Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Unifying Type II Supernova Light Curves with Dense Circumstellar Material

A longstanding problem in the study of supernovae (SNe) has been the relationship between the Type IIP and Type IIL subclasses. Whether they come from distinct progenitors or they are from similar stars with some property that smoothly transitions from one class to another has been the subject of much debate. Here, using one-dimensional radiation-hydrodynamic SN models, we show that the multi-band light curves of SNe IIL are well fit by ordinary red supergiants surrounded by dense circumstellar material (CSM). The inferred extent of this material, coupled with a typical wind velocity of , suggests enhanced activity by these stars during the last ~months to ∼years of their lives, which may be connected with advanced stages of nuclear burning. Furthermore, we find that, even for more plateau-like SNe, dense CSM provides a better fit to the first days of their light curves, indicating that the presence of such material may be more widespread than previously appreciated. Here we choose to model the CSM with a wind-like density profile, but it is unclear whether this just generally represents some other mass distribution, such as a recent mass ejection, thick disk, or even inflated envelope material. Better understanding the exact geometry and density distribution of this material will be an important question for future studies.
Acetate production in the rumen of cows fed either control or low-fiber, high-grain diets.

Abstract Measurements were made on acetate production in the rumens of cows fed a diet supporting a normal fat content of the milk and in the rumens of cows fed a milk-fat depressing diet (low-fiber, high-grain). An isotope dilution technique, using acetate-1- 14 C, coupled with the use of polyethylene glycol (M.W. 4000) as a rumen volume marker was employed. Mean acetate production values of 29.3 and 28.1 moles per 24 hr were obtained for the control and high-grain diets, respectively. It was concluded that an absolute shortage of acetate, because of reduction in amount of acetate produced in the rumen, is not responsible for the depression in the fat content of the milk when a low-fiber, high-grain diet is fed.
Cost-Effectiveness of Routine 18F-FDG PET/CT in High-Risk Patients with Gram-Positive Bacteremia

Gram-positive bacteremia has a high morbidity and mortality rate of approximately 30%. Delayed diagnosis of clinically silent metastatic infectious foci is an important indicator for a complicated outcome. 18F-FDG PET/CT allows detection of focal infection, resulting in lower relapse rates and mortality. Here, we present a cost-effectiveness analysis associated with introduction of 18F-FDG PET/CT for patients with gram-positive bacteremia. Methods: A cost-effectiveness analysis in a prospective 18F-FDG PET/CT group (n = 115) and matched control group (n = 230) was performed alongside a clinical study, the results of which were previously published. Mortality at 6 mo was considered the final effect outcome and was used in the denominator of the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. Results: Mortality in the 18F-FDG PET/CT group was 19%, compared with 32% in the control group (P < 0.01). Incremental costs of 18F-FDG PET/CT were $9,454 (95% confidence interval [CI], $3,963–$14,947), mainly because of admission (mean, $6,631; 95% CI, $1,449–$11,814). Additional costs were related to echocardiography (P < 0.01), not to 18F-FDG PET/CT (P = 0.8). The mean incremental costs of the 18F-FDG PET/CT strategy estimated by stratification for endocarditis were $5,277 per patient (95% CI, $429–$10,123; P = 0.03). The point estimate of the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio is $72,487 per prevented death (95% CI, $11,388–$323,379). Conclusion: Introduction of a diagnostic regimen including routine 18F-FDG PET/CT decreases morbidity and mortality. The cost increase is due to in-hospital treatment of metastatic infectious foci. Costs per prevented death, $72,487, are within the range that is considered to be efficient by Dutch guidelines. Patients with high-risk gram-positive bacteremia therefore should have easy access to 18F-FDG PET/CT to enable early detection of metastatic infectious disease.
Stable-Isotope-Based Labeling of Styrene-Degrading Microorganisms in Biofilters

ABSTRACT Deuterated styrene ([2H8]styrene) was used as a tracer in combination with phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis for characterization of styrene-degrading microbial populations of biofilters used for treatment of waste gases. Deuterated fatty acids were detected and quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The method was evaluated with pure cultures of styrene-degrading bacteria and defined mixed cultures of styrene degraders and non-styrene-degrading organisms. Incubation of styrene degraders for 3 days with [2H8]styrene led to fatty acids consisting of up to 90% deuterated molecules. Mixed-culture experiments showed that specific labeling of styrene-degrading strains and only weak labeling of fatty acids of non-styrene-degrading organisms occurred after incubation with [2H8]styrene for up to 7 days. Analysis of actively degrading filter material from an experimental biofilter and a full-scale biofilter by this method showed that there were differences in the patterns of labeled fatty acids. For the experimental biofilter the fatty acids with largest amounts of labeled molecules were palmitic acid (16:0), 9,10-methylenehexadecanoic acid (17:0 cyclo9-10), and vaccenic acid (18:1 cis11). These lipid markers indicated that styrene was degraded by organisms with aPseudomonas-like fatty acid profile. In contrast, the most intensively labeled fatty acids of the full-scale biofilter sample were palmitic acid and cis-11-hexadecenoic acid (16:1cis11), indicating that an unknown styrene-degrading taxon was present. Iso-, anteiso-, and 10-methyl-branched fatty acids showed no or weak labeling. Therefore, we found no indication that styrene was degraded by organisms with methyl-branched fatty fatty acids, such as Xanthomonas, Bacillus,Streptomyces, or Gordonia spp.
Effect of antihypertensive drug therapy on short‐term heart rate variability in newly diagnosed essential hypertension

1. Abnormalities of cardiac autonomic regulation are a potential mechanism for morbidity despite blood pressure (BP) lowering in hypertension. Analysis of short‐term (5 min) heart rate variability (HRV) provides a non‐invasive probe of autonomic regulation of sino‐atrial (SA) node automaticity.
Sticking to the (romantic) script: an examination of love life scripts, stories, and self-reports of normality

ABSTRACT Life scripts represent cultural expectations regarding the events in the prototypical life whereas life stories represent narrative constructions of the events occurring in individuals’ own lives. In Study 1, we generated an outline of the love life script and a list of the self-definitional events individuals tend to associate with their own love lives. Participants were prompted to produce and rate seven important events in the prototypical love life and several significant moments from their own love lives. Building upon these descriptive efforts, in Study 2, we developed self-report measures of perceived and desired love life normality. These characteristics positively predicted the conventionality of autobiographical narratives drawn from participants’ love life stories. Furthermore, perceived normality and desired normality were positively and negatively related to functioning within the romantic domain, respectively. These results underscore the role love life scripts and love life stories play in functioning within the romantic domain.
Imperforate hymen: a cause of abdominal pain in female adolescents

A 16-year-old girl presented with primary amenorrhea and had had cyclical abdominal pain for almost a year. At examination we observed a painful mass in the lower abdomen and normal secondary sex characteristics. Perineal examination showed a bluish bulging hymen. Transabdominal ultrasonography revealed a dense mass in the pelvis measuring about 12×11 cm. We diagnosed an imperforate hymen with haematocolpos and haematometra. The hymen was opened surgically and a large quantity of menstrual blood was drained from the vagina and uterus. Postoperative recovery was normal without any pain. The patient now menstruates regularly. An imperforate hymen occurs in 0.05% of women. It is important to be aware of this while examining a female adolescent presenting with cyclical abdominal pain and primary amenorrhea. Late discovery of an imperforate hymen may lead to pain, infections, hydronephrosis and endometriosis with subfertility as a possible consequence.
Development of Injury Criteria for Frontal Impact Using a Human Body FE Model

Sternal deflection is an injury criterion used in current regulatory and consumer tests worldwide to assess thoracic injury risk. However, this criterion has some serious limits when applied to the Hybrid-III dummy: the risk curve based on the criterion is restraint dependent, and it does not allow discrimination between some advanced restraint systems. The THOR dummy, despite its better biofidelity, is confronted with similar limits. This paper presents a study aiming at identification of more robust injury criteria. A human body FE model-based approach was used to achieve this objective. First, an existing human model was updated and validated for frontal impact simulation, not only in terms of its gross motion response, but also in terms of its capability to predict rib fractures. It was then submitted to a wide range of loading types: impactor, static airbag, belt only restraint, airbag only restraint and combined belt and airbag restraint. For each loading type, different loading severities were applied to generate different levels of rib fracture: from the absence of fractures to numerous fractured ribs. Based on these simulations, bending was identified as the main loading pattern for rib fracture, and two injury criteria were formulated: the Combined Deflection (Dc) and the Number of Fractured Ribs (NFR). The Dc is a deflection-based criterion which takes into account not only sternal deflection, but also the effect of asymmetrical loading. This effect can be characterized by L-R differential deflection (difference of thoracic deflections measured on the left side and the right side of the thorax). The NFR is a rib strain-based criterion which intrinsically reflects the injury level of ribs. The simulations showed that the maximum peak strain of all ribs does not correlate with the number of fractured ribs. The NFR can be calculated by measuring dummy rib strain and by fixing a strain threshold beyond which a dummy rib is considered fractured. A possible approach to apply the NFR to mechanical dummies was proposed. However, based entirely on numerical simulations, the findings of this study need to be evaluated by physical testing. A preliminary study on THOR rib strain measurement showed positive signs for implementation of the NFR on the THOR dummy.
Skiing Economy and Efficiency in Recreational and Elite Cross-Country Skiers

Abstract Ainegren, M, Carlsson, P, Tinnsten, M, and Laaksonen, MS. Skiing economy and efficiency in recreational and elite cross-country skiers. J Strength Cond Res 27(5): 1239–1252, 2013—The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare skiing economy and gross efficiency in cross-country skiers of different performance levels, ages and genders; male recreational skiers and elite senior and junior cross-country skiers of both genders. The skiers performed tests involving roller skiing on a treadmill using the gear 3 and diagonal stride techniques. The elite cross-country skiers were found to have better skiing economy and higher gross efficiency (5–18%) compared with the recreational skiers (p < 0.05) and the senior elite had better economy and higher efficiency (4–5%) than their junior counterparts (p < 0.05), whereas no differences could be found between the genders. Also, large ranges in economy and gross efficiency were found in all groups. It was concluded that, in addition to V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak, skiing economy and gross efficiency have a great influence on the differences in performance times between recreational and junior and senior elite cross-country skiers, as well as between individual skiers within the different categories. Thus, we recommend cross-country skiers at all performance levels to test not only V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak, but also skiing economy and efficiency.
CEO narcissism in M&A decision-making and its impact on firm performance

Using a large sample of about 1,900 M&A deals from 1993 to 2005, and data on more than 3,100 CEOs, we explore merger and acquisition activities from a psychological perspective, and provide another explanation of M&A motives and associated firm stock performance. We empirically test if highly narcissistic CEOs are more likely to conduct mergers than lowly narcissistic CEOs. We also examine the impact of CEO narcissistic personality on market reaction to firm M&A announcements, and also long-term post-M&A stock returns. Three proxies for CEO narcissism are used in this study: Holder 67, a CEO option exercise-based measure, CEO media portrayal, and a third measure based on formal content analysis of actual CEO speech. Our results demonstrate that highly narcissistic CEOs are almost 40% more likely to conduct mergers and acquisitions than lowly narcissistic CEOs. Our results also suggest that the degree of acquiring firm CEO narcissism has a significantly negative impact on both short-run and long-run post-M&A returns. We find that, the market reacts more negatively to M&A deals conducted by highly narcissistic CEOs than lowly narcissistic CEOs in the [-1, 1] three-day event window by between 0.9% and 1.5%. Post-acquisition, we find that deals conducted by highly narcissistic CEOs significantly underperform those by lowly narcissistic CEOs in the [1, 24] month event window by between -1.7% and -2.4%. In addition, our results show that target firm CEO narcissism similarly negatively affects acquiring firm short-term performance. However, we find that effective corporate governance mechanisms ameliorate, to some extent, the adverse impact of high levels of CEO narcissism on firm value in M&A deals.
Product Liability: Beyond Loss Control–An Argument for Quality Assurance

Companies should be diligent in examining the relationship of product liability claims and effective quality assurance programs. A review of the literature suggests there are many writings about the mechanics of a product liability case, but very little hard evidence to suggest that companies are saving money because of implemented quality initiatives. While liability in this arena is usually borne by an injury that is due to a defect in either design, manufacturing, or marketing materials, suits are generally filed under three broad categories: negligence, breach of warranty, or strict tort liability. Properly implemented quality assurance initiatives will serve a company by tracking all aspects of the operation, from design to packaging, in order to determine where waste and defects are occurring. The courts are looking for this documentation, as well as how negative discoveries are handled in a company's quality management system. Since the courts are looking beyond a simple defect to determine a company's methodology for handling problems, effective quality systems must exist to demonstrate the exercise of due diligence. They also serve as documentation controllers that disallow “smoking guns” (internal or external communiqué) from becoming financial liabilities.
Parameter estimation of a DC motor using ordinary least squares and recursive least squares algorithms

This paper gives an insight into the working and efficiency of the two basic algorithms used for parameter estimation: Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Recursive Least Squares (RLS). A simple DC motor is taken here as an example of a SISO system. The input voltage and the output in the form of rotations of the motor are given to the parameter estimator. The parameters of the motor are determined using both the algorithms and, hence, a comparison is given on the basis of those results.
Strain softening behaviour in nonviable rat right‐ventricular trabeculae, in the presence and the absence of butanedione monoxime

Strain softening is commonly reported during mechanical testing of passive whole hearts. It is typically manifested as a stiffer force–extension relationship in the first deformation cycle relative to subsequent cycles and is distinguished from viscoelasticity by a lack of recovery of stiffness, even after several hours of rest. The cause of this behaviour is presently unknown. In order to investigate its origins, we have subjected trabeculae to physiologically realistic extensions (5–15% of muscle length at 26°C and 0.5 mm Ca2+), while measuring passive force and dynamic stiffness. While we did not observe strain softening in viable trabeculae, we found that it was readily apparent in nonviable (electrically inexcitable) trabeculae undergoing the same extensions. This result was obtained in both the presence and absence of 2,3‐butanedione monoxime (BDM). Furthermore, BDM had no effect on the passive compliance of viable specimens, while its presence partly inhibited, but could not prevent, stiffening of nonviable specimens. Loss of viability was accompanied by a uniform increase of dynamic stiffness over all frequencies examined (0.2–100 Hz). The presence of strain softening during length extensions of nonviable tissue resulted in a comparable uniform decrease of dynamic stiffness. It is therefore concluded that strain softening is neither intrinsic to viable rat right ventricular trabeculae nor influenced by BDM but, rather, reflects irreversible damage of tissue in partial, or full, rigor.
Employee Views of Corporate Reputation and the Influence of the Psychological Contract

Focusing on corporate identity (i.e. employee view of corporate reputation), this study is an analysis of the employee branding process encompassing an antecedent (PC; psychological contract), a mediator (CI; corporate identity), consequences (OI and OC; organisational identification and commitment), and a covariant (EP; employee personality). Customers and employees are the two most important stakeholder groups of a business organisation. A review of the existing literature suggests that research into corporate reputation predominantly takes a customer perspective. In contrast, the employee view of corporate reputation has rarely attracted academic attention. For this reason, the value of this study is justified not only by the importance of employer brand as a strategic asset that drives competitiveness, but also by the paucity of academic research into the employee branding process over the years. Previous literature suggested that the employee psychological contract directly influences employees? organisational commitment. Based on a survey of 390 employees from 14 firms in the UK and China (PRC), a structural equation model has been developed and tested. It shows that the effect of PC is better seen as indirect and operating via corporate identity (i.e. the employee view of corporate reputation) and their sense of identification. Both corporate identity (Agreeableness) and organisational identification have strong influences on employees? organisational commitment. Both corporate identity (Agreeableness and Competence) and identification mediate the effect of the psychological contract on commitment. Further, this study shows that the personality of the employee can influence their perceptions of the content of the psychological contract. Employee personality also covaries with their perceptions of corporate identity. This study also has several practical implications. In order to enhance organisational identification and commitment managers need to, first, promote corporate identity dimensions of agreeableness (e.g. friendly, supportive, trustworthy) and competence (e.g. reliable, leading, secure); second, clearly communicate management willingness to offer a series of employment inducements and try to keep these promises. Finally, managers should introduce personality tests into the recruitment and selection process and hire applicants who score high in agreeableness (e.g. friendly, cooperative, compassionate) and conscientiousness (e.g. efficient, organised, achievement-oriented).
How does anger coping style affect glycemic control in diabetes patients?

Background: Although various forms of anger have been found to influence the psychological and physical health in many chronic illness populations, little is known about the effects of anger in diabetes patients. Purpose: Associations between anger coping style, diabetes-related psychological distress, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were examined in 100 diabetes patients. Method: Participants completed the Problem Areas in Diabetes and Coping Styles questionnaires, and had HbA1c assessments at study entry (Time 1 = T1), six months (T2), and 12 months after T1 (T3). Results: Linear regression analyses revealed T1 anger coping associated with T3 HbA1c (β = .22, p < .05), but T1 HbA1c did not associate with T3 anger coping (β = .13, p = NS). After controlling for significant covariates (of gender, age, education, type and duration of diabetes), regression analyses revealed that T2 diabetes-related psychological distress partially mediated this association. Conclusion: These results suggested that higher levels of anger coping may promote poorer glycemic control in diabetes patients by provoking greater diabetes-related distress. Areas of future research on this topic are discussed.
Factor that affect knowledge sharing among employees in multinational organization

Knowledge is regarded as the most important resource, and it has often been described as the driving force towards the sustainable and key source of competitiveness. Knowledge management has been described as a collection of strategies and practices used in an organization to discover, create, share, transfer, and enable adoption of insights, experiences and knowledge resources embodied in individuals or embedded in organizations as processes or practices. Knowledge sharing is seen as the most important aspect of knowledge management. No doubt, many studies have shown that knowledge sharing is essential for firms’ performance. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between trust, management support, mutual reciprocity, self-efficacy, altruism and knowledge sharing as well as to identify the level of knowledge sharing among multinational employees in an organization in Saudi Arabia. In order to test these relationship five hypotheses was proposed. Two hundred and forty five questionnaires were distributed to the sample population. One hundred eighty nine questionnaires were used to test the results of this study. Multiple regressions were used to analyze the data. The results of the study indicate that trust and management support have a positive influence on knowledge sharing. However, interestingly and surprisingly, the multiple regression results showed that the mutual reciprocity, self-efficacy and altruism have insignificant influences on knowledge sharing. In addition, trust is considered as the factor the contributed the most to knowledge sharing. Taking these factors into consideration will guarantee the success of knowledge management initiatives in the organization.
Equity derivatives markets

Since the ideas of arbitrage free pricing were born, finance has changed radically both in theory and practice. Derivatives markets have evolved and options serve nowadays as underlyings and as hedging instruments. In this thesis, we consider some markets for equity derivatives. We start by statistical analysis of the markets for European options and variance swaps because these products are important for hedging more complex claims. Then we consider different option pricing models and their calibration to observed price surfaces. Finally, we investigate the connection between option prices and the fundamental economic concept of risk aversion by the empirical pricing kernel.