Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Soft-smart robotic end effectors with sensing, actuation, and gripping capabilities

Soft and smart robotic end effectors with integrated sensing, actuation, and gripping capabilities are important for autonomous and intelligent grasping and manipulation of difficult-to-handle and delicate materials. Grasping and actuation are challenging to achieve if using only one opto-mechanical tactile sensor. It is highly desirable to equip these useful sensors with multimodal actuation and gripping functionalities. Current electroadhesive (EA) grippers, however, cannot differentiate object size and shape, nor can they grasp concave or convex objects. In this paper, we present TacEA, an integration of a pneumatically actuated visio-tactile (TacTip) sensor and a stretchable EA pad, resulting in a monolithic soft-smart robotic end effector with concomitant sensing, actuation, and gripping capabilities. This soft composite-materials device delivers the first soft tactile sensor with actuation and gripping capability and the first EA end effector that can sort different 2D object sizes and shapes with one touch, and which can actively grasp flat, concave and convex objects. The soft-smart TacEA is expected to widen the capabilities of current tactile sensors and increase EA end effector use in material handling and in processing and assembly lines.
Maintaining Update Consistency in Replicated Peer-to-Peer Systems

Peer-to-peer (P2P) systems have become a popular medium through which to share huge amounts of data. On the basis of network topology, P2P systems are divided into three types: centralized, structured distribution, and unstructured distribution. Unstructured P2P systems such as Gnutella are novel in the sense that they are extensible and reliable. However, as the number of participating nodes increases, unstructured P2P systems suffer from the high complexity of search operations that have to scan the network to find the required data items. Efficient replication of data items can reduce the complexity, but it introduces another problem of maintaining consistency among replicated data items when each data item could be updated. In this paper, we propose a new update propagation algorithm that propagates an updated data item to all of its replica. The proposed algorithm can reduce the message transfer overhead by adopting the notion of timestamp and hybrid push/pull messaging.
Assessment of the Effectiveness of Ghanaian Micro-Finance Institutions in Promoting Entrepreneurs in Accra Metropolis

Bank of Ghana in 2011 issued Micro Finance Rules and Guidelines with the aim of promoting entrepreneurship activities in micro and small enterprises in Ghana. The study examined the effectiveness of Micro Finance Institutions in promoting entrepreneurs in Accra Metropolis in the period 2011 to 2013. A purposive and simple random sampling technique was employed to draw the sample from the population. Personal interviews and structured questionnaires were used to facilitate the acquisition of relevant data which was used for analysis. Descriptive statistics which involves simple percentage and illustrations was purposefully applied in data presentations and analysis. The research revealed that only a few entrepreneurs had accessed loans from Micro Finance Institutions, due to high interest rates, ignorance of the existence of Micro Finance Institutions as well as lack of trust and confidence in the Micro Finance Institutions. It was concluded that Micro Finance Institutions in Accra Metropolis are less effective in promoting entrepreneurs. The researchers recommended that the Bank of Ghana and Ghana Association of Micro Finance Companies must ensure transparency and integrity in Micro Finance Institutions operations to increase their outreach. In addition, Ghana Association of Micro Finance Companies and its members must enhance public awareness about Micro Finance Institutions operations through various promotional strategies.
Effect of Fibrin on Endothelial Cell Production of Prostacyclin and Tissue Plasminogen Activator

Fibrin formed on endothelial cells has previously been shown to have deleterious effects on the cells. Additionally, substances that cause endothelial cell damage have been reported to Induce cultured endothelial cells to synthesize prostacyclin and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA). The present studies were undertaken to determine whether fibrin formed on cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells would alter synthesis of prostacyclin and t-PA by the cells. Fibrin was found to Increase synthesis of both prostacyclin and t-PA In a dose and time dependent manner. Stimulation of prostacyclin synthesis was completely Inhibited by Indomethacln; partially inhibited by actinomycln D, cyclohexlmide, and trifluoperazine; and not affected by cytochalasln D or vlnblastine. In contrast, stimulation of t-PA synthesis was completely Inhibited by actinomycln D and cyclohexlmide; partially Inhibited by cytochalasln D, vlnblastine, and trtfluoperazlne; and not affected by indomethacin. Fibrin I, formed with Reptilase, caused only slight stimulation of t-PA production, but virtually no stimulation of prostacyclin synthesis. Neither collagen polymerization on the cells nor thrombin added In concentrations that did not Induce fibrin polymer formation stimulated production of either substance. Furthermore, soluble fibrin II generated In the presence of the fibrin polymerization Inhibitor gly-pro-arg-pro also failed to stimulate either prostacyclin or t-PA production. The presence of platelets in the plasma from which the fibrin was formed did not affect the amount of stimulation of the cells. Fibrin-Induced stimulation of endothelial cell production of prostacyclin and t-PA could act to limit vascular occlusion in vivo by Inhibiting platelet function and by stimulating flbrlnolysls via t-PA.
Politics, compromise, text and the failures of the anti-counterfeiting trade agreement

The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (‘ACTA’) was concluded in December 2010 after three years of controversy-plagued negotiations. This plurilateral agreement seeks to set new international standards for the enforcement of intellectual property (‘IP’), and promote global cooperation in that field. Many have questioned the validity of negotiating a plurilateral agreement on IP enforcement. This article does not seek to re-tread that wellworn ground. Instead, the article evaluates the claims made for ACTA by its supporters and proponents. Two key claims are made for ACTA: that it will improve international cooperation in IP enforcement; and that it will enhance the legal framework by establishing a ‘new standard of IP enforcement’. This article seeks to assess these claims seriously, through a careful examination of the ACTA text in context. The picture that emerges is that first, even in areas where the ACTA text appears to be prescriptive, it is less so than first appears owing to the adoption of politically expedient language and, second, that the provisions addressing international cooperation are rudimentary in comparison to other plurilateral enforcement-related treaties such as the Convention on Cybercrime. As a result, ACTA perhaps stands as an object lesson in how not to negotiate an agreement on international cooperation in law enforcement.
Production of Australian normative data for an alternate scoring system for the Visual Reproduction subtest of the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised

Accurate assessment of memory functioning is integral in the framework of comprehensive neuropsychological examination. Knowledge of the integrity of memory functioning contributes to decisions regarding diagnoses, competency, rehabilitation and surgery. The Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised is a frequent memory assessment tool in everyday neuropsychological practice. The present study reports the modification and validation of an alternate scoring system for the Visual Reproduction subtest of the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised and generation of Australian normative data. This test is frequently used in clinical practice and therefore an improved scoring method and collation of locally appropriate normative data forms a significant contribution to knowledge and extension of the evidence base for the practice of clinical neuropsychology. An alternate scoring system for the Visual Reproduction subtest of the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised was previously developed and preliminarily validated in a clinical population by Dowling and Clark (2000). The current research project modified the Alternate Scoring System to improve reliability. Subsequent to its modification, normative data was required to enhance clinical utility in an Australian population. The scoring system was applied to subject responses from a large-scale normative study conducted between 1996 and 1998. The Macquarie University Neuropsychological Normative Study involved 399 Australian adults aged between 18 and 34 years of age and included administration of the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised. As hypothesised, the alternate scoring system generated a similar grading of memory to the original scoring system. Major outcomes of the present study include a substantial literature review to support the development of the alternate scoring system, modification of the alternate scoring system in collaboration with original authors, further validation of the alternate scoring system through comparison with the original scoring system, and production of Australian normative data. Implications of the modified alternate scoring system, together with the normative data produced through the present study, have broadened the clinical applications of the WMS-R Visual Reproduction subtest and provided another tool to guide result interpretation in the assessment of visual memory functioning in an Australian population.
Non-Negative Semi-Supervised Learning

The contributions of this paper are three-fold. First, we present a general formulation for reaping the benefits from both non-negative data factorization and semi-supervised learning, and the solution naturally possesses the characteristics of sparsity, robustness to partial occlusions, and greater discriminating power via extra unlabeled data. Then, an efficient multiplicative updating procedure is proposed along with its theoretic justification of the algorithmic convergency. Finally, the tensorization of this general formulation for non-negative semi-supervised learning is also briefed for handling tensor data of arbitrary order. Extensive experiments compared with the state-of-the-art algorithms for non-negative data factorization and semi-supervised learning demonstrate the algorithmic properties in sparsity, classification power, and robustness to image occlusions.
Distributing Knowledge into Simple Bases

Understanding the behavior of belief change operators for fragments of classical logic has received increasing interest over the last years. Results in this direction are mainly concerned with adapting representation theorems. However, fragment-driven belief change also leads to novel research questions. In this paper we propose the concept of belief distribution, which can be understood as the reverse task of merging. More specifically, we are interested in the following question: given an arbitrary knowledge base $K$ and some merging operator $\Delta$, can we find a profile $E$ and a constraint $\mu$, both from a given fragment of classical logic, such that $\Delta_\mu(E)$ yields a result equivalent to $K$? In other words, we are interested in seeing if $K$ can be distributed into knowledge bases of simpler structure, such that the task of merging allows for a reconstruction of the original knowledge. Our initial results show that merging based on drastic distance allows for an easy distribution of knowledge, while the power of distribution for operators based on Hamming distance relies heavily on the fragment of choice.
Four lab tests to predict intrauterine insemination outcome

J Hum Reprod Sci / Volume 2 / Issue 2 / Jul Dec 2009 He was then referred for ultrasonographic examination, which revealed three mass lesions on the right side of similar echogenicity [Figure 1]. The largest was the normal right testis measuring 2.6 3 1.3 cm whereas the other two masses were considered to be the supernumerary testis, which were located at the lower pole of the testis. They measured 1.1 3 1.0 cm and 1.1 3 0.7 cm, respectively. There was only one epididymis and vas deferens draining the normal testis. The testis and the epididymis on the left side were normal. The left testis measured 4.1 3 1.8 cm. Findings were confirmed on magnetic resonance imaging [Figure 2]. On urine examination, there was evidence of urinary tract infection. The patient was put on appropriate treatment for the same and showed a marked improvement in symptoms at follow-up 1 week later. Four lab tests to predict intrauterine insemination outcome
Malignant melanoma of the ciliary body presenting as extraocular metastasis in the temporalis muscle

We present the case of a 37 y.o. man with a metastatic malignant melanoma of the left temporalis muscle and a left ciliary body melanoma, arising from a melanocytoma. The tumour showed diffuse, satellite choroidal spread, a prominent lymphocytic immune response and perineural invasion. Although the transformation of melanocytoma into malignant melanoma has previously been described, the histology and the clinical presentation in this case are unusual.
Peer Review and Legal Publishing: What Law Librarians Need to Know about Open, Single-Blind, and Double-Blind Reviewing

Legal publishing is changing, and more legal periodicals are requiring that submitted papers undergo peer review using one of three systems: open, single-blind, or double-blind. As the use of peer review in these journals increases, and as the call for law reviews to change their method of article selection grows, our patrons will want to know the difference between the various peer review methods and why a journal's editors might select one method over another. Professor McCormack provides an overview of all three methods, and discusses the future of the peer review process in the publication of articles in legal periodicals.
Coverage-Directed Test Generation Automated by Machine Learning -- A Review

The increasing complexity and size of digital designs, in conjunction with the lack of a potent verification methodology that can effectively cope with this trend, continue to inspire engineers and academics in seeking ways to further automate design verification. In an effort to increase performance and to decrease engineering effort, research has turned to artificial intelligence (AI) techniques for effective solutions. The generation of tests for simulation-based verification can be guided by machine-learning techniques. In fact, recent advances demonstrate that embedding machine-learning (ML) techniques into a coverage-directed test generation (CDG) framework can effectively automate the test generation process, making it more effective and less error-prone. This article reviews some of the most promising approaches in this field, aiming to evaluate the approaches and to further stimulate more directed research in this area.
Validation of a Virtual Arm Model for Movement Control and Rehabilitation

The purpose of this study is to validate a computational model that can be applied to studies of movement control and rehabilitation. A two joint, six muscle, virtual arm (VA) model has been developed in previous work [Song et al. 2008a]. The VA model driven by internal noise of neural control of muscles, i.e. the signal dependent noise (SDN), displays a behavior of kinematic variability that is often observed in human motor performance. In the present study, simulations were carried out to generate variability behaviors of the VA model under open-loop conditions. The hand stiffness was evaluated through a theoretical calculation method. Simulation results were compared to the corresponding behaviors observed in human subjects. It was shown that the shape, magnitude, and orientation of the simulated hand stiffness and variability were consistent with those of experimental measurements cross a range of posture conditions. This general agreement proves that the computational model could be a viable approach to replicating the realistic human motor behaviors. The model could be a useful tool for simulation of motor deficits caused by centrally impaired functions, like Parkinson's disease and stroke, as well as for the development of rehabilitation strategies for these neurological disorders.
The Genetic and Molecular Basis of O-Antigenic Diversity in Burkholderia pseudomallei Lipopolysaccharide

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is one of the most important virulence and antigenic components of Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis. LPS diversity in B. pseudomallei has been described as typical, atypical or rough, based upon banding patterns on SDS-PAGE. Here, we studied the genetic and molecular basis of these phenotypic differences. Bioinformatics was used to determine the diversity of genes known or predicted to be involved in biosynthesis of the O-antigenic moiety of LPS in B. pseudomallei and its near-relative species. Multiplex-PCR assays were developed to target diversity of the O-antigen biosynthesis gene patterns or LPS genotypes in B. pseudomallei populations. We found that the typical LPS genotype (LPS genotype A) was highly prevalent in strains from Thailand and other countries in Southeast Asia, whereas the atypical LPS genotype (LPS genotype B) was most often detected in Australian strains (∼13.8%). In addition, we report a novel LPS ladder pattern, a derivative of the atypical LPS phenotype, associated with an uncommon O-antigen biosynthesis gene cluster that is found in only a small B. pseudomallei sub-population. This new LPS group was designated as genotype B2. We also report natural mutations in the O-antigen biosynthesis genes that potentially cause the rough LPS phenotype. We postulate that the diversity of LPS may correlate with differential immunopathogenicity and virulence among B. pseudomallei strains.
Le dveloppement empirique de la psychothrapie focalise sur le transfert

L’auteur retrace les etapes d’elaboration de la psychotherapie focalisee sur le transfert : choix d’un modele theorique, observation et analyse menee par des therapeutes d’experience, discussions en equipe des difficultes rencontrees relevant tant de la pathologie elle-meme que de la therapie appliquee, cueillette de donnees empiriques pour expliquer autant le trouble de la personnalite que ses racines neurologiques et physiologiques, etc. L’auteur passe aussi en revue les efforts pour en arriver a la redaction d’un manuel sur la psychotherapie focalisee sur le transfert, un manuel repondant aux criteres d’une methode manualisee. Enfin, l’auteur resume les recherches faites pour mesurer l’efficacite psychotherapique de la methode et les possibilites de generalisation.
Molecular and Cellular Pathobiology Epithelial Cell Organization Suppresses Myc Function by Attenuating Myc Expression

c-Myc is an oncogene transcription factor that causes cancer in many settings, including solid tumors that arise in the context of organized tissue structures. Given that disruption of tissue architecture frequently occurs in cancer, there is considerable interest in how cell organization impacts oncogene function. A previous report found that organization of mammary epithelial cells into defined 3-dimensional structures renders them insensitive to the effects of retrovirus-mediated overexpression of Myc, leading to the notion that organization tempers the sensitivity of individual cells toMyc activity. In this article, we report that epithelial cell organization does not profoundly alter Myc activity but, instead, suppresses Myc by modulating its expression. We show that the morphogenesis of mammary epithelial cells into organized acinar structures in vitro is accompanied by widespread changes in gene expression patterns, including a substantial decrease in the expression of Myc. Concomitant with the decrease in endogenous Myc expression, we observe a decrease in transcription from retroviral vectors during morphogenesis and find that Myc transgene expression in acini is much lower than in unorganized cells. This decrease in Myc transgene activity is responsible for the apparent recalcitrance of organized cells to ectopic Myc, as adenovirus-mediated expression of Myc in organized structures potently induces apoptosis. These observations reveal that organization does not alter the inherent response of epithelial cells to Myc and suggest that other tumor suppression mechanisms, apart from structure, antagonize Myc in the development of solid tumors. Cancer Res; 71(11); 3822–30. 2011 AACR.
Reaching Adolescents for Prevention: The Role of Pediatric Emergency Department Health Promotion Advocates

Objectives Almost 200,000 adolescents visit US emergency departments (EDs) yearly for conditions involving underage drinking but receive no follow-up referral. Other health risk behaviors resulting in sexually transmitted infections, car crashes, and assault-related injury are common among adolescents. A pediatric ED (PED) visit presents an opportunity to discuss and promote prevention. We report here on implementation of a new PED navigator/extender role, the Health Promotion Advocate (HPA). Methods Health Promotion Advocates surveyed patients to identify health risks, stresses, and needs. A positive screen triggered a brief conversation containing the following elements: permission to discuss risks/needs; exploration of context (a typical day in your life); brief feedback (information and norms); exploration of benefits and consequences of risk behaviors; assessment of readiness to change; calling up assets, instilling hope; discussing challenges of change; negotiating a menu of options and prescription for change; referrals to primary care, community resources; and treatment services as indicated. Results During 2009-2013, HPAs screened 2149 PED patients aged 14 to 21 years and referred 834 for an array of services (eg, primary care, mental health, insurance, personal safety, human immunodeficiency virus testing, general education diploma (GED), employment, housing, and food pantries) to address reported health risks; 785 screened positive for at-risk substance use (53% female, 36% without primary care). Among them, 636 received a brief intervention; 546 were referred to specialized substance abuse treatment. Two case studies are presented to illustrate the engagement and referral process. Conclusions Health Promotion Advocates working as PED team members can extend PED services beyond the scope of the presenting complaint.
Grid-less Variational Bayesian Inference of Line Spectral Estimation from Quantized Samples

Efficient estimation of line spectral from quantized samples is of vital importance in information theory and signal processing, e.g., channel estimation in energy efficient massive MIMO systems and direction of arrival estimation. The goal of this paper is to recover the line spectral as well as its corresponding parameters such as model order, frequency and amplitudes from heavily quantized samples. To this end, we propose an efficient grid-less Bayesian algorithm named VALSE-EP, which is based on the variational line spectral estimation (VALSE) and expectation propagation (EP). The basic idea of VALSE-EP is to iteratively approximate the challenging quantized model of line spectral estimation as a sequence of simple pseudo unquantized models, so that the VALSE algorithm can be applied. Note that since the noise in the pseudo linear model is heteroscedastic (different components having different variance), a variant of the VALSE is re-derived to obtain the final VALSE-EP. Moreover, to obtain a benchmark performance of the proposed algorithm, the Cram\'{e}r Rao bound (CRB) is derived. Finally, numerical results show that the performance of VALSE-EP is close to the CRB, demonstrating effectiveness of VALSE-EP for line spectral estimation from quantized samples.