Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Smoking Habits of Monozygotic and Dizygotic Twins

Various epidemiological investigations? for example, Doll and Hill (1954, 1956), and Hammond and Horn (1954)? have, independently of each other, demonstrated higher morbidity and mortality from, inter alia, cardiac disease and pulmonary cancer in tobacco smokers as compared with non-smokers. These findings have often been cited as evidence of a direct causal association between smoking and the diseases in question. The planning of the inquiries and the interpretation of results, however, have been sharply criticized from several quarters. For instance, it has been pointed out that in many respects smokers differ essentially from non-smokers, and for this reason comparison between the two groups is not entirely warrantable. An important source of error in comparing smokers and non-smokers with respect to morbidity and mortality lies in the possibility of constitutional dissimilarities between the groups. It is thus conceivable that a common factor predisposes to the diseases as well as to excessive smoking. A study of a sufficient number of monozygotic twin pairs who differ in their smoking habits should substantially eliminate such sources of error and show the possibility of a causal connexion between smoking and disease. Before an investigation of morbidity and mortality can be embarked upon, therefore, the smoking habits of twins must be charted. An inquiry of this type should also indicate the importance of the genotype in relation to smoking habits. If, for instance, it is found that twins of monozygotic pairs are more alike in smoking habits than twins of dizygotic pairs, the suggestion is that constitutional factors may significantly influence these habits.
Rapid and Quantitative Assessment of Cell Quality, Identity, and Functionality for Cell-Based Assays Using Real-Time Cellular Analysis

Strict quality control of cells is required for the standardization and interpretation of results in all areas of cell-based research, especially in drug discovery. Real-time cellular analysis using electrical impedance as a readout offers a rapid and highly reproducible method for quality control as it provides a quantitative measure of overall cell morphology and growth. In a case study, the authors demonstrate that samples of a single cell line obtained from several different labs show clear differences in their impedance profiles when compared with the corresponding standard cell line. A number of kinetic parameters were derived from the impedance profiles and used to quantify the differences among these cell lines. Our findings indicate that this methodology can detect cell line differences including mix-ups or contaminations, genetic alterations, and potential epigenetic changes occurring during passaging, all of which can occur in the time scale of a screening campaign. Finally, we provide evidence that these impedance profile differences can be predictive of different outcomes in cell-based functional assays for the effects of small molecules on otherwise seemingly identical cell lines.
Adaptor Protein Shc Is an Isoform-specific Direct Activator of the Tyrosine Kinase c-Src*

The activity of c-Src protein-tyrosine kinase is up-regulated under a number of receptor signaling pathways. However, the activation mechanism of c-Src under physiological conditions has remained unclear. We show here that the Shc adaptor protein is a novel direct activator of c-Src in epidermal growth factor receptor signaling in A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells. Among the three Shc isoforms, P66 and P52, but not P46, were found to interact with and activate c-Src in vitro and in vivo. Activation of c-Src accompanied autophosphorylation of c-Src in the activation segment, but the carboxyl-terminal dephosphorylation was not observed. We have identified the interaction sites between Shc and c-Src and constructed a point mutant of Shc that abolishes the c-Src activation. Using this mutant, we have confirmed that the Shc-mediated c-Src activation triggers Stat-p21/WAF1/Cip1 pathway that has been implicated in the cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of epidermal growth factor-stimulated A431 cells.
Inside packet sampling techniques: exploring modularity to enhance network measurements

Traffic sampling is viewed as a prominent strategy contributing to lightweight and scalable network measurements. Although multiple sampling techniques have been proposed and used to assist network engineering tasks, these techniques tend to address a single measurement purpose, without detailing the network overhead and computational costs involved. The lack of a modular approach when defining the components of traffic sampling techniques also makes difficult their analysis. Providing a modular view of sampling techniques and classifying their characteristics is, therefore, an important step to enlarge the sampling scope, improve the efficiency of measurement systems, and sustain forthcoming research in the area. Thus, this paper defines a taxonomy of traffic sampling techniques resorting to a comprehensive analysis of the inner components of existing proposals. After identifying granularity, selection scheme, and selection trigger as the main components differentiating sampling proposals, the study goes deeper on characterizing these components, including insights into their computational weight. Following this taxonomy, a general‐purpose architecture is established to sustain the development of flexible sampling‐based measurement systems. Traveling inside packet sampling techniques, this paper contributes to a clearer positioning and comparison of existing proposals, providing a road map to assist further research and deployments in the area. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of Anopheles gambiae s.l. and insecticide resistance profile relative to physicochemical properties of breeding habitats within Accra Metropolis, Ghana

Malaria is endemic in Ghana as in most countries of sub-Saharan Africa. This study was conducted to characterize Anopheles gambiae s.l. and determine pyrethroid resistance profiles relative to physicochemical properties of breeding habitats in Accra, Ghana. Eight aquatic habitats containing Anopheles larvae were identified and from each habitat, larvae and water were sampled. Adult An. gambiae reared from larvae were morphologically identified and tested for permethrin (0.75%) and deltamethrin (0.05%) resistance using WHO bioassay method. An. gambiae s.s. found were identified to their molecular levels and kdr mutation detected using PCR-based methods. Twenty-nine physicochemical parameters of each water sample were measured and their levels connected with pyrethroid resistance and proportions of An. gambiae s.s. molecular forms in habitats. A total of 2,257 mosquitoes were morphologically identified as An. gambiae s.l. and all 224 processed for PCR were identified as An. gambiae s.s. , of which 56.46% and 43.54% were M and S-forms, respectively. Both forms occurred in sympatry in all larval habitats and no S/M hybrids were detected. However, M-form larvae were in high proportion in polluted habitats than the S-form. An. gambiae s.s. was highly resistant to both deltamethrin and permethrin with mortality rates of 42.98-70.0% and 6.5-20.0% respectively. The frequency of kdr mutation was 60.5 % (n=195). This mutation occurred in both S and M-forms, but was mainly associated with the S-form (X 2 =10.92, df =1, P =0.001). Carbonate and pH were both selected in discriminant function analysis as best predictors of high proportion of M-form in the habitats. The adaptation of An. gambiae s.s. in polluted aquatic habitats coupled with occurrence of insecticide resistance is quite alarming particularly for urban malaria control and needs further exploration in a wider context.
Educación y nuevas tecnologías de la información: ¿hacia un paradigma educativo innovador?

En los ultimos anos, la oferta educativa sustentada en las tecnologias de la informacion y la comunicacion (TIC) ha crecido y con ella la necesidad de espacios de educacion no formal con apoyo tecnologico. Esto se percibe con mayor fuerza en los paises con un alto desarrollo tecnologico y economico. Sin embargo, en muchas instituciones educativas aun no se tiene un modelo claro y definido para operar la educacion a distancia. Un aspecto que se debe considerar es que las tic aplicadas en educacion no garantizan por si mismas la inclusion y equidad social, ni tampoco la calidad o innovacion. Ademas, en muchos casos se utiliza la tecnologia para reproducir o hacer mas eficientes los modelos de ensenanza tradicionales; de ahi que resulte imprescindible crear nuevas teorias de diseno educativo con el uso de tecnologia que vayan deacuerdo con las necesidades actuales, a fin de lograr un conocimiento util para la resolucion de problemas relevantes y con sentido social.
Assessment of genetic diversity in isolates of Ciborinia camelliae Kohn from New Zealand and the United States of America

DNA fingerprinting with the universally primed polymerase chain reaction (UP-PCR) technique was used in an initial study to determine the degree of genetic diversity of Ciborinia camelliae populations within New Zealand and the United States of America. The UP-PCR band patterns from 27 isolates of C. camelliae collected from Wellington, Palmerston North, Wanganui and Christchurch in New Zealand and three isolates each from Georgia, Oregon and Virginia in the United States of America were analysed by two statistical methods. Cluster analysis indicated two distinct groupings, with isolates from New Zealand being less genetically diverse (9% polymorphic bands) than those from the United States of America (17% polymorphic bands). Canonical variates analysis showed that the majority (87%) of genetic diversity between locations was associated with the difference in UP-PCR band patterns between the two countries, with only 9% being associated with the genetic diversity within the countries. Therefore, for the isolates of C. camelliae examined, those from New Zealand were different from the small group of isolates obtained from the United States of America, but the genetic diversity in populations of C. camelliae within each country was low.
Students' Comprehension of Scientific Discussion: Using Eye-tracking Technique to Investigate the Effects of Social-media Messages on Television

The present study explores the effects of social-media messages that are presented in television content. In particular, the retention of content and changes in attitude through watching television programs was investigated. Thirty participants were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: one that included social-media messages and one that omitted socialmedia messages. The participants’ eye movements as well as retention performance and attitude toward the topic discussed on the television program were measured. Attitude was measured using two subscales: one concerned with positive attitude and the other with skeptical attitude. Results indicated that the retention performance of participants who paid attention to the social-media messages longer was lower than that of participants who paid less attention. The participants’ attitudes changed after watching the television program but the effects of social-media messages were unclear for attitude change. The possibility of the appropriate use of social-media messages is also
Comparison of the Analytical Capabilities of the BAC Datamaster and Datamaster DMT Forensic Breath Testing Devices

Abstract: The State of Michigan uses the Datamaster as an evidential breath testing device. The newest version, the DMT, will replace current instruments in the field as they are retired from service. The Michigan State Police conducted comparison studies to test the analytical properties of the new instrument and to evaluate its response to conditions commonly cited in court defenses. The effects of mouth alcohol, objects in the mouth, and radiofrequency interference on paired samples from drinking subjects were assessed on the DMT. The effects of sample duration and chemical interferents were assessed on both instruments, using drinking subjects and wet‐bath simulators, respectively. Our testing shows that Datamaster and DMT results are essentially identical; the DMT gave accurate readings as compared with measurements made using simulators containing standard ethanol solutions and that the DMT did not give falsely elevated breath alcohol results from any of the influences tested.
Audit of acute pancreatitis management: a tale of two hospitals.

BACKGROUND A case note audit of existing practices in the management of acute pancreatitis (AP) at a district general hospital (DGH) and a teaching hospital was undertaken to determine if practices were in accordance with published UK guidelines. METHODS Casenotes of all adults admitted with AP over a period of one year at the two hospitals were reviewed. RESULTS Ninety-five patients were treated for AP at the teaching hospital and 52 at the DGH. The age, sex and aetiological distributions at the two hospitals were similar. Fifteen (15.8%) patients at the teaching hospital and eight (15.3%) at the DGH had severe AP. Four patients died at each hospital. Prognostic Glasgow criteria tests (excluding LDH) were completed within 48 hours in 43% patients at the teaching hospital and 48% at the DGH. Five of the twenty-five cholecystectomies at the teaching hospital and 4/18 at the DGH were performed within four weeks after admission with AP. CONCLUSION Audit of current practice has highlighted deficiencies at many levels compared with current evidence-based guidelines, although this has not resulted in unexpected mortality. It remains to be seen whether new measures to aid compliance with guidelines will result in improvement in morbidity and mortality.
Volumetric analysis of intravoxel incoherent motion imaging for assessment of solitary pulmonary lesions

Background Differentiating between malignant and benign solitary pulmonary lesions (SPLs) is challenging. Purpose To determine diagnostic performance of intravoxel incoherent motion-based diffusion-weighted imaging (DW-IVIM) in distinguishing malignant from benign SPLs, using histogram analysis derived whole-tumor and single-section region of interest (ROI). Material and Methods This retrospective study received institutional review board approval. A total of 129 patients with diagnosed SPLs underwent DW-IVIM and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). ADC, slow diffusion coefficient (D), fast diffusion coefficient (D*), and perfusion fraction (f) were calculated separately by outlining whole-tumor and single-section ROI. Inter-observer reliability was assessed by inter-class correlation coefficient (ICC). ADC and DW-IVIM parameters were analyzed using independent-sample T-test. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was constructed to determine diagnostic performance. Multiple logistic regression was performed to identify independent factors associated with malignant SPLs. Results There were 48 benign SPLs found in 35 patients and 94 patients with lung cancer (LC). ICC for whole-tumor ROI (range, 0.89–0.95) was higher than that for single-section ROI (range, 0.61–0.71). Mean ADC and D were significantly lower in the malignant group. ADC and D 10th showed significantly higher AUC values than did mean ADC and D. D showed significantly higher diagnostic accuracy in mean, 10th, and 25th percentiles than ADC values (all Ps < 0.05). D 10th was found to be an independent factor in discriminating LCs with an odds ratio of –1.217. Conclusion Volumetric analysis had higher reproducibility and diagnostic accuracy than did single-section. Further, compared to ADC, D value differentiated benign SPLs from LCs more accurately.
The sickle cell diseases. Clinical manifestations including the "sickle crisis".

Working definitions of "sickle cell disease," "sickle-cell trait," and "the sickle crisis" are given. The pathogenesis of the crisis is explained and the complications of the disease are presented in a quantitative manner. The need to look at the patient as a whole and to assess the natural history of the disease against the background of an often prevalent social and environmental pathologic condition is stressed. A call for effective public health measures, including raising of living standards and providing comprehensive health care facilities for sickle cell disease patients is made.
Smoking counseling practices of physicians in the United Arab Emirates

Background. Despite the cost effectiveness of physician smoking cessation counseling, many physicians do not adhere to current clinical practice guidelines. Methods. A cross-sectional mail survey was conducted in a sample of general practitioners in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), emirates of Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, to document cessation-counseling practices and identify correlates of these activities. Results. Of 391 eligible GPs, 218 (56%) completed the questionnaire. Despite favorable beliefs/attitudes about cessation counseling, less than half of GPs (47%) indicated that they have the skills to help their patients quit smoking and only 24% knew of community resources to refer patients to. GPs who perceived physician barriers in offering smoking counseling as very important were significantly less likely to ascertain smoking status of most of their patients (OR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.09,0.88). Moreover, high self-efficacy and favorable beliefs/attitudes were significantly associated with high level of counseling completeness (OR: 4.44, 95% CI: 1.21, 16.37; OR: 3.78, 95% CI: 1.25, 11.35; respectively). Conclusion. Support, training and intervention programs to overcome lack of awareness and knowledge, unfavorable beliefs/attitudes, and low self-efficacy could increase and enhance cessation-counseling practices among general practitioners in the UAE.
Demographic Mechanisms of Reef Coral Species Winnowing from Communities under Increased Environmental Stress

Winnowing of poorly-adapted species from local communities causes shifts/declines in species richness, making ecosystems increasingly ecologically depauperate. Low diversity can be associated with marginality of environments, which is increasing as climate change impacts ecosystems globally. This paper demonstrates the demographic mechanisms (size-specific mortality, growth, fertility; and metapopulation connectivity) associated with population-level changes due to thermal stress extremes for five zooxanthellate reef-coral species. Effects vary among species, leading to predictable changes in population size and, consequently, community structure. The Persian/Arabian Gulf (PAG) is an ecologically marginal reef environment with a subset of Indo-Pacific species, plus endemics. Local heating correlates with changes in coral population dynamics and community structure. Recent population dynamics of PAG corals were quantified in two phases (medium disturbed MD 1998-2010 and 2013-17, severely disturbed SD 1996/8, 2010/11/12) with two stable states of declining coral frequency and cover. The strongest changes in life-dynamics, as expressed by transition matrices solved for MD and SD periods were in Acropora downingi and Porites harrisoni, which showed significant partial and whole-colony mortality (termed “shrinkers”). But in Dipsastrea pallida, Platygyra daedalea, Cyphastraea microphthalma the changes to life dynamics were more subtle, with only partial tissue mortality (termed “persisters”). Metapopulation models suggested recovery predominantly in species experiencing partial rather than whole-colony mortality. Increased frequency of disturbance caused progressive reduction in coral size, cover, and population fecundity. Also, the greater the frequency of disturbance, the more larval connectivity is required to maintain the metapopulation. An oceanographic model revealed important local larval retention and connectivity primarily between adjacent populations, suggesting that correlated disturbances across populations will lead to winnowing of species due to colony, tissue, and fertility losses, with resultant insufficient dispersal potential to make up for losses – especially if disturbances increase under climate change. Variable extinction thresholds exists based on the susceptibility of species to disturbance (“shrinkers” versus “persisters”), determining which species will be winnowed from the community. Besides projected changes in coral community and population structure, no species are projected to increase in cover. Increased marginality due to climate change will lead to a net loss of coral cover and novel communities in PAG.
Autocalibration of HSPF for Simulation of Streamflow Using a Genetic Algorithm

Hydrologic models are essential to watershed planning and management, particularly in the San Antonio River watershed where competition for scarce water resources is a challenge. As a result, the calibration and validation of hydrologic models are essential steps for their successful application. In this study, we examined the use of a loosely coupled genetic algorithm (GA) as an autocalibration tool for optimization of model parameters for the Hydrologic Simulation Program - Fortran (HSPF), a model frequently used in surface hydrology and water quality modeling. The GA-HSPF model is a more objective and less time-consuming alternative to traditional trial-and-error methods. The objective function was optimized by minimizing the mean absolute error (MAE) between corresponding simulated and observed average daily streamflow in the San Antonio River watershed. The MAE was used to evaluate the fitness of the parameter set in the GA. The calibrated model parameters (LZSN, INFILT, AGWRC, UZSN, DEEPFR, LZETP, and INTFW) were selected based on a sensitivity analysis from a previous study. Goodness-of-fit of the GA calibrated model was evaluated using the Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient of efficiency, MAE, root mean square error, flow duration curves, wavelet analysis, and total volume error. Overall simulation time with 2000 model simulations was 11 days, which can be improved significantly under parallel computing, as GA-HSPF simulations are highly independent. The objective function ceased improvement after approximately 250 simulations, with a minimized MAE of 25.8 m 3 /s. With the exception of DEEPFR, all optimized model parameter values were within the range cited in the literature. Nash-Sutcliffe coefficients in all simulations were above 0.5, suggesting that the simulated flows were in good agreement with the observed flows. Visual comparison between observed and simulated stream flow using time series and flow duration curves showed that the GA calibrated model was unable to simulate peak flow events accurately, particularly in the 0% to 10% exceedence range. It is hypothesized that the storage-based routing scheme in HSPF limits its ability to predict peak flows in this watershed. Comparison between observed and simulated flows in the wavelet domain indicated that the GA calibrated model was not able to preserve the scale and location of some high frequencies, but the scale and location of lower frequencies were preserved. The cyclic nature of the streamflow in this watershed was more prominent in lower frequencies. While overall flow rates were adequately predicted using a GA-HSPF approach, future work in this watershed needs to focus on multi-objective optimization that optimizes both volumes and peak flows. The GA-HSPF model offers an objective and efficient method for calibration and validation, a useful tool in watershed planning efforts.