Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Emergency Evacuation Behavior Simulation Method Combines Personality Traits and Emotion Contagion

Simulation emergency evacuation is an important part in the field of safety engineering, affective computing plays a vital role in the popularization of artificial intelligence, computer simulation and human-computer interaction. Inspired by this field, this paper proposes a method for simulating group interactions during emergency evacuation. First, each individual is assigned with dynamic survival needs and psychological quality based on urgent event and the external influence. Second, the emotional interaction of the group is realized based on OCEAN (Openness, Conscientiousness, Extroversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism) personality trait and the improved CA-SIRS (Cellular Automaton-Susceptible Infected Recovered Susceptible) model. Third, after the perception of the external environment changes, the accident experience and panic level are used as factors of emotion update. At last, the environmental familiarity and nearby flow factors are introduced to path planning process. Based on emotion contagion, this method explores individual’s emotional changes in different scenarios and situations. Combined with personality traits and emotional contagion, the experimental results show that the proposed method can simulate dynamic emotional changes in emergency situations in both efficient and reasonable way and provide guidance for emergency evacuation.
Four elements Fan-shaped MIMO Antenna With Enhanced Bandwidth

The designing and simulation of Multiple Inputs Multiple Outputs (MIMO) antenna, with improved bandwidth, are demonstrated in this paper. This antenna is comprised of four Fan-shaped monopole elements with a configuration of the reduced ground. These four monopole elements are arranged in an orthogonal manner. The entire substrate dimension of 40mm x 40mm x 1.6mm is employed for designing the antenna. The proposed antenna allows a wide range of bandwidth i.e. from 1.7 GHz to 5.82 GHz having a fractional bandwidth of 108%. The better isolation i.e. <-15dB is provided by the antenna over the desired frequency range. Further, the antenna performance is evaluated in terms of a variety of parameters such as return loss, wideband bandwidth, low envelope correlation coefficient (i.e. <0.5) and total active reflection coefficient (i.e. < 0 dB) that makes the antenna applicable for LTE, Bluetooth, WLAN, WiMax and ISM band applications.
From cloud computing to fog computing: two technologies to serve iot–a review-

The emergence of IoT (Internet of Things) systems brings several development opportunities to many vital fields such as healthcare, agriculture, smart building, smart cities, environment monitoring, and transport-logistic domain. The amount of data generated by IoT is increasing rapidly, which creates many research challenges in data management chain, furthermore, transmission of such amount of data requires large bandwidth, and produces significant delay. The contribution of this paper is to give a starting point to new searchers interested in IoT data management topic. Thus, we draw up a review of IoT technology, and show its impact on big data evolution, then show how fog computing, as a new paradigm, can contribute to IoT development. Firstly, RFID (Radio Frequency identification) technology is presented, then the integration of big data with IoT systems is discussed, numerous existing cloud IoT infrastructures are inventoried later, followed by a presentation of fog computing advantages and open challenges.
Realization of Nonlinear Adaptive Compliance: Towards Energy Efficiency in Cyclic Tasks

Due to the nonlinearity of dynamical equations in robotic systems, nonlinear compliance has more potential for energy consumption reduction. Moreover, the legged robots require adaptive structures so as to maximize their efficiency w.r. t. the new environments and gaits. Therefore, having nonlinear adaptive compliance is essential in legged robots. In this paper, we take one step towards the realization of nonlinear compliances with adaptable torque-deflection profiles. So as to achieve this goal, we present a mechanism which consists of four linear extension springs. Changing the arrangement of linear springs can adapt the compliance profile to the desired one. In addition, to optimize the arrangement of linear springs in an online manner, an adaptation rule is presented. The proposed adaptation rule adapts the compliance profile such that the actuator's torque and consequently the energy consumption are reduced. The performance of presented adaptation rule for actuator's torque minimization is analyzed by means of simulations. In simulations, we observed that the adaptation rule not only minimizes the energy consumption but also improves the tracking performance of the controller. Finally, to realize nonlinear adaptive compliance, a prototype of the presented mechanism is designed and constructed.
Optimal Reactive Power Dispatch Using Chaotic Bat Algorithm

In this paper, the chaotic bat algorithm (CBA) is applied to solve the optimal reactive power dispatch (ORPD) problem taking into account small-scale, medium-scale and large-scale power systems. ORPD plays a key role in the power system operation and control. The ORPD problem is formulated as a mixed integer nonlinear programming problem, comprising both continuous and discrete control variables. The most outstanding benefit of the bat algorithm (BA) is its good convergence for optimal solutions. The BA, however, together with other metaheuristics, often gets stuck into local optima and in order to cope with this shortcoming, the use of the CBA is proposed in this paper. The CBA results from introducing the chaotic sequences into the standard BA to enhance its global search ability. The CBA is utilized to find the optimal settings of generator bus voltages, tap setting transformers and shunt reactive power sources. Three objective functions such as minimization of active power loss, total voltage deviations and voltage stability index are considered in this study. The effectiveness of the CBA technique is demonstrated for standard IEEE 14-bus, IEEE 39 New England bus, IEEE 57-bus, IEEE 118-bus and IEEE 300-bus test systems. The results yielded by the CBA are compared with other algorithms available in the literature. Simulation results reveal the effectiveness and robustness of the CBA for solving the ORPD problem.
Efficient vasculature investment in tissues can be determined without global information

Cells are the fundamental building blocks of organs and tissues. Information and mass flow through cellular contacts in these structures is vital for the orchestration of organ function. Constraints imposed by packing and cell immobility limit intercellular communication, particularly as organs and organisms scale up to greater sizes. In order to transcend transport limitations, delivery systems including vascular and respiratory systems evolved to facilitate the movement of matter and information. The construction of these delivery systems has an associated cost, as vascular elements do not perform the metabolic functions of the organs they are part of. This study investigates a fundamental trade-off in vascularization in multicellular tissues: the reduction of path lengths for communication versus the cost associated with producing vasculature. Biologically realistic generative models, using multicellular templates of different dimensionalities, revealed a limited advantage to the vascularization of two-dimensional tissues. Strikingly, scale-free improvements in transport efficiency can be achieved even in the absence of global knowledge of tissue organization. A point of diminishing returns in the investment of additional vascular tissue to the increased reduction of path length in 2.5- and three-dimensional tissues was identified. Applying this theory to experimentally determined biological tissue structures, we show the possibility of a co-dependency between the method used to limit path length and the organization of cells it acts upon. These results provide insight as to why tissues are or are not vascularized in nature, the robustness of developmental generative mechanisms and the extent to which vasculature is advantageous in the support of organ function.
MicroCT analysis of connectivity in porous structures: optimizing data acquisition and analytical methods in the context of tissue engineering

Micro-computed X-ray tomography (MicroCT) is one of the most powerful techniques available for the three-dimensional characterization of complex multi-phase or porous microarchitectures. The imaging and analysis of porous networks are of particular interest in tissue engineering due to the ability to predict various large-scale cellular phenomena through the micro-scale characterization of the structure. However, optimizing the parameters for MicroCT data capture and analyses requires a careful balance of feature resolution and computational constraints while ensuring that a structurally representative section is imaged and analysed. In this work, artificial datasets were used to evaluate the validity of current analytical methods by considering the effect of noise and pixel size arising from the data capture, and intrinsic structural anisotropy and heterogeneity. A novel ‘segmented percolation method’ was developed to exclude the effect of anomalous, non-representative features within the datasets, allowing for scale-invariant structural parameters to be obtained consistently and without manual intervention for the first time. Finally, an in-depth assessment of the imaging and analytical procedures are presented by considering percolation events such as micro-particle filtration and cell sieving within the context of tissue engineering. Along with the novel guidelines established for general pixel size selection for MicroCT, we also report our determination of 3 μm as the definitive pixel size for use in analysing connectivity for tissue engineering applications.
Predation risks of signalling and searching: bats prefer moving katydids

Males signalling their attractiveness to females are at risk from predators that exploit mating signals to detect and locate prey. Signalling, however, is not the only risky activity in sexual interactions: mate searching can incur risk as well. Male Neotropical pseudophylline katydids produce both acoustic and vibrational signals (tremulations). Females reply to male signals with tremulations of their own, and both sexes walk to find one another. We asked if movement increases predation risk, and whether tremulation or walking was more attractive to predators. We offered the Neotropical gleaning bat Micronycteris microtis a series of two-choice tests, presenting the bats with katydid models that were motionless or moved in a way to mimic either tremulating or walking. We found that prey movements do put prey at risk. Although M. microtis can detect motionless prey on leaves, they preferred moving prey. Our study shows that movement can put searching or signalling prey in danger, potentially explaining why silent female katydids are frequently consumed by gleaning bats.
Persicimonas caeni gen. nov., sp. nov., the Representative of a Novel Wide-Ranging Predatory Taxon in Bradymonadales

A novel bacterial strain, designated YN101T, was isolated from a marine solar saltern in the coast of Weihai, Shandong Province, China. Strain YN101T was Gram-stain negative, facultatively anaerobic, oxidase and catalase negative bacterium with the ability to prey on other microbes. A cross-streaking culture method was utilized to analyze the predatory activity of strain YN101T. The results showed strain YN101T could prey on various bacteria, either Gram-stain negative or Gram-stain positive. According to the predatory assays, different species in the same genus may behave differently when attacked by strain YN101T. The predatory behavior of strain YN101T to four typical species was analyzed, and furthermore, predation to Algoriphagus marinus am2T were quantitatively studied by fluorogenic quantitative PCR, and the gene copies decreased over two magnitudes. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain YN101T shared the greatest sequence similarity of 93.9% to Bradymonas sediminis FA350T. The complete genome sequence of strain YN101T was 8,047,306 bp in size and the genomic DNA G + C content was 63.8 mol%. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values and average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between strain YN101T and B. sediminis FA350T were 13.9 and 74.0%. The genetic features showed that the biosynthesis of many important compounds was deficient in genome of strain YN101T, which may lead to its predation. Moreover, its genome encoded many genes affiliated with type IV pili, secretion system, membrane proteins and transduction proteins. Similar with myxobacteria and Bdellovibrio and like organisms (BALOs), these genes should play important roles in motility, adhesion or virulence to attack prey cells during predation. The predominant polar lipid profile of strain YN101T consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), and one unidentified aminophospholipid (APL). The major cellular fatty acid of strain YN101T was iso-C17:0, and the sole respiratory quinone was MK-7. Based on the chemotaxonomic, physiological and biochemical characteristics, strain YN101T represents a novel species of a novel genus in the family Bradymonadaceae, for which the name Persicimonas caeni gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YN101T (=KCTC 72083T = MCCC 1H00374T).
Vicarious Learning: How Entrepreneurs Enhance a Firm’s International Competitiveness Through Learning From Interlocking Director Network Partners

Applying the lens of entrepreneurial psychology, this paper examines vicarious learning as an approach that entrepreneurs can use to overcome external uncertainty of overseas investments by accumulating international know-how and experience through interlocking director connections with other experienced companies. Through the analysis of a sample of Chinese companies, our findings suggest that entrepreneurs obtaining foreign experience from interlocking partners can significantly promote their firm’s international growth when investing in the same country, and that this positive effect is significant in relation to both first-degree and second-degree connections. We further find that, if an entrepreneur makes a connection with an interlocking partner in the same industry, it enhances their knowledge absorption, thereby providing a positive moderating effect, while investing in a country with a strong degree of openness weakens the effect of knowledge application, and thus plays a negative moderating role. This study makes practical and theoretical contributions by exploring specific vicarious learning means for entrepreneurs to enhance their firm’s international competitiveness, and also identifying three different learning processes.
Genome-Wide Association Study Reveals Novel Marker-Trait Associations (MTAs) Governing the Localization of Fe and Zn in the Rice Grain

Micronutrient malnutrition due to Fe and Zn, affects around two billion people globally particularly in the developing countries. More than 90% of the Asian population is dependent on rice-based diets, which is low in these micronutrients. In the present study, a set of 192 Indian rice germplasm accessions, grown at two locations, were evaluated for Fe and Zn in brown rice (BR) and milled rice (MR). A significant variation was observed in the rice germplasm for these micronutrients. The grain Fe concentration was in the range of 6.2–23.1 ppm in BR and 0.8–12.3 ppm in MR, while grain Zn concentration was found to be in the range of 11.0–47.0 ppm and 8.2–40.8 ppm in the BR and MR, respectively. Grain Fe exhibited maximum loss upon milling with a mean retention of 24.9% in MR, while Zn showed a greater mean retention of 74.2% in MR. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was carried out implementing the FarmCPU model to control the population structure and kinship, and resulted in the identification of 29 marker-trait associations (MTAs) with significant associations for traits viz. FeBR (6 MTAs), FeMR (7 MTAs), ZnBR (11 MTAs), and ZnMR (5 MTAs), which could explain the phenotypic variance from 2.1 to as high as 53.3%. The MTAs governing the correlated traits showed co-localization, signifying the possibility of their simultaneous improvement. The robust MTAs identified in the study could be valuable resource for enhancing Fe and Zn concentration in the rice grain and addressing the problem of Fe and Zn malnutrition among rice consumers.
Editorial: Scale Development and Score Validation

Scale development and validation of scores is not a job to be taken on lightly. Development is a rigorous process which is based on item generation and content validation using expert feedback and pre-testing. In fact, it may take numerous iterations for the scale to be economically feasible and yet convey the appropriate construct. After the scale has been qualitatively developed, it goes through a rigorous quantitative examination to evaluate its score reliability and validation. This validation may include construct, concurrent, predictive, concurrent, and discriminant. For example, there are numerous techniques for evaluating construct validity such as using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) followed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) or using a structural equation model (SEM). Of course, determining the number of factors in an EFA can be quite a problem. Many researchers use the classic Scree test or Kaiser’s eigenvalue-greater-than-1.0 technique. However, some studies suggest that these may not be the best techniques (e.g., Lloret-Segura et al., 2014). Other procedures have been developed that allegedly have better psychometric properties, such as Velicer’s MAP, parallel analysis, Ruscio and Roche’s CD technique, and Achim’s NEST method. Another problem with validation is that the participants are often a single sample (usually college students), which can limit the generalizability of the findings even though cross-validation could still be used. However, we are beginning to witness questionnaires or scales translated into a variety of languages so that factor structures and factor scores become comparable. This cross-cultural work may aid in assessing measurement invariance. This Research Topic welcomed all types of empirical articles focused on the analysis of the psychometric properties of the measurement instruments in any psychological or social science area. A total of 107 authors contributed 22 articles to the Topic. These articles can be organized intro four issues: (1) Scale development with solid psychometric score validation techniques; (2) Cultural adaptation of developed scales (3) Validation of scores on developed scales, and (4) Invariance measurement of developed scales.
An Untargeted Metabolomic Approach for Microphytobenthic Biofilms in Intertidal Mudflats

Microphytobenthic (MPB) biofilms in intertidal muddy sediments play important ecological functions in coastal ecosystems. These biofilms are mainly composed of epipelic diatoms but also prokaryotes, with a dominance of bacteria, which excrete diverse extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) according to their environment. While numerous studies have investigated the main components of these EPS matrices via traditional colorimetric assays, their fine composition, notably in specialized metabolites, is still largely unknown. A better chemical characterization of these MPB biofilms is necessary, especially regarding the numerous functions their chemical components play for microorganisms (e.g., motility, cell protection, defense mechanisms, and chemical communication), but also for coastal systems (e.g., primary production, sediment stabilization, larval settlement of some invertebrates with high economical value). An alternative approach to traditional analyses is the use of untargeted metabolomic techniques, which have not yet been applied to such MPB biofilms. The objectives of the present study were to (a) propose a protocol for metabolic fingerprinting by LC-MS and GC-MS for metabolites analysis in polar and non-polar fractions in MPB biofilms extracted from mudflat sediment and to (b) apply this protocol to a case study: the effect of light exposure on the metabolomic fingerprint of the MPB biofilm community. We compared three extraction methods using different mixes of solvents and selected a methanol/chloroform mix (1:1), which gave better results for both techniques and fractions. We then applied the selected protocol to our case study using a short-term light exposure experiment in aquaria (7 days). The present study is the first using a detailed untargeted metabolomic approach on MPB biofilms from mudflat sediment and will provide a solid baseline for further work in this area.
Headphones or Speakers? An Exploratory Study of Their Effects on Spontaneous Body Movement to Rhythmic Music

Previous studies have shown that music may lead to spontaneous body movement, even when people try to stand still. But are spontaneous movement responses to music similar if the stimuli are presented using headphones or speakers? This article presents results from an exploratory study in which 35 participants listened to rhythmic stimuli while standing in a neutral position. The six different stimuli were 45 s each and ranged from a simple pulse to excerpts from electronic dance music (EDM). Each participant listened to all the stimuli using both headphones and speakers. An optical motion capture system was used to calculate their quantity of motion, and a set of questionnaires collected data about music preferences, listening habits, and the experimental sessions. The results show that the participants on average moved more when listening through headphones. The headphones condition was also reported as being more tiresome by the participants. Correlations between participants' demographics, listening habits, and self-reported body motion were observed in both listening conditions. We conclude that the playback method impacts the level of body motion observed when people are listening to music. This should be taken into account when designing embodied music cognition studies.
Multidisciplinary Diagnosis of Subcutaneous Soft Tissue Metastasis of Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma: A Case Report

Background: Subcutaneous soft tissue metastasis of follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) is rarely diagnosed before surgery for clinicians. Case Report: We present a case of a 67-year-old man with a history of FTC and papillary thyroid microcarcinoma for 5 years. Multiple protruding subcutaneous nodules of the neck were found and removed from the surface of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Ultrasound, computed tomography and technetium-99 m pertechnetate single-photon emission computed tomography of the neck were performed before the operation, which unfortunately indicated suspicious malignant lesions. Serum Tg was > 300 ng/ml (0.83–68.0 ng/ml), TSH was 36.580 uIU/ml (0.380–4.340 uIU/ml) and AbTg was negative. The pathologic diagnosis was metastatic FTC, invading the surrounding striated muscle, adipose tissue and vessels. Immunohistochemical staining revealed the tumor cells to be positive for thyroglobulin and TTF-1. The specimens of these nodules were further investigated for TERT promoter mutation and the result revealed mutated type (position g 1,295, 228 C>T). Conclusion: Preoperative diagnosis and prognostic prediction of metastatic FTC may be available through a combination of clinical, multimodal imaging and molecular genetic test (viz. multidisciplinary diagnosis). A long-term standardized follow-up is required for patients with a previous diagnosis of FTC.