Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A novel multi-articular leg mechanism for biped robots inspired by bi-articular muscle

This paper proposes a novel multi-articular leg system for biped robot. The structure and actuation scheme of the mechanism are inspired by redundantly-actuated manipulators, of which actuators span over multiple joints like bi-articular muscles. The proposed mechanism for robotic leg contributes to improved capacity in end-effector force exertion, which allows less performance requirements in individual actuators. For the purpose of evaluation, we provide the static torque-force transmission analysis, as well as walking simulation results conducted in the dynamic simulator. The results indicate that the proposed mechanism can benefit from the improved output force capacity.
The influence of the extent of excluded volume interactions on the linear viscoelastic properties of dilute polymer solutions

The Rouse model has recently been modified to take into account the excluded volume interactions that exist between various parts of a polymer chain by incorporating a narrow Gaussian repulsive potential between pairs of beads on the Rouse chain (cond-mat/0002448). The narrow Gaussian potential is characterized by two parameters: z* - which accounts for the strength of the interaction, and d* - which accounts for the extent of the interaction. In the limit of d* going to zero, the narrow Gaussian potential tends to the more commonly used delta-function repulsive potential. The influence of the parameter d*, in the limit of infinite chain length, on equilibrium and linear viscoelastic properties, and on universal ratios involving these properties, is examined here. A renormalization group calculation of the end-to-end vector suggests that the value chosen for the variable d* will not affect critical exponents, or universal ratios. A similar trend is also observed for results obtained with an approximate solution, which is based on the assumption that the non-equilibrium configurational distribution function is Gaussian.
On optimization algorithms for the design of multiband cognitive radio networks

We consider the problem of joint admission control and power allocation in a multiband cognitive radio network (CRN) coexisting with multiple narrowband primary systems, and investigate two separate optimization problems: i) sum-rate maximization under primary user (PU) and secondary user (SU) quality of service (QoS) constraints; ii) sum-rate maximization and power minimization under PU and SU QoS constraints. We first show that these problems are NP-hard. Then we propose three different suboptimal algorithms for the first problem based on convex relaxation with tree pruning (CRTP), convex relaxation with gradual removal (CRGR) and genetic algorithms (GA). These algorithms offer different tradeoffs in terms of goodness of their solutions and computational complexity. For the second problem, we propose a multiobjective evolutionary algorithm which can generate a Pareto front in a time-efficient manner. Simulation results are provided to evaluate the proposed algorithms.
Assessment of cognitive function in patients with alcohol dependence: A cross-sectional study

Background: This study aimed to evaluate cognition in patients with alcohol dependence. During the past decade, there has been an increasing interest in the evaluation of cognitive function in substance use disorders. Substance use includes the use of licit substance such as alcohol, tobacco, and diversion of drugs as well as illicit substances. Alcohol in beverage form is among the most widely used psychoactive drugs in the world, and it has dependence-producing properties. Ethanol in alcohol is a chemical and after consumption has a multitude of effects. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the cognitive functions in patients with alcohol dependence as compared to the normal controls using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Materials and Methods: This study included 44 patients with alcohol dependence diagnosed as per international classification of disease tenth edition criteria with a mean age of 43.61 ± 7.38. Cognition was tested using a sensitive battery of psychometric testing MMSE and MoCA. Results: Compared with healthy controls (n = 44), patients had lower total scores of cognitive testing MMSE (P = 0.010) and MoCA (P = 0.000). Conclusion: Our results indicted cognitive impairment in patients with alcohol dependence. This is important to determine prognosis and managing patients.
Job Characteristics and Job Satisfaction: Understanding the Role of Enterprise Resource

Little research has examined the impacts of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems implementation on job satisfaction. Based on a 12-month study of 2,794 employees in a telecommunications firm, we found that ERP system implementation moderated the relationships between three job characteristics (skill variety, autonomy, and feedback) and job satisfaction. Our findings highlight the key role that ERP system implementation can have in altering well-established relationships in the context of technology-enabled organizational change situations. This work also extends research on technology diffusion by moving beyond a focus on technology-centric outcomes, such as system use, to understanding broader job outcomes.
Increasing performance in byzantine fault-tolerant systems with on-demand replica consistency

Traditional agreement-based Byzantine fault-tolerant (BFT) systems process all requests on all replicas to ensure consistency. In addition to the overhead for BFT protocol and state-machine replication, this practice degrades performance and prevents throughput scalability. In this paper, we propose an extension to existing BFT architectures that increases performance for the default number of replicas by optimizing the resource utilization of their execution stages. Our approach executes a request on only a selected subset of replicas, using a selector component co-located with each replica. As this leads to divergent replica states, a selector on-demand updates outdated objects on the local replica prior to processing a request. Our evaluation shows that with each replica executing only a part of all requests, the overall performance of a Byzantine fault-tolerant NFS can be almost doubled; our prototype even outperforms unreplicated NFS.
Retrospective analysis of low-dose methadone and QTc prolongation in chronic pain patients

Background Methadone is a synthetic opioid that is widely used for the treatment of chronic pain. The association between methadone treatment and QT interval prolongation or which can lead to torsades de pointes has been confirmed with larger studies on high dose methadone. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of methadone on the QTc interval in patients, whether the daily dose of methadone should be lower than what has been previously investigated. Methods A total of 130 patients were included, with 90 patients in the methadone group and 40 patients in the control group. For each ECG, heart rate, QT interval and corrected QT (QTc) interval were recorded. The patient demographics, methadone dose and serum level, duration of methadone use and past medical history were collected. Results The QTc interval was significantly longer in the treatment group than in the control group (443 ± 30.0 ms versus 408 ± 28.0 ms, respectively, P < 0.0001) and more patients in the treatment group had a QTc interval greater than 450 ms (36.7% versus 7.5%, respectively, P = 0.0005). The QTc interval was not associated with methadone dose P = 0.9278), serum level (P = 0.2256) or duration of treatment (P = 0.1822). Conclusions This study has shown that methadone use is associated with longer QTc intervals, even among patients with daily doses of less than 80 mg. In this study, no correlation was found between QTc duration and methadone dose, serum levels or duration of use. However, the magnitude of the QTc interval was associated with female gender and the use of antidepressants.
PROVING THE LOCATION OF A MOBILE DEVICE USER

Certain location-based services seek to spontaneously authenticate user location without the need to have a pre-existing relationship with each user, or with each location provider. We introduce an intelligent infrastructure-based solution that provides spontaneous, rapid, and robust mobile device location authentication by supplementing existing 802.11x APs with femtocells. We show that by transferring data to a mobile computing device associated with a femtocell while remotely monitoring its traffic activity, a sender can verify the cooperating receiver’s location. We describe a prototype femtocell-based location authentication system we constructed, and explain how to use rate-control to construct data transmissions with distinct traffic signatures that can be reliably detected even in the presence of heavy cross-traffic introduced by other femtocell users. Neither mobile operators nor location providers need be aware that an authentication is taking place.
The enclosure of ‘waste land’: rethinking informality and dispossession

The paper contributes to the recent geographical debates on the connection between dispossession and informality. Existing scholarship recognises that informality is an integral part of capitalism. Arguments reinforcing the formal–informal dichotomy dominate research on processes of dispossession. Drawing on analyses of the struggle of waste recyclers in Beijing, this paper conceptualises informal activities in relation to circuits of capital. It contends that theories of dispossession need to be extended in order to analyse processes of enclosure in the informal economy. The conclusion discusses the potential of reconceptualising dispossession as a variegated process operating both outside and within the capitalist space.
Attention, Researchers! It Is Time to Take a Look at the Real World

Theories of attention, too often generated from artificial laboratory experiments, may have limited validity when attention in the natural world is considered. For instance, for more than two decades, conceptualizations of “reflexive” and “volitional” shifts of spatial attention have been grounded in methodologies that do not recognize or utilize the basic fact that people routinely use the eyes of other people as rich and complex attentional cues. This fact was confirmed by our novel discovery that eyes will trigger a reflexive shift of attention even when they are presented centrally and are known to be spatially nonpredictive. This exploration of real-world attention also led to our finding that, contrary to popular wisdom, arrows, like eyes, are capable of producing reflexive shifts of attention—a discovery that brings into question much of the existing attention research. We argue that research needs to be grounded in the real world and not in experimental paradigms. It is time for cognitive psychology to reaffirm the difficult task of studying attention in a manner that has relevance to real-life situations.
Witnessing intimate partner violence: Review of the literature on coping in young persons

Since the mid 1980s, there has been increasing concern about the impact that witnessing intimate partner violence (also commonly known as domestic violence or spouse abuse) has on children and young persons. In an article published in Social Work Review in 1994, Pamela Millen reviewed the international literature on children who witness such abuse and reported on strategies for intervening to ameliorate the negative consequences. This article updates her literature review, attending in particular to strengths-based and ecological perspectives that have emerged over the ensuing 15 years. Social work research and literature on dealing with trauma has come to increasingly emphasise resilience (the capacity to bounce back from adversity), protective factors (buffers against the effects of trauma) and coping (managing difficulties). This focus on resilience is also encouraging a closer look at the perspectives of survivors, including survivors of childhood abuse. In-depth qualitative research has been undertaken with children and young people in order to gain a better understanding of their perspectives and coping strategies for dealing with the challenges of living with intimate partner violence, including their use of resources in the environment. Meanwhile, quantitative research has looked at relationships between a wider array of variables, raising questions about previous simple ‘cause and effect’ conclusions about the impact of intimate partner violence on children and young people. Research and literature that specifically address issues for young persons as differentiated from children remains scant.
Relationship between Cognitive Engagement and Academic Achievement among Kenyan Secondary School Students

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between student cognitive engagement and academic achievement of secondary school students of Manga Sub County, Nyamira County, Kenya. The study was hinged on the Self Determination theoretical perspective. The mixed methods approach was employed, and within it, the concurrent triangulation design was adopted. From the target population of 1750 form four students, 35 Principals and 35 Guidance and Counselling teachers, 312 students (out of 316 expected), 11 Principals and 11 Guidance and counselling teachers were randomly sampled for the study. Questionnaires were used to collect data from the students, while interview schedules were used to collect data from Principals and Guidance and Counselling teachers. The validity of the research instruments was determined by experts from the department of Psychology and Educational Foundations of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology. Reliability was ascertained by the internal consistency method using Cronbach’s alpha, and a reliability coefficient of r above 0.7 was obtained for the questionnaire. Inferential statistics from quantitative data were analyzed using Pearson’s Product correlation and regression analysis with the aid of the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 22. Qualitative data from interviews were analyzed thematically. The study revealed that cognitive engagement was a significant predictor of academic achievement among secondary school students studied (r=. 376, N=312, p =. 01. The study recommended that school based teacher counsellors should utilize cognitive behavioural therapy techniques during counselling sessions with students in school in order to enhance cognitive engagement.
Experiences of Professional School Counselors with Children of Incarcerated Parents: A Case Study

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to describe the experiences of professional school counselors (PSCs) with children of incarcerated parents (CIP). The study addressed three research questions: In what ways do PSCs conceptualize the needs of CIP? In what ways do PSCs work with CIP? and How do PSCs experience barriers in their work with CIP? An instrumental case study design (Stake, 1995) was used to consider the experiences of PSCs in a single school district in a Southeastern state. Data sources included interviews with fifteen PSCs, observation of PSC professional development, and document review of policies and practices guiding PSCs in the school district. Themes emerged from analysis of the data sources within the context of the case. Findings suggested PSCs noted observable impacts of parental incarceration among school-age children, including emotional responses, behavioral or cognitive responses, and academic problems. PSCs in the study conceptualized loss experiences for CIP in a way that was consistent with ambiguous loss theory (Boss, 2006), describing changes in family relationships, uncertainty, and stigma. Findings also suggested PSCs sought to meet the needs of CIP using skills inherent in their professional role; however, they experienced barriers navigating professional roles and meeting the needs of CIP. Based on these findings, implications for PSCs and counselor educators and recommendations for future research were provided.
Illness denial questionnaire for patients and caregivers

Purpose Interest in assessing denial is still present, despite the criticisms concerning its definition and measurement. We tried to develop a questionnaire (Illness Denial Questionnaire, IDQ) assessing patients’ and caregivers’ denial in relation to their illness/disturbance. Patients and methods After a preliminary study, a final version of 24 dichotomous items (true/false) was selected. We hypothesized a theoretical model with three dimensions: denial of negative emotions, resistance to change, and conscious avoidance, the first two composing the actual Denial and the last representing an independent component of the illness denial behavior. The IDQ was administered to 400 subjects (219 patients and 181 caregivers) together with the Anxiety–Depression Questionnaire – Reduced form (AD-R), in order to assess concurrent validity. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), internal consistency indices (Cronbach’s α and McDonald’s ω), and test–retest analysis were performed. Results CFA and internal consistency indices (Cronbach’s α: 0.87–0.96) indicated a clear and meaningful three-factor structure of IDQ, for both patients and caregivers. Further analyses showed good concurrent validity, with Denial and its subscale negatively associated with anxiety and depression and avoidance positively associated with anxiety and depression. The IDQ also showed a good stability (r from 0.71 to 0.87). Conclusion The IDQ demonstrated good psychometric properties. Denial of negative emotions and resistance to change seem to contribute to a real expression of denial, and conscious avoidance seems to constitute a further step in the process of cognitive–affective elaboration of the illness.
Show Me the Money: Retained Earnings and the Real Effects of Monetary Shocks

The empirical literature on monetary policy shocks documents that contractionary shocks are followed by a persistent rise in interest rates and a persistent fall in output. Standard monetary business cycle models can account for the initial effects of monetary shocks, but have difficulty generating persistence. In this paper, I examine whether frictions that affect the asset allocation decisions of households can lead to persistent effects. In the model economy, households hold two assets, one used for transactions (the checking account) and one used for investment (the savings account). There is a small transaction cost for moving funds between the accounts. Another key feature of the economy is that the business sector accumulates retained earnings and credits profits to the consumers only with a delay. I show that in this environment monetary shocks have persistent effects even when the adjustment cost is very small.
The Use of 18F-FDG-PET/CT for Diagnosis and Treatment Monitoring of Inflammatory and Infectious Diseases

FDG-PET, combined with CT, is nowadays getting more and more relevant for the diagnosis of several infectious and inflammatory diseases and particularly for therapy monitoring. Thus, this paper gives special attention to the role of FDG-PET/CT in the diagnosis and therapy monitoring of infectious and inflammatory diseases. Enough evidence in the literature already exists about the usefulness of FDG-PET/CT in the diagnosis, management, and followup of patients with sarcoidosis, spondylodiscitis, and vasculitis. For other diseases, such as inflammatory bowel diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune pancreatitis, and fungal infections, hard evidence is lacking, but studies also point out that FDG-PET/CT could be useful. It is of invaluable importance to have large prospective multicenter studies in this field to provide clear answers, not only for the status of nuclear medicine in general but also to reduce high costs of treatment.
Evidence for weak magnetic fields in early‐type emission stars

We report the results of our study of magnetic fields in a sample of 15 Be stars using spectropolarimetric data obtained at the European Southern Observatory with the multi-mode instrument FORS 1 installed at the 8m Kueyen telescope. We detect weak photospheric magnetic fields in four stars, HD56014, HD148184, HD155806, and HD181615. We note that for HD181615 the evolutionary status is not obvious due to the fact that it is a binary system currently observed in the initial rapid phase of mass exchange between the two components. Further, we notify the possible presence of distinct circular polarisation features in the circumstellar components of Ca II H&K in three stars, HD58011, HD117357, and HD181615, hinting at a probable presence of magnetic fields in the circumstellar mass loss disks of these stars. We emphasize the need for future spectropolarimetric observations of Be stars with detected magnetic fields to study the temporal evolution of their magnetic fields and the correlation of magnetic field properties with dynamical phenomena taking place in the gaseous circumstellar disks of these stars. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Rubi Fructus (Rubus coreanus) Inhibits Differentiation to Adipocytes in 3T3-L1 Cells

Rubi Fructus (RF) is known to exert several pharmacological effects including antitumor, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, its antiobesity effect has not been reported yet. This study was focused on the antidifferentiation effect of RF extract on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. When 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were differentiating into adipocytes, 10–100 μg/mL of RF was added. Next, the lipid contents were quantified by Oil Red O staining. RF significantly reduced lipid accumulation and downregulated the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), CCAAT0-enhancer-binding proteins α (C/EBPα), adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein 2 (aP2), resistin, and adiponectin in ways that were concentration dependent. Moreover, RF markedly upregulated liver kinase B1 and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Interestingly, pretreatment with AMPKα siRNA and RF downregulated the expression of PPARγ and C/EBPα protein as well as the adipocyte differentiation. Our study shows that RF is capable of inhibiting the differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes through the modulation of PPARγ, C/EBPα, and AMPK, suggesting that it has a potential for therapeutic application in the treatment or prevention of obesity.