Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Behavior of statistics for genetic association in a genome-wide scan context

Genome-wide association studies are used to detect association between genetic variants and diseases. Hundreds of thousands to millions of SNPs are tested simultaneously. The results of the study often focus on the list of SNPs ordered according to the statistics rather than on certain p-value cutoffs. Therefore, it is important to investigate the behavior of the extreme values of the statistics rather than the behavior of the expected values. “Detection probability” and “proportion positive” have been proposed to measure the success of a genomic study when ranked lists are the primary outcome. In this dissertation, we first focused on the comparison of statistics for X-chromosome association with rare alleles. The regression with male coded as (0, 2) or adjusting for sex as a covariate is recommended. Then we evaluated statistics for detecting genetic association in the presence of an environmental covariate effect. Selecting the best statistics depends on the purpose of the study and how a researcher selects disease-associated SNPs. Studies whose goal is to find significant signal at the whole genome level should focus on which statistic can provide the highest power. Exploratory studies that look for a list of top ranking SNPs which will be further studied in the future should focus on which statistic can provide the highest detection probability. Adjusting for the environmental covariate effect or interaction effect may reduce the power, but it can help with producing more accurate ranked lists. This work will improve the statistical power of genetic association studies, which will allow us to gain a better understanding of disease processes and ultimately design better treatments and public health interventions.
Serotonin reuptake inhibitors and post-gastrostomy bleeding: reevaluating the link

Introduction Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) are one of the most commonly prescribed classes of medications with a relatively safe side-effect profile. However, SRIs are being increasingly reported to be associated with bleeding complications in patients undergoing invasive procedures resulting from inhibition of serotonin reuptake by platelets and impaired platelet aggregation. The aim of our study was to determine whether there is an increased risk of post-percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) bleeding in patients exposed to SRIs after controlling for other mediations known to increase the risk of bleeding and major comorbidities. Methods This was a single-center cohort study that included who underwent PEG tube placement by standard pull-guidewire technique from July 2006 to June 2014. Patients were categorized into groups based on the medications (SRIs, aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and anticoagulants) administered during the index hospitalization. The incidence of post-PEG bleeding was noted in two distinct post-procedure periods: within 48 hours, and between 48 hours and 14 days. Results A total of 637 PEG tube placements were done on 570 patients during the study period. There were 107 patients (18.8%) with major bleeding within 48 hours of PEG and 79 patients (13.9%) with major bleeding between 48 hours and 14 days. There was no significant increase in the post-PEG bleeding in patients taking a combination of an SRI along with aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Patients on subcutaneous heparin for prophylaxis against thromboembolic events were more likely to have oozing at the PEG site requiring blood transfusion. Conclusion We did not notice an increase in post-PEG bleeding in patients on SRIs. However, in view of the limitation that our study is retrospective and that there are no known significant side effects of withdrawal of SRIs for a short duration, withholding SRIs could be a safe clinical option in patients undergoing PEG tube placement.
Foreign direct investment, public expenditure and economic growth: the empirical evidence for the period 1970–2001

The simultaneous impact of public expenditures and foreign direct investment (FDI) on economic growth is studied. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that takes into account the interaction between FDI and public expenditures in determining the economic growth rate. Using a sample of 105 developing and developed countries for the period 1970–2001, the main findings are (i) FDI, public capital, and private investment play important roles in promoting economic growth, (ii) public non-capital expenditure has a negative impact on economic growth, and (iii) excessive spending in public capital expenditure can hinder the beneficial effects of FDI.
Cloning and functional expression of a novel degenerin‐like Na+ channel gene in mammals

1 A degenerate polymerase chain reaction (PCR) homology screening procedure was applied to rat brain cDNA in order to identify novel genes belonging to the amiloride‐sensitive Na+ channel and degenerin (NaC/DEG) family of ion channels. A single gene was identified that encodes a protein related to but clearly different from the already cloned members of the family (18‐30 % amino acid sequence identity). Phylogenetic analysis linked this protein to the group of ligand‐gated channels that includes the mammalian acid‐sensing ion channels and the Phe‐Met‐Arg‐Phe‐amide (FMRFamide)‐activated Na+ channel. 2 Expression of gain‐of‐function mutants after cRNA injection into Xenopus laevis oocytes or transient transfection of COS cells induced large constitutive currents. The activated channel was amiloride sensitive (IC50, 1.31 μm) and displayed a low conductance (9‐10 pS) and a high selectivity for Na+ over K+ (ratio of the respective permeabilities, PNa+/PK+≥ 10), all of which are characteristic of NaC/DEG channel behaviour. 3 Northern blot and reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) analysis revealed a predominant expression of its mRNA in the small intestine, the liver (including hepatocytes) and the brain. This channel has been called the brain‐liver‐intestine amiloride‐sensitive Na+ channel (BLINaC). 4 Corresponding gain‐of‐function mutations in Caenorhabditis elegans degenerins are responsible for inherited neurodegeneration in the nematode. Besides the BLINaC physiological function that remains to be established, mutations in this novel mammalian degenerin‐like channel might be of pathophysiological importance in inherited neurodegeneration and liver or intestinal pathologies.
Exchange Rate Volatility and Growth in Small Open Economies at the EMU Periphery

Since the introduction of the euro in January 1999, exchange rate stability in the periphery of the euro area is growing. The paper investigates the impact of exchange rate stability on growth for a sample of 41 mostly small open economies at the EMU periphery. It identifies international trade, international capital flows and macroeconomic stability as important transmission channels from exchange rate stability to more growth. Panel estimations reveal a robust negative relationship between exchange rate volatility and growth for countries in the economic catch-up process with open capital accounts.
THE AUTOMATIC LICENSE PLATE RECOGNITION(ALPR)

Every country uses their own way of designing and a llocating number plates to their country vehicles. This license number plate is then used by various government offices for their rregular administrative task like- traffic police tracking the people who are violating the traffic rules, to identify the theft cars, in toll collection and parking allocation man agement etc. In India all motorized vehicle are assigned unique numbers. These numbers are assigned to the vehicles by district-level Regi onal Transport Office (RTO). In India the license plates must be kept in both fr ont and back of the vehicle. These plates in genera l are easily readable by human due to their high level of intelligence on the contrary ; it becomes an extremely difficult task for the co mputers to do the same. Many attributes like illumination, blur, background colo r, foreground color etc. will pose a problem.
Nicardipine infusion for postoperative hypertension after surgery of the head and neck.

The therapy of postoperative hypertension (POH) after head and neck surgery was evaluated in a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial. Nicardipine hydrochloride, a Ca channel-blocker for iv use, was compared with placebo. Patients were initially randomized to receive nicardipine infusion or placebo. Those not responding to placebo were given nicardipine infusion on an open basis. Hypertension was significantly better controlled in patients treated with nicardipine infusion compared with placebo (83% vs. 22%, p less than .002). Subsequently, six (86%) of seven of the placebo failures were successfully treated with nicardipine. There were no significant complications in either group. We conclude that the titratable infusion of nicardipine is an effective and safe method for the control of POH after surgery of the head and neck. Further studies are now warranted comparing nicardipine with other drugs currently used to treat this condition.
IL-4 Expression by Neutrophils in Psoriasis Lesional Skin upon High-Dose UVB Exposure

Background: Upon a single high dose of UVB irradiation of psoriatic lesional skin, IFN-γ expression is decreased, whereas IL-4 expression is enhanced. A similar type 1 to type 2 shift was found in dermal T cells derived from irradiated lesional skin as compared to unexposed lesional psoriatic skin. We have found recently that the IL-4 protein detected in situ upon UVB exposure of normal skin was not associated with T cells but with infiltrating neutrophils. Objective: To determine which cell types express IL-4 in psoriatic skin after UVB irradiation. Methods: Skin biopsies were obtained from healthy controls and psoriasis patients before and after local UVB exposure. Double immunohistochemical stainings were performed to determine the identity of IL-4-expressing cells. Results: In the irradiated skin of both healthy controls and patients, IL-4-positive cells coexpressed elastase and CD15, but not CD3. Conclusion: IL-4-expressing cells found in psoriatic skin after a single high-dose UVB exposure appeared to be neutrophils.
Analysis of unique liver volume restoration after laparoscopic fenestration of liver cysts

Laparoscopic fenestration is a standard procedure for the treatment of non‐parasitic liver cysts. After fenestration, the remnant liver often restores its volume. However, no systematic analysis of the phenomenon exists. In the present study, the pattern of liver volume restoration after laparoscopic fenestration of liver cysts was analyzed, and the mechanism for the unique restoration was investigated.
Comorbidity of Diabetes and Eating Disorders: Does diabetes control reflect disturbed eating behavior?

OBJECTIVE This multicenter study was designed to explore the prevalence of clinical and subclinical eating disorders (EDs), the extent of intentional omission of insulin and oral antidiabetic agents, and its relationship to glycemic control in an inpatient and outpatient population of men and women with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Data have been collected from 12 diabetes medical centers in two German cities. In a questionnaire and interview-based study, a sample of male and female patients (n = 341 type 1, n = 322 type 2) was assessed for the following eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and eating disorder not otherwise specified. For lack of interview data of several patients meeting the screening criteria, prevalence ranges were calculated. RESULTS The overall prevalence range of current EDs was 5.9–8.0% (lifetime prevalence 10.3–14.0%). When patients were stratified according to type 1 and type 2 diabetes, there was no difference in prevalence of EDs. However, the distribution of the EDs was different in both types of diabetes, with a predominance of binge eating disorder in the type 2 diabetes sample. Type 1 (5.9%) and type 2 (2.2%) diabetic patients reported deliberate omission of hyperglycemic drugs (insulin or oral agents) in order to lose weight. Compared with control subjects, neither the presence of EDs nor insulin omission influenced diabetic control. CONCLUSIONS There seems to be no difference in prevalence rates of EDs in both types of diabetes; however, distribution of EDs is different. The findings suggest that neither EDs nor insulin omission are necessarily associated with poor control of glycemia. Binge eating disorder seems to precede type 2 diabetes in most patients and could be one of the causes of obesity that often precedes type 2 diabetes.
Sexual acquisition of beneficial symbionts in aphids

A noted cost of mating is the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections that are detrimental to the recipient. But many microbial associates of eukaryotes are mutualistic, raising the possibility that sexual contact provides the opportunity to acquire symbionts that are beneficial. In aphids, facultative bacterial symbionts, which benefit hosts by conferring resistance to natural enemies or to heat, are transmitted maternally with high fidelity and are maintained stably throughout hundreds of parthenogenetic generations in the laboratory. Data from field populations indicate that horizontal transfer of these facultative symbionts is frequent, and transfections are readily achieved by microinjection or ingestion in artificial diet. However, no natural mechanism for the horizontal transfer of these symbionts has been identified. Here we demonstrate that during sexual reproduction, male-borne symbionts can be acquired by females and subsequently transferred to sexually and parthenogenetically produced progeny, establishing stable, maternally transmitted associations. In our experiments, sexually transmitted symbionts resulted in (i) infection of previously uninfected matrilines, (ii) a double infection in a matriline already bearing a different symbiont, and (iii) replacement of the maternal symbiont. We also observed some cases in which maternal symbionts failed to become established in sexually produced progeny. Microscopy indicated that symbionts were abundant in the male reproductive system, which demonstrates a natural route of nonmaternal transfer of insect symbionts. Because such transfer can generate coinfections, thereby creating opportunities for symbiont competition and recombination, paternal inheritance has major consequences for expectations regarding symbiont evolution.
Localization of Business Services in European Regions: Large Urban Areas Stand Out

Abstract The recent increase in business services in terms of both value added and employment has had a positive effect on regional economies, helping them to create a comparative advantage and contributing to the general development of regional productive systems. This heterogeneous set of activities is characterized, among others, by its uneven distribution in the territory. In this paper we aim to identify the key factors that influence the location of business services within the NUTS 2 regions of the European Union. Using a multivariate analytical approach (combining a principal components factor analysis and a multiple linear regression by means of ordinary least squares), four key factors have been identified. In terms of their influence on the location of business services, we can pinpoint the following factors: urban dimension, competitiveness, accessibility and economic dynamism. It was found that business services tend to locate in urban, densely populated and dynamic areas with high levels of competitiveness and easy access.
Utjecaj FDI-ja na gospodarski rast europskih tranzicijskih zemalja

Ekonomska neefikasnost bivsih socijalistickih zemalja rezultirala je krahom socijalistickog sustava. Vjerovalo se da ce dotok inozemnih ulaganja potaknuti snažniji gospodarski rast ovih zemalja. Zato je u radu napravljena analiza utjecaja stranih direktnih investicija na gospodarski rast odabranih europskih tranzicijskih zemalja u razdoblju od 1990. do 2005. godine. Primjenom panel analize je testirana hipoteza da veci dotok FDI-ja potice gospodarski rast tranzicijskih zemalja. Rezultati, međutim nisu uspjeli opravdati navedenu hipotezu. Utjecaj FDI-ja na rast pokazao se negativnim, ali ne i statisticki znacajnim. Pokazalo se da statisticki znacajnu ulogu na gospodarski rast imaju makroekonomska stabilnost i otvorenost gospodarstva. Rezultati također pokazuju da su na dotok FDI-ja najvise utjecale makroekonomska stabilnost i velicina tržista.
Methotrexate for Severe Childhood Atopic Dermatitis: Clinical Experience in a Tertiary Center

Atopic dermatitis (AD) affects up to 20% of children. Although the majority of patients are adequately controlled using emollients, topical corticosteroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors, or phototherapy, children with moderate to severe AD may require systemic treatment for control. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of methotrexate in children with severe AD attending a tertiary referral center.
The relevance of profiling travel activities for improving destination marketing strategies

Recent economic progress has led to most Hong Kong residents having a high disposable income, and hence the high propensity to travel. Although there are many published articles studying the inbound tourism industry in Hong Kong, the examination of Hong Kong's recent outbound tourism industry has largely been overlooked by tourism researchers. This paper examines Hong Kong travellers’ perceptions of the importance of travel activities. Using a descriptive statistical approach, experimental results indicate that Hong Kong travellers perceived visiting friends/relatives and dining as the most important activities, whereas outdoor sports was perceived as the least important activity. Also discusses the destination marketing issues, and suggests that destinations should concentrate their efforts on the right marketing strategies.
Sparse Ultra Wide Band Radar imaging in a locally adapting matching pursuit (LAMP) framework

Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) Impulse Radar imaging finds widespread applications in extending human vision beyond media that cannot be penetrated by visible light. However, high resolution imaging demands acquisition of large amounts of data, which has motivated researchers towards the application of Compressed Sensing techniques in radar imaging, if the target space is sparse. It might be noted that apart from sparsity, most UWB radar signatures also exhibit another property of being clustered into groups that conventional sparse reconstruction techniques like Orthogonal Matching Pursuit (OMP) or Lasso rarely take into account. Though attempts have been made to reconstruct block sparse signals using BlockOMP or Group Lasso, these algorithms inherently assume specific locations and sizes of the possible clusters, and hence are not satisfactory if the clusters are randomly located and variably sized. In this manuscript, the traditional block based approach has been extended for Multiple Measurement Vector (MMV) model. To address its shortcomings, a novel framework that is referred to as a locally adapting matching pursuit (LAMP) has been proposed for the efficient reconstruction of radar signatures from compressed measurements considering both sparsity and clustering priors, but without assuming any specific group structure like BOMP or Group Lasso. The performance of the proposed LAMP has been compared with existing algorithms in different scenarios. The framework has also been successfully applied on a real-world radar imaging data, with different types of sensing matrices.
The Financial Manager and Quantitative Decision Models

During the past decade, the literature in finance has dealt with quantitative analysis as a tool for the financial manager. Particular emphasis has been placed upon models that were analytically consistent and that dealt with problems which seemed significant in the theory of finance. For example, many papers provide a conceptual framework for measuring "risk" and giving recognition to the decision maker's propensity to assume risk. In spite of the interest in quantitative analysis shown in the literature, it is not obvious that the interest has a parallel in corporate practice. Questions remain as to the extent to which these models are used and the experience of corporations with theory when they are used. The objective of this paper is to examine these questions.
Reversal of Sepsis‐Like Features of Neutrophils by Interleukin‐1 Blockade in Patients With Systemic‐Onset Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Neutrophils are the most abundant innate immune cells in the blood, but little is known about their role in (acquired) chronic autoinflammatory diseases. This study was undertaken to investigate the role of neutrophils in systemic‐onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), a prototypical multifactorial autoinflammatory disease that is characterized by arthritis and severe systemic inflammation.
Mental health and poverty in the UK – time for change?

Poverty and income inequality have increased in the UK since the 1970s. Poverty and mental ill-health are closely associated and disadvantage can have long-term consequences. In addition, the recent recession and austerity measures have had a detrimental effect on people with mental health problems and the mental health of the population. Mental health services can play a role in addressing the problems of poverty and inequality.
CATCHMENT BEHAVIOR AND COUNTER‐CYCLICAL WATER TRADE: AN INTEGRATED MODEL

ABSTRACT. Murray Basin water resources are under increasing pressure to satisfy often conflicting environmental and economic objectives. Governments, as the “environmental steward,” have several management options including water trading and banking water until it can be used to greatest effect and occasionally selling water back to irrigators. This is sometimes known as counter‐cyclic trading. To examine the potential of the above options, a model of water trading and banking in a simple market is developed. The model combines a catchment hydrology model with economic information that drives land use practice and demand for water. Simulations are used to explore these options at a strategic level. The potential impacts of increased upland afforestation and climate change on catchment hydrology in the presence of a pro‐active environmental steward are considered. It is concluded that in a system where entitlements are capped it is likely that the most cost‐effective management system will involve counter‐cyclic trading.
Corporate Lobbying Behaviour on Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation: Venue and Format Choices

This article investigates U.S. corporate lobbying of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) in the U.S. on the exposure draft to Financial Accounting Standard No. 123 (FAS 123), Accounting for Stock‐Based Compensation. Essentially, firms lobbied the FASB in one of three ways: (a) against disclosure/recognition of any additional information beyond that already required in U.S. proxy statements, (b) for summary footnote disclosure of all employee stock‐based compensation (SBC), or (c) for either pro forma or formal income statement recognition of all employee SBC. This study finds that the higher the level of the SBC of the top five executives, the less likely firms are to favour disclosing that information. This finding supports the hypothesis that economic self‐interests motivated lobbying behaviour on FAS 123. Furthermore, the study finds that U.S. corporations lobby against disclosure of executive SBC in the annual reports even when the annual reports would disclose no additional information beyond that currently disclosed in proxy statements. This is evidence that managers perceive that the venue of disclosure (proxy versus annual report) matters. It is posited that managers lobbied against disclosure of SBC to avoid possible changes to compensation contracts which in turn could adversely affect stock prices. In sum, the results support the notion that managerial self‐interest affects lobbying behaviour on the venue as well as the format of disclosure.