Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Runtime Analysis of Evolutionary Algorithms for Constrained Optimization Problems

Although there are many evolutionary algorithms (EAs) for solving constrained optimization problems, there are few rigorous theoretical analyses. This paper presents a time complexity analysis of EAs for solving constrained optimization. It is shown when the penalty coefficient is chosen properly, direct comparison between pairs of solutions using penalty fitness function is equivalent to that using the criteria ldquosuperiority of feasible pointrdquo or ldquosuperiority of objective function value.rdquo This paper analyzes the role of penalty coefficients in EAs in terms of time complexity. The results show that in some examples, EAs benefit greatly from higher penalty coefficients, while in other examples, EAs benefit from lower penalty coefficients. This paper also investigates the runtime of EAs for solving the 0-1 knapsack problem and the results indicate that the mean first hitting times ranges from a polynomial-time to an exponential time when different penalty coefficients are used.
Well-being in elderly long-term care residents with chronic mental disorder: a systematic review

ABSTRACT Objectives: One of the most important objectives of care for older long-term care residents with chronic mental disorders is to facilitate well-being. This review provides an overview of research literature on well-being in this population. Method: A systematic review was conducted using Pubmed, PsycINFO and PsycARTICLES for all studies up until March 2016. Three reviewers independently assessed the eligibility of the publications and made a selection. Results: From a total of 720 unique search results, ten studies were deemed eligible. Specialized care, specifically the presence of mental health-workers was associated with increased well-being outcomes. Perceived amount of personal freedom was also related to higher well-being, whereas stigmatization and depression were related to reduced well-being. Size of residence, single or group-accommodation or moving to another locationdid not, however, seem to have an impact on well-being. Conclusion: Specialized care, aimed at psychiatric disorders and extra attention for depressed residents are useful tools to promote well-being. Additionally, themes like personal freedom and stigmatization should be taken into consideration in the care for older long-term care residents with chronic mental disorder. However, as very little research has been conducted on this topic, conclusions should be interpreted with caution. More research is highly desirable.
Effects of fumaric acid on rumen fermentation, milk composition and metabolic parameters in lactating cows.

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of fumaric acid (FA) on ruminal fermentation and its effects on the acid-base balance of seven ruminally and duodenally fistulated multiparous German Holstein cows. The experiment was conducted in a change-over design with three periods in which the animals were randomly arranged in one of three treatments: Control (C; without FA), 300 or 600 g FA per day. The diets consisted of 7.4 kg DM grass silage, 4.2 kg concentrate mixture and 0, 300 or 600 g FA or wheat starch as isocaloric compensation per day and cow. FA supplementation decreased the rumen pH, acetic acid and butyric acid and increased propionic acid in rumen fluid. The results of the single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis (SSCP) did not show an influence of FA on the microbial population in the rumen. The beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentration in blood and the pH of the urine decreased, while the blood gases were unaffected by supplementation of the acid. The microbial protein per MJ ME decreased in the duodenum with FA supplementation. The milk fat concentration decreased after addition of FA. We conclude that in this study feeding of up to 600 g FA per day did not result in an acidosis. It seems that up to 600 g FA per day did not have a significant influence on the acid-base balance of dairy cows.
Outline of a New Hierarchical Agent-Based Voltage Instability Protection System

In the Dutch power system the power consumption is increasing while the transmission and distribution system capacity is not increasing at the same rate. Furthermore due to the increasing amount of decentralized generation, by for example micro-CHP units and wind turbines, the power flows in the power system are changing. In weak sub-transmission and distribution grids an increase in the number of voltage stability problems is expected. However: with the large share of decentralized generation we have the solution for voltage problems already there. In this paper we propose a new Hierarchical Agent Based Instability Protection System. In this paper the idea is described and a theoretical justification is given, in a later stage of the project we will verify the system with the Real-time Digital Simulator and external controls.
Model-based robotic hand tracking and gripper state determination

This paper proposes a 3D model-based vision system for detecting a manipulator's gripper on a scene, tracking it as it moves and continuously determining its state (opened or closed), information that is used to signal that an object can be grasped. Build upon the Robot Operating System (ROS), it mainly comprises a registration pipeline, a tracking algorithm and a state classifier based on a proposed measure of similarity between point clouds. The test platform includes a robotic arm and a depth camera. Satisfactory experimental results were obtained: tracking had a good performance for well-behaved trajectories and the detection of not only the state of the gripper, showing robustness to self-occlusion, but also the presence of an object, were successful. The state detector produced relevant output on grasping of unknown objects to be used in future works, which might contemplate the insertion of this system in a multi-robot collaborative scenario. The test results presented in this paper demonstrate the correctness of the proposed methodology and the feasibility of the proposed system design.
Fall prediction index for patients in stroke rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The identification of stroke patients who are prone to falls is essential to the development of prevention strategies. This study aimed at developing an easily administered fall risk index for patients in stroke rehabilitation. METHODS A consecutive series of 135 patients in geriatric stroke rehabilitation was studied. Patient characteristics viewed as potential fall predictor variables were assessed at admission. Univariate and multiple Cox regression analyses of these variables were used in the development of a fall prediction index. RESULTS The final index included the following items: male sex, poor performance of activities of daily living, urinary incontinence, impaired postural stability, bilateral motor impairment, presence of bilateral cortical or white matter lesions, visuospatial hemineglect, and use of diuretics, antidepressants, or sedatives. The index score correlated significantly with the fall risk (odds ratio, 1.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.26 to 1.69). The score was also used to classify individuals into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups, among which the fall rates differed significantly (log rank statistics, 29.86; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS An easily administered fall risk index is suggested, which might serve as a basis for prevention strategies among patients in stroke rehabilitation.
THE EFFECTS OF ONLINE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN TECHNOLOGY WITH VIRTUAL COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE ON TEACHERS’ ATTITUDES AND CONTENT INTEGRATION

This quasi-experimental study examined the effects of online professional development in technology with Virtual Communities of Practice (VCoP) on teachers’ attitudes and content integration. This research study took place completely online. Over a period of nine months three cohorts of educators from diverse backgrounds and geographical locations took part in a six week course of online professional development using resources designed by the researcher. The comparison group in each of the three cohorts accessed content via a course website and corresponded with the researcher only. The treatment group in each of the three cohorts accessed content via a course wiki and corresponded with the researcher and with each other as members of a VCoP. Both groups received the same professional development content. Three instruments were used for data collection online: A researcher designed Demographic Survey, the Teachers’ Attitudes Toward Computers (TAC) and the Levels of Teaching Innovation
Accuracy of MRI/MRSI‐based transrectal ultrasound biopsy in peripheral and transition zones of the prostate gland in patients with prior negative biopsy

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the accuracy of transrectal ultrasound biopsy (TRUS‐biopsy) performed on regions with abnormal MRI and/or MRSI for both the transition (TZ) and the peripheral (PZ) zones in patients with suspected prostate cancer with prior negative biopsy, and to analyze the relationship between MRSI and histopathological findings. MRI and MRSI were performed in 54 patients (mean age: 63.9 years, mean PSA value: 11.4 ng/mL) and the ability of MRI/MRSI‐directed TRUS biopsy was evaluated. A three‐point score system was used for both techniques to distinguish healthy from malignant regions. Descriptive statistics and ROC analyses were performed to evaluate the accuracy and the best cut‐off in the three‐point score system. Twenty‐two out of 54 patients presented cancer at MRI/MRSI‐directed TRUS biopsy, nine presented cancer only in PZ, eight both in PZ and TZ, and five exclusively in TZ. On a patient basis the highest accuracy was obtained by assigning malignancy on a positive finding with MRSI and MRI even though it was not significantly greater than that obtained using MRI alone (area under the ROC curve, AUC: 0.723 vs 0.676). On a regional (n = 648) basis the best accuracy was also obtained by considering positive both MRSI and MRI for PZ (0.768) and TZ (0.822). MRSI was false positive in 11.9% of the regions. Twenty‐eight percent of cores with prostatitis were false positive findings on MRSI, whereas only 2.7% of benign prostatic hyperplasia was false positive. In conclusion, the accuracy of MRI/MRSI‐directed biopsies in localization of prostate cancer is good in patient (0.723) and region analyses (0.768). The combination of both MRI and MRSI results makes TRUS‐biopsy more accurate, particularly in the TZ (0.822) for patients with prior negative biopsies. Histopathological analysis showed that the main limitation of MRSI is the percentage of false positive findings due to prostatitis. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Working memory training and poetry-based stimulation programs: are there differences in cognitive outcome in healthy older adults?

BACKGROUND Neuropsychological interventions have been mainly applied with clinical populations, in spite of the need of preventing negative changes across life span. Among the few studies of cognitive stimulation in elderly, surprisingly there is no enough research comparing direct and indirect active stimulation programs. OBJECTIVE This study aims to verify wheter there are differences between two cognitive interventions approaches in older adults: a structured Working Memory (WM) Training Program versus a Poetry-based Stimulation Program. METHODS Fourteen older adults were randomly assigned to participate into one of the two intervention groups. The assessed neurocognitive components were attention, episodic and working memory, communicative and executive functions. WM Training activities were based on Baddeley's model; Poetry-based Stimulation Program was composed by general language activities. Data were analyzed with one-way ANCOVA with Delta scores and pre and post-training tests raw scores. RESULTS WM group improved performance on WM, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility measures, while Poetry group improved on verbal fluency and narrative discourse tasks. DISCUSSION Both approaches presented benefits; however WM Training improved its target function with transfer effects to executive functions, being useful for future studies with a variety of dementias. Poetry-based Stimulation also improved complex linguistic abilities. Both approaches may be helpful as strategies to prevent dysfunctional aging changes.
Internationalization by State-owned Enterprises (SOEs) and Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) after the 2008 Crisis. Looking for Generalizations

Abstract This paper seeks to detect (post) crisis tendencies in the international activities of state-owned enterprises (SOE) and sovereign wealth funds (SWF) and identify the main challenges posed in exploring this topic. In doing so it draws on the inductive approach and qualitative method and discusses available studies on recent internalization trends in SOEs and SWFs. The number of SWFs worldwide has been rising since 2008, despite the 2008 crisis which brought heavy losses and negative publicity that caused a rerouting of funds towards domestic purposes. The long-term perspective adopted by SWFs is expected to make less vulnerable to financial market volatility, which should stimulate FDI. SOTNCs are a minority among SOEs in general, i.e. only a fraction of SOEs worldwide can be labeled as state-owned transnational companies; and no exceptional impact of the 2008 crisis is apparent in their functioning The review of selected literature and UNCTAD survey reports is the basis for our conclusions and suggestions for future research avenues.
Behavioral Deficits Associated with Dietary Induction of Decreased Brain Docosahexaenoic Acid Concentration

Abstract: Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an n‐3 fatty acid, is rapidlydeposited during the period of rapid brain development. The influence of n‐3fatty acid deficiency on learning performance in adult rats over twogenerations was investigated. Rats were fed either an n‐3 fatty acid‐adequate(n‐3 Adq) or ‐deficient (n‐3 Def) diet for three generations (F1‐F3). Levelsof total brain n‐3 fatty acids were reduced in the n‐3 Def group by 83 and 87%in the F2 and F3 generations, respectively. In the Morris water maze, the n‐3Def group showed a longer escape latency and delayed acquisition of this taskcompared with the n‐3 Adq group in both generations. The acquisition andmemory levels of the n‐3 Def group in the F3 generation seemed to be lowerthan that of the F2 generation. The 22:5n‐6/22:6n‐3 ratio in the frontalcortex and dams' milk was markedly increased in the n‐3 Def group, and thisratio was significantly higher in the F3 generation compared with the F2generation. These results suggest that learning and cognitive behavior arerelated to brain DHA status, which, in turn, is related to the levels of themilk/dietary n‐3 fatty acids.
The effect of sugar-free chewing gum on plaque and clinical parameters of gingival inflammation: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to systematically review the current literature on the clinical effects of sugar-free chewing gum on plaque indices and parameters of gingival inflammation. MATERIAL AND METHODS The MEDLINE-PubMed, Cochrane-CENTRAL and EMBASE databases were searched up to 20 April 2012 to identify any appropriate studies. Plaque indices and parameters of gingival inflammation were selected as outcome variables. RESULTS An independent screening of the 594 unique titles and abstracts identified six non-brushing and four brushing studies that met the eligibility criteria. In the non-brushing studies, the use of chewing gum did not significantly affect the parameters of interest. In the descriptive analysis of the brushing studies, four of five comparisons showed a statistically significant effect in favour of the sugar-free chewing gum with respect to plaque scores. The meta-analysis for the Quigley & Hein (J Am Dent Assoc 1962; 65: 26) plaque index scores in the brushing studies also showed a significant difference (DiffM -0.24, 95% CI [-0.41; -0.08]). For bleeding tendency, the descriptive analysis showed that one of the two comparisons identified a significant difference in favour of chewing gum. The meta-analysis, however, did not substantiate this difference. CONCLUSION Within the limitations of this systematic review, it may be concluded that the use of sugar-free chewing gum as an adjunct to toothbrushing provides a small but significant reduction in plaque scores. Chewing sugar-free gum showed no significant effect on gingivitis scores. In the absence of brushing, no effect on plaque and gingivitis scores could be established.
A Fluorescent Nanoprobe Based on Graphene Oxide Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer for the Rapid Determination of Oncoprotein Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)

Oncoprotein vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the most critical growth factors that regulates tumor growth and division. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is also an important biomarker for different diseases and clinical disorders. Herein, we propose a graphene oxide (GO) fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based aptasensor for rapid, sensitive, and selective detection of VEGF in homogeneous solution. The fluorescent dye-labeled anti-VEGF aptamer is adsorbed on the surface of GO via π-π interaction between the flat planar GO sheets and the ring structures in the nucleobases, which results in the fluorescence quenching of the dye due to the highly effective FRET from the dye to GO. Upon recognition and binding with the target VEGF, it specifically forms a VEGF/aptamer complex and then release from the GO surface, leading to the restoration of fluorescence signal of the dye. This GO-based sensing platform exhibits high sensitivity and specificity toward VEGF versus other proteins, with the detection limits corresponding to 2.5 × 10−10 M. The sensitivity of this new type of aptamer-based assay is at least one order of magnitude higher than that of conventional homogeneous optical assays. Moreover, the application of this nanosensor for human serum sample analysis is also demonstrated. The GO/aptamer-based assay approach holds great promise as a general platform for detection of a variety of target molecules.
IMMUNOASSAY FOR VIABLE CRYPTOSPORIDIUM PARVUM OOCYSTS IN TURBID ENVIRONMENTAL WATER SAMPLES

Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in drinking water have been implicated in outbreaks of diarrheal disease. Current methods for monitoring environmental exposures to C. parvum only account for total number of oocysts without regard for the viability of the parasite. Measurement of oocyst viability, as indicated by an oocyst's ability to excyst, is useful because over time oocysts lose the ability to excyst and become noninfective. Thus, correlating the number of viable oocysts in drinking water with incidence and risk for disease should be more reliable than using the total number of oocysts. We have developed a quantitative assay capable of detecting low numbers of excystable, sporozoite-releasing C. parvum oocysts in turbid water samples. Monoclonal (CP7) and polyclonal antibodies have been developed against a sporozoite antigen released only during excystation or when the oocyst is mechanically disrupted. CP7 is specific for C. parvum and does not react with C. baileyi, C.muris, C. serpentis, Giardia spp. , Eimeria spp. , or E. nieschulzi. In this assay, oocysts in the test sample are first excysted and then centrifuged. The soluble sporozoite antigen is captured by CP7 attached to a magnetic bead. The captured antigen is then detected by ruthenium-labeled polyclonal antibodies via electrochemiluminescence. The CP7 viability assay can detect as few as 50 viable oocysts in a 1-ml assay sample with a turbidity as high as 200 Nephelometric turbidity units. This sensitive, turbidity-tolerant assay for oocyst viability may permit a better assessment of the disease risk associated with the presence of environmental oocysts.
Stakeholder theory and corporate governance: The nature of the board information

The directors board has a main function of controlling the top executives. When adopting a view of the firm as the shareholders property, it seems that the best executives' incentive is to give them stock options. However, when considering the firm as a framework of both explicit and implicit contractual relations, it appears that the top executives job is not only to satisfy the firm shareholders, but more generally to maintain the firm coalition alive and even to develop it. In that case, the directors board needs to receive some more detailed information in order to evaluate the top executives. We propose to rely on a reporting based on both an activity analysis and a stakeholder approach. The balanced scorecard model could even be a main support for the elaboration of the reporting information to the board.
The prohormone proenkephalin possesses differential conformational features of subdomains revealed by rapid H‐D exchange mass spectrometry

Active enkephalin and related peptide hormones or neurotransmitters are generated by proteolytic processing of inactive prohormone precursors. Little is known about the relative accessibilities of prohormone cleavage sites and conformations of subdomains that undergo proteolytic processing. Therefore, this study investigated the conformational features of the prohormone proenkephalin (PE) by rapid hydrogen‐deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (DXMS). DXMS analyzes rates of hydrogen exchange of the polypeptide backbone of PE with deuterium from D2O (heavy water) by mass spectrometry, accomplished at sub‐second and multisecond time periods. Results showed differential accessibilities of cleavage sites and adjacent subdomains of PE to the aqueous environment. Importantly, protease cleavage sites of PE with greater relative accessibilities correspond to sites most readily cleaved by processing proteases to generate active peptide neurotransmitters. For comparison, peptides derived from PE (by pepsin digestion) displayed greater accessibility to the solvent environment, illustrated by their higher rates of H‐D exchange compared to that of intact PE protein. The more limited H‐D exchange accessibilities of PE protein, compared to peptides derived from PE, indicate that PE possesses tertiary conformation. These results demonstrate that differential tertiary conformations of PE subdomains undergo ordered proteolytic processing to generate active enkephalin peptides for cell‐cell communication in the nervous and endocrine systems.
Involvement of the cerebellum in semantic discrimination: An fMRI study

We investigated, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), whether semantic discrimination, an inner linguistic task without overt articulation, can elicit activation in the cerebellum. Six subjects performed three semantic tasks with different loads of discrimination while being scanned. All three semantic tasks activated distributed brain areas, including the right posterior inferior cerebellum. Much stronger activation was found in the cerebellum in more difficult tasks, in terms of the activation volume and signal intensity. These results suggest that the cerebellum activation is involved in semantic discrimination and is modulated by discrimination difficulty. Hum. Brain Mapping 18:208–214, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.