Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thermochronology and tectonics of the Leeward Antilles: Evolution of the southern Caribbean Plate boundary zone

Tectonic reconstructions of the Caribbean Plate are severely hampered by a paucity of geochronologic and exhumation constraints from anastomosed basement blocks along its southern margin. New U/Pb, 40Ar/39Ar, apatite fission track, and apatite (U‐Th)/He data constrain quantitative thermal and exhumation histories, which have been used to propose a model for the tectonic evolution of the emergent parts of the Bonaire Block and the southern Caribbean Plate boundary zone. An east facing arc system intruded through an oceanic plateau during ∼90 to ∼87 Ma and crops out on Aruba. Subsequent structural displacements resulted in >80°C of cooling on Aruba during 70–60 Ma. In contrast, exhumation of the island arc sequence exposed on Bonaire occurred at 85–80 Ma and 55–45 Ma. Santonian exhumation on Bonaire occurred immediately subsequent to burial metamorphism and may have been driven by the collision of a west facing island arc with the Caribbean Plate. Island arc rocks intruded oceanic plateau rocks on Gran Roque at ∼65 Ma and exhumed rapidly at 55–45 Ma. We attribute Maastrichtian‐Danian exhumation on Aruba and early Eocene exhumation on Bonaire and Gran Roque to sequential diachronous accretion of their basement units to the South American Plate. Widespread unconformities indicate late Eocene subaerial exposure. Late Oligocene–early Miocene dextral transtension within the Bonaire Block drove subsidence and burial of crystalline basement rocks of the Leeward Antilles to ≤1 km. Late Miocene–recent transpression caused inversion and ≤1 km of exhumation, possibly as a result of the northward escape of the Maracaibo Block.
Modeling the Effect of Climate Change on the Distribution of Oak and Pine Species of Mexico

Abstract: We examined the vulnerability of 34 species of oaks (Quercus) and pines (Pinus) to the effects of global climate change in Mexico. We regionalized the HadCM2 model of climate change with local climatic data (mean annual temperature and rainfall) and downscaled the model with the inverse distance‐weighted method. Databases of herbaria specimens, genetic algorithms (GARP), and digital covers of biophysical variables that affect oaks and pines were used to project geographic distributions of the species under a severe and conservative scenario of climate change for the year 2050. Starting with the current average temperature of 20.2 °C and average precipitation of 793 mm, under the severe warming scenario mean temperature and precipitation changed to 22.7 °C and 660 mm, respectively, in 2050. For the conservative warming scenario, these variables shifted to 21.8 °C and 721 mm. Responses to the different scenarios of climate change were predicted to be species‐specific and related to each species climate affinity. The current geographic distribution of oaks and pines decreased 7–48% and 0.2–64%, respectively. The more vulnerable pines were Pinus rudis, P. chihuahuana, P. oocarpa, and P. culminicola, and the most vulnerable oaks were Quercus crispipilis, Q. peduncularis, Q. acutifolia, and Q. sideroxyla. In addition to habitat conservation, we think sensitive pine and oak species should be looked at more closely to define ex situ strategies (i.e., seed preservation in germplasm banks) for their long‐term conservation. Modeling climatic‐change scenarios is important to the development of conservation strategies.
The effect of preschool on children’s school readiness

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of preschool on children’s school readiness in connection with their intellectual abilities, language competence and parents’ education. The sample included 219 children from 68 to 83 months old attending the first year of primary school, differentiated by whether or not they had attended preschool before starting school. Children’s intellectual ability was determined using Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices, language competence using the Lestvice splošnega govornega razvoja–LJ (Scales of General Language Development) and school readiness with the Preizkus pripravljenosti za šolo (Test of School Readiness). The results indicate that children’s intellectual ability and language competence have high predictive value for the school readiness because they explain 51% of the variance in children’s scores on the Preizkus pripravljenosti za šolo. Preschool enrollment has a positive effect on school readiness for children whose parents have a low level of education, but not for those whose parents are highly educated. The results obtained indicate that enrollment in preschool is able to compensate for deficiencies in children’s development if the parents have a lower level of education. Preschool is not an important factor in school readiness for children whose parents are highly educated. These parents probably already offer their children quality stimulation in the family environment that preschool activities do not surpass.
A Pilot Study of Motivational Interviewing Training in a Virtual World

Background Motivational interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based, patient-centered counseling strategy proven to support patients seeking health behavior change. Yet the time and travel commitment for MI training is often a barrier to the adoption of MI by health care professionals. Virtual worlds such as Second Life (SL) are rapidly becoming part of the educational technology landscape and offer not only the potential to improve access to MI training but also to deepen the MI training experience through the use of immersive online environments. Despite SL’s potential for medical education applications, little work is published studying its use for this purpose and still less is known of educational outcomes for physician training in MI using a virtual-world platform. Objective Our aims were to (1) explore the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of a virtual-world platform for delivering MI training designed for physicians and (2) pilot test instructional designs using SL for MI training. Methods We designed and pilot tested an MI training program in the SL virtual world. We trained and enrolled 13 primary care physicians in a two-session, interactive program in SL on the use of MI for counseling patients about colorectal cancer screening. We measured self-reported changes in confidence and clinical practice patterns for counseling on colorectal cancer screening, and acceptability of the virtual-world learning environment and the MI instructional design. Effectiveness of the MI training was assessed by coding and scoring tape-recorded interviews with a blinded mock patient conducted pre- and post-training. Results A total of 13 physicians completed the training. Acceptability ratings for the MI training ranged from 4.1 to 4.7 on a 5-point scale. The SL learning environment was also highly rated, with 77% (n = 10) of the doctors reporting SL to be an effective educational medium. Learners’ confidence and clinical practice patterns for colorectal cancer screening improved after training. Pre- to post-training mean confidence scores for the ability to elicit and address barriers to colorectal cancer screening (4.5 to 6.2, P = .004) and knowledge of decision-making psychology (4.5 to 5.7, P = .02) and behavior change psychology (4.9 to 6.2, P = .02) increased significantly. Global MI skills scores increased significantly and component scores for the MI skills also increased, with statistically significant improvements in 4 of the 5 component skills: empathy (3.12 to 3.85, P = .001), autonomy (3.07 to 3.85, P < .001), collaboration (2.88 to 3.46, P = .02), and evocative response (2.80 to 3.61, P = .008). Conclusions The results of this pilot study suggest that virtual worlds offer the potential for a new medical education pedagogy that will enhance learning outcomes for patient-centered communication skills training.
Tamoxifen inhibits acidification in cells independent of the estrogen receptor.

Tamoxifen has been reported to have numerous physiological effects that are independent of the estrogen receptor, including sensitization of resistant tumor cells to many chemotherapeutic agents. Drug-resistant cells sequester weak base chemotherapeutics in acidic organelles away from their sites of action in the cytosol and nucleus. This work reports that tamoxifen causes redistribution of weak base chemotherapeutics from acidic organelles to the nucleus in drug-resistant cells. Agents that disrupt organelle acidification (e.g., monensin, bafilomycin A1) cause a similar redistribution. Measurement of cellular pH in several cell lines reveals that tamoxifen inhibits acidification of endosomes and lysosomes without affecting cytoplasmic pH. Similar to monensin, tamoxifen decreased the rate of vesicular transport though the recycling and secretory pathways. Organellar acidification is required for many cellular functions, and its disruption could account for many of the side effects of tamoxifen.
What Kind of Nonprofit Sector, What Kind of Society?

Nonprofit organizations and the nonprofit sector more generally are part of a complex dual transition from industrial to postindustrial society and from national state to transnational policy regimes. This transition shows the beginnings of a new policy dialogue in addressing the future role of nonprofit organizations and involves three broad perspectives that have become prominent in recent years: First, nonprofits are increasingly part of new public management and a mixed economy of welfare; second, they are seen as central to “civil society—social capital” approaches, specifically the Neo-Tocquevillian emphasis on the nexus between social capital and participation in voluntary associations; and third, they are part of a wider social accountability perspective that sees them as instruments of greater transparency, heightened accountability, and improved governance of public institutions.
Effects of a Retention Interval on the US-Preexposure Phenomenon in Flavor Aversion Learning

Abstract Two experiments, using rats as subjects, examined the effects of a retention interval on the retardation of flavor aversion learning produced by prior exposure to the unconditioned stimulus (US). Experiment 1 showed that the US-preexposure effect was attenuated when a 15-day retention interval was interposed between preexposure and conditioning, but that the same interval was without effect when it occurred between conditioning and testing. Experiment 2 confirmed these findings and also demonstrated that these retention intervals did not influence the conditioned aversion shown by control subjects not given US preexposure. These results are consistent with the proposal that the US preexposure has its effect by interfering with the formation of the target association; they provide no support for the suggestion that the effect depends on interference at the test stage.
Predicting and understanding behavioral volitions: the interplay between goals and behaviors

In traditional attitude research behavioral volitions have been usually considered in isolation from the broader context that justify their formation. Most behaviors are functional to goal achievement and can be better understood and predicted by considering relevant constructs at the goal level. The interplay between behaviors and goals is the focus of this study. Constructs specified by the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) are examined together with constructs proposed by the Model of Goal-directed Behavior (MGB) and two further goal constructs (goal desires and goal perceived feasibility). These theoretical ideas are tested on a sample of 104 students having a goal for body weight regulation or for studying effort. The results indicate that the inclusion of distal goal-related constructs significantly improve the prediction of behavioral volitions, over and above the prediction based on behavior-related constructs. The MGB and an extended model outperform the TPB and show substantial predictive power. The implications of the findings for research on behaviors and goals are discussed. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Discovery and Characterization of Distinct Simian Pegiviruses in Three Wild African Old World Monkey Species

Within the Flaviviridae, the recently designated genus Pegivirus has expanded greatly due to new discoveries in bats, horses, and rodents. Here we report the discovery and characterization of three simian pegiviruses (SPgV) that resemble human pegivirus (HPgV) and infect red colobus monkeys (Procolobus tephrosceles), red-tailed guenons (Cercopithecus ascanius) and an olive baboon (Papio anubis). We have designated these viruses SPgVkrc, SPgVkrtg and SPgVkbab, reflecting their host species’ common names, which include reference to their location of origin in Kibale National Park, Uganda. SPgVkrc and SPgVkrtg were detected in 47% (28/60) of red colobus and 42% (5/12) red-tailed guenons, respectively, while SPgVkbab infection was observed in 1 of 23 olive baboons tested. Infections were not associated with any apparent disease, despite the generally high viral loads observed for each variant. These viruses were monophyletic and equally divergent from HPgV and pegiviruses previously identified in chimpanzees (SPgVcpz). Overall, the high degree of conservation of genetic features among the novel SPgVs, HPgV and SPgVcpz suggests conservation of function among these closely related viruses. Our study describes the first primate pegiviruses detected in Old World monkeys, expanding the known genetic diversity and host range of pegiviruses and providing insight into the natural history of this genus.
Mathematics Learning in Groups: Analyzing Equity in Two Cooperative Activity Structures

Many mathematics classrooms use cooperative learning to support equitable learning environments for all students. Past research in the field has focused primarily on increasing achievement rather than on contexts that support equitable interactions. This year-long study in 3 secondary mathematics classes compares 2 activity structures—a group quiz and a presentation—by examining group interaction within the 2 activities. The analysis shows that groups constructed a range of work practices, including a practice focused on collaboration, one focused on individual work, and one focused on “helping. ” In addition, students adopted a variety of positions, including expert, novice, in-between, and facilitator. In this data corpus, experts tended to dominate interactions during group quizzes, whereas presentation preparations were more equitable, particularly when a student was positioned as a facilitator. Based on the analysis, suggestions are provided for structuring more equitable mathematics group work.
Morphological parafoveal preview benefit effects in reading: Evidence from Hebrew

Hebrew words are composed of two interwoven morphemes: a three-consonantal root and a word-pattern (a nominal or a verbal pattern). Previous research has revealed that a parafoveal preview of a word derived from the same root morpheme as the foveal target word facilitated first-pass reading (as indexed by first fixation duration and gaze duration). In the current study we extended our research on parafoveal preview effects to other derivational morphemes in Hebrew and also examined whether context has an influence on these early morphological effects. We found that a parafoveal preview which had a common verbal pattern with a target word facilitated processing, but a preview with a common nominal pattern did not. These results are similar to previous results obtained using the masked priming paradigm with single words, and suggest that masked priming and parafoveal preview tap similar cognitive processes in word recognition. Furthermore, a preview of a verbal form (that was syntactically incongruent with the prior sentence context) inhibited the identification of a nominal form. However, biasing semantic context did not affect the first-pass reading time for target words which were previewed by a word derived from the same root. These results suggest that morphological information extracted from the parafovea in the initial phases of word recognition in Hebrew may be affected by syntactic contextual processes.
Real-Time 3D Articulated Pose Tracking using Particle Filtering and Belief Propagation on Factor Graphs

This article proposes a new statistical model for fast 3D articulated body tracking, similar to the loose-limbed model, but using the factor graph representation. Belief propagation is used to estimate the current marginal for each limb. All belief propagation messages are represented as sums of weighted samples. The resulting algorithm corresponds to a set of particle filters, one for each limb, where an extra step recomputes the weight of each sample by taking into account the interactions between limbs. To take into account fast moving limbs, proposal maps are used to steer samples to regions of high likelihood. Applied to upper-body tracking with disparity and colour images, the resulting algorithm estimates the body pose in quasi real-time (10Hz).
Molecular cytogenetics: recent developments and applications in cancer

Aneuploidy or alteration in chromosome numbers is a characteristic feature in cancer that is generally a consequence of defective chromosome segregation during cell division. Molecular cytogenetic analyses have conferred substantial evidence with regards to the chromosomal architectures in cancer. Most importantly, the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique that plays a leading role in diagnostic pathology for its single‐cell analysis has provided crucial information regarding genomic variations in malignant cells. Further development of molecular cytogenetic methodologies such as chromosome specific FISH karyotyping and comparative genomic hybridization have also helped in the detection of cryptic genetic changes in cancer. But, the recent advancement of high throughput sequencing technologies have provided a more comprehensive genomic analyses resulting in novel chromosome rearrangements, somatic mutations as well as identification of fusion genes leading to new therapeutic targets. This review highlights the application of early molecular cytogenetics and the recent high throughput genomic approaches in characterizing various cancers and their invaluable support in cancer therapeutics.
TERRORISM, POLITICS, AND PUNISHMENT: A TEST OF STRUCTURAL‐CONTEXTUAL THEORY AND THE “LIBERATION HYPOTHESIS”*

The sentencing literature generally has been characterized by an inability to explain Significant amounts of the variance in sentencing outcomes. Two major theoretical explanations have addressed this issue: structural-contextual theory and the “liberation hypothesis. ” Structural-contextual theory suggests that the components of the justice system traditionally work somewhat independently of one another. This theory suggests that variance explained in sentence outcomes will increase appreciably when components function with greater interdependence—a so-called “tightening” or “coupling” effect. Such tightening supposedly takes place when particular cases are given high priority for investigation and prosecution. An example of this situation might be domestic terrorism. The liberation hypothesis suggests that the greater the severity of an offense, the less likely judges or juries will feel free to follow their own sentiments regarding guilt and punishment. As a consequence, the ability of legal variables to predict variation in sentence length will be greater as crime severity increases. This study compares a sample of officially designated terrorists matched with nonterrorists convicted of the same federal offenses. OLS regression and structural equation modeling procedures are used to compare the levels of explained variance for the two groups. The results indicate strong support for the basic premises of both theories. Explained variance for the terrorist sample is more than four times greater than the explained variance for the nonterrorist sample. Further analysis shows that explained variance is highest for terrorists who have committed a high-severity offense and lowest for nonterrorists who have committed a low-severity offense. The subsequent addition of other predictor variables available only for the terrorist sample further increases the explained variance and provides additional support for the liberation hypothesis.
Occupational blood and infectious body fluid exposures in a teaching hospital: a three-year review.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Blood and infectious body fluid (BBF) exposures are common safety problems for health care workers (HCWs). We analyzed reported BBF exposures during a 3-year period at a teaching hospital. METHODS We collected reports of BBF exposures among HCWs occurring from January 2001 to December 2003 at a 2000-bed tertiary care medical center in northern Taiwan. HCWs were requested to report BBF exposures immediately after each exposure, which required completing a report sheet of questions concerning the exposure. The HCW was also required to visit an infectious diseases specialist who would decide on the appropriate management in each case. RESULTS Needlestick injuries were the most commonly reported BBF exposure, accounting for 80% of reported cases. The total incidence density of BBF exposures was 1.96 per 100 person-years. BBF exposures were most common in December and least common in September. Nurses had the highest percentage (60.6%) of BBF exposures and other job categories including physicians, technicians, cleaning staff, and interns accounted for around 10% each. Injuries occurred most commonly during the daytime (57.0%). Three-quarters (74.9%) of the injured HCWs had appropriate immediate care. Interns had the highest incidence density (4.48 per 100 person-years) of BBF exposures and technicians the lowest (0.50 per 100 person-years). Among the exposed HCWs, 1 received hepatitis B vaccine, 1 received both hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immune globulin, 1 received zidovudine/lamivudine due to a needlestick injury when treating an HIV-positive patient, and 4 received penicillin due to exposure to syphilis. No HCW developed infections after BBF exposure during the study period. CONCLUSIONS Measures which may be effective in reducing BBF exposures include education of HCW, increased use of standard precautions, improved administrative support, and enhanced reporting of BBF exposures.
Intersession repeatability of contrast sensitivity scores in age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE To describe the intersession repeatability of contrast sensitivity (CS) measurement using Pelli-Robson charts in patients with age-related macular degeneration. METHODS Repeatability was calculated from three measurements of CS over a 12-week period using a standardized protocol in 107 nontreated eyes of 107 patients with age-related macular degeneration who were enrolled in an ongoing clinical trial. RESULTS Data from 91 patients were included in the analysis, with a 95% coefficient of repeatability of 7 letters (0.35 log CS), ranging from 6 letters for 32 eyes with drusen only to 8 letters for patients with late AMD (macular scars or geographic atrophy). Three (3%) of these stable patients had an apparent six or more letter reduction in contrast sensitivity at the week 1 visit compared with baseline. CONCLUSIONS There is a high intersession test-retest variability of Pelli-Robson CS scores in patients with AMD, with implications for AMD clinical trial design. Although a change criterion of six or more letters may be an adequate end point in clinical trials for patients with early AMD, a larger change criterion may be necessary for clinical trials of patients with late AMD.