Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Bioinspired Soft Robotic Gripper for Adaptable and Effective Grasping

Abstract The present article shows the development of a gripper for general purposes with grasping and holding capabilities enabled by a simple control scheme. This objective has been reached exploiting the combination of soft materials, underactuated mechanisms, and a bioinspired design. The development of the soft gripper will be explained by reporting the results obtained on three different and sequential versions. The devices are here presented in their main components, underlining the anthropomorphic approach used in the design of the fingers. The used actuation mechanism is based on the control of a single cable tension, which guarantees a grasping adaptable to objects of different shape. Manipulation capability and grasping force have been tested, in order to extract a quantitative comparative analysis between the three proposed devices. The main factor that influences the improvement of the gripper performance results to be represented by the suitable combination of material with the right mechani.
Pharmacological Evaluation of Green Chilli in Alzheimer’s Disease

Background: Green chilli pepper (Capsicum annum L. car frutescens) is popular as a spice used in many cuisines across the world. Capsaicin, as the pharmacologically active composition of chilli pepper, has been shown to possess antioxidant, local analgesic, and hypoglycemic effects according to many studies conducted on the red chilli pepper. However, there is no data associated with the role of green chilli peppers in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) caused by capsaicin, rather than red chilli peppers. Objectives: To evaluate the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and beta-secretase enzyme inhibition of ethanolic extract of Capsicum frutescens (EECF) or known as green chilli in in-vitro manner. Materials and Methods: Extraction was carried out on the fruits of Capsicum frutescens with ethanol. Its ethanolic extract in different concentrations was applied as the analyte to test its anti-acetylcholinesterase activity and enzymatic inhibitory action on the beta-secretase. Donepezil with various concentrations was also prepared as the control set for comparison of effect with EECF. Both the analytes were tested using the QuantiChromTM and BACE-1 FRET assay kits, for evaluation of inhibition activity against acetylcholinesterase and BACE-1 respectively. Results: There is significant increase in the percentage of inhibition against acetylcholinesterase and BACE-1 when tested with increased concentration of EECF. Compared to inhibitory effects by EECF, donepezil exhibited higher values of IC50 against both the assayed key enzymes, though also demonstrated vital inhibitory actions in both assays. EECF also showed higher potency in controlling AD progression in terms of inhibition against acetylcholinesterase, shown by IC50 value for the acetylcholinesterase, if compared to IC50 value for BACE-1. Conclusion: Green chilli or EECF has potential to have inhibitory action on acetylcholinesterase and beta-secretase enzymes in patients with AD, but limited to optimum concentration or dose.
Measuring genuine investment: A concept paper for India

In the Indian context, studies on resource accounting have been attempted by various scholars. Theoretical developments in methods for valuing discovery, depletion and growth of natural resources in the context of the system of national accounts are well developed. The valuation of environmental degradation still remains underdeveloped, with theoretical approaches suggesting that the marginal social costs of pollution are the correct way of valuing degradation while at a more empirical level, the tendency has been to focus more on maintenance cost sort of approaches. In particular, attention has been paid towards valuing the flows of goods and services from forests in India. With regard to non-forest resources, individual researchers have also undertaken primary survey based studies to estimate costs of resource depletion and costs of deteriorating air and water quality However, the challenge remains in empirically establishing the relationship between the weak sustainability indicator and the performance of the Indian economy.
Trends in Major Incidents of Semiconductor-Related Industry in Taiwan

Reactive chemicals and combustible materials have led to numerous losses in semiconductor industry in Taiwan. Fifty nine incidents were collected and analyzed on related information to provide the integrated overviews of such events in the past thirteen years. Various types of factories either in the upstream or downstream of semiconductor industry were reviewed to deduce which kind of plant is feasible to possesses the higher risk of occurrence. Different kinds of chemicals or processes were compared with each other to verify the causes which led to the higher or largest loss already happened. Accidental fires caused by silane or flammable vapors are the dominant types of incidents in the semiconductor plant in comparison to any other types of materials. Besides, explosions, release of hazardous chemicals, and injuries by hazardous or corrosive chemicals are the three kinds of most common incidents encountered. Fire spread from the common exhaust duct or relief header always resulted in the largest loss among the reported events. The most serious lesson learnt from these losses was about three hundred million US dollars.
The high field magnet program in Europe

With the LHC, magnets of 10 T peak flux density Nb-Ti technology were developed and this technology reached full maturity. The next step in flux density level, with a peak in the range of 15 T, will be needed for the LHC Phase II upgrade. For this upgrade the temperature margin and radiation resistance of the Nb-Ti coil technology is not sufficient. Beginning 2008 CERN started a program to develop high field magnets for LHC upgrades and other future programs. For this mostly Nb3Sn conductors will be employed, but also HTS conductors will be considered. In this paper an overview will be presented of the projects for which this HFM technology will be needed. The program will be presented in terms of R&D chapters and work packages. The need and opportunities for collaborations with other institutes will be discussed.
Development of Innovative Antifreeze Grout Mortar for Anchor Applications in Cold Regions

Ground anchors and anchored systems have been successfully used as cost-effective soil supporting systems for highway safety considerations for decades. However, some unique challenges exist when these systems are used in Alaska and other cold regions. One challenge associated with anchor installation could be potential thawing of the warm permafrost as a result of grout mortar hydration; this thawing might undermine the capacity of the anchor. Therefore, this study aimed to develop an innovative antifreeze grout mortar for successful application of anchors in cold regions. A testing matrix of different combinations of chemical admixtures was developed, and workability, early-age strength, and freezing point of the mix water of mixes were evaluated to determine the optimum mix designs. Test results showed that the antifreeze grout mortar achieved three primary objectives: (a) it depressed the freezing point of the mix water available for the hydration process, (b) it accelerated the early-age strength gain at low temperature, and (c) it enhanced excellent flowability for grouting. The laboratory results were further validated through fieldwork in a test section located inside the Cold Region Research and Engineering Laboratory permafrost tunnel.
Correlation of bleeding time and clotting time with blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate: a pilot study

Archana R1, Kumar Sai Sailesh2, Srilatha Bashetti3, Biju Bahuleyan4, Soumya Mishra5, Arati Amin6, Ayana Joy7, Mukkadan J K*8 1Department of Physiology, Saveetha Medical College, Saveetha University, Thandalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India 2Department of Physiology, Little Flower Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Angamaly, Kerala, India 3Department of Biochemistry, Apollo Institute of Medical sciences & Research (AIMSR), Hyderabad, Telangana, India 4Department of Physiology, Jubilee Mission Medical College, Thrissur, Kerala, India 5Department of Physiology, JIPMER, Pondicherry, India 6Department of Physiology, PK Das Institute of Medical Sciences, Kerala, India 7Department of Physiology, Little Flower Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Angamaly, Kerala, India 8Little Flower Medical Research Centre, Angamaly, Kerala, India
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

COPD is characterized by heterogeneous physiologic abnormalities that are not adequately represented by simple spirometry. Extensive peripheral airway dysfunction is often present in smokers with mild spirometric abnormalities and may have negative clinical consequences. Activity-related dyspnea and exercise intolerance in patients with mild airway obstruction are linked to increased ventilatory inefficiency and dynamic gas trapping during exercise. Progressive increases in dyspnea and activity restriction are explained, in many instances, by the consequences of progressive erosion of resting inspiratory capacity. Although restrictive mechanics and increasing neuromechanical uncoupling of the respiratory system contribute to exercise intolerance across the spectrum of COPD severity, coexistent cardiocirculatory impairment is also potentially important.
Management Principles for the Appraisal and Diffusion of Information Systems: Case of SMEs in Ghana

In this paper, the authors bring to light the issue of appraising and diffusing information systems by small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana. The empirical data was gathered through an online questionnaire-based survey from 312 SMEs in Ghana. All these enterprises are registered members of the Association of Ghanaian Industries (AGI) and are confirmed users of information systems. The framework of the study is developed based on the approaches found in technology management literature: management principles for disruptive technology, information system strategy, technological decision making, and the technology acceptance models. The aim of the paper is to unearth management principles that allow SMEs in Ghana to appraise and diffuse information system successfully. They defined these principles through the comparison of known principles with the practiced principles of management of the small enterprises in Ghana and distilling the best management practices in information system appraisal and diffusion.
Association between leisure-time physical activity and the built environment in China: Empirical evidence from an accelerometer and GPS-based fitness app

To reexamine the relationship between leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and the built environment (BE), this paper takes advantage of the massive amount of data collected by an accelerometer and GPS-based fitness mobile app. Massive LTPA data from more than 3 million users were recorded by Codoon in 500m by 500m grid cells and aggregated to 742 natural cities in mainland China. Six BE indicators were quantified using GIS at the city scale. Robust regression analysis was used to estimate the correlation between LTPA and BE. Five of six BE indicators—connectivity, road density, land use mix, points of interest density, and density of parks and squares—were significantly, positively, independently, and linearly related to LTPA in the regression analysis. The study obtains findings that are consistent with the previous literature but also provides novel insights into the important role of POI density in encouraging LTPA, as well as how the relationship between LTPA and BE varies by time of day. The study also sheds light on the embrace of new technology and new data in public health and urban studies.
Performance Comparison of RI & TBI Based System in Fading Environment Using MRC Scheme

In interleave division multiple access (IDMA), interleavers are used for the user separation. This paper presents the performance comparison between random and tree based interleaver based IDMA system, in fading environment. We also know that Maximal Ratio Combining (MRC) diversity approach is popularly used to mitigate the fading problem in any wireless system so here MRRC scheme is used with both RI & TBI based system to mitigate fading. The approach involves receiver diversity analysis as 1:2 antenna systems in fading environment; no. of antennas can be increased to improve diversity order.
Risk factors associated with poor pain outcomes following primary knee replacement surgery: Analysis of data from the clinical practice research datalink, hospital episode statistics and patient reported outcomes as part of the STAR research programme

Objective Identify risk factors for poor pain outcomes six months after primary knee replacement surgery. Methods Observational cohort study on patients receiving primary knee replacement from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink, Hospital Episode Statistics and Patient Reported Outcomes. A wide range of variables routinely collected in primary and secondary care were identified as potential predictors of worsening or only minor improvement in pain, based on the Oxford Knee Score pain subscale. Results are presented as relative risk ratios and adjusted risk differences (ARD) by fitting a generalized linear model with a binomial error structure and log link function. Results Information was available for 4,750 patients from 2009 to 2016, with a mean age of 69, of whom 56.1% were female. 10.4% of patients had poor pain outcomes. The strongest effects were seen for pre-operative factors: mild knee pain symptoms at the time of surgery (ARD 18.2% (95% Confidence Interval 13.6, 22.8), smoking 12.0% (95% CI:7.3, 16.6), living in the most deprived areas 5.6% (95% CI:2.3, 9.0) and obesity class II 6.3% (95% CI:3.0, 9.7). Important risk factors with more moderate effects included a history of previous knee arthroscopy surgery 4.6% (95% CI:2.5, 6.6), and use of opioids 3.4% (95% CI:1.4, 5.3) within three months after surgery. Those patients with worsening pain state change had more complications by 3 months (11.8% among those in a worse pain state vs. 2.7% with the same pain state). Conclusions We quantified the relative importance of individual risk factors including mild pre-operative pain, smoking, deprivation, obesity and opioid use in terms of the absolute proportions of patients achieving poor pain outcomes. These findings will support development of interventions to reduce the numbers of patients who have poor pain outcomes.
Incidence and predictors of reoccurrence of opportunistic infection among adult HIV/AIDS patients attending ART clinic at public health facilities in Arba Minch town, southern Ethiopia: A retrospective cohort study

Background Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected individuals are prone to opportunistic infections (OIs) due to HIV mediated immune suppression. When opportunistic infections occur in the form of relapse or reinfection, it is said to be reoccurrence. This study was aimed to assess Incidence and predictors of reoccurrence of opportunistic infections among adult people living with HIV (PLHIV) attending ART clinics in Arba Minch Town, Southern Ethiopia Methods This retrospective cohort study was conducted on 450 HIV/AIDS patients attending anti-retro viral therapy (ART) clinics in Arba Minch town, southern Ethiopia. Simple random sampling technique was used. Kaplan-Meier graph and log rank test were used for group wise comparison. Bivariate and multivariable Cox Proportional Hazard Regression model were used to identify independent predictors of reoccurrence of opportunistic infection. Result One hundred nineteen HIV/AIDS patient had reoccurrence of opportunistic infection. The incidence rate was 11.5 per 1000 person months. The mean time of reoccurrence was 56 months. One of the most reoccurred OIs was pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Predictors that were associated significantly were recent cell differentiation 4 (CD4) count, recent body mass index (BMI), recent functional status, and duration on anti-retroviral therapy (ART). Conclusion Though the incidence rate of OIs decreased from previous findings, attention should be given to HIV patients with low CD4 count, low BMI and for those bedridden patients.
New chemotherapy regimens and biomarkers for Chagas disease: the rationale and design of the TESEO study, an open-label, randomised, prospective, phase-2 clinical trial in the Plurinational State of Bolivia

Introduction Chagas disease (CD) affects ~7 million people worldwide. Benznidazole (BZN) and nifurtimox (NFX) are the only approved drugs for CD chemotherapy. Although both drugs are highly effective in acute and paediatric infections, their efficacy in adults with chronic CD (CCD) is lower and variable. Moreover, the high incidence of adverse events (AEs) with both drugs has hampered their widespread use. Trials in CCD adults showed that quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays remain negative for 12 months after standard-of-care (SoC) BZN treatment in ~80% patients. BZN pharmacokinetic data and the nonsynchronous nature of the proliferative mammal-dwelling parasite stage suggested that a lower BZN/NFX dosing frequency, combined with standard or extended treatment duration, might have the same or better efficacy than either drug SoC, with fewer AEs. Methods and analysis New ThErapies and Biomarkers for ChagaS infEctiOn (TESEO) is an open-label, randomised, prospective, phase-2 clinical trial, with six treatment arms (75 patients/arm, 450 patients). Primary objectives are to compare the safety and efficacy of two new proposed chemotherapy regimens of BZN and NFX in adults with CCD with the current SoC for BZN and NFX, evaluated by qPCR and biomarkers for 36 months posttreatment and correlated with CD conventional serology. Recruitment of patients was initiated on 18 December 2019 and on 20 May 2021, 450 patients (study goal) were randomised among the six treatment arms. The treatment phase was finalised on 18 August 2021. Secondary objectives include evaluation of population pharmacokinetics of both drugs in all treatment arms, the incidence of AEs, and parasite genotyping. Ethics and dissemination The TESEO study was approved by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), federal regulatory agency of the Plurinational State of Bolivia and the Ethics Committees of the participating institutions. The results will be disseminated via publications in peer-reviewed journals, conferences and reports to the NIH, FDA and participating institutions. Trial registration number NCT03981523.
Efficacy and safety of pirfenidone in the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Objectives Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has been defined as a distinctive type of chronic fibrotic disease, characterised by a progressive decline in lung function and a common histological pattern of interstitial pneumonia. To analyse the efficacy and safety of pirfenidone in the treatment of IPF, a systematic review and meta-analysis was performed. Design This is a meta-analysis study. Participants Patients were diagnosed as IPF. Interventions Use of pirfenidone. Primary and secondary outcome Progression-free survival (PFS), acute exacerbation and worsening of IPF and Impact on adverse events. Measures The inverse variance method for the random-effects model was used to summarise the dichotomous outcomes, risk ratios and 95% CIs. Results A total of 9 randomised controlled trials with 1011 participants receiving pirfenidone and 912 controls receiving placebo were summarised. The pooled result suggested a statistically significant difference inall-cause mortality after pirfenidone use, with a summarised relative ratio of 0.51 (p<0.01). Longer PFS was observed in patients receiving pirfenidone compared with those who were given placebo (p<0.01). The IPF groups presented a high incidence of adverse events with a pooled relative ratio of 3.89 (p<0.01). Conclusions Pirfenidone can provide survival benefit for patients with IPF. Pirfenidone treatment was also associated with a longer PFS, a lower incidence of acute exacerbation and worsening of IPF.
Phlebotomine sandflies and associated pathogens in Algeria: update and comprehensive overview.

Being the only established vectors of the protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania, sand flies have become very important in all countries where leishmaniasis exists. It is caused by a variety of species, each one having specific mammalian reservoir hosts and vectors. Leishmania and sand fly classification has always been a controversial matter, and the increasing number of sand fly species described world complicates the task. Until recently, sand flies distributed in Old World were known as vectors for few Phleboviruses including two known species (Sandfly fever Naples virus, and alehebad virus), and tentative species such as sand fly fever Sicilian virus and Corfou virus. These infections are emerging in the Mediterranean region and will likely spread in forthcoming decades, posing a complex threat to public health. Here, we reviewed the current literature on phlebotomine sand flies fauna and epidemiology of sand fly‑borne infections in Algeria.
Telomerase ribonucleoprotein and genome integrity—An emerging connection in protozoan parasites

Telomerase has an established role in telomere maintenance in eukaryotes. However, recent studies have begun to implicate telomerase in cellular roles beyond telomere maintenance. Specifically, evidence is emerging of cross‐talks between telomerase mediated telomere homeostasis and DNA repair pathways. Telomere shortening due to the end replication problem is a constant threat to genome integrity in eukaryotic cells. This poses a particular problem in unicellular parasitic protists because their major virulence genes are located at the subtelomeric loci. Although telomerase is the major regulator of telomere lengthening in eukaryotes, it is less studied in the ancient eukaryotes, including clinically important human pathogens. Recent research is highlighting interplay between telomerase and the DNA damage response in human parasites. The importance of this interplay in pathogen virulence is only beginning to be illuminated, including the potential to highlight novel developmental regulation of telomerase in parasites who transition between multiple developmental stages throughout their life cycle. In this review, we will discuss the telomerase ribonucleoprotein enzyme and DNA repair pathways with emerging views in human parasites to give a broader perspective of the possible connection of telomere, telomerase, and DNA repair pathways across eukaryotic lineages and highlight their potential role in pathogen virulence.
Fault Detection In Wireless Sensor Network Using Distributed Approach

In recent days, Wireless Sensor Networks are emerging as a promising and interesting area. Wireless Sensor Network consists of a large number of heterogeneous/homogeneous sensor nodes which communicates through wireless medium and works cooperatively to sense or monitor the environment. The number of sensor nodes in a network can vary from hundreds to thousands. The node senses data from Environment and sends these data to the gateway node. Mostly WSNs are used for applications such as military surveillance and disaster monitoring. We propose a distributed localized faulty sensor detection algorithm where each sensor identifies its own status to be either ”good” or ”faulty” which is then supported by its neighbors as they also check the node behavior. Finally, the algorithm is tested under different number of faulty sensors in the same area. Our Simulation results demonstrate that the time consumed to find out the faulty nodes in our proposed algorithm is relatively less with a large number of faulty sensors existing in the network.