Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Individual quality and age but not environmental or social conditions modulate costs of reproduction in a capital breeder

Abstract Costs associated with reproduction are widely known to play a role in the evolution of reproductive tactics with consequences to population and eco‐evolutionary dynamics. Evaluating these costs as they pertain to species in the wild remains an important goal of evolutionary ecology. Individual heterogeneity, including differences in individual quality (i.e., among‐individual differences in traits associated with survival and reproduction) or state, and variation in environmental and social conditions can modulate the costs of reproduction; however, few studies have considered effects of these factors simultaneously. Taking advantage of a detailed, long‐term dataset for a population of feral horses (Sable Island, Nova Scotia, Canada), we address the question of how intrinsic (quality, age), environmental (winter severity, location), and social conditions (group size, composition, sex ratio, density) influence the costs of reproduction on subsequent reproduction. Individual quality was measured using a multivariate analysis on a combination of four static and dynamic traits expected to depict heterogeneity in individual performance. Female quality and age interacted with reproductive status of the previous year to determine current reproductive effort, while no effect of social or environmental covariates was found. High‐quality females showed higher probabilities of giving birth and weaning their foal regardless of their reproductive status the previous year, while those of lower quality showed lower probabilities of producing foals in successive years. Middle‐aged (prime) females had the highest probability of giving birth when they had not reproduced the year before, but no such relationship with age was found among females that had reproduced the previous year, indicating that prime‐aged females bear higher costs of reproduction. We show that individual quality and age were key factors modulating the costs of reproduction in a capital breeder but that environmental or social conditions were not, highlighting the importance of considering multiple factors when studying costs of reproduction.
Efficiency of Doherty RF Power-Amplifier Systems

A Doherty system combines the outputs of two or more linear RF power amplifiers (PAs) through an impedance-inverting coupler such as a quarter-wave transmission line. At low output levels, the first PA operates linearly, reaching saturation (and maximum efficiency) at some transition voltage below the system peak-output voltage. At higher output levels, the first PA remains saturated and the second PA operates linearly. The instantaneous efficiency and power characteristics of a Doherty system are derived using ideal class-B RF PAs so that the results can easily be scaled for use with real-world PAs. The average efficiency and maximum-efficiency transition points are then determined for a variety of amplitude-modulated signals. The Doherty amplifier can be considerably more efficient than a conventional class-B linear PA. For example, the 28-and 8.9-percent average efficiencies of a class-B PA with Rayleigh-distri buted envelopes with 10-and 20-dB peak-to-average ratios are improved to 60 and 48 percent, respectively, by a two-stage Doherty system. The addition of a third stage further improves the efficiencies to 70 and 66 percent, respectively.
Design of optimized radix-2 and radix-4 butterflies from FFT with decimation in time

In the FFT computation, the butterflies play a central role, since they allow calculation of complex terms. In this calculation, involving multiplications of input data with appropriate coefficients, the optimization of the butterfly can contribute for the reduction of power consumption of FFT architectures. In this paper different and dedicated structures for the 16 bit-width radix-2 and radix-4 DIT butterflies are implemented, where the main goal is to minimize the number of arithmetic operators in order to produce power-efficient structures. Firstly, we improve a radix-2 butterfly previously presented in literature, reducing one adder and one subtractor in the structure. After that, part of this optimized radix-2 butterfly is used to reduce the number of real multipliers in the radix-4 butterfly. The main results show that the optimization guarantees reduced power consumption for radix-2 butterfly, when compared with previous works from the literature. Moreover, the use of part of the optimized radix-2 into the radix-4 structure leads to the reduction of power consumption for this structure.
Variations in foot posture and mobility between individuals with patellofemoral pain and those in a control group.

BACKGROUND We sought to determine whether foot posture and foot mobility were increased in individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome compared with individuals in a control group. METHODS A nested case-control design was used with two controls matched to each patient by sex and age (±1 year). Participants included 43 individuals with a history of unilateral or bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome and 86 participants in a control group. Data collected included height, weight, and five different measures of foot height and width in weightbearing and nonweightbearing that have been previously shown to have high levels of reliability. RESULTS Individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome were found to be four times more likely (odds ratio, 4.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.45-11.32) to have a larger-than-normal difference between nonweightbearing and weightbearing arch height compared with those in the control group. The mean values for difference in arch height and foot mobility magnitude were also statistically significant between the patient and control groups. Foot posture, as determined using the arch height ratio, was not significant between groups (odds ratio, 0.94; 95% confidence interval, 0.34-2.61). CONCLUSIONS Although foot posture may not be different between individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome and controls, foot mobility assessed using difference in arch height and foot mobility magnitude is different between the two groups.
Stakeholders influence on voluntary disclosure practices by listed companies in Nigeria: an investigation of managers’ perception

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate stakeholders influence on voluntary disclosure practices of listed firms in Nigeria from the perspective of managers. Design/methodology/approach The study employed a cross-sectional research design. Data were collected using a survey questionnaire for the constructs of power, legitimacy and urgency. The data for the voluntary disclosure practices were obtained from financial reports of 92 listed companies. The data were analysed using Partial least squares (PLS). Findings The results indicate that managers’ perception of stakeholders’ power and urgency are associated with voluntary disclosure. Legitimacy, firm size and industrial category are not significant predictors of voluntary disclosure. It was concluded that stakeholders who are in control of critical resources such the financial community, customers and creditors should put more pressure on companies to disclose information to meet various stakeholder needs. This will complement the efforts of r.
Exploring Inconsistent Counts of Racial/Ethnic Minorities in a 2010 Census Ethnographic Evaluation

Previous research has shown differential counts by race and ethnicity across several recent United States decennial censuses. This article presents findings from a 2010 Census ethnographic evaluation with a record check, conducted to identify factors affecting enumeration among racial/ethnic groups. In eight sites targeted to major racial/ethnic groups, ethnographers observed live census interviews and assessed where persons should have been counted. In the record check, housing unit rosters were matched with four data sources to identify inconsistencies in where to count persons. Ethnographic themes that contributed to record check inconsistencies include respondent access difficulty, language issues, and cultural issues. Ways to improve enumeration include improving access to hard-to-reach respondents and increasing the cultural awareness of enumerators.
Early prediction of IgA nephropathy progression: proteinuria and AOPP are strong prognostic markers.

BACKGROUND Inflammation and oxidative stress have been incriminated in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy (IgAN). The aim of the present study was to assess whether markers reflecting these pathophysiologic processes, namely C-reactive protein (CRP) and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), would allow-in conjunction with clinical and histopathologic parameters-to predict disease progression. METHODS Between 1994 and 1997, 120 adult patients with biopsy-proven IgAN were included in a prospective cohort study, and followed until the end of 2002 or start of dialysis. In every patient, we determined plasma levels of CRP and AOPP. These parameters were included, together with clinical data, in a multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, with halving of baseline creatinine clearance as the primary renal end point. RESULTS A total of 51 patients reached the renal end point, including 30 who had to start dialysis. With multivariate analysis, the most potent independent risk factors of poor renal outcome were proteinuria > or =1 g/day [proportional hazard risk (HR) = 23.7, P= 0.0001], hypertension (HR = 8.13, P= 0.008), and AOPP plasma level (HR = 1.09 per 10 micromol/L, P= 0.042), whereas angiotensin II inhibitors were protective (HR = 0.19, P= 0.001). CONCLUSION Our data support the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of IgAN and suggest that patients with proteinuria > or =1 g/day should be eligible for early implemented antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory therapeutic strategies, with AOPP plasma level as a surrogate marker to evaluate their effects.
Variables affecting estimated glomerular filtration rate after renal transplantation in children: A NAPRTCS data analysis

Moudgil A, Martz K, Stablein DM, Puliyanda DP. Variables affecting estimated glomerular filtration rate after renal transplantation in children: A NAPRTCS data analysis. Pediatr Transplantation 2010: 14:288–294. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S.
Effects of different patterns of stairclimbing on physiological cost and motor efficiency.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of different motion patterns of ascending and descending stairs on oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate (HR) and efficiency. Five healthy males performed ascending and descending by two motion patterns; climbing foot over foot (usual climb) and climbing with both feet on each step (stepping climb), at the stepping rates of 25, 37, 50, and 62 steps.min-1. The results showed that VO2 and HR were significantly higher (on average 10%) with the stepping climb than the usual climb, and the difference between them tended to increase in proportion to the stepping rates. HR values to VO2 in the stepping climb significantly higher than those in the usual climb at each stepping rate during stair ascent and descent. In terms of motor efficiency and efficiency of locomotion (kcal.step-1.kg-1) the usual climb was more efficient than the stepping climb during stair descent and ascent. These results suggested that usual climb has the advantages of lower physiological cost and higher efficiency than the stepping climb with increasing the stepping rate. Furthermore, the effects of motion patterns during stair descent were less than those during ascent.
Contribution of an Intrinsic Lag of Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems to Differences in Measured and Actual Glucose Concentrations Changing at Variable Rates in Vitro

Background: Current continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems measure glucose levels in the interstitial fluid to estimate blood glucose concentration. A lag time has been observed between CGM system glucose readings and blood glucose levels when glucose levels are changing. Although this lag has been attributed to the time it takes glucose to equilibrate between blood and interstitial fluid compartments, it is unclear to what extent these inaccuracies reflect an intrinsic delay of the device itself. Methods: Four Guardian® REAL-Time CGM systems (CGMSs) (Medtronic Diabetes, Minimed, CA) and eight glucose sensors were tested in glucose solutions prepared in Krebs bicarbonate buffers at 37 °C. Glucose readings obtained from CGMSs were compared with actual glucose concentrations during controlled changes in glucose concentration performed at four rates (30, 90, and 220 mg/dl/hr−1 and an instantaneous change of 110 mg/dl) using a linear gradient maker. Results: Irrespective of the rate and direction of changes in glucose concentration, the readings obtained from CGMSs were significantly different from actual glucose levels. The faster the rise or fall in actual glucose concentration, the more pronounced the mismatch with CGMS glucose readings. Furthermore, the intrinsic lag times (8.3 to 40.1 min) were high enough to account for the lags reported in previous in vivo studies. Conclusions: The lag intrinsic of the CGMS may make a significant contribution to the mismatch between CGM system readings and blood glucose concentrations.
Low-Return-Loss Plasmonic Multiplexer With Tapered Structure

We demonstrate a novel wavelength-division multiplexing 1.31- and 1.55-μm-wavelength-band plasmonic multiplexer that employs the multimode interference effect. The multiplexer comprises SiO2 stripes on a Au film and was fabricated using a process compatible with standard complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor processing techniques. To suppress the return loss, tapered structures were introduced to the multiplexer. Finite-difference time-domain simulations indicate that losses were reduced by 12 dB. The multiplexing operation was confirmed with a scanning near-field optical microscopy. The reflection effect (return loss) appeared as an interference fringe of incident and reflecting surface plasmons in the multimode waveguide. The interference fringe disappeared in the multiplexer employing the taper structure.
The many hats and the broken binoculars: State of the practice in developer community management

Open Source Software developer communities are susceptible to challenges related to volatility, distributed coordination and the interplay between commercial and ideological interests. Here, community managers play a vital role in growing, shepherding, and coordinating the developers' work. This study investigates the varied tasks that community managers perform to ensure the health and vitality of their communities. We describe the challenges managers face while directing the community and seeking support for their work from the analysis tools provided by state-of-the-art software platforms. Our results describe seven roles that community managers may play, highlighting the versatile and people-centric nature of the community manager's work. Managers experience hardship of connecting their goals, questions and metrics that define a community's health and effects of their actions. Our results voice common concerns among community managers, and can be used to help them structure the management activity and to find a theoretical frame for further research on how health of developer communities could be understood.
The Instruments for Forecasting Budget Effects of the Tax Stimulation of Innovation Activities

The principles underlying the long-term solvency of the government through creating the necessary preconditions for the innovation-driven development of the national economy are studied. Dynamic series on change in revenues and expenditures of consolidated budget, and budget losses caused by tax exemptions over 2013–2017 in Ukraine are analyzed. It is found that the revenue shortfalls caused by the preferential taxation of company incomes are hardly predictable. A comparative analysis of the structure of budget losses caused by preferential income taxation of companies in 2014–2017 demonstrates the limited character of support for innovation activities at company level. This support could be observed only in the aircraft industry in 2014 and 2017. According to the results of the survey of innovation activities at non-innovating companies of Ukraine, performed in 2012–2014 and 2014–2016, the limited internal funds or private capital and the limited access to government assistance in innovation were significant factors discouraging companies from decisions in favor of innovation projects or innovation activities. The conclusion is made that the tax policy of the government, apart from seeking for stable balance of the budget, needs to create stimuli for capital formation and effective performance of companies and, consequently, the accelerated economic development. Absence of an innovation tax credit in Ukraine and appropriate instruments for assessing its budget effects has dramatic negative consequences for company performance and macroeconomic competitiveness. Econometric models for tax stimulation of innovation activities at company level are constructed, enabling to select approaches to the innovation tax credit policy and the tax credit intensity, in order to enhance the potential of the national economy to develop by innovation factors. Considering the real budget capacities in Ukraine, the results of computations of budget effects of innovation tax credit (by the first or the second proposed model and by the given alternative options of tax credit amounts) can be used in selecting options of tax stimulation of innovation activities of companies.
Increased Expression of Interleukin‐9, Interleukin‐9 Receptor, and the Calcium‐Activated Chloride Channel hCLCA1 in the Upper Airways of Patients With Cystic Fibrosis

Objectives/Hypothesis Mucus overproduction is commonly found in airway disease in patients with cystic fibrosis. Interleukin‐9 (IL‐9) has been shown to mediate airway hyper‐responsiveness and mucus overproduction. Recently, the calcium‐activated chloride channel hCLCA1 has been described to be upregulated by IL‐9 and has been thought to regulate the expression of soluble gel‐forming mucins. We sought to examine the expression of IL‐9, interleukin‐9 receptor (IL‐9R), and hCLCA1 in the upper airway of patients with cystic fibrosis in comparison to healthy control subjects and to demonstrate the relationship of IL‐9, IL‐9R, and hCLCA1 expression with mucus production.
Virunga National Park, the heart of darkness as UNESCO World Heritage

The article outlines some of the historical traces for the eco-crisis that presently threatens the first and most outstanding national park in Africa, homeland of the mountain gorilla. Texts and films about Virunga reiterate the same rhetorical figures that are frequently discussed in connection with Conrad’s description of the Congo River, thus showing the long-term political effects of the “discours conradien”. After a short description of the site, the article presents the Congo Reform Movement’s campaign against the bloody repression in the Congo Free State around 1900, often referred to as the Red Rubber-regime. The article argues that we can detect similar and highly problematic rhetorical structures in the animal rights campaigns, which took on a global scale in the 1970s – initiated among others by Dian Fossey and her famous and infamous fight for the protection of mountain gorillas in the Virunga. Both human rights campaigns and animal rights campaigns share a responsibility, the author argues, for the eco-crisis at Virunga. Finally, he presents the documentary Virunga from 2014 as a model and as a rhetorical alternative.
Quality of care for Hispanic adults with diabetes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Hispanics in the United States are disproportionately affected by diabetes. We examined the quality of care for Hispanic and non-Hispanic white adults with diabetes to investigate potential disparities in health care. METHODS We analyzed the 2004 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), which included data from 42 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam. Information was collected on 18,510 non-Hispanic whites and 2,078 Hispanics. Established measures of quality care for diabetes included measurement of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), foot check by health professional, dilated eye exam, flu and pneumococcal immunizations, diabetes education, and self-monitoring of feet and blood glucose. RESULTS Hispanics were less likely than non-Hispanic whites to receive appropriate diabetes quality of care and to self monitor their disease. Ethnic disparities for receipt of HbA1c tests and foot exams persisted even after controlling for access to care, socioeconomic status, and demographics. In Hispanic-only analyses, predictors of not receiving a HbA1c test were having fewer visits to the doctor for diabetes in the past year, having lower income, and Spanish language during the BRFSS interview. CONCLUSIONS Disparities in quality of care for diabetes exist between Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites. Multifaceted strategies that incorporate culturally appropriate care and continuity of patient care may help to eliminate these disparities.
ANN for gait estimations: A review on current trends and future applications

In recent years, gait analysis through estimations has gained significant interest. Through a critical evaluation of recent gait estimations based on Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), this paper reviews the potential of these methods. It is found that three layer Feed Forward Neural Networks (FFNNs) are widely employed in gait parameter estimations. Traditional kinetic sensors are generally expensive and requires a laboratory environment for data collection. Due to this reason, previous research mainly performed estimations of kinetic parameters from kinematic data thus eliminating the need of traditional kinetic sensors. In comparison to kinematic data, kinetic data are less complex. Moreover, the advancement of wearable kinetic foot sensors offers the advantage of data recording outside laboratory, and are comparatively cost effective. Therefore, estimating kinematics from wearable kinetic sensor data may present to be a better alternative, which has not yet been investigated, thus providing space for future research.
Does Academic Success affect Outcomes in Graduate Labour Markets

This thesis explores the impact that university grades have on the labour market outcomes of Australian students graduating from undergraduate study. Using crosssectional data of students from the University of Adelaide, we investigate the effect that a student’s grade point average has on both the likelihood of employment and expected wages. We build on previous literature by using instrumental variable estimation and sample-selection models to correct for potential biases in the model, which also allows us to look at these two measures simultaneously. Our results suggest that when the models of these two outcomes are estimated simultaneously, area of study is the main source of variability in wages amongst individuals. Students’ grades and employment history, which may have been expected to also influence wages, were found to only have a significant impact on employment probability. This challenges previous studies on graduate starting wages, which find positive impacts of these measures on wages when they were looked at in isolation of employment outcomes.