Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
GENETIC ISOLATION BETWEEN TWO SYMPATRIC HOST-PLANT RACES OF THE EUROPEAN CORN BORER, OSTRINIA NUBILALIS HÜBNER. I. SEX PHEROMONE, MOTH EMERGENCE TIMING, AND PARASITISM

Abstract Adaptation to different environments may be a powerful source of genetic differentiation between populations. The biological traits selected in each environment can pleiotropically induce assortative mating between individuals of these genetically differentiated populations. This situation may facilitate sympatric speciation. Successful host shifts in phytophagous insects provide some of the best evidence for the ecological speciation that occurs, or has occurred, in sympatry. The European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), colonized maize after its introduction into Europe by humans about 500 years ago. In northern France, two sympatric host races feed on maize (Zea mays) and mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), respectively. We investigated the factors involved in the genetic isolation of these two races at a field site near Paris, France. We identified two biological differences that might make a significant contribution to the genetic divergence between sympatric populations feeding on the two host plants. First, assortative mating may be due to differences in the moth emergence pattern between the two races: mugwort-race moths emerged on average 10 days earlier than maize-race moths. In addition, the males emerged earlier than females in both races. Hence, the likelihood of mating between maize-race males and mugwort-race females was higher than that of mating between mugwort-race males and maize-race females. Second, the females feeding on mugwort and maize produced sex pheromones with different E/Z isomeric ratios of Δ-11-tetradecenyl acetate. This difference in mate recognition systems reinforces the potential for assortative mating in the two races. During the experiment, overwintering mortality was much lower on maize than on mugwort. This difference was due to a braconid parasitoid wasp, Macrocentrus cingulum, that killed more than 50% of the larvae overwintering on mugwort but did not infest larvae diapausing on maize. Hence, by colonizing maize, European corn borer populations probably escaped from numerous predators, competitors, and parasitoids, such as M. cingulum. This decrease in host-associated selection may have favored the colonization of this new host. Finally, throughout this experiment we observed selection at two allozyme loci (or at linked loci): Tpi and Mpi. The Tpi locus is tightly linked with the genes involved in the response of the male to the sex pheromone and in developmental timing. The location of these traits on the Z chromosome may play a role in shortening the time required for the evolution of premating barriers.
Myocardial phosphocreatine-to-ATP ratio is a predictor of mortality in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND In patients with heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy, cardiac energy metabolism is impaired, as indicated by a reduction of the myocardial phosphocreatine-to-ATP ratio, measured noninvasively by 31P-MR spectroscopy. The purpose of this study was to test whether the phosphocreatine-to-ATP ratio also offers prognostic information in terms of mortality prediction as well as how this index compares with well-known mortality predictors such as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) or New York Heart Association (NYHA) class. METHODS AND RESULTS Thirty-nine patients with dilated cardiomyopathy were followed up for 928+/-85 days (2.5 years). At study entry, LVEF and NYHA class were determined, and the cardiac phosphocreatine-to-ATP ratio was measured by localized 31P-MR spectroscopy of the anterior myocardium. During the study period, total mortality was 26%. Patients were divided into two groups, one with a normal phosphocreatine-to-ATP ratio (>1.60; mean+/-SE, 1.98+/-0.07; n=19; healthy volunteers: 1.94+/-0.11, n=30) and one with a reduced phosphocreatine-to-ATP ratio (<1.60; 1.30+/-0.05; n=20). At re-evaluation (mean, 2.5 years), 8 of 20 patients with reduced phosphocreatine-to-ATP ratios had died, all of cardiovascular causes (total and cardiovascular mortality, 40%). Of the 19 patients with normal phosphocreatine-to-ATP ratios, 2 had died (total mortality, 11%), one of cardiovascular causes (cardiovascular mortality, 5%). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed significantly reduced total (P=.036) and cardiovascular (P=.016) mortality for patients with normal versus patients with low phosphocreatine-to-ATP ratios. A Cox model for multivariate analysis showed that the phosphocreatine-to-ATP ratio and NYHA class offered significant independent prognostic information on cardiovascular mortality. CONCLUSIONS The myocardial phosphocreatine-to-ATP ratio, measured noninvasively with 31P-MR spectroscopy, is a predictor of both total and cardiovascular mortality in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.
Mopeia Virus–related Arenavirus in Natal Multimammate Mice, Morogoro, Tanzania

A serosurvey involving 2,520 small mammals from Tanzania identified a hot spot of arenavirus circulation in Morogoro. Molecular screening detected a new arenavirus in Natal multimammate mice (Mastomys natalensis), Morogoro virus, related to Mopeia virus. Only a small percentage of mice carry Morogoro virus, although a large proportion shows specific antibodies.
Declarative support for prototyping interactive systems

The development of complex, multi-user, interactive systems is a difficult process that requires both a rapid iterative approach, and the ability to reason carefully about system designs. This thesis argues that a combination of declarative prototyping and formal specification provides a suitable way of satisfying these requirements. The focus of this thesis is on the development of software tools for prototyping interactive systems. In particular, it uses a declarative approach, based on the functional programming paradigm. This thesis makes two contributions. The most significant contribution is the presentation of FranTk, a new Graphical User Interface language, embedded in the functional language Haskell. It is suitable for prototyping complex, concurrent, multi-user systems. It allows systems to be built in a high level, structured manner. In particular, it provides good support for specifying real-time properties of such systems. The second contribution is a mechanism that allows a formal specification to be derived from a high level FranTk prototype. The approach allows this to be done automatically. This specification can then be checked, with tool support, to verify some safety properties about a system. To avoid the state space explosion problem that would be faced when verifying an entire system, we focus on partial verification. This concentrates on key areas of a design: in particular this means that we only derive a specification from parts of a prototype. To demonstrate the scalability of both the prototyping and verification approaches, this thesis uses a series of case studies including a multi-user design rationale editor and a prototype data-link Air Traffic Control system.
Relations among attractiveness of endorsers, match‐up, and purchase intention in sport marketing in China

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationships between attractiveness of athlete endorsers, match‐up, and consumers' purchase intention embedded in the China context.Design/methodology/approach – The authors used a 3×2×2 between‐subject experimental design. Specifically, in this 12‐scenario study depicting a purchase experience they manipulated endorser attractiveness levels (high/middle/low), endorser‐product match‐up (high/low), and product type (to prevent single product bias). Findings – The results showed that no matter whether the attractiveness is high, middle, or low, the high endorser‐product match‐up could produce higher purchase intention than the low endorser‐product match‐up could. Moreover, the purchase intention generated by the high‐attractive endorser with low match‐up would be higher than that generated by low‐attractive endorser with high match‐up.Originality/value – This research demonstrates that endorsers' attractiveness, even compared to match‐up factor, and .
The Protein Zfand5 Binds and Stabilizes mRNAs with AU-rich Elements in Their 3′-Untranslated Regions*

Background: AU-rich elements (AREs) in the 3′-UTR of mRNA confer instability; the mechanisms are incompletely understood. Results: A genomic screen identified Zfand5 as a stabilizer of ARE-RNA. Conclusion: Zfand5 enhances ARE-RNA stability by competing with TTP for mRNA binding. Significance: A better understanding of ARE-RNAs regulation is of clinical significance because many inflammatory mediator transcripts contain ARE. AU-rich elements (AREs) in the 3′-UTR of unstable transcripts play a vital role in the regulation of many inflammatory mediators. To identify novel ARE-dependent gene regulators, we screened a human leukocyte cDNA library for candidates that enhanced the activity of a luciferase reporter bearing the ARE sequence from TNF (ARETNF). Among 171 hits, we focused on Zfand5 (zinc finger, AN1-type domain 5), a 23-kDa protein containing two zinc finger domains. Zfand5 expression was induced in macrophages in response to IFNγ and Toll-like receptor ligands. Knockdown of Zfand5 in macrophages decreased expression of ARE class II transcripts TNF and COX2, whereas overexpression stabilized TNF mRNA by suppressing deadenylation. Zfand5 specifically bound to ARETNF mRNA and competed with tristetraprolin, a protein known to bind and destabilize class II ARE-containing RNAs. Truncation studies indicated that both zinc fingers of Zfand5 contributed to its mRNA-stabilizing function. These findings add Zfand5 to the growing list of RNA-binding proteins and suggest that Zfand5 can enhance ARE-containing mRNA stability by competing with tristetraprolin for mRNA binding.
Customer Lifetime Value in a Model of Dynamic Competition

We study the structure of optimal customer acquisition and customer retention strategies in an infinite horizon model of a firm in a competitive industry. We examine the effects of changes in customer profitability, density of competition, and discount rate on the optimal allocation of marketing budget. We obtain a number of normative propositions and testable hypotheses at the level of the individual firm and the industry. We establish the connections between the problem of maximizing Customer Equity and the problem of maximizing the Value of the Firm.
The Illizarov method in infected non-union of long bones.

OBJECTIVE To review the results of the management of infected non-union of long bones using the Illizarov fixator. METHODS Eight patients with non-union of long bones associated with current or prior infection were treated between 1998 and 2006. Seven patients were treated between 2004 and 2006. There were seven males and one female with an average age of 32 years (range 17-53 years). Four non-unions were located in the tibia, two were present in the humerus, one was present in the femur and one was intraarticular. Five non-unions were treated with acute compression, two were treated with bone transport and the frame was used in a static mode in one. RESULTS There was one excellent, three good, one fair and three poor results. CONCLUSION The Illizarov technique is an important treatment method for surgeons performing posttraumatic reconstructive surgery. Non-union, infection, shortening and deformity are all addressed simultaneously.
Testing the Fit of the BANKSERV Model to BANKPERF Data

To date, financial institutions have no recognised publicly available and standard scale to measure the quality of their services (Bahia and Nantel, 2000). Much of the service quality literature has focused on two measures, SERVQUAL and SERVPERF. Although debate continues about the pros and cons of these individual measures, the reality is that neither is industry specific. The BANKSERV instrument was developed to measure service quality in retail banking as perceived by customers. It was designed to allow customers to reflect on their expectations and perceptions in single statements. This paper reports the results of a confirmatory factor analysis conducted to test the fit of the BANKSERV model to data collected using a perceptions-only measure (BANKPERF). Data were collected via questionnaire, with a sample of 348 banking customers being obtained. Findings suggest that the ‘goodness of fit’ of the BANKSERV model to the observed data was ‘marginal’.
Workflow scheduling in grids: an ant colony optimization approach

Grid applications in virtue of open service grid architecture (OGSA) are promising next-generation computation techniques. One of the most important and challenging problems about grid application is the workflow scheduling problem to achieve the users' QoS (quality of service) requirements as well as to minimize the cost. This paper proposes an ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithm to tackle this problem. Several new features are introduced to the algorithm. First, we define two kinds of pheromone and three kinds of heuristic information to guide the search direction of ants for this bi-criteria problem. Each ant uses either one from these heuristic types and pheromone types in each iteration based on the probabilities controlled by two parameters. These two parameters are adaptively adjusted in the process of the algorithm. Second, we use the information of partial solutions to modify the bias of ants so that inferior choices will be ignored. Moreover, the experimental results in 3 workflow applications under different deadline constraints show that the performance of our algorithm is very promising, for it outperforms the Deadline-MDP algorithm in most cases.
Efficacy, tolerability, compliance, and quality of life of patients with mood disorders switched from Quetiapine immediate release to extended release

The present study aimed to assess switch from immediate-release (IR) to extended-release (XR) Quetiapine in terms of efficacy, tolerability, compliance, and quality of life in a sample of patients with mood disorders. Thirty patients, 10 with major depressive disorder and 20 with bipolar disorder, with residual depressive symptoms, who had switched from Quetiapine IR (mean 365 mg/day) to XR (mean 373 mg/day), were recruited and evaluated using different psychometric scales, administered at T0 (switch), T1, and T2 (1 and 6 weeks after the switch, respectively). A significant reduction from T0 to T2 of the total scores on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (t=2.15; P=0.04), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (t=3.04; P=0.006), and Clinical Global Impression-Severity Item (t=2.8; P=0.01) was found. No differences were found in terms of compliance and quality of life. The switch was well tolerated by 2/3 of patients. Most reported side effects were early/central insomnia with day drowsiness (16.7%), increased appetite and weight (8.4%), mild asthenia (4.2%), and constipation (4.2%), which, in two cases, led to switch interruption. Strategies to relieve side effects, including gradual cross-switch, improved switch feasibility. Switch from Quetiapine IR to XR seems to be associated with clinical improvement in major depressives with residual symptoms, although some patients may report side effects because of the different pharmacokinetics.
The Transport‐choice Decision Process: The Potential, Methodology and Applications of Script‐theoretic Modelling

Past efforts to model freight transport‐choice decision making as a behavioural process have resulted in the development of models which may not reflect the actual steps, activities, decision rules, and interactions in the typical freight transport‐choice decision process in the detail needed for various applications. Script‐theoretic research, which is based on the modelling of sequential activities, is proposed as an alternative approach for the study of this process. The methodology for empirical investigations and practical applications of script‐theoretic research is discussed.
The recognition and management of early psychosis : a preventive approach

Dedication List of contributors Foreword Jan Olav Johannessen Acknowledgements Part I. Introduction: 1. Rationale for and overview of the 2nd edition of The Recognition and Management of Early Psychosis Henry J. Jackson, Patrick D. McGorry and Kelly Allott 2. Diagnosis and the staging model of psychosis Patrick D. McGorry, Kelly Allott and Henry J. Jackson Part II. Risk and Vulnerability: 3. Genetic vulnerability Daniel Weinberger and Gregor Berger 4. Environmental vulnerability and genetic-environmental interactions Jim van Os and Richie Poulton 5. Neurobiological endophenotypes of psychosis and schizophrenia: are there biological markers of illness onset? Christos Pantelis, Murat Yucel, Stephen J. Wood, Warrick J. Brewer, Alex Fornito, Gregor Berger, Tyrone Cannon and Dennis Velakoulis Part III. At Risk Mental State: 6. At risk mental state and prediction Alison R. Yung, Joachim Klosterkoetter, Barbara Cornblatt and Frauke Schultze-Lutter 7. At risk mental state: management Lisa J. Phillips, Jean Addington and Anthony P. Morrison Part IV. Access and Reducing Delay to Treatment: Reducing DUP: 8. Duration of untreated psychosis: definition, measurement and association with outcome Max Marshall, Susy Harrigan and Shon Lewis 9. Improving the community's mental health literacy as a means of facilitating early intervention Anthony F. Jorm and Annemarie Wright 10. Pathways to care and reducing treatment delay in early psychosis Ross M. G. Norman and Ashok K. Malla Part V. The First Episode: 11. Initial assessment and initial pharmacological treatment in the acute phase Martin Lambert 12. Complete and incomplete recovery from first-episode psychosis Jean Addington, Tim Lambert and Peter Burnett 13. Preventive strategies in bipolar disorders: identifying targets for early intervention Philippe Conus, Michael Berk, Nellie Lucas, Jose Luis Vazquez-Barquero and Craig Macneil Part VI. The Critical Period: Other Psychopathology and Comorbidity: 14. Substance misuse in first-episode psychosis Darryl Wade, Leanne Hides, Amanda Baker and Dan Lubman 15. Suicide prevention in first-episode psychosis Paddy Power and Jo Robinson 16. Emotional and personality dysfunctions in early psychosis Max Birchwood, John Gleeson, Andrew Chanen, Louise K. McCutcheon, Shona M. Francey and Maria Michail Part VII. The Critical Period: Specific Interventions: 17. Family intervention in early psychosis Catharine McNab and Don Linszen 18. Enhancing work functioning in early psychosis Eoin Killackey, Henry J. Jackson, David Fowler and Keith H. Nuechterlein 19. Relapse prevention in early psychosis John Gleeson, Don Linszen and Durk Wiersma 20. Treatment resistance in first-episode psychosis Christian G. Huber and Martin Lambert Part VIII. Service Models: 21. Using research and evaluation to inform the development of early psychosis service models: international examples Meredith Harris, Thomas Craig, Robert B. Zipursky, Donald Addington, Merete Nordentoft and Paddy Power.
Accuracy of Medicare Claims Data for Estimation of Cancer Incidence and Resection Rates Among Elderly Americans

To explore the reliability of Medicare Part A claims data for clinical and health services research related to the care of patients with cancer, the authors compared estimates of the incidence of and resection rates for cancer of the breast, colon, and lung derived from analysis of Medicare Part A data versus data from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program. Incidence rates of breast, colon, and lung cancer estimated from Medicare Part A data were within 6% of estimates derived from SEER data. Resection rates estimated from Medicare Part A data, in contrast, were 12% to 27% lower than resection rates based on SEER data. This discrepancy is not explained by variations in practice between regions participating in versus those not participating in the SEER registries but may be due to undercoding of surgical procedures in Medicare Part A data. This analysis suggests that Medicare data can provide useful insights into the care of patients with cancer, but research regarding inpatient procedures employed in management of cancer should be based on analysis of Medicare Parts A and B data combined.
Neuroprotective Effect of Nimodipine Is Not Mediated by Increased Cerebral Blood Flow After Transient Forebrain Ischemia in Rats

In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of nimodipine against postischemic neuronal damage in the rat and considered the question of whether this histologic finding coincides with an improvement of cerebral circulation. Male Wistar rats were subjected to 10 minutes of forebrain ischemia by clamping both common carotid arteries and lowering blood pressure to 40 mm Hg. Histologic evaluation was performed 7 days after ischemia. Local cerebral blood flow was determined with the 14C-iodoantipyrine technique in anatomically defined areas of the brain, including hippocampus. Preischemic application of nimodipine (3.0 mg/kg p.o.) significantly reduced the percentage of damaged neurons in hippocampal CA1 subfield from 78±4% in controls to 59±6% in treated rats (mean±SEM; p < 0.05, Mann-Whitney V test). After 10, 60, and 180 minutes of recirculation no differences in local cerebral blood flow between control and drug-treated animals were observed. Our results demonstrate that nimodipine reduces ischemia-induced neuronal damage in rat hippocampus. We did not consider increased cerebral blood flow in the hypoperfusion state in the applied experimental design since improvement of cerebral blood flow seems to bear little relation to the neuroprotective activity of nimodipine. (Stroke 1990;21(suppl IV):IV-105-rV-107)
A combinatorial approach to nonlinear functional expansions: an introduction with an example

A novel approach to causal functionals is presented. Combinatorial interpretations of the solutions of nonlinear differential equations with forcing terms are introduced. This theory parallels the algebraic approach with formal power series in noncommutative variables. It makes use of certain combinatorial objects called weighted increasing trees, weighted paths, and histories. Very efficient algorithms for the computation of the corresponding Volterra kernels can be deduced. An introduction to the combinatorial theory is given. An example with a nonlinear circuit is included. <<ETX>>
Performance Effects of Knowledge Management: Corporate Management Characteristics and Competitive Strategy Enablers

The knowledge management literature suggests that various enablers play critical roles in determining the activity of knowledge management. However, there is little empirical research on the characteristics of corporate management and their competitive strategy enablers. This study proposes that knowledge management is a critical organizational capability through which enablers influence the performance of the corporation. Specifically, the characteristics of corporate management, competitive strategy, knowledge management, and corporate performance are the four research constructs analyzed. An iIn-depth interviews wereis conducted to explore the differences between theory and practice. From a literature review and in-depth interview results, researchers developed formal questionnaire for quantitative analysis. Through analysis of data collected from 135 valid samples, this research empirically models and uncovers the key aspects of these constructs. The results provide a basic understanding of the superior performance as it enters a program of knowledge management.