Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Scalable multirotor UAV trajectory planning using mixed integer linear programming

Trajectory planning using Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) is a powerful approach because vehicle dynamics and other constraints can be taken into account. However, it is currently severely limited by poor scalability. This paper presents a new approach which improves the scalability regarding the amount of obstacles and the distance between the start and goal positions. While previous approaches hit computational limits when the problem contains tens of obstacles, our approach can handle tens of thousands of polygonal obstacles successfully on a typical consumer computer. This performance is achieved by dividing the problem into many smaller MILP subproblems using two sets of heuristics. Each subproblem models a small part of the trajectory. The subproblems are solved in sequence, gradually building the desired trajectory. The first set of heuristics generate each subproblem in a way that minimizes its difficulty, while preserving stability. The second set of heuristics select a limited amount obstacles to be modeled in each subproblem, while preserving consistency. To demonstrate that this approach can scale enough to be useful in real, complex environments, it has been tested on maps of two cities with trajectories spanning over several kilometers.
Calculating meal glycemic index by using measured and published food values compared with directly measured meal glycemic index.

BACKGROUND Glycemic index (GI) testing is normally based on individual foods, whereas GIs for meals or diets are based on a formula using a weighted sum of the constituents. The accuracy with which the formula can predict a meal or diet GI is questionable. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to compare the GI of meals, obtained by using the formula and by using both measured food GI and published values, with directly measured meal GIs. DESIGN The GIs of 7 foods were tested in 30 healthy people. The foods were combined into 3 meals, each of which provided 50 g available carbohydrate, including a staple (potato, rice, or spaghetti), vegetables, sauce, and pan-fried chicken. RESULTS The mean (95% CI) meal GIs determined from individual food GI values and by direct measurement were as follows: potato meal [predicted, 63 (56, 70); measured, 53 (46, 62)], rice meal [predicted, 51 (45, 56); measured, 38 (33, 45)], and spaghetti meal [predicted, 54 (49, 60); measured, 38 (33, 44)]. The predicted meal GIs were all higher than the measured GIs (P < 0.001). The extent of the overestimation depended on the particular food, ie, 12, 15, and 19 GI units (or 22%, 40%, and 50%) for the potato, rice, and spaghetti meals, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The formula overestimated the GI of the meals by between 22% and 50%. The use of published food values also overestimated the measured meal GIs. Investigators using the formula to calculate a meal or diet GI should be aware of limitations in the method. This trial is registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry as ACTRN12611000210976.
Mind the gaps in research on the control of gastrointestinal nematodes of farmed ruminants and pigs

Gastrointestinal (GI) nematode control has an important role to play in increasing livestock production from a limited natural resource base and to improve animal health and welfare. In this synthetic review, we identify key research priorities for GI nematode control in farmed ruminants and pigs, to support the development of roadmaps and strategic research agendas by governments, industry and policymakers. These priorities were derived from the DISCONTOOLS gap analysis for nematodes and follow-up discussions within the recently formed Livestock Helminth Research Alliance (LiHRA). In the face of ongoing spread of anthelmintic resistance (AR), we are increasingly faced with a failure of existing control methods against GI nematodes. Effective vaccines against GI nematodes are generally not available, and anthelmintic treatment will therefore remain a cornerstone for their effective control. At the same time, consumers and producers are increasingly concerned with environmental issues associated with chemical parasite control. To address current challenges in GI nematode control, it is crucial to deepen our insights into diverse aspects of epidemiology, AR, host immune mechanisms and the socio-psychological aspects of nematode control. This will enhance the development, and subsequent uptake, of the new diagnostics, vaccines, pharma-/nutraceuticals, control methods and decision support tools required to respond to the spread of AR and the shifting epidemiology of GI nematodes in response to climatic, land-use and farm husbandry changes. More emphasis needs to be placed on the upfront evaluation of the economic value of these innovations as well as the socio-psychological aspects to prioritize research and facilitate uptake of innovations in practice. Finally, targeted regulatory guidance is needed to create an innovation-supportive environment for industries and to accelerate the access to market of new control tools.
Identification of Cytochrome-b5 Reductase as the Enzyme Responsible for NADH-Dependent Lucigenin Chemiluminescence in Human Spermatozoa1

Abstract Lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence together with 2-[4-iodophenyl]-3-[4-nitrophenyl]-5-[2,4-disulfophenyl]-2H tetrazolium monosodium salt (WST-1) reduction can be detected following addition of NADH to many cell types, including human sperm suspensions. Although many reports suggest that such a phenomenon is due to reactive oxygen species production, other oxygen detecting metabolite probes, such as MCLA and luminol, do not produce a chemiluminescent signal in this model system. The enzyme responsible for NADH-dependent lucigenin chemiluminescence was purified and identified as cytochrome-b5 reductase. In support of this concept, COS-7 cells overexpressing cytochrome-b5 reductase displayed at least a 3-fold increase in the previously mentioned activity compared with mock-transfected cells. Fractions containing cytochrome-b5 reductase were capable of inducing both lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence and WST-1 reduction. Oxygen radicals clearly did not mediate the cytochrome b5-mediated activation of these probes in vitro since neither luminol nor MCLA gave a chemiluminescence response in the presence of the enzyme and the cofactor NADH. These results emphasize the importance of the direct NADH-dependent reduction of these putative superoxide-sensitive probes by cytochrome-b5 reductase even though this enzyme does not, on its own accord, produce reactive oxygen species.
Reduction of caecal Listeria monocytogenes in Leghorn chicks following treatment with a competitive exclusion culture (PREEMPT™)

Day‐of‐hatch Leghorn chicks were treated by oral gavage with PREEMPT™, a continuous‐flow competitive exclusion culture containing broiler caecal bacteria, followed by an oral challenge with Listeria monocytogenes, to determine the effects of PREEMPT™ on L. monocytogenes caecal colonization. Increased (P < 0·001) concentrations of caecal propionic acid in control chicks compared with PREEMPT™‐treated chicks at 3 days of age were indicative of the establishment of the PREEMPT™ bacteria. Caeca from control chicks at 7 days after the oral challenge with L. monocytogenes contained mean 3·4 ± 1·4 log cfu g−1 of caecal content, while caeca from PREEMPT™‐treated chicks contained no detectable Listeria. Enrichment for L. monocytogenes resulted in 100 % of caeca from control chicks testing culture‐positive for L. monocytogenes, while none of the caeca from PREEMPT™‐treated chicks were culture‐positive. The results indicated that prophylactic treatment of newly hatched chicks with PREEMPT™ significantly reduced caecal colonization by L. monocytogenes.
Application of the Taguchi Method to the Analysis of the Deposition Step in Microarray Production

Every microarray experiment is affected by many possible sources of variability that may even corrupt biological evidence on analyzed sequences. We applied a "Taguchi method" strategy, based on the use of orthogonal arrays to optimize the deposition step of oligonucleotide sequences on glass slides. We chose three critical deposition parameters (humidity, surface, and buffer) at two levels each, in order to establish optimum settings. A L8 orthogonal array was used in order to monitor both the main effects and interactions on the deposition of a 25 mer oligonucleotide hybridized to its fluorescent-labeled complementary. Signal-background ratio and deposition homogeneity in terms of mean intensity and spot diameter were considered as significant outputs. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to raw data and to mean results for each slide and experimental run. Finally we calculated an overall evaluation coefficient to group together important outputs in one number. Environmental humidity and surface-buffer interaction were recognized as the most critical factors, for which a 50% humidity, associated to a chitosan-covered slide and a sodium phosphate + 25% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) buffer gave best performances. Our results also suggested that Taguchi methods can be efficiently applied in optimization of microarray procedures
US Fiscal Policy, Manufacturing Stagnation, and the Shift to Financialization in the Era of Globalization: An Econometric Analysis, 1973–2015

ABSTRACT Financialization can be partially attributed to the decline in the US manufacturing profit rate since the 1970s. However, scholars have not reached a consensus regarding the factors responsible for stagnation in manufacturing. This paper employs an Auto-regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model to test the impact of both national defense and government consumption expenditure on manufacturing profitability in the United States from 1973, the onset of stagnation, to 2015. Its goal is two-fold: to determine whether stagnation is associated with a decline in Keynesian policies, and to examine the potential for state fiscal programs to reverse this trend and facilitate a shift of private investment away from the financial sector and into manufacturing. The paper finds that the impact of government consumption expenditure on the manufacturing profit rate is positive and significant in both the short-term and long-term (from 1973–2015 and 1973–1993), while the long-term impact becomes negative from 1983 to 2015, when the financial sector profit rate began its upward trend. This casts doubt on whether Keynesian fiscal policies could be employed to restore a healthy profit rate in the manufacturing sector and lower unemployment.
A fiber optic system for measuring dynamic mechanical properties of embryonic tissues

Dynamic mechanical properties of embryonic tissues, including viscoelasticity and active motility, play a major role in morphogenesis. Mechanical abnormalities resulting from altered cytoskeletal chemistry presumably contribute to spina bifida and other birth defects, but research in this area has been limited by inadequate mechanical measurement techniques. The author discusses aspects of embryo tissues that make them difficult to measure and describes a versatile new system developed and used to study the biomechanics of morphogenesis in amphibian embryos. It incorporates a flexible optical-fiber probe driven by piezoceramic elements to impose and measure feedback-controlled, two-dimensional, time-varying patterns of stress or strain in the tissue. Compression, tension, and shear geometries are possible. Capacitive displacement sensors provide the precision and low drift rates required for these measurements. Software control permits the system to perform both standard and customized rheological tests, including interactive ones in which test parameters change in response to measured tissue behavior. Sample size range is 50 /spl mu/m to 5 mm. Displacement range is 60 /spl mu/m with a resolution of 0.1 /spl mu/m. Force range is 10 /spl mu/N with a resolution of 0.02 /spl mu/N. Frequency range is DC to 20 Hz. <<ETX>>
Impact of Economic Transparency on Economic Growth in the Middle East countries

Economic transparency will lead to economic stability and corruption decline. Thus the shortage of transparency mechanisms, laws and procedures will raise corruption and make it tough to cutout corruption. Also, loss of transparency in financial and economic system creates to instability, inappropriate allocation of resources, the boom of injustice and inequality and as a result paves the way for all sorts of financial and economic corruption and misuse. The greater transparency economic growth, the lower the cost of entry into economics and accordingly with rising economic competitiveness, the condition for development and economic growth will be advanced. So, considering the vital role of transparency in economics, this study first explores transparency and corruption then with the panel data, looks at the relation between economic transparency and economic growth in Middle East countries over the last 13 years (2003-2015). In other words, this paper aims to show how the transparency variable influences economic growth. The specific purpose is to find out whether there is a positive or negative connection between transparency and economic advancement in the countries under investigation. The results of the research show that the relation between transparency and economic growth in the Middle East countries is direct and significant. Also the relation between gross capital formation and labor force participation is direct and significant with the economic growth of these countries.
Medium access in cognitive radio networks: A competitive multi-armed bandit framework

This paper considers the design of medium access control protocols for cognitive radio networks in a highly dynamic environment. In the scenario under consideration, multiple cognitive users seek to opportunistically exploit the availability of empty frequency bands within parts of the radio spectrum having multiple bands. The availability of each channel is modelled as a Markov chain. The scenario in which the parameters of the Markov chain of each channel is known is first considered. An optimal symmetric strategy that maximizes the total throughput of the cognitive users is developed. Next, the situation in which the parameters of each channel are unknown a priori is considered. This problem is modelled as a competitive multiuser bandit problem, a non-trivial extension of the classical bandit problem. Low complexity medium access protocols, which strike an optimal balance between exploration and exploitation in such competitive environments, are developed. The operating points of these low complexity protocols are shown to converge to those of the scenario in which the parameters are known.
Epigenetic regulation of death-associated protein kinase expression in primary gastric cancers from Chinese patients

Death-associated protein kinase (DAPK) is a novel serine/threonine kinase involved in apoptosis and tumor suppression. Promoter methylation is an important mechanism by which tumor suppressor gene transcription is repressed in cancer cells. Although reduced expression and aberrant methylation of DAPK has been reported in various human cancers, including gastric cancer (GC), the results remain discrepant. We aimed to investigate DAPK mRNA and protein expression in primary GC tissues from Chinese patients and establish a possible relationship between the promoter methylation status and the decreased expression of DAPK. The mRNA level, protein expression, and promoter methylation of DAPK were examined, in the cancer tissues and the corresponding, adjacent nontumor tissues of the 62 GC cases, by RT-PCR, western blotting and methylation-specific PCR, respectively. DAPK mRNA and protein expression in GC tissues was significantly reduced compared with corresponding nontumor tissues (P<0.0001). The methylation frequency of the DAPK promoter in primary GC tissues is significantly higher than in the corresponding nontumor tissues (54.8 vs. 17.7%, P<0.0001). Furthermore, DAPK mRNA expression in tissues containing aberrant promoter methylation was significantly reduced compared with GC tissues with unmethylated DAPK promoter (P<0.0001). Moreover, a significant correlation was demonstrated between the TNM stage and the degree of DAPK promoter methylation in primary GCs (P=0.04). DAPK protein and mRNA expression was reduced in GC tissues of Chinese patients. Diminished expression of DAPK was associated with promoter methylation.
Prospect theory and foreign policy decision-making: Underexposed issues, advancements, and ways forward

ABSTRACT How much mileage can we get out of prospect theory to explain foreign policy decision-making? To answer this question, we first argue that risk as outcome uncertainty is the appropriate definition in prospect-theoretical applications. Then, we indicate that probability weighting—a crucial component of prospect theory—is typically ignored in such applications. We argue why this is problematic and suggest how to move forward. Next, we discuss how to establish the reference point in the face of outcomes in multiple dimensions, as is typically the case in foreign policy decision-making. Finally, we discuss what we have learnt regarding prospect theory’s scope conditions and the differences across individuals in the theory’s applicability. Overall, our contribution lies in identifying several underexposed or neglected issues (e.g., the definition of risk and probability weighting), in examining the advancements regarding prospect theory’s scope conditions, and in discussing avenues for further research.
Maori health issues explored in an interprofessional learning context

In New Zealand there is emphasis on improving access to primary healthcare, particularly for high health need populations such as Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand. Critical to the development of the primary healthcare environment is building healthcare teams and better utilising health practitioners. This article reports on an interprofessional educational initiative where medical, nursing and pharmacy undergraduates learnt together in order to understand Maori health issues, how these are addressed by health services and also appreciate the contribution of different health professionals within the healthcare team. The educational initiative is described and interprofessional learning issues are explored across the different curricula structures of medicine, nursing and pharmacy.
Changes in chromosome positioning may contribute to the development of diseases related to X‐chromosome aneuploidy

The radial positions of the centromeric regions of chromosomes 1 and X were determined in normal male fibroblasts (XY) and in fibroblasts from a patient with a rare case of XXXXY polysomy. The centromeric regions and presumably the whole territories of active X chromosomes were demonstrated to occupy similar, although not identical, positions in XY and XXXXY cells. The centromeres of inactive X chromosomes (Barr bodies) were located closer to the nuclear periphery as compared with the centromeres of active X chromosomes. In addition, it was established that the nuclear radial position of gene‐rich chromosome 1 was changed in XXXXY cells as compared to normal XY cells. The data are discussed in the context of the hypothesis postulating that changes in nuclear positioning of chromosomal territories induced by the presence of extra copies of individual chromosomes may contribute to the development of diseases related to different polysomies. J. Cell. Physiol. 213: 278–283, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
BCAP is a centriolar satellite protein and inhibitor of ciliogenesis

ABSTRACT The centrosome and cilium are organelles with important roles in microtubule organisation, cell division, cell signalling, embryogenesis and tissue homeostasis. The two organelles are mutually exclusive. The centriole/basal body is found at the core of the centrosome (centriole) or at the base of the cilium (basal body) and to change which organelle is present in a cell requires modification to the centriole/basal body both in terms of composition and sub-cellular localisation. While many protein components required for centrosome and cilium biogenesis have been described, there are far fewer known inhibitors of ciliogenesis. Here, we show that a protein called BCAP and labelled in the sequence databases as ODF2-like (ODF2L) is a ciliation inhibitor. We show that it is a centriolar satellite protein. Furthermore, our data suggest that BCAP exists as two isoforms with subtly different roles in inhibition of ciliogenesis. Both are required to prevent ciliogenesis and one additionally controls cilium length after ciliogenesis has completed. Summary: Cilia have important roles in cell and developmental biology but little is known about what prevents cilia being made at the wrong time. We show that BCAP is an important inhibitor of ciliogenesis.
Measurement of Cognitive Load in Instructional Research

The results of two of our recent empirical studies were considered to assess the usefulness of subjective ratings and cardiovascular measures of mental effort in instructional research. Based on its reliability and sensitivity, the subjective rating-scale technique met the requirements to be useful in instructional research whereas the cardiovascular technique did not. It was concluded that the usefulness of both measurement techniques in instructional research needs to be investigated further.
Usability and functionality: A comparison of project managers' and potential users' evaluations

Users tend to use functional and usable products more frequently. It is also possible that a functional software is not usable or vice versa. Only functionality-focused designs fail to meet usability needs [1]. Therefore, both usability and functionality, which in software design are interrelated, should be taken into account in the design processes [2]. In addition, meeting users' requirements is one of predictors of project success. Therefore, there should be a match between the expectations of the users and the perception of the project managers with respect to usability and functionality. The aim of this study is to make a comparison of the project managers' and potential users' evaluations of the relative importance of usability and functionality factors in a software design project. Analytical Network Process (ANP) was used to analyze the relative importance of the factors.