Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Industrial Robot : An International Journal A comparison of industrial robots interface : force guidance system and teach pendant operation

Purpose – This paper aims to propose an evaluation method to compare two different Human–Robot Interaction (HRI) solutions that can be used for on-line programming in an industrial context: a force guidance system and the traditional teach pendant operation. Design/methodology/approach – The method defines three evaluation criteria (agility, accuracy and learning) and describes an experimental approach based on the analysis of variance to verify the performance of guidance systems according to these criteria. This method is used in this paper to compare the traditional teach pendant interface with an implementation of a force guidance system based on the use of an external force/torque sensor. Findings – The application of the proposed method to an off-the-shelf industrial robot shows that the force guidance system has a better performance according to the agility criterion. Both solutions have a similar performance for the accuracy criterion, with a limit of about 2 mm in the achieved position accuracy. Regarding the learning criterion, the authors cannot affirm that any of the methods has an improved agility when the operator repeats the tasks. Practical implications – This work supports the selection of guidance systems to be used in on-line programming of industrial applications. It shows that the force guidance system is an option potentially faster than the teach pendant when the required positioning accuracy is greater than 2 mm. Originality/value – The new method proposed in this paper can be applied to a large range of robots, not being limited to commercial available collaborative robots. Furthermore, the method is appropriate to accomplish further investigations in HRI not only to compare programming methods but also to evaluate guidance systems approaches or robot control systems.
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for recurrent major depression: A ‘best buy’ for health care?

Objective: While mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is effective in reducing depressive relapse/recurrence, relatively little is known about its health economic properties. We describe the health economic properties of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in relation to its impact on depressive relapse/recurrence over 2 years of follow-up. Method: Non-depressed adults with a history of three or more major depressive episodes were randomised to mindfulness-based cognitive therapy + depressive relapse active monitoring (n = 101) or control (depressive relapse active monitoring alone) (n = 102) and followed up for 2 years. Structured self-report instruments for service use and absenteeism provided cost data items for health economic analyses. Treatment utility, expressed as disability-adjusted life years, was calculated by adjusting the number of days an individual was depressed by the relevant International Classification of Diseases 12-month severity of depression disability weight from the Global Burden of Disease 2010. Intention-to-treat analysis assessed the incremental cost–utility ratios of the interventions across mental health care, all of health-care and whole-of-society perspectives. Per protocol and site of usual care subgroup analyses were also conducted. Probabilistic uncertainty analysis was completed using cost–utility acceptability curves. Results: Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy participants had significantly less major depressive episode days compared to controls, as supported by the differential distributions of major depressive episode days (modelled as Poisson, p < 0.001). Average major depressive episode days were consistently less in the mindfulness-based cognitive therapy group compared to controls, e.g., 31 and 55 days, respectively. From a whole-of-society perspective, analyses of patients receiving usual care from all sectors of the health-care system demonstrated dominance (reduced costs, demonstrable health gains). From a mental health-care perspective, the incremental gain per disability-adjusted life year for mindfulness-based cognitive therapy was AUD83,744 net benefit, with an overall annual cost saving of AUD143,511 for people in specialist care. Conclusion: Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy demonstrated very good health economic properties lending weight to the consideration of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy provision as a good buy within health-care delivery.
A connectionist model for diagnostic problem solving

A competition-based connectionist model for solving diagnostic problems is described. The problems under consideration are computationally difficult in that multiple disorders may occur simultaneously and a global optimum in the space exponential to the total number of possible disorders is sought as a solution. To solve this problem, global optimization criteria are decomposed into local optimization criteria that are used to govern node activation updating in the connectionist model. Nodes representing disorders compete with each other to account for each 'individual' present manifestation, yet complement each other to account for all present manifestation, yet complement each other to account for all present manifestations through parallel node interactions. When equilibrium is reached, the network settles into a locally optimal state in which some disorder nodes (winners) are fully activated and compose the diagnosis for the given case, while all other disorder nodes are fully deactivated. A resettling process is proposed to improve accuracy. Three randomly generated examples of diagnostic problems, each of which has 1024 cases, were tested. >
Coordinated movement of biomimetic dual PTZ visual system and wheeled mobile robot

– The purpose of this paper is to explore a novel control approach for swift and accurate positioning and tracking of a mobile robot. Coordinated movement of the mobile robot-body and chameleon-inspired binocular “negative correlation” visual system (CIBNCVS) with neck has rarely been considered in conventional mobile robot design. However, it is vital in swift and accurate positioning and tracking of the target. Consequently, it is valuable to find an optimized method where the robot-body, the biomimetic eyes and neck could achieve optimal coordinated movement. , – Based on a wheeled mobile robot, a biomimetic dual Pan–Tilt–Zoom visual system with neck is constructed. The cameras can rely on the unique “negative correlation” mode of chameleon vision, and cooperate with neck, achieving swift search of the 160° scope in front of the robot. Genetic algorithm is used to obtain optimal rotation of the neck and robot-body. Variable resolution targeting is also applied for accurate aiming. Using these two approaches, we can achieve efficient targeting with low energy consumption. Particle filter algorithm is further utilized for real-time tracking. , – In the proposed approach, swift and accurate positioning and tracking of the target can be obtained. The rationality of the approach is verified by experiments on flat and sandy terrains with satisfactory results. , – This paper proposes a novel control approach for wheeled mobile robots, which achieves coordinated movement of the robot-body and CIBNCVS with neck concerning time and energy saving in the process of swift and accurate tracking.
Fast correspondences for statistical shape models of brain structures

Statistical shape models based on point distribution models are powerful tools for image segmentation or shape analysis. The most challenging part in the generation of point distribution models is the identification of corresponding landmarks among all training shapes. Since in general the true correspondences are unknown, correspondences are frequently established under the hypothesis that correct correspondences lead to a compact model, which is mostly tackled by continuous optimisation methods. In favour of the prospect of an efficient optimisation, we present a simplified view of the correspondence problem for statistical shape models that is based on point-set registration, the linear assignment problem and mesh fairing. At first, regularised deformable point-set registration is performed and combined with solving the linear assignment problem to obtain correspondences between shapes on a global scale. With that, rough correspondences are established that may not yet be accurate on a local scale. Then, by using a mesh fairing procedure, consensus of the correspondences on a global and local scale among the entire set of shapes is achieved. We demonstrate that for the generation of statistical shape models of deep brain structures, the proposed approach is preferable over existing population-based methods both in terms of a significantly shorter runtime and in terms of an improved quality of the resulting shape model.
Bipolar Androgen Therapy for Men With Androgen Ablation Naïve Prostate Cancer: Results From the Phase II BATMAN Study

We have previously documented a paradoxical anti‐tumor effect when castration‐resistant prostate cancer patients were treated with intermittent, high‐dose testosterone (i.e., Bipolar Androgen Therapy; BAT). Because, an adaptive increase in androgen receptor expression following chronic androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) may underlie this effect, we tested whether men with hormone‐sensitive (HS) prostate cancer (PC) would also respond to BAT if given following a 6‐month ADT lead‐in.
A Markov chain analysis on simple genetic algorithms

This paper addresses a Markov chain analysis of genetic algorithms (GAs), in particular for a variety called a modified elitist strategy. The modified elitist strategy generates the current population of M individuals by reserving the individual with the highest fitness value from the previous generation and generating M-1 individuals through a generation change. The author's analysis is based on a Markov chain: by assuming a simple GA in which the genetic operation in the generation changes is restricted to selection, crossover, and mutation, and by evaluating the eigenvalues of the transition matrix of the Markov chain, the convergence rate of the GAs is computed in terms of a mutation probability /spl mu/. In this way, the authors show the probability that the population includes the individual with the highest fitness value is lower-bounded by 1-O(|/spl lambda/*|/sup n/), |/spl lambda/*| >
Cianoacrilato: Definición y propiedades. Toxicidad y efectos secundarios. Aplicaciones en medicina y odontología

Introduction: Cyanoacrylate is a colorless liquid with adhesive properties. It is commonly used in DIY work. In medicine and dentistry, it has been widely used as a skin suture. Material and methods: A literature review was made of cyanoacrylate and its use in medicine and dentistry. Results: In different tables are commercial products containing cyanoacrylate, general utilities, requirements for medical use, medical and dental applications, and its harmful effects. Discussion: The short-chain cyanoacrylates (ethyl and methylcyanoacrylate) are not suitable for medical use, because they degrade quickly giving toxic products. However long chain used (octyl and butylcyanoacrylate) to offer less toxicity. It is recommended for surface areas and tension free.
A novel scan registration method based on the feature-less global descriptor - spherical entropy image

Purpose This paper presents the Spherical Entropy Image (SEI), a novel global descriptor for the scan registration of 3D point clouds. This paper also introduce a global feature-less scan registration strategy based on SEI. It is advantageous for 3D data processing in the scenarios such as mobile robotics and reverse engineering. Design/methodology/approach The descriptor works through representing the scan by a spherical function named SEI, whose properties allow to decompose the 6D transformation into 3D rotation and 3D translation. The 3D rotation is estimated by the Generalized Convolution Theorem based on the spherical Fourier transform of SEI. Then the translation recovery is determinated by Phase Only Matched Filtering (POMF). Findings No explicit features and planar segments should be contained in the input data of our method. The experimental results illustrate the parameter-independence, high reliability and efficiency of our novel algorithm in registration of feature-less scans. Originality/val.
A comparison of multiple time-scale analysis and overlapping decompositions

Two-level hierarchical systems are considered, and two different design methodologies, multiple-time-scale analysis and overlapping decompositions, are compared. The comparison is based on quadratic performance indices. It is demonstrated that, in general, the multiple-time-scale approach, produces better results whenever the time-scale parameter is small. However, the overlapping decompositions approach usually yields better controller designs as the time-scale parameter gets larger. An example of a mass-spring system is presented to illustrate the practical applications of the theoretical details discussed. >
Detecting altered connectivity patterns in HIV associated neurocognitive impairment using mutual connectivity analysis

The use of functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) has provided interesting insights into our understanding of the brain. In clinical setups these scans have been used to detect and study changes in the brain network properties in various neurological disorders. A large percentage of subjects infected with HIV present cognitive deficits, which are known as HIV associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). In this study we propose to use our novel technique named Mutual Connectivity Analysis (MCA) to detect differences in brain networks in subjects with and without HIV infection. Resting state functional MRI scans acquired from 10 subjects (5 HIV+ and 5 HIV-) were subject to standard preprocessing routines. Subsequently, the average time-series for each brain region of the Automated Anatomic Labeling (AAL) atlas are extracted and used with the MCA framework to obtain a graph characterizing the interactions between them. The network graphs obtained for different subjects are then compared using Network-Based Statistics (NBS), which is an approach to detect differences between graphs edges while controlling for the family-wise error rate when mass univariate testing is performed. Applying this approach on the graphs obtained yields a single network encompassing 42 nodes and 65 edges, which is significantly different between the two subject groups. Specifically connections to the regions in and around the basal ganglia are significantly decreased. Also some nodes corresponding to the posterior cingulate cortex are affected. These results are inline with our current understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms of HIV associated neurocognitive disease (HAND) and other HIV based fMRI connectivity studies. Hence, we illustrate the applicability of our novel approach with network-based statistics in a clinical case-control study to detect differences connectivity patterns.
Interactive Technology and Smart Education User experience in using surface computing for collaborative decision making

Purpose – This paper aims to report work regarding the design, development and evaluation of a surface computing application to support collaborative decision making. The domain-independent application, the so-called Ideas Mapping, builds on the principle of affinity diagramming to allow participants to analyze a problem and brainstorm around possible solutions, while they actively construct a consensus artifact – a taxonomy of their ideas. Design/methodology/approach – Ideas Mapping was designed using a user-centred approach. During idea generation, Ideas Mapping replicates physical post-it notes on a multi-touch tabletop. Additional functionality supports student collaboration and interaction around the organization of ideas into thematic categories associated with the problem at hand. The tool was evaluated in two studies using quantitative and qualitative data. Findings – The paper reports on the functionality and user experience while interacting with the application. The paper also reports initial findings regarding the affordances of surface computing for collaborative decision making. Originality/value – The studies reported give insides regarding the affordances of multi-touch tabletops to support collaborative decision making. Information regarding the user experience in using such applications is reported.
Rigid body essential X‐ray crystallography: Distinguishing the bend and twist of glutamate receptor ligand binding domains

The ligand‐binding domain (LBD) from the ionotropic glutamate receptor subtype 2 (GluR2) has been shown to adopt a range of ligand‐dependent conformational states. These states have been described in terms of the rotation required to fit subdomain (lobe) 2 following superposition of subdomain (lobe) 1. The LBD has a closed‐cleft conformation for full agonists, but partial agonists induce a range of closure, which in turn controls the open probability of discrete subconductance states in the full‐length receptor. Although this description is useful, it may not account for all physiologically important motions that the receptor undergoes. We have used an approach that combines the methods of essential dynamics and rigid‐body dynamics to analyze 124 monomer domains from 55 crystal structures of the GluR2 LBD. We are able to show that partial agonists also induce a significant amount of twist that would not be anticipated using one rotational descriptor between apo and full‐agonist‐bound states. Furthermore, one of the crystal structures (chain B from 1P1U, the GluR2 L650T‐AMPA complex), which has been suggested to represent an agonist‐bound inactive form of the receptor, lies at the extreme of this twist motion. We suggest that partial agonists not only prevent full closure but also move the receptor closer to this inactive state. We demonstrate additionally how the method can be used to compare the results of molecular dynamics simulations with the crystallographic data and the extent to which the conformational space explored by both overlaps. Proteins 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Visual Changes in a 4-Year-Old

blood cells and 2 red blood cells. Differential showed 14% neutrophils, 55% lymphocytes, 9% monocytes, and 18% eosinophils. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose was 53, protein was 43.2, and Gram stain was negative for microorganisms. Blood culture was negative. Chest X ray and KUB (kidney, ureter, bladder) were normal. CT performed at the outlying regional medical center was negative for any acute intracranial process. HSV PCR (herpes simplex virus polymerase chain reaction) along with spinal fluid cultures were obtained and sent. The patient was initially started on intravenous (IV) ceftriaxone for bacterial coverage and acyclovir for possible herpetic meningoencephalitis. On the second day of admission, the patient experienced several simultaneous tonic/clonic seizures that resolved with IV phenytoin. MRI of the brain revealed a small area of infarction within the leftbasal ganglia and the right superior cerebellar hemisphere. The patient was started on oxycarbazepine for seizure prophylaxis. Immunoglobulin and complement titers were sent. On day 3 of admission, the patient awoke with severe lethargy, bilateral lowerextremity spasticity, right-eye ptosis, horizontal nystagmus, and gross left-sided hemiplegia. A repeat MRI demonstrated very large infarcts in the leftand right-basal ganglia and the right-temporal lobe not previously visualized. Blood cultures revealed no growth, and HSV PCR was found to be negative on the third day. Immunoglobulin titers revealed an immunoglobulin E of 9147 (normal, 0-230 U/mL). Immunoglobulins A, G, M, and complement C3, C4 were within normal limits. Out of concern for a fungal infectious etiology, the patient was immediately transferred to a tertiary intensive care unit for infectious disease consult. She was started on IV voriconazole. Further workup and repeat lumbar puncture demonstrated CSF that grew Coccidioides immitis, and antifungal therapy was switched to amphotericin B. The patient recovered well after a prolonged hospital stay and suffered minimal deficits Case Report
Exercise and Oxygen Toxicity

Free radical chemistry (K-D. Asmus, M. Bonifacic). Exercise and oxygen radical production by muscle (M.J. Jackson). Metal binding agents: possible role in exercise (R.R. Jenkins, B. Halliwell). Oxidative stress indices in exercise (N. Haramaki, L. Packer). Physiological antioxidants (C.K. Sen, 0. Hanninen). Superoxide dismutases in exercise and disease (H. Ohno, K. Suzuki, J. Fujii, H. Yamashita, T. Kizaki, S. Oh-ishi, N. Taniguchi). Antioxidant supplementation and the control of oxygen toxicity during exercise (A.H. Goldfarb, C.K. Sen). Risk of oxidative stress during exercise at high altitude (I. Simon-Schnass). The role of Xanthine oxidase in exercise (Y. Hellsten). Aging and exercise-induced oxidative stress (R. Golan, A.Z. Reznick). Exercise-induced oxidative stress in the heat (L. L. Ji). Lipid peroxidation process in healthy and diseased models (H.M. Alessio). Cigarette smoking as an inducer of oxidative stress (G.G. Duthie, J.R. Arthur). Oxidative stress in muscular atrophy (H. Kondo, Y. Itokawa). Oxidative stress in the lung and effect on pulmonary function (P. Moldeus, G. Bannenberg, A. Ryrfeldt). Protection against free radical injury in the heart and cardiac performance (D.K. Das, N. Maulik). Hypoxia, oxidative stress and exercise in rheumatoid arthritis (S.E. Edmonds, D.R. Blake). Vascular smooth muscle cells: regulation and deregulation by reactive oxygen species (A. Azzi, D. Boscoboinik, N.K. Ozer). Acute phase immune responses in exercise (J.G. Cannon, J.B. Blumberg). Influence of exercise induced oxidative stress on the central nervous system (S.M. Somani). Non-invasive measures of muscle metabolism (T. Hamaoka, K.K. McCully, H. Iwane, B. Chance).
Lifestyle Measures to Reduce Inflammation

Chronic low-grade inflammation associated with cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes (T2D) may be ameliorated with exercise and/or diet. High levels of physical activity and/or cardiorespiratory fitness are associated with reduced risk of low-grade inflammation. Both aerobic and resistance exercise have been found to improve inflammatory status, with the majority of evidence suggesting that aerobic exercise may have broader anti-inflammatory effects. In particular, aerobic exercise appears to improve the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory markers. Improvement in inflammatory status is most likely to occur in persons with elevated levels of pro-inflammatory markers prior to intervention. A number of dietary factors, including fiber-rich foods, whole grains, fruits (especially berries), omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidant vitamins (eg, C and E), and certain trace minerals (eg, zinc) have been documented to reduce blood concentrations of inflammatory markers. Anti-inflammatory foods may also help mitigate the pro-inflammatory postprandial state that is particularly evident after ingestion of meals high in saturated fat. Intensive lifestyle interventions involving both exercise and diet appear to be most effective. For the most part, anti-inflammatory effects of exercise and diet are independent of weight loss. Thus overweight and obese men and women, who are most likely to have a pro-inflammatory profile, do not necessarily have to normalize body mass index to improve inflammatory status and reduce risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.