Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robust Control Design for a Planar Parallel robot

In this paper a control design approach termed the Convex Integrated Design (CID) method is used to design a robust controller for a high-speed, high-accuracy planar parallel robot. A controller that simultaneously satisfies four closed-loop performance specifications---the first three define closed-loop performance (i.e. the high-speed and high-accuracy motion of the platform with a limited control effort) and the fourth is a robustness specification that guarantees the previous three closed-loop performance specifications are satisfied in the presence of dynamic model uncertainty (e.g., unknown payload) and external disturbances---is determined using the CID method. Experimental results are presented that verify both the performance of the resultant control design and the CID method, applied to this planar parallel manipulator.
Microglial activation correlates with severity in Huntington disease

Background: Huntington disease (HD) is characterized by the progressive death of medium spiny dopamine receptor bearing striatal GABAergic neurons. In addition, microglial activation in the areas of neuronal loss has recently been described in postmortem studies. Activated microglia are known to release neurotoxic cytokines, and these may contribute to the pathologic process. Methods: To evaluate in vivo the involvement of microglia activation in HD, the authors studied patients at different stages of the disease using [11C](R)-PK11195 PET, a marker of microglia activation, and [11C]raclopride PET, a marker of dopamine D2 receptor binding and hence striatal GABAergic cell function. Results: In HD patients, a significant increase in striatal [11C](R)-PK11195 binding was observed, which significantly correlated with disease severity as reflected by the striatal reduction in [11C]raclopride binding, the Unified Huntington’s Disease Rating Scale score, and the patients’ CAG index. Also detected were significant increases in microglia activation in cortical regions including prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate. Conclusions: These [11C](R)-PK11195 PET findings show that the level of microglial activation correlates with Huntington disease (HD) severity. They lend support to the view that microglia contribute to the ongoing neuronal degeneration in HD and indicate that [11C](R)-PK11195 PET provides a valuable marker when monitoring the efficacy of putative neuroprotecting agents in this relentlessly progressive genetic disorder.
Analysis of Longitudinal Data in the Presence of Informative Observational Times and a Dependent Terminal Event, with Application to Medical Cost Data

Summary In longitudinal observational studies, repeated measures are often taken at informative observation times. Also, there may exist a dependent terminal event such as death that stops the follow‐up. For example, patients in poorer health are more likely to seek medical treatment and their medical cost for each visit tends to be higher. They are also subject to a higher mortality rate. In this article, we propose a random effects model of repeated measures in the presence of both informative observation times and a dependent terminal event. Three submodels are used, respectively, for (1) the intensity of recurrent observation times, (2) the amount of repeated measure at each observation time, and (3) the hazard of death. Correlated random effects are incorporated to join the three submodels. The estimation can be conveniently accomplished by Gaussian quadrature techniques, e.g., SAS Proc NLMIXED. An analysis of the cost‐accrual process of chronic heart failure patients from the clinical data repository at the University of Virginia Health System is presented to illustrate the proposed method.
The effect of location on perceived intrusiveness of mobile advertisements

Location Based Advertising (LBA) is a marketing tool that serves customers contextcongruent ads on their mobile devices based on their location. Although LBA has caught the academic attention, there is little in situ research regarding the effectiveness of LBA. By using a virtual reality setup, we conducted a between-subjects experiment among Dutch citizens (n=53) to investigate the ‘perceived ad intrusiveness’ of LBA and the subsequent consequences for attitude and behavioural intention. The results show that LBA is perceived as less intrusive than location-independent ads and as consequently lead to more favourable attitudes and have a significant impact on behavioural intentions.
The Informational Support in Educational Marketing Decision-Making Process in the Republic of Moldova

Abstract The presence of the organization on the market means its evolution in an extremely complex environment in continuous change. These characteristics of the marketing environment impose on the institution a systematic preoccupation for information adjustment, received data processing and analysis to properly substantiate the optimal decisions related to the market. The paper focuses on understanding various aspects of the informational support in the educational institutions decision-making process. The aim of the research is to determine the structure and content of the informational support in education marketing. Based on the literature review, different views are presented on the content and structure of the marketing informational support. This study describes the structure of Marketing Information System (MkIS) and explores its position in educational institutions. Finally, based on the survey results, the article presents the practical aspects of the marketing informational support availability and its use in decision-making process of schools in the Republic of Moldova.
Essays on hospital performance in England

This thesis contributes to the policy debate on the performance of health systems. It investigates performance dimensions such as quality and efficiency focusing on hospitals in the English National Health Service. The thesis comprises four chapters, of which the first two contribute to the limited literature on specialist hospitals. The first chapter analyses efficiency, as measured by the patient’s length of stay, between specialist orthopaedic hospitals and ‘trauma and orthopaedics’ departments in general hospitals. The findings suggest that there are no differences in efficiency between specialist and general hospitals. The second chapter examines whether profit margins differ between specialist orthopaedic hospitals and trauma and orthopaedics departments. It finds that, under the current payment system, specialist orthopaedic hospitals have lower profit margins compared to general hospitals. This is because specialist orthopaedic hospitals admit patients that are older and more complex (i.e. more diagnoses and procedures). The third and fourth chapter contribute to the literature on hospital competition. The third chapter explores whether a hospital’s quality or efficiency responds to its neighbouring rivals’. This chapter models hospital interactions within an econometric spatial framework. Although the theory suggests that hospitals might respond to their rivals’ quality but not directly to efficiency, the empirical results indicate the absence of interactions across rival hospitals in both quality and efficiency. The fourth chapter studies whether the introduction of the Choice policy in 2006, which encouraged competition among hospitals, had an effect on efficiency as measured by resource management and cost indicators. The findings show that competition improves efficiency through an increase in admissions per bed and proportion of day cases, and a decrease in the proportion of wasted meals. It however reduces efficiency by increasing the number of cancelled elective operations. Competition tends to stimulate efficiency in highly competitive areas or when efficiency is low.
The Relationship Between Kernel and Classifier Fusion in Kernel-Based Multi-Modal Pattern Recognition: An Experimental Study

Two distinct principles of multi-modal kernel-based pattern recognition, kernel and classifier fusion, are demonstrated to share common underlying characteristics via the use of a novel kernel-based technique for combining modalities under fully general conditions, namely, the neutral-point method. This method presents a conservative kernel-based strategy for dealing with missing and disjoint training data in independent measurement modalities that can be theoretically shown to default to the sum rule classification scheme. Results of comparative experiments indicate that the neutral-point technique loses relatively little classification information with respect to coincident training data, and is in fact preferable for independent kernels produced by different physical modalities due to its better error-cancellation properties.
Dinâmica do processo de coleta e análise de dados via web

Resumo A Internet oportuniza uma forma de coleta e de disseminacao das informacoes nunc a antes possivel de ser realizada. Com ela, o pesquisador nao esta mais limitado pelas restricoes de tempo, custo e distância, possuindo um acesso mundial praticamente instantâneo, com despesas minimas. O tipo de questionario a ser administrado pode passar longe das tradicionais impressoes, permitindo que o pesquisador utilize uma interface muito mais interativa e rica, seja na coleta ou na apresentacao dos resultados. E necessario reconsiderar as formas como as pesquisas sao desenvolvidas e conceber novas solucoes melhor adequadas a esse ambiente. E necessario rever os papeis dos diferentes atores do processo de pesquisa e a maneira que estes estarao envolvidos, bem como as ferramentas disponiveis para a comunidade de pesquisa e mesmo para todos analistas e executivos. E evidenciado o novo cenario para pesquisas on-line, tendo a web por ferramenta basica.
Transplantation: Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder

Objective: To define and discuss the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, risk factors, and current preventive and treatment strategies of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD). Data Sources: MEDLINE was searched for articles published from January 1966 to July 2007. Search terms used include posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease, posttransplant malignancy, antiviral agents, interferon-alfa, rituximab, immunosuppression, chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Additional articles were identified by a hand search of references. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Studies in English of pediatric and adult solid organ transplantation populations published were selected and analyzed. Data from these studies and information from review articles were included in this review. Data Synthesis: PTLD occurs in 1–20% of organ recipients following solid organ transplantation. PTLD risk factors include recipient pretransplant Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) negative serostatus, type of transplant, intensity of immunosuppression, and age. The PTLD presentation is variable. Some patients present asymptomatically; in others, early symptoms can be nonspecific. To prevent PTLD, minimizing immunosuppression burden and using antiviral agents active against EBV are useful strategies. PTLD treatment may require reduction of immunosuppression, radiation, surgical excision, monoclonal antibodies, interferon-alfa, and chemotherapy. Conclusions: Screening for patients at risk and balancing the intensity of immunosuppressive regimens against the risk of rejection can substantially reduce the risk of developing PTLD. If PTLD occurs, an individualized treatment plan including decreased immunosuppression and other agents should be chosen based on the severity and extent of disease
Localization of acetylcholinesterase in the main and accessory olfactory bulbs of the mouse by light and electron microscopic histochemistry

Experiments were conducted to examine by light and electron microscopy the localization of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the main (MOB) and accessory (AOB) olfactory bulbs of the normal mouse. Evidence from the literature for cholinergic innervation of the mammalian olfactory bulb was then assessed in light of possible correlation between reported sites of termination of centrifugal fibers to the olfactory bulb and the localization of AChE.
Adaptive frequency containment and balance restoration controls in a distribution network

One of the greatest challenges in the future power systems operation is their ability to host high amounts of Renewable Energy Sources (RES). To cope with this, various research activities such as the ELECTRA Integrated Research Project (IRP) propose solutions that can increase the hosting capacity of power systems. Inside ELECTRA a new control framework has been proposed, the Web-of-Cells (WoC), in which the power system is divided into smaller subsystems (cells) and reorganized in new roles and responsibilities. Each cell has to contribute to balance/frequency and voltage controls and it is responsible for its behavior at its boundaries. In this paper, the results of the analysis that was conducted in the frame of the ELECTRA Researcher Exchange (REX) program are presented about the modelling and simulation of the MV reference grid proposed by CIGRE in combination with two of the control Use Cases (UCs) proposed inside ELECTRA, namely Frequency Containment Control (FCC) and Balance Restoration Control (BRC). The control scheme under study makes use of a novel strategy that adaptively allows the cell controller to detect the location of an imbalance and adjust the primary reserves contribution so that local reserves activations take always priority. Simulation results show that the modelling approach presents good accuracy and overall performance, while the controller implemented shows benefits for the system operation.
Status and progress of IEC SC 77C high-power electromagnetics publications in 2015

IEC SC 77C (EMC: High Power Transient Phenomena) has been developing high-power electromagnetic (HPEM) standards and publications to protect civil society since 1992 having begun work as a working group in 1989. The initial publications dealt with the high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP), and in 1999 work began on intentional electromagnetic interference (IEMI). This paper briefly reviews the publications prepared in the past and identifies the most recent activities in IEC SC 77C.
Cloud Computing Benefits for Educational Institutions

Education today is becoming completely associated with the Information Technology on the content delivery, communication and collaboration. The need for servers, storage and software are highly demanding in the universities, colleges and schools. Cloud Computing is an Internet based computing, whereby shared resources, software and information, are provided to computers and devices on-demand, like the electricity grid. Currently, IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service), PaaS (Platform as a Service) and SaaS (Software as a Service) are used as business model for Cloud Computing. The paper also introduces the cloud computing infrastructure provided by Microsoft, Google and Amazon Web Service. In this paper we will review the features the educational institutions can use from the cloud computing providers to increase the benefits of students and teachers.
PORTAL VERSUS PERIPHERAL VENOUS DRAINAGE IN SEGMENTAL PANCREATIC TRANSPLANTATION IN DIABETIC RATS1

The effect of the site of venous drainage in segmental pancreatic transplantation was investigated in diabetic rats with two surgical procedures anastomosing the superior mesenteric vein either on the vena cava (systemic drainage) or on the superior mesenteric vein (portal drainage). Both procedures corrected polyuria, glycosuria, and blood glucose concentration, and resulted in similar peripheral hyperinsulinemia. Intravenous glucose tolerance tests were performed 8 weeks after transplantation. In portal-grafted rats, glucose tolerance was strictly normalized, with a plasma insulin profile similar to that observed in normal rats. In caval-grafted rats, a delayed plasma insulin peak was observed with slight abnormalities in the plasma glucose profile, the late plasma glucose concentrations being higher than in portal-grafted animals. The extent of fibrosis was similar under both conditions. This study, performed in rats, of the influence of venous drainage on the metabolic outcome of segmental transplantation, demonstrating an abnormal plasma insulin profile during a glucose challenge in case of caval drainage, is consistent with other studies suggesting that the site of drainage might be important in case of reduced grafted mass.
Mental health reform: increased resources but limited gains

is the prime vehicle for monitoring the mental health system reform agenda outlined in the Australian Government’s National Mental Health Strategy. We consider here what the 2013 report tells us about the progress of that agenda.First, we know that mental health expenditure, after 18 years of mirroring growth in overall health spending, in the 2010–11 financial year accounted for an increased proportion of health spending within the health sector. The direct-care workforce employed in mental health services increased by 72% between 1992–93 and 2010–11.Second, the mix of services provided has improved. Inpatient care has moved from stand-alone psychiatric hospitals to psychiatric beds in general hospitals, while state and territory funding of ambulatory care services increased by 291% from 1992–93 to 2010–11. Between 2006–07 and 2010–11, the percentage of the population receiving Medicare-funded primary mental health care services rose from 3.1% to 6.9%, correlating to Medicare Benefits Schedule expenditure on mental health services increasing from $474 million to $852 million.Encouragingly, gains have also been made in other areas. Rates of use of licit and illicit drugs that contribute to mental illness in young people have decreased. For example, in 2010, 19% of 14–29-year-olds used cannabis, compared with 36% in 1998.
Architecture multi-agents et reseaux connexionnistes. Application a la lecture de cheques manuscrits

Les architectures multi-agents permettent de simplifier la resolution de problemes en distribuant les connaissances et les expertises dans differentes entites. Le probleme du controle, de la coordination, ou de la cooperation de ces agents reste un probleme ouvert. Cependant, les reseaux neuronaux ont montre ces dernieres annees leur efficacite pour la reconnaissance de formes et pour la fusion de donnees. La fusion, que l'on peut approcher de la combinaison d'agents ou d'experts, est un sujet d'etude depuis quelques annees dans des champs applicatifs comme celui de la reconnaissance de l'ecriture manuscrite, la majeure partie des travaux publies ayant porte sur les chiffres manuscrits. C'est a l'intersection de ces differents domaines de recherche que cette these se positionne. En effet, nous avons cherche a appliquer le modele multi-agents a un systeme de reconnaissance de l'ecriture manuscrite, en utilisant les techniques neuronales non seulement pour reconnaitre les formes, mais aussi pour fusionner les propositions emises par les differents agents. Cherchant a mettre en evidence le gain que l'on pouvait obtenir par la synergie propre a ce type d'architecture, nous avons cherche a favoriser la multiplicite et la complementarite des agents. Nous avons applique nos travaux a la reconnaissance de montants manuscrits sur les cheques, en traitant conjointement les zones litterale et numerique. Nous constatons que la complementarite obtenue, tant par le comportement des agents que par le traitement simultane des deux zones, nous permet de realiser la reconnaissance d'ecritures meme tres alterees, montrant la performance globale qui resulte d'un tel systeme
MMP-9 Metallo protease 9 1 The Chemokine Universe

Chemokines induce cell migration through the activation of a distinct family of structurally related heterotrimeric G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR). Over the last few years, several receptors in this family that recognize chemokines but do not induce cell migration have been identified. These “atypical” chemokine receptors are unable to activate transduction events that lead directly to cell migration, but appear nonetheless to play a nonredundant role in the control of leukocyte recruitment at inflammatory sites and in tumors by shaping the R. Bonecchi, B. Savino, E.M. Borroni, A. Mantovani (*), and M. Locati Department of Translational Medicine, University of Milan, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy e-mail: alberto.mantovani@humanitas.it Ø. Bruserud (ed.), The Chemokine System in Experimental and Clinical Hematology, Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology 341, DOI 10.1007/82_2010_19 # Springer‐Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2010, published online: 1 April 2010 15 chemoattractant gradient, either by removing, transporting, or concentrating their
Occurrence of H-antigen z66 of R phase in cultures of Salmonella serovar typhi originated from Indonesia

SUMMARY Eighteen strains of Salmonella choleraesuis subsp. choleraesuis serovar Typhi (S. typhi) isolated from blood of patiens in Japan who had visited Indonesia and returned before the onset of typhoid fever were found to possess the H-antigen z66reported by Guinée et al. (1981) but had the naturally occuring H-antigen d. They were not lysed by any of the phages of the Vi phage typing system. After passage through semi-solid medium containing H-z66 antiserum, H-antigens of 11 of 18 cultures with H-z66 phage changed to H-j and those of 2 others to H-d, while the remaining 5 were immobilized. With cultures in the H-d or H-j phages, change of the H-antigens did not occur when they were cultured in semi-solid medium containing homologous H-antiserum. These phase induction experiments as well as colony examination of original cultures suggest that H-z66 phase is unstable and tends to change of H-antigen to H-d or H-j occured without difficulty probably represented a mixed population of cells in the H-z66 and H-d or H-j phases. Since none of 856 isolates from Japan or fromimported cases of typhoid fever from Southeast Asia other than Indonesia exhibited the H-z66 antigen, it was concluded that the focus of typhois fever caused by S. typhi in H–z66 phase was probably in Indonesia.
A three-layer multi-sensor wearable device for physical environmental parameters and NO2 monitoring

The monitoring of the ambient working conditions is a crucial part in occupational medicine. An innovative 3-layer, compact, multi-tasking and efficient wearable system for monitoring environmental conditions including physical and chemical parameters is introduced. It uniquely consists of a microcontroller board with integrated temperature, humidity and barometer sensors (physical parameters-middle layer), add-on board gas sensor (chemical parameter) at the top layer for monitoring hazardous gases in air and a vibration motor placed under the main board (bottom layer). The top layer is easily replaceable with other target gas sensors from the same family. These layers are connected appropriately through a board to board connector. For an early notification of the user about ambient parameters status a haptic feedback pattern is actuated using a micro embedded vibration motor. The real time data are sent to a smartphone simultaneously. The collected data are used to monitor the ambient environment and establish a long-term individual profile for employees in real-time. With this paper we introduce the system architecture. Efficiency, performance and power consumption of such unique multi-layer multi-parameter monitoring device in size and weight are evaluated. Furthermore the comparison with the previous version of this device is provided.