Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HAT-P-56b: AN INFLATED MASSIVE HOT JUPITER TRANSITING A BRIGHT F STAR FOLLOWED UP WITH K2 CAMPAIGN 0 OBSERVATIONS

We report the discovery of HAT-P-56b by the HATNet survey, an inflated hot Jupiter transiting a bright F-type star in Field 0 of NASA's K2 mission. We combine ground-based discovery and follow-up light curves with high precision photometry from K2, as well as ground-based radial velocities from the Tillinghast Reflector Echelle Spectrograph on the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory 1.5 m telescope to determine the physical properties of this system. HAT-P-56b has a mass of 2.18 M J ? > , radius of 1.47 R J ? > , and transits its host star on a near-grazing orbit with a period of 2.7908 day. The radius of HAT-P-56b is among the largest known for a planet with M p > 2 ? > M J ? > . The host star has a V-band magnitude of 10.9, mass of 1.30 M ☉ ? > , and radius of 1.43 R ☉ ? > . The periodogram of the K2 light curve suggests that the star is a γ Dor variable. HAT-P-56b is an example of a ground-based discovery of a transiting planet, where space-based observations greatly improve the confidence in the confirmation of its planetary nature, and also improve the accuracy of the planetary parameters.
Could Lean Practices and the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) Improve the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem of Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises?

: The concept of a Lean Business Model (LBM) is derived from the Business Model Canvas (BMC), which is primarily focused on well-established businesses. However, in a competitive environment typiﬁed by Schumpeterian waves of creative destruction, new businesses in the entrepreneurial ecosystem face the strategic challenge of constantly adapting and evolving alongside well-established companies. This proposes that the threat of newcomer disruption may affect all types of organisations, including small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly small and young businesses. The presence of SMEs is one of the most crucial factors in the growth of Malaysia’s economy. Although SMEs contribute signiﬁcantly to the economy, do they provide a better entrepreneurial ecosystem? This study aims to conceptualise how the integration of lean business and the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) might improve the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Malaysia. The development of this model will be conducted using a triangulation of qualitative data sources comprising document analysis, interviews, and archival records. The validity of the ﬁndings will be examined based on the dimensions of trustworthiness to ensure that data obtained are accurate and reliable. The anticipated results of this study may show the impact of a new hybrid between lean business and the TRIZ model on the Malaysian SMEs entrepreneurial ecosystem. This new model will provide fresh insights into ways to transform the entrepreneurial ecosystem in line with the National Entrepreneurial Policy (NEP) 2030. Furthermore, the SMEs can be strengthened for the purpose of expanding their proportion of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and exports, not just locally but also globally.
Gene Expression Analyses Reveal Mechanisms of Inhibited Yellowing by Applying Selenium-Chitosan on Fresh-Cut Broccoli

The yellowing of green broccoli is a phenomenon that indicates a serious deterioration of freshness. The green broccoli has been more popular than the yellow one, with its higher nutritional value. Chitosan coating has been employed in vegetables for green-keeping, owing to its functions of regulating chlorophyll metabolism and antioxidant defense. Furthermore, selenium was commonly utilized in the pre-harvest of fruit and vegetables as an antioxidant and chlorophyll regulator. However, there have not yet been concerns about the effects of selenium-chitosan on vegetable yellowing. This study first investigated the impact of selenium-chitosan on the quality of fresh-cut broccoli yellowing during storage by analyzing the chromatic aberration and phytochromes. Additionally, then, the gene expression related to chlorophyll metabolism (POR, CAO, HO, CHLI, NYC1), carotenoid metabolism (VDE, CCS, LCYE, ZEP, HYD), and transcription factors (NAC92, ZIPPER, bHLH66, APL, PIF4) were analyzed using the RT-qPCR technique. Test results showed that treatment with selenium-chitosan can slow down the reduction in h° (Hue angle values) and reduce ethylene release rate and respiration intensity. Via the molecular approach, it was further identified that this treatment could inhibit chlorophyll degradation and carotenoid biosynthesis, accompanied by lower expression levels of heme oxygenase (HO), chlorophyllide A oxygenase (CAO), violaxanthin de-epoxidase (VDE), β-carotene 3-hydroxylase (HYD), NAC92, basic leucine zipper (ZIPPER), bHLH66, PIF4 and APL, and higher expression levels of magnesium chelatase subunit I (CHLI) and lycopene ε-cyclase (LCYE) genes. This work can be used to explore the molecular mechanism of selenium-chitosan in inhibiting the yellowing of fresh-cut broccoli. This study will be of great economic importance in marketing and export by increasing the shelf life of fruits and vegetables.
Mushroom β-Glucan Recovered from Antler-Type Fruiting Body of Ganoderma lucidum by Enzymatic Process and Its Potential Biological Activities for Cosmeceutical Applications

Mushrooms are incredibly valuable macro fungi that are an important and integral part of the ecosystem. In addition to being used as cuisine, mushrooms have been used for medicinal purposes for many centuries. This research applied a process for recovering β-glucan (BG) from the antler-type fruiting body of Ganoderma lucidum as well as tested the biological activities related to cosmeceutical applications. The characterization of complex structure was performed by fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (MNR) spectroscopies. The obtained extract contained 40.57% BG and 7.47% protein, with the detectable bioactivities of anti-tyrosinase and antioxidation. Consequently, it showed the activity that can be used to whiten the skin by reducing or inhibiting the process of skin pigmentation. The BG also showed moderate activities of anti-collagenase, anti-elastase, and anti-hyaluronidase. The test by the HET-CAM confirmed no skin irritation of the complex extract. Based on human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) test, the BG had no significant inhibiting effect on cell viability. In addition, the obtained BG had functional properties higher than commercially available BG, especially oil-binding capacity. These findings provided new insights into the potential application of G. lucidum BG as a polymeric material in the cosmeceutical industries.
SPITZER VIEW OF YOUNG MASSIVE STARS IN THE LARGE MAGELLANIC CLOUD H ii COMPLEXES. II. N 159

The H ii complex N 159 in the Large Magellanic Cloud is used to study massive star formation in different environments, as it contains three giant molecular clouds (GMCs) that have similar sizes and masses but exhibit different intensities of star formation. We identify candidate massive young stellar objects (YSOs) using infrared photometry, and model their spectral energy distributions to constrain mass and evolutionary state. Good fits are obtained for less evolved Type I, I/II, and II sources. Our analysis suggests that there are massive embedded YSOs in N 159B, a maser source, and several ultracompact H ii regions. Massive O-type YSOs are found in GMCs N 159-E and N 159-W, which are associated with ionized gas, i.e., where massive stars formed a few Myr ago. The third GMC, N 159-S, has neither O-type YSOs nor evidence of previous massive star formation. This correlation between current and antecedent formation of massive stars suggests that energy feedback is relevant. We present evidence that N 159-W is forming YSOs spontaneously, while collapse in N 159-E may be triggered. Finally, we compare star formation rates determined from YSO counts with those from integrated Hα and 24 μm luminosities and expected from gas surface densities. Detailed dissection of extragalactic GMCs like the one presented here is key to revealing the physics underlying commonly used star formation scaling laws.
Efficacy predictors of third-generation cephalosporins in treating spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

Objective: Third-generation cephalosporins (3rd GCs) have recently become controversial as the first-line strategy for empirical spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) treatment. This study aimed to identify SBP treatment efficacy predictors of 3rd GCs. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 279 cirrhosis patients with SBP who received 3rd GC monotherapy for initial empirical treatment from 2013 to 2019 were included. Nonresponse was defined as a decreased ascites polymorphonuclear (PMN) count < 25% from baseline after 48 hours of antibacterial treatment. Multivariate regression analysis was used to identify efficacy predictors of 3rd GCs in treating SBP. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to evaluate survival data. Results: The nonresponder group included 120 patients with no response, and the responder group included 159 patients with responses. The response rate to 3rd GCs was 57.0% among all patients. The common pathogens were Escherichia coli (40.6%), Staphylococcus (15.6%), Klebsiella pneumonia (12.5%), and Streptococcus (12.5%) in 32 ascites culture isolates. Nosocomial SBP (NSBP) (odds ratio [OR]: 2.371, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.323–4.249, P = .004), pneumonia (OR: 11.561, 95% CI: 1.876–71.257, P = .008), recurrent SBP (OR: 3.386, 95% CI: 1.804–6.357, P < .001), platelet count (≥113.5 × 109/L) (OR: 3.515, 95% CI: 1.973–6.263, P < .001), and ascites PMN count (≤0.760 × 109/L) (OR: 4.967, 95% CI: 2.553–9.663, P < .001) were independent predictors of nonresponse to 3rd GCs against SBP. Survival plot analysis at 30 days showed worse survival for the nonresponders (P = .003). Conclusion: NSBP, pneumonia, recurrent SBP, increased platelet count, and lower ascites PMN count were independent predictors of nonresponse to 3rd GC in treating SBP. Nonresponse to initial antibiotic treatment was associated with worse survival.
Art therapy as an adjuvant treatment for schizophrenia: A protocol for an updated systematic review and subgroup meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials following the PRISMA guidelines

Background: The efficacy of art therapy as an adjuvant treatment for schizophrenia remains inconclusive, and variation in the effects of art therapy on schizophrenia by the type of schizophrenia, severity of schizophrenia, type of art therapy, follow-up duration, or different populations has never been systematically assessed. The objective of this study is to systematically evaluate the effects of art therapy on schizophrenia and to determine whether there are some potential influencing factors affecting the effects of art therapy. Methods: Seven online databases will be searched from their inception until June 30, 2022. All the relevant randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing art therapy plus standardized treatment versus standardized treatment alone for schizophrenia will be selected and assessed for inclusion. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool will be used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included RCTs. Review Manager 5.4 will be used to analyze all the data obtained. Mental health symptoms are defined as the primary outcome, and the secondary outcomes include the Global Assessment of Functioning score, quality of life, functional remission, and the level of self-esteem. Subgroup analyses will be performed based on the type of schizophrenia, severity of schizophrenia, type of art therapy, follow-up duration, or different populations. Results: The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Conclusions: This updated systematic review and subgroup meta-analysis will evaluate the effects of art therapy as adjunctive treatment to standardized treatment in patients with schizophrenia and determine whether there are some potential confounding variables affecting the effects of art therapy on the outcomes of schizophrenia patients, thus strengthening the evidence base for the clinical application of this combination therapy for schizophrenia.
Incremental excess of PM components and sources between two adjacent sites of Bogotá, Colombia

(15%). orgánico regional PM 2.5 provenientes amazónica. La contribución regional de aerosol inorgánico secundario fue mayor con vientos provenientes del Valle del Magdalena. Los métodos presentados este trabajo serán útiles en otras megaciudades y grandes ciudades para gestionar mejor los impactos de las fuentes locales y regionales de contaminación del aire. ABSTRACT Air pollution in towns adjacent to and downwind of large cities can be similar or even higher than in the city itself. In the case of towns constituting the greater Bogotá area, with more than half a million inhabitants and strong industrial activity, little is known about the factors that affect their poor air quality. This work investigated the incremental excess of the composition and source contribution to PM 2.5 in two sites near Bogotá (Soacha: 4º35’4.59” wood combustion (23%), diesel vehicles (19%), and coal combustion at small facilities (11%). At Mosquera, they were gasoline vehicles (26%), diesel vehicles (19%), and coal combustion at small inefficient facilities (15%). The contribution of regional secondary organic aerosol to PM 2.5 was significant (19% and 15%), arriving mostly from the Orinoco basin but higher in air masses arriving from the Amazon rainforest. The regional contribution to secondary inorganic aerosols was higher with winds from the Magdalena Valley. The methods presented in this manuscript will be useful in other megacities and large cities to better manage impacts of local and regional air pollution sources.
Surface photometry and metallicity of the polar ring galaxy A0136-0801

We present a photometric and spectroscopic study of the polar ring galaxy A0136-0801 in order to constrain its formation history. Near-Infrared (NIR) and optical imaging data are used to extract surface brightness and color profiles of the host galaxy and the wide polar structure in A0136-0801. The host galaxy dominates the light emission in all bands; the polar structure is more luminous in the optical bands and is three times more extended than the main spheroid. The average stellar population in the spheroid is redder than in the polar structure and we use their (B-K) vs. (J-K) colors to constraint the ages of these populations using stellar population synthesis models. The inferred ages are 3-5 Gyrs for the spheroid and 1-3 Gyrs for the polar structure. We then use long slit spectra along the major axis of the polar structure to derive the emission line ratios and constrain the oxygen abundance, metallicity and star formation rate in this component. We find 12+log(O/H) = 8.33 +- 0.43 and Z ~ 0.32 Zsun, using emission line ratios. These values are used, together with the ratio of the baryonic masses of the host galaxy and polar structure, to constraint the possible models for the formation scenario. We conclude that the tidal accretion of gas from a gas rich donor or the disruption of a gas-rich satellite are formation mechanisms that may lead to systems with physical parameters in agreement with those measured for A0136-0801.
Land grabbing assessment using satellite imagery: a case study in Romania

Land grabbing is a worldwide issue that may lead to consequences like environmental damages, exploitation of workers or illegal transactions. Thus, a good understanding of this phenomenon and its actual state is a crucial challenge. We argue that land grabbing implies large-scale land deals and that the evolution of landscape structure and more especially the size of these landscape elements in related to land grabbing. In this Master thesis, land grabbing assessment in Romania, using satellite imagery and remote sensing methods is proposed. In this work, the proposed methodology consists of four main stages: noise removal, image segmentation, morphological operation and size computation of patches considered as crops. The proposed algorithm is applied on Landsat satellite imagery of 2006 and 2016. The algorithm is implemented and the data acquired using Google Earth Engine, online platform launched in 2010 that provides algorithms and computation skills. Change detection between these years is then obtained and repeated for four different places throughout Romania. This process reveals that the suggested workflow yield patches considered as crops very close to Landsat image and good results in assessing changes in spatial arrangements of these patches. It also clearly shows an evolution of the sizes of the patches considered as crops over the years with globally a decrease of small-scale patches and increase of large-scale patches. This evolution yield to new insight into land grabbing in Romania. Patches statistics are finally compared with official Romanian statistics and this comparison reveals that the proposed methodology may lead to some imperfections mainly due the choice of the parameters of the algorithm based on best-fitting visual results. This suggests interesting perspectives for the future, especially thinking about parameters validation and automatic classification. Myriam Eggerschwiler – Master Thesis
Serum Zinc Ion Concentration Associated with Coronary Heart Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Aim Coronary heart disease is a major cause of mortality in developed and developing countries. Changes in the trace element concentration in the human body are one of the main reasons for the transition of the human body from a healthy to a diseased state. In this meta-analysis, we have studied the relationship between the reduction in serum zinc ion concentration and coronary heart disease. Methods We used PubMed and Cochrane (as of June 30, 2021) databases for the literature search. Per the requirements of this systematic review, case-control studies involving serum zinc ion concentration and coronary heart disease were searched, and the quality of the included studies was evaluated before the meta-analysis. Results A total of 3,981 cases were found across seven articles. The standard mean deviation (SMD) of serum zinc ion concentration was −0.22 [−0.28, −0.15], z = 6.52, and P < 0.05 indicated that the difference was statistically significant. The forest plot results show that I2 = 34% < 50%, and the Q test showed P=0.17 > 0.1. These results suggest a lack of heterogeneity among the selected articles. Results from the funnel chart indicated that this study was free from publication bias. Conclusion The results of this meta-analysis reveal that a decrease in serum zinc ion concentration is related to the occurrence of coronary heart disease. Clinically, monitoring the serum zinc ion levels is proven to be of great significance for patients with coronary heart disease.
An alternative to standardizing predictors in the LASSO with an eye on selection psychology

A job application process often includes a test battery with several skills and personality tests. The performance on these tests is used to predict an overall job performance score and can help decide whether or not to hire someone. Prediction based on a test battery is often done by ordinary least-squares (OLS) models. OLS models try to correctly explain the relationship between the dependent variable and the tests itself. However, prediction is also important when you want to select the best candidates. OLS models are not sparse and often have high variance, thus it may not be the best model in terms of prediction. To improve prediction, machine learning methods, such as the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression, can be used. The LASSO adds bias to estimates and reduces variance to improve prediction. One disadvantage of LASSO regression is that its not scale invariant in the predictors. Therefore, predictors are standardized, typically by using the observed-score variance. In psychological tests, scores consist of two parts: the error part and the true-score part. The observed-score variance thus also consists of two parts: error variance and true-score variance. The true-score variance part is the most important part for prediction. However, the error variance part can cloud the eﬀect of the true-score variance and inﬂuences whether a test is present in the prediction of the LASSO or not. This study examines two alternatives to standardization by the observed-score variance for the LASSO. The ﬁrst one standardizes by the true-score variance, to minimize the eﬀect of the error variance in the statistical model for variable selection. The second alternative is a transformation by the ordinary least-squares coeﬃcient, based on the nonnegative garrote model, to add explanatory value to the model and overshadow the eﬀect of the error variance. We examine the truthfulness of variable selection, truthfulness of coeﬃcient size, and prediction accuracy through simulation with multiple scenarios of design factors. Design factors include number of observations, reliabilities of the tests, covariance between latent variables and the number of true nonzero regression coeﬃcient. The methods were also compared with respect to an empirical data set of test results for psychological trait tests measuring general mental health to determine LASSO.
Combining maximum likelihood and maximum a posteriori estimation for detailed acoustic modeling of context dependency

An algorithm is proposed to build large, highly detailed acoustic models for context dependent units using a limited amount of training data. Robustness of the parameter estimates in face of data sparsity is addressed by using MAP distribution smoothing. Context dependent distributions are ﬁrst clustered using a decision tree-based algorithm with an ML objective. These decision trees are then extended using a MAP objective. Experimental results show an absolute reduction in the word error rate of 0.7% by extending an existing state of the art ML trained context dependent model.
Intratympanic Administration of Dieckol Prevents Ototoxic Hearing Loss

Objective. Systemic administration of dieckol reportedly ameliorates acute hearing loss. In this study, dieckol was delivered to the inner ear by the intratympanic route. The functional and anatomic effects and safety of dieckol were assessed using the rat ototoxicity model. Materials and methods. Dieckol in a high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid vehicle (dieckol+vehicle group) or vehicle without dieckol (vehicle-only group) were randomly delivered into 12 ears intratympanically. Ototoxic hearing loss was induced by intravenous administration of cisplatin, gentamicin, and furosemide. The hearing threshold and surviving outer hair cells (OHC) were enumerated. Biocompatibility was assessed by serial endoscopy of the tympanic membrane (TM), and the histology of the TM and the base of bulla (BB) mucosa was quantitatively assessed. Results. The hearing threshold was significantly better (difference of 20 dB SPL) in the dieckol+vehicle group than in the vehicle-only group. The number of surviving OHCs was significantly greater in the dieckol+vehicle group than in the vehicle-only group. There were no signs of inflammation or infection in the ear. The thickness of the TM and the BB mucosa did not differ between the two groups. Conclusion. Intratympanic local delivery of dieckol may be a safe and effective method to prevent ototoxic hearing loss.