Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptive Sensor Scheduling and Resource Allocation in Netted Collocated MIMO Radar System for Multi-Target Tracking

In this paper, an effective solution for adaptive sensor scheduling integrated with power and bandwidth allocation is developed for centralized multiple target tracking (MTT) in the netted collocated multiple-input multiple-output (C-MIMO) radar system. By incorporating a modified particle filter, the predicted posterior Cramér-Rao lower bound (PCRLB) is calculated. Aiming at improving the sum of target tracking accuracy of location, the predicted PCRLBs for the location of multiple targets is derived as the optimization metric. Owing to the dynamic sensor scheduling is NP-hard, a convex relaxation technique is adopted for the sensor scheduling. Taking account of the problem of power and bandwidth allocation is non-convex, a joint convex relaxation technique and cycle minimizer algorithm is adopted to convert the non-convex optimization problem into a series of convex problems. After the results of resource allocation are fed back to each node, an adaptive closed-loop system is established. Numerical results demonstrate that the location tracking accuracy can be improved efficiently by the proposed algorithm.
A Framework based on Genetic Algorithms for Distributed Constraint Optimization Problems

Local search algorithms are widely applied in solving large-scale Distributed Constraint Optimization Problems(DCOPs). In local search algorithms, each agent makes its decision based on values of its neighbours. Thus, the search space of agents are bound up with those values. Fortunately, Genetic Algorithm(GA) can direct a search process to a more promising search space and help the search process break up the bound of local states, so we propose a GA-based framework (LSGA) to enhance local search algorithms. In LSGA, a novel fitness function is proposed to help agents evaluate the quality of value assignments. Moreover, we propose a method to decide crossover positions in term of agent-communication and the topological structure of DCOPs. Finally, we design a series of genetic operators for autonomous agents in DCOPs. The LSGA framework can be easily applied in any local search algorithm, and the experimental results demonstrate the superiority of the use of LSGA in the typical search algorithms over state-of-art local search algorithms.
Underwater photo-identification of sicklefin lemon sharks, negaprion acutidens, at Moorea (French Polynesia)

Shark feeding is a controversial recreational activity that may alter shark behaviour. In order to investigate possible behavioural changes at the level of the individual, it is necessary to recognise each shark underwater and in a non- intrusive way. In this study, we tested a protocol based on natural marks on fins, and coloured spots and scars on the body to differentiate individual sicklefin lemon sharks. We found that a feeding group, aggregated for 26 months at a northern loca - tion off Moorea Island, comprised 32 animals (19 females and 13 males), identified from 2589 observations made over 541 dives. Post-dive photo-identification of individual sharks was a reliable technique, whereas a high level of skill was required to ensure an instantaneous identification underwater. However, direct underwater identification of individual sharks can be of potential use in shark behavioural studies. resUMe. - Photo-identification des requins limon faucille, Negaprion acutidens, a Moorea (Polynesie francaise). Le nourrissage des requins (communement appele 'shark feeding') est une activite recreative controversee qui peut alterer le comportement des requins. Afin d'etudier les possibles changements de comportement des individus, il est neces- saire d'etre capable de reconnaitre chaque requin en plongee sans leur porter prejudice. Dans cette etude, nous testons un protocole utilisant les marques naturelles sur les nageoires, ainsi que des taches colorees et des cicatrices presentes sur le corps des requins afin de differencier chaque requin limon faucille, Negaprion acutidens, a Moorea en Polynesie francaise. Nous avons observe qu'un groupe de requins s'etant rassemble pendant 26 mois sur un site de nourrissage situe dans la partie nord de l'ile de Moorea, etait compose de 32 animaux (19 femelles et 13 mâles) identifies a partir de 2589 observa - tions realisees a l'issus de 541 plongees. L'analyse des cliches de retour de plongee s'est averee une technique efficace, alors que des competences specifiques ont ete requises pour garantir une identification instantanee en plongee. Cependant, une identification directe en plongee de chaque individu peut permettre d'effectuer des etudes sur le comportement des requins evoluant dans leur milieu naturel.
Multisensor Systems and Arrays for Medical Applications Employing Naturally-Occurring Compounds and Materials

The significant improvement of quality of life achieved over the last decades has stimulated the development of new approaches in medicine to take into account the personal needs of each patient. Precision medicine, providing healthcare customization, opens new horizons in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of numerous diseases. As a consequence, there is a growing demand for novel analytical devices and methods capable of addressing the challenges of precision medicine. For example, various types of sensors or their arrays are highly suitable for simultaneous monitoring of multiple analytes in complex biological media in order to obtain more information about the health status of a patient or to follow the treatment process. Besides, the development of sustainable sensors based on natural chemicals allows reducing their environmental impact. This review is concerned with the application of such analytical platforms in various areas of medicine: analysis of body fluids, wearable sensors, drug manufacturing and screening. The importance and role of naturally-occurring compounds in the development of electrochemical multisensor systems and arrays are discussed.
Signaling Mechanism of Blood-Retinal Barrier Regulation: Role of Mitogen-Activated

Breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier (BRB) is an early hallmark of diabetic retinopathy. A critical component in retinal vascular hyper-permeability is increased production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF is a potent permeability factor that activates mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases. Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), an endogenous anti-permeability factor, blocks VEGF-induced vascular permeability increase. However, the mechanisms underlying the actions of VEGF and PEDF in regulating endothelial permeability are not yet clear. Previous studies in our laboratory have shown that VEGF induces paracellular permeability via beta-catenin nuclear translocation/transcriptional activation and subsequent upregulation of urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR). This current study tests the role of two MAP kinases, p38 and extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK), in regulating VEGF-induced beta-catenin signaling, uPAR expression and BRB breakdown. We also evaluate the effects of PEDF on this VEGF permeability inducing pathway. The role of MAP kinase in this VEGF permeability inducing pathway was first evaluated using inhibitors of p38 and ERK. These inhibitors preserve the endothelial barrier function upon VEGF treatment. In confluent endothelial cells, cytosolic beta-catenin is phosphorylated by glycogen synthase kinase (GSK) then ubiquitinated and degraded. With VEGF treatment, GSK is phosphorylated/inactive followed by beta-catenin cytosolic accumulation, nuclear translocation and subsequent uPAR expression. These effects were blocked by MAP kinases inhibitors. This indicates p38 and ERK as mediators of VEGF-induced beta-catenin signaling, uPAR expression and endothelial barrier breakdown. Next, it was found that PEDF not only blocks VEGF-induced endothelial permeability increase and MAP kinase activation but also prevents the activation of GSK/beta-catenin signaling as well as uPAR expression. However, PEDF did not block VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) phosphorylation suggesting that PEDF acts downstream of VEGFR-2 and upstream of MAP kinase level. To further evaluate the role of p38 in regulating VEGF-induced permeability, adenovirus-mediated delivery of p38alpha mutants was used. One p38alpha mutant has an altered ATP-binding site thus looses its activity. It is more efficient in blocking VEGF-induced GSK/beta-catenin signaling, uPAR expression and paracellular permeability increase. This study identifies p38alpha and ERK as mediators of VEGF permeability-inducing signaling. They could also serve as potential therapeutic targets for diseases featured by blood-retinal barrier dysfunction. The signatures, which appear below verify the fact that all required changes have been incorporated and that the thesis/dissertation has received final approval with ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to place on record my sincere gratitude to many people who have helped me during the course of my graduate study. I …
Arctic-adapted dogs emerged at the Pleistocene–Holocene transition

Sled dog arctic adaptations go far back Dogs have been used for sledding in the Arctic as far back as ∼9500 years ago. However, the relationships among the earliest sled dogs, other dog populations, and wolves are unknown. Sinding et al. sequenced an ancient sled dog, 10 modern sled dogs, and an ancient wolf and analyzed their genetic relationships with other modern dogs. This analysis indicates that sled dogs represent an ancient lineage going back at least 9500 years and that wolves bred with the ancestors of sled dogs and precontact American dogs. However, gene flow between sled dogs and wolves likely stopped before ∼9500 years ago. Science, this issue p. 1495 Sled dogs existed ~9500 years ago in Siberia and show adaptations to the Arctic environment. Although sled dogs are one of the most specialized groups of dogs, their origin and evolution has received much less attention than many other dog groups. We applied a genomic approach to investigate their spatiotemporal emergence by sequencing the genomes of 10 modern Greenland sled dogs, an ~9500-year-old Siberian dog associated with archaeological evidence for sled technology, and an ~33,000-year-old Siberian wolf. We found noteworthy genetic similarity between the ancient dog and modern sled dogs. We detected gene flow from Pleistocene Siberian wolves, but not modern American wolves, to present-day sled dogs. The results indicate that the major ancestry of modern sled dogs traces back to Siberia, where sled dog–specific haplotypes of genes that potentially relate to Arctic adaptation were established by 9500 years ago.
Embedded Implementation of Deep Learning-based Linear Model Predictive Control

Model predictive control (MPC) has emerged as an excellent control strategy owing to its ability to include constraints in the control optimization and robustness to linear as well as highly non-linear systems. There are many challenges in real-time implementation of MPC on embedded devices, including computational complexity, numerical instability, and memory constraints. Advances in machine learning-based approaches have widened the scope to replace the traditional and intractable optimization algorithms with advanced algorithms. In this paper, a novel deep learning-based model predictive control (DNN-MPC) is presented. The proposed MPC uses recurrent neural network (RNN) to accurately predict the future output states based on the previous training data. Using deep neural networks for the real-time embedded implementation of MPC, on-line optimization is completely eliminated leaving only the evaluation of some linear equations. Closed-loop performance evaluation of the DNN-MPC is verified through hardware-in-loop (HIL) co-simulation on ARM microcontroller and a 4x speed-up in computational time for a single iteration is achieved over the conventional MPC. Detailed analysis of DNNMPC complexity (speed and memory requirement) is presented and compared with traditional MPC. Results show that the proposed DNN-MPC performs faster and with less memory footprints while retaining the controller performance.
Managing stress during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and beyond: Reappraisal and mindset approaches

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a truly global public health crisis with substantive human, social, and economic costs. The pandemic and the associated preventive 'lockdown' measures have also given rise to a parallel mental health crisis, with elevated levels of chronic stress observed in the general population. Stress levels are also likely to be higher among at-risk groups such as those who have become employed or are on furlough, those in essential services with higher risk of exposure, and those from underserved communities. Development of efficacious means to assist individuals in effectively managing their during the pandemic and beyond is an imperative. We outline how stress reappraisal interventions offer a potentially efficacious, cost effective strategy to manage pandemic-related stress and minimize deleterious health consequences. Specifically, we advocate two stress management strategies: stress reappraisal, which involves prompting individuals to appraise stress as challenging and to be approached rather than threatening and to be avoided, and stress mindsets, which involves highlighting the enhancing nature of stress. We outline how these strategies may be implemented during the pandemic as part of interventions aimed at promoting stress management and better mental health during the pandemic and as communities emerge from lockdown. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Detection of N2O gas using 2D MoSe2 Monolayer: A DFT Theory

This paper explores the two dimensional (2D) MoSe2 materials and their sensing properties by exploring it to hazardous N2O gas molecule. The gas sensing behavior is analyzed with charge transfer (QT) as one of its parameter. Charge transfer is used to explain the extent to which the gas molecule interacts with the 2D material. A comparison between charge transfers by varying the adsorption distance between the adsorbent gas molecule and among adsorbent atoms from 2Å to 1Å with a uniform step of 0. 5Å is dealt with. The impact on the bond length is also analyzed and calculated to be decreasing with increase in charge transfer. It is observed that higher will be the charge transfer between the adsorbent gas molecule and 2D MoSe2 material, higher will be interaction.
On the Performance Analysis of Cognitive Radio Based Wireless System Over Weibull-Inverse Gamma Composite Fading Channel

In this paper, a simple statistically tractable composite model for Weibull/Inverse-Gamma (W/I-Gamma) distribution is presented. In addition to fundamental statistics, performance of the energy detector (ED) in terms of probability of detection has been analysed over the composite W/I-Gamma distribution. Properties of distinct parameters of the composite model are used in the analytical investigation of the system behaviour through numerical simulation results. To validate the efficacy of the obtained expressions, Monte-Carlo simulation framework is also presented, where it seen that the analytical result are in close agreement with the Monte-Carlo simulations.
Hybrid Energy Storage for a Microgrid

The paper presents the study and analysis of rural microgrid in Hariharpurgadhi, Nepal and the proposed laboratory-based model on a ‘Hybrid Energy storage for a Microgrid. A hybrid energy system comprises more than one type of energy storage system. The paper presents the model of a hybrid energy storage system using a lead-acid battery and supercapacitors for a rural microgrid that can resolve the issues of energy as well as the instantaneous power of the microgrid. Supercapacitors have a significantly lower energy density and a higher power density compared to batteries which are sufficient to provide high current for a short duration of time-solving the issues to run water pumping motors and agricultural mills in microgrid areas.
Generalized Inverse-Free Kalman filter using Approximate Inverse of Block Diagonally Dominant Matrices

To reduce the computational complexity of the Kalman filter an inverse free Kalman filter (IFKF) was proposed recently in [1]. The IFKF is a trade-off between complexity and accuracy. Motivated by the observation that the innovation covariance matrix structure largely depends on the structure of the observation matrix, in this manuscript, we propose a generalized inverse-free Kalman filter (GIFKF). The proposed GIFKF is a generalization of the IFKF to cases where there are redundant measurements or measurements with strong correlations. Though not encountered often, the case of redundant measurements still has a considerable number of applications. In such cases, we note that the assumption of diagonal dominance on the innovation covariance matrix may no longer be reasonable and could result in poor performance of IFKF. The GIFKF proposed in this paper alleviates this problem by replacing the diagonal dominance assumption with block diagonal dominance, which improves the accuracy and applicability compared to the IFKF. The accuracy of the proposed method and the conformity of the assumption of block diagonal dominance in the case of redundant measurements is established through simulation results.
Topical Administration of SLN-Based Gene Therapy for the Treatment of Corneal Inflammation by De Novo IL-10 Production

One of the main challenges in gene therapy is the issue of delivery, and it is especially relevant for the success of gene therapy in the cornea. In the present work, eye drops containing biocompatible non-viral vectors based on solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) as gene delivery systems to induce the expression of interleukin 10 (IL-10) were designed to address the treatment of corneal inflammation. Two kinds of SLNs combined with different ligands (protamine, dextran, or hyaluronic acid (HA)) and formulated with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were prepared. SLN-based vectors were characterized in terms of size, adhesiveness, viscosity, and pH, before topical administration to wild type and IL-10 knock out (KO) mice. The formulations showed a homogenous particle size below 400 nm and a positive surface charge to favor bioadhesion; the incorporation of PVA improved the corneal penetration. After three days of treatment by topical instillation, SLN-based vectors mainly transfected corneal epithelial cells, HA-formulations being the most effective ones. IL-10 was capable of reaching even the endothelial layer. Corneal sections showed no histological change and formulations seemed to be well tolerated after repeated topical administration. These promising results highlight the possible contribution of non-viral gene augmentation therapy to the future clinical approach of corneal gene therapy.
Reliability and validity of the Multidimensional Measure of Leader-Member Exchange Japanese version for staff nurses.

AIM To verify the reliability and validity of the Multidimensional Measure of Leader-Member Exchange Japanese version (LMX-MDM-J) for staff nurses. BACKGROUND Staff nurses who have a high-quality relationship with nurse managers tend to have low turnover intention. However, the validity and reliability of the LMX-MDM Japanese version has not been confirmed. METHODS Staff nurses (n=870) working in wards of four Japanese hospitals were surveyed using self-administered questionnaires. Reliability was tested by internal consistency. Validity was tested by confirmatory factor analysis for construct validity and relationships with external criteria for criterion-related validity. RESULTS There were 450 valid responses. Cronbach's α coefficients of the overall scale and each dimension were 0.97 and 0.86-0.95, respectively. The goodness-of-fit indices of the confirmatory factor analysis showed CFI = 0.981 and RMSEA = 0.076. Correlation coefficients with external criteria were 0.57 for job satisfaction, 0.80 for relationships satisfaction with nurse manager, -0.36 for turnover intention (all p < 0.001). CONCLUSION The reliability and validity of LMX-MDM-J were determined to be adequate for staff nurses. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT The LMX-MDM-J can accurately measure the quality of the dyadic relationship between nurse managers and staff nurses. This measurement indicates whether nurse managers are providing leadership.
Anticancer and free radical scavenging potency of Catharanthus roseus, Dendrophthoe petandra, Piper betle and Curcuma mangga extracts in breast cancer cell lines

This research was conducted to identify the anticancer and antioxidant activity of Catharanthus roseus [L] G.Don, Dendrophtoe petandra L, Piper betle L and Curcuma mangga Val aqueous extracts in T47D human ductal breast epithelial tumor cell line. The anticancer potency was determined via the MTS (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium) assay while the apoptotic activity was determined with Sub-G1 flow cytometric analysis. The antioxidant activity was determined by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity. C.roseus was able to reduce T47D cell proliferation with a median inhibition concentration (IC50) of 2.8%; D.petandra 1.2%; P.betle 2.8%; and C.mangga 74.8%. The apoptotic analysis result showed that C.roseus induced apoptosis for 37.67%; D.petandra 24.03%; P.betle 9.45%; and C.mangga 0.41%. Meanwhile doxorubicin at 10 μg/ml induced apoptosis for 36.06%. The highest DPPH scavenging activity was recorded for P.betle extract as to be 83%; D.petandra 75.11%; C.roseus 71.87%; and the lowest for C.mangga as 38.45%. C.moseus and D.petandra aqueous extracts presented the highest anticancer activity by means of cell proliferation inhibition and inducing apoptosis. P.betle extract represented the strongest antioxidant activity. C.mangga extract exhibited no anticancer and only low antioxidant activity.
Gut resident microbes in Groundnut pest Amsacta albistriga (Red Hairy Caterpillar)

ABSTRACT The present study explores the cultivable gut associated microbes in groundnut pest Amsacta albistriga , a lepidopteran insect. At the active feeding larval stage, the gut of the insect was dissected and stored in phosphate buffer (pH-8). Then the gut was sonicated and the extract was serially diluted and spread on the tryptic soya agar plates. The developed colonies were sub cultured at least thrice to exterminate the mixed profile and to evade the reputations. A set of selective colonies were picked and they were subjected to microbial foot printing analysis through ERIC and BOX PCR amplifications. The amplified fragments were the subject of matter which electively enabled us to choose variable colonies. From the selected isolates, DNA was isolated and it was amplified with 27F and 1492R primers. The amplified fragments were cross checked with ARDRA analysis which confirmed 5 differentiated colonies were found and they were sequenced. The sequence results were subjected to BLAST, which regularized the similarity results and confirmed the presence of 3 different genera and 5 different species found in the gut of
Molecular diversity of pMMO and sMMO in a TCE‐contaminated aquifer during bioremediation

The particulate methane monooxygenase genes (pMMO) were amplified from methane-biostimulated aquifer samples using two sets of primers, A189 plus A682 and pmof2 plus pmor, and the products were cloned and sequenced. The analysis of the sequences revealed a high diversity of pMMO genes in the aquifers. Some of the pMMO gene sequences (LP20 and LP21) isolated in this study were unique and unrelated to methanotrophs previously isolated from this site. Throughout all the samples collected from the different methane biostimulation trials, competitive PCR amplification using specific pMMO primers revealed that type I methanotrophs predominated over type II methanotrophs. The partial soluble methane monooxygenase genes were also amplified from the aquifer samples using specially designed primers but sequencing revealed a lower diversity.