Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the Stylohyoid Complex with Cone Beam Computed Tomography

Background Orientation of the stylohyoid complex (SHC) may be important for evaluation of the patient with orofacial pain or dysphagia. Objectives Our purpose was to assess the length and angulations of SHC using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Patients and Methods In this study, 3D images provided by CBCT of 69 patients (36 females, 33 males, age range 15-77 years) were retrospectively evaluated. All CBCT images were performed because of other indications. None of the patients had symptoms of ossified SHC. The length and the thickness of SHC ossification, the anteroposterior angle (APA) and the mediolateral angle (MLA) were measured by maxillofacial radiologists on the anteroposterior, right lateral and left lateral views of CBCT. Student’s t test, Pearson's correlation and Chi-square test tests were used for statistical analysis. Results According to the results, the mean length of SHC was 25.3 ± 11.3 mm and the mean thickness of SHC was 4.8 ± 1.8 mm in the study group. The mean APA value of SHCs was 25.6° ± 5.4° and the mean MLA value was 66.4° ± 6.7°. A positive correlation coefficient was found between age and APA (r = 0.335; P < 0.01); between thickness and APA (r = 0.448; P < 0.01) and also between length and thickness was found (r=0.236). Conclusion The size and morphology of the SHC can be easily assessed by 3D views provided by CBCT. In CBCT evaluation of the head and neck region, the radiologist should consider SHC according to these variations, which may have clinical importance.
E-learning platform: developing an evaluation strategy in a real case

The ACTIVE project funded by the EU Commission aimed at improving the possibility for disabled people to become more active citizens through the use of suitable educational technologies. Very often disabled people have fewer opportunities than other citizens to take part in open distance learning and also have worse access to computer equipment. This is a threat to their active citizenship, since Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has an ever greater role in today's society. The specific goal of the project was to investigate how people with learning disabilities could get, keep and develop their contacts with society through distance education. The target group of the ACTIVE project was composed of people affected by aphasia (aphasia is a loss or impairment of the ability to produce or comprehend language, due to brain damage). In this paper, we show and discuss the strategy that led us to select the constructivist pedagogical methodology and to implement it by means of a problem solving and game oriented approach for the design and implementation of learning contents within the ACTIVE framework. We also show how the same approach can be used for selecting e-learning platforms to utilize so as to guarantee, in the case of this particular target group, the key benefits of e-learning
Youth Programs as Alternative Spaces to be

This article presents the findings of a year-long, qualitative study of a network of neighborhood youth programs in a low-income, Latino neighborhood in Chicago. It discusses the characteristics of youth served by the programs, the programs' daily functioning, how youth workers construct and carry out their roles, the nature of youth-worker-youth relationships, and implementation issues. The authors also reflect on the strengths and limitations of the programs, and their role in the lives of youth served.
Identifying Personality Traits Associated with Attrition in Systematic Training for Effective Parenting Groups

Research has supported the use of the Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) program when working with families; how-ever, minimal attention has been given to the attrition issue. Given that STEP has been shown to be effective, there is a definite need to identify characteristics of those individuals who are likely to terminate prematurely. A study was conducted comprising 221 subjects to investigate the predictive power of the Basic Adlerian Scales for Interpersonal Success-Adult Form (BASIS-A) in relation to attrition in parenting groups. Results from the study indicated the attrition rate to be higher with individuals who had elevated scores on the Entitlement scale on the BASIS-A than individuals who do not have elevated scores.
Locomotor benefits of being a slender and slick sand-swimmer

Squamates classified as ‘subarenaceous’ possess the ability to move long distances within dry sand; body elongation among sand and soil burrowers has been hypothesized to enhance subsurface performance. Using X-ray imaging, we performed the first kinematic investigation of the subsurface locomotion of the long, slender shovel-nosed snake (Chionactis occipitalis) and compared its biomechanics with those of the shorter, limbed sandfish lizard (Scincus scincus). The sandfish was previously shown to maximize swimming speed and minimize the mechanical cost of transport during burial. Our measurements revealed that the snake also swims through sand by propagating traveling waves down the body, head to tail. Unlike the sandfish, the snake nearly followed its own tracks, thus swimming in an approximate tube of self-fluidized granular media. We measured deviations from tube movement by introducing a parameter, the local slip angle, βs, which measures the angle between the direction of movement of each segment and body orientation. The average βs was smaller for the snake than for the sandfish; granular resistive force theory (RFT) revealed that the curvature utilized by each animal optimized its performance. The snake benefits from its slender body shape (and increased vertebral number), which allows propagation of a higher number of optimal curvature body undulations. The snake’s low skin friction also increases performance. The agreement between experiment and RFT combined with the relatively simple properties of the granular ‘frictional fluid’ make subarenaceous swimming an attractive system to study functional morphology and bauplan evolution.
Reduced Population Burden of Road Transport–related Major Trauma After Introduction of an Inclusive Trauma System

This population-based study found that since the introduction of an inclusive, regionalized trauma system in Victoria, Australia, the burden of road transport–related serious injury has decreased. Hospitalized major trauma cases increased, but disability burden per case declined. Increased survival did not result in an overall increase in nonfatal injury burden.
Aging Education: A National Imperative

ABSTRACT Americans are living longer than ever before. However, many are not prepared for the long life ahead of them. Although lifespan-aging education has been endorsed since the first White House Conference on Aging in 1961, little is happening with aging education in our homes, schools and communities. Americans often reach old age with little or no formal education on aging or anticipatory guidance about aging. This article looks at what is happening in aging education, addresses why we need to teach about aging, presents a conceptual framework for aging education, discusses aging education resources, and gives some easily implemented aging education activities.
Testable Design for Adaptive Linear Equalizer in High-Speed Serial Links

This paper describes a novel DfT solution to the adaptive linear equalizer in the receiver of a high-speed serial link. We first summarize various equalization architectures, adaptive algorithms, circuit implementations, and their variations to which the proposed solution can be applied. The solution addresses the observability problem of the equalizer and results in a testable design that can be easily characterized and cost-effectively tested in the production line. To validate the proposed method, we conducted experiments for examples with various injected faults, for which the conventional approach of examining the eye opening at the output of the equalizer results in poor fault coverage. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method has a significantly higher coverage for those hard-to-detect faults
The Influence of Athletic Success on the Self-Esteem of First-Year College Students

Abstract This study examined how athletic success at a university, specifically in men’s basketball, impacted the self-esteem of first-year college students. A sample of students both before and after a period of athletic success completed surveys assessing their collective self-esteem as a member of the university (i.e., membership esteem, private esteem, public esteem, importance to identity) and their identification with the men’s basketball team. In support of the first hypothesis, those students with high-identification with the team showed more self-esteem (i.e., membership esteem, private esteem, public esteem, importance to identity) than those students with low-identification. Supporting the second hypothesis, students after the period of athletic success reported more membership self-esteem than those before the period of athletic success. This research demonstrates that a student’s psychological connection to a sports team has a greater impact on their collective self-esteem about the university compared to athletic success.
Metallic Phase with Long-Range Orientational Order and No Translational Symmetry

We have observed a metallic solid (Al-14-at.%-Mn) with long-range orientational order, but with icosahedral point group symmetry, which is inconsistent with lattice translations. Its diffraction spots are as sharp as those of crystals but cannot be indexed to any Bravais lattice. The solid is metastable and forms from the melt by a first-order transition.
Control of Risk Factors Among People With Diagnosed Diabetes, by Lower Extremity Disease Status

Introduction We examined the control of modifiable risk factors among a national sample of diabetic people with and without lower extremity disease (LED). Methods The sample from the 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey consisted of 948 adults aged 40 years or older with diagnosed diabetes and who had been assessed for LED. LED was defined as peripheral arterial disease (ankle-brachial index <0.9), peripheral neuropathy (≥1 insensate area), or presence of foot ulcer. Good control of modifiable risk factors, based on American Diabetes Association recommendations, included being a nonsmoker and having the following measurements: HbA1c less than 7%, systolic blood pressure less than or equal to 130 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure less than or equal to 80 mm Hg, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol greater than 50 mg/dL, and body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 kg/m2 and 24.9 kg/m2. Results Diabetic people with LED were less likely than were people without LED to have recommended levels of HbA1c (39.3% vs 53.5%) and HDL cholesterol (29.7% vs 41.1%), but there were no differences in systolic or diastolic blood pressure, BMI classification, or smoking status between people with and without LED. Control of some risk factors differed among population subgroups. Notably, among diabetic people with LED, non-Hispanic blacks were more likely to have improper control of HbA1c (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-3.9), systolic blood pressure (AOR = 1.9; 95% CI, 1.1-3.2), and diastolic blood pressure (AOR = 2.6; 95% CI, 1.1-5.8), compared with non-Hispanic whites. Conclusion Control of 2 of 6 modifiable risk factors was worse in diabetic adults with LED compared with diabetic adults without LED. Among diabetic people with LED, non-Hispanic blacks had worse control of 3 of 6 risk factors compared with non-Hispanic whites.
Myths used to legitimize the exploitation of animals: An application of Social Dominance Theory

Abstract Social Dominance Theory (SDT) is used as a framework for understanding human attitudes towards the use of animals. According to SDT, people high in Social Dominance Orientation (SDO) prefer a hierarchically stratified society and generate “legitimizing myths” to justify their privileges. To explore whether this human-to-human prejudice theory generalizes to humans' attitudes to animals, relationships were tested between SDO and both personal use and general endorsement of the use of animals. In addition, qualitative data were collected on participants' justifications for luxury (clothing and cosmetics) and non-luxury (food and medicine) uses of animals. In a pilot study, (n = 26) adult women and men at a community pork roast reported distinct and meaningful justifications for animal use. The main study conducted with female and male college students at a university in the southern US (n = 226) revealed small, positive relationships between SDO and participants' personal use (r(226) = 0.15, p < 0.05) and endorsement of the use of animals (r(226) = 0.26, p < 0.001). Qualitative themes in participants' legitimizing myths for the use of animals were similar to those found in the pilot, the most common being Necessity, for both luxury and non-luxury uses. Analyses revealed significant differences in the likelihood of making the other justifications that emerged (Hedonic Pleasure, Religion, Food Chain, Human Nature, Animal Nature, Part of the System) across the luxury and non-luxury uses. Results are discussed in view of prejudice theory and animal welfare advocacy, demonstrating the ease with which social scientific theories of human-to-human prejudice can be applied to human-to-animal prejudice.
Linguistic alternants and code selection in Baba Malay

: This paper provides a brief account and explanation of the phenomenon of language use among the Baba community of Singapore. It is shown that the community utilizes Hokkien, Malay and English in the process of code selection and code-mixing/switching. The sequential use of the three languages is especially noteworthy for the purpose of reiteration. The Babas have been a distinct group of Chinese for centuries in the former straits Settlements of Malaya (comprising Malacca, Penang and Singapore). They are mainly descendants of the first Chinese immigrants to Malaya who belonged to the Hokkien and Teochew dialect groups. The data are drawn from the recordings of conversations of the babas and nyonyas.
Combining Multiple-Choice and Constructed-Response Test Scores: An Economist's View

There exists considerable evidence from educational measurement theorists that constructed-response questions add little new information about student achievement beyond that provided by multiple- choice questions. The purpose of this paper is to view this issue through the eyes of an economist, focussing on the bottom line of how many misclassifications would occur by replacing the constructed response portion of the Advanced Placement exams in economics by more multiple choice.
Elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio and decreased platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio are associated with poor prognosis in multiple myeloma

Elevated inflammatory markers are associated with poor outcomes in various types of cancers; however, their clinical significance in multiple myeloma (MM) have seldom been explored. This study investigated the prognostic relevance of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) in MM. Totally 559 MM patients were included in this study. NLR, PLR and MLR were calculated from whole blood counts prior to therapy. Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariate Cox proportional models were used for the evaluation of the survival. It has shown that newly diagnosed MM patients were characterized by high NLR and MLR. Elevated NLR and MLR and decreased PLR were associated with unfavorable clinicobiological features. Applying cut-offs of 4 (NLR), 100 (PLR) and 0.3 (MLR), elevated NLR, MLR and decreased PLR showed a negative impact on outcome. Importantly, elevated NLR and decreased PLR were independent prognostic factors for progression-free survival. Thus, elevated NLR and MLR, and decreased PLR predict poor clinical outcome in MM patients and may serve as the cost-effective and readily available prognostic biomarkers.
Power, politics, and critical race pedagogy: a critical race analysis of Black male teachers’ pedagogy

In this article, the authors explore the analytic connections between the scholarship on Black teachers and the development of the concept of critical pedagogy. In particular, the authors conduct a detailed analysis of both of these discourses and then explore the work of two African‐American male teachers in an urban school in Los Angeles. The findings reveal that the links between critical pedagogy and the scholarship on Black teachers is stronger than the existing literature would suggest. Additionally, it is suggested that Black male teachers in urban communities embody qualities outlined in both critical pedagogy and the scholarship on Black teachers.
A Preliminary Investigation of Pupil Proficiency Testing and State Education Reform Initiatives

Among educational improvement initiatives being implemented, a number of states have enacted policies that require students to attain a specified level of performance on a mandated pupil proficiency test to be promoted, receive a diploma, and so on. This study investigates such a policy involving performance on 1 state's reading proficiency test. A sample of 5,611 student scores on the state's reading test and corresponding judgments about the same students' preparation in reading made by the students' teachers and principals were examined to investigate (a) the extent of agreement among educators' judgments regarding students' academic preparation for successful work in the 5th grade; (b) relations between educators' judgments and students' performance on a state-mandated assessment; and (c) relations between educator judgments, student performance, and the policy initiative. Implications for use of tests in this way to promote educational reform and implications for equity across students' school experiences are presented.
Promoting Adolescent health through an intervention aimed at improving the quality of their participation in Physical Activity (PAPA): Background to the project and main trial protocol

Funded by the European Commission, the Promoting Adolescent health through an intervention is aimed at improving the quality of their participation in Physical Activity (PAPA) project revolved around the potential of youth sport to promote children's mental and emotional health and physical activity engagement. A theoretically grounded coach education training programme (i.e. Empowering Coaching™), which was designed to create a sporting environment which was more positive and adaptive for young children, was customised for grassroots soccer, delivered and evaluated via a multi-method cluster RCT across five European countries; namely, England, France, Greece, Norway and Spain. In this article, a key part of the protocol of this large and multi-faceted project is presented. The ethical standards and procedures, characteristics of the population targeted and overall study design, and core self-report questionnaire measures completed by the players are described. Information is provided as well on the translation principles and procedures and data-collection procedures adopted in the PAPA project.
Measuring equity sensitivity

Purpose – To examine the Equity Sensitivity Instrument (ESI) and the Equity Preference Questionnaire (EPQ) in a single study in order to see how the two measures are related, as well as how they relate to other variables, in an effort to identify which scale constitutes a better measure of the equity sensitivity construct.Design/methodology/approach – Using a self‐report questionnaire with two samples, 164 students and 186 non‐students, we analyzed the convergent and discriminant validity of the ESI and the EPQ with established measures of Machiavellianism and Positive Affect/Negative Affect. Additionally, the study examined the factor structures of the ESI and the EPQ.Findings – The summated ESI and EPQ scales showed little correlation with each other. Factor analysis of the scales revealed that the EPQ was multidimensional, while the ESI was unidimensional. Mixed findings among factor correlations precluded a definitive assessment of convergent or discriminant validity for the two scales. Many studies l.
Dominant and recessive inheritance of morbid obesity associated with melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.

Over 20 severely obese subjects in 11 independent kindreds have been reported to have pathogenic heterozygous mutations in the gene encoding the melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R), making this the most common known monogenic cause of human obesity. To date, the detailed clinical phenotype of this dominantly inherited disorder has not been defined, and no homozygous subjects have been described. We determined the nucleotide sequence of the entire coding region of the MC4R gene in 243 subjects with severe, early-onset obesity. A novel two-base pair GT insertion in codon 279 was found in two unrelated subjects, and four novel missense mutations, N62S, R165Q, V253I, C271Y, and one mutation (T112M) reported previously were found in five subjects. N62S was found in homozygous form in five children with severe obesity from a consanguineous pedigree. All four heterozygous carriers were nonobese. Several features of the phenotype, e.g. hyperphagia, tendency toward tall stature, hyperinsulinemia, and preserved reproductive function, closely resemble those reported previously in Mc4r knock-out mice. In addition, a marked increase in bone mineral density was seen in all affected subjects. In transient transfection assays, the N62S mutant receptor showed a responsiveness to alphaMSH that was intermediate between the wild-type receptor and mutant receptors carrying nonsense and missense mutations associated with dominantly inherited obesity. Thus MC4R mutations result in a syndrome of hyperphagic obesity in humans that can present with either dominant or recessive patterns of inheritance.
Online problem-based and enquiry-based learning in the training of educational psychologists

Over the past 40 years, problem-based learning (PBL) and enquiry-based learning (EBL) approaches have been used in a variety of professional training courses. More recently online versions of these pedagogies have been developed. This paper explains how online PBL and EBL activities have been incorporated into the professional training of educational psychologists, at the University of Birmingham, UK. Three examples of such activities are presented, together with data gathered during implementation which has helped to evaluate this work. There is a discussion of some of the emerging themes that have been generated and implications for the future use of online PBL/EBL in the training and continuing professional development of educational psychologists.