Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nucleus reuniens of the midline thalamus of a rat is specifically damaged after early postnatal alcohol exposure

Individuals diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders often show behavioral impairments in executive functioning. Mechanistic studies have implicated coordination between the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus (through thalamic nucleus reuniens) as essential for such executive functions. This study is the first to report the long-term neuroanatomical alterations to the ventral midline thalamus after alcohol exposure on postnatal days 4–9 (a rodent model of binge drinking during the third-trimester of human pregnancy). Alcohol added to a milk formula was administered to female Long–Evans rat pups on postnatal days 4–9 (5.25 g/kg/day of ethanol, intragastric intubation). Control animals were intubated without the administration of liquid. In adulthood, brains were immunohistochemically labeled for a neuronal marker (NeuN) conjugated with Cy3 fluorophore and stained with Hoechst33342 to visualize nuclei. Total non-neuronal cell number (NeuN−/Hoechst+) and neuron number (NeuN+/Hoechst+), and total volume were estimated using unbiased stereology in two neighboring midline thalamic nuclei: reuniens and rhomboid. Estimates were analyzed using linear mixed modeling to account for animal and litter as clustering variables. A 21% reduction in the total neuron number (resulting in altered neuron-to-non-neuron ratio) and an 18% reduction in total volume were found exclusively in thalamic nucleus reuniens in rats exposed to ethanol. Non-neuronal cell number was not changed in reuniens. No ethanol-induced changes on any measures were observed in rhomboid nucleus. These specific neuroanatomical alterations provide a necessary foundation for further examination of circuit-level alterations that occur in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
Comparison of Different Image Data Augmentation Approaches

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have gained prominence in the research literature on image classification over the last decade. One shortcoming of CNNs, however, is their lack of generalizability and tendency to overfit when presented with small training sets. Augmentation directly confronts this problem by generating new data points providing additional information. In this paper, we investigate the performance of more than ten different sets of data augmentation methods, with two novel approaches proposed here: one based on the discrete wavelet transform and the other on the constant-Q Gabor transform. Pretrained ResNet50 networks are finetuned on each augmentation method. Combinations of these networks are evaluated and compared across four benchmark data sets of images representing diverse problems and collected by instruments that capture information at different scales: a virus data set, a bark data set, a portrait dataset, and a LIGO glitches data set. Experiments demonstrate the superiority of this approach. The best ensemble proposed in this work achieves state-of-the-art (or comparable) performance across all four data sets. This result shows that varying data augmentation is a feasible way for building an ensemble of classifiers for image classification.
Top management: A threat or an opportunity to TQM?

In line with the proposed precepts and deadly diseases of TQM by Deming (1986) and other quality management scholars, the academic literature on the role of top management in quality improvement programmes suggests a fundamental question: ‘why does the commitment from top management appear to have dropped off so dramatically? ’ On a theoretical level, a review of the relevant literature reveals a strong consensus that top management commitment is essential for successful TQM implementation. However, whether this commitment actually exists in practice, is an empirical question that has received much less attention. In addressing these issues towards filling this void, this paper aims to generate preliminary observations on the various factors affecting the role played by top management in organizational environments with a TQM orientation. Implications are discussed to generate research propositions that focus on the interplay of upper and middle level management and employees' commitment.
The Geography of Social Media Data in Urban Areas: Representativeness and Complementarity

This research sheds light on the relationship between the presence of location-based social network (LBSN) data and other economic and demographic variables in the city of Valencia (Spain). For that purpose, a comparison is made between location patterns of geolocated data from various social networks (i.e., Google Places, Foursquare, Twitter, Airbnb and Idealista) and statistical information such as land value, average gross income, and population distribution by age range. The main findings show that there is no direct relationship between land value or age of registered population and the amount of social network data generated in a given area. However, a noteworthy coincidence was observed between Google Places data-clustering patterns, which represent the offer of economic activities, and the spatial concentration of the other LBSNs analyzed, suggesting that data from these sources are mostly generated in areas with a high density of economic activities.
The effect of gestures on the interpretation of plural references

ABSTRACT During language comprehension, comprehenders build conceptual models of linguistic content. Despite their fundamental nature, relatively little is known about how plural expressions are realised in conceptual models. Specifically, it is unknown whether these models contain quantity information when it is left unspecified in the noun phrase. This paper reports two studies that investigate the effect of gestures on plural conceptual representations. Experiment 1 confirmed that small gestures evoke small set sizes and large gestures evoke large set sizes. Experiment 2 replicated these findings and showed that gestures seem to influence comprehenders' representations of number information rather than the amount of space a plural reference occupies. Taken together, these data suggest that when plurals are instantiated in comprehenders' minds, spatial information provided by gestures is used by comprehenders to make inferences about the quantity of objects in a plural set.
A cross-national study of youth entrepreneurship: The effect of family support

This multilevel, cross-national study builds on the Entrepreneurial Event Model (EEM) to examine the influence of perceived family support on young individuals’ perceptions about the desirability and feasibility of starting a business, and the moderating effect of cultural dimensions. Building upon institutional and social systems theories, this research shows family support increases the perceived desirability and feasibility of starting a business, depending upon national culture. Results find family support is more influential in countries with higher levels of power distance or lower individualism (in which social norms and culture may be less favorable to startups) and suggest family support acts as a substitution mechanism facilitating entrepreneurial behavior in these countries.
Optimization of the QuEChERS-Based Analytical Method for Investigation of 11 Mycotoxin Residues in Feed Ingredients and Compound Feeds

Mycotoxins are toxic substances naturally produced by various fungi, and these compounds not only inflict economic damage, but also pose risks to human and animal health. The goal of the present study was to optimize the QuEChERS-based extraction and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method for the analysis of 11 mycotoxins, such as aflatoxins (AFs), ochratoxin A (OTA), fumonisins (FBs), T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, zearalenone (ZEN), and deoxynivalenol (DON), commonly found in feed. The QuEChERS method, characterized by being “quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe”, has become one of the most common extractions and clean-up procedures for mycotoxin analyses in food. Therefore, in this experiment, an optimal method for the analysis of 11 mycotoxins in feed was established by modifying the general QuEChERS method. In this process, it was confirmed that even if feed samples of different weights were extracted, the quantitative value of mycotoxins in the feed was not affected. To reduce matrix effects, 13C-labeled compounds and deuterium were used as internal standards. This optimized method was then applied in the determination of 11 mycotoxins in 736 feed ingredients and compound feeds obtained from South Korea. The results showed that the occurrence rates of FBs, ZEN, and DON were 59.4%, 38.0%, and 32.1%, respectively, and OTA, AFs, and T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin were found in fewer than 1% of the 736 feeds. The mean concentration ranges of FBs, ZEN, and DON were 757–2387, 44–4552, and 248–9680 μg/kg, respectively. Among the samples in which DON and ZEN were detected, 10 and 12 samples exceeded the management recommendation standards presented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA). However, when the detected concentrations of DON and ZEN were compared with guideline levels in foreign countries, such as the US, Japan, China, and the EU, the number of positive samples changed. In addition, the co-occurrence of mycotoxins in the feed was analyzed, and the results showed that 43.8% of the samples were contaminated with two or three mycotoxins, among which the co-occurrence rate of FBs, ZEN, and DON was the highest. In conclusion, these results suggest the need for stricter management standards for FBs, DON, and ZEN in South Korea, and emphasize the importance of the continuous monitoring of feeds.
Effects of Moisture Content and Urea Fertilizer on Bending and Shearing Properties of Canola Stem

Bending stress, specific shearing energy, and Young's modulus of canola (Brassica napus L.) stems were investigated. The specific shearing energy using pendulum method and bending force were measured for four moisture content levels (35%, 43%, 50%, and 57%, w.b.), three varieties (Zarfam, Opera, and Okapi), and three nitrogen fertilizer levels (250, 400, and 550 kg ha-1). The results of data analysis showed that the specific shearing energy increases and, bending stress and Young's modulus of canola stems decreased as the moisture content increased. The maximum value of the specific shearing energy was 3.94 MJ mm-2 for the Opera stems, while Zarfam with 3.27 MJ mm-2 had the minimum. The maximum value of the bending stress was 48.1 MPa for the Opera stems while Zarfam with 44.83 MPa had the minimum. The average of Young's modulus was found to be 3.80, 4.15, and 3.84 GPa for Zarfam, Okapi, and Opera varieties, respectively. The specific shearing energy decreased as the amount of nitrogen fertilizer increased. The maximum and minimum values of bending stress occurred with 400 and 550 kg ha-1 levels of nitrogen fertilizer, respectively.
Grylloblattidan insects from Sperbersbach and Cabarz (Germany), two new early Permian and insect-rich localities

Abstract. New fossil insect specimens from two new localities in Germany, namely Sperbersbach and Cabarz (Goldlauter Formation; early Permian), belonging to the Grylloblattida, are described. Abundant material is assigned to Pictoborella clara n. gen. n. sp. , regarded as closely related to Pictoborella germanica (Prokop et al., 2012) n. comb. , from the Saar-Nahe Basin (Germany; early Permian). Liomopterum fuscatum n. sp. , represented by fewer specimens, is delimited based on previously published and new data on various Liomopterum spp. Two other Liomopteridae, Uralioma thuringiensis n. sp. and Liomopterites sperbersbachensis n. sp. , each known from a single forewing, are also described. Finally, Cabarzopterum magnificus n. gen. n. sp. , with unclear familial affinities, is described based on three forewings. The assemblages of grylloblattidan insects at Sperbersbach and Cabarz are generally similar, with differences probably related to different depositional environments and local paleoclimatic conditions.
Session Rating of Perceived Exertion (sRPE) Load and Training Impulse Are Strongly Correlated to GPS-Derived Measures of External Load in NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Athletes

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether session rating of perceived exertion-derived training load (sRPE-TL) correlates with GPS-derived measures of external load in National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division I female soccer athletes. Methods: Twenty-one NCAA Division 1 collegiate women’s soccer athletes (11 starters, 10 non-starters; 65.1 ± 7.2 kg, 168.4 ± 7.9 cm, 20.3 ± 1.5 yrs) volunteered to take part in this study. Data for this study were collected over the course of 16 weeks during the 2018 NCAA women’s soccer season. External load and heart rate (HR) data were collected during each training session and match during the season. At least 30 min after the end of an activity (e.g., match or practice), athletes were prompted to complete a questionnaire reporting their perceived exertion for the session. sRPE-TL was calculated at the end of the season by multiplying perceived exertion by the respective session duration. Results: sRPE-TL was very strongly correlated with total distance, distance covered in velocity zones 1–3, the number of accelerations in zones 4 and 5, total PlayerLoad™, and PlayerLoad™. For internal load, sRPE-TL correlated very strongly (0.70 ≤ |r| < 0.90) with Edward’s and Bannister’s TRIMP and strongly (0.50 ≤ |r| < 0.70) with duration spent in in heart rate zones 5 and 6 (80–90% and 90–100% max HR, respectively) while correlations with maximum HR (bpm), mean HR (bpm), and mean HR (%) and sRPE-TL were moderate (0.30 ≤ |r| < 0.50). Conclusions: In NCAA Division I women soccer, sRPE-TL is strongly associated with external measures of workload. These relationships were stronger during match play, with acceleration load and total distance exhibiting the strongest relationship with sRPE-TL.
Overlapping Phenotypes in Osteopetrosis and Pycnodysostosis in Asian-Indians

Osteopetrosis is a disorder characterized by high bone density, hepatosplenomegaly, visual and hearing loss, and anemia. Pycnodysostosis presents with short stature, acroosteolysis, and dense bones. We, hereby, present here a family with autosomal dominant osteopetrosis and also children with recessive osteopetrosis and pycnodysostosis. The molecular confirmation was done in 3 cases. Genetic heterogeneity in clinical presentation is discussed here. Further studies will help in identifying epigenetic alterations and population-specific variants and also developing targeted therapies.
Volatility Forecasting Performance of Smooth Transition Exponential Smoothing Method: Evidence from Mutual Fund Indices in Malaysia

This paper aims to empirically compare the performance of the smooth transition exponential smoothing (STES) method against the well-known generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) model in one-step-ahead volatility forecasting. While the GARCH model captured most of the stylized facts of the financial time series, threats of outliers in the leptokurtic distributed series remain unresolved. The study compared volatility forecasting performance of a total of 22 models and methods comprising STES, GARCH, and some ad-hoc forecasting. The daily returns of seven mutual fund indices (derived from 57 individual equity mutual funds) under two different economic conditions (sub-periods) were applied across all competing models. Findings revealed that the STES method with error and absolute error as transition variables emerged as the best post-sample volatility forecasting model in both sub-periods with and without financial crisis impact, as verified by model confidence set (MCS) procedure. The implications based on the results are: (1) both the sign and size of yesterday’s news shock have an impact on today’s volatility; (2) the STES method is resilient to outliers, and hence superior to GARCH and other volatility forecasting approaches examined. This study contributes an empirical approach in forecasting the risk of mutual funds investment for investors and fund managers, as well as extending the scope of volatility forecasting literature into the less explored mutual funds.
The Role of BMP Signaling in Female Reproductive System Development and Function

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are a group of multifunctional growth factors that belong to the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily of proteins. Originally identified by their ability to induce bone formation, they are now known as essential signaling molecules that regulate the development and function of the female reproductive system (FRS). Several BMPs play key roles in aspects of reproductive system development. BMPs have also been described to be involved in the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) into reproductive system tissues or organoids. The role of BMPs in the reproductive system is still poorly understood and the use of FRS tissue or organoids generated from hPSCs would provide a powerful tool for the study of FRS development and the generation of new therapeutic perspectives for the treatment of FRS diseases. Therefore, the aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge about BMP signaling in FRS development and function.
Characteristics of audit committees and banking sector performance in GCC

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the association between bank performance and audit committee characteristics for banks in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) over the period from 2013 to 2017. Regression of ordinary least squares quantile (OLS) and regression of quantile data are used to test the relationship between bank performance as a dependent variable and certain independent variables. The results revealed that committee size has a significant impact on banks’ performance but the presence of women members, independent members, committee meetings, and the existence of qualified members do not. The current study is one of a few studies, which addresses the association between bank performance and audit committee characteristics for banks in GCC.
Host Variation in Interferon, MHC Class I, Glycosylation, and Viral Transcription Genes Predict HIV Persistence

Background: Prior host genomewide association studies have failed to observe an association with the HIV reservoir. Methods: Custom whole exome sequencing and direct HLA typing were performed from 202 HIV+ ART-suppressed individuals and associated with 4 measures of the circulating CD4+ T cell reservoir: total DNA, unspliced (us)RNA, RNA/DNA, and intact DNA. Common variant, gene-based, and HLA analyses were performed using linear mixed models adjusted for sex, timing of ART initiation, nadir CD4 count, input cell count, and ancestry. Results: HIV total DNA was associated with variants in genes involved in type I interferon (MX1, PPP1CB, DDX3X) and MHC class I peptide recognition (LRMP), while HIV usRNA was associated with a variant related to lymphocyte lymph node migration (PLVAP; this SNP was also <30kb from BST2, which encodes tetherin, an HIV host restriction factor). Gene-based analyses demonstrated significant associations with type I interferon (intact DNA), glycosylation (total DNA), and retroviral transcription (usRNA). HLA "protective" B*57:01 and "risk" C*07 alleles, as well as CCR5Δ32, were associated with HIV usRNA and total DNA, but not intact DNA. Conclusions: Host genetic variation in type I interferon, MHC class I, glycosylation, residual viral transcription, and lymphocyte lymph node migration may influence the circulating HIV CD4+ T cell reservoir.
Mechanical eye model for the comparison of optical imaging quality and physiology of human vision

The implantation of intraocular lenses (IOL) is one of the most common surgical interventions. This surgery is performed using different types of IOL, like monoand multifocal lenses. The measurement and test instructions for IOL are defined in ISO 11979-2[1]. Even though IOL have a high importance there are only approaches for the actual objective evaluation of the quality of an IOL. The reason is given by a still poorly understood human physiology of vision. A direct comparison between physical imaging properties – for example defined by the modulated transfer function (MTF), point spread function (PSF), spot diagrams, Strehl ratio or the coefficients of Seidelor Zernike polynomials – and physiological perception will allow the development of necessary objective quality standards, also for the development of new intraocular lenses. A mechanic eye model in the scale 1:1 is presented, which has been designed to allow the derivation of the intended quality standards. This is achieved by a simultaneous measurement of physiological and physical imaging properties. Moreover the eye model allows the automatic analysis of the tolerance for tilting and decentrating the IOL perpendicular to the optical axis.
Genetic Diversity Estimates of Santalum album L. through Microsatellite Markers: Implications on Conservation

Sandalwood (Santalum album L.) is the second most expensive wood in the world. There are approximately 16 species of sandalwood (S. album, S. spicatum, S. austrocaledonicum, S. yasi, S. lanceolatum, S. ellipticum, S. macgregorii, S. insulare) occurring naturally throughout Australia, India, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the islands of the South Pacific. In India, S. album is found all over the country, with over 90% of the area in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana state. It is highly economic tropical tree species because of its scented heartwood and heartwood oil. Several causes have been attributed to the depletion of sandalwood population mainly amongst which theft is causing negative effect on the quality of species by constant removal of superior clones. The aim of this study was to determine the genetic diversity of S. album. For this, 177 genotypes of S. album from 14 populations of three states (Karnataka, Telangana state and Kerala) in southern India were selected. The genetic diversity and genetic structure were characterized through 25 SSR markers developed by cross amplification of different species of Sandalwood. Under this study, following genetic diversity parameters were estimated at individual level and population level; Number of alleles (Na) 9.107, Effective number of alleles (Ne) 7.56, Observed heterozygosity (Ho) 0.187, Expected heterozygosity (He) 0.861, Shannon information index (I) 2.03, F statistics 0.89, Polymorphic information content (PIC) 0.87 and Gene flow (Nm) 4.98. The estimates of gene flow among the populations of Kodada Telangana (Nm = 15.109); IWST Karnataka (Nm = 13.62) than across other geographical populations (Nm = 9.40). Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that 3% of the total variation was due to differences among populations and 97% due to differences within the populations. The genetic differentiation among populations (FST) 0.012 at p < 0.001 was significant. Structure clustering at Ks = 3 highlighted three distinct groups with the inferred clusters i. 0.369, ii. 0.304, iii. 0.327. Structure analysis revealed that genetic structure of Kerala and Karnataka and Telangana populations were admixtures and classified in three groups. In addition, all the accessions were clearly divided into three major clusters by UPGMA dendrogram which could be further divided into five sub groups. Principal component analysis (PCA) results showed the combined variation 82.2% of these markers. This study highlights the knowledge of genetic variation in sandalwood across the herd population of sandalwood in India. The highest range of polymorphism was detected with SSR markers developed from Osyris lanceolata compared to Santalum. austrocaledonicum, Santalum. insulare and Santalum. spicatum. This study would help in conservation of the Sandalwood populations with high profile of genetic diversity and selection of clones for genetic improvement program.