Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
VLT/UVES constraints on the cosmological variability of the fine-structure constant

We propose a new methodology for probing the cosmological variability of α from pairs of Fe  lines (SIDAM, single ion differential α measurement) observed in individual exposures from a high resolution spectrograph. By this we avoid the influence of the spectral shifts due to (i) ionization inhomogeneities in the absorbers; and (ii) non-zero offsets between different exposures. Applied to the Fe  lines of the metal absorption line system at zabs = 1.839 in the spectrum of Q 1101-264 obtained by means of the UV-Visual Echelle Spectrograph (UVES) at the ESO Very Large Telescope (VLT), SIDAM provides ∆α/α = (2.4 ± 3.8stat) × 10 −6 . T hezabs = 1.15 Fe  system toward HE 0515-4414 has been re-analyzed by this method thus obtaining for the combined sample ∆α/α = (0.4 ± 1.5stat) × 10 −6 . These values are shifted with respect to the Keck/HIRES mean ∆α/α = (−5.7 ± 1.1stat) × 10 −6 (Murphy et al. 2004) at very high confidence level (95%). The fundamental photon noise limitation in the ∆α/α measurement with the VLT/UVES is discussed to figure the prospects for future observations. It is suggested that with a spectrograph of ∼10 times the UVES dispersion coupled to a 100 m class telescope the present Oklo level (∆α/α ≥ 4.5 × 10 −8 )
A Growing Stem Inhibits Bud Outgrowth – The Overlooked Theory of Apical Dominance

Three theories of apical dominance, direct, diversion, and indirect, were proposed in the 1930s to explain how auxin synthesized in the shoot apex might inhibit axillary bud outgrowth, and thus shoot branching. The direct and diversion theories of apical dominance have been investigated in detail, and they are replaced with the current auxin transport canalization and second messenger theories, respectively. These two current theories still cannot entirely explain the phenomenon of apical dominance. Although there is ample evidence that the inhibition of bud outgrowth by auxin from the shoot apex is linked to stem elongation and highly branched auxin biosynthesis or signaling mutants are dwarf, the third theory proposed in the 1930s, the indirect theory, that explains apical dominance as auxin-induced stem growth indirectly inhibits bud outgrowth has been overlooked. The indirect theory did not propose how a growing stem might inhibit bud outgrowth. Recent discoveries indicate bud dormancy (syn. quiescence, paradormancy) in response to intrinsic and environmental factors in diverse species is linked to enhanced growth of the main shoot and reduced sugar level in the buds. Since a growing stem is a strong sink for sugars, and sugar is indispensable for shoot branching, the indirect theory of apical dominance might now be explained as auxin-induced stem growth inhibits bud outgrowth by diverting sugars away from buds. Detailed study of the indirect theory and the effect of source–sink status on dormancy and outgrowth of axillary buds will advance our knowledge of apical dominance and shoot branching in plants.
The Koala has Claws: Applications of the Shifting Perspectives Model in Research of Chronic Illness

The Shifting Perspectives Model of Chronic Illness was recently developed in the metasynthesis of more than 250 qualitative research reports about chronic illness. The model proposes that people with chronic illness view living with their disease in accordance with how much wellness or illness is in the foreground of their experience. It also identifies a number of circumstances and situations that can prompt a shift from wellness or illness in the foreground to wellness or illness in the background. One such situation is being interviewed or observed as a participant in research about the experience of living with a chronic disease. The author reviews the model, providing excerpts from an interview with a key informant with a chronic illness to substantiate the model and to identify a number of implications of the model for researchers. She highlights some of the difficulties and limitations encountered when researchers attempt to define the experience of living with chronic illness through the lens of a single perspective.
Predictors of Scoring at Least 600 on COMLEX-USA Level 1: Successful Preparation Strategies

Abstract Context: Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination-USA (COMLEX-USA) Level 1 scores are an important criterion used by residency directors to make residency placement decisions. Objective: To explore the association between scoring at least 600 on COMLEX-USA Level 1 and grade point average (GPA), scores on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and different test preparation strategies. Methods: Third-year osteopathic medical students at Nova Southeastern University were invited to complete a self-administered survey regarding their COMLEX-USA preparation strategies and to provide consent for the researchers to access their preclinical GPA and their MCAT and COMLEX-USA scores. Descriptive analyses were conducted to understand examination preparation procedures and resources used, and bivariate analyses were conducted to identify the statisically significant predictors of scoring 600 or higher. Two separate logistic regressions were also run. The first included all of the statisically significant factors that emerged from the bivariate analyses, and the second examined which candidate predictors remained statistically significant once the effects of GPA and MCAT scores were removed. Results: One hundred twenty-two students completed the survey, and 113 (93%) provided informed consent to access their preclinical GPA and their MCAT and COMLEX-USA scores. In the first regression, scoring 600 or higher was associated with a higher GPA (P<.02), a higher MCAT score (P<.05), earlier preparation initiation (P<.05), and not ranking the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Self-Assessment Examination (COMSAE) as the most helpful practice examination (P<.04). In the second regression, scoring 600 or higher was associated with earlier initiation of examination preparation (P<.01) and not ranking COMBANK (question bank for COMLEX-USA) as the most helpful question bank (P<.03). Among the different examination preparation methods, the specific resources ranked as most helpful were First Aid for the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) (review book), the COMSAE (practice examination); COMBANK (question bank); and Kaplan USMLE (lecture videos). Conclusion: Preclinical GPA and MCAT scores continue to be important predictors of scoring at least 600 on COMLEX-USA Level 1. However, the findings underscore the importance of maintaining a high GPA during the first 2 years of medical school and initiating COMLEX-USA preparation early.
Detection of Caprine Herpesvirus 1 in Sacral Ganglia of Latently Infected Goats by PCR

ABSTRACT A study of the latency of caprine herpesvirus 1 (CpHV.1) was carried out with four latently infected goats. Three goats were treated with dexamethasone and euthanized after 4 and 6 days. PCR and virus isolation allowed us to detect CpHV.1 only in the third and fourth sacral ganglia of the two animals euthanized 6 days after the start of treatment.
Climate - glacier links on Bogerbreen, Svalbard

Glaciers are key indicators for climate change. Mass balance studies form the important link between advances and retreats of glaciers to changes in climate. Mass balance studies were performed in the balance year 2004/05 on Bogerbreen as part of my Master thesis. Bogerbreen is a valley glacier with a size of 3.3 km2 located in central Spitsbergen, Svalbard at 78 degrees north and 15 degrees east. The direct glaciological method was applied to measure winter mass balance using snow soundings and snow pit studies. Summer balance was obtained from stake readings. The use of artificial reference horizons and shallow ice cores helped to estimate superimposed ice formation. In addition to the primary mass balance components, air temperatures were recorded on site as well as daily glacier photographs were collected, stake and glacier surface surveys performed. Ice surface velocities were measured and I generated a high resolution digital terrain model and an orthophoto of the study site. Winter balance 2004/05 was calculated to be 0.55 ± 0.08 m water equivalent. Redistribution of snow is a major control on the spatial distribution of the winter mass balance. In a more regional scale it is likely that wind drifted snow is deposited on Bogerbreen and adds significantly to the winter mass balance beside winter precipitation. Summer mass balance were calculated to 1.35 ± 0.24 m water equivalent. Ablation decreases with increase in elevation most likely due to the influence of turbulent heat fluxes. At the middle part of the glacier, albedo effects and shading lead to a distinctive lateral summer balance asymmetry. It is likely that the spatial distribution of winter snow plays a major role causing this lateral asymmetry. The resulting net mass balance was negative in the balance year 2004/05, with 0.80 ± 0.20 m water equivalent. Mean geodetic net balances for the period 1990 to 2003 and previous direct measured balances indicate that Bogerbreen has not been in balance with the climate for the last decades. This is in accordance with findings elsewhere on Spitsbergen.
Resolving basal lamiid phylogeny and the circumscription of Icacinaceae with a plastome-scale data set.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Major relationships within Lamiidae, an asterid clade with ∼40000 species, have largely eluded resolution despite two decades of intensive study. The phylogenetic positions of Icacinaceae and other early-diverging lamiid clades (Garryales, Metteniusaceae, and Oncothecaceae) have been particularly problematic, hindering classification and impeding our understanding of early lamiid (and euasterid) character evolution. METHODS To resolve basal lamiid phylogeny, we sequenced 50 plastid genomes using the Illumina sequencing platform and combined these with available asterid plastome sequence data for more comprehensive phylogenetic analyses. KEY RESULTS Our analyses resolved basal lamiid relationships with strong support, including the circumscription and phylogenetic position of the enigmatic Icacinaceae. This greatly improved basal lamiid phylogeny offers insight into character evolution and facilitates an updated classification for this clade, which we present here, including phylogenetic definitions for 10 new or converted clade names. We also offer recommendations for applying this classification to the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG) system, including the recognition of a reduced Icacinaceae, an expanded Metteniusaceae, and two orders new to APG: Icacinales (Icacinaceae + Oncothecaceae) and Metteniusales (Metteniusaceae). CONCLUSIONS The lamiids possibly radiated from an ancestry of tropical trees with inconspicuous flowers and large, drupaceous fruits, given that these morphological characters are distributed across a grade of lineages (Icacinaceae, Oncothecaceae, Metteniusaceae) subtending the core lamiid clade (Boraginales, Gentianales, Lamiales, Solanales, Vahlia). Furthermore, the presence of similar morphological features among members of Aquifoliales suggests these characters might be ancestral for the Gentianidae (euasterids) as a whole.
Loss of membrane components in the pathogenesis of antibody-induced spherocytosis.

The infusion of hyperimmune agglutinating antibodies into man or animals causes spherocytosis and hemolysis. The mechanism of spherocytosis was studied in rats given rabbit anti-rat red cell antiserum intravenously. During the 18 hr after antibody infusion, a time before the onset of reticulocytosis, hematocrits fell from 40.6 to 27.6%. However, no change occurred in mean cell volume, mean cell hemoglobin content, or the red cell concentrations of potassium or adenosine triphosphate (ATP). There was a progressive loss of membrane constituents and membrane surface area which followed first order kinetics. At 18 hr membrane cholesterol had decreased 23.5%, phospholipid 26.3%, protein 4.7%, and surface area (calculated from a measure of osmotic fragility) 14.2%. There was no change in the per cent composition of the various phospholipids. Similar changes occurred in animals splenectomized before receiving antibody.These studies demonstrate that spherocytosis induced by heterologous agglutinating antibodies in vivo results from a loss of surface area with no accompanying change in cell volume or in the concentration of the major intracellular constituents. It is caused by a process acting at the cell surface leading to the loss of lipid-rich, protein-poor components of the red cell membrane.
On the origin of rhythmic contractile activity of the esophagus in early achalasia, a clinical case study

A patient with early achalasia presented spontaneous strong rhythmic non-propulsive contractions at ~7/min, independent of swallows. Our aim was to evaluate characteristics of the rhythmic contractions, provide data on the structure of pacemaker cells in the esophagus and discuss a potential role for interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in the origin of rhythmicity. We hypothesize that intramuscular ICC (ICC-IM) are the primary pacemaker cells. The frequency but not the amplitude of the rhythmic contractions was inhibited by the phosphodiesterase inhibitor drotaverine consistent with cAMP inhibiting pacemaker currents in ICC-IM. The frequency increased by wet swallows but not dry swallows, consistent with stretch causing increase in slow wave frequency in ICC-IM. New studies on archival material showed that ICC-IM were present throughout the human esophageal musculature and were not diminished in early achalasia. Although ICC-IM exhibited a low density, they were connected to PDGFRα-positive fibroblast-like cells with whom they formed a dense gap junction coupled network. Nitrergic innervation of ICC was strongly diminished in early achalasia because of the loss of nitrergic nerves. It therefore appears possibly that ICC-IM function as pacemaker cells in the esophagus and that the network of ICC and PDGFRα-positive cells allows for coupling and propagation of the pacemaker activity. Loss of nitrergic innervation to ICC in achalasia may render them more excitable such that its pacemaker activity is more easily expressed. Loss of propagation in achalasia may be due to loss of contraction-induced aboral nitrergic inhibition.
Negative Attitudes toward Older Workers and Hiring Decisions: Testing the Moderating Role of Decision Makers’ Core Self-Evaluations

Organizational hiring practices have been charged for unfair treatment on the grounds of age. Drawing on theories of planned behavior and core self-evaluations, this research investigated the impact of negative attitudes toward older workers on hiring decisions and examined the moderating role of decision-makers’ core self-evaluations. We tested our hypotheses based on a structured online questionnaire and a vignette study using a sample of 102 participants working in human resource management across different industries. As predicted, negative attitudes toward older workers were positively related to avoidance of hiring older people, which in turn was negatively related to the likelihood to select the oldest candidate. Because hiring decisions are not only about the hiring subject but also about the decision-maker, we tested the moderating role of decision-makers’ core self-evaluations. Results showed that core self-evaluations buffered the relationship between negative attitudes toward older workers and avoidance of hiring older people. Theoretical implications of the findings with regard to hiring decisions about older people and practical recommendations to improve diversity management strategies and age-balanced hiring practices in organizations are discussed.
Distributed Misbehavior Detection in VANETs

In any vehicular adhoc network, there is always a possibility of incorrect messages being transmitted either due to faulty sensors and/or intentional malicious activities. Detecting and evicting sources of such misbehavior is an important problem. We observe that the performance of misbehavior detection schemes will depend on the application under consideration and the mobility dynamics of the detecting vehicle. Further, the underlying tradeoff in any such detection algorithm is the balance between False Positives and False Negatives; one would like to detect as many misbehaviors as possible, while at the same time ensuring that the genuine vehicles are not wrongly accused. In this work we propose and analyze (via simulations) the performance of a Misbehavior Detection Scheme (MDS) for Post Crash Notification (PCN) application. We observe that the performance of this proposed scheme is not very sensitive to the exact dynamics of the vehicle on small scales, so that slight error in estimating the dynamics of the detecting vehicle does not degrade the performance of the MDS.
The fate of sulfide during igneous processes of terrestrial planetary bodies

To constrain sulfur concentration at sulfide saturation (SCSS) of martian magmas at mantle conditions, we simulated basalt-sulfide melt equilibria using two synthesized meteorite compositions, i.e., Yamato980459 and NWA2990 in both anhydrous and hydrous conditions at 1-5 GPa and 1500-1700 °C. Our experimental results show that SCSS decreases with increasing pressure and increases with increasing temperature. Based on our experimental SCSS and those from previous low-pressure experiments on high-FeO* martian basalts, we developed a parameterization to predict martian basalt SCSS as a function of depth, temperature, and melt composition. Our model suggests that sulfur contents as high as 3500-4300 ppm can be transferred from the martian mantle to the martian exogenic system, and sulfur-rich gases might have caused the greenhouse conditions during the late Noachian. However, modeling of the behavior of sulfur along the liquid line of descent of a primitive martian basalt suggests that a fraction of the magmatic sulfur could precipitate as sulfides in the cumulates during cooling and fractional crystallization of basaltic magmas. Furthermore, the latter case is consistent with the S concentration of martian meteorites, which reflect variable amount of trapped liquid in cumulus mineral assemblage. Furthermore, our model predicts an average S storage capacity of 5700 ppm for the martian magma ocean, whereas the same for Earth is only ~860 ppm. Lastly, high SCSS of martian magma ocean and its inverse correlation with depth along the mantle liquidus could have triggered a sulfur pump where the post-core-formation magma ocean of Mars would gain sulfur through interaction with SO2/H2S rich nascent atmosphere.
Association between parental motives for food choice and eating patterns of 12- to 13-year-old Norwegian children

Abstract Objective To determine (i) the importance of parents’ motives for everyday family food choices; and (ii) the relationship between parental food choice motives and eating patterns of 12- to 13-year-old children. Design Cross-sectional study. A modified version of the Food Choice Questionnaire was used to determine parental motives for food choices. The children's food and drink intake was reported by their parents using a retrospective FFQ. Eating patterns were derived using principal component analysis. The association between food choice motives and eating patterns was examined using multiple linear regression analysis. Setting Primary schools, Telemark County, Norway. Subjects In total, 1095 children aged 12–13 years and their parents. Results The parental motive ‘sensory appeal’ was the most important for food choice, followed by ‘health’, ‘convenience’, ‘natural content’ and ‘weight control’. The food choice motives were associated with the eating patterns of the children, independent of background variables. The motive ‘health’ was most strongly associated with a ‘varied Norwegian’ eating pattern, representing a diverse diet and regular meals, while the motive ‘convenience’ appeared to be the most important barrier to this eating pattern. ‘Weight control’ was not associated with the ‘varied Norwegian’ eating pattern. Conclusions To encourage parents to make healthy food choices for their children, health promotion activities should focus on the health benefits of a diverse diet and regular meals, rather than weight control. Recommended food products should be made more convenient and easily available for families with children.
The characteristics of false negative cervical smears--implications for the UK cervical cancer screening programme.

OBJECTIVE: To accurately determine whether there are any features of an abnormal cervical smear that predispose to the production of a false negative report, in order to gain insight into why false negative reports are issued, and to establish whether there are steps that can be taken to reduce them. DESIGN: A quantitative retrospective analysis using the AxioHOME microscope of the number, size, and spatial distribution of abnormal cells in a set of 50 slides comprising a mixture of false negative and true positive cervical smears. SETTING: Five different cytology laboratories in the United Kingdom. RESULTS: False negative smears were found to be quantitatively different from true positive smears. They contained significantly fewer abnormal cells (median number of abnormal cells for false negatives = 173, median number of abnormal cells for true positives = 1712; p < 0.004), and these were more likely to be unevenly distributed on the slide. It was possible to predict with a high degree of accuracy whether a smear was a false negative by analysing number and distribution alone (kappa = 0.57). CONCLUSIONS: False negatives are quantitatively different from true positive cervical smears. This has important implications for quality assurance in the UK cervical screening programme. More consideration needs to be given to the effectiveness of existing quality assurance measures, which need to be tailored to the preferential detection of this type of abnormal cervical smear.
Absence of the calcium-binding protein calretinin, not of calbindin D-28k, causes a permanent impairment of murine adult hippocampal neurogenesis

Calretinin (CR) and calbindin D-28k (CB) are cytosolic EF-hand Ca2+-binding proteins and function as Ca2+ buffers affecting the spatiotemporal aspects of Ca2+ transients and possibly also as Ca2+ sensors modulating signaling cascades. In the adult hippocampal circuitry, CR and CB are expressed in specific principal neurons and subsets of interneurons. In addition, CR is transiently expressed within the neurogenic dentate gyrus (DG) niche. CR and CB expression during adult neurogenesis mark critical transition stages, onset of differentiation for CR, and the switch to adult-like connectivity for CB. Absence of either protein during these stages in null-mutant mice may have functional consequences and contribute to some aspects of the identified phenotypes. We report the impact of CR- and CB-deficiency on the proliferation and differentiation of progenitor cells within the subgranular zone (SGZ) neurogenic niche of the DG. Effects were evaluated (1) two and four weeks postnatally, during the transition period of the proliferative matrix to the adult state, and (2) in adult animals (3 months) to trace possible permanent changes in adult neurogenesis. The absence of CB from differentiated DG granule cells has no retrograde effect on the proliferative activity of progenitor cells, nor affects survival or migration/differentiation of newborn neurons in the adult DG including the SGZ. On the contrary, lack of CR from immature early postmitotic granule cells causes an early loss in proliferative capacity of the SGZ that is maintained into adult age, when it has a further impact on the migration/survival of newborn granule cells. The transient CR expression at the onset of adult neurogenesis differentiation may thus have two functions: (1) to serve as a self-maintenance signal for the pool of cells at the same stage of neurogenesis contributing to their survival/differentiation, and (2) it may contribute to retrograde signaling required for maintenance of the progenitor pool.