Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of X-chromosome inactivation in horse embryos.

To define the time of X-chromosome inactivation in the horse, 122 conceptuses were collected transcervically between Days 6 and 28 (ovulation = Day 0) and subjected to cytogenetic analysis: 59 of the embryos were divided and in 41 of these separate cytogenetic analysis of the embryonic disc and remaining tissues was possible. Conceptuses were measured and photographed before capsule removal, culture in the presence of 5-bromodeoxyuridine and subsequent fixation for cytogenetic analysis. On average, 15 slides were prepared per conceptus. C-banding was used to determine the sex of each conceptus and, in the females, the effects of 5-bromodeoxyuridine incorporation were revealed by u.v. irradiation which produced R-bands and allowed identification of the inactive X-chromosome. Inactivation of the X chromosome began gradually in the trophoblastic (+/- attached endoderm and mesoderm) cells around Day 7.5 and in the embryonic disc around Day 11.5. Cells with an inactive X-chromosome predominated in the trophoblast by Day 10.5 and in the disc by Day 12.5.
A review of approaches to identifying patient phenotype cohorts using electronic health records

Objective To summarize literature describing approaches aimed at automatically identifying patients with a common phenotype. Materials and methods We performed a review of studies describing systems or reporting techniques developed for identifying cohorts of patients with specific phenotypes. Every full text article published in (1) Journal of American Medical Informatics Association, (2) Journal of Biomedical Informatics, (3) Proceedings of the Annual American Medical Informatics Association Symposium, and (4) Proceedings of Clinical Research Informatics Conference within the past 3 years was assessed for inclusion in the review. Only articles using automated techniques were included. Results Ninety-seven articles met our inclusion criteria. Forty-six used natural language processing (NLP)-based techniques, 24 described rule-based systems, 41 used statistical analyses, data mining, or machine learning techniques, while 22 described hybrid systems. Nine articles described the architecture of large-scale systems developed for determining cohort eligibility of patients. Discussion We observe that there is a rise in the number of studies associated with cohort identification using electronic medical records. Statistical analyses or machine learning, followed by NLP techniques, are gaining popularity over the years in comparison with rule-based systems. Conclusions There are a variety of approaches for classifying patients into a particular phenotype. Different techniques and data sources are used, and good performance is reported on datasets at respective institutions. However, no system makes comprehensive use of electronic medical records addressing all of their known weaknesses.
Suppression of Radixin and Moesin Alters Growth Cone Morphology, Motility, and Process Formation In Primary Cultured Neurons

In this study we have examined the cellular functions of ERM proteins in developing neurons. The results obtained indicate that there is a high degree of spatial and temporal correlation between the expression and subcellular localization of radixin and moesin with the morphological development of neuritic growth cones. More importantly, we show that double suppression of radixin and moesin, but not of ezrin–radixin or ezrin–moesin, results in reduction of growth cone size, disappearance of radial striations, retraction of the growth cone lamellipodial veil, and disorganization of actin filaments that invade the central region of growth cones where they colocalize with microtubules. Neuritic tips from radixin–moesin suppressed neurons displayed high filopodial protrusive activity; however, its rate of advance is 8–10 times slower than the one of growth cones from control neurons. Radixin–moesin suppressed neurons have short neurites and failed to develop an axon-like neurite, a phenomenon that appears to be directly linked with the alterations in growth cone structure and motility. Taken collectively, our data suggest that by regulating key aspects of growth cone development and maintenance, radixin and moesin modulate neurite formation and the development of neuronal polarity.
Comparative Effects of In-Season Full-Back Squat, Resisted Sprint Training, and Plyometric Training on Explosive Performance in U-19 Elite Soccer Players

Abstract de Hoyo, M, Gonzalo-Skok, O, Sañudo, B, Carrascal, C, Plaza-Armas, JR, Camacho-Candil, F, and Otero-Esquina, C. Comparative effects of in-season full-back squat, resisted sprint training, and plyometric training on explosive performance in U-19 elite soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 30(2): 368–377, 2016—The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of 3 different low/moderate load strength training methods (full-back squat [SQ], resisted sprint with sled towing [RS], and plyometric and specific drills training [PLYO]) on sprinting, jumping, and change of direction (COD) abilities in soccer players. Thirty-two young elite male Spanish soccer players participated in the study. Subjects performed 2 specific strength training sessions per week, in addition to their normal training sessions for 8 weeks. The full-back squat protocol consisted of 2–3 sets × 4–8 repetitions at 40–60% 1 repetition maximum (∼1.28–0.98 m·s−1). The resisted sprint training was compounded by 6–10 sets × 20-m loaded sprints (12.6% of body mass). The plyometric and specific drills training was based on 1–3 sets × 2–3 repetitions of 8 plyometric and speed/agility exercises. Testing sessions included a countermovement jump (CMJ), a 20-m sprint (10-m split time), a 50-m (30-m split time) sprint, and COD test (i.e., Zig-Zag test). Substantial improvements (likely to almost certainly) in CMJ (effect size [ES]: 0.50–0.57) and 30–50 m (ES: 0.45–0.84) were found in every group in comparison to pretest results. Moreover, players in PLYO and SQ groups also showed substantial enhancements (likely to very likely) in 0–50 m (ES: 0.46–0.60). In addition, 10–20 m was also improved (very likely) in the SQ group (ES: 0.61). Between-group analyses showed that improvements in 10–20 m (ES: 0.57) and 30–50 m (ES: 0.40) were likely greater in the SQ group than in the RS group. Also, 10–20 m (ES: 0.49) was substantially better in the SQ group than in the PLYO group. In conclusion, the present strength training methods used in this study seem to be effective to improve jumping and sprinting abilities, but COD might need other stimulus to achieve positive effects.
Minimally Invasive Management of Acute Biliary Tract Disease during Pregnancy

Background. Acute biliary diseases during pregnancy have been classically managed conservatively. Advances in minimally invasive surgery and the high recurrence rate of symptoms observed changed this management. Methods. This is a prospective observational study. Initial management was medical. Unresponsive patients were treated with minimally invasive techniques including gallbladder percutaneous aspiration or cholecystostomy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiography, and laparoscopic cholecystectomy, depending on the pregnancy trimester and underlying diagnosis. Results. 122 patients were admitted. 69 (56.5%) were unresponsive to medical treatment. Recurrent gallbladder colic was the most frequent indication for minimally invasive intervention, followed by acute cholecystitis, choledocholithiasis, and acute biliary pancreatitis. 8 patients were treated during the first trimester, 54 during the second, and 7 during the last trimester. There was no fetal morbidity or mortality. Maternal morbidity was minor with no mortality. Conclusion. Acute biliary tract diseases during pregnancy may be safely treated with minimally invasive procedures according to the underlying diagnosis and to the trimester of pregnancy.
Automatic Composition of Services with Security Policies

Automatic composition of web services is a challenging task. Many works have considered simplified automata models that abstract away from the structure of messages exchanged by the services. For the domain of security services (such as digital signing or timestamping) we propose a novel approach to automated composition of services based on their security policies. The approach amounts to collecting the constraints on messages, parameters and control flow from the components services and the goal service requirements. A constraint solver checks the feasibility of the composition - possibly adapting the message structure while preserving the semantics - and displays the service composition as a message sequence chart. The resulting composed service can be verified automatically for ensuring that it cannot be subject to active attacks from intruders. The services that are input to our system are provided in a declarative way using a high level specification language. The approach is fully automatic and we show on a case- study how it succeeds in deriving a composed service that is currently proposed as a product by a company.
An international collaborative family-based whole-genome linkage scan for high-grade myopia.

PURPOSE Several nonsyndromic high-grade myopia loci have been mapped primarily by microsatellite markers and a limited number of pedigrees. In this study, whole-genome linkage scans were performed for high-grade myopia, using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 254 families from five independent sites. METHODS Genomic DNA samples from 1411 subjects were genotyped (Linkage Panel IVb; Illumina, San Diego, CA). Linkage analyses were performed on 1201 samples from 10 Asian, 12 African-American, and 221 Caucasian families, screening for 5744 SNPs after quality-control exclusions. Two disease states defined by sphere (SPH) and spherical equivalence (SE; sphere+cylinder/2) were analyzed. Parametric and nonparametric two-point and multipoint linkage analyses were performed using the FASTLINK, HOMOG, and MERLIN programs. Multiple stratified datasets were examined, including overall, center-specific, and race-specific. Linkage regions were declared suggestive if they had a peak LOD score >or= 1.5. RESULTS The MYP1, MYP3, MYP6, MYP11, MYP12, and MYP14 loci were replicated. The novel region q34.11 on chromosome 9 (max NPL= 2.07 at rs913275) was identified. Chromosome 12, region q21.2-24.12 (36.59 cM, MYP3 locus) showed significant linkage (peak HLOD = 3.48) at rs337663 in the overall dataset by SPH and was detected by the Duke, Asian, and Caucasian subsets as well. Potential shared interval was race dependent-a 9.4-cM region (rs163016-rs1520724) driven by the Asian subset and a 13.43-cM region (rs163016-rs1520724) driven by the Caucasian subset. CONCLUSIONS The present study is the largest linkage scan to date for familial high-grade myopia. The outcomes will facilitate the identification of genes implicated in myopic refractive error development and ocular growth.
Demystifying animal ‘personality’ (or not): why individual variation matters to experimental biologists

ABSTRACT Animal ‘personality’, defined as repeatable inter-individual differences in behaviour, is a concept in biology that faces intense controversy. Critics argue that the field is riddled with terminological and methodological inconsistencies and lacks a sound theoretical framework. Nevertheless, experimental biologists are increasingly studying individual differences in physiology and relating these to differences in behaviour, which can lead to fascinating insights. We encourage this trend, and in this Commentary we highlight some of the benefits of estimating variation in (and covariation among) phenotypic traits at the inter- and intra-individual levels. We focus on behaviour while drawing parallels with physiological and performance-related traits. First, we outline some of the confusion surrounding the terminology used to describe repeatable inter-individual differences in behaviour. Second, we argue that acknowledging individual behavioural differences can help researchers avoid sampling and experimental bias, increase explanatory power and, ultimately, understand how selection acts on physiological traits. Third, we summarize the latest methods to collect, analyse and present data on individual trait variation. We note that, while measuring the repeatability of phenotypic traits is informative in its own right, it is only the first step towards understanding how natural selection and genetic architecture shape intra-specific variation in complex, labile traits. Thus, understanding how and why behavioural traits evolve requires linking repeatable inter-individual behavioural differences with core aspects of physiology (e.g. neurophysiology, endocrinology, energy metabolism) and evolutionary biology (e.g. selection gradients, heritability). Summary: Approaches used in quantitative genetics and animal personality research are useful to study the ecological and evolutionary consequences of individual variation in behaviour, physiology, performance and other complex traits.
Spray characteristics and flame structure of jet A and alternative jet fuels

A 2D phase Doppler anemometer is used to characterize alternative jet fuel droplets and compare them to Jet A fuel droplets in the National Jet Fuel Combustion Program referee single cup combustor near lean blowout. The two alternative jet fuels selected were chosen for their unusual properties: one with low cetane number and one with a flat boiling curve. Measurements are made on all three fuels at steady-state combustion at a pressure of 30 psia, swirler pressure drop of 3 percent, and a global equivalence ratio of 0.096. The results show differences in the droplet diameter distributions of the different fuels. This is particularly prominent in the flat boiling curve fuel, which has a Sauter mean diameter between 12 and 37 microns larger than the corresponding points for the other two fuels. OH* chemiluminescence imaging, conducted at 20kHz, is used to compare flame structures between the fuels as well as to correlate spray characteristics to flame location. The averaged OH* images show significant differences between the flame structures of the three fuels. The results of the study motivate further investigation into the correlation between alternative jet fuel spray characteristics and flame behavior for use in evaluating and predicting alternative jet fuel performance.
Three distinct inner dynein arms in Chlamydomonas flagella: molecular composition and location in the axoneme

The molecular composition and organization of the row of axonemal inner dynein arms were investigated by biochemical and electron microscopic analyses of Chlamydomonas wild-type and mutant axonemes. Three inner arm structures could be distinguished on the basis of their molecular composition and position in the axoneme as determined by analysis of pf30 and pf23 mutants. The three inner arm structures repeat every 96 nm and are referred to here as inner arms I1, I2, and I3. I1 is proximal to the radial spoke S1, whereas I2 and I3 are distal to spokes S1 and S2, respectively. The mutant pf30 lacks I1 whereas the mutant pf23 lacks both I1 and I2 but has a normal inner arm I3. Each of the six heavy chains that was identified as an inner dynein arm subunit has a site for ATP binding and hydrolysis. Two of the heavy chains together with a polypeptide of 140,000 molecular weight form the inner arm I1 and were extracted from the axoneme as a complex that had a sedimentation coefficient close to 21S at high ionic strength. Different subsets of two of the remaining four heavy chains form the inner arms I2 and I3. These arms at high ionic strength are dissociated as 11S particles that include one heavy chain, one intermediate chain, two light chains, and actin. These and other lines of evidence indicate that the inner arm I1 is different in structure and function from the inner arms I2 and I3.
Secular trends in the familial transmission of alcoholism.

This is a study of the familial transmission of alcoholism in the families of 60 female and 240 male alcoholics ascertained in four psychiatric hospital units and in a local parole office. Eight hundred and thirty-one interviewed first-degree relatives and 125 spouses are included. The lifetime population prevalences of alcoholism in white males and females based on the Epidemiological Catchment Area Study in St. Louis were compared with the family rates. A semistructured comprehensive interview schedule (Home Environment and Lifetime Psychiatric Evaluation Record) was used and diagnoses made according to Feighner criteria for alcoholism. The methods of Survival Analysis established the presence of strong secular trends in the age-of-onset and lifetime prevalence of alcoholism in these families and in the general population. Accordingly, new methods for the analysis of family data that incorporate secular variation were developed. The Multifactorial Model of Disease Transmission was used to estimate familial correlations and these were parameterized by the "Tau" model of Familial Transmission. The model does not assume that all familial resemblance is due to genetic factors, but also includes the possibility of nongenetic transmission. Our analyses confirmed that more recently born cohorts of individuals had increased expected lifetime prevalences of alcoholism and decreased ages of onset, when compared with older cohorts. Separate age-of-onset distributions were required for males and females and the secular trends in age-of-onset were greatest in females. The differences between males and females were least in more recently born cohorts suggesting that sex-specific differences in the family and population distribution of alcoholism are decreasing. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Hospital Case Volume Is Associated With Improved Survival for Patients With Metastatic Melanoma

Objectives:Hospital case volume has been shown to be a predictor of patient mortality for treatment for various cancers. The influence of hospital case volume on malignant melanoma survival and treatment utilization is unknown. Methods:We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare linked databases to identify patients aged 65 years or older diagnosed with metastatic melanoma between 2000 and 2009. We analyzed claims data to ascertain cancer treatment variation by hospital case volume. Overall survival was evaluated using propensity score methods. Results:Among 1438 patients, 612 (42.6%) were treated in low-volume hospitals (⩽5 patients) after receiving their diagnosis, 479 (33.3%) were treated in intermediate-volume hospitals (6 to 10 patients), and 347 (24.1%) were treated in high-volume hospitals (>10 patients). In Cox proportional hazards models, treatment in a high-volume hospital after propensity score adjustment was associated with a significant improvement in survival when adjusting for other characteristics (intermediate volume: hazard ratio [HR]=0.70, P=0.0007; high volume: HR=0.63, P<0.0001). Patients treated in high-volume hospitals were less likely to receive chemotherapy, surgery, and/or radiation therapy after a metastatic melanoma diagnosis. Conclusions:For patients diagnosed with metastatic melanoma, being treated in a high-volume hospital was associated with an improvement in survival and lower utilization of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy.
Expressive Path Queries on Graphs with Data

Graph data models have recently become popular owing to their applications, e.g., in social networks, semantic web. Typical navigational query languages over graph databases — such as Conjunctive Regular Path Queries (CRPQs) — cannot express relevant properties of the interaction between the underlying data and the topology. Two languages have been recently proposed to overcome this problem: walk logic (WL) and regular expressions with memory (REM). In this paper, we begin by investigating fundamental properties of WL and REM, i.e., complexity of evaluation problems and expressive power. We first show that the data complexity of WL is nonelementary, which rules out its practicality. On the other hand, while REM has low data complexity, we point out that many natural data/topology properties of graphs expressible in WL cannot be expressed in REM. To this end, we propose register logic, an extension of REM, which we show to be able to express many natural graph properties expressible in WL, while at the same time preserving the elementariness of data complexity of REMs. It is also incomparable in expressive power against WL.
Mesenchymal tumours of the uterus. VII. A clinicopathological study of 60 endometrial stromal nodules *

Endometrial stromal nodules are well‐circumscribed neoplasms composed of cells identical to those in low‐grade endometrial stromal sarcoma and proliferative endometrium. The clinical and pathologic features of 60 endometrial stromal nodules were studied to determine their characteristics and behaviour. A follow‐up of up to 16 years revealed that none of the 60 patients developed recurrences or died of her disease, indicating that circumscribed endometrial stromal tumours are benign. A number of specific features such as irregularities in the margin, high mitotic counts, and a glandular trend did not seem to alter the benign course of this lesion.
Electrocardiographic measures of ventricular repolarisation dispersion in patients with coronary artery disease susceptible to ventricular fibrillation

Objective To study electrocardiographic measures of ventricular repolarisation dispersion in patients prone to ventricular fibrillation compared with controls matched for the extent of coronary heart disease and the use of β blockers. Design A case-control study. Setting Cardiovascular laboratory of a tertiary referral centre. Patients Fifty patients with documented ventricular fibrillation not associated with acute myocardial infarction, and their controls matched for sex, age, number of diseased coronary vessels, left ventricular ejection fraction, previous myocardial infarction and its location, and the use of β blockers. Main outcome measures Electrocardiographic measures of QT, JT, and Tend interval dispersions in a 12 lead electrocardiogram. Results The ventricular fibrillation patients compared to controls showed increased mean (SD) QTapexdispersion (53 (18) ms v 44 (18) ms, respectively; p < 0.01) and mean (SD) Tend dispersion (46 (17) msv 38 (15) ms, respectively; p < 0.05). Conclusions Increased QTapex and Tend dispersions are associated with a susceptibility to ventricular fibrillation even when the extent of the coronary heart disease and use of β blockers are taken into consideration. However, because of a considerable overlap between the groups, measures of QT dispersion assessed from a 12 lead electrocardiogram do not provide clinically useful information for identification of patients at risk of sudden cardiac death.
Coevolution of Nearest Neighbor Classifiers

This paper presents experiments of Nearest Neighbor (NN) classifier design using different evolutionary computation methods. Through multiobjective and coevolution techniques, it combines genetic algorithms and genetic programming to both select NN prototypes and design a neighborhood proximity measure, in order to produce a more efficient and robust classifier. The proposed approach is compared with the standard NN classifier, with and without the use of classic prototype selection methods, and classic data normalization. Results on both synthetic and real data sets show that the proposed methodology performs as well or better than other methods on all tested data sets.