Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genome-wide high resolution parental-specific DNA and histone methylation maps uncover patterns of imprinting regulation in maize

Genetic imprinting is a specific epigenetic phenomenon in which a subset of genes is expressed depending on their parent-of-origin. Two types of chromatin modifications, DNA methylation and histone modification, are generally believed to be involved in the regulation of imprinting. However, the genome-wide correlation between allele-specific chromatin modifications and imprinted gene expression in maize remains elusive. Here we report genome-wide high resolution allele-specific maps of DNA methylation and histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) in maize endosperm. For DNA methylation, thousands of parent-of-origin dependent differentially methylated regions (pDMRs) were identified. All pDMRs were uniformly paternally hypermethylated and maternally hypomethylated. We also identified 1131 allele-specific H3K27me3 peaks that are preferentially present in the maternal alleles. Maternally expressed imprinted genes (MEGs) and paternally expressed imprinted genes (PEGs) had different patterns of allele-specific DNA methylation and H3K27me3. Allele-specific expression of MEGs was not directly related to allele-specific H3K27me3, and only a subset of MEGs was associated with maternal-specific DNA demethylation, which was primarily located in the upstream and 5′ portion of gene body regions. In contrast, allele-specific expression of a majority of PEGs was related to maternal-specific H3K27me3, with a subgroup of PEGs also associated with maternal-specific DNA demethylation. Both pDMRs and maternal H3K27me3 peaks associated with PEGs are enriched in gene body regions. Our results indicate highly complex patterns of regulation on genetic imprinting in maize endosperm.
Accuracy of Genomic Selection Using Different Methods to Define Haplotypes

Genomic selection uses total breeding values for juvenile animals, predicted from a large number of estimated marker haplotype effects across the whole genome. In this study the accuracy of predicting breeding values is compared for four different models including a large number of markers, at different marker densities for traits with heritabilities of 50 and 10%. The models estimated the effect of (1) each single-marker allele [single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)1], (2) haplotypes constructed from two adjacent marker alleles (SNP2), and (3) haplotypes constructed from 2 or 10 markers, including the covariance between haplotypes by combining linkage disequilibrium and linkage analysis (HAP_IBD2 and HAP_IBD10). Between 119 and 2343 polymorphic SNPs were simulated on a 3-M genome. For the trait with a heritability of 10%, the differences between models were small and none of them yielded the highest accuracies across all marker densities. For the trait with a heritability of 50%, the HAP_IBD10 model yielded the highest accuracies of estimated total breeding values for juvenile and phenotyped animals at all marker densities. It was concluded that genomic selection is considerably more accurate than traditional selection, especially for a low-heritability trait.
A Haptic Serious Augmented Reality Game for Motor Assessment of Parkinson's Disease Patients

In the clinical community there is a need for assessment tools that allow for objective, quantitative and valid measures of motor dysfunction. In this paper, we report on the design and evaluation of a serious game that engages patients with Parkinson's disease in upper extremity (hand/arm) movements. The game employs augmented reality to show virtual movement targets, i.e. candies falling from a conveyor belt, and a haptic game controller to catch the candies, that is able to acquire quantitative data about the patient's movement. This paper first describes the design process of the game and the system components. Secondly, we present results of our small quantitative evaluation study (N11, age: 26–60, healthy persons) regarding the usability of the system, the task load and user experience of the game. Our findings show that the system has a relatively good usability and the game is engaging, but there is still need for technical improvement with regard to tracking the controller in 3D space.
Zur Anwendung neuronaler Netzwerke in adaptiven Flugregelungssystemen

Die vorliegende Arbeit stellt einen Beitrag zur Einbindung kunstlicher neuronaler Netzwerke in adaptive Regelungssysteme dar. Neben den Grundlagen zur Abbildung dynamischer Prozesse mit neuronalen Netzen wird eine strukturierte Methodik des Netzwerkentwurfes dargestellt, die eine statistische Bewertung des Lernerfolges ermoglicht. Daruber hinaus wird eine Klasse regelungstechnisch motivierter Lernverfahren vorgestellt, welche neuronale Netze als dynamische Systeme aufgefasst, womit das Lernen innerhalb eines Netzwerkes als geregelter Prozess betrachtet werden kann. Dies erlaubt die Anwendung der Gleitzustandsregelung auf neuronale Lernverfahren, welche so um eine intrinsische Stabilitatsbedingung erweitert werden konnen. Durch die dynamische Bestimmung der Lernraten vermag dieser Lernansatz die Zustande eines neuronalen Netzes in den global asymptotisch stabilen Gleitzustand zu uberfuhren. Die praktische Bedeutung dieses Lernverfahrens wird am Beispiel zweier Regelungsstrategien dargestellt: Der modellfreien neuronalen Regelung und der neuronal gestutzten dynamischen Inversion. Die Ergebnisse beider Regelungsverfahren unterstreichen die robusten Eigenschaften neuronaler Netze zur Abbildung komplexer dynamischer Prozesse. Es zeigen sich besondere Vorteile bei der Kombination von dynamischer Inversion und neuronalen Netzwerken, die mit dem Gleitzustandslernverfahren trainiert werden. Dies liegt darin begrundet, dass die Uberfuhrung der Zustandsgrosen des Netzes in den Gleitzustand eine stabilisierende Wirkung auf die Fehlerdynamik des Regelkreises besitzt. Am Beispiel eines beschadigten unbemannten Flugzeuges zeigt sich, dass dieses Verfahren wegen seiner dynamischen Bestimmung der Lernrate eine hohere Konvergenzgeschwindigkeit als vergleichbare etablierte Ansatze aufweist. Die Ergebnisse unterstreichen die Vorzuge der Kombination von klassischer Regelungstechnik und Maschinenlernverfahren bei der Auslegung komplexer Regelungssysteme.
Immunological Characterization of Secretory Proteins of Chromaffin Granules: Chromogranins A, Chromogranins B, and Enkephalin‐Containing Peptides

The soluble proteins of bovine chromaffin granules can be resolved into about 40 proteins by twodimensional electrophoresis. Use of several antisera enabled us to characterize most of these proteins with the immune replica technique. An antiserum against dopamine β‐hydroxylase reacted with one protein of Mr 75,000. Met‐enkephalin antisera labeled eight proteins of Mr 23,000–14,000. A new method was developed to obtain highly purified chromogranin A for immunization. The antiserum reacted with chromogranin A and several smaller proteins of similar pI. This specific antiserum did not react with a second family of hitherto undescribed proteins, which we propose to call chromogranins B. An antiserum against these proteins was raised. It labeled several proteins ranging in Mr from 100,000 to 24,000 and focusing at pH 5.2. Subcellular fractionation established that chromogranins B are specifically localized in chromaffin granules of several species. They are secreted from the adrenal medulla during cholinergic stimulation. We conclude that apart from dopamine β‐hydroxylase chromaffin granules contain three families of immunologically unrelated proteins.
The Effects of Nicotine on Attention, Information Processing, and Short-Term Memory in Patients with Dementia of the Alzheimer Type

Nicotine in patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) producted a significant and marked improvement in discriminative sensitivity and reaction times on a computerised test of attention and information processing. Nicotine also improved the ability of DAT patients to detect a flickering light in a critical flicker fusion test. These results suggest that nicotine may be acting on cortical mechanisms involved in visual perception and attention, and support the hypothesis that acetylcholine transmission modulates vigilance and discrimination. Nicotine may therefore be of some value in treating deficits in attention and information processing in DAT patients.
Driving business transformation toward sustainability: exploring the impact of supporting IS on the performance contribution of eco‐innovations

Information systems (IS) can foster business transformation toward sustainability on a large scale by supporting green technologies, thereby creating hybrid physical–digital solutions that are able to fulfil organizational performance requirements and contribute to sustainable business practices. These supporting IS provide an alternative path to corporate sustainability rather than just contributing to the ‘greening’ of business practices by aiming to improve the organizational performance impact of environmental advantageous innovations, which in turn fosters their adoption. Employing a multiple case study comprising eight companies that have implemented such eco‐innovations (specifically electric vehicles) in their business processes, our findings indicate that the organizational performance contribution of eco‐innovations is improved when complemented by supporting IS. This effect is achieved by (1) enhancing the efficiency of the business processes in which the eco‐innovations are deployed, thus increasing eco‐efficiency, and (2) enabling new functionalities, processes and business models that help achieve organizational sustainability goals, thereby driving eco‐effectiveness. With these two aspects, we add two functional affordances – technological flexibility and digital eco‐innovation – to the existing knowledge base of Green IS and point to an elaborated role of IS in sustainability transformation.
Effect of Extracts of the Bark of Saccoglottis gabonensis on the Microflora of Palm Wine

Direct addition of the bark of Saccoglottis gabonensis to fresh palm juice followed by microbial enumeration every 6 hr showed that the bark inhibited bacterial growth appreciably. The effect of various extracts of the bark on two bacterial species isolated from palm wine (Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Lactobacillus plantarum) was studied by using the paper disc method. It was observed that three of the five constituents of the bark showed inhibitory effect on the bacteria.
The structural effects of sharing function on Twitter networks: Focusing on the retweet function

Social network services (SNSs) provide the functions for both the management of social networks and information diffusion. We considered SNS networks as the networks that embrace both the strong links formed through the making-relationship function and the weak links formed through the sharing function. For identifying the structural role of each link, we constructed the SNS networks using Twitter data and analysed them focusing not on nodes but on links of the networks at a component level and at an ego-network level. More than 200,000 tweets were randomly sampled through the streaming API of Twitter. As a result, we found that weak links formed through the sharing function play a more important role in maintaining the range of information diffusion and provide more structural advantage in acquiring and controlling information than the strong links formed through the making-relationship function.
Ordering of Quantum Dots Using Genetically Engineered Viruses

A liquid crystal system was used for the fabrication of a highly ordered composite material from genetically engineered M13 bacteriophage and zinc sulfide (ZnS) nanocrystals. The bacteriophage, which formed the basis of the self-ordering system, were selected to have a specific recognition moiety for ZnS crystal surfaces. The bacteriophage were coupled with ZnS solution precursors and spontaneously evolved a self-supporting hybrid film material that was ordered at the nanoscale and at the micrometer scale into∼72-micrometer domains, which were continuous over a centimeter length scale. In addition, suspensions were prepared in which the lyotropic liquid crystalline phase behavior of the hybrid material was controlled by solvent concentration and by the use of a magnetic field.
Challenges to flipped classroom adoption in Hong Kong secondary schools: Overcoming the first- and second- order barriers to change

The flipped classroom phenomenon has generated a lot of enthusiasm in teaching circles, but not all teachers have embraced this new paradigm. This paper discusses some of the challenges for Hong Kong secondary school teachers to adopt the flipped classroom approaches. Based on a study conducted parallel to a professional development workshop for teachers, a number of concerns regarding the use of flipped classrooms are identified and discussed. Dividing these concerns into first- and second-order barriers, themes in teachers' comments and feedback are identified, and potential approaches to addressing the concerns proposed.
Qualitative methods for assessing health care.

The evaluation of health care and efforts to maintain and improve quality in health care have very largely drawn on quantitative methods. Quantification has made possible precise expression of the extent to which interventions are efficient, effective, or appropriate and has allowed the use of statistical techniques to assess the significance of findings. For many questions, however, quantitative methods may be neither feasible nor desirable. Qualitative methods may be
Two new species of leaf-tailed geckos (Uroplatus) from the Tsaratanana mountain massif in northern Madagascar.

The Tsaratanana Massif is the highest mountain massif of Madagascar and is characterized by a high species-level endemism of its biota. Here we describe two new small-sized species of leaf-tailed geckos of the Uroplatus ebenaui group from this region. Named in a preliminary way as confirmed candidate species Uroplatus ebenaui [Ca1] and [Ca2] in previous studies, we here provide detailed data on their molecular and morphological differentiation and describe them as Uroplatus fotsivava sp. nov. and Uroplatus kelirambo sp. nov. Their closest relatives are U. fiera and U. finiavana, respectively, as revealed by a phylogeny based on DNA sequences of four mitochondrial genes. However, integration of various lines of evidence confirms that the new species are independent evolutionary lineages, differing from other Uroplatus by high mitochondrial divergences, lack of haplotype sharing in the nuclear CMOS gene, and shape and relative size of the tail. While U. fotsivava is known from multiple sites at elevations between 1100-1538 m above sea level, U. kelirambo was found only at high elevations between 2000-2200 m a.s. l. ; it therefore is the only known forest-dwelling nocturnal gecko reaching such high elevations in Madagascar, and might be narrowly endemic to montane forests of the Tsaratanana Massif.
Automatic segmentation of multiple VHF-band SAR images to improve stem volume retrieval

Ground slope effects have been identified as a limiting factor for stem volume retrieval from VHF-band SAR images since the ground-trunk dihedral scattering, which dominates the measured signal, is highly affected by surface relief and slope. To mitigate this problem coregistered SAR images from different flight headings have been acquired. These images are segmented to find regions with homogenous backscatter amplitude that are used with additional topography data to correct for the ground slope
Prevalence, Predictors, and Attitudes Toward Cosleeping in an Urban Pediatric Center

Cosleeping is the normative practice in many of the world's societies but is not endorsed by the Consumer Products Safety Commission or by the American Academy of Pediatrics. A survey was performed on 101 caregivers in an urban setting, designed to assess the prevalence of cosleeping and parental attitudes for this practice. Cosleeping rate was 88% with predictors being as follows: single parent (p=0.006), high school or less education (p=0.035), 2 or fewer rooms used for sleeping (p=0.023). A majority (65%) stated that cosleeping was acceptable.
Characterization of Endothelin Receptors and Effects of Endothelin on Diacylglycerol and Protein Kinase C in Retinal Capillary Pericytes

Retinal capillary pericyte is a cell type selectively lost in early diabetic retinopathy. The physiological function of pericytes is not yet clearly identified, although it probably has contractile properties. We determined the specific binding of endothelin 1, a 21–amino acid peptide with potent vasoconstrictive action, and the stimulation of diacylglycerol/protein kinase C (DAG/PKC) pathway in cultured retinal capillary pericytes by endothelin. A single specific binding site for 125I-labeled endothelin was identified, with an apparent Kd of 1.3 nM and a maximal binding capacity of ∼1–2 × 105 sites/cell. Endothelin (100 nM) increased total cellular DAG content by 15% at 5 min and 24% at 10 min. When pericytes were labeled isotopically with [3H]glycerol, endothelin stimulated [3H]DAG formation by 100% at 10 min and 88% at 30 min. After 10 min of endothelin treatment, PKC activities were increased by 60 and 100% in the membranous and cytosolic pools, respectively. We conclude that bovine retinal capillary pericytes possess numerous high-affinity specific binding sites for endothelin that mediate the action of endothelin by the stimulation of the DAG/PKC pathway in pericytes. These findings suggest that endothelin is a regulator of the contractile properties of pericytes, which may be adversely affected in diabetic retinopathy.
Well-behaved global on-chip interconnect

Global interconnects have been identified as a serious limitation to chip scaling, due to their latency and power consumption. We demonstrate a scheme to overcome these limitations, based on the utilization of upper-level metals, combined with structured communication architecture. Microwave style transmission lines in upper-level metals allow close-to-velocity-of-light delays if properly dimensioned. As an example, we demonstrate a 480-/spl mu/m-wide and 20-mm-long bus with a capacity of 320 Gb/s in a nearly standard 0.18-/spl mu/m process. The process differs from a standard process only through a somewhat thicker outer metal layer. We further illustrate how "self pre-emphasis" at the launch of a data pulse can be used to double the maximum available data rate over a wire. The proposed techniques are scalable, given that higher level metals are properly dimensioned in future processes.
Long-term outcome of pediatric eating pathology and predictors for the onset of loss of control over eating following weight-loss treatment.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the stability of eating pathology over a 6-year period and predictors for the onset of loss of control (LC) over eating among overweight youngsters having undergone weight-loss treatment. METHOD Structured clinical interviews and self-report questionnaires were administered to a sample of 56 overweight youngsters (M age = 13 years) who were at the start of weight-loss treatment in 2000 and again 6 years later. RESULTS Mean levels of eating concerns, drive for thinness, bulimic symptoms, and body dissatisfaction decreased over the 6-year period. Dietary restraint, weight, and shape concerns were stable over time. Also, in 50% of those reporting objective binge eating at baseline, binge-eating episodes remained stable. Youngsters characterized by symptoms of depression in early adolescence were at a higher risk for developing new episodes of LC 6 years later. Neither concerns about eating, shape, and weight nor dietary restraint independently predicted LC. DISCUSSION Six years after following structured weight-loss treatment, some eating pathology variables still remain stable. Especially youngsters who already report LC at young ages appear to develop a more stable pattern of disordered eating behavior.
Position-Based Simulation Methods in Computer Graphics

The physically-based simulation of mechanical effects has been an important research topic in computer graphics for more than two decades. Classical methods in this ﬁeld discretize Newton’s second law and determine different forces to simulate various effects like stretching, shearing, and bending of deformable bodies or pressure and viscosity of ﬂuids, to mention just a few. Given these forces, velocities and ﬁnally positions are determined by a numerical integration of the resulting accelerations. In the last years position-based simulation methods have become popular in the graphics community. In contrast to classical simulation approaches these methods compute the position changes in each simulation step directly, based on the solution of a quasi-static problem. Therefore, position-based approaches are fast, stable and controllable which make them well-suited for use in interactive environments. However, these methods are generally not as accurate as force-based methods but still provide visual plausibility. Hence, the main application areas of position-based simulation are virtual reality, computer games and special effects in movies and commercials. In this tutorial we ﬁrst introduce the basic concept of position-based dynamics. Then we present different solvers and compare them with the classical implicit Euler method. We discuss approaches to improve the convergence of these solvers. Moreover, we show how position-based methods are applied to simulate hair, cloth, volumetric deformable bodies, rigid body systems and ﬂuids. We also demonstrate how complex effects like anisotropy or plasticity can be simulated and introduce approaches to improve the performance. Finally, we give an outlook and discuss open problems.
Anderson transition in a one-dimensional system with three incommensurate frequencies.

Resultats numeriques de la dynamique quantique d'un systeme 1 dimension soumis a une perturbation dependant du temps avec trois frequences incommensurables. Ces resultats demontrent une transition etat localise-etat etendu pour une valeur critique du parametre de perturbation
Carotid intima-media thickness in children with CKD: results from the CKiD study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES In adults, increased carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) as assessed by ultrasonography is a valid predictor of cardiovascular events. Children with CKD are known to be at increased cardiovascular risk. This study sought to identify cardiovascular risk factors associated with increased cIMT in children with CKD. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS This was a cross-sectional analysis of cIMT obtained after 12 months of follow-up of 101 children aged 2-18 years with mild to moderate CKD (median GFR 42.9 ml/min per 1.73 m(2)) in the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children cohort study enrolled between April 2005 and September 2009 and 97 healthy pediatric controls between January 2003 and December 2008. An average of six standardized B-mode ultrasound measurements constituted the overall cIMT measurement. RESULTS The median cIMT was 0.43 mm (interquartile range, 0.38-0.48) compared with 0.41 mm in healthy controls (P=0.03 for difference). After multivariable adjustment, the median cIMT was 0.02 mm (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.01-0.05) larger than that of the healthy controls. In a multivariable linear regression analysis, dyslipidemia and hypertension were associated with 0.05 mm (95% CI, 0.01-0.08) and 0.04 mm (95% CI, 0.003-0.08) greater mean cIMT, respectively. Body mass index, CKD etiology, GFR, birth weight, pubertal status, calcium, phosphorus, sex, and race were not associated with cIMT. CONCLUSIONS cIMT is significantly elevated among children with CKD, as is the prevalence of other cardiovascular risk factors. Of these risk factors, hypertension and dyslipidemia are significantly associated with increased cIMT.