Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mapping Human Genetic Diversity in Asia

Patterns of Early Migration In order to gain insight into various migrations that must have happened during movement of early humans into Asia and the subsequent populating of the largest continent on Earth, the HUGO Pan-Asian SNP Consortium (p. 1541) analyzed genetic variation in almost 2000 individuals representing 73 Asian and two non-Asian populations. The results suggest that there may have been a single major migration of people into Asia and a subsequent south-to-north migration across the continent. While most populations from the same linguistic group tend to cluster together in terms of relatedness, several do not, clustering instead with their geographic neighbors, suggesting either substantial recent mixing among the populations or language replacement. Furthermore, data from indigenous Taiwanese populations appear to be inconsistent with the idea of a Taiwan homeland for Austronesian populations. Genetic analyses of Asian peoples suggest that the continent was populated through a single migration event. Asia harbors substantial cultural and linguistic diversity, but the geographic structure of genetic variation across the continent remains enigmatic. Here we report a large-scale survey of autosomal variation from a broad geographic sample of Asian human populations. Our results show that genetic ancestry is strongly correlated with linguistic affiliations as well as geography. Most populations show relatedness within ethnic/linguistic groups, despite prevalent gene flow among populations. More than 90% of East Asian (EA) haplotypes could be found in either Southeast Asian (SEA) or Central-South Asian (CSA) populations and show clinal structure with haplotype diversity decreasing from south to north. Furthermore, 50% of EA haplotypes were found in SEA only and 5% were found in CSA only, indicating that SEA was a major geographic source of EA populations.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF LOANS AND ADVANCES BY THE COMMERCIAL BANKS

2The economic reforms in India started in early nineties, but their outcome was great. Major changes took place in the functioning of banks in India only after liberalization, globalization and privatization (LPG). It had become mandatory to study about them and to make a comparative analysis of services of private sector banks (Pvt.SBs) and Public Sector Banks (PSBs). Intense competition due to new information technology adopted by banks and thereby declining processing costs, the erosion of product and geographic boundaries, and less restrictive governmental regulations have all played a big role on Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) in India to forcefully compete with private and foreign banks. The last decade had seen many positive developments in the Indian banking sector. The policy makers, which consist of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Ministry of Finance and related government and financial sector regulatory entities, have made several notable efforts to improve regulation in banking sector. A few banks have established an outstanding track record of innovation, growth and value creation and are offering more loans and advances to the public and others.
Interpretive Structural Model for Understanding the Facilitators of TFMEA

1 Mechanical Department, Karpagam University Coimbatore, India 2 Mechanical Department, NSS College of Engineering, Kerala, India Abstract— This paper is to identify the facilitating factors for TFMEA implementation in Indian industries, in order to make them known to the managers of Industries. The findings of this research revealed that success factors for implementing total failure mode and effect analysis in industries are: 1.Top Management commitment,2.Employee involvement, 3.Improving quality, 4.Acheiving positive change, 5.Team work, 6.Systematic decision making, 7.Co-operation among departments, 8.Improving productivity, 9.Promoting export, 10.Fast Response to customer needs, 11. Identifying customer requirement, 12.Quality awareness. In this paper ISM is used for identifying and establishing relationships among facilitators for the implementation of total failure mode and effect analysis technique. The identification of these success factors and awareness of their driving power and dependence power help the managers to focus on them and develop action plans for tackling them. Keywords— Facilitating factor, TFMEA, ISM, MICMAC, Hierarchy
Metformin delays the manifestation of diabetes and vascular dysfunction in Goto–Kakizaki rats by reduction of mitochondrial oxidative stress

This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that hyperglycaemia induces the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by mitochondria and that the oxidative stress thereby exerted is diminished by treatment with metformin. As a parameter of mitochondrial ROS formation, the activity of mitochondrial aconitase activity was determined using Goto–Kakizaki (GK) rats as model of type 2 diabetes.
Linkage Disequilibrium Mapping of Yield and Yield Stability in Modern Spring Barley Cultivars

Associations between markers and complex quantitative traits were investigated in a collection of 146 modern two-row spring barley cultivars, representing the current commercial germ plasm in Europe. Using 236 AFLP markers, associations between markers were found for markers as far apart as 10 cM. Subsequently, for the 146 cultivars the complex traits mean yield, adaptability (Finlay-Wilkinson slope), and stability (deviations from regression) were estimated from the analysis of variety trial data. Regression of those traits on individual marker data disclosed marker-trait associations for mean yield and yield stability. Support for identified associations was obtained from association profiles, i.e., from plots of P-values against chromosome positions. In addition, many of the associated markers were located in regions where earlier QTL were found for yield and yield components. To study the oligogenic genetic base of the traits in more detail, multiple linear regression of the traits on markers was carried out, using stepwise selection. By this procedure, 18–20 markers that accounted for 40–58% of the variation were selected. Our results indicate that association mapping approaches can be a viable alternative to classical QTL approaches based on crosses between inbred lines, especially for complex traits with costly measurements.
A NEW LOSSLESS VISIBLE WATERMARKING METHOD VIA THE USE OF THE PNG IMAGE

A new lossless visible watermarking method via the use of the PNG image is proposed. The method transforms a color host image into the PNG format with an additional alpha channel plane and a visible watermark is then embedded into the color channel plane of the host image. During the embedding process, data of color pixels covered by the watermark are collected to form a data packet. The data packet is then embedded into the alpha channel plane in order to remove the visible watermark from the watermarked image later. Furthermore, pixel values in the alpha channel plane are mapped into a range near their maximum value of 255 to yield a nearly total transparent watermarked image. During the process of image recovery, the proposed method can remove the visible watermark from the watermarked image without the original watermark because all data that are needed to losslessly recover the watermarked image are embedded in the alpha channel plane. Experimental results demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed method are also included.
Exploring effective coefficients in transform-domain perceptual watermarking

An image watermark parameter optimization procedure is proposed for selecting the most effective DCT coefficients for watermark embedding. Using this set of coefficients improves the watermark robustness and reliability against attack while it maintains the transparency of the embedded watermark. With the aid of prior knowledge of attacks, the visual masking effect and the attack distortion on each (DCT) transform coefficient are pre-calculated so that a maximum strength watermark within visual threshold can be inserted. There are two stages in the design phase. First, taking into account the combined effect of watermark embedding and attack, we pick up the robust coefficients that resist a specific type of attacks and in the meanwhile we keep the distortion lower than the visual threshold. Although typically the watermark detection reliability increases with the increasing number of embedded coefficients, the less effective coefficients may degrade the overall detection performance. Thus, in the second stage, some initially selected coefficients are discarded by an iterative process to reduce the overall error detection probability. Since digital images are often compressed for efficient storage and transmission, we adopt JPEG compression as the attacking source. The simulation results show that the detection error probability is significantly reduced when the selected robust coefficients are in use. These coefficients with watermark embedded on them can also survive color reduction, Gaussian filtering, and frequency mode Laplacian removal (FMLR) attacks.
A simple method to detect linkage for rare recessive diseases: An application to juvenile diabetes

A simple procedure designed specifically to detect linkage for rare recessive diseases is described. The method uses information on identity by descent scores for a pair of sibs at a marker locus conditioned on the number of affected sibs in the pair. A procedure for estimating the recombination fraction is described, and a table facilitating the likelihood ratio test of linkage is provided.
Ultrawide Field Imaging in Uveitic Non-dilating Pupils

Non‐dilating pupils due to anterior segment inflammation in uveitis commonly interfere with a proper fundus examination. Ultrawide field fundus imaging (UWFI, Optos 200 TxTM; Optos PLC., Dunfermline, Scotland, United Kingdom) uses a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope. The aim of this manuscript is to describe the utility of UWFI in cases of uveitis with non‐ dilating pupils. Consent was taken from all the patients and the declaration of Helsinki was followed during patient care. A 32‐year‐old woman (Case 1) had smal l pupils in both eyes. She had 5/60 vision in both eyes with bilateral early posterior subcapsular cataracts [Figure 1a], and cystoid macular edema. The UWFI enabled us to document the associated vitritis [Figure 1b]. No other retinochoroidal lesion or vasculitis was seen. Thus, a diagnosis of intermediate uveitis was made. A 43‐year‐old woman (Case 2) with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and a CD4 count of 33 presented with bilateral perception of light and inaccurate projection of rays. Both eyes had posterior synechiae, right eye had an early cataract [Figure 2a] and left eye had a mature cataract. Further, UWFI Ultrawide Field Imaging in Uveitic Non‐dilating Pupils
Retailing: An Emerging Trend in India

Retailing encompasses the business activities involved in setting goods and services to their consumers for their personal family or household use. It includes very sale to the final consumers ranging from cars to apparel, to meals at restaurant to theater tickets (BermanaEvans). Retail is the largest private industry in the world with total sales of $6.6% trillion. This industry accounts for 8% of the GDP in the western economics and has generated an 18% return for shareholders between 1994 and 1999 as compared to banks while generate a 9% percent return and insurance which generated a 15.2 percent return (Indian Retail Report end February 2002 Pg 21). The fact that the largest corporation in the world, Wal-Mart is a retail chain, only confirms the significance of this industry (Fortune, July 2002). The retail sector plays a significant role in the world economy because of the contribution that it makes to the economy of the country.
Functional Characterization of TaSnRK2.8 Promoter in Response to Abiotic Stresses by Deletion Analysis in Transgenic Arabidopsis

Drought, salinity, and cold are the major factors limiting wheat quality and productivity; it is thus highly desirable to characterize the abiotic-stress-inducible promoters suitable for the genetic improvement of plant resistance. The sucrose non-fermenting 1-related protein kinase 2 (SnRK2) family genes show distinct regulatory properties in response to abiotic stresses. The present study characterized the approximately 3000-bp upstream sequence (the 313 bp upstream of the ATG was the transcription start site) of the Triticum aestivum TaSnRK2.8 promoter under abscisic acid (ABA) and abiotic stresses. Four different-length 5′ deletion fragments of TaSnRK2.8 promoter were fused with the GUS reporter gene and transformed into Arabidopsis. Tissue expression analysis showed that the TaSnRK2.8 promoter region from position -1481 to -821 contained the stalk-specific elements, and the region from position -2631 to -1481 contained the leaf- and root-specific elements. In the ABA-treated seedlings, the deletion analysis showed that the TaSnRK2.8 promoter region from position -821 to -2631 contained ABA response elements. The abiotic stress responses of the TaSnRK2.8 promoter derivatives demonstrated that they harbored abiotic-stress response elements: the region from position -821 to -408 harbored the osmotic-stress response elements, whereas the region from position -2631 to -1481 contained the positive regulatory motifs and the region from position -1481 to -821 contained the leaf- and stalk-specific enhancers. Further deletion analysis of the promoter region from position -821 to -408 indicated that a 125-bp region from position -693 to -568 was required to induce an osmotic-stress response. These results contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of TaSnRK2.8 in response to abiotic stresses, and the TaSnRK2.8 promoter seems to be a candidate for regulating the expression of abiotic stress response genes in transgenic plants.
Salivary alpha-amylase levels and hyperbolic discounting in male humans.

OBJECTIVE Little is known regarding the role of the sympathetic-adrenal-medullary (SAM) system in self-control and impulsivity in intertemporal choice (delay discounting), although the roles of dopaminergic and serotonergic systems have been extensively examined. This study was aimed to examine the relationships between salivary alpha-amylase (sAA, a non-invasive biological marker of adrenergic/SAM activities) levels and hyperbolic discounting, which is of interest in psychoneuroendocrinology and neuroeconomics. METHODS We assessed degrees to which delayed monetary gains were discounted (hyperbolic discount rates) in healthy male students. Participants' sAA were also assessed. RESULTS We observed negative relationships between sAA and hyperbolic discounting of small, medium, and large monetary gains. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that subjects with low sAA are impulsive in intertemporal choice. Implications for the roles of adrenergic and SAM systems in self-control in intertemporal choice are discussed.
Hospital-at-home programs for patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): an evidence-based analysis.

s were reviewed by a single reviewer and, for those studies meeting the eligibility criteria, fulltext articles were obtained. Reference lists and health technology assessment websites were also examined for any additional relevant studies not identified through the search. Inclusion Criteria  English language full-text reports;  health technology assessments, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs);  studies performed exclusively in patients diagnosed with COPD or studies that included patients with COPD as well as patients with other conditions, if results are reported for COPD patients separately;  studies performed in patients with acute exacerbations of COPD who present to the ED;  studies published between January 1, 1990, and August 5, 2010;  studies comparing hospital-at-home and inpatient hospital care for patients with acute exacerbations of COPD;  studies that report at least 1 of the outcomes of interest (listed below). This review adopted the Cochrane definition of hospital-at-home used by Shepperd et al (8;9). As such, studies were only included if the hospital-at-home programs provided patients with active treatment for their acute exacerbation in their home by medical professionals for a limited period of time (in this case, until the resolution of the exacerbation). If a hospital-at-home program had not been available, these patients would have been admitted to hospital for their treatment. Exclusion Criteria  < 18 years of age  animal studies  duplicate publications  grey literature
Shariah Boards and the Corporate Governance of Islamic Banks in the United Kingdom

In the last decade Islamic banks (or banks with Islamic windows) that can compete with conventional (i.e. non-Islamic banks) have begun to emerge in Britain. A governmental policy of neither prejudice nor favour, coupled with legislative reforms evince the UK government’s increasing interest in encouraging and even actively promoting Islamic banking and finance, and London as its European capital. At the same time, codes and guidance concerning corporate governance have gained stringency in the UK, following on the financial crisis that began in 2007. Structurally similar to conventional banks in most legal respects, the Shariah Board of Islamic banks and financial institutions poses a variety of unique challenges to UK corporate governance. This article explores those challenges and outlines how they might begin to be met; it does so with reference to corporate governance measures implemented in Malaysia and by its central bank, the Bank Negara Malaysia.
Weak Lensing of Galaxy Clusters in Modified Newtonian Dynamics

We study weak gravitational lensing of galaxy clusters in terms of the MOND (modified Newtonian dynamics) theory. We calculate shears and convergences of background galaxies for three clusters (A1689, CL 0024+1654, and CL 1358+6245) and the mean profile of 42 SDSS (Sloan Digital Sky Survey) clusters and compare them with observational data. The mass profile is modeled as a sum of X-ray gas, galaxies, and dark halo. For the shear as a function of the angular radius, MOND predicts a shallower slope than the data irrespective of the critical acceleration parameter g0. The dark halo is necessary to explain the data for any g0 and for three interpolation functions. If the dark halo is composed of massive neutrinos, its mass should be heavier than 2 eV. However, the constraint still depends on the dark halo model and there are systematic uncertainties, and hence a more careful study is necessary for a more stringent constraint.
Damped Lyman α absorbers as a probe of stellar feedback

We examine the abundance, clustering and metallicity of Damped Lyman- Absorbers (DLAs) in a suite of hydrodynamic cosmological simulations using the moving mesh code AREPO . We incorporate models of supernova and AGN feedback, as well as molecular hydrogen formation. We compare our simulations to the column density distribution function at z = 3, the total DLA abundance at z = 2 4, the measured DLA bias at z = 2:3 and the DLA metallicity distribution at z = 2 4. Our preferred models produce populations of DLAs in good agreement with most of these observations. The exception is the DLA abundance at z < 3, which we show requires stronger feedback in 10 11 12 h 1 M mass halos. While the DLA population probes a wide range of halo masses, we nd the cross-section is dominated by halos of mass 10 10 10 11 h 1 M and virial velocities 50 100 km s 1 . The simulated DLA population has a linear theory bias of 1:7, whereas the observations require 2:17 0:2. We show that non-linear growth increases the bias in our simulations to 2:3 at k = 1hMpc 1 , the smallest scale observed. The scale-dependence of the bias is, however, very different in the simulations compared against the observations. We show that, of the observations we consider, the DLA abundance and column density function provide the strongest constraints on the feedback model.
Functional interplay of visual, sensitizing and screening pigments in the eyes of Drosophila and other red‐eyed dipteran flies

Several fly species have distinctly red‐coloured eyes, meaning that the screening pigments that provide a restricted angular sensitivity of the photoreceptors may perform poorly in the longer wavelength range. The functional reasons for the red transparency and possible negative visual effects of the spectral properties of the eye‐colouring screening pigments are discussed within the context of the photochemistry, arrestin binding and turnover of the visual pigments located in the various photoreceptor types. A phylogenetic survey of the spectral properties of the main photoreceptors of the Diptera indicates that the transition of the brown eye colour of the Nematocera and lower Brachycera to a much redder eye colour of the higher Brachycera occurred around the emergence of the Tabanidae family.
Study of Indoor Positioning Method Based on Combination of Support Vector Regression and Kalman Filtering

Against the problem that indoor positioning suffers quite large errors and irregular user location movement, this paper adopts Support Vector Regression (SVR) for initial positioning and Kalman filtering for filtering of the positioning results so as to improve the accuracy of the positioning system. The experimental results show that against the real WLAN environment, SVR positioning results processed by Kalman filtering indicates the root mean square error is decreased by 16%, and 73% of positioning accuracy within 2 meters is increased to 83%.
The rate-limiting step in the folding of a large ribozyme without kinetic traps

A fundamental question in RNA folding is the nature of the rate-limiting step. Folding of large RNAs often is trapped by the need to undo misfolded structures, which precludes the study of the other, potentially more interesting aspects in the rate-limiting step, such as conformational search, metal ion binding, and the role of productive intermediates. The catalytic domain of the Bacillus subtilis RNase P RNA folds without a kinetic trap, thereby providing an ideal system to elucidate these steps. We analyzed the folding kinetics by using fluorescence and absorbance spectroscopies, catalytic activity, and synchrotron small-angle x-ray scattering. Folding begins with the rapid formation of early intermediates wherein the majority of conformational search occurs, followed by the slower formation of subsequent intermediates. Before the rate-limiting step, more than 98% of the total structure has formed. The rate-limiting step is a small-scale structural rearrangement involving prebound metal ions.
S UPPORTED BY U NIGESTION " What determines investment and operating strategies of public and private firms : Theory and Evidence " Prof .

We examine theoretically and empirically potential determinants of investment and operating strategies of public and private firms that are controlled by imperfectly diversified owners. In particular, we demonstrate theoretically and confirm empirically that due to arguably more severe financial constraints that private firms face, the effects of factors such as the diversification of controlling owners’ portfolios and the uncertainty regarding demand for firms’ output are dramatically different from the effects on public ones. For example, public firms’ controlling shareholders’ diversification is positively related to their investment and profitability ratios, while the opposite relations are observed for private firms. Our theoretical and empirical results suggest that the differences between public and private firms’ external financing costs are partially responsible for the observed relations between a firm’s mode of incorporation and its investment and operating strategies and outcomes. Friday, January 18, 10.30-12.00 Room 126, 1st floor of the Extranef building at the University of Lausanne What determines investment and operating strategies of public and private firms: Theory and Evidence∗ Evgeny Lyandres†, Maria-Teresa Marchica‡, Roni Michaely§, Roberto Mura¶