Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PHOTOMETRIC AND SPECTROSCOPIC STUDIES OF MASSIVE BINARIES IN THE LARGE MAGELLANIC CLOUD. I. INTRODUCTION AND ORBITS FOR TWO DETACHED SYSTEMS: EVIDENCE FOR A MASS DISCREPANCY?

The stellar mass–luminosity relation is poorly constrained by observations for high-mass stars. We describe our program to find eclipsing massive binaries in the Magellanic Clouds using photometry of regions rich in massive stars, and our spectroscopic follow-up to obtain radial velocities and orbits. Our photometric campaign identified 48 early-type periodic variables, of which only 15 (31%) were found as part of the microlensing surveys. Spectroscopy is now complete for 17 of these systems, and in this paper we present analysis of the first two, LMC 172231 and ST2-28, simple detached systems of late-type O dwarfs of relatively modest masses. Our orbit analysis yields very precise masses (∼2%), and we use tomography to separate the components and determine effective temperatures by model fitting, necessary for determining accurate (0.05–0.07 dex) bolometric luminosities in combination with the light-curve analysis. Our approach allows more precise comparisons with evolutionary theory than previously possible. To our considerable surprise, we find a small, but significant, systematic discrepancy: all of the stars are slightly undermassive, by typically 11% (or overluminous by 0.2 dex) compared with that predicted by the evolutionary models. We examine our approach for systematic problems, but find no satisfactory explanation. The discrepancy is in the same sense as the long-discussed and elusive discrepancy between the masses measured from stellar atmosphere analysis with the stellar evolutionary models, and might suggest that either increased rotation or convective overshooting is needed in the models. Additional systems will be discussed in future papers of this series, and will hopefully confirm or refute this trend.
Driver modeling: Data collection, model analysis, and optimization

This thesis concerns aspects of driver modeling, with an emphasis on critical near-crash scenarios, involving time spans of around 10 s of driving. Here,driver modeling has been studied using both computer simulations and experiments carried out in a high-fidelity driving simulator. A computer simulation environment has been developed especially for driver modeling. This simulation environment includes a stochastic optimization method for model parameter tuning. Moreover, a review of existing driver models has been carried out. In many cases in the literature, new driver models have been proposed without comparison with existing models. Many models also lack proper validation against driving data. A possible explanation may be that such data are expensive and difficult to collect, especially in critical scenarios. However, in this thesis, the results obtained in a driving simulator study involving a collision avoidance scenario indicate that, at least to some extent, data collected in repeated exposures to a critical event resemble, in many important aspects, data obtained in an unexpected exposure to the same event. Thus, using repeated exposures in a careful manner, one can obtain much larger amounts of available data. In the particular case considered here, the steering behavior was largely conserved between exposures. With increased amounts of data, it becomes possible to carry out formal optimization of driver models (using, for example, the simulation environment presented here) without overfitting model parameters to noise in the data.
Optimal Negligence Rule Under Limited Liability

We study the standard economic model of unilateral accidents, in its simplest form, assuming that the injurers have limited assets.We identify a second-best optimal rule that selects as due care the minimum of first-best care, and a level of care that takes into account the wealth of the injurer. We show that such a rule in fact maximizes the precautionary effort by a potential injurer. The idea is counterintuitive: Being softer on an injurer, in terms of the required level of care, actually improves the incentives to take care when he is potentially insolvent. We extend the basic result to an entire population of potentially insolvent injurers, and find that the optimal general standards of care do depend on wealth, and distribution of income. We also show the conditions for the result that higher income levels in a given society call for higher levels of care for accidents.
Transferring landscape values using discrete choice experiments: Is meta-analysis an option?

Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE) is an increasingly used valuation method to guide policy-makers in their landscape management decision-making. However, due to time and budget constraints, conducting an original DCE for every single policy decision may not be possible in practice. In this context, meta-analyses are becoming a popular tool for supporting benefit transfer in environmental valuation. This paper raises the question whether meta-analysis is an option for transferring landscape values using DCEs within Europe. We argue that the use of specific and different attributes, definitions and units of measurement makes it hard to compare willingness-to-pay values across current DCE studies
Toxicity of Jatropha Seed Oil to Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) and its Parasitoid, Dinarmus basalis (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)

The susceptibility o f C. maculatus and D. basalis to Jatropha seed oil was evaluated un der laboratory c onditions. T he adults of C. maculatus and D. basalis had the same susceptibility to Jatropha seed oil but the parasitoid was relatively more susceptible than its host at all treatment levels. The oil was also r epellent to C. maculatus but its persistency declined from 15 to 60 days in storage. The eggs of C. maculatus were c omparatively more s usceptible t o t he Jatropha seed oil than those of the p arasitoid due to the protection afforded by the grain. However, the larvae and pupae of C. maculatus showed a relatively l ower susc eptibility t o the oil. It is p ossible to incorporate the oil in a well designed pest management p rogramme taking advantage of t he short p ersistency o f t he oil o n grains and its re latively ineffectiveness against the C. maculatus pupae developing i nside t he grai n.
Evaluation of osseointegration using image analysis and visualization of 2D and 3D image data

Computerized image analysis, the discipline of using computers to automatically extract information from digital images, is a powerful tool for automating time consuming analysis tasks. In this thesis, image analysis and visualization methods are developed to facilitate the evaluation of osseointegration, i.e., the biological integration of a load-carrying implant in living bone. Adequate osseointegration is essential in patients who are in need of implant treatment. New implant types, with variations in bulk material and surface structural parameters, are continuously being developed. The main goal is to improve and speed up the osseointegration and thereby enhance patient well-being. The level of osseointegration can be evaluated by quantifying the bone tissue in proximity to the implant in e.g., light microscopy images of thin cross sections of bone implant samples extracted from humans or animals. This operator dependent quantitative analysis is cumbersome, time consuming and subjective. Furthermore, the thin sections represent only a small region of the whole sample. In this thesis work, computerized image analysis methods are developed to automate the quantification step. An image segmentation method is proposed for classifying the pixels of the images as bone tissue, non-bone tissue or implant. Subsequently, bone area and bone implant contact length in regions of interest are quantified. To achieve an accurate classification, the segmentation is based on both intensity and spatial information of the pixels. The automated method speeds up and facilitates the evaluation of osseointegration in the research laboratories. Another aim of this thesis is extending the 2D analysis to 3D and presenting methods for visualization of the 3D image volumes. To get a complete picture, information from the whole sample should be considered, rather than thin sections only. As a first step, 3D imaging of the implant samples is evaluated. 3D analysis methods, which follow the helix shaped implant thread and collects quantified features along the path, are presented. Additionally, methods for finding the position of the 2D section in the corresponding 3D image volume, i.e., image registration, are presented, enabling a direct comparison of the data from the two modalities. These novel and unique 3D quantification and visualization methods support the biomaterial researchers with improved tools for gaining a wider insight into the osseointegration process, with the ultimate goal of improved quality of life for the patients.
THE TRANSITIONAL PROTOPLANETARY DISK FREQUENCY AS A FUNCTION OF AGE: DISK EVOLUTION IN THE CORONET CLUSTER, TAURUS, AND OTHER 1–8 Myr OLD REGIONS

We present Spitzer 3.6–24 μm photometry and spectroscopy for stars in the 1–3 Myr old Coronet Cluster, expanding upon the survey of Sicilia-Aguilar et al. Using sophisticated radiative transfer models, we analyze these new data and those from Sicilia-Aguilar et al. to identify disks with evidence for substantial dust evolution consistent with disk clearing: transitional disks. We then analyze data in Taurus and others young clusters—IC 348, NGC 2362, and η Cha—to constrain the transitional disk frequency as a function of time. Our analysis confirms previous results finding evidence for two types of transitional disks—those with inner holes and those that are homologously depleted. The percentage of disks in the transitional phase increases from ∼15%–20% at 1–2 Myr to ⩾50% at 5–8 Myr; the mean transitional disk lifetime is closer to ∼1 Myr than 0.1–0.5 Myr, consistent with previous studies by Currie et al. and Sicilia-Aguilar et al. In the Coronet Cluster and IC 348, transitional disks are more numerous for very low mass M3–M6 stars than for more massive K5–M2 stars, while Taurus lacks a strong spectral-type-dependent frequency. Assuming standard values for the gas-to-dust ratio and other disk properties, the lower limit for the masses of optically thick primordial disks is Mdisk ≈ 0.001–0.003 M⋆. We find that single color–color diagrams do not by themselves uniquely identify transitional disks or primordial disks. Full spectral energy distribution modeling is required to accurately assess disk evolution for individual sources and inform statistical estimates of the transitional disk population in large samples using mid-IR colors.
The impact of resolution on ship plume simulations with NO<sub>x</sub> chemistry

Abstract. A high resolution chemical transport model of the marine boundary layer is designed in order to investigate the detailed chemical evolution of a ship plume in a tropical location. To estimate systematic errors due to finite model resolution, otherwise identical simulations are run at a range of model resolutions. Notably, to obtain comparable plumes in the different simulations, it is found necessary to use an advection scheme consistent with the Large Eddy Model representation of sub-grid winds for those simulations with degraded resolution. Our simulations show that OH concentration, NOx lifetime and ozone production efficiency of the model change by 8%, 32% and 31% respectively between the highest (200 m×200 m×40 m) and lowest resolution (9600 m×9600 m×1920 m) simulations. Interpolating to the resolution of a typical global composition transport model (CTM, 5°×5°), suggests that a CTM overestimates OH, NOx lifetime and ozone production efficiency by approximately 15%, 55% and 59% respectively. For the first time, by explicitly degrading the model spatial resolution we show that there is a significant reduction in model skill in accurately simulating the aforementioned quantities due to the coarse resolution of these CTMs and the non-linear nature of atmospheric chemistry. These results are significant for the assessment and forecasting of the climate impact of ship NOx and indicate that for realistic representation of ship plume emissions in CTMs, some suitable parametrisation is necessary at current global model resolutions.
The effect of different doses of intrathecal dexmedetomidine on spinal anesthesia : a meta analysis

Background: Some studies indicated dexmedetomidine had synergistic effect on spinal anesthesia when using intrathecally. Several studies also compared the effect of different doses of dexmedetomidine on spinal anesthesia. However, the results were inconsistent. We performed this meta-analysis to investigate the safety and efficacy of different doses of dexmedetomidine on spinal anesthesia. Methods: Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane library were searched. All randomized controlled trials that compared the effect of different doses of dexmedetomidine on spinal anesthesia were included. Sensory and motor block onset times, block durations, duration of analgesia, postoperative anesthetic consumption, and side effects were analyzed. Sensory block duration was our primary outcome. Meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model. Results: Nine randomized controlled trials were included in our meta-analysis. Compared with low-dose dexmedetomidine group, high-dose dexmedetomidine group prolonged sensory block duration by 36.06 min [95% CI: 33.90, 38.22, P<0.00001], decreased sensory and motor block onset times by 0.69 min [95% CI: 0.25, 1.13, P=0.002] and 0.62 min [95% CI: 0.22, 1.02, P=0.002], respectively, and prolonged motor block duration by 54.27 min [95% CI: 23.18, 85.36, P=0.0006]. High-dose dexmedetomidine also prolonged the duration of analgesia by 108.13 min [95% CI: 52.77, 163.50, P=0.0001], and decreased postoperative anesthetic consumption was decreased by 60.1 mg [95% CI: 7.83, 112.36, P<0.00001]. However, the risk of bradycardia was increased [OR, 1.91, 95% CI: 1.06, 3.43; P=0.03] in high-dose intrathecal dexmedetomidine group. Conclusion: Increasing the dose of intrathecal dexmedetomidine may prolong the action of spinal anesthesia. However, the risk of bradycardia was increased at the same time.
Sphenophorus venatus vestitus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Preference for Bermudagrass Cultivars and Endophytic Perennial Ryegrass Overseed

Sphenophorus venatus vestitus responses to 4 bermudagrass cultivars and endophytic perennial ryegrass-overseeded bermudagrass were evaluated in greenhouse tests. ‘TifEagle’ appeared to be least preferred, compared to ‘Tifway’, ‘Celebration’ and ‘Tifdwarf ’. Pots of ‘TifEagle’ overseeded with endophytic perennial ryegrass had less adult damage and no larvae, compared to that of ‘Tifway. ’ Using less susceptible cultivars and overseeding with endophytic turfgrasses can minimize billbug populations in warm season turfgrasses. Se evaluo la respuesta de Sphenophorus venatus vestitus a 4 variedades de cesped Bermuda con centeno (raigras) endofitico perenne sembrado por encima en un ensayo de invernadero. La variedad ‘TifEagle ‘parece ser menos preferida, en comparacion con las variedades ‘Tifway’, ‘Celebration’ y ‘Tifdwarf’. Las macetas de ‘TifEagle’ sembradas con centeno endofitico perenne por encima tuvieron menos dano hecho por los adultos y no tenian larvas, en comparacion con las de ‘Tifway. Al utilizar variedades menos susceptibles y sembrar los cespedes endofitos por encima puede minimizar las poblaciones del picudo en cespedes de estacion calida. View this article in BioOne
The Volatility of Bid-Ask Spreads

type="main"> This study tests whether the volatility of bid-ask spreads is positively related to expected returns. After controlling for market-risk factors, we find that the average risk-adjusted excess return for stocks in the highest spread volatility quintile is around 50 basis points per month. In a variety of multivariate tests, we find robust evidence of a return premium associated with spread volatility that is both statistically significant and economically meaningful. Our results are robust to controls for a variety of stock characteristics, different tick-size regimes, and other measures of liquidity volatility.
The effect of lead toxicity on albino rats filiform and fungiform papillae and the possible protective role of honey and black seed

Aims: (1) To investigate the histological changes in lingual papillae following lead toxicity in experimental rats. (2) To assess the possible protective effects of honey and black seed using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Materials and Methods: Forty adult male albino rats were divided into four groups, 10 rats/group. Group I (control): 1 ml distilled water. Group II (lead): 16.5 mg lead acetate. Group III (honey + lead): 16.5 mg lead acetate + 50 mg/kg honey. Group IV (black seed + lead): 16.5 mg lead acetate + 50 mg/kg black seed aqueous suspension. All doses were given by oral intubation daily/6 weeks. After 6 weeks, rats were terminated, and tongues were decimated for LM and SEM. Results: True filiform papillae in Group II were distorted. Some appeared shorter while others had eroded tips and hyperkeratosis. Areas of epithelial erosion with complete loss of papillae and keratin were seen in some samples. Disfigured fungiform papillae with swollen taste buds were seen. In Group III, filiform and fungiform papillae appeared close to normal with minimal changes. However, in Group IV papillae were distorted with hyperkeratosis and limited areas of epithelial erosions were seen. Conclusion: The atrophy observed in Group II could be explained by lead-induced oxidative stress. Lead toxicity had a dual effect where increased free radical formation together with depletion of endogenous antioxidant enzymes resulted in inflammation and increased cell injury. Lead causes anemia and decreased salivary secretion, which may explain the epithelial erosion. Honey exerted its protective role through restoring enzymatic activity and through its antioxidant mechanism. Black seed offered lower protection than honey. Increased dose and/or duration of co-administration of black seed may improve protection.
Orphan Versus Non-Orphan IPOs: The Difference Analyst Coverage Makes

This paper addresses the question of the importance of analyst coverage for the long-run returns of IPO firms over the period from 1991 to 2010. In US IPOs, during the one- to five-year horizon, we find a significant long-run abnormal performance by orphans (IPOs without analyst coverage) compared to non-orphans (IPOs with analyst coverage.Further analysis reveals that this outperformance by non-orphans stems from high analyst coverage. Our results are robust after accounting for venture capital backing, underwriting syndicates, underpricing, institutional investor ownership, or operating performance variables.
Cytopathological Study of Lymphadenopathies in Malignant Lesions: An Institutional Study

Background: To study the primary and secondary lymph node malignancy on Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC). Material and Method: A retrospective and prospective study of lymphadenopathy cases on FNAC reported in the Department of Pathology at our institute from October 2013 to May 2015. Results: The total of 217 FNAC were done of enlarged lymph nodes. Metastases were seen in 70/217 cases (32.26 %), Primary lymphoid malignancies were seen in 10/217cases (4.61%). The nonneoplastic lesions were seen in 137/217 (63.13%) cases. The most common metastatic malignancy was squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) 42/70 cases (60%), followed by duct carcinoma 12/70 cases (17.14%), metastatic adenocarcinoma cases 10/70 (14.28%). The common site involved was cervical group of lymph node in 65/80 cases (81.25%) for lymph node malignancies. Conclusion: FNAC of lymphadenopathy is a useful method for diagnosing primary and secondary malignancies of lymph node. In our study most common age group affected by malignant lesions was 61-70 years with male predominance. The most common metastatic lesion observed was squamous cell carcinoma. The cervical group of lymph node was the common site for metastatic lesions.
Board Size and Corporate Financial Performance: An Investigation

This paper examines the association between board size and corporate financial performance using data on 504 corporations belonging to 18 industries. The results suggest that the size of the board plays an important role in influencing the financial performance of corporations. The analysis shows that the performance improves if the board size increases, but the contribution of an additional board member decreases as the size of the corporation increases. The results, however, fail to indicate any significant role of directors' equity ownership in influencing the performance.
Magnetic field evolution in interacting galaxies

Aims. Violent gravitational interactions can change the morphologies of galaxies and, by means of merging, transform them into elliptical galaxies. We aim to investigate how they affect the evolution of galactic magnetic fields. Methods. We selected 16 systems of interacting galaxies with available VLA archive radio data at 4.86 and 1.4 GHz and compared their radio emission and estimated magnetic field strengths with their star-forming activity, far-infrared emission, and the stage of tidal interaction. Results. The estimated mean of total magnetic field strength for our sample of interacting galaxies is 14 ± 5 μG, which is larger than for the non-interacting objects. The field regularity (of 0.27 ± 0.09) is lower than in typical spirals and indicates enhanced production of random magnetic fields in the interacting objects. We find a general evolution of magnetic fields: for weak interactions the strength of magnetic field is almost constant (10−15 μG) as interaction advances, then it increases up to 2×, peaks at the nuclear coalescence (25 μG), and decreases again, down to 5−6 μG, for the post-merger remnants. The main production of magnetic fields in colliding galaxies thus terminates somewhere close to the nuclear coalescence, after which magnetic field diffuses. The magnetic field strength for whole galaxies is weakly affected by the star formation rate (SFR), while the dependence is higher for galactic centres. We show that the morphological distortions visible in the radio total and polarized emission do not depend statistically on the global or local SFRs, while they do increase (especially in the polarization) with the advance of interaction. The constructed radio-far-infrared relations for interacting and non-interacting galaxies display a similar balance between the generation of cosmic rays, magnetic fields, and the production of the thermal energy and dust radiation. Conclusions. The regular magnetic fields are much more sensitive to morphological distortions induced by tidal interactions than are the random fields. As a result the polarized emission could be yet another indicator of an ongoing merging process. The found evolution of magnetic field with advancing interaction would definitely imply a stronger effect of magnetic fields on the galaxy surroundings in the earlier cosmological epochs. The process of strong gravitational interactions can efficiently magnetize the merger’s surroundings, having a similar magnetizing effect on intergalactic medium as supernova explosions or galactic winds. If interacting galaxies generate some ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECRs), the disk or magnetized outflows can deflect them (up to 23 ◦ ), and make an association of the observed UHECRs with the sites of their origin very uncertain.