Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spatial, temporal, age, and sex related variation in the diet of South American sea lions in southern Chile

We analyzed spatial, temporal, and age/sex variation in the diet of the South American sea lions (SASL, Otaria byronia) in southern Chile via δ13C and δ15N isotope analysis, with emphasis on exotic farmed and feral salmonids as a source of prey for this generalist predator. Isotope mixing models show that the primary prey consumed by SASL were demersal and benthopelagic fishes. Individuals sampled in summer and in the outer coast had higher δ15N values than those from winter or from the inner coast due to consumption of high trophic level demersal fish. We also found evidence of an ontogenetic shift in isotopic niche width as measured by δ13C and δ15N standard ellipse areas, with juveniles showing a restricted isotopic niche width (1.0‰2) in comparison to subadult (2.2‰2) and adult males (1.9‰2). The proportion of salmonids in the diet of the SASL was negligible and lower than reported in previous studies, which may be related to a recent drop in the production of salmon aquaculture in the region. Our study suggests that the SASL are able to adapt to shifts in spatiotemporal variations in the abundance of potential prey, including feral and farmed salmonids.
Considerations in the determination of orientational order parameters from X-ray scattering experiments

ABSTRACT An assessment of the data processing and analysis methods used to obtain the second- and fourth-rank orientational order parameters of liquid crystals from X-ray scattering experiments has been carried out, using experimental data from four extensively studied alkyl-cyanobiphenyls and calculated data generated from two general types of theoretical orientational distribution function. The application of a background subtraction and two different baseline correction methods to the scattering profiles is assessed, along with three different methods to analyse the processed data. The choice of baseline correction method is shown to have a significant effect: an offset to zero overestimates the order parameters from the experimental and calculated data sets, particularly for lower order parameters arising from broad distributions, whereas an offset to a value estimated from regions of low scattering intensity provides experimental values close to those reported from other experimental techniques. By contrast, the three different analysis methods are shown generally to result in relatively small absolute differences between the order parameters. We outline a straightforward general approach to experimental X-ray scattering data processing and analysis for uniaxial phases that results in order parameters that match well with those reported using other experimental techniques. Graphical Abstract
Dimensionality : Variable-and Person-Centered Approaches Complementary Variable-and Person-Centered Approaches to the Dimensionality of Psychometric Constructs : Application to Psychological Wellbeing at Work

Purpose – This study illustrates complementary variableand personcentered approaches allowing for a more complete investigation of the dimensionality of psychometric constructs. Psychometric measures often assess conceptually-related facets of global overarching constructs based on the implicit or explicit assumption that these overarching constructs exist as global entities including conceptually-related specificities mapped by the facets. Proper variableand person-centered methodologies are required to adequately reflect the dimensionality of these constructs. Design/methodology/approach – We illustrate these approaches using employees’ (N = 1077) ratings of their psychological wellbeing at work. Findings – The results supported the added value of the variable-centered approach proposed here, showing that employees’ ratings of their own wellbeing simultaneously reflect a global overarching wellbeing construct, together with a variety of specific wellbeing dimensions. Similarly, the results show that anchoring person-centered analyses into these variable-centered results helps to achieve a more precise depiction of employees’ wellbeing profiles. Implications – The variable-centered bifactor exploratory structural equation modelling (ESEM) framework provides a way to fully explore these sources of psychometric multidimensionality. Similarly, whenever constructs are characterized by the coexistence of overarching constructs with specific dimensions, it becomes important to properly disaggregate these two components in personcentered analyses. In this context, person-centered analyses need to be clearly anchored in the results of preliminary variable-centered analyses. Originality/value – Substantively, this study proposes an improved representation of employees’ wellbeing at work. Methodologically, this study aims to pedagogically illustrate the application of recent methodological innovations to organizational researchers.
An Experimental Test of the Roles of Audience Involvement and Message Frame in Shaping Public Reactions to Celebrity Illness Disclosures

ABSTRACT Much research has investigated what happens when celebrities disclose an illness (via media) to the public. While audience involvement (i.e., identification and parasocial relationships) is often the proposed mechanism linking illness disclosures with audience behavior change, survey designs have prevented researchers from understanding if audience involvement prior to the illness disclosure actually predicts post-disclosure emotions, cognitions, and behaviors. Rooted in previous work on audience involvement as well as the Extended Parallel Process Model, the present study uses a national online experiment (N = 1,068) to test how pre-disclosure audience involvement may initiate post-disclosure effects for the message context of skin cancer. The data demonstrate that pre-disclosure audience involvement as well as the celebrity’s framing of the disclosure can shape emotional responses (i.e., fear and hope), and that cognitive perceptions of the illness itself also influence behavioral intentions.
Effect of haemodialysis on metabolism of calcium

Background : Secondary hyperparathyroidismis a frequent complication in chronic kidney disease patients, especially those on haemodialysis. The objective of this study is to find the effect of chronic haemodialysis on Calcium, phosphorus, Calcium × phosphorus product, Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Parathyroid hormone (PTH) in peripheral blood of a sample of Iraqi patient who were on chronic haemodialysis. Method : One hundred and three patientson haemodialysis were studied from February 2014 to May 2014. To evaluate the effect of duration of dialysis treatment on Parathyroid hormone and other laboratory tests, patients were divided into two groups according to the haemodialysis duration: group 1 (48 patients 0.05) in the level of serum calcium, phosphorus, Calcium × phosphorus product, Alkaline phosphatase and Parathyroid hormone between group 1( 0.05) was found between haemodialysis duration and each of serum phosphorus, Calcium × phosphorus product, Alkaline phosphatase and Parathyroid hormone. Only significant association (p<0.05) was observed between haemodialysis duration and serum calcium level. Conclusion: No significant increase was observed in the Parathyroid hormone level in group haemodialysis � 1 year compared with haemodialysis <1 year. While haemodialysis duration less than a year were significantly more associated with decreased serum calcium compared with longer period of haemodialysis duration were significantly more to be associated with normal serum calcium.
Influence of pulmonary emphysema on COPD assessment test-oriented categorization in GOLD document

Background The COPD assessment test (CAT) score is a key component of the multifactorial assessment of COPD in the Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines of 2014. Nevertheless, little is known regarding the differences among COPD categories in terms of clinical parameters such as pulmonary function or radiological findings. Thus, our aims in this study were to evaluate the associations between CAT scores and pulmonary clinical parameters, and to investigate factors that could discriminate between a “less symptomatic group” (categories A and C) and a “more symptomatic group” (categories B and D) among stable COPD patients. Methods We enrolled 200 outpatients at Chiba University Hospital. Study subjects were assessed by CAT, pulmonary function testing, and multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). We assessed possible correlations between these indices. Results CAT scores were negatively correlated with percentage of the forced expiratory volume in 1 second predicted value (FEV1 %predicted) and percentage of the diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide per liter of lung volume predicted value (DLCO/VA [%predicted]) results and positively correlated with low attenuation volume percentage (LAV%) and residual volume to total lung capacity ratios (RV/TLC). In the “more symptomatic group” (category B or D), the mean DLCO/VA (%predicted) was significantly lower and the mean LAV% and RV/TLC was significantly higher than those in the “less symptomatic group” (category A or C), respectively. Interestingly, those in category B had higher mean LAV% compared to those in category C. Conclusion CAT scores were significantly correlated with pulmonary function parameters and emphysematous changes on MDCT. The new GOLD classification system would be a step toward a phenotypic approach, especially taking into account the degree of emphysema and hyperinflation.
Frontal lobe contributions to recognition and recall: Linking basic research with clinical evaluation and remediation

The role of the human frontal lobes in episodic memory is becoming better understood, thanks mainly to focal lesion and neuroimaging studies. Here we review some recent findings from basic research on the frontal lobes in memory encoding, search, and decision-making at retrieval. For each of these processes, researchers have uncovered cases in which frontal memory impairments can be attenuated by various task manipulations. We suggest ways in which these findings may inform clinical evaluation and rehabilitation of memory problems following frontal damage. (JINS, 2006, 12, 210–223.)
On the temporal delay assumption and the impact of non-linguistic context effects

It is not easy to comment on Dijkstra and Van Heuven's model because there are many more aspects we agree with than aspects we feel uncomfortable about. Indeed, the BIA model has played an enormous role in showing us how bilingual visual word recognition can be achieved without recurrence to the intuitively appealing – but wrong – ideas of separate, language-specific lexicons and language-selective access. As in many other research areas, a working computational model has been much more influential in convincing critical readers (and researchers) than any series of empirical findings. The BIA+ model inherits this strength and, hopefully, in the coming years will be implemented in enough detail to exceed its predecessor. In the rest of this comment, we would like to put a cautionary note behind the temporal delay assumption introduced in the target article and provide some additional corroborating evidence for the lack of non-linguistic effects on early processes in the identification system.
Headbob Display Structure in the Naturalized Anolis Lizards of Bermuda: Sex, Context, and Population Effects

Abstract Many members of the Iguania group of lizards engage in stereotyped and species-specific “pushup” or “headbob” displays. Temporal attributes of displays have been quantified for a number of species in the genus Anolis, but few of these studies have examined effects on display structure of signaler sex, display context, and population. With this goal in mind we conducted a comparative study of three Anolis species permanently established (“naturalized”) on the island of Bermuda: Anolis grahami from Jamaica, Anolis extremus from Barbados, and Anolis leachi from Antigua and Barbuda. These anoles are distantly related to each other and to Anolis carolinensis—the only Anolis species for which all of the above influences on display structure have been examined in detail. Adults were field-captured and transported to the laboratory where paired interactions were videotaped and headbob displays analyzed. Results revealed one or more variables to exhibit sexual dimorphism in each species, and display context had little influence on signal structure. We then compared results from our founder populations on Bermuda with those published for two of our study species' source populations. No significant differences in headbob display units were found between A. grahami on Bermuda and on Jamaica. In contrast, male A. extremus on Bermuda produced fewer units per display than did males from Barbados, although the nature of the published data prevented statistical comparison.
Determination of Antioxidant Capacity and Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Milk from Native Cows (Bos Indicus ), Exotic Cows (Bos Taurus ), and Riverine Buffaloes (Bubalus Bubalis ) Across Different Lactation Stages

Cow milk has been considered as important food source and contains significant amount of saturated fat (3.2%), lactose (5%), protein (3.2%), and calcium (0.7%). It is considered as powerhouse of both macro and micro nutrients with several important bioactive compounds that are essential for growing kids as well the adults. Likewise in other natural foods, some of the bioactive compounds in milk are known to possess putative antioxidant capacity with excellent health promoting properties. These bioactive compounds are mainly represented as vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase. These antioxidants help to protect the body against over production of free radicals, or reactive oxygen species (ROS) a phenomenon commonly associated with oxidative tissue damage [1]. Though, oxidative metabolism is essential for the cell survival and various regulatory processes, its negative impact may lead to generation of free radicals and ROS. The excess of free radicals or ROS can oxidize membrane lipids, proteins, DNA etc. which are further damaging to the normal cellular process. Studies have shown that oxidative damage plays a significant role in several human diseases like cancer, emphysema, cirrhosis, atherosclerosis, arthritis etc. [2, 3]. The presence of antioxidants helps to neutralize the reactive species as they prevent the formation of free radicals and inhibit the lipid peroxidation, thus reducing the severity of oxidative stress [4]. Similarly, milk antioxidants are known to play necessary roles in preventing lipid peroxidation [5]. Antioxidative potential of milk and its varied fractions like skim milk, whey, caseins and lactoferrin is demonstrated in various reports on Bos taurus breeds [6-10]. However, no such report is available in Indian native cattle (Bos indicus) and riverine buffaloes till date.
The Effects of Forest Fuel-Reduction Treatments in the United States

The current conditions of many seasonally dry forests in the western and southern United States, especially those that once experienced low- to moderate-intensity fire regimes, leave them uncharacteristically susceptible to high-severity wildfire. Both prescribed fire and its mechanical surrogates are generally successful in meeting short-term fuel-reduction objectives such that treated stands are more resilient to high-intensity wildfire. Most available evidence suggests that these objectives are typically accomplished with few unintended consequences, since most ecosystem components (vegetation, soils, wildlife, bark beetles, carbon sequestration) exhibit very subtle effects or no measurable effects at all. Although mechanical treatments do not serve as complete surrogates for fire, their application can help mitigate costs and liability in some areas. Desired treatment effects on fire hazards are transient, which indicates that after fuel-reduction management starts, managers need to be persistent with repeated treatment, especially in the faster-growing forests in the southern United States.
The Emergency Medical System in Greece: Opening Aeolus’ Bag of Winds

An Emergency Medical Service (EMS) system must encompass a spectrum of care, with dedicated pre-hospital and in-hospital medical facilities. It has to be organised in such a way as to include all necessary services—such as triage accurate initial assessment, prompt resuscitation, efficient management of emergency cases, and transport to definitive care. The global economic downturn has had a direct effect on the health sector and poses additional threats to the healthcare system. Greece is one of the hardest-hit countries. This manuscript aims to present the structure of the Greek EMS system and the impact of the current economic recession on it. Nowadays, primary care suffers major shortages in crucial equipment, unmet health needs, and ineffective central coordination. Patients are also facing economic limitations that lead to difficulties in using healthcare services. The multi-factorial problem of in-hospital EMS overcrowding is also evident and has been linked with potentially poorer clinical outcomes. Furthermore, the ongoing refugee crisis challenges the national EMS. Adoption of a triage scale, expansion of the primary care network, and an effective primary–hospital continuum of care are urgently needed in Greece to provide comprehensive, culturally competent, and high-quality health care.
Treatment of Acrophobia in Virtual Reality: a Pilot Study

According to the DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association, 1995), simple phobias consist of persistent fear of a circumscribed stimulus and consequent avoidance of that stimulus, where the person having this fear knows it is excessive or unreasonable. If the feared stimulus is heights, the person is said to suffer from acrophobia, or fear of heights. The most common and most successful treatment for acrophobia is graded exposure in-vivo. Here, the avoidance behavior is broken by exposing the patient to a hierarchy of feared stimuli, whereby the fear will first increase, after which habituation will occur and the fear will gradually diminish (Bouman, Scholing & Emmelkamp, 1992). In in-vivo treatment the patient is exposed to real stimuli. A promising alternative is graded exposure in Virtual Reality, where the patient can be treated in the safety and privacy of the therapist’s office and situations can be recreated which are hard to find or costly to reach. At this moment, research is being conducted at the Delft University of Technology and the University of Amsterdam aimed at developing a virtual reality system to be used by therapists for such VR Exposure Therapy (VRET). This article describes the results of a pilot study undertaken to explore the possibilities and characteristics of VRET and determine requirements for a system to support therapists
Microstructure and Properties of Friction Stir Processed Cast Al-Fe Alloy

The microstructure and mechanical properties of cast Al-3wt%Fe alloy subjected to three-pass friction stir processing(FSP) were studied.The results show that the coarse needle Al3Fe phases are broken into small granular particles after friction stir processing.The cast microstructure changes into recrystallized microstructure with low dislocation density,and some small metal stable phases distribute in matrix.The microhardness of the processed zone is lower than the cast metal,but further uniform microhardness is observed in the processed zone.The tensile strength decreases slightly,and the elongation rate significantly increases in the processed zone.The fracture appearance of tensile specimen exhibites a typical ductile dimple-fracture after friction stir processing.
Can Meditation Slow Rate of Cellular Aging? Cognitive Stress, Mindfulness, and Telomeres

Understanding the malleable determinants of cellular aging is critical to understanding human longevity. Telomeres may provide a pathway for exploring this question. Telomeres are the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes. The length of telomeres offers insight into mitotic cell and possibly organismal longevity. Telomere length has now been linked to chronic stress exposure and depression. This raises the question of mechanism: How might cellular aging be modulated by psychological functioning? We consider two psychological processes or states that are in opposition to one another–threat cognition and mindfulness–and their effects on cellular aging. Psychological stress cognitions, particularly appraisals of threat and ruminative thoughts, can lead to prolonged states of reactivity. In contrast, mindfulness meditation techniques appear to shift cognitive appraisals from threat to challenge, decrease ruminative thought, and reduce stress arousal. Mindfulness may also directly increase positive arousal states. We review data linking telomere length to cognitive stress and stress arousal and present new data linking cognitive appraisal to telomere length. Given the pattern of associations revealed so far, we propose that some forms of meditation may have salutary effects on telomere length by reducing cognitive stress and stress arousal and increasing positive states of mind and hormonal factors that may promote telomere maintenance. Aspects of this model are currently being tested in ongoing trials of mindfulness meditation.
Total Phenolic, Total Flavonoid, Tannin Content, and Antioxidant Capacity of Halimium halimifolium (Cistaceae) -

This study was carried out to evaluate the phytochemical constituents and antioxidant potential of the leaves and flowers extracts of Halimium halimifolium in order to validate the medicinal potential of this herb. The antioxidant activity of alcoholic and aqueous extracts was evaluated using 2, 2-diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2, 2’-azinobis- (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The total polyphenol, flavonoid and tannincontent were determined according respectively to Folin-Ciocalteu method, Zhishen method and Broadhurst method. The leaves of H. halimifolium had greater antioxidant activity than flowers by DPPH and ABTS assays. The ethanol extract of the leaves exhibited the better antioxidant activity by DPPH assay (IC50 = 1.19 µg.mL-1), the n-butanol by ABTS assays (IC50 = 1.73µg.mL-1). As opposed to FRAP method the flowers had greater antioxidant activity as leaves. Ethyl acetate extract exhibited better antioxidant activity (IC50 = 15.5 mmol Fe2+.g-1). The obtained results showed that the extracting solvent significantly influenced the antioxidant property estimations of Halimium halimifolium. The ethanol is a recommended solvent for extracting antioxidants from this plant. The antioxidant activity determined by DPPH, ABTS and FRAP demonstrated a linear relationship with their polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins content.