Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic parameters of calving ease using sire-maternal grandsire model in Korean Holsteins

Objective Calving ease (CE) is a complex reproductive trait of economic importance in dairy cattle. This study was aimed to investigate the genetic merits of CE for Holsteins in Korea. Methods A total of 297,614 field records of CE, from 2000 to 2015, from first parity Holstein heifers were recorded initially. After necessary data pruning such as age at first calving (18 to 42 mo), gestation length, and presence of sire information, final datasets for CE consisted of 147,526 and 132,080 records for service sire calving ease (SCE) and daughter calving ease (DCE) evaluations, respectively. The CE categories were ordered and scores ranged from CE1 to CE5 (CE1, easy; CE2, slight assistance; CE3, moderate assistance; CE4, difficult calving; CE5, extreme difficulty calving). A linear transformation of CE score was obtained on each category using Snell procedure, and a scaling factor was applied to attain the spread between 0 (CE5) and 100% (CE1). A sire-maternal grandsire model analysis was performed using ASREML 3.0 software package. Results The estimated direct heritability (h2) from SCE and DCE evaluations were 0.11±0.01 and 0.08±0.01, respectively. Maternal h2 estimates were 0.05±0.02 and 0.04±0.01 from SCE and DCE approaches, respectively. Estimates of genetic correlations between direct and maternal genetic components were −0.68±0.09 (SCE) and −0.71±0.09 (DCE). The average direct genetic effect increased over time, whereas average maternal effect was low and consistent. The estimated direct predicted transmitting ability (PTA) was desirable and increasing over time, but the maternal PTA was undesirable and decreasing. Conclusion The evidence on sufficient genetic variances in this study could reflect a possible selection improvement over time regarding ease of calving. It is expected that the estimated genetic parameters could be a valuable resource to formulate sire selection and breeding plans which would be directed towards the reduction of calving difficulty in Korean Holsteins.
THE ANTHROPOLOGY OF PHARMACEUTICALS: A Biographical Approach

▪ Abstract This review discusses pharmaceuticals as social and cultural phenomena by following their “life cycle” from production, marketing, and prescription to distribution, purchasing, consumption, and finally their efficacy. Each phase has its own particular context, actors, and transactions and is characterized by different sets of values and ideas. The anthropology of pharmaceuticals is relevant to medical anthropology and health policy. It also touches the heart of general anthropology with its long-time interest in the concepts of culture vs nature, symbolization and social transformation, and its more recent concerns with the cultural construction of the body and processes of globalization and localization. The study of transactions and meanings of pharmaceuticals in diverse social settings provides a particularly appropriate empirical base for addressing these new theoretical issues.
Alzheimer’s disease

The application of neuroimaging technology to study Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has been steadily increasing over the last two decades. To date, the majority of neuroimaging contributions to understanding the pathophysiology and clinical course of AD have utilized structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET). Influenced by pathological data, which reveal that the earliest disease manifestations are in medial temporal lobe (MTL) structures such as the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex (Braak and Braak 1991), structural MRI studies have largely focused on volumetric measures of the MTL. Starting in the early 1990s, MTL volumes were shown to distinguish agematched normal controls and AD patients, including those with very mild forms of the disease where the diagnosis of dementia was not yet conclusive (Jack et al. 1992, 1997). Further studies using quantitative volumetric measures have now demonstrated that MTL volumes predict progression to AD from mild states of memory impairment (de Leon et al. 1993; Jack et al. 2000; Dickerson et al. 2001; Mungas et al. 2002) and correlate with impaired memory performance in AD patients (de Toledo-Morrell et al. 2000; Petersen et al. 2000), thus supporting the contention that MTL volumetric measures are both clinically and biologically relevant. The application of structural MRI has continued to advance as other measures have complemented the volumetric studies. For example, the use
Keeping up Appearances

This paper explores the extent to which firms targeted by consumer boycotts strategically react to defend their public image by using prosocial claims: expressions of the organization’s commitment to socially acceptable norms, beliefs, and activities. We argue that prosocial claims operate as an impression management tactic meant to protect targeted firms by diluting the negative media attention attracted by the boycott. We test our hypotheses using a sample of 221 boycotts announced between 1990 and 2005. Results suggest that boycotted firms do significantly increase their prosocial claims activity after a boycott is announced. Firms are likely to react with a larger increase in prosocial claims when the boycott is more threatening (it receives more media attention), when the firm has a higher reputation, or when the firm engaged in more prosocial claims before the boycott. We demonstrate that firms fall back on their established impression management strategies when they face a reputational threat and will increase these previously perfected performances as the threat increases. In this way, the severity of a threat positively moderates the relationship between a firm’s prior performance repertoire and future performance repertoire, a mechanism we refer to as “threat amplification. ” When an organization with high reputational standing has bolstered its position by using prosocial claims in its past performance repertoire, however, it will perceive itself to be shielded from movement attacks, decreasing the likelihood of any defensive response, a mechanism we call “buffering. ” Our findings contribute to impression management by exploring the use of impression management in response to a movement attack and highlighting the important role that a firm’s pre-threat positioning plays in its response to an image threat.
Constraints on Generality (COG): A Proposed Addition to All Empirical Papers

Psychological scientists draw inferences about populations based on samples—of people, situations, and stimuli—from those populations. Yet, few papers identify their target populations, and even fewer justify how or why the tested samples are representative of broader populations. A cumulative science depends on accurately characterizing the generality of findings, but current publishing standards do not require authors to constrain their inferences, leaving readers to assume the broadest possible generalizations. We propose that the discussion section of all primary research articles specify Constraints on Generality (i.e., a “COG” statement) that identify and justify target populations for the reported findings. Explicitly defining the target populations will help other researchers to sample from the same populations when conducting a direct replication, and it could encourage follow-up studies that test the boundary conditions of the original finding. Universal adoption of COG statements would change publishing incentives to favor a more cumulative science.
YSK1 is activated by the Golgi matrix protein GM130 and plays a role in cell migration through its substrate 14-3-3ζ

The Golgi apparatus has long been suggested to be important for directing secretion to specific sites on the plasma membrane in response to extracellular signaling events. However, the mechanisms by which signaling events are coordinated with Golgi apparatus function remain poorly understood. Here, we identify a scaffolding function for the Golgi matrix protein GM130 that sheds light on how such signaling events may be regulated. We show that the mammalian Ste20 kinases YSK1 and MST4 target to the Golgi apparatus via the Golgi matrix protein GM130. In addition, GM130 binding activates these kinases by promoting autophosphorylation of a conserved threonine within the T-loop. Interference with YSK1 function perturbs perinuclear Golgi organization, cell migration, and invasion into type I collagen. A biochemical screen identifies 14-3-3ζ as a specific substrate for YSK1 that localizes to the Golgi apparatus, and potentially links YSK1 signaling at the Golgi apparatus with protein transport events, cell adhesion, and polarity complexes important for cell migration.
Local Embeddedness and Rural Entrepreneurship: Case-Study Evidence from Cumbria, England

There is a growing realisation among scholars and policymakers of the role of local contextual factors and circumstances in influencing the behaviour of key economic agents, including the entrepreneur. This approach has stretched the boundaries of academic inquiry well beyond mainstream conceptualisations of economic agency as isolated from its setting. An assumption that underpinned research and policymaking in the new learning is that economic activity is typically socially embedded, which is generally taken to imply local embeddedness. In our paper, drawing upon the findings of extensive research in rural Cumbria, we question this assumption. We argue that in the context of rural Cumbria, the conceptualisation of locality may go beyond territorial notions. This argument does not support a return to the notion of the isolated economic agent, but advocates a move forward to the detailed exploration of the interface between agency and context.
Explaining holographic dark energy

The possible holographic origin of dark energy is investigated. The main existing explanations, namely the UV/IR connection argument of Cohen et al, Thomas’ bulk holography argument, and Ng’s spacetime foam argument, are shown to be not wholly satisfactory. A new explanation is then proposed based on the ideas of Thomas and Ng. It is suggested that the dark energy originates from the quantum fluctuations of spacetime limited by the event horizon of the universe. Several potential problems of the explanation are also discussed.
Personality Correlates of Self-Esteem

The current study examined the relation between self-esteem and the Big Five personality dimensions. Data were collected over the Internet from a large heterogeneous sample of individuals who ranged in age from 9 to 90 years (N = 326,641). Collectively, the Big Five accounted for 34% of the variance in self-esteem. High self-esteem individuals were emotionally stable, extraverted, and conscientious and were somewhat agreeable and open to experience. Despite an extensive search for potential mediators and moderators of this general pattern, the relations between self-esteem and the Big Five largely cut across age, sex, social class, ethnicity, and nationality (United States vs non-United States). High self-esteem individuals tended to ascribe socially desirable traits to themselves, and this tendency partially mediated relations between the Big Five and self-esteem. Discussion focuses on interpreting the social desirability effects, limitations of the study, and directions for future research.
Environmental Parameters Regulating Gaseous Nitrogen Losses from Two Forested Ecosystems via Nitrification and Denitrification

Gaseous N losses from disturbed and reference forested watersheds at the Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory in western North Carolina were studied by in situ N2O diffusion measurements and laboratory incubations throughout a 10-month period. Soil temperature, percent base saturation, and water-filled pore space accounted for 43% of the variation in in situ N2O diffusion measurements. Laboratory incubations distinguished the gaseous N products of nitrification and denitrification. Nitrifying activity, ambient NO3−, and nitrification N2O were positively correlated with percent base saturation. However, differences between watersheds in soil N substrate caused by presence of leguminous black locust in the disturbed watershed were confounded with differences in soil acidity. Denitrification was most strongly affected by soil moisture, which in turn was determined by precipitation events and slope position. Gaseous N losses from well-drained midslope and toeslope landscape positions appeared to be minor relative to other N transformations. Favorable conditions for denitrification occurred at a poorly drained site near the stream of the disturbed watershed. Laboratory incubations revealed high rates of NO3− reduction in these soils. We speculate that the riparian zone is a major site of depletion of NO3− from the soil solution via denitrification.
Malaysia – towards a topology of an electoral one-party state

For the first time in 51 years of independence, Malaysia's ruling coalition Barisan Nasional (National Front, BN) under the weak leadership of Abdullah Badawi was denied its customary parliamentary two-third majority in the 2008 elections. The three major opposition parties, which formed the Pakatan Rakyat (The People's Alliance, PR) after the elections, increased the number of opposition-held state governments from one to five. The opposition had never held more than two state governments at any one time.1 For many practitioners and students of Malaysian politics, the 2008 poll means the birth of a long overdue ‘two-party system’, where two multi-ethnic coalitions contest for power and alternate in running the country. After all, two similar attempts to build a Malay-dominated second coalition to rival the ruling coalition dominated by the ethno-nationalist United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) were made in the 1990 and 1999 elections by former UMNO leaders who lost in their party in-fighting. Sadly, the coalitions built did not survive even the next elections. We argue that such optimism may be misplaced due to a failure to appreciate the ‘electoral one-party state’ nature of Malaysia.2 Despite having held 13 national elections without failure, and having almost no incidence of in- or post-election violence, neither a military coup nor ‘people's power’, Malaysia has never been anywhere close to being a ‘consolidated democracy’, 52 years after joining what Huntington called the second wave of democratization.3 For Linz and Stepan, a consolidated democracy requires not only a government with de facto authority to generate policy and exclusive de jure power, but also that ‘this government comes to power that is the direct result of a free and popular vote’. In other words, democracy has to become ‘the only game in town’. 4
Local education authorities and student learning: the effects of policies and practices

This article addresses an issue that has not been well explored in empirical research, namely whether local education agencies (districts) have an impact on student learning. We assumed that local district effects on learning would be largely indirect, mediated by how teachers work together in schools (in professional communities) and the quality of instruction that is provided. Based on the literature, we also assumed that promoting data-driven decision making was an insufficient stimulus for student learning, and we therefore chose to examine another current policy strategy that is being widely adopted by local authorities: the development of networks for learning among schools. Using survey data and structural equation modeling, our results suggest that the development of networks has a positive relationship with instruction and subsequent learning, while district emphasis on learning targets and data use has a negative relationship. The discussion offers a number of interpretations of the findings, and suggests further arenas for inquiry.
The Effects of Enflurane, Isoflurane, and Intravenous Anesthetics on Rat Diaphragmatic Function and Fatigability

We examined the effect of isoflurane, enflurane, midazolam, ketamine, propofol, and thiopental on diaphragmatic functions under unfatigued and fatigued conditions in 228 rat isolated muscle strips. Diaphragmatic twitch characteristics and tetanic contractions were measured before and after muscle fatigue, which was induced by repetitive tetanic contraction with or without exposure to one of the anesthetics at clinically relevant plasma concentrations, and at 10 and 100 times this concentration, or at 1, 2, and 3 minimum alveolar anesthetic concentration (MAC). Isoflurane, midazolam, ketamine, propofol, and thiopental did not induce a direct inotropic or lusitropic effect under unfatigued and fatigued conditions. Enflurane did not change contraction or relaxation in fresh isolated diaphragm, but enflurane at 2–3 MAC enhanced diaphragmatic fatigability itself and fatigue-induced impairment of twitch characteristics and tetanic tensions. These effects were greater at 3 MAC than at 2 MAC. Our findings suggest that the reduction of diaphragm function previously reported in in vivo experiments using propofol, midazolam, and isoflurane is not related to a direct effect on intrinsic diaphragmatic contractility. Our results also indicate that large concentrations of enflurane may impair the diaphragmatic function at sites other than excitation-contraction coupling. IMPLICATIONS: Enflurane did not change contraction or relaxation in fresh isolated rat diaphragm, but enhanced diaphragmatic fatigability itself and fatigue-induced impairment of twitch characteristics and tetanic tensions. Isoflurane, midazolam, ketamine, propofol, and thiopental had no direct effects on diaphragmatic functions under unfatigued and fatigued conditions. Isoflurane and these IV anesthetics may be advantageous over enflurane to anesthetize and/or sedate patients who are predisposed to diaphragmatic fatigue.
‘Return’ Migration Intentions among Second-Generation Turks in Europe: The Effect of Integration and Transnationalism in a Cross-National Perspective

Data from The Integration of the European Second Generation (TIES) project were used to examine the determinants of ‘return’ intentions among the Turkish second generation in several European cities. Theory-derived hypotheses on the effects of economic and socio-cultural integration and transnational ties, and their variation according to policy regimes, were tested. The results highlight the dominance of transnational and sociocultural integration factors. Turkish second-generation migrants who had strong transnational ties with their parents’ country of origin, and those who were well-integrated in sociocultural terms, were more inclined to ‘return’. Interestingly, the level of economic integration had no significant effect. Although ‘return’ intentions varied across countries with different immigration and integration policies, no strong evidence was found for an interaction effect of policy regimes on the likelihood to express a ‘return’ intention.
Urbanization and the Change of Fertilizer Use Intensity for Agricultural Production in Henan Province

China’s urbanization has resulted in significant changes in agricultural land use. However, understanding of the linkages between urbanization and fertilizer use intensity is limited. Using county-level panel data for Henan Province, 1995–2008 and panel econometric models, we investigate the impact of urbanization and other socioeconomic factors on fertilizer use intensity, with a focus on the two key processes related to urbanization—shrinking agricultural land area and increasing urban wages. Our results show that declining agricultural land per capita is associated with greater fertilizer use intensity. Urban wages is positively correlated with fertilizer use intensity. We also find that GDP per capita and per capita expenditure of government for agriculture both positively contribute to the increase of fertilizer use intensity, which is consistent with expectations. Our results imply that other than land conversion, urbanization contains some positive influences on land use sustainability. However, on the other hand, urbanization contributes to agriculture-based environmental pollution by increasing the level of fertilizer use in agricultural production.
A Unified Analysis of Transmission Conditions for Thin Conducting Sheets in the Time-Harmonic Eddy Current Model

We introduce tools for a unified analysis and a comparison of impedance transmission conditions (ITCs) for thin conducting sheets within the time-harmonic eddy current model in two dimensions. The first criterion is the robustness with respect to the frequency or skin depth, which means whether they give meaningful results for small and for large frequencies or conductivities. As a second tool we study the accuracy for a range of sheet thicknesses and frequencies for a relevant example and finally analyze their asymptotic order in different asymptotic regimes. For the latter we write all the ITCs in a common form and show how they can be realized within the finite element method. Two new conditions, which we call ITC-2-0 and ITC-2-1, are introduced in this article, which appear in a symmetric form. They are derived by asymptotic expansions in the asymptotic regime of constant ratio between skin depth and thickness like those in [K. Schmidt and A. Chernov, Technical report 1102, Institut for Numerical Simu.
How words anchor categorization: conceptual flexibility with labeled and unlabeled categories*‡

abstract Labeled categories are learned faster, and are subsequently more robust than categories learned without labels. The label feedback hypothesis (Lupyan, 2012) accounts for these effects by introducing a word-driven top-down modulation of perceptual processes involved in categorization. By testing categorization flexibility with and without labels, we demonstrate the ways in which labels do and do not modulate category representations. In Experiment 1, transfer involved a change in selective attention, and results indicated that labels did not impact relearning. In Experiment 2, when transfer involved a change in the behavioral response to categories whose structures did not change, a reversal shift, learning the categories with labels speeded recovery. We take this finding as evidence that the augmentation of perceptual processes by words is on the one hand fairly weak without explicit reinforcement, but on the other allows for category representations to be more abstract, allowing greater flexibility in behavior.
Do Ideal Partner Preferences Predict Divorce? A Tale of Two Metrics

Though people report idiosyncratic desires for particular traits in an ideal romantic partner, few studies have examined whether these ideals predict important long-term relationship outcomes. The present 3.5-year longitudinal study of newlywed couples used survival analysis to investigate whether the match between participants’ ideal preferences and the traits they perceive in their partner predict the likelihood of divorce. Results depended entirely on whether the match was conceptualized as a match in level (e.g., high ideal preference for a trait with the presence of the trait in the partner) or in pattern (e.g., the within-person correlation of ideals with a partner’s traits across all traits). The match between the pattern of ideals and traits negatively predicted divorce with an effect size larger than most established divorce risk factors. However, the match in level was unrelated to divorce, suggesting that perspectives emphasizing ideals for the level of traits may encounter predictive validity problems.