Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mental health among college students a year after COVID-19 outbreak in Israel: The association between wellbeing and anxiety.

Objective: To evaluate anxiety and well-being among college students. Participants: The sample comprised 366 college students who responded to an online survey In January 2021. Methods: An online survey included demographics, a 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), and a 14-item Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF) measuring well-being. Results: Findings revealed low self-rated well-being compared to the general population. The mean anxiety level was 8.89, and 39% of respondents showed moderate to severe anxiety. Negative correlations were found between well-being and anxiety. A regression model showed that students who live with their parents, had been diagnosed with COVID-19, and have low emotional well-being scores, are at risk of suffering from anxiety (R2=0.32, F = 53, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Student mental health is significantly affected by the pandemic and should be carefully monitored. It is crucial to provide timely psychological support to prevent negative long-term implications of the crisis on student mental health.
RNA interference targeting EphA 2 inhibits proliferation , induces apoptosis , and cooperates with cytotoxic drugs in human glioma cells

Background: Overexpression of EphA2 was detected in lowand high-grade glioma. To examine Abbreviations: A methylcoumarin; AC DEVD-CHO, DEVDa PBS, phosphate-buffe 123; RTK, receptor ty small interfering RNA ⁎ Corresponding a E-mail address: zh 0090-3019/$ – see fro doi:10.1016/j.surneu. 2 the role of EphA2 in human glioma cells, we studied its effects on proliferation and apoptosis using gene silencing through RNA interference. Methods: One siRNA targetingEphA2genewas synthesized in vitro andwas transfected into the glioma U251n cells. Expression of EphA2 proteins was detected by Western blots and immunofluorescence. Cell apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential were analyzed by flow cytometry and annexin-V/ fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide, respectively. Caspase-3 activity was measured by a spectrofluorometer. MTT assay was used to examine changes in cell proliferation. Results: After treatment with sequence-specific siRNA targeting EphA2, the protein level of the transfected group decreased significantly. As compared to non-siRNA transfected cells, the transfected group showed lower proliferation, higher apoptosis, and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. Caspase-3 activity increased in cells treated with siRNA and downregulated when treated with caspase-3 inhibitor. And the effects were clearly additive when siRNA transfected cells treated with the anticancer agents. Conclusions: The results suggest that EphA2-siRNA inhibit U251n cell proliferation and induce their apoptosis. It is possible that EphA2 via mitochondrial and caspase-3 inhibits U251n cell apoptosis. And EphA2-siRNA transfection enhances U251n cells' sensitivity to chemotherapy. EphA2 may be an effective therapeutic target in patients with glioma. Silencing the receptor EphA2 gene is a novel approach for the containment of growth and migration of tumor in patients with malignant glioma. © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Hemispherical structure in inner core velocity anisotropy

[1] We investigate the hemispherical pattern in inner core velocity anisotropy using a new and independent high-quality data set of PKPbc-PKPdf and PKPab-PKPdf body wave observations. Our data show no evidence for a tilted anisotropy axis with respect to the Earth's rotation axis and is significantly better fit by a model with 4.4% anisotropy in the western hemisphere and only 1.0% in the eastern hemisphere than by a model of uniform anisotropy. We carry out variance minimization and find the boundaries between the hemispheres at lines of constant longitude at 14°E and 151°W. Variance minimization enables us to extract the imprint of hemispherical structure from all of the data, and not just polar paths, resulting in boundaries which are nearly 30° from the results of previous studies. The high quality of the data allows us to provide robust evidence that the isotropic velocity in the eastern hemisphere is 0.2% lower than in the western hemisphere in the top 660 km of the inner core. Our data set also suggests an increase in inner core anisotropy in the eastern hemisphere from 1% to around 6% at depths deeper than 660 km, indicating that the hemispherical pattern in anisotropy may disappear at greater depths. The presence of hemispherical structure rules out mechanisms for creating anisotropy which are unable to sustain longitudinal variations in the inner core. Furthermore, steady inner core superrotation of the order of 0.1°/year would eradicate the hemispherical differences, though inner core oscillation would still be permissible.
Wavelet-based detection of outliers in volatility models

Outliers in financial data can lead to model parameter estimation biases, invalid inferences and poor volatility forecasts. Therefore, their detection and correction should be taken seriously when modeling financial data. This paper focuses on these issues and proposes a general detection and correction method based on wavelets that can be applied to a large class of volatility models. The effectiveness of our proposal is tested by an intensive Monte Carlo study for six well known volatility models and compared to alternative proposals in the literature, before applying it to three daily stock market indexes. The Monte Carlo experiments show that our method is both very effective in detecting isolated outliers and outlier patches and much more reliable than other wavelet-based procedures since it detects a significant smaller number of false outliers.
Evaluation and updating of slope reliability (with particular reference to optimization and probabilistic analysis)

The research work detailed in this thesis is mainly aimed at two aspects, i.e. (a). assessments of slope reliability considering both deterministic and probabilistic approaches, and (b). updating of slope reliability by reducing the contribution of systematic errors. Currently, the determination of critical slip surfaces within a probabilistic framework and the influence of systematic errors on calculated reliability are areas requiring further development. This research addresses these problems and provides appropriate and systematic approaches in these areas. Four commonly used deterministic models have been employed in this research. Difficulties in convergence associated with the original Janbu generalized method have been addressed by the proposed modified Janbu method. The convergence of the modified Janbu generalized method developed in this thesis is generally rapid. Based on previously published examples, it is found that the calculation results are in good agreement with those based on other reliable methods. An extra effort made by the writer on the modified method is the determination of the position and depth of tension cracks. The effects of tension cracks on slope stability have been considered during the search for the critical slip surfaces. Critical slip surfaces identified without considering the possible formation of tension cracks are found to be different from those identified when cracks are considered as part of the search
Defocusing of null rays in infinite derivative gravity

Einstein's General theory of relativity permits spacetime singularities, where null geodesic congruences focus in the presence of matter, which satisfies an appropriate energy condition. In this paper, we provide a minimal defocusing condition for null congruences without assuming any ansatz-dependent background solution. The two important criteria are: (1) an additional scalar degree of freedom, besides the massless graviton must be introduced into the spacetime; and (2) an infinite derivative theory of gravity is required in order to avoid tachyons or ghosts in the graviton propagator. In this regard, our analysis strengthens earlier arguments for constructing non-singular bouncing cosmologies within an infinite derivative theory of gravity, without assuming any ansatz to solve the full equations of motion.
Learning, Training, and Development in Organizations: Emerging Trends, Recent Advances, and Future Directions

Dramatic changes have occurred in learning, training, and development in organizations in recent years. This chapter examines the implications of these changes for research in four areas: (1) training design and delivery, (2) team training and development, (3) training transfer, and (4) training evaluation. We suggest that research in these areas not only has been most heavily impacted by recent trends in training and development but also can help guide the field as it responds to emerging opportunities and challenges. We review recent research that advances our understanding of how to design and deliver training to meet the needs of a changing workplace, utilize training and development to influence team effectiveness, increase the transfer of training to the job, and strengthen efforts to evaluate the effectiveness training and development initiatives. We also discuss directions for future research aimed at ensuring that the science of training keeps pace with changes in training practice. Learning, Training, and Development 3 Learning, Training, and Development in Organizations: Emerging Trends, Recent Advances, and Future Directions In recent years, learning, training, and development in organizations has changed dramatically. Once considered a tangential activity, training and development initiatives are now viewed as playing a critical role in the development of human capital resources and an organization’s ability to gain competitive advantage (Noe, Clarke, and Klein, 2014). A recent survey of chief learning officers (CLOs) found that, over the next year, 82% expect training to become even more aligned with company objectives and 70% project that it will grow more valuable to the success of their organization (Anderson, 2015). This increase in strategic importance has been accompanied by greater spending on training and development. The American Society for Training and Development (ASTD), for example, estimated that in 2012 organizations spent $164.2 billion on employee training, or about 1.3 percent of their revenue (Miller, 2013). Over half of CLOs also expect their budget to increase in the coming year
Title Oral health status and behaviours of preschool children in HongKong

Background: Dental caries is a major public health problem in many countries. Since the last territority-wide dental survey of Hong Kong preschool children was conducted in 2001, a survey to update the information is necessary. This study aimed to describe the dental caries experience of preschool children in Hong Kong and factors affecting their dental caries status. Methods: A stratified random sample of children from seven kindergartens in Hong Kong was surveyed in 2009. Ethical approval from IRB and parental consent was obtained. Clinical examinations of the children were performed by two calibrated examiners using disposable dental mirrors, an intra-oral LED light and ball-ended periodontal probes. A questionnaire to investigate possible explanatory factors for caries status was completed by the children’s parents. Caries experience was recorded using the dmft index. Multifactor-ANOVA was used to study the relationship between dental caries experience, and the background and oral health-related behaviours of the children. Results: Seven hundred children (53% boys), mean age 5.3 ± 0.7 years were examined. The mean dmft score of the surveyed children was 2.2 and 51% of them had no caries experience (dmft = 0). Most (>95%) of the decayed teeth were untreated. Statistically significant correlations were found between dental caries experience of the children and their oral health-related habits, family income, parental education level and parental dental knowledge. Conclusions: Early childhood dental caries was prevalent among the preschool children in Hong Kong. Their caries experience was associated with their oral health-related behaviours, socio-economic background, and parental education and dental knowledge.
LGG-64. A Phase II Study of Pegylated Interferon in Children with Recurrent or Refractory and Radiographically or Clinically Progressive Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytomas and Optic Pathway Gliomas (NCT02343224)

Abstract Unresectable Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytomas (JPA) and Optic Pathway gliomas (OPG) are chronic diseases that can have solid +/- cystic components. We wanted to evaluate the objective response to pegylated interferon Alpha2B in this group of patients in a prospective single arm Phase II clinical trial. Eligibility criteria: age 3 -25 years, patients with neurofibromatosis (NF) were eligible, evidence of measurable disease in MRI, no limitation in the number of prior therapies including chemotherapy and radiation. Exclusion criteria: prior pegylated interferon exposure, less than 2 years from radiation, active autoimmune disease. Subjects enrolled received pegylated interferon 1 mcg/kg/dose SQ weekly, to a max dose of 150mcg/dose in 28 day cycles for up to 2 years. The study design is a Simon two stage design. If no complete or partial responses among the first 9 patients, the study will terminate. Nine subjects enrolled: 4 females, 5 males, median age of 11years, 6 Caucasians, 3 African Americans. Two subjects with NF. Molecular findings KIAA-BRAF fusion (6), V600E mutation (1), CDK2A loss (1). Location: brain (7), brain and spine (2). We enrolled a heavily pre-treated population, patients with prior radiation ( 1), nine with prior chemotherapy, the average number of regimens 4 (range 2-6). No complete responses or partial responses were seen. Two patients with prolonged stable disease 75+months and 66+ months. At 12 and 24 month EFS 76.2% (95%CI52.1-100%). Median EFS has not been reached. The 12 and 24 months survival estimate 75% (95% CI 50.3-100%), median survival has not been reached. Side effects as expected mostly grade 1-2. No grade 4 event related to pegylated interferon were seen. This is the first report of pegylated interferon in OPG and JPA, two patients with prolonged stable disease suggesting that pegylated interferon can offer potential benefit in this population and additional studies are important.
First-principles theory of nonlocal screening in graphene

Using the quasiparticle self-consistent GW (QSGW) and local-density (LD) approximations, we calculate the q-dependent static dielectric function, and derive an effective 2D dielectric function corresponding to screening of point charges. In the q-to-0 limit, the 2D function is found to scale approximately as the square root of the macroscopic dielectric function. Its value is ~4, a factor approximately 1.5 larger than predictions of Dirac model. Both kinds of dielectric functions depend strongly on q, in contrast with the Dirac model. The QSGW approximation is shown to describe QP levels very well, with small systematic errors analogous to bulk sp semiconductors. Local-field effects are rather more important in graphene than in bulk semiconductors.
GLACiAR, an Open-Source Python Tool for Simulations of Source Recovery and Completeness in Galaxy Surveys

Abstract The luminosity function is a fundamental observable for characterising how galaxies form and evolve throughout the cosmic history. One key ingredient to derive this measurement from the number counts in a survey is the characterisation of the completeness and redshift selection functions for the observations. In this paper, we present GLACiAR, an open python tool available on GitHub to estimate the completeness and selection functions in galaxy surveys. The code is tailored for multiband imaging surveys aimed at searching for high-redshift galaxies through the Lyman-break technique, but it can be applied broadly. The code generates artificial galaxies that follow Sérsic profiles with different indexes and with customisable size, redshift, and spectral energy distribution properties, adds them to input images, and measures the recovery rate. To illustrate this new software tool, we apply it to quantify the completeness and redshift selection functions for J-dropouts sources (redshift z ~ 10 galaxies) in the Hubble Space Telescope Brightest of Reionizing Galaxies Survey. Our comparison with a previous completeness analysis on the same dataset shows overall agreement, but also highlights how different modelling assumptions for the artificial sources can impact completeness estimates.
Change of outgassing pattern of 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko during the March 2016 equinox as seen by ROSINA

As the spin axis of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko (67P) is not normal to the orbital plane, 67P has strong seasonal changes in the illumination conditions on the nucleus’ surface, with a short and intense summer in the Southern hemisphere. We have been monitoring these seasonal variations in the gas coma with the Rosetta Orbiter Spectrometer for Ion and Neutral Analysis (ROSINA) instrument suite aboard the ESA's Rosetta spacecraft. Rosetta followed 67P from its rendezvous in 2014 August, from a distance of almost 3.5 au to Sun, through perihelion at 1.24 au, and away from Sun again. In this study, we present the change of outgassing pattern during the 2016 March equinox based on measurements acquired with the ROSINA instruments: while H2O, O2 and NH3 abundances rapidly decreased during this period, CO2, CO, H2S, CH4 and HCN abundances decreased much less and showed a strong south–north heterogeneity for the whole period, thus not following Sun. Sublimation temperatures of the pure ices are found to be uncorrelated with the slope of the decrease for the minor species. This can be interpreted as a consequence of two different ice phases, water ice and CO2 ice, in which the minor species are embedded in different relative abundances.
The GRBs Hubble diagram in quintessential cosmological models

It has been recently empirically established that some of the directly observed pa- rameters of GRBs are correlated with their important intrinsic parameters, like the luminosity or the total radiated energy. These correlations were derived, tested and used to standardize GRBs, i.e., to derive their luminosity or radiated energy from one or more observables, in order to construct an estimated fiducial Hubble diagram, assuming that radiation propagates in the standard LambdaCDM cosmological model. We extend these analyses by considering more general models of dark energy, and an updated data set of high redshift GRBs. We show that the correlation parameters only weakly depend on the cosmological model. Moreover we apply a local regression technique to estimate, in a model independent way, the distance modulus from the recently updated SNIa sample containing 307 SNIa (Astier et al. 2006), in order to calibrate the GRBs 2D correlations, considering only GRBs with z <1.4. The derived calibration parameters are used to construct a new GRBs Hubble diagram, which we call the calibrated GRBs HD. We also compare the estimated and calibrated GRBs HDs. It turns out that for the common GRBs they are fully statistically consistent, thus indicating that both of them are not affected by any systematic bias induced by the different standardizing procedures. We finally apply our methods to calibrate 95 long GRBs with the well-known Amati relation and construct the estimated and calibrated GRBs Hubble diagram that extends to redshifts z ~ 8. Even in this case there is consistency between these datasets. This means that the high redshift GRBs can be used to test different models of dark energy. We used the calibrated GRBs HD to constrain our quintessential cosmological model and derived the likelihood values of Omega_m and w(0).
EFFECTIVENESS OF COMMUNICATION STYLE IN PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL SYSTEMS

According to performance appraisal literature, communication style is often viewed as an essential decision tool that may be used by managers to evaluate and develop employee performance. The ability of appraisers (e.g., immediate boss, manager or supervisor) to properly implement feedback and treatment in allocating performance ratings may have a significant impact on appraises’ feelings of procedural justice. The nature of this relationship is interesting, but the role of communication style as an effective predicting variable is given less emphasized in performance appraisal models. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the effect of communication style in performance appraisal systems on procedural justice using 129 usable questionnaires gathered from employees who work in a Malaysian federal government linked postal company. The outcomes of stepwise regression analysis revealed two important findings: firstly, feedback significantly correlated with procedural justice. Secondly, treatment significantly correlated with procedural justice. Statistically, this result confirms that communication style in performance appraisal systems does act as an important determinant of procedural justice in the organizational sample. In addition, discussion, implications and conclusion are elaborated.
Thermal transport across metal silicide-silicon interfaces: An experimental comparison between epitaxial and nonepitaxial interfaces

Silicides are used extensively in nano- and microdevices due to their low electrical resistivity, low contact resistance to silicon, and their process compatibility. In this work, the thermal interface conductance of TiSi$_2$, CoSi$_2$, NiSi and PtSi are studied using time-domain thermoreflectance. Exploiting the fact that most silicides formed on Si(111) substrates grow epitaxially, while most silicides on Si(100) do not, we study the effect of epitaxy, and show that for a wide variety of interfaces there is no difference in the thermal interface conductance of epitaxial and non-epitaxial silicide/silicon interfaces. The effect of substrate carrier concentration is also investigated over a wide range of p- and n-type doping, and is found to be independent of carrier concentration, regardless of whether the interface is epitaxial and regardless of silicide type. In the case of epitaxial CoSi$_2$, a comparison of temperature dependant experimental data is made with two detailed computational models using (1) full-dispersion diffuse mismatch modeling (DMM) including the effect of near-interfacial strain and (2) an atomistic Green' function (AGF) approach that integrates near-interface changes in the interatomic force constants obtained through density functional perturbation theory. At temperatures above 100K, the AGF approach greatly underpredicts the CoSi$_2$ data, while the DMM prediction matches the data well. The full-dispersion DMM is also found to closely predict the experimentally observed temperature-dependent interface conductance for epitaxial NiSi/Si and non-epitaxial TiSi$_2$/Si interfaces. In the case of epitaxial PtSi/Si interfaces, full dispersion DMM significantly overpredicts the experimental data.