Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antecedents of Self-Efficacy to Achieve Smoking-Behavior-Change Goals among Low-Income Parents Enrolled in an Evidence-Based Tobacco Intervention

Previous studies have shown that greater self-efficacy (SE) to modify smoking behaviors during treatment improves long-term post-treatment outcomes. Little is known about factors that might enhance SE for smoking abstinence and for reducing children’s tobacco smoke exposure (TSE). The present study investigated hypothesized predictors of end-of-treatment SE to abstain from smoking and to protect children from TSE by conducting secondary multiple regression analyses of data (N = 327) from the Kids Safe and Smokefree (KiSS) behavioral intervention trial. KiSS aimed to reduce parental smoking and child TSE in urban, low-income, and minority communities. The results showed that partner support and initiating a planned quit attempt during treatment were positively related to SE to abstain from smoking and to reduce children’s TSE (all p’s < 0.001) at the end of treatment (EOT). Further, lower baseline nicotine dependence and the use of nicotine replacement were related to higher SE to abstain from smoking at EOT (p < 0.01), whereas more restrictive residential smoking rules and lower children’s TSE at baseline was associated with higher SE to reduce children’s TSE at EOT (all p’s < 0.05). These findings inform theory and future intervention design, identifying individual and social-environmental factors that might enhance smoking-behavior-change SE.
Life in the Universe: Expectations and Constraints

Definition of Life. - Origin of Life. - Lessons from the History of Life on Earth. - Energy Sources and Life. - Building Blocks of Life. - Life and the Need for a Solvent. - Habitats of Life. - Ideas of Exotic Forms of Life. - The Future and Fate of Living Systems. - Signatures of Life. - Life Detection-Past and Present. - Optimizing Space Exploration.
Aridity could have driven the local extinction of a common and multivoltine butterfly

Identifying which species are being negatively impacted by climate change and the mechanisms driving their decline is essential to effectively protect biodiversity. Coenonympha pamphilus is a common and generalist butterfly, widely distributed throughout the Western Palearctic, being multivoltine in southern Europe. Previous studies indicate that it will not be substantially affected by climate change; however, it has seemingly disappeared from the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula in the last decades. Here, we aim to determine if it has effectively disappeared from this area, as well as identify the environmental conditions limiting its distribution and the potential causes behind this a priori local extinction. We downloaded all the occurrence records of C. pamphilus and analysed their spatial and temporal trends. To identify the climatic variables driving the distribution of this butterfly in the Iberian Peninsula, we performed an ensemble species distribution model (SDM), combining 600 individual models produced with 6 algorithms. We confirmed that C. pamphilus has not been observed in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula since 2008. Aridity was the main factor limiting the distribution of C. pamphilus in our ensemble SDM, with areas with high aridity being unsuitable for this species. We hypothesise that multivoltinism is the mechanism driving this local extirpation, as high aridity is causing host plants (Poaceae) to wither prematurely, precluding the development of the second and/or third generations of the butterfly. Even though generalist species are theoretically more resilient to climate change, other traits such as multivoltinism may increase their vulnerability and need to be further investigated.
Biochemical and physiological studies in ultra-dried seeds of cotton, safflower and groundnut during various storage conditions

An experiment was conducted at National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi to assess physiological and biochemical parameters to identify factors contributing to the loss of seed viability. Ultra-dried seeds of Cotton, Safflower and Groundnut stored at different MTS and ambient condition, viz. Cotton MTS 3.3%, Cotton Ambient 3.3%; Safflower MTS 6%, Safflower Ambient 3.8%; Girshell MTS, Gir Ambient 6.2% were used for present study. Result showed significant difference for all the physiological and biochemical traits as the seeds that were stored at MTS condition having high germination percentage, high vigour index, less moisture content, and lower Electrical conductivity (E.C.) and higher Dehydrogenase activity in comparison with seeds that were stored at Ambient condition. In SDS-PAGE profile of Cotton, Safflower and Groundnut some of the old bands were found to be missing at Ambient condition while some new bands were found to be appear in case of seeds that were stored at MTS condition. Deterioration was observed in seeds that were stored at Ambient condition. Whereas seeds that were stored at MTS condition were not deteriorated as much when compared to seeds that were stored at Ambient condition.
Plant and Soil Core Mycobiomes in a Two-Year Sorghum–Legume Intercropping System of Underutilized Crops in South Africa

Fungal communities form close beneficial (mutualists) or detrimental (pathogens) associations with their plant hosts. Their diversity and abundance can be affected by agricultural practices which include cropping systems such as rotations and intercropping. Despite the importance of cropping systems in increasing productivity, knowledge of the fungal mycobiome and the core inhabitants for under-utilised cereal and legume crops, particularly over a period, is still limited. The core mycobiomes in plant tissues and bulk soils of a cereal–legume intercrop were characterized over two years using high-throughput sequencing. The intercropping trial consisted of sorghum, Bambara groundnut, cowpea, dry bean, and soybean. A greater number of molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) were found in plant tissues compared to those from the soils and between year one and year two. Principal coordinate analyses revealed that fungal communities for each year were relatively distinct, particularly for the soils. The core mycobiome was dominated by a Davidiellaceae sp. (Cladosporium), Didymellaceae sp. 1 (Phoma), Didymellaceae sp. 2 (Epicoccum), Fusarium sp. 2, Unidentified (Ascomycota), and Cryptococcus MOTUs that were present in all plant tissues and soils of year one and two. Other key MOTUs were only specific to a year, substrate, or crop. Although the mycobiome of sorghum were more distinct than the cores of the legumes, there were still MOTUs dominant across all of the crops. Characterization of this baseline core across two years provides insight into those fungi that are always present in these crops, and that could be utilized in improving crop performance and productivity.
Comparison of Diffusion Tensor Imaging Metrics in Normal-Appearing White Matter to Cerebrovascular Lesions and Correlation with Cerebrovascular Disease Risk Factors and Severity

Alterations in tissue microstructure in normal-appearing white matter (NAWM), specifically measured by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) fractional anisotropy (FA), have been associated with cognitive outcomes following stroke. The purpose of this study was to comprehensively compare conventional DTI measures of tissue microstructure in NAWM to diverse vascular brain lesions in people with cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and to examine associations between FA in NAWM and cerebrovascular risk factors. DTI metrics including fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD) were measured in cerebral tissues and cerebrovascular anomalies from 152 people with CVD participating in the Ontario Neurodegenerative Disease Research Initiative (ONDRI). Ten cerebral tissue types were segmented including NAWM, and vascular lesions including stroke, periventricular and deep white matter hyperintensities, periventricular and deep lacunar infarcts, and perivascular spaces (PVS) using T1-weighted, proton density-weighted, T2-weighted, and fluid attenuated inversion recovery MRI scans. Mean DTI metrics were measured in each tissue region using a previously developed DTI processing pipeline and compared between tissues using multivariate analysis of covariance. Associations between FA in NAWM and several CVD risk factors were also examined. DTI metrics in vascular lesions differed significantly from healthy tissue. Specifically, all tissue types had significantly different MD values, while FA was also found to be different in most tissue types. FA in NAWM was inversely related to hypertension and modified Rankin scale (mRS). This study demonstrated the differences between conventional DTI metrics, FA, MD, AD, and RD, in cerebral vascular lesions and healthy tissue types. Therefore, incorporating DTI to characterize the integrity of the tissue microstructure could help to define the extent and severity of various brain vascular anomalies. The association between FA within NAWM and clinical evaluation of hypertension and disability provides further evidence that white matter microstructural integrity is impacted by cerebrovascular function.
Ionospheric D region electron density profiles derived from the measured interference pattern of VLF waveguide modes

The altitude profile of electron density in the D region is determined using an array of GPS‐phase‐referenced VLF receivers, allowing for the simultaneous broadband (i.e., phase coherent) measurement of a 24.0 kHz signal at multiple sites ranging in propagation path length from 3060 to 3353 km. Measured data are compared with results of model calculations for four electron density profiles used in previous work, assuming a single density profile to be in effect along the entire signal path from transmitter to receiver. Interpolation between model profiles is used to find a new profile which best fits the data. Phase coherent measurements over a range of path lengths also allow for the identification of the parameters for individual waveguide modes. Measured mode parameters agree with model calculations, within the limitations imposed by the configuration of the present array. A methodology of analysis and the required set of measurements is described, which would allow the decomposition of a VLF signal into all of its constituent waveguide modes, and accurate measurement of the characteristic parameters of each mode, namely phase velocity, attenuation rate, amplitude, and phase.
Spherical symmetry breaking in cold gravitational collapse of isolated systems

We study, using $N$-body simulation, the shape evolution in gravitational collapse of cold uniform spherical system. The central interest is on how the deviation from spherical symmetry depends on particle number $N$. By revisit of the spherical collapse model, we hypothesize that the departure from spherical symmetry is regulated by the finite-$N$ density fluctuation. Following this assumption, the estimate of the flattening of relaxed structures is derived to be $N^{-1/3}$. In numerical part, we find that the virialized states can be characterized by the core-halo structures and the flattenings of the cores fit reasonably well with the prediction. Moreover the results from large $N$ systems suggest the divergence of relaxation time to the final shapes with $N$. We also find that the intrinsic shapes of the cores are considerably diverse as they vary from nearly spherical, prolate, oblate or completely triaxial in each realization. When $N$ increases, this variation is suppressed as the final shapes do not differ much from initial symmetry. In addition, we observe the stable rotation of the virialized states. Further investigation reveals that the origin of this rotation is related in some way to the initial density fluctuation.
Intestinal segment and vitamin D3 concentration affect gene expression levels of calcium and phosphorus transporters in broiler chickens

Abstract Two experiments were conducted in this research. Experiment 1 investigated the spatial expression characteristics of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) transporters in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum of 21-day-old broilers provided with adequate nutrient feed. Experiment 2 evaluated the effects of dietary vitamin D3 (VD3) concentration (0, 125, 250, 500, 1,000, and 2,000 IU/kg) on growth performance, bone development, and gene expression levels of intestinal Ca and P transporters in 1–21-day-old broilers provided with the negative control diet without supplemental VD3. Results in experiment 1 showed that the mRNA levels of calcium-binding protein 28-kDa (CaBP-D28k), sodium-calcium exchanger 1 (NCX1), plasma membrane calcium ATPase 1b (PMCA1b), and IIb sodium-phosphate cotransporter (NaPi-IIb) were the highest in the broiler duodenum. By contrast, the mRNA levels of inorganic phosphate transporter 1 (PiT-1) and 2 (PiT-2) were the highest in the ileum. Results in experiment 2 showed that adding 125 IU/kg VD3 increased body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), bone weight, and percentage and weight of Ca and P in the tibia and femur of 1–21-day-old broilers compared with the negative control diet (p < 0.05). The rise in dietary VD3 levels from 125 to 1,000 IU/kg further increased the BWG, FI, and weights of the bone, ash, Ca, and P (p < 0.05). No difference in growth rate and leg bone quality was noted in the broilers provided with 1,000 and 2,000 IU/kg VD3 (p > 0.05). Supplementation with 125–2,000 IU/kg VD3 increased the mRNA abundances of intestinal Ca and P transporters to varying degrees. The mRNA level of CaBP-D28k increased by 536, 1,161, and 28 folds in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, respectively, after adding 1,000 IU/kg VD3. The mRNA levels of other Ca and P transporters (PMCA1b, NCX1, NaPi-IIb, PiT-1, and PiT-2) increased by 0.57–1.74 folds by adding 1,000–2,000 IU/kg VD3. These data suggest that intestinal Ca and P transporters are mainly expressed in the duodenum of broilers. Moreover, the addition of VD3 stimulates the two mineral transporter transcription in broiler intestines.
inclusive design framework for novice students doing bioengineering and rehabilitation design

A framework was trialled in a bioengineering design course to assist and guide inclusive design around the theme of rehabilitation. Students were encouraged to adapt and use it as a touchstone at key points in their projects. Some students participating in the study had lived experience with rehabilitation and some also with inclusive design. The framework aids to develop empathic and care behaviours during a design process. For example, students understood that inclusive design solutions for preventing injury have to take into consideration people’s life situations (e.g. Designing for middle-age women with family obligations who are also the breadwinners) or a person with vision impairment have to be uncomplicated, flexible, non-stigmatising, reliable. The framework allowed the students to keep the health and wellbeing of their users at the forefront of the design process, which enhanced the design outcomes at the end of the project. Feedback via interviews and surveys on its effectiveness demonstrated how such a tool is needed. However, it was clear that it is not a self-learning tool and teacher intervention, explanation, and encouragement is required from the owner of the framework to be fully utilised.
Antioral Cancer Effects by the Nitrated [6,6,6]Tricycles Compound (SK1) In Vitro

A novel nitrated [6,6,6]tricycles-derived compound containing nitro, methoxy, and ispropyloxy groups, namely SK1, was developed in our previous report. However, the anticancer effects of SK1 were not assessed. Moreover, SK1 contains two nitro groups (NO2) and one nitrogen-oxygen (N-O) bond exhibiting the potential for oxidative stress generation, but this was not examined. The present study aimed to evaluate the antiproliferation effects and oxidative stress and its associated responses between oral cancer and normal cells. Based on the MTS assay, SK1 demonstrated more antiproliferation ability in oral cancer cells than normal cells, reversed by N-acetylcysteine. This suggests that SK1 causes antiproliferation effects preferentially in an oxidative stress-dependent manner. The oxidative stress-associated responses were further validated, showing higher ROS/MitoSOX burst, MMP, and GSH depletion in oral cancer cells than in normal cells. Meanwhile, SK1 caused oxidative stress-causing apoptosis, such as caspases 3/8/9, and DNA damages, such as γH2AX and 8-OHdG, to a greater extent in oral cancer cells than in normal cells. Siilar to cell viability, these oxidative stress responses were partially diminished by NAC, indicating that SK1 promoted oxidative stress-dependent responses. In conclusion, SK1 exerts oxidative stress, apoptosis, and DNA damage to a greater extent to oral cancer cells than in normal cells.
Eigenvalues of the drifted Laplacian on complete metric measure spaces

I In this paper, first we study a complete smooth metric measure space $(M^n,g, e^{-f}dv)$ with the ($\infty$)-Bakry-\'Emery Ricci curvature $\textrm{Ric}_f\ge \frac a2g$ for some positive constant $a$. It is known that the spectrum of the drifted Laplacian $\Delta_f$ for $M$ is discrete and the first nonzero eigenvalue of $\Delta_f$ has lower bound $\frac a2$. We prove that if the lower bound $\frac a2$ is achieved with multiplicity $k\geq 1$, then $k\leq n$, $M$ is isometric to $\Sigma^{n-k}\times \mathbb{R}^k$ for some complete $(n-k)$-dimensional manifold $\Sigma$ and by passing an isometry, $(M^n,g, e^{-f}dv)$ must split off a gradient shrinking Ricci soliton $(\mathbb{R}^k, g_{can}, \frac{a}{4}|t|^2)$, $t\in \mathbb{R}^k$. This result has an application to gradient shrinking Ricci solitons. Secondly, we study the drifted Laplacian $\mathcal{L}$ for properly immersed self-shrinkers in the Euclidean space $\mathbb{R}^{n+p}$, $p\geq1$ and show the discreteness of the spectrum of $\mathcal{L}$ and a logarithmic Sobolev inequality.
Functional Predictors Discriminating Asthma–COPD Overlap (ACO) from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Background A significant proportion of patients with obstructive lung disease have clinical and functional features of both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), referred to as the asthma–COPD overlap (ACO). The distinction of these phenotypes, however, is not yet well-established due to the lack of defining clinical and/or functional criteria. The aim of our investigations was to assess the discriminating power of various lung function parameters on the assessment of ACO. Methods From databases of 4 pulmonary centers, a total of 540 patients (231 males, 309 females), including 372 patients with asthma, 77 patients with ACO and 91 patients with COPD, were retrospectively collected, and gradients among combinations of explanatory variables of spirometric (FEV1, FEV1/FVC, FEF25-75), plethysmographic (sReff, sGeff, the aerodynamic work of breathing at rest; sWOB), static lung volumes, including trapped gases and measurements of the carbon monoxide transfer (DLCO, KCO) were explored using multiple factor analysis (MFA). The discriminating power of lung function parameters with respect to ACO was assessed using linear discriminant analysis (LDA). Results LDA revealed that parameters of airway dynamics (sWOB, sReff, sGeff) combined with parameters of static lung volumes such as functional residual capacity (FRCpleth) and trapped gas at FRC (VTGFRC) are valuable and potentially important tools discriminating between asthma, ACO and COPD. Moreover, sWOB significantly contributes to the diagnosis of obstructive airway diseases, independent from the state of pulmonary hyperinflation, whilst the diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) significantly differentiates between the 3 diagnostic classes. Conclusion The complexity of COPD with its components of interaction and their heterogeneity, especially in discrimination from ACO, may well be differentiated if patients are explored by a whole set of target parameters evaluating, interactionally, flow limitation, airway dynamics, pulmonary hyperinflation, small airways dysfunction and gas exchange disturbances assessing specific functional deficits.
Using Chiplet Encapsulation Technology to Achieve Processing-in-Memory Functions

With the rapid development of 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), and high-performance computing (HPC), there is a huge increase in the data exchanged between the processor and memory. However, the “storage wall” caused by the von Neumann architecture severely limits the computational performance of the system. To efficiently process such large amounts of data and break up the “storage wall”, it is necessary to develop processing-in-memory (PIM) technology. Chiplet combines processor cores and memory chips with advanced packaging technologies, such as 2.5D, 3 dimensions (3D), and fan-out packaging. This improves the quality and bandwidth of signal transmission and alleviates the “storage wall” problem. This paper reviews the Chiplet packaging technology that has achieved the function of PIM in recent years and analyzes some of its application results. First, the research status and development direction of PIM are presented and summarized. Second, the Chiplet packaging technologies that can realize the function of PIM are introduced, which are divided into 2.5D, 3D packaging, and fan-out packaging according to their physical form. Further, the form and characteristics of their implementation of PIM are summarized. Finally, this paper is concluded, and the future development of Chiplet in the field of PIM is discussed.
The Scientific Legacy of Fred Hoyle

Introduction M. Rees 1. Fred Hoyle's major work in the context of astronomy and astrophysics today W. L. W. Sargent 2. Sir Fred Hoyle and the theory of the synthesis of the elements D. Arnett 3. Fred Hoyle: contributions to the theory of galaxy formation G. Efstathiou 4. Highlights of Fred Hoyle's work on interstellar matter and star formation P. M. Solomon 5. Accretion H. Bondi 6. From dust to life C. Wickramasinghe 7. Worlds without end or beginning J. D. Barrow 8. Evolutionary cosmologies - then and now M. S. Longair 9. Alternative ideas in cosmology J. N. Narlikar 10. Red Giants - then and now J. Faulkner 11. Modern alchemy: Fred Hoyle and element building by neutron capture E. M. Burbidge 12. Concluding remarks G. Burbidge.
Lipid Microenvironment Modulates the Pore-Forming Ability of Polymyxin B

The ability of polymyxin B, an antibiotic used to treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria as a last-line therapeutic option, to form ion pores in model membranes composed of various phospholipids and lipopolysaccharides was studied. Our data demonstrate that polymyxin B predominantly interacts with negatively charged lipids. Susceptibility decreases as follows: Kdo2-Lipid A >> DOPG ≈ DOPS >> DPhPG ≈ TOCL ≈ Lipid A. The dimer and hexamer of polymyxin B are involved in the pore formation in DOPG(DOPS)- and Kdo2-Lipid A-enriched bilayers, respectively. The pore-forming ability of polymyxin B significantly depends on the shape of membrane lipids, which indicates that the antibiotic produces toroidal lipopeptide-lipid pores. Small amphiphilic molecules diminishing the membrane dipole potential and inducing positive curvature stress were shown to be agonists of pore formation by polymyxin B and might be used to develop innovative lipopeptide-based formulations.
The Non-Explosive Modes of Hydrogen Burning: A Brief Review

The present status of our theoretical and experimental knowledge of the rates of hydrogen-burning reactions in hydrostatic stellar conditions is very briefly reviewed. Special emphasis is put on reactions of the proton-proton chain, CNO cycles, NeNa cycle and MgAl chain whose rates are still affected by uncertainties that can have an impact on predictions regarding astrophysical issues of interest. This concerns in particular the solar neutrino problem, or the nucleosynthesis accompanying the CNO, NeNa and MgAl chains of reactions, as it is revealed in particular by the first dredge-up episode. A brief discussion of the possibility of reducing the present rate uncertainties is presented.