Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sentiment analysis of mixed language employing Hindi-English code switching

Sentiment analysis has emerged as one of the prominent research branches because of its endless usages and applications. Monitoring social media, forums, blogs and other online resources for customer reviews, product competition and survey responses to understand customer insight is of significant importance in business analytics. With the proliferation of informal user generated data online, the use of mixed language has become a common phenomenon. Mixed language arises through the use of linguistic code switching (LCS) or the practice of using more than one language in a single sentence. Such mixed language has rarely been a subject of sentiment analysis before. The lack of a clear grammatical structure renders the previous approaches to sentiment analysis ineffective for such text. In this paper, we propose a strategy to determine the sentiment of sentences written in a mixed language comprising of Hindi and English lexicons. Our technique can be used to analyze the sentiment of data belonging to any one of the source languages as well as the mixed language data. Grammatical transitions which are very common in mixed language have been taken into account during the sentiment analysis. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach via case studies on social media data sets.
Spinal Tonicaine: Potency and Differential Blockade of Sensory and Motor Functions

Background Long-acting local anesthetics are beneficial for the management of postoperative pain and chronic pain. The authors recently reported that a single injection of N-&bgr;-phenylethyl-lidocaine (tonicaine), a quaternary lidocaine derivative, effectively blocks rat sciatic nerve function four to nine times longer than lidocaine, with a predominance of sensory versus motor blockade. The purposes of this study were to measure directly the potency of this charged drug by internal perfusion of cultured neuronal cells, and to evaluate the differential blockade of sensory versus motor function via spinal route in rats. Methods The tonic and additional use-dependent blockade of Na+currents by internal tonicaine was assayed in cultured GH3 cells during whole cell voltage-clamp conditions. In addition, tonicaine was injected into the intrathecal space of rats at intervertebral space L4–L5, and the proprioceptive, motor, and sensory functions, and tissue integrity, subsequently were evaluated. Results Internal application of tonicaine in GH3 cells revealed that it was ∼80 times more potent in blocking Na+ currents than was externally applied lidocaine. In vivo testing in a rat neuraxial anesthesia model showed that tonicaine at 0.5 mm produced blockade that lasted much longer than that produced by bupivacaine even at ∼a 55 times higher concentration (28.8 mm). Tonicaine spinal block also produced a longer duration of sensory than motor blockade (112.5 ± 16.3 min vs. 45.8 ± 7.1 min). Evidence of neurotoxicity was seen at a concentration of 1.0 mm. Conclusion In vitro testing shows that tonicaine displays a higher affinity for the local anesthetic binding site than does lidocaine;in vivo testing indicates that tonicaine elicits sensory blockade of a duration significantly longer than that elicited by bupivacaine. Tonicaine, however, has a narrow therapeutic index, with substantial neurotoxicity at 1 mm in rats, and may have limited clinical value.
MIP‐3α/CCL20 in Renal Transplantation and Its Possible Involvement as Dendritic Cell Chemoattractant in Allograft Rejection

Graft‐infiltrating dendritic cells (DC) and alloreactive T lymphocytes play a critical role in renal allograft rejection. Renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (TEC) are considered as active players in the attraction of leukocytes during renal inflammatory responses. Macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)‐3α/CCL20 is a major chemokine expressed by epithelial cells that attracts immature DC. In the present study, we present evidence that also the transplanted kidney can be a major source of MIP‐3α/CCL20. Renal transplant recipients with rejection showed significantly increased excretion of urinary MIP‐3α/CCL20 that correlated with transplant function. The tubular staining for MIP‐3α/CCL20 in renal biopsies of patients with rejection as well as in vitro studies with primary human TEC indicated that TEC might be responsible for the increased urinary MIP‐3α/CCL20. Furthermore, MIP‐3α/CCL20 produced by activated TEC was highly potent in the attraction of CD1a+CD34+‐derived DC precursors. These data suggest a role for MIP‐3α/CCL20 in amplification of the immune response during renal allograft rejection by attraction of CCR6+ inflammatory cells, which may include DC, to the site of inflammation.
Differences in Mechanisms of Failure, Intraoperative Findings, and Surgical Characteristics Between Single- and Multiple-Revision ACL Reconstructions

Background: The factors that lead to patients failing multiple anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions are not well understood. Hypothesis: Multiple-revision ACL reconstruction will have different characteristics than first-time revision in terms of previous and current graft selection, mode of failure, chondral/meniscal injuries, and surgical charactieristics. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A prospective multicenter ACL revision database was utilized for the time period from March 2006 to June 2011. Patients were divided into those who underwent a single-revision ACL reconstruction and those who underwent multiple-revision ACL reconstructions. The primary outcome variable was Marx activity level. Primary data analyses between the groups included a comparison of graft type, perceived mechanism of failure, associated injury (meniscus, ligament, and cartilage), reconstruction type, and tunnel position. Data were compared by analysis of variance with a post hoc Tukey test. Results: A total of 1200 patients (58% men; median age, 26 years) were enrolled, with 1049 (87%) patients having a primary revision and 151 (13%) patients having a second or subsequent revision. Marx activity levels were significantly higher (9.77) in the primary-revision group than in those patients with multiple revisions (6.74). The most common cause of reruptures was a traumatic, noncontact ACL graft injury in 55% of primary-revision patients; 25% of patients had a nontraumatic, gradual-onset recurrent injury, and 11% had a traumatic, contact injury. In the multiple-revision group, a nontraumatic, gradual-onset injury was the most common cause of recurrence (47%), followed by traumatic noncontact (35%) and nontraumatic sudden onset (11%) (P < .01 between groups). Chondral injuries in the medial compartment were significantly more common in the multiple-revision group than in the single-revision group, as were chondral injuries in the patellofemoral compartment. Conclusion: Patients with multiple-revision ACL reconstructions had lower activity levels, were more likely to have chondral injuries in the medial and patellofemoral compartments, and had a high rate of a nontraumatic, recurrent injury of their graft.
Ionic mechanisms of action of prion protein fragment PrP(106–126) in rat basal forebrain neurons

Prion diseases are neurodegenerative disorders that are characterized by the presence of the misfolded prion protein (PrP). Neurotoxicity in these diseases may result from prion‐induced modulation of ion channel function, changes in neuronal excitability, and consequent disruption of cellular homeostasis. We therefore examined PrP effects on a suite of potassium (K+) conductances that govern excitability of basal forebrain neurons. Our study examined the effects of a PrP fragment [PrP(106–126), 50 nM] on rat neurons using the patch clamp technique. In this paradigm, PrP(106–126) peptide, but not the “scrambled” sequence of PrP(106–126), evoked a reduction of whole‐cell outward currents in a voltage range between –30 and +30 mV. Reduction of whole‐cell outward currents was significantly attenuated in Ca2+‐free external media and also in the presence of iberiotoxin, a blocker of calcium‐activated potassium conductance. PrP(106–126) application also evoked a depression of the delayed rectifier (IK) and transient outward (IA) potassium currents. By using single cell RT‐PCR, we identified the presence of two neuronal chemical phenotypes, GABAergic and cholinergic, in cells from which we recorded. Furthermore, cholinergic and GABAergic neurons were shown to express Kv4.2 channels. Our data establish that the central region of PrP, defined by the PrP(106–126) peptide used at nanomolar concentrations, induces a reduction of specific K+ channel conductances in basal forebrain neurons. These findings suggest novel links between PrP signalling partners inferred from genetic experiments, K+ channels, and PrP‐mediated neurotoxicity. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neutralizing antibodies against hepatitis C virus and the emergence of neutralization escape mutant viruses

We developed an in vitro assay for antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV) that bind to virions and prevent initiation of the replication cycle in susceptible cells in vitro. These antibodies therefore appear to be capable of neutralizing the virus. Using this assay and a standard inoculum of HCV of known infectivity, we have measured the antibody in serial serum samples obtained from the same chronically infected patient over 14 years following onset of his hepatitis. Such antibody was found in sera collected within 5 years of onset of hepatitis but not in later sera. In double immunoprecipitation experiments with anti-human immunoglobulin, the same sera that contained neutralizing antibody were found to contain antibody that bound to HCV to form antigen-antibody complexes immunoprecipitable with anti-human globulin. Similarly, plasma collected from this patient in 1990, 13 years after onset of hepatitis, and which contained HCV that had diverged genetically from the 1977 strain, did not contain antibody capable of neutralizing either the 1977 or the 1990 strain of HCV. However, plasma collected a year later (1991, 14 years after onset of hepatitis) contained neutralizing antibody to the 1990, but not the 1977, strain of HCV. These results suggest that HCV does induce antivirion antibody, as measured by blocking of initiation of the replication cycle of virus in cells and by the formation of immunoprecipitable antigen-antibody complexes but that these antibodies are isolate specific and change over time. Thus, these antivirion antibodies function as neutralizing antibodies and are probably in vitro correlates of the attempt of the host to contain the emergence of neutralization-resistant variants of HCV over time.
Study of ascending aortic elasticity in the Chinese population with a high risk of aortic diseases.

PURPOSE To analyze aortic elastic properties (AEP) characteristics, dissection and elastic data of ascending aorta (AA) in the population with a high risk of aortic diseases. METHODS Forty five patients with artery diseases undergoing aortic digital subtraction angiography (DSA) were enrolled in this study. The maximal, minimal diameter and changes in diameter of ascending and descending aorta were measured, and the aortic stiffness index (ASI) and aortic distensibility (AD) were calculated. RESULTS The mean changes in diameter were (2.34 ± 0.95), (1.6 ± 0.71), (1.65 ± 0.68) and (0.99 ± 0.28) mm. The ASI of D1-D4 aorta was (9.67 ± 5.02), (15.54 ± 7.85), (13.78 ± 6.45) and (15.53 ± 4.74). AD (mmHg(-1)) × 10(-3) of D1-D4 aorta was (2.76 ± 1.65), (1.76 ± 1.15), (1.94 ± 1.23) and (1.33 ± 0.40). The ratio of diameter difference/minimal diameter was (7.18 ± 3.21), (4.6 ± 2.3), (4.96 ± 2.22) and (3.86 ± 1.16). The tapered angle of D2-D3 aorta was (2.47 ± 1.80)°. The maximal and minimal diameters of D1 aorta significantly differed between male and female subjects. CONCLUSION DSA and artery pressure accurately measure the changes in diameter and artery pressure of aorta along with single beat. Aortic ASI and AD could be accurately calculated to precisely analyze AEP. Over aging and arteriosclerosis development, D2 aorta is the most vulnerable to elasticity attenuation, whereas D1 aorta is the least vulnerable part with certain elasticity.
Role of the carbohydrate moiety in the antigenic site(s) of human serum low-density lipoprotein.

Radioimmunoassay techniques have been used to evaluate the contribution of the carbohydrate moiety to the immunological reactivity of human serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Low-density lipoprotein (d = 1.024--1.045 g/mL) was isolated from normolipidemic serum by ultracentrifugal flotation. Radioimmunoassay was performed with 125I-labeled LDL and several homologous antisera, each corresponding to different periods (1--18 weeks) of immunization and thus containing various antibody populations. Unlabeled LDL and different monosaccharides characteristic to this particle, i.e., mannose, sialic acid, glucose, N-acetylglucosamine, galactose, N-acetylgalactosamine, and fucose, were used as competitors in the binding of the labeled antigen with antibody. In the reaction with antisera corresponding to the highest antibody titer, unlabeled LDL, sialic acid, and mannose inhibited the binding of labeled LDL up to 62%, 25%, and 16%, respectively; a low degree of inhibition (some 13%) was occasionally obtained with glucose. Galactose, galactosamine, glucosamine, and fucose failed to compete with labeled LDL. Studies with antisera corresponding to different periods of immunization (2, 4, and 8 weeks) indicated that antibodies reacting with mannose appeared early (maximum 31% inhibition at 2 weeks), disappearing at 6--8 weeks; in contrast, antibodies reacting with sialic acid augmented progressively (10% inhibition at 2 weeks, 20% at 4 weeks, and 35% at the end of the immunization). These data are consistent with the conclusion that sialic acid and mannose, the terminal residues of LDL glycopeptides I and II [Swaminathan, N. , & Aladjem, F. (1976) Biochemistry 15, 1516--1621], are implicated in the antigenic site(s) of LDL.
Ultrastructural and immunocytochemical analysis of the circuitry of two putative directionally selective ganglion cells in turtle retina

Two well‐stained, horseradish peroxidase‐filled varieties of putative ON‐OFF directionally selective ganglion cells, G14a and G15, that project to the dorsolateral optic tectum (Guiloff and Kolb [1992a] Vis. Neurosci. 8:295–313) were studied qualitatively and quantitatively. Both were bistratified ganglion cells with one tier of dendrites; in the OFF sublamina and the other in the ON sublamina of the inner plexiform layer (IPL). The cells were serially sectioned and examined for synaptic inputs by electron microscopy. Portions of the dendritic trees were also analyzed after postembedding immunocytochemistry for neurotransmitter candidates gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), and glutamate in presynaptic neurons.
The Accurate Focusing and Resolution Analysis Method in Geosynchronous SAR

In Geosynchronous SAR (GEO SAR), because of the increase of orbit height, the signal propagation delay time reaches up to hundreds of milliseconds, and the synthetic aperture time also reaches up to hundreds of seconds which will result in a curved synthetic aperture trajectory, thus the “Stop-and-Go” assumption and conventional imaging methods of low earth orbit SAR (LEO SAR) will lose effect in GEO SAR. In addition, because the angular velocity of earth rotation is approximately equal to that of satellite rotation, the Doppler parameter and resolution analysis in LEO SAR cannot be directly used too in GEO SAR either. In this paper, firstly, the accurate slant range model in GEO SAR is created based on the consideration of the error of “Stop-and-Go” assumption, and then the improved imaging method is proposed to compensate for the error of “Stop-and-Go” assumption and the effect of the curved synthetic aperture trajectory. Finally, based on the generalized ambiguity function (GAF) and projection theory, the accurate Doppler gradient vector is analytically obtained based on the consideration of earth rotation in GEO SAR, and the accurate resolution calculation in arbitrary direction is also derived in detail. All the simulation results verify the correctness and effectiveness of the proposed imaging method and resolution analysis method.
Low-Leakage Bidirectional SCR With Symmetrical Trigger Circuit for ESD Protection in 40-nm CMOS Process

This paper presents a novel bidirectional electrostatic discharge protection device based on a dual silicon-controlled rectifier with a symmetrical trigger circuit. The proposed device has been realized and verified in a 40-nm CMOS process, which can pass a 3.75-kV HBM and a 250-V MM with a very low standby leakage current of ~27 nA at 25 °C and a bias voltage of 0.9 V with a silicon footprint of only 13 μm × 100 μm.
The Econometrics and Economics of Education

This thesis contains three essays spanning the fields of econometrics and the economics of education. The first is a methodological essay wherein I propose a solution to the test score measurement problem. Test scores that measure the same skill or trait are often scaled differently. I propose a statistical methodology to express test scores in a standard format to make them comparable across different tests. While other methods to standardize scores exist, the method I develop avoids several statistical pitfalls that commonly befall other procedures. The second chapter is an applied paper examining the question of whether academic achievement increases when students are the same race as their teacher. I pay particular attention to the effects of same-race teachers on academic achievement in both the short and medium run. Using a model that takes into account past school inputs, I find positive effects of racial matching on student achievement; moreover, these benefits persist with time. The third is a methodological piece that develops a technique to answer the question of whether one can be confident that a statistical estimate of something such as a mean or a regression parameter estimate lies between two points. The procedure has desirable statistical properties, and is ideally suited for use when testing for the existence of zero or near-zero effects.
The Influence of Enduring Involvement on Tragedy-Related Tourism Experiences

This study examines the effect of enduring involvement (EI) on visitor experiences, including the benefit gained, in the context of tragedy-related tourism in South Korea. It also scrutinizes an important visitor characteristic of tragedy-related tourism experiences: “connection to the site or the tragic event. ” Semi-structured interviews were conducted across three key informant groups: Jeju Islanders with some connection to the incident; Jeju Islanders with no connection to the incident; and non-Jeju Islanders. These data were used to form the basis of an analysis that indicates that the level of enduring involvement is related to the benefit gained from tragedy-related tourism or dark tourism experiences. Enduring involvement differs significantly by age, place of origin, and education level, although not by gender. The findings are informative for the effective development and management of tragic heritage tourism products and attractions in terms of segmentation of visitors, and for the understanding of visitor behaviors.
Effectiveness of quality improvement: learning from evaluations

The effectiveness of many quality improvement interventions has been studied, and research suggests that most have highly variable effects which depend heavily on the context in which they are used and the way they are implemented. This has three important implications. Firstly, it means that the approach to quality improvement used in an organisation probably matters less than how and by whom it is used. Rather than taking up, trying, and then discarding a succession of different quality improvement techniques, organisations should probably choose one carefully and then persevere to make it work. Secondly, future research into quality improvement interventions should be directed more at understanding how and why they work—the determinants of effectiveness—rather than measuring whether they work. Thirdly, some element of evaluation should be incorporated into every quality improvement programme so that its effectiveness can be monitored and the information can be used to improve the systems for improvement.
Analysis of inter-turn fault symptoms for the converter-fed induction motor based on the phase-shift calculation

In this paper a stator fault detection method based on monitoring of the phase shift between the line currents and phase voltages of the converter-fed induction motor is presented. The phase shift analysis is used as an indicator of the stator-fault-progression level. The mathematical model of induction motor, which includes the stator-winding fault is presented. The fault level is modeled by change of a number of shorted stator-winding turns. Next the new fault indicator is introduced. Comparison of simulation and experimental results of the converter-fed induction motor for different number of shorted turns and different load torque conditions is shown. Proper fault severity is obtained with the proposed fault indicator.
Identification of fibrocytes in postburn hypertrophic scar

Fibrocytes are a unique leukocyte subpopulation implicated in wound healing. They are derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells, display fibroblast‐like properties, and synthesize extracellular matrix macromolecules. This study investigated whether fibrocytes are present in healing burn wounds and whether the number of fibrocytes in tissue correlates with the degree of burn injury and the development of hypertrophic scar. Proteins extracted from cultured fibrocytes and nonadherent lymphocytes were found to be similar using two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis and quite distinct from those obtained from fibroblasts. However, one protein, identified as leukocyte‐specific protein 1 using mass spectrometric peptide mapping, was found in significantly larger amounts in fibrocytes than in lymphocytes but was undetectable in fibroblasts. Double immunostaining with antibodies to leukocyte‐specific protein‐1 and to the N‐terminal propeptide of type I collagen was performed on cryosections of hypertrophic scar, mature scar, and normal skin. Fibrocytes were seen in scar tissue as dual‐labeled spindle‐shaped cells but were absent from normal skin. Moreover, the number of fibrocytes was higher in hypertrophic than in mature scar tissue. We conclude that fibrocytes, which have been reported to be antigen‐presenting cells, are recruited to wounds following extensive burn injury and could potentially upregulate the inflammatory response and synthesize collagen and other matrix macromolecules, thus contributing to the development of hypertrophic scarring.