Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mapping the Genetic Architecture of Gene Expression in Human Liver

Genetic variants that are associated with common human diseases do not lead directly to disease, but instead act on intermediate, molecular phenotypes that in turn induce changes in higher-order disease traits. Therefore, identifying the molecular phenotypes that vary in response to changes in DNA and that also associate with changes in disease traits has the potential to provide the functional information required to not only identify and validate the susceptibility genes that are directly affected by changes in DNA, but also to understand the molecular networks in which such genes operate and how changes in these networks lead to changes in disease traits. Toward that end, we profiled more than 39,000 transcripts and we genotyped 782,476 unique single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in more than 400 human liver samples to characterize the genetic architecture of gene expression in the human liver, a metabolically active tissue that is important in a number of common human diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. This genome-wide association study of gene expression resulted in the detection of more than 6,000 associations between SNP genotypes and liver gene expression traits, where many of the corresponding genes identified have already been implicated in a number of human diseases. The utility of these data for elucidating the causes of common human diseases is demonstrated by integrating them with genotypic and expression data from other human and mouse populations. This provides much-needed functional support for the candidate susceptibility genes being identified at a growing number of genetic loci that have been identified as key drivers of disease from genome-wide association studies of disease. By using an integrative genomics approach, we highlight how the gene RPS26 and not ERBB3 is supported by our data as the most likely susceptibility gene for a novel type 1 diabetes locus recently identified in a large-scale, genome-wide association study. We also identify SORT1 and CELSR2 as candidate susceptibility genes for a locus recently associated with coronary artery disease and plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the process.
Should the WHO Growth Charts Be Used in France?

Background Growth charts are an essential clinical tool for evaluating a child's health and development. The current French reference curves, published in 1979, have recently been challenged by the 2006 World Health Organization (WHO) growth charts. Objective To evaluate and compare the growth of French children who were born between 1981 and 2007, with the WHO growth charts and the French reference curves currently used. Design Anthropometric measurements from French children, who participated in 12 studies, were analyzed: 82,151 measurements were available for 27,257 children in different age groups, from birth to 18 years. We calculated and graphically compared mean z-scores based on the WHO and French curves, for height, weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) according to age and sex. The prevalence of overweight using the WHO, the French and International Obesity Task Force definitions were compared. Results Our population of children was on average 0.5 standard deviations taller than the French reference population, from the first month of life until puberty age. Mean z-scores for height, weight and BMI were closer to zero based on the WHO growth charts than on the French references from infancy until late adolescence, except during the first six months. These differences not related to breastfeeding rates. As expected, the prevalence of overweight depended on the reference used, and differences varied according to age. Conclusion The WHO growth charts may be appropriate for monitoring growth of French children, as the growth patterns in our large population of French children were closer to the WHO growth charts than to the French reference curves, from 6 months onwards. However, there were some limitations in the use of these WHO growth charts, and further investigation is needed.
Quantitative assessment of protein function prediction from metagenomics shotgun sequences

To assess the potential of protein function prediction in environmental genomics data, we analyzed shotgun sequences from four diverse and complex habitats. Using homology searches as well as customized gene neighborhood methods that incorporate intergenic and evolutionary distances, we inferred specific functions for 76% of the 1.4 million predicted ORFs in these samples (83% when nonspecific functions are considered). Surprisingly, these fractions are only slightly smaller than the corresponding ones in completely sequenced genomes (83% and 86%, respectively, by using the same methodology) and considerably higher than previously thought. For as many as 75,448 ORFs (5% of the total), only neighborhood methods can assign functions, illustrated here by a previously undescribed gene associated with the well characterized heme biosynthesis operon and a potential transcription factor that might regulate a coupling between fatty acid biosynthesis and degradation. Our results further suggest that, although functions can be inferred for most proteins on earth, many functions remain to be discovered in numerous small, rare protein families.
Teaching Embryology Using Models Construction in Practical Classes

Recientemente, el plan de estudios y las metodologias educativas asociadas a los cursos de ciencias de la salud estan siendo revisados y adaptados. Ciencias pre-clinicas tales como la Anatomia y la Embriologia son tambien sometidas a cambios. En los cursos de Embriologia Humana, es comun el uso de modelos para representar las diferentes fases del desarrollo, y asi facilitar el aprendizaje, ya que los estudiantes pueden ver y tocar los modelos, asi se realiza la obtencion de conocimientos por medio de analogias. El proposito del presente estudio fue investigar si la construccion de modelos por parte de los estudiantes, durante las clases practicas de Embriologia, mejora o facilita su aprendizaje. Despues de un ano, 60 estudiantes respondieron a un cuestionario con nueve preguntas objetivas, incluidos los espacios para sugerencias y observaciones. De acuerdo con las respuestas de los estudiantes, la construccion de modelos han contribuido a su aprendizaje.
Influence of iron and zinc on yield, quality of chickpea and status of iron and zinc in post harvest soil

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is the most important and ancient pulse crop being traditionally grown during rabi season and cultivated mainly in semi-arid regions. The content of iron and zinc in the soil of Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS) is below the critical level. A field experiment to study the effect of iron and zinc nutrition on growth, yield and nutrient uptake by chickpea conducted in the vertisols of the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Vijayapur during rabi 2017-18. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with ten treatments and three replications. The treatments included RPP (Recommended package of practice) and application of iron @ 2, 4 and 6 kg ha-1 and zinc @ 2, 3 and 4 kg ha-1 in combinations along with RPP (RDF (Recommended dose of fertilizer) @ 10:25:00:: N : P2O5 : K2O kg ha-1). The results of the experiment revealed that, the application of iron and zinc in combinations resulted in significant increase in growth, yield and nutrient uptake by chickpea over RPP alone. Among the different treatments RPP + 6 kg Fe ha-1 + 4 kg Zn ha-1 was resulted in the maximum test weight (28.28 g), seed (2065.4 kg ha-1) and straw (1734.9 kg ha-1) yield. Similarly, higher protein content, uptake of nutrients (Fe and Zn) by the crop and residual iron and zinc status in soil were recorded due to the application of RPP + 6 kg Fe ha-1 + 4 kg Zn ha-1. These results were at par with the application of RPP + 6 kg Fe ha-1 + 3 kg Zn ha-1 and lower values were recorded in the treatment that received RPP alone. Finally it could be concluded that the application of fertilizers containing iron and zinc helpeds to improve crop yield, protein content and nutrient uptake by chickpea crop and residual soil fertility in terms of iron and zinc.
THE EVOLUTION OF TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTANCE MODEL (TAM) AND RECENT PROGRESS ON TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTANCE RESEARCH IN ELT: STATE OF THE ART ARTICLE

The vast development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) improves the integration of technology for the academic purpose. This phenomenon then raises an issue of technology acceptance, which becomes an interesting field of investigation for many scholars. In this respect, Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) has proven to be a robust, powerful, and parsimonious framework for predicting user acceptance of technology integration in various fields (Lai, 2017; Rondan-Cataluna et al., 2015). Although there is a lot of research studies reported the use of TAM and its developed versions in investigating the technology acceptance in the educational field, there is no publication that trying to map current studies which focus on educational technology acceptance research especially in ELT. Based on the needs of providing such information, this article would present the state of the art of the current research trends on the application of TAM framework in investigating ICT integration acceptance in ELT. The main part of this article would describe the evolution of TAM framework, followed by the discussion of recent research results concerning the technology acceptance, and the future trends of technology acceptance research in ELT. This state of the art article is expected to inspire other researchers to conduct further studies on technology acceptance in ELT and also suggest the ELT practitioners about the current and future trends in technology integration for academic purpose.
A-Si:H/c-Si heterojunctions: a future mainstream technology for high-efficiency crystalline silicon solar cells?

In this contribution, we shortly review the main features of amorphous /crystalline silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells, including interface defects and requirements for high quality interfaces. We show how a process flow with a limited number of process steps leads to screen printed solar cells of 2×2cm2 with 21.8% efficiency and of 10×10cm2 with 20.9% efficiency (n-type FZ). We show that the devices work in high injection conditions of 3×1015cm-3 at the maximum power point, a factor two higher than the base doping. Several research labs and companies can now produce large area 6" cells well over 20% on CZ wafers and some of the critical cost factors, such a metallization can be overcome with suitable strategies. Based on the high quality coating tools and processes developed for thin films used for flat panel display or thin film solar cell coatings, the deposition of the layers required to make SHJ cells has the potential to be performed in a controlled way at low cost. Considering the few process steps required, the high quality n-type Cz wafers that can be obtained by proper crystal growth control, SHJ technology has several assets that could make it become a widespread PV technology.
Externally Forced and Internal Variability in Ensemble Climate Simulations of the Maunder Minimum

The response of the climate system to natural, external forcing during the Maunder Minimum (ca. A.D. 1645–1715) is investigated using a comprehensive climate model. An ensemble of six transient simulations is produced in order to examine the relative importance of externally forced and internally generated variability. The simulated annual Northern Hemisphere and zonal-mean near-surface air temperature agree well with proxy-based reconstructions on decadal time scales. A mean cooling signal during the Maunder Minimum is masked by the internal unforced variability in some regions such as Alaska, Greenland, and northern Europe. In general, temperature exhibits a better signal-to-noise ratio than precipitation. Mean salinity changes are found in basin averages. The model also shows clear response patterns to volcanic eruptions. In particular, volcanic forcing is projected onto the winter North Atlantic Oscillation index following the eruptions. It is demonstrated that the significant spread of ensemble members is possible even on multidecadal time scales, which has an important implication in coordinating comparisons between model simulations and regional reconstructions.
A new therapeutic approach to Candida infections. A preliminary report.

Unusually small intravenous doses of amphotericin B (10 to 355 mg given over 4 to 18 days) were effective in the treatment of 14 selected patients with severe and disabling Candida infections. These included nine with mucocutaneous infections in whom vigorous topical antifungal therapy had failed. Five other patients had systemic disease that had not responded to the removal of intravenous catheters or discontinuation of antibiotics. Follow-up over 2 to 24 months showed no recurrences. No toxicity was encountered except in the recipient of the largest dose, who had transient azotemia. Our limited experience suggests the efficacy of amphotericin B in small nontoxic doses in the treatment of mucocutaneous and systemic Candida infections, excluding meningitis and endocarditis.
Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Among Non-Asians: A Case Series and Review of the Literature

Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (AHCM) has been rarely described in the Western world. More recently, improved sensitivity of diagnostic modalities and increased diagnostic awareness have increased detection rates, suggesting that the prevalence outside of Asia may have been previously understated. Hallmark features of AHCM include deeply negative, “giant” T-wave inversions on electrocardiography and a “spade-like” configuration of the left ventricle on ventriculography. We present two cases of AHCM, one in an African-American female and another in a Caucasian male.
Donepezil Improves Histological and Biochemical Changes in the Hippocampus of Adult Hypothyroid Male Rats

Introduction: Hormonal imbalances are involved in many related pathologies, such as neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. Adult hypothyroidism is a prevalent condition in humans with an incidence of 8% in the adult population and could impair learning and memory processes. Even though tetra-iodothyronine (T4) treatment can overcome the hypothyroidism in the majority of cases, it cannot fully recover the patient’s learning capacity and memory. Donepezil (DON) was a cholinesterase inhibitor, that can effectively improve the cognitive and memory impairments.Aim of work: This work analyzed the histological and biochemical changes in the hippocampal Cornu Ammonis (CA1) region occurring in experimental hypothyroidism and assessed the possible role of Donepezil in such condition.Materials and Methods: Forty eight healthy adult male rats were randomly divided into four groups; Group I (control group), rats of group II were subjected to thyroidectomy, Group III (thyroid-supplemented) and Group IV (combined DON+thyroxin). The hippocampus (CA1 region) sections were prepared and stained with hematoxylin and eosin and Cresyl fast violet. Immunohistochemical staining for glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP), P53 and calretinin and electron microscopic examination were also done. The results were statistically analyzed.Results: Hippocampus of hypothyroid adult rats displayed increased apoptosis in neurons and astrocytes with reactive gliosis as compared with controls. Moreover, the oxidative stress markers increased. Thyroid replacement induced some improvement, however DON could improve some of alterations to be similar to normal.Conclusion: Our data concluded that adult hypothyroidism affects the hippocampus by a mechanism that alters the composition of GFAP, reduced neuronal and astrocyte survival, and alters the content of oxidative redox. Thyroxin replacement improved the structural alterations within limits. However combined thyroxin with DON could improve almost all of the biochemical and histological alterations.
Modal Regression-Based Atomic Representation for Robust Face Recognition and Reconstruction

Representation-based classification (RC) methods, such as sparse RC, have shown great potential in face recognition (FR) in recent years. Most previous RC methods are based on the conventional regression models, such as lasso regression, ridge regression, or group lasso regression. These regression models essentially impose a predefined assumption on the distribution of the noise variable in the query sample, such as the Gaussian or Laplacian distribution. However, the complicated noises in practice may violate the assumptions and impede the performance of these RC methods. In this paper, we propose a modal regression (MR)-based atomic representation and classification (MRARC) framework to alleviate such limitations. MR is a robust regression framework which aims to reveal the relationship between the input and response variables by regressing toward the conditional mode function. Atomic representation is a general atomic norm regularized linear representation framework which includes many popular representation methods, such as sparse representation, collaborative representation, and low-rank representation as special cases. Unlike previous RC methods, the MRARC framework does not require the noise variable to follow any specific predefined distributions. This gives rise to the capability of MRARC in handling various complex noises in reality. Using MRARC as a general platform, we also develop four novel RC methods for unimodal and multimodal FR, respectively. In addition, we devise a general optimization algorithm for the unified MRARC framework based on the alternating direction method of multipliers and half-quadratic theory. The experiments on real-world data validate the efficacy of MRARC for robust FR and reconstruction.
The theropod furcula

The furcula is a structure formed by the midline fusion of the clavicles. This is the element which is unique to theropods and is important for understanding the link between birds and other theropods. New specimens from basal theropods suggest that the furcula appeared very early in theropod history. We review furcula development, function, and morphology, as well as the anatomical terminology applied to it. Furcular morphology is highly variable in crown‐group avians but is rather conserved among nonavian theropods. Here we review, or describe for the first time, the furculae in many nonavian theropods. Furculae occur in nearly all major clades of theropods, as shown by new theropod specimens from the Early Cretaceous of China and a close inspection of previously collected specimens. Informative phylogenetic characters pertaining to the furcula occur throughout Theropoda, though care should betake to consider taphonomic effects when describing furcular morphology. J. Morphol. , 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Translation-State Analysis of Gene Expression in Mouse Brain after Focal Ischemia

Confounding any genome-scale analysis of gene expression after cerebral ischemia is massive suppression of protein synthesis. This inefficient translation questions the utility of examining profiles of total transcripts. Our approach to such postischemic gene profiling in the mouse by microarray analysis was to concentrate on those mRNAs bound to polyribosomes. In our proof-of-principle study, polysomally bound and unbound mRNAs were subjected to microarray analysis: of the 1,161 transcripts that we found to increase after ischemia, only 36% were bound to polyribosomes. In addition to the expected increases in heat-shock proteins and metallothioneins, increases in several other bound transcripts involved in the promotion of cell survival or antiinflammatory behavior were noted, such as CD63 (Lamp3), Lcn2 (lipocalin-2), Msn (moesin), and UCP2 (uncoupling protein 2), all of which showed increases in cognate protein by Western blotting. The list of heretofore nonfunctionally annotated transcripts (RIKEN clones/ESTs) that increased appeared to be novel. How some transcripts are selected in ischemic brain for translation into protein, while others are rejected, is not clear. The length of the 5′-UTR in the ischemically induced transcripts that occur in the NCBI RefSeq database did not indicate any general tendency to be more than 200 nt, nor to be longer than the 5′-UTRs of the unbound transcripts. Thus, the presence of a complex 5′-UTR region with internal ribosome entry sites (IRES) or polypyrimidine tracts (TOP) does not appear to be the basis of selection for translation in ischemic brain.
Robocasting of Bioactive SiO2-P2O5-CaO-MgO-Na2O-K2O Glass Scaffolds

Bioactive silicate glass scaffolds were fabricated by a robocasting process in which all the movements of the printing head were programmed by compiling a script (text file). A printable ink made of glass powder and Pluronic F-127, acting as a binder, was extruded to obtain macroporous scaffolds with a grid-like three-dimensional structure. The scaffold architecture was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and microtomographic analysis, which allowed quantifying the microstructural parameters (pore size 150–180 μm and strut diameter 300 μm). In vitro tests in simulated body fluid (SBF) confirmed the apatite-forming ability (i.e., bioactivity) of the scaffolds. The compressive strength (around 10 MPa for as-produced scaffolds) progressively decreased during immersion in SBF (3.3 MPa after 4 weeks) but remains acceptable for bone repair applications. Taken together, these results (adequate porosity and mechanical strength as well as bioactivity) support the potential suitability of the prepared scaffolds for bone substitution.
Processing of ACD gives no evidence for QR

Hackl, Koster-Hale and Varvoutis (2012) argue for the existence of QR on the basis of the processing of ACD. But they failed to include a crucial control, and once included, one can show that the effect they demonstrate has nothing to do with QR but comes instead from a pressure to insert word like also or same where the reported events are 'the same'. We further show that the asymmetry between every and the is due to the fact that use of every in the relevant cases makes it easier to establish a causal connection between the events, removing the pressure to insert also or same. Finally we show that - for their 'Large Ellipsis' condition in their Experiment 2 - their hypothesis does not account for their reported data (at least not without additional assumptions), but ours does.
Hypervariable Noncoding Sequences in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Sequence data from this article have been deposited with the EMBL/GenBank Data Libraries under accession nos. AY942206, AY942556.

Compared to protein-coding sequences, the evolution of noncoding sequences and the selective constraints placed on these sequences is not well characterized. To compare the evolution of coding and noncoding sequences, we have conducted a survey for DNA polymorphism at five randomly chosen loci among a diverse collection of 81 strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Average rates of both polymorphism and divergence are 40% lower at noncoding sites and 90% lower at nonsynonymous sites in comparison to synonymous sites. Although noncoding and coding sequences show substantial variability in ratios of polymorphism to divergence, two of the loci, MLS1 and PDR10, show a higher rate of polymorphism at noncoding compared to synonymous sites. The high rate of polymorphism is not accompanied by a high rate of divergence and is limited to a few small regions. These hypervariable regions include sites with three segregating bases at a single site and adjacent polymorphic sites. We show that this clustering of polymorphic sites is significantly greater than one would expect on the basis of the spacing between polymorphic fourfold degenerate sites. Although hypervariable noncoding sequences could result from selection on regulatory mutations, they could also result from transient mutational hotspots.