Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Non-LTR R2 Element Evolutionary Patterns: Phylogenetic Incongruences, Rapid Radiation and the Maintenance of Multiple Lineages

Retrotransposons of the R2 superclade specifically insert within the 28S ribosomal gene. They have been isolated from a variety of metazoan genomes and were found vertically inherited even if their phylogeny does not always agree with that of the host species. This was explained with the diversification/extinction of paralogous lineages, being proved the absence of horizontal transfer. We here analyze the widest available collection of R2 sequences, either newly isolated from recently sequenced genomes or drawn from public databases, in a phylogenetic framework. Results are congruent with previous analyses, but new important issues emerge. First, the N-terminal end of the R2-B clade protein, so far unknown, presents a new zinc fingers configuration. Second, the phylogenetic pattern is consistent with an ancient, rapid radiation of R2 lineages: being the estimated time of R2 origin (850–600 Million years ago) placed just before the metazoan Cambrian explosion, the wide element diversity and the incongruence with the host phylogeny could be attributable to the sudden expansion of available niches represented by host’s 28S ribosomal genes. Finally, we detect instances of coexisting multiple R2 lineages showing a non-random phylogenetic pattern, strongly similar to that of the “library” model known for tandem repeats: a collection of R2s were present in the ancestral genome and then differentially activated/repressed in the derived species. Models for activation/repression as well as mechanisms for sequence maintenance are also discussed within this framework.
Parental celiac disease and risk of asthma in offspring: a Danish nationwide cohort study

Objective The incidences of celiac disease (CD) and asthma are increasing and the two conditions are associated in individuals. Risk of asthma may be passed on to the next generation through shared risk factors. We examined whether parental CD is associated with risk of asthma in offspring. Methods We conducted a population-based Danish nationwide cohort study, using medical databases, covering the period 1 January 1979 to 31 December 2009. For each child with a parental history of CD, we randomly sampled 100 children without this history from the children born in the same calendar year. We used Cox proportional-hazards regression to estimate incidence rate ratios for asthma, adjusting for measured covariates. Results We identified 1,107 children with a parental history of CD and 110,700 children without this parental history. During up to 32 years of follow-up, 6,125 children received a hospital diagnosis of asthma. The adjusted incidence rate ratio for asthma associated with a parental history of CD was 1.09 (95% confidence interval: 0.86–1.39) and was similar for maternal and paternal CD. Inclusion of asthma-medication in the definition of asthma did not substantially change the results. Conclusion There was no convincing evidence of an increased risk of asthma among offspring of parents with CD.
Fluid Interaction in Mobile Work Practices

Our recent history has seen an upsurge in Information and Communication Technologies(ICT) supporting the mobilisation of computer-mediated interaction in general and during thepast decade the mobilisation of organisational actors in particular. The ongoing mutualadaptation of work practices and such mobile and wireless technologies has both resulted innew work and technology practices and in the need for re-appreciating the perception of thesepractices. Everyday working life is increasingly constituted of a heterogeneous melangewhere people, work objects and symbols as well as their interactions are distributed in time,space and across contexts. When we then consider interaction where participants, work, andinteractional objects are mobile, the challenges of supporting the fluidity of interaction incollocated settings are immense. Many years of research and commercial efforts has sought toestablish technological means by which interaction can be conducted with the same ease, or inthe same fluid manner as collocated interaction. However, as argued by Olson and Olson(2000), distance does matter.This paper addresses one particular aspect of organisational life for mobile workers, theconstant negotiation of fluid work, based on the assumption that an essential aspect of mobilework is the negotiation of desirable versus disruptive interaction. We here take a closer lookat mobile interaction in the locus of the individual meeting the others. The purpose of thepaper is to initiate a broader discussion of fluid mobile work by drawing upon socialtopology, the study of ICT use in organisations, as well as experimental research constructingand testing innovative interaction management technologies. In order to initiate the debate weask the question:
Utilizing Community Resources to Treat PTSD: A Randomized Controlled Study Using Thought Field Therapy

The use of Thought Field Therapy (TFT), a brief therapy technique, is examined in a randomized controlled study, to determine if there is a significant difference in the reduction of trauma symptoms between the treated group and the untreated group. Study participants in the waitlist group received treatment after having completing the posttest. Prior to the study, TFT techniques were taught to Rwandan community leaders, who then provided one-time individual trauma-focused TFT interventions to one hundred and sixty four adult survivors of the 1994 Rwandan genocide in their native language, Kinyarwanda. Pre- and post-intervention assessments of trauma symptoms used were the Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI) and the Modified Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Scale (MPSS) translated into Kinyarwanda. Significant differences were found in trauma symptoms and level of PTSD symptom severity and frequency between the treatment and the waitlist control groups. Participants in the waitlist group experienced significant reductions in trauma symptoms following their subsequent treatments, which took place after the first posttest. These positive outcomes suggest that a one-time, community leader facilitated trauma-focused TFT intervention may be beneficial with protracted PTSD in genocide survivors.
A Normal Distribution Encoding Algorithm for Slowly-Varying Data Compression in Wireless Sensor Networks

Efficient utilization of energy is a core area of research in wireless sensor networks. Data compression methods to reduce the number of bits to be transmitted by the communication module will significantly reduce the energy requirement and increase the lifetime of the sensor node. This paper divides WSN applications into two categories, slowly-varying applications and non-slowly-varying applications, and indicates that the study of slowly-varying data compression algorithm is significance. Through analysis the probability distribution of monitored data, a simple lossless data compression algorithm namely Normal Distribution Encoding Algorithm specifically designed for slowly-varying data is proposed in this paper. Compared with the typical lossless compression algorithm, the proposed algorithm indicated better compression ratio and performance.
Private Retirement Savings in Germany: The Structure of Tax Incentives and Annuitization

The present paper studies the growth, welfare and efficiency consequences of the recent introduction of tax-favored retirement accounts in Germany in a general equilibrium overlapping generations model with idiosyncratic lifespan and labor income uncertainty. We focus on the implicit differential taxation of specific savings motives, the mandatory annuitization of benefits and the impact of special provisions for low-income households. The simulations indicate that the reform improves overall economic efficiency by about 0.6 percent of aggregate resources, but welfare decreases significantly for future generations. Finally, we show that special provisions could be very effective in raising the participation of low-income households despite their low budgetary cost.
Clinical Issues with Interracial Couples: Theories and Research

This research investigates the key causal linkages in supply chain management—the impact of strategic sourcing and supplier selection on firm performance in the U.S. textile–apparel–retail supply network. A conceptual framework was developed and the empirical survey-based research methodology was used to gather data from the U.S. textile–apparel–retail complex. The data collection resulted in 181 responses, representing a 38.2% response rate. Structural equation modeling was used to assess the research model and test the research hypotheses. The research findings support that strategic sourcing has a significant and positive effect on business performance, and supplier selection has a significant and positive effect on the firm’s ability to gain competitive advantages. The research concludes with implications, limitations, and directions for future research.
Improving HMM-Based Keyword Spotting with Character Language Models

Facing high error rates and slow recognition speed for full text transcription of unconstrained handwriting images, keyword spotting is a promising alternative to locate specific search terms within scanned document images. We have previously proposed a learning-based method for keyword spotting using character hidden Markov models that showed a high performance when compared with traditional template image matching. In the lexicon-free approach pursued, only the text appearance was taken into account for recognition. In this paper, we integrate character n-gram language models into the spotting system in order to provide an additional language context. On the modern IAM database as well as the historical George Washington database, we demonstrate that character language models significantly improve the spotting performance.
Measuring effective central bank conservatism

According to the game-theoretic model of monetary policy, inflation is the consequence of time-inconsistent behavior of the monetary authority. The inflation bias can be eased by handing over the responsibility for monetary policy to an independent central bank and appointing a weight-conservative central banker. Countries around the world chose different combinations of central bank independence and conservatism. Most of the existing empirical studies concentrate on measuring legal or factual central bank independence thereby neglecting the degree of conservatism of the monetary authorities. In this paper we show how a joint empirical measure of central bank independence and conservatism can be derived from factual central bank behavior. Based on a panel logit approach we estimate measures of effective central bank conservatism for a sample of 13 OECD countries.
Presence of double-strand breaks with single-base 3' overhangs in cells undergoing apoptosis but not necrosis

Apoptotic cells in rat thymus were labeled in situ in paraffin-embedded and frozen tissue sections by ligation of double-stranded DNA fragments containing digoxigenin or Texas red. Two forms of double-stranded DNA fragments were prepared using the polymerase chain reaction: one was synthesized using Taq polymerase, which yields products with single- base 3' overhangs, and one using Pfu polymerase, which produces blunt- ended products. Both types of fragment could be ligated to apoptotic nuclei in thymus, indicating the presence in such nuclei of DNA double- strand breaks with single-base 3' overhangs as well as blunt ends. However, in nuclei with DNA damage resulting from a variety of nonapoptotic processes (necrosis, in vitro autolysis, peroxide damage, and heating) single-base 3' overhangs were either nondetectable or present at much lower concentrations than in apoptotic cells. Blunt DNA ends were present in such tissues, but at lower concentrations than in apoptotic cells. In contrast, in all of these forms of DNA damage, nuclei contained abundant 3'-hydroxyls accessible to labeling with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase. Thus, although single-base 3' overhangs and blunt ends are present in apoptotic nuclei, the specificity of the in situ ligation of 3'-overhang fragments to apoptotic nuclei indicates that apoptotic cells labeled in this way can readily be distinguished from cells with nonapoptotic DNA damage. These data are consistent with the involvement of an endonuclease similar to DNase I in apoptosis, which is predicted to leave short 3' overhangs as well as blunt ends in digestion of chromatin.
Diagnostic Accuracy of a Short Endoscopic Secretin Test in Patients With Cystic Fibrosis

Objective Short endoscopic secretin tests for exocrine pancreatic function are not properly evaluated in cystic fibrosis (CF). Methods Patients with CF and healthy controls (HCs) underwent endoscopic collection of duodenal juice between 30 and 45 minutes after secretin stimulation. Duodenal juice was analyzed for HCO3− concentration and pancreatic enzyme activities. Stool was analyzed for fecal elastase. Results Thirty-one patients with CF and 25 HCs were tested. Patients were classified as exocrine pancreatic sufficient (n = 13) or insufficient (n = 18). Both bicarbonate concentrations and enzyme activities in duodenal juice differentiated patients with CFI from patients with CFS and HC (P < 0.001). The population displays strong correlation between severe CF genotype in both alleles and pancreatic insufficient phenotype (P < 0.001). Conclusions Pancreatic exocrine insufficient CF patients could be differentiated from exocrine sufficient patients and HCs using short endoscopic secretin test.
A Hybrid ETKF–3DVAR Data Assimilation Scheme for the WRF Model. Part II: Real Observation Experiments

Abstract The hybrid ensemble transform Kalman filter–three-dimensional variational data assimilation (ETKF–3DVAR) system developed for the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model was further tested with real observations, as a follow-up for the observation system simulation experiment (OSSE) conducted in Part I. A domain encompassing North America was considered. Because of limited computational resources and the large number of experiments conducted, the forecasts and analyses employed relatively coarse grid spacing (200 km) to emphasize synoptic scales. As a first effort to explore the new system with real observations, relatively sparse observation datasets consisting of radiosonde wind and temperature during 4 weeks of January 2003 were assimilated. The 12-h forecasts produced by the hybrid analysis produced less root-mean-square error than the 3DVAR. The hybrid improved the forecast more in the western part of the domain than the eastern part. It also produced larger improvements in the upper tr.
On-line Reinforcement Learning Using Incremental Kernel-Based Stochastic Factorization

Kernel-based stochastic factorization (KBSF) is an algorithm for solving reinforcement learning tasks with continuous state spaces which builds a Markov decision process (MDP) based on a set of sample transitions. What sets KBSF apart from other kernel-based approaches is the fact that the size of its MDP is independent of the number of transitions, which makes it possible to control the trade-off between the quality of the resulting approximation and the associated computational cost. However, KBSF's memory usage grows linearly with the number of transitions, precluding its application in scenarios where a large amount of data must be processed. In this paper we show that it is possible to construct KBSF's MDP in a fully incremental way, thus freeing the space complexity of this algorithm from its dependence on the number of sample transitions. The incremental version of KBSF is able to process an arbitrary amount of data, which results in a model-based reinforcement learning algorithm that can be used to solve continuous MDPs in both off-line and on-line regimes. We present theoretical results showing that KBSF can approximate the value function that would be computed by conventional kernel-based learning with arbitrary precision. We empirically demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm in the challenging three-pole balancing task, in which the ability to process a large number of transitions is crucial for success.
Interaction effects of parenting styles and child temperament: Motor, cognitive, and language development in children prenatally exposed to alcohol

iv Dedication . vi Acknowledgement . vii List of Tables . viii Chapter I: Introduction . 1 Significance of the Problem . 2 Positive Parenting and Motor, Cognitive, and Language Development . 3 Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Motor, Cognitive, and Language Development . 8 Motor Development in Infants’ Exposed to Alcohol in Utero . 9 Cognitive Development in Infants’ Exposed to Alcohol in Utero . 10 Language Development in Infants’ Exposed to Alcohol in Utero . 12 Problem Statement . 13 Research Questions and Hypotheses . 14 Chapter II: Literature Review . 16 Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorders . 16
A Case Studt of an Intervention Program for Students with Dyslexa in A primary School in the UAE

Abstract T his paper aims to explore the effect of an iPad program and the usage of different downloaded apps to help students with dyslexia on reading, writing and spelling abilities in two classes of an open elementary school. The investigation takes after a blended strategy approach (survey; face to face interviews; pre-posttests). Twenty (20) third graders male students with dyslexia, going to English as a Foreign Language classes were the members of the examination. Students' implementation on spelling, reading and writing abilities were tried after trained through an iPad intercession program with multisensory applications. The experimental group's implementation (10 students with dyslexia) was contrasted with the control group's (10 students with dyslexia) educated through non-PC based, techniques. A pre-appraisal test was directed for assessing the reading, spelling and writing abilities of the two gatherings of understudies before the mediation. After eight (8) weeks, both groups were involved in post-tests for evaluating their performance on reading, spelling and writing skills. The examination found that the students' with dyslexia aptitudes were enhanced after the iPad intercession program rather than the students taught through standard strategies.
Antioxidative Activity after Rosuvastatin Treatment in Patients with Stable Ischemic Heart Disease and Decreased High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol

Background and Objectives The clinical significance of statin-induced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) changes is not well known. We investigated whether rosuvastatin-induced HDL-C changes can influence the anti-oxidative action of high-density lipoprotein particle. Subjects and Methods A total of 240 patients with stable ischemic heart disease were studied. Anti-oxidative property was assessed by paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity. We compared the lipid profile and PON1 activity at baseline and at 8 weeks after rosuvastatin 10 mg treatment. Results Rosuvastatin treatment increased the mean HDL-C concentration by 1.9±9.2 mg/dL (6.4±21.4%). HDL-C increased in 138 patients (57.5%), but decreased in 102 patients (42.5%) after statin treatment. PON1 activity increased to 19.1% in all patients. In both, the patients with increased HDL-C and with decreased HDL-C, PON1 activity significantly increased after rosuvastatin treatment (+19.3% in increased HDL-C responder; p=0.018, +18.8% in decreased HDL-C responder; p=0.045 by paired t-test). Baseline PON1 activity modestly correlated with HDL-C levels (r=0.248, p=0.009); however, the PON1 activity evaluated during the course of the treatment did not correlate with HDL-C levels (r=0.153, p=0.075). Conclusion Rosuvastatin treatment improved the anti-oxidative properties as assessed by PON1 activity, regardless of on-treatment HDL-C levels, in patients with stable ischemic heart disease.
Tree Species Classification Using Hyperspectral Imagery: A Comparison of Two Classifiers

The identification of tree species can provide a useful and efficient tool for forest managers for planning and monitoring purposes. Hyperspectral data provide sufficient spectral information to classify individual tree species. Two non-parametric classifiers, support vector machines (SVM) and random forest (RF), have resulted in high accuracies in previous classification studies. This research takes a comparative classification approach to examine the SVM and RF classifiers in the complex and heterogeneous forests of Muir Woods National Monument and Kent Creek Canyon in Marin County, California. The influence of object- or pixel-based training samples and segmentation size on the object-oriented classification is also explored. To reduce the data dimensionality, a minimum noise fraction transform was applied to the mosaicked hyperspectral image, resulting in the selection of 27 bands for the final classification. Each classifier was also assessed individually to identify any advantage related to an increase in training sample size or an increase in object segmentation size. All classifications resulted in overall accuracies above 90%. No difference was found between classifiers when using object-based training samples. SVM outperformed RF when additional training samples were used. An increase in training samples was also found to improve the individual performance of the SVM classifier.
Author ' s personal copy Spectral decomposition of optimal asset – liability management

This paper concerns optimal asset–liability management when the assets and the liabilities are modeled by means of correlated geometric Brownian motions as suggested in Gerber and Shiu [2003. Geometric Brownian motion models for assets and liabilities: from pension funding to optimal dividends. North American Actuarial Journal 7(3), 37–51]. In a first part, we apply singular stochastic control techniques to derive a free boundary equation for the optimal value creation as a growth of liabilities or as dividend payment to shareholders. We provide analytical solutions to the Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman (HJB) optimality equation in a rather general context. In a second part, we study the convergence of the cash flows to the optimal value creation using spectral methods. For particular cases, we also provide a series expansion for the probabilities of bankruptcy in finite time. & 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Balanced Scorecard (BSC) Usage and Financial Performance of Branches in Jordanian Banking Industry

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the body of knowledge in the area of management accounting, particularly performance measurement systems within the BSC framework, by investigating empirically the extent of multiple performance measures usage and their effects on the financial performance of Jordanian banks in the branches level. Nevertheless, the result of this study shows that the non-financial measures usages, particularly, customer oriented indicators and product/ service oriented indicators, appears to be important as it enhances firm performance. Remarkably, the findings reveal that there is positive relationship between the usages of multiple performance measures via overall BSC measures and financial performance in the branches level. Keywords—Performance measurements systems, Balanced Scorecard, Jordan.