Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical enflurane metabolism by cytochrome P450 2E1.

BACKGROUND Fluorinated ether anesthetic hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity are mediated by cytochrome P450-catalyzed oxidative metabolism. Metabolism of the volatile anesthetic enflurane to inorganic fluoride ion by human liver microsomes in vitro is catalyzed predominantly by the cytochrome P450 isoform CYP2E1. This investigation tested the hypothesis that P450 2E1 is also the isoform responsible for human enflurane metabolism in vivo. Disulfiram, which is converted in vivo to a selective inhibitor of P450 2E1, was used as a metabolic probe for P450 2E1. METHODS Twenty patients undergoing elective surgery were randomized to receive disulfiram (500 mg orally; n = 10) or nothing (control subjects; n = 10) the evening before surgery. All patients received a standard anesthetic of enflurane (2.2% end-tidal) in oxygen for 3 hours. Blood enflurane concentrations were measured by gas chromatography. Plasma and urine fluoride concentrations were quantitated by ion-selective electrode. RESULTS Patient groups were similar with respect to age, weight, gender, duration of surgery, and blood loss. Total enflurane dose, measured by cumulative end-tidal enflurane concentrations (3.9 to 4.1 MAC-hr) and by blood enflurane concentrations, was similar in both groups. Plasma fluoride concentrations increased from 3.6 +/- 1.5 mumol/L (baseline) to 24.3 +/- 3.8 mumol/L (peak) in untreated patients (mean +/- SE). Disulfiram treatment completely abolished the rise in plasma fluoride concentration. Urine fluoride excretion was similarly significantly diminished in disulfiram-treated patients. Fluoride excretion in disulfiram-treated patients was 62 +/- 10 and 61 +/- 12 mumol on days 1 and 2, respectively, compared with 1090 +/- 180 and 1200 +/- 220 mumol in control subjects (p < 0.05 on each day). CONCLUSIONS Disulfiram prevented fluoride ion production after enflurane anesthesia. These results suggest that P450 2E1 is the predominant P450 isoform responsible for human clinical enflurane metabolism in vivo.
Sequencing 16S rRNA gene fragments using the PacBio SMRT DNA sequencing system

Over the past 10 years, microbial ecologists have largely abandoned sequencing 16S rRNA genes by the Sanger sequencing method and have instead adopted highly parallelized sequencing platforms. These new platforms, such as 454 and Illumina’s MiSeq, have allowed researchers to obtain millions of high quality but short sequences. The result of the added sequencing depth has been significant improvements in experimental design. The tradeoff has been the decline in the number of full-length reference sequences that are deposited into databases. To overcome this problem, we tested the ability of the PacBio Single Molecule, Real-Time (SMRT) DNA sequencing platform to generate sequence reads from the 16S rRNA gene. We generated sequencing data from the V4, V3–V5, V1–V3, V1–V5, V1–V6, and V1–V9 variable regions from within the 16S rRNA gene using DNA from a synthetic mock community and natural samples collected from human feces, mouse feces, and soil. The mock community allowed us to assess the actual sequencing error rate and how that error rate changed when different curation methods were applied. We developed a simple method based on sequence characteristics and quality scores to reduce the observed error rate for the V1–V9 region from 0.69 to 0.027%. This error rate is comparable to what has been observed for the shorter reads generated by 454 and Illumina’s MiSeq sequencing platforms. Although the per base sequencing cost is still significantly more than that of MiSeq, the prospect of supplementing reference databases with full-length sequences from organisms below the limit of detection from the Sanger approach is exciting.
Learning analytics for the social media age

In just a short period of time, social media have altered many aspects of our daily lives, from how we form and maintain social relationships to how we discover, access and share information online. Now social media are also beginning to affect how we teach and learn in this increasingly interconnected and information-rich world. The panelists will discuss their ongoing work that seeks to understand the affordances and potential roles of social media in learning, as well as to determine and provide methods that can help researchers and educators evaluate the use of social media for teaching and learning based on automated analyses of social media texts and networks. The panel will focus on the first phase of this five-year research initiative "Learning Analytics for the Social Media Age" funded by the Social Science and Humanites Research Council of Canada (2013--2018).
A comparative analysis of architecture frameworks

Architecture frameworks are methods used in architecture modeling. They provide a structured and systematic approach to designing systems. To date there has been little analysis on their roles in system and software engineering and if they are satisfactory. This study provides a model of understanding through analyzing the goals, inputs and outcomes of six architecture frameworks. It characterizes two classes of architecture frameworks and identifies some of their deficiencies. To overcome these deficiencies, we propose to use costs, benefits and risks for architecture analysis. We also propose a method to delineate architecture activities from detailed design activities.
Faithful Glitch Propagation in Binary Circuit Models

Modern digital circuit design relies on fast digital timing simulation tools and, hence, on accurate binary-valued circuit models that faithfully model signal propagation, even throughout a complex design. Unfortunately, it was recently proved [F\"ugger et al., ASYNC'13] that no existing binary-valued circuit model proposed so far, including the two most commonly used pure and inertial delay channels, faithfully captures glitch propagation: For the simple Short-Pulse Filtration (SPF) problem, which is related to a circuit's ability to suppress a single glitch, we showed that the quite broad class of bounded single-history channels either contradict the unsolvability of SPF in bounded time or the solvability of SPF in unbounded time in physical circuits. In this paper, we propose a class of binary circuit models that do not suffer from this deficiency: Like bounded single-history channels, our involution channels involve delays that may depend on the time of the previous output transition. Their characteristic property are delay functions which are based on involutions, i.e., functions that form their own inverse. A concrete example of such a delay function, which is derived from a generalized first-order analog circuit model, reveals that this is not an unrealistic assumption. We prove that, in sharp contrast to what is possible with bounded single-history channels, SPF cannot be solved in bounded time due to the nonexistence of a lower bound on the delay of involution channels, whereas it is easy to provide an unbounded SPF implementation. It hence follows that binary-valued circuit models based on involution channels allow to solve SPF precisely when this is possible in physical circuits. To the best of our knowledge, our model is hence the very first candidate for a model that indeed guarantees faithful glitch propagation.
The Dynamics of Intragroup Differentiation in an Intergroup Social Context

Status hierarchies typically emerge when groups of strangers interact. Relatively little work tests explanations for this process in homogenous groups, and the majority has been conducted in intragroup settings. We test an expectation-states explanation in an intergroup context using the multilevel application of the actor-partner interdependence model. Participants fN = 48) discussed capital punishment in gender-homogenous 6-person groups containing 3 pro- and 3 anti-capital punishment adherents. The more speakers directed turns and proactive behavior at the outgroup than the ingroup, the higher they emerged in status. Further, high- but not low-status group members obtained more successful interruptions by being proactive, but more unsuccessful interruptions by being reactive. Socioemotional standing in the group was an inverted-U function of participation. Those higher on socioemotional standing also directed relatively less reactive behavior at the outgroup than the ingroup. The findings suggest that intragroup differentiation is subtly yet powerfully affected by status expectations and the intergroup context. Instructions for running these models in SAS and SPSS are appended.
The prevalence of domestic violence in primary care patients in Slovenia in a five-year period (2005-2009)

Aim To estimate the prevalence of exposure to domestic violence in primary care patients in Slovenia and determine the associated factors. Methods In a systematic cross-sectional survey, 70 physicians from 70 family medicine practices from urban and rural settings conducted interviews with every fifth patient from January 15 to February 15, 2010. Results Of 2075 patients (98.8% response rate), 372 (17.9%) were exposed to psychological or physical violence in the family in the last five years. Factors that increased the chances of exposure to psychological and physical violence were female sex (odds ratio [OR], 3.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.24-4.76; P < 0.001; OR, 4.52; 95% CI, 2.83-7.20; P < 0.001, respectively) and formal divorce (OR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.35-3.21; P = 0.001; OR, 2.72; 95% CI, 1.73-4.29; P < 0.001, respectively). Factors that decreased the chances of exposure to psychological violence were age of 65 years or above (OR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.33-0.96, P = 0.035) and single status (OR, 0.43; 95% CI 0.21-0.86, P = 0.016), while age of 65 years or above (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.23-0.79, P = 0.007) and parenting of two children (OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.29-0.90, P = 0.020) decreased the chances of exposure to physical violence. Conclusions We found the rate of exposure to psychological and physical violence of 17.9%, which indicates that this problem is a serious public health issue that needs to be addressed by adequate measures. The identified risk and protective factors could serve as a valid guidance for family physicians dealing with physical violence.
Evaluation of Protein Docking Predictions Using Hex 3.1 in CAPRI Rounds 1{2

This article describes and reviews our efforts using Hex 3.1 to predict the docking modes of the seven target protein-protein complexes presented in the CAPRI (Critical Assessment of Predicted Interactions) blind docking trial. For each target, the structure of at least one of the docking partners was given in its unbound form, and several of the targets involved large multimeric structures (e.g. Lactobacillus HPr kinase, hemagglutinin, bovine rotavirus VP6). Here, we describe several enhancements to our original spherical polar Fourier docking correlation algorithm. For example, a novel surface sphere smothering algorithm is introduced to generate multiple local coordinate systems around the surface of a large receptor molecule which may be used to define a small number of initial ligand docking orientations distributed over the receptor surface. High resolution spherical polar docking correlations are performed over the resulting receptor surface patches, and candidate docking solutions are refined using a novel soft molecular mechanics energy minimisation procedure. Overall, this approach identified two good solutions at rank 5 or less for two of the seven CAPRI complexes. Subsequent analysis of our results shows that Hex 3.1 is able to place good solutions within a list of 20 or less for four of the seven targets. This demonstrates that useful in silico protein-protein docking predictions can now be made with increasing confidence, even for very large macromolecular complexes.
A genetic test which can be used to diagnose adult-type hypolactasia in children

Background/Aims: Adult-type hypolactasia (primary lactose malabsorption) affects most of world’s human population and limits the use of fresh milk due to lactose intolerance. The diagnosis of adult-type hypolactasia has been difficult to establish because of unsatisfactory diagnostic methods. C/T-13910 single nucleotide polymorphism residing 13910 base pairs from the 5′ end of the lactase gene has been shown to be associated with lactase persistence. The aim of the study was to assess the applicability of the C/T-13910 variant as a diagnostic test for adult-type hypolactasia during childhood. Methods: Intestinal biopsies were obtained from 329 children and adolescents of African, Finnish, and other White origins aged 0.1–20 years undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy because of abdominal complaints. The biopsies were assayed for lactase, sucrase, and maltase activity and genotyped for the C/T-13910 variant using polymerase chain reaction minisequencing. Results: The frequency of the C/C-13910 genotype defining lactase non-persistence was well in agreement in this study with published figures for the prevalences of adult-type hypolactasia in Africans and Whites. The C/C-13910 genotype was associated with very low lactase activity (<10 U/g protein) in the majority of children tested at 8 years of age and in every child older than 12 years of age giving a specificity of 100% and sensitivity of 93% for the genetic test. The decline of lactase activity was somewhat earlier in African compared with Finnish children with C/C-13910 genotype (p<0.03). Conclusions: Genetic test of C/T-13910 polymorphism can be used as a first stage screening test for adult-type hypolactasia.
Parental Monitoring: Can It Continue to Be Protective Among High-Risk Adolescents?

ABSTRACT Adolescence is a developmental period during which many youth experiment with risk practices. This paper examined the association of parental monitoring with a range of alcohol and other drug (AOD) use behaviors among high-risk youth, while controlling for other demographic and environmental variables previously found to be associated with AOD use. Participants were recruited as part of a longitudinal evaluation study of four youth drop-in centers located in Southern California. These centers served at-risk youth, including Hispanic, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Questioning (LGBQ), and homeless and runaway youth. Participants were aged 14 to 24 and were new attendees at the drop-in centers. Results from logistic regression analyses revealed that while controlling for demographic and environmental variables, adolescents who reported less parental monitoring were more likely to report lifetime use of cigarettes, marijuana, and methamphetamine, and in the past three months, use of alcohol and binge drinking. The findings thus indicate that, even among high-risk youth, those who reported low parental monitoring were significantly more likely to use a variety of substances. Implications of these findings are discussed as they pertain to AOD prevention and interventions for children and their families.
On generalized spatial modulation

Generalized spatial modulation (GSM) is a relatively new modulation scheme for multi-antenna wireless communications. It is quite attractive because of its ability to work with less number of transmit RF chains compared to traditional spatial multiplexing (V-BLAST system). In this paper, we show that, by using an optimum combination of number of transmit antennas (Nt) and number of transmit RF chains (Nrf), GSM can achieve better throughput and/or bit error rate (BER) than spatial multiplexing. First, we quantify the percentage savings in the number of transmit RF chains as well as the percentage increase in the rate achieved in GSM compared to spatial multiplexing; 18.75% savings in number of RF chains and 9.375% increase in rate are possible with 16 transmit antennas and 4-QAM modulation. A bottleneck, however, is the complexity of maximum-likelihood (ML) detection of GSM signals, particularly in large MIMO systems where the number of antennas is large. We address this detection complexity issue next. Specifically, we propose a Gibbs sampling based algorithm suited to detect GSM signals. The proposed algorithm yields impressive BER performance and complexity results. For the same spectral efficiency and number of transmit RF chains, GSM with the proposed detection algorithm achieves better performance than spatial multiplexing with ML detection.
Treating Stuttering in a Preschool Child With Syllable Timed Speech: A Case Report

In this article we report the use of a simple, non-programmed, syllable timed speech procedure to treat stuttering in a 3-year-old boy with a 2-year history of stuttering. The treatment involved the boy and his parents visiting the clinic 7 times, and the parents modelling syllable timed speech 2 to 6 times per day for 5- to 10-minute intervals in and around the home. After 7 weeks, clinic measures and objective, blinded measures of speech beyond the clinic showed stuttering frequency below 1.0% syllables stuttered. Along with low severity ratings made by the parent each day, this meets the stuttering criteria of another, proven treatment for early stuttering intervention. However, in this study reduction in stuttering was achieved with a simpler and more cost efficient procedure. With the caveat that this is a non-experimental case report, we discuss its potential implications.
Robust Array Beamforming With Sidelobe Control Using Support Vector Machines

Robust beamforming is a challenging task in a number of applications (radar, sonar, wireless communications, etc.) due to strict restrictions on the number of available snapshots, signal mismatches, or calibration errors. We present a new approach to adaptive beamforming that provides increased robustness against the mismatch problem as well as additional control over the sidelobe level. We generalize the conventional linearly constrained minimum variance cost function by including a regularization term that penalizes differences between the actual and the target (ideal) array responses. By using the so-called epsi-insensitive loss function for the penalty term, the final cost function adopts the form of a support vector machine (SVM) for regression. In particular, the resulting cost function is convex with a unique global minimum that has traditionally been found using quadratic programming (QP) techniques. To alleviate the computational cost of conventional QP techniques, we use an iterative reweighted least-squares (IRWLS) procedure, which also converges to the SVM solution. Computer simulations demonstrate an improved performance of the proposed SVM-based beamformer, in comparison with other recently proposed robust beamforming techniques
Design and Implementation of a MapReduce Based Framework for Determinant Computation

Since Google implemented it as their data processing infrastructure, Map Reduce has been widely testified and accepted both in academic and industry areas. Many applications such as graph processing, data mining, machine learning, XML processing used it to get better processing performance in the scalable environment. With the wide spread of Map Reduce, the research on the implementation of the traditional applications in it is meaningful. In this paper, a Map Reduce implementation for the determinant computation is made which supports the repeated and automatic turning of the map and reduce functions as a pipeline. It is suitable for the common calculation for determinants on the basis of an improved Map Reduce on scalable clusters.
Proteomic analysis of protein complexes

While it sometimes does not generate the publicity that biomarker discovery does, the identification of protein complexes may be the most popular use of proteomic technology. The partners a protein interacts with is a key component that describes the function of any protein. Basic research has long appreciated the importance of identifying protein interactions through techniques such as Western blotting and colocalization studies using immunofluorescence microscopy. This appreciation has carried over into the field of proteomics and brought with it the development of tools that increase the capabilities to characterize protein complexes to a far greater scale. While advances in technology have had a huge impact, sample preparation issues related to the isolation of protein complexes remains a critical factor in determining the success of these types of studies.
Lineage and Birth Date Specify Motor Neuron Targeting and Dendritic Architecture in Adult Drosophila

Locomotion in adult Drosophila depends on motor neurons that target a set of multifibered muscles in the appendages. Here, we describe the development of motor neurons in adult Drosophila, focusing on those that target the legs. Leg motor neurons are born from at least 11 neuroblast lineages, but two lineages generate the majority of these cells. Using genetic single-cell labeling methods, we analyze the birth order, muscle targeting, and dendritic arbors for most of the leg motor neurons. Our results reveal that each leg motor neuron is born at a characteristic time of development, from a specific lineage, and has a stereotyped dendritic architecture. Motor axons that target a particular leg segment or muscle have similar dendritic arbors but can derive from different lineages. Thus, although Drosophila uses a lineage-based method to generate leg motor neurons, individual lineages are not dedicated to generate neurons that target a single leg segment or muscle type.
Making innovation happen – moving beyond a conceptual framework

Purpose – This paper aims to help people in organizations understand why so much of the talk and effort focused on innovation fails to generate real results.Design/methodology/approach – The paper describes the origins of the Synectics® approach to creative problem solving based upon observation of successful innovators. This approach resulted in a tool kit that has applicability for anyone in organizational life struggling to get new ideas and to take these to action.Findings – The paper has reference to a number of organizations and the results realised.Originality/value – The originality is the reference to a holistic view of creative problem solving connected with a behavioural approach to make it happen. The value to any organization is beyond measure. At a simplistic level the time in meetings can be halved while simultaneously doubling the output. That is a huge cost saving and release of human energy into more productive effort.
Measuring Students’ Engagement on College Campuses: Is the NSSE an Appropriate Measure of Adult Students’ Engagement?

Abstract As institutions seek to promote student engagement, the National Survey of Student Engagement has become a measure commonly used to document how institutions are meeting educational goals, but there is some question as to its applicability for certain undergraduate populations. 2010 survey results were analyzed for 125 adult and 69 traditional-age seniors attending a small, private, four-year institution in the U.S. South to evaluate differences between the two groups among 42 items composing five benchmark areas. Results provided support for the hypothesis that adults would score lower than traditional-age students on survey items that are more applicable to traditional students because of their focus on out-of-classroom experiences. Findings of this study have implications for the use of National Survey of Student Engagement benchmarks in assessing adult student engagement.