Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bayesian analysis of ages, masses and distances to cool stars with non-LTE spectroscopic parameters

For studies of Galactic evolution, the accurate characterization of stars in terms of their evolutionary stage and population membership is of fundamental importance. A standard approach relies on extracting this information from stellar evolution models but requires the effective temperature, surface gravity and metallicity of a star obtained by independent means. In previous work, we determined accurate effective temperatures and non-local thermodynamic equilibrium log g and [Fe/H] (NLTE-Opt) for a large sample of metal-poor stars, -3 < [Fe/H] < -0.5, selected from the Radial Velocity Experiment (RAVE) survey. As a continuation of that work, we derive here their masses, ages and distances using a Bayesian scheme and GARSTEC stellar tracks. For comparison, we also use stellar parameters determined from the widely used 1D LTE excitation-ionization balance of Fe (LTE-Fe). We find that the latter leads to systematically underestimated stellar ages, by 10-30 per cent, but overestimated masses and distances. Metal-poor giants suffer from the largest fractional distance biases of 70 per cent. Furthermore, we compare our results with those released by the RAVE collaboration (DR3) for the stars in common. This reveals -400 to +400K offsets in effective temperature, -0.5 to 1 dex offsets in surface gravity and 10 to 70 per cent in distances. The systematic trends strongly resemble the correlation we find between the NLTE-Opt and LTE-Fe parameters, indicating that the RAVE DR3 data may be affected by the physical limitations of the 1D LTE synthetic spectra. Our results bear on any study, where spectrophotometric distances underlie stellar kinematics. In particular, they shed new light on the debated controversy about the Galactic halo origin raised by the SDSS/SEGUE observations. (Less)
Isolation, characterization, and serotyping of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli from slaughter cattle

A total of 525 specimens from 100 slaughter beef cattle were examined for the presence of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli by direct plating and enrichment techniques. Isolates were identified by cultural, biochemical, antibiotic sensitivity, and immunofluorescence tests and further characterized with the aid of recently developed biotyping and serotyping methods. Fifty animals were positive for C. jejuni; only one was positive for C. coli. The distribution pattern of C. jejuni-positive animals, in decreasing order, was steers (55%), bulls (40%), heifers (40%), and cows (22%). Significantly higher isolation rates were obtained from the gall bladders (33%), large intestines (35%), and small intestines (31%) than from the livers (12%) or the lymph nodes (1.4%). C. jejuni isolation by the enrichment technique was 40.2% more frequent than by direct plating; 24-h enrichment resulted in 24% more isolations than 48-h enrichment. Eighty-four of 105 C. jejuni cultures were typable serologically and represented 13 serogroups. Biotype I accounted for 71% of biotyped cultures. Serogroup 7 biotype I was the most commonly encountered (24%) isolate. About one in three positive animals had C. jejuni strains representing more than one serogroup. C. jejuni serogroups encountered in slaughter cattle were similar to those commonly isolated from human sources.
RHESSI and Hinode X-Ray Observations of a Partially Occulted Solar Flare

This Letter presents X-ray observations of a partially limb-occulted solar flare taken by the Reuven Ramaty High-Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager and the X-ray telescope on board Hinode. Thermal emission originates from a simple loop at the western limb that rises slowly (~7 km s−1) until the flare peak time. Above 18 keV, faint nonthermal emission with a hard/flat spectrum (γ ∼ 4) and fast time variations (of the order of tens of seconds) is seen that comes from a loop slightly above (~2000 km) the thermal loop, if compared at the same time. However, the nonthermal loop agrees well in altitude with the thermal flare loop seen later, at the soft X-ray peak time. This is consistent with simple flare models where nonthermal electrons in a flare loop produce thin-target hard X-ray emission in the corona as they travel to the loop footpoints. There they lose all their energy and heat chromospheric plasma that fills the loop earlier seen in nonthermal hard X-rays. This suggests that electron acceleration in solar flares occurs in the corona.
Good validity and reliability of the forgotten joint score in evaluating the outcome of total knee arthroplasty

Background and purpose — When evaluating the outcome after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), increasing emphasis has been put on patient satisfaction and ability to perform activities of daily living. To address this, the forgotten joint score (FJS) for assessment of knee awareness has been developed. We investigated the validity and reliability of the FJS. Patients and methods — A Danish version of the FJS questionnaire was created according to internationally accepted standards. 360 participants who underwent primary TKA were invited to participate in the study. Of these, 315 were included in a validity study and 150 in a reliability study. Correlation between the Oxford knee score (OKS) and the FJS was examined and test-retest evaluation was performed. A ceiling effect was defined as participants reaching a score within 15% of the maximum achievable score. Results — The validity study revealed a strong correlation between the FJS and the OKS (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.77–0.85; p < 0.001). The test-retest evaluation showed almost perfect reliability for the FJS total score (ICC = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.88–0.94) and substantial reliability or better for individual items of the FJS (ICC? 0.79). We found a high level of internal consistency (Cronbach’s? = 0.96). The ceiling effect for the FJS was 16%, as compared to 37% for the OKS. Interpretation — The FJS showed good construct validity and test-retest reliability. It had a lower ceiling effect than the OKS. The FJS appears to be a promising tool for evaluation of small differences in knee performance in groups of patients with good clinical results after TKA.
Electromagnetic and Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Epoxy and Vinylester-Based Composites Filled with Graphene Nanoplatelets

Development of epoxy or epoxy-based vinyl ester composites with improved mechanical and electromagnetic properties, filled with carbon-based nanomaterials, is of crucial interest for use in aerospace applications as radar absorbing materials at radio frequency. Numerous studies have highlighted the fact that the effective functional properties of this class of polymer composites are strongly dependent on the production process, which affects the dispersion of the nanofiller in the polymer matrix and the formation of micro-sized aggregations, degrading the final properties of the composite. The assessment of the presence of nanofiller aggregation in a composite through microscopy investigations is quite inefficient in the case of large scale applications, and in general provides local information about the aggregation state of the nanofiller rather than an effective representation of the degradation of the functional properties of the composite due to the presence of the aggregates. In this paper, we investigate the mechanical, electrical, and electromagnetic properties of thermosetting polymer composites filled with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs). Moreover, we propose a novel approach based on measurements of the dielectric permittivity of the composite in the 8–12 GHz range in order to assess the presence of nanofiller aggregates and to estimate their average size and dimensions.
Constitutively Signaling Fragments of Tsr, the E. coli Serine Chemoreceptor

Tsr, the serine chemoreceptor of E. coli, has two signaling modes. One augments clockwise (CW) flagellar rotation, the other augments counter-clockwise (CCW) rotation. To identify the portion of the Tsr molecule responsible for these activities, we isolated soluble fragments of the Tsr cytoplasmic domain that could alter the flagellar rotation patterns of unstimulated wild-type cells. Residues 290-470 from wild-type Tsr generated a CW signal, whereas the same fragment with a single amino acid replacement (alanine 413 to valine) produced a CCW signal. The soluble components of the chemotaxis phosphorelay system needed for expression of these Tsr fragment signals were identified by epistasis analysis. Like full-length receptors, the fragments appeared to generate signals through interactions with the CheA autokinase and the CheW coupling factor. CheA was required for both signaling activities, whereas CheW was needed only for CW signaling. Purified Tsr fragments were also examined for effects on CheA autophosphorylation activity in vitro. Consistent with the in vivo findings, the CW fragment stimulated CheA, whereas the CCW fragment inhibited CheA. CheW was required for stimulation, but not for inhibition. These findings demonstrate that a 180 residue segment of the Tsr cytoplasmic domain can produce two active signals. The CCW signal involves a direct contact between the receptor and the CheA kinase, whereas the CW signal requires participation of CheW as well. The correlation between the in vitro effects of Tsr signaling fragments on CheA activity and their in vivo behavioral effects lends convincing support to the phosphorelay model of chemotactic signaling.
Adapting the McMaster-Ottawa scale and developing behavioral anchors for assessing performance in an interprofessional Team Observed Structured Clinical Encounter

Background Current scales for interprofessional team performance do not provide adequate behavioral anchors for performance evaluation. The Team Observed Structured Clinical Encounter (TOSCE) provides an opportunity to adapt and develop an existing scale for this purpose. We aimed to test the feasibility of using a retooled scale to rate performance in a standardized patient encounter and to assess faculty ability to accurately rate both individual students and teams. Methods The 9-point McMaster-Ottawa Scale developed for a TOSCE was converted to a 3-point scale with behavioral anchors. Students from four professions were trained a priori to perform in teams of four at three different levels as individuals and teams. Blinded faculty raters were trained to use the scale to evaluate individual and team performances. G-theory was used to analyze ability of faculty to accurately rate individual students and teams using the retooled scale. Results Sixteen faculty, in groups of four, rated four student teams, each participating in the same TOSCE station. Faculty expressed comfort rating up to four students in a team within a 35-min timeframe. Accuracy of faculty raters varied (38–81% individuals, 50–100% teams), with errors in the direction of over-rating individual, but not team performance. There was no consistent pattern of error for raters. Conclusion The TOSCE can be administered as an evaluation method for interprofessional teams. However, faculty demonstrate a ‘leniency error’ in rating students, even with prior training using behavioral anchors. To improve consistency, we recommend two trained faculty raters per station.
Cell cycle distribution of cord blood‐derived haematopoietic progenitor cells and their recruitment into the S‐phase of the cell cycle

The objective of this study was to evaluate the cycling status of cord blood (CB)‐derived colony‐forming cells (CFC) and long‐term culture‐initiating cells (LTC‐IC), and their recruitment into the S‐phase of the cell cycle. By using the cytosine arabinoside (Ara‐C) suicide approach, we found that only small proportions of both CFC and LTC‐IC were in the S‐phase of the cell cycle. These estimates were confirmed by flow cytometric DNA analysis, which showed that 96 ± 2% of CB‐derived CD34+ cells were in G0/G1 and only 1.6 ± 0.4% in the S‐phase. Staining of CD34+ cells with an antistatin monoclonal antibody, a marker of the G0 phase, indicated that among CD34+ cells with a flow cytometric DNA content typical of the G0/G1 phase 68 ± 7% of cells were in the G0 phase of the cell cycle. Incubation (24 h) with interleukin 3 (IL‐3), recombinant human stem cell factor (SCF) and granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) significantly increased the proportion of cells in the S‐phase for both CFC and LTC‐IC without inducing any loss in numbers. Flow cytometric DNA analysis also showed an increase in CD34+ cells in the S‐phase upon continuous exposure to these cytokines. Our findings indicate that: (i) very few CB‐derived CFC or LTC‐IC were in the S‐phase of the cell cycle; (ii) a substantial amount of CD34+ cells with a flow cytometric DNA content typical of the G0/G1 fraction was cycling, as found in the G1 phase of the cell cycle; and (iii) 24‐h incubation with IL‐3, SCF and G‐CSF could drive a proportion of progenitor cells into the S‐phase without reducing their number. These data might be useful for gene transfer protocols and the ex vivo expansion of CB‐derived progenitor cells.
Investigating genetic and environmental contributions to adolescent externalizing behavior in a collectivistic culture: a multi-informant twin study

Background Little is known about the etiology of adolescents’ externalizing behavior (Ext) in collectivistic cultures. We aimed to fill this gap by investigating the genetic and environmental influences on Ext in Chinese adolescents. The etiological heterogeneity of aggression (AGG) and rule breaking (RB) was also examined. Method The study sample included 908 pairs of same-sex twins aged from 10 to 18 years (mean = 13.53 years, s.d. = 2.26). Adolescents’ Ext were assessed with the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment including Child Behavior Checklist, Teacher Report Form, and Youth Self-Report. Results Univariate genetic analyses showed that genetic influences on all measures were moderate ranging from 34% to 50%, non-shared environmental effects ranged from 23% to 52%, and shared environmental effects were significant in parent- and teacher-reported measures ranging from 29% to 43%. Bivariate genetic analyses indicated that AGG and RB shared large genetic influences (r g = 0.64–0.79) but moderate non-shared environmental factors (r e = 0.34–0.52). Conclusions Chinese adolescents’ Ext was moderately influenced by genetic factors. AGG and RB had moderate independent genetic and non-shared environmental influences, and thus constitute etiologically distinct dimensions within Ext in Chinese adolescents. The heritability of AGG, in particular, was smaller in Chinese adolescents than suggested by previous data obtained on Western peers. This study suggests that the collectivistic cultural values and Confucianism philosophy may attenuate genetic potential in Ext, especially AGG.
Phenotypic and genetic characterization of multidrug-resistant Salmonella Infantis strains isolated from broiler chicken meats in Turkey

Twenty Salmonella Infantis strains resistant against kanamycin, tetracycline, neomycin, spectinomycin, sulphonamide, nalidixic acid and trimethoprim were selected for this study out of 103 Salmonella strains isolated from broiler samples collected from several markets in the Bolu and Ankara regions of Turkey. The resistance genes aadA1, aphA1, sul1, tet(A), dfrA5/dfrA14 and gyrA were determined for these multidrug-resistant S. Infantis strains. S. Infantis strains contained a mega plasmid with the molecular size of 206 kb. The strains were divided into three groups according to the pulsed field gel electrophoresis patterns of XbaI digested chromosomal DNA. A Ser83→Tyr83 point mutation was found in the gyrA gene of all quinolone-resistant isolates. Filter mating experiments showed that 206 kb plasmid transferred nalidixic acid resistance associated with class I integrons.
A new ferromagnetic thiospinel CuCrZrS4 with re-entrant spin-glass behaviour

A new thiospinel CuCrZrS4 has been successfully synthesized by a solid-state chemical reaction. This CuCrZrS4 exhibits ferromagnetic properties below the Curie temperature at T c = 60 -2 K. The appearance of irreversible effect between field-cooled and zero-field-cooled magnetization is prominent below around 5 K in a magnetic field of less than 150 Oe. The ac susceptibility χAC shows a rapid decrease below about 10 K. This low magnetic-field behaviour indicates the existence of a re-entrant spin-glass phase below about 10 K. The dc magnetic susceptibility above 100 K shows Curie-Weiss behaviour with an effective magnetic moment of 3.61 μ B, which is a little less than the spin-only value of 3.87 μ B for the Cr3+ ion. The asymptotic Curie temperature θ P is approximately 65 K, which is a little higher than T c. The valence state is confirmed to be Cu+Cr3+Zr4+S4 2− on the basis of magnetic properties. The electrical resistivity ρ shows a semiconducting temperature dependence over the temperature range from 4.2 to 280 K with an activation energy of 6.84 210−3 eV in the higher temperature range from 50 to 283 K.
MTFC for High-Risk Adolescent Girls: A Comparison of Outcomes in England and the United States

The current study examined 12-month outcomes for girls enrolled in an implementation trial of Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care (MTFC) in England. In addition to examining changes from pretreatment to posttreatment, we also compared results for girls enrolled in the England implementation trial to girls enrolled in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of MTFC in the United States. The England MTFC sample included 58 girls in foster care between the ages of 12 and 16 years. The U.S. MTFC intervention sample included 81 girls between the ages of 13 and 17 years who were referred to out-of-home care due to chronic delinquency. Results indicated improvement in offending, violent behavior, risky sexual behavior, self-harm, and school activities for girls enrolled in the England implementation trial. The effect sizes of these results were similar to those obtained in the U.S. RCT, with the exception of substance use, which showed significant decreases for girls enrolled in the U.S. RCT but not for girls enrolled in the England implementation trial. These results, in combination with other cross-cultural findings, support the notion that MTFC might be relevant across U.S. and European cultures.
Phosphatidylcholine Hydrolysis Is Required for Pancreatic Cholesterol Esterase- and Phospholipase A2-facilitated Cholesterol Uptake into Intestinal Caco-2 Cells*

Pancreatic secretion is required for efficient cholesterol absorption by the intestine, but the factors responsible for this effect have not been clearly defined. To identify factors involved and to investigate their role in cholesterol uptake, we studied the effect of Viokase®, a porcine pancreatic extract, on cholesterol uptake into human intestinal Caco-2 cells. Viokase is capable of facilitating cholesterol uptake into these cells such that the level of uptake is 5-fold higher in the presence of solubilized Viokase. This stimulation is time-dependent and is dependent on the presence of bile salt. However, bile salt-stimulated pancreatic cholesterol esterase, which has been proposed to mediate cholesterol uptake, is not fully responsible. The major cholesterol transport activity was purified and identified as pancreatic phospholipase A2. Anti-phospholipase A2 antibodies abolished virtually all of the phospholipase A2 and cholesterol transport activity of solubilized Viokase. We demonstrate that both phospholipase A2 and cholesterol esterase increase cholesterol uptake by hydrolyzing the phosphatidylcholine that is used to prepare the cholesterol-containing micelles. In the absence of cholesterol esterase or phospholipase A2, uptake of cholesterol from micelles containing phosphatidylcholine is not as efficient as uptake from micelles containing phospholipase A2-hydrolytic products. These results indicate that phospholipase A2 may mediate cholesterol absorption by altering the physical-chemical state of cholesterol within the intestine.
No Evidence on Directional vs. Proximity Voting

The directional and proximity models offer dramatically different theories for how voters make decisions and fundamentally divergent views of the supposed microfoundations on which vast bodies of literature in theoretical rational choice and empirical political behavior have been built. We demonstrate here that the empirical tests in the large and growing body of literature on this subject amount to theoretical debates about which statistical assumption is right. The key statistical assumptions have not been empirically tested and, indeed, turn out to be effectively untestable with existing methods and data. Unfortunately, these assumptions are also crucial since changing them leads to different conclusions about voter decision processes.
Mycangimycin, a Polyene Peroxide from a Mutualist Streptomyces sp.

A mutualist actinomycete of the southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis, produces a polyene peroxide with pronounced antifungal activity. Its structure, absolute configuration, and biological activity were determined by spectral analysis, chemical modification followed by the modified Mosher method, and growth inhibitory assays, respectively.
Nutritional status and liver steatosis after direct-acting antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Background: In this retrospective study, we investigated nutritional status and liver steatosis after direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Methods: One-hundred six patients with chronic HCV infection underwent HCV-RNA testing 12 weeks after the end of treatment (EOT) with DAAs from September 2014 to August 2016. HCV genotype 1 patients received daclatasvir and asunaprevir (DCV/ASV, n=35) or sofosbuvir and ledipasvir (SOF/LDV, n=37); HCV genotype 2 patients received sofosbuvir and ribavirin (SOF/RBV, n=34). After DAA treatment, virologic response, biochemical and serological marker levels, and side effects were assessed. Nutritional status was evaluated using serum albumin (Alb), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Liver stiffness (LS) and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) values were measured for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis and steatosis using transient elastography. Results: HCV-RNA became undetectable in 32 patients who received DCV/ASV (91.4%), in 37 who received SOF/LDV (100%), and in 33 who received SOF/ RBV (97.1%). Mild anemia was noted at EOT with SOF/RBV (from 13.6 ± 1.5 to 11.9 ± 1.3 g/dL, p<0.01), but it was improved 12 weeks after EOT (13.6 ± 1.6 g/dL). Alanine aminotransferase decreased from 64.0 ± 68.9 to 16.9 ± 8.3 IU/L, p<0.001; and alpha-fetoprotein from 20.0 ± 77.6 to 4.1 ± 5.2 ng/mL, p<0.001. Alb increased from 4.1 ± 0.5 to 4.3 ± 0.4 g/dL, p<0.001; TG from 111 ± 46 to 128 ± 66 mg/dL, p<0.05; TC from 158 ± 30 to 187 ± 35 mg/dL, p<0.001; and LDL-C from 82 ± 20 to 105 ± 30 mg/dL, p<0.001. LS values decreased from 10.4 ± 6.7 to 7.6 ± 5.0 kPa, p<0.01, and CAP values increased from 213 ± 60 to 226 ± 55 dB/m, p<0.01. Conclusion: DAA treatment was useful for chronic HCV infection, and the nutritional status improved. However, CAP values increased; thus, long-term follow-up for liver steatosis is necessary.