Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Kinematic Modeling and Visual Servo Control of a Soft-Bodied Magnetic Anchored and Guided Endoscope

In minimally invasive surgery (MIS), a number of instruments are inserted into the surgical cavity via the trocar(s), which makes the surgical site crowded and instruments tend to fence with each other. In addition, the motion of the endoscope is restricted by the trocar, which limits the field of view of the endoscope. To alleviate these problems, magnetic anchored and guided systems (MAGSs) have been proposed. Conventional MAGSs are built from rigid materials with small actuators and sensors. As a result, these MAGSs tend to be heavy, complex, difficult to make, and costly. In this article, we first present a soft-bodied MAGS endoscope weighing 13 g, which is made up of printable silicon rubber with embedded magnets and a camera module. The usage of soft 3-D printable material significantly reduces the complexity of the MAGS endoscope. The soft-bodied MAGS endoscope can be anchored and steered by an external magnet controlled by a serial-link robot arm. The kinematic modeling of the soft-bodied MAGS endoscope is developed. Visual servo based automatic instruments tracking of the soft-bodied MAGS endoscope is achieved for the first time. Experimental results validate that the soft-bodied MAGS endoscope can guide surgical instruments, showing its high potentials in MIS.
Application Research on Internet-of-Things in Park-level Intelligent Energy Protection and Control

As the increasing demand for smart perception and interconnection within the field of park-level intelligent energy(PIE)，deep integration of Internet-of-Things (IoT) and energy systems becomes a general trend. First of all, this paper provides the energy IoT application framework based on device-connect-manage architecture. Secondly, the IoT support scheme for PIE protection and control is presented including edge perception and communication hybrid networking, with the details of device configuration, functional requirements and hybrid communication networking. Finally, the application prospect of IoT in PIE is analyzed from two aspects: intelligent operation and value-added service expansion.
A Novel Simplified Convolutional Neural Network Classification Algorithm of Motor Imagery EEG Signals Based on Deep Learning

Left and right hand motor imagery electroencephalogram (MI-EEG) signals are widely used in brain-computer interface (BCI) systems to identify a participant intent in controlling external devices. However, due to a series of reasons, including low signal-to-noise ratios, there are great challenges for efficient motor imagery classification. The recognition of left and right hand MI-EEG signals is vital for the application of BCI systems. Recently, the method of deep learning has been successfully applied in pattern recognition and other fields. However, there are few effective deep learning algorithms applied to BCI systems, particularly for MI based BCI. In this paper, we propose an algorithm that combines continuous wavelet transform (CWT) and a simplified convolutional neural network (SCNN) to improve the recognition rate of MI-EEG signals. Using the CWT, the MI-EEG signals are mapped to time-frequency image signals. Then the image signals are input into the SCNN to extract the features and classify them. Tested by the BCI Competition IV Dataset 2b, the experimental results show that the average classification accuracy of the nine subjects is 83.2%, and the mean kappa value is 0.651, which is 11.9% higher than that of the champion in the BCI Competition IV. Compared with other algorithms, the proposed CWT-SCNN algorithm has a better classification performance and a shorter training time. Therefore, this algorithm could enhance the classification performance of MI based BCI and be applied in real-time BCI systems for use by disabled people.
Advances in Fiber‐Optic Technology for Point‐of‐Care Diagnosis and In Vivo Biosensing

Development of reliable, sensitive, selective, and miniaturized sensing technologies is critical for health assessment and early diagnosis and treatment of diseases/anomalies while simultaneously mitigating the challenges associated with in vivo measurements. Some critical constraints to the realization of in vivo measurements include the necessity to fabricate the sensor on a tightly constrained footprint while ensuring acceptable biocompatibility, accuracy, and reliability. The inherent light‐guiding properties of optical fibers over long distances, their microscopic cross‐section that can be structured at the nanoscale to manipulate the light transmittance/reflectance spectrum, excellent biocompatibility enabling their efficient integration with biorecognition molecules, immunity to electromagnetic interference, mechanical flexibility, and low cost have been inviting research attention to utilize these unique features for in vivo and label‐free point‐of‐care diagnostics. Hence, fiber‐optic biosensing has become a promising research thrust, with a plethora of emerging methodologies to develop ultrasensitive and selective sensing probes. A unified presentation of the research trends on biosensors incorporated into optical fibers is presented.
Effects of Surgical Revascularization on Cerebral Oxygen Metabolism in Patients With Moyamoya Disease: An 15O-Gas Positron Emission Tomographic Study

Background and Purpose— This prospective study was aimed to evaluate the effects of surgical revascularization on cerebral oxygen metabolism in moyamoya disease. Methods— This study included totally 69 hemispheres of 42 patients who underwent superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery anastomosis and indirect bypass for moyamoya disease between 2000 and 2011. There were 12 children and 30 adults. MRI and 15O-gas positron emission tomography were performed before and 3 to 4 months after surgery. Hemodynamic and metabolic parameters were precisely quantified and statistically analyzed. Results— Preoperative positron emission tomographic scans revealed that cerebral blood flow was decreased, cerebral blood volume was increased, and cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen was decreased in both pediatric and adult patients. Cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen reduction was observed in ≈80% of pediatric (16/21; 76%) and adult hemispheres (38/48; 79%). Surgical revascularization resolved hemodynamic compromise in all operated hemispheres. Cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen significantly improved in pediatric patients without parenchymal lesions (n=8), but not those with parenchymal lesions (n=8). Multivariate analysis revealed that cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen significantly improved in younger adult patients without parenchymal lesions (P=0.0264; odds ratio, 0.88; 95% confidence interval, 0.79–0.99). Conclusions— Cerebral oxygen metabolism is significantly depressed in ≈80% of the involved hemispheres of moyamoya disease and improves in pediatric and younger adult patients without parenchymal lesions after bypass surgery. Cerebral oxygen metabolism may be reversibly depressed in response to cerebral ischemia in them although the underlying mechanisms are still unclear.
The Barriers to Health Promotion Activities through Perception of Women with Chronic Disease

Background: One of the greatest challenges that will face health systems globally in the twenty-first century will be the increasing burden of chronic diseases. Chronic diseases are one of the most important barriers that have a direct and negative impact on health promotion for women. Aim of this study was to identify the barriers to health promotion activities for women with chronic disease. Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study design was utilized to achieve the aim of the current study. Setting: This study was conducted in primary health care centers and outpatient clinics of governmental hospital located in Port-Said City. Subjects: Purposive samples of 744 adult women who surfing from chronic disease. Tools of data collections: two tools were used to collect data. Tool I: A structured questionnaire sheet. Tool II: Barriers to Health Promoting Activities for Disabled Persons Scale (BHADP) obesity was determined based on body mass index (BMI). Results the majority (79.4%) of the study sample had high level barrier of health promotion. the five highest leading barriers items were: Embarrassment about my appearance; Lack of support from family, friends; Lack of help from health care professionals; Bad weather and; No one to help. 38.6%) of women who have a high score of levels of Health Promotion Barriers' suffering of Diabetes Mellitus. There was a strong significant correlation between the levels of Health Promotion Barriers' and body mass index, level of education and duration of chronic disease with p-value ≤ 0.001. This study concludes that women with chronic diseases had a high score of health promotion barrier. The study recommends a greater emphasis on assessing and managing perceived barriers to health promotion activities in health education and policy development and proposes a conceptual model for understanding perceived barriers to action.
Recent Developments of Solar Cells from PbS Colloidal Quantum Dots

PbS (lead sulfide) colloidal quantum dots consist of crystallites with diameters in the nanometer range with organic molecules on their surfaces, partly with additional metal complexes as ligands. These surface molecules are responsible for solubility and prevent aggregation, but the interface between semiconductor quantum dots and ligands also influences the electronic structure. PbS quantum dots are especially interesting for optoelectronic applications and spectroscopic techniques, including photoluminescence, photodiodes and solar cells. Here we concentrate on the latter, giving an overview of the optical properties of solar cells prepared with PbS colloidal quantum dots, produced by different methods and combined with diverse other materials, to reach high efficiencies and fill factors.
Goals, Rhetoric, and (In)Equity: The Rationales Behind Decentralizing a Large, Diverse School District

School district decentralization typically shifts authority and resources from central office administrators at the district level to leaders at the school level. Although decentralization reforms have been prevalent in urban educational contexts for decades, they often yield poor results for low-income, minoritized communities. In this article, we examine stakeholder rationales behind decentralizing a large, diverse countywide district and the extent to which equity was part of these rationales. The findings suggest that although stakeholders aim to improve student achievement, financial and administrative efficiency, and family/community engagement through decentralization, many failed to consider how school-level disparities might result in sustaining or worsening inequities.
The chronopolitics of racial time

This paper begins with a general discussion of chronopolitics and how I intend to apply the term in connection with Eviatar Zerubavel’s “time maps,” using familiar religious and secular examples to illustrate the concept. Then, drawing on recent philosophical and historical work on race and racism, I argue for political “racial” times, albeit of contested periodizations. The uncontroversially racialized time of white modernity then provides the primary focus. Finally, I conclude with a call for the resetting of the Euro-chronometer, whose oppressive temporality has historically come in both left and right versions.
Effects of Habitual Physical Activity Level (PAL) on Simple Visual and Auditory Reaction Time in Healthy Indian Adults

Aim To find the correlation between physical activity level(PAL) and simple visual and auditory reaction time(SVRT and SART), which are tests for cognition . Material and Method: One hundred(100) healthy volunteers of both the genders(males 52 and females 48), aged between 18 and 50 years were recruited. Reaction time (RT), is defined the elapsed time between the presentation of a stimulus and the subsequent behavioral response to occur. Subjects were presented with red light for VRT and pure tone sound stimuli for ART. Reaction time is a measure of the coordination between the sensory and motor system occurs. The physical activity level (PAL) was determined by administering a physical activity level questionnaire developed by the Division of Nutrition, St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore. The PAL of an individual classified as follows: sedentary<1.4 moderately active 1.55 to 1.75, and heavily active . 1.75. Result: Statistical analysis of data was done by one-way ANOVA with Post-hoc by Turkey HSD test. The results were found to be significant. There is a negative correlation between the SVRT and PAL with R2 value of 0.006; SART and PAL with R2 value of 0.001 . Conclusion: In this study we observed that when there is increase in the PAL, there is significantly faster ART and VRT. Therefore, more physically active individuals have better reaction times and are more coordinated at motor tasks when compared to less physically active.
Preparation and and characterization of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles containing TGF-?1 and evaluation of in vitro wound healing effect

Wound healing involves many complex mechanisms, and many growth factors are effective in this process. Growth factors are biologically active polypeptides. They perform activities such as cell growth, differentiation, proliferation and migration with molecular cascades by binding to specific receptors. Transforming growth factor stimulates (TGF-β) different cell types in the wound healing process. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) degradation produces lactate that expedites angiogenesis, activates pro-collagen factors. Therewith, we hypothesized to combine the therapeutic effect of the TGF-β1with the positive effect of the drug delivery system including PLGA nanoparticles (TGFβPLGA NP). The burst effect decreases as the polymer concentration increases in PLGA nanoparticles. The inhibitory effect of TGF-β1 on keratinocytes was reduced by the improved nanoparticle formulations. It showed a proliferative effect of up to 92.5 per cent on fibroblast cells involved in wound healing. Although TGF-β1 has an inhibitory effect on keratinocytes, it induces migration both NIH-3T3 and HaCaT cell lines in the scratch assay.
Bill’s Rationales for Learning Mathematics in Prison

ABSTRACT This paper reports on a case study of a student’s rationales for learning mathematics. We operationalize Stieg Mellin-Olsen’s educational concept of rationales for learning and apply the concept on data consisting of three semi-structured interviews with a student in the Swedish prison education program. Our analysis shows that the student’s rationales vary in character over time as a reaction to his educational contexts. We conclude that Mellin-Olsen’s construct of rationales is useful for understanding students’ changing motivation in relation to the teaching and to the practice of mathematics the teaching entails. Teachers may use the concepts from our analysis as cognitive tools, related to students’ rationales for learning. By identifying students’ different rationales, opportunities arise for an individualized instructional design.
Trade duration of Chinese shrimp exports

Abstract Seafood is among the most highly traded food commodities, and one will expect trade patterns to be highly dynamic. In this paper, trade duration is investigated for Chinese shrimp exports using firm-level data for the period 2007–2015. In line with the results from the general literature, most trade relationships in the Chinese exports of shrimp are short-lived and influenced by the market as well as product characteristics. The results indicate that it is also important to account for firm-specific characteristics, large firms have more stable trade relationships. It is also worthwhile to note that the firms located within Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have a shorter trade duration than those outside of SEZs, indicating these firms’ opportunistic market behavior.
Short Physical Performance Battery Can Be Utilized to Evaluate Physical Function in Patients After Cardiac Surgery

Purpose: The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) is a test used to assess physical function; however, the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in patients after cardiac surgery is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the MCID of the SPPB after cardiac surgery. Methods: Seventy-two participants performed the SPPB at 4 weeks and 3 months postoperatively. The Short Form-36 version 2 was used to assess physical function and the Global Rating of Change (GRC) scale was used to assess patients' perceived change. Distribution-based methods were used to determine the MCID. Results: The mean (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) change of the SPPB between testing time points was +1.04 (0.67–1.42) points. Ninety-eight percent of patients rated their function as “changed” on the GRC scale. The MCID calculated using distribution-based methods ranged from 0.44 points (95% CI [0.191, 0.613]) for the effect size-based estimate to 1.35 points for the standard error of measurement–based estimate. No participants scored 0/12; however, 45% and 69% of participants scored 12/12 at 4 weeks and 3 months postoperatively, respectively. Conclusion: The MCID for SPPB is estimated to be between 0.44 and 1.35 points out of 12 for patients in the early postoperative period. Nearly half of the participants scored the maximum score at 4 weeks, increasing to two-thirds at 3 months meaning that the SPPB may be too easy as time from surgery increases and patients recover. Further research is required to confirm the MCID in patients closer to surgery where the ceiling effect is likely to be lower.
Effective Platinum-Copper Catalysts for Methanol Oxidation and Oxygen Reduction in PEM FC

Behavior of supported alloyed and de-alloyed platinum-copper catalysts, which contained 14% - 27% wt. of Pt, was studied in the reactions of methanol electrooxidation (MOR) and oxygen electroreduction (ORR) in 0.1 M HClO4 solutions. Alloyed PtCux/C catalysts were prepared by a multistage sequential deposition of copper and platinum onto a Vulcan XC72 dispersed carbon support. De-alloyed PtCux-y/C catalysts were prepared by PtCux/C materials pretreatment in acid solutions. The effects of the catalysts initial composition and the acid treatment condition on their composition, structure, and catalytic activity in MOR and ORR were studied. Functional characteristics of platinum-copper catalysts were compared with those of commercial Pt/C catalysts when tested, both in an electrochemical cell and in H2/Air membrane-electrode assembly (MEA). It was shown that the acid pretreatment of platinum-copper catalysts practically does not have negative effect on their catalytic activity, but it reduces the amount of copper passing into the solution during the subsequent electrochemical study. The activity of platinum-copper catalysts in the MOR and the current-voltage characteristics of the H2/Air PEMFC MEAs measured in the process of their life tests were much higher than those of the Pt/C catalysts.
The multicultural experiences, attitudes and efficacy perceptions among prospective teachers

The purpose of this study is to investigate the concepts of multiculturalism and multicultural education and the multicultural experiences, attitudes and efficacies of prospective teachers of Turkish based on different variables. The study was carried out with a total of 249 prospective teachers of which 77% were female, and 23% were male who were receiving education in the spring semester of the academic year of 2018-2019 at the department of Turkish education of a state university. The study utilized the Multicultural Efficacy Scale. The data were analyzed by utilizing statistics and statistical techniques such as percentages, frequencies, arithmetic means, standard deviations, t-test and one-way analysis of variance. The Cronbach’s Alpha reliability coefficient that was calculated for this study was . 868. Based on the findings of the study, it was determined that the prospective Turkish teachers had above-average and positive efficacies towards multicultural education, the saw themselves capable in the “experience, attitude and self-efficacy” dimensions, their perception levels were high, and among different variables, there were significant differences in their multicultural efficacy levels based on the variables of class and place of residence.
Could maneuvering the methods of zinc and boron application influences yield and agro-morphological traits of brinjal in inceptisols?

Brinjal is one of the widely grown vegetable with high nutritive value responsive to applied Zn and B in deficient soils. With this background, a pot experiment was conducted at College of Horticulture Farm to study the effect of FYM, zinc and boron on yield and agro-morphological characters of brinjal where two levels of FYM (0 and 5 t ha), four levels of Zn (Zn0: No Zn, Zn1: 5.0 kg Zn ha as basal, Zn2: 10.0 kg Zn ha as basal and Zn3: 5.0 kg Zn ha as basal + Foliar spray of Zn twice @ 0.5% ZnSO4.7H2O solution) and three levels of B (B0: No B, B1: 1kg B ha and B2: 2 kg B ha) were applied in factorial completely randomized design. The application of Zn and B significantly influenced the fruit yield and other agro-morphological parameters viz., number of fruits per plant, plant height, fruit diameter and fruit length of brinjal. The highest increase was found with the conjoint application of soil + foliar application of Zn and highest dose of B i.e. 2.0 kg B ha along with FYM. On average, fruit yield of brinjal varied between 0.92 to 1.31 kg pot with a mean value of 1.12 kg pot. Zinc application @ 10.0 kg ha through basal (Zn2) as well as soil + foliar application of Zn (Zn3) significantly enhanced the fruit yield of brinjal over the application of 5.0 kg Zn ha as well as over the control. Application of Zn fertilizers along with FYM enhanced the brinjal fruit yield to the extent of 10-24% over the control under different treatment combinations of Zn (either soil application or through soil plus foliar application), whereas, application of B increased the fruit yield to the tune of 12 to 17% compared to no B application. The interaction between FYM and Zn and well as between FYM and B had also shown significant positive effect towards fruit yield of brinjal.
Robust Distance Estimation of Capacitive Proximity Sensors in HRI using Neural Networks

With Industry 4.0 and the idea of flexible and hybrid manufacturing systems, the need for safe human-robot-interaction has become increasingly important. For this purpose, it is necessary to reliably detect persons in the workspace of a robot. Capacitive sensors mounted to the robot structure can be used to measure the presence of conductive objects and, hence, allow the detection of persons. However, for a reliable detection in an adequate range, it is necessary to compensate for various additional influences on capacitive sensors. In this paper, we propose a segmentation of the world model and the use of machine learning to compensate for the self-influence of the robot. Moreover, a correlation between the measured capacitance and the distance of a human hand can be calculated using machine learning, as well. Finally, it is possible to estimate the distance between capacitive sensors at the robot structure and a human hand while the robot is in motion. A motion capturing system is used as ground truth for the distance.