Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the Cramér-Rao Bound in the Joint Estimation of Astrometry and Photometry

In this paper, we use the Cramér-Rao lower uncertainty bound to estimate the maximum precision that could be achieved on the joint simultaneous (or two-dimensional) estimation of photometry and astrometry of a point source measured by a linear CCD detector array. We develop exact expressions for the Fisher matrix elements required to compute the Cramér-Rao bound in the case of a source with a Gaussian light profile. From these expressions, we predict the behavior of the Cramér-Rao astrometric and photometric precision as a function of the signal and the noise of the observations, and compare them to actual observations—finding a good correspondence between them. From the Cramér-Rao bound, we obtain the well-known fact that the uncertainty in flux on a Poisson-driven detector, such as a CCD, goes approximately as the square root of the flux. However, more generally, higher-order correction factors that depend on the ratio B/F or F/B (where B is the background flux per pixel, and F is the total flux of the source), as well as on the properties of the detector (pixel size) and the source (width of the light profile), are required for a proper calculation of the minimum expected uncertainty bound in flux. Overall, the Cramér-Rao bound predicts that the uncertainty in magnitude goes as (S/N)-1 under a broad range of circumstances. As for the astrometry, we show that its Cramér-Rao bound also goes as (S/N)-1 but, additionally, we find that this bound is quite sensitive to the value of the background—suppressing the background can greatly enhance the astrometric accuracy. We present a systematic analysis of the elements of the Fisher matrix in the case when the detector adequately samples the source (oversampling regime), leading to closed-form analytical expressions for the Cramér-Rao bound. We show that, in this regime, the joint parametric determinations of photometry and astrometry for the source become decoupled from each other, and furthermore, it is possible to write down expressions (approximate to first order in the small quantities F/B or B/F) for the expected minimum uncertainty in flux and position. These expressions are shown to be quite resilient to the oversampling condition, and become thus very valuable benchmark tools to estimate the approximate behavior of the maximum photometric and astrometric precision attainable under prespecified observing conditions and detector properties.
Using Teach-Back Method to Prevent 30-Day Readmissions in Patients with Heart Failure : A Systematic Review TABLE 1 .

309 Kimberly D. Almkuist, DNP, FNP-C, is Family Nurse Practitioner, Wilson County Health Department/School Based Health Clinic, Wilson, NC. Acknowledgment: The author acknowledges Laura L. Lowe, DNP, RN, The Medical University of South Carolina Writing Center, and Beth Jensen, DNP, FNP-BC, CNE, for support during the publication process. Using Teach-Back Method to Prevent 30-Day Readmissions in Patients with Heart Failure: A Systematic Review
Functional localization of pain perception in the human brain studied by PET

TO elucidate the functional localization and somatotopic organization of pain perception in the human cerebral cortex, we studied the regional cerebral blood flow using positron emission tomography during selective painful stimulation in six normal subjects. Response to a painful stimulus was elicited using a special CO2 laser, which selectively activates nociceptive receptors, to the hand and foot. Multiple brain areas, including bilateral secondary somatosensory cortices (SII) and insula, and the frontal lobe and thalamus contralateral to the stimulus side, were found to be involved in the response to painful stimulation. While our data indicate that the bilateral SII play an important role in pain perception, they also indicate that there is no pain-related somatotopic organization in the human SII or insula.
Investigation of nano-porous silicon antireflection coatings for crystalline silicon solar cells

Reflectance loss of crystalline Si causes low efficiency. The optical loss can reduce by antireflection coatings (AR coatings). The porous silicon (PSi) formed by anodization is well known as using good ARC because PSi can be obtained easily and economically. So, we investigated PSi as AR coating for silicon solar cells. The nano-PSi was obtained by electrochemical etching and has reflectance less than 20% in wavelength for 450-1000 nm. The porosity is about 60% and refractive index is 1.7. The obtained results point out that it would be possible to apply a Si solar cell by the proposed simple technology.
Input and output in damped quantum systems: Quantum stochastic differential equations and the master equation.

We develop a formulation of quantum damping theory in which the explicit nature of inputs from a heat bath, and of outputs into it, is taken into account. Quantum Langevin equations are developed, in which the Langevin forces are the field operators corresponding to the input modes. Time-reversed equations exist in which the Langevin forces are the output modes, and the sign of damping is reversed. Causality and boundary conditions relating inputs to system variables are developed. The concept of ``quantum white noise'' is formulated, and the formal relationship between quantum Langevin equations and quantum stochastic differential equations (SDE's) is established. In analogy to the classical formulation, there are two kinds of SDE's: the Ito and the Stratonovich forms. Rules are developed for converting from one to the other. These rules depend on the nature of the quantum white noise, which may be squeezed. The SDE's developed are shown to be exactly equivalent to quantum master equations, and rules are developed for computing multitime-ordered correlation functions with use of the appropriate master equation. With use of the causality and boundary conditions, the relationship between correlation functions of the output and those of the system and the input is developed. It is possible to calculate what kind of output statistics result, provided that one knows the input statistics and provided that one can compute the system correlation functions.
Cadmium against Higher Plant Photosynthesis -a Variety of Effects and Where Do They Possibly Come From?

The complexity of in vivo toxic effects of Cd on higher plants makes almost impossible an accurate distinction between direct and indirect mechanisms of its action on the photosynthetic apparatus. We, therefore, postulate that multiple Cd effects on plant physiological and metabolic processes may finally be focused on photosynthesis. This would also explain the phenomenon that only a small fraction of Cd entering chloroplasts may cause such disastrous changes in their structure and function. In return, the inhibition of photosynthesis affects numerous metabolic pathways dependent on the primary carbon metabolism
Neuroserpin regulates N‐cadherin‐mediated cell adhesion independently of its activity as an inhibitor of tissue plasminogen activator

Neuroserpin is an inhibitor of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) that is expressed in developing and adult nervous systems. Spatial and temporal analysis of neuroserpin expression suggests that it is involved in regulating the proteolytic balance associated with axonogenesis and synaptogenesis during development and synaptic plasticity in the adult. Here we demonstrate that altered expression of neuroserpin modulates the degree of cell–cell adhesion in pheochromocytoma PC12 cells independently of its role as an inhibitor of tPA. Levels of the homophilic cell–cell adhesion molecule N‐cadherin are increased in neuroserpin‐overexpressing cell lines. N‐cadherin immunoreactivity was detected in a Triton X‐100‐insoluble fraction and localized to regions of cell contact, consistent with a role in enhancing cell surface adhesion. PC12 cell lines expressing neuroserpin mutants that lack tPA inhibitory activity also showed increased cell–cell adhesion and N‐cadherin expression. Our results identify neuroserpin as a novel regulator of cell–cell adhesion and the synaptic adhesion molecule N‐cadherin as a key effecter in this response. In nerve cells, neuroserpin may regulate the levels of N‐cadherin available for construction, maintenance, and control of synapses and synaptic dynamics. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Primary Structural Variation in Anaplasma marginale Msp2 Efficiently Generates Immune Escape Variants

ABSTRACT Antigenic variation allows microbial pathogens to evade immune clearance and establish persistent infection. Anaplasma marginale utilizes gene conversion of a repertoire of silent msp2 alleles into a single active expression site to encode unique Msp2 variants. As the genomic complement of msp2 alleles alone is insufficient to generate the number of variants required for persistence, A. marginale uses segmental gene conversion, in which oligonucleotide segments from multiple alleles are recombined into the expression site to generate a novel msp2 mosaic not represented elsewhere in the genome. Whether these segmental changes are sufficient to evade a broad antibody response is unknown. We addressed this question by identifying Msp2 variants that differed in primary structure within the immunogenic hypervariable region microdomains and tested whether they represented true antigenic variants. The minimal primary structural difference between variants was a single amino acid resulting from a codon insertion, and overall, the amino acid identity among paired microdomains ranged from 18 to 92%. Collectively, 89% of the expressed structural variants were also antigenic variants across all biological replicates, independent of a specific host major histocompatibility complex haplotype. Biological relevance is supported by the following: (i) all structural variants were expressed during infection of a natural host, (ii) the structural variation observed in the microdomains corresponded to the mean length of variants generated by segmental gene conversion, and (iii) antigenic variants were identified using a broad antibody response that developed during infection of a natural host. The findings demonstrate that segmental gene conversion efficiently generates Msp2 antigenic variants.
Numerical Simulation of Blood Flow in the System of Human Coronary Arteries with and without Bypass Graft

In this paper, we aim to present a three-dimensional simulation of a pulsatile blood flow in the system of human coronary arteries. We investigate the behavior of blood flow through a stenosed right coronary arteries (RCA) with and without bypass graft. The computational domains, constructed and based on real domain, consist of the aorta, the left and the right coronary arteries, and a graft vessel. Blood is considered as an incompressible non-Newtonian fluid. The governing equations are the continuity equation and the Navier-Stokes equations together with pulsatile boundary conditions. The solution of governing equations is solved by using finite element method. The results show that higher degree of blockage of the RCA gives higher drop of blood pressure at the stenosis region, and bypass surgery can improves the blood pressure. Key–Words: blood flow, bypass graft, coronary artery, incompressible non-Newtonian fluid, pulsatile, stenosis.
Hindcast of sediment flow along the Curonian Spit under different wave climates

We analyze wave-driven longshore sediment transport along the Curonian Spit, a narrow about 98 km long sandy peninsula at the south-eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. The bulk and net longshore sediment transport in existing and in a selection of future wave climates is calculated using the CERC formula for about 3 nautical miles long sections. The calculations are based on numerically simulated long-term time series of wave properties along the beach evaluated using adjusted geostrophic winds for 1970-2007. Changes to the wave climate are simulated by means of systematic rotation of the contemporary wave approach direction clockwise and counterclockwise. The spit is in an almost perfectly equilibrium shape under the existing wave climate. Systematic rotation of the wave approach direction leads to an almost linear increase in the net transport rate from its present almost zero value whereas the bulk transport rate would insignificantly change. A rotation by more than 10° results in complete disappearance of convergence points of sediment flow along the spit and apparently to substantial coastal damage.
Questionnaire severity measures for depression: a threat to the doctor-patient relationship?

BACKGROUND Since 2006 the Quality Outcomes Framework (QOF) has rewarded GPs for carrying out standardised assessments of the severity of symptoms of depression in newly diagnosed patients. AIM To gain understanding of GPs' opinions and perceived impact on practice of the routine introduction of standardised questionnaire measures of severity of depression through the UK general practice contract QOF. DESIGN OF STUDY Semi-structured qualitative interview study, with purposive sampling and constant comparative analysis. SETTING Thirty-four GPs from among 38 study general practices in three sites in England, UK: Southampton, Liverpool, and Norfolk. METHOD GPs were interviewed at a time convenient to them by trained interviewers. Interviews were audiorecorded and transcribed verbatim in preparation for thematic analysis, to identify key views. RESULTS Analysis of the interviews suggested that the use of severity questionnaires posed an intrusion into the consultation. GPs discursively polarised two technologies: formal assessment versus personal enquiry, emphasising the need to ensure the scores are used sensitively and as an aid to clinical judgement rather than as a substitute. Importantly, these challenges implicitly served a function of preserving GPs' identities as professionals with expertise, constructed as integral to the process of diagnosis. CONCLUSION GP accounts indicated concern about threats to patient care. Contention between using severity questionnaires and delivering individualised patient care is significantly motivated by GP concerns to preserve professional expertise and identity. It is important to learn from GP concerns to help establish how best to optimise the use of severity questionnaires in depression.
Experimental and Theoretical Linearity Investigation of High-Power Unitraveling-Carrier Photodiodes

In this letter, the third-order intermodulation distortion of a high-power InGaAs-InP unitraveling-carrier photodiode is examined. Based on experimental data, we have developed an analytical model using a harmonic balance method. The response-time reduction, under high-current operation, is identified as the main nonlinear mechanism before saturation occurss. In addition, a linearity enhancement with increased photocurrent (up to ~40 mA) is observed and analyzed. This leads to a measured third-order intercept point, at 40-50 mA, as high as 32 and 37 dBm at 20 and 5 GHz, respectively.
Editor’s Choice- Heparin pre-treatment in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and the risk of intracoronary thrombus and total vessel occlusion. Insights from the TASTE trial

Background: Pre-treatment with unfractionated heparin is common in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) protocols, but the effect on intracoronary thrombus burden is unknown. We studied the effect of heparin pre-treatment on intracoronary thrombus burden and Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow prior to percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with STEMI. Methods: The Thrombus Aspiration in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Scandinavia (TASTE) trial angiographically assessed intracoronary thrombus burden and TIMI flow, prior to percutaneous coronary intervention, in patients with STEMI. In this observational sub-study, patients pre-treated with heparin were compared with patients not pre-treated with heparin. Primary end points were a visible intracoronary thrombus and total vessel occlusion prior to percutaneous coronary intervention. Secondary end points were in-hospital bleeding, in-hospital stroke and 30-day all-cause mortality. Results: Heparin pre-treatment was administered in 2898 out of 7144 patients (41.0%). Patients pre-treated with heparin less often presented with an intracoronary thrombus (61.3% vs. 66.0%, p<0.001) and total vessel occlusion (62.9% vs. 71.6%, p<0.001). After adjustments, heparin pre-treatment was independently associated with a reduced risk of intracoronary thrombus (odds ratio (OR) 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.65–0.83) and total vessel occlusion (OR 0.64, 95% CI=0.56–0.73), prior to percutaneous coronary intervention. There were no significant differences in secondary end points of in-hospital bleeding (OR 0.84, 95% CI=0.55–1.27), in-hospital stroke (OR 1.17, 95% CI=0.48–2.82) or 30-day all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 0.88, 95% CI=0.60–1.30). Conclusions: Heparin pre-treatment was independently associated with a lower risk of intracoronary thrombus and total vessel occlusion before percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with STEMI, without evident safety concerns, in this large multi-centre observational study.
Fuzzy-Zoning-Based Classification for Handwritten Characters

In zoning-based classification, a membership function defines the way a feature influences the different zones of the zoning method. This paper presents a new class of membership functions, which are called fuzzy-membership functions (FMFs), for zoning-based classification. These FMFs can be easily adapted to the specific characteristics of a classification problem in order to maximize classification performance. In this research, a real-coded genetic algorithm is presented to find, in a single optimization procedure, the optimal FMF, together with the optimal zoning described by Voronoi tessellation. The experimental results, which are carried out in the field of handwritten digit and character recognition, indicate that optimal FMF performs better than other membership functions based on abstract-level, ranked-level, and measurement-level weighting models, which can be found in the literature.
THE FMOS-COSMOS SURVEY OF STAR-FORMING GALAXIES AT z ∼ 1.6. IV. EXCITATION STATE AND CHEMICAL ENRICHMENT OF THE INTERSTELLAR MEDIUM

We investigate the physical conditions of ionized gas in high-z star-forming galaxies using diagnostic diagrams based on the rest-frame optical emission lines. The sample consists of 701 galaxies with an Hα detection at , from the Fiber Multi-Object Spectrograph (FMOS)-COSMOS survey, that represent the normal star-forming population over the stellar mass range , with those at being well sampled. We confirm an offset of the average location of star-forming galaxies in the Baldwin–Phillips–Terlevich (BPT) diagram ( versus ), primarily toward higher , compared with local galaxies. Based on the [S ii] ratio, we measure an electron density ( ), which is higher than that of local galaxies. Based on comparisons to theoretical models, we argue that changes in emission-line ratios, including the offset in the BPT diagram, are caused by a higher ionization parameter both at fixed stellar mass and at fixed metallicity, with additional contributions from a higher gas density and possibly a hardening of the ionizing radiation field. Ionization due to active galactic nuclei is ruled out as assessed with Chandra. As a consequence, we revisit the mass–metallicity relation using and a new calibration including as recently introduced by Dopita et al. Consistent with our previous results, the most massive galaxies ( ) are fully enriched, while those at lower masses have metallicities lower than local galaxies. Finally, we demonstrate that the stellar masses, metallicities, and star formation rates of the FMOS sample are well fit with a physically motivated model for the chemical evolution of star-forming galaxies.
Exhaled nitric oxide reflects asthma severity and asthma control

Introduction This study was undertaken to a) evaluate whether exhaled nitric oxide (fraction of exhaled nitric oxide [Feno]) levels are reflective of asthma severity in concordance with the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program categorization and b) determine the usefulness of Feno using the single-breath exhalation technique for monitoring asthma control and compliance with steroid treatment. Methods Thirty patients with asthma (7–17 yrs old; 14 males and 16 females) that was mild (n = 8), moderate (n = 17), or severe (n = 5) were included in the study. Fifteen patients were seen on more than one occasion for a total of 53 visits. Information obtained at each visit included asthma symptoms, &bgr;-agonists and corticosteroids use, compliance to steroids, and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (Fev1) and Feno measurements. Asthma control was judged by a pulmonologist based on overall evaluation of symptoms, Fev1 measurements, and the frequency of &bgr;-agonists use at each visit. Results The mean ± sd Feno was significantly different in the mild, moderate, and severe asthma categories (30 ± 12, 65 ± 48, 104 ± 68, respectively; F2,52 = 6.02 p = .005). Feno was significantly correlated with asthma severity (r = .44, p = .001), compliance (r = −.75, p = .001), and control (r = −.51, p = .001). There were no statistically significant differences between asthma severity and compliance or Fev1. Discussion Our data suggest that a) Feno may be a practical tool to evaluate asthma severity and asthma control over time and b) Feno may be used as a marker of compliance with steroids even when Fev1 has not decreased significantly.
Implementation Intentions and the Theory of Planned Behavior

This study concerns the implications of Peter Gollwitzer's concept of implementation intentions for Icek Ajzen's theory of planned behavior. Attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and intentions were assessed before an intervention that required subjects to make implementation intentions concerning when and where they would perform breast self-examination during the next month. Behavior was assessed by self-report 1 month later. Results supported Gollwitzer's contention that goal intentions that have been supplemented by implementation intentions concerning where and when the behavior is to be performed are more likely to be enacted. Evidence suggested that implementation intentions were effective because they provided a mechanism that facilitated the retrieval of intentions in memory. Implementation intentions also reduced the capacity of past behavior to predict future behavior, suggesting that implementation intentions mimic the effect of habit in human action. Implications for applications of models of attitude-behavior relations are outlined.
Robustness Issues of the Equivalent Linear Representation of a Nonlinear System

In many engineering applications, linear models are preferred, even if it is known that the system is nonlinear. A large class of nonlinear systems, excited with a 'Gaussian' random excitation, can be represented as a linear system GBLA plus a nonlinear noise source YS. The nonlinear noise source represents that part of the output that is not captured by the linear approximation. It was shown before that the GBLA is an invariant for a wide class of excitations with a user specified power spectrum. In this paper it is shown that also the power spectrum SYS of the nonlinear noise source YS is a robust characteristic. This shows that the alternative 'linear representation' of a nonlinear system is a robust one, making its use in the daily engineering practice very attractive.