Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Maximum principle in finding free final-time optimal trajectory of mobile robot for moving target tracking

Moving target tracking with free final-time is a special case of optimal control problem where both the final state and the final time are free but dependent on each other. In this paper, the necessary first order conditions for a candidate optimal trajectory and admissible optimal control inputs for a two wheeled differential drive robot have been derived in the light of Pontryagin's Maximum Principle. The boundary value problem has been solved analytically and soundness of the results have been established by simulations.
The 12 September 1999 Upper East Rift Zone dike intrusion at Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii

[1] Deformation associated with an earthquake swarm on 12 September 1999 in the Upper East Rift Zone of Kilauea Volcano was recorded by continuous GPS receivers and by borehole tiltmeters. Analyses of campaign GPS, leveling data, and interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data from the ERS-2 satellite also reveal significant deformation from the swarm. We interpret the swarm as resulting from a dike intrusion and model the deformation field using a constant pressure dike source. Nonlinear inversion was used to find the model that best fits the data. The optimal dike is located beneath and slightly to the west of Mauna Ulu, dips steeply toward the south, and strikes nearly east-west. It is approximately 3 by 2 km across and was driven by a pressure of ∼15 MPa. The total volume of the dike was 3.3 × 106 m3. Tilt data indicate a west to east propagation direction. Lack of premonitory inflation of Kilauea's summit suggests a passive intrusion; that is, the immediate cause of the intrusion was probably tensile failure in the shallow crust of the Upper East Rift Zone brought about by persistent deep rifting and by continued seaward sliding of Kilauea's south flank.
The relationship between stillbirth and early neonatal mortality : evidence from eighteenth century

Introduction The first day of life is the most dangerous. Mortal ity declines from the point of birth throughout the first days of life and generally con tinues to decline until late adolescence. Figure 1 provides examples from severa l populations, with infant mortality rates ranging from 44 to 218 deaths in th e first year of life per thousand births. The data in Figure 1a are from a modern Ind ian population, with moderate infant mortality by historical standards (71/1000). The death rate was nearly five times higher on the day of birth than subsequent da ys. On a finer time scale, in data from the Egyptian Demographic and Health Survey in 2000 (Figure 1b) the death rate in the second hour of life was only two-thirds that of the first hour, and dropped dramatically over the first 24 hours of life. These data are from modern populations, where infant mortality is increasingly concentrated in early infancy, so they may exaggerate the relative dangers of the first day of life. However the trauma of birth, and the challenges posed to newborns by the extra-u te ine world, have always made the first hours and days of life uniquely dangerous . Figure 1c shows the daily death rate for infants born in three ‘healthy’, predomina ntly rural counties and in three particularly unhealthy urban areas in England in th e late nineteenth century, when infant mortality rates were comparable to those of the late eighteenth century. Again, mortality was three times higher on the first day t han on the second or subsequent days after birth, in both populations.
Investigating activity zones on smartphones: An empirical study with older adults

This paper investigates and extends existing knowledge on older adults' (65+) gestural interaction with smartphones. Specifically, it looks at the effect touch targets location has on older adults' performance of tap and swipe gestures. Two separate experiments, each with 40 participants, showed older adults' performance for tap is best toward the center, right edge, and bottom right corner of the smartphone's display. For horizontal swipe participants' performance is better with targets toward the bottom half of the display, while for vertical swipe performance is better with targets toward the right half of the display.
Evaluation of resistance against deltamethrin and cypermethrin in dengue vector from Lahore, Pakistan.

The resistance/susceptible status of Aedes aegypti (field strain) from slum area of Misri Shah Lahore, Pakistan was determined during May 2009 to January 2011. Two insecticides i.e. deltamethrin 1. 5% EC and cypermethrin 10% EC which were sprayed in various localities of Lahore from the last ten years we re used to evaluate resistance/ susceptible status of field collected adult females of Aedes aegypti by CDC bottle bioassays. The resistance level was expressed as resistance ratio (RR) of lethal time at 50% death determined using field collected and susceptible strain s. Current study indicated RR LT50 1.95 and 1.47 against deltamethrin and cypermethrin in adult females of Aedes aegypti respectively. In addition, the tested population was less resistant against cypermethrin as compared to deltamethrin. In comparison of percent mortalities, there was no significant difference between the two insecticides against adult fema les.
Regulation of UHRF 1 by miR-146 a / b modulates gastric cancer invasion and metastasis

Epigenetic changes play significant roles in the development of cancer. UHRF1, as an epigenetic regulator, has been shown to be overexpressed and to coordinate tumor suppressor gene silencing in several cancers. However, the role and underlying mechanism of UHRF1 in gastric cancer (GC) progression remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the expression and function of UHRF1 in GC metastasis and explored its upstream regulatory mechanisms at the microRNA level. UHRF1 was overexpressed in GC tissues, especially in metastatic ones, and a high level of UHRF1 expression predicted poor survival. The downregulation of UHRF1 suppressed GC invasion and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. We identified and verified miR-146a and miR-146b as direct upstream regulators of UHRF1. Furthermore, the restoration of miR-146a/b dramatically reduced the expression of UHRF1 through the direct targeting of its 3=-UTR, and this effect in turn reactivated the slit homologue 3 (Slit3), cadherin 4 (CDH4), and runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) genes via promoter demethylation. Finally, analyses of miR-146a/b and UHRF1 levels in human GC tissues revealed that miR-146a/b correlated inversely with UHRF1 expression. These findings describe a new mechanism for the regulation of UHRF1 and aberrant DNA hypermethylation in GC. The newly identified miR-146a/b/UHRF1 axis provides insight into the GC metastasis process, and targeting this novel axis represents a therapeutic approach to blocking GC metastasis. —Zhou, L. , Zhao, X. , Han, Y. , Yuanyuan, L. , Shang, Y. , Liu, C. , Li, T. , Jin, Z. , Fan, D. , Wu, K. Regulation of UHRF1 by miR-146a/b modulates gastric cancer invasion and metastasis. FASEB J. 27, 000–000 (2013). www.fasebj. org
Effects of Prenatal Fish Oil and Folic Acid Supplementation on Infant Psychomotor and Mental Development: Results from NUHEAL Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Prenatal supply of folic and fatty acids is related to infant’s neurodevelopment; however, the potential beneficial effects on child’s neurologic outcomes remain controversial. Methods: We analysed 154 Spanish pregnant women in 4 randomized groups of supplementation with fish oil (FO), folic acid (5-MTHF), both, or placebo, and assessed their infant’s mental and psychomotor development at 6 and 20 months of life with Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID). Results: No significant differences in BSID outcomes between the groups were detected. FO+5-MTHF supplementation influenced positively blood phospholipid polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and folate levels during pregnancy, at delivery, and in neonates. No effect of FO and/or 5-MTHF supplementation on breast milk PUFA levels was detected. Further, higher maternal DHA and lower n6/n3 ratio at delivery associated positively with offspring’s PDI scores at 20 months. While infants with higher blood folate levels correlated with higher MDI scores at 20 months. Conclusions: Findings of the current study show no clear effect of FO and folic acid supplementation on child’s neurodevelopment, regardless of the positive effect of supplementation on blood PUFAs and folate levels. However, prenatal PUFAs, especially DHA, and higher folate levels in newborns could have a positive effect on child’s neurodevelopment.
Detect Globally, Refine Locally: A Novel Approach to Saliency Detection

Effective integration of contextual information is crucial for salient object detection. To achieve this, most existing methods based on 'skip' architecture mainly focus on how to integrate hierarchical features of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). They simply apply concatenation or element-wise operation to incorporate high-level semantic cues and low-level detailed information. However, this can degrade the quality of predictions because cluttered and noisy information can also be passed through. To address this problem, we proposes a global Recurrent Localization Network (RLN) which exploits contextual information by the weighted response map in order to localize salient objects more accurately. Particularly, a recurrent module is employed to progressively refine the inner structure of the CNN over multiple time steps. Moreover, to effectively recover object boundaries, we propose a local Boundary Refinement Network (BRN) to adaptively learn the local contextual information for each spatial position. The learned propagation coefficients can be used to optimally capture relations between each pixel and its neighbors. Experiments on five challenging datasets show that our approach performs favorably against all existing methods in terms of the popular evaluation metrics.
Towards a Lock-based Semantics for Java STM

As memory transactions have been proposed as a language-level replacement for locks, there is growing consensus that software transactional memory (STM) implementations need to provide semantic guarantees at least as strong as locks. In this paper, we investigate the implications of lock-based semantics for transactions. We categorize safety properties imposed by these semantics into two sets: (1) those that maintain proper ordering and (2) those that prevent values from appearing out of thin air. As part of this, we define publication safety, the dual of privatization safety [16, 25, 23] and a property most existing STMs violate. For Java, we argue that an STM must respect all these properties to properly adhere to its memory model and maintain safety and security guarantees. Moreover, we also show that a weakly atomic, in-place update STM [3, 1] cannot provide these guarantees. For C++, we reason that only a subset of these properties need to be observed as the behavior of incorrectly synchronized programs can be left undefined. However, we show that violations of others can still lead to nonintuitive behavior in the presence of seemingly benign races and requires STM to impose surprising restrictions on what programmers and compilers are allow to do. Many in the community have proposed that a single global lock semantics [16, 7], where transaction semantics are mapped to those of regions protected by a single global lock, provide the most intuitive model for programmers. In this paper, we present a weakly atomic Java STM implementation that provides these semantics, obeys all the above safety properties, and permits concurrent execution. We also propose and implement two alternative semantics that loosen single lock requirements while still providing privatization safety, publication safety, and other properties. We compare our new implementations to previous ones, including a strongly atomic STM. [23]
The use of α-enone derivative in the preparation of some new heterocyclic compounds with expected biological and antitumor activities

α-Enone 1, reacts with hydrazines, hydroxylamine hydrochloride, thiourea, diethylmalonate, malononitrile ethyl cyanoacetate to give the corresponding indazole, oxime, isoxazole, quinazoline, chromene and quinoline derivatives. The structures of all the synthesized compounds were confirmed by micro analytical and spectral data. The antimicrobial and the antitumor activities of some of the synthesized compounds were tested.
Mudanças Climáticas, Tecnociência e Geopolítica: Um modelo do sistema terrestre brasileiro e a soberania na produção de futuros climáticos

A infraestrutura do conhecimento em clima no Brasil vem sendo transformada nas ultimas decadas. Nesse processo, a producao de modelos computacionais para simular o clima global e defendida publicamente por pesquisadores e formuladores de politicas como um dos principais subsidios cientificos para orientar a adaptacao as mudancas climaticas no Brasil. Esse trabalho explora as implicacoes entre ciencia e politica presentes nesse processo. Sugere-se que a modelagem climatica e uma pratica de conexao global de carater geopolitico. Como estudo de caso discute-se o projeto de desenvolvimento do Modelo Brasileiro do Sistema Terrestre (BESM).
Evaluation of Classifiers in Software Fault-Proneness Prediction

Reliability of software counts on its fault-prone modules. This means that the less software consists of fault-prone units the more we may trust it. Therefore, if we are able to predict the number of fault-prone modules of software, it will be possible to judge the software reliability. In predicting software fault-prone modules, one of the contributing features is software metric by which one can classify software modules into fault-prone and non-fault-prone ones. To make such a classification, we investigated into 17 classifier methods whose features (attributes) are software metrics (39 metrics) and instances (software modules) of mining are instances of 13 datasets reported by NASA. However, there are two important issues influencing our prediction accuracy when we use data mining methods: (1) selecting the best/most influent features (i.e. software metrics) when there is a wide diversity of them and (2) instance sampling in order to balance the imbalanced instances of mining; we have two imbalanced classes when the classifier biases towards the majority class. Based on the feature selection and instance sampling, we considered 4 scenarios in appraisal of 17 classifier methods to predict software fault-prone modules. To select features, we used Correlation-based Feature Selection (CFS) and to sample instances we did Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique (SMOTE). Empirical results showed that suitable sampling software modules significantly influences on accuracy of predicting software reliability but metric selection has not considerable effect on the prediction.
Non-Destructive Thickness Measurement Using Quasi-Static Resonators

A microwave sensor for non-destructive measurement of dielectric thickness is presented. The sensor is a quasi-static resonator and based on complementary split ring resonator (CSRR) structure. When the CSRR structure is backed by a conductive medium covered with a dielectric layer the resonance frequency of the CSRR has a strong dependence on the thickness of the dielectric layer. Effect of the size of CSRR sensor on the sensitivity is analyzed numerically. For experimental verification, a CSRR sensor that operates in the 1.6 to 2.3 GHz band is fabricated and excited by a microstrip line.
Nutrient intake, digestibility and performance of Gaddi kids supplemented with tea seed or tea seed saponin extract

Objective An experiment was conducted to determine the nutrient intake, digestibility, microbial protein synthesis, haemato-biochemical attributes, immune response and growth performance of Gaddi kids fed with oat fodder based basal diet supplemented with either tea seed or tea seed saponin (TSS) extract. Methods Eighteen male kids, 7.03±0.16 months of age and 19.72±0.64 kg body weight, were distributed into three groups, T0 (control), T1, and T2, consisting of 6 animals each in a completely randomized design. The kids were fed a basal diet consisting of concentrate mixture and oat fodder (50:50). Animals in group III (T2) were supplemented with TSS at 0.4% of dry matter intake (DMI), and group II (T1) were supplemented with tea seed at 2.6% of DMI to provide equivalent dose of TSS as in T2. Two metabolism trials were conducted, 1st after 21 days and 2nd after 90 days of feeding to evaluate the short term and long term effects of supplementation. Results The tea seed (T1) or TSS (T2) supplementation did not affect DMI as well as the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fibre, and acid detergent fibre. Nutritive value of diet and plane of nutrition were also comparable for both the periods. However, the average daily gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were improved (p<0.05) for T1 and T2 as compared to T0. The microbial protein supply was also higher (p<0.05) for T1 and T2 for both the periods. There was no effect of supplementation on most blood parameters. However, the triglyceride and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels decreased (p<0.05) and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol level increased (p<0.05) in T2 as compared with T0 and T1. Supplementation also did not affect the cell mediated and humoral immune response in goats. Conclusion Tea seed at 2.6% of DMI and TSS at 0.4% DMI can be fed to Gaddi goats to improve growth rate, FCR and microbial protein synthesis.
Detection and identification of Tubercle bacilli by different methods from sputum and blood samples of hospitalized patients in Bangladesh

Department of Microbiology, Primeasia University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. National Tuberculosis Control Project (NTCP TB Clinic), Shyamoli, Dhaka, Bangladesh Abstract In the present work an attempt has been done to detect Tubercular bacilli by using different methods from sputum and blood samples of patients admitted to hospitals. Total of 200 patients were tested in this study by Z-N staining technique, fluorescence microscopy and Gene Xpert machine detection method. Results of the present study indicate that use of multiple techniques for detection of Bacilli is favorable compared to single method of detection.
Texas Students' College Expectations: Does High School Racial Composition Matter?

This article explores the association between school racial composition and students' expectations to graduate from a four-year college. In addition to the individual characteristics of students that have been repeatedly shown to influence educational goals, the results indicate that both school socioeconomic level and achievement composition are related to expectations. The results also suggest the counterintuitive finding that in similar schools, students in schools with greater concentrations of minority students are more likely to expect to attain a four-year college degree than are students in schools with lower proportions of minority students.
Formation of Stable Vascular Networks in Engineered Tissues

Proper vascular network structure is essential for normal tissue function. The vasculature provides oxygen, nutrients and immune cells, as well as removes tissue waste and byproducts. (Jain 2003) In tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, the existence of functional blood vessels is critical to the survival of the newly generated tissue. Current strategies for promoting new blood vessel formation, or neovascularization, have mostly focused on angiogenesis, which is the formation of new capillaries from pre-existing vessels by sprouting of endothelial cells (ECs). (Carmeliet 2003) Another mechanism of neovascularization, vasculogenesis, which is the in situ assembly of endothelial progenitors into capillaries, has also been explored as a method for stimulating new vessel formation. Genes or proteins of angiogenic factors have been delivered systematically or directly to a target tissue to promote neovascularization via either angiogenesis or vasculogenesis. For example, proteins from the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) families delivered by various methods have been investigated extensively for enhancing neovascularization. (Brey et al., 2005; Brey & McIntire, 2008) While the delivery of angiogenic factors has been successful in promoting new capillary formation, the structure of the newly formed vessels is often non-ideal. The vessels can be immature, with small diameters and lack of some essential cellular and extracellular components required for proper function. Immature vascular structure may result in poor blood perfusion and possibly vessel regression upon a decrease in the vascular stimulus. (Benjamin et al., 1999) In addition, the formation of small capillaries alone is not likely to be sufficient for vascularization of large, complex tissues, which are often needed for tissue engineering. Therefore, the goal of neovascularization in engineered tissue should be focused not only on the initial assembly of capillaries via angiogenesis or vasculogenesis, but also the expansion and stabilization of new vessels, which means the formation of mature, long-lasting vessels with dimensions that meet the requirement of high conductance blood flow. (Carmeliet & Conway, 2001) In this chapter, we will discuss current status in the generation of stable, long-lasting vascular networks in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, identifying recent advances and limitations yet to be overcome.
BIOMECHANICS OF LONGSWINGS PRECEDING TKACHEV ON UNEVEN BARS

Changes in the rules governing the separation of uneven bars have allowed female gymnasts to perform the Tkachev in both directions. The aim of this study was to compare the similarities in the preparatory longswing during the outward (O) and inward (I) Tkachevs. Video recordings of the Tkachevs (O=5, I=5) were collected from the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. A 37° greater range of movement was found at the hips during the I Tkachev. In the more conventional O technique changes in the hip angle were smaller (23°) and occurred over a greater circle angle. This study has identified differences in what appear to be very similar skills. Further inter-segmental coordination and joint kinetic analyses may provide insight into the performance of these release and regrasp skills.
Inflammation and fibrosis of transverse carpal ligament and flexor tenosynovium in severe idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome

Background: We approached a histopathologic study of idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) to identify its probable causative factors. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of inflammation and fibro- sis in the transverse carpal ligament (TCL) and flexor tenosynovium (FT) in severe idiopathic carpal tunnel syn- drome. Methods: Thirty nine patients with severe idiopathic CTS undergoing open carpal tunnel release between 2008 and 2010 were selected. The TCL and FT biopsy specimens were analyzed to assess the prevalence of inflam- mation and fibrosis. Results: The mean age of cases was 49 years (16 to 81). Ten (25.64%) were male and 29 (74.36%) female. Fibrous thickening was observed in 11 hands (28%); TCL fibrous thickening in 9 (21.95%), FT fibrous thicken- ing in 1 (2.43%) and in one hand (2.43%) fibrous thickening was present in both of TCL and FT. Inflammatory changes were observed in four (10%) specimens; one (2.43%) in TCL, two (4.87%) in FT and one (2.43%) in both TCL and FT. Conclusion: Histopathologic study of TCL and FT in idiopathic CTS showed inflammation and fibrosis in some cases.