Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EFFECT OF L-CARNITINE SUPPLEMENTATION ON RED BLOOD CELLS DEFORMABILITY IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

Anemia is a serious problem in hemodialysis patients, the main cause of which is erythropoietin deficiency. After the discovery of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) at the end of the last decade, the hematological profile of hemodialysis patients improved significantly but at considerable expense. The deformability of red blood cells (RBC) influences their microcirculation and tissue oxygen delivery along with their life span. We investigated the deformabilty of RBCs in 15 hemodialysis patients before and after three months on L-carnitine supplementation (30 mg/Kg body wt/dialysis session). We excluded from the study all patients who received blood transfusions three months before or during the study, patients who had hemorrhagic episodes, those with hyperparathyroidism or infections, and any who required surgical intervention during the study. The serum iron, folic acid and vitamin B-12 levels were kept normal during the duration of the study. The erythropoietin dose taken before the beginning of L-cartnitine supplementation was not changed. The deformability of RBCs before and after dialysis, prior to and following three months on L-carnitine was determined and compared to the deformability of RBCs from a control group. Hematocrit levels were measured before entry into the study and every month for three months. We found that the deformability of RBCs before the dialysis session was significantly greater than that found in the control group (t-test, p < 0.00001), and that there was a further increase after the end of the dialysis session. Three months following L-carnitine supplementation, we found a significant reduction of RBCs deformability (paired t-test, p < 0.004), and a significant increase in the henatocrit (ANOVA, p < 0.0001). We concluded that abnormalities in the deformability of RBCs improved after L-carnitine and that this was responsible for the increase in the hematocrit. This may allow a substantial reduction in rHuEpo dose.
Extracting Causes of Emotions from Text

This paper focuses on the novel task of automatic extraction of phrases related to causes of emotions. The analysis of emotional causes in sentences, where emotions are explicitly indicated through emotion keywords can provide the foundation for research on challenging task of recognition of implicit affect from text. We developed a corpus of emotion causes specific for 22 emotions. Based on the analysis of this corpus we introduce a method for the detection of the linguistic relations between an emotion and its cause and the extraction of the phrases describing the emotion causes. The method employs syntactic and dependency parser and rules for the analysis of eight types of the emotion-cause linguistic relations. The results of evaluation showed that our method performed with high level of accuracy (82%).
Some Investigations on High Speed Dry Machining of Aerospace Material Inconel 718 Using Multicoated Carbide Inserts

It has been observed that considerable attention has been given to the use of cBN and/or ceramic tools for achieving better performance in the machining of superalloy Inconel 718. However, their cost limits the use in the engineering applications. In this article, the performance of multicoated TiN/TiAlN (PVD) coated and TiN/Al2O3/TiCN (CVD) coated tungsten carbide tools were investigated while high speed turning (HST) of superalloy Inconel 718. The effect of coating materials on cutting force, cutting temperature, vibration, and acoustic emission were recorded, analyzed, and reported. From the experimental results it has been found that TiN/Al2O3/TiCN (CVD) coated tool outperformed the TiN/TiAlN (PVD) coated tool in terms of machinability parameters such as cutting force and cutting temperature. From the fast Fourier transform (FFT) analysis of the vibration signals it was observed that the vibrations were less in case of the CVD coated tool than in case of the PVD coated tool.
Outdoor photometric stereo

We introduce a framework for outdoor photometric stereo utilizing natural environmental illumination. Our framework extends beyond existing photometric stereo methods intended for laboratory environments to encompass robust outdoor operation in the real world. In this paper, we motivate our framework, describe the components of its processing pipeline, and assess its performance in synthetic experiments as well as in natural experiments including objects in outdoor environments with complex real-world illuminations.
Two-sided estimates of minimum-error distinguishability of mixed quantum states via generalized Holevo–Curlander bounds

We prove a concise factor-of-2 estimate for the failure rate of optimally distinguishing an arbitrary ensemble of mixed quantum states, generalizing work of Holevo [Theor. Probab. Appl. 23, 411 (1978)] and Curlander [Ph.D. Thesis, MIT, 1979]. A modification to the minimal principle of Cocha and Poor [Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Quantum Communication, Measurement, and Computing (Rinton, Princeton, NJ, 2003)] is used to derive a suboptimal measurement which has an error rate within a factor of 2 of the optimal by construction. This measurement is quadratically weighted and has appeared as the first iterate of a sequence of measurements proposed by Ježek et al. [Phys. Rev. A 65, 060301 (2002)]. Unlike the so-called pretty good measurement, it coincides with Holevo’s asymptotically optimal measurement in the case of nonequiprobable pure states. A quadratically weighted version of the measurement bound by Barnum and Knill [J. Math. Phys. 43, 2097 (2002)] is proven. Bounds on the distingu.
Bovine Cumulus Cell-Oocyte Gap Junctional Communication During In Vitro Maturation in Response to Manipulation of Cell-Specific Cyclic Adenosine 3′,5′-Monophosophate Levels1

Abstract In the growing follicle, communication between the oocyte and its surrounding follicular cells is essential for normal oocyte and follicular development. Maturation of the fully grown oocyte in vivo is associated with the loss of cumulus cell-oocyte gap junctional communication, preventing entry of meiotic-modulating factors such as cAMP into the oocyte. We have previously shown that oocyte and cumulus cell cAMP levels can be independently regulated using inhibitors of cell-specific phosphodiesterase (PDE) isoenzymes. The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of cell type-specific PDE inhibitors on the maintenance of cumulus cell-oocyte gap junction communication (GJC) and oocyte meiotic progression. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were aspirated from antral follicles of abattoir-derived ovaries. Cumulus cell-oocyte GJC during oocyte maturation was quantified using the fluorescent dye, calcein-AM. COCs were cultured in the presence of specific PDE inhibitors, milrinone (an oocyte PDE3 inhibitor) or rolipram (a cumulus cell PDE4 inhibitor), and were pulsed with calcein-AM to allow dye transfer between the two cell types. Following cumulus cell removal, fluorescence in denuded oocytes was measured by microphotometry, and meiotic progression was assessed. In control COCs, dye transfer from cumulus cells to the oocyte fell progressively from 0 to 9 h, after which oocyte-cumulus cell GJC was completely lost. Loss of GJC was significantly attenuated (P < 0.05) during this time in response to treatment with milrinone and rolipram. Forskolin maintained GJC at the initial 0 h level until 3–4 h of culture, whereas treatment with milrinone and forskolin together actually increased the level of dye transfer above that in COCs treated with forskolin alone. Importantly, all treatments that prolonged GJC also delayed meiotic resumption, with meiosis generally resuming when fluorescence had fallen to ∼40% of initial levels. These results, together with our previous studies, demonstrate that treatments that maintain or elevate cAMP levels in cumulus cells, oocytes, or both result in prolonged oocyte-cumulus cell communication and delayed meiotic resumption.
Temporal Network Analysis of Literary Texts

We study temporal networks of characters in literature focussing on Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865) by Lewis Carroll and the anonymous La Chanson de Roland (around 1100). The former, one of the most influential pieces of nonsense literature ever written, describes the adventures of Alice in a fantasy world with logic plays interspersed along the narrative. The latter, a song of heroic deeds, depicts the Battle of Roncevaux in 778 A.D. during Charlemagne’s campaign on the Iberian Peninsula. We apply methods recently developed by Taylor et al. [Taylor, D. , Myers, S. A. , Clauset, A. , Porter, M. A. and Mucha, P. J., Eigenvector-based centrality measures for temporal networks, CoRR (2015). ] to find time-averaged eigenvector centralities, Freeman indices and vitalities of characters. We show that temporal networks are more appropriate than static ones for studying stories, as they capture features that the time-independent approaches fail to yield.
The Relation Between Blinking and Conjunctival Folds and Dry Eye Symptoms

Purpose To investigate the relationship between blink action, dry eye symptoms, and lid-parallel conjunctival folds (LIPCOF). Methods In 30 subjects (14 were women; mean [standard deviation {SD}] age, 42.4 [±12.3] years), spontaneous blinks were recorded from a temporal-inferior view (high-speed video), and the blink extent (incomplete [IC], almost complete [AC], and complete [CC]) was evaluated. Dry eye symptoms were evaluated using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), and nasal and temporal LIPCOF grades were noted. Correlations between groups were calculated with Pearson correlation (or Spearman rank in nonparametric data), and differences between groups were calculated with an unpaired t-test (or U-test Mann-Whitney in nonparametric data). Results Blink rate was significantly higher in females (22.0% [±16.8]) than in males (8.6% [±7.2]; unpaired t-test: p = 0.007). The percentage of AC of all blinks (AC%) was significantly correlated to LIPCOF sum (nasal + temporal) and OSDI scores (r > 0.570, p < 0.001). The percentage of IC was significantly correlated to LIPCOF sum (r = −0.541, p < 0.001) but not to OSDI. Conclusions The frequency and type of blinking may have an effect on dry eye symptoms and LIPCOF severity since almost all complete blinks were significantly related to both factors.
B and L at the supersymmetry scale, dark matter, and R-parity violation

We present a simple theory where baryon and lepton numbers are spontaneously broken at the supersymmetry scale. In this context R parity must be spontaneously broken but the theory still contains a stable field which can play the role of the cold dark matter of the Universe. We discuss the spectrum of the theory, the properties of the dark matter candidate and the predictions for direct detection experiments. This theory provides a concrete example of exotic supersymmetric signatures associated with having the simultaneous presence of R-parity-violating and missing energy signals at the Large Hadron Collider.
Effectively design shell-and-tube heat exchangers

Thermal design of shell-and-tube heat exchangers (STHEs) is done by sophisticated computer software. However, a good understanding of the underlying principles of exchanger design is needed to use this software effectively. This article explains the basics of exchanger thermal design, covering such topics as: STHE components; classification of STHEs according to construction and according to service; data needed for thermal design; tubeside design; shellside design, including tube layout, baffling, and shellside pressure drop; and mean temperature difference. The basic equations for tubeside and shellside heat transfer and pressure drop are well-known; here the authors focus on the application of these correlations for the optimum design of heat exchangers. A followup article on advanced topics in shell-and-tube heat exchanger design, such as allocation of shellside and tubeside fluids, use of multiple shells, overdesign, and fouling, is scheduled to appear in the next issue.
A cost model for query processing in high dimensional data spaces

During the last decade, multimedia databases have become increasingly important in many application areas such as medicine, CAD, geography, and molecular biology. An important research topic in multimedia databases is similarity search in large data sets. Most current approaches that address similarity search use the feature approach, which transforms important properties of the stored objects into points of a high-dimensional space (feature vectors). Thus, similarity search is transformed into a neighborhood search in feature space. Multidimensional index structures are usually applied when managing feature vectors. Query processing can be improved substantially with optimization techniques such as blocksize optimization, data space quantization, and dimension reduction. To determine optimal parameters, an accurate estimate of index-based query processing performance is crucial. In this paper we develop a cost model for index structures for point databases such as the R*-tree and the X-tree. It provides accurate estimates of the number of data page accesses for range queries and nearest-neighbor queries under a Euclidean metric and a maximum metric and a maximum metric. The problems specific to high-dimensional data spaces, called boundary effects, are considered. The concept of the fractal dimension is used to take the effects of correlated data into account.
Evidence that arachidonic acid influences hen granulosa cell steroidogenesis and plasminogen activator activity by a protein kinase C-independent mechanism.

We recently proposed that arachidonic acid serves as a second messenger within granulosa cells from the largest preovulatory follicle of the hen. The present studies were conducted to determine whether the inhibitory effects of arachidonic acid on LH-induced cAMP accumulation and on the ability of cells to convert 25-hydroxycholesterol to progesterone are mediated via the protein kinase C pathway. Furthermore, we determined the effects of arachidonic acid on plasminogen activator activity in granulosa cells. In the first experiment, the putative protein kinase C inhibitor, staurosporine, completely reversed the inhibitory effects of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) on LH-promoted cAMP formation, but failed to overcome the inhibitory effects of arachidonic acid. Prolonged pretreatment (18 h) with 1.6 microM PMA depleted granulosa cells of both cytosolic and membrane-associated protein kinase C, and subsequently attenuated the inhibitory effects of PMA on LH-induced progesterone production; however, such depletion did not alter the inhibitory effects of phospholipase A2 (PLA2; an agent that increases intracellular levels of arachidonic acid). PMA, but not arachidonic acid, caused a rapid (within 2 min) translocation of protein kinase C from the cytosol to the membrane (a characteristic of agents that activate protein kinase C). Finally, both arachidonic acid and PLA2 inhibit plasminogen activator (PA) activity in a dose-dependent fashion, whereas activation of protein kinase C with PMA stimulates PA activity. Taken together, the data suggest that the effects of arachidonic acid in granulosa cells can occur independently of protein kinase C activation. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Critical Success Factors for ERP System Implementation Projects : A Literature Review

The aim of our study was to gain insight into the research field of critical success factors (CSF) of enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation projects. Therefore, we conducted a literature review, more specifically a systematic review of relevant articles in five different databases and among several international conference proceedings. Ultimately, we identified 185 relevant papers (95 single or multiple case studies, 55 surveys, and 35 literature reviews or articles from which CSFs can be derived). From these existing studies, we discovered 31 different CSFs for ERP implementation. The top three factors identified are Top management support and involvement, Project management, and User training. However, most of the relevant papers focus on large enterprises. Only 12 papers explicitly focus on smaller and medium-sized enterprises (S&MEs), which is clearly a research gap in this field.
A Survey on Ontology Creation Methodologies

In the current literature of knowledge management and artificial intelligence, several different approaches to the problem have been carried out of developing domain ontologies from scratch. All these approaches deal fundamentally with three problems: (1) providing a collection of general terms describing classes and relations to be employed in the description of the domain itself; (2) organizing the terms into a taxonomy of the classes by the ISA relation; and (3) expressing in an explicit way the constraints that make the ISA pairs meaningful. Though a number of such approaches can be found, no systematic analysis of them exists which can be used to understand the inspiring motivation, the applicability context, and the structure of the approaches. In this paper, we provide a framework for analyzing the existing methodologies that compares them to a set of general criteria. In particular, we obtain a classification based upon the direction of ontology construction; bottom-up are those methodologies that start with some descriptions of the domain and obtain a classification, while top-down ones start with an abstract view of the domain itself, which is given a priori. The resulting classification is useful not only for theoretical purposes but also in the practice of deployment of ontologies in Information Systems, since it provides a framework for choosing the right methodology to be applied in the specific context, depending also on the needs of the application itself.
End-user adoption of animated interface agentsin everyday work applications

Recognizing the potential contribution that interactive software agents bring to everyday work applications, this paper reports on end-user adoption of animated interface agents in one particular work application environment: Microsoft® Office. The paper develops and empirically tests a theoretical model of the factors affecting an end-user's choice to adopt and utilize such interface agents. From this theoretical model, a survey instrument was adapted and administered to 261 participants, familiar with animated interface agents. Results from a partial least squares (PLS) analysis indicates that a variety of factors are at play, which inhibit or foster a person's choice to utilize and adopt animated interface agents. Of significance is that: (a) both perceived usefulness and perceived enjoyment are important influencing factors; (b) users with high scores in innovativeness toward information technology are less likely to find animated interface agents enjoyable; (c) individuals with high animation predisposition scores perceive animated interface agents to be more enjoyable; and (d) users who perceive animated interface agents to be more enjoyable also perceive them to be more useful. Such insights can be used to leverage the introduction and rollout of animated interface agents in everyday work applications in ways that promote their avid adoption and use.
Spectroscopic measurement and analysis of water and oil in transformer insulating paper

A portable fiber-optic spectroscopic system (TRANSPEC) has been developed for nondestructive measurement of aged transformer insulating paper. Following successful measurement of degree of polymerization (DP) of a range of transformer-aged paper samples, the system has now been shown to separate the oil and paper information for measurement of DP in oil-wetted paper samples. In addition, the system has been shown to be capable of the prediction of both oil and water content of paper to a high accuracy, and is also capable of identifying and quantifying different water species. Spectroscopic measurements have been used together with gravimetric water adsorption measurements to investigate the kinetics of uptake of water vapour into paper from air in the case of nominally dry and oil-impregnated samples. Relationships between water adsorption parameters and properties of the paper insulation have also been investigated using measurements under controlled conditions.
Ropivacaine-induced Asystole : “ Never Again ” rather than “ Here We Go Again ”

To the Editor:—We read with interest the articles by Polley et al. and Benhamou et al. in which they simultaneously published the same study in terms of objective and design performed on different continents. Minimum local analgesic concentration results, including the potency ratios, were surprisingly different from expectations. In a similar study comparing bupivacaine and ropivacaine minimum local analgesic concentrations, Polley et al. in the United States and Capogna et al. in Italy found different results although the exact same potency ratios. This makes us wonder if the current inconsistencies in results were just intercontinental differences or something else? The possible explanations we propose that were not commented in either study are as follows: 1) No real difference between the drugs. There were no statistical differences in either study, so we should accept the fact as it is. Why did this happen, having in mind all the evidence gathered so far that there is a potency rank? No clue, except for: 2) Chance, which is always a possibility. Here is our greatest concern about the method: When we study subtle differences (i.e., 15 or 20 percent), is the minimum local analgesic concentration method powerful enough to detect these differences without changing the number of subjects to be studied? As this issue is one of the strengths of the up and down sequential allocation method (to detect this clinically small difference), we might need more patients to be included in the design. We encourage the authors to deepen in the interpretation of the “negative” results. We are sure they are as surprised as we are. 3) End point: Is ED50 for pain relief in first-stage labor in the vicinity of the lower part of the dose-response curve for both drugs? Can this be the same kind of effect, but on the opposite part of the curve, when we use supramaximal doses and the potency relationship is lost? Maybe if we analyze another end point, namely motor block, a higher dosage requirement and potency differences will become more apparent. Finally, we agree with Benhamou et al. that further studies are required to verify this hypothesis.
Considerations in voice transformation with principles ’ physiologic scaling

This study begins to explore the importance of the physiological domain in voice transformation. A general approach is outlined for transforming the voice quality of sentence-level speech while maintaining the same phonetic content. Transformations will eventually include gender, age, voice quality, emotional state, disordered state, dialect or impersonation. In this paper, only a specific voice quality, twang, is described as an example. The basic question is: relative to pure signal processing, can voices be transformed more effectively if biomechanical, acoustic and anatomical scaling principles are applied? At present, two approaches are contrasted, a Linear Predictive Coding approach and a biomechanical simulation approach.