Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oxygen Abundances in Two Metal-Poor Subgiants from the Analysis of the 6300 Å Forbidden O I Line

Recent LTE analyses (Israelian et al.; Boesgaard et al.) of the OH bands in the optical ultraviolet spectra of nearby metal-poor subdwarfs indicate that oxygen abundances are generally higher than those previously determined from the analysis of the [O I] doublet in the spectra of low-metallicity giants. On average, the difference increases with decreasing metallicity and reaches Δ[O/Fe] ∼ +0.6 dex as [Fe/H] approaches -3.0. Employing high-resolution (R = 50,000), high–signal-to-noise ratio (∼250) echelle spectra of the two stars found by Israelian et al. to have the highest [O/Fe] ratios, viz., BD +23°3130 and BD +37°1458, we conducted abundance analyses based on about 60 Fe I and seven–nine Fe II lines. We determined from Kurucz LTE models the appropriate values of Teff, log g, [Fe/H], and vt, as well as abundances of Na, Ni, and the traditional α-elements Mg, Si, Ca, and Ti, independent of the calibration of color versus Teff scales. We determined oxygen abundances from spectral synthesis of the stronger line (λ6300) of the [O I] doublet. The ionization equilibrium of Fe indicates that these two stars are subgiants rather than subdwarfs, and our derived values of Teff are 150–300 K lower than those assumed by the previous investigators, although the resulting [Fe/H] values differ only slightly. The syntheses of the [O I] line lead to smaller values of [O/Fe], consistent with those found earlier among halo field and globular cluster giants. We obtain [O/Fe] = +0.35 ± 0.2 for BD +23°3130 and +0.50 ± 0.2 for BD +37°1458. In the former, the [O I] line is very weak (∼1 mÅ), so that the quoted [O/Fe] value may in reality be an upper limit. Therefore, in these two stars a discrepancy exists between the [O/Fe] ratios derived from [O I] and the OH feature, and the origin of this difference remains unclear. Until the matter is clarified, we suggest it is premature to conclude that the ab initio oxygen abundances of old, metal-poor stars need to be revised drastically upward.
CHROMATIC AND SPECTROSCOPIC SIGNATURES OF MICROLENSING EVENTS AS A TOOL FOR THE GRAVITATIONAL IMAGING OF STARS

The detection of microlensing events from stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud and in the Galactic bulge raise important constraints on the distribution of dark matter and on galactic structure, although some events may be due to a new type of intrinsic variability. When lenses are relatively close to the sources, we predict that chromatic and spectroscopic effects are likely to appear for a significant fraction of the microlensing events. These effects are due to the differential amplification of the limb and the centre of the stellar disc, and present a systematic dependence with wavelength and time that provide an unambiguous signature of a microlensing event (as opposed to a new type of intrinsic stellar variability). In addition, their measure would provide a direct constraint on stellar atmospheres, allowing a 3-dimensional reconstruction or imaging of its structure, a unique tool to test the current models of stellar atmospheres.
Using Images in Context-Aware Recommender Systems

In this paper, we propose a unified probabilistic framework for product recommendation which uses both images and user's contex- tual situation to predict accurately the ratings. In addition, this frame- work suggests highly rated and diversified products to reach better user satisfactions in conformance with researches in consumer psychology. Ex- perimental results show that images improve the usefulness of recommen- dation comparatively with state-of-art methods.
Cancer stem cells, a fuzzy evolving concept

The cancer stem cells (CSC) hypothesis represents a pathological extrapolation of the physiological concept of embryonic and somatic stem cells. In its initial definition, it encompassed the hypothesis of a qualitatively distinct population of immortal cancer cells originating from somatic stem cells, which generate in xenotransplants by a deterministic irreversible process, the hierarchy of more differentiated finite lifespan derived cells, which constitute, themselves, the bulk of the cancer. These CSC would express specific biomarkers and gene expressions related to chemo- and radioresistance, stemness, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, etc. No convincing congruence of several of these properties in one cell population has been demonstrated. The concept has greatly evolved with time and with different authors (“the plasticity of cancer stem cells”), leading to a minimal definition of cells generating a hierarchy of derived cells. In this article these concepts are analyzed. It is proposed that stemness is a property, more or less reversible, a hallmark of some cells at some time in a cancer cell population, as immortality, dormancy, chemo- or radioresistance, epithelial–mesenchymal transition etc. These phenotypic properties represent the result of independent, linked, or more or less congruent, genetic, epigenetic, or signaling programs.
Three essays on cyberbullying on social networking sites: understanding the effects of technological factors

II ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . IV TABLE OF CONTENTS . V LIST OF TABLES . X LIST OF FIGURES . XII CHAPTER 1 : INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1 RESEARCH BACKGROUND . 1 1.2 RESEARCH MOTIVATION . 2 1.3 RESEARCH STATUS . 3 1.4 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES . 4 1.5 RESEARCH SCOPE . 5 1.6 OUTLINE OF THE DISSERTATION . 5 1.7 EXPECTED CONTRIBUTIONS . 7 CHAPTER 2 : THE STATE OF RESEARCH ON CYBERBULLYING ON SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES: A LITERATURE REVIEW AND ANALYSIS (ESSAY 1) . 9 2.
Comparison of Changes in Corneal Biomechanical Properties after Photorefractive Keratectomy and Small Incision Lenticule Extraction

Objectives: To compare the postoperative biomechanical properties of the cornea after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) in eyes with low and moderate myopia. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively examined 42 eyes of 23 patients undergoing PRK and 42 eyes of 22 patients undergoing SMILE for the correction of low and moderate myopia. Corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) were measured with an Ocular Response Analyzer before and 6 months after surgery. We also investigated the relationship between these biomechanical changes and the amount of myopic correction. Results: In the PRK group, CH was 10.4±1.3 mmHg preoperatively and significantly decreased to 8.5±1.3 mmHg postoperatively. In the SMILE group, CH was 10.9±1.7 mmHg preoperatively and decreased to 8.4±1.5 mmHg postoperatively. CRF was significantly decreased from 10.8±1.1 mmHg to 7.4±1.5 mmHg in the PRK group whereas it was decreased from 11.1±1.5 mmHg to 7.9±1.6 mmHg in the SMILE group postoperatively. There was a significant correlation between the amount of myopic correction and changes in biomechanical properties after PRK (r=-0.29, p=0.045 for CH; r=-0.07, p=0.05 for CRF) and SMILE (r=-0.25, p=0.048 for CH; r=-0.37, p=0.011 for CRF). Conclusion: Both PRK and SMILE can affect the biomechanical strength of the cornea. SMILE resulted in larger biomechanical changes than PRK.
Content of short-chain fatty acids in the hindgut of rats fed processed bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) flours varying in distribution and content of indigestible carbohydrates

Red kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) processed to differ in distribution and content of indigestible carbohydrates were used to study hindgut fermentability and production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). Bean flours with low or high content of resistant starch (RS), mainly raw and physically-inaccessible starch, were obtained by milling the beans before or after boiling. Flours containing retrograded starch and with a high or low content of oligosaccharides were prepared by autoclaving followed by freeze-drying with or without the boiling water. Six diets were prepared from these flours yielding a total concentration of indigestible carbohydrates of 90 or 120 g/kg (dry weight basis). The total fermentability of the indigestible carbohydrates was high with all diets (80–87 %). Raw and physically-inaccessible starch was more readily fermented than retrograded starch (97–99 % v. 86–95 %; P<0·05). Non-starch glucans were fermented to a lesser extent than RS, but the fermentability was higher (P<0·05) in the case of autoclaved (50–54 %) than boiled beans (37–41 %). The distribution between acetic, propionic and butyric acid in the caecum was similar for all diets, with a comparatively high percentage of butyric acid (approximately 18). However, with diets containing the high amounts of RS, the butyric acid concentration was significantly higher in the distal colon than in the proximal colon (P=0·009 and P=0·047 for the high- and low-level diets respectively), whereas it remained constant, or decreased along the colon in the case of the other diets. Furthermore, the two diets richest in RS also promoted the highest percentages of butyric acid in the distal colon (24 and 17 v. 12 and 12–16 for the high- and low-level diets respectively).
Probabilistic Graphical Models - Principles and Techniques

Most tasks require a person or an automated system to reasonto reach conclusions based on available information. The framework of probabilistic graphical models, presented in this book, provides a general approach for this task. The approach is model-based, allowing interpretable models to be constructed and then manipulated by reasoning algorithms. These models can also be learned automatically from data, allowing the approach to be used in cases where manually constructing a model is difficult or even impossible. Because uncertainty is an inescapable aspect of most real-world applications, the book focuses on probabilistic models, which make the uncertainty explicit and provide models that are more faithful to reality. Probabilistic Graphical Models discusses a variety of models, spanning Bayesian networks, undirected Markov networks, discrete and continuous models, and extensions to deal with dynamical systems and relational data. For each class of models, the text describes the three fundamental cornerstones: representation, inference, and learning, presenting both basic concepts and advanced techniques. Finally, the book considers the use of the proposed framework for causal reasoning and decision making under uncertainty. The main text in each chapter provides the detailed technical development of the key ideas. Most chapters also include boxes with additional material: skill boxes, which describe techniques; case study boxes, which discuss empirical cases related to the approach described in the text, including applications in computer vision, robotics, natural language understanding, and computational biology; and concept boxes, which present significant concepts drawn from the material in the chapter. Instructors (and readers) can group chapters in various combinations, from core topics to more technically advanced material, to suit their particular needs. Adaptive Computation and Machine Learning series
Efficient and distributed computation of maximum multicast rates

The transmission of information within a data network is constrained by network topology and link capacities. In this paper, we study the fundamental upper bound of information multicast rates with these constraints, given the unique replicable and encodable property of information flows. Based on recent information theory advances in coded multicast rates, we are able to formulate the maximum multicast rate problem as a linear network optimization problem, assuming the general undirected network model. We then proceed to apply Lagrangian relaxation techniques to obtain (1) a necessary and sufficient condition for multicast rate feasibility, and (2) a subgradient solution for computing the maximum rate and the optimal routing strategy to achieve it. The condition we give is a generalization of the well-known conditions for the unicast and broadcast cases. Our subgradient solution takes advantage of the underlying network flow structure of the problem, and therefore outperforms general linear programming solving techniques. It also admits a natural intuitive interpretation, and is amenable to fully distributed implementations.
Business Cases for Sustainability: A Stakeholder Theory Perspective

The “business case for sustainability” is a notion often referenced in the corporate sustainability and corporate social responsibility literature. Whereas some see sustainability and the business case as contradictions and thus emphasize the existence of trade-offs, others highlight how (potential) business cases can be created by managing ecological, social, and economic aspects. Both views have in common that the “business case” is implicitly or explicitly seen as creating financial performance, often for one group of stakeholders, only. The fact that a business case is not a given phenomenon but has to be co-created in the exchange between and with contributions from various stakeholders has so far not been analysed in depth. By taking a stakeholder theory perspective, this article extends the existing research on what business and a business case are about and analyses the understanding of business cases for sustainability and how they can be created with and by stakeholders.
Weight-Related Quality of Life, Health Utility, Psychological Well-Being, and Satisfaction With Exenatide Once Weekly Compared With Sitagliptin or Pioglitazone After 26 Weeks of Treatment

OBJECTIVE To assess change in patient-reported outcomes in subjects with type 2 diabetes treated with exenatide once weekly compared with those treated with sitagliptin or pioglitazone. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In this 26-week randomized, multicenter, double-dummy study, 491 subjects received 2 mg of exenatide once weekly or maximum daily doses of sitagliptin (100 mg) or pioglitazone (45 mg) on a background of metformin. Weight-related quality of life, health utility, psychological well-being, and diabetes treatment satisfaction were assessed at baseline and week 26. Mean group changes from baseline to week 26 were estimated by ANCOVA. RESULTS Weight-related quality of life total scores improved significantly in the exenatide once weekly and sitagliptin arms only; the exenatide once weekly group experienced significantly greater improvement than the pioglitazone group in weight-related quality of life total scores and in several domain scores. Health utility scores improved significantly for exenatide once weekly and sitagliptin groups (P < 0.05) with no significant difference between the exenatide once weekly group and either comparison group. All groups experienced significant improvements on the psychological well-being global scale and all six domain scores, with no significant difference between the exenatide once weekly group and either comparator. All groups experienced significant improvements in total diabetes treatment satisfaction scores. The exenatide once weekly group experienced greater improvement than the sitagliptin group in treatment satisfaction total scores. CONCLUSIONS In combination with clinical outcomes from this study, these results indicate it is possible for patients treated with metformin to initiate exenatide therapy with potential benefits in both clinical and patient-reported outcomes.
Love in the Golden Years: A Narrative Examination of Romantic Relationships in Older Adulthood as Compared to Young Adulthood

Life-stories offer an approach to understanding personality processes within a larger, developmental context. This study examines the role that one area of a person's larger context (namely romantic relationships) plays in that person's life-story. Specifically, the study examines whether this role changes over the lifespan. Nineteen students from a consortium of colleges in southern California, and an equal number of older adults living in a nearby retirement community, were interviewed about their romantic relationship history. The interview was semi-structured and asked participants about past and current relationships, and their most meaningful relationship overall. The interviews were coded for the themes of agency, redemption, and contamination, reported self-growth, and an additional variable called unprompted discussion of sexuality that was added based on a series of unexpected occurrences during the interviews. The results showed significant differences in both agency and unprompted discussion of sexuality between the romantic relationship narratives of young and older adults. However, no significant differences were found between the age groups on any of the other three variables, or between the sexes on any of the five variables. The results not only help us to better understand the ways in which our stories about our romantic relationships change across the lifespan, but also suggest significant differences between how younger and older adults think about love and sex.
Group Encouragement: Action Research on Cooperative Learning

Cooperative learning groups help students develop twenty-first century skills. Teachers may choose to constantly change the memberships of the cooperative learning groups so that students rarely work with the same people or teachers may choose to use a home group structure in that students always work with the same people. In this action research with two fifth grade math and science classes, it was found that most students enjoyed working with short-term groups and long-lasting home groups, but there was a large minority of students who did not enjoy working with their home groups following the three-month time period that the home groups were in existence. Nevertheless, most of the students in the groups that worked as cooperative learning groups enjoyed working in their groups; whereas, more of the students in groups that did not work as cooperative learning groups did not enjoy working as much in their groups. In addition, in both the group structures, the majority of students were comfortable asking their group members questions and helped their group members with questions they had.
Patents as Signals for Startup Financing

We examine the role of patents as signals used to reduce information asymmetries in entrepreneurial finance. A theoretical model gives conditions for a unique separating equilibrium in which startup founders file for patents to signal invention quality to investors, as well as appropriating value. The theory allows for heterogeneous investors and examine the optimal match of different types of startups, as defined by the quality of their technology, to investors who differ in the amount of non financial capital they provide. The empirical analysis is consistent with the model's predictions using a novel dataset of Israeli startups that received external funding during the period 1994-2011.
Reflecting on self-care practices during clinical psychology training and beyond

Abstract In this paper, I will discuss the concept of self-care and its importance for clinical psychologists, both during training and post-qualification. I will review the pertinent literature in this area covering the concept of self-care and its meaning, the personal and professional impact of a lack of self-care for clinical psychologists, and discuss some of the barriers to implementing self-care practices. Throughout the discussion of barriers to self-care, I will intersperse three reflective pieces on my own experiences throughout clinical psychology training, which will allow for a more in-depth exploration of the issues. My conclusion will highlight the personal, professional and systemic barriers to self-care in clinical psychologists, and in other helping professionals, and suggest possible ways of tackling these barriers and promoting greater utilisation of self-care during clinical training and beyond and across different professional groups.
Damage of Stone Baskets by Endourologic Lithotripters: A Laboratory Study of 5 Lithotripters and 4 Basket Types

Background. In some cases, the ureteral stone is simultaneously stabilized by a stone basket when endourologic lithotripsy is performed. This stabilization can be either on purpose or by accident. By accident means that an impaction in the ureter occurs by an extraction of a stone with a basket. A stabilization on purpose means to avoid a retropulsion of the stone into the kidney during lithotripsy. At this part of the operation, stone baskets have been frequently damaged. This severing of wires can lead to ureteral trauma because of hook formation. Material and Methods. In a laboratory setting, the time and the pulse numbers were measured until breaking the wires from four different nitinol stone baskets by using five different lithotripsy devices. The endpoint was gross visibledamage to the wire and loss of electric conduction. Results. The Ho:YAG laser and the ultrasonic device were able to destroy almost all the wires. The ballistic devices and the electrohydraulic device were able to destroy thin wires. Conclusion. The operating surgeon should know the risk of damagefor every lithotripter. The Ho:YAG-laser and the ultrasonic device should be classified as dangerous for the basket wire with all adverse effects to the patient.
ERK1/2 and HIF1α Are Involved in Antiangiogenic Effect of Polyphenols-Enriched Fraction from Chilean Propolis

Propolis has been shown to modulate the angiogenesis in both in vitro and in vivo models. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the antiangiogenic properties of an ethanolic extract of Chilean propolis (EEP) and Pinocembrin (Pn). Migration, formation of capillary-like structures of endothelial cells, and sprouting from rat aortic rings were used to assess the antiangiogenic properties of EEP or Pn. In addition, microRNAs and VEGFA mRNA expression were studied by qPCR. ERK1/2 phosphorylation and HIF1α stabilization were assessed by western blot. EEP or Pn attenuated the migration, the capillary-like tube formation, and the sprouting in the in vitro assays. In addition, the activation of HIF1α and ERK1/2 and the VEGFA mRNA expression was significantly inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. In summary, these results suggest that HIF1α and ERK1/2 phosphorylation could be involved in the antiangiogenic effect of Chilean propolis, but more studies are needed to corroborate these findings.