Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development and characterization of EST-SSR markers in Ostryopsis (Betulaceae)

Premise of the study: A set of expressed sequence tag (EST) microsatellite markers were developed and characterized using next-generation sequencing technology for the Chinese genus Ostryopsis (Betulaceae). Methods and Results: A total of 38 high-quality simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers were identified, of which 15 could be successfully amplified. Subsequently, we selected 80 individuals to represent the three species of the genus to evaluate the efficacy of these markers for examining genetic diversity of each species in the future. We found that the number of alleles per locus ranged from one to nine, with an average of 3.8. The expected heterozygosity and observed heterozygosity per locus varied from 0 to 0.829 and from 0 to 1, respectively, with their respective mean values as 0.483 and 0.416. Conclusions: These EST-SSR markers will be useful for evaluating the range-wide genetic diversity of each species and examining genetic divergence and gene flow between the three species.
Measurement and Modeling of Anisotropic Magnetostriction Characteristic of Grain-Oriented Silicon Steel Sheet Under DC Bias

Magnetostriction in grain-oriented (GO) electrical silicon steel arises vibration and noise of the transformer core, especially when operating under direct current (dc) bias. In this paper, the anisotropy of magnetostriction of GO silicon steel sheets along the rolling direction (RD) and other directions deviated from RD was measured based on a standard single-sheet measurement system. The effect of applied stress on magnetostriction was also measured and analyzed. The magnetostriction under alternating magnetic field plus dc biased field was measured and a constitutive equation considering single-valued curves of magnetostriction under dc bias when incorporated with magnetic finite-element analysis was investigated. Considering a simple model as an example, the effectiveness of the proposed modeling method was verified by the comparison of simulation data and measured ones.
Preliminary-DO NOT CITE (yet) Please contact the authors for any questions. Do Carbon Taxes Kill Jobs? Evidence of Heterogeneous Impacts from British Columbia

Do carbon taxes kill jobs? With pricing at $30/tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, the BC policy is currently the most aggressive revenue-neutral carbon tax and serves as a role model for many jurisdictions world-wide. There are concerns, however, that this policy negatively impacts employment. This study uses firm-level synthetic control methods (SCM) to estimate employment effects of the BC carbon tax across industries. To take full advantage of the detailed firm-level data, we propose a revised SCM method, which we test in a Monte Carlo setting. Contrary to previous results, we find that BC employment was largely unaffected by the tax.
The organization of the seventh lumbar spinal ganglion of the cat

The organization of the seventh lumbar dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of the cat has been investigated both anatomically and electrophysiologically. In the first two series of experiments an attempt was made to relate the topographic location of identified groups of cells in the ganglion with the rostro‐caudal position of their central processes in the filaments of the dorsal root. 3H‐proline was injected into various sectors of the ganglion and the distribution of the axonically transported proteins, in individual dorsal rootlets, was determined by means of liquid scintillation spectroscopy and the location of the injections was determined by autoradiography of the sectioned ganglia. The projection pattern was also determined by antidromically activating DRG cells in various parts of the ganglion by sequentially stimulating each of six dorsal root filaments. The results of both groups of experiments indicate that cells located in the medial (caudal) parts of the ganglion project into the most caudal rootlets of the dorsal root; cells in the most lateral (rostral) parts of the ganglion project into the most rostral rootlets, while cells in the intermediate parts of the ganglion project into the middle rootlets. In a third series of experiments, a shifting pattern of overlapping receptive fields was demonstrated for a series of recordings that traversed the ganglion from medial to lateral. This pattern was shown to be nearly equivalent to the organization of receptive fields previously demonstrated by Kuhn ('53) for a rostral to caudal sequence of dorsal rootlets, i.e., foot and leg preaxial fields predominated in the lateral sectors, while postaxial fields were found in the medial sectors of the ganglion.
Sound symbolic naming of novel objects is a graded function

Although linguistic traditions of the last century assumed that there is no link between sound and meaning (i.e., arbitrariness), recent research has established a nonarbitrary relation between sound and meaning (i.e., sound symbolism). For example, some sounds (e.g., /u/ as in took) suggest bigness whereas others (e.g., /i/ as in tiny) suggest smallness. We tested whether sound symbolism only marks contrasts (e.g., small versus big things) or whether it marks object properties in a graded manner (e.g., small, medium, and large things). In two experiments, participants viewed novel objects (i.e., greebles) of varying size and chose the most appropriate name for each object from a list of visually or auditorily presented nonwords that varied incrementally in the number of “large” and “small” phonemes. For instance, “wodolo” contains all large-sounding phonemes, whereas “kitete” contains all small-sounding phonemes. Participants' choices revealed a graded relationship between sound and size: The size of the object linearly predicted the number of large-sounding phonemes in its preferred name. That is, small, medium, and large objects elicited names with increasing numbers of large-sounding phonemes. The results are discussed in relation to cross-modal processing, gesture, and vocal pitch.
Book Review: The Living Wage: Lessons from the History of Economic Thought

the decaying socialist welfare system were more effective than other means to deconstruct the traditional working class and to constrain their resistance. In sum, the second book is a good work for readers who want to grasp a general understanding of layoffs in China across different regions while the third book is the most comprehensive study of its kind to date on this very important, but relatively underdeveloped, research area in the economic history and political economy of China.
A Current Equalization Method for Serially Connected Battery Cells Using a Single Power Converter for Each Cell

This paper presents a method to control the current of each battery cell in a serially connected battery stack according to each cell capacity. With this method, the performance of a battery stack can be increased significantly. In a second life concept, battery cells with different capacities and even battery cells with different chemistries can be connected together. Moreover, if one or more battery cells become inoperative, then the battery stack can still be used in the limp-home operation mode. The required power converter structure and the calculation of the individual cell currents are presented, and a simulation for two different power converters during discharging and charging is performed. A current equalization prototype is used to validate the simulation results and to show the performance on a real battery stack with 12 serially connected cells. Finally, the influence of the equalization currents and the capacity variance in the battery stack on the discharging energy are investigated.
Mapping salt marsh vegetation using aerial hyperspectral imagery and linear unmixing in Humboldt Bay, California

Composition of salt marsh vegetation is important to wetland ecosystem health, and monitoring invasive species is critical. The purpose of this study was to examine the utility of airborne hyperspectral imagery in mapping salt marsh vegetation in Humboldt Bay, California, USA. An unmixing algorithm was applied to spatial and spectral image subsets. Overall accuracy among Spartina densiflora, Salicornia virginica, and Distichlis spicata was assessed at 85.1%. Algorithm prediction between observed and predicted percent cover ranged from r2 = 0.32 to r2 = 0.53, an improvement on comparable studies. Percent cover prediction was least accurate for Distichlis spicata, due to initial endmember selection. Use of the Pixel Purity Index in conjunction with field work likely aided in identifying the best candidates for the linear unmixing technique.
Botulinum toxin for achalasia: long-term outcome and predictors of response.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Botulinum toxin injection into the lower esophageal sphincter of patients with achalasia results in effective short-term relief of symptoms. The aims of this study were to examine the long-term outcome of these patients and to determine the predictors of response to this therapy. METHODS Thirty-one patients with achalasia treated with botulinum toxin were followed up prospectively for a median duration of 890 days. RESULTS Twenty-eight patients improved initially, but only 20 patients had sustained improvement beyond 3 months; the latter patients were classified as responders. The response rate was greater in patients older than 50 years of age (82% vs. 43% in younger patients; P = 0.03) and in patients with vigorous achalasia (100% vs. 52% with classic achalasia; P = 0.03). Duration of illness, previous dilation, and baseline radiological characteristics did not influence outcome. Nineteen responders eventually had relapse after a median duration of 468 days (range, 153 - 840 days). Fifteen of these patients received a second injection with satisfactory results obtained in the majority of patients. CONCLUSIONS Botulinum toxin is an effective treatment for achalasia in about two thirds of patients, with a duration of response averaging 1.3 years. Age and type of achalasia seem to be important predictors of response.
Risks of harms using antifibrinolytics in cardiac surgery: systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised and observational studies

Objective To estimate the relative risks of death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and renal failure or dysfunction between antifibrinolytics and no treatment following the suspension of aprotinin from the market in 2008 for safety reasons and its recent reintroduction in Europe and Canada. Design Systematic review and network meta-analysis. Data sources A Cochrane review of antifibrinolytic treatments was chosen as the starting point for this systematic review. Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane register of trials were searched with no date restrictions for observational evidence. Study selection Propensity matched or adjusted observational studies with two or more of the interventions of interest (aprotinin, tranexamic acid, epsilon-aminocaproic acid, and no treatment) that were carried out in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Data analysis Network meta-analysis was used to compare treatments, and odds ratios with 95% credible intervals were estimated. Meta-analyses were carried out for randomised controlled trials alone and for randomised controlled trials with observational studies. Results 106 randomised controlled trials and 11 observational studies (43 270 patients) were included. Based on the results from analysis of randomised controlled trials, tranexamic acid was associated on average with a reduced risk of death compared with aprotinin (odds ratio 0.64, 95% credible interval 0.41 to 0.99). When observational data were incorporated, comparisons showed an increased risk of mortality with aprotinin on average relative to tranexamic acid (odds ratio 0.71, 95% credible interval 0.50 to 0.98) and epsilon-aminocaproic acid (0.60, 0.43 to 0.87), and an increased risk of renal failure or dysfunction on average relative to all comparators: odds ratio 0.66 (95% credible interval 0.45 to 0.88) compared with no treatment, 0.66 (0.48 to 0.91) versus tranexamic acid, and 0.65 (0.45 to 0.88) versus epsilon-aminocaproic acid. Conclusion Although meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials were largely inconclusive, inclusion of observational data suggest concerns remain about the safety of aprotinin. Tranexamic and epsilon-aminocaproic acid are effective alternatives that may be safer for patients.
Prediction of cognitive sequelae based on abnormal computed tomography findings in children following mild traumatic brain injury.

OBJECT The aim of this study was to determine whether the presence of intracranial pathophysiology on computed tomography (CT) scans obtained within 24 hours of mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) in children adversely affects neuropsychological outcome during the 1st year postinjury. METHODS A prospective longitudinal design was used to examine the neuropsychological outcomes in children (ages 5-15 years) who had been treated for MTBI, which was defined as a loss of consciousness for up to 30 minutes and a lowest Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 13-15. Exclusion criteria included any preinjury neurological disorder. Outcome assessments were performed within 2 weeks and at 3, 6, and 12 months postinjury. Outcomes were compared between patients with MTBI whose postinjury CT scans revealed complications of brain pathophysiology (32 patients, CMTBI group) and those with MTBI but without complications (48 patients, MTBI group). RESULTS Significant interactions confirmed that the pattern of recovery over 12 months after injury differed depending on the intracranial pathology, presence and severity of injuries to body regions other than the head, preinjury attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and socioeconomic status. Children in the CMTBI group had significantly poorer episodic memory, slower cognitive processing, diminished recovery in managing cognitive interference, and poorer performance in calculating and reading than patients in the MTBI group. Among the patients with mild or no extracranial injury, visuomotor speed was slower in those in the CMTBI group; and among patients without preinjury ADHD, working memory was worse in those in the CMTBI group. CONCLUSIONS Neuropsychological recovery during the 1st year following MTBI is related to the presence of radiographically detectable intracranial pathology. Children with intracranial pathology on acute CT performed more poorly in several cognitive domains when compared with patients whose CT findings were normal or limited to a linear skull fracture. Depending on the presence of preinjury ADHD and concomitant extracranial injury, working memory and visuomotor speed were also diminished in patients whose CT findings revealed complications following MTBI. Computed tomography within 24 hours postinjury appears to be useful for identifying children with an elevated risk for residual neuropsychological changes.
Symptoms of Classic Migraine Attacks: Modifications Brought about by Metoprolol

There is little information available concerning whether, and to what extent, migraine-prophylactic agents interfere with the symptoms of migraine attacks. The present study is a placebo-controlled, double-blind study concerning metoprolol in classic migraine. The data refer to the symptoms of single migraine attacks. During metoprolol treatment more attacks were characterized as mild (p = 0.002), and mean global rating (an integrated estimate of headache intensity and of other discomfort) was lower (4.2 versus 5.2, p = 0.003). The mean headache intensity per attack (1.97 versus 2.15) and the mean duration (5.5 versus 6.8 h) were not significantly different. Consumption of analgesics per attack was lower during metoprolol treatment (0.6 versus 1.1; p = 0.02). Attacks with associated symptoms accompanying the headache were fewer during metoprolol treatment (p = 0.014). Total visual and non-visual aura symptoms occurred with similar frequency, but scintillations and paraesthesia were more frequent during metoprolol treatment, whereas speech disturbances were less frequent. In spite of lower consumption of analgesics, the symptoms appeared milder during metoprolol than during placebo. The pattern of changes indicates that metoprolol exerts its action via the sympathetic nervous system; peripheral vasoconstriction is hardly the underlying mechanism of action.
Ablative Radiotherapy Doses for Locally Advanced: Pancreatic Cancer (LAPC)

Abstract Standard palliative doses of radiation for locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer have had minimal to no impact on survival. Randomized trials evaluating these palliative doses have not shown a significant survival benefit with the use of radiation as consolidation after chemotherapy. Results from nonrandomized studies of 3- to 5-fraction low-dose stereotactic radiation (SBRT) have likewise had a minimal impact, but with less toxicity and a shorter treatment time. Doses of SBRT have been reduced to half the level that is necessary (biological equivalent dose, BED of 53 Gy) to achieve tumor ablation in the treatment of other solid tumors (100 Gy BED) to protect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The survival benefit of these palliative options is modest. In contrast, ablative doses of radiation (100 Gy BED) can be delivered using the same SBRT technique in 15 to 25 fractions. In addition to precision tumor targeting and solutions for respiratory motion as with SBRT, the delivery of ablative doses takes advantage of heterogeneous dosing, increased fractionation, which allows higher doses to be given, as well as adaptive planning to address day-to-day GI tract motion in selected cases. These higher doses have resulted in encouraging long-term survival results in multiple studies. In this review, we discuss the critical concepts and components of techniques that can be used to deliver ablative radiotherapy doses for patients with pancreatic tumors: fractionation, intentional dose heterogeneity, respiratory gating, image guidance, and adaptive planning.
Democracy and associations The democratic self-image of youth associations 1

When the words democracy and associations are mentioned in one sentence, polite reserve is often the response. Personal experience of associations of all sorts often clouds our perception of associations as democratic institutions. Let’s start at the beginning and talk about what democracy means first of all. Because democracy is on everyone’s lips. A whole host of groups in society – whether political parties, action groups or Facebook groups – are calling for more democracy. They want citizens to be granted a greater say and decision-making powers in their day-to-day lives. Whatever the motive for demanding more democracy, it’s always insinuated that we already are democrats and as such are demanding greater powers. If we agree this is correct, the next question to ask from a pedagogical standpoint is what made us this way? This article looks at where children and young people can learn and practise democracy in their environments. It focuses on youth associations as one of the key educational institutions for young people outside schools. To start with, the article will identify the potentials that predestine associations (due to their structures) for creating democratic processes. Based on the results of group discussions with selected youth associations, the way these youth associations see themselves in terms of democracy will then be examined. 1. Democracy and education Democracy is a way of life and type of government that has to be repeatedly relearned. In order to grasp the concept, institutions with democratic structures are required. This is hardly a new idea, but the majority of educational institutions are a long way away from putting it into practice. “Democracy is the only state-organised social system that has to be learned. The goal is to develop democratic awareness in young people by involving them actively in organisational processes in schools and higher-education facilities. If implemented consistently, this would fundamentally change the culture and structure of educational institutions. ” (Negt 2008) Virtually nobody denies that democracy and education are closely linked. In educational science however, how and where people become democrats is a question that is astonishingly often virtually ignored. Consequently, to date there are no systematic answers as to “what linking democracy and education does and does not entail,” and it “is a surprisingly vaguely worded theoretical problem that has been neglected. It is no coincidence that driven by developments in the UK, it’s only been over the last few years that the debate has reawakened with new vigour. ” (Oelkers, 2000, p. 334). Whether and in what way democracy and education can and should be combined in the structures of our educational institutions is now gradually becoming discussed as a result.
Service quality and intercultural adjustment : exploring and comparing the perceptions of international students and academic staff of a UK Russell Group university

The importance of understanding international students’ perceptions of the quality of their academic and intercultural experience has been increasingly recognised in higher education context. Previous studies have largely focused on a single perspective. This research presents a more comprehensive picture of service quality of UK higher education and international students’ intercultural adjustment in the United Kingdom through investigating and comparing both students’ and academics’ perspective. A mixed-methods convergent parallel deign was implemented in a Russell Group university, with quantitative survey data collected from a convenient sample of 139 Chinese students and 27 academics, and qualitative interview data from a group of Chinese students (N=5) and academics (N=6). Both the quantitative and qualitative findings show that the perceptions of academics and Chinese students may be very different, even at the same university. There is also evidence for dynamics in these perceptions: 1) the perceptions are changeable over time; and 2) the service quality regarding the academic factor has a positive relationship to sociocultural adjustment. These findings have important implications for various higher education stakeholders across the university: it is critical to promote mutual and regular dialogue between academics and international students to make sure that they have a shared understanding and that the dynamics in their perceptions is captured. The findings also suggest caution when assuming, as is prevalent currently, that service quality of higher education and international students’ intercultural adjustment can be comprehensively understood and efficiently improved from just one side’s point of view.
Extremal dependence tests for contagion

ABSTRACT A new test for financial market contagion based on changes in extremal dependence defined as co-kurtosis and co-volatility is developed to identify the propagation mechanism of shocks across international financial markets. The proposed approach captures changes in various aspects of the asset return relationships such as cross-market mean and skewness (co-kurtosis) as well as cross-market volatilities (co-volatility). Monte Carlo experiments show that the tests perform well except for when crisis periods are short in duration. Small crisis sample critical values are calculated for use in this case. In an empirical application involving the global financial crisis of 2008–2009, the results show that significant contagion effects are widespread from the US banking sector to global equity markets and banking sectors through either the co-kurtosis or the co-volatility channels, reinforcing that higher order moments matter during crises.