Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetics of dilated cardiomyopathy: a molecular maze?

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a heart muscle disease characterised by ventricular dilatation and impaired systolic function, and is a major cause of severe heart failure. Although familial occurrence of DCM has been reported occasionally, the frequency of familial aetiology has been underestimated in the past. Systematic examination of relatives show that probably > 25–30% of DCM cases are familial.1 In this context, it is relevant to discuss whether the rapid development of molecular genetics has allowed us to unravel the molecular defect(s) involved in the disease and led to major breakthroughs in the medical management of the disease. Various modes of inheritance have been reported including X-linked, autosomal recessive, and mitochondrial transmission, but the autosomal dominant forms are the most common.2 Although mutations in the cytoskeletal protein dystrophin were identified in 1993 as the cause of X-linked DCM as well as that of Duchenne and Becker type muscular dystrophy, the molecular substrate of inherited forms of DCM remained largely unknown until recently.3 To date, scientific evidence suggests that DCM is a highly heterogeneous genetic disease: two X-linked genes have been identified (dystrophin and tafazzin, the latter being responsible for infantile DCM and Barth syndrome) …
Occupational Specificity of Human Capital

We find that returns to occupational tenure are substantial. Everything else being constant, 5 years of occupational tenure are associated with an increase in wages of 12%-20%. Moreover, when occupational experience is taken into account, tenure with an industry or employer has relatively little importance in accounting for the wage one receives. This finding is consistent with human capital being occupation specific. Copyright © (2009) by the Economics Department of the University of Pennsylvania and the Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association.
Design and performance analysis of a doubly excited brushless machine for wind power generator application

In this paper, a novel doubly excited brushless machine (DEBM) with the radially laminated magnetic barrier rotor (RLMB-rotor) for wind power generator application is designed and built. The performance studies of the prototype RLMB-rotor DEBM with 10 rotor pole numbers by using the 2D transient finite element analysis model and the experimental method are presented. The magnetic fields, the no-load and loaded characteristics, the electromagnetic torque characteristics of the prototype machine are investigated. The experiment results validate the theoretical analysis results and all studies in this paper show that the prototype RLMB-rotor DEBM is a high efficiency wind power generator.
Response of Growing Rabbits to Graded levels of Senna Occidntalis Seedmeal and Cost Benefit of using Senna Occidentalis Seedmeal as Feedstuff for Rabbits

A fifty (56) six day feeding trial was conducted with a view to assess the performance of growing rabbits fed graded levels of Senna occidentalis seedmeal(SOSM). Five experimental diets were compounded to contain Senna occidentalis seedmeal at concentration of 0, 2.5, 5 7.5 and 10% respectively. Twenty (20) growing rabbits of mixed sexes were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments in a randomized block design (RBD) with four replications of one rabbits each. The result of daily feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio indicated significant (P>0.05%) variation among the treatments. A general trend revealed that feed intake weight gain and feed conversion ratio decrease linearly as the concentration of SOSM increases. The result of organ weight and carcass weight also showed significant variation. The result pointed out that carcass and organ weights decreases with increase in the concentration of SOSM. However, best results were obtained in diet 3 thus indicating that up to 5% SOSM can be included in the diets of growing rabbits. Research should be intensify on processing methods such as fermentation, sprouting, outoclaving and pelleting with a view to reduce the concentration of the anti-nutritional factors in SOSM.This will improve the utilization of SOSM as feed ingredient for rabbits. It will further enhance the inclusion of SOSM beyond 10%.
Fast Network Component Analysis for Gene Regulation Networks

New advancement in microarray technologies has made it possible to reconstruct gene regulation networks from mass gene expression data measured by microarray. Typically, gene regulation networks are sparse networks. This sparse topology knowledge can be exploited to develop algorithms for network reconstruction. In this direction, a method called network component analysis (NCA) has been developed recently. A major disadvantage of the original NCA algorithm is that it is very time consuming, and it also has convergence problem as an iterative approach. In this paper we propose several fast, non-iterative NCA algorithms. They are basically based on matrix computation. The algorithms demonstrate good performance when applied to a hypothetical and a real gene regulation network.
Protein Kinase A Mediates Activity-Dependent Kv4.2 Channel Trafficking

The A-type potassium channel subunit Kv4.2 influences hippocampal function through regulation of dendritic excitability, and changes in Kv4.2 surface expression alter synaptic plasticity. Recent data from our laboratory demonstrate that EGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein)-tagged Kv4.2 channels located in dendritic spines are internalized in an activity-dependent manner after synaptic stimulation and during chemically induced long-term potentiation. However, the molecular trigger for Kv4.2 internalization remains unknown. Here we examined the role of protein kinase A (PKA) in Kv4.2 activity-dependent trafficking. In hippocampal neurons, PKA activation with forskolin or 8-Br-cAMP induced Kv4.2 internalization from dendritic spines, whereas PKA inhibition with H89 prevented AMPA-induced internalization. Furthermore, introduction of a point mutation at the C-terminal PKA phosphorylation site of Kv4.2 (S552A) prevented the AMPA-induced internalization of Kv4.2. Together, these data demonstrate that Kv4.2 activity-dependent internalization requires PKA phosphorylation of Kv4.2 at serine 522.
Performance Benchmarking Managed Funds: Australian Fixed Interest Funds

In this paper we analyse the performance of fixed interest managed funds. We examine five measurement models across three risk-free proxies, nine benchmarks (covering conditional and unconditional as well as single and multi factor definitions) over two independent periods in an effort to identify (in a consistent setting) the most accurate and least biased methodology. The use of an Australian dataset, sourced from the Australian fund-rating agency ASSIRT means that we can provide some independent results from US studies of these. There is little prior work on Australian fixed-interest managed funds. We examine three risk-free proxies, six benchmark classes encompassing twenty-one potential factors, across five models and two independent time frames. The task is complicated by two issues - an acute lack of Australian data (demanding additional bootstrap simulations and bridging tests with the US markets) and the need for a two-pass (time-series and cross-sectional) analysis, arising from the different information content benchmarks carry in these two dimensions. The results, consistent across time, show that a correct combination of a bond market variable, a mixture of interest rate factors and economic factors as well as the proxy for movements in the equity markets yield the optimal benchmark.
Experiences with an Outpatient Relapse Program (Community Reinforcement Approach) Combined with Naltrexone in the Treatment of Opioid-Dependence: Effect on Addictive Behaviors and the Predictive Value of Psychiatric Comorbidity

Background: There is increasing interest in naltrexone, an opiate antagonist, in the treatment of opiate addicts. The effects of naltrexone are often compromised by a lack of compliance and drop-out. The effects of this compound are probably more favorable when combined with a psychosocial intervention such as the Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA). Aim: To explore the effects of a combination therapy (naltrexone plus CRA treatment) and the predictive value of sociodemographic and psychopathologic characteristics. Method: Using a before-and-after design, heroine addicts (n = 24) receiving a combined naltrexone plus CRA treatment are compared with a group (n = 20) on methadone maintenance therapy (reference group). Results: Over a period of 6 months, 58% (14/24) did not relapse, after 1 year at least 55% (12/22) still met the initial goal of continuous abstinence. At baseline, the treatment group and the reference group were similar on nearly all variables except for the number of times clients were arrested. Within the treatment group, a comparison was made between the continuous abstinent and those who relapsed into frequent opioid use. Differences were significant in the cluster-B personality disorders and in polydrug users. Conclusion: The combination of naltrexone plus intensive CRA in an outpatient setting appears to be promising. A high score on cluster-B and polydrug use is associated with relapse.
Low Density Parity Check Codes Based on Finite Geometries and Balanced Incomplete Block Design

Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) Codes are the class of linear block codes which provide near capacity performance on large collection of data transmission channels while simultaneously feasible for implementable decoders. LDPC codes were first proposed by Gallger in 1967 [1] and were rarely used until their rediscovery by Mackay, Luby and others [9][10][11]. Much research is devoted to characterize LDPC codes and enhancing their performance on different channels. Tanner formulated a bipartite graph representation of low density codes now known as Tanner graphs [12]. We can associate a graph T to the LDPC code using basic graph theory. Let T = {(V,ε )}, with V being a set of vertices or nodes V and ε is a set of edges E connecting the vertices. A cycle of a graph T, sometimes also called a circuit, is a subset of the edge set E of T that forms a path such that the first node of the path corresponds to the last. The length of cycle is the number of edges associated with it. The girth of a graph is the length of shortest cycle. A bipartite graph is one in which the nodes can be partitioned into two disjoint classes, and . An edge of the graph may connect a node of one class to a node of the other class , but there are no edges connecting nodes of the same class [12]. In Tanner graphs, one class of nodes of bipartite graph is associated to bits whereas other class is associated with check equations. Although tanner graphs are a good visual tool for studying the decoding algorithms for LDPC codes, they cannot be regarded as good design tools. 1 V 2 V
Electrophysiological evidence for automatic phonetic processing in neonates

At least two fundamental properties should be present in a network computing a phonetic representation: categorical perception and normalization across different utterances. Normalization processes were studied at birth by recording high density evoked potentials to strings of syllables in sleeping neonates. We compared the response to a change of phoneme when irrelevant speaker variation was present or absent. A mismatch response was recorded at the same latency in both cases, suggesting that relevant phonetic information was extracted from the irrelevant variation. Combined with our previous work showing that the mismatch response is sensitive to categorical perception in infants, this result suggests that a phonetic network like that of adults, is already present in the infant brain. Furthermore, efficient phonetic processing does not require attention.
Automotive system security: challenges and state-of-the-art

Modern automobiles are, among other things, sophisticated local area networks connecting multiple embedded computers. It is not rare for vehicles to be communications hubs with multiple wireless connections. Wireless connections may be with other vehicles, local infrastructure, or corporate servers. Some high profile research into the information security of automotive applications has been done. This research has been piece-meal, looking for vulnerabilities in specific implementations of isolated applications. Although most of this work concentrates on car theft, modern automotive systems are subject to a much wider range of potential abuses. We use the term automotive system to be inclusive, since, in addition to the automobile itself, applications like VANETs (ex. vehicle ad hoc networks), and online services (ex. On-Star, remote diagnostics) are subject to compromise. In this work, we consider the automotive system stakeholders and assets they need to protect. We use this security information to help map the automotive security research literature onto the taxonomy CERT uses to describe on-line security incidents, in order to find which threats are not being adequately addressed.
The elimination half-life of benzodiazepines and fall risk: two prospective observational studies.

BACKGROUND the STOPP criteria advise against the use of long-acting benzodiazepines (LBs). OBJECTIVE to study whether LBs are associated with a higher fall risk than short-acting benzodiazepines (SBs) (elimination half-life ≤ 10 h). METHODS we used base-line data and prospective fall follow-up from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam, a longitudinal cohort study including 1,509 community-dwelling older persons (Study 1) and from a separate fall prevention study with 564 older persons after a fall (Study 2). Time to the first fall after inclusion and number of falls in the first year after inclusion were the primary endpoints. RESULTS both in Study 1 and Study 2 the use of SBs was associated with time to the first fall, hazard ratio (HR) 1.62 (95% CI: 1.03-2.56) and HR 1.64 (95% CI: 1.19-2.26),respectively. LBs were not significantly associated with time to first fall, HR 1.40 (0.85-2.31) and HR 1.08 (0.72-1.62). In both studies, the use of SBs was also associated with number of falls, odds ratio (OR) 1.28 (95% CI: 1.01-1.61) and OR 1.37 (95% CI: 1.10-1.70). LBs were not significantly associated with number of falls, OR 1.23 (0.96-1.57) and 1.10 (0.82-1.48). CONCLUSIONS the use of SBs is not associated with a lower fall risk compared with LBs. The use of both SBs and LBs by old persons should be strongly discouraged.
Communications between Mitochondria, the Nucleus, Vacuoles, Peroxisomes, the Endoplasmic Reticulum, the Plasma Membrane, Lipid Droplets, and the Cytosol during Yeast Chronological Aging

Studies employing the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model organism have provided deep insights into molecular mechanisms of cellular and organismal aging in multicellular eukaryotes and have demonstrated that the main features of biological aging are evolutionarily conserved. Aging in S. cerevisiae is studied by measuring replicative or chronological lifespan. Yeast replicative aging is likely to model aging of mitotically competent human cell types, while yeast chronological aging is believed to mimic aging of post-mitotic human cell types. Emergent evidence implies that various organelle-organelle and organelle-cytosol communications play essential roles in chronological aging of S. cerevisiae. The molecular mechanisms underlying the vital roles of intercompartmental communications in yeast chronological aging have begun to emerge. The scope of this review is to critically analyze recent progress in understanding such mechanisms. Our analysis suggests a model for how temporally and spatially coordinated movements of certain metabolites between various cellular compartments impact yeast chronological aging. In our model, diverse changes in these key metabolites are restricted to critical longevity-defining periods of chronological lifespan. In each of these periods, a limited set of proteins responds to such changes of the metabolites by altering the rate and efficiency of a certain cellular process essential for longevity regulation. Spatiotemporal dynamics of alterations in these longevity-defining cellular processes orchestrates the development and maintenance of a pro- or anti-aging cellular pattern.
original article © The American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy AAV Vectors Containing rDNA Homology Display Increased Chromosomal Integration and Transgene Persistence

Although recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vectors are promising tools for gene therapy of genetic disorders, they remain mostly episomal and hence are lost during cell replication. For this reason, rAAV vectors capable of chromosomal integration would be desirable. Ribosomal DNA (rDNA) repeat sequences are overrepre-sented during random integration of rAAV. We therefore sought to enhance AAV integration frequency by including 28S rDNA homology arms into our vector design. A vector containing ~1 kb of homology on each side of a cDNA expression cassette for human fumarylacetoac-etate hydrolase (FAH) was constructed. rAAV of serotypes 2 and 8 were injected into Fah-deficient mice, a model for human tyrosinemia type 1. Integrated FAH transgenes are positively selected in this model and rDNA-containing AAV vectors had a ~30× higher integration frequency than controls. Integration by homologous recombina-tion (HR) into the 28S rDNA locus was seen in multiple tissues. Furthermore, rDNA-containing AAV vectors for human factor IX (hFIX) demonstrated increased trans-gene persistence after liver regeneration. We conclude that rDNA containing AAV vectors may be superior to conventional vector design for the treatment of genetic diseases, especially those associated with increased hepa-tocyte replication.
Nanophotonic network on chip for next generation of multiprocessors system on chip

Chip multiprocessor interconnects have been facing power and performances issues. While Optical Networks on Chip (ONoC) are identified as a possible solution. Recent advances in integration technologies allow stacking optical layers, which leads to the design of highly efficient optical devices avoiding waveguide crossing. The paper presents an Optical Multi-layer Network on Chip called "OMNoC", a novel circuit-switched ONoC relying on this multi-level optical layer design paradigm and based on multi-layer microresonator switches allowing efficient light coupling and low crosstalk. Comparisons with existing ONoCs indicate that OMNoC can achieve low power consumption and chip area.
Syntactic method for vehicles movement description and analysis

The syntactic primitives and the description language can be used for assignment and analysis of vehicles movement. The paper introduces a method that allows the user spotting on an image, registered by video camera, the manoeuvres of cars on and between traffic lanes. The algorithms of these vehicles movement trajectories analysis is considered in this paper.
Covariant time-frequency distributions based on conjugate operators

We propose classes of quadratic time-frequency distributions that retain the inner structure of Cohen's (see IEEE Trans. Signal Processing, vol.41, no.12, p.3275-3292, 1993) class. Each of these classes is based on a pair of "conjugate" unitary operators producing time-frequency displacements. The classes satisfy covariance and marginal properties corresponding to these operators. For each class, we define a "central member" generalizing the Wigner distribution and the Q-distribution, and we specify a transformation by which the class can be derived from Cohen's class.
The Sources of Real Exchange Rate Fluctuations in Sub-Saharan Africa

This paper looks into the sources of real exchange rate fluctuations in Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. This issue is investigated in a context of small open economies of SSA using a structural Vector Auto Regression (VAR) approach with limited capital mobility and a weak-banking system in Africa. A structural VAR implies long run restrictions of a small open economy model to identify the shocks. The results suggest that the real exchange rate (RER) variability is mostly driven by real disturbances in both the ”Communaute Financiere Africaine” (CFA) and non-CFA countries at long term forecasting horizons. The findings show evidence that nominal shocks seem to matter more in the non-CFA countries in the short run in explaining RER and price level fluctuations as a result of the diverse fiscal and monetary policies in the non-CFA countries in contrast to the CFA countries.
The main sequence of star clusters

ABSTRACT A novel way of looking at the evolution of star clusters is presented. With a dynamicaltemperature, given by the mean kinetic energy of the cluster stars, and a dynamicalluminosity, which is deﬁned as the kinetic energy of the stars leaving the cluster inanalogy to the energy of photons emitted by a star, the dissolution of star clusters isstudied using a new dynamical temperature-luminosity diagram for star clusters. Theinvestigation contains a parameter-space study of open clusters of up to N = 32768single-mass stars with diﬀerent initial density distributions, half-mass radii, tidal con-ditions and binary fractions. The clusters show a strong correlation between dynamicaltemperature and dynamical luminosity and most of the investigated cluster familiesshare a common sequence in such a dynamical temperature-luminosity diagram. Devi-ations from this sequence are analyzed and discussed. After core collapse, the positionof a cluster within this diagram can be deﬁned by three parameters: the mass, thetidal conditions and the binary fraction. Due to core collapse all initial conditions arelost and the remaining stars adjust to the given tidal conditions. Binaries as internalenergy sourcesinﬂuence this adjustment. A further ﬁnding concerns the Lagrangeradiiof star clusters: Throughout the investigated parameter space nearly all clusters showa constant half-mass radius for the time after core collapse until dissolution. Further-more, the ratio of half-mass radius to tidal radius evolves onto a common sequencewhich only depends on the mass left in the cluster.Keywords: stellar dynamics – galaxies: star clusters – methods: N-body simulations– Hertzsprung–Russel (HR) diagram – open clusters and assoziations: general
Multimodal expression in virtual humans

This work proposes a real‐time virtual human multimodal expression model. Five modalities explore the affordances of the body: deterministic, non‐deterministic, gesticulation, facial, and vocal expression. Deterministic expression is keyframe body animation. Non‐deterministic expression is robotics‐based procedural body animation. Vocal expression is voice synthesis, through Festival, and parameterization, through SABLE. Facial expression is lip‐synch and emotion expression through a parametric muscle‐based face model. Inspired by psycholinguistics, gesticulation expression is unconventional, idiosyncratic, and unconscious hand gestures animation described as sequences of Portuguese Sign Language hand shapes, positions and orientations. Inspired by the arts, one modality goes beyond the body to explore the affordances of the environment and express emotions through camera, lights, and music. To control multimodal expression, this work proposes a high‐level integrated synchronized markup language—expressive markup language. Finally, three studies, involving a total of 197 subjects, evaluated the model in storytelling contexts and produced promising results. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.