Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Active suspension design using linear parameter varying control

In this paper, the linear parameter-varying (LPV) method is applied to the modelling and control of the active suspension system of vehicles. Besides the nonlinear characteristics of the suspensions, in the construction of the LPV model both the performance requirements and the model uncertainties are taken into consideration. The trade-off between the performance demands is guaranteed by using parameter dependent gains. The synthesis and the analysis of the LPV based robust control design is performed. Finally, the method is demonstrated in a quarter-car model.
Coaching in context: parent perspectives

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to explore Coaching in Context as experienced by caregivers of children with a spinal cord injury (SCI). Thematic analysis of follow-up interviews completed with caregivers of children with SCI (N = 7). During the initial coding phase, two reviewers deductively coded the data using the interview guide used to complete the interviews and subsequently inductively coded the data to identify emerging themes. The codes were analyzed and organised into themes. The reviewers examined each other’s themes to compare their interpretation, assessed themes in relation to coded quotes, and developed consensus on themes. Three common themes emerged that reflect the parent perspectives towards coaching with 2–3 subthemes – (1) new learning with subthemes of goal-oriented approach, goal setting, and organisation strategies, (2) client-coach relationship with subthemes of accountability, convenience, and support, and (3) gaining insight with subthemes of self-efficacy and confidence. Findings indicate perceived benefits of coaching in context from caregivers of children with SCI. Coaching in Context may be an effective approach for fostering skill development and increased self-efficacy for caregivers of children with SCI. It can be used by clinicians to enhance existing skills, such as therapeutic use of self and goal setting, to encourage client participation.
Integration of the information systems in the production process: a case study

This paper evaluates the execution of an ERP – enterprise resource planning in a production process. The changes that were made to processes to make them compatible with ERP modules and adaptations that were required by the ERP implementation are presented. The presented study is different from the normal patterns of a vertical implementation, since its application is not direct. In order to use the standard modules of the ERP system, the internal processes were embellished and the data collection steps were integrated into the production process (production orders, inventory, production, daily consumption, daily output). The case study shows that the ERP implementation caused an improvement of the processes in the areas adjacent to production (purchasing, logistics, distribution, supply and sales). In conclusion, this paper presents the main advantages and disadvantages of the ERP system implementation, as well as some considerations and recommendations for the future ERP implementations.
Use of Indocyanine Green Angiography to Identify the Superficial Temporal Artery and Vein in Forehead Flaps for Facial Reconstruction

Abstract: The superficial temporal artery (STA) frontal branch flap is susceptible to venous congestion because of its unpredictable and variable outflow. The authors applied indocyanine green angiogra-phy in identifying the superficial temporal vessels to help surgeons with proper flap designs to avoid severe complications. A retrospective review from 2015 to 2020 was conducted. All the patients who underwent indocyanine green angiography before forehead flap transfer for facial defect reconstruction were reviewed. The STA and vein were observed using indocyanine green angiography preoperatively. The relationship between the artery and vein was investigated. The venous anatomy was analyzed to guide the pedicle design. The survival of the flap and complications were assessed. A total of 12 patients were identified and included in this study. Indocyanine green angiography allows clear visualization of the detailed anatomy of the STA and vein. The frontal branch of the vein had great variations and generally diverged from the arterial branch. The tiny venae comitantes provided sufficient drainage for 2 small forehead flaps. The frontal branch of the vein entered the forehead and was used as the outflow channel in 4 patients. The parietal branch of the vein, which consistently gave off secondary tributaries to the superior forehead, was included in the pedicle in 6 patients. All flaps survived without complications. indocyanine green angiography provided accurate localization of the superficial temporal vessels. This technique may be helpful in the precise planning forehead flap surgeries and in avoiding the risk of venous congestion.
Single crystal silicon (SCS) micromirror arrays using deep silicon etching and IR alignment

10/spl times/10 and 5/spl times/5, a high mirror fill factor (>70%), low voltage operation (<30 V), single crystal silicon (SCS) micromirror arrays have been designed, fabricated, and tested. Each mirror is 320 /spl mu/m by 170 /spl mu/m and is individually addressable. In comparison to thin film micro-mirror arrays, the SCS mirror surface is optically flat and smooth, free of residual stress, and highly reflective after the deposition of a thin aluminum layer. In addition to a flat mirror, high-aspect-ratio grating structures have been fabricated on the surface of the mirrors, enhancing the optical manipulation potential of devices.
Iceland Deep Drilling Project (IDDP): The challenge of drilling and coring into 350-500°C hot geothermal systems and down to 5 km

The technology and engineering challenges of drilling and coring the proposed well for the Iceland Deep Drilling Project (IDDP) to 5 km have been evaluated. The results were published in a Feasibility Study (2003) and his paper is a short summary of the findings. In order to meet the major goals set by the project sponsors a “dual purpose” hole had to be designed to: a) allow fluid to be produced to meet the engineering goals of the power companies and b) meet the scientific goals by continuously coring the lower part of the hole where the very high temperatures are expected. Two wells were designed of different diameters. Top part of the anchor casing has to be from special creep resistant steel, but conventional API grade K-55 can be used for other casing strings. The greatest danger to the casing is thermal cycling, as the steel is stressed beyond the yield point due to limited thermal expansion. The risks in terms of blow outs and other geologic risks were addressed and it found coring to be most critical. Finally cost- and time estimates were prepared for the two wells. The cost was estimated to be US$ 14.4 – 15.5 million and taking 258-270 days. An alternative where existing wells would be cased to 2400 m and then cored to 4000 m was estimated to cost US$ 5.8 million.
SiC challenging parts for GAIA

GAIA is one of the cornerstone ESA missions which aims at compiling a catalogue of about one billion stars of our galaxy. Reaching the highly demanding scientific requirements lead ASTRIUM engineers to design a mechanically and thermally ultra-stable instrument. This is the reason why, thanks to its physical properties, the SiC turned out to be indispensable. The GAIA payload includes the following hardware which is mainly made of SiC i) the 3 meters quasi octagonal torus structure, ii) two identical 1.5 meters TMA type telescopes, iii) the central sub-assembly which holds several folding mirrors and the “Radial Velocity Spectrometer”, iv) the focal plane and v) the “Basic Angle Monitoring”. Due to the required large size (1 - 3 meters class), accuracy and shape complexity, developing and manufacturing these SiC parts was a real challenge for BOOSTEC. It is reviewed in this paper.
Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) exhibit gaze bias for snakes upon hearing alarm calls.

Calls of several species of nonhuman animals are considered to be functionally referential. However, the cognitive mechanisms underlying audience behaviors remain unclear. This study used an audiovisual cross-modal preferential-looking paradigm to examine whether captive chimpanzees spontaneously associated a conspecific call with images of a corresponding item. Chimpanzees were presented with videos of snakes and fruit side-by-side while hearing playbacks of alarm calls, food-associated calls, or no sound (as a baseline condition). Chimpanzees looked at videos of snakes for longer when hearing alarm calls compared with food calls or baseline. However, chimpanzees did not look at videos of fruit for longer when hearing food calls compared with baseline. An additional experiment tested whether chimpanzees' gaze bias to the snake videos was driven by negative affective states in general via affect-driven attention biases. When chimpanzees were presented with the same snake and fruit videos while hearing playbacks of conspecific screams or no sound, they exhibited no gaze bias for snake videos. These results suggest that chimpanzees spontaneously associated alarm calls with images of a potential threat in a preferential-looking experiment and that this response was not simply driven by an affective state matching process. These findings should be interpreted in consideration of a procedural limitation related to pseudoreplication in the experimental stimuli. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Miniaturized Force-Torque Sensor Built in a Robot End-Effector for Delicate Tool-Tip Gripping Control

A robot end-effector or gripper must have the capability to endure both the weight and acceleration of the object in spite of its frequent movement while a robot uses the gripper to handle various objects and assists the tasks of a person. In this regard, it is essential to directly measure the amounts of gripping force and torque applied to the object by the gripper. This work presents the design and development of a miniaturized force-torque (FT) sensor built inside the gripper with a thickness similar to that of the human finger. It enables efficient use of the FT sensor for delicate tool-tip gripping control of the gripper in the packaging line of electrical devices such as mobile phones. The FT sensor is optimized for acquiring the 3-DoF force-torque information of a single-axis gripping tool. The performance of the FT sensor has been verified through characterization experiments and integrated tests on the gripper. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.5755/j01.eee. 20.6. 7258
Compact four‐loop‐antenna system for concurrent, 2.4‐ and 5‐GHz WLAN operation

A new, small‐sized, multiple‐loop‐antenna system easily constructed from a single metal plate and able to generate concurrent 2.4 and 5 GHz bands for wireless local area network (WLAN) operation is presented. The design comprises four one‐wavelength loop antennas, arranged perpendicular to and set along a square antenna ground, and occupies overall dimensions 10 mm × 75 mm × 75 mm. The four loops and the antenna ground were all integrated into one‐piece flat plate. The loop was bent few times in a compact fashion such that parts of the antenna resonance path were merged into the ground plane. In this case, a multiantenna system with a simple structure and compact size was achieved for the WLAN applications. Good radiation characteristics were also obtained. Details of the design are described in the article. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:208–215, 2014
Integrin αiiβ3 transmembrane domain separation mediates Bi- directional signaling

Integrins play an essential role in hemostasis, thrombosis, and cell migration, and they transmit bidirectional signals. Transmembrane/cytoplasmic domains are hypothesized to associate in the resting integrins; whereas, ligand binding and intracellular activating signals induce transmembrane domain separation. However, how this conformational change affects integrin outside-in signaling and whether the α subunit cytoplasmic domain is important for this signaling remain elusive. Using Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells that stably expressed different integrin αIIbβ3 constructs, we discovered that an αIIb cytoplasmic domain truncation led to integrin activation but not defective outside-in signaling. In contrast, preventing transmembrane domain separation abolished both inside-out and outside-in signaling regardless of removing the αIIb cytoplasmic tail. Truncation of the αIIb cytoplasmic tail did not obviously affect adhesion-induced outside-in signaling. Our research revealed that transmembrane domain separation is a downstream conformational change after the cytoplasmic domain dissociation in inside-out activation and indispensable for ligand-induced outside-in signaling. The result implicates that the β TM helix rearrangement after dissociation is essential for integrin transmembrane signaling. Furthermore, we discovered that the PI3K/Akt pathway is not essential for cell spreading but spreading-induced Erk1/2 activation is PI3K dependent implicating requirement of the kinase for cell survival in outside-in
Intrinsically Fluorescent Oligomeric Cytotoxic Conjugates Toxic for FGFR1-Overproducing Cancers

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) is an integral membrane protein that transmits prolife signals through the plasma membrane. Overexpression of FGFR1 has been reported in various tumor types, and therefore, this receptor constitutes an attractive molecular target for selective anticancer therapies. Here, we present a novel system for generation of intrinsically fluorescent, self-assembling, oligomeric cytotoxic conjugates with high affinity and efficient internalization targeting FGFR1. In our approach, we employed FGF1 as an FGFR1 recognizing molecule and genetically fused it to green fluorescent protein polygons (GFPp), a fluorescent oligomerization scaffold, resulting in a set of GFPp_FGF1 oligomers with largely improved receptor binding. To validate the applicability of using GFPp_FGF1 oligomers as cancer probes and drug carriers in targeted therapy of cancers with aberrant FGFR1, we selected a trimeric variant from generated GFPp_FGF1 oligomers and further engineered it by introducing FGF1-stabilizing mutations and by incorporating the cytotoxic drug monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) in a site-specific manner. The resulting intrinsically fluorescent, trimeric cytotoxic conjugate 3xGFPp_FGF1E_LPET_MMAE exhibits nanomolar affinity for the receptor and very high stability. Notably, the intrinsic fluorescence of 3xGFPp_FGF1E_LPET_MMAE allows for tracking the cellular transport of the conjugate, demonstrating that 3xGFPp_FGF1E_LPET_MMAE is efficiently and selectively internalized into cells expressing FGFR1. Importantly, we show that 3xGFPp_FGF1E_LPET_MMAE displays very high cytotoxicity against a panel of different cancer cells overproducing FGFR1 while remaining neutral toward cells devoid of FGFR1 expression. Our data implicate that the engineered fluorescent conjugates can be used for imaging and targeted therapy of FGFR1-overproducing cancers.
Endometriosis fertility index predicts pregnancy in women operated on for moderate and severe symptomatic endometriosis

ABSTRACT Endometriosis Fertility Index (EFI) is a clinical staging system created to predict spontaneous pregnancy outcomes in patients with endometriosis. The present study aimed at evaluating the performance of EFI in symptomatic patients, submitted to laparoscopy for moderate and severe endometriosis associated to infertility in a Brazilian population. Seventy-seven women with endometriosis and pelvic pain, who desired to become pregnant, were selected from a tertiary care unit between those operated on between May 2007 and March 2017. All of them were submitted to laparoscopy for the surgical treatment of endometriosis and allowed to attempt natural conception for 36 months or immediately referred to in vitro fertilization (IVF). EFI was calculated according to surgical description and clinical information in medical records. Pregnancy rates and live birth rates after natural conception or IVF are reported and correlated to EFI. Fifty-three women tried natural conception and 24 were referred to IVF. Of the 53 who tried natural conception, 29 achieved pregnancy (54.7%) and 28 had live birth (52.8%). The majority of pregnancies (82.7%) occurred in the first 12 months after surgery and 75% of the patients who became spontaneously pregnant had EFI ≥ 7. Of the 24 patients referred to IVF, 13 became pregnant (54.1%) and 10 had live birth (41.7%). Infertility duration of 36 months or more and the presence of endometrioma increased the probability of having EFI ≤ 5. The overall live birth rate (LBR) for patients with low EFI scores (2–4) was 17% compared with 83.8% for those with higher EFI scores (6–9). EFI predicts pregnancy rates in patients operated on for moderate and severe endometriosis. Scores seem also to predict pregnancy rates after IVF.
Development and installation of a 69 kV aerial cable system

Several years ago, the growing demand for higher reliability, concern over the possible effects of magnetic fields and difficulty in obtaining right-of-way resulted in work by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and several utilities into the feasibility of using covered conductors for transmission voltage applications. The preliminary work suggested the possible use of covered conductors through 138 kV. A 69 kV Aerial Spacer Cable (ASC) system has been developed and tested. By permitting a significant reduction in the phase separation the heavily covered phase conductors reduce right-of-way requirements and magnetic field strength. Reliability is improved due to the ability of the system to tolerate momentary contact with trees or other objects. In cooperation with the Omaha Public Power District the first 69 kV Aerial Spacer Cable system was installed and energized in December of 1996. To date the system has not had any outages and system components have operated without mechanical failure.
MicroRNA-582-5p promotes triple-negative breast cancer invasion and metastasis by antagonizing CMTM8

ABSTRACT Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) commonly have aggressive properties. microRNA-582-5p (miR-582-5p) modulates the progression of several cancers. Yet, the role of miR-582-5p in TNBC progression is undetermined. In the current study, we investigated miR-582-5p expression levels and clinical significance in TNBC. The impact of miR-582-5p modulation on the biological behaviors of TNBC cells were measured. The downstream gene(s) regulated by miR-582-5p in TNBC was explored. We showed that compared to adjacent normal breast tissues, the miR-582-5p level was elevated in TNBC samples. The upregulation of miR-582-5p correlated with lymph node metastasis. Overexpression of miR-582-5p enhanced TNBC cell migration and invasion, whereas knockdown of miR-582-5p had an adverse impact on aggressive phenotype. In vivo xenograft mouse studies demonstrated that miR-582-5p overexpression accelerated TNBC growth and metastasis. Mechanistically, miR-582-5p selectively inhibited CMTM8, leading to a reduction of CMTM8 expression. CMTM8 showed suppressive effects on TNBC cell migration and invasion. Rescue experiments revealed that overexpression of CMTM8 impaired miR-582-5p-induced migration and invasion in TNBC cells. Overall, our data uncover an oncogenic role for miR-582-5p in TNBC metastasis through inhibition of CMTM8. We suggest miR-582-5p as a promising target for managing TNBC.
In Vino Veritas

This article explores differences in the degrees of agreement regarding sustainability among adopters and nonadopters of environmental certified management standards (ECMS). Utilizing a mixed methodological approach called cultural consensus modeling, I investigate whether and how the adoption of ECMS is associated with how organizations understand the broad and imprecise concept of sustainability. I find that organizations with an ECMS have higher average cultural competencies regarding shared meanings of sustainability. Furthermore, the highest average cultural competencies surrounding meanings of sustainability are held by those organizations that have adopted an ECMS program that provides a high level of detail in practice descriptions, sets demanding objectives to achieve, and tailors practices specifically for the wine industry. Adoption of such ECMS programs is associated with nuanced patterns in organizations’ understandings of sustainability, aligning meanings and practices surrounding the otherwise imprecise issue of sustainability.
THE EFFECT OF REPEATED AGILITY TRAINING vs. REPEATED SPRINT TRAINING ON ELITE FEMALE SOCCER PLAYERS' PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE UČINEK PONAVLJAJOČEGA SE TRENINGA AGILNOSTI NA TELESNO ZMOGLJIVOST VRHUNSKIH NOGOMETAŠIC V PRIMERJAVI S PONAVLJAJOČIM SE TRENINGOM ŠPRINTA Shaher A. I. Shalfawi 1

To compare the effects of repeated agility training along with repeated sprint training on elite female soccer players’ linear single sprint speed, vertical jump, agility, repeated sprint ability and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery level 1 test (Yo-Yo IR1) performances. Seventeen elite female soccer players aged 21.2 ± 2.6 years from the upper Norwegian league were randomised into one of two groups: a repeated agility group and a repeated sprint group. During the intervention period, both groups performed one extra weekly training session in addition to their regular soccer training. The study took place in the pre-season period and lasted for 8 weeks. The participants were tested before and after the intervention period. The results from the within-group analysis showed significant improvements in 10 × 40 m RSA, agility, and Yo-Yo IR1 performances for the agility group. The repeated sprint group showed significant improvements in 10 × 40 m RSA, 20 m top speed, 40 m linear sprint, CMJ vertical jump, and Yo-Yo IR1. The between-groups comparison revealed no significant differences between groups in any of the measured variables. Further, the results indicate that the both training programmes had a similar effect on both groups. The present study adds further support to the notion that common principles of training such as specificity, progression and periodisation are clearly present in the sprint training of soccer players.
Nutritional symbionts enhance structural defence against predation and fungal infection in a grain pest beetle

ABSTRACT Many insects benefit from bacterial symbionts that provide essential nutrients and thereby extend the hosts’ adaptive potential and their ability to cope with challenging environments. However, the implications of nutritional symbioses for the hosts’ defence against natural enemies remain largely unstudied. Here, we investigated whether the cuticle-enhancing nutritional symbiosis of the saw-toothed grain beetle Oryzaephilus surinamensis confers protection against predation and fungal infection. We exposed age-defined symbiotic and symbiont-depleted (aposymbiotic) beetles to two antagonists that must actively penetrate the cuticle for a successful attack: wolf spiders (Lycosidae) and the fungal entomopathogen Beauveria bassiana. While young beetles suffered from high predation and fungal infection rates regardless of symbiont presence, symbiotic beetles were able to escape this period of vulnerability and reach high survival probabilities significantly faster than aposymbiotic beetles. To understand the mechanistic basis of these differences, we conducted a time-series analysis of cuticle development in symbiotic and aposymbiotic beetles by measuring cuticular melanisation and thickness. The results reveal that the symbionts accelerate their host's cuticle formation and thereby enable it to quickly reach a cuticle quality threshold that confers structural protection against predation and fungal infection. Considering the widespread occurrence of cuticle enhancement via symbiont-mediated tyrosine supplementation in beetles and other insects, our findings demonstrate how nutritional symbioses can have important ecological implications reaching beyond the immediate nutrient-provisioning benefits.