Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Real-world prognostic factors in autotransplanted multiple myeloma patients with severe renal impairment: study of the Polish Myeloma Study Group

Introduction: The prognostic factors in autotransplanted multiple myeloma (MM) patients with concomitant advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) are poorly understood, limited, and controversial. Material and methods: We retrospectively analysed 44 patients with MM and CKD (eGFR < 40 ml/min), present both at diagnosis and at autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), with no improvement of renal function in-between. Results: Patients exhibiting deeper paraprotein responses to pre-transplant treatment predicted better response post ASCT (odds ratio (OR) = 11.6, p = 0.028) and longer progression-free survival (PFS) (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.23, p = 0.017). Higher albumin concentration (per increase of 1 g/dl) (HR = 0.41, p = 0.03) and melphalan 140 mg/m2 versus higher melphalan doses (HR = 0.86, p = 0.008) were associated with longer PFS. Performance status (ECOG 0-1 versus ≥ 2) (HR = 0.28, p = 0.0036), higher albumin concentration (HR = 0.43, p < 0.037), and melphalan 140 mg/m2 versus higher melphalan doses (HR = 0.48, p = 0.081) decreased the risk of death. Three of 32 dialysis-dependent patients became dialysis independent (DID), and 5 of 12 in the DID group had eGFR improvement post ASCT. The median PFS was 2.3 years, which was shorter for DID compared to DD patients (0.7 vs. 3.3 years, respectively). The median overall survival (OS) was 3.6 years, there was no difference in median OS between the groups (4.0 vs. 3.5 years, respectively). Conclusions: Optimal patient selection including good performance status and higher albumin concentration (with every increase of 1 g/dl), chemotherapy-responsive disease pre-ASCT, melphalan dose adjusted to CKD, and intensive post-transplant supportive care are crucial to achieve acceptable results of treatment of MM patients with CKD.
Specialists in name or practice? The inclusion of transgender and gender diverse identities in online materials of gender specialists

Abstract Recommendations for health care providers working with transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals emphasize affirming clients’ identities, such as using correct pronouns and name, however, it is unknown how often gender specialists adhere to such recommendations. Websites and intake forms of gender specialists were coded for use of affirming language, asking for pronouns and chosen name, and mention of TGD specialties and resources. Most websites identified the provider’s specialty to work with TGD individuals, though much fewer provided additional resources concerning TGD issues and only half of intake forms included affirming language. Given previous research that has demonstrated providers working in states with legal protections for TGD individuals use affirming language more often than providers in locales without protections, association with state legal climate is also examined.
Characterization of Resistance to Brown Stem Rot of Soybean in Five Accessions from Central China

Brown stem rot (BSR) of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ], caused by Phialophora gregata (Allington & Chamberlain) W. Gams f. sp. sojae Kobayashi, Yamamoto, Negishi, and Ogoshi, can be effectively controlled with genetic resistance. Although three BSR resistance genes have been described, they all map to the same genetic region on linkage group (LG) J. In a previous screening of plant introductions (Pb) for BSR resistance, PI 567296B, PI 567323A, PI 567479, PI 567535B, and PI 567544 from central China were identified as having a high level of resistance. The objective of this study was to determine if resistance in these PIs maps to the same region on LG J where BSR resistance genes were previously identified. To map the resistance genes in these accessions, each PI was crossed to the susceptible cultivar Century 84 and 94 F 2-3 lines were developed from each cross. Lines were evaluated for BSR resistance in the greenhouse and screened with molecular markers from LG J. In all five populations, a quantitative trait locus (QTL) conferring BSR resistance was mapped to the same region on LG J where resistance has already been reported. These results suggest that the BSR resistance genes identified in these five PIs from central China are likely allelic with previously reported BSR resistance genes.
The Vertical Component of Plant Species Diversity in Temperate and Tropical Forests

Forests are widely observed to contain two or more discrete superimposed strata of plants. In the eastern United States, deciduous forests growing between 30⚬ and 42⚬ north latitude are commonly constructed of three strata: a high canopy of sun-adapted trees, a shade-tolerant herbaceous ground layer, and a midstory of shrubs or small trees, of which the flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is a prime example. Flowering dogwoods and other woody species occupying ecologically equivalent positions in the forest midstory must depend heavily on sunflecks because up to 80% of the light penetrating the forest interior is this kind of direct-beam illumination. The light field in the forest interior is simply modeled. Immediately beneath the canopy, the light field (integrated over the daily sun cycle) is characterized by a high horizontal variance, because any point is either in a gap and directly illuminated or under a crown and continuously shaded. Farther down in the forest interior the horizontal variance becomes greatly diminished because the expanding cones of light beneath each gap eventually intersect. Where the cones of light from alternate gaps intersect, the light field becomes horizontally uniform. Plants of the woody middle stratum should grow up to, but not exceed, the upper limit of the horizontally uniform light field. The position of the upper limit of the horizontally uniform light field can be predicted from measurements of the canopy and the angular distribution of light gaps overhead. Such predictions for five climax stands in the southeastern United States agreed quite closely with the median height of trees composing the midstory of these stands. Finally, the shapes of tree crowns can be expected to vary adaptively with the systematic latitudinal decrease in the angle of the sun above the horizon. Consequently, tree crowns at high latitudes are narrowly conical in profile, but those in tropical latitudes tend to be planar or shallowly dome-shaped. As a result, direct light is admitted to high-latitude forests only at sharply inclined angles that do not permit the establishment of a woody midstory. By contrast, light is able to penetrate the canopy of tropical forests at relatively shallow angles, allowing the development of a second tree layer closely beneath the crowns of the first. The vertical dimension of plant species diversity thus seems to be controlled by adaptive responses to physical parameters of the latitudinal gradient.
Regulatory Effect of Ethyl-Methane-Sulfonate on Chlorophyll Metabolism in Triticum aestivum L

The regulatory effect of EMS on chlorophyll metabolism was studied in two hexaploid wheat genotypes. Presoaked seeds were treated with EMS 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.6% at 3½ hr. , 7 hr. and 9 hr. durations respectively. Leaf extracts from treated as well as from control plant were compared spectrophotometrically to determine Chl. a, Chl. b and total chlorophyll contents, and its relationship to grain weight was established, using plants grown in pot conditions. Total chlorophyll content of treated plants demonstrated significant increase over their parents (control). Maximum increase (93.87%) in toatl chlorophyll content was recorded in variety Al-Samma at EMS 0.4% with 7 hr. duration, with subsequent increase of 35.89% in seed weight, indicating this treatment can effectively be exploited to evolve mutants with enhanced chlorophyll metabolism.Chlorophyll content was correlated to 100-seed weight on plant basis. Significant positive relationship between chlorophyll content and seed weight was detected in most of the EMS treatments. The improvement of genotypes with high chlorophyll content might result in the improvent of photosynthesis in wheat plants leading to the improvement of grain yield.
Macro-rhythm in English and Spanish: Evidence from Radio Newscaster Speech

This study quantified and compared macro-rhythm (MacR) in English and Spanish in radio newscaster speech. MacR is defined as phrase-medial tonal rhythm [1], and its relative strength is determined by three rules: 1) the presence or absence of alternating L and H tones within an IP, 2) the uniformity or similarity of the rise-fall slope shapes, and 3) the frequency of the L/H alternation intervals. The degree of MacR strength can be predicted based on the corresponding phonological criteria: the most common type of phrase-medial tone in a language’s tonal inventory (rule 1), the number of phrase-level tones in the inventory (rule 2), and the frequency of f0 rise per Prosodic Word (rule 3). Based on these criteria, Spanish is predicted to have stronger MacR than English. To test this, MacR was quantified in each language by measuring the regularity of distance intervals between tonal targets, the variability of slope shapes, and the number of L/H alternations per Prosodic Word. The results provide some support for the prediction that Spanish has stronger MacR than English in this speech style and they add to previous work comparing MacR strength in English and Spanish in read speech [2, 3].
The value relevance of quantitative and qualitative environmental disclosure of polluting companies in India: a static and dynamic panel data evidence

This paper examines the value relevance of quantitative and qualitative environmental disclosure of 145 polluting companies' in India. Environmental disclosure is measured by a checklist of items based on Global Reporting Initiative guidelines as well as environmental regulations prevailing in India. Subsequently, the disclosure scores are drawn individually by using content analysis of annual reports for a period of nine years, i.e., from 2009-2010 to 2017-2018. Employing static and dynamic panel data regression method, the study finds both quantitative as well as qualitative environmental disclosure plays an important role in enhancing the market value and allows the firm to differentiate it from others. Further, the study finds investment in research and development (R&D) has a positive impact on the financial performance of a company. However, the study finds a negative association between the interaction effect of R&D expenditure with environmental disclosure and the financial performance of a firm.
The pattern of infestation of the beach-hopper amphipod Orchestoidea corniculata, by a parasitic mite

SUMMARY The frequency distribution of an ectoparasitic mite, Gammaridacarus orchestoideae, on its amphipod host, Orchestoidea corniculata, was found to differ significantly from random for all monthly samples taken between October 1977 and October 1978. The negative binomial distribution provided a good fit to these aggregated distributions. The degree of aggregation was negatively correlated with the prevalence of infestation. Prevalence and intensity were highest in the winter, when the degree of aggregation was lowest, and vice-versa in the late summer. This seasonal pattern can be explained through changes in size and density of the host population, which are associated with changes in the size of the habitat of the hosts. Within each sample the host population was highly heterogeneous with regard to infestation by mites. Females carried heavier loads of mites than did males. Both prevalence and intensity were low in the post-moult stages of the moult cycle. Reproductive females showed lower prevalence and intensity of infestation than did either non-reproductive females or males. Analysis of the regression analysis of ‘mean crowding’ on mean density also indicated that aggregation stemmed from a non-random distribution of individual parasites, rather than from clumping of the infective stages of the parasite. Heterogeneity of the host population is suggested as an important cause of the aggregated distribution of the parasite population.
Effect of different physiological traits on grain yield in barley grown under irrigated and terminal water deficit conditions

SUMMARY Drought is the main factor limiting the productivity of crops in Mediterranean areas. The introduction of physiological traits into crops that improve their tolerance to drought is necessary if yields under these conditions are to be efficiently improved. The effect of drought on different gas exchange variables, i.e. net photosynthesis (A), stomatal conductance (gs) and leaf chlorophyll concentration (Chl), and the relationship of these variables with yield were studied in 12 barley genotypes grown under irrigated and terminal drought conditions. The variable most sensitive to water deficit was gs (mean reduction 43% with respect to control conditions), followed by A (mean reduction 34%). The mean reduction of yield by terminal drought was 27%. A significant correlation was seen between these physiological traits and yield. The effect of water deficit on A, gs and Chl was smaller in the breeding lines than in the traditional varieties assayed, in agreement with the results found for yield. These results suggest a potential indirect selection of physiological characteristics in these breeding lines that allow greater tolerance to drought. The response of the different genotypes examined was not homogeneous across all the variables analysed. This variability is important in programmes aiming to obtain drought-tolerant genotypes via the optimization of traits such as those above.
Tropical Cyclone Impacts on Headland Protected Bay

The response of headland protected beaches to storm events is complex and strongly site dependent. In this study, we investigated the response of several headland protected beaches in Noosa, Australia to a tropical cyclone event. Pre and post topographical surveys of all beaches were completed using both pole-mounted RTK-GNSS and structure-from-motion (SfM)-derived elevation models from survey-grade drone imagery to assess sediment volume differentials. Coastal imaging was used to assess shoreline development and identify coastal features while a nearshore wave model (SWAN) was used to project waves into the study site from a regional wave buoy. Obliquely orientated swells drive currents along the headland with sediment being eroded from exposed sites and deposited at a protected site. Elevated sea-levels were shown to be a strong force-multiplier for relatively small significant wave heights, with 10,000 m3 of sediment eroded from a 700 m long beach in 36 h. The SWAN model was adequately calibrated for significant wave height, but refraction of swell around the headland was under-represented by an average of 16.48 degrees. This research has coastal management implications for beaches where development restricts natural shoreline retreat and elevated sea states are likely to become more common.
EFFECT OF PHOSPHATE CONCENTRATION ON THE FINE STRUCTURE OF THE CYANOBACTERIUM, MICROCYSTIS AERUGINOSA KÜTZ. EMEND. ELENKIN

SUMMARY Microcystis aeruginosa toxic strain UV-006 stored a fixed amount of polyphosphate in spherical granules located in the centroplasm. Twenty four hours of phosphate starvation induced use of stored polyphosphate, manifested by reduction in granule numbers. Reintroduction of 2, 4 or 8 mg l−1 K2HPO4 resulted in redeposition of polyphosphate in a critical number of centroplasmic polyphosphate granules. Growth rate was unaffected by phosphate concentrations, although the final cell yield was slightly lower at 8 mg l −1 Continued starvation decreased photosynthetic rate and growth ceased. Cells appeared senescent. Cyanophycin and polyglucoside reserves apparently increased in these cells, whilst thylakoids were reduced in number and reorientated away from. the cell wall and polyhedral bodies were lost. After the initial decrease, centroplasmic polyphosphate bodies increased to about half of the maximum numbers stored in cells grown in the presence of phosphate, suggesting that translocation of phosphorus.
Facial Expression Recognition with Active Local Shape Pattern and Learned-Size Block Representations

Facial expression recognition has been studied broadly, and several works using local micro-pattern descriptors have obtained significant results. There are, however, open questions: how to design a discriminative and robust feature descriptor? , how to select expression-related most influential features? , and how to represent the face descriptor exploiting the most salient parts of the face? In this article, we address these three issues to achieve better performance in recognizing facial expressions. First, we propose a new feature descriptor, namely Local Shape Pattern (LSP), that describes the local shape structure of a pixel’s neighborhood based on the prominent directional information by analyzing the statistics of the neighborhood gradient, which allows it to be robust against subtle local noise and distortion. Furthermore, we propose a selection strategy for learning the influential codes being active in the expression affiliated changes by selecting them exhibiting statistical dominance and high spatial variance. Lastly, we learn the size of the salient facial blocks to represent the facial description with the notion that changes in expressions vary in size and location. We conduct person-independent experiments in existing datasets after combining above three proposals, and obtain an improved performance for the facial expression recognition task.
Protein‐ and homo poly(amino acid)‐based hydrogels with super‐swelling properties

The use of super-swelling polymers is steadily increasing and the applications in industry are continuing to grow. With the authorization of the superabsorbents in food packaging by the Food and Drug Administration recently, demand may soon take off in the market. However, the increase in prices of petroleum products in recent years may be a drawback for these acrylic-based materials. Thus, there is now a need to develop natural-based super-swelling hydrogels which are more economical and environment friendly. In addition, the super-swelling gels are promising novel functions in the biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. This review is aimed to highlight research and trends in protein- and homo poly(amino acid)-based super-swelling hydrogels. Thus, the proteinaceous hydrogels, including chemically modified soy-, fish- and collagen-based proteins, are discussed. The protein-polysaccharide, protein-synthetics, and the inorganic composites are also investigated as hybrid materials. Finally, the super-swelling hydrogels based on homo polypeptides, i.e. poly(aspartic acid), poly(glutamic acid), and poly(e-L-lysine) are reviewed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Translation and Validation of Psychological Capital Questionnaire

The present study was conducted to translate the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ-24; Luthans, Avolio, Avey, & Norman, 2007) Urdu language and to establish the construct validity of the translated version. The study was completed in two phases. In the first phase, Urdu version of PCQ-24 was obtained after the forward and back translations as per the guidelines suggested by Brislin (1970). In the second phase, the Urdu version of PCQ-24 was validated which measures the construct of psychological capital. The sample comprised of 380 small business entrepreneurs (men = 270, women = 110), taken from Rawalpindi and Islamabad with age range of 18 to 50 years. For this instrument, two concurrent models were tested through confirmatory factor analysis; the first model analyzed was for a four-factor structure. In this model, four subscales of PCQ-24 including Self-efficacy, Hope, Resilience, and Optimism were taken as interrelated factors. While, the second model was a hierarchical model in which four subscales were loaded onto a latent factor of PsyCap. Results established that the four-factor structure of PsyCap showed better fit than the higher-order factor structure. Furthermore, PCQ-24 showed adequate construct validity and reliability after excluding three problematic items (i.e., no. 13, 20, & 23) which were found to cause poor model-fit and lower the reliabilities. Overall, the findings show that newly translated Urdu version of PCQ-24 is a reliable and a valid measure in Pakistani context.
Kiprah Muhammadiyah Dalam Pembaharuan Pendidikan dan Sosial Keagamaan di Nusantara: Kajian Terhadap Pemikiran KH. Ahmad Dahlan

This paper aims to discuss the progress of Muhammadiyah in the renewal of religious education and socio-religion in the archipelago, which includes the beginning of the renewal of education, philosophy, paradigms and objectives in educational renewal as well as the basic principles and guidelines for the social and religious renewal of Muhammadiyah. The method used is the Resarch library and analyzed with the reflective thinking approach by combining the deductive and inductive approaches. The results of the discussion showed that the concept of educational renewal developed by Muhammadiyah was modern-theocentric, namely modern education based on the divine values. In the socio-religious field Muhammadiyah invites Muslims to always do fastabiqul khairat, which is competing to do good in all aspects of life, both economics, health, congregation and so on.
Practical Wisdom for Sustainable Management and Knowledge Sharing

Practical wisdom (“phronēsis”) is an Aristotelian concept that has been incorporated into management research to a considerable extent in the last 20–30 years. This paper attempts to show how practical wisdom is necessary as a type of situational knowledge that is required for most management decisions to be sustainable. We start reviewing the types of knowledge necessary in decision-making, and we emphasize “practical wisdom” as the kind of knowledge that is particular and subjective, is acquired through practice, and is transmitted by example. We relate the concept of practical wisdom with the Hayek concept of knowledge of time and place, the Polanyi concept of tacit knowledge, and Nonaka’s knowledge management. We conclude that in most management decisions, phronēsis is required and, thus, is necessary to increase sustainability in terms of effectively sharing knowledge and acquiring virtues to improve managerial decision-making. Not considering phronēsis has bad implications for management as it can lead to unsustainable and poor decisions, for instance, in main areas of management control such as pricing policies, budgeting, balanced scorecards, transfer pricing, and goal setting. Along with the intellectual virtue of practical wisdom we conclude that moral virtues, specifically justice, should be the complement that guides organizational objectives.
Mercury methylation and demethylation in aerobic surface waters

Potential rates of methylmercury formation and demethylation were studied in runoff waters, sediment trap material, and aerobic water layers of five small forest lakes by radioisotope methods. In addition, the roles of microbes and particulate matter in methylation and demethylation processes were examined. Methylation rates were low (≤0.12%∙d−1) in all sites studied. Water pH (4.9–6.9) had no clear effect on methylmercury formation. Methylation took place in filtered water (nominal pore size 0.2 μm) and in formaldehyde-treated or autoclaved samples, but was strongly suppressed by both dissolved organic matter (color) and particulate matter. Demethylation rates in surface waters (≤13.2%∙d−1) were decreased by low temperatures and the process was blocked by sterile filtration, formaldehyde treatment, and autoclaving. The results indicate that mercury methylation in aerobic humic waters is an accidental process caused by bacterial exoenzymes or other dissolved compounds. Methylmercury demethylation was clea.