Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluations of maximization procedures for estimating linkage parameters under heterogeneity

Locus heterogeneity is a major problem plaguing the mapping of disease genes responsible for complex genetic traits via linkage analysis. A common feature of several available methods to account for heterogeneity is that they involve maximizing a multidimensional likelihood to obtain maximum likelihood estimates. The high dimensionality of the likelihood surface may be due to multiple heterogeneity (mixing) parameters, linkage parameters, and/or regression coefficients corresponding to multiple covariates. Here, we focus on this nontrivial computational aspect of incorporating heterogeneity by considering several likelihood maximization procedures, including the expectation maximization (EM) algorithm and the stochastic expectation maximization (SEM) algorithm. The wide applicability of these procedures is demonstrated first through a general formulation of accounting for heterogeneity, and then by applying them to two specific formulations. Furthermore, our simulation studies as well as an application to the Genetic Analysis Workshop 12 asthma datasets show that, among other observations, SEM performs better than EM. As an aside, we illustrate a limitation of the popular admixture approach for incorporating heterogeneity, proved elsewhere. We also show how to obtain standard errors (SEs) for EM and SEM estimates, using methods available in the literature. These SEs can then be combined with the corresponding estimates to provide confidence intervals of the parameters. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The ESSENCE Supernova Survey: Survey Optimization, Observations, and Supernova Photometry

We describe the implementation and optimization of the ESSENCE supernova survey, which we have undertaken to measure the dark energy equation-of-state parameter, w = P/(ρc2). We present a method for optimizing the survey exposure times and cadence to maximize our sensitivity to w for a given fixed amount of telescope time. For our survey on the CTIO 4 m telescope, measuring the luminosity distances and redshifts for supernovae at modest redshifts (z ≈ 0.5 ± 0.2) is optimal for determining w. We describe the data analysis pipeline based on using reliable and robust image subtraction to find supernovae automatically and in nearly real time. Since making cosmological inferences with supernovae relies crucially on accurate measurement of their apparent brightnesses, we describe our efforts to establish a thorough calibration of the CTIO 4 m telescope's natural photometric system. In its first four years, ESSENCE has discovered and spectroscopically confirmed 102 Type Ia supernovae, at redshifts from 0.10 to 0.78, identified through an impartial, effective methodology for spectroscopic classification and redshift determination. We present the resulting light curves for all of the Type Ia supernovae found by ESSENCE and used in our measurement of w, presented in a companion paper by Wood-Vasey and coworkers.
Evaluación de procesos de intercambio iónico en la valorización de fósforo de efluentes de aguas residuales

Los compuestos del fosforo son nutrientes de las plantas y conducen al crecimiento de algas en las aguas superficiales y, en el peor de los casos a la eutrofizacion, es decir, exceso de nutrientes y de organismos vivos que mas tarde, mueren, se pudren y llenan el agua de malos olores, disminuyendo drasticamente su calidad. Ademas se consume gran cantidad de oxigeno disuelto debido a este proceso de putrefaccion dando como resultado final un ecosistema casi destruido. Tan solo un gramo de fosfato puede provocar el crecimiento de hasta 100 g de algas, que al morir, demandan para su descomposicion alrededor de 150 g de oxigeno. Se conoce que las concentraciones criticas para una eutrofizacion incipiente se encuentran entre 0.1- 0.2 ppm PO43-/P en agua corriente y entre 0.005-0.01 ppm PO43-/P en aguas tranquilas. En vista del peligro potencial para las aguas superficiales, la directiva EU 91/271/CEE especifica unos valores limite para el vertido de compuestos de fosfato a las aguas receptoras. En funcion del tamano del vertido los valores rondan entre 1-2 ppm de fosforo total. Los compuestos de fosforo que se encuentran en las aguas residuales provienen principalmente de fertilizantes, excreciones humanas y animales, y detergentes y productos de limpieza. Pueden estar en forma de ortofosfato, polifosfato o compuestos de fosforo organico. Este proyecto se centra en eliminar el que, por lo general, se encuentra en mayor proporcion, el ortofosfato, PO43-. Considerando el hecho que en las aguas residuales es comun que se encuentren en disolucion con el fosfato, iones cloruro, nitrato, sulfato y bicarbonato, se estudia la adsorcion y desorcion del conjunto de aniones. Por tanto, en el presente trabajo se pretende evaluar materiales, que se cree que puedan ser usados para la extraccion de fosforo, en forma de fosfatos en disolucion con otros componentes, y valorar su posible utilidad para obtener efluentes concentrados en fosfato.
A grid-based collaborative supply chain with multi-product multi-period production–distribution

A collaborative supply chain seeks to coordinate its members to produce and distribute products along the chain for minimum overall costs to satisfy customer demand. An integrated multi-period, multi-product and multi-stage supply chain model is developed. A collaborative supply chain grid (CSCG) system gathers necessary information on operations and resources from members of the supply chain. It then guides the members on ordering decisions for a minimum overall cost, while continuously re-directing them as new data becomes available. An actual CSCG system has been implemented in a collaborative auto industry with diverse and dynamic membership, yielding an approximately 26% reduction in total supply chain costs.
One-year follow-up of survivors of a mass shooting.

OBJECTIVE This report describes a 1-year follow-up study of survivors of a mass shooting incident. Acute-phase data from this incident were previously reported in this journal. METHOD The Diagnostic Interview Schedule/Disaster Supplement was used to assess 136 survivors at 1-2 months and again a year later, with a 91% reinterview rate. RESULTS In the acute postdisaster period, 28% of subjects met criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and 18% of subjects qualified for another active psychiatric diagnosis. At follow-up, 24% of subjects reported a history of postdisaster PTSD (17% were currently symptomatic), and 12% another current psychiatric disorder. Half (54%) of all 46 individuals identified as having had PTSD at either interview were recovered at follow-up, and no index predictors of recovery were identified. There were no cases of delayed-onset PTSD (beyond 6 months). Considerable discrepancy in identified PTSD cases was apparent between index and follow-up. Inconsistency in reporting, rather than report of true delayed-onset, was responsible for all PTSD cases newly identified at 1 year. The majority of subjects with PTSD at index who were recovered at follow-up reported no history of postdisaster PTSD at follow-up, suggesting considerable influence of fading memory. CONCLUSIONS This study's findings suggest that disaster research that conducts single interviews at index or a year later may overlook a significant portion of PTSD. The considerable diagnostic comorbidity found in this study was the one robust predictor of PTSD at any time after the disaster. Disaster survivors with a psychiatric history, especially depression, may be most vulnerable to developing PTSD and therefore may deserve special attention from disaster mental health workers.
Altmetrics: Rethinking the Way We Measure

Abstract Altmetrics is the focus for this edition of “Balance Point. ” The column editor invited Finbar Galligan who has gained considerable knowledge of altmetrics to co-author the column. Altmetrics, their relationship to traditional metrics, their importance, uses, potential impacts, and possible future directions are examined. The authors conclude that altmetrics have an important future role to play and that they offer the potential to revolutionize the analysis of the value and impact of scholarly work.
Parametric Ultrasound Imaging from Backscatter Coefficient Measurements: Image Formation and Interpretation

A broadband method for measuring backscatter coefficients σ b and other acoustic parameters is described. From the σ b measurements, using a commercially-available imaging system, four high-resolution parametric ultrasound images are formed in a C-scan image plane. Scatterer size images are computed from the frequency dependence of σ b and a correlation model function that describes the structure and elastic properties of the medium. Scattering strength images are computed from the absolute magnitude of σ b . Chi-square images are generated to display how well the correlation model represents the interrogated medium. Integrated backscatter coefficient images are formed over the transducer bandwidth. All four images are generated simultaneously and compared with the corresponding B-mode image. Test samples with known physical properties were used to demonstrate experimentally that accurate parametric images are possible if an accurate correlation model is used. Local variations in attenuation, the center frequency and bandwidth of the transducer, and the distribution of scatterer sizes greatly influence the accuracy of estimates and the appearance of the image, thus demonstrating the importance of these factors in parametric image interpretation.
Sequential evaluation of general immune competence in cancer patients: Correlation with clinical course

An evaluation of general immunologic reactivity was performed in 116 patients with malignant melanoma and in 40 patients with skeletal and soft tissue sarcoma who received adjunctive immunotherapy. An excellent correlation was observed between delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity to DNCB and the clinical extent of malignancy. Eighty percent of patients with Stage I disease were DNCB positive, whereas only 37% of Stage III patients were reactive on initial testing. A method for sequential evaluation of DNCB response was established, and revealed that variations in immune reactivity occurred that also correlated with the patient's clinical course. Persistence of nonreactivity to DNCB or conversion from a reactive to an anergic status was associated with postoperative recurrence in more than 80% of the patients. Conversely, conversion from an anergic to a reactive status was observed if tumor control was achieved. These results indicate that the defect in systemic immunity is closely associated with tumor cell burden, and that sequential evaluation of DNCB reactivity is a clinically useful monitor of disease progression.
Dopamine Transporter Density and Novelty Seeking Among Alcoholics

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate a putative association between the personality trait of novelty seeking (NS) and dopaminergic neuronal activity in the human brain. Method: We studied the striatal dopamine transporter (DAT) den -sity of 30 (18 early and 12 late-onset) alcoholics and 26 healthy con -trols with β-CIT ([123I]-2-β-carbomethoxy-3-β-(4-iodophenyl)-tropane) and SPET (Single Photon Emission Tomography); personality traits were assessed with the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ). Results: DAT density correlated significantly with both NS (r = 0.46, p = 0.011) and age (r = 20.50, p = 0.005) in the alcoholics, generally. NS scores were higher in alcoholics with antisocial personality disorder (p = 0.004) than among other alcoholics. Conclusion: Among alcoholics, NS correlated positively with DAT density, which is in line with Cloninger's theory concerning personality and character.
[Clinical significance and pathogenic mechanisms of insulin resistance in chronic renal insufficiency (part II): pathogenic factors of insulin resistance in chronic renal insufficiency].

INTRODUCTION Factors implicated in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance in chronic renal failure are: uremic toxins, exercise tolerance, metabolic acidosis, secondary hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D deficiency. Many of them may contribute, but are not the main cause of insulin resistance in uremia. The aim of this review is to debate about each, separately. UREMIC TOXINS Hippurate and pseudouridine are specific for uremia and inhibit glucose utilization at concentrations found in sera of uremic subjects. Partially purified toxins from uremic sera, after hemodialysis therapy, ameliorate beta-cell response to hyperglycemia and increase tissue sensitivity to insulin. EXERCISE INTOLERANCE Exercise intolerance is common among hemodialysis patients, and also it can be the cause of insulin resistance. Moderate endurance training program improved both the exercise tolerance and insulin sensitivity in patients on hemodialysis. METABOLIC ACIDOSIS Metabolic acidosis is frequent in uremia, but not in hemodialysis patients. Treatment of metabolic acidosis increases insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion, but significant degree of insulin resistance still exists in uremic patients. SECONDARY HYPERPARATHYROIDISM After surgical correction of hyperparathyroidism, in hemodialysis patients, glucose tolerance and insulin secretion increase without significant changes in insulin sensitivity. Defect in insulin release attributable to reduced ATP content in the pancreatic islets induced partially by high intracellular calcium, secondary to augmented PTH-induced calcium entry into cells. VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY Acute and chronic intravenous 1,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol therapy corrects insulin resistance in dialysis patients, in absence of PTH suppression. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that 1,25(OH)2 D3 deficiency is a primary factor of insulin resistance. ERYTHROPOIETIN THERAPY Corrects insulin resistance beside anaemia. CONCLUSION Now we know more about pathogenesis of insulin resistance in uremic patients, and we must begin with early treatment of every pathogenic factor. Insulin sensitivity improved after hemodialysis, although it was still lower than control values.
Ad-hoc mobile network architecture using distributed P-GW on unlicensed bands for LTE

Data traffic has been increasing rapidly in recent years on mobile networks. Several methods using unlicensed bands for LTE are proposed to increase wireless capacity. Stand-alone unlicensed LTE is also proposed as a technology that provides LTE service with only unlicensed bands. In this paper, we propose distributed P-GW systems for stand-alone unlicensed LTE base stations that can provide future mobile services by using an ad-hoc network architecture. Additionally, we evaluate the effectiveness of our proposal in terms of network load, handover latency, and user data plane latency in comparison with the full Cloud EPC model and IPsec model. We reveal that the proposed architecture has an advantage in terms of network loads and end-to-end latency and has an issue with handover latency.
Overview: Damage in brittle layer structures from concentrated loads

In this article, we review recent advances in the understanding and analysis of damage initiation and evolution in laminate structures with brittle outerlayers and compliant sublayers in concentrated loading. The relevance of such damage to lifetime-limiting failures of engineering and biomechanical layer systems is emphasized. We describe the results of contact studies on monolayer, bilayer, trilayer, and multilayer test specimens that enable simple elucidation of fundamental damage mechanics and yet simulate essential function in a wide range of practical structures. Damage processes are observed using post mortem (“bonded-interface”) sectioning and direct in situ viewing during loading. The observations reveal a competition between damage modes in the brittle outerlayers—cone cracks or quasiplasticity at the top (near-contact) surfaces and laterally extending radial cracks at the lower surfaces. In metal or polymeric support layers, yield or viscoelasticity can become limiting factors. Analytical relations for the critical loads to initiate each damage mode are presented in terms of key system variables: geometrical (layer thickness and indenter radius); material (elastic modulus, strength and toughness of brittle components, hardness of deformable components). Such relations provide a sound physical basis for the design of brittle layer systems with optimal damage thresholds. Other elements of the damage process—damage evolution to failure, crack kinetics (and fatigue), flaw statistics, and complex (tangential) loading—are also considered.
The Ziprasidone Observational Study of Cardiac Outcomes (ZODIAC): design and baseline subject characteristics.

BACKGROUND Ziprasidone has been used to treat schizophrenia since 2000. It is unknown whether its modest QTc-prolonging effect increases cardiovascular event risk. PURPOSE To describe the study design of the Ziprasidone Observational Study of Cardiac Outcomes (ZODIAC). METHOD The study was conducted between February 2002 and February 2006. One-year follow-up for the primary endpoint of nonsuicide death ended in April 2007. ZODIAC is an open-label, randomized, postmarketing study enrolling patients with schizophrenia in naturalistic practice in 18 countries. The primary outcome measure was the rate of nonsuicide mortality in the year after initial recommendation for therapy. Subjects were randomly assigned to either ziprasidone or olanzapine, after which follow-up was conducted by investigators aware of the assigned exposure. A physician-administered questionnaire collected baseline information on patients' demographics, medical and psychiatric history, and concomitant medication use. Data were self-reported by patients or reported by enrolling physicians. RESULTS ZODIAC enrolled 18,240 patients with schizophrenia. Most (73.0%) were from the United States or Brazil. Patients' baseline mean age was 41.6 years, 55.1% were male, and 60.0% were white. At baseline, approximately 18% had hypertension, 14.8% had hyperlipidemia, 46.5% currently smoked, 28.9% had a body mass index >or= 30 kg/m(2), and 7.7% had diabetes. Mean time from schizophrenia diagnosis to study enrollment was 10.4 years and mean Clinical Global Impressions scale score was 5.2 (range: 1-8). Nearly one third of patients had ever attempted suicide. Seventy-one percent were using antipsychotics at baseline. Almost 80% were using concomitant medications, with 29.5% using antidepressants, 25.4% using anxiolytics, and 19.0% using mood stabilizers. Less than 3% were using antihypertensives or statins. CONCLUSIONS ZODIAC is a uniquely designed study with an initial randomization to ziprasidone or olanzapine and follow-up largely consistent with usual practice (i.e., many characteristics of a nonexperimental study). Baseline data suggest this study population has a substantial prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. Concomitant medications were used frequently, although hyperlipidemia and hypertension may be undertreated. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00174447.
Literary semiotics and cognitive semantics

Abstract This article explores some junctions between literary semiotics and cognitive semantics with special focus on the cultural aspect of meaning and contextualized meaning construction. A cognitive model is introduced to account for cultural meaning and is related to the Greimasian concepts of figuration and configuration. A blending model is presented in regard to a more general discussion of contextualized meaning, and its literary usefulness is demonstrated in an analysis of a Proustian analogy.
Effect of Baseline Self-Efficacy on Physical Activity and Psychological Stress after a One-Week Pedometer Intervention

Physical activity and psychological stress were hypothesized to improve more in participants with high self-efficacy than in those with low and medium self-efficacy, after a one-week intervention. 39 female university students participated. The intervention had two steps: a lecture on self-monitoring and goal setting (160 min.) and a one-week pedometer intervention. Analyses were conducted on tertile groups according to self-efficacy at baseline. Pedometer step counts were higher in the high self-efficacy group than in the low self-efficacy group after intervention. Helplessness decreased time dependently after intervention only in the high-self-efficacy group. Because physical activity improved more in the high self-efficacy group after a one-week intervention, one hypothesis was supported.
The effect of environmental temperature on the blood protein bound iodine content of thyroxine maintained thyroidectomized rats.

In 1943 Dempsey & Astwood published their observations on the thyroid hormone production of normal rats at various environmental temperatures. They reached the conclusion that the amount of hormone produced by the thyroid increases with decreasing temperatures. As early as 1919 Stoland & Kimey had found that high doses of thyroid powder given to rats were more toxic when the animals were kept at 32\s=deg\C. , than when the room temperature
Invited speakers: Energy Internet: The challenge of smart micro-grids

Low-voltage distribution grids are experiencing an increasing proliferation of small-power energy sources (mostly PV units) owned by domestic end-users (prosumers, i.e., at the same time producers and consumers). The current regulations enforce prosumers to feed their generated energy into the grid, and to disconnect if the grid parameters (voltage, frequency) outgo a given interval. These simple rules, however, misbehave in a situation, as the one currently experienced in Italy, where the installed PV power amounts to 20 GW and exceeds 12% of the total energy production. A smarter and more efficient management of the large amount of small energy contributions powered by prosumers requires a radical innovation of the operation codes in low voltage distribution grids. In particular, implementing energy and data networking among the prosumers of a residential community allows the creation of smart micro-grids, which means sharing of resources among the entire community, trusted operation of the low-voltage grid, and aggregation of prosumers to empower their role versus other players of the electrical market (DSOs, utilities, traders, etc.). This gives rise to a new paradigm (the Internet of Energy) whereby communities of prosumers can implement peer-to-peer resource sharing, define common visions and strategies, organize themselves at various levels of aggregation, and play an authoritative role in the electrical market. Individually, each prosumer can benefit of: modulation of generated and consumed power along the day, to take advantage of hourly tariffs; uninterruptible supply of domestic loads, even in case of grid failure; improved stabilization of local voltage; capability to feed power on-demand, based on request conveyed by the smart meter. As a whole, smart micro-grids can provide: easy and flexible integration of renewable sources and storage devices; pervasive use of upfront ICT and power electronics technologies; reduction of carbon footprint; increase of distribution efficiency; savings for end-users and distributors; improved quality and reliability of electrical services; better exploitation of the electrical infrastructure. Moreover, the ICT platform will spur new services to the customers, and new roles and market shares for public administrations, utilities, traders, DSOs and territorial bodies.