Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY OF DATURA STRAMONIUM: GENETIC VARIATION AND COSTS FOR TOLERANCE TO DEFOLIATION

Abstract The incorporation of plant tolerance after damage as a new alternative to cope with herbivory, as opposed to resistance, opened new avenues for our understanding of coevolution between plants and herbivores. Although genetic variation on tolerance to defoliation has been detected in some species, few studies have been undertaken with nonagricultural species. In this study, we explore in the annual weed Datura stramonium the existence of genetic variation for tolerance and fitness costs of tolerance. To determine which fitness-related trait was responsible for possible differences in tolerance, growth rate, total flower and fruit production, and the number of seeds per fruit were recorded. Inbred line replicates of D. stramonium from a population of Mexico City were exposed to four defoliation levels (0%, 10%, 30%, and 70%). Our results from a greenhouse experiment using controlled genetic material (inbred lines) indicated that significant genetic variation for tolerance was detected across defoliation environments. Defoliation reduced plant fitness from 15% to 25% in the highest levels of defoliation. Differences on tolerance among inbred lines were accounted by a differential reduction in the proportion of matured fruits across defoliation levels (up to 20%). Within defoliation levels, significant genetic variation in plant fitness suggests that tolerance could be selected. The correlation between fitness values of inbred lines in two environments (with and without damage) was positive (rg = 0.77), but not significant, suggesting absence of fitness costs for tolerance. The finding of genetic variation on tolerance might be either due to differences among inbred lines in their capability to overcome foliar damage through compensation or due to costs incurred by inducing secondary metabolites. Our results indicate the potential for norms of reaction to be selected under a gradient of herbivory pressure and highlights the importance of dissecting induced from compensatory responses when searching for potential causes of genetic variation on tolerance. Corresponding Editor: C. Boggs
Modelling hydrodynamic drag in swimming using computational fluid dynamics

In the sports field, numerical simulation techniques have been shown to provide useful information about performance and to play an important role as a complementary tool to physical experiments. Indeed, this methodology has produced significant improvements in equipment design and technique prescription in different sports (Kellar et al., 1999; Pallis et al., 2000; Dabnichki & Avital, 2006). In swimming, this methodology has been applied in order to better understand swimming performance. Thus, the numerical techniques have been addressed to study the propulsive forces generated by the propelling segments (Rouboa et al., 2006; Marinho et al., 2009a) and the hydrodynamic drag forces resisting forward motion (Silva et al., 2008; Marinho et al., 2009b). Although the swimmer’s performance is dependent on both drag and propulsive forces, within this chapter the focus is only on the analysis of the hydrodynamic drag. Therefore, this chapter covers topics in swimming drag simulation from a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) perspective. This perspective means emphasis on the fluid mechanics and
Anaerobic wastewater treatment of concentrated sewage using a two-stage upflow anaerobic sludge blanket- anaerobic filter system

A two-stage pilot-scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket – anaerobic filter (UASB-AF) reactors system treating concentrated domestic sewage was operated at 23°C and at hydraulic retention times (HRT) of 15 and 4 h, respectively. Excess sludge from the downstream AF stage was returned to the upstream UASB reactor. The aim was to obtain higher sludge retention time (SRT) in the UASB reactor for better methanization of suspended COD. The UASB-AF system removed 55% and 65% of the total COD (CODtot) and suspended COD (CODss), respectively. The calculated SRT in the UASB reactor ranged from 20–35 days. The AF reactor removed the washed out sludge from the first stage reactor with average CODss removal efficiency of 55%. The volatile fatty acids concentration in the effluent of the AF was 39 mg COD/L compared with 78 mg COD/L measured for the influent. The slightly higher CODtot removal efficiency obtained in this study compared with a single stage UASB reactor was achieved at 17% reduction in the total volume.
Minorities and Venture Capital: A New Wave in American Business

This study of the venture capital firms that concentrate on making equity investments in minority business enterprises is based on a survey conducted in 2001 of 24 respondents from 50 venture capital funds operated by members of the National Association of Investment Companies. The issues considered include: to what extent minority owned businesses have access to venture capital, what types of businesses get such support, the origins of the venture capital funds, and the profitability of these venture capital firms.The study revealed the following points: mature, minority-oriented venture capital funds are highly profitable; such funds did not over-concentrate in dotcoms and other high-technology ventures; and the major sources of funding for minority-oriented venture capital funds are public pension funds, commercial banks, and insurance companies.With continued successful investing, this financial industry niche may sustain its rapid growth. These funds are less risky and may exhibit less volatility than has plagued the industry. The high returns generated by these successful companies will dispel the mistaken assumption they are low-return social investors.
Financial reporting about investment properties: Evidence from Portuguese listed companies

Companies are increasing their investment properties; however they are not disclosing the information that is required by the IAS 40. It regulates the financial reporting of those assets, it defines the scope and the models that companies may use when measuring their investments properties. This research provides insights to understand which model the companies choose (fair value or the cost model) and why. The findings suggest that the Portuguese listed companies do not provide satisfying information about investment properties, as increases the financial leverage or the age of a company, it is more likely to adopt the fair value model.
Social Networks: The Impact on Firms’ Information Environment and Corporate Communication

We construct an interlocking-directorship network and we use social network and graph theory to identify firms that have access to a wider diversity of information, early access to that information and more control over information diffusion. We examine whether, as predicted by the theory, these firms have higher information asymmetry, and if they communicate the information they possess through mandatory and voluntary accounting methods. Our results are consistent with firms that have a brokerage position in the network exhibiting higher information asymmetry but communicating their proprietary information through discretionary accruals and voluntary disclosure.
Earnings Management to Avoid Additional Disclosures: Evidence from Germany

This paper takes advantage of a regulation in Europe that allows member states to prescribe lighter reporting requirements for smaller unlisted firms. Under this framework firm size is measured using three variables – total assets, revenues, and number of employees – over which firms have ultimate discretion. Depending on the realization of these variables firms are categorized as small, medium or large, coming along with different mandatory disclosure levels. However, a reclassification only takes place if two out of the three thresholds are met in two consecutive years. Since an increased disclosure level may not be optimal for all firms (e.g. due to dissemination of proprietary information), it is likely to observe firms impeding a reclassification. Our evidence suggests that some firms indeed manage the relevant indicators to obfuscate that they should be classified as larger entities. This conclusion is based on a thorough analysis of reporting anomalies in the period in which otherwise a reclassification would occur: We employ discontinuity analyses (box plots, unexpected growth in size indicators) and discretionary accruals models (modified cross-sectional Jones Model and accrual quality model by Dechov and Dichev, 2002). We also perform an analysis of real earnings management (Roychowdhury, 2006) and run several robustness checks.
The Changing Face of Functional Foods

Consumers began to view food from a radically different vantage point in the 1990s. This ‘changing face’ of food has evolved into an exciting area of the food and nutrition sciences known as functional foods. Functional foods can be defined as those providing health benefits beyond basic nutrition and include whole, fortified, enriched or enhanced foods which have a potentially beneficial effect on health when consumed as part of a varied diet on a regular basis at effective levels. Interest in functional foods skyrocketed in the last decade due to a number of key factors, including the growing self-care movement, changes in food regulations and overwhelming scientific evidence highlighting the critical link between diet and health. The interest in functional foods has resulted in a number of new foods in the marketplace designed to address specific health concerns, particularly as regards chronic diseases of aging. In addition to new foods designed specifically to enhance health, however, functional foods can also include those traditional, familiar foods for which recent research findings have highlighted new health benefits or dispelled old dogma about potential adverse health effects. An excellent example is the American egg-Nature‘s original functional food. Eggs have not traditionally been regarded as a functional food, primarily due to concerns about their adverse effects on serum cholesterol levels. Furthermore, it is now known that there is little if any connection between dietary cholesterol and blood cholesterol levels and consuming up to one or more eggs per day does not adversely affect blood cholesterol levels. Finally, eggs are an excellent dietary source of many essential (e.g., protein, choline) and non-essential (e.g., lutein/zeaxanthin) components which may promote optimal health. Nutrition in the new millennium will be dramatically different than it was in the 20th century. Completion of the human genome project will facilitate the identification of humans predisposed to diet-related diseases. Targeted or ‘prescription’ nutrition will become the norm, enabling the food and medical industries to provide timely and individualized approaches to disease prevention and health promotion. The egg will continue to play an important role in the changing face of functional foods.
Plasmid replication initiator interactions with origin 13-mers and polymerase subunits contribute to strand-specific replisome assembly

Significance Research on DNA replication initiation has not revealed the exact mechanism for replication complex de novo assembly at the origin or how the directionality of replication is determined. To date, no evidence for direct involvement of a replication initiation protein (Rep) in the process of polymerase recruitment has been reported. This work demonstrates that a plasmid Rep, in addition to its already described functions in origin opening and helicase recruitment, can serve as a DNA polymerase anchoring factor. Through its interaction with 13-mer sequences on one strand of initially unwound DNA and interactions with the subunits of DNA polymerase, the initiation protein facilitates strand-specific replisome assembly at the replication origin. This step determines the direction of DNA replication. Although the molecular basis for replisome activity has been extensively investigated, it is not clear what the exact mechanism for de novo assembly of the replication complex at the replication origin is, or how the directionality of replication is determined. Here, using the plasmid RK2 replicon, we analyze the protein interactions required for Escherichia coli polymerase III (Pol III) holoenzyme association at the replication origin. Our investigations revealed that in E. coli, replisome formation at the plasmid origin involves interactions of the RK2 plasmid replication initiation protein (TrfA) with both the polymerase β- and α-subunits. In the presence of other replication proteins, including DnaA, helicase, primase and the clamp loader, TrfA interaction with the β-clamp contributes to the formation of the β-clamp nucleoprotein complex on origin DNA. By reconstituting in vitro the replication reaction on ssDNA templates, we demonstrate that TrfA interaction with the β-clamp and sequence-specific TrfA interaction with one strand of the plasmid origin DNA unwinding element (DUE) contribute to strand-specific replisome assembly. Wild-type TrfA, but not the TrfA QLSLF mutant (which does not interact with the β-clamp), in the presence of primase, helicase, Pol III core, clamp loader, and β-clamp initiates DNA synthesis on ssDNA template containing 13-mers of the bottom strand, but not the top strand, of DUE. Results presented in this work uncovered requirements for anchoring polymerase at the plasmid replication origin and bring insights of how the directionality of DNA replication is determined.
CONGESTION TRENDS IN METROPOLITAN AREAS

This paper presents evidence showing that in U.S. cities suburbanization has been the dominant and successful mechanism for coping with traffic congestion. Suburbanization has shifted road and highway demand to less-congested routes and away from core areas, leading to contained areawide average speeds. The evidence comes from seven major national self-reported travel surveys: NPTS surveys in 1977, 1983, and 1990; a commuting questionnaire included in the American Housing Survey in 1985 and 1989; and the decennial censuses of 1980 and 1990.
Psychological disorders after coronary artery by-pass surgery: a one-year prospective study.

BACKGROUND Coronary artery by-pass surgery (CABG) is often followed by anxiety and depression that require early identification in order to provide adequate psychological support. The predictive role of tests administered soon after CABG on long-term psychological outcomes has been only incompletely explored. AIM, DESIGN AND METHODS: Aim of this study was to assess post-operative and 12-month persistence of psychological disorders by means of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) and the depression and state and trait anxiety scales of the Cognitive Behavioural Assessment (CBA-2.0) in 118 male patients admitted to cardiac rehabilitation after CABG. RESULTS Early after CABG we observed a high prevalence of depression (11.8% by MMPI-2 and 12.7% by CBA) and state anxiety (23.5%). At 1-year the MMPI-2 scale D indicated stable mean score and high scores at entry were predictive of persistent depression. Conversely the CBA-2.0 scale QD score significantly decreased (from 3.86 +/- 3.19 to 2.91 +/- 3.45, p = 0.017). Also ST1 state anxiety significantly decreased (from 35.17 +/- 6.95 to 32.55 +/- 6.72, p = 0.003) whereas ST2 trait anxiety was stable. We found no association between psychometric results and ventricular function, number of grafts or time since diagnosis of coronary artery disease. CONCLUSIONS State anxiety and depression by CBA significantly decreased 1-year after CABG; conversely trait anxiety and depression, investigated by MMPI-2, a more specific personality questionnaire, were stable. High scores for the depression in the scale D of MMPI-2 early after CABG seem to be predictive of the persistence of the disorder at 1-year.
Increased post‐induction intensification improves outcome in children and adolescents with a markedly elevated white blood cell count (≥200 × 109/l) with T cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia but not B cell disease: a report from the Children's Oncology Group

Children and adolescents presenting with a markedly elevated white blood cell (ME WBC) count (WBC ≥200 × 109/l) comprise a unique subset of high‐risk patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). We evaluated the outcomes of the 251 patients (12% of the study population) with ME WBC treated on the Children's Cancer Group‐1961 protocol. Patients were evaluated for early response to treatment by bone marrow morphology; those with a rapid early response were randomized to treatment regimens testing longer and stronger post‐induction therapy. We found that ME WBC patients have a poorer outcome compared to those patients presenting with a WBC <200 × 109/l (5‐year event‐free survival 62% vs. 73%, P = 0·0005). Longer duration of therapy worsened outcome for T cell ME WBC with a trend to poorer outcome in B‐ALL ME WBC patients. Augmented therapy benefits T cell ME WBC patients, similar to the entire study cohort, however, there appeared to be no impact on survival for B‐ALL ME WBC patients. ME WBC was not a prognostic factor for T cell patients. In patients with high risk features, B lineage disease in association with ME WBC has a negative impact on survival.
The Location Decision of Hong Kong Direct Investment within Mainland China: A Dynamic Approach

This paper examines the determinants of Hong Kong direct investment (HKDI) in 30 Chinese regions from 1997 to 2004. By using both random effects model and a system generalized method of moments (GMM) estimator, we find that large market size, good infrastructure and agglomeration effect of FDI have positive effects on HKDI. In addition, there is a strong self-reinforcing effect of HKDI on itself.
Combined orthotopic heart and liver transplantation: The need for exception status listing1

Through May 2004, 33 combined orthotopic heart‐liver transplants (OHT/OLT) have been performed nationwide. No published data exist to date regarding outcomes of patients awaiting such transplants, although progression of two organ disease processes may contribute to premature death for waiting patients. Retrospective data were collected on patients listed for combined OHT/OLT from both an individual tertiary care transplant center and the national UNOS registry to delineate listing criteria and evaluate patient outcomes in both the pre‐ and post‐MELD eras. All patients who survived to transplantation or died on the waiting list were included in the analysis. Results show that 29.6% of patients registered nationally and 42% of patients listed institutionally survived to transplantation. Survival to transplantation was associated with less severe liver disease, though patients with MELD scores ranging from 19 to 26 had significantly higher wait list mortality than expected when compared to single‐organ liver transplants. Following combined orthotopic heart‐liver transplantation, 80% and 70% of patients survive 1 and 3 years, respectively. In conclusion, combined OHT/OLT is a successful therapy, but current organ allocation policies may not ensure expeditious transplantation in critically ill patients with dual vital organ failure. Providing exception status listing to these patients would ensure more expeditious transplantation and potentially contribute to improved survival. (Liver Transpl 2004;10:1539–1544.)
Incentives and Worker Behavior: Some Evidence

This paper is concerned with three types of incentive programs. First, individual wage incentives that cause a worker's efforts to have a major effect on his pay. Second, group incentives in which the pay of an individual is determined by the output of a group of workers-a group can be as small as a four member work team or as large as the whole firm. Finally, seniority based payment schemes in which the pay of a worker rises rapidly with his tenure with the firm. We show that these payment schemes have the effects in practice that we would predict from optimizing behavior by workers. We find that group incentives tend to compress the productivity distribution of workers. This is because the relative performance of the most productive workers tends to fall, and the most and least productive workers have relatively high quit rates when workers are paid on group incentives. We also present evidence that suggests that the low quit rates in large Japanese firms may be due to steep wage-tenure profiles in those firms.
Extracellular ATP Acting at the P2X7 Receptor Inhibits Secretion of Soluble HLA-G from Human Monocytes1

Bacterial LPS induces the release of ATP from immune cells. Accruing evidence suggests that extracellular ATP participates in the inflammatory response as a proinflammatory mediator by activating the inflammasome complex, inducing secretion of cytokines (IL-1, IL-18) and cell damaging agents such as oxygen radicals, cationic proteins, and metalloproteases. It is not known whether ATP can also act as a proinflammatory mediator by inhibiting production of molecules down-modulating the immune response. Here, we show that extracellular ATP impairs in an IL-10-dependent fashion the expression of the tolerogenic soluble and membrane-bound HLA-G Ag in human monocytes. The effect of ATP was mimicked by BzATP (3′-O-(4-benzoyl)benzoyl-ATP) and greatly reduced by pretreatment with oATP (periodate-oxidized ATP), KN-62 (1-[N,O-bis(5-isoquinoline-sulfonyl)-N-methyl-l-tyrosyl]-4-phenylpiperazine), and an anti-P2X7 mAb, thus pointing to a specific role of the P2X7 receptor. The effect of ATP was time- and dose-dependent and was not due to a decrease in expression of IL-10 receptor. Inhibition by ATP was reverted by supplementation of culture medium with exogenous IL-10. Due to the well-known immunosuppressive activity of IL-10 and soluble HLA-G, this novel effect of ATP might be relevant for the pathophysiology and therapy of inflammatory disorders.
STRICT STATIONARITY TESTING AND GLOBAL ROBUST QUASI-MAXIMUM LIKELIHOOD ESTIMATION OF DAR MODELS

The assumption of strict stationarity is pivotal when a double autoregressive (DAR) model is used. Yet, tractable tools are unavailable for testing strict stationarity in the DAR framework. In this article we attempt to provide a procedure for this test. We formulate such testing problem as testing if a top Lyapunov exponent is negative or not and introduce the t-type tests. To achieve this goal, a consistent estimator of the associate top Lyapunov exponent without strict stationarity assumption is presented and a random weighting approach is suggested for variance estimation. It is shown that such ttype tests are consistent and powerful, and the resampling method is very useful in capturing the sampling variability of the variance. We also propose a global robust quasi-maximum likelihood estimation (QMLE) for parameters of interest, which weakens key assumptions on the commonly used QMLE. All estimators, except for the intercept, are shown to be consistent and asymptotically normal in both stationary and explosive situations. Their asymptotic variances, although quite different in both cases, can be consistently estimated via random weighting approach in a unified framework. The finite sample performance of the proposed inference procedures are examined via Monte Carlo simulation studies and a real example is analyzed.