Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An aperiodicity problem for multiwords

Multiwords are words in which a single symbol can be re- placed by a nonempty set of symbols. They extend the notion of partial words. A word w is certain in a multiword M if it occurs in every word that can be obtained by selecting one single symbol among the symbols provided in each position of M. Motivated by a problem on incomplete databases, we investigate a variant of the pattern matching problem which is to decide whether a word w is certain in a multiword M.W e study the language CERTAIN(w) of multiwords in which w is certain. We show that this regular language is aperiodic for three large families of words. We also show its aperiodicity in the case of partial words over an alphabet with at least three symbols. Mathematics Subject Classification. 68R15, 68Q45.
Predicting the tendency of topic discussion on the online social networks using a dynamic probability model

Topic discussion is a significant phenomenon on the online social network, which would attract the rising attention in the near future. In this paper, we predict the tendency of topic discussion on the online social networks using a dynamic probability model. We analyze the process of topic discussion, and give the formulation of it. Three main factors (individual interest, group behavior, and time lapse) are analyzed and quantized, based on which, we propose a dynamic probability model to predict the user's behavior, i.e. attending the topic discussion or not, and then obtain the number of the attending users. Most of the parameters of the model can be calculated by ML estimate methods, and the rest 3 parameters are set by human experience. Experiment shows that our model could predict the tendency of topic discussion accurately. Also, we simulate different sets of the three experience parameters and study the selection of suitable experience parameters.
Physiological effects of a weight loss regimen practiced by college wrestlers.

The effects of weight loss (dehydration) techniques (which mimicked techniques used prior to actual competition) used by intercollegiate wrestlers on selected physiological parameters (strength, anaerobic power, anaerobic capacity, the lactate threshold (LT), and peak aerobic power) were examined in seven intercollegiate wrestlers. During the 36 h weight loss period, subjects lost 3.3 kg (4.9% body weight), all of which occurred during the 12 h prior to weigh-in, using exercise in a rubberized sweat suit. Weight loss resulted in a reduction in upper body but not lower body strength measures (peak torque and average work per repetition). Anaerobic power and anaerobic capacity were significantly reduced in a dehydrated state (81.4 kgm.s-1, normal weight; 63.9 kgm.s-1, weight loss; 1984.3 kgm.40 s-1, normal weight; 1791.4 kgm.40 s-1, weight loss). Analyses of treadmill data revealed the following: 1) velocity was decreased at LT (4.4%) and peak (6.5%) during weight loss (P less than 0.05); 2) VO2 peak was significantly reduced with weight loss (6.7%, P less than 0.05); 3) treadmill time to exhaustion was significantly reduced in the weight loss state (12.4%) (35.7 min, normal weight; 31.3 min, weight loss). It was concluded that typical wrestling weight loss techniques result in deleterious effects on strength, anaerobic power, anaerobic capacity, the lactate threshold, and aerobic power.
Evaluation of the relationship between the tensile strength of a grain boundary in electroplated copper thin films and the crystallinity of the grain boundary using micro tensile test

In the semiconductor device field, the element materials constituting the interior of the semiconductor devices are rapidly miniaturized due to continuous improvement of high performance and power saving. However, it's getting harder to guarantee the long-term reliability of products because of the various degradation phenomena such as very high local Joule heating and electromigration (EM). Recently, it is reported that EM tends to occur along the grain boundaries in the interconnection material, and thus, it is necessary to quantitatively evaluate the grain boundary strength for estimating the lifetime of the interconnection and clarification of the dominant factors in order to assure the product reliability. In this study, grain boundary quality in terms of order of atomic arrangement was evaluated by using the analysis parameter IQ (Image Quality) value obtained from electron back-scatter diffraction (EBSD) method, and grain boundary strength was evaluated quantitatively by applying micro tensile test method to electroplated copper thin films used as an interconnection material. As a result, it was found that the strength of both a grain and a grain boundary changed as a function of the order of the atomic arrangement. In the low IQ value range, brittle fracture occurred at a grain boundary, and the strength of a grain boundary monotonically decreased as the IQ value decreased. On the other hand, in the high IQ value range, transgranular ductile fracture appeared and the yield stress of a grain monotonically decreased as the IQ value increased. Therefore, the IQ values was found to be the dominant factor of the strength of a grain and a grain boundary.
Primary Ewing Sarcoma of the Stomach – A Newly Described Entity

The Ewing sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT) includes classic Ewing sarcoma of the bone, extraosseous or soft tissue Ewing sarcoma, Askin tumors of the chest wall, and peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors of the bone and soft tissues. They share a common neural histogenesis, tumor genetics and biology. The genetic hallmark of the ESFT is the presence of t(11;22)(q24;q12), which creates the EWS/FLI1 fusion gene and results in the expression of a chimeric protein. Although Ewing tumors can occur at any age, the great majority are found in individuals less than 20 years of age. We herein report a case of gastric Ewing sarcoma in a 68-year-old male. This patient illustrates the second reported occurrence of primary Ewing sarcoma in the stomach and the first reported with the t(11;22)(q24;q12) gene translocation.
Effects of homeopathic intervention on medication consumption in atopic and allergic disorders.

CONTEXT Allergies are the most common immunologic diseases among the general population. Increasing evidence suggests that the incidence of allergic disorders is rising dramatically. Conventional medicine provides only limited relief and does not offer a complete cure to this health problem. Consequently, patients seek additional approaches and therapies to integrate into their healthcare. Homeopathy is one of the leading complementary modalities used to treat this health problem. OBJECTIVE This preliminary study assessed the effect of integrating homeopathic treatment in allergic diseases on conventional medication consumption in a health maintenance organization. DESIGN Retrospective outcome study designed as a before-after trial. SETTING Patients were studied in a complementary medicine clinic affiliated with an Israeli health maintenance organization. PARTICIPANTS Forty-eight patients were treated for allergic diseases with homeopathic remedies and conventional medications. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES A computerized medication chart for each patient was evaluated for conventional medication consumption 3 months before and 3 months after the homeopathic intervention. Each patient served as his or her own control. RESULTS Fifty-six percent of patients in this study reduced their use of conventional medication following the homeopathic intervention. Patients who used conventional medications for their allergic disorders reduced their medication expense by an average of 60%, with an average savings of $24 per patient in the 3-month period following the homeopathic intervention. CONCLUSIONS This retrospective outcome study demonstrates cost savings for an Israeli health maintenance organization. The homeopathic intervention led to a modest but significant reduction in the use of medications commonly used to treat allergic conditions and their complications. Larger controlled studies are needed to verify these findings.
Contractile responses of myocytes isolated from patients with cardiomyopathy.

Single cardiac myocytes isolated from failing and non-failing human ventricles were superfused at 32 degrees C and electrically stimulated at 0.2 Hz. Their contraction amplitude and velocities of contraction and relaxation were continuously during challenge with isoprenaline or high extracellular calcium. Action potentials were monitored with intracellular microelectrodes, and calcium transients followed using the fluorescent dye fura-2. Changes in contractility were correlated with severity of disease, as defined by New York Heart Association class, dose of diuretics, left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. Beta-adrenoceptor desensitization was detected in these cells as a decreased response to isoprenaline relative to that of calcium in the same cell. Significant correlations were obtained between reduction of beta-adrenoceptor sensitivity and all four indicators of disease severity. No correlation between the maximum contraction amplitude in high extracellular calcium and severity of disease was observed, the same was true for contraction and relaxation velocity in high calcium. Some significant decline in contractility with age of the patient was noted. Analysis with respect to aetiology of disease showed a subpopulation with dilated or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy where relaxation of the single cells was impaired. This was related to a prolonged calcium transient and action potential. Isoprenaline accentuated the lengthened second phase of relaxation, whereas high extracellular calcium reduced it. These interventions had similar effects on action potential duration. The actions of isoprenaline and calcium were similar on cells from failing and non-failing human hearts and on normal guinea-pig myocytes. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
On-line motion retargetting

This paper presents a method to retarget the motion of a character to another in real-time. The technique is based on inverse rate control, which compares the changes in joint angles corresponding to the changes in end-effector position. While tracking the multiple end-effector trajectories of the original subject or character, our on-line motion retargetting also minimizes the joint angle differences by exploiting the kinematic redundancies of the animated model. This method can generalize a captured motion for another anthropometry to perform slightly different motion, while preserving the original motion characteristics. Because the above is done in on-line, a real-time performance can be mapped to other characters. Moreover, if the method is used interactively during motion capture session, the feedback of retargetted motion on the screen provides more chances to get satisfactory results. As a by-product, our algorithm can be used to reduce measurement errors in restoring captured motion. The data enhancement improves the accuracy in both joint angles and end-effector positions. Experiments prove that our retargetting algorithm preserves the high frequency details of the original motion quite accurately.
Updating derived relations: detecting irrelevant and autonomously computable updates

Consider a database containing not only base relations but also stored derived relations (also called materialized or concrete views). When a base relation is updated, it may also be necessary to update some of the derived relations. This paper gives sufficient and necessary conditions for detecting when an update of a base relation cannot affect a derived relation (an irrelevant update), and for detecting when a derived relation can be correctly updated using no data other than the derived relation itself and the given update operation (an autonomously computable update). The class of derived relations considered is restricted to those defined by PSJ-expressions, that is, any relational algebra expressions constructed from an arbitrary number of project, select and join operations (but containing no self-joins). The class of update operations consists of insertions, deletions, and modifications, where the set of tuples to be deleted or modified is specified by a selection condition on attributes of the relation being updated.
Modulation of Nrf2-dependent antioxidant functions in the RPE by Zip2, a zinc transporter protein.

PURPOSE To characterize the involvement of Zip2, a zinc transporter protein, in the antioxidant functions of cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. METHODS The expression of zinc transporter proteins was determined by RT-PCR. Intracellular zinc concentration was assessed by staining with a zinc-sensitive dye followed by flow cytometry. Stable overexpression of the transporter protein Zip2 was achieved by transducing ARPE-19 cells with a retroviral vector containing the open reading frame of the human Zip2 gene. Activity of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) was measured using a dual luciferase assay after transient transfection of reporter plasmids containing the antioxidant response element (ARE). Glutamate-cysteine ligase (GCL) expression was measured by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS Cultured RPE cells could transport zinc with Zip2 as an influx transporter expressed in ARPE-19 cells and human RPE cells isolated from postmortem donor eyes. The mRNA level of Zip2 was influenced by intracellular and extracellular zinc concentrations. Overexpression of Zip2 resulted in increased Nrf2 activity, higher GCL expression, and increased glutathione synthesis. CONCLUSIONS RPE cells can actively uptake zinc through the transporter Zip2, and the increased intracellular zinc upregulates the Nrf2-dependent antioxidant function.
Disparities in Healthcare Utilisation Rates for Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Albertan Residents, 1997–2006: A Population Database Study

Background It is widely recognised that significant discrepancies exist between the health of indigenous and non-indigenous populations. Whilst the reasons are incompletely defined, one potential cause is that indigenous communities do not access healthcare to the same extent. We investigated healthcare utilisation rates in the Canadian Aboriginal population to elucidate the contribution of this fundamental social determinant for health to such disparities. Methods Healthcare utilisation data over a nine-year period were analysed for a cohort of nearly two million individuals to determine the rates at which Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations utilised two specialties (Cardiology and Ophthalmology) in Alberta, Canada. Unadjusted and adjusted healthcare utilisation rates obtained by mixed linear and Poisson regressions, respectively, were compared amongst three population groups - federally registered Aboriginals, individuals receiving welfare, and other Albertans. Results Healthcare utilisation rates for Aboriginals were substantially lower than those of non-Aboriginals and welfare recipients at each time point and subspecialty studied [e.g. During 2005/06, unadjusted Cardiology utilisation rates were 0.28% (Aboriginal, n = 97,080), 0.93% (non-Aboriginal, n = 1,720,041) and 1.37% (Welfare, n = 52,514), p = <0.001]. The age distribution of the Aboriginal population was markedly different [2.7%≥65 years of age, non-Aboriginal 10.7%], and comparable utilisation rates were obtained after adjustment for fiscal year and estimated life expectancy [Cardiology: Incidence Rate Ratio 0.66, Ophthalmology: IRR 0.85]. Discussion The analysis revealed that Aboriginal people utilised subspecialty healthcare at a consistently lower rate than either comparatively economically disadvantaged groups or the general population. Notably, the differences were relatively invariant between the major provincial centres and over a nine year period. Addressing the causes of these discrepancies is essential for reducing marked health disparities, and so improving the health of Aboriginal people.
Images from the Mind: BCI image evolution based on RSVP of polygon primitives

This paper provides a proof of concept for an EEG-based reconstruction of a visual image which is on a user's mind. Our approach is based on the Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP) of polygon primitives and Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology. The presentation of polygons that contribute to build a target image (because they match the shape and/or color of the target) trigger attention-related EEG patterns. Accordingly, these target primitives can be determined using BCI classification of Event-Related Potentials (ERPs). They are then accumulated in the display until a satisfactory reconstruction is reached. Selection steps have an average classification accuracy of $75\%$. $25\%$ of the images could be reconstructed completely, while more than $65\%$ of the available visual details could be captured on average. Most of the misclassifications were not misinterpretations of the BCI concerning users' intent; rather, users tried to select polygons that were different than what was intended by the experimenters. Open problems and alternatives to develop a practical BCI-based image reconstruction application are discussed.
Dapsone modulates lipopolysaccharide-activated bone marrow cells by inducing cell death and down-regulating tumor necrosis factor-α production

Dapsone, an antibiotic, has been used to cure leprosy. It has been reported that dapsone has anti-inflammatory activity in hosts; however, the anti-inflammatory mechanism of dapsone has not been fully elucidated. The present study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of dapsone on bone marrow cells (BMs), especially upon exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We treated BMs with LPS and dapsone, and the treated cells underwent cellular activity assay, flow cytometry analysis, cytokine production assessment, and reactive oxygen species assay. LPS distinctly activated BMs with several characteristics including high cellular activity, granulocyte changes, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production increases. Interestingly, dapsone modulated the inflammatory cells, including granulocytes in LPS-treated BMs, by inducing cell death. While the percentage of Gr-1 positive cells was 57% in control cells, LPS increased that to 75%, and LPS plus dapsone decreased it to 64%. Furthermore, dapsone decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential of LPS-treated BMs. At a low concentration (25 µg/mL), dapsone significantly decreased the production of TNF-α in LPS-treated BMs by 54%. This study confirmed that dapsone has anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-mediated inflammation via modulation of the number and function of inflammatory cells, providing new and useful information for clinicians and researchers.
Approximate Jacobian control with task-space damping for robot manipulators

In this note, we propose two new approximate Jacobian control laws with task-space damping for setpoint control of robot manipulators. The proposed controllers do not require exact knowledge of the Jacobian matrix and dynamics of the robots. We will show that the end-effector's position converges to a desired position in a finite task space even when the kinematics and Jacobian matrix are uncertain. Experimental results are presented to illustrate the performance of the proposed controllers.
Cropping systems modulate the rate and magnitude of soil microbial autotrophic CO2 fixation in soil

The effect of different cropping systems on CO2 fixation by soil microorganisms was studied by comparing soils from three exemplary cropping systems after 10 years of agricultural practice. Studied cropping systems included: continuous cropping of paddy rice (rice-rice), rotation of paddy rice and rapeseed (rice-rapeseed), and rotated cropping of rapeseed and corn (rapeseed-corn). Soils from different cropping systems were incubated with continuous 14C-CO2 labeling for 110 days. The CO2-fixing bacterial communities were investigated by analyzing the cbbL gene encoding ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase oxygenase (RubisCO). Abundance, diversity and activity of cbbL-carrying bacteria were analyzed by quantitative PCR, cbbL clone libraries and enzyme assays. After 110 days incubation, substantial amounts of 14C-CO2 were incorporated into soil organic carbon (14C-SOC) and microbial biomass carbon (14C-MBC). Rice-rice rotated soil showed stronger incorporation rates when looking at 14C-SOC and 14C-MBC contents. These differences in incorporation rates were also reflected by determined RubisCO activities. 14C-MBC, cbbL gene abundances and RubisCO activity were found to correlate significantly with 14C-SOC, indicating cbbL-carrying bacteria to be key players for CO2 fixation in these soils. The analysis of clone libraries revealed distinct cbbL-carrying bacterial communities for the individual soils analyzed. Most of the identified operational taxonomic units (OTU) were related to Nitrobacter hamburgensis, Methylibium petroleiphilum, Rhodoblastus acidophilus, Bradyrhizobium, Cupriavidus metallidurans, Rubrivivax, Burkholderia, Stappia, and Thiobacillus thiophilus. OTUs related to Rubrivivax gelatinosus were specific for rice-rice soil. OTUs linked to Methylibium petroleiphilum were exclusively found in rice-rapeseed soil. Observed differences could be linked to differences in soil parameters such as SOC. We conclude that the long-term application of cropping systems alters underlying soil parameters, which in turn selects for distinct autotrophic communities.