Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Formation Stabilization of Multiple Agents Using Decentralized Navigation Functions

We develop decentralized cooperative controllers, which are based on local navigation functions and yield (almost) global asymptotic stability of a group of mobile agents to a desired formation and simultaneous collision avoidance. The formation could be achieved anywhere in the free space; there are no pre-specified final positions for the agents and is rendered stable both in terms of shape and in terms of orientation. Shape and orientation stabilization is possible because the agents regulate relative positions rather than distances with respect to their network neighbors. Asymptotic stability is provable and guaranteed, once the parameters in the local navigation functions are tuned based on the geometry of the environment and the degree of the interconnection network. Feedback controllers steer the agents away from stationary point-obstacles and into the desired formation using information that can be obtained within their sensing neighborhood and through communication with their network neighbors. The methodology is tested in simulation where groups of three and four mobile agents come into formations of triangles and diamonds, navigating amongst obstacles.
Reproducibility of myocardial perfusion reserve - variations in measurements from post processing using commercially available software.

PURPOSE Adenosine stress first pass cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) is a rapidly evolving tool in the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease (IHD). The rest and stress first pass myocardial perfusion data may be interpreted using commercially available software for calculation of time intensity curves in order to generate a numeric value of the segmental or whole heart myocardial perfusion reserve index (MPRI). The objective of this study was to determine the inter- and intra-observer reliability of the data generated by standard commercially available software. METHODS Data from 20 adenosine stress CMRI (1.5 T) studies were analyzed using commercially available CAAS MRV 3.3 software (Pie Medical Imaging B.V., Netherlands) for calculation of the MPRI. The stress CMRI was performed using a standardized protocol in 20 women including 10 women with angina and the absence of obstructive CAD and 10 healthy volunteers. MPRI calculation was made in a standardized manner on separate occasions by two independent observers. A single observer repeated the calculation of MPRI three months later, without reference to the prior data. Basal, mid, and apical segments, for the whole myocardium, sub-endocardium, and sub-epicardium were analyzed. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC), repeatability coefficients (RC), and coefficients of variation (CoV) were determined. RESULTS The MPRI results by repeated software measurements were highly correlated, with potentially important variations in measurement observed. The myocardial inter-observer ICC was 0.80 (95% CI, 0.57, 0.92) with a CoV of 7.5%, and intra-observer ICC was 0.89 (95% CI, 0.77, 0.95) with a CoV of 3.6%. The mid-ventricular level MPRI was most reproducible, with intra-observer ICC at 0.91 (95% CI, 0.77, 0.97); intra-observer measurement was more reproducible than inter-observer measurement. CONCLUSIONS There is variation in measurement of MPRI observed in post processing of perfusion data when using a standardized approach and commercially available software. This has implications in the interpretation of data obtained for clinical and research purposes.
Divergent cAMP Signaling Pathways Regulate Growth and Pathogenesis in the Rice Blast Fungus Magnaporthe grisea

cAMP is involved in signaling appressorium formation in the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe grisea. However, null mutations in a protein kinase A (PKA) catalytic subunit gene, CPKA, do not block appressorium formation, and mutations in the adenylate cyclase gene have pleiotropic effects on growth, conidiation, sexual development, and appressorium formation. Thus, cAMP signaling plays roles in both growth and morphogenesis as well as in appressorium formation. To clarify cAMP signaling in M. grisea, we have identified strains in which a null mutation in the adenylate cyclase gene (MAC1) has an unstable phenotype such that the bypass suppressors of the Mac1− phenotype (sum) could be identified. sum mutations completely restore growth and sexual and asexual morphogenesis and lead to an ability to form appressoria under conditions inhibitory to the wild type. PKA assays and molecular cloning showed that one suppressor mutation (sum1-99) alters a conserved amino acid in cAMP binding domain A of the regulatory subunit gene of PKA (SUM1), whereas other suppressor mutations act independently of PKA activity. PKA assays demonstrated that the catalytic subunit gene, CPKA, encodes the only detectable PKA activity in M. grisea. Because CPKA is dispensable for growth, morphogenesis, and appressorium formation, divergent catalytic subunit genes must play roles in these processes. These results suggest a model in which both saprophytic and pathogenic growth of M. grisea is regulated by adenylate cyclase but different effectors of cAMP mediate downstream effects specific for either cell morphogenesis or pathogenesis.
Role of Mineralocorticoid Receptor on Experimental Cerebral Aneurysms in Rats

Activation of the renin-angiotensin (Ang)-aldosterone system is involved in the pathology of vascular diseases. Although the blockade of the mineralocorticoid receptor protects against vascular diseases, its role in cerebral aneurysms remains to be elucidated. We treated female rats subjected to renal hypertension, increased hemodynamic stress, and estrogen deficiency for 3 months with the mineralocorticoid receptor blocker eplerenone (30 or 100 mg/kg per day) or vehicle (vehicle control). Eplerenone reduced the incidence of cerebral aneurysms and saline intake without lowering of the blood pressure. In the aneurysmal wall, the production of Ang II and nitrotyrosine was increased. The mRNA levels of Ang-converting enzyme 1 and NADPH oxidase subunits NOX4, Rac1, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, and matrix metalloproteinase 9 were increased. Eplerenone brought about a reduction in these molecules, suggesting that mineralocorticoid receptor blockade suppresses cerebral aneurysm formation by inhibiting oxidative stress, inflammatory factors, local renin-Ang system activation, and saline intake. Other female rats implanted with pellets of the mineralocorticoid receptor agonist deoxycorticosterone acetate manifested a high incidence of cerebral aneurysm formation and the upregulation of molecules related to oxidative stress, inflammatory factors, and the local renin-Ang system; their saline intake was increased. We demonstrate that mineralocorticoid receptor activation at least partly contributes to the pathogenesis of cerebral aneurysms.
QT Prolongation Modifies Dynamic Restitution and Hysteresis of the Beat-to-Beat QT-TQ Interval Relationship during Normal Sinus Rhythm under Varying States of Repolarization

The analysis of cardiac electrical restitution (the relationship between an action potential duration and its preceding diastolic interval) has been used to predict arrhythmia liability. However, the procedure to measure restitution is invasive and disrupts normal physiological autonomic balance. Dynamic analysis of sequential beat-to-beat ECG data was used to study restitution under normal sinus rhythm and to quantify changes in temporal hysteresis with heart rate acceleration/deceleration during QT prolongation. Congenital long QT (LQT) 1 and LQT2 syndromes during sympathetic stimulation were modeled because of their association with increased risk of ventricular arrhythmia. Temporal heterogeneity and hysteresis of restitution were examined in the conscious dog under varying conditions of delayed repolarization using either the selective inhibitors of the slowly activating delayed rectifier potassium current (R)-2-(4-trifluoromethyl)-N-[2-oxo-5-phenyl-1-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzo[e][1,4]diazepin-3-yl]acetamide (L-768,673); the rapidly activating delayed rectifier potassium current (1-[2-(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)ethyl]-4-methyl-sulfonylaminobenzoyl)-piperidine (E-4031); or a combination of both at rest and during heart rate acceleration with sympathetic stimulation using isoproterenol challenges. Impaired repolarization with the combination of E-4031 and L-768,673 increased heterogeneity of restitution at rest 55 to 91%, increased hysteresis during heart rate acceleration after isoproterenol challenge by approximately 40 to 60%, and dramatically reduced the minimum TQ interval by 72% to only 28 ms. Impaired repolarization alters restitution during normal sinus rhythm and increases hysteresis/heterogeneity during heart rate acceleration following sympathetic stimulation. Thus, dynamic beat-to-beat measurements of restitution could lead to clinically applicable ECG obtained biomarkers for assessment of changes associated with arrhythmogenic risk.
SPECTRAL SMOOTHING FOR FREQUENCY-DOMAIN BLIND SOURCE SEPARATION

This paper describes the circularity problem of frequencydomain blind source separation (BSS), and presents a new method for solving it. Frequency-domain BSS performs independent component analysis (ICA) in each frequency bin. It is more efficient than time-domain BSS where ICA is applied to convolutive mixtures. However, frequency-domain BSS has two problems. The first is the permutation problem, for which we have recently proposed a method. It provides a robust and precise solution for the permutation problem and reveals the influence of the second problem, namely the circularity problem. Our solution for this second problem is based on spectral smoothing by windowing. However, the direct application of windowing changes the frequency responses for separation obtained by ICA and causes an error. Therefore, we adjust the frequency responses before windowing so that the error is minimized. The effectiveness of the method is shown by experimental results for the separation of up to four sources.
Analysis of polarization-maintaining photonic crystal fiber’s phase sensitivity to temperature and its influence to fiber-optic gyroscope

The polarization-maintaining photonic crystal fiber’s phase sensitivity dependence on temperature was analysis. The relationship between temperature and phase of normal polarization-maintaining fiber and polarization-maintaining photonic crystal fiber was numerical analyzed and experimental tested. Furthermore, the Shupe effects in fiber optical gyroscopes with the two fibers were studied. The contrast results showed that the phase sensitivity dependence on temperature of the polarization-maintaining photonic crystal fiber is quantitatively comparable to normal panda fiber. And the Shupe errors of the gyroscopes with the two different fibers were at the same level.
Effects of the process temperature and rolling speed on the thermal roll-to-roll imprint lithography of flexible polycarbonate film

Thermal roll-to-roll imprint lithography (R2RIL) is a simple and low-cost process for the mass production of micro/nanopatterns. However, in that it relies on highly viscous thermoplastic resists, it is limited in its ability to imprint precise patterns at a high speed. Moreover, the concentrated imprint force applied in R2RIL can damage the resist material which is structurally vulnerable at high process temperatures. Therefore, it is important to understand the temperature- and time-dependent characteristics of the resist material as well as the imprinting mechanism when using thermal R2RIL. In this work, the effects of the process temperature and rolling speed on thermal R2RIL of polycarbonate (PC) films were investigated to improve the process efficiency. Micro-scale line patterns were successfully transferred onto PC films from nickel (Ni) mold stamps. Consequently, line patterns with widths in the range of 5–80 µm were achieved at a traveling speed of 28.6 mm s–1 and process temperature of 150 °C, which is just above the glass transition temperature (Tg). In addition, the patterning performance was investigated for different temperatures, rolling speeds and pattern sizes. The imprinted pattern profiles were measured by an alpha-step surface profiler to investigate the patterning performance. The results show that a much better imprint performance was achieved at 150 °C, compared to the result at temperatures below Tg. The physical mechanisms of thermal R2RIL on a PC film were studied by a finite-element analysis and the patterning process was successfully demonstrated by a visco-plastic deformation model.
Face identification using kinect technology

Face recognition is one of the most widely studied problems in computer science due to various advantages, such as universality, robustness, permanence and accessibility [1]. It becomes increasingly important in many applications, including urban surveillance, home security, and healthcare [2]. Our approach aims human identification using soft biometrics (face, skeleton) extracted from 2D and 3D video sources. The proposed solution is based on low cost hardware [3].
Knowledge compilation = query rewriting + view synthesis

In Knowledge Compilation (KC) an intractable deduction problem KB ⊨ f is split into two phases: 1) KB is preprocessed, thus obtaining a data structure DKB; 2) the problem is efficiently solved using DKB and f. Our goal is to study KC in the context of relational databases: Both KB and f are represented as databases, and '⊨' is represented as a query Q in second-order logic. DKB is a database, to be synthesized from KB by means of an appropriate view. Q is rewritten, thus obtaining Qr. We show syntactic restrictions on Q implying that a polynomial-size DKB and a first-order Qr exist, which imply that phase 2 can be done in polynomial time. We also present classes of queries (in some sense complementary to the former ones) for which either no polynomial-size DKB or no first-order Qr exist (unless the PH collapses). Compilation to other complexity classes is also addressed.
Centella asiatica Attenuates Diabetes Induced Hippocampal Changes in Experimental Diabetic Rats

Diabetes mellitus has been reported to affect functions of the hippocampus. We hypothesized that Centella asiatica, a herb traditionally being used to improve memory, prevents diabetes-related hippocampal dysfunction. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the protective role of C. asiatica on the hippocampus in diabetes. Methods. Streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced adult male diabetic rats received 100 and 200 mg/kg/day body weight (b.w) C. asiatica leaf aqueous extract for four consecutive weeks. Following sacrifice, hippocampus was removed and hippocampal tissue homogenates were analyzed for Na+/K+-, Ca2+- and Mg2+-ATPases activity levels. Levels of the markers of inflammation (tumor necrosis factor, TNF-α; interleukin, IL-6; and interleukin, IL-1β) and oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation product: LPO, superoxide dismutase: SOD, catalase: CAT, and glutathione peroxidase: GPx) were determined. The hippocampal sections were visualized for histopathological changes. Results. Administration of C. asiatica leaf aqueous extract to diabetic rats maintained near normal ATPases activity levels and prevents the increase in the levels of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in the hippocampus. Lesser signs of histopathological changes were observed in the hippocampus of C. asiatica leaf aqueous extract treated diabetic rats. Conclusions. C. asiatica leaf protects the hippocampus against diabetes-induced dysfunction which could help to preserve memory in this condition.
SURFACE MODELLING OF URBAN 3 D OBJECTS FROM VEHICLE-BORNE LASER RANGE DATA

In this paper, a method is presented to generate surface model of urban out-door environment using vehicle-borne laser range scanners, which have been developed in Konno et al.[11]. A classification is conducted first, where range points are divided into the groups of vertical building surface, road surface, other surface, window, tree and others, unknown objects. Erroneous measurement are corrected, e.g. window data or discarded, e.g. irregular data. Volumetric modelling and marching cube method are exploited in this research to model both surface-structured objects, e.g. building and road surface, and volume-structured objects, e.g. tree. Estimates for signed distance are proposed. Through an experiment, it is demonstrated that urban out-door environment can be reconstructed with high automation and efficiency using our method.
Association between Reduction of Plasma Adiponectin Levels and Risk of Bacterial Infection after Gastric Cancer Surgery

Background and Purpose Infections are important causes of postoperative morbidity after gastric surgery; currently, no factors have been identified that can predict postoperative infection. Adiponectin (ADN) mediates energy metabolism and functions as an immunomodulator. Perioperative ADN levels and perioperative immune functioning could be mutually related. Here we evaluated a potential biological marker to reliably predict the incidence of postoperative infections to prevent such comorbidities. Methods We analyzed 150 consecutive patients who underwent elective gastric cancer surgery at the Shiga University of Medical Science Hospital (Shiga, Japan) from 1997 to 2009; of these, most surgeries (n = 100) were performed 2008 onwards. The patient characteristics and surgery-related factors between two groups (with and without infection) were compared by the paired t-test and χ2 test, including preoperative ADN levels, postoperative day 1 ADN levels, and ADN ratio (postoperative ADN levels/preoperative ADN levels) as baseline factors. Logistic regression analysis was performed to access the independent association between ADN ratio and postoperative infection. Finally, receiver operating curves (ROCs) were constructed to examine its clinical utility. Results Sixty patients (40%) experienced postoperative infections. The baseline values of age, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, total operating time, blood loss, surgical procedure, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, preoperative ADN levels, and ADN ratio were significantly different between groups. Logistic regression analysis using these factors indicated that type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and ADN ratio were significantly independent variables (*p<0.05, ** p<0.01, respectively). ROC analysis revealed that the useful cutoff values (sensitivity/specificity) for preoperative ADN levels, ADN ratio, blood loss, operating time, and CRP levels were 8.81(0.567/0.568), 0.76 (0.767/0.761), 405 g (0.717/0.693), 342 min (0.617/0.614), and 8.94 mg/dl (0.583/0.591), respectively. Conclusion T2DM and ADN ratio were independent predictors of postoperative infection and ADN ratio was the most useful predictor for postoperative infection.
Dendritic and Natural Killer Cells Cooperate in the Control/Switch of Innate Immunity

Twenty years ago, R. Steinman and colleagues established that dendritic cells (DCs) have unique capacities to prime naive T cells and that DC maturation is the checkpoint for the initiation of adaptive immune responses ([1][1]–[3][2]). In the mid-1990s, C. Janeway pointed out the pivotal role of
Complete genome sequence of Catenulispora acidiphila type strain (ID 139908T)

Catenulispora acidiphila Busti et al. 2006 is the type species of the genus Catenulispora, and is of interest because of the rather isolated phylogenetic location it occupies within the scarcely explored suborder Catenulisporineae of the order Actinomycetales. C. acidiphilia is known for its acidophilic, aerobic lifestyle, but can also grow scantly under anaerobic conditions. Under regular conditions, C. acidiphilia grows in long filaments of relatively short aerial hyphae with marked septation. It is a free living, non motile, Gram-positive bacterium isolated from a forest soil sample taken from a wooded area in Gerenzano, Italy. Here we describe the features of this organism, together with the complete genome sequence and annotation. This is the first complete genome sequence of the actinobacterial family Catenulisporaceae, and the 10,467,782 bp long single replicon genome with its 9056 protein-coding and 69 RNA genes is a part of the GenomicEncyclopedia ofBacteria andArchaea project.
Flood risk and climate change: global and regional perspectives

Abstract A holistic perspective on changing rainfall-driven flood risk is provided for the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Economic losses from floods have greatly increased, principally driven by the expanding exposure of assets at risk. It has not been possible to attribute rain-generated peak streamflow trends to anthropogenic climate change over the past several decades. Projected increases in the frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall, based on climate models, should contribute to increases in precipitation-generated local flooding (e.g. flash flooding and urban flooding). This article assesses the literature included in the IPCC SREX report and new literature published since, and includes an assessment of changes in flood risk in seven of the regions considered in the recent IPCC SREX report—Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Europe, North America, Oceania and Polar regions. Also considering newer publications, this article is consistent with the recent IPCC SREX assessment finding that the impacts of climate change on flood characteristics are highly sensitive to the detailed nature of those changes and that presently we have only low confidence1 in numerical projections of changes in flood magnitude or frequency resulting from climate change. Editor D. Koutsoyiannis Citation Kundzewicz, Z.W. , et al., 2013. Flood risk and climate change: global and regional perspectives. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 59 (1), 1–28.
Associations of Self-Reported Cigarette Smoking with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Co-Morbid Chronic Conditions in the United States

Abstract Background: The question of how smoking, COPD, and other chronic diseases are related remains unresolved. Therefore, we examined relationships between smoking, COPD, and 10 other chronic diseases and assessed the prevalence of co-morbid chronic conditions among people with COPD. Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional data from 405,856 US adults aged 18 years or older in the 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. We used log-linear regression to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for these relationships adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, marital status, educational attainment, annual household income, and health insurance coverage. Results: Overall, 17.5% reported being current cigarette smokers, 6.9% reported having COPD, and 71.2% reported another chronic condition. After age-adjustment, prevalence of COPD was 14.1% (adjusted PR = 3.9; 95% CI: 3.7, 4.1) among current smokers and 7.1% (adjusted PR = 2.5; 95% CI: 2.4, 2.7) among former smokers compared to 2.9% among never smokers. The most common chronic conditions among current smokers after age-adjustment were high cholesterol (36.7%), high blood pressure (34.6%), arthritis (29.4%), depression (27.4%), and asthma (16.9%). In separate multivariable models, smoking and COPD were associated with each of the 10 other chronic conditions (p < 0.05), which also included cancer, coronary heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and stroke; COPD modified associations between smoking and co-morbidities, while smoking did not modify associations between COPD and co-morbidities. Conclusions: Our findings confirm previous evidence and highlight the continuing importance of comprehensive care coordination for people with COPD and co-morbid chronic conditions and also tobacco prevention and control strategies.