Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A new asymmetrical mass distribution method on the analysis of universal "force-sensing" model for 3-DOF translational parallel manipulator

Purpose – The characteristic of static is quite important especially for the manipulator with force feedback. This paper aims to improve the traditional static model by considering the limitations such as lacking of versatility and ignoring gravity of links. For this purpose, a new asymmetric mass distribution method on the analysis of universal “force-sensing” model has been put forward to overcome the limitations. Design/methodology/approach – Through the forces and torques analysis of every link and the moving platform, the static model of 3-RUU manipulator is acquired. Then, based on the physical meaning analysis of every part in the static model of 3-RUU manipulator, a new asymmetric mass distribution method on the analysis of universal “force-sensing” model can be obtained. Findings – The correctness of the static model of 3-RUU manipulator is verified by simulation results based on Pro/Engineer software and Adams software. Furthermore, experiment results based on a manipulator similar to the Omega.
A Software Architecture to Control Service-Oriented Manufacturing Systems

This paper presents a software architecture extending the classical automation pyramid to control and reconfigure flexible, service-oriented manufacturing systems. At the Planning level, the architecture requires a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) consistent with the International Society of Automation (ISA) standard. Then, the Supervisory level is automated by introducing a novel component, called Automation Manager. The new component interacts upward with the MES, and downward with a set of servers providing access to the manufacturing machines. The communication with machines relies on the OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA) standard protocol, which allows exposing production tasks as “services”. The proposed software architecture has been prototyped to control a real production line, originally controlled by a commercial MES, unable to fully exploit the flexibility provided by the case study manufacturing system. Meanwhile, the proposed architecture is fully exploiting the production line's flexibility.
The effect of Rhizoma Panacis Japonici ethanol extracts on protein caspase 3 and Drp-1 in MCAO rats

Objective: The effect of Rhizoma Panacis Japonici ethanol extracts on protein caspase 3 and Drp-1 in MCAO rats. Methods: Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, the sham operation group (s group), ischemia and reperfusion group (I/R group), Rhizoma Panacis Japonici Ethanol extracts low dose group (10 mg/kg/d, RPJEL) and Rhizoma Panacis Japonici Ethanol extracts high dose group (30 mg/kg/d, RPJEH) with 15 rats in each group. After intragastric administration of 1 W, the middle cerebral artery occlusion method preparation of focal cerebral ischemia model, ischemia 2 hrs and reperfusion for 24 hrs, postoperative 24 hrs monitoring the brain ischemic area middle cerebral artery blood flow changes, the Triphenyltetrazolium Chloride (TTC) method to measure the volume of cerebral infarction was used to detect the apoptosis of brain cells level, immunohistochemistry and Western blot Drp-1, Caspase 3 protein expression. Results: Compared with I/R group, both of RPJEL and RPJEH groups could significantly decrease the Drp-1 and Caspase 3 protein level, and also minimize the infarct volume. Two hours after the infarct model established, the blood flow of I/R group were changed to 30.26% ± 1.58%, and the blood flow of the RPJEL and RPJEH groups were decreased to 52.1% ± 2.94%57.3% ± 4.21%. Conclusions: RPJE could effectively inhibit the nerve cell apoptosis and mitochondria. The action mechanism may be related to the decreased levels of Drp-1 and Caspase 3.
Suppression of corner effects in triple-gate bulk FinFETs

This paper presents a method of suppressing kink effects which originate in the corners of triple-gate bulk FinFETs. We propose corner implantation to turn off the parasitic corner device which has lower threshold voltage than the bulk device. This method is investigated in triple-gate bulk FinFETs by 3D numerical simulations. Threshold voltage shift of 0.434 V with a decrease in on-state current of only 23% is achieved, while the kink effect in devices' current-voltage characteristics is completely eliminated. Corner implantation improves devices' immunity to short-channel effects.
Marmoset glutathione peroxidases: cDNA sequences, molecular evolution, and gene expression

Abstract Background Dysfunction of the cellular antioxidant system and accumulation of reactive oxygen species are involved in the pathophysiology of diseases such as cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders, tumors, male infertility and aging. Two gluthathione peroxidases play key roles in the cellular protection against oxidative damage. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx‐1) removes cytosolic hydroperoxides while phospholipid‐hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (GPx‐4) is a unique enzyme that reduces phospholipid peroxides in membranes.
Q/V-band satellite communication experiments on channel estimation with Alphasat Aldo Paraboni P/L

The Alphasat Aldo Paraboni communication experimental campaign is based on a transparent QIV band transponder hosted as a piggy-back on a GEO satellite. Together with the transparent payload, two beacons having European coverage, one in Ka-band and one in QIV-band, are used to perform propagation experiments. The transparent payload has three spot beams, two over Italy and one over Austria. The University of Rome Tor Vergata-CTIF Italy is the Principal Investigator for the communication experiments and is in charge of operating the payload and the Italian ground stations. The Alphasat Aldo Paraboni experiment is an important step toward the development of future High Throughput Satellite (HTS) systems, able to support hundreds of gigabit/s or terabit/s connectivity. These systems will require: a) use of frequency bands beyond Ka (i.e. Q, V and W bands); b) enhanced frequency reuse; c) use of Propagation Impairments Mitigation Techniques (PIMT). Alphasat Aldo Paraboni payload allows us to perform, for the first time, communication experiments over a Q/V band satellite link with adaptive PIMT, testing: Channel Estimation, Adaptive Coding and Modulation (ACM), up-link power control (ULPC) and space diversity. This paper presents the first results of the communication experiments campaign.
The effect of variation on neuromorphic network based on 1T1R memristor array

Memristor is a promising device in neuromorphic computing application by working as the basic element in the synapses array. To overcome the disadvantage (e.g. sneak path) and inconvenience (e.g. programming operation) of the 2-terminal 1R or 1S1R based RRAM cross-bar, we propose a new hardware structure and appropriate operation to implement a one transistor one resistor (1T1R) array. By MATLAB and HSPICE joint simulation, the proposed neuromorphic network is constructed and the pattern classification function is presented. The total 30 patterns are classified rapidly and precisely. Meanwhile the effect of the inherent defects in memristor i.e. cycle-to-cycle and device-to-device variance are also discussed in this paper.
Analyzing Graphene-Based Absorber by Using the WCS-FDTD Method

A weakly conditionally stable finite-difference time-domain (WCS-FDTD) method is used to simulate a graphene-based absorber. By using the auxiliary differential equation and Padé fitting method, both the interband and intraband conductivities of the graphene are incorporated into the WCS-FDTD method. The time step increment in the proposed method is not determined by the fine meshes in the graphene layer, so the computational efficiency of this method is greatly improved from that of the conventional FDTD method. By using the proposed WCS-FDTD method, a graphene-based absorber is simulated and analyzed. The numerical result shows that the graphene can achieve tunable absorption through controlling its chemical potential, and the interband conductivity of the graphene has important effects on the performance of the absorber.
Altered expression of surface protein WI-1 in genetically related strains of Blastomyces dermatitidis that differ in virulence regulates recognition of yeasts by human macrophages

The molecular basis for pathogenicity and virulence of the dimorphic fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis remains unknown. WI-1 is a major cell wall protein of B. dermatitidis yeasts and is a recognition target of both humoral and cell-mediated immunity. As an initial study to determine if WI-1 might be linked to virulence of B. dermatitidis, we quantified WI-1 expression on three genetically related strains that differ in their virulence for mice: wild-type virulent ATCC strain 26199, mutant ATCC strain 60915 (which is 10,000-fold reduced in virulence), and mutant ATCC strain 60916 (which is avirulent). Two principal alterations in WI-1 expression were observed in the mutants. First, the mutants express more WI-1 on their surface, as quantified by flow cytometry with monoclonal antibody to WI-1 and by radioimmunoassay, but the WI-1 on their cell wall is less extractable than that on the wild-type strain. Second, the mutants shed less WI-1 during culture and demonstrate impaired processing of shed WI-1. Surface alterations in WI-1 were accompanied by significant differences in the binding of the virulent and mutant strains to human monocyte-derived macrophages. Attachment of yeasts to macrophages paralleled and was proportional to the expression of WI-1. Compared with wild-type yeasts, both mutants bound to macrophages more rapidly and in two- to threefold-greater magnitude. Furthermore, about 75% of yeast binding to macrophages was inhibited by a Fab anti-WI-1 monoclonal antibody. These results suggest that altered WI-1 expression on attenuated and avirulent mutant B. dermatitidis yeasts greatly facilitates macrophage recognition and binding of yeasts and, in turn, may contribute to more rapid ingestion and killing in the host.
Subunit‐specific modulation of T‐type calcium channels by zinc

Zinc (Zn2+) functions as a signalling molecule in the nervous system and modulates many ionic channels. In this study, we have explored the effects of Zn2+ on recombinant T‐type calcium channels (CaV3.1, CaV3.2 and CaV3.3). Using tsA‐201 cells, we demonstrate that CaV3.2 current (IC50, 0.8 μm) is significantly more sensitive to Zn2+ than are CaV3.1 and CaV3.3 currents (IC50, 80 μm and ∼160 μm, respectively). This inhibition of CaV3 currents is associated with a shift to more negative membrane potentials of both steady‐state inactivation for CaV3.1, CaV3.2 and CaV3.3 and steady‐state activation for CaV3.1 and CaV3.3 currents. We also document changes in kinetics, especially a significant slowing of the inactivation kinetics for CaV3.1 and CaV3.3, but not for CaV3.2 currents. Notably, deactivation kinetics are significantly slowed for CaV3.3 current (∼100‐fold), but not for CaV3.1 and CaV3.2 currents. Consequently, application of Zn2+ results in a significant increase in CaV3.3 current in action potential clamp experiments, while CaV3.1 and CaV3.2 currents are significantly reduced. In neuroblastoma NG 108‐15 cells, the duration of CaV3.3‐mediated action potentials is increased upon Zn2+ application, indicating further that Zn2+ behaves as a CaV3.3 channel opener. These results demonstrate that Zn2+ exhibits differential modulatory effects on T‐type calcium channels, which may partly explain the complex features of Zn2+ modulation of the neuronal excitability in normal and disease states.
Towards the Automatic Identification of Violations to the Normalized Systems Design Theorems

Contemporary organizations are operating in increasingly volatile environments and must be able to respond quickly to their environment. Given the importance of information technology within organizations, the evolvability of information systems will to a large degree determine how quickly organizations are able to react to changes in their environment. Unfortunately, current information systems struggle to provide the required levels of evolvability. Recently, the Normalized Systems approach has been proposed which aims to address this issue. The Normalized Systems approach is based on the systems theoretic concept of stability to ensure the evolvability of information systems. To this end, the Normalized Systems approach proposes four design theorems that act as constraints on the modular structure of software. In this paper, we explore the feasibility of building a tool that is able to automatically identify manifestations of violations to these Normalized Systems design theorems in the source code of information systems. This would help organizations in identifying limitations to the evolvability of their information systems. We describe how a prototype of such tool was developed, and illustrate how it can help to analyze the source code of an existing application.
ECG arrhythmia classification using modular neural network model

This research is on presenting a new approach for cardiac arrhythmia disease classification. The proposed method uses Modular neural network (MNN) model to classify arrhythmia into normal and abnormal classes. We have performed experiments on UCI Arrhythmia data set. Missing attribute values of this data set are replaced by closest column value of the concern class. We have constructed neural network model by varying number of hidden layers from one to three and are trained by varying training percentage in data set partitions. In this study, we are mainly interested in producing high confident arrhythmia classification results to be applicable in diagnostic decision support systems. This data set is a good environment to test classifiers as it is incomplete and ambiguous bio-signal data collected from total 452 patient cases. The classification performance is evaluated using six measures; sensitivity, specificity, classification accuracy, mean squared error (MSE), receiver operating characteristics (ROC) and area under curve (AUC). The experimental results presented in this paper show that up to 82.22% testing classification accuracy can be obtained.
An investigation of obese adults' views of the outcomes of dietary treatment.

BACKGROUND Although recommendations about the treatment of obesity have been well documented, there is little research into how obese individuals view the outcomes of dietary treatment. It has been suggested that patient involvement in evaluating treatment outcomes may help target issues to assist with the ongoing improvement of dietetic services. The aim of this qualitative study was to collect patients' views on the dietetic service, the treatment outcomes in terms of lifestyle change and the impact that attending the dietetic service had on their lives in order to improve dietetic treatment, and to assist in the selection of appropriate outcome measurements in the future. METHODS Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 obese patients attending dietetic clinics in Ayrshire, West of Scotland for weight management (advice on healthy eating and physical activity to achieve an energy deficit). Patients' views were transcribed, grouped and coded using content analysis. RESULTS Views included the importance of attending the dietitian for support to achieve weight management and a need to 'feel accountable to someone'. Interviewees valued information provided regarding diet, physical activity, behavioural strategies and the risks of obesity. Patients described the impact of obesity on their lives and identified changes to their lifestyles and health since attending the dietitian. They also identified barriers to change, e.g. feeling frustrated and overwhelmed about the changes necessary. CONCLUSION This study extends the current knowledge of patients' views of their treatment outcomes, which may be important in helping dietitians devise appropriate patient-centred outcome measures. However, as this is a small sample, further long term research into a wider range of current and discharged patients' views is required.
Embryonic coronary vasculogenesis and angiogenesis are regulated by interactions between multiple FGFs and VEGF and are influenced by mesenchymal stem cells

In embryonic hearts explanted on collagen gels, epicardial cells delaminate and form vascular tubes, thus providing a model for coronary tubulogenesis. Using this model, we show that fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) 1, 2, 4, 8, 9, and 18 contribute to tubulogenesis and that the availability of multiple FGFs provides the optimal tubulogenic response. Moreover, the FGF effects are vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) ‐dependent, while VEGF‐induced tubulogenesis requires FGF signaling. The number of endothelial cells (ECs) is increased by all of the FGFs, while EC migration is significantly enhanced only by FGF‐2 and FGF‐18. Finally, addition of embryonic mesenchymal stem cells (EMSC) to the explants markedly enhances EC numbers and a 23‐fold increase in stromal derived factor‐1α (SDF‐1α), which is FGF dependent. Both explants and EMSCs produce SDF‐1α. In conclusion, coronary tubulogenesis of embryonic epicardium: (1) is responsive to many FGF family members, (2) requires both FGF and VEGFA signaling, and (3) is responsive to EMSCs. Developmental Dynamics 239:3182–3191, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Optimal transmitter eigen-beamforming and space-time block coding based on channel correlations

Optimal transmitter designs obeying the water-filling principle are well-documented, and widely applied when the propagation channel is deterministically known and regularly updated at the transmitter. Because channel state information may be costly or impossible to acquire in rapidly varying wireless environments, we develop in this paper statistical water-filling approaches for stationary random fading channels. The resulting optimal designs require only knowledge of the channel's second order statistics that do not require frequent updates, and can be easily acquired. Optimality refers to minimizing a tight bound on the symbol error rate. Applied to a multiple transmit-antenna paradigm, the optimal precoder turns out to be a generalized eigen-beamformer with multiple beams pointing to orthogonal directions along the eigenvectors of the channel's covariance matrix, and with proper power loading across the beams. Coupled with orthogonal space time block codes, two-directional eigen-beamforming emerges as a more attractive choice than conventional one-directional beamforming, with uniformly better performance, and without rate reduction or complexity increase.
Major isoform of zebrafish P0 is a 23.5 kDa myelin glycoprotein expressed in selected white matter tracts of the central nervous system

The zebrafish mpz gene, encoding the ortholog of mammalian myelin protein zero, is expressed in oligodendrocytes of the zebrafish central nervous system (CNS). The putative gene product, P0, has been implicated in promoting axonal regeneration in addition to its proposed structural functions in compact myelin. We raised novel zebrafish P0‐specific antibodies and established that P0 is a 23.5 kDa glycoprotein containing a 3 kDa N‐linked carbohydrate moiety. P0 was localized to myelin sheaths surrounding axons, but was not detected in the cell bodies or proximal processes of oligodendrocytes. Many white matter tracts in the adult zebrafish CNS were robustly immunoreactive for P0, including afferent visual and olfactory pathways, commissural and longitudinal tracts of the brain, and selected ascending and descending tracts of the spinal cord. P0 was first detected during development in premyelinating oligodendrocytes of the ventral hindbrain at 48 hours postfertilization (hpf). By 72 hpf, short segments of longitudinally oriented P0‐immunoreactive myelinating axons were seen in the hindbrain; expression in the spinal cord, optic pathways, hindbrain commissures, midbrain, and peripheral nervous system followed. The mpz transcript was found to be alternatively spliced, giving rise to P0 isoforms with alternative C‐termini. The 23.5 kDa isoform was most abundant in the CNS, but other isoforms predominated in the myelin sheath surrounding the Mauthner axon. These data provide a detailed account of P0 expression and demonstrate novel P0 isoforms, which may have discrete functional properties. The restriction of P0 immunoreactivity to myelin sheaths indicates that the protein is subject to stringent intracellular compartmentalization, which likely occurs through posttranslational mechanisms. J. Comp. Neurol. 519:1580–1596, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An improved sequential estimation scheme for PN acquisition

An improved sequential estimation (ISE) pseudonoise (PN) acquisition scheme based on an extended characteristic polynomial is proposed in which the PN despreader can work or both the m sequence and the inverted m sequence. The scheme can be easily implemented by a front-end bit detector followed by full digital circuitry. The mean acquisition time of ISE is derived. >
A Simplified "Real Frequency" Technique Appliable To Broadband Multistage Microwave Amplifiers

A computer-aided design procedure, a simplified "Real Frequency" technique, applicable to broadband, multistage FET amplifiers is presented. The design procedure requires no decisions to be made in advance as to algebraic form of transfer function, or circuit topology. Furthermore it is more efficient, accurate and complete than currently-available CAD methods.
Reliability of Beam Loss Monitors System for the Large Hadron Collider

The employment of superconducting magnets in high energy colliders opens challenging failure scenarios and brings new criticalities for the whole system protection. For the LHC beam loss protection system, the failure rate and the availability requirements have been evaluated using the Safety Integrity Level (SIL) approach. A downtime cost evaluation is used as input for the SIL approach. The most critical systems, which contribute to the final SIL value, are the dump system, the interlock system, the beam loss monitors system and the energy monitor system. The Beam Loss Monitors System (BLMS) is critical for short and intense particle losses, while at medium and higher loss time it is assisted by other systems, such as the quench protection system and the cryogenic system. For BLMS, hardware and software have been evaluated in detail. The reliability input figures have been collected using historical data from the SPS, using temperature and radiation damage experimental data as well as using standard databases. All the data have been processed by reliability software (Isograph). The analysis ranges from the components data to the system configuration.
Antigen‐independent adhesion and cell spreading by inducible costimulator engagement inhibits T cell migration in a PI‐3K‐dependent manner

Engagement of the costimulatory protein ICOS activates effector/memory T cells in tissue by enhancing TCR‐mediated proliferation and cytokine production. We now report that in an antigen‐independent manner, ICOS also induces adhesion and spreading in human effector/memory T cells, consequently inhibiting cell migration. T cell spreading and elongation after ICOS ligation are accompanied by the formation of two types of actin‐rich membrane protrusions: thin, finger‐like structures similar to filopodia and short, discrete microspikes. Although filopodia/microspike formation occurs independently of the PI‐3K signaling cascade, ICOS‐mediated T cell elongation depends on PI‐3K activity, which inhibits the accumulation of GTP‐bound RhoA. Further inhibition of RhoA activation exacerbates the ICOS‐mediated, elongated phenotype. We propose that in inflamed tissue, ICOS engagement by ICOS ligand on a professional or nonprofessional APC prevents the forward motility of the T cell by inhibiting RhoA‐dependent uropod retraction. The resulting ICOS‐induced T cell spreading and filopodia/microspike formation may promote antigen recognition by enhancing a T cell's scanning potential of an adherent APC surface.