Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
FRC: A low-cost service robot for subsea flexible risers

This paper presents the design and development of a semi-autonomous low-cost underwater service robot for subsea flexible risers, used for supplying oil from the deep sea to the offshore platforms and floating production, storage and offloading vessels (FPSO). The robot is designed in a modular way allowing flexibility and variety in use. It can provide various types of services according to user needs, such as carrying equipment for inspection and deploying tooling for repair. The robot moves along the riser like an inchworm does, thanks to a simple, yet versatile crawling mechanism. In addition, the robot can rotate around the riser indefinitely by using a similar principle. Novel under-actuated end-effectors have been conceived and developed to firmly hold the robot on the riser during locomotion, rotation or operation, without affecting riser integrity. In principle, the current design could operate up to 2000m sea depth with minor modifications. In this study, the service robot carries and deploys digital radiographic equipment for the volumetric inspection of flexible risers. Several preliminary tests, as well as a series of underwater tests proved the robot's encouragingly positive performance.
Personality and Creativity as Predictors of Psychological Well-Being in Caregivers of Person with Chronic Mental Illness

Well-being is a Dynamic concept that comprises Personal, Emotional, Social, Psychological, and Spiritual dimensions along with health related behaviors. The present research was conducted to find out whether Psychological well-being in Caregivers of Person with chronic mental Illness can be predicted by Personality Dispositions and Creativity. We assume that Psychological well-being is likely to be predicted by personality Dispositions. Low level of neuroticism, high levels of extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness and creativity. 100 caregivers of Person with chronic mental Illness were selected through Purposive Sampling technique from the Private clinics and Private Psychiatric Hospitals. NEO Five Factor Inventory (Costa & McCrae, 1992), Creative Behavior Inventory (Hocevar, 1979) and Psychological Well-being Scale (Ryff, 1995) were administered to the caregivers of Person with chronic mental Illness. The findings of our study revealed that Psychological Well-Being is predicted by high level of Extraversion and Conscientiousness and low level of Neuroticism after controlling the demographic variables (i.e., age, gender, weekly hours on caregiving & job). The findings of this study revealed that increasing extraversion and conscientiousness among Caregivers can eventually help in promoting Psychological well-being.
The effect of a managed behavioral health carve-out on quality of care for medicaid patients diagnosed as having schizophrenia.

CONTEXT Managed behavioral health carve-outs (MBHCOs) are a regular feature of public and private mental health care systems and have been successful in reducing costs. The evidence on quality impacts is limited and suggests comparable quality overall, except that people with severe psychiatric disorders may be those most disadvantaged by MBHCOs. OBJECTIVE To explore the effect of implementing an MBHCO on the quality of outpatient care received by enrollees diagnosed as having schizophrenia. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS Observational retrospective cohort study using a quasi-experimental design of state Medicaid enrollees diagnosed as having schizophrenia, aged 18 to 64 years between 1994 and 2000 in the carve-out and comparison regions (8082 person-years). SETTING Ambulatory care. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Quality indicators derived from the Schizophrenia Patient Outcomes Research Team recommendations. RESULTS There was no statistical difference between the carve-out and integrated arrangements in the likelihood of receiving any antipsychotic medication (odds ratio [OR], 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81-1.29), second-generation antipsychotics (including clozapine: OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.86-1.28; not including clozapine: OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.85-1.29), or antiextrapyramidal medication (OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 0.84-2.19). The carve-out was negatively associated with receiving any individual therapy (OR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.22-0.33), group therapy (OR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.14-0.25), and psychosocial rehabilitation (OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.26-0.38). Family therapy occurred for less than 1% of this population in both carve-out and integrated regions. CONCLUSIONS The MBHCO was not associated with changes in medication quality (for which it was not at financial risk). It was significantly associated with sharp decreases in the likelihood of receiving psychosocial treatments (for which it was financially at risk)-independent of whether a clinical evidence base supported them.
The consideration of melatonin concentration and subjective evaluation in the various bathing methods

Aims: In Japan, although evening bathing as a means of both cleaning and relaxation has been a wellestablished custom from ancient times, the prevalence of morning baths has increased in Japan in recent years. The effects of morning bathing on human sleep quality have not yet been revealed. Thus, we aimed to clarify the effects different bathing method on human sleep quality. Methods: The first night, the subject entered the laboratory at 19:00 and went to bed at 24:00. On the second day, the subject got up at 07:00 and either showered, took a mist sauna, or did not bathe, between 07:10 and 07:20. Each hour after that, the subject completed an alpha attenuation test (AAT), Kwansei-Gakuin sleeping scale (KSS) test and subjective evaluations from 09:00 to 17:00. We measured the melatonin concentrations at 22:30, 23:00, 23:30, and 24:00 of the second day. On the third day, the subject got up at 07:00 and finished at 07:30. Key finding: We found that the melatonin concentrations after morning showering were significantly lower than those after no bathing at 23:00, 23:30, and 24:00. In addition, the selections of “coziness” on the subjective evaluation after the mist sauna were significantly higher than those after no bathing at 7:20. The selection of “fatigue” after the mist sauna bathing was significantly lower than that after showering during the task period at 14:00. Significance: Our findings indicate that the morning mist sauna bathing method produced more good feelings and prevented fatigue compared to other bathing methods.
Do expert reviews affect the decision to see motion pictures in movie theatres? An experimental approach

ABSTRACT The positive correlation between favourable expert reviews and the economic success of motion pictures suggests that potential moviegoers are encouraged to see a particular movie by the good reviews it has received. Yet experimental evidence on actual consumers is mixed as to whether or not this is the case. Against this background, we examine the relationship between movie critics’ reviews and the decision to see motion pictures in movie theatres. Based on an experimental approach using four treatments – no review, a poor/OK minus review, an OK/OK plus review and a very good review – movie-seeing decisions for seven movie genres are examined. What we find is at odds with experimental studies, yielding as they do mixed results for the association between favourable reviews and movie preference. Seemingly unrelated regressions consistently show that the better the expert review of a movie, the more likely it is that people will see it. Yet the magnitude of the effects of expert reviews appears both somewhat genre specific and gender specific.
MULTIPOTENTIALITY OF SINGLE EMBRYONAL CARCINOMA CELLS.

Summary In order to test the hypothesis that embryonal carcinoma cells are multipotential stem cells of a teratocarcinoma, an in vivo cloning technic was designed. Small embryoid bodies containing mostly embryonal carcinoma were obtained from ascitic conversion of a murine teratocarcinoma and were dissociated with trypsin to form a suspension of single cells; the single cells were picked up in small capillary tubes and transplanted directly into mice. From over 1700 single cell grafts, 44 clonal lines were obtained; 43 of these lines were teratocarcinomas composed of as many as fourteen well differentiated somatic tissues in addition to embryonal carcinoma. These 43 lines varied in their degree of differentiation, capacity to produce embryoid bodies, and in growth rate. The remaining clonal line showed limited potential for differentiation, producing only yolk sac, trophoblast, and embryonal carcinoma. The results demonstrated the multipotentiality of single embryonal carcinoma cells, as well as the heterogeneity of the embryonal carcinoma of a teratocarcinoma. The capacity of single embryonal carcinoma cells to differentiate into benign tissues supports neither the dogma of the irreversibility of the malignant transformation nor the somatic cell mutation theory of cancer. These findings were interpreted as giving strong support to the stem cell theory of cancer.
Sorafenib Inhibits Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α Synthesis: Implications for Antiangiogenic Activity in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Purpose: The overexpression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) is a common finding in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and it leads to angiogenesis and poor prognosis. Sorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor, has shown significant improvement in survival in patients with advanced HCC in clinical trials. However, the mechanisms that account for the antiangiogenic efficiency of sorafenib have not been fully elucidated. The present study aims to explore the effect of sorafenib on HIF-1α expression and activation in HCC cells and xenografts. Experimental Design: HCC cells and xenografts were treated with sorafenib or vehicles. Western blotting and quantitative PCR array were used to determine protein and mRNA expression, respectively. HIF-1α activity, de novo protein synthesis, and VEGF secretions were determined using assay kits. Results: Sorafenib dose dependently decreased the hypoxia-induced accumulation and activation of HIF-1α protein. Further analysis revealed that such reduction of HIF-1α was associated with the inhibition of HIF-1α protein synthesis rather than the promotion of HIF-1α protein degradation or the reduction of HIF-1α mRNA. Moreover, the phosphorylation levels of mTOR, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p70S6K, RP-S6, 4E-BP1, and eIF4E were significantly suppressed by sorafenib. In vivo studies further confirmed the inhibitory effect of sorafenib on the expression of HIF-1α and VEGF proteins, leading to a decrease in tumor vascularization and growth of the xenografts. Conclusions: Sorafenib-mediated inhibition of HIF-1α synthesis is associated with previously undefined pathways in which mTOR/p70S6K/4E-BP1 and ERK phosphorylation are downregulated. Our preclinical data expand our understanding of sorafenib's antiangiogenic mechanism of action by inhibiting HIF-1α and VEGF protein expression. Clin Cancer Res; 18(20); 5662–71. ©2012 AACR.
Responses of the Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) Plant to Exposure to Different Salt Forms and Rates

We aimed to investigate the effects of NaCl and Na2SO4 on seed and pollen germination of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) in vitro. In addition, the effects of NaCl, Na2SO4, and CaCl2 on yield and quality, plant growth, some physiological parameters, and the distribution of mineral composition in greenhouse grown tomato plants were investigated. Seed germination was affected by high salinity treatments (MS and 1/2 MS). Pollen germination and pollen tube length were significantly affected by salt forms and doses. Pollen germination was blocked by the above doses of 50 mM NaCl and 30 mM Na2SO4. In the greenhouse experiment, with increasing concentration of all forms of salt, stomatal density, chlorophyll content, plant growth, and yield decreased. Reductions were higher in fruit yield and stomatal density in the NaCl treatment than those in Na2SO4 and CaCl2 treatments. Membrane permeability was impaired with increases in all 3 forms of salt concentrations, but the effect of NaCl treatment on membrane permeability was more striking compared to the other salt forms. Proline accumulation increased with increasing salt concentrations. The K and N concentrations decreased with increases in all 3 types of salt concentrations. Concentration of Ca decreased with increasing NaCl and Na2SO4, but increased with CaCl2 salt concentrations. The growth and yield reduction under both NaCl and Na2SO4 stress may be due to the combined effects of lower rates of Ca, K, and N, and excess accumulation of Na, while in the CaCl2 experiment the growth reduction may be related to lower rates of K and N and the high rate of Ca.
RelA Functionally Suppresses the Growth Defect Caused by a Mutation in the G Domain of the Essential Der Protein

ABSTRACT A unique bacterial GTPase, Der, containing two tandem GTP-binding domains, is essential for cell growth and plays a crucial role in a large ribosomal subunit in Escherichia coli. The depletion of Der resulted in accumulation of both large and small ribosomal subunits and also affected the stability of large ribosomal subunits. However, its exact cellular function still remains elusive. Previously, we have shown that two G domain mutants, DerN118D and DerN321D, cannot support cell growth at low temperatures, suggesting that both GTP-binding domains are indispensable. In this study, we show that both Der variants are defective in ribosome biogenesis. Genetic screening of an E. coli genomic library was performed to identify the genes which, when expressed from a multicopy plasmid, can restore the growth defect of the DerN321D mutant at restrictive temperatures. Among seven suppressors isolated, four were located at 62.7 min on the E. coli genomic map, and the gene responsible for the suppression of DerN321D was identified as the relA gene which encodes a ribosome-associated (p)ppGpp synthetase. The synthetic activity of RelA was found to be essential for its DerN321D suppressor activity. Overexpression of RelA in a suppressor strain did not affect the expression of DerN321D but suppressed the polysome defects caused by the DerN321D mutant. This is the first demonstration of suppression of impaired function of Der by a functional enzyme. A possible mechanism of the suppression of DerN321D by RelA overproduction is discussed.
Differential effects of workplace stressors on innovation: An integrated perspective of cybernetics and coping.

It is now consensus that engaging in innovative work behaviours is not restricted to traditional innovation jobs (e.g., research and development), but that they can be performed on a discretionary basis in most of today's jobs. To date, our knowledge on the role of workplace stressors for discretionary innovative behaviour, in particular for innovation implementation is limited. We draw on a cybernetic view as well as on a transactional, coping-based perspective with stress to propose differential effects of stressors on innovation implementation. We propose that work demands have a positive effect on innovation implementation, whereas role-based stressors - i.e., role conflict, role ambiguity, and professional compromise - have a negative effect. We conducted a time-lagged, survey-based study in the health care sector (Study 1, UK: N = 235 nurses). Innovation implementation was measured two years after the assessment of the stressors. Supporting our hypotheses, work demands were positively, role ambiguity and professional compromise negatively related to subsequent innovation implementation. We also tested organizational commitment as a mediator, but there was only partial support for the mediation. To test the generalizability of the findings, we replicated the study (Study 2, Germany: employees from various professions, N = 138, time lag 2 weeks). Again, work demands were positively, role ambiguity and professional compromise negatively related to subsequent innovation implementation. There was no support for strain as a mediator. Our results suggest differential effects of work demands and role stressors on innovation implementation, for which the underlying mechanism still needs to be uncovered.
Quantitation of cerebral blood volume in human infants by near-infrared spectroscopy.

Current methods for measuring cerebral blood volume (CBV) in newborn infants are unsatisfactory. A new method is described in which the effect of a small change (5-10%) in arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) on cerebral oxyhemoglobin [HbO2] and deoxyhemoglobin [Hb] concentration is observed by near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Previous experiments in which the NIR absorption characteristics of HbO2 and Hb and the pathlength of NIR light through the brain were defined allowed changes in [HbO2] and [Hb] to be quantified from the Beer-Lambert law. It is shown here that CBV can then be derived from the expression CBV = (delta[HbO2] - delta[Hb])/(2. delta SaO2.H.R.), where H is the large vessel total hemoglobin concentration and R to the cerebral-to-large vessel hematocrit ratio. Observations on 12 newborn infants with normal brains, born at 25-40 wk of gestation and aged 10-240 h, gave a mean value for CBV of 2.22 +/- 0.40 (SD) ml/100 g, whereas mean CBV was significantly higher 3.00 +/- 1.04 ml/100 g in 10 infants with brain injury born at 24 to 42 wk of gestation and aged 4-168 h (P less than 0.05).
Dog's life: wearable activity recognition for dogs

Health and well-being of dogs, either domesticated pets or service animals, are major concerns that are taken seriously for ethical, emotional, and financial reasons. Welfare assessments in dogs rely on objective observations of both frequency and variability of individual behaviour traits, which is often difficult to obtain in a dog's everyday life. In this paper we have identified a set of activities, which are linked to behaviour traits that are relevant for a dog's wellbeing. We developed a collar-worn accelerometry platform that records dog behaviours in naturalistic environments. A statistical classification framework is used for recognising dog activities. In an experimental evaluation we analysed the naturalistic behaviour of 18 dogs and were able to recognise a total of 17 different activities with approximately 70% classification accuracy. The presented system is the first of its kind that allows for robust and detailed analysis of dog activities in naturalistic environments.
Overview of team ViGIR's approach to the Virtual Robotics Challenge

With the DARPA Robotics Challenge (DRC), a call to an ambitious multi-part competition was sent out to the robotics community. In this paper, we briefly summarize the approach for addressing the Virtual Robotics Challenge (VRC) where software for control and supervision of a capable humanoid robot must be developed. Team ViGIR, comprising members from the US and Germany, leveraged previous robotics competition experience and a variety of open source tools, to achieve sixth place in the VRC out of 126 registrants, thereby advancing to the next round of the DRC and obtaining an Atlas robot.
Fusion of polarimetric radar images using hybrid matching pursuit

In this paper, we consider the problem of fusion of multi-polarization radar images and develop a new greedy algorithm referred to as hybrid matching pursuit (HMP). By combining the strengths of the orthogonal matching pursuit algorithm and the subspace pursuit algorithm, HMP can enhance target reflections and attenuate background clutter. Experimental results based on measured radar data demonstrate that HMP offers better image quality with higher target-clutter-ratio compared to some popular greedy algorithms.
Generation of humanized mice susceptible to peptide-induced inflammatory heart disease.

BACKGROUND Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a major cause of sudden cardiac death. In certain mouse major histocompatibility complex (MHC) backgrounds, myocarditis and inflammatory cardiomyopathy can be triggered by immunization with heart muscle-specific proteins. Similarly, chronic heart disease in humans has been linked to certain HLA alleles, such as HLA-DQ6. However, there is no experimental evidence showing that human MHC class II molecules and peptides derived from human proteins are involved in the pathogenesis of myocarditis and DCM. METHODS AND RESULTS We generated double CD4- and CD8-deficient mice transgenic for human CD4 (hCD4) and human HLA-DQ6 to specifically reconstitute the human CD4/DQ6 arm of the immune system in mice. Transgenic hCD4 and HLA-DQ6 expression rendered genetically resistant C57BL/6 mice susceptible to the induction of autoimmune myocarditis induced by immunization with cardiac myosin. Moreover, we identified heart-specific peptides derived from both mouse and human alpha-myosin heavy chains capable of inducing inflammatory heart disease in hCD4 and HLA-DQ6 double transgenic mice but not in hCD4 single transgenic littermates. The autoimmune inflammatory heart disease induced by the human heart muscle-specific peptide in hCD4 and HLA-DQ6 double transgenic mice shared functional and phenotypic features with the disease occurring in disease-susceptible nontransgenic mice. CONCLUSIONS Our data provide the first genetic and functional evidence that human MHC class II molecules and a human alpha-myosin heavy chain-derived peptide can cause inflammatory heart disease and suggest that human inflammatory cardiomyopathy can be caused by organ-specific autoimmunity. The humanized mice generated in this study will be an ideal animal model to further elucidate the pathogenesis of inflammatory heart disease and facilitate the development of rational treatment strategies.
Privacy Scope: A Precise Information Flow Tracking System For Finding Application Leaks

We present Privacy Scope, a new system that tracks the movement of sensitive user data as it flows through off-the-shelf applications. Privacy Scope uses application-level dynamic taint analysis, implemented with dynamic binary translation tools, to let users run applications in their own environment while pinpointing information leaks, even when the sensitive data is encrypted. The system is made possible by techniques we developed for accurate and efficient tainting. Semantic-aware instruction-level tainting handles special cases and is critical to avoid taint explosion or loss. Function summaries provide an interface to handle taint propagation within the kernel and reduce the overhead of instruction-level tracking. On-demand instrumentation enables fast loading of large applications. Together, these techniques let us run on large, multi-threaded, networked applications and precisely track where information goes. In tests on Internet Explorer, Yahoo! Messenger, and Windows Notepad, Privacy Scope generated no false positives and instrumented fewer than 5% of the executed instructions.