Automatic removal of eye movement artifacts from the EEG using ICA and the dipole model

In this study, we proposed and evaluated the use of Independent Component Analysis (ICA) combining the EEG dipole model to automatically remove eye movement artifacts from the EEG without needing EOG as a reference. We separated the EEG data into independent components using the ICA method, and determined the source localization of these independent components with a single dipole model. The EEG signal was reconstructed by automatically excluding those components localized within a preset eye model. EEGs from 12 patients were analyzed. The experimental results indicate that ICA with the dipole model is very efficient at automatically subtracting the eye movement artifacts, while retaining the EEG slow waves and making their interpretation easier.     

Forecasting Mixed‐Frequency Time Series with ECM‐MIDAS Models

This paper proposes a mixed‐frequency error correction model for possibly cointegrated non‐stationary time series sampled at different frequencies. We highlight the impact, in terms of model specification, of the choice of the particular high‐frequency explanatory variable to be included in the cointegrating relationship, which we call a dynamic mixed‐frequency cointegrating relationship. The forecasting performance of aggregated models and several mixed‐frequency regressions are compared in a set of Monte Carlo experiments. In particular, we look at both the unrestricted mixed‐frequency model and at a more parsimonious MIDAS regression. Whereas the existing literature has only investigated the potential improvements of the MIDAS framework for stationary time series, our study emphasizes the need to include the relevant cointegrating vectors in the non‐stationary case. Furthermore, it is illustrated that the choice of dynamic mixed‐frequency cointegrating relationship does not matter as long as the short‐run dynamics are adapted accordingly. Finally, the unrestricted model is shown to suffer from parameter proliferation for samples of relatively small size, whereas MIDAS forecasts are robust to over‐parameterization. We illustrate our results for the US inflation rate. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Multiple self-healing squamous epithelioma is caused by a disease-specific spectrum of mutations in TGFBR1

Multiple self-healing squamous epithelioma (MSSE), also known as Ferguson-Smith disease (FSD), is an autosomal-dominant skin cancer condition characterized by multiple squamous-carcinoma-like locally invasive skin tumors that grow rapidly for a few weeks before spontaneously regressing, leaving scars. High-throughput genomic sequencing of a conservative estimate (24.2 Mb) of the disease locus on chromosome 9 using exon array capture identified independent mutations in TGFBR1 in three unrelated families. Subsequent dideoxy sequencing of TGFBR1 identified 11 distinct monoallelic mutations in 18 affected families, firmly establishing TGFBR1 as the causative gene. The nature of the sequence variants, which include mutations in the extracellular ligand-binding domain and a series of truncating mutations in the kinase domain, indicates a clear genotype-phenotype correlation between loss-of-function TGFBR1 mutations and MSSE. This distinguishes MSSE from the Marfan syndrome-related disorders in which missense mutations in TGFBR1 lead to developmental defects with vascular involvement but no reported predisposition to cancer.     

BBS10 encodes a vertebrate-specific chaperonin-like protein and is a major BBS locus

Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a genetically heterogeneous ciliopathy. Although nine BBS genes have been cloned, they explain only 40-50% of the total mutational load. Here we report a major new BBS locus, BBS10, that encodes a previously unknown, rapidly evolving vertebrate-specific chaperonin-like protein. We found BBS10 to be mutated in about 20% of an unselected cohort of families of various ethnic origins, including some families with mutations in other BBS genes, consistent with oligogenic inheritance. In zebrafish, mild suppression of bbs10 exacerbated the phenotypes of other bbs morphants.     

Estimating and Predicting the General Random Effects Model

This paper extends the ‘remarkable property’ of Breusch (Journal of Econometrics 1987; 36 : 383–389) and Baltagi and Li (Journal of Econometrics 1992; 53 : 45–51) to the three‐way random components framework. Indeed, like its one‐way and two‐way counterparts, the three‐way random effects model maximum likelihood estimation can be obtained as an iterated generalized least squares procedure through an appropriate algorithm of monotonic sequences of some variance components ratios, θ_i (i = 2, 3, 4). More specifically, a search over θ_iwhile iterating on the regression coefficients estimates β and the other θ_jwill guard against the possibility of multiple local maxima of the likelihood function. In addition, the derivations of related prediction functions are obtained based on complete as well as incomplete panels. Finally, an application to international trade issues modeling is presented. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparison of habitat attributes at sites of stable and declining long-billed curlew populations

Long-billed curlew populations were studied in the upper Green River Basin of Wyoming. Sites were selected where curlew populations appear constant in numbers and declining in numbers. Results show that while few habitat differences were found between the two areas, disturbances such as grazing and dragging during nesting reduced productivity. Nest failures were also correlated with field fertilization and early season grazing. Within each area curlews nested successfully on field sites that were elevated and had adequate grass cover but not tall grass.     

Influence de l'humidité sur les cocons du Ver à soie(Bombyx mori)

Summary Experiments were carried out to test the effects of relative humidity on prepupae and pupae of the Silkworm,Bombyx mori L., at 25⁰ C. It was found that:(1) duration of prepupal + pupal stages is the same at all relative humidities between 7 and 100%;(2) mortality seems unaffected in all these humidity conditions;(3) moths obtained in percentages between 55 and 100% R. H. have the same average wet weight; moths obtained under dryer conditions have a lower average weight (expressed in percentage of initial weights of prepupae);(4) pupae extracted from their cocoons develop as quickly and as well as pupae in their cocoons.     

The identity of Bocourt's lizard Eumeces capito 1879

Eumeces capito Boucourt, 1879, is a senior synonym of Eumeces xanthi Günther, 1889. No exception to application of the Law of Priority is recommended in this case. The type locality of E. capito as originally published (“La côte oriental des Etats - Unis”) is erroneous. Undoubtedly the correct locality is China, but it is not restricted at present.