Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Unraveling Impact of Critical Sensing Range on Mobile Camera Sensor Networks

In camera sensor networks (CSNs), full view coverage, meaning that any direction of any point in the operational region is covered by at least one camera sensor, plays a significant role in object identification. While prior work is dedicated to static CSNs for the sake of critical condition to achieve full view coverage, such performance still remains unknown in mobile CSNs. In this paper, we take the initiative to address this issue, where a centralized parameter, i.e., equivalent sensing radius (ESR), is defined to unravel the critical requirement for asymptotic full view coverage in mobile heterogeneous CSNs in the sense that camera sensors of different sensing capabilities are moving around in target area. Specifically, we derive ESR under three different mobilities, i.e., 1-dimensional and 2-dimensional random walks and random rotating model, and then explore respectively the corresponding critical conditions to achieve almost surely coverage.1 The static network is introduced as a baseline in order to gain a clear understanding of how mobility affects coverage performance differently. Interestingly, we find that both 1-dimensional and 2-dimensional random walks exhibit a smaller ESR than static one whereas ESR is even larger in random rotating mobility than that in static CSNs. Moreover, the almost surely coverage is found to be around 1.225 times of the critical condition to achieve coverage with high probability,2 and therefore turns out to be a stronger result compared to the traditional coverage with high probability. We then turn to the impact of various mobility patterns on sensing energy consumption, a metric that is closely related to ESR, and show that it can be decreased by random walks under certain delay tolerance. The relationship between ESR and percentage of full view coverage is also discussed and the results unify those under homogeneous CSNs.
Elucidating the challenges for the praxis of fog computing: An aspect‐based study

The evolutionary advancements in the field of technology have led to the instigation of cloud computing. The Internet of Things paradigm stimulated the extensive use of sensors distributed across the network edges. The cloud datacenters are assigned the responsibility for processing the collected sensor data. Recently, fog computing was conceptuated as a solution for the overwhelmed narrow bandwidth. The fog acts as a complementary layer that interplays with the cloud and edge computing layers, for processing the data streams. The fog paradigm, as any distributed paradigm, has its set of inherent challenges. The fog environment necessitates the development of management platforms that effectuates the orchestration of fog entities. Owing to the plenitude of research efforts directed toward these issues in a relatively young field, there is a need to organize the different research works. In this study, we provide a compendious review of the research approaches in the domain, with special emphasis on the approaches for orchestration and propose a multilevel taxonomy to classify the existing research. The study also highlights the application realms of fog computing and delineates the open research challenges in the domain.
Enabling Efficient and Consistent Network Update in Wireless Data Centers

Software-defined networking (SDN) brings new opportunities in the design of more reliable and flexible consistent network update mechanisms by making the update process independent of the underlying routing protocols. With the advance of wireless transmission technology, more and more enterprises have deployed wireless antennas into their data centers. However, to the best of our knowledge, none of the state-of-the-art solutions consider radio interference and resource competition into their model design of consistent network update. In this paper, we first propose a wireless dependency model to formulate radio interference. Based on traffic delivery and resource constraints, we formulate the resource competition problem as an update time minimization problem for ensuring the consistency properties, and then propose a greedy-heuristic scheme to minimize the total update time. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme is efficient and outperforms a well-known solution designed for network update in SDN. The simulation results also reveal the importance of resolving resource competition during network update.
Correction to "Improving Privacy and Security in Decentralizing Multi-Authority Attribute-Based Encryption in Cloud Computing"

In 2018, Yang et al. proposed a decentralizedmulti-authority attribute-based encryption scheme for cloud computing applications and proved its security using the dual system encryption technique. In this comment, we show that Yang et al.’s scheme does not achieve encryption one-wayness under the key-only attack and the user collusion attack, respectively. In the key-only attack, with the knowledge of public parameters only, an adversary can impersonate the attribute authorities to forge user attribute secret keys. In the user collusion attack, malicious users can collude by sharing their secret keys to unauthorizedly decrypt a ciphertext. In order to fix the scheme, we suggest adopting a pairing-based proof of knowledge protocol and the decryption algorithm from Lewko and Water’s ABE scheme. INDEX TERMS Cryptanalysis, decentralizing, multi-authority, attribute-based encryption, dual system encryption.
In vitro multiplication of the semi-arid forest tree, Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del.

Procedures were developed for micropropagation of Balanites aegyptiaca using axillary bud explants obtained from mature trees. Cultures were established in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2.5 mg/l 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.1 mg/l naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). The effects of kinetin on shoot growth and proliferation in vitro was also investigated. Results show that shoot multiplication required 2.5 mg/l of BAP. Shoot length was significantly affected by the presence of BAP or 6-furfurylaminopurine (Kin). Rooting of shoots in vitro was achieved on MS medium containing 20 mg/l of the auxin, indolebutyric acid (IBA). Rooted shoots acclimated and were successfully transferred into soil, with 48% of the plantlets surviving. Key words : Balanites aegyptiaca, micropropagation, rooting. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol.2(11) 2003: 421-424
Screening of antitopoisomerase, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of selected triterpenes and saponins

A baccharane-type triterpene (1), four oleanane-type triterpenes (2-5) and twelve oleanane-type bidesmodic saponins (6-17) were subjected to antioxidant, antimicrobial and antitopoisomerase evaluation. Moderate antimicrobial activity was observed (zone of inhibition in millimeters); triterpenes 2-4 were toxic to Staphylococcus epidermidis (13.20 ± 0.00; 11.75 ± 0.07; 9.85 ± 0.21, respectively), while baccharis oxide (1) inhibited the growth of S. epidermidis (14.75 ± 0.35), Candida albicans (20.55 ± 0.92), Escherichia coli (14.80 ± 1.13) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (16.35 ± 0.49). Polygalacic acid (4), 6, 7, 15 and 16 showed growth inhibition of C. albicans (13.50 ± 0.71; 11.00 ± 00; 8.50 ± 0.71; 11.70 ± 0.14; 10.50 ± 0.71, respectively). The growth inhibition of S. epidermidis was achieved by 8 (9.00 ± 1.41) and 15 (9.00 ± 0.00); while the last compound inhibited the growth of K. pneumoniae (9.50 ± 0.71). The tested compound concentration for antitopoisomerase activity was between 1.8-13.8 times of those used as positive controls (CPT= 0.1435 µM, ETP = 0.0849 µM), showing that 1 (1.1726 µM), is topoisomerase I inhibitor. Methylated oleanolic acid (3a, 0.7128 µM), together with 9 (0.3650 µM), 13 (0.3294 µM) and 14 (0.3691 µM) showed antitopoisomerase II activity. None of all tested compounds showed significant antioxidant activity using the DPPH method. www.relaquim. com
Attraction of pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, to the endoparasitic fungus Esteya vermicola

The investigations on attraction of nematodes to nematophagous fungi have mostly dealt with the nematode-trapping species and just were limited to the assays on plate. In present study, attraction of pinewood nematodes to the living mycelia of endoparasitic fungus, Esteya vermicola, was investigated. It was confirmed that the living mycelia of E. vermicola were attractive not only to pinewood nematodes on plate, but also to that in the discs of infected pine seedling, dead blocks of infected pine tree, 15 and 30 days infected pine seedlings. Moreover, the volatiles released by E. vermicola also were attractive to pinewood nematodes in 15 and 30 days infected pine seedlings. This study may provide information for the application of E. vermicola as biological control agent of pinewood nematode.
LIFE-HISTORY IMPLICATIONS OF LARGE-SCALE SPATIAL VARIATION IN ADULT SURVIVAL OF BLACK BRANT (BRANTA BERNICLA NIGRICANS)

Abstract We used capture–recapture methods to estimate adult survival rates for adult female Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans; hereafter “brant”) from three colonies in Alaska, two on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, and one on Alaska's Arctic coast. Costs of migration and reproductive effort varied among those colonies, enabling us to examine variation in survival in relation to variation in these other variables. We used the Barker model in program MARK to estimate true annual survival for brant from the three colonies. Models allowing for spatial variation in survival were among the most parsimonious models but were indistinguishable from a model with no spatial variation. Point estimates of annual survival were slightly higher for brant from the Arctic (0.90 ± 0.036) than for brant from either Tutakoke River (0.85 ± 0.004) or Kokechik Bay (0.86 ± 0.011). Thus, our survival estimates do not support a hypothesis that the cost of longer migrations or harvest experienced by brant from the Arctic reduced their annual survival relative to brant from the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. Spatial variation in survival provides weak support for life-history theory because brant from the region with lower reproductive investment had slightly higher survival.
The use of tools of data mining to decision making in engineering education—A systematic mapping study

In recent years, there has been an increasing amount of theoretical and applied research that has focused on educational data mining. The learning analytics is a discipline that uses techniques, methods, and algorithms that allow the user to discover and extract patterns in stored educational data, with the purpose of improving the teaching‐learning process. However, there are many requirements related to the use of new technologies in teaching‐learning processes that are practically unaddressed from the learning analytics. In an analysis of the literature, the existence of a systematic revision of the application of learning analytics in the field of engineering education is not evident. The study described in this article provides researchers with an overview of the progress made to date and identifies areas in which research is missing. To this end, a systematic mapping study has been carried out, oriented toward the classification of publications that focus on the type of research and the type of contribution. The results show a trend toward case study research that is mainly directed at software and computer science engineering. Furthermore, trends in the application of learning analytics are highlighted in the topics, such as student retention or dropout prediction, analysis of academic student data, student learning assessment and student behavior analysis. Although this systematic mapping study has focused on the application of learning analytics in engineering education, some of the results can also be applied to other educational areas.
HS-OFDM-based Time-Domain Reflectometry for Power Line Sensing: Characteristics and Limitations

This study discusses key characteristics and limitations of time-domain reflectometry (TDR) systems based on the Hermitian symmetric orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (HS-OFDM) scheme for power line sensing. In this sense, a system model with a power line modem injecting signals and capturing raising reflections for sensing a power distribution network is outlined. Next, pulse compression and channel estimation reflectogram processing approaches are carefully described and the effects of system parametrization and multiple access schemes on the HS-OFDM-based TDR system performance are addressed. Finally, numerical results covering a comparison between pulse compression and channel estimation, system limitations based on parametrization considering typical European underground low-voltage and US overhead medium-voltage (MV) scenarios and narrowband (NB) power line communication (PLC) regulatory constraints, and comparison among multiple access techniques in a Brazilian MV overhead scenario are presented for supporting the carried out discussion. Based on the attained results, it is shown that channel estimation outperforms the pulse compression in terms of computational complexity and sidelobe level. Also, it is shown that the NB-PLC frequency range provides fair range resolution and maximum unambiguous range values. Finally, it is seen that the use of the frequency-division multiple access multiple access schemes presents different signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) performance among different power line modems (PLMs) connected to a power distribution grid, while the use of time-division multiple access and code-division multiple access schemes results in fair SINR performance among the PLMs at the cost of obtaining less reflectograms over time due to time multiplexing and spreading processes, respectively.
Sequence and Target Specificity of the C. elegans Cell Fate Specification Factor POS-1: A Dissertation

In most metazoans, early embryogenesis is controlled by the translational regulation of maternally supplied mRNA. Sequence-specific RNA-binding proteins play an important role in regulating early embryogenesis, yet their specificities and regulatory targets are largely unknown. To understand how these RNA-binding proteins select their targets, my research focused on the C. elegans CCCH-type tandem zinc finger protein POS-1. Embryos lacking maternally supplied POS-1 die prior to gastrulation, and exhibit defects in the specification of pharyngeal, intestinal, and germline precursor cells. To identify the regulatory targets that contribute to the POS-1 mutant phenotype, we set out to determine the sequence specificity of POS-1 in vitro, and then use this information to identify regulatory targets in vivo. Using a candidate-based search, we identified a twelve-nucleotide fragment of the mex-3 3' untranslated region (3' UTR) to which POS-1 binds with high affinity. Using quantitative fluorescent electrophoretic mobility shift assays, I determined the affinity of the RNA-binding domain of POS-1 for a panel of single nucleotide mutations of this sequence, and then defined a consensus binding element based on this dataset. POS-1 recognizes the degenerate element UAU 2-3 RDN 1-3 G, where R is any purine (adenosine or guanine), and D is any base except cytosine. A bioinformatics analysis revealed the presence of this element in approximately 40% of C. elegans 3' UTRs, suggesting that POS-1 is capable of binding to and perhaps regulating many transcripts in vivo. POS-1 binding sites alone are not sufficient to pattern the expression of a reporter, suggesting that other factors may contribute to POS-1 specificity. To address the mechanism of POS-1-mediated translational regulation, I investigated the translational regulation of the C. elegans Notch homolog glp-1. Previous work demonstrated that glp-1 translation is repressed in the early embryo in a POS-1-dependent fashion, though it was not clear if this regulation was direct. The glp-1 3' UTR contains two POS-1 binding sites within five nucleotides of each other, and these sites are within a thirty nucleotide region of the 3' UTR required for proper spatiotemporal translation of glp-1. The POS-1 sites overlap with a negative regulatory element that is recognized by GLD-1, and a positive regulatory element recognized by an unknown factor. Both POS-1 and GLD-1 bind to an RNA containing these sites in vitro, and POS-1 competes with GLD-1 for binding. Both proteins are required for translational repression of a glp-1 3' UTR reporter in embryos. Furthermore, only one of the two POS-1 binding sites is required for repression, and the required site is wholly contained within a previously characterized positive regulatory element. Based on this, we propose that POS-1 does not regulate its targets by recruiting regulatory…
THE GROWTH AND DISTRIBUTION OF MUSCLE IN BULLS AND HEIFERS OF TWO BREEDS

A trial is reported comparing muscle growth and distribution in 12 bulls and 12 heifers of each of two breed-types: Hereford (HE) and Dairy Synthetic (DY). Serial slaughter was carried out from weaning (163 ± 15.1 days) to approximately 15 mo of age. After slaughter, the left side of each carcass was broken into quarters and then eight wholesale cuts, which were separated into fat, muscle and bone. The growth pattern of muscle in each cut relative to total side muscle was estimated from the growth coefficient, b, in the allometric equation (Y = aXb). Growth coefficients were homogeneous among breeds and sexes, indicating that neither breed nor sex influenced relative muscle growth. Some significant (P < 0.05), though minor, sex and breed differences were found when muscle weight distribution was adjusted to constant side muscle weight. Notably DY heifers had significantly (P < 0.05) more muscle in the high-priced cuts (sum of round, sirloin, loin and rib) than either HE heifers or bulls of either breed-ty.
Improved road network design models with the consideration of various link patterns and road design elements

The success of an automatic road network layout over steep terrain mainly depends on the model design. Most previous models have used a grid representation that considers only eight adjacent cells when evaluating feasible road links. Here, we present improved models and alignment constraints mapped on a mathematical graph for better designs that are more applicable under field conditions. We have refined the link pattern by considering up to 48 neighbouring cells and have introduced 16 directional classes per grid cell. Optimization techniques, such as shortest path, minimum spanning tree, and Steiner minimum tree algorithms, are used on the graph to derive a road network that is optimal in terms of its construction costs. These improved models have been applied to different mountainous project areas. Our results show that, by considering various link patterns and alignment constraints, one can determine more appropriate and cost-effective locations for road networks, especially in steep terrain.
Subspace-based identification of nonlinear structures

Conventional linear estimators give results contaminated in presence of nonlinearities and the extraction of underlying linear system properties is thus difficult. To overcome this problem, the implementation of a recently developed method, called Nonlinear Subspace Identification (NSI), is considered in this paper, by using the perspective of nonlinearities as unmeasured internal feedback forces. Although its formulation is very simple, particular care has to be taken to reduce the ill-conditioning of the problem, in order to find numerically stable solutions. To this purpose, the robustness and the high numerical performances of the subspace algorithms are successfully exploited, as shown by the implementation of the proposed method on simulated multi-degree-of-freedom systems with typical nonlinear characteristics as well as on an experimental case. These examples demonstrate that the application of subspace algorithms to nonlinear system identification gives better conditioning and computational efficiency with respect to the most recent nonlinear techniques. Moreover, the capability of the NSI method of simultaneously dealing with several nonlinear terms, with a light computational effort, may be also exploited in those situations where no a priori knowledge of the location and the type of nonlinearities is given, being this method well capable of detecting the contribution of the dominant nonlinearities.
An optimized hybrid beamforming for millimeter wave musassive MIMO system

Millimeter wave (mmWave) and massive multiple-input multiple-output communications (massive MIMO) have been adopted as the most important keys for the next generation (5G) wireless networks due to high spectrum availability and massive use of space diversity for high throughput communications. Massive MIMO must be implemented parallel with mmWave to overcome high path-loss issue in mmWave band by improving the antennas gain. Digital precoding in massive MIMO shows high performance at the cost of hardware complexity due to the requirement of huge number of radio frequency (RF) chains and analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). On the other hand, analog precoding has less complexity with limited performance as it supports only one data stream. In compromise between these two, a hybrid precoding for multiuser massive MIMO (MU-massive MIMO) systems with low-complexity and reasonable performance becomes necessary for next generation networks. We propose an optimized hybrid precoding and combining scheme for fully connected structure. The design of combined analog and digital precoding for the mmWave MU-massive MIMO system becomes a non-convex problem. Therefore, we proposed a suboptimal design, where we split the transmitter and receiver hybrid precoding and decoding and adopt orthogonal matching pursuit algorithm for their design. The simulation results show that the performance of proposed hybrid precoding approaches the digital precoding in the term of total sum data rate as we increase number of RF chains and SNR.
Modeling Noncooperative Game of GENCOs’ Participation in Electricity Markets With Prospect Theory

Optimal generation companies’ participation in different electricity markets can be modeled as a competitive game. Each company tries to behave optimally considering other players’ actions, in the game. Generally, the player's profit is formulated based on expected utility method with objective behavior completely. However, the subjectivity of players causes the differences between expected and real actions. This paper proposes a game of generation companies’ participation in adjusting the optimal bidding strategies for the day ahead energy market. Moreover, the subjectivity of players and how it affects their strategy determination have been modeled by applying the prospect theory on the game. In addition, this paper presents the full formulation of mixed strategy noncooperative game of GENCOs in both conditions of objective and subjective behavior of players. Finally, simulation results have been provided to show how subjectivity causes players’ avoidance from the strategies expected to have higher losses than others.