Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Swarm of robots flocking via the null-space-based behavioral control

In this paper the problem of flocking together multiple robots is considered. The capability of grouping the robots is achieved resorting to a behavior-based approach, namely the Null-Space-based Behavioral (NSB) control. In this framework, the assigned mission is accomplished by defining very simple behaviors for each robot and properly arranging them in priority. In particular, flocking is pursued in a decentralized manner, i.e., the elementary behaviors of each robot are defined so they only need local information concerning robot's neighbors. To test the performance of the method, the flocking behavior is analyzed in different cases, namely, in presence of a static/moving rendezvous point, changing the size of the team and in presence/absence of measurement noise. Extensive simulations prove the effectiveness of the proposed technique.
Attitude of Muslim Consumers Toward Sex Appeal in Advertising: A Comparative Study Between Subcultures in Malaysia

This research was designed in order to explore the subculture differences in Malaysian consumers’ responses to sex appeal advertising. This study employs a 2 × 2 × 2 full factorial between subjects design. There are two levels of model gender (male/female), two levels of sex appeal (high/low), and two levels of religion of the subjects (Muslim/non-Muslim). When comparing Muslims and non-Muslims in the responses to the ads, it was generally found that Muslim subjects’ attitudes were significantly lower than non-Muslims attitudes toward the same ads. Future research should adopt a more representative sample and test different product categories.
A Switch-Tagged Routing Methodology for PC Clusters with VLAN Ethernet

Ethernet has been used for connecting hosts in PC clusters, besides its use in local area networks. Although a layer-2 Ethernet topology is limited to a tree structure because of the need to avoid broadcast storms and deadlocks of frames, various deadlock-free routing algorithms on topologies that include loops suitable for parallel processing can be employed by the application of IEEE 802.1Q VLAN technology. However, the MPI communication libraries used in current PC clusters do not always support tagged VLAN technology; therefore, at present, the design of VLAN-based Ethernet cannot be applied to such PC clusters. In this study, we propose a switch-tagged routing methodology in order to implement various deadlock-free routing algorithms on such PC clusters by using at most the same number of VLANs as the degree of a switch. Since the MPI communication libraries do not need to perform VLAN operations, the proposed methodology has advantages in both simple host configuration and high portability. In addition, when it is used with on/off and multispeed link regulation, the power consumption of Ethernet switches can be reduced. Evaluation results using NAS parallel benchmarks showed that the performance of the topologies that include loops using the proposed methodology was comparable to that of an ideal one-switch (full crossbar) network, and the torus topology in particular had up to a 27 percent performance improvement compared with a tree topology with link aggregation.
Systematic Review of the Benefits of Physical Therapy Within a Multidisciplinary Care Approach for People With Schizophrenia

Background Although schizophrenia is the fifth leading cause of disability-adjusted life years worldwide in people aged 15 to 44 years, the clinical evidence of physical therapy as a complementary treatment remains largely unknown. Purpose The purpose of this study was to systematically review randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effectiveness of physical therapy for people with schizophrenia. Data Sources EMBASE, PsycINFO, PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), and the Cochrane Library were searched from their inception until July 1, 2011, for relevant RCTs. In addition, manual search strategies were used. Study Selection Two reviewers independently determined study eligibility on the basis of inclusion criteria. Data Extraction Reviewers rated study quality and extracted information about study methods, design, intervention, and results. Data Synthesis Ten RCTs met all selection criteria; 6 of these studies addressed the use of aerobic and strength exercises. In 2 of these studies, yoga techniques also were investigated. Four studies addressed the use of progressive muscle relaxation. There is evidence that aerobic and strength exercises and yoga reduce psychiatric symptoms, state anxiety, and psychological distress and improve health-related quality of life, that aerobic exercise improves short-term memory, and that progressive muscle relaxation reduces state anxiety and psychological distress. Limitations The heterogeneity of the interventions and the small sample sizes of the included studies limit overall conclusions and highlight the need for further research. Conclusions Physical therapy offers added value in the multidisciplinary care of people with schizophrenia.
Buddhist Approaches to Addiction Recovery

The Buddha recognized addiction problems and advised his followers accordingly, although this was not the primary focus of his teachings. Thailand and Japan, which have long-standing Buddhist traditions, have developed Buddhist influenced responses to addiction. With its emphasis on craving and attachment, an understanding of the workings of the mind, as well as practices to work with the mind, Buddhism lends itself as a rich resource to assist addiction recovery. The twelve step movement has been an impetus to making use of ideas and practices from Buddhism. In particular, mindfulness, has started to be used to support addiction recovery, with promising results. Exploration of other areas of Buddhism is beginning, and may provide additional benefit in the future.
Spatial Frontiers and Neo-communitarian Identities in the City: The Case of Santiago de Chile

This article analyses the different, yet similar, processes of identity-building used by poor and middle-income inhabitants of Santiago, Chile. It is suggested that these identity-building processes express the current type of urban segregation in this city and point to a weakening of the previously predominant model, which was based on the acceptance of social differences and daily exchanges between these sectors. Additionally, it is contended that the notion of `public space' and values, such as (political) citizenship and social integration, have weakened. Paradoxically, this `new' urban segregation has paved the way for a practice of neo-communitarian lifestyles, which supposedly reinforce the value of `us' and protect this `us' from the danger posed by `them'.
Neuroprotective effects of various doses of topiramate against methylphenidate induced oxidative stress and inflammation in rat isolated hippocampus

Methylphenidate (MPH) abuse causes neurodegeneration. The neuroprotective effects of topiramate (TPM) have been reported but its putative mechanism remains unclear. The current study evaluates the role of various doses of TPM on protection of rat hippocampal cells from MPH‐induced oxidative stress and inflammation in vivo. Seventy adult male rats were divided into six groups. Group 1 received normal saline (0.7 mL/rat) and group 2 was injected with MPH (10 mg/kg) for 21 days. Groups 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 concurrently were treated by MPH (10 mg/kg) and TPM (10, 30, 50, 70 and 100 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.)), respectively for 21 days. After drug administration, the open field test (OFT) was used to investigate motor activity. Oxidative, antioxidant and inflammatory factors were measured in isolated hippocampus. Also, the brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level was measured by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and Western blotting. Cresyl violet staining of Dentate Gyrus (DG) and CA1 cell layers of the hippocampus were also performed. MPH significantly disturbs motor activity in OFT and TPM (70 and 100 mg/kg) decreased this disturbance. Also MPH significantly increased lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial reduced state of glutathione (GSH) level, interleukin (IL)‐1β and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and BDNF level in isolated hippocampal cells. Also superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activity significantly decreased. Various doses of TPM attenuated these effects and significantly decreased MPH‐induced oxidative damage, inflammation and hippocampal cell loss and increased BDNF level. This study suggests that TPM has the potential to be used as a neuroprotective agent against oxidative stress and neuroinflammation induced by frequent use of MPH.
Reduced Uterine Perfusion Pressure During Pregnancy in the Rat Is Associated With Increases in Arterial Pressure and Changes in Renal Nitric Oxide

Abstract—A reduction in nitric oxide (NO) synthesis has been suggested to play a role in pregnancy-induced hypertension. We have recently reported that normal pregnancy in the rat is associated with significant increases in whole-body NO production and renal protein expression of neuronal and inducible NO synthase. The purpose of this study was to determine whether whole-body and renal NO production is reduced in a rat model of pregnancy-induced hypertension produced by chronically reducing uterine perfusion pressure starting at day 14 of gestation. Chronic reductions in uterine perfusion pressure resulted in increases in arterial pressure of 20 to 25 mmthinsp;Hg, decreases in renal plasma flow (<23%) and glomerular filtration rate (<40%), but no difference in urinary nitrite/nitrate excretion relative to control pregnant rats. In contrast, reductions in uterine perfusion pressure in virgin rats resulted in no significant effects on arterial pressure. Renal endothelial (<4%) and inducible (<11%) NO synthase protein expression did not decrease significantly in the chronically reduced uterine perfusion pressure rats relative to normal pregnant rats; however, significant reductions in neuronal NO synthase were observed (<30%). The results of this study indicate that the reduction in renal hemodynamics and the increase in arterial pressure observed in response to chronic decreases in uterine perfusion pressure in pregnant rats are associated with no change in whole-body NO production and a decrease in renal protein expression of neuronal NO synthase.
Change and External Events in Computer-Mediated Citation Networks: English Language Weblogs and the 2004 U.S. Electoral Cycle*

Abstract This study examines global patterns of stability and change within six longitudinal samples of English-language weblogs (or “blogs”) during the 2004 U.S. Presidential election campaign. Using distance-based methods of graph comparison, we explore the evolution of the blog-blog citation networks for each sample during the period. In addition to describing the qualitative dynamics of the blog networks, we relate major campaign events (e.g., party political conventions and debates) to the observed pace of change. As we demonstrate, such events are associated with substantial differences in overall network volatility; moreover, volatility is also shown to have strong seasonal and endogenous components. Our findings suggest that external factors (both regular and episodic) may be important drivers of network dynamics.
Glycogen synthesis in the perfused liver of the starved rat.

1. In the isolated perfused liver from 48h-starved rats, glycogen synthesis was followed by sequential sampling of the two major lobes. 2. The fastest observed rates of glycogen deposition (0.68-0.82mumol of glucose/min per g fresh liver) were obtained in the left lateral lobe, when glucose in the medium was 25-30mm and when gluconeogenic substrates were present (pyruvate, glycerol and serine: each initially 5mm). In this situation there was no net disappearance of glucose from the perfusion medium, although (14)C from [U-(14)C]glucose was incorporated into glycogen. There was no requirement for added hormones. 3. In the absence of gluconeogenic precursors, glycogen synthesis from glucose (30mm) was 0-0.4mumol/min per g. 4. When livers were perfused with gluconeogenic precursors alone, no glycogen was deposited. The total amount of glucose formed was similar to the amount converted into glycogen when 30mm-glucose was also present. 5. The time-course, maximal rates and glucose dependence of hepatic glycogen deposition in the perfused liver resembled those found in vivo in 48h-starved rats, during infusion of glucose. 6. In the perfused liver, added insulin or sodium oleate did not significantly affect glycogen synthesis in optimum conditions. In suboptimum conditions (i.e. glucose less than 25mm, or with gluconeogenic precursors absent) insulin caused a moderate acceleration of glycogen deposition. 7. These results suggest that on re-feeding after starvation in the rat, hepatic glycogen deposition could be initially the result of continued gluconeogenesis, even after the ingestion of glucose. This conclusion is discussed, particularly in connexion with the role of hepatic glucokinase, and the involvement of the liver in the glucose intolerance of starvation.
Effects of storage duration and volume on the quality of leukoreduced apheresis‐derived platelets: implications for pediatric transfusion medicine

BACKGROUND: Platelet (PLT) storage adversely affects PLT structure and function in vitro and is associated with decreased PLT recovery and function in vivo. In pediatric transfusion medicine, it is not uncommon for small residual volumes to remain in parent units after aliquot preparation of leukoreduced apheresis‐derived PLTs (LR‐ADP). However, limited data exist regarding the impact of storage on residual small‐volume LR‐ADP.
Extensive Phenotypic Changes Associated with Large-scale Horizontal Gene Transfer

Horizontal gene transfer often leads to phenotypic changes within recipient organisms independent of any immediate evolutionary benefits. While secondary phenotypic effects of horizontal transfer (i.e. changes in growth rates) have been demonstrated and studied across a variety of systems using relatively small plasmid and phage, little is known about how size of the acquired region affects the magnitude or number of such costs. Here we describe an amazing breadth of phenotypic changes which occur after a large-scale horizontal transfer event (~1Mb megaplasmid) within Pseudomonas stutzeri including sensitization to various stresses as well as changes in bacterial behavior. These results highlight the power of horizontal transfer to shift pleiotropic relationships and cellular networks within bacterial genomes. They also provide an important context for how secondary effects of transfer can bias evolutionary trajectories and interactions between species. Lastly, these results and system provide a foundation to investigate evolutionary consequences in real time as newly acquired regions are ameliorated and integrated into new genomic contexts.
Parsing a first language like a second: The erosion of L1 parsing strategies in Spanish-English Bilinguals

Past research suggests that parsing processes in a bilingual's first language (L1) can undergo changes as a function of exposure to a second language (L2). Evidence for this claim comes from studies that have examined how Spanish-English bilinguals resolve temporarily ambiguous sentences containing a complex noun phrase followed by a relative clause, as is the case in “Peter fell in love with the daughter of the psychologist who studied in California. ” Previous studies indicate that whereas monolingual Spanish speakers attach the relative clause to the first noun in the complex noun phrase (non-local attachment), monolingual English speakers interpret the relative clause locally (i.e., attach the relative clause to the noun immediately preceding it). With respect to bilinguals, recent research with Spanish-English bilinguals and professional translators (e.g., Dussias 2001, 2003; Parede, 2004) have shown that bilinguals attach the relative clause to the second noun in the complex noun phrase, when reading in Spanish, their first language. The differences observed between monolingual and bilingual speakers have been attributed to experience in a second language immersion environment. For example, Dussias (2003) argues that extensive exposure to a preponderance of English constructions resolved in favor of local attachment can render this interpretation more available, resulting in the low attachment preference observed in Spanish-English bilinguals. Of interest in the present paper is to assess whether speakers with fewer years of immersion experience in the L2 environment than those reported in previous studies employ the correct strategy in each of their languages. To this end, eye-movement data was collected while proficient L1 Spanish/L2 English speakers read ambiguous sentences of the type described above, in their first language, and their performance was compared to a monolingual Spanish group. Analyses revealed that the L1 Spanish speakers of English favored local over non-local attachment when reading in their first languages. The results are most congruent with exposure-based or parallel interactive models of sentence parsing as postulated by Brysbaert & Mitchell (1996), Mitchell & Cuetos (1991) and Mitchell, Cuetos, Corley & Brysbaert (1995), given the assumption within these models that frequency-based exposure affects parsing decisions.
Choice Reaction Times and the Theory of Intermittency in Human Performance

One visual signal, drawn from two equi-probable alternatives, was followed at a variable interval by a similar signal, also drawn from two equi-probable alternatives. The relationship between reaction time to the second signal and the interval between signals was studied under the following conditions: (1) Subjects were trained from the beginning to regard the first signal as irrelevant. (2) Subjects were asked to report on the nature of the first signal after they had responded to the second. The interval between signals was one of the five values, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 millisec. In the regular interval situation the same interval was used over a block of 20 trials. In the random interval situation the values of the interval were randomly arranged, with equal frequency within each block of 20 trials. The results showed: (1) In the random interval situation there was a definite disturbing effect of the first signal on the reaction time to the second, despite the fact that subjects were trained to disregard the first signal. However, the delays in reaction time were significant only at the shortest interval, 50 millisec. (2) In the regular interval situation this disturbing effect was not evident. (3) The additional requirement of having to report on the nature of the first signal produced no consistent increase in reaction time to the second signal. Some implications of these results for the conception of the human operator as a channel of limited capacity are discussed.
Early Traumatic Stress Reactions among Swedish Survivors of the m/s Estonia Disaster

Background This study is a three-month follow-up study in order to assess the short-term impact of traumatic stress among 53 Swedish survivors of the Estonia disaster. Method A questionnaire consisting of general questions about conditions during and after the disaster and self-assessment by Post Traumatic Symptom Scale (PTSS–10), Impact of Event Scale (IES), Sense of Coherence–short version (SoC–12), and the DSM–IV list of dissociative symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder formulated as questions regarding individual reactions was distributed. Results The response rate was 79.2% (n=42). The participants scored an average of 3.9 on PTSS–10, 28.5 on IES (‘intrusion’ and ‘avoidance’ subscales) and 62.8 on SoC–12, which shows elevated levels of post-traumatic stress reactions but a normal level of sense of coherence. The reported occurrence of dissociative symptoms during the disaster was as follows: emotional numbing in 43% of the survivors, reduction of awareness in 55%, derealisation in 67%, depersonalisation in 33%, and dissociative amnesia in 29%. Survivors scoring low in SoC scored significantly higher in both PTSS–10 and IES than those with high scores in SoC. All dissociative symptoms were predictive of post-traumatic reactions. Conclusions This study substantiates the importance of assessing dissociative symptoms during a life-threatening event as a possible predictor for later post-traumatic reactions and possible PTSD. The Sense of Coherence Scale may be useful as an instrument to sort out survivors at risk.
A new measure of toddler parenting practices and associations with attachment and mothers' sensitivity, competence, and enjoyment of parenting

Self-determination theorists argue that parents can support or thwart their children's psychological needs for relatedness, autonomy, and competence. The first aim of this study was to develop a measure to assess six dimensions of parenting theoretically linked to meeting toddlers' needs. The second aim was to examine the associations of these dimensions with mothers' sensitivity, attachment, and parenting attitudes. Participants were 61 mothers who expressed having parenting difficulties. Mothers completed questionnaires to assess their warmth, autonomy support, structure, rejection, coercion, and chaos, and self-reported their parenting competence and enjoyment. Mother–toddler interactions were observed to assess mothers’ sensitivity, and attachment was assessed with the Strange Situation. Mothers who reported less coercion were more sensitive. Most parenting practices were associated with parents' perceptions of competence and enjoyment of parenting in the expected directions. Self-reported parenting was not associated with attachment, but greater sensitivity was observed among secure compared to insecure mother–toddler pairs.
Genome-Wide Association Study Identifies Major Loci for Carcass Weight on BTA14 in Hanwoo (Korean Cattle)

This genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted to identify major loci that are significantly associated with carcass weight, and their effects, in order to provide increased understanding of the genetic architecture of carcass weight in Hanwoo. This genome-wide association study identified one major chromosome region ranging from 23 Mb to 25 Mb on chromosome 14 as being associated with carcass weight in Hanwoo. Significant Bonferroni-corrected genome-wide associations (P<1.52×10−6) were detected for 6 Single Nucleotide Polymorphic (SNP) loci for carcass weight on chromosome 14. The most significant SNP was BTB-01280026 (P = 4.02×10−11), located in the 25 Mb region on Bos taurus autosome 14 (BTA14). The other 5 significant SNPs were Hapmap27934-BTC-065223 (P = 4.04×10−11) in 25.2 Mb, BTB-01143580 (P = 6.35×10−11) in 24.3 Mb, Hapmap30932-BTC-011225 (P = 5.92×10−10) in 24.8 Mb, Hapmap27112-BTC-063342 (P = 5.18×10−9) in 25.4 Mb, and Hapmap24414-BTC-073009 (P = 7.38×10−8) in 25.4 Mb, all on BTA 14. One SNP (BTB-01143580; P = 6.35×10−11) lies independently from the other 5 SNPs. The 5 SNPs that lie together showed a large Linkage disequilibrium (LD) block (block size of 553 kb) with LD coefficients ranging from 0.53 to 0.89 within the block. The most significant SNPs accounted for 6.73% to 10.55% of additive genetic variance, which is quite a large proportion of the total additive genetic variance. The most significant SNP (BTB-01280026; P = 4.02×10−11) had 16.96 kg of allele substitution effect, and the second most significant SNP (Hapmap27934-BTC-065223; P = 4.04×10−11) had 18.06 kg of effect on carcass weight, which correspond to 44% and 47%, respectively, of the phenotypic standard deviation for carcass weight in Hanwoo cattle. Our results demonstrated that carcass weight was affected by a major Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) with a large effect and by many SNPs with small effects that are normally distributed.