Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Sloan Lens ACS Survey. II. Stellar Populations and Internal Structure of Early-Type Lens Galaxies

We use HST images to derive effective radii and effective surface brightnesses of 15 early-type (E+S0) lens galaxies identified by the SLACS Survey. Our measurements are combined with stellar velocity dispersions from the SDSS database to investigate for the first time the distribution of lens galaxies in the fundamental plane (FP) space. Accounting for selection effects (top priority to the largest Einstein radii and thus approximately to the largest velocity dispersions, σ ≳ 240 km s-1) and for passive evolution, the distribution of the lens galaxies inside the FP is indistinguishable from that of the parent sample of SDSS galaxies. We conclude that SLACS lenses are a fair sample of high velocity dispersion E+S0s. By comparing the central stellar velocity dispersion (σ) with the velocity dispersion that best fits the lensing models (σSIE) we find ⟨fSIE⟩ ≡ ⟨σ/σSIE⟩ = 1.01 ± 0.02 with 0.065 rms scatter. We infer that within the Einstein radii (typically Re/2) the SLACS lenses are very well approximated by isothermal ellipsoids, requiring a fine tuning of the stellar and dark matter distribution (the bulge-halo ``conspiracy''). Interpreting the offset from the local FP in terms of evolution of the stellar mass-to-light ratio, we find d log(M/LB)/dz = -0.69 ± 0.08 (rms 0.11) consistent with the rate found for field E+S0s and with most of the stars being old (zf > 2) and less than ~10% of the stellar mass having formed below z = 1. We discuss our results in the context of formation mechanisms such as collisionless (``dry'') mergers.
Are Daily Asset Prices Predictable in Some Degree?

This paper addresses the long-standing question of whether asset prices are predictable. The common view holds that daily prices fully incorporate all available information, and therefore price changes are unforecastable. This conclusion does not necessarily hold when the vast bulk of market trades are made by investors, who choose naive price extrapolation rules over above fundamental-based rules. For that to happen, markets must suffer from two key problems. First, limits to arbitrage prevent informed speculators from setting prices right. Second, some rational speculators choose to bet not on fundamentals, but on future crowd behavior. And more important, their actions spread by contagion and become a norm. Under this norm, daily prices follow a random walk. But time series of price changes are co- integrated with time series of net demands generated by price extrapolation rules. As a result, prices are predictable in some degree.
Relationship of Hypnotic Responsiveness and EEG Activity

35 After reviewing the relationship of hypnotizability and EEG activity, a discussion follows of how modifying EEG activity may increase hypnotic responsiveness. This is followed by a brief summary of the relationship of hypnotizability to clinical symptoms. There have been many studies on the relationship of brainwave activity and hypnotic responsiveness. We certainly do not have all the answers yet, but this is a fascinating body of literature. The situation is made even more complex by the fact that the brain's activity differs in hypnosis depending on the nature of the suggestions (e.g., for pain relief, relaxation, hallucinations , etc.). There is considerable evidence that greater theta brainwave activity is found in high hypnotizable individuals both in and out of hypnosis. Furthermore, low and high hypnotizable persons experience an increase in theta brainwaves when going into hypnosis. Crawford (1990), for example, reported that high hyp-notizable persons exhibited significantly greater power in the higher theta range (5.5–7.5 Hz) than persons low in hypnotic responsivity. Schacter (1977) described two types of theta brainwaves: theta associated with feelings of drowsiness, and another type of theta brainwave associated with focused attention and involved in complex problem solving (e.g., mental arithmetic). He believed that enhanced theta activity during problem solving represented " a combination of selective, narrowly focused processing, and intensive 'mental effort' " (p. 59). This kind of theta has been interpreted as demonstrating strongly focused attention and we commonly define hypnosis as being a state of focused attention and concentration (Hammond, 1998). Children above the age of 5 have higher hypnotiz-ability than adults, but this responsivity peaks between the 8-and 12-year-old range and begins decreasing by ages 13–14 (Olness & Kohen, 1996). Interestingly, the dominant background brainwave frequency in children is in the theta frequency band. However, between the ages of 13 and 14, a shift in brainwave activity occurs and stabilizes toward the more prevalent adult pattern in the alpha frequency range. This provides further cor-relational evidence supporting the role of theta brainwave activity in hypnotic responsivity. Further correla-tional evidence is found in the fact that corresponding with the peak of hypnotic responsiveness at ages 8–11, we also find that the incidence of frontal-midline theta peaks at this same time is then present in 68.8% of children (Yamaguchi, 1994). Because of the high hyp-notic responsiveness of children, clinicians working with children are wise to add clinical hypnosis to their repertoire of therapeutic …
Developing Heuristic-Based Quality Judgements: Attention Blocking in Consumer Choice

Through a series of experiments we illustrate how the sequential order in which consumers receive information can influence the way this information is processed and affect consumers’ decisions. Specifically, when participants initially receive information regarding brand/quality or price/quality associations, these associations can block consumers’ attention to more relevant quality-determining physical attributes. Moreover, this process of attention blocking can carry-over to affect quality judgements pertaining to similarly branded or priced products beyond the product in which blocking was initiated. This implies that consumers judgements of quality may be heavily dependent on “first impressions” which develop into brand and price heuristics.
Inheritance of Sinclair Swine Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma 1

Genetic studies of familial human cutaneous malignant melanoma have failed to support a single mode of inheritance. To eliminate the complex ities of genetic heterogeneity, we have turned to appropriate animal models to gain insights into possible genetic mechanisms that may be applicable to the human. Cutaneous malignant melanoma of Sinclair miniature swine is an inherited malignancy with many of the histopathological characteristics of human melanoma. The actual mode of inher itance of the melanoma has not been determined. Recently, we initiated experiments to characterize the swine major histocompatibility complex in melanomaand nonmelanoma-bearing animals. These experiments led to the discovery of two loci that are involved in the expression of exophytic melanomas. The first locus lies within the swine major histocompatibility complex where one particular haplotype produces a phenotype in which the effects of a second locus are fully penetrant. The second locus segregates independently of the major histocompatibility complex. The melanoma-producing alÃ-eleat this second locus is inherited in the heter ozygous state and requires a somatic mutation of the normal alÃ-eleto initiate tumor development.
PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY BULLETIN Berry et al. / MEASUREMENT OF FORGIVINGNESS Dispositional Forgivingness: Development and Construct Validity of the Transgression Narrative Test of Forgivingness (TNTF)

Forgivingness is the disposition to forgive interpersonal transgressions over time and across situations. There is currently no acceptable measure of forgivingness for use in testing theoretical propositions. The authors describe a five-item scenario-based scale, the Transgression Narrative Test of Forgivingness (TNTF). In five studies examining 518 university students from three disparate universities, the authors assess the item and full-scale functioning of the TNTF and its concurrent and 8week predictive validity relative to trait anger, rumination, neuroticism, agreeableness, and hostility. Test-retest reliability and stability of item locations were both good. Norms are presented by gender, ethnicity, and religious activity. The TNTF is a brief measure of forgivingness that is not theory dependent and is therefore useful in basic and intervention research from a variety of theoretical perspectives.
Dissecting the Interferon-Induced Inhibition of Hepatitis C Virus Replication by Using a Novel Host Cell Line

ABSTRACT The Hepatitis C virus (HCV), a member of the family Flaviviridae, is a major cause of chronic liver disease. Patients are currently treated with alpha interferon (IFN-α) that is given alone or in combination with ribavirin. Unfortunately, this treatment is ineffective in eliminating the virus in a large proportion of individuals. IFN-induced antiviral activities have been intensively studied in the HCV replicon system. It was found that both IFN-α and IFN-γ inhibit HCV replicons, but the underlying mechanisms have not yet been identified. Of note is that nearly all of these studies were performed with the human hepatoma cell line Huh-7. Here, we report that genotypes 1b and 2a replicons also replicate in the human hepatoblastoma cell line HuH6. Similar to what has been described for Huh-7 cells, we observed that efficient HCV replication in HuH6 cells depends on the presence of cell culture-adaptive mutations and the permissiveness of the host cell. However, three major differences exist: in HuH6 cells, viral replication is (i) independent from ongoing cell proliferation, (ii) less sensitive to certain antiviral compounds, and (iii) highly resistant to IFN-γ. The latter is not due to a general defect in IFN signaling, as IFN-γ induces the nuclear translocation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), the enhanced transcription of several IFN-regulated genes, and the inhibition of unrelated viruses such as influenza A virus and Semliki Forest virus. Taken together, the results establish HuH6 replicon cells as a valuable tool for IFN studies and for the evaluation of antiviral compounds.
Salivary Markers for Oral Cancer Detection

Oral cancer refers to all malignancies that arise in the oral cavity, lips and pharynx, with 90% of all oral cancers being oral squamous cell carcinoma. Despite the recent treatment advances, oral cancer is reported as having one of the highest mortality ratios amongst other malignancies and this can much be attributed to the late diagnosis of the disease. Saliva has long been tested as a valuable tool for drug monitoring and the diagnosis systemic diseases among which oral cancer. The new emerging technologies in molecular biology have enabled the discovery of new molecular markers (DNA, RNA and protein markers) for oral cancer diagnosis and surveillance which are discussed in the current review.
Low Intensity Resistance Exercise Training with Blood Flow Restriction: Insight into Cardiovascular Function, and Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy in Humans

Attenuated functional exercise capacity in elderly and diseased populations is a common problem, and stems primarily from physical inactivity. Decreased function and exercise capacity can be restored by maintaining muscular strength and mass, which are key factors in an independent and healthy life. Resistance exercise has been used to prevent muscle loss and improve muscular strength and mass. However, the intensities necessary for traditional resistance training to increase muscular strength and mass may be contraindicated for some at risk populations, such as diseased populations and the elderly. Therefore, an alternative exercise modality is required. Recently, blood flow restriction (BFR) with low intensity resistance exercise (LIRE) has been used for such special populations to improve their function and exercise capacity. Although BFR+LIRE has been intensively studied for a decade, a comprehensive review detailing the effects of BFR+LIRE on both skeletal muscle and vascular function is not available. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to discuss previous studies documenting the effects of BFR+LIRE on hormonal and transcriptional factors in muscle hypertrophy and vascular function, including changes in hemodynamics, and endothelial function.
"It's at a Time in Your Life When You Are Most Vulnerable": A Qualitative Exploration of the Financial Impact of a Cancer Diagnosis and Implications for Financial Protection in Health

Although cancer patients may incur a wide range of cancer-related out-of-pocket costs and experience reduced income, the consequences of this financial burden are poorly understood. We investigated: financial adjustments needed to cope with the cancer-related financial burden; financial distress (defined as a reaction to the state of personal finances); and factors that increase risk of financial difficulties. Two sets of semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with 20 patients with breast, lung and prostate cancer and 21 hospital-based oncology social workers (OSWs) in Ireland, which has a mixed public-private healthcare system. Participants were asked about: strategies to cope with the cancer-related financial burden; the impact of the financial burden on the family budget, other aspects of daily life, and wellbeing. OSWs were also asked about patient groups they thought were more likely to experience financial difficulties. The two interview sets were analysed separately using a thematic approach. Financial adjustments included: using savings; borrowing money; relying on family and friends for direct and indirect financial help; and cutting back on household spending. Financial distress was common. Financial difficulties were more likely for patients who were older or younger, working at diagnosis, lacked social support, had dependent children, had low income or had few savings. These issues often interacted with one another. As has been seen in predominantly publically and predominantly privately-funded healthcare settings, a complex mixed public-private healthcare system does not always provide adequate financial protection post-cancer. Our findings highlight the need for a broader set of metrics to measure the financial impact of cancer (and to assess financial protection in health more generally); these should include: out-of-pocket direct medical and non-medical costs; changes in income; financial adjustments (including financial coping strategies and household consumption patterns); and financial distress. In the interim, cancer patients require financial information and advice intermittently post diagnosis.
Improving verification and reliability of distributed control systems design according to IEC 61499

It was shown in former publications that, in principle, the design of a distributed control system according to IEC 61499 could be proven to be correct. An implementation of such a control system should run correctly. But there are known issues regarding the specification and implementation of IEC 61499 function blocks execution models, which cause a verified control system design does not necessarily resulting in an implementation with the desired behavior. Another issue influencing the verification process is the granularity of the formal models used for verification. Bringing more plant properties (i.e. time related) into formal models for closed-loop verification will improve the verification process and reliability in its result. In this contribution the authors want to draft a way of covering the above-mentioned issues using the known Net Condition/Event Systems (NCES) as formal models.
A First Step Towards the Resolution of the Starvation Problem in Multi-Point-to-Point ICRCNs

This letter revolves around an Intermittently Connected Roadside Communication Network (ICRCN) scenario consisting of isolated source Stationary Roadside Units (SRUs) exploiting mobile smart vehicles as store-carry-forward data relays to a destination SRU. In this case, it is observed that a subset of these source SRUs may suffer from a significant starvation problem. In this letter, first, an Markov Decision Process (MDP) framework is established for the purpose of identifying a suitable Bulk Release Decision Policy (BRDP). Second, BRDP is implemented within a Starvation Mitigation and Delay-Minimal (SMDM) bundle delivery scheme. Extensive simulations are conducted for the purpose of: a) quantifying the severity of the starvation experienced by the downstream SRUs and b) gauging the merit of the proposed SMDM scheme through its ability to jointly mitigate starvation and achieve end-to-end delay minimal bundle delivery to the destination SRU.
Top management teams’ social capital in Taiwan: The impact on firm value in an emerging economy

Purpose – The paper aims to examine the contributions of top management teams’ (TMTs) social capital to the creation of business value.Design/methodology/approach – Least‐squares regression is used to estimate the relationship between TMT social capital and Tobin's Q, while controlling for other firm‐ and industry‐specific explanatory variables.Findings – The empirical results show that it is TMT extra‐business group (but not intra‐business group) directorate ties that are viewed as valuable strategic assets by the marketplace, and the benefits of extra‐business group directorate ties mainly come from the relationships’ greater prominence, but not from the relationships’ wider span or better position.Research limitations/implications – Past research has tended to focus on “who executives are” – their background, personality, etc. Since the results show that executives’ extra‐business group social capital is strategically valuable, future research should take note that “whom executives know” – i.e. their s.
Renal Transplantation Dramatically Reduces IgA Anti-beta-2-glycoprotein I Antibodies in Patients with Endstage Renal Disease

IgA anti-beta-2-glycoprotein I (aB2GPI) antibodies have been related to vascular pathology in the general population and mainly in hemodialyzed patients (prevalence 33%) in whom an elevated incidence of thrombosis and mortality is found. In this paper we have studied the presence of IgA aB2GPI antibodies at pretransplant and their evolution after transplantation with a cross-sectional-based follow-up study of a cohort of 288 endstage renal disease (ESRD) patients treated with kidney transplantation. Pretransplant IgA aB2GPI levels were elevated 31.7 ± 4.2 U/mL without differences in age or type of dialysis. Patients with different etiologies of ESRD showed higher levels of IgA aB2GPI than blood donors, except the groups of non-IgA glomerular disease and systemic erythematosus lupus, whose nonsignificant differences were observed. IgA aB2GPI antibodies dropped immediately after transplantation (10.7 ± 1.0 U/mL, P < 0.0001), coinciding with a high degree of immunosuppression, and remained significantly lower than that observed in pretransplant status. Prevalence of patients with elevated antibodies was also less in transplanted patients (8.9% versus 30.4%, P < 0.0001). Among, positivity for IgA aB2GPI was higher than in patients who had received their first transplant that those were retransplanted. This finding could have important clinical implications and can suggest new therapeutic strategies in patients with IgA aB2GPI antibodies.
Femoral Reconstruction Using External Fixation

Background. The use of an external fixator for the purpose of distraction osteogenesis has been applied to a wide range of orthopedic problems caused by such diverse etiologies as congenital disease, metabolic conditions, infections, traumatic injuries, and congenital short stature. The purpose of this study was to analyze our experience of utilizing this method in patients undergoing a variety of orthopedic procedures of the femur. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed our experience of using external fixation for femoral reconstruction. Three subgroups were defined based on the primary reconstruction goal lengthening, deformity correction, and repair of nonunion/bone defect. Factors such as leg length discrepancy (LLD), limb alignment, and external fixation time and complications were evaluated for the entire group and the 3 subgroups. Results. There was substantial improvement in the overall LLD, femoral length discrepancy, and limb alignment as measured by mechanical axis deviation (MAD) and lateral distal femoral angle (LDFA) for the entire group as well as the subgroups. Conclusions. The Ilizarov external fixator allows for decreased surgical exposure and preservation of blood supply to bone, avoidance of bone grafting and internal fixation, and simultaneous lengthening and deformity correction, making it a very useful technique for femoral reconstruction.
Substrate Degradation Kinetics, Microbial Diversity, and Current Efficiency of Microbial Fuel Cells Supplied with Marine Plankton

ABSTRACT The decomposition of marine plankton in two-chamber, seawater-filled microbial fuel cells (MFCs) has been investigated and related to resulting chemical changes, electrode potentials, current efficiencies, and microbial diversity. Six experiments were run at various discharge potentials, and a seventh served as an open-circuit control. The plankton consisted of a mixture of freshly captured phytoplankton and zooplankton (0.21 to 1 mm) added at an initial batch concentration of 27.5 mmol liter−1 particulate organic carbon (OC). After 56.7 days, between 19.6 and 22.2% of the initial OC remained, sulfate reduction coupled to OC oxidation accounted for the majority of the OC that was degraded, and current efficiencies (of the active MFCs) were between 11.3 and 15.5%. In the open-circuit control cell, anaerobic plankton decomposition (as quantified by the decrease in total OC) could be modeled by three terms: two first-order reaction rate expressions (0.79 day−1 and 0.037 day−1, at 15°C) and one constant, no-reaction term (representing 10.6% of the initial OC). However, in each active MFC, decomposition rates increased during the third week, lagging just behind periods of peak electricity generation. We interpret these decomposition rate changes to have been due primarily to the metabolic activity of sulfur-reducing microorganisms at the anode, a finding consistent with the electrochemical oxidization of sulfide to elemental sulfur and the elimination of inhibitory effects of dissolved sulfide. Representative phylotypes, found to be associated with anodes, were allied with Delta-, Epsilon-, and Gammaproteobacteria as well as the Flavobacterium-Cytophaga-Bacteroides and Fusobacteria. Based upon these results, we posit that higher current efficiencies can be achieved by optimizing plankton-fed MFCs for direct electron transfer from organic matter to electrodes, including microbial precolonization of high-surface-area electrodes and pulsed flowthrough additions of biomass.