Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Joint Power Allocation and Beamforming for In-band Full-duplex Multi-cell Multi-user Networks

This paper investigates a robust joint power allocation and beamforming scheme for in-band full-duplex multi-cell multi-user (IBFD-MCMU) networks. A mean-squared error (MSE) minimization problem is formulated with constraints on the power budgets and residual self-interference (RSI) power. The problem is not convex, so we decompose it into two sub-problems: interference management beamforming and power allocation, and give closed-form solutions to the sub-problems. Then we propose an iterative algorithm to yield an overall solution. The computational complexity and convergence behavior of the algorithm are analyzed. Our method can enhance the analog self-interference cancellation (ASIC) depth provided by the precoder with less effect on the downlink communication than the existing null-space projection method, inspiring a low-cost but efficient IBFD transceiver design. It can achieve 42.9% of IBFD gain in terms of spectral efficiency with only antenna isolation, while this value increases to 60.9% with further digital self-interference cancellation (DSIC). Numerical results illustrate that our algorithm is robust to hardware impairments and channel uncertainty. With sufficient ASIC depth, our method reduces the computation time by at least 20% than the existing scheme due to its faster convergence speed at the cost of<12.5% sum rate loss. The benefit is much more significant with single-antenna users that our algorithm saves at least 40% of the computation time at the cost of<10% sum rate reduction.
Beyond Uncertainty: Risk-Aware Active View Acquisition for Safe Robot Navigation and 3D Scene Understanding with FisherRF

This work proposes a novel approach to bolster both the robot's risk assessment and safety measures while deepening its understanding of 3D scenes, which is achieved by leveraging Radiance Field (RF) models and 3D Gaussian Splatting. To further enhance these capabilities, we incorporate additional sampled views from the environment with the RF model. One of our key contributions is the introduction of Risk-aware Environment Masking (RaEM), which prioritizes crucial information by selecting the next-best-view that maximizes the expected information gain. This targeted approach aims to minimize uncertainties surrounding the robot's path and enhance the safety of its navigation. Our method offers a dual benefit: improved robot safety and increased efficiency in risk-aware 3D scene reconstruction and understanding. Extensive experiments in real-world scenarios demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed approach, highlighting its potential to establish a robust and safety-focused framework for active robot exploration and 3D scene understanding.
A small molecule inhibitor Mirin prevents TOP3A-dependent mtDNA breakage and segregation

Mirin, the chemical inhibitor of MRE11, has been recently reported to prevent immune response activation caused by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) breakage and release upon replication stalling. We show here that Mirin prevents mitochondrial replication fork breakage in mitochondrial 3’-exonuclease MGME1 deficient cells and the resulting innate immune response induction, but that this occurs independently of MRE11. Furthermore, Mirin also caused alteration of mtDNA supercoiling and accumulation of hemicatenated replication termination intermediates, hallmarks of topoisomerase dysfunction, as well as alleviated topological changes induced by the overexpression of mitochondrial TOP3A, including TOP3A-dependent strand breakage at the non-coding region of mtDNA, potentially explaining its protective effect in the MGME1-knockout cells. Although Mirin does not inhibit TOP3A in vitro, our results demonstrate its MRE11-independent effects in cells and give insight into the mechanisms of mtDNA segregation, as well as the maintenance of genomic integrity in mitochondria. Significance Statement Broken mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in MGME1 knockout cells activates innate immune response, which is prevented by Mirin, a small molecule inhibitor of MRE11. Mirin also interferes with mtDNA replication termination and segregation, suggesting that termination intermediates or paused forks are a major source of mtDNA breakage. We show that these effects are likely dependent on topoisomerase 3A (TOP3A) -related processes in mitochondria, questioning the Mirin target also in the nucleus.
Enabling Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction while Improving Rice Yield with a Methane-Derived Microbial Biostimulant

Rice is a vital crop for food security and human nutrition, yet its cultivation produces ∼11% of total global anthropogenic methane (CH4) emissions - the second most important greenhouse gas (GHG). Modifications to rice management practice are necessary, both to increase yield and mitigate GHG emissions. We investigated the effect of a methane-derived microbial biostimulant on grain yield and GHG emissions from rice fields. Applications of microbial biostimulant resulted in significant enhancement of grain yield, even under different nitrogen management, with consistent reduction in GHG emissions. The study further outlines a potential mechanism for broad and diverse positive effects of microbial biostimulant on the paddy crop including in photosynthesis, tillering and panicle development. Observations from the study will help stakeholders and policy makers, leverage biological solutions like methane-derived microbial biostimulant to improve crop yield and address food security, while reducing anthropogenic CH4 emissions to meet targets agreed at COP26.
Natural soil suppressiveness against soilborne phytopathogens extends to the control of insect pest

Since the 1980s, soils in a 22-km2 area near Lake Neuchâtel in Switzerland have been recognized for their innate ability to suppress the black root rot plant disease. Their efficacy against insect pests has not been studied. We demonstrate that natural soil suppressiveness also protects plants from the leaf-feeding pest insect Oulema melanopus. Plants grown in the most suppressive soil have a reduced stress response to Oulema feeding, reflected by dampened levels of herbivore defense-related phytohormones and benzoxazinoids, and enhanced salicylate levels in plants without the insect indicate defense-priming. The rhizosphere microbiome network of the suppressive soils was highly tolerant to the destabilizing impact of insect exposure. The presence of plant-beneficial bacteria in the suppressive soils along with priming conferred plant resistance to the insect pest, manifesting also in the onset of insect microbiome dysbiosis. This intricate soil-plant-insect feedback extends natural soil suppressiveness from soilborne diseases to insect pests.
A Slot Representation of the Resource-Centric Models for Scheduling Problems

Conventional approach to solving scheduling problems using constraint technology is based on a static formulation of the problem; in particular all the scheduled activities are expected to be known in advance. Such static formulation is not capable to solve many real-life planning and scheduling problems where the appearance of the activity depends on allocation of other activities during scheduling. In the paper we propose a slot representation of the scheduling problems that allows introduction of new activities during scheduling while preserving the advantages of constraint propagation. The research is motivated by real-life problems in complex process environments like alternative production formulas, transition patterns and non-ordered production.
Genome streamlining: effect of mutation rate and population size on genome size reduction

Genome streamlining, i.e. genome size reduction, is observed in bacteria with very different life traits, including endosymbiotic bacteria and several marine bacteria, raising the question of its evolutionary origin. None of the hypotheses proposed in the literature is firmly established, mainly due to the many confounding factors related to the diverse habitats of species with streamlined genomes. Computational models may help overcome these difficulties and rigor-ously test hypotheses. In this work, we used Aevol, a platform designed to study the evolution of genome architecture, to test two main hypotheses: that an increase in population size (N ) or mutation rate (µ) could cause genome reduction. Pre-evolved individuals were transferred into new conditions, characterized by an increase in population size or mutation rate. In our experiments, both conditions lead to streamlining. However, they lead to very different genome structures. Under increased population size, genomes loose a significant fraction of non-coding sequences, but maintain their coding size, resulting in densely packed genomes (akin to stream-lined marine bacteria genomes). By contrast, under increased mutation rate, genomes loose coding and non-coding sequences (akin to endosymbiotic bacteria genomes). Hence, both factors lead to an overall reduction in genome size, but the coding density of the genome appears to be determined by N × µ. Thus, a broad range of genome size and density can be achieved by different combinations of N and µ. Our results suggest that genome size and coding density are determined by the interplay between selection for phenotypic adaptation and selection for robustness.
ADMA-histones define genomic loading of Rhino at the initial step of piRNA cluster formation

In Drosophila germ cells, piRNAs arise from dual-strand piRNA clusters. These clusters are occupied by H3K9me3, but are transcribed from internal sites in a manner dependent on the binding of HP1 homolog Rhino to H3K9me3 on the clusters. However, how initial loading of Rhino onto the clusters occurs remains unknown. Here, we used cultured ovarian somatic cells (OSCs), which lack endogenous Rhino and Rhino stabilizer Kipferl, the absence of which renders the dual-strand clusters inert, and found that exogenous Rhino tends to bind to the ends of dual-strand clusters with asymmetric dimethylarginine histones (ADMA-histones). Depletion of the arginine methyltransferases responsible for ADMA modification affected the genomic localization of Rhino in OSCs and in the ovary. We also identified genomic regions, termed INSECTs, where ADMA-dependent Rhino propagation begins. We propose that ADMA-histones define the initial genomic loading of Rhino and stabilize Rhino−genome association during cluster formation.
The protein interactome of Escherichia coli carbohydrate metabolism

Carbohydrate metabolism is strictly regulated by multiple mechanisms to meet cellular needs (i.e. energy production). Several mechanisms modulate the amount and activity of metabolic enzymes. Here, we investigate how carbohydrate metabolism (CHM) in E. coli is regulated by their interaction properties with other proteins and their quantities. We computationally analyze 378 protein-enzyme interactions (PEIs) potentially involved in carbohydrate metabolism. We identified 20 enzymes and 19 interactors that occur at stoichiometries that are highly likely to affect CHM and 174 interactions that are possibly conserved across thousands of bacteria. These PPIs are predicted to be of global importance, including pathogens. Author summary In systems biology, “big” data are used to reconstruct biological networks which are then investigated in detail to uncover their functional dynamics. Understanding functional dynamics finally helps in identifying biomarkers in the big networks. We apply this concept to the biological network which is a crosstalk of protein-protein interaction network and carbohydrate metabolic pathway in Escherichia coli K-12. We investigate if proteins regulate enzymes when they bind them and we predict that protein-enzyme interactions (PEIs) regulate carbohydrate metabolism in E. coli.
Whole-body simulation of realistic fruit fly locomotion with deep reinforcement learning

The body of an animal determines how the nervous system produces behavior. Therefore, detailed modeling of the neural control of sensorimotor behavior requires a detailed model of the body. Here we contribute an anatomically-detailed biomechanical whole-body model of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster in the MuJoCo physics engine. Our model is general-purpose, enabling the simulation of diverse fly behaviors, both on land and in the air. We demonstrate the generality of our model by simulating realistic locomotion, both flight and walking. To support these behaviors, we have extended MuJoCo with phenomenological models of fluid forces and adhesion forces. Through data-driven end-to-end reinforcement learning, we demonstrate that these advances enable the training of neural network controllers capable of realistic locomotion along complex trajectories based on high-level steering control signals. With a visually guided flight task, we demonstrate a neural controller that can use the vision sensors of the body model to control and steer flight. Our project is an open-source platform for modeling neural control of sensorimotor behavior in an embodied context.
NUS at WMT09: Domain Adaptation Experiments for English-Spanish Machine Translation of News Commentary Text

We describe the system developed by the team of the National University of Singapore for English to Spanish machine translation of News Commentary text for the WMT09 Shared Translation Task. Our approach is based on domain adaptation, combining a small in-domain News Commentary bi-text and a large out-of-domain one from the Europarl corpus, from which we built and combined two separate phrase tables. We further combined two language models (in-domain and out-of-domain), and we experimented with cognates, improved tokenization and recasing, achieving the highest lowercased NIST score of 6.963 and the second best lowercased Bleu score of 24.91% for training without using additional external data for English-to-Spanish translation at the shared task.
Macrophage Polarization in Health and Disease

Macrophages are terminally differentiated cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system that also encompasses dendritic cells, circulating blood monocytes, and committed myeloid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. Both macrophages and their monocytic precursors can change their functional state in response to microenvironmental cues exhibiting a marked heterogeneity. However, there are still uncertainties regarding distinct expression patterns of surface markers that clearly define macrophage subsets, particularly in the case of human macrophages. In addition to their tissue distribution, macrophages can be functionally polarized into M1 (proinflammatory) and M2 (alternatively activated) as well as regulatory cells in response to both exogenous infections and solid tumors as well as by systems biology approaches.
Alteration of nociceptive Schwann cells in a mouse model of peripheral neuropathy in prediabetic condition

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) characterized by progressive and symmetrical sensory abnormalities is one of the earliest and main complications of diabetes. DPN is characterized by heterogeneous sensory symptoms such as chronic pain, tingling, burning or loss of sensation. Nociceptive Schwann cells (nSCs), a recently identified subtypes of dermal Schwann cells support terminal nerve fibers in mouse skin and contribute to mechanical sensation and neuropathic pain. While terminal nerve fibers density is basically evaluated in DPN models, there is currently few data about nSCs number and integrity during early stage of DPN. In the present study, we used a mouse model of prediabetes by using high-fat diet (HFD) fed mice to determine if there are quantitative differences in terminal nerve fiber density, nSCs number and cellular extensions between control and prediabetic neuropathic mice. In this study, we identified L1CAM as a reliable marker of nSCs currently characterized by the expression of S100β and Sox10. Interestingly, we observed a decrease in intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) associated to a significant reduction of nSCs in the glabrous foot skin of neuropathic mice. Overall, this study identifies L1CAM as a new marker of nSCs and indicates that these cells are impaired during prediabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Variation of Solar Wind Parameters Along With the Understanding of Energy Dynamics Within the Magnetospheric System During Geomagnetic Disturbances

Interplanetary solar wind parameters (velocity of solar wind particle [Vp], proton density [Nsw], and component of solar magnetic field [IMF‐Bz]) and geomagnetic indices (symmetric horizontal component of geomagnetic field [SYM‐H], auroral electrojet [AE]) divulge great deal of information about geomagnetic disturbances. To better understand the influence of solar wind invasion into the energy dynamics of magnetosphere system, we have chosen five geomagnetic disturbance events of completely different nature as the quietest days, intense storm, High Intensity Long Duration Continuous Auroral Activity, Substorm, and Supersubstorm. The statistical analysis of these five events clearly supports the case that most of the time IMF‐Bz plays major role to create magnetic reconnection leading to the geomagnetic disturbances. Our study shows that Joule heating covers the largest fraction of energy dissipation, averaging 53.6% of total deposited energy for all events. Even though, in case of Supersubstorm, the major contribution due to the ring current (47%) surpasses Joule heating (43%). The cross‐correlation analysis applied for the IMF‐Bz with SYM‐H, solar wind energy and magnetospheric sinks explain and quantify the relation between them. The positive correlation of IMF‐Bz with SYM‐H value in each event delineates that southward orientation of IMF‐Bz is responsible for the depression of SYM‐H. However, an interesting result that IMF‐Bz correlated negatively with SYM‐H value for the quiet event suggests the southward orientation of IMF‐Bz does not necessarily have to be the cause of disturbance always. In few occasion, Solar Quiet (Sq) and Lunar (L) current is found to be taking over the role of IMF‐Bz to create disturbance.
Divide and Surrender: Exploiting Variable Division Instruction Timing in HQC Key Recovery Attacks

We uncover a critical side-channel vulnerability in the Hamming Quasi-Cyclic (HQC) round 4 optimized implementation arising due to the use of the modulo operator. In some cases, compilers optimize uses of the modulo operator with compile-time known divisors into constant-time Barrett reductions. However, this optimization is not guaranteed: for example, when a modulo operation is used in a loop the compiler may emit division ( div ) instructions which have variable execution time depending on the numerator. When the numerator depends on secret data, this may yield a timing side-channel. We name vulnerabilities of this kind Divide and Surrender (DaS) vulnerabilities. For processors supporting Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT) we propose a new approach called DIV-SMT which enables precisely measuring small division timing variations using scheduler and/or execution unit contention. We show that using only 100 such side-channel traces we can build a Plaintext-Checking (PC) oracle with above 90% accuracy. Our approach may also prove applicable to other instances of the DaS vulnerability, such as KyberSlash. We stress that exploitation with DIV-SMT requires co-location of the attacker on the same physical core as the victim. We then apply our methodology to HQC and present a novel way to recover HQC secret keys faster, achieving an 8-fold decrease in the number of idealized oracle queries when compared to previous approaches. Our new PC oracle attack uses our newly developed Zero Tester method to quickly determine whether an entire block of bits contains only zero-bits. The Zero Tester method enables the DIV-SMT powered attack on HQC-128 to complete in under 2 minutes on our targeted AMD Zen2 machine
Mesospheric gravity waves over a tropical convective region observed by OH airglow imaging in Indonesia

From OH airglow imaging observation carried out over one year in Indonesia, 74 events of gravity waves in the MLT (Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere) region were extracted. Observed period, horizontal wavelength and observed horizontal phase speeds of gravity waves were typically 5–13 min, 13–45 km and 37–75 m/s, respectively. Propagation directions were mostly southward except for the period between December and February, when eastward propagation was preferential. Spatial distributions of tropospheric clouds, estimated with GMS (Geostationary Meteorological Satellite) were consistent with the propagation direction of gravity waves, i.e., these clouds mainly existed in the opposite direction to the propagation direction of waves. This suggests that horizontal propagation characteristics of the short period gravity waves in the low latitude MLT region are mainly affected by the distribution of the wave sources in the troposphere, and the effect of the background mean wind in the middle atmosphere is smaller, as it is weaker (∼20 m/s) in the equatorial region.
Adaptive Approach to Concordance Readability

Poor readability in concordance result makes the prompt application of corpus in language teaching difficult. This article proposes an adaptive approach to improve concordance readability. The approach, based on the observation that readability is relevant to both text and individual reader, incorporates into the concordance process two types of information: sentence Dale-chall Index and user's reading ability. The Dale-chall Index for each sentence in the corpus is computed with an adapted Dale-chall Index computation algorithm. The user's reading ability is measured by an adaptive reading assessment which is built within the framework of Item Response Theory. Initial test shows that the concordance readability is improved to a large extent.
Climate Controls on Runoff and Low Flows in Mountain Catchments of Western North America

In the mountainous regions of western North America, snowmelt recharges groundwater and provides ecosystem‐sustaining base flow during low‐flow periods. Continued warming is expected to have large impacts on snowmelt hydrology and on low‐flow regimes, but the relative impact of temperature and precipitation on low flows is unclear. To address this knowledge gap, the dominant climate controls on summer and winter season low flows in 63 near‐natural catchments in mountainous ecoregions of western North America are identified with correlation analysis, and low‐flow sensitivity to temperature and precipitation is quantified with multiple linear regression analysis. Results show that precipitation is the dominant control on the interannual variability of annual runoff and on the duration and severity of summer and winter low flows. The temperature sensitivity of low flows, however, can be as much as twice that of annual runoff. Warm winters correspond to significantly lower runoff; significantly longer, more severe summer low flows; and significantly shorter winter low flows. This highlights the importance of winter climate conditions for runoff and low flows in these mountain catchments and provides another line of evidence regarding the impacts of climate change on snowmelt hydrology.
Multipath geographic routing using false destinations

This paper presents FDF (False Destination Forwarding), a technique that can be adopted for multipath routing in wireless sensor networks to avoid the overhead caused by the maintenance of disjointed or partially disjointed routing paths. FDF changes the packet destination target as the packet itself proceeds along the path: this way, it does not require any change to the underlying geographic routing protocols and can be implemented as an optional intermediate layer, built just above the geographic routing layer. Two different FDF strategies are discussed; both show good performance in simulations and can be effectively implemented in existing networks. FDF could disclose interesting opportunities for new multipath routing protocols, which might help solving the problem of reliability in wireless sensor networks in an efficient manner.