Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Computers and Mathematics with Applications Global Error Minimization Method for Solving Strongly Nonlinear Oscillator Differential Equations

A modified variational approach called Global Error Minimization (GEM) method is developed for obtaining an approximate closed-form analytical solution for nonlinear oscillator differential equations. The proposed method converts the nonlinear differential equation to an equivalent minimization problem. A trial solution is selected with unknown parameters. Next, the GEM method is used to solve the minimization problem and to obtain the unknown parameters. This will yield the approximate analytical solution of the nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs). This approach is simple, accurate and straightforward to use in identifying the solution. To illustrate the effectiveness and convenience of the suggested procedure, a cubic Duffing equation with strong nonlinearity is considered. Comparisons are made between results obtained by the proposed GEM method, the exact solution and results from five recently published methods for addressing Duffing oscillators. The maximal relative error for the frequency obtained by the GEM method compared with the exact solution is 0.0004%, which indicates the remarkable precision of the GEM method.
Frequency assignment for cellular mobile systems using constraint satisfaction techniques

This paper presents a new algorithm for solving frequency assignment problems in cellular mobile systems using constraint satisfaction techniques. The characteristics of this algorithm are as follows: (1) instead of representing each call in a cell (a unit area in providing communication services) as a variable, we represent a cell (which has multiple calls) as a variable that has a very large domain, and determine a variable value step by step, (2) a powerful cell-ordering heuristic is introduced, (3) a branch-and-bound search that incorporates forward-checking is performed, and (4) the limited discrepancy search is introduced to improve the chance of finding a solution in a limited amount of search. Experimental evaluations using standard benchmark problems show that this algorithm can find optimal or semi-optimal solutions for these problems, and most of the obtained solutions are better than or equivalent to those of existing methods using simulated annealing, tabu search, or neural networks. These results show that state-of-the-art constraint satisfaction/optimization techniques are capable of solving realistic application problems when equipped with an appropriate problem representation and heuristics.
Impact of Tobacco Use in Patients Presenting to a Multidisciplinary Outpatient Treatment Program for Fibromyalgia

Objectives This study examined the relationship between the severity of fibromyalgia symptoms and current tobacco use in patients evaluated at a specialized fibromyalgia treatment program. Methods Demographic and clinical data from 984 consecutive patients evaluated at the Mayo Clinic Fibromyalgia Treatment Program including the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) were prospectively collected and stored in an electronic medical record and an electronic database. Univariate analyses were performed comparing tobacco users and nonusers. A post-hoc analysis of covariance was conducted for tobacco use, using group differences of confounding clinical and demographic variables. A P value ≤ 0.05 was accepted as the level of significance. Results One hundred and forty-five patients were identified as tobacco users (14.7%). Tobacco use was associated with greater pain intensity as measured by pain scales and the pain component of the FIQ. Tobacco users had a greater FIQ composite score 70.0(15.1) versus 61.8(16.8), P<0.001. By univariate analysis, tobacco users had higher scores on all the FIQ components and fewer good days and more days of work missed per week. Tobacco use was associated with several confounding clinical and demographic variables including lower education, higher unemployment, not being married or widowed, and history of abuse. After adjusting for these confounding variables, tobacco users continued to have greater pain intensity, a higher total and component FIQ scores except for fatigue. Smoking was not associated with a higher number of tender points. Discussion Current tobacco use was associated with more severe fibromyalgia symptoms in patients presenting to a specialized fibromyalgia treatment program.
Modeling and simulation of porpoising for a multilink dolphin robot

This paper analytically analyzes the porpoising behavior of dolphins and other cetaceans in the context of bio-robotics. Based on the conventional assumption that porpoising saves energy at high speed, the “crossover” speed is recalculated. A dynamic model for a multilink dolphin-like robot within the framework of multibody dynamics is created. Simulations using the dynamic model have been extensively performed in MATLAB/Simulink. In terms of simulation results obtained, the primary assumption has been validated and a newly possible main cause of porpoising's energy economy is suggested that the route diversion action results in a significant speed increase while porpoising. Two contradictions between the observation and the theoretical prediction have been explained, agreeing well with the above finding.
Support Vector Machine Applied to Underwater Target Classification

Underwater target classification is a complex task, due to the difficulty in identifying non-overlapping and stable feature set. It is required to choose the right algorithm, approach and technique, or the best combinations of approaches and techniques from a large set of options available in the literature for the specific problem. A binary classifier can tackle the problem by decomposing multiclass problem into binary class. This paper addresses the multiclass underwater classification problem using binary classifier -- Support Vector Machine (SVM). Three methods "all-against-all," "all-against-all Hierarchical," "one-against-all"("AVA", "AVA-H", "OVA") are tried out and performance using a particular feature derived from real data set is compared. A number of metrics are used to compare the performance. OVA gives a better performance with less computation compared to other methods.
A comparison of two LVR search optimization techniques

This paper presents a detailed comparison between two search optimization techniques for large vocabulary speech recognition – one based on word-conditioned tree search (WCTS) and one based on weighted finite-state transducers (WFSTs). Existing North American Business News systems from RWTH and AT&T representing each of the two approaches, were modified to remove variations in model data and acoustic likelihood computation. An experimental comparison showed that the WFST-based system explored fewer search states and had less runtime overhead than the WCTS-based system for a given word error rate. This is attributed to differences in the pre-compilation, degree of non-determinism, and path weight distribution in the respective search graphs.
Metabolite Profiling in the Pursuit of Biomarkers for IVF Outcome: The Case for Metabolomics Studies

Background. This paper presents the literature on biomarkers of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) outcome, demonstrating the progression of these studies towards metabolite profiling, specifically metabolomics. The need for more, and improved, metabolomics studies in the field of assisted conception is discussed. Methods. Searches were performed on ISI Web of Knowledge SM for literature associated with biomarkers of oocyte and embryo quality, and biomarkers of IVF outcome in embryo culture medium, follicular fluid (FF), and blood plasma in female mammals. Results. Metabolomics in the field of female reproduction is still in its infancy. Metabolomics investigations of embryo culture medium for embryo selection have been the most common, but only within the last five years. Only in 2012 has the first metabolomics investigation of FF for biomarkers of oocyte quality been reported. The only metabolomics studies of human blood plasma in this context have been aimed at identifying women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Conclusions. Metabolomics is becoming more established in the field of assisted conception, but the studies performed so far have been preliminary and not all potential applications have yet been explored. With further improved metabolomics studies, the possibility of identifying a method for predicting IVF outcome may become a reality.
Using phylochronology to reveal cryptic population histories: review and synthesis of 29 ancient DNA studies

The evolutionary history of a population involves changes in size, movements and selection pressures through time. Reconstruction of population history based on modern genetic data tends to be averaged over time or to be biased by generally reflecting only recent or extreme events, leaving many population historic processes undetected. Temporal genetic data present opportunities to reveal more complex population histories and provide important insights into what processes have influenced modern genetic diversity. Here we provide a synopsis of methods available for the analysis of ancient genetic data. We review 29 ancient DNA studies, summarizing the analytical methods and general conclusions for each study. Using the serial coalescent and a model‐testing approach, we then re‐analyse data from two species represented by these data sets in a common interpretive framework. Our analyses show that phylochronologic data can reveal more about population history than modern data alone, thus revealing ‘cryptic’ population processes, and enable us to determine whether simple or complex models best explain the data. Our re‐analyses point to the need for novel methods that consider gene flow, multiple populations and population size in reconstruction of population history. We conclude that population genetic samples over large temporal and geographical scales, when analysed using more complex models and the serial coalescent, are critical to understand past population dynamics and provide important tools for reconstructing the evolutionary process.
Effects of pyrrolizidine alkaloids on the performance of plant-parasitic and free-living nematodes.

BACKGROUND Chemical nematicides such as methyl bromide have for decades played a significant role in the management of plant-parasitic nematodes. Their application is problematic because of negative environmental impacts, and therefore methyl bromide was phased out in Europe in 2005. A possible alternative to synthetically derived nematicides is seen in the use of plants and/or their secondary metabolites. These plants could either be used as nematicidal green manure or as a source for nematicidal extracts. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of 1,2-dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), a group of secondary plant metabolites found in hundreds of plant species throughout the world, on the performance of plant-parasitic and free-living nematodes. RESULTS PAs induced nematicidal, ovicidal and repellent effects on different plant-parasitic and free-living nematodes. There was no conclusive ranking in toxicity for the different structural types of PAs tested. However, the effects were often more pronounced for the tertiary than for the oxidised form of PAs. Further, large differences were observed in the susceptibility of different nematode species to PAs. CONCLUSIONS PAs do affect several performance parameters and developmental stages of nematodes. Therefore, PA-producing plants such as species of Crotalaria, Ageratum or Senecio might be promising candidates for nematode management strategies. [Correction made here after initial online publication].
Meteorological effects of the solar eclipse of 20 March 2015: analysis of UK Met Office automatic weather station data and comparison with automatic weather station data from the Faroes and Iceland

Here, we analyse high-frequency (1 min) surface air temperature, mean sea-level pressure (MSLP), wind speed and direction and cloud-cover data acquired during the solar eclipse of 20 March 2015 from 76 UK Met Office weather stations, and compare the results with those from 30 weather stations in the Faroe Islands and 148 stations in Iceland. There was a statistically significant mean UK temperature drop of 0.83±0.63°C, which occurred over 39 min on average, and the minimum temperature lagged the peak of the eclipse by about 10 min. For a subset of 14 (16) relatively clear (cloudy) stations, the mean temperature drop was 0.91±0.78 (0.31±0.40)°C but the mean temperature drops for relatively calm and windy stations were almost identical. Mean wind speed dropped significantly by 9% on average during the first half of the eclipse. There was no discernible effect of the eclipse on the wind-direction or MSLP time series, and therefore we can discount any localized eclipse cyclone effect over Britain during this event. Similar changes in air temperature and wind speed are observed for Iceland, where conditions were generally clearer, but here too there was no evidence of an eclipse cyclone; in the Faroes, there was a much more muted meteorological signature. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Atmospheric effects of solar eclipses stimulated by the 2015 UK eclipse’.
Platelets and Inflammatory Markers in Patients with Gastric Cancer

The aim of the study was to assess the contribution of platelets and inflammatory markers in gastric cancer. We studied 50 patients. Taking into consideration the advancement of gastric cancer, patients were divided into 3 groups. Group (E)—13 patients with early gastric cancer, group (A)—18 patients with regionally advanced cancer, and group (M)—19 patients with metastatic cancer. The determinations were performed twice prior to surgery and after surgery. In patients with gastric cancer, there is an increase in IL-6 and IL-23 compared with the healthy group. The highest values of IL-6 were obtained in early cancer (more than 8-fold increase), which seems to confirm the presence of acute inflammation. The lowest value of both of these cytokines was obtained in patients with metastatic cancer. In all patients, regardless of tumor stage, there was an increase in the concentration of CRP. An increase of PLT, higher proportion of the percentage of large platelets (LPLT), and increased mean platelet volume (MPV) were observed in the process of disease development. A positive correlation between MPV and LPLT and the accompanying decrease in the concentration of proinflammatory cytokines indicates the presence of an existing relationship between the platelet morphological parameters and the inflammation process in the development of gastric cancer.
Septic impairment of capillary blood flow requires nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase but not nitric oxide synthase and is rapidly reversed by ascorbate through an endothelial nitric oxide synthase-dependent mechanism*

Objective:To determine the roles of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase in the impairment of capillary blood flow in sepsis and in the reversal of this impairment by ascorbate. Design:Prospective, controlled laboratory study. Setting:Animal laboratory in research institute. Subjects:Adult male wild type (WT), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)−/−, inducible NOS (iNOS)−/−, endothelial NOS (eNOS)−/−, and gp91phox−/− mice. Interventions:Sepsis was induced by feces injection into peritoneum (FIP). A bolus of ascorbate or NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin was injected intravenously at 6 hrs post-FIP. Alternatively, NOS cofactor (6R)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-l-biopterin (BH4) or nitric oxide donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine was superfused on the surface of the extensor digitorum longus muscle. Measurements and Main Results:Capillary blood flow impairment and NOS activity in the extensor digitorum longus muscle were measured by intravital microscopy and by enzymatic assay, respectively. Sepsis at 6 hrs impaired flow in WT mice. Apocynin, and knockout of gp91phox but not of any NOS isoforms, rescued this impairment. Constitutive NOS activity was unaffected by sepsis, but it was abolished by nNOS knockout (iNOS activity was negligible in all mice). Ascorbate rapidly (10 mins) rescued impaired flow in WT, nNOS−/−, iNOS−/− but not eNOS−/− mice. Ascorbate also improved survival of WT mice after FIP. BH4 and SNAP rescued flow in WT mice, while BH4 failed to rescue it in eNOS−/− mice. Conclusion:Capillary blood flow impairment in septic skeletal muscle requires NADPH oxidase but not NOS, and it is rapidly reversed by ascorbate and BH4 through an eNOS-dependent mechanism.
Critical path analysis of the TRIPS architecture

Fast, accurate, and effective performance analysis is essential for the design of modern processor architectures and improving application performance. Recent trends toward highly concurrent processors make this goal increasingly difficult. Conventional techniques, based on simulators and performance monitors, are ill-equipped to analyze how a plethora of concurrent events interact and how they affect performance. Prior research has shown the utility of critical path analysis in solving this problem. This analysis abstracts the execution of a program with a dependence graph. With simple manipulations on the graph, designers can gain insights into the bottlenecks of a design. This paper extends critical path analysis to understand the performance of a next-generation, high-ILP architecture. The TRIPS architecture introduces new features not present in conventional superscalar architectures. We show how dependence constraints introduced by these features, specifically the execution model and operand communication links, can be modeled with a dependence graph. We describe a new algorithm that tracks critical path information at a fine-grained level and yet can deliver an order of magnitude (30x) improvement in performance over previously proposed techniques. Finally, we provide a breakdown of the critical path for a select set of benchmarks and show an example where we use this information to improve the performance of a heavily-hand-optimized program by as much as 11%.
Pathophysiology of Cyclooxygenase Inhibition in Animal Models

Cyclooxygenase (COX) catalyzes the conversion of arachidonic acid into prostaglandins (PGs), which play a significant role in health and disease in the gastrointestinal tract (GI) and in the renal, skeletal, and ocular systems. COX-1 is constitutively expressed and found in most normal tissues, whereas COX-2 can be expressed at low levels in normal tissues and is highly induced by pro-inflammatory mediators. Inhibitors of COX activity include: (1) conventional nonselective, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ns-NSAIDs) and (2) COX-2 selective nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (COX-2 s-NSAIDs). Inhibition of COX-1 often elicits GI toxicity in animals and humans. Therefore, COX-2 s-NSAIDs were developed to provide a selective COX-2 agent, while minimizing the attendant COX-1-mediated GI toxicities. Rats and dogs overpredict COX inhibition for renal effects such as renal handling of electrolytes in humans. COX inhibitors are shown to have both beneficial and detrimental effects, such as on healing of ligament or tendon tears, on the skeletal system in animal models. Certain ophthalmic conditions such as glaucoma and keratitis are associated with increased COX-2 expression, suggesting a potential role in their pathophysiology.
Melatonin protects against stress‐induced gastric lesions by scavenging the hydroxyl radical

The antiulcer effect of melatonin on gastric lesions caused by restraint‐cold stress or by indomethacin (IMN) was studied with the intent of determining the mechanism of action of the indole. Melatonin dose‐dependently prevents both stress and IMN‐induced gastric damage with around 90% inhibition at a dose of 60 mg per kg BW. When compared with already‐marketed antiulcer drugs, such as ranitidine and omeprazole, melatonin was found to be more effective than ranitidine but less effective than omeprazole in preventing stress ulcer. When compared with other antioxidants, melatonin was more potent than glutathione and essentially equipotent to α‐tocopherol in blocking stress‐induced ulcer. As stress‐induced gastric lesions are mainly caused by oxidative damage due to hydroxyl radicals (OH), the effect of melatonin in scavenging the OH generated during stress conditions, as well as in an in vitro model system, was studied. The results indicate that melatonin at the dose of 60 mg per kg BW caused an 88% reduction of endogenous OH during stress. Melatonin was also highly effective in scavenging OH generated in vitro by a Cu2+‐ascorbate system. In this case, melatonin at 100 μM reduced OH by 80%. Melatonin was also found to be a more potent radical scavenger than benzoate, a known OH scavenger. The results indicate that melatonin prevents stress‐induced gastric lesions by scavenging the endogenous OH. As it also protects against IMN‐induced gastric damage, it probably also offers gastroprotection by maintaining endogenous prostaglandin levels.
Urticaria and hepatitis C infection: is there a relationship?

, 712–715 © 2002 The International Society of Dermatology 712 Urticaria and hepatitis C infection: is there a relationship? Sir , A number of factors have been identified to cause or aggravate urticaria and angioedema. These include medicines such as Aspirin and related nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, some foods and food additives, systemic disorders, and infections. 1,2 A recent publication suggested the possible involvement of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in patients with urticaria. 3 Several subsequent studies, however, did not confirm such an association. 4–6 We decided to study the possibility of HCV involvement in our patients with all types of urticaria. This is a case control study involving 53 patients with clinically diagnosed urticaria who were seen in a 6-month period in the dermatology unit at Loghman Hakim Hospital in Iran. All cases of urticaria and angioedema except for cases of physical urticarias were included. Patients who had taken any systemic medications within a month before presentation were excluded. The reported duration of urticaria was between 2 weeks and 10 years. Thirteen patients were classified as having the acute form and the other 40 patients had had the disease for more than 6 weeks. Of all patients, 14 had associated angioedema. Cases included 23 male and 30 female patients, age range 7–62 years, median 33 years. For each patient a sexand agematched control was identified from the attendees of the dermatology outpatient department in the same period. Every attempt was made to match the occupation of patients and controls. Table 1 shows the skin conditions in the control group. All patients and controls had enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay for Ig-G anti-HCV ab, and liver function tests were also checked . Results were statistically analyzed using Fisher’s exact test. Enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay for HCV ab proved negative in all patients and the control group, and therefore no difference was observed. Liver function tests (LFTs) in both groups showed abnormalities in two urticaria patients and four control patients. In the former group the abnormalities consisted of a raised aspartate transaminase (AST) (98 IU/l, normal range 5–40) and a raised alanin transaminase (ALT) (111 IU/l, range 5–40). In the control group abnormalities consisted of two patients with raised ASTs (77 and 89 IU/l), one patient with an AST of 56 IU/l and one patient with an alkaline phosphotase level of 212 IU/l (normal range 24–150). Statistical analysis using Fisher’s exact test did not confirm a significant difference ( P = 0.34). In this study we found no relationship between urticaria and HCV infection. Previous studies from England and France have also reached similar conclusions. 4–6 In these latter studies, however, the rate of HCV infection in urticaria patients has been compared with the overall rate of infection with HCV in Table 1 Diagnoses in the control group