Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Local adaptation in host–parasite systems

In host-parasite coevolutionary arms races, parasites probably have an evolutionary advantage. Parasite populations should be locally adapted, having higher mean fitness on sympatric than allopatric hosts. Here we assess evidence for local parasite advantage. Further we investigate how adaptation and counter-adaptation of parasites and hosts, necessarily occurring in sympatry, can generate a pattern of local adaptation. Already simple frequency-dependent selection models generate complex patterns of parasite performance on sympatric and allopatric populations. In metapopulations, with extinction, recolonization, and gene flow, variable selection pressure and stochasticity may obscure local processes or change the level at which local adaptation occurs. Alternatively, gene flow may introduce adaptive variation, so differential migration rates can modify the asymmetry of host and parasite evolutionary rates. We conclude that local adaptation is an average phenomenon. Its detection requires adequate replication at the appropriate level, that at which the local processes occur.
Rakeness-Based Compressed Sensing of Atrial Electrograms for the Diagnosis of Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial electrogram (AEG) acquired with a high spatio-temporal resolution is a promising approach for early detection of atrial fibrillation. Due to the high data rate, transmission of AEG signals requires considerable energy, making its adoption a challenge for low-power wireless devices. In this paper, we investigate the feasibility of using compressed sensing (CS) for the acquisition of AEGs while reducing redundant data without losing information. We apply two CS approaches, standard CS and rakeness-based CS (rak-CS) on real medical recordings. We find that the AEGs are compressible in time, and, more interestingly, in the spatial domain. The performance of rak-CS is better than standard CS, especially at higher compression ratios (CR), both during sinus rhythm (SR) and atrial fibrillation (AF). More specifically, the difference in the achieved average reconstruction signal-to-noise (ARSNR) in rak-CS and standard CS, for CR = 4.26, in the time domain is 7.7 dB and 2.6 dB for AF and SR, respectively. Multi-channel data is modeled as a multiple-measurement-vector problem and a suitable mixed norm is used to exploit the group structure of the signals in the spatial domain to obtain improved reconstruction performance over l1 norm minimization. Using the mixed-norm recovery approach, for CR = 4.26, the difference in achieved ARSNR performance between rak-CS and standard CS is 5 dB and 2 dB for AF and SR, respectively.
Optimization of microgrids short term operation based on an enhanced genetic algorithm

This paper outlines the optimization problem of unit commitment (UC) and economic dispatch (ED) in microgrids (MG). An improved real coded genetic algorithm (GA) has been developed to schedule the active and reactive powers of integrated controllable generators, battery storage systems (BSS) and shiftable loads in the system. In the proposed GA method, both network restrictions (voltages and loadings) and unit constraints have been considered, and minimization of the operation costs and pollutant treatment costs have been formulated as objective functions. For network analysis, comprehensive load flow calculations based on Matpower program are conducted in the optimization process. The proposed GA method features a highly flexible set of sub-functions, intelligent convergence behavior, as well as diversified searching approaches and penalty methods for constraint violations. Moreover, a new Li-Ion BSS model with an event-driven ageing behavior has been introduced to the GA structure. In the end, the performance and effectiveness of the developed GA method is verified by a number of optimization study cases applied to a typical test microgrid. The simulation results have demonstrated the capabilities of the optimizer to detect feasible global optimal solution for microgrid UC and ED problem.
ON THE FUNDAMENTAL FLUCTUATING WALL-SHEAR-STRESS

Recent studies by Marusic et al. (2010) and Mathis et al. (2013) suggest the existence of a fundamental wallshear-stress in any wall-bounded turbulent flow. It can be interpreted as a background turbulent wall-shear-stress f e of Reynolds number effects. To investigate its universal as pect, here we report a statistical/spectral comparison of t his fundamental wall-shear-stress in three different configur ations: boundary layer, pipe, and channel flows. A model is proposed to generate a synthetic fundamental fluctuating wall-shear-stress surface, which can then be used to predic t the 2D wall-shear-stress at any Reynolds number thanks to an inner-outer scale interaction model.
Iron Status in Toddlerhood Predicts Sensitivity to Psychostimulants in Children

Objective: Iron deficiency is associated with impaired dopaminergic signaling and externalizing behavior. The authors examine, whether iron stores in toddlerhood influence later response to psychostimulants. Method: Youth participating in a study monitoring the long-term safety of risperidone were included in this analysis if they had received psychostimulant monotherapy for at least 3 weeks and had a complete blood count obtained before psychostimulant treatment. Sensitivity to psychostimulants was defined based on the weight-adjusted dose during the 1st year of treatment. Regression analysis examined whether the hematological tests based on the characteristics of red blood cells were associated with sensitivity to psychostimulants. Results: A total of 29 participants (93% men; 76% Whites), primarily with ADHD (93%), comprised the current sample. The hematological tests were obtained, on average, 3 years before the initiation of psychostimulants monotherapy that occurred at 5.8 years of age and continued for a median of 0.85 years, at an average daily dose of 0.98 mg/kg (SD = 0.38) in methylphenidate equivalent. Compared with those who were poorly sensitive to psychostimulants, after adjusting for age, mean corpuscular volume was significantly higher in the highly and moderately psychostimulants sensitive groups. Conclusions: If replicated, these findings suggest that more attention should be paid to optimizing body iron in early childhood.
Diaphragm stress control for sensitivity improvement of piezoelectric ultrasonic microsensors on silicon dioxide diaphragms

Piezoelectric ultrasonic microsensors have been fabricated using sol-gel derived PZT (Pb(Zr,Ti)O3) thin films on micromachined silicon dioxide diaphragms made from a normal silicon wafer instead of the conventional SOI (silicon on insulator) wafer process. The layered structure of the PZT capacitor part on the diaphragm has been modified in order to control the total lateral stress in the diaphragm for sensitivity enhancement. The sensors having an island-like structure in the PZT layer have shown over 2 times higher sensitivity than conventional sensors.
Terrain navigation for underwater vehicles using the correlator method

In many autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) applications of long duration, there is a need to accurately determine the AUV's position in an effective way, in terms of both cost and energy consumption. Such situations may occur in reconnaissance operations, mine counter measure operations, and when an AUV is sampling the characteristics of the environment along a track. Since underwater maps are rare, there also is a need for navigational methods that can accommodate very infrequent sampling in terms of time and space. This work describes a new method to solve the above problem by using a multibeam sonar for three-dimensional sampling of the bottom topography and a linear Kalman filter in a nearly optimal way. The proposed method is very accurate, robust, and computationally efficient compared to other methods that are used for terrain navigation. This method is also suitable for continuous navigation.
The impact of economic instability on entrepreneurs' well-being: Moderate roles of emotional intelligence and social capital

Most of the literature on psychological well-being is based on research in industrialized countries or Chinese societies but our understanding of psychological well-being in other cultures particularly Middle-Eastern countries is quite limited. Thus, this paper attempts to fill the gap and empirically examines the relationship between fear of failure, social capital, and emotional intelligence with psychological well-being of entrepreneurs who has family and non-family businesses in Iran, a country in Middle-East which is facing economic sanctions since 2010. Implications of these findings for research and practice are discussed.
Insider Ownership and Capital Constraints: An Empirical Investigation of the Credit Rationing Hypothesis in Estonia

This study offers insights to policy makers interested in designing policies easing firms' access to capital and improving the governance system within which firms operate. In addition, it suggests practical implications to owner managers interested in mitigating agency conflicts and attracting outside investors. Our empirical results suggest that barriers to access to capital are an important determinant of the decline of employee-owned firms in Estonia. In addition, agency conflicts with potential providers of capital constrain manager-owned firms access to external funds and their ability to carry out investment projects. Using a unique and rich panel data for a large and representative sample of firms from Estonia between 1993 and 2002, we find that investment rates of employee-owned firms are positively related to measures of internal funds and negatively related to measures of external funds, indicating that these firms are financially constrained in carrying out their investment. Further, the probability that these firms operate as financially constrained is high and consistent over time. When manager-owned firms are considered, they are found to face barriers to access of external financing. This study investigates the impact of insider ownership on investment rates using a large and representative sample of Estonian firms.
The rise and fall of multinational enterprises in Vietnam : survival analysis using census data during 2000-2011

Using census data from 2000-2011, we examined the survival of multinational enterprises (MNEs) located in Vietnam using Cox hazard models with time-variant covariates. Beside enterprises' characteristics and performance, we found that the firm characteristics, structure of the ownership and nationalities of the foreign partners are associated with the probability of exiting, which suggests that a joint-venture between a foreign partner and a domestic non-state owned enterprise is more likely to exit than other types of MNEs. Also, a firm with a greater capital share owned by foreign partners was found to survive longer. Furthermore, time cost due to bureaucratic procedures and inspections, among indicators of local government performance, was found to be associated with a greater probability of MNEs exiting.
Targeted Random Mutagenesis To Identify Functionally Important Residues in the D2 Protein of Photosystem II in Synechocystis sp. Strain PCC 6803

ABSTRACT To identify important residues in the D2 protein of photosystem II (PSII) in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803, we randomly mutagenized a region of psbDI (coding for a 96-residue-long C-terminal part of D2) with sodium bisulfite. Mutagenized plasmids were introduced into a Synechocystissp. strain PCC 6803 mutant that lacks both psbD genes, and mutants with impaired PSII function were selected. Nine D2 residues were identified that are important for PSII stability and/or function, as their mutation led to impairment of photoautotrophic growth. Five of these residues are likely to be involved in the formation of the QA-binding niche; these are Ala249, Ser254, Gly258, Ala260, and His268. Three others (Gly278, Ser283, and Gly288) are in transmembrane α-helix E, and their alteration leads to destabilization of PSII but not to major functional alterations of the remaining centers, indicating that they are unlikely to interact directly with cofactors. In the C-terminal lumenal tail of D2, only one residue (Arg294) was identified as functionally important for PSII. However, from the number of mutants generated it is likely that most or all of the 70 residues that are susceptible to bisulfite mutagenesis have been altered at least once. The fact that mutations in most of these residues have not been picked up by our screening method suggests that these mutations led to a normal photoautotrophic phenotype. A novel method of intragenic complementation in Synechocystissp. strain PCC 6803 was developed to facilitate genetic analysis ofpsbDI mutants containing several amino acid changes in the targeted domain. Recombination between genome copies in the same cell appears to be much more prevalent in Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803 than was generally assumed.
Effects of Fermentation Products of Pro- and Prebiotics on Trans-Epithelial Electrical Resistance in an In Vitro Model of the Colon

Abstract: Evidence from in vivo and in vitro studies suggests that the consumption of pro- and prebiotics may inhibit colon carcinogenesis; however, the mechanisms involved have, thus far, proved elusive. There are some indications from animal studies that the effects are being exerted during the promotion stage of carcinogenesis. One feature of the promotion stage of colorectal cancer is the disruption of tight junctions, leading to a loss of integrity across the intestinal barrier. We have used the Caco-2 human adenocarcinoma cell line as a model for the intestinal epithelia. Trans-epithelial electrical resistance measurements indicate Caco-2 monolayer integrity, and we recorded changes to this integrity following exposure to the fermentation products of selected probiotics and prebiotics, in the form of nondigestible oligosaccharides (NDOs). Our results indicate that NDOs themselves exert varying, but generally minor, effects upon the strength of the tight junctions, whereas the fermentation products of probiotics and NDOs tend to raise tight junction integrity above that of the controls. This effect was bacterial species and oligosaccharide specific. Bifidobacterium Bb 12 was particularly effective, as were the fermentation products of Raftiline and Raftilose. We further investigated the ability of Raftilose fermentations to protect against the negative effects of deoxycholic acid (DCA) upon tight junction integrity. We found protection to be species dependent and dependent upon the presence of the fermentation products in the media at the same time as or after exposure to the DCA. Results suggest that the Raftilose fermentation products may prevent disruption of the intestinal epithelial barrier function during damage by tumor promoters.
Psychological family intervention for poorly controlled type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness of a psychological, family-based intervention to improve diabetes-related outcomes in patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. METHODS This study was a randomized controlled trial of a psychological family-based intervention targeted at individuals with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. Recruitment and follow-up occurred at specialist diabetes clinics. Patients were randomly allocated to an intervention group (n=60) or a control group (n=61). Poor control was defined as at least 2 of the patient's last 3 glycated hemoglobin (A1C) readings at >8.0%. The intervention consisted of 2 sessions delivered by a health psychologist to the patient and a family member in the patient's home, with a third session involving a 15-minute follow-up telephone call. RESULTS At 6-month follow-up, the intervention group reported significantly lower mean A1C levels than the control group (8.4% [SD=0.99%] vs 8.8% [SD=1.36%]; P=.04). The intervention was most effective in those with the poorest control at baseline (A1C>9.5%) (intervention 8.7% [SD=1.16%, n=15] vs control 9.9% [SD=1.31%, n=15]; P=.01). The intervention group also reported statistically significant improvements in beliefs about diabetes, psychological well-being, diet, exercise, and family support. CONCLUSIONS After participating in a family-based intervention targeting negative and/or inaccurate illness perceptions, patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes showed improvements in A1C levels and other outcomes. Our results suggest that adding a psychological, family-based component to usual diabetes care may help improve diabetes management.
An 8–12GHz 0.92° Phase Error Quadrature Clock Generator Based on Two-Stage Poly Phase Filter with Intermediate Point Compensation

An ultra-low phase error, low power Quadrature Clock Generator (QCG) based on two-stage Poly Phase Filter (PPF) with intermediate point compensation is proposed. With the incorporation of a RC sensing network to detect the process variation, the PPF compensates its quadrature phase error by feeding the network's output to the intermediate point. Meanwhile, output amplitude of the PPF is enhanced as a benefit of intermediate point utilization. In comparison with conventional Type-I and Type-II PPF-based QCGs, the proposed one excels in broadband phase error as a result of lowest phase/amplitude error combination in a typical process variation scenario (ΔR=±20%, ΔC=±10%). Furthermore, it stands out in power consumption performance due to its amplitude enhancement, which effectively reduces the amplification power passive PPF implementations always need. The phase error of proposed QCG is less than 0.32° at 10GHz, and no more than 0.92 ° over 8GHz-12GHz with process variations in Global Foundry 55nm CMOS process. The QCG consumes 9.6mW from a 1.2V supply voltage.
Global or Stateless Corporations are National Firms with International Operations

Are "multinational," "transnational," or "global" corporations truly stateless? By applying a number of criteria—geographical spread and scope of operations, ownership, control, people, legal nationality, and tax domicile—one must conclude that they are national firms with international operations. The home nation remains the primary source of a corporation's international competitive advantage, so that weakness at home is unlikely to be compensated by overseas operations. Moreover, it is often simply not feasible for a company as a whole to shift its home base (as distinct from shifting its headquarters). The firm needs its home nation just as the nation needs its home-based firms.
Disability and social protection programmes in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review

Abstract This paper systematically reviews the evidence on whether persons with disabilities in low- and middle-income countries are adequately included in social protection programmes, and assesses the financial and non-financial impacts of participation. Overall, we found that access to social protection appears to fall far below need. Benefits from participation are mostly limited to maintaining minimum living standards and do not appear to fulfil the potential of long-term individual and societal social and economic development. However, the most notable finding of this review is that there is a dearth of high-quality, robust evidence in this area, indicating a need for further research.
Some Fundamental Theorems of Risk Management

This paper explores the role of premium loadings in risk management decisions. It shows how the expected utility hypothesis might be applied to risk management situations and how rational insurance decisions depend on the nature of the premium loading. Finally the paper examines the 'moral hazard' argument that insurance discourages expenditure on loss prevention. The relationship between insurance and loss prevention is shown to depend on the size and nature of the premium loading. The contribution which risk management has made to the management sciences has been its stress on the interdependence between the alternative methods of handling risk. It therefore becomes inappropriate for a firm to formulate an optimal insurance program without reference to its program for loss prevention. Conversely, the viability of any given loss prevention program depends on the level of insurance and the conditions under which it is arranged. The purpose of this paper is to show how the nature and extent of this interdependence rest upon the premium structure and, in particular, the size and structure of the premium loadings. The importance of the premium loadings for optimal insurance and risk management decisions has been recognized by several economists and, collectively, their works form a theoretical basis for risk management. Some of the more important conclusions from this literature are brought together here and this is used as a basis for further exploration of the relationship between risk management decisions and premium loadings. Risk Management and Expected Utility Hypothesis An individual or firm starts with an initial level of wealth, A, which is exposed to the prospect of destruction or damage by some specified perils. The analysis of this paper is appropriate in the case where the wealth is in the form of a proprietorial interest in certain productive assets or consumer goods. N. A. Doherty, B.Phil., F.C. I.I. , is Stewart Wrightson Research Fellow in the University of Nottingham, United Kingdom. This paper was submitted in April, 1974. This paper is part of a wider study into the economics of insurance and loss prevention sponsored by Stewart Wrightson, Ltd. The author wishes to record his thanks to them and to an anonymous referee of this journal who has made many helpful suggestions. (447) This content downloaded from 207.46. 13.184 on Sun, 10 Apr 2016 06:22:34 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor. org/terms 448 The Journal of Risk and Insurance The potential losses to the individual can be described in the form of a probability distribution such as that shown in Figure la. Here the value 0 on the x axis represents a zero loss and the value ON is the maximum Loss ) Expected income distribution distribution 1~~a lb
Proteome characterization of splenocytes from an Aβpp/ps‐1 Alzheimer's disease model

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the sixth leading cause of US deaths. In addition to neurodegenerative deficits in AD, changes in the immune system have also been observed. Proteomic analysis of specific immune cell populations may help gain insights into mechanisms of peripheral immunity in AD. Herein, we report proteome characterization for two subsets of splenocytes (i.e. CD90+ cells and a heterogeneous pool of CD90− cells) from a double transgenic mutant amyloid precursor protein/presenilin‐1 (Aβpp/ps‐1) AD mouse model. Overall, 906 proteins were identified from both cell types with 275 and 334 proteins uniquely identified as CD90+ and CD90− cells, respectively. Proteins identified in CD90+ and CD90− cells were significantly involved in 18 and 19 KEGG pathways, respectively. Amongst these, pathways associated with AD and antigen processing and presentation were identified in CD90+ and CD90− subsets, respectively. This is the first study to provide a reference proteome map for splenocyte populations in Aβpp/ps‐1 double transgenic mice which will be helpful for future studies focused on understanding peripheral changes in this model. All MS data have been deposited in the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD000203 (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD000203).