Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serotonin-2A and 2C receptor gene polymorphisms in Japanese patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVE The serotonin (5-HT) 2A and 2C receptor subtype plays an important role in the maintenance of upper airway stability and normal breathing in obesity. Polymorphisms in the 5-HT 2A receptor gene (HTR2A) and 5-HT 2C receptor gene (HTR2C) are associated with various diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate whether or not the HTR2A/C genotypes are associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). METHODS The PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism method was used to determine genotypes of the HTR2A/C gene. The genotype distributions and allele frequencies were statistically analyzed. SUBJECTS We studied 177 consecutive male patients with excessive daytime somnolence and an apnea plus hypopnea number [apnea-hypopnea index (AHI)] of greater than five per hour of sleep established by full polysomnography. One hundred Japanese men in whom OSA was clinically excluded were randomly selected as a control group. RESULTS Genotypes and allele frequencies of 102T/C polymorphism of the HTR2A and 796G/C polymorphism of the HTR2C did not differ between controls and patients with OSA. HTR2C polymorphism was considered inappropriate for association studies because of low frequency of the mutant allele. Multiple regression analysis showed that age and body mass index (BMI) were significantly associated with OSA, but HTR2A polymorphisms were not. HTR2A polymorphisms had no significant relationship with AHI or BMI, although further study with more samples will be needed for powerful statistical analyses. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that age and BMI, not these polymorphisms, are associated with OSA in this population.
Time Series Analysis as a Method to Examine Acoustical Influences on Real-time Perception of Music

Multivariate analyses of dynamic correlations between continuous acoustic properties (intensity and spectral flatness) and real-time listener perceptions of change and expressed affect (arousal and valence) in music are developed, by an extensive application of autoregressive Time Series Analysis (TSA). TSA offers a large suite of techniques for modeling autocorrelated time series, such as constitute both music's acoustic properties and its perceptual impacts. A logical analysis sequence from autoregressive integrated moving average regression with exogenous variables (ARIMAX), to vector autoregression (VAR) is established. Information criteria discriminate amongst models, and Granger Causality indicates whether a correlation might be a causal one. A 3 min electroacoustic extract from Wishart's Red Bird is studied. It contains digitally generated and transformed sounds, and animate sounds, and our approach also permits an analysis of their impulse action on the temporal evolution and the variance in the perceptual time series. Intensity influences perceptions of change and expressed arousal substantially. Spectral flatness influences valence, while animate sounds influence the valence response and its variance. This TSA approach is applicable to a wide range of questions concerning acoustic- perceptual relationships in music.
Amount of Information Needed for Model Choice in Approximate Bayesian Computation

Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) has become a popular technique in evolutionary genetics for elucidating population structure and history due to its flexibility. The statistical inference framework has benefited from significant progress in recent years. In population genetics, however, its outcome depends heavily on the amount of information in the dataset, whether that be the level of genetic variation or the number of samples and loci. Here we look at the power to reject a simple constant population size coalescent model in favor of a bottleneck model in datasets of varying quality. Not only is this power dependent on the number of samples and loci, but it also depends strongly on the level of nucleotide diversity in the observed dataset. Whilst overall model choice in an ABC setting is fairly powerful and quite conservative with regard to false positives, detecting weaker bottlenecks is problematic in smaller or less genetically diverse datasets and limits the inferences possible in non-model organism where the amount of information regarding the two models is often limited. Our results show it is important to consider these limitations when performing an ABC analysis and that studies should perform simulations based on the size and nature of the dataset in order to fully assess the power of the study.
Don’t Sweat Gym! An Analysis of Curriculum and Instruction

The delivery of curriculum to students through instructional classes represents the major professional task of teachers. It occupies the majority of their time. It is considered the main function of teachers from the public perspective. The purpose of this paper is to describe and analyze the work of the 11 high school physical educators from curricular and instructional perspectives. in this study official for physical each delivering curriculum through was teachers everywhere. Curricular issues will be discussed first, by instructional issues.
The Youth Adventure Programming Model

The literature on adventure programming indicates that it is a promising avenue for cultivating positive youth development, but little is known about the conditions that promote positive outcomes. Here, we propose a model for youth adventure programming based on a synthesis of the extant research. The youth adventure programming (YAP) model proposed in this article describes the critical features YAP offers; the experiential learning cycle that occurs within successful programs; and five factors that appear to moderate outcomes. The known risks and limitations of these programs are also described. The YAP model identifies knowledge gaps and areas for further research and is also offered as a tool for program development and evaluation.
Spherical cyclic formation control

In this paper, we study the problem of tracking and encircling a moving target by agents in 3D. Specifically, a group of agents are driven to some desired formation on a spherical surface and simultaneously keep the center of this spherical formation coinciding with the target to be tracked. In our control design, the desired formation is not used as a reference signal for tracking. Rather by designing communication topology for the agents we can achieve the desired formation using relative positions only. We can also place the desired cyclic formation on the equator if the north pole is specified.
Selecting High-Risk Individuals for Lung Cancer Screening: A Prospective Evaluation of Existing Risk Models and Eligibility Criteria in the German EPIC Cohort

Lung cancer risk prediction models are considered more accurate than the eligibility criteria based on age and smoking in identification of high-risk individuals for screening. We externally validated four lung cancer risk prediction models (Bach, Spitz, LLP, and PLCOM2012) among 20,700 ever smokers in the EPIC-Germany cohort. High-risk subjects were identified using the eligibility criteria applied in clinical trials (NELSON/LUSI, DLCST, ITALUNG, DANTE, and NLST) and the four risk prediction models. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value (PPV) were calculated based on the lung cancers diagnosed in the first 5 years of follow-up. Decision curve analysis was performed to compare net benefits. The number of high-risk subjects identified by the eligibility criteria ranged from 3,409 (NELSON/LUSI) to 1,458 (NLST). Among the eligibility criteria, the DLCST produced the highest sensitivity (64.13%), whereas the NLST produced the highest specificity (93.13%) and PPV (2.88%). The PLCOM2012 model showed the best performance in external validation (C-index: 0.81; 95% CI, 0.76–0.86; E/O: 1.03; 95% CI, 0.87–1.23) and the highest sensitivity, specificity, and PPV, but the superiority over the Bach model and the LLP model was modest. All the models but the Spitz model showed greater net benefit over the full range of risk estimates than the eligibility criteria. We concluded that all of the lung cancer risk prediction models apart from the Spitz model have a similar accuracy to identify high-risk individuals for screening, but in general outperform the eligibility criteria used in the screening trials. Cancer Prev Res; 8(9); 777–85. ©2015 AACR.
Latino Gender Differences in Public Opinion: Results from the Latino National Political Survey

The objective of this article is to determine whether there exists a Latino gender gap in public opinion. The issue areas selected for this study represent areas likely to reveal a gender gap if the phenomenon is present among Latinos in a manner similar to the general public. The areas studied include (a) support for decreased spending on military spending, (b) support for increased social welfare spending, and (c) attitudes toward women 's political and social roles. Some evidence for a Latino gender gap is found, and it runs in a similar direction on some social welfare issues and for women's social and political roles but is not consistent with the literature on violence and force issues. The results presented here are preliminary, however, and much research remains to be done on gender differences in other public opinion issues, as well as political activities and political orientation.
Comparisons of auditory brainstem response and sound level tolerance in tinnitus ears and non-tinnitus ears in unilateral tinnitus patients with normal audiograms

Objective Recently, “hidden hearing loss” with cochlear synaptopathy has been suggested as a potential pathophysiology of tinnitus in individuals with a normal hearing threshold. Several studies have demonstrated that subjects with tinnitus and normal audiograms show significantly reduced auditory brainstem response (ABR) wave I amplitudes compared with control subjects, but normal wave V amplitudes, suggesting increased central auditory gain. We aimed to reconfirm the “hidden hearing loss” theory through a within-subject comparison of wave I and wave V amplitudes and uncomfortable loudness level (UCL), which might be decreased with increased central gain, in tinnitus ears (TEs) and non-tinnitus ears (NTEs). Subjects and methods Human subjects included 43 unilateral tinnitus patients (19 males, 24 females) with normal and symmetric hearing thresholds and 18 control subjects with normal audiograms. The amplitudes of wave I and V from the peak to the following trough were measured twice at 90 dB nHL and we separately assessed UCLs at 500 Hz and 3000 Hz pure tones in each TE and NTE. Results The within-subject comparison between TEs and NTEs showed no significant differences in wave I and wave V amplitude, or wave V/I ratio in both the male and female groups. Individual data revealed increased V/I amplitude ratios > mean + 2 SD in 3 TEs, but not in any control ears. We found no significant differences in UCL at 500 Hz or 3000 Hz between the TEs and NTEs, but the UCLs of both TEs and NTEs were lower than those of the control ears. Conclusions Our ABR data do not represent meaningful evidence supporting the hypothesis of cochlear synaptopathy with increased central gain in tinnitus subjects with normal audiograms. However, reduced sound level tolerance in both TEs and NTEs might reflect increased central gain consequent on hidden synaptopathy that was subsequently balanced between the ears by lateral olivocochlear efferents.
Central versus peripheral prsentation of stimuli in an emotional stroop task

Abstract Four blocks of words, anxiety-related, anxiety-matched neutrals, happiness-related, and happiness-matched neutrals, were presented to subjects high and low in trait anxiety. Each block was presented once centrally and once peripherally. It was predicted that high-trait subjects would take longer to identify the colour of anxiety-related words as compared to anxiety-matched neutral words and that the magnitude of this effect should be greater for central as compared to peripheral presentation. Support was found only for the former hypothesis. Correlations demonstrated a different pattern of results for anxiety and depression. The content-specificity hypothesis is offered as an explanation for these findings.
A cautionary note on the power of the test for the indirect effect in mediation analysis

Recent simulation studies have pointed to the higher power of the test for the mediated effect vs. the test for the total effect, even in the presence of a direct effect. This has motivated applied researchers to investigate mediation in settings where there is no evidence of a total effect. In this paper we provide analytical insight into the circumstances under which higher power of the test for the mediated effect vs. the test for the total effect can be expected in the absence of a direct effect. We argue that the acclaimed power gain is somewhat deceptive and comes with a big price. On the basis of the results, we recommend that when the primary interest lies in mediation only, a significant test for the total effect should not be used as a prerequisite for the test for the indirect effect. However, because the test for the indirect effect is vulnerable to bias when common causes of mediator and outcome are not measured or not accounted for, it should be evaluated in a sensitivity analysis.
Bacterial Profile of Adult Sepsis and their Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern at Jimma University Specialized Hospital, South West Ethiopia

Background: Sepsis is a common and highly fatal clinical syndrome that is characterized by systemic inflammatory response syndrome due to infection. The aim of this study was to determine bacterial profile of adult sepsis and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern at Jimma University Specialized Hospital. Methods: This laboratory based prospective cross sectional study was performed in 95 adult septic cases in Jimma University specialized hospital during the period of March to June 2013. Blood cultures were performed to isolate bacteria and susceptibility to antibiotics was assessed as per standard procedures of microbiological methods. The data was analyzed using SPSS for windows version 16.0 software. Results: From a total of 95 suspected septic cases involved in this research, 15 (15.8 %) were positive to eight different types of bacteria. Gram positive organisms were isolated in 53.3 % of these episodes with Staphylococcus aureus being the most frequent, while Gram negative accounted for the remaining 46.7 % with Escherichia coli being the commonest isolate among Gram negative bacteria. The isolates showed high rates of resistance to most antibiotics tested in-vitro. The ranges of resistance to Gram positive bacteria were 0 % to 100 %, and to Gram negative from 14.3 % to 85.7 %. In our study multi-drug resistance (resistance to three or more drugs) was observed in 80 % of isolates. Of this 87.5% and 71.4 % accounted for Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria respectively (P=0.438). Conclusion: S. aureus and E. coli were the most common Gram positive and Gram negative organisms causing adult sepsis, respectively. Ciprofloxacin was the most effective compared with other drugs tested against the Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Multi-drug resistance was detected in 80 % of the isolates. The detection of multi-drug resistant isolates may further limit therapeutic options. Therefore, routine bacteriological profile examination along with their antibiotic resistance patterns must be a necessary component in the management of adult sepsis. A knowledge of these patterns is essential when local polices on the use of antibiotics are being devised.
Neutrophils rapidly transit inflamed lymphatic vessel endothelium via integrin‐dependent proteolysis and lipoxin‐induced junctional retraction

Neutrophils are the first leukocyte population to be recruited from the circulation following tissue injury or infection, where they play key roles in host defense. However, recent evidence indicates recruited neutrophils can also enter lymph and shape adaptive immune responses downstream in draining lymph nodes. At present, the cellular mechanisms regulating neutrophil entry to lymphatic vessels and migration to lymph nodes are largely unknown. Here, we have investigated these events in an in vivo mouse Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette‐Guérin vaccination model, ex vivo mouse dermal explants, and in vitro Transwell system comprising monolayers of primary human dermal lymphatic endothelial cells. We demonstrate that neutrophils are reliant on endothelial activation for adhesion, initially via E‐selectin and subsequently, by integrin‐mediated binding to ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1, combined with CXCL8‐dependent chemotaxis. Moreover, we reveal that integrin‐mediated neutrophil adhesion plays a pivotal role in subsequent transmigration by focusing the action of matrix metalloproteinases and the 15‐lipoxygenase‐1‐derived chemorepellent 12(S)‐hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid at neutrophil:endothelial contact sites to induce transient endothelial junctional retraction and rapid, selective neutrophil trafficking. These findings reveal an unexpectedly intimate collaboration between neutrophils and the lymphatic vessel endothelium, in which these phagocytic leukocytes act as pathfinders for their own transit during inflammation.
Being and Becoming a Mathematics Teacher Educator in and for Differing Contexts: Some lessons learned

In this self-study, I examine how differing locations and cultural contexts shaped my understandings of being and becoming a mathematics teacher educator. The purpose was to improve my own practice, accompanied by the hope that what I learned could also be potentially beneficial to other teacher educators. I selected three sustained, collaborative professional development opportunities in markedly different locations and cultural contexts in the USA as the focus for this study. Qualitative approaches were used to select and analyze artifacts from databases for each of these locations. This study reaffirmed my belief that developing a practice that positions mathematics teaching and learning as sense-making requires not only growth in knowledge of mathematics content and pedagogy but also a major shift in perspective. With the help of critical friends, I identified that worthwhile tasks, productive discourse, and supportive learning environments were key elements in my support of such a shift in perspective with teachers. I also learned that the specifics of my planning and implementation of these elements must vary, nuanced according to my understanding of the location and cultural context. While I cannot impose my views of mathematics education on others, I can work toward transforming my practice while supporting teachers as they engage in transforming their practices.
Relations between serum reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs) and various inflammatory and metabolic parameters in a Japanese population.

AIM Both oxidative stress and inflammation are known to play roles in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. We investigated the relations between reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs) and various inflammatory and metabolic parameters in a Japanese population. METHODS We analyzed 48 male and 69 female subjects, aged 25 to 65 years, who underwent an annual health checkup in our university. Serum ROM level was assayed using a free radical elective evaluator. We also measured serum concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), insulin, and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin. RESULTS Although the serum ROM level in females (347+/-83 Carr U) was slightly higher than in males (333+/-53 Carr U), this was not statistically significant. In the 48 male subjects, the ROM level negatively correlated with age (r=-0.344, p=0.0161), and positively correlated with the hsCRP level (r=0.306, p=0.0338). In the 69 female subjects, the ROM level negatively correlated with serum creatinine (r=-0.293, p=0.0141), and positively correlated with insulin (r=0.278, p=0.0202), the insulin resistance index (r=0.286, p=0.0170) and hsCRP levels (r=0.487, p<0.0001). Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that serum hsCRP, creatinine, and age were independently correlated with the serum ROMs level (R2=0.365; F value highest for hsCRP). When the study subjects were divided into tertiles according to the ROM level, serum hsCRP was significantly different among the three groups: its level was highest in the highest tertile of ROMs (p<0.001). CONCLUSION These results suggest that the serum ROM level is closely associated with serum hsCRP in Japanese adult subjects.
Is Texting Ruining Intimacy? Exploring Perceptions Among Sexuality Students in Higher Education

In the context of researchers’ and educators’ concerns about the pervasive use of technology to communicate with one another, this study explored whether the frequency of emerging adults’ computer-mediated communication (CMC) is correlated with their perceptions of intimacy, relationship, and sexual satisfaction. The sample included 298 young adults ages 18–29, primarily female students in human sexuality courses, who had been in a face-to-face romantic relationship for at least six weeks and who used CMC to communicate with their romantic partner. Examining the frequency of CMC, intimacy, and relationship satisfaction, the only significant correlation was with participants who sent a moderate number of emails to their partners in a typical day. There were no significant correlations between sexual satisfaction and frequency of any form of CMC (texting, instant messaging, or email). The findings of this research suggest that the use of CMC among this sample is not problematic. For some, in fact, CMC may be considered a helpful tool for maintaining their relationship.
Students' Involvement in International Humanitarian Aid: Learning from Student Responses to the 2004 Tsunami in Sri Lanka

Aid delivery has been critiqued for its failure to be locality-specific and culturally relevant for recipients. Humanitarian responses to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami involved volunteers, professionals, and social work and other students. In this article, we consider students' endeavours in two responses to this tsunami in Sri Lanka. These initiatives involving professionals, academics and students from financially wealthy Western countries working in a less wealthy and powerful country sought to empower victim survivors receiving aid in rebuilding their lives after the tsunami. We draw on a large scale three-year qualitative study of two models which began shortly after this disaster—one institutional, the other professional. The research covered many dimensions of humanitarian aid in Sri Lanka. In this paper, we focus on: students' perceptions of their preparation before going overseas; the support they received while abroad; their debriefing upon return; and implications of their experiences for empowering approaches to humanitarian aid. The research revealed many positives in students' experiences. However, structural inequalities perpetuated inegalitarian relationships, despite individual attempts to the contrary. This paper offers lessons to improve the quality of students' experiences and their contributions to local people's well-being.
Open Global Networks, Closed International Flows

/ The purpose of this study is twofold: first, to propose a conceptual framework incorporating various theoretical perspectives in the fields of sociology and mass communication to identify the determinants of international flow and hyperlinks of foreign news in cyberspace and second, to test this model using data randomly collected from online news media in 15 countries. Against the backdrop of the world system theory, three specific hypotheses were tested. The results suggest that, although the Internet is an open global network, the flow of news and information through outgoing hyperlinks between countries remains mostly closed. If the findings are any indication, online journalism around the world does not make better use of the `open media code' of the Internet, still subscribing to a `closed media code' in its practices.