Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cephalometric assessment of craniofacial morphology in Chinese patients with obstructive sleep apnoea.

OBJECTIVE To compare the differences in craniofacial morphology in Chinese patients with and without obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). METHOD We performed lateral cephalometric radiographs on 94 consecutive patients (77 males) referred with snoring or other symptoms suggestive of OSA for polysomnography (PSG). Significant OSA was defined as an apneoa-hypopnoea index (AHI) > or = 10/h of sleep on overnight PSG. The cephalometric data were compared between those with and without significant OSA. RESULTS (mean +/- SD) There were 69 (56 males) with significant OSA with mean age 53 +/- 12 years, body mass index (BMI) 28.6 +/- 5.0 kg/m2, AHI 36.5 +/- 20.6/h, and minimum SaO2 76 +/- 14%. There were 25 controls (21 males) without significant OSA with similar age and BMI. The mandibular plane to hyoid bone distance (MPH) and the perpendicular distance from hyoid bone to the line connecting C3 vertebra and retrognathion (HHI) were significantly longer in the OSA patients. The angle measurement from sella to nasion to point A (SNA) was smaller in the OSA group. MPH distance was the only independent variable for significant OSA with an odds ratio of 3.47 (95% CI 1.39-8.66). Abnormalities of the MPH and SNA were more marked in the OSA patients with BMI > or = 30 kg/m2. CONCLUSIONS Significant differences in craniofacial morphology are noted between OSA patients and non-apnoeic controls. An inferiorly positioned hyoid bone and a retropositioned maxilla may predispose obese patients to more severe OSA.
MOA and TRA in social commerce: An integrated model

The growth of social commerce and social shopping communities have changed the nature of online shopping and human social interaction. However, relatively little work has been conducted to study the motivational factors affecting the individuals' social commerce behavior. Drawing from both Motivation, Opportunity and Ability Theory (MOA), and Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), this paper examines the influence of motivation, ability and opportunity on social commerce adoption. Survey questionnaires are personally-administered to 220 university students. Results indicate that individuals' behavioral intention to use social commerce is predicted with higher levels of motivation, ability and normative belief. Individuals' behavioral intention to use social commerce also significantly affects the individuals' actual social commerce behavior. This paper concludes with a discussion of research implications and new directions for future studies in the field social commerce.
A Machine Learning Approach to Predict Gene Regulatory Networks in Seed Development in Arabidopsis

Gene regulatory networks (GRNs) provide a representation of relationships between regulators and their target genes. Several methods for GRN inference, both unsupervised and supervised, have been developed to date. Because regulatory relationships consistently reprogram in diverse tissues or under different conditions, GRNs inferred without specific biological contexts are of limited applicability. In this report, a machine learning approach is presented to predict GRNs specific to developing Arabidopsis thaliana embryos. We developed the Beacon GRN inference tool to predict GRNs occurring during seed development in Arabidopsis based on a support vector machine (SVM) model. We developed both global and local inference models and compared their performance, demonstrating that local models are generally superior for our application. Using both the expression levels of the genes expressed in developing embryos and prior known regulatory relationships, GRNs were predicted for specific embryonic developmental stages. The targets that are strongly positively correlated with their regulators are mostly expressed at the beginning of seed development. Potential direct targets were identified based on a match between the promoter regions of these inferred targets and the cis elements recognized by specific regulators. Our analysis also provides evidence for previously unknown inhibitory effects of three positive regulators of gene expression. The Beacon GRN inference tool provides a valuable model system for context-specific GRN inference and is freely available at https://github.com/BeaconProjectAtVirginiaTech/beacon_network_inference. git.
Adaptive robust genetic association tests using case‐parents triad families

Using the conditional likelihood, a model‐specific score test can be derived under a given genetic model to test genetic association for case‐parents triad family data. When the underlying genetic model is correctly specified, the score test is most powerful. However, it can lose substantial power when the model is misspecified. Several robust tests have been proposed to deal with the problem, such as the maximum test statistic, the maximin efficiency robust test, and the constrained likelihood ratio test. These tests have been shown to be robust against model misspecification compared with those model‐specific score tests, but they are either time‐consuming in computation or not sufficiently high in power robustness under some situations. In this study, a data‐driven procedure is proposed to construct two adaptive robust genetic association tests WMERT and WMAX. The WMERT is simple in calculation and has fairly high power robustness. The empirical power of WMAX is quite stable and close to those of the model‐specific score tests. The two proposed tests should be beneficial to practical genetic association studies. A real dataset consisting of neural tube defect triad families is used for illustration of the methods. R‐scripts are also provided for numerical calculation of the proposed methods in practical studies.
Vacuum string field theory

This is a brief review of vacuum string field theory, a new approach to open string field theory based on the stable vacuum of the tachyon. We discuss the sliver state explaining its role as a projector in the space of half-string functionals. We review the construction of D-brane solutions in vacuum string field theory, both in the algebraic approach and in the more general geometrical approach that emphasizes the role of boundary CFT. -- To appear in the Proceedings of Strings 2001, Mumbai, India.
Social Network Analysis of the Genetic Structure of Pacific Islanders

Social network analysis (SNA) is a body of theory and a set of relatively new computer‐aided techniques used in the analysis and study of relational data. Recent studies of autosomal markers from over 40 human populations in the south‐western Pacific have further documented the remarkable degree of genetic diversity in this part of the world. I report additional analysis using SNA methods contributing new controlled observations on the structuring of genetic diversity among these islanders. These SNA mappings are then compared with model‐based network expectations derived from the geographic distances among the same populations. Previous studies found that genetic divergence among island Melanesian populations is organised by island, island size/topography, and position (coastal vs. inland), and that similarities observed correlate only weakly with an isolation‐by‐distance model. Using SNA methods, however, improves the resolution of among population comparison, and suggests that isolation by distance constrained by social networks together with position (coastal/inland) accounts for much of the population structuring observed. The multilocus data now available is also in accord with current thinking on the impact of major biogeographical transformations on prehistoric colonisation and post‐settlement human interaction in Oceania.
Quantitative demonstration of comparable architectonic areas within the ventromedial and lateral orbital frontal cortex in the human and the macaque monkey brains

The orbital and ventromedial frontal cortical regions of the human and the macaque monkey brains include several spatially discrete areas which are defined histologically by their distinctive laminar architecture. Although considerable information has been collected on the function and anatomical connections of specific architectonic areas within the orbital and ventromedial frontal cortex of the macaque monkey, the location of comparable areas in the human brain remains controversial. We re‐examined the comparability of orbital and ventromedial frontal areas across these two species and provide the first quantitative demonstration of architectonically comparable cortical areas in the human and the macaque brains. Images of Nissl‐stained sections of the cortex were obtained at low magnification. Differences in the typical size of neurons in alternating pyramidal and granule cell layers were exploited to segregate the cortical layers before sampling. Profiles of areal neuronal density were sampled across the width of the cortex. The location of individual cortical layers was identified on each profile by sampling a set of equally sized images on which the cortical layers had been manually traced. The rank order of sampled architectonic features in comparable architectonic areas in the two species was significantly correlated. The differences in measured features between gyral and sulcal parts of the same architectonic area are at a minimum 3–4 times smaller than the differences between architectonic areas for the areas examined. Furthermore, the quantified architectonic features arrange areas within the orbital and ventromedial frontal cortex along two dimensions: an anterior‐to‐posterior and a medial‐to‐lateral dimension. On the basis of these findings, and in light of known anatomical connections in the macaque, this region of the human cortex appears to comprise at least two hierarchically structured networks of areas.
An investigation into the relationship between student characteristics and the inquiry method of teaching science

Five instruments were used to collect data on student characteristics: the Combined Cognitive Preference Inventory, a modified Cognitive Style of Categorization Behaviour, the Test Of Science Related Attitudes, the Structures of Observed Learning Outcomes and a designed Student Perceived Characteristics of Success instruments. In this research five classes were taught science using the inquiry method. One of the treatment classes was matched to a control class taught conventionally. The data collected were analyzed in two different ways. First, the data of the five treatment classes were analyzed using non-parametric statistics. It was found that students who coped well with the inquiry method had significantly different characteristics than students who did not cope well. The distinctions between successful and unsuccessful inquiry students differed significantly between ability levels. A model was developed to show the hierarchal nature of inquiry student characteristics at different stages of cognitive development. Second, the data of the matched control and treatment classes were analyzed using parametric statistics. Student characteristics were incorporated in linear regression equations and it was found that the regression equations for control students were significantly different from the regression equations for inquiry students. Also, the inquiry method produced significantly better end of quarter achievement scores than the control method. This was not true for all achievement criteria at S.O. L.O. Singular and Multiple levels. The model developed from the non-parametric analysis was tested and refined by the results of the parametric analysis.
Professional Community: Facilitating Organizational Cultures in Support of Inclusion

A major problem in the effort to help students with disabilities understand and exercise their rights lies in the lack of community between parents and children on the one hand and the schools on the other. This article outlines the concept of professional community and how it can be useful. We propose that a school culture that is in support of inclusion will be a school culture that will be more likely to engage effectively with parents and students, a primary step in the process of teaching students how to effectively exercise rights as adults.
Ranking tournaments: Local search and a new algorithm

Ranking is a fundamental activity for organizing and, later, understanding data. Advice of the form “a should be ranked before b” is given. If this advice is consistent, and complete, then there is a total ordering on the data and the ranking problem is essentially a sorting problem. If the advice is consistent, but incomplete, then the problem becomes topological sorting. If the advice is inconsistent, then we have the feedback arc set (FAS) problem: The aim is then to rank a set of items to satisfy as much of the advice as possible. An instance in which there is advice about every pair of items is known as a tournament. This ranking task is equivalent to ordering the nodes of a given directed graph from left to right, while minimizing the number of arcs pointing left. In the past, much work focused on finding good, effective heuristics for solving the problem. Recently, a proof of the NP-completeness of the problem (even when restricted to tournaments) has accompanied new algorithms with approximation guarantees, culminating in the development of a PTAS (polynomial time approximation scheme) for solving FAS on tournaments. In this article, we reexamine many existing algorithms and develop some new techniques for solving FAS. The algorithms are tested on both synthetic and nonsynthetic datasets. We find that, in practice, local-search algorithms are very powerful, even though we prove that they do not have approximation guarantees. Our new algorithm is based on reversing arcs whose nodes have large indegree differences, eventually leading to a total ordering. Combining this with a powerful local-search technique yields an algorithm that is as strong, or stronger than, existing techniques on a variety of data sets.
Cognitive behavioral therapy: Current status and future research directions

Abstract Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), an umbrella term that includes a diverse group of treatments, is defined by a strong commitment to empiricism. While CBT has a robust empirical base, areas for improvement remain. This article reviews the status of the current empirical base and its limitations, and presents future directions for advancement of the field. Ultimately, studies are needed that will identify the predictors, mediators, and moderators of treatment response in order to increase knowledge on how to personalize interventions for each client and to strengthen the impact of CBT. Efforts to advance the dissemination and implementation of CBT, innovative approaches such as practice-oriented research, and the advantages of incorporating new and existing technologies, are discussed as well.
Up‐regulation of CCL11 and CCL26 is associated with activated eosinophils in bullous pemphigoid

Eosinophils contribute to the pathogenesis of bullous pemphigoid (BP) by secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and proteases. Trafficking of eosinophils into tissue in animal models and asthma depends on interleukin‐5 and a family of chemokines named eotaxins, comprising CCL11, CCL24 and CCL26. Up‐regulation of CCL11 has been described in BP, but the expression of the other two members of the eotaxin‐family, CCL24 and CCL26, has not been investigated. In addition to these chemokines, expression of adhesion molecules associated with eosinophil migration to the skin should be analysed. We demonstrate that similar to CCL11, the concentration of CCL26 was up‐regulated in serum and blister fluid of BP patients. In contrast, the concentration of CCL24 was not elevated in sera and blister fluid of the same BP patients. In lesional skin, CCL11 and CCL26 were detected in epidermis and dermis by immunohistochemistry. In contrast to CCL11, CCL26 was expressed strongly by endothelial cells. In line with these findings, eosinophils represented the dominating cell population in BP lesional skin outnumbering other leucocytes. The percentage of eosinophils expressing very late antigen (VLA): VLA‐4 (CD49d) and CD11c correlated with their quantity in tissue. Macrophage antigen (MAC)‐1 (CD11b/CD18) was expressed constitutively by tissue eosinophils. In conclusion, these data link the up‐regulation of the eosinophil chemotactic factor CCL26 in BP to the lesional accumulation of activated eosinophils in the skin. Thereby they broaden the understanding of BP pathogenesis and might indicate new options for therapeutic intervention.
GUI-driven code tracing

A significant part of a developer's activity is spent on maintenance tasks, which might involve dealing with unfamiliar code. Especially in these cases, a maintenance task is likely to imply a considerable amount of time locating the relevant source code that needs to be changed. This paper proposes a navigation mechanism for tracing UI elements of a running program to their representation in the source code. The technique relies on instrumenting the program in order to enable navigation from UI elements to locations in the source code. We have developed a prototype implementing the proposed mechanism and performed a user study where programmers were asked to perform maintenance tasks on programs of different sizes. We observed that the proposed mechanism enables fast code location, and that the time spent to accomplish similar tasks does not change significantly as program size increases.
Influenza follicles in the posterior pharyngeal wall

Influenza develops rapidly with a high fever accompanying chills and malaise. Respiratory symptoms such as nasal discharge, cough and sore throat, gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea, headache, joint pain, muscle pain, etc., frequently accompany it, but they are non-specific symptoms. On the other hand, influenza follicles in the posterior pharyngeal wall are very characteristic physical findings for the seasonal influenza diagnosis.1 Sakuma’s well-known paediatric pharynx findings textbook in Japan2 notes influenza follicles in the posterior pharyngeal wall. However, the textbook is written only in Japanese and is not indexed in the search systems of …
Intermittent intraperitoneal infusion of peptide YY(3-36) reduces daily food intake and adiposity in obese rats.

Peptide YY(3-36) [PYY(3-36)] is a gut-brain peptide that decreases food intake when administered by intravenous infusion to lean and obese humans and rats. However, chronic administration of PYY(3-36) by osmotic minipump to lean and obese rodents produces only a transient reduction in daily food intake and weight gain. It has recently been shown that 1-h intravenous infusions of PYY(3-36) every other hour for 10 days produced a sustained reduction in daily food intake, body weight, and adiposity in lean rats. Here, we determined whether intermittent delivery of PYY(3-36) can produce a similar response in diet-induced obese rats. During a 21-day period, obese rats (body fat >25%) received twice daily intraperitoneal infusion of vehicle (n = 18) or PYY(3-36) (n = 24) during hours 1-3 and 7-9 of the dark period. Rats had free access to both a 45% fat solid diet and a 29% fat liquid diet; intakes were determined from continuous computer recording of changes in food container weights. To sustain a 15-25% reduction in daily caloric intake, the initial PYY(3-36) dose of 30 pmol.kg(-1). min(-1) was reduced to 10 pmol.kg(-1). min(-1) on day 10 and then increased to 17 pmol.kg(-1). min(-1) on day 13. This dosing strategy produced a sustained reduction in daily caloric intake of 11-32% and prevented body weight gain (8 +/- 6 vs. 51 +/- 11 g) and fat deposition (4.4 +/- 7.6 vs. 41.0 +/- 12.8 g). These results indicate that intermittent intraperitoneal infusion of PYY(3-36) can produce a sustained reduction in food intake and adiposity in diet-induced obese rodents consuming palatable high-fat foods.
The craniomandibular mechanics of being human

Diminished bite force has been considered a defining feature of modern Homo sapiens, an interpretation inferred from the application of two-dimensional lever mechanics and the relative gracility of the human masticatory musculature and skull. This conclusion has various implications with regard to the evolution of human feeding behaviour. However, human dental anatomy suggests a capacity to withstand high loads and two-dimensional lever models greatly simplify muscle architecture, yielding less accurate results than three-dimensional modelling using multiple lines of action. Here, to our knowledge, in the most comprehensive three-dimensional finite element analysis performed to date for any taxon, we ask whether the traditional view that the bite of H. sapiens is weak and the skull too gracile to sustain high bite forces is supported. We further introduce a new method for reconstructing incomplete fossil material. Our findings show that the human masticatory apparatus is highly efficient, capable of producing a relatively powerful bite using low muscle forces. Thus, relative to other members of the superfamily Hominoidea, humans can achieve relatively high bite forces, while overall stresses are reduced. Our findings resolve apparently discordant lines of evidence, i.e. the presence of teeth well adapted to sustain high loads within a lightweight cranium and mandible.
Design, implementation, and evaluation of an ICT-supported collaboration methodology for distributed requirements determination

As information systems development becomes more distributed, information and communication technology (ICT) has become crucial to overcome distance and to enable collaboration between system users and analysts. This study presents the design, implementation, and experimental evaluation of a new technology-supported collaborative methodology for requirements determination. The new ICT-supported methodology enables the elicitation, analysis, specification, and validation of requirements in a distributed environment. Its design follows the theoretical principles of Te’eni’s (2001) cognitiveaffective model of organizational communication for IT design and combines established methods as well as techniques for requirements identification, formulation, dependency determination, prioritization, and selection in a coherent and innovative way. The resulting prototype is professionally implemented and evaluated in an experiment. The experiment is the first to compare the performance of traditional ways of communication via interviews and document exchange with that of communication via an Internet-based collaboration platform for requirements determination. The results show that, both, the efficiency of the overall requirements determination process as well as the overall quality of the resulting requirements, are higher when using the new collaborative methodology. In terms of quality, efficiency, the user and analyst perspectives need to be distinguished. While the effort for requirements elicitation increases for the analysts, this up-front investment pays off in terms of significantly lower effort for the later specification and validation of requirements. In contrast, the users benefit in particular from lower effort during requirements elicitation and analysis.