Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The ADCS system in the AraMiS satellite

AraMiS is a modular platform for small satellites, that is being developed at Politecnico di Torino. Standardized basic building blocks, called tiles, in various number and kind, are combined to build small spacecrafts according to specific requirements. This paper describes the effect of the AraMiS architecture on the Attitude Determination and Control system, its components, the algorithm and its implementation on the AraMiS reference platform. The main aspects that are considered are the variability of arrangement of tiles, the multiplicity of sensors and actuators due to redundancy, and the possibility of failures that can dynamically change their availability. The ADCS system should therefore adapt to these constraints and exploit them to enhance its performance and accuracy whenever possible, while providing basic quality of service in the worst scenarios.
Human pharmacokinetic and dosimetry studies of [(18)F]FHBG: a reporter probe for imaging herpes simplex virus type-1 thymidine kinase reporter gene expression.

UNLABELLED 9-[4-[(18)F]fluoro-3-(hydroxymethyl)butyl]guanine ([(18)F]FHBG) has been used as a reporter probe to image expression of herpes simplex virus type-1 thymidine kinase (HSV1-tk) reporter gene in living animals. Our aim was to study the kinetics, biodistribution, stability, dosimetry, and safety of [(18)F]FHBG in healthy human volunteers, preparatory to imaging patients undergoing HSV1-tk gene therapy. METHODS [(18)F]FHBG was synthesized with a specific activity of 37,000--444,000 GBq/mmol and a radiochemical purity > 99%. Ten healthy volunteers consented to participate in the study. A transmission scan was obtained before bolus injection of 70.3--229.4 MBq [(18)F]FHBG into a hand vein, followed by dynamic PET imaging with 4 consecutive emission scans. Warmed hand-vein blood was withdrawn at various times after injection for blood time--activity measurements. Electrocardiography, blood pressure, and blood and urine pharmacologic parameters were measured before and after injection of the [(18)F]FHBG tracer (n = 5). The stability of [(18)F]FHBG in the urine was analyzed. Attenuation-corrected images were reconstructed using the ordered-subsets expectation maximization algorithm. Image region-of-interest time-activity data were used with the MIRD program to estimate absorbed radiation dosages. RESULTS [(18)F]FHBG had rapid blood clearance; only 8.42% +/- 4.76% (mean +/- SD) of the peak blood activity remained at approximately 30 min. The average ratio of plasma activity to whole-blood activity during the study was 0.91 +/- 0.04. Penetration of [(18)F]FHBG across the blood-brain barrier was not observed. The primary routes of clearance were renal and hepatobiliary. High activities were observed in the bladder, gut, liver, and kidneys, but <0.0002% of the injected dose per gram was observed in other tissues. In the urine, 83% of activity 180 min after injection was stable [(18)F]FHBG. Blood and urine pharmacologic parameters did not change significantly after injection of the [(18)F]FHBG tracer. The bladder absorbed the highest radiation dose. CONCLUSION [(18)F]FHBG has the desirable in vivo characteristics of stability, rapid blood clearance, low background signal, biosafety, and acceptable radiation dosimetry in humans. This study forms the foundation for using [(18)F]FHBG in applications to monitor HSV1-tk reporter gene expression.
Power, Politics, and State Autonomy in the Development of Social Citizenship: Social Rights During Sickness in Eighteen OECD Countries Since 1930

The extension of social citizenship via modern social policies is a fundamental macrolevel social change of the past hundred years. This paper attempts to reorient the empirical study of social policy development from its present concentration on aggregated social expenditures to a focus on the multidimensional aspects of the development of welfare states, social rights, and social citizenship. On the basis of a new data set describing the development of citizens' social rights in the main social insurance programs in 18 OECD countries since 1930, causal hypotheses derived from pluralist industrial, neo-Marxist, popular protest, state autonomy, and power resources approaches are tested. On the crucial issue of the role of left government participation in the extension of social rights, the hypotheses of the power resources approach are supported.
Development of the mobile robot with a robot arm

The paper develops a mobile platform, based on KNR controller manufactured by Barden-Powell International and National Instruments (NI). The core of KNR controller adopts NI Single-Board RIO 9606 embedded platform, which integrates diverse sensors, motor controllers, and image processing module within itself. The developed mobile platform makes use of light sensors and touch sensors for line tracking and detects the initial location, and utilizes "trapezoidal acceleration and deceleration" algorithm and Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller for precise motion control. Specifically, the developed motion platform takes advantages of NI LabVIEW Vision Assistant' image processing functionalities, like color threshold, dilation, erosion, and convex hull, for distance estimation. The motion platform embeds a robot arm with four degrees of freedom. The robot arm can catch the selected object moving to the assigned location by the image processing module, and put down the object.
Feature selection for semi-supervised data analysis in decisional information systems. (Sélection de variables pour l'analyse semi-supervisées des données dans les systèmes d'Information décisionnels)

Feature selection is an important task in data mining and machine learning processes. This task is well known in both supervised and unsupervised contexts. The semi-supervised feature selection is still under development and far from being mature. In general, machine learning has been well developed in order to deal with partially-labeled data. Thus, feature selection has obtained special importance in the semi-supervised context. It became more adapted with the real world applications where labeling process is costly to obtain. In this thesis, we present a literature review on semi-supervised feature selection, with regard to supervised and unsupervised contexts. The goal is to show the importance of compromising between the structure from unlabeled part of data, and the background information from their labeled part. In particular, we are interested in the so-called «small labeled-sample problem» where the difference between both data parts is very important. In order to deal with the problem of semi-supervised feature selection, we propose two groups of approaches. The first group is of «Filter» type, in which, we propose some algorithms which evaluate the relevance of features by a scoring function. In our case, this function is based on spectral-graph theory and the integration of pairwise constraints which can be extracted from the data in hand. The second group of methods is of «Embedded» type, where feature selection becomes an internal function integrated in the learning process. In order to realize embedded feature selection, we propose algorithms based on feature weighting. The proposed methods rely on constrained clustering. In this sense, we propose two visions, (1) a global vision, based on relaxed satisfaction of pairwise constraints. This is done by integrating the constraints in the objective function of the proposed clustering model; and (2) a second vision, which is local and based on strict control of constraint violation. Both approaches evaluate the relevance of features by weights which are learned during the construction of the clustering model. In addition to the main task which is feature selection, we are interested in redundancy elimination. In order to tackle this problem, we propose a novel algorithm based on combining the mutual information with maximum spanning tree-based algorithm. We construct this tree from the relevant features in order to optimize the number of these selected features at the end. Finally, all proposed methods in this thesis are analyzed and their complexities are studied. Furthermore, they are validated on high-dimensional data versus other representative methods in the literature.
Photoselective vaporization of the prostate with the 120W lithium triborate laser for the treatment of acute urinary retention

Purpose Whilst photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia, there is little reported about its performance in urinary retention. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of GreenLight™ high performance system 120W lithium triborate laser (American Medical Systems, Inc, Minnetonka, MN) PVP in men with urinary retention. Patients and methods Retrospective analysis of data of all men in urinary retention who underwent treatment with the 120W lithium triborate laser PVP by a single surgeon from November 2006 to July 2010 was performed (n = 78), median age 71 years (interquartile range, 64–80), median prostate volume 91 mL (interquartile range, 58–121). Perioperative outcomes and functional outcomes at baseline, and at 3 and 12 months post-operation were examined. Results Patients managed preoperatively by urethral catheterization (n = 61) and suprapubic catheterization (n = 5) were of greater age (by 8.2 years, P < 0.05) and higher American Society of Anesthesiologists scores (P = 0.000, Fisher’s exact test mid P) than patients managed by intermittent self-catheterization (n = 12), but there was no difference in outcomes. There were three Clavien grade III, two Clavien grade IV, and no Clavien grade V complications. There were also no blood transfusions. Fifty-three men (68%) voided successfully post-PVP and went home catheter-free within 24 hours. At 3 months, 62 out of 64 evaluable men (97%) were voiding well without needing any form of catheterization. At 3 months and 12 months, median International Prostate Symptom Score was 7 and 6; International Prostate Symptom Score Quality of Life Index 1 and 1; peak urinary flow 19 and 22 mL/sec; and post-void ultrasound measured residual urine volume 52 and 60 mL, respectively. Conclusion PVP for urinary retention is an efficacious and safe treatment modality.
Optimisation des parcours d'apprentissage à l'aide des technologies numériques. (Optimization of learning paths with digital technologies)

Depuis le « Plan Informatique Pour Tous » de 1985, les technologies numeriques ne cessent d’occuper une place grandissante dans l’enseignement : manuels numeriques, logiciels de geometrie dynamique, learning games, e-learning, blended learning, MOOC, classes inversees, robotique educative, etc. L’ambition de nos travaux est de montrer que certaines de ces technologies peuvent contribuer a ameliorer les apprentissages, en dynamisant les contenus, en accentuant la motivation des etudiants, en proposant des dispositifs adaptes a la formation a distance, en personnalisant les parcours pedagogiques. Les enjeux autour de ces questions sont importants. La necessite de motiver les etudiants et de personnaliser les apprentissages apparait de plus en plus clairement. Ce sont des atouts majeurs pour lutter contre le decrochage scolaire et pour l’egalite des chances. Objectifs de nos travaux anterieurs a 2011 : — Ludifier et animer des contenus afin de les rendre plus motivants et plus explicites. — Visualiser des concepts en manipulant des objets numeriques. — Virtualiser des objets d’apprentissage pour s’affranchir de contraintes materielles afin de faire travailler des methodes, de depasser des difficultes de manipulation et des situations de handicap. — Fournir des outils d’interactivite, de visualisation, de calcul formel et de geometrie pour des environnements informatiques d’apprentissage (plateformes d’enseignement a distance, logiciels). — Fournir des outils de monitoring des activites des utilisateurs afin de suivre au mieux leur progression, afin de pouvoir les suivre au plus pres dans leurs cheminements, de leur fournir des retours adaptes et des parcours personnalises, de les rendre plus autonomes. — Experimenter des objets a la fois numeriques et tangibles tels que les robots pour evaluer leur impact dans les apprentissages. — Repenser les manuels scolaires en les accompagnant de dispositifs numeriques. Ces travaux ont trouve un prolongement cible, fortement ancre recherche, dans des travaux plus recents. Objectifs de nos travaux posterieurs a 2011 : — Optimiser et personnaliser en profondeur les apprentissages en faisant appel a l’intelligence artificielle et a des algorithmes de machine learning. — Introduire des objets tangibles, tels que les robots, que les eleves peuvent manipuler, voire programmer, pour eclairer differemment les apprentissages et proposer une approche concrete pour construire de nouveaux concepts.
Qualitative characterization of antibody responses to single and multiple Brugia pahangi infections in jirds.

Antibody responses of jirds, singly and multiply inoculated with Brugia pahangi infective larvae (L3), to soluble somatic extracts of adult parasites were characterized by western blot analysis. Forty-two protein bands ranging in molecular weight from 12 to 160 kDa were recognized by sera from infected jirds. Antibody recognition of individual B. pahangi antigen bands in this assay appears to be independent of antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) titers to crude parasite extract, severity of lymphatic lesions, levels of microfilaremia, numbers of L3 inoculated, or numbers of adult parasites in individual jirds. Antibody recognition of protein bands with molecular weights of 37 kDa, 21 kDa, and 17 kDa, however, did temporally correspond with certain parasitological and pathologic events. Antibody against the 37-kDa protein band first was identified at the onset of patency, reaching a 90% prevalence rate by 90 days postinfection (DPI). The prevalence of this antibody remained high. Antibody recognition of the 21-kDa protein band first occurred at 90 DPI and gradually increased in prevalence during the course of infection temporally similar to the increase in microfilaremia. Recognition of the 17-kDa protein band first occurred at 48 DPI, reached a maximum prevalence of 80% at 90 DPI, and decreased to a minimal prevalence by 160 DPI. Prevalence of antibody responses to the 17-kDa protein band corresponded temporally with the kinetics of the rise and fall of numbers of intralymphatic thrombi. The patterns of antibody response to these 3 bands were similar in both singly and multiply inoculated animals. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
ASSESSMENT OF DIETARY INTAKE AND ANTHROPOMETRIC PARAMETERS AMONG RUGBY UNION PLAYERS

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the energy, macronutrient an selected micronutrient intake of second league Rugby Union players and to assess the anthropometric characteristic of this group. Players (n = 44) were divided into forwards (n = 20) and backs (n = 24), who differed significantly in weight (92.6 vs 80.8 kg), BMI (28.6 vs 24.5 kg/m 2) and percentage of body fat (22.0 vs 13.3%). The dietary intake was assessed using 3-day dietary recalls. There were no significant differences in dietary intake related to player position. Athletes reported a mean daily energy intake of 3613.4 ±942.6 kcal (carbohydrates 41.4%, protein 17.8%, fats 39.3%). The mean intake of carbohydrates and protein were on a level of 4.8 and 1.9 g/kg of body weight/day, respectively. Although the mean daily intake of minerals and vitamins met recommendations, some players did not reach the requirements, especially for potassium (61.4%) and vitamin C (22.7%). The differences in body compositions of the players suggest differences in the type of training and the specificity of the player's position. These improper proportions of dietary nutrients within the study group may decrease opportunities to achieve optimum results during matches.
Development of a Self-Control Scale Associated with Health Behavior for Older Adults in Community

Purpose ： The purpose of this study was to develop a self-control ability assessment scale associated with health behavior （ SCAAS ） for older adults in a community. Methods ： The SCAAS contained 24 items, namely, present behavior （ a ） and future goal （ b ） for each of 12 health behaviors. A questionnaire survey about the SCAAS was conducted among 1 , 883 older adults. Then thirty-eight older adults were asked to participate in a
Becoming Physically Literate for Life: Embracing the Functions, Forms, Feelings and Flows of Alternative and Mainstream Physical Activity

Purpose: To explore a conceptual shift from mechanism, the dominant ‘body-as-machine’ (Tinning, 2010) paradigm, to vitalism, the philosophical phenomenological tenets of physical literacy (Whitehead, 2010) upon which the curriculum of physical education in Canada is based, within the context of an alternative physical education program. Method: A motion-sensitive phenomenological approach (Lloyd & Smith, 2006b; 2015), conceptually framed by the Function2Flow (F2F) model, was conducted with a sample of N = 153 students from seven different schools in Ottawa (Canada) who booked the JungleSport climbing program of their own accord. Sources of information included phenomenological observations, small group interviews, and journal entries. Exemplars of two in depth student experiences are featured in this article. Results & Discussion: The phenomenological analysis of the climbing experiences, in addition to the F2F curriculum support tools that were developed, provide practical and philosophical pathways for .
Sox9 plays multiple roles in the lung epithelium during branching morphogenesis

Significance Human mutations in SOX9 lead to several congenital disorders, including campomelic dysplasia. Babies born with this condition often die of respiratory distress; however, defects in lung development have thus far not been reported in mouse models. Here, we report that epithelial-specific deletion of Sox9 leads to developmental abnormalities in the lung during branching morphogenesis. We demonstrate that Sox9 plays multiple roles in the lung epithelium, balancing proliferation and differentiation and regulating the extracellular matrix. Therefore, our work highlights a role for Sox9 during lung branching morphogenesis, making this a useful model to study defects associated with a congenital disorder affecting humans. Lung branching morphogenesis is a highly orchestrated process that gives rise to the complex network of gas-exchanging units in the adult lung. Intricate regulation of signaling pathways, transcription factors, and epithelial–mesenchymal cross-talk are critical to ensuring branching morphogenesis occurs properly. Here, we describe a role for the transcription factor Sox9 during lung branch-ing morphogenesis. Sox9 is expressed at the distal tips of the branching epithelium in a highly dynamic manner as branching occurs and is down-regulated starting at embryonic day 16.5, concurrent with the onset of terminal differentiation of type 1 and type 2 alveolar cells. Using epithelial-specific genetic loss- and gain-of-function approaches, our results demonstrate that Sox9 controls multiple aspects of lung branching. Fine regulation of Sox9 levels is required to balance proliferation and differentiation of epithelial tip progenitor cells, and loss of Sox9 leads to direct and indirect cellular defects including extracellular matrix defects, cytoskeletal disorganization, and aberrant epithelial movement. Our evidence shows that unlike other endoderm-derived epithelial tissues, such as the intestine, Wnt/β-catenin signaling does not regulate Sox9 expression in the lung. We conclude that Sox9 collectively promotes proper branching morphogenesis by controlling the balance between proliferation and differentiation and regulating the extracellular matrix.
Multinational Enterprises and the Global Economy.

This is the second edition of the celebrated volume by Professor John H. Dunning, first published in 1993, which has now been not only updated but also enriched with the addition of a number of new topics. This addition was not least due to the expertise of the co-author, Sarianna Lundan, in the institutional aspects of international business and the internal governance of transnational corporations (TNCs). It is a comprehensive synthesis of all the theories in International Business based on extremely rich data evaluation in almost all fields of TNC activities and their environment. It is a “creative masterpiece which unbundles the DNA of the field of international business” as described by Alan Rugman in his assessment of this volume.
RAR1 and HSP90 Form a Complex with Rac/Rop GTPase and Function in Innate-Immune Responses in Rice[W][OA]

A rice (Oryza sativa) Rac/Rop GTPase, Os Rac1, is involved in innate immunity, but its molecular function is largely unknown. RAR1 (for required for Mla12 resistance) and HSP90 (a heat shock protein 90 kD) are important components of R gene–mediated disease resistance, and their function is conserved in several plant species. HSP90 has also recently been shown to be important in mammalian innate immunity. However, their functions at the molecular level are not well understood. In this study, we examined the functional relationships between Os Rac1, RAR1, and HSP90. Os RAR1-RNA interference (RNAi) rice plants had impaired basal resistance to a compatible race of the blast fungus Magnaporthe grisea and the virulent bacterial blight pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae. Constitutively active Os Rac1 complemented the loss of resistance, suggesting that Os Rac1 and RAR1 are functionally linked. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments with rice cell culture extracts indicate that Rac1 forms a complex with RAR1, HSP90, and HSP70 in vivo. Studies with Os RAR1-RNAi and treatment with geldanamycin, an HSP90-specific inhibitor, showed that RAR1 and HSP90 are essential for the Rac1-mediated enhancement of pathogen-associated molecular pattern–triggered immune responses in rice cell cultures. Furthermore, the function of HSP90, but not RAR1, may be essential for their association with the Rac1 complex. Os Rac1 also regulates RAR1 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels. Together, our results indicate that Rac1, RAR1, HSP90, and HSP70 form one or more protein complexes in rice cells and suggest that these proteins play important roles in innate immunity in rice.
Stepwise Treatment Paradigm for Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

Purpose: To compare the outcomes achieved by a series of patients treated in a stepwise fashion who presented with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Methods: In this retrospective interventional case series, 127 patients, ranging in age from 1 month to 81 months, with 173 lacrimal systems diagnosed with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction, were treated in a stepwise fashion. A treatment paradigm was evaluated that prescribed probing as an initial procedure regardless of age. Those who failed probing received balloon catheter dilation. Those who failed probing and balloon catheterization received silicone intubation. Dacryocystorhinostomy was reserved for patients failing the above treatments. Clinical success was defined as complete resolution of symptoms. Success rates at each step were evaluated, and a cost analysis was performed. Results: Lacrimal probing was successful in 134 of 173 (76.9%) cases. Of the 39 probing failures, 32 (82.1%) were cured with balloon catheterization. All 7 cases (100%) that failed probing and balloon catheterization were cured with silicone intubation. No patient in this series required dacryocystorhinostomy. Conclusions: A stepwise approach to the treatment of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction is a clinically and financially effective model for treatment.