Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism and age of onset in schizophrenia

Different lines of evidence indicate that methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) functional gene polymorphisms, causative in aberrant folate–homocysteine metabolism, are associated with increased vulnerability to several heritable developmental disorders. Opposing views are expressed considering the possible association between MTHFR and susceptibility for schizophrenia. In order to evaluate if age of onset could explain some of this discrepancy we investigated the relationship between two functional MTHFR gene polymorphisms and age at onset in this disorder. Scandinavian patients (n = 820) diagnosed with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and schizophreniform disorder were investigated. Two functional MTHFR single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs1801131 and rs1801133) were genotyped and the effect of MTHFR polymorphisms on the age of onset was examined with survival analysis. In an attempt to replicate the findings from the Scandinavian sample, the association between rs1801133 and age at onset was also analyzed in Chinese high‐risk families, with two or more affected siblings (n = 243). Among the Scandinavian patients the functional MTHFR SNP rs1801133 (C677T) significantly affected age at onset of schizophrenia in a dose‐dependent manner (P = 0.0015), with lower age of onset with increasing numbers of the mutant T‐allele. There was no evidence of rs1801131 (A1298C) affecting age of onset in schizophrenia. Within the Chinese high‐risk families carriers of the MTHFR 677T allele showed earlier age at onset than siblings being homozygous for the wild‐type allele (P = 0.008). The MTHFR C677T polymorphism may play a role as a modifying factor for age of onset in schizophrenia. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Using a DNA Microarray Method to Examine Gene Expression in Brain from Clozapine‐Injected Mice

Abstract: After our 2002 report on the changes of gene expression in the brain from phencyclidine‐treated mouse by using DNA microarray (Toyooka et al., Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 965: 10‐20), we decided to apply this DNA microarray method for the brain of the mouse treated with other drugs. We are now examining the effects of clozapine on the brain function. Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic drug. Clozapine has affinity for neurotransmitter receptors, including D4 dopamine, serotonin, histamine, and adrenergic receptors. MacGibbon et al. (Mol. Brain Res. 23: 21‐32) reported that clozapine and haloperidol produced a differential pattern of immediate early gene expression in rat caudate‐putamen. Kobayashi et al. (Br. J. Pharmacol. 123: 421‐426) have observed the effects of clozapine on the opioid receptors and G‐protein‐activated inwardly rectifying potassium channel of Xenopus oocytes. Thomas et al. (J. Neurochem. 76: 789‐796) found that clozapine increases apolipoprotein D expression in the mouse brain. Therefore, we are going to apply this DNA microarray method to examine the effects of clozapine on mouse brain function. After we injected clozapine into mice for 20 days, we decapitated the mice. We then used the DNA microarray method to examine the gene expression of mouse brain. We found some changes in the mouse brain treated with clozapine. For example, the intensity of a potassium channel spot decreased, and that of a serotonin receptor spot increased.
Managers’ discretion in purchase price allocation: a comparison between U.K. and Italian insurers

Under IFRS, accounting for business combinations deserves a specific treatment when mergers and acquisitions occur among insurers. Specific intangibles related to the insurance business can be recognized in the consolidated financial statement, and managers have discretion in the purchase price allocation.For sectors other than the insurance one, the accounting literature has shown that managers use this discretion, even coming to earnings management policies. The paper aims to verify if this behavior is confirmed in the insurance sector. The analysis deals with the UK and Italian insurance listed companies, looked through their 2005-2007 IFRS-compliant consolidated financial statements. Fields of research: G22, G34 and M41 1. Business combinations in the insurance sector: an introduction More than three quarters of listed Italian and British insurance groups have reported in the last three years business combinations in the consolidated financial statements. Almost all of these transactions concerned the transfer of the control of insurance portfolios.The accounting of the resources acquired by the insurance companies through such transactions requires the application not only of IFRS 3 “Business Combinations”, IAS 38 “Intangible Assets” and IAS 36 “Impairment of assets”, as in the case of enterprises operating in other sectors, but also of IFRS 4 “Insurance Contracts”, therefore, according to a method that differs from the usual purchase price allocation.Even though IFRS 4 requires the evaluation at fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities, in compliance with IFRS 3, it allows the use of a separate presentation of the fair value of the acquired insurance contracts (so-called “expanded presentation”), posting: a. an insurance liability evaluated by the company in compliance with the local accounting principles; b. one or several intangible assets in an amount that is equal to the difference between the fair value of the acquired rights and obligations and the value of the liability referred to in the previous item.
Consumer Choice of Smartphone Attributes: An application of conjoint analysis.

The market for Smartphones (now more commonly known as mobile phones, or just 'mobiles') experienced rapid growth until 2012, when it can be considered to have reached maturity. Since then, the market focus has been on mobile replacement rather than on first-time purchase, and the profiles of buyers - and of their tastes, needs and preferences - have changed to a remarkable extent. A new generation of mobiles - generally labelled Smartphones has roused which general consumer interest. The present study an exploratory study which identifies the consumer choice patterns regarding the six attributes of a Smartphone: RAM (Random access memory), Memory, Camera, Battery backup, Colour, and size. The objective is to analyse the consumer preferences regarding six attributes mentioned. Conjoint Analysis was used to find out the different aspects of consumer choice regarding Smartphone attributes. This study is based on a field survey conducted of 100 respondents in and around Hyderabad of Telangana state. The study shed light on the most preferred attributes like RAM and quality of camera out of the available attributes that can serve as basis for new product development or modifying the existing product. Similarly the study brought out the differences of opinion regarding the preferred attributes between the subgroups that can help design a marketing plan to target that particular segment of subgroup. Key words: Smartphone, market, new product development, conjoint analysis.
On the Stabilization and Stability Robustness Against Small Delays of Some Damped Wave Equations

In this note we consider a system which can be modeled by two different one-dimensional damped wave equations in a bounded domain, both parameterized by a nonnegative damping constant. We assume that the system is fixed at one end and is controlled by a boundary controller at the other end. We consider two problems, namely the stabilization and the stability robustness of the closed-loop system against arbitrary small time delays in the feedback loop. We propose a class of dynamic boundary controllers and show that these controllem solve the stabilization problem when the damping cuefMent is nonnegative and stability robustness problem when the damping coefficient is strictly positive.
Low complexity implementation of Alamouti space-time coded OFDM transmitters

Space-time and space-frequency coded orthogonal frequency division multiplexing systems employing the Alamouti scheme were proposed by Lee and Williams. Straightforward implementation of these systems requires separate inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT) processing blocks for each of the two transmit antennas. In this letter, DFT/IDFT symmetry properties are utilized to approximately halve the computational load of these systems at the transmitter.
Generalized conditions for H∞ disturbance attenuation of fuzzy time-delay systems

In this paper, we consider the H/sub /spl infin// disturbance attenuation of Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy retarded and neutral type time-delay systems. A descriptor system approach is taken to analyze and synthesize fuzzy time-delay systems. We first make an H/sub /spl infin// disturbance attenuation analysis and obtain sufficient conditions for an H/sub /spl infin//-norm to be less than a prescribed number. Sufficient conditions we obtain are given in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) and generalization of delay-dependent conditions for fuzzy time-delay systems. This generalization reduces the conservative of both delay-independent and delay-dependent conditions in the literature. Next, we consider a state feedback controller design. Based on the H/sub /spl infin// disturbance attenuation analysis, we give delay-dependent sufficient conditions for the closed-loop system to achieve the H/sub /spl infin// disturbance attenuation. Finally, a simple example is given to illustrate the theory.
CHARACTERISTICS OF MARINE BLUE-GREEN ALGAE WITH URIC ACID AS NITROGEN SOURCE.

SUMMARY: Two types of growth response were found with several species of marine blue-green algae when uric acid was sole nitrogen source for growth. For some species the cell type produced was typical of a blue-green alga and the growth rate was like that with other nitrogen sources. The second cell type was atypical in pigmentation. The organisms had a low nitrogen and ash content and the growth rate was much impaired. The cell type seen with uric acid is considered to be probably a minimum for sustained growth of a blue-green alga. Lipid accumulation was not a characteristic of the nitrogen-deficient condition, rather a carbohydrate reserve of a poly-glucose type is indicated. The growth data presented lead to the hypothesis that two different pathways for uric acid utilization may exist in blue-green algae, one probably a normal uricase type and the other a non-specific attack, possibly peroxidative.
Climate Change Vulnerabilities of Woman in Bangladesh

This paper reviews the existing literature on gender differentiated climate change vulnerabilities in developing countries including Bangladesh. It is evident that climate change amplifies the vulnerabilities of poor people who are marginalized and more dependent on the threatened natural resources. Among the poor people women are seemed to be disproportionately affected by climate change. The review took utmost effort to unfold the root causes of gender differentiation under climate change scenario. It identifies some governing factors such as ownership, political affiliation, labor force participation that determine the extent of the effect of climate change. Deeper analyses of the literatures indicate that ‘gender differentiated impacts’- are directly related to traditional gender roles of women. It also reveals the constraints to women’s adaptation resulting from access to resource allocation and other elements of society. Drawing lessons from the existing literatures, finally it outlines some of the policy options to ensure the inclusion of women in development arena. The Agriculturists 2016; 14(2) 113-123
Accurate Analysis of the Mode (de)multiplexer Using Asymmetric Directional Coupler

Design optimizations of asymmetric directional couplers for the fundamental quasi-TE (TM) mode with the higher order quasi-TE (TM) modes (de)multiplexer including the H<sub>y</sub><sup>21</sup> (H<sub>x</sub><sup>21</sup>), Hy<sup>31</sup> (H<sub>x</sub><sup>31</sup>), H<sub>y</sub><sup>41</sup> (H<sub>x</sub><sup>41</sup>), and H<sub>y</sub><sup>51</sup> (H<sub>x</sub><sup>51</sup>) modes are studied by a full-vectorial H-field finite-element method. Phase matching of nonidentical nanowires (NWs) are more critical and accuracy of the numerical method for the design is tested here. The effect of possible fabrication tolerance is also discussed thoroughly. These results show that a narrow separation of 100 nm or similar value can be employed for the quasi-TE mode splitters, but for the quasiTM modes, a relatively wider separation of ~ 500 nm may be used. The fabrication of the single mode NW should be strictly accurate within ±5 nm of the design values.
Optimal Weighting for Exam Composition

A problem faced by many instructors is that of designing exams that accurately assess the abilities of the students. Typically these exams are prepared several days in advance, and generic question scores are used based on rough approximation of the question difficulty and length. For example, for a recent class taught by the author, there were 30 multiple choice questions worth 3 points, 15 true/false with explanation questions worth 4 points, and 5 analytical exercises worth 10 points. We describe a novel framework where algorithms from machine learning are used to modify the exam question weights in order to optimize the exam scores, using the overall class grade as a proxy for a student's true ability. We show that significant error reduction can be obtained by our approach over standard weighting schemes, and we make several new observations regarding the properties of the "good" and "bad" exam questions that can have impact on the design of improved future evaluation methods.
Bayesian inference based reconstruction for poisson statistics

A new reconstruction method is explored using Bayesian inference for Poisson Statistics for emission tomography. The Gamma density function is chosen as the natural choice for the activity distribution at each voxel, being the conjugate-prior of Poisson distribution. The update equations of the shape and rate parameters for Gamma distribution are derived and tested on a simple 2D example using Metropolis-Hastings algorithm. The results show promise with quick convergence within ~20 iterations and stable noise properties with iteration. A 3D algorithm and comparison with OSEM is underway.
Three-dimensional tracking of coronary arteries from biplane angiographic sequences using parametrically deformable models

A new method for coronary artery tracking in biplane digital subtraction is presented. The dynamic tracking of nonrigid objects from two views is achieved using a generalization of parametrically deformable models. Three-dimensional (3-D) Fourier descriptors used for shape representation are obtained from the two-dimensional (2-D) descriptors of the projections. A new constraint inferred from epipolar geometry is applied to the contour model. Direct 3-D tracking is compared with the classical approach in two steps: independent 2-D tracking in each of the two projection planes; 3-D reconstruction using the epipolar constraint. Convergence quality and accuracy of the 3-D reconstruction are analyzed for several sequences showing different displacement amplitudes, deformation rates and image contrasts.
Electrospray ionization mass spectrometric analysis of blood for differentiation of species.

The National Fish and Wildlife Forensic Laboratory is responsible for the determination of species of birds, reptiles, and mammals from the United States, as well as international species falling under the protection of CITES treaties. We have recently found electrospray ionization mass spectrometry to be an effective means of rapidly analyzing blood samples for species identification. Nearly 1000 individuals were analyzed which comprised 62 species represented by birds, mammals, and reptiles. Whole blood and dried blood samples were analyzed without purification to provide simultaneous molecular weights from the alpha- and beta-proteins present in each sample's hemoglobin. The combination of the two molecular weights for the hemoglobin proteins (i.e., alpha/beta-pairs) was used as species determining markers. In all, 133 distinctive alpha/beta-pairs were observed from the individuals analyzed. Despite the variability in the hemoglobins evaluated, 86% of these alpha/beta-pairs were found to be diagnostic for a particular species to the exclusion of all other species studied. No other single protein system studied by a single analytical technique can so effectively resolve species from a wide range of taxa as can the hemoglobin system when analyzed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.
Coming of Age for Healthcare Knowledge Management

Harnessing and reusing knowledge constructively in healthcare settings is complex. Additionally, knowledge has become paradoxically a thing and a process, if we are to believe Snowden [1]. During the first age of knowledge management, knowledge was identified, captured and retrieved in a form that was mostly content management. From the mid-1990s, when Nonaka and Takeuchi [2] declared that tacit knowledge can be made explicit by means of externalisation, socialisation, internalisation and combination, knowledge management entered its second age.
Changing climate shifts timing of European floods

Flooding along the river Will a warming climate affect river floods? The prevailing sentiment is yes, but a consistent signal in flood magnitudes has not been found. Blöschl et al. analyzed the timing of river floods in Europe over the past 50 years and found clear patterns of changes in flood timing that can be ascribed to climate effects (see the Perspective by Slater and Wilby). These variations include earlier spring snowmelt floods in northeastern Europe, later winter floods around the North Sea and parts of the Mediterranean coast owing to delayed winter storms, and earlier winter floods in western Europe caused by earlier soil moisture maxima. Science, this issue p. 588 see also p. 552 Climate change is affecting the timing of river flooding across Europe. A warming climate is expected to have an impact on the magnitude and timing of river floods; however, no consistent large-scale climate change signal in observed flood magnitudes has been identified so far. We analyzed the timing of river floods in Europe over the past five decades, using a pan-European database from 4262 observational hydrometric stations, and found clear patterns of change in flood timing. Warmer temperatures have led to earlier spring snowmelt floods throughout northeastern Europe; delayed winter storms associated with polar warming have led to later winter floods around the North Sea and some sectors of the Mediterranean coast; and earlier soil moisture maxima have led to earlier winter floods in western Europe. Our results highlight the existence of a clear climate signal in flood observations at the continental scale.
A novel hybrid genetic algorithm for global optimization

In order to propose a more effective function optimization method, a novel algorithm named HGPSA was proposed which integrates the powerful global search ability of GA and the excellent local search ability of PS. The experiments of 10 runs on three test functions (Powell function, Rosenbrock function, and Schaffer function) demonstrate that the proposed algorithm is superior to both GA and PS with respect to the successful rate. Therefore, the proposed algorithm is valid.
Antigenic variation in trypanosomes

The several species of African trypanosomes pathogenic to man and domestic livestock may evade the immune response through a process of antigenic variation. This phenomenon is the major obstacle to immunization. Variation may be recognized in the form of sequential changes in the serological characteristics of the trypanosome surface during the course of an infection. Each serological variant of Trypanosoma brucei possesses a unique glycoprotein covering the entire trypanosome surface. When an immune response occurs against the prevailing variant, the trypanosomes are able to express an alternative and immunologically distinct glycoprotein. The antigenic repertoire of a trypanosome clone or species is so far undetermined and the genetic basis of antigenic variation is unexplored. Structural studies indicate that the immunological uniqueness of each glycoprotein is due primarily to immense variations in amino acid sequence distributed throughout the single polypeptide backbone. The extent of glycosylation is also variable.
Phenotypic compromises in a long-distance migrant during the transition from migration to reproduction in the High Arctic

Summary 1. Seasonal carry-over effects may be important structuring components of avian life-history cycles. However, little is known on physiological transitions between stages and on phenotypic compromises that may be made at such time to improve fitness. 2. We studied postmigratory body remodelling in red knots (Calidris canutus islandica) arriving on the Arctic breeding grounds. Our objectives were to determine the effects of body reconstruction and preparation for breeding on maintenance energy costs and to determine whether weather conditions can force compromises between functions required for postmigration recovery of body composition, thermoregulation and breeding. 3. During two consecutive springs at the northernmost land on Earth (Alert, Ellesmere Island, Canada, 82� 30¢N), we monitored changes in knots post-arrival body stores. Using ultrasonography, we also tracked changes in gizzard size, an indicator of gut size, and pectoral muscle thickness, not only an endogenous protein source but also a thermogenic organ. We measured basal metabolic rate (BMR) throughout reconstruction and compared it with BMR of nonbreeding red knots wintering in the Dutch Wadden Sea. 4. Arriving knots faced temperatures up to 13 � C lower than during midwinter. Birds arrived with large body stores and pectoral muscles, which declined in size while they grew their gizzard and prepared for breeding. BMR at arrival was indistinguishable from winter BMR and increased linearly throughout reconstruction. BMR increased up to 69% faster in females than males, likely due to the development of their reproductive organs. 5. Birds had lower body stores but larger muscles in the colder year, and muscle loss was correlated with the warming of spring temperatures. Therefore, muscles would not only serve as a nutrient source, but their thermogenic function could also provide the flexibility to cope with high thermostatic costs in the spring. However, retaining muscles for shivering may limit protein recirculation and delay the onset of breeding. 6. Postmigratory recovery therefore involves significant energy costs and arriving birds likely have to make physiological compromises, depending on spring conditions, which may impact on fitness. Although this period is clearly critical in the life cycle of red knots, it is one of the least understood life-history stages in Arctic-breeding shorebirds.