Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Introduction to Genetic Algorithms.

An Introduction to Genetic Algorithms is one of the rare examples of a book in which every single page is worth reading. The author, Melanie Mitchell, manages to describe in depth many fascinating examples as well as important theoretical issues, yet the book is concise (200 pages) and readable. Although Mitchell explicitly states that her aim is not a complete survey, the essentials of genetic algorithms (GAs) are contained: theory and practice, problem solving and scientific models, a "Brief History" and "Future Directions. " Her book is both an introduction for novices interested in GAs and a collection of recent research, including hot topics such as coevolution (interspecies and intraspecies), diploidy and dominance, encapsulation, hierarchical regulation, adaptive encoding, interactions of learning and evolution, self-adapting GAs, and more. Nevertheless, the book focused more on machine learning, artificial life, and modeling evolution than on optimization and engineering.
Unsteady flow volumes

Flow volumes are extended for use in unsteady (time-dependent) flows. The resulting unsteady flow volumes are the 3D analogs of streaklines. There are few examples where methods other than particle tracing have been used to visualize time-varying flows. Since particle paths can become convoluted in time, there are additional considerations to be made when extending any visualization technique to unsteady flows. We present some solutions to the problems which occur in subdivision, rendering and system design. We apply the unsteady flow volumes to a variety of field types, including moving multi-zoned curvilinear grids.
Motion Planning and Control of a Swimming Machine

We propose a practical maneuvering control strategy for an aquatic vehicle (AV) that uses an oscillating foil as a propulsor. The challenge of this problem lies in the need to consider the hydrodynamic interaction as well as the underactuated and non-minimum phase natures of the AV system. The control task is decomposed into the off-line step of motion planning and the on-line step of feedback tracking. Optimal control techniques are used to compute a repertoire of time-scalable and concatenable motion primitives. The complete motion plan is obtained by concatenating time-scaled copies of the primitives. The computed optimal motion plans are regulated by a controller that consists of a cascade of linear quadratic regulator, input–output feedback linearization and sliding mode control. Time-varying linear quadratic controllers can also be time-scaled and concatenated. Therefore, they can be computed beforehand. The proposed strategy has been experimentally validated for both constrained longitudinal only maneuvers and unconstrained longitudinal/lateral maneuvers.
Comparative Physical and Chemical Stability Studies of Orlistat Liposomal Drug Delivery Systems

Aims: The aim of the study deals with the design, development, and comparative stability studies of optimized formulations as well as potential formula and process optimization trials of novel orlistat liposomal dispersion. All the experimental studies were evaluated for stability study profiles with respect to physical and chemical key parameters such as physical appearance, pH, density, drug entrapment efficiency, drug content, particle size, polydispersity index and zeta potential. The stability study was carried out at different temperature storage conditions. Materials and Methods: Formula optimization studies were utilized to investigate the impact of different molar ratios of orlistat, soya phosphatidylcholine, and cholesterol. Process optimization studies were also performed to comprehend the effect of variable stirring time, sonication time, and centrifugation time on the physical and chemical factors. Orlistat liposomal formulations were prepared using ethanol injection method. Results and Discussion: Percentage entrapment efficiency of F30 and F31 has 90.6 ± 0.3% and 89.0 ± 0.2% and average particle size of 847.9 nm and 848.1 nm, respectively, and rest of the physical and chemical parameters were satisfactory. Conclusions: The basic aim of the study was achieved with maximum % entrapment efficiency with smaller particle size. The optimized formulations have satisfactory physicochemical parameters at the initial time point and retained similar during stability at long-term storage conditions up to 6 months. Optimized formulations were stable up to 1 month at accelerated storage condition, but there was a significant change observed at 2 and 3 months.
Accuracy of Jump-Mat Systems for Measuring Jump Height.

Vertical-jump tests are commonly used to evaluate lower-limb power of athletes and nonathletes. Several types of equipment are available for this purpose. PURPOSE To compare the error of measurement of 2 jump-mat systems (Chronojump-Boscosystem and Globus Ergo Tester) with that of a motion-capture system as a criterion and to determine the modifying effect of foot length on jump height. METHODS Thirty-one young adult men alternated 4 countermovement jumps with 4 squat jumps. Mean jump height and standard deviations representing technical error of measurement arising from each device and variability arising from the subjects themselves were estimated with a novel mixed model and evaluated via standardization and magnitude-based inference. RESULTS The jump-mat systems produced nearly identical measures of jump height (differences in means and in technical errors of measurement ≤1 mm). Countermovement and squat-jump height were both 13.6 cm higher with motion capture (90% confidence limits ±0.3 cm), but this very large difference was reduced to small unclear differences when adjusted to a foot length of zero. Variability in countermovement and squat-jump height arising from the subjects was small (1.1 and 1.5 cm, respectively, 90% confidence limits ±0.3 cm); technical error of motion capture was similar in magnitude (1.7 and 1.6 cm, ±0.3 and ±0.4 cm), and that of the jump mats was similar or smaller (1.2 and 0.3 cm, ±0.5 and ±0.9 cm). CONCLUSIONS The jump-mat systems provide trustworthy measurements for monitoring changes in jump height. Foot length can explain the substantially higher jump height observed with motion capture.
Cognitive control by brain-injured car drivers: an exploratory study

Cognitive control is a key tool for adaptation in dynamic situations. The aim of the study is to assess the relevance of a theoretical framework for cognitive control in dynamic situations, in order to understand brain-injured (BI) car drivers' cognitive impairment. The framework supports a cognitive control multimodality based on the crossing of two orthogonal dimensions: symbolic/subsymbolic; anticipative/reactive control. BI car drivers' behaviour was compared with that of a control group (CTRL) during driving simulator scenarios. Eye movement analysis, among other variables, revealed that BI car drivers made use of a more symbolic and reactive control than did CTRL drivers. CTRL drivers showed a more stable cognitive compromise than BI drivers. The latter became less symbolic and more reactive in the case of difficult scenarios. In addition, BI drivers focused on the main task of trajectory management, with fewer resources devoted to traffic interaction management. Statement of Relevance:An explanation of differences between BI and CTRL drivers in terms of cognitive control requirements, attention and processing speed is put forward. From this, it is possible to derive some implications in terms of driver assistance (e.g. lane keeping or a warning assistance device) and rehabilitation.
Large-area slot-die coated organic photovoltaics with high efficiencies

Commercially available organic photovoltaics (OPV) are commonly fabricated using printing and coating techniques that allow for low-cost, high throughput processing of large-area OPV devices. However, the power conversion eﬃciency (PCE) of scaled-up OPVs is often lower than that of small-area ones. This is because the deposition techniques typically being used in industry are diﬀerent to those used in research laboratories (printing/coating vs. spin-coating). Thus, detailed studies of functional materials are required to tailor the characteristics of photoactive D/A blends of OPVs in order to preserve high PCE values for scaled-up device sizes. Therefore, the aims of this thesis were to enhance the PCEs of OPV cells made using a well-known donor material (P3HT), and to develop a structured approach to fabricating large-area OPVs thus easing the transfer of fabrication procedures from laboratory to industry. To achieve the ﬁrst goal, indene-C70-bis-adduct (IC70BA) was chosen as an acceptor material for a photoactive blend with P3HT. A review of P3HT:ICBA-based solar cells indicated a signiﬁcant variation of reported device PCE values (average of 4.66±1.45%). The majority of reported device eﬃciencies were measured for OPVs with photoactive areas rarely exceeding 0.1 cm2. Therefore, a detailed study of the intrinsic characteristics of the IC70BA molecule and the morphology of the P3HT:IC70BA blends was carried out in order to design the optimal fabrication conditions for achieving higher PCEs and up-scaled device areas. Record PCEs approaching 7% were accomplished in this thesis for OPVs with photoactive areas of 0.43 cm2. This was achieved by understanding the correlation between the isomeric properties of the IC70BA molecule and the resulting D/A blend morphology depending on the fabrication conditions used. The second goal of this thesis was accomplished by designing a slot-die coating equipment that allows for the deposition of functional materials over large-areas. Diﬀerent solubilised materials were deposited in ambient conditions on glass and plastic substrates in order to fabricate OPV devices. Two diﬀerent photoactive D/A systems were used: P3HT:IC70BA and PCDTBT:PC70BM. OPV cell and module PCEs approaching 4% were achieved for devices with photoactive areas of about 35 cm2. The quality of the slot-die coated layers was investigated using LBIC, PL, and Raman mapping. This will allow for future improvements in the coating process and, therefore, increased device PCEs and operational lifetimes. In conclusion, the results obtained in this thesis show a way of fabricating eﬃcient large-area OPVs without the use of the spin-coating deposition technique. The study of materials and the development of deposition procedures allows for an accessible transfer of research outcomes from the laboratory to industry.
Anytime Inference in Valuation Algebras

Anytime inference is inference performed incrementally, with the accuracy of the inference being controlled by a tunable parameter, usually time. Such anytime inference algorithms are also usually interruptible, gradually converging to the exact inference value until terminated. While anytime inference algorithms for specific domains like probability potentials exist in the literature, our objective in this article is to obtain an anytime inference algorithm which is sufficiently generic to cover a wide range of domains. For this we utilise the theory of generic inference as a basis for constructing an anytime inference algorithm, and in particular, extending work done on ordered valuation algebras. The novel contribution of this work is the construction of anytime algorithms in a generic framework, which automatically gives us instantiations in various useful domains. We also show how to apply this generic framework for anytime inference in semiring induced valuation algebras, an important subclass of valuation algebras, which includes instances like probability potentials, disjunctive normal forms and distributive lattices. Keywords: Approximation; Anytime algorithms; Resource-bounded computation; Generic inference; Valuation algebras; Local computation; Binary join trees.
The 2014 Bernard B. Brodie Award Lecture—Epoxide Hydrolases: Drug Metabolism to Therapeutics for Chronic Pain

Dr. Bernard Brodie’s legacy is built on fundamental discoveries in pharmacology and drug metabolism that were then translated to the clinic to improve patient care. Similarly, the development of a novel class of therapeutics termed the soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitors was originally spurred by fundamental research exploring the biochemistry and physiology of the sEH. Here, we present an overview of the history and current state of research on epoxide hydrolases, specifically focusing on sEHs. In doing so, we start with the translational project studying the metabolism of the insect juvenile hormone mimic R-20458 [(E)-6,7-epoxy-1-(4-ethylphenoxy)-3,7-dimethyl-2-octene], which led to the identification of the mammalian sEH. Further investigation of this enzyme and its substrates, including the epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, led to insight into mechanisms of inflammation, chronic and neuropathic pain, angiogenesis, and other physiologic processes. This basic knowledge in turn led to the development of potent inhibitors of the sEH that are promising therapeutics for pain, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, arthritis, and other disorders.
Differential Responses to Emotional Interference in Paranoid Schizophrenia and Bipolar Mania

Background: Studies on emotional biases towards threat-related stimuli in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have provided, so far, inconsistent results. The aim of the present study was to investigate emotional interference in acute schizophrenic and manic patients and its clinical correlates by using a card version of the Emotional Stroop Task designed with neutral, paranoid, depressive and manic words. Methods: Thirty paranoid schizophrenia patients, 30 manic patients and 60 healthy controls were compared on the Emotional Stroop Test. Response times (RT) were collected for each card. Interference indices were calculated by subtracting the RT for the neutral card from the RT for the depressive, paranoid and manic cards. Results: The schizophrenic and manic patient groups showed an increased interference effect when the emotional valence was relating to the disorder-specific psychopathology. In addition, the paranoid interference index correlated with positive symptoms in schizophrenic patients. By contrast, no correlation was evidenced between interference indices and mood symptoms in the manic group. Conclusions: Among schizophrenic patients, paranoid interference might be a state-related emotional abnormality associated with persecutory delusions. In mania, we suggest that emotional biases towards depressive as well as manic information might be trait features of the emotional hyperreactivity involved in the vulnerability to bipolar disorder.
Expression of histone variant, H2A.1 is associated with the undifferentiated state of hepatocyte

Recent studies suggest the incorporation of histone variants into the chromatin regulate cellular proliferation, differentiation, and de-differentiation. We have earlier reported the increase of H2A.1 variant during sequential de-differentiation of hepatocyte to hepato-cellular carcinoma. Here, we decipher the alterations in expression of H2A.1 and H2A.2 variants during rat liver embryogenesis and regeneration. The expression of H2A.1 and H2A.2, at protein and mRNA level, does not alter in normal cellular proliferation associated with regeneration of liver post PH. In contrast, gradual decrease of H2A.1 with increase of H2A.2 is observed during differentiation of embryonic to adult liver. Furthermore, the accumulation of H2A.1 is higher in embryonic stem cells compared to normal adult liver. Collectively, these data support a strong correlation of H2A.1 expression with undifferentiated cells and overall epigenetic reprogramming in dedifferentiation and maturation of undifferentiated cells, rather than with normal cellular proliferation.
Developing a sensory-enhanced robot-aided motor training programme

The present study aimed at developing a novel sensory enhancement handle used in robot–aided motor training. The handle provided vibro–tactile stimulation through pins connected to small servomotors inside the handle. When the pressure on the handle indicated an active movement of the subject, the corresponding servomotor(s) was activated to generate vibration on the hand of the subject to enhance the cutaneous sensation during motor training. In a feasibility study, nine chronic stroke survivors were randomly assigned to either a sensory–enhanced robot–aided motor training group (SERMT) or robot–aided motor training (RMT) only group. After 6–week motor training, the total motor status (MS) scores showed significant improvement in both groups. However, when dividing MS scores into two sub–scores for the shoulder/elbow and wrist/hand, significant increases in both sub–scores were shown only in the SERMT group (p < 0.05). Enhanced sensation might increase the gain of robot–aided motor training in stroke survivors.
DMP1 C-Terminal Mutant Mice Recapture the Human ARHR Tooth Phenotype

DMP1 mutations in autosomal recessive hypophosphatemic rickets (ARHR) patients and mice lacking Dmp1 display an overlapping pathophysiology, such as hypophosphatemia. However, subtle differences exist between the mouse model and human ARHR patients. These differences could be due to a species specificity of human versus mouse, or it may be that the mutant DMP1 in humans maintains partial function of DMP1. In this study we report a deformed tooth phenotype in a human DMP1 deletion mutation case. Unexpectedly, the deletion of nucleotides 1484 to 1490 (c.1484_1490delCTATCAC, delMut, resulting in replacement of the last 18 residues with 33 random amino acids) showed a severe dentin and enamel defect similar to a dentinogenesis imperfecta (DI) III–like phenotype. To address the molecular mechanism behind this phenotype, we generated delMut transgenic mice with the endogenous Dmp1 gene removed. These mutant mice did not recapture the abnormal phenotype observed in the human patient but displayed a mild rachitic tooth phenotype in comparison with that in the Dmp1‐null mice, suggesting that the DI III–like phenotype may be due to an as‐yet‐undetermined acquired gene modifier. The mechanism studies showed that the mutant fragment maintains partial function of DMP1 such as stimulating MAP kinase signaling in vitro. Last, the in vitro and in vivo data support a role of odontoblasts in the control of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF‐23) regulation during early postnatal development, although this regulation on Pi homeostasis is likely limited. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Combined administration of cerebrolysin and donepezil induces plastic changes in prefrontal cortex in aged mice

Cerebrolysin (Cbl) shows neurotrophic and neuroprotective properties while donepezil (Dnp) is a potent acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor, both drugs are prescribed for Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatment. Previous studies have shown that the Dnp and Cbl administered separately, modify dendritic morphology of neurons in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in senile rodents. Since the deficit of neurotrophic factor activity is implicated in the degeneration of cholinergic neurons of basal forebrain, a combination therapy of Dnp and Cbl has been tested recently in Alzheimer's patients. However, the plastic changes that may underlie this combined treatment have not yet been explored. We present here the effect of the combined administration of Cbl and Dnp on dendritic morphology in brain regions related to learning and memory in aged mice. The Golgi‐Cox staining protocol and Sholl analysis were used for studying dendritic changes. Cbl and Dnp were administrated daily for 2 months to 9‐months‐old mice. Locomotor activity was assessed, as well as the dendritic morphology of neurons in several limbic regions was analyzed. Results showed that Cbl and Dnp induced an increase in locomotor activity without synergistic effect. The Cbl or Dnp treatment modified the dendritic morphology of neurons from prefrontal cortex (PFC), dorsal hippocampus (DH), dentate gyrus (DG), and the shell of nucleus accumbens (NAcc). These changes show an increase in the total dendritic length and spine density, resulting in an improvement of dendritic arborization. Prominently, a synergistic effect of Cbl and Dnp was observed on branching order and total dendritic length of pyramidal neurons from PFC. These results suggest that Dnp and Cbl may induce plastic changes in a manner independent of each other, but could enhance their effect in target cells from PFC. Synapse 66:938–949, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect on Addition of Nano "Titanium Dioxide” (TiO2)on Compressive Strength of Cementitious Concrete

Cementitious concrete has great practical difficulties in achieving high compressive strength and durability of high performance structures. But it becomes a challenge to increase the compressive strength and durability of particular cementitious composite and also maintaining basic desirable properties of concrete. This paper addresses these problems by the addition of nano-materials. In this study, an attempt is made to understand the effect of Anatase Nano Titanium Dioxide (TiO2), on Conventional Concrete (CC) of M20 grade with various proportions 0.5%, 0.75%, 1.0%, 1.25%, 1.5% in relation with the weight of cement. The Workability, Strength parameters at various proportions of Anatase Nano Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) are tested at different durations. The results obtained are being discussed in the paper.
Angiotensin-(1-7) attenuates disuse skeletal muscle atrophy in mice via its receptor, Mas

ABSTRACT Immobilization is a form of disuse characterized by a loss of strength and muscle mass. Among the main features are decreased IGF-1/Akt signalling and increased ubiquitin-proteasome pathway signalling, which induce greater myosin heavy chain degradation. Activation of the classical renin-angiotensin system (RAS) causes deleterious effects in skeletal muscle, including muscle wasting. In contrast, angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)], a peptide of the non-classical RAS, produces beneficial effects in skeletal muscle. However, the role of Ang-(1-7) in skeletal muscle disuse atrophy and independent of classical RAS activation has not been evaluated. Therefore, we assessed the functions of Ang-(1-7) and the Mas receptor in disuse muscle atrophy in vivo using unilateral cast immobilization of the hind limb in male, 12-week-old wild-type (WT) and Mas-knockout (Mas KO) mice for 1 and 14 days. Additionally, we evaluated the participation of IGF-1/IGFR-1/Akt signalling and ubiquitin-proteasome pathway expression on the effects of Ang-(1-7) immobilization-induced muscle atrophy. Our results found that Ang-(1-7) prevented decreased muscle strength and reduced myofiber diameter, myosin heavy chain levels, and the induction of atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 expressions, all of which normally occur during immobilization. Analyses indicated that Ang-(1-7) increases IGF-1/IGFR-1/Akt pathway signalling through IGFR-1 and Akt phosphorylation, and the concomitant activation of two downstream targets of Akt, p70S6K and FoxO3. These anti-atrophic effects of Ang-(1-7) were not observed in Mas KO mice, indicating crucial participation of the Mas receptor. This report is the first to propose anti-atrophic effects of Ang-(1-7) via the Mas receptor and the participation of the IGF-1/IGFR-1/Akt/p70S6K/FoxO3 mechanism in disuse skeletal muscle atrophy. Summary: In this article, the authors demonstrate that a peptide with actions mainly in the cardiovascular system prevents the skeletal muscle damage induced by disuse.
Health utility estimation

Preference measurement techniques, like the standard gamble, time trade-off, visual analog scale, EuroQol, Health Utilities Index and Quality of Well-Being, are increasingly appearing in published studies. The scores from these instruments are variously called utilities, values or preferences. What are these concepts and do they differ? What are these instruments and what do they measure? What does a reader need to know to make sense of it all? What does a user need to know to select an appropriate approach? Read on for the answers.