Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Galactic Halo Stars in Phase Space: A Hint of Satellite Accretion?

The present-day chemical and dynamical properties of the Milky Way bear the imprint of the Galaxy's formation and evolutionary history. One of the most enduring and critical debates surrounding Galactic evolution is that regarding the competition between "satellite accretion" and "monolithic collapse"; the apparent strong correlation between orbital eccentricity and metallicity of halo stars was originally used as supporting evidence for the latter. While modern-day unbiased samples no longer support the claims for a significant correlation, recent evidence has been presented by Chiba & Beers for the existence of a minor population of high-eccentricity metal-deficient halo stars. It has been suggested that these stars represent the signature of a rapid (if minor) collapse phase in the Galaxy's history. Employing velocity and integrals of motion phase-space projections of these stars, coupled with a series of N-body/smoothed particle hydrodynamic chemodynamical simulations, we suggest that an alternative mechanism for creating such stars may be the recent accretion of a polar orbit dwarf galaxy.
Social emotional memory and negative symptoms in individuals with schizophrenia

Title of Thesis: SOCIAL EMOTIONAL MEMORY AND NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS IN INDIVIDUALS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA Kristen R. Bradshaw, Master of Science, 2015 Thesis directed by: Jack Blanchard, Ph.D., Department Chair Department of Psychology The current study investigated social and nonsocial emotional memory in schizophrenia, the relation of impairments in the recall of positive stimuli to increased negative symptoms, and the mediating role of defeatist performance beliefs. Twentythree individuals with schizophrenia and twenty-four healthy controls completed clinical symptom interviews, social and nonsocial laboratory emotional memory tasks, and a measure of dysfunctional attitudes. Results indicated that on a social affective learning task, in comparison to controls, the schizophrenia participants were impaired in their ability to exhibit minimal affective learning of positive pairings. Defeatist performance beliefs did not mediate the relation between recall of positive stimuli and experiential negative symptoms. These findings suggest that it is primarily in the social domain that we see deficits in emotional memory in schizophrenia, and that this impairment in the ability to learn positive social associations may be linked to decreased motivation to engage in social, vocational, and recreational activities.
A chaos-GFRF based fault diagnosis method

This paper presents a fault-diagnosis method based on the approaches of phase space reconstruction and generalized frequency response functions (GFRF) for the complex electronic system. The system parameter-evolving induced nonstationary is treated as the studying object. The phase space reconstruction and Gamma-test algorithm are employed to convert the system observing data into the pseudo-input/output pairs, and then three order of GFRF kernels are computed by means of the general formula of GFRF. The system fault data are generated by using the surrogate algorithm. The system fault detection and identification are realized by tracking and estimating the distortion of intermodulation. The experimental results depict that this fault diagnosis method can correctly detect the fault phenomena of electronic system
Measuring Identity Orientations for Understanding Preferences: A French Validation of the Aspects-of-Identity Questionnaire

Concepts and results from the psychological research on identity may providebetterunder- standing of the formation and dynamics of economic preferences.In this perspective,weproposea French translation ofthe Aspectof Identity (AIQ-IV) psychometric questionnaire, which measures the orientation of subjective identity along personal, relational, public, and collective dimensions (Cheek and Briggs 1982; Cheekand Briggs 2013). The psychometric validation study checks the internal consistency,as well as the four-dimensional factorial structure, of the questionnaire in a representative sample of French young adults (N=1,118). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of item responses reveala four-factor structure that corresponds to the personal, relational, public, and collective aspects of identity. Individual responses are found to be stable overtime. In addition,whilebeingcorrelatedwithsimilar psychological constructs (Self-esteem, Social Self- esteem, Self-consciousness), dimensions of the AIQ also predicts risk, time, and social preferences as measured by Likert scales and hypothetica lchoices.
Resource Allocation: Practices in Urban Elementary Schools

Existing research indicates that improved student achievement in urban schools may be impacted by the strategic identification of school finances. Thus, the allocation of discretionary funds and the effectiveness of their use remains a critical element in school finance. This quantitative study examined practices that exist in the allocation of discretionary funds made by urban elementary principals. The study used a matched sampling methodology to provide an analysis of resource allocation in four schools in Good Standing and four schools not in Good Standing. The study found that principals in Good Standing primarily use their discretionary spending in the strategy Create Individual Attention as the primary means to create a high performing school. Further findings suggest that in order to create a highly individualized school environment, flexibility in spending provides principals with an opportunity to tailor the needs of their school more strategically. The findings offer principals, district administrators, and institutions of higher learning insights into the resource allocation practices of discretionary funds to create an individualized learning environment to improve student achievement particularly when enhanced by braiding school finance theories and practices. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Education (EdD) Department Executive Leadership First Supervisor Marie Cianca Second Supervisor Joellen Maples Subject Categories Education This dissertation is available at Fisher Digital Publications: http://fisherpub.sjfc. edu/education_etd/19 Resource Allocation: Practices in Urban Elementary Schools
Spontaneous Facial Micro-Expression Recognition using Discriminative Spatiotemporal Local Binary Pattern with an Improved Integral Projection

Recently, there are increasing interests in inferring mirco-expression from facial image sequences. Due to subtle facial movement of micro-expressions, feature extraction has become an important and critical issue for spontaneous facial micro-expression recognition. Recent works usually used spatiotemporal local binary pattern for micro-expression analysis. However, the commonly used spatiotemporal local binary pattern considers dynamic texture information to represent face images while misses the shape attribute of face images. On the other hand, their works extracted the spatiotemporal features from the global face regions, which ignore the discriminative information between two micro-expression classes. The above-mentioned problems seriously limit the application of spatiotemporal local binary pattern on micro-expression recognition. In this paper, we propose a discriminative spatiotemporal local binary pattern based on an improved integral projection to resolve the problems of spatiotemporal local binary pattern for micro-expression recognition. Firstly, we develop an improved integral projection for preserving the shape attribute of micro-expressions. Furthermore, an improved integral projection is incorporated with local binary pattern operators across spatial and temporal domains. Specifically, we extract the novel spatiotemporal features incorporating shape attributes into spatiotemporal texture features. For increasing the discrimination of micro-expressions, we propose a new feature selection based on Laplacian method to extract the discriminative information for facial micro-expression recognition. Intensive experiments are conducted on three availably published micro-expression databases. We compare our method with the state-of-the-art algorithms. Experimental results demonstrate that our proposed method achieves promising performance for micro-expression recognition.
LOCAL POWER OF LIKELIHOOD RATIO TESTS FOR THE COINTEGRATING RANK OF A VAR PROCESS

Likelihood ratio (LR) tests for the cointegrating rank of a vector autoregressive process have been developed under different assumptions regarding deterministic terms. For instance, nonzero mean terms and linear trends have been accounted for in some of the tests. In this paper we provide a general framework for deriving the local power properties of these tests. Thereby it is possible to assess the virtue of utilizing varying amounts of prior information by making assumptions regarding the deterministic terms. One interesting result from this analysis is that if no assumptions regarding the specific form of the mean term are made whereas a linear trend is excluded then a test is available that has the same local power as an LR test derived under a zero mean assumption.
Color-neutral superconducting quark matter

We investigate the consequences of enforcing local color neutrality on the color superconducting phases of quark matter by utilizing the Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model supplemented by diquark and the t'Hooft six-fermion interactions. In neutrino free matter at zero temperature, color neutrality guarantees that the number densities of u, d, and s quarks in the Color-Flavor-Locked (CFL) phase will be equal even with physical current quark masses. Electric charge neutrality follows as a consequence and without the presence of electrons. In contrast, electric charge neutrality in the less symmetric 2-flavor superconducting (2SC) phase with ud pairing requires more electrons than the normal quark phase. The free energy density cost of enforcing color and electric charge neutrality in the CFL phase is lower than that in the 2SC phase, which favors the formation of the CFL phase. With increasing temperature and neutrino content, an unlocking transition occurs from the CFL phase to the 2SC phase with the order of the transition depending on the temperature, the quark and lepton number chemical potentials. The astrophysical implications of this rich structure in the phase diagram, including estimates of the effects from Goldstone bosons in the CFL phase, are discussed.
Risk of Stroke in Patients Hospitalized for Isolated Vertigo: A Four-Year Follow-Up Study

Background and Purpose— Vertigo is a common presenting symptom in ambulatory care settings, and stroke is its leading and most challenging concern. This study aimed to determine the risk of stroke in vertigo patients in a 4-year follow-up after hospitalization for acute isolated vertigo. Methods— The study cohorts consisted of all patients hospitalized with a principal diagnosis of vertigo (n=3021), whereas patients hospitalized for an appendectomy in 2004 (n=3021) comprised the control group and surrogate for the general population. Cox proportional hazard model was performed as a means of comparing the 4-year stroke-free survival rate between the 2 cohorts after adjusting for possible confounding and risk factors. Among vertigo patients, there was further stratification for risk factors to identify the group at high risk for stroke. Results— Of the 243 stroke patients, 185 (6.1%) were from the study cohort and 58 (1.9%) were from the control group. Comparing the 2 groups, patients with vertigo symptoms had a 3.01-times (95% CI, 2.20–4.11; P<0.001) higher risk for stroke after adjusting for patient characteristics, comorbidities, geographic region, urbanization level of residence, and socioeconomic status. Vertigo patients with ≥3 risk factors had a 5.51-fold higher risk for stroke (95% CI, 3.10–9.79; P<0.001) than those without risk factors. Conclusions— Vertigo patients are at higher risk for stroke than the general population. They should have a comprehensive neurological examination, vascular risk factors survey, and regular follow-up for several years after hospital discharge after treatment of isolated vertigo.
Efficacy of Short-Term Antiarrhythmic Drugs Use after Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation—A Systematic Review with Meta-Analyses and Trial Sequential Analyses of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background The efficacy of short-term antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) use compared with no-AADs prescription after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) in preventing atrial arrhythmia recurrence is uncertain. Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library through December 2015 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which evaluated the efficacy of short-term AADs use compared with no-AADs prescription after AF ablation in preventing atrial arrhythmia recurrence. The primary outcome was labeled as early atrial arrhythmia recurrence within 3 months after ablation. Secondary outcome was defined as late recurrence after 3 months of ablation. Random-effects model or fixed-effects model was used to estimate relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Six RCTs with 2,667 patients were included into this meta-analysis. Compared with no-AADs administration after AF ablation, short-term AADs use was associated with significant reduction of early atrial arrhythmia recurrence (RR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.52–0.87; p = 0.003). Trial sequential analysis (TSA) showed that the cumulative Z-curve crossed the trial sequential monitoring boundary for benefit, establishing sufficient and conclusive evidence. However, compared with no-AADs prescription, short-term AADs use after AF ablation didn’t significantly reduce the risk of late atrial arrhythmia recurrence (RR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.83–1.03; p = 0.15). TSA supported this result; meanwhile the estimated required information size (1,486 patients) was also met. Conclusion Short-term use of AADs after AF ablation can significantly decrease the risk of early atrial arrhythmia recurrence but not lead to corresponding reduction in risk of late atrial arrhythmia recurrence.
Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Wheat Seeds during Artificial Ageing and Priming Using the Isobaric Tandem Mass Tag Labeling

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an important crop worldwide. The physiological deterioration of seeds during storage and seed priming is closely associated with germination, and thus contributes to plant growth and subsequent grain yields. In this study, wheat seeds during different stages of artificial ageing (45°C; 50% relative humidity; 98%, 50%, 20%, and 1% Germination rates) and priming (hydro-priming treatment) were subjected to proteomics analysis through a proteomic approach based on the isobaric tandem mass tag labeling. A total of 162 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) mainly involved in metabolism, energy supply, and defense/stress responses, were identified during artificial ageing and thus validated previous physiological and biochemical studies. These DEPs indicated that the inability to protect against ageing leads to the incremental decomposition of the stored substance, impairment of metabolism and energy supply, and ultimately resulted in seed deterioration. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis revealed that the up-regulated proteins involved in seed ageing were mainly enriched in ribosome, whereas the down-regulated proteins were mainly accumulated in energy supply (starch and sucrose metabolism) and stress defense (ascorbate and aldarate metabolism). Proteins, including hemoglobin 1, oleosin, agglutinin, and non-specific lipid-transfer proteins, were first identified in aged seeds and might be regarded as new markers of seed deterioration. Of the identified proteins, 531 DEPs were recognized during seed priming compared with unprimed seeds. In contrast to the up-regulated DEPs in seed ageing, several up-regulated DEPs in priming were involved in energy supply (tricarboxylic acid cycle, glycolysis, and fatty acid oxidation), anabolism (amino acids, and fatty acid synthesis), and cell growth/division. KEGG and protein-protein interaction analysis indicated that the up-regulated proteins in seed priming were mainly enriched in amino acid synthesis, stress defense (plant-pathogen interactions, and ascorbate and aldarate metabolism), and energy supply (oxidative phosphorylation and carbon metabolism). Therefore, DEPs associated with seed ageing and priming can be used to characterize seed vigor and optimize germination enhancement treatments. This work reveals new proteomic insights into protein changes that occur during seed deterioration and priming.
Athletes and Non-Athletes’ Life Satisfaction

It is expected athletes to be more satisfied with their life than non-athletes, because sport plays an important role for health, life satisfaction and well-being, as sports activities give satisfaction because being recreational. Life satisfaction was studied in Bulgarian athletes and non-athletes as overall life satisfaction by means of the Satisfaction with Life-Scale and as satisfaction with different life domains measured by several single items. The results indicated that there were not any significant differences in general life satisfaction between the participants practicing sport regularly and the participants who did not practice any sport. However, the athletes were more satisfied with their health status, their relationships with their friends, and their performance than the non-athletes. For all the participants, general life satisfaction correlated significantly and positively with satisfaction with different life domains – own financial situation, own achievements, personal growth, familial financial situation, own health status, own performance, relationships with friends, relationships with family, and relationships with colleagues. As some other authors have also found, the results on the Satisfaction with Life-Scale correlate positively with some other measures of life satisfaction.
An Objective Method to Optimize the MR Sequence Set for Plaque Classification in Carotid Vessel Wall Images Using Automated Image Segmentation

A typical MR imaging protocol to study the status of atherosclerosis in the carotid artery consists of the application of multiple MR sequences. Since scanner time is limited, a balance has to be reached between the duration of the applied MR protocol and the quantity and quality of the resulting images which are needed to assess the disease. In this study an objective method to optimize the MR sequence set for classification of soft plaque in vessel wall images of the carotid artery using automated image segmentation was developed. The automated method employs statistical pattern recognition techniques and was developed based on an extensive set of MR contrast weightings and corresponding manual segmentations of the vessel wall and soft plaque components, which were validated by histological sections. Evaluation of the results from nine contrast weightings showed the tradeoff between scan duration and automated image segmentation performance. For our dataset the best segmentation performance was achieved by selecting five contrast weightings. Similar performance was achieved with a set of three contrast weightings, which resulted in a reduction of scan time by more than 60%. The presented approach can help others to optimize MR imaging protocols by investigating the tradeoff between scan duration and automated image segmentation performance possibly leading to shorter scanning times and better image interpretation. This approach can potentially also be applied to other research fields focusing on different diseases and anatomical regions.
Spectrophotometric Analysis of Dutasteride in Pure and Tablet Dosage Forms

Four simple and sensitive visible spectrophotometric methods have been developed for the assay of dutasteride. Method I describes the interaction of dutasteride, as an n-electron donor, with chloranil, as a pi-acceptor, in acetonitrile to give reddish orange colored chloranil radical anion with absorption maxima at 525 nm. Method II involves the oxidative coupling reaction of dutasteride with 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone hydrochloride in the presence of ferric chloride in an acidic medium, which results in a green colored product with absorption maxima at 550 nm. Methods III and IV are based on the formation of ion-pairs of dutasteride with bromothymol blue and bromophenol blue, which are extracted into chloroform and exhibit absorption maxima at 425 (bromothymol blue) and 435 nm (bromophenol blue). Regression analysis of Beer’s law plot showed good correlation in the concentration range of 2–40, 1–20, 5–50, and 2–20 μg mL −1 for Methods I, II, III, and IV, respectively. Different variables affecting the reaction were studied and the experimental conditions were optimized. The proposed methods were applied successfully to analyze dutasteride in tablets dosage forms. No interference was observed from common pharmaceutical excipients.
Important Factors in Midwestern Public Librarians’ Views on Intellectual Freedom and Collection Development: Part 2

This research examined the beliefs and actions of US midwestern librarians concerning intellectual freedom and collection development. The results are presented in two complementary articles; the first article provided some background and the results pertaining to intellectual freedom, whereas the second article focuses on the results for collection development questions and concludes with a broader discussion. While the first article focused on intellectual freedom beliefs, the second focuses more on actions that are thought to be influenced by those beliefs. The data were obtained through a survey with a 21.37% response rate. In general, respondents—particularly those with master of library science (MLS) degrees—reported agreement with ALA collection development stances. When asked about purchasing hypothetical items, respondents said they would purchase most of them. This research revealed that the most significant variable across all questions was whether respondents had the MLS degree.