Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The IL1A genotype associates with atopy in nonasthmatic adults.

BACKGROUND The skin prick test is used to examine specific IgE-mediated allergic responses. Generally, results accord well with anamnestic information on atopy. Several genetic factors probably affect the strength of allergen-mediated skin test reactions. OBJECTIVE We sought to investigate skin test findings in a population-based sample of adult asthmatic patients and control subjects and to establish whether the IL1A genotype affects allergy testing. METHODS We analyzed the single G-to-T base exchange polymorphism in exon 5 at +4845 of the gene encoding IL-1alpha (IL1A) in adult asthmatic patients (n = 245) and nonasthmatic control subjects (n = 405). The data were assessed for correlation with data on the skin test responses of these subjects to 22 common allergens. RESULTS The IL1A genotype distribution and allele frequencies proved similar in patients and control subjects. Surprisingly, the IL1A genotype distribution was markedly different in control subjects with positive (ie, >/=1 positive reaction) and negative skin test responses (P =.006). This difference was caused by an increase in the frequency of the rarer allele 2 in control subjects with negative skin test responses (P =.004). CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates that the IL1 gene complex is involved in the regulation of IgE-mediated atopic reactions. The results suggest that skin test responses to specific allergens are differently regulated in nonasthmatic and asthmatic subjects. Because of the potential role of the IL1A genotype as a confounding factor in skin prick testing, these results require special attention and should be further evaluated in other clinical settings.
International Executive Pay: Current Practices and Future Trends

This article compares executive pay practices in the U.S. with those employed elsewhere in the world. After providing an overview of current practices, it goes on to analyze whether there is likely to be a convergence of these practices. It first examines the influence of market based factors, such as evolving share ownership patterns, cross-border hiring, transnational mergers and acquisitions, and the growth of multinational enterprises, on the likelihood of convergence occurring. It concludes that these factors point in the direction of increasing convergence in executive pay. Next, the paper discusses the influence of legal regulations, including corporate law, judicial interpretations of fiduciary principles, shareholder voting requirements, restrictions on stock option plans and disclosure rules on comparative executive pay practices. Other legal regimes, such as, tax law, labor law, and "soft" law that might also influence executive compensation are also scrutinized to see how they will affect pay convergence. In its final section, the article considers the effects of culture in several countries and how it impacts compensation levels and practices.
A fuzzy system for detection of incipient faults in transformers based on the dissolved gas analysis of insulating oil

This paper describes the development and the implementation of a fuzzy system for diagnosis of incipient faults in power transformers through the analysis of dissolved gases in oil. The system uses the method called ldquokey gasesrdquo in the diagnostic process and information on the level and generation rate of each of the following gases: hydrogen (H2), methane (CH4), acetylene (C2H2), ethylene (C2H4) and ethane (C2H6). Results show that this method can be used for substitution or in addition to the methods traditionally employed in electrical utilities, increasing the reliability of their maintenance management systems.
Neocordana gen. nov., the causal organism of Cordana leaf spot on banana

Cordana leaf spot of banana is shown to be associated with several species of a new genus described here as Neocordana gen. nov. Furthermore, Neocordana belongs to Pyriculariaceae (Magnaporthales) rather than Cordanaceae where the type species of Cordana, C. pauciseptata resides. Neocordana is established to accommodate Cordana musae, C. johnstonii, C. versicolor, and a previously undescribed species, N. musicola, which is morphologically and phylogenetically distinct. Neocordana species are found to be associated with leaves of Musa spp. (Musaceae) and Canna denudata (Cannaceae). Based on these results, Cordanaceae is best recognized in a separate order, established here as Cordanales ord. nov.
Enhancing Purchase Behavior Prediction with Temporally Popular Items

In the era of e-commerce, purchase behavior prediction is one of the most important issues to promote both online companies’ sales and the consumers’ experience. The previous researches usually use traditional features based on the statistics and temporal dynamics of items. Those features lead to the loss of detailed items’ information. In this study, we propose a novel kind of features based on temporally popular items to improve the prediction. Experiments on the real-world dataset have demonstrated the effectiveness and the efficiency of our proposed method. Features based on temporally popular items are compared with traditional features which are associated with statistics, temporal dynamics and collaborative filter of items. We find that temporally popular items are an effective and irreplaceable supplement of traditional features. Our study shed light on the effectiveness of the combination of popularity and temporal dynamics of items which can widely used for a variety of recommendations in e-commerce sites. key words: recommender system, behavior analysis, temporal dynamics, session
On the Term Structure of Interbank Interest Rates: Jump- Diffusion Processes and Option Pricing

In this paper we study the dynamic behavior of the term structure of Interbank interest rates and the pricing of options on interest rate sensitive securities. We posit a generalized single factor model with jumps to take into account external influences in the market. Daily data is used to test for jump effects. Qualitative examination of the linkage between Monetary Authorities' interventions and jumps are studied. Pricing results suggests a systematic underpricing in bonds and call options if the jumps component is not included. However, the pricing of put options on bonds presents indeterminacies.
An architecture for virtual circuit/QoS routing

With the emergence of multimedia applications, networks have to provide more and more bandwidth and should guarantee the quality of the communication between users. To address these issues, high speed architectures based on a virtual circuit model such as ATM have been designed and successfully implemented. The current trends in telecommunication deployment indicate that very large Internets based on such model will be available in the near future. This paper addresses the routing problem in this context and analyzes the existing solutions. It is concluded that the network has to provide precomputed and on-demand routes using a variation of the distance vector algorithm. Among other things, source routing and complete route recording are used to prevent loop formation. <<ETX>>
Osteoarthritis II: Pathology and pathogenesis

Osteoarthritis is a condition characterised by a series of in ammatory processes. Synovitis is common both as an early and as a late phase. No one process can be assumed to be the primary cause, but there is an extensive literature on the associated mechanisms recently expertly reviewed by Pelletier and colleagues (2001). Knowledge of the risk of osteoarthritis, the presence of osteoarthritis, the severity, and disease progression are the keys to understanding and managing the problem. The pathology of osteoarthritis is limited to diarthrodial joints, especially hyaline cartilage. This review on osteoarthritis outlines the anatomy and function of the diarthrodial joint, the pathology and the pathogenesis.
Information Salience and News Absorption by the Stock Market: The Peculiar Case of Betting Markets

Soccer clubs listed on the London Stock Exchange provide a unique way of testing stock price reactions to different types of news. For each firm, two pieces of information are released on a weekly basis: experts' expectations about game outcomes through the betting odds, and the game outcomes themselves. Stock markets react strongly to news about game results, generating significant abnormal returns and trading volumes. Due to the absence of a market reaction to betting odds and the fact that these odds are excellent predictors of game outcomes, these odds contain unpriced information and can be used to predict short-run stock returns. A naive trading rule based on the probability to win yields abnormal returns of more than 245 basis points over a three-month period. The findings reinforce theories suggesting that under-reaction to news is due to investors' limited processing ability which generates limited attention. In particular, some non-salient public information is totally ignored by investors.
One‐Stop Shopping Behavior, Buyer Power and Upstream Merger Incentives

We analyze how consumer preferences for one-stop shopping affect the (Nash) bargaining relationships between a retailer and its suppliers. One-stop shopping preferences create 'demand complementarities' among otherwise independent products which lead to two opposing effects on upstream merger incentives: first a standard double mark-up problem and second a bargaining effect. The former creates merger incentives while the later induces suppliers to bargain separately. When buyer power becomes large enough, then suppliers stay separated which raises final good prices. We also show that our result can be obtained when wholesale prices are determined in a non-cooperative game, under two-part tariffs and when products are substitutable.
The Climate-Independent Need for Renewable Energy in the 21st Century

In December 2015 the nations of the world agreed, in principle, to limit global warming to no more than 2 °C above pre-industrial levels. In order to achieve this goal, recent publications have shown that (1) more than 50% of known fossil fuel reserves need to remain unused, and (2) the timing of the transition away from fossil fuels needs to achieve 50% renewable energy by 2028, an expansion of renewable sources of 37-fold in the next 12 years. This rate of expansion is unprecedented and unlikely to be achieved. Even utilizing the 50% of fossil fuels untapped in a <2 °C scenario results in significant expansion of renewable energy sources by 2100. Here we examine three fossil fuel reserve estimates and two per capita energy consumption tracks to understand how dominant renewable energy sources need to be during the second half of the 21st century. We find that per capita energy consumption rates are a more significant factor in the demand for renewable energy infrastructure, as wide ranging estimates of fossil fuel reserves still result in peak production by mid-century. At either of the consumption rates, attempting to uphold the 2 °C global warming goal would demand more energy from renewable sources than was produced from all sources in 2014. In total, the world will likely require between 600 and 2000 exajoules of renewable energy by the year 2100, a significant expansion from the 13 produced in 2014. Despite meaningful gains in renewable energy sources, the transition away from fossil fuels is not keeping pace with rising global population, and expansion of global per capita consumption. Even in the absence of global warming concerns, renewable energy infrastructure needs to immediately begin significant expansion.
The Topology of the Interbank Market: Developments in Italy Since 1990

When a bank defaults or stops trading in the interbank market, both a liquidity shortage in the market itself and mounting trading losses should be anticipated. To gain more insight into the way a liquidity crisis spreads, we apply network topology techniques to monthly data on deposits exchanged by Italian banks, from 1990 to 2008. Our research yields three main results: first, only a few banks are today pivotal in the redistribution of liquidity across the system, while banks close to, but outside this core circle, weigh less than they used to; secondly, the halt in operations in a second set of banks may cut off some of their counterparts from the rest of the network, with increasingly less negligible effects; finally, only 2-3 banks out of the 10 we identify as most interconnected within the network are currently also among the top 10 banks by volume of traded deposits.
Mitochondrial DNA and RNA processing in MELAS

Mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke‐like episodes (MELAS), a maternally inherited disorder, is usually associated with a point mutation in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) at position 3,243 in the tRNALeu(UUR) gene. To further study the pathogenesis of MELAS, we analyzed tissues from 8 MELAS‐3,243 patients. Southern blot anlaysis showed an increase in the ratio of mtDNA to nuclear DNA in almost all tissues examined, implying that mitochondrial proliferation is ubiquitous and is not confined to ragged‐red fibers in muscle. By northern blot analysis, we demonstrated increased steady‐state levels of RNA 19, a polycistronic transcript corresponding to the 16S rRNA + tRNALeu(UUR) + ND1 genes (which are contiguous in the mtDNA) in heart, kidney, and musscle. These results provide further evidence that altered mitochondrial nucleic acid metabolism may have pathogenic significance in MELAS.
Freestanding Ultrathin Metallic Nanosheets: Materials, Synthesis, and Applications

Freestanding ultrathin metallic nanosheets (FUMNSs) with atomic thickness attract extensive attention because they display remarkable advantages over their bulk counterparts by virtue of their large specific area, high aspect ratio, and unsaturated surface coordination. The state of the art of research on FUMNSs is reviewed here, wherein the important progress from the aspects of material category, synthetic strategy, and practical application are introduced, and it is demonstrated that FUMNSs will play an important role in the fields of optoelectrics, catalysis, and magnetism.
Composition, variability, and temporal stability of the intestinal microbiota of the elderly

Alterations in the human intestinal microbiota are linked to conditions including inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and obesity. The microbiota also undergoes substantial changes at the extremes of life, in infants and older people, the ramifications of which are still being explored. We applied pyrosequencing of over 40,000 16S rRNA gene V4 region amplicons per subject to characterize the fecal microbiota in 161 subjects aged 65 y and older and 9 younger control subjects. The microbiota of each individual subject constituted a unique profile that was separable from all others. In 68% of the individuals, the microbiota was dominated by phylum Bacteroides, with an average proportion of 57% across all 161 baseline samples. Phylum Firmicutes had an average proportion of 40%. The proportions of some phyla and genera associated with disease or health also varied dramatically, including Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Faecalibacteria. The core microbiota of elderly subjects was distinct from that previously established for younger adults, with a greater proportion of Bacteroides spp. and distinct abundance patterns of Clostridium groups. Analyses of 26 fecal microbiota datasets from 3-month follow-up samples indicated that in 85% of the subjects, the microbiota composition was more like the corresponding time-0 sample than any other dataset. We conclude that the fecal microbiota of the elderly shows temporal stability over limited time in the majority of subjects but is characterized by unusual phylum proportions and extreme variability.
Emil Heitz (1892-1965): chloroplasts, heterochromatin, and polytene chromosomes.

T ANGLED nuclear threads: EMIL HEITZ is frequently said to have discovered, together with HANS BAUER, polytene chromosomes in Diptera. What is incorrect in this statement is the word “discovered. ” Priority for this should go to BALBIANI (1881). But at that time the phenomenon was understood as a tangled continuous thread, called spireme (TANZER 1922; KAUFMANN 1931). An early suspicion that the oversized structure might consist of individual chromosomes was coupled to the idea of a constant number of elements ( R A ” BOUSEK 1912; for review, BEERMANN 1962). This postulate could not be tested as long as tissues containing giant nuclei were cut into microslices. The difficulty was overcome when the technique of tissue squashing was applied by a botanist at Hamburg University. Heterochromatin could now be studied as a general property of chromosomes. It is fitting to discuss the history of ideas about heterochromatin at the present time. There has been a recent resurgence of interest in heterochromatin, as molecular methods provide a way to study the subject at a deeper level. This is also evidenced by several recent articles in GENETICS, including one by LE et al. in this issue. The Heitz method Avoiding the time-consuming use of a microtome, HEITZ (l926,1928a,b, 1933a) fixed plant material in two parts of alcohol and one part of acetic acid. He then stained it in carmine acetic acid (45%) and prepared, with needles, a single cell layer. STEVENS (1908) and BELLING (1926) had introduced similar methods. However, to obtain the best metaphase spreads free of cytoplasm, HEITZ applied gentle pressure to the cover slip. Thus, the specimen was attached to the slide and was prevented from being carried off when the slide was thoroughly boiled. Later, the more delicate Dipteran tissues were not boiled but cautiously heated. “The described preparation can be done within a moment after some practice. Within half an hour, 46 specimens can be produced” (HEITZ 1933b, p. 726; 1936). This technique, nicknamed hei(t)zen (heating), was adopted first at the Kaiser-Wilhelm Institute in Berlin-Dahlem (STERN 1931; GEITLER 1962; G. MELCHERS,
Institutional Matrix for Sustainable Waste Management

1.1 Background information Ensuring environmental sustainability is one of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) adopted by world leaders in 2000. This underscores the priority the world places on achieving and maintaining a clean and safe environment for both present and future generations. Waste management is therefore a subject of immense interest to all nations and peoples. Significant differences, however, characterise waste management service delivery in developed and developing countries. Though the developed countries generate larger amounts of wastes, they have developed adequate facilities and strong institutions to manage them. Developing countries, on the other hand, are faced with an uphill task of providing adequate facilities for waste management and to ensure their sustainable operation and maintenance. The Millennium Development Goals Report for 2007 notes that half the population of the developing world lack basic sanitation and that in order to meet the MDG target, an additional 1.6 billion people will need access to improved sanitation over the period 2005-2015 (United Nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs [UNDESA], 2007; World Water Development Report [WWDR], 2009). The delivery of sustainable waste management services in developing countries has therefore become an issue of grave global concern. In line with the United Nations’ blueprint for sustainable development, Agenda 21 (United Nations Division for Sustainable Development [UNDSD], 1992), which recommends support for developing countries as a step towards the agenda, a number of developing countries have requested the collaboration of external support agencies in improving environmental sanitation services delivery. To achieve the MDGs in the poorest and most disadvantaged countries, the United Nations (UN) recognises the need for developed countries to deliver on longstanding commitments to achieve an official development assistance (ODA) target of 0.7 per cent of gross national income (GNI) by 2015 (UNDESA, 2007). However, many project interventions in direct waste management service improvement by external support agencies have failed to provide lasting positive impacts on the state of environmental sanitation in the recipient developing countries (Menegat, 2002). Many have failed to continue activities after the external support agencies ceased their support (Ogawa, 2000; Pronk, 2001). Several authorities have pointed to the strength of the institutional structures and arrangements as a key underpinning factor to sustainable development in water and sanitation (Department for International Development [DFID], 1998; World Bank, 2000; Antipolis, 2000; Ogawa; 2000).
Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows: A Hybrid Particle Swarm Optimization Approach

Vehicle routing problem (VRP) is a well-known combinatorial optimization and nonlinear programming problem seeking to service a number of customers with a fleet of vehicles. This paper proposes a hybrid particle swarm optimization (HPSO) algorithm for VRP. The proposed algorithm utilizes the crossover operation that originally appears in genetic algorithm (GA) to make its manipulation more readily and avoid being trapped in local optimum, and simultaneously for improving the convergence speed of the algorithm, level set theory is also added to it. We employ the HPSO algorithm to an example of VRP, and compare its result with those generated by PSO, GA, and parallel PSO algorithms. The experimental comparison results indicate that the performance of HPSO algorithm is superior to others, and it will become an effective approach for solving discrete combinatory problems.
Segmentation as the search for the best description of the image in terms of primitives

A paradigm is presented for the segmentation of images into piecewise continuous patches. Data aggregation is performed via model recovery in terms of variable-order bivariate polynomials using iterative regression. All the recovered models are candidates for the final description of the data. Selection of the models is achieved through a maximization of the quadratic Boolean problem. The procedure can be adapted to prefer certain kinds of descriptions (one which describes more data points, or has smaller error, or has a lower order model). A fast optimization procedure for model selection is discussed. The approach combines model extraction and model selection in a dynamic way. Partial recovery of the models is followed by the optimization (selection) procedure where only the best models are allowed to develop further. The results are comparable with the results obtained when using the selection module only after all the models are fully recovered, while the computational complexity is significantly reduced. The procedure was tested on real range and intensity images. <<ETX>>
The Deep Belief and Self-Organizing Neural Network as a Semi-Supervised Classification Method for Hyperspectral Data

Hyperspectral data is not linearly separable, and it has a high characteristic dimension. This paper proposes a new algorithm that combines a deep belief network based on the Boltzmann machine with a self-organizing neural network. The primary features of the hyperspectral image are extracted with a deep belief network. The weights of the network are fine-tuned using the labeled sample. Feature vectors extracted by the deep belief network are classified by a self-organizing neural network. The method reduces the spectral dimension of the data while preserving the large amount of original information in the data. The method overcomes the long training time required when using self-organizing neural networks for clustering, as well as the training difficulties of Deep Belief Networks (DBN) when the labeled sample size is small, thereby improving the accuracy and robustness of the semi-supervised classification. Simulation results show that the structure of the network can achieve higher classification accuracy when the labeled sample is deficient.