Trend Analysis for Sparse Data

The major theme of this paper is to present some means for an analysis of changes in characteristics of complex systems. Such systems are characterized by a number of parameters which are interdependent. The data available on such systems are sparse in the sense that only a few such systems exist in the real world. Any attempt to choose uniform population with respect to some characteristics will decrease the number of data even more until a statistics approach becomes completely unreasonable. The alternative approach is based on pattern recognition ideas and uses an idea of separation of different classes of a complex system by multidimensional surfaces. The position of these surfaces demonstrates the trends in the system's development. The analysis of coal mines with respect to different criteria has been performed as an example

Perspectives in Global Helioseismology, and the Road Ahead

We review the impact of global helioseismology on key questions concerning the internal structure and dynamics of the Sun, and consider the exciting challenges the field faces as it enters a fourth decade of science exploitation. We do so with an eye on the past, looking at the perspectives global helioseismology offered in its earlier phases, in particular the mid-to-late 1970s and the 1980s. We look at how modern, higher-quality, longer datasets coupled with new developments in analysis, have altered, refined, and changed some of those perspectives, and opened others that were not previously available for study. We finish by discussing outstanding challenges and questions for the field.Comment: Invited review; to appear in Solar Physics (24 pages, 6 figures

Discovery of widespread transcription initiation at microsatellites predictable by sequence-based deep neural network

Using the Cap Analysis of Gene Expression (CAGE) technology, the FANTOM5 consortium provided one of the most comprehensive maps of transcription start sites (TSSs) in several species. Strikingly, ~72% of them could not be assigned to a specific gene and initiate at unconventional regions, outside promoters or enhancers. Here, we probe these unassigned TSSs and show that, in all species studied, a significant fraction of CAGE peaks initiate at microsatellites, also called short tandem repeats (STRs). To confirm this transcription, we develop Cap Trap RNA-seq, a technology which combines cap trapping and long read MinION sequencing. We train sequence-based deep learning models able to predict CAGE signal at STRs with high accuracy. These models unveil the importance of STR surrounding sequences not only to distinguish STR classes, but also to predict the level of transcription initiation. Importantly, genetic variants linked to human diseases are preferentially found at STRs with high transcription initiation level, supporting the biological and clinical relevance of transcription initiation at STRs. Together, our results extend the repertoire of non-coding transcription associated with DNA tandem repeats and complexify STR polymorphism

Диффузионно-взвешенная магнитно-резонансная томография в диагностике инсулиномы поджелудочной железы: клинический случай

The topical diagnosis of insulinoma continues to be an actual problem of modern medicine due to low detection rate of the tumor (about 75%) and inconsistent data on its localization when using various methods of visualization (more than in 50% of cases), as well as the lack of a single diagnostic algorithm. In the clinical practice, many different imaging assessments are conducted, including those with the administration of contrast agents and associated with radiation load, as well as invasive studies, associated with risk of various complications, high costs and duration of the examination. Thus, the search for highly sensitive and safe methods of topical diagnosis of the insulin-producing pancreatic tumor seems relevant. In the presented clinical case, the diagnosis of insulinoma is verified by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI). It is an accurate and non-invasive method that does not involve exposure to ionizing radiation and does not require any administration of contrast agents. This technology, based on microstructural pathological changes, allows to identify small tumors and to make a differential diagnosis of benign and malignant neoplasms. However, at present the experience of DW-MRI use for the diagnosis of an insulin-producing neuroendocrine tumor is limited. Evaluation of its effectiveness in a large patient cohort would be necessary to assess the prospects for its introduction into clinical practice.Топическая диагностика инсулиномы остается актуальной проблемой вследствие низкого уровня выявляемости опухоли (около 75%), противоречивости данных о  ее локализации при применении разных методов визуализации (более чем в 50%), отсутствия единого алгоритма диагностики. В клинической практике проводится множество различных визуализирующих исследований, в том числе с введением контрастных веществ и  обладающих лучевой нагрузкой, а  также инвазивных исследований, которые ассоциированы с  риском различных осложнений, имеют высокую стоимость и характеризуются длительным обследованием. Таким образом, представляется необходимым проведение поиска высокочувствительных и  безопасных методов топической диагностики инсулинпродуцирующей опухоли поджелудочной железы. В описанном клиническом наблюдении диагноз инсулиномы верифицирован при помощи диффузионно-взвешенной магнитно-резонансной томографии – точного и неинвазивного метода, не оказывающего ионизирующего воздействия и не требующего введения контрастных веществ. Данная технология на основании микроструктурных патологических изменений позволяет выявить опухоль малых размеров и провести дифференциальную диагностику доброкачественных и злокачественных новообразований. Вместе с тем в настоящее время опыт применения диффузионно-взвешенной магнитно-резонансной томографии в диагностике инсулинпродуцирующей нейроэндокринной опухоли ограничен; для оценки перспективы внедрения метода в клиническую практику требуется изучение его эффективности на большой когорте пациентов

Generation of two-lobe light fields with a rotating intensity distribution under propagation for single emitter spectroscopy

The paper outlines the results of studies on the generation of two-lobe light fields with the intensity distribution rotating during the field propagation. Such fields are needed to determine the depth of bedding of single emitters in spectral studies of substance properties. On the base of the spiral beam optics, the phase distributions were obtained for the synthesis of two-lobe fields with different speeds of rotation of the intensity distribution. The light fields have been formed by using a liquid-crystal spatial phase modulator HOLOEYE HEO-1080P. The influence of the illuminating beam parameters and the aberrations of the system on the quality of the formed light field was also studied