Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Market Integration and Price Leadership in India’s Onion Market

Despite being the second largest producer in the world, the price of onion witnesses a significant degree of temporal and spatial variation in India. Addressing this issue has become a major challenge for the policymakers of the country. The present study intends to identify the most influential onion markets in India. Johansen cointegration and vector error correction model (VECM) techniques are used to analyse the monthly wholesale price between 2005 and 2015 in 10 major markets. The results show that Hubli is the most dominant market jointly followed by Kolkata and Lasalgaon. The results exhibit the predominant role played by the non-producing markets.
PAI-1 expression and its regulation by promoter 4G/5G polymorphism in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Aims To characterise patients with high plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) expression as oral PAI-1 antagonists are currently in preclinical trials, and to determine whether the PAI-1 promoter 4G/5G polymorphism regulates PAI-1 expression in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC). Methods PAI-1 expression was examined by immunohistochemistry in 69 CCRCC specimens. In addition, the promoter 4G/5G polymorphism was investigated by both allele-specific PCR and direct DNA sequencing. Results PAI-1 was overexpressed in 25/69 (36.2%) patients with CCRCC. PAI-1 staining was intense in tumour cells with a high Fuhrman nuclear grade and in spindle-shaped tumour cells. PAI‐1 expression was significantly associated with older age at diagnosis (p=0.027), high nuclear grade (p<0.001), advanced clinical stage (p=0.030) and distant metastasis (p=0.009). In survival analyses, PAI-1 expression was correlated with disease-free survival in Kaplan–Meier curves (p=0.015) but was not significant in the Cox hazards model (p=0.527). The frequencies of the promoter polymorphism were 24.6% (17/69) 4G/4G, 43.5% (30/69) 4G/5G and 31.9% (22/69) 5G/5G. The homozygous 4G/4G or 5G/5G group showed a tendency for a high nuclear grade (p=0.05) but the 4G/5G polymorphism was not related to other prognostic parameters. PAI-1 expression was poorly correlated with its promoter 4G/5G polymorphism (Spearman ρ=0.088). Conclusions CCRCC with high PAI-1 expression is characterised by older age, high nuclear grade, advanced stage, distant metastasis and/or shortened disease-free survival. PAI-1 expression is not affected by the promoter 4G/5G polymorphism.
Comparison of fibrin clot adhesion to dentine conditioned with citric acid, tetracycline, and ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid: An in vitro scanning electron microscopic study

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the root surface changes subsequent to the application of citric acid, tetracycline, Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and the combination of citric acid and tetracycline, and its influence on the adhesion of a fibrin clot with and without mild disruptive forces. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 periodontally diseased root specimens were grouped into Saline (control Group I), 24% EDTA gel (Group-II), Citric acid (Group-III), Tetracycline (Group IV), and Citric acid + tetracycline (Group V) treatment groups containing 20 in each. After root conditioning, fresh human blood was applied to each root specimen and was allowed to clot. Ten specimens in each group were rinsed in phosphate-buffered saline and designated as ′Non-agitated′. The remaining ten specimens from each group were rinsed in phosphate-buffered saline on a rotary shaker and designated as ′Agitated′. The roots were processed for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to assess and compare the clot adhesion on them. The scores were compared through standard statistical packages. Results: The highest mean blood clot adhesion score was observed in roots treated with a combination of citric acid and tetracycline, whereas, the least score was observed in roots treated with saline. Conclusion: The root specimens treated with the combination of citric acid and tetracycline as well as citric acid alone, best supported the fibrin clot. Tetracycline alone appeared to be less effective in supporting the clot. EDTA gel of 24% was least effective to promote the adhesion of a fibrin clot.
Calculation of optimal magnetic force for automatic control magnetic force of the window cleaning robot

This paper describes the window cleaning robot named Smart Windoro, which is a fully autonomous intelligent window cleaning robot. Smart Windoro adheres to the surface of window glass by means of permanent magnet pairs between a driving module (inner unit) and a cleaning module (outer units) rather than using vacuum suckers for the energy efficiency and safety. A driving module of Smart Windoro has automatic magnetic force control mechanism. In addition to this, the driving module has mechanism for automatic magnetic force according to the thickness of window glass. This study describes the simulation to predict the magnetic and mechanical characteristic which is maximize the friction on the surface of window with the minimum magnetic attractive force.
[Diagnostic accuracy of the Phototest for cognitive impairment and dementia].

INTRODUCTION The recently developed Phototest is a simple, easy and very brief (<3 minutes) test with theoretical advantages over available dementia screening tests. Our objective was to evaluate its diagnostic accuracy under routine clinical conditions. MATERIAL AND METHODS A phase II cross-sectional validation study of diagnostic tests was performed in a sample of 308 patients referred to a general neurology department and in a group of 70 healthy individuals. The diagnostic accuracy (DA) of the Phototest was assessed and compared with that of the Eurotest and a verbal fluency test (VFT) in relation to the clinical diagnosis of dementia (DEM) and cognitive impairment (CI) by calculating the area under the ROC curve (aROC) and determining Sensitivity (Se), Specificity (Sp) and likelihood ratios. RESULTS The total sample comprised 225 subjects without CI (NOR), 58 with CI and without DEM and 95 with DEM. Phototest results showed a normal distribution in NOR subjects (33.4 +/- 3.9 [mean +/- standard desviation]) and were not influenced by educational variables. The DA of the Phototest for DEM and CI (0.95 +/- 0.01 [aRO C+/- Se]) was similar to that of the Eurotest and higher for both tests than that of the VFT. The cutoff points of 25/26 for DEM (Se=0.88 [0.80-0.94], Sp=0.90 [0.86- 0.93]) and 28/29 for CI (Se=0.90 [0.84-0.94], Sp=0.90 [0.83-0.93]) maximised the sum of Se and Sp. CONCLUSIONS The Phototest is a very short test of easy application that is applicable to illiterate subjects, uninfluenced by educational variables and useful to identify CI and DEM in routine clinical practice.
Interferon α extends the survival of human myeloma cells through an upregulation of the Mcl‐1 anti‐apoptotic molecule

We have recently reported that Mcl‐1, an anti‐apoptotic member of the Bcl‐2 family, is upregulated by interleukin (IL)‐6 in human myeloma cells through the janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transduction (JAK/STAT) pathway. In the current study, we have explored the effects of interferon (IFN)‐α, a cytokine which has been shown to increase myeloma cell survival. Our results demonstrate that IFN‐α potently upregulates Mcl‐1 on both myeloma cell lines and purified native myeloma cells. Of note, this upregulation is not due to an induction of an IL‐6 autocrine loop. Furthermore, we showed that IL‐6 and IFN‐α had no additive effect on Mcl‐1 upregulation, suggesting that both cytokines act through a common mechanism. Finally, the analysis of signalling transduction pathways strongly suggests that Mcl‐1 upregulation induced by IFN‐α depends on STAT3 activation. Altogether, our data show that IFN‐α has an IL‐6‐like effect on human myeloma cells and suggest that it could be deleterious in some patients.
Research and Realization on Improved MANET Distance Broadcast Algorithm Based on Percolation Theory

Percolation theory coincided with MANET model can be used for MANET network connectivity problems, and it is a new mobile ad hoc network topology control strategy. We propose the application of percolation theory to improve distance broadcast algorithm of mobile ad hoc network, the node to the antenna, only in specific sectors related to the direction of forwarding, realize the directed forwarding of the broadcast message; We use additional coverage area instead of the distance threshold of traditional distance broadcast algorithm as the critical probability threshold that the network is just connected, which improves the network broadcast forwarding rate, reduces the end-to-end delay, achieves the node energy effective utilization, and therefore attains the purpose of the network energy-saving. Through the simulation experiment, the packet delivery rate and average delay are improved greatly compared with the traditional distance broadcast algorithm.
Beliefs and Practices of Providing Formative Feedback to Teachers: A Study of Principals' Understandings, Experiences, and Purposes.

In Pennsylvania, Act 82 of 2012 introduced the Educator Effectiveness system and its foundational belief that student achievement is the result of teachers’ high quality instruction and principals’ high quality school leadership. With the heightened expectations of principal and teacher accountability for student achievement, principals positively impact student achievement through the day-to-day work of teachers. Principals intentionally design and communicate formative feedback so that teachers learn and grow. This study explored the current practices and beliefs of principals who provide formative feedback to teachers. Principals and assistant principals were surveyed to gather evidence of their self-reported use of effective formative feedback qualities. They were asked to rank order research-based highly effective formative feedback qualities in order of perceived value in leading to teacher learning. Next, seven principals were interviewed regarding the methods they use to provide formative feedback to teachers. The principals were chosen to be interviewed because they reported similar feedback beliefs and practices as those reported in the literature on formative feedback. This study found that principals and assistant principals value different qualities than the ones they use in their daily feedback practices. Additionally, principals and assistant principals believe that certain feedback qualities have an impact on teachers’ practices that are different from those supported in the literature as being effective and are also different from those that they use in their own feedback messages to teachers. Principals who report beliefs that reflect the research on formative feedback are better able to defend and explain their feedback practices. When principals intentionally incorporate highly effective formative feedback qualities in their feedback messages to teachers, they contribute to the professional learning of teachers. They also learn and grow themselves, sustaining a professional learning culture.
A programmable DSP solution to a solid state audio player

Portable solid state audio players are currently reaching consumers through the advent of new audio compression algorithms and non-volatile flash memory technology. This paper presents a low-power, software programmable portable audio system utilizing these technologies. The key to this system is a 16-bit, fixed point digital signal processor (DSP) that handles decoding and other features while allowing software upgradeability.
Hippo pathway effector Yap promotes cardiac regeneration

The adult mammalian heart has limited potential for regeneration. Thus, after injury, cardiomyocytes are permanently lost, and contractility is diminished. In contrast, the neonatal heart can regenerate owing to sustained cardiomyocyte proliferation. Identification of critical regulators of cardiomyocyte proliferation and quiescence represents an important step toward potential regenerative therapies. Yes-associated protein (Yap), a transcriptional cofactor in the Hippo signaling pathway, promotes proliferation of embryonic cardiomyocytes by activating the insulin-like growth factor and Wnt signaling pathways. Here we report that mice bearing mutant alleles of Yap and its paralog WW domain containing transcription regulator 1 (Taz) exhibit gene dosage-dependent cardiac phenotypes, suggesting redundant roles of these Hippo pathway effectors in establishing proper myocyte number and maintaining cardiac function. Cardiac-specific deletion of Yap impedes neonatal heart regeneration, resulting in a default fibrotic response. Conversely, forced expression of a constitutively active form of Yap in the adult heart stimulates cardiac regeneration and improves contractility after myocardial infarction. The regenerative activity of Yap is correlated with its activation of embryonic and proliferative gene programs in cardiomyocytes. These findings identify Yap as an important regulator of cardiac regeneration and provide an experimental entry point to enhance this process.
Albumin–drug conjugates in the treatment of hepatic disorders

Introduction: This review deals with the use of serum albumin (SA) as a carrier for the selective delivery of drugs to liver cells. Areas covered: The synthesis and properties of the SA conjugates prepared to enhance the performance of the drugs used in the treatment of viral hepatitis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver micrometastases and hepatic fibrosis are reported. Expert opinion: Studies in humans and laboratory animals demonstrated the capacity of SA conjugates to accomplish a liver targeting of the drugs, but at the same time underscored their limits and drawbacks, which can explain why to date these complexes did not reach a practical application. The major drawback is the need of administration by intravenous route, which prevents long-term daily treatments as required by some liver pathologies, such as chronic virus hepatitis and fibrosis. At present, only a conjugate carrying doxorubicin and addressed to the treatment of HCC showed in laboratory animals a solid potentiality to improve the value of the coupled drug. In the future, conjugation to SA could remain a successful strategy to permit the administration of drugs with rapid resolutive effects inside liver cells without causing severe extrahepatic adverse reactions.
Dynamic Programming Algorithm for minimizing operating cost of a PEM fuel cell vehicle

A PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) fuel cell city bus utilizes a PEM fuel cell engine as the primary source, and a li-ion battery system as the auxiliary power source. By optimizing the power split strategy and recycling braking energy, this kind of power-train has advantages of zero emission and high energy efficiency. However, the cost of hydrogen gas is far more expensive than that of the electric energy. How to split the power between the two power sources so as to minimize the operating cost, as well as guarantee the vehicle dynamic performance, becomes an important topic. This paper proposes a Dynamic Programming Algorithm (DPA) to solve the minimizing problem. Some details of the DPA are discussed, e.g. the principles of selecting parameters for the algorithm. The effectiveness of the algorithm is verified by comparing simulating results of different algorithms. Results show that, 1) by using the DPA algorithm, we can find the optimal control strategy in an objective way. 2) The constraints of vehicle dynamic performance on the optimal problem have great influences on the optimal results. 3) To predict the power requirement in the near future is very important to achieve an optimal real-time strategy.
Serum uric acid is an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease: a preventive cardiology information system (PreCIS) database cohort study.

OBJECTIVE Uric acid is a product of the activity of xanthine oxidase, an enzyme linked to oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and heart failure. It is unclear whether adding uric acid levels to the assessment of cardiovascular risk might contribute to the improved ability to stratify cardiovascular risk. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of serum uric acid levels in a large cohort of men and women at high risk of cardiovascular disease. METHODS Serum uric acid levels were determined in all patients seen for primary/secondary cardiovascular disease prevention at the Cleveland Clinic Section of Preventive Cardiology and Rehabilitation between 1998 and 2004, and all data were entered into the Preventive Cardiology Information System (PreCIS) database. Vital status of the patients was determined through the Social Security Death Index. Death from all causes was summarized across quartiles of uric acid values. RESULTS A total of 3,098 patients (age range 18-87 years) were identified in the database, among whom 43% had cardiovascular disease. There were 156 deaths (5%) during the 14,262 person-years of followup. For each 1-mg/dl increase in the serum uric acid level, there was a 39% increase in the risk of death (by Cox regression analysis). After adjusting for age, sex, smoking status, alcohol consumption, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, history of cardiovascular disease, estimated glomerular filtration rate, levels of cholesterol fractions, and plasma glucose levels, the serum uric acid level continued to predict the risk of death (hazard ratio = 1.26 [95% confidence interval 1.15-1.38], P < 0.001). This association was present regardless of diuretic use. Concordance index (C statistic) analyses showed that uric acid significantly improved the predictive accuracy of a model that included Framingham Heart Study score factors, metabolic syndrome components, and fibrinogen levels. CONCLUSION Serum uric acid levels are an independent predictor of death in patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease. Further studies are warranted to evaluate its prognostic implications and potential utility in the monitoring of therapy.
Archiving molecular phylogenetic alignments as NEXUS files.

Many researchers working on the phyloge? netic analysis of nucleotide or amino acid se? quences find it necessary, at some time, to build upon prior work. When this involves importing an alignment (and masks) that have been des? cribed and sometimes illustrated in a published paper but for which the sequences have not been deposited in a public database, there may be no alternative but to painstakingly retype the data, with all the possibilities that this offers for error. More commonly, the un? aligned sequences may be available from a se? quence database, but the awkward task of man? ual alignment reconstruction remains. Most conveniently, alignments may be available as computer files (1) on disk, by application to the corresponding author, (2) from an ftp or http site maintained by the corresponding author or his institution, or (3) from an alignment data? base. However, when received by these routes, an alignment (and masks) may well be in a file format that requires tedipus, error-prone wordprocessing adjustment to make it readable by a sequence alignment editor or phylogenetic analysis program. Moreover, of the three approaches, the first two are potentially eva? nescent and the third suffers from underuse and lack of file-format standardization (Stoesser, pers. comm.). Masks and weighting informa? tion, when presented PHYLIP-style (Felsen? stein, 1993) as a string of digits, offer a parti? cular difficulty; few alignment editors or phy? logenetic analysis programs that we have encountered can import them successfully. Given these difficulties, we propose that it should become standard practice in molecular phylogenetics for alignments, masks, and sup? plementary information to be made available in NEXUS file format by use of the EMBL align? ment database. NEXUS file format is an ASCII text-file for? mat that was "designed to make sharing of data b tween programs as easy and flexible as pos? sible" (Maddison and Maddison, 1992: p. 145; Maddison et al., 1997), Importantly, NEXUS file format provides unlimited flexibility, by the use of character partition and assumption blocks, for the identification of special cate? g ries of data such as masks, weights, second? ary structure features, etc., and comments can be freely added. NEXUS files are written auto? matically by some alignment editors, including GDE (Smith et al., 1994), MacClade (Maddison nd Maddison, 1992) and SeqApp (Gilbert, 1993), and most such programs also provide file-format interchange facilities. Alternative? ly, NEXUS files may readily be constructed hand from published descriptions (Swof? ford, 1993; Maddison et al., 1997). Many phylogeneticists already use or have access to pro? grams that read and write NEXUS files, and many more are likely to do so after publication of the new multicapable PAUP* (Swofford, pers. comm.). The existence of a sequence alignment data? base separate from the GenBank (Benson et al., 1998), EMBL (Stoesser et al, 1998), or other d tabases for individual sequences is little known, but would certainly be advantageous if were widely used and if its use were stan-
Are the Mentally Retarded and Learning Disordered Overrepresented Among Sex Offenders and Paraphilics?

A sample of 2,286 male sex offenders and paraphilics and 241 nonsex offenders was evaluated for the prevalence of mental retardation and learning disorders, using the full Wechsler IQ scales. The sex offenders were generally of average intelligence, and the mentally retarded were not overrepresented among them, but the learning disordered were. There were no differences among sex offenders and controls in overall IQ or in the percentage of mentally retarded or learning-disordered cases, suggesting that the learning difficulties are not peculiar to sex offenders. There was a bias in referral source, with more mentally retarded, borderline-retarded, and/or learning-disordered cases being referred by the Children's Aid Society, prisons, and the Crown, suggesting that referral source may play a significant role in evaluating intelligence and mental retardation among sex offenders; but the overrepresentation of learning disorders among criminals appears to be a significant phenomenon, regardless of referral source.