Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimal coverage of a known arbitrary environment

The problem of coverage of known space by a mobile robot has many applications. Of particular interest is providing a solution that guarantees the complete coverage of the free space by traversing an optimal path, in terms of the distance travelled. In this paper we introduce a new algorithm based on the Boustrophedon cellular decomposition. The presented algorithm encodes the areas (cells) to be covered as edges of the Reeb graph. The optimal solution to the Chinese Postman Problem (CPP) is used to calculate an Euler tour, which guarantees complete coverage of the available free space while minimizing the path of the robot. In addition, we extend the classical solution of the CPP to account for the entry point of the robot for cell coverage by changing the weights of the Reeb graph edges. Proof of correctness is provided together with experimental results in different environments.
The range of the mange: Spatiotemporal patterns of sarcoptic mange in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) as revealed by camera trapping

Sarcoptic mange is a widely distributed disease that affects numerous mammalian species. We used camera traps to investigate the apparent prevalence and spatiotemporal dynamics of sarcoptic mange in a red fox population in southeastern Norway. We monitored red foxes for five years using 305 camera traps distributed across an 18000 km2 area. A total of 6581 fox events were examined to visually identify mange compatible lesions. We investigated factors associated with the occurrence of mange by using logistic models within a Bayesian framework, whereas the spatiotemporal dynamics of the disease were analysed with space-time scan statistics. The apparent prevalence of the disease fluctuated over the study period with a mean of 3.15% and credible interval [1.25, 6.37], and our best logistic model explaining the presence of red foxes with mange-compatible lesions included time since the beginning of the study and the interaction between distance to settlement and season as explanatory variables. The scan analyses detected several potential clusters of the disease that varied in persistence and size, and the locations in the cluster with the highest probability were closer to human settlements than the other survey locations. Our results indicate that red foxes in an advanced stage of the disease are most likely found closer to human settlements during periods of low wild prey availability (winter). We discuss different potential causes. Furthermore, the disease appears to follow a pattern of small localized outbreaks rather than sporadic isolated events.
Multi-modal control of systems with constraints

In multi-modal control paradigm, a set of controllers of satisfactory performance have already been designed and must be used. Each controller may be designed for a different set of outputs in order to meet the given performance objectives and system constraints. When such a collection of control modes is available, an important problem is to be able to accomplish a variety of high level tasks by appropriately switching between the low-level control modes. In this paper, we propose a framework for determining the sequence of control modes that will satisfy reachability tasks. Our framework exploits the structure of output tracking controllers in order to extract a finite graph where the mode switching problem can be efficiently solved, and then implement it using the continuous controllers. Our approach is illustrated on a robot manipulator example, where we determine the mode switching logic that achieves the given reachability task.
The impact of co-morbidity on health-related quality of life in breast cancer survivors and controls

Abstract Background. The objective of this study was: 1) to compare health-related quality of life (HRQoL) scores of breast cancer survivors to matched controls; and 2) to examine the relative impact (explained variance) of the type and number of co-morbidities on HRQoL. Material and methods. Data from the KARMA project was used in this cross-sectional study. For each woman diagnosed with breast cancer (n = 2552) there were two healthy age- and geographically matched females (n = 5104). Breast cancer survivors were categorized according to time since diagnosis: recently diagnosed (0–1 year), short- (2–5 years), mid- (6–10 years), and long-term survivors (> 10 years). Women completed a questionnaire addressing demographics (age, educational level, and geographical location), lifestyle factors (body mass index (BMI) and smoking), co-morbidities, and HRQoL. The difference in explained variance in six HRQoL-domains between demographics, lifestyle factors, and co-morbidity in women with breast cancer and matched controls was examined by hierarchical regression analyses. Results and conclusion. Women recently diagnosed (n = 63), reported the worst HRQoL followed by short-term survivors (2–5 years, n = 863). Thereafter, HRQoL scores further improved (6–10 years, n = 726), and were comparable to healthy females after 10 years (n = 893). Co-morbidity has a negative impact on HRQoL, which increased with time after diagnosis. Cardiovascular disease and depression were the strongest associates. Breast cancer survivors report clinically significant improvement in HRQoL scores six years after diagnosis. Co-morbidity has a negative impact on HRQoL, which increases with time after diagnosis, even though the number of co-morbidities remains stable. In long-term survivors there should be increasing awareness of co-morbidity and its impact on HRQoL.
Robust loss filter design for digital waveguide synthesis of string tones

A robust loss filter design method is presented for digital waveguide string models, which can be used with high filter orders. The method aims at minimizing the decay time error in partials of the synthetic tone. This is achieved by a new weighting function based on the first-order Taylor series approximation of the decay time errors. Smoothing of decay time data and requiring the design to be minimum-phase are also proposed to facilitate the stability of the design. The new method is applicable to analysis-based sound synthesis of piano and guitar tones, for example.
"An Outsider in my Own Home": Women's Perceptions of the Markers of Attachment Injury in Stepcouple Relationships

This study examined stepcouple relationships through the framework of attachment injury. Specifically, this inquiry explored whether or not individuals who are part of a stepcouple describe relational experiences that are similar to the patterns of attachment injury; and if so, whether or not these experiences are directly attributable to stepfamily formation and maintenance. Attachment theory and existing research regarding both attachment injury and stepfamily formation contributed to the development of core interview questions. Using a multiple-case qualitative research design, interviews were conducted with five women who were both biological and stepmothers in a stepcouple relationship. The pattern matching method of data analysis was used to explore for markers of attachment injury in the stepcouple relationships. The context of the women’s stories, as well as direct questions, enabled consideration of the attribution of the attachment injury markers to stepfamily formation. The respondents in this study described experiences that matched the patterns of attachment injury. In each case, at least some of the markers for attachment injury were directly attributable to the relationship difficulties these women encountered in forming and maintaining their stepfamily. Patterns of attachment injury were identified that would not have occurred had the respondents not been part of a stepcouple. These findings hold implications for continued exploration of stepcouples and the mitigation of stepfamily problems through the theoretical framework of attachment and attachment injury.
Medical Ontology Learning Based on Web Resources

In order to deal with heterogeneous knowledge in the medical field, this paper proposes a method which can learn a heavy-weighted medical ontology based on medical glossaries and Web resources. Firstly, terms and taxonomic relations are extracted based on disease and drug glossaries and a light-weighted ontology is constructed, Secondly, non-taxonomic relations are automatically learned from Web resources with linguistic patterns, and the two ontologies (disease and drug) are expanded from light-weighted level towards heavy-weighted level, At last, the disease ontology and drug ontology are integrated to create a practical medical ontology. Experiment shows that this method can integrate and expand medical terms with taxonomic and different kinds of non-taxonomic relations. Our experiments show that the performance is promising.
Association between Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase C677T Polymorphism and Susceptibility to Cervical Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Background To assess the association between MTHFR polymorphism and cervical cancer risk, a meta-analysis was performed. Methods Based on comprehensive searches of the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases, we identified outcome data from all articles estimating the association between MTHFR polymorphism and cervical cancer risk. The pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Results A total of 12 studies with 2,924 cases (331 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) I, 742 CIN II/III, 1851 invasive cervical cancer) and 2,581 controls were identified. There was no significant association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and CIN I risk (T vs. C, OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 0.92–1.31; TT vs. CC, OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 0.78–1.68; TT+CT vs. CC, OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 0.94–1.58; TT vs. CT+CC, OR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.70–1.40). For the CIN II/III, lack of an association was also found (T vs. C, OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 0.95–1.23; TT vs. CC, OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 0.87–1.52; TT+CT vs. CC, OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 0.94–1.35; TT vs. CT+CC, OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 0.83–1.38). The T allele had significant association to susceptibility of invasive cervical cancer in recessive model (TT vs. CT+CC, OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.02–1.49). On subgroup analysis by ethnicity, similarly significant differences in T vs. C, TT vs. CC, and recessive model were found in Asians. Conclusion The present meta-analysis suggested that MTHFR C677T polymorphism were to substantially contribute to invasive cervical cancer in recessive model.
Study on Financial Market Risk Management Based on the Dynamic Copula Model

This thesis mainly studies Copula model and the application of the model in financial market risk management. On the basis of studying copula, this thesis builds a dynamic Copula model to solve the financial market risk management problems. Using statistics and financial theories and Copula model, the thesis studies applications of Copula model in the financial risk management and resolves the problem that whether the financial contagion exists. The results indicate that the applications of model in the financial market risk management are effective, and should study in deep.
SEARCHES FOR EXTENDED AND POINT-LIKE NEUTRINO SOURCES WITH FOUR YEARS OF ICECUBE DATA

We present results on searches for point-like sources of neutrinos using four years of IceCube data, including the first year of data from the completed 86 string detector. The total livetime of the combined data set is 1373 days. For an E−2 spectrum, the observed 90% C.L. flux upper limits are ∼10−12 TeV−1 cm−2 s−1 for energies between 1 TeV and 1 PeV in the northern sky and ∼10−11 TeV−1 cm−2 s−1 for energies between 100 TeV and 100 PeV in the southern sky. This represents a 40% improvement compared to previous publications, resulting from both the additional year of data and the introduction of improved reconstructions. In addition, we present the first results from an all-sky search for extended sources of neutrinos. We update the results of searches for neutrino emission from stacked catalogs of sources and test five new catalogs; two of Galactic supernova remnants and three of active galactic nuclei. In all cases, the data are compatible with the background-only hypothesis, and upper limits on the flux of muon neutrinos are reported for the sources considered.
Proliferation of progeria cells is enhanced by lamina-associated polypeptide 2α (LAP2α) through expression of extracellular matrix proteins

A single heterozygous mutation of LMNA generates the lamin A/C variant progerin and causes Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS). Vidak et al. show that this mutation leads to loss of LAP2α and nucleoplasmic lamins A/C, impaired proliferation, and down-regulation of extracellular matrix components. Ectopic expression of LAP2α in cells expressing progerin restores proliferation and extracellular matrix expression but not the levels of nucleoplasmic lamins A/C.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Polypeptides . Ill . The Envelope-associated Proteins

SUMMARY Four proteins, GP1, VGP48, GP26 and VPM27, are associated with the envelope of respiratory syncytial (RS) virus. The status of GP1 has been uncertain, because a cellular glycoprotein migrates at the same position when Laemmli's discontinuous buffer system is used for PAGE, and because BSC-1 cells infected with the RSN-2 strain of RS virus appear not to contain GP1. However, additional evidence suggests that GP1 is a viral structural protein. (i) It is removed from cells by trypsin, while the cellular glycoprotein is not; (ii) it is separated from the cellular glycoprotein when the infected cells are analysed by neutral SDS-PAGE; (iii) it is present in the purified RSN-2 strain of RS virus produced by BSC-1 cells; (iv) it is also present in the purified Long strain of RS virus produced by either human or monkey cells. When purified Long strain virus is analysed by PAGE under non-reducing conditions, the glyco-proteins VGP48 and GP26 migrate together, and VPM27 separates into two proteins, which one-dimensional peptide mapping suggests are not different proteins. These observations suggest that VGP48 and GP26 exist in the virion as a single molecule joined by disulphide bonds, and so resemble a paramyxovirus fusion protein, and that probably there are two forms of VPM27 which differ in either position or number of disulphide bonds. INTRODUCTION Electrophoresis on SDS-polyacrylamide gels separates the proteins of dissociated and reduced, purified Long strain respiratory syncytial (RS) virus into eight polypeptides, of which three are glycoproteins. The molecular weights of the non-glycosylated proteins are 160 x 103 (160K), 44K, 32K, 28K and 25K but the apparent molecular weights of the glycoproteins vary with the buffer system used for electrophoresis, migrating with molecular weights of 80K, 56K and 22K in neutral phosphate buffer, and 90K, 49K and 26K in the discontinuous buffer system of Laemmli (Levine, 1977; Peeples & Levine, 1979). Similar polypeptides have been reported for other RS virus strains, with slight differences in the migration rates of the proteins. The three glycoproteins and the 28K protein are associated with the viral envelope; the remaining proteins are associated with the nucleocapsid (Peeples & Levine, 1979; Ueba, 1980). A revised nomenclature, based on a comparison of the three virus strains Long, A2 and RSN-2, has been proposed for seven of the structural proteins, including two of the glycoproteins, GP 1, been synthesized in vitro with mRNA from RS virus-infected cells (Cash et al., …
Prognostic and functional role of subtype‐specific tumor–stroma interaction in breast cancer

None of the clinically relevant gene expression signatures available for breast cancer were specifically developed to capture the influence of the microenvironment on tumor cells. Here, we attempted to build subtype‐specific signatures derived from an in vitro model reproducing tumor cell modifications after interaction with activated or normal stromal cells. Gene expression signatures derived from HER2+, luminal, and basal breast cancer cell lines (treated by normal fibroblasts or cancer‐associated fibroblasts conditioned media) were evaluated in clinical tumors by in silico analysis on published gene expression profiles (GEPs). Patients were classified as microenvironment‐positive (μENV+ve), that is, with tumors showing molecular profiles suggesting activation by the stroma, or microenvironment‐negative (μENV−ve) based on correlation of their tumors' GEP with the respective subtype‐specific signature. Patients with estrogen receptor alpha (ER)+/HER2−/μENV+ve tumors were characterized by 2.5‐fold higher risk of developing distant metastases (HR = 2.546; 95% CI: 1.751–3.701, P = 9.84E‐07), while μENV status did not affect, or only suggested the risk of distant metastases, in women with HER2+ (HR = 1.541; 95% CI: 0.788–3.012, P = 0.206) or ER‐/HER2− tumors (HR = 1.894; 95% CI: 0.938–3.824; P = 0.0747), respectively. In ER+/HER2− tumors, the μENV status remained significantly associated with metastatic progression (HR = 2.098; CI: 1.214–3.624; P = 0.00791) in multivariable analysis including size, age, and Genomic Grade Index. Validity of our in vitro model was also supported by in vitro biological endpoints such as cell growth (MTT assay) and migration/invasion (Transwell assay). In vitro‐derived gene signatures tracing the bidirectional interaction with cancer activated fibroblasts are subtype‐specific and add independent prognostic information to classical prognostic variables in women with ER+/HER2− tumors.
LIFE PREDICTION BY SIMULATION OF CRACK GROWTH IN NOTCHED COMPONENTS WITH DIFFERENT MICROSTRUCTURES AND UNDER MULTIAXIAL FATIGUE

A modelling procedure was developed which is applicable to crack growth in notched components subjected to multiaxial fatigue for materials with different microstructures. An algorithm for crack growth, in a microstructure that was modelled as hexagons, was established as a competition between growth by crack linkages during the crack initiation and propagation stages and the propagation of a dominant crack as a single crack. Analytical results simulated by using the developed model were compared with experimental results from fatigue tests which had been conducted using notched specimens of pure copper, carbon steel and two kinds of titanium alloy. Cracking morphology, which was experimentally observed to depend on the microstructure and the loading mode, was well simulated using the present model. The fatigue failure life of a notched specimen was statistically estimated by a Monte Carlo procedure based on the model. The simulated life with a statistical scatter-band almost coincided with the experimental data.
Lipid-Rich Enteral Nutrition Reduces Postoperative Ileus in Rats via Activation of Cholecystokinin-Receptors

Objective:This study investigates the effect of lipid-rich nutrition on the local inflammatory response and gastrointestinal hypomotility in a rat model of postoperative ileus. Background:Postoperative ileus is a major clinical problem, in which inflammation of the intestinal muscularis plays a key pathogenic event. Previously, administration of lipid-rich nutrition has been shown to reduce inflammation by activation of the autonomic nervous system via cholecystokinin-receptors. Methods:Postoperative ileus was induced by manipulation of the small intestine in rats. Peritoneal lavage fluid, plasma, and jejunal segments were collected at several time points to determine inflammatory mediators in fasted rats and rats fed a lipid-rich or control nutrition. Gastrointestinal transit was measured 24 hours after surgery. Results:Administration of lipid-rich nutrition markedly reduced the manipulation-induced local inflammatory response compared to rats treated with control nutrition. The intervention with lipid-rich nutrition significantly reduced plasma levels of rat mast cell protease-II (P < 0.05) and peritoneal levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (P < 0.01) and interleukin-6 (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the influx of neutrophils, expressed as tissue level myeloperoxidase was significantly prevented by lipid-rich nutrition (P < 0.05). Above all administration of lipid-rich enteral nutrition resulted in a significant improvement of gastrointestinal transit compared to control nutrition (P < 0.05). Blocking of cholecystokinin-receptors prevented the anti-inflammatory and motility promoting effect of lipid-rich feeding. Conclusion:Our data demonstrate that nutritional stimulation of the autonomic nervous system with enteral lipids reduces postoperative ileus by inhibition of inflammation. Clinically, lipid-rich enteral nutrition may be a new therapeutic option in the treatment of postoperative ileus.
Web Log Data Analysis by Enhanced Fuzzy C Means Clustering

World Wide Webis a huge repository of information and there is a tremendous increase in the volume of information daily. The number of users are also increasing day by day. To reduce users browsing time lot of research is taken place. Web Usage Mining is a type of web mining in which mining techniques are applied in log data to extract the behaviour of users.Clustering plays an important role in a broad range of applications like Web analysis, CRM, marketing, me dical diagnostics, computational biology, and many others. Clustering is the grouping of similar instances or objects. The key factor for clustering is some sort of measure that can determine whether two objects are similar or dissimilar . In this paper a novel clustering method to partition user sessions into accurate clusters is discussed. The accuracy and various performance measures of the proposed algorithm shows that the proposed method is a better method for web log mining.
Factor Analysis of an Outcome Interview for Use in Clinical Trials of Traumatically Brain-Injured Patients: A Preliminary Study

Brown SA, McCauley SR, Levin HS, Boake C, Goldfader PR, McCormick SD, Rockers D, Butters M, Kareken DA, Gostnell D, Clifton GL: Factor analysis of an outcome interview for use in clinical trials of traumatically brain-injured patients: a preliminary study. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2001; 80:196–205. ObjectiveTo study the factor structure, internal consistency, concurrent validity, and sensitivity to detect change in patient report of problems of a structured interview in relationship with accepted outcome measures. DesignOutcome status of patients with severe traumatic brain injury participating in a randomized, phase III, multicenter clinical trial was assessed at 6 mo postinjury using the Glasgow Outcome Scale, the Disability Rating Scale, and the Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Outcome Interview. ResultsExploratory factor analysis of the Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Outcome Interview produced a meaningful five-factor model: (1) activities of daily living; (2) cognitive; (3) affective; (4) behavioral; and (5) instrumental activities of daily living. The internal consistency of the factors ranged from moderate (0.61 instrumental activities of daily living) to high (0.94 activities of daily living); the interfactor correlations were moderate. The summed factor scores were significantly correlated with measures of global outcome: the Glasgow Outcome Scale (r = 0.66;P < 0.0001) and the Disability Rating Scale (r = 0.61;P < 0.0001). Patient report of cognitive problems correlated moderately with the neuropsychological tests. The summed factor scores were sensitive to change over time. ConclusionsOverall, the interview assessed the major important features of outcome pertinent to traumatic brain injury and demonstrated greater sensitivity to subtle changes over time than the unidimensional approaches, such as the Glasgow Outcome Scale and Disability Rating Scale.