Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The high activity of 3C 454.3 in autumn 2007 Monitoring by the WEBT during the AGILE detection

The quasar-type blazar 3C 454.3 underwent a phase of high activity in summer and autumn 2007, which was intensively monitored in the radio-to-optical bands by the Whole Earth Blazar Telescope (WEBT). The gamma-ray satellite AGILE detected this source first in late July, and then in November-December 2007. In this letter we present the multifrequency data collected by the WEBT and collaborators during the second AGILE observing period, complemented by a few contemporaneous data from UVOT onboard the Swift satellite. The aim is to trace in detail the behaviour of the synchrotron emission from the blazar jet, and to investigate the contribution from the thermal emission component. Optical data from about twenty telescopes have been homogeneously calibrated and carefully assembled to construct an R-band light curve containing about 1340 data points in 42 days. This extremely well-sampled optical light curve allows us to follow the dramatic flux variability of the source in detail. In addition, we show radio-to-UV spectral energy distributions (SEDs) at different epochs, which represent different brightness levels. In the considered period, the source varied by 2.6 mag in a couple of weeks in the R band. Many episodes of fast (i.e. intranight) variability were observed, most notably on December 12, when a flux increase of about 1.1 mag in 1.5 hours was detected, followed by a steep decrease of about 1.2 mag in 1 hour. The contribution by the thermal component is difficult to assess, due to the uncertainties in the Galactic, and possibly also intrinsic, extinction in the UV band. However, polynomial fitting of radio-to-UV SEDs reveals an increasing spectral bending going towards fainter states, suggesting a UV excess likely due to the thermal emission from the accretion disc.
Application of MAG index for optimal grasp planning

Grasp planning is one of the interesting problems in robotic object manipulation. Besides, evaluation of grasp configuration has an important role in task execution. Therefore the Multi Aspect Grasp (MAG) performance index is defined for evaluating the grasp quality. In this paper, various methods including Particle Swarm Optimization, Genetic Algorithm, and MATLAB optimization toolbox are used to maximize the MAG index for a given task, in order to find the best grasping point. The results of using these methods are compared, in terms of their speed and accuracy, and it will be concluded that the PSO yield more accurate results.
Risk management based on stochastic volatility

Risk management approaches that do not incorporate randomly changing volatility tend to underor overestimate the risk depending on current market conditions. We show how some popular stochastic volatility models in combination with the hyperbolic model introduced in Eberlein and Keller (1995) can be applied quite easily for risk management purposes. Moreover, we compare their relative performance on the basis of German stock index data.
Organizations and the Psychological Contract: Managing People at Work

List of Figures Acknowledgments Preface Introduction Selection, Placement and Careers Personality and Individual Differences Inter-Personal Perception and Interaction Motivation Behavioral Approaches to Motivation Leadership and Management Style Group Dynamics at Work Identifying Organizational Problems Organizational Change Managing Your Boss Understanding and Coping with Change Empowerment and Self-Management Appendix 1: Type A/ Type B Questionnaire Appendix 2: Case Study: "Take a Memo" Appendix 3: Case Study: Pay Review Appendix 4: Case Study: Absenteeism Appendix 5: Career Questionnaire Appendix 6: Case Study: Change Strategies References Suggested Reading Index
Clinical practice guidelines for mild traumatic brain injury and persistent symptoms.

OBJECTIVE To outline new guidelines for the management of mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) and persistent postconcussive symptoms (PPCS) in order to provide information and direction to physicians managing patients’ recovery from MTBI. QUALITY OF EVIDENCE A search for existing clinical practice guidelines addressing MTBI and a systematic review of the literature evaluating treatment of PPCS were conducted. Because little guidance on the management of PPCS was found within the traumatic brain injury field, a second search was completed for clinical practice guidelines and systematic reviews that addressed management of these common symptoms in the general population. Health care professionals representing a range of disciplines from across Canada and abroad were brought together at an expert consensus conference to review the existing guidelines and evidence and to attempt to develop a comprehensive guideline for the management of MTBI and PPCS. MAIN MESSAGE A modified Delphi process was used to create 71 recommendations that address the diagnosis and management of MTBI and PPCS. In addition, numerous resources and tools were included in the guideline to aid in the implementation of the recommendations. CONCLUSION A clinical practice guideline was developed to aid health care professionals in implementing evidencebased, best-practice care for the challenging population of individuals who experience PPCS following MTBI.
IceT: Distributed Computing and Java

Numerous factors relating to the massive embracing of the Internet by the general public have clearly in(cid:13)uenced network programming techniques and paradigms. The Java programming language both in(cid:13)uences and is in(cid:13)uenced by the requisite and dynamic aspects of network programming, yet it's viability as a programming language for the scienti(cid:12)c community is still to be determined. This paper describes IceT, a novel framework for collaborative and high-performance distributed computing which has been built upon a Java substrate. The IceT project incorporates the advantages of Java with the established techniques of distributed computing, while maintaining a deference to what each discipline is best suited for. The result is a dynamic distributed computing environment upon which data and processes are highly portable amongst heterogeneous platforms and multiple users.
Emissions of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and methane from boreal forest fires in 1998

The global boreal forest region experienced some 17.9 million ha of fire in 1998, which could be the highest level of the decade. Through the analysis of fire statistics from North America and satellite data from Russia, semimonthly estimates of area burned for five different regions in the boreal forest were generated and used to estimate total carbon release and CO 2 , CO, and CH 4 emissions. Different levels of biomass, as well as different biomass categories, were considered for each of the five different regions (including peatlands in the Russian Far East and steppes in Siberia), as were different levels of fraction of biomass (carbon) consumed during fires. Finally, two levels of flaming versus smoldering combustion were considered in the model. Boreal forest fire emissions for 1998 were estimated to be 290-383 Tg of total carbon, 828-1103 Tg of CO 2 , 88-128 Tg of CO, and 2.9-4.7 Tg of CH 4 . The higher estimate represents 8.9% of total global carbon emissions from biomass burning, 13.8% of global fire CO emissions, and 12.4% of global fire CH4 emissions. Russian fires accounted for 71% of the total emissions, with the remainder (29%) from fires in North America. Assumptions regarding the level of smoldering versus flaming generally resulted in small (<4%) variations into the emissions estimates, although in two cases, these variations were higher (6% and 12%). We. estimated that peatland fires in the Russian Far East contributed up to 40 Tg of carbon to the atmosphere in the fall of 1998. The combined seasonal CO emissions from forest and peatland fires in Russia are consistent with anomalously high atmospheric CO measurements collected at Point Barrow, Alaska.
Impacto da responsabilidade social no desempenho econômico financeiro das empresas brasileiras componentes do Dow Jones Sustainability Index

Este estudo tem como objetivo analisar a relacao dos indicadores sociais com o desempenho economico-financeiro das empresas brasileiras listadas no Dow Jones Sustainability Index . Para consecucao do objetivo proposto procedeu-se uma pesquisa descritiva com abordagem quantitativa por meio de analise documental. De um total de 8 empresas pertencentes ao Dow Jones Sustainability Index que sao consideradas social e ambientalmente responsaveis na nova carteira da Bolsa de Nova York, obteve-se uma amostra de 5 organizacoes brasileiras que foram analisadas em um periodo anual de 2009 a 2013. Para a apreciacao dos dados foram realizadas analises descritivas, testes de Chow , LM de Breusch-Pagan , Hausman e regressao de Dados em Painel por meio do software estatistico STATA. Os resultados apontam que o Investimento Social Interno impacta de forma negativa no desempenho economico-financeiro das empresas pertencentes ao Dow Jones Sustainability Index . Apesar de nao significativa a relacao entre o Indice Social Externo e as variaveis de rentabilidade, o coeficiente da relacao tambem e negativo. Ja para os investimentos em meio ambiente, a relacao foi significativa apenas com a variavel Rentabilidade do Ativo Total.
Sex Differences in the Incidence of Motion Sickness Induced by Linear Visual Oscillation.

BACKGROUND In field studies, motion sickness is more common among women than among men. In laboratory research sex differences have been smaller, or absent. However, laboratory research on sex differences in motion sickness has employed exclusively rotational motion stimuli. We evaluated sex differences when motion sickness was induced using linear visual oscillation. METHOD Standing subjects were exposed to linear visual oscillation along the line of sight. We separately assessed the incidence of motion sickness and the severity of symptoms that are associated with motion sickness. RESULTS The incidence of motion sickness was 38% among women, but only 9% among men. Among subjects who stated that they were motion sick, the severity of symptoms did not differ between women and men. CONCLUSIONS Motion sickness induced using linear visual oscillatory stimuli exhibited sex differences greater than those that have been reported in field studies. Sex differences in motion sickness may vary as a function of the type of motion stimulation (linear versus angular).
Use of AFLP, plasmid typing and phenotyping in a comparative study to assess genetic diversity of Shigella flexneri strains

Shigella flexneri infections are one of the main causes of acute diarrhoea in Cuba. Twenty strains isolated from sporadic cases in nine different Cuban provinces were characterized. Serotyping, antibiotic-resistance typing, plasmid-typing and AFLP-typing were used to determine their suitability for use in epidemiological studies of S. flexneri. The predominant serotypes were serotype 6 (35%) and serotype 2 (35%). Eleven different plasmid profiles were detected (Diversity Index=0·92). AFLP-typing discriminated 12 different patterns (DI=0·95), these patterns were not coincident with plasmid-typing patterns. Both techniques combined distinguished 14 patterns among the 20 studied strains (DI=0·99). There was no consistent relationship between plasmid-typing and AFLP-typing patterns or antibiotic-resistance typing patterns. Ninety-five percent of S. flexneri strains were multiresistant.
Stress, Coping, and Relationships in Adolescence

Contents: Preface. Adolescent Coping: Pointing to a Research Deficit. Conceptual Approach for Studying Stress, Coping, and Relationships in Adolescence. An Analysis of the Coping Process. Assessment of Daily Stressors: Event Parameters and Coping. Ways of Coping with Everyday Problems and Minor Events. Internal Resources and Their Effect on Coping Behavior. Changes in Stress Perception and Coping Style as a Function of Perceived Family Climate. The Unique Contribution of Close Friends to Coping Behavior. Stress, Coping, and Relationships as Risk and Protective Factors in Explaining Adolescent Depression. Conclusions.
Comments to NIST concerning AES Modes of Operations : CTR-Mode Encryption Helger Lipmaa

Counter-mode encryption (“CTR mode”) was introduced by Diffie and Hellman already in 1979 [5] and is already standardized by, for example, [1, Section 6.4]. It is indeed one of the best known modes that are not standardized in [10]. We suggest that NIST, in standardizing AES modes of operation, should include CTR-mode encryption as one possibility for the next reasons. First, CTR mode has significant efficiency advantages over the standard encryption modes without weakening the security. In particular its tight security has been proven. Second, most of the perceived disadvantages of CTR mode are not valid criticisms, but rather caused by the lack of knowledge. 1 Review of Counter-Mode Encryption e Notation. Let EK X ) denote the encipherment of an n-bit block X using key K and a block cipher E. For concreteness we assume that E = AES, so n = 128. If X is a nonempty string and i is a nonnegative integer, then X + i denotes the gX g -bit string that one gets by regarding X as a nonnegative number (written in binary, most significant bit first), X adding i to this number, taking the result modulo 2 1 1 , and converting this number back into an gX g -bit string. This is the customary semantics for computer addition. Operation. To encrypt using CTR-mode encryption, one starts with a plaintext M (an arbitrary bit string), a key K, and a counter ctr, where ctr is an n-bit string. Let C be the XOR (excusive-or) of M and the first gM g bits of the e e e e pad EK ctr )tI EK ctr + 1 ) I EK ctr + 2 )t , s . The ciphertext is ctr r C ) , or, more generally, C together with something e adequate to recover ctr. To decrypt ciphertext ctr r C ) compute the plaintext M as the XOR of C and the first gC g e e e bits of the pad EK ctr )tI EK ctr + 1 )tI EK ctr + 2 )c , , . Therefore, decryption is the same as encryption with M and C e interchanged (see Figure 1). Often we refer to C itself, rather than ctr r C ) , as the ciphertext. Usage scenarios. In the recommended usage scenario, the party encrypting maintains an integer counter, nonce, initially 0, and produces the string ctr as the 128-bit string which encodes the number nonce 264. (In other words, nonce is regarded as a 64-bit binary number, and ctr is constructed by appending to this number 64 zero-bits.) The number nonce is incremented following each encryption. Typically, one transmits C along with a string which encodes nonce. A well-designed standard for CTR mode should not be overly prescriptive about how ctr is formed or what beyond C is explicitly communicated between sender and receiver. To illustrate some possibilities: (1) the value ctr is derived from a nonce nonce by the method just described, and the ciphertext specifies both nonce and C; (2) the same, except that no nonce-value is explicitly transmitted to the receiver because the sender and the receiver maintain state and
Influence of vascular comorbidities and race on erectile dysfunction after prostate cancer radiotherapy.

INTRODUCTION Vascular comorbidities (VC) (hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia) are known factors related to erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. However, no data are yet available for the effects of VC on ED incidence after prostate cancer radiotherapy (XRT). AIM To investigate the influence of VC on post-XRT ED incidence and to further characterize ED incidence by racial groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES ED incidence. METHODS We reviewed 732 charts of patients (267 Caucasian and 465 African American [AA]) who received prostate XRT (external beam radiotherapy and/or brachytherapy) with or without hormone therapy between 1999 and 2010. The number of pre-XRT VC (0, 1, 2, or 3) was determined by medical history and medication list. ED (defined by use of erectile aids or by documentation of moderate or high sexual dysfunction on patient history) was determined pre-XRT as well as 1, 2, and 4 years post-XRT. RESULTS ED incidence progressively increased from 22% pre-XRT to 58% 4 years post-XRT (P < 0.01). Additionally, ED incidence significantly increased with number of VC-4-year incidence between patients with 1 vs. 0 (P = 0.02), 2 vs. 0 (P < 0.01), 3 vs. 0 (P < 0.01), 3 vs. 1 (P < 0.01), and 3 vs. 2 (P = 0.04) VC (2 vs. 1 VC was nonsignificant). Compared with the Caucasian patients, ED incidences were slightly higher for the AA group with 0, 1, 2, and 3 comorbidities at 4 years follow-up (but statistically nonsignificant). CONCLUSIONS The number of VCs have a significant effect on development of post-XRT ED. Pre- and post-XRT ED appear to be independent of race when number of VCs are considered. Our results can be used to guide physicians in counseling patients on the incidence of ED by number of VC and as preliminary data for prospective efforts aimed at reducing post-XRT ED.
Techniques for discovering correspondences between ontologies

Ontology Alignment is required to facilitate ontology reuse and to enable interoperability between ontology-enabled systems and applications. Aligning a pair of ontologies involve finding the correspondences among their entities. While equivalence correspondences tell us which pairs of entities have the same semantic meaning, non-equivalence correspondences tell us how pairs of entities are semantically related. In this paper, we survey techniques used to find equivalence correspondences efficiently as well as techniques used to find non-equivalence correspondences effectively. We provide a critique of each category of methods and highlight the areas worthy of more in-depth research.
Empowering and trustful leadership: impact on nurses’ commitment

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse the impact of workplace empowerment and staff nurses’ perceptions of trustworthiness in their supervisor as determinators of organizational commitment. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from 189 nurses working at Portuguese public hospitals. Findings – Results indicate that an empowering work context was significantly predictive of nurses’ affective commitment and on the perceptions of trustworthiness of the supervisor. The employees who understand that they have access to factors of empowerment (formal power, informal power, resources, opportunity, support and information), and feel that they can influence the organization where they work, are in a better position to establish affective connections with the organization, as well as to perceive their supervisor as trustworthy. Research limitations/implications – One limitation relates to the generalization of the study’s findings outside the national context. Practical implications – Organi.
Advances in Non-Viral DNA Vectors for Gene Therapy

Uses of viral vectors have thus far eclipsed uses of non-viral vectors for gene therapy delivery in the clinic. Viral vectors, however, have certain issues involving genome integration, the inability to be delivered repeatedly, and possible host rejection. Fortunately, development of non-viral DNA vectors has progressed steadily, especially in plasmid vector length reduction, now allowing these tools to fill in specifically where viral or other non-viral vectors may not be the best options. In this review, we examine the improvements made to non-viral DNA gene therapy vectors, highlight opportunities for their further development, address therapeutic needs for which their use is the logical choice, and discuss their future expansion into the clinic.
Natural Killer Cell Responses to Infections in Early Life

Natural killer (NK) cells are an important component of innate immune responses to infectious diseases. They mediate protection by being able to rapidly lyse infected cells and produce cytokines (primarily interferon-γ) that shape innate and adaptive immune responses. This review summarizes current knowledge on the phenotype and functional abilities of NK cells from healthy newborns/infants and on NK cell responses against viral, bacterial and protozoan infections in early life. Interestingly, NK cell blood counts are higher in newborns than in adults but they do not display striking differences in phenotype, except for an increased frequency of expression of the inhibitory CD94/NKG2A receptor. They display some inherent functional defects, mainly a lower cytolytic capacity that may contribute to the immaturity of the neonatal immune system. Changes in circulating levels of NK cells observed during pediatric infections and the ability of NK cells from newborns and children to produce interferon-γ at the encounter with pathogens indicate that NK cells participate in the immune response to infectious diseases in early life. Unfortunately, information is currently insufficient to assess whether these NK cell responses really contribute to control infections, either vertically transmitted or acquired in infancy.
Effects of breathing O 2 or O 2 +CO 2 and of the injection of neurohumors on the PO 2 of cat cerebral cortex.

Effects of Breathing Oi or O, + CO, and of the Injection of Neurohumors on the PO, of Cat Cerebral Cortex • Tissue PO2 was measured in the outer 1.7 mm of the brain of the lightly anesthetized cat by means of a micro O2 electrode introduced through a small hole in the skull. There was considerable variation from one location to another and from animal to animal. The interindividual variation was not related to the level of the arterial pressure or to rectal temperature. Individual values for the PO2 in 569 locations in the 11 cats ranged from 0 to 90 mm Hg with a mean of 25. There was a significant downward trend in PO2 from the surface layers inward. When the electrode was left in one location, the PO2 usually fluctuated, though not often rhythmically as seen in skeletal muscle. Breathing pure O2 ( N = 4 1 ) or 95% O 2 5 % CO2 (N = 33) caused an equal (50%) increase in PO2. The intravenous injection of epinephrine or norepinephrine caused a primary rise in PO2 usually with a secondary decrease. Acetylcholine caused a primary decrease and usually a secondary increase. ADDITIONAL
Long-Term Efficacy of Phototherapeutic Keratectomy on Recurrent Corneal Erosion Syndrome

Purpose: To assess the long-term sequelae, principally time-to-first-recurrence, of phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) for the treatment of recurrent corneal erosion syndrome (RCES). Methods: A retrospective case series was performed. Thirty-nine eyes in 33 patients with RCES required PTK and were treated using the VISX STAR Excimer Laser System. The data were analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier survival estimate. Results: Patients were characterized by the cause of their RCES. More than 50% had epithelial corneal dystrophies, 31% were posttraumatic, and 15% were idiopathic. Overall, 25% of eyes had a recurrence by 3 months, and 36% had a recurrence by 9 months. The mean follow-up time was 17.4 months (range, 0.4-67.6 months). Of those who had a primary recurrence, 38% had a second and 15% had a third. Visual acuity was slightly decreased within 2 weeks after surgery, and 10% of patients developed transient haze. No serious adverse effects were reported. Conclusion: PTK is an important treatment of RCES refractory to other therapies. Long-term data suggest that most patients treated with PTK do not develop recurrences, and side effects from PTK are minimal.