Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DRAFT : A MATLAB-BASED APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT USING A 3 D PMD CAMERA FOR A MOBILE ROBOT

Three-dimensional sensing is a vital field in mobile robotic applications. This work proposes an application of a Time-ofFlight 3D Photonic Mixer Device (PMD) camera for the navigation of an Omni-directional mobile robot. The 3D PMD camera enables real time distance detection as well as the capturing of grayscale images. In our framework, the application of the 3D PMD camera is aimed at solving the problem of environmental perception in mobile robotics. In this paper, we present the development of a MATLAB-based kit for the control of an Omni-directional mobile robot supported by a data acquisition board. The communication interface of the camera, used to close the system’s control loop, has been also developed. We further present results of different experiments including online obstacle detection and avoidance. In addition, an adaptive pose determination for the robot is proposed.
On the Sources of Heterogeneity in Banking Efficiency Literature

One learns two main lessons from studying the great quantity of banking efficiency literature. These lessons regard the heterogeneity in results and the absence of a comprehensive review aimed at understanding the reasons for this variability. Surprisingly, although this issue is well-known, it has not been systematically analyzed before. In order to fill this gap, we perform a Meta-Regression-Analysis (MRA) by examining 1,661 efficiency scores retrieved from 120 papers published over the period 2000-2014. The meta-regression is estimated by using the Random Effects Multilevel Model (REML), because it controls for within-study and between-study heterogeneity. The analysis yields four main results. Firstly, parametric methods yield lower levels of banking efficiency than nonparametric studies. This holds true even after controlling for the approach used in selecting the inputs and outputs of the frontier. Secondly, we show that banking efficiency is highest when using the value added approach, followed by estimates from studies based on the intermediation method, whereas those based on the hybrid approach are the lowest. Thirdly, efficiency scores also depend on the quality of studies and on the number of observations and variables used in the primary papers. As far as the effects of sample size, dimension and quality of papers are concerned, there are significant differences in sign and magnitude between parametric and nonparametric studies. Finally, cost efficiency is found to be higher than profit and production efficiency. Interestingly, MRA results are robust to the potential outliers in efficiency and sample size distributions
Myocardial effect of Intermedin in hypertrophic heart: mechanisms and involvement of endothelial dysfunction

Heart failure affects many people around the world and then it is considered an epidemic. This syndrome is characterized by structural and functional changes in heart, which inefficiently pumps blood. The study of progression of this cardiac disorder is thus crucial and recent studies aim to identify potential and more effective therapeutic targets. Recently, a new peptide called intermedin (IMD) was identified, whose expression levels are augmented in several models of cardiac pathologies, such as systemic hypertension and ischemia. However, its role in these pathologies is not yet completely established. Therefore, we started to study myocardial effects of IMD in two heart failure models induced by pressure-overload: “TAC”, whose overload results from aortic banding; the model which we named as “L-NAME”, whose pressure-overload results from inhibition of nitric oxide production, by oral administration of L-NAME, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthases. In their respective controls (“Sham” and “Ctrl”), addition of IMD elicited a negative inotropic effect. Despite being similar in absolute value, effect of IMD in diseased models was totally opposite: we verified a positive inotropic effect, allied to an increase of lusitropy. At the baseline, we observed these two diseased models present preserved systolic function, left ventricle hypertrophy and increased oxidative stress. At the protein level, in controls, IMD tripled content of phosphorylated eNOS at the Ser-1177, which suggest an increase of eNOS activity. Moreover, we also verified an increase of phosphorylation of troponin I, possibly due to activation of signaling pathway dependent of nitric oxide and cGMP. On the other hand, in diseased models, basal phosphorylated eNOS was increased and IMD did not alter those levels of phosphorylation. However, IMD elicited phosphorylation of phospholamban, eventually due to activation of cAMP/PKA signaling pathway. Thereby, we showed for the first time IMD induces opposite effects in healthy and diseased myocardium, which are due to inability of IMD to increase eNOS activity in these latter models. Besides, and given that distinct mechanisms mediate those effects, this work suggests cardiac endothelial dysfunction plays a preponderant role in pathophysiology of pressure-overload-induced heart failure and, at the same time, points IMD as a potential marker of cardiac endothelial dysfunction.
Assessing the applicability of terrestrial laser scanning for mapping englacial conduits

ABSTRACT The morphology of englacial drainage networks and their temporal evolution are poorly characterised, particularly within cold ice masses. At present, direct observations of englacial channels are restricted in both spatial and temporal resolution. Through novel use of a terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) system, the interior geometry of an englacial channel in Austre Brøggerbreen, Svalbard, was reconstructed and mapped. Twenty-eight laser scan surveys were conducted in March 2016, capturing the glacier surface around a moulin entrance and the uppermost 122 m reach of the adjoining conduit. The resulting point clouds provide detailed 3-D visualisation of the channel with point accuracy of 6.54 mm, despite low (<60%) overall laser returns as a result of the physical and optical properties of the clean ice, snow, hoar frost and sediment surfaces forming the conduit interior. These point clouds are used to map the conduit morphology, enabling extraction of millimetre-to-centimetre scale geometric measurements. The conduit meanders at a depth of 48 m, with a sinuosity of 2.7, exhibiting teardrop shaped cross-section morphology. This improvement upon traditional surveying techniques demonstrates the potential of TLS as an investigative tool to elucidate the nature of glacier hydrological networks, through reconstruction of channel geometry and wall composition.
TensorFI: A Configurable Fault Injector for TensorFlow Applications

Machine Learning (ML) applications have emerged as the killer applications for next generation hardware and software platforms, and there is a lot of interest in software frameworks to build such applications. TensorFlow is a high-level dataflow framework for building ML applications and has become the most popular one in the recent past. ML applications are also being increasingly used in safety-critical systems such as self-driving cars and home robotics. Therefore, there is a compelling need to evaluate the resilience of ML applications built using frameworks such as TensorFlow. In this paper, we build a high-level fault injection framework for TensorFlow called TensorFI for evaluating the resilience of ML applications. TensorFI is flexible, easy to use, and portable. It also allows ML application programmers to explore the effects of different parameters and algorithms on error resilience.
Methods and Tools for Ontology Building , Learning and Integration – Application in the SYNAT Project 1

One of the main goals of the SYNAT project is to equip scientific community with a knowledge-based infrastructure providing fast access to relevant scientific information. We have started building an experimental platform where different kinds of stored knowledge will be modeled with the use of ontologies, e.g. reference/system ontology, domain ontologies and auxiliary knowledge including lexical language ontology layers. In our platform we use system ontology defining “system domain” (a kind of meta knowledge) for the scientific community, covering concepts and activities related to the scientific life and domain ontologies dedicated to specific areas of science. Moreover the platform is supposed to include a wide range of tools for building and maintenance of ontologies throughout their life cycle as well as interoperation among the different introduced ontologies. The paper makes a contribution to understanding semantically modeled knowledge and its incorporation into the SYNAT project. We present a review of ontology building, learning, and integration methods and their potential application in the project.
Cut and singular loci up to codimension 3

We give a new and detailed description of the structure of cut loci, with direct applications to the singular sets of some Hamilton-Jacobi equations. These sets may be non-triangulable, but a local description at all points except for a set of Hausdorff dimension $n-2$ is well known. We go further in this direction by giving a clasification of all points up to a set of Hausdorff dimension $n-3$.
Liquid Level Estimation in Dynamic Condition using Kalman Filter

The aim of this paper is to estimate true liquid level of tank from noisy measurements due to dynamic conditions using kalman filter algorithm. We proposed kalman filter based approach to reduce noise in liquid level measurement system due to effect like sloshing. The function of kalman filter is to reduce error in liquid level measurement that produced from sensor resulting from effect like sloshing in dynamic environment. A prototype model was constructed and placed in dynamic condition, level data was acquired using ultrasonic sensor to verify the effectiveness of kalman filter. The tabulated data are shown for comparison of accuracy and error analysis between both measurements with Kalman filter and statistical averaging filter. After several test with different liquid levels and analysis of the recorded data, the technique shows the usefulness in liquid level measurement application in dynamic condition.
Torque Calculation in Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine Using Improved Lumped Parameter Models

In this paper, we present improved Lumped-Parameter Models for simulation of a Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous (IPMS) machine to calculate PM flux linkage, and Q and D-axis inductances which can be used for torque calculation. These improved models include all details of flux barriers and air bridges of rotor and also the effect of saturation in central posts and stator core. To validate the accuracy of these models, results are compared with the Finite Element Method results for a presented IPMS machine.
Directional dispersal patterns of Chorthippus parallelus (Orthoptera: Acrididae) in patches of grazed pastures

Abstract A small-scale study investigating the directional dispersal patterns of Chorthippus parallelus in a grazed pasture was undertaken in 2002 and 2003. The study site was divided into 4 quadrants with a central release circle. Nymphs and adults were marked, released and resighted at varying intervals throughout the day, when the distance and direction moved (taken from the center) were recorded for each individual. Significant directional movements to the north of the release circle were evident for both nymphs and adults. These movements were probably in response to habitat factors and topography outside of the release area. Both nymphs and adults moved uphill from the heavily grazed ‘spatially hostile’ release circle, to patches of tall ungrazed grass beyond the release area. These patches of ungrazed grass could have afforded shelter, from predation and inclement weather, not provided by the short vegetation inside the release area.
Long-Term Growth and Persistence with Endogenous Depreciation: Theory and Evidence

Previous research has shown a strong positive correlation between short-term persistence and long-term output growth as well as between depreciation rates and long-term output growth. This evidence, therefore, contradicts the standard predictions from traditional neoclassical or AK-type growth models with exogenous depreciation. In this paper, we first confirm these findings for a larger sample of 101 countries. We then study the dynamics of growth and persistence in a model where both the depreciation rate and growth are endogenous and procyclical. We find that the model s predictions become consistent with the empirical evidence on persistence, long-term growth and depreciation rates.
Title : The influence of a cognitive task on the postural phase of gait initiation in Parkinson ’ s disease : an electromyographic based analysis Short Title : Influence of a cognitive task on gait initiation

1 Departamento de Terapia Ocupacional, Escola Superior da Tecnologia de Saúde do Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, PORTUGAL 2 Departamento de Fisioterapia, Escola Superior da Tecnologia de Saúde do Instituto Politécnico do Porto, PORTUGAL 3 Área Científica de Terapia Ocupacional, Escola Superior da Tecnologia de Saúde do Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Laboratório de Reabilitação Psicossocial, Centro de Estudo do Movimento e da Atividade Humana, PORTUGAL 4 Instituto de Ciência e Inovação em Engenharia Mecânica e Engenharia Industrial, Departamento de Engenharia Mecânica, Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, PORTUGAL
J C A P 0 4 ( 2 0 1 5 ) 0 4 9 ournal of C osmology and A stroparticle P hysics

We study the diameters of axion moduli spaces, focusing primarily on type IIB compactifications on Calabi-Yau three-folds. In this case, we derive a stringent bound on the diameter in the large volume region of parameter space for Calabi-Yaus with simplicial Kähler cone. This bound can be violated by Calabi-Yaus with non-simplicial Kähler cones, but additional contributions are introduced to the effective action which can restrict the field range accessible to the axions. We perform a statistical analysis of simulated moduli spaces, finding in all cases that these additional contributions restrict the diameter so that these moduli spaces are no more likely to yield successful inflation than those with simplicial Kähler cone or with far fewer axions. Further heuristic arguments for axions in other corners of the duality web suggest that the difficulty observed in [1] of finding an axion decay constant parametrically larger than Mp applies not only to individual axions, but to the diagonals of axion moduli space as well. This observation is shown to follow from the weak gravity conjecture of [2], so it likely applies not only to axions in string theory, but also to axions in any consistent theory of quantum gravity.
A Palliative Care Certificate Program: A Nursing Education Model forDeveloped and Developing Countries

Paula Nelson-Marten1, Nancy English2, Amal Jafari3 and Regina M Fink4,* 1Palliative Care Certificate Program; University of Colorado College of Nursing, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA 2University of Colorado, College of Nursing, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA 3Palliative Care Nurse, Ministry of National Guard and Health Affairs and Prince Noorah Oncology Center, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia 4University of Colorado, College of Nursing & School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Academic Office Building 1, 12631 East 17th Avenue, 8th Floor GIM, Aurora, USA
Improving Magnocellular Function in the Dorsal Stream Remediates Reading Deficits

Purpose. This study examined the effects of Direction Discrimination Training (DDT) on reading performance in dyslexics. In particular, the study examined whether increasing stimulus complexity and the amount of training would increase reading fluency more than in previous studies, as well as whether these improvements were sustained over time. Methods: DDT, using patterns that maximally activate magnocellular neurons, was administered to dyslexic children over the same amount of time (3 months) for twice the frequency each week, using twice as many stimulus complexity levels, as administered in previous studies. A computer-based reading speed task followed DDT to provide reading practice. In addition, the results from the same dyslexics in two previous studies were reanalyzed to determine whether the improvements in reading fluency following DDT in second grade were retained and manifest in third grade. Results: Contrast sensitivity for direction discrimination increased significantly over that found previously. Reading rates improved 11 fold, in contrast to previous studies of DDT over the same length of time, which found that reading rates improved only 4 fold. Not only did reading fluency improve when dyslexics were trained to discriminate the direction of motion at low contrasts, but spelling, word identification, and comprehension also improved 1-3 grade levels. These improvements persisted over time. Conclusions: These results suggest that improving the timing and sensitivity of the direction selective cells is linked to improving reading performance. DDT appears to improve magnocellular function in the dorsal stream which may be essential for guiding the attention gateway. The data suggest that it tunes visual neural timing in the dorsal stream, enabling it to guide the ventral stream, improving reading skills, as well as figure/ground discrimination, attention, and processing speed. Our data indicates that this program provides a comprehensive, rapid, and effective regimen for remediating reading problems.
Gold Nanoparticles for Cancer Treatment

Since the concept of nanotechnology was first formed, the possible medical applications of nano-scale materials and devices have drawn considerable interest. The use of metallic nanoparticles in the treatment of cancer is a promising, relatively recent development in this field. At present, gold is a favoured material for this purpose. Formed into spheres, shells, cages or wires on the scale of ten to one thousand nanometres, gold can be bound to a wide variety of biochemically functional groups and made to target specific types of cells. Once there, the nanoparticles may be used for imaging or, in conjunction with an external energy source such as an infrared laser, to concentrate lethal doses of energy in the target cancer cells. Many researchers believe that nanoparticle-based techniques could prove to be more effective than current chemicalor radiation-based treatments, with fewer adverse side effects.
Perceived Partner Sexism and Stigma Consciousness: How'Prince Charming' Undermines Relationship Satisfaction

Perceived discrimination (outside of the relationship) relates to negative relationship outcomes, moderated by stigma consciousness (DeHart, 2017). Women who report higher (versus lower) levels of perceived partner benevolent sexism (i.e., perceptions of one's partner's endorsement of sexist attitudes) experience more negative relationship outcomes as well (Hammond & Overall, 2013; Hammond & Overall, 2014; Hammond & Overall, 2015). In addition, relationship partners adopt more traditional gender roles after becoming parents, which fosters benevolent sexism (Trillingsgaard, Baucom, & Heyman, 2014). In this study, married or cohabiting women with children were randomly assigned to either a sexism manipulation or control condition, prior to completing relationship outcome measures. We tested whether relationship outcomes differed depending on the level of chronic perceived partner sexism women reported. Contrary to my predictions, we found that women who report higher levels of perceived partner sexism experienced more negative relationship outcomes when they were high (versus low) in stigma consciousness, but only in the control condition. For women who report lower levels of perceived partner sexism, there was no effect of stigma consciousness on relationship outcomes found in either condition. Findings suggest that chronic perceived partner sexism moderates the relation between stigma consciousness, condition, and relationship outcomes. However, the pattern of results contradicts previous research, theory, and our predictions and merits additional research.
Upscaling of screw dislocations with increasing tangential strain

The upscaling of a system of screw dislocations in a material subject to an external strain is studied. The $\Gamma$-limit of a suitable rescaling of the renormalized energy is characterized in the space of probability measures. This corresponds to a discrete-to-continuum limit of the dislocations, which, as a byproduct, provides information on their distribution when the circulation of the tangential component of the external strain becomes larger and larger. In particular, dislocations are shown to concentrate at the boundary of the material and to distribute as the limiting external strain.
Inbreeding effects on physiological responses to chronic hypoxia in mice (Mus musculus)

Changes in complex phenotypes, such as exercise tolerance, are often mediated by the co-adjustment of many components. For example, hypoxic exercise tolerance (HET) is typically enhanced by the myriad physiological adjustments that accompany acclimation to hypoxia. Further, exercise tolerance is strongly influenced by genetic background, but the effect of genetic variation is largely unknown. The present study sought to examine the consequence of reduced genetic variation, in the context of inbreeding, and its effect on the relationship between hypoxic exercise tolerance (HET), maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max), and myoglobin concentration ([Mb]) in Mus musculus. I hypothesized that the increased homozygosity found in inbred strains would lead to reduced phenotypic plasticity, resulting in more variable responses to chronic hypoxia. In addition, I hypothesized that HET and VO2max would be positively correlated. Hypoxia led to decreases in body mass as well as increases in HET and hypoxic VO2max in all strains. While there was no significant effect of breeding on HET, the change in VO2max and the cost of exercise following hypoxic acclimation were greater among inbred than outbred strains. The response of [Mb] to hypoxia was generally greater among inbred than outbred strains as predicted, but the differences were mostly non-significant. HET and VO2max were positively correlated, but [Mb] was not correlated with either of these variables. The consistent influence of inbreeding on body mass, VO2max, and cost of exercise suggest an underlying consequence of genetic uniformity. While there was some support for the hypothesis that reduced phenotypic plasticity in inbred strains leads to a more variable response to hypoxia, on the whole the results were not consistent with this view.