Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improved SPICE model for triode vacuum tubes

An improved PSpice analog behavioral model for the triode vacuum tube is given. The effects of initial electron velocity, low plate voltage, and positive grid voltage are included in the model. These model improvements allow better simulation of the circuits operating the triode at low plate currents, low plate voltages, or with positive grid voltages.
Validação de um instrumento para consulta de enfermagem à pessoa com diabetes mellitus e/ou hipertensão arterial

Background: The construction of data collection tools for the nursing appointment should be based on the characteristics and specificities of the population and place of employment. Objective: To validate the appearance and content of the data collection tool for the nursing appointment of the person with diabetes mellitus and/or systemic hypertension within the context of primary health care (PHC). Methodology: A methodological study was developed by means of the Delphi method from April to September of 2016, with 30 nurses from the PHC practice and teaching. The tool was based on the conceptual model by Wanda Horta and the Theory of Self-Care by Dorothea Orem, composed of 6 dimensions: Identification, Psychosocial, Psychospiritual, Psychobiological needs, and Disease perception and Self-care, subdivided into 25 categories. For analysis purposes, the Content Validity Index (CVI) . 0.80 was used. Results: All categories of the instrumentfs dimensions obtained a CVI . 0.80, with emphasis on the dimensions of Psychosocial and Psychospiritual needs. Conclusion: The tool was confirmed valid in appearance and content for data collection in the nursing appointment
Analyse transcriptomique de l'interaction tripartite "Pseudozyma flocculosa-Blumeria graminis f.sp. hordei-Hordeum vulgare"

Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei (Bgh) is a powdery mildew fungus that infects barley and can reduce crop yield by as much as 40%. The epiphytic fungus Pseudozyma flocculosa, is often found in close association with powdery mildew of clover leaves and exhibits a strong antagonistic activity by rapidly destroying the invasive structures of the pathogen. The objective of this work was to understand the molecular mechanisms dictating the interaction between a biological control agents (BCA) P. flocculosa and a plant pathogen (Bgh). In the present study, to understand gene expression dynamics during a host‐pathogen‐BCA interaction, a complete RNA‐seq transcriptome profiling was performed on the tripartite interaction. The transcriptome profiling strategy was used to understand the genetic determinants of the interaction involving P. flocculosa, the pathogen Bgh, and the host plant, barley. Our results determined the subtle changes in P. flocculosa gene expression under in vitro and biocontrol conditions. The analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) as performed with an initial emphasis on 200 unique candidate secretory effector proteins (CSEPs) of P. flocculosa in an attempt to determine their role in influencing its interaction with barley powdery mildew. Over 30 CSEPs were upregulated during P. flocculosa interaction with Bgh, including pf02826 that had a near 1000‐fold change. These results suggest strongly that CSEPs are involved in the biocontrol activity of P. flocculosa, and represent, to our knowledge, the first such report for a fungal‐fungal interaction.
Fabrication and characterization of beta-prototype MIT Manus : an intelligent machine for upper-limb physical therapy

MIT Manus is a robot designed to be used in the physical rehabilitation of stroke patients. The robot is designed to gently hold and guide a patient's hand. An alphaprototype was built several years ago, and has been used in several clinical trials. Results have shown that MIT Manus enhances recovery of stroke patients. The objective of this thesis is to build a beta-prototype of the 2-dof module of the MIT Manus and characterize the performance of the beta-prototype. The beta-prototype was fabricated, and the performance of the actuator packages was characterized. This thesis presents the results of the characterization.
Evaluation of Self-efficacy and Confidence Levels Among Newly Graduated Nurses Exposed to an End-of-Life Simulation

Self-efficacy and confidence levels among newly graduated nurses who participated in an end-of-life simulation were compared with nurses who had been practicing for no more than a year but had not participated in an end-of-life simulation. The study included a pretest-and-posttest evaluation of an end-of-life simulation intervention during a new graduate residency program among newly graduated nurses to improve self-efficacy and confidence with end-of-life care. Nurses who had been in practice for no more than a year but had not been exposed to an end-of-life simulation intervention were also surveyed. The Palliative Care Evaluation Tool Kit was adapted and used for this project. The 2 groups of nurses were compared in terms of self-efficacy and confidence levels regarding end-of-life care. An end-of-life simulation intervention was successful in improving self-efficacy and confidence levels among newly graduated nurses, in regard to views about end of life and death and dying compared with the nurses who did not receive the end-of-life simulation intervention. The results of this study have implications for both schools of nursing and hospital training programs.
Investigating The Influence of Virtual Reality Technology in Teaching and Learning: From Perception of Nigerian Junior High School Students

It was relevant to investigate integrating virtual reality technology and education teaching, claiming that VR technologies are essential for teaching and learning. Therefore, the study was conducted in Abuja, Nigeria, to assess how much VR technologies could be practical tools to improve teaching and learning at the junior high school level from learners' perspective. Fifty-six students were randomly selected from 5 public junior high schools to use VR goggles to play games, watch videos, and see photograph contents based on virtual environments. As a result, it was discovered that the participants expressed a high level of appreciation of VR applications which could be attributed to the fact that more than three-quarters of the participants had never previously tried them either for educational or entertainment purpose. Moreover, based on their experience, an overwhelming majority of the participants ultimately agreed that VR technologies as instructional tools would be very effective in visualizing abstract concepts for practical understanding, making learning more interactive, encouraging active participation rather than passivity, and making learning more exciting and fun.
Automatic high-grade cancer detection on prostatectomy histopathology images

Automatic cancer grading and high-grade cancer detection for radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens can benefit pathological assessment for prognosis and post-surgery treatment decision making. We developed and validated an automatic system which grades cancerous tissue as high-grade (Gleason grade 4 and higher) vs. low-grade (Gleason grade 3) on digital histopathology whole-slide images (WSIs). We combined this grading system with our previouslyreported cancer detection system to build a high-grade cancer detection system which automatically finds high-grade cancerous foci on WSIs. The system was tuned on a 3-patient data set and cross-validated against expert-drawn contours on a separate 68-patient data set comprising 286 mid-gland whole-slide images of RP specimens. The system uses machine learning techniques to classify each region of interest (ROI) on the slide as cancer or non-cancer and each cancerous ROI as high-grade or low-grade cancer. We used leave-one-patient-out cross-validation to measure the performance of cancer grading for classified ROIs with three different classifiers and the performance of the high-grade cancer detection system on a per tumor focus basis. The best performing (Fisher) classifier yielded an area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of 0.87 for cancer grading. The system yielded error rates of 19.5% and 23.4% for pure high-grade (Gleason 4+4, 5+5) and high-grade (Gleason Score ≥ 7) cancer detection, respectively. The system demonstrated potential for practical computation speeds. Upon successful multi-centre validation, this system has the potential to assist the pathologist to find high-grade cancer more efficiently, which benefits the selection and guidance of adjuvant therapy and prognosis post RP.
Vaccipack, A Mobile App to Promote Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Uptake Among Adolescents Aged 11 to 14 Years: Development and Usability Study (Preprint)

BACKGROUND More than 90% of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers could be prevented by widespread uptake of the HPV vaccine, yet vaccine use in the United States falls short of public health goals. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to describe the development, acceptability, and intention to use the mobile app Vaccipack, which was designed to promote uptake and completion of the adolescent HPV vaccine series. METHODS Development of the mobile health (mHealth) content was based on the integrated behavioral model (IBM). The technology acceptance model (TAM) was used to guide the app usability evaluation. App design utilized an iterative process involving providers and potential users who were parents and adolescents. App features include a vaccine-tracking function, a discussion forum, and stories with embedded messages to promote intention to vaccinate. Parents and adolescents completed surveys before and after introducing the app in a pediatric primary care setting with low HPV vaccination rates. RESULTS Surveys were completed by 54 participants (20 adolescents aged 11 to 14 years and 34 parents). Notably, 75% (15/20) of adolescents and 88% (30/34) of parents intended to use the app in the next 2 weeks. Acceptability of the app was high among both groups: 88% (30/34) of parents and 75% (15/20) of adolescents indicated that Vaccipack was easy to use, and 82% (28/34) of parents and 85% (17/20) of adolescents perceived the app to be beneficial. Higher levels of app acceptability were found among parents with strong intentions to use the app (P=.09; 95% CI –2.15 to 0.15). CONCLUSIONS mHealth technology, such as Vaccipack, may be an acceptable and nimble platform for providing information to parents and adolescents and advancing the uptake of important vaccines.
Development of Brain-machine Interfaces

A brain-machine interface (BMI) uses signals from the brain to control electronic devices. One application of this technology is the control of assistive devices to facilitate movement after paralysis. Ideally, the BMI would identify an intended movement and control an assistive device to produce the desired movement. To implement such a system, it is necessary to identify different movements involving a single limb and users must be able to issue commands at any instant instead of only during specific time windows determined by the BMI itself.A novel processing technique to identify voluntary movements using only four electrodes is presented. Histograms containing the spectral components of intracranial neural signals displaying power changes correlated with movement were unique for each of three movements performed with one limb. Off-line classification of the histograms allowed the identification of the performed movement with an accuracy of 89%. This movement identification system was interfaced with a neuroprosthesis for grasping, fitted to a tetraplegic individual. The user pressed a button triggering the random selection and classification of a brain signal previously recorded intracranially from a different person while performing specific arm movements. Correct identification of the movement triggered grasping functions. Movement identification accuracy was 94% allowing successful operation of the neuroprosthesis.Finally, two BMIs for the real-time asynchronous control of two-dimensional movements were created using a single electrode. One EEG-based system was tested by a healthy participant. A second system was implemented and tested using recordings from an individual undergoing clinical intracranial electrode implantation. The users modulated their 7 Hz-13 Hz oscillatory rhythm through motor imagery. A power decrease below a threshold activated a ``brain-switch''. This switch was coupled with a novel asynchronous control strategy to control a miniature remotely-controlled vehicle as well as a computer cursor. Successful operation of the EEG system required 6 hrs of training. ECoG control was achieved after only 15 minutes. The operation of the BMI was simple enough to allow users to focus on the task at hand rather than on the actual operation of the BMI.
Performance management : multidisciplinary perspectives

There is a plethora of research findings from management and social science, all offering prescriptions for better performance management. However, the complexities and ambiguities of how performance might be understood in single complex organisations often have multiple causes that discipline approaches may not fully address. This book develops our understanding of performance management from a multi-disciplinary perspective. In so doing it traces the evolution of how performance has come to be understood and explores how we might integrate thinking through inter-disciplinary research, informed by management practice.
EVA: The Real Key to Creating Wealth

The EVA Revolution. Revving the Engine at Briggs & Stratton. The Right Way to Keep Score. How EVA Reshaped Armstrong World Industries and Boise Cascade. Earnings Per Share Don't Count-EVA Does. Serving the Service Industries. Making Managers into Owners. Banking on EVA. The EVA Financial Management System. Breaking the Regulatory Mould. Closing the GAAP between Earnings and EVA. SPX: Using EVA and Stretch Goals to Turn a Sputtering Jalopy into a Formula One Winner. Afterword: Becoming an EVA Company by G. Bennett Stewart III. Index.
The New “7G-TRONIC” of Mercedes-Benz: Innovative Transmission Technology for Better Driving Performance, Comfort and Fuel Economy

In September 2003, the Mercedes Car Group set another milestone by introducing the fifth generation of automatic transmissions developed and manufactured in-house since 1960. The world's first 7-speed automatic transmission 7G-TRONIC is featured in the Mercedes-Benz S, SL, CL and E-Classes with V8 gasoline engines. Deduced from the demands of the requirement specifications, the 5-speed automatic transmission was decisively improved; the result is a clear increase in spontaneity, agility, fuel economy, and driving comfort for the customer. And because of the harmony between the vehicle and its powertrain, excellent results in the areas of performance, reduced emissions, comfort, and acoustics are obtained.
Lateral Guided Bone Regeneration Using a Novel Synthetic Bioresorbable Membrane: A Two Center Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of lateral guided bone regeneration (GBR) using a novel resorbable synthetic polyethylene-glycol/methacrylate (PEG/MET) membrane compared to a non-cross-linked collagen membrane (CM). Twentyeight patients with a potential implant site exhibiting insufficient bone width of ≤ 5 mm were included. Ridge width was measured intraoperatively at 1 mm and 4 mm apical to the crest and via cone-beam computed tomography at baseline and 6 months following GBR using either a PEG/MET or a CM in conjunction with an allograft. During implant placement, core biopsies were harvested and analyzed histomorphometrically. Width changes were calculated. Differences between groups were analyzed using two-sided t-test and Mann-Whitney U-test. The PEG/MET membrane was moldable and exhibited higher strength and stability compared to the CM. Nevertheless, it displayed higher exposure rate of 12/15, compared to 2/13 in the CM sites. At the time of implant insertion, 6 months following GBR, significant gain in bone width was observed in both groups. Mean ridge width at 1 mm and 4 mm apical to the crest was increased significantly from 2.06 ± 0.77 mm and 3.84 ± 1.23 mm to 3.84 ± 1.52 mm and 6.06 ± 2.03 mm (p = 0.0006 and p = 0.0009, respectively), with no clinical or radiographic differences between groups. Experimental sites contained more residual scaffold material than the controls (17.4 ± 3.3% and 8.6 ± 2.0%, p = 0.0566). However, bone and connective tissue area fraction were not statistically different between the groups. Overall, despite the higher exposure rate, the new PEG/MET membrane was as successful as a standard collagen membrane in lateral GBR and may have potential use in bone augmentation procedures. This study suggests the feasibility of synthetic membranes, which are not associated with disease transmission, as an attractive alternative to the commonly used CM of bovine or porcine origin.
Location on networks

Facility location analysis deals with the problem of locating one or several facilities with regard to existing facilities and clients in order to optimize some economic criterion. In this survey, we consider specifically the problem of selecting one or several points of a network in order to optimize a function which is distance-dependent with respect to given points of the network. Minisum and minimax problems, where the objectives are to minimize respectively the sum or the maximum of different functions of distances, are reviewed. We also discuss models integrating more economic variables, such as prices, and putting more emphasis on the decision making context, particularly the competitive location models. Discrete models, for which the set of possible locations is finite and which have received the most attention of practionners, are presented as well.
Petra: toward dependable and autonomic networked sensor systems

The recent development of small wireless sensing devices has opened the door for a plethora of new applications. In a typical application, these battery-powered and failure-prone sensor nodes are required to operated autonomously for extended period of time. In this work, we propose analytical models, system-level support, and network protocols that move WSNs forward toward autonomous, dependable, energy efficient, and cost effective WSNs. Our work falls into two major categories. First, we use analytical models to formalize and quantify WSN dependability characteristics, these models allow for the systematic integration of WSN dependability as a primary dimension in the design space of the communication stack protocols and algorithms as well as the deployment problem. Second, we propose a novel structure of the WSN communication stack based on our Sensor Core (Score). In the context of Score, we propose and develop fundamental network services that perform automatic low-level discovery services such as neighbor and topology discovery. Score along with discovery services provide a framework that hosts our protocols and provide them with system-level support to collaborate and coordinate with each other in a cross-layer approach.
The Acts of the Apostles

The Acts of the Apostles presents the amazing story of the early Christian church through the rest of New Testament times. After Jesus was victorious over Satan and returned to heaven, the enemy turned his attention to Jesus' church on earth. Here are thrilling stories of fierce persecutions and unswerving loyalty to God. Peter, Paul, James, John, Luke, Barnabas, Stephen, Mark, and the other early apostles carried the wonderful news of the gospel to all of the then known world. Unwilling to surrender their faith, many gave their lives.
SETS user's manual for vital area analysis. [PWR; BWR]

This manual describes the use of the Set Equation Transformation System (SETS) for vital area analysis. Various techniques are presented for using SETS to solve vital area analysis fault trees. Depending on the input to SETS, the solution to the vital area analysis fault tree can be in terms of vital areas or primary events of the vital area analysis fault tree. The techniques presented are also suitable and efficient for other kinds of common cause analysis.
Gluteus Medius Electromyographic (EMG) Activity and Strength Immediately Following Lumbopelvic High Velocity Thrust Provided by a Novice Clinician

Department of Physical Therapy Abstract. The purpose of this study was to determine the immediate effect of a lumbopelvic high velocity thrust (HVT) on gluteus medius strength when administered by a novice clinician with brief training. Thirty healthy subject's hip abduction strength and EMG activity were assessed at baseline, following a sham (control) intervention, and intervention consisting of a lumbopelvic manipulation (HVT) assigned in random order. These data were analyzed using the independent t-test with a significance level of p < . 05. The results demonstrated no significant difference in gluteus medius strength between the control and manipulation. The results may suggest that a lumbopelvic manipulation, performed by a novice clinician, may not produce therapeutic effects in gluteus medius strength.
Optimum reentry trajectories of a lifting vehicle

The optimum maneuver of a space shuttle vehicle reentering a spherical, stationary, and locally exponential atmosphere was investigated. The use of Chapman's modified variables and a rescaled lift-drag polar leads to the formulation of a set of dimensionless equations of motion for flight analysis. The resulting equations are exact in the sense that they are also valid for flight in the vacuum. For planar flight several typical optimum maneuvers are investigated at different altitude ranges, low, moderate and very high. For three-dimensional flight, the procedure to solve the optimum trajectory for maximum cross range is discussed. Finally, using the equilibrium glide condition the maximum cross ranges for entry from circular speed, for several values of E*, and the footprint for E* = 1.5 are computed in this reduced problem.
Comparative Biomechanics: Life's Physical World

Why do you shift from walking to running at a particular speed? How can we predict transition speeds for animals of different sizes? Why must the flexible elastic of arterial walls behave differently than a rubber tube or balloon? How do leaves manage to expose a broad expanse of surface while suffering only a small fraction of the drag of flags in high winds? The field of biomechanics - how living things move and work - hasn't seen a new general textbook in more than two decades. Here a leading investigator and teacher lays out the key concepts of biomechanics using examples drawn from throughout the plant and animal kingdoms. Up-to-date and comprehensive, this is also the only book to give thorough coverage to both major subfields of biomechanics: fluid and solid mechanics. Steven Vogel explains how biomechanics makes use of models and methods drawn from physics and mechanical engineering to investigate a wide range of general questions - from how animals swim and fly and the modes of terrestrial locomotion to the way organisms respond to wind and water currents and the operation of circulatory and suspension-feeding systems. He looks also at the relationships between the properties of biological materials - spider silk, jellyfish jelly, muscle, and more - and their various structural and functional roles. While written primarily for biology majors and graduate students in biology, this text will be useful for physical scientists and engineers seeking a sense of the state of the art of biomechanics and a guide to its rather scattered literature. For a still wider audience, it establishes the basic biological context for such applied areas as ergonomics, orthopedics, mechanical prosthetics, kinesiology, sports medicine, and biomimetics.