Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estimation in AB/BA crossover trials with application to bioequivalence studies with incomplete and complete data designs

Crossover studies are frequently used in clinical research as they allow within‐subject comparisons instead of the between‐subject evaluation of parallel group designs. Estimation of interesting parameters from such designs is, however, not trivial. We provide three methods for estimating treatment effects and associated standard errors from an AB/BA crossover trial. Assuming at least asymptotic normality, we can obtain the confidence intervals for single parameters as well as for differences or ratios of treatment effects. The latter is particularly useful in a pharmacokinetic context to establish bioequivalence using area under the concentration versus time curves (AUCs). In this work, we will illustrate how Fieller‐type confidence intervals can be constructed for the ratio of AUCs estimated using a noncompartmental approach in a sparse sampling setting from a two‐treatment, two‐period, two‐sequence crossover trial. In particular, we will discuss a flexible batch design, which includes traditional serial sampling and complete data designs as special cases. Via simulation, we show that the proposed intervals have nominal coverage and keep the type I error even for small sample sizes. Moreover, we illustrate the methodology in a real data example. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The productivity slowdown: is it the ‘new normal’?

This paper considers the paradoxical co-existence of a productivity slowdown and exciting new technologies. Several potential explanations are reviewed. It is argued that while some are unpersuasive it is too soon to know which carry the most weight. However, the slowdown does not appear to be an artefact of the data. A key, hotly disputed, issue is the future economic impact of todayâ€™s technological progress. As with previous general purpose technologies, it is likely that there will be powerful effects but only with a lag. This has the implication that while the slowdown is real it is not necessarily permanent.
MITOCHONDRIAL DNA PHYLOGEOGRAPHY OF PEROGNATHUS AMPLUS AND PEROGNATHUS LONGIMEMBRIS (RODENTIA: HETEROMYIDAE): A POSSIBLE MAMMALIAN RING SPECIES

Substantiated cases of ring species in mammals are rare. I examined the variation in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of Perognathus amplus and P. longimembris in and around Arizona to test the hypothesis proposed by Hoffmeister (1986) that these two taxa are members of a single ring species demonstrating circular overlap. Through digestion of purified mtDNA from 45 P. amplus and 35 P. longimembris with 16 type II restriction enzymes, I identified 38 distinct haplotypes that belong to eight different evolutionary lineages. I then amplified and directly sequenced a portion of the mitochondrial cytochrome‐b region from individuals representative of the lineages identified by restriction fragments, and used these data for phylogeny reconstruction in both a parsimony and neighbor‐joining setting. The resulting phylogeny was consistent with the ring hypothesis, but, based on the incompleteness of the ring of subspecies and the apparent timing of evolutionary events in this group, I conclude that P. amplus and P. longimembris are distinct lineages that have completed the speciation process.
Succession of Internal Sulfur Cycles and Sulfur-Oxidizing Bacterial Communities in Microaerophilic Wastewater Biofilms

ABSTRACT The succession of sulfur-oxidizing bacterial (SOB) community structure and the complex internal sulfur cycle occurring in wastewater biofilms growing under microaerophilic conditions was analyzed by using a polyphasic approach that employed 16S rRNA gene-cloning analysis combined with fluorescence in situ hybridization, microelectrode measurements, and standard batch and reactor experiments. A complete sulfur cycle was established via S0 accumulation within 80 days in the biofilms in replicate. This development was generally split into two phases, (i) a sulfur-accumulating phase and (ii) a sulfate-producing phase. In the first phase (until about 40 days), since the sulfide production rate (sulfate-reducing activity) exceeded the maximum sulfide-oxidizing capacity of SOB in the biofilms, H2S was only partially oxidized to S0 by mainly Thiomicrospira denitirificans with NO3− as an electron acceptor, leading to significant accumulation of S0 in the biofilms. In the second phase, the SOB populations developed further and diversified with time. In particular, S0 accumulation promoted the growth of a novel strain, strain SO07, which predominantly carried out the oxidation of S0 to SO42− under oxic conditions, and Thiothrix sp. strain CT3. In situ hybridization analysis revealed that the dense populations of Thiothrix (ca. 109 cells cm−3) and strain SO07 (ca. 108 cells cm−3) were found at the sulfur-rich surface (100 μm), while the population of Thiomicrospira denitirificans was distributed throughout the biofilms with a density of ca. 107 to 108 cells cm−3. Microelectrode measurements revealed that active sulfide-oxidizing zones overlapped the spatial distributions of different phylogenetic SOB groups in the biofilms. As a consequence, the sulfide-oxidizing capacities of the biofilms became high enough to completely oxidize all H2S produced by SRB to SO42− in the second phase, indicating establishment of the complete sulfur cycle in the biofilms.
Phosphocholine as a biomarker of breast cancer: Molecular and biochemical studies

The discovery of metabolic and molecular markers that help improving the detection and diagnosis of breast cancer is an important goal to be achieved. A high composite‐choline signal in magnetic resonance spectra of breast lesions has been demonstrated to improve the accuracy of breast cancer diagnosis. In the present study we revealed the principal molecular and biochemical steps associated with the induction of choline metabolism and phosphocholine accumulation in human breast cancer cell‐lines in comparison with normal human mammary epithelial cells. We found upregulation of the expression levels of specific choline transporters: organic cation transporter‐2 and choline high affinity transporter‐1, as well as of the enzyme choline kinase α in the cancerous cells in comparison with that in the normal mammary epithelial cells. The expression levels of choline transporter like‐1, organic cation transporter‐1 and choline kinase β were similar in normal and cancerous cells. We further showed that choline transport rates and choline kinase activity indeed increased by several fold in the cancer cells leading to the elevation of phosphocholine. The results strongly suggest that phosphocholine can serve as a biomarker of breast cancer reflecting upregulation of specific choline transporters and choline kinase genes. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of microsatellite DNA libraries from three mealybug species and development of microsatellite markers for Pseudococcus viburni (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Abstract Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) are important pests for crops worldwide. Different species, cryptic taxa under the same species name or even populations within a species can differ in biological characteristics, such as phenology, resistance to insecticides, virus transmission and susceptibility to natural enemies. Therefore, their management efficacy depends on their accurate identification. Microsatellite genetic markers are efficient in revealing the fine-scale taxonomic status of insects, both at inter- and intra-specific level. Despite their potential uses, microsatellites have been developed only for one mealybug species so far. Hence, it is unclear whether microsatellites may be useful to assess mealybug population differentiation and structuring. In this work, we tested the feasibility of developing microsatellite markers in mealybugs by: (i) producing and characterizing microsatellite DNA libraries for three species: Pseudococcus viburni, Pseudococcus comstocki and Heliococcus bohemicus, and (ii) by developing and testing markers for Ps. viburni. The obtained libraries contained balanced percentages of dinucleotide (ranging from 15 to 25%) and trinucleotide (from 5 to 17%) motifs. The marker setup for Ps. viburni was successful, although 70% of the primers initially tested were discarded for a lack of polymorphism. Finally, 25 markers were combined in two multiplex polymerase chain reactions with 21 displaying no evidence of deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Ps. viburni markers were tested on one population from France and one from Chile. The markers revealed a significant genetic differentiation between the two populations with an Fst estimate of 0.266.
Assessing Consumer and Producer Preferences for Animal Welfare Using a Common Elicitation Format

We assess pig farmers’ willingness‐to‐accept (WTA) higher farm animal welfare (FAW) standards and consumers’ willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) for thus enhanced standards. The analysis is based on discrete choice experiments with nearly identical choice sets for both farmers (N=140) and consumers (N=554). Based on preference estimates from a random parameter logit (RPL) model, supply and demand curves for high‐welfare pork in Germany are estimated and market equilibria are derived for alternative levels of FAW. We find that estimates of consumer WTP are significantly positive for all FAW attributes: consumers value more surface space per pig, more bedding and manipulable material, less surgical interventions and shorter transportation times. In contrast, our model revealed significant producer WTA estimates only for surface area per pig and the amount of bedding material on offer, but not for the other FAW attributes. Farmers who expect to continue farming and engage in direct marketing are more likely to adopt higher FAW standards. Male consumers and those who find price more important than brand, origin or taste are less likely to buy high‐welfare pork, as are consumers who never purchase organic meat products. Market simulations for high‐welfare pork indicate increasing divergence between demand and supply with rising FAW standards. We estimate a market share of 44.6% for pork produced in compliance with an entry‐level FAW programme with standards only slightly above the legal minimum. Programmes with more demanding standards are estimated to gain much smaller market shares.
Doppler ultrasound and numerical analysis for the assessment of hemodynamic disturbances in ulcerated carotid arteries

Carotid plaque ulcerations, or irregularities in plaque surface morphology, have been identified as an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke. Our previous studies using Doppler ultrasound (DUS) have indicated significant flow disturbances distal to ulceration in the atherosclerotic carotid bifurcation, as characterized by parameters such as turbulence intensity (TI). Additional tools are needed to understand the implications of such flow abnormalities on the risk of thrombogenesis and cerebral ischemic events. Numerical simulations using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can supplement experimental DUS studies, providing higher resolution, time-resolved models of 3-D flow fields. CFD is also able to quantify hemodynamic factors that indicate thromboembolic or plaque rupture potential. We report a CFD analysis of an ellipsoidal ulcer model and a matched non-ulcerated model in a moderately stenosed carotid bifurcation, with the same vessel geometries and flow conditions used in our previous DUS studies. The CFD models used a spatial finite element discretization of over 160,000 quadratic tetrahedral elements to adequately resolve the flow field. Pulsatile flow simulations with boundary conditions and flowrate waveforms matching DUS experimental conditions were iterated for five cardiac cycles. Turbulence intensity was calculated for the CFD models and compared with DUS experimental results. The CFD models were able to capture differences in flow patterns between cardiac cycles. As observed in the empirical DUS results, the CFD ulcer model displayed higher levels of TI in the post-stenotic region than the CFD non-ulcerated model. The extent and magnitude of TI was comparable to the DUS results, after modeling for the effects of sample volume geometry and intrinsic spectral broadening, and by a high pass filter. Furthermore, the CFD results indicate that flow post-stenosis is likely transitional, with both disturbed and turbulent flow present. CFD facilitates the comparison of hemodynamic parameters between ulcer models and may help to demonstrate the risks of embolism or plaque rupture posed by ulcerated atherosclerotic plaques in the carotid bifurcation.
Behavioural and emotional disturbance in fragile X syndrome.

A range of behaviours has been postulated as specific manifestations of the Fragile X (fra(X)) syndrome. This study examines a broad range of behaviours in subjects with fra(X) syndrome and in control individuals. It was designed to take account of methodological factors which may account for differing findings in previous studies. Subjects were 48 children, adolescents, and young adults with fra(X) syndrome. They were compared with a large community epidemiological sample (N = 454) of persons with mental retardation (M.R.), matched for age, sex, and IQ. Behavioural problems were studied using the Developmental Behaviour Checklist, an instrument of established reliability and validity in the evaluation of behavioural and emotional disturbance in children and adolescents with mental retardation. Fragile X subjects had more shyness and avoidance of eye contact and less antisocial behaviour. Further methodological issues pertaining to studies of behaviour phenotype in general are discussed.
Centralized Automatic Meter Reading System Based on GPRS Technology

With the continuous reform and innovation of science and technology, as well as the implementation of the comprehensive construction of smart grid strategic objectives, so that the development of the power industry has been a qualitative leap. Under the support of GPRS technology of mobile communication company in our country, the electricity meter reading system breaks the disadvantages of the traditional manual meter reading method, which saves a lot of labor cost and improves the quality and efficiency of the power meter reading, the centralized meter reading system has a series of advantages, such as high speed, high degree of automation and high accuracy, the electric power enterprise fully realized the importance of the centralized meter reading system under the GPRS technology. This paper will further analyze and discuss the centralized meter reading system based on GPRS technology.
Terasaki Epitope Mismatch Burden Predicts the Development of De Novo DQ Donor-Specific Antibodies and are Associated With Adverse Allograft Outcomes

Background De novo DQ donor-specific antibody (DSA) are associated with antibody-mediated rejection and allograft loss. Given the lack of effective treatment of de novo DQ DSA, their prevention is vital if there is to be an improvement of long-term allograft survival. Using the HLA Matchmaker program, DQ epitope matching has been shown to be superior to HLA antigen mismatching in predicting de novo DQ DSA development. Whether DQ epitopes determined by Terasaki may more accurately predict de novo DQ development over HLA antigen matching is not known. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the immunogenicity of the different HLA antigens, DQB1 alleles and DQB1 Teraskai epitopes (TerEp) in a large cohort of renal transplant recipients, by comparing patient mismatches with de novo DSA development. Results Patients mismatched at a DQB1 allele were at significantly higher risk of developing de novo DSA compared with other mismatched HLA antigens. Patients mismatched at the DQ7 allele appear to be at specific risk. For patients mismatched at a single DQB1 allele, the risk of de novo DQ DSA development increases with the number of TerEp mismatches. However, the immunogenicity of the different DQ TerEps does not appear to be equal. Patients who develop antibodies against TerEps are at increased risk of adverse allograft outcomes, specifically antibody-mediated rejection. Conclusions Epitope mismatch burden, determined by TerEps, helps predict risk of de novo DQ DSA development and offers an alternative approach to predict an alloimmune response.
A study of optimal capacity of PV and battery energy storage system distributed in demand side

A sustainable energy such as solar power generation and wind power generation is known to have an important role aiming at the post-carbon-society. In Japan, the government has decided that the total installed capacity of PV generation would be 53GW by 2030. In particular, it is assumed that PV generation is installed into the distributed network, mainly the demand side. However, the output of PV generation is not constant and varies depending on clime condition. As the countermeasure, BESS (battery energy storage system) attracts attention all over the world. If PV and BESS are installed in the demand side, the cost, which are installation cost and electricity rate of receiving power from utility, has to be considered. Therefore, in this paper, the reduction of total cost and CO2-emisison are calculated when introduced into demand side such as factory, commercial building and shopping center. Then the optimal capacities of PV and BESS are studied. In simulation, the foresting of load and PV generation power are included. The improvement of cost and CO2-esimission may change by changing the error of forecasting and the shape of load curve. Therefore, the optimal capacities are discussed by changing the error of forecasting and the shape of load curve.
Validation of a food quantification picture book and portion sizes estimation applying perception and memory methods

Abstract We tested the applicability of EPIC-SOFT food picture series used in the context of a Hungarian food consumption survey gathering data for exposure assessment, and investigated errors in food portion estimation resulted from the visual perception and conceptualisation-memory. Sixty-two participants in three age groups (10 to <74 years) were presented with three different portion sizes of five foods. The results were considered acceptable if the relative difference between average estimated and actual weight obtained through the perception method was ≤25%, and the relative standard deviation of the individual weight estimates was <30% after compensating the effect of potential outliers with winsorisation. Picture series for all five food items were rated acceptable. Small portion sizes were tended to be overestimated, large ones were tended to be underestimated. Portions of boiled potato and creamed spinach were all over- and underestimated, respectively. Recalling the portion sizes resulted in overestimation with larger differences (up to 60.7%).
Do employee dimension ratings reflect employee performance? Evidence from MSCI’s ESG database

ABSTRACT We investigate whether the ratings of employee dimension in MSCI’s ESG database reflect employee performance of a firm. Using a large panel sample with 23,739 observations from 1991 to 2015, we find a significant positive relation between employee performance and employee dimension ratings. To mitigate concerns about endogeneity issues and robustness of our study, we perform various additional tests and still obtain consistent results. Overall, our findings suggest that the employee dimension ratings in MSCI’s ESG database accurately reflect employee performance.
Improved link-based cluster ensembles for microarray data analysis

Cancer has been identified as the leading cause of death. It is predicted that around 20-26 million people will be diagnosed with cancer by 2020. As a result, there is an urgent need for a more effective methodology to prevent and cure cancer. Microarray technology provides a useful basis of achieving this ultimate goal. For cancer research, it has become almost routine to create gene expression profiles, which can discriminate patients into good and poor prognosis groups. This cluster analysis offers a useful basis for individualized treatment of disease. Cluster ensembles have been shown to be better than any standard clustering algorithm for such a task. This meta-learning formalism helps users to overcome the dilemma of selecting an appropriate technique and the parameters for that technique, given a set of data. Among different state-of-the-art methods, the link-based approach (LCE) provides a highly accurate clustering. This paper presents the improvement of LCE with a new link-based similarity measure being developed and engaged. Additional information that is already available in an information network is included in the similarity assessment. As such, this refinement can increase the quality of the measures, hence the resulting cluster decision. The performance of this improved LCE is evaluated on published microarray datasets, in comparison with the original LCE and several well-known cluster ensemble techniques. The findings suggest that the new model can improve the accuracy of LCE and performs better than the others investigated in the empirical study.
Application of high‐performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection to the metabolic profiling of plant isoprenoids

The application of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a C30 reverse-phase stationary matrix has enabled the simultaneous separation of carotenes, xanthophylls, ubiquinones, tocopherols and plastoquinones in a single chromatogram. Continuous photodiode array (PDA) detection ensured identification and quantification of compounds upon elution. Applications of the method to the characterization of transgenic and mutant tomato varieties with altered isoprenoid content, biochemical screening of Arabidopsis thaliana, and elucidation of the modes of action of bleaching herbicides are described to illustrate the versatility of the procedure.
Education Policy And Practices Of English As A Foreign Language (Efl) In Iraq

English is the language of trade, finance, science, education, and politics, and several countries have an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) policy to improve their ability to compete. Accordingly, many countries have placed emphasis on EFL and have established an effective teaching methodology as part of that policy. Currently, the Ministry of Education in Iraq has changed their educational policy to start EFL in the first grade and has adopted new textbooks using the communicative language teaching (CLT) approach. The purpose of this research is to study the Iraqi EFL education policy and practices after 2014 by assessing instructor perception of the new policy, quality of teacher training, and the effectiveness of the new textbook series, English for Iraq. The research questions for this study aim to: (1) find the positive and the negative aspects of the new education policy; (2) explore the quality of teacher training to develop teaching skills for English for Iraq; and (3) assess the effectiveness of English for Iraq. The study includes mixed research approaches where both qualitative and quantitative data have been collected by three different methods: survey, interview, and textbook evaluation. The participants in this study were 52 English for Iraq teachers. Findings indicate that facilities were substandard and could not support the new education policy, the textbooks were effective but lack supplementary materials, and more teacher training is required for effective CLT teaching. Recommendations include the establishment of a CLT training center in Iraq and language labs in schools to assist teachers to teach using CLT.