Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Isolation of Unactuation: An Energetic Approach to Derive Static Equilibria for Underactuated Mechanical Systems

This paper revisits previous work on nonlinear mechanical control coupling for underactuated mechanical systems (UMS) to study how the coupling can be exploited in system dynamics. When decomposing a velocity field for an UMS into actuated and unactuated directions, the unactuated part can be isolated geometrically, and hence a "programmable" energetic approach is developed to directly obtain static equilibria for the system, instead of using Newton’s second law and then eliminating variables. This approach is also interpreted with virtual work analysis. It is applicable to UMS, with any degree of unactuation, or any linkage type. It is also independent of choice of coordinates. A three-link model is adopted to demonstrate the results. Furthermore, a study between coupling and system response among a range of equilibria for an acrobot shows that larger coupling can instantly give more control authority to the unactuated dynamics.
The evolution of theory and research in social psychology: From single to multiple effect and process models of persuasion.

Richard E. Petty received his B.A. from the University ofVirginia in 1973 and his doctorate in social psychology from Ohio State University in 1977. In 1987, he left his position as Middlebush Professor at the University of Missouri to return to Ohio State where he won the University Distinguished Scholar Award in 1994. He is the author of seven books and over 150 journal articles and chapters. Dr. Petty is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Psychological Association, and the American Psychological Society. He is former editor of the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin and current serves on the editorial board of six journals.
Incumbency, Parties, and Legislatures: Theory and Evidence from India

Incumbent legislators in some developing countries are often thought to face an electoral disadvantage relative to challengers. This paper traces this effect to high levels of centralization within the political parties and governments of these countries. In political systems dominated by party leaders, legislators face formal and informal constraints on their ability to influence policy, stake positions, and control patronage, which in turn reduce their ability to build up personal votes. This theory is tested on a dataset of Indian national elections since 1977, using a regression discontinuity design to measure the effects of incumbency. Candidates less affected by centralization—in particular, those not affected by restrictions on free parliamentary voting—have a low or non-existent incumbency disadvantage. Corruption appears have little effect on incumbency disadvantage, while poverty has a weak effect. The results imply that the electoral effects of political office are conditional on the overall structure of the political system.
Modélisation de transformateurs planaires intégrés

L’utilisation des composants passifs a connu une importante croissance ces dernieres decennies notamment dans le domaine de la telephonie mobile, de l’electronique embarquee. Les travaux presentes dans cette these s’inscrivent dans un cadre de projet entre les laboratoires LT2C de l’UJM et Ampere de l’INSA de LYON. L’objectif vise par cette these est la modelisation des micro-transformateurs de signaux utilises pour isoler les parties puissance (Driver IC) et commande (JFET ou MOSFET). Les points abordes dans cette these sont le choix des structures de transformateurs qui repondent aux exigences du projet, le developpement d’un modele de transformateur qui prend en compte notamment les pertes et l’evolution de la permeabilite du materiau magnetique et les differents couplages capacitifs. Des simulations a l’aide de HFSS ont ete realisees afin de realiser le design des structures retenues et valider le modele developpe. Des etapes de fabrications compatibles avec celle de la microelectronique ont ete utilisees pour fabriquer des prototypes a une couche et a deux couches de materiau magnetique avec differentes configurations. Une caracterisation haute frequence (2MHz-200MHz) a l’aide de l’analyseur vectoriel de reseaux a ete realisee et enfin une etude comparative entre les resultats de simulation et les resultats de mesure fait l’objet d’une presentation
Communicating co-operation or individualism? The paradox of the Shona Proverb

This research is an examination of whether there are contradictions in the cultural worldview of the Shona people as the proverbs they use seem to promote co-operation but at the same time they are those that apparently encourage individualism. It stems from the realisation that the Shona, just like other African cultural groups, adopt a communal approach to life shunning individualism. Since proverbs are an integral part of the people`s cultural values , they should be seen to be promoting the cherished values but ironically they are proverbs which seem to contradict each other in terms of the information they disseminate. The proverbs discussed in this research have been randomly selected from some written sources as well as from the researchers` own life experiences. The research methodology employed is the content analysis approach as it is relevant in the endeavour to unravel the philosophical inclinations of using the conflicting pairs. The contradictions that have been noted do not suggest that the Shona people live a confusing life but it shows that proverbs are chosen carefully in relation to the context. This in itself is a reflection of the flexibility on part of the Shona people to treat each case differently. The contradictory pairs point out to the fact that there are always different angles of viewing certain issues and situations. It is the context which determines the proverbs that ought to be used and this ensures that the people do not live within a confusing worldview. Key words: Shona people, Zimbabwe, Shona proverbs, Shona culture, individualism, cooperation.
Stability of Nonlinear Discrete Repetitive Processes with Switching

In this paper, stability conditions of nonlinear discrete repetitive processes with switching are established. The approach is based on the development of a method that uses vector Lyapunov functions and a property of the counterpart of its divergence. This method was earlier proposed by the authors for repetitive processes without switching. An illustrative example of an iterative learning control problem with switching in the pass direction is given.
Remembrance of Arguments Past: How Well Is the Glutamate Receptor Hypothesis of LTP Holding Up after 20 Years?

It is now almost 20 years since we proposed “a new and specific hypothesis” regarding the biochemical basis of memory (Lynch & Baudry, 1984). The hypothesis was prompted by a need for a cellular explanation for the then still-new phenomenon of long-term potentiation (LTP), an effect that matched up remarkably well with the long-expected synaptic substrate of memory. By the time of our paper, LTP was known to be synapse specific, inducible by very brief bursts (,1 s) of afferent stimulation, absolutely dependent upon rises in postsynaptic calcium, and accompanied by changes in the morphology of dendritic spines. Building on these points, we proposed that repetitive high-frequency synaptic activity causes increases in spine calcium levels (spine as calcium traps), which then produce modifications of postsynaptic glutamate receptors (Fig. 1). As to the type of receptor changes that might be involved, we suggested four nonexclusive possibilities: (1) new synapses are built, which necessarily involves insertion of new receptors in synaptic membranes; (2) new receptors are added to existing synapses; (3) latent (silent) receptors are unmasked; and (4) extant receptors are modified in such a way as to improve their performance. Option 1 ran into the problem that while electron microscopic studies had found evidence of synaptogenesis after LTP (Lee, Oliver, & Lynch, 1980; Chang & Greenough, 1984), the magnitude of the effect seemed too small to account for the 50–100% potentiation effects commonly recorded. Option 4 had the problem that, at least at the time, it did not account for the extraordinary stability of LTP; that is, posttranslational modifications of proteins could hardly be expected to persist for the several weeks required of an LTP substrate. This left unmasking or adding of receptors (or both) as the most likely explanations for LTP. As to why potentiation lasted so long, we argued that morphological changes triggered in parallel to the receptor changes opened the way to receptor unmasking/addition and that such changes could be extremely stable. In more contemporary terminology, the idea would be that morphological modifications shift the synapse into a state in which a greater number of receptors can be active or added into postsynaptic membranes.
Photopheresis affects the course of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in Lewis rat

Background/Purpose: The mechanism responsible for the beneficial effects of extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP) remains unknown. In the rat model of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), the transfer of encephalitogenic cells (EAE cells) induces transient passive EAE, followed by resistance to subsequent disease induction through immunization with central nervous system antigens (active EAE).
Advances in the Treatment of Melasma: A Review of the Recent Literature

Background Melasma is an acquired pigmentary disorder classically manifesting as symmetric hyperpigmented macules and patches on the face. It most commonly affects women of reproductive age with darker skin tones but may also affect adolescents, older women, and men. Although its pathogenesis remains unclear, known risk factors include ultraviolet radiation, hormonal variations of pregnancy, thyroid disease, oral contraceptives, and antiseizure medications. Hydroquinone‐containing topical agents are the current standard for melasma treatment, but concern about side effects and long‐term safety has spurred efforts to develop alternative treatment options. Objectives To review recent advances in melasma treatment. Materials and Methods MEDLINE was searched from 2006 to the present for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of melasma treatments. Results Nineteen published RCTs were found covering interventions such as topical therapies, chemical peels, and electromagnetic devices. The outcomes of the studies were summarized into tabular form for easy reference and comparison. Conclusions Although melasma is difficult to treat, novel therapeutic modalities have emerged. Further RCT need to be performed to better assess the safety and efficacy of these novel treatment modalities, especially for the long‐term maintenance of melasma.
Radioiodide Treatment of Pulmonary Metastases of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

Pulmonary metastases were found in 123 out of 840 patients with thyroid cancer between 1955-1977. 87 patients with pulmonary metastases of differentiated cancer were studied in detail, including an evaluation of prognostically important factors. In 66 of them, the induction of 131I uptake in metastases was attempted, in half of them successfully. Uptake was achieved more frequently in younger subjects, in papillary cancers and in patients with fine pulmonary metastases on chest films. Survival (not corrected for age) was evaluated 10 and 15 years following the diagnosis of thyroid cancer and was found to be 29,1 % and 12,2%, respectively. Significantly higher survival rates were seen in younger patients, in patients with the fine type of pulmonary metastases, in the absence of bone metastases and, particularly, in patients with induced 131I uptake in metastases. Papillary cancers were found to have higher survival rates in males and in young subjects only, in the whole group the survival rates were independent of either microscopic type or sex. It is believed that biologic behaviour of distant (pulmonary) metastases may be influenced by radioiodide therapy.
Characterization of the Interaction between Zyxin and Members of the Ena/Vasodilator-stimulated Phosphoprotein Family of Proteins*

Zyxin contains a proline-rich N-terminal domain that is similar to the C-terminal domain in the ActA protein of the bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes. We screened the entire amino acid sequence of human zyxin for Mena-interacting peptides and found that, as with ActA, proline-rich sequences were the sole zyxin sequences capable of binding to Ena/vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) family members in vitro. From this information, we tested zyxin mutants in which the proline-rich sequences were altered. The reduction in Mena/VASP binding was confirmed by peptide tests, immunoprecipitation, and ectopic expression of zyxin variants at the surface of mitochondria. By transfection assays we showed that zyxin interaction with Mena/VASP in vivo enhances the production of actin-rich structures at the apical surface of cells. Microinjection into cells of peptides corresponding to the first proline-rich sequence of zyxin caused the loss of Mena/VASP from focal contacts. Furthermore, these peptides reduced the degree of spreading of cells replated after trypsinization. We conclude that zyxin and proteins that harbor similar proline-rich repeats contribute to the positioning of Mena/VASP proteins. The positioning of Ena/VASP family members appears to be important when the actin cytoskeleton is reorganized, such as during spreading.
Letter to the Editor

In response to the article by Saara Greene and colleagues describing the challenges faced by Canadian mothers living with HIV, in particular the unwelcome surveillance they experience and their disappointment in not being permitted to breastfeed (Greene et al., 2014), we would like to offer the following observations. While it is true that a 2009 systematic review (Horvath et al., 2009) demonstrates that exclusive breastfeeding almost doubles the risk of postnatal transmission of HIV, this is only true for HIV-positive mothers who have received no antiretroviral therapy (ART), a situation which is unlikely to pertain in Canada today. A growing body of research shows that effective ART can reduce both horizontal and vertical transmission of HIV. No cases of horizontal transmission of HIV were found during two years of follow-up of sero-discordant couples when the HIV-infected partner received and was adherent to full ART (Rodger et al., 2014). Similarly, vertical transmission to HIV-exposed infants can be virtually eliminated with maternal ART (Gartland et al., 2013; Ngoma et al., 2011; Shapiro et al., 2010). Maternal HIV testing during early pregnancy facilitates timely diagnosis and prompt provision of ART, which in turn ensures that HIV viral load can be reduced to undetectable within 13 weeks (Chibwesha et al., 2011)—well in time to permit normal vaginal delivery and safe initiation of breastfeeding. Up to date World Health Organization (WHO) guidance recommends that all women diagnosed as HIV-infected should receive ART which should be continued for life (WHO, 2013). Outside the context of HIV, global recommendations endorse exclusive breastfeeding for all babies for the first six months of life and continued partial breastfeeding for up to two years or beyond (WHO, 2001). Current WHO guidance on HIV and infant feeding places a new focus on HIV-free child survival rather than merely a reduction in mother to child transmission of HIV by breastfeeding avoidance (WHO, 2010). The assumption that because mothers living with HIV in Canada have access to clean water and safe infant feeding alternatives breastfeeding avoidance is free from risk is unfounded. This may in part stem from misleading reporting of research results (Smith, Dunstone, & Elliott-Rudder, 2009). In
Bicriteria Optimization in the Newsvendor Problem with Exponentially Distributed Demand

In this paper exponential distribution is implemented as a demand distribution in newsvendor model with two different and conflicting goals. The first goal is the standard objective of maximization of the expected profit. The second one is to maximize the probability of exceeding the expected profit, called survival probability. Using exponential distribution as the demand distribution allows us to obtain the exact solutions. Also for this distribution we can study the monotonicity of survival probability with respect to various model parameters analytically. Additional results are obtained when various sets of the parameters are considered. Finally, the bicriteria index which combines these conflicting objectives is optimized which gives the compromise solution. Moreover, in order to illustrate theoretical results, we present numerical examples and graphs of auxiliary functions.
Aproximación al adolescente con trastorno de conducta disocial

INTRODUCCION La perspectiva de la Salud Mental ha evolucionado y ya no se entiende como un concepto unidimensional, absoluto, ni de normalidad estadistica, pero tampoco como utopia o ideal. La salud mental combina experiencias cognitivas, afectivas y de relacion. Cada vez mas se reconoce la importancia de los componentes externos: social, economico, ambiente fisico y red social de apoyo, que conducen a un concepto mas amplio de salud mental. Pero ademas se admite que la salud mental no consiste solo en vivir placenteramente, sino que tambien entrana tolerancia al dolor y el sufrimiento que hacen parte de la vida cotidiana.
Gestión por procesos y definición de indicadores para un agente participante en la trading agent competition SCM

La Trading Agent Competition TAC SCM es una competicion entre agentes software que funcionan de forma autonoma y que compiten dentro de un entorno que simula el comportamiento de una cadena de suministro. En este trabajo se describe la metodologia que se ha utilizado para el analisis de los procesos que ha de realizar un agente que participe en la competicion. Primero se describira el proceso de definicion del agente siguiendo un enfoque de gestion de procesos para pasar posteriormente a la descripcion de como se ha realizado la aplicacion de este enfoque a la definicion del funcionamiento del agente, finalizando con la descripcion del metodo utilizado para definir los indicadores de cada uno de los procesos del agente
Recurrent traumatic urethral strictures near the external sphincter: treatment with a covered, retrievable, expandable nitinol stent--initial results.

PURPOSE To investigate the clinical effectiveness of a covered, retrievable, expandable nitinol stent in treating traumatic urethral strictures near the external sphincter. MATERIALS AND METHODS The stent was 10 mm in diameter when fully expanded and 40-50 mm long. To make it removable, two nylon drawstrings were attached to its lower inner margin. Twelve consecutive men (19-67 years; mean age, 47 years) with traumatic urethral strictures near the external sphincter that were refractory to endoscopic urethrotomy were treated. With fluoroscopic guidance, a stent was placed to completely bridge the external sphincter. The stent was electively removed with a retrieval hook wire 2 months after placement. Stent placement and removal were successful in all patients, with no procedural complications. RESULTS Mean maximum urine flow rate was 5 mL/sec (range, 3-7 mL/sec) before stent placement and 27 mL/sec (range, 16-40 mL/sec) at 1 week after placement. During the mean follow-up of 20 months (range, 2-37 months) after the first stent removal, strictures recurred in eight of 12 patients. For the eight patients with recurrence, a second stent was placed and 4 months later was removed from seven of the eight patients. During the mean follow-up of 18 months (range, 4-32 months) after the second stent removal, strictures recurred in two patients, in whom a third stent was placed and then removed 4 months later, with good results. Four (33%) of 12 patients, five (62%) of eight patients, and two (100%) of two patients were successfully treated with placement of the first stent, the second stent, and the third stent, respectively. In the remaining patient, the second stent remains in place. CONCLUSION Placement of a covered, retrievable, expandable nitinol stent seems to be effective in treating urethral strictures near the external sphincter and warrants further investigation.
Examining Potential Therapies Targeting Myocardial Fibrosis through the Inhibition of Transforming Growth Factor-Beta 1

After injury, the heart undergoes a remodeling process consisting primarily of myocyte hypertrophy, apoptosis and interstitial fibrosis. Although initially beneficial, excess fibrosis gradually results in alteration of left ventricular properties and cardiac dysfunction. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta(1)) is thought to be a primary mediator of fibrosis within the heart after injury. Currently, angiotensin II blockade is used to inhibit the actions of TGF-beta(1). However, recent studies indicate that angiotensin II blockade alone may not be sufficient to prevent TGF-beta(1)-induced fibrosis. Thus far, both in vivo and in vitro models have shown that direct TGF-beta(1) inhibition, NAPDH oxidase inhibitors, growth factors and hormonal treatment regimens targeting TGF-beta(1) may significantly reduce cardiac fibrosis after injury. This study attempts to underline these alternatives to angiotensin II blockade in combating TGF-beta(1)-induced cardiac dysfunction.
Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Is a Surface-Associated, Fibronectin-Binding Protein of Trichomonas vaginalis

ABSTRACT Trichomonas vaginalis colonizes the urogenital tract of humans and causes trichomonosis, the most prevalent nonviral sexually transmitted disease. We have shown an association of T. vaginalis with basement membrane extracellular matrix components, a property which we hypothesize is important for colonization and persistence. In this study, we identify a fibronectin (FN)-binding protein of T. vaginalis. A monoclonal antibody (MAb) from a library of hybridomas that inhibited the binding of T. vaginalis organisms to immobilized FN was identified. The MAb (called ws1) recognized a 39-kDa protein and was used to screen a cDNA expression library of T. vaginalis. A 1,086-bp reactive cDNA clone that encoded a protein of 362 amino acids with identity to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) was obtained. The gapdh gene was cloned, and recombinant GAPDH (rGAPDH) was expressed in Escherichia coli cells. Natural GAPDH and rGAPDH bound to immobilized FN and to plasminogen and collagen but not to laminin. MAb ws1 inhibited binding to FN. GAPDH was detected on the surface of trichomonads and was upregulated in synthesis and surface expression by iron. Higher levels of binding to FN were seen for organisms grown in iron-replete medium than for organisms grown in iron-depleted medium. In addition, decreased synthesis of GAPDH by antisense transfection of T. vaginalis gave lower levels of organisms bound to FN and had no adverse effect on growth kinetics. Finally, GAPDH did not associate with immortalized vaginal epithelial cells (VECs), and neither GAPDH nor MAb ws1 inhibited the adherence of trichomonads to VECs. These results indicate that GAPDH is a surface-associated protein of T. vaginalis with alternative functions.