Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Consensus in multi-agent systems over time-varying networks

ABSTRACT Consensus control in multi-agent systems is becoming increasingly popular among researchers due to its applicability in analysing and designing coordination behaviours among agents in multi-agent framework. This paper provides an extensive overview on consensus control in multi-agent systems from the network perspective. This survey provides ● A detailed summary of each model which have been investigated by earlier researchers in consensus control. ● An overview of different forms of consensus definitions as described in earlier investigations. ● An overview of recent results in consensus-related problems involving network phenomenon such as time delay, actuator failures, switching and random networks. ● Some suggestions for future work towards designing better consensus protocols addressing more practical problems in autonomous multi-agent systems.
Scale demarcation of self-affine surface of coarse aggregate and its relationship with rubber friction

The surface texture of aggregate is extremely related to the functional performance of asphalt pavement. The textures on different wavelength scales make varying contributions to tire-pavement interaction, especially the rubber friction on a rough road surface. This study develops a two-scaling-range approach based on self-affine to demarcate the wavelengths of texture. A piecewise-linear fitting model was established to determine the cut-off wavelengths employed to separate the window-textures by filtering methods. Afterwards, the window-roughness was introduced to characterise the roughness of texture in a specific scale range. The relationship between the window-roughness and the rubber frictions at different slip speeds was analysed using Pearson correlation. As a result, the self-affine approach is excellent to demarcate the scales without loss of similar characteristics of surface texture. The surface texture of aggregate significantly performs a two-scaling-range self-affine characteristic. The two critical wavelength values respectively vary within 0.10–0.25 mm and 1.0–4.0 mm due to the types of aggregates. Moreover, a strong correlation between the friction and the small-scale roughness will gradually decrease with the increasing slip speed. In contrast, the opposite change is obvious on the larger scales. The method provides guidance for determining the corresponding key wavelength ranges of road surface texture under a rubber slip speed.
TOMADAS DE DECISÃO SOB A ÓTICA DA TEORIA DO EFFECTUATION

Este trabalho fruto de um projeto de extensao em andamento vem para reforcar a teoria do effectuation de Saras D. Sarasvathy, que se apresenta como uma alternativa aos procedimentos classicos e atitudes padronizadas para criacao e desenvolvimento de negocios baseados na causalidade. O objetivo de evidenciar a utilizacao da teoria, para tanto a metodologia da pesquisa e natureza qualitativa, carater exploratorio, tendo como foco de pesquisa diversos empreendimentos do ramo de servicos na cidade de Corumba (MS). Visando identificar quais acoes dos gestores se fundamentam na teoria, busca-se explorar o processo de desenvolvimento da empresa, frente aos riscos assumidos e selecao das oportunidades analisando a tomada de decisao pela otica do effectuation versus causation. Ate o presente momento descobriu-se que e fatidico o uso da teoria do effectuation numa das empresas objeto do estudo na area de prestacao de servicos alimenticios e o sucesso do negocio esta diretamente ligado com a tomada de decisoes, sobretudo no que diz respeito a identificacao de meios e a criacao de possibilidades por meios de estrategias emergentes e que nao estavam previstas, na demonstracao de capacidade de criar, reconhecer e descobrir oportunidades e principalmente na capacidade de transformar contingencias em oportunidades valiosas e lucrativas.
Choosing a Career in Medicine: The Motivations of Medical Students from the University Of Cape Town

The aim of this study was to investigate students’ reasons for studying medicine. The findings presented in this article form part of a broader set of findings for a PhD research study at the University of Cape Town (Cape Town, South Africa) that aimed to qualitatively explore medical students’ attitudes towards and perceptions of the primary healthcare (PHC) approach. Mixed methods were used in the PhD study, but this article will focus on the data gathered from qualitative methods; that is, focus groups and interviews. These were conducted in 2004 and 2005. Participants were purposively selected and included first, second, third and fourth-year students of a problembased and PHC-driven medical curriculum. Students mentioned a range of reasons including an interest in biology, medicine being a good academic choice, family factors, status, financial gain and job security. The dominant reasons seemed to be altruistic. These findings are encouraging considering South Africa’s health situation and the need for South African doctors to draw on their altruistic motivations. Students’ reasons for studying medicine contribute to their mental image of what their Education for Primary Care (2007) 18: 338–45 # 2007 Radcliffe Publishing Limited
Evaluating the rate of infection following TRUS guided biopsy of prostate with the use of Povodine iodide-Lidocain gel mixture

Poster: "ECR 2010 / C-1387 / Evaluating the rate of infection following TRUS guided biopsy of prostate with the use of Povodine iodide-Lidocain gel mixture" by: "M. Ghafoori, M. Alavi, K. Hoseini, M. Shakiba; Tehran/IR"
Low-cost thin-film passive RFID circuits and detector system

Abstract This paper discusses the design of chip-less RFID tags of a standard pocket size of 69 mm by 156 mm. These tags are based on lumped elements of copper metal traces constructed on a thin polyamide flexible substrate. Moreover, a low-cost single-chip Bluetooth detector circuit system is demonstrated. Two different detection methods: variable coil load coupling and optical light intensity detection were combined to yield 256 unique ID codes. In the first method, by utilizing simple 4 MHz digital drivers and an integrated analog to digital converter (ADC) in the reader controller; various inductively coupled resonant loads corresponding to multiple distinct tags could be differentiated, yielding eight different (3-bit) ID codes. The additional via-based hole pattern reflectometer method creates additional 32 distinct levels (5-bit) utilizing 650 nm visible light-emitting diode and a simple trans-impedance operational along with the same analog ADC pins of a Bluetooth controller. The printed circuit board trace coil on the two-layer low-cost FR-4 waterproof sealed detector unit is simultaneously used as a Qi wireless power receiver to charge the120 mAh 2450 Lithium Polymer (LiR) battery. The device could remain operational for more than a month with a single charge; remaining connected with a mobile device and enabling 10 readouts daily.
ABOUT ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY OF THE EPOXY MATRIX WITH CARBON NANOTUBES

Polymeric materials on the basis of epoxy resins are widely applied in production of various devices and structures. In real work electrical conductivity of epoxy matrixes modified by carbon nanotubes under continuous current in the course of their polymerization at a constant tension is experimentally investigated. The relevance of the research is bound to an adequate theoretical model of orientation ordering of carbon nanotubes for a liquid polymeric matrix for an electric field. The description of the pilot unit and measurement technique is provided. The paper presents the measurement results of volt-ampere characteristics of specimens of composite materials with various percentages (by weight) of carbon nanotubes, which prove that the conductivity has an ohmic character. Stabilization times of the current proceeding through the specimens after the beginning of polymerization at a constant tension are defined. According to established values of current it is shown that the conductivity of the specimens of epoxy matrixes through which current at polymerization proceeded is higher than the conductivity of specimens through which current didn't proceed. At the same time with an increase of nanotubes concentration, there comes an increase of difference of the specimens’ conductivity. The research of dependence of the specimen conductivity on temperature in a day after the beginning of polymerization of the composite material is conducted. It is established that when heating to 90 C, the conductivity of the specimen imposed with the current during polymerization decreases to values of the specimen conductivity without current. The research is aimed at studying how to make solidification technologies of composite materials faster for production of large parts in space applications. The received results can be also used for development of prospective manufacturing techniques of composite materials with the given electrophysical and mechanical characteristics using electric fields of the corresponding configuration in the course of their polymerization.
A Study of the Major Pathogens Causing Fruit Rots of Apple in Shelf Life in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China

Major pathogens causing fruit rots of apple in shelf life in Hangzhou, a city in east China, were identified by rDNA-ITS analysis. Their pathogenicities and stress tolerances were compared as well. Combining with disease symptoms, colonial phenotypes and mycelial microscopic morphology, the fungi were determined as Penicillium expansum, Botrytis cinerea, Botryosphaeria dothidea, Diaporthe phaseolorum, Alternaria alternata and Fusarium acuminatum, respectively. Among them, B. cinerea and B. dothidea showed a higher pathogenicity; B. cinerea and D. phaseolorum were hardly affected by the temperature at a range of 15°C and 25°C; B. cinerea has the highest resistant to Thiabendazole and D. phaseolorum displayed the strongest resistance to Imazalil; and P. expansum was most sensitive to ultraviolet light radiation. The results provide some useful information that helps to combine conventional and alternative control strategies to minimize apple postharvest losses in shelf life.
Early Motherhood in Migration: A First Report from FIRST STEPS - An Integration Project for Infants with an Immigrant Background

Background: Children with an immigrant background tend to underachieve in German education with respect to their German peers. Furthermore they are more likely to live in high-risk environments. Quite a number of projects for the integration of these children exist. However most of them are hardly scientifically evaluated. The project FIRST STEPS focuses on the earliest integration of children with an immigrant background by supporting parenting capacities in the critical phase of migration and early parenthood. Furthermore it serves as a scientifically evaluated model project. Methods: By using a prospective randomized comparison group design the effectiveness of a psychoanalytically oriented early prevention program (intervention A) is compared to the outcomes of groups offered by paraprofessionals with an immigrant background (intervention B). Both interventions begin during pregnancy and last until the commencement of kindergarten when the children are about three years old. Over 270 families have already been recruited in Frankfurt am Main and Berlin. A variety of different instruments is applied during as well as after the intervention in order to assess social and family stressors, the quality of the parent-child-interaction, child attachment security, the affective, cognitive and social-emotional development as well as language development of the children, the children’s stress level and the social integration of the families. Results and Conclusion: The project is still on-going and aims at evaluating the implementation as well as the short- and long-term effectiveness of the psychoanalytically oriented intervention. A compared to the outcomes of intervention B (comparison group). First preliminary results show that FIRST STEPS is accepted by these “difficult to reach” immigrant families and indeed can support the early motherhood in migration.
Comparison of Spinal with Paravertebral Block for Elective Open Inguinal Hernia Repair

Background : The inguinal hernia surgery is one of the commonest surgical procedures. There are many modalities of anesthesia for the procedure but the desirable would be one having prolonged analgesia with less motor block. Aim : to compare the hemodynamic changes, procedure time, time taken for onset of effect and time till there is persistence of effect (hence the requirement of analgesics) between PVB and SA for inguinal hernia repair. Material and Method : The study included total 60 patients undergoing elective inguinal hernia repair; randomized into two groups having 30 each. Group 1 received paravertebral block and group received spinal anesthesia. The parameters like age, mean arterial pressure (before and after block), heart rate (before and after block), procedural time, time taken to onset of effect and time for appearance of post operative pain were noted. Statistical Analysis was done for the final correlation. Results : The mean arterial pressure and heart rate after the block was significantly higher in group 1. The procedural time and time for the onset of effect was also significantly more in group 1. However there was no motor blockage and significantly prolonged post operative analgesia in group 1. Conclusion : The paravertebral block is certainly better aesthetic modality for the inguinal hernia repair but requires more expertise and time taken in procedure.
Trajectory Tracking of a Four Degree of Freedom Robotic Manipulator

ii LIST OF FIGURES . vii LIST OF TABLES . xii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . xiii CHAPTER 1 . 1 1.1 Background . 1 1.2 Specific Aims and Objectives . 3 1.3 Contribution . 4 CHAPTER 2 . 5 2.1 Background . 5 2.2 Specifications . 5 2.3 Physical Properties of Dobot . 6 2.4 Workspace of Dobot. 7 2.5 Application Software and SDK . 8 CHAPTER 3 . 9 3.1 Background . 9 3.2 Kinematics . 9 3.2.1 Co-ordinate Frame Assignment Procedure . 9 3.2.2 Definition of D-H Parameters . 10 3.2.3 Homogeneous Transformation Matrices . 13 3.2.4 Inverse Kinematics . 16 CHAPTER 4 . 22 4.1 Background . 22 4.2 Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) Control. 22 4.3 Computed Torque Control (CTC) . 24 4.4 Cartesian Trajectory Tracking with Joint Based Control . 26 CHAPTER 5 . 28 5.1 Background . 28
Low-Frequency Relation Between Transfer Impedance and Shielding Effectiveness of Braided Cables and Grid Shields

Metal textile fabrics used in electromagnetic shielding are often complex structures, and manufacturers need approximate models to predict their performance. In addition, different physical phenomena make their behavior varying according to the frequency bands. We propose to develop a model to determine the response of these materials in different frequency bands, and this article presents the low-frequency part of the model. A simple method of modeling braids and metallic grids at low frequency is proposed. Because of their periodic nature, these textile structures can be reduced to an elementary pattern that constitutes them. The calculus of the shielding effectiveness (SE) is then possible for complex structures. The concept of sheet transfer impedance has been defined to allow the passage of complex cylindrical structures to planar forms through a simple and efficient formula. The industrial qualification tools such as transfer impedance and SE can then be linked to each other. Full-wave three-dimensional simulations of periodic pattern of braids and grids show a very good agreement (around 0.1 dB) with the proposed analytical model in the low-frequency band up to 100 kHz and an acceptable approximation up to 1 MHz.
Link Recovery Scheme for Multi-Point mmWave Communications

Directional transmission in millimeter wave (mmWave) communications results in prolonged access times. This is attributed to the increased number of conducted measurements to determine optimum beam directions at the mobile station (MS) and base station (BS) that return the highest received signal levels. Additionally, once these beams are determined and links are established for data-planes, then blockage effects and outages make these links more vulnerable to link failures, resulting in communications drops. Hence, dynamic and fast recovery schemes are required to maintain communications sessions following the beam access stage. In this paper, a novel recovery access scheme is proposed for multi-point mmWave communications based on fog access points (AP). Namely, the scheme leverages diversity and network coding techniques to achieve near-instantaneous recovery times, without the need for beam scanning. The scheme features near-instantaneous data recovery times and efficient power consumption as compared to traditional recovery methods.
Safety of Fasting in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes during Ramadan: A Prospective Study from Pakistan

Aims: To observe safety of fasting in patients with type 1 diabetes during Ramadan. Methods: A prospective, case control study was conducted in the Out-patient department of Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology from June to September 2013. The study was carried out in two phases; Pre-Ramadan recruitment phase (Visit A) and Post-Ramadan follow-up phase (Visit B) of the same patients. In visit A, Ramadan-specific diabetes education was delivered by health care providers in group session and educational material provided to each patient. Results: Sixty two patients with type 1 diabetes (42 in fasting and 20 in non-fasting group) participated in the study. No significant change (p > 0.05) observed in weight and HbA1c of fasting and non-fasting groups before and after Ramadan. During Ramadan, out of 1380 blood glucose readings in fasting group, there were 98 (7.1%) and 570 (41.3%) episodes of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia respectively. None of the patients developed diabetic ketoacidosis and none required hospitalization. No significant difference (p > 0.05) observed in the frequency of hypoglycemia while hyperglycemia increased (p < 0.05) when glycemic status during Ramadan was compared with Pre-Ramadan. No significant difference (p > 0.05) observed in the frequency of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia when Ramadan was compared with Post-Ramadan. Conclusion: We observed that majority of patients with type 1 diabetes did not have serious acute complications of diabetes during Ramadan. Safety of fasting can be ensured in patients with type 1 diabetes with Ramadan-specific diabetes education and medical supervision.
Motivations to select an Airbnb

This literature review explores the phenomenon of the sharing economy, specifically the popular home-sharing concept of Airbnb. Peer-reviewed articles were used that report on the results of studies conducted via data research by studying Airbnb listings and third-party hotel data and various online surveys that reveal what drives traveler's decisions to select Airbnb accommodations over traditional hotels. “Airbnb describes itself as a trusted community marketplace for people to list, discover and book unique accommodations around the world” (Zervas, Proserpio & Byers, 2017, p.689). This paper also looks at the company and the availability of booking Airbnb accommodations across the world. The uncovered motivations for selecting Airbnb include price, authenticity and household amenities. Several other opportunities for additional research are also presented.
Dhaka stress scale for adolescents: A scale for assessing psychosocial stressors among adolescents

This study was aimed to produce a culturally validated scale to determine the presence of stressful life events among adolescents in Bangladesh, and formulate the relative life change units for each event. The study used qualitative research, including a focus group and questionnaire, and quantitative analysis in the validation process. Researchers first developed a provisional stress scale that was translated in Bangla through a translation exercise. Using an open-ended question along with this provisional scale on a school sample of 449 (228 rated on imagination and 221 on actual experience) adolescents, researchers developed Dhaka stress scale– adolescent with 56 items and predictive interpretation of the overall score was made. Content validity was found excellent as item level content validity index was around 1 and the scale level validity index was 0.93. The correlation coefficient was 0.72 between this scale and adolescent life events stress scale. For reliability, Cronbach’s alpha values were ranged from 0.83 to 0.97. The scale is simple to administer to assess stress in adolescents and usable in both clinical and research settings.
Potenciación del reaprendizaje motor y la recuperación funcional en pacientes con ictus:: estrategias no invasivas de modulación del sistema nervioso central

Introduccion. La mayoria de los pacientes que han sufrido un ictus no recuperan el estado funcional basal de la extremidad superior afecta y sufren una grave limitacion que permanece en la fase cronica de la enfermedad y que repercute de manera devastadora en su calidad de vida. Por ello, las estrategias de neurorrehabilitacion tratan de evitar o minimizar las posibles disfunciones sensitivomotoras asociadas al ictus mediante la promocion de cambios plasticos en el sistema nervioso central. Desarrollo. La reorganizacion cerebral que tiene lugar tras el ictus puede promover la recuperacion motora y funcional de los sujetos con ictus. No obstante, tras la lesion, tambien se pueden iniciar cambios neuroplasticos maladaptativos responsables del desarrollo de trastornos sensitivomotores, como el sindrome de espasticidad. Las estrategias no invasivas de estimulacion cerebral, como la estimulacion con corriente directa y la estimulacion magnetica transcraneal, son unas tecnicas ampliamente utilizadas que, aplicadas sobre la corteza motora primaria, pueden modificar la excitabilidad de los circuitos neuronales y las funciones cognitivas, tanto en las personas sanas como en los pacientes con afectacion neurologica. Asimismo, los sistemas de interfaces cerebro-maquina tambien son capaces de generar esa reorganizacion por medio de la asociacion contingente y simultanea entre la activacion cerebral y la estimulacion periferica. Conclusiones. Se evidencian los efectos positivos de las estrategias de neurorrehabilitacion citadas previamente en la potenciacion de la reorganizacion cortical despues del ictus, asi como en la paliacion de los efectos adversos asociados al desarrollo de la espasticidad.
The representative structure of graphene oxide nanoflakes from machine learning

In this paper we revisit the structure of graphene oxide, and determine the pure and truly representative structures for graphene nanoflakes using machine learning. Using 20 396 random configurations relaxed at the electronic structure level, we observe the presence of hydroxyl, ether, double bonds, aliphatic (cyclohexane) disruption, defects and significant out-of-plane distortions that go beyond the Lerf–Klinowski model. Based on an diverse list of 224 chemical, structural and topological features we identify 25 archetypal ‘pure’ graphene oxide structures which capture all of the complexity and diversity of the entire data set; and three prototypes that are the truly representative averages in 224-dimensional space. Together these 28 structures, which are shown to be largely robust against changes in thermochemical conditions modeled using ab initio thermodynamics, can be downloaded and used collectively as a small data set for with a fraction of the computational cost in future work, or independently as an exemplar of graphene oxide with the required oxidation.