Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Light pseudoscalar meson masses and decay constants from mixed action lattice QCD

We calculate the light pseudoscalar decay constants, f_pi and f_K, and their ratio using domain wall valence quarks and 2+1 flavors of dynamical staggered quarks. Use of the MILC gauge configurations allows us to simulate at several sea quark masses and spatial volumes, and with two lattice spacings. We study how well our numerical lattice data for light decay constants and meson masses is described by next-to-leading order SU(3) mixed action chiral perturbation theory and explain our strategy for the chiral and continuum extrapolation. Combining our result for f_K/f_pi with experimental measurements of pion and kaon leptonic decays allows a model-independent determination of |V_us|/|V_ud|; we find a preliminary value of |V_us|/|V_ud| = 0.2315(45)(7).
Discourse Markers in Colombian Spanish: A Study in Polysemy

The study of discourse markers has been a hot topic in linguistics in recent years, yet their semantics has not been dealt with in detail. This is largely due to a widespread assumption that they play a strictly pragmatic role and therefore fall outside the realm of semantics. This book applies the Natural Semantic Metalanguage approach to analyze a set of four discourse markers (bueno, pues, o sea, entonces), as used in a corpus of conversational Colombian Spanish. It demonstrates that these markers do carry semantic meaning and that they can be exhaustively defined. It also shows that while discourse markers are often polysemous, the range of meanings a marker has is centered around an invariant core that can be identified through examination of its use in discourse. Key Features the work will be valuable for students of discourse for the upcoming years, whether or not they are working within the Natural Semantic Metalanguage (or NSM) framework its exemplary methodology makes it obligatory reading for the field
The discourse of evidence-based healthcare (1992-2012) : power in dialogue, embodiment and emotion

The topic of this thesis is evidence-based healthcare, EBHC. The thesis has two key aims: to undertake an empirical exploration and analysis of debates around EBHC; and to develop a conceptual theorisation of these debates in terms of power. To fulfil the empirical aim I conduct a reading and analytic re-reading of EBHC-literature from the disciplines of medicine, physiotherapy and sociology. To fulfil the conceptual aim I draw upon the work of Foucault, Bakhtin and Barbalet to produce a ‘dialogical’ model of power. Treating debates around EBHC as ‘EB-discourse’, this thesis follows the tradition of discourse analysis; but breaks ground by deploying writing as a research method and applying ethnographic ideas to discursive study. This novel approach I call ‘literary ethnography’. Being a literary ethnography of EB-discourse, the thesis begins with a descriptive overview of the chosen disciplinary literatures. A methodological section explains the rationale for proceeding along the analytic path of dialogue; and then the thesis becomes gradually more analytical through progressively deeper readings of the same literatures. The thesis is structured into these three levels of review, methodology and analysis; and in each level, the three strands of literary context (medicine, physiotherapy and sociology) run in parallel as comparators for each other. EBHC began in medicine (as EBM), but following its course in other disciplines allows discursive similarities and differences to be explicated. The initially descriptive and gradually more analytical approach reveals the dialogical structure of the discourse, and discovers embodiment and emotion as ideas which, across all three contexts, trouble the terms of the discourse. The key findings of the thesis are that in EB-discourse, power operates through dialogue, by being split into different forms which interact to reinforce each other. Specifically, EB-discourse is built upon dialogical distinctions between mind and body, and between emotion and reason. These are dialogues which powerfully re-produce particular kinds of rationality. They are also in dialogue with each other; embodiment for the repressive aspects, and emotion for the productive aspects of power. The thesis also raises questions relating to the predicament of the patient in contemporary healthcare, and relating to the role of philosophical argumentation in social theory. It finishes with some suggestions for investigating the dialogical-power model in other areas of social life.
Statins Promote the Regression of Atherosclerosis via Activation of the CCR7-Dependent Emigration Pathway in Macrophages

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) decrease atherosclerosis by lowering low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol. Statins are also thought to have additional anti-atherogenic properties, yet defining these non-conventional modes of statin action remains incomplete. We have previously developed a novel mouse transplant model of atherosclerosis regression in which aortic segments from diseased donors are placed into normolipidemic recipients. With this model, we demonstrated the rapid loss of CD68+ cells (mainly macrophages) in plaques through the induction of a chemokine receptor CCR7-dependent emigration process. Because the human and mouse CCR7 promoter contain Sterol Response Elements (SREs), we hypothesized that Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Proteins (SREBPs) are involved in increasing CCR7 expression and through this mechanism, statins would promote CD68+ cell emigration from plaques. We examined whether statin activation of the SREBP pathway in vivo would induce CCR7 expression and promote macrophage emigration from plaques. We found that western diet-fed apoE(-/-) mice treated with either atorvastatin or rosuvastatin led to a substantial reduction in the CD68+ cell content in the plaques despite continued hyperlipidemia. We also observed a significant increase in CCR7 mRNA in CD68+ cells from both the atorvastatin and rosuvastatin treated mice associated with emigration of CD68+ cells from plaques. Importantly, CCR7(-/-)/apoE(-/-) double knockout mice failed to display a reduction in CD68+ cell content upon statin treatment. Statins also affected the recruitment of transcriptional regulatory proteins and the organization of the chromatin at the CCR7 promoter to increase the transcriptional activity. Statins promote the beneficial remodeling of plaques in diseased mouse arteries through the stimulation of the CCR7 emigration pathway in macrophages. Therefore, statins may exhibit some of their clinical benefits by not only retarding the progression of atherosclerosis, but also accelerating its regression.
Animal Detection in Natural Scenes: Critical Features Revisited Simple Proxies for Complex Perceptual Decisions Experiment 1 Supplementary Experiments Experiment 2

(1996) showed how rapidly observers can detect animals in images of natural scenes, but it is still unclear which image features support this rapid detection. A. B. Torralba and A. Oliva (2003) suggested that a simple image statistic based on the power spectrum allows the absence or presence of objects in natural scenes to be predicted. We tested whether human observers make use of power spectral differences between image categories when detecting animals in natural scenes. In Experiments 1 and 2 we found performance to be essentially independent of the power spectrum. Computational analysis revealed that the ease of classification correlates with the proposed spectral cue without being caused by it. This result is consistent with the hypothesis that in commercial stock photo databases a majority of animal images are pre-segmented from the background by the photographers and this pre-segmentation causes the power spectral differences between image categories and may, furthermore, help rapid animal detection. Data from a third experiment are consistent with this hypothesis. Together, our results make it exceedingly unlikely that human observers make use of power spectral differences between animal-and no-animal images during rapid animal detection. In addition, our results point to potential confounds in the commercially available " natural image " databases whose statistics may be less natural than commonly presumed. Introduction The classification of objects in complex, natural scenes is considered a difficult taskVcertainly from a computational point of view as no computer vision algorithm as yet exists that is able to reliably signal the presence or absence of arbitrary object classes in images of natural scenes. Work by Thorpe, Fize, and Marlot (1996) demonstrated , however, that humans are capable of detecting animals within novel natural scenes with remarkable speed and accuracy: In a go/no-go animal categorization task images were only briefly presented (20 msec) and already 150 msec after stimulus onset the no-go trials showed a distinct frontal negativity in the event related potentials (ERPs). Median reaction times (RTs) showed a speed-accuracy trade-off but for RTs as short as 390 msec observers were already approx. 92% correct (increasing to 97% correct for 570 msec). This basic resultVultra rapid and accurate animal detection in natural scenesVhas been replicated reliably many times: in non-human primates (gray-scale instead of color images (Delorme, Richard, & Fabre-Thorpe, 2000), using different response paradigms and modalities (yes-no or go-no-go versus forced-choice; eye movements versus button presses; e. but note that …
Nuclear fission: the interplay of science and technology

When the UK’s Calder Hall nuclear power station was connected to the grid in 1956, the programmes that made this possible involved a powerful combination of basic and applied research. Both the science and the engineering were novel, addressing new and challenging problems. That the last Calder Hall reactor was shut down only in 2003 attests to the success of the work. The strengths of bringing basic science to bear on applications continued to be recognized until the 1980s, when government and management fashions changed. This paper identifies a few of the technology challenges, and shows how novel basic science emerged from them and proved essential in their resolution. Today, as the threat of climate change becomes accepted, it has become clear that there is no credible solution without nuclear energy. The design and construction of new fission reactors will need continuing innovation, with the interplay between the science and technology being a crucial component.
Two-Sided Network Effects: A Theory of Information Product Design

How can firms profitably give away free products? This paper provides a novel answer and articulates tradeoffs in a space of information product design. We introduce a formal model of two-sided network externalities based in textbook economics - a mix of Katz & Shapiro network effects, price discrimination, and product differentiation. Externality-based complements, however, exploit a different mechanism than either tying or lock-in even as they help to explain many recent strategies such as those of firms selling operating systems, Internet browsers, games, music, and video.The model presented here argues for three simple but useful results. First, even in the absence of competition, a firm can rationally invest in a product it intends to give away into perpetuity. Second, we identify distinct markets for content providers and end consumers and show that either can be a candidate for a free good. Third, product coupling across markets can increase consumer welfare even as it increases firm profits.The model also generates testable hypotheses on the size and direction of network effects while offering insights to regulators seeking to apply antitrust law to network markets.
The Provision of Hospital Chaplaincy in the United States: A National Overview

Over the past 25 years, the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations has changed its guidelines regarding religious/spiritual care of hospitalized patients to increase attention concerning this aspect of hospital-based care. Little empirical evidence assesses the extent to which hospitals relied on hospital chaplains as care providers during these years. This study investigates (1) the extent of chaplaincy service availability in US hospitals between 1980 and 2003; (2) the predictors of having chaplaincy services in 1993 and 2003; and (3) the change in the magnitude of these predictors between years. This study examines the presence or absence of chaplaincy or pastoral care services in hospitals using the American Hospital Association Annual Survey of Hospitals (ranging from 4,946–6,353 hospitals) in 1980–1985, 1992–1993, and 2002–2003. Between 54% and 64% of hospitals had chaplaincy services between 1980 and 2003, with no systematic trend over this period. In 1993 and 2003, hospital size, location, and church affiliation were central factors influencing the presence of chaplaincy services. Smaller hospitals and those in rural areas were less likely to have chaplaincy services. Church-operated hospitals were much more likely to have chaplaincy services; but between 1993 and 2003, church-operated hospitals were more likely to drop chaplaincy services than to add them. Not-for-profit hospitals were more likely than investor-owned hospitals to add chaplaincy services. Changes to Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations policies about the religious/spiritual care of hospitalized patients between 1980 and 2003 seem to have had no discernible effect on the fraction of US hospitals that had chaplaincy services. Rather, characteristics of hospitals, their surroundings, and their religious affiliations influenced whether they provided chaplaincy services to patients.
HOFER–ZEHNDER CAPACITY AND HAMILTONIAN CIRCLE ACTIONS

We introduce the Hofer–Zehnder Γ-semicapacity of a symplectic manifold (M,ω) (or Γ-sensitive Hofer–Zehnder capacity) with respect to a subset Γ⊂π1(M) and prove that given a geometrically bounded symplectic manifold (M,ω) and an open subset N⊂M admitting a Hamiltonian free circle action with order greater than two then N has bounded Hofer–Zehnder Γ-semicapacity, where Γ⊂π1(N) is the subgroup generated by the orbits of the action. We give several applications of this result. Using Biran's decomposition theorem, we prove the following: let (M2n,Ω) be a closed Kahler manifold (n>2) with [Ω]∈H2(M,ℤ) and Σ a complex hypersurface representing the Poincare dual of k[Ω], for some k∈ℕ. Suppose either that Ω vanishes on π2(M) or that k>2. Then there exists a decomposition of M into an open dense subset E such that E\Σ has finite Hofer–Zehnder Γ-semicapacity and an isotropic CW-complex, where Γ⊂π1(E\Σ) is the subgroup generated by the obvious circle action on the normal bundle of Σ. Moreover, we prove that if (M,Σ) is subcritical then M\Σ has finite Hofer–Zehnder Γ-semicapacity. We also show that given a hyperbolic surface M and TM endowed with the twisted symplectic form ω0+π*Ω, where Ω is the Kahler form on M, then the Hofer–Zehnder Γ-semicapacity of the domain Uk bounded by the hypersurface of kinetic energy k minus the zero section M0 is finite if k<1/2, where Γ⊂π1(Uk) is the subgroup generated by the fibers of SM. Finally, we consider the problem of the existence of periodic orbits on prescribed energy levels for magnetic flows. We prove that given any weakly exact magnetic field Ω on any compact Riemannian manifold M there exists a sequence of contractible periodic orbits of arbitrarily small energy, extending a previous result of Polterovich.
Neutrophils Mediate Immunopathology and Negatively Regulate Protective Immune Responses during Fatal Bacterial Infection-Induced Toxic Shock

ABSTRACT Ehrlichia chaffeensis is an obligate intracellular bacterium that infects primarily monocytes and macrophages and causes potentially fatal human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME) that mimics toxic-shock-like syndrome in immunocompetent hosts. Early recruitment of neutrophils to the sites of infection is critical for the control of bacterial infection and inflammatory responses. We recently observed rapid and sustained neutrophil recruitment at a primary site of infection (peritoneum) following lethal murine ehrlichial infection compared to innocuous ehrlichial infection. We examined here the contribution of neutrophils to protective immunity or immunopathology during infection with monocytic Ehrlichia. Unexpectedly, depletion of neutrophils from lethally infected mice enhanced bacterial elimination, decreased immune-mediated pathology, and prolonged survival. Furthermore, compared to lethally infected sham controls, neutrophil depletion in infected mice resulted in amelioration of pathogenic responses, as evidenced by a decreased number of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)-producing CD8+ T cells, which is known to mediate immunopathology and toxic shock in a murine model of fatal ehrlichiosis. Although neutrophil depletion did not influence the number of CD4+ Th1 cells and NKT cells producing gamma interferon (IFN-γ), it increased the ratio of IFN-γ- to IL-10-producing NKT cells as well as the ratio of IFN-γ to interleukin 10 (IL-10) transcripts in the liver. This may ameliorate the net suppressive effect of IL-10 on IFN-γ-mediated activation of infected macrophages and thus may account for the enhanced bacterial elimination. Finally, transcriptional analysis of gene expression in the liver indicated that neutrophils contribute to overproduction of cytokines and chemokines during fatal ehrlichiosis. In conclusion, these results revealed an unexpected role of neutrophils in supporting bacterial replication indirectly and promoting immunopathology during severe infection with an intracellular bacterium.
Differential influences of parental home literacy practices and anxiety in English as a foreign language on Chinese children's English development

ABSTRACT This study investigated the differential influences of maternal and paternal factors on Chinese children's English as a foreign language development. It took into account both behavioral (i.e. parental home literacy practices, HLP; and children's vocabulary knowledge) and emotional (i.e. parental and children's foreign language reading anxiety, FLRA) aspects of home literacy environment and children's language outcomes. Forty-eight Chinese first graders were tested individually on English vocabulary knowledge. Subsequently, both parents of participating children completed a questionnaire rating their HLP on English as a foreign language, their FLRA and their child's FLRA. Results from hierarchical regression analysis showed that paternal HLP predicted children's English vocabulary knowledge and paternal FLRA predicted children's FLRA, after controlling for children's age, family income and parental education level. However, when the effects of maternal factors were accounted for, these paternal factors did not uniquely contribute to children's English vocabulary knowledge or FLRA. In contrast, maternal HLP and FLRA explained unique variance in both children's English vocabulary knowledge and FLRA, even after paternal factors were accounted for. These results have provided a more comprehensive picture of how home literacy environment contributes to children's foreign language development, by indicating maternal and paternal contributions both behaviorally and emotionally.
Phytic acid in green leaves of herbaceous plants—temporal variation in situ and response to different nitrogen/phosphorus fertilizing regimes

Phytic acid is the well-known principal storage compound of phosphorus (P) in fruits. Its metabolic role in other plant organs, e.g. green leaves is much less clear. Studying phytic acid in leaves of several herbaceous plant species, we obtained an expected (generally low foliar phytic acid concentrations) and an unexpected result: the proportion of P in phytic acid decreased when total P increased. We explored possible mechanisms behind this observation such as a link with plant growth rates, but did not find a convincing explanation for our surprising finding. Future studies should analyze all foliar P-species to resolve this puzzle.
Standardised optical multichannel (optimul) platelet aggregometry using high-speed shaking and fixed time point readings

To the editor In our recent report of the optical multichannel (optimul) method [1], we demonstrated a viable, standardised approach to platelet aggregometry. We proposed that this method of platelet reactivity testing could be used alongside light transmission aggregometry (LTA) to provide a broad analysis of platelet function. LTA is considered the ‘gold standard’ for platelet function testing [2]. Unfortunately, only a few samples may be analysed at one time, leading to the requirement of a large volume of blood and local rules such that generally only a small number of different agonists are tested in a limited range of concentrations. A broader range of agonists may be tested using 96-well plate aggregometry [3]. This method, however, is also limited by the need to freshly prepare agonists, which as for LTA limits the assay to specialised laboratories and makes it largely unsuitable for high-throughput testing. Our optimul method has simplified standard 96-well plate aggregometry, with the introduction of lyophilised agonists and the use of a particular plate reader with kinetic shaking over 16 min to limit the inherent variability between 96-well plate methods. We have shown it to provide a standardised ‘off-the-shelf ’ assay, which requires only the addition of 40 ml platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to each agonist-coated well to run the test [1]. Here, we demonstrate that the optimul plates used for the Tecan Sunrise kinetic plate reader may also be used in conjunction with a high-speed thermoshaker. This method further simplifies the assay by removing the requirement for a particular kinetic plate reader and reduces the time required to perform this test. Together, these adaptations increase the overall efficiency and potential costeffectiveness of the test. Optimul plates were prepared as previously described [1]. Briefly, platelet agonists, arachidonic acid (AA), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), collagen, epinephrine (EPI), ristocetin, TRAP-6 amide and U46619 were added to individual wells of a gelatinecoated half-area 96-well plate and lyophilised. These plates were stored vacuum-sealed and light-tight at room temperature until use. Human blood was collected by venepuncture into tri-sodium citrate (3.2% w/v; 1:9 dilution) from healthy volunteers (n1⁄4 4–6) who had abstained from NSAIDs or aspirin for 2 weeks previously. PRP was obtained by centrifugation of whole blood (175 g, 15 min, 25 C) and a platelet count was performed to confirm normal platelet numbers (2–4 10 platelets/ml). Platelet-poor plasma (PPP) was obtained by further centrifugation of PRP (15 000 g, 2 min, 25 C). PRP was incubated for 30 min at 37 C with aspirin (30mM) and/or the P2Y12 receptor antagonist, prasugrel active metabolite (R-138727, PAM; 3mM), or vehicle (final concentrations 0.03% DMSO or ethanol). PRP or PPP (40 ml) was added into the appropriate wells of the optimul plate, the plate was sealed with film and then placed on a high-speed