Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification of Genes and Networks Driving Cardiovascular and Metabolic Phenotypes in a Mouse F2 Intercross

To identify the genes and pathways that underlie cardiovascular and metabolic phenotypes we performed an integrated analysis of a mouse C57BL/6J x A/J F2 (B6AF2) cross by relating genome-wide gene expression data from adipose, kidney, and liver tissues to physiological endpoints measured in the population. We have identified a large number of trait QTLs including loci driving variation in cardiac function on chromosomes 2 and 6 and a hotspot for adiposity, energy metabolism, and glucose traits on chromosome 8. Integration of adipose gene expression data identified a core set of genes that drive the chromosome 8 adiposity QTL. This chromosome 8 trans eQTL signature contains genes associated with mitochondrial function and oxidative phosphorylation and maps to a subnetwork with conserved function in humans that was previously implicated in human obesity. In addition, human eSNPs corresponding to orthologous genes from the signature show enrichment for association to type II diabetes in the DIAGRAM cohort, supporting the idea that the chromosome 8 locus perturbs a molecular network that in humans senses variations in DNA and in turn affects metabolic disease risk. We functionally validate predictions from this approach by demonstrating metabolic phenotypes in knockout mice for three genes from the trans eQTL signature, Akr1b8, Emr1, and Rgs2. In addition we show that the transcriptional signatures for knockout of two of these genes, Akr1b8 and Rgs2, map to the F2 network modules associated with the chromosome 8 trans eQTL signature and that these modules are in turn very significantly correlated with adiposity in the F2 population. Overall this study demonstrates how integrating gene expression data with QTL analysis in a network-based framework can aid in the elucidation of the molecular drivers of disease that can be translated from mice to humans.
Parametric Potential-Outcome Survival Models for Causal Inference

Estimating causal effects in clinical trials is often complicated by treatment noncompliance and missing outcomes. In time-to-event studies, estimation is further complicated by censoring. Censoring is a type of missing outcome, the mechanism of which may be non-ignorable. While new estimates have recently been proposed to account for noncompliance and missing outcomes, few studies have specifically considered time-to-event outcomes, where even the intention-to-treat (ITT) estimator is potentially biased for estimating causal effects of assigned treatment. In this thesis, we develop a series of parametric potential-outcome (PPO) survival models, for the analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCT) with time-to-event outcomes and noncompliance. Both ignorable and non-ignorable censoring mechanisms are considered. We approach model-fitting from a likelihood-based perspective, using the EM algorithm to locate maximum likelihood estimators. We are not aware of any previous work that addresses these complications jointly. In addition, we give new formulations for the average causal effect (ACE) and the complier average causal effect (CACE) to suit survival analysis. To illustrate the likelihood-based method proposed in this thesis, the HIP breast cancer trial data (Baker, 1998; Shapiro et al., 1988) were re-analysed using specific PPO-survival models, the Weibull and log-normal based PPO-survival models, which assume that the failure time and censored time distributions both follow Weibull or log-normal distributions. Furthermore, an extended PPO-survival model is also derived in this thesis, which permits investigation into the impact of causal effect after accommodating certain pre-treatment covariates. This is an important contribution to the potential outcomes, survival and RCT literature. For comparison, the Frangakis-Rubin (F-R) model (Frangakis & Rubin, 1999) is also applied to the HIP breast cancer trial data. To date, the F-R model has not yet been applied to any time-to-event data in the literature.
Modeling decisions in intelligent user interfaces

In this paper, we are concerned with the run‐time communication decisions which need to be made by an intelligent user interface. We model communication decisions as a decision‐making process, where a selection among a set of alternative constituents is needed, in order to satisfy specific design goals. Based on techniques from the domains of multiple‐criteria decision making and decision making under doubt, we propose the use of a model which takes into account the significance of each constituent toward the satisfaction of each design goal, as well as the consideration of the decision maker (interface designer) regarding the significance of each design goal. Following the proposed approach, a design strategy can be represented by a design vector, and thus, we can define properties of, and relationships between, different design strategies, based on their respective vectors. A specific example deploying the proposed model is presented, based on data from the relevant literature. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Sentiment Analysis and the Use of Extrinsic Datasets in Evaluation

The field of automated sentiment analysis has emerged in recent years as an exciting challenge to the computational linguistics community. Research in the field investigates how emotion, bias, mood or affect is expressed in language and how this can be recognised and represented automatically. To date, the most successful applications have been in the classification of product reviews and editorials. This paper aims to open a discussion about alternative evaluation methodologies for sentiment analysis systems that broadens the scope of this new field to encompass existing work in other domains such as psychology and to exploit existing resources in diverse domains such as finance or medicine. We outline some interesting avenues for research which investigate the impact of affective text content on the human psyche and on external factors such as stock markets.
Coverage for High‐Cost Specialty Drugs for Rheumatoid Arthritis in Medicare Part D

More than 1 in 4 Medicare beneficiaries with rheumatoid arthritis use high‐cost biologic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and spending for these drugs has risen sharply for Medicare Part D. Our aim was to conduct the first systematic, national investigation of how Part D plans cover biologic DMARDs and to determine patients' financial burden under current cost‐sharing structures.
Flux-Weakening Capability of Flux-Switching Permanent Magnet Motor

A 12/10 flux-switching permanent magnet motor (FSPM) is described. Qualitative analysis of magnetic circuit indicates that a connection between stator segments is benefit to motor operation. From the basic principle of flux-weakening speed-extension operation, weaken magnetic factor and speed-extension multiple are calculated. The analysis results show that this kind of motor has higher flux-weakening capability than that of other general permanent magnet motors. According to finite element analysis, influences of changing permanent magnet width, air-gap length and rotor-tooth width on flux weakening capability are studied. The results lay an instructive significance for further development of FSPM.
A Phenomenological Analysis of College Students' Spiritual Struggles

Through in-depth interviews with ten diverse participants, this phenomenological study explored the meaning, dimensions, and processes of spiritual struggle in college students' lives. The findings revealed that encountering contrast was the unifying dimension underlying students' spiritual struggle narratives. Contrast was apparent in students' efforts to manage possible selves (ideal/actual selves and revealed/concealed selves), navigate relationships between self and others, and make meaning of their lived experiences and realities.
Multi-token code suggestions using statistical language models

I present an application of the Naturalness of software to provide multitoken code suggestions in GitHub’s new-fangled Atom text editor 1 . After an error-fraught evaluation, there is not enough evidence to conclude that Gamboge significantly improves programmer productivity. I conclude by discussing several directions for research in code suggestion using naturalness.
Pap smear usage in New South Wales--impact of active promotion.

Less than 25 per cent of eligible Australian women have cervical ('Pap') smear tests in any year. Rates are particularly low (less than 8%) for women over 55 years, the group at highest risk of cervical cancer. A regional program, actively promoting Pap smears by widespread direct community intervention and attention to service needs, targeting women over 55 years and under 25 years, was conducted on the North Coast (population 132,000 women) immediately after a New South Wales State-wide media campaign in February 1988. The number of Pap smears done in the region increased 119 per cent for women over 55 years and 44 per cent for 15-24 year-olds during the promotion (63% overall) compared to New South Wales increases of 58 per cent for women over 55 years and 23 per cent for 15-24 year-olds (31% overall). Differences between the North Coast and New South Wales were statistically significant for all age groups in March and in April for women over 55 years. Differences between New South Wales and Australia (no active promotion) were significant for women over 55 years in March and April. Records from a sample of 152 women attending clinics during the campaign showed 63 per cent had not had a smear test for three or more years, 10 per cent never. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Curriculum and teachers: an encounter of languages and literatures

This paper focuses on an innovative curriculum for teaching culturally valued texts and the issues around the curriculum’s implementation by teachers. The writers of this curriculum considered the subject‐matter of this curriculum as a cultural ‘language’ containing specific concepts, attitudes, and modes of thought. The curriculum itself is seen as a ‘literature’ by means of which the subject‐matter is formed into an educational approach. I argue that the actual encounter between the teachers and the written curriculum can be seen as an encounter between different subject‐matters and different educational approaches of the curriculum and the teachers. In the encounter the teachers create their own approaches for teaching the culturally‐valued texts, and this is different from the one offered them by the writers of the curriculum. I contend that the lack of compatibility between the subject‐matter and educational understandings of the curriculum writers and teachers may explain why the teachers failed to adopt the approach of the curriculum.
Penile alterations at early stage of type 1 diabetes in rats

ABSTRACT Objective Diabetes affects the erectile function significantly. However, the penile alterations in the early stage of diabetes in experimental animal models have not been well studied. We examined the changes of the penis and its main erectile components in diabetic rats. Materials and methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 2 groups: streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetics and age-matched controls. Three or nine weeks after diabetes induction, the penis was removed for immunohistochemical staining of smooth muscle and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in midshaft penile tissues. The cross-sectional areas of the whole midshaft penis and the corpora cavernosa were quantified. The smooth muscle in the corpora cavernosa and nNOS in the dorsal nerves were quantified. Results The weight, but not the length, of the penis was lower in diabetics. The cross-sectional areas of the total midshaft penis and the corpora cavernosa were lower in diabetic rats compared with controls 9 weeks, but not 3 weeks after diabetes induction. The cross-sectional area of smooth muscle in the corpora cavernosa as percentage of the overall area of the corpora cavernosa was lower in diabetic rats than in controls 9 weeks, but not 3 weeks after diabetes induction. Percentage change of nNOS in dorsal nerves was similar at 3 weeks, and has a decreased trend at 9 weeks in diabetic rats compared with controls. Conclusions Diabetes causes temporal alterations in the penis, and the significant changes in STZ rat model begin 3-9 weeks after induction. Further studies on the reversibility of the observed changes are warranted.
Outcomes and Cost-Effectiveness of Two Nicotine Replacement Treatment Delivery Models for a Tobacco Quitline

Many tobacco cessation quitlines provide nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in the U.S. but consensus is lacking regarding the best shipping protocol or NRT amounts. We evaluated the impact of the Minnesota QUITPLAN® Helpline’s shift from distributing NRT using a single eight-week shipment to a two-shipment protocol. For this observational study, the eight week single-shipment cohort (n = 247) received eight weeks of NRT (patches or gum) at once, while the split-shipment cohort (n = 160) received five weeks of NRT (n = 94), followed by an additional three weeks of NRT if callers continued with counseling (n = 66). Patient satisfaction, retention, quit rates, and cost associated with the three groups were compared. A higher proportion of those receiving eight weeks of NRT, whether in one or two shipments, reported that the helpline was “very helpful” (77.2% of the single-shipment group; 81.1% of the two-shipment group) than those receiving five weeks of NRT (57.8% of the one-shipment group) (p = 0.004). Callers in the eight week two-shipment group completed significantly more calls (3.0) than callers in the five week one-shipment group (2.4) or eight week single-shipment group (1.7) (p < 0.001). Using both responder and intent-to-treat calculations, there were no significant differences in 30-day point prevalence abstinence at seven months among the three protocol groups even when controlling for demographic and tobacco use characteristics, and treatment group protocol. The mean cost per caller was greater for the single-shipment phase than the split-shipment phase ($350 vs. $326) due to the savings associated with not sending a second shipment to some participants. Assuming no difference in abstinence rates resulting from the protocol change, cost-per-quit was lowest for the five week one-shipment group ($1,155), and lower for the combined split-shipment cohort ($1,242) than for the single-shipment cohort ($1,350). Results of this evaluation indicate that while satisfaction rates increase among those receiving more counseling and NRT, quit rates do not, even when controlling for demographic and tobacco use characteristics.
MYSTICISM IN BATIK INDUSTRIAL RELATION: The Study of Trust Achievement on the Survivability of Small-Medium Batik Industry at Pekalongan City

Relationship between economy and religion had been known for long time ago as it was found in Max Weber's books “The Protestant Ethic and The Spirit of Capitalism” and “The Protestant Sects and The Spirit of Capitalism”. This paper examines the extent to which mysticism practices have been conducted among the employers and employees of Batik Industries in Pekalongan City. It argues that mysticism has an important role to reinforce the social capital and make the industry survive, especially to face many problems related to productivity, motivation, trust as well as wage issues. By practicing mystics and religious traditions, like dhikiran, manakiban, hawl and muludan, people have spiritual force which has an important role both for personally and professionally in the work place, especially to maintain the relationship between employees and employers. Also they could be stronger when faced the changes and challenges of business and their industry can survive.
Localization Challenges for the Emergence of the Smart World

Precise and accurate localization is one of the fundamental scientific and engineering technologies needed for the applications enabling the emergence of the Smart World. Localization techniques became popular with the global positioning system for outdoor applications, and in recent years, this has been followed by Wi-Fi localization for indoor applications. More recently, localization science and technology has progressed into in-body medical applications. Localization technologies have their own specific challenges depending on the application and environment, which are left for scientists and engineers to overcome. This paper presents the relation among different elements of the Smart World and corresponding localization technologies, classifies localization applications enabling smart devices and environments into logical categories, describes the complexity of the technologies used for localization, and introduces some of the open challenges for localization in the Smart World.
Towards provable privacy guarantees using rechargeable energy-storage devices

The global energy transition requires the availability of energy-consumption data with high resolution. Smart meters record such data in real time. This however endangers privacy: Time series of energy-consumption data contain different kinds of private information, such as the employment status of the residents. We address this problem by proposing a consumption-perturbation approach that relies on energy-storage devices (aka. batteries). The energy (dis-)charged to them perturbs the actual data describing the consumption. So-called charging strategies specify the (dis-)charging behavior. A main objective of this article is to come up with privacy guarantees for such strategies. To this end, the strategies we propose rely on a generalization of the Irwin-Hall distribution, which facilitates closed-form analyses. For these strategies, we derive (∈, δ)-differential privacy guarantees. Next, we propose a new measure, which is statistical in nature, to quantify the risk of confusing the assignment of features to the time series they are computed on. We then develop a specific charging strategy that combines the properties required to provide the guarantees proven earlier with trend preservation to shield against filtering approaches. All in all, our strategies increase the failure probability of approaches inferring private information from the data.
Perceptual simulations and linguistic representations have differential effects on speeded relatedness judgements and recognition memory

We examined the effect of spatial iconicity (a perceptual simulation of canonical locations of objects) and word-order frequency on language processing and episodic memory of orientation. Participants made speeded relatedness judgements to pairs of words presented in locations typical of their real-world arrangements (e.g., ceiling on top and floor on bottom). They then engaged in a surprise orientation recognition task for the word pairs. We replicated Louwerse's (2008) finding that word-order frequency has a stronger effect on semantic relatedness judgements than does spatial iconicity. This is consistent with recent suggestions that linguistic representations have a stronger impact on immediate decisions about verbal materials than do perceptual simulations. In contrast, spatial iconicity enhanced episodic memory of orientation to a greater extent than word-order frequency did. This new finding indicates that perceptual simulations have an important role in episodic memory. Results are discussed with respect to theories of perceptual representation and linguistic processing.
Sport Volunteerism and Social Capital

This study focuses on the relationship between sport volunteerism and social capital, defined here as a resource that stems from participation in certain social networks. A position generator and a resources generator were used to measure the social capital of respondents. Results from this pilot study survey, exploring several aspects of volunteerism in sport in two Canadian communities (one in Quebec, the other in Ontario), show a strong relationship between volunteerism in sport and social capital but do not allow a precise measure of the direction of this relationship. Results also show stronger relationships between sport volunteerism and social capital when we control for gender, language, and age.
Association between Ambient Temperature and Acute Myocardial Infarction Hospitalisations in Gothenburg, Sweden: 1985–2010

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one cause of death globally and evidence is steadily increasing on the role of non-traditional risk factors such as meteorology and air pollution. Nevertheless, many research gaps remain, such as the association between these non-traditional risk factors and subtypes of CVD, such as acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The objective of this study was to investigate the association between daily ambient temperature and AMI hospitalisations using a case-crossover design in Gothenburg, Sweden (1985–2010). A secondary analysis was also performed for out-of-hospital ischemic heart disease (IHD) deaths. Susceptible groups by age and sex were explored. The entire year as well as the warm (April−September) and cold periods (October–March) were considered. In total 28 215 AMI hospitalisations (of 22 475 people) and 21 082 out-of-hospital IHD deaths occurred during the 26-year study period. A linear exposure-response corresponding to a 3% and 7% decrease in AMI hospitalisations was observed for an inter-quartile range (IQR) increase in the 2-day cumulative average of temperature during the entire year (11°C) and the warm period (6°C), respectively, with and without adjustment for PM10, NO2, NOx or O3. No heat waves occurred during the warm period. No evidence of an association in the cold period nor any association between temperature and IHD deaths in the entire year, warm or cold periods - with and without adjusting for PM10, NO2, NOx or O3 was found. No susceptible groups, based on age or sex, were identified either. The inverse association between temperature and AMI hospitalisations (entire year and warm period) in Gothenburg is in accordance with the majority of the few other studies that investigated this subtype of CVD.
Use of restriction fragment length polymorphism as a genetic marker for typing Mycobacterium avium strains

Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was used to study 75 clinical isolates identified as Mycobacterium avium. Two repetitive insertion sequences, IS1311 and IS900, were used as DNA probes. Although less than 25% of isolates showed RFLP patterns with IS900, all strains gave banding patterns with IS1311. M. avium strains isolated from patients with AIDS exhibited marked polymorphism with both probes.
A Modified P&O Maximum Power Point Tracking Method With Reduced Steady-State Oscillation and Improved Tracking Efficiency

This paper proposes a method to reduce the steadystate oscillation and to mitigate the probability of losing the tracking direction of the perturb and observed (P&O)-based maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for PV system. The modified scheme retains the conventional P&O structure, but with a unique technique to dynamically alter the perturbation size. At the same time, a dynamic boundary condition is introduced to ensure that the algorithm will not diverge from its tracking locus. The modified P&O is simulated in MATLAB Simulink and its performance is benchmarked using the standard MPPT efficiency ηM P P T calculation. Furthermore, the proposed concept is validated experimentally using a buck-boost converter, fed by a solar PV array simulator (PVAS). Based on the EN 50530 dynamic irradiance tests, the proposed method achieved an average ηMP P T almost 1.1% higher than the conventional P&O when irradiance changes slowly and about 12% higher under fast change of irradiance.