Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The cooperation of swarm-bots: physical interactions in collective robotics

This paper describes the development of concepts of the SWARM-BOTS project and briefly overviews the outcomes of the project including the mechanical and electronic features of the developed robots. The paper also presents a physics-based simulator suitable to investigate time-consuming adaptive algorithms and shows examples of cooperative behaviors, both in simulation and in hardware. This novel research field addresses the design and implementation of robotic systems composed of swarms of robots that interact and cooperate to reach their goals.
GPU Real-Time Medium Model for Artistic Temporally Coherent Rendering

We present a consistent model for artistic medium reproduction in 3D scene renderings and animations. Computer generated stylized animations should reproduce the medium used by the artists while avoiding the artifacts present in hand-drawn animations. In our model, for each scene object, we create a surface grain according to the object geometry and apply it as additional material properties. Our system aims to make these additional material properties remain consistent to the scene / objects animation while avoiding the shower door and popping effects. Moreover, in contrast with existing methods in which coherence is primarily maintained during walkthroughs, our strategy consists in maintaining the grain attachment for any object rotations and non z-axis (i.e. depth) displacements and refining the grain density according to z-axis displacements. Furthermore to prevent this artifact, we propose to select salient additional material properties and reconstruct it for the whole image through a fractal surface reconstruction process. Our model is fully implemented on GPU, results are obtained without any adaptation of the original 3D scene or objects and the rendering process is real-time.
Constitutional down-regulation of SEMA 5 A expression in autism

There is strong evidence for the importance of genetic factors in idiopathic autism. The results from independent twin and family studies suggest that the disorder is caused by the action of several genes, possibly acting epistatically. We have used cDNA microarray technology for the identification of constitutional changes in the gene expression profile associated with idiopathic autism. Samples were obtained and analyzed from six affected subjects belonging to multiplex autism families and from six healthy controls. We assessed the expression levels for approximately 7,700 genes by cDNA microarrays using mRNA derived from Epstein Barr virus (EBV)-transformed B-lymphocytes. The microarray data was analyzed in order to identify upor down-regulation of specific genes. A common pattern with nine down-regulated genes was identified among samples derived from individuals with autism when compared to controls. Four of these nine genes encode proteins involved in biological processes associated with brain function or the immune system, and are consequently considered as candidates for genes associated with autism. Quantitative realtime PCR confirms the down-regulation of the gene encoding SEMA5A, a protein involved in axonal guidance. EBV should be considered as a possible source for altered expression but our consistent results make us suggest SEMA5A a candidate gene in the etiology of idiopathic autism.
Optimal Monetary Policy in a Model of Asymmetric Central Bank Preferences

This paper considers optimal monetary in the context of the central bank adopting a asymmetric objective function. We exploit a procedure, due to Varian and Zellner, to derive policies under commitment and discretion. Our results show that under asymmetric preferences, many of the extant results on the time consistency problem no longer hold. A striking feature of the optimal policy solutions is that a committed policymaker is not unambiguously preferred to his discretionary counterpart. Moreover, the form of the optimal discretionary solution indicates that the usual mechanisms to eliminate the inflation bias are inappropriate.
Determining multicast routes with QoS and traffic engineering requirements based on genetic algorithm

Quality of service (QoS) intends to guarantee that the end-to-end communication is obtained with the appropriate service level for each application. Traffic engineering (TE) supplies forms of obtaining QoS in computer networks. TE proposals try to optimize the use of network resources and the performance of QoS traffic. Genetic algorithms (GA) for QoS route computation was already proposed. The GA model discussed here incorporates innovations based on TE requirements: a "hops count" metric and a mechanism to avoid duplicated candidate routes. Our GA was applied to multicast routes and converged to better solutions than the ones previously published.
High burden and unmet patient needs in chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a complex debilitating condition affecting more than 70 million people worldwide. With the increased prevalence in risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease in an aging population, CKD prevalence is also expected to increase. Increased awareness and understanding of the overall CKD burden by health care teams (patients, clinicians, and payers) is warranted so that overall care and treatment management may improve. This review of the burden of CKD summarizes available evidence of the clinical, humanistic, and economic burden of CKD and the current unmet need for new treatments and serves as a resource on the overall burden. Across countries, CKD prevalence varies considerably and is dependent upon patient characteristics. The prevalence of risk factors including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and congestive heart failure is noticeably higher in patients with lower estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs) and results in highly complex CKD patient populations. As CKD severity worsens, there is a subsequent decline in patient health-related quality of life and an increased use of health care resources as well as burgeoning costs. With current treatment, nearly half of patients progress to unfavorable renal and cardiovascular outcomes. Although curative treatment that will arrest kidney deterioration is desired, innovative agents under investigation for CKD to slow kidney deterioration, such as atrasentan, bardoxolone methyl, and spherical carbon adsorbent, may offer patients healthier and more productive lives.
Golden-winged Warbler habitat model validation for northern Wisconsin and central Minnesota

3 Acknowledgements I would like to acknowledge contributions of these specific organizations and individuals who aided in the development of this thesis. University and to the King Chavez Fellowship for making funds available. Thanks to Justin Gustafson for his work in the field and all of the federal agencies that allowed us access to their land. and all of the other graduate students in the SFRES for all of their advice and moral support. And a special thanks to Jonathan Coyne for moral support and my parents Susan and Andrew Wrobel for moral support, advice and work in the field. Abstract Between 1966 and 2003, the Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) experienced declines of 3.4% per year in large parts of the breeding range and has been identified by Partners in Flight as one of 28 land birds requiring expedient action to prevent its continued decline. It is currently being considered for listing under the Endangered Species Act. A major step in advancing our understanding of the status and habitat preferences of Golden-winged Warbler populations in the Upper Midwest was initiated by the publication of new predictive spatially explicit Golden-winged Warbler habitat models for the northern Midwest. Here, I use original data on observed Golden-winged Warbler abundances in Wisconsin and Minnesota to compare two population models: the hierarchical spatial count (HSC) model with the Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) model. I assessed how well the field data compared to the model predictions and found that within Wisconsin, the HSC model performed slightly better than the HSI model whereas both models performed relatively equally in Minnesota. For the HSC model, I found a 10% error of commission in Wisconsin and a 24.2% error of commission for Minnesota. Similarly, the HSI model has a 23% error of commission in Minnesota; in Wisconsin due to limited areas where the HSI model predicted absences, there was incomplete data and I was unable to determine the error of commission for the HSI model. These are sites where the model predicted presences and the Golden-winged Warbler did not occur. To compare predicted abundance from the two models, a 3x3 contingency table was used. I found that when overlapped, the models do not complement one another in identifying Golden-winged Warbler presences. To calculate discrepancy between the models, the error of commission shows that the HSI model has only a 6.8% chance of correctly classifying absences in the HSC model. …
Wavelet bicoherence: A new turbulence analysis tool

A recently introduced tool for the analysis of turbulence, wavelet bicoherence [van Milligen, Hidalgo, and Sanchez, Phys. Rev. Lett. 16, 395 (1995)], is investigated. It is capable of detecting phase coupling—nonlinear interactions of the lowest (quadratic) order—with time resolution. To demonstrate its potential, it is applied to numerical models of chaos and turbulence and to real measurements. It detected the coupling interaction between two coupled van der Pol oscillators. When applied to a model of drift wave turbulence relevant to plasma physics, it detected a highly localized coherent structure. Analyzing reflectometry measurements made in fusion plasmas, it detected temporal intermittency and a strong increase in nonlinear phase coupling coinciding with the L/H (low‐to‐high confinement mode) transition.
Analysis and implementation of graph indexing for graph database using GraphGrep algorithm

Graph database is a database that uses a graph structure to represent and manage the data. Not all types of data are suit for graph database, one that fits is the molecular graph data type. It has characteristic labeled vertices and undirected edges. Graph database also have indexing method. For molecular data type study case, GraphGrep is the most approriate method because it assume each node in the graph database has a unique number (id-node) and label (label-node). So it is suitable for molecular data type. GraphGrep using a hash table (fingerprint) as an index, comparing the graph database fingerprint with graph query fingerpint to filter the database and use Ullman algorithm to perform subgraph matching. By implementing GrapGrep, we can filter database up to 100% filtering based on length-path we used and get the exact answer set. We also get the most efficient length-path based on the deepest depth in a graph query.
ForeverSOA: Towards the Maintenance of Service Oriented Software

In this position paper, we argue about the need to adapt/refine fundamental object-oriented design principles with respect to the specificities of service- oriented software, to address realistic maintenance scenarios. Moreover, we sketch an approach that relies on a reverse engineering process, which recovers service abstractions out of available services, to enable the adoption of the refined principles in the development of service-oriented software towards improving its maintainability quality attribute.
It's Not All in The Ask Effects and Effectiveness of Recruitment Strategies Used by Nonprofits in The Netherlands

Devices for covering the interior of windows include venetian blinds, shades, drapes, curtains and shutters. A simple decorative alternative to such devices is a system including a rectangular frame for mounting in or on a window frame, the rectangular frame containing partitions extending between the top and bottom or sides of the frame, both sides of the partitions and the inner sides of the top and bottom or sides of the frame containing recesses defining longitudinally and transversely extending tracks, in which are mounted a plurality of discrete panels. The panels can be slid longitudinally and transversely of the frame independently of each other for blocking selected portions of the window opening.
Differential Contribution of the Aryl-Hydrocarbon Receptor and Toll-Like Receptor Pathways to IL-8 Expression in Normal and Cystic Fibrosis Airway Epithelial Cells Exposed to Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa are gram-negative bacteria that frequently infect the lungs of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. This bacterium is highly responsive to changes in its environment, resulting in the expression of a diverse array of genes that may contribute to the host inflammatory response. P. aeruginosa is well-known to induce neutrophilic inflammation via the activation of Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs). Recently, it was shown that pyocyanin, a phenazine produced by P. aeruginosa, binds to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), leading to neutrophilic inflammation as part of the host defense response. In this study, we have investigated the contribution of the TLR and AhR signaling pathways to the expression of the neutrophil chemoattractant IL-8 in response to P. aeruginosa diffusible material. Although both pathways are involved in IL-8 synthesis, the AhR played a greater role when planktonic P. aeruginosa was grown in a media favoring phenazine synthesis. However, when P. aeruginosa was grown in a media that mimics the nutritional composition of CF sputa, both pathways contributed similarly to IL-8 synthesis. Finally, when P. aeruginosa was grown as a biofilm, the TLR pathway did not contribute to biofilm-driven IL-8 synthesis and AhR was found to only partially contribute to IL-8 synthesis, suggesting the contribution of another unknown signaling pathway. Therefore, the interaction between P. aeruginosa and airway epithelial cells is very dynamic, and sensor engagement is variable according to the adaptation of P. aeruginosa to the CF lung environment.
The Politics of European Union Health Policies

Chapter One: Health policy in the European Union: From Secret Garden to Public Park Chapter Two: EU Health Policymaking Chapter Three: European Union Health Policies: The Key Issues Facing States Chapter Four: Doing something about it Chapter Five: Lobbies Chapter Six: Member States Chapter Seven: France Chapter Eight: Germany Chapter Nine: The United Kingdom Chapter Ten: Spain Chapter Eleven: Conclusion
Regulation of aldosterone secretion by several aberrant receptors including for glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide in a patient with an aldosteronoma.

CONTEXT Primary adrenal Cushing's syndrome can result from the aberrant adrenal expression of several hormone receptors; this mechanism has not been explored in detail in aldosterone-producing tumors. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to evaluate a 56-yr-old male patient with an aldosteronoma for the regulation of aldosterone secretion by aberrant hormone receptors. RESULTS Renin-independent stimulation of aldosterone secretion was observed in vivo after a mixed meal, oral glucose, or administration of glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP), vasopressin, and tegaserod. The mixed meal-mediated stimulation of aldosterone was not present in five other cases of aldosteronoma. A smaller response of aldosterone after GIP infusion was observed in a normal subject. Aldosterone secretion was stimulated by GIP in primary cultures of this patient's aldosteronoma. Increased expression of GIP receptor was found in this aldosteronoma by real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. The GIP receptor protein was also found at lower levels in zona glomerulosa cells of the normal adjacent adrenal gland. Increased expression of serotonin 4 and ACTH receptors was also present in this aldosteronoma. CONCLUSIONS This case report provides new evidence of the implication of aberrant hormone receptors in the regulation of this aldosteronoma and suggests that further detailed studies of the role of aberrant hormone receptors in this frequent pathology should be undertaken.
Yes we can! Improving medical screening for intimate partner violence through self-efficacy

Abstract: Background: Because individual practitioner's commitment to routine screening for IPV is the greatest predictor that women will be screened and referred for services, it is vital that screeners are dedicated, knowledgeable, and confident in their ability to recognize and assist victims of violence. Self-efficacy has been consistently linked in the literature with successful outcomes. Objectives: Intimate partner violence (IPV) constitutes a major public health problem. In the absence of Federal or State regulation, individual hospitals and systems are left to develop their own policies and procedures. This paper describes the policies and procedures developed by an American domestic violence counseling and resource center. Design: Post test surveys were used. Settings: Hospitals, medical offices, and medical schools surrounding an urban area in Pennsylvania participated. Participants: 320 nurses and medical students participated in training provided by a domestic violence center. Methods: Post test surveys measured self-efficacy, the perceived usefulness of screening the accessibility of victim services, understanding of obstacles faced by victims, and knowledge-level regarding local IPV services. Participants also self-reported their gender, age, race, and position with the hospital system. Results: Nurses and medical interns exhibit a wide range of self-efficacy regarding their ability to screen victims of intimate partner violence. Intimate partner violence (IPV) training yielded participants who were better informed about IPV services and the obstacles faced by victims. Conclusions: In the absence of uniform screening guidelines, hospitals, systems, and individual practitioners must be vigilant in screening procedures. Partnerships with women's centers may provide valuable resources and training that may ultimately improve patient care.
Characterization of a novel lipase from Bacillus sp. isolated from tannery wastes

Kinetics of a lipase isolated from Bacillus sp. was studied. The enzyme showed maximum activity at pH 9 and temperature 60°C. The Michaelis constant (KM 0.31 mM) obtained from three different plots i.e., Lineweaver-Burk, Hanes-Wolf and Hofstee, was found to be lower than already reported lipases that confirmed higher affinity of the enzyme for its substrate p-NPL (p-nitrophenyl laurate). Vmax of the enzyme was found to be 7.6 µM/mL/min. Energy of activation calculated from Arrhenius plot was found to be 20.607 kJmol−1. Activation enthalpy (ΔH*) had negative trend and the value for the hydrolysis of p-NPL by the enzyme at optimum temperature was −2.748 kJmol−1. Activation entropy (ΔS*) and free energy of activation (ΔG*) of the enzyme were found to be 1.468 Jmol−1K−1 and −3.237 kJmol−1, respectively at optimum temperature. Low value of Q10 (0.04788) shows high catalytic activity of the enzyme. Mn2+, Fe2+ and Mg2+ enhanced the lipase activity whereas Cu2+, Na+ and Co2+ inhibited the enzyme activity. However, the enzyme activity was not affected significantly by K+ ions. EDTA and SDS also significantly inhibited the lipase activity. Activity of the enzyme was increased in n-hexane while decreased with increase in concentration of acetone, chloroform, ethanol and isopropanol.
Observed Antagonistic Effect of Linezolid on Daptomycin or Vancomycin Activity against Biofilm-Forming Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in an In Vitro Pharmacodynamic Model

ABSTRACT Pharmacodynamic activity in antibiotic combinations of daptomycin, vancomycin, and linezolid was investigated in a 48-h in vitro pharmacodynamic model. Using human-simulated free drug concentrations, activity against clinical biofilm-forming methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates was evaluated. Linezolid antagonized vancomycin activity at 24 and 48 h. Linezolid antagonized daptomycin at 24 and 48 h depending on dose and strain. Adding daptomycin increased vancomycin activity at 48 h (P < 0.03). These results may be strain dependent and require further clinical investigation.
Prediction of protein structural classes based on secondary structure sequence using Improved Support Vector Machine (ISVM)

In general, the gap is broadening rapidly between the number of known protein sequences and the number of known protein structural classes. To overcome this crisis, it is essential to develop a computational prediction method for fast and precisely determining the protein structural class. Based on the predicted secondary structure information, the protein structural classes are predicted. To evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm with the existing algorithms, four datasets, namely 25PDB, 1189, D640 and FC699 are used. In this work, an Improved Support Vector Machine (ISVM) is proposed to predict the protein structural classes. The comparison of results indicates that Improved Support Vector Machine (ISVM) predicts more accurate protein structural class than the existing algorithms.
A coupling-guided cluster analysis approach to reengineer the modularity of object-oriented systems

Describes a validation experiment of a quantitative approach to the modularization of object-oriented systems. The approach used is based on cluster analysis, a statistical technique used in many fields of science to group items. In this case, the clusters are modules and the items are classes. A sample of some relatively large object-oriented systems was used in this experiment. The calculation of the dissimilarity between classes is based on their relative couplings combined through six different rating schemes. These couplings are classified according to a taxonomy framework where categories were assigned weights. The coupling data were obtained with the MOODKit G2 tool. The results obtained allow conclusions concerning the applicability of the proposed approach. This work was developed in the realm of the MOOD (Modularization of Object-Oriented Systems) project, which aims to deliver a quantitative framework to support the design of object-oriented systems.
The overlap between anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder

The anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobia, social phobia, agoraphobia, and panic disorder. In addition to the specific symptoms of these disorders, there may be a common experience of anxiety and even dysphoria across the conditions, and of course recourse to the same drug or choice of drugs for treatment. This overlap probably occurs because of universal dimensions of distress or negative affectivity, a shared genetic predisposition, and a common neurobiology Evidence of shared genes is still based mainly on twin studies, but the shared neurobiology can be investigated directly by the investigation of emotional or cognitive bias either behaviorally or using functional brain imaging. This intermediate phenotype can then provide a substrate for understanding and developing medicines and psychological treatments.