Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Obesity susceptibility genetic variants identified from recent genome-wide association studies: implications in a chinese population.

CONTEXT Recent large-scale genome-wide association studies identified novel genetic variants associated with obesity and body mass index (BMI) in addition to the well-described FTO and MC4R genetic variants. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine 13 previously reported obesity and/or BMI-associated loci for associations with obesity in Chinese. DESIGN AND STUDY PARTICIPANTS This was a cross-sectional case-control study in 470 obese cases (BMI > or =27.5 kg/m(2)) and 700 normal-weight controls (18.5 < or = BMI < or = 23.0 kg/m(2)). RESULTS A significant association with obesity could be replicated (one tailed P < 0.05) in seven of the 13 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the case-control study. These included GNPDA2 rs10938397 (P = 7.3 x 10(-4)); FTO rs8050136 (P = 8 x 10(-4)); MC4R rs17782313 (P = 1.2 x 10(-3)); KCTD15 rs29941 (P = 8 x 10(-3)); SFRS10-ETV5-DGKG rs7647305 (P = 0.023); SEC16B-RASAL2 rs10913469 (P = 0.041); and NEGR1 rs3101336 (P = 0.046). Combined genetic risk scores were calculated, and we observed ORs ranging from 1.17 to 1.23 for each unit increase in the genetic risk scores. Associations with obesity-related quantitative traits were analyzed separately for cases and controls. KCTD15 SNP rs29941 (P = 1 x 10(-3)) was significantly associated with fasting glucose in the control group, whereas only the FTO SNP rs8050136 was associated with BMI (P = 3.5 x 10(-3)) in the obese group. However, in an extension study of 1938 subjects from the population-based Hong Kong Cardiovascular Risk Factors Prevalence Study, rs8050136, rs10938397, and rs17782313 showed significant associations with BMI. CONCLUSION We have succeeded in replicating, in a Chinese population, the associations with obesity in seven SNPs reported in recent genome-wide association studies. Further functional and fine-mapping studies to elucidate the roles of these putative obesity-related genes and genetic variants are warranted.
Proteomic approach to understanding the maternal effect in the flesh fly, Sarcophaga bullata (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)

Progeny of the flesh fly Sarcophaga bullata exposed to short day length show a maternal effect that prevents the expression of pupal diapause. Although ecological aspects of this effect are well studied, not enough is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying this maternal effect. In this study, two-dimensional electrophoresis was performed to detect differences of the abundance of certain proteins in the ovaries of this fly kept under long day and short day conditions for 2 days after eclosion. Eleven proteins that were abundant and showed significant changes were selected for mass spectrometric identification. Ovary proteins that increased in abundance under short-day conditions were similar to twinstar CG4254-PA, muscle protein 20-like protein, GA13413-PA, gene analogous to small peritrophins (Gasp CG10287-PA) and Ribosomal protein LP1 CG4087-PA. Ovary proteins that decreased in abundance under short-day conditions were similar to the ATP synthase beta subunit, fk506-binding protein and storage protein-binding protein. The 2-D proteome maps included 2 additional unknown proteins that were more abundant and 1 that was less abundant in the ovaries of 2-day old short-day females. Twinstar CG4254-PA, muscle protein 20-like protein and GA13413-PA harbour an actin-binding domain. That the 3 actin-binding proteins increase in abundance suggests that it is likely that an alteration in the actin cytoskeleton is involved in this maternal effect in the flesh fly.
Triggered correlation.

This paper shows to what extent an average-response computer can be utilized for computing a cross-correlation function. This type of computer needs synchronization pulses, and the simplest methods of computation are those in which these pulses are directly derived from one of the signals (triggered correlation). The first method is to generate a synchronization pulse whenever the signal crosses a pre-set threshold in any direction. In this case, the computer output function is shown to be proportional to the true correlation function, for Gaussian signals. In a second method, synchronization pulses are produced when the signal crosses the threshold in a specified (e.g., positive) direction. Then the computer output is found to be contaminated by a systematic error, which, in turn, depends on the derivative of the correlation function. These two methods are described in detail, both with respect to the results and to the accuracy obtainable. Several other, less important, methods are only briefly described.
Function of Macrophage and Parasite Phosphatases in Leishmaniasis

The kinetoplastid protozoan parasites belonging to the genus Leishmania are the causative agents of different clinical forms of leishmaniasis, a vector-borne infectious disease with worldwide prevalence. The protective host immune response against Leishmania parasites relies on myeloid cells such as dendritic cells and macrophages in which upon stimulation by cytokines (e.g., interferon-γ) a complex network of signaling pathways is switched on leading to strong antimicrobial activities directed against the intracellular parasite stage. The regulation of these pathways classically depends on post-translational modifications of proteins, with phosphorylation events playing a cardinal role. Leishmania parasites deactivate their phagocytic host cells by inducing specific mammalian phosphatases that are capable to impede signaling. On the other hand, there is now also evidence that Leishmania spp. themselves express phosphatases that might target host cell molecules and thereby facilitate the intracellular survival of the parasite. This review will present an overview on the modulation of host phosphatases by Leishmania parasites as well as on the known families of Leishmania phosphatases and their possible function as virulence factors. A more detailed understanding of the role of phosphatases in Leishmania–host cell interactions might open new avenues for the treatment of non-healing, progressive forms of leishmaniasis.
The relationship between brainstem temporal processing and performance on tests of central auditory function in children with reading disorders.

PURPOSE Studies using speech stimuli to elicit electrophysiologic responses have found approximately 30% of children with language-based learning problems demonstrate abnormal brainstem timing. Research is needed regarding how these responses relate to performance on behavioral tests of central auditory function. The purpose of the study was to investigate performance of children with dyslexia with and without abnormal brainstem timing and children with no history of learning or related disorders on behavioral tests of central auditory function. METHOD Performance of 30 school-age children on behavioral central auditory tests in common clinical use was examined: Group 1 (n = 10): dyslexia, abnormal brainstem timing; Group 2 (n = 10): dyslexia, normal brainstem timing; Group 3 (n = 10): typical controls. RESULTS Results indicated that all participants in Group 2 met diagnostic criteria for (central) auditory processing disorder [(C)APD], whereas only 4 participants in Group 1 met criteria. The Biological Marker of Auditory Processing (BioMARK) identified 6 children in Group 1 who did not meet diagnostic criteria for (C)APD but displayed abnormal brainstem timing. CONCLUSIONS Results underscore the importance of central auditory assessment for children with dyslexia. Furthermore, the BioMARK may be useful in identifying children with central auditory dysfunction who would not have been identified using behavioral methods of (C)APD assessment.
Investigation of Aspect-Oriented Metrics for Stability Assessment: A Case Study

Stability assessment provides software managers with early insight into trends in software evolution, and thus assists them in managing and controlling long-lived software systems. However, there are few empirical studies that have been conducted to relate software metrics with external quality attributes of aspect-oriented software in general, and metrics have not been evaluated as indicators of aspect stability in particular. This paper investigates the relationships between 13 aspect-oriented metrics and aspect stability. These metrics measure different structural properties of an aspect: size, coupling, cohesion, and inheritance. A case study was conducted using an open source aspect-oriented software consisting of 76 aspects. The results obtained from this study indicate statistically significant correlation between most of the size metrics and aspect stability. The cohesion metric was also found to be significantly correlated with aspect stability. In addition, different prediction models were built using different combinations of metrics’ categories. It was observed that the best accuracy was achieved as a function of some of the size and inheritance metrics.
The binary companion of PSR J1740−3052

We report on the identication of a near-infrared counterpart to the massive ( > 11 M ) binary companion of pulsar J1740 3052. An accurate celestial position of PSR J1740 3052 is determined from interferometric radio observations. Adaptive optics corrected near-infrared imaging observations show a counterpart at the interferometric position of the pulsar. The counterpart has Ks = 15:87 0:10 and J Ks > 0:83. Based on distance and absorption estimates from models of the Galactic electron and dust distributions these observed magnitudes are consistent with those of a mainsequence star as the binary companion. We argue that this counterpart is the binary companion to PSR J1740 3052 and thus rule out a stellar mass black hole as the pulsar companion.
Promising Clinical Results of an Innovative Self-Crimping Stapes Prosthesis in Otosclerosis Surgery

Objectives This clinical study was performed to retrospectively analyze the hearing improvement of patients with otosclerosis who underwent stapesplasty with a novel nitinol prosthesis in comparison with the use of already established prostheses (titanium and clip prostheses) and to evaluate the suitability of the nitinol prosthesis for ear surgeons with limited experience in otosclerosis surgery. Study Design Retrospective data analysis. Setting Tertiary referral center. Patients Sixty patients who underwent otosclerosis surgery between July 1, 2010, and June 30, 2012, in the ENT department of the University of Munich. Two patients were operated on both sides. For four patients, the stapesplasty was a revision surgery. Interventions Sixty-two procedures of otosclerosis surgery were performed by 6 ear surgeons, one of whom with profound experience in stapesplasty. Main Outcome Measures 1) Postoperative air-bone gap, determined for all surgeons together as well as itemized for the experienced and the nonexperienced stapes surgeons; 2) closure of the air-bone gap in 10 dB bins; and 3) change of high-tone bone-conduction level. Results Pure-tone audiometry documented less postoperative air-bone gap and a higher percentage of air-bone gap closure when using the nitinol prosthesis, especially in comparison with the clip prosthesis. Also, nonexperienced stapes surgeons received better audiometric results when using the novel nitinol prosthesis. Conclusions Clinical evaluation suggests the novel nitinol prosthesis to be a promising tool in otosclerosis surgery for experienced stapes surgeons as well as for ear surgeons with limited experience in stapes surgery.
Episodes of mood disorders in 2,252 pregnancies and postpartum periods.

OBJECTIVE The risks of major affective episodes during pregnancy and during the postpartum period have rarely been compared in large samples across diagnoses. The authors hypothesized that perinatal episodes would mainly be depressive, would occur more in the postpartum than the prenatal period, and would be more prevalent with bipolar than unipolar depressive disorders. METHOD The authors pooled clinical information on 2,252 pregnancies of 1,162 women with clinically treated DSM-IV bipolar I disorder (479 pregnancies/283 women), bipolar II disorder (641/338), or recurrent major depressive disorder (1,132/541) to compare rates of affective episode types by diagnosis during pregnancy and the postpartum period and to identify risk factors. RESULTS Among women with bipolar disorder, 23% had illness episodes during pregnancy and 52% during the postpartum period. Among women with unipolar depression, 4.6% had illness episodes during pregnancy and 30% during the postpartum period. Based on exposure-adjusted risk per pregnancy, episodes were 3.5 times more prevalent during the postpartum period than during pregnancy, and the risk was consistently higher with bipolar disorder. Depression was the most frequent morbidity during and following pregnancy. In multivariate modeling, factors associated with affective episodes in pregnancy, in descending order, were younger age at onset, previous postpartum episodes, fewer years of illness, bipolar disorder, fewer children, and not being married. Postpartum episodes were associated with younger age at onset, illness during pregnancy, bipolar disorder, fewer children, and more education. Moreover, pregnancy was less likely and perinatal episodes more likely if diagnosis preceded a first pregnancy. First lifetime episodes occurred in the perinatal period in 7.6% of cases. CONCLUSIONS Among women with major affective disorders, illness risk was much greater during the postpartum period than during pregnancy. Illness mainly involved depression and was strongly associated with younger age at illness onset, bipolar disorder, and high lifetime occurrence rates. The relative risk during pregnancy compared with nonpregnant periods remains uncertain.
Elevation of Serum Transaminases With Norovirus Infection

From November to December in 2006, we experienced 4 pediatric cases with an elevation of the serum transaminase levels accompanied by acute gastroenteritis. All examined stool specimens were norovirus positive according to the Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) assay. The clinical courses of these cases were the same as those of common gastroenteritis. Blood examinations showed only a slight elevation of the transaminase levels at the onset of gastroenteritis, while the symptoms were severe. Interestingly, the transaminase levels significantly increased after gastroenteritis disappeared. The average period between the onset of gastroenteritis and the peak of transaminase levels was 13.8 days. In all cases, the patients were treated with the administration of glycyrrhizin, and the transaminase levels returned to normal approximately 4 weeks (average 26.8 days) after the onset of gastroenteritis, thus suggesting that an elevation of the transaminase levels in association with norovirus gastroenteritis may therefore be a self-limited process which may demonstrate a relatively good natural prognosis. Norovirus is one of the important pathogens which cause an elevation in the serum transaminase levels in young children. When an elevation in the transaminase levels in association with gastroenteritis is observed in young children, it is important to continuously follow up such patients even after the gastroenteritis has disappeared and to perform a virus search based on examinations of stool specimens using an RT-PCR assay in order to detect the presence of norovirus infections.
A Robust Blind Source Separation Algorithm without Whitening the Observed Signals

A novel robust blind source separation algorithm that uses the geodesic method is proposed. Different from many methods that only can treat the whitened observed data, the proposed algorithm can separate the unwhitened observed data, i.e., the original observed data. More importantly, the algorithm is robust to the outliers due to the adoption of novel density models, which are different to the ones that used by many other algorithms. Simulations on artificial generated data and real-world ECG data reveal that the proposed algorithm has fast convergence, high separation performance and robustness to the outliers, compared with some famous algorithms
Portal Hyperglutamatemia after Dietary Supplementation with Monosodium Glutamate in Pigs

The aim of the present work was to examine in pigs the effect of a dietary supplementation with the flavor enhancer monosodium glutamate (MSG) on intestinal amino acid metabolism. For this purpose, pigs weighing 60 ± 2 kg received a standard meal twice a day for 1 week, supplemented with either 10 g MSG per meal or, as control experiments, an isonitrogenous amount of glycine together with an equal amount of sodium in the form of NaCl, the animals being their own control in all experiments. At the end of this period, pigs received a MSG or glycine-NaCl-supplemented meal and samples of portal and arterial blood were collected for amino acid analysis in plasma. The results demonstrate after MSG supplementation rapid significant increases in glutamate concentration in the portal and arterial blood plasma after a test meal which resulted in a positive portoarterial difference. In comparison, after glycine-NaCl supplementation, glutamate concentrations were almost identical in portal and arterial plasma. Furthermore, significant increased aspartate concentration in the portal blood plasma was observed after MSG supplementation when compared with control experiments. When enterocytes were isolated at the end of the supplementation period from the jejunum and examined for their metabolic capacities towards L-glutamate and L-glutamine, it was found that metabolism did not differ according to the supplement used, with glutamate and glutamine being oxidized and transaminated at a similar level. It is concluded that the portal hyperglutamatemia observed shortly after the ingestion of a MSG- supplemented meal is likely due to the saturation of the intestinal capacity to metabolize glutamate with no measurable adaptation of the metabolic pathways controlling glutamate metabolism in enterocytes.
Global output feedback stabilisation of high-order nonlinear systems with multiple time-varying delays

This paper investigates the problem of global output feedback stabilisation for a class of high-order nonlinear systems with multiple time-varying delays. By using backstepping recursive technique and the homogeneous domination approach, a continuous output feedback controller is successfully designed, and the global asymptotic stability of the resulting closed-loop system is proven with the help of an appropriate Lyapunov– Krasovskii functional. Two simulation examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Medidas de riesgo, características y técnicas de medición: una aplicación del VaR y el ES a la tasa interbancaria de Colombia

En este documento se describen en detalle diversas metodologias que permiten calcular dos medidas utilizadas para cuantificar el riesgo de mercado asociado a un activo financiero: el valor en riesgo, VaR y el Expected Shortfall, ES. Los metodos analizados se dividen en dos grupos. En el primer grupo, compuesto por las metodologias de normalidad, simulacion historica y teoria del valor extremo (EVT), no se modelan las dependencias existentes en el primer y segundo momento condicional de la serie. En el segundo grupo, las metodologias ARMA-GARCH y ARMA-GARCH-EVT modelan los dos tipos de dependencias, mientras RiskMetrics® modela solo la segunda. Estas metodologias son aplicadas a las variaciones diarias de la tasa interbancaria para el periodo comprendido entre el 16 de abril de 1995 y el 30 de diciembre de 2004. El desempeno o backtesting del VaR calculado para diferentes metodologias en los anos 2003 y 2004 muestra que las mejores son aquellas que modelan la dependencia de la varianza condicional, tales como los modelos RiskMetrics®, ARMA-GARCH y ARMA-GARCH-EVT. Las tecnicas con el peor desempeno son la de simulacion historica, la EVT sin modelar dependencia y la basada en el supuesto de normalidad.
Learning auxiliary categorical information for speech synthesis based on deep and recurrent neural networks

We proposed an auxiliary categorization framework for training speech synthesis systems using deep neural networks (DNNs) and recurrent neural networks (RNNs). The adopted artificial neural networks (ANNs) are regression models comprising a few hidden layers and an affine-transform layer for transforming the contextual features into a set of speech synthesis parameters. In order to incorporate categorization information into training ANNs, similar to DNN-based speech recognition, the proposed approach stacks a secondary classification layer on top of the hidden layers for the regression ANN and trained it together with the primary affine-transform. Four categorization tasks, for classification of voicing, phonation position, phone identity and hidden Markov model state, are considered. The experimental results show that the proposed framework can reduce the root mean square error (RMSE) of the generated log fundamental frequency by about 10.8% and 4.3% for DNN and RNN based synthesis systems, respectively. With the extra classification layers, subjective listening tests also favor DNN and RNN generated speech by about 24% and 15%, respectively, over the ANN baselines without using any categorical information.
Synergistic use of AMSR-E and MODIS Data for Understanding Grassland Land Surface Phenologies

In recent investigations into the response of native grasslands to global environmental changes, rainfall variability has been offered as a key factor for explaining ecosystem structure and function. In particular, changes in the temporal patterns of precipitation were shown to alter critical aspects of the carbon cycle. To understand the impact of rainfall variability in grasslands, an understanding of the dynamics of surface moisture is critical. Here we characterize spatio-temporal patterns of two standard data products from AMSR-E: vegetation water content and surficial soil moisture. In addition, we explore the sensitivity of these products to an extreme precipitation event as modulated by land cover type. The sensitivities of vegetation water content and soil moisture retrievals were found to be dependent on the NDVI value, with an apparent loss of sensitivity at higher NDVI values. Despite the coarse spatial resolution of the data, the difference in between predawn and afternoon vegetation water content was found to be a potentially source of information about canopy water stress.
RAPD Analysis of the Genetic Polymorphism in the Collection of Rye Cultivars

In the present study, RAPD-PCR was used to assess genetic diversity of the rye including landrances and new rye cultivars coming from Central Europe and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (SUN). Five arbitrary random primers were used to determine RAPD polymorphism in the set of 38 rye genotypes. These primers amplified altogether 43 different DNA fragments with an average number of 8.6 fragments per genotypes. The number of fragments ranged from 7 (RLZ 8, RLZ 9 and RLZ 10) to 12 (RLZ 6). DI and PIC values of all RAPD markers were higher than 0.8 that generally means high level of polymorphism detected between rye genotypes. The dendrogram based on hierarchical cluster analysis using UPGMA algorithm was prepared. The cultivars were grouped into two main clusters. In this experiment, RAPD proved to be a rapid, reliable and practicable method for revealing of polymorphism in the rye cultivars. Keywords—Genetic diversity, polymorphism, RAPD markers, Secale cereale L.