Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A New Incomplete Method for CSP Inconsistency Checking

Checking CSP consistency is shown, in theory, to be an NP-complete problem. There is two families of methods for CSP consistency checking. The first family holds the complete methods which make an exhaustive search on the solution space. These methods have the advantage to prove CSP inconsistency, but their complexity grows exponentially when the problem size increases. The second family includes the incomplete methods that make a local search on the solution space. These methods have been efficiently used to find solutions for large size consistent CSPs that complete methods can not solve. One major drawback of the incomplete methods, is their inability to prove CSP inconsistency. One of the challenges that have been put forward by the CP community (Selman et al. 1997) is to provide incomplete methods that can deal with CSP inconsistency efficiently. The work that we present here, is a contribution towards an answer to this hard challenge. We introduce a new incomplete method for CSP inconsistency checking that is based on both a new notion of dominance between CSPs and a coloration of the CSP micro-structure. We experimented the method on randomly generated CSP instances and the results obtained are very promising.
Acute effects of hemodialysis on oxidative stress parameters in chronic uremic patients: Comparison of two dialysis membranes

Uremic state and hemobioincompatibility are implicated in subclinical inflammation and oxidative stress and progression of atherosclerosis in the hemodialysis (HD) population. To what extent different dialysis membranes contribute to oxidative stress induced by a dialysis procedure per se is still a subject of debate. Fifteen HD patients and 15 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Patients received two index HD sessions with a cuprophane and polysulfone membrane two weeks apart. Blood samples were collected at baseline and then before and after HD sessions. We determined serum thiobarbituric acid, protein carbonyl, and serum nitrite/nitrate levels as markers of oxidative damage. We also measured erythrocyte glutathione level, catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity, and serum vitamin C and E levels as antioxidant markers. At baseline, HD patients, in comparison with normal controls, had a trend towards increased oxidant state and depletion of antioxidants. Cuprophane dialysis induced a higher increase in production of oxidants, along with a lower compensatory increase of antioxidants when compared with polysulfone dialysis. In conclusion, a single HD session, even when conducted with a biocompatible membrane, appears to play an important role in the imbalance between ROS production and antioxidant defense, but to a milder extent than cuprophane dialysis.
A rapid and sensitive determination of aucubin in rat plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and its pharmacokinetic application.

A sensitive, accurate, rapid and robust LC-MS-MS method for the quantification of aucubin, a major bioactive constituent of Aucuba japonica, Eucommia ulmoides and Plantago asiatica, was established and validated in rat plasma. Plasma samples were simply precipitated by adding methanol and the supernatant was chromatographed by a Diamonsil® C(18)(2) column with the mobile phase comprising a mixture of 10 mm ammonium acetate in methanol and that in water with the ratio of 50:50 (v/v). Quantification of aucubin was performed by mass spectrometry in the multiple-reaction monitoring mode with positive atmospheric ionization at m/z 364 → 149 for aucubin, and m/z 380 → 165 for catalpol (IS), respectively. The retention time was 2.47 and 2.44 min for aucubin and the IS, respectively. The calibration curve (10.0-30,000 ng/mL) was linear (r² > 0.99) and the lower limit of quantification was 10.0 ng/mL in the rat plasma sample. The method showed satisfactory results such as sensitivity, specificity, precision, accuracy, recovery, freeze-thaw and long-term stability. This simple LC-MS method was successfully applied in a pharmacokinetic study carried out in Sprague-Dawley rats after oral administration of aucubin at a single dose of 50 mg/kg. Herein the pharmacokinetic study of aucubin is reported for the first time.
Transgenic mice recapitulate the phenotypic heterogeneity of genetic prion diseases without developing prion infectivity: Role of intracellular PrP retention in neurotoxicity

abstract Genetic prion diseases are degenerative brain disorders caused by mutations in the gene encoding the prion protein (PrP). Different PrP mutations cause different diseases, including Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker (GSS) syndrome and fatal familial insomnia (FFI). The reason for this variability is not known. It has been suggested that prion strains with unique self-replicating and neurotoxic properties emerge spontaneously in individuals carrying PrP mutations, dictating the phenotypic expression of disease. We generated transgenic mice expressing the FFI mutation, and found that they developed a fatal neurological illness highly reminiscent of FFI, and different from those of similarly generated mice modeling genetic CJD and GSS. Thus transgenic mice recapitulate the phenotypic differences seen in humans. The mutant PrPs expressed in these mice are misfolded but unable to self-replicate. They accumulate in different compartments of the neuronal secretory pathway, impairing the membrane delivery of ion channels essential for neuronal function. Our results indicate that conversion of mutant PrP into an infectious isoform is not required for pathogenesis, and suggest that the phenotypic variability may be due to different effects of mutant PrP on intracellular transport.
FLD Based Unconstrained Handwritten Kannada Character Recognition

In this paper, we propose unconstrained handwritten Kannada character recognition based on Fisher linear discriminant analysis (FLD). The proposed system extracts features from well known FLD, Two dimensional FLD (2D-FLD) and diagonal FLD. In order to classify the characters, we explore different distance measure techniques and compare their results. The proposed system is tested on unconstrained handwritten Kannada characters with pertaining to large number of character classes. The system showed effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed method.
The Effects of Nurses’ Practicing of the HeartTouch Technique on Perceived Stress, Spiritual Well-Being, and Hardiness

Purpose: To test the effects of nurses’ practicing of the HeartTouch technique (internal method of changing thoughts and feelings) on their perceived stress, hardiness, and spiritual well-being. Method: Experimental (n = 58) and comparison (n = 40) groups received an education session discussing the effects of thoughts and feelings on stress and health, with the experimental group also learning HeartTouch and practicing it for 1 month. Findings: ANCOVA produced no statisticallysignificant between-group differences. Effect sizes ranged from . 14 to . 35, indicating practical significance, suggesting that nurses who practiced HeartTouch likely noticed a greater improvement in outcome variables than nurses who did not practice HeartTouch. In the experimental group, statistically significant within-group differences were seen in all variables, with effect sizes ranging from . 25 to . 89. In the comparison group, statistically significant within-group differences were seen in two variables. Implications: Learning about the power of thoughts and feelings and using HeartTouch to change them can reduce stress and increase hardiness and spiritual well-being.
Relationship between uric acid levels and risk of chronic kidney disease in a retrospective cohort of Brazilian workers

Uric acid (UA) levels are increased in patients with kidney dysfunction. We analyzed the association between asymptomatic hyperuricemia and new-onset chronic kidney disease (CKD). A retrospective cohort study was designed to collect data from employees of an energy generation and distribution company in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, who had undergone the company’s annual medical checkup from 2008 to 2014. People with ≤2 years of follow-up, with baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL·min-1·(1.73 m2)-1 or with incomplete data were excluded. The endpoint was defined as eGFR <60 mL·min-1·(1.73 m2)-1 estimated through the chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaboration equation (CKD-EPI). The study included 1094 participants. The mean follow-up period was 5.05±1.05 years and 44 participants exhibited new-onset CKD. The prevalence of hyperuricemia was 4.2%. There was a significant inverse correlation between baseline serum levels of UA and baseline eGFR (R=-0.21, P<0.001). Female gender (OR=4.00; 95%CI=1.92-8.29, P<0.001) and age (OR=1.06; 95%CI=1.02-1.11, P=0.004) but not UA levels (OR=1.12; 95%CI=0.83-1.50; P=0.465) were associated with new-onset CKD. Diabetes mellitus and body mass index were independent factors for fast progression (OR=2.17; 95%CI=1.24-3.80, P=0.007 and OR=1.04; 95%CI=1.01-1.07; P=0.020). These results did not support UA as an independent predictor for CKD progression in the studied population.
Noncascading Structure for Electronic Ballast Design for Multiple LED Lamps With Independent Brightness Control

LED light sources, which are more compact, capable to change color in real time, less dissipative, and more durable are finding more applications than conventional light bulbs in domestic, commercial, and industrial environments. However, requirements such as high-power factor, long lifetime, accurate current control, and high-efficiency pose challenges to the design of LED ballast circuits. This paper proposes an LED ballast with a dual noncascading structure. The first-stage noncascading structure is an isolated current-fed power factor correction (PFC) preregulator. In the proposed design, the short-lifetime high-voltage storage capacitor at the primary is replaced by a long-lifetime low-voltage capacitor at the secondary, thus extending the overall system lifetime. The PFC is programmed by the conventional averaged current-mode control for high-power-factor applications. Furthermore, the high-voltage stress on the main switch, which is typical in current-fed converters, is reduced substantially by appropriately exploiting the transformer leakage inductance. The design uses two secondary transformer windings and an LED current driver to form a second noncascading structure to improve efficiency. Multiple noncascading structures can be used for LED lamps for instant independent brightness control. Analysis, design example, and prototype verification are given for the LED ballast.
Immortalization of normal human mammary epithelial cells in two steps by direct targeting of senescence barriers does not require gross genomic alterations

Telomerase reactivation and immortalization are critical for human carcinoma progression. However, little is known about the mechanisms controlling this crucial step, due in part to the paucity of experimentally tractable model systems that can examine human epithelial cell immortalization as it might occur in vivo. We achieved efficient non-clonal immortalization of normal human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) by directly targeting the 2 main senescence barriers encountered by cultured HMEC. The stress-associated stasis barrier was bypassed using shRNA to p16INK4; replicative senescence due to critically shortened telomeres was bypassed in post-stasis HMEC by c-MYC transduction. Thus, 2 pathologically relevant oncogenic agents are sufficient to immortally transform normal HMEC. The resultant non-clonal immortalized lines exhibited normal karyotypes. Most human carcinomas contain genomically unstable cells, with widespread instability first observed in vivo in pre-malignant stages; in vitro, instability is seen as finite cells with critically shortened telomeres approach replicative senescence. Our results support our hypotheses that: (1) telomere-dysfunction induced genomic instability in pre-malignant finite cells may generate the errors required for telomerase reactivation and immortalization, as well as many additional “passenger” errors carried forward into resulting carcinomas; (2) genomic instability during cancer progression is needed to generate errors that overcome tumor suppressive barriers, but not required per se; bypassing the senescence barriers by direct targeting eliminated a need for genomic errors to generate immortalization. Achieving efficient HMEC immortalization, in the absence of “passenger” genomic errors, should facilitate examination of telomerase regulation during human carcinoma progression, and exploration of agents that could prevent immortalization.
SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF NOVEL POLYAMIDES CONTAINING AZOBENZENE UNITS AND TETRAHYDROPYRIMIDINONE AND TETRAHYDRO-2-THIOXOPYRIMIDINE DERIVATIVES BY MICROWAVE ASSISTED POLYCONDENSATION

irradiation by using a domestic microwave oven from the polycondensation reactions of 4,4i-azodibenzoyl chloride [4,4i-azobenzenedicarboxylic acid] with seven different derivatives of tetrahydropyrimidinone and tetrahydro-2-thioxopyrimidine compounds in the presence of a small amount of a nonpolar organic medium that acts as a primary microwave absorber. Suitable organic media were o-cresol. The polycondensation proceeded rapidly, and compared with the conventional melt polycondensation and solution polycondensation it was almost completed between 8-12 min giving a series of polyamides with inherent viscosities about 0.22-0.42 dL/g. The resulting polyamides were obtained in high yield and they were thermally stable. All of the above compounds were fully characterized by means of FTIR spectroscopy, elemental analyses, viscometry and solubility test. Thermal properties of the polyamides were investigated using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) method.
Personalising Information Retrieval using Evolutionary Modelling

Researchers and students need information retrieval tools that will support them in their work. To provide effective support, such tools must be able to track changing interests and automatically suggest new, possibly unrelated, information that might be helpful. An approach to representing a user interest profile using an evolutionary model, a form of genetic algorithm, is described. The profile is maintained with user feedback and genetic operators and initial testing with a database of academic journal abstracts has found this to be a promising technique.
Relationship between Mineral Distributions in Dentine Lesions and Subsequent Remineralization in vitro

Though the mineral distribution of the dentine carious lesion varies largely from tooth to tooth and from patient to patient, there are two main distribution profiles that characterize natural carious lesions in dentine. These profiles include softened and subsurface lesion types. The mineral distribution relationship between the starting profile and the profile after remineralization is not known. In order to study the relational aspects, we have produced demineralized dentine samples in vitro with mineral profiles similar to those of typical natural carious lesions, and subsequently remineralized the samples in a remineralizing solution with various fluoride concentrations (0, 2 and 10 ppm F). The mineral distributions were obtained by using an improved microradiographic technique. In addition, the nature of deposited mineral was analyzed by diamond–coupled total internal reflectance spectroscopy. Definite relationship was observed between the original lesion mineral distribution and the mineral distributions following remineralization. The amount of mineral present in approximately the first 50 μm of the lesion influenced the overall mineral profile after remineralization, possibly through influencing ion transport. If the amount was high (> approximately 10 vol%), the deposited mineral was confined to the surface (0–50 μm). The original mineral at those depths acted like a nucleus of mineral regrowth when the amount of residual mineral was intermediate, and like a transport barrier when the surface layer was well mineralized. If a surface barrier was not present, mineral was deposited at deeper depths in the lesion. Fluoride effect on dentine remineralization was dependent on the original mineral content and its distribution in the lesion. Although a high concentration of fluoride was very effective in low–mineral lesions, it produced hyperremineralization on well–mineralized subsurface lesions so that it prevented effective remineralization especially in deeper lesions.
When outcome heterogeneously matters for selection: a generalized selection correction estimator

The classical Heckman (1976, 1979) selection correction estimator (heckit) is misspecified and inconsistent, if an interaction of the outcome variable with an explanatory variable matters for selection. To address this specification problem, a full information maximum likelihood (FIML) estimator and a simple two-step estimator are developed. Monte Carlo (MC) simulations illustrate that the bias of the ordinary heckit estimator is removed by these generalized estimation procedures. Along with OLS and ordinary heckit, we apply these estimators to data from a randomized trial that evaluates the effectiveness of financial incentives for reducing obesity. Estimation results indicate that the choice of the estimation procedure clearly matters.
Supporting VLSI geometry operations in a database system

VLSI layout systems perform various operations on design data describing the layouts of geometries (rectangles) on different mask layers. In this paper, we identify a basic set of such operations and show a formulation of these operations in terms of expressions of predicates that are suitable for processing by a database system. We then describe the operations and properties of a 4-D (four-dimensional) tree structure for efficiently supporting these operations. We also provide a qualitative analysis of the time complexity of the data structure, which compares favorably against various existing proposals.
Reversible Watermarking for Image Authentication using IWT

This paper proposes a ‘Reversible Watermarking scheme for Image Authentication’ (RWIA) using Integer Wavelet Transform that satisfies the requirements of imperceptibility, capacity, and robustness. The proposed algorithm hides the data and the bookkeeping information in the high frequency subbands of CDF (2,2) integer wavelet coefficients whose magnitudes are similar to a certain predefined threshold. Histogram modification is applied as a preprocessing to prevent overflow/underflow. The embedding technique is based on the parent-child structure of the transformed coefficients called “quadruple wavelet tree” (QWT). The paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the existing methods. The experimental results evaluated by the proposed technique on different grayscale images and a comparison with existing methods is found better. The watermark is extracted to an acceptable degree of normalized cross correlation even in the presence of attacks like geometric transformations and JPEG compression.
Three-dimensional patterning of nanostructures using atomic force microscopes

The recent advances of the fabrication technology using atomic force microscopes (AFMs) are reviewed with the focus on its effectiveness and flexibility in patterning three-dimensional (3D) engineering nanostructures. The specific hardware and software requirements, including manipulability, precision, and automation, for enhancing the capability, reliability and repeatability in patterning 3D nanostructures are evaluated. The recent progresses on patterning the one- and two-dimensional nanostructures, which provide the basic building blocks, are first assessed. The truly 3D nanostructures, which were fabricated by two general approaches, layer manufacturing and continuous depth (or height) variation, are then presented to illustrate the efficiency and versatility of the specific patterning technique adopted. The geometric precision and reliability of the features created as well as the patterning principle involved are also studied. Finally, for improving the productivity in patterning 3D structures, the.
Direct observation of ballistic Brownian motion on a single particle

At fast timescales, the self-similarity of random Brownian motion is expected to break down and be replaced by ballistic motion. So far, an experimental verification of this prediction has been out of reach due to a lack of instrumentation fast and precise enough to capture this motion. With a newly developed detector, we have been able to observe the Brownian motion of a single particle in an optical trap with 75 MHz bandwidth and sub-{AA}ngstrom spatial precision. We report the first measurements of ballistic Brownian motion as well as the first determination of the velocity autocorrelation function of a Brownian particle. The data are in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions taking into account the inertia of the particle and the surrounding fluid as well as hydrodynamic memory effects.
HOMOGENIZATION OF MONOTONE SYSTEMS OF HAMILTON-JACOBI EQUATIONS

In this paper we study homogenization for a class of monotone systems of first-order time-dependent periodic Hamilton-Jacobi equations. We characterize the Hamiltonians of the limit problem by appropriate cell problems. Hence we show the uniform convergence of the solution of the oscillating systems to the bounded uniformly continuous solution of the homogenized system.
Alternative chromophores for use in light-activated surgical adhesives: optimization of parameters for tensile strength and thermal damage profile

The use of indocyanine green-doped albumin protein solders has been shown to vastly improve the anastomotic strength that can be achieved by laser tissue repair techniques, while at the same time minimizing collateral thermal tissue damage. However, the safety of the degradation products of the chromophore following laser irradiation is uncertain. Therefore, we studied the feasibility of using alternative chromophores in terms of temperature rise at the solder/tissue interface, the extent of thermal damage in the sourrounding tissue, and the tensile strength of repairs. Biodegradable polymer scaffolds of controlled porosity were fabricated with poly(L-lactic-co-glycolic acid), using a solvent-casting and particulate-leaching technique. The porous scaffold acted as a carrier to the traditional protein solder composition of serum albumin and an absorbing chromophore mixed in deionized water. Two commonly used chromophores, indocyanine green and methylene blue were investigated, as well as blue and green food colorings. Temperature rise at the solder surface and at the interface between the solder and tissue were monitored by an IR temperature monitoring system and a type-K thermocouple, respectively, and the extent of thermal damage in the underlying tissue was determined using light microscopy. As expected, temperature rise at the solder/tissue interface, and consequently the degree of collateral thermal tissue damage, was directly related to the penetration depth of the laser light in the protein solder. Optimal tensile strength of repairs was achieved by selecting a chromophore concentration that resulted in a temperature of 66 ± 3°C at the solder/tissue interface.