Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Methylation of DNA repeats of decreasing sizes in Ascobolus immersus

In Ascobolus immersus, DNA duplications are subject to the process of methylation induced premeiotically (MIP), which methylates the cytosine residues within the repeats and results in reversible gene silencing. The triggering of MIP requires pairing of the repeats, and its detection requires maintenance of the resulting methylation. MIP of kilobase-size duplications occurs frequently and leads to the methylation of all C residues in the repeats, including those belonging to non-CpG sequences. Using duplications of decreasing sizes, we observed that tandem repeats never escaped MIP when larger than 630 bp and showed a sudden and drastic drop in MIP frequencies when their sizes decreased from 630 to 317 bp. This contrasted with the progressive decrease of MIP frequencies observed with ectopic repeats, in which apparently the search for homology influences the MIP triggering efficiency. The minimal size actually required for a repeat to undergo detectable MIP was found to be close to 300 bp. Genomic sequencing and Southern hybridization analyses using restriction enzymes sensitive to C methylation showed a loss of methylation at non-CpG sites in short DNA segments, methylation being restricted to a limited number of CpG dinucleotides. Our data suggest the existence of two distinct mechanisms underlying methylation maintenance, one responsible for methylation at CpG sites and the other responsible for methylation at non-CpG sites.
Doppler tissue imaging: regional myocardial function in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and in athlete's heart.

BACKGROUND The distinction between hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and the athlete's (AT) heart is an important clinical problem, and the analysis of regional myocardial function with Doppler tissue imaging may be useful in the differential diagnosis. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to compare regional function assessed by Doppler tissue imaging in rowers and in a group of patients with HCM. METHODS In 24 patients with nonobstructive HCM and in 20 competitive rowers with similar age, blood pressure, and heart rate, we analyzed with pulsed Doppler tissue imaging left ventricular (LV) regional function (velocities, time intervals, heterogeneity and asynchrony indices, and meridional gradient) in the longitudinal (8 segments, apical views) and in the radial (2 segments, short-axis view) axis. RESULTS Compared with AT, patients with HCM showed: (1). systolic function; (a). longitudinal: lower velocities and meridional gradient; longer precontraction period (PCP); and higher PCP/LV contraction time; (b). radial: lower velocities and gradient; longer PCP; and higher PCP/LV contraction time; (2.diastolic function; (a). logitudinal: lower e (early diastolic), a (late diastolic), and e/a velocities; and longer prerelaxation time and time to peak e. The percentage of segments with e/a < 1 was 25% in the HCM group and 0% in the AT heart group; (b). radial: lower e velocity and gradient; lower e/a gradient; and longer medial prerelaxation and basal time to peak e. Most of these differences also occurred in the nonhypertrophied inferior wall of patients with HCM. CONCLUSIONS There are significant differences between regional LV function of competitive rowers and patients with HCM. These differences (1). occur in systole and diastole; (2). affect velocities and time intervals; (3). are more striking in the long axis, but are also seen in the short axis, and (4). also occur in nonhypertrophied segments, suggesting the usefulness of the technique in the differential diagnosis between the 2 situations, namely in individuals that fall in Maron's "grey zone. "
Biochemical integration of blood redox state in captive zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata)

SUMMARY Integration is a property of biological systems that refers to the extent to which their components are correlated through functional, structural, developmental or evolutionary interdependency. This study examined patterns of functional integration among different molecular components of the blood redox system (both plasma and red blood cells) in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). Our results show a two cluster organization of the six measured variables: one cluster includes glutathione peroxidase in both red blood cells and plasma, thiol concentration in red blood cells and plasma hydroperoxides; the other cluster comprises a measure of the non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity in red blood cells and plasma. The interaction network amongst these variables shows (i) a strong positive connectivity among hydroperoxides, glutathione peroxidase and thiols, and (ii) negative connectivity between non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants. Overall, our results also suggest strong and significant integration between the oxidative state of red blood cells and plasma.
MicroRNA profiling in human medulloblastoma

Medulloblastoma is an aggressive brain malignancy with high incidence in childhood. Current treatment approaches have limited efficacy and severe side effects. Therefore, new risk‐adapted therapeutic strategies based on molecular classification are required. MicroRNA expression analysis has emerged as a powerful tool to identify candidate molecules playing an important role in a large number of malignancies. However, no data are yet available on human primary medulloblastomas. A high throughput microRNA expression profiles was performed in human primary medulloblastoma specimens to investigate microRNA involvement in medulloblastoma carcinogenesis. We identified specific microRNA expression patterns which distinguish medulloblastoma differing in histotypes (anaplastic, classic and desmoplastic), in molecular features (ErbB2 or c‐Myc overexpressing tumors) and in disease‐risk stratification. MicroRNAs expression profile clearly differentiates medulloblastoma from either adult or fetal normal cerebellar tissues. Only a few microRNAs displayed upregulated expression, while most of them were downregulated in tumor samples, suggesting a tumor growth‐inhibitory function. This property has been addressed for miR‐9 and miR‐125a, whose rescued expression promoted medulloblastoma cell growth arrest and apoptosis while targeting the proproliferative truncated TrkC isoform. In conclusion, misregulated microRNA expression profiles characterize human medulloblastomas, and may provide potential targets for novel therapeutic strategies. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Variations in Patients’ Adherence to Medical Recommendations: A Quantitative Review of 50 Years of Research

BackgroundThe literature on patient adherence to treatment includes hundreds of empirical studies. A comprehensive examination of the findings requires the organization and quantification that is possible with meta-analysis. ObjectivesThe goals of this research are retrieval, compilation, and averaging of adherence rates in all published empirical studies from 1948 to 1998; assessment of variation according to sample characteristics, time period of publication, measurement method, disease, and regimen; and examination of the effects on adherence of patient demographic characteristics. MethodsWe calculated a meta-analysis of 569 studies reporting adherence to medical treatment prescribed by a nonpsychiatrist physician, and 164 studies providing correlations between adherence and patients’ age, gender, education, and income/socioeconomic status; group comparison and multiple regression analysis of moderators. ResultsThe average nonadherence rate is 24.8%. Controlling for intercorrelations among moderator variables, adherence is significantly higher in more recent and smaller studies and in those involving medication regimens and adult samples. The use of physical tests and self-report have respectively significant and borderline negative effects on the level of adherence, and disease severity and use of the medical record have no significant effects. Adherence is highest in HIV disease, arthritis, gastrointestinal disorders, and cancer, and lowest in pulmonary disease, diabetes, and sleep. Demographic effects on adherence are small and moderated by sample, regimen, and measurement variables. ConclusionsThis review offers insights into the literature on patient adherence, providing direction for future research. A focus on reliability and validity of adherence measurement and systematic study of substantive and methodologic moderators are recommended for future research on patient adherence.
Considering strategic proactiveness within a market knowledge diffusion framework

Market orientation remains the focus of extensive research, reflecting a consensus for its centrality and importance pertaining to organizational outcomes. Aiming to extend our understanding of the concept, we investigate market orientation in the context of organizational learning and adopt a broader perspective by engaging proactive strategic orientation when considering knowledge diffusion effects on organizational performance. To that end, we initially examine organizational learning effects on both reactive market orientation and strategic proactiveness. We subsequently investigate the relationships between these constructs and business performance when moderated by effective strategic market planning. We approached this study by generating data from 149 European high technology firms, targeting the SBU level. Our methodology included structural equation modeling as a means to test our hypotheses and our results provide contributions in 3 main areas: (i) According to our findings, market orientation and strategic proactiveness are significantly affected by organizational learning. (ii) Business performance is not directly affected by strategic proactiveness but there is an indirect effect when that path is mediated by market orientation. Finally, (iii) effective strategic market planning acts as a moderator between market orientation and business performance.
Improved protocols for vibrational spectroscopic analysis of body fluids

The applications of vibrational spectroscopy to the examination of human blood serum are explored. Although FTIR spectra can be recorded in aqueous solutions at (gelatin) concentrations as low as 100 mg/L, the high‐wavenumber region remains obscured by water absorption. Using Raman spectroscopy, high quality spectra of gelatine solutions as low as 10 mg/L can be achieved, also covering the high‐wavenumber regions. In human serum, spectral profiles are weak and partially obscured by water features. Dried deposits are shown to be physically and chemically inhomogeneous resulting in reduced measurement reproducibility. Concentration of the serum using commercially available centrifugal filter devices results in an improvement in the spectral intensity and quality. Additionally, in Raman spectroscopy, reduced background and significantly enhanced signal collection is achievable by measurement in an inverted geometry. The improved protocols for spectroscopic measurement of human serum are applicable to a range of bodily fluids and should accelerate potential clinical applications. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
FDI as Signal for Competitive Advantage: Does Financial Sector FDI Attract Real Sector FDI, Portfolio Investment and Trade?

Does financial sector foreign direct investment (FSFDI) provide positive signals (Spence, 1973) for economic development or "crowd out" trade and investment? While there is a growing body of literature on the direct effects of foreign bank investment in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, indirect effects triggered by the massive FSFDI inflows have received little attention. To fill this gap, we review the literature on possible links between FSDI, foreign trade, real sector FDI and foreign portfolio investment and provide descriptive data. Applying regression analysis over 1999-2005, we find coherence between FSFDI and the level of real sector FDI and (to a lesser extent) trade in Bulgaria and Croatia. We argue that the relative impact of financial sector FDI, real sector FDI, foreign portfolio investment and trade need to be taken into consideration in shaping economic policies.
Sequence and secondary structure of 5.8S rRNA in the tick, Ixodes scapularis.

While sequence homology among eukaryotic 5.8S rRNAs is relatively high, even among distantly related organisms (1), the secondary structure of this region, although similarly conserved, does not rely completely on sequence integrity. That is, the functional folding pattern remains the same while utilizing different rRNA base pairs achieved through compensatory mutation. Ticks in the genus Ixodes share 5.8S rDNA sequence homology with other arthropods from which this region has been described (2,3) (Figure 1). Parsimony analysis of bases 1 -122 and 131-157 from Figure 1 (first consensus base at 5'and 3'-end of Drosophila 5.8S spacer), places the Ixodes outgroup squarely between clusters of Culex, Drosophila and Bombyx, Acyrthosiphon. The secondary structure of the complex of 5.8S, 2S and the 5' end of the 28S rRNAs has been described for Drosophila (4). Figure 2 illustrates the probable secondary structure of this region for Ixodes. While the structures predicted for the Dipteran and Ixodes complexes are similar, three major differences in nucleotide composition are evident. The Ixodes bases 28-31 are involved in the first stem (A) in Figure 2; in the proposed Drosophila secondary structure, these bases pair externally with a portion of the 28S region. Ixodes bases 61—88, composing a stem (B) of nine consecutive bases, compare with a seven base stem in Drosophila, while the loop size is identical for the two species. Bases 114—123 in the Ixodes complex form an eight base stem (Q with a single missmatch ending in a four base loop. The Drosophila stem, of similar length with one missmatch, results in a 30 base loop which is spliced out during rRNA processing to form the Dipteran 2S fragment (5). These features of the Ixodes 5.8S/28S complex serve to reinforce previous observations of general conservation of secondary structure regardless of overall sequence homology.
Applying cloud computing model in PHR architecture

In recent years, some practical and commercial Personal Health Records and some related services such as Google Health [1] and Microsoft HealthVault [2] have been launched. On the other hand, Cloud Computing has matured more and become the major streams to realize a more effective operational environment. However so far, there have been few studies in regards to applying Cloud architecture in the PHR explicitly despite generating volume data. In this paper, we review our trial on the general architecture design by applying the Cloud components for supporting healthcare record areas and clarify the required conditions to realize it.
Effects of emotion regulation strategies on anxiety during job interviews in Chinese college students

Background and objectives: Few studies related to the impact of different emotion regulation strategies on anxiety have used externally and ecologically valid emotion-eliciting stimuli or Eastern populations. The present study compares the effects of reappraisal, suppression, and acceptance on anxiety induced by a simulated job interview in a Chinese sample. Methods: Eighty-two subjects were randomly assigned to one of four instructions: reappraisal, suppression, acceptance, or no-regulation strategies during a simulated job interview. Anxiety was assessed with an observer-based behavior rating scale during the interview and the State Anxiety Inventory before, during, and after the interview. Results: A repeated-measures MANOVA indicated a significantly greater reduction in anxiety in the reappraisal and acceptance groups compared to the control group during the interview (reappraisal: d = 1.42; acceptance: d = 1.30; each p < .001), but not during the recovery stage. The suppression and control group did not differ in any stage. Suppression led to a higher (pmax < .04) anxiety than reappraisal/acceptance in the anticipation (d = 0.65/0.68), interview (d = 0.87/0.79), and recovery stages (d = 0.94/1.03). No significant differences were found between reappraisal and acceptance. Conclusions: In Chinese students reappraisal and acceptance seem to be more effective anxiety regulation strategies than suppression.
Window Dressing and Equity Mutual Funds

This paper documents that, consistent with the practice of window dressing, equity mutual funds exhibit atypical return behavior around fiscal year-ends. To identify atypical returns, residuals from a multiple-style index market model are generated for a sample of large equity mutual funds. Absolute market-model residuals are found to be larger in magnitude surrounding the days of a fiscal year-end than at other times of the year, suggesting an altered return-generation process. Further, the residuals are more negative around fiscal year-ends, suggesting increased trading costs to unwind cosmetic portfolio holdings. While related to the calendar year-end portfolio pumping identified in previous research, the difference in month-end residuals between fiscal year-end and non-fiscal year-end funds is similar in magnitude whether or not the month is December.
Development of Real Time Synchronous Web Application for Posting and Utilizing Disaster Information

In a large earthquake, rescue operations and fire-fighting are obstructed by firespreading and street-blockages. Therefore, it is important to quickly collect and utilize disaster information for disaster mitigation. In this paper, firstly, we develop a Web application for posting and viewing information collected by users in real time. Using this system, it is possible not only to easily share disaster information among users but also to apply to damage forecast such as firespreading. Next, we demonstrate the usefulness of the Web application by the
Object Recognition using Channel-Coded Feature Maps: C++ Implementation Documentation

This report gives an overview and motivates the design of a C++ framework for object recognition using channel-coded feature maps. The code was produced in connection to the work on my PhD thesis Channel-Coded Feature Maps for Object Recognition and Machine Learning. The package contains algorithms ranging from basic image processing routines to specific complex algorithms for creating channel-coded feature maps through piecewise polynomials. Much emphasis has been put in creating a flexible framework using virtual interfaces. This makes it easy e.g.~to switch between different image primitives detectors or learning methods in an object recognizer. Some common design choices include an image class with a convenient but fast pixel access, a configurable assert macro for error handling and a common base class for object ownership management. The main computer vision algorithms are channel-coded feature maps (CCFMs) including their derivatives, single-sided colored lines, object detection using an abstract hypothesize-verify framework and tracking and pose estimation using locally weighted regression and CCFMs. The code is considered as having alpha status at best. It is available under the GNU General Public License (GPL) and is mainly intended for future research on the subject.
High-performance poly-silicon TFTs incorporating LaAlO/sub 3/ as the gate dielectric

We have integrated a high-/spl kappa/ LaAlO/sub 3/ dielectric into low-temperature poly-Si (LTPS) thin-film transistors (TFTs). Good TFT performance was achieved-such as a high drive current, low threshold voltage and subthreshold slope, as well as an excellent on/off current ratio and high gate-dielectric breakdown field. This was achieved without hydrogen passivation or special crystallization steps. The good performance is related to the high gate capacitance density and small equivalent-oxide thickness provided by the high-/spl kappa/ dielectric.
Market Power and Industrial Performance in Pakistan

Using a panel of eight Pakistani manufacturing industries, We have examined the changes in price-cost margin (gross profitability) during 1998-2009. In this study the traditional industrial organization approach of Structure-Performance has been applied to analyze the effects of concentration and import intensity on price-cost margins. It has been found that market concentration measured by four-firm concentration leads to high price-cost margin. Imports have the tendency to make the domestic firms more c competitive, but their effect on more-concentrated firms is smaller as compared to non-concentrated firms. The minimum efficient scale and assets of industry have positive effects on margins while capital intensity has been found to reduce gross profitability.
Liquidity and the Simple Io of Stock Exchanges

It is usually thought that network externalities, which are inherent to liquidity, make it desirable to concentrate transactions in one stock exchange. This paper shows that when the value of liquidity stems from the ability of potentially reach as many traders as possible, the market is integrated when every broker meets every other broker in at least one exchange. Thus, fragmentation is not about trades being executed in di¤erent exchanges but of connectedness among brokers. An implication of this distinction is that in an integrated market the network externality created by liquidity becomes pecuniary and the optimal number of exchanges depends only on the shape of the (physical) technology to execute trades.whether it exhibits increasing, constant or decreasing returns to scale.as in any standard industry. We characterize the planner.s allocation and compare it with that reached by a monopoly. It is shown that when exchanges are natural monopolies a particular ownership structure of the exchange and allocation of voting rights over the exchange fee achieve the planner.s optimum. With decreasing returns to scale the Walrasian allocation is e¢cient, provided that the market is integrated. Nevertheless, with few exchanges the price-taking assumption is suspect. If exchanges are not price takers, there are many other equilibria, all of them inefficient. Moreover, there are reasons to doubt that the market will become integrated. Fragmentation softens price competition between exchanges and may help a monopolist exchange to erect a barrier to entry even when he has no cost advantage.
The instability effect of constant power loads

The sub-system interaction and instability phenomena is a common problem in the distributed power system (DPS). The interaction arises because each individual converter has internal control function such as to regulate the converter output voltage, which results in the converter tends to draw a constant power and therefore has a negative incremental input impedance. The constant power and negative input resistance characteristic potentially have a de-stabilizing effect on the electrical supply system. The paper presents the analysis, theoretical design and simulation of a simple DC DPS. The analysis of the LC filter and its damping parameters were given. The effect of the negative input resistance of the CPL on the filter was analysed using small-signal input resistance of the load. The passive damping method was used to reduce the system interaction between the converters. The results were verified by MATLAB Simulink simulation.
An alternative natural gradient approach for multichannel blind deconvolution

This paper presents an alternative natural gradient based solution to the multichannel blind deconvolution (MBD) problem. The derived learning rule comes from the definition of a new Riemannian metric in the linear system space, rather than the one relative to the algorithm already existing in the literature. Moreover, it is proved that this novel approach satisfies the equivariance property if the MBD problem is formulated in a certain way. Experimental results have shown that the two gradients lead to the the same deconvolution performances.