Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Angus selection herd reproductive data: A genetic model for dairy cattle?

A selection experiment with Angus cattle, established in 1984/85, has achieved a difference in age at puberty in heifers of 70 + 6 days (17%) between an Age Plus (i.e. high age) selection line and an Age Minus line. Currently three heifer calf crops (born in 1993-95) are being retained until 5.5 years of age, so that pregnancy rates in 5 mating seasons (and calving data in 4 seasons) on unculled females can be recorded. Genetic correlations between pubertal traits (from either sex) and heifer or cow reproductive traits have been calculated. Similar estimates were also derived from a pilot beef-cattle trial in 1980-85 using paternal half-sib data (230 sire groups), but no selection. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the merits of selecting on pubertal traits to improve reproduction, and to assess the possibilities of this type of selection in dairy cows. Correlated responses in the Age Minus herd, relative to Age Plus, include earlier pubertal development in half-brothers (+1.6 cm (5.2%) in scrotal circumference (SC) at 8, 10 and 12 months of age, P<0.001), an earlier mean calving date in cows by 3 days following an unchanged start-of-mating date, a 3-day reduced postpartum anoestrous interval (PPAI, adjusted for the earlier calving date), and a higher mean pregnancy rate (+4.7%, based on 1083 matings) in cows 2 years of age or more (P < 0.05). All the genetic correlations between age at puberty in heifers and cow reproductive traits in our two studies so far have favourable signs (e.g. negative between age at puberty and pregnancy rate, or positive between age at puberty and PPAI), so that selecting heifers for earlier pubertal age would be consistent with increasing cow reproduction. Because selecting heifers for puberty is not very practical, selecting bulls could be more realistic. All the genetic correlation estimates between SC and cow reproductive traits in our two studies so far also have favourable signs. Additionally, genetic correlations between SC in bulls and age at puberty in heifers are negative (-0.21 + 0.09 and -0.19 + 0.20, respectively in the two trials cited above), so that bull selection for higher SC would reduce age at puberty in heifers and improve cow reproduction. Thus direct selection for precocious puberty in our Angus herd (predominantly by bull selection) has led to more fertile beef cows. It is suggested that the genetic correlations observed could be an initial model for dairy cattle, showing how selection-index traits on dairy animals at puberty could be used to correct for the inferior reproductive genes of some dairy cows.
Positive future orientation as a mediator between traumatic events and mental health among children affected by HIV/AIDS in rural China

Abstract Objective. The current study was designed to explore the effect of future orientation in mediating the relationship between traumatic events and mental health in children affected by HIV/AIDS in rural China. Methods. Cross-sectional data were collected from 1221 children affected by HIV/AIDS (755 AIDS orphans and 466 vulnerable children). Future orientation among children was measured using three indicators (future expectation, hopefulness toward the future, and perceived control over the future). Measures of mental health consisted of depression, loneliness, and self-esteem. Children's experience of any traumatic events was measured using a modified version of the Life Incidence of Traumatic Events-Student Form. Mediation analysis was conducted using structural equation modeling (SEM) methods. Results. Among the children surveyed, most of the traumatic indicators were negatively associated with future expectation, hopefulness, perceived control, and self-esteem, and positively associated with depression and loneliness. The SEM of mediation analysis demonstrated an adequate fit. Future orientation fully mediated the relationship between traumatic events and mental health and accounted for 67.9% of the total effect of traumatic events on mental health. Conclusions. Results of this study support the positive effect of future expectation in mediating the relationship between traumatic events and mental health among children affected by HIV/AIDS in China. Future mental health promotion and intervention efforts targeting children affected by HIV/AIDS should include components that can mitigate the negative impact of traumatic events on their lives. These components may aim to develop children’ positive future expectations, increase their hopefulness toward the future, and improve their perceived control over the future.
Behavioral Surveillance Surveys of the Male Clients of Female Sex Workers in Hong Kong:: Results of Three Population-Based Surveys

Background Male clients of female sex workers (FSWs) are an important group vulnerable to HIV infection. Goals The goal was to administer and assess behavioral surveillance surveys of male clients of FSWs in Hong Kong. Study Design Three population-based telephone surveys of males aged 18 to 60 were conducted from 1998 to 2001 (n = 5159). Results Of all respondents, about 10.8% to 14% had patronized FSWs in the previous 6 months. Among male clients of FSWs, about 25% did not always use condoms, 4% to 6% had contracted a sexually transmitted disease, 16% had undergone HIV antibody testing, and 20% or more reported having four or more sex partners in the previous 6 months. There was no improvement in condom use over time. Cross-border (from Hong Kong to mainland China) commercial sex was common. Conclusion The level of risk behaviors associated with male clients of FSWs remained substantial. The overall effectiveness and coverage of relevant prevention programs were questioned.
Maternal and paternal recreational drug use and sudden infant death syndrome.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether maternal or paternal use of cocaine, opiates, or marijuana during conception and pregnancy and postnatally increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) during the first year of the infant's life. This is an important issue and may prove useful in further decreasing the rate of SIDS. METHODS A case-control study was conducted consisting of 239 infants who died of SIDS in southern California between 1989 and 1992, and 239 healthy infants who were matched on the basis of birth hospital, date of birth, age, and sex. Specific drug use at the period of conception, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and in the presence or vicinity of the infant was ascertained by telephone for the white, African American, Hispanic, Asian American, and Pacific Islander case and control fathers and mothers. RESULTS Maternal recreational drug use during pregnancy was not associated with the risk of SIDS after adjusting for maternal smoking during pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 2.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.6-6.5). There were statistically significant differences between case and control fathers' use of marijuana during conception (OR = 2.2; 95% CI, 1.2-4.2; P =.01), during pregnancy (OR = 2.0; 95% CI, 1.0-4.1; P =.05), and postnatally (OR = 2.8; 95% CI, 1.1-7.3; P =.04) and the risk of SIDS, while adjusting for paternal smoking and alcohol use. CONCLUSIONS There was no association between maternal recreational drug use and SIDS. Paternal marijuana use during the periods of conception and pregnancy and postnatally were significantly associated with SIDS. The role of paternal psychoactive drug use, especially the relationship between marijuana and SIDS, is an understudied area; however, before any definitive role for the father can be confirmed, these findings should be investigated and replicated in future studies.
Parallel determination of NeuroD1, chromogranin-A, KI67 and androgen receptor expression in surgically treated prostate cancers.

PURPOSE Neuroendocrine differentiation is a hallmark of prostate cancer. The aim of our study was the detection of the parallel expression of neuroendocrine related markers using a prostate tissue microarray (TMA). MATERIALS AND METHODS Our study was aimed at detecting the parallel expression of NeuroD1, Chromogranin-A (ChrA), Androgen Receptor (AR) and Ki-67 by immunohistochemistry on prostate cancer tissue microarray. The data was analyzed using SAS version 8.2 (SAS Inc, Cary, NC). The relationships between NeuroD1, ChrA and AR expressions and patients' characteristics were investigated by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Progression and Overall Survival (OS) distributions were calculated using Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS Tissue reactivity for NeuroD1, ChrA and AR concerned 73%, 49% and 77% of the available cases, respectively. Regarding overall survival, there were 87 deaths and 295 patients alive/censored (6 years of median follow-up). Seventy-seven disease progressions occurred at the median follow-up 5.4y. A significant correlation between NeuroD1, ChrA and AR expression was observed (p < 0.001 and p < 0.03, respectively). Additionally, ChrA was strongly associated in multivariate analysis to Gleason score and Ki67 expression (p < 0.009 and p < 0.0052, respectively). Survival analysis showed no association between markers neither for overall nor for cancer-specific survival. CONCLUSIONS The results highlight that NeuroD1, Chromogranin-A and Androgen Receptor are strongly associated, however their expression does not correlate with overall survival or disease progression.
Borrelia burgdorferi vesicle production occurs via a mechanism independent of immunoglobulin M involvement

Borrelia burgdorferi produces extracellular vesicles containing various borrelial protein antigens when propagated in vitro in culture media. Commonly observed components of borrelial vesicle preparations are borrelial surface antigens, bovine serum albumin, and the heavy chains of rabbit immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M. This study employed ultracentrifugation to harvest borrelial vesicles and analyzed these preparations by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western immunoblotting. We demonstrated that the rabbit mu heavy-chain band observed was devoid of OspA or at most levels below those detectable by immunoblot. We also demonstrated the recovery of borrelial vesicles at relative centrifugal forces as low as 25,000 x g, compared with the force of > 200,000 x g normally employed. Further, the mu heavy-chain band was recovered from uninoculated growth media processed at 25,000 x g, suggesting that it behaves as a particle rather than as a soluble molecule under these conditions. Lastly, vesicles were demonstrated to be present in preparations harvested from growth media supplemented with fetal calf serum, suggesting that vesicle production by B. burgdorferi can occur in the absence of immunoglobulins.
Why Was USA Downgraded and Germany Not? A Market Dynamics Analysis

We investigate market-implied rating changes for AAA-rated sovereign issuers in the course of the Lehman and the Euro-sovereign crisis. Credit scores can be derived from the dynamics of CDS spread thanks to a time-dependent boundary model. They were successful in explaining rating changes for corporate issuers, but failed to predict the downgrade of USA to AA in August 2011, while Germany’s AAA rating was kept unchanged. We discuss this inconsistency in the light of the joint dynamics of both CDS and bond spreads. A downgrade is then explained through a signal of gradual creditworthiness deterioration across both markets.In Summer 2011 the CDS spread of most of European countries, Germany included, widened to unprecedented levels. However the joint dynamics of CDS and bond spread was not contradicting the USA downgrade. Conversely, the fly to quality in the Bund showed a clear indication of German credit quality enhancement, both in absolute terms and with respect to USA credit quality.This mixed signal can justify the retention of the AAA grade even from the perspective of market-implied ratings and calls for developing a comprehensive model. This should not be founded exclusively on CDS spreads, as most of the models discussed in the literature, but it should also be able to incorporate information implied by the bond market.
Measuring Head Impact Exposure and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Humans

Helmeted sports such as football offer a unique opportunity to study head injury biomechanics in live human subjects. Impact reconstruction using game videos and real-time measurements of head kinematics in football provide a method of quantifying the head impact exposure athletes experience. A total of 58 impacts from NFL games have been reconstructed using Hybrid III crash test dummies, including 25 concussive impacts. Roughly 2 million impacts have been recorded using helmet-mounted accelerometer devices, with 105 concussive impacts. Similar values have been found for peak linear acceleration, one of the best predictors of concussion, using the two methods. From the NFL impact reconstructions, researchers found a peak linear acceleration value of 98 ± 28 g which is not substantially different from the value of 105 ± 27 g from the helmet-mounted sensor data. Both methods provide valuable head impact biomechanics data which are used to quantify impact exposure in football and assess injury risk due to head impact. Helmet mounted accelerometers have the added benefit of collecting every impact a player sustains while wearing the sensors, giving more detailed impact frequency data and many more data points. Future research will focus on expanding the head impact data set, especially at the youth level. The expanded data set will lead to improved injury risk curves which will guide future safety standards in sports as well as other areas, including the automotive industry and military, where head injury is a concern.
Macroeconomic Influences on Corporate Capital Structure

This paper provides new evidence of how macroeconomic conditions affect firms' capital structure choice in Nepalese context. The macroeconomic variables are significant for firm's capital structure choice. GDP growth rate and inflation revealed negatively related to leverage ratio whereas stock market capitalization revealed as positively related to leverage ratio. Higher economic growth tends to cause to use more long-term debt and as capital markets become more developed, they become a viable option for corporate financing.
Hypothermia blocks ischemic changes in ubiquitin distribution and levels following stroke

Dysfunction of the ubiquitin-proteasome system has recently been linked to stroke. Ischemia may cause increased protein misfolding and inhibit the proteasome, shifting the balance from free ubiquitin to conjugated ubiquitin. In this study, we examine the effect of hypothermia on the distribution of total and free ubiquitin, as well as the levels of conjugated ubiquitin after experimental stroke using a focal cerebral ischemia model. We show that hypo-thermia prevents redistribution of ubiquitin following ischemia, largely through preservation of intracellular cytoplasmic free ubiquitin. We also show that hypothermia blocks the increase in conjugated ubiquitin observed after stroke. Our data indicate that hypothermia's neuroprotection is mediated, in part, through preservation of ubiquitin-proteasome system function.
Intelligent Cities and Globalisation of Innovation Networks

Part 1: Intelligent Cities and Globalisation of Innovation 1. An Intelligent-Global World is Emerging 2. Lessons from Regions of Innovation Excellence 3. Systems of Innovation: Diversity and Evolution 4. Virtual Innovation Environments: Adding a Global Dimension to Innovation Systems 5. Intelligent Clusters, Communities, and Cities Part 2: Building Blocks: Knowledge Functions of Intelligent Cities 6. Strategic Intelligence Networks 7. Technology Transfer and Absorption 8. Innovation and Product Development Over Network 9. Digital City Marketplaces: Global Trade and Local Services 10. Building Blocks of Intelligent Communities, Clusters, and Cities. Appendix: Five Platforms for Intelligent Cities
A Noninformative Prior on a Space of Distribution Functions

In a given problem, the Bayesian statistical paradigm requires the specification of a prior distribution that quantifies relevant information about the unknowns of main interest external to the data. In cases where little such information is available, the problem under study may possess an invariance under a transformation group that encodes a lack of information, leading to a unique prior—this idea was explored at length by E.T. Jaynes. Previous successful examples have included location-scale invariance under linear transformation, multiplicative invariance of the rate at which events in a counting process are observed, and the derivation of the Haldane prior for a Bernoulli success probability. In this paper we show that this method can be extended, by generalizing Jaynes, in two ways: (1) to yield families of approximately invariant priors; and (2) to the infinite-dimensional setting, yielding families of priors on spaces of distribution functions. Our results can be used to describe conditions under which a particular Dirichlet Process posterior arises from an optimal Bayesian analysis, in the sense that invariances in the prior and likelihood lead to one and only one posterior distribution.
Description of the ontogenic and larval period of discus fish (Symphysodon aequifasciatus)

Summary The aim of this study was to describe the embryonic and larval development of discus fish (Symphysodon aequifasciatus), and to determine the time required, hours post fertilization (hpf), for the emergence of various structures. To describe embryonic and larval stages, observations were made at regular periods under an optical microscope and images were taken with a digital camera attached to a microscope. The average temperature reached in the experimental tank was 27.9°C. Important facts in embryonic and larval development are described, such as the closure of the blastopore, which occurred at 31.5 hpf; a period of eruption, which occurred at 58.5 hpf; and a mouth opening, which occurred at 90.5 hpf; and larvae that exhibited oriented swimming and eating exogenous food at 136.5 hpf.
Socioemotional wealth and IPO underpricing of family firms

Socioemotional wealth (SEW), i.e., the noneconomic utility a family derives from its ownership position in a firm, is the primary reference point for family firms. Family firms are willing to sacrifice economic gains in order to preserve their noneconomic utility. Thus, we argue that family firms sacrifice IPO proceeds by choosing higher IPO underpricing than nonfamily firms if underpricing helps them protect their SEW. Our empirical results, based on a sample of 153 German IPOs, support our hypothesis. On average, family firms have 10? percentage points more IPO underpricing than nonfamily firms.
Corneal Staining in Hydrogel Lens Wearers

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that contribute to corneal staining in hydrogel lens wearers by examining the following variables: type of lens worn, wearing time and lens replacement schedule, lens care system, and topical and systemic medication use. Methods. Five hundred full-time, successful hydrogel contact lens wearers were evaluated for corneal fluorescein staining at 20 clinical sites. Corneal staining was evaluated in five regions and was graded on a scale of 0 (no staining) to 4 (severe staining) in 0.5 steps for severity. Results. Corneal fluorescein staining was present in at least one eye in 55.7% of the hydrogel lens wearers examined in this study, and 8.0% had moderate-to-severe staining (defined as a cumulative staining score of ≥3 with at least one quadrant score ≥2). Staining was most severe for the inferior portion of the cornea (mean ± SD; OD: 0.34 ± 0.57, OS: 0.30 ± 0.54). All other areas of the cornea showed lesser amounts of staining, all of which were approximately equal (mean range, 0.13 to 0.16). Staining was observed in two or more quadrants in 24% of right eyes and 22.4% of left eyes. When questioned about care system compliance, 81.1% of subjects reported compliance. Patients who were noncompliant with their lens care system (&khgr;2 p = 0.0037), used rewetting drops (&khgr;2 p = 0.0005), or wore conventional lenses without a planned replacement schedule (&khgr;2 p = 0.0008) were more likely to have some degree of corneal staining. Noncompliance with care system (&khgr;2 p = 0.0147), replacement schedule (&khgr;2 p = 0.0039), and lens power (&khgr;2 p = 0.0224) were associated with moderate-to-severe staining. The following factors were not significantly associated with corneal staining: patient age, gender, medication use including oral contraceptives, type of wear (extended, flexible, or daily), average wearing time, wearing time at the examination, lens type (spherical or toric), water content of lenses (high or low water content), type of care system, use of enzymes, and pinching the contact lens directly off the cornea. Conclusions. Staining occurs to some extent in many hydrogel contact lens patients, and is influenced by many factors. Moderate-to-severe staining, which may be more clinically significant, is associated with noncompliance with care system, a conventional replacement schedule, and lens power.
German and Japanese labor markets and labor market policies between globalization and world economic

On the brink of a global employment crisis followin g the global financial and economic crisis, this paper looks back on the developm ent of labor markets in two countries, which during the second half of the 20th century have been among the most successful ones in terms of economic growth an d social inclusion. The recent history of labor markets and labor market policies in Germany and Japan can be divided into four phases: (1) a phase of strong ins titutional co-ordination of labor markets before the onset of globalization; (2) the emergence of an employment crisis related to both the challenges of globalization and to nation-specific factors, especially the burst of the real estate speculation bub ble in Japan and re-unification in Germany; (3) since 2003 an attempt to solve the emp loyment crisis by a marketoptimistic approach; and (4) finally new challenges arising from the Global Financial and Economic Crisis of 2009. To predict the fu rther development, this paper suggests three scenarios.
The relationship between temperature and sales

Purpose – The influence of weather on business activities and human behaviour has been explored in several fields (e.g. finance and psychology), but little research about weather and retail sales is found in the retail or fashion literature. The purpose of the study is to analyse the relationship between temperature, one aspect of weather, and retail sales of seasonal garments.Design/methodology/approach – The researchers collected sales data from a retailer of branded women's business wear in the Seoul‐Kyunggi area in South Korea. Along with the sales data for seasonal basic styles, corresponding daily and weekly average temperature data were collected and evaluated. The analysis for the study was drawn using descriptive statistics including graphical evaluations, correlation analysis and paired samples t‐test. Interviews with the retailer's merchandisers were used to supplement interpretation of the statistical data.Findings – Results of this study provide strong evidence that fluctuations in temperatur.
Investor Sentiment and Seasoned Equity Offerings

We document that investor sentiment is positively related with pre-SEO overpricing and plays an important role in managers’ equity issuance decisions. Further, we provide evidence that investor sentiment impacts the SEO discounting and underpricing. High sentiment periods are followed by low long run returns suggesting that sentiment does not proxy for unobservable fundamentals. Overall, our findings are consistent with market timing and behavioral explanations for equity offerings.