Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Why the globular cluster NGC 6752 contains no sodium-rich second-generation AGB stars

Context. Globular clusters host multiple stellar populations showing different sodium enrichments. These various populations can be observed along the main sequence, red giant and horizontal branch phases. Recently it was shown, however, that at least in the globular cluster NGC 6752, no sodium-rich stars are observed along the early asymptotic giant branch (AGB), posing an apparent problem for stellar evolution. Aims. We present an explanation for this lack of sodium-rich stars in this region of the colour–magnitude diagram. Methods. We computed models for low-mass stars following the prediction of the so-called fast rotating massive stars model for the initial composition of second-generation stars. We studied the impact of different initial helium contents on the stellar lifetimes and the evolutionary path in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. Results. We propose that the lack of sodium-rich stars along the early-AGB arises because sodium-rich stars were born with a high initial helium abundance, as predicted by the fast rotating massive stars scenario. Helium-rich stars have much shorter lifetimes for a given initial mass than stars with a normal helium abundance, and above a cutoff initial helium abundance that slightly depends on the mass-loss rate on the RGB they do not go through the AGB phase and evolve directly into a white dwarf stage. Within the fast rotating massive stars framework we obtained a cutoff in [Na/Fe] between the second-generation models evolving into the AGB phase and those skipping that phase between 0.18 and 0.4 dex, depending on the mass loss rate used during the red giant phase. In view of the uncertainties in abundance determinations, the cutoff obtained by the present model agrees well with the one inferred from recent observations of the cluster NGC 6752. Conclusions. The helium-sodium correlation needed to explain the lack of sodium-rich stars along the early-AGB of NGC 6752 corresponds to the one predicted by the fast rotating massive stars models. A crucial additional test of the model is the distribution of stars with various helium abundances among main-sequence stars. Our model predicts that two magnitudes below the turnoff a very large percentage of stars, about 82%, probably has a helium content lower than 0.275 in mass fraction, while only 5% of stars are expected to have helium abundances greater than 0.4.
Evaluation of a treatment protocol for anaemia in pregnancy nested in routine antenatal care in a limited-resource setting

ABSTRACT Background: Anaemia in pregnancy is typically due to iron deficiency (IDA) but remains a complex and pervasive problem, particularly in low resource settings. At clinics on the Myanmar–Thailand border, a protocol was developed to guide treatment by health workers in antenatal care (ANC). Objective: To evaluate the clinical use of a protocol to treat anaemia in pregnancy. Methods: The design was a descriptive retrospective analysis of antenatal data obtained during the use of a standard anaemia treatment protocol. Two consecutive haematocrits (HCT) <30% prompted a change from routine prophylaxis to treatment doses of haematinics. Endpoints were anaemia at delivery (most recent HCT before delivery <30%) and timeliness of treatment initiation. Women whose HCT failed to respond to the treatment were investigated. Results: From August 2007 to July 2012, a median [IQR] of five [4–11] HCT measurements per woman resulted in the treatment of anaemia in 20.7% (2,246/10,886) of pregnancies. Anaemia at delivery was present in 22.8% (511/2,246) of treated women and 1.4% (123/8,640) who remained on prophylaxis. Human error resulted in a failure to start treatment in 97 anaemic women (4.1%, denominator 2,343 (2,246 + 97)). Fluctuation of HCT around the cut-point of 30% was the major problem with the protocol accounting for half of the cases where treatment was delayed greater than 4 weeks. Delay in treatment was associated with a 1.5 fold higher odds of anaemia at delivery (95% CI 1.18, 1.97). Conclusion: There was high compliance to the protocol by the health workers. An important outcome of this evaluation was that the clinical definition of anaemia was changed to diminish missed opportunities for initiating treatment. Reduction of anaemia in pregnancy requires early ANC attendance, prompt treatment at the first HCT <30%, and support for health workers.
Acceptance: a factor to consider in persistent pain after neck trauma

Abstract Background and aims Studies on the interaction between acceptance and pain-related processes after neck trauma are to our knowledge sparse and such treatment strategies are rarely incorporated in management and treatment of posttraumatic neck pain. Thus, the aim of the present study is to investigate how acceptance relates to persistent pain in patients after neck trauma, when controlling for the influence of other psychological factors, trauma characteristics and demographic variables. Methods Consecutive patients with persistent pain and disability after neck trauma (n = 565) were assessed by a multi-professional team at a specialized pain rehabilitation clinic. Separate regression analyses were conducted with three outcomes: pain distribution, pain interference, and pain severity. Predictors were age, sex, education, time since trauma, type of trauma, anxiety, depression, and acceptance. Results Acceptance was the only factor associated with all outcomes, and patients with lower acceptance displayed more widespread pain and greater interference and severity of pain. The results also showed that higher depression was associated with worse pain interference and severity, whilst anxiety only mattered significantly for pain severity and not for pain interference. Female sex was related to more widespread pain and greater pain interference. Conclusions Overall acceptance stood out as the most important factor for the different outcomes and lower acceptance was associated with more widespread pain distribution and greater pain interference and severity. Implications The findings of this study add to a growing body of literature confirming that the development of chronicity after neck trauma should be understood as a multidimensional process, best described by a biopsychosocial model. The results also suggest that psychological factors and especially acceptance might be important processes with implications for enhanced recovery after neck trauma.
A survey of Lasioderma serricorne (Fabricius) in Japanese Dental Clinics.

This study was to survey the capturing rate in Japanese dental clinics of the Lasioderma serricorne (cigarette beetles) , and to evaluate the beetle's potential as a carrier for transmission of nosocomial pathogens. L. serricorne imagoes were captured in pheromone traps in 14 Japanese dental clinics in August and September 2012 and 2013, and their numbers recorded. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the bacterial antibiotic-resistant genes mecA, vanA, vanB, blaIMP, and blaVIM was performed on the captured L. serricorne imagoes. Bacterial species in the captured specimens were identified by 16S rRNA PCR and sequencing analysis. The L. serricorne imagoes were captured from 10 dental clinics (71.4%) . We failed to detect the presence of nosocomial antibiotic-resistant pathogens in L. serricorne imagoes. The bacterial species detected most commonly in the imagoes was Wolbachia sp. , an intracellular proteobacterium infecting certain insect species. Monitoring of insects including L. serricorne should be incorporated into regiment of the infection control.
Employment - Real Wage Relationship and Economic Growth In Nigeria

One of the major socio-political and economic issues in a contemporary Nigeria is the creation of adequate employment opportunities for the growing numbers of unemployed people. While several factors including the demand – supply anomalies have been a major contributor to the phenomenon of rising unemployment, efforts by the government to tackle the problem have remained a mirage. This paper attempts an investigation of the relationship between real wage and employment and their effect on economic growth. The critical question being addressed in this study is whether Keynes was right in his proposition that wage reductions are necessary to induce employment in the short run. Using a Granger – causality cointegration framework, this study finds a statistical evidence for a long-run relationship between real wage and employment for the period 1990 – 2009 and firmly rejects the hypothesis that wages cause employment in the short-run. It supports the Keynesian view that real wage fall because employment increases probably due to an increase in demand. The result further reveals that real wage reduction is not sufficient to induce an expansion of output and employment and that unemployment can be fought through the demand – side intervention. It concludes that Keynes was right after all. KEY WORDS: Real Wage, Employment, Granger – causality.
Validating the Neutrosophic approach of MRI denoising based on structural similarity

This paper focuses on validating the proposed Neutrosophic Set (NS) approach of Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI) denoising based on structural similarity such as Structural Similarity Index (SSIM) and Quality Index based on Local Variance (QILV). The Neutrosophic Set approach of median filter is used to reduce the Rician noise in MR image. The experiments have conducted on real MR image with Rician noise added. The visual and the diagnostic quality of the denoised image is well preserved. The performance of this filter is compared with median filter and non local mean filter (NLM). (6 pages)
LEADERSHIP STYLE AND ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT: TEST OF A THEORY IN TURKISH BANKING SECTOR

The aim of this study is to explore the effects of leadership on organizational commitment in general and to question the role played by transactional and transformational leadership in improving organizational commitment of branch employees. The study is designed to develop and test a structural equation model of the relationship between transactional and transformational leadership styles and the organizational commitment of banking staff. Data were collected from 242 offices of Halkbank in Turkey, and 2454 branch employees from different branches of Halkbank participated in the study. The results are consistent with previous studies and it can be said that leadership has a substantial incremental effect on organizational commitment. It was found that transformational leadership helps increase organizational commitment of the employees.
The future of the natural gas pipeline system in the UK

The UK has an extensive gas system but studies of decarbonisation pathways using the UK MARKAL least-cost energy system optimisation model have concluded that the natural gas system will be mostly abandoned by 2050 to achieve a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions in 2050 relative to 1990. In this study we examine the possible future role of the gas system in the UK energy system. Firstly, we improve the representation of the gas system in UK MARKAL and add bio-methane and hydrogen injection as gas decarbonisation options. Secondly, we increase the flexibility of the model with the addition of biomass CCS technologies and the use of hydrogen in the industrial sector as new decarbonisation options. Both bio-methane and hydrogen injection contribute to gas system decarbonisation but are insufficient alone to avoid the gas system being abandoned in the reference scenario. However, the addition of biomass CCS to the model, for electricity generation or hydrogen production, allows the model to remove CO2 from the atmosphere and relaxes emission cuts in other sectors of the economy. The use of hydrogen to decarbonise industrial processes is also strongly favoured by the model. With these technologies, the gas system continues to dominate space and water heating demand to 2050; conversely, if CCS plants prove uneconomic then the gas system will almost certainly have to be abandoned to achieve the UK emission targets.
Remineralising Effectiveness of Two Fluoride Varnishes Containing Additives: An In Vitro Study.

PURPOSE To assess the remineralising efficacy of fluoride varnish containing additives and conventional sodium fluoride varnish. MATERIALS AND METHODS 72 extracted upper central incisors specimens were randomly allocated to four groups after demineralisation: control; 5% sodium fluoride varnish (FV) (Fluoritop-SR); resin modified glass ionomer-based calcium phosphate containing fluoride varnish (CV) (Clinpro XT); fluoride varnish with xylitol coated calcium phosphate (cXp) (Embrace). Change in surface morphology, calcium phosphorous ratio and fluoride content of enamel were evaluated using scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDAX). Change in surface roughness was evaluated using profilometer analysis. All readings were taken at baseline, after demineralisation, at 2 weeks and 4 weeks of remineralisation. RESULTS At 4 weeks of remineralisation surface roughness values were ranked as follows: control > FV = cXp > CV. Calcium phosphorus ratios were in the order: CV > FV = cXp > control and fluoride content (for treatment groups): CV = cXp > FV. Scanning electron microscopy images showed mineral deposition on the surfaces of the treatment groups with different deposition pattern of minerals. CONCLUSION Fluoride varnishes with or without additives are effective in remineralisation of early enamel lesions. Glass ionomer-based fluoride varnish results in better remineralisation than xylitol coated calcium phosphate containing fluoride varnish and 5% sodium fluoride varnish.
Sustainability Supply Chain Management On Mobile Phone Features According To Consumer Preferences In Surabaya

Purpose - This study aims to determine the sustainability of the supply chain management related features according to the preferences of mobile phone users in Surabaya. Consumer preferences are increasingly supporting sustainability in products and services that drive the need for new operational and managerial practices that support sustainability in the supply chain management. Design/methodology/approach - This study uses a quantitative approach in three parts. First, use the phone features related to the sustainability of supply chain management for conjoint analysis, which is used to determine consumer preferences for attributes. Furthermore, use of TNS Atlas additional questions to determine the attitude of the respondents green consumption. Findings - The research findings provide information about the preferences of mobile users against mobile features related to the sustainability of the supply chain management. This study identified three groups of buyers, namely budgeters, environmentalists, and long-life users. According to the findings there are some consumers who are willing to pay more for products with sustainability features. This study also considers the implications for the design of mobile supply chain management company.
Response of growth and antioxidant system of heavy metal-contaminated tomato plants to 24-epibrassinolide

The plants of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) were grown in the presence of cadmium or lead (100 to 200 μM Cd2+ or Pb2+) and sprayed with 2 μM of 24-epibrassinolide (EBL), and were sampled at 4 weeks after transplanting. The plants exposed to Cd2+ or Pb2+ exhibited an increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase) and the level of total ascorbate and reduced glutathione. However, EBL treatment further induced the enzymatic and non-enzymatic system in tomato plants treated with heavy metals. This positive effect was reflected in the improvement of plant growth in the presence of Cd2+ or Pb2+. EBL plays an important role in plant responding to heavy metal stress, demonstrating an anti-stress effect on tomato plants contaminated by heavy metals. Key words: 24-Epibrassinolide, heavy metals, growth, antioxidant system.
Does the Patient-Reported Apnea Questionnaire (PRAQ) increase patient-centredness in the daily practice of sleep centres? a mixed-methods study

Objectives The objective of this exploratory study was to see how the Patient-Reported Apnea Questionnaire (PRAQ) may impact the daily clinical practice of sleep centres, and why it may or may not work as expected. The hypotheses were tested that this patient-reported outcome measure makes patients more aware of which of their health complaints may be related to obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), and that it improves patient-centredness of care by shifting the focus of care away from (only) medical problems towards the individual burden of disease and quality of life. Design Mixed methods. The quantitative study (surveys, patient records) was a before-and-after study. Setting Three sleep centres in The Netherlands (secondary care). Participants 27 patients and 14 healthcare professionals were interviewed. 487 patients completed surveys pre-implementation, and 377 patients completed surveys post-implementation of the PRAQ. For the health records, 125 patients were included in the pre-implementation group, and 124 other patients in the post-implementation group. Interventions The PRAQ was used in clinical practice for six successive months. Outcome measures Scores on individual survey items, number of patients receiving non-medical treatment, adjustment of treatment at first follow-up, compliance with treatment. Results Patients were generally positive about the usefulness of the PRAQ before and during the consultation, as they felt more informed. Healthcare providers did not consider the PRAQ very useful, and they reported minor impact on their consultations. The surveys and health record study did not show an impact of the PRAQ on clinical practice. Conclusions Implementing the PRAQ may be beneficial to patients, but this study does not show much impact with regard to patient-centredness of care. New Dutch guidelines for OSA care may lead to a greater emphasis on quality of life and value of care for patients, making its integration in clinical care potentially more useful.
On the anticorrelation between H-3(+) temperature and density in giant planet ionospheres

The intensity of H3+ emission can be driven by both temperature and density, and when fitting a set of infrared H3+ line spectra, an anticorrelation between the fitted temperatures and densities is commonly observed. The ambiguity present in the existing published literature on how to treat this effect puts into question the physical significance of the derived parameters. Here, we examine the nature of this anticorrelation and quantify the inherent uncertainty in the fitted temperature and density that this produces. We find that the uncertainty produced by the H3+ temperature and density anticorrelation is to a very good approximation equal to the uncertainties that are derived from the fitting procedure invoking Cramer's rule. This means that any previously observed correlated variability in the observed H3+ temperature and density outside these errors, in the absence of other error sources, are statistically separated and can be considered physical. These results are compared to recent ground-based infrared Keck Near InfRared echelle SPECtrograph (NIRSPEC) observations of H3+ emission from Saturn's aurora, which show no clear evidence for large-scale radiative cooling, but do show stark hemispheric differences in temperature.
100 years of California’s water rights system: patterns, trends and uncertainty

For 100 years, California’s State Water Resources Control Board and its predecessors have been responsible for allocating available water supplies to beneficial uses, but inaccurate and incomplete accounting of water rights has made the state ill-equipped to satisfy growing societal demands for water supply reliability and healthy ecosystems. Here, we present the first comprehensive evaluation of appropriative water rights to identify where, and to what extent, water has been dedicated to human uses relative to natural supplies. The results show that water right allocations total 400 billion cubic meters, approximately five times the state’s mean annual runoff. In the state’s major river basins, water rights account for up to 1000% of natural surface water supplies, with the greatest degree of appropriation observed in tributaries to the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers and in coastal streams in southern California. Comparisons with water supplies and estimates of actual use indicate substantial uncertainty in how water rights are exercised. In arid regions such as California, over-allocation of surface water coupled with trends of decreasing supply suggest that new water demands will be met by re-allocation from existing uses. Without improvements to the water rights system, growing human and environmental demands portend an intensification of regional water scarcity and social conflict. California’s legal framework for managing its water resources is largely compatible with needed reforms, but additional public investment is required to enhance the capacity of the state’s water management institutions to effectively track and regulate water rights.
Subclinical atherosclerosis due to increase of plasma aldosterone concentrations in essential hypertensive individuals.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The adrenal mineralocorticoid system plays a key role in cardiovascular, metabolic and renal damage. This study aimed to assess the relationship between plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) and some surrogate markers of subclinical atherosclerosis, such as carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), ankle-brachial index (ABI) and biochemical parameters in patients with essential hypertension. METHODS AND RESULTS From January 2014 to December 2017, we consecutively enrolled 804 essential hypertensive patients (407 men and 397 women, mean age 50 ± 14 years) without cardiovascular complications, distinguishing patients in quartiles according to PAC. Compared with the first quartile, the highest PAC quartile was associated with the highest levels of serum uric acid (SUA) (5.3 ± 1.3 vs. 5.0 ± 1.0 mg/dl; P = 0.01), triglycerides (117.5 ± 15.7 vs. 106.8 ± 10.5 mg/dl; P < 0.05), 24-h urinary albumin excretion (UAE) (38.8 ± vs. 7.6 ± mg/24 h; P < 0.05), cIMT (0.87 ± 0.22 vs. 0.80 ± 0.21 mm; P = 0.001) and increased prevalence of carotid plaques (26 vs. 16%; P < 0.005). Moreover, we found that in patients with PAC more than 150 pg/ml, the ABI was significantly lower than those with PAC < 150 pg/ml (1.01 ± 0.09 vs. 1.10 ± 0.09; P < 0.022). PAC was also found to be an independent predictor of the presence of carotid plaques and pathological ABI (<0.9) in essential hypertensive individuals. CONCLUSION Our results revealed that higher PAC values are strongly associated with some metabolic variables, as triglycerides, UAE, cIMT, worse ABI and major prevalence of carotid plaques that, together with elevated blood pressure values, are strictly correlated with higher risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular complications.