Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SIZE AND POWER PROPERTIES OF THE AH TEST OF EVOLUTIONARY CHANGE

We investigate the size and power properties of the AH test of evolutionary change. This involves examining whether the size results are sensitive to both the number of individual frequencies estimated and the spectral shape adopted under the null hypothesis. The power tests examine whether the test has good power to detect shifts in both spectral position (variance) and spectral shape (autocovariance structure).
Partial coalescence from bubbles to drops

The coalescence of drops is a fundamental process in the coarsening of emulsions. However, counter-intuitively, this coalescence process can produce a satellite, approximately half the size of the original drop, which is detrimental to the overall coarsening. This also occurs during the coalescence of bubbles, while the resulting satellite is much smaller, approximately 10 %. To understand this difference, we have conducted a set of coalescence experiments using xenon bubbles inside a pressure chamber, where we can continuously raise the pressure from 1 up to 85 atm and thereby vary the density ratio between the inner and outer fluid, from 0.005 up to unity. Using high-speed video imaging, we observe a continuous increase in satellite size as the inner density is varied from the bubble to emulsion-droplet conditions, with the most rapid changes occurring as the bubble density grows up to 15 % of that of the surrounding liquid. We propose a model that successfully relates the satellite size to the capillary wave mode responsible for its pinch-off and the overall deformations from the drainage. The wavelength of the primary wave changes during its travel to the apex, with the instantaneous speed adjusting to the local wavelength. By estimating the travel time of this wave mode on the bubble surface, we also show that the model is consistent with the experiments. This wavenumber is determined by both the global drainage as well as the interface shapes during the rapid coalescence in the neck connecting the two drops or bubbles. The rate of drainage is shown to scale with the density of the inner fluid. Empirically, we find that the pinch-off occurs when 60 % of the bubble fluid has drained from it. Numerical simulations using the volume-of-fluid method with dynamic adaptive grid refinement can reproduce these dynamics, as well as show the associated vortical structure and stirring of the coalescing fluid masses. Enhanced stirring is observed for cases with second-stage pinch-offs. Numerous sub-satellites are observed when the length of the top protrusion of the drop exceeds the Rayleigh instability wavelength. We also find a parameter regime where the focusing of more than one capillary wave can pinch-off satellites. One realization shows a sequence of three pinch-offs, where the middle one pinches off a toroidal bubble.
Nicotine Dependence among College Students Uninterested in Smoking Cessation during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey

This study investigated nicotine dependence among Japanese university students who had reached the smoking age (20 years or older) by the time of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and examined factors that encourage early smoking cessation. Social dependence on nicotine was evaluated using the Kano Total Social Nicotine Dependence Level (KTSND), and physiological dependence was evaluated using the Fagerström Nicotine Dependence Index (FTND). Of the 356 college students who smoked (4.4% of the total), 182 (51.1%) stated that they were not interested in quitting. Furthermore, 124 (68.1%) of those with no interest in quitting smoking were aware that smoking is a high-risk factor for COVID-19, and 58 (31.9%) were unaware. The group not aware of this risk had significantly higher KTSND scores than the group aware of it. The examination of cigarette type that indicated the users of non-conventional cigarette products and dual-user groups scored significantly higher than the cigarette group on FTND items. Overall, the smokers scored above the normal range for social nicotine dependence, suggesting the need to reduce nicotine dependence to encourage college students who continue to smoke to quit smoking.
Parameter-Free Elicitation of Utility and Probability Weighting Functions

This paper proposes a two-step method to successively elicit utility functions and decision weights under rank-dependent expected utility theory and its "more descriptive" version: cumulative prospect theory. The novelty of the method is that it is parameter-free, and thus elicits the whole individual preference functional without imposing any prior restriction. This method is used in an experimental study to elicit individual utility and probability weighting functions for monetary outcomes in the gain and loss domains. Concave utility functions are obtained for gains and convex utility functions for losses. The elicited weighting functions satisfy upper and lower subadditivity and are consistent with previous parametric estimations. The data also show that the probability weighting function for losses is more "elevated" than for gains.
Diapause-Linked Gene Expression Pattern and Related Candidate Duplicated Genes of the Mountain Butterfly Parnassius glacialis (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) Revealed by Comprehensive Transcriptome Profiling

The mountain butterfly Parnassius glacialis is a representative species of the genus Parnassius, which probably originated in the high-altitude Qinhai–Tibet Plateau in the Miocene and later dispersed eastward into relatively low-altitude regions of central to eastern China. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying the long-term evolutionary adaptation to heterogeneous environmental conditions of this butterfly species. In this study, we obtained the high-throughput RNA-Seq data from twenty-four adult individuals in eight localities, covering nearly all known distributional areas in China, and firstly identified the diapause-linked gene expression pattern that is likely to correlate with local adaptation in adult P. glacialis populations. Secondly, we found a series of pathways responsible for hormone biosynthesis, energy metabolism and immune defense that also exhibited unique enrichment patterns in each group that are probably related to habitat-specific adaptability. Furthermore, we also identified a suite of duplicated genes (including two transposable elements) that are mostly co-expressed to promote the plastic responses to different environmental conditions. Together, these findings can help us to better understand this species’ successful colonization to distinct geographic areas from the western to eastern areas of China, and also provide us with some insights into the evolution of diapause in mountain Parnassius butterfly species.
Students’ Satisfaction with Quality of Synchronous Online Learning Under the COVID 19 Pandemic: Perceptions from Liberal Arts and Science Undergraduates

COVID-19 imposed dramatic changes on educational practices worldwide with American institutions of higher learning moving a significant number of their courses and educational programs to electronic online modes. In the post-pandemic world, the same institutions and educational programs recognize the need to incorporate technological components into their courses. Yet, some disciplines and areas of study may be better equipped for this change than others. The liberal arts are believed to be more reliant on face-to-face interaction and thus can be argued to have been more negatively affected by the required move to synchronous online learning during the pandemic Instructors have the option of teaching online courses either synchronously or asynchronously. As synchronous online learning requires course delivery in real-time via online video conferencing, the hope is that some of the drawbacks associated with teaching liberal arts online can be mitigated with technology-based, face-to-face interaction. In the spirit of exploring the relationship between liberal arts education and synchronous online learning, this research aimed at gauging Jacksonville liberal arts students’ levels of satisfaction with the quality of instruction in synchronously delivered courses during the spring semester of 2021. Informed by the Community of Inquiry theory, of special interest were aspects of synchronous online learning like interaction with the virtual platform (video conferencing), interaction with content, interaction with instructor, and interaction with peers. Three local institutions participated in this study, yielding a sample of 141 students who participated in an anonymous Qualtrics survey pertaining to their learning experiences in the synchronous mode. Using a mixed-methods approach, results show positive perceptions, challenges, and recommendations for synchronous online learning.
Short range atomic migration in amorphous silicon

Experiments on self-diffusion in amorphous silicon between 400 and 500 °C are presented, which were carried out by neutron reflectometry in combination with 29Si/natSi isotope multilayers. Short range diffusion is detected on a length scale of about 2 nm, while long range diffusion is absent. Diffusivities are in the order of 10−19–10−20 m2/s and decrease with increasing annealing time, reaching an undetectable low value for long annealing times. This behavior is strongly correlated to structural relaxation and can be explained as a result of point defect annihilation. Diffusivities for short annealing times of 60 s follow the Arrhenius law with an activation enthalpy of (0.74 ± 0.21) eV, which is interpreted as the activation enthalpy of Si migration.
Internet use and e-health literacy among tuberculosis patients in the Directly Observed Therapy Centre, Lagos State, Nigeria

Introduction. This study investigated Internet use and e-health literacy among tuberculosis patients attending Directly Observed Therapy Centre in Lagos State, Nigeria. Method. The study population comprised registered adult tuberculosis patients on active treatment and assessing healthcare in the designated Directly Observed Therapy Centre. Data were collected using a questionnaire and e-health literacy was measured using the 8-item e-health literacy scale. Analysis. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation coefficient was used for the analysis. Results. The findings of the study revealed that a majority (73.3%) of the respondents had mobile phone devices for accessing e-health information and acknowledged that the Internet is very useful to their health. However, many of them did not have the skills to evaluate the health resources found on the Internet and cannot differentiate high quality from low quality health resources. Hence many of the patients did not feel confident in using information sourced from the Internet. The result of the hypotheses shows that educational level was significantly associated with usefulness and perceived importance of online health information (r= 0.189, p=0.010). Conclusion. The results showed the need to inculcate e-health literacy into the educational program of tuberculosis patients in the country, and how to evaluate online information as a reliable source of medical information.
Population PK/PD modelling of meropenem in preterm newborns based on therapeutic drug monitoring data

Background: Preterm neonates rarely participate in clinical trials, this leads to lack of adequate information on pharmacokinetics for most drugs in this population. Meropenem is used in neonates to treat severe infections, and absence of evidence-based rationale for optimal dosing could result in mismanagement. Aim: The objective of the study was to determine the population pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of meropenem in preterm infants from therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) data in real clinical settings and to evaluate pharmacodynamics (PD) indices as well as covariates affecting pharmacokinetics. Materials and methods: Demographic, clinical and TDM data of 66 preterm newborns were included in PK/PD analysis. The NPAG program from the Pmetrics was used for modelling based on peak-trough TDM strategy and one-compartment PK model. Totally, 132 samples were assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Meropenem empirical dosage regimens (40–120 mg/kg/day) were administered by 1–3-h IV infusion 2–3 times a day. Regression analysis was used to evaluate covariates (gestation age (GA), postnatal age (PNA), postconceptual age (PCA), body weight (BW), creatinine clearance, etc.) influenced on PK parameters. Results: The mean ± SD (median) values for constant rate of elimination (Kel) and volume of distribution (V) of meropenem were estimated as 0.31 ± 0.13 (0.3) 1/h and 1.2 ± 0.4 (1.2) L with interindividual variability (CV) of 42 and 33%, respectively. The median values for total clearance (CL) and elimination half-life (T1/2) were calculated as 0.22 L/h/kg and 2.33 h with CV = 38.0 and 30.9%. Results of the predictive performance demonstrated that the population model by itself gives poor prediction, while the individualized Bayesian posterior models give much improved quality of prediction. The univariate regression analysis revealed that creatinine clearance, BW and PCA influenced significantly T1/2, meropenem V was mostly correlated with BW and PCA. But not all observed PK variability can be explained by these regression models. Conclusion: A model-based approach in conjunction with TDM data could help to personalize meropenem dosage regimen. The estimated population PK model can be used as Bayesian prior information to estimate individual PK parameter values in the preterm newborns and to obtain predictions of desired PK/PD target once the patient’s TDM concentration(s) becomes available.
A model of a thick disk with equatorial accretion

We construct a model of a geometrically thick accretion disk orbiting a 10 M/sub sun/ black hole in which most of the interior is in convective equilibrium, and in which the accretion flow and heat generation are confined mostly to the layers due to the equatorial plane. Surfaces of constant angular momentum and surfaces of constant entropy coincide to form curved coaxial cylinders. Disks are marginally unstable dynamically along the cylinders (convection acts along them) and stable in all other directions. We consider two accretion rates: critical and twice critical.
Density-functional study of magnetism in bare Au nanoclusters: Evidence of permanent size-dependent spin polarization without geometry relaxation

Magnetism in bare uncapped gold nanoclusters is explored from a density-functional theory perspective with scalar relativistic effects included via the pseudopotential. The computed electronic structures of various nanoclusters reveal that permanent size-dependent spin polarization appears without geometry relaxation for bare clusters even though bulk gold is diamagnetic. The polarized ground states for clusters are favorable due to the hybridization of the $s$ and $d$ orbitals, and bare octahedral clusters are expected to be magnetic for cluster sizes of approximately 38 atoms and larger. Much larger clusters will be diamagnetic when the surface-to-volume ratio is small and the core diamagnetism prevails. Moderate changes in the interatomic distances and cluster geometry are shown not to alter this conclusion. Contrary to local-density approximation and embedded atom method predictions, generalized gradient approximation and hybrid geometry optimizations reveal increased interatomic bond distances in bare gold clusters relative to the bulk lattice values. In this case, optimization enhances the spin polarization.
Predicting financial statement manipulation in South Africa: A comparison of the Beneish and Dechow models

Abstract Recently, South Africa has suffered from several large financial statement frauds. To assist stakeholders in identifying fraud, this study investigated the ability of the Beneish M-score and the Dechow et al. F-score to identify fraud in South Africa. The study also explored similarities in earnings management characteristics between false positives and fraudulent companies. Finally, the study re-estimated the models’ coefficients based on current South African data to determine if this improved their predictive capabilities. The study used a sample of 23 manipulated and 2 320 non-manipulated observations from 2006 to 2018 and found that both scores showed low sensitivity and precision. The false positives share similar, or higher, earnings management characteristics to the manipulators. Re-estimating the coefficients reduced the M-scores’ sensitivity by, on average, 6.52% but improved precision by, on average, 4.21%. Conversely, re-estimation increased the F-scores’ sensitivity by, on average, 58.70% but increased the type II error by, on average, 48.09%. These findings suggested that either the M- and F-scores are unsuitable in the South African context or that regulators have failed to identify manipulators adequately. Therefore, investors and other stakeholders should use caution when applying these models in South Africa.
STAR FORMATION ACTIVITY OF GALAXIES IN A NEARBY COMPACT GROUP: THE NGC 4095 GROUP

This work aims to study the evolution of galaxies, located in the dense environment of the NGC 4095 compact group, which have recession velocities 6,000 < v (km s 1 ) < 8,000. Imaging observations for BV Rc broad-band, and [S ii] and red-continuum narrow-band were carried out with the 2.4 m Thai National Telescope (TNT) at Doi Inthanon, Chiang Mai, Thailand. The sample contains 13 galaxies, consisting of 8 spirals, 4 ellipticals and 1 irregular morphological type. Late type galaxies tend to be bluer than early type galaxies. The results show that most of the late type galaxies have ongoing star formation activity, which could be triggered by galaxy-galaxy or tidal interactions, and that young massive stars in these galaxies cause their colors to be bluer than the early type galaxies.
Abundance of eastern North Pacific gray whales on the 1995/96 southbound migration

Systematic counts of gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) were conducted from 13 December 1995 to 23 February 1996 at Granite Canyon, California. This study was the second of three during the five-year period following the removal of gray whales from the US government list of endangered and threatened wildlife. The counts were made at the same research station used most years since 1975 by the National Marine Mammal Laboratory to observe the southbound migration of the eastern North Pacific stock. Counting methods were kept similar to those used in previous surveys and included double counting to assess observer performance. In addition, aerial surveys and highpowered binoculars provided documentation that a negligible fraction of migrating whales passed beyond the sighting range of the counting observers. A total of 2,151 pods (3,928 whales) was counted during 472.7hrs of standard watch effort with visibility recorded as fair to excellent. Data analysis procedures were substantially the same as in previous years with a modification to account for differential sightability by pod size. Population size is estimated to be 22,263 whales (CV=9.25%; 95% log-normal CI=18,700-26,500). This estimate is similar to the previous estimate of 23,109 (CV=5.42%; 95% CI=20,800-25,700) from the 1993/94 survey.
The Green-Eyed Monster in Social Media – Development and Validation of a Digital Jealousy Scale

Abstract: Romantic jealousy describes a feeling when individuals suspect losing their romantic partner to a potential rival. Social media has a high potential to trigger romantic jealousy as it offers almost unlimited opportunities to build social relationships. Thus, it is unsurprising that many studies are now examining social media‐induced jealousy (SoMJ). However, there has been a lack of standardized instruments that can capture SoMJ independently of a specific social media platform. In the present two studies, we developed the 9-item Digital Jealousy Scale (DJS) in German and English and examined its psychometric properties using three heterogeneous samples from Germany and the United Kingdom. The postulated one-factor structure fitted the data very well. Additionally, construct validity was established by showing the expected correlations between the DJS and personality variables such as other jealousy measures, attachment dimensions, self-esteem, and the Big Five dimensions. The DJS is thus a valuable instrument to assess SoMJ.
Natural History of DNA-Dependent DNA Polymerases: Multiple Pathways to the Origins of DNA

One of the major evolutionary transitions that led to DNA replacing RNA as the primary informational molecule in biological systems is still the subject of an intense debate in the scientific community. DNA polymerases are currently split into various families. Families A, B, and C are the most significant. In bacteria and some types of viruses, enzymes from families A and C predominate, whereas family B enzymes are more common in Archaea, Eukarya, and some types of viruses. A phylogenetic analysis of these three families of DNA polymerase was carried out. We assumed that reverse transcriptase was the ancestor of DNA polymerases. Our findings suggest that families A and C emerged and organized themselves when the earliest bacterial lineages had diverged, and that these earliest lineages had RNA genomes that were in transition—that is, the information was temporally stored in DNA molecules that were continuously being produced by reverse transcription. The origin of DNA and the apparatus for its replication in the mitochondrial ancestors may have occurred independently of DNA and the replication machinery of other bacterial lineages, according to these two alternate modes of genetic material replication. The family C enzymes emerged in a particular bacterial lineage before being passed to viral lineages, which must have functioned by disseminating this machinery to the other lineages of bacteria. Bacterial DNA viruses must have evolved at least twice independently, in addition to the requirement that DNA have arisen twice in bacterial lineages. We offer two possible scenarios based on what we know about bacterial DNA polymerases. One hypothesis contends that family A was initially produced and spread to the other lineages through viral lineages before being supplanted by the emergence of family C and acquisition at that position of the principal replicative polymerase. The evidence points to the independence of these events and suggests that the viral lineage’s acquisition of cellular replicative machinery was crucial for the establishment of a DNA genome in the other bacterial lineages, since these viral lineages may have served as a conduit for the machinery’s delivery to other bacterial lineages that diverged with the RNA genome. Our data suggest that family B initially established itself in viral lineages and was transferred to ancestral Archaea lineages before the group diversified; thus, the DNA genome must have emerged first in this cellular lineage. Our data point to multiple evolutionary steps in the origins of DNA polymerase, having started off at least twice in the bacterial lineage and once in the archaeal lineage. Given that viral lineages are implicated in a significant portion of the distribution of DNA replication equipment in both bacterial (families A and C) and Archaeal lineages (family A), our data point to a complex scenario.