Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Self-organization of quasi-two-dimensional turbulence in stratified fluids in square and circular containers

Laboratory experiments on decaying quasi-2D (two-dimensional) turbulence have been performed in stratified fluids in both square and circular containers. The turbulence was generated by towing an array of vertical cylinders through the container, which was filled with either a two-layer or a linearly stratified fluid. By varying the grid configuration a different amount of angular momentum could be added to the initial flow. The evolution of the flow was visualized by 2D particle tracking velocimetry. The observed decay scenario has been investigated with emphasis on the evolution of the kinetic energy and the enstrophy of the horizontal flow, vortex statistics and the angular momentum of the flow. In particular it is shown that the experiments in both the square and the circular container support the observations from numerical simulations of decaying 2D turbulence in bounded domains with no-slip walls. Two striking examples are the experimental observation of the spontaneous spin-up phenomenon (in the square-container experiments) and the confirmation that the angular momentum of the flow in the circular-container experiment is better conserved than the total kinetic energy of the flow. The role of the initial nonzero net angular momentum on the decay of quasi-2D turbulence is investigated for both geometries and indications for an acceleration of the self-organization process are presented.
A dedicated solver for fast operational-space inverse dynamics

The most classical solution to generate whole-body motions on humanoid robots is to use the inverse kinematics on a set of tasks. It enables flexibility, repeatability, sensor-feedback if needed, and can be applied in real time onboard the robot. However, it cannot comprehend the whole complexity of the robot dynamics. Inverse dynamics is then a mandatory evolution. Before application as a generic motion generator, two important concerns need to be solved. First, when including in the motion-generation problem the forces and torques variables, the numerical conditioning can become very low, inducing undesired behaviors or even divergence. Second, the computational costs of the problem resolution is much more important than when considering the kinematics alone. This paper proposes a complete reformulation of the inverse-dynamics problem, by cutting the ill-conditioned part of the problem, solving in a same way the problem of numerical stability and of cost reduction. The approach is validated by a set of dynamic whole-body movements of the HRP-2 robot.
The Organisms and Factors Affecting Outcomes of External Ventricular Drainage Catheter-Related Ventriculitis: A Penang Experience

Introduction: Ventriculostomy-related infection (VRI) from external ventricular drain (EVD) insertion is a common complication and carries a high mortality rate. Choice of empiric antibiotics depends on the institutions common causative organisms and their susceptibility. We determined risk factors for mortality in patients with VRI, the common organisms causing VRI, and the rate of EVD-related VRI at our institution. Methods: Medical records and operative data of patients with cerebrospinal fluid positive cultures with an EVD inserted from 2012 to 2015 were traced. Forty-five patients with EVD-related VRI were included in the study. Results: The overall rate of VRI was 6.3%, and the overall mortality rate due to VRI was 48.9%. Acinetobacter baumannii was the most common organism causing VRI (14 patients, 29.2%) with a mortality rate of 64.3%. Only 14.3% of A. baumannii are sensitive to meropenem and imipenem. We found that patients that had a decompressive craniectomy (DC) had a lower mortality rate (P = 0.042) and patients with a longer duration of the EVD being in place before the diagnosis of VRI had poor outcome (P = 0.040). Multivariate logistic regression was performed and we found that the use of steroid (P = 0.014), Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection (P = 0.010), multiple organism infection (P = 0.017), lower Glasgow Coma Scale (P = 0.043), and a longer duration the EVD was in place before the diagnosis of VRI (P = 0.008) were related with higher mortality. Conclusion: VRI mortality rate is high with an alarming resistance pattern seen in Acinetobacter VRI. EVDs should be removed as soon as feasible, and DC may be offered to patients with severe ventriculitis or meningitis.
Factors affecting Web 2.0 adoption: exploring the knowledge sharing and knowledge seeking aspects in health care professionals

Purpose This research aims to explore the factors that affect the adoption of Web 2.0 among knowledge workers. The research specifically investigated the role of factors related to both knowledge seeking and knowledge sharing, in the context of Web 2.0 use by health care professionals. Design/methodology/approach For this research, a cross-sectional survey design was adopted. The data were analyzed using the partial least square-structural equation modeling. Findings The results confirmed that the intention to adopt Web 2.0 depends upon both the knowledge-seeking and the knowledge-sharing attitudes. However, between the two, it is knowledge-sharing factors that are more important. Health care professionals tend to share knowledge driven by intrinsic motivators rather than by extrinsic motivators. On the other hand, knowledge-seeking attitude was determined by usefulness of knowledge and was not affected by the effort involved. Research limitations/implications All the respondents were health care professionals from India, and convenience sampling was used to reach them. This may limit the generalizability of the findings. Practical implications This research provides useful insights on implementing Web 2.0-based knowledge management systems, specifically for health care professionals. Particularly, it emphasizes the need to focus on reinforcing intrinsic motivators like self-efficacy and the joy of sharing. Originality/value It is perhaps the first study that integrates the factors related to knowledge sharing and seeking in a single theoretical model, thereby presents and tests a more realistic model of knowledge management.
Temporal synchrony and variation in abundance of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in two subarctic Barents Sea rivers: influence of oceanic conditions

Long-term variation in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) stocks was analyzed in two Barents Sea rivers, the Teno and Naatamojoki, that represent the northernmost distribution area of the species. In contrast to most of the North Atlantic area, these rivers are among a group of northern salmon rivers that, despite wide annual variation in catches, demonstrate no consistent trend for declining abundance. Variations in abundance were generally synchronous for the total catch and numbers of 1-sea-winter (1SW) and 2SW salmon during period of 19722003. Part of the variation observed in catches could be related to ocean climate conditions as the mean seawater temperature in July during the year of smoltification for the Kola section of the Barents Sea was significantly related to numbers of 1SW, 2SW, and 3SW salmon in the large River Teno. In contrast, NAO (North Atlantic Oscillation) indices were not related to salmon catches. The latest increase (19992001) in salmon catches in these rivers reflects both temporar.
Clinical features and outcome of acquired haemophilia A

Summary We have performed a monocenter study on 29 consecutive patients with acquired haemophilia A who were referred for diagnosis and treatment to the Düsseldorf Haemophilia Comprehensive Care Center between March 2001 and February 2010. Patients, methods: 18 men (age: 44–86 years) and 11 women (age: 20–83 years). For laboratory evaluation, a standardized staged protocol of aPTT, FVIII : C activity and concentration, mixing studies with patient and normal plasma, and quantification of inhibitor titers (Bethesda assay) was used. Diagnostic work-up included elaborate examinations for any underlying disease. Results: In 18 (62%) of the 29 patients with acquired haemophilia A, an underlying disorder was identified, including 9 patients with respiratory diseases (31%), 7 patients with autoimmune disorders (24%), one with malignancy, and one with postpartum state, while in 11 patients (38%) acquired haemophilia A remained idiopathic. Haemotherapy of bleeding, suppression or elimination of the inhibitor, and induction of immunotolerance to endogenous FVIII:C were performed according to a treatment algorithm. Predefined clinical endpoints were control of bleeding, eradication of the inhibitor, complete or partial remission (CR, PR), relapse, or early death (≤30 days). Of the 29 patients in total, 22 individuals achieved CR (76%), three had PR, one relapsed, and three died within 30 days (one of acute myocardial infarction while on anti-haemorrhagic treatment, one of sepsis while on immunosuppression due to active acquired haemophilia A, one of lung bleeding in association with pre-existing pulmonary sarcoidosis). Conclusion: This monocenter study demonstrates that control of life-threatening bleeding, eradication of the inhibitor, and induction of tolerance to endogenous FVIII have significantly improved the clinical outcome of acquired haemophilia A. Our data also suggest a shift in underlying disorders associated with acquired haemophilia A, whereby, in comparison to published studies, a relative increase in the proportion of patients with respiratory diseases is present.
Not all job demands are equal: Differentiating job hindrances and job challenges in the Job Demands–Resources model

This study aimed to integrate the differentiation between two types of job demands, as made in previous studies, in the Job–Demands Resources (JD-R) model. Specifically, this study aimed to examine empirically whether the differentiation between job hindrances and job challenges, next to the category of job resources, accounts for the unexpected positive relationships between particular types of job demands (e.g., workload) and employees' work engagement. Results of confirmatory factor analyses supported the differentiation between the three categories of job characteristics in two samples (N 1 = 261 and N 2 = 441). Further, structural equation modelling confirmed the hypotheses that job hindrances associate positively with exhaustion (i.e., the main component of burnout) and negatively with vigour (i.e., the main component of work engagement). Job resources displayed the reversed pattern of relations. Job challenges were positively related to vigour. Rather unexpectedly, they were unrelated to exhaustion. Based on these findings, we discuss the importance of the differentiation between different types of job demands in the JD-R model for both theory and practice.
The need in dural graft suturing in Chiari I malformation decompression: A prospective, single-blind, randomized trial comparing sutured and sutureless duraplasty materials

Background: This study compared the use of two commonly utilized dural closure techniques used in augmentation duraplasty for Chiari malformation I (CM I) and evaluated their efficacy and outcome in terms of quality of life assessments. Methods: This prospective randomized study compared sutureless (DuraGen) and suturable (Dura-Guard) techniques in CM I decompression. Clinical parameters, cost analysis, and SF-36 Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ) were utilized to assess outcome. Results: Thirty-four patients were enrolled. Average age was 38.7 ± 12.2 years (mean ± SD (Standard Deviation)) and 82% of patients were female. Sixteen patients received DuraGen and 18 Dura-Guard. Age and gender were similar among groups. Postoperative complications did not differ between groups. Operative cost and time were less for DuraGen, whereas hospital stay was less with Dura-Guard, neither was statistically significant. Average QLQ scores at months 1, 2, and 3 improved in both groups. Dura-Guard patients showed greater improvement in quality of life at month 2 (P < 0.05) but groups did not differ at final survey. All patient's physical health (P < 0.005) and function (P < 0.005) were significantly improved. Outcome did not differ between groups and all patients showed significant improvement (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Both techniques are effective in reaching the goals of decompressive surgery for CM I and did not differ in quality of life at final survey. All patients showed significant improvement in physical function, physical health, and outcome following surgery. With all variables being equal the choice of duraplasty material may be based upon surgeon's preference.
ALCAM shedding at the invasive front of the tumor is a marker of myometrial infiltration and promotes invasion in endometrioid endometrial cancer

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the sixth deadliest cancer in women. The depth of myometrial invasion is one of the most important prognostic factors, being directly associated with tumor recurrence and mortality. In this study, ALCAM, a previously described marker of EC recurrence, was studied by immunohistochemistry at the superficial and the invasive tumor areas from 116 EC patients with different degree of myometrial invasion and related to a set of relevant epithelial and mesenchymal markers. ALCAM expression presented a heterogeneous functionality depending on its localization, it correlated with epithelial markers (E-cadherin/β-catenin) at the superficial area, and with mesenchymal markers at the invasive front (COX-2, SNAIL, ETV5, and MMP-9). At the invasive front, ALCAM-negativity was an independent marker of myometrial invasion. This negativity, together with an increase of soluble ALCAM in uterine aspirates from patients with an invasive EC, and its positive correlation with MMP-9 levels, suggested that ALCAM shedding by MMP-9 occurs at the invasive front. In vivo and in vitro models of invasive EC were generated by ETV5-overexpression. In those, we demonstrated that ALCAM shedding was related to a more invasive pattern and that full-ALCAM recovery reverted most of the ETV5-cells mesenchymal abilities, partially through a p-ERK dependent-manner.
UAV POSITIONING AND COLLISION AVOIDANCE BASED ON RSS MEASUREMENTS

Abstract. In recent years, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are attracting more and more attention in both the research and industrial communities: indeed, the possibility to use them in a wide range of remote sensing applications makes them a very flexible and attractive solution in both civil and commercial cases (e.g. precision agriculture, security and control, monitoring of sites, exploration of areas difficult to reach). Most of the existing UAV positioning systems rely on the use of the GPS signal. Despite this can be a satisfactory solution in open environments where the GPS signal is available, there are several operating conditions of interest where it is unavailable or unreliable (e.g. close to high buildings, or mountains, in indoor environments). Consequently, a different approach has to be adopted in these cases. This paper considers the use ofWiFi measurements in order to obtain position estimations of the device of interest. More specifically, to limit the costs for the devices involved in the positioning operations, an approach based on radio signal strengths (RSS) measurements is considered. Thanks to the use of a Kalman filter, the proposed approach takes advantage of the temporal dynamic of the device of interest in order to improve the positioning results initially provided by means of maximum likelihood estimations. The considered UAVs are assumed to be provided with communication devices, which can allow them to communicate with each other in order to improve their cooperation abilities. In particular, the collision avoidance problem is examined in this work.
In vitro inhibitory effects of sophocarpine on human liver cytochrome P450 enzymes

Abstract 1. Sophocarpine is a biologically active component isolated from the foxtail-like sophora herb and seed that is often orally administered for the treatment of cancer and chronic bronchial asthma. However, whether sophocarpine affects the activity of human liver cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes remains unclear. 2. In this study, the inhibitory effects of sophocarpine on the eight human liver CYP isoforms (CYP1A2, 3A4, 2A6, 2E1, 2D6, 2C9, 2C19, and 2C8) were investigated in vitro using human liver microsomes (HLMs). 3. The results indicate that sophocarpine could inhibit the activity of CYP3A4 and 2C9, with the IC50 values of 12.22 and 15.96 μM, respectively, but that other CYP isoforms were not affected. Enzyme kinetic studies showed that sophocarpine is not only a noncompetitive inhibitor of CYP3A4 but also a competitive inhibitor of CYP2C9, with Ki values of 6.74 and 9.19 μM, respectively. Also, sophocarpine is a time-dependent inhibitor of CYP3A4 with Kinact/KI value of 0.082/21.54 μM−1 min−1. 4. The in vitro studies of sophocarpine with CYP isoforms suggested that sophocarpine has the potential to cause pharmacokinetic drug interactions with other co-administered drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 and 2C9. Further clinical studies are needed to evaluate the significance of this interaction.
The Impact of Coworkers’ Safety Violations on an Individual Worker: A Social Contagion Effect within the Construction Crew

This research developed and tested a model of the social contagion effect of coworkers’ safety violations on individual workers within construction crews. Both situational and routine safety violations were considered in this model. Empirical data were collected from 345 construction workers in China using a detailed questionnaire. The results showed that both types of safety violations made by coworkers were significantly related to individuals’ perceived social support and production pressure. Individuals’ attitudinal ambivalence toward safety compliance mediated the relationships between perceived social support and production pressure and both types of individuals’ safety violations. However, safety motivation only mediated the effects of perceived social support and production pressure on individuals’ situational safety violations. Further, this research supported the differences between situational and routine safety violations. Specifically, we found that individuals were more likely to imitate coworkers’ routine safety violations than their situational safety violations. Coworkers’ situational safety violations had an indirect effect on individuals’ situational safety violations mainly through perceived social support and safety motivation. By contrast, coworkers’ routine safety violations had an indirect effect on individuals’ routine safety violations mainly through perceived production pressure and attitudinal ambivalence. Finally, the theoretical and practical implications, research limitations, and future directions were discussed.
Enhancing the crop yield through capacity building programs: Application of double difference method for evaluation of drip capacity building program in Tamil Nadu State, India

A capacity building program on drip irrigation (TNDRIP) was undertaken in certain regions of the Indian State of Tamil Nadu during 2009-2010. An assessment of the impact of the program in terms of effective use of drip irrigation and increased crop yields was made in 2011 by applying double difference method (a combination of both with and without and before and after approaches). The results had indicated that the drip capacity building program resulted in a yield increase of 2.5 t/ha for Banana 1, 1.9 t/ha for Banana 2, 3.3 t/ha for sugarcane and 0.3 t/ha for turmeric. The conventional method using the before and after situations had shown a yield increase of 4.3 t/ha for Banana 1, 12.1 t/ha for Banana 2, 40.6 t/ha for sugarcane and 2.6 t/ha for turmeric. The conventional approach is highly upward biased in estimating the impact of the drip capacity building program and thus the double difference method will be an appropriate method to evaluate the impact of the programs that involve both with and without as well as before and after situations.
Genome-wide location analysis and expression studies reveal a role for p110 CUX1 in the activation of DNA replication genes

Proteolytic processing of the CUX1 transcription factor generates an isoform, p110 that accelerates entry into S phase. To identify targets of p110 CUX1 that are involved in cell cycle progression, we performed genome-wide location analysis using a promoter microarray. Since there are no antibodies that specifically recognize p110, but not the full-length protein, we expressed physiological levels of a p110 isoform with two tags and purified chromatin by tandem affinity purification (ChAP). Conventional ChIP performed on synchronized populations of cells confirmed that p110 CUX1 is recruited to the promoter of cell cycle-related targets preferentially during S phase. Multiple approaches including silencing RNA (siRNA), transient infection with retroviral vectors, constitutive expression and reporter assays demonstrated that most cell cycle targets are activated whereas a few are repressed or not affected by p110 CUX1. Functional classes that were over-represented among targets included DNA replication initiation. Consistent with this finding, constitutive expression of p110 CUX1 led to a premature and more robust induction of replication genes during cell cycle progression, and stimulated the long-term replication of a plasmid bearing the oriP replicator of Epstein Barr virus (EBV).
The Koopman Representation and Positive Rokhlin Entropy

In this paper, we study connections between positive entropy phenomena and the Koopman representation for actions of general countable groups. Following the line of work initiated by Hayes for sofic entropy, we show in a certain precise manner that all positive entropy must come from portions of the Koopman representation that embed into the left-regular representation. We conclude that for actions having completely positive outer entropy, the Koopman representation must be isomorphic to the countable direct sum of the left-regular representation. This generalizes a theorem of Dooley–Golodets for countable amenable groups. As a final consequence, we observe that actions with completely positive outer entropy must be mixing, and when the group is non-amenable they must be strongly ergodic and have spectral gap.
Bare-Handed 3D Drawing in Augmented Reality

Head-mounted augmented reality (AR) enables embodied in situ drawing in three dimensions (3D). We explore 3D drawing interactions based on uninstrumented, unencumbered (bare) hands that preserve the user's ability to freely navigate and interact with the physical environment. We derive three alternative interaction techniques supporting bare-handed drawing in AR from the literature and by analysing several envisaged use cases. The three interaction techniques are evaluated in a controlled user study examining three distinct drawing tasks: planar drawing, path description, and 3D object reconstruction. The results indicate that continuous freehand drawing supports faster line creation than the control point based alternatives, although with reduced accuracy. User preferences for the different techniques are mixed and vary considerably between the different tasks, highlighting the value of diverse and flexible interactions. The combined effectiveness of these three drawing techniques is illustrated in an example application of 3D AR drawing.