Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sound Field Interpolation for Rotation-Invariant Multichannel Array Signal Processing

In this paper, we present a sound field interpolation for array signal processing (ASP) that is robust to rotation of a circular microphone array (CMA), and we evaluate beamforming as one of its applications. Most ASP methods assume a time-invariant acoustic transfer system (ATS) from sources to the microphone array. This assumption makes it challenging to perform ASP in real situations where sources and the microphone array can move. Therefore, considering a time-variant ATS is an essential task for the use of ASP. In this study, we focus on one such movement, the rotation of the CMA. Our method interpolates the sound field on the circumference of a circle, where microphones are equally spaced, based on the sampling theorem on the circle. The interpolation enables us to estimate the signals at the microphone positions before the rotation. Hence, conventional ASP, which assumes a time-invariant ATS, is applicable after interpolation without modification. We developed two beamforming schemes, one for batch and one for online processing, that combine the minimum power distortionless response beamformer and sound field interpolation. We evaluated the dependences of the interpolation on frequency and rotation angle using the signal-to-error ratio. Additionally, simulation results demonstrated that the two proposed schemes improve the beamformer's performance when the CMA rotates.
What we got Here, is a Failure to Coordinate: Implicit and Explicit Coordination in Air Combat

Air combat is the ultimate test for teamwork, as teams of fighter pilot (or flights), must coordinate their actions in a highly complex, hostile, dynamic and time critical environment. Flights can coordinate their actions using communication, that is, explicitly, or by relying on team situation awareness (SA), that is, implicitly. This paper examines how these two forms of coordination are associated with performance when prosecuting or evading an attack in simulated air combat. This was done by investigating the flights’ team SA, number of SA-related communication acts and performance in these two types of critical events during air combat. The results exhibit a quadratic dependence between team SA and communication. The rate of change of SA-related communication frequency with respect to change of team SA was negative: communication was needed to build team SA, but once an appropriate level of team SA was established, fewer communications were required. If, however, team SA deteriorated the number of SA communication acts increased. However, during time critical events, the flights did not always have enough time to coordinate their actions verbally. If the flights’ team SA in such situations was low, the flights’ explicit coordination attempts were not sufficient to avoid poor performance.
Comment on “Climate consequences of hydrogen emissions” by Ocko and Hamburg (2022)

Abstract. In this commentary, we provide additional context for Ocko and Hamburg (2022) related to the climate consequences of replacing fossil fuels with clean hydrogen alternatives. We first provide a tutorial for the derivations of underlying differential equations that describe the radiative forcing of hydrogen emissions, which differ slightly from equations relied on by previous studies. Ocko and Hamburg (2022) defined a metric based on time-integrated radiative forcing from continuous emissions. To complement their analysis, we further present results for temperature and radiative forcing over the next centuries for unit pulse and continuous emissions scenarios. Our results are qualitatively consistent with previous studies, including Ocko and Hamburg (2022). Our results clearly show that for the same quantity of emissions, hydrogen shows a consistently smaller climate impact than methane. As with other short-lived species, the radiative forcing from a continuous emission of hydrogen is proportional to emission rates, whereas the radiative forcing from a continuous emission of carbon dioxide is closely related to cumulative emissions. After a cessation of hydrogen emissions, the Earth cools rapidly, whereas after a cessation of carbon dioxide emissions, the Earth continues to warm somewhat and remains warm for many centuries. Regardless, our results support the conclusion of Ocko and Hamburg (2022) that, if methane were a feedstock for hydrogen production, any possible near-term consequences will depend primarily on methane leakage and secondarily on hydrogen leakage.
Targeting the Interplay of Independent Cellular Pathways and Immunity: A Challenge in Cancer Immunotherapy

Simple Summary Although immunotherapy has improved the treatment and outcome of cancer patients, there are still limitations to face because most patients cannot receive lasting benefits. We believe it is urgent to discover new potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for investigating personalized and less invasive anticancer treatments. In the present paper, we highlight: (i) the impact of ubiquitination and its reverse, de-ubiquitination, in orchestrating the immune response of the tumor microenvironment; (ii) selected clinical trials, which provide information on combination cancer immunotherapy and new immunomodulatory targets; (iii) current challenges in immunotherapy, including imaging technologies and ROS-based immunotherapies, as well as immunotherapy side effects. Finally, the major outstanding questions in cancer immunotherapy are also presented, and directions for future research are described. Abstract Immunotherapy is a cancer treatment that exploits the capacity of the body’s immune system to prevent, control, and remove cancer. Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment and significantly improved patient outcomes for several tumor types. However, most patients have not benefited from such therapies yet. Within the field of cancer immunotherapy, an expansion of the combination strategy that targets independent cellular pathways that can work synergistically is predicted. Here, we review some consequences of tumor cell death and increased immune system engagement in the modulation of oxidative stress and ubiquitin ligase pathways. We also indicate combinations of cancer immunotherapies and immunomodulatory targets. Additionally, we discuss imaging techniques, which are crucial for monitoring tumor responses during treatment and the immunotherapy side effects. Finally, the major outstanding questions are also presented, and directions for future research are described.
Relationships between undergraduate medical students’ attitudes toward communication skills learning and demographics in Zambia: a survey-based descriptive study

Purpose This study aimed to detect relationships between undergraduate students’ attitudes toward communication skills learning and demographic variables (such as age, academic year, and gender). Understanding these relationships could provide information for communication skills facilitators and curriculum planners on structuring course delivery and integrating communication skills training into the medical curriculum. Methods The descriptive study involved a survey of 369 undergraduate students from 2 medical schools in Zambia who participated in communication skills training stratified by academic year using the Communication Skills Attitude Scale. Data were collected between October and December 2021 and analyzed using IBM SPSS for Windows version 28.0. Results One-way analysis of variance revealed a significant difference in attitude between at least 5 academic years. There was a significant difference in attitudes between the 2nd and 5th academic years (t=5.95, P˂0.001). No significant difference in attitudes existed among the academic years on the negative subscale; the 2nd and 3rd (t=3.82, P=0.004), 4th (t=3.61, P=0.011), 5th (t=8.36, P˂0.001), and 6th (t=4.20, P=0.001) academic years showed significant differences on the positive subscale. Age showed no correlation with attitudes. There was a more favorable attitude to learning communication skills among the women participants than among the men participants (P=0.006). Conclusion Despite positive general attitudes toward learning communication skills, the difference in attitude between the genders, academic years 2 and 5, and the subsequent classes suggest a re-evaluation of the curriculum and teaching methods to facilitate appropriate course structure according to the academic years and a learning process that addressees gender differences.
Image Restoration Based on Wavelet-Domain Hidden Markov Tree Model

Wavelet-domain HMT models the dependencies of multiscale wavelet coefficients through the state probabilities of the wavelet coefficients,whose distribution densities can be approximated by the Gaussian mixture model.The algorithm presented in this paper specifies the prior distribution of the real-world image through wavelet-domain HMT model and converts the restoration problem to an constrained optimization one which can be solved with the conjugate gradient method.Experimental results show that the algorithm properly retrieves various kinds of edges and the PSNR and subjective visual effect of the restored images are improved significantly.
Effects of Zinc on the Right Cardiovascular Circuit in Long-Term Hypobaric Hypoxia in Wistar Rats

Hypobaric hypoxia under chromic conditions triggers hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) and right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH). The role of zinc (Zn) under hypoxia is controversial and remains unclear. We evaluated the effect of Zn supplementation in prolonged hypobaric hypoxia on HIF2α/MTF-1/MT/ZIP12/PKCε pathway in the lung and RVH. Wistar rats were exposed to hypobaric hypoxia for 30 days and randomly allocated into three groups: chronic hypoxia (CH); intermittent hypoxia (2 days hypoxia/2 days normoxia; CIH); and normoxia (sea level control; NX). Each group was subdivided (n = 8) to receive either 1% Zn sulfate solution (z) or saline (s) intraperitoneally. Body weight, hemoglobin, and RVH were measured. Zn levels were evaluated in plasma and lung tissue. Additionally, the lipid peroxidation levels, HIF2α/MTF-1/MT/ZIP12/PKCε protein expression and pulmonary artery remodeling were measured in the lung. The CIH and CH groups showed decreased plasma Zn and body weight and increased hemoglobin, RVH, and vascular remodeling; the CH group also showed increased lipid peroxidation. Zn administration under hypobaric hypoxia upregulated the HIF2α/MTF-1/MT/ZIP12/PKCε pathway and increased RVH in the intermittent zinc group. Under intermittent hypobaric hypoxia, Zn dysregulation could participate in RVH development through alterations in the pulmonary HIF2α/MTF1/MT/ZIP12/PKCε pathway.
Production of Glyoxylate from Glucose in Engineered Escherichia coli

Glyoxylates are essential intermediates in several metabolic pathways and have a broad range of industrial applications. In this study, we propose a novel method for producing glyoxylate from glucose using engineered Escherichia coli BW25113. To direct the production of glyoxylate from glucose, malate synthase A (aceB), malate synthase G (glcB), glyoxylate carboligase (gcl), and glyoxylate/hydroxypyruvate reductase A (ycdW) genes were disrupted, and the glyoxylate shunt was reinforced in the disruptants by the overexpression of citrate synthase (gltA) and isocitrate lyase (aceA). In flask cultivation using M9 medium supplemented with 1% glucose, the disruptant E. coli BW25113 ΔaceB ΔglcB Δgcl ΔycdW produced 0.93 ± 0.17 g/L of glyoxylate. Further overexpression of gltA and aceA in the disruptant resulted in an improvement in glyoxylate production to 1.15 ± 0.02 g/L. By expressing a heterologous gene, pyc, in the engineered E. coli, the accumulation of intracellular oxaloacetate remarkably improved, leading to glyoxylate production of up to 2.42 ± 0.00 g/L with specific productivity at 4.22 ± 0.09 g/g-cell. To date, this is the highest reported titer and specific productivity of glyoxylate in E. coli.
Field-aligned electron flux oscillations that produce flickering aurora

Measurements of energetic electrons that produce flickering aurora were made by a pair of sounding rockets launched during a slowly evolving auroral breakup. Both payloads passed through a broad inverted-V structure. A component of the electron distribution function was closely aligned with the magnetic field over a broad energy range that extended from low energies up to the inverted-V differential energy flux peak. High time resolution measurements of the field-aligned component showed the presence of order of magnitude coherent flux oscillations. Source altitudes between 4000 and 8000 km were derived from velocity dispersion of the flux oscillations. A ground-based TV camera recorded visual flickering in the vicinity of the payloads' auroral footprints during periods when flux oscillations were present. Measurements are compared with previous observations of electron flux oscillations, and possible sources for the field-aligned component are discussed.
Effect of counter-rotating vortices on the development of aircraft wakes

Abstract A two-dimensional vortex particle model is used for studying the development of the vortex wake generated by the wing of an aircraft in the Trefftz plane. Two-dimensional, finite-area vortex structures simulate the initial vorticity distribution at a near-field cross-section of the wing, as provided by either measurements or simulations. The code is used for studying the effect of weak or strong counter-rotating vortices on the development of an aircraft wake. Application in a three-vortex configuration, consisting of the tip and flap vortices, plus a weak negative vorticity sheet lying between them, supports the hypothesis of Graham that the merging of the tip and flap vortices is prevented, because in such an arrangement the counter-rotating vorticity sheet is wrapped around the primary vortices. The present results indicate that even in the far field the tip and flap vortices remain distinct and follow a helical trajectory with large-pitch and small-radius. The code is next applied to the two-vortex system of Savas’s triangular wing, in which the circulation of the flap vortex is comparable to that of the tip. Although a 2D analysis is inappropriate for stability analysis it is still useful for a quick qualitative investigation. Results indicate that the flap and tip vortices follow a helical trajectory with large-pitch but also very large radius. During one period, the flap vortex covers a span wise distance equal to the wing span. Such a flow has not been observed in flight or in laboratory tests. Actually, Ortega et al, who studied experimentally the triangular wing of O. Savas, found out that before concluding one full spiral, the vortices are literally destroyed (rapid spreading of their vorticity) by an instability mechanism.
Phylogeographic structure of two sympatric species of Mediimorda Méquignon, 1946 (Mordellidae, Coleoptera)

Abstract Sympatric distribution and syntopy are not common in closely related species since sporadic crosses may lead to the formation of hybrid zones disrupting the differentiation of sympatric incipient species. In Central Spain two morphologically similar species of Mediimorda Méquignon, 1946, M. batteni Plaza-Infante, 1985 and M. bipunctata (Germar, 1827) are strictly sympatric. Mediimorda batteni is endemic to the Iberian Peninsula while M. bipunctata is widely distributed in the Western Palaearctic Region. Intriguingly, sympatric distribution among closely related taxa that exhibits little morphological variation is not common. This makes us wonder if we are really facing two independent evolutionary units of Mediimorda as previously proposed or just two phenotypic morphs of a single taxon. To test for this hypothesis, we performed Bayesian and phylogeographic analyses based on mitochondrial (cox1) and nuclear (ITS2) data and estimated divergence time of clades. Additionally, a morphological revision and construction of potential distribution models were included to determine possible niche differences. Our results corroborate the existence of two lineages well differentiated, that probably diverged during the Pliocene. According to the morphology, each clade corresponds to the previously recognized M. batteni and M. bipunctata. The absence of hybridization and ecological segregation suggests that sympatric and syntopic distribution was accomplished long time after the speciation event that separated the two taxa took place. We propose that the divergence between clades was originated by allopatric speciation during the Late Pliocene subsequently followed by range shifts during the Pleistocene climatic oscillations, which resulted in the current syntopy of the two taxa.
Thermally Fully Developed Electroosmotic Flow of Power-Law Fluids in a Circular Microchannel

This study presents a thermally fully developed electroosmotic flow of the non-Newtonian power-law fluids through a circle microchannel. A rigorous mathematic model for describing the Joule heating in an electroosmotic flow including the Poisson Boltzmann equation, the modified Navier Stokes equation and the energy equation is developed. The semi-analytical solutions of normalized velocity and temperature are derived. The velocity profile is computed by numerical integrate, and the temperature distribution is obtained by finite difference method. Results show that the velocity profiles depend greatly on the fluid behavior index n and the nondimensional electrokinetic width K. For a specified value of K , the axial velocity increases with a decrease in n, and the same trend for the effect of K on the velocity can be found for a specified value of n. Moreover, the dimensionless temperature is governed by three parameters, namely, the flow behavior index n , the nondimensional electrokinetic width K , and the dimen-sionless Joule heating parameter G. The variations of radial fluid temperature distributions with different parameters are investigated.
The Attracting Centre and the Topological Entropy of a Graph Map

Let f be a continuous self-map of a graph G and P(f), AΓ(f),ω(f),Ω(f), sα(y, f) denote the set of periodic points of f, the set of unilateral γ-limit points of f, the set ofω-limit points of f, the set of nonwandering points of f, the set of special aaaaaaaaaaaaaa- limit points of f relative to y, respectively. In this paper we show that: (1) x∈? sα(y,f) for some y ∈ G if and only if x ∈ sα(x,f); (2) AΓ(f) U P(f) ∈∪y∈Gsα(y,f); (3) AΓ(f)∪ P(f) = ω(Ω(f)) = ω(ω(f)) = ω(∪y∈Gsα(y,f)) = ω(AΓ(f) ∪P(f)). Furthermore, we also obtain several equivalent conditions which f has positive topological entropy.
Techniques de transmission et de réception MU-MIMO pour la génération suivante de standards de télécommunications cellulaires

Dans cette these, nous etudions les systemes multi-utilisateurs (MU), ou l'emetteur dispose M antennes et sert K utilisateurs mono-antenne, appeles MU-MISO. Base sur des informations de l'etat de canal a l'emetteur, les signaux sont precodes de facon a reduire l’interference entre utilisateurs. Plus precisement, nous considerons un precodage lineaire optimal (la maximisation de la somme ponderee des debits), precodage par filtre adapte, precodage de forcage a zero (ZF), un precodage ZF regularise et un modele pratique appele CUBF, ou la matrice de precodage est unitaire avec des entrees de module constant. Pour evaluer le comportement du systeme, nous supposons que M et K est grand alors que leur rapport reste borne. Nous developpons un cadre general et consistent pour l'etude des techniques de precodage lineaire dans les grands systemes MU-MISO, pour une large gamme d'environnements de canal de propagation et en supposant une connaissance imparfaite du canal a l'emetteur. Nous fournissons les outils necessaires a partir de la theorie des matrices aleatoires a grandes dimensions pour obtenir des equivalents deterministes du rapport signal sur interference plus bruit (SINR) aleatoire. Ces approximations du SINR peuvent etre appliquees pour resoudre une variete de problemes pratiques d'optimisation dont plusieurs sont presentes dans ce travail. Les resultats des simulations montrent que ce sont des solutions proches de l’optimal meme pour les systemes de petite taille. Notre cadre constitue la base pour l'etude des systemes plus complexes tels que MU-MIMO et multi-cellules MU-MIMO et pour explorer de nouvelles voies pour l’analyse des systemes avec feedback limite.
Molecular structure, vibrational, electronic structure and nonlinear optical properties of L-threoninium picrate: an excellent nonlinear optical material

In this work, different computational methods such as HF, B3LYP, range separated functionals (CAM-B3LYP and LC-BLYP) at 6-31G* basis set were applied to investigate the electronic, spectroscopic and nonlinear optical properties of L-threoninium picrate (LTHP) molecule for the first time. The calculated values of IR and Raman vibrational frequencies were found to be in a good agreement with the experimental results. Time dependent density functional theory has been applied to calculate the electronic and photophysical properties such as excitation energy, dipole moment and frontier molecular orbital (FMO) energies of LTHP molecule. The excitation energy values calculated by range separated functional CAM-B3LYP (LC-BLYP) were found to be at 262 and 351 nm in close agreement with the experimental values. The total dipole moment ({\mu}tot), static total and anisotropy of polarizability ({\alpha}tot, {\Delta}{\alpha}) and static first hyperpolarizability (\b{eta}0, \b{eta}tot) values were calculated and compared with the reference compound. The {\mu}tot and \b{eta}tot values of LTHP are found to be 9 and 12 time higher than prototype urea molecule respectively. The FMOs, molecular electrostatic potential (MEP), global reactivity descriptors were also calculated and discussed. All these results suggest that the L-threoninium picrate would be a good candidate for optoelectronic device applications.
Spectral Response of Camelina (Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz) to Different Nitrogen Fertilization Regimes under Mediterranean Conditions

Knowledge about the spectral response of camelina under different regimes of nitrogen (N) fertilization is very scarce. Therefore, 2-year open-field trials were carried out in the 2021 and 2022 growing seasons with the aim of evaluating the spectral response of spring camelina to four different N fertilization regimes by using remote (UAV) and proximal (leaf-clip Dualex) sensing techniques. The tested treatments were: (i) control: no N application (T0); (ii) top dressing: 60 kg N ha−1 before stem elongation (T1); basal dressing: 60 kg N ha−1 at sowing (T2); basal + top dressing combination: 60 kg N ha−1 at sowing + 60 kg N ha−1 before stem elongation (T3). Camelina seed yield and N use efficiency were strongly affected by fertilization regimes, with the best results obtained at T2. A reduction in plant development and seed yield was detected in 2022, probably due to the rise in air temperatures. A significant effect of both growing season and N fertilization was observed on the photosynthetic pigments content with the T1 highest values in 2022. The highest seed oil content was achieved at T1, while the protein content increased with increasing N, with the best values at T3. Positive and significant correlations were observed among several vegetation indices obtained through UAV flights (NDVI, MRS705, FGCC) and seed yield, as well as between FGCC and leaf N concentration. Overall, these findings demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing remote sensing techniques from UAVs for predicting seed yield in camelina.