Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trajectory Generation of Robot Manipulators Using an Artificial Potential Function and Genetic Algorithms

This work presents the problem of trajectory generation based on the use of artificial potential fields associated to articulated robotic manipulators, in order to find a trajectory so that a manipulator reaches a goal from an initial position without colliding with obstacles within its workspace. The search of a continuous sequence of collision-free configurations between an initial configuration and the final position implies the exploration of a non-linear solution space which can be described and solved with an optimization approach. It does not take into account the use of complex mathematics in an analytical or numerical solution of the inverse kinematics, where are shown manifolds solutions as a result of the angular displacements of each joint of the robot. The genetic algorithm used as strategy, reduces the complexity of the problem, because the geometric connection equations are obtained systematically. In addition, the artificial potential field simulates the attraction and repulsion forces between the goal and the obstacles, where the goal is identified as the global minimum and the obstacles as restricted points. Altogether the potential field and the genetic algorithm generate trajectories for the robot among the obstacles through the design of an appropriate fitness function that effectively drives the manipulator to the desired while avoiding collide with the obstacles.
Genome-Wide Identification of BES1 Gene Family in Six Cucurbitaceae Species and Its Expression Analysis in Cucurbita moschata

The BES1 (BRI1-EMSSUPPRESSOR1) gene family play a vital role in the BR (brassinosteroid) signaling pathway, which is involved in the growth and development, biotic, abiotic, and hormone stress response in many plants. However, there are few reports of BES1 in Cucurbita moschata. In this study, 50 BES1 genes were identified in six Cucurbitaceae species by genome-wide analysis, which could be classified into 3 groups according to their gene structural features and motif compositions, and 13 CmoBES1 genes in Cucurbita moschata were mapped on 10 chromosomes. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that the CmoBES1 genes displayed differential expression under different abiotic stress and hormone treatments. Subcellular localization showed that the most of CmoBES1 proteins localized in nucleus and cytoplasm, and transactivation assay indicated 9 CmoBES1 proteins played roles as transcription factors. Our analysis of BES1s diversity, localization, and expression in Curcubitaceae contributes to the better understanding of the essential roles of these transcription factors in plants.
Wireless and Optical Convergent Access Technologies Toward 6G

The sixth generation of mobile communication (6G) systems is recently rising a lot of interest, introducing new futuristic and challenging use cases that will demand much more than just communications to become a reality. Higher throughput, lower latencies, higher number of connections will push the requirement of the future mobile networks to a new level, but also sensing, positioning and imaging will play an important role in the new foreseen use cases. The integration of techniques developed for wireless communications with those conceived for optical links will be essential to provide the infrastructure for the 6G networks. In this context, this paper presents a review on wireless and optical convergent access solutions towards the 6G systems. The manuscript brings the use cases, requirements and enablers for 6G networks including a discussion about the state-of-the-art on THz and sub-THz communications, wireless and optical convergence, visible light communication, integrated and free-space optics, new antenna designs, power-over-fiber deployments and the use of machine learning in the physical layer of future networks. By reviewing the most relevant contributions available in the literature for wireless and optical communications and presenting their main contributions, this paper clearly shows that, more than a technological trend, the convergence of wireless and optical technologies is a fundamental step towards the development of the 6G network infrastructure.
A Combined Numerical–Experimental Approach for the Critical Hydrogen Diffusion Depth in Steel

Herein, a numerical solution of Fick's second law in one dimension with experimentally determined diffusion coefficients at different constant loads is combined with slow strain rate tensile tests and subsequent fractography on dual‐phase steel. From the latter, the depth of the hydrogen embrittled region is determined and correlated to concentration profiles determined by the numerical model. The concentration profiles indicate that incorporating stress dependency of the diffusion coefficient results in different concentration profiles compared to using a constant diffusivity. Additionally, these allow to more accurately determine a critical local hydrogen concentration based on the total diffusible hydrogen concentration at saturation.
A Note on Distinguishing Random Trees Populations

This article addresses the problem of identifying differences between populations of trees. Recently, a sophisticated test was proposed by Balding et al. (2009), the BFFS test, a Kolmogorov type of test that maximizes the differences between the information of the samples, but it does not have a naive computation, since it involves a search over the set of trees that grows exponentially fast. An algorithm for computing the test statistic was devised in Balding et al. (2009), considering a search for a minimum cut over a transport network in a Ford Fulkerson type routine. The test was shown powerful but complex at the time to apply it in practice. On the contrary, we propose a very simple statistical test based on the distance between empirical mean trees, as an analog of the two sample Z statistic for comparing two means. Despite its simplicity, we can report that the test is quite powerful to separate distributions with different means, but it does not distinguish between different populations with the same means. In that case, the BFFS test should be applied. Nevertheless, on a real data set from proteomics, also discussed on Balding et al. (2009), our test obtained the same results, making it a valuable preliminary evaluation tool for random trees population discrimination.
Planar gradient index photonic metamaterials

Metamaterials operating at optical frequencies, referred to as optical or photonic metamaterials, require features fabricated at a subwavelength scale from 50 nm to 1000nm. In this work a planar gradient index metamaterial is designed and demonstrated at optical frequencies by numerical simulation through a finite-difference time domain method in conjunction with an electromagnetic retrieval technique. We confirm the gradient by simulating the deflection of a light beam passing through a multilayer silver (Ag) and magnesium fluoride (MgF2) slab featured with specially designed nano-rectangular holes. The planar gradient index photonic metamaterials we propose can be fabricated by available nano-fabrication technologies. Optical tests can be performed since the designs are also based on the consideration of the frequency range available for evaluation.
A Text Mining and Statistical Approach for Assessment of Pedagogical Impact of Students’ Evaluation of Teaching and Learning Outcome in Education

Technology-enhanced learning (TEL) is now at the heart of teaching and learning process in many higher education institutions (HEIs). Today, educators are faced with the challenges of pedagogically specifying what tools, methods, and technologies are used to support the teachers and students, and to help maintain/sustain a continuous education and practices. This study shows that there is an opportunity in the use of (educational) datasets derived about the teaching and learning processes to provide insights for fostering the education process. To this effect, it analyzed the students’ evaluation of teaching (SET) dataset ( $n=471968$ ) collected within a higher education setting to determine prominent factors that influences the students’ performance or the way (TEL-based) education is being delivered, including its didactical impact and implications for practice. Theoretically, the study employed a mixed methodology grounded on integration of the Data-structure approach and Descriptive decision theory to study the rationality behind the students’ evaluation of the teaching and performance. This was done through the Textual data quantification (qualitative) and Statistical (quantitative) analysis. Qualitatively, the study applied the Educational Process and Data Mining (EPDM) model (a text mining method) to extract the different sentiments and emotional valence expressed by the students in the SET, and how those characteristically differ based on the period and type of evaluation they have completed (between 2019 to 2021). For the quantitative analysis, the study used a multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) and multiple pairwise comparisons post-hoc tests to analyze the quantified information (average sentiment and emotional valence) extracted from the SET data to determine the marginal means of effect the different SET types and evaluation period have on the students’ learning outcomes/perception about the teaching-learning process. In addition, the study empirically discussed and shed light on the implications of the main findings for TEL-based Education, particularly implemented by the HEI during the analyzed periods. The scholastic indicator from the study shows that while the flexible digital models or instructional methods are effective for continuous education, innovative pedagogies, and teaching transformations. It also, on the other hand, serve as an incentive for more robust research that idiosyncratically look into their implications for the students’ learning outcomes and assessment done in this study.
Monitoring urban impervious surface area change using China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellites and HJ-1 remote sensing images

Abstract Impervious surface area (ISA) plays an important role in monitoring urbanization and related environmental changes, and has become a hotspot in urban and environmental studies. Xuzhou City, located in northwest Jiangsu Province, China, is chosen as the study area, and two scenes of China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellites images and one scene of HJ-1 image are employed to estimate ISA percentage and analyze the change trend from 2001 to 2009. Using a linear spectral mixture model (LSMM) and nonlinear backpropagation neural network (BPNN) method, all pixels are decomposed to derive four fraction images representing the abundance of four endmembers: vegetation, high-albedo objects, low-albedo objects, and soil. The ISA percentage is then derived by the combination of high- and low-albedo fraction images after removing the influence of water. Some high spatial resolution images are selected to validate the ISA estimation results, and the experimental results indicate that the accuracy of BPNN is higher than LSMM. By comparing the urban ISA abundances derived by BPNN from three dates, it is found that the ISA of Xuzhou City has increased rapidly from 2001 to 2009, especially in the northeast and southeast regions, corresponding to the urban planning scheme and fast urbanization. Compared to other medium remote sensing images, the revisit cycle of HJ-1 multispectral image is only two days, demonstrating the potential of such data for ISA extraction in urbanization, disaster, and other related applications.
Enhanced Solubility and Biological Activity of Dexibuprofen-Loaded Silica-Based Ternary Solid Dispersions

The current study was designed to formulate ternary solid dispersions (TSDs) of dexibuprofen (Dex) by solvent evaporation to augment the solubility and dissolution profile, in turn providing gastric protection and effective anti-inflammatory activity. Initially, nine formulations (S1 to S9) of binary solid dispersions (BSDs) were developed. Formulation S1 comprising a 1:1 weight ratio of Dex and Syloid 244FP® was chosen as the optimum BSD formulation due to its better solubility profile. Afterward, 20 TSD formulations were developed using the optimum BSD. The formulation containing Syloid 244FP® with 40% Gelucire 48/16® (S18) and Poloxamer 188® (S23) successfully enhanced the solubility by 28.23 and 38.02 times, respectively, in pH 6.8, while dissolution was increased by 1.99- and 2.01-fold during the first 5 min as compared to pure drug. The in vivo gastroprotective study in rats suggested that the average gastric lesion index was in the order of pure Dex (8.33 ± 2.02) > S1 (7 ± 1.32) > S18 (2.17 ± 1.61) > S23 (1.83 ± 1.04) > control (0). The in vivo anti-inflammatory study in rats revealed that the percentage inhibition of swelling was in the order of S23 (71.47 ± 2.16) > S18 (64.8 ± 3.79) > S1 (54.14 ± 6.78) > pure drug (18.43 ± 2.21) > control (1.18 ± 0.64) after 6 h. ELISA results further confirmed the anti-inflammatory potential of the developed formulation, where low levels of IL-6 and TNF alpha were reported for animals treated with S23. Therefore, S23 could be considered an effective formulation that not only enhanced the solubility and bioavailability but also reduced the gastric irritation of Dex.
Phase Transition of a Bethe Lattice Gas of Hard Molecules

A pseudo‐lattice, or homogeneous Husimi tree, is simpler statistically than a true lattice in two or three dimensions, since the pseudo‐lattice contains only low‐order cycles. The prototype is the ``Bethe lattice,'' or Cayley tree, containing no cycles at all. Reported here are the results of studies of the lattice statistics of the Bethe lattice of coordination number three, using the language of the hard molecule lattice gas; the size of an adsorbed molecule prevents simultaneous occupancy of the same site or any of the three nearest‐neighbor sites. Using methods related to those used in enumerating graphs, a recursion relation is obtained which must be satisfied by the grand partition function. It is shown that the resulting equation of state is not the quasi‐chemical equation expected because of the absence of cycles. There is no phase transition of lower than third order and in all likelihood none at all. The quasi‐chemical equation of state is obtained only if ``surface'' effects are eliminated; eve.
Multiple coinfections and Guillain Barré syndrome following outdoor travel to the American Northeast

Abstract A 66-year-old immunocompetent man with preceding travel through the Northeastern United States developed Guillain-Barré syndrome. A broad search for infections revealed intraerythrocytic parasites on blood smear and positive polymerase chain reaction for Babesia microti; elevated IgM/IgG serologies for Ehrlichia chaffeensis; elevated IgM/IgG serologies and qualitative polymerase chain reaction for Epstein-Barr virus; and fecal culture growth of Arcobacter butzleri. In this report, we discuss the known or suspected association of these infectious agents with Guillain-Barré syndrome. This case also highlights the importance, in the setting of endemic exposure, of screening for multiple coinfections that can be transmitted by the same arthropod vector.
Eddy-current probe impedance due to a surface slot in a conductor

A computational model has been developed for the simulation of eddy-current nondestructive testing. The electric field produced by a probe in the absence of the flaw is determined; then the field induced at the flaw is found. These field calculations are based on volume integral techniques requiring only the region of the scatterer to be discretized. Boundary conditions at infinity and interface conditions at the surface of the conductor are built into the Green's function kernels, thus ensuring that the scattered field satisfies these conditions. The discrete equations are formed using the method of moments and solved using conjugate gradient methods. The proposed model was applied to the calculation of the interaction of two ferrite core eddy-current probes with five simulated EDM notches in a material of conductivity 1.2% IACS, at a frequency of 2 MHz. The results obtained confirm the validity of the proposed method. >
Stationary equilibria of self-gravitating quasineutral dusty plasmas

Self-consistent stationary equilibrium states of a quasineutral, self-gravitating dusty plasma have been investigated by avoiding the usual “Jeans swindle” assumption. The analysis has been carried out for the Cartesian one-dimensional, cylindrical, as well as spherical symmetric cases. It is shown that allowed equilibria permit steady but inhomogeneous dust flows governed by a nonlinear differential equation, which has a singularity at the dust-acoustic speed. The qualitative nature of the admissible solutions of the latter equation have been discussed. The corresponding results for the case of a self-gravitating neutral fluid have also been pointed out.
Evolutionary dynamics of respiratory syncytial virus in Buenos Aires: Viral diversity, migration, and subgroup replacement

Abstract Globally, the human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the major causes of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in children. The scarcity of complete genome data limits our understanding of RSV spatiotemporal distribution, evolution, and viral variant emergence. Nasopharyngeal samples collected from hospitalized pediatric patients from Buenos Aires tested positive for RSV LRTI during four consecutive outbreaks (2014–2017) were randomly subsampled for RSV complete genome sequencing. Phylodynamic studies and viral population characterization of genomic variability, diversity, and migration of viruses to and from Argentina during the study period were performed. Our sequencing effort resulted in one of the largest collections of RSV genomes from a given location (141 RSV-A and 135 RSV-B) published so far. RSV-B was dominant during the 2014–2016 outbreaks (60 per cent of cases) but was abruptly replaced by RSV-A in 2017, with RSV-A accounting for 90 per cent of sequenced samples. A significant decrease in RSV genomic diversity—represented by both a reduction in genetic lineages detected and the predominance of viral variants defined by signature amino acids—was observed in Buenos Aires in 2016, the year prior to the RSV subgroup predominance replacement. Multiple introductions to Buenos Aires were detected, some with persistent detection over seasons, and also, RSV was observed to migrate from Buenos Aires to other countries. Our results suggest that the decrease in viral diversity may have allowed the dramatic predominance switch from RSV-B to RSV-A in 2017. The immune pressure generated against circulating viruses with limited diversity during a given outbreak may have created a fertile ground for an antigenically divergent RSV variant to be introduced and successfully spread in the subsequent outbreak. Overall, our RSV genomic analysis of intra- and inter-outbreak diversity provides an opportunity to better understand the epochal evolutionary dynamics of RSV.
Localized Photoactuation of Polymer Pens for Nanolithography

Localized actuation is an important goal of nanotechnology broadly impacting applications such as programmable materials, soft robotics, and nanolithography. Despite significant recent advances, actuation with high temporal and spatial resolution remains challenging to achieve. Herein, we demonstrate strongly localized photoactuation of polymer pens made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and surface-functionalized short carbon nanotubes based on a fundamental understanding of the nanocomposite chemistry and device innovations in directing intense light with digital micromirrors to microscale domains. We show that local illumination can drive a small group of pens (3 × 3 over 170 μm × 170 μm) within a massively two-dimensional array to attain an out-of-plane motion by more than 7 μm for active molecular printing. The observed effect marks a striking three-order-of-magnitude improvement over the state of the art and suggests new opportunities for active actuation.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Psychosocial Well-being and Adaptation in Children and Adolescents with Asperger’s Syndrome

Mental health could worsen in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, their parents could be more at risk for an increase in anxiety and depression symptomatology. This study aims to understand the adaptation and the psychosocial well-being in a sample of 16 males aged 10–21 years old with Asperger’s syndrome after the quarantine for COVID-19 when they return to school and partially to their activities in September 2020. The adopted approach is multi-informant with a battery of questionnaires on psychological health and adaptation given by a secure online web data Qualtrics both to adolescents and also to their parents. Paralleling matched peers with typical developments were assessed by adopting the same methodology. The results evidenced several difficulties in psychological health in population with Asperger’s syndrome, especially in anxiety and socialization. Adaptation is put in crisis, even if they reported a good comprehension and adoption of the right behaviors anti-COVID-19. Parents of children with Asperger’s syndrome reported similar psychological difficulties and general health to those of the group of children typically developing. Some clinical indications could be discussed for psychologists who follow children and adolescents with Asperger’s syndrome.
Qualitative Conceptual Content Analysis of COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Error Inquiries

The launch of the COVID-19 vaccination program was the largest vaccination campaign in U.S. history, with an unprecedented demand for vaccine and new vaccination providers, warranting significant education and communication efforts. NIP-INFO (nipinfo@cdc.gov) is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) immunization inquiry response service, and it receives inquiries for COVID-19 and routine non-COVID vaccines. A qualitative analysis of NIP-INFO’s content was performed to better characterize and understand some of the knowledge gaps and reasons that COVID-19 vaccine administration errors occur. A total of 734 COVID-19 vaccine administration error inquiries were received between January 2021 and April 2022. The most frequent inquiries related to storage (n = 191; 26.0%), incorrect dosage or product (n = 190; 25.9%), unauthorized age group (n = 108; 14.7%), and schedule (n = 105; 14.3%). Training and communication strategies are imperative to ensure proper vaccine administration and build and maintain vaccine confidence.