruent results at the conceptual level with previous studies investigating the neural correlates of self/other distinction at the motor level, and opens a new area of research in which conceptual cognition can be viewed in the continuity of motor cognition.
Nurse practitioners and physician assistants in the intensive care unit: An evidence-based review

Background:Advanced practitioners including nurse practitioners and physician assistants are contributing to care for critically ill patients in the intensive care unit through their participation on the multidisciplinary team and in collaborative physician practice roles. However, the impact of nurse practitioners and physician assistants in the intensive care unit setting is not well known. Objectives:To identify published literature on the role of nurse practitioners and physician assistants in acute and critical care settings; to review the literature using nonquantitative methods and provide a summary of the results to date incorporating studies assessing the impact and outcomes of nurse practitioner and physician assistant providers in the intensive care unit; and to identify implications for critical care practice. Methods:We conducted a systematic search of the English-language literature of publications on nurse practitioners and physician assistants utilizing Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, and the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases from 1996 through August 2007. Interventions:None. Results:Over 145 articles were reviewed on the role of the nurse practitioner and physician assistant in acute and critical care settings. A total of 31 research studies focused on the role and impact of these practitioners in the care of acute and critically ill patients. Of those, 20 were focused on nurse practitioner care, six focused on both nurse practitioner and physician assistant care, and five were focused on physician assistant care in acute and critical care settings. Fourteen focused on intensive care unit care, and 17 focused on acute care including emergency room, trauma, and management of patients with specific acute care conditions such as stroke, pneumonia, and congestive heart failure. Most studies used retrospective or prospective study designs and nonprobability sampling techniques. Only two randomized control trials were identified. The majority examined the impact of care on patient care management (n = 17), six focused on comparisons of care with physician care, five examined the impact of models of care including multidisciplinary and outcomes management models, and three assessed involvement and impact on reinforcement of practice guidelines, education, research, and quality improvement. Conclusions:Although existing research supports the use of nurse practitioners and physician assistants in acute and critical care settings, a low level of evidence was found with only two randomized control trials assessing the impact of nurse practitioner care. Further research that explores the impact of nurse practitioners and physician assistants in the intensive care unit setting on patient outcomes, including financial aspects of care is needed. In addition, information on successful multidisciplinary models of care is needed to promote optimal use of nurse practitioners and physician assistants in acute and critical care settings.
Economic internationalization and the decline of the left–right dimension

This article examines the continuing importance of the left–right dimension for voting behavior in Western Europe. We test the extent to which economic internationalization may affect the capacity of this dimension to structure party preferences. We explore two dimensions of internationalization, long-term openness and short-term changes, assessing, respectively, the impact of international trade and foreign investments on voters’ preference formation. To study the influence of changing context, we use four waves of the European Election Study (1999, 2004, 2009, and 2014). We show that openness to international economic exchanges tends to weaken the left–right cleavage. At the same time, long-term economic openness appears to soften the impact of short-term shocks for the relevance of left–right politics.