Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
BoostClean: Automated Error Detection and Repair for Machine Learning

Predictive models based on machine learning can be highly sensitive to data error. Training data are often combined with a variety of different sources, each susceptible to different types of inconsistencies, and new data streams during prediction time, the model may encounter previously unseen inconsistencies. An important class of such inconsistencies is domain value violations that occur when an attribute value is outside of an allowed domain. We explore automatically detecting and repairing such violations by leveraging the often available clean test labels to determine whether a given detection and repair combination will improve model accuracy. We present BoostClean which automatically selects an ensemble of error detection and repair combinations using statistical boosting. BoostClean selects this ensemble from an extensible library that is pre-populated general detection functions, including a novel detector based on the Word2Vec deep learning model, which detects errors across a diverse set of domains. Our evaluation on a collection of 12 datasets from Kaggle, the UCI repository, real-world data analyses, and production datasets that show that Boost- Clean can increase absolute prediction accuracy by up to 9% over the best non-ensembled alternatives. Our optimizations including parallelism, materialization, and indexing techniques show a 22.2x end-to-end speedup on a 16-core machine.
An in vivo pilot study characterizing the new CYP2A6*7, *8, and *10 alleles.

We developed genotyping assays for CYP2A6*7 (Ile471Thr) and CYP2A6*8 (Arg485Leu). We found higher allelic frequencies in Japanese and Chinese versus Caucasians and identified an allele in which both substitutions occur together (CYP2A6*10). We created a homology model for predicting the impact of allelic variants on enzymatic activity and subsequently tested this in vivo in a pilot kinetic study. Consistent with our homology model predictions, we found (i) that CYP2A6*7 produces an enzyme that has decreased (not inactive) activity for metabolizing nicotine and coumarin; (ii) that CYP2A6*8 is unlikely to affect catalytic activity in vivo; and (iii) that having both substitutions together on an allele (CYP2A6*10) dramatically reduces function and may be fully inactive for some substrates. In conclusion, this study identifies, at relatively high frequency in Asians, an allele with decreased activity (may be substrate selective), a fully functional allele, and an allele containing both substitutions in which function is dramatically reduced.
Identification of the Major Urinary Metabolite of the F2-isoprostane 8-Iso-prostaglandin F2α in Humans*

F2-isoprostanes are prostaglandin-like products of nonenzymatic lipid peroxidation. Measurement of levels of endogenous unmetabolized F2-isoprostanes has proven to be a valuable approach to assess oxidative stress in vivo. However, measurement of levels of urinary metabolites of F2-isoprostanes in timed urine collections offers an advantage over measuring unmetabolized F2-isoprostanes, e.g. in a plasma sample, in that it can provide an integrated index of isoprostane production over time. Therefore, we sought to identify the major urinary metabolite in humans of one of the more abundant F2-isoprostanes produced, 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-iso-PGF2α). 20 μCi of tritiated 8-iso-PGF2α was infused over 1 h into a male volunteer. 75% of the infused radioactivity was excreted into the urine during the following 4.5 h and was combined with urine collected for 4 h from a rhesus monkey following infusion of 500 μg of unlabeled 8-iso-PGF2α. Urinary metabolites were isolated and purified by adsorption chromatography and high pressure liquid chromatography. The major urinary metabolite, representing 29% of the total extractable recovered radioactivity in the urine, was structurally identified by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry as 2,3-dinor-5,6-dihydro-8-iso-prostaglandin F2α. The identification of 2,3-dinor-5,6-dihydro-prostaglandin F2α as the major urinary metabolite of 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α provides the basis for the development of methods of assay for its quantification as a means to obtain an integrated assessment of oxidative stress status in humans.
Three-dimensional culture system can induce expression of casein in immortalized bovine mammary epithelial cells.

Primary bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs) are not ideal models for long-term studies of lactation mechanisms because these cells in a monolayer culture system cannot be polarized to simulate the physiological functions in vitro. We investigate the effects of different culture models and karyotypes on casein expression in a three-dimensional (3D) culture system. The immortalized cells' karyotypes were analyzed at passages 10, 20, 30 and 40 to detect the effects of chromosome stability. Western blotting examined that whether or not the immortalized cells at passages 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 could induce expression of casein in a 3D culture system. The proper polarization of the acinar structures was monitored. BMECs were successfully immortalized. The cell karyotype at passage 30 remained at 60 chromosomes and the average value was 57.1 ± 0.40 after passage 40. The polarized protein's levels were up-regulated in 3D culture compared to 2D culture. Expression of αs1, β and κ-casein could be detectable in a passage range in 3D culture. Expression of αs2-casein was undetectable in all experimental groups. However, all casein expressions were barely detectable in traditional 2D culture system. Therefore, 3D culture system is an important tool for the long-term study of lactation mechanisms in vitro.
Design Studio: A Community of Practitioners?

What constitutes design studio practice, and how do conceptualisations involving communities of practice further our understanding? This analysis is based on key findings of an interview-based research project that examined the insider experiences of final year undergraduate students of architecture, focussing on the network of relationships between peers, places of work and everyday working practices. The analysis critically examines the application of a community of practice model, and draws on Bourdieu's conceptions of habitus and field as a means of understanding how value is conferred upon individual practices through their display in the often challenging social arena of studio culture.
Attitudes towards exercise among substance using older adults living with HIV and chronic pain

ABSTRACT Chronic pain and substance use disorders occur commonly among HIV-infected persons. Recent CDC guidelines recommend non-pharmacologic approaches over opioid medications for the management of chronic pain. This is particularly relevant for persons with substance use disorders. Structured physical activity may be an effective strategy for pain reduction. We developed a combined cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) + exercise intervention to reduce pain, pain-related disability and substance use and improve physical function in older HIV-infected adults with chronic pain and substance use. We employed established CBT protocols for the intervention, and sought feedback from potential end users when developing the exercise component of the intervention. A total of 27 HIV-infected adults ≥ 50 years of age participated in four focus group sessions. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Participant demographics: mean age 54 years; male 81%; Hispanic 48%, Black 33%; treated for substance abuse in the past 52%. Exercise was seen as a desirable activity, but many participants expressed barriers to exercise including fear of pain exacerbation, low physical fitness, and lack of availability of perceived safe spaces for HIV-infected persons. Most participants were receptive to exercise for pain reduction, particularly modalities that provide added psychological benefits of reducing stress and anxiety. Exercise for pain management among older HIV-infected adults with chronic pain and substance use was found to be highly acceptable. However, interventions need to be tailored to the unique needs of this population to address their fears and concerns.
Assessment of mutagenic, hematological and oxidative stress biomarkers in liver of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) in response to sublethal verapamil exposure

Abstract The influx of pharmaceutical drugs and their metabolites have been reported to cause negative impact on aquatic biota. In this study, effects of long-term exposure of verapamil on mutagenic, hematological parameters and activities of the oxidative enzymes of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus were investigated for 60 days exposure at the concentrations of 0.29, 0.58 and 1.15 mg L−1 in the fish liver. The exposure resulted in significantly high (p < 0.05) micronuclei induction of peripheral blood cells at the peak on day 30 at 1.15 mg L−1. Compared with the control, there was significant increase (p < 0.05) in white blood cell counts and red blood cell distribution width (RDW), with a reduction in hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell counts (RBCs), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) level as the concentration of the drug increased. The indices of oxidative stress biomarkers (lipid peroxidation and carbonyl protein) showed elevated level, depicting a positive correlation with both time and concentration. More so, the activity of energy-related parameter (Na+ -K+- ATPase) in the tissue was significantly inhibited (p < 0.05) at the end of 60 days exposure period. Further, the activity of catalase (CAT) was inhibited while reduced glutathione (GSH) level was decreased in the liver tissue. There was increase in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione–S-transferase (GST) after 30 days at 0.29 mg L−1. The study demonstrated that prolonged exposure to verapamil at sublethal concentration can result in mutagenic effects and oxidative dysfunctions in O. niloticus.
An exploration of leadership and its development through the inner worlds of leaders using metaphor.

This research explores the naturally occurring metaphors of 30 business leaders from fifteen nationalities to discover what insight can be gained from a personalised approach to leader development. Building on the assertion that part of the complexity of leadership is its subjective and symbolic nature, this research explores the meaning that individuals make about their leadership and its development. This approach supports the development of authenticity in leaders, viewing authenticity as making one’s own meaning, relational and elusive. This longitudinal, phenomenological enquiry, situated in the social constructivist paradigm, seeks to explore how leaders construct and make sense of their world at an intra-personal level. It addresses the question; what can leaders learn about their leadership and development from an exploration of their inner worlds through metaphor? Using Clean Language, an innovative interview method to elicit naturally occurring metaphors, leaders were invited to surface and explore their metaphors of leadership verbally and in drawings. Results suggest leaders make meaning through surfacing and exploring their metaphors, gain clarity and confirmation about their leadership and view development as an on-going journey of becoming, rather than a fixed destination. Diverse conceptualisations of leadership are revealed in multiple and idiosyncratic metaphors, yet ten ‘key’ metaphors appear to underlie these diverse expressions. Moreover, the importance of relationship to provide subtle guidance and comfort during exploration of the inner world was revealed. In tandem with the purpose of this study, methodological advances are proposed for qualitative interviews that aim to surface individuals’ metaphors. This seeks to contribute to approaches for eliciting and analysing metaphors that can illuminate sensemaking within the management and organisational field.
Boost-based amplifier for power-hardware-in-the-loop simulations of utility-tied DG

In Power-hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) simulations, one part of a whole network is simulated inside the Real-Time (RT) simulator and another part is in the form of actual hardware. Therefore, operation of a power Hardware-Under-Test (HUT) can be observed and analyzed when it is integrated to a larger network, without building the whole system beforehand. In this paper, a MATLAB/Simulink based toolbox is used as RT simulator for PHIL simulations. The power amplifier, another major constituent of a PHIL simulator, is constructed using boost-based topology, viz., Differential-Boost-Inverter (DBI). DBI has an advantage of generating higher output voltage compared to the applied dc-input. However, a conventional DBI exhibits nonlinear control-to-output behavior, therefore, a Dynamic-Linearizing-Modulator (DLM) is used to linearize it in large signal and dynamic sense. The linearized DLM-controlled-DBI is a suitable power amplifier for PHIL applications. The constructed PHIL simulator is used to analyze the operation of a Distributed-Generation (DG) system tied to the utility-grid. The grid network is simulated inside the RT simulator and DG is in the form of actual hardware. A proportional + resonant controller is used to control the current being injected to the grid. Experimental results in a PHIL environment show that by controlling magnitude and phase of the reference current, real and reactive power supplied to the utility-grid can be controlled.
Islet replacement vs. regeneration: Hope or hype?

Abstract: Type 1 diabetes is caused by autoimmune destruction of pancreatic islet β‐cells. Management of this disease is burdensome both to the individual and society, costing over $100 billion annually. Shortage of pancreatic tissue, together with a lifetime requirement of immunosuppressive drugs to prevent rejection and recurrent disease, remain as major hurdles yet to be overcome prior to widespread applicability. Stem cells, with their potential of developing into pancreatic β‐cells, appear to be the best prospect for overcoming the islet shortage. Current investigation, however (both embryonic and adult stem cells), is still in the preliminary stage and several more years remain before they can potentially be used in the clinical setting. Procedures that reduce in vitro manipulation of cells and allow stem cells to develop into islets in vivo are crucial. Furthermore, the regeneration of existing islets is a distinct possibility. Simplistically, it might be hypothesized that down‐regulation of autoimmunity may give the pancreas the breathing space to regenerate islets. Supplementation with factors known to induce β‐cell replication and neogenesis might further augment the regenerative processes. Clearly, islet‐regeneration research will soon match the level of interest currently focused on in vitro stem cell‐based approaches.
A metabarcoding comparison of windward and leeward airborne algal diversity across the Ko‘olau mountain range on the island of O'ahu, Hawai‘i1

Airborne algae from sites on the windward (n = 3) and leeward (n = 3) sides of the Ko‘olau Mountain range of O‘ahu, Hawai‘i, were sampled for a 16 d period during January and February 2015 using passive collection devices and were characterized using Illumina MiSeq sequencing of the universal plastid amplicon marker. Amplicons were assigned to 3,023 operational taxonomic units (OTUs), which included 1,189 cyanobacteria, 1,009 heterotrophic bacteria, and 304 Eukaryota (of which 284 were algae and land plants). Analyses demonstrated substantially more OTUs at windward than leeward O‘ahu sites during the sampling period. Removal of nonalgal OTUs revealed a greater number of algal reads recovered from windward (839,853) than leeward sites (355,387), with the majority of these being cyanobacteria. The 1,234 total algal OTUs included cyanobacteria, diatoms, cryptophytes, brown algae, chlorophyte green algae, and charophyte green algae. A total of 208 algal OTUs were identified from leeward side samplers (including OTUs in common among samplers) and 1,995 algal OTUs were identified from windward samplers. Barcoding analyses of the most abundant algal OTUs indicated that very few were shared between the windward and leeward sides of the Ko‘olau Mountains, highlighting the localized scale at which these airborne algae communities differ. Back trajectories of air masses arriving on O‘ahu during the sampling period were calculated using the NOAA HY‐SPLIT model and suggested that the sampling period was composed of three large‐scale meteorological events, indicating a diversity of potential sources of airborne algae outside of the Hawaiian Islands.
Economic Effects of Workfare Reforms for Single Mothers: Benefit Substitution and Labour Supply Responses*

We analyse the economic impacts of Norwegian nationwide reforms on the state benefit programme targeting single mothers and derive the net fiscal impacts of the reforms on both the affected single mothers and public expenses. Our analysis accounts for behavioural reform responses by single mothers in terms of benefit substitution and labour supply. We find that for each 100-NOK reduction in benefit payments from the programme, single mothers replace approximately 60 NOK through benefit substitution. In the short term, we find a sizeable positive reform effect on single mothers’ labour supply and earnings. However, the positive labour supply response diminishes drastically in the long term. The reforms increase single mothers’ disposable income in the short term, but in the long term, we find no or even negative effects on disposable income. In terms of the net fiscal impact on public expenses, the reforms are successful. We estimate a total net gain of 3.56 billion NOK (37 million EUR) in public expenditures covering the 1998–2008 period.
Does Participation Foster Transformation Processes towards Sustainable Energy Systems? A Case Study of the German Energy Transformation

Sustainable energy transformation depends on learning processes, which allow us to cope with constantly changing environmental and social systems. Participation processes are viewed as a means of fostering social learning. In this paper, social learning is applied as an analytical concept to investigate the cognitive effects of participation such as knowledge acquisition, changes of perspective, and knowledge dissemination. Previous studies have indicated that certain characteristics of the participation process foster social learning. However, empirical evidence is still inconclusive, which is why this paper investigates which factors foster social learning. An empirical analysis was conducted on the basis of a quantitative online survey (N = 516), which questioned people who are in some way involved in the German energy transformation (Energiewende). The results show that social learning can be enhanced through participation. In particular, moderated processes—which foster a productive exchange, encourage the building of trust among participants, and allow easy access to relevant information—are likely to provide the appropriate conditions for social learning. Personal characteristics such as an individual’s degree of knowledge might have a greater influence on why people change their perspectives than the intensity of participation.
Waist percentiles: a simple test for atherogenic disease?

Objective: To give standards for quantification of the magnitude of waist circumference in children. Methods: We calculated the percentiles of waist circumference by age and sex from a sample of 2858 subjects (1440 males and 1418 females, aged 6‐14 years). Data were from a population survey of 15 000 school‐children in Pescara, a town in Abruzzo, a region of Central Italy. Results: We reported the values of the calculated percentiles by age and sex and gave the smoothed percentile curves. Conclusions: Some recent studies in adults have indicated that measuring waist circumference seems to be the simplest way to estimate obesity and the risk of cardiovascular disease. In children, similar evidence is emerging. To date, no example of calculating standards has been published for quantitating the magnitude of waist circumference in children; therefore, our example of standard waist measurements could be used as a practical model for selecting subjects with a value of ≤ or > 2 SD from the mean. The metabolic status should then be checked by complementary laboratory examination.
An arterioarterial prosthetic graft as an alternative option for haemodialysis access: a systematic review

Introduction: All arteriovenous fistula/grafts options should be exhausted before haemodialysis is carried out via central venous catheters (CVC). CVCs carry high morbidity and mortality risks and in some patients, the central veins could be exhausted. In these patients, an arterioarterial prosthetic loop (AAPL) or straight graft can be the only option for haemodialysis. A systematic review was thus carried out to look at the use of arterioarterial graft for haemodialysis, with regards to dialysis adequacy, complications, and patency rates. Methods: An electronic search was performed using the EMBASE and MEDLINE databases from inception until June 2017. Study retrieval was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Results: A total of eight studies published between 1976 and 2017 were identified for pooled analysis. The studies were retrospective cohort in design and reported data on 151 patients. Primary patency rate ranged from 67%-94.5% at six months to 54%-61% at 36 months, with secondary patency rates from 83%-93% at six months to 72%-87% at 36 months. All studies documented satisfactory haemodialysis. Although limited by the size of the cohort of patients studied, patients with end-to-side grafts did not suffer from distal ischaemia when the graft occluded unlike patients who had their graft sutured as end-to-end. Conclusions: This review highlights the potential benefit of arterioarterial grafts for dialysis as an alternative vascular access option. As a result, this review calls for registry-based multicentre study to evaluate this treatment arm as an alternative option when all AVF/AVG options are exhausted.
Study of hypersonic boundary layer transition with different reynolds numbers

Boundary layer transition is important for thermal protection and drag reduction in the design of hypersonic vehicles. A three-equation k-ω-γ model is applied in predicting a hypersonic flat plate transition with different Reynolds numbers. The transition onset advances with Reynolds number and the boundary thickness becomes thinner in the laminar zone before transition onset. The Mack modes dominate the hypersonic boundary layer transition. The first mode is viscous instability and the second mode is inviscid instability. The second mode distributes near the wall in the region Marel >1 and the value is larger than the first mode time scale in the laminar zone. The first and second mode time scale, non-turbulence viscosity and equivalent fluctuation kinetic both increase with Reynolds number increasing.