Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Low genetic diversity and strong but shallow population differentiation suggests genetic homogenization by metapopulation dynamics in a social spider

Mating systems and population dynamics influence genetic diversity and structure. Species that experience inbreeding and limited gene flow are expected to evolve isolated, divergent genetic lineages. Metapopulation dynamics with frequent extinctions and colonizations may, on the other hand, deplete and homogenize genetic variation, if extinction rate is sufficiently high compared to the effect of drift in local demes. We investigated these theoretical predictions empirically in social spiders that are highly inbred. Social spiders show intranest mating, female‐biased sex ratio, and frequent extinction and colonization events, factors that deplete genetic diversity within nests and populations and limit gene flow. We characterized population genetic structure in Stegodyphus sarasinorum, a social spider distributed across the Indian subcontinent. Species‐wide genetic diversity was estimated over approximately 2800 km from Sri Lanka to Himalayas, by sequencing 16 protein‐coding nuclear loci. We found 13 SNPs in 6592 bp (π = 0.00045) indicating low species‐wide nucleotide diversity. Three genetic lineages were strongly differentiated; however, only one fixed difference among them suggests recent divergence. This is consistent with a scenario of metapopulation dynamics that homogenizes genetic diversity across the species' range. Ultimately, low standing genetic variation may hamper a species' ability to track environmental change and render social inbreeding spiders ‘evolutionary dead‐ends’.
Testing for misspecification in the short-run component of GARCH-type models

Abstract In this article, a misspecification test in conditional volatility and GARCH-type models is presented. We propose a Lagrange Multiplier type test based on a Taylor expansion to distinguish between (G)ARCH models and unknown GARCH-type models. This new test can be seen as a general misspecification test of a large set of GARCH-type univariate models. It focuses on the short-term component of the volatility. We investigate the size and the power of this test through Monte Carlo experiments and we compare it to two other standard Lagrange Multiplier tests, which are more restrictive. We show the usefulness of our test with an illustrative empirical example based on daily exchange rate returns.
Saltiness enhancement by savory aroma compounds.

UNLABELLED The impact of elevated levels of complex savory flavorings and single aroma compounds on perceived saltiness was investigated. This study demonstrates that multisensory interaction between aroma and taste can be employed to compensate for the lower salt levels of healthier food products without disturbing the overall flavor pattern. The demonstrated saltiness enhancement by the savory flavorings was unraveled by experiments with "salt-congruent" single aroma compounds, using trained and naïve panels. Several savory compounds, of different chemical classes and different sensory impact, could be identified as key salt-enhancing compounds, providing a significant increase of perceived saltiness. As expected, an untrained, naïve panel appeared more suitable to demonstrate multisensory saltiness enhancement due to its synthetic attention than a trained descriptive panel. The salt enhancement results were confirmed by consumer tests. The extra aroma was also found to ameliorate the off-flavor of potassium-based salt replacers, and combinations of extra aroma and salt replacers could replace significant amounts of sodium chloride while keeping the original flavor profile intact. PRACTICAL APPLICATION The food industry is under high pressure to significantly reduce the salt levels in their products. This study shows that it is possible to compensate salt reduction in instant bouillons by higher levels of savory aroma. A combination of potassium chloride based salt replacer and extra aroma was found to compensate approximately 30% sodium reduction without significant change of the flavor profile.
Physicochemical characterization of solid dispersions of three antiepileptic drugs prepared by solvent evaporation method

We have investigated the solid dispersion and dissolution profiles of three antiepileptic drugs (carbamazepine (CBZ), oxcarbazepine (OXC) and rufinamide (RFN)) with different aqueous solubilities, prepared by the solvent evaporation method. Solid dispersions of the three drugs in hydroxy‐propylmethylcellulose (HPMC), with drug:polymer ratios of 1:4, were prepared and characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transformation infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy. The release mechanism was also investigated and the kinetic order of the solid dispersions was evaluated. It appeared that the dissolution behaviour depended on the physicochemical properties of the drug and drug‐polymer interactions. DSC thermographs showed amorphous forms for all drugs confirmed by XRD patterns. The FTIR spectra of CBZ and OXC demonstrated drug interactions with HPMC through hydrogen polymer bonds. Thus, solid dispersions of these drugs had an improved dissolution profile. In contrast, solid dispersions of RUF showed modest enhancement of dissolution, suggesting negligible drug‐polymer interactions. The different dissolution behaviour is attributed to the extent of interactions between the polymer hydroxyl group and the drug amide groups.
Factors influencing management development of MBA students: Exploring concerns of business schools in Pakistan

The purpose of this study is to explore factors that reinforce or obstruct business schools in Pakistan to develop managerial knowledge, skills and work-based learning experiences of MBA students. The study is prompted by growing debates about insufficiencies in business schools to prepare MBA graduates based on managerial capital needs in the regional markets. To understand the reasons of insufficiencies from business school’s viewpoint, this study employs qualitative interviews to explore factors that reinforce or obstruct business schools. Deans, faculty members and administrators of five different business schools in Hyderabad, Pakistan participated in this study. Responses of the participants are transcribed into verbatim reports and description of findings is structured in SWOT analysis format. Findings show sixteen different factors, comprising of four strengths, seven weaknesses, three opportunities, and two threats. There are more number of weaknesses of business schools to develop MBA students. However, business schools have some strengths and opportunities which they may utilize and improve. Radical changes would strive from the higher education authority. Conceptual framework presented in this study recommends that higher education authority may lead the change, cooperate between business schools and stakeholders, and support business schools to develop future managers and leaders through MBA programs.
North Central Cancer Treatment Group/Alliance trial N08CA—the use of glutathione for prevention of paclitaxel/carboplatin‐induced peripheral neuropathy: A phase 3 randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study

Chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a significant side effect of taxane and platinum‐based chemotherapy. Several studies have supported the potential benefit of glutathione for the prevention of platinum‐induced CIPN. The current trial was designed to determine whether glutathione would prevent CIPN as a result of carboplatin/paclitaxel therapy.
A retrospective study of the factors associated with hypercoagulability in the pediatric patients at a tertiary care children’s hospital*

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the risk factors of hypercoagulability in children. We explored the interaction of multiple risk factors with the incidence of thrombosis. Our hypothesis was that as the number of risk factors for thrombosis increased the actual incidence of thrombosis would also increase. Design: Retrospective review from 2003 through 2006 based on a search using two electronic medical record databases. Setting: Pediatric Tertiary Care Children’s Hospital. Patients: Two hundred twenty-six patients were identified and analyzed. Measurements: Search terms included factor V Leiden polymerase chain reaction, prothrombin gene 20210A mutation, methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase mutation, antithrombin III, and protein C and S levels. Clinical data were compiled for regression analysis. Main Results: The presence of one risk factor was not significant. Two risk factors increased the risk of thrombosis (p = 0.005; OR 3.128). Three or more risk factors further increased the risk of thrombosis (p = 0.003; OR 4.861). Older age (>11 yrs) was protective against thrombosis (p = 0.007; OR 0.995), and the presence of a central venous catheter when analyzed against accumulating risk factors showed a higher risk than that found during the regression analysis (p = 0.001; OR 3.638). Conclusions: The population at our institution is reflective of the previously reported standards for the genetic predispositions toward thrombosis. Although older age is associated with a lower incidence of thrombosis, the presence of a central venous access device is detrimental. Accumulation of factors results in an increased risk of thrombosis. This article suggests that when inserting a central venous access device, consideration of a hypercoagulation workup should occur. Those with any two or more risk factors, genetic or acquired, and the comorbidity of a CVL may warrant consideration for the institution of anticoagulation with an agent like low molecular weight heparin.
Reducing the chlorine dioxide demand in final disinfection of drinking water treatment plants using activated carbon

Chlorine dioxide is one of the most widely employed chemicals in the disinfection process of a drinking water treatment plant (DWTP). The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of the adsorption process with granular activated carbon (GAC) on the chlorine dioxide consumption in final oxidation/disinfection. A first series of tests was performed at the laboratory scale employing water samples collected at the outlet of the DWTP sand filter of Cremona (Italy). The adsorption process in batch conditions with seven different types of GAC was studied. A second series of tests was performed on water samples collected at the outlet of four GAC columns installed at the outlet of the DWTP sand filter. The results showed that the best chlorine dioxide demand (ClO2-D) reduction yields are equal to 60–80% and are achieved in the first 30 min after ClO2 addition, during the first 16 days of the column operation using a mineral, coal-based, mesoporous GAC. Therefore, this carbon removes organic compounds that are more rapidly reactive with ClO2. Moreover, a good correlation was found between the ClO2-D and UV absorbance at wavelength 254 nm using mineral carbons; therefore, the use of a mineral mesoporous GAC is an effective solution to control the high ClO2-D in the disinfection stage of a DWTP. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Diminished expression of MGMT & RASSF1A genes in gastric cancer in ethnic population of Kashmir.

BACKGROUND Cancer initiation and progression are accompanied by profound changes in DNA. DNA methylation that was the first epigenetic alterations identified in cancer. DNA hypermethylation at promoter sites is closely associated with down regulation of protein and as major participant in the development and progression of series of human tumors. Therefore we hypothesized that promoter hypermethylation of RASSF1A & MGMT gene could influence susceptibility to gastric cancer (GC) as well, and we conducted this study to test the hypothesis in Kashmiri population. METHODS A hospital based case-control study; including 200 GC cases and 200 matched controls from patients who went surgical resection. Promoter hypermethylation was determined by Methylation Specific Polymerase chain reaction. The expression of MGMT & RASSF1A protein was examined by Western blotting technique. RESULTS Frequency of promoter region hypermethylation of MGMT gene were 46.5% in cases and 5.5% in controls (P<0.05) while as in case of RASSF1A frequency was 44% in cases and 4.5% in controls (P<0.05). Further, frequency of hypermethylation of both genes was found predominant in males, aged and advanced pathological stage subjects. Loss of MGMT expression was found in 46.5% cases (P<0.05) while as loss of RASSF1A expression was found in 40.5% cases (P<0.05). In both genes a positive correlation was observed between promoter CpG island hypermethylation and down regulation of respective proteins. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that promoter hypermethylation at CpG island may be responsible for reduction of expression at protein level which may be an initial event in carcinogenesis and the progression of GC.
A study of on-line quasi-Bayes adaptation for CDHMM-based speech recognition

We present a framework of quasi-Bayes (QB) learning of the parameters of the continuous density hidden Markov model (CDHMM) with Gaussian mixture state observation densities. Based on the theory of recursive Bayesian inference, the QB algorithm is designed to incrementally update the hyperparameters on the approximate posterior distribution and the CDHMM parameters simultaneously. By further introducing a simple forgetting mechanism to adjust the contribution of previously observed sample utterances, the algorithm is adaptive in nature and capable of performing an on-line adaptive learning using only the current sample utterance. It can thus be used to cope with the time-varying nature of some acoustic and environmental variabilities, including mismatches caused by changing speakers, channels, and transducers. As an example, the QB learning framework is applied to on-line speaker adaptation and its viability is confirmed in a series of comparative experiments using a 26-letter English alphabet vocabulary.
An error correction strategy for digital audio watermarking scheme

Audio watermarking schemes are used in particular in order to embed imperceptibly data in digital audio signal. The analyzed audio watermarking scheme may be viewed as a particular communication system. However, due to the noise specificities (low SNR, piecewise stationarity, non Gaussianity), this scheme suffers of a very low BER (bit error rate). In this paper, we investigate an adequate error correction strategy based on the modification of the decoder metric. This modification is related to the a priori knowledge of the PDF (probability density function) of the noise. In this paper, the parametric generalized Gaussian distribution is used to piecewise model the time varying noise PDF.
Age-Expanded Normative Data for the Ruff 2&7 Selective Attention Test: Evaluating Cognition in Older Males

The Ruff 2&7 Selective Attention Test's (RSAT) current scoring data are relatively limited for older adults because persons over the age of 70 years were not included in the normative sample. Prior evidence suggests that changes in attention skills, such as those evaluated by the RSAT, may distinguish normal cognitive aging from pathologic cognitive decline. Thus normative data for older individuals on this measure increase its utility in diagnosing Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and dementia, and enhance its potential use in clinical and research settings. Data from 415 male volunteers (mean age = 69.5 ± 5.7 years) in the PREADViSE clinical trial were used in the current investigation. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) shows statistically significant effects of age, race, and education on RSAT Speed measures. Results indicate that age-expanded norms will provide a more accurate reflection of the typical performance of older individuals on the RSAT.
The Integrated Platform of Digital Cultural Heritage in China: a Proposed Model Based on Public’s Expectations

This poster attempts to propose an integrated platform of digital cultural heritage in China based on the public’s expectations and provide specific suggestions for policy makers. A questionnaire was designed and disseminated through online survey service website. From 6 October to November 2016, a total of 1,076 responses were collected. The data showed that the Chinese users expected a comprehensive, convenient, and unified one-stop online accessible portal to all types of digital cultural heritage from China. Based on user need analysis, an integrated platform model of digital cultural heritage has been proposed. Also the China’s digital cultural heritage integration management system has been proposed. In this system, the corporation between the Ministry of Culture and the State Archives Administration of China can be realized.
Analyst Earnings Forecast Precision and Local Advantage: Evidence from American Depositary Receipt Firms

Prior research has documented a finding that local analysts provide more accurate earnings forecasts than nonlocal analysts in many settings. However, little is known about local and nonlocal analysts’ relative earnings forecast abilities for ADR stocks. In this study, we find that the local advantage disappears for ADR stocks and that nonlocal analysts in fact outperform local ones in this case. We investigate the source of this ‘local disadvantage’ and find evidence against hypotheses based on accounting standards and exchange rates. We document that the local advantage decreases with increased investor interest in foreign firms, consistent with our nonlocal investors’ interest hypothesis.
Composition of the postprandial refluxate in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease

OBJECTIVE:It is not known whether the characteristics of the postprandial refluxate in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) differ from those observed in normal subjects. The aim of this study was to characterize the postprandial refluxate in adult patients with GERD using combined intraluminal electrical impedance and pH measurements.METHODS:Postprandial gastroesophageal reflux was assessed in 16 patients with GERD and 15 controls. pH and intraluminal electrical impedance were used to identify acid and nonacid reflux of liquid, mixed (liquid + gas) or gas.RESULTS:Transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations (TLESRs) and reflux of gastric contents were equally frequent in both groups. However, patients with GERD had more acid reflux [8 (4.7–10.5)/h vs 3.5 (2.6–6)/h, p < 0.05], and normal subjects had more nonacid reflux [5 (4.3–6.7)/h vs 3 (1–3.5)/h, p < 0.05]. Gas reflux was less frequent in GERD than in controls (51% vs 68%; p < 0.05). Pure liquid reflux, however, was more frequent (40% vs 26%, p < 0.05) and twice as likely to be acid in GERD. During TLESRs, liquid acid reflux was more frequent in GERD than in controls.CONCLUSIONS:TLESRs and reflux of gastric contents are similarly frequent in patients with GERD and controls. However, patients with GERD have more acid reflux and less nonacid reflux. Differences in the air–liquid composition of the refluxate may contribute to the higher rate of acid reflux observed in these patients.
Prospective randomized trial of direct endomyocardial implantation of bone marrow cells for treatment of severe coronary artery diseases (PROTECT-CAD trial).

AIMS Experimental studies have demonstrated that bone marrow (BM) cells can induce angiogenesis in ischaemic myocardium. Recently, several non-randomized pilot studies have also suggested that direct BM cells implantation appears to be feasible and safe in patients with severe coronary artery diseases (CAD). METHODS AND RESULTS We performed a randomized, blinded, and placebo-controlled trial in 28 CAD patients. After BM harvesting, we assigned patients to receive low dose (1 x 10(6) cells/0.1 mL, n = 9), high dose (2 x 10(6) cells/0.1 mL, n = 10) autologous BM cells or control (0.1 mL autologous plasma/injection, n = 9) catheter-based direct endomyocardial injection as guided by electromechanical mapping. Our primary endpoint was the increase in exercise treadmill time and our secondary endpoints were changes in Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, and myocardial perfusion and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) assessed by single-photon emission computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, respectively. A total 422 injections (mean 14.6 +/- 0.7 per patient) were successfully performed at 41 targeted ischaemic regions without any acute complication. Baseline exercise treadmill time was 439 +/- 182 s in controls and 393 +/- 136 s in BM-treated patients, and changed after 6 months to 383 +/- 223s and 464 +/- 196 s [BM treatment effect +0.43 log seconds (+53%), 95% CI 0.11-0.74, P = 0.014]. Compared with placebo injection, BM implantation was associated with a significant increase in LVEF (BM treatment effect +5.4%, 95% CI 0.4-10.3, P = 0.044) and a lower NYHA class (odds ratio for treatment effect 0.12, 95% CI 0.02-0.73, P = 0.021) after 6 months, but CCS reduced similarly in both groups. We observed no acute or long-term complications, including ventricular arrhythmia, myocardial damage, or development of intramyocardial tumour or calcification associated with BM implantation. CONCLUSION Direct endomyocardial implantation of autologous BM cells significantly improved exercise time, LVEF, and NYHA functional class in patients with severe CAD who failed conventional therapy.
The Outcome of the Cementless Tibial Component: A Minimum 14-Year Clinical Evaluation

The long term survival of the Miller-Galante I cementless total knee arthroplasty was evaluated by studying prospectively for a minimum of 14 years (range, 14–17 years), 124 consecutive cementless total knee arthroplasties using a Miller-Galante I prosthesis in 99 patients with a mean age of 62 years who had primary or secondary osteoarthritis. Knee function and roentgenograms were evaluated using the Knee Society criteria. Kaplan-Meier survivorship analysis was conducted. Five patients (five knees) were lost to followup; six patients died with six knees in place. Fifteen knees (15 patients) failed and were revised. Thirteen metal-backed patellas were revised. Eight of these revisions also required exchange of the femoral component, but only one tibial tray was revised. One knee (one patient) was revised for an infection. Of the 98 knees not revised (73 patients) observed throughout this study, the average preoperative knee score was 31 (range, 0–47); postoperatively, the average knee score was 91 (range, 72–100). The average function score improved from 28 (range, 10–45) to 84 (range, 50–100). Twenty-four tibial trays (21%) and twenty femoral components (17%) of the 113 knees studied showed osteolysis. This study indicates that osteointegration of cementless tibial components can be successful with screw fixation, although there is a worrisome incidence of tibial and femoral osteolysis. The overall knee survival rate was 87%; however, the tibial component had a survival of 99%.