Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
TELKOMNIKA Telecommunication Computing Electronics and Control

Ayyoub El Berbri, Hassna Agoumi, Seddik Bri, Youssef El Amraoui, Adil Saadi Modeling, Information Processing and Control Systems (MIPCS), National Graduate School of Arts and Crafts, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes, Morocco Materials and Instrumentation (MIM), High School of Technology, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes, Morocco Laboratory of Condensed Matter and Indisciplinary Science (LaMCScI), Faculty of Science, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco Mexico
Proteomics-Driven Biomarkers in Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a devastating disease that has a grim prognosis, highlighting the need for improved screening, diagnosis, and treatment strategies. Currently, the sole biomarker for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is CA 19-9, which proves to be the most beneficial in tracking treatment response rather than in early detection. In recent years, proteomics has emerged as a powerful tool for advancing our understanding of pancreatic cancer biology and identifying potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. This review aims to offer a comprehensive survey of proteomics’ current status in pancreatic cancer research, specifically accentuating its applications and its potential to drastically enhance screening, diagnosis, and treatment response. With respect to screening and diagnostic precision, proteomics carries the capacity to augment the sensitivity and specificity of extant screening and diagnostic methodologies. Nonetheless, more research is imperative for validating potential biomarkers and establishing standard procedures for sample preparation and data analysis. Furthermore, proteomics presents opportunities for unveiling new biomarkers and therapeutic targets, as well as fostering the development of personalized treatment strategies based on protein expression patterns associated with treatment response. In conclusion, proteomics holds great promise for advancing our understanding of pancreatic cancer biology and improving patient outcomes. It is essential to maintain momentum in investment and innovation in this arena to unearth more groundbreaking discoveries and transmute them into practical diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in the clinical context.
Performance Analysis of IRS-Assisted THz Communication Systems over α-μ Fading Channels with Pointing Errors

In this paper, we analyze the performance of an intelligent reflecting surface (IRS)-aided terahertz (THz) wireless communication system with pointing errors. Specifically, we derive closed-form analytical expressions for the upper bounded ergodic capacity and approximate expression of the outage probability. We adopt an α-μ fading channel model for our analysis that is experimentally demonstrated to be a good fit for THz small-scale fading statistics, especially in indoor communication scenarios. In the proposed analysis, the statistical distribution of the α-μ fading channel is used to derive analytical expressions for the ergodic capacity and outage probability. Our proposed analysis considers not only the IRS reflected channels, but also the direct channel between the communication nodes. The results of the derived analytical expressions are validated through Monte Carlo simulations. Through simulations, it has been noticed that pointing errors degrade the performance of the IRS-assisted THz wireless communication system which can be compensated by deploying an IRS having a large number of reflecting elements.
Analysis of the Correlation between Frontal Alpha Asymmetry of Electroencephalography and Short-Term Subjective Well-Being Changes

Subjective well-being (SWB) describes how well people experience and evaluate their current condition. Previous studies with electroencephalography (EEG) have shown that SWB can be related to frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA). While those studies only considered a single SWB score for each experimental session, our goal is to investigate such a correlation for individuals with a possibly different SWB every 60 or 30 s. Therefore, we conducted two experiments with 30 participants each. We used different temperature and humidity settings and asked the participants to periodically rate their SWB. We computed the FAA from EEG over different time intervals and associated the given SWB, leading to pairs of (FAA, SWB) values. After correcting the imbalance in the data with the Synthetic Minority Over-sampling Technique (SMOTE), we performed a linear regression and found a positive linear correlation between FAA and SWB. We also studied the best time interval sizes for determining FAA around each SWB score. We found that using an interval of 10 s before recording the SWB score yields the best results.
A Reconfigurable CMOS Stack Rectifier With 22.8-dB Dynamic Range Achieving 47.91% Peak PCE for IoT/WSN Application

This brief proposes a 900-MHz novel CMOS-reconfigurable stack rectifier (RSR) implemented in a three-stage cross-coupled differential rectifier (CCDR) for battery-assist Internet-of-Things (IoT)/wireless sensor network (WSN) applications. A three-mode RSR is incorporated for an extended dynamic range (DR) input power level with a 100-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{k}\Omega $ </tex-math></inline-formula> load, fabricated in the 130-nm CMOS. The realized RSR achieves a wide DR power conversion efficiency (PCE) by reducing the ON-resistance (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${R} _{\mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle ON}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) in the low-power zone (LPZ) achieved by reducing the threshold voltage (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${V} _{\text {th}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) of the device and alternately increasing <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${V} _{\text {th}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> in the high-power zone (HPZ) by implementing the proposed reconfigurable stack transistor technique along with the multithreshold voltage (MTV) technique. The circuit observes a measured result of 47.91% in peak PCE at an input power of −14 dBm by driving a 100-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{k}\Omega $ </tex-math></inline-formula> load. The proposed circuit also achieved 22.8 and 16.3 dB of DR with a PCE over 20% and 30%, respectively. Compared to other state-of-the-art designs, our work exhibits better DR and PCE.
APIASO: A Novel API Call Obfuscation Technique Based on Address Space Obscurity

API calls are programming interfaces used by applications. When it is difficult for an analyst to perform a direct reverse analysis of a program, the API provides an important basis for analyzing the behavior and functionality of the program. API address spaces are essential for analysts to identify API call information, and therefore API call obfuscation is used as a protection strategy to prevent analysts from obtaining call information from API address spaces. API call obfuscation avoids direct API calls and aims to create a more complex API calling process. Unfortunately, current API call obfuscation methods are not effective in preventing analysts from obtaining usable information from the API address space. To solve this issue, in this paper, we propose an API call obfuscation model based on address space obscurity. The key functions within the API are encrypted and moved to the user code space for execution. This breaks the relationship between the API and its address space, making it impossible for analysts to obtain address information about a known API from the API address space. In our experiments, we developed an archetypical compiler-level API call obfuscation system to automate the obfuscation of input source code into an obfuscated file. The results show that our approach can thwart existing API deobfuscation techniques and is highly resistant to various open-source dynamic analysis platforms. Compared to other obfuscation techniques, our scheme improves API address space obscurity by more than two times, the detection rate of deobfuscation techniques such as Scylla, etc. is zero, and the increase in obfuscation overhead is not more than 20%. The above results show that APIASO has better obfuscation effect and practicability.
Integrated weed management - could we be doing better? Lessons from controlling the invasive wetland shrub, Mimosa pigra.

1. Partial control; i.e. where biological control has an impact, but other control methods are still required, is the most common result of biological control programs against weeds. For this reason, optimizing integration of biological control with other methods should be a research priority. However, there are relatively few examples where biological control and other control methods have been integrated and have led to enhanced control. 2. Potential reasons why biological control may fail to integrate with other methods are discussed and a large-scale integrated control trial to investigate the impacts of herbicide application, crushing by bulldozer and burning, either alone or in combination, on both the introduced wetland weed Mimosa pigra and its biological control agents are described. 3. In isolation, herbicide, bulldozing and fire were not effective control measures, but several combinations of techniques cleared mimosa thickets and promoted establishment of competing vegetation which inhibited seedling establishment. 4. Depending on the species, biological control agent abundance relative to mimosa was either unchanged or increased following herbicide and/or bulldozing treatments. 5. All agents re-colonised regenerating mimosa within one year of the fire treatment. Abundance of Carmenta mimosa declined, whereas Neurostrota gunniella increased dramatically following the fire. 6. We attribute increased abundance of N. gunniella in response to all treatments, to attack by this species being aggregated along stand edges. By reducing mimosa populations from monocultures to smaller patches or individual plants, control treatments will have increased the ratio of ‘edge’ to ‘thicket’ plants and, therefore, the proportion of plants susceptible to N. gunniella attack. 7. We conclude that integrating control techniques can successfully control dense mimosa thickets; and that biological control integrates well with other control options and should, therefore, lead to significant cost reductions in the management of mimosa. To maximise this benefit, integrated weed management plans should be designed to fully integrate biological control with other methods, rather than separate them spatially or temporarily.
Highly Adhesive Antimicrobial Coatings for External Fixation Devices

Pin site infections arise from the use of percutaneous pinning techniques (as seen in skeletal traction, percutaneous fracture pinning, and external fixation for fracture stabilization or complex deformity reconstruction). These sites are niduses for infection because the skin barrier is disrupted, allowing for bacteria to enter a previously privileged area. After external fixation, the rate of pin site infections can reach up to 100%. Following pin site infection, the pin may loosen, causing increased pain (increasing narcotic usage) and decreasing the fixation of the fracture or deformity correction construct. More serious complications include osteomyelitis and deep tissue infections. Due to the morbidity and costs associated with its sequelae, strategies to reduce pin site infections are vital. Current strategies for preventing implant-associated infections include coatings with antibiotics, antimicrobial polymers and peptides, silver, and other antiseptics like chlorhexidine and silver-sulfadiazine. Problems facing the development of antimicrobial coatings on orthopedic implants and, specifically, on pins known as Kirschner wires (or K-wires) include poor adhesion of the drug-eluting layer, which is easily removed by shear forces during the implantation. Development of highly adhesive drug-eluting coatings could therefore lead to improved antimicrobial efficacy of these devices and ultimately reduce the burden of pin site infections. In response to this need, we developed two types of gel coatings: synthetic poly-glycidyl methacrylate-based and natural-chitosan-based. Upon drying, these gel coatings showed strong adhesion to pins and remained undamaged after the application of strong shear forces. We also demonstrated that antibiotics can be incorporated into these gels, and a K-wire with such a coating retained antimicrobial efficacy after drilling into and removal from a bone. Such a coating could be invaluable for K-wires and other orthopedic implants that experience strong shear forces during their implantation.
Trajectory planning and control algorithm of industrial robot manipulator

As the industrial robot task becomes more complex, the difficulty of trajectory planning and tracking control of manipulator is gradually increasing. To minimize the vibration during the manipulator motion and improve the planning accuracy, the method of quintic polynomial combined with non-uniform B-spline interpolation is studied for joint space (JS) planning. The trajectory tracking system is easily affected by friction nonlinearity and parameters. So a JS trajectory tracking controller based on based on fuzzy neural network (FNN) is designed. Through simulation experiments, the curve obtained by the planning method studied is smoother and the planning error is minimum. The maximum position error is 0.09 rad, and the speed error is not more than 0.1 rad/s. The controller performance test results under different parameters show that the W^, c^, κ^ parameter in FNN can be adjusted in real time, and the value will not affect the performance of the controller. The fluctuation range of trajectory error of different joints is within ±0.2×10-5rad, which indicates that the performance of AFNNC controller studied is better. And its response time is the shortest and its robustness is better when the load changes suddenly.
Un/desired impact of capital buffers: Evidence from Indonesian bank profitability and risk-taking

Abstract The study employs a two-step system GMM technique within a panel data framework to investigate the effects of capital buffers on the profitability and risk behavior of Indonesian commercial banks from 2010 to 2020. The findings reveal that capital buffers serve a dual role, acting as a safety net against potential losses while also promoting increased financial stability and stronger shareholder engagement. This ultimately benefits the bank and its stakeholders in the long run. However, the positive effects of capital buffers come at a cost, as they are associated with reduced returns on assets and return on equity. The study emphasizes the importance of managing risk effectively, striking a delicate balance between risk-taking and prudent risk management to achieve optimal profitability. It underscores the need for banks to prioritize robust risk management practices and proper capitalization to avoid pursuing profitability at the expense of these critical factors. The study further highlights the significance of policymakers finding the right equilibrium between promoting financial stability through capital requirements and fostering a competitive banking industry that can generate profits and support economic growth.
Genome Analysis of Bifidobacterium Bifidum E3, Structural Characteristics, and Antioxidant Properties of Exopolysaccharides

In this study, the antioxidant properties of intact cells (IC), cell-free supernatant (CFS), and cell-free extracts (CFE) and whole genome sequencing of Bifidobacterium bifidum E3 (B. bifidum E3), as well as the structural characteristics and antioxidant properties of EPS-1, EPS-2, and EPS-3, were evaluated. The results revealed that intact cells (IC), cell-free supernatant (CFS), and cell-free extracts (CFE) had potent DPPH (1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical), hydroxyl, and superoxide anion radical scavenging capacities, among which CFS was the best. At the genetic level, we identified a strong carbohydrate metabolism capacity, an EPS synthesis gene cluster, and five sugar nucleotides in B. bifidum E3. Therefore, we extracted cEPS from B. bifidum E3 and purified it to obtain EPS-1, EPS-2, and EPS-3. EPS-1, EPS-2, and EPS-3 were heteropolysaccharides with an average molecular weight of 4.15 × 104 Da, 3.67 × 104 Da, and 5.89 × 104 Da, respectively. The EPS-1 and EPS-2 are mainly comprised of mannose and glucose, and the EPS-3 is mainly comprised of rhamnose, mannose, and glucose. The typical characteristic absorption peaks of polysaccharides were shown in Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR spectroscopy). The microstructural study showed a rough surface structure for EPS-1, EPS-2, and EPS-3. Furthermore, EPS-1, EPS-2, and EPS-3 exhibited potent DPPH, hydroxyl, and superoxide anion radical scavenging capacities. Correlation analysis identified that antioxidant capacities may be influenced by various factors, especially molecular weight, chemical compositions, and monosaccharide compositions. In summary, the EPS that was produced by B. bifidum E3 may provide insights into health-promoting benefits in humans.
Use of topographic and climatological models in a geographical data base to improve Landsat MSS classification for Olympic National Park

An unsupervised computer classification of vegetation/landcover of Olympic National Park and surrounding environs was initially carried out using four bands of Landsat MSS data. The primary objective of the project was to derive a level of landcover classifications useful for park management applications while maintaining an acceptably high level of classification accuracy. Initially, nine generalized vegetation/landcover classes were derived. Overall classification accuracy was 91.7 percent. In an attempt to refine the level of classification, a geographic information system (GIS) approach was employed. Topographic data and watershed boundaries (inferred precipitation/temperature) data were registered with the Landsat MSS data. The resultant boolean operations yielded 21 vegetation/landcover classes while maintaining the same level of classification accuracy. The final classification provided much better identification and location of the major forest types within the park at the same high level of accuracy, and these met the project objective. This classification could now become inputs into a GIS system to help provide answers to park management coupled with other ancillary data programs such as fire management.
Iron and manganese in the ocean atmospheric input by dust and coastal ocean time series

Trace metals such as iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) are essential micronutrients in the biogeochemistry of the ocean (Turner and Hunter, 2001), and dry deposition is a substantial source of both Fe and Mn to the surface ocean (Duce and Tindale, 1991; Guieu et al., 1994). Kinetic and thermodynamic values for the release of metals from dust are needed for computer models which incorporate dust as part of their ocean system. Here we investigate the thermodynamic and kinetics parameters involved in the dissolution of metals from dust in seawater. We added dust from the Sahara and the Western United States to seawater in a variety of ways to investigate the dissolution patterns of Fe and Mn. Results show different apparent thermodynamic constants for manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe). The final Mn concentrations are proportional to the added dust concentration and light intensity, and independent of initial dissolution rate. Fe concentrations in fresh seawater reach a maximum concentration of less than 2 nM. However, depletion of organic ligands lead to the precipitation of Fe oxide from solution, and the addition of siderophores enhanced both the total Fe capacity of the seawater and the rate of Fe dissolution from dust. The first order rate constant for the dissolution of dust differed by dust source and was dependent on oxalate concentration and intensity of natural UV light. We conclude that final Mn concentrations are limited by available Mn on the dust surface, while Fe concentrations are limited by the ligand concentrations in the seawater, which ultimately are determined by the biological community. Because the coastal ocean plays a significant role in global biogeochemical cycles, (Smith and Hollibaugh, 1993; Tsunogai and Noriki, 1991), we conducted a coastal ocean time series to investigate the basic modes and cycles which characterize the ocean. We found that Mn is highly dependent on seasonal rain events, with surface water concentrations observed as high as 30 nM after rain events. Fe within the coastal ocean is highly variable and can be used as a tool to track water mass movements and mixing patterns.
Hydrogen-Bonding-Driven Nontraditional Photoluminescence of a β-Enamino Ester

Nontraditional luminogens (NTLs) do not contain any conventional chromophores (large π-conjugated structures), but they do show intrinsic photoluminescence. To achieve photoluminescence from NTLs, it is necessary to increase the extent of through-space conjugation (TSC) and suppress nonradiative decay. Incorporating strong physical interactions such as hydrogen bonding is an effective strategy to achieve this. In this work, we carried out comparative studies on the photoluminescence behaviors of two β-enamino esters with similar chemical structures, namely methyl 3-aminocrotonate (MAC) and methyl (E)-3-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-2-butenoate (MPB). MAC crystal emits blue fluorescence under UV irradiation. The critical cluster concentration of MAC in ethanol solutions was determined by studying the relationship between the photoluminescence intensity (UV–visible absorbance) and concentration. Furthermore, MAC exhibits solvatochromism, and its emission wavelength redshifts as the solvent polarity increases. On the contrary, MPB is non-emissive in both solid state and solutions. Crystal structures and theoretical calculation prove that strong inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonds lead to the formation of large amounts of TSC of MAC molecules in aggregated states. No hydrogen bonds and thus no effective TSC can be formed between or within MPB molecules, and this is the reason for its non-emissive nature. This work provides a deeper understanding of how hydrogen bonding contributes to the luminescence of NTLs.
Living off biodiversity: exploring livelihoods and biodiversity issues in natural resources management.

This book aims to build a better understanding of how to build on the opportunities -- and how to reduce the risks -- that biodiversity presents to the achievement of sustainable livelihoods for all. It does this by sketching out ways forward for the more effective mainstreaming of biodiversity in the natural resource sectors, to be fitted -- as appropriate -- to a range of different contexts. Includes the following chapters: "Conserving global biological diversity through alternative development paths," "forests, biodiversity and livelihoods: linking policy and practice", "agriculture, biodiversity and livelihoods: issues and entry points", "til the cows come home: why conserve livestock biodiversity? ", "understanding rangeland diversity", "poverty and aquatic biodiversity", "insect diversity and livelihoods".