Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improved convergence rates for intermediate problems

Improved convergence rate estimates are derived for a variant of Aronszajn-type intermediate problems that is both computationally feasible and convergent for problems with nontrivial essential spectra. In a previous paper the authors obtained rate of convergence estimates for this method in terms of containment gaps between subspaces. In the present work, techniques for estimating relatively unbounded perturbations are refined in order to apply the Kato-Temple inequalities. This yields convergence rates for the intermediate operator eigenvalues in terms of squares of containment gaps between subspaces. Convergence rate estimates are also obtained for the intermediate problem eigenvectors, and comparisons are made with previously known results for the method of special choice.
EXERCISE SIMILARITY AND ASSESSMENT CENTER VALIDITY 1 Are Improvements in Assessment Center Construct-Related Validity Paralleled by Improvements in Criterion-Related Validity ? The Effects of Exercise Similarity on Assessment Center Validity

Previous studies have found that factors that improved assessment center (AC) constructrelated validity also had beneficial effects on criterion-related validity. However, some factors might have diverging effects on constructand criterion-related validity. Accordingly, we followed recent calls to evaluate constructand criterion-related validity of ACs simultaneously by examining the effects of the factor exercise similarity on both aspects of validity within a single study. Data were collected in an AC (N = 92) that consisted of two different types of exercises. Convergent validity was better for similar exercises than it was for dissimilar exercises. However, regarding criterion-related validity, we did not find differences between similar and dissimilar exercises. Hence, this study revealed that improvements in AC construct-related validity are not necessarily paralleled by improvements in criterion-related validity.
Psychopathy, Machiavellianism and Parental Behavior: A Correlational Study Modulated by Gender

Psychopathy and Machiavellianism are two components of the Dark Triad including personality traits such as egoism, coldheartedness and deceitfulness. While psychopathy and Machiavellianism possess some etiological differences, prior investigations showed similarities regarding the onset of these personality traits, namely in the field of parental behavior. The present study investigated potential correlations between psychopathy and Machiavellianism traits in adulthood, alongside reports of parental behavior during childhood. A community sample from Hungary (N = 70) was recruited and completed the Machiavellian Personality Scale (MPS), the Mach-IV inventory (Mach-IV), the Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (SRPS) and the Short-EMBU (sEMBU). No strong correlations were found between parental behaviors and psychopathy or Machiavellianism. However, positive correlations were found between the Machiavellian measures and the measures of psychopathy by subtypes. Analysis of the gender differences between the psychopathy and Machiavellianism revealed a positive correlation for primary psychopathy and Machiavellianism for both gender, as well as a positive correlation between secondary psychopathy and Machiavellianism for males only. Results are explained in terms of gender differences in socialization. Further implications and limitations are discussed.
Baseline Susceptibility of Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) to Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins in China

Abstract Geographic variability in susceptibility of field-collected Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) to Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) was studied to establish a geographic baseline for comparison of future population responses to the increased use of B. thuringiensis-based insect control products. Colonies of C. medinalis were established from 10 populations collected from 10 different provinces in the major rice (Oryza savita L.)-growing regions of China. Populations were evaluated for their susceptibility to Cry1Ac and Cry1Ab endotoxin proteins with the leaf-dip bioassay. The LC50 values to Cry1Ac and Cry1Ab were estimated for the 10 populations. Bioassay results indicated that the ranges of LC50 in the second instars of C. medinalis to Cry1Ac and Cry1Ab were from 3.77 to 208.22 mg ([AI])/liter and 0.22–7.05 mg ([AI])/liter, respectively. The relative ratios in susceptibility between the most susceptible and the most tolerant populations were beyond 50-fold for Cry1Ac and 30-fold for Cry1Ab. Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between susceptibilities to the two toxins tested, suggesting that insect populations that are relatively tolerant to one protein are also relatively tolerant to the other.
MOVEMENTS AND DISTRIBUTION OF RADIO-COLLARED CANADA GEESE IN ANCHORAGE, ALASKA

We monitored radio-equipped (n = 50) and neck-collared (n = 205) lesser Canada geese (Branta canadensis parvipes) during August through October 1996 in Anchorage, Alaska, to ascertain local patterns of movement and post-molt dispersal; to identify geese from molting sites that frequent Elmendorf Air Force Base (EAFB); and to evaluate the effectiveness of hazing at EAFB. Telemetry data and visual observations of collared geese indicated 59% of geese ob- served at EAFB were from molting sites ? 10 km from EAFB. We observed 93 marked geese from 11 molting sites 1 or more times in the EAFB airdrome, and 63% of geese observed >2 times on EAFB were from molting sites ? 10 km from EAFB. A significant direct relationship was found between proportion of geese invading the EAFB airdrome and the distance molting sites were located from EAFB. After attaining flight, geese from the northeast and northwest quadrants of Anchorage initially moved greater distances from molt sites to feeding sites than geese from other parts of Anchorage. Intensive hazing proved effective in preventing 67% of marked geese from returning to the exclusion zone. However, hazed geese dispersed only 3.53 + 0.2 km from the exclusion zone. Most observations of marked geese at EAFB occurred during afternoon from 1200 through 1759 hr. Although hazing efforts provided an increased measure of flying safety, we suggest that managing geese at the spatial level of the entire city will be more successful at reducing danger to aircraft.
MICROSTRUCTURED POLYMER OPTICAL FIBRES -the exploration of a new class of fibres-

Progress on microstructured polymer optical fibres (MPOFs), a new class of polymer fibres that were developed last year, will be presented, including various single-mode MPOFs, highly birefringent MPOF, twin-core MPOF, nonlinear MPOF, graded-index MPOF and hollow core MPOF, the latter case being where light is guided in an air core.
A comparison of an audiometric screening survey with an in-depth research questionnaire for hearing loss and hearing loss risk factors

Abstract Objective: We assessed the reliability of a hearing risk factor screening survey used by hearing conservation programmes for noise-exposed workers. Design: We compared workers’ answers from the screening survey to their answers to a confidential research questionnaire regarding hearing loss risk factors. We calculated kappa statistics to test the correlation between yes/no questions in the research questionnaire compared to answers from 1 and 5 years of screening surveys. Study sample: We compared the screening survey and research questionnaire answers of 274 aluminum plant workers. Results: Most of the questions in the in-company screening survey showed fair to moderate agreement with the research questionnaire (kappa range: −0.02, 0.57). Workers’ answers to the screening survey had better correlation with the research questionnaire when we compared 5 years of screening answers. For nearly all questions, workers were more likely to respond affirmatively on the research questionnaire than the screening survey. Conclusions: Hearing conservation programmes should be aware that workers may underreport hearing loss risk factors and functional hearing status on an audiometric screening survey. Validating company screening tools could help provide more accurate information on hearing loss and risk factors.
Co-operation and comparison of DiffServ and IntServ: performance measurements

IETF has developed two architectures for the Internet, Integrated Services (IntServ) and Differentiated Services (DiffServ), which should enable QoS based handling of data flows in IP networks. This paper presents a number of measurements which were carried out in order to determine some performance differences between these QoS mechanisms, as well as some characteristics about their joint use. The results show that in some cases the flow aggregation model, i.e. DiffServ, can provide the same or even better QoS than the reservation based model, i.e. IntServ.
Estimation of nonlinear latent structural equation models using the extended unconstrained approach

Numerous theories within the social and behavioral sci-ences hypothesize interaction, quadratic effects, or both between multiple independent and dependent variables (Ajzen, 1987; Cronbach & Snow, 1977; Karasek, 1979; Lusch & Brown, 1996; Snyder & Tanke, 1976). For exam-ple, Ganzach (1997) studies the relationship between par-ents’ educational level and child’s educational expectations. He hypothesizes and finds a simultaneous interactive and quadratic relationship: If at least one parent’s education lev-el is high, the educational expectations of the child will also be high, even if the level of education of the other parent is quite low. In terms of the statistical model, this compensa-tory hypothesis is represented by two positive quadratic ef-fects (for each parent’s educational level) and one negative interaction effect. Within the measured variable framework, such hypotheses can be tested by specifying a multiple re-gression model (see Aiken & West, 1991):
Comparison of Different Immunoassays for CA 19-9

Abstract We compared six routinely employed immunoassay kits: Architect i2000 and AxSYM, Abbott Laboratories; Elecsys 2010, Roche Diagnostics; ELSA, CIS-BioInternational; Immulite 1, Diagnostic Products Corporation; and IRMA-mat, Byk-Sangtec Diagnostica. Using all analytical systems, we measured identical groups of clinical samples completed with selected control samples. The repeatability of measurements (coefficient of variation) ranged from 2.1% (Elecsys 2010) to 6.7% (ELSA). The parameters of Passing-Bablok regression show significant systematic differences among analytical systems. Data from a Bland-Altman diagram suggest that these differences project onto other, still more significant individual differences among individual samples. Though the cut-off values differ between various systems, no similar clinical efficacy appears to be attained. The behavior of individual systems is quite different for identical control materials and does not necessarily duplicate the calibration for biological samples. The results of determining CA 19–9 cannot be extrapolated from one analytical technique to another, even in cases where the same monoclonal antibody is used. Standardization of CA 19–9 measurement systems is necessary to allow use of the results for the purposes of evidence-based medicine.
Pathogen Shifts and Changing Cure Rates for Otitis Media and Tonsillopharyngitis

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine use has caused a decrease in the incidence of recurrent and refractory acute otitis media in the United States and a shift in the predominant pathogens. Now Haemophilus influenzae is the most commonly isolated organism (about 60% of the total), and more than half the strains make β-lactamase, rendering them resistant to amoxicillin. Penicillin nonsusceptible pneumococci, the main target of antibiotic therapy in the 1990s, has become a much less common isolate (10%- 25% of the total). These changes impact antibiotic selection for acute otitis media. Penicillin treatment of group A streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis does not meet the minimum United States Food and Drug Administration standards for first-line treatment, which is 85% or greater eradication at the end of therapy. Recent results with amoxicillin suggest its efficacy is also waning. Cephalosporins have the highest bacteriologic and clinical efficacy. This has implications for optimal antibiotic therapy.
How LEGO Built the Foundations and Enterprise Capabilities for Digital Leadership

McKinsey & Company has observed that while companies are rushing headlong to become more digital, executives have very diverse perspectives as what “going digital” really means.5 These perspectives range from a focus on technology, to digital customer engagement, to new digital business models and more. The lack of clarity often results in piecemeal initiatives, missed opportunities and false starts in the digitalization of the enterprise. The term digitalization goes beyond an organization taking advantage of digital platforms, but rather reflects the way that digital media and platforms influence the restructuring of the economy, society and culture.6 In a corporate context, Gartner uses the term to describe the process of moving to a digital business and the use of digital technologies to change business models and value-producing opportunities. Gartner also sees digitalization as a new era for enterprise IT, in which business innovation and IT innovation are more integrated and where
Distinct Roles of Dendritic Cells and B Cells in Va14Ja18 Natural T Cell Activation In Vivo1

Va14Ja18 natural T (iNKT) cells are innate, immunoregulatory lymphocytes that recognize CD1d-restricted lipid Ags such as α-galactosylceramide (αGalCer). The immunoregulatory functions of iNKT cells are dependent upon either IFN-γ or IL-4 production by these cells. We hypothesized that αGalCer presentation by different CD1d-positive cell types elicits distinct iNKT cell functions. In this study we report that dendritic cells (DC) play a critical role in αGalCer-mediated activation of iNKT cells and subsequent transactivation of NK cells. Remarkably, B lymphocytes suppress DC-mediated iNKT and NK cell activation. Nevertheless, αGalCer presentation by B cells elicits low IL-4 responses from iNKT cells. This finding is particularly interesting because we demonstrate that NOD DC are defective in eliciting iNKT cell function, but their B cells preferentially activate this T cell subset to secrete low levels of IL-4. Thus, the differential immune outcome based on the type of APC that displays glycolipid Ags in vivo has implications for the design of therapies that harness the immunoregulatory functions of iNKT cells.
The Contribution of RING and B-box 2 Domains to Retroviral Restriction Mediated by Monkey TRIM5α*

TRIM5α is a cytoplasmic protein that mediates a post-entry block to infection by some retroviruses. TRIM5α contains a tripartite motif (TRIM), which includes RING, B-box 2, and coiled-coil domains, and a C-terminal B30.2 (SPRY) domain. We investigated the contribution of the RING and B-box 2 domains to the antiretroviral activity of rhesus monkey TRIM5α (TRIM5αrh), which potently restricts infection by human immunodeficiency virus, type 1 (HIV-1) and simian immunodeficiency virus of African green monkeys (SIVagm). Disruption of the RING domain caused mislocalization of TRIM5αrh so that the cytoplasmic level of the protein was decreased compared with that of the wild-type protein. Nonetheless, partial ability to restrict HIV-1 and SIVagm was retained by the RING domain mutants. By contrast, although TRIM5αrh mutants with disrupted B-box 2 domains were efficiently expressed and correctly localized to the cytoplasm, antiretroviral activity was absent. The B-box 2 mutants colocalized and associated with wild-type TRIM5αrh and exerted dominant-negative effects on the antiretroviral activity of the wild-type protein. Taken together with other data, these results indicate that functionally defective TRIM5αrh molecules that retain a coiled coil can act as dominant-negative inhibitors of wild-type TRIM5αrh function. The RING domain of TRIM5αrh is not absolutely required for retrovirus restriction but can influence cytoplasmic levels of the protein and thus indirectly alter function. The B-box 2 domain, by contrast, appears to be essential for efficient retrovirus restriction.
Seasonal variation of Total Electron Content at equatorial station, Langkawi, Malaysia

GPS signals that propagate through the ionosphere at two L-band GPS frequencies L1 (1575.42 MHz) and L2 (1227.36 MHz) provides an important ionospheric parameter which is Total Electron Content (TEC). The total electron content (TEC) is defined as the total number of electrons integrated along the path from the receiver to the GPS satellite in a column with a cross-sectional area of one square meter. This paper presents the diurnal and seasonal variations of Vertical Total Electron Content (VTEC) at the equatorial latitude station, Langkawi Malaysia using data from GPS Ionospheric Scintillation and TEC Monitori (GISTM). The analysis is presented from January to December 2011 and is presented in three seasons; Equinox (Mac, April, September, October), summer (May, June, July, August) and winter (January, February, November, December). The maximum TEC values are reached between 1300 - 1600 LT; while the minimum TEC occur in the morning. Fot the seasonal variation, analysis the highest TEC is found during the equinoctical months, followed by summer and the lowest TEC are in winter.
African American English-speaking students: a longitudinal examination of style shifting from kindergarten through second grade.

PURPOSE The purpose of this longitudinal study was twofold: to examine shifting from African American English (AAE) to mainstream American English (MAE) across the early elementary grades, when students are first exposed to formal instruction in reading; and to examine how metalinguistic and cognitive variables influenced the students' dialectal adaptations from AAE to MAE in a literacy context with higher expectations for MAE. METHOD Participants were 102 typically developing AAE-speaking students enrolled in public schools in the northern Midwest. They were enrolled in the project at kindergarten and tested 3 times a year, for 3 years. Approximately half were male and half female, and two-thirds were from low socioeconomic status homes. RESULTS A style shifting coefficient (SSC) was created to measure amounts of dialect change between contexts and over time by individuals. Some students shifted to MAE in literacy contexts, and shifting was not related to grade. Metalinguistic skills and SSC predicted reading, and metalinguistic skills predicted the SSC at 2nd grade. The findings indicated that cognitive executive functions may contribute to the SSC. CONCLUSIONS The results provide strong support for the dialect shifting-reading achievement hypothesis and indicated that metalinguistic and perhaps executive functioning are important influences on this linguistic adaptation.
Differential inhibition of chitin synthetases 1 and 2 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae by polyoxin D and nikkomycins

Polyoxin D, nikkomycin X, and nikkomycin Z are all competitive inhibitors of chitin synthetase 2 (Chs2), the essential enzyme for primary septum formation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and of Chs1, a repair enzyme. However, Chs2 is more resistant to these antibiotics than Chs1. When Co2+, the best stimulator of Chs2, was used in the assay for this enzyme, the differences in the Ki values for nikkomycins between the two isozymes reached 3 orders of magnitude. These results point to differences in the active sites of the two isozymes. Polyoxin D was much more effective than nikkomycin Z in inhibiting cell growth. This underlines the importance of the choice of enzyme and of assay conditions when cell wall-synthesizing enzymes are used in screens for possible antifungal agents.
Pathway analysis for RNA‐Seq data using a score‐based approach

A variety of pathway/gene‐set approaches have been proposed to provide evidence of higher‐level biological phenomena in the association of expression with experimental condition or clinical outcome. Among these approaches, it has been repeatedly shown that resampling methods are far preferable to approaches that implicitly assume independence of genes. However, few approaches have been optimized for the specific characteristics of RNA‐Seq transcription data, in which mapped tags produce discrete counts with varying library sizes, and with potential outliers or skewness patterns that violate parametric assumptions. We describe transformations to RNA‐Seq data to improve power for linear associations with outcome and flexibly handle normalization factors. Using these transformations or alternate transformations, we apply recently developed null approximations to quadratic form statistics for both self‐contained and competitive pathway testing. The approach provides a convenient integrated platform for RNA‐Seq pathway testing. We demonstrate that the approach provides appropriate type I error control without actual permutation and is powerful under many settings in comparison to competing approaches. Pathway analysis of data from a study of F344 vs. HIV1Tg rats, and of sex differences in lymphoblastoid cell lines from humans, strongly supports the biological interpretability of the findings.
Pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin in sheep following intravenous and subcutaneous administration.

Enroﬂoxacin is a synthetic antibacterial agent of the ﬂouroqui-nolone group developed exclusively for veterinary use (Altreu-her, 1987). The important characteristics of the antimicrobialagent includes low host toxicity, high bioavailability, excellenttissue penetration, long serum half-life and a wide spectrum ofactivity against G-ve bacteria, intracellular organisms and lesseractivity against G+ve organisms (Brown, 1996). It is mainlyindicated for gastrointestinal, urogenital, skin and respiratorytract infections in various domestic animal species (Nielsen G Intas Pharmaceuticals, Ahmedabad, India) wasinjected (5 mg/kg) in the jugular vein and in the ﬂank region fori.v. and s.c. study, respectively.Blood samples (3 mL each) were collected by jugular indwell-ing catheter into heparinized glass tubes at predetermined timeintervals, i.e. 0, 2, 5, 10, 15, 30, 45 min and 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 8, 10, 12, 24 and 36 h after drug administration. Bloodsamples were centrifuged to harvest plasma, which was stored at
Long-term graft and patient survival following renal transplantation in diabetic patients

Objective To study long-term graft and patient survival following renal transplantation in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Material and methods Over the time period 1985–99, 498 transplantations in 399 non-diabetic patients and 68 transplantations in 62 diabetic patients were performed. The groups were similar with respect to age and sex. Results The patient survival rates (diabetic versus non-diabetic patients) were 88% vs 91% (p=NS) at 1 year, 68% vs 73% (p=NS) at 5 years and 31% vs 52% (p<0.05) at 10 years. The graft survival rates (diabetic versus non-diabetic patients) were 72% vs 72% at 1 year, 52% vs 52% at 5 years and 27% vs 33% (p=NS) at 10 years. In the diabetic patients, mean haemoglobin (Hb)A1c 2 years before and 2 years after the transplantation was 7.5±1.4 vs 8.2±1.6 mmol/l (p<0.05) and the mean blood pressure was 112±12 vs 107±9 mmHg (p<0.05). Of the diabetic patients, 55% were smokers. Among the diabetic patients, graft and patient survival were independent of smoking habits, blood pressure, HbA1c and total cholesterol. Conclusions Graft survival was similar in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. For the first 5 years following renal transplantation, the patient survival rates in the two groups were similar. Thereafter, survival among diabetic patients was poor. Mean HbA1c was relatively high, especially after the transplantation, and this may have contributed to the more rapid progression of cardiovascular disease seen in diabetic patients with nephropathy.