Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Some notes on locomotion at low and intermediate Reynolds numbers

Assumption: The body shape relative to the body frame is a given function of time B0(t). We call this the standard shape. The current body shape B(t) is obtained under a translation and rotation of the body frame. The latter is defined by a positional matrix. To say that locomotion has occurred at time t means we have realized at time t a nonzero translation. Example: steady locomotion in two dimensions. Let (xp, yp) be a point on the standard shape at time t. Let the positional matrix may then be written
Development and control of dolphin-like underwater vehicle

This paper is concerned with prototype development and motion control of a dolphin-like underwater robot. The propulsion and maneuvering of the robotic dolphin are realized with the flapping motion of the mechanical flippers and the combined heaving and pitching motions of the fluke. Mechanical design and control of the flipper apparatus and the flexible tail mechanism are presented. Through coordinated control of the propulsors, several swimming movements are designed. Preliminary experimental results verify the effectiveness of the proposed design scheme.
Table Look-Up MOSFET Modeling System Using a 2-D Device Simulator and Monotonic Piecewise Cubic Interpolation

This paper describes a method for connecting an MOSFET 2-D device simulator to a circuit simulator via a 3-D table look-up MOSFET model. The computational cost of the device simulator is drastically reduced by a proposed monotonic piecewise cubic interpolation technique. With this technique, the device simulator needs to calculate only 100 ~ 200 points to make up an accurate 3-D table look-up MOSFET model. The computational time necessary for the interpolation is only about one third of the time for calculating one current point by the device simulator.
Development of temperature prediction model for rubber caster wheels using finite elements

Caster wheels made with rubber rings fail during dynamic loading as a result of heat buildup. Temperature inside caster wheel increase gradually due to hysteresis effect of rubber material. Therefore, dynamically testing of rubber caster wheels is critical to evaluate new designs for their successful application. In such tests, caster wheels are rotated on a drum under a predetermined load and speed to evaluate their performance. Alternatively, this paper proposes a temperature prediction model to forecast the failure of the wheel using numerical approach. The objectives were to evaluate the temperature development inside the wheel using finite elements. In this pursuit, temperature inside several caster wheels were measured during dynamic tests. Based on the logged temperature data and raw material tests, finite element simulation of caster wheels was performed. Simulations were carried out in three steps; at first structural simulation, followed by determination of energy conversion factors and finally thermal simulation. The predicted temperature profiles and test data were closely matching with a R2 of 0.9, which eliminates the requirement for iterative dynamic tests. However, further work is needed to predict the failures of caster wheels based on developed model.
Learning from Gymnotiform swimmers - Design and Implementation of Robotic Knifefish NkF-II

Gymnotiform swimmer uses single undulating anal fin below the rigid body as the propulsor. This special morphological structure is generally thought to have advantages in reducing the friction drag in undulatory movements. The finned body form and the undulatory swimming gait give the inspiration to the design of underwater robot. We have developed a robotic fish (Nanyang KnifeFish, NKF-I), which learns from a Gymnotiform swimmer: Black Ghost Knifefish. A new version of biomimetic robotic fish (NKF-II) is presented in this paper. To mimic the actual flexible fin of real fish, an optimized fin-like propulsion mechanism is modelled with a series of connecting linkages for enhancing its propulsive performance. Workspace of the proposed mechanism is studied and optimized. Swimming motion function is also established for the planning of the undulatory gait movement. The manoeuvrability and buoyancy control has also been achieved by the integration of mechatronics design of a buoyancy module with the undulating fin. The design philosophy of modularity has also been incorporated into the design of the fish. Hence, the modularity of the prototypes not only provides versatility for the robot system and also facilitates in the maintenance and future development of fish with undulating fins/body, as new modules can be added to replace the existing modules easily. By reconfiguring the components of NKF-II, other version of robotic fish with undulating fins/body is derived. This evolution of the undulating fins is also discussed.
Systematic Review of Premenstrual, Postmenstrual and Infertility Disorders of Vitex Agnus Castus

Introduction Vitex agnus-castus, also called vitex is aboriginal to the Mediterranean region, with long leaves, tender stem, flowers and ripening seeds. The aim of this study was to overview premenstrual, postmenstrual and infertility disorder of Vitex agnus-castus. Methods This review article was carried out by searching studies in PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, and IranMedex databases. The initial search strategy identified about 87 references. In this study, 43 studies were accepted for further screening, and met all our inclusion criteria (in English, full text, therapeutic effects of Vitex agnus-castus and dated mainly from the year 2009 to 2016). The search terms were Vitex agnus-castus, premenstrual, postmenstrual, infertility disorder properties and pharmacological effects. Result Vitex agnus-castus was shown to contribute to the treatment of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Moreover, the result of the present study showed that this valuable plant is helpful in alleviation of pain resulting from postmenstrual disease. Furthermore, it was found that Vitex agnus-castus is beneficial in infertility disorder. Conclusion Vitex agnus-castus (AC) is a phytopharmaceutical compound and is shown to be widely used to treat PMS and PMDD. In addition, it was shown to be beneficial in post-menstrual cases and it can also contribute to treatment of infertility cases in both men and women. Dopaminergic compounds available in this plant help to treat premenstrual mastodynia as well as other symptoms of the premenstrual syndrome.
Quantitative aspects of speed-up and gap phenomena

We show that, for any abstract complexity measure in the sense of Blum and for any computable function f (or computable operator F), the class of problems that are f-speedable (or F-speedable) does not have effective measure 0. On the other hand, for sufficiently fast growing f (or F), the class of non-speedable computable problems does not have effective measure 0. These results answer some questions raised by Calude and Zimand. We also give a quantitative analysis of Borodin and Trakhtenbrot's Gap Theorem, which corrects a claim by Calude and Zimand.
Behavioral and psychological symptoms associated with dementia subtype and severity

ABSTRACT Background: There is a growing body of research exploring differences in behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD), yet these differences are inconsistent and it is uncertain whether this inconsistency might be due to the confounding effect of differing severities of dementia. Methods: BPSD, measured with the Behavior Problems Check List (BPCL) and Revised Memory and Behavior Problems Check List (RMBPCL) and CDR-measured severity of dementia were examined using archival data of individuals with AD (N = 377) or VaD (including multi-infarct and other vascular causes; N = 74) presenting to a Sydney memory disorders clinic over a 20-year period. Results: There was no significant difference in scores for AD and VaD patients on the BPCL or on the RMBPCL when controlling for sex and severity of dementia. However, severity of BPSD increased with increasing severity of dementia. Conclusions: BPSD severity is no different in AD and VaD at the time of initial assessment in a memory disorders clinic population of mild to moderate dementia. However, BPSD increases with severity of dementia in this group.
Genome‐wide association study of iron traits and relation to diabetes in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL): potential genomic intersection of iron and glucose regulation?

&NA; Genetic variants contribute to normal variation of iron‐related traits and may also cause clinical syndromes of iron deficiency or excess. Iron overload and deficiency can adversely affect human health. For example, elevated iron storage is associated with increased diabetes risk, although mechanisms are still being investigated. We conducted the first genome‐wide association study of serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation, and ferritin in a Hispanic/Latino cohort, the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (>12 000 participants) and also assessed the generalization of previously known loci to this population. We then evaluated whether iron‐associated variants were associated with diabetes and glycemic traits. We found evidence for a novel association between TIBC and a variant near the gene for protein phosphatase 1, regulatory subunit 3B (PPP1R3B; rs4841132, &bgr; = −0.116, P = 7.44 × 10−8). The effect strengthened when iron deficient individuals were excluded (&bgr; = −0.121, P = 4.78 × 10−9). Ten of sixteen variants previously associated with iron traits generalized to HCHS/SOL, including variants at the transferrin (TF), hemochromatosis (HFE), fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS2)/myelin regulatory factor (MYRF), transmembrane protease, serine 6 (TMPRSS6), transferrin receptor (TFR2), N‐acetyltransferase 2 (arylamine N‐acetyltransferase) (NAT2), ABO blood group (ABO), and GRB2 associated binding protein 3 (GAB3) loci. In examining iron variant associations with glucose homeostasis, an iron‐raising variant of TMPRSS6 was associated with lower HbA1c levels (P = 8.66 × 10−10). This association was attenuated upon adjustment for iron measures. In contrast, the iron‐raising allele of PPP1R3B was associated with higher levels of fasting glucose (P = 7.70 × 10−7) and fasting insulin (P = 4.79 × 10−6), but these associations were not attenuated upon adjustment for TIBC—so iron is not likely a mediator. These results provide new genetic information on iron traits and their connection with glucose homeostasis.
Wave: A tutorial

Intelligent transportation systems have been under development since at least the early 1990s. The rationale behind the concept is to automate the interactions among vehicles and infrastructure to achieve high levels of security, comfort, and efficiency. Communications, in general, and networking, in particular, have been essential elements in the evolution of these systems. The IEEE has developed a system architecture known as WAVE to provide wireless access in vehicular environments. This article gives an overview of the associated standards. The presentation loosely follows the order of the layers of the open systems interconnection model.
Refining the Automatic Identification of Conceptual Relations in Large-scale Corpora

In the ACRONYM Project, we have taken the Firthian view (e.g. Firth 1957) that context is part of the meaning of the word, and measured similarity of meaning between words through second-order collocation. Using large-scale, free text corpora of UK journalism, we have generated collocational data for all words except for highfrequency grammatical words, and have found that semantically related word pairings can be identified, whilst syntactic relations are disfavoured. We have then moved on to refine this system, to deal with multi-word terms and identify changing conceptual relationships across time. The system, conceived in the late 80's and developed in 1994-97, differs from others of the 90's in purpose, scope, methodology and results, and comparisons will be drawn in the course of the paper.
A Theoretical Model of Axon Guidance by the Robo Code

After crossing the midline, different populations of commissural axons in Drosophila target specific longitudinal pathways at different distances from the midline. It has recently been shown that this choice of lateral position is governed by the particular combination of Robo receptors expressed by these axons, presumably in response to a gradient of Slit released by the midline. Here we propose a simple theoretical model of this combinatorial coding scheme. The principal results of the model are that purely quantitative rather than qualitative differences between the different Robo receptors are sufficient to account for the effects observed following removal or ectopic expression of specific Robo receptors, and that the steepness of the Slit gradient in vivo must exceed a certain minimum for the results observed experimentally to be consistent.
ESNOQ, Proteomic Quantification of Endogenous S-Nitrosation

S-nitrosation is a post-translational protein modification and is one of the most important mechanisms of NO signaling. Endogenous S-nitrosothiol (SNO) quantification is a challenge for detailed functional studies. Here we developed an ESNOQ (Endogenous SNO Quantification) method which combines the stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) technique with the detergent-free biotin-switch assay and LC-MS/MS. After confirming the accuracy of quantification in this method, we obtained an endogenous S-nitrosation proteome for LPS/IFN-γ induced RAW264.7 cells. 27 S-nitrosated protein targets were confirmed and using our method we were able to obtain quantitative information on the level of S-nitrosation on each modified Cys. With this quantitative information, over 15 more S-nitrosated targets were identified than in previous studies. Based on the quantification results, we found that the S-nitrosation levels of different cysteines varied within one protein, providing direct evidence for differences in the sensitivity of cysteine residues to reactive nitrosative stress and that S-nitrosation is a site-specific modification. Gene ontology clustering shows that S-nitrosation targets in the LPS/IFN-γ induced RAW264.7 cell model were functionally enriched in protein translation and glycolysis, suggesting that S-nitrosation may function by regulating multiple pathways. The ESNOQ method described here thus provides a solution for quantification of multiple endogenous S-nitrosation events, and makes it possible to elucidate the network of relationships between endogenous S-nitrosation targets involved in different cellular processes.
Prevalence and correlates of eating disorders in adolescents. Results from the national comorbidity survey replication adolescent supplement.

CONTEXT Eating disorders are severe conditions, but little is known about the prevalence or correlates of these disorders from population-based surveys of adolescents. OBJECTIVES To examine the prevalence and correlates of eating disorders in a large, reprefentative sample of US adolescents. DESIGN Cross-sectional survey of adolescents with face-to-face interviews using a modified version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. SETTING Combined household and school adolescent samples. PARTICIPANTS Nationally representative sample of 10,123 adolescents aged 13 to 18 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Prevalence and correlates of eating disorders and subthreshold conditions. RESULTS Lifetime prevalence estimates of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder were 0.3%, 0.9%, and 1.6%, respectively. Important differences were observed between eating disorder subtypes concerning sociodemographic correlates, psychiatric comorbidity, role impairment, and suicidality. Although the majority of adolescents with an eating disorder sought some form of treatment, only a minority received treatment specifically for their eating or weight problems. Analyses of 2 related subthreshold conditions suggest that these conditions are often clinically significant. CONCLUSIONS Eating disorders and subthreshold eating conditions are prevalent in the general adolescent population. Their impact is demonstrated by generally strong associations with other psychiatric disorders, role impairment, and suicidality. The unmet treatment needs in the adolescent population place these disorders as important public health concerns.
Micro Electro Discharge Machining of Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)/Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube (MWCNT) Nanocomposites

This study investigated micro electro discharge machining (micro-EDM) of Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)/Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposites. PMMA/MWCNT nanocomposites were fabricated using solution casting, in which MWCNTs were dispersed in the polymer-solvent solution via high energy sonication, followed by precipitation and hot pressing. MWCNT loading was varied to investigate the effect of electrical conductivity of nanocomposites on the machinability. Micron-size holes were created to study the material removal mechanism in micro-EDM. The electro discharge phenomena may occur between electrically conductive MWCNT and the tungsten electrode during the process. As a result, PMMA/MWCNT nanocomposite samples with 10 to 35 wt% MWNTs were able to be EDMed with proper machining conditions. It was observed that the material removal rate increases with increasing micro-EDM supply voltage and MWCNT loading on the material system. Both optical microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to investigate the characteristics of the machined holes and nanocomposite surfaces.
Molecules and Mechanisms Implicated in the Peculiar Antigenic Activation Process of Human Vγ9Vδ2 T Cells

In human beings, as well as in most non-human primates, the major peripheral γδ T cell subset, which accounts several percent of the whole lymphoid cells pool in adults, carries an heterodimeric TCR composed of Vγ9 and Vδ2 chains. Vγ9Vδ2 T cells are specifically and strongly activated by small organic pyrophosphate molecules termed phosphoantigens (phosphoAg). These low molecular weight compounds are metabolites that are produced by either microbes or endogenously, as intermediates of the mammalian mevalonate pathway, and can accumulate intracellularly during cell stress like transformation or infection. Despite the characterization of numerous natural and synthetic phosphoAg, the mechanism(s) underlying the unique and specific antigenic activation process induced by these compounds remains poorly understood. Activation is both TCR- and cell-to-cell contact-dependent, and results of previous studies have also strongly suggested a key contribution of membrane-associated molecules of primate origin expressed on target cells. The recent identification of B7-related butyrophilin (BTN) molecules CD277/BTN3A, and more precisely their BTN3A1 isoforms, as mandatory molecules in the phosphoAg-induced recognition of target cells by Vγ9Vδ2 T cells opens important opportunities for research and applications in this field. Here, we review the unusual and complex antigenic reactivity of human Vγ9Vδ2 T cells. We highlight the recent advances in our understanding of this process, and propose a model that integrates the type I glycoprotein BTN3A1 and its intracellular B30.2 domain as a physical intermediate implicated in the detection of dysregulated intracellular levels of phosphoAg and the sensing of cell stress by Vγ9Vδ2T cells. A better understanding of this mechanism will help optimize novel immunotherapeutical approaches that utilize the unique functional potential of this major γδ T cell subset.
Genomic signatures of evolution in Nautilus—An endangered living fossil

Living fossils are survivors of previously more diverse lineages that originated millions of years ago and persisted with little morphological change. Therefore, living fossils are model organisms to study both long‐term and ongoing adaptation and speciation processes. However, many aspects of living fossil evolution and their persistence in the modern world remain unclear. Here, we investigate three major aspects of the evolutionary history of living fossils: cryptic speciation, population genetics and effective population sizes, using members of the genera Nautilus and Allonautilus as classic examples of true living fossils. For this, we analysed genomewide ddRAD‐Seq data for all six currently recognized nautiloid species throughout their distribution range. Our analyses identified three major allopatric Nautilus clades: a South Pacific clade, subdivided into three subclades with no signs of admixture between them; a Coral Sea clade, consisting of two genetically distinct populations with significant admixture; and a widespread Indo‐Pacific clade, devoid of significant genetic substructure. Within these major clades, we detected five Nautilus groups, which likely correspond to five distinct species. With the exception of Nautilus macromphalus, all previously described species are at odds with genomewide data, testifying to the prevalence of cryptic species among living fossils. Detailed FST analyses further revealed significant genome‐wide and locus‐specific signatures of selection between species and differentiated populations, which is demonstrated here for the first time in a living fossil. Finally, approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) simulations suggest large effective population sizes, which may explain the low levels of population differentiation commonly observed in living fossils.
Development of EPDM nanocomposites in presence of compatibiliser

The most significant factor, which prescribes the enhancement of properties in rubber by the incorporation of nanoclay, is its distribution in the rubber matrix. The study deals with the utilisation of epoxidised natural rubber (ENR) as a polar compatibiliser to achieve better dispersion of nanoclay in non‐polar polymer matrix. Epoxidised natural rubber–nanoclay composites (EC) were prepared by solution mixing. The obtained nanocomposites were incorporated in ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM) with sulphur as a curing agent. The morphological studies proved the intercalation of nanoclay in ENR, and further incorporation of EC in EPDM matrix leads to exfoliation of nanoclay. Curing study demonstrated faster scorch time, cure time and increase in maximum torque for the nanoclay loaded EPDM compounds compared to pure one. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis showed increase in storage modulus and lesser damping characteristics for the compounds containing nanoclay loading in EPDM matrix followed by substantial improvement in the overall mechanical properties.