Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Symptomatic Atherosclerotic Disease and Decreased Risk of Cancer-Specific Mortality

AbstractThe few studies that have assessed the association between symptomatic atherosclerotic disease and risk of cancer have had conflicting results. In addition, these studies ascertained participants either from treatment settings (ie, service-based studies) or by using a records linkage system (ie, medical records of patients evaluated at clinics or hospitals) and, therefore, were prone to selection bias. Our purpose was to estimate the risk of cancer mortality in a large population-based sample of elderly people, comparing participants with symptomatic atherosclerotic disease (atherosclerotic stroke and coronary disease) to their counterparts without symptomatic atherosclerotic disease (ie, controls) in the same population.In this population-based, prospective study (Neurological Disorders of Central Spain, NEDICES), 5262 elderly community-dwelling participants with and without symptomatic atherosclerotic disease were identified and followed for a median of 12.1 years, after which the death certificates of those who died were reviewed.A total of 2701 (53.3%) of 5262 participants died, including 314 (68.6%) of 458 participants with symptomatic atherosclerotic disease and 2387 (49.7%) of 4804 controls. Cancer mortality was reported significantly less often in those with symptomatic atherosclerotic disease (15.6%) than in controls (25.6%) (P < 0.001). In an unadjusted Cox model, risk of cancer-specific mortality was decreased in participants with symptomatic atherosclerotic disease (HR = 0.74, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55−0.98, P = 0.04) vs. those without symptomatic atherosclerotic disease (reference group). In an adjusted Cox model, HR = 0.58; 95% CI, 0.38−0.89; P = 0.01. This population-based, prospective study suggests that there is an inverse association between symptomatic atherosclerotic disease and risk of cancer mortality.
Behaviour of Combined Pile-Raft Foundation ( CPRF ) under Static and Pseudo-static Conditions using PLAXIS 3

In this study, effect of pile head connection condition on the behavior of Combined Pile-Raft Foundation (CPRF) by using finite element based geotechnical program PLAXIS3D is investigated. The finite element model is first validated with experimental results from available literature. Thereafter, the responses of CPRF in terms of settlements, normalized bending moments (M/Mmax) and normalized lateral displacements (u/D) under available input earthquake loadings, like 2001 Bhuj, 1989 Loma Prieta and 1995 Kobe are studied. Results show that connection condition has little influence on settlement under vertical load alone whereas load sharing by raft varies from 30% for hinged connection to 54% for rigidly connected CPRF model. Under the application of lateral load including various earthquake loads, raft mobilizes ultimate resistance at faster rate compared to pile irrespective of connection rigidity. Connection rigidity played an important role in bending moment variations, lateral displacements and rotations.
COMETS SOURCED BY KBOS-COMPARISON OF SFDS DERIVED FROM SPITZER / WISE JFC IMAGING & PLUTO / CHARON KBO CRATERING RATES

AGING & PLUTO/CHARON KBO CRATERING RATES C.M. Lisse1, K.N. Singer2, Y.R. Fernandez3, J.M. Bauer4, S. Protopapa4, A.F. Cheng1, H.A. Weaver1 W. McKinnon5, J.J. Kaevelars6, S.A. Stern2, J.R. Spencer2, C.B. Olkin2, J.Wm. Parker2, J.M. Moore7, O. M. Umurhan7, W. Grundy8, L.A. Young2, A. Verbiscer9 and the New Horizons Geology, Geophysics & Imaging Science Theme Team 1Solar System Exploration Branch, JHU-APL, 11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD 20723 carey.lisse@jhuapl.edu, 2Southwest Research Institute, 1050 Walnut St. Suite #300, Boulder, CO 80302, 3Dept. of Physics & Florida Space Inst. , Univ. of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA, 4Dept. of Astronomy, Univ. of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, 5Dept. Earth and Planetary Sciences, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130, 6NRC Canada, Victoria, BC, CN, 7NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, 8Lowell Observatory, 1400 West Mars Hill Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, 9Department of Astronomy, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904.
First-Time Motherhood Experiences and the Decision to Have a Second Child

Mothers’ experiences with their firstborn child may be relevant for understanding the further growth of families. Dutch women (N = 795) reported on motherhood experiences during pregnancy and the first year. Direct effect models of mood symptoms, birth expectations, and child negative reactivity, and indirect effect models via parenting self-efficacy were tested to discriminate mothers who had, wanted, were undecided, and did not want a second child at a 2-year follow-up. Results indicated that mothers with two children had higher prenatal parenting self-efficacy and less postnatal trait anxiety compared with those who wanted a second child. There was no evidence for indirect effects of mood symptoms, birth expectations, or negative reactivity on having a second child via parenting self-efficacy. Also, mothers who did not want a second child had more unmet expectations regarding childbirth and, surprisingly, reported less child negative reactivity than other mothers. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Distributed Algorithm for En Route Aggregation Decision in Wireless Sensor Networks

In sensor networks, en route aggregation decision regarding where and when aggregation shall be performed along the routes has been explicitly or implicitly studied extensively. However, existing solutions have omitted one key dimension in the optimization space, namely, the aggregation cost. In this paper, focusing on optimizing over both transmission and aggregation costs, we develop an online algorithm capable of dynamically adjusting the route structure when sensor nodes join or leave the network. Furthermore, by only performing such reconstructions locally and maximally preserving existing routing structure, we show that the online algorithm can be readily implemented in real networks in a distributed manner requiring only localized information. Analytically and experimentally, we show that the online algorithm promises extremely small performance deviation from the offline version, which has already been shown to outperform other routing schemes with static aggregation decision.
Nonmodal energy growth and optimal perturbations in compressible plane Couette flow

Nonmodal transient growth studies and an estimation of optimal perturbations have been made for the compressible plane Couette flow with three-dimensional disturbances. The steady mean flow is characterized by a nonuniform shear rate and a varying temperature across the wall-normal direction for an appropriate perfect gas model. The maximum amplification of perturbation energy over time, $G_m_a_x$, is found to increase with increasing Reynolds number Re, but decreases with increasing Mach number M. More specifically, the optimal energy amplification $G_o_p_t$ (the supremum of $G_m_a_x$ over both the streamwise and spanwise wave numbers) is maximum in the incompressible limit and decreases monotonically as M increases. The corresponding optimal streamwise wave number, $\alpha_o_p_t$, is nonzero at M=0, increases with increasing M, reaching a maximum for some value of M and then decreases, eventually becoming zero at high Mach numbers. While the pure streamwise vortices are the optimal patterns at high Mach numbers (in contrast to incompressible Couette flow), the modulated streamwise vortices are the optimal patterns for low-to-moderate values of the Mach number. Unlike in incompressible shear flows, the streamwise-independent modes in the present flow do not follow the scaling law G(t/Re)~Re2, the reasons for which are shown to be tied to the dominance of some terms (related to density and temperature fluctuations) in the linear stability operator. Based on a detailed nonmodal energy analysis, we show that the transient energy growth occurs due to the transfer of energy from the mean flow to perturbations via an inviscid algebraic instability. The decrease of transient growth with an increasing Mach number is also shown to be tied to the decrease in the energy transferred from the mean flow $(\xi_1)$ in the same limit. The sharp decay of the viscous eigenfunctions with increasing Mach number is responsible for the decrease of $\xi_1$ for the present mean flow.
Orthoptera in the scat contents of the common palm civet ( Paradoxurus musangus ) on Pulau Ubin , Singapore

Predator–prey interaction can be crucial for studies in trophic-level ecology. Owing to their abundance and richness, many small arthropods, including the Orthoptera, are important prey in the ecosystem. Seventy scat samples from the common palm civet (Paradoxurus musangus) containing orthopteran parts (14.5%; n = 482) collected between May 2013 to May 2014 on Pulau Ubin, Singapore, were examined. From these scat samples, 12 orthopteran taxa were identified to genus or species level, representing about 21.1% of total species currently known on Pulau Ubin. Among these, most are ground dwellers and typically large. Six of the taxa found in the scat content were not recorded in Pulau Ubin previously. Lebinthus luae was the dominant orthopteran prey species (n = 39). This study demonstrates that sclerotised orthopteran parts in civet scats can be used to identify prey taxa in an attempt to better understand orthopteran diversity in the diet of the common palm civet, as well as their predator–prey interactions. It can also contribute information on the orthopteran diversity in the survey area.
POTENTIAL FOR N CARRYOVER FROM 2003 TO 2004

Nitrate can carry over in many medium and fine textured Wisconsin soils especially when growing season rainfall is below normal and yields are lowered by moisture stress. Most areas of Wisconsin received below normal precipitation during the 2003 growing season, and nitrate carryover could be an important factor affecting nitrogen needs in 2004. Taking carryover nitrate into consideration may be particularly beneficial this year due to the expected higher N fertilizer prices.
Financial Development and Economic Growth: Additional Evidence from Ghana

Although the finance-growth relationship has been looked at in many African countries such as Ghana, the outcomes have been mixed while the causal direction between the two variables has particularly not been examined. This study, therefore, applied ARDL approach and Granger causality test to investigating the relationship and the causal direction between financial development and economic growth in Ghana during the period 1970-2013. The study revealed that the amount of credit from domestic sources to the private sector maintained a positively significant nexus with the growth of the economy whereas the domestic deposit was not the case. Also, the results established that there is a dependence of the Ghanaian economy to the changes in domestic credit to private sector whilst there exists a uni-directional causality running from the variations in economic growth to the domestic deposit in Ghana. Consistent with the findings, it is recommended that the authorities concentrate on improving the efficiency of the financial system to allow deposits to be channelled to growth-inducing investments to bring about the long-term growth of the economy.
Crystal Structure of Circular Permuted RoCBM21 (CP90): Dimerisation and Proximity of Binding Sites

Glucoamylases, containing starch-binding domains (SBD), have a wide range of scientific and industrial applications. Random mutagenesis and DNA shuffling of the gene encoding a starch-binding domain have resulted in only minor improvements in the affinities of the corresponding protein to their ligands, whereas circular permutation of the RoCBM21 substantially improved its binding affinity and selectivity towards longer-chain carbohydrates. For the study reported herein, we used a standard soluble ligand (amylose EX-I) to characterize the functional and structural aspects of circularly permuted RoCBM21 (CP90). Site-directed mutagenesis and the analysis of crystal structure reveal the dimerisation and an altered binding path, which may be responsible for improved affinity and altered selectivity of this newly created starch-binding domain. The functional and structural characterization of CP90 suggests that it has significant potential in industrial applications.
Customer attractiveness, supplier satisfaction and preferred customer status : a review and a cycle model

In this paper, we introduce the concept of preferred customer status, i.e. a buyer is awarded preferential treatment of its important suppliers compared to their other customers. As there is a lack of knowledge of what motivates suppliers to serve selected buyers better than others, our research focuses on the suppliers’ evaluation of customers and how it can be influenced by buyers. Based on social exchange theory, we provide a conceptual model which proposes customer attractiveness, supplier satisfaction and knowledge of alternative customers as factors influencing suppliers to award preferred customer status. Subsequently, a literature review is provided to give an overview of the drivers of customer attractiveness, supplier satisfaction and preferred customer status already analysed in current literature. We conclude by providing a preliminary conceptual framework and suggesting future research directions in this field. This article proposes new insights into supplier relationship management and offers a state-of-the-art analysis as well as a theoretical base to this new research field.
Organic Agriculture in Malaysia

Increasing awareness on environmental issues and food safety led to the growth and practice of organic agriculture around the world. At the same time, consumers began to change their food choices and preferences for healthy food, including organic products. For example, a consumer study by Thomson Reuters in 2013 found that 58 % of consumers prefer organic products if they are given a choice. The interesting finding of this study is that most of the preferred consumers belong to the young and educated group of population. Consumers choose organic products due to health reasons, food safety, taste and its environmental benefits (Rozhan, 2009; Lea and Worsley, 2005; Roitner-Schobesber et al., 2007). The history of organic agriculture started long before the Green Revolution. At that time, chemical inputs, improved irrigation, and modern varieties were used to boost agricultural production due to malnutrition and widespread hunger in developing Asian countries (Hazell, 2009). Nowadays, demand of “healthy” food, including organic food is increasing, especially from European, U.S. and other developed nations (Willer et al, 2014). In Malaysia, organic agriculture have been practiced long time ago when farmers used compost from agricultural by-products. People also consumed organic agricultural produce which were collected from the jungles or naturally grown like wild mushrooms and bamboo shoots. The commercial organic agriculture is relatively new and is considered a small industry in Malaysia. Prior to the establishment of commercial organic farms, organic agriculture in Malaysia was initiated by Non-Profit Organizations (NGOs) that is concerned about the quality of food, and the influence of active environmental movements and organizations from around the world (Partap, 2010). The awareness on high chemical inputs used in conventional agriculture urged them to look for alternative sources of food. The Centre for Environment, Technology and Development Malaysia (CETDEM), an NGO, started the initiative by conducting an experiment on growing multiple organic vegetables and fruits on one acre of land. In a few years, outputs from their farms have penetrated supermarkets in Kuala Lumpur. The success of their experiment as well as the demands from consumers has led other farms to take the same approach to grow organic agriculture. The increasing demand from consumers who are willing to buy organic vegetables and fruits led the opening of the first organic shop in 1999 to cater to the Klang Valley market. Private companies are also taking advantage of the potential market by producing and supplying organic fertilizers to organic farmers.
Alternatives to Organizational Downsizing: A German Case Study

In the past few years, a new wave of downsizing has been observed. This wave began during the economic recession of the early 1990s and has continued during the subsequent years of economic growth. While the espoused purpose of this wave of downsizing is to reduce costs and increase “competitiveness,” empirical research raises doubts about whether these goals have actually been achieved. Downsizing may also have serious negative consequences for the employees who lose their jobs, for their families, and for the employees who survive the restructuring process. Despite these outcomes, downsizing appears to have become institutionalized among executives as a taken-forgranted way of managing organizations. The cognitive rigidity that this suggests makes it important to discuss alternatives to corporate downsizing. The Volkswagen (VW) Company is an important example of such an alternative, because of its innovative policy of preserving employment in Germany. This paper describes the genesis and implementation of that personnel policy, showing that discontinuities in the corporate environment do not always have to be dealt with by means of mass layoffs. Profits and social responsibility do not necessarily have to be competing goals, but can sometimes be jointly accomodated by using appropriate human resource management programs.
The Causal Generalization Paradox: The Case of Treatment Outcome Research

Data from psychological experiments pose a causal generalization paradox. Unless the experimental results have some generality, they contribute little to scientific knowledge. Yet, because most experiments use convenience samples rather than probability-based samples, there is almost never a formal justification, or set of rigorous guidelines, for generalizing the study's findings to other populations. This article discusses the causal generalization paradox in the context of outcome findings from experimental evaluations of psychological treatment programs and services. In grappling with the generalization paradox, researchers often make misleading (or at least oversimplified) assumptions. The article analyzes 10 such assumptions, including the belief that a significant experimental treatment effect is likely to be causally generalizable and the belief that the magnitude of a significant experimental effect provides a sound effect size estimate for causal generalization. The article then outlines 10 constructive strategies for assessing and enhancing causal generality. They include strategies involving the scaling level of outcome measures, variable treatment dosages, effectiveness designs, multiple measures, corroboration from observational designs, and the synthesis of multiple studies. Finally, the article's discussion section reviews the conditions under which causal generalizations are justified.
SCANNING PROBE MICROSCOPY OF SEMICONDUCTOR HETEROSTRUCTURES

Atomic, electronic, and optoelectronic properties of semiconductor heterostructures are studied using scanning tunneling and near-field optical microscopes. Sample systems are AlGaAs/GaAs and InGaAs/GaAs multi-layer structures grown using molecular beam epitaxy. Real-space mapping of electronic structure including the determination of heterojunction band discontinuities is shown in AlGaAs system. In terms of the atomic structural investigations, we focus on how various growth parameters influence the interfacial abruptness in the AlGaAs/GaAs systems. Identification of different chemical constituents in the alloys and determination of atom-atom pair correlations are also demonstrated. The optoelectronic properties of AlGaAs / GaAs heterostructures are investigated using a new design of near-field optical microscope. The influence of metallurgical defects on light emission efficiency is revealed using nearfield photoluminescence. In addition, local concentrations of p-type dopants and their binding energies are also resolved.
Coupling of remote alternating-access transport mechanisms for protons and substrates in the multidrug efflux pump AcrB

Membrane transporters of the RND superfamily confer multidrug resistance to pathogenic bacteria, and are essential for cholesterol metabolism and embryonic development in humans. We use high-resolution X-ray crystallography and computational methods to delineate the mechanism of the homotrimeric RND-type proton/drug antiporter AcrB, the active component of the major efflux system AcrAB-TolC in Escherichia coli, and one most complex and intriguing membrane transporters known to date. Analysis of wildtype AcrB and four functionally-inactive variants reveals an unprecedented mechanism that involves two remote alternating-access conformational cycles within each protomer, namely one for protons in the transmembrane region and another for drugs in the periplasmic domain, 50 Å apart. Each of these cycles entails two distinct types of collective motions of two structural repeats, coupled by flanking α-helices that project from the membrane. Moreover, we rationalize how the cross-talk among protomers across the trimerization interface might lead to a more kinetically efficient efflux system. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.03145. 001
Investigating lightly supervised acoustic model training

The last decade has witnessed substantial progress in speech recognition technology, with todays state-of-the-art systems being able to transcribe broadcast audio data with a word error of about 20%. However, acoustic model development for the recognizers requires large corpora of manually transcribed training data. Obtaining such data is both time-consuming and expensive, requiring trained human annotators with substantial amounts of supervision. We describe some experiments using different levels of supervision for acoustic model training in order to reduce the system development cost. The experiments have been carried out using the DARPA TDT-2 corpus (also used in the SDR99 and SDR00 evaluations). Our experiments demonstrate that light supervision is sufficient for acoustic model development, drastically reducing the development cost.
Floret evelopme t and grain setting differences between odern durum wheats under contrasting nitrogen availability

In mammals, cadmium is widely considered as a non-genotoxic carcinogen acting through a methylation-dependent epigenetic mechanism. Here, the effects of Cd treatment on the DNA methylation patten are examined together with its effect on chromatin reconfiguration in Posidonia oceanica. DNA methylation level and pattern were analysed in actively growing organs, under short(6 h) and long(2 d or 4 d) term and low (10 mM) and high (50 mM) doses of Cd, through a Methylation-Sensitive Amplification Polymorphism technique and an immunocytological approach, respectively. The expression of one member of the CHROMOMETHYLASE (CMT) family, a DNA methyltransferase, was also assessed by qRT-PCR. Nuclear chromatin ultrastructure was investigated by transmission electron microscopy. Cd treatment induced a DNA hypermethylation, as well as an up-regulation of CMT, indicating that de novo methylation did indeed occur. Moreover, a high dose of Cd led to a progressive heterochromatinization of interphase nuclei and apoptotic figures were also observed after long-term treatment. The data demonstrate that Cd perturbs the DNA methylation status through the involvement of a specific methyltransferase. Such changes are linked to nuclear chromatin reconfiguration likely to establish a new balance of expressed/repressed chromatin. Overall, the data show an epigenetic basis to the mechanism underlying Cd toxicity in plants.