Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Novel haptic glove-based interface using jamming principle

We present a haptic device based on the jamming phenomena that is designed for telemanipulation purposes, especially in mobile robotics. It is a soft, lightweight, mechanically simple and intrinsically stable mechanism which gives the operator support in grasping and exploration tasks. This paper explains our motivation and the role of the proposed device as part of a telemanipulation interface. We present two concepts using either jamming tubes or jamming pads and a detailed description of their control system.
Concise representation of frequent patterns based on disjunction-free generators

Many data mining problems require the discovery of frequent patterns in order to be solved. Frequent itemsets are useful in the discovery of association rules, episode rules, sequential patterns and clusters. The number of frequent itemsets is usually huge. Therefore, it is important to work out concise representations of frequent itemsets. We describe three basic lossless representations of frequent patterns in a uniform way and offer a new lossless representation of frequent patterns based on disjunction-free generators. The new representation is more concise than two of the basic representations and more efficiently computable than the third representation. We propose an algorithm for determining the new representation.
Investigation of minerals in the dairy cattle (Bos taurus) in the different seasons in Assam, India

Calcium, phosphorus and magnesium are main mineral elements in dairy cattle, especially high milk producing ones. The research was conducted on 12 clinically healthy dairy cattle (Bos taurus). Blood samples were taken during the summer and winter seasons. Concentrations of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in serum were determined by using commercially available kits. The average Mean±SE of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium concentrations in dairy cattle estimated as 10.06±0.07 and 9.68±0.06 mg%, 6.12±0.05 and 5.78 ±0.05 mg/dl and 3.17±0.04 and 2.77±0.04 mg/dl in winter and summer season respectively. Significant difference (P<0.01) were observed in the concentrations of the examined minerals between the two seasons.
Power Consumption During Neuronal Computation

Maintaining the ability of the nervous system to perceive, remember, process, and react to the outside world requires a continuous energy supply. Yet the overall power consumption is remarkably low, which has inspired engineers to mimic nervous systems in designing artificial cochlea, retinal implants, and brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) to improve the quality of life in patients. Such neuromorphic devices are both energy efficient and increasingly able to emulate many functions of the human nervous system. We examine the energy constraints of neuronal signaling within biology, review the quantitative tradeoff between energy use and information processing, and ask whether the biophysics and design of nerve cells minimizes energy consumption.
The Neuronal Calcium‐Sensor Protein VILIP Modulates Cyclic AMP Accumulation in Stably Transfected C6 Glioma Cells: Amino‐Terminal Myristoylation Determines Functional Activity

Abstract: VILIP ({ulbar|vi}sinin‐{ulbar|li}ke {ulbar|p}rotein) is a member of the neuronal subfamily of EF‐hand calcium sensor proteins. Members of this family are involved in the calcium‐dependent regulation of the desensitization of signal cascades in retinal photoreceptors. To gain insight into the function of VILIP in cell signaling, we have transfected wild‐type VILIP and mutant VILIP lacking the myristoylation consensus sequence into C6 glioma cells. Expression of wild‐type VILIP did not significantly influence the desensitization of β‐adrenergic receptors, which are coupled to adenylyl cyclase in C6 cells. However, VILIP expression increased the β‐adrenergic receptor‐stimulated cyclic AMP (cAMP) level in these cells severalfold. The stimulatory effect was also observed after direct stimulation of the adenylyl cyclase with forskolin, indicating that VILIP acts downstream of receptor and G protein in the β‐adrenergic signaling pathway in C6 cells. In contrast, the nonmyristoylated mutant of VILIP reduced cellular cAMP levels in C6 cells. Myristoylated wild‐type VILIP was associated in a calcium‐dependent manner with membrane fractions during subcellular fractionation, presumably owing to a calcium‐myristoyl switch. In contrast, association of non‐myristoylated mutant VILIP with membranes was strongly reduced. Thus, myristoylation and most likely the calcium‐dependent membrane association of VILIP are important prerequisites for the activating effect of wild‐type VILIP on cAMP accumulation in C6 cells. These results suggest that VILIP acts as a calcium sensor molecule that modulates cell signaling cascades, possibly by direct or indirect regulation of adenylyl cyclase activity.
Is the magnetic resonance imaging proton spin‐lattice relaxation time a reliable noninvasive parameter of developing liver fibrosis?

During the development of liver fibrosis in rats by an individual dose‐titrated CCl4 administration, hepatic proton spin‐lattice relaxation time (T1) has been measured in vivo every 2 weeks for 8 weeks. Liver content of collagen, triglycerides and water has been measured biochemically in biopsy material.
Pan-global, annualized determination of solar collector optimum tilt angle

The efficient utilization of solar energy necessitates the determination of optimum tilt angles for solar collectors. Here, we describe an explicit annualized, regression-based calculation of optimum tilt angle from horizontal a on due south-facing collectors in 30°N to 60°N latitude. Fixed optimum tilt angles throughout the seasons for latitudes between 30°N and 60°N were determined using measured monthly optimum angles from horizontal and the average diurnal peak sun hours by month. This methodology was then generalized to include pan-Global latitudes p. We show that: (a) the total energy collected still exceeds 97% of the theoretical maximum and (b), the optimum tilt angle is given by |α|=|(0.8818 β + 0.1320)| for due North/South azimuths.
L'évolution de l'oviparité à la viviparité chez les reptiles : approche éco-physiologique de l'équilibre des coûts et bénéfices chez une espèce à reproduction bimodale (Zootoca vivipara)

Dans son Historia Animalium en 343 av. J.C. , Aristote proposait deja deux criteres qui continuent d’etre les bases fondamentales de notre comprehension de la diversite des modes de reproduction : l’origine des nutriments des embryons (lecitotrophie vs. matrotrophie) et le mode de parition (oviparite vs. viviparite). Depuis plusieurs decennies la comprehension de la transition evolutive vers la viviparite a attire un interet scientifique considerable. En effet les analyses phylogenetiques recentes reconnaissent une evolution independante de la viviparite dans plus de 150 lignees de vertebres dont au moins 115 concernent uniquement le taxon des reptiles squamates actuels (lezards, serpents et amphisbenes). Les lignees presentant une transition evolutive de l’oviparite a la viviparite chez les squamates se retrouvent generalement associees aux climats froids, mais pas uniquement. Les explications proposees pour ce patron reposent sur le controle comportemental de la temperature de developpement chez les femelles gestantes, offrant ainsi des temperatures plus favorables que celles des sites de ponte situes sous la surface du sol. Durant cette these doctorale nous avons etudie une espece a reproduction bimodale (Zootoca vivipara) chez qui coexistent des populations ovipares et vivipares disjointes. Ce contexte nous a permis de comparer les modes reproducteurs en minimisant les biais phylogenetiques. Nous avons pu mettre en evidence et quantifier differents couts « potentiels » de la reproduction (energetique, contrainte volumique, phenotype des nouveau-nes) et certains benefices (phenologie et performance des nouveau-nes) associes a la regulation maternelle du developpement. Nos resultats nous amenent a discuter des differentes pressions de selection s’exercant sur la duree de retention des embryons, dont les directions seraient opposees et/ou dont l’intensite serait variable au cours du developpement embryonnaire. Dans ce schema, la viviparite ne devrait etre favorisee que dans des contextes plus contraignants et ou les benefices thermiques compensent les couts de prolongation de la retention. Ce contexte selectif aurait abouti chez les squamates a l’existence de deux modalites reproductives avec entre elles une instabilite evolutive des etats intermediaires.
[Nasotracheal intubation using GlideScope videolaryngoscope or Macintosh laryngoscope by novice laryngoscopists].

BACKGROUND We compared the performance of GlideScope videolaryngoscope with that of the conventional Macintosh laryngoscope for nasotracheal intubation by non-anesthesia residents. METHODS Forty patients requiring nasal endotracheal intubation for surgical convenience were allocated to intubation with the GlideScope videolaryngoscope or Macintosh laryngoscope. Each intubation was performed by non-anesthesia residents. RESULTS The time to secure the airway was shorter with GlideScope laryngoscopy than with the Macintosh laryngoscopy. Magill forceps were not needed for any patient during GlideScope videolaryngoscopy, while Macintosh laryngoscopy required Magill forceps utilization for 75% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS The unobstructed view of the glottic opening on the video monitor helped the laryngoscopist performing the nasal endotracheal intubation while an assistant provided laryngeal manipulation to improve the coordinated effort. GlideScope seems to facilitate nasotracheal intubation for individuals training in airway management.
Tabu Search Parameterization and Implementation in a Constraint Programming Library

Tabu Search is a metaheuristic that guides a local heuristic search procedure. The goal is to efficiently explore the search space of a problem by using memory structures to prevent the search from being stuck in local optima. In this paper, we give an overview of a C# based, multithreaded, tabu search implementation within a Constraint Solving Engine. The engine is designed for modeling and solving problems that can be defined as Constraint Satisfaction Problems. Here we elaborate some Tabu Search adaptation issues and some experimental results obtained via parameterization of tabu tenure, number of iterations, and number of threads. The problem used to evaluate the implementation was the Traveling Salesman Problem.
Exploring Critical Success Factors for Cybersecurity in Bhutan's Government Organizations

This paper presents the results of open-ended survey exploring the critical success factors for cybersecurity implementation in government organisations in Bhutan. Successful implementation of cybersecurity depends on a thorough understanding of cyber threats and challenges to the organisational information assets. It also depends on identification of a responsible, dedicated personnel to lead and direct cybersecurity initiatives. Furthermore, it is important to know the critical areas of cybersecurity activities for management to target, prioritise and execute. Understanding of what key things need to be done right by the responsible agency and its leader, at a particular time and in particular context, can lead to better decision making and resource optimisation including skills and knowledge. The survey findings indicate that, among other factors, awareness and training, policy and standards, and adequate financing and budgetary commitment to cybersecurity projects are three most important success factors. Channelling an organisation’s limited resources to these few factors is expected to enhance cybersecurity posture and its management. The research outcome has implications to both government and private organizations in Bhutan.
Autonomous power management and load sharing in isolated micro-grids by consensus-based droop control of power converters

Autonomous power management and load sharing is one of the important aspect in an isolated micro-grid. Conventionally, this task was achieved by the local real power-frequency and reactive power-voltage droop control of individual distributed energy resources (DERs) interface power converters (DICs). Even though this method is simple, some flaws about reactive power sharing and voltage restoration mechanism have been reported recently. In order to enhance this conventional droop control method, various approaches have been proposed. One possible solution is to provide communications networks among power converters. Under this framework, the control structure of a micro-grid can be represented as a multi-agent system. In this paper, the consensus-based droop control method will be developed for autonomous power management and load sharing. Two variables which reflect the average consensus about frequency deviations and voltage magnitude deviations will be appended in the power control loop of each power converter. By exploring transient energy functions of the bulk micro-grid, it will be shown that both real power and reactive power can be properly shared even for multiple loads under large disturbances if all line impedances have the same R/X ratio. The advantage of the proposed consensus-based control will be discussed in details. Under this framework, the closed-loop system can be proven to be quasi-gradient and the stability can be indeed improved by providing additional damping from consensus-based control. Dynamical simulations of a 6-DIC/14-bus micro-grid are performed under the real-time simulation environments OPAL-RT with detailed dynamical converter models. Satisfactory results will be provided to validate the effectiveness of the proposed consensus-based control method.
Congestive Heart Failure Beneficial Neurohormonal Profile of Spironolactone in Severe Congestive Heart Failure

OBJECTIVES We sought to evaluate the effects of spironolactone on neurohormonal factors in patients with severe congestive heart failure (CHF). BACKGROUND In the Randomized ALdactone Evaluation Study (RALES), spironolactone, an aldosterone receptor antagonist, significantly reduced mortality in patients with severe CHF. However, the mechanism of action and neurohormonal impact of this therapy remain to be clarified. METHODS The effects of spironolactone (25 mg/day; n 54) or placebo (n 53) on plasma concentrations of the N-terminal portion of atrial natriuretic factor (N-proANF), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), endothelin-1 (ET-1), norepinephrine (NE), angiotensin II (AII), and aldosterone were assessed in a subgroup of 107 patients (New York Heart Association functional class III to IV; mean ejection fraction 25%) at study entry and at three and six months. RESULTS Compared with the placebo group, plasma levels of BNP ( 23% at 3 and 6 months; p 0.004 and p 0.05, respectively) and N-proANF ( 19% at 3 months, p 0.03; 16% at 6 months, p 0.11) were decreased after spironolactone treatment. Over time, spironolactone did not modify the plasma levels of NE and ET-1. Angiotensin II increased significantly in the spironolactone group at three and six months (p 0.003 and p 0.001, respectively). As expected, a significant increase in aldosterone levels was observed over time in the spironolactone group (p 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Spironolactone administration in patients with CHF has opposite effects on circulating levels of natriuretic peptides (which decrease) and aldosterone and AII (which increase). The reduction in natriuretic peptides might be related to changes in left ventricular diastolic filling pressure and/or compliance, whereas the increase in AII and aldosterone probably reflects activated feedback mechanisms. Further studies are needed to link these changes to the beneficial effects on survival and to determine whether the addition of an AII antagonist could be useful in this setting. (J Am Coll Cardiol 2002;40:1596–601) © 2002 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation
Satellite fault diagnosis using a bank of interacting Kalman filters

The main objective of this work is development and testing of a detection, isolation, and diagnosis algorithm based on interacting multiple model (IMM) filters for both partial (soft) and total (hard) reaction wheels faults in a spacecraft. This is shown to be accomplished under a number of different faulty mode scenarios for these actuators associated with the attitude control system (ACS) of a satellite. Various operating and faulty conditions due to changes and anomalies in the temperature, the power supply line voltage, and the loss of effectiveness of the torque and the current are considered in each reaction wheel associated with the three axes of the satellite. Once a fault mode is detected and isolated the recovery procedure can subsequently be engaged by invoking appropriate switching control strategies for the ACS. The application of a bank of interacting multiple Kalman filters for detection and diagnosis of anticipated reaction wheel failures in the ACS is described and developed. Compared with other model-based fault detection, diagnosis and isolation(FDDI) strategies developed in the control systems literature, our FDDI strategy is shown, through extensive numerical simulations, to be more accurate and robust with potential for extension to a number of other application areas.
Comparison of curved canal shape using filing and rotational instrumentation techniques.

Summary. The shaping of curved canals produced by rotational and filing instrumentation techniques was compared in 40 human molar root canals which were prepared in vitro. The tech niques used for filing were the stepback and the serial, and for rotational instrumentation were the ‘balanced force’ and an experimental technique, similar to the balanced force concept, but featuring only clockwise rotated instruments. The results were collected from pre- and postoperative radiographs as well as from scanning electron microscope analysis of longitudinally ground half-sections of the roots. Each preparation was qualitatively rated for its centering, flow, taper, apical design and wall surface appearance. The stepback shapings consistently presented the best taper and apical stop design along with scratch-free surfaces. The serial technique produced the best centered flow and apically deigned preparations. The rotational techniques produced less consistent results. With the exception of some straightened specimens, the balanced force concept proved to be effective at least for the shaping of moderately curved canals. The lack of taper as well as the absence of apical stop in the balanced force shapings have been found to be more inherent in the concept of shaping than in the technique of the preparation itself. The experimental rotational preparations showed almost exactly the same shaping patterns as the balanced force ones, apart from better taper and apical design but poorer flow and visible instrument scratches. The latter two observations were related to the use of non-tip-smoothed instruments.
Improvement of Quantitative MRI using Radial GRAPPA in Conjunction with IR-TrueFISP

T1 [ms] T2 [ms] M0 [a.U. ] SE KWIC SE KWIC SE KWIC 1 1177 1054 1071 890 867 790 2,52 1,97 1,87 2 752 760 779 649 677 674 2,18 1,78 1,67 3 569 570 579 482 486 526 1,8 1,61 1,49 4 474 452 450 378 379 425 1,78 1,52 1,38 5 352 359 382 317 419 310 1,84 1,34 1,25 6 51 58 55 34 48 10 1,84 1,05 2,37 7 65 73 52 43 15 68 1,85 2,52 1,42 8 81 88 75 54 18 33 1,86 2,84 2,03 9 115 111 108 85 47 78 1,94 2,37 2,13 10 226 200 205 167 161 170 2,21 2,39 2,29 11 311 294 297 268 275 277 1,74 1,44 1,32 Bottle rGRAPPA rGRAPPA rGRAPPA
Paclitaxel and platinum chemotherapy for malignant mixed müllerian tumors of the ovary.

OBJECTIVE Malignant mixed müllerian tumor (MMMT) of the ovary is a rare tumor with a dismal prognosis. The most effective therapy is unknown. The current study was undertaken to characterize a group of patients treated as if they had aggressive epithelial ovarian tumors, with cytoreductive surgery and combination paclitaxel/platinum chemotherapy. METHODS Retrospective analysis of data obtained from tumor registry and hospital records of cases of malignant mixed müllerian tumor between January 1, 1992 and January 1, 2000 treated at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and University of Vermont was performed. Only patients treated with combination paclitaxel and platinum therapy were included in the analysis. Data were collected regarding cytoreduction, response to chemotherapy, disease-free interval, and survival. RESULTS Fifty-five patients were identified with MMMT. Twenty-eight patients with a clearly ovarian primary had received treatment with combination paclitaxel and platinum. Paclitaxel and carboplatin was given as second-line therapy in 2 patients who had chemoresponsive but incurable disease; the remaining patients were treated with paclitaxel and platinum therapy as first-line therapy. These 28 patients had a median (range) age of 66 (46-84 years) and stage was I in 2 patients, II in 3, III in 18, and IV in 5. Treatment was generally well tolerated. Sixteen patients of 26 treated with paclitaxel and platinum as first-line therapy achieved a complete clinical response (55%) and 6 patients achieved partial response for a total response rate of 72%. Optimal cytoreduction was associated with increased time to recurrence (P = 0.001) but not with survival. Overall median survival for the 28 patients is 27.1 months. CONCLUSION Although treatment fails many patients, a minority of patients with MMMT in this highly selected population do unexpectedly well. An aggressive approach with surgery and combination paclitaxel-platinum chemotherapy appears to offer very effective therapy.
Predictors of distress and depression in elders with arthritic pain.

AIM The aim of this paper is to report the findings of a study testing a theory of chronic pain, with financial hardship added as a contextual stimulus. BACKGROUND Arthritis is highly prevalent among older people, resulting in severe pain and suffering. A previous study testing a theory of chronic pain in elders with arthritis found that pain, disability and social support explained only 35% of the variance in their emotional distress. It is possible that demands, other than chronic pain, such as financial hardship, also contribute to these elders' stress and depression. METHOD The theory was tested with 235 elders with arthritis using a secondary data analysis strategy. Data were obtained from the study of Ageing, Status, and Sense of Control carried out in 1998 in the United States of America. Variables were constructed from original questionnaires. RESULTS The hypothesized model fitted the data only moderately well (chi2 = 40.04, d.f = 6, P < 0.0001; CFI = 0.88; NFI = 0.88). Disability and financial hardship positively predicted distress, while social support and age had a reverse impact on distress, which explained 24% of the variance in distress. This means that elders with higher levels of disability, more financial hardship, less social support or younger age are likely to have higher levels of distress. Distress alone explained 33% of the variance in depressive symptoms. A data-derived model was created with excellent fit (chi2 = 3; d.f. = 4; P = 0.56; CFI = 1.00; NFI = 0.99), showing that disability, social support, financial hardship and age predicted distress (R2 = 0.24). Pain, disability and distress predicted depression (R2 = 0.44). CONCLUSIONS The results partially supported the theory. Exploring the possibility of using depression as part of the control process and removing gender as a residual stimulus may lead to further refinement of the theory. The findings allow nurses to have a better understanding of the experiences of elders with arthritis, and thus to offer appropriate care to meet their needs.