Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Low-metallicity star formation: relative impact of metals and magnetic fields

Low-metallicity star formation poses a central problem of cosmology, as it determines the characteristic mass scale and distribution for the first and second generations of stars forming in our Universe. Here, we present a comprehensive investigation assessing the relative impact of metals and magnetic fields, which may both be present during low-metallicity star formation. We show that the presence of magnetic fields generated via the small-scale dynamo stabilizes the protostellar disc and provides some degree of support against fragmentation. In the absence of magnetic fields, the fragmentation time-scale in our model decreases by a factor of ˜10 at the transition from Z = 0 to Z > 0, with subsequently only a weak dependence on metallicity. Similarly, the accretion time-scale of the cluster is set by the large-scale dynamics rather than the local thermodynamics. In the presence of magnetic fields, the primordial disc can become completely stable, therefore forming only one central fragment. At Z > 0, the number of fragments is somewhat reduced in the presence of magnetic fields, though the shape of the mass spectrum is not strongly affected in the limits of the statistical uncertainties. The fragmentation time-scale, however, increases by roughly a factor of 3 in the presence of magnetic fields. Indeed, our results indicate comparable fragmentation time-scales in primordial runs without magnetic fields and Z > 0 runs with magnetic fields.
Chemical characterization and the stress induced changes of the extracellular polysaccharide of the marine cyanobacterium, Phormidium tenue

The cyanobacterial strain Phormidium tenue was subjected to different stress conditions like culture aging, phosphate and nitrate depleted condition, excess nitrate (10mM) and salinity (0.9M NaCl). Excess nitrate and salinity used were just the double amount, required for normal concentration. Growth was monitored by Chlorophyll content and total protein level in relation to polysaccharide production. Remarkable increase in EPS contents were noted in all stresses given, which were almost 1.7, 2, 3 and 4 times more in excess nitrate condition, phosphate depleted, nitrate depleted and high salinity respectively. It was also observed that aging is an important factor for increasing EPS production. Exocellular polysaccharide (EPS) from this marine cyanobacterium was characterized using GLCMS and stress induced variation in total production was studied in batch culture mode. The neutral sugar composition of Phormidium biomass was identified by gas liquid chromatography showing monosaccharide composition as Rhamnose, Fucose, Xylose, Mannose, Glucose and Galactose. It was evident from the study that the structural architecture of the extra cellular polysaccharide of Phormidium is highly complex in nature as common in algal system.
Deterioration Monitoring of DC-Link Capacitors in AC Machine Drives by Current Injection

This letter proposes a novel condition monitoring scheme of dc-link capacitors in PWM inverter-fed induction machine drives with front-end diode rectifiers, which is based on the online capacitance estimation scheme. While the motor is operating in the regenerative mode for the estimation process, a regulated ac component is injected into the stator winding, which causes a dc-link voltage ripple at the same frequency. From the ac components of the dc-link voltage and current, the capacitance is estimated with a recursive least squares algorithm. With this method, experimental results have shown that the estimation error of the capacitance is less than 1%, from which the deterioration condition of the capacitors can be diagnosed reliably.
Mutation of Divergent Region 1 Alters Caffeine and Ca2+ Sensitivity of the Skeletal Muscle Ca2+Release Channel (Ryanodine Receptor)*

Replacement of amino acids 4187–4628 in the skeletal muscle Ca2+ release channel (skeletal ryanodine receptor (RyR1)), including nearly all of divergent region 1 (amino acids 4254–4631), with the corresponding cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) sequence leads to increased sensitivity of channel activation by caffeine and Ca2+ and to decreased sensitivity of channel inactivation by elevated Ca2+ (Du, G. G., and MacLennan, D. H. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 26120–26126). In further investigations, this region was subdivided by the construction of new chimeras, and alterations in channel function were detected by measurement of the caffeine dependence of in vivo Ca2+ release and the Ca2+ dependence of [3H]ryanodine binding. Chimera RF10a (amino acids 4187–4381) had a lower EC50value for activation by caffeine, and RF10c (4557–4628) had a higher EC50 value, whereas the EC50 value for chimera RF10b (4382–4556) was unchanged. Chimeras RF10b and RF10c were more sensitive to activation by Ca2+, whereas RF10a was less sensitive to inactivation by Ca2+, implicating RF10b and RF10c in Ca2+ activation and RF10a in Ca2+inactivation. Deletion of much of divergent region 1 sequence to create mutant Δ4274–4535 led to higher caffeine and Ca2+sensitivity of channel activation and to lower Ca2+sensitivity for inactivation. Thus, deletion results demonstrate that caffeine, Ca2+, and ryanodine binding sites are not located in amino acids 4274–4535. Nevertheless, the properties of the deletion and chimeric mutants demonstrate that amino acids 4274–4535 and three shorter sequences in this region (F10a, amino acids 4187–4381; F10b, 4382–4556; and F10c, 4557–4628) in RyR1 modulate Ca2+ and caffeine sensitivity of the Ca2+ release channel.
General Relativity (papers in honour of J L Synge)

L O'Raifeartaigh (ed) London: Oxford University Press 1972 pp ix + 277 price £7 This volume continues a newly developing custom, which is to be highly welcomed, of honouring great contemporary figures of science on their 70th or 75th birthday with a collection of papers contributed by their colleagues. J L Synge is perhaps best known for his work in relativity where in particular he is largely responsible, in the wake of Minkowski, for emphasizing the importance of geometrical characterization in the theory.
3D kinematics of the interphalangeal joints in the forelimb of walking and trotting horses

Summary The objective was to measure 3D rotations of the distal (DIP) and proximal (PIP) interphalangeal joints at walk and trot. 3D trajectories of markers fixed to the proximal phalanx, middle phalanx and the hoof wall of the right forelimb of four sound horses were recorded at 120 Hz. Joint kinematics were calculated in terms of anatomically-based joint coordinate systems between the bone segments. Ranges of motion were similar at walk and trot. Values for the DIP joint were: flexion/extension: 46 ± 3° at walk, 47 ± 4° at trot; internal/ external rotation: 5 ± 1° at walk, 6 ± 3° at trot; and adduction/abduction: 5 ± 2° at walk, 5 ± 3° at trot. Within each gait, kinematic profiles at the DIP joint were similar between horses with the exception of adduction/abduction during breakover, which may vary depending on the direction of hoof rotation over the toe. Knowledge of the types and amounts of motion at the DIP joint will be useful in understanding the aetiology and treatment of injuries to the soft tissues, which are being recognized more frequently through the use of sensitive imaging techniques. Ranges of motion for the PIP joint were: flexion/extension: 13 ± 4° at walk, 14 ± 4° at trot; adduction/abduction: 3 ± 1° at walk, 3 ± 1° at trot; and internal/external rotation: 3 ± 1° at walk, 4 ± 1° at trot. The PIP joint made a significant contribution to flexion/extension of the digit. During surgical arthrodesis, the angle of fusion may be important since loss of PIP joint extension in late stance is likely to be accommodated by increased extension of the DIP joint.
Clustering technique for risk classification and prediction of claim costs in the automobile insurance industry

This paper considers the problem of predicting claim costs in the automobile insurance industry. The first stage involves classifying policy holders according to their perceived risk, followed by modelling the claim costs within each risk group. Two methods are compared for the risk classification stage: a data-driven approach based on hierarchical clustering, and a previously published heuristic method that groups policy holders according to pre-defined factors. Regression is used to model the expected claim costs within a risk group. A case study is presented utilizing real data, and both risk classification methods are compared according to a variety of accuracy measures. The results of the case study show the benefits of employing a data-driven approach. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhancing mammography referral in primary care.

BACKGROUND This 1-year randomized trial tested the efficacy of behavioral techniques for increasing mammography referrals by primary care physicians in small, community practices. METHODS Sixty-one practices were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (1) education-only control, (2) education plus cue enhancement using mammography chart stickers, and (3) education plus cue enhancement plus feedback and token rewards. Quarterly chart audits of a defined sample (N = 11,716) of women patients 50 years of age or older were conducted to document mammography referrals, completions, and compliance. RESULTS Referral and completion rates increased from baseline to first quarter and gradually declined thereafter. Overall, these rates were higher in the cuing conditions than in the control condition. In contrast, compliance rates in both experimental conditions increased over the year while remaining static in the control condition, demonstrating a strong and continuing effect for cue enhancement. Compliance increases were greatest for physicians who were older, nonwhite, with a second speciality, in solo practice, not members of the AMA, not residency trained, and not board certified. CONCLUSIONS Chart stickers can significantly increase mammography utilization in small, community practices. These practices are an efficient route to reaching large numbers of older women in need of mammography screening.
Bartonella koehlerae sp. nov., Isolated from Cats

ABSTRACT Two of the 25 Bartonella isolates recovered during a prevalence study of Bartonella henselae bacteremia in domestic cats from the greater San Francisco Bay region were found to differ phenotypically and genotypically from all prior B. henselae isolates. These isolates, C-29 and C-30, which were recovered from the blood of two pet cats belonging to the same household, grew on chocolate agar as pinpoint colonies following 14 days of incubation at 35°C in a candle jar but failed to grow on heart infusion agar supplemented with 5% rabbit blood. Additional phenotypic characteristics distinguished the isolates C-29 and C-30 from other feline B. henselae isolates. The restriction patterns obtained for C-29 and C-30 by citrate synthase PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis as well as by genomic RFLP could not be distinguished from each other but were distinctly different from that of the B. henselae type strain. In reciprocal reactions, DNAs from strains C-29 and C-30 were 97 to 100% related under optimal and stringent DNA reassociation conditions, with 0 to 0.5% divergence within related sequences. Labeled DNA from the type strain of B. henselae was 61 to 65% related to unlabeled DNAs from strains C-29 and C-30 in 55°C reactions, with 5.0 to 5.5% divergence within the related sequences, and 31 to 41% related in stringent, 70°C reactions. In reciprocal reactions, labeled DNAs from strains C-29 and C-30 were 68 to 92% related to those of the B. henselae type strain and other B. henselae strains, with 5 to 7% divergence. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain C-29 was 99.54% homologous to that of the type strain of B. henselae. On the basis of these findings, the two isolates C-29 and C-30 are designated a new species of Bartonella, for which we propose the nameBartonella koehlerae. The type strain of Bartonella koehlerae is strain C-29 (ATCC 700693).
Synthesis and Properties of RNAs that Contain A Pna-Rna Dimer

A practical synthesis of a peptide nucleic acid unit combined with an RNA nucleoside (PNA-RNA dimer) is reported. The dimer unit was placed within an RNA oligonucleotide via phosphoramidite chemistry and melting temperature data indicate destabilization relative to a native RNA duplex. Circular dichroism indicates that the overall shape of the duplex remains intact. This PNA-RNA dimer unit will permit future investigations within RNA-based systems, such as RNA interference.
Echographic differentation of intraocular melanomas by computer analysis

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the differentiation of histologically different types of choroidal melanomas by means of clinical and quantitative acoustic/texture parameters of echograms. Clinical parameters were graded by morphological, kinetic and quantitative statements about the A‐ and B‐mode echograms by a skilled diagnostician. Acoustic/texture parameters were obtained by processing and analysing radio frequency, AM‐demodulated and FM‐demodulated echograms. The latter data were preprocessed to remove influence induced by beam diffraction and focusing. The best set of four clinical echographic parameters enabled a retrospective classification of spindle type melanomas vs. mixed + epithelioid type melanomas with an accuracy of 77% (area under the ROC‐curve of 86%). The discriminant analysis performed with the best four acoustic/texture parameters (n = 30) yielded a sensitivity of 89%, a specificity of 92%, and an area under the ROC‐curve which corresponds to a probability of correct classification of 96.6%. When using these data prospectively to classify tumours of unknown cell type (n = 21), this classification could be performed in 86% of cases.
Structure and assembly–disassembly properties of wild‐type transthyretin amyloid protofibrils observed with atomic force microscopy

Transthyretin (TTR) is an important human transport protein present in the serum and the cerebrospinal fluid. Aggregation of TTR in the form of amyloid fibrils is associated with neurodegeneration, but the mechanisms of cytotoxicity are likely to stem from the presence of intermediate assembly states. Characterization of these intermediate species is therefore essential to understand the etiology and pathogenesis of TTR‐related amyloidoses. In the present work we used atomic force microscopy to investigate the morphological features of wild‐type (WT) TTR amyloid protofibrils that appear in the early stages of aggregation. TTR protofibrils obtained by mild acidification appeared as flexible filaments with variable length and were able to bind amyloid markers (thioflavin T and Congo red). Surface topology and contour‐length distribution displayed a periodic pattern of ∼15 nm, suggesting that the protofibrils assemble via an end‐binding oligomer fusion mechanism. The average height and periodic substructure found in protofibrils is compatible with the double‐helical model of the TTR amyloid protofilament. Over time protofibrils aggregated into bundles and did not form mature amyloid‐like fibrils. Unlike amyloid fibrils that are typically stable under physiological conditions, the bundles dissociated into component protofibrils with axially compacted and radially dilated structure when exposed to phosphate‐buffered saline solution. Thus, WT TTR can form metastable filamentous aggregates that may represent an important transient state along the pathway towards the formation of cytotoxic TTR species. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of integrating short messaging services` reminders with electronic medical records on non-attendance rates.

OBJECTIVE To measure the effect of integrating short messaging service (SMS) reminders with an electronic medical record (EMR) system on non-attendance rates in outpatient clinics in a Saudi hospital. METHODS Pre- and post- observational studies were conducted at King Abdulaziz Medical City and National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from January 2010 and March 2010. Data collected from 16 out-patient clinics included the number of non-attended appointments at the clinics in a 3-month period (March-May) in 2 consecutive years: pre-implementation of SMS appointment reminders in 2008 and post-implementation in 2009. RESULTS The mean non-attendance rates for the 16 outpatient clinics during 2008 were 23.9% (SD 0.0578) and for 2009 were 19.8% (SD 0.0386) with a 4.1% (p < 0.001, T-value = 4.81) reduction rate. CONCLUSION Integrating SMS reminders with EMR systems showed a positive effect on the reduction of the non-attended appointments at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Understanding Geometrically based Multiple Bounce Channel Models

This paper looks into various ways of extending a geometrically based single bounce channel model into a multiple bounce one, the main motivation being to overcome some of the limitations of the former models. Three different strategies to implement the way rays are bounced are described and compared, a comparison between diffuse scattering and specular reflection being also investigated; as expected, specular reflection leads to higher power values for the arriving rays, with impact on the delay spread. Some initial results are presented; it seems that more than 2 bounces only enlarges the delay spread. (4 pages)
Socialization of Culture and Coping with Discrimination Among American Indian Families: Examining Cultural Correlates of Youth Outcomes

Objective: The current study examines the interrelations between observed parental cultural socialization and socialization of coping with discrimination, and youth outcomes among a sample of 92 American Indian adolescents and their parents in a rural reservation. Method: Path analysis is used to examine the relationships among observed parental socialization (cultural socialization and socialization of coping with discrimination), and youth-reported perceived discrimination, ethnic identity and depression. Results: Findings reveal that higher levels of observed parental cultural socialization and socialization of coping with discrimination predict lower levels of depression as reported by youth 1 year later. Path analyses also show that observed parental cultural socialization and socialization of coping with discrimination are positively associated with youth ethnic identity. Conclusions: These findings point to the importance of integrating familial socialization of culture and coping with discrimination in fostering resilience among American Indian youth.
Potencial de cruzamentos dialélicos de soja para precocidade, produtividade de grãos e tolerância à ferrugem

Potential of soybean diallel crosses for earliness, seed yield, and rust tolerance Soybean is an economicaly important culture worldwide, and Brazil is among the largest world producers. In breeding programs, a very useful method used to choice of parents is the diallel, where all parents are crossed in biparental combinations. The use of this methodology has been effective in generating superior genotypes. This research aimed to evaluate the potential of soybean crosses in terms of earliness and seed yield(PG) by estimating heterosis, general (CGC) and specific (CEC) combining abilities, besides to estimate the reaction of crosses to the fungus of soybean rust. The parents used in the 10x10 complete diallel system were: 1) USP 233-4201-09, 2) USP 223-2113-09, 3) IAC-17, 4) FT-COMETA, 5) CD 216, 6) FT 81-2706, 7) CB 07-958-B, 8) BMX POTENCIA RR, 9) AS 7307 RR, 10) TMG 4011 RR. The randomized complete-block design was used in all experiments. In 2013/14, it was evaluated the F2 generation of the 45 diallel crosses. The parents who stood out with negative estimates of CGC, helping to reduce cycle (higher earliness) were USP 223-4201-09, USP 223-2113-09, TMG 4011 RR and, especially CB 07-958-B with average reduction of more than five days in the cycle. This parent, jointly with CD 216 and FT-COMETA, also stood in relation to heterosis per se (varietal or parental heterosis = hi). It was found that the parent CB 07-958-B has the highest concentration of dominant genes for earliness. The parent with the highest concentration of favorable alleles for PG was 3) IAC-17. The most outstanding cross for PG was 1x5=USP 223-4201-09 CD x 216, averaging 5623Kg ha-1. All crosses showed average PG higher than the best parent. In 2014/15, the F2:3 generation was evaluated through two disease managements with fungicide applications designed to control: a) the rust and other late season leaf diseases (DFC); b) DFC, except rust. The contrast between adjusted means of these two managements with different fungicides allowed an estimation of the tolerance for each genotype. The estimates of rust effect were significants for seven and 17 crosses, respectively to PG and onehundred seed weight (PCS); the remaining crosses were considered as rust tolerants. The following conclusions were obtained: the choice of parents to compose the diallel was adequate, since the analysis of combining abilities and heterosis showed that they contributed to increase earliness and PG of the crosses in the F2 generation, besides most crosses showed tolerance to rust in the F2:3 generation; there is variability in the crop cycle, which can allow the selection of earlier lines in the future; crosses showed great seed yield potential, with some surpassing the national soybean average; further progress to rust tolerance may be obtained from the practice of selection among and within crosses in later generations.
Survival rates and blood metal concentrations in two species of free‐ranging North American sea ducks

Populations of several species of North American sea ducks have declined in the past few decades. Exposure to environmental contaminants, particularly metals, has been proposed as one of many possible factors contributing to these declines. Population dynamics are influenced by survival rates and breeding effort. In the present study, we examined the relationships between blood metal concentrations (Cd, Pb, Se, and Hg) and apparent annual survival and recapture probabilities (the latter as a surrogate for breeding effort) in adult females of two sea duck species, the king eider (Somateria spectabilis) and the white‐winged scoter (Melanitta fusca), both of which have experienced declines in continental population during in recent years. No support was found for the hypothesis that exposure of white‐winged scoters to these metals or of king eiders to Cd, Se, and Pb adversely affected probabilities of apparent annual survival. We detected a weak negative relationship ( = −0.833) between Hg and annual survival of king eiders, but the 90% confidence interval of the slope estimate overlapped zero (‐2.439 to +0.672). Recapture probabilities were unrelated to concentrations of Cd, Se, and Pb in either species. Evidence indicated that Hg concentrations affected recapture probability in white‐winged scoters ( = —194.77; 90% confidence interval, −203.770 to −185.778). Mercury levels were low in both species, and blood samples may not adequately represent long‐term exposure to Hg. Therefore, conclusions regarding Hg effects on these birds should be considered with caution.
Least-squares Conditional Density Estimation Masashi Sugiyama

Estimating the conditional mean of an input-output relation is the goal of regression. However, regression analysis is not sufficiently informative if the conditional distribution has multi-modality, is highly asymmetric, or contains heteroscedastic noise. In such scenarios, estimating the conditional distribution itself would be more useful. In this paper, we propose a novel method of conditional density estimation that is suitable for multi-dimensional continuous variables. Extensive experiments using artificial and benchmark datasets as well as robot transition datasets illustrate the usefulness of the proposed approach.