Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Preview Path Tracking Control With Delay Compensation for Autonomous Vehicles

Delay and lag deteriorate path tracking accuracy and system stability. If not properly compensated, they can cause instability or limit the driving speed of autonomous vehicles. This paper presents a preview steering control design considering both communication delay and steering lag to achieve accurate, smooth, and computationally efficient path tracking for highly automated vehicles. Two strategies are adopted for the delay: forward state predictor and delay augmentation. The steering lag is approximated by a first-order lag system. The path tracking problem with delay and lag is solved by the preview control theory. The resulted controller is in an analytical form and is computationally efficient for online implementation. We also analyze the system stability and closed-loop responses in both the time and frequency domain. The control is implemented on an automated vehicle platform and tested inside Mcity and on open roads. Experimental results showed lower tracking errors and significantly improved stability margin compared to the controls ignoring delay and lag.
A Liturgical Relation with the Spatial Configuration and Architectural Form of The Catholic Church

The phenomenon of the Catholic church after the Second Vatican Council has lost the expression of its sacred form. This study aims to trace the liturgical relation with the spatial configuration of the architecture form from the Catholic Church to get the Ideogram and Godly symbol that will influence the form of architecture of the Catholic Church and can be used as the interpretation of the case studies. The methodology used in this study is firstly, describing liturgical activities associated with the sacred form approach from Eliade, Hoffman, Jones, Barrie, and Martasudjita to trace the sacred concept of the functions of the liturgy and relate it with the anatomical approach of the floor from Salura. Secondly, obtain a reference to the spatial configuration and reference to the architectural form of the Catholic Church. The aim of all these approaches is to obtain the spatial aspect configuration and form aspects. The findings of the spatial configuration or Ideogram and form of Catholic Church architecture are the Godly symbols, as well as the framework for the interpretation of case studies. The results conclude that the Catholic Church form is a symbol of divinity and Ideogram. Thus, if the scope of the environment, tread, building, and figure corresponds to the aspect of reference in creating sacred value, then the architecture of the Catholic church assumable radiating a sacred expression.
stress-induced changes in immune response of dairy ewes

Abstract Two groups of 16 Comisana ewes were selected from a group of 30, and divided, according to their cortisol secretion after isolation in a novel environment, into HC ewes, having a cortisol secretion <90 ng/mL, and LC ewes having a cortisol secretion <80 ng/mL. Blood samples were collected immediately before and immediately after isolation, and 60, 120, 300min and then 24h and 48h after isolation, to evaluate the percentage of lymphocyte T-helper (CD4+) and lymphocyte T-cytotoxic (CD8+) by flow cytometry analysis, and IL-1β and IL-6 concentrations by ELISA. The day before the isolation test, the ewes were milked in the afternoon at 1500h (-19h from isolation), and then milked for the three days starting from the day of the isolation test (at 0, 5, 24, 29, 48 and 53h from isolation) to evaluate milk cortisol secretion, and IL-1β and IL-6 concentrations. Results suggest that the levels of cortisol secretions can influence the immune competence of dairy ewes and cytokines concentrations. Milk cytokine concentrations, and not milk cortisol concentrations, can be considered indicators of the magnitude of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation.
A practical sampling strategy for estimating residual stand damage

Une methode d'echantillonnage stratifie qui sert a evaluer les dommages dans un peuplement residuel fournit une estimation precise des dommages dans les zones situees le long du reseau de sentiers de meme que dans l'ensemble du peuplement. Le plan d'echantillonnage utilise les techniques standard d'inventaire forestier aussi bien dans les strates associees aux sentiers que dans les strates situees en dehors des sentiers. Par contre, au stade de la planification il n'exige qu'un croquis du reseau de sentiers sans informations detaillees et couteuses. Les formules generales d'estimation sont applicables a une grande variete de mesures des dommages et de types de rapport. Des resultats numeriques sont presentes pour illustrer a quel moment ce plan d'echantillonnage fournit une reduction significative de la variance comparativement a un plan d'echantillonnage qui n'integre pas la stratification suggeree.
Bridging the perception gap? When top-down built megaprojects meet bottom-up perceptions: a case study of Suramadu bridge, Indonesia

ABSTRACT For the last few decades, the development of mega-infrastructure projects has been high on the agendas of policymakers in Southeast Asia. Despite the potential benefits of such projects, there are also inevitable societal impacts that often lead to protests by local people. In general, most literature on megaprojects focuses solely on managing projects, with limited coverage of local people’s perceptions. This article, however, offers an analytical approach to perception making, adopted from psychology theories, which is then elaborated upon in a quantitative and qualitative empirical setting using the Suramadu cable-stayed bridge in Indonesia as a case study. Our main argument is that perceptions about megaprojects can change as a result of long-term, high-level exposure to such projects. The results imply the need for megaproject development to take people’s perceptions into account to bridge the gap between top-down expected benefits and bottom-up acceptance or rejection by those outside the central power.
Ecology, bionomics and evolution of the torrential fauna: with special reference to the origins of attachment

In studying the life and characters of the animals inhabiting the torrential streams of India and elsewhere, one thing has become quite clear to me—that evolution is no more than the adaptation of organisms to environment. "Adaptation" signifies correlation of an animal with its habitat, and therefore the study of animal organisation, however detailed, cannot by itself lead to the proper understanding of this phenomenon. Environment with its unlimited gradations plays an important part in the making and re-making of the characters, and sometimes the resultant forms are of such totally different types that genetic relations can hardly be discerned ( vide infra , pp. 190, 237, 246). This fine adjustment of an organism to the external conditions of its existence is the result of a series of gradual changes induced by the environment.
Associations of Afrotropical Coleoptera (Scarabaeidae: Aphodiidae: Staphylinidae: Hydrophilidae: Histeridae) with dung and decaying matter: implications for selection of fly-control agents for Australia

Many beetles recorded from dung are known to frequent a range of different types of decaying matter. Therefore, the range of associations shown by dung Coleoptera near Pretoria in the Transvaal, South Africa, was studied to facilitate selection of dung specialists for introduction into Australia as control agents for cattle dung and dung-breeding fly pests. Although traps were baited with three different types of dung (cattle, horse, pig) and three types of decaying matter (banana, moistened grass clippings, animal offal), beetles were predominantly attracted to dung. The distribution patterns shown by the 86 most abundant species were classified using cluster analysis in order to summarize the major trends. Four clusters of species were shown at the 55% level of similarity. All but one of the 39 species in the first cluster were attracted primarily to omnivore dung (pig). Another 31 species in a second cluster were attracted primarily to herbivore dung (cattle, horse). All but one of 14 species in a thir.
A novel presenilin‐1 mutation: Increased β‐amyloid and neurofibrillary changes

The prevalence of known mutations in presenilin genes (PS1 and PS2) causing early‐onset familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) was assessed in a population of 98 singleton early‐onset AD cases, 29 early‐onset FAD cases, and 15 late‐onset FAD cases. None of the cases tested positive for the eight mutations initially reported, and none of these mutations were observed in 60 age‐matched controls. A novel mutation (R269H) in PS1 was found in a single case of early‐onset AD but not in any other AD or control case. Thus, the PS mutations tested are quite rare in early‐onset AD. Amyloid β protein (Aβ) deposition was investigated in the temporal cortex of the R269H mutation case using end‐specific monoclonal antibodies to detect the presence of Aβx−40 and Aβx−42 subspecies. Stereologically unbiased tangle and neuropil thread counts were obtained from the same region. R269H PS1 mutation was associated with early age of dementia onset, higher amounts of total Aβ and Aβx−42, and increased neuronal cytoskeletal changes. Thus, if the changes observed on this case prove to be typical of PS1 mutations, PS1 mutations may impact both amyloid deposition and neurofibrillary pathology.
Caracterização epidemiológica e fatores de risco associados à leptospirose em ovinos deslanados do semiárido brasileiro

The aim of this investigation was to determine the herd-level and animal-level prevalence of leptospirosis in sheep from the semiarid of Paraiba State, Northeast Brazil, as well as to identify risk factors. Blood samples were collected from 1,275 sheep from 117 flocks in 19 counties in the Sertao mesoregion, Paraiba. For the serological diagnosis of leptospirosis the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) using 24 Leptospira spp. serovars as antigens was carried out. Of the 117 flocks studied 33 (28.20%) presented at least one seropositive sheep, and of the 1,275 animals 69 (5.41%) were seropositive with titers ranging from 100 to 3,200. Reactant serovars were Autumnalis (49.30%), Andamana (27.53%), Sentot (17.39%), Whitcomb (4.34%) and Australis (1.44%). Herd size > 48 sheep (odds ratio =2.26; 95% CI =1.33-5.07; p=0.021) and participation in animal exhibits (odds ratio =9.05; 95% CI =0.96-85.71; p=0.055) were identified as risk factors. The need was suggested for studies on the isolation of the agent, characterization of its pathogenicity and its economic impact on sheep flocks of the region, and sanitary control in sheep agglomerations was recommended.
Efeito do estresse hídrico e envelhecimento precoce na viabilidade de sementes osmocondicionadas de paineira (Chorisia speciosa)

The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of osmotic conditioning on the tolerance increase of seeds of Chorisia speciosa St. Hil. to water stress and accelerated aging. The seeds previously scarified (punction) were primed in KNO3 (0.1M) solutions at 20oC during 24 hours. After that, the seeds were dried (at 27oC) until the initial moisture level, presented before the pre-imbibition, was reached. Primed and non primed seeds were exposed to water stress simulated with PEG 6000 solutions, with 0.0, -0.1, -0.2, -0.3, -0.4, -0.5, -0.6 and -0.7 MPa of osmotic potentials and to accelerated aging at 45oC and 100% of RU during 0, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours. The mean values of rate and germination percentage were higher in primed seed than in non primed ones. The tolerance limit to water stress was extended for primed seed. Primed seeds were more sensible to accelerated aging.
The university staff experience of using a virtual learning environment as a platform for e-learning

Numerous Open Distance Electronic Learning (ODeL) institutions have embarked on using a virtual learning environment (VLE) as a platform to facilitate e-Learning. The purpose of this study was to explore university staff experience of using a VLE to study courses online. Connectivism theory was adopted as a guiding framework to explore the staff experiences of a VLE. As this study was empirical, a qualitative approach was used to a sample of seven staff members who studied e-courses using a VLE. Through unstructured interviews, data were gathered and thematically analysed. Trustworthiness in the study was credibly maintained. The main research question that guided the gathering of data was: what are the university staff members’ perceptions of the use of a VLE? The results revealed that the use of VLE assists in the development of digital skills and the participants are urged to embark on the design and online delivery of modules.
A new cave‐dwelling millipede of the genus Bollmania Silvestri, 1896 from Yunnan, China, with remarks on the reduction of the second female leg‐pair (Diplopoda: Callipodida: Caspiopetalidae)

Bollmania beroni sp. n. , described from a cave in Jianshui County, Yunnan, China is the first true troglo‐ and hygrophilic species in the genus. The new locality extends the range of Bollmania ca 2500 km towards SE, ca 1700 km SW of the only other Chinese record. Notes are given on B. orientalis (Silvestri, 1895), B. nodifrons Lohmander, 1933 and B. oblonga Golovatch, 1979, based on new material from Turkmenistan and Tajikistan, and on two unnamed, probably new species from Afghanistan. An updated key to the eight described species is presented. Original observations and illustrations of second female legs in various callipodid genera are presented, along with a literature review of this character, which has so far received little attention from taxonomists.
Prospective study on outcome and advantage of primary skin grafting in cases of avulsion scalp injury following trauma

Avulsion scalp injury involves a specific irreplaceable tissue loss, risk of serious complications and significant cosmetic issues in young women. This injury has serious consequences in terms of hospital stay, economic loss and importantly devastating disfigurement and psychological effects on the patients. Today the principal causes of avulsion injury are industrial machinery and road traffic accidents. Usually the treatment of such cases is either local or distant flap. But this may not be possible due to other pre-existing conditions of the patient. Such cases a 2 stage procedure involving removal of outer table of skull and exposing the diploic spaces to allow better granulation.
THE OPTIMIZATION OF GROWTH RATE IN ALTRICIAL BIRDS

I have developed models relating the rate of growth of altricial birds to annual production of fledglings, a measure of evolutionary fitness. In the models, growth rate influences production through its effect on the power requirements of the nestling and the length of the nesting cycle; the latter in turn affects probability of survival to fledging and number of broods reared per year. The models were evaluated to determine whether empirically reasonable estimates of power requirements and nesting mortality resulted in predicted optimum growth rates within the range of observed values. By and large the models were successful. They do not adequately explain the reduced growth rates of tropical altricial species compared to their temperate—zone counterparts. Moreover, they do not address the phenomenon of slow growth in self—feeding, precocial species. But the confirmation of the model for many altricial birds suggests that it may be possible to understand interspecific variation in growth rates as the result of adaptations to levels of predation and the requirement for, availability of, energy to the nestling.
Leaf Movements: Rosetta Stone of Plant Behavior?

Several families of plants have representatives whose leaves move in a regular and predictable pattern during day and night. Generally, the leaf surfaces are horizontal and face the sun. during the day, then fold together in a vertical position at sunset. This process, referred to as nyctinasty (night movement), was described more than 2,300 years ago by Androsthenes, who noted nyctinastic legumes during the march of Alexander the Great. Charles Darwin, fascinated by these movements, hypothesized that nyctinasty provides protection against thermal radiation, since vertical leaves facing each other lose less heat at night than do horizontal leaves facing the open sky (Darwin 1881). Biinning and Moser (1969) wondered why bright moonlight did not disturb photoperiodic time measurement in short-day species, which require a long uninterrupted dark period for floral initiation. They noted that many shortday plants have nyctinastic leaves and that leaves cannot absorb light from the zenith efficiently when in the night position. After careful measurements, they concluded that nyctinastic movement reduces the absorption of moonlight below threshold intensity for interfering with floral induction, and accordingly concluded that protection of photoperiodic time measurement was the main function of nyctinasty under natural conditions. Neither of these
Blood profile of lactating crossbred cows rearing at Bangladesh Agricultural University Dairy Farm

This study aimed to analyze the hemato profile of crossbred lactating cows reared at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) Dairy Farm. Thirty-two (32) healthy crossbred lactating cows of HolsteinFrisian (HF), Jersey (J), Sindhi Sahiwal (SS) and Red Chittagong (RCC) were selected for the study and divided into four (04) groups. The cows were allowed to feed and manage according to dairy farm own scheduled-ration. The collected blood samples were analyzed for hematological and biochemical parameters viz. Hemoglobin (Hb), Packed cell volume (PCV), Total leukocyte count (TLC), and Total erythrocyte count (TEC) and Serum urea, Glucose, Albumin, Calcium, and Phosphorus, respectively by using an automated chemistry analyzer. The results revealed that the hematological and biochemical parameters non-significantly (p>0.05) differed between the crossbred groups. From the experiment, the higher amount of Hb (11 g/dL) and PCV (40%) was found in HF and RCC cows, respectively. The TLC was higher in SS and RCC but the TEC was recorded stable along with a slight increment in RCC. As far as the biochemical parameters are concerned, the blood urea concentration was found higher (28 mg/dL) in HF and RCC lactating cows. The same pattern was observed in the case of albumin concentration. On the contrary, the lowest value of Calcium was found in RCC but the Phosphorus concentration showed a little higher in RCC. It can be concluded that the overall herd health was satisfactory based on the blood profile parameters.
Intertemporal Segmentation Via Flexible-Duration Group Buying

Problem definition: We study a special form of group buying: the group buying succeeds only if the number of sign-ups reaches a preset threshold, with no duration constraint. Customers with heterogeneous valuations arrive sequentially and decide between signing up for the group buying or purchasing a regular product. To decide whether to join the group buying, customers need to estimate their expected waiting time, which varies depending on the cumulative sign-ups by the time of their arrival. The firm decides on the prices for the group-buying product and regular product, with the product quality levels and group-buying size exogenously determined. Academic/practical relevance: This type of group buying is often adopted for a special edition of the product and offered alongside a constantly available regular product. Methodology: We study the product line design with the group-buying sign-up behavior of customers characterized by the rational expectations equilibrium in a random pledging process. Results: We show that group buying with flexible duration can result in intertemporal customer segmentation, as different segments might be admitted at different times in the dynamic sign-up process. Such intertemporal segmentation is a natural discrimination scheme and has nontrivial implications. First, the efficiency loss due to waiting for enough sign-ups may decrease when a larger batch size is required for economic production. Second, as valuation heterogeneity in the market increases, the firm may not always benefit from offering group buying along with the regular product. Third, group buying can achieve a win-win-win situation for both high-end and low-end customers as well as the firm. Managerial implications: In addition to demonstrating the profitability of flexible-duration group buying, we show that the firm can strengthen its profitability by contingently setting prices or concealing sign-up information in group buying. We also confirm the robustness of our main insights by considering customers’ heterogeneous patience levels and horizontally differentiated products, among other factors.
Morphological, molecular and biological evidence reveal two cryptic species in Mecinus janthinus Germar (Coleoptera, Curculionidae), a successful biological control agent of Dalmatian toadflax, Linaria dalmatica (Lamiales, Plantaginaceae)

A combined morphological, molecular and biological study shows that the weevil species presently named Mecinus janthinus is actually composed of two different cryptic species: M. janthinus Germar, 1821 and M. janthiniformis Toševski & Caldara sp.n. These species are morphologically distinguishable from each other by a few very subtle morphological characters. On the contrary, they are more readily distinguishable by both molecular and biological characters. A molecular assessment based on the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase subunit II gene revealed fixed differences between the two species with p‐distances between samples of both species ranging from 1.3 to 2.4%. In addition to this, the larvae of the two species are found to develop on different species within the genus Linaria (Plantaginaceae): M. janthinus is associated with yellow toadflax (L. vulgaris) and M. janthiniformis with broomleaf toadflax (L. genistifolia) and Dalmatian toadflax (L. dalmatica). Molecular and host use records further suggest the occurrence of a third species associated with L. vulgaris within M. janthinus, sampled from north Switzerland, central Hungary and east Serbia. The significance of these new findings is of particular importance because species of the M. janthinus group are used, or are potential candidates, for the biological control of invasive toadflaxes in North America.
Cytokine mRNA expression and IFN-gamma production of immunised nematode resistant and susceptible lambs against natural poly-generic challenge

IL-2, IL-4 and IFN-γ mRNA expression, and production of IFN-γ was examined in mesenteric lymph node cells (MLNC) and CD4+ enriched T cell populations of nematode resistant (R) and susceptible (S) line lambs by use of RT-PCR and ELISA. Five R and S line lambs that were immunised by repeated oxfendazole-abbreviated infections and 5 non-immunised R and S line lambs were used. All lambs grazed nematode infected pasture for 107 days. Immunisation enhanced the resistant status in both R and S lambs. MLNC obtained from slaughtered animals were stimulated with Con A or T. colubriformis specific antigen. Non-stimulated MLNC of immunised lambs expressed higher levels of IL-4 mRNA and lower levels of IL-2 mRNA than non-immunised lambs. MLNC of immunised R and S line lambs stimulated with antigen for 24 h expressed detectable amounts of IL-4 mRNA that was not seen in non-immunised controls. CD4+ T cell enriched cell populations of immunised R and S lambs and non-immunised R lambs expressed moderate to high levels of IL-4 mRNA. Con A stimulated MLNC of immunised R and S lambs expressed high levels IFN-γ mRNA and produced high amounts of IFN-γ. Lower levels were present in non-immunised controls. The results indicate that R line lambs and immunised S line lambs respond to natural nematode challenge with a predominating IL-4 cytokine response when compared to non-immunised S lambs.