Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fit or unfit: analysis and prediction of 'closed questions' on stack overflow

Stack Overflow is widely regarded as the most popular Community driven Question Answering (CQA) website for programmers. Questions posted on Stack Overflow which are not related to programming topics, are marked as `closed' by experienced users and community moderators. A question can be `closed' for five reasons -- duplicate, off-topic, subjective, not a real question and too localized. In this work, we present the first study of `closed' questions on Stack Overflow. We download 4 years of publicly available data which contains 3.4 Million questions. We first analyze and characterize the complete set of 0.1 Million `closed' questions. Next, we use a machine learning framework and build a predictive model to identify a `closed' question at the time of question creation. One of our key findings is that despite being marked as `closed', subjective questions contain high information value and are very popular with the users. We observe an increasing trend in the percentage of closed questions over time and find that this increase is positively correlated to the number of newly registered users. In addition, we also see a decrease in community participation to mark a `closed' question which has led to an increase in moderation job time. We also find that questions closed with the Duplicate and Off Topic labels are relatively more prone to reputation gaming. Our analysis suggests broader implications for content quality maintenance on CQA websites. For the `closed' question prediction task, we make use of multiple genres of feature sets based on - user profile, community process, textual style and question content. We use a state-of-art machine learning classifier based on an ensemble framework and achieve an overall accuracy of 70.3%. Analysis of the feature space reveals that `closed' questions are relatively less informative and descriptive than non-`closed' questions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first experimental study to analyze and predict `closed' questions on Stack Overflow.
Mapping the Pattern and Trends of Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis

Background and Objectives: There has been a rapid expansion of the directly observed treatment short-term (DOTS) under the revised national tuberculosis control program throughout India in the last decade. Few reports exist detailing individual DOTS centers’ experiences with regard to extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) in a medical college hospital setting. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective, record-based study of patients with the diagnosis of EPTB, in all age groups. Data on all consecutive EPTB cases diagnosed at the K. S. Hegde Medical College and Hospital, Deralakatte, Mangalore from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2011 at the DOTS centre attached to this hospital were collected, analyzed by Mantel-Haenszel Chi square for linear trend and described in proportion or percentages. Results: Among 1267 cases registered for treatment of all forms of tuberculosis, 528 (41.67%) had EPTB. Around half of the cases of EPTB (269, 51%) were among adult age groups and the majority of cases (342, 64.77%) received Category-I treatment. Pleural TB was the commonest type of EPTB (n = 148, 28.03%), followed by lymph node TB (n = 131, 24.81%). Involvement of lymph nodes was the commonest manifestation among the less than 14 years’ age group (27, 58.7%), while involvement of pleura was more common among > 65 years’ age group (23, 45.1%). The difference in the occurrence of EPTB by site between males and females is statistically significant with a P value of <0.005. There is a significant increase in the number of cases of tuberculosis affecting bones and joints, and other forms of tuberculosis over the years. Conclusion: The burden of EPTB is more among the productive age group. Increase in the trend of bone and joint tuberculosis, and other rare forms of EPTB is a point of concern highlighting the importance of strengthening the services towards this group.
An effective method for number and letter character recognition

An effective algorithm for number and letter character recognition is proposed in this paper. Our algorithm employs template matching, but it unlike traditional template matching method using the original pixel value to match. Our algorithm draws some features from the original image, and then obtains an eigenvector of 192 dimensions. Before drawing features, the image is disposed using math morphologic algorithm. And then measures the Euclidean distance between the sample vector and the template vector. Then we can obtain the result of recognition. A larger number of experiments prove that this algorithm own high performance and robustness. It can recognize characters which have high similarities, for example, 8, B, R, O and Q. This algorithm also tolerates the slightly tilt of the image. The recognition rate of this algorithm is 99.25%.
A role for Bayesian inference in cetacean population assessment

Decisions concerning the management and conservation of cetacean populations depend upon knowledge of population parameters, which generally must be estimated from sample data using statistical models. However, data from the cetacean populations are often sparse, and resultant parameter estimates can be uncertain and difficult to obtain. This review uses examples from published work to highlight the utility of the Bayesian statistical paradigm as a suitable estimation framework in these situations. By evaluating the probability of obtaining the available data, given a specified estimator model, for a whole prior distribution of possible parameter values, the Bayesian approach is capable of quantifying the uncertainty associated with parameter estimates. The potential also exists for reducing uncertainty by incorporating relevant information into the prior distributions used in the Bayesian estimation procedure. The paper describes how the use of graphical model specification and graphical output of parameter estimates can make Bayesian methods attractive for data analysis and explains the recent advances in computational methods that have made Bayesian techniques more available for providing useful estimates of cetacean population parameters.
Different effects of smoking or use of smokeless tobacco on platelet MAO-B activity in type 1 alcohol-dependent subjects.

BACKGROUND Low platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO)-B activity has been proposed as a marker for alcohol-dependence. Findings are, however, contradictory and the influence of confounding factors have been thoroughly investigated. Thus, it is now well established that cigarette smoking reduces platelet MAO-activity. However, not much is known about the influence of smokeless tobacco, i.e. snuff or chewing tobacco, on platelet MAO-B activity. The aim of the present study was to compare platelet MAO-B activity in type 1 alcohol-dependent subjects with concomitant use of smokeless tobacco (i.e. snuff users), use of smoking tobacco (i.e. cigarette smokers), and in those without any tobacco use. METHODS Platelet MAO-B activity was examined in three groups of alcohol-dependent subjects: snuff users (n = 14), cigarette smokers (n = 33), and non-tobacco users (N = 46). RESULTS In the alcohol-dependent subjects concomitant cigarette smokers, but not snuff users, were found to have significantly lower platelet MAO-B activity as compared to non-tobacco users (platelet MAO-B activity 4.0 +/- 1.5, 5.1 +/- 1.5 and 5.0 +/- 1.9 microkat/kg protein, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The findings in the present study suggests that in the alcohol-dependent subjects the concomitant use of smokeless tobacco, i.e. snuffing, does not have an inhibitory effect on platelet MAO-B activity. This may have implications for future research. Thus, alcohol-dependent subjects with concomitant tobacco use should be grouped separately according to the form of the tobacco used, i.e. smoking or smokeless tobacco.
Conceptual Modeling in the Context of Development

The conceptual model is a model of the application domain as perceived by the users' community and the development team. It Is a common reference framework upon which the users and the team communicate. It gives insight into the application and enables the development team to have a better understanding of the users needs. It is a basis for the design. prototyping, and implementatlon and, against which the design and implementation can be tested. It is the object of perfective maintenance. because it is closest to the user's understanding of the system and does not contain design and optimization decisions. This paper describes a conceptual modeling approach having the following features: 1) it is a graphical approach whkh can model both the static and dynamic aspects of the application in one model rather than a snapshot plus a process model; 2) it can be used to describe the real world semantics incrementally by gradually imposing more constraints to produce a more detailed model; 3) it has a mathematical basis due to which many qualitative aspects, such as consistency and llveness, can be tested formally and stepwisely; 4) it produces an executable specification which can be easily translated into a Prulog program lo simulate the behavior of the system being modeled. The approach has been applied to information systems and o f i e document Row modeling. Prototype implementation of parts OF the model will also be described briefly.
Sample Size and Power Estimates for a Confirmatory Factor Analytic Model in Exercise and Sport

Abstract Monte Carlo methods can be used in data analytic situations (e.g., validity studies) to make decisions about sample size and to estimate power. The purpose of using Monte Carlo methods in a validity study is to improve the methodological approach within a study where the primary focus is on construct validity issues and not on advancing statistical theory. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate how Monte Carlo methods can be used to determine sample size and to estimate power for a confirmatory factor analytic model under model-data conditions commonly encountered in exercise and sport. Because the purpose is pursued by way of demonstration with the Coaching Efficacy Scale II–High School Teams, related sample size recommendations are provided: N ≥ 200 for the theoretical model; N ≥ 300 for the population model. Technical terms (e.g., coverage) are defined when necessary.
The bacterial gene lfpA influences the potent induction of calcitonin receptor and osteoclast‐related genes in Burkholderia pseudomallei‐induced TRAP‐positive multinucleated giant cells

Burkholderia pseudomallei is a facultative intracellular pathogen and the causative agent of melioidosis, a spectrum of potentially fatal diseases endemic in Northern Australia and South‐East Asia. We demonstrate that B. pseudomallei rapidly modifies infected macrophage‐like cells in a manner analagous to osteoclastogenesis. These alterations include multinucleation and the expression by infected cells of mRNA for factors required for osteoclastogenesis: the chemokines monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP‐1), macrophage inflammatory protein 1 gamma (MIP‐1γ), ‘regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted’ (RANTES) and the transcription factor ‘nuclear factor of activated T‐cells cytoplasmic 1’ (NFATc1). An increase in expression of these factors was also observed after infection with Burkholderia thailandensis. Expression of genes for the osteoclast markers calcitonin receptor (CTR), cathepsin K (CTSK) and tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) was also increased by B. pseudomallei‐infected, but not by B. thailandensis‐infected cells. The expression by B. pseudomallei‐infected cells of these chemokine and osteoclast marker genes was remarkably similar to cells treated with RANKL, a stimulator of osteoclastogenesis. Analysis of dentine resorption by B. pseudomallei‐induced osteoclast‐like cells revealed that demineralization may occur but that authentic excavation does not take place under the tested conditions. Furthermore, we identified and characterized lfpA (for lactonase family protein A) in B. pseudomallei, which shares significant sequence similarity with the eukaryotic protein ‘regucalcin’, also known as ‘senescence marker protein‐30’ (SMP‐30). LfpA orthologues are widespread in prokaryotes and are well conserved, but are phylogenetically distinct from eukaryotic regucalcin orthologues. We demonstrate that lfpA mRNA expression is dramatically increased in association with macrophage‐like cells. Mutation of lfpA significantly reduced expression of the tested host genes, relative to the response to wild‐type B. pseudomallei. We also show that lfpA is required for optimal virulence in vivo.
Molecular mechanisms regulating the establishment of hepatocyte polarity during human hepatic progenitor cell differentiation into a functional hepatocyte-like phenotype

Summary The correct functioning of hepatocytes requires the establishment and maintenance of hepatocyte polarity. However, the mechanisms regulating the generation of hepatocyte polarity are not completely understood. The differentiation of human fetal hepatic progenitor cells (hFHPCs) into functional hepatocytes provides a powerful in vitro model system for studying the molecular mechanisms governing hepatocyte development. In this study, we used a two-stage differentiation protocol to generate functional polarized hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) from hFHPCs. Global gene expression profiling was performed on triplicate samples of hFHPCs, immature-HLCs and mature-HLCs. When the differential gene expression was compared based on the differentiation stage, a number of genes were identified that might be essential for establishing and maintaining hepatocyte polarity. These genes include those that encode actin filament-binding protein, protein tyrosine kinase activity molecules, and components of signaling pathways, such as PTK7, PARD3, PRKCI and CDC42. Based on known and predicted protein-protein interactions, the candidate genes were assigned to networks and clustered into functional categories. The expression of several of these genes was confirmed using real-time RT-PCR. By inactivating genes using small interfering RNA, we demonstrated that PTK7 and PARD3 promote hepatic polarity formation and affect F-actin organization. These results provide unique insight into the complex process of polarization during hepatocyte differentiation, indicating key genes and signaling molecules governing hepatocyte differentiation.
Comparability of Patient-reported Health Status: Multicountry Analysis of EQ-5D Responses in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

BackgroundValid and comparable measures of health outcomes are needed for clinical trials, studies on quality of healthcare, and population health monitoring. ObjectiveTo examine comparability of patient-reported health status across populations. Research DesignLogistic regression analysis of health status across regions, controlling for demographics, risk factors, and clinical event history. SettingMulticenter clinical trial in 20 countries, grouped into 3 regions defined by geography and levels of economic development (Asia, Established Market Economies, Eastern Europe). Subjects11,140 people with type 2 diabetes. MeasuresPatient-reported health status in 5 domains (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, anxiety/depression) using EQ-5D. ResultsExamining unadjusted response probabilities, patients in Eastern Europe were consistently more likely than patients in other regions to report problems in all domains. Compared to Asia, probabilities of reporting problems at baseline in Eastern Europe were more than 3 times higher for mobility or usual activities, and more than 6 times higher for self-care. Patients in Asia were less likely than patients in Established Market Economies to report problems in all domains except anxiety/depression. Substantial regional reporting differences persisted after controlling for demographics, common risk factors, and history of major disease complications. Compared to Established Market Economies, adjusted odds ratios for reporting problems in at least 1 health domain were 1.79 (1.55 to 2.06) in Eastern Europe and 0.76 (0.67 to 0.86) in Asia. ConclusionsThere is substantial variation across regions in reporting on functional health problems, which cannot be explained by differences in demographic variables, clinical risk factors, or rates of complications. This suggests that commonly used health status instruments may have important problems in comparability across settings.
Imitation bootstrapping: experiments on a robotic hand

Imitation is a vast topic for both human sciences and robotics. Recent advances in the understanding of the neural mechanisms of imitation offer methodologies that bring the two research domains closer. In this paper we analyze how an imitation system can be bootstrapped from a non-imitative system at an abstract level so that the ideas derived can be applicable to infant development as well as robotics implementation. The main idea put forward is that all the imitation learning systems -whether artificial or not-can be broadly seen as learning by self-observation or social learning. Human infants possibly make use of both during development. This study explores imitation learning on a robotic hand platform using connectionist architecture with minimal conventional engineering approach to imitation. In the paper we present the details of the implementation and discuss the implications of our results. This study, at a higher level, serves as an example how the interplay between brain sciences and robotics can not only guide us in building human-like behaving machines but also help us understand the mechanisms of human behavior
Empty Pericarp5 Encodes a Pentatricopeptide Repeat Protein That Is Required for Mitochondrial RNA Editing and Seed Development in Maize[W]

This work identified a PPR-DYW subgroup protein EMP5 that is required for the C-to-U editing of multiple transcripts in maize mitochondria. The editing at the rpl16-458 site is considered particularly critical to the mitochondrial functions and, hence, to seed development. Interestingly, a deletion of the DYW domain does not abolish the editing, but only reduces the editing efficiency. In flowering plants, RNA editing is a posttranscriptional mechanism that converts specific cytidines to uridines in both mitochondrial and plastidial transcripts, altering the information encoded by these genes. Here, we report the molecular characterization of the empty pericarp5 (emp5) mutants in maize (Zea mays). Null mutation of Emp5 results in abortion of embryo and endosperm development at early stages. Emp5 encodes a mitochondrion-targeted DYW subgroup pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) protein. Analysis of the mitochondrial transcripts revealed that loss of the EMP5 function abolishes the C-to-U editing of ribosomal protein L16 at the rpl16-458 site (100% edited in the wild type), decreases the editing at nine sites in NADH dehydrogenase9 (nad9), cytochrome c oxidase3 (cox3), and ribosomal protein S12 (rps12), and surprisingly increases the editing at five sites of ATP synthase F0 subunit a (atp6), apocytochrome b (cob), nad1, and rpl16. Mutant EMP5-4 lacking the E+ and DYW domains still retains the substrate specificity and editing function, only at reduced efficiency. This suggests that the E+ and DYW domains of EMP5 are not essential to the EMP5 editing function but are necessary for efficiency. Analysis of the ortholog in rice (Oryza sativa) indicates that rice EMP5 has a conserved function in C-to-U editing of the rice mitochondrial rpl16-458 site. EMP5 knockdown expression in transgenics resulted in slow growth and defective seeds. These results demonstrate that Emp5 encodes a PPR-DYW protein that is required for the editing of multiple transcripts in mitochondria, and the editing events, particularly the C-to-U editing at the rpl16-458 site, are critical to the mitochondrial functions and, hence, to seed development in maize.
HTLV‐I‐Associated Myelopathy/Tropical Spastic Paraparesis: Semiautomatic Quantification of Spinal Cord Atrophy from 3‐Dimensional MR Images

Human T‐cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV‐I)‐associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is a disabling neurological disorder characterized by inflammatory changes in the spinal cord. We used a semiautomatic technique to quantify spinal cord volume from 3‐dimensional MR images of patients with HAM/TSP.
Potential drug therapies for the treatment of fibromyalgia

ABSTRACT Introduction: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a common, complex chronic widespread pain condition is characterized by fatigue, sleep disturbance and cognitive dysfunction. Treatment of FM is difficult, requiring both pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches, with an empiric approach to drug therapy focused toward individual symptoms, particularly pain. The effectiveness of current medications is limited with many patients discontinuing use. Areas covered: A systemic database search has identified 26 molecular entities as potential emerging drug therapies. Advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology of FM provides clues to targets for new medications. Investigation of bioamine modulation and α2δ ligands and novel targets such as dopamine receptors, NMDA receptors, cannabinoid receptors, melatonin receptors and potassium channels has identified potential drug therapies. Expert opinion: Modest improvement of health status in patients with FM has been observed with drugs targeting a diverse range of molecular mechanisms. No single drug, however, offered substantial efficacy against all the symptoms characteristic of FM. Identification of new and improved therapies for FM needs to address the heterogeneity of the condition, which suggests existence of patient subgroups, the relationship of central and peripheral aspects of the pathophysiology and a requirement of combination therapy with drugs targeting multiple molecular mechanisms.
The Staurotypus Turtles and Aves Share the Same Origin of Sex Chromosomes but Evolved Different Types of Heterogametic Sex Determination

Reptiles have a wide diversity of sex-determining mechanisms and types of sex chromosomes. Turtles exhibit temperature-dependent sex determination and genotypic sex determination, with male heterogametic (XX/XY) and female heterogametic (ZZ/ZW) sex chromosomes. Identification of sex chromosomes in many turtle species and their comparative genomic analysis are of great significance to understand the evolutionary processes of sex determination and sex chromosome differentiation in Testudines. The Mexican giant musk turtle (Staurotypus triporcatus, Kinosternidae, Testudines) and the giant musk turtle (Staurotypus salvinii) have heteromorphic XY sex chromosomes with a low degree of morphological differentiation; however, their origin and linkage group are still unknown. Cross-species chromosome painting with chromosome-specific DNA from Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) revealed that the X and Y chromosomes of S. triporcatus have homology with P. sinensis chromosome 6, which corresponds to the chicken Z chromosome. We cloned cDNA fragments of S. triporcatus homologs of 16 chicken Z-linked genes and mapped them to S. triporcatus and S. salvinii chromosomes using fluorescence in situ hybridization. Sixteen genes were localized to the X and Y long arms in the same order in both species. The orders were also almost the same as those of the ostrich (Struthio camelus) Z chromosome, which retains the primitive state of the avian ancestral Z chromosome. These results strongly suggest that the X and Y chromosomes of Staurotypus turtles are at a very early stage of sex chromosome differentiation, and that these chromosomes and the avian ZW chromosomes share the same origin. Nonetheless, the turtles and birds acquired different systems of heterogametic sex determination during their evolution.