Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hybrid Interval-Probabilistic Localization in Building Maps

We present a novel online capable hybrid interval-probabilistic localization method using publicly available 2D building maps. Given an initially large uncertainty for the orientation and position derived from GNSS data, our novel interval-based approach first narrows down the orientation to a smaller interval and provides a set described by a minimal polygon for the position of the vehicle that encloses the feasible set of poses by taking the building geometry into account using 3D Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensor data. Second, we perform a probabilistic Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) to determine the best solution within the determined feasible set. The MLE is converted into a least-squares problem that is solved by an optimization approach that takes the bounds of the solution set into account so that only a solution within the feasible set is selected as the most likely one. We experimentally show with real data that the novel interval-based localization provides sets of poses that contain the true pose for more than $99\%$ of the frames and that the bounded optimization provides more reliable results compared to a classical unbounded optimization and a Monte Carlo Localization approach.
Performance Analysis and Improvement for Scalable and Distributed Applications Based on Asynchronous Many-Task Systems

As the complexity of recent and future large-scale data and exascale systems architectures grows, so do productivity, portability, software scalability, and efficient utilization of system resources challenges presented to both industry and the research community. Software solutions and applications are expected to scale in performance on such complex systems. Asynchronous many-task (AMT) systems, taking advantage of multi-core architectures with light-weight threads, asynchronous executions, and smart scheduling, are showing promise in addressing these challenges. In this research, we implement several scalable and distributed applications based on HPX, an exemplar AMT runtime system. First, a distributed HPX implementation for a parameterized benchmark Task Bench is introduced. The performance bottleneck is analyzed where the repeated HPX threads creation costs and a global barrier for all threads limit the performance. The methodologies to retain the spawning threads alive and overlap communication and computation are presented. The evaluation results prove the effectiveness of the improved approach, where HPX is comparable with the prevalent programming models and takes advantages of multi-task scenarios. Second, an algorithms and datastructures SHAD library with HPX support is introduced. The methodologies to support local and remote operations in synchronous and asynchronous manners are developed. The HPX implementation in support of the SHAD library is further provided. Performance results demonstrate that the proposed system presents the similar performance as SHAD with Intel TBB (Threading Building Blocks) support for shared-memory parallelism and is better to explore the distributed-memory parallelism than SHAD with GMT (Global Memory and Threading) support. Third, an asynchronous array processing framework Phylanx is introduced. The methodologies that support a distributed alternating least square algorithm are developed. The implementation of this algorithm along with a number of distributed primitives are provided. The performance results show that Phylanx implementation presents a good scalability. Finally, a scalable second-order method for
Desert Ants Learn to Avoid Pitfall Traps While Foraging

Simple Summary Animals living in nests leave their nests to search for food and often use constant routes. We tested how workers of ant colonies cope with pitfall traps placed on their way to food. Such pits can represent those dug by the ant-hunting pit-building antlions. The pitfall traps delayed the arrival at the food and increased the workers’ tracks, but the ants improved in searching after accumulating experience. Furthermore, workers learned to avoid falling into the pits with experience. Removing or adding pits led to a fast change in the worker behavior and they ignored the past conditions, except for tracks that were longer than expected, after pitfall traps were removed. The ants fell much more frequently into pits closer to the arena entry, suggesting that such positions are especially profitable for sit-and-wait predators, ambushing such ants. Abstract Central-place foragers, such as social insects or nesting birds, repeatedly use the same routes from and to their nests when foraging for food. Such species forage more efficiently after accumulating experience. We examined, here, a relatively neglected aspect of such an improvement with experience—the avoidance of pitfall traps. Similar pits are built by antlions, which co-occur with the ants, but they also resemble other natural obstacles. We used the desert ant Cataglyphis niger, common in sandy habitats, and allowed it to forage for three successive runs for a food reward. Ant workers discovered food more slowly and in smaller numbers when pits were in their path. Pit presence also led to longer tracks by ants and slower movement. However, with experience, the ants fell into such pits less often and reached the food more quickly. To understand how past conditions affect current behavior, we investigated whether removing or adding pits led to a different result to that with a constant number of pits. Workers adjusted their behavior immediately when conditions changed. The only carryover effect was the longer tracks crossed by workers after pit removal, possibly resulting from the mismatch between the past and current conditions. Finally, the workers were more likely to fall into pits that were closer to the nest than those that were further away. This is a good example of the advantage that ambush predators can derive from ambushing their prey in specific locations.
Populations sizes and leaf morphology of the Welsh endemics Sorbus cambrensis Welsh Whitebeam and Sorbus stenophylla Llanthony Whitebeam (Rosaceae)

The distribution and population sizes of Sorbus cambrensis (Welsh Whitebeam) and S. stenophylla (Llanthony Whitebeam) (Rosaceae) are revised based on field surveys. About 224 trees of S. cambrensis occur in eight populations/subpopulations (including in the Llanthony Valley), and about 96 trees of S. stenophylla occur in five populations/subpopulations. Morphological analysis of leaves confirmed the two species were different and showed some variation within each species.
Criteria for sustainable supplier selection in agro-industrial complex

The main goal of paper is to rank the criteria that are important for the selection of the most favourable supplier of the agricultural company by applying a multicriteria decision-making model. Subject of the paper is the procurement of mineral fertilizer for sowing certain field crops. As a method of work, the author uses DEMATEL (The Decision making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) method of multicriteria decision making. In order to bring the research as close as possible to human thinking, the fuzzy logic of multicriteria decision-making was applied in the paper. Method is an expert assessment and ranking by experts in the field. In addition to the group of economic and technical criteria, the paper also uses criteria related to sustainable development such as environmental management system, green product, pollution and waste control, recycling and eco-product design. Results of the research show that the criteria that are from the economic group are still assessed as the most important for the decision maker. Importance of the research would be in pointing out the increase in the importance of criteria, especially those from the sustainability group according to their importance in the coming period, and the possibility of applying modern decision-making methods.
Frequency Derivative-Based Inertia Enhancement by Grid-Connected Power Converters With a Frequency-Locked-Loop

Renewable energy sources (RESs) have been extensively employed to replace fossil fuels for reducing carbon footprints. Since RESs are normally coupled to the power grid by fast-response power converters without providing any inertia, the power system inertia generated by synchronous generators continues to decrease, making modern power systems sensitive to frequency events. As a result, undesirable load-shedding, cascading failures, or even large-scale blackouts may occur under severe frequency events. To address the lack of inertia concern, this paper presents a frequency derivative-based inertia enhancement method for battery storage systems. Specifically, the method achieves inertia emulation by proportionally linking the time derivative of the grid frequency and active power references of power converters. The main contribution is to use a frequency-locked-loop to accurately estimate the frequency derivative signal, which avoids the high frequency noises introduced by differential operators. Simulation and experimental results are finally presented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Fault-Tolerant Control Strategy of a Wind Energy Conversion System Considering Multiple Fault Reconstruction

: A robust sliding mode observer (SMO) is proposed to achieve multiple fault reconstruction for a wind energy conversion system (WECS) with simultaneous actuator and sensor faults. Firstly, the state equation of the WECS is established. The orthogonal transformation matrix and a post ﬁlter are introduced, and a new augmented system is constructed; then, the sensor fault is converted into an actuator fault to diagnose. The fault information is collected by the equivalent output control, and the simultaneous reconstruction algorithm of the sensor fault and the actuator fault is given. Through compensation control, the reliable control input of the WECS is guaranteed, and the function of active fault tolerant control for multiple faults is achieved. Simulation experiments show that the proposed method can accurately reconstruct the actuator and sensor faults, and maximum wind energy capture can be achieved by active fault-tolerant control.
Channel Modeling of Molecular Communication via Diffusion With Multiple Absorbing Receivers

In a diffusion-based molecular communication system, molecules are employed to transmit information. When multiple absorbing receivers exist in an environment, the analysis results of channel characteristics for one absorbing receiver cannot be generalized because of the mutual interferences caused by multiple absorbing receivers. This letter investigates how the unintended receiver affects the intended receiver under the scenario of a point transmitter and two absorbing spherical receivers. Using the empirical inferences and simulation fitting algorithm of Levenberg–Marquardt, we propose the channel model by presenting cumulative absorbing probability and absorption probability density expressions on the intended receiver with respect to the variables of angle, distance, and time. The proposed channel model is validated through numerous particle-based simulations. The analysis results reveal that the peak time of the molecular concentration will not be influenced by the unintended receiver.
Performance enhancement and signal integrity analysis of multiband MIMO antenna for handheld electronic devices

In this study, a multiband 8-element MIMO antenna operating at LTE 800/2300/2500 MHz, GSM 850/900/1900 MHz, UMTS, DCS, PCS, IMT, WLAN 2400 MHz, WiMAX 3500 MHz and Wi-Fi 5800 MHz is proposed for handheld devices. The proposed antenna comprises of radiating elements and novel decoupling structure to reduce the mutual coupling. To obtain multiple resonances, F-shaped monopole, C-shaped strips, L and S-shaped monopoles are integrated to form the complete radiator. The protruded ground plane with inverted π-shaped slot acts as the decoupling element. The eight elements are arranged in a certain fashion to achieve spatial and polarisation diversity. The impedance bandwidth achieved is 170, 1070, 400 and 700 MHz. The isolation is >20 dB in all the desired operating bands. The simulated peak gain and efficiency of the antenna at the four operating bands are 4.8/6.3/5.4/4.7 dBi and 75/90/80/83%, respectively. Furthermore, the envelope correlation coefficient, the apparent diversity gain and effective diversity gain are calculated and presented. The obtained measured and simulated results are in good correlation with each other.
Cost–Utility Analysis of Dupilumab for the Treatment of Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP) in Italy

The objective of this analysis was to estimate the incremental cost–utility ratio (ICUR) of dupilumab as an add-on treatment to best supportive care (BSC), versus BSC alone, in Italy for severe uncontrolled chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). A simulation of outcomes and costs was undertaken using a 1-year decision tree, followed by a lifetime horizon Markov model. Clinical data were derived from a pooled analysis of two studies (SINUS-24 NCT02912468 and SINUS-52 NCT02898454). The Italian National Healthcare Service (NHS) perspective was considered. Model robustness was tested through sensitivity analyses. In the base-case analysis, treatment with dupilumab + BSC resulted in an increase in quality of life-adjusted survival (+1.02 quality-adjusted life years (QALY-gained)), compared to the BSC alone. The resulted ICUR was €21,817 per QALY-gained and it is below the acceptability threshold commonly used in Italy. Both one-way deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of base-case results. The cost–utility analysis showed that dupilumab, as an add-on treatment to BSC, is a cost-effective therapeutic alternative to BSC in the treatment of patients with severe uncontrolled chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, confirming that it is economically sustainable.
On Spaceborne DBF-SAR Adopting the Degree of Freedom With NLFM Waveform: Optimization Framework and Simulation

Digital beamforming (DBF) is a fundamental technique for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) to get high-resolution wide-swath (HRWS) images, which significantly increases the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the system and improves range ambiguity performance. Moreover, the performance of the DBF-SAR system can be improved by using the nonlinear frequency modulation (NLFM) waveform, which can provide a matched filtering output with lower sidelobes without the loss of SNR compared to the linear frequency modulation (LFM) waveform. Combining the DBF technique and the NLFM waveform will enhance the system performance of DBF-SAR from an additional degree of freedom, which has essential engineering significance for reducing the transmit power of the system. However, the previous system architecture and processing method of DBF-SAR are generally based on the LFM waveform and are not practicable in DBF-SAR adopting the NLFM waveform. This article demonstrates the potential of adopting the NLFM waveform in DBF-SAR and analyzes the problems of compensating pulse extension loss (PEL) and frequency dispersion loss (FDL) in the new system. Then, an optimized DBF framework that combines subdigital beamforming and a bank of unequal-width bandpass filters to suppress PEL and FDL in DBF-SAR adopting NLFM waveform is proposed. Simulations demonstrate that the proposed framework shows greater efficiency and stability in suppressing the severe PEL and FDL in the NLFM and LFM systems than previous methods. This article brings an additional degree of freedom to the next-generation spaceborne DBF-SAR and provides sufficient technical support for high-performance DBF-SAR when the LFM waveform is not adopted.
Physician Behavior or Health Care Outcomes ? Traditional Continuing Education Activities Change Conferences , Workshops , Rounds , and Other Impact of Formal Continuing Medical Education : Do

Correction Contact me if this article is corrected. Citations Contact me when this article is cited. This article has been cited 697 times. Topic collections Contact me when new articles are published in these topic areas. Medical Practice; Medical Education; Review Related Letters . 2002;288(8):959. JAMA Afschin Gandjour et al. Educating Authors and Reviewers of Economic Evaluations of Health Care
NOVEL CELL TYPE IN MOUSE PERIPHERAL LYMPHOID ORGANS

We have previously demonstrated that mouse peripheral lymphoid organs contain a new cell type which we termed lymphoid "dendritic cells" (DCs). 1 These cells adhere to tissue culture surfaces (1) and exhibit distinctive morphologic features (1). They lack many of the distinguishing surface and functional properties of other lymphoid cell types, e.g., the capacity to actively endocytose suitable tracers for pinocytosis and phagocytosis, expression of surface immunoglobulin (Ig) and T-cell antigens, and ability to rosette erythrocytes coated with antibody and/or complement (2). Spleen DCs probably are derived from a thymus-independent, bone marrow precursor (3). DCs occur in low frequency, accounting for 1% or less of lymphoid cell suspensions (1). Cells with a similar appearance occur in small numbers in sections of splenic white pulp (4). A major difficulty with our earlier work was that purified populations of DCs could not be obtained. In this paper, we report on the purification of DCs from mouse spleen in good yield using many of the criteria outlined above. Purification depended upon the observations that adherent spleen cells consist of two cell types, DCs and immature macrophages, both of which elute from glass surfaces after overnight cultivation. The availability of purified DCs has enabled us to document two striking new surface properties, i.e., topography in scanning electron microscopy (EM) and expression of Ia alloantigens, and to show that DCs can be maintained essentially unchanged in vitro for several days.
The GRANDPACT Project: The Development and Evaluation of an Intergenerational Program for Grandchildren and Their Grandparents to Stimulate Physical Activity and Cognitive Function Using Co-Creation

In recent years, increased attention has been devoted to intergenerational physical activity (PA) programs because they may have several benefits for both children and older adults (e.g., the reduction of ageism). An intergenerational PA program focusing on grandchildren and grandparents in a ‘standard’ family setting that combines PA and cognitive function is innovative and may hold potential for promoting PA and improving cognitive functioning in both grandchildren and grandparents. The aim of this study is to describe the protocol of the GRANDPACT (GRANDparents and GRANDchildren improve their Physical Activity and Cognitive functions using co-creaTion) Project, focusing on the development of an intergenerational, cognitively enriched, movement program for grandchildren and grandparents using the theoretical framework of the “Behaviour Change Wheel” in combination with a co-creation approach. Two co-creation trajectories will be organized to develop the program, followed by a pilot study to refine the program and an RCT with a pre-test (at baseline), a post-test (after 24 weeks), and a follow-up (after 36 weeks) to measure the outcomes of co-PA, cognitive functions, psychosocial well-being, and the quality of the family relationship ingrandchildren and grandparents. The outcomes will be measured using accelerometry for PA, the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) for cognitive functions, and questionnaires for the psychological well-being and quality of the family relationship. Co-development with end-users and stakeholders during both co-creation trajectories is expected to result in an effective, attractive, and feasible program. Co-PA is expected to improve PA, cognitive functioning, psychosocial well-being, and the quality of the family relationships between grandchildren and grandparents.
A piezo-metastructure with bistable circuit shunts for adaptive nonreciprocal wave transmission

In this paper, we present a piezo-metastructure shunted with bistable circuits to achieve adaptive nonreciprocal elastic wave transmission. Static properties of the bistable circuit are first investigated, followed by numerical investigation of wave transmission characteristics on the nonlinear piezo-metastructure. Both the local-resonance bandgap and the bandgap transmission phenomenon, also known as supratransmission, are explored and investigated. By introducing circuit asymmetry, the supratransmission thresholds, critical excitation amplitudes to enable bandgap transmission, are found at different levels for the different wave transmission directions and hence creating an excitation amplitude range within which nonreciprocal wave transmission can be facilitated. Effect of the asymmetry factor on nonreciprocity properties is subsequently analyzed and the trade-offs between the forward transmission amplitude and the range of excitation with nonreciprocity are identified. Additionally, it is demonstrated that wave transmission characteristics of the proposed nonlinear piezo-metastructure can be adaptively tuned by conveniently adjusting stable equilibria of the bistable circuit. Lastly, the observed wave transmission properties are further corroborated by experimental investigations. Overall, the results illustrate a novel means to manipulate unidirectional elastic wave transmission using a nonlinear piezo-metastructure.
FABP7 inhibits proliferation and invasion abilities of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma cells via the Notch signaling pathway

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is one of the most common non-melanoma skin cancers worldwide. Fatty acid-binding protein 7 (FABP7) has been reported to be involved in the occurrence, development, metastasis and prognosis of various tumors. In addition, downregulated FABP7 expression was demonstrated in cutaneous malignant melanoma in a previous study. Therefore, we speculated that FABP7 may be a biomarker for CSCC diagnosis. The aim of the present study was to determine the molecular mechanism underlying the effects of FABP7 in CSCC, which may provide a new diagnostic biomarker or treatment target for CSCC. Reverse transcription-PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry assays were performed to detect the expression levels of FABP7 in CSCC tissues and cells. Overexpression of FABP7 was achieved in A431 and colo-16 cell lines by transfection with an overexpression vector (oeFABP7). Cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion were detected by Cell Counting Kit-8, crystal violet, scratch and Transwell assays, respectively. Following FABP7 overexpression, western blotting was used to determine the expression levels of proliferation-, invasion- and Notch pathway-associated proteins, including Snail, N-cadherin, Twist, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-7, Notch 1 and Notch 3. In addition a CSCC model in nude mice was constructed. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expression levels of FABP7, Ki67, Notch 1 and Notch 3. It was demonstrated that FABP7 expression levels were significantly reduced in human CSCC tissues and cells compared with normal samples. Overexpression of FABP7 inhibited the proliferation, invasion and migration abilities of A431 and colo-16 cells compared with those in the negative control group. In addition, transfection with oeFABP7 reduced the expression levels of proliferation-, invasion- and Notch pathway-associated proteins compared with those in the negative control group. Overexpression of FABP7 also reduced the growth of CSCC tumors in vivo and inhibited the expression of Ki67, Notch 1 and Notch 3. Therefore, the results of the present study suggested that FABP7 may inhibit the proliferation and invasion of CSCC cells via the Notch signaling pathway.