Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A conceptual model of the controlling factors of soil organic carbon and nitrogen densities in a permafrost‐affected region on the eastern Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau

Many investigations of the preservation of soil organic carbon (SOC) in permafrost regions have examined roles of geomorphology, pedogenesis, vegetation cover, and permafrost within particular regions. However, it is difficult to disentangle the effects of multiple factors on the SOC in permafrost regions due to the heterogeneity in environmental conditions. Based on data from 73 soil study sites in permafrost regions of the eastern Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau, we developed a simple conceptual model, which relates SOC to topography, vegetation, and pedogenesis. We summarized the dominant factors and their controls on SOC using 31 measured soil physiochemical variables. Soil texture explains approximately 60% of the variations in the SOC stocks for the upper 0–2 m soil. Soil particle size closely correlates to soil moisture, which is an important determinant of SOC. Soil salinity and cations are important factors as well and can explain about 10% of the variations in SOC. The SOC and total nitrogen (TN) stocks for the 1–2 m depths have larger uncertainties than those of upper 1 m soil layer. The vegetation, pH, and bulk density mainly affects SOC and TN stocks for the upper 1 m soil layers, while the active layer thickness and soil particle size have greater influence on SOC and TN stocks for the 1–2 m soils. Our results suggest that the soil particle size is the most important controller of SOC pools, and the stocks of SOC and TN are strongly effected by soil development processes in the permafrost regions of the eastern Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau.
Import Pathways of Chloroplast Interior Proteins and the Outer-Membrane Protein OEP14 Converge at Toc75

Most chloroplast outer-membrane proteins are synthesized at their mature size without cleavable targeting signals. Their insertion into the outer membrane is insensitive to thermolysin pretreatment of chloroplasts and does not require ATP. It has therefore been assumed that insertion of outer-membrane proteins proceeds through a different pathway from import into the interior of chloroplasts, which requires a thermolysin-sensitive translocon complex and ATP. Here, we show that a model outer-membrane protein, OEP14, competed with the import of a chloroplast interior protein, indicating that the two import pathways partially overlapped. Cross-linking studies showed that, during insertion, OEP14 was associated with Toc75, a thermolysin-resistant component of the outer-membrane protein–conducting channel that mediates the import of interior-targeted precursor proteins. Whereas almost no OEP14 inserted into protein-free liposomes, OEP14 inserted into proteoliposomes containing reconstituted Toc75 with a high efficiency. Taken together, our data indicate that Toc75 mediates OEP14 insertion, and therefore plays a dual role in the targeting of proteins to the outer envelope membrane and interior of chloroplasts.
Shareholder Activism and CEO Pay

We study 134 vote-no campaigns and 1,198 shareholder proposals related to executive pay between 1997 and 2007. Union pension funds sponsor most of these initiatives, yet their targeting criteria do not appear to reflect labor-related motives. Shareholders favor proposals related to the pay-setting process (e.g., subject severance pay to shareholder approval) over proposals that micromanage pay level or structure. While activists target firms with high CEO pay (whether excessive or not), voting support is higher only at firms with excess CEO pay. Firms with excess CEO pay targeted by vote-no campaigns experience a significant reduction in CEO pay ($7.3 million). Our findings contribute to the debate on "say on pay" and other reforms empowering shareholders. The Author 2011. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Society for Financial Studies. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org. , Oxford University Press.
Whither structured representation?

The perceptual symbol system view assumes that perceptual representations have a role-argument structure. A role-argument structure is often incorporated into amodal symbol systems in order to explain conceptual functions like abstraction and rule use. The power of perceptual symbol systems to support conceptual functions is likewise rooted in its use of structure. On Barsalou's account, this capacity to use structure (in the form of frames) must be innate.
The Relationship Between Mental Skills , Experience , and Stock Car Racing Performance

Ebben WP, Gagnon J. The Relationship Between Mental Skills, Experience, and Stock Car Racing Performance. JEPonline 2012;15(3):10-18. Stock car racing is one of the largest spectator sports in the United States. However, the experience of the driver participant has been largely unresearched. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between stock car driver performance, mental skills, and experience. Twenty male stock car drivers from throughout the United States participated. The Psychological Skills Inventory for Sports-R5 (PSIS-R5) was used to assess participants’ use of mental skills. Success was evidenced by the drivers’ track points ranking, regional, and national ranking. A Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to examine the relationships between these variables. Track points ranking (percentile) was negatively correlated with mental preparation (R = 0.46, P = 0.004) and anxiety coping (R = -0.53, P = 0.028). The participants’ age was negatively correlated with motivation (R = -0.56, P = 0.023). The participants’ motivation was correlated with selfconfidence (R = 0.48, P = 0.047), mental preparation (R = 0.48; P = 0.03), and team emphasis (R = 0.46, P = 0.04). Concentration was correlated with self-confidence (R = 0.64, P = 0.002) and anxiety coping (R = 0.65, P = 0.002). Self-confidence was correlated with anxiety coping (R = 0.64, P = 0.003). Mental preparation was correlated with team emphasis (R = 0.50, P = 0.024). Stock car drivers, as well as sport psychologists who work with them, should emphasize strategies designed to reduce anxiety and should employ mental skills training to increase racing success.
Farming practices and productivity

In this chapter, teff production practices are described, along with their relationships with the level of land productivity of teff producers in Ethiopia. Data are used on plots of teff from a survey of 1,200 stratified randomly selected households conducted at the end of 2012. We selected this dataset as it provides high-quality data, relevant information on teff practices, and a large sample. The relationships between farming practices and teff yield are assessed through a descriptive analysis of the data and the estimation of a production function to determine teff productivity. Although input levels and characteristics of the plot and household are included as right-hand variables, the focus is on the technology employed and producer organizations used. The analysis sheds light on the relationships between farming practices and yield across plots as well as the implications for policies to improve land productivity for teff producers.
Preliminary study on the diagnostic value of single-source dual-energy CT in diagnosing cervical lymph node metastasis of thyroid carcinoma.

Background To investigate the value of single-source dual-energy spectral CT imaging in improving the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis of lymph node metastasis of thyroid carcinoma. Methods Thirty-four thyroid carcinoma patients were enrolled and received spectral CT scanning before thyroidectomy and cervical lymph node dissection surgery. Iodine-based material decomposition (MD) images and 101 sets of monochromatic images from 40 to 140 keV were reconstructed after CT scans. The iodine concentrations (IC) of lymph nodes were measured on the MD images and was normalized to that of common carotid artery to obtain the normalized iodine concentration (NIC). The CT number of lymph nodes as function of photon energy was measured on the 101 sets of images to generate a spectral HU curve and to calculate its slope λHU. The measurements between the metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes were statistically compared and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine the optimal thresholds of these measurements for diagnosing lymph nodes metastasis. Results There were 136 lymph nodes that were pathologically confirmed. Among them, 102 (75%) were metastatic and 34 (25%) were non-metastatic. The IC, NIC and the slope λHU of the metastatic lymph nodes were 3.93±1.58 mg/mL, 0.70±0.55 and 4.63±1.91, respectively. These values were statistically higher than the respective values of 1.77±0.71 mg/mL, 0.29±0.16 and 2.19±0.91 for the non-metastatic lymph nodes (all P<0.001). ROC analysis determined the optimal diagnostic threshold for IC as 2.56 mg/mL, with the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 83.3%, 91.2% and 85.3%, respectively. The optimal threshold for NIC was 0.289, with the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 96.1%, 76.5% and 91.2%, respectively. The optimal threshold for the spectral curve slope λHU was 2.692, with the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 88.2%, 82.4% and 86.8%, respectively. Conclusions The measurements obtained in dual-energy spectral CT improve the sensitivity and accuracy for preoperatively diagnosing lymph node metastasis in thyroid carcinoma.
Sensitivity of Extreme Rainfall to Atmospheric Moisture Content in the Arid/Semiarid Southwestern United States: Implications for Probable Maximum Precipitation Estimates

Sensitivity of extreme rainfall to atmospheric moisture content for the 19 August 2014 storm in Arizona is investigated based on numerical experiments using the Weather Research and Forecasting model. Analyses are designed to develop an improved understanding of the roles of atmospheric moisture content and complex terrain in controlling spatial and temporal variability of extreme rainfall in the arid/semiarid southwestern United States. The control simulation identifies complex interactions of low‐level moisture transport and orographic lift as key elements in producing extreme rainfall for the first storm episode. Two sensitivity experiments are performed by increasing the relative humidity by 10% and 20% in both initial and boundary conditions used for the control simulation. Changes in atmospheric moisture content modify the storm structure and evolution, instability of the storm environment, and interactions of synoptic flow with complex terrain. The two storm episodes within this event exhibit contrasting responses to the increase of moisture content, with rainfall accumulation and maximum convective available potential energy increased for the second storm episode as opposed to a more complex relationship for the first storm episode. A moisture maximization simulation was also designed to mimic the framework of moisture maximization in probable maximum precipitation estimates. Our results highlight the nonlinear relationship between extreme rainfall and atmospheric moisture content in complex environments where small‐scale convection plays a dominant role. Limitations of probable maximum precipitation estimates based physical models are also discussed.
Mortality and cancer incidence in a pooled cohort of US firefighters from San Francisco, Chicago and Philadelphia (1950–2009)

Objectives To examine mortality patterns and cancer incidence in a pooled cohort of 29 993 US career firefighters employed since 1950 and followed through 2009. Methods Mortality and cancer incidence were evaluated by life table methods with the US population referent. Standardised mortality (SMR) and incidence (SIR) ratios were determined for 92 causes of death and 41 cancer incidence groupings. Analyses focused on 15 outcomes of a priori interest. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to examine the potential for significant bias. Results Person-years at risk totalled 858 938 and 403 152 for mortality and incidence analyses, respectively. All-cause mortality was at expectation (SMR=0.99, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.01, n=12 028). There was excess cancer mortality (SMR=1.14, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.18, n=3285) and incidence (SIR=1.09, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.12, n=4461) comprised mainly of digestive (SMR=1.26, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.34, n=928; SIR=1.17, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.25, n=930) and respiratory (SMR=1.10, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.17, n=1096; SIR=1.16, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.24, n=813) cancers. Consistent with previous reports, modest elevations were observed in several solid cancers; however, evidence of excess lymphatic or haematopoietic cancers was lacking. This study is the first to report excess malignant mesothelioma (SMR=2.00, 95% CI 1.03 to 3.49, n=12; SIR=2.29, 95% CI 1.60 to 3.19, n=35) among US firefighters. Results appeared robust under differing assumptions and analytic techniques. Conclusions Our results provide evidence of a relation between firefighting and cancer. The new finding of excess malignant mesothelioma is noteworthy, given that asbestos exposure is a known hazard of firefighting.
The Occurrence of Guanophores in Fundulus.

Though the changes in shade and color which occur in Fundulus heteroclitus in response to backgrounds and other stimuli have hitherto been accounted for by changes in the melanophores and xanthophores, this fish also possesses chromatophores which apparently have been neglected if not entirely overlooked. Perhaps this is because of the distribution of these cells and their position in relation to the melanophores. The object of this report is to describe briefly some of their morphological and physiological characteristics, and to point out their significance in bringing about alterations in the appearance of the fish. If one of the large scales in the mid-dorsal region just behind the head is removed from an individual adapted to a black background, and the area thus exposed is observed with a microscope by reflected light, it will be seen to present the features illustrated by figure 1. The most conspicuous structures are the expanded melanophores; their processes partly conceal the xanthophores which lie among them, but deeper in the dermis. Imbedded in many of the melanophores are the iridosomes which have been the subject of a recent paper by Foster (1933). According to the termiinology of Ballowitz (1912) an iridosome is a group of "iridocytes," and when associated with a melanophore the combination becomes a "melaniridosome. " If instead of a black-adapted specimen a fish from a white background is examined in the same way, a much different condition is revealed (Fig. 2). The melanophores are contracted and appear to be surrounded by silvery halos, which are actually the radiating processes of chromatophores lying beneath the melanophores. These processes form an interlacing network in many places and hide the deeper xanthophores from view. If a piece of integument is removed and studied by transmitted light, the chromatophores, which always appear silvery (or luminously white) by reflected light, lose their brilliance and instead are a dull yellowish gray. They are never iridescent, though their brilliant whiteness is due to their ability to reflect incident light. If examined under oil immersion the substance which they contain is seen to be in the form of small particles. These may appear to be closely packed together or they may show Brownian movement. In either case it is difficult to determine whether they are merely granular or definitely crystalline, for they are smaller than the melanin granules. Some writers speak of amorphous guanin, while others 750 PROC. N. A. S.
Distribution and Phylogeny of Light-Oxygen-Voltage-Blue-Light-Signaling Proteins in the Three Kingdoms of Life

ABSTRACT Plants and fungi respond to environmental light stimuli via the action of different photoreceptor modules. One such class, responding to the blue region of light, is constituted by photoreceptors containing so-called light-oxygen-voltage (LOV) domains as sensor modules. Four major LOV families are currently identified in eukaryotes: (i) the plant phototropins, regulating various physiological effects such as phototropism, chloroplast relocation, and stomatal opening; (ii) the aureochromes, mediating photomorphogenesis in photosynthetic stramenopile algae; (iii) the plant circadian photoreceptors of the zeitlupe (ZTL)/adagio (ADO)/flavin-binding Kelch repeat F-box protein 1 (FKF1) family; and (iv) the fungal circadian photoreceptors white-collar 1 (WC-1). Blue-light-sensitive LOV signaling modules are also widespread throughout the prokaryotic world, and physiological responses mediated by bacterial LOV photoreceptors were recently reported. Thus, the question arises as to the evolutionary relationship between the pro- and eukaryotic LOV photoreceptor systems. We used Bayesian and maximum-likelihood tree reconstruction methods to infer evolutionary scenarios that might have led to the widespread appearance of LOV domains among the pro- and eukaryotes. The phylogenetic study presented here suggests a bacterial origin for the LOV domains of the four major eukaryotic LOV photoreceptor families, whereas the LOV sensor domains were most likely recruited from the bacteria in the course of plastid and mitochondrial endosymbiosis.
Estimation of bumblebee queen dispersal distances using sibship reconstruction method

Dispersal ability is a key determinant of the propensity of an organism to cope with habitat fragmentation and climate change. Here we quantify queen dispersal in two common bumblebee species in an arable landscape. Dispersal was measured by taking DNA samples from workers in the spring and summer, and from queens in the following spring, at 14 sites across a landscape. The queens captured in the spring must be full sisters of workers that were foraging in the previous year. A range of sibship reconstruction methods were compared using simulated data sets including or no genotyping errors. The program Colony gave the most accurate reconstruction and was used for our analysis of queen dispersal. Comparison of queen dispersion with worker foraging distances was used to take into account an expected low level of false identification of sister pairs which might otherwise lead to overestimates of dispersal. Our data show that Bombus pascuorum and B. lapidarius queens can disperse by at least 3 and 5 km, respectively. These estimates are consistent with inferences drawn from studies of population structuring in common and rare bumblebee species, and suggest that regular gene flow over several kilometres due to queen dispersal are likely to be sufficient to maintain genetic cohesion of ubiquitous species over large spatial scales whereas rare bumblebee species appear unable to regularly disperse over distances greater than 10 km. Our results have clear implications for conservation strategies for this important pollinator group, particularly when attempting to conserve fragmented populations.
LiverElimination of Bacteria Taken Up by the Neutrophil- Kupffer Cell Interaction and the Complementary Adhesion Molecules Promote

Most bacteria that enter the bloodstream are taken up by the liver. Previously, we reported that such organisms are initially bound extracellularly and subsequently killed by immigrating neutrophils, not Kupffer cells as widely presumed in the literature. Rather, the principal functions of Kupffer cells demonstrated herein are to clear bacteria from the peripheral blood and to promote accumulation of bactericidal neutrophils at the principal site of microbial deposition in the liver, i.e., the Kupffer cell surface. In a mouse model of listeriosis, uptake of bacteria by the liver at 10 min postinfection i.v. was reduced from approximately 60% of the inoculum in normal mice to (cid:1) 15% in mice rendered Kupffer cell deﬁcient. Immunocytochemical analysis of liver sections derived from normal animals at 2 h postinfection revealed the massive immigration of neutrophils and their colocalization with Kupffer cells. Photomicrographs of the puriﬁed nonparenchymal liver cell population derived from these infected mice demonstrated listeriae inside neutrophils and neutrophils within Kupffer cells. Complementary adhesion molecules promoted the interaction between these two cell populations. Pretreatment of mice with mAbs speciﬁc for CD11b/CD18 (type 3 complement receptor) or its counter-receptor, CD54, inhibited the accumulation of neutrophils in the liver and the elimination of listeriae. Complement was not a factor; complement depletion affected neither the clearance of listeriae by Kupffer cells nor the antimicrobial activity expressed by inﬁltrating neutrophils. The Journal of Immunology, 2002, 168: 308–315. Blood not early host defenses to liver
The Dispanins: A Novel Gene Family of Ancient Origin That Contains 14 Human Members

The Interferon induced transmembrane proteins (IFITM) are a family of transmembrane proteins that is known to inhibit cell invasion of viruses such as HIV-1 and influenza. We show that the IFITM genes are a subfamily in a larger family of transmembrane (TM) proteins that we call Dispanins, which refers to a common 2TM structure. We mined the Dispanins in 36 eukaryotic species, covering all major eukaryotic groups, and investigated their evolutionary history using Bayesian and maximum likelihood approaches to infer a phylogenetic tree. We identified ten human genes that together with the known IFITM genes form the Dispanin family. We show that the Dispanins first emerged in eukaryotes in a common ancestor of choanoflagellates and metazoa, and that the family later expanded in vertebrates where it forms four subfamilies (A–D). Interestingly, we also find that the family is found in several different phyla of bacteria and propose that it was horizontally transferred to eukaryotes from bacteria in the common ancestor of choanoflagellates and metazoa. The bacterial and eukaryotic sequences have a considerably conserved protein structure. In conclusion, we introduce a novel family, the Dispanins, together with a nomenclature based on the evolutionary origin.
Radiocarbon Dating Historical Mortars: Lime Lumps and/or Binder Carbonate?

ABSTRACT Lime lumps and bulk mortars show different 14C contamination when analyzed in several CO2 fractions isolated from the effervescence of an ongoing hydrolysis reaction. Age profiles of both materials are therefore highly complementary and together they can provide a reliable date. Furthermore, they can also reveal the complexity of the radiocarbon (14C) distribution within the mortar and thus prevent over-interpretation of the data. The lime lump versus bulk mortar dating data presented here has been collected over 22 years, with only a small fraction of the results so far published internationally. Since there has been an increasing interest in mortar dating over recent years with a special focus on lime lumps, and since many laboratories have just begun mortar dating experiments, we wish to present some of the extensive data that already exist. Previously published data from 15 lime lumps (including 34 14C measurements from sequential dissolution) and 43 new 14C measurements from 17 lime lumps are presented here. The samples are from medieval Finland and Sweden, classical Rome and medieval Italy, and the Roman Jerash (Gerasa), Jordan.