Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mycorrhizal Fungal Partners Remain Constant during a Root Lifecycle of Pleione bulbocodioides (Orchidaceae)

Mycorrhizal mutualisms are vital for orchids through germination to adulthood. Fungal species diversity and community composition vary across seasons and plant development stages and affect plant survival, adaptation, and community maintenance. Knowledge of the temporal turnover of mycorrhizal fungi (OMF) remains poorly understood in the eco-physiologically diverse orchids (especially in epiphytic orchids), although it is important to understand the function and adaptation of mycorrhizae. Some species of Pleione are epiphytic plants with annual roots and may recruit different fungal partners during their root lifecycle. Based on continuous samplings of Pleione bulbocodioides during a whole root lifecycle, we characterized the fungal temporal dynamics using Illumina sequencing of the ITS2 region. Our data showed that the plants of P. bulbocodioides were quickly colonized by OMF at root emergence and had a constant OMF composition throughout one root lifecycle, although the OMF richness declined with root aging after a peak occurrence during root elongation. In contrast, the richness of root-inhabiting fungal endophytes kept increasing with root aging and more drastic turnovers were found in their species compositions. Our findings of OMF temporal turnover contribute to further understanding of mycorrhizal associations and adaptation of Orchidaceae and will benefit orchid resource conservation and utilization.
Temporal Dynamics of the Action–Sentence Compatibility Effect

A number of recent studies have demonstrated variants of the action–sentence compatibility effect (ACE), wherein the execution of a motor response is facilitated by the comprehension of sentences that describe actions taking place in the same direction as the motor response (e.g., a sentence about action towards one's body facilitates the execution of an arm movement towards the body). This paper presents an experiment that explores how the timing of the motor response during the processing of sentences affects the magnitude of the ACE that is observed. The results show that the ACE occurs when the motor response is executed at an early point in the comprehension of the sentence, disappears for a time, and then reappears when the motor response is executed right before the end of the sentence. These data help to refine our understanding of the temporal dynamics involved in the activation and use of motor information during sentence comprehension.
CDS Implied Credit Ratings

Rating agencies cluster companies in rating categories to signal their creditworthiness. The rating is based on qualitative and quantitative factors and often is a mix of public and private information. Market prices, either asset swap spreads or credit default swap premiums, reflect the market perception on creditworthiness (default probability) and loss given default. Assuming a recovery rate, we use the (risk-neutral) default probabilities to cluster them in (rating) groups. We use the well-developed technique of regime switching to cluster issuers into categories. We test the model over the period 2004–2014 on issues such as in-sample likelihood, forecasting accuracy, and rating stability. The model allows market participants to rate a company’s credit risk directly, complimentary to ratings issued by credit rating agencies.
Subtraction of 16.67 Hz railroad net interference from the electrocardiogram: application for automatic external defibrillators

The widespread application of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) for treating out-of-hospital cardiac arrest incidents and their particular use at railway stations defines the task for 16.67 Hz power line interference elimination from the electrocardiogram (ECG). Although this problem exists only in five European countries, it has to be solved in all AEDs, which must comply with the European standard for medical equipment requirements for interchangeability and compatibility between rail systems. The elimination of the railroad interference requires a specific approach, since its frequency band overlaps with a significant part of the frequencies in the QRS spectra. We present a method based only on one channel ECG signal processing, which effectively subtracts the interference components. The computation procedure is based on simple signal processing tools, which include: (i) bi-directional band-pass filtering (13–23 Hz) of the analyzed ECG segment; (ii) estimation of adequate linearity thresholds; (iii) frequency measurement and calculation of dynamic interference buffer in linear segments and (iv) phase synchronization and subtraction technique in nonlinear segments. The developed method has proved advantageous in providing sufficient quality of the output interference free ECG signal for seven defined arrhythmia types (normal sinus rhythm, normal rhythm, supraventricular tachicardia, slow/rapid ventricular tachycardia, and coarse/fine ventricular fibrillation), and simulated interferences with constant or variable frequencies and amplitudes, which cover the entire amplitude range of the input channel. The procedure is suitable to be embedded in AEDs as a preprocessing branch, which proves reliable for analysis of ECG signals, thus guaranteeing the specified accuracy of the AED automatic rhythm analysis algorithms.
Markers of potential malignancy in chronic hyperplastic candidiasis.

AIM To examine the presence of markers associated with malignancy, including p53, p21 cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A, murine double minutes-2, and others, in chronic hyperplastic candidiasis. METHODS Immunohistochemical methods were used to examine the expression of p53, murine double minutes-2, p21 cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A, metallothionein, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in 42 chronic hyperplastic candidiasis lesions and 11 non-infected control tissues. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated digoxigenin-dUTP nick-end labeling was used to examine apoptosis, which was correlated with p53 expression. These markers were measured in lesions of chronic hyperplastic candidiasis that did not show any epithelial dysplasia or histological signs of malignancy. RESULTS p53 scores were higher in chronic hyperplastic candidiasis than in controls (P = 0.0046). Murine double-minutes 2 levels were not elevated. p21 cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A was increased in parabasal (P < 0.0001) and basal epithelial cells. Chronic hyperplastic candidiasis lesions showed a similar basal/parabasal metallothionein staining pattern to that seen in normal squamous epithelium. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen was increased (P = 0.0007), as was apoptosis (P = 0.0033). CONCLUSION Increased p53 in oral chronic hyperplastic candidiasis suggests an increased potential for malignant change in the epithelium, above that of normal tissues. Further functional investigation is required, as well as clinical follow-up studies.
MACROECONOMIC DYNAMICS SURVEY: ENDOGENOUS GROWTH THEORY AND MODELS: THE “FIRST WAVE,” 1952–1973

This paper surveys the first stage in the development of models of endogenous growth over the two decades between 1952 and 1973, including seminal works by Arrow, Frankel, Phelps, Uzawa, and others as faculty and graduate students who interacted in the Stanford–Chicago–MIT–Yale Nexus. The paper also deals with American Economic Association (AEA) and Econometric Society (ES) conference sessions over the period 1964–1968 on growth, technical progress, and innovations and with the contributions in the 1967 Shell volume, in addition to dissertations, working papers, and book chapters by those involved in the “first wave” over the period 1965–1973. Finally, the paper considers the initial efforts at building more sophisticated models based on technical progress, human capital, increasing returns and imperfect competition, and the incompatibility between increasing returns with competitive equilibrium.
Methodology and Models in Erosion Research: Discussion and Conclusions

This paper summarises the discussions which took place at the Workshop on Methodology in Erosion Research in Zürich, 2010, and aims, where possible, to offer guidance for the development and application of both in vitro and in situ models for erosion research. The prospects for clinical trials are also discussed. All models in erosion research require a number of choices regarding experimental conditions, study design and measurement techniques, and these general aspects are discussed first. Among in vitro models, simple (single- or multiple-exposure) models can be used for screening products regarding their erosive potential, while more elaborate pH cycling models can be used to simulate erosion in vivo. However, in vitro models provide limited information on intra-oral erosion. In situ models allow the effect of an erosive challenge to be evaluated under intra-oral conditions and are currently the method of choice for short-term testing of low-erosive products or preventive therapeutic products. In the future, clinical trials will allow longer-term testing. Possible methodologies for such trials are discussed.
RGS17/RGSZ2, a Novel Regulator of Gi/o, Gz, and Gq Signaling*

To identify novel regulators of Gαo, the most abundant G-protein in brain, we used yeast two-hybrid screening with constitutively active Gαo as bait and identified a new regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS) protein, RGS17 (RGSZ2), as a novel human member of the RZ (or A) subfamily of RGS proteins. RGS17 contains an amino-terminal cysteine-rich motif and a carboxyl-terminal RGS domain with highest homology to hRGSZ1- and hRGS-Gα-interacting protein. RGS17 RNA was strongly expressed as multiple species in cerebellum and other brain regions. The interactions between hRGS17 and active forms of Gαi1–3, Gαo, Gαz, or Gαq but not Gαs were detected by yeast two-hybrid assay, in vitro pull-down assay, and co-immunoprecipitation studies. Recombinant RGS17 acted as a GTPase-activating protein (GAP) on free Gαi2 and Gαo under pre-steady-state conditions, and on M2-muscarinic receptor-activated Gαi1, Gαi2, Gαi3, Gαz, and Gαo in steady-state GTPase assays in vitro. Unlike RGSZ1, which is highly selective for Gz, RGS17 exhibited limited selectivity for Go among Gi/Go proteins. All RZ family members reduced dopamine-D2/Gαi-mediated inhibition of cAMP formation and abolished thyrotropin-releasing hormone receptor/Gαq-mediated calcium mobilization. RGS17 is a new RZ member that preferentially inhibits receptor signaling via Gi/o, Gz, and Gq over Gs to enhance cAMP-dependent signaling and inhibit calcium signaling. Differences observed between in vitro GAP assays and whole-cell signaling suggest additional determinants of the G-protein specificity of RGS GAP effects that could include receptors and effectors.
Loss of the TOL meta‐cleavage pathway functions of Pseudomonas putida strain PaW1 (pWW0) during growth on toluene

A derivative of Pseudomonas putida strain PaW1 bearing the TOL plasmid pWW0 was isolated from a culture which has grown unlimited on toluene. In contrast to the parent strain PaW1, the derivative, strain CG220, is unable to grow with xylenes and toluates, while toluene and benzoate served as substrates. Strain CG220 had a remarkable growth advantage against the wild type when grown with toluene. Biochemical analysis showed that in strain CG220 toluene was metabolised through the TOL plasmid upper pathway to benzoate and the latter to amphibolic intermediates by the chromosomal encoded ortho‐cleavage pathway. No activities of the TOL plasmid encoded toluate dioxygenase and catechol 2,3‐dioxygenase were detectable in strain CG220. No reversion of strain CG220 to growth with xylenes or toluates was observed. Hybridisation experiments with TOL plasmid‐derived gene probes and oligonucleotides revealed that genes xy/Y to xy/G were absent, while xy/X and xy/K were still present.
Indigenous Access to Post-Secondary Education:How Federal Policy Can Help Close the Gap

This paper will explore the PSE access gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians. It will review the size of the gap and some of the barriers that Indigenous people face to access PSE by drawing on previous studies. It will then discuss the existing federal programs at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada that work to address this gap and will identify some of the key shortcoming of the federal response to the Indigenous PSE access gap. It will finish by providing suggestions for improvements to the existing programs and ideas for potential new policies that could be implemented. List of Abbreviations, Acronyms and Definitions AANDC Aboriginal and Northern Development Canada (now INAC) AFN Assembly of First Nations APS Aboriginal Peoples Survey from Statistics Canada ESDC Employment and Social Development Canada FNUC First Nations University of Canada INAC Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada IRSS Indian Residential School System ISSP Indian Studies Support Program (now PSPP) NHS National Household Survey from Statistics Canada NSC National Selection Committee for the PSPP PSE Post-Secondary Education PSPP Post-Secondary Partnership Program PSSSP Post-Secondary Student Support Program Tertiary education Another name for post-secondary education UCEPP University and College Entrance Preparation Program YITS Youth in Transition Survey Table of
Applying Dynamic Self Organizing Maps for Identifying Changes in Data Sequences

The Growing Self Organizing Map (GSOM), a variant of the Self Organizing Map has been mainly used to cluster and identify relationships in static data in an unsupervised manner. In this paper we discuss about the capabilities of the GSOM in identifying changes in data sequences. To illustrate this we use the analysis of a web server log using the GSOM and highlight the advantages of using the GSOM over traditional web-log analysis methods.
The Mesenchymal–Epithelial Transition During In Vitro Decidualization

The epithelial–mesenchymal transition plays a critical role in embryonic development, cancer progression, and metastasis. Decidualization is the process by which the fibroblast-like endometrial stromal cells differentiate into polygonal epithelial-like cells. However, it is still unclear whether mesenchymal–epithelial transition (MET) occurs during decidualization. The aim of this study was to examine whether decidualization causes the downregulation of some mesenchymal markers and upregulation of some epithelial markers in cultured uterine stromal cells. We showed that decidualization causes the downregulation of snail and vimentin expression, and upregulation of E-cadherin and cytokeratin expression. During in vitro decidualization, cultured stromal cells lose elongated shape and show epithelium-like characteristics. Our data suggest that the process of MET may exist during decidualization.
Two patterns of anterior insular cortex functional connectivity in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia

Abstract Objectives: Bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia (SZ) share structural abnormalities in the anterior insula cortex (AIC). The AIC appears to have a crucial role in emotional processing and regulation and cognitive control in BD and SZ. Methods: Forty-six participants with BD, 68 with SZ and 66 healthy controls (HC) underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging scanning. Resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) from AIC subregions (ventral and dorsal) was compared among the three groups. Results: Compared to HC group, both BD and SZ groups exhibited increased rsFC from the ventral AIC (vAIC) and dorsal AIC (dAIC) to bilateral frontal pole and thalamus, the left middle frontal gyrus and the hippocampus. Meanwhile, the BD group demonstrated increased rsFC from the vAIC to the perigenual anterior cingulate cortex, the SZ group presented increased rsFC from the vAIC and dAIC to the right caudate. Compared with the BD group, the SZ group showed significantly increased rsFC from the vAIC and dAIC to the left middle frontal gyrus. Conclusions: The shared AIC rsFC abnormalities in both BD and SZ support the importance of the AIC in the common pathophysiology of BD and SZ. There were also disorder-specific features of AIC rsFC, which might implicate potential avenues for differentiating during the early stages.
Essays on the value-relevance of earnings expectations and the influence of disclosure policy on analyst behavior

This dissertation consists of two essays. The first essay examines the proportional relevance of accounting data and so-called “other” information. The Ohlson (1995) model provides a representation of firm value in terms of accounting fundamentals and “other” forward-looking information (νt) not yet reflected in accounting numbers. Based on this framework, this paper proposes a measure of proportional relevance (R2%) to examine the relative weight that investors assign to accounting data vs. “other” information (νt). Using this metric, this study examines whether the mix of information used by investors changed over time, and whether there is there an association between the overall market conditions and the proportional relevance of accounting data and νt. This study finds that the proportional relevance of “other” information increased substantially over the period 1984–2010. Moreover, the results suggest that investors rely more heavily on accounting data (“other” information) during bearish (bullish) years with high (low) levels of volatility in capital markets. Overall, the results reported in this study indicate that although “other” forward-looking information has gained in importance over time, investors still rely on accounting data as an anchor for valuation in difficult years. The second essay examines the influence of SFAS 131—a mandated change in segment disclosure—on the relation between corporate diversification and analyst behavior, as measured by analyst following and the precision of analysts’ information. Based on a sample of diversified and non-diversified firms, I compare the relation between corporate diversification and several aspects of analyst behavior across the old SFAS 14 and the new SFAS 131 segment reporting regime. Using the model developed by Barron, Kim, Lim, and Stevens (1998), I find that the previously positive (negative) relation between corporate diversification and analysts’ idiosyncratic information precision (consensus) is significantly negative (positive) under SFAS 131. Additionally, I find that the negative relation between corporate diversification and analyst following is even more pronounced (i.e. more negative) under SFAS 131. This study seeks to add to our understanding of the broader implications of SFAS 131 by comparing the relation between corporate diversification and several aspects of analyst behavior across the old and the new segment reporting regime for a broad sample of firms.
The Disappointing Quality of Published Studies on Operative Techniques for Rectovaginal Fistulas: a Blueprint for a Prospective Multi-institutional Study

BACKGROUND: Treatment of rectovaginal fistulas is difficult, and many surgical interventions have been developed. The best surgical intervention for the closure of these fistulas is still unclear. OBJECTIVE: A systematic review was performed reporting the outcomes of different surgical techniques for rectovaginal fistulas. DATA SOURCES: Medline (PubMed, Ovid), Embase (Ovid), and The Cochrane Library databases were searched for eligible articles as well as the references of these articles. STUDY SELECTION: Two independent reviewers analyzed the search results for eligible articles based on title, abstract, and described results. INTERVENTION(S): Any surgical intervention for the closure of rectovaginal fistulas was included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome was closure rate. Secondary outcomes were quality of life, morbidity, and the effect on sexual functioning. RESULTS: Many articles with different operative techniques were identified and classified in the following categories: advancement flaps (endorectal and endovaginal), transperineal closure, Martius procedure, gracilis muscle transposition, rectal resections, transabdominal closure, mesh repair, plugs, endoscopic repairs, closure with biomaterials, and miscellaneous techniques. Results vary widely with closure rates between 0% and >80%. None of the studies were randomized. Because of the poor quality of the identified studies, the comparison of results and performance of a meta-analysis were not possible. Data regarding the secondary outcomes were mostly unavailable. LIMITATIONS: The major limitation of this review was the limited availability of high-quality prospective studies, making it impossible to perform a meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS: No conclusion about the best surgical intervention for rectovaginal fistulas could be formulated. More large studies of high quality are needed to find the best treatment for rectovaginal fistulas. A design for these high-quality studies was formulated.
Guided wave tomography with an improved scattering model

Producing accurate thickness maps of corrosion damage is of great importance for assessing life in the petrochemical industry. Guided wave tomography provides a solution for this, by sending guided waves through the region of interest, then using tomographic imaging techniques to reconstruct the thickness map, importantly eliminating the need to take measurements at all points across the surface. However, to achieve accurate maps, the imaging algorithm must account for the way in which the guided waves interact with corrosion defects, and the complex scattering which occurs. Traditional approaches have exploited the dispersive nature of guided waves: a velocity map is produced from a dataset, then converted to thickness using the dispersion relationship. However, these relationships are derived for plates of constant thickness, which is not the case in the majority of defects, causing significant inaccuracies to exist in the images. This paper develops a more sophisticated inversion solution which accounts for the full-guided wave scattering, enabling more accurate images with resolution better than a wavelength, compared with two wavelengths previously. This is demonstrated with simulated and experimental data. The speed and stability of the algorithm in the presence of random noise and systematic errors is also demonstrated.
Per-face texture mapping for real-time rendering

Texture unwrapping is a nearly ubiquitous step in texture mapping, and serves two important purposes: (1) it indicates where to sample texture across each face and (2) it allows artistic freedom to "trade" texels from low importance areas to high importance areas. Unfortunately, texture unwrapping is time-consuming and automated tools generally produce inferior results to those of a skilled artist. Additionally, even the best unwraps suffer from seams, which cause lighting discontinuities at best and surface discontinuities at worst.
Babesia lengau sp. nov., a Novel Babesia Species in Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus, Schreber, 1775) Populations in South Africa

ABSTRACT In a previous paper, we reported on a large number of cheetah blood specimens that gave positive signals only for Babesia and/or Theileria genus-specific probes on the reverse line blot (RLB) assay, indicating the presence of a novel species or variant of an existing species. Some of these specimens were investigated further by microscopic, serological, sequencing, and phylogenetic analyses. The near-full-length 18S rRNA genes of 13 samples, as well as the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) region, were amplified, cloned, and sequenced. A species-specific RLB probe, designed to target the hypervariable V4 region of the 18S rRNA gene for detection of the novel Babesia sp. , was used to screen an additional 137 cheetah blood specimens for the presence of the species. The prevalence of infection was 28.5%. Here we describe the morphology and phylogenetic relationships of the novel species, which we have named Babesia lengau sp. nov.