Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Spectrum Access With Physical Layer Security: A Game-Based Jamming Approach

The paper investigates the issue of physical layer security in spectrum overlay networks. First, in order to enhance security performance of the primary system, the secondary users are motivated to act as friendly jamming nodes with the compensation of access to the primary system’s spectrum opportunistically. Considering the non-altruistic or rational attribute in practice, we propose a cooperative jamming approach based on Stackelberg game, while primary users acting as the game leader, and secondary users constituting the follower. Under the proposed framework, we design a new mechanism that the secondary users transmit jamming signals according to a pre-determined probability, in order to maximize their own data rate priced by the invested power. To be specific, the more accessible spectrum opportunities, the larger possibility that secondary users would jam. For primary users, their traffic load can be tuned so as to squeeze spectrum holes for secondary access. Therefore, the considered system is dynamic and either primary users or secondary users can operate in the channel. We employ continuous-time Markov chain to explicitly model the system’s evolutionary behaviors. Under the proposed scheme, the optimal strategies of primary and secondary users, which are jointly referred to as Stackelberg equilibrium, are analyzed in details. Finally, we demonstrate the performance of the proposed scheme by numerical simulations.
The Nature of Pain Offset Relief in Nonsuicidal Self-Injury

The majority of people who engage in nonsuicidal self-injury (e.g., cutting) report that affect regulation is their primary motivation for these painful behaviors. Unfortunately, little is known about the mechanisms that regulate affect during nonsuicidal self-injury. In the present study, we examined the role of one potential mechanism known as pain offset relief. In 42 participants (21 self-cutters, 21 controls), we measured psychophysiological indices of positive affect (startle postauricular reactivity) and negative affect (startle eyeblink reactivity) after painful electric shocks. Results provided evidence that pain offset relief is a natural and unique mechanism of affect regulation that generates simultaneous—but independent—positive and negative reinforcement. However, associations between nonsuicidal self-injury frequency and pain offset relief variables were weak and nonsignificant. Contrary to contemporary theories, this suggests that the strong association between prior and future self-injury may not be driven by opponent processes that generate stronger relief (and, thus, stronger reinforcement of self-injury) across episodes.
Estimation of sleep status based on wearable free device for elderly care

Sleep deprivation distracted most people. The common ways to monitor people sleeping are electroencephalogram and polysomnography. Recently, wearable devices provide function to estimate sleep status. However, in some situations people feel uncomfortable to wear devices, such as elder with dementia. This paper presents a scheme to estimate sleep status based on wearable free device. We utilized SVM to train sensing data of motion sensor by referring to sleep status of intelligent band. Then, the trained parameters were exploited to classify sensing data as well as estimate sleep status. The experiment results will demonstrate that our scheme achieves accuracy of 75%.
The effects of particle size and liquid feeding on the performance of young pigs offered meal and steam pelleted diets.

Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition in Australia, Volume 13 (2001) As the size of feed particles is reduced there is an improvement in pig performance (Wondra et al. 1995). Reducing particle size increases the surface area of feed ingredients and facilitates enzyme activity, and liquid feed provides an excellent medium for activation of endogenous enzymes and consequent improvement in nutrient availability (Brooks et al. 1996). One hundred and twenty male Large White x Landrace, weaned at 27 d, were allocated to a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design to study the effects of feed particle size (1200 mm vs 500 mm), processing method (meal vs steam pelleted), and form (dry vs liquid) on pig performance. A wheat–based (65%) diet was formulated to contain 14.5 MJ DE and 0.85 g available lysine per kg. Liquid diets were mixed to contain 2.5 L water/kgDM and held at 25°C for 15 h before feeding. Steeping the feed for the liquid diet significantly (P<0.001) improved feed intake, growth rate and 21 day weight, and increased feed conversion ratio (FCR). Steam pelleting increased growth rates and improved FCR, and there was an additive effect on intake and growth rate when steam pelleted diets were liquid–fed. Particle size did not affect feed intake, growth rate or FCR (P>0.05), nor were there significant interactions between factors. While particle size had little effect on pig performances, steam pelleting and presenting the diet in liquid form resulted in significant improvements in daily gain (P<0.01 and P<0.001 respectively). Steam The effects of particle size and liquid feeding on the performance of young pigs offered meal and steam pelleted diets
Shadowing Characterization for 5-GHz Vehicle-to-Vehicle Channels

As one of the most important parts of intelligent transportation systems, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications have been widely studied because of the potential improvements it can provide in terms of traffic efficiency and traffic safety through various applications. The research on propagation characteristics for V2V channels is of primary importance, and one particular significant topic is shadowing effects induced by obstructing vehicles between transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx). In this paper, we present shadowing measurement results for V2V channels in both urban and highway scenarios, in which a truck and a van were used as the obstacles. Channel measurements in the 5-GHz band were performed in both line-of-sight (LOS) and non-LOS (NLOS) conditions, and different relative positions of vehicles on the road were considered. Based on the measured results, statistics for the shadowing loss and the root mean square delay spread (RMS-DS) are provided, and shadowing effects in each case are compared. By utilizing the temporal power delay profile correlation coefficient, the stationarity distance for each case is estimated, and the nonstationarity phenomenon and its relation to the shadowing effect are investigated. The mean value of shadowing loss was found to range from 3.38 to 9.33 dB with standard deviation ranging from 3.20 to 6.98 dB, and a normal distribution can well describe the statistics of the shadowing loss. With smaller RMS-DS values, the highway shows larger shadowing losses than the urban street. Moreover, in any specific scenario (e.g., highway or urban), the shadowing effect is generally closely related to the RMS-DS and stationarity distance: Larger shadowing loss always occurs when RMS-DS is large and average stationarity distance is small.
Harnessing Integrative Omics to Facilitate Molecular Imaging of the Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Family for Precision Medicine

Cancer is a growing problem worldwide. The cause of death in cancer patients is often due to treatment-resistant metastatic disease. Many molecularly targeted anticancer drugs have been developed against 'oncogenic driver' pathways. However, these treatments are usually only effective in properly selected patients. Resistance to molecularly targeted drugs through selective pressure on acquired mutations or molecular rewiring can hinder their effectiveness. This review summarizes how molecular imaging techniques can potentially facilitate the optimal implementation of targeted agents. Using the human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) family as a model in (pre)clinical studies, we illustrate how molecular imaging may be employed to characterize whole body target expression as well as monitor drug effectiveness and the emergence of tumor resistance. We further discuss how an integrative omics discovery platform could guide the selection of 'effect sensors' - new molecular imaging targets - which are dynamic markers that indicate treatment effectiveness or resistance.
State feedback stabilisation for stochastic high-order feedforward nonlinear systems with input time-delay

ABSTRACT This paper devotes to solve the problem of state feedback stabilisation for a class of stochastic high-order feedforward nonlinear systems with input time-delay. First, the delay-dependent control input is skillfully handled by using variable transformation technique. Then, by introducing the homogeneous domination approach and the appropriate Lyapunov--Krasovskii functional to deal with the time-delay, we construct a state feedback controller through a backstepping recursive design. It is shown that the proposed controller can guarantee the closed-loop system to be globally asymptotically stable (GAS) in probability. Finally, an example is given to verify the effectiveness of the obtained analytical results.
Accuracy evaluation of an indoor positioning method using iBeacons

We studied the feasibility of the use of iBeacons for position detection. We compared the precision achieved by two well-known algorithms, i.e. nearest neighbor and k-nearest beacon. The nearest neighbor algorithm showed lower average error distance, by 1.0 m, than the k-nearest beacon algorithm. We also found that both indoor position methods are not influenced by the difference in the measured rooms. This accuracy should be enough for its application to navigation system using augmented audio reality, to be implemented in the future.
Closure of patent foramen ovale in “cryptogenic” stroke: Has the story come to an end?

Contrasting with three randomized trials that failed to show any superiority of patent foramen ovale closure over antithrombotic therapy, two trials recently reported lower rates of stroke recurrence among patients assigned to patent foramen ovale closure than among those assigned to antiplatelet therapy. In addition, one of the initially negative trials concluded in favor of patent foramen ovale closure after an extended follow-up period. A better selection of patients, the use of reference treatment groups that included patients who received antiplatelet therapy alone (rather than antiplatelet drugs or oral anticoagulants, according to physician preference), and a longer follow-up of patients, may explain the divergent findings across studies. Procedural complications were reported in 1.5% to 5.9% of the patients, none of which led to permanent disability or death. Patent foramen ovale closure was associated with an increased risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation in several studies and of venous thromboembolism in one study.
Hydrogels in Bioapplications

Research on hydrogels has been geared toward biomedical applications from the beginning due to their relatively high biocompatibility. Initially only the hydrophilic nature and the large swelling properties of hydrogels was explored. Continued research on hydrogels has resulted in the development of new types of hydrogels, such as environment-sensitive hydrogels, thermoplastic hydrogels, hydrogel foams, and sol-gel phase-reversible hydrogels. Application of hydrogels ranges from biomedical devices to solute separation. Examples of hydrogel applications in pharmaceutics, biomaterials, and biotechnology are briefly described.
Long non-coding RNA MALAT1 is an independent prognostic factor of osteosarcoma.

OBJECTIVE Accumulating evidence revealed that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were emerging regulators in cancer biology, and could be used as potential biomarkers for cancer prognosis. In this study, we focused on MALAT1 and investigated its expression pattern, clinical significance in osteosarcoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS The expression of lncRNA MALAT1 was analyzed in 162 osteosarcoma tissues by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Then, we explored the potential relationship between MALAT1 expression levels in tumor tissues and clinicopathological features of osteosarcoma, and clinical outcome. RESULTS We found that which was significantly up-regulated in osteosarcoma tissues compared with paired non-tumor tissues (p < 0.01). The expression of MALAT1 was remarkably associated with advanced clinical stage and distant metastasis of osteosarcoma patients (p < 0.05). The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that osteosarcoma patients with higher levels of MALAT1 had a shorter survival time. The multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that MALAT1 expression level was an independent prognostic factor for the overall survival rate of osteosarcoma patients. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrated the clinical prognostic significance and roles of MALAT1 in osteosarcoma, and suggested that MALAT1 may be considered as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for osteosarcoma.
Involvement of epithelial–mesenchymal transition in liver fibrosis

Fibrosis of the liver is an inherent wound healing response to chronic liver injury. Regeneration of liver epithelium and restoration of normal liver structure were generally involved in this process. Although the liver has a striking capacity to adapt to damage through tissue repair, excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix during this process often leads to scar tissue formation and subsequent fibrosis. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) enables a polarized epithelial cell to undergo multiple changes biochemically and to bear a mesenchymal cell phenotype. EMT plays a critical role in tissue and organ development and embryogenesis. In the liver, it is proposed that epithelial cells can acquire fibroblastic phonotype via EMT and contribute to fibrogenesis. This made EMT a potential target for antifibrotic strategies. Following an original passion, many investigators devote themselves to exploring this mechanism in liver fibrosis. However, as research continues, this hypothesis became highly controversial. The exact contribution of EMT to fibrogenesis was challenged due to the contradictory results from related studies. In this review, we summarized the recent advances regarding EMT in hepatic fibrosis and discussed the potentially involved liver cell types and pathways in order to reach rational and helpful conclusions.
E-government Stage Models: A Contextual Critique

Since the first stage models of e-government were proposed around 2000, there have been at least 15 variants published in the academic and professional literature. This paper is a critical examination of these models which places them in the wider historical context of information systems stage and maturity modeling. It is argued that, with a small number of exceptions, most e-government stage models are theoretically weak being descriptive, not well grounded in empirical evidence and/or normative. If such models are to be useful, a different approach is required. A number of ideas for doing this are proposed.
Attention deficits and hyperactivity–impulsivity: What have we learned, what next?

Abstract The domains of self-regulation, self-control, executive function, inattention, and impulsivity cut across broad swathes of normal and abnormal development. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a common syndrome that encompasses a portion of these domains. In the past 25 years research on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder has been characterized by dramatic advances in genetic, neural, and neuropsychological description of the syndrome as well as clarification of its multidimensional phenotypic structure. The limited clinical applicability of these research findings poses the primary challenge for the next generation. It is likely that clinical breakthroughs will require further refinement in describing heterogeneity or clinical/biological subgroups, renewed focus on the environment in the form of etiological events as well as psychosocial contexts of development, and integration of both with biological understanding.
Anisotropic Diffusion with Nonlinear Structure Tensor

A new coupled diffusion is proposed for joint image restoration and discontinuity detection. The system consists of two types of diffusion, an anisotropic diffusion on an image for restoration and an isotropic diffusion on the structure tensor of the image for singularity extraction. The diffusion on the image is guided by the structure tensor, and the diffusion of the structure tensor is supervised by the image. The coupled system keeps the advantages of the anisotropic model given by Weickert for image restoration, while it performs better in orientation discontinuities than the linear structure tensor. The existence and uniqueness of the solution of the model are proved, and a convergent iteration scheme is given to solve the system. Numerical experiments both on synthetic and natural images are presented to demonstrate the performance of the model.
Does Domestication Cause Changes in Growth Reaction Norms? A Study of Farmed, Wild and Hybrid Atlantic Salmon Families Exposed to Environmental Stress

One of the most important traits linked with the successful domestication of animals is reducing their sensitivity to environmental stressors in the human controlled environment. In order to examine whether domestication selection in Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. , over approximately ten generations, has inadvertently selected for reduced responsiveness to stress, we compared the growth reaction norms of 29 wild, hybrid and domesticated families reared together under standard hatchery conditions (control) and in the presence of a stressor (reduced water level twice daily). The experiment was conducted for a 14 week period. Farmed salmon outgrew wild salmon 1∶2.93 in the control tanks, and no overlap in mean weight was displayed between families representing the three groups. Thus, the elevation of the reaction norms differed among the groups. Overall, growth was approximately 25% lower in the stressed tanksl; however, farmed salmon outgrew wild salmon 1∶3.42 under these conditions. That farmed salmon maintained a relatively higher growth rate than the wild salmon in the stressed tanks demonstrates a lower responsiveness to stress in the farmed salmon. Thus, flatter reaction norm slopes were displayed in the farmed salmon, demonstrating reduced plasticity for this trait under these specific experimental conditions. For all growth measurements, hybrid salmon displayed intermediate values. Wild salmon displayed higher heritability estimates for body weight than the hybrid and farmed salmon in both environments. This suggests reduced genetic variation for body weight in the farmed contra wild salmon studied here. While these results may be linked to the specific families and stocks investigated, and verification in other stocks and traits is needed, these data are consistent with the theoretical predictions of domestication.
Combat Models for RTS Games

Game-tree search algorithms, such as Monte Carlo tree search, require access to a forward model (or “simulator”) of the game at hand. However, in some games such forward model is not readily available. This paper presents three forward models for two-player attrition games, which we call “combat models,” and show how they can be used to simulate combat in real-time strategy games. We also show how these combat models can be learned from replay data. We use StarCraft as our application domain. We report experiments comparing our combat models predicting combat results and their impact when used for tactical decisions during a real game.
Amorphous-InGaZnO Thin-Film Transistors Operating Beyond 1 GHz Achieved by Optimizing the Channel and Gate Dimensions

Amorphous indium–gallium–zinc oxide (a-InGaZnO or a-IGZO) has already started replacing amorphous silicon in backplane driver transistors for large-area displays. However, hardly any progress has been made to commercialize a-IGZO for electronic circuit applications mainly because a-IGZO transistors are not yet capable of operating at gigahertz frequencies. Here, nanoscale a-IGZO thin-film transistors (TFTs) are fabricated on a high-resistivity silicon substrate with a Ta2O5 gate dielectric. Carrier mobilities up to 18.2 cm2V−1s−1 have been achieved. By optimization of the TFT channel length and contact overlap, we are able to demonstrate current gain and power gain cutoff frequencies at 1.24 and 1.14 GHz, respectively, both beyond the 1-GHz benchmark. Such a performance may have implications in developing at least medium performance, a-IGZO-TFTs-based circuits for low-cost or flexible electronics.
Cooperative Assembly of Co-Smad4 MH1 with R-Smad1/3 MH1 on DNA: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study

Background Smads, the homologs of Sma and MAD proteins, play a key role in gene expression regulation in the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway. Recent experimental studies have revealed that Smad4/R-Smad heterodimers bound on DNA are energetically more favorable than homodimeric R-Smad/R-Smad complexes bound on DNA, which indicates that Smad4 might act as binding vehicle to cooperatively assemble with activated R-Smads on DNA in the nucleus. However, the details of interaction mechanism for cooperative recruitment of Smad4 protein to R-Smad proteins on DNA, and allosteric communication between the Smad4-DNA and R-Smad-DNA interfaces via DNA mediating are not yet clear so far. Methodology In the present work, we have constructed a series of Smadn+DNA+Smadn (n = 1, 3, 4) models and carried out molecular dynamics simulations, free energy calculations and DNA dynamics analysis for them to study the interaction properties of Smadn (n = 1, 3, 4) with DNA molecule. Results The results revealed that the binding of Smad4 protein to DNA molecule facilitates energetically the formation of the heteromeric Smad4+DNA+Smad1/3 complex by increasing the affinity of Smad1/3 with DNA molecule. Further investigations through the residue/base motion correlation and DNA dynamics analyses predicted that the binding of Smad4 protein to DNA molecule in the heteromeric Smad4+DNA+Smad1/3 model induces an allosteric communication from the Smad4-DNA interface to Smad1/Smad3-DNA interface via DNA base-pair helical motions, surface conformation changes and new hydrogen bond formations. The present work theoretically explains the mechanism of cooperative recruitment of Smad4 protein to Smad1/3 protein via DNA-mediated indirect readout mode in the nucleus.
Cell cycle–dependent spatial segregation of telomerase from sites of DNA damage

Telomerase can generate a novel telomere at DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), an event called de novo telomere addition. How this activity is suppressed remains unclear. Combining single-molecule imaging and deep sequencing, we show that the budding yeast telomerase RNA (TLC1 RNA) is spatially segregated to the nucleolus and excluded from sites of DNA repair in a cell cycle–dependent manner. Although TLC1 RNA accumulates in the nucleoplasm in G1/S, Pif1 activity promotes TLC1 RNA localization in the nucleolus in G2/M. In the presence of DSBs, TLC1 RNA remains nucleolar in most G2/M cells but accumulates in the nucleoplasm and colocalizes with DSBs in rad52&Dgr; cells, leading to de novo telomere additions. Nucleoplasmic accumulation of TLC1 RNA depends on Cdc13 localization at DSBs and on the SUMO ligase Siz1, which is required for de novo telomere addition in rad52&Dgr; cells. This study reveals novel roles for Pif1, Rad52, and Siz1-dependent sumoylation in the spatial exclusion of telomerase from sites of DNA repair.