Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genome-wide parent-of-origin DNA methylation analysis reveals the intricacies of human imprinting and suggests a germline methylation-independent mechanism of establishment

Differential methylation between the two alleles of a gene has been observed in imprinted regions, where the methylation of one allele occurs on a parent-of-origin basis, the inactive X-chromosome in females, and at those loci whose methylation is driven by genetic variants. We have extensively characterized imprinted methylation in a substantial range of normal human tissues, reciprocal genome-wide uniparental disomies, and hydatidiform moles, using a combination of whole-genome bisulfite sequencing and high-density methylation microarrays. This approach allowed us to define methylation profiles at known imprinted domains at base-pair resolution, as well as to identify 21 novel loci harboring parent-of-origin methylation, 15 of which are restricted to the placenta. We observe that the extent of imprinted differentially methylated regions (DMRs) is extremely similar between tissues, with the exception of the placenta. This extra-embryonic tissue often adopts a different methylation profile compared to somatic tissues. Further, we profiled all imprinted DMRs in sperm and embryonic stem cells derived from parthenogenetically activated oocytes, individual blastomeres, and blastocysts, in order to identify primary DMRs and reveal the extent of reprogramming during preimplantation development. Intriguingly, we find that in contrast to ubiquitous imprints, the majority of placenta-specific imprinted DMRs are unmethylated in sperm and all human embryonic stem cells. Therefore, placental-specific imprinting provides evidence for an inheritable epigenetic state that is independent of DNA methylation and the existence of a novel imprinting mechanism at these loci.
Feasibility study on application of force control to wear test apparatus for contact current collection system

In wear tests under high speed conditions for the contact current collection system of electric trains, a load given to materials fluctuates largely. This fluctuation disturbs the accurate measurement of the wear mode transition. Force control is one of the solutions against the problem of controlling a load. Force control systems using reaction force observer often assume that motors contact with the stationary environment. However, the environmental position varies during a wear test. Therefore, the disturbance force due to this variation has to be considered in the reaction force observer. This paper shows that the environmental acceleration can be regarded as the disturbance force. Experimental results show the validity of the compensation in the reaction force observer using a miniature model of the rotary wear test apparatus.
Customer Decision Making Side of E-Commerce

By the end of 2016 about 653 million people in the Asia Pacific region are expected to buy goods and services online. Out of these, a large chunk of customers will be from India. E-commerce is one of the fastest growing sectors in this region. According to the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASSOCHAM) this two decades old industry in India is going to touch $38 billion mark by 2016 (NARASIMHAN, 2016). Researchers and policy makers are expecting a high growth of this industry, which is currently growing with a rate of more than 50 percent. Technology and Economic prosperity are the two responsible factors for this unexpected growth. Therefore, researchers of this domain have restricted themselves in this specific area. Very few researchers have explored the customer or user side of E-commerce. However, customer is the key stakeholders as well as the biggest beneficiaries of E-commerce boom. This article focuses on the consumer decision making in E-commerce purchase. This paper will also highlight different factors responsible for shortening the consumer decision making while purchasing through E-commerce. The major issue discussed in this article is about the elimination or the reduction of DMU components in Individual decision making.
Why has oral health promotion and prevention failed children requiring general anaesthesia for dental extractions?

OBJECTIVES Many children in the UK still require dental treatment under general anaesthesia (DGA). Why oral health promotion and prevention, in this cohort of children, has failed is poorly understood. By questioning the parents/carers of children undergoing DGA this study aimed to establish: 1 previous exposure to oral health education and promotion activities; 2 beliefs and behaviours about dental caries and prevention; and 3 what parents perceive useful in preventing dental caries. BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN A cross-sectional questionnaire based study. CLINICAL SETTING Dental general anaesthetic centres in Wales, UK. PARTICIPANTS 207 consecutively attending parents of children aged < 10 years requiring a DGA. RESULTS In total, 150 (76%) parents/carers claimed to have received previous oral health advice and 103 (52%) had received toothbrushing instruction from a dentist. Only 18 (9%) reported the application of topical fluoride. Sixty seven (34%) believed "tooth decay runs in families" and 53 (27%) it was simply bad luck that their child had dental decay. The majority (89%) believed that information leaflets on oral health would be useful and 133 (67%) would find information on a website helpful. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that there is a significant scope for increasing the exposure of high risk children to fluoride. A sense of fatalism and erroneous beliefs were evident amongst some parents/carers of children needing DGA. These issues need to be addressed in the future design of oral health promotion/prevention activities.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Contributes to Maternal Immunotolerance and Endometrial Apoptosis by Regulating Fas-Fas Ligand System 1

The first known hormonal signal of the conceptus during implantation is human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Interestingly, increased apoptosis in human endometrium coincides with the implantation window. Factors from the fetal or placental origin as well as maternal hormonal factors are likely to have a potential role in the regulation of apoptotic signaling molecules. We hypothesized that hCG may be a placental link for the development of local maternal immunotolerance. Fas-Fas ligand (FasL) system is one of the apoptotic signaling pathways, shown to be important in the development of local immune tolerance during and after implantation. We report that hCG treatment decreases cell proliferation and increases apoptosis in endometrial cells. Moreover, hCG stimulates FasL mRNA and protein expression without affecting Fas mRNA in these cells. Interestingly, in coculture experiments, hCG-treated endometrial cells induce an increase in T cell apoptosis. Our in vivo results reveal that cells of early pregnancy decidua express strong FasL immunoreactivity, and decidual areas containing interstitial cytotrophoblasts have numerous TUNEL-positive cells. Compared with decidual areas devoid of interstitial cytotrophoblasts, we observed in decidual areas containing interstitial cytotrophoblasts clearly less amount of TUNEL-positive cells. These results suggest that hCG may be a link in the development of peritrophoblastic immune tolerance and may facilitate the trophoblast invasion by regulating proapoptotic molecules such as FasL in endometrial cells.
A Site Description of the CARICOMP Mangrove, Seagrass and Coral Reef Sites in Bocas del Toro, Panama

Bocas del Toro is located in the western region of the Republic of Panama. It is part of a province of approximately 8917 km(2) with an estimated 68% of its area covered by tropical rainforest. The area receives 2870 mm/year of rainfall. The dry and rainy seasons are not clearly defined. There are two periods each of low and high rainfall, March and September-October, and July and December, respectively. Mangrove forests, seagrass meadows and coral reefs are vast, covering large areas in the shallow waters surrounding the islands of the archipelago and along the mainland coast. The CARICOMP sites were established in 1998-99 and are periodically monitored following Level I protocol. Herein we describe the sites in a regional context and present the baseline data for each site. This paper fulfills the requirements of the formal site description for CARICOMP monitoring sites.
Biodegradability and Denitrification Potential of Settleable Chemical Oxygen Demand in Domestic Wastewater

The effect of settling on mass balance and biodegradation characteristics of domestic wastewater and on denitrification potential was studied primarily using model calibration and evaluation of oxygen uptake rate profiles. Raw domestic wastewater was settled for a period of 30 minutes and a period of 2 hours to assess the effect of primary settling on wastewater characterization and composition. Mass balances in the system were made to evaluate the effect of primary settling on major parameters. Primary settling of the selected raw wastewater for 2 hours resulted in the removal of 32% chemical oxygen demand (COD), 9% total Kjeldahl nitrogen, 9% total phosphorus, and 47% total suspended solids. Respirometric analysis identified COD removed by settling as a new COD fraction, namely settleable slowly biodegradable COD (X SS), characterized by a hydrolysis rate of 1.0 day −1 and a hydrolysis half‐saturation coefficient of 0.08. A model simulation to test the fate and availability of suspended (X S) and settleable (X SS) COD fractions as carbon sources for denitrification showed that both particulate COD components were effectively removed aerobically at sludge ages higher than 1.5 to 2.0 days. Under anoxic conditions, the biodegradation of both COD fractions was reduced, especially below an anoxic sludge retention time of 3.0 days. Consequently, modeling results revealed that the settleable COD removed by primary settling could represent up to approximately 40% of the total denitrification potential of the system, depending on the specific configuration selected for the nitrogen removal process. This way, the results showed the significant effect of primary settling on denitrification, indicating that the settleable COD fraction could contribute an additional carbon source in systems where the denitrification potential associated with the influent becomes rate‐limiting for the denitrification efficiency.
Multifactor Models and the APT: Evidence from a Broad Cross-Section of Stock Returns

We seek to describe the broad cross-section of average stock returns. We follow the APT literature and estimate the common factor structure among a large cross-section containing 278 decile portfolios associated with 28 market anomalies. Our statistical model contains seven common factors (with an economic meaning) and prices well both the original portfolio returns and an efficient combination of these portfolios. This model clearly outperforms the empirical workhorses in the literature when it comes to pricing this broad cross-section. Augmenting the empirical models with new factor-mimicking portfolios, based on APT principles, significantly improves their performance. Our results shed light on the number of factors necessary to describe expected stock returns. Moreover, we show that there is significant room for improving the existing multifactor models in terms of explaining the large cross-section of stock returns (and in a way that is consistent with the APT).
A heterozygous microdeletion of 20p12.2–3 encompassing PROKR2 and BMP2 in a patient with congenital hypopituitarism and growth hormone deficiency

Congenital growth hormone deficiency is a rare disorder with an incidence of approximately 1 in 4,000 live births. Pituitary development is under the control of a multitude of spatiotemporally regulated signaling molecules and transcription factors. Mutations in the genes encoding these molecules can result in hypopituitarism but for the majority of children with congenital hypopituitarism, the aetiology of their disease remains unknown. The proband is a 5‐year‐old girl who presented with neonatal hypoglycaemia and prolonged jaundice. No definitive endocrine cause of hypoglycaemia was identified in the neonatal period. She was born of normal size at 42 weeks but demonstrated growth failure with a progressive reduction in height to −3.2 SD by age 4.5 years and failed a growth hormone stimulation test with a peak growth hormone of 4.2 mcg/L. MRI of the pituitary gland demonstrated a hypoplastic anterior lobe and ectopic posterior lobe. Array CGH demonstrated an inherited 0.2 Mb gain at 1q21.1 and a de novo 4.8 Mb heterozygous deletion at 20p12.2–3. The deletion contained 17 protein coding genes including PROKR2 and BMP2, both of which are expressed during embryological development of the pituitary gland. PROKR2 mutations have been associated with hypopituitarism but a heterozygous deletion of this gene with hypopituitarism is a novel observation. In conclusion, congenital hypopituitarism can be present in individuals with a 20p12.3 deletion, observed with incomplete penetrance. Array CGH may be a useful investigation in select cases of early onset growth hormone deficiency, and patients with deletions within this region should be evaluated for pituitary hormone deficiencies.
Interviewers' and respondents' effects on self-reported alcohol consumption in a Swiss health survey.

OBJECTIVE Characteristics of interviewers and respondents have been shown to influence the quality of data from survey research in various domains. There is little evidence for such effects in alcohol research, however. The purpose of the study reported here was to examine effects of gender and age of interviewers and respondents simultaneously This was done using hierarchical linear modeling, the advantage of which is that it can account for the clustering effects of respondents being nested within interviewers. METHOD Data were obtained from the first wave of an ongoing randomized longitudinal study on changes in alcohol consumption in Switzerland. The response rate was 77.9%. Analyses were based on 2,746 (1,749 male) subjects with an average of at least monthly consumption in the 6 months before the telephone interview. Consumption was assessed by means of a graduated frequency measure. Five different hierarchical linear models of increasing complexity were used to test several hypotheses of interviewer and respondent effects. Findings from hierarchical linear modeling were compared with those from "classical" analysis of variance. RESULTS A theoretical design effect of 1.89 attributable to interviewers was found. Both analyses of variance and hierarchical linear modeling provide support for a structure with a main effect for gender of respondents, as well as a main effect for age of respondents and an interaction effect between interviewers' and respondents' ages. CONCLUSIONS Interviewer effects affect the estimation of statistics in survey research and must be adjusted for either by means of multilevel analysis or by the use of specialized sample survey software.
The effects of torsion on the lumbar intervertebral joints: the role of torsion in the production of disc degeneration.

Sixty-six necropsy specimens of human lumbar spines were studied. After preliminary screening by discograms ninety intervertebral joints were subjected to torsional loading; the torsional strengths of the intact lumbar intervertebral joint and of its component parts were determined. The intact intervertebral joint with a normal discogram failed at an average torque of 881.4 x 106 dyne-centimeters. The disc of this joint supplied 35 per cent of the resistance to the torque, while the remaining 65 per cent of the resistance could be attributed to the posterior assembly comprising the articular processes, their capsules, and the interspinous ligaments. Whole intervertebral joints with degenerated discs were found to be weaker than those with normal discs. There was no gross damage to the vertebrae associated with experimental torsional failure of the intervertebral joint. The torsional strength of the disc was found to depend on the shape and area of the disc, on the integrity of its annulus, and on the loading rate. It was found that injury to the joint could be produced by slowly applied rotation in amounts within the range of normal lumbar movement. Annular fibers do not deteriorate purely as the result of age. The deterioration seems principally due to damage and scarring of annular fibers. Disc rupture induced experimentally by torsion produced changes similar to those seen in naturally occurring disc degeneration suggesting that both changes were the result of the same causative mechanism. It is postulated that in vivo disc degeneration is due to imposed torsional strains rather than to compressive loads. Since the joints between the articular processes stabilize the intervertebral joint against torsion, it is suggested that any impairment of the function of the joints between the articular processes may result in a higher risk of disc degeneration.
Psychological Treatment Perceptions among Private Psychological Clinics Patients' in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia

Background: This study focuses on views of patients treated in private psychological clinics for the purpose of evaluating theirperception about the treatment. Purpose : To explore psychological patients' views on treatment in psychological private clinics, to identify the determinants influencing those patients' satisfaction with the service;for the purpose of evaluating the need of government intervention in improving private psychological clinics' environmentin Saudi Arabia. Methodology: Data was collected using questionnaires;a random samplewas usedto select the participants form private clinics;a sample consists of 667 patients from 13 hospitals and clinics,was used to represent Riyadh private hospitals and clinics. A descriptive analysis was used to analyze the data. Findings: Researchers founda variation in satisfaction levels among participants about services provided in private'spsychological clinics. There is consensus that there is dissatisfaction about the cost of treatment; the time given by physician to see the patients; and waiting for appointments, and beds. Most participants respond positively on the results of treatment, on the communication between staff and physician in clinics, and on how physician explains the diagnosis of an illness. Conclusion: Research results showed a general consent between participants that they are satisfied with most aspects of services providedby private psychological clinics, and the way physician communicates with them; and unsatisfied with the cost of treatment, the time physician spent with patient, and physiciansaccessibility out of working hours. Declaration of interest: no support from any organization for the submitted work; no financial relationships with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work in the previous three years; no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.
Influence of Synchronized Sleep on the Biosynthesis of RNA in Two Nuclear Classes Isolated from Rabbit Cerebral Cortex

Abstract: The biosynthesis of RNA during sleep has been studied in two purified nuclear fractions separated from rabbit cerebral cortex after subarachnoidal injection of radioactive orotate. The biochemical parameters have been referred to the percent EEG synchronization recorded during the period of incorporation (1 hr). The content of radioactive RNA per nucleus increases significantly with percent synchronization in the fraction of large nuclei (of neuronal and astroglial origin). While sedimentation and electrophoretic analyses of this RNA are consistent with the hypothesis of an enhanced turnover of rRNA during wakefulness, the accumulation of labelled RNA which is observed during sleep may be due to a modified turnover of nuclear heterogeneous RNA. On the other hand, in the fraction of small nuclei (mostly of oligodendroglial origin) the content of radioactive RNA per nucleus and the pattern of sedimentation of labelled RNA show no dependence on the electrical state of the cortex. These data indicate that in the cerebral cortex the sleepwakefulness transition is accompanied by a differential cellular response in RNA turnover.
Safeguarding Critical E-Documents: Implementing a Program for Securing Confidential Information Assets

Practical, step-by-step guidance for corporations, universities and government agencies to protect and secure confidential documents and business records Managers and public officials are looking for technology and information governance solutions to "information leakage" in an understandable, concise format. Safeguarding Critical E-Documents provides a road map for corporations, governments, financial services firms, hospitals, law firms, universities and other organizations to safeguard their internal electronic documents and private communications. * Provides practical, step-by-step guidance on protecting sensitive and confidential documents even if they leave the organization electronically or on portable devices * Presents a blueprint for corporations, governments, financial services firms, hospitals, law firms, universities and other organizations to safeguard internal electronic documents and private communications * Offers a concise format for securing your organizations from information leakage In light of the recent WikiLeaks revelations, governments and businesses have heightened awareness of the vulnerability of confidential internal documents and communications. Timely and relevant, Safeguarding Critical E-Documents shows how to keep internal documents from getting into the wrong hands and weakening your competitive position, or possible damaging your organization's reputation and leading to costly investigations.
Classification of gender using neural network and Support Vector Machine from bone morphology properties of monkey

Forensic anthropologists are often asked to evaluate partial skeletal remains or severely damaged. The purpose of this research is comparing the performance of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) for gender classification. The performance of both models in classifying the gender data is compared and validated using the Ryan and Shaw Dataset (RSD) in terms of accuracy, sensitivity and specificity percentage. These measurements were taken on 226 femurs (126 females and 100 males) and 216 humerus (126 females and 90 males) of old world monkey primates. The comparison result shows that the ANN classifier outperforms SVM classifier for correctly classifying the bone morphology properties in gender data in term of accuracy and specificity percentage value; 71% and 56% respectively. The conclusion of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is a powerful classification model that improves the accuracy rate of gender classification models for skeletal remains.