Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Restrictive mating by females on black grouse leks

In bird species with pair bonds, extra‐pair matings could allow females to choose genetically superior males. This is not needed in lekking species because female choice is not constrained by pairing opportunities. However, polyandry has been reported in most lekking species studied so far. Using 12 microsatellite loci, we determined the paternity of 135 broods of black grouse sampled between 2001 and 2005 (970 hatchlings and 811 adult birds genotyped). The paternity assignments were combined to lek observations to investigate the mating behaviour of black grouse females. About 10% of the matings seemed to take place with males displaying solitarily. Forty per cent of the copulations between males displaying on the studied leks and radio‐tagged females were not recorded. This was due to difficulties in identifying the females and because our observations did not cover all the possible time for matings. However, females of the undetected copulations had chosen males that were already known to be successful on the leks. There was a strong consistency between the observations and true paternity, even when the copulation was disturbed by a neighbouring male. Multiple mating and multiple paternities were rare. We can now confidently ascertain that most females mate only once with one male for the whole clutch. This mating behaviour requires that a single insemination is sufficient to fertilize a clutch and that females can determine whether the sperm has been successfully transferred. Grouse Tetraoninae with many lekking species may be the only bird taxon that has evolved these traits.
Health-related quality of life: a primer for gastroenterologists

ABSTRACTThe evolution of health care has required physicians to evaluate more critically the impact of interventions on their patients’ well-being. Prior clinical interventions focused primarily on biochemical and histological endpoints. These outcomes frequently were tenuously linked to patient benefit. Recently there has been a movement toward patient-oriented outcomes, including health-related quality of life (HRQL). The medical literature now frequently describes the effects of therapies on HRQL. Gastroenterologists need to understand the concepts behind HRQL and the use and utility of the various instruments employed to measure this outcome. The purpose of this article is: 1) to define the concept of health-related quality of life (HRQL); 2) to assess when measurement of HRQL can guide clinical decision-making; 3) to describe the desired properties of an HRQL instrument; and 4) to distinguish types of HRQL instruments. We discuss the varied definitions of HRQL and the clinical scenarios in which they are important. The psychometric properties of HRQL instruments, including validity, reliability, responsiveness, sensitivity, and coverage are defined and discussed. The types of instruments such as health profile, time trade-off, and standard gamble are contrasted. Finally, we compare generic and disease-specific instruments regarding their uses, strengths, and weaknesses. HRQL reflects patients’ perceptions of disease and its impact on health status. It is becoming an increasingly important endpoint in therapeutic trials. By understanding its components and how it can meaningfully be measured, gastroenterologists may be better able to optimize the benefit patients receive from their medical interventions.
Electromyographic analysis of relevant muscle groups during completion of computer tasks using different computer mouse positions

Background. We analyzed muscular activity for different computer mouse positions during the completion of a timed computer task and determined whether the different mouse positions could affect muscular activity, productivity and perceived fatigue. Methods. The subjects were nine healthy young men. Two mouse positions were studied: the distal position (DP), with the forearm rested on the desk; the proximal position (PP), with only the wrist rested on the desk. The subjects performed a 16-min task in each position. Surface electromyography data were recorded for the upper back and shoulder muscles. Work productivity and muscular activity were measured for each mouse position. A visual analog scale was used to assess subjective fatigue. Results. Muscular activity was higher in muscle (m.) deltoideus (posterior) for the DP, while it was significantly higher in m. inferior infraspinatus for the PP. The visual analog scale score was significantly higher and work productivity was lower in the PP. Conclusions. We found that using a mouse in the DP rather than the PP leads to less activity of the external rotators, less perceived fatigue and more productivity. This suggests that the DP is preferable to the PP for computer work involving a mouse.
Photon-Limited Image Detection Using Shot-Noise Models.

Abstract : The objective of this research continues to be the study of shot noise models and their application to the development of computationally feasible procedures for image detection problems. Also of interest is the performance evaluation of these procedures. These efforts are motivated by applications to low light level imaging as would occur in low dose x ray exposures or in night vision systems. Results are also be applicable to photon limited optical communication systems and to optical neural networks. Considerable progress has been made in understanding shot noise. The three major results of our research are (i) methods for computing shot noise distributions when both the intensity function and the system impulse response are known; (ii) methods for estimating an unknown intensity when only the impulse response is known; and (iii) methods for jointly estimating the intensity and the impulse response when both are unknown (a type of blind deconvolution).
VARIATIONS IN SOLAR WIND FRACTIONATION AS SEEN BY ACE/SWICS AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR GENESIS MISSION RESULTS

We use Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE)/Solar Wind Ion Composition Spectrometer (SWICS) elemental composition data to compare the variations in solar wind (SW) fractionation as measured by SWICS during the last solar maximum (1999–2001), the solar minimum (2006–2009), and the period in which the Genesis spacecraft was collecting SW (late 2001—early 2004). We differentiate our analysis in terms of SW regimes (i.e., originating from interstream or coronal hole flows, or coronal mass ejecta). Abundances are normalized to the low-first ionization potential (low-FIP) ion magnesium to uncover correlations that are not apparent when normalizing to high-FIP ions. We find that relative to magnesium, the other low-FIP elements are measurably fractionated, but the degree of fractionation does not vary significantly over the solar cycle. For the high-FIP ions, variation in fractionation over the solar cycle is significant: greatest for Ne/Mg and C/Mg, less so for O/Mg, and the least for He/Mg. When abundance ratios are examined as a function of SW speed, we find a strong correlation, with the remarkable observation that the degree of fractionation follows a mass-dependent trend. We discuss the implications for correcting the Genesis sample return results to photospheric abundances.
Upper Body Quadrant Pain in Bus Drivers

ABSTRACT The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of upper body quadrant pain among Israeli professional urban bus drivers and to evaluate the association between individual, ergonomic, and psychosocial risk factors and occurrence of neck pain. Three hundred and eighty-four male urban bus drivers were consecutively enrolled in the study. Data pertaining to work-related ergonomic and psychosocial stress factors were collected. The 12-month prevalence of neck pain was 21.2%, followed by shoulder: 14.7%, upper back: 8.3%, elbow: 3.0%, and wrist: 3.0% pain. Prevalence of neck pain was associated with uncomfortable seats (odds ratio; OR [95% confidence interval; CI]: 2.2 [1.2–4.3], back support (2.3 [1.2–4.2]), and steering wheel (2.2 [1.1–4.5]). Drivers with neck pain reported significantly higher prevalence of pain in the upper back (OR [95% CI]: 5.9 [2.7–12.9]), shoulders (8.1 [4.3–15.3]), and wrists (7.0 [2.0–21.8]) compared to drivers without neck pain. Work-related organizational stress factors were not associated with neck pain prevalence.
Socially Responsible Investing and Public Pension Fund Performance

ABSTRACT This article examines the scope and implications of socially responsible investing by public pension funds. Standard analytical methods from financial econometrics are applied to analyze a new dataset of the equity holdings of thirteen of the largest state government pension plans. Contrary to previous research, pension funds are found to be deeply engaged in socially responsible investing. Moreover, the recent performance of socially responsible investments is largely indistinguishable from that of the state pension funds. Much of this new socially responsible investing activity is due to the broadening definition of the term “socially responsible. ” Policymakers and public pension fund managers should reconsider the term and, if necessary, redefine it more usefully.
A novel design of capacitive MEMS pressure sensor for lubricating system

This paper presents a novel comb drive based MEMs capacitive pressure sensor for measuring the pressure inside the lubricating system. The working principle and design analysis of the proposed MEMS comb drive capacitive sensor is explained. The diaphragm thickness is a primary factor in determining the pressure sensor sensitivity. MEMS technology allows diaphragm to be very thin compared to conventional machining. This comb drive capacitive pressure sensor isolates the pressure sensing diaphragm from its capacitance sensing movable comb plate by a mechanical coupling so that it increases the pressure sensitivity. The design and simulation of the sensor is analysed using Comsol Multiphysics 4.4. The stress distribution of the membrane and capacitive sensitivity analysis is carried out for the range of pressure from 0 to 10 bar. The dimension of the Capacitor plate with comb is 200μm ×200μm ×3 μm. The sensor works efficiently in the range of 30°C to 270°C. The main purpose of the novel design is even a small change in the capacitance in the range of atto farad (aF) can be sensed accurately by this model.
Relationship Marketing: the Importance of Customer-Perceived Service Quality in Retail Banking

During the last couple of years relationship marketing has been introduced within services marketing since more efficient, profitable and long-term marketing can be achieved by focusing on present customers instead of concentrating on attracting new ones. Retail banks have in this respect had a unique position as they have a well-developed system of local offices that enable them to be close to and to establish relationships to their customers. A prerequisite for a bank that wants to establish long-term customer relationships is satisfied customers who want to remain customers. In other words, the service quality as perceived by the customers must at least meet their expectations. Otherwise there is a possibility that a dissatisfied customer starts searching for another bank offering similar services, resulting in a break in the relationship with the bank, with which he was dissatisfied.
Genes coding for the selenocysteine-inserting tRNA species from Desulfomicrobium baculatum and Clostridium thermoaceticum: structural and evolutionary implications

The genes (selC) coding for the selenocysteine-inserting tRNA species (tRNA(Sec)) from Clostridium thermoaceticum and Desulfomicrobium baculatum were cloned and sequenced. Although they differ in numerous positions from the sequence of the Escherichia coli selC gene, they were able to complement the selC lesion of an E. coli mutant and to promote selenoprotein formation in the heterologous host. The tRNA(Sec) species from both organisms possess all of the unique primary, secondary, and tertiary structural features exhibited by E. coli tRNA(Sec) (C. Baron, E. Westhof, A. Böck, and R. Giegé, J. Mol. Biol. 231:274-292, 1993). The structural and functional properties of the tRNA(Sec) species from prokaryotes analyzed thus far support the notion that tRNA(Sec) may be an evolutionarily conserved structure whose function in the primordial genetic code was to decode UGA with selenocysteine.
Platelet Aggregation and Adenosine Diphosphate/Adenosine Triphosphate Receptors: A Historical Perspective

The work of many investigators since adenosine diphosphate (ADP) was recognized as a platelet aggregating agent in 1961 has led to an appreciation of the important part that ADP plays in hemostasis and thrombosis. Recently, interest has focused on the platelet receptors for ADP and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Platelets are unique because they have two P2Y receptors that must act in concert to achieve a normal aggregation response. The P2Y (1) receptor is responsible for mobilizing internal calcium, platelet shape change, and weak aggregation. The P2Y (12) receptor inhibits adenylyl cyclase, but the concentration of cyclic AMP is reduced only if it has been raised from its low basal levels by stimulation of adenylyl cyclase by an aggregation inhibitor such as adenosine or prostaglandin I (2). The abnormal bleeding of the rare patients whose platelets lack P2Y (12) and the beneficial clinical effects of ticlopidine and clopidogrel that block this receptor indicate that P2Y (12), in addition to inhibiting adenylyl cyclase, may have an as yet unidentified role that is needed for its cooperative aggregation effect with P2Y (1). ATP stimulates a rapid influx of calcium into platelets through the P2X (1) receptor, and it may synergize with ADP when these two nucleotides are released from platelets at a site of vessel injury.
Does Life Expectancy Affect Private Educational Investment in China?

In this paper, we emphasize the interactive effect between life expectancy and human capital accumulation, and test the positive feedback of longevity to educational investment in China. This is very important for understanding the pressure from the aging population and the increase in private educational investment in China. We first show in an extended human capital investment model that life expectancy growth acts as a driving force for educational investment. We then build a difference-in-difference-in-differences empirical framework and use cross-province data to examine the effect in China. We use the maternal mortality rate (MMR) to identify the difference in life expectancy between genders, and the illiteracy rate or average years of education by gender for educational investment. The empirical results comply with the theory, in that increases in life expectancy significantly lower illiteracy rates and improve the average schooling years in China. This content of the present paper is closely related to crucial issues like population aging, human capital accumulation and gender discrimination. Policy implications are discussed based on the empirical results.
Forecasting Stock Market Volatility in Central and Eastern European Countries

In recent years, considerable attention has focused on modelling and forecasting stock market volatility. Stock market volatility matters because stock markets are an integral part of the financial architecture in market economies and play a key role in channelling funds from savers to investors. The focus of this paper is on forecasting stock market volatility in Central and East European (CEE) countries. The obvious question to pose, therefore, is how volatility can be forecast and whether one technique consistently outperforms other techniques. Over the years a variety of techniques have been developed, ranging from the relatively simple to the more complex conditional heteroscedastic models of the GARCH family. In this paper we test the predictive power of 12 models to forecast volatility in the CEE countries. Our results confirm that models which allow for asymmetric volatility consistently outperform all other models considered. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Numerical modeling of a patch antenna covered by a finite frequency selective surface

A new bandpass frequency selective surfaces (FSS) is designed and the composite system (patch antenna covered by an FSS) is analyzed using the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method. Far-field patterns of the patch antenna, with and without FSS radomes, are obtained and compared with each other. The feed is modeled by using a coaxial line extension, which enables us to compute the return loss of the patch and the composite system accurately. Numerical results show a frequency shift in the return loss response of the patch in the presence of the FSS cover.
Stochastic modelling and analysis of degradation for highly reliable products

Degradation models have become an important analytic tool for complex systems. During the last two decades, a number of degradation models have been developed to capture the degradation dynamics of a system and aid the subsequent decision-makings. This paper is aimed at providing a summary of the state of the arts in the field, and discussing some further research issues from both analytical and practical point of view. In this paper, degradation models are classified into three classes, that is, stochastic process models, general path models, and other models beyond these two classes. A review on the three classes is given with emphasis on the class of stochastic process models. A comprehensive comparison between stochastic process models and general path models is given to expound the pros and cons of these two methods. Applications of degradation models in degradation test planning and burn-in modelling will also be discussed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adopting Local Environmental Institutions

Communities are increasingly turning to local environmental institutions (LEIs) to address unmet environmental challenges. Yet there has been very little empirical analysis of LEIs, and we know surprisingly little about their origins. In this article, the authors use a rational choice framework to examine the incentives and disincentives communities face in deciding whether to establish LEIs. In particular, the authors study the decision of communities to adopt local wetlands bylaws under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act. Using event history analysis, the authors find strong evidence that environmental need, economic attributes, and economic constraints have strong effects on the impulse of communities to adopt LEIs.
Intra‐articular IL‐10 gene transfer regulates the expression of collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA) in the knee and ipsilateral paw

We studied the effects of local IL‐10 application, introduced by a recombinant human type 5 adenovirus vector, in the mouse knee joint during the early phase of CIA. One intra‐articular injection with the IL‐10‐expressing virus (Ad5E1mIL‐10) caused substantial over‐expression of IL‐10 in the mouse knee joint, using virus dosages which did not induce distracting inflammation. High expression of IL‐10 was noted for a few days, being maximal at day 1. One intra‐articular injection of Ad5E1mIL‐10 in the knee joints of collagen type II (CII)‐immunized mice, before onset of CIA was noted, reduced the incidence of collagen arthritis in that knee. Of high interest, the protective effect of local IL‐10 expression by Ad5E1mIL‐10 was not restricted to the knee joint alone. The arthritis incidence in the ipsilateral paw was highly suppressed. In contrast, local IL‐10 over‐expression was not effective when treatment was started after onset of CIA. Further analysis in the acute streptococcal cell wall‐induced arthritis model revealed that local IL‐10 over‐expression markedly suppressed the production of tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) and IL‐1α, but had no significant effect on IL‐1β and IL‐12 production in the inflamed synovium. These data indicate that local over‐expression of IL‐10 in the knee joint of mice regulates the expression of collagen arthritis, probably through down‐regulation of TNF‐α.
RETHINKING RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Rural development has been central to the development effort, but rural poverty persists and funding is falling: a new narrative is needed. This overview article describes a Washington Consensus on Food, Agriculture and Rural Development, and summarises from the various contributions here the elements of a post-Washington Consensus. Rural areas are changing, particularly with respect to demography, diversification, and strengthening links to national and global economies. Key issues include: agriculture as the engine of rural development; the future viability of small farms; the potential of the non-farm rural economy; the challenges of new thinking on poverty, participation and governance; and implementation problems. The article concludes with five general principles and ten specific recommendations for the future of rural development.
Following Up on Smallholder Farmers and Supermarkets in Kenya

In many developing countries, supermarkets are expanding rapidly. This affects farmers’ marketing options. Previous studies have analyzed welfare effects of smallholder participation in supermarket channels from a static perspective, using cross‐section data. We develop a conceptual framework and use panel data to better understand participation and impact dynamics. The analysis focuses on vegetable producers in Kenya. Participation in supermarket channels is associated with income gains. However, many farmers have dropped out of the supermarket channel due to various constraints. The initial income gains cannot be sustained when returning to the traditional market. Organizational support may be needed to avoid widening income disparities.
Transient Influx of Nickel in Root Mitochondria Modulates Organic Acid and Reactive Oxygen Species Production in Nickel Hyperaccumulator Alyssum murale*

Background: Mitochondria are important targets of metal toxicity. Results: Our data confirms that nickel is localized in the mitochondria of Alyssum murale root epidermal cells. Conclusion: The interaction of nickel with mitochondria is imperative in nickel uptake. Significance: The results obtained from our studies will help to understand the role of biochemical processes in nickel uptake. Mitochondria are important targets of metal toxicity and are also vital for maintaining metal homeostasis. Here, we examined the potential role of mitochondria in homeostasis of nickel in the roots of nickel hyperaccumulator plant Alyssum murale. We evaluated the biochemical basis of nickel tolerance by comparing the role of mitochondria in closely related nickel hyperaccumulator A. murale and non-accumulator Alyssum montanum. Evidence is presented for the rapid and transient influx of nickel in root mitochondria of nickel hyperaccumulator A. murale. In an early response to nickel treatment, substantial nickel influx was observed in mitochondria prior to sequestration in vacuoles in the roots of hyperaccumulator A. murale compared with non-accumulator A. montanum. In addition, the mitochondrial Krebs cycle was modulated to increase synthesis of malic acid and citric acid involvement in nickel hyperaccumulation. Furthermore, malic acid, which is reported to form a complex with nickel in hyperaccumulators, was also found to reduce the reactive oxygen species generation induced by nickel. We propose that the interaction of nickel with mitochondria is imperative in the early steps of nickel uptake in nickel hyperaccumulator plants. Initial uptake of nickel in roots results in biochemical responses in the root mitochondria indicating its vital role in homeostasis of nickel ions in hyperaccumulation.