Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantification of apixaban in human plasma using ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry

Apixaban, an inhibitor of direct factor Xa, is used for the treatment of venous thromboembolic events or prevention of stroke. Unlike many other anticoagulant agents, it does not need periodic monitoring. However, monitoring is still required to determine the risk of bleeding due to overdose or surgery. Usually, apixaban concentrations are indirectly quantified using an anti-factor Xa assay. However, this method has a relatively narrow analytical concentration range, poor selectivity, and requires an external calibrator. Therefore, the goal of current study was to establish an analytical method for determining plasma levels of apixaban using ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). To this end, apixaban was separated using 2.5 mM ammonium formate (pH 3.0) (A) and 100% methanol containing 0.1% formic acid (B) using the gradient method with a Thermo hypersil GOLD column. The mass detector condition was optimized using the electrospray ionization (ESI) positive mode for apixaban quantification. The developed method showed sufficient linearity (coefficient of determination [r2 ≥ 0.997]) at calibration curve ranges. The percentage (%) changes in accuracy, precision, and all stability tests were within 15% of the nominal concentration. Apixaban concentration in plasma from healthy volunteers was quantified using the developed method. The mean maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) was 371.57 ng/mL, and the median time to achieve the Cmax (Tmax) was 4 h after administration of 10 mg apixaban alone. Although the results showed low extraction efficiency (~16%), the reproducibility (% change was within 15% of nominal concentration) was reliable. Therefore, the developed method could be used for clinical pharmacokinetic studies.
Speech Rhythm-Based Speaker Embeddings Extraction from Phonemes and Phoneme Duration for Multi-Speaker Speech Synthesis

This paper proposes a speech rhythm-based method for speaker embeddings to model phoneme duration using a few utterances by the target speaker. Speech rhythm is one of the essential factors among speaker characteristics, along with acoustic features such as F0, for reproducing individual utterances in speech synthesis. A novel feature of the proposed method is the rhythm-based embeddings extracted from phonemes and their durations, which are known to be related to speaking rhythm. They are extracted with a speaker identification model similar to the conventional spectral feature-based one. We conducted three experiments, speaker embeddings generation, speech synthesis with generated embeddings, and embedding space analysis, to evaluate the performance. The proposed method demonstrated a moderate speaker identification performance (15.2% EER), even with only phonemes and their duration information. The objective and subjective evaluation results demonstrated that the proposed method can synthesize speech with speech rhythm closer to the target speaker than the conventional method. We also visualized the embeddings to evaluate the relationship between the distance of the embeddings and the perceptual similarity. The visualization of the embedding space and the relation analysis between the closeness indicated that the distribution of embeddings reflects the subjective and objective similarity.
External root thermal analysis of three different obturation techniques

Background The purpose of this study was to assess the external root surface thermal behavior when submitted to three different obturation techniques. Material and Methods Forty-five single-rooted premolars were selected, prepared and randomly divided into three groups according to the studied obturation techniques: lateral condensation (LC), single cone technique (SCT) and injectable thermoplasticized technique (IT). Each tooth was placed in a customized apparatus and connected to a thermocouple. A FLIR T650sc infrared thermal camera was used to assess root temperature in a room under controlled temperature and humidity. Temperature values were recorded using the thermal camera and thermocouples before, during and 30, 60, 90, 120, 150s after obturation. Shapiro-Wilk, QQ-plot, Levene’s, ANOVA-three-way, Mauchly’s sphericity, Box’s M and Bonferroni tests were used to assess data. The significance level was set at 5%. Results Infrared assessment showed significant temperature changes between time intervals, obturation techniques and root thirds. Temperature increase was observed 30s after obturation for STL, LC and IT, followed by a gradual temperature decline, with temperature values similar to the initial temperature at 150s for LC and IT. SCT temperature values only returned to normal 60s after obturation in the apical third and 90s in the middle and cervical thirds. In all techniques, the temperature did not rise above the critical limit of 10°C. Conclusions All studied obturation techniques increased root surface temperature with IT showing the highest temperature increase. However, the temperature increase does not exceed the acceptable limits, not causing damage to the surrounding tissues. Key words:Endodontics, changes in body temperature, root canal filling, thermography.
Work Attachment and Performance of Certain Functional Officers in Organizational Transition: Transformational Leadership as Moderation

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of work attachment and transformational leadership on the performance of certain functional officials during the organizational transition period and to identify the variables that most influence the performance of certain applicable officials during organizational transition. The data analysis used in this study is SEM with a Partial Least Square (PLS) approach. The SEM-PLS method was used to estimate the effect of work attachment and transformational leadership variables on performance. This study was conducted using a purposive sampling method on 51 samples of certain functional officials at the Center for Marine and Fisheries Socioeconomic Research. The results of the SEM-PLS test showed that work stickiness did not have a significant positive effect on the performance of functional officials. Work attachment has a significant positive impact on transformational leadership. Transformational leadership has a significant positive effect on the performance of available officials.
Preliminary Crustal Structures Across Central Taiwan From Modeling of the Onshore-Offshore Wide-Angle Seismic Data

A velocity-depth model,developed using the travel-time inversion ofdata from Ocean Bottom Seismometers on TAICRUST OBS Line 16,in thewestern Ryukyu forearc region is described in this paper.Phase identificationsof refracted and reflected signals,initial model building from the shallowto the deep structures,and comparison with a synthetic seismogramhave been used to reduce the non-uniqueness of the velocity model.The velocity contours of the model indicate,from west to east,(1)athick forearc sedimentary layer below the Hsincheng Ridge,(2)a wedgeshapedupper crust with high velocity gradients beneath the Hoping Basin,and(3)a depression within the western Ryukyu Arc below the Nanao Basin.The thickness of the forearc sediment(3-4.5 km/sec)beneath theHsincheng Ridge is found to be about 10 km in the model.Based on thesimilarity of P-wave velocities for the Luzon Arc,the Coastal Range andthe Yaeyama accretionary wedge,the forearc sediment may result fromthe arc-continent collision and/or the bending of the western Ryukyu Arc.The upper and the lower boundaries of the upper crust(mainly the RyukyuArc)are better defined by two velocity contours of 4.5 km/sec and 6.25 km/sec according to the contrast of the velocity gradient in the model.The highvelocity gradient with the west-dipping velocity contours beneath the HopingBasin and a depression about 5 km deep below the western half of theNanao Basin are thus found in the upper crust.We infer that the high velocitygradient and the depression in the upper crust may be generated bythe collision of the northern Luzon Arc and the western Ryukyu Arc.Both basement(forearc sediment and Ryukyu Arc basement)deepeningand crustal thickening westward in this study are similar to those invelocity models from TAICRUST OBS Line 14 and the onshore-offshoreline across central Taiwan.The tectonic motions of the northern LuzonArc,the western Ryukyu Arc and the subducting slab of the Philippine SeaPlate interpreted in this paper provide possible mechanisms for the inductionof high seismicity in the western Ryukyu forearc region.
The Effect of an 8-Week Online High-Intensity Interval Training Program on Body Composition and Performance in Thai Professional Football Players During the Covid-19 Epidemic

Background/objectives. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) was used to be a strategy for improving physical performance. Especially, athletic training which were disturbed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine the effects of an 8-week online HIIT program on the body composition, aerobic and anaerobic performances in professional football players. Materials and methods. Thirty professional football players in Thai league division 2 were randomly assigned into the onsite group (n = 15) and the online group (n = 15). All participants performed the HIIT program at 85% maximal heart rate (HRmax), five times a week for 8 weeks. Body composition, aerobic and anaerobic performance at baseline, after 4 weeks and 8 weeks of training were calculated by repeated measures ANOVA and unpaired t-test. Results. Weight, BMI and % fat were significantly decreased after 4 weeks of training in the onsite group and after 8 weeks of training in the online group (p < 0.05). FFM in the onsite and online groups was significantly increased after 4 weeks and 8 weeks of training, respectively (p < 0.05). Aerobic performance was significantly increased after 4 and 8 weeks of training (p < 0.05), whereas anaerobic performance was found increased after 8 weeks of training in both groups (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the groups. Conclusions. Eight weeks of HIIT training can improve body composition, aerobic performance and anaerobic performance in both onsite and online conditions. It may be implied that an online HIIT training program should have beneficial effects similar to those provided in onsite condition.
Suzuki Piano Method and Flow Experience among Adult Piano Beginners: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Although the Flow experience has been researched extensively in music education, there is limited investigation into exploring the link between the Suzuki piano method and Csikszentmihalyi’s flow theory. To address this gap, a quasi-experimental study was conducted to examine how the Suzuki piano method can promote the flow state of adult piano beginners. The study involved 36 participants assigned to either a treatment group or a control group. Both groups underwent an eight-week training program in Suzuki Piano Method and Conventional Group Piano Class respectively. After the program, participants from both groups underwent a post-training performance test and completed a survey, namely Learning and Performing Experience Scale (LPES), modified based on the Short Flow State Scale (S-FFS) by Martin and Jackson to examine their flow experience. The treatment group showed significantly higher flow experience levels than the control group, particularly in dimensions of Concentration, Unambiguous feedback, Timelessness, Loss of self-consciousness, Sense of control, Autotelic experience, and Challenge-skill balance. The findings suggested that the Suzuki piano method may promote flow experiences among adult beginners in piano learning. The implication of the study signified that the collaborative and interactive learning inherent in the method might be beneficial in achieving flow state and could be a consideration in conducting group piano classes.
An inverse problem for the linear Boltzmann equation with a time-dependent coefficient

In this paper, we study the stability in the inverse problem of determining the time-dependent absorption coefficient appearing in the linear Boltzmann equation from boundary observations. We prove in dimension that the absorption coefficient can be uniquely determined in a precise subset of the domain from the albedo operator. We derive a logarithm-type stability estimate in the determination of the absorption coefficient from the albedo operator in a subset of our domain, assuming that it is known outside this subset. Moreover, we prove that we can extend this result to the determination of the coefficient in a larger region, and then in the whole domain, provided that we have much more data. We prove also an identification result for the scattering coefficient appearing in the linear Boltzmann equation.
Comparative study on the performance of two synthetic zeolite 4A on the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solution - effect of coal fly ash as Al and Si source

Pollution of water bodies from improper disposal of toxic metal contaminated effluents causes several problems for the environment. Several processes can be used to remove these metal ions from aqueous media, and the adsorption being the most efficient technique. In this process, a diversity of adsorbent materials is used, with the use of zeolite 4A emphasized in this study. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of zeolite 4A as an adsorbent material for the removal of Cu 2+ , Cd 2+ , Pb 2+ , and Zn 2+ from aqueous media. For this, zeolite 4A was synthesized by the hydrothermal route starting from two sources of precursors, one from standard reagents (ZA-P) and the other from coal fly ash (ZA), a residue from a thermoelectric industry plant in the state of Ceará (Brazil). Both materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infra-red spectroscopy, and cation exchange capacity techniques. The materials were subjected to batch adsorption tests with multi-element synthetic solutions of Pb 2+ , Cu 2+ , Zn 2+ , and Cd 2+ . The parameters investigated in the adsorption experiments were the dosage effect, contact time, and adsorption equilibrium. Flame atomic absorption spectroscopy was used for metal ion quantitation. The characterization results showed that both ZA-P and ZA yielded mainly the crystalline phase of zeolite 4A. In the dosage test, a weight of 100 mg promoted the best results for both ZA-P and ZA, with ZA achieving superior removal results. Pb 2+ was more efficiently removed at 95% for ZA and 93% for ZA-P. In addition, at the time of contact, it was observed that ZA reached equilibrium faster (10 min) than ZA-P (50 min). In the adsorption equilibrium, the Langmuir model was able to describe almost all results, only the Zn 2+ for ZA was modeled by the Freundlich isotherm. The affinity of metal ions for materials followed the order (Pb 2+ > Cd 2+ > Zn 2 > Cu 2+ ) for ZA-P and (Pb 2+ > Cd 2+ > Cu 2+ > Zn 2+ ) for ZA. Finally, it is concluded that both products have potential for application as metal adsor-bents of Cu 2+ , Cd 2+ , Pb 2+ , and Zn 2+ in aqueous solutions and that coal fly ash can be recycled to obtain zeolite.
Water Loss from the Floor of a Subarctic Forest

Evapotranspiration was measured from a subarctic forest near Churchill, Manitoba, during July and August 1992. Total stand evapotranspiration was measured via standard micrometeorological techniques; evaporation and transpiration from several components of the forest floor were measured with lysimeters, plant physiological, and micrometeorological techniques. Total evapotranspiration from the forest floor accounted for 65% of the daytime stand water loss, ranging from 45 to 87%. The relative contributions of the forest floor surfaces to total evaporation were dependent upon their areal percentage cover and their evaporation rate. On average, the vascular shrub layer and the nonvascular (lichen and moss) surface covers contributed 42 and 49% of the forest floor evaporation, respectively. Standing water, which covered the smallest area of the floor, contributed about 9%. Analysis of the absolute evaporation rates from different surfaces showed that water and mosses evaporated about 1.3 to 1.4 mm d-', and the drier surfaces (hummocks and lichen) evaporated about 0.9 mm d-'. Immediately following rain events all surfaces evaporated at about the same rate. These results suggest that although the water loss from floor of a subarctic forest can be the largest component of stand evapotranspiration, it is the distribution and quantity of surface types, and of vascular and nonvascular plants which determine the overall role of the forest floor in stand water loss.
Synoptic climatology of lake‐effect snowfall conditions in the eastern Great Lakes region

The characteristics of overlying synoptic conditions play an important role in the production of lake‐effect snowfall within the Great Lakes region of North America. With a synoptic climatological approach, the synoptic‐scale patterns conducive to lake‐effect snowfall are identified for the eastern Great Lakes region during the November–March seasons of 1950–2009. Seven synoptic types identified as lake effect are combined with daily snowfall observations to examine the role of individual synoptic types on seasonal snowfall. The types exhibit a wide range of surface and 850 hPa temperatures and winds, sea‐level pressures, snowfall intensities, and inter‐annual frequencies. These factors result in substantial differences in the location and magnitude of seasonal lake‐effect snowfall.
The MRI of Lumbar Vertebral Canal in Low Back Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background The imaging of the lumbar canal is an important aspect of low back pain (LBP) management. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has gained widespread acceptance for the evaluation of spine anatomy. Objective The objective of the study is to compare the MRI findings of the anteroposterior diameter, transverse diameter, and thecal sac area of the lumbar vertebral canal in symptomatic low back pain patients to that of patients without low back pain. Methods The cross-sectional study included 200 subjects of which 100 subjects (49 males and 51 females) were symptomatic cases of low back pain and 100 subjects (53 males and 47 females) had no symptoms of low back pain and were enrolled as controls. The MRI scans were studied for the anteroposterior diameter, transverse diameter, and thecal sac area of the lumbar vertebral canal. Results In our study, the anteroposterior diameter of the lumbar vertebral canal among cases was found to have a mean of 14.42, 14.09, 13.44, 13.63, and 13.79 with a standard deviation (SD) of 1.25, 1.32, 1.75, 1.75, and 2.65 at L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5 levels, respectively. The anteroposterior diameter of the lumbar vertebral canal among controls was found to have a mean of 15.26, 15.16, 14.71, 14.68, and 15.28 with an SD of 1.60, 1.67, 1.30, 1.36, and 1.97 at L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5 levels, respectively. The difference in anteroposterior diameters of the lumbar vertebral canal was found to be statistically significant at each level, between cases and controls. The transverse diameter of the vertebral canal was found to be smaller in cases as compared to controls with a statistically significant difference at each of the levels studied. The thecal sac area of the vertebral canal was found to be less in subjects with low back pain at each of the vertebral levels studied. Conclusion The study results provide insight into the lumbar vertebral parameters in the study population and give comparative data among the symptomatic low back pain patients and control subjects without low back pain. The MRI reflected decreased anteroposterior diameter, transverse diameter, and thecal sac area of the lumbar vertebral canal among symptomatic low back pain patients.
Consistency of data presented on modern maps of ice cover in the Arctic

Abstract Information about the condition of ice cover on surface of the water, which are the content of map, are important for carrying out safe navigation and efficient economic activity in the polar regions. Methods of mapping can be fully automated on the basis of developed through years of experience algorithms or additionally supported by experienced professionals. The content of some of those now commonly encountered maps is compiled on the basis of mixed methods. In this work geographic positions of ice maps content are analyzed taking into consideration their usefulness for planning ship’s voyage in ice. The results of this work allow using the contents of studied maps for determining the ship’s route in ice and voyage planning of the ship in ice according to her hull strengthening. The ice maps often have boundary lines for different values of reference. The maximum width of the strips of each boundary line within the Marginal Ice Zone is 100 km. The mean square error of position of the analyzed maps is +/− 2.0 km. Average locations of boundaries are consistent except for GRIB type maps of the OSI SAF and NIS, which seem to indicate much lower value of ice floe concentration. The NIC MIZ maps and S-411 standard maps are consistent for the 13% and 81% concentration. The 40% limits on MASIE maps and 46% limits of concentration on S-411 standard maps are also consistent. The course of ice edge issued by the NIS for the GMDSS METAREA, 19 region visualizes well the boundaries of the area where the ship might encounter any form of ice. Information of the GMDSS METAREA 20 region issued by the AARI represents the average of the limits 1 to 46% of all sources of information, and on average the 13% limit of ice concentration. The one-year old ice limit with thickness of 0.10 to 0.30 meters on the AARI map is consistent with course and average location of boundaries of 81% ice concentration on the NIC MIZ map and S-411 standard map. The multi-year old ice limit of thickness from 0.30 to 2.00 meters on the AARI map is coincident with the 79% limit of concentration displayed on the NIS map.
Techniques for the Evaluation of Physicochemical Quality and Bioactive Compounds in Honey

Honey is a concentrated aqueous solution of sugar, especially glucose and fructose, and minor amounts of dextrin, enzymes, waxes, volatile oils, organic acids, ethers, albuminoi-dal gum substances and minerals. Commercially available honey samples vary in quality according to various factors such as climate diversity, type of flora of the surrounding region, geographical characteristics, processing, floral supply period, and packaging and storage conditions, which can compromise the standardization and quality of the final product. The different techniques that will be presented in this chapter to assess the qual - ity of honey are tests required by identification standards and national and international quality control or are important quality tools that can be used in the evaluation of the conditions for obtaining and processing of the honey, fraud identification and changes to and/or adulteration of the honey, ensuring the physical and chemical composition of the project and guaranteeing quality standards, directly impacting the shelf life and use and presentation of the product.