Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells Modulate Cytokine Production in vitro by Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells From Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients

A subset of patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) developed a condition of hyper-inflammation, which can cause multi-organ damage and the more severe forms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can promote tissue regeneration and modulate immune responses and, thus, have the rational requirements to be used to counteract SARS-CoV-2-induced pneumonia and hyper-inflammation. The aim of the present study was to gain insight into possible mechanisms of action of MSCs obtained from human dental pulp [dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs)] in COVID-19 patients. We investigated the concentrations of 18 cytokines in supernatants of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from COVID-19 patients cultured in vitro alone and in contact with DPSCs. The modulation of cytokines in PBMCs was confirmed by real-time PCR. IL-6 was the sole cytokine detected in supernatants of DPSCs. In resting conditions, co-culture increased IL-1β, IL-2, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-18, TNFα, and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) levels. When PBMCs were activated with anti-CD3/CD28 antibody-coated beads, co-culture increased IL-6 and GM-CSF, whereas it decreased IFNγ, TNFα, IL-2, IL-5, IL-9, IL-10, IL-12 (p70), IL-17A, IL-18, IL-21, IL-23, and IL-27 levels. Concentrations of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-13, and IL-22 were not affected. The comparison of cytokine concentrations in supernatants of PBMCs from COVID-19 patients vs. healthy subjects revealed lower concentrations of IL-10 and higher concentrations of IL-18 in supernatants of CD3/CD28-activated PBMCs from COVID-19 patients. Results are explorative but indicate that DPSCs can modulate the production of cytokines deregulated in COVID-19 patients, supporting their potential use in COVID-19.
Studying Gambling Behaviors and Responsible Gambling Tools in a Simulated Online Casino Integrated With Amazon Mechanical Turk: Development and Initial Validation of Survey Data and Platform Mechanics of the Frescati Online Research Casino

Introduction: Online gambling, popular among both problem and recreational gamblers, simultaneously entails both heightened addiction risks as well as unique opportunities for prevention and intervention. There is a need to bridge the growing literature on learning and extinction mechanisms of gambling behavior, with account tracking studies using real-life gambling data. In this study, we describe the development and validation of the Frescati Online Research Casino (FORC): a simulated online casino where games, visual themes, outcome sizes, probabilities, and other variables of interest can be experimentally manipulated to conduct behavioral analytic studies and evaluate the efficacy of responsible gambling tools. Methods: FORC features an initial survey for self-reporting of gambling and gambling problems, along with several games resembling regular real-life casino games, designed to allow Pavlovian and instrumental learning. FORC was developed with maximum flexibility in mind, allowing detailed experiment specification by setting parameters using an online interface, including the display of messages. To allow convenient and rapid data collection from diverse samples, FORC is independently hosted yet integrated with the popular crowdsourcing platform Amazon Mechanical Turk through a reimbursement key mechanism. To validate the survey data quality and game mechanics of FORC, n = 101 participants were recruited, who answered an questionnaire on gambling habits and problems, then played both slot machine and card-draw type games. Questionnaire and trial-by-trial behavioral data were analyzed using standard psychometric tests, and outcome distribution modeling. Results: The expected associations among variables in the introductory questionnaire were found along with good psychometric properties, suggestive of good quality data. Only 6% of participants provided seemingly poor behavioral data. Game mechanics worked as intended: gambling outcomes showed the expected pattern of random sampling with replacement and were normally distributed around the set percentages, while balances developed according to the set return to player rate. Conclusions: FORC appears to be a valid paradigm for simulating online gambling and for collecting survey and behavioral data, offering a valuable compromise between stringent experimental paradigms with lower external validity, and real-world gambling account tracking data with lower internal validity.
Connections Between Cultures: Using Empirical Distributions for Measuring Cultural Differences

The past few decades have seen an explosion in the interest in cultural differences and their impact on many aspects of business management. A noticeable feature of most academic studies and practitioner approaches is the predominant use of national boundaries and group-level averages as delimiters and proxies for culture. However, this largely ignores the significance that intra-country differences and cross-country similarities can have for identifying psychological phenomena. This article argues for the importance of considering intra-cultural variation for establishing connections between two different cultures. It uses empirical distributions of cultural values that occur naturally within a country, thereby making intracultural differences interpretable and actionable. For measuring cross-country differences, the Gini/Weitzman overlapping index and the Kullback-Leibler divergence coefficient are used as difference measures between two distributions. The properties of these measures in comparison to traditional group-level mean-based distance measures are analyzed, and implications for cross-cultural and international business research are discussed.
Conformational studies of intermolecular hydorgen bonding through induced crystal G phase in nBA:7HB

This paper exploits the physical investigation on liquid crystal complexes obtained by self-organisation of p-n-alkyl benzoic acid (nBA) mesogens with non-mesogenic materials heptyl p-hydroxy benzoate (7HB). Intermolecular interactions of the molecules result the hydrogen bond between the proton donor (COOH) of nBA and proton acceptor (OH) of 7HB. The formation of hydrogen bond is attributed to the quenching of the nematic phase and inducement of crystal G phase in liquid crystal complex. A comparative study of phase abundance is presented with respect to the pure nBAs and other hydrogen bonded liquid crystal complexes of nBAs. Thermal and phase behaviour of the complexes are determined by polarising optical microscope (POM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and image moments approach. Intermolecular interactions which result the hydrogen bond in complexes are investigated using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Molecular structure of the liquid crystal complexes in the solid phase was elucidated using powder X-ray diffraction and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1HNMR).
On the Complexity of #CSP^d

Counting CSP d is the counting constraint satisfaction problem (#CSP in short) restricted to the instances where every variable occurs a multiple of d times. This paper revisits tractable structures in #CSP and gives a complexity classiﬁcation theorem for #CSP d with algebraic complex weights. The result uniﬁes aﬃne functions (stabilizer states in quantum information theory) and related variants such as the local aﬃne functions, the discovery of which leads to all the recent progress on the complexity of Holant problems. The Holant is a framework that generalizes counting CSP. In the literature on Holant problems, weighted constraints are often expressed as tensors (vectors) such that projections and linear transformations help analyze the structure. This paper gives an example showing that diﬀerent classes of tensors distinguished by these algebraic operations may share the same closure property under tensor product and contraction
Sample Efficient Identity Testing and Independence Testing of Quantum States

In this paper, we study the quantum identity testing problem, i.e., testing whether two given quantum states are identical, and quantum independence testing problem, i.e., testing whether a given multipartite quantum state is in tensor product form. For the quantum identity testing problem of D(C) system, we provide a deterministic measurement scheme that uses O( d 2 2 ) copies via independent measurements with d being the dimension of the state and being the additive error. For the independence testing problem D(C1 ⊗ C2 ⊗ · · · ⊗ Cm) system, we show that the sample complexity is Θ̃( Π m i=1di 2 ) via collective measurements, and O( Πi=1d 2 i 2 ) via independent measurements. If randomized choice of independent measurements are allowed, the sample complexity is Θ( d 3/2 2 ) for the quantum identity testing problem, and Θ̃( Π m i=1d 3/2 i 2 ) for the quantum independence testing problem. 2012 ACM Subject Classification Theory of computation → Quantum computation theory; Mathematics of computing → Probability and statistics
Heat Convection in a Nematic Liquid Crystal

Abstract We present a theoretical and experimental study of the thermal properties of a well aligned nematic Liquid Crystal in a vertical temperature gradient. Due to the long time constant of the relaxation of the director and to the anisotropy of the heat conductivity, the value of the temperature gradient threshold for convective instabilities is strongly modified as compared to the isotropic case. Experiments on planar MBBA films show a drastic reduction of the threshold. A detailed description of the shape and temperature distribution of the convective rolls is given.
Morphology development of polymeric microparticles in aqueous dispersions. I. Thermodynamic considerations

A thermodynamic analysis of polymer particle morphology highlights the role of interfacial tensions in controlling particle structure. The influence of the surfactant and the nature of the incompatible polymers is seen through their individual and collective effects upon these interfacial tensions. It has been found that by simply changing the type of surfactant used in the emulsion the particle morphology can change from core-shell to hemispherical, in agreement with thermodynamic predictions. Several apparently different morphologies (hemispherical, sandwich, multiple lobes) have been found to coexist at the same time within a single emulsion, suggesting that they may be simply different states of phase separation and not thermodynamically stable, unique morphologies. The thermodynamic analyses are independent of particle size and method of emulsion processing. Experimental evidence shows that the morphology of particles formed via in situ polymerization (as in a synthetic latex) is controlled by interfacial tensions in the same manner as those particles formed via solvent evaporation from a solution of an incompatible polymer pair (as in an artificial latex or microencapsulation).
Adult Attachment, Conflict Resolution Style and Relationship Quality among Spanish Young-adult Couples

Abstract The evidence of the interrelationships between adult attachment, conflict resolution style and relationship quality in couple relationships shows some inconsistencies and it is mostly based on English-speaking adult samples, as well as on individuals’ rather than on both couple members’ reports. Therefore, the aim was to examine the associations between adult attachment, conflict resolution style and relationship quality from a dyadic approach. A sample of 405 heterosexual young couples completed online the brief version of the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised Questionnaire, the respondent version of the Conflict Resolution Styles Inventory, and a 4-item measure of relationship quality. Avoidance attachment showed a stronger negative correlation than anxiety with relationship quality. Withdrawal and conflict engagement styles were more highly correlated with avoidance and anxiety, respectively. At a dyadic level, relationship quality was negatively predicted by actor avoidance attachment and positively predicted by partner relationship quality. No actor or partner effects of conflict resolution style on relationship quality were observed. Overall, partners with higher attachment anxiety and avoidance reported more dysfunctional conflict resolution styles and less satisfaction with the relationship.
Effect of Polishing Parameters on Chemical Mechanical Planarization of C-Plane (0001) Gallium Nitride Surface Using SiO2 and Al2O3 Abrasives

In this study, Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) of (0001) GaN surface, using two different slurries containing colloidal silica and alumina as abrasive nanoparticles, has been reported. Effect of processing parameters, such as concentration of the oxidizer, downward pressure, head rpm, base rpm, pH of the slurries, and type and concentration of abrasive particles, on the material removal rate (MRR) and surface quality (roughness) have been studied in details. The maximum MRR has been found to be ∼39 nm/hr and ∼85 nm/hr for slurries containing SiO2 and Al2O3 abrasives, respectively, under 38 kPa pressure, 90 rpm base speed (100 rpm for Al2O3 containing slurry), 30 rpm carrier speed, slurry pH 1 (2 for Al2O3 containing slurry), 0.3 M Oxidizer concentration, and 3.75 wt% abrasive particle concentration. RMS surface roughness of 1.3 A and 0.7 A, over scanning area of 10 μm × 10 μ ma nd 5 μm × 5 μm, respectively, has been achieved on polished Ga-faced GaN surface for SiO2 containing slurry using optimized slurry chemistry and processing parameters.
Imaging integrated circuit dopant profiles with the force-based scanning Kelvin probe microscope

A force‐based scanning Kelvin probe microscope has been used to image dopant profiles in silicon for integrated circuit devices on a submicron scale. By measuring the potential difference which minimizes the electrostatic force between a probe and surface of a sample, an estimate of the work function difference between the probe and surface may be made. To the extent that this work function difference is a consequence of the dopant concentration near the sample surface, doping profiles are inferred from the measurements. An overview of the measurement technique is presented, along with several examples of resulting dopant imaging of integrated circuits.
Structural phase transition and elastic properties of neptunium compounds at high pressure

Th e hi gh pressure behaviou r and pres sure indu ced struct ura l ph ase transition of three neptunium compounds have bee n in vcs ti gated by using a two body in terioni c potenti al approach. The calcul ated co mpress ion curves and the vD lues of difl'erent hi gh pressu re pro pertie s for NpSe. NpTe and NpAs are prese nted and co mpared with the ex perimen tal va l u~s wherever avai lable. The calculated va lu es of clas ti c properti es show predominantly ioni c nature 01' th ese co mpounds. For NpSc. NpTe and NpA s. the rhase tr ansition pressures I'or stru ctural tra nsition from NaCi to CsC I ph ase ha ve heen predicted at 23. 4. 12.9
ENVIRONMENTAL FLUORIDE LEVEL IN ANEKAL TALUK OF BANGALORE DISTRICT.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the fluoride concentration in ground water, vegetables and cow’s milk in 25 locations of Anekal Taluk, Bangalore Karnataka. The Groundwater is the main source of drinking water for a major part of the population. The concentration of fluoride in ground water, cow’s milk and vegetables varied 0.48 21.50 mg/L, 0.13-0.35 µg/mL and 1.8-296 µg/g. The pH of the water samples varied between 6.0 and 8.5. Majority of the samples do not comply with Indian as well as WHO standards for most of the water quality parameters measured. It was also found that the concentration of fluoride was higher in Cabbage than the other vegetables analysed 9 . Fluoride levels in Ground water in all locations was lower than the standard values except in industrial locations such as Gudanahalli , Madivala, Chandapura, Jigani, Kadujakkanahalli, Garatiganabele ,Thimasandra, Kavalahosahalli, Naganayakanahalli was high ranging from7.16 and 21.50 mg/L . The highest F content was characteristic of Cabbage ( Brassica oleracea) samples 296 µg/g dry weight from Jigani Station , the lower one was found in Pumpkin ( Curcubita Maxima.) 1.6 µg/g dry weight The highest fluoride concentration in the milk samples examined was 0.35 µg/mL from Jigani Station.
Intramolecular vibrational relaxation from C-H stretch fundamentals

Infrared fluorescence measurements have been used to determine the presence or absence of intramolecular vibrational relaxation (or more precisely state mixing) from an excited C–H stretch in 23 representative molecules varying in size from methane to nonbornene. Included are aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic molecules, ethers, and ketones, including cyclic molecules. The rate of resonance fluorescence, calculated relative to a nonrelaxing molecule, was used as the criterion of relaxation. Small rates imply state mixing and hence in the large molecule limit, relaxation. The primary correlation with the presence of mixing is with state density; about ten states per wave number (cm−1) are needed to insure mixing. The spread in threshold densities reflects variations in anharmonicity. For some molecules true relaxed (non C–H stretch) fluorescence is observed. These experiments were done in a molecular beam, using a pulsed optical parametric oscillator for excitation and a circular variable filter for spectral.
AN INVESTIGATION ON COLOUR AND GLOSS CHANGES OF WOOD IMPREGNATED WITH BORATES

This study was designed to determine colour changes and gloss values of wood impregnated with some borates. Ammonium tetrafluoroborate (AFB), sodium tetrafluoroborate (SFB), and ammonium pentaborate octahydrate (APB) were used as borates. Wood specimens were prepared from Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). Before test, wood specimens were impregnated with 3 % aqueous solution of borates according to ASTM D 1413-76 (1976). Then, colour changes and gloss values of wood were tested. Results showed that borate treatments darkened the both wood species. Total colour differences of Scots pine were higher than Oriental beech. Borate treatments remarkably decreased gloss values of Oriental beech and Scots pine.
Serum lipids and oxidized low density lipoprotein levels in sickle cell disease: Assessment and pathobiological significance

One hundred and eighteen (118) subjects aged 15 to 36 years divided into control subjects (AA n = 42), heterozygous sickle cell patients (AS n = 33) and homozygous sickle cell patients (SS n = 43) were investigated for a lipid profile including the measurement of oxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL) to assess the risk of early atherosclerosis in sickle cell disease. The results show that total, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and LDL plasma cholesterol levels are significantly lower in the sickle cell patients than in control group (p < 0.05). In contrast, the triglyceride levels, the ratio of triglycerides to HDLcholesterol and the oxidized LDL fraction are higher in patients (p < 0.05). These lipid abnormalities could represent a cardiovascular risk for sickle cell disease patients.
Isothermal and kinetic adsorption behaviour of Pb2+ ions on natural silicate minerals

Abstract Four different types of natural clay were tested as potential adsorbents for toxic Pb2+ ions. Based on the preliminary screening studies, the adsorbents were effective at retaining Pb2+ ions from solution. A strong correlation was observed between the cation exchange capacity of clay samples and their function as adsorbents of Pb2+ ions. An adsorption isotherm of Pb ions on Petra clay was measured at 30°C and at a concentration range of 0–200 mg dm-3. Over the entire concentration range, the Langmuir isotherm gave a good representation of adsorption data, which confirms the formation of one molecular layer of adsorbate on the clay surface. Two variables were investigated to elucidate the rate-limiting steps of adsorption: the effect of initial concentration of Pb2+ and the effect of solution temperature. It is concluded that external diffusion was the only mechanism in operation in the adsorption process. It has been noted that adsorption of Pb2+ by natural clay is a fast process, where 80% of equilibrium capacity was established within the first minutes of interaction.
Effect of heating rate on steam gasification of biomass. 1. Reactivity of char

Steam gasification or pyrolysis of biomass was conducted at heating rates of 1, 10, and 100 K s-1 using a thermobalance reactor. Three kinds of biomass samples (cellulose, lignin, and bagasse) were used. Time profiles of weight change of biomass samples during steam gasification and pyrolysis were measured at 973 K. Char obtained in steam gasification of lignin was analyzed with a scanning electron microscope and a CHNS elemental analyzer. The effect of the heating rate on final conversion and reaction rate of char was investigated. It was found that a higher heating rate substantially increased the reaction rate of lignin char in steam gasification because porous char was produced during devolatilization due to rapid evolution of volatiles. A higher heating rate also increased final conversion of biomass. The heating rate showed no pronounced influence on elemental composition of char.
Ageing of PA 11 Pipes in CO2 Medium: A Tool to Predict Their Residual Lifetime

The study of polyamide 11 hydrolysis in acid medium has a great importance taking into account the presence of CO2 pressure in the fields. Experimentally we have put in evidence that CO2 accelerates PA 11 hydrolysis and shift the equilibrium towards high conversions. Theoretically, two mechanisms can be involved in the CO2 effect on hydrolysis: - a catalytic effect by H+ ions (acceleration of the hydrolysis reaction); - an amine scavenging by CO2 (shift of the equilibrium towards high conversion) From this mechanistic scheme we propose a kinetic model. Then, we have built a computer program allowing to made all the calculations needed in practice by the users as the average molar mass and the residual lifetime for given conditions.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Mineralogy, Chemical Composition, and Microstructure of Ferrospheres in Fly Ashes from Coal Combustion

Fourteen samples of coal and ferrospheres, which were recovered by dry magnetic separation from fly ashes, were collected from five power plants in China. The mineralogy, chemical composition, and microstructure of ferrospheres in fly ashes have been studied by optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Mossbauer spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (FSEM-EDX). Iron in ferrospheres mainly occurs as Fe3O4, α-Fe2O3, γ-Fe2O3, MgFe2O4, and Fe3+−glass, ferrian spinel, and so on. On the basis of iron content, the ferrospheres in fly ashes are classified into four groups, namely ferrooxides (Fe ≥ 75%), aluminosilicate-bearing ferrooxides (75% > Fe ≥ 50%), high-ferriferous aluminosilicates (50% > Fe ≥ 25%), and ferroaluminosilicates (Fe < 25%). Ferrooxides are derived from the oxidation of iron-bearing minerals, whereas aluminosilicate-bearing ferrooxides, high-ferriferous aluminosilicates, and ferroaluminosilicates are formed by the fu.