Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The seed-eaters : a new model of hominid differentiation based on a baboon analogy

Despite years of theorising, and a rapidly accumulating body of fossil evidence, physical anthropology still lacks a convincing causal model of hominid origins. Diverse lines of evidence point to a later common ancestry with the African pongids than with any other living primate, and studies of hominid fossils of the Basal and Early Lower Pleistocene (Howell I967) have elucidated the complex of characters which at that time distinguished the family from African and other Pongidae (Le Gros Clark I964). It is also possible to argue that the elements of the complex form a mutually reinforcing positive feedback system. Bipedalism frees the forelimb to make and use artefacts; regular use of tools and weapons permits (or causes) reduction of the anterior teeth by taking over their functions; the elaboration of material culture and associated learning is correlated with a cerebral reorganisation of which increase in relative cranial capacity is one aspect. Bipedalism is needed to permit handling of the relatively helpless young through the long period of cultural conditioning, and so on. Preoccupied with the apparent elegance of the feedback model, we tend to forget that to demonstrate the mutual relationship between the elements is not to account for their origin, and hence does not explain whty the hominids became differentiated from the pongids, or why this was achieved in the hominid way. From their very circularity, feedback models cannot explain their own beginnings, except by tautology, which is no explanation at all. In fact, the more closely the elements of the hominid complex are shown to interlock, the more difficult it becomes to say what was responsible for setting the feedback spiral in motion, and for accumulating the elements of the cycle in the first place. Most authors seem either to avoid the problem of origins and causes altogether (beyond vague references to 'open country' life), or to fall back upon reasoning that tends to be teleological and often also illogical. This article is an attempt to reopen the problem of origins by examining critically some of the existing models of hominid differentiation, and to suggest a new one based on a fresh approach.
A Distributed Digital Motion Control System Based SERCOS

The paper presents a distributed digital motion control system based on SERCOS (Serial Real-time Communication System). The transmission medium is optic fiber, which guarantees the system is noise immunity and high speed. The international standardize bus-SERCOS is applied to the system. It offers good openness and real-time. The host computer is composed of a PC and SERCOS interface card. The slave computer comprises DSP, driver circuit and feedback circuit. Application layer program applies the interface to control and monitor the shaft. The designed DSP program implements to control the motor and communicate with host computer. The system has high speed and high precision. The experiments are presented to validate the proposed system.
Resources supporting entrepreneurial orientation in multigenerational family firms

We examine entrepreneurship in multigenerational family firms. Specifically, we employ theoretical lenses drawn from both entrepreneurship (entrepreneurial orientation) and strategy (resource-based view) to develop an integrated model of transgenerational entrepreneurship. Following a review of the literature in these fields we develop propositions that articulate connections between a family firm's unique bundle of resources (familiness), its entrepreneurial orientation (EO), and the achievement of its non-financial performance objectives (NFPO). In this way the paper not only contributes to the debate concerning the link between family background and entrepreneurial behaviour but also helps clarify the broad construct familiness in terms of the nature of resources within the unique bundle.
Bayesian Inference for the Extremal Dependence

A simple approach for modeling multivariate extremes is to consider the vector of component-wise maxima and their max-stable distributions. The extremal dependence can be inferred by estimating the angular measure or, alternatively, the Pickands dependence function. We propose a nonparametric Bayesian model that allows, in the bivariate case, the simultaneous estimation of both functional representations through the use of polynomials in the Bernstein form. The constraints required to provide a valid extremal dependence are addressed in a straightforward manner, by placing a prior on the coefficients of the Bernstein polynomials which gives probability one to the set of valid functions. The prior is extended to the polynomial degree, making our approach fully nonparametric. Although the analytical expression of the posterior is unknown, inference is possible via a trans-dimensional MCMC scheme. We show the efficiency of the proposed methodology by means of a simulation study. The extremal behaviour of log-returns of daily exchange rates between the Pound Sterling vs the U.S. Dollar and the Pound Sterling vs the Japanese Yen is analysed for illustrative purposes.
Are Abnormal Event-Related Potentials Specific to Children with Adhd? A Comparison with Two Clinical Groups

Children with attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity (ADHD) were compared with two other clinical groups, namely, children with autism and children with dyslexia, with respect to several peaks of the ERP. By using these other clinical groups, it was studied whether amplitude differences between children and ADHD and normal control children, which were found in an earlier study, were specific to children with ADHD. ERPs were measured in response to stimuli in an auditory and a visual oddball task. Only with respect to the P3 and Pz, measured in response to deviant auditory stimuli, did the children with ADHD show smaller amplitudes than both autistic children and those with dyslexia. It was concluded that a smaller amplitude of this peak is specific to children with ADHD.
Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of Patchouli Essential Oil Extracted From Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth. (lamiaceae)

The physico-chemical properties of Philippine patchouli oil, hydro-distilled from fresh leaves and young shoots of Pogostemon cablin were characterized and found to be within the specifications set by the United States Essential Oils Society. Philippine patchouli oil and commercial patchouli oil have the same major components as shown by GC-MS analyses: patchouli alcohol, d-guaiene, a-guaiene, a-patchoulene, seychellene, [3-patchoulene, and transcaryophylene, with slightly lower concentrations in the Philippine oil. Using the disk diffusion method patchouli oil was found to be active against the gram-positive bacteria: Staphylococcus, Bacillus, and Streptococcus species. Fifty five percent [11/20] of community and only 14.8% [9/61] of hospitalStaphylococcus aureus isolates were susceptible to an MIC of 0.03% [v/v. ] and Sixtyfour percent or 23/36 of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA] isolates was sensitive to patchouli oil at 0.06%, as opposed to only 44% or 11/25 of the sensitive strains. Philippine patchouli essential oil was also active against several dermatophytes at 0.25%. The bioactivity of the oil was stable when refrigerated at its natural pH in the dark. Calculations by linear regression [8] and extrapolation of data showed that the shelf-life [t 5o] of Philippine patchouli oil had 6 years of age when stored at 30 ° C.
Suppression of IL-12 Production by Soluble CD40 Ligand: Evidence for Involvement of the p44/42 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Pathway1

IL-12 is a key cytokine in skewing immune responses toward Th1-like reactions. Human monocytes/macrophages produce high amounts of bioactive IL-12 when a priming signal (IFN-γ or GM-CSF) precedes a second signal (e.g., LPS). We and others have previously shown that preincubation with LPS before this stimulation procedure can efficiently and selectively suppress the production of IL-12 by human monocytes. In this study, we show that an almost complete suppression of IL-12 production can also be observed after preincubation of monocytes with costimulatory cell surface molecules that bind to members of the TNFR superfamily (CD40 ligand, TNF-related activation-induced cytokine (TRANCE)). The suppression of IL-12 was observable on the mRNA and protein levels and was not due to endogenous production of known IL-12 antagonists (i.e., IL-10, IL-4, and PGE2), to an increased number of cells undergoing apoptosis, nor to down-regulation of the IFN-γ or CD40 receptor. Cell surface expression of the costimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86 was not reduced by the preincubation procedure, and only a moderate reduction of IL-6 production was observed. Several studies have identified signal transduction pathways that are activated by CD40 signaling, including activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases. The presence of the extracellular signal-related kinase-specific mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2-specific inhibitors PD98059 and U0126 abrogated suppression induced by sCD40 ligand or other second signals. This indicates that activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 contributes to the underlying mechanism of IL-12 suppression. This mechanism may be relevant in other inflammatory responses and may help to develop therapeutic strategies in Th1-mediated diseases.
Swm1p subunit of the APC/cyclosome is required for activation of the daughter-specific gene expression program mediated by Ace2p during growth at high temperature in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

SWM1 was originally identified for its role in the late steps of the sporulation process, being required for spore wall assembly. This protein, recently identified as one of the core subunits of the anaphase-promoting complex (APC) is also required to complete cell separation in vegetative cells during growth at high temperature. Mutants lacking SWM1 show a thermosensitive growth defect that is suppressed by osmotic support in the culture medium. At the restrictive temperature, swm1 mutants are unable to complete separation, forming chains of cells that remain associated and, with prolonged incubation times, the stability of the cell wall is compromised, resulting in cell lysis. This separation defect is due to a reduction in expression of CTS1 (the gene encoding chitinase) and a group of genes involved in cell separation (such as ENG1,SCW11, DSE1 and DSE2). Interestingly, these genes are specifically regulated by the transcription factor Ace2p, suggesting that Swm1p is required for normal expression of Ace2p-dependent genes during growth at high temperatures. Although no defect in Ace2p localization can be observed at 28°C, this transcription factor is unable to enter the nucleus of the daughter cell during growth at 38°C. Under these growth conditions, swm1 cells undergo a delay in exit from mitosis, as determined by analysis of Clb2p degradation and Cdc28p-Clb2p kinase assays, and this could be the reason for the cytoplasmic localization of Ace2p.
Cancer-specific mutations in PIK3CA are oncogenic in vivo

The PIK3CA gene, coding for the catalytic subunit p110α of class IA phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3Ks), is frequently mutated in human cancer. Mutated p110α proteins show a gain of enzymatic function in vitro and are oncogenic in cell culture. Here, we show that three prevalent mutants of p110α, E542K, E545K, and H1047R, are oncogenic in vivo. They induce tumors in the chorioallantoic membrane of the chicken embryo and cause hemangiosarcomas in the animal. These tumors are marked by increased angiogenesis and an activation of the Akt pathway. The target of rapamycin inhibitor RAD001 blocks tumor growth induced by the H1047R p110α mutant. The in vivo oncogenicity of PIK3CA mutants in an avian species strongly suggests a critical role for these mutated proteins in human malignancies.
Toward a Comprehensive Model of Snow Crystal Growth: 3. The Correspondence Between Ice Growth from Water Vapor and Ice Growth from Liquid Water

We examine ice crystal growth from water vapor at temperatures near the melting point, when surface premelting creates a quasiliquid layer at the solid/vapor interface. Recent ice growth measurements as a function of vapor supersaturation have demonstrated a substantial nucleation barrier on the basal surface at these temperatures, from which a molecular step energy can be extracted using classical nucleation theory. Additional ice growth measurements from liquid water as a function of supercooling exhibit a similar nucleation barrier on the basal surface, yielding about the same molecular step energy. These data suggest that ice growth from water vapor and from liquid water are both well described by essentially the same underlying nucleation phenomenon over a substantial temperature range. A physical picture is emerging in which molecular step energies at the solid/liquid, solid/quasiliquid, and solid/vapor interfaces create nucleation barriers that dominate the growth behavior of ice over a broad range of conditions. Since the step energy is an equilibrium quantity, just as surface melting is an equilibrium phenomenon, there exists a considerable opportunity to use many-body simulations of the ice surface structure and energetics at equilibrium to better understand many dynamical aspects of ice crystal growth.
Intercellular Differences in Interleukin 1β-Induced Suppression of Insulin Synthesis and Stimulation of Noninsulin Protein Synthesis by Rat Pancreatic β-Cells.

The normal pancreatic beta-cell population exhibits intercellular differences in its responsiveness to glucose. This cellular heterogeneity allows glucose to regulate, in a dose-dependent manner, total rates of insulin synthesis and release. It may also predispose to intercellular differences in susceptibility to dysregulating agents. The present study examines whether this is the case for interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta), which is known to suppress glucose-induced insulin synthesis and release. The effects of the cytokine were compared on beta-cell subpopulations with, respectively, high and low sensitivity to glucose. These subpopulations were separated on the basis of differences in the cellular metabolic responsiveness to an intermediate glucose concentration (7.5 mmol/liter) and then cultured for 20 h at 5 or 20 mmol/liter with or without IL-1beta. The suppressive action of IL-1beta (0.1 ng/ml) occurred predominantly in glucose-activated beta cells, reducing their high rates of insulin synthesis and release by more than 80%. Glucose-unresponsive cells became subject to a similar inhibition after their activation during culture at 20 mmol/liter glucose. On the other hand, IL-1beta induced or enhanced the expression of several noninsulin proteins in both subpopulations. The IL-1beta-stimulated expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and heat shock protein 70 was more marked in the glucose-responsive subpopulation; that of heme oxygenase and Mn superoxide dismutase was comparable in the two subpopulations. Exposure to IL-1beta resulted in 10-fold higher medium nitrite levels in both subpopulations; this effect was prevented by the iNOS blocker, N(G)-methyl-L-arginine, which also prevented the IL-1beta-induced suppression in the glucose-responsive subpopulation. This study demonstrates that the cellular heterogeneity in glucose responsiveness predisposes to intercellular differences in the IL-1-induced suppression of insulin synthesis and release. While the cytokine induces the expression of noninsulin proteins such as iNOS in both glucose responsive and unresponsive cells, the subsequent nitric oxide production appears to predominantly affect glucose-stimulated functions in the glucose-activated cells.
Amoeboid leukocyte crawling through extracellular matrix: lessons from the Dictyostelium paradigm of cell movement

Cell movement within three‐dimensional tissues is a cycling multistep process that requires the integration of complex biochemical and biophysical cell functions. Different cells solve this challenge differently, which leads to differences in migration strategies. Migration principles established for leukocytes share many characteristics with those described for ameba of the lower eukaryoteDictyostelium discoideum. The hallmarks of amoeboid movement include a simple polarized shape, dynamic pseudopod protrusion and retraction, flexible oscillatory shape changes, and rapid low‐affinity crawling. Amoeboid crawling includes haptokinetic adhesion‐dependent as well as biophysical migration mechanisms on or within many structurally and functionally different substrates. We describe central aspects of amoeboid movement in leukocytes and the implications for leukocyte crawling and positioning strategies within interstitial tissues.
Are we prepared for a growing population? Morbid obesity and its implications in Irish emergency departments

Two percent of the Irish population is morbidly obese with this figure expected to rise significantly. This survey aimed to establish the present logistical capacity of Irish emergency departments (EDs) to adequately cater for the bariatric patients. A telephone survey was carried out of 37 health service executive EDs over a 5-day period in October 2008. Questions were posed to the departmental lead nurse regarding facilities (Supplemental digital content 1). No ED had adequate facilities. Two of 37 units questioned had on-site hoists designed to lift patients of more than 170 kg. Four departments had rapid access to mattresses within the hospital and three of these four had access to beds and trolleys for weighing patients. Two percent of the Irish population is morbidly obese with this figure expected to rise significantly to more than 150 kg. One department had access to commodes, chairs, wheelchairs and trolleys from inpatient services. All departments had extra-wide blood pressure cuffs and 12 had a difficult airways trolley. Necessary infrastructure and equipment for bariatric patients is deficient in the majority of Irish EDs.
Clinical and biochemical correlations in mitochondrial myopathies treated with coenzyme Q10

We tested the efficacy of coenzyme Q10 (ubidecarenone, CoQ10) therapy in patients with Kearns-Sayre syndrome and other mitochondrial myopathies with chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO). We treated seven patients for 1 year with daily oral administration of 120 mg of CoQ10. Throughout the treatment most of our patients showed a progressive reduction of serum lactate and pyruvate levels following standard muscle exercise and generally improved neurologic functions. The ECG and echocardiogram showed no significant changes in our patients. None of our patients showed any improvement in ptosis and CPEO.
Two new ceramides from the fruit pulp of Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim) Harms

Two new ceramides, (3S,4S,5R)-3-octadecanoylamino-4-hydroxy-5-dodecane-2,3,4,5-tetrahydrofuran (1) and (3S,4S,5R)-3-[(2R)-2-hydroxyhexacosanoylamino]-4-hydroxy-5-[(4E)-dodecane-4-ene]-2,3,4,5-tetrahydrofuran (2), together with eight known compounds, eleutheroside A (3), eleutheroside B (4), eleutheroside E (5), 7-hydroxy-6-methoxy-coumarin (6), 6,7-dimethoxycoumarin (7), 5α,8α-epidioxyergosta-6,22-dien-3-ol (8), stigmasterol (9) and rutin (10), were isolated from the fruit pulp of Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim) Harms. Their structures were elucidated by means of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic methods (1D, 2D NMR and MS).
Teaching introductory quantum physics and chemistry: caveats from the history of science and science teaching to the training of modern chemists

Finding the best ways to introduce quantum physics to undergraduate students in all scientific areas, in particular for chemistry students, is a pressing, but hardly a simple task. In this paper, we discuss the relevance of taking into account lessons from the history of the discipline and the ongoing controversy over its interpretations and foundations in the search for new ways of improving the teaching of quantum physics. We also review and discuss the recent research in science education literature that proposes new ways of introducing quantum mechanics for undergraduate students. From these discussions, we suggest some possibilities – the inclusion of philosophical interpretations and their defense; the emphasis on strictly quantum features of the systems; an emphasis on formalism, without worrying about the ultimate ontological status of mathematics; the incorporation of quantum mechanics applications into real problems; and the need to introduce complementarity when using images – which can be taken into account when devising more effective ways of teaching introductory quantum mechanics for chemistry students.
Role of atmospheric pollution on the natural history of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Introduction Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has an unpredictable course corresponding to various profiles: stability, physiological disease progression and rapid decline. A minority of patients experience acute exacerbations (AEs). A recent study suggested that ozone and nitrogen dioxide might contribute to the occurrence of AE. We hypothesised that outdoor air pollution might influence the natural history of IPF. Methods Patients were selected from the French cohort COhorte FIbrose (COFI), a national multicentre longitudinal prospective cohort of IPF (n=192). Air pollutant levels were assigned to each patient from the air quality monitoring station closest to the patient’s geocoded residence. Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the impact of air pollution on AE, disease progression and death. Results Onset of AEs was significantly associated with an increased mean level of ozone in the six preceding weeks, with an HR of 1.47 (95% CI 1.13 to 1.92) per 10 µg/m3 (p=0.005). Cumulative levels of exposure to particulate matter PM10 and PM2.5 were above WHO recommendations in 34% and 100% of patients, respectively. Mortality was significantly associated with increased levels of exposure to PM10 (HR=2.01, 95% CI 1.07 to 3.77) per 10 µg/m3 (p=0.03), and PM2.5 (HR=7.93, 95% CI 2.93 to 21.33) per 10 µg/m3 (p<0.001). Conclusion This study suggests that air pollution has a negative impact on IPF outcomes, corroborating the role of ozone on AEs and establishing, for the first time, the potential role of long-term exposure to PM10 and PM2.5 on overall mortality.
Effect of L-dopa on milk ejection and prolactin release in lactating rats.

The effect of L-DOPA on milk ejection and on prolactin release during 30 min of suckling was studied in lactating rats. Various doses of L-DOPA (1-25, 2-5, 5 and 10 mg/100 g body wt) were injected i.p. 30 min before the suckling period. Control rats were injected with 0-9% NaCl solution only. An inhibition of milk ejection proportional to the dose of drug administered was obtained. The dose of 10 mg completely blocked milk ejection but 1-25 mg had no effect. A normal milk-ejection response was obtained with a small dose of oxytocin injected immediately before nursing into mothers treated with 10 mg L-DOPA, indicating that the blocking effect was not due to a lack of mammary gland response. In control mothers, serum prolactin levels increased from 67-2 +/- 25-9 (S.E.M.) to 950-3 +/- 118-7 ng/ml after a 30 min suckling period. L-DOPA (5 and 10 mg) prevented the release of prolactin induced by suckling, but 1-25 and 2-5 mg L-DOPA had no effect. The results indicate that oxytocin and prolactin release induced by suckling in lactating rats is inhibited by an increase of catecholamines at the hypothalamic-hypophysial axis.