Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robotic manipulation and control for Micro and Nano mechatronics

Mechatronics was born in Japan in 1969. It is the synergetic integration of the Mechanical engineering and Electronic engineering with computer technology. It is a design discipline for the system integration for the structure and control of the target system. Today's mechatronics has advanced more and more to wider and broader areas, such as Micro and Nano mechatronics. In this lecture, this field is overviewed from the standpoint of robotic manipulation and control
Preventive effects of isoniazid in the treatment of primary tuberculosis in children.

SINCE the discovery of streptomycin the approach to tuberculosis in children has come full circle. Until about fifteen years ago the prevailing practice could have been described as hopeful prevention. In the absence of specific therapy pediatricians applied general measures to children with a primary tuberculous infection, hoping that the undesirable consequences of the infection could be prevented by increased host resistance and by removal from the source of infection. It was the age of the preventorium, but, if a complication developed, there was little in the way of specific therapy. The introduction of antimicrobial agents effective against the tubercle .
On New Fixed-Point Iterations for Asymptotically Nonexpansive Mapping in Banach Spaces

The main purpose of this paper is to give weak and strong convergence theorems of a new three-step iterative scheme for asymptotically nonexpansive mappings in Banach spaces and we also give several weak and strong convergence theorems of the three-step iterative scheme with errors for asymptotically nonexpansive mappings in Banach spaces. Mann-type and Ishikawa -type iterations are included by the new iterative scheme. The results obtained in this paper extend and improve the recent ones announced by Xu and Noor, Ishikawa, and several recent results in this area.
All Rodents Are Not the Same: A Modern Synthesis of Cortical Organization

Rodents are a major order of mammals that is highly diverse in distribution and lifestyle. Five suborders, 34 families, and 2,277 species within this order occupy a number of different niches and vary along several lifestyle dimensions such as diel pattern (diurnal vs. nocturnal), terrain niche, and diet. For example, the terrain niche of rodents includes arboreal, aerial, terrestrial, semi-aquatic, burrowing, and rock dwelling. Not surprisingly, the behaviors associated with particular lifestyles are also highly variable and thus the neocortex, which generates these behaviors, has undergone corresponding alterations across species. Studies of cortical organization in species that vary along several dimensions such as terrain niche, diel pattern, and rearing conditions demonstrate that the size and number of cortical fields can be highly variable within this order. The internal organization of a cortical field also reflects lifestyle differences between species and exaggerates behaviorally relevant effectors such as vibrissae, teeth, or lips. Finally, at a cellular level, neuronal number and density varies for the same cortical field in different species and is even different for the same species reared in different conditions (laboratory vs. wild-caught). These very large differences across and within rodent species indicate that there is no generic rodent model. Rather, there are rodent models suited for specific questions regarding the development, function, and evolution of the neocortex.
ROUTING AROUND ORGANIZATIONS: SELF-DIRECTED POLITICAL CONSUMPTION*

Recent research on activism in the context of digital media has argued that organizing can happen outside of organizations and even without SMOs. This work has been focused primarily on the “supply side” of participation. In this article, we expand this line of work by focusing on the “demand side. ” We examine the distinction between self-directed and organizationally directed activism from the perspective of the individual, finding that shifts toward movement societies, the rise of lifestyle politics, and, to a lesser extent, changing citizenship norms explain citizen preferences for self-directed versus organizationally directed political consumption. We also analyze the relationship between political interest, different kinds of digital media use, and preferences for self-directed activism. We use original data from a survey in the U.S. on political consumption.
Situating interventions to bridge the intention–behaviour gap: A framework for recruiting nonconscious processes for behaviour change

This paper presents a situated cognition framework for creating social psychological interventions to bridge the intention–behaviour gap and illustrates this framework by reviewing examples from the domains of health behaviour, environmental behaviour, stereotyping, and aggression. A recurrent problem in behaviour change is the fact that often, intentions are not translated into behaviour, causing the so-called intention–behaviour gap. Here, it is argued that this happens when situational cues trigger situated conceptualizations, such as habits, impulses, hedonic goals, or stereotypical associations, which can then guide behaviour automatically. To be effective in changing such automatic effects, behaviour change interventions can attempt to change situational cues through cueing interventions such as priming, nudging, upstream policy interventions, or reminders of social norms. Alternatively, behaviour change interventions can attempt to change the underlying situated conceptualizations through training interventions, such as behavioural inhibition training, mindfulness training, or implementation intentions. Examples of situated behaviour change interventions of both types will be discussed across domains, along with recommendations to situate interventions more strongly and thus enhance their effectiveness to change automatic behaviour. Finally, the discussion addresses the difference between tailoring and situating interventions, issues of generalization and long-term effectiveness, and avenues for further research.
Réseaux de points flexibles pour modulations et codages à hautes efficacités spectrales. (On lattice coding for point-to-point communications over awgn and fading channels: design and implementation)

In this work, we address the application of emergent structures, known as lattices, for the digital communications problem. Endowed with interesting properties such as periodicity and linearity, lattices have recently gained considerable attention as they solved the decades-old problem of achieving full capacity on the AWGN channel. Motivated by these promising results, this work is dedicated to the analysis of the lattice coding performance for point-to-point communications under different scenarios: the studies are carried out over both AWGN and Rayleigh fading channels. After introducing infinite lattices, along with their constructions and sphere decoding algorithm, we tackle the lattice shaping problem that selects a finite number of lattice points. A lattice code decoder that takes into account the shaping region is proposed, and lattices of 8 and 16 dimensions are compared to short packet LTE: lattice coding is proven to achieve better performance in terms of Frame Error Rate for high spectral efficiencies, provided that near-optimal sphere decoding is performed. Due to the high complexity of the sphere decoding algorithm for higher dimensions, lattices based on multilevel constructions are studied. More precisely, the multilevel lattice construction using a set of nested binary linear Reed-Muller codes is proposed for both Gaussian and Rayleigh block fading channels. On the AWGN channel, the construction is carried out over standard binary partition chains of dimensions 1, 2 and 4. For each dimension, we show how to obtain the sufficient number of levels, together with the component codes? rates assigned to each level. We also show how increasing the dimension affects the global lattice performance. For the Rayleigh block fading channel, we resort to algebraic number theory as it was proven to provide the maximum possible diversity. Once the algebraic lattice is built, a rotation and base reduction operations allow us to obtain a rotated version of the integer lattice, and thus carry out the construction by mimicking the AWGN case.
Van Buchem disease (hyperostosis corticalis generalisata) maps to chromosome 17q12-q21.

Van Buchem disease (hyperostosis corticalis generalisata; OMIM 239100 [http://www3.ncbi.nlm.nih. gov:80/htbin-post/Omim/dispmim? 239100]) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by hyperostosis of the skull, mandible, clavicles, ribs, and diaphyseal cortices of the long bones. The most striking clinical features are the enlargement of the jaw and the thickness of the skull, which may lead to facial nerve palsy, hearing loss, and optic atrophy. Increased formation, by osteoblasts, of qualitatively normal bone has been proposed as the underlying pathological mechanism, but the molecular defect is unknown. We studied 11 van Buchem patients and their highly inbred family, who live in The Netherlands in a small ethnic isolate, that had a common ancestor approximately 9 generations ago. A genomewide search with highly polymorphic microsatellite markers showed linkage to marker D17S1299 on chromosome 17q12-21 (maximum LOD score of 8.82 at a recombination fraction [straight theta] of .01). Analysis of additional markers from that region delineated a candidate region of <1 cM, between markers D17S1787 and D17S934. Interestingly, the only marker not showing recombination with the disease locus was an intragenic marker of the thyroid-hormone receptor alpha1 (THRA1) gene, which generated a LOD score of 12.84 at straight theta=. 00. Since thyroid hormones are known to stimulate bone resorption, the THRA1 gene might be involved in the etiology and pathogenesis of van Buchem disease. Unraveling the underlying mechanism for this disorder could contribute to the understanding of the regulatory processes conditioning bone density and the underlying pathological processes.
Adaptive Index Modulation for Parallel Gaussian Channels With Finite Alphabet Inputs

In this paper, we extend the concept of adaptive spatial modulation to the parallel Gaussian channel with finite alphabet input and propose a transmit scheme called adaptive index modulation (AIM). In the proposed scheme, the transmitter adaptively selects the index modulation pattern, consisting of the active channel subset and the associated signal constellations, according to the criterion of maximizing the minimum squared Euclidean distance. To reduce the complexity, first, the number of candidate patterns in the selection procedure is reduced by employing the relation of the normalized signal constellations with different modulation orders. Second, a simple lookup table method is presented. Finally, the performance of the proposed scheme is demonstrated in both the scenarios of multicarrier transmission and multiantenna transmission by computer simulations.
Postpulse molecular alignment measured by a weak field polarization technique.

We report a direct nonintrusive observation of alignment and planar delocalization of CO2 after an intense linearly polarized femtosecond laser pulse excitation. The effects are measured by a polarization technique involving a perturbative probe that itself does not induce appreciable alignment. We show that this technique allows one to measure a signal proportional to -1/3, with theta the angle between the molecular axis and the laser polarization. Simulations that support this analysis allow one to characterize the experimentally observed alignment and planar delocalization quantitatively.
Emissions of International Shipping as Seen by Satellites

Seagoing ships emit exhaust gases and particles into the marine boundary layer and significantly contribute to the total budget of anthropogenic emissions from the transportation sector. For example, global annual NOx and PM10 emissions from ships are similar to the emissions from road traffic. In addition SO2 from ships is by far the dominating component in all transport-related SO2 emissions. An accurate assessment of the impact of emissions from shipping on the atmosphere is therefore required. To improve transportation management w.r. t. the environmental impact of international shipping, detailed knowledge on the emission patterns and fluxes need to be determined. With the availability of satellite sensors being able to detect relevant trace gases like NO2 and aerosol effects with sufficient spatial resolution to identify emission impacts along the major shipping corridors, new methods are emerging to verify bottom-up emission inventories and to estimate the climate and chemistry effects of shipping activity with data from satellite observations. For example, tropospheric NO2 data from the SCIAMACHY (Scanning Imaging Absorption spectroMeter for Atmospheric CHartographY) instrument on board the ENVISAT satellite shows clear indication for NO2 produced from ship emissions over the Red Sea and along the main shipping lane to the southern tip of India, to Indonesia and north towards China and Japan. In addition, aerosols emitted by ships significantly modify cloud optical thickness and droplet size, which is observable from satellite instruments like AATSR or MODIS. With these data the global impact of cloud modifications by ships on the Earth radiation budget can be estimated. This paper summarises first results of the impact of ship emissions like NO2 and aerosol on climate and chemistry as determined from satellite data. The results highlight the importance of ship emissions for the marine boundary layer and at the same time demonstrate the potential of satellite observations to estimate the global impact.
Lombard speech: auditory (a), visual (v) and AV effects

This study examined Auditory (A) and Visual (V) speech (speech-related head and face movement) as a function of noise environment. Measures of AV speech were recorded for 3 males and 1 female for 10 sentences spoken in quiet as well as four styles of background noise (Lombard speech). Auditory speech was analyzed in terms of overall intensity, duration, spectral tilt and prosodic parameters employing Fujisaki model based parameterizations of F0 contours. Visual speech was analyzed in terms of Principal Components (PC) of head and face movement. Compared to speech in quiet, Lombard speech was louder, of longer duration, had more energy at higher frequencies (particularly with babble speech) and had greater amplitude mean accent and phrase commands. Visual Lombard speech showed greater influence of the PCs associated with jaw and mouth movement, face expansion and contraction and head rotation (pitch). Lombard speech showed increased AV speech correlations between RMS speech intensity and the PCs that involved jaw and mouth movement. A similar increased correlation occurred for intensity and head rotation (pitch). For Lombard speech, all talkers showed an increased correlation between F0 and head translation (raising and lowering). Increased F0 correlations for other head movements were more idiosyncratic. These findings suggest that the relationships underlying Audio-Visual speech perception differ depending on how that speech was produced
Effects of isoprenaline on cytosolic calcium concentrations and on tension in the porcine coronary artery.

1. Using front‐surface fluorometry and fura‐2‐loaded medial strips of the porcine coronary artery, cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and tension development were simultaneously monitored in an attempt to determine the mechanisms of vasorelaxation induced by l‐isoprenaline (Iso). 2. Iso actively decreased [Ca2+]i of the strips at rest, both in the presence and absence of extracellular Ca2+. 3. In the presence of extracellular Ca2+, depolarization with high‐external K+ solution induced an elevation of [Ca2+]i and tension of the rapid increase and sustained, steady‐state type; both levels depended on external K+ concentration. When Iso was applied at the time of steady state of high‐K(+)‐induced [Ca2+]i elevation, there was an initial transient reduction (the first component) followed by a subsequent sustained reduction (the second component) of [Ca2+]i. For a given [Ca2+]i level during high‐K+ depolarization, the tension developed in the presence of Iso was smaller than that in its absence. Thus, the [Ca2+]i‐tension relationship during the steady state of high‐K(+)‐induced contraction was shifted to the right by Iso. Pretreatment with ryanodine, a compound which depletes Ca2+ stored in the sarcoplasmic reticulum, abolished the first component, but not the second sustained decrease in [Ca2+]i by Iso. 4. In the presence of extracellular Ca2+ (1.25 mM), histamine (Hist) induced an abrupt (the first component) and then sustained (the second component) elevations of [Ca2+]i, while the tension rose rapidly to reach the peak, and then, gradually declined. The second, but not the first, component of [Ca2+]i elevation depended on extracellular Ca2+. Iso inhibited both the first and the second components of [Ca2+]i elevation and the contraction induced by Hist, in a concentration‐dependent manner (IC50, 2 x 10(‐8) M for the first component, and 5 x 10(‐8) M for the second component). Cumulative application of Hist (10(‐7)‐10(‐4) M) increased [Ca2+]i and tension with the [Ca2+]i‐tension relationship shifting to the left from that observed with high K+. The [Ca2+]i‐tension relationship during the Hist‐induced contraction shifted to the right by Iso. In contractions induced by a higher concentration (> or = 6 x 10(‐5) M) of Hist, despite the negligible decrease in [Ca2+]i, Iso could relax the muscle in a concentration‐dependent manner. 5. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, Hist induced transient elevations of [Ca2+]i and tension, possibly due to a release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores, and with similar time courses to those of the first component observed in the presence of extracellular Ca2+. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Prevention and reversal of cardiac hypertrophy by soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitors

Sustained cardiac hypertrophy represents one of the most common causes leading to cardiac failure. There is emerging evidence to implicate the involvement of NF-κB in the development of cardiac hypertrophy. However, several critical questions remain unanswered. We tested the use of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitors as a means to enhance the biological activities of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) to treat cardiac hypertrophy. sEH catalyzes the conversion of EETs to form the corresponding dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids. Previous data have suggested that EETs may inhibit the activation of NF-κB-mediated gene transcription. We directly demonstrate the beneficial effects of several potent sEH inhibitors (sEHIs) in cardiac hypertrophy. Specifically, we show that sEHIs can prevent the development of cardiac hypertrophy using a murine model of pressure-induced cardiac hypertrophy. In addition, sEHIs reverse the preestablished cardiac hypertrophy caused by chronic pressure overload. We further demonstrate that these compounds potently block the NF-κB activation in cardiac myocytes. Moreover, by using in vivo electrophysiologic recordings, our study shows a beneficial effect of the compounds in the prevention of cardiac arrhythmias that occur in association with cardiac hypertrophy. We conclude that the use of sEHIs to increase the level of the endogenous lipid epoxides such as EETs may represent a viable and completely unexplored avenue to reduce cardiac hypertrophy by blocking NF-κB activation.
Treatment of orthostatic hypotension with erythropoietin.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS Patients with orthostatic hypotension caused by autonomic neuropathy frequently have a decreased red-cell mass. This would be expected to compromise their effective circulating blood volume and aggravate the orthostatic hypotension. We studied the effect of increasing the red-cell mass with erythropoietin, given subcutaneously in a dose of 50 U per kilogram of body weight three times a week for 6 to 10 weeks to eight patients with orthostatic hypotension--four men, one teenage boy, and three women (age range, 17 to 68 years). Four patients had type I diabetes mellitus and autonomic neuropathy, three patients had pure autonomic failure, and one patient had sympathotonic orthostatic hypotension. Seven patients received fludrocortisone (0.1 or 0.2 mg per day) before, during, and after the trial of erythropoietin. The red-cell volume, plasma volume, and hemodynamic response to orthostatic stress were measured before and after therapy. RESULTS Erythropoietin increased the mean (+/- SD) hematocrit from 0.34 +/- 0.04 to 0.45 +/- 0.04 (P < 0.005) and increased the red-cell volume from 16.8 +/- 3.9 to 25.3 +/- 3.1 ml per kilogram (P < 0.005), but had no effect on plasma volume. The systolic blood pressure increased from 81 +/- 11 to 100 +/- 24 mm Hg (P < 0.01) and the diastolic blood pressure increased from 46 +/- 10 to 63 +/- 18 mm Hg (P < 0.01) while the patients were standing. The average systolic and diastolic blood pressure while the patients were supine did not increase significantly, although hypertension in the supine position developed in three patients. Orthostatic dizziness improved during treatment in six of the eight patients. CONCLUSIONS In patients with orthostatic hypotension, increasing the red-cell volume with erythropoietin elevates blood pressure while standing. Possible long-term adverse effects are not known.
Growth of the Spanish-Speaking Workforce in the Northeast Dairy Industry

ABSTRACT The Spanish-speaking proportion of the Northeast dairy industry workforce is believed to be increasing. This study quantifies the extent of this increase over time in New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont, and compares demographics between English- and Spanish-speaking workers. A total of 293 farms were followed for 21 months via telephone. The proportion of the Spanish-speaking dairy workforce was measured. Differences in demographic characteristics were assessed. The proportion of Spanish-speaking workers increased linearly for both large and small farms. The rate of increase was much greater on large farms. Linear models predicted that 53.2% of the large and 18.1% of the small farm workforce would be Spanish speaking within 5 years. Spanish-speaking workers worked significantly longer weeks than their English-speaking counterparts. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) monitoring cutoff for number of employees is currently 10. Consequently, the increase in the proportion of Spanish-speaking workers in dairy, who have been shown to work more hours per week, is likely to result in fewer workers per farm. This could have implications for farms currently under OSHA regulations based on having 10 or more workers, because farms with workers working longer hours per week will employ fewer workers overall. In addition, according to section 330 of the Public Health Service Act, these workers do not currently meet the migrant farmworker definition that would qualify them to receive primary health services from federally funded migrant health centers. New legislation is needed to formally qualify this growing indigent population to receive healthcare via channels that are currently available to migrant and seasonal farmworkers.