Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Simulation and control of multipurpose wheelchair for disabled/elderly mobility

© 2016 IOS Press and the author(s). This paper presents investigations into the development of modelling and control strategies for a multipurpose wheelchair as mobile transporter for elderly and disabled people. The research is aimed at helping people with physical weakness/disabilities in their upper and lower extremities to move independently without human intervention. A novel reconfiguration which allows multi-task operations in the same wheelchair system with improved design is modelled in Visual Nastran 4D (VN4D) software. A modular fuzzy logic control mechanism with integrated phases is introduced for the overall operations and two-wheeled stabilization of the wheelchair. It is shown that the proposed modular fuzzy control approach is able to ensure system stability while performing multipurpose tasks such as manoeuvrability on flat surfaces, stairs climbing (ascending and descending), standing in the upright position on two wheels and transformation back to standard four wheels with up to 50% less initial torque in comparison to previous designs.
An investigation into the adequacy of existing and alternative property rights regimes to achieve sustainable management of the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest in Bangladesh

This thesis identifies theoretical gaps regarding the adequacy of property rights in achieving sustainable management in the world’s largest Sundarbans Mangrove Forest (SMF) in Bangladesh. This will be achieved through an examination of existing and alternative property rights regimes. Gaps are also pinpointed regarding non-compliance with existing policy in conservation practices and the absence of clear quantitative and qualitative methodical approaches for identifying sustained conservation determinants of the forest. This research aims to fill these gaps by addressing the questions of the adequacy of the existing property rights regime to achieve sustainability. It examines the interaction between property rights and conservation and the necessity for an alternative property rights regime of co-management. It focuses on state property rights regimes within mangrove conservation practices. The subject of this thesis is regarded as one of the oldest mangrove management systems in history, originating in 1875. The thesis adopts a mixed methods research approach involving household survey, content analysis and focus group discussions. Multiple actors, scales and techniques—with a focus on Forest Dependent Communities (FDCs) and conservation practices by the Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD)—are involved in the study. This study considers FDC households as a unit of analysis. Field work was conducted in six villages of the Koyra sub-district and various government offices over a period of four months between November 2010 and February 2011. The field research moves from the household level to the national, division, district, sub-district and international levels. It undertakes a combination of process analysis to establish how mangrove forest conservation is enhanced, the role of FDCs in conservation and why policy fails to advance sustained conservation. Following a review of descriptive statistics, logit model and content analysis, the study finds the state property regime to be inadequate due to the specific and changing socio-cultural, economic, political and ecological contexts of the SMF and its FDCs. Currently, there is a high prevalence of institutionalised corruption and elite dominance. Existing regime embeddedness obstructs FDCs in their attempt to play a role in management and policy-making processes. Without understanding the emergence of the common property regime, FDCs’ positive motivation and collective action cannot be incorporated into sustained conservation policy directives. Along with supply-side property rights interventions in line with Schlager and Ostrom’s (1992) theory, this study justifies some key demand-side interventions to achieve sustainable management. This is expected to overcome state property-related hurdles in achieving sustainability of the SMF. Thereby, it highlights property rights embeddedness to improve FDCs’ socio-economic context through a ‘co-management-alternative livelihood mix’.
Congenital Heart Diseases in Aged Patients: Clinical Features, Diagnosis, and Therapeutic Indications Based on the Analysis of a Twenty Five-Year Medline Search

Objectives: The increasing aging of the population make congenital heart disease more likely to be found in aged patients. No systematic data exist on epidemiology, diagnosis, and therapy in this complex class of patients. The purpose of this study was to provide specific clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic information concerning patients over 65 with congenital heart disease (CHDs) and to identify the most frequent CHDs in such class of patients. Methods: A Medline search was performed to include articles related to congenital heart disease in patients over 65 in worldwide literature from January 1977 to January 2004. Follow-up studies of old, operated CHDs were excluded. The selected papers were divided and numbered on the basis of key words in the title and contents into general, diagnostic, and therapeutic topics. Results: One thousand ninety-five articles met the search criteria. Atrial septal abnormalities, coronary artery anomalies, bicuspid aorta and congenital aortic valve stenosis, and patent ductus arteriosus resulted in the most cited CHDs in the elderly. Clinical manifestations included syncope, supraventricular/ventricular arrhythmias, symptoms of chronic pulmonary hypertension, and congestive heart failure. Echocardiography for the most frequent CHDs and computed tomography and magnetic resonance for complex cases were the main diagnostic tools (277, 104, and 110 citations, respectively). Catheterization plays a marginal role (68 articles). Age is not considered a contraindication to interventions; surgical and endovascular therapy appeared to be similarly useful in managing the most frequent CHDs (88 and 63 citations, respectively), whereas medical treatments were selected for most complex CHDs (71 citations). Conclusions: Patients with CHDs, especially those with low mortality in childhood, are more frequently reaching old age. New imaging techniques and endovascular treatments seem useful in the challenging management of CHDs in aged patients.
Comparison of cost, material and time usage in FDM and SLS 3D printing methods

Additive manufacturing (AM) is the process of joining materials to make objects from Computer Aided Design (CAD) model data, usually layer upon layer, as opposed to using subtractive manufacturing methods. The use of rapid prototyping technologies has increased significantly in recent years. This paper represents an attempt to answer the questions of when 3D printing can be used efficiently and of choosing the appropriate technology on the basis of batch size, element size, complexity, and time requirements.
CD73 Plays a Protective Role in Collagen-Induced Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease with significant morbidity and mortality. Recent studies suggest that modulation of adenosine signaling, a potent immunosuppressive pathway, is a promising approach for treatment of RA. Extracellular adenosine can come from two sources: transport of intracellular adenosine and hydrolysis of extracellular adenine nucleotides by CD73. In this study, we investigated the susceptibility of CD73-deficient C57BL/6 mice to collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), a well-established mouse model of RA. Our data demonstrated that CD73-deficient mice are significantly more susceptible to CIA than wild-type mice. CD73 deficiency resulted in an increased production of proinflammatory cytokines in the joints, increased Th1 T cell responses, and increased joint destruction. Surprisingly, this was accompanied by delayed anticollagen IgG responses, suggesting defective isotype class switching in CD73-deficient mice. Using bone marrow chimera mice, we demonstrated that CD73 expression on nonhematopoietic cells, but not on hematopoietic cells, was important for protection from CIA. We further demonstrated that administration of a selective A2A adenosine receptor agonist to CD73-deficient mice resulted in arthritis incidence similar to wild-type mice in support of a protective role for A2A signaling. Taken together, our study identifies CD73 as an important regulator of CIA in mice. It also strengthens the notion that CD73-generated adenosine by nonhematopoietic cells plays a protective role in RA and suggests that strategies able to enhance CD73 activity or expression levels may be a valid therapeutic option.
Type IV Pilus Assembly in Pseudomonas aeruginosa over a Broad Range of Cyclic di-GMP Concentrations

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative, opportunistic pathogen that utilizes polar type IV pili (T4P) for twitching motility and adhesion in the environment and during infection. Pilus assembly requires FimX, a GGDEF/EAL domain protein that binds and hydrolyzes cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP). Bacteria lacking FimX are deficient in twitching motility and microcolony formation. We carried out an extragenic suppressor screen in PA103ΔfimX bacteria to identify additional regulators of pilus assembly. Multiple suppressor mutations were mapped to PA0171, PA1121 (yfiR), and PA3703 (wspF), three genes previously associated with small-colony-variant phenotypes. Multiple independent techniques confirmed that suppressors assembled functional surface pili, though at both polar and nonpolar sites. Whole-cell c-di-GMP levels were elevated in suppressor strains, in agreement with previous studies that had shown that the disrupted genes encoded negative regulators of diguanylate cyclases. Overexpression of the regulated diguanylate cyclases was sufficient to suppress the ΔfimX pilus assembly defect, as was overexpression of an unrelated diguanylate cyclase from Caulobacter crescentus. Furthermore, under natural conditions of high c-di-GMP, PA103ΔfimX formed robust biofilms that showed T4P staining and were structurally distinct from those formed by nonpiliated bacteria. These results are the first demonstration that P. aeruginosa assembles a surface organelle, type IV pili, over a broad range of c-di-GMP concentrations. Assembly of pili at low c-di-GMP concentrations requires a polarly localized c-di-GMP binding protein and phosphodiesterase, FimX; this requirement for FimX is bypassed at high c-di-GMP concentrations. Thus, P. aeruginosa can assemble the same surface organelle in distinct ways for motility or adhesion under very different environmental conditions.
Acute volume expansion preserves orthostatic tolerance during whole‐body heat stress in humans

Whole‐body heat stress reduces orthostatic tolerance via a yet to be identified mechanism(s). The reduction in central blood volume that accompanies heat stress may contribute to this phenomenon. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that acute volume expansion prior to the application of an orthostatic challenge attenuates heat stress‐induced reductions in orthostatic tolerance. In seven normotensive subjects (age, 40 ± 10 years: mean ±s.d.), orthostatic tolerance was assessed using graded lower‐body negative pressure (LBNP) until the onset of symptoms associated with ensuing syncope. Orthostatic tolerance (expressed in cumulative stress index units, CSI) was determined on each of 3 days, with each day having a unique experimental condition: normothermia, whole‐body heating, and whole‐body heating + acute volume expansion. For the whole‐body heating + acute volume expansion experimental day, dextran 40 was rapidly infused prior to LBNP sufficient to return central venous pressure to pre‐heat stress values. Whole‐body heat stress alone reduced orthostatic tolerance by ∼80% compared to normothermia (938 ± 152 versus 182 ± 57 CSI; mean ±s.e.m., P < 0.001). Acute volume expansion during whole‐body heating completely ameliorated the heat stress‐induced reduction in orthostatic tolerance (1110 ± 69 CSI, P < 0.001). Although heat stress results in many cardiovascular and neural responses that directionally challenge blood pressure regulation, reduced central blood volume appears to be an underlying mechanism responsible for impaired orthostatic tolerance in the heat‐stressed human.
Fuzzy simulation for infrastructure effects uncertainty analysis

In this paper we propose a method for conducting infrastructure effects-based modeling in uncertain environments. Critical infrastructure is composed of intertwining physical and social networks. Events in one network often cascade to other networks creating a domino effect. This cascading effect is not always well understood due to uncertainties in the multiple levels of effect. To account for these uncertainties, we present a method using fuzzy finite state machines (FFSM).
Residual Symptoms in Depressed Outpatients Who Respond by 50% But Do Not Remit to Antidepressant Medication

Little is known about the quantity or quality of residual depressive symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who have responded but not remitted with antidepressant treatment. This report describes the residual symptom domains and individual depressive symptoms in a large representative sample of outpatients with nonpsychotic MDD who responded without remitting after up to 12 weeks of citalopram treatment in the Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) study. Response was defined as 50% or greater reduction in baseline 16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self-Report (QIDS-SR16) by treatment exit, and remission as a final QIDS-SR16 of less than 6. Residual symptom domains and individual symptoms were based on the QIDS-SR16 and classified as either persisting from baseline or emerging during treatment. Most responders who did not remit endorsed approximately 5 residual symptom domains and 6 to 7 residual depressive symptoms. The most common domains were insomnia (94.6%), sad mood (70.8%), and decreased concentration (69.6%). The most common individual symptoms were midnocturnal insomnia (79.0%), sad mood (70.8%), and decreased concentration/decision making (69.6%). The most common treatment-emergent symptoms were midnocturnal insomnia (51.4%) and decreased general interest (40.0%). The most common persistent symptoms were midnocturnal insomnia (81.6%), sad mood (70.8%), and decreased concentration/decision making (70.6%). Suicidal ideation was the least common treatment-emergent symptom (0.7%) and the least common persistent residual symptom (17.1%). These findings suggest that depressed outpatients who respond by 50% without remitting to citalopram treatment have a broad range of residual symptoms. Individualized treatments are warranted to specifically address each patient's residual depressive symptoms.
Channel and Noise Covariance Matrix Estimation for MIMO Systems with Optimal Training Design

We investigate the performances of MIMO channel, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and noise covariance estimation in the presence of correlated noise. The Cramer-Rao lower bounds (CRLBs) for the estimated parameters are evaluated. The CRLB of the channel matrix estimation is minimized with respect to the training sequence. When the noise covariance matrix is available, the minimum variance and unbiased estimator (MVUE) of the channel matrix corresponds to the generalized least squares (GLS) estimator. When the covariance matrix is unknown, we propose to use the feasible generalized least squares (FGLS) technique. We prove that this two-step procedure is asymptotically equivalent to the GLS algorithm. The analytic analysis is confirmed by Monte Carlo simulations.
Upper Limb Robot-Assisted Therapy in Cerebral Palsy

Background. Several pilot studies have evoked interest in robot-assisted therapy (RAT) in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Objective. To assess the effectiveness of RAT in children with CP through a single-blind randomized controlled trial. Patients and Methods. Sixteen children with CP were randomized into 2 groups. Eight children performed 5 conventional therapy sessions per week over 8 weeks (control group). Eight children completed 3 conventional therapy sessions and 2 robot-assisted sessions per week over 8 weeks (robotic group). For both groups, each therapy session lasted 45 minutes. Throughout each RAT session, the patient attempted to reach several targets consecutively with the REAPlan. The REAPlan is a distal effector robot that allows for displacements of the upper limb in the horizontal plane. A blinded assessment was performed before and after the intervention with respect to the International Classification of Functioning framework: body structure and function (upper limb kinematics, Box and Block test, Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test, strength, and spasticity), activities (Abilhand-Kids, Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory), and participation (Life Habits). Results. During each RAT session, patients performed 744 movements on average with the REAPlan. Among the variables assessed, the smoothness of movement (P < .01) and manual dexterity assessed by the Box and Block test (P = .04) improved significantly more in the robotic group than in the control group. Conclusions. This single-blind randomized controlled trial provides the first evidence that RAT is effective in children with CP. Future studies should investigate the long-term effects of this therapy.
Recombinant human immunodeficiency virus‐1 transactivator of transcription1–86 allosterically modulates dopamine transporter activity

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 positive drug abusers exhibit greater neurological impairments and have higher rates of motor and cognitive dysfunction in comparison to HIV-1 negative drug abusers or HIV-1 positive individuals who do not abuse drugs”, it reads as “HIV-1 positive individuals who do not abuse drugs (Del Valle et al., 2000; Ferris et al., 2008; Hudson et al., 2010; Nath, 2010). Although the exact neuropathic basis for this HIV-1 drug abuse interaction is unknown, there has been recent recognition of a convergence between the toxicity of HIV-1 trans-activator of transcription (Tat) protein and drugs of abuse within the ventral striatum dopaminergic system (Ferris et al., 2008; Nath, 2010). This putative interaction between the HIV-1 Tat protein and the dopamine (DA) system may produce the neurocognitive/motor impairments associated with chronic HIV-1 infection and drug abuse (Ferris et al., 2008; Harrod et al., 2008). Human imaging studies have found a significant reduction in DA transporter (DAT) density in HIV-1 positive patients, especially in those patients with cognitive/motor deficits and those with co-morbid cocaine abuse (Chang et al., 2008; Wang et al., 2004). We have reported that in vitro exposure to recombinant Tat1-86 decreased the specific [3H]DA uptake and [3H]WIN 35,428 binding sites without a change in total DAT immunoreactivity (Wallace et al., 2006; Zhu et al., 2009). Further, our research using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis has demonstrated that Tat protein interacts directly and specifically with hDAT-GFP in a concentration-dependent manner (Zhu et al., 2009). Thus, the accumulating evidence suggests that the influence of Tat on DAT function and DAT ligand binding sites involves a protein-protein interaction between Tat and DAT, possibly serving as a mechanistic basis for interactions between HIV-1 and cocaine.
molecular typing of Legionella pneumophila strains isolated from environment in Morocco.

Legionella pneumophila is a common cause of hospital and community-acquired pneumonia, being transmitted by inhalation of aqueous aerosols. Most legionellosis outbreaks are linked to contaminated hot water systems or cooling towers. The aim of this study was to determine the genetic diversity of (n= 55) environmental strains of L. pneumophila recovered from the hot water distribution systems of 16 establishments in seven Moroccan towns during the period 2009-2011. Thirteen chromosomal restriction patterns determined by Pulsed field gel electrophoresis were detected. The strains of L. pneumophila serogroup1 exhibited in 6/13 different PFGE patterns, while the strains of L. pneumophila serogroups 2-14 showed 7/13 PFGE patterns. The PFGE showed the existence of various patterns in Morocco, The pattern -XI- have tree similar profiles with the endemic L. pneumophila Paris's strain. This technique also allowed to conclude that the same pulsotype was found for many strains isolated from different establishments. Moreover, different pulsolypes were found for strains isolated from the same establishment. These results showed that PFGE analysis is a powerful tool to reveal the clonal nature and genetic differences among L. pneumophila strains.
Graded Ultra-Translucent Zirconia (5Y-PSZ) for Strength and Functionalities

Ultra-translucent zirconias are drawing immense attention due to their fascinating esthetic appearance. However, the high translucency came at the expense of diminishing strength along with the reduced ability of transformation toughening due to the increased cubic zirconia content. We aim to address these issues by infiltrating glass on the surface of an ultra-translucent zirconia (5Y-PSZ). Glasses of different shades can be used and the resulting graded glass/zirconia layer is expected to improve the material’s flexural strength without compromising its esthetics. We also aim to elucidate how clinically relevant surface treatments—namely, air abrasion, glazing, or polishing—affect the fracture resistance of these zirconias with a high cubic content. All surface treatments were performed on bar-shaped (2 × 3 × 25 mm3) and plate-shaped (12 × 12 × 1 mm3) specimens, which were then subjected to a 4-point bending test and translucency measurements, respectively. 5Y-PSZ proved to be significantly more translucent than 3Y-TZP but also much weaker. Our hypothesis was accepted, as the strength of the glass-infiltrated ultra-translucent 5Y-PSZ (582 ± 20 MPa) is over 70% higher than its uninfiltrated counterpart (324 ± 57 MPa). Its strength is also over 25% higher than the highly polished 5Y-PSZ (467 ± 38 MPa). In addition, the translucency of 5Y-PSZ (translucency parameter [TP] = 34, contrast ratio [CR] = 0.31) is not affected by glass infiltration (TP = 34, CR = 0.32) when the residual surface glass is removed by gentle polishing using 6- and then 3-µm diamond grits. Finally, both air abrasion and the presence of a glaze layer on the tensile surface decreased flexural strength significantly, being 274 ± 55 and 211 ± 21 MPa, respectively. With a combined high strength and translucency, the newly developed glass-infiltrated 5Y-PSZ may be considered a suitable material for next-generation, damage-resistant, and esthetic dental restorations.