Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mass loss rates of a sample of irregular and semiregular M-type AGB-variables

We have determined mass loss rates and gas expansion velocities for a sample of 69 M-type irregular (IRV; 22 objects) and semiregular (SRV; 47 objects) AGB-variables using a radiative transfer code to model their circumstellar CO radio line emission. We believe that this sample is representative for the mass losing stars of this type. The (molecular hydrogen) mass loss rate distribution has a median value of 2:0 10 7 M yr 1 , and a minimum of 2:0 10 8 M yr 1 and a maximum of 8 10 7 M yr 1 . M-type IRVs and SRVs with a mass loss rate in excess of 5 10 7 M yr 1 must be very rare, and among these mass losing stars the number of sources with mass loss rates below a few 10 8 M yr 1 must be small. We find no significant dierence between the IRVs and the SRVs in terms of their mass loss characteristics. Among the SRVs the mass loss rate shows no dependence on the period. Likewise the mass loss rate shows no correlation with the stellar temperature. The gas expansion velocity distribution has a median of 7.0 km s 1 , and a minimum of 2.2 km s 1 and a maximum of 14.4 km s 1 . No doubt, these objects sample the low gas expansion velocity end of AGB winds. The fraction of objects with low gas expansion velocities is very high, about 30% have velocities lower than 5 km s 1 , and there are objects with velocities lower than 3 km s 1 : V584 Aql, T Ari, BI Car, RX Lac, and L 2 Pup. The mass loss rate and the gas expansion velocity correlate well, a result in line with theoretical predictions for an optically thin, dust-driven wind. In general, the model produces line profiles which acceptably fit the observed ones. An exceptional case is R Dor, where the high-quality, observed line profiles are essentially flat-topped, while the model ones are sharply double-peaked. The sample contains four sources with distinctly double-component CO line profiles, i.e., a narrow feature centered on a broader feature: EP Aqr, RV Boo, X Her, and SV Psc. We have modelled the two components separately for each star and derive mass loss rates and gas expansion velocities. We have compared the results of this M-star sample with a similar C-star sample analysed in the same way. The mass loss rate characteristics are very similar for the two samples. On the contrary, the gas expansion velocity distributions are clearly dierent. In particular, the number of low-velocity sources is much higher in the M-star sample. We found no example of the sharply double-peaked CO line profile, which is evidence of a large, detached CO-shell, among the M-stars. About 10% of the C-stars show this phenomenon.
The local star formation rate and radio luminosity density

We present a new determination of the local volume-averaged star formation rate from the 1.4 GHz luminosity function of star forming galaxies. Our sample, taken from the B ≤ 12 Revised Shapley-Ames catalogue (231 normal spiral galaxies over effective area 7.1 sr) has ≃ 100% complete radio detections and is insensitive to dust obscuration and cirrus contamination. After removal of known active galaxies, the best-fit Schechter function has a faint-end slope of −1.27 ±0.07 in agreement with the
Abciximab in primary coronary stenting of ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a European meta-analysis on individual patients' data with long-term follow-up.

AIMS Varying results have been reported in studies evaluating glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibition in primary coronary stenting of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), usually with limited clinical follow-up. We performed a meta-analysis on case specific data of primary stenting in STEMI with a long-term evaluation. METHODS AND RESULTS For this meta-analysis, studies of rescue percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) after failed lytic therapy, plain balloon angioplasty studies and studies with an angiographic selection of patients were excluded. The ISAR-2, ADMIRAL, and ACE studies fulfilled inclusion criteria and all individual data were analysed together. The primary endpoint was the composite of death or re-infarction up to 3 years of follow-up. A total of 1101 patients, presenting for primary PCI and stenting of STEMI were randomized to abciximab (n=550) or placebo (n=551). This population had high-risk characteristics with 41% of anterior MI, 30% with a prior history of MI, 8.4% of cardiogenic shock, and 3.1% of previous coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). The primary endpoint of death or re-infarction was significantly reduced from an estimated cumulative hazard rate of 19.0% with placebo to 12.9% with abciximab [RR(95% IC): 0.633 (0.452; 0.887), P=0.008]. The mortality rate was reduced from an estimated cumulative hazard rate of 14.3% in the placebo arm to 10.9% in the abciximab arm [0.695 (0.482; 1.003), P=0.052]. Re-infarction was reduced from an estimated cumulative hazard rate of 5.5% with placebo to 2.3% with abciximab [0.41 (0.203; 0.831), P=0.013]. Major bleedings were 2.5 and 2% with and without abciximab, respectively (NS). In the control arm, both the death or MI cumulative hazard rate (54 vs. 13.5%) and mortality rate (39.7 vs. 10.1%) were four-fold higher in diabetics when compared with non-diabetics. Abciximab provided a significant benefit on the primary endpoint for diabetics [0.525 (0.303; 0.911), P=0.022]. CONCLUSION Abciximab has a strong and persistent impact on hard clinical endpoints in patients undergoing primary stenting for STEMI.
Bank for International Settlements – Annual Report

Asset prices have played a prominent role in the present business cycle, both in terms of the amplitude of their fluctuations and because of their impact on financial institutions and economic activity. Such medium-term swings are of course not new; the last similar episode took place in the early 1970s. What has drawn attention to the recent asset price movements is not only their absolute size and geographical compass; it is also the fact that the prolonged upswing, in contrast to the previous one, occurred against a background of positive inflation-adjusted interest rates. An examination of the two episodes suggests that the distinguishing characteristic of the recent experience has been the ample availability of credit in the wake of market-driven and policy-determined structural changes in the financial industry. While a large number of countries experienced a cycle in real aggregate asset prices over the last ten years, the severity of asset price inflation and deflation varied widely. The sharpest movements occurred in some of the Nordic countries and in Japan. In Sweden and Finland, for example, asset prices increased by over 200% in real terms between 1980 and 1989, only to have a substantial part of the rise reversed in the last three years. Norway also experienced large fluctuations, though not quite as pronounced. In the United Kingdom the upswing can be traced back to the mid-1970s: an increase of around 150% from trough to peak was only moderately affected by the recession in the early 1980s. Asset price swings in other countries, notably Australia, have also been steep relative to their own past experience and have had serious effects on the financial system and the economy. In some respects asset price movements since the early 1980s resemble those in the early to mid-1970s. Large asset price fluctuations occurred during both periods, although their amplitude was generally greater in the 1980s. Moreover, major swings took place around business cycle peaks, in sharp contrast to the experience of the business cycle around the end of the 1970s. Nevertheless, a number of differences are also apparent. First, in many countries asset price increases in the early 1970s generally occurred over a much shorter period – two to three years at most compared with over twice that in the 1980s. Secondly, movements in the early 1970s were dominated in most countries by increases in equity as opposed to real estate Reserve Bank of …
Scene matching based on spatial relation constraint in suitable-matching area

Scene matching navigation system (SMNS) is one of the most effective ways of aided navigation for UAV. With anti-electronic interference and high resolution, SMN could be navigating and locating reliably and accurately. The navigational positioning ability with high reliability and high accuracy must be needed. For the complexity of the work environment of scene matching navigation on the platform of UAV, a multi-region scene matching algorithm for suitable-matching area based on the spatial relation constraint was proposed in this paper. This algorithm adopts parallel computing to improve the real-time performance of SMNS. The optimal allocation of coordinates of center point can be estimated ultimately by calculating the spatial relation of many match areas. So the precise location of real-time image center at the base map can be gotten. At last, a method based on previous navigation data was designed to check the location. To accomplish the on-line scene matching reliably and precisely, this algorithm only needs one real-time frame image to match base map every time. Experiments show that this algorithm meets the UAV navigation performance requirements such as real-time, robustness and high accuracy.
Breaking compulsive buying-financial trouble chain of young Malaysian consumers

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine compulsive buying and its interrelationships with careful spending, loan dependence and financial trouble. This study also aims to investigate the moderating role of gender. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire-based survey was conducted. Two hundred and seven responses were collected using purposive sampling technique. Partial least square–structural equation modelling was performed to analyze the proposed hypotheses. Findings The salient findings are (1) careful spending negatively influences compulsive buying, (2) compulsive buying positively influences loan dependence and financial trouble, (3) loan dependence positively influences financial trouble, (4) the relationships between careful spending and compulsive buying, and between loan dependence and financial trouble differ between male and female consumers, (5) there is a sequential mediation effect between careful spending and financial trouble and (6) there are gender differences between careful spending and compulsive buying and between loan dependence and financial trouble. Research limitations/implications This study empirically validates the role of short-term money attitude, conceptualized as careful spending in compulsive buying context and how it attenuates the consequences of compulsive buying. Originality/value This study explains the serial mechanism in which careful spending can be used to counteract financial trouble of youngsters, and further looks into the differences of relationships in term of gender through multi-group analysis.
Tap-Kick-Click: Foot Interaction for a Standing Desk

Foot interaction techniques for controlling conventional desktop applications at a standing desk are described. Indirect, discrete two-foot input using combinations of spatial kicks, taps, jumps, and standing postures are tracked using a depth camera and instrumented shoes. An implemented system shows how visual feedback and interface augmentation can make foot input compatible with existing desktop applications. Application scenarios using the system demonstrate productive pure foot input breaks with real application tasks like web browsing and code debugging, as well as using feet as a secondary input channel with mouse and keyboard. An evaluation validates the usability of the approach.
Frequent External-Focus Feedback Enhances Motor Learning

The present study examined the hypothesis that feedback inducing an external focus of attention enhances motor learning if it is provided frequently (i.e., 100%) rather than less frequently. Children (10- to 12-year-olds) practiced a soccer throw-in task and were provided feedback about movement form. The feedback statements, provided either after every (100%) or every third (33%) practice trial, were similar in content but induced either an internal focus (body-movement related) or external focus (movement-effect related). The results demonstrated that learning of the movement form was enhanced by external-focus feedback after every trial (100%) relative to external-focus feedback after every third trial (33%) or internal-focus feedback (100%, 33%), as demonstrated by immediate and delayed transfer tests without feedback. There was no difference between the two internal-focus feedback groups. These findings indicate that the attentional focus induced by feedback is an important factor in determining the effectiveness of different feedback frequencies. We argue that the informational properties of feedback cannot sufficiently account for these and related findings, and suggest that the attentional role of feedback be given greater consideration in future studies.
STAPHYLOCOCCAL CLUMPING WITH SOLUBLE FIBRIN MONOMER COMPLEXES

Clumping reaction, using standard suspension of Staph. aureus Newman D-2-C strain and various substrates, was quantitatively tested. It has been shown that clumping occurs in fibrin lysate containing soluble fibrin monomer complexes unclottable by thrombin. The reaction was positive with staphylococcal strains possessing clumping factor regardless of staphylocoagulase production. Clumping reaction is similar to paracoagulation reaction induced by protamine sulfate. The substrate for both reactions is stable at 56°C but is destroyed at 60°C. The kinetics of substrate formation for both reactions during fibrin clot lysis is also similar. Clumping reaction with a strain of Staph. epidermidis possessing no clumping factor was positive when these bacteria were coated with protamine sulfate. The effect of heparin, sodium citrate, urea, 2-mercaptoethanol, merthiolate, and mucin on both reactions was tested. The present findings explain the clumping reaction in serum and emphasize the role of blood clotting and fibrinolytic systems in this phenomenon.
Group Support Systems: A Descriptive Evaluation of Case and Field Studies

This paper presents a descriptive evaluation of 54 case and field studies from 79 published papers spanning two decades of group support systems (GSS) research. It organizes the methodology and results of these studies into a four-factor framework consisting of contextual factors, intervening factors, adaptation factors, and outcome factors. The tables will provide the GSS researcher with a summary of what has been studied. The appendices provide a detailed description of the methodology and the results.
Visual areas involved in the perception of human movement from dynamic form analysis

The perception of biological motion combines the analysis of form and motion. However, patient observations by Vaina et al. and psychophysical experiments by Beintema and Lappe showed that humans could perceive human movements (a walker) without local image motion information. Here, we examine the specificity of brain regions responsive to a biological motion stimulus without local image motion, using functional magnetic resonance imaging. We used the stimulus from Beintema and Lappe and compared the brain activity with a point-light display that does contain local motion information and was often used in previous studies. Recent imaging studies have identified areas sensitive to biological motion in both the motion-processing and the form-processing pathways of the visual system. We find a similar neuronal network engaged in biological motion perception, but more strongly manifested in form-processing than in motion-processing areas, namely, fusiform-/occipital face area and extrastriate body area.
Epac inhibits apoptosis of human leukocytes

cAMP is known to participate in the regulation of apoptosis in leukocytes. Depending on the cell type, pro‐ and antiapoptotic effects of cAMP have been described. Thus far, most of the cAMP‐dependent effects have been attributed to the activation of PKA. However, Epac proteins (direct cAMP targets and guanine nucleotide exchange factors for Ras‐like GTPases) have been shown recently to contribute to cAMP‐dependent regulation of apoptosis. Therefore, we investigated the effects of the selective Epac activators 8‐pCPT and Sp on apoptosis in human leukocytic cells (U937, HL‐60, primary human mononuclear cells). We report here that Epac activation inhibits leukocyte apoptosis significantly.
Educational psychologists’ support roles regarding the implementation of inclusive education in Zimbabwe

1Great ZimbabweUniversity 2North-WestUniversity Correspondence ElliottNkom,GreatZimbabweUniversity, School of Social Sciences, P.O. Box1235,Masvingo, Zimbabwe. Email: elliottnkoma@gmail.com Abstract This article focuses on a phenomenological study of trainee/ educational psychologists’ lived experiences regarding the support roles in the implementation of inclusive education practices in Zimbabwe. In-depth phenomenological interviews were done with 16 purposely selected participants (13 trainee/educational psychologists located at three administrative offices and three experts on inclusion from three universities) and data was transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed. Monthly/annual reports from trainee/educational psychologists were used as reference material. Three major themes emerged from the support roles: (1) diverse views on inclusion; (2) critical roles, successful and unsuccessful experiences in implementing inclusive education; and (3) impact of experiences on rendering support services. Key findings indicate that advocacy and consultation, assessment and placement, and inservice training were viewed as critical and successful experiences, whereas negative teacher attitudes and limited resources were viewed as barriers toward the implementation of inclusive education practices. The impact of experiences indicates inadequacy in the provisionof support services.Annual reports of trainee/educational psychologists indicated inadequate ongoing training on inclusive education practices. These findings are discussed in relation to the inclusive education literature.
The wisdom of the road

The Silk Roads Ethos (SRE; Ling, 2014) animates the idea that India and China must draw from the legacy of historical exchanges for future cooperation. Mainstream scholarship on the subject employs and relies predominantly on a state-centric rivalry-oriented framework to study the issue, in which a standard focus on demographic comparisons, growth rates, GDP, FDI, energy-security complex, and cognate connotations of “hypermasculine war games” demarcate India-China relations in mutually distinct and discrete “boxed” categories (Banerjee and Ling, 2010). It also does not engage with the growing body of historically attuned, critical scholarship that focuses on the nuances of exchange, collaboration, and conflict between India and China. If scholars working on China-India are serious about offering a counter-hegemonic alternative to the current work-manuals, then our research approaches in understanding one another must also employ a counter-hegemonic epistemology. Drawing on insights from two recent collaborative projects, one on hydro-power projects in India and China, and a second, larger project on India-China relations, this article outlines the specific ways in which the wisdom of the SRE carries with it unequivocal empirical and pedagogical possibilities.
Influence of physical, mental and intellectual development on disability in young Norwegian men.

BACKGROUND Few studies have examined the effects of educational level, intellectual performance, mental function, body mass index and height as well as their interrelationship on the risk of disability pension (DP), taking other life course factors into account. METHODS We linked several national registers, comprising the Medical Birth Registry, the Central Population Register, the Education Register, the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Organisation and the Norwegian Armed Forces Personnel Data Base, providing personal data on biological and social variables from childhood to young adult age. Participants were all males live born during the period 1967-76, followed up through 2003. Men were excluded who died, emigrated or were granted a DP until age 23 years (when follow-up started) and persons who did not become gainfully employed during the study period. Thus, the study population comprised 302 330 men, and the study outcome was being granted a DP after age 23 years. RESULTS 3651 men (1.2%) were granted a DP. The DP rate was inversely associated with both educational level and intellectual performance. The adjusted population attributable risks (PAR) values for these two variables were 47% and 35%, respectively. The effect of the other variables was modest. Over- and underweight and short stature were associated with DP, but the effect was largely reduced after adjusting for intellectual performance. Impaired mental function seemed to have an independent effect. CONCLUSION Receiving an early DP is dependent on several factors acting at different stages of life, above all educational level and intellectual performance. High education can modify some of the effects of low intellectual performance.
Beat space segmentation and octave scale cepstral feature for sung language recognition in pop music

Sung language recognition relies on both effective feature extraction and acoustic modeling. In this paper, we study rhythm based music segmentation with the frame size being the duration of the smallest note in the music, as opposed to fixed length segmentation in spoken language recognition. It is found that acoustic features extracted from the rhythm based segmentation scheme outperform those from fixed length segmentation. We also study the effectiveness of a musically motivated acoustic feature. Octave scale cepstral coefficients (OSCCs) by comparing with the other acoustic features: Log frequency cepstral coefficients, Linear prediction coefficients (LPC) and LPC-derived cepstral coefficients. Finally, we examine the modeling capabilities of Gaussian mixture models and support vector machines in sung language recognition experiments. Experiments conducted on a corpus of 400 popular songs sung in English, Chinese, German, and Indonesian, showed that the OSCC feature outperforms other features. A sung language recognition accuracy of 64.9% was achieved when Gaussian mixture models were trained on shifted-delta-OSCC acoustic features, extracted via rhythm based music segmentation.
High-Frequency γ-Band Activity in the Basal Temporal Cortex during Picture-Naming and Lexical-Decision Tasks

γ-Band activity (GBA) in electroencephalograms (EEGs) has been shown to reflect various cognitive processes. GBA has typically been recorded in the 30-60 Hz range in scalp EEGs. Recently, task-related “high GBA” (HGBA) with frequencies up to 100 Hz has been observed in studies with invasive electrocorticograms (ECoGs). In the present study, we recorded ECoGs from the bilateral basal temporal cortices in a patient with epilepsy and evaluated the task-related HGBA (most prominently in the 80-120 Hz range) accompanying picture-naming and lexical-decision tasks. We examined picture naming using two categories (line drawings of animals and tools). The lexical-decision task was performed using words and pseudowords of two distinct Japanese writing forms, kanji (morphograms) and kana (syllabograms). Task-related HGBA was observed bilaterally during the naming task. Recordings from some electrodes revealed significant differences in HGBA between animal and tool pictures. In contrast to the naming task, there was apparent left dominance in the lexical-decision task. Furthermore, significant differences in HGBA were observed between the Japanese kanji and kana words and between the kanji words and kanji pseudowords. A number of differences in the HGBA observed in the recordings from the basal temporal area were consistent with previous findings from neuroimaging and patient studies and suggest that HGBA is a good correlate of visual cognitive functions.