Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genotyping‐by‐sequencing for estimating relatedness in nonmodel organisms: Avoiding the trap of precise bias

There has been remarkably little attention to using the high resolution provided by genotyping‐by‐sequencing (i.e., RADseq and similar methods) for assessing relatedness in wildlife populations. A major hurdle is the genotyping error, especially allelic dropout, often found in this type of data that could lead to downward‐biased, yet precise, estimates of relatedness. Here, we assess the applicability of genotyping‐by‐sequencing for relatedness inferences given its relatively high genotyping error rate. Individuals of known relatedness were simulated under genotyping error, allelic dropout and missing data scenarios based on an empirical ddRAD data set, and their true relatedness was compared to that estimated by seven relatedness estimators. We found that an estimator chosen through such analyses can circumvent the influence of genotyping error, with the estimator of Ritland (Genetics Research, 67, 175) shown to be unaffected by allelic dropout and to be the most accurate when there is genotyping error. We also found that the choice of estimator should not rely solely on the strength of correlation between estimated and true relatedness as a strong correlation does not necessarily mean estimates are close to true relatedness. We also demonstrated how even a large SNP data set with genotyping error (allelic dropout or otherwise) or missing data still performs better than a perfectly genotyped microsatellite data set of tens of markers. The simulation‐based approach used here can be easily implemented by others on their own genotyping‐by‐sequencing data sets to confirm the most appropriate and powerful estimator for their data.
Negotiating Working Time in Fragmented Labour Markets: Realizing the Promise of ‘Regulated Flexibility’

This book examines the ways in which collective bargaining addresses a variety of workplace concerns in the context of today’s global economy. Globalization can contribute to growth and development, but as the recent financial crisis demonstrated, it also puts employment, earnings and labour standards at risk. This book examines the role that collective bargaining plays in ensuring that workers are able to obtain a fair share of the benefits arising from participation in the global economy and in providing a measure of security against the risk to employment and wages. It focuses on a commonly neglected side of the story and demonstrates the positive contribution that collective bargaining can make to both economic and social goals. The various contributions examine how this fundamental principle and right at work is realized in different countries and how its practice can be reinforced across borders. They highlight the numerous resulting challenges and the critically important role that governments play in rebalancing bargaining power in a global economy. The chapters are written in an accessible style and deal with practical subjects, including employment security, workplace change and productivity, and working time.
Price and Liquidity Effects of Bonus Announcements: Empirical Evidence from Indian Stock Market

This paper examines price and liquidity effects associated with stock dividend (bonus) surrounding its announcement and effective day by using event studies methodology. The results show that while there is sufficient evidence of positive abnormal return associated just prior to and on the announcement day, there is no significant return observed on ex-bonus day. On the contrary, significant negative abnormal return was found in long post-effective window (ED to ED 51 days). However, there is a significant improvement observed in trading volume surrounding the announcement and effective day of bonus.
Seasonal ovarian histology of the ovoviviparous iguanid lizard Sceloporus jarrovi cope

Histological analyses of monthly collections of Sceloporus jarrovi ovaries are presented. The ovaries undergo a cycle in which yolk deposition occurs in September‐October and is followed by ovulation in late November. One corpus luteum forms from each ruptured follicle and undergoes progressive cytoplasmic depletion until mid‐June parturition, after which time rapid degeneration commences. Follicular atresia is common during the spring and absent during the summer and early fall. Granulosa cells play an active role in follicular atresia luteal cell formation, and may also be involved in yolk deposition.
Ureteral calculi in patients with flank pain: correlation of plain radiography with unenhanced helical CT.

PURPOSE To determine the sensitivity and specificity of plain radiography for the detection of ureteral calculi with use of unenhanced helical computed tomography (CT) as the standard of reference. MATERIALS AND METHODS Plain radiographs and helical CT scans of 178 patients with acute flank pain were reviewed retrospectively. Three interpretations of plain radiographs were used: (a) Original reading. This was the report made at the time of the patient's evaluation before the patient underwent CT. (b) Blinded retrospective reading. Each plain radiograph was interpreted without knowledge of the CT findings. (c) Unblinded retrospective reading. The plain radiograph of each patient whose CT scan showed a stone was reviewed with the CT scan. RESULTS The original reading had a sensitivity of 45% and a specificity of 77% for the detection of ureteral calculi. The blinded retrospective reading had a sensitivity of 59% and a specificity of 71%. The unblinded retrospective reading had a sensitivity of 59% (95% confidence interval: 47%, 70%). CONCLUSION Plain radiography is of limited value for aiding the diagnosis of ureteral stones. All patients with acute flank pain for whom radiologic imaging is recommended can directly undergo unenhanced helical CT; plain radiographs need not be obtained first.
Baroreceptors in Preterm Infants: Their Relationship to Maturity and Disease

Using passive tipping to a 45o head‐up position, an attempt was made to elicit reflex vasoconstriction in 13 non‐distressed preterm infants and 27 infants with hyaline membrane disease, all between 26 and 38 weeks gestation. An increase in vascular tone associated with a significant reduction in peripheral blood‐flow was found in 11 of the 13 non‐distressed infants, while the same response was lacking in 23 of the 27 distressed infants. No infant demonstrated significant tachycardia with tilting, and the non‐distressed infants failed to maintain their mean aortic blood‐pressure during tilting. The results suggest that reflex control of vascular tone is present in non‐distressed infants as early as 26 weeks gestation, but not in infants with hyaline membrane disease, possibly because of a maximal increase in vascular tone as a response to illness. This is indicated by the findings of significantly higher resting peripheral vascular resistance and lower peripheral blood‐flow in infants with this disease.
Overexpression of ovine leptin in Pichia pastoris: physiological yeast response to leptin production and characterization of the recombinant hormone

Ovine leptin was cloned in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris using a pPIC9K vector. Leptin was produced and secreted into the culture medium using the Saccharomyces cerevisiae α‐mating factor prepro signal by five clones. Expression levels of leptin varied from clone to clone, depending on the copy number of the ob gene. Highest expression was observed with the single‐copy clone S27 (250 mg/l). The modifications of culture conditions in batch and fed‐batch culture increase the yield of protein. The use of higher cell concentration (63 g/l) before induction of oLept associate with a regulation of pH at 3.2, which decreases the effects of proteolysis, increases the expression level of the oLept to 402 mg/l. Moreover, compared with the non‐producer clone, we observed a drastic decrease in growth rate and biomass yield in the leptin‐producing clones. At the end of the fed‐batch phase at pH 3.2 with clone S27, mortality rate reached 17.3%. Results showed that recombinant leptin production induced metabolic stress, and a negative impact on biomass yield and growth rate. We characterized the recombinant leptin produced by clone S27. It exhibited a molecular mass of 16 kDa, an N‐terminal amino acid sequence identical to that of ovine leptin but with an additional tyrosine introduced by the cloning site. Moreover, it was found to be biologically active in vitro. The available production of a large quantity of oLept will strengthen the functional study for theorical and practical purposes. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stimulus-secretion coupling in parathyroid cells deficient in protein kinase C activity.

The role of protein kinase C (PKC) in regulating cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion was studied in bovine parathyroid cells rendered deficient in PKC activity by incubation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Pretreatment with PMA caused a time- and concentration-dependent loss of functional PKC activity as assessed by the failure of [Ca2+]i and PTH secretion to respond to the subsequent addition of PKC activators or the inhibitor staurosporine. Pretreatment for 24 h with 1 microM PMA caused a loss of 85% of the total and 98% of the cytosolic PKC activity. Cells so pretreated were considered to be "PKC downregulated. " Increasing the concentration of extracellular Ca2+ or Mg2+ caused corresponding increases in [Ca2+]i that were similar in control and in PKC-downregulated cells. PTH secretion regulated by extracellular Ca2+ or Mg2+ was likewise similar in control and PKC-downregulated cells. Stimulus-secretion coupling is thus unimpaired in parathyroid cells deficient in PKC activity. Cytosolic Ca2+ responses remained depressed in cells incubated for 24 h with low concentrations of PMA (30 or 100 nM). However, under these conditions, extracellular Ca2+ still suppressed PTH secretion similarly to control cells. These results reveal a dissociation between cytosolic Ca2+ and PTH secretion and suggest that signals other than cytosolic Ca2+ are involved in the regulation of PTH secretion.
Classification of Malignant Hyperthermia-Equivocal Patients by 4-Chloro-M-Cresol

To clarify the contracture response to 4-chloro-m-cresol (4-CmC) in malignant hyperthermia (MH) equivocal (MHE) muscle, we studied the effect of cumulative concentrations of 4-CmC. In vitro contracture test (IVCT) was performed in 35 probands according to the European MH test protocol. Surplus muscle bundles were exposed to 4-CmC (25-200 micro mol/L), maintaining each concentration for 4 and 8 min. After 4 min exposure, the contracture increase of MH susceptible (MHS) (n = 7) muscle specimens was significantly (P = 0.05) greater at 50 micro mol/L compared with either MHE halothane sensitive (MHEh) (n = 13) or MH normal (MHN) (n = 15) classified patients. Statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) were also found at 75 micro mol/L. Exposure for 8 min yielded significant differences at 50 micro mol/L only between MHS and MHEh. MHEh muscles revealed a dose-response curve similar to that found in MHN specimens. MHS muscles showed a significantly higher sensitivity to 4-CmC than either MHEh or MHN, and, in the probands tested so far, MHEh and MHN muscles seem to identically respond to 4-CmC, which seems to indicate a normal response in MHEh probands, implying no MH susceptibility. Therefore, 4-CmC might reduce the frequency of MHEh diagnosis based on standard halothane-caffeine IVCT. However, since MHE individuals may also represent an aberrant genetic status, with MH causing defects linked to unknown mutations, it is premature to consider 4-CmC as a solution to the diagnostic uncertainty of the true status of MHE probands. Presently, 4-CmC may provide supplementary information for a more precise phenotypic categorization of MHE individuals. (Anesth Analg 1997;85:149-54)
Observations on the Pancreatic Islet Tissue of Young Diabetic Subjects

Little is known of the succession of changes which take place in the pancreas of a young diabetic since direct observation is obviously impossible. Some idea of the alterations which occur may, however, be gained from study of the pancreases of diabetics dying at different stages of the disease. To this end we examined the pancreases of diabetics dying under the age of thirty years, and here summarize our findings and inferences.
Subjective and objective perceptions of specular gloss and surface roughness of esthetic resin composites before and after artificial aging.

PURPOSE To correlate measurements of specular gloss and surface roughness of resin composite materials with subjective perception of luster before and after artificial aging. METHODS Polished specimens of eight composites were compared with human enamel (HE): microfilled SR Adoro (SR); microhybrid Artemis (AR), Enamel HFO (EHFO), Miris (MI), Tetric Ceram (TC), Venus (VE); and nanohybrid CeramX (CX) and nanofilled Filtek Supreme (FS). Before, during and after artificial aging (6000 thermal changes between 5 degrees C and 50 degrees C in an artificial oral environment, 240 hours storage in a container with ethanol, 300 minutes of toothbrushing), specular gloss and surface roughness were measured. Initial and endpoint gloss results were correlated with subjective luster rankings of 10 individuals. RESULTS Artificial aging resulted in minor (EHFO, CX, FS), moderate (SR, MI, TC, VE) to high (AR) increases in surface roughness. Specular gloss decreased linearly for SR and FS, but decreased after an initial increase for all other materials. Subjectively, AR and FS were rated more and TC, VE and CX less lustrous than HE at baseline. After aging, luster of EHFO and FS was ranked higher and AR, TC, and VE lower than HE. Surface roughness was consistent with subjective perceptions (correlation coefficient: initial r = 0.913; endpoint r = 0.944, P < or = 0.0006), whereas specular gloss was consistent with subjective perceptions only after artificial aging (initial r = 0.616, P = 0.1084; endpoint r = 0.834, P = 0.0072).
Distinct fine‐scale fMRI activation patterns of contra‐ and ipsilateral somatosensory areas 3b and 1 in humans

Inter‐areal and ipsilateral cortical responses to tactile stimulation have not been well described in human S1 cortex. By taking advantage of the high signal‐to‐noise ratio at 7 T, we quantified blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) response patterns and time courses to tactile stimuli on individual distal finger pads at a fine spatial scale, and examined whether there are inter‐areal (area 3b versus area 1) and interhemispheric response differences to unilateral tactile stimulation in healthy human subjects. We found that 2‐Hz tactile stimulation of individual fingertips evoked detectable BOLD signal changes in both contralateral and ipsilateral area 3b and area 1. Contralateral digit activations were organized in an orderly somatotopic manner, and BOLD responses in area 3b were more digit selective than those in area 1. However, the area of cortex that was responsive to stimulation of a single digit (stimulus–response field) was similar across areas. In the ipsilateral hemisphere, response magnitudes in both areas 3b and 1 were significantly weaker than those of the contralateral hemisphere. Digit activations exhibited no clear somatotopic organizational pattern in either area 3b or area 1, yet digit selectivity was retained in area 1 but not in area 3b. The observation of distinct digit‐selective responses of contralateral area 3b versus area 1 supports a higher order function of contralateral area 1 in spatial integration. In contrast, ipsilateral cortices may play a less discriminative role in the perception of unilateral tactile sensation in humans. Hum Brain Mapp 35:4841–4857, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quality of life of the spouses of stroke patients: a preliminary study

To study the global quality of life (QOL) of spouses of chronic stroke patients, and to determine its most pertinent factors, we assessed nine stroke patients and their spouses, using the Barthel index, the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), the Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), the Reintegration to Normal Living Index (RNLI), and a 10-cm visual analogue scale (VAS) to evaluate spouses' QOL. Correlation analysis was performed with the Spearman rank correlation analysis. Mean age of spouses was 53.6 +/- 11.3 years (male:female ratio, 8:1). The mean interval from stroke was 17.6 +/- 10.6 months. The spouses' median QOL score was 4.9, with a significant correlation between spouses' QOL scores and patients Barthel index scores, FIM global scores, and FIM locomotion scores. Spouses complained of the physical burden, but psychological, social, economic and marital consequences of the stroke were also reported. This study confirms the constant impact of stroke on the QOL of the spouses, and demonstrates the role of patients' physical disability. However, the VAS allows only a global approach. A self-administered composite index, exploring the consequences of the stroke on the spouses' daily life, would be a useful complement.
Effects of Perceived Risks on Adoption of Internet Banking Services: An Empirical Investigation in Taiwan

Banking services primarily involve the creation, processing, storage, and distribution of financial information. Most of these services can be conveniently handled via Internet-based information technologies. This convenience, however, may be offset to a certain degree by customersâ€™ perception of the risks associated with transacting in the wide-open cyber-world. A key challenge for online bankers is to maintain a secure information infrastructure that effectively manages the perceived risk factors. This research examines usages of Internet banking services, investigates the nature and sources of customersâ€™ perceived risks, and tests hypotheses with regard to impacts of perceived risks on Internet banking adoption. Using primary data collected in Taiwan, the study finds significant relationships among involvement, familiarity, perceived risks, perception of measures for reducing perceived risks, and customer willingness to adopt Internet banking services. The findings have significant implications for the practice and research in Internet banking.
POLICE ADMINISTRATORS IN INDIANA: A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY OF ATTITUDES, PERCEPTIONS, AND STRESSORS

Surveys were sent to 308 police chiefs and sheriffs in Indiana in the USA - resulting in 229 being returned for a response rate of 74%. The survey device measured six areas of policing: 1) demographics of police executives; 2) departmental characteristics; 3) stressors (external); 4) stressors (internal/work-related); 5) police executive attitudes toward the current use of police resources; and 6) police executive perceptions of the efficacy of current police strategies and tactics. Results showed that Indiana police departments and sheriff’s offices are mostly small departments with little turnover and are rarely accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). Civilian Review Boards and Early Warning Systems are rarely used to address police misconduct. Indiana departments are overwhelmingly white and male and attempts to increase diversity have failed. Police executive stressors were highest in the area of perceiving courts as too lenient, the criminal justice system as ineffective and media reports about police as overly hostile. Similarly, they indicate significant sources of stress in the areas of financial resources for the department, poor equipment, and dealing with complaints about their officers. Chiefs and sheriffs indicate strong support for the use of police resources for tracking sex offenders and enforcing drug laws. Problem areas were identified in that police executives are not familiar with research on policing. These misunderstandings result in stress on the part of police executives. Areas of misunderstanding include the effectiveness of random patrol and enforcing anti-marijuana laws. Policy implications are discussed. 2 , 3
Voiding dysfunction in women with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE We sought to explore bladder dysfunction in a cohort of women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS We conducted a prospective study of 152 female patients with SLE during a 15-month period. The clinical status of SLE was determined according to the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), and bladder function was evaluated by lower urinary tract symptoms and urodynamic studies. We adapted the American Urological Association (AUA) index questionnaire to assess lower urinary tract symptoms in patients, which were compared with those in 227 age-matched healthy women. RESULTS The proportion of individuals reporting urinary frequency, urgency, weak urinary stream, and incomplete emptying, as well as severe lower urinary tract symptoms (AUA index score >/=20), was significantly higher in the SLE group when compared with the control group. The AUA index score showed a modest correlation with the SLEDAI score (r = 0.35, P < 0.001) but not with patient age or disease duration. There was a significant relationship between central nervous system involvement and the AUA index score. The most common urodynamic finding was a small cystometric bladder capacity (<150 ml; n = 7 patients), followed by a subnormal urinary flow rate (<12 ml/second; n = 6 patients). In 3 of 7 patients with small cystometric bladder capacities, imaging studies documented a contracted bladder with marked hydroureteronephrosis. CONCLUSION Patients with SLE experience an increased prevalence of voiding dysfunction compared with healthy individuals. Voiding dysfunction can be attributable to either direct bladder involvement or other disease-related factors.
Stock Returns and Economically Neutral Behavioural Variables Relationship in the Nepalese Stock Market

In this paper we extend the research on the relationship between economically neutral behavioural variables and stock returns documented in Saunders (1993), Hirshleifer and Shumway (2003), Cao and Wei (2004, 2005) and Kamstra, Kramer and Levi (2003) by examining a stock market of a single small developing country (Nepal), Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE), that have received little attention in the literature. In particular we focus on three mood proxy variables, all continuous: two are the weather variables (cloud cover and temperature) and third one is a biorhythm variable (SAD). The results of our study showed that there is significant relationship (positive) between stock returns and economically neutral behavioural variable represented by the cloud cover. This finding is inconsistent to that reported by Saunders (1993) and Hirshleifer and Shumway (2003) who observed significant negative relationship between stock returns and Cloud cover. With respect to temperature and SAD variable we do not observe such significant relationship. These results are also inconsistent to the findings documented in Cao and Wei (2004, 2005) and Kamstra et al (2003) who reported the significantly negative relationship between stock returns and temperature and positive and significant relationship between stock returns and SAD variable respectively. Interestingly, our findings are however consistent for subperiod (the exception is first sample period) and for one of the industrial index, we examine. The overall results lead to the conclusion that Nepalese stock market is not efficient in the weak form of efficiency.