Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An appraisal of vitamin B6 status indices and associated confounders, in young people aged 4–18 years and in people aged 65 years and over, in two national British surveys

Abstract Objective: To compare vitamin B6 status indices with each other and with potential confounding factors, in the datasets from two national British surveys and associated studies. Design: Vitamin B6 status was measured by plasma pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) and plasma pyridoxic acid (PA) in both surveys, and also by erythrocyte aspartate aminotransferase activation coefficient (EAATAC) in one of the surveys. Plasma α1-antichymotrypsin was measured as an index of acute phase status; plasma creatinine was measured as an index of renal function; and plasma total alkaline phosphatase activity was measured as a proxy for PLP hydrolase activity. Setting: The survey of people aged 65 years and over was carried out in 80 postcode sectors across mainland Britain during 1994–95 and the survey of young people was carried out in 132 postcode sectors across mainland Britain during 1997. Subjects: Blood samples from c. 1000 subjects of both sexes in each survey permitted measurements of plasma PLP and PA. There were also measurements of EAATAC in the young people's survey. Results: According to published limits of normality, only 5% or less of the young people had unacceptable vitamin B6 status as measured by plasma PLP. About half had apparently unacceptable status by EAATAC, but this observation is difficult to interpret. The young people had considerably higher plasma concentrations of PLP and lower concentrations of PA than the older people. In both surveys, plasma PLP was strongly correlated with plasma PA and in the young persons’ survey it was also correlated, although much less strongly, with the basal activity and activation coefficient of aspartate aminotransferase. Both plasma PLP and EAATAC (but not PA nor basal aspartate aminotransferase activity) were influenced by acute phase status in young people, as indicated by significant correlations with α1-antichymotrypsin. In people aged 65 years and over, PA (but not PLP) was correlated with renal function, as indicated by its relation with plasma creatinine; however PLP (but not PA) was correlated with plasma alkaline phosphatase activity. Conclusions: Several potential confounders — acute phase reaction, kidney malfunction and hydrolase activity — may influence vitamin B6 status indices, although differently for different indices and different age groups. Since older people have relatively poor vitamin B6 status, which may have important health implications for them, more reliable vitamin B6 status indices are needed.
Safety and reproducibility of virtual-assisted lung mapping: a multicentre study in Japan†

Abstract OBJECTIVES: Virtual-assisted lung mapping (VAL-MAP) is a preoperative bronchoscopic multispot dye-marking technique using virtual images. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety, efficacy and reproducibility of VAL-MAP among multiple centres. METHODS: Selection criteria included patients with pulmonary lesions anticipated to be difficult to identify at thoracoscopy and/or those undergoing sub-lobar lung resections requiring careful determination of resection margins. Data were collected prospectively and, if needed, compared between the centre that originally developed VAL-MAP and 16 other centres. RESULTS: Five hundred patients underwent VAL-MAP with 1781 markings (3.6 ± 1.2 marks/patient). Complications associated with VAL-MAP necessitating additional management occurred in four patients (0.8%) including pneumonia, fever and temporary exacerbation of pre-existing cerebral ischaemia. Minor complications included pneumothorax (3.6%), pneumomediastinum (1.2%) and alveolar haemorrhage (1.2%), with similar incidences between the original centre and other centres. Marks were identifiable during operation in approximately 90%, whereas the successful resection rate was approximately 99% in both groups, partly due to the mutually complementary marks. The contribution of VAL-MAP to surgical success was highly rated by surgeons resecting pure ground glass nodules (P < 0.0001), tumours ≤ 5 mm (P = 0.0016), and performing complex segmentectomy and wedge resection (P = 0.0072). CONCLUSIONS: VAL-MAP was found to be safe and reproducible among multiple centres with variable settings. Patients with pure ground glass nodules, small tumours and resections beyond conventional anatomical boundaries are considered the best candidates for VAL-MAP. Clinical Trial Registration Number: UMIN 000008031. University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/).
ClanTox: a classifier of short animal toxins

Toxins are detected in sporadic species along the evolutionary tree of the animal kingdom. Venomous animals include scorpions, snakes, bees, wasps, frogs and numerous animals living in the sea such as the stonefish, snail, jellyfish, hydra and more. Interestingly, proteins that share a common scaffold with animal toxins also exist in non-venomous species. However, due to their short length and primary sequence diversity, these, toxin-like proteins remain undetected by classical search engines and genome annotation tools. We construct a toxin classification machine and web server called ClanTox (Classifier of Animal Toxins) that is based on the extraction of sequence-driven features from the primary protein sequence followed by the application of a classification system trained on known animal toxins. For a given input list of sequences, from venomous or non-venomous settings, the ClanTox system predicts whether each sequence is toxin-like. ClanTox provides a ranked list of positively predicted candidates according to statistical confidence. For each protein, additional information is presented including the presence of a signal peptide, the number of cysteine residues and the associated functional annotations. ClanTox is a discovery-prediction tool for a relatively overlooked niche of toxin-like cell modulators, many of which are therapeutic agent candidates. The ClanTox web server is freely accessible at http://www.clantox. cs.huji. ac.il.
Noise sensitivity of the ADC histogram test

In the paper, the authors consider the performance of histogram-based ADC testing under the assumption of input-equivalent wideband noise, which models either noise sources inside the device or unwanted disturbances corrupting the stimulus signal employed for carrying out the test. Theoretical relationships are presented which allow the design of the test parameters needed to meet a given test accuracy. Moreover, it is shown, that the histogram test is effective in providing information on the deterministic behavior of the tested device and that it can be made insensitive to the effects of input-equivalent noise. Finally, the obtained results are employed to determine the test performance in estimating the device effective number of bits, and simulations results are provided which validate the theoretical derivations.
Advanced Duct Sealing Testing

Duct leakage has been identified as a major source of energy loss in residential buildings. Most duct leakage occurs at the connections to registers, plenums or branches in the duct system. At each of these connections a method of sealing the duct system is required. Typical sealing methods include tapes or mastics applied around the joints in the system. Field examinations of duct systems have typically shown that these seals tend to fail over extended periods of time. The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has been testing sealant durability for several years. Typical duct tape (i.e. fabric backed tapes with natural rubber adhesives) was found to fail more rapidly than all other duct sealants. This report summarizes the results of duct sealant durability testing of five UL 181B-FX listed duct tapes (three cloth tapes, a foil tape and an Oriented Polypropylene (OPP) tape). One of the cloth tapes was specifically developed in collaboration with a tape manufacturer to perform better in our durability testing. The first test involved the aging of common ''core-to-collar joints'' of flexible duct to sheet metal collars, and sheet metal ''collar-to-plenum joints'' pressurized with 200 F (93 C) air. The second test consisted of baking duct tape specimens in a constant 212 F (100 C) oven following the UL 181B-FX ''Temperature Test'' requirements. Additional tests were also performed on only two tapes using sheet metal collar-to-plenum joints. Since an unsealed flexible duct joint can have a variable leakage depending on the positioning of the flexible duct core, the durability of the flexible duct joints could not be based on the 10% of unsealed leakage criteria. Nevertheless, the leakage of the sealed specimens prior to testing could be considered as a basis for a failure criteria. Visual inspection was also documented throughout the tests. The flexible duct core-to-collar joints were inspected monthly, while the sheet metal collar-to-plenum joints were inspected weekly. The baking test specimens were visually inspected weekly, and the durability was judged by the observed deterioration in terms of brittleness, cracking, flaking and blistering (the terminology used in the UL 181B-FX test procedure).
Impact of GP direct-access computerised tomography for the investigation of chronic daily headache.

BACKGROUND Chronic daily headache is a major healthcare problem, with significant resource implications for specialist services. Since 1999, GPs in Greater Glasgow have had direct access to computerised tomography (CT) for investigation of chronic daily headache. AIM The purpose of this study is to assess the significance of pathology, impact of the service, and GP satisfaction. METHOD The direct-access CT findings in patients between 1999 and 2007 were reviewed. Radiological reports were reviewed for abnormal findings by a radiologist. A neurologist reviewed those cases with abnormalities to assess their potential causation in presenting symptoms. A questionnaire was sent to the referring GP for every patient referred for direct-access CT. Data from the Information Services Division of NHS National Services Scotland was used to estimate potential cost benefits. RESULTS A total of 4404 CT scans were performed. Abnormal findings were reported in 461 (10.5%), and the reported abnormalities were considered a potential causative factor for the presenting symptoms in 60 patients (1.4%). Other abnormalities mostly resulted from established cerebrovascular disease and atrophy; 986 GP questionnaires were analysed. The major body of GP opinion (n = 460, 47%) indicated that direct-access CT was their preferred choice for referral of chronic daily headache. If direct-access CT was not available, neurology (n = 448, 45%) and general medicine (n = 379, 38%) would be the commonest referral choices. This study also reveals that 86% did not require further specialist referral. Projecting the GP questionnaire data to the study group gave an approximate cost saving of at least £86 681.81. CONCLUSION Direct-access CT is now the preferred choice of management for patients with chronic daily headache in primary care. Patients and GPs are reassured by a normal scan in the majority of cases. There may be cost savings, although confirmation of cost-effectiveness would require further study.
Development and Validation of the Smartphone Addiction Inventory (SPAI)

Objective The aim of this study was to develop a self-administered scale based on the special features of smartphone. The reliability and validity of the Smartphone Addiction Inventory (SPAI) was demonstrated. Methods A total of 283 participants were recruited from Dec. 2012 to Jul. 2013 to complete a set of questionnaires, including a 26-item SPAI modified from the Chinese Internet Addiction Scale and phantom vibration and ringing syndrome questionnaire. There were 260 males and 23 females, with ages 22.9±2.0 years. Exploratory factor analysis, internal-consistency test, test-retest, and correlation analysis were conducted to verify the reliability and validity of the SPAI. Correlations between each subscale and phantom vibration and ringing were also explored. Results Exploratory factor analysis yielded four factors: compulsive behavior, functional impairment, withdrawal and tolerance. Test–retest reliabilities (intraclass correlations = 0.74–0.91) and internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.94) were all satisfactory. The four subscales had moderate to high correlations (0.56–0.78), but had no or very low correlation to phantom vibration/ringing syndrome. Conclusion This study provides evidence that the SPAI is a valid and reliable, self-administered screening tool to investigate smartphone addiction. Phantom vibration and ringing might be independent entities of smartphone addiction.
Rover localization in natural environments by indexing panoramic images

In this paper, we present an approach to qualitative rover localization with panoramic images. The approach relies on the possibility to efficiently and robustly compute the resemblance between panoramic images, indexing them by histograms of local appearances. A database of image indexes is dynamically built during rover motions: when the rover re-perceives an already crossed area, it matches the current image with the stored ones (place recognition), and thus gets a qualitative estimate of its position. Experimental results on a 400 images database illustrates the effectiveness of the algorithms.
The Pen Is Mightier Than the Keyboard

Taking notes on laptops rather than in longhand is increasingly common. Many researchers have suggested that laptop note taking is less effective than longhand note taking for learning. Prior studies have primarily focused on students’ capacity for multitasking and distraction when using laptops. The present research suggests that even when laptops are used solely to take notes, they may still be impairing learning because their use results in shallower processing. In three studies, we found that students who took notes on laptops performed worse on conceptual questions than students who took notes longhand. We show that whereas taking more notes can be beneficial, laptop note takers’ tendency to transcribe lectures verbatim rather than processing information and reframing it in their own words is detrimental to learning.
Method of Recovering the Fibrous Fraction of Glass/Epoxy Composites

This study reports the method of recovery of glass fibers from glass/epoxy composites through the solvent method. It is possible to decompose epoxy resin with a yield of more than 99 wt% soluble products in a nitric acid solution (8 M) at 90 C for 5 h. The decomposition rate of epoxy resin increases with an increase in temperature and concentration of acid solution. The glass fibers can be recovered with very little contamination and they have a tensile strength reduction of 3.5% under decomposition conditions of T = 70°C, t = 250 h, C = 6 M and α= 6 g/100 mL. These fibers can be used as reinforcement to prepare new composites. The interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of recovered short fiber-reinforced composites produce strength reductions of only 2.5% compared with pristine composites.
Lipoid proteinosis: a case report

A 5-year-old Egyptian boy, who was the second of five siblings born to nonconsanguineous parents. He was the product of a full-term, normal pregnancy. He presented to our clinic with a history of hoarseness of voice since the age of 4 months, followed by erythematous, andpapulonodular lesions on the face, ears, extremities, and occasionally on the trunk. The lesions healed with scarring. Subsequently he was observed to have a progressive thickening of the skin of the face, extremities, and tongue. There was no family history associated with his condition, no previous treatment was given, and there were no other systemic manifestations. On examination, his height, weight, and head circumference were at the 50th percentile and his mental development was normal. There were yellow-white infiltrations on the tongue, buccal mucosa and palate. His tongue was woody hard, thick and its mobility was limited Fig. 1. The skin examination revealed yellowish, thickened skin over the extremities, face, back and trunk with multiple, depressed, acneiform scars Figs 2 and 3. The remainder of the general physical and systemic examination was normal. Routine investigation, including complete blood count, liver function, serum biochemistry, renal function and ESR were within normal range. Laryngoscopic examination, electroencephalogram (EEG) and cranial computed tomography (CT) scanning revealed no abnormality. The histopathologic examination of the skin biopsy specimens obtained from the elbow and dorsum of the hand showed hyperkeratosis of the epidermis, and periodic acidSchiff-positive PAS(+) staining hyaline material around the dermal capillaries and sweat glands, and confirmed the diagnosis of lipoid proteinosis.
Predictors of Severity and Nocturnal Nadir of Postoperative Oxygenation Impairment after Shoulder Surgery in the Older Population

Cite this article: Tan CO, Kang C, Mao D, Sivagnanam L, Howard W, McNicol L, et al. (2015) Predictors of Severity and Nocturnal Nadir of Postoperative Oxygenation Impairment after Shoulder Surgery in the Older Population. Int J Clin Anesthesiol 3(2): 1047. *Corresponding author Chong Oon Tan, Department of Anesthesia, Austin Hospital, 145 Studley Rd, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia, Tel: 61394965704; Email: DrChongTan@gmail.com
Prostate MRI and 3D MR spectroscopy: how we do it.

OBJECTIVE This review is a primer on the technical aspects of performing a high-quality MRI and MR spectroscopic imaging examination of the prostate. CONCLUSION MRI and MR spectroscopic imaging are useful tools in the localization, staging, and functional assessment of prostate cancer. Performing a high-quality MR spectroscopic examination requires understanding of the technical aspects and limitations of spectral acquisition, postprocessing techniques, and spectral evaluation.
2-Methylpyridinium 5-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-1,3-dimethylbarbiturate

In the title molecular salt [systematic name: 2-methylpyridinium 5-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-1,3-dimethyl-2,6-dioxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-4-olate], C6H8N+·C12H9N4O7 −, the cation and anion are linked a through strong N—H⋯O hydrogen bond. In the crystal, C—H⋯O interactions link the ions, generating a chain along [010].
The Effect of Verapamil on Mechanical Performance of Acutely Ischemic and Reperfused Myocardium in the Conscious Dog

The effect of verapamil, an inhibitor of transmembrane calcium flux, was studied in intact conscious dogs with myocardial ischemia produced by inflating a balloon cuff implanted on the left anterior descending coronary artery. Six dogs received a continuous infusion of verapamil (10 μg/ kg per min) beginning prior to coronary occlusion, and six received normal saline infusions. Systolic ejection shortening (SES) was measured from subendocardial ultrasonic crystals implanted in the central ischemic zone (IZ) and border zone (BZ), and in a nonischemic control zone (CZ). Hearts were paced at a constant heart rate with periodic introduction of closely coupled extrasystoles. SES was measured both for normally paced beats and during postextrasystolic potentiation (PESP). Regional myocardial blood flow was measured by injecting radioactive microspheres before, during, and after coronary occlusion. There were no significant differences between verapamil-treated dogs and saline control dogs in mean aortic pressure, heart rate, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure or dP/dt, cardiac output, or regional myocardial blood flow in IZ, BZ, or CZ. Differences in mechanical performance between two groups were noted, however. In the IZ, SES was abolished completely for normally paced beats in both groups but was significantly preserved for PESP beats in the verapamil-treated animals. In the BZ, SES was significantly reduced for normally paced beats only in the saline controls, and PESP responses were preserved to a significantly greater degree in the verapamil-treated animals. These results indicate that verapamil pretreatment exerts beneficial effects upon mechanical performance of ischemic myocardium. Since no changes in systemic hemodynamics or regional myocardial blood flow were observed, the effect may be due to the calcium-antagonistic properties of the agent. Circ Res 48: 224-232,1981
Design of thorn-like micro/nanofibers: fabrication and controlled morphology for engineered composite materials applications

One of the most important aspects to take into account when dealing with composite materials is the filler–matrix interaction. This is particularly true in the case of nanofiber-reinforced composites. Here, we designed a new 3D architecture: growing thorns on an electrospun nanofiber surface, aiming to strengthen the fiber–matrix adhesion in engineered composite materials. The novel thorn-like fiber, composed of polyarylene ether nitriles (PEN) “stems” and iron phthalocyanine (FePc) “thorns”, was prepared by combining electrospinning and temperature-induced self-assembly. Especially, the FePc thorn-like structures could be grown on PEN nanofibers by a post-temperature treatment, and the lengths of the thorns could be finely controlled by the processing time and temperature, respectively. More importantly, after the thorn-like fibers were embedded into an epoxy resin, the thorns could tie molecules and interlock with the surrounding epoxy resin. The flexural properties of composites reinforced with these thorn-like fibers were further increased in comparison with that of neat and untreated fiber-reinforced epoxy resin, respectively. Thus, this functional fiber can be used as an effective composite reinforcement to polymer resins.
Leveraging Entity Linking to enhance Entity Recognition in microblogs

The Web of Data provides abundant knowledge wherein objects or entities are described by means of properties and their relationships with other objects or entities. This knowledge is used extensively by the research community for Information Extraction tasks such as Named Entity Recognition (NER) and Linking (NEL) to make sense of data. Named entities can be identified from a variety of textual formats which are further linked to corresponding resources in the Web of Data. These tasks of entity recognition and linking are, however, cast as distinct problems in the state-of-the-art, thereby, overlooking the fact that performance of entity recognition affects the performance of entity linking. The focus of this paper is to improve the performance of entity recognition on a particular textual format, viz, microblog posts by disambiguating the named entities with resources in a Knowledge Base (KB). We propose an unsupervised learning approach to jointly improve the performance of entity recognition and, thus, the whole system by leveraging the results of disambiguated entities.
Regulatory variants explain much more heritability than coding variants across 11 common diseases

Common variants implicated by genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of complex diseases are known to be enriched for coding and regulatory variants. We applied methods to partition the heritability explained by genotyped SNPs across functional categories (while accounting for shared variance due to linkage disequilibrium) to genotype and imputed data for 11 common diseases. DNaseI Hypersensitivity Sites (DHS) from 218 cell-types, spanning 16% of the genome, explained an average of 79% of (5.1× enrichment; P < 10−20); further enrichment was observed at enhancer and cell-type specific DHS elements. The enrichments were much smaller in analyses that did not use imputed data or were restricted to GWAS-associated SNPs. In contrast, coding variants, spanning 1% of the genome, explained only 8% of enrichment; P = 5 × 10−4). We replicated these findings but found no significant contribution from rare coding variants in an independent schizophrenia cohort genotyped on GWAS and exome chips.