Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimal formation of robots by the continuous-discrete PSO algorithm in three dimensional space

This paper mainly provides and develops a new continuous-discrete PSO algorithm for handling with the optimal formation problem in the three dimensional space. For one class of formation problem with the particular constraints, it is shown that the center of the desired shape is determined and equal to the center of the initial shape by utilizing the Lagrangian method. From the perspective of efficiency, the main task of the continuous-discrete PSO algorithm, short for CDPSO, is to search for some key parameters and to minimize the distance of all robots from the initial shape to the desired shape. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the new CDPSO algorithm, numerical results chiefly concentrate on the optimal helicopters formation from the initial shape to the desired shape in the three dimensional space and the typical shape conversion from the two-dimensional space to the three-dimensional space.
Highlighting in Geovisualization Anthony

Coordinated view geovisualizations allow users to interactively pick and attend to data observations across multiple views. This is frequently supported by the transient application of a visual effect to an observation during a mouse selection or rollover. This technique, known as highlighting, is typically implemented using a dedicated bright and saturated color to outline observations. In this paper we present a range of possibilities for alternative approaches to color highlighting, beginning with examples from the range of available visual variables and moving beyond those options to other, non-visual variable methods such as the use of lines to connect highlighted observations. We also describe design criteria for highlighting methods that can be used to predict and test the suitability of different approaches, and apply those criteria to our set of proposed methods to identify potential good candidates for implementation in future systems. Next, we present a set of highlighting types that define basic ways in which highlighting methods can be combined, modified, and driven directly by data values. We conclude by outlining several broad research challenges for future work on the development and evaluation of highlighting methods in geographic visualization.
Near-atomic cryo-EM structure of PRC1 bound to the microtubule

Significance PRC1 (protein regulator of cytokinesis 1) is critical to cellular architecture through its interaction with microtubules to form antiparallel microtubule arrays, like those in the spindle midzone. Here, cryo-EM studies describe, in close to atomic detail, the interaction of PRC1 with the microtubule surface. Together with previous studies, our structure leads to a model of how PRC1 promotes the establishment of stable, higher-order microtubule arrays. Proteins that associate with microtubules (MTs) are crucial to generate MT arrays and establish different cellular architectures. One example is PRC1 (protein regulator of cytokinesis 1), which cross-links antiparallel MTs and is essential for the completion of mitosis and cytokinesis. Here we describe a 4-Å–resolution cryo-EM structure of monomeric PRC1 bound to MTs. Residues in the spectrin domain of PRC1 contacting the MT are highly conserved and interact with the same pocket recognized by kinesin. We additionally found that PRC1 promotes MT assembly even in the presence of the MT stabilizer taxol. Interestingly, the angle of the spectrin domain on the MT surface corresponds to the previously observed cross-bridge angle between MTs cross-linked by full-length, dimeric PRC1. This finding, together with molecular dynamic simulations describing the intrinsic flexibility of PRC1, suggests that the MT–spectrin domain interface determines the geometry of the MT arrays cross-linked by PRC1.
Increasing Employee Awareness of the Signs and Symptoms of Heart Attack and the Need to Use 911 in a State Health Department

Introduction Early recognition of the signs and symptoms of a heart attack can lead to reduced morbidity and mortality. Methods A workplace intervention was conducted among 523 Montana state health department employees in 2003 to increase awareness of the signs and symptoms of heart attack and the need to use 911. All employees received an Act in Time to Heart Attack Signs brochure and wallet card with their paychecks. Act in Time posters were placed in key workplace areas. A weekly e-mail message, including a contest entry opportunity addressing the signs and symptoms of heart attack, was sent to all employees. Baseline and follow-up telephone surveys were conducted to evaluate intervention effectiveness. Results Awareness of heart attack signs and symptoms and the need to call 911 increased significantly among employees from baseline to follow-up: pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back (awareness increased from 69% to 91%); feeling weak, light-headed, or faint (awareness increased from 79% to 89%); call 911 if someone is having a heart attack or stroke (awareness increased from 84% to 90%). Awareness of chest pain, pain or discomfort in the arms or shoulders, and shortness of breath were more than 90% at baseline and did not increase significantly at follow-up. At baseline, 69% of respondents correctly reported five or more of the signs and symptoms of heart attack; 89% reported correctly at follow-up. Conclusion This low-cost workplace intervention increased awareness of the signs and symptoms of heart attack and the need to call 911.
CCR5 Antagonism Impacts Vaccination Response and Immune Profile in HIV-1 Infection

Maraviroc (MVC) is the first licensed antiretroviral therapeutic agent to target a host cell surface molecule, and successful HIV-1 entry blockade by this C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5)-antagonist potentiates immunomodulation. We hypothesized that MVC intensification impacts immunization responses, T-cell phenotype, function and delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) in HIV-1+ subjects. A 24-wk, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study of the addition of MVC to suppressive antiretroviral therapy in HIV-1+ persons was performed. Subjects received DTH tests, intramuscular tetanus, meningococcal and oral cholera immunizations. Antibody titers, T-cell function and phenotype were assessed. Of 157 patients referred, 47 were randomized 1:1; MVC:placebo. MVC enhanced meningococcal neo-immunization, blunted cholera response and expedited lymphoproliferation to tetanus boost, without affecting recall humoral response. Anti-HIV-1 group-specific antigen (Gag) and tetanus toxoid (TTox) function improved significantly, HIV-1-associated CD8 T-cell skewing normalized, and the percentage of late-stage and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II expressing CD4 T-cells increased. Activated CD4+ CD38+ human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR+ T-cells declined, and costimulation shifted to coinhibition. DTH was unchanged. Maraviroc intensification, through antagonism of the cell surface molecule CCR5, favorably influences immune profiles of HIV-1+ patients, supporting its immunomodulatory use in HIV-1 infection and potentially in other immunologically relevant settings.
503unc, a small and muscle‐specific zebrafish promoter

The muscle‐specific UNC‐45b assists in the folding of sarcomeric myosin. Analysis of the zebrafish unc‐45b upstream region revealed that unc‐45b promoter fragments reliably drive GFP expression after germline transmission. The muscle‐specific 503‐bp minimal promoter 503unc was identified to drive gene expression in the zebrafish musculature. In transgenic Tg(−503unc:GFP) zebrafish, GFP fluorescence was detected in the adaxial cells, their slow fiber descendants, and the fast muscle. At later stages, robust GFP fluorescence is eminent in the cardiac, cranial, fin, and trunk muscle, thereby recapitulating the unc‐45b expression pattern. We propose that the 503unc promoter is a small and muscle‐specific promoter that drives robust gene expression throughout the zebrafish musculature, making it a valuable tool for the exploration of zebrafish muscle. genesis 51:443–447. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Full-Duplex Massive MIMO Multi-Pair Two-Way AF Relaying: Energy Efficiency Optimization

We consider two-way amplify-and-forward relaying, where multiple full-duplex user pairs exchange information via a shared full-duplex massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) relay. Most of the previous massive MIMO relaying works maximize the spectral efficiency (SE). By contrast, we maximize the non-convex energy efficiency (EE) metric by approximating it as a pseudo-concave problem, which is then solved using the classic Dinkelbach approach. We also maximize EE of the least energy-efficient user relying on the max–min approach. We also compare SE and EE of the proposed design with existing full-duplex systems and quantify the significant improvement achieved by the proposed algorithm. We also compare EE of the proposed full-duplex system to that of its half-duplex counterparts, and characterize the self-loop and inter-user interference regimes, for which the proposed full-duplex system outperforms the half-duplex ones.
Impact of neonatal hepatitis B vaccination programme on age-specific prevalence of hepatitis B infection in teenage mothers in Hong Kong

SUMMARY We examined the impact of the neonatal hepatitis B immunization programme, first provided to all neonates born to mothers screened positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in late 1983, on the age-specific prevalence of HBsAg carriage in teenage mothers managed in 1998–2008. HBsAg carriage was found in 2·5%, 2·7%, 8·8% and 8·0% of mothers aged ⩽16, 17, 18, and 19 years, respectively (P = 0·004), which was also correlated with advancing age (P = 0·011). While neither difference nor correlation with age was found in mothers born before 1984, the prevalence of 1·2%, 1·5%, 7·1% and 8·3%, respectively, was significantly different among (P = 0·008) and correlated with (P = 0·002) age in mothers born 1984 onwards. Regression analysis indicated there was a significantly higher incidence of HBsAg carriage from age 17 onwards (adjusted odds ratio 2·55, 95% confidence interval 1·07–6·10, P = 0·035), suggesting that the protective effect of the vaccine declined in late adolescence.
32P-postlabeling analysis of 1-nitropyrene-DNA adducts in female Sprague-Dawley rats.

The 32P-postlabeling technique was used to qualitatively establish the pattern of DNA adduct formation in mammary tissue and liver following administration of 1-nitropyrene to female Sprague-Dawley rats. 1-Nitropyrene (100 mg/kg b.w.) was administered by gavage in trioctanoin and the rats were sacrificed 24 h later. DNA was isolated from mammary fat pads and liver, enzymatically hydrolyzed to deoxyribonucleoside-3'-monophosphates and then converted to [5'-32P]3',5'-bisphosphates. The polyethyleneimine-cellulose (PEI-cellulose) TLC 32P-fingerprints revealed the presence of multiple putative adducts in the mammary fat pads and in the livers. To investigate the role of nitroreduction in the formation of these adducts, calf thymus DNA was incubated with [3H]1-nitropyrene in vitro in the presence of xanthine oxidase. The DNA was isolated and analyzed by the 32P-postlabeling technique. A major adduct spot was detected and confirmed as N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-1-aminopyrene. This adduct cochromatographed with a minor in vivo adduct of DNA obtained from mammary fat pads and livers. However, the major adducts detected in vivo did not appear to originate from simple nitroreduction of 1-nitropyrene. The results of this study suggest that other metabolic pathways, such as ring oxidation, or ring oxidation followed by nitroreduction, may be responsible for the putative 1-nitropyrene-DNA adducts observed in mammary fat pads and livers of female Sprague-Dawley rats.
Cetuximab/Targeted Chemotherapy in an HIV-Positive Patient with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer in the HAART Era: a Case Report

Abstract Recent data have shown the efficacy of cetuximab/Folfiri regimen in patients with chemotherapy-resistant metastatic colorectal cancer. In the literature there are no data about this treatment in HIV-positive patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. At the Aviano Cancer Center, we used the cetuximab/Folfiri regimen and concomitant HAART in an HIV-positive patient with metastatic colorectal cancer. The patient experienced acceptable non-hematological toxicity, without any opportunistic infection and his HIV infection was kept under control. This case suggests that, in the HAART era, a multidisciplinary approach can be offered to HIV patients with advanced cancer when they have good performance status, resulting in efficacious control of the HIV infection.
Restructuring the ecology of the school as an approach to prevention during school transitions: Longitudinal follow-ups and extensions of the School Transitional Environment Project (STEP).

Summary Normative school transitions are often accompanied by deterioration in students' socio-emotional, behavioral and academic adjustment, and poorer outcomes in later adolescence and young adulthood. The current paper describes a preventive intervention for students experiencing normative transitions into middle grade schools and junior and senior high schools-the School Transitional Environment Project (STEP). The program is based on a transactional-ecological model of preventive intervention that employs a school restructuring and transformation approach in order to prevent the deleterious effects of school transitions and create school environments that are developmentally enhancing. Core features of STEP seek to change the ecological characteristics of the school setting in ways that: (a) reduce the adaptational demands of coping with flux and complexity in new school settings; (b) increase access to and the provision of important emotional and academic/instrumental support and guidance from schoo.
Consumption Externalities: Review and Future Research Opportunities

An extensive literature review of consumption externalities is presented in this article. The review is classified into four sections: network externality, indirect network externality, congestion externality, and cross-consumer externality. The review of network externality is a fundamental part of this paper. In this paper, we first suggest two dimensions and provide a classification on consumption externalities. Similarities and dissimilarities among them are contrasted. We next review the literature on consumption externalities in four sections. Finally, we raise research opportunities, which can be further explored in four fields.
Small angle scatter imaging from wide beam diffraction patterns

In this paper we report on the extension of the technique of mapping small angle x-ray scatter (SAXS) across a soft material specimen several millimetres square. In the conventional SAXS mapping technique a pencil beam of x-rays is raster scanned over the specimen with the scatter pattern recorded from each point in the raster. In our technique a wide, parallel beam is used, speeding up the data collection time considerably. An image processing algorithm is used to separate the scatter pattern features from individual points along the line of the beam. To test the efficacy of the technique a phantom was constructed using gelatin and rat tail tendon collagen. Collagen fibres in the phantom were arranged in quarters horizontally, diagonally and vertically leaving one quarter with just gelatin. The phantom was used to collect both raster scanned sets of SAXS patterns spaced at 0.25 mm horizontally and vertically and also a wide beam data set. The width of the beam in this case was approximately 7 mm. Using the third-order diffraction of rat tail tendon intensity data were gathered from each SAXS pattern and used to construct a map. Data from the raster scan image and that from the wide beam are compared. Finally using a phantom made from dehydrated rat tail tendon and paraffin wax a tomographic slice constructed using data from SAXS patterns is shown.
Evaluation of Western Blot in Routine Diagnosis of Hepatitis C Virus

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is among the major causes of parenterally transmitted hepatitis. Detection of infected persons would greatly diminish transmission rates and is therefore a significant parameter for prevention. Current assays are not able to resolve all cases and sometimes the results are controversial. The present study outlines problems that arise during routine testing. Two ELISA tests and three confirmatory tests were used and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) data were available for some of the samples. The results of this study show that only 77.4% of samples positive for both ELISAs were confirmed as being positive. Controversial ELISA results remained controversial, depending on the confirmatory test used. PCR results, though not complete, point to the major problem of Western blot (WB) negative sera that prove positive for the viral genome and have to be excluded from screening for blood and organ donation. Since PCR cannot be used as a routine screening procedure, improvement of the routine assays is needed to minimize ambiguous results.
Elimination of Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage in health care workers: analysis of six clinical trials with calcium mupirocin ointment. The Mupirocin Collaborative Study Group.

Six double-blind, independently randomized studies evaluated the efficacy and safety of calcium mupirocin ointment in eliminating nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus among health care workers. Healthy volunteers with stable nasal carriage of S. aureus (n = 339) received either calcium mupirocin ointment (n = 170) or an identical placebo ointment (n = 169) intranasally for 5 days. Nasal carriage was eliminated 48-96 hours after completion of treatment in 130 (91%) of 143 evaluable volunteers receiving mupirocin but in only 8 (6%) of 142 evaluable volunteers receiving placebo. The 85% crude difference represents a 90% pooled (adjusted) estimate of the risk difference (95% confidence interval, 0.86-0.95) and a risk ratio of 16 (P < .0001). This effect of treatment with mupirocin was observed consistently (risk ratio, 8-32) in all six centers. In addition, 96 of the 130 mupirocin-treated volunteers and 1 of the 8 placebo-treated volunteers who were culture-negative at the end of therapy remained free of S. aureus 4 weeks after treatment. Adverse events in each treatment arm were mild and equally frequent. These data, consistent across six institutions, demonstrate that calcium mupirocin ointment administered intranasally for 5 days is safe and effective in eliminating stable nasal carriage of S. aureus.
What Are the Sources of Return for CTAs and Commodity Indexes? A Brief Survey of Relevant Research

This survey article discusses the (potential) structural sources of return for both commodity trading advisors and commodity indices based on a review of empirical research from both academics and practitioners. The article specifically covers (1) the long-term return sources for both managed futures programs and for commodity indices, (2) the investor expectations and the portfolio context for futures strategies, and (3) how to benchmark these strategies.
Adaptive L0 norm constrained reconstructions for sparse-view scan in cone-beam CT

Patient's radiation exposure has been one of the major concerns in modern tomography technology. Performing sparse-view scan can effectively reduce the total radiation dose received by patients, however, the reconstruction becomes challenging. Although iterative algorithms generate much better results than conventional analytical methods such as FDK or BPF in tomography reconstructions, yet they fail to provide satisfactory reconstructions under sparse-view scan due to the high ill-posedness of the problem. Compressed sensing theory provides us possibility to recover 3D image from very limited number of measurements. We in this paper introduce an iterative algorithm based on adaptive l0 norm constrained. Simulated results have shows that the proposed method is capable of providing good reconstructions under sparse-view scans.
Corporate Investment and Cash-Flow Sensitivity: Evidence from a Jasmin Revolution Period in Tunisian Market

This study investigates the impact of financial constraints on investment decisions and corporate cash holding of Tunisian firms over the period of 2003-2013. We will investigate this task in a particular context which is the Jasmine Revolution. Our results show that the investment decisions of firms with financial constraints are significantly sensitive to the availability and the level of internal funds versus unconstrained ones. Generally, our results suggest that financial constraints significantly influence the decisions of Tunisian companies. In particular, these financial constraints are considered more handicapping during negative cash years and after the revolution.
Lipopolysaccharide Dose Response in Baboons

A lipopolysaccharide (LPS) dose-response study in an experimental baboon endotoxemia model is presented to define the relevance of this model compared with human endotoxemia. We describe acute and subacute endotoxemic models in baboons, the first evoked by bolus injection of LPS (1 mg, 0.1 mg, or 4 ng per kg of Escherichia coli LPS), and the second evoked by infusion of 1.5 mg/kg of E. coli LPS over 30 min. We report the analysis of LPS clearance, the kinetics of tumor necrosis factor, interleukin (IL) 6, and IL-8 expression on the protein as well as on the mRNA level, change in blood counts (white and red blood cells and circulating platelets), and several hemodynamic parameters such as temperature, cardiac index, heart rate, and mean arterial pressure via multiple sampling. The resulting data are compared with previously published human data. Our results show that the LPS-induced kinetics of cytokine release, as well as of hemodynamic and hematologic changes in baboons, were similar to those observed in humans, even though baboons required a ∼104-fold higher initial LPS dose to develop these manifestations. Hence, we demonstrate that endotoxemia in baboons qualitatively, yet not quantitatively, resembles endotoxemia in humans and, therefore, proves to constitute a useful model for studying the pathogenic mechanisms of sepsis in relation to humans.
Oblique projections and standard‐form transformations for discrete inverse problems

This tutorial paper considers a specific computational tool for the numerical solution of discrete inverse problems, known as the standard‐form transformation, by which we can treat general Tikhonov regularization problems efficiently. In the tradition of B. N. Datta's expositions of numerical linear algebra, we use the close relationship between oblique projections, pseudoinverses, and matrix computations to derive a simple geometric motivation and algebraic formulation of the standard‐form transformation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.