Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A curve extension design for coordinated path following control of unicycles along given convex loops

This article utilises a dynamic model of unicycles to address the convergence of vehicle formation about closed convex curves. A novel curve extension method, extending the target loop along the vector from the loop centre to the point on the loop, is proposed to construct a family of level curves and the existence of a loop function on a tubular-like neighbourhood is proved by referring to the tubular neighbourhood theorem. Path following control is derived based on the loop function which incorporated into the arc-length function to propose the solution to coordinated formation control. We show how backstepping technique, Lyapunov-based theory and graph theory can be combined together to construct the coordinated path following controller under the bidirectional commutation topology. It is proved that the designed cooperative control system is asymptotically stable if the graph is connected. The proposed method is effective for a skewed superellipse, which is a type of curve that includes circles, ellipses and rounded parallelograms.
An Improved Particle Swarm Algorithm for Solving Nonlinear Constrained Optimization Problems

This paper proposes an improved particle swarm optimization algorithm(IPSO). IPSO adopts a new mutation operator and a new method that congregates some neighboring individuals to form multiple sub- populations in order to lead particles to explore new search space. Additionally, our algorithm incorporates a mechanism with a simple and easy penalty function to handle constraint. Thus, our algorithm has strong global exploratory capability and efficiency while being applied to solve nonlinear constrained optimization problems. Experimental results indicate that our IPSO is robust and efficient in solving nonlinear constrained optimization problems.
Homicídios conjugais na grande Florianópolis: notícias publicadas no diário catarinense

O homicidio conjugal e entendido como uma passagem ao ato que ocorre dentro de uma relacao conjugal, na qual os parceiros podem estar juntos ou separados. A presente pesquisa visou realizar um mapeamento dos casos de homicidios conjugais cometidos na Grande Florianopolis, de 2000 a 2010, a fim de identificar as principais variaveis envolvidas nesses homicidios. Para tanto, utilizou-se as reportagens jornalisticas publicadas no jornal de maior circulacao na regiao: Diario Catarinense . Realizou-se uma coleta no banco de dados no arquivo do jornal, a qual totalizou 34 casos de homicidio conjugal. Concluiu-se que ha uma predominância de homicidios conjugais nas seguintes situacoes: cometidos por homens, em casais com relatos de violencia conjugal e em casais cuja separacao e o ciume apresentam significativo impacto. Palavras-chave : homicidio conjugal; crime passional. violencia conjugal; pesquisa documental.
Free Riders versus Social Capital : An Empirical Analysis of an Exogenous Shock on Online Reviews

We study the effects of network sizes on individuals’ contributions to online product reviews. Provided by either consumers or professionals, online reviews are shown to be closely correlated with consumers’ purchasing decisions and product sales. Individuals have conflicting incentives of free riding and maximizing social benefits when producing online reviews. We leverage a “natural experiment,” an exogenous expansion in the users population on a major third-party platform, to better understand the tradeoffs between the conflicting incentives of producing online reviews. We find that the larger population of users, a direct consequence of the exogenous shock, caused individuals to post more and longer reviews. In addition, the larger population of audience led individuals to assign higher and more diverse ratings in their reviews. However, the helpfulness or “quality” of reviews, evaluated by other users, is not affected. These results lend support to the conjecture that maximizing social capital dominates one’s incentives to publish online reviews. The positive effect of network sizes on the volume of reviews implies that enlarging the reviewers population is effective in promoting more active contributions.
Craniomaxillofacial Fibrous Dysplasia

Fibrous dysplasia is a nonneoplastic developmental disease of osseous tissue. It is a lesion of unknown etiology, uncertain pathogenesis, and diverse histopathology. In this series of 16 patients with fibrous dysplasia of the craniomaxillofacial bones, the disease was generally monostotic and most commonly maxillary in location. Two patients demonstrated typical symptoms of the McCune Albright syndrome. Marked deformity or functional disturbances were the major indications for treatment. Total excision of the involved bone was the most successful form of treatment but produced the greatest functional and cosmetic deficits and long-term postoperative complications. A conservative therapeutic approach with a modest reduction in the bulk of these lesions may be sufficient to relieve signs and symptoms effectively. Periodic follow-up is indicated to detect recurrences or malignant changes in the early stages.
Access Provision for Sight Impaired Students (SISs) in Nigerian University Libraries

Abstract:The aim of this paper is to determine access provision for sight-impaired students (SISs) in Nigerian university libraries. This is based on the principle that accessibility to available information in the library is a necessary fulcrum for effective use of information resources and services and the satisfaction of the information needs and educational growth of people in a community. Sight-impaired students refers to students who have sight disability. The main objective of setting up university libraries is to support and encourage scholarship and research in all fields of human endeavor, irrespective of abililty/disability. Thus, this paper examines the concept and characteristics of sight-impaired students and the role of Nigerian university libraries in serving SISs. The paper examines the gaps between available information resources and needed information resources, the challenges Nigerian university libraries face in filling the gaps, and makes relevant recommendations for enhancement of access provision for SISs.
An extension of the technology acceptance model for business intelligence systems: project management maturity perspective

Business intelligence systems (BISs) refer to a wide range of technologies and applications useful for retrieving and analyzing a large amount of information with the goal to generate knowledge useful for making effective business decision. In order to investigate adoption of BISs in companies, we propose a model based on the technology acceptance model (TAM) that is expanded by variables representing the concept of a project management maturity (PMM). The survey on the sample of USA companies has been conducted with the chief information officer (CIO) as the main informant. A structural equation model has been developed in order to test the research model. Results indicate that TAM expanded with the notion of PMM is useful in increasing understanding of BISs adoption in companies.
Chromatin immunoprecipitation on native chromatin from cells and tissues (PROT22)

Disclosed is a structural material having a lattice configuration. In one embodiment of the invention, the structural material is manufactured by weaving a continuous wire filament on a loom assembly. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the structural material is formed using substrate sheets that are machined or molded into a desired configuration. The structural material of the invention can be used alone or layered to form a multi-laminate material.
A Retrospective Evaluation of Critical Care Blood Culture Yield – Do Support Services Contribute to the “Weekend Effect”?

Background The “weekend effect” describes an increase in adverse outcomes for patients admitted at the weekend. Critical care units have moved to higher intensity working patterns to address this with some improved outcomes. However, support services have persisted with traditional working patterns. Blood cultures are an essential diagnostic tool for patients with sepsis but yield is dependent on sampling technique and processing. We therefore used blood culture yield as a surrogate for the quality of support service provision. We hypothesized that blood culture yields would be lower over the weekend as a consequence of reduced support services. Methods We performed a retrospective observational study examining 1575 blood culture samples in a university hospital critical care unit over a one-year period. Results Patients with positive cultures had, on average, higher APACHE II scores (p = 0.015), longer durations of stay (p = 0.03), required more renal replacement therapy (p<0.001) and had higher mortality (p = 0.024). Blood culture yield decreased with repeated sampling with an increased proportion of contaminants. Blood cultures were 26.7% less likely to be positive if taken at the weekend (p = 0.0402). This effect size is the equivalent to the impact of sampling before and after antibiotic administration. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that blood culture yield is lower at the weekend. This is likely caused by delays or errors in incubation and processing, reflecting the reduced provision of support services at the weekend. Reorganization of services to address the “weekend effect” should acknowledge the interdependent nature of healthcare service delivery.
Stress and Memory: Opposing Effects of Glucocorticoids on Memory Consolidation and Memory Retrieval

It is well established that glucocorticoid hormones, secreted by the adrenal cortex after a stressful event, influence cognitive performance. Some studies have found glucocorticoid-induced memory enhancement. However, many studies have reported impairing effects of glucocorticoids on memory function. This paper reviews recent findings from this laboratory on the acute effects of glucocorticoids in rats on specific memory phases, i.e., memory consolidation and memory retrieval. The evidence suggests that the consequences of glucocorticoid activation on cognition depend largely on the different memory phases investigated. Posttraining activation of glucocorticoid-sensitive pathways involving glucocorticoid receptors enhances memory consolidation in a pattern highly similar to that previously described for adrenal catecholamines. Also, similar to catecholamine effects on memory consolidation, glucocorticoid influences on memory consolidation depend on noradrenergic activation of the basolateral complex of the amygdala and interactions with other brain regions. By contrast, memory retrieval processes are usually impaired with high circulating levels of glucocorticoids or following infusions of glucocorticoid receptor agonists into the hippocampus. The hypothesis is proposed that these apparently dual effects of glucocorticoids on memory consolidation and memory retrieval might be related and that the basolateral complex of the amygdala is a key structure in a memory-modulatory system that regulates, in concert with other brain regions, stress and glucocorticoid effects on both memory consolidation and memory retrieval.
Trapping of metalloradical intermediates of the S-states at liquid helium temperatures. Overview of the phenomenology and mechanistic implications.

The oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) of photosystem II (PSII) consists of a Mn cluster (believed to be tetranuclear) and a tyrosine (Tyr Z or Y(Z)). During the sequential absorption of four photons by PSII, the OEC undergoes four oxidative transitions, S(0) to S(1), . , S(3) to (S(4))S(0). Oxygen evolves during the S(3) to S(0) transition (S(4) being a transient state). Trapping of intermediates of the S-state transitions, particularly those involving the tyrosyl radical, has been a goal of ultimate importance, as that can test critically models employing a role of Tyr Z in proton (in addition to electron) transfer, and also provide important clues about the mechanism of water oxidation. Until very recently, however, critical experimental information was lacking. We review and evaluate recent observations on the trapping of metalloradical intermediates of the S-state transitions, at liquid helium temperatures. These transients are assigned to Tyr Z(*) magnetically interacting with the Mn cluster. Besides the importance of trapping intermediates of this unique catalytic mechanism, liquid helium temperatures offer the additional advantage that proton motions (unlike electron transfer) are blocked except perhaps across strong hydrogen bonds. This paper summarizes the recent observations and discusses the constraints that the phenomenology imposes.
Human Synovial Lubricin Expresses Sialyl Lewis x Determinant and Has L-selectin Ligand Activity*

Background: Lubricin is an abundant mucin-like glycoprotein in synovial fluid and a major component responsible for joint lubrication. Results: Lewis x and sulfated O-glycans enable lubricin to bind L-selectin. Lubricin binds to polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN) in an L-selectin-dependent and -independent manner. Conclusion: PMN isolated from peripheral blood and synovial fluid keep a coat of lubricin. Significance: Lubricin may play a role in PMN-mediated inflammation. Lubricin (or proteoglycan 4 (PRG4)) is an abundant mucin-like glycoprotein in synovial fluid (SF) and a major component responsible for joint lubrication. In this study, it was shown that O-linked core 2 oligosaccharides (Galβ1–3(GlcNAcβ1–6)GalNAcα1-Thr/Ser) on lubricin isolated from rheumatoid arthritis SF contained both sulfate and fucose residues, and SF lubricin was capable of binding to recombinant L-selectin in a glycosylation-dependent manner. Using resting human polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN) from peripheral blood, confocal microscopy showed that lubricin coated circulating PMN and that it partly co-localized with L-selectin expressed by these cells. In agreement with this, activation-induced shedding of L-selectin also mediated decreased lubricin binding to PMN. It was also found that PMN recruited to inflamed synovial area and fluid in rheumatoid arthritis patients kept a coat of lubricin. These observations suggest that lubricin is able to bind to PMN via an L-selectin-dependent and -independent manner and may play a role in PMN-mediated inflammation.
Past aridity’s effect on carbon mineralization potentials in grassland
soils

Abstract. Mineralization potential is a key property for assessing carbon substrate’s degradability and mineralization in biogeochemical models and studies. While mineralization potential is widely examined under controlled conditions, whether and how it is influenced by the past aridity of sample’s origins remain poorly constrained, which is important for an accurate assessment and prediction of future CO2 emissions. Here we collect top- and subsoils from different aridity regimes along a 2100-km grassland transect of northern China and conduct a 91-day decomposition experiment with and without the addition of 13C-labeled leaf litter under controlled temperature and moisture. CO2 release from both soil organic carbon (SOC) and fresh litter is measured along with microbial biomass, extracellular enzyme activities, soil and mineral properties. We find that neither microbial carbon use efficiency nor biomass-normalized metabolic quotient (qCO2) is related to the aridity of sampling sites. However, both fresh litter and SOC display the highest mineralization potentials in soils originating from the driest site. Using pathway analysis, we demonstrate that past aridity’s effect is mediated by differential mechanisms for substrates of varied complexity. While microbial biomass plays a more important role in the decomposition of fresh litter, enzyme-catalyzed extracellular reactions predominantly govern the mineralization of SOC. Our findings provide novel evidence on the mechanisms underlying past aridity’s effect on the mineralization potentials of organic matter with different qualities, which has significant implications for assessing and modelling decomposition in different aridity regimes.
Assessing the subjective experience of being a participant in psychiatric research.

OBJECTIVE To address both clinical and ethical concerns in psychiatric research, the study assessed the subjective experience of being a participant in a feasibility study of outcome in long-term psychodynamic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. METHOD A questionnaire assessing positive and negative reactions to three typical research methodologies (self-report questionnaires, structured diagnostic interviews, and tape-recording of sessions) was administered to 23 patient-therapist pairs. RESULTS Patients reported that questionnaires and interviews were slightly to moderately helpful in promoting self-realization and facilitating therapy, and not at all to slightly intrusive and disruptive. Adjustment to audiotaping of sessions was rapid (within two sessions). Therapists significantly overestimated the negative effects and underestimated the positive benefit patients reported from participating in research. CONCLUSIONS Traditional objections to research in dynamic psychotherapy on the grounds that patients experience research procedures as significantly intrusive and disruptive appear to be unfounded.
Testing Exponentiality Based on Kullback-Leibler Information With Progressively Type-II Censored Data

We express the joint entropy of progressively censored order statistics in terms of an incomplete integral of the hazard function, and provide a simple estimate of the joint entropy of progressively Type-II censored data. We then construct a goodness-of-fit test statistic based on Kullback-Leibler information with progressively Type-II censored data. Finally, by using Monte Carlo simulations, the power of the test is estimated, and compared against several alternatives under different progressive censoring schemes
Emotional Intelligence, Subjective Wellbeing, and Work-Family Conflict Among University Lecturers

The purpose of this study is to determine the role of emotional intelligence and subjective wellbeing in predicting work-family conflict. The participants for the study were 182 female lecturers at University of Sriwijaya, and the pilot study of the measuring scales was conducted with 52 lecturers. The scales used were the scales of emotional intelligence, subjective well-being and work-family conflict. Data analysis employed multiple linear regression. The results of the analysis were that there is a significant role for emotional wellbeing and subjective wellbeing concerning work-family conflict.
Cardiac myosin binding protein c phosphorylation is cardioprotective

Cardiac myosin binding protein C (cMyBP-C) has three phosphorylatable serines at its N terminus (Ser-273, Ser-282, and Ser-302), and the residues' phosphorylation states may alter thick filament structure and function. To examine the effects of cMyBP-C phosphorylation, we generated transgenic mice with cardiac-specific expression of a cMyBP-C in which the three phosphorylation sites were mutated to aspartic acid, mimicking constitutive phosphorylation (cMyBP-CAllP+). The allele was bred into a cMyBP-C null background (cMyBP-C(t/t)) to ensure the absence of endogenous dephosphorylated cMyBP-C. cMyBP-CAllP+ was incorporated normally into the cardiac sarcomere and restored normal cardiac function in the null background. However, subtle changes in sarcomere ultrastructure, characterized by increased distances between the thick filaments, indicated that phosphomimetic cMyBP-C affects thick–thin filament relationships, and yeast two-hybrid data and pull-down studies both showed that charged residues in these positions effectively prevented interaction with the myosin heavy chain. Confirming the physiological relevance of these data, the cMyBP-CAllP+:(t/t) hearts were resistant to ischemia–reperfusion injury. These data demonstrate that cMyBP-C phosphorylation functions in maintaining thick filament spacing and structure and can help protect the myocardium from ischemic injury.
Are adolescents changed by an episode of major depression?

OBJECTIVE This study examined whether adolescents having a first onset of major depression are changed by the experience (i.e., does having an episode of depression result in residual effects that did not exist before the episode? ). METHOD Among 1,507 community adolescents assessed at two time points approximately 1 year apart 45 experienced and recovered from a first episode of depression between the two assessments. These adolescents were contrasted with never-depressed control subjects on an array of depression-related psychosocial variables before and after the episode. RESULTS Psychosocial scars (characteristics evident after but not before the episode) included internalizing behavior problems, stressful major life events, excessive emotional reliance on others, cigarette smoking and subsyndromal depression symptoms. Both before and after the episode, the depressed adolescents reported an elevated level of physical health problems. CONCLUSIONS More scars were found in the present study than in previous research with formerly depressed adults. This is consistent with the hypothesis that early-onset depression is a more pernicious form of the disorder that may impact adolescents more severely than adults.
BCSH guideline for the use of anti‐D immunoglobulin for the prevention of haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn

H. Qureshi,1 E. Massey,2 D. Kirwan,3 T. Davies,4 S. Robson,5 J. White,6 J. Jones7 & S. Allard8 1Department of Haematology, University Hospitals of Leicester, Leicester, UK, 2NHS Blood & Transplant, Bristol, UK, 3NHS Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme, UK National Screening Committee, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK, 4NHS Blood & Transplant, Manchester, UK, 5Department of Fetal Medicine, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, 6UKNEQAS Blood Transfusion Laboratory Practice, West Hertfordshire Trust, Hertfordshire, UK, 7Welsh Blood Service, Pontyclun, UK, and 8NHS Blood and Transplant, London, UK
Brazilian Journal of Chemical Engineering MECHANISM OF CONTROLLED RELEASE KINETICS FROM MEDICAL DEVICES

Utilization of biodegradable polymers for controlled drug delivery has gained immense attention in the pharmaceutical and medical device industry to administer various drugs, proteins and other biomolecules both systematically and locally to cure several diseases. The efficacy and toxicity of this local therapeutics depends upon drug release kinetics, which will further decide drug deposition, distribution, and retention at the target site. Drug Eluting Stent (DES) presently possesses clinical importance as an alternative to Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting due to the ease of the procedure and comparable safety and efficacy. Many models have been developed to describe the drug delivery from polymeric carriers based on the different mechanisms which control the release phenomenon from DES. Advanced characterization techniques facilitate an understanding of the complexities behind design and related drug release behavior of drug eluting stents, which aids in the development of improved future drug eluting systems. This review discusses different drug release mechanisms, engineering principles, mathematical models and current trends that are proposed for drug-polymer coated medical devices such as cardiovascular stents and different analytical methods currently utilized to probe diverse characteristics of drug eluting devices.