Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Contribution to the design of a robotized tele-ultrasound system

This paper introduces the design of a masterslave robotized system for tele-ultrasound application. The objective of these researches is to design the slave manipulator of this system and its control device (master part). The specification process of the architecture kinematic is based on the analysis of expert's gesture during ultrasound examinations. These studies have been carried out using a motion capture system. The medical gestures were analyzed in terms of ultrasound probe attitude and used in the definition of the kinematics specifications of the proposed manipulator. The Spherical Parallel Mechanism is selected because its characteristics meet the constraint requirements. The optimal synthesis of spherical parallel manipulators is performed using a realcoded Genetic Algorithm based method. Simulations on the actuator responses of the structure allowed us the validate it. In order to control this robot, we have also designed a haptic device that provides easiness to use as well as force feedback. Its orientation control strategy is based on a use of an adaptative kalman filter which efficiency was demonstrated during experimentations.
Why we ignore social networking advertising

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to focus on college students, users of online social networks, as main sources of information that helps advertisers understand the ways in which advertisements are perceived online.Design/methodology/approach – Results were reached through qualitative research. Personal in‐depth interviews, utilizing Zaltman Metaphor Elicitation Technique (ZMET), were conducted among 20 college students. Interviews consisted of using screenshots of advertisements in online social networks to uncover respondents' reactions.Findings – It was generally concluded that the users of online social networks do not dislike advertisements, but they simply do not notice them. Other content found in online social networks mitigates the attractiveness of the advertisements. Hence, the respondents reported that the brand recognition in online social networks was found to be much lower than the one created through other media channels.Practical implications – Advertising in online social networks .
The TESOL Arabia Conference and its Role in the Professional Development of Teachers at Institutions of Higher Education in the United Arab Emirates.

There are many reasons to pursue professional development, but perhaps one of the most importantmay be to narrow the wide chasm left behind by many teacher education programs. Freeman (1989)and Holliday (1994) have pointed out many of the difficulties associated with the transfer of knowledgeinto classroom practices, while others have directed attention to the vast kaleidoscope of culturaldiversity involved in ELT (see Larsen-Freeman, 1983; Colabucci, 2007; Govardhan, Nayar andSheorey, 1999). Consider, for a moment, what happens to a cohort of MA TESOL students uponcompletion of their teacher education programs. They scatter off to various points on the globe, each insearch of a job with their newly minted degrees. One could end up teaching at a refugee camp in ruralnorthern Thailand, with only chalk and a blackboard at their disposal, while another may end upteaching EAP in the United Arab Emirates. Given such diversity, then, how could any one teachereducation program ever prepare its students to meet such challenges?
Nanoporous aluminum anodic oxide-based optical biosensor for real-time detection of Troponin T

A highly sensitive and real-time monitoring biosensor detecting Troponin T was developed using a nanoporous aluminum anodic oxide (AAO) layer as a sensing membrane. Troponin T is known as an unusual myocardial injury marker, and as a protein that forms the complexes with Troponin I, and Troponin C, which control muscle contraction. The device using interferometry and localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) phenomenon has high sensitivity and selectivity compared with a single sensing principal device. To fabricate a sensing membrane, two-step anodizing method was conducted. Au deposition was conducted to induce the LSPR phenomenon and to immobilize Troponin T antibody by SAM method. A real time sensing system was consisted of optical spectrometer and an optical fiber reflectance probe. We confirmed that the developed biosensor system had high sensitivity to detect Troponin T.
UvA-DARE ( Digital Academic Repository ) Hybrid origin of some ornamentals of Allium subgenus Melanocrommyum verified with GISH and RAPD Friesen

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) methods have been used to verify the hybridogenic origin and to identify the parental species of some ornamental cultivars in the subgenus Melanocrommyum of the genus Allium. The cultivars had been selected from seed obtained after uncontrolled pollination in breeders’ fields. The combination of GISH analysis with RAPD markers is very suitable for testing the hybridogenic origin of plants and to ascertain the parental species of the hybrids in such cases. As suspected, A. macleanii and A. cristophii are the parental species of ‘Globemaster’. The parental species of cultivar ‘Globus’ are A. karataviense and A. stipitatum, and not A. cristophii and A. giganteum as has been assumed on morphological grounds. Cultivars ‘Lucy Ball’ and ‘Gladiator’ are of hybrid origin, though only one of the parental species, A. hollandicum, could be confirmed. The cultivars ‘Purple Sensation’, ‘Mount Everest’, ‘White Giant’, ‘Michael H. Hoog’ and ‘Mars’ are not hybrids since neither GISH nor RAPD suggest the presence of a second genome. ‘Purple Sensation’ belongs to A. hollandicum, ‘Mount Everest’, ‘White Giant’ and ‘Mars’ to A. stipitatum, ‘Michael H. Hoog’ to A. rosenorum.
Protective Effects of 7‐Hydroxycoumarin on Dyslipidemia and Cardiac Hypertrophy in Isoproterenol‐Induced Myocardial Infarction in Rats

This study evaluates the protective effects of 7‐hydroxycoumarin (7‐HC) on dyslipidemia and cardiac hypertrophy in isoproterenol (ISO) induced myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. Rats were pre‐ and co treated with 7‐HC (16 mg/kg) daily for 8 days. ISO (100 mg/kg) was subcutaneously injected into rats on seventh and eighth days to induce MI. Increased activity/levels of serum creatine kinase‐MB (CK‐MB), troponin‐T, plasma lipid peroxidation products, and altered levels of lipids in the serum and heart and serum lipoproteins were noted in ISO‐induced rats. ISO‐induced myocardial infarcted rats revealed increased hypertrophy (cardiac and left ventricular) and hepatic 3‐hydroxyl 3‐methylglutaryl‐coenzyme‐A reductase (HMG‐CoA reductase) activity. Pre and cotreatment with 7‐HC revealed significant protective effects on all the biochemical parameters evaluated. The in vitro study demonstrated its free radical scavenging property. Thus, 7‐HC protects ISO‐induced MI in rats by its free radical scavenging and antihyperlipidaemic and antihypertrophic properties.
The Impact of Strategic Order Activity During Trading Halts

This study investigates the impact of strategic order activities during the pre-opening session of trading halts on post-halt return and volatility. Strategic orders are non-binding, aggressive limit orders that are placed in the pre-opening phase but subsequently cancelled or revised shortly before the market re-opens. We develop a model which shows that in the presence of strategic orders, price reverts as informed traders deliberately inflate or deflate the price and flip when the halt is lifted. The model further shows that strategic order activity increases with the level of information asymmetry and liquidity. Additionally, our model shows that the level of post-halt volatility is higher when strategic order is present. Our theoretical conjecture is empirically tested and results broadly confirm with the model prediction. We argue that strategic order activities help explaining the positive linkage between news uncertainty and post-halt volatility, which is documented by extant studies on trading halt. Our findings provide important implications for regulators. The classification of the strategic limit orders scheme used in this study could assist policy makers or market surveillance bodies in identifying potential order book manipulation.
Scoliosis curve analysis with Milwaukee orthosis based on Open SIMM modeling

Background: Scoliosis is a three-dimensional spinal deformity characterized by lateral curvature and rotational deformity of the spine. Various methods have been used to investigate the performance of the subjects during walking with an orthosis, but nobody study the biomechanics of orthotic use by understanding the length of the muscles and the force produced by them. Therefore, the aim of this research is to test the effect of the orthosis on the muscular force, tendon length during walking with and without orthosis. Materials and Methods: A 12-year-old scoliosis subject was recruited in this study. The forces produced by trunk musculature, joint reaction force, length of trunk musculature were some parameters selected in this study. Open SIMM and Visual 3D software were used to model the subject. Results: The results of this research showed that the length of erector spine muscles increased follow the use of orthosis. Moreover, the force produced by trunk muscles differed during walking with and without orthosis and also between right and left sides. Discussion: It seems that Open SIMM software can be used to predict the length of muscles, active-passive forces produced by muscles in scoliotic subjects. Therefore, it is recommended this research be done on more number of subjects.
Adaptive constant power control and power loss analysis of a MHz GaN-based AC/DC converter for low power applications

With off-line power supplies moving towards MHz switching frequency range, the converter's bus capacitor becomes the bottleneck of further improvement of power density. Partial constant power operation is effective in reducing the bus capacitance and capacitor current stress for low power applications. However, its impact on circuit operation and circuit design have not been studied thoroughly. With the developed circuit operation and loss model, this paper presents design considerations and power loss analysis of MHz AC/DC converters in partial constant power operation. Based on the models, an adaptive constant power control is also proposed to improve the light load eflîciency. A 70 W, MHz CrM GaN-based AC/DC converter prototype has been prototyped to validate the analysis and circuit operation method. Compared with PFC operation, partial constant power control exhibits an efficiency drop of less than 0.5 %, but a 50 % reduction of bus capacitance is realized. With the proposed adaptive constant power control, the light load efficiency can be improved by roughly 0.5 %, which is similar as PFC operation. At the end, the possibility of extending the proposed operation method to higher power applications is also discussed.
Does training in psychosocial interventions reduce burnout rates in forensic nurses?

BACKGROUND Mental Health Nurses working in secure environments with patients suffering from serious mental illness have been shown to be at risk of clinical burnout syndrome, this can have adverse effects both on the nurses' health and the standards of care that they deliver. AIM To evaluate the effect of Psychosocial Intervention Training (PSI) on the knowledge, attitudes and levels of clinical burnout in a group of forensic mental health nurses. DESIGN Baseline assessments of knowledge, attitude and burnout were completed by asking a group of 33 nurses working in a medium secure psychiatric unit to complete questionnaires. Twenty of the nurses volunteered to be included in a PSI training course and were randomly allocated either to receive the training or to a waiting list control group. The duration of the training was 6 months and on completion subjects in the experimental and control group completed the questionnaires again. RESULTS Staff in the experimental group showed significant improvements in their knowledge and attitudes about serious mental illness and a significant decrease in burnout rates, whilst staff in the control group showed a small but nonsignificant improvement in knowledge and attitudes, and increase in burnout. CONCLUSION The findings suggest that providing forensic mental health nurses with a better understanding of serious mental illness and training them in a broader range of interventions, helps them to be more positive in their attitudes towards the clients that they work with and experience less negative effects of stress resulting from their caring role. The implications of this study for clinical practice and future research will be discussed.
Trade liberalization, poverty and income distribution in Thailand: A computable general equilibrium-microsimulation analysis

NATTA AKAPAIBOON: Trade Liberalization, Poverty and Income Distribution in Thailand: A Computable General Equilibrium-Microsimulation Analysis. (Under the direction of Patrick Conway.) Economic theory suggests that removing distortions such as tariffs and other trade barriers will cause an economy to operate more efficiently and to grow more rapidly. Since economic growth is generally found to be the main source of poverty reduction, trade reforms that increase growth have been the focus of trade negotiators, researchers, developing countries’ governments, and international development agencies as tools to reduce poverty. However, since the empirical evidence of trade-growth-poverty linkages is mixed, there is no guarantee that trade liberalization will benefit the poor. The analysis of the impact of trade liberalization on poverty and inequality is complex since trade reform is observed at the macro level while income distribution and poverty issues are observed and analyzed at the micro level. A general equilibrium model or an income generation model based on household survey data alone is therefore not able to fill this micro-macro gap that has characterized the trade-poverty literature to date. Two approaches, based on a macro-micro framework, are developed in this study in order to bridge this micro-macro gap. The framework centers on the communication between a CGE model, which is used to analyze the general equilibrium effects of trade reform, and household survey data, which are used for poverty analysis at the micro level. The simulation results show that trade liberalization has a positive effect on economic growth in Thailand. The manufacturing sector’s output expands after trade liberalization, while the output of the agricultural sector declines. There is also a movement of labor out of agricultural sectors into the expanding manufacturing and service sectors after trade reform. At the micro level, household income is found to increase; this is mainly due to an increase in unskilled and skilled wages, which are the main source of income for the majority of Thai iii households. Trade liberalization is found to reduce poverty; this reduction in poverty is greater when the more liberalized trade policy is implemented. However, policies aimed at skill advancement or skill training would ensure the smooth movement of workers from agricultural sectors to manufacturing and service sectors.
An open reading frame in the Escherichia coli bacteriophage lambda genome encodes a protein that functions in assembly of the long tail fibers of bacteriophage T4

Assembly of the long tail fibers of the Escherichia coli bacteriophage T4 requires the catalytic action of two auxiliary proteins. It was found that a gene of the entirely unrelated phage lambda codes for a protein which can substitute for one of these T4 polypeptides, protein 38. The lambda gene was designated tfa (tail fiber assembly). Protein 38 consists of 183 residues, and the Tfa protein consists of 194 residues; the two polypeptides are about 40% homologous. Although the tfa gene is dispensable for the growth of phage lambda, these results indicate that it may have a function in lambda morphogenesis.
A 0.22 V Quadrature VCO in 90 nm CMOS Process

This letter presents an ultra-low voltage quadrature voltage-controlled oscillator (QVCO). The LC-tank QVCO consists of two low-voltage voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) with the body dc biased at the drain bias through a resistor. The superharmonic and back-gate coupling techniques are used to couple two differential VCOs to run in quadrature. The proposed CMOS QVCO has been implemented with the UMC 90 nm CMOS technology and the die area is 0.827 × 0.913 mm2. At the supply voltage of 0.22 V, the total power consumption is 0.33 mW. The free-running frequency of the QVCO is tunable from 3.42 to 3.60 GHz as the tuning voltage is varied from 0.0 to 0.3 V. The measured phase noise at 1 MHz offset is -112.97 dBc/Hz at the oscillation frequency of 3.55 GHz and the figure of merit (FOM) of the proposed QVCO is about -188.79 dBc/Hz.
Reducing Branch Delay to Zero in Pipelined Processors

A mechanism to reduce the cost of branches in pipelined processors is described and evaluated. It is based on the use of multiple prefetch, early computation of the target address, delayed branch, and parallel execution of branches. The implementation of this mechanism using a branch target instruction memory is described. An analytical model of the performance of this implementation makes it possible to measure the efficiency of the mechanism with a very low computational cost. The model is used to determine the size of cache lines that maximizes the processor performance, to compare the performance of the mechanism with that of other schemes, and to analyze the performance of the mechanism with two alternative cache organizations. >
Broadacre farm productivity trajectories and farm characteristics

Improving farm productivity is often touted as essential for the future prospects of Australian agriculture, particularly for the export-oriented broadacre farm sector. This paper draws on farm panel data for the period 2002 to 2011. The annual components of productivity of the same group of 223 farms are measured each year for a decade by using a multiplicatively complete Fare-Primont index number and applying DEA methods. Results often show pronounced variability in the annual productivity of these farms. Farms are classed according to the geometric mean of their total factor productivity and the variance of this productivity. The convexity of this relationship suggests that to achieve high growth in productivity in broadacre farming, farm businesses are exposed to greater volatility in productivity. There are only a small proportion of farms that over the decade were able to achieve high, stable growth in productivity. Most farms either experienced high growth and high variability in productivity or low growth and low variability in productivity. The characteristics of farm businesses in both categories are examined to ascertain links between farm characteristics and change in farm productivity. Key findings are that overall most farms experienced growth in their total factor productivity with the principal cause of this growth being greater technical efficiency rather than technical change. Farms that experienced the highest growth in their total factor productivity typically increased their farm size, became more crop dominant, often operated farms in lower rainfall regions, generated more profit and were less exposed to debt and generated more crop yield and more livestock income per millimetre (mm) of growing season rainfall.
Reliability of lower extremity functional performance tests.

Clinicians routinely have used functional performance tests as an evaluation tool in deciding when an athlete can safely return to unrestricted sporting activities. These practitioners assumed that these tests provide a reliable measure of lower extremity performance; however, little research has been reported on the reliability of these measures. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the reliability of lower extremity functional performance tests. Five male and 15 female volunteers were evaluated using the single hop for distance, triple hop for distance, 6-m timed hop, and cross-over hop for distance as described by Noyes (10). One clinician measured each subject's performance using a standardized protocol and retested subjects in the same manner approximately 48 hours later. The order of testing was randomly determined. Subjects' average and individual scores on each functional performance test were used for statistical analysis. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and standard error of measurement (SEM) values based on average day 1 and day 2 scores were used to estimate the reliability of each functional performance test. Intraclass correlation coefficients were . 96, . 95, and . 96, and SEMs were 4.56 cm, 15.44 cm, and 15.95 cm, respectively, for the single hop, triple hop, and cross-over hop for distance tests. An ICC of . 66 and SEM of . 13 seconds for the 6-m timed hop resulted from limited variability between measurements; however, its small SEM value inferred that the inconsistency of measurement would occur in an acceptably small range. A repeated measures analysis of variance revealed no significant difference ( p > .05) between individual trial scores except for the single hop for distance. We concluded that this difference represented a learning effect not found with the other tests. The results of this investigation demonstrate that clinicians can use functional performance testing to obtain reliable measures of lower extremity performance when using a standardized protocol.
Transporter-Mediated Uptake of 2-Chloro- and 2-Hydroxybenzoate by Pseudomonas huttiensis Strain D1

ABSTRACT We investigated the mechanisms of uptake of 2-chlorobenzoate (2-CBa) and 2-hydroxybenzoate (2-HBa) by Pseudomonas huttiensis strain D1. Uptake was monitored by assaying intracellular accumulation of 2-[UL-ring-14C]CBa and 2-[UL-ring-14C]HBa. Uptake of 2-CBa showed substrate saturation kinetics with an apparent Km of 12.7 ± 2.6 μM and a maximum velocity (Vmax) of 9.76 ± 0.78 nmol min−1 mg of protein−1. Enhanced rates of uptake were induced by growth on 2-CBa and 2-HBa, but not by growth on benzoate or 2,5-di-CBa. Intracellular accumulations of 2-CBa and 2-HBa were 109- and 42-fold greater, respectively, than the extracellular concentrations of these substrates and were indicative of uptake mediated by a transporter rather than driven by substrate catabolism (“metabolic drag”). Results of competitor screening tests indicated that the substrate range of the transporter did not include other o-halobenzoates that serve as growth substrates for strain D1 and for which the metabolism was initiated by the same dioxygenase as 2-CBa and 2-HBa. This suggested that multiple mechanisms for substrate uptake were coupled to the same catabolic enzyme. The preponderance of evidence from tests with metabolic inhibitors and artificial electrochemical gradients suggested that 2-CBa uptake was driven by ATP hydrolysis. If so, the 2-CBa transporter would be the first of the ATP binding cassette type implicated in uptake of haloaromatic acids.
Generative Methods

The field of procedural content generation continues to grow in scope and in technology, but the term “procedural content generation” awkwardly suggests that the field’s output be defined by its ability to produce game “content”, a term that fails to capture the breadth of artifacts produced by PCG researchers. There are many parallel fields of research on using algorithmic means to generate what we often call “content”, but due to differences in terminology and industry they have remained invisible to the mainstream of games research. In this paper, we propose the term “generative methods” to refer to all such generative systems. This term relates our practice to similar work in generative art, generative music, generative design, and other fields, and reconnects game artifact generation problems to their historical (but non-game-specific) instances that have often been overlooked.