Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Weighted ISM approach to interface amongst the barriers of benchmarking in Indian service industries

The rationale of this paper is to analyse the interactions between various barriers that might obstruct the benchmarking implementation for service industries. A weighted interpretive structural modelling (WISM) methodology is applied to analyse the mutual interactions between 13 main barriers, which are identified by extensive literature review and discussion held with experts of Indian service industries. Afterwards a method of competitiveness index (CI) is applied to recognise the key barriers for benchmarking in service industries. The result of this study shows that employee resistance, refusal to change and improper planning are the main barriers which affect the benchmarking implementation in Indian scenario. Through eliminating these main barriers on priority basis managers can easily implement the benchmarking process for improving competitiveness at global level.
Hypoalbuminemia is a surrogate biomarker of poor prognosis in myelodysplastic syndrome even when adjusting for comorbidities

The serum albumin (SA) level has been reported to be an independent prognostic biomarker that may serve as a surrogate representative of disease biology in patients diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). However, its prognostic ability has not been tested in a model adjusting for comorbidities. We analyzed 200 patients who were diagnosed as having de novo MDS. Median overall survival (OS) of all patients was 25 months and median leukemia-free survival (LFS) was 24 months. Median OS according to the SA level groups of ≤ 3.5, 3.6–4.0 and > 4.0 mg/dL were 24, 39 and 77 months, respectively. SA level remained an independent predictor of both LFS and OS even when adjusting for the hematopoietic cell transplant comorbidity index (HCT-CI) and the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) or World Health Organization classification-based Prognostic Scoring System (WPSS). Our findings indicate that SA level at the time of diagnosis is a significant and independent predictor of LFS and OS even when adjusting for commonly used prognostic systems and comorbidities.
AUTOMATIC TRANSCRIPTION OF MUSIC

The aim of this tutorial paper is to introduce and discuss different approaches to the automatic music transcription problem. The task is here understood as a transformation from an acoustic signal into a MIDI-like symbolic representation. Algorithms are discussed that concern three subproblems. (i) Estimation of the temporal structure of acoustic musical signals, the musical meter. (ii) Estimation of the fundamental frequencies of concurrent musical sounds. (iii) Higher-level musicological modeling to resolve otherwise ambiguous situations. The emphasis is laid on multiple-F0 estimation. Validation experiments are performed using both synthesized and real-world music signals. Demonstration signals are available at http://www.cs. tut.fi/~klap/iiro/smac/.
Black holes in de Sitter space: Masses, energies and entropy bounds

In this paper we consider spacetimes in vacuum general relativity --possibly coupled to a scalar field-- with a positive cosmological constant $\Lambda$. We employ the Isolated Horizons (IH) formalism where the boundary conditions imposed are that of two horizons, one of black hole type and the other, serving as outer boundary, a cosmological horizon. As particular cases, we consider the Schwarzschild-de Sitter spacetime, in both 2+1 and 3+1 dimensions. Within the IH formalism, it is useful to define two different notions of energy for the cosmological horizon, namely, the mass and the energy. Empty de Sitter space provides an striking example of such distinction: its horizon energy is zero but the horizon mass takes a finite value given by $\pi/(2\sqrt\Lambda)$. For both horizons we study their thermodynamic properties, compare our results with those of Euclidean Hamiltonian methods and construct some generalized Bekenstein entropy bounds. We discuss these new entropy bounds and compare them with some recently proposed entropy bounds in the cosmological setting.
A Retrospective Study of the Management of Vulvodynia

Purpose Vulvodynia is characterized by chronic vulvar pain caused by sexual intercourse and often results in female sexual dysfunction. Because the causes of vulvodynia are not clear, many patients do not receive optimal treatment. Recently, gabapentin and botulinum toxin A have both been shown to be effective treatments for vulvodynia. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical outcomes of botulinum toxin A and gabapentin treatment for chronic pain in women with this condition. Materials and Methods Seventy-three women with vulvar pain were administered either gabapentin (n=62) or botulinum toxin A (n=11) injections. Effectiveness was measured by use of a visual analogue scale (VAS). We analyzed the treatment method, treatment duration, success of treatment, and side effects or adverse reactions. Results Pain levels in both groups significantly decreased after treatment. In the gabapentin group, the VAS score decreased from 8.6 before treatment to 3.2 after treatment (p<0.001). The VAS score in the botulinum toxin A group was reduced from 8.1 to 2.5 (p<0.001). Side effects for both therapies were few and subsided with treatment with general antibiotics and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Conclusions Gabapentin and botulinum toxin A are safe and effective treatments for vulvodynia. This condition can cause sexual dysfunction and affect quality of life. However, with proper management, satisfactory outcomes for women with vulvodynia can be achieved.
Cold Sintering Na2Mo2O7 Ceramic with Poly(ether imide) (PEI) Polymer to Realize High-Performance Composites and Integrated Multilayer Circuits

The cold-sintering process is utilized to fabricate ceramic–polymer (Na2Mo2O7-poly(ether imide), PEI) composites and integrated multilayer circuits. The Na2Mo2O7-PEI bulk composites cold-sintered at 120 °C show high densities (>90% theoretical). The permittivity at microwave frequencies decreases with increasing PEI content, following the classical logarithmic mixing law, and Qf values show no deterioration with the addition of PEI. Furthermore, the characteristic dielectric breakdown strength of the ceramic–polymer composite obtained from a Weibull plot increases dramatically from 55.1 to 107.5 MV/m with 10–20 vol % PEI additions. In the case of high PEI content where there is more segregation of the polymer within the ceramic matrix, there is a gradual decrease in the dielectric breakdown strength. Na2Mo2O7-PEI-Ag bulk ring resonators can be obtained by post screen printing, and the mixing laws are used to calculate the permittivity of the ring resonators. As a prototype of integrated multilayer circuit.
Role of interferon in the pathogenesis of virus diseases in mice as demonstrated by the use of anti-interferon serum. II. Studies with herpes simplex, Moloney sarcoma, vesicular stomatitis, Newcastle disease, and influenza viruses

The effect of potent sheep anti-mouse interferon globulin was investigated in several different experimental virus diseases of mice. In anti-interferon globulin-treated mice infected intraperitoneally with herpes simplex virus (HSV) type I, the latent period was shortened, and the overall LD50 was increased several hundredfold compared to virus-infected control mice. When HSV was inoculated subcutaneously all anti-interferon globulin-treated mice died, whereas only 5% of virus-infected control mice died. Subsequent treatment with anti-interferon globulin of previously HSV-infected mice did not result in reactivation of HSV. Treatment of adult mice with anti-interferon globulin resulted in an earlier appearance of MSV-induced tumors, a greater number of mice bearing tumors, an increase in tumor size, and an increase in the duration of tumors. All tumors eventually regressed despite reinjection of anti-interferon globulin. Anti-interferon globulin treatment resulted in a rapid onset of disease and death in adult mice inoculated (intranasal) with VSV and in newborn mice infected with NDV. Anti-interferon globulin exerted no effect on the course of influenza virus infection of mice. We conclude that the early production of interferon is an importane element in the response of the mouse to several viruses exhibiting different pathogeneses.
Numerical Simulation for the Pressure Distribution of the Compaction Roller in in-situ consolidation processes

Automated tape or fiber placement (ATP/AFP) with in-situ consolidation has been identified as a promising manufacturing technique for thermoplastic (TP) composites, which are highly in-demand in the aerospace industry for future aircraft structural applications. This manufacturing technique is attractive since it has the potential to eliminate the energy and time consuming autoclave consolidation. However, low quality is one of the biggest challenges in the application of in-situ consolidation. It seems that pressure contribution to the bond quality has received less attention than thermal one. Therefore, this work is initiated to simulate the pressure distribution between the compaction roller and the mandrel. The objective in this work is to predict the pressure distribution in the contact area between the rubber-covered roller and the mandrel in room temperature by finite element methods (FEM). Rubber material is characterized by mechanical testing and then modeled as hyperelastic material. 3rdd-order Ogden material model is found to well describe the strain- stress behavior of rubber material. The material constants are then implemented in FE models as an input. The pressure distribution is predicted by FE modes and the influence of compaction force, rubber thickness, pre-stretching force on the pressure distribution are discussed, followed by an optimization between compaction force and rubber thickness. Experiments are conducted to validate the FE models regarding the three influencing factors, that are: (a). compaction force, (b). with/without pre-stretching and (c). various rubber thickness. Rubber deformation can be captured by the digital image correlation (DIC) Pressure distribution is obtained from the Prescale pressure measurement film produced by Fujifilm®, which are the films that show different color densities under different pressures. Experimental results of strain and pressure distribution are compared with FEM results, followed by discussions and conclusions. It can be concluded that pre-stretching force should be used to avoid rubber-roller separation and prevent rubber from moving out to the sides. Both of the compaction force and rubber thickness affects the maximum pressure and contact length linearly. A trade- off between compaction force and rubber thickness can be made based on the force limit of the equipment and pressure requirements.
Prognostic Significance of Estimation of Pseudocholinesterase Activity and Role of Pralidoxime Therapy in Organophosphorous Poisoning

Background: Organophosphorous (OP) poisoning is one of the most common poisonings seen in India. OP compounds act through inhibition of enzyme acetylcholinesterase and estimation of pseudocholinesterase (PCE) activity strengthens the diagnosis in clinically uncertain cases of OP poisoning. The role of pralidoxime (PAM) therapy in OP poisoning has been controversial. Study Objectives: This study was aimed to determine the prognostic significance of estimation of PCE activity and also to assess the role of PAM therapy in OP poisoning. Materials and Methods: Patients of suspected OP poisoning of age >12 years admitted to emergency unit at a tertiary healthcare center of north India were enrolled. Patients were categorized into two groups; group A who were given intravenous atropine and group B who were given injectable PAM along with atropine. Serum PCE level was estimated at the time of admission in all patients and severity of OP poisoning was assessed according to PCE level. Requirement of atropine, oxygen inhalation, intubation and ventilatory support, total hospital stay, and mortality were compared between different classes of severity and also between Groups A and B. Results: This study included a total of 70 subjects, 35 in each group with mean age of 24.99 ± 8.7 years. Out of 70 subjects 49 (70%) were male and 21 (30%) were female. Forty nine patients (70%) of OP poisoning were with suicidal intent while 21 (30%) cases were accidentally poisoned. In all suicidal cases route of poisoning was ingestion whereas in all the accidental cases route of exposure was inhalational. PCE levels were reduced in all the cases and the mean level was 3,154.16 ± 2,562.40 IU/L. The total dose of atropine required, need for oxygen inhalation and need for intubation and ventilatory support, mean duration of hospital stay and mortality rate (P = 0.003) were higher in moderate to severe cases and did not have significant difference between Groups A and B. Conclusion: The study recommends estimation of PCE level at admission to classify severity of OP poisoning and to estimate prognosis. This study did not find any beneficial role of PAM therapy in reducing morbidity as well as mortality.
FPGAs in the Cloud: Booting Virtualized Hardware Accelerators with OpenStack

We present a new approach for integrating virtualized FPGA-based hardware accelerators into commercial-scale cloud computing systems, with minimal virtualization overhead. Partially reconfigurable regions across multiple FPGAs are offered as generic cloud resources through OpenStack (opensource cloud software), thereby allowing users to “boot” custom designed or predefined network-connected hardware accelerators with the same commands they would use to boot a regular Virtual Machine. We propose a hardware and software framework to enable this virtualization. This is a first attempt at closely fitting FPGAs into existing cloud computing models, where resources are virtualized, flexible, and have the illusion of infinite scalability. Our system can set up and tear down virtual accelerators in approximately 2.6 seconds on average, much faster than regular virtual machines. The static virtualization hardware on the physical FPGAs causes only a three cycle latency increase and a one cycle pipeline stall per packet in accelerators when compared to a non-virtualized system. We present a case study analyzing the design and performance of an application-level load balancer using a fully implemented prototype of our system. Our study shows that FPGA cloud compute resources can easily outperform virtual machines, while the system's virtualization and abstraction significantly reduces design iteration time and design complexity.
The role of visual rhetoric in the design and production of electronic books: the visual book

This paper starts from the observation that the appearance of information contributes to its overall value and that, because there are many ways to represent information, it is very important to find the model which is going to be the most effective and conveys the greatest value of the original information. Appearance has always played a key role in the learning process, as it facilitates the discovery of new concepts by allowing visual association with those which are already familiar. This is why metaphors are so important in learning in general, and have therefore proved to be a valuable tool for designing alternative paradigms when adapting traditional tasks to novel environments. This paper will briefly discuss the link between paper books and their electronic counterparts. It will then focus on the role of metaphors in producing electronic books and introduce and discuss the importance of the visual rhetoric concept in driving the design process. Finally it will also present the main results of the visual book experiment and how these results can be interpreted in the context of the visual rhetoric approach.
A Visualization Modeling Framework for a CSP-Based System

In this paper, we draft a CSP-based language for our distributed software development system. A program model hierarchy, classified into three characteristic layer: specification layer, monitoring/debugging layer and code layer, is introduced to help users use appropriate modeling methods in the program development cycle. A hierarchical visualization interface? which contains our three-level visualization modeling framework with three different models: Petri nets, IPC Dataflow and Event Code View, transferred from the extended CSP? has been also designed and implemented. We could monitor a distributed application by using any coordinated combination of the constructs of the above models as a favorite view in a systematic manner. The transformation rules among the constructs of these visual models are also discussed.
Flexible on-device service object replication with replets

An increasingly large amount of Web applications employ serviceobjects such as Servlets to generate dynamic and personalizedcontent. Existing caching infrastructures are not well suited forcaching such content in mobile environments because ofdisconnection and weak connection. One possible approach to thisproblem is to replicate Web-related application logic to clientdevices. The challenges to this approach are to deal with clientdevices that exhibit huge divergence in resource availabilities, tosupport applications that have different data sharing and coherencyrequirements, and to accommodate the same application underdifferent deployment environments. The Replet system targets these challenges. It uses client,server and application capability and preference information (CPI)to direct the replication of service objects to client devices:from the selection of a device for replication and populating thedevice with client-specific data, to choosing an appropriatereplica to serve a given request and maintaining the desired stateconsistency among replicas. The Replet system exploits on-devicereplication to enable client-, server- and application-specificcost metrics for replica invocation and synchronization. We haveimplemented a prototype in the context of Servlet-based Webapplications. Our experiment and simulation results demonstrate theviability and significant benefits of CPI-driven on-device serviceobject replication.
Incremental personalized Web page mining utilizing self-organizing HCMAC neural network

In recent years, information has grown rapidly, especially on the World Wide Web. Also volume of information found by search engines tends to be large, and these documents are not tailored to a user's actual needs and interests. Thus, to offer the personalized service that includes only user interested information become increasingly important. Web mining techniques have proven themselves as a very useful tool for mining information of interests on the Web. However, past pioneers' studies have indicated that the main challenges in Web mining are in terms of handling high-dimensional data, achieving incremental learning (or incremental mining), providing scalable mining and parallel and distributed mining algorithms. We present a novel self-organizing hierarchical CMAC (HCMAC) neural network composed of two-dimensional weighted grey CMACs (WGCMAC) capable of handling both higher dimensional classification problems and self-organizing memory structure according to the distribution of training patterns. Moreover, a learning algorithm that can learn incrementally from new added data without forgetting prior knowledge is proposed to train the self-organizing HCMAC neural network. It can be applied to incrementally learn user profiles from user feedback for identifying personalized Web pages. A benchmark dataset of Web pages ratings that contains four topics of user profiles is used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Experimental results show that the self-organizing HCMAC neural network has a good incrementally learning ability and can overcome the problem of enormous memory requirement in the conventional CMAC while it is applied to solve the higher dimensional classification problems. Furthermore, experiments also confirm that the self-organizing HCMAC neural network has a better forecasting ability to identify user interesting Web pages than other well-known classifiers do.
Solution structure of the C‐terminal X domain of the measles virus phosphoprotein and interaction with the intrinsically disordered C‐terminal domain of the nucleoprotein

In this report, the solution structure of the nucleocapsid‐binding domain of the measles virus phosphoprotein (XD, aa 459–507) is described. A dynamic description of the interaction between XD and the disordered C‐terminal domain of the nucleocapsid protein, (NTAIL, aa 401–525), is also presented. XD is an all α protein consisting of a three‐helix bundle with an up‐down‐up arrangement of the helices. The solution structure of XD is very similar to the crystal structures of both the free and bound form of XD. One exception is the presence of a highly dynamic loop encompassing XD residues 489–491, which is involved in the embedding of the α‐helical XD‐binding region of NTAIL. Secondary chemical shift values for full‐length NTAIL were used to define the precise boundaries of a transient helical segment that coincides with the XD‐binding domain, thus shedding light on the pre‐recognition state of NTAIL. Titration experiments with unlabeled XD showed that the transient α‐helical conformation of NTAIL is stabilized upon binding. Lineshape analysis of NMR resonances revealed that residues 483–506 of NTAIL are in intermediate exchange with XD, while the 475–482 and 507–525 regions are in fast exchange. The NTAIL resonance behavior in the titration experiments is consistent with a complex binding model with more than two states. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the mechanical interactions between TiO2 nanoparticles

In this dissertation the mechanical interaction mechanisms between TiO2 nanoparticles are investigated by using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. From this investigation, comprehensive equations are derived for the calculation of interparticle forces under ambient conditions at the nanoscale and implemented into particle contact models, enabling the fast and accurate simulation of the mechanical behaviour of nanoparticle assemblies. The results of this work shall help to gain fundamental information about the mechanical interactions between nanoparticles in technical systems, thus supporting the design of new fabrication and handling methods for applications, such as sensorics, catalysis or filtration. To respect the conditions in technically relevant systems, the influence of air humidity, surface roughness, shape and hydrophilicity on the resulting interparticle forces are investigeted. As the measurement of the atomistic phenomena, which arise at this size scale, is difficult or impossible by experiments, all-atom molecular dynamics simulations represent a suitable method to enable a sufficiently high resolution together with a sufficiently large system size and simulation time. In these simulations, the chemical properties of the particle surfaces are based on a realistic atomistic material model which has been developed separately from this work by quantum mechanical simulations. The investigation of the adhesion forces between nanoparticles with different size, roughness and hydrophilicity shows that macroscopically established equations for the calculation of interparticle forces can still be applied at the nanoscale if the properties of the surface adsorbed water layer are respected. This water layer on the one hand increases the particle radius for the determination of capillary forces, and on the other hand leads to alternating solvation forces between the particles through the molecular structuring of the water inside the layer. Depending on the local particle surface structure, these solvation forces can exceed the capillary forces between the particles significantly. Furthermore, the surface tension of the water layer increases notably at decreasing air humidity and particle size because of the