Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reconstructing demographic events from population genetic data: the introduction of bumblebees to New Zealand

Four British bumblebee species (Bombus terrestris, Bombus hortorum, Bombus ruderatus and Bombus subterraneus) became established in New Zealand following their introduction at the turn of the last century. Of these, two remain common in the United Kingdom (B. terrestris and B. hortorum), whilst two (B. ruderatus and B. subterraneus) have undergone marked declines, the latter being declared extinct in 2000. The presence of these bumblebees in New Zealand provides an unique system in which four related species have been isolated from their source population for over 100 years, providing a rare opportunity to examine the impacts of an initial bottleneck and introduction to a novel environment on their population genetics. We used microsatellite markers to compare modern populations of B. terrestris, B. hortorum and B. ruderatus in the United Kingdom and New Zealand and to compare museum specimens of British B. subterraneus with the current New Zealand population. We used approximate Bayesian computation to estimate demographic parameters of the introduction history, notably to estimate the number of founders involved in the initial introduction. Species‐specific patterns derived from genetic analysis were consistent with the predictions based on the presumed history of these populations; demographic events have left a marked genetic signature on all four species. Approximate Bayesian analyses suggest that the New Zealand population of B. subterraneus may have been founded by as few as two individuals, giving rise to low genetic diversity and marked genetic divergence from the (now extinct) UK population.
Current therapeutic strategies in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) encompasses a spectrum of disease ranging from simple steatosis through steatohepatitis (NASH) to increasing fibrosis and eventual cirrhosis. NAFLD is the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome and has now become the most common cause of liver disease in Western countries, with the more advanced stages of disease being associated with an increased risk of liver‐related morbidity and mortality. The optimal management of patients with NAFLD remains a clinical challenge. The aim of this study is to describe established and emerging strategies for the treatment of NAFLD. Relevant research and review articles were identified by searching PubMed. Selected articles referenced in these publications were also examined. Good quality randomized controlled studies have demonstrated the need for multifaceted lifestyle interventions in patients with NAFLD including the need for diet, exercise and behavioural counselling. Despite several trials of pharmacological agents, no highly effective treatment yet exists, with surgery representing the mainstay for advanced disease. A multidisciplinary approach, with a major focus on lifestyle change, represents best treatment pending the development of new therapeutic options.
Improved Alignment Models for Statistical Machine TranslationFranz

In this paper, we describe improved alignment models for statistical machine translation. The statistical translation approach uses two types of information: a translation model and a language model. The language model used is a bigram or general m-gram model. The translation model is decomposed into a lexical and an alignment model. We describe two diierent approaches for statistical translation and present experimental results. The rst approach is based on dependencies between single words, the second approach explicitly takes shallow phrase structures into account, using two diier-ent alignment levels: a phrase level alignment between phrases and a word level alignment between single words. We present results using the Verbmobil task (German-English, 6000-word vocabulary) which is a limited-domain spoken-language task. The experimental tests were performed on both the text transcription and the speech recognizer output. The goal of machine translation is the translation of a text given in some source language into a target language. We are given a source string f Jble target strings, we will choose the string with the highest probability: The argmax operation denotes the search problem , i.e. the generation of the output sentence in the target language. Pr(e I 1) is the language model of the target language, whereas Pr(f J 1 je I 1) is the translation model. try to model word-to-word correspondences between source and target words. The model is often further restricted that each source word is assigned exactly one target word. These alignment models are similar to the concept of Hidden Markov models (HMM) in speech recognition. The alignment mapping is j ! i = a j from source position j to target position i = a j. The use of this alignment model raises major problems as it fails to capture dependencies between groups of words. As experiments have shown it is diicult to handle diierent word order and the translation of compound nouns. In this paper, we will describe two methods for statistical machine translation extending the baseline alignment model in order to account for these problems. In section 2, we shortly review the single-word based approach described in (Tillmann et al., 1997) with some recently implemented extensions allowing for one-to-many alignments. In section 3 we describe the alignment template approach which explicitly models shallow phrases and in doing so tries to overcome the above mentioned restrictions of single-word alignments. The described method is an improvement of (Och and Weber, …
Development and validation of Hong Kong Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Dentistry.

AIM To develop and validate an instrument, the Hong Kong Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Dentistry (HKREALD-30). METHODS The Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Dentistry (REALD-99) was translated into Chinese and modified in the pretest. A total of 200 parents of pediatric dental patients were interviewed using this modified scale and administered additional three sets of self-reported questionnaires. The 99 items of the scale were reduced to 30 (HKREALD-30). Concurrent validity was tested by comparing the HKREALD-30 scores with the participants' educational level, pattern of dental visits and reading habits. Convergent validity was tested by examining the association between HKREALD-30 and the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Dentistry (TOFHLiD). The test-retest reliability and internal consistency of HKREALD-30 were also evaluated. RESULTS A significant correlation (P < 0.01) was found between HKREALD-30 and participants' reading habits. HKREALD-30 was also highly correlated with TOFHLiD (Spearman's rho = 0.693, P < 0.01). In the regression model, HKREALD-30 was positively associated with TOFHLiD (P < 0.05) after controlling for participants' characteristics. The intra-class correlation coefficient of HKREALD-30 was 0.78 and the Cronbach's alpha was 0.84. CONCLUSION Initial testing of HKREALD-30 suggested that it is a valid and reliable instrument for the basic screening of oral health literacy among Chinese people in Hong Kong.
Steadiness is reduced and motor unit discharge is more variable in old adults

The purpose of this study was to compare the steadiness and discharge rate of motor units during submaximal contractions performed by young and old adults. Subjects performed isometric and slow shortening and lengthening contractions with the first dorsal interosseous muscle. The steadiness of the isometric and slow anisometric contractions was less for the old subjects compared with young subjects, especially at the lower target forces and with the lightest loads. Furthermore, the steadiness of the lengthening contractions was less compared with the shortening contractions for the old subjects. Although the mean discharge rates of motor units were not different for the two groups of subjects, the variability of the discharge rates was greater for the old subjects during the isometric and anisometric contractions. We conclude that a more variable discharge by single motor units probably contributes to the reduced ability of old adults to perform steady muscle contractions. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 23: 600–612, 2000.
Inhalable nanocomposite microparticles: preparation, characterization and factors affecting formulation

Introduction: Nanocomposite microparticles are intelligent carriers utilised for pulmonary drug delivery. These carriers are composed of drug-encapsulated nanoparticles dispersed in microstructures of polysaccharides. Upon administration, the inhaled microparticles can penetrate and be deposited deeply in the lung due to their adjusted aerodynamic particle size. Subsequently, the nanoparticles are released into the lung and are retained there for a prolonged time due to their resistance to immunological opsonisation, engulfment and digestion. Area covered: Nanocomposite microparticles may be prepared by spray drying, spray freeze drying, spray drying fluidised bed granulation or dry coating techniques. The selection of the included excipients, preparation technique and optimisation of the operational parameter play a significant role in the determination of the aerodynamic particle size, redispersibility of the nanoparticles, morphology, yield, moisture content, flowability and in vitro drug release. Moreover, the in vivo behaviour of this novel carrier may be optimised and traced by studying the lung deposition of the inhaled particles and the biological activity of the encapsulated drug. Expert opinion: Nanocomposite microparticles have been found to be superior to both nanoparticles and microparticles and may represent a promising carrier for pulmonary drug delivery.
The Influence of Contingent and Noncontingent Social Reinforcement upon Children in a Simple Operant Task.

PAWLICKI, ROBERT E. The Influence of Contingent and Noncontingent Social Reinforcement upon Children in a Simple Operant Task. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1972, 43, 1423-1428. 5 groups of children performed a simple marblesorting task hearing either no comments, supportive, or neutral comments, contingent or noncontingent upon their response rate. Only those Ss hearing supportive comments contingent upon their response rate increased their rate a significant amount over base-rate scores. Systematic variation of the reinforcement conditions failed to provide additional evidence for supportive comments' control over response rate.
cORF and RcRE, the Rev/Rex and RRE/RxRE Homologues of the Human Endogenous Retrovirus Family HTDV/HERV-K

ABSTRACT cORF, a protein encoded by the human endogenous retrovirus family HTDV/HERV-K, contains amino acid motifs which resemble the nuclear import and export signals of the viral regulatory proteins Rev (human immunodeficiency virus) and Rex (human T-cell leukemia virus [HTLV]). In this study, we demonstrated that cORF indeed has a Rev-like function and mapped the cORF-responsive RNA element to a sequence in the 3′ long terminal repeat, a localization similar to RxRE, the responsive element in HTLV type 1. Accordingly, we have given the element the designation RcRE. cORF and RcRE stabilize unspliced and incompletely spliced viral transcripts and enhance their nuclear export via the CRM1 export pathway. So far, HTDV/HERV-K is the only endogenous retrovirus family with a complex regulation at the posttranscriptional level. It may be regarded as an intermediate in the evolution from simple to complex retroviruses.
Asking the Right Questions About g

It is our position that a complete understanding of human intellectual development is of ultimate interest to researchers and of great import to society. In this article, we ask questions that reflect common themes seen in the debate regarding the nature and importance of general cognitive ability (i.e., the g factor), sources of individual and group differences, and the viability of arguments against g theory. We also examine questions reflecting aspects of these debates that are commonly ignored or misconstrued. Our goal is to help researchers and debaters continue or begin to ask clear, critical, and dispassionate questions about g that will stimulate productive research and promote informed public policy.
Pre-Treatment of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells With Inflammatory Factors or Hypoxia Does Not Influence Migration to Osteoarthritic Cartilage and Synovium

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are promising candidates as a cell-based therapy for osteoarthritis (OA), although current results are modest. Pre-treatment of MSCs before application might improve their therapeutic efficacy. Hypothesis: Pre-treatment of MSCs with inflammatory factors or hypoxia will improve their migration and adhesion capacities toward OA-affected tissues. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: We used real-time polymerase chain reaction to determine the effects of different fetal calf serum (FCS) batches, platelet lysate (PL), hypoxia, inflammatory factors, factors secreted by OA tissues, and OA synovial fluid (SF) on the expression of 12 genes encoding chemokine or adhesion receptors. Migration of MSCs toward factors secreted by OA tissues was studied in vitro, and attachment of injected MSCs was evaluated in vivo in healthy and OA knees of male Wistar rats. Results: Different FCS batches, PL, or hypoxia did not influence the expression of the migration and adhesion receptor genes. Exposure to inflammatory factors altered the expression of CCR1, CCR4, CD44, PDGFRα, and PDGFRβ. MSCs migrated toward factors secreted by OA tissues in vitro. Neither pre-treatment with inflammatory factors nor the presence of OA influenced MSC migration in vitro or adhesion in vivo. Conclusion: Factors secreted by OA tissues increase MSC migration in vitro. In vivo, no difference in MSC adhesion was found between OA and healthy knees. Pre-treatment with inflammatory factors influenced the expression of migration and adhesion receptors of MSCs but not their migration in vitro or adhesion in vivo. Clinical Relevance: To improve the therapeutic capacity of intra-articular injection of MSCs, they need to remain intra-articular for a longer period of time. Pre-treatment of MSCs with hypoxia or inflammatory factors did not increase the migration or adhesion capacity of MSCs and will therefore not likely prolong their intra-articular longevity. Alternative approaches to prolong the intra-articular presence of MSCs should be developed to increase the therapeutic effect of MSCs in OA.
On Singular Values of Random Matrices

These notes are an expanded version of short courses given at the occasion of a school held in Université Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée, 16–20 November 2009, by Djalil Chafäı, Olivier Guédon, Guillaume Lecué, Alain Pajor, and Shahar Mendelson. The central motivation is compressed sensing, involving interactions between empirical processes, high dimensional geometry, and random matrices.
Religiosity Scales: What Are We Measuring in Whom? *

At least 177 scales are available to researchers who want to measure religiosity, but questions exist as to exactly what these scales are measuring and in whom they are measuring it. A review of these scales found a lack items designed to measure ethical action in society or the world as a prophetic response to the experience of the divine. Instead, the vast majority of scales focus on internal experiences and beliefs or institutional relationships. A review of scale norm groups found that norm groups often are not fully described, particularly in the area of race/ethnicity, and when they are described, they reveal an over-reliance on convenience samples of college students and an under-representation of racial/ethnic minority groups. Examples of scales with more fully described and more representative norm groups are given, and recommendations are offered for researchers using and developing religiosity scales.
Reference Group Influences among Chinese Travelers

Interpersonal influence is known to contribute to an individual's psychological formation (e.g., personal value, norm, attitude, perception). Reference group influence in the services sector, however, has received limited attention, with most works conducted in the setting of tangible products, not of services. In particular, reference group influences are exerted on a traveler when communication among group members provides the opportunity to share direct experiences of others about a particular destination or service and/or induces the selection of a destination or other travel services. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to segment travelers based on their perceptions of various reference groups'influences about visiting Hong Kong as a destination and to profile each segment according to travelers' benefits sought, attitudes, behaviors, and sociodemographic characteristics. A Two Step ® cluster analysis generated three distinctive segments with different benefits sought, perceived behavioral control, attitudes, and behavioral intentions. Marketing implications for each segment were provided.
Differential-algebraic equations

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All That You Can(not) Leave Behind: Habituation and Vote Loyalty in the Netherlands

Scholarly work has pointed out that party loyalty develops with age. However, most of the literature has focused on two-party systems and employed party identification as the dependent variable in order to investigate this phenomenon. This article sheds more light on how this process takes place, employing a measure of party utility that is available for all the parties, and not only for the one that voters feel identified with (if they do at all). Findings suggest that preferences become more skewed toward the chosen party as choices are repeated, supporting the presence of some kind of habituation process in voting behavior even in contexts where the existence of multiple parties should in principle work against party loyalty. Moreover, repeated voting for a party is shown to partly explain the effect of age on loyalty. Habituation is, thus, argued to be essential in order to understand why volatility is strongly and significantly higher among young voters.
Accuracy of Doppler echocardiography in the assessment of pulmonary arterial hypertension in patients with congenital heart disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). Earlier diagnosis of PAH would be of great benefit for the estimation of the CHD, the grasp of the indications for surgery and prognosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS We assessed the diagnostic accuracy of Doppler echocardiography (D-ECHO) in detecting PAH in patients with CHD and the value of estimation about ventricular morphology and function of PAH-CHD patients. 123 CHD patients evaluated for suspected PAH were prospectively recruited. D-ECHO was performed and estimated right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) was measured to screen for PAH. Subsequently, pulmonary hemodynamic parameters were measured by right heart catheterization (RHC) for definitive diagnosis of PAH. RESULTS RHC identified 66/123 (54%) patients with PAH. The noninvasive cut-point was: estimated right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) > 36.5 mm Hg by D-ECHO. D-ECHO classified 107 subjects correctly (sensitivity 89.4%, specificity 84.2%). The area under receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.96 for D-ECHO. A positive significant correlation (r = 0.853, p < 0.01) was found between RVSP measured by D-ECHO and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP) measured by RHC. In addition, D-ECHO showed higher RVSP, left ventricular internal diameter (LV), right atrial diameter (RA), right ventricular internal diameter (RV), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (EDD), left ventricular diastolic end-diastolic volume (EDV) and mitral velocity A wave (AMV) values in the PAH-CHD group than in the CHD group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS D-ECHO is not only an important noninvasive diagnostic technique for PAH-CHD patients, but also a tool which can indicate the ventricular remodeling and diastolic dysfunction induced by PAH to some extent.
Usage of Modelica for transmission simulation in ZF

At ZF transmission models are an essential component within the development process. To guarantee an efficient use of modeling know how as well as a persistent use of models in different simulation environments, Dymola has been declared as a standard at ZF and a central model component library ZFlib has been developed accessible to all business units. This paper gives an overview of some features of the library, such as easy parameterization of models independent of the environment in use and the export of complex models into environments with simple integration algorithms. Furthermore a short description of the automatic testing of the library which guarantees a software development process at a high level of quality will be given.
Causal Relationships Between Communication Confidence, Beliefs About Group Work, and Willingness to Communicate in Foreign Language Group Work

This article reports on the causal relationships between three factors in second language (L2) group work settings: communication confidence (i.e., confidence in one's ability to communicate), beliefs about group work, and willingness to communicate (WTC). A questionnaire was administered to 729 first-year university students in Japan. A model that reflected the hypothesis that WTC in L2 group work would be influenced by Beliefs in L2 Group Work strengthened by Communication Confidence was constructed and tested. Data were randomly split in two, with one-half used for model specification and the other half for confirmation. The structural equation modeling confirmed this hypothesis, which implies that L2 WTC and WTC in L2 group work differed. This model marks the first step toward identifying the causal relationships among factors that affect WTC in L2 group work.