Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Common variant in 6q26-q27 is associated with distal colon cancer in an Asian population

Background and aim Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a multifactorial disease with both environmental and genetic factors contributing to its development. The incidence of CRC is increasing year by year in Japan. Patients with CRC in advanced stages have a poor prognosis, but detection of CRC at earlier stages can improve clinical outcome. Therefore, identification of epidemiologial factors that influence development of CRC would facilitate the prevention or early detection of disease. Methods To identify loci associated with CRC risk, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for CRC and sub-analyses by tumour location using 1583 Japanese CRC cases and 1898 controls. Subsequently, we conducted replication analyses using a total of 4809 CRC cases and 2973 controls including 225 Korean subjects with distal colon cancer and 377 controls. Results We identified a novel locus on 6q26-q27 region (rs7758229 in SLC22A3, p=7.92×10−9, OR of 1.28) that was significantly associated with distal colon cancer. We also replicated the association between CRC and SNPs on 8q24 (rs6983267 and rs7837328, p=1.51×10−8 and 7.44×10−8, ORs of 1.18 and 1.17, respectively). Moreover, we found cumulative effects of three genetic factors (rs7758229, rs6983267, and rs4939827 in SMAD7) and one environmental factor (alcohol drinking) which appear to increase CRC risk approximately twofold. Conclusions We found a novel susceptible locus in SLC22A3 that contributes to the risk of distal colon cancer in an Asian population. These findings would further extend our understanding of the role of common genetic variants in the aetiology of CRC.
Perioperative Management of Antiplatelets and Anticoagulants Among Patients Undergoing Elective Transurethral Resection of the Prostate--A Single Institution Experience.

PURPOSE To evaluate current practice in the perioperative management of antiplatelets (AP) and anticoagulants (AC) among men undergoing elective transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), as well as the associated perioperative bleeding and thromboembolic complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS Retrospective review of consecutive elective TURP patients in a single tertiary institution from January 2011 to December 2013 (n = 293). Data on the regular use of AP/AC and the perioperative management approach were collected from patients' electronic medical records. Bleeding and thromboembolic complications were assessed up to 30 days postoperative. Association between AP/AC use and perioperative complications was assessed using the Kruskall-Wallis test (continuous variables) and the Fisher exact test (categoric variables). RESULTS There were 107/293 (37%) patients receiving long-term AP while there were 25/293 (9%) patients receiving long-term AC. A total of 72/107 (67%) patients ceased AP on an average of 7.6 days preoperatively, while 35/107 (33%) continued receiving AP. Patients with coronary stents (62%) and coronary bypass graft (67%) were significantly more likely to continued receiving AP (P < 0.001). AC was ceased in all patients preoperatively, with 16/25 (64%) receiving enoxaparin bridging. Overall, there were 31 (10%) incidents of bleeding complications and 5 (2%) thromboembolic events. AC users who had enoxaparin bridging had significantly higher risk of bleeding complications (44%), compared with non-AP/AC users (8%), AP users who ceased AP (4%), AP users who continued receiving AP (17%), and AC users who did not receive enoxaparin bridging (0%) (P < 0.001). AC users who received enoxaparin bridging also reported significantly higher thromboembolic complications (17%; P < 0.001) and prolonged hospital stay (mean 5.4 days) (P = 0.002), compared with other patients. CONCLUSION Perioperative management of AP/AC should be based on the indications and the American College of Chest Physicians thromboembolic risk stratification. Regular AC users who had enoxaparin bridging are at increased risk of both perioperative bleeding and thromboembolic complications.
Distributed Observers Design for Leader-Following Control of Multi-Agent Networks (Extended Version)

This paper is concerned with a leader-follower problem for a multi-agent system with a switching interconnection topology. Distributed observers are designed for the second-order follower-agents, under the common assumption that the velocity of the active leader cannot be measured in real time. Some dynamic neighbor-based rules, consisting of distributed controllers and observers for the autonomous agents, are developed to keep updating the information of the leader. With the help of an explicitly constructed common Lyapunov function (CLF), it is proved that each agent can follow the active leader. Moreover, the tracking error is estimated even in a noisy environment. Finally, a numerical example is given for illustration.
Something in the way

The title of my thesis, Something in the Way, came to me only recently. It does address, however, my approach to photography in general, and my method for choosing subjects, as much as it addresses this particular body of work. Barriers of a literal and non-literal nature appear, often in the form of apathy or lassitude, impairing that subject's ability to achieve realization or actualization. People are depicted absorbed in thought or task, and a sense of ennui overshadows their existence. We cannot see into their thoughts, but we are informed of the subject's situation by the details of the setting: lying in a bed laden with suitcases, isolated in a motel room, a child in her room with a single overturned toy. Even as the images suggest an overshadowing or isolation, there is also present the possibility of transformation, and the grace of the subject itself is by no means suppressed. There is something in the way an expression reveals or conceals thoughts, in the way the light falls, or in the way a gesture expresses elegance. In large part, these images consist of portraits of my family and friends as well as the homes and interior spaces they occupy. Photographs of objects within the homes are significant for the meaning they hold for the owners as well as their implications for the viewer. Mundane human rituals interest me as well, and banal scenes like sitting around a table to eat, preparing food, smoking, or simply staring reflectively. There is an emotional distance between me and the subjects in many of the photographs. Within the framing and composition, there is often space around the subjects, allowing them to fill their environment and illustrate their absorption in a task or action. These images depict the subject apparently unaware of the presence of the camera and absorbed in a chore or thought. In most of the images the subjects aren't looking at the camera. I am not following a documentary subject or creating a documentary body of work. Rather, my approach is to visually connect images, themes and motifs through the process of accumulation and then editing with these connections in mind. Although I don't utilize tableau vivants or staged scenes, it is not uncommon for me to place subjects in a scene or direct their actions. My thesis will further examine these issues.
Two Aspects of Relevance in Structured Argumentation: Minimality and Paraconsistency

This paper studies two issues concerning relevance in structured argumentation in the context of the ASPIC+ framework, arising from the combined use of strict and defeasible inference rules. One issue arises if the strict inference rules correspond to classical logic. A longstanding problem is how the trivialising effect of the classical Ex Falso principle can be avoided while satisfying consistency and closure postulates. In this paper, this problem is solved by disallowing chaining of strict rules, resulting in a variant of the ASPIC+ framework called ASPIC*, and then disallowing the application of strict rules to inconsistent sets of formulas. Thus in effect Rescher & Manor's paraconsistent notion of weak consequence is embedded in ASPIC*. Another issue is minimality of arguments. If arguments can apply defeasible inference rules, then they cannot be required to have subset-minimal premises, since defeasible rules based on more information may well make an argument stronger. In this paper instead minimality is required of applications of strict rules throughout an argument. It is shown that under some plausible assumptions this does not affect the set of conclusions. In addition, circular arguments are in the new ASPIC* framework excluded in a way that satisfies closure and consistency postulates and that generates finitary argumentation frameworks if the knowledge base and set of defeasible rules are finite. For the latter result the exclusion of chaining of strict rules is essential. Finally, the combined results of this paper are shown to be a proper extension of classical-logic argumentation with preferences and defeasible rules.
Various effects of antipsychotics on P50 sensory gating in Chinese schizophrenia patients: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis so we could evaluate the impact of antipsychotics on the P50 ratio in Chinese schizophrenia patients. METHODS Data were collected from the following databases: PubMed, China Biological Medicine Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Cochrane Library and Elsevier Science Direct, with the latest report up to May 2011. An effect size with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to assess the strength of various effects of antipsychotics on P50 ratio in the patients. RESULTS A total of six studies including 315 and 285 schizophrenia patients at the baseline and endpoint, respectively. Overall, no significant effect of these medicines on the P50 ratio was found (overall effect z=1.03, p=0.30; heterogeneity: Chi2=2.81, df=8, p=0.95, I2=0%). In subgroup analysis by drug, we did not find any significant effects on P50 ratio in either first-generation antipsychotics (effect z=0.92, p=0.36; heterogeneity: Chi2=0.00, df=1, p=0.98, I2=0%) or second-generation antipsychotics (effect z=0.55, p=0.58; heterogeneity: Chi2=2.38, df=5, p=0.79, I2=0%). CONCLUSION Our meta-analysis suggests that neither the first-generation nor the second-generation antipsychotics had any significant effects on P50 ratio in Chinese patients with schizophrenia.
TOWARDS A SPEECH SYNTHESIS SYSTEM WITH CONTROLLABLE AMUSEMENT LEVELS

This work exposes some observations on "shaking vowels". These vowels containing a tremolo-like sound are present in amused speech. Some of the temporal and spectral patterns are exposed and observations are given concerning them. This work is a preliminary step towards being able to use these "shaking vowels" along with speech-smiles, speechlaughs and laughter to control the degree of amusement in synthesized speech.
Emotional prosody and diffusion tensor imaging in children after traumatic brain injury

Abstract Primary objective: Brain structures and their white matter connections that may contribute to emotion processing and may be vulnerable to disruption by a traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurring in childhood have not been thoroughly explored. Research design and methods: The current investigation examines the relationship between diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics, including fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and 3-month post-injury performance on a task of emotion prosody recognition and a control task of phonological discrimination in a group of 91 children who sustained either a moderate-to-severe TBI (n = 45) or orthopaedic injury (OI) (n = 46). Main outcomes and results: Brain-behaviour findings within OI participants confirmed relationships between several significant white matter tracts in emotional prosody performance (i.e. the cingulum bundle, genu of the corpus callosum, inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF) and the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus (IFOF). The cingulum and genu were also related to phonological discrimination performance. The TBI group demonstrated few strong brain behaviour relationships, with significant findings emerging only in the cingulum bundle for Emotional Prosody and the genu for Phonological Processing. Conclusion: The lack of clear relationships in the TBI group is discussed in terms of the likely disruption to cortical networks secondary to significant brain injuries.
Slight gate oxide thickness increase in PMOS devices with BF2 implanted polysilicon gate

The gate oxide thickness increase in PMOSFET devices with BF/sub 2/ implanted p/sup +/ polysilicon gate is observed even when rapid thermal annealing (RTA) is used as a dopant activation thermal process. The increase of oxide thickness is studied as a function of RTA temperature, RTA time, and initial oxide thickness in the 35 /spl Aring/ regime and is being reported for the first time. It was found that oxide thickness increase could be as significant as 7% in this regime. This phenomenon can be explained by the model of fluorine incorporation, which is found to he effectively suppressed with nitrogen implanted in the polysilicon.
Do “hard” diversity policies increase ethnic minority representation?: An assessment of their (in)effectiveness using administrative data

Purpose – This study aims to examine the effectiveness of three types of diversity policies in improving the numerical representation of ethnic minorities in organizations: the assignment of responsibility for the policy within the organization, tiebreak preferential treatment, i.e. selecting the ethnic minority candidate if the best applicants are equally qualified, and the formulation of target figures.Design/methodology/approach – The dataset consists of 8,283 official reports of Dutch work organizations filed in 2001 and 2002 to comply with the Act Stimulation Labor Participation Minorities (Wet SAMEN). The research is embedded in the broader literature on the underlying motivations for diversity policies and on their potential “symbolic” character.Findings – The analysis suggests that the three diversity policies and ethnic minority representation are correlated. However, the policies do not impact ethnic minority participation rates in the short run.Research limitations/implications – Future researc.
Hydroxyl radical‐induced decline in motility and increase in lipid peroxidation and DNA modification in human sperm

We employed the xanthine‐xanthine oxidase system to produce H2O2 or simply used commercially available H2O2 solution to investigate the effects of exogenous hydroxyl radicals on the motility characteristics and on lipid peroxidation and DNA modification of human sperm. The functional parameters of sperm motility declined concomitantly upon incubation of sperm with hydroxyl radicals. After incubation of freshly ejaculated human sperm with 0.23 mM H2O2 in the presence of 1.8 mM ADP and 2.7 mM FeSO4 for 1 hr at 37°C, 90% reduction of motility was observed. Effect of hydroxyl radicals on sperm motility was dependent on the concentrations of FeSO4 and H2O2, respectively. The remaining motility of sperm after 1 hr incubation showed negative linear correlation with FeSO4 concentration. The response of sperm motility to FeSO4 was also dependent on the concentration of H2O2. Except for the amplitude of lateral head displacement, functional parameters of sperm declined with the increase of H2O2 concentration. Moreover, we found that lipid peroxidation measured as malondialdehyde (MDA) and accumulation of modified DNA indicated by 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine (8‐OH‐dG) in human sperm were significantly accelerated by exogenous hydroxyl radicals. The contents of lipid peroxides and 8‐OH‐dG in the spermatozoa were increased from 24.6±2.4 nmol MDA/1×107 sperm and 0.17±0.02% in the untreated group to 30.6±1.2 nmol MDA/1×107 sperm and 1.9±0.47%, respectively, in the sperm treated at 37°C for 1 hr with 2.03 mM H2O2, 1.8 mM ADP and 4.5 mM FeSO4. Taken together, these results suggest that the detrimental effects of hydroxyl radicals on human sperm functions may be mediated, at least partly, through lipid peroxidation and DNA modification.
Argumentative and Aggressive Communication: Theory, Research, and Application

Now in its second edition, Argumentative and Aggressive Communication is the only text dedicated to the presentation and synthesis of research, theory, and application efforts on the aggressive communication traits of argumentative and verbal aggressiveness. In this updated edition, Rancer and Avtgis present new research and theory on argumentative and aggressive communication that has been influential in communication and in other social science disciplines since the first edition was published in 2006. The volume includes a discussion of new contexts in which argumentative and aggressive communication has become salient as well as new areas of research which extend into the domains of healthcare, sports, politics, digital media, and nonverbal communication. This edition includes over 100 new studies and references. With student-friendly features such as discussion questions at the end of chapters, the text is ideal for courses in communication and conflict, interpersonal communication, communication and personality, and personality theory and research, among others. It is also an invaluable resource and reference for scholars and graduate students who conduct research on argumentative and aggressive communication.
Self-interaction correction in multiple scattering theory: application to transition metal oxides

We apply to transition metal monoxides the self-interaction corrected (SIC) local spin density approximation, implemented locally in the multiple scattering theory within the Korringa–Kohn–Rostoker (KKR) band structure method. The calculated electronic structure and in particular magnetic moments and energy gaps are discussed in reference to the earlier SIC results obtained within the linear muffin-tin orbital atomic sphere approximation band structure method, involving transformations between Bloch and Wannier representations, in order to solve the eigenvalue problem and calculate the SIC charge and potential. Since the KKR method can be easily extended to treat disordered alloys, by invoking the coherent potential approximation (CPA), in this paper we compare the CPA approach and supercell calculations to study the electronic structure of NiO with cation vacancies.
Model exploration with temporal logic query checking

A temporal logic query is a temporal logic formula with placeholders. Given a model, a solution to a query is a set of assignments of propositional formulas to placeholders, such that replacing the placeholders with any of these assignments results in a temporal logic formula that holds in the model. Query checking, first introduced by William Chan [2], is an automated technique for finding solutions to temporal logic queries. It allows discovery of the temporal properties of the system and as such may be a useful tool for model exploration and reverse engineering.This paper describes an implementation of a temporal logic query checker. It then suggests some applications of this tool, ranging from invariant computation to test case generation, and illustrates them using a Cruise Control System.
Geleneksel Türk Sanat Müziği Dersinde Uygulanan Dizgeli Öğretim Yönteminin Öğrenci Erişisine ve Kalıcılığa Etkisi/ The Effect Of Systematic Instruction Method On The Achievements And Permanence Of Students In Traditional Turkish Art Music

Bu arastirma; Egitim Fakultelerine bagli Guzel Sanatlar Egitimi Bolumleri Muzik Egitimi Anabilim Dallari Lisans Programinda yer alan Geleneksel Turk Sanat Muzigi dersi ogretim surecinde uygulanan Dizgeli Ogretim yonteminin ogrenci erisisi uzerindeki etkisini ortaya koymak amaciyla yapilmistir. Arastirmada yer alan problemlerin cozumu icin gerekli olan veriler ise hazirlanan Geleneksel Turk Sanat Muzigi dersi ogretim programi ve erisi testi yoluyla toplanmistir. Verilerin istatistiksel analizlerinde SPSS 15 (The Statistical Packet For The Social Science) paket programi kullanilmistir. Erisi testleri uzerinde yapilan cozumlemeler sonucunda, Dizgeli Ogretim yontemi ne gore egitim verilen deney grubunun bilgi, kavrama, toplam erisi ve toplam kalicilik duzeyi puanlari ile geleneksel ogretim yontemine gore egitim verilen kontrol grubunun bilgi, kavrama, toplam erisi ve toplam kalicilik duzeyi puanlari arasinda, deney grubu lehine istatistiksel olarak anlamli bir fark bulunmustur. Bu arastirma ile Dizgeli Ogretim yontemi nin, Geleneksel Turk Sanat Muzigi egitimini, nitelik ve verimlilik bakimindan bulundugu noktadan daha ust noktaya tasiyabilecek ozellikte bir yaklasim oldugu ortaya koyulmustur. Anahtar Kelimeler : Muzik egitimi anabilim dali, geleneksel Turk sanat muzigi dersi, ogretim programi, dizgeli ogretim yontemi , geleneksel ogretim yontemi, erisi testi. Abstract This research related to Faculty of Education Departments of Music Education Degree Programme in Fine Arts Education Departments in the Faculty of Traditional Turkish Art Music course Systematic method applied in the teaching process was carried out to demonstrate the impact on student achievement . The data needed for the solution of problems in the study prepared in the traditional Turkish art music through curriculum and achievement test were collected. Statistical analyzes of data using SPSS 15 (The Statistical Packet for the Social Science) program is used. As a result of the analyses of the achievement tests, according to the systematic instruction method there is statistically significant difference in favor of the experiment group between the scores of comprehension, total achievement and total permanence of the experiment group and the scores of comprehension, total achievement and total permanence of the control group in terms of traditional instruction method. Through this study it has been put forward that compared to the traditional instruction method, the systematic instruction method is the approach with the potential to enrich and enhance the education of traditional Turkish art music in quality and quantity. Key Words : music education program, traditional Turkish art music, instructional program, systematic instruction model, traditional instructional method, achievement test.
Decreased levels of serum platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase in patients with rheumatic diseases

PAF is a potent inflammatory compound known to stimulate the release of various cytokines involved in rheumatic diseases. Elevated blood PAF levels are reported in these patients. We report that serum PAF acetylhydrolase activity (AHA) levels are decreased in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis as compared to healthy controls. Serum and synovial fluid AHA levels were correlated in these patients. The present study suggests the potential role of AHA in controling systemic and/or local PAF levels in patients with rheumatic diseases.