Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Accurate and Low-Complexity Auto-Fingerprinting for Enhanced Reliability of Indoor Localization Systems

Indoor localization is one of the most important topics in wireless navigation systems. The large number of applications that rely on indoor positioning makes advancements in this field important. Fingerprinting is a popular technique that is widely adopted and induces many important localization approaches. Recently, fingerprinting based on mobile robots has received increasing attention. This work focuses on presenting a simple, cost-effective and accurate auto-fingerprinting method for an indoor localization system based on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology and using a two-wheeled robot. With this objective, an assessment of the robot’s navigation is performed in order to investigate its displacement errors and elaborate the required corrections. The latter are integrated in our proposed localization system, which is divided into two stages. From there, the auto-fingerprinting method is implemented while modeling the tag-reader link by the Dual One Slope with Second Order propagation Model (DOSSOM) for environmental calibration, within the offline stage. During the online stage, the robot’s position is estimated by applying DOSSOM followed by multilateration. Experimental localization results show that the proposed method provides a positioning error of 1.22 m at the cumulative distribution function of 90%, while operating with only four RFID active tags and an architecture with reduced complexity.
Study of Mechanical Properties of PHBHV/Miscanthus Green Composites Using Combined Experimental and Micromechanical Approaches

In recent years the interest in the realization of green wood plastic composites (GWPC) materials has increased due to the necessity of reducing the proliferation of synthetic plastics. In this work, we study a specific class of GWPCs from its synthesis to the characterization of its mechanical properties. These properties are related to the underlying microstructure using both experimental and modeling approaches. Different contents of Miscanthus giganteus fibers, at 5, 10, 20, 30 weight percent’s, were thus combined to a microbial matrix, namely poly (3-hydroxybutyrate)-co-poly(3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBHV). The samples were manufactured by extrusion and injection molding processing. The obtained samples were then characterized by cyclic-tensile tests, pycnometer testing, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and microscopy. The possible effect of the fabrication process on the fibers size is also checked. In parallel, the measured properties of the biocomposite were also estimated using a Mori–Tanaka approach to derive the effective behavior of the composite. As expected, the addition of reinforcement to the polymer matrix results in composites with higher Young moduli on the one hand, and lower failure strains and tensile strengths on the other hand (tensile modulus was increased by 100% and tensile strength decreased by 23% when reinforced with 30 wt % of Miscanthus fibers).
Proposal of a Control Algorithm for Multiagent Cooperation Using Spiking Neural Networks

The study deals with the issue of using spiking neural networks (SNNs) in multiagent systems. The research objective is a proposal of a control algorithm for the cooperation of a group of agents using SNNs, application of the Izhikevich model, and plasticity depending on the timing of action potentials. The proposed method has been verified and experimentally tested, proving numerous advantages over second-generation networks. The advantages and the application in real systems are described in the research conclusions.
Tissue-Engineered Carotid Artery Interposition Grafts Demonstrate High Primary Patency and Promote Vascular Tissue Regeneration in the Ovine Model

Tissue-engineered vascular graft for the reconstruction of small arteries is still an unmet clinical need, despite the fact that a number of promising prototypes have entered preclinical development. Here we test Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)Poly(ε-caprolactone) 4-mm-diameter vascular grafts equipped with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and stromal cell-derived factor 1α (SDF-1α) and surface coated with heparin and iloprost (PHBV/PCL[VEGF-bFGF-SDF]Hep/Ilo, n = 8) in a sheep carotid artery interposition model, using biostable vascular prostheses of expanded poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (ePTFE, n = 5) as a control. Primary patency of PHBV/PCL[VEGF-bFGF-SDF]Hep/Ilo grafts was 62.5% (5/8) at 24 h postimplantation and 50% (4/8) at 18 months postimplantation, while all (5/5) ePTFE conduits were occluded within the 24 h after the surgery. At 18 months postimplantation, PHBV/PCL[VEGF-bFGF-SDF]Hep/Ilo grafts were completely resorbed and replaced by the vascular tissue. Regenerated arteries displayed a hierarchical three-layer structure similar to the native blood vessels, being fully endothelialised, highly vascularised and populated by vascular smooth muscle cells and macrophages. The most (4/5, 80%) of the regenerated arteries were free of calcifications but suffered from the aneurysmatic dilation. Therefore, biodegradable PHBV/PCL[VEGF-bFGF-SDF]Hep/Ilo grafts showed better short- and long-term results than bio-stable ePTFE analogues, although these scaffolds must be reinforced for the efficient prevention of aneurysms.
Antibodies Enhance the Suppressive Activity of Extracellular Vesicles in Mouse Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity

Previously, we showed that mouse delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) can be antigen-specifically downregulated by suppressor T cell-derived miRNA-150 carried by extracellular vesicles (EVs) that target antigen-presenting macrophages. However, the exact mechanism of the suppressive action of miRNA-150-targeted macrophages on effector T cells remained unclear, and our current studies aimed to investigate it. By employing the DTH mouse model, we showed that effector T cells were inhibited by macrophage-released EVs in a miRNA-150-dependent manner. This effect was enhanced by the pre-incubation of EVs with antigen-specific antibodies. Their specific binding to MHC class II-expressing EVs was proved in flow cytometry and ELISA-based experiments. Furthermore, by the use of nanoparticle tracking analysis and transmission electron microscopy, we found that the incubation of macrophage-released EVs with antigen-specific antibodies resulted in EVs’ aggregation, which significantly enhanced their suppressive activity in vivo. Nowadays, it is increasingly evident that EVs play an exceptional role in intercellular communication and selective cargo transfer, and thus are considered promising candidates for therapeutic usage. However, EVs appear to be less effective than their parental cells. In this context, our current studies provide evidence that antigen-specific antibodies can be easily used for increasing EVs’ biological activity, which has great therapeutic potential.
Compression Garments Reduce Soft Tissue Vibrations and Muscle Activations during Drop Jumps: An Accelerometry Evaluation

Objectives: To explore the effects of wearing compression garments on joint mechanics, soft tissue vibration and muscle activities during drop jumps. Methods: Twelve healthy male athletes were recruited to execute drop jumps from heights of 30, 45 and 60 cm whilst wearing compression shorts (CS) and control shorts (CON). Sagittal plane kinematics, ground reaction forces, accelerations of the quadriceps femoris (QF), hamstrings (HM) and shoe heel-cup, and electromyography images of the rectus femoris (RF) and biceps femoris (BF) were collected. Results: Compared with wearing CON, wearing CS significantly reduced the QF peak acceleration at 45 and 60 cm and the HM peak acceleration at 30 cm. Wearing CS significantly increased the damping coefficient for QF and HM at 60 cm compared with wearing CON. Moreover, the peak transmissibility when wearing CS was significantly lower than that when wearing CON for all soft tissue compartments and heights, except for QF at 30 cm. Wearing CS reduced the RF activity during the pre-, post-, and eccentric activations for all heights and concentric activations at 45 cm; it also reduced the BF activity during post- and eccentric activations at 30 and 60 cm, respectively. The hip and knee joint moments and power or jump height were unaffected by the garment type. Conclusion: Applying external compression can reduce soft tissue vibrations without compromising neuromuscular performance during strenuous physical activities that involve exposure to impact-induced vibrations.
Misinformation vs. Situational Awareness: The Art of Deception and the Need for Cross-Domain Detection

The world has been afflicted by the rise of misinformation. The sheer volume of news produced daily necessitates the development of automated methods for separating fact from fiction. To tackle this issue, the computer science community has produced a plethora of approaches, documented in a number of surveys. However, these surveys primarily rely on one-dimensional solutions, i.e., deception detection approaches that focus on a specific aspect of misinformation, such as a particular topic, language, or source. Misinformation is considered a major obstacle for situational awareness, including cyber, both from a company and a societal point of view. This paper explores the evolving field of misinformation detection and analytics on information published in news articles, with an emphasis on methodologies that handle multiple dimensions of the fake news detection conundrum. We analyze and compare existing research on cross-dimensional methodologies. Our evaluation process is based on a set of criteria, including a predefined set of performance metrics, data pre-processing features, and domains of implementation. Furthermore, we assess the adaptability of each methodology in detecting misinformation in real-world news and thoroughly analyze our findings. Specifically, survey insights demonstrate that when a detection approach focuses on several dimensions (e.g., languages and topics, languages and sources, etc.), its performance improves, and it becomes more flexible in detecting false information across different contexts. Finally, we propose a set of research directions that could aid in furthering the development of more advanced and accurate models in this field.
Ultrasound-Mediated Blood-Brain Barrier Opening Improves Whole Brain Gene Delivery in Mice

Gene therapy represents a powerful therapeutic tool to treat diseased tissues and provide a durable and effective correction. The central nervous system (CNS) is the target of many gene therapy protocols, but its high complexity makes it one of the most difficult organs to reach, in part due to the blood-brain barrier that protects it from external threats. Focused ultrasound (FUS) coupled with microbubbles appears as a technological breakthrough to deliver therapeutic agents into the CNS. While most studies focus on a specific targeted area of the brain, the present work proposes to permeabilize the entire brain for gene therapy in several pathologies. Our results show that, after i.v. administration and FUS sonication in a raster scan manner, a self-complementary AAV9-CMV-GFP vector strongly and safely infected the whole brain of mice. An increase in vector DNA (19.8 times), GFP mRNA (16.4 times), and GFP protein levels (17.4 times) was measured in whole brain extracts of FUS-treated GFP injected mice compared to non-FUS GFP injected mice. In addition to this increase in GFP levels, on average, a 7.3-fold increase of infected cells in the cortex, hippocampus, and striatum was observed. No side effects were detected in the brain of treated mice. The combining of FUS and AAV-based gene delivery represents a significant improvement in the treatment of neurological genetic diseases.
Highly motile nanoscale magnetic artificial cilia

Significance Cilia are hair-like microscopic structures present abundantly in our body and producing motions at the smallest scales. They perform a wide range of critical functions and are crucial for the normal functioning of our body. Abnormal functioning of cilia results in a number of diseases jointly known as ciliopathies. Artificially mimicking cilia is aimed at understanding their normal/abnormal functionality and at developing cilia-inspired micro-/nanoengineering devices. In this study, we present a magnetic polymer preparation process yielding a material with optimum properties and a cilia fabrication method producing the smallest highly motile artificial cilia with sizes equal to their biological counterparts. This opens avenues for biological studies and for creating submicrometer manipulation and control. Among the many complex bioactuators functioning at different scales, the organelle cilium represents a fundamental actuating unit in cellular biology. Producing motions at submicrometer scales, dominated by viscous forces, cilia drive a number of crucial bioprocesses in all vertebrate and many invertebrate organisms before and after their birth. Artificially mimicking motile cilia has been a long-standing challenge while inspiring the development of new materials and methods. The use of magnetic materials has been an effective approach for realizing microscopic artificial cilia; however, the physical and magnetic properties of the magnetic material constituents and fabrication processes utilized have almost exclusively only enabled the realization of highly motile artificial cilia with dimensions orders of magnitude larger than their biological counterparts. This has hindered the development and study of model systems and devices with inherent size-dependent aspects, as well as their application at submicrometer scales. In this work, we report a magnetic elastomer preparation process coupled with a tailored molding process for the successful fabrication of artificial cilia with submicrometer dimensions showing unprecedented deflection capabilities, enabling the design of artificial cilia with high motility and at sizes equal to those of their smallest biological counterparts. The reported work crosses the barrier of nanoscale motile cilia fabrication, paving the way for maximum control and manipulation of structures and processes at micro- and nanoscales.
Enhanced Cytotoxic Effect of TAT–PLGA-Embedded DOXO Carried by Biomimetic Magnetic Nanoparticles upon Combination with Magnetic Hyperthermia and Photothermia

The synergy between directed chemotherapy and thermal therapy (both magnetic hyperthermia and photothermia) mediated by a nanoassembly composed of functionalized biomimetic magnetic nanoparticles (BMNPs) with the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOXO) covered by the polymer poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), decorated with TAT peptide (here referred to as TAT–PLGA(DOXO-BMNPs)) is explored in the present study. The rationale behind this nanoassembly lies in an optimization of the nanoformulation DOXO-BMNPs, already demonstrated to be more efficient against tumor cells, both in vitro and in vivo, than systemic traditional therapies. By embedding DOXO-BMNPs into PLGA, which is further functionalized with the cell-penetrating TAT peptide, the resulting nanoassembly is able to mediate drug transport (using DOXO as a drug model) and behaves as a hyperthermic agent (induced by an alternating magnetic field (AMF) or by laser irradiation with a laser power density of 2 W/cm2). Our results obtained using the HepG2 cell line show that there is a synergy between chemotherapy and thermal therapy that results in a stronger cytotoxic effect when compared to that caused by the soluble DOXO. This is probably due to the enhanced DOXO release occurring upon the application of the thermal therapy, as well as the induced local temperature rise mediated by BMNPs in the nanoassembly following exposition to AMF or to near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation. These results represent a proof of concept demonstrating that TAT–PLGA(DOXO-BMNPs) can be used to efficiently combine therapies against tumor cells, which is a step forward in the transition from systemic to local treatments.
Hesitant or Not Hesitant? A Systematic Review on Global COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in Different Populations

Vaccination currently appears to be the only strategy to contain the spread of COVID-19. At the same time, vaccine hesitancy (VH) could limit its efficacy and has, therefore, attracted the attention of Public Health Systems. This systematic review aimed at assessing anti-COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rates worldwide and at identifying populations more prone to vaccine hesitancy, for which specific interventions should be planned. PubMed database was searched using a purposely formulated string. One hundred out of the 9243 studies retrieved were considered pertinent and thus included in the analyses. VH rate was analyzed according to patient geographical origin, ethnicity, age, study setting, and method used for data collection; data from specific populations were separately analyzed. Overall, this study demonstrated significant differences in terms of VH in the general population and in the specific subgroups examined according to geographical, demographic factors, as well as associated comorbidities, underlining the need for purposely designed studies in specific populations from the different countries, to design targeted programs aimed at increasing awareness for confidence and complacency toward COVID-19 vaccines.
Genome-Wide Association Study Reveals the Genetic Basis of Chilling Tolerance in Rice at the Reproductive Stage

A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was used to investigate the genetic basis of chilling tolerance in a collection of 117 rice accessions, including 26 Korean landraces and 29 weedy rices, at the reproductive stage. To assess chilling tolerance at the early young microspore stage, plants were treated at 12 °C for 5 days, and tolerance was evaluated using seed set fertility. GWAS, together with principal component analysis and kinship matrix analysis, revealed five quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with chilling tolerance on chromosomes 3, 6, and 7. The percentage of phenotypic variation explained by the QTLs was 11–19%. The genomic region underlying the QTL on chromosome 3 overlapped with a previously reported QTL associated with spikelet fertility. Subsequent bioinformatic and haplotype analyses suggested three candidate chilling-tolerance genes within the QTL linkage disequilibrium block: Os03g0305700, encoding a protein similar to peptide chain release factor 2; Os06g0495700, encoding a beta tubulin, autoregulation binding-site-domain-containing protein; and Os07g0137800, encoding a protein kinase, core-domain-containing protein. Further analysis of the detected QTLs and the candidate chilling-tolerance genes will facilitate strategies for developing chilling-tolerant rice cultivars in breeding programs.
A Pilot Study on the Microbiome of Amblyomma hebraeum Tick Stages Infected and Non-Infected with Rickettsia africae

Variation in tick microbiota may affect pathogen acquisition and transmission but for many vector species, including Amblyomma hebraeum, components and determinants of the microbiome are unidentified. This pilot study aimed to determine baseline microbial community within A. hebraeum nymphs infected- and non-infected with Rickettsia africae from the environment, and within adult ticks infected- and non-infected with R. africae collected from cattle sampled from two locations in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Adult A. hebraeum ticks (N = 13) and A. hebraeum nymph (N = 15) preliminary screened for R. africae were randomly selected and subjected to Illumina sequencing targeting the v3–v4 hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA gene. No significant difference in microbial community composition, as well as rarefied OTU richness and diversity were detected between adults and nymphs. Nymphs showed a higher richness of bacterial taxa indicating blood-feeding could have resulted in loss of microbial diversity during the moulting stage from nymph to adult. Core OTUs that were in at least 50% of nymphs and adults negative and positive for Rickettsia at 1% minimum relative abundance were Rickettsia, Coxiella and Ruminococcaceae UCG-005 with a single genus Arsenophonus occurring only in nymphs negative for Rickettsia. Ehrlichia spp. was present in only four nymphal ticks positive for Rickettsia. Interestingly, Rickettsia aeschlimannii was found in one nymph and one adult, indicating the first ever detection of the species in A. hebraeum. Furthermore, A. hebraeum harboured a Coxiella-like endosymbiont, which should be investigated further as Coxiella may affect the viability and transmission of other organisms.
Update in Diagnostics of Toscana Virus Infection in a Hyperendemic Region (Southern Spain)

The sandfly fever Toscana virus (TOSV, genus Phlebovirus, family Phenuiviridae) is endemic in Mediterranean countries. In Spain, phylogenetic studies of TOSV strains demonstrated that a genotype, different from the Italian, was circulating. This update reports 107 cases of TOSV neurological infection detected in Andalusia from 1988 to 2020, by viral culture, serology and/or RT-PCR. Most cases were located in Granada province, a hyperendemic region. TOSV neurological infection may be underdiagnosed since few laboratories include this virus in their portfolio. This work presents a reliable automated method, validated for the detection of the main viruses involved in acute meningitis and encephalitis, including the arboviruses TOSV and West Nile virus. This assay solves the need for multiple molecular platforms for different viruses and thus, improves the time to results for these syndromes, which require a rapid and efficient diagnostic approach.
Rapid Generation and Analysis of a Barley Doubled Haploid Line with Higher Nitrogen Use Efficiency Than Parental Lines by F1 Microspore Embryogenesis

Creating varieties with high nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is crucial for sustainable agriculture development. In this study, a superior barley doubled haploid line (named DH45) with improved NUE was produced via F1 microspore embryogenesis with three rounds of screening in different nitrogen levels by hydroponic and field experiments. The molecular mechanisms responsible for the NUE of DH45 surpassing that of its parents were investigated by RNA-seq analysis. A total of 1027 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified that were up- or down-regulated in DH45 under low nitrogen conditions but showed no significant differences in the parents. GO analysis indicated that genes involved in nitrogen compound metabolic processes were significantly enriched in DH45 compared with the parents. KEGG analysis showed the MAPK signaling pathway plant to be highly enriched in DH45 relative to its parents, as well as genes involved in alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, and arginine biosynthesis. In conclusion, our study revealed the potential to fix trait superiority in a line by combining crossing with F1 microspore culture technologies in future crop breeding and also identified several candidate genes that are expressed in shoots and may enable barley to cope with low-nitrogen stress.