Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HIGH RESOLUTION CHRONOLOGY FOR LATE

An integrated calcareous plankton biostratigraphy allowed a very detailed biostratigraphic subdivision for the pre-evaporitic Tononian-Messinian segments at Falconara, at Monte Gibliscemi and at Site 654 (ODq leg I07). Quantitative analysis on the planktonic foraminiferal assemblages pointed out a sequence of relative abundance fluctuations in the Globigerinoides spp. population. On the assumption that in this stratigraphic interval, as in the overlying Pliocene interval, the abundance fluctuations have a periodicity of 21, kyr, correlatable to the precession astronomical cycles, the age of every fluctuation has been estimated. At Site 654 correlation of the abundance fluctuations with the magnetostratigraphic boundaries, reinterpreted according to the magnetic polarity reversals record proposed by Cande & Kent (1,992, 1995), made it possible to identi{y the ages of these boundaries. They are older than the ages proposed by Shackleton et al. (tllS) and by Cande & Kenty (1995). The same procedure in the Upper Miocene segment of DSDP Site 552, on the base of the nannofossil abundance fluctuations published by Beaufon & Aubry (1990), allowed to obtain for the paleomagnetic boundaries of Chron 3An ages totally comparable to the ages proposed by Benson et al. (1995) and slightly older than the ages proposed by Shackleton et a1. (1995) and Cande 6c Kent (1995). The re-interpretation of the magnetostratigraphy àt Sìre 654 recently proposed by Kastens (7992) was not adopted since it introduces too large diachroneities {or the biostratigraphic events within the Mediterranean basin. The data coming from the quantitative analysis on the planktonic foraminifera in the three Mediterranean sequences together with quantitative data on the nannofossil assemblage published by Beaufon & Aubry (1990) for the Late Miocene segmenr of the Nonheastern Atlantic Site 552 provide a complete sequence of abundance fluctuations, forced by the astronomical precession cycles, from the middle Late Tononian to the base of the Zanclean. They allow an accurate correlation of the sedimenrary and biostratigraphic events recorded in the Mediterranean basin with the paleoceanographic evenîs recorded in the Nonh Atlantic. The age of each sedimentary and/or biostratigraphic event could be estimated by comparison with the sequence of abundance fluctuations. The base of the Tripoli Formation is estimated at 6.93 MA and its top at 6.08 MA. By correlation with Site 552, the top of the Tripoli Formation at Falconara predates the Messinian older glacial maximum by about 0.34 myr. 'f Depanment of Geology and Geodesy, Corso TLkory, 13I,9Afi4 Palermo, Italy 78 R. Sproaieri, E. Di Stefano & M. Sprovieri
Identification of a Pharmacological Inducer of Lipoic Acid Synthase that Impacts Mitochondrial Function: Metabolic Benefits and Body Weight Loss without Changes in Caloric Intake

Objective: Lipoic Acid Synthase (LASY) was recently shown to play a critical role in inflammation, mitochondrial function and insulin resistance. In this study using a pharmacological inducer of LASY as a tool, we studied the effects of LASY induction in vivo in rodent models of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Methods: We identified a small molecule that increases LASY mRNA and lipoic acid levels in vitro. Effect of the inducer (compound 1) on body weight, food intake, energy expenditure and metabolic parameters was studied in rodent models of genetic and diet-induced obesity. Results: Compound 1 was identified as a transcriptional inducer of LASY. In vitro, compound 1 increased LASY mRNA expression, mitochondrial lipoic acid levels and improved mitochondrial function in cultured skeletal muscle cells. LASY mRNA and lipoic acid levels were significantly increased in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue of animals treated with compound 1. In genetic and diet-induced rodent models of obesity, treatment with compound 1 significantly reduced body weight gain and fat mass without changes in food intake. Whole-animal calorimetry revealed that compound 1-treated animals had a significant increase in energy expenditure over vehicle control. Compound 1 treatment was also accompanied by improvements in plasma metabolic parameters and increase in lean mass. Conclusion: Our data suggests that the benefical effects of compound 1 are mediated by increase in mitochondrial lipoic acid levels, although general effects on mitochondrial function cannot be ruled out. These results establish the in vivo relevance of LASY induction and show the potential of a peripheral mediated approach for achieving many of the desired effects in treating obesity. Future studies focusing on the mechanism(s) by which compound 1 exerts its beneficial effects will help to reveal if these benefits are specific to LASY induction or are due to non-specific effects on mitochondrial function.
Mindfulness, mental health and emotion regulation among workers

Few studies have been conducted to examine the relationship between mindfulness training and emotion regulation at work. This study reports results from a semi-randomized controlled trial of a brief Mindfulness-Based Intervention (MBI) (Gregoire & Lachance, 2015) delivered in audio format. A pretest-posttest switching-replication design was used to assess changes in mindfulness, mental health (psychological wellbeing, psychological distress, stress and burnout) and emotion regulation (emotion awareness and impulse control) among forty-one ( N = 41) employees working in a call center. Data was collected using self-report questionnaires at baseline (t1), week 6 (t2), week 11 (t3) and week 25 (t4) in order to have a follow-up measure. Both the analysis of variance and the prediction analysis showed that the intervention helped increased mindfulness and psychological wellbeing, but also reduced psychological distress, stress and burnout among employees. Overall, the intervention helped employees refrain from impulsive or reactive behavior when experiencing negative emotions but had no significant effect on their emotional awareness. Finally, there was a trend toward emotion regulation mediating the effects of the intervention on psychological distress.
Betulinic Acid Enhances the Viability of Random-Pattern Skin Flaps by Activating Autophagy

Random-pattern skin flap replantation is commonly used to repair skin defects during plastic and reconstructive surgery. However, flap necrosis due to ischemia and ischemia–reperfusion injury limits clinical applications. Betulinic acid, a plant-derived pentacyclic triterpene, may facilitate flap survival. In the present study, the effects of betulinic acid on flap survival and the underlying mechanisms were assessed. Fifty-four mice with a dorsal random flap model were randomly divided into the control, betulinic acid group, and the betulinic acid + 3-methyladenine group. These groups were treated with dimethyl sulfoxide, betulinic acid, and betulinic acid plus 3-methyladenine, respectively. Flap tissues were acquired on postoperative day 7 to assess angiogenesis, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and autophagy. Betulinic acid promoted survival of the skin flap area, reduced tissue edema, and enhanced the number of microvessels. It also enhanced angiogenesis, attenuated apoptosis, alleviated oxidative stress, and activated autophagy. However, its effects on flap viability and angiogenesis, apoptosis, and oxidative stress were reversed by the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine. Our findings reveal that betulinic acid improves survival of random-pattern skin flaps by promoting angiogenesis, dampening apoptosis, and alleviating oxidative stress, which mediates activation of autophagy.
The Catacomb Cultures of the North-West Caspian Steppe: 14C Chronology, Reservoir Effect, and Paleodiet

For the Bronze Age Catacomb cultures of the North-West Caspian steppe area in Russia, there is a conflict between the traditional relative archaeological chronology and the chronology based on radiocarbon dates. We show that this conflict can be explained largely by the fact that most dates have been obtained on human bone material and are subject to 14C reservoir effects. This was demonstrated by comparing paired 14C dates derived from human and terrestrial herbivore bone collagen. In addition, values of stable isotope ratios (δ13C and δ15N) and analysis of food remains from vessels and the stomach contents of buried individuals indicate that a large part of the diet of these cultures consisted of fish and mollusks, and we conclude that this is the source of the reservoir effect.
Dividend Versus Capital Gain and Investor Preference: A Case Study on Dhaka Stock Exchange

This paper explores investors’ preference for capital gain and dividend payment. The questionnaire results show that overall, investors prefer capital gain over cash dividend. The results from the regression also demonstrate that all demographic variables and investor characteristic, specifically education level, age, investment amount and investment income, are positively related to an investors tendency to prefer dividend payment, with investment income and age having the strongest impact. The results from this test reconfirm that investors with larger sums tend to be more risk averse. Moreover, the results from the primary data also reveal that investor preferences are compatible and consistent with traditional theories including the Birds-in-the-Hand Theory, Information Signaling Theory, Tax Preference Theory and Clientele Effect Theory. Keywords: dividend payment, capital gain, demographic characteristics, Information Signaling Theory,
Genotypic-unspecific protocols for the commercial micropropagation of Eucalyptus grandis × nitens and E. grandis × urophylla

Clones of Eucalyptus grandis × nitens and E. grandis × urophylla were subjected to various culture conditions at every culture stage leading to plantlet regeneration directly from axillary buds. The objective was to determine the possibility of using the same protocol for all clones. Although genotypic effects were evident, generally most clones responded similarly to the tested variations in each of the protocol stages, i.e. bud break, multiplication, and rooting. Estimated yields for the clones of one of the tested E. grandis × nitens hybrids ranged from 24 to 90 acclimatised plants per explant, but those of a natural hybrid were much lower (8 to 15 plants). The tested clones of E. grandis × urophylla produced approximately 10 to 27 plants per explant. It is suggested that such an all-purpose protocol has applications in a commercial environment, such as the production of hedge plants and retrieval from in vitro storage, when large numbers of plants are not required. This would save time, labour, and other costs as compared with having to develop and implement clone-specific protocols.
DEGRADATION OF ORGANIC DYES VERSUS H 2 O 2 GENERATION DURING THE DC DIAPHRAGM DISCHARGE TREATMENT IN WATER SOLUTIONS

The paper is focused on investigation and comparison of two chemical processes occurring in water solutions treated by DC diaphragm discharge hydrogen peroxide generation and degradation of organic compounds dissolved in water. Concentration of hydrogen peroxide produced by the discharge depends on the discharge conditions (polarity and magnitude of the applied voltage etc.) and it is determined by photometry using a specific titanium reagent. Organic dyes in solid phase and dissolved in water are chosen as model compounds for the degradation processes. Their concentration is determined by photometry, too.
Observation of repeated intense near‐Earth reconnection on closed field lines with Cluster, Double Star, and other spacecraft

We report strong repeated magnetic reconnection pulses that occurred deep inside closed plasma sheet flux tubes at r ≤ 14Re. They have been observed with a fortuitous spacecraft constellation during three consecutive turbulent magnetic dipolarizations, accompanied by localized auroral brightenings near the equatorward edge of a wide auroral oval. The reconnection separatrix was mapped to ∼64° CGLat in the ionosphere, where a very energetic and narrow energy‐dispersed ion injection with unusually steep dispersion slope was observed. Reconstruction of the reconnection rate from magnetic waveforms at Cluster provided a reconnection pulse duration (∼1 min) and peak strength (ER ∼ 8 mV/m) consistent with direct observations in the reconnection outflow region. The magnetic activity was rather weak, although the concurrent solar wind flow pressure was above the norm. We suggest that near‐Earth reconnection events may be a phenomenon more frequent than generally thought. We also confirm that reconnection and the growth of strong turbulence in the near tail are strongly coupled together in near‐Earth reconnection events.
Perioperative Use of Levosimendan in Patients with Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction Undergoing Cardiac Surgery on Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Background: Patients undergoing cardiac surgery are becoming older and with greater comorbidities, carrying an increased risk for perioperative complications, which result in higher mortality and higher costs for the health care service. Objective: Our study is randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of levosimendan given preoperatively in high-risk patients with Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤35% undergoing cardiac surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Patients and methods: This study was carried out in Cardiothoracic Department, Natinaol Heart Institute, Al Hussin hospital, Air Forced Specialized Hospital, and Saudi German Hospital. 60 patients treated with study drug were enrolled, the study population was drawn from patients with an LVEF ≤35% scheduled to undergo cardiac surgery with planned CPB. Results: Our results showed that the relative risk for postoperative mortality at 60 days was reduced by 10% in the levosimendan group when compared with the control group [4 of 30 (13%) in the levosimendan group vs 7 of 30 (23%) in the control group] with p value =0.5, however the incidence of 30-day out-of-hospital complications was not statistically different between the two groups. In the levosimendan group, no significant reduction in the rate of renal replacement therapy was observed [7 of 30 (23.3%) in the levosimendan group vs 8 of 30 (26.7%) in the control group]. Conclusion: Levosimendan is safe and well tolerated in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass who have low LVEF and are at risk of the development of postoperative low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS).
The Interplay Between Different Forms of CAI and Students' Preferences of Learning Environment in the Secondary Science Class

This evaluation study investigated the effects of a teacher-centered versus student-centered computer-assisted instruction (CAI) on 10th graders' earth science stu- dent learning outcomes. This study also explored whether the effects of different forms of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) on student learning outcomes were influenced by student preferences of learning environment (PLE). A total of 347 10th-grade senior high school students participated in this nonequivalent control group quasiexperiment. During a one-week period, one group of students (n = 216) were taught by a teacher-centered CAI (TCCAI) model whereas the other group of students (n = 131) were subject to a student-centered CAI (SCCAI) method. Results showed that (a) no statistically significant difference on students' earth science achievement was found for either group; (b) TCCAI group had significantly better attitudes toward earth science than did the SCCAI group; fur- thermore (c) a significant PLE-treatment interaction was found on student attitudes toward the subject matter, where the teacher-centered instructional approach seemed to enhance more positive attitudes of less constructivist-oriented learning preferences students, whereas the student-centered method was more beneficial to more constructivist-oriented learning preferences students on their attitudes toward earth science in a computer-assisted learning environment. C
THE Be/X-RAY BINARY SWIFT J1626.6−5156 AS A VARIABLE CYCLOTRON LINE SOURCE

Swift J1626.6−5156 is a Be/X-ray binary that was in outburst from 2005 December until 2008 November. We have examined Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer/Proportional Counter Array (PCA) and High Energy X-ray Timing Explorer spectra of three long observations of this source taken early in its outburst, when the PCA 2–20 keV count rate was >70 counts s−1 PCU−1, as well as several combined observations from different stages of the outburst. The spectra are best fit with an absorbed cutoff power law with a ∼6.4 keV iron emission line and a Gaussian optical depth absorption line at ∼10 keV. We present strong evidence that this absorption-like feature is a cyclotron resonance scattering feature, making Swift J1626.6−5156 a new candidate cyclotron line source. The redshifted energy of ∼10 keV implies a magnetic field strength of ∼8.6(1 + z) × 1011 G in the region of the accretion column close to the magnetic poles where the cyclotron line is produced. Analysis of phase-averaged spectra spanning the duration of the outburst suggests a possible positive correlation between the fundamental cyclotron energy and source luminosity. Phase-resolved spectroscopy from a long observation reveals a variable cyclotron line energy, with phase dependence similar to a variety of other pulsars, as well as the first harmonic of the fundamental cyclotron line.
How Knowledge Accumulation changed the Competitive Advantage of Strategy Consulting Firms

Research evidence confirms that the accumulation of knowledge contributes to the competitive advantage of firms. In the strategy consulting industry, one of the most knowledge-intensive professional services industries, however, established firms that exploited their knowledge accumulation by adding exploitative consulting practices have found their performance has deteriorated. To investigate this phenomenon, this paper will describe how the increasing share of exploitative practices in the strategy consulting industry has attracted both established ICT-related consulting firms and new entrants, and enabled clients to expand their problem-solving abilities. We will argue that these developments in terms of competitiveness and client competencies have reduced the attractiveness of exploitative practices for established strategy consulting firms. To analyse these developments and to provide strategic options for the established strategy consulting firms, a conceptual framework will be proposed. Based on this framework, three strategic option are identified: ‘Follow the herd’, ‘Become ambidextrous’ and ‘Back to the original focus. ’ In summarizing our argument, we highlight the pros and cons of these options and the implications for top management.
Effect of Stress Direction on the Undrained Monotonic and Cyclic Behaviour of Dense Sands

Geotechnical design may be unsafe if the anisotropic behaviour of soil is not considered. The behaviour of anisotropic materials depends on the principal stresses and their directions. A detailed experimental programme was conducted to study the effect of stress direction on the monotonic and cyclic behaviour of dense sand. A total of 20 undrained tests were performed at a constant mean confining stress (σ'0m) constant intermediate principal stress ratio (b= (σ2-σ3)/(σ1-σ3)), and principal stress directions (α). Two fine sands, Babolsar and Toyoura, were selected as the test materials. The isotropic consolidated specimens were prepared using the wet tamping technique. The results showed that the major principal stress direction had little considerable effect on the mobilized friction angle at steady state or phase transformation. The results showed that stress direction had a significant effect on the non-coaxiality between the principal strain increment direction and the principal stress direction. The soil fabric was led to significant non-coaxiality value before the peak shear strength. Increasing the octahedral shear strains decreased the non-coaxiality value due to destruction of the soil particle interlock (soil fabric). The effect of stress direction on non-coaxiality and excess pore water pressure generation was also investigated.
Approximation and inference of epidemic dynamics by diffusion processes

Epidemic data are often aggregated and partially observed. Parametric inference through likelihood-based approaches is rarely straightforward, whatever the mathematical representation used. Recent data augmentation and likelihood-free methods do not completely circumvent the issues related to incomplete data in practice, mainly due to the size of missing data and to the various tuning parameters to be adjusted. In this context, diffusion processes provide a good approximation of epidemic dynamics and allow shedding new light on inference problems related to epidemic data. In this article we summarize and extend previous work on the elaboration of a statistical framework to deal with epidemic models and epidemic data using multidimensional diffusion processes with small diffusion coefficient. First, we construct multidimensional diffusion processes with small variance as mathematical representations of epidemic dynamics, by approximating Markov jump processes. Second, we introduce an inference method related to the asymptotic of the small diffusion coefficient on a fixed time interval for the parameters of the diffusion processes obtained, when all the coordinates are discretely observed. Consistency and asymptotic normality of estimators for this case are obtained for parameters in drift (high and low frequency observations) and diffusion (high frequency observations) coefficients. Third, as an extension of previous work, the case of incomplete data, when only one coordinate of the system is observed, is considered for high frequency observations. Finally, the performances of our estimators are explored for single outbreaks (SIR model, simulated data) and for recurrent outbreaks (SIRS model, simulated and observed data).
Social Anxiety and the Cued Activation of Relational Knowledge

A cued activation procedure was used to examine the hypothesis that social anxiety involves an expectation of being rejected or evaluated negatively by others, combined with a concern about impression management. Participants underwent a conditioning procedure in which distinctive computer tones were paired with thoughts of social rejection and acceptance, respectively. In a pilot study, a lexical decision task established that when these tone cues were played later, they differentially activated expectations of rejection. In the main study, female participants interacted with a male confederate while one of the tones, or a control tone, sounded repeatedly in the background. Several indicators of social anxiety showed an interaction between level of public self-consciousness and the nature of the tone played. High-self-conscious individuals tended to be affected by the cues, whereas low-self-conscious people were not affected.
Nucleation of Crystals in Undercooled Molten Aluminium

Experimental progress in the study of solidification nucleation has significantly increased our understanding of homogeneous nucleation. A metallic system has been studied according to two mathematical models of homogeneous nucleation able to describe grain growth in metals: free boundary model (FBM) and interacting boundary model (IBM). The predictions of two nucleation models compared in terms of kinetic parameters revealed the limits of FBM and the correctly predictions of IBM. Moreover, the validity of two models assumption has been checked up through the solidification kinetic curves.