Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Absolute Stability of Multi-DOF Multilateral Haptic Systems

Multi-degree-of-freedom (DOF) multilateral haptic systems involve teleoperation of several robots in physical environments by several human operators or collaborative interaction of several human operators in a virtual environment. An m-DOF n-lateral haptic system can be modeled as an n-port network where each port (terminal) connects to a termination defined by m inputs and m outputs. The stability analysis of such systems is not trivial due to dynamic coupling across the different DOFs of the robots, the human operators, and the physical/virtual environments, and unknown dynamics of the human operators and the environments exacerbate the problem. Llewellyn's criterion only allows for absolute stability analysis of 1-DOF bilateral haptic systems (m = 1 and n = 2), which can be modeled as two-port networks. The absolute stability of a general m-DOF bilateral haptic system where m >1 cannot be obtained from m applications of Llewellyn's criterion to each DOF of the bilateral system. In addition, if we were to use Llewellyn's criterion for absolute stability analysis of a general 1-DOF n-lateral haptic system where n- 2, we would need to couple n > 2 terminations of the n-port network to (an infinite number of) known impedances to reduce it to an equivalent two-port network; this is a cumbersome process that involves an infinite number of applications of Llewellyn's criterion. In this brief, we present a straightforward and convenient criterion for absolute stability analysis of a class of m-DOF n-lateral haptic systems for any m ≥ 1 and n ≥ 2. As case studies, a 1-DOF trilateral and a 2-DOF bilateral haptic system are studied for absolute stability with simulations and experiments confirming the theoretical stability conditions.
A real-world rational agent: unifying old and new AI

Explanations of cognitive processes provided by traditional artificial intelligence were based on the notion of the knowledge level. This perspective has been challenged by new AI that proposes an approach based on embodied systems that interact with the real-world. We demonstrate that these two views can be unified. Our argument is based on the assumption that knowledge level explanations can be defined in the context of Bayesian theory while the goals of new AI are captured by using a well established robot based model of learning and problem solving, called Distributed Adaptive Control (DAC). In our analysis we consider random foraging and we prove that minor modifications of the DAC architecture renders a model that is equivalent to a Bayesian analysis of this task. Subsequently, we compare this enhanced, “rational,” model to its “non-rational” predecessor and a further control condition using both simulated and real robots, in a variety of environments. Our results show that the changes made to the DAC architecture, in order to unify the perspectives of old and new AI, also lead to a significant improvement in random foraging.
ABPI against Colour Duplex Scan: A Screening Tool for Detection of Peripheral Arterial Disease in Low Resource Setting Approach to Validation

Background. In Sri Lanka the ABPI has not been used as a screening tool to detect peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in epidemiological studies. This study was conducted to determine the best cutoff value of ABPI to detect PAD in Sri Lankan population. Methods. The ABPI measured by arterial Doppler to detect PAD was validated against colour duplex scan as the criterion using 165 individuals referred to vascular laboratory, National Hospital Sri Lanka. In all selected individuals ABPI was measured and lower limb colour duplex scan was performed. Narrowing of luminal diameter of lower limb arteries 50% or more was considered as haemodynamically significant and having PAD. The discriminative performance of the ABPI was assessed using Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) curve and calculating the area under the curve (AUC). The sensitivity and specificity of different threshold levels of ABPI and the best cutoff value of ABPI to detect PAD were determined. Results. ABPI 0.89 was determined as the best cutoff value to identify individuals with PAD. At this level of ABPI high sensitivity (87%), specificity (99.1%), positive predictive value (98.9%), and negative predictive value (88.4%) were observed. Conclusion. ABPI ≤ 0.89 could be used as the best cut off value to detect PAD.
An Efficient On-Chip Switched-Capacitor-Based Power Converter for a Microscale Energy Transducer

An efficient on-chip inductor-less switching power converter for solar energy harvesting is presented. The new energy-efficient switching power converter improves the charge transfer capability as well as charge sharing time from the harvester to the load. We also present an analytical model to estimate the optimal parameters for maximizing the system efficiency. The proposed interface circuits have been designed using 0.18-μm CMOS technology node, and the circuit simulations demonstrate that the proposed strategy offers a system efficiency of 70% under three different light conditions.
Large-Scale Simulation of Electromagnetic Wave Propagation Using Meshless Time Domain Method With Parallel Processing

The large-scale simulation of the electromagnetic wave propagation using meshless time domain method (MTDM) is numerically investigated. Moreover, compute unified device architecture (CUDA) and OpenMP is adopted for parallelization technique to reduce the computation time. The results of computation show that the execution time of the time evolution calculation on GPU is 8.8 time faster than that of CPU. In addition, the execution time of the shape function generation procedure can be speedup about 7842 times by proposed scheme and OpenMP.
Impact of maternal directiveness and overprotectiveness on the personality development of a sample of individuals with acquired blindness

The literature has frequently shown how mothers of children with blindness tend to be highly directive and overprotective with their children. This study investigated whether this maternal interactive style can have negative consequences on the psychological development of persons with acquired blindness, or whether it can be considered functional and appropriate to these individuals’ needs during childhood. This aim was pursued by adopting attachment theory as a conceptual reference and administering the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) to a sample of participants with early onset blindness. Results suggested that, as long as mothers are loving and are sensitive to their children’s needs, their greater physical intervention and control of child exploration can play an important role in helping their severely sight-impaired children develop secure and well-balanced personalities.
Randomization and resilience of brain functional networks as systems-level endophenotypes of schizophrenia

Significance Using network analysis of resting-state functional MRI data, we demonstrate that significant randomization of global network metrics, and greater resilience to targeted attack on network hubs, was replicably demonstrable in Chinese patients with schizophrenia, and was also demonstrated for the first time in their nonpsychotic first-degree relatives. These results support the hypothesis that functional networks are abnormally randomized and resilient in schizophrenia and indicate that network randomization/resilience may be an endophenotype, or marker of familial risk, for schizophrenia. We suggest that the greater randomization of the brain network endophenotype of schizophrenia may confer advantages in terms of greater resilience to pathological attack that may explain the selection and persistence of risk genes for schizophrenia in the general population. Schizophrenia is increasingly conceived as a disorder of brain network organization or dysconnectivity syndrome. Functional MRI (fMRI) networks in schizophrenia have been characterized by abnormally random topology. We tested the hypothesis that network randomization is an endophenotype of schizophrenia and therefore evident also in nonpsychotic relatives of patients. Head movement-corrected, resting-state fMRI data were acquired from 25 patients with schizophrenia, 25 first-degree relatives of patients, and 29 healthy volunteers. Graphs were used to model functional connectivity as a set of edges between regional nodes. We estimated the topological efficiency, clustering, degree distribution, resilience, and connection distance (in millimeters) of each functional network. The schizophrenic group demonstrated significant randomization of global network metrics (reduced clustering, greater efficiency), a shift in the degree distribution to a more homogeneous form (fewer hubs), a shift in the distance distribution (proportionally more long-distance edges), and greater resilience to targeted attack on network hubs. The networks of the relatives also demonstrated abnormal randomization and resilience compared with healthy volunteers, but they were typically less topologically abnormal than the patients’ networks and did not have abnormal connection distances. We conclude that schizophrenia is associated with replicable and convergent evidence for functional network randomization, and a similar topological profile was evident also in nonpsychotic relatives, suggesting that this is a systems-level endophenotype or marker of familial risk. We speculate that the greater resilience of brain networks may confer some fitness advantages on nonpsychotic relatives that could explain persistence of this endophenotype in the population.
Toward integrating word sense and entity disambiguation into statistical machine translation

We describe a machine translation approach being designed at HKUST to integrate semantic processing into statistical machine translation, beginning with entity and word sense disambiguation. We show how integrating the semantic modules consistently improves translation quality across several data sets. We report results on five different IWSLT 2006 speech translation tasks, representing HKUST’s first participation in the IWSLT spoken language translation evaluation campaign. We translated both read and spontaneous speech transcriptions fromChinese to English, achieving reasonable performance despite the fact that our system is essentially text-based and therefore not designed and tuned to tackle the challenges of speech translation. We also find that the system achieves reasonable results on a wide range of languages, by evaluating on read speech transcriptions from Arabic, Italian, and Japanese into English.
A Node-Flow Model for 1 D Stock Cutting : Robust Branch-Cut-and-Price

Branch-and-Cut-and-Price (BCP) algorithms are branch-and-bound algorithms where both row generation (separation) and column generation (pricing) are performed. Following [12], we say that such an algorithm is robust when the separation and pricing subproblems are guaranteed to remain tractable during its execution. Robust BCP algorithms have been devised recently for a variety of problems, having been particularly successful for the Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem (CVRP) [7] and the Capacitated Minimum Spanning Tree Problem (CMSTP) [6], for which many standard test instances have been solved for the first time. In this paper we present a robust BCP algorithm for the 1-D Cutting Stock Problem (CSP). Correction: The model is suitable only for bin packing, because integer x do not imply integer λ! This was observed only after the publication of this working paper. In the CSP, which is strongly NP-hard, one is given a set of item types numbered {1, . , n}, positive integer weights l1, . , ln and order demands b1, . , bn of each item type, and a bin capacity C. One wants to determine how to pack the items into the minimum possible number of bins. A special case of the CSP is the Bin Packing Problem (BPP) where the order demand of each item type is exactly one.
Ventilation heterogeneity is a major determinant of airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma, independent of airway inflammation

Background: Airway hyperresponsiveness is the ability of airways to narrow excessively in response to inhaled stimuli and is a key feature of asthma. Airway inflammation and ventilation heterogeneity have been separately shown to be associated with airway hyperresponsiveness. A study was undertaken to establish whether ventilation heterogeneity is associated with airway hyperresponsiveness independently of airway inflammation in subjects with asthma and to determine the effect of inhaled corticosteroids on this relationship. Methods: Airway inflammation was measured in 40 subjects with asthma by exhaled nitric oxide, ventilation heterogeneity by multiple breath nitrogen washout and airway hyperresponsiveness by methacholine challenge. In 18 of these subjects with uncontrolled symptoms, measurements were repeated after 3 months of treatment with inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate. Results: At baseline, airway hyperresponsiveness was independently predicted by airway inflammation (partial r2 = 0.20, p<0.001) and ventilation heterogeneity (partial r2 = 0.39, p<0.001). Inhaled corticosteroid treatment decreased airway inflammation (p = 0.002), ventilation heterogeneity (p = 0.009) and airway hyperresponsiveness (p<0.001). After treatment, ventilation heterogeneity was the sole predictor of airway hyperresponsiveness (r2 = 0.64, p<0.001). Conclusions: Baseline ventilation heterogeneity is a strong predictor of airway hyperresponsiveness, independent of airway inflammation in subjects with asthma. Its persistent relationship with airway hyperresponsiveness following anti-inflammatory treatment suggests that it is an important independent determinant of airway hyperresponsiveness. Normalisation of ventilation heterogeneity is therefore a potential goal of treatment that may lead to improved long-term outcomes.
The Rate of Osmotic Downshock Determines the Survival Probability of Bacterial Mechanosensitive Channel Mutants

ABSTRACT Mechanosensitive (MS) channels allow cells to sense and respond to environmental changes. In bacteria, these channels are believed to protect against an osmotic shock. The physiological function of these channels has been characterized primarily by a standardized assay, where aliquots of batch-cultured cells are rapidly pipetted into a hypotonic medium. Under this method, it has been inferred many types of MS channels (MscS homologs in Escherichia coli) demonstrate limited effectiveness against shock, typically rescuing less than 10% of the cells when expressed at native levels. We introduce a single-cell-based assay which allows us to control how fast the osmolarity changes, over time scales ranging from a fraction of a second to several minutes. We find that the protection provided by MS channels depends strongly on the rate of osmotic change, revealing that, under a slow enough osmotic drop, MscS homologs can lead to survival rates comparable to those found in wild-type strains. Further, after the osmotic downshift, we observe multiple death phenotypes, which are inconsistent with the prevailing paradigm of how cells lyse. Both of these findings require a reevaluation of our basic understanding of the physiology of MS channels.
Stochastic kronecker graphs

A random graph model based on Kronecker products of probability matrices has been recently proposed as a generative model for large‐scale real‐world networks such as the web. This model simultaneously captures several well‐known properties of real‐world networks; in particular, it gives rise to a heavy‐tailed degree distribution, has a low diameter, and obeys the densification power law. Most properties of Kronecker products of graphs (such as connectivity and diameter) are only rigorously analyzed in the deterministic case. In this article, we study the basic properties of stochastic Kronecker products based on an initiator matrix of size two (which is the case that is shown to provide the best fit to many real‐world networks). We will show a phase transition for the emergence of the giant component and another phase transition for connectivity, and prove that such graphs have constant diameters beyond the connectivity threshold, but are not searchable using a decentralized algorithm. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg. , 38, 453–466, 2011
Insulinotropic action of bL-glucose pentaacetate

WILLY J. MALAISSE,1 LEONARD C. BEST,2 ANDRÉ HERCHUELZ,3 MARCIA HIRIART,4 HASSAN JIJAKLI,1 MARCEL M. KADIATA,1 ELENA LARRIETA-CARASCO,4 AOUATIF LAGHMICH,1 KARIM LOUCHAMI,1 DANY MERCAN,1 ELIZABETH OLIVARES,1 CARMEN SÀNCHEZ-SOTO,4 OLIVIER SCRUEL,1 ABDULLAH SENER,1 ISABEL VALVERDE,5 MARÍA L. VILLANUEVA-PEÑACARRILLO,5 CONCEPCIÓN VIÑAMBRES,5 AND WALTER S. ZAWALICH6 Laboratories of 1Experimental Medicine and 3Pharmacology, Brussels Free University, B-1070 Brussels, Belgium; 2Department of Medicine, University of Manchester, M13 9WL Manchester, United Kingdom; 4Department of Biophysics, Institute of Cellular Physiology, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, DF-04510 Mexico City, Mexico; 5Fundación Jiménez Dı́az, 28040 Madrid, Spain; and 6Yale University School of Nursing, New Haven, Connecticut 06536
The Effectiveness of Tailored Feedback and Action Plans in an Intervention Addressing Multiple Health Behaviors

Purpose. Examine the effects of three iterative tailored feedback letters addressing smoking; physical activity; and fruit, vegetable, and fat intake, and test the additional effects of providing feedback on action plans. Design. A tailored, print-based intervention was developed and tested in a randomized control trial with a posttest after 9 months. Setting. A total of 2827 respondents agreed to participate. They were recruited from a random sample of 35,000 addresses obtained through the Dutch national telephone company. Subjects. The mean age was 49 years, and 55% were female. Intervention. The experimental group received three printed tailored letters, and the control group received three printed generic letters. Respondents from the experimental group randomly received either a third letter with tailored information or tailored information and action-planning feedback. Measures. The questionnaire assessed physical activity; smoking; consumption of fruit, vegetables and fat; motivational determinants; action plans; and demographics. Results. Tailored information resulted in more improvement over time than generic information for the intake of fruit, vegetables, and fat and for physical activity. No differences between the conditions were found for smoking because of high cessation rates in all conditions. Action-planning feedback did not increase the effects. Conclusions. Tailored lifestyle information can be effective for adults in changing nutrition behavior and physical activity.
Modulating effect of Allium cepa on kidney apoptosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii.

PURPOSE Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread protozoan parasite that infects a broad range of warm blooded animals as well as humans. The present study was investigated to evaluate the effects of allium cepa on renal failur in male rats which experimentally infected by Toxoplasma gondii, RH strain. METHODS Wistar male rat (n=40) were allocated into four groups, group one that received tachyzoites of T. gondii (ip) (n=10), group two that received tachyzoites of T. gondii (ip), plus fresh onion juice by gavages method (n=10), group three received just fresh onion juice by gavages method (n=10) and control group (n=10) that received nothing. Animals were kept in standard condition. In 30 day after inducing Toxoplasma infection, 5cc blood was collected for serum protein and TAC levels. Kidney tissues of Rat in whole groups were removed and prepared for apopetosis analysis. RESULTS Serum protein and kidneys weights were significantly decreased in groups that were infected with T. gondii, in comparison to control and onions groups. Kidneys Apopetosis in toxoplasma group significantly increased in comparison to control group (P<0.05). level of TAC was significantly increased in groups that received onio juice (P<0.05). CONCLUSION This study showed that T. gondii have significantly effect on serum protein and TAC, apopetosis and fresh onion juice returned and treated this harmful effect, so it is suggested that eating of onion is useful in toxoplasma infection.
The Assessment of Self-Oriented and Socially Prescribed Perfectionism: Subscales Make a Difference

Campbell and Di Paula (2002) suggested differentiating Perfectionistic Striving and Importance of Being Perfect subscales when measuring self-oriented perfectionism and Others’ High Standards and Conditional Acceptance subscales when measuring socially prescribed perfectionism. In this study, we investigated the utility of this differentiation by analyzing data from 1,041 students and examining correlations with positive striving and maladaptive evaluation concerns aspects of perfectionism and with positive and negative indicators of well-being and psychological adjustment. As expected, (a) Perfectionistic Striving scores showed higher correlations with positive striving aspects of perfectionism and with positive indicators of well-being and adjustment than Importance of Being Perfect scores, and (b) Conditional Acceptance scores showed higher correlations with maladaptive evaluation concerns aspects of perfectionism and with negative indicators of well-being and adjustment than Others’ High Standards scores. The findings indicate that Campbell and Di Paula's differentiation provides for a more detailed and informative assessment of multidimensional perfectionism and its different aspects. Moreover, it provides for new insights into self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism and their relationships and associations.
Serum insulin-like growth factor-1 levels in females and males in different cervical vertebral maturation stages

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this cross sectional study was to assess serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels in female and male subjects at various cervical vertebral maturation (CVM) stages. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study sample consisted of 60 subjects, 30 females and 30 males, in the age range of 8-23 years. For all subjects, serum IGF-1 level was estimated from blood samples by means of chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA). CVM was assessed on lateral cephalograms using the method described by Baccetti. Serum IGF-1 level and cervical staging data of 30 female subjects were included and taken from records of a previous study. Data were analyzed by Kruska-Wallis and Mann Whitney test. Bonferroni correction was carried out and alpha value was set at 0.003. RESULTS: Peak value of serum IGF-1 was observed in cervical stages CS3 in females and CS4 in males. Differences between males and females were observed in mean values of IGF-1 at stages CS3, 4 and 5. The highest mean IGF-1 levels in males was observed in CS4 followed by CS5 and third highest in CS3; whereas in females the highest mean IGF-1 levelswas observed in CS3 followed by CS4 and third highest in CS5. Trends of IGF-1 in relation to the cervical stages also differed between males and females. The greatest mean serum IGF-1 value for both sexes was comparable, for females (397 ng/ml) values were slightly higher than in males (394.8 ng/ml). CONCLUSIONS: Males and females showed differences in IGF-1 trends and levels at different cervical stages.