Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Electronics Proposal for Telerobotics Operation of P3-DX Units

Telerobotics is the area of robotics concerned with the control of robots from a distance, mainly using wireless connections or the Internet. It is a combination of two major subfields, teleoperation and telepresence. The work presented in this chapter belongs to the field of teleoperated robots, where a remote centre sets commands to the robot and supervises the performed motion by receiving feedback from its sensors. In teleoperated robots the control algorithm can be balanced between the remote host and the local host in the robot, which yields to several kind of possible control schemas. The key components needed to develop telerobotics applications are the following: control (algorithm and real time implementation), sensors (world sensing and information processing) and wireless communication (generally using standard wireless technologies, i.e. IEEE 802.11) [Angelo, 2003], [Anvari, 2007], [Gumaste, 2007], [Mehani, 2007], [Chumsamutr, 2003], [Hespanha, 2007], [Bambang, 2007]. This chapter is outlined within both educational and research fields in telerobotics, and so its aim is to offer a reliable and low cost architecture to be implemented in research labs. The robotic platform consists of the Pioneer 3DX (P3-DX) from the company MobileRobots (see Figure 1). It is made of an aluminium body (44x38x22cm) with 16.5cm diameter drive wheels. The two DC motors use 38.3:1 gear ratios and contain 500-tick encoders. The differential drive platform is highly holonomic and can rotate in place moving both wheels, or it can swing around a stationery wheel in a circle of 32cm radius. A rear caster is included for balancing the robot. On flat floor, the P3-DX can move at speeds of 1.6 mps. At slower speeds it can carry payloads up to 23 kg. In addition to motor encoders, the P3DX base includes eight ultrasonic transducer (range-finding sonar) sensors arranged to provide 180degree forward coverage. This robot includes a 32-bit RISC-based controller, with 8 digital inputs and 8 digital outputs plus 1 dedicated A/D port; 4 of the outputs can be reconfigured to PWM outputs [P3-DX, 2009]. The P3-DX can be ordered with a complete electronic hardware [MobileRobots, 2009], which include wide range sensors, an on-board PC and Wireless Ethernet communication device. However, the authors propose to start from a basic structure that allows to be customized depending on the final application. This decision offers the opportunity of working with open platforms which is specially suitable for educational labs in engineering schools. On 1
Ammonia, Greenhouse Gas, and Particulate Matter Emissions of Aviary Layer Houses in the Midwestern U.S.

Abstract. There has been an increased interest in alternative housing for laying hens in certain parts of the world, including the U.S. Associated with the movement are many questions concerning sustainability of such systems. This study continually quantified concentrations and emissions of ammonia (NH 3 ), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), methane (CH 4 ), nitrous oxide (N 2 O), and particulate matter (PM 10 and PM 2.5 ) for two side-by-side aviary barns each housing 50,000 Hy-Line brown laying hens, located in the Midwestern U.S. The gaseous concentrations were continually monitored using an infrared photoacoustic multi-gas analyzer, while the PM concentrations were measured with tapered element oscillating microbalances (TEOMs). Barn ventilation rate was determined by monitoring the operation time of ventilation fans that had been calibrated in situ. Nineteen consecutive months of monitored data (June 2010 to December 2011) are analyzed and presented. Daily indoor aerial concentrations (mean ±SD) were 8.7 (±8.4) ppm NH 3 , 1,636 (±1,022) ppm CO 2 , 10.0 (±6.8) ppm CH 4 , 2.3 (±1.6) mg m -3 PM 10 , and 0.25 (±0.26) mg m -3 PM 2.5 . The aerial emissions are expressed as quantities per hen, per animal unit (AU, 500 kg body weight), and per kg egg output. Daily emission rates (g bird -1 ) were 0.15 (±0.08) NH 3 , 75 (±15) CO 2 , 0.09 (±0.08) CH 4 , 0.11 (±0.04) PM 10 , and 0.008 (±0.006) PM 2.5 . The results were compared to reported emission values for conventional (high-rise and manure-belt cage) U.S. laying-hen housing systems. Data from this study provide baseline concentration and emission values for the aviary housing system in the Midwestern U.S., which will also contribute to improvement of the U.S. national air emissions inventory for farm animal operations.
Childhood Exposure to Air Pollution as a Potential Contributor of Chronic Non-Respiratory Inflammatory Disorders: A Longitudinal Prospective Cohort Study in Hamilton, Canada

This study examines the relationship between childhood exposure to air pollution and diagnosis with chronic non-respiratory health outcomes in adulthood. This prospective cohort study uses data collected in the 1970/1980s from 395 children, including exposure to air pollution. Over thirty years later, a survey collected data on various health outcomes, including diagnosis with arthritis, high blood pressure, long-term skin conditions, and hay fever allergies. Logistic regression modeling was performed to examine the relative contribution of childhood exposure to air pollution on chronic non-respiratory health outcomes in adulthood. Childhood exposure to SO2 emerged as a significant predictor of arthritis (OR = 2.73, 95% CI 1.20 - 6.18) and high blood pressure (OR = 2.82, 95% CI 1.23 - 6.47). Other significant predictors include respiratory symptoms during childhood, family income during childhood and adulthood, property tenure, employment status, residential exposures, life events, physical activity, and body mass index. Childhood exposure to air pollution did not emerge as a significant predictor of long-term skin conditions or hay fever allergies. Findings contribute to the debate on the health effects of air pollution, indicating that the health impacts of childhood exposure to air pollution may include chronic inflammatory disorders in adulthood.
Does Accounting for Taxes on Income Provide Information About Tax Planning Performance? - Evidence from German Multinationals

This paper investigates the quality of information on tax planning performance which is provided by financial accounting based on IAS 12 (Income taxes). A simple theoretical investment model is used to show that reported tax expenses can be misleading as an indicator of tax planning performance, since timing effects of tax depreciations are suppressed. However, it is shown that IAS 12 provides meaningful information if tax planning strategies are driven by statutory tax rate differences, e.g. in the case of profit shifting. Our empirical analysis of actual tax planning behaviour, based on a panel of German balance sheet data, suggests that in practice international tax planning is significantly driven by statutory tax rates. However, we find that tax depreciation impacts on the size of investment as well and thus, IAS 12 does not fully disclose tax planning performance.
Creation of Synthetic X-Rays to Train a Neural Network to Detect Lung Cancer

The purpose of this research is to create effective training data for a neural network to detect lung cancer. Since X-rays are a relatively cheap and quick procedure that provide a preliminary look into a patient’s lungs and real X-rays are often difficult to obtain due to privacy concerns, creating synthetic frontal chest X-rays using ray tracing and Beer’s Law on several chest X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) scans with and without randomly inserted lung nodules can provide a large, diverse training dataset. This research project involves lung segmentation to separate lungs within CT scans and randomize nodule placement, nodule generation to grow nodules of random size and radiodensity, bone removal to obtain dualenergy X-rays, ray tracing to create X-rays from CT scans from several point sources using Beer’s Law, image processing to produce realistic X-rays with uniform orientation, dimensions, and contrast, and analyzing these various methods and the results of the neural network to improve accuracy when compared to real X-rays, while reducing space complexity and time complexity. This research may be helpful in detecting lung cancer at a very early stage.
Model-Based Gaze Direction Estimation in Office Environment

In this paper, we present a model-based approach for gaze direction estimation in office environment. An overlapped elliptical model is used in detection of head, and Bayesian network model is used in estimation of gaze direction. The head consists of two regions which are face and hair region, and it can be represented by two overlapped ellipses. We use its spatial layout based on relative angle of two ellipses and size ratio of two ellipses as prior information for gaze direction estimation. In an image, the face regions are detected based on color and shape information, the hair regions are detected based on color information. The head is tracked by mean shift algorithm and adjustment method for image sequence. The performance of the proposed approach is illustrated on various image sequences obtained from office environment, and we show goodness of gaze direction estimation quality.
Perception of students and teachers about didactic teaching: A cross-sectional study

Context: Didactic (lecture) method is a popular way of delivering the information in class among teachers amidst the other multiple novel methods, but there are very few researches published related to exploring the perception of teachers and students about effective didactic teaching. Aims: The aim of this survey is to find the best way to deliver a lecture as per the opinion of students and teachers in the College of Applied Health Sciences. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional survey through a questionnaire was obtained from a previous study on medical students with original questionnaire consisting of 17 items. In addition to the 17 items in the questionnaire, 4 new items were included through a pilot study on students and teachers in the College of Applied Medical Sciences. Subjects and Methods: Students (n = 110) and teachers (n = 41) participated in the cross-sectional study. Good Teaching Questionnaire was used to obtain opinion and views about ways to make didactic teaching better and effective. Statistical Analysis Used: Nonparametric tests were used to analyze data obtained from the questionnaire. Results: Almost 100% of teachers and students agreed to include mental rehearsal and smart board method of teaching in didactic method. Nearly 100% of students and 29.2% (12) of teachers agreed to include multiple-choice questions in the lecture. Conclusions: Smart board presentation is preferred over the other modes of delivery of information. Mental rehearsal at the end of class is a useful tool to enhance learning and content retention. Teachers must implement students' suggestions such as ideal duration of class, time of class, lot of relevant examples, and little bit of fun would make learning enjoyable and effective.
Effects of L‐methionine on performance, gut morphology and antioxidant status in gut and liver of piglets in relation to DL‐methionine

This study investigated the hypothesis that dietary supplementation of L-methionine (L-Met) in weaned piglets in relation to DL-methionine (DL-Met) results in a higher antioxidant status and lower need for antioxidant enzyme activation in intestinal epithelium and body tissues, and improves gut morphology and gut barrier function as well as performance. A total of 99 early-weaned 21-day old piglets were allotted to six groups and fed a semi-synthetic wheat-barley-based basal diet supplemented with 0.067%, 0.107% and 0.147% of either DL-Met (MetAmino; Evonik, Hanau, Germany) or L-Met (L-Met100; CJ Europe, Schwalbach am Taunus, Germany) to reach dietary Met concentrations of 0.16%, 0.20% and 0.24%, of which the latter met the requirements for maintenance and growth based on a pre-experiment. Feed intake and body weights were recorded weekly, and samples of plasma, liver and duodenum and jejunum mucosa were collected after 3 weeks at slaughter. Plasma concentrations of L-Met were similar, and those of D-Met and total Met were higher in piglets fed DL-Met in relation to those fed L-Met. Feed intake, daily gains and feed:gain ratio, and the relative bio-efficacy based on gains and feed:gain ratio were similar for both groups. Likewise, villi length, crypt depth, the villi length:crypt depth ratio in duodenum and jejunum and gene expression of tight junction proteins in the jejunum did not differ. Concentrations of antioxidants like glutathione and tocopherol, the total antioxidant capacity, the mRNA abundance or activity of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, markers for oxidative damage of lipids and the expression of inflammatory genes were similar in liver and jejunum mucosa. These data indicate that the effects of L-Met and DL-Met supplementation are comparable considering both piglet performance and parameters of gut health and function like gut morphology and the intestinal antioxidant status.
Wearable Carbon Nanotube-Based Biosensors on Gloves for Lactate

Developing a simple and direct approach for interfacing a sensor and a target analyte is of great interest for fields such as medical diagnosis, threat detection, food quality control, and environmental monitoring. Gloves provide a unique interface for sensing applications. Here, we show for the first time the development of wearable carbon nanotube (CNT)-based amperometric biosensors painted onto gloves as a new sensing platform, used here for the determination of lactate. Three sensor types were studied, configured as: two CNT electrodes; one CNT electrode, and an Ag/AgCl electrode, and two CNT electrodes and an Ag/AgCl electrode. The sensors are constructed by painting the electrodes using CNT or Ag/AgCl inks. By immobilizing lactate oxidase onto the CNT-based working electrodes, the sensors show sensitive detections of lactate. Comparison of sensor performance shows that a combination of CNT and Ag/AgCl is necessary for highly sensitive detection. We anticipate that these findings could open exciting avenues for fundamental studies of wearable bioelectronics, as well as practical applications in fields such as healthcare and defense.
Changes in the Morphology of Hypoglossal Motor Neurons in the Brainstem of Developing Rats

The autonomic brainstem generates breathing rhythm by integrating inputs from chemosensors and mechanosensors in the viscera and coordinating descending outputs from higher structures in the central nervous system. Hypoglossal motoneurons (XII MNs) receive inputs from respiratory premotor neurons, important for maintaining airway patency. Previous studies in rodents report significant changes in breathing control during the first 3 weeks of life, with a sensitive period at 10 to 13 days postbirth (P10–P13) characterized by pronounced changes in neurotransmitters, excitation‐inhibition balance, and breathing physiology. However, age‐dependent morphological changes of XII MNs during the first 3 weeks postbirth and especially this sensitive period are under‐studied. Here, we comprehensively characterize and quantify the early morphological changes in rat XII MNs. We hypothesized that morphological changes in XII MNs correspond to the functionally defined sensitive period observed at postnatal day 10–13 (P10–P13). To test this hypothesis, we used an innovative contemporary statistical approach to analyze Golgi‐Cox stained XII MNs at nine postnatal ages between P1 and P21. Our findings reveal two subpopulations of XII MNs, which are dependent on age and morphological features. Soma size increased approximately 40% from P1 to P21, without changing shape. However, dendritic arborization increased in extent/distance and complexity. Dendritic branching of developing neurons significantly increased from P1 through P13, with the greatest increase at P10–P13 based on the Sholl method. Our detailed characterization of XII MN morphological development establishes a foundation for the study and elucidation of morphological changes caused by maternal and perinatal conditions. Anat Rec, 302:869–892, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fungal Pathogens of Maize Gaining Free Passage Along the Silk Road

Silks are the long threads at the tips of maize ears onto which pollen land and sperm nuclei travel long distances to fertilize egg cells, giving rise to embryos and seeds; however fungal pathogens also use this route to invade developing grain, causing damaging ear rots with dangerous mycotoxins. This review highlights the importance of silks as the direct highways by which globally important fungal pathogens enter maize kernels. First, the most important silk-entering fungal pathogens in maize are reviewed, including Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium verticillioides, and Aspergillus flavus, and their mycotoxins. Next, we compare the different modes used by each fungal pathogen to invade the silks, including susceptible time intervals and the effects of pollination. Innate silk defences and current strategies to protect silks from ear rot pathogens are reviewed, and future protective strategies and silk-based research are proposed. There is a particular gap in knowledge of how to improve silk health and defences around the time of pollination, and a need for protective silk sprays or other technologies. It is hoped that this review will stimulate innovations in breeding, inputs, and techniques to help growers protect silks, which are expected to become more vulnerable to pathogens due to climate change.
Psoriasis and suicidality: A review of the literature

Psoriasis is a chronic systemic inflammatory skin disease, which has been associated with an increased risk of numerous medical and psychiatric comorbidities, including suicidality. Suicidality, which can be divided into the categories of suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and completed suicide, is highly prevalent in the psoriasis population, and multiple studies have been published on the subject of psoriasis and suicidal ideation and behavior (SIB), including two recent meta‐analyses. However, the available literature is limited and inconsistent, and the association between the two remains incompletely understood. The present review aims to cohesively synthesize and summarize the available evidence, while making a clinically relevant distinction between the sub‐categories of suicidality, by examining not only the epidemiology of the association but also the plausible molecular mechanisms and the potential influence of biologic therapies. Additionally, this review aims to critically examine and understand the potential contribution of depression in the psoriasis and suicidality relationship. This will allow us to better understand the complex and multi‐faceted relationship between psoriasis and suicidality, to identify those who may be most at risk for SIB, to make evidence‐based clinical decisions regarding treatment and management, and to more completely address the needs of psoriasis patients.
Shaping nanoparticle fingerprints at the interface of cholesteric droplets

Nanoparticles are organized into tunable, periodic patterns by controlling interfacial assembly with cholesteric liquid crystals. The ordering of nanoparticles into predetermined configurations is of importance to the design of advanced technologies. Here, we balance the interfacial energy of nanoparticles against the elastic energy of cholesteric liquid crystals to dynamically shape nanoparticle assemblies at a fluid interface. By adjusting the concentration of surfactant that plays the dual role of tuning the degree of nanoparticle hydrophobicity and altering the molecular anchoring of liquid crystals, we pattern nanoparticles at the interface of cholesteric liquid crystal emulsions. In this system, interfacial assembly is tempered by elastic patterns that arise from the geometric frustration of confined cholesterics. Patterns are tunable by varying both surfactant and chiral dopant concentrations. Adjusting the particle hydrophobicity more finely by regulating the surfactant concentration and solution pH further modifies the rigidity of assemblies, giving rise to surprising assembly dynamics dictated by the underlying elasticity of the cholesteric. Because particle assembly occurs at the interface with the desired structures exposed to the surrounding water solution, we demonstrate that particles can be readily cross-linked and manipulated, forming structures that retain their shape under external perturbations. This study serves as a foundation for better understanding inter-nanoparticle interactions at interfaces by tempering their assembly with elasticity and for creating materials with chemical heterogeneity and linear, periodic structures, essential for optical and energy applications.
Endophallus structure: a promising tool for cryptic species identification in Timarcha Samouelle, 1819 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Chrysomelinae).

Contrary to the subtle differences of habitus found between many species of Timarcha their internal sacs of male genitalia have shown a remarkable variation. Thirty-two Palaearctic taxa, mostly from the Iberian Peninsula, have been analyzed for this trait, which can be used for species diagnosis and also for establishing species groups of close relatedness in agreement mainly with genetic analyses. According with this trait, new synonymies and taxonomical changes are proposed: T. intermedia carmelenae Petitpierre, 2013 stat. nov., T. intermedia kiesenwetteri Kraatz, 1879 stat. nov., T. intermedia lugens Rosenhauer, 1856 stat. nov.; T. sinuatocollis monserratensis Bechyné, 1962 comb. nov.; T. piochardi Fairmaire, 1874 stat. nov.; T. tortosensis Bechyné, 1948 stat. nov.; T. perezii Fairmaire, 1884 syn. nov. and T. asturiensis Kraatz, 1879 syn. nov. = T. geniculata Germar, 1824. Furthermore, the endophalli of T. hummeli, T. carmelenae, T. kiesenwetteri, T. lugens, T. tenebricosa, T. parvicollis, T. insparsa, T. marginicollis, T. balearica, T. strangulata spp. , T. calceata, T. scabripennis, T. espanoli, T. monticola, T. cyanescens, T. interstitialis, T. aurichalcea, T. oblongula, T. hispanica and T. granadensis are illustrated. One new species, T. aitanae sp. nov. is described.