cometadata/datacite-rtg-text-other-reclassification-records huggingface dataset:
Line Profile studies of Hydrodynamical Models of Cometary Compact H II Regions
Creators: name: Zhu, Feng-Yao
name: Zhu, Qing-Feng
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2015
Subjects: subject: Solar and Stellar Astrophysics (astro-ph.SR)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: We simulate evolution of cometary H II regions based on several champagne flow models and bow shock models, and calculate the profiles of the [Ne II] fine-structure line at $12.81μm$, the $H30α$ recombination line and the [Ne III] fine-structure line at $15.55μm$ for these models at different inclinations of $0^o, 30^o \textrm{and} 60^o$. We find that the profiles in the bow shock models are generally different from those in the champagne flow models, but the profiles in the bow shock with lower stellar velocity ($\leq5km s^{-1}$) are similar to those in the champagne flow models. In champagne flow models, both the velocity of peak flux and the flux weighted central velocities of all three lines are pointing outward from molecular clouds. In bow shock models, the directions of these velocities rely on the speed of stars. They have the similar motion in high stellar speed case but opposite directions in low stellar speed case. We notice that the line profiles from the slit along the symmetrical axis of the projected 2D image of these models are useful for distinguishing bow shock models and champagne flow models. It is also confirmed by the calculation that the flux weighted central velocity and the line luminosity of the [Ne III] line can be estimated from the [Ne II] line and the $H30α$ line.
description: 21 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics
Investigating cumulative marijuana use and risk of cardiovascular disease in middle age with longitudinal data
Creators: name: Chen, X.
name: Yu, B.
name: Chen, D.-G.
Publisher: name: American Public Health Association Inc.
Year: 2018

description: Never before have so many people expressed such strong interest in knowing the impact of marijuana legalization on human behavior and health. There is a global trend toward legalizing marijuana. According to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, 29 US states permit marijuana use (http://norml.org/laws). However, research from diverse sources has produced mixed findings regarding the impact of marijuana laws
Biomarkers of hypoxia exposure
Creators: name: Gonzalez bosc, Laura
name: Garcia, Selina M
name: Matheson, Benjamin
name: Morales-Loredo, Juan
name: Jernigan, Nikki
name: Kanagy, Nancy
name: Resta, Thomas C.
name: Clark, Ross
name: Shekarriz, Reza
Publisher: name: figshare
Year: 2022
Subjects: subject: Biomarkers
subject: Physiology
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: 60303 Biological Adaptation

description: Data from conscious rats exposed to different times of 12% hypoxia or ambient Albuquerque, NM atmosphere. Data includes arterial blood PCO2, sO2, PO2, HCO3, pH, mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), PR interval, plasma levels of endothelin 1, and miR21. Data from 1.5% isofluorane/21% O2 anesthetized rats exposed to 21% O2 followed by 12% O2 and let recover at 21% O2. Measurements include transdermal H2S levels, sO2 and HR.
Identifying and describing segments of office workers by activity patterns: Associations with demographic characteristics and objectively measured physical activity
Creators: name: Viera, A.J.
name: Close, M.A.
name: Linnan, L.A.
name: Lytle, L.A.
name: Chen, D.-G.
name: Valle, C.G.
Publisher: name: Emerald Group Publishing Ltd.
Year: 2018

description: Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to identify and characterize patterns of physical activity among office workers employed in largely sedentary occupations at a major health insurer located in the Southeastern USA. Design/methodology/approach - The authors used latent class analysis to identify segments of office workers (n=239) based on their self-reported activities of daily living and exercise behaviors. The authors examined the association of demographic characteristics with segment membership, and differences in accelerometer-measured weekly minutes of light and moderate-vigorous physical activity across segments. Findings - The authors identified two segments and labeled them "exerciser" and "non-exerciser." Being female was associated with lower odds of membership in the "exerciser" segment (OR=0.18; 95% CI=0.06, 0.52), while those with at least a bachelor's degree were more likely to be in the "exerciser" segment (OR=2.12; 95% CI=1.02, 4.40). Mean minutes of moderate-vigorous physical activity per week were greater for the "exerciser" segment than the "non-exerciser" segment. Practical implications - Based on this sample, the authors found that office workers in sedentary occupations were roughly equally divided and distinguished by their engagement in exercise-type behaviors. The findings underscore the need for innovative workplace programming that enhances activity opportunities particularly for those that are not likely to exercise. Originality/value - A scarcity of research on activity patterns among office workers inhibits development of targeted worksite activity programming. The present research reveals two segments of workers with regard to their activity patterns and suggests ways for worksites to meet their unique needs.
Quantum changes in self-efficacy and condom-use intention among youth: A chained cusp catastrophe model
Creators: name: Chen, X.
name: Xu, Y.
name: Yu, B.
name: Wang, Y.
name: Stanton, B.
name: Chen, D.-G.D.
Publisher: name: Academic Press
Year: 2018

description: Introduction: The complex relationships among HIV knowledge, condom-use skills, self-efficacy, peer influence and intention to use condoms have been rigorously investigated. However, studies guided by a linear behavior change model often explain only a limited amount of variances. This study aims to advance our understanding of the relationships through a nonlinear quantum change paradigm. Methods: Data (n = 1970, 40.61% male, mean age 16.94 ± 0.74) from a behavioral intervention program among high school students in the Bahamas were analyzed with a chained cusp catastrophe model in two steps. In the first step, self-efficacy was analyzed as the outcome with HIV knowledge/condom-use skills as asymmetry variables and peer influence as bifurcation variable. In the second step, condom-use intention was analyzed as the outcome while self-efficacy (outcome in the first step) was used as bifurcation variable allowing peer influence as bifurcation, and HIV knowledge/condom-use skills were included as asymmetry. Cusp modeling analysis was conducted along with equivalent linear models. Results: The cusp model performed better than the linear and logistic models. Cusp modeling analyses revealed that peer influence significantly bifurcated the relationships between HIV knowledge/condom-use skills and self-efficacy; while both self-efficacy and peer influence significantly bifurcated the relationship between HIV knowledge/condom-use skills and condom-use intention. Conclusion: Our findings support the central role of self-efficacy and peer influence as two chains in bridging the complex quantum relationships between HIV knowledge/condom-use skills and condom-use intention among adolescents. The nonlinear cusp catastrophe modeling provided a new method to advance HIV behavioral research.
Untangle the structural and random zeros in statistical modelings
Creators: name: Wang, W.J.
name: He, H.
name: Chen, D.G.
name: Tang, W.
Publisher: name: Taylor and Francis Ltd.
Year: 2018

description: Count data with structural zeros are common in public health applications. There are considerable researches focusing on zero-inflated models such as zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) and zero-inflated Negative Binomial (ZINB) models for such zero-inflated count data when used as response variable. However, when such variables are used as predictors, the difference between structural and random zeros is often ignored and may result in biased estimates. One remedy is to include an indicator of the structural zero in the model as a predictor if observed. However, structural zeros are often not observed in practice, in which case no statistical method is available to address the bias issue. This paper is aimed to fill this methodological gap by developing parametric methods to model zero-inflated count data when used as predictors based on the maximum likelihood approach. The response variable can be any type of data including continuous, binary, count or even zero-inflated count responses. Simulation studies are performed to assess the numerical performance of this new approach when sample size is small to moderate. A real data example is also used to demonstrate the application of this method.
Probing Dirac Fermion Dynamics in Topological Insulator Bi$_2$Se$_3$ Films with Scanning Tunneling Microscope
Creators: name: Song, Can-Li
name: Wang, Lili
name: He, Ke
name: Ji, Shuai-Hua
name: Chen, Xi
name: Ma, Xu-Cun
name: Xue, Qi-Kun
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2015
Subjects: subject: Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall)
subject: Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: Scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy have been used to investigate the femtosecond dynamics of Dirac fermions in the topological insulator Bi$_2$Se$_3$ ultrathin films. At two-dimensional limit, bulk electrons becomes quantized and the quantization can be controlled by film thickness at single quintuple layer level. By studying the spatial decay of standing waves (quasiparticle interference patterns) off steps, we measure directly the energy and film thickness dependence of phase relaxation length $l_ϕ$ and inelastic scattering lifetime $τ$ of topological surface-state electrons. We find that $τ$ exhibits a remarkable $(E-E_F)^{-2}$ energy dependence and increases with film thickness. We show that the features revealed are typical for electron-electron scattering between surface and bulk states.
description: 5 pages, 4 figures, to be published in Physical Review Letters
THE IMPACT OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE IN ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE:  AFIELD RESEARCH IN INDUSTRIAL COMPANIES IN HODEIDA GOVERNORATE
Creators: name: Abdu Alamri
name: Abdulbaqi Thabet
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2023

description: Abstract
The current study aimed at determining the impact of emotional intelligence on the organizational performance of industrial companies in Hodeida governorate. The analytical descriptive method was followed using a questionnaire to collect the primary data, including the sample size of 212 individuals. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and structural equation modeling using partial least squares (Smart-PLS-SEM). Based on the analysis, it was found that emotional intelligence has a positive impact on the organizational performance of the companies in consideration. In particular, positive impact is found for the self-awareness, sympathize, and social skill dimensions on organizational performance. In contrast, there was no recorded effect of the emotion management dimension on the organizational performance of the companies in consideration. In light of the results, it is recommended for the management of industrial companies to repeat programs and training courses on the behaviors of emotional intelligence and focus on establishing it as one of the elements of organizational culture in companies and to adopt emotional intelligence behaviors, among them standardization and requirements for selection, education, and promotion of employees in industrial companies.
Tracing H2 column density with atomic carbon (CI) and CO isotopologues
Creators: name: Lo, N.
name: Cunningham, M. R.
name: Jones, P. A.
name: Bronfman, L.
name: Cortes, P. C.
name: Simon, R.
name: Lowe, V.
name: Fissel, L.
name: Novak, G.
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2014
Subjects: subject: Astrophysics of Galaxies (astro-ph.GA)
subject: Solar and Stellar Astrophysics (astro-ph.SR)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: We present first results of neutral carbon ([CI], 3P1 - 3P0 at 492 GHz) and carbon monoxide (13CO, J = 1 - 0) mapping in the Vela Molecular Ridge cloud C (VMR-C) and G333 giant molecular cloud complexes with the NANTEN2 and Mopra telescopes. For the four regions mapped in this work, we find that [CI] has very similar spectral emission profiles to 13CO, with comparable line widths. We find that [CI] has opacity of 0.1 - 1.3 across the mapped region while the [CI]/13CO peak brightness temperature ratio is between 0.2 to 0.8. The [CI] column density is an order of magnitude lower than that of 13CO. The H2 column density derived from [CI] is comparable to values obtained from 12CO. Our maps show CI is preferentially detected in gas with low temperatures (below 20 K), which possibly explains the comparable H2 column density calculated from both tracers (both CI and 12CO underestimate column density), as a significant amount of the CI in the warmer gas is likely in the higher energy state transition ([CI], 3P2 - 3P1 at 810 GHz), and thus it is likely that observations of both the above [CI] transitions are needed in order to recover the total H2 column density.
description: accepted for publication in ApJ Letters
Chile’s market orientated model of public television
Creators: name: Godoy-Etcheverry, Sergio
Publisher: name: University of Westminster
Year: 1998

description: The main objective of this dissertation is to provide a comprehensive picture of the evolution and current performance of the market-oriented model of public service television in Chile. The focus is largely on the commercially-funded state owned television network, Television Nacional de Chile (TVN). This thesis argues that Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) is still valid and necessary, yet the means to achieve this ideal have evolved and require some fresh thinking; such as the way forward provided by this case study. This work attempts to describe TVN's main political, economical, and managerial characteristics when delivering PSB according to television law, considering the evolution of the media in Chile and Latin America. For this purpose, the analysis integrates the political economy of the media from a managerial and regulatory perspective. The work is divided into two main parts. The first explains the current situation of PSB in the industrialised world, and also deals with the peculiar development of Chilean broadcasting within Latin America. The second part is the most important because it assesses the Chilean model at its present state. Nowadays TVN is an influential counterweight to authoritarian entrenchments as well as a booster of innovation and growth of the audio-visual sector. Its pro-market orientation prevents traditional forms of government manipulation, it is coherent with overall macroeconomic policy, and introduces awareness for the audience's preferences. But this case also has important contradictions that need to be dealt with in order to enhance its contribution to social welfare and democracy. The thesis assumes that PSB -a Western European concept- has been possible in Chile because of a relatively extended republican tradition, and because of the effectiveness and probity of its public institutions. Nevertheless, as a developing country Chile has also suffered poverty, economic instability, and a prolonged military dictatorship (1973-1990) among other problems. These factors explain the differences between Chilean public television and its counterparts in the industrialised world, yet at the same time they reveal a special need for such a service despite all the technological changes that are taking place.
Assurance in intervention research: A bayesian perspective on statistical power
Creators: name: Cuddeback, G.S.
name: Chen, D.-G.
name: Fraser, M.W.
Publisher: name: University of Chicago Press
Year: 2018

description: Objective: This article introduces Bayesian assurance as an alternative to traditional power analysis in intervention research. Bayesian assurance is defined as the unconditional probability of identifying an intervention effect. Method: Assurance can be calculated as the expected statistical power based on a prior distribution of the unknown parameters related to the effect size. Using Monte Carlo simulation methods, we demonstrate Bayesian assurance in 2 small-scale randomized trials: a trial of motivational interviewing for patients with behavioral health disorders and a trial of a specialty mental health probation. Results: The findings suggest that traditional statistical power is highly sensitive to misspecification. Because assurance can be calculated across all possible effect sizes, it controls the uncertainty associated with the selection of a point effect size in traditional power estimation. Assurance usually produces larger sample-size estimates, and thus cutoff values for assurance may be lower than those typically used in classical power estimation. Conclusions: Compared to traditional power estimation, assurance appears to be more robust against inaccurate prior information. Assurance may be a preferred method for estimating sample sizes when prior information is poor and the costs of underpowering a study are great.
The implementation of the 1989 Television Without Frontiers Directive: television advertising and sponsorship in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK
Creators: name: Gonzalez Del Valle, Almudena
Publisher: name: University of Westminster
Year: 1998

description: A comparative analysis of the manner in which France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK have implemented the provisions in 1989 Television Without Frontiers Directive for television advertising and sponsorship shows that there are obstacles for the development of a Single European Market in television advertising. Although 1989 Television Without Frontiers Directive allowed transfrontier television advertising, the regulation of television advertising remains nationally based. Furthen-nore, Member States have different levels of advertising expenditure, selling practices and television market structures. There is a tension between the provisions for television advertising and sponsorship in the Council of Europe Convention on Transfrontier Television and those in the Television Without Frontiers Directive. Member States have indicated their commitment to one text over the other in the detailed choices for their national rules. The European Court of Justice resolved some of the contradictions and ambiguities in the 1989 Television Without Frontiers Directive, and these have been reflected in the revised 1997 text. But there is still an ambiguity so as to what level of sponsor presence is adequate to ensure both transparency, and the protection of a broadcaster's editorial independence. Rules about the frequency and quantity of advertising differ between the five countries and four of them set different competitive requirements according to the type of broadcaster. There are marked differences in the rules about advertising breaks in feature films and other audiovisual works. National rules on sponsorship also vary, especially those on centre credits and the promotional mentions of the sponsor within the programme. So do the detailed provisions. National regulators decide when and what type of commercial presence constitutes surreptitious advertising. In some countries, it is only payment that renders product placement illegal, whereas in others the product has to be editorially justified and not given undue prominence. Direct offers to the public have proved to be a grey area in Member States where their economic value was high. Teleshopping is likely to become a significant source of programming, especially if Member States effectively expand their limits on airtime as allowed in the 1997 text. Although some differences have been resolved in the 1997 revision of the Television Without Frontiers Directive, there are still difficulties in establishing an effective level playing field for European television advertising.
A pilot study of the radio-emitting AGN population: the emerging new class of FR0 radio-galaxies
Creators: name: Baldi, Ranieri D.
name: Capetti, Alessandro
name: Giovannini, Gabriele
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2015
Subjects: subject: Astrophysics of Galaxies (astro-ph.GA)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: We present the results of a pilot JVLA project aimed at studying the bulk of the radio-emitting AGN population, unveiled by the NVSS/FIRST and SDSS surveys.We obtained A-array observations at the JVLA at 1.4, 4.5, and 7.5 GHz for 12 sources of the SDSS/NVSS sample. The radio maps reveal compact unresolved or slightly resolved radio structures on a scale of 1-3 kpc, with only one exception of a FRI/FRII source extended over $\sim$40 kpc. We isolate the radio core component in most of them. The sample splits into two groups. Four sources have small black hole (BH) masses (mostly $\sim$10$^{7}$ M$_{\odot}$) and are hosted by blue galaxies, often showing evidence of a contamination from star formation to their radio emission and associated with radio-quiet AGN. The second group consists in seven radio-loud AGN, which live in red massive ($\sim10^{11}$ M$_{\odot}$) early-type galaxies, with large BH masses ($\gtrsim$10$^{8}$ M$_{\odot}$), and spectroscopically classified as Low Excitation Galaxies, all characteristics typical of FRI radio galaxies. They also lie on the correlation between radio core power and [O III] line luminosity defined by FRIs. However, they are more core dominated (by a factor of $\sim$30) than FRIs and show a deficit of extended radio emission. We dub these sources 'FR0' to emphasize their lack of prominent extended radio emission, the single distinguishing feature with respect to FRIs. The differences in radio properties between FR0s and FRIs might be ascribed to an evolutionary effect, with the FR0 sources undergoing to rapid intermittency that prevents the growth of large scale structures. In our preferred scenario the lack of extended radio emission in FR0s is due to their smaller jet Lorentz $Γ$ factor with respect to FRIs, causing possible instabilities and their premature disruption.[abridged]
description: Accepted for publication on A&A, 14 pages, 5 figures
Using the theory of planned behavior to explain intention to eat a healthful diet among Southeastern United States office workers
Creators: name: Lytle, L.A.
name: Viera, A.J.
name: Close, M.A.
name: Chen, D.-G.
Publisher: name: Emerald Group Publishing Ltd.
Year: 2018

description: Purpose: This study aims to test the utility of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) for explaining intention to eat a healthful diet in a sample of Southeastern US office workers. Design/methodology/approach: Participants in a worksite nutrition study (n = 357) were invited to complete an online questionnaire including measures of TPB constructs at baseline. The questionnaire included valid and reliable measures of TPB constructs: behavioral beliefs, normative beliefs, control beliefs, attitudes toward behavior, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control and intention. Data were collected from 217 participants (60.8 per cent response rate). Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were conducted to test the hypothesized TPB model. Findings: The model fit was satisfactory (χ2 = p < 0.0001, RMSEA = 0.06, CFI = 0.91, TLI = 0.90, SRMR = 0.09). All structural relationships between TPB constructs were statistically significant in the hypothesized direction (p < 0.05). Attitude toward behavior, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control were positively associated with intention (R2 = 0.56). Of all TPB constructs, the influence of perceived behavioral control on intention was the strongest (β = 0.62, p < 0.001). Originality/value: Based on this sample of Southeastern US office workers, TPB-based interventions may improve intention to eat a healthful diet. Interventions that strengthen perceived control over internal and external factors that inhibit healthful eating may be particularly effective in positively affecting intention to eat a healthful diet, and subsequent food intake.
Electrically-gated near-field radiative thermal transistor
Creators: name: Yang, Yue
name: Wang, Liping
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2015
Subjects: subject: Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall)
subject: Materials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci)
subject: Optics (physics.optics)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: In this work, we propose a near-field radiative thermal transistor made of two graphene-covered silicon carbide (SiC) plates separated by a nanometer vacuum gap. Thick SiC plates serve as the thermal "source" and "drain", while graphene sheets function as the "gate" to modulate the near-field photon tunneling by tuning chemical potential with applied voltage biases symmetrically or asymmetrically. The radiative heat flux calculated from fluctuational electrodynamics significantly varies with graphene chemical potentials, which can tune the coupling between graphene plasmon across the vacuum gap. Thermal modulation, switching, and amplification, which are the key features required for a thermal transistor, are theoretically realized and analyzed. This work will pave the way to active thermal management, thermal circuits, and thermal computing.
description: 17 pages, 5 figures
Biobank persoectives 2:2016
Creators: name: Centre For Research Ethics & Bioethics
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2016

description: We have worked with the ethical and legal aspects of biboank and registry research for more than a decade. With the aid of BBMRI.se we were able to share our perspectives with the biobank community through the biobank perspectives newsletter that was issued three times a year between 2014 and 2017.
From statistical power to statistical assurance: It's time for a paradigm change in clinical trial design
Creators: name: Ho, Shuyen
name: Chen, D.-G.
Publisher: name: Taylor and Francis Inc.
Year: 2017

description: A well-designed clinical trial requires an appropriate sample size with adequate statistical power to address trial objectives. The statistical power is traditionally defined as the probability of rejecting the null hypothesis with a pre-specified true clinical treatment effect. This power is a conditional probability conditioned on the true but actually unknown effect. In practice, however, this true effect is never a fixed value. Thus, we discuss a newly proposed alternative to this conventional statistical power: statistical assurance, defined as the unconditional probability of rejecting the null hypothesis. This kind of assurance can then be obtained as an expected power where the expectation is based on the prior probability distribution of the unknown treatment effect, which leads to the Bayesian paradigm. In this article, we outline the transition from conventional statistical power to the newly developed assurance and discuss the computations of assurance using Monte Carlo simulation-based approach.
Core-crust transition properties of neutron stars within systematically varied extended relativistic mean-field model
Creators: name: Sulaksono, A.
name: Alam, Naosad
name: Agrawal, B. K.
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2014
Subjects: subject: Nuclear Theory (nucl-th)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: The model dependence and the symmetry energy dependence of the core-crust transition properties for the neutron stars are studied using three different families of systematically varied extended relativistic mean field model. Several forces within each of the families are so considered that they yield wide variations in the values of the nuclear symmetry energy $a_{\rm sym}$ and its slope parameter $L$ at the saturation density. The core-crust transition density is calculated using a method based on random-phase-approximation. The core-crust transition density is strongly correlated, in a model independent manner, with the symmetry energy slope parameter evaluated at the saturation density. The pressure at the transition point dose not show any meaningful correlations with the symmetry energy parameters at the saturation density. At best, pressure at the transition point is correlated with the symmetry energy parameters and their linear combination evaluated at the some sub-saturation density. Yet, such correlations might not be model independent. The correlations of core-crust transition properties with the symmetry energy parameter are also studied by varying the symmetry energy within a single model. The pressure at the transition point is correlated once again with the symmetry energy parameter at the sub-saturation density.
description: 21 pages, 9 figures, Int. J. Mod. Phys. (accepted)
Informative priors or noninformative priors? A Bayesian re-analysis of binary data from Macugen phase III clinical trials
Creators: name: Ting, N.
name: Ho, S.
name: Chen, D.-G.
Publisher: name: Taylor and Francis Inc.
Year: 2017

description: It has became more popular in the recent statistical literature to see Bayesian approaches for clinical trials, such as assurance calculations for study designs and the use of posterior probability for data analyses. When applying Bayesian analysis to clinical trial data, one common question is to use informative priors or noninformative priors. In order to explore this question, we looked for existing clinical trial data with a simple structure and a simple clinical endpoint so that the Bayesian re-analyses can be easily performed. We came across the published Phase III Macugen® data that were suitable for this exploration. In this manuscript, the Macugen Phase III development program was described, the primary data for the two Phase III pivotal studies were re-analyzed using Bayesian applications with informative priors and noninformative priors. These re-analysis results were summarized, compared, and discussed.
Characterization of topological phase transitions via topological properties of transition points
Creators: name: Li, Linhu
name: Chen, Shu
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2015
Subjects: subject: Strongly Correlated Electrons (cond-mat.str-el)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: We study topological properties of phase transition points of topological quantum phase transitions by assigning a topological invariant defined on a closed circle or surface surrounding the phase transition point in the parameter space of momentum and transition driving parameter. By applying our scheme to the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model and Haldane model, we demonstrate that the topological phase transition can be well characterized by the defined topological invariant of the transition point, which reflects the change of topological invariants of topologically different phases across the phase transition point.
description: 6 pages, 5 figures
A bayesian approach to sample size estimation and the decision to continue program development in intervention research
Creators: name: Chen, D.-G.
name: Fraser, M.W.
Publisher: name: University of Chicago Press
Year: 2017

description: Objective: In intervention research, the decision to continue developing a new program or treatment is dependent on both the change-inducing potential of a new strategy (i.e., its effect size) and the methods used to measure change, including the size of samples. This article describes a Bayesian approach to determining sample sizes in the sequential development of interventions. Description: Because sample sizes are related to the likelihood of detecting program effects, large samples are preferred. But in the design and development process that characterizes intervention research, smaller scale studies are usually required to justify more costly, larger scale studies. We present 4 scenarios designed to address common but complex questions regarding sample-size determination and the risk of observing misleading (e.g., false-positive) findings. From a Bayesian perspective, this article describes the use of decision rules composed of different target probabilities and prespecified effect sizes. Monte-Carlo simulations are used to demonstrate a Bayesian approach—which tends to require smaller samples than the classical frequentist approach—in the development of interventions from one study to the next.
Structure analysis of simulated molecular clouds with the Delta-variance
Creators: name: Bertram, Erik
name: Klessen, Ralf S.
name: Glover, Simon C. O.
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2015
Subjects: subject: Solar and Stellar Astrophysics (astro-ph.SR)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: We employ the Delta-variance analysis and study the turbulent gas dynamics of simulated molecular clouds (MCs). Our models account for a simplified treatment of time-dependent chemistry and the non-isothermal nature of the gas. We investigate simulations using three different initial mean number densities of n_0 = 30, 100 and 300 cm^{-3} that span the range of values typical for MCs in the solar neighbourhood. Furthermore, we model the CO line emission in a post-processing step using a radiative transfer code. We evaluate Delta-variance spectra for centroid velocity (CV) maps as well as for integrated intensity and column density maps for various chemical components: the total, H2 and 12CO number density and the integrated intensity of both the 12CO and 13CO (J = 1 -> 0) lines. The spectral slopes of the Delta-variance computed on the CV maps for the total and H2 number density are significantly steeper compared to the different CO tracers. We find slopes for the linewidth-size relation ranging from 0.4 to 0.7 for the total and H2 density models, while the slopes for the various CO tracers range from 0.2 to 0.4 and underestimate the values for the total and H2 density by a factor of 1.5-3.0. We demonstrate that optical depth effects can significantly alter the Delta-variance spectra. Furthermore, we report a critical density threshold of ~100 cm^{-3} at which the Delta-variance slopes of the various CO tracers change sign. We thus conclude that carbon monoxide traces the total cloud structure well only if the average cloud density lies above this limit.
description: 15 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS
23-08-29 Methods and materials - Shell sculpture hydrodynamics and ecology in Melanopsis from the Levant.docx
Creators: name: Dussart, G B
name: Heller, Josef C.
name: Dussart, Alastair
Publisher: name: figshare
Year: 2023
Subjects: classificationCode: 310399
subject: Ecology not elsewhere classified

description: This file of methods and materials is associated with the paper Shell sculpture, hydrodynamics and ecology in Melanopsis (Caenogastropoda: Cerithioidea) from the Levant.It describes the use of a system of opposing magnets to investigate the hydrodynamic performance of eviscerated shells of M. buccinoidea (9 specimens), M. c. lampra (12 specimens), M. c. jordanica (10 specimens ) and M. saulcyi (11 specimens ). Each shell was mounted on a thin rod at the other end of which was a small magnet. A controlled flow of water pushed this assembly towards a larger fixed magnet. At each of five velocities ranging from 0.5-0.9m/s, the displacement of the shell-rod magnet assembly was measured by eye in millimetres. The displacement was calibrated for force by holding the assembly above a fixed magnet on a top-pan balance. In this way, the force required to move the two magnets closer together was measured per millimetre of displacement. This was done under water. From these measurements, the Reynolds number and drag coefficient of each shell was calculated.
Self-Gravitating Spherical Solutions of the non-minimally coupled non-Abelian Higgs Model
Creators: name: Brihaye, Y.
name: Verbin, Y.
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2014
Subjects: subject: General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc)
subject: High Energy Physics - Theory (hep-th)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: Motivated by the Higgs Inflation scenario, we study static spherically-symmetric solutions of the non-Abelian Higgs model coupled non-minimally to Gravity. We find solutions for the self-gravitating sphaleron as well as monopole-like solutions and study the impact of the non-minimal coupling on their properties. Finally we discuss shortly the possibility that these solutions interact gravitationally with star-like objects like boson stars.
Integral-equation analysis of single-site coarse-grained models for polymer-colloid mixtures
Creators: name: Menichetti, Roberto
name: Pelissetto, Andrea
name: D'Adamo, Giuseppe
name: Pierleoni, Carlo
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2015
Subjects: subject: Soft Condensed Matter (cond-mat.soft)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: We discuss the reliability of integral-equation methods based on several commonly used closure relations in determining the phase diagram of coarse-grained models of soft-matter systems characterized by mutually interacting soft and hard-core particles. Specifically, we consider a set of potentials appropriate to describe a system of hard-sphere colloids and linear homopolymers in good solvent, and investigate the behavior when the soft particles are smaller than the colloids, which is the regime of validity of the coarse-grained models. Using computer-simulation results as a benchmark, we find that the hypernetted-chain approximation provides accurate estimates of thermodynamics and structure in the colloid-gas phase in which the density of colloids is small. On the other hand, all closures considered appear to be unable to describe the behavior of the mixture in the colloid-liquid phase, as they cease to converge at polymer densities significantly smaller than those at the binodal. As a consequence, integral equations appear to be unable to predict a quantitatively correct phase diagram.
description: 16 pages, 11 figures, 3 tables
A bayesian perspective on intervention research: Using prior information in the development of social and health programs
Creators: name: Chen, D.-G.
name: Fraser, M.W.
Publisher: name: University of Chicago Press
Year: 2017

description: Objective: By presenting a simulation study that compares Bayesian and classical frequentist approaches to research design, this paper describes and demonstrates a Bayesian perspective on intervention research. Method: Using hypothetical pilot-study data where an effect size of 0.2 had been observed, we designed a 2-arm trial intended to compare an intervention with a control condition (e.g., usual services). We determined the trial sample size by a power analysis with a Type I error probability of 2.5% (1-sided) at 80% power. Following a Monte-Carlo computational algorithm, we simulated 1 million outcomes for this study and then compared the performance of the Bayesian perspective with the performance of the frequentist analytic perspective. Treatment effectiveness was assessed using a frequentist t-test and an empirical Bayesian t-test. Statistical power was calculated as the criterion for comparison of the 2 approaches to analysis. Results: In the simulations, the classical frequentist t-test yielded 80% power as designed. However, the Bayesian approach yielded 92% power. Conclusion: Holding sample size constant, a Bayesian analytic approach can improve power in intervention research. A Bayesian approach may also permit smaller samples holding power constant. Using a Bayesian analytic perspective could reduce design demands in the developmental experimentation that typifies intervention research.
Comparing geographic area-based and classical population-based incidence and prevalence rates, and their confidence intervals
Creators: name: Chen, D.-G.
Publisher: name: Elsevier Inc.
Year: 2017

description: To quantify the HIV epidemic, the classical population-based prevalence and incidence rates (P rates) are the two most commonly used measures used for policy interventions. However, these P rates ignore the heterogeneity of the size of geographic region where the population resides. It is intuitive that with the same P rates, the likelihood for HIV can be much greater to spread in a population residing in a crowed small urban area than the same number of population residing in a large rural area. With this limitation, Chen and Wang (2017) proposed the geographic area-based rates (G rates) to complement the classical P rates. They analyzed the 2000–2012 US data on new HIV infections and persons living with HIV and found, as compared with other methods, using G rates enables researchers to more quickly detect increases in HIV rates. This capacity to reveal increasing rates in a more efficient and timely manner is a crucial methodological contribution to HIV research. To enhance this newly proposed concept of G rates, this article presents a discussion of 3 areas for further development of this important concept: (1) analysis of global HIV epidemic data using the newly proposed G rates to capture the changes globally; (2) development of the associated population density-based rates (D rates) to incorporate the heterogeneities from both geographical area and total population-at-risk; and (3) development of methods to calculate variances and confidence intervals for the P rates, G rates, and D rates to capture the variability of these indices.
Strong effect of the cluster environment on the size of protoplanetary discs?
Creators: name: Vincke, Kirsten
name: Breslau, Andreas
name: Pfalzner, Susanne
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2015
Subjects: subject: Solar and Stellar Astrophysics (astro-ph.SR)
subject: Earth and Planetary Astrophysics (astro-ph.EP)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: Context. Most stars are born in clusters, thus the protoplanetary discs surrounding the newly formed stars might be influenced by this environment. Isolated star-disc encounters have previously been studied, and it was shown that very close encounters are necessary to completely destroy discs. However, relatively distant encounters are still able to change the disc size considerably. Aims. We quantify the importance of disc-size reduction that is due to stellar encounters in an entire stellar population. Methods. We modelled young, massive clusters of different densities using the code Nbody6 to determine the statistics of stellar encounter parameters. In a second step, we used these parameters to investigate the effect of the environments on the disc size. For this purpose, we performed a numerical experiment with an artificial initial disc size of 105 AU. Results. We quantify to which degree the disc size is more sensitive to the cluster environment than to the disc mass or frequency. We show that in all investigated clusters a large portion of discs is significantly reduced in size. After 5 Myr, the fraction of discs smaller than 1000 AU in ONC-like clusters with an average number density of 60pc$^3$, the fraction of discs smaller than 1000 AU is 65%, while discs smaller than 100 AU make up 15%. These fractions increase to 84% and 39% for discs in denser clusters like IC 348 (500pc$^3$). Even in clusters with a density four times lower than in the ONC (15pc$^3$), about 43% of all discs are reduced to sizes below 1 000 AU and roughly 9% to sizes below 100 AU. Conclusions. For any disc in the ONC that initially was larger than 1 000 AU, the probability to be truncated to smaller disc sizes as a result of stellar encounters is quite high. Thus, among other effects, encounters are important in shaping discs and potentially forming planetary systems in stellar clusters.
description: accepted for publication in A&A
The television policies of the UK administrations of Margaret Thatcher and John Major 1979-1997
Creators: name: Goodwin, Peter
Publisher: name: University of Westminster
Year: 1999

description: This thesis provides an extended analysis and review of the television policies of the UK Conservative administrations of Margaret Thatcher and John Major from 1979 to 1997 and examines the causes, coherence and consequences of those policies. In particular, it identifies the potential forces for change in UK television policy from the late seventies: notably, international changes in the economic, social and cultural, and technological environment of the industry; and the political changes in the UK introduced by the new Conservative administrations, generally known as `Thatcherism'. The thesis analyses the specific strengths of the UK television system established by the 1970s, and reviews the criticisms made of that system in the years before 1979. It then assesses the major developments in television policy instituted by the Thatcher and Major administrations: the establishment of Channel 4; their policies on the new technologies of satellite and broadband cable; the impact of the Committee chaired by Alan Peacock on the Financing of the BBC; the reform of ITV; their policies for the renewal of the BBC charter in the 1990s; and their policies on digitalisation and multimedia. Particular attention is paid to the changes that these policies produced in the UK television industry, and the lack of overall coherence of the policies. The thesis argues that the changes were significant but that they were only partial, and that, while pursuing a general goal of marketisation, the policies were incoherent in many of their specifics. This incoherence stemmed partly from resistance by established institutions within the industry, and partly from internal contradictions within the Tories' overall free-market project. The thesis concludes with an examination of the light that Tory television policy during this period sheds on the wider political debate on `Thatcherism' and the international context of UK television policy during the same period.
Open Educational Resources in Northern African Countries
Creators: name: Belhamel, Kamel
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2020
Subjects: Open Educational Resources
COVID-19 pandemic
North African Countries
Open Education

description: We live in an age of information abundance where everyone can potentially attain all the education they desire. Open Education opens up new ways in which research are disseminated across the globe. In this session, the case study of Open Educational Resources in Northern African Countries and their contribution to access to education at all levels. We also discuss the challenging factors facing the use of OER such as, a lack of policies, strategies that support OER, use, and sharing of OER.
Kansas city cardiomyopathy questionnaire administered to hospitalized patients with heart failure
Creators: name: Chen, D.-G.
name: Quinn, J.R.
name: Chen, L.
name: Tucker, R.
Publisher: name: Springer Publishing Company
Year: 2016

description: Background and Purpose: The psychometric properties of the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) have been examined primarily in community-dwelling patients with heart failure (HF). The objective of this research was to examine the properties of the KCCQ administered to patients hospitalized with HF (N = 233). Methods: Confirmatory factor analysis, Cronbach's alphas, and correlations were performed to examine the scale's dimensions, reliability, and validity. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a 5-factor solution (63.6% of the variance). The Cronbach's alpha levels were greater than .70, except for the self-efficacy dimension (.60). Convergent validity was not verified between the KCCQ and several illness severity measures. Conclusions: The psychometric properties of the KCCQ may be different based on the population in which the KCCQ is administered, which may have clinical implications.