pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
High Accuracy Volume Flow Rate Measurement Using Vortex Counting

A prototype device for measuring the volumetric flow-rate by counting vortices has been designed and realized. It consists of a square-section pipe in which are placed a two-dimensional bluff body and a strain gauge force sensor. These two elements are separated from each other, unlike the majority of vortex apparatus currently available. The principle is based on the generation of a separated wake behind the bluff body. The volumetric flow-rate measurement is done by counting vortices using a flat plate placed in the wake and attached to the beam sensor. By optimizing the geometrical arrangement, the search for a significant signal has shown that it was possible to get a quasi-periodic signal, within a good range of flow rates so that its performances are well deduced. The repeatability of the value of the volume of fluid passed for every vortex shed is tested for a given flow and then the accuracy of the measuring device is determined. This quantity is the constant of the device and is called the digital volume (V_p). It has the dimension of a volume and varies with the confinement of the flow and with the Reynolds number. Therefore, a dimensionless quantity is introduced, the reduced digital volume (V_r) that takes into account the average speed in the contracted section downstream of the bluff body. The reduced digital volume is found to be independent of the confinement in a significant range of Reynolds numbers, which gives the device a good accuracy
Parametric global optimisation for bilevel programming

Abstract  We propose a global optimisation approach for the solution of various classes of bilevel programming problems (BLPP) based on recently developed parametric programming algorithms. We first describe how we can recast and solve the inner (follower’s) problem of the bilevel formulation as a multi-parametric programming problem, with parameters being the (unknown) variables of the outer (leader’s) problem. By inserting the obtained rational reaction sets in the upper level problem the overall problem is transformed into a set of independent quadratic, linear or mixed integer linear programming problems, which can be solved to global optimality. In particular, we solve bilevel quadratic and bilevel mixed integer linear problems, with or without right-hand-side uncertainty. A number of examples are presented to illustrate the steps and details of the proposed global optimisation strategy.http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10898-006-9100-
Decreased Susceptibility of Heart Mitochondria from Diabetic GK Rats to Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Induced by Calcium Phosphate

Type 2 diabetes (or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, NIDDM) is a common metabolic disease in man. The Goto–Kakizaki (GK) rat has been designed as a NIDDM model. Previous studies with this strain have shown differences at the mitochondrial level. The mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) is a widely studied phenomenon but yet poorly understood, that leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death. The aim of this work was to compare the differences in susceptibility of induction of the MPT with calcium phosphate in GK and Wistar rats. Our results show that heart mitochondria from GK rats are less susceptible to the induction of MPT, and show a larger calcium accumulation before the overall loss of mitochondrial impermeability.http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:101048201754
Role of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5 in the Neurodegenerative Process Triggered by Amyloid-Beta and Prion Peptides: Implications for Alzheimer’s Disease and Prion-Related Encephalopathies

Abstract  Tau hyperphosphorylation, amyloid plaques, and neuronal death are major neuropathological features of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Prion-related encephalopathies (PRE). Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) is a serine/threonine kinase, active in post-mitotic neurons, where it regulates survival and death pathways. Overactivation of Cdk5 is conferred by p25, a truncated fragment of the p35 activator formed upon calpain activation. Cdk5 deregulation causes abnormal phosphorylation of microtubule-associated protein tau, leading to neurodegeneration. In this work we investigated the involvement of Cdk5 in the neurodegeneration triggered by amyloid-beta (Aß) and prion (PrP) peptides, the culprit agents of AD and PRE. As a work model, we used cultured rat cortical neurons treated with Aß1–40 and PrP106–126 synthetic peptides. The obtained data show that apoptotic neuronal death caused by both the peptides was in part due to Cdk5 deregulation. After peptide treatment, p25 levels were significantly enhanced in a pattern consistent with the augment in calpain activity. Moreover, Aß1–40 and PrP106–126 increased the levels of tau protein phosphorylated at Ser202/Thr205. Cdk5 (roscovitine) and calpain (MDL28170) inhibitors reverted tau hyperphosphorylation and prevented neuronal death caused by Aß1–40 and PrP106–126. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that Cdk5 is involved in PrP-neurotoxicity. Altogether, our data suggests that Cdk5 plays an active role in the pathogenesis of AD and PRE.http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10571-007-9224-
Molecular cloning and characterization of an amidase from Arabidopsis thaliana capable of converting indole-3-acetamide into the plant growth hormone, indole-3-acetic acid

Acylamidohydrolases from higher plants have not been characterized or cloned so far. AtAMI1 is the first member of this enzyme family from a higher plant and was identified in the genome of Arabidopsis thaliana based on sequence homology with the catalytic-domain sequence of bacterial acylamidohydrolases, particularly those that exhibit indole-3-acetamide amidohydrolase activity. AtAMI1 polypeptide and mRNA are present in leaf tissues, as shown by immunoblotting and RT-PCR, respectively. AtAMI1 was expressed from its cDNA in enzymatically active form and exhibits substrate specificity for indole-3-acetamide, but also some activity against l-asparagine. The recombinant enzyme was characterized further. The results show that higher plants have acylamidohydrolases with properties similar to the enzymes of certain plant-associated bacteria such as Agrobacterium-, Pseudomonas- and Rhodococcus-species, in which these enzymes serve to synthesize the plant growth hormone, indole-3-acetic acid, utilized by the bacteria to colonize their host plants. As indole-3-acetamide is a native metabolite in Arabidopsis thaliana, it can no longer be ruled out that one pathway for the biosynthesis of indole-3-acetic acid involves indole-3-acetamide-hydrolysis by AtAMI1
Silencing microRNA-134 produces neuroprotective and prolonged seizure-suppressive effects

Temporal lobe epilepsy is a common, chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent spontaneous seizures. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNAs that regulate post-transcriptional expression of protein-coding mRNAs, which may have key roles in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders. In experimental models of prolonged, injurious seizures (status epilepticus) and in human epilepsy, we found upregulation of miR-134, a brain-specific, activity-regulated miRNA that has been implicated in the control of dendritic spine morphology. Silencing of miR-134 expression in vivo using antagomirs reduced hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neuron dendrite spine density by 21% and rendered mice refractory to seizures and hippocampal injury caused by status epilepticus. Depletion of miR-134 after status epilepticus in mice reduced the later occurrence of spontaneous seizures by over 90% and mitigated the attendant pathological features of temporal lobe epilepsy. Thus, silencing miR-134 exerts prolonged seizure-suppressant and neuroprotective actions; determining whether these are anticonvulsant effects or are truly antiepileptogenic effects requires additional experimentation
Energy consumption and intensity of toll highway transport\ud
in Spain

We estimate the energy consumption of toll highway transport on a number of Spanish roads. Regression parameters are balanced according to coefficients from an empirical analysis based on survey data by vehicle type. The mean energy consumption and subsequent CO2 emissions on the toll highway sections are estimated as 1895 MJ/h/lane-km and 0.15 tCO2 eq./h/lane-km, values that increase to 2644 and 0.22 when energy and carbon emissions of transport infrastructure are considered based on the life cycle energy consumption for toll highway construction and use. If the energy intensity of infrastructure construction is allocated to the users according to traffic, it is much higher for motorcycles than for cars, and is significantly lower for articulated trucks than for vans
Brain injury MRI simulator based on theoretical models of neuroanatomic damage

In order to improve the body of knowledge about brain injury impairment is essential to develop image database with different types of injuries. This paper proposes a new methodology to model three types of brain injury: stroke, tumor and traumatic brain injury; and implements a system to navigate among simulated MRI studies. These studies can be used on research studies, to validate new processing methods and as an educational tool, to show different types of brain injury and how they affect to neuroanatomic structures
Performance assessment of an architecture with adaptative interfaces for people with special needs

People in industrial societies carry more and more portable electronic devices (e.g., smartphone or console) with some kind of wireles connectivity support. Interaction with auto-discovered target devices present in the environment (e.g., the air conditioning of a hotel) is not so easy since devices may provide inaccessible user interfaces\ud
(e.g., in a foreign language that the user cannot\ud
understand). Scalability for multiple concurrent users and response times are still problems in this domain. In this paper, we assess an interoperable architecture, which enables interaction between people with some kind of special need and their environment. The assessment, based on performance patterns and antipatterns, tries to detect\ud
performance issues and also tries to enhance the architecture design for improving system performance. As a result of the assessment, the initial design changed substantially. We refactorized the design according to the Fast Path pattern and The Ramp antipattern. Moreover,\ud
resources were correctly allocated. Finally, the required response time was fulfilled in all system scenarios. For a specific scenario, response time was reduced from 60 seconds to less than 6 seconds
Effects of nutrition on digestión efficiency and gaseous emissions from slurry in growing pigs: III. Influence of varying the dietary level of calcium soap of palm fatty acids distillate with or without orange pulp supplemention

The aim of this study was to establish the relationships between faecal fat concentration and gaseous emissions from pig slurry. Five diets were designed to meet essential nutrient requirements: a control and four experimental feeds including two levels (35 or 70 g/kg) of calcium soap fatty acids distillate (CSP) and 0 or 200 g/kg of orange pulp (OP) combined in a 2 × 2 factorial structure. Thirty growing pigs (six per treatment) were used to measure dry matter (DM) and N balance, coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of nutrients, faecal and urine composition and potential emissions of ammonia (NH3) and methane (CH4). Increasing dietary CSP level decreased DM, ether extract (EE) and crude protein (CP) CTTAD (by 4.0, 11.1 and 3.5%, respectively, P < 0.05), but did not influence those of fibrous constituents. It also led to a decrease (from 475 to 412 g/kg DM, P < 0.001) of faecal concentration of neutral detergent fibre (aNDFom) and to an increment (from 138 to 204 g/kg, P < 0.001) of EE in faecal DM that was related to greater CH4 emissions, both per gram of organic matter (P = 0.021) or on a daily basis (P < 0.001). Level of CSP did not affect N content in faeces or urine, but increased daily DM (P < 0.001), and N (P = 0.031) faecal excretion with no effect on urine N excretion. This resulted in lesser (P = 0.036) NH3 potential emission per kg of slurry. Addition of OP decreased CTTAD of EE (by 7.9%, P = 0.044), but increased (P < 0.05) that of all the fibrous fractions. As a consequence, faecal EE content increased (from 165 to 177 g/kg DM; P = 0.012), and aNDFom decreased greatly (from 483 to 404 g/kg DM, P < 0.001), which in all resulted in a lack of effect of OP on CH4 potential emission. Inclusion of OP in the diet also led to a significant decrease of CP CTTAD (by 6.85%, P < 0.001), and to an increase of faecal CP concentration (from 174 to 226 g/kg DM, P < 0.001), with no significant influence on urine N content. These effects resulted in higher N faecal losses, especially those of the undigested dietary origin, without significant effects on potential NH3 emission. No significant interactions between CSP and OP supplementation were observed for the gaseous emissions measured
Spectral network based on component cells under the SOPHIA European project

In the frame of the European project SOPHIA, a spectral network based on component (also called isotypes) cells has been created. Among the members of this project, several spectral sensors based on component cells and collimating tubes, so-called spectroheliometers, were installed in the last years, allowing the collection of minute-resolution spectral data useful for CPV systems characterization across Europe. The use of spectroheliometers has been proved useful to establish the necessary spectral conditions to perform power rating of CPV modules and systems. If enough data in a given period of time is collected, ideally a year, it is possible to characterize spectrally the place where measurements are taken, in the same way that hours of annual irradiation can be estimated using a pyrheliometer
Is It Ethnic Fractionalization or Social Exclusion, which affects Social Cohesion?

The theory about missing links of economic growth often lags behind the empirical estimations of such links. A consensus has emerged that ethnic fractionalization has a negative impact on growth, also when controlled for income inequality. Often, although implicitly, the assumed channel is social cohesion. We analyse the effect of fractionalization on social cohesion with a different inequality measure, namely a social measure of inequality: the Inclusion of Minorities Index. Our results indicate that it is social exclusion, which reduces social cohesion, rather than diversity as such. We conclude that future studies of social cohesion and its relation to growth may benefit from using measures of social exclusion next to ethnic diversity
Examining Customer Relationship Management from a management fashion perspective

-Despite mixed performance reviews and experiences, customer relationship management (CRM) is among the most widely used and discussed management ideas by managers around the world. Commentators have noted that CRM has become “big business” and that there are many commercial actors selling CRM solutions. Despite such observations, little academic research has examined CRM using theories about management fads and fashions. Using management fashion theory as an analytical
lens, this paper casts lights on the emergence and evolution of the market for CRM. The analysis of the supply side of CRM shows that many different actors have been involved,
e.g. consulting firms, software vendors, industry analyst firms, and conference organizers. On the demand side, the interest in and usage of CRM remains relatively high despite
mixed implementation experiences and failure cases. Based on the analysis, CRM has yet to enter into a downturn phase as is typical of transient management fashions. The longevity and staying power of the CRM fashion can partly be explained by institutional activities carried out by software firms, consultants, and IT industry analysts in training and certifying users, and in developing various complementary products and services. However, similar to what has been observed in relation to other management idea movements, a continuing high number of high-profile failure cases could “wear out” CRM. Therefore, the extent to which organizations are able to capitalize on CRM will likely shape the future trajectory of the CRM idea
Univalent Foundations as Structuralist Foundations

The Univalent Foundations of Mathematics (UF) provide not only an entirely non-Cantorian conception of the basic objects of mathematics (“homotopy types” instead of “sets”) but also a novel account of how foundations ought to relate to mathematical practice. In this paper, I intend to answer the question: In what way is UF a new foundation of mathematics? I will begin by connecting UF to a pragmatist reading of the structuralist thesis in the philosophy of mathematics, which I will use to define a criterion that a formal system must satisfy if it is to be regarded as a “structuralist foundation.” I will explain why neither set-theoretic foundations like ZFC nor category-theoretic foundations like ETCS are structuralist in my sense, essentially because of an undue emphasis on ontology at the expense of language. Then I will argue that UF is better-able to live up to the proposed criterion for a structuralist foundation than any currently available foundational proposal. First, by showing that most criteria of identity in the practice of mathematics can be formalized in terms of the preferred criterion of identity between the basic objects of UF (“homotopy equivalence”). Second, by countering several objections that have been raised against UF’s capacity to serve as a foundation for the whole of mathematics
Moments of the latitudinal dependence of the sunspot cycle : a new diagnostic of dynamo models

All A&A articles are in open access ONE year after their publication date (August 2013)Aims. The latitude-distribution of solar activity as represented by sunspots is studied.
Methods. We first determined the latitudinal distribution of a sunspot cycle by integrating the butterfly diagram at each latitude over the length of each cycle. We then formed the five lowest moments of the latitudinal distribution of all complete sunspot cycles since 1874 and compared these moments with each other.
Results. The three lowest moments correlate remarkably well with each other. For example, the mean latitude of the sunspots during a cycle and the latitude range are correlated at the 0.96 level. A clear asymmetry is seen between the two hemispheres, with the southern solar hemisphere showing consistently stronger and more positive correlations than the northern hemisphere. When applied to different simple dynamo models, the same analysis reveals significant differences between the models and demonstrates that such moments are a useful diagnostic in distinguishing between dynamo models. Remarkably, dynamos without a meridional flow provide results closer to those of the Sun’s northern hemisphere, while a dynamo with a meridional flow produces fields more like those in the Sun’s southern hemisphere. This may provide a clue to the cause of the well-known north-south asymmetry of solar activity
Changes in resting-state functionally connected parieto-frontal networks after videogame practice

Neuroimaging studies provide evidence for organized intrinsic activity under task-free conditions. This activity serves functionally relevant brain systems supporting cognition. Here, we analyze changes in resting-state functional connectivity after videogame practice applying a test–retest design. Twenty young females were selected from a group of 100 participants tested on four standardized cognitive ability tests. The practice and control groups were carefully matched on their ability scores. The practice group played during two sessions per week across 4 weeks (16 h total) under strict supervision in the laboratory, showing systematic performance improvements in the game. A group independent component analysis (GICA) applying multisession temporal concatenation on test–retest resting-state fMRI, jointly with a dual-regression approach, was computed. Supporting the main hypothesis, the key finding reveals an increased correlated activity during rest in certain predefined resting state networks (albeit using uncorrected statistics) attributable to practice with the cognitively demanding tasks of the videogame. Observed changes were mainly concentrated on parietofrontal networks involved in heterogeneous cognitive functions
Trade size clustering and the cost of trading at the London Stock Exchange

For the London Stock Exchange, this paper investigates differences in trading costs between market maker (off-book) and order book trades, in the context of clustering in trade sizes and prices. We report several substantial findings. Even after controlling for differences in trade size, the realised spread measure is lower for off-book trades. For the order book, trade size clustering is not associated with differences in transaction costs nor with differences in the information content of trades. For the off-book market, trades in clustered (popular) sizes carry significantly more information than non-clustered trades. Despite the significant differences in the price impact estimates between the order book and off-book, we show that traders placing large orders off-book are still better off than trading via the order book as they benefit from a large discount from the current midpoint price. Additionally, we highlight that price and size clustering tend to occur simultaneously rather than being substitutes in this market setting
Estimating gluconeogenesis by NMR isotopomer distribution analysis of [13 C]bicarbonate and [-1  13C]lactate

The gluconeogenic contribution to glucose production in livers isolated from rats fasted for 24 h was determined by 13C-NMR isotopomer distribution analysis of secreted glucose enriched from 99% [13C]bicarbonate (n = 4) and 99% [1-13C]lactate (n = 4). Experiments with 3% 2H2O were also performed, allowing the gluconeogenic contribution to be measured by the relative 2H enrichments at positions 5 and 2 of glucose. From 13C-NMR analyses, the contribution of gluconeogenesis to glucose output was estimated to be 93 ± 3% for [13C]bicarbonate perfusion and 91 ± 3% for [1-13C]lactate perfusion, in good agreement with the 2H-NMR analysis of the gluconeogenic contribution to glucose production (100 ± 1% and 99 ± 1%, respectively) and consistent with the expected negligible contribution from glycogenolysis. These results indicate that 13C-NMR analysis of glucose 13C-isotopomer distribution from either [13C]bicarbonate or [1-13C]lactate precursor provides realistic estimates of the gluconeogenic contribution to hepatic glucose output. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/nbm.119
Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Portuguese version of the Knee Outcome Survey-Activities of Daily Living Scale (KOS-ADLS)

Abstract  The objective of this study was to cross-culturally adapt and validate the Portuguese version of the Knee Outcome Survey-Activities of Daily Living Scale (KOS-ADLS). This version was obtained with forward/backward translations, consensus panels and pre-testing. The Portuguese KOS-ADLS and Medical Outcomes Study, 36-item Short Form (SF-36) questionnaires, visual analogue scales (VAS) of pain, disability and discomfort, and a form for patient’s characteristics were administered to 168 subjects with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Reliability was acceptable (Cronbach’s alpha?=?0.91; ICC?=?0.97). There were significant correlations with SF-36 physical component subscales, all VAS, and duration of knee OA. The subjects with bilateral knee OA and that need walking aids obtained lower scores (p?<?0.001). No floor/ceiling effects were detected. Responsiveness to physical therapy was showed (standardized effect size?=?0.62; standardized response mean?=?1.02). The Portuguese KOS-ADLS evidenced acceptable reliability, validity, floor/ceiling effects, and responsiveness.http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10067-008-0996-